Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 27

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

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Mr. Leonard cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, but is independent in politics, supporting the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He has filled a number of local

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positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, but the greater part of his time and attention is devoted to his business interests, in which he has met with signal suc- cess. The family are active in church work, and the accomplished daughters are very prom- inent in the Sunday-school. They rank high in social circles where true worth and intelli- gence are received as the passports into good society, and in the community where they live they have many warm friends.

J OHN O. McCLURE, one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers of the State of Iowa, is now living about two miles north of Dallas Center, Dal- las county, Iowa. He was born in Knox county, Indiana, October 20, 1839, and is a a son of William P. and Ann Letitia (Silvers) McClure. The father, who is still living near Des Moines, Iowa, was born in Knox county, Indiana, June 19, 1819, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Purcell) McClure, both natives of Virginia, and their deaths occurred in the Hoosier State at about the age of sixty years. In 1838 William P. McClure wedded Miss Silvers, who was born in Septem- ber, 1819, and by their union they became the parents of eight children, five yet living. The lady was a daughter of Bletcher and Elizabeth (Ingram) Silvers, natives of Kentucky, and died in Indiana when past the age of sixty years. The Ingrams were of English descent, while the Purcells and McClures were of Irish ancestry, and were among the first settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. Two brothers by the name of McClure were the founders of the fam- ily in this country, and its members have since mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother of our subject departed this life on the 29th of December, 1890, but the father is one of the honored citizens of Iowa, and has the respect of all who know him.

The primary education of John O. McClure was obtained in the district schools, but this was supplemented by a course in the Presbyte-

rian Academy at Virginia, Illinois. In 1859 he started westward with his parents and located on the farm where his father yet resides. There he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861, when he was one of the first to re- spond to his country's call to aid in crushing the rebellion, and became a member of Com- pany B, Tenth Iowa Infantry. He served with distinction for four years, being with his company and regiment in all the engagements and skirmishes in which they participated with the exception of about four months, when he was off duty on account of wounds received at Champion Hills and Corinth. He was ever found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag, and on the expiration of his term of service was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 15, 1865, receiving an hon- orable discharge.

Mr. McClure at once returned to his fa- ther's home, and on the 30th of November, 1 865, was united in marriage with Harriet Urhan, and to them have been born the following children: Royal A., Jennie, Eva, Carrie, and Edith, who are living; and Anna, the second born, died in childhood. The children have been given excellent school privileges, and the fam- ily is one of culture and refinement, and in their delightful home their many friends always find a warm welcome.

In the spring of 1866 Mr. McClure pur- chased his present farm, which was then a wild tract of prairie, but now yields a bounti- ful return for the care and labor expended upon it. It is one of the best places of the county, and its neat appearance indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Mc- Clure's popularity is shown by his long reten- tion in the many offices he has been called upon to fill, having for twenty-two years been Justice of the Peace, and in all he has ever discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a charter member of Richmond Post, G. A. R., of Dallas Center, and he and his wife are active workers and consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and Sunday-school

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connected with the same. Members of the family have been quite prominent in the his- tory of this country: Congressman William Springer, of Illinois, is an own cousin of Mr. Mc- Clure's mother. Mr. McClure does not care for the honors or emoluments of public office, but delights rather in devoting his time to those interests for the benefit of his fellow men for which he receives no salary. For example, he has efficiently served as custodian of the Soldiers' Relief Fund. He is also a member of Delta Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Dallas Center.

ENRY MARTIN SCHAMEL. - What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment and a determined will, backed by perseverance and continuous effort, are essential elements to suc- cess in any calling and by the exercise of those characteristics Mr. Schamel has gained his wonderful success. He is now at the head of an extensive grain and coal trade in Dallas Center and is numbered among the most en- terprising business men of the city.

He was born in Washington county, Mary- land, June 24, 1847, and is a son of Peter H. and Mary (Carty) Schamel, both natives of the same county, where they still reside, and have now been married for over fifty-five years. The paternal grandfather was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was a school teacher in his native land. He married Eliza- beth Poffenberger, a native of Maryland, who was of German descent. In the family of nine children, of which our subject is a mem- ber, three are still living: H. M., of this men- tion; George C., who resides on the old home- stead; and Margaret A., wife of Charles Kable, of Kabletown, West Virginia.

The example which Mr. Schamel has fur- nished is well worthy of emulation, as he started out with no capital save a young man's bright hope of the future and a determination to succeed, and his entire fortune has been ac-

quired strictly through his own exertions. He is self-educated as well as self-made, and has become a well informed man. He remained upon the home farm until 1874, which year witnessed his arrival in Iowa, though he had previously worked by the month for neighbor- ing farmers until he had saved $450. In 1876 he began grain-dealing in Dallas Center, which business he has since continued to follow with a well deserved success. He also handles coal and is interested in real estate and the lending of money. He has several hundred acres of land in Iowa and Dakota, and erected his present elevator in Dallas Center in 1890, where he also has a fine home, all of which property he has accumulated through the le- gitimate channels of trade.

