Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 73

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

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ILLIAM KENT .-- Among the lead- ing and honored citizens of Jackson township, Lucas county, Iowa, none are held in higher esteem than the gentleman whose name initiates this review. Mr. Kent came here in 1869. Like many of Iowa's prosperous and well-known citizens, he is a native of England, his birth occurring in Wiltshire, June 5, 1826.

Mr. Kent's parents, Daniel and Ann (Cow- ley) Kent, were both born in England, and when their son William was six years of age they emigrated with their family to the United States and located in Cleveland, Ohio, then a small village, but now one of the magnificent lake cities. Cleveland was then no larger than Chariton, Iowa, now is. In the Kent family were seven children, two of whom died in childhood, and of the others we record that John died February 14, 1895, in Pike county, Ohio; Susan died in Chicago, Illinois; Emma and Mary Ann both died in Cleveland, Ohio; and William is the only representative of the family now living. The mother died at the age of sixty-three years, in Waverly, Pike

county, Ohio. Her life was that of a noble Christian woman, devoted to her family and true to her friends, and loved by all who knew her. The father was seventy-two at his death. His life was characterized by honesty, indus- try and simplicity, and was spent as a day laborer and farmer. Politically, he was a Re- publican, and religiously a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. All who knew Daniel Kent respected him for his many ster- ling qualities.

As already stated, William Kent, the sub- ject of our sketch, was a boy of six years when he landed in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in and around the town, attending the public schools and doing farm work in vacation time, early in life being taught by his worthy father that honesty, industry and perseverance pave the way to all true success. When he grew up he learned the carpenter's trade, and for a num- ber of years was employed in carpenter work. He assisted in erecting some of the leading buildings of Cleveland, the Weddell House be- ing one of them.

He remained in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, at or near Cleveland until 1865, when he re- moved west to Maywood, a place twelve miles west of Chicago. Four years later he came on out to Iowa and bought 320 acres of wild land at his present location. This land he de- veloped into one of the finest farms in this part of the country and on it built one of the most beautiful rural homes in the county. He has since given a portion of his farm to his sons, retaining for himself 170 acres. His modern residence, a story-and-a-half cottage, is located on a natural building site, some rods back from the main highway, and is surrounded with an attractive lawn, ornamental shrubbery and trees, the entire surroundings giving evidence of taste and culture as well as prosperity; and in the interior of this dwelling the same air of refinement prevails. The walls are adorned with pictures, the shelves are lined with books, and here is also found a choice collection of bric-a-brac. It is, indeed, a delightful home, and both Mr. Kent and his amiable wife are

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the personification of hospitality. On this farm is also found a large barn and other sub- stantial buildings and good fences, an orchard of two acres, and what may be called complete water-works. Springs of pure water gush from the hillsides and a modern windmill supplies the power by which this water is forced through pipes up to a large tank, from which reservoir the water is carried to both the house and barn.

Mr. Kent was first married in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, to Miss Tamer Ann Ackley, a native of New York State, born at the old Greeley farm near Chappaqua, her father be- ing William Ackley. She died in Cleveland, January 5, 1858. September 9, 1860, Mr. Kent was united in marriage to his present compan- ion, whose maiden name was Hannah Wher- rett, who was a cultured and refined woman who was born in Gloucestershire, England, daughter of William and Ann (Carefield) Wher- rett. Her mother died in 1844, at the age of thirty-three years, leaving seven children, name- ly: William, who died in Kankakee, Illinois, at the age of twenty-seven years; Ann, who died near Cleveland, Ohio; John, who served dur- ing the Civil war as a member of an Illinois regiment; Eliza, who died in girlhood; Ellen, who died at Cleveland, Ohio; George, who was a member of an Ohio regiment, died at Chattanooga, Tennessee; Charles, who also served as a member of an Ohio regiment dur- ing the war, is now a resident of Palmer, Ne- braska; and Mrs. Kent, who was the "baby" at the time her mother died. The father died in Cleveland, in 1874, at the age of seventy- three years. He was a farmer and stock-raiser, and was a member of the Church of England. Mr. and Mrs. Kent have two sons, Charles Ellsworth and John Warren. The former was born September 7, 1861, at Cleveland, Ohio, and is a prosperous farmer residing near his father. He and his wife, nee Carrie Hawkins, have three children living, Albert, William and Oscar. They lost one child, Harry. Their second son, John Warren, also has a good farm near his father and is successfully en-

gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born near Chicago, Illinois, March 9, 1867; mar- ried Dora Carson, and they have two children, Ethel and Ott. Besides their own children, Mr. and Mrs. William Kent have reared three adopted daughters, giving to them not only a nice home but also a mother's and father's love. Of these daughters we record that Amanda Rankin died at the age of twenty-two years; Nellie Morton married a Mr. Schar- dine and resides in this township; and Florence Erb still resides in the Kent home.

Mr. Kent is a man of broad information and liberal views, and both he and his wife have taken an active part in advancing the educational interests of this section. For years he has served on the School Board, fill- ing the office of president, and his wife as sec- retary. She has the honor of being the first lady to hold a public office in Lucas county. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. Kent is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and an active and zealous worker therein, es- pecially taking a deep interest in Sabbath- school work. For years she has been Superin- tendent of the Spring Hill Sabbath-school. There are few people, if any, who have a higher standing in the community than do Mr. and Mrs. William Kent.

J AMES MADISON PROCTOR has for forty years been identified with the his- tory of Warren county, Iowa, an hon- ored pioneer settler who has not only witnessed the growth and development of this region but has also aided in its progress and advancement. Since his arrival the wild lands have been transformed into beautiful homes and farms, towns and cities have sprung up, industries and enterprises have been established and civilization has here taken up its abode, transforming Warren into one of the leading counties of the commonwealth, while among its valued citizens is numbered Mr. Proctor.

He was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, two miles from McLeansboro, May 27, 1820,

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his birthplace being a double log house with a clapboard roof and mud-and-stick chimney. The floor was made of puncheons and the structure was heated with a broad fire-place. While Illinois was still a frontier region, be- fore railroads had been laid or telegraph poles put up, Littlepage Proctor, his father, emi- grated from Kentucky, bringing with him his wife and children. In the midst of the forest he cleared a space on which to erect a log cabin, and when the wild flowers of spring be- gan to dot the prairies he planted his first crop and began the development of a farm. He had to endure many hardships and trials, struggling with poverty and privations, but at length perseverance and energy brought to him a good home. The lady whom he had wedded in Kentucky did not long survive her marriage, and the father afterward wedded Miss Sallie Bates, a native of Tennessee, who tenderly cared for the little children that had been left motherless. She also had ten children of her own, our subject being the third in order of birth. The family numbered twenty children, ten of whom were born in Kentucky. The father was an honored Christian gentleman, who as opportunity afforded preached to his neighbors, and in all possible ways aided in promoting morality and Christianity among those with whom he was thrown in contact. After a long and well spent life of ninety-three years he was called to the home beyond the grave. His wife survived him for a number of years, and died when more than seventy years of age.

Early in life James M. Proctor was inured to the hard labors that fall to the lot of fron- tiersmen. Before he had attained his majority he removed to Peoria county, Illinois, where he worked assiduously to secure a home for him- self. While living there he met and married Miss Elizabeth Davis, the wedding being cele- brated on the 2d of April, 1843. Nine chil- dren came to bless their union, of whom four are living: Melissa, widow of Matthew Milli- gan, and a resident of Otter township, War- ren county; William and James D., who are

residents of Des Moines; and Benjamin, a popular photographer of Milo. Those who have passed away are Martha Jane, who died at the age of four years; Angeline, who died at the age of four; Rachel Emma, who died when two years of age; Editha Alice, grew to womanhood, married Isaac Bingley, and died leaving two children; and Peter A., who died in Des Moines, at the age of twenty-four, leaving many friends to mourn his loss.

