USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 40
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In 1858 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Armenia Smith, who was born in New York state in 1836, a daughter of Isaac and Sophronia Smith, also natives of that state. The parents went to Indiana shortly after their mar- riage and remained in that state for seven years, after which they moved to Wisconsin, where the father followed the cooperage trade in various sections. In the early '6os he moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, making his home first in Lansing and later in New Albin, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife has also passed away, dying in 1893. Fifteen chil- dren were born to their union, only two of whom survive, namely : Mrs. Armenia Robinson, and Sophronia, who married Louis Hayes, of Jefferson, Minnesota. Mrs. Robinson has one daughter, Minnie, the wife of George Lapham, a farmer of Waterloo township. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Robinson operated the homestead successfully until 1903, when she rented the property and re- tired. She is a woman of many excellent qualities of mind and character and is highly esteemed and respected wherever she is known.
Mr. Robinson gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was an earnest champion of the cause of education. He took an active and commend- able interest in every phase of public affairs, doing all in his power to promote the permanent interests of the community in which he had so long made his home and thus it was that in his passing Allamakee county lost one of its most representative and valued citizens.
ANTON A. FOSSUM.
Anton A. Fossum is numbered among the prosperous farmers and stock-rais- ers of Allamakee county, making his home on section 36, Makee township. He was born in Lands Prestegjeld, Norway. May 17, 1854, a son of Arne and Mary (Odde) Fossum, who were likewise natives of that country. In 1857 the par- ents came to America, and the father purchased a tract of one hundred and thirty acres in Makee and Center townships. He cleared this land and erected a log cabin, beginning life in the new world in true pioneer fashion. As time passed he prospered in his business and in due time the pioneer home was replaced by a brick dwelling, which, however, was not completed at the time of his demise in 1902. The wife and mother survived for only a few years, passing away in 1907.
Anton A. Fossum is the only survivor of a family of three children, and was but three years of age at the time the family emigrated to the new world, so that he has practically spent his entire life in Allamakee county. He was reared on
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the home farm, assisting in the work of the fields from an early age. He received his primary education in the country schools near his home, and later spent three years in the Lutheran College at Decorah, and three months at high school in Waukon. He subsequently engaged in teaching for a few terms, but eventually returned to the farm, caring for his parents until they departed from this life. Mr. Fossum then came into possession of the home farm, since which time he has remodeled and completed the house, built a good barn and other out- buildings, and now has a good tract of land comprising one hundred acres. Here in addition to raising grain, he is engaged in raising shorthorn cattle and shire horses, and is meeting with well deserved success in both branches of his business. Mr. Fossum took an active part in the promotion of the Farmers Cooperative Creamery Company of Waterville and is one of its stockholders. He also en- gages to some extent in dairy farming.
It was on the 9th of June, 1880, that Mr. Fossum was married in Makee town- ship to Miss Anna Olswold, who was born in Loiten, Hedemarken. Norway, and there made her home until she had reached the age of eighteen, when she came to America. Ten children have been born of this marriage, but four are deceased. Those who survive are: Albert, who is engaged in farming in Pierce county, near York, North Dakota ; Elmer B., who assists his father on the home farm; Caspar, who is in North Dakota with his brother Albert: Clara, who has received a good education and is now engaged in teaching at Lamberton, Minne- sota ; Annetta, who is a nurse in a Chicago hospital ; and Nina, who, since com- pleting her education in the college at Madison, Wisconsin, is engaged in teach- ing in Dresser Junction, Wisconsin, The deceased members of the family are : Oscar, who died in 1902, at the age of seventeen; Mary, who died in 1900, when nineteen years of age ; Bertha, who died at the age of two years, in 1886, and Ethel, who died in 1904, at the age of four years.
Politically Mr. Fossum is a republican, while in religious faith he is a Lu- theran. He has been school officer in the church and has held other official posi- tions therewith. Knowing the value of a good education, he has always been deeply interested in the schools and for many years served as president of the school board. He is a public-spirited man, possessing many noble traits of char- acter, and is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and friends.
