Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 119

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360

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As a lecturer before normal institutes on didactic professional subjects or on general ed-

ucational topics, during the last twenty years there has been no man in Iowa whose services have been more sought and have givensuchgen- eral satisfaction. Ever since he began educa- tional work in this State Dr. Fellows has been in regular attendance at the Iowa State Teachers' Association, and served as its president at the meeting held in Davenport in 1872. No edu- cator in Iowa has taken a more active part in the work of this association than he. In 1884 he read a paper before the association at Des Moines on the " practical value of education," which ranks as a masterpiece amidst such lit- erature in this country. It has been copied and recopied by educational journals and news- papers of nearly every State in the Union. This paper, as well as many others written by Dr. Fellows, shows him to be a close observer and a scholar of wide research. Outside of educa- tional work he has exercised a wide influence in Iowa in temperance work. His open letters on this question have attracted attention all over the land and have been widely copied by the press. He at one time served as president of the Iowa Temperance Alliance.

In 1887 Dr. Fellows severed his connection with the State University, and since that time has been in the regular pastoral work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, filling the pulpit of the church at Manchester and Toledo, while at the present writing he has charge of the Fayette Church. He is still in robust health, and though he has passed the sixty-fifth mile- stone on life's journey, he does not appear nearly so old, retaining all the vigor, enthusi- asm and progressiveness of a man in his prime. In his ministerial labors he is zealous and ear- nest, bringing to his aid a ripe experience, faultless life and well stored mind, coupled with the greatest sincerity and honesty. As a preacher in the pulpit he is thoughtful and im- pressive, exhibiting great power of heart and brain. He is pre-eminently a busy man, and one of his characteristics is to take a decided stand for or against any enterprise of import- ance.

He received the honorary degree of Doctor

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of Divinity from Cornell College in 1871. In 1891 he was elected a delegate to the second Ecumenical Methodist Conference at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, and in 1893 was a member of the Advisory Council of Religions at Chicago.

In the present year (1895) he has been in- strumental in organizing the Indian Rights Association of Iowa, and became its first president. This is a humane organization, having for its object the education and con- version of the remnants of tribes of Indians still within the borders of the State, notably a colony of about 500 in the vicinity of Toledo. The Doctor's plan is to secure an appropria- tion from Congress for the establishment of an industrial school, the erection of suitable build- ings, the equipment of their lands with farm- ing implements and instruction in the use of these; also to elevate the Indians to a higher plane of social and religious life. He is very zealous in this good work and receives the sup- port of the best people of Toledo. A recent visit to a prominent United States Senator, who is chairman of the committee having such matters in charge, gives the Doctor great hope that he will ultimately be successful in this noble and self-sacrificing work.

This in brief is the life record of one whose name is inseparably connected with the history of Iowa and whose labors have done so much for its advancement in education and morality.

J AMES ALLCOTT .- Iowa has reason to be proud of many of her native sons, and among her valued citizens who were born within her territory is numbered the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch.

His birth occurred in Wapello county, April 25, 1865, and he is a son of George and Elizabeth (Murdock) Allcott, the former a na- tive of Ohio and the latter of New England. In 1860 they came to Iowa, and near the city of Ottumwa the father passed away at the age

of twenty-five years. His widow still survives and is now living in Fort Scott, Kansas, with one of her children. They were highly es- teemed people, whose many excellencies of character won them the warm regard of all with whom they came in contact.

James Allcott was reared on the old home- stead farm and was only five years of age when his father died. He then went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until eleven years of age, after which he began working by the month as a farm hand, and was thus em- ployed for a number of years. He has carried on agricultural pursuits throughout the greater part of his life, and is an energetic, practical and progressive farmer.

On the 5th of July, 1877, was celebrated the marriage of James Allcott and Miss Mi- nerva Barto, one of the fair daughters of Dallas county. Her parents, John and Margaret (Stump) Barto, came from Indiana to Iowa in 1853 and cast their lot with the early settlers of the Hawkeye State. Mr. Barto was an honored pioneer hotel-keeper in this section, and was probably as widely and favorably known as any frontiersman in Iowa. He was a man of pleasant, genial manner, highly es- teemed by all who knew him, and his circle of friends was indeed extensive. He was familiar with the entire development of this section of the country, aided in its upbuilding and took a commendable interest in its welfare. To Mr. and Mrs. Allcott were born five children, as follows: Fred B., John B., Harold C., Glenn S. and Lois G.

