USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 12
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Mr. Pratt was one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in Centerville and was always loyal to the teachings and tenets of the craft. He belonged also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. He held to the religious faith of the Christian church while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. His was an upright. honorable life. in which he held to high principles of manhood and citizenship and thus won the esteem and kindly regard of those with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Pratt owns and occupies a pleasant home at No. 525 North Ninth street and many friends enjoy its hospitality.
THOMAS CROXTON.
Thomas Croxton is conducting a hotel and boarding house at Center- ville. continuing in the business for the past three years. He was born in Ohio. January 19. 1852. a son of Thomas and Lydia ( Gaston ) Croxton. who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father devoted his lite to farming, which he carried on until his death, which occurred a
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few months before the birth of his son Thomas. The mother survived until January, 1888. She came to Appanoose county in 1854 and re- sided here throughout her remaining days, being well known in pioneer times and in the later period of development here.
Thomas Croxton was but two years old when brought by his mother to lowa, and in this county was reared and educated. When old enough to earn his living he started out for himself as a farmer, renting a tract of land which he cultivated for a few years. He then bought and im- proved eighty acres which he also operated for some years, and on selling out he once more rented land. His time and energies were given to farm- ing until 1908, when he removed to Plano, this county, and for one year was engaged in the livery business there. He next returned to Centerville where he opened a hotel and boarding house on West State street. For more than three years he has now conducted the business and throughout the entire period has been accorded a liberal and well merited patronage. He makes a close study of the comforts and wishes of his patrons and thus has always been able to have his house well filled.
On the 9th of March, 1876, Mr. Croxton was married to Miss Sophia J. Wales, a daughter of John and Susan (Wales) Wales, who were natives of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Croxton had six children, as follows: Israel B., a farmer of Appanoose county; Walter, who makes his home at Plano; Blanche, the wife of George Ware, of Centerville; Lydia I .. who married Henry Chuesberg; and two, who passed away in infancy.
Mr. Croxton votes with the republican party and keeps in touch with the questions and issues of the day, but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business undertakings. Practically his entire life has been spent in this county where for almost six decades he has been a witness of the growth and changes which have transformed it from a wild frontier region into a populous and prosperous section. He can relate many interesting incidents of the early days and as one of the pioneer residents of Appanoose county he well deserves mention in this volume.
MRS. MELISSA A. HENRY.
Mrs. Melissa A. Henry, of Centerville, was born near Wheeling. West Virginia, March 8, 1844, when that state was still a part of the Old Dominion. Her parents were Samuel and Mildred ( Mitchell) Haught, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The father
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was both a miller and wagon maker by trade and his activities in industrial lines included blacksmithing and carpentering. He followed those dif- ferent pursuits in West Virginia for a number of years but became a resident of Appanoose county during the pioneer epoch in its history and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Johns township. This he at once began to clear, cultivate and improve, continuing its operation up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 9th of March, 1897. His widow long survived him and died in 1912.
Their daughter, Melissa A., spent her girlhood days in her native state and began her education in the public schools there, but in her girlhood she had the misfortune to have her feet frozen and this forced her to remain at home for three years, passing the time largely in study. She is therefore a self-educated woman. She remained with her parents up to the time of her first marriage, which occurred in 1861, when she became the wife of Jacob Cumberledge, a son of George and Elizabeth