Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 140

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

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The reputation which Carroll Wright has won in his chosen profession is merited by his native power, his acquired ability and his de- votion to his country's interest. Although a good advocate before a jury, stating and argu- ing his cases to them with clearness and force and in a persuasive manner, his specialty is undoubtedly that of corporation law, and as a

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counsel he is painstaking and conservative, while his judgment on what is the best thing to be done in the matters submitted to him can safely be depended upon. He never gives opinions without the fullest investigation, both of the facts and the law applicable to them, and never advises his clients to take a course of action which may be doubtful in result with- out fully explaining to them the possible con- sequences. Quick and keen in perception, he has the faculty of grasping all the details and intricacies of a case, not losing sight of the es- sential facts and considerations involved in it, upon which the decision of every case finally turns.

On the 18th of June, 1879, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Elliott, daughter of John A. and Mattie (Henderson) Elliott. They became the parents of two children, -Elliott and Carroll, -but the former died in infancy. Their beautiful home is lo- cated at 1923 Grand avenue, is noted for its hospitality and is presided over with grace by the estimable mistress, whose friends through- out the community are many. She comes of a prominent and wealthy family, her father having been Auditor of State for three terms. His death occurred in 1887.

Mr. Wright is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and is a supporter of the Republican party. He is quite deeply inter- ested in political affairs, has made many speeches in support of the men and measures of his party, and from 1890 until 1892 in- clusive he was Regent of the State University. Aside from the law he has other business in- terests, and is now secretary of the Des Moines & Fort Dodge Railroad; a director of the Des Moines, Northern & Western Railroad Com- pany, and a director of the Hawkeye Invest- ment Company. For thirty years he has been a resident of Des Moines, and his con- nection with the city has aided in its growth and prosperity. He has a host of friends, won by genuine worth and an upright life, and his friendship is prized most by those who know him best.

ON. ELIPHALET BENTON RUCK- MAN is one of the popular and highly esteemed citizens of Marion county, and has been a prominent factor in the promotion of educational, social, political and moral interests, also has taken an active part in advancing the material welfare of the community. This work would be incomplete without the record of his life, for he is justly numbered among the most valued and promi- nent citizens in this section of the State.

Mr. Ruckman was born in Barren county, Kentucky, April 28, 1837, and is a son of Amos and Amanda F. (Houck) Ruckman. The grand- father, Isaiah Ruckman, was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Joseph Ruckman, a tailor by trade, who was of Hol- land lineage and made his home in the Key- stone State. Isaiah Ruckman carried on agri- cultural pursuits as a means of livelihood, and removed to North Carolina, settling in Roan- oke county. Several years later he went to Barren county, Kentucky, where he spent his remaining days.

Amos Ruckman was born there on the 17th of February, 1806, and continued his residence in the South until 1852, when he removed to Marion county, Iowa, and entered land in Union township. He was a very industrious and en- ergetic man, upright and honorable in all things, and was held in high regard for his genuine worth. For two years he served as Justice of the Peace, but was never an office-seeker. He married Amanda F. Houck, who was born in Barren county, Kentucky, May 11, 1812, and was the eldest in a family of fourteen children, whose parents were John and Elizabeth (Hoye) Houck, the former a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and the latter of Albermarle county, Virginia. The grandfather, Henry Houck, was a native of Germany and the founder of the family in America. Amos Ruckman continued his residence on the farm which is now the home of our subject until his death, which occurred April 26, 1884. His widow still survives him and is now living with her son Eliph-

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alet. In the family were three children. The eldest is the subject of this sketch, who ·was born April 28, 1837; the next was John Lewis Ruckman, born September 17, 1838, was commissioned Captain of Company B, Third Iowa Infantry Regiment, September 4, 1862; and Joseph, who was born February 4, 1840, and commissioned Second Lieutenant November 1, 1862, of the same company.

