Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 154

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

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Iowa, where he died November 29, 1895. His wife died in Juneau in 1857. Their family is composed of three children, namely: Lucy M., wife of George W. Bump, Petoskey, Michigan; Cora M., wife of O. N. Watson, Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Dr. Alden H.

At the time the Wight family removed to Wisconsin the subject of our sketch was nine years of age. In Juneau he grew up, grad- uated in due time in the Union schools of that place, and at the outbreak of the Civil war he was one of the ambitious boys who were fired with a spirit of patriotism and eager to enter the Union ranks. In July, 1862, we find him enlisting in Company E, Tenth Wisconsin In- fantry. He served with that regiment until he was transferred to the Invalid Corps on ac- count of a wound received through the lungs at Chickamauga. In January, 1865, he again enlisted, this time in Company D, Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served until November of the same year, when he was mustered out with the rank of Second Lieu- tenant. He was in all the engagements from Bowling Green to Chickamauga, and besides the wound above referred to he received two wounds at the battle of Perryville. His whole army life was characterized by true bravery and devotion to the cause for which he fought, and his record is one of which he has reason to be proud.

At the close of the war, young Wight re- turned home and soon after entered the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he graduated with honor in the class of 1870. In the meantime he practiced at Bellevue, Michi- gan, in the office with his preceptor, Dr. H. T. Fero; and after his graduation he came to Iowa, where he has since resided, and, as above stated, has had his home in New Hamp- ton since 1880. Here he owns a good prop- erty, is comfortably situated, and enjoys a fine practice. He has taken post-graduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic, is a member of the Cedar Valley Medical Association, and keeps himself well abreast with the times in his pro- fession. During President Harrison's admin-

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istration Dr. Wight served as chairman of the United States Pension Examining Board. He has always voted with the Republican party, has frequently served as delegate to political conventions, and has been the recipient of official honors. Four years he served as County Recorder and four years was Coroner.

Fraternally, the Doctor is identified with both the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. In the former he is Past Master, has advanced to the Knight Templar degree and has also entered the Mystic Shrine.

Dr. Wight was married in 1866 to Miss Ellen S. Hemenway, of Bellevue, Michigan, who had removed there from her native State, New York. They have an adopted son, Clar- ence L. by name.

J USTIN EDWARDS COOK .- Among the leading attorneys of Buchanan county, Iowa, is numbered this well- known member of the bar, who is suc- cessfully engaged in practice in Independence. He was born in Campton, New Hampshire, July 18, 1847, and the birth of his father, Ebenezer B. Cook, occurred in 1824. The grandfather, Edmund Cook, was born in the same locality and descended from English an- cestors who were among the first settlers of the Connecticut Colony, whence one branch of the family removed to New Hampshire. The niother of our subject bore the maiden name of Louisa Marsh, and was born in Campton, in 1824. Her father, Newton Marsh, and her grandfather were also natives of the same place, and the family originated in Ireland, whence its representatives came to the United States and planted the family tree on Con- necticut soil.

· Justin E. Cook spent his boyhood days in Lowell, Massachusetts, where his parents re- moved when he was only two years old. In 1856 the family came to Iowa, locating in Littleton, Buchanan county. They crossed the Mississippi river on the ice to Dubuque and then ceproceeded by sleigh to their destination.

This was in the month of December. The father engaged in hotel-keeping in Littleton for a time and then removed to a farm on sec- tion 16, Perry township, where he continued to make his home until January, 1867. He then became a resident of Jesup, Iowa, where he died in 1890. His wife passed away the preceding year. Prior to the war Mr. Cook was a stanch abolitionist, and when the Re- publican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and became one of its stalwart advocates. He took quite an active part in local and State politics, and was a delegate to the convention which nominated Senator Allison on his first election to Congress.

