Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 63

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

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ests. In 1831 Mr. Manning took his departure from Bethany and engaged in business at Can- ton Corners, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, becoming a member of the firm of Manning & Rose, which association continued until the fall of 1833, when he disposed of his interests and started for the West, believing that here was afforded a wider field for the acquiring of suc- cess through personal endeavor. He proceeded by boat to St. Louis, which was then the me- tropolis of the West, and on reaching that point, Colonel Benton (well known in history) advised him and his associates to take up their permanent abode there, but Mr. Manning held to the view that his financial resources were of too limited extent to render real-estate pur- chases expedient in that city, and accordingly he continued his way to Lexington, Missouri, where he made investigations in regard to eli- gible investments. Upon being informed that he could secure desirable land in Saline and Jackson counties, he made his way to the lo- calities mentioned, being accompanied thither by his uncle and a Mr. Tyler. He effected the purchase of certain tracts of land, and Mr. Ty- ler was left in charge. Being strongly opposed to the institution of slavery, and not wishing to take up their residence in a State which coun- tenanced this, he and his uncle proceeded north- ward on the Mississippi to St. Francisville, Clark county, arriving there in December, 1836, and making some investments, after which they continued their journey to Fort Madison, Iowa, where they visited the wigwams of the noted Indian chieftain, Blackhawk, who received them in a friendly manner, but who seemed reluctant to impart information, doubt- less realizing that the encroachments of the white settlers were rapidly depriving him of his dominion and his hereditary power.

In January of the succeeding year, our sub- ject, in company with James Hall, John Fair- man and John Carnes, purchased a claim to a tract of land in what is now Van Buren county, and upon their arrival here platted the town of Keosauqua. Mr. Manning then returned to Pennsylvania for a visit, and after remaining

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RECORD OF IOWA.

there for several months came again to Iowa, and, proceeding to Burlington, attended the first land sale in the Territory, purchasing sev- eral small tracts in his own right, and making quite extensive investments as the agent for other individuals. In 1839 he went to New York, and there purchased the first stock of goods ever brought to Keosauqua, shipping the consignment of merchandise by the sea to the mouth of the Mississippi, whence the goods were transported up that river to Churchville, at the mouth of the Des Moines river, and on- ward to their destination, -seven weeks being consumed in the transportation of the stock. He also had the distinction of having built, in 1844, the first flat-boat that was ever floated down the Des Moines river, and ran the first loaded steamboat from St. Louis to Des Moines, in 1843. In 1859 Mr. Manning served as Com- missioner of the Des Moines river improve- ment, having been appointed to this important office by Governor Grimes. The limitations of this volume render it impossible to enter into detail in regard to his association with the development of the State, but it should be sufficient to say that there were few enter- prises or industries, in the early pioneer days, with which he was not identified, and few legitimate projects to which he did not lend the weight of his influence and financial aid. In illustration of the manifold changes that have taken place in the more than half century that our honored subject has retained his residence in Van Buren county, he has himself recalled the fact that he has lived in the Territories of Michigan and Wisconsin and the Territory and State of Iowa, all under one roof. Upon his arrival here there were about one-fourth as many inhabitants in the entire Territory as are now assembled in Van Buren coun- ty alone, few improvements having been made and the future prosperity of the great commonwealth having been but obscurely shadowed forth. Even the most prescient and sanguine could not have dreamed of the won- derful transformation that was to show in cumulative force as the years took their flight

into the far-reaching realm of yesterdays; and that there is yet abiding in the community one whose memory recalls the varied transitions is an honor to that community, while the fact that he has been an active participant in the work that has caused the changes and has wielded a potent influence in pushing forward the wheels of progress must be to him a satis- faction and to his posterity an heritage of deep- est value. Mr. Manning has a monument to his memory that will perish under the effacing fingers of time, but it is still extant and is worthy of mention at this point. He erected in 1842 the first brick court house in the State of Iowa, and this is standing at the present day, seemingly unimpaired by the disintegrat- ing forces of nature.

