Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 91

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

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While the subject of this review was still a mere boy his father removed with his family to Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and subsequently moved back to Augusta, Kentucky, where his death occurred, in the year 1825, William be- ing but nine years of age when thus deprived of a father's care. But he was placed under the effective guardianship of Dr. Henry Bas- con, of Augusta, and after spending two or three years in the preparatory department of the college over whose destinies his father had so long presided, the youth was compelled to assume the responsibility of his own mainte- nance. He passed two years at the home of his uncle, at the Wyandot mission, studying with the Indian boys and becoming an inter- preter.

He was distinctively of alert and self-reliant nature, and his ambition early defined the course along which effort should be directed. He determined to prepare himself for the med- ical profession, and with this end in view he

became a student under the preceptorage of Dr. Sabin, of Troy, Ohio, and subsequently attended lectures in the medical department of the Pennsylvania University, at Philadelphia, graduating as a member of the class of 1837. Thus thoroughly fortified for the practice of his chosen profession, Dr. Findley began his active labors by opening an office in Shelbyville, In- diana, where he remained for one year, when he determined to locate in the West. He crossed the Mississippi river and located at the four corners, called New London, in Henry county, Iowa, where he continued in practice until 1843, when he came to Bloomfield, Davis county, where he remained until the hour of his death. At the time of his arrival here there was neither city nor village, and the embryonic city was but dimly shadowed forth by the little hamlet with its few settlers and primitive dwellings. Thus our subject was distinctively one of the pioneers of Bloomfield, and he soon gained a large practice, extending through the country for a radius of thirty miles in each di- rection from his headquarters. His was not an easy or sybaritic life, for the country was new and but slightly. improved. Long, straggling and ill-defined roads traversed the prairies, and these were at certain seasons of the year almost impassible, while he was compelled to ford many a swollen stream, often to walk for miles, leading his saddled horse. On one occasion he lost his saddle while thus fording a stream, and several times he went astray on the prairies and was compelled to remain out all night. A familiar figure his in the days long past, and one viewed with delight by many a poor suf- ferer at whose bedside he attended. His was a life filled with days and nights of ceaseless toil and endeavor, and hours of heavy anxiety, -a phase of the healing profession that stands in highest honor to one who has thus devoted himself to the noble work against the greatest odds and with the utmost self-abnegation.

In 1863 Dr. Findley became. Surgeon of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and in this capacity saw much service during the crucial hours of the late war of the Rebellion. He was in the

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Vicksburg campaign, accompanied Sherman as far as Atlanta and was with General Thomas when he defeated Hood's forces at Nashville. After this engagement he returned to Chatta- nooga and was in the surgeon's garrison until the close of the war, his services having been accorded with the same fidelity and earnest zeal which stood characteristic of his profes- sional life from beginning to end.

The Doctor was a man of broad intel- lectuality and thorough business ability, and he had the prescience to discern the appreciation in value which must eventually come to real estate in Iowa, and for this reason he made quite extensive investments for himself and others, entering large tracts of land from the Government. Later he became an extensive dealer in improved real estate, and at the time of his death his estate was one of much value, including both improved and unimproved realty in Davis county, as well as in several other counties in the western part of the State. He became the owner of several business blocks in Bloomfield, and erected one of the finest residences in the city. Ever alive to the best interests of the community with which he had been so long identified, he contributed in a large measure to its progress and substantial up-building and was one of Bloomfield's most honored pioneers and most valued citizens. He was president of the First National Bank, of Bloomfield, which closed in 1876. In his political beliefs the Doctor was a stanch advo- cate of the principles and policies of the Re- publican party, having been intensely anti- slavery in his sentiments. He became identi- fied with the Republican party at the time of its organization, but would never accept public office or political preferment. In religion he was a devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The death of our honored sub- ject occurred August 11, 1880, and thus the veil was lifted to gain the new glory of a true and beautiful life when the seal was placed upon his mortal lips. His was a noble, honest and faithful character, and through all the years to come should there be accorded to him

a tribute of honor and veneration in the city and county where he labored so zealously and to such goodly ends.

