Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 178

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

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He was reared in the Lutheran Church, but now attends the Congregational Church. Socially he is a member of the Iowa Legion of Honor.

ILLIAM EDWIN CRUM .- Con- spicuous on the roll of eminent citizens of Taylor county appears the name of this gentleman, who is a prominent attorney and banker of Bed- ford and a promoter of various business enter- prises. The growth and prosperity of the com-

munity depends upon its commercial activity, and in producing this result Mr. Crum has borne an important part and at the same time has won the reputation of being a capable, energetic and thoroughly reliable business man.

Iowa has a rich heritage in her native sons, among which number Mr. Crum is included. He was born in Johnston, February 22, 1845, and is a son of William Cruin. He descended from hardy, industrious, thrifty German an- cestors who settled near Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania, during Colonial times. The grand- father, Peter Crum, was a substantial farmer of the Keystone State. William Crum was born near Harrisburg, and in his early years learned the printer's trade. In 1839, follow- ing the star of empire westward he became a resident of the Territory of Iowa, locating first in Muscatine, and subsequently removing to Bloomington, where he established the first newspaper published there. In 1841 he be- came a resident of Iowa City and founded the Standard, a Whig paper, which he published for some years. During the last years of his life he carried on a job office alone, doing a good business in that line. He married Miss Elvira, daughter of Rev. Clark Odell, a Meth- odist minister, who came to this State from Ohio. William Crum and his wife died, leav- ing two children,-W. E. and Myra L., -- the latter the wife of Frank J. Webb, of Syracuse, New York.

Mr. Crum of this review spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, working in his father's printing-office and as a farm hand near Iowa City. . On leaving the common schools he entered the University of Iowa, pursuing a thorough course, both in the classics and in the law. He was graduated at that institu- tion in 1869, and at once opened a law office in Iowa City. His first case was a civil one, tried before a Justice of the Peace, wherein he was opposed by Judge Farall, an ex- perienced and prominent attorney; but Mr. Crum won his suit. Removing to Bedford he was for a number of years engaged in practice

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in partnership with J. P. Flick, and is now a partner of G. B. Haddock. This well known firm has for a number of years done a large civil-law business and achieved a most en- viable reputation. Mr. Crum is both an able counselor and advocate, logical in argument, earnest and forceful in manner and con- vincing in oratory. Thus he has secured a leading place among the members of the bar in Taylor county.

On the 26th of April, 1870, Mr. Crum was united in marriage in Iowa City, with Miss Hat- tie R. Van Fleet, the accomplished daughter of John R. Van Fleet, a prominent citizen of southwestern Iowa. Their union has been blessed with the following named children: John V., aged twenty-two, a graduate of the collegiate and law departments of the State University, wherein he won the degrees of Ph. B. and LL. B., and is champion intercollegiate sprinter of the United States, making a one- hundred-yard dash in ten seconds; Mary L., aged nineteen; William Edwin, aged seven- teen; and Helen, a maiden of fifteen summers. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Crum is an Elder, and they occupy a high position in social circles. .

The business efforts of Mr. Crum have by no means been confined to one line of endeavor: He is a man of resourceful abilities and has been a promoter of various interests in Taylor county. For a few years he was successfuly engaged in raising shorthorn cattle on his farm near the city, and is now engaged in feeding cattle for

shipment. In 1872, in connection with his father-in-law, J. R. Van Feet, he established the Bedford Bank. The institution has never been incorporated, the stockholders never seek- ing to protect their large private estates by corporate privileges; hence each partner is in- dividually responsible to depositors to the ex- tent of his private estate, and the aggregate property of the partners amounts to over a quarter of a million dollars. In connection with his law partner, Mr. Crum recently or- ganized and put into successful operation the Crum & Haddock Investment Company, which

is now doing a large and constantly increasing business. Although an ardent Republican and unwavering in his support of the princi- ples of the party, he has always avoided being drawn into political encounters.