Mr. Cook of this review began his educa- tion in the East, attended the public schools of Littleton, and afterward pursued his studies in Fayette, Iowa. In the fall of 1866 he en- tered the freshman class of the State Univer- sity at Iowa City in the academical depart- ment, at which institution he was graduated in 1870. He then read law in the office of O. Miller, of Waterloo, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in that city in June, 1871. He be- gan practice in Jesup, where he soon estab- lished a successful business, but since 1877 has been actively connected with the profes- sion in Independence. In February, 1879, he formed a partnership with Hon. J. S. Wood- ward, under the firm style of Woodward & Cook, which connection was continued until the death of the senior partner May 18, 1895, since which timne Mr. Cook has been alone in business. That he stands high in his profes- sion is evidenced by his large clientage. He has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the law, and his painstaking preparation of cases, combined with his superior native abil- ity brings him a success that gives him a high standing in the profession.

On the 3d of September, 1874, Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Bessie P. Johnson, of Decorah, Iowa, daughter of Nel- son Johnson, a well-to-do farmer of Winne- shiek county. They have had seven children,

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namely: Justin E., who died at the age of four years; Nelson. E., who died aged two years; and those living are: Roy A., William E., Horace J., Robert J., and Florence E.

Mr. Cook has for several years been chair- man of the Republican county central com- mittee, and takes a very prominent and active part in public affairs. For the past twelve years he has been a member of the School Board of Independence, and during the greater part of the time he has served as its president. Socially he is connected with Independence Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife hold membership in the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is now serv- ing as Elder. In addition to his professional interests, he is a stockholder and director in the Commercial State Bank of Independence, and a stockholder in the Independence Mill- ing Company.

APTAIN STEELE KENWORTHY is one of the honored veterans of the late war who faithfully followed the stars and stripes on Southern battle- fields until the old flag was unfurled to the breezes in the capital of the Southern Confed- eracy and the preservation of the Union was an assured fact. He is one of the native sons of the Hoosier State, for his birth occurred in Boone county, Indiana, August 10, 1843. On his father's farm he was reared to manhood and his education was acquired in the district school near his home.

On the 5th of July, 1861, when not yet eighteen years of age, Mr. Kenworthy offered his services to the Government and joined the " boys in blue" of Company B, Tenth Iowa Infantry, under Captain M. C. Randleman. He continued at the front until August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas. At Huntsville, Alabama, in March, 1864, he was commissioned First Lieutenant. He was in all the engagements and skirmishes in which his regiment participated, and on the 16th of May, 1863, was wounded at Champion

Hills, which necessitated his confinement in the hospital for three months. ,He took part in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Raymond, Jack- son, Champion Hills, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, the celebrated march with Sherman to the sea, and the battle of Bentonville, which was one of the last important engagements of the war.

When hostilities had ceased, Mr. Ken- worthy returned to his old home in Polk county, Iowa, and on the 3d of October, 1865, was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Man- beck, a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, and a daughter of David and Sophia Manbeck, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone State, and located first in Ohio, whence in 1853 they came to Iowa, driving . across the country to Polk county. The fa- ther was at one time owner of 500 acres of valuable land, but has sold all his property and is now living retired in Warren county. To Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy were born the following children: Clara L., who is married to J. L. Blake and has one son, Steele B. Blake; Louis D., who is married and has one daughter, Carrie Louise; William E. and John A., both at home. The mother of this family is a very highly educated lady, cultured and refined, and presides with grace over their beautiful home. Their children were educated in the schools at Perry, and the family is one of prominence in social circles. Mrs. Ken- worthy has taken quite an active part in secret . societies, and has been honored with various offices therein.

After his marriage Captain Kenworthy rent- ed land for a few years, and then came to Dallas county, Iowa, where he purchased eighty acres of wild land and erected a temporary frame shanty, 12x16 feet. Three months later he erected a better dwelling and seven years later sold and removed to Dallas Center, where he engaged in grain and stock dealing, carrying on business along that line for seven years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and

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RECORD OF IOWA.

became the owner of a flouring-mill, which he operated until 1894. He had put in a full roller process about 1884, and had greatly im- proved it. In 1894 he sold the mill, but the purchaser was unable to make the payments agreed upon, and the property therefore re- turned to his hands. He is now living retired, having through honest toil, good management and enterprise gained a handsome competence.