In 1877 Mr. Schamel returned to his Mary- land home, where he married Nannie L. Barr, who was born in the same county as her hus- band, in 1851, and died in Dallas Center, at the age of thirty- one years, leaving one daugh- ter, Fannie B .. a most accomplished young lady, who is now attending the celebrated col- lege in Grinnell, Iowa. The mother was a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Reichard) Barr, both natives of Washington county, Maryland, where the father died at the age of fifty years, but the mother is still living and makes her home with a son in Fort Scott, Kansas. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Schamel, Daniel and Elizabeth (Balsbaugh) Reichard, also died in Washington county, the former at the age of eighty and the latter at the age of eighty- five years. He was doubtless born in Ger- many, but her birth occurred in Dauphin coun- ty, Pennsylvania. On the 18th of February, 1885, Mr. Schamel was again married, his second union being with Minnie C. Smith, who was born in Polo, Illinois, and was educated in the schools of that place. She was filling an important position in the public schools of Dallas Center when she met and married our subject. She is a daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Mosher) Smith.

By his sterling integrity and manly bearing, Mr. Schamel has won the esteem and inspired

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the confidence of all. He is social, amiable and genial; unassuming in manner, and gen- tlemanly and courteous in all his dealings. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first ballot for General Grant when he ran for his first term. He attends the services of the Presbyterian Church.

3 OSEPH MARTIN EMMERT, M. D., is a prominent physician of Atlantic, Iowa, and has resided here since 1874. For twenty years he has been examin- ing surgeon for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and one of the old physicians in the employ of that company. He was born in Washington county, Maryland, June 13, 1846. His father, Joshua Emmert, was also a native of Maryland, as was his grandfather, Joseph Emmert. They were each born in Washington county, of that State. The latter was a German Baptist (Dunkard) preacher, and moved to Lee county, Illinois, about 1845, where he built the first Dunkard church in the county, using his own money for the purpose. He was a large landholder, a Christian, whose word was as good as his bond.

Joshua Emmert, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in his native State and mar- ried Ann G. Funk, a daughter of Hon. Henry G. Funk, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Her father was a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania when Thaddeus Stevens intro- duced the first free-school bill ever introduced in any legislative body in the United States. She was of German descent, the first of the name Funk locating in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about 1744. When about thirty- three years of age Joshua Emmert rode from Maryland to Shelbyville, Illinois, three times on horseback. He finally located in Shelby- ville, where he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, but later returned to Maryland, where he died at the age of seventy-five years.

The subject of this sketch is the oldest son and second child of a family of nine children born to Joshua and Ann G. Emmert. He was 11

reared in his native State and received his pri- mary education in the common schools. He later attended the Cumberland Valley Insti- tute, at Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania, and from there went to Millersville, Pennsylvania, and finished his course in the Normal School at that place. On leaving school he com- menced reading medicine with Dr. I. H. Snive- ley, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, after which he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, at which he was graduated in 1872.

On receiving his degree, Dr. Emmert re- moved to Hamburg, Fremont county, Iowa, where he engaged in the practice of his profes- sion and remained until March, 1874, when he moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where he has since been actively engaged with great success. Re- turning to his old home in Washington county, Maryland, he was there married, October 28, 1873, to Miss Ida Washabaugh, of Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, a native of Franklin coun- ty, in that State, and a daughter of Upton and Anna (Hostetter) Washabaugh, who were also natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. To Dr. and Mrs. Emmert six children have been born, Max being the only one now living. In his profession Dr. Emmert takes rank with the best in southern Iowa. He is well read and is always abreast of the times. He is a member of the American Medical Association; of the Iowa State Medical Society, of which he was elected president in 1889; of the Missouri Valley Medical Association, of which he was the first vice-president and the second presi- dent. He was also a member of the Western Gynecological Association and of the Botna Valley Medical Society, of which he was the first president. For some years he was a member of the Railway Surgical Association, and as already stated has been the local sur- geon for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway for twenty years. Heis a member of the Iowa State Board of Health, receiving his appointment from Governor Boies, in 1892.

Fraternally Dr. Emmert is a member of Pymosa Lodge, No. 172, A. F. & A. M .; of

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Ophir Chapter, No. 84, R. A. M. ; of Kedron Commandery, No. 42, K. T., all of Atlantic, Iowa, and of Tangier Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Omaha, Nebraska. In politics he is a Democrat and was a delegate to the na- tional convention in 1884, at "Chicago, which nominated Cleveland for the first term. In 1875, he was elected City Recorder and re- elected in 1876. He was president of the School Board in 1882 and also in 1883.

