Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 26

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

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The father of Mrs. Stewart P. Melick, Charles P. Partridge, was born in Massachu- setts, and was a son of John Partridge, who left the Bay State for Wyoming county, New York, and later went to De Kalb county, Illi- nois. The latter used to tell many interesting stories of the Indian massacre in the valley of Wyoming and of the witchcraft in Massachu- setts. The other children of his family were Lyman, deceased, who never came West; Ash- man, who is also deceased, and was for many years a resident of southern Kansas; Amos, who lives in Pike, New York; Phoebe, who is the wife of George Dennis and makes her home in Sycamore, Illinois; and Almyra, who is the wife of Hartley Huntley and makes her home in Pike county, Illinois. Charles P. Partridge married Lucy Anne Seavey, who was born in Chichester, New Hampshire, in 1817, and was a daughter of William and Lucy Anne (Drake) Seavey, who also had a son, William Seavey, Jr. The latter's son, Lafay- ette W. Seavey, is a scenic artist of some prominence in New York city. Mrs. Partridge was only sixteen years of age at the time of her marriage, and accompanied her husband to De Kalb county, Illinois, where they both passed away. Five children blessed their union, - Augusta Helena, Lucy Anne, Charles P., Ze- lotus B. and William S. Lucy Anne, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, April 5, 1834, attended a seminary in Pike, that State, and with her parents removed to De Kalb county, Illinois. At Sycamore, Illinois, she married A. A. Everett, and they later removed to Lyons, Iowa, from there to Chicago, thence to Greenwich, Huron county, Ohio, and finally to Dallas Center, Iowa. Charles P., Jr., was born in Wyoming county, New York, and from

R. P. Bruce.

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his home in Sycamore, De Kalb county, Illi- nois, went to Winona, Minnesota, where he worked in the lumber districts one winter and the following spring went down the Mississippi river on a raft, and at Galveston, Texas, died of yellow fever in 1859. Zelotus B., who was born in De Kalb county, May 8, 1845, at the age of sixteen enlisted in the Thirteenth Illi- nois Infantry, becoming a member of Company F. At the first battle of Vicksburg he was wounded in the arm, and on his way from that place to St. Louis his feet were frozen. In a hospital in the latter city the surgeons placed him on a table and were about to amputate his arm, but he refused to submit. During his confinement there his mother was with himn. He later re-enlisted in the one-hundred-days service. In 1872 he removed to Hall county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead claim, and was baggage agent for the Union Pacific Railroad at Grand Island, Nebraska, for some time. He is now serving as County Clerk of Hall county, being elected on the Re-

publican ticket. At Sycamore, Illinois, he wedded Hannah Maria Depew. William S., the youngest child of the Partridge family, was born in De Kalb county, in 1851. He also removed to Hall county, Nebraska, in 1872, and is now in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad at Grand Island. In that State he married Molly Ware, and they have two chil- dren.

We now return to the personal history of Mr. Melick, who is a charter member of D. C. Richmond Post, No. 230, G. A. R., of which he served as Commander in 1890, was for several years Adjutant, and the remainder of the time has been Quartermaster. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are also active workers in the Sunday-school, of which he served as superintendent for over fifteen years, and she is equally prominent in all of the ladies' socie- ties of the church. He is a stanch Republican in political faith and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln at his second election. In all enterprises for the advancement of his

county or State, Mr. Melick takes a leading part, and in social as well as business circles the members of the firm of Melick & Son rank high.

R ICHARD PICKLE BRUCE, a ven- erable and wealthy farmer residing in Douglas township, Madison county, Iowa, is one of the pioneers of this county and is here entitled to biographical mention as such. Mr. Bruce was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, May 15, 1818, and has in his veins a mixture of Scotch and Welsh blood. His father, R. P. Bruce, who died at an advanced age in Washington, Kentucky, was of Scotch descent, while his mother, nec Elizabeth Henley, a native of Virginia, was of Welsh origin. The mother also lived to an advanced age, she being between seventy and eighty years old at the time of her death. In their family were seven children, of whom Richard P. was the fourth born.

