USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > Past and present of Allamakee county, Iowa. A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 7
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In 1856 Mr. Dayton came to Iowa, arriving at Hardin on July 1, where he engaged in surveying, assisting his brother, Joel Dayton, who was county sur- veyor. His first work was on the town plat of Hardin. He followed surveying
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henceforth as his chief occupation, although engaging in various other enterprises. In the winter of 1857-8 he taught the Decorah school, at forty dollars per month. He had one hundred and eighteen pupils enrolled, and one assistant, a Miss Farmer. He proved very successful, and his school exhibition on the closing day, April 2, 1858, drew a very large crowd. In 1858 he taught the summer school at Hardin, after which he again took up surveying until December, when he commenced teaching at Milton, or Village Creek, where he taught three win- ters, and then took the Lansing school for two years. During the intervals be- tween schools he put in his time surveying.
In the fall of 1864 Mr. Dayton organized a stock company for establishing a woolen factory, and the following year they built a large stone building and commenced operations early in 1866. Severe floods interfered with their work from time to time, and the mill was twice destroyed by fire, the last time in 1875.
Mr. Dayton was often honored with offices of trust. He was county super- visor from Lafayette township two years; county surveyor eight years; and clerk of the district court six years. When elected clerk of the courts in 1874 he removed to Waukon, where he continued to reside until his death in 1901. Here he served several years on the Waukon school board. After his third term as county clerk he operated a creamery at Village Creek, and later at Waukon, where he also established and operated a canning factory. Upon retiring from this he again took up civil engineering, in which he was actively engaged up to the time of his last sickness.
On August 27, 1866, Mr. Dayton married Miss Maria Aldrich, a most de- voted wife and mother, and a woman loved by all who knew her. Mrs. Dayton died June 3, 1911. To them were born six children, of whom three remain, viz : Walter, of Salt Lake City ; Mrs. Leona Heath, of Dallas, Texas; and Mrs. Anna Davenport, of Clear Lake, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton were members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Waukon, and he was one of the official board for a quarter of a century. It may be truly said that Mr. Dayton was known throughout Allamakee county, in his home life, as a neighbor, as a citizen, and as a public official, and that no man in the county had more friends than he in all the walks of life.
JAMES BROWN McWILLIAMS.
With the passing of James Brown McWilliams on March 11, 1896, Allamakee county lost one of its valued pioneers. His career furnished a link between the past, when crude conditions still prevailed, and the more modern era of the coming civilization of the twentieth century. A sturdy agriculturist, he passed practically his entire life in that vocation and attained to success by reason of his industry and energy. Although over seventeen years have passed since his demise his memory is still cherished by the older generation and the seed he has sown as one of those who have been prominent in the agricultural develop- ment of his district is still bearing fruit.
James B. McWilliams was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, near Mason- town, February 6, 1832, a son of Samuel and Sarah ( Huston) McWilliams, both
JAMES B. MªWILLIAMS _
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
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natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they passed their entire lives. The father was an agriculturist by occupation and prominent in his district. James B. McWilliams attended school in his native state and there was reared and grew to young manhood, marrying on March 15. 1860, Sarah E. Neeling, who was born at Mount Vernon, Chester county, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1840, a daughter of James and Anna (Cameron) Neeling. The father was also born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, but the mother called Maryland her native state. The father always followed agricultural pursuits and they came to Iowa in 1854, locating at National, Clayton county, where he engaged in the hotel business. Later the parents moved to Algona and invested in land which the father culti- vated with such good success that he was enabled to spend the latter part of his life in retirement in Algona, where he and his wife passed away.
