Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 20

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

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ried Catherine Clister, and to them were born six sons and six daughters, nine of whom are yet living, R. C. being the eldest. The others are Nancy Ann, wife of R. R. McNair, a re- tired farmer now living in Milo; Peter, who is engaged in farming in Clark county, Iowa; Eleanor, wife of Samuel McNair, of Somer- set county, Pennsylvania; Andrew, who is engaged in farming in Fayette county, Pennsylvania; Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Sil- baugh, of Fayette county; Daniel, of the same county; Lavina, 'widow of H. H. Hall, and a resident of southeastern Kansas: Char- lotte, wife of Jackson Close, an agriculturist of Fayette county; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Levi Show, of Norfolk, Nebraska; Samuel and Catherine, both of whom died in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Since 1885 the mother of this family has made her home in Milo.

The subject of this review left the Keystone State on the 14th of April, 1855, for Winne-

bago county, Illinois, where during the suc- ceeding five years he was mostly engaged in farm labor. He then emigrated to Putnam county, Missouri, where he purchased forty acres of land. Three years later he came to Iowa, and in Dallas township, Marion county, farmed the Miller place. In the spring of 1865 he arrived in Warren county, and pur- chasing forty acres of land in Belmont town- ship, on which stood a small frame house, yet unplastered, he began life in earnest. He purchased sixty acres on section 35, to which he afterward added forty-five acres; later bought 120 acres on section 36. subsequently 123 acres on section 1, White Breast town- ship; eighty acres on section 25, Belmont township; eighty acres in Liberty township; and to this added 120 acres on sections 14 and 15, Belmont township. In the fall of 1892 he came to Milo and purchased the homestead of Charles Hill on Second street, then comprising an acre and a half of ground. He has since purchased seven acres adjoining on the north and now has one of the valuable properties of the city. His various purchases indicate his

On the 26th of October, 1851, Mr. McNair wedded Miss Clara J. McNair, a native of Pres- ton county, West Virginia, and a daughter of Alexander and Catherine (Syfolt) McNair. Ten children have been born of this marriage: John R., who was born April 14, 1853, and follows farming in Belmont township, Warren county; Cordelia C., who was born November 7, 1855, and died January 12, 1862; George and Ellis, twins, born April 6, 1858, both fol- lowing farming in White Breast township, Warren county; Osbin, who was born April 12, 1860, and is an agriculturist of Liberty township, Warren county; Martha J., who was born January 1, 1863, and is the wife of Har- rison K. Fortney, a farmer of Clark county, Iowa; William Franklin, who was born April 22, 1865, and is living in Belmont township, Warren county; Charles, who was born De-

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cember 25, 1867, and is operating land on sec- tion 15, Belmont township; Manuel and Mar- ion, twins, born April 3, 1870, now farming on section 35, Belmont township.

Mr. McNair cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan and is a stalwart advocate of the principles of Democracy, but with him politics have always been subordinate to busi- ness interests. He is truly a self-made man, for he started out in life without a dollar and by hard labor, good management and tireless energy has acquired a fortune that now enables him to lay aside business cares and enjoy the fruits of his former toil. Though he has passed sixty-five milestones on life's journey he is still a vigorous and energetic man. In all his la- bors he has had the assistance and encourage- ment of his estimable wife, who has shared with him in the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity, which checker the life of man. They are both members of Rosemont Catholic Church in Belmont township, and contribute liberally to its support and to all other interests that are calculated to advance the general wel- fare. As the record of one of the most valued and honored citizens of Warren county we present this sketch to our readers, knowing that it will prove of interest to many, for he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

spect and esteem of the community where he has lived and labored to so goodly ends for so long a period of years. It is certainly incum- bent that in this connection there be incor- porated a review which shall take due cognizance of the salient points in his life history.

A native of the old Keystone State, Samuel B. Downing was born in Venango county, on the 4th of February, 1830, being the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Burns) Downing, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, the latter being the daughter of Thomas Burns, a native of Scotland. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Andrew Downing, who was born on the Emerald Isle. So it will be seen that the extraction of Rev. Samuel B. Downing is of that dual strain designated as the Scotch- Irish-one which has furnished to America one of its most alert, progressive and sterling ele- ments and one which has been invariably a conservator of good citizenship, through an exemplification of well directed industry, hon- esty of purpose and unswerving integrity. In his young manhood Andrew Downing emi- grated front his native land to the United States, and here was consummated his mar- riage.

Alexander and Elizabeth Downing became the parents of ten children, -seven boys and three girls, -of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth. All lived to attain mature years and to establish homes of their own, but at the present time only three of the number survive, these being Samuel and two brothers: George S., who has been general superintendent of the State penitentiary at Salem, Oregon, for the past decade; and Will- iam, who is a resident of Linn county, Oregon, and farmer by occupation.