Mr. Ruckman, our subject, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, and after coming to this State pursued his studies in Central Uni- versity, of Pella, Iowa, after which he attended Bryant & Stratton Business College, of Chicago, from which he was graduated in the class of 1860. He watched with interest and solicitude the attitude of the South prior to the Civil war, and when Fort Sumter was fired upon resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union, enlisting in Company B, Third Iowa Infantry, under Captain Stone. At different times his regiment was attached to the com- mand of Generals McPherson, Lawman and Sturges. The troops went to Missouri, where he participated in the battle of Blue Mills, and afterward went to Mississippi, where he took part in the engagements at Holly Springs, Corinth, Iuka, Hatchie River Bridge, Shiloh and the siege of Vicksburg. . He then went to Jackson, Mississippi, and in the battle of that place lost his life. He was buried near the Pearl river, but subsequently his remains were transferred by the Government to the national cemetery in Vicksburg.

Joseph, the second son of the family, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, February 4, 1840, and came with his parents to Iowa. He pursued his education in Central University of Pella, and also entered upon a collegiate course, but just before his graduation he left school and with his brother, John L., entered the service of his country as a loyal defender of the old flag and the cause it represented. They were together in all the marches and battles up to the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, where his brother was killed and he was wounded. He was then captured by the

enemy and died four days later. They left to the family a priceless legacy, -an untarnished record as faithful defenders of their country. The career of both was an honorable one and their aged mother and brother may well cher- ish the memory of these heroes.

Eliphalet Benton Ruckman, our subject, attended the public schools of his native State until coming with his parents to Iowa in 1852. He here continued his studies, and later was a student in the Central University, of Pella. He also learned surveying, then taught school for a time, and subsequently followed farming. On the 17th of March, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Charity Walker, a native of Ross county, Ohio, and a daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Teter) Walker. Ten children were born of this union: Robert Quintus, who was born December 20, 1859, and married Miss Sophronia West, and resides on a farm in this county; Mary Elizabeth, born October 9, 1861, and is now the wife of George G. Jones, an agriculturist of Marion county; Eliza Jane, born December 28, 1863, and is the wife of John O. Rinehart, a resident farmer of Marion county; Hannah, who was born Feb- ruary 8, 1866, and was killed by lightning May 25, 1878; John Lewis, born January 25, 1868, and is now Deputy Clerk of Marion county; Joseph Independence, born July 4, 1870, and is at home; Zaccheus A., born April 4, 1873, and is a member of Company D, Third Iowa National Guards; Martha Sarah, born January 29, 1876; William Clyde, May 17, 1878; and one who died in infancy. The mother of this family was called to her final rest January 25. 1881, and her loss was widely and deeply mourned by many friends as well as her imme- diate family.

The cause of education has always found in our subject a stanch friend, and to fit his children for life's practical and responsible du- ties he gave to all of them a college education. His life has been a busy one, devoted to farm- ing and stock-raising, and at one time he was one of the most extensive land owners of the county. He now has 600 acres, valued at $40

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per acre. He has taken a prominent part in public affairs, and for twenty-five years has served as a member of the board of trustees of Central University. In 1890 he was elected to represent this county at the Ottumwa Coal Palace, and was vice-president of the Good Roads Convention in Des Moines in 1892. He favors every enterprise that is calculated to promote the general welfare. He has held a number of offices, having served as Constable of Union township, as secretary of the School Board of his district, and as Surveyor of Mar- ion county, both by appointment and election. He was Township Trustee, then served for three years-1889, 1890 and 1891-as County Supervisor, when he was again elected Trus- tee, being now the incumbent in that office.

A highly intelligent, patriotic and honora- ble man, his example is indeed exemplary, and Marion county numbers him among the citizens that it could ill afford to lose.

HOMAS BRANDON, one of the most extensive land owners in Monroe county, who is also equally successful in the banking business, which he fol- lows in Melrose, belongs to that class of typi- cal American citizens who with determined purpose force aside all the barriers that ob- struct their path and work their way upward from an humble position to one of prominence in the business world. A laudable ambition, tempered by sound judgment and enterprise and executive ability, have been the important factors in his success.

On the 27th of August, 1826, near Green- ville, in Greene county, Tennessee, Mr. Bran- don was born, and is the eldest in a family of eleven children, whose parents were James Brandon and Rebecca (Fowler) Brandon, also natives of Tennessee. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit until his death, which occurred in February, 1852, in Scotland county, Missouri. His re- mains were then brought back to Iowa and interred in the cemetery on our subject's farm.