After his marriage, Mr. Allcott located on a part of the old Barto farm, which his wife's father had secured from the Government, trans- forming it from a tract of wild land into rich and fertile fields. He continued to rent that property for three years, after which he re- moved to Guthrie county, there purchasing eighty acres, which he cultivated until some years later, when he sold out and bought a tract of land in Van Meter township, Dallas county. This, in connection with what his wife received from her father's estate, constitutes their fine

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farm of 300 acres of choice land. Mr. Allcott is a Republican in politics and proudly cast his first vote for R. B. Hayes. The members of the family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are well educated, re- fined and intelligent people, whose genuine worth and devotion to all that is calculated to uplift humanity has made them worthy the es- teem of all.

ILLIAM KELLOGG .- Among the honored pioneers who blazed a path for future generations to follow, who bravely turned their faces from the older localities with their already established advantages to risk their fortunes on the West- ern frontier with all its wildness and primitive modes of life, was the Kellogg family, who located near Charles City, Iowa, more than forty years ago. Of this family our subject is a worthy representative.

He was born in Lake county, Ohio, August 25, 1834, and is a son of John and Rachel (Shelley) Kellogg. The Kellogg family is of Irish origin, but for many generations has been established in America. The father was born in Vermont in 1808, and the mother in Con- necticut about 1814. During their childhood they accompanied their respective parents to the Buckeye State, where, in 1832, their mar- riage was celebrated. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1854 brought his family to the West, locating on the wild prairies of Iowa. At that time Charles City contained only three log buildings, and there was not a frame structure within ten miles. The near- est post-office was at Bradford, Chickasaw county, fourteen miles distant. The country was in its primitive condition. Hardly a fur- row had been turned on the broad prairies, the greater part of the land being still in pos- session of the Government. The father en- tered a claim, and with the aid of his sons be- gan the development of a farmi. He died in Charles City in 1882, but the mother is still living, at the age of eighty-one, on the home-

stead, which is under the supervision of her son Lyman.

In the family were nine children, eight of whom are yet living, the second child, Emily, having died in Ohio, at the age of thirteen years. Our subject is the eldest, and is fol- lowed by Eliza, wife of John Brown, a resi- dent of Charles City; Lyman, who served throughout the war as a member of the Third Iowa Infantry, and for twenty years has been engaged in grain dealing in Charles City; Ma- tilda, wife of W. E. Holbrook, a merchant of this place; Mary, the widow of James Mc- Kinney, a resident of Charles City; Harvey, a traveling salesman with headquarters at Minneapolis, but living in Charles City; Ed- win, who follows farming near by; and Jane, wife of Henry Webster, a farmer of Niles township, Floyd county. With the exception of the last named, who is twelve miles distant, the members of this family all live within three miles of one another.

William Kellogg spent the first fifteen years of his life in the State of his nativity, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Niles, Michigan, where they remained for a year. He then located on a farm near La Porte, Indiana. In the spring of 1854 he came to Charles City, Iowa, and with the fam- ily shared in all the hardships and trials of life on the frontier. He acquired his education in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and also spent one term in a school in this locality. He was early inured to the labors of the farm, and during the greater part of his business career has carried on agricultural pursuits. He has always been an industrious and energetic man, and for twenty-three seasons operated a thresh- ing-machine. In 1885 he practically retired from farming, although he still owns a small tract of farming land near the town. He is a man of resolute purpose and energy, and his well-directed efforts have brought to him suc- cess.

