USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 11
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Mr. Shaffer was a democrat in politics and his religions faith was in- dicated by his membership in the Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Vol. II-7
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church of Vermillion township, to which his widow still belongs. She is also a member of the Ladies Aid Society of that church and takes an active and helpful interest in the various lines of church work, doing all she can to further the cause and to promote the upbuilding of the denomination, having been class leader for nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have long been held in high esteem here and at his death the former left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
ELISHA S. DE NOON.
Elisha S. De Noon, proprietor of the Appanoose Cafe and one of the most influential. able and successful business men in Centerville. is a native son of Appanoose county, born October 16, 1859, on a farm in Bellair township. He is a son of E. S. and Julia Ann (Fouts) De Noon. the for- mer a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, of German and French ancestry. The father of our subject had learned the cooper's trade and worked at it for some time, eventually, however. abandoning it in favor of teaching. in which he engaged for twenty years. He was a well educated and cul- tured man, a wide reader and a deep thinker and was therefore successful in his chosen work. He held a certificate issued by the board of education in 1837. When he was still a child he left his native state of Maryland and went to Ohio. locating in Ashland county, where he grew to manhood and began his independent career. In June. 1846, he came to Appanoose county and as a pioneer settler located two miles southwest of Numa, where he entered one hundred and twenty acres of land. Upon this prop- erty he lived until 1862, when he sold the farm and moved to Lincoln township, where he became prominent in business affairs. Later he removed to Seymour, Jowa. and helped open the first stock of goods in the first general store in that city, elerking in the same establishment for over fifteen years. After he came to Bellair township he gradually became well known in many different lines of activity, serving for twelve years as justice of the peace. He was one of the organizers of the first Baptist church in Appanoose county and was at all times interested in the spread of Baptist doctrines. The last years of his life were spent with his chil- dren and his death occurred in 1881. in Wayne county, Iowa. at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Blacklidge, who resides two miles west of Corydon. During the course of a long, useful and active career he left the impress of his marked individuality upon the community affairs and his death was felt as a distinct loss to the general interests of this sec-
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tion of the state. His wife passed away in Bellair township in March. 1860.
Elisha S. De Noon acquired his education in the public schools of Lincoln township and in Seymour, Iowa, studying in the latter city when the first graded schools were established. His childhood was spent upon his father's farm and he remained at home even after he had attained his majority. When he was twenty-five years of age, however, he came to Centerville and for many years was employed as a clerk, securing his first position with the firm of Lloyd & McCoy. He was afterward connected with an establishment owned by Ike Brooks and later worked for J. M. Willets. For four and one-half years he clerked in a wholesale grocery store conducted by T. R. Riggs & Company but in 1908 established himself in business independently. He opened a restau- rant on one of the principal streets in Centerville and was very successful in its conduct, selling out at a profit after two years to A. Zanning. After disposing of his business Mr. De Noon became connected with a well known four house of Kansas City as a traveling salesman and for a num- ber of years represented their interests throughout all of southwestern Iowa. On the 26th of October. 1912. however, he resigned his position and opened the Appanoose Cafe in Centerville, having already secured a gratifying patronage. Much of his success is due to the fact that he possesses that executive force and power of control which is necessary in the management of any large business enterprise, while his strict integrity of character and straightforward business methods have also been important factors in his prosperity.
On the 17th of April. 1880. Mr. De Noon was united in marriage to Miss Rosa A. Campbell, a daughter of Luther M. and Cinderella (Dud- ley) Campbell, the former born in Lee county, lowa, and the latter in Ohio. Mrs. De Noon's father is of New England ancestry, his father having been a native of Vermont. At an early date Luther M. Campbell came west to Iowa and took up government land three miles northwest of Centerville, upon which he established a sawmill. He also did work as cabinet-maker, having learned that trade and also that of millwright in his youth. For many years he has made his home upon his lowa farm and has now reached the age of seventy years. During the period of his long and active career he has been one of the great individual forces in the upbuild- ing and development of Appanoo-e county, to which he came as a pioneer. His first wife passed away in 18,8 and in 1880 Mr. Campbell wedded Miss Minnie Staley, a daughter of Alva Staley, a farmer and carpenter. who formerly made his home just north of Centerville. Mr. and Mrs. De Noon became the parents of two children. Clarence E., a window
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trimmer in North Platte, Nebraska, married Miss Claudie E. Patrick. He is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Elks and in the Modern Woodmen of America. The other son born to Mr. and Mrs. De Noon is Luther E., who is associated with his father in business. He is prominently connected with the Court of Honor in Centerville.