In the spring of 1855 Mr. Proctor emigrated to Warren county, locating in White Breast township, where he entered eighty acres of land from the Government. After three years he sold this property, and bought a farm on section 1, Belmont township. In 1877 he went to Harlan county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead of 160 acres, living upon it for a part of two years, when he returned to his family. In 1881 he disposed of his farming property, purchased town lots in Milo and erected a very commodious and comfort- able dwelling, where he is now living retired. His life has been a busy and useful one and to within a few years knew few leisure hours.

After the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Proctor manifested his loyalty to the Govern- ment by enlisting, on the Ist of December, 1861, in Company C, Seventh Iowa Infantry, and was honorably discharged on the 2d of ' January, 1864. Two days later he re-enlisted and continued a member of his old company until the Ist of June, 1865. when he was hon- orably discharged on account of wounds re- ceived at the battle of Resaca, Georgia. He participated in the engagements at Fort Don- elson, Shiloh and Corinth, and suffered much from exposure and forced marches, but was always a valiant soldier whose bravery was above question. His generous spirit prompted him to share with those around him all that he had in the way of comforts, and he won the sincere love and esteem of his army comrades. He cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and has since been a Democrat in politics. Socially he is a charter member of Milo Post, No. 175, G. A. R., and his family

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adhere to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In all the relations of life he has been honorable and upright, and the many excellencies of his character account for the high regard in which he is universally held.

a MANUEL SULGROVE, who is well known as one of the leading farmers and early settlers of Madison county, Iowa, dates his identity with this place from the year 1853, he having come to this State when a young man and established for himself and family a home, and acquired a competency. Of his life we are pleased to ac- cord mention in this work.

Mr. Sulgrove is a native of Indiana and was born in Marion county, about five miles southwest of Indianapolis, June 15, 1830. His father, Eli Sulgrove, was of Southern birth, Rowan county, North Carolina, being his na- tive place; he left the South, however, when eight years old and with his parents removed to Ohio, where he was reared. On attaining manhood he took up his residence in Indiana, entering land in Marion county and improving a farm there, that place continuing to be his home until 1853, when he moved out to Iowa and settled in Douglas township, Madison county. Here he acquired title to a large tract of land, at one time owning no less than 580 acres. He died in Adair county, this State, when in his eighty-ninth year. James Sulgrove, his father, was an Englishman who came to this country when a young man, and was married in Ohio.

The mother of our subject was by maiden name Miss Naomi Thompson. She was born and partially reared in Tennessee. Her father, the Hon. John Thompson, supposed to have been of Scotch descent, was a minister in the Christian Church, and served as a Representa- tive in the Iowa State Legislature.

The family of which E. Sulgrove is a mem- ber was composed of seven children, he being the third in order of birth and the eldest now living. He was reared in Indiana, received

his education in the common schools of that State, and remained a member of the home circle until he attained his twenty-third year. In 1852 he was married and the year following his marriage he came out to Iowa and direct to Madison county, locating at first on section 16, of Douglas township, where he resided three years. Then he moved to his present location on section 9 of the same township, where he has 114 acres, all well improved, and the im- provements all the work of his own honest toil and good management. In addition to his home place he owns forty acres in section 8.

Mr. Sulgrove was married in Marion coun- ty, Indiana, in 1852, to Miss Mary Price, a na- tive of New Jersey, who at the age of six years removed with her parents from that State to Indiana, the long and tedious journey being accomplished with teams. Their happy union has resulted in the birth of seven children, as follows: David, Eli, John, William and Jane (twins), Elizabeth A., and Alwilda.

Ever since the Republican party was or- ganized it has had as one of its quiet but stanch supporters Mr. Sulgrove. During the time of Civil war he proved his loyalty to the Union by enlisting in its army and participating in the most sanguinary struggle this country has ever known. It was as a private in Company I, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, that he went to the front, in September, 1864, and he served un- til July 16, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged. Among the engagements in which he took part was the memorable march to the sea with Sherman.