EV. SAMUEL B. DOWNING .- The subject of this review is a man whose life has been consecrated to all that is good and true, who has been a faithful and zealous laborer in the vineyard of the Master, and one whose efforts in connec- tion with temporal affairs have been attended with a full quota of success. He has passed the greater portion of his life in the State of Samuel B. Downing, to whom this sketch is dedicated, passed the first thirteen years of his life in his native State, and then accom- panied his parents on their removal to Iowa, - this being in the early pioneer days of 1837. The father took a claim of land in Roscoe township, Davis county, the same comprising Iowa, has been prominent as a clergyman of the Christian Church, and has been intimately identified with the agricultural interests of Davis county, where he is still the owner of a large landed estate. He is now living in prac- tical retirement in the attractive little city of Bloomfield, and here rests secure in the re- | a quarter section which he entered from the

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Governnient. He settled on this tract and devoted his attention to its cultivation for a number of years, after which he removed to the western part of Davis county, and there continued his farming operations until the time of his death, which occurred in 1867. In pol- itics he maintained an independent attitude, not identifying himself with any organization, and religiously he was a devoted member of the Christian Church. The mother of our subject entered into eternal rest in the year 1846, having been a woman of noble, Christian character.

Our subject received his preliminary edu- cational discipline in the district schools, and supplemented this by a thorough course of study in the high school at Palmyra, Missouri, and in the high school at West Ely. In 1846 he enlisted for service in the Mexican war, be- coming a member of Company E, Third Mis- souri Cavalry, Colonel John Rall commanding, and proceeded with his regiment to Santa Fe, New Mexico, said Territory having at that time been still under the domination of old Mexico. He was an active participant in a number of engagements, among which was the final battle of that war, said contest having taken place at Santa Cruz. Soon after the war with Mexico, and about ten days after the battle at Santa Cruz, three brave comrades came to our subject and informed him that on the next Saturday night they intended to roba rich mining town, located about sixteen miles up the river from Santa Cruz, also stating that he had been elected to assist in the work, as they wanted twelve brave men. They had arranged with all the other men, and they im- parted to our subject the names of the eleven soldiers who had agreed to aid in doing this most nefarious crime. Mr. Downing listened to every word as they slowly and minutely ex- plained all their plans, and when they had fin- ished he told them that not only would he not assist them, but neither would he allow them to carry out their plans without him. They ordered our subject to close his lips and added many threats as to the action they would take

in regard to him should he reveal the secret. Mr. Downing said to them, with great firmness and with tears in his eyes: "Now, boys, you have all been brave soldiers and can now be honorably discharged and go home to your families; but if you rob that mining town you will be dishonored;" and he further added, " If you go I will report the matter to headquarters before you get five miles away, and you can kill me for it if you want to." The robbery did not occur, and soon afterward all started home, and these same men came to Mr. Down- ing and thanked him repeatedly for what he had done for them, many of them having been men much older than himself.

After thus showing his patriotic ardor and zeal in this war, Mr. Downing returned to his home in Iowa, and became concerned in gen- eral farming in Davis county. He laid his land warrants in Fox township, securing 160 acres on the start, and thereafter adding to his landed estate until its area reached 1, 200 acres. The appreciation in the value of this land has brought to him a competency, and of the fine estate he still retains in his possession 800 acres, the remainder having been presented by him to his children. His farm is in a high state of cultivation, and its permanent improvements are of exceptional excellence, including a sub- stantial dwelling of fourteen rooms. The homestead is now occupied by his youngest son. In 1893 Mr. Downing removed from his farm to Bloomfield and here he has since main- tained his home in an attractive residence, en- joying that repose which is the due recompense of a well spent life. He is still frequently called upon to preach, and ever stands ready to exercise the functions of his high office as a clergyman of the Christian Church.

The marriage of our honored subject was solemnized in 1849, when he led to the altar Miss Telitha Stark, youngest daughter of Abner and Persis (Boone) Stark, the latter of whom was a second cousin of that celebrated figure in American history, Daniel Boone. Mrs. Downing was born in Henry county, Ken- tucky. By her marriage to our subject she

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became the mother of ten children, and con- cerning them we incorporate the following epitomized record: John W. is a prosperous farmer of Davis county; Abner has been super- intendent of the county farm in this county for the past ten years and is the owner of a good farm to whose cultivation he devotes his at- tention; William Lincoln is a physician located at Moulton, Iowa; Sherman Grant, resides on the old homestead; Temperance is the wife of C. J. Moss, of Drakeville, Iowa; Indiana V. is the wife of John M. Kutch, of Fox township, this county; Roanna is the wife of Perry Rall- ston, of the same township; Ida Iowa is the wife of Charles R. Jones, a farmer of this county; May, who remains beneath the pa- rental roof, is an accomplished musician, be- ing a graduate of the normal school at Bloom- field, Iowa, and devotes her time to teaching this art; and Lillie J. is the wife of Elmer Morris, of Davis county.