The children of the family were Thomas; Audley, deceased; Amanda; Dicy; John, de- ceased; George; Eunice; Alexander; Rebecca; . Rhoda and an infant, -all four deceased.

Mr. Brandon spent his boyhood days on the old home farm in Tennessee until sixteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to what is now Monroe county, Iowa. It was then a wild and un- developed region, and he aided in the arduous task of transforming the wild prairie into a good farm. The experience and hardships of frontier life were familiar to him, and he was thoroughly conversant with the county's his- tory for more than a half century.

On the 13th of September, 1849, Mr. Brandon was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Barker, a native of Wayne county, Iowa. They became the parents of two children: Samuel, who married Miss Lucinda Johnson, and is a farmer of Appanoose county, Iowa; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Norton Allison, and died near Florence, Kansas, leav- ing six children. The mother of this family was a member of the Quaker Church, and died in that faith on the 4th of March, 1855. Mr. Brandon was again married. September II, 1856, his second union being with Miss Mary J. Stephens, a native of Virginia, who came to Louisa county, Iowa, in her girlhood days, and thence to Monroe county. Seven chil- dren were born of this union: Ruth J., wife of C. B. Riggs, a farmer of Chase county, Kansas; Thomas T., who married Miss Lucy Chadwick and operates a tract of land in Monroe county; Sarah, wife of D. J. Martin, also an agriculturist of Monroe county; Clara, wife of John Massman, a farmer of Appanoose county; Alice, wife of O. T. Ripp, a farmer of Monroe county; Laura, wife of Benjamin Ullem, who follows the same pursuit in Mon- roe county; and Josephine, at home.

Mr. Brandon is indeed a self-made man. When he was married his entire possessions consisted of a yoke of cattle and a cart, of which he made good use while peddling through the country; but with characteristic

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energy he entered upon business, which he prosecuted industriously until it yielded to him a good income. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious invest- ments in land, adding more and more to his real estate until he has now accumulated 1,450 acres, besides a ten-acre lot, with good resi- dence and a banking house in Melrose. He also owns 640 acres of good farm land in Texas, about thirty miles from Galveston and about twenty-three from Houston. Mr. Brandon, being about blind, took his daughter Laura with him to help select this land. In 1881 he embarked in the banking business in Melrose, with his daughter Sarah as cashier, who was then eighteen years of age, she having inherited her father's business talent, and she remained with him until the 4th of March, 1885, when she was married, leaving the office to her younger sister, Clara, who remained with him the following two years, when she, too, was married, leaving his daughter Alice as cashier for a short time, when his daughter Sarah again took the office; and she and her husband remained with him the following eight years, when they quit the banking business to take charge of their farm. Mr. Brandon then em- ployed Mr. John Luttrell as cashier. The bank has the reputation of being second to none in the State. Mr. Brandon has gradually risen from the role of peddler to that of one of the most conservative bankers in the State.

In politics he is a Jackson Democrat, but never aspires to public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with such signal success.

ILLIAM SCHOEN, who resides on section 35, Jefferson township, Madison county, Iowa, is entitled to distinction as one of the earliest settlers of this county. His history is that of a worthy, loyal citizen, one who has a war record in his native land and who also fought for the country of his adoption. As such, it is of

specific importance that biographical mention be accorded him in a work which has for its object the portrayal of the lives of the repre- sentative men and women of Madison county.

William Schoen is a native of Germany, born in Grabow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Ger- many, September 1, 1826, and at his native place spent his first twenty-five years on a farm, with the exception, however, of three years in the army. ' In 1851 he came to Amer- ica and direct to Iowa, first to Marion county, and in January of the following year to Madi- son county, locating on his present farm, its only improvements at that time consisting of a log house and two acres under cultivation. Here he has since lived and prospered. Now he is the owner of 240 acres of fine land, forty acres in timber and the rest under cultivation. He has a comfortable residence, and for years has been surrounded with everything that is conducive to happiness in this life.

Mr. Schoen was married at his home farm, July 6, 1852, to Miss Dora Loranzen, like him- self, born and reared in Germany, and for nearly four decades she shared with him the joys and sorrows of life, proving herself in every way a worthy helpmate. Her death occurred September 6, 1890. The fruits of their union were two children, one of which died in infancy. The other, Ferdinand, mar- ried Miss Emma Ballentine, and they reside with his father, the son now having charge of the farming operations.

