Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 47

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

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ILSON A. CANADAY .- Among the broadminded, enterprising and pro- gressive citizens of Warren county, this gentleman is numbered, and we take pleasure in presenting the record of his life to our readers. He is one of Iowa's native sons, for his birth occurred in Marion county, on the 10th of February, 1859. He comes from one of the old Southern families, his grandfather, David Canaday, having been a native of South Carolina, although his life was largely passed in Indiana, where he removed at an early day, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that State. He was one of the rugged, enterprising men of that frontier region, and for many years did a successful business as a horse dealer, purchasing horses in the South which he sold in Indiana. There his death occurred at the age of sixty years.

David Canaday, father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, in the year 1812, and resided in his native State until thirty years of age. In 1842 was consummated his marriage with Miss Eliza Brown, who is descended from old Kentucky ancestry, her

people having been pioneer settlers of that State. Soon after their marriage David Can- aday brought his bride to Iowa, locating in Marion county. He cast in his lot with its early settlers, for at that time it was a wild and undeveloped region, the prairies dotted with few homes, while many of the now flour- ishing towns and villages had not then sprung into existence. He pre-empted a claim and continued the cultivation of his land until 1865, when he removed to Warren county, locating near Watts' old mill, spending his remaining days upon his farm. He was a man of liberal ideas, of progressive methods and always kept up with the progress of the times. For many years he was extensively and successfully en- gaged in stock-raising. He was at one time the owner of some of the finest Durham cattle to be found in the country, and was a firm believer in the superiority of this breed. He was one of the first stock dealers of this region to interest himself in the improvement of heavy draft horses, and did much toward raising the grade of stock. His business career was a straightforward and honorable one, and his thorough reliability won him the confidence and respect of all who knew him. In politics he was a Republican, but not strongly partisan. He died in 1878, at the age of sixty-six years, but his widow is still living. They were the parents of three children, -Wilson A., George G., and Ida, wife of Cassius Persons, of War- ren county.

Wilson A. Canaday, whose name introduces this sketch, spent the first early years of his life in the county of his nativity, and has since resided in Warren county. At the age of nine- teen he started out in life for himself, and throughout the greater part of his business ca- reer, has followed farming and stock-raising. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Lucy Parsons, the wedding being celebrated December 12, 1878. The lady is one of the four children of George C. and Catherine (Schults) Parsons, her brothers being George W. and William, both farmers of Richland township, Warren county. Her

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father was born in Virginia, in 1819, and his wife was a native of Miami county, Ohio. They emigrated to Iowa in 1854, taking up their residence in Richland township, where Mr. Parsons carried on agricultural pursuits until his death in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Canaday have been born six children, namely: Daisy M., Gracie E., Fred Wesley, Bessie M., George D., and Amanda E.

In 1880 Mr. Canaday located on the farm where he now resides, comprising 235 acres of rich land on section 27, Palmyra township. He is known as one of the leading stock deal- ers of this locality, raising cattle, horses and hogs on an extensive scale. His business in- terests being well conducted and carefully managed yield to him a handsome income. He is a man of strong convictions, a stalwart sup- porter of the Republican party, and is now serving his second term as a member of the Township Board of Trustees .. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, deeply interested in the improvement of the schools, and for several years he has acted as president of the School Board, which position he yet occupies.

EORGE WESLEY PARSONS is one of the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Hartford, Warren county, and is numbered among the native sons of this locality. A well spent life has gained him an enviable position in the regard of his fellow men, and he well deserves repre- sentation in this volume. He was born on the old family homestead on the 14th of June. 1857, and is one of the four children of George C. and Catherine (Schults) Parsons. Five children are now deceased, and the others are: Lucy, wife of W. A. Canaday, of Palmyra township, Warren county; and William, of Richland township, Warren county. The father was a native of Virginia, his birth hav- ing occurred in the Old Dominion in the year 1819. As far back as the ancestry can be traced the family has been connected with the

history of the Old Dominion, its first repre- sentatives having there located in early Colonial days.

