Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 50

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

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The Doctor is prominently associated with several civic societies and at this writing is the honored Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln Lodge, No. 59, Knights of Pythias. He holds mem- bership with Kenwood Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Chicago, the Stuart Encampment and the Rebekah degree. He also belongs to the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party.

a OLONEL PRESTON L. SEVER, a prominent attorney of Stuart, Iowa, who has won distinction at the bar by a skill and ability that has made him a place in the front rank of the legal profession, claims Iowa as the State of his nativity. He was born in Warren county, in the town of

New Virginia, March 18, 1861, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Clinton) Sever. His father was a contractor and builder in early life and through industry and enterprise won a consid- erable capital, which he invested in land. He then retired from work at his trade and gave his attention to the superintendence of his extensive landed interests. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, 1823, and his wife was born in the same county in 1826. They were married in their native State and in 1849 emi- grated to Warren county, Iowa, where they lived for four years. In 1863 they went to Illinois, becoming residents of Cambridge, Henry county, which was their place of abode until 1885, when they came to Stuart, Iowa. Here the father died January 30, 1894, while the mother lives in the family of our subject. In connection with him she owns about one thousand acres of valuable farming land in the vicinity of Stuart.

Colonel Preston L. was their only child He was educated in the city schools of Cam- bridge, Illinois, and was graduated at the high school at that place with the class of 1879. The same fall he entered the collegiate depart- ment of the Iowa State University, completing the classical course in 1883. Following .his graduation he entered a law office in Cam- bridge, pursuing his studies there until admit- ted to practice in the district court of Scott county, Iowa, May 27, 1884. On the 7th of October following he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the State, and as a mark of special distinction Colonel Sever also holds a certificate of qualification as a practicing attorney in the supreme court of the United States of America. This was granted on the 22d of April, 1892. Mr. Sever re- ceived another mark of distinction in 1886 in the granting, by the Iowa State University, of a diploma with the degree of Master of Arts, his former degree having been Bachelor of Science. He is a inan of marked ability as an attorney and orator, a clear, concise and forcible speaker, logical reasoner and an earnest advo- cate. He came to Stuart in 1885, and at once

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began practice which he continued alone until 1890, when he formed a partnership with C. W. Neal, Esq., which continued until Decem- ber, 1894. It was then dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Neal forming a partnership with his son, while Colonel Sever again opened an office of his own. He has an elegant suite of rooms, supplied with a very fine law library, and is enjoying an extensive and constantly in- creasing practice.

Colonel Sever also demonstrated a marked military character, in that he was the prize- winner of the State of Iowa on competitive drill. He takes quite an active part in polit- ical affairs and has three times served as a member of the State executive committee of three who managed the Republican campaign. His oratorical ability makes his services in de- mand as a political speaker and he is a valued worker in his party. He was for four years a member of Governor Larrabee's staff, holding the rank of Colonel, and has been prominently identified with every movement calculated to enhance the interest of his county or State.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Sever was in her maidenhood Miss Fanny Mann, a native of Guthrie county, Iowa. She was educated in the Lake Forest University, of Chicago, and their marriage was celebrated in Ontario, California, in 1889. The Colonel is very prominent in social circles and is one of the leading members of the Masonic fraternity in the State. He is a member of Token Lodge, No. 304, A. F. & A. M .; Damascus Chapter, No. 97, R. A. M .; Alhambra Commandery, No. 58, K. T .; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3; and has attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He was president of the Board of Directors at the time of the construc- tion of the Masonic Temple of Stuart, the magnificent structure which was erected at a cost of more than $23,000. Colonel Sever is a practical man of affairs. In addition to his other business interests, he is a director of the First National Bank of Stuart, and his capa- ble management and executive ability have won him prosperity.

