USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 48
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tinue at least until she has brought up her children to mature age, so that they may enjoy the happiness of a good home and the advantages of farm life. Not only is she highly esteemed as a plucky woman of resource and ability but has the love and veneration of all who know her, on account of her womanly quali- ties of mind and the motherly care which she bestows upon her family. She is interested not only in her own future but also in the welfare of the community, and with a warm heart is ever ready to extend help to those in distress or need.
CHARLES HENRY MARBLE.
Charles Henry Marble, a progressive and practical farmer of Allamakee county, owning and operating seventy-five acres of land on sections 16 and 17, Linton township, was born in Clayton county, December 13. 1858. He is a son of Moses and Fanny ( Snook) Marble, both natives of Trumbull county, Ohio, the former born in 1814 and the latter in 1820. In early life the father followed the wagon-maker's trade but later turned his attention to farming. He emi- grated first to Illinois and then to Iowa, locating in Clayton county in 1845, and in Linton township, Allamakee county, in 1860. He became an extensive land- owner, his holdings lying in the vicinity of what is now Big Foot school, and he continued to operate them until 1883, when he moved upon the farm where the subject of this review now resides. He improved and developed this property for some time and died upon his holdings in 1887, having survived his wife one month and twelve hours. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he en- listed in a volunteer company in Ohio but was never called to the front. He was, however, at all times loyal and progressive in matters of citizenship and was always ready to serve his county when called upon to do so. He was trustee for a number of years and was elected justice of the peace, although he did not qualify for this latter office. He and his wife became the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom the subject of this review is the sixth in order of birth.
Charles H. Marble was reared upon his father's farm and at an early age became thoroughly familiar with the best agricultural methods. He continued to assist in the operation of the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age and then worked in the employ of others, continuing, however, to reside with his parents until their deaths. Ile succeeded to the ownership of the farm and has since continued to reside thereon, operating seventy-five acres of valuable land on the Yellow river, his holdings lying on sections 16 and 17. Linton town- ship. He here carries on general farming and has been very successful, for he understands his business thoroughly, is progressive in his ideas and practical in his methods. He is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and his ability is recognized and respected in business circles.
On the 9th of November, 1879, Mr. Marble was united in marriage to Miss Agnes J. Wallace, who was born near Farmersburg, Clayton county. She is a daughter of Jared T. and Mary L. (Wallace) Wallace, natives of New York state, the former born in 1834 and the latter in 1839. The father was a sailor in his early life and later followed the blacksmith's trade. He was an early settler in Iowa, locating in this state in 1848, and he grew to manhood here.
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afterward following the blacksmithing business in Clayton county. In 1877 he took up his residence in Sixteen, Linton township, and from there moved to what was then known as Bunker Hill. He followed the blacksmith's trade there and at Waukon Junction and then returned to Sixteen. A short time before his death he went to Jackson county, Wisconsin, on a visit to his brother and there passed away in 1879. His wife survived him many years, dying in May, 1908. He tried to enlist for service in the Civil war but was refused on account of an injured foot. He was, however, a stanch supporter of the Union cause and during his entire life loyal and public-spirited in matters of citizenship. Mr. and Mrs. Marble became the parents of two children, the elder of whom died in infancy. The other, Laura L., was born September 13, 1881, and is the wife of Charles J. Vaughan, a farmer in Linton township.
Mr. Marble gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has always been interested in the cause of education, doing capable and far-sighted work in its promotion as school director. Having spent practically his entire life in this community, he has drawn around him a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who entertain for him the highest respect and esteem, a fact which indicates that the principles which have guided his conduct have ever been those which govern honorable and upright manhood.
GEORGE H. DEEMER.
George H. Deemer is a man who owes his present success entirely to his own ability, industry and energy, for he began active life at a very early age and with very few advantages has steadily worked his way upward until he is today one of the substantial and prosperous farmers of Allamakee county. He was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1866, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Campbell) Deemer, both natives of that locality, the former born in 1832 and the latter March 3, 1833. In his early life the father was a blacksmith. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1866, locating in Jefferson township, one mile and a half northeast of Rossville, but soon after his arrival he disappeared and the fact that he was never afterward heard of led to the opinion that he had been murdered or had met with an accident the details of which will never be known. The mother and her family moved to Nebraska, but in 1872 returned to Allamakee county, where she has since resided, now making her home with the subject of this review.
George H. Deemer is the youngest of a family of four children. He acquired his education in district school in the vicinities of Rossville, Watson and Six- tecn, but when he was ten or twelve years of age he began earning his own live- lihood, securing a position as a cattle herder for a neighboring farmer. Later he worked as a farm hand and continued thus until his marriage, after which he moved to Nebraska, where he spent four years. Returning to Iowa, he made his home upon his mother's farm until 1907, when he bought the prop- erty upon which he now resides. He owns eighty acres of valuable land, prac- tically all under cultivation, and he engages in general farming and stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed efforts.
