Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 44

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

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While living in Albany, New York, Mr. Geneser wedded Miss Mary Klein, a native of Prussia, who came to America in 1851, when nineteen years of age. She was one of three children, a son and two daughters, but the other members of the family remained in Germany, and she is now the only survivor. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Geneser numbered five children,-Joseph W., who is cashier of the German Savings Bank; Mary, wife of Harry Harritt, of Des Moines; John F .; George; and Mattie, wife of C. S. Starrmann, of Quincy, Illinois.

J ULIUS JACKSON VAN METER, de- ceased .- As the traveler by rail ap- proaches the town of De Soto, Iowa, the first place that attracts his atten- tion is a magnificent rural home located on an elevation overlooking the town and surround- ing country; and as the train speeds on, leaving De Soto behind, this residence is the last ob- ject to be seen. Here was the home of the late J. J. Van Meter, who was for nearly thirty years a prominent citizen of Dallas county. Few men in this vicinity were better known than he, and none were held in higher esteem.

Julius Jackson Van Meter was a native of Indiana, born October 12, 1829. At the age of twenty-two years he rented a farm in his native county, and on the 7th of August of that same year, 1851, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Amanda Katherine Pence, who was of German descent and, like himself, a native of Indiana. On this farm they lived one year. The next year Mr. Van Meter rented of his father-in-law a farm near Colum- bus, Indiana, where he continued to reside until 1860, at which time he moved to Colum- bus and started a hominy mill. This mill he ran from 1860 to 1865 and did a prosperous business, a large amount of his product being sold to the Government for the soldiers. At the close of the war he sold his mill and all his interests in Columbus and moved to Iowa, lo- cating in Dallas county. That was in 1865. Here he bought a half interest in the flour mill of his brother, H. G. Van Meter, which mill was at that time the only one in the State west of Des Moines. In 1868 they purchased a large tract of land in partnership, and some years later J. J. exchanged his interest in the mill for his brother's share in the land, and on acquiring title to the whole of the tract made permanent settlement on it. This now mag- nificent farm comprises 1,080 acres, is adja- cent to the town of De Soto, and is occupied by Mrs. Van Meter and her two sons, Mr. Van Meter having passed to his home above July 22, 1894.

Mr. Van Meter was a man of large stature and was exceptionally fine-looking, and in his make-up were those sterling qualities which distinguish the gentleman at any time or place. His integrity was of the strictest and stanchest kind and was never questioned for a minute. He was a friend to the poor, but in his giving he was quiet and never boasted, and few even of his most intimate friends knew to what ex- tent his charity was annually bestowed. De- voted to his wife and children, he found his chief pleasure in their society. But he was more than an honorable and upright citizen, one who loved his family and was generous in

Mrs. OH. I. Scoles.

Mr. OH. Of. Scoles.

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his gifts to the poor: he was a Christian. He took the Bible for his guide and he lived up to its principles as well as he could. Indeed, few ever followed the "Golden Rule" more closely than he. For five years he was a Deacon and for fifteen years an Elder in the Christian Church. While he left to his family a fine estate and a most beautiful home, the memory of his Christian character and untarn- ished life is an heritage to be treasured far above riches.

As above stated, Mrs. Van Meter and her sons reside at the old home place. The elder son, Edgar Haycroft Van Meter, was born September 22, 1852, and the younger, Alfonso, more familiarly known as "Fon," November 17, 1856. The latter has charge of the whole estate, gives his chief attention to stock-raising, and is carrying on the business much in the same way as did his honored father. In their political views both gentlemen, like their father, are Republicans and are enthusiastic in their support of the party, but, like him also, do not aspire to official preferment. Reared with the best of home influence and religious and edu- cational advantages, they are fitted to occupy, as they do, prominent positions among the leading men of the community.

"Fon" Van Meter was married January I, 1882, to Miss Jennie Devine, who was born in Wisconsin and reared in Iowa. They have three children, viz .: Fletcher Jackson, born September 26, 1883; Doris May, June 24, 1885; and Julius Neil, November 15, 1887.