The father of our subject had died in his native state when Mr. Mc Williams was but two years of age and when about twenty-two, he came to Iowa accom- panied by a brother and his wife. He first located at Colesburg, in southern Iowa, but after a few years returned to Pennsylvania. A year later, how- ever, he and a brother returned to Clayton county, Iowa, taking up land in Meadow township, and there he continued until he came to Postville, where for five years he made his home, when a removal was made to a farm near this city, to the cultivation of which he gave the rest of his life. For thirty-seven years he made his home in this district and during that long residence gained a reputation as a straightforward, reliable and honorable man in all of his deal- ings. He built up a substantial fortune and upon his death left his wife and children sufficient to set them up independently in life. Mr. and Mrs. McWil- liams became the parents of ten children, of whom six, four sons and two daughters, survive. Those born to this union were: Huston, who died at the age of eleven months; George, a resident of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, where he is engaged in the real-estate business and is a large landowner ; May, the widow of Edward Clough, residing in Eureka, Montana ; Edgar, who passed away in June, 1896, at the age of twenty-five years; Minnie, who died at the age of five; Zilla, whose death occurred at the age of three years; Vergil, an assistant bank cashier, who resides at Chester, Iowa; Carey, a druggist of that city ; Emmet, cashier of the German Savings Bank of Chester; and Ethel, the wife of F. J. Thoma, who is engaged in the grocery business at Postville.
The death of Mr. McWilliams occurred on March 11, 1896, and was caused by a lamentable accident brought about through ptomaine poisoning. All of the family were taken sick but Mr. McWilliams was afflicted so severely that he was unable to withstand the shock and after two weeks' illness passed away, deeply mourned by his immediate family and a large circle of friends who had learned to esteem him for his manly qualities of character, his sturdiness, his straightforwardness and for what he had done in promoting advancement and development. His political adherence was at first given to the democratic party but he later affiliated with the republicans, always keeping intelligently informed upon all public questions, although he never desired public office. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic lodge at Garnavillo and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. It was on March 13, 1896, that the last remains of Mr. McWilliams were laid to rest in the Postville cemetery, the Rev. L. S. Hand Vol. 11-4
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officiating. A large gathering of friends and neighbors had come to do the last honors to one who had been much to them and who had ever had their full esteem and confidence. Mrs. McWilliams survives and now makes her home in Postville, where she is highly esteemed and respected for her womanly quali- ties of character and that sweet, charitable view of life which makes her beloved by all who know her.
CHRISTOF SANDER.
Christof Sander, carrying on general farming and stock-raising upon two hundred acres of land in Post township, comprising one of the finest agricultural properties in the locality, is numbered among the earlier settlers in Iowa, his residence here dating from 1870. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 16th of January, 1849, and is a son of Juergen and Dora (Sander) Sander, also natives of that province. They never came to America. The father engaged in farming in his native country during all of his active life, owning a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres in Hanover.
Christof Sander spent his early childhood in the fatherland and attended school there for eight years. When he was sixteen years of age he turned his attention to farming, working at that occupation in the employ of others until 1867, when he left Germany and came to America, landing in New York, May I of that year. He pushed immediately westward to Wisconsin and located in Sac county, where he worked upon farms for three years, coming at the end of that time to Clayton county, lowa, near Postville. His capital at that time consisted of seven dollars. He obtained work as a farm laborer and as such continued for four years, after which he rented land for twelve years. During that time by the exercise of unremitting industry and practical economy he saved enough money to purchase a farm of eighty acres and to this he has since added from time to time, the place now comprising two hundred acres, all under a high state of cultivation. Success has steadily rewarded his well directed labors and his farm is today one of the finest in this section of Iowa, well equipped with modern buildings and machinery and reflecting in its excellent condition his many years of care and labor. Mr. Sander engages in general farming and stock-raising on an extensive scale, keeping hogs, cattle, sheep and horses. He is also interested in chicken raising and is a stockholder in the Farmers Coopera- tive Store of Postville.
On the 16th of April, 1875, Mr. Sander was united in marriage to Miss Caro- line Schultz, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, on the 30th of January, 1859, a daughter of Jochen and Katherine ( Miller) Schultz, who came as pioneers to Clayton county, Iowa, but later removed to Winneshiek county, the father fol- lowing farming. Both have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Sander became the par- ents of eleven children : George, who was born on the 24th of May, 1876, and is now engaged in farming in Franklin township: Emma, whose birth occurred February 13, 1878, and who married John Dederick, a farmer of Winneshiek county : Ida, who was born on the 12th of April, 1880, and is the wife of Charles Schute, a farmer in Clayton county : Otto, who was born September 14,
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1882, and is a carpenter in Postville: Carl, who was born December 27, 1885, and is also engaged in carpentering in that city ; and Konrad, born April 23, 1888; Walter, August 30, 1892; Esther, October 14, 1895: Mahala, January 5, 1897; Eldo, January 6, 1900; and Caroline, May 25, 1904.