WILLIAM BEARDMORE.
William Beardmore, who for the past forty-seven years has owned and operated a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Union City township, is known as one of the most progressive and substantial agriculturists of this part of Allamakee county, his labors through the years having been valu- able as factors in the general development and advancement of the state. He was born in England in 1849 and is a son of William and Sarah Beardmore, also natives of that country. The parents came to America with their family in 1853 and settled first at Wheeling, West Virginia, where for a time the father worked as a forger in a rolling mill. In 1865 they came to Iowa and William Beardmore, Sr., purchased a farm in Union City township, operating this property and also
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conducting a profitable blacksmith's shop until his retirement in 1903. Afterward he lived in Lansing for a short time and then moved to New Albin where he now resides, having reached the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife passed away in 1896 at the age of seventy-three. To their union were born ten children : William, of this review; Alfred, of Union City township; Agnes, the deceased wife of John J. Gilchrist, who has also passed away ; Lynn, who resides in Union City township; twins, who died in infancy; John, a butcher in Charles City, lowa ; Laura, the deceased wife of Joseph Sadler of Union City township; Ambrose, who has passed away ; and James Harvey, of Union City township.
William Beardmore was brought to America by his parents in 1853 and ac- companied them in 1865 to Iowa where he has since remained a prosperous and highly esteemed resident. In 1866 he purchased land of his own in Union City township, buying one hundred and sixty acres, thirteen miles up the river from New Albin, and upon this property he has since remained, having developed it during the forty-seven years into one of the finest and most productive farms in this part of the state. One hundred and sixty acres are under high cultivation, abundant harvests annually rewarding Mr. Beardmore's careful supervision and practical methods. In addition to tilling his fields, he is also extensively inter- ested in stock-raising, breeding and fattening cattle and hogs and raising horses.
Mr. Beardmore has been twice married. In 1876 he wedded Miss Eliza A. Sadler, who was born in Allamakee county and who passed away in 1879, leaving one son, William Edward, a stone mason in Union City township. In 1883 Mr Beardmore married Miss Mary Elizabeth Sadler, a sister of his first wife, both being daughters of William and Mary Sadler of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Beardmore have ten children : Harold E., who is connected with the First National Bank of Butte, Montana; Eben A. and Arthur A., who live at home: M. Hazel, engaged in teaching; and Stanley C., Charles G., Floyd A., Leonard J., Joseph J. and Frances D., all of whom live at home.
Mr. Beardmore gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is stanch in his support of its principles and policies although he never seeks public office. He is, however, now filling the office of justice of the peace and is prov- ing conscientious, able and efficient in the discharge of his duties. He is num- bered among the early settlers in this part of Iowa and has witnessed the greater part of its expansion and development, assisting in it in a substantial and im- portant way through the work along lines of agricultural progress which he has accomplished during the forty-seven years of his active identification with farm- ing interests.
JUDGE L. E. FELLOWS.
Judge L. E. Fellows, whose demise occurred on the 17th of July, 1912, was a pioneer in Allamakee county and for many years one of the most prominent and worthy men in public life in this section of the state. His birth occurred in Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, on the 22d of August. 1834, his parents being Hubbard and Mary Ann Fellows. He spent his childhood on his father's
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farm, acquiring an excellent education in the public schools, which he supple- mented by a course in an academy. As a young man he came west in 1857 and in that year made a permanent location in Allamakee county, securing a position as clerk in the county offices. He devoted his spare time to reading law and mastering the profession, won his admission to the bar of Iowa, May 29, 1862. He took up active practice, becoming rapidly successful and rising steadily to a position of prominence and importance. He became well known in public life and, when he turned his attention to politics, did able work in this field, winning election to the lower house of the state legislature. Upon the close of his second term in this office, his ability, his progressiveness and his firm stand on the side of legislation looking toward advancement and reform, were rewarded by his election to the senate, where he served with honor and distinction for four years, accomplishing a great deal of efficient and constructive work. He was honored by his fellow citizens by other official positions of trust and distinction, serving as a member of the board of trustees of the hospital for the insane at Mount Pleasant and as trustee of the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. In 1899 he was appointed judge of the thirteenth judicial district to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge C. T. Granger, and he was later elected to this position, serving by reelection for five consecutive terms and winning wide- spread recognition for his broad-minded, discriminating and judicious work.