The marriage of our subject was solem- nized October 23, 1839, at New London, Iowa, where he was united to Miss Mary Bangs, who was born at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the year 1818, being the daughter of Captain John Bangs. She accompanied her parents on their removal to Iowa, in 1838, and they settled near New London. Her girlhood was passed in New England, and in the excellent schools of that section she received her educational discipline. She survives her husband and in her generous use of the competence which was left in her keeping she does honor to the noble name which she bears. She attends to the details of her business, and her knowledge and executive ability are shown in her capable management of these affairs, which are of no inconsiderable scope and importance. Mrs. Findley retains her residence in the attractive old homestead which is hallowed by the asso- ciations of many years, and her true and gen- tle womanhood and kindly sympathy have en- deared her to all who have come within the pale of her influence and acquaintanceship. Of the seven children born to Dr. and Mrs. Findley three are now living, namely: Dr. J. B. Findley, who is engaged in the practice of his profession at Des Moines; Samuel Parke, a jeweler at Beloit, Kansas; and Anna M., the wife of John Duffield, a farmer in Davis county. The grandson, William Duffield, is a physician and is now engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in Bloomfield. He is a graduate of the medical department of the State University, at Iowa City; of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania; and of the Phila- delphia Physicians' Hospital, being a young man of fine abilities and one who is an honor to that profession which was dignified by the services of his grandfather. Another grand- son of our subject, Parke A. Findley, has recently graduated in medicine and has just gone to Phoenix, Arizona (1895), for his health. He expects to return in the spring

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and practice his profession in Des Moines. He is an intelligent young man and has a bright future.

EORGE W. WILSON, one of the honored pioneers of this section of Iowa, and one who has been promi- nently identified with the develop- ment of the great agricultural industries of the favored commonwealth, is now living in retire- ment at Bloomfield, Davis county, enjoying the reward of his ceaseless toil and endeavor, and holding the confidence and high esteem of of the community. He still retains possession of his fine farmstead in Van Buren county, and directs its cultivation, though not to the ex- tent of active labor such as characterized his earlier career.

A native of the old Buckeye State, Mr. Wilson was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 7th of November, 1827, being the son of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Eveland) Wilson, both of whom were born in Loudoun county, Vir- ginia. The father was a harness-maker by trade, and in early life followed this vocation, later turning his attention to agricultural pur- suits, in which he was duly successful. He was a man of alert mentality and had marked mechanical ability, on which latter score his services carne into active demand in the vari- ous pioneer communities with whose interests he was identified. He aided in the building of many of the pioneer houses in Morgan county, Ohio, and made himself a valuable factor in the early days. It is worthy of mention that he made many of the spinning-wheels which were so generally used during the pioneer epoch in Ohio, as well as in Iowa. On the paternal side our subject traces his lineage to Scotch and English origin, while the maternal line was of German extraction.

George W. Wilson was fourth in order of birth of nine children who lived to attain mature years, and of which number six are still surviving. The boyhood of our subject was passed in a manner such as was character-

istic of the youth in the average pioneer set- tlement in Ohio, and up to the time he at- tained the age of nineteen years he was en- abled to secure such advantages as were afforded by the district schools, thus securing a good common-school education, which has. served as the basis of that broad general in- formation which has come to him from associ- ation with the practical affairs of life.

In 1847 the family removed to Iowa, and in Jackson township, Van Buren county, the father effected the purchase of a farm and there gave his attention to general farming, thus identifying himself with the pioneer history of this section, as he had with that of Ohio in an earlier day. In 1861 he sold his farm and removed to Lebanon, the same county, where he passed the residue of his life, his death oc- curring in 1866, at which time he had attained the age of seventy-three years. His wife sur- vived him a full decade, her demise occurring in 1876, at the venerable age of seventy-seven years.