Fraternally, Mr. Sander is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Brotherhood of America. A resident of this part of Jowa for over forty years, he is well and favorably known, his business integrity, loyalty in citizenship and sterling qualities of character having gained for him the respect, confidence and esteem of all his associates. He is one of Allamakee county's successful men and his prosperity is the more creditable to him since it has been gained entirely through his own energy, hard work and unremitting industry and is the result of many years of well directed and practical labor.
RAY F. TOPLIFF, D. D. S.
One of the most able and progressive dentists in Allamakee county is Dr. Ray F. Topliff, now practicing in Postville. He is a native of this county, born two miles west of the city, May 19, 1884, a son of Jolin Nelson and Rachel Elizabeth (Reed) Topliff. The father was born in Newark, New Jersey, on the 24th of July, 1836, his parents being Elias and Sarah (Woodworth) Topliff, the former of whom was born August 30, 1801, and died November 26, 1860, while his wife died on the 4th of May, 1854. It was in the fall of 1847 that John Nelson Topliff accompanied his parents on their removal from Milford, Ohio, to Jowa, the journey being made with two two-horse teams and one single horse. They arrived at Monona on the 26th of November, 1847, that being just south of the Winnebago reservation, and Elias Topliff took up the first claim on that reservation before it was surveyed and before they had the protection of the government from the Indians, as the red men did not move from the territory until the following June. In the family of Elias Topliff were six sons and four daughters, of whom three sons and two daughters are still living.
In early life Jolin Nelson Topliff engaged in teaming prior to the advent of the railroad, and during those pioneer days he experienced many of the hardships and difficulties which came to those who settled on the frontier. For two years after his marriage he made his home in Waukon and then removed to the old homestead farm two miles west of Postville, where he resided until 1891, since which time he has lived retired in Decorah, Iowa. In connection with general farming he also engaged in the nursery and fruit business and met with excel- lent success in his undertakings. On the 2d of January. 1869, he became a Master Mason, joining the lodge at Postville, and has since been an exemplary member of that order.
On the Ist of July, 1860, in Waukon, John N. Topliff was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Elizabeth Reed, who was born in Ohio. June 21. 1841, a daughter of David and Mary ( Allen) Reed, the former of whom was born June 27, 1799, and died in March, 1880, while the latter was born May 9, 1814, and died February 4, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Topliff became the parents of the following children: Charles Louis, born December 28, 1862; John Nelson, Jr., born
.
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November 11, 1863 : Anna Grace, who was born July 3. 1868, and died November 25, 1877: Frank Rolla, who was born February 6, 1875, and died October 25. 1877 ; and Ray F., the subject of this interview.
In the acquirement of an education Dr. Topliff attended the Decorah public schools and after graduating from the high school entered the dental college of the Northwestern University at Chicago, graduating with the degree of D. D. S., in 1906. He began the practice of his profession in West Union, but after one year came to Postville, where he has since engaged in practice. His office is one of the most modern and best equipped in this part of the state and his prac- tice is very large, requiring the constant services of an assistant. He is at present furnishing and equipping a new office in the bank building on Main street and expects shortly to move to his new location. He is a constant student of the mod- ern and advanced methods which are being at all times introduced into the prac- tice of dentistry and he is today one of the most able exponents of these methods. His large patronage is a proof of the excellent results he has already accomplished and in his ability and knowledge he possesses a guarantee of future professional progress.
Dr. Topliff was married on the ioth of November, 1910, to Miss Josephine M. Lennon, who was born in Decorah, August 26, 1885, a daughter of Joseph M. and Alice ( Webster ) Lennon, the former a native of Racine, Wisconsin, and the latter of Decorah. Her father, who followed farming during all of his active life, came to lowa in early times and grew to manhood in this state, acquiring his education in the public schools in the vicinity of Decorah. He began his inde- pendent career by purchasing land between Decorah and Frankville and became in time an extensive landowner. He retired from active life about the year 1897 and removed into Decorah, where he and his wife still reside, but he still super- vises the management of his landed interests.