In political matters Mr. Downing has taken an active interest and has been conspicuous in public affairs in Davis county. In 1879 and 1881 he represented the county in the State Legislature, having been the candidate of the Greenback party, of which he was a stalwart supporter from the time of its organization until its final disintegration. In this official position he proved a wise and able legislator and his fidelity to the trust imposed gained him the endorsement of the people regardless of party lines. Further recognition of his ability and sterling worth of character was that accorded in 1890, when the Greenback party of the State made him its candidate for Gov- ernor, and though his party was much in the minority he made a strong candidate and se- cured a distinctive endorsement at the polls, though failing of election, as he had antici- pated. Mr. Downing is still prominent in po- litical affairs, and gives his support to the Pop- ulist party. For the past thirty-eight years he has been actively engaged in the work of the ministry, and his labors have been blessed and prolific of much good. At the present time he officiates in the pulpit each Sunday, having

four distinct charges, and zealously laboring to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of each. In his fraternal relations Mr. Downing has been for many years identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His cherished and devoted wife has been his earnest coadjutor and true com- panion during all the long years of their mar- ried life and she has been a member of the Christian Church for a full half century.

Mr. Downing stands forth as a distinctive type of the self-made man, since he started with very limited financial resources and has by industry and judicious management accu- mulated a competency. During the war of the Rebellion he was engaged quite extensively in the sheep business, and at one time was the owner of a flock comprising 800 head. In this connection he recalls the fact that at that time he received fifty-four cents per pound for his wool.

A man of unblemished honor, a pioneer of the State, and one who has made his life a power for good, Mr. Downing well merits the confidence and the high esteem in which he is held, and his large circle of friends can only hope that his days may be prolonged and that "the peace which the world can not give" may continue to be his.

ONORABLE JOSEPH BRADEN. Among the representative early set- tlers of Chariton none are more wor- thy of mention in a work of this char- acter than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. With the political and business his- tory of this city he has long been identified, and his labors in behalf of Chariton and her best interests have been effective and valuable.

He was born in London, England, March 8, 1831, and acquired his education in his na- tive city, where he engaged with his father in the grocery business until twenty years of age. He then came to America, but the family re- mained in London, where the parents both

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died. The father, Alexander McDonald Bra- den, was a merchant engaged in both the wholesale and retail grocery trade, and to that industry he gave his time and attention through- out his entire business career. He also owned and operated an oatmeal manufactory, making what was called " prepared groats." He mar- ried Miss Frances Eleanor Foulks, who died when our subject was a lad of twelve summers, and the father died about twenty years ago. Their family consisted of seven children, only three of whom are now living, namely: Charles, who owns and operates the old oatmeal manu- factory in London; Henry, who is living a re- tired life in England, both being quite well- to-do; and Joseph.

When the last named arrived in this coun- try he came at once to Iowa and located in Dubuque, where soon afterward he accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in the service of Hon. Thomas H. Benton, Jr., then State Superintendent of Public Instruction. His serv- ices consisted mostly in examining the books and making settlements with school-fund com- missioners throughout the State. The ac- counts with this fund had before that been very loosely kept, and his task, therefore, proved a difficult one; but affairs were usually adjusted satisfactorily, so that the State was not the loser. In this capacity Mr. Braden traveled most of the time for six or seven months in company with Mr. Benton, who delivered lec- tures on educational topics while Mr. Braden made his settlements with school funds. He next entered the United States land office at Dubuque, and in 1853 came to Chariton in charge of the United States land office here, serving in that capacity until 1858, with the exception of one year. In 1857 he was ap- pointed register of the United States land office in Chariton, -his previous service having been under the superintendence of others. During all this time he handled many thousands of dollars daily, and yet not a dollar was ever lost to the Government or to himself. When it is known that there was not a bank or place of safe deposit in the entire country, the enor-

mous risk and careful management will be better understood.

The office was removed to Des Moines in 1858, and Mr. Braden then engaged in the banking or exchange business for a short time. During President Buchanan's administration he was appointed Postmaster of Chariton and served until after the inauguration of President Lincoln, when he resigned. His next field of labor was merchandising, in which he was ex- tensively engaged. Enterprising and persever- ing, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and in this new un- dertaking he likewise prospered. But his efficient public service is too well known for him to remain long in the privacy of his own business interests, and he was called to serve as City Treasurer of Chariton, to which posi- tion he has since been elected and re-elected, without opposition, until he has now filled that office for fifteen years. His faithfulness to every trust reposed in him is well known, and a thorough reliability and conscientiousness has gained him the unlimited confidence and respect of all. He was for some time a member of the Board of Education, and served as its president for two terms.