RANK DUNNING, president of the Citizens' Bank of Bedford, is an able financier, who by the exercise of his natural abilities and by the improve- ment of his opportunities has arisen to a fore- most place among the leading business men of Taylor county, and has gained a handsome competence. He was born in Cass county, Michigan, March 15, 1844, and has always lived in the West. His grandparents were Isaac and Hulda (Rood) Dunning, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ver- mont. The father of our subject, Barton B. Dunning, was born in Cayuga county, New York, and in his early life followed the occu- pation of farming. He married Laura L. Styles, daughter of Philip Styles, who resided near Springfield, Massachusetts, and who in early life carried on agricultural pursuits, while in later years he conducted a tavern or hotel.

Barton B. Dunning continued his residence in the State of his nativity until the '40s, when he removed to Michigan. After spending sev- eral years in Cass county he cast his lot with Iowa's early settlers, becoming a resident of Mount Ayr in 1855. The place then contained little more than a post-office, and all around stretched a wild and unsurveyed region. Mr. Dunning established a store there, and in con- nection dealt in stock and real estate. The population rapidly increasing as the tide of em- igration flowed westward, his business grew and became very profitable. He had four children, and reared them to habits of indus- try, frugality and integrity, thus fitting them to become valued citizens of any community. Walter, the eldest son, is now a successful real-estate dealer of Denver, Colorado. Day is president of the Citizens' Bank in Mount Ayr; and Charles, the organizer of that bank,

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is now deceased. The father of this family died in 1877, but the mother is still living, at the age of eighty years.

Mr. Dunning of this review was a small child when he came with his parents to Iowa. He acquired his education in the public schools of Mount Ayr, and at the age of fifteen entered upon his business career, for which he had been well fitted by the practical teachings of his father, who sent his boys out to buy cattle in early life that their judgment might be prop- erly trained and used. He followed that busi- ness until 1874 and accumulated a considera- ble fortune. For a timc he was in partnership with John Dale, a prominent citizen of Bed- ford, dealing in both hogs and cattle; but the death of Mr. Dale in 1870 terminated the busi - ness relation. Mr. Dunning became an excel- lent judge of stock, and thus was enabled to buy advantageously, while his reputation for fair dealing enabled him always to find a market.

At length he became interested in the bank- ing business, organizing the Bank of Hopkins, of Hopkins, Missouri, in 1874. His connec- tion with that business continued until August, 1877, when he came to Bedford, and in com- pany with A. P. Evans, J. E. Anderson and N. and A. Goodsill, he organized the Citizens' Bank, capitalized for $20,000. On the in- auguration of this business Mr. Dunning was elected cashier. In January, 1882, he pur- chased the interest of Mr. Anderson, in Octo- ber, 1886, bought the stock of N. Goodsill, and in 1889 that of A. Goodsill. The mem- bers of the firm are now Mr. Dunning, Mr. Evans and. H. P. Long, the latter having be- come cashier in August, 1887, while the second named is vice-president, and Mr. Dunning oc- cupies the responsible position of president. He has been officially connected with the bank since its organization, and the success of the institution is largely due to his capable man- agement and executive powers. This success is indicated by the fact that the capital stock has been increased to $30,000. The business is conducted on sound financial principles, and

the house has the confidence of the entire com- munity.

When Mr. Dunning started out in life for himself he had no capital, but possessed the zeal and energy characteristic of youth, and has steadily worked his way upward, until to- day he stands on the plains of affluence. He is a genial gentleman, fair in business dealings, courteous and accommodating. He has con- tributed largely of his means to worthy objects for the good of the community, and has the high esteem of many friends.

In January, 1878, in Taylor county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dunning and Miss Rebecca M. Weaver, a daughter of Philip and Martha (Smith) Weaver, who resided near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in early life, but in 1860 came to the West. Mr. and Mrs. Dun- ning now have two bright daughters, -Alice J. and Fannie M.,-aged respectively fifteen and thirteen years.

In politics, Mr. Dunning is an unwavering Republican, but has no desire for public office. Fraternally he is connected with Creston Com- mandery, K. T.

LONZO LEWIS, one of the repre- sentative farmers and stock-raisers of Lincoln township, Warren county, Iowa, was born in Randolph county, Indiana, February 17, 1852, only son and child of Joseph and Lottie (Willis) Lewis.