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Mr. Deemer was united in marriage to Miss Ula Biggs, who was born in Linton township in March, 1873, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Fitch) Biggs, natives of Ohio. The parents came to Allamakee county in the early '50s and located on the farm in Linton township whereon they resided for many years thereafter. They have now retired and make their home in Rossville. Mr. and Mrs. Deemer became the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other is Harold Hampton, who was born August 1I, 1912. Mr. Deemer is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Rossville and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving at the present time as secretary of the board. He is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Com- pany, his ability being widely recognized and respected in business circles. Since beginning his active career at a very early age he has steadily worked his way upward, using every opportunity that has come to him and brooking no obstacles which could be overcome by a persistent and earnest worker. He is today one of the substantial and progressive farmers of Allamakee county and holds the respect and esteem of his neighbors and friends.
JOHN RIDER.
John Rider, proprietor of the Valley Stock Farm, is one of the enterprising, progressive and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Allamakee county. He was born in Paint Creek township on the Ist of November, 1861, a son of Peter Rider, one of the early settlers of this county. The father, born in Ireland on the 20th of February, 1829, was brought to America by his parents, Peter and Elizabeth Rider, the family home being established in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1851 the family came to Allamakee county, Iowa, locating in Taylor town- ship, where both parents passed away. Peter Rider, Jr., father of our subject, became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on section 21, Paint Creek township, upon which he erected a pioneer log house which is still standing. He gave his time and attention to the improvement and development of this farm and in his agricultural pursuits met with most substantial success. In 1855 he was married in Allamakee county to Miss Ann McKigney, a native of Ireland and a daughter of John and Catherine McKigney, also natives of the Emerald isle. There the father died, while later the mother came to the United States and, locating in Allamakee county, Iowa, became one of the early residents of this section. Her daughter, Mrs. Peter Rider, died upon the Rider home- stead in 1895 and Mr. Rider's death occurred the following year at the home of his son John, with whom he resided after his wife's demise. They were earnest Christian people, faithful members of the Catholic church at Cherry Mound, and were held in high esteem by all who knew them. In their family were nine children, of whom five died in childhood, while Thomas passed away at the age of nineteen years. The surviving daughters are: Kate, the wife of James Kaveny, of Nebraska; and Elizabeth, who married Mike Norton, of Howard county, Iowa.
The other surviving member of the family is John Rider, whose name intro- duces this review. He was reared on the home farm, acquiring an excellent
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knowledge of agricultural pursuits under the direction of his father, and upon attaining manhood went into partnership with his brother-in-law, James Kaveny, in the purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of land. This they operated jointly for two years, after which Mr. Rider purchased his partner's interest and is now the owner of two hundred acres of well developed land. The farm is equipped with excellent improvements, all of which have been made by Mr. Rider, and the place, one of the attractive and valuable properties of the town- ship, is known as the Valley Stock Farm. In addition to his stock-raising inter- ests he carries on general farming, and the practical and progressive manner in which he conducts his various interests is proving productive of most enviable success.
In 1894 Mr. Rider was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hart, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Patrick and Jane (Tracy) Hart. Her father, who was born in Ireland on the 17th of March, 1830, came to the United States alone when nineteen years of age, locating first in Ohio. Later he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1852 became a resident of Allamakce county, here pur- chasing eighty acres of government land in Paint Creek township. This he cleared and improved, and that place remained his home until his death on the 23d of February, 1903. His widow, who was also born in Ireland, survives and makes her home with her children at Plainview, Minnesota. Mrs. Rider attended district school in the acquirement of her carly education, which was later supple- mented by a course of study in the seminary at Waukon. After leaving school she engaged in teaching, following that profession for twelve years prior to her marriage. By her union to Mr. Rider she has become the mother of seven children, all yet at home, namely : Jeanette I., Thomas J., Florence V., William E., Celia C., Hazel Marie and Helen E.
Public-spirited in large measure, Mr. Rider, however, has never engaged actively in public affairs, for the demands of his extensive agricultural interests have never left him time for outside matters. The name of Rider is well known in Allamakee county, where members of the family in three generations have resided, and John Rider has ever proved himself a worthy representative of an honored name. The high rank which he now occupies among his fellowmen is due not only to the success which he has gained for himself along agricultural lines but also to the honorable principles and upright purposes which have ever governed his actions.
ELLERY M. HANCOCK.
With the exception of brief periods spent in Milwaukee, Chicago and Decorah, Ellery M. Hancock has been a resident of Waukon for fifty-seven years and he has long been numbered among the leading and representative citizens of Allamakee county. He has been a prominent factor in the public life of the county but since 1906 has continuously devoted his attention to the insurance business. His birth occurred at Winchendon, Massachusetts, on the IIth of July, 1850, his parents being Moses and Sally L. (Alger) Hancock. The father, who was born at Templeton, Massachusetts, on the Ist of December, 1808.