George C. Parsons was a farmer by occupa- tion, following that pursuit throughout his en- tire life. He left his native State in early manhood, taking up his residence in Indiana, and in the fall of 1854 he resumed his West- ward journey, traveling toward the setting sun, until he had reached Warren county, Iowa. Here he determined to found a home, and lo- cated on section 28, Richland township, where he purchased a tract of land and began the de- velopment of a farm. The region was at that time but sparsely settled, much of the land was still in its primitive condition, and there was little indication of rapid progress, but the years and the enterprising spirit of the citizens have worked a wonderful change in an in- credible short space of time. Mr. Parsons carried on his farming operations until 1865, when he was called to his final rest, at the com- paratively early age of forty-six years. His wife, a native of Miami county, Ohio, died in 1 890.

George Wesley Parsons spent his early life upon the old farm, working in the fields and attending school. He watched with interest the progress and development made in this locality, and has ever borne his part in its pro- motion. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was married, on the 28th of February, 1884, to Miss Jenetta V. Rawson, a native of Indi- ana, and a daughter of Frank and Sarah Raw- son, whose family numbered three children. The parents were natives of Indiana, and both died at a comparatively early age. Mrs. Par- sons is now the only surviving member of the family. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, -- Preston M., Flossie Lou, Ula Fay, and George F., deceased.

Although not actively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, Mr. Parsons is the owner of one of the finest farms in this fertile section of Iowa. It comprises both uplands and splendid bottom lands, and contains more than 500 acres. The residence and farm buildings are substantial,

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commodious and convenient structures, and all the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the nineteenth century may there be found. Mr. Parsons is a man of good business ability, energetic and enterprising, and his carefully managed interests yield to him a good income. He is numbered among the valued citizens of the community, giving his hearty co-operation to all enterprises that are calcu- lated to advance the general welfare and to promote the best interests of the public. He was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, of which his father was a stanch advocate, and when he brought to bear his mature judgment upon the questions of the day and the attitude of the various parties toward these, he also allied himself with the Democracy, and has

since supported its men and measures. His disposition is manly and generous. He is so- cial and genial in manner, and has the happy faculty of not only winning friends but retain- ing them.

LEX Y. ART is accounted one of the successful farmers, stock-raisers and honored citizens of Iowa, and is to-day one of the residents of Hart- ford, Warren county. A native of Ohio, he was born in Highland county, on the 13th of November, 1836, and at the early age of thir- teen years started out in life for himself. Since that time he has been dependent en- tirely upon his own resources, so that what- ever success he has achieved is the reward of his own labors. The first year after beginning life's battle for himself he spent in Indiana, and then removed to Illinois, locating in Knox county, where he remained for three years. In 1856 he arrived in Iowa, settling at Chari- ton, Lucas county, where he worked on a farm and for a stock company.

In 1859, imbued with the spirit of adven- ture, Mr. Art gave up the quiet pursuits of farm life and went to the plains of the West. In 1862 he made his way to Oregon, and a little later located in the Territory of Idaho,

becoming one of its pioneers. Loading teams with provisions and other necessaries, he thus conveyed them 300 miles to the Boise basin of Idaho, a mining region, which at that time was a place of great excitement. There he con- ducted a store and bakery, and at the same time prospected for mining claims. Subse- quently he was for two years engaged in oper- ating a ranch on East Payette river. in that region, and selling his hay, oats, potatoes and onions at what would now seem fabulous prices. The hay brought $140 per ton, and other things were at the same ratio. This business, however, was not unattended by danger, for the goods had to be "packed" on horseback through 180 miles of territory in- fested by hostile Indians. Mr. Art was one of the men who assisted in formulating the gov- ernment of the Territory, and was one of the foremost among the industrious and broad- gauged men who opened up that region to civilization. In the fall of 1867 he again came to Iowa, with the intention, however, of re- turning to the field of his active operations in the Northwest, but instead of so doing he pur- chased land in Warren county, and settled down to the quiet life of a farmer, after eight years of thrilling adventure and successful en- terprise in the wilds of the West.