AMILTON J. SCOLES, M. D., a re- tired physician and surgeon living in Knoxville, was for many years num- bered among the prominent repre- sentatives of the medical profession in central

Iowa. More than a century and a half ago, when Maryland was a colony and the entire country was under the rule of foreign powers, John Scoles sailed from the Emerald Isle, the place of his nativity, and with a colony located in Newcastle. There was born his son, Will-

iam Scoles, who became the father of S. B. Scoles. The last named, a native of Balti- more, Maryland, was born March 29, 1802, and was a tanner and currier by trade. He married Susanna Hollingsworth, daughter of Levi Hollingsworth, and removed to Ohio.

In Harrison county, of the Buckeye State, Dr. Scoles was born, July II, 1825. He spent his boyhood days in Belmont county, Ohio, whither his parents had removed during his early childhood. He there attended the dis- trict schools until the family went to Knox county, Ohio, in 1840. His time was then given to farm work in the summer months, while in the winter season he pursued his studies in the district schools. Later, how- ever, he entered Mt. Vernon Academy, and subsequently engaged in teaching school for nine years. During the latter part of that period he also read medicine under the pre- ceptorship of Drs. McGugin & Hughs, of Keo- kuk, Iowa, having come to this State in 1850. In the spring of 1853 he was graduated at the Keokuk Medical College, at that time a de- partment of the Iowa State University, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Summitville, Lee county, where he remained for a year. His next home was in Charleston, Lee county, and in 1856 he came to Knoxville, where he conducted a successful practice until 1893, and then retired to private life. In 1862 he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served in that capacity until 1864, when, on account of failing health, he resigned his commission and returned home, resuming his practice in Knoxville. He was quite successful and was a progressive physician who kept fully informed on all matters pertaining to the science of medicine, its inventions and improvements. From the public he received a liberal patron- age, and, considered from a financial stand- point, his business career was also a success.

The Doctor is a man of domestic tastes and his home life has been a very pleasant one. March 31, 1852, he was joined in wed- lock with Miss Mary E. Mckenzie, of Mt. Ver-

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non, Ohio, daughter of Aaron and Mary (Logue) Mckenzie. Three children were born to them: Charles S., who is now a conductor on the Chicago & Great Western Railroad; Rev. Harry B., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and Susanna M., at home.

The Doctor is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 61, F. & A. M., also of Tadmore Chapter, R. A. M. For many years he was connected with the Iowa State Medical Association, hav- ing been enrolled among its members in 1854. He has served on the sanitary board of the city for several years, and has been unsparing in his efforts to promote the best interests of his fellow men, both physically and morally. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has served as Steward for several years. In 1894 the Doctor made a trip to California, he having been called there to treat his sister, Mrs. Warner, who had been given up by all the local physicians. His treatment proved very successful and his sister is now in the en- joyment of good health. The Doctor ranks high among the members of the medical pro- fession, and his skill and ability are such as to commend him to the confidence of all. He therefore received a liberal patronage and to- day he is enjoying the reward of his labors in the form of a comfortable competence which enables him to live retired.

J AMES McDOWELL BROWN, a prom- inent farmer and stock-raiser of section 32, Adams township, Dallas county, is a son of Thomas Brown, who was born and raised in Maryland, as was also his father. His parents died of yellow fever when Thomas was but two days old, and he was raised by an uncle. When eighteen years of age he was drafted for service in the war of 1812, and af- ter the close of the struggle he went to Ohio, where he followed the tanner's trade. While there he married Mary McNutt, born and raised in that State. In 1835 they located and pur- chased a farm in Noble county, Indiana, where

they followed agricultural pursuits until 1849, moving thence to Menard county, Illinois. They resided on a farm in that county until death, the father passing away July 3, 1853.

James M. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 4, 1832, and resided with his fa- ther until the latter's death. After man- aging the farm for about twelve years he bought out the remaining heirs, but sold the place in 1865. During the year of 1862 he traveled considerably in the East, having vis- ited many points of interest. In 1865 he bought his present homestead of 240 acres, and moved upon it in the fall of 1866, and since then has purchased an additional ninety- five acres. Mr. Brown owns 335 acres of land, 320 acres of which is under a fine state of cul- tivation, and in addition to agricultural pur- suits he is extensively engaged in stock-raising. He has some fine-bred Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs. The farm contains three fine, commodious barns, plenty of good water and a large orchard.