In his political affiliations, Captain Ken- worthy is a Republican, and cast his first vote while in the army supporting Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. He is a member of Red- field Post, G. A. R., of Perry, and for two terms was its commander. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, was the first Captain of the Uniformed Rank, and was delegate to the Grand Lodge which convened in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was one of the organizers of the Iowa Guards at Perry, was elected the first Captain, in which capacity he served for five years, and was pro- moted to the rank of Major. His wife belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps, served for two years as its President and two years as Treas- urer, and also belongs to the organization of Rathbone Sisters; of both organizations she is a charter member. In religion she holds a membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both are highly esteemed people whose genu- ine worth wins them warm regard.

Mr. Kenworthy's father, Abijah Kenwor- thy, was born in Highland county, Ohio, the son of William Kenworthy.

EORGE ALBERT PARKER, one of the leading and representative agri- culturists of Dallas county, Iowa, is a native of the Hoosier State, his birth having occurred in Wayne county, on the 29th of January, 1858, and is a son of William S. and Rebecca (Ashley) Parker. His father was born in Ocean county, New Jersey, but at the age of nine years was taken by his parents to Indiana, and in Howard county, that State, he

departed this life at the age of forty-five years. The mother of our subject, who was a native of England, also died in the same county, at the age of thirty-eight years. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom are still living.

Mr. Parker, of this review, was the sixth in order of birth, and upon the homestead farm he was reared, receiving his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. When he had attained his fourteenth year, after the death of his father, he began working as a farm hand by the month for $7, but later his wages were increased to $12. He was em- ployed in this way for some six years, on the expiration of which time he rented land in Dallas county, where he had arrived in the fall of 1879. He secured a tract of land in Adel township, and continued its cultivation for three years, during which time one of the most im- portant events of his life occurred.

On the 28th of February, 1883, Mr. Par- ker was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Rudrow, who was born in Madison county, Iowa, and is a daughter of William S. and Mary G. Rudrow, who were natives of New Jersey and in an early day in the history of this State came to Iowa. Mrs. Parker is a lady of culture and refinement, possessing con- siderable artistic ability, and many beautiful paintings, the work of her brush, adorn the home. The Parker household is noted for its hospitality and our subject and his wife have many friends.

After his marriage, Mr. Parker rented a farm for a few years, and in 1887, purchased his present home, which comprises forty acres of rich and valuable land. He subsequently pur- chased a tract of timber, but has since sold this. His place is under a high state of culti- vation and the well tilled fields yield a golden tribute to the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

In his political views, Mr. Parker is a Re- publican, having warmly advocated the princi- ples of that party since casting his first presi- dential vote for James A. Garfield. He has

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been called upon to fill various local offices, and is recognized as a valued citizen of the community. Public-spirited and progressive, he is devoted to those interests which promote the general welfare, and is numbered among the self-made men, having from early boyhood been dependent entirely upon his own efforts, overcoming the obstacles and difficulties in his path by persistence and energy and working his way steadily upward.

S AMUEL BARNES STARR, whose identity with Charles City, Iowa, covers a period of forty years and who has figured prominently in its business circles, dates his arrival here Novem- ber I, 1855. He is now retired. His history is that of a self-made man, and in view of his long residence here and the prominent place he has occupied it is fitting that specific men- tion be made of him in this volume.

Samuel Barnes Starr was born in Brownsville, Jefferson county, New York, January 17, 1822, son of Chauncey and Nancy (Arnold) Starr, both natives of the Empire State. The Starr family have for many generations been resi- dents of America. Grandfather Starr was a native of Massachusetts and in early life was a sea captain. Later (1802) he became one of the pioneers of Jefferson county, New York, where he was a farmer. He kept a hotel in Albany, New York, where he died, and his wife died in Jefferson county, New York, each at about the age of eighty years. Their family was composed of one son and one daughter. The latter married a Mr. Peck and lived in Jefferson county. Chauncey Starr, the father of our subject, was a farmer. He passed his whole life and died in Jefferson county, about 1830, as also did his wife. Her death occurred in 1828. They had four children, viz .: George, a farmer and stock dealer, died in Texas; Fan- nie, deceased, was the wife of J. L. Mansfield, a banker and merchant of Decatur, Illinois; Sarah Ann, who died in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, was twice married, first to J. F.