ILLIAM FRANK DEAN, M. D., one of New Virginia's progressive citizens and skilled physicians, was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, April 3, 1861, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the State. His grandparents located here in Ter- ritorial days. They were Levin and Missouri Ann (Evans) Dean. The grandfather was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and when nineteen years of age left the old homestead in that State for Missouri. He had been reared to farm life, and now carries on agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. At his new home he was united in marriage with Miss Evans, and they became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. In the spring of 1846 they came to Iowa, locating in Appanoose county, the grandfather entering land in Udell township. He had to go for his mail to Bentonsport Mill, and later to Ot- tumwa, Iowa. All around was an unbroken prairie, awaiting the hand of civilization to transform it into rich farms. Mr. Dean bore his part in the work of improvement and de- velopment and was very prominent in public affairs. In politics he was an old-line Whig, but subsequently became a Republican and held many local offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. His death occurred in August, 1877, and he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Unionville, Iowa. His widow still survives him, and is now living in Moravia, at the age of eighty years, being in the possession of all her mental faculties.

George W. Dean, father of our subject, was the eldest in their family of seven chil- dren, and was born in Missouri, May 30, 1838. When only eight years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, and has since been identified with the history of this State. When he had arrived at years of ma- turity he married Margaret C. Baldridge, who was born near Nashville, Tennessee, August 14, 1842. She is the daughter of W. C. Bald- ridge, who came to Iowa in 1854, locating in

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Appanoose county. He married a Miss Miller, also a native of Tennessee, and his father and her father were both soldiers of the war of 1812. Mrs. Miller died in Unionville, Iowa, in 1888, at the age of eighty-eight years. All the family have been identified with the Meth- odist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean became the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom seven are yet living: William Frank. who is the eldest of the family; Maggie, wife of J. C. Campbell, of Hastings, Nebraska; Ella, wife of J. B. Smith, of Unionville, Iowa; Arletta, wife of H. E. Morrison, a merchant of Unionville; Earl and Emil at home; and Ralph L., who died at the age of eight years, in Unionville, Iowa. In politics the father takes quite an active part, and is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. He and the newly elected Governor of Iowa, General Drake, have been lifelong friends, and Mr. Dean was an earnest worker in the General's interest during the campaign that has recently ended. During the civil war he joined the service as a member of Company C, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and Mr. Drake was Colonel of the regiment, and afterward he served under him when he had attained the rank of General. He was wounded by a minie ball in the thigh at Mark's Mills, and was discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas. He has always been a loyal citizen, whether in times of peace or times of war, and by all who know him George W. Dean is held in high regard.

The Doctor was reared on his father's farm at Unionville, Iowa, and began his education in a private house, his first teacher being Mrs. Miller, of Unionville. He afterward pursued his studies in a log school-house 10 x 20 feet. When he had completed the common branches of learning he attended and was graduated at the high school of Unionville, and took a four- years' normal course, which he completed with the class of 1879. He next secured a pharma- cist's certificate, in 1887, at Lincoln, Nebraska. Dr. Dean then engaged in the drug business,

establishing a store in Exeter, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he remained for seven years, but desiring to devote his ener- gies to the practice of medicine he entered the Medical College at Keokuk, where he com- pleted the prescribed course with the class of I S90. In the winter of 1891-2 he attended the Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, and in 1893 the institution known as the Nashville University. In 1894 he began practice in New Virginia, and has now built up a good business here.

On the 30th of July, 1884, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Rachel S. Smith, a daughter of Paris and N. J. (Jones) Smith. She is a native of Davis county, Iowa, and her grandparents were numbered among the pio- neers of Iowa, who located here in pioneer days. The Doctor and his wife have many warm friends, and he occupies an enviable position in professional circles.