Our subject began his individual operations in the agricultural line in Jackson township, Van Buren county, and so wisely and effect- ively did he direct his efforts that he eventually became the owner of a tract of 380 acres, com- prising some of the most valuable and pro- ductive land in this section of the State. The farm is under an excellent system of cultiva- tion, has exceptional permanent improvements and is well equipped with live stock.

In October, 1887, Mr. Wilson removed from his farm to Bloomfield, Davis county, and here he has since continued his residence, having a comfortable and attractive home, which is presided over by his maiden sister, Ann, as he has never entered the matrimonial state. Through his own efforts he has accu- mulated a competency, and none could be- grudge him the rewards of his labors, for he makes good use of the same and is appreciative of the higher ethics which define a man's duty to himself and his fellows. When he came to Iowa he began operations as a farm hand, re- ceiving in compensation for his labor the sum

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of six dollars per month. His was the am- bition of effort, and consecutive industry, economy and careful methods have entailed the results noted, and have made him a pros- perous and influential citizen, and one whose life has been such as to retain to him the con- fidence and good will of those among whom he has dwelt.

In his political adherency Mr. Wilson has ever rendered support to the Republican party, but has never sought official preferment, his private interests demanding his attention, even had he been imbued with a desire for political office, which he was not.

a DWARD T. MATTHEWS. -- The sub- ject to whose life history we now direct attention is distinctively one of the representative citizens of the city of Bloomfield, Davis county, is a native of Iowa, and holds high official preferment as County Superintendent of Schools, -being thus par- ticularly worthy of consideration in this con- nection.

The ancestral history of Mr. Matthews is one which tells of long identification with that of the American republic, and its details are those which bespeak honorable and useful lives. Mr. Matthews was born in Milton, Van Buren county, this State, on the 12th of May, 1862, being the son of William and Mary E. (Price) Matthews, the former of whom was a native of Hardin county, Kentucky, where he was born in the year 1832; while the latter was born in Indiana, being the daughter of James Price. The grandfather of our subject in the agnatic line was Daniel E. Matthews, who was a native of the Old Dominion State, to which locality his father had come from Ireland. William Matthews was reared in his native State and when he had attained the age of eighteen years he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the West, settling at Leba- non, Van Buren county, where his father engaged in agricultural pursuits. William finally removed to Milton, Van Buren county,

where he took up his abode on a farın and gave his attention to its cultivation until 1881, when he came to Davis county and settled on a farm in Roscoe township, where he passed the residue of his days, his death occurring in April, 1890. He was a man of strong individ- uality and unswerving integrity, and was an honored and influential citizen of the county. His widow still survives and retains her resi- dence on the old homestead in Roscoe town- ship.

Edward T. Matthews, the immediate sub- ject of this review, was the eldest of the family of six children, -four sons and two daughters, - all of whom reside in Davis county. The youth of our subject was passed on the farm, and he "early became familiar with the duties inci- dental to cultivating the fertile fields, assist- ing his father in the work and gaining a true appreciation of the dignity of honest toil and endeavor. His preliminary educa- tional advantages were such as were afforded in the district schools of Van Buren and Davis counties, and these were effectively supple- mented by a year's study in the Denmark Acad- emy, in Lee county. He had profited by the instruction and the privileges granted and was thus able to put his acquirements to practical use, engaging in school-teaching for some time and proving a thorough and capable instructor. His ability and his success in the educational field gained to him recognition as an eligible candidate for the responsible office of County Superintendent of Schools for Davis county, and to this office he was elected in 1891, for a term of two years, assuming the duties inci- dental thereto on the Ist of January, 1892.

At the expiration of his term, so effective had been his efforts and so faithful his interest in advancing the work in his province, that he was elected as his own successor, in 1893, and is the present popular incumbent of the office, for which he is eminently qualified, both in re- gard to executive ability and a knowledge of the most efficacious methods to be employed in forwarding the educational interests of the county.