What romance clings about the reminis- cences which such a patriarch may give, and with what avidity should his utterances be treasured while yet he is spared and in the full possession of his mental and physical fac- ulties! Thus it seems almost incredible that Mr. Manning should have cast his first presi- dential vote for William Henry Harrison and his last for the grandson of that patriot, Gen- eral Benjamin Harrison, yet such is the fact in the case. Originally a Whig in political adherency, Mr. Manning naturally identified himelf with its normal successor, the Republic- an party, at the time of its organization, and has since been one of its stalwart supporters; but with that noble simplicity and repugnance to notoriety which have even been character- istic of the man, he invariably refused to come forward as a candidate for public office, pre- ferring to devote his time and attention to those other lines where he recognized that his maximum of usefulness lay. We can not do better at this juncture, perhaps, than to quote ·briefly from a recent publication which thus refers to Mr. Manning: "Words of praise and high regard are spoken on every hand of Mr. Manning, who, it would seem, is without an enemy. Stories are told of his generosity, of numberless good deeds quietly performed, of words of encouragement given to the despond-

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ent, and of substantial aid given to those in need. In his earliest years his own life was a struggle to gain a firm financial standing, and he therefore readily feels a sympathy for others. His capital when he started out in life for him- self consisted of a good constitution, temper- ate and frugal habits, pluck and perseverance and unquestionable integrity, but he has, in the years which have come and gone, acquired an ample-competence, has worked his way upward to a prominent position, and is respected of all men.

Turning in conclusion to the domestic chap- ter in the history of our honored subject, we find that he has been twice married, his first union having been consummated in Lee county, Iowa, March 8, 1842, when he wedded Miss Sarah J. Sample, who was born in Pennsylva- nia, July 21, 1816, and who was summoned into eternal rest June 1, 1857, leaving three children: Calvin, a prominent attorney of Ot- tumwa, Iowa; William and Anna G. The sec- ond marriage of Mr. Manning was solemnized November 3, 1859, when he was united to Miss Nannie Bryant, who was born in Indiana, February 3, 1832, being the adopted daughter of Hon. Joseph A. Wright. She is a woman of gentle refinement and noble character, and has been a true companion to her husband during all the long intervening years, still pre- siding with gracious dignity over the beautiful family home. Her life has been replete with kindly deeds, and her sympathy has been broad enough to include all who "are afflicted in mind, body or estate," and in an unostenta- tious way has she extended the tangible evi- dences of this sympathy, and to her has come the only desired reward, the love and esteem of those among whom she has passed so many years of her life. She is a member of the Con- gregational Church, as is also her daughter, and· they are among the most devoted and zealous workers in the cause of the Master. The chil- dren of the second marriage are five in num- ber: Albert, Edward Bates, Stanley (to whom individual reference is made on another page), Craig and Katie M.

IDEON VAN LOON, a dealer in gro- ceries and feed in Chariton, Iowa, has spent his entire life in the Hawk- eye State, his birth occurring in Mar- ion county, on the 21st of March, 1859. He is a son of Gideon and Elizabeth H. (Solsber- gen) Van Loon, both of whom were natives of Holland, the former born May 30, 1817, the latter February 26, 1825. They were mar- ried in their native village of Warden in the south of Holland on the 13th of January, 1844, and ere leaving their native land they became the parents of three children. In 1847 they crossed the Atlantic to America and took up their residence in Marion county, Iowa. For five years they lived in the city of Pella and then removed to the farm which has now been their home for the long period of forty-three con- secutive years. They have witnessed the devel- opment of that county from a barren prairie, un- marked by human habitation, into thrifty farms and happy homes, and in the work of progress have ever borne their part. They came to this country on account of religious persecution. A company of 100 families, under the leader- ship of a minister, crossed the water and es- tablished the colony in Marion county, Iowa, and the city of Pella was named by the leader, Rev. H. P. Schollte, the word pella being the Latin for refuge. These 100 families were seceders from the State church of Holland. Many were imprisoned and all were seriously persecuted until they were forced to leave their native land and seek a "refuge " in the land of freedom. Mr. and Mrs. Van Loon and Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Bogart are the only couples now living together of the four ship-loads land- ing in Marion county in 1849. Of all the others either the husband or wife have passed away or the whole family have removed from the county. The colony at first occupied Lake Prairie township, but has now spread out over a large part of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Loon became the parents of thirteen children, but one died on the ocean voyage, another died on reaching Keokuk, Iowa, and five have died at the old home in

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RECORD OF IOWA.