Q HARLES H. MARTIN, cashier of the People's Savings Bank, of Des Moines, was born in Warren county, Illinois, August 28, 1863. He has already be- come recognized as an important factor in bank- ing circles, and, being yet a young man, has undoubtedly a successful and creditable career before him. His parents, James H. and Mary R. (Talbott) Martin, were both natives of Ohio, and in their family were several children, six of whom are now living, as follows: A. B .; William R .; James P .; Margaret, wife of Will- iam E. Thompson, of Sterling, Kansas; Nancy W., wife of James M. Affleck, of Burlington, Missouri; Charles H .; and John Milton, a banker of Maryville, Missouri, now deceased. The head of the family was a farmer by occu- pation, and removed to Warren county, Illi- nois, in 1850, locating near Kirkwood, where he resided until his death in 1878, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife still survives him, and is living with her daughter in Kansas. They held membership in the United Presby- terian Church, and for many years Mr. Martin

1.04. Batchelder.

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served as one of its Elders, acting in that capacity until his death. He was also promi- nent in political affairs, representing his dis- trict in the State Legislature and the State Senate for several terms, and was a fluent, forcible speaker, whose powers as an orator were widely recognized. The paternal grand- father of our subject, John Martin, was a na- tive of Ohio, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He died when about sixty years of age. The maternal grandfather, John Talbott, was a na- tive of Ohio, and subsequently removed to In- diana, where he carried on agricultural pur- suits through his remaining days. He died in the Hoosier State, at an advanced age.

The gentleman whose name heads this record was reared in Warren county, Illinois, spending his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead farm andattending the early schools of the neighborhood. He afterward entered Monmouth College, where he pursued a three- years course and subsequently was graduated at the Western Business College, of Galesburg, Illinois, his brother, John Milton; being the principal and proprietor of that school for seventeen years.

On leaving business college, Charles Martin entered Knox College, of Galesburg, where he continued until 1881, when, in connection with his brother, he went to Burlington, Missouri, and organized the Northwestern Bank of Mis- souri. For four years he was connected with that institution, but in 1885 resigned his posi- tion to remove to Dodge City, Kansas, where he assisted in the organization of the Mer- chants' Bank, of that place. He occupied the position of cashier until 1890, when he again resigned and came to Des Moines, where he was active in the establishment of the People's Savings Bank, of which he has since been cashier. His long experience in connection with the banking business eminently fitted him for this position, and the success of the new institution is due in a large degree to his efforts. He is a capable financier, careful and pains- taking, sagacious, and his ambition is tempered by a safe conservatism. In connection with

his other business interests, he is treasurer of the Bankers' Accident Insurance Company, treasurer of the Builders' Exchange, and also of the Polk County Building & Loan Asso- ciation.

An important event in the life of Mr. Mar- tin occurred on the 24th of December, 1885, when was celebrated his marriage to Miss Jen- nie Dickey, a daughter of Adam and Emma (Manning) Dickey. One child graces this union, -- Manning, -who was born March 3, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are consistent members of the Central Presbyterian Church, and are devoted to all that pertains to the moral, social and educational upbuilding of the community. Their home, which Mr. Martin owns, is a pleas- ant residence at the corner of Twenty-eighth and Cottage streets. He is a member of the Capital Lodge of Masons, and Myrtle Lodge, K. P. In politics he is a Republican.

HE UNITED STATES FILLER MACHINE COMPANY is one of the leading enterprises of Tama county. In years agone Tama City boasted of a paper mill. It still has such an enterprise, but that of to-day excels in appointments and equipment the one of former years, even as the civilization and improvements of the present do those of the past age. The institution was duly incorporated under the laws of Iowa, in December, 1894, as the United States Filler Machine Company, and capitalized for $100, - 000. In addition to the manufacture of twelve tons of straw-board daily, ten tons of the prod- uct is used daily on the ground in the manu- facture of egg-case fillers. The plant is valued at $75,000 and employment in the various departments is furnished to 150 peo- ple. The aggregate output of the factories will net $600 a day. A large portion of the raw material used is purchased of farmers in the vicinity of Tama, thus affording ready sale at good prices for all superfluous straw on the farms. The industry, however, is not con-

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fined to this source of supply. Hundreds of tons of Iowa coal are used in the plant and the weekly distribution of wages to the employes puts into ready circulation among the business men a large amount of money. Such an indus- try is of incalculable benefit to a community, for the upbuilding and prosperity of a commu- nity is due to its commercial activity, and the enterprise would be a credit to a much larger city than Tama.