Joseph Lewis, his father, was born in Tyler county, Virginia, in November, 1822; in 1838 removed with his father's family to Indiana, where he resided until 1853, when he came west and settled in Warren county, Iowa, and here the rest of his life was spent. He was one of the pioneers of this region and took up a tract of wild land comprising 160 acres, upon which he built a log cabin. Here he and his family were subjected to all the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life. To his original tract he added by the subsequent purchase of forty acres, and as years passed by developed the whole 200 acres into one of the fine farms

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for which Warren county is noted. Enter- prising and public-spirited, he was well known as one of the successful men of his day; and his success in life was all the more notable from the fact that when he came here in 1853 his entire worldly goods consisted of a horse team and $30 in money. He died in 1888, at the age of sixty-six years.

The mother of our subject, nec .Lottie Willis, was born in Hawkins county, Ten- nessee, June 8, 1814, daughter of Levi and Rebecca (Mumpower) Willis. Both her father and her mother's people were residents of Tennessee, and were remote descendants of German ancestors. Mrs. Lewis is still living and makes her home with her son.

Jacob C. Lewis, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, born in the latter part of the last century. His whole life was passed in the Old Dominion, and he died there at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The Lewis family originated in Wales. Some of its representatives came over to America in Colonial days, and the Lewises figured among the early settlers of Virginia.

Alonzo Lewis, the immediate subject of this sketch, was one year old when he was brought by his father and mother from Indiana to Iowa, and amid frontier scenes his boyhood days were passed. The log school-house in which he received his education was located some distance from his home, and there was not a house between them. The country at that time abounded in wild animals, of which wolves were probably the most numerous. Prairie chickens and wild turkeys were found in great numbers, his father often shooting the turkeys without leaving the door of their cabin. Young Lewis remained with his parents until he attained his twentieth year, in that time rendering valued assistance in clearing and developing the farm, and then started out to make his own way in the world. He went to Red Oak and learned the trade of miller, at which he worked for nearly two years, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to quit the milling business, and

from this he returned to farm life. He has since been successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He owns a fine farm of 222 acres, which is devoted to general farming and stock- raising. For years he has made a specialty of raising cattle and hogs for market, each year selling an average of sixty head of cattle and from eighty to one hundred hogs. Recently he has given considerable attention to the development of Norman horses and now has some twenty head, chiefly of this breed.

Mr. Lewis was married February 3, 1876, to Caroline Blanchard, a native of Warren county and a daughter of Alva and Clarissa (Kirby) Blanchard, she being one of a family of seven children. Her father is a native of Massachusetts and her mother of Illinois, and both have passed over into the octogenarian ranks.

In politics Mr. Lewis is a Republican, and, fraternally, is identified with Indianola Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F.

R OBERT PILMER, of Greenfield town- ship, Warren county, is one of the well known, enterprising and emi- nently successful farmers and stock- raisers of Iowa. A native of the Buckeye State, he was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, November 22, 1850, and is one of a family of ten children whose parents were David and Margaret (Dixon) Pilmer. But four of the number are now living,-John, Janet, Margaret and Robert. The father was a native of Berwickshire, Scotland, born March 8, 1816. In that country he was reared to man- hood, making it his home until 1850, when he bade adieu to the friends and scenes of his childhood and sailed for the United States. He took up his residence in Columbiana coun- ty, Ohio, where he worked for five years, when in 1855 he came to Iowa, locating in Greenfield township, Warren county. Here he purchased a farm of 120 acres on section 16, and was numbered among the pioneers of the region. Energy and enterprise were num-

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bered among liis chief characteristics. From the first he was successful in his business, and as he prospered he added to his possessions by the purchase of additional land until he owned altogether 1,240 acres. For many years he handled stock on an extensive scale, and very successfully. In 1869 he made a sale of cattle and hogs, the proceeds of which aggregated $13,000. He possesses superior business and executive ability, sagacity and enterprise, and owes. his phenomenal success entirely to his own efforts. In 1888, after an active career extending over many years, he retired to pri- vate life, and located in the city of Des Moines, where he now resides. He owns valuable property there and engages to some extent in buying and selling city lots, for it seems im- possible for a man of his energetic nature to utterly lay aside all business cares. In 1885 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at the age of seventy-two years. She was also a native of Berwickshire, Scotland, where her parents spent their entire lives.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Pilier, was a native of Scotland, and came to the United States late in life. He took up his residence in Ohio, where he lived for a few years, and in 1860 came to Iowa, where both he and his wife Margaret died at an advanced age.