In February, 1871, Mr. Art was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Thomas and Rachel Pendry, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Art died January 26, 1891, leaving six children, -Lou B., Thomas L., Charlie, Mark A., Robert A. and Harry E., all yet with their father.

In 1875 Mr. Art purchased the farm on which he now resides, the homestead being lo- cated on section 21, Richland township. It formerly contained 640 acres, but he has since sold a portion, having at the present time 360 acres of as fine land as can be found in this State, which is noted for its excellent farms. For twenty-eight years he has engaged in feeding cattle and their sale has added mate- rially to his income. He has always been a great lover of horses and has been the owner

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of some very fine stock. In 1890 he went to Kentucky and purchased at a cost of many thousand dollars some very fine horses. He is now the owner of Trombone Rex, one of the finest and best trotting horses ever taken out of Kentucky. Another of equally high rank is Eden Girl, and altogether he owns sixty-five high-blood animals, unsurpassed on any stock farm in the State. The superiority of his stock is well shown by the fact that at the Iowa State Fair of 1895, out of the horses and colts he exhibited there, twelve secured prizes, exclusive of the silver medals to Elise and her two colts, for the younger of which he refused at the fair the sum of $500. Through his enterprising and progressive spirit Mr. Art has done much for Iowa in the improve- ment of the driving horses, and is one of the highly esteemed and thoroughly reliable deal- ers in the State. He deserves great credit for the improvement he has introduced, and his straightforward dealing has gained him general confidence.

For a quarter of a century Mr. Art has been an earnest and zealous member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Hartford Lodge, No. 83, F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a genial, whole-souled gen- tleman who has many stanch friends.

BRAM ASH, who owns and operates a valuable farm in Greenfield town- ship, Warren county, is numbered among the valued and progressive citizens of this community. His life has been well spent, his integrity is above question, his business dealings ever straightforward and hon- orable, and he therefore has the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Mr. Ash was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, January 11, 1845, and is descended from German ancestors, who located in America at a very early day in the history of this country. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrating

to Maryland became one of the pioneers of the region in which he located. He was a millwright by trade, and followed that occupa- tion throughout his active business life. With the spirit of the pioneer strong within him, he emigrated Westward to Indiana, becoming one of its early settlers and valued citizens. There he spent his remaining days.

Michael Ash, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, in 1810, and in early life went to Virginia, where he met and married Miss Sarah Hass, a native of the Old Domin- ion. In 1837 he removed with his family to the Hoosier State, taking up his residence in Tippe- canoe county when much of its land was still in the possession of the Government and the settlements were widely scattered. There he established a home and continued his residence until 1852, when he once more started West- ward, and in that year became a resident of Warren county, Iowa. He is numbered among the early settlers of Greenfield township, where he purchased a tract of undeveloped land at four dollars per acre. Very little of the land had been turned by the plowshare, and no im- provement had been made upon this place; but with characteristic energy he began its devel- opment and soon transformed it into well-tilled fields. He was a quiet, industrious and enter- prising man who won success in his well di- rected efforts and gained the esteem and good will of the community by his sterling qualities and upright life. In the early days he was a strong adherent of the Whig party, but when the Republican party sprang into existence he transferred his fealty to the new organization. His death occurred in 1887, at the age of sev- enty-seven years. His wife yet survives him, and at the age of eighty-one is 'still living in Warren county. They were the parents of six children: William H. H., who is living in Greenfield township, Warren county; John C., of Des Moines; Sarah, wife of E. J. Yount, of Linn township, Warren county; Martha, wife of Ambrose Dowell, of Cass county; and David, who is living in California.