Some two years ago James H. Batchelder, of Chicago, became interested in the business and came to Tama with the view of organizing a company. He had been interested in simi- lar business enterprises in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City, and brought with him broad experience and varied resources, but it was not until December, 1894, that he succeeded in effecting the organization, with an authorized capital of $100,000. Such machinery as was available in the old paper-mill plant was util- ized and throughout the year 1895 buildings were in process of erection, while new and im- proved machinery has been constantly added. At the meeting of stockholders, following the organization, Mr. Batchelder was chosen pres- ident of the company, C. C. Mitchell, vice president and A. Batchelder was elected secre- tary and treasurer, -these three forming the executive board.

In connection with this leading industry of Tama it is interesting to note something of the man whose brain conceived and whose will ex- ecuted the plans for this undertaking. James H. Bachelder was born in Plainfield, Vermont, June 21, 1844, and acquired an academic edu- cation in Barre, that State, which place was his home during the greater part of his child- hood. He is a man of much ingenuity and me- chanical genius, and his thorough study of mechanism has resulted in a very useful inven- tion. In 1866 he went to Chicago, where in 1880 he engaged in the manufacture of egg- case fillers. This business proved very suc- cessful, and later establishments were opened in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Sub- sequently Mr. Batchelder became interested in

the establishment of a box factory in Helena, Arkansas.

In the early '7os he returned to the paren- tal home in Barre, Vermont, continuing in the East about ten years, during which time he was elected to the State Legislature, serving in 1875-6. He was one of the youngest mem- bers of the House. The enterprising and pro- gressive spirit of the West attracted him, and he returned to Chicago, where he engaged in his present line of business. From that time un- til 1893 he continued his residence in Chicago and St. Louis, spending ten years in the latter city, looking after his various business enter- prises.

Probably the crowning event of Mr. Batch- elder's life in a financial way was his invention of the egg-case-filler machine. For many years past experiments had been made, but all attempts to make a machine which would do its work successfully failed of perfection. Much time and study Mr. Batchelder gave to the work, and as the result of his persistent and earnest efforts he placed upon the market the first complete and successful machine of its kind in the world. He at once put it into operation in the shops in Tama, and it has been thoroughly tested. It will take strawboard from the roll, cut, slot and put together forty racks per minute, using from six to eight tons of strawboard daily, with a single machine. His machine has been in operation since Sep- tember, 1895, and was constructed at a cost of $10,000. Its work is much more uniform and satisfactory than the old processes, while the output of finished racks is bounded only by the capacity for caring for them after they are made. This wonderful piece of mechanism is the product of Mr. Batchelder's brain. It is a wonderful labor-saving device and letters patent have been awarded on every essential part, so that the future manufacture of the machine is fully protected. Unlike many in- ventors, Mr. Batchelder is a man of excellent business and executive ability, of keen per- ceptive powers and indefatigable energy, and well deserves the success that has already come

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to him and all the prosperity that he may gain in the future. In politics he is a Republican and socially he is a Royal Arch Mason. His man- ner is that of a courteous, unassuming gentle- man, affable and companionable.

HOMAS JEFFERSON THOMPSON. -- Lord Brougham once said, "Give me the child until it attains its ninth year and you may have it ever after- ward," the idea being that the impressions re- ceived up to that time so completely form character that it can never afterward be rad- ically altered: This is true to a great extent even in youth approaching maturity. The soldier, inured to the hardships and dangers of active warfare in his young manhood usually prefers a life work in some way relating to his early training. In keeping with this idea we often find the veteran in the ranks of the State militia or a member of civic societies having a semi-military character, or in public offices the duties of which require ex- posures to danger. Of the latter none more nearly correspond with the soldier's life than that of sheriff. It may be truly said that, other things being equal, the ex-soldier usually fills this office more satisfactorily to his con- stituents than the non-soldier. Our subject has had practical experience both as a soldier and sheriff. In the discharge of his duties as a soldier, to use a lawyer's phrase, "The record is the best evidence." His official rec- ord is before the people of Warren county. No man ever filled the position which he occu- pies with more credit to himself or with more successful control of evil doers.