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In his political adherency Mr. Matthews is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, and he has taken an active interest in local affairs of a public nature. Fraternally he is identified with Franklin Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons, and also with the Knights of Pythias.

The marriage of our subject was solem- nized in 1893, when he was united to Miss Mamie Sheaffer, daughter of J. A. Sheaffer, of Bloomfield. They are held in the highest esteem in the community, and Mr. Matthews is known as one of the progressive and public- spirited men of Davis county.

EORGE P. FRYBERGER .- Davis county is favored in having repre- sented on its corps of public officials men of distinctive ability and indubita- ble honor, and as holding distictive preferment as Clerk of the District Court, there is partic- ular consistency in according recognition to him whose name initiates this paragraph, while this consistency is intensified by the fact that he has been long and prominently identified with the interests of the county, and has con- tributed in no small measure to its progress and substantial upbuilding.

A native of the State of Indiana, Mr. Fry- berger was born near the city of Huntington, the official center of the county of the same name, on the 26th of November, 1850, being the son of John and Margaret A. (Bonewitz) Fryberger, the former of whom was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, 'near the city of Reading, in the year 1825, while the mother was born near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, being the daughter of John Bonewitz, an early settler in that locality. The venerable father of our subject is still living and retains his res- idence in Jackson county, Kansas. The mother, Margaret A., died in March, 1873.

George P. Fryberger, the immediate sub- ject of this review, passed the greater portion of his youth in Iowa, having come hither with his parents in April, 1864, and having been

reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, in Jefferson county, where they took up their abode. He assisted in the manifold duties in- cidental to the improvement and cultivation of the parental acres, and remained at home un- til he had attained his majority, his educa- tional privileges being those afforded by the district schools. He had in the meantime ac- quired the cabinet-maker's trade, and after leaving home he sallied forth to see somewhat of the world upon his own responsibility, trav- eling quite extensively through the Western States and Territories. He had learned the trade mentioned under the direction of Henry Caraway, of Bloomfield, and after his return to his home he devoted himself to work in this line for the period of about three years, after which he turned his attention more particularly to the carpenter's trade, locating in Pulaski, this county, where he was engaged in contract- ing and building from 1879 to 1894, extending his field of operations in the line, and being thus employed until his election to the office of Clerk of the District Court, in the fall of 1894. He assumed the duties of his office January 1, 1895, and has shown himself to be eminently qualified for their discharge, being a faithful and painstaking official.

For a time Mr. Fryberger was engaged in the lumber business, in which connection he shipped large quantities of hard-wood lumber to Chicago and other distributing centers. He is the owner of a half interest in a handle factory, which is located in Pulaski and which controls a large business in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of handles, the goods being consigned to jobbers and the trade of the establishment extending throughout many . of the Western States and Territories.

In his political proclivities our subject is strongly in line as a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and in his fraternal relations he is identified with Eleusis Lodge, No. 358, F. & A. M., at Pulaski; with Mayo Lodge, No. 319, I. O. O. F., at the same place; and with the encampment of the latter order, at Bloomfield, where he has retained

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his residence since entering official life. At the present time he holds the distinguished preferment as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Iowa Independent Order of Odd Fellows, representing the twenty- fifth district.

In 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Fryberger to Miss Anna L. Smith, daugh- ter of A. V. Smith, a well known resident of Pulaski, this county, and they are the parents of two daughters: Joy S., and Cathol. Our subject enjoys a distinctive popularity in the county, and is one of her able officers and business men.

ON. BAPTISTE HARDY .- He to whose life history we now direct at- tention stands conspicuously forward as one of the successful and repre- sentative business men of the city of Bloom- field, as one who is conspicuously identified with the agricultural and stock-raising indus- tries of Davis county, one who has risen to a position of prominence in the public affairs of the county, and one whose parents were among the most honored pioneers of this section of the State. It is essentially demanded that due consideration be accorded him in this publi- cation.

