Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 171

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

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have all received a good education in the schools of Perry.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Summerson located in Knox county, Illinois, where for seven years he rented land, and on the expira- tion of that time came to Iowa with a capital of $600. In 1873 he purchased eighty acres of land in Dallas township, Dallas county, on which he built a frame house 14 x 20 feet, making his home there until the spring of 1881. He then disposed of that property, purchasing 160 acres, a part of his present fine farm, and built thereon a house 16 x 20 feet, in which the family resided until 1893, when their pres- ent elegant residence was erected, at a cost of $2,000. Mr. Summerson now has one of the best farms of the county, comprising 280 acres, where he is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, meeting with a well deserved success.

In his political views our subject is a Re- publican, having voted with that party since casting his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in I 860. His fellow citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve in many school and township offices, the duties of which he ever faithfully discharged. He and his family attend the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and in social circles hold an enviable position, winning the esteem and good will of all with whom they come in contact.

DWARD VAN CLEAVE, one of the progressive young farmers and a self- made man of Dallas county, Iowa, living in Colfax township, was born near the city of Adel, on the 20th of June, 1859.

The first Van Cleave that came to the United States was Benjamin, the great-great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He and his wife Ruth were the parents of Ben- jamin, Ralph, Samuel, William, Aaron, Polly (or Mary), Rachel, Jane and Eunice, -all born in the United States. Aaron and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of Solomon, Enoch,

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Samuel, John, Benjamin, Crawford, Peggy and Polly (or Mary). Benjamin, of this family, by his wife Matilda, was the father of Thomas T., Benjamin T., Joseph W., John P., Bazil, Samuel G., Cornelius J., Solomon M., Ste- phen, Ada Ann and Margaret Jane. Of this family Samuel G. married Tabitha Francis, and had the following children: Edward (our subject), Frank and Emma. The Van Cleaves are consequently numerous in this country, and are in some way all related to each other, and many of them distinguished in the medical and musical professions, in manufacturing in- dustries, etc.

Samuel G. Van Cleave was born in Indiana in 1832, and his wife in Darke county, Ohio, in 1831. In 1853 they emigrated to Iowa, and the father is still living, in Adams town- ship, Dallas county. His wife was called to her final rest in September, 1882, passing away at the age of fifty-one years.

No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject, who was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, assisting in the labors of the field and ac- quiring his education in the schools of Adel. He was married on the 26th of February, 1882, to Miss Ida Hougham, who was born in Adams township, Dallas county, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary E. (Culley) Hougham. Her parents were natives of Indiana, who about 1853 left that State for Iowa, where they spent their remaining days, both dying in Adams township, above mentioned. Upon his mar- riage Mr. Van Cleave located upon a farm which he yet owns and cultivates. He suc- cessfully carries on general farming, and has transformed the wild land into rich and fertile fields. He has further improved the property by placing upon it $700 worth of tiling, has erected a comfortable residence, valued at $1, 500 and other valuable buildings, etc., and is abreast with the times in the use of improved machinery.

The home of our subject and his worthy wife has been blessed with one child, Mary E., who was born January 31, 1883. The parents

are both members of the United Brethren Church and have taken an active part in its work. Mr. Van Cleave served as Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school for some years. Their support is freely given to all interests calculated to prove of public benefit, and they lend a helping hand to many worthy objects. Mr. Van Cleave is independent in politics, sup- porting the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He has held several local offices and every trust reposed in him has been faithfully fulfilled. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows society. He is regarded as a model young farmer, progressive and enterprising, and through his own efforts he has worked his way upward to a position of affluence.

ON. FRANK DARR JACKSON. - There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is universally accorded the ex- Governor of Iowa, but through the years of his connection with the professional and polit- ical history of Iowa his has been an unblem- ished character. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle; he has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable be- tween his fellow men and himself; he has never swerved from the path of duty in his public career; and, though the path of one in political life is beset by almost numberless temptations, his record as a public official is one commanding admiration and respect from men of all political beliefs. His administra- tion as the chief executive of the State was marked by the utmost fidelity to duty, by care- ful attention to everything pertaining to the general welfare, and he left the office as he had entered it, with the good will and confi- dence of hosts of warm friends.