In 1861 Judge Fellows was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary S. Reed, of Waukon, who survives. In their family were eight children : Wilson R. : A. M., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Laura F .; Mary F. ; Ella S .; Roger L .: Jennie ; and Liberty E.
In addition to his accomplishments along political and judicial lines, Judge Fellows was also keenly interested in the work of the Masonic order and was an active and useful member of the local organization. He held a number of higli official positions and in 1893 was elected grand master of the grand lodge, winning reelection in the following year. His life was at all times honorable and upright as well as useful and beneficial, and his death, which occurred July 17, 1912, at the age of nearly seventy-eight years, was a great loss to Iowa in the ranks of her pioneer settlers and of her honored public officials.
MRS SABINA McCRYSTAL.
That the true pioneer spirit is as manifest in women as in men is evident from the life record of Mrs. Sabina McCrystal, who was born in Linton township, Allamakee county, about three and a half miles from what is now Rossville, in the days when the most primitive conditions yet prevailed in this part of the state. Mrs. McCrystal has proven herself as capable as any man in the management of her one hundred and twenty acre farm, which she personally superintends and in its cultivation has found a gratifying measure of success. She is a daughter of Moses and Fannie (Snook ) Marble, both of whom were born in New York state, the former in 1814 and the latter in 1820. In 1835 they moved westward to Trum- bull county, Ohio. In his early manhood the father followed the wagonmaker's trade but later gave his attention to farming. Seeking the opportunities of the
MRS. SABINA MOCRYSTAL
.
ELLERY E. ROGERS
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middle west, he next removed to Illinois and thence to Iowa, making settlement in Clayton county in 1845. The year 1860 marked his arrival in Linton township, Allamakee county. There he became an extensive landholder, his farm lying near what is now Big Foot School, and there he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he moved to a place on sections 16 and 17, Linton township, in the cultivation of which he continued until his death in 1887. His wife had pre- ceded him to the Great Beyond about one month. At the outbreak of the Civil war Moses Marble enlisted in a volunteer company in Ohio but was never called upon for active service. In matters of citizenship he was loyal and conscientious and ever ready to serve his country. For a number of years he held the position of township trustee and was also elected to the office of justice of the peace, al- though he did not qualify for the office. He and his wife had seven children, among them, beside Mrs. McCrystal, being Charles H. Marble, who now operates the home farm in Linton township.
The memory of Mrs. McCrystal reaches back to the times when the rich farms of the present day were still broad prairies and wild animals and game were plen- tiful. She recalls to mind that often bear meat and venison were served on the family table, and a picture transfixed in her memory is that of her mother bend- ing over the old fireplace, broiling bear meat and venison. When about six years of age she and her brother, Charles H., of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work, experienced an adventure which has remained vivid with her on acount of the danger of the situation. The two children were sent to a near-by spring, in what was called the McGew hollow, for water, when hap- pening to look up they saw a large lynx crouching on the limb of a tree, ready to spring at the children. They hurriedly left the pail, making their way to safety and their father, who immediately fired a signal which brought the neighbors. Soon seven or eight of them had gathered, and going back to the place where the children had seen the lynx found the beast and succeeded in killing it. It certainly was one of the largest of its tribe, for measuring it with a fence rail they found that it was two feet longer than the rail. In the latter '50s, when the hunters used to come to that vicinity they made Moses Marble's place their headquarters. The first to come would build a log hut as long as one length of logs; the next would build his cabin onto the first one; the next would do likewise, and at one time this log building measured a length of twenty-seven logs and comprised twenty-seven compartments for the hunters. Mrs. McCrystal still well remembers all these details of the early pioneer times, the vast unbroken prairies and the wild nature of the surrounding hills. In fact there is probably no other resi- dent in this vicinity who has as clear a remembrance of the early times, as she is among the few who spent her childhood among these conditions.