Marion county. The eldest living is Mrs. Christina Reidvelt, who resides on a farm in Marion county. James and Dirk, twins, were the first white children born in the city of Pella. Dirk is married and lives in Marion county. Mary Susanna is the wife of Leonard Vanderlinden, also of that county. Gideon is the next younger. Elizabeth H. is still living with her parents.

Gideon Van Loon was reared on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits during the greater part of the time until his arrival in Chariton. He was educated in the public schools of his na- tive county and has always led a busy, indus- trious life, spending his summers at work in the fields, while in the winter season he en- gaged in chopping wood and hauling it to market. His perseverance and energy have brought to him success, and he is now at the head of a good business. On the 9th of July, 1894, he purchased his store in Chariton and now carries a full line of groceries and provis- ions, flour and feed, and also runs a wagon in the country, gathering produce in exchange for dry goods and groceries. This is a great con- venience to farmers in their busy season and is an element of success to Mr. Van Loon.

On the 4th of February, 1895, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Van Loon, a distant relative and a daughter of William and Mary Isadore (Bonnett) Van Loon, prominent early settlers of Lucas coun- ty. She was educated in the schools of this county and is an estimable lady who shares in the high esteem in which her husband is held. Although but recently arrived in Chariton, Mr. Van Loon is already numbered among the rep- resentative business men and is meeting with a fair degree of success in his undertakings.

UGENE O. WILSON, ticket agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Chariton, is a native of Concord township, Louisa county, Iowa, where he was born October 1, 1859, one of the five children of N. T. and Mary A.

(Payne) Wilson. The other children are: Emma, now Mrs. John Moffett, of Taylor county, Iowa; May, employed in the general manager's office of the Union Pacific Railroad at Omaha; Olive, with her parents in Florida; and A. G., also living in Florida.

Mr. N. T. Wilson was born in the year 1832, in Ohio, near the city of Columbus, where his early life was spent. By occupa- tion he was a bricklayer and stone-mason, in which trade he was successful for many years. Soon after marriage he left his native State, and coming west he located in Louisa county, mentioned, where he lived for many years, en- gaged at his trade and also to some extent in farming. In March, 1876, he removed to Leon, Decatur county, Iowa. In 1893, how- ever, owing to the ill health of his wife, which necessitated an entire change of climate, he looked over southern California and Colorado, bought an estate in Florida and removed there with his wife and daughter, and there they are yet making their home, the change proving re- markably beneficial to Mrs. Wilson's health. Mr. Wilson is engaged very successfully in fruit-"farming," raising a great variety of or- chard products, prominent among which are grapes, figs, dates, peaches, pears, bananas and peanuts. The climate of that region of Florida, near Pensacola, is remarkably bene- ficial in all diseases of an asthmatic or nervous nature.

The ancestry of the Wilson family were among the early settlers of the New England Colonies.

Mr. Eugene O. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, remained at his parental home until about twenty years of age, when he started out in life for himself. First he began to learn telegraphy, entering railroad work. In the spring of 1880 he went to Lamoni, Iowa, as assistant operator, and was employed at differ- ent places in this capacity until 1881, when he was appointed station agent at Andover, Mis- souri, where he remained for thirteen months, and then, in the fall of 1882, he was trans- ferred to Chariton, where he became cashier

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and bill clerk in the freight office, which posi- tion he held for a year, when he was trans- ferred to the passenger station and appointed ticket-seller. After four years of this service he was appointed the regular ticket agent, which position he has held to the present time. He has now been in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy® Railroad Company con- tinuously from 1881 to the present time. His faithful discharge of duty is proved by the fact that during all these years of service he has never been suspended or discharged a day by that most exacting corporation, and he is well known as one of the popular railroad men of southern Iowa. He is also an enthusiastic ad- mirer of the driving horse. During recent years, in company with John P. Evans, he has done much to foster the love of the horse in this region, and they drive some very finely bred and elegant animals.

April 20, 1886, Mr. Wilson married Miss Elnora Larimer, a native of Lucas county, and the only child of Noah and Alice (Maple) Lari- mer, who were natives of the Eastern States and came West during the early stage of Western development, and were numbered among the respected pioneers of southern Iowa. The father died from the effects of exposure inci- dental to the service as a soldier in the last war, and the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children, -Eloise and Vera.