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became a merchant and manufacturer of woodenware at Winchendon, that state. He was one of the selectmen of Winchendon, and at one time represented that town in the Massachusetts legislature. Leaving Winchendon in the spring of 1856, he made his way to Iowa and reached Waukon on the 9th of April. Here he embarked in the mercantile business in partnership with L. T. Woodcock, who had taken up his abode at Waukon two and one-half years before. Moses Hancock was called upon to serve the public in various capacities and acted as chairman of the first county board of supervisors in 1861. When he passed away in the year 1872, the community mourned the loss of one of its most respected and influential citizens. In 1832 he had wedded Miss S. L. Alger, by whom he had ten children, all of whom are deceased except the two youngest, namely : Ellery M., of this review, and George A., who is now a resident of Chicago. One of the sons, Frank E., enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, one of the three regiments to hold the "hornet's nest" during the first day's fighting at Shiloh-April 6, 1862. He was surrendered with his regiment and after spending six and one-half months in southern prisons passed away at Annapolis, Maryland, on the 26th of October, 1862, the first night after hav- ing been exchanged. George Alger, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation and a captain of militia in the War of 1812. He was a descendant of Thomas Alger, who settled at Taunton, Massachusetts, from England, about 1665. His daughter, Mrs. Hancock, died in the year 1877.
Ellery M. Hancock, who was a little lad of about six years when brought to this state by his parents, has resided in Waukon continuously since, with the exception of brief periods spent in work at the printer's trade in Chicago, Mil- waukee and Decorah prior to 1873. His education was obtained in the common schools. In the spring of 1868 he entered the office of the Waukon Standard to learn the printer's trade, working under the direction of R. L. Hayward & Company. A. M. May was at that time the editor of the paper. In 1873 Mr. Hancock purchased a half interest in the journal, Mr. May owning the remain- ing half. Business was carried on under the firm style of May & Hancock, for about nine years or until 1882, when Mr. Hancock retired because of ill health, and turned his attention to insurance. It was about this time that he compiled a history of Allamakee county. He became secretary of the Waukon independent school district, serving in that capacity for many years. He likewise served as township clerk of Makee township for several terms, and at the time of the incorporation of Waukon in 1883, was elected city clerk, acting as such until 1895. In 1894 he was chosen recorder of deeds for Allamakee county and served in that capacity throughout the following twelve years, being five times reelected by flattering majorities. His record as a public official, characterized by unusual efficiency and faithfulness, is one of which he has every reason to be proud. In 1906 he once more entered the insurance field and has since successfully con- ducted business along that line in connection with abstracts of title.
In 1881 Mr. Hancock was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte M. Wedg- wood, a daughter of Rev. John M. Wedgwood, who was for many years a loved pastor of the Waukon Baptist church and at one time superintendent of schools of Winneshiek county. The demise of the Rev. Wedgwood occurred in 1891. Mrs. Hancock is an alumna of Northwestern University, having previous to her marriage won the degree of M. D. from the Woman's Hospital Medical
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College, now affiliated with the Northwestern. She served for two years as an interne in the Chicago Woman's Hospital and spent a similar period at the Rockford (Ill.) Seminary as instructor in mathematics and as graduate nurse. Prior to that time she taught in the Waukon school and also in Winneshiek county, and was deputy county recorder the twelve years her husband occupied that office. Mr. and Mrs. Hancock have two daughters, both of whom are experienced teachers, beginning with country schools. The elder, Clara L., received the degree of Master of Didactics from the lowa State Normal School in 1906, and graduated from the Iowa State University in the Liberal Arts class of 1913. The younger, Harriet A., after preparatory work at the State Normal, has since taught in the graded schools of Decorah and Osage, Iowa.
Mr. Hancock has been actively interested in various fraternal societies, including the Iowa Legion of Honor, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America. He became one of the first members of the Waukon Military Company and was for many years a leading spirit in the organization, which has become a credit to the county. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Waukon Baptist church, to which his wife and daughters also belong. He is interested in all that pertains to progressive public movements and both in citizenship and in private life has manifested the sterling traits of character which everywhere command respect and regard.
AUGUST G. MEINERS.
One of the most active and enterprising young men in public life in Allama- kee county is August G. Meiners, now in the second term of his able service as clerk of the district court. He is a native son of Iowa, born in Union City town- ship, Allamakee county, February 22. 1882, a son of J. Gerhard Meiners, born in Prussia, Germany, in 1836. The father grew to manhood in his native country and there married, following his occupation of farming in Prussia and continu- ing his agricultural pursuits after his arrival in America. He crossed the Atlantic in 1868 and came direct to Iowa, making a permanent location in Union City township. He here purchased a tract of raw land and opened up a farm, later adding to his holdings until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, well improved and equipped in every particular. He there reared his family of ten children and still resides upon the homestead. He has survived his wife since 1891.