Religiously he is a Presbyterian, and is an Elder in the church at Atlantic. Since coming to Atlantic, the Doctor has been quite success- ful financially and is at present the owner of several blocks of buildings in the city, together with much other property. A man of sterling worth, a good physician, and enterprising cit- izen, he is greatly esteemed by his many friends not only in Atlantic but throughout the State of Iowa.

ENTON HOUSTON CRILEY, M. D., one of the successful physicians and surgeons of Dallas county, now located at Dallas Center, where he has an ex- tensive and lucrative practice, is a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, born October 4, 1850, and a son of Conrad and Sarah (Crouse) Criley, who were also born in Ches- ter county, where they passed away, the for- mer at the age of seventy years, and the latter at the age of fifty-two.

The Doctor is one of a family of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are still living. Early in life he became self-supporting, and worked for wages as a farm hand earning the money to pay for his education, which was obtained in the district schools, after which he took a course in the high school of Coatesville, Penn- sylvania. On leaving the school room, at the age of sixteen years, he became a telegraph operator, and continued to follow that occu- pation for about a year. He then went to Morseville, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. D. F. Crouse, with whom he re-

mained for a year, when he entered the med- ical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where he pursued his studies for a year. For the same length of time he was then assistant to his former preceptor, after which he attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and on com- pleting the course in 1871 came direct to Dal- las Center. Here he opened an office and now ranks among the foremost in his profession in the State, being called in consultation fre- quently in some of the most difficult cases in this part of Iowa.

The Doctor is a close student. In the winter of 1873-4 he took a post-graduate course in New York, and another in the same city during the winter of 1879-80, and in Oc- tober, 1890, he went to Philadelphia, where he spent seven months, further perfecting his education and familiarizing himself with all the most approved methods in the sciences of medi- cine and surgery. He is decidedly progress- ive, and by a systematic course of reading during his leisure hours keeps himself well abreast of the times in all that pertains to the advancement of his profession. Besides hav- ing built up a large and paying practice, he has accumulated some farm property, all of which has been acquired through his own exertions.

In September, 1880, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Addie L. Morgan, a daughter of John Morgan. Her parents are New York people, now making their home in Victor, Iowa. To the Doctor and his wife has been born one son, Clarence Holmes, whose birth occurred in Dallas Center, on the 30th of August, 1881.

Dr. Criley is an ardent Democrat in polit- ical sentiment, and cast his first presidential vote for General Hancock. He is connected with several medical and secret societies, being a charter member and the first president of the new County Medical Association; and also a member of the State Medical Association, the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, the Western Gynecological Association, the Ameri- can Medical Association, and is a prominent

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Mason. He is a man of fine personal appear- ance, in manner is pleasant and genial, is highly educated and is a gentleman of culti- vated tastes.

ORENZO LORON COLLINS. - There are perhaps few men among those who are prominent and re- spected citizens of Dallas county, who are more widely known or highly esteemed than Mr. Collins, who is now living retired at his pleasant home in Dallas Center, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Easton, Washington county, New York, October 7, 1816, and is a son of William and Loe (Hamilton) Collins, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massa- chusetts. Both died in Montgomery county, New York, the father at the age of fifty-six, and the mother when our subject was but twelve years of age. He is now the only survivor of the family, his only brother having been killed at the age of twenty-one, while attending an old-fashioned barn-raising. The paternal grandfather served his country in both the Rev- olutionary war and that of 1812. The ma- ternal grandparents were among the earliest settlers of Illinois, and on both sides of the fam- ily our subject's people followed agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood.

After his mother's death, although so young, Lorenzo L. Collins started out in life for him- self, learning the tanner's trade near Glovers- ville and Johnstown, New York, at which he worked for about a year. He then went to Ontario county of the same State, where for

three years he worked on a farm by the month. At the end of that period he went to Michigan and there bought a farm in Calhoun county.

In 1843 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Collins and Miss L. Blanchard, a daughter of Hiram Blanchard. To them were born three children, as follows: Gilbert W., who is mar- ried and has ten children; Edgar L., who is married and has six children; and James B., who is married and has had eight children, six

of whom are living. For his second wife, Mr. Collins wedded Sophia L. Rideout, the mar- riage ceremony being performed in the spring of 1859. The lady is a native of Vermont, and is a daughter of Amos and Susan (Fuller) Rideout, both born in New Hampshire, whose deaths occurred in the Green Mountain State, at the age of sixty-four and sixty-five years respectively. By her marriage Mrs. Collins has become the mother of four children, namely : Fred E., who is married and has had four chil- dren, three living; Celia F., at home; Jessie J., who married Anson Barrett and has three chil- dren; and Silas C., who is married and has two children living, and two deceased.