Mr. Bruce lived in Lexington, Kentucky, until he was about fourteen years old. Then, in 1832, he accompanied his mother to Jack- sonville, Illinois, and after a sojourn of one month at that place they moved to Schuyler (now Brown) county, Illinois, where he re- mained until 1851. That year he came to Iowa and took up his abode in Madison coun- ty. In 1853, after farming rented land two seasons, he came to his present location, and here he has since resided. At the time of his settlement here there were only about twelve families living in the county. As the years passed by Mr. Bruce did his full share toward advancing the agricultural interests of this part of the country and bringing about the present development, and to-day he is recognized as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Madison county. His home farm comprises 401 acres, he has eighty acres east of Win- terset, and owns forty acres of timberland, making in all 521 acres of as good land as there is in the State of Iowa; and all this property he has accumulated through his own

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honest and earnest toil and good management. The buildings, fences and other improvements upon his land have all been placed there by him.

While in Brown county, Illinois, Mr. Bruce was united in marriage, in 1847, to Judith A. Keith, a native of Kentucky and a daughter Virginia parents, with whom she removed when a young lady to Illinois. She came with Mr. Bruce to Iowa in 1851, shared with him the frontier life above referred to and proved herself in every respect a worthy help- meet, and June 16, 1876, passed to her re- ward. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom nine are living, namely; John R .; Francis M .; Georgeanna, wife of William Un- derwood; Mary Jane, wife of Timothy Con- nard, deceased; Susan V., wife of John Her- ron; Belle, wife of Thomas Stark; Caroline M., wife of Lewis Fields; Robert S., of Cali- fornia; and Carrie M., at home. In 1884 Mr. Bruce married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth McClary.

Mr. Bruce is a man of many sterling charac- teristics and his whole life has been so conducted that it has won and maintained for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has in any way been associated. He has cast his vote with the Republican party ever since the party was organized. For many years he served as Township Trustee, has also served on the Board of Supervisors, and at various times filled other minor offices, always per- forming with the strictest fidelity the duty en- trusted to him. He has for years been an earnest advocate of temperance. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and has his membershp in Evening Star Lodge, No. 43, at Winterset, Iowa.

R. NORTH .- This gentleman is a prominent member of the Iowa bar, characterized by great versatility of talent and exactness and thorough- ness in all his attainments. His excellent gen- eral information, combined with his thorough

knowledge of the law, has given him a promi- nence at the bar that is seldom equaled, and his superior business ability along other lines has placed him in a position among the wealthy men of Dallas county. He is now living in the village of Adel, but is widely known through- out the State, having been specially prominent in political affairs.

Mr. North was born in Union county, Ohio, June 23, 1838, and is a son of Joseph North. When he was a small boy the family moved to Delaware county, Ohio, and in 1851 they removed to Clayton county, Iowa, and the following year to Elkhart county, Indiana. He was educated in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen began teaching, and fol- lowed that profession for some years, during the winter season. For two summers he worked at the carpenter's trade, after which he learned the cooper's trade, following it for a few years. In 1862 he took up the study of law with a brother in Indiana, and was also under the direction of Judge E. V. Long, of Warsaw, Indiana, until the latter part of that year, when he responded to the country's call for troops.

On October 6, 1862, Mr. North enlisted in Company K, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infan- try, under Captain E. L. Billings. He served with that company until August 3, 1863, when he was discharged. He participated in various skirmishes and engagements with his regiment, and took part in the battle of Stone River, after which he was confined in the hospital for several weeks, and was in the convalescent camp for a few weeks. He was discharged for some time ere he was aware of the fact, for the papers had been captured by the Rebels. On being mustered out of service he returned to his home, and in 1864 came to Iowa, having since been identified with the history of this State.