A native of New York, Mr. Jackson was born at Arcade, Wyoming county, in 1854, and comes of a family of long and honorable

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connection with the history of that section, his ancestors having been among the loyal de- fenders of their country in both encounters with England, the Revolutionary war, which brought to America her independence, and the war of 1812, which established as nothing else could do the unity and stability of the newly formed republic, that demonstrated its ability to meet and conquer the boasted strength of the British empire. Loyalty is certainly a predominant trait in the Jackson family. The father of the Governor went forth in defense of the starry banner during the Civil war, serv- ing with the rank of First Lieutenant in the Seventy-eighth Regiment New York Volun- teers, while his mother went to the front and as a hospital nurse brought cheer and comfort, as well as tender care, to many a wounded soldier who gratefully remembers her kindly ministrations.

While his parents were at the front, the patriotic impulses of the young son at home, then but fourteen years of age, were aroused to such an extent that he managed to hide away in a baggage wagon, and was carried half a day's journey to the front before the ap- pearance of an obdurate and unpatriotic rela- tive cut short his military career. The war having terminated, the family removed to the West, locating at Jessup, Buchanan county, Iowa, and in 1870 Mr. Jackson of this review became a student in the Agricultural College, at Anies, Iowa, there pursuing his studies for three years. He completed his education by a two-years course in law in the State Uni- versity at Iowa City. Upon being admitted to the bar he began the practice of law in Inde- pendence, this State, where he continued until 1880, when he removed to Green, Iowa, and was soon at the head of a large law business. Here his fitness for his chosen profession was soon demonstrated by the skill with which he handled the cases entrusted to his care, and clientage constantly and rapidly increased, while his reputation gained him a place among the foremost practitioners in that section of the State. A close student of public affairs, his

broad and comprehensive knowledge of matters of general importance brought to him attention in political circles, and in 1880 he was inade the candidate of the Republican party for the office of Secretary of the Senate of the Nine- teenth General Assembly. He won the elec- tion, and his popularity, arising from his effi- cient service as well as personal worth, led to his re-election to the office in 1883, by a large majority. In 1884 he was nominated and elected Secretary of State, and he was again elected in 1886 and again in 1888, serving in that capacity for six years.

At the close of his service as Secretary of State, in company with other business men of prominence and reliability, he helped to organ- ize the Royal Union Life Insurance Company, with headquarters at Des Moines. He was made president of the company and entered business life with the same vigor and success that he had shown in public life.

In 1893 Mr. Jackson was again called from the retirement of his private office to act as the standard-bearer of his party in the State. The Republicans of Iowa, believing that it was necessary, if they would win success, to place one of their strongest men in the field as the candidate for Governor, made him their nomi- nee. This was entirely without solicitation on his part; in fact he was at the time absent from the State. Returning, however, he accepted the nomination and entered upon one of the most remarkable campaigns in the history of Hawkeye politics. During the nine weeks of this extraordinary canvass he spoke in nearly two-thirds of the counties of the State, ad- dressing over 200,000 people. He carried the State by 33,000 plurality and was inaugurated . Governor on the 11th of January, 1894. The first year of his administration was an eventful one, for Iowa felt the effects of the great in- dustrial disturbances which characterized that year, and it required the most delicate and skillful handling to adjust affairs. In all emer- gencies he acted with a firmness and energy which showed that he sympathized with with laboring people of the State: still he

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would exhaust every resource if necessary to inaintain law and order. In December, 1894, he wrote a public letter declining to again be- come a candidate for Governor, and in Janu- ary, 1895, he retired from public life and is now devoting all his energies to building up the insurance companies of which he still re- tains the presidency.

Governor Jackson is an eloquent and force- ful speaker, of genial manners and great exec- utive ability. His public career and his pri- vate life are alike above reproach, and the people made no mistake in entrusting to his care the welfare of the State during the years 1894-5.

ORMAN EVANS, Redfield, Iowa .- This gentleman figures as one of the pioneers of Iowa, his arrival here dating several years before "The Beautiful Land " was honored with Statehood. His residence, however, at his present location on section 23, Linn township, Dallas county, covers a period of about fifteen years.