Mr. Brown was married in 1863, to Ann E. Hall, whose parents were Nelson and Sarah (Parker) Hall, the former born in Ohio and the latter in Indiana. She was one of fourteen children, thirteen of whom are still living. At the same time as our subject's marriage, his sister, Olivia Brown, was married to Thomas Hall, brother of our subject's wife. They all reside on the same sec- tion. Mr. Brown's residence is an old stone building, there being few, if any, houses in the county that surpass it in comfort. It is ro- mantically situated on a side hill, over a very fine spring, is completely surrounded with well kept trees of all kinds, and is built an eighth of a mile from the road. The drive- way is completely shaded by trees and shrubs of every description. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children: Emily Jane, born December 6, 1863, married Charles Harrison, and resides in Dallas county; Maryett, born April 3, 1866, married James Knudson, a farm- er, of Mahaska county, Iowa; Clarissa Susan,

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born March 5, 1868, married A. Compton, a farmer of Madison county, this State; El- bridge, born November 2, 1869, died October 20, 1873; Milan Edward, born November 30, 1871; Charles Vernon, February 26, 1874; and Leona Lee May, August 29, 1879. The last three are living at home. The youngest is an accomplished musician. In political matters, Mr. Brown affiliates with the Demo- cratic party, and has served his township as Road Supervisor and School Director. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ILLIAM A. PARK .- The represent- atives of the bar of Iowa equal in ability and eminence those of any other State, and to this class be- longs the gentleman whose name begins this review. He is a lawyer of prominence, and is the senior member of the firm of Park & Odell, of Des Moines. He is a Western man by birth and training, and in instincts and interests.

A native of Indiana, he was born in Alto, Howard county, on the 26th of July, 1851, and is a son of Andrew and Amanada (Judkins) Park, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. To the Emerald Isle he traces his ancestry, although for many gen- erations the family has resided in the United States. His paternal grandfather, James Park, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occu- pation. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and also in the late Civil war. He was a man of great strength of character, of will power and endurance, physically strong and rugged, yet possessing a generous and happy disposition. He was three times married and had a family of nineteen children. He reached the advanced age of eighty-five years, and de- parted this life in the Monongahela valley of West Virginia. The maternal grandfather, William P. Judkins, was a native of North Car- olina, and a wood turner by trade. After a thirty-five years residence in Indianola, Iowa, he died, at the age of eighty-one years.

It was in 1851 that Andrew Park became a

resident of this State, locating in Indianola, where he engaged in farming for many years. Subsequently he laid aside all business cares and spent his last days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. When the country was en- gaged in war with Mexico, he was in the regu- lar army, participating in every battle under General Scott, and some in which General Taylor commanded the American forces. When the Civil war broke out he attempted to enlist, but was refused on account of disability. He helped to organize the first cavalry company that left this State, and was an ardent sup- porter of the Union cause. Frequently was he called for service in civil offices and was the oldest office-holder in Indianola. He died in that city in March, 1894, at the age of seventy- two, and his wife still survives him. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a number of years he served as one of the church officers. Three of their five children are now living: William A. ; Nancy, wife of E. G. Segner, of Des Moines; and Ella, wife of D. M. Johnson, of Des Moines.

Upon his father's farm in the county of his nativity, William A. Park spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and his early education was acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood. He afterward attended Simp- son College, and when he had determined to make the practice of law his life work he be- gan studying in the office of Bryan & Seevers, Subsequently he entered the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and was admitted to the bar in 1879, beginning practice in Des Moines in 1880. He was alone for two years, and then formed a partnership with F. W. Lehmann, which continued for ten years, when Mr. Lehmann removed to St. Louis. In 1892 W. E. Odell joined Mr. Park, under the present firm style, and the partner- ship has since continued with mutual pleasure and profit. They have a reputation second to no firm in the city, and very few important cases are here tried on which they are not re- tained as counsel. As a foundation for the law Mr. Park has a broad general knowledge.