When he landed in America, Mr. Schoen had as a capital with which to begin life in the new world the sum of $100, and his present fine property and all he possesses is the result of his own honest efforts. All these years he has been engaged in general farming and stock- raising, and from 1879 to 1890 he ran a cream- ery on his farm.

Mr. Schoen has voted with the Republican party ever since he became a citizen of the Union, having cast his first presidential vote for Fremont. He has always taken a com- mendable interest in public affairs, has served his township as Justice of the Peace and School

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Director, and has ever exerted an influence for good in his community. During the dark days of the Rebellion he was among the first to en- list for service in the Union army. It was in 1861 and as a member of Company G, Six- teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, that he en- tered the service and he was in the war one year. Previous to his coming to this country he had, as already stated, spent three years- from the 18th of April, 1848, through 1849 and 1850-in the Schleswig-Holstein army, in the war against Denmark, and in that war won promotion to the rank of First Sergeant. In the battle of Colding he was wounded in the left foot by a musket ball.

Thus, briefly is reviewed the life of one of Madison county's first settlers and most worthy citizens.

p ROF. LAUR. LARSEN (full name, Peter Laurentius Larsen), of De- corah, was born in Kristiansand, Norway, August 10, 1833. His fa- ther, Herman Larsen, was an officer in the Norwegian army. His mother, Marie Ofte- dahl, was a daughter of the Rev. Laurentius Oftedahl, a prominent pastor of the State Church of Norway. Mr. Oftedahl was a mem- ber of the constitutional convention which met at Eidsvold, Norway, in 1814. This con- vention was made up of 112 members, elected by the people, and they adopted a constitu- tion, chose a king, etc. At the age of nine years, our subject was sent to the Latin school in Kristiansand, and began at once to study Latin, Greek and German. In 1850 he took the degree of B. A. at the University of Norway, in Kristiania, and entered upon his university studies. Having passed the Examen Philosophicum in 1851, he commenced the study of theology and obtained the degree of Candidatus Theologiae in 1855.

While at the university he had to depend largely upon his own efforts for the means to pursue his studies, and earned a small income by teaching in different schools and families.

He continued as a teacher in 1855-7, giving instruction principally in French, German and Hebrew; but he desired to preach the gospel, and emigrated to America in 1857, and became the pastor of several Norwegian Lutheran Churches at Rush River, in the counties of Pierce and St. Croix, Wisconsin. In 1859, he was elected by the Norwegian Synod to be their professor at Concordia College and Theological Seminary, at St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained two years. In 1861 the Norwegian Synod decided to establish a school of their own, and Professor Larsen was ap- pointed its principal. He began the work the same year at the parsonage of Halfway Creek, near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The following year the school was removed to Decorah, Iowa, and has since been known as the Nor- wegian Luther College. Professor Larsen has remained its President. In spite of a de- structive fire in 1889 and numerous difficulties, the school has made a steady progress under his management. New buildings have been erected and the curriculum has been enlarged and improved. The diplomas of Luther College are recognized by some of the best universi- ties in this country, as well as at the Univer- sity of Norway.

While the school was located at Halfway Creek, Professor Larsen was the pastor of five congregations and served in part two others. After he, removed to Decorah he became the pastor of the congregation at that place, serv- ing until 1865, when another minister was called. Soon, however. the charge of the new minister was increased and Professor Larsen had to preach in Decorah two Sundays out of every three. In 1882, he again became the pastor of the Decorah church, but had an assistant, who did most of the work. In 1890 he resigned as pastor, but has continued to preach occasionally, and has delivered a series of sermons addressed principally to the young people. From 1868 to 1889 he was editor-in- chief, and most of the time practically sole editor, of the Evangelisk Luthersk Kirketi- dende, a weekly, the official organ of the Nor-

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wegian Synod. During the years 1876-'93, he was Vice President of the Synod. He has also served on various boards and committees of the Synod.