Mrs. McCrystal resided with her parents until her first marriage, which took place on December 3, 1875. Her husband, Ellery E. Rogers, was born in Massa- chusetts on the ioth of June, 1848, a son of William Pitt Rogers. His mother died when he was a young man but he had before this event come to Iowa with his parents at the age of about sixteen. After he had passed his seventeenth birthday he began work for himself, finding employment in the pineries during the winter and doing grubbing during the summer months. He was so occupied until his marriage, carefully husbanding his savings, and at that period was able to buy a farm of fifty acres in Dry Hollow, Linton township, where Mr. and Mrs. Vol. 11-20
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Rogers made their home until about 1886, their agricultural labors resulting in gratifying financial returns. In that year they sold the farm and removed to Waukon, where Mr. Rogers engaged to some extent in the real-estate business, buying lots upon which he built and then selling them. He was so engaged for about two years, when he proceeded to northern Wisconsin, where he spent a season in the pineries and the remainder of the year at Oshkosh. Perceiving an opportunity to profit by building transactions in La Crosse, Wisconsin, he removed to that place, buying lots upon which he built and which he improved and later sold. After engaging about a year along that line he formed a partnership with a Mr. Hannerberg, and they bought a sawmill, which they brought to Scott Hol- low, Linton township. They operated the mill for a season, at the end of which time they sold out, and then Mr. Rogers purchased the farm upon which Mrs. McCrystal now resides. The first purchase comprised eighty acres, but Mrs. Mc- Crystal has since added thereto. It was valuable land and Mr. Rogers continued for the remainder of his life in its operation, improving the property and bring- ing his acres to a high state of cultivation. He erected substantial buildings and repaired those which were found on the farm, making it one of the most valuable in the vicinity. After a life rich in labor, but also rich in achievement, Mr. Rogers passed away on April 4, 1895. Although he was public-spirited and progressive and ever interested in movements undertaken for the general welfare, he never aspired to office. He was well known throughout the county and had established a reputation on account of his literary talents, being particularly gifted in the writing of poetry. His memory is still fresh with many of the older residents of the locality, who esteemed him as a purposeful man, ambitious to succeed but also considerate of the interests of others, never promoting his prosperity at the expense of someone else.
Mrs. Rogers continued to make her home on the farm, taking up its manage- ment and devoting herself to its improvement and development. In November, 1897, she married Daniel McCrystal, separating from him after twelve years, by mutual agreement. She is still actively engaged in the work of the farm and is ably assisted by an adopted son. As she had no children of her own, Mrs. McCrystal adopted, in 1902, an orphan girl, Daisy Belle Read, taking her from the Des Moines Orphan Home and bestowing upon her the love of a mother, rearing and educating her as her own child. Mary D. McCrystal, which name she gave her, was born September 20, 1894, and in April, 1912, married William Scott, of Mc- Gregor, and they now reside on a farm in Linton township. In April, 1903, Mrs. McCrystal adopted a boy from the same institution, named Clifford Burns, who was born August 16, 1894. He is now ably assisting his mother in the operation of the farm, thereby returning the kindness and love which she bestows upon him. Mrs. McCrystal now holds title to one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land which she still personally superintends. She also owns a fine building lot in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company. She hopes to spend the remainder of her life on the farm which has so long been her home and upon which she has expended so much of her labor and care. She en- joys in a high degree the esteem and confidence of all who know her and well merits the high regard which her friends entertain for her. Charitably inclined, she does everything in her power to ameliorate the conditions of those in need and ever opens her heart and hand to those who make appeal to her. One of the
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native-born pioneer women of this part of the state, she has watched primitive conditions give way to the onward march of civilization and has done her full share in bringing about the prosperous conditions enjoyed by the present genera- tion. Her history and that of Linton township are closely interwoven and there are few who can so interestingly recount the olden days and relate reminiscences of times which seem to the present generation more like fairy tales than realities.