Mr. Sulgrove is identified with the Chris- tian Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

0 ENISON KINSMAN .- In the sub- ject of this sketch we find another gentleman whose name is found on the list of early settlers of Madison county, Iowa. Mr. Kinsman's home is on sec- tion 27, Douglas township, and he has resided here for nearly thirty years. Following is a

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brief record of his life and ancestry, which we deem appropriate to insert in this connection, and which doubtless will be read with interest by many.

Mr. Kinsman was born in Williamstown, Orange county, Vermont, July 6, 1818. James Hall Kinsman, his father, was born and reared in Springfield, New Hampshire, the date of his birth being March II, 1786. He was a son of Ephraim Kinsman, who was born in New Hampshire, in 1761, of English descent. Robert Kinsman, the first of this name who came to America, sailed from Southampton, England, in March, 1634, and landed at Bos- ton the following May. James H. Kinsman was married at Williamstown, Vermont, De- cember 5, 1813, to Miss Sarah Robinson, a native of Putney, that State, and a daughter of Solomon and Abigail Robinson, both of English origin. After their marriage they located on the farm with his father, where they remained until about 1850, when they came West as far as Illinois, taking up their abode on a farm near Princeton. Here Mr. Kinsman died in 1853. His wife survived him until 1866, when she died, in the same county. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely: James W., deceased; Emily W., deceased; Denison, the subject of this article; Aaron B., of Kearney, Nebraska; Marshall C., deceased; Mary L., wife of Robert Tomkinson, of Kearney, Ne- braska; Newell, deceased; Martha A., deceased; and Lucius, of Beaver City, Nebraska.

From the reference to his family history, we turn now to the life of Denison Kinsman, second son and third born of the above named children. He was reared at his native place, received his early education in the district schools and later was a student at Randolph Academy, remaining at home and assisting in the farm work, when not in school, until at- taining his majority. After this he engaged in farming on his own account, and continued to reside in his native State until 1855, when he too, came West to Princeton, Illinois. He carried on agricultural pursuits at Princeton

until 1867. That year he came to Iowa and took up his residence in Madison county, where he has ever since made his home and where he owns eighty-eight acres of choice land. This land at the time of his settlement here was all in its wild state, and all the improvements upon it have been placed here by him. Having him- self passed the age of active toil Mr. Kinsman now rents his farm.

Mr. Kinsman was first married in 1839 to Miss Mary Martin, a native of Williamstown, Vermont, and a daughter of Gurdon and Sarah Martin, natives of Connecticut, and of English descent. She died on the 12th of December, 1865. The children born of their union were five in number, and as follows : ' Rosannah M .; Jason M. (deceased) and James W., twins; Herman A. ; and Sarah W., who died in 1883. For his second wife Mr. Kinsman wedded, in 1867, Miss Lora Burnham, who was born in Williamstown, Vermont, December 26, 1825, daughter of David and Betsey (Olds) Burnham, both natives of that place. She was the second in their family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, and was reared and educated in her native town.

Mr. and Mrs. Kinsman are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an active supporter for many years and in which he is now an Elder. In early life he was a Whig and cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, but when the Repub- lican party was organized he became identified with it and has been in harmony with the principles advocated by it ever since. In a number of local offices he has rendered excel- lent service. He was Township Trustee nine years, served a number of years as Director of the School Board, and for twenty years as Clerk of the Board.

MOS STECKEL. - Success in any line of occupation, in any avenue of busi- ness, is not a matter of spontaneity, but is the legitimate offspring of sub- jective effort in the proper utilization of the

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means at hand, the improvement of oppor- tunity, and the exercise of the highest func- tions made possible by the specific ability in any case. The subject to whose career we now turn is recognized as a man of marked professional attainments, as possessed of an ex- ceptional executive ability, and as holding pres- tige as one of the representative citizens and leading business men of Davis county, conduct- ing a successful private banking business at Bloomfield, where for many years he was also actively engaged in the practice of law. There is an imperative consistency in according to him due consideration in this volume.