Dr. Topliff is a member of the Iowa State Dental Society, of the Alumni Association of Northwestern University and of Xi Psi Phi. He belongs to Brotherly Love Lodge, No. 204, A. F. & A. M., and is identified also with the Order of Eastern Star. He is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is well known in social and fraternal circles of the city, where his many fine qualities have gained him high regard, while in his profession he has won that prominence which comes only in recognition of merit and ability.
AARON B. COOK.
In 1907 after more than thirty-eight years' close identification with farming interests in Allamakee county, Aaron B. Cook moved into Postville where he has since lived in retirement, having earned rest and leisure by many years of earnest, honorable and well directed work in the past. A spirit of enterprise and deter- mination has actuated him in all that he has done and his work has been of a high order, touching and influencing the trend of agricultural development in this part of the state. He was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, September 15, 1840, and is a son of William and Ursula (Burr) Cook, natives of New York, born
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near Utica. The father was one of the pioneers in Michigan, going there when the present state was still a territory, and identifying himself with general farm- ing in St. Joseph county where he remained until 1868 when he went to Mott- ville, where he turned his attention to the real-estate business in which he con- tinned until his death, September 5. 1878. He was prominent in public affairs in St. Joseph county and held various positions of trust and honor, serving for several years as county commissioner. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1849. In their family were eight children, of whom the subject of this review is the sixth in the order of birth.
Aaron B. Cook acquired his early education in the public schools of Mott- ville and was later a student in White Pigeon Seminary. When he was nineteen years of age he began teaching, spending the winter months at this occupation and attending school during the summers. Afterward, however, he turned his atten- tion to farming, buying land in Elkhart county, Indiana, where he remained about two years. He followed this by two years upon his father's farm in Michigan and then, in 1867, came to Iowa, having since continued a resident of the state. At first he rented land in Ludlow township, Allamakee county, but after two years purchased eighty acres in Post township, whereon he resided continuously for thirty-eight years, becoming, in the interval, one of the most prominent and substantial farmers in this section of the state. When he took up his residence upon this property it was wild and unimproved, but with character- istic energy he set himself to the task of clearing and developing it, steadily carry- ing forward the work along practical and scientific lines. From time to time he bought more land and added it to his holdings until they today comprise two hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land. In connection with the work of the farm, he not only threshed for himself and neighbors during the season- owning successively three threshing machines-but he also taught in the district schools during the winter season, becoming, through his able and successful work, one of the leading educators of the county. He was, as may readily be seen, an indefatigable worker, possessed of the ability to divide his energies without impairing their force and he had, moreover, that knowledge of men and the power of judging their capabilities, which enabled him always to hire efficient and honest employes, a great deal of his success being due to this fact alone. In addition to the activities above mentioned, he was also for some time president of the publishing company which controlled the District Post, the second paper in Postville and known as the greenback paper of this district. Mr. Cook is at present manager of the cooperative Postville canning factory and has proven himself a reliable and far-sighted business man as well as a successful educator and a capable farmer. In 1907 he removed from his farm into Postville and is now living practically retired, giving most of his attention to the supervision of his extensive interests.