A native son of Iowa, Mr. Hardy was born near the village of West Point, Lee county, on the 19th of July, 1847 .- His father, Thomas Hardy, who was distinctively one of the pio- neers of the State, and who was a man of ability and noble character, inet his death in a most tragic manner, as will be duly noted later on. Said Thomas Hardy was a native of the State of Tennessee, whence he came in his early manhood to Lee county, Iowa, where he settled on a tract of land to which he had en- tered a claim. There occurred his marriage to Sarah Patterson, who was a native of North Carolina, from which State her parents re- moved to Tennessee when she was still a child, and they afterward removed to Illinois, and eventually to Lee county, Iowa. In the fall

of 1851 Thomas Hardy reinoved with his fam- ily to Davis county, this section of the State having at that time been but slightly opened up to settlement. Arriving here he purchased a claim of land in Wycondah township, subse- quently securing other real estate in the coun- ty, until the area of his estate comprised 1, 900 acres. He was a man of intelligence and pro- gressive ideas, and his efforts were so directed that he would have eventually attained a high measure of success had he not met a pitiable and untimely death at the hands of a craven assassin.

During the late war of the Rebellion Davis county was more or less subjected to raids by armed bands of guerrillas and bushwhackers from Missouri, and these desperadoes invaded the country simply for the purpose of robbing and murdering peaceable citizens, the annals of the period bearing record of many atrocities thus committed. One of these bands, in Oc- tober, 1864, was prowling about in the vicinity of Mr. Hardy's home, and as he was driving along with a span of horses attached to a wagen he encountered a small party. The captain of the same ordered him to halt and then enquired as to the age of his horses. Upon being informed that they were five years of age, he made a demand that Mr. Hardy turn the animals over to him. The for- mer protested against thus resigning pos- session of his property without due compensa- tion. "I'll pay for them," said the captain, and simultaneously he drew a revolver and fired at Mr. Hardy, the shot taking effect near the right eye. The wounded man fell from his wagon, apparently dead, but he partially recovered and placed his hands over the ugly wound, from which the blood gushed forth and trickled through his fingers. In his intense suffering he ejaculated, "God have mercy !" whereupon the fiend incarnate drew a small pistol from his belt, stood over the prostrate form of his helpless victim, who was even then at the point of death, and taking delib- erate aim again inflicted a grievous wound! The shot did not have the desired effect and

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the villain was not yet satisfied with his das- tardly work, and muttering a curse between his clenched teeth he drew a Colt's navy re- volver and fired again! The crimson life blood poured in torrents from the mangled head of Mr. Hardy, the heart ceased to beat and the spirit of a good man winged its flight to its Maker. Such a deed causes the heart to sicken and the blood to chill even as the tale is rehearsed after all the intervening years, and there rises the hope that the ends of eternal justice may not be defeated. After rifling the pockets of his victim, the inhuman monster appropriated the money -- about $400-which he had thus secured, then remounted his horse and ordered the man who had accompanied Mr. Hardy to unhitch the horses. but the horses were not taken.

This he did, Other mem- bers of the band soon came up to the scene of the murder and questioned the captain as to his reason for having taken the life of Mr. Hardy. He replied, "Because he did not mind me, and I will kill any man that refuses to obey me." Thus is record given in regard to the pitiable death of a man whose life had been one of integrity and unwavering honor, one who had been devoted to his wife and children and one whose career was thus sum- marily ended just at the point of greatest use- fulness.

The mother of our subject remained on the old homestead until the time of her death, which occurred in December, 1886, and how well she tried to fill the place left vacant by the death of her devoted husband and to rear her children to honor his memory in thought, word and deed, only they can tell. The chil- dren were four in number: Isabella, the wife of J. J. Walkup, of Missouri; Edward G., who died in 1870; Baptiste, the immediate subject of this review; and Franklin P., who died in childhood.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 91

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