Mr. Braden was married in Dubuque county, Iowa, in December, 1854, to Miss Emily Waterhouse, a native of London, Eng- land, who came to Iowa with her parents, now deceased. Her brother, William Waterhouse, made his home with our subject until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the service of his country, and died at St. Louis. Her only living brother is George, a farmer residing in Farley, Dubuque county. Mr. and Mrs. Braden have never had any chil- dren of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Emily Braden, who was born in London, England, and is a daughter of George Braden, a brother of our subject. She is now the wife of Howard Culbertson and resides in Wallace, Nebraska.

In connection with his other business inter- ests Mr. Braden is vice president of the First National Bank of Chariton and is the receiver

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for the Fitzgerald & Mallory Construction Company and superintends the clerical work therewith. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. In his political views he has been a life-long Demo- crat and by that party has been elected to the various offices which he has filled. Although the city and county are strongly Republican, the people recognize his sterling worth, and his great personal popularity wins him a large following. He has also been the candidate of his party for the office of County Clerk. A gentleman of broad experience in public affairs with a record unsullied as an official and busi- ness man, we gladly give him a place among . the representative men of the State of Iowa.

ROF. CHARLES F. GOLTRY, prin- cipal of the Chariton Academy and one of the leading educators of the State, is numbered among the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Lucas coun- ty, on the 19th of February, 1863. Tradition says that the Goltry family was founded in America by ancestors who came to this country with William Penn. The parents of our sub- ject, John and Barbara Goltry, were both na- tives of Indiana, in which State they were miar- ried in 1855, coming to Iowa the following year. In Lucas county the father entered 160 acres of land from the Government, located in Cedar township and at once began its develop- ment, transforming it into a good farm, to which he had added from time to time until within its boundaries were comprised 360 acres of valuable land. The family numbered twelve children, all of whom are yet living. The family is one of prominence in the community and hold an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.

Professor Goltry, whose name introduces this review, acquired his preliminary education in the district schools of the neighborhood, but wishing to advance farther on the road of knowledge he became a student in Drake Uni-

versity of Des Monies, Iowa, in 1885, and after completing the four years' classical course was graduated at that institution in the class of 1889, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Previous to entering college he had attended the preparatory school in Shenandoah, Iowa, and also taught for two years. He was princi- pal - of the Russell (lowa) public schools for three years following his graduation, and then took a special course in chemistry and chemical analysis at a summer term of the Indiana State University. Professor Goltry was next chosen professor of ancient languages in Central Chris- tian College, of Albany, Missouri, where he re- mained one year, and then accepted a position in the Humneston Normal College, where he also remained for a year.

Professor Goltry was married in Des Moines, Iowa, December 28, 1892, to Miss Clara E. Crim, a native of Indiana and a daughter of J. S. and Harriet Crim. The family are of German lineage and was estab- lished in the United States near Salem, Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Goltry and her mother are the only survivors of a family of nine, there being four brothers and three sisters. During her childhood her parents removed to Chariton, and she acquired a liberal education, in the high school of this city, in Stuart's Academy and Drake University. The academy, which was then conducted by Mrs. R. A. Stuart and was an excellent school, has since been dis- continued. For several years Mrs. Goltry has successfully engaged in teaching. She taught for three years in the country schools of Lucas county, then for three years in the city schools of Chariton, after which she was elected to the principalship of the Hedrick school in Ottumwa, Iowa, a position which she acceptably filled for three years. Two years' work was given to the schools of Humeston, as principal, and she then aided her husband in the establish- ment of the Chariton Academy. She is a lady of fine educational attainments and rich in practical experience, cultured and refined in manner and possessed of that genuine worth which commands recognition everywhere, no

L. S. Spencer.

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matter in what society. She has been nomi- nated by the Republican party for County Su- perintendent of Schools, for which office she is ably qualified. She has the support of many friends, and should she win that position the schools of Lucas county will prosper and ad- vance under her able management.

In November, 1894, Professor Goltry and his estimable wife established the Chariton Academy, a school for students desiring to fit themselves for teaching or for special business. The school opened with eleven students; and the first term closed with thirty-two, the sec- ond term opened with fifty-four, and closed with sixty-two. The prospects for the school are certainly bright and encouraging, and the Academy will doubtless become one of the leading schools of its character in the State, for with the able instructors at its head its merits must commend it to the consideration and patronage of the public.

In his political views Mr. Goltry is a Re- publican, and is a prominent member of Char- iton Lodge, No. 64, I. O. O. F., while his wife belongs to the P. E. O., an organization for the social and literary entertainment of ladies. Both the Professor and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and all who know them esteem them highly, and their cir- cle of friends is extensive. Professor Goltry was endowed by nature for the work he has chosen, and his abilities have been strength- ened by thorough preparation and the power that comes through use. He devotes himself untiringly to his work, and is one of the able representatives of educational interests in the State.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 20

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