Mr. Cook married, on the Ist of April, 1860, Miss Caroline Machemer, who was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1838. She is a daughter of William and Catherine (Seeman) Machemer, natives of that section of the Keystone state. For many years the father followed farming, but in later life turned his attention to the mercantile business, operating a large store in Constantine, Michigan, whither he and his wife went in 1855. There the mother died in 1878 and she was survived by her husband until 1893, his death occurring
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when he was eighty-seven years of age. Of their family of eleven children, Mrs. Cook is the sixth in the order of birth. She grew to womanhood in Penn- sylvania and acquired her education in the public schools of that state. She and her husband became the parents of seven children. Flora, the widow of O. D. Franklin, of Postville, was born May 7, 1861. She is now a teacher in the Post- ville public school. James Albert was born December 8, 1862. He is a resident of Keller, Washington, where he is engaged in teaching. He married Myrtle Hoagland, a native of Chickasaw county, Iowa. Carrie L., who was born Sep- tember 29, 1866, is the widow of Orrin M. Franklin and makes her home in Waterloo, Iowa. Myrtle M., born February 14, 1872, became the wife of Elmer McGhee, of the European Hotel, of Cedar Rapids. Perry E. was born Novem- ber 25. 1874, and still resides on the home farm. He married Miss Stella Uhl. Charles B. was born October 17, 1877, and died May 21, 1908. His wife was in her maidenhood, Miss Estella Hammel. Gwendolyn, youngest child born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, was born February 10, 1882. She is the wife of Walter Camp- bell, secretary of the Cooperative Creamery Company of Postville.
Mr. Cook attends the Methodist Episcopal church, although he is not a mem- ber of any religious denomination. He gives his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party and is actively interested in public affairs, being always ready and willing to cooperate in movements for the general welfare. He has held impor- tant offices, serving with credit as justice of the peace for sixteen years, as town- ship trustee and as secretary of the school board. In all relations of life he has proved honorable, upright, straightforward and efficient and, in the county where he has resided for almost forty years, his name is a synonym for progressive citizenship, business ability and high standards of personal and political integrity.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HANKS.
Through a residence of about thirty years in Allamakee county, George Wash- ington Hanks firmly entrenched himself in the affection and regard of those with whom he came in contact, while his business ability gained him a place among the representative and valued residents of this section of the state. From 1862 until his death in 1891 he resided continuously upon his farm lying partly in this and partly in Clayton county and each year added something to his high standing in the community to the agricultural development of which he made such substantial and lasting contributions. He came to lowa in 1859.
Mr. Hanks was born in West Almond, Allegany county, New York, on the 8th of October, 1834, and is a son of Rufus F. and Cynthia ( Knight ) Hanks, natives of Greenwich, Connecticut, the former born, September 4, 1802, and the latter, September 29, 1799. The father was a cooper by trade and an expert car- penter and joiner, as well as a blacksmith, and he worked at all of these occupations, first in Connecticut, and then in Pennsylvania, whither he went in 1837. In that state he also followed farming, owning an excellent property which, however, was largely operated by his sons. He was one of the pioneers in lowa, locating in Wayne township, Crawford county, in early times and making his residence
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there until his death, which occurred in 1880. He had survived his wife only a short time, her death having occurred six weeks previously.
George Washington Hanks was the eighth in a family of twelve children. He acquired his education in the district schools in Pennsylvania and at the same time became a proficient and capable farmer, learning the best and most practical agricultural methods by personal experience upon his father's property. Under his father he also learned the cooper's trade, becoming an expert carpenter, joiner and blacksmith, and he did a great deal of this kind of work in his father's different shops. On the 24th of April, 1859, he left Pennsylvania and came to Iowa, settling in Clayton county where he rented land, turning his attention to general farming. He was very successful and was eventually able to purchase a fine property of his own upon which he moved June 12, 1862, and whereon he continued to reside until his death. For a time he worked at his trade in con- nection with his farming operations, but later concentrated his attention upon the development of his land, becoming one of the most prosperous and successful farmers in this part of the state. Starting with forty acres, he added to his holdings as his financial resources increased and he owned finally two hundred and seventy-three and one-third acres, one hundred and thirteen of which lay in Clayton county and the remainder in Allamakee. Upon it he made substan- tial improvements, his progressive and modern spirit leading him to introduce all the newest and best machinery, and to keep the buildings which he ereeted in good repair. In addition to the development of his fields, he gave a great deal of attention to stock-raising and eventually operated the farm as a general stock farm, whereon he bred and raised pure-blooded animals. It was he who intro- duced Polled Angus cattle in this vicinity and he did a great deal of important work in improving the breed. For thirty years he steadily carried forward the work of developing his homestead and his well directed and practical labors were at length rewarded by a success which placed him in the front ranks of the county's progressive farmers.
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