ALFRED BEARDMORE.
No farmer in Allamakee county has attained greater or more deserved success in agricultural pursuits than has Alfred Beardmore, who since he became con- nected with this line of work in 1882 has gradually increased his holdings until he owns today three fine farms, all reflecting in their neat and attractive appearance his careful supervision and practical methods. He was born in Birmingham, England, in June, 1853, and is a son of William and Sarah Beardmore, also na- tives of England. They came with their family to America in that year and set- tled in Wheeling, West Virginia, where the father worked as a forger in a rolling mill until 1865, when they moved to Iowa, purchasing land in Union City town- ship, Allamakee county. In conjunction with his farming operations William Beardmore conducted a blacksmith shop for many years, dividing his time be- tween its conduct and the development of his land until his retirement in 1903. He moved to Lansing in that year but later took up his residence in New Albin, where he now resides, having reached the age of ninety-one. He has survived his wife since 1896, her death having occurred when she was seventy-three years of age. To their union were born ten children : William, Jr .; Alfred, of this re- view ; Agnes, deceased, who married John J. Gilchrist, who has also passed away ; Lynn, of Union City township; twins who died in infancy; John, a butcher in Charles City, Iowa ; Laura, the deceased wife of Joseph Sadler, of Union City township; Ambrose, deceased ; and James Harvey, of Union City township.
Alfred Beardmore was not yet one year old when his parents came to Amer- ica and he accompanied them in their various removals, acquiring his education principally in the district schools of Union City township. From his early child- hood he aided in the operation of his father's farm and when he began his in- dependent career naturally turned his attention to the occupation in which he had been reared. In 1882, when he was twenty-eight years of age, he rented land, but after four years purchased two hundred and twenty acres, a property which he still owns, although he has added to it extensively from time to time, having today three well improved and highly cultivated farms. One lies in Union City township, another, comprising one hundred and fifty-seven acres, is in Lansing township and the third. an excellent property of eighty-four acres, lies on the line between Lansing and Union City townships. All of his business interests are carefully and capably conducted, his holdings bringing him a gratifying annual income and his industry and enterprise placing him in the front ranks of pro- gressive and successful agriculturists.
In 1882 Alfred Beardmore was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jane Bul- man, a native of Union City township and a daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Bul-
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man, who were born in England. The parents came to America in the latter '40S and settled first in New Orleans, Louisiana, whence they went to Evansville, Indiana. There the father worked at his trade as a plasterer and stone mason but in the later '50s bought land in Union City township, Allamakee county, where he operated a farm until his retirement in 1888, having at that time accu- mulated extensive landed holdings. His wife passed away on the 18th of May, 1892. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom eight are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Beardmore became the parents of five children : Arthur, who died in infancy ; Thomas A., who was born in 1884 and who is now a lawyer in Charles City, Iowa ; Daisy E., who acquired her education in Waukon and who taught for six terms in the public schools; John H., who spent two years in the public schools of Iowa City and who also attended business college at Waukon ; and Earl F., who attended the Omaha public schools. The family are devout members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Beardmore gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is ac- tively interested in the growth and development of the community where he has so long resided, although this interest never takes the form of office seeking. He is a man whose genuine personal worth and sterling integrity have won him the confidence and respect of his fellowmen and whose industry and ability have not only contributed to his own success but have also enabled him to do much to ad- vance the agricultural development of the community.
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