Mr. Evans is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Erie county, New York, near the city of Buffalo, May 1, 1818, fourth in the family of nine children of Lyman and Han- nah (Eldred) Evans, the former of Welsh de- scent, born in Salem, Massachusetts, and reared in Vermont; the latter, born and reared in Oswego county, New York. When Nor- man was fourteen years of age his parents re- moved to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where his father was for a number of years engaged in the practice of law. Of that large family all have been laid to rest with the exception of the subject of our sketch.

In 1837, at the age of nineteen, young Evans left home and started out to make his own way in the world, and it was at that time he came to Iowa. His first location here was in Clinton county, where he secured a claim and improved the same enough to hold it, after which he engaged as cabin boy on the St. Peter, one of the first boats which navigated

the Mississippi river. But boating was a rough life and not altogether suited to his tastes; so at the end of one year he returned to his claim and devoted his attention to its further im- provement. For several years he made it his home and spent his time chiefly in breaking prairie. In 1881 he sold his land in Clinton county-300 acres-and came to Dallas coun- ty, and at that time purchased 160 acres of his present farm. To this he has added from time to time until he now has 250 acres, well improved and unincumbered, and valued at no less than $40 per acre. On this farm are seven miles of fence. Both as a farmer and business man Mr. Evans has been successful. All his dealings have been characterized by straightforwardness and integrity, and those who know him best honor and esteem him most.

His domestic relations, also, have been the most pleasant. He was married April 5, 1840, to Miss Catharine Dawson, who was born in Greene county, New York, Septem- ber 22, 1824, a descendant of good old Irish ancestry, and for fifty-five years they have traveled life's pathway together, these years being unmarred by the memory of a harsh word from either. Ten children came to brighten their home, five of whom are now de- ceased. Those living are as follows: Lyman H., born July 24, 1841; Edgar, February 10, 1843; Caroline, November 27, 1845; Matilda, September 27, 1847; and James Madison, Au- gust 14, 1851. One son is a lawyer and an- other a real-estate dealer and insurance agent at Panora, Iowa. All have had good educa- tional advantages and are well fitted to occu- py, as they do, honorable and useful positions in life. The eldest son, Lyman H., served four years as bugler of his company in the Civil war; and Mr. Evans himself offered to enlist for service on the Union side but was rejected by "Uncle Sam." It is probably well for him that he was not accepted, for every member of the company he would have joined was killed in battle! He was brought up a Democrat. Years ago, however, he "saw

Charles C. Pugh.

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the error of his way," as he expresses it, and has since been a Republican, stanch and true. For over forty years he and his good wife have been faithful members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

a HARLES C. PUGH .- The young man who bears this name is one well known in newspaper and political cir- cles, and is destined in the future to occupy a still more prominent place.

Charles C. Pugh was born in Dallas county, Iowa, near Dexter, December 18, 1865, the eldest child of William C. and Lovina C. Pugh, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinois. William C. Pugh descended from the cavalier stock of Virginia, tracing to the old Welsh, while his wife descended indirectly from the Pennsylvania Dutch. One of their sons, James C., has for some years been a trusted employe of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company, holding a good position with this company now. Their daughter, Eleanore G., resides with them. Charles C. was reared on the farm, remaining there until seventeen years of age, attending during the fall and winter the high school in Menlo, Iowa. For two years he was deputy Postmaster at Menlo. He attended Parsons' College at Fair- field, Iowa, during 1884, and taught in coun- try schools in 1885-6. The habits of his early life were those of a student, delighting in read- ing in a desultory way, sometimes neglecting the corn plow to sit beneath an adjacent wil- low row to enjoy the delights of biography, history and travel, the three branches of liter- ature most to his liking. In a general way his early life was such as falls to the ordinary farmer boy. Directed by kind parents whose one desire was the welfare of their children, his early home life was one of happiness. Having had a desire for newspaper work, an intuition that led to a considerable local correspondence for various papers, in April, 1887, he purchased the Dexter (Iowa) Sentinel, which he con- ducted with marked success until May, 1889, 68

when he sold it and moved to Adair, this State, where he purchased the News. After publish- ing that paper until November, 1891, he dis- posed of it and again purchased the Sentinel, moving to Dexter at the close of 1891 to take editorial charge of it.