Robert Pilmer, the subject of this review, was only four and a half years of age when the family came to this State. The journey was made overland by wagon, traveling across an unsettled country, infested with wolves and other wild animals. Here he was reared to manhood on the frontier, and became familiar with its experiences and the hardships that arise from the lack of the improvements of civilization. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself as a farmer upon eighty acres of land. He was reared to habits of industry and diligence, and those qualities have characterized his entire life. Being an active, earnest worker, his suc-

cess from the first was assured. As his finan- cial resources have increased, he has made judicious investments in real estate and has ex- tended the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it now comprises 960 acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He also owns farming lands in Iowa. He has followed progressive methods, has kept abreast with the times in every particular, and has al- ways been an intelligent and successful dealer in stock, raising and handling large numbers. At the present time he has between 200 and 250 head of cattle, but in 1895 has handled more than 500 head altogether. He also raises from 250 to 300 head of hogs annually. He operates 1, 200 acres of land in Warren and Polk counties, having 200 acres planted with small grain and 175 acres with corn. All the improvements and accessories of a model farm are found upon his place. He has a commodious residence, large barns and outbuildings, including a hay barn, dairy barn and cattle and hog sheds. He has also erected a commodious barn for his horses, 52x94 feet, which will accommodate thirty-five head. He has always been known as an ardent lover of fine horses, owning at times as many as eighteen young colts, and his position as a dealer in horses in Iowa is well shown by the the fact that five years ago he went to the State Fair in Des Moines with sixteen entries of horses and colts, taking twelve first, two second and two third prizes. At the present time he owns some sixty-five head of horses and colts, fifteen of which are standard-bred. At the Warren county fair of 1895 he took the prize for gentleman's driving team. He is also the owner of Laura Wilkes, one of the finest animals in this region.

On the 2d of July, 1873, Mr. Pilmer was united in marriage with Miss Roxie O. Cherry, a native of Ohio. Her father, also a native of the Buckeye State, was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as fife major with the Thirty- fourth Iowa Infantry. For two years and a half he moved with his regiment and then died at his post of duty while valiantly defending

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the Union cause. To Mr. and Mrs. Pilmer have been born fourteen children, namely: William, Bessie, Margaret, Robert and Frank, twins, Janet, Bert, George, Charles, Nellie, Carrie, James, Lula and Lisle. The family circle yet remains unbroken and the children are still under the parental roof.

In politics Mr. Pilmer has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, warmly advocating its principles, yet has never sought or desired official preferment. He holds membership with Norwalk Camp of the Modern Woodmen, and also Norwalk Lodge, No. 594, I. O. O. F. He is numbered among Warren county's honored pioneers, and is a recognized leader in her commercial interests.

HOMAS GOOKIN, one of the hon- ored pioneers of Benton township, Lucas county, and a veteran of the late war numbered among the valiant defenders of the Union, was born in Noble county, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1845. His father, Langdon Gookin, was born in New Hampshire in 1806. During his boyhood he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and obtained his education in the subscription schools so common at that day in frontier regions. In 1828 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Marshall, and they became parents of eight children, namely: Fi- nette, who married a Mr. Coles, and after his death became the wife of Mr. Gordon, who owns a stock farm in Texas; Samuel, who car- ries on farming on section II, Benton town- ship, Lucas county; Margaret, wife of John Russell, who is engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Washington township; Alexander, who responded to his country's call for troops and became a member of the Eighteenth Iowa In- fantry, Company C, contracting a disease while at the front, which terminated his life shortly after his return home; Elizabeth J., widow of Jackson Blue and a resident of Wash- ington township; Clark, a well-known and prosperous agriculturist of Benton township;