In May of that year Mr. North was ad- mitted to the bar with the privilege of prac- ticing in the Supreme Court of the State, and the following year was admitted to practice before the District and Circuit Courts of the

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United States. On the 16th of June, 1864, he became a resident of Adel, and entered into partnership with Hon. E. Willard, the con- nection continuing with only a slight break for twelve years, or until 1876, they successfully engaging in the general practice of law. Mr. North was then alone in business until Novem- ber, of that ·year, when he formed a partner- ship with D. W. Woodin, which continued for two years. After two years spent alone the firm of North & Barr existed for four years, and the former was then alone for a year, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Edmund Nichols, the connection continuing for four years. Later he formed a business relation with Mr. Ish. Through all these years he has maintained a large general law practice, and his power before judge and jury is strongly felt and widely recognized. He possesses a keen, analytical mind and his "analysis of a case is thorough and exhausting, while at the same time he condenses his evidence into a clear, concise statement which leaves none in doubt as to his position. He makes each point bear with full weight on a question to be considered and never loses sight of the important facts on which the decision of a case finally turns.

Mr. North has been married three times. In May, 1858, he wedded Miss Frances E. Whittaker, who was born in Indiana in 1842 and died in 1862, leaving a daughter, -Sarah M.,-who is now married and has three chil- dren. On the 31st of December, 1864, he wedded Miss Naomi E. Stewart, who was born in Illinois in 1848, and died in Oregon, in 1888. The children of this marriage are Etta; Austin, who is married and lives in Billings, Montana; "J," who is married and resides in Oregon; Alice, Jo and Oto. On the 19th of February, 1890, Mr. North wedded Laura B. Abbott, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1867, and comes of a prominent fam- ily of Ohio. A daughter, Ava, was born of this union. Mrs. North is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and presides with grace over her pleasant home and makes it noted for its hospitality.

Mr. North has given his political support to the Democracy since casting his first presi- dential vote for Stephen A. Do-glas, and is a recognized leader in party urcles. He has been a delegate to various State conventions, was a member of the State central committee. and in 1884 was a delegate to the national convention. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of Colonel Mills Post, No. 45, G. A. R. He served as its first Commander and filled that position for two terms.

In connection with his fine law practice, Mr. North has been active and prominent in commercial circles. In 1866 he embarked in the hardware business in Adel, and in 1869 established the first store in Dallas Center. In 1876 he sold his mercantile interests and began dealing largely in real estate, which has been to him a profitable undertaking. He owns two valuable farms, -one comprising 82 acres, -- and also has a home and plantation in Louis- iana, where he frequently spends the winter. The land is rented, but in that delightful south- ern abode, which is only forty miles from the gulf coast, he frequently passes the winter months. His success seeins almost phenom- enal, yet it has come to him entirely through his own efforts. He started out in life a poor boy with his own way to make in the world. He not only took advantage of the opportuni- ties that surrounded him but created oppor- tunities as well, and, following an honorable business course, he has surmounted the diffi- culties in his path and has reached the goal of prosperity.

ARTIN DUNN, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock-deal- ing in Van Meter township, Dallas county, Iowa, was born near Mon- roe, Wisconsin, May 25, 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Cynthia (Berry) Dunn, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. About 1865 they crossed the Mississippi and became residents of Iowa, spending their re-

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maining days in Dallas county, where the father died at the age of seventy-nine, while the mother's death occurred in Adel, when she was aged seventy-five. They had a family of eight children, of whom five are yet living. One brother, Nelson, was killed at Petersburg.

Martin Dunn was the second of the family. No event of special importance occurred during his childhood and youth, which were quietly passed on the old home place, his farm work being alternated by attendance at the district schools of the neighborhood. He was only fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Iowa, where he has since lived. He has long been recognized as one of the valued citizens of the community and a prominent representative of the agricultural and stock- dealing interests. When he began life for himself he followed the pursuit to which he had been reared and rented a farm in Van Meter township, which he operated for two years. On the expiration of that period he rented forty acres, which he carried on for three years, when he purchased the tract and subsequently added to it another forty acres. This land was plowed and planted until, through the cultivation he bestowed upon it, it was made to yield him many good returns for his industry. In 1891 he began breeding fine hogs, importing pure-blooded Poland-China swine. He has found this a profitable business and his sales for the past year have amounted to $3,000. He had previously been connected with a large breeder of Dallas county for sev- eral years and thus gained a thorough knowl- edge of the best methods of raising and caring for hogs. He is an excellent judge of these animals, and in raising the same has been very successful. He now ranks among the expert and prosperous breeders of the United States, and is doing a large and successful business, which is constantly increasing.