Hutchinson and afterward to a Mr. White; and Samuel B., whose name heads this article, is the only one of the family now living.

Mr. Starr resided on his father's farm until he was sixteen. He attended the common schools and the Watertown Academy. After leaving the home farin he taught school in winter and worked out as a farm hand in sum- mer. At the age of eighteen and while en- gaged in teaching, he began the study of law, which he pursued at intervals, and in 1846, seven years from the time he first took up the study, he was admitted to the bar at Albany, New York. After a brief practice at Water- town, he went to Stone Mills, where he kept a store and was Postmaster. About that time news of the California gold discovery spread like wild-fire throughout the country, reaching even the most remote points of civilization. From every direction parties of gold-seekers were rushing for the new El Dorado. The second steamer which sent its passengers across the isthmus of Panama had on its list the name of Samuel B. Starr. He spent two years in the mines of California and in that time made about $3,000. His sojourn there was shortened on account of ill health, his physi- cian telling him he could not live if he re- mained; so in 1851 he returned by the same route. Again we find him in business at Stone Mills, New York, where he remained until 1855, when he came west to Iowa, landing here, as already stated, November 1, 1855.

He was one of the first attorneys of Charles City and was engaged in practice here until a few years ago, when he retired. Shortly af- ter his arrival he was elected Prosecuting At- torney of Floyd county, and held that office for several years. In 1858 he formed a part- nership with J. G. Patterson, and under the firm name of Starr & Patterson did a success- ful business until 1872, when A. M. Harrison was admitted, the firm style then becoming Starr, Patterson & Harrison. Mr. Patterson was killed in a railroad wreck in 1878. Then Starr & Harrison continued the business until 1886, when the partnership was dissolved, and

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a few years later Mr. Starr gave up practice. During all these years Mr. Starr did the count- sel and office work of the firmn, and also at the same time was interested in real-estate deals. With the passing years he accumulated some property. He built the block occupied by his office and his son's store, and besides this owns other valuable city property and some lands in Floyd county and other places. He was interested in several banking institutions, and has been a potent factor in many of the lead- ing enterprises of the city.

Politically, Mr. Starr was for many years a Republican, but has recently been an inde- pendent. Fraternally, he has for forty-five years maintained a membership in the Masonic order, and while a resident of New York he was initiated into the mysteries of the I. O. O. F.

He was married at Stone Mills, New York, in 1855, to Miss Adaline Hughes, a native of that State and a daughter of Daniel Hughes, a farmer of Jefferson county. Mrs. Starr died in the fall of 1861, and Mr. Starr has never married again. Their only child, a son, Samuel H., was born in 1858, and is now a merchant of Charles City.

J ONATHAN PEPPARD, who is now liv- ing retired in his beautiful rural home on section 9, Union township, Dallas county, Iowa, may well be termed the bridge-builder of central Iowa, as most of the bridges which span the rivers and streams of this part of the State are the result of his labor and directions.

Mr. Peppard was born in Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, May 29, 1829, the son of early pioneers of the Western Reserve. He belongs to a family noted for longevity. His mother reached the advanced age of ninety- three years. In his native county Mr. Pep- pard spent his first eighteen years, and at that early age left home to seek his own fortune in life, first going to Medina county, Ohio, where

he began work at the trade of bridge-builder, which he has followed through life.