Mr. Kellogg has been twice married. In Charles City, in the autumn of 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Carver, a

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sister of D. W. Carver, well known in Iowa as the editor of the Dubuque Herald. She was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1836, and came with her parents to this State in 1856. Her parents were Henry and Alta Car- ver, natives of New York and Massachusetts respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg became the parents of five children. The eldest of the family is Everett D., a traveling salesman, selling windmills, pumps, etc., for a Cedar Rapids house. He married Myrta Bowers, and their home is in Charles City. Irving W. is traveling for a Kansas City house engaged in the same line of business and is also married, having wedded Clara J. Teeling, a teacher of more than ordinary ability. Alta was the wife of Joseph H. Barris, and died in January, 1895, leaving two children-Dean and Lucy C., who are now living in the family of our subject. Gertie M. died in 1892, unmarried. Ida L. is still under the parental roof.

The children were given excellent educa- tional privileges. The two younger daughters are graduates of the Charles City high school, and the eldest son is a graduate of the Bayless Commercial College, of Dubuque, Iowa. The mother of this family passed away in May, 1886, and in August, 1887, Mr. Kellogg was united in marriage with Mrs. Charity E. Ray- mond, a native of Vermont and a lady of lib- eral education. Her parents are Colonel Caleb B. and Jane (Hatch) Lothrop. . The latter died in Winterset, Iowa, but Colonel Lothrop is now living in that city, at the age of more than eighty years, and in the enjoy- ment of perfect health. He operates a 'bus line and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. W. S. Wheeden. He is a native of Vermont. Mrs. Kellogg came to Iowa with her parents in 1852, when about seven years of age, and resided in Des Moines for some time; but the family, in 1862, located in Madi- son county. She is an active member of the Congregational Church, taking a prominent part in both church and Sunday-school work.

On leaving his farm in 1884 Mr. Kellogg began dealing in agricultural implements, han-

dling a general line of farm machinery, thresh- ing machines, engines, pumps, etc. He car- ried on business in this line until February, 1893, when he sold out and has since practi- cally retired. To a man of his energetic na- ture, however, it is utterly impossible to put aside all business cares, and he yet retains a neat office and shop, attends to collections, sells windmills and pumps; but this is more for the purpose of employing his time than of. making money. His life has been well spent, and his industry and capable manage- ment has brought to him a comfortable com- petence. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church, and in politics he is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the party principles.

J OSEPH ROBERT LUNN is now prac- tically living a retired life. For some years he devoted his time and energies to the cultivation of a farm, and the capital that he thereby acquired now enables him to live retired, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Being widely and favorably known throughout Dallas county, he well deserves representation in this volume, and with pleasure we present the record of his life to our readers.

A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Bucks county on the 26th of February, 1824, and is a son of Jesse and Margaret (Solliday) Lunn. The father was also a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and, emigrating west- ward in 1832, took up his residence in Frank- lin county, Ohio, where he made his home throughout the remainder of his life. He was a farmer and stone-mason and his career was that of an honorable business man. He reached the allotted age of three-score years and ten, and was then called to his final rest.

The subject of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the old home farm, and the monotony of work in the fields was varied by attendance at the district schools,

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where he acquired his education. At the age of twenty-two he left home and earned his own living by working as a farm hand, being em- ployed by the month until the spring of 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California and hoping that he might more rapidly realize a competence in that far West- ern district he went to the Pacific slope. He crossed the plains with a train of horses and inules in a party consisting of 180 men, two women and a young girl, the journey consum- ing eighty-five days from the Missouri river to their destination. He returned by water-the Nicaragua route-to his home in Ohio in August, 1853, and again started to California by water in January, 1855, there remaining until 1870, twenty months being spent in mining in Nevada. He engaged in both mining and teaming, with good success; and, although he did not realize his hope of gaining wealth in a few months, by earnest and persistent labor he acquired a comfortable competence that enabled him to secure a good home on his return. In 1870 he again went to the old home in Ohio, and the following year came to Iowa to look after a tract of wild land of 480 acres.