ILLIAM T. CURTIS, one of the representative men of Lucas county, is a son of Lot Curtis, born in Bel- mont county, Ohio, August 23, 1822. His father, Thomas Curtis, was a na- tive of Loudoun county, Virginia, and was a son of Barnabas Curtis. The latter descended from one of three Irish brothers who crossed the ocean to this country. Thomas Curtis married Frances St. Clair, a native of Vir- ginia, and his death occurred in 1827. Lot Curtis came to Lucas county, Iowa, in the fall of 1860, purchasing 150 acres of land in War-

ren township, a part of which was cultivated, but contained no buildings. He erected a small frame dwelling, 16 x 28 feet, two stories high, obtaining the timber from his own place and hauling the logs to the old Thompson mill. Mr. Curtis married Mary Chynowith, a native of Maryland and a daughter of Will- iam and Bridget (Turner) Chynowith, who were of English descent. To this union were born the following children: William T., the subject of this sketch; Joseph H., who resides on the old homestead; Amanda, wife of M. A. Scoville, who owns a farm of 160 acres in Warren township and has resided in this State many years; A. C., engaged in farming and the nursery business; Ira, a merchant of Char- iton; and George and Ann Eliza, who died of diphtheria at the ages respectively of seven and nine years, and lie buried in the Waynick cemetery. The mother of these children de- parted this life in 1883.

William T. Curtis was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 17, 1845, and came with his parents to this county, where, in addition to his common-school education, he received a three months' course of schooling from Pro- fessor Perry. His first work was on his father's farm, and after attaining his majority he was employed in the Chariton flour-mill, where he remained one year. He then returned home and he and his father erected a mill, but three years later the mill was moved to Chariton, and eleven years afterward Mr. Curtis moved to Nebraska and built a mill there. After spending two years in that State he returned to his farm in Lucas county. About seven years ago Mr. Curtis was employed by Eiken- berry & Stewart to manage their large interests at Russell, Iowa. After the death of Mr. Eikenberry the firm was known as Stewart & Company, Mr. Curtis still continuing as man- ager of their business. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels, and does custom work exclu- sively, in connection with the stock and elevator business.

February 20, 1871, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Farber, who

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was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 20, 1852, a daughter of John Farber, and was brought by her parents to Iowa in 1858, lo- cating about six miles south of Chariton, where her father still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had five children, viz .: Hattie M., born November 28, 1873, is a musician of some ability, and is a stenographer and bookkeeper; Willie A., born December 4, 1876, is in the employ of his father; Geanor F., born April 12, 1879; John D., May 24, 1883; Eva May, March 19, 1888; and Ernest E., born Feb- ruary 18, 1892, died July 3, of the same year. Mr. Curtis supports the Republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Gen- eral U. S. Grant, and served in the late war. He has served as a member of the city board in Chariton; Russell, and also in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis and children are members of the Baptist Church, in which they are active workers.

ICHOLAS S. MELVILLE, proprie- tor of the leading furniture store in Chariton, is a native of Lucas coun- ty, Iowa, and a worthy representative of one of its honored pioneer families. He was born September 5, 1862, and is a son of An- drew and Sarah (Scott) Melville. His father was born in Dundee, Scotland, and came to this country during his childhood. In the '50S he located on a farm in Lucas county, Iowa, in Chariton township, and there all of his fam- ily were born and reared. To agricultural pursuits he devoted his energies throughout his entire life, and upon the old homestead passed away in 1875, at the age of sixty-four. He was a consistent Christian man, chaste in con- versation, upright in his daily walk and was a faithful member of the Christian Church, to which his widow and two daughters belong. It is eminently proper that mention should be made of the life work of this noble character in connection with the records of his associates who still survive him. To his efforts in early pioneer days much of the success of Lucas

county is due in its wonderful strides for agri- cultural and mineral prominence. He located here when the prairies and forests were in their virgin state, and lived to witness their transformation into fertile fields and farms, dotted with happy and prosperous homes. Al- though born on foreign soil, he closely allied himself with the interests of his adopted coun- try and rejoiced with Americans in the pros- perity and unity of this land. He passed to his reward as he had lived-at peace with his God and his fellowmen. His widow has ever remained true to his memory, and now at the age of seventy-three years is a valued member of the household of our subject.