Mr. Pugh was married September 28, 1887, to Miss Mabel A. McOmber, of Menlo, Iowa, and they have had three children: Ramona, born December 5, 1889; William Chester, August 25, 1891; and Grace V., July 30, 1893. The last named, the baby girl, died October 31, 1894. Mrs. Pugh is the eldest daughter of David and Lucy C. McOmber, and was born in La Salle county, Illinois, April 27, 1867. She has one sister, Minnie M., the wife of James C. Pugh, brother of the subject of this sketch. David McOmber, her father, died in December, 1872.

Mr. Pugh is a Republican in politics, hav- ing adhered strictly to the political teachings of that. party since he was old enough to be interested in politics, which was in his four- teenth year. He has several times been a delegate to the Iowa Republican State con- ventions, and has every year since becoming of age been a delegate to the Republican county convention of the county in which he has lived. He has been chairman of the Dallas county convention three different times, and addressed the convention on each occasion. He has done considerable campaign speaking and has always been an active worker in be- half of Republicanism. He has been con- nected with the county central organization and worked hard and effectively in the inter- ests of the party. Indeed, he is recognized as one of the party leaders and workers in Dallas county. For three years he has been a member of the school board of Dexter inde- pendent district. He was elected Mayor of Dexter in March, 1894, serving one year and declining re-election.

As a writer Mr. Pugh has few superiors. Such papers as the Iowa State Register, daily Iowa Capital, and Keokuk Gate City have given him the credit of being one of the best

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writers on the press of central Iowa; and as a local speaker, too, he has gained an enviable reputation.

Personally, Mr. Pugh is five feet nine inches in height, his weight is about 146 pounds, has dark hair and beard, high fore- head, blue eyes, and a frank, honest face. He has what few men possess, namely, a com- manding presence. In disposition he is hope- ful and sanguine, just and generous, and has great · faith in humanity. In short, he may well be termed an optimist. He has made it the rule of his life to write nothing of which he would afterward be ashamed, and, unless absolutely necessary, has never written a word to wound the feelings of another. On the other hand, it has been his delight, as the files of his paper will show, to speak kind words of friends and to give them extended newspaper notices. He has corresponded with State papers, and had political letters accepted and published in Chicago papers as well. Mr. Pugh has a laudable ambition to accomplish something in life that may be lasting, that may be a credit to the family name, such an am- bition as should be cherished by all men. He is devoted to his home life, his wife and chil- dren, his books and papers and to study, and is domestic in his tastes to a degree that leads him to spend every hour possible at home. He takes a pride and pleasure in the large num- ber of helpful friends who have confidence in his friendship, and the warm attachment they have shown for him,-friends in the four counties, -who in many ways have given evi- dence of their respect and loyalty. True, warm-hearted friendship he values far above silver and gold.

3 ACOB H. WALLAR, one of the vener- able citizens residing in the vicinity of Wichita, Iowa, has maintained his resi- dence in Guthrie county, this State, for more than a quarter of a century. the date of his arrival here being June 6, 1867.

Jacob H. Waller was born in Guernsey

county, Ohio, September 22, 1821. His father, Joseph Wallar, was a son of William Wallar, a descendant of English ancestors, and both were natives of Virginia; the former was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the latter a participant in the Revolution fronı begin- ning to the end. William Wallar and his wife were the parents of the following named chil- dren: John, Samuel, William, Joseph, Elisha, Leah Ann and Phœbe. He and his family were among the early settlers of Guernsey county, Ohio. Joseph Wallar was reared in Virginia and was married at Harper's Ferry to Miss Sarah Board, who was of German descent and whose home was near that place. . Soon after the war of 1812, in which, as already stated, he took part, they removed to Guern- sey county, Ohio, where he passed the rest of his life as a farmer. In his family were nine children, named as follows: Eliza, Samuel, Francis Asbury, Malinda, Jacob H., Benjamin, Joseph, Margaret and Findlay. Of this num- ber only two are now living: Samuel, a resi- dent of Cleveland, Ohio; and Jacob H., whose name heads this article. The father and mother each lived to a good old age, her death occurring at the age of seventy-five years and his at eighty-six. His political views were those of the Democratic party, and he was a member of the New Light Church.