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He is thoroughly informed along the line of his chosen profession, is careful and painstaking in the preparation of cases, is quick to note the strong points in an argument, and in his replies is forcible, earnest and logical. In con- nection with his extensive law practice he is a stockholder in the People's Savings Bank.

On the 6th of January, 1874, Mr. Park was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Goodman, a daughter of Israel and Elizabeth (Findley) Goodman. Seven children have been born to them, five sons and two daughters,-Ernest S., Bessie M., Howard G., William E., Helen Mar, Andrew and Philip. The last named died at the age of three years.

In his political views, Mr. Park is a Demo- crat, and socially is a thirty-second-degree Mason and Master of the Rose Croix degree. He is also a valued member of the Odd Fel- lows Society, and is Past Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, of Iowa. He and his wife hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have a good home at No. 1125 Pleasant street.

ENRY HUNT, one of the representa- tive farmers of Dallas county, was born in Washington county, Mary- land, March 8, 1831. His parents were of German extraction, and were poor, being unable to give him any more than a com- mon-school education. After reaching a suf- ficient age Henry began work on the farm, and at the age of sixteen years he obtained em- ployment on a neighboring place, but was obliged to give his earnings to his father until he became of age. For three years after reach- ing his majority Mr. Hunt found work, but wages were very low, and it was only by being very saving that he inanaged to save money enough to enable him to come to Iowa in 1854 and enter a farm of 200 acres. In 1859 he traded that place for the farm he now owns, which was partially improved, but he was obliged to go in debt for a part of the place. Since locating on this farm Mr. Hunt has been

fairly successful, having added many improve- ments, and has given each member of his fam- ily the advantages of a good education.

February 17, 1856, he returned to Mary- land, and was there married to Ann E. Myers, also of German ancestry. After marriage they spent three years in Indiana, and returned to Iowa in the spring of 1859, locating on his farm of 120 acres. In 1872 Mr. Hunt became clear of debt, and he then built the fine house which adorns his farm, also new barns; these improvements costing a great deal, again put him in debt. It was then that the memor- able hard times of 1873 came on, and, had his creditors pushed him, he would have lost all, but he was known as an honest man, and he was given all the time he needed. To-day he is not only out of debt, but has a snug sum laid by for a "rainy day." Although born and raised in a Southern State, Mr. Hunt's sympathies were with the North during the war, and since the close of that struggle he has been a stanch Republican.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt and with one exception all grew to years of maturity, but three of them are now de- ceased, one of whom left a little daughter, whom our subject raised and educated. He has also the care of two of his son's children. The seven living children reside in this State. The family attend the Christian church, al- though Mr. Hunt is a freethinker.

ARVEY STEWART MCKIBBEN, one of the representative farmers of Dallas county, Iowa, has his abiding place on section 20 of Adams township, where he has lived from his early boyhood and is familiar with every phase of life in the county from its early settlement on up to the present time.

Mr. Mckibben dates his birth in Brown county, Ohio, April 15, 1847, and traces his ancestry back to the Scotch-Irish, an element which has entered largely into the make-up of the best part of our nationality. His parents,

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Samuel S. and Mary (Layman) Mckibben, were born, reared and married in Clinton county, Ohio. They lived in Brown county a few years previous to their removal to Iowa, which was in the fall of 1854, and on their ar- rival here the father entered eighty acres of land in Dallas county and purchased 240 acres, all of which he improved and upon which he settled and passed the residue of his life. He was born in 1812 and died May 5, 1878. His good wife survived him a number of years, her death occurring March 16, 1892. At the time of their location here there was only one house within a radius of five miles of them, and for a number of years they underwent many priva- tions incident to frontier life, especially in the way of educational and church advantages. But they had the happy faculty of looking at life on the bright side, and, while they had their difficulties and privations, they had their enjoy- ment too. On Sundays their house was turned into a church, and was known far and near as the " preachers' home," and. many were the tinies that the pioneers gathered there for re- ligious and social enjoyment. The father of our subject furnished the logs and other material for the first school-house in Adams township, and himself did the greater part of the work in building it. When it was completed he was one of the largest subscribers, and his children had the best educational advantages that could then be procured here. Personally, he was a quiet and unassuming man, domestic in his tastes, and was never happier than when at home with his family. While he carried on farming to some extent, he made a specialty of stock-raising; was successful in his operations and accumulated a fair competency. From this brief glimpse of his parentage, we now turn to the life of our immediate subject, Mr. Harvey S. Mckibben.