Mr. Dunn was married on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Rosa Robinson, a native of Polk county, Iowa, and a daughter of James Robinson, one of the early settlers of Dallas county. Mr. Dunn and

his wife have two children, the elder of whom, Clarence, is now seventeen years of age. He ac- quired hisliterary education in the public schools of Adel, at which he was graduated in the class of 1895, and will soon enter upon a commer- cial course of study in the business college of Des Moines. His average scholarship for his three years' high -school course was ninety-six, a record of which he and his family may be justly proud. He has been of great assistance to his father in business, and there are few young men in the entire country who are better judges of swine than Clarence Dunn. At an examination of hogs at the State Fair of Iowa, he was given a certificate as an expert judge of this animal, an honor rarely conferred upon one so young. Clara, the only daughter of the household, is now a charming young lady of fifteen, and the family is one of prominence in the community, the members ranking high in the social circles in which they move.

Both Mr. Dunn and his son are extensive readers, and though he had but limited school privileges he has through observation, study and experience become one of the best in- formed men in this section of the State. In his business endeavors he has been successful, owing to perseverance, close attention and good management. He is to-day the possessor of a handsome property, and in 1896 expects to erect upon his farm a fine home. In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen in whom the best interests of the com- munity find a friend.

3 AMES MUNROE PAYNE, a resident of Adel township, Dallas county, Iowa, is deserving of great credit for the suc- cess he has attained in life. From an early age he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources and has worked his way steadily upward, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path by energy and persistence. To-day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the community and his successful

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and honorable life should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others.

He was born in Maryland, near Newmarket, October 18, 1818, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Russam) Payne. His parents were also natives of Maryland, and emigrating west- ward in 1826 took up their residence in Ohio, where they lived for nine years, the fa- ther working at his trade of wagon-making. In 1835, he took his family to Indiana, and, in Tippecanoe county, carried on both wagon- making and farming. In 1843 he located near Kokomo, where his wife died, at the age of forty years. In their family were sixteen chil- dren, of whom twelve reached years of ma- turity, while six are yet living. About 1856 the father continued his westward journey and became a resident of Harrison county, Mis- souri, where he developed and improved three different farms and spent his remaining days, passing away, at the age of eighty-eight.

James M. Payne accompanied his parents on their various removals, remaining at home until twenty-two years of age. In his father's shop he learned the trade of wagon-making, which he followed until his marriage. On the 15th of December, 1839, he was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth Eaton, who was born in Maryland, January 10, 1817, a daughter of Leaven and Mary (Hopkins) Eaton, also na- tives of the same State. The father was a me- chanic and in an early day took up his residence in Ohio. He afterward located near Elkhart, Indiana, and subsequently removed to Illinois, where both he and his wife died, the former at the age of seventy-two years, the latter at the age of seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. Payne became the parents of nine children, of whom seven are yet living, namely: Charles H., Edward R., Lura J., Ira D., Jerome M., Jo- seph D. and Nettie. All are married and are comfortably situated in life.

Upon his marriage, Mr. Payne located near La Fayette, Indiana, in the village of York- town, where he worked at his trade of wagon- making for a year. In 1840 he went to Mis- souri, where he remained until June, 1841, and

then returned to Indiana, working in his old shop for three years. After spending eight months in Rossville, Indiana, he removed to Howard county, where in the midst of the forest he hewed out a farm, continuing its cul- tivation for three years. His next home was in Perryville, where he worked at his trade for three years, and in 1851 he took up his resi- dence in Henry county, Illinois, where he made a prairie farm, continuing its operation until 1856, the year of his arrival in Iowa. Mr. Payne located a mile north of his present home, but in 1857 returned to Henry county, Illinois, where he followed wagon-making un- til 1866. In that year he located once more on the Iowa farm, which was his place of abode for four years, when he came to the farm which he now owns, comprising 235 acres of rich and valuable land and constituting one of the most valuable and desirable farm proper- ties in this section of the State. Here upon this farm his faithful and estimable wife, with whom he had traveled life's journey for more than a half century, passed away, on the 16th of June, 1890. All who knew her had for her the highest regard, for her many excellencies of character were widely recognized.