Mr. and Mrs. De Noon are devout adherents of the Baptist church and are well known in the community in which they reside as people of exemplary character and upright lives. Mr. De Noon has professed the doctrines of the Baptist church for the past twenty-seven years and during that time has made his influence felt in religious circles. Fraternally he belongs to Centerville Lodge, No. 3553, M. W. A., and to the Court of Honor. His wife also belongs to the latter organization. Mr. De Noon gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and takes an intelli- gent interest in public affairs, although he has never sought official prefer- ment. Centerville numbers him among her most valued residents and the respect and esteem in which he is held by his many friends is an indi- cation that his life has been at all times honorable, upright and straight- forward.
STEPHEN A. KELLY.
At the time of his death Stephen A. Kelly was connected with the coach and car department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Centerville. He was always a resident of the middle west and pos- sessed the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant feature in the development and upbuilding of the upper Mississippi valley. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, August 30, 1843, and is a son of John and Margaret (Boyd) Kelly, who were natives of Ireland and of Penn- sylvania respectively. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed might be secured on this side of the Atlantic, the father made his way to the interior of the country, settling in Hancock county, illinois, in the '3os. There he entered land from the government and at once began to turn the sod and prepare the tract for cultivation. Throughout his remaining days he car- ried on farm work there, his life's labors being ended in death in 1862, when fifty-five years of age.
The youthful days of Stephen A. Kelly were passed in Illinois and his education was acquired in the district schools. He lived upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors incident to its
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development and cultivation. After his parents died he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the property and continued the cultivation of the fields until November. 1889. when he sold his interests in linois and came to Centerville. Iowa. Here he entered the employ of what is now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, in connection with the car and coach department, and thus continued throughout his remaining days or for a period of twenty years. His long continuance with the company well indicates his efficient workmanship and his fidelity to the interests of those whom he represented. He died in May, 1908. after a short illness, leaving behind him many warm friends.
It was in October. 1875, that Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Amanda M. Riggs, a daughter of William and Amelia Riggs, who were natives of West Virginia. Her father was a farmer by occupation and upon his removal to Illinois in 1855 purchased a tract of land in Han- cock county, which he cultivated and improved until he was called to his final rest, passing away in January, 1883. His wife survived him until November, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Kelly became the parents of three children : Chloc, who is the wife of Dr. W. B. Miller, of Centerville; Jennie M., who is the wife of John B. MeNeal, superintendent of the Egypt Coal Company of Mystic. Iowa: and Frank L., who is employed as an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Mrs. Kelly holds membership with the Methodist church but her husband was a member of the Catholic church. In politics he was a democrat but did not seek nor desire office. for other duties and interests always claimed his time and attention. He did not seek to figure prominently in any public connection but those who knew him recognized his genuine worth and entertained for him warm regard.
MORGAN EDWARDS.
At different times through an active business life Morgan Edwards was engaged in the flour, feed and milling trade and in farming. but whatever occupied his attention was sure to claim his energies and in- dustry to the utmost. for he was an enterprising man, prompted by land- able ambition in all that he undertook, and it was only when ill health forced him to retire that he put aside business cares. His birth occurred in Centerville. Ohio, his death in Centerville, lowa. His natal day was September 1. 1849, and his parents were John Abraham and Anna
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(Morris) Edwards, both of whom were natives of Great Britain, the former born June 16, 1821, and the latter in 1815. Both came to the United States in 1838, and John A. Edwards settled in Gallia county, Ohio, where later he wedded Anna Morris. For several years there- after they remained residents of the Buckeye state and in 1859 came to lowa, locating in Monroe county. The father was a miller by trade and met with substantial success in that undertaking, becoming owner of milling properties at Centerville and Moulton in Appanoose county and at Albia in Monroe county, remaining in that line of business throughout the rest of his days.
Morgan Edwards was a youth of ten years when his parents came to lowa and acquired the greater part of his education in the schools of Monroe county. He there learned the miller's trade of his father and later he and his brother engaged in the milling business on their own account at Albia. Iowa, operating a mill there until the ill health of Morgan Edwards forced him to retire. He then operated a farm, in Appanoose county. belonging to his father and took up his abode thereon, giving to it careful supervision until 1907, when he became a resident of Centerville and established a flour and feed business. That undertaking claimed his time and energies until his health again failed, when he retired. spending his remaining days in Centerville. where he passed away in January. 1911. He had made a creditable record as a business man. was energetic and in- dustrious, and his honorable dealings were also a potent factor in his prosperity.