Our subject spent the first seven years of

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his life in the State of his nativity, and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to Iowa, having since been a resident of Warren county. He was reared to the duties of farm life, and in 1878, when he started out to make his own way in the world, he continued at the same pursuit. He has prospered in his under- takings, and through his own efforts has ac- quired a comfortable property. He now owns a fine farm of 150 acres, and in addition to general farming he is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding of thoroughbred Poland-China hogs. He now has two hundred head on his place, including some of the finest specimens of this breed to be found in the State. His enterprise and public spirit are well appreciated in this region and he is numbered among the success- ful men of the day.

In December, 1882, Mr. Ash married Miss Belle Handley, a native of Ohio, and a daugh- ter of John and Esther (Croskey) Handley. Her parents have three children, -John, who is now living in Greenfield township, Warren county; Lizzie, wife of J. A. Frazier, of Lin- coln township, Warren county; and Mrs. Ash. The Handleys were of an old Ohio family. The father died at the age of eighty-one years, but the mother is living with her son John, at the age of sixty-six. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ash has been blessed with four children, - Charles, Robin, Howard and Esther, all yet at home.

Mr. Ash exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and his fellow citizens, appre- ciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He has served as School Director for some years, has also been Road Supervisor, and is now serving his fourth year as one of the Trustees of Greenfield town- ship. He is a public-spirited citizen, taking a deep interest in everthing pertaining to the welfare of the community and its upbuilding. He is a man of noble qualities and genuine worth, and in the history of his adopted State well deserves representation.

UGUSTUS VILLARS DODGE, de- ceased, of Burlington, Iowa, was a native of Missouri, born January 31, 1842, and was the son of General Augustus C. and Clara A. Dodge. His edu- cation was received in Paris, Madrid, and at Roxbury Latin School, of Boston, Massachu- setts, and he began business with Hayden & Company, of Chicago, later being with John H. Gear, with whom he was employed as travel- ing salesman. In 1868 he engaged in the gro- cery business for himself, and in 1871 formed a partnership with a Mr. Rankin in the whole- sale produce and ice business.

On the 15th of April, 1873, at Fairfield, Iowa, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage with Virginia A. Temple, a native of that city and a daughter of George D. and Sarah J. (Thomp- son) Temple. Her father came to Burlington with his parents one year prior to the arrival of General Dodge. Two children were born by this marriage, -Henry Temple, born June 4, 1874; and Villars Atherton, born April 29, 1876,-Burlington being the birthplace of both. The death of Mr. Dodge occurred March 25, 1888.

He was highly educated and a man of lit- erary tastes and studious habits, fond of music and drama. He was a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and also belonged to the Modern Woodmen. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat. Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Epis- copal Church.

J ACOB RUTLEDGE BATES is a finan- cier of superior ability, now at the head of the First National Bank, of Stuart, Iowa, as its president. He has long been prominently connected with the commer- cial interests of this section of the State, and belongs to that class of progressive and enter- prising citizens to whom the community owes its welfare and upbuilding.

He is a native of Cummington, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, born May 20, 1839,

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and is a son of Jacob and Mary A. (Mason) Bates, who were also natives of Massachusetts and of English lineage. On coming to Amer- ica the ancestors brought with thein a coat of arms, which has descended to our subject. His father was born in 1805, his mother in 1808, and their marriage was celebrated in the State of their nativity. In 1864 they left New England, emigrating to Princeton, Illinois, where the mother died of a cancer. The father afterward came to Stuart, Iowa, where he died, in his eighty-third year. During the greater part of his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits. He early became interested in the anti- slavery movement in New England, was a warm friend of the cause of freedom, and was an intimate acquaintance of Lloyd Garrison and other anti-slavery agitators. He was also a warm personal friend and near neighbor of William Cullen Bryant. His early political affiliations were with the Whig party, and later he joined the ranks of the Republican party on its organization to prevent the further extension of slavery. The Bates family have always been stanch advocates of the doctrine of Universalism and to that faith he adhered. He started out in life a poor man, but event- ually became quite well-to-do, owing to his well directed, capable and honest efforts.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates were the parents of nine children two of whom died in early life, while those yet living are as follows : Wells H., who is living retired in Stuart; Mary E., wife of Franklin Blackman, a retired farmer, and director of the First National Bank of Stuart; Jacob R., of this sketch; Eugene C., who re- sides in Princeton, Illinois; C. E., a wealthy citizen engaged in the loan business in Omaha, Nebraska; Charles E., who is the next younger; W. I., a fruit-grower of Ontario, California; Luella, wife of Charles Ballou, a merchant of Boone, Iowa, and a direct descen- dant of Hosea Ballou, the noted advocate of the Universalist doctrine in the early days of its promulgation.