Professor Larsen was married to Miss Karen Neuberg in 1855, who died in February, 1871, leaving him four children. In August, 1872, he married Miss Ingeborg Astrup, by whom he has eight children. Of his children, Herman took the degree of A. B. from the Luther Col- lege; later he graduated at the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, Chicago, and began the practice of his profession in Bosque county, Texas, where he was making a brilliant suc- cess, when he was suddenly cut down by death, January 21, 1895. Thora married Dr. Magelsen, a practicing physician of Rushford, Minnesota. Henriette married the Rev. Carl Xavier, a Lutheran pastor now located in Chickasaw county, Iowa. Marie, who takes her grandmother's name, is a Lutheran mis- sionary in Zululand, South Africa, and un- married.

I SAIAH HALLETT HEDGE, M. D., now deceased, was one of the pioneer and most prominent physicians of northeastern Iowa. He was born in Woolwich, Maine, February 17, 1812, being a son of Edward and Martha (Farnham) Hedge. He died at Waukon, Iowa, August 2, 1888. Of the brothers and sisters of our subject, Mrs. Hallet Hathorne and Melville, reside at Woolwich, Maine; Martha and Mary also live there; they never married. Those deceased are Edward, Lucy, Sarah, and Mrs. Lydia Carleton. But little is known of the ancestry of the Hedge family. The Farnhams descend from an English ancestor, and their genealogy is well preserved.

Prior to beginning the study of medicine, Dr. Hedge engaged in merchandising in Wis- casset, Maine, and in 1843 transferred his business to Limerick, same State. In the fall of 1846 he entered the Castleton Medical Col- lege, then under the management of Dr. Per-

kins, one of the most noted medical men of the age. Our subject took the degree from this school in 1848, and returned to Limerick, where he immediately entered upon the prac- tice of his profession. Two years later he changed his residence to Gorham, Maine, where he lived until coming West.

The quiet New England towns did not offer the opening that Dr. Hedge desired, and he determined to move westward with the great tide of immigration; and this he did in 1855, locating in Waukon, Allamakee county, Iowa. At this time the town was scarcely more than a location, and the county was sparsely set- tled. This necessitated long and laborious rides to reach his patients. His practice extended for thirty miles into the neighboring counties and State of Minnesota. For more than twelve years was this work kept up, and at the time of his turning it over to a younger man in the person of Dr. Earle (see sketch else- where), he had established one of the finest practices in this section of the State. The last ten years of his life were spent in retirement, the winters being passed at his orange grove in Florida and the summers in Waukon.

In 1840 Dr. Hedge married Miss Charlotte Ayer, who was born at Limerick, Maine, May 17, 1815; she died at Waukon, Iowa, August 16, 1879. To them were born one child, Ellen Augusta, now Mrs. Dr. Earle, of Waukon.

Politically he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a very strong sympa- thizer with the abolition movement of ante- bellum days, but not an active participant in the affairs of the party. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Hedge were members of the Freewill Baptist Church, being taught that faith from childhood; but our subject was a broad, lib- eral - minded man, and supported all churches which sought his aid. He was of a bilious temperament, weighed normally about 160 pounds, and gave one the idea of a sparely built man, and rather tall. In disposition he was most evenly tempered, and seldom or never was his equanimity disturbed though the

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provocation be ever so great. He is revered in the memory of the older citizens of Waukon as one who lived among them for more than thirty years leading a quiet, upright, and use- ful Christian life.

J OHN WILLIAM BLY, of Adel, who is now practically living a retired life after a long and successful business career, claims Indiana as the State of his na- tivity, his birth having occurred in Montgomery county, in December, 1839. His grandfather, John Bly, was probably a native of Virginia, and belonged to one of the early American fam- ilies.

Abraham Bly, the father of our subject, was born near Crab Orchard, Kentucky, Octo- ber 31, 1810, became a resident of the Hoosier State in early life, and in February, 1864, ar- rived in Iowa, locating first in Warren county. Two years later he removed to Polk county, where he spent his remaining days, dying when past the age of seventy-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Carman, was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, and died in Montgomery county, Indiana, at the age of fifty years. In the family were twelve children, of whom one son and four daughters are yet living. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Carman, was a native of Kentucky, and in that State his wife died, while his death oc- curred in Indiana.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 140

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