On the 14th of May, 1872, was celebrated a marriage which united the destinies of Joseph R. Lunn and Miss Julia A. Slaughter, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Moses and Mary (Powell) Slaugh- ter. The former was a native of North Caro- lina and a son of Ada Slaughter. The family is of English descent and was probably founded in North Carolina many years ago by the father of Ada. He was a wealthy planter and owned 800 acres of land and 100 slaves. Ada Slaughter married Elizabeth Anderson, a na- tive of North Carolina, whose father was also a wealthy slave owner; but Ada and his wife were both strongly opposed to the institution of slavery, and on account of their views on that question their parents refused to render them any assistance in starting in life after their marriage. They had six children, and after the death of the father his widow re-

moved to Indiana that she might rear her chil- dren away from the influence of slavery, and in consequence was not recognized by the Slaughter family. On the death of her father she was offered her share of the money re- ceived from the sale of the slaves but declined to accept it, saying that it was the price of hu- man blood. She therefore did not get any- thing from her father's large estate. Moses Slaughter became one of the early settlers of Indiana. A lover of the cause of freedom, he strongly opposed slavery and did all in his power to promote abolition sentiment and principles. His home was a station on the " under-ground railroad," and Mrs. Lunn re- members hearing her mother say, "Why, if they catch you in helping your father hide niggers they will hang you both."

Mrs. Lunn came to Iowa at an early age, was educated in the public schools of Dallas county and in the Adel high school, and for twelve years before her marriage successfully taught school. She is one of the intelligent, refined ladies of this section of the country, well educated and an accomplished, entertain- ing conversationalist. She presides over her home with that quiet grace and dignity that indicate good breeding, and has made the Lunn household a hospitable one. Mr. and Mrs. Lunn have no children of their own, but out of the kindness of their hearts have given homes to two adopted children: Minnie, now the wife of N. F. Freeman, by whom she has one child; and Lock Ellsworth, a bright young boy of seven years.

Upon their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lunn located upon the farm where they still reside. Their home is a beautiful one and all the con- veniences and accessories of a model farm are found there. Mr. Lunn is now practically liv- ing retired. His life has been a busy and use- ful one, and his earnest toil has supplied him with a competence that provides all the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life. Both hè and his wife are active in good works, are noted for their hospitality and to the poor and needy extend a helping hand, while to every

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laudable enterprise for the benefit of the com- munity they contribute liberally. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church.

a DGAR L. COLLINS, a prominent and highly respected farmer of Sugar Grove township, Dallas county, was born in Auburn county, New York, on the 2d of November, 1849, and is a son of L. L. Collins. He remained at home until his marriage, aiding in the duties of the farm. The lady who now bears his name was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Gorman, their wedding being celebrated January 13, 1875. Her birth occurred in Marquette county, Wisconsin, and she is a daughter of Willian and Mary (Plun- ket) Gorman. Her father, who was a native of Dublin, Ireland, was educated for the priest- hood, but later followed the carpenter's trade. He brought his family to Iowa in 1866, and his death occurred in Des Moines when he was aged about seventy-one years. Mrs. Gorman is still living, making her home with a daugh- ter in Des Moines, Polk county, Iowa. Six children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Collins: Christie L., born March 7, 1878; Charles B., born May 14, 1882; Henry R., born January 3, 1884; Eddie, born Octo- ber 2, 1886; Loretta Pearl, born May II, 1888; and Bessie, born October 11, 1889.

For twelve years after his marriage Mr. Collins resided in Dallas Center, where he con- ducted a livery stable and coal yard, after which he settled on forty acres of land where he yet lives, it comprising a part of the old Collins homestead. He has kept adding to his original tract until his place consists of several hundred acres, and every improvement upon the farm stands as a monument to perse- verance and industrious habits. His first home was a very primitive structure, but in 1888 this was replaced by his present fine dwelling, and he has also erected commodious barns, gran- aries and all other necessary outbuildings. He is a model farmer, devoting his entire time and attention to his business interests, but expects

to retire from active work about the close of the year 1896.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins are surrounded by many warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem them highly for their many noble traits of character. In their home hospitality reigns supreme, and the stranger as well as friend is never turned away. Mrs. Collins is a devout member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Collins cast his first vote for General Grant when he ran for his second term, but now gives his alle- giance to the Democratic party, which finds in him a stalwart supporter.