In 1850 Mr. Collins left Michigan, and until 1855 was railroad and express agent at Porter, in Indiana, but that year witnessed his arrival in Dallas county, Iowa, where he took up 240 acres of Government land for himself and a quarter of a section for another party, but afterward bought the latter. His first house in this State was a little log cabin 16 x 22 feet, in which the family continued to live until 1860, when a new house was erected. Mr. Collins has never gone in debt and has never had a mortgage on any of his property, and by his own frugality and honest toil has be- come the possessor of many hundred acres of fine land, which he and his sons now own. For several years he has now laid aside all business cares, removing to Dallas Center, where he and his estimable wife expect to spend the evening of their lives.

Until 1873 Mr. Collins cast his ballot with the Republican party, but now gives his stanch support to the People's party, which embodies his views on political questions. He has filled many offices in the township and county, to the credit of himself and satisfaction of his con- stituents, and has the confidence of all with whom he has business or social dealings. In 1892 he was foreman of the jury at Des Moines, which tried one of the most celebrated cases in the history of Iowa jurisprudence, - that of the United States Government versus J. C. Newton. The family to which Mr. Col-

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lins belongs has ever been popular in the com .. munities where its members have made their homes, and the town of Hamilton, Hancock county, Illinois, was named in honor of an uncle, Artois Hamilton.

T. FRAZER is one of the most prominent and progressive citizens of Sidney, Iowa. As a member of the banking firm of Metelman & Frazer, he stands at the head of one of the leading banking houses of Fremont county. No matter into what condition or station in life one is born, in this free land of ours all ave- nues of business and political or military life are open to him if he has the high ambition, the enterprise and persistence to work his way upward. Reared as a farmer, Mr. Frazer nevertheless entered the world of commerce to become one of its most important factors in this section of Iowa.

Born on the 15th of April, 1833, in Green- brier county, Virginia, he is a son of John Frazer, who was born in Augusta county, in 1800. In 1834 the father removed with his family to Will county, Illinois, locating eighteen miles south of the present city of Joliet, which was then a hamlet containing a post-office and two log cabins. There he spent his remaining days as one of the representative agriculturists of the community. In the county of his nativity he married Miss Margaret Fisher, daughter of William Fisher, and they became the parents of the following children: Eliza- beth, wife of Jefferson Vining, a resident of Kankakee, Illinois; Mrs. Caroline Decker, who is now located in California, Missouri; Mrs. Nancy Jones, deceased; G. W., a resident of Colton, California; W. T., of this review; Mrs. A. E. Gay, whose home is in Joplin, Missouri; Mrs. F. M. Dille, a resident of Farmington, Illinois; Charles L., of High- lands, California; and Mrs. Sophronia Pierson, of Kankakee, Illinois.

During his infancy W. T. Frazer . was taken by his parents to Illinois, and in Will

county spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads. He aided in the labors of the fields through the summer months, and in the winter season pursued his studies in the common schools. Observation and business experience have made him the practical man of affairs that he is to-day, well informed on all questions of interest to the country.

Having arrived at years of maturity Mr. Frazer was married in June, 1856, in Will county. Illinois, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of John Haynes, formerly of Chillicothe, Ohio. She died in 1873, leaving three children, as follows: Estelle, now the wife of S. B. Par- dee, of Fremont county; George, who wedded Neva McBride and resides in Ottawa, Ohio; and Josephine, wife of A. R. Anderson, of Hot Springs, South Dakota. In October, 1875, Mr. Frazer was again married, his second union being with Miss Ester Truman, daughter of William Truman, who previously resided in Three Rivers, Michigan. This union is blessed with two sons and a daughter, -John, Charles and Fannie, -all residents of Sidney.

Mr. Frazer dates his arrival in Fremont county from 1867, when, leaving his Illinois home, he traveled by rail to Council Bluffs and then across the country by team to Riverton township, this county, where he purchased a tract of raw land and with characteristic en- ergy began its cultivation. He plowed and planted it and soon the wild prairie grass was replaced by waving fields of grain. Good buildings were erected and for eight years Mr. Frazer continued the further improvement of his land. He used every effort to advance his interests and his capable management and honorable dealing won him a handsome com- petence. In 1875 he removed to Sidney and embarked in the banking business as a partner of A. F. Metelman and Henry Brown, under the name of Brown, Metelman & Company. The senior partner has since died and the business is now conducted under the name of Metelman & Frazer. The bank is capitalized at $60,000, and has become one of the solid and responsi-

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ble financial institutions of the State. The proprietors are men of excellent business and executive ability, whose integrity is above question and whose devotion to the best inter- ests of their patrons is well known.

Mr. Frazer is a member of the Methodist Church, and his life is in harmony with his professions. He is active in its work and sup- port and has served both as Class-leader and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. As a citizen he is true to every duty devolving upon him and is eminently public-spirited. He gives his support and co-operation to every enterprise calculated to promote the general welfare, and has been an important factor in the upbuilding of town and county for the long period of twenty-eight years.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 27

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