Back to the old Keystone State must we turn in tracing the lineage of our subject, and we thus find that he was born in the vicinity of Allentown, Lehigh county, on the 20th of July, 1833, being the son of Daniel Steckel, who was a prominent and prosperous farmer of that county, and who followed agricultural pursuits during the greater portion of his entire life. He likewise was a native of Pennsylvania, his father having been of German extraction and one of the pioneers of Pennsylvania. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Elizabeth Frantz, and she also was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, being a repre- sentative of one of the stanch old German families of the State.

Amos Steckel was reared to the sturdy dis- cipline of the old home farm in Lehigh county, and was enabled to attend the district schools and to complete one term of study in the high school, after which he assumed a personal re- sponsibility and put his acquirements to prac- tical test by engaging in school-teaching, in his native county, following this vocation success- fully for several terms. He then apprenticed himself to learn the tailor's trade, devoting himself to this for the period of three years and becoming an efficient workman. He was a young man of determination and self-reliance, and was one who made the best use of such opportunities as presented, never flinching from assiduous application, and looking ever to accomplishing the desired ends. Thus while

teaching school he applied his leisure hours to studying law, and such was his power of as- similation and practical adjustment of knowl- edge that he secured admission to the bar of the State, at Allentown, in 1856.

Having thus fortified himself for the active duties of life, Mr. Steckel determined to seek his fortunes in the West, where he was as- sured that superior opportunity for personal accomplishment was afforded. Accordingly, in the year 1857, he emigrated westward to Iowa, his first stopping place having been Council Bluffs, where he remained until the spring of the succeeding year, having in the interim become interested in the printing busi- ness at that point, and having been associated in the publication of a newspaper known as the Democratic Clarion. In 1858 he removed to Bloomfield, and here continued his connection with the newspaper business by entering into partnership with A. P. Bentley for the publi- cation of a Democratic weekly paper, the Clarion. Our subject showed distinctive abil- ity as a journalist, and during his three-years connection with the Clarion made it not only a true representative of local interests, but also an important factor in shaping the political af- fairs of the county. He not only filled the editorial chair, but assumed the greater por- tion of the practical detail work in the office, his energy and progressive methods manifesting themselves here as they have throughout his entire business career. His ability and his sturdy rectitude of character gained him the confidence and high regard of the people, and as early as 1861 he was chosen as the incum- bent in the office of Superintendent of Schools in Davis county, having been elected on the Democratic ticket, for a term of two years, and having done much to advance the cause of popular education in the county, and to bring the schools up to the high standard which has been attained in the later years. In 1862 Mr. Steckel was elected Clerk of the courts of Da- vis county, and served with signal efficiency during his term of two years. After his retire- ment from this office he established himself in

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the practice of law here, and was accorded a representative clientage, continuing to conduct a successful general practice until 1870, when he began to turn his attention more specifically to the extending of financial loans upon ap- proved real-estate securities, acting as the agent of Eastern capitalists, and also operating to a considerable extent upon his own responsi- bility. The capability with which he managed the details of this line of enterprise, which is one of great importance in any new and grow- ing community, gave the business an excellent reputation and insured its success. In the Centennial year, 1876, Mr. Steckel realized that there was a demand for banking facilities in Bloomfield, and he accordingly opened a banking department in connection with his loan agency, associating himself for this pur- pose with F. C. Overton, with whom he con- tinued in partnership for the period of ten years, after which he secured the entire control of the business and admitted his son to part- nership, the institution then receiving the name of the Exchange Bank of Bloomfield, which title has since been retained. The institution does a general banking business, and its his- tory has been one of consecutive growth and expansion, while its solidity is vouched for in the character of the one at its head, the bank having the reflex confidence of the local public, who have proved the honor and the sterling worth of our subject during the long years of his. association with the interests of Davis county.

In 1878 a distinguished honor was conferred upon Mr. Steckel in his appointment as one of the World's Fair Commissioners to represent American interests at the Paris Exposition. He proceeded to the French metropolis, where he remained about three months and effectively discharged the duties of the trust which had been reposed in him.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 73

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