Mr. Thompson was born in Macoupin coun- ty, Illinois, on the 31st of May, 1845, and is a son of Edmund and Rebecca (Arnett) Thomp- son. The father was born in Union county, Illinois, January 11, 1815, and the mother's birth occurred in Overton county, Tennessee, on the 15th of January of the same year. They were married when only seventeen years of age in Macoupin county, Illinois, where they

resided until 1845, when they became resi- dents of Wapello county, Iowa. Their next place of residence was Decatur county, whence they came to Warren county, where the father died in 1876. His wife passed away at the home of her son in Taylor county, in 1889. Edmund Thompson was one of a family of eight brothers, four of whom were born in Virginia and four in Illinois. The Virginians were without exception rank secessionists and rabid Democrats, while those who were born in Illinois were outspoken abolitionists and un- compromising Republicans who thought it their Christian duty to aid the fugitive slave in his efforts for freedom.

Edmund and Rebecca Thompson had seven children, namely: Mahala, who became the wife of Herod Leonard, and resides in Deca- tur county, Iowa; William, a farmer of Red Willow county, Nebraska; James A., who is engaged in farming in Wayne county, Iowa; Thomas Jefferson, of this sketch; Eli, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Ringgold county, Iowa; John T., a real-estate broker of Beloit, Kansas; and Martha J., wife of Charles Mansfield, a farmer of Hamilton county, Ne- braska.

Mr. Thompson, whose name begins this re- view, was educated in the public schools of this State, and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has made his life work, fol- lowing it continually with the exception of the period he spent in the army, and in his pres- ent official position. He enlisted June II, 1863, in Ottumwa, Iowa, as a member of Company L, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He did duty mostly with the Army of the Cumberland, though his command was often separated from the main body, being engaged in scouting and in making raids into the enemy's country. He was with General Thomas in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, and went with Sherman on the At- lanta campaign. While making a raid under General McCook in the rear of Atlanta the regiment was captured. Mr. Thompson had been dismounted, his horse having been shot

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from under him, and this misfortune led to for - tune, -that of his escaping capture.

The dismounted men and absentees were at once reorganized into a battalion under Major Dick Root, and remaining at the front went on the historic raid with General Wilson into the heart of the Confederacy, capturing and de- stroying valuable stores of ammunition, com- missary supplies, etc., and tearing up railroads to the great discomfiture of the Rebel army. They reached Selma, Tuscaloosa and many other points of Confederate importance in Ala- bama and Georgia. This was one of the most successful raids ever achieved by the Union cavalry and ought to have secured greater rec- ognition of General Wilson's ability as a brave and daring cavalry officer. Mr. Thompson was mustered out of service at Macon, Georgia, August 27, 1865, and returned to the parental home, then at Ottumwa, Iowa.

He married Miss Amanda M., daughter of Dr. Elijah and Harriet (Chilcott) Dean, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The Doctor was born in 1807, and for many years was, suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of medicine, both in Pennsylvania and in Fairfield, Iowa, where the family located in 1844. He died in Batavia, Iowa, in May, 1879. His wife was born in 1815, and now resides at their old home in Batavia, a well-preserved lady now in her eightieth year, with her mental and physical faculties unimpaired. She keeps house by herself, doing all her own work. Her family were prominent early settlers of Jefferson county, Iowa, and her brother, Hon. G. M. Chilcott, was at one time a United States Sena- tor from Colorado. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Thompson was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, which indicates that the family was founded on American soil in Colonial days. In the Dean family were the following mem- bers: Angeline, wife of William Thompson, a brother of our subject; Melissa, wife of Ed McIntyre, of Union county, Iowa; Miriam, who died in York, Nebraska, in 1891, the wife of Ira Graham; Amanda, wife of T. J. Thomp- son; Enoch, a farmer of Wapello county,

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 50

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