In the family of this worthy couple were five children, Nicholas being the fourth child and only son. Emma, the eldest, died in in- fancy. Eva, now Mrs. Beardsley, resides in Chariton. Rhoda is the wife of Abner Gilles- pie and is living in Denver, Colorado. The youngest of the family is Hettie, wife of Henry Becker, who resides in Atlanta, Iowa.

Mr. Melville, whose name begins this re- view, was educated in the city schools of Char- iton, during which time he boarded on a farm over a mile from the school, to and from which he walked each morning and evening. His first business enterprise was at Lucas, Lucas county, where he bought out a stock of furni- ture after having worked two and a half years at the business with E. P. Chase & Son, who sold out to him in the autumn of 1882. There he continued until his removal to Chariton in 1894. His business career has been very suc- cessful. . He started out for himself with a capital of only $350, which he had inherited from his father's estate, and to-day his stock will invoice at $5,000. It is composed of all fresh and stylish patterns of the latest designs, and is in grades from the cheapest to the high- est to satisfy the demands of his customers. His trade is constantly increasing and he is now enjoying a liberal patronage. His building is a two-story brick, 20x 80 feet, both floors be- ing completely filled with seasonable goods, and in addition he has a storeroom where

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"knock-down " goods are stored till wanted in the salesroom.

On the Ist of January, 1891, Mr. Melville was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Beer, a native of England, who came with her par- ents to this country when a maiden of thirteen summers. One son has been born of this union, Clarence C., born May 23, 1893,-his mother's pride and father's joy.

Mr. Melville is a member of Chariton Lodge, No. 28, K. P .; also of Chariton Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., and is a Republican in his political views, although the other members of the family are supporters of the Democracy. On him falls the responsibility of perpetuating the family name on American soil. He is a young man of fine business ability, backed by several years of successful experience, and in future years he will no doubt add to the suc- cess which has already crowned his efforts.

RS. MARGARET BADGER, one of the esteemed citizens of Lincoln township, is one of the grand old pioneers who has witnessed the won- derful transformation which has taken place in this section, who saw Chariton when a little hainlet of only a few log houses, and crossed the State when it was not bound with bands of steel as to-day. She is a lady whom the pio- neers of Lucas county will revere as long as life lasts, and whose record is surely worthy of emulation by the daughters of the rising gener- ation.

She was born two miles from the pretty village of Bedford, the county-seat of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1818, a daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Dibert) Wyant. She is the fourth of their six children, four sons and two daughters, only two of whom survive, -the subject of this sketch and Isaac. The latter came to Lucas county in 1850, but four years afterward removed to Clark, this State, where he is a successful farmer. The paternal grandfather of our subject crossed the ocean and made a home in Pennsylvania, where his

son Jacob was born. The maternal grandfather also crossed the ocean to Pennsylvania, where he built a primitive house, and followed agri- cultural pursuits. He died in that State.

The mother of our subject was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania; when death stepped in at the home portals and robbed her of her husband she was residing on the home- stead. At that time the youngest child, Isaac, was a babe. Alone she took up the great work of making a living for her little ones, but soon the sons and daughters grew to years of maturity and gave their services to this brave pioneer mother, who paid the large debt over- shadowing the home and by dint of hard work, good management and economy saved money enough to provide a home in the far West. She bade farewell to her Pennsylvania home .and associates in the fall of 1834, and came to Grant county, Indiana, in a covered wagon, in which the family lived during the erection of a log house in the dense timber belt; but the timber was soon cleared around the little cabin. In that neighborhood the good Christian mother lived until the spring of 1850, when she and her son Jacob, the eldest child, started for Iowa in a carriage, the sturdy son trans- porting the household goods in true "freighter" style. Locating in Lucas county, they pur- chased a farm of 160 acres east of Chariton, but Mrs. Wyant added to her original purchase until she owned 700 acres. She afterward disposed of her possessions and came to live with her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Badger, where she died from paralysis, superinduced by a complication of diseases, at the age of eighty-four years.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 63

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