On the 17th of February, 1870. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ann Clark, who was born near Albia, Iowa, February 13. 1851, a daughter of John and Sarah (Bishop) Clark, the former born near Oxford, Massachusetts, December 9, 1817. and the latter at Bedford. Lawrence county, Indiana, May 2, 1832. They were married near Albia. January 3, 1850, the father having become a resident of Iowa in 1841, at which time he took up his abode in Monroe county. There he continued to reside until called to his final rest on the 2d of August, 1906. His wife survived him for less than a year and died near Center- ville, March 5, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards became the parents of ten children. Mary Gertrude, born November 11, 1871, was married October 10. 1901. to Albert A. Stewart, who died March 4. 1902. Ira Evan, born February 9. 1873, was married February 14, 1900, to Mae Kerchner and died June 20, 1903. Frederic Arthur, born April 24. 1874, was married December 24. 1903, to Katherine Cobb and now resides at Mount Ayr, Iowa. John Clark, born March 8, 1876. after completing his education in public
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schools of Iowa, worked upon the home farm for his father until he was thirty years of age, when he came to Centerville and accepted a position with the Adams Express Company. After acting as driver for a short time he was appointed agent and has had charge of the interests of the company here continuously since. He was also interested in the Hour and feed business with his father for a short time and is known as a repre- sentative business man of the city, enterprising, progressive and deter- mined. He is a valued and popular member of the Elks lodge, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Royal Arcanum. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he holds membership with the Presby- terian church. Grace Ann, born November 2, 1877, became the wife of Ray D. McCauley, April 15, 1896, and they reside at Moravia. Kate, born October 24. 1879, was married November 13, 1900, to Charles Pewthers and they reside in Indianola, Iowa. Charles, born June 15, 1882, was married in May. 1906, to Mae Bonse and they reside in Center- ville. Martin Clever, born April 29, 1887, was married April 7, 1908, to Birdie Tuttle and they also live in Centerville. Dora Lynn, born January 15, 1891. is at home. Harry, born December 2, 1892, died at birth. Mrs. Edwards resides at No. 508 South Twelfth street with her two daughters and her son, John C. The family has long been well known in this city and throughout the county and Mr. Edwards was numbered among the men of sterling worth, a well spent and upright life gaining for him the high regard, confidence and good-will of all with whom he was associated. The years of his business activity brought him substantial success and he left to his family not only a comfortable com- petence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
JAMES M. ZIMMER.
James M. Zimmer, long in public office, is filling the position of justice of the peace, in which connection his decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon both the law and the equity in the case. His official record has always been commendable by reason of his unfaltering fidelity to duty. Judge Zimmer is a native of Caldwell county, Missouri, born April 14, 1841. His father, John H. Zimmer, was born in New York and at an early period in the development of Missouri became a resident of that state, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for some time. He afterward enlisted for service in the Indian war under General A. C. Dodge. He came to lowa in 1841, when this state was still under
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territorial rule, and took up his abode in Davis county. In 1848 he re- moved to Appanoose county, which was still a frontier district. the greater part of the land being wild and undeveloped, while only here and there a little cabin was to be seen showing that the work of civilization and . improvement had begun. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land and at once began the arduous task of turning the fur- rows and cultivating the fields. In early manhood he had wedded Eliza D. Jackson, a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and after they had lived upon the Appanoose county farm for two years she was called to her final rest in 1850. Mr. Zimmer subsequently married again and bought an- other farm six miles north of Centerville, which he operated until 1862. He then enlisted as a member of Company F, Thirty-seventh Iowa In- fantry, known as the Graybeard Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war, doing duty mostly at Rock Island, Illinois, in guarding prisoners. He then returned to his home, but his health had become greatly impaired during his service and eventually resulted in the loss of his mind, so that he passed away in the hospital at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1875, when seventy-two years of age.
James M. Zimmer was but eight years of age when he came with his parents to Appanoose county, where the greater part of his life has been spent. His education was largely acquired in the schools here and his youthful experiences were those that usually fall to the farm lad. There were four sons in the family and they as well as the father all enlisted, James M. Zimmer becoming a member of Company D. Sixth Iowa In- fantry, with which he served for four years, doing active duty on many a southern battlefield. He was captured in the engagement at Shiloh and was held as a prisoner of war in Alabama.
When victory had crowned the Union arms Mr. Zimmer returned to Centerville and for some time was employed in a printing office, after which he engaged in driving stage for a year west of this city. He next worked on railroads as a member of an engineering corps for about three years, after which he went to Unionville, Missouri, where he conducted a livery barn for five years. Subsequently he was employed in the woods of that state for three years and in 1884 he returned to Iowa. Since 1890 he has almost continuously filled office, having in 1890 been elected constable, in which position he was retained by reelection for eight years. He was then elected justice of the peace and served for two years, after which he was defeated. In 1905 he was once more chosen for the office and has served since, presiding in able manner over the justice court.