He was married January 1, 1855, to Miss Betsey, daughter of R. F. and Betsey D. Bis- sell, of La Fayette, Medina county, Ohio. She was born in Bristol, Ontario county, New York, October 1, 1836. The year following his marriage Mr. Peppard moved to Lansing, Michigan, but a year later returned to Ohio and continued to reside in the Buckeye State until he moved out to Iowa and located in Redfield, where, December 29, 1873, after a brief illness, his wife died, leaving a family of six children, having lost two previously. A record of this family is as follows: Obert E., born December 15, 1855; Hattie A., born February 12, 1858, died October 12, 1866; Lovisa A., born November 1, 1860; Harry E., born October 1, 1862, died November 16, 1866; Marsious L., born August 3, 1865; Eudoice B., born December 13, 1867; Guy A., born June 17, 1872; and Ward L., born December 15, 1873. September 3, 1875, Mr. Peppard married Mrs. Eliza Longworthy, widow of William E. Longworthy, and a native of Wal- do county, Maine, born in June, 1836. The children of this union are two in number, namely: Edith, born April 15, 1877; and Charles A., September 24, 1878. By her for- mer marriage Mrs. Peppard has five children: William M., born August 18, 1860; Annie, October 21, 1861; Ella, February 28, 1863; Agnes, August 18, 1864; and Cordelia, Feb- ruary 2, 1866. Mrs. Peppard has been a res- ident of Iowa since the fall of 1856, when she came West with her parents. Her father built one of the first houses in or near Redfield, which still stands, and is one of the two old landmarks left of the pioneer days.

Mr. Peppard was extensively engaged in bridge-building from the time he landed in Dal- las county until 1882, when he retired to his beautiful farm of 410 acres near Redfield, on which he has lived from the first. As already stated, he has built nearly all the bridges in this part of Iowa. His sons learned the busi- ness with him, worked at it here for some time,

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and now four of them are in Montana, where they are engaged in the same line of work, taking large contracts. Some of the most prominent contractors throughout the West learned the business of bridge-building under Jonathan Peppard.

Mr. Peppard has long affiliated with the Republican party. He served five years as Township Trustee and seven years as School Director, and has frequently been urged to ac- cept the nomination for more important offi- cial positions, but has always declined, as he has no political aspirations. Few men in this part of the State are better known or more popular than he.

J OHN HAMILTON FOSTER, M. D .-- Among the adopted sons of Iowa none are more deserving of honored mention in the history of the State than this gentleman, who is numbered among Iowa's pioneer physicians, having constantly engaged in practice in Iowa Falls from 1855 until 1894. His career, public and private, is above re- proach and has won him the greatest respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

The Doctor was born in Godfrey county, North Carolina, in 1826, a representative of one of the old families of that State who be- longed to the Society of Friends. In early life he studied medicine and throughout the greater part of his business career followed that profession. On leaving the South he re- moved to Indiana and at the time of the gold excitement went to California, remaining on the Pacific coast until 1853. During that time he engaged in practice in Yreka, Califor- nia, and Jacksonville, Oregon. After his return to this section of the country, he entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and was subse- quently graduated at that institution. As be- fore stated he took up his residence in Iowa Falls in 1855 and was not long in building up an excellent practice, which became extensive. He was a constant and thorough student and

was always improving upon the methods used, being very progressive in his profession. There is no life that calls for greater sacrifice than that of the physician. Large-hearted, sym- pathetic and kindly, Dr. Foster always readily responded to a call where he might relieve suf- fering and distress, whether it came from the poor or the rich, and many have reason to bless his memory for the service rendered by him. The following illustration will indicate the character of this noble man:

In the winter of 1858, when there were few physicians in the sparsely settled country about Iowa Falls, Dr. Foster was called to a home near Dows, where a large family had been stricken with scarlet fever. The father had an acute attack of the disease and died. The family were left nearly destitute and with- out means of support, but the Doctor did not hesitate to respond to the call. Promptly he went to the stricken home, and during the winter made thirty-two visits through bitter cold weather, facing blizzards and often break- ing his own road across the trackless prairies, taking this long ride to succor those who had no prospect of ever being able to pay him. At length the survivors of the family regained their health and his visits ceased. The widow heroically went to work to cultivate the new and unimproved farm. With the aid of her children a crop was planted and carefully watched, but the prairie fire swept over a por- tion of her farm! When the harvest was sold she had only about $140, but she was deter- mined to pay her physician. Accordingly she sent her eldest boy to Iowa Falls and he told the Doctor that they had $140 to pay him, and would some time bring him the balance of the account. " You've been having rather hard luck, haven't you?" said the Doctor. The boy told of the fire, but said they thought they could get through the winter all right. " Well, give me $6 and tell your mother the account is settled," Dr. Foster responded. This little incident is typical of his entire life. His sympathies were as broad as the universe, and he manifested the practical Christianity

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 154

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