August G. Meiners grew up on his father's farm and acquired his elementary education in the common schools of Union City township. He was later for two vears a student in a German Evangelical school in Minnesota and afterwards attended a business college for two years and supplemented this by a year in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls and during summer school in the State Uni- versity at Iowa City. He early turned his attention to teaching and for ten years continued in this occupation, teaching in rural schools, as principal of graded schools and for three years as principal of the Waukon Business College. In 1910 he was nominated and elected clerk of the district court and after serving
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one term of two years was in 1912 reelected without opposition. He is still serving and is discharging his important duties in an able, conscientious and far- sighted way.
Mr. Meiners is still greatly interested in educational affairs and does all that he can to promote public educational advancement. He was one of the founders of the Farmers Institute and served for two terms as secretary of the organiza- tion. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is well known in Allamakee county, where he was born, reared and educated and where he has been identified with important phases of public life since beginning his active career. He has never been found faithless to a trust and is upright, straightforward and honorable in all things, a native son of whom the county has every reason to be proud.
GEORGE CLARK.
George Clark, one of the publie-spirited and progressive men of Franklin township whose labors have been of material and substantial value to the community in the line of general progress, is known throughout Allamakee county as the owner of the Forest Mills, wherein he manufactures graham and rye flour and all kinds of feed. He is, moreover, the owner of two fine farms, his holdings aggregating six hundred aeres of land, and he is classed with the most prosperous and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of the community in which he resides. He was born in this township, three miles east of Forest Mills, January 5, 1858, and is a son of Belfield Carter and Mary (Powell) Clark, the former a native of Tennessee, born in 1830, and the latter of Indiana, born in 1831. The father moved to Illinois when he was a young man and located at Woodstock, Illinois, whence in 1849 he moved to Iowa, entering land in Franklin township, Allamakee county, among the earliest pio- neers. Frontier conditions prevailed everywhere, a wilderness of prairie and timber lands stretched for miles on all sides, and wild game abounded in the forests. The tract which Belfield Carter Clark acquired was entirely unim- proved and a dense growth of timber had to be cleared away before the work of cultivation could be begun. With characteristic energy and determination he set himself to this work and it was finally accomplished, the farm gradually developing into one of the finest in this section of the state. The father con- tinued to make his home upon it until 1887 and then moved to the vicinity of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, where he resided for about one year. At the end of that time he returned to Iowa for a visit and here died in 1888. During his residence in this state he held various important local offices, serving his town- ship with credit and distinction and making his name known and honored as a progressive and public-spirited citizen. His wife survives him and now makes her home in Waukon, this county. She and her husband were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this review is the third in order of birth.
George Clark acquired his education in the district schools of his native township and from his childhood was familiar with the best and most practical agricultural methods, having gained this knowledge through personal experience
GEORGE CLARK
MRS. GEORGE CLARK
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upon the homestead. At the age of twenty he purchased land in Franklin town- ship and turned his attention to farming, continuing upon that property for about ten years. At the end of that time he disposed of his holdings and moved into Waukon, where until September, 1908, he engaged in bridge building and general contracting. Upon that date he returned to Franklin township and purchased what is known all over Allamakee county as the Forest Mills. In them he has installed modern equipment and he has given a great deal of at- tention to their operation since that time, manufacturing all kinds of graham and rye flour and also feed. In addition he operates a sawmill in the vicinity, both being old-established enterprises in this section of the state. The sawmill was erected here in the year 1854 and the gristmill built as an addition to it in 1868. Mr. Clark has kept them in good repair and modern in equipment and accessories and under his able management they are both valuable business concerns, yielding heavy profits annually. In addition to this enterprise Mr. Clark owns also six hundred acres of land in Allamakee county and operates this as two farms, both being well improved, well managed and productive proper- ties. He is interested in other business enterprises and is justly accounted one of the active, progressive and substantial men in this section of the state.
On the 26th of September, 1880, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Farnham, who was born in Wisconsin on the 6th of May, 1860, a daughter of Daniel I. and Elizabeth (Farington) Farnham, the former a native of New Brunswick. The parents came to Iowa about the year 1870 and located at Luana, Clayton county, where they resided for many years. The father is now living retired and he and his wife make their home with the sub- ject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have become the parents of three children. Floyd I., born January 11, 1884, married Miss Alice Winters, a native of this county, and he resides upon his father's farm in Franklin town- ship. Dora Isabelle, born August 3, 1888, is a teacher in the Waukon high school and resides at home. Gordon Lynn, born August 18, 1893, is also re- siding at home.
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