Harvey S. Mckibben was a lad of seven years at the time he came with his parents to Iowa. He has grown up with the State, has prospered with it, and is now ranked with its representative citizens. He has traveled over the State considerably, has been within sight

of the boundary line on the north, east, south and west, but has never been outside its borders since he took up his residence here. He continued a member of his father's family until the time of his marriage, which event occurred in 1869, when he purchased eighty- acres of the home farm. After living on this place one year, he sold out and took charge of a part of his father's farm, which fell to hiin at his father's death and which he has since occu- pied. Here he has 120 acres, all under culti- vation and in a desirable location. De Soto is his post-office address.

Mr. Mckibben was married September 19, 1869, to Miss Belle Adams, like himself, a native of Ohio, her birthplace being within a mile of his. It was in 1856 that her parents inoved with their family to Iowa. They pur- chased land of the senior Mckibben and the families lived near together. Mr. and Mrs. Mckibben have six children, namely: Dora Belle, born August 30, 1870, was married Feburary 12, 1889 to Edward A. Stanley, a farmer of this township, and they have three children,-William H., Ernest Ray, and Mabel M .; James W., born October 24, 1871, is now engaged in teaching school; Mattie M., born February 14, 1873, was married April 24, 1890, to E. W. Kenworthy, and has one child, their home being near Earlham; Georgianna, born April 14, 1876; Millie Ethel, August I, 1879; and Walter J., May 31, 1883. All are at home except the two married daughters.

Mr. Mckibben was reared a Douglas Democrat, but in 1862 he allied himself with the Republican party, and has ever since maintained his allegiance with it and been one of its stanch supporters; but he has never sought any kind of political honors. He has, however, filled some local offices, and most acceptably. For nine years he was Road Su- pervisor and for six years he was Township Trustee. While acting in the former capacity he collected all the taxes in full, and, while this work is frequently attended with trouble and dissatisfaction of various kinds, Mr. Mc- Kibben got along smoothly, and to his knowl-

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edge never made an enemy. He is a man of sterling worth, and for his many excellent traits of character is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.

ILLIAM PHILLIPS CASE, a suc- cessful farmer of Adams township, Dallas county, was born in Ken- tucky, October 18, 1826. When a small boy his parents moved to Indiana, where they followed agricultural pursuits. When William was nineteen years of age he decided to begin life on his own account, and, having heard such glowing accounts of the prospects in Iowa, accordingly packed a knapsack and started on foot for this State, arriving in Jack- son county tired and foot-sore. He found em- ployment on a farm for one year, after which he lived on a rented place for five years. Giv- ing up the idea of farming, Mr. Case started with a companion for the gold fields of Cali- fornia, on muleback, and he spent eleven years in that State, during which time he made and lost considerable money, returning to Iowa with enough money left to purchase a good farm, which he put under a fine state of culti- vation. In 1865 he sold his place at a good profit, and invested the money in the farm he now owns, where he is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising.

In political matters Mr. Case is identified with the Democratic party. He is a quiet, unassuming man, takes life easy, and in fact is a typical Western gentleman. He is fond of sports, especially hunting, and is a fine rifle shot. As an illustration of his devotion to his favorite pastime, the following story is re- corded: At one time, while with a party on a hunting expedition, he started out alone along toward night over the snow, which was about a foot deep, and, after losing his way several times, arrived in camp with four full grown deer. He had one tied to either stir- rup, one over his horse's back and the fourth was tied to the horse's tail!

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 44

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