Jacob Rutledge Bates acquired his educa-

tion in his native State and when a young man of eighteen years sought a home in the West, coming alone to Iowa in the spring of 1857. He had previously spent one year as an em- ploye in Shaw Brothers' tanneries in his native town, and during the year after his arrival in Webster City, Iowa, he engaged in farming. It was a time of trouble and danger on the frontier, for the Indians were often hostile and menaced the lives and homes of the pioneer settlers. In 1858 he responded to the call of the State and joined the Iowa frontier guard under Captain Martin, spending about a year on the frontier in the vicinty of Spirit Lake, - near where the great massacre had occurred about a year previous. While at that place he visited some twenty counties in northwestern Iowa that then were uninhabited. When the border warfare had subsided he returned to Massachusetts, and after attending school for a time again came to Iowa, spending four years in Davenport, teaching every month dur- ing that time. His labors in this direction were very successful and his services were always in demand.

From Davenport Mr. Bates removed to Princeton, Illinois, and entered upon a mer- cantile career, as a member of the firm of Bates Brothers, his partner being his brother, Eugene C. This connection was continued for eight years, and success attended their efforts. In January, 1871, our subject came to Stuart, and here engaged in merchandising for twelve years, his experience in that line of business therefore covering a period of twenty consecu- tive years. He was instrumental in the or- ganization of the First National Bank, of Stuart, July 5, 1883. and from the beginning has been a member of the board of directors. The bank was organized with a paid-up capital of $50,000, and this was afterward increased to $75,000. The first president was C. E. Bates, and H. Leighton has been cashier from the first. Since 1888 Jacob R. Bates has been president, and the success of this institution is largely due to his capable management and efficiency. He possesses superior ability as a

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financier and his honorable business methods and straightforward dealing have gained him the unlimited confidence of the public. He is also the manager of the Bates-Smith Invest- ment Company, of Omaha, Nebraska, with its central office in Princeton, Illinois, and in con- nection he does an extensive loan business. He is also vice-president of the Des Moines Insurance Company, which does the most ex- tensive business of any institution of the kind in the State of Iowa.

Mr. Bates was married in September, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary A. Adams, a daughter of John Adams, of Worthington, Massachusetts, and a direct de- scendant of John Quincy Adams.

Mr. Bates has been a life-long Republican and does everything in his power to promote the interests of his party. He is now serving as Mayor of Stuart, which position he has filled for more than ten years. What higher testimonial to his fidelity of duty could be given ? He has labored earnestly for the best interests of the city and is actively interested in all that is calculated to promote the public welfare. He is prominent in the Masonic fra- ternity throughout the State, and was instru- mental in the erection of the Masonic Temple in Stuart, -a magnificent structure built in 1894 at a cost of $24,000. The first floor is used for store-rooms, the second for offices, and the third for lodge purposes, and is taste- fully furnished and well adapted to the pur- poses of the order. On the completion of the Temple Mr. Bates presented to the fraternity a handsome town clock which adorns the tower and which is valued at about $1,000. He is the present Commander of Alhambra Commandery, No. 58, Knights Templar, and is prominent and well known in Masonic cir- cles throughout the State. His religious sup- port is given to the Universalist Church. Public-spirited and enterprising, he is inter- ested in everything of value to his adopted county, and has been an important factor in the development of its educational, social and commercial welfare.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 47

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