O. V., also of the same locality; and Marshall, who died in Benton township at the age of seventeen years.

On the 6th of December, 1852, the family crossed the Mississippi river at Fort Madison and located in Lucas county, Iowa, where the father rented a farm. The following year he purchased the Ragdale estate, comprising 280 acres of unimproved land lying in Benton township. A log cabin was bought about the same time and moved to the farm, and for eighteen years it served the family as a place of residence. Later it became the property of Mr. Clark, a pioneer of Benton township. In early life Mr. Gookin was an advocate of the Whig party, and later became a stanch Re- publican, joining the new organization on its establishment. He was a devout Christian and a member of the Methodist Church. After his death the mother took up her residence with her son, having now resided on the old homestead in this county for forty years.

There was nothing unusual to mark the boy- hood and youth of our subject. He was reared as most farmer boys, and the labors of field and meadow early became familiar to him. On the 17th of August, 1863, he volunteered for service in the Civil war, entering Company D, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, enlisting at Chariton. He went with his regiment to Louisville, Nash- ville and Chattanooga, and his valiant service made him known as an able defender of the starry banner and the cause it represented. With his command he afterward went to At- lanta and Savannah, and on the 28th of July, 1864, the company was captured near the for- mer place and sent to Andersonville prison, where they suffered much from hunger and ex- posure. Mr. Gookin's incarceration continued until the cessation of hostilities, when with about 500 of the boys in blue he was released.

After traveling through Jacksonville, Ann- apolis, Davenport and Clinton, he returned home and resumed the peaceful vocation of farming. He now owns and operates 250 acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed in a very high state of cultivation. In 1884 he

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erected thereon a good residence, has built an excellent barn, 44 x 54 feet, and has added the other accessories and conveniences of a model farın.

On the 9th of April, 1869, Mr. Gookin was united in marriage to Miss Phœbe Meyers, a daughter of Jacob Meyers, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of August, 1847, and has resided in this county since 1866. They now have six chil- dren: Effie, born on section 35, Benton town- ship, is an accomplished musician; Albert B., born May 20, 1873, is a successful teacher; Mattie is the wife of Harry Parker, a farmer of Wayne county, Iowa; and Harry, Walter and Elmer are at home. In his political views Mr. Gookin is a Republican; socially, he is con- nected with the Frank Knowlan Post, No. 208, G. A. R .; religiously, he and his wife are members of the United Evangelical Church.

EORGE MUELLER .- Wherever the German element has entered into our nationality, whether in the crowded marts or in the agricultural districts, there do we find thrift and prosperity. In- deed, such a recognized fact is this that the two words, German and thrifty, are very nearly synonymous. Prominent among the thrifty farmers of Jefferson township, Madison county, Iowa, is found the name of George Mueller. He left his home in Germany before he had emerged from his 'teens, landed in America with a capital of only $20, and from the con- dition of a poor boy has worked his way to his present prosperous position in life. The history of such a life cannot fail to be of inter- est in a work of this character.

George Mueller was born in Germany, September 11, 1842, and there spent the first sixteen years of his life. His father, George Mueller, Sr., was an overseer of forests in the old country, and died there, at the age of sixty- four years. After a successful Atlantic voyage and a safe landing at New York city, the sub- ject of our sketch directed his course to War-

saw, Hancock county, Illinois, where he was employed by the month at farm work until 1860. That year he continued his way west- ward to Madison county, Iowa, and in Jeffer- son township hired out by the month to a farmer. In 1864 he returned to Hancock county, Illinois, and took to himself a wife, and on coming back to Madison county con- tinued work by the month for two years longer. All this time he had been saving his earnings, and in 1866 he purchased the farm where he now lives and moved his family into a log house. - For him the passing years have been crowded with honest industry and careful economy and are crowned with just recom- pense. The rude log house and other build- ings have given place to a fine residence and good barns, and his fine farm of 260 acres is under high cultivation and well stocked, his time and attention being given to general farm- ing and stock-raising; and while Mr. Mueller has been industrious and has prospered in his own affairs, he has found time to help others and totake an active part in matters pertaining to the general good of the community. At this writ- ing he is serving his second term as Township Trustee and also is filling the position of Road Supervisor. He is a Republican.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 178

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