Jacob H. Wallar was reared to farm life in Ohio, his youthful days being spent among frontier scenes and his education being received in one of the primitive log schoolhouses of the Western Reserve. At the age of seventeen he began an apprenticeship to the trade of black- smith, served a term of four years and a half, and became thoroughly proficient in his trade. Then for a time he worked as a journeyman before opening a shop of his own. For several years he ran a shop in Ohio, and continued to reside there until 1867, when he removed to Guthrie county, Iowa. Here, in partnership with Jesse Hickman, he purchased 200 acres of land, eight or ten years later bought Mr. Hick- man's interest in the tract, and still later pur- chased more land until now he owns a farm of

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365 acres, its location being on section 18 of Seeley township. This is all rich land along Frost creek, is well supplied with water and is well adapted both for farming and stock-rais- ing. In 1881 Mr. Waller built his present residence, which is 26 x28 feet in dimensions and pleasantly located, the old log house which he first occupied now being used as a granary. He has other farm buildings, good fences, etc., and everything about the premises gives evidence of the prosperity which has attended the owner.

In 1848 Mr. Wallar was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Dilley, like himself a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, the date of her birth being October 24, 1822. She was one of a family of seven children of Robert and Han- nah (McDaniel) Dilley, her father a native of New Jersey; both parents died in Ohio. The names of her brothers and sisters are as fol- lows: Lucy, wife of William Holsman; Cath- erine, wife of S. Dennison; Hannah, wife of J. C. Hickman, Guthrie county, Iowa; Jonathan; Samuel; Benjamin; and Robert, formerly a resident of Guthrie county, now living in Okla- homa. Mr. and Mrs. Wallar are the parents of four daughters, viz .: Lucy, wife of A. D. Carothers, one of the prominent citizens of this county; Martha, wife of Thomas McWill- iams; Mary, wife of John Carothers, residing in Custer, Nebraska; and Sarah, wife of Frank Lathrop, Guthrie county. All are accomplished and refined women, and two of them, Lucy and Martha, were before their marriage suc- cessful teachers. Of the grandchildren, we record that Mrs. Lucy Carothers has three children, -Minnie, Eva and Hugh; Mrs. Mary Carothers has six children, -May, Paul, John, Agnes, Everett and Etta; and Mrs. Lathrop has two sons,-Arthur and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Wallar had one son, Robert, that died in infancy. The great loss of Mr. Wallar's life was the death of his wife. She passed away August 19, 1892, at the age of seventy years, after forty-five years of happy wedded life. For many years she was an active member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, of which

church Mr. Wallar is also a member. Both in church and Sabbath-school work he has taken a deep interest, serving as Class-leader and teacher and rendering faithful and efficient service. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.

J AMES A. MCKINNEY, cashier of the Capital City State Bank of Des Moines, and one of the native sons of Iowa, was born near Redfield, in Dallas county, on the 7th of June, 1859, and comes of a fam- ily of Scotch origin. His grandfather, Aaron Mckinney, was a native of Virginia, and dur- ing the greater part of his life lived in North Carolina. He was a tall and finely propor- tioned man, rigid in his adherence to what he believed to be right, and his unswerving integ- rity and honesty commanded the respect of all. He reared a family of six children and reached the age of about eighty-two years. Henderson Mckinney, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, and is now living in Des Moines. During the '40s he emigrated westward, locating near Redfield, in Dallas county, Iowa, where he followed farming for many years and also worked at his trade. He married Miss Lydia Jay, daughter of James Jay, a native of Ohio. His ancestry came to America from England, but belonged originally to the French Huguenots, who suffered perse- cution and banishment for conscience' sake. Mr. Jay became one of the pioneers of Marion county, Indiana, locating near the city of In- dianapolis, where in the midst of the forest he hewed out a farm which continued his home until called to his final rest at the age of eighty- two years.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 171

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