3 OHN H. COLE .- The incredible growth of the Mississippi valley and the West has excited the wonder of the world. Men of progress, enterprise and busi- ness ability entered upon the labor of transfor- mation and to-day Iowa is a country rich in re- sources, with farms unsurpassed in fertility and with business and educational interests that rival those of the older East. Mr. Cole is a Western man by birth and training, and his life largely typifies the spirit of progress.

He is a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born April 20, 1824, and a son of William and Nancy (Haymen) Cole. His father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1786, and died in Indiana, March 28, 1844. The mother was born in 1794, in the Old Dominion, and died on the homestead in In- diana, January 1, 1830. The maternal grand- parents of our subject were Dr. John and Dorcas Haymen, but little is known concern- ing the ancestry of the family. His great- grandfather Cole was a native of England, and during his early manhood crossed the briny deep to the New World to become the founder of the family in America.

Our subject is the only surviving son of a family of four children, but one sister is also living. From the time of his mother's death he has practically been dependent upon his own exertions. He did the chores of the home farm and continued with his father until twelve

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years of age, when he began work as a farm hand for $4 per month, and was thus employed for about three years. He then entered the employ of a physician in the neighborhood, working for his board and clothing, and a year later was employed as teamster in connection with a flouring-mill, situated near the old Tippecanoe battle-ground. There he drove a six-horse team, hauling from thirty to forty barrels of flour at each load. He was thus employed for two years, when he engaged with a farmer, doing at least one-half of the work on the place and receiving in payment one- sixth of the crops. A year later he rented a farm, which he operated for two years.

On the 14th of September, 1847, Mr. Cole wedded Mary Lucas, who was born in Ross county, June 7, 1827, and is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stockton) Lucas, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of the Buckeye State. The father died in Tippe- canoe county, Indiana, and the mother in Johnson county. In their family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters. The brothers were all soldiers in the late war and her sister also did service in behalf of the Union. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Cole were Henry and Elizabeth (Wiley) Lucas, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Ross county, Ohio, where they spent their last days, passing away when well advanced in years. The maternal grandparents were John and Abigail (Eaton) Stockton, but no record of the family has been preserved. To Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born the following chil- dren : Nancy J., who is married and has one son; Victoria C., a widow lady with two sons; Haymen T., who is married and has one son and one daughter; Virginia B., who is married and has two sons and a daughter; Ernest A .; Meggs Valpo; Zeda H., who is married; Oicha C .; Blanche, who is also married; and Guy, who complete the family. The children were provided with good school privileges, some of them having attended the finest colleges of that period in the State of Iowa.

After his marriage, Mr. Cole rented land in

different localities in Indiana until the fall of 1854, when he came to Iowa and purchased the farm on which he is now living. It was school land, and he bought a tract of 280 acres at $2 per acre, securing the same from George Lambert, who was then school commissioner of this section. The following year he paid $150 to a man whom he had never seen or heard of before to break forty acres of his prairie farm and make 4,000 rails. His con- fidence was not misplaced, for upon his return he found the man had fulfilled his contract to the letter.

In the fall of 1855, with barely enough money left to return to Indiana, Mr. Cole re- turned to his old home for his family and with a team of horses and a few cows drove across the country to the Hawkeye State. There was not a single railroad in the State, and in fact much of the Iowa land was still in the posses- sion of the Government and entirely unim- proved. Mr. Cole settled in this then frontier region and erected a plank house, 16 x 18 feet, which is still standing and forms a part of his present home. It cost him $1 per 100 feet for sawing his plank, but he managed to secure a good property and yet owns his original pur- chase. He has also given to each of his sons an eighty-acre farm. His residence is situated in the midst of a beautiful grove, and every tree and shrub upon his farm has been placed there by himself. There are not three men living in this part of Dallas county who were here at the time of his arrival. He is truly one of the honored pioneers of the county and has been an important factor in its upbuilding. He and his estimable wife have aided in the erection of nearly every church and school- house in this section and have been liberal contributors to worthy enterprises. They are both charter members of the Old Settlers' So- ciety, and Mrs. Cole has delivered several fine addresses at their meetings. She is also an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a noble Christian woman. The life of Mr. Cole has been one of uprightness and honor, and all who know him esteem him

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 119

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1360

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360