In his political views, Mr. Payne is a Re- publican, having stanchly supported the prin- ciples of that party since its organization. His first presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay. He has filled a number of local positions, dis- charging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, and he has long been recognized as one of the valued cit- izens of the community.

Joseph D. Payne, the youngest son, is now serving as the efficient Sheriff of Dallas county. He was born and brought up in Henry county, Illinois, May 20, 1856. On the 29th of June, 1875, he married Miss Belle C. Crane, and to them was born one son, Ray. C. He was again married in 1879, and in 1888 he wedded Mrs. Emma (Clark) Kinney. They had one daughter, Eva E., who was born May 17, 1893, and died October 28, 1894.

After his marriage Joseph Payne removed

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to Adel, where he engaged in school-teaching and in mining. From June, 1876, until Jan- uary, 1877, he had control of the teams of the C. C. Mining Company, after which he went to western Nebraska, spending a year in that country operating a stage line from Belvidere to Bloomington, a distance of 112 miles. On the expiration of this period he sold out and returned to Dallas county, where he engaged in farming, purchasing a tract of improved land, which he greatly developed. He bought and sold farming property and now owns a part of the old homestead which his father purchased in 1853, his being only the third deed that has been given to the land. In the fall of 1893 he was elected Sheriff, and is one of the most ca- pable and efficient officers that the county has ever had. Both the father and son are noted for honor, uprightness and integrity, and their genuine worth places them among the leading and representative citizens of Dallas county.

ENRY LEE LEONARD is one of the worthy citizens that the Green Moun- tain State has furnished to Iowa, and his life illustrates what can be accom- plished through application to business, resolute purpose and a strong determination to succeed. He was born in Rutland county, Vermont, January 5, 1841, and is a son of Oliver and Calista (Spaulding) Leonard, both of whom were also natives of Rutland county. His early childhood days were passed in his native State, but with a spirit of adventure and a de- sire to better his financial condition he left his New England home in September, 1860, and following the " star of empire " settled in Illi- nois within twenty-five miles of Joliet, where he worked on a farm belonging to his uncle. In January, 1861, his parents also became residents of Illinois. In 1869 Henry L. Leon- ard left Will county, and came to Iowa, set- tling on the farm which is now his place of residence, while his father and mother went to Chicago and spent their last days in the home of their son in that city. The father died at

the age of seventy years. Of the three chil- dren of the family all are yet living.

Mr. Leonard purchased forty acres of land on his arrival in Iowa, in section 31, Walnut township, Dallas county, and began the de- velopment of a farm, which he has continued to cultivate and improve through the succeed- ing years until he now has a very valuable property, comprising 275 acres. The place was in its primitive condition at the time of his first purchase, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement inade thereon, but with characteristic energy he began its devel- opment and to-day has one of the finest coun- try homes to be found in this section of the State. In addition to general farming he is extensively engaged in stock raising, and this branch of his business has proved very suc- cessful.

On the 5th of January, 1868, Mr. Leonard was united in marriage with Miss Sophia M. Smith, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the age of seven years with her parents, William and Helen Smith. Both are now deceased, the father having passed away at the age of seventy years, while the mother died at the age of sixty-five. To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have been born eight children, and the family circle yet remains un- broken, while with one exception all are still under the parental roof. They are as follows: Edward James, Norman Martin, Helen Calista, Marian Eliza, Joseph Spaulding, William, Myron, and Emma Savina. Edward is a grad- uate of the Iowa Normal School, of Cedar Falls, and for several terms has successfully engaged in teaching, while other members of the family are teachers of recognized ability. The Leonard household is noted for its hos- pitality, and the parents and children have the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 26

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