On the 30th of May, 1894, Mr. Zimmer was married to Ella Morgan Sturdivant, a daughter of Timothy Sturdivant and Bridget (O'Donnell)
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Morgan, who were natives of Ireland. The father came to America at an early day, settling first in Ohio and subsequently in Missouri, where he continued the cultivation of a farmi to the latter part of his life. He died when ninety years of age and his wife has also passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer occupy a pleasant and attractive home at No. 516 North Third street, which he owns, and in addition he is a stockholder in the Centerville Interurban Company. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which finds in him an earnest and active worker. He belongs to John L. Bashore Post. No. 122, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades, with whom he delights to recall scenes and incidents connected with the war. He is ever as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag upon the battle- fields of the south, bravely endeavoring to preserve the Union.
SOL ROSENBAUM.
Among the men of Centerville who have attained an honorable place in business circles because of their ability, shrewdness and dominating ambition is Sol Rosenbaum, who is operating a large furniture store in the town. He was born in Russia in November, 1870, and is a son of Moses and Etta (Rosenbaum) Rosenbaum, both natives of that country. In Russia the father was a successful grain dealer but in 1883 emigrated to America and settled in Omaha, whence after two years he went to What Cheer, Iowa. After four years in that city he went to Oskaloosa and there worked as a peddler for about seven years. When he came to Centerville he followed the same occupation but after five years went to Ottumwa, where he engaged in the shoe business, in which he is still active.
Sol Rosenbaum acquired his education in Russia and in 1886 came to America and joined his parents in What Cheer, Iowa. He accompanied them to Oskaloosa and then to Centerville, where he engaged in the second hand furniture business. Gradually he eliminated the second hand line and now deals exclusively in new goods, handling a modern, complete and up-to-date stock. His store is located at 308 North Twelfth street and occupies two stories and a basement. In its management Mr. Rosenbaum has shown a practical business instinet, which, controlled by his shrewd ability and ambition and guided by his high integrity and honesty of pur- pose, has won him a large patronage and made him very successful in its conduct.
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On October 25, 1896, Mr. Rosenbaum married Miss Rebecca Ritehel, a daughter of Max and Rosie (Zetlovski) Ritchel, natives of Russia. The father was a farmer in his native country but abandoned this occupa- tion after coming to America. He crossed the Atlantic in 1890 and located in Centerville, where he was active in the grocery business until his retirement in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenbaum have three children : John Lewis, aged fifteen; Harry, fourteen years of age; and Mildred. aged five. Mr. Rosenbaum has in the course of years been drawn into important relations with the general business life of Centerville and is one of the best known men in business circles of the city. He owns an attractive home at 312 East Wall street and two other fine residences, which he rents out. He is also a stockholder in the Centerville Gypsum Company and his aid can always be relied upon in the promotion of worthy enterprises. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees but beyond this has no fraternal affiliations. He holds membership in the B'nai Israel congregation and is loyal in his adherence to the faith of his fathers. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he is never active in official life. His success has been accomplished by the sheer force of hard work and not even the most envious could begrudge it to him. so worthily has it been won and so well used.
GEORGE S. PRATT.
With the early development and improvement of Iowa George S. Pratt was closely associated. He was one of the stage proprietors of pioneer times and later a hotel proprietor in Centerville. He watched with interest the progress of events resulting in the transformation of the country and at all times bore his share in the work of progress and im- provement. He was born in New York. August 17. 1822. a son of John and Martha Pratt. His education was acquired in the Empire state and he drove a stage there from the age of twelve years until he came to Iowa with his parents in 1849. The family home was established in Jefferson county where the father engaged in business and there George S. Pratt again became a stage driver, being thus employed in the southern part of Iowa for a number of years or until the building of the railroad. He then turned his attention to the hotel business in Centerville. con- ducting a hostelry for a number of years and running a livery stable in conjunction therewith, after which he went to Nebraska and carried on farming for a few years. In all that he undertook he met with pros-
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perity. owing to capable management and wise direction of his in- terests. U'pon his return from Nebraska to Centerville he retired from business life, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the ist of January. 1895. occurred the marriage of Mr. Pratt and Miss Belle Fischer. a daughter of Isaac and Araminta ( Fisher) Fischer. the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Pratt was born in Louisville, Kentucky. August 4. 1853. and came to Iowa with her mother in 1857. They went to live on a farm with her grand- father near Corydon. Iowa. Her father, who was a physician. removed to Ohio in early life and there practiced medicine until his death. which occurred in 1855. His widow long survived him. passing away August 24. 1891.
The death of Mr. Pratt occurred November 7. 1906. and was the occasion of deep regret to many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt had no children but by a former marriage Mr. Pratt had one son. Alfred. who resides in Centerville. where he was formerly engaged in the hotel business. Mrs. Pratt also reared her sister's son. who was left motherless when but ten days old. His name is George Williams and he is now attending high school in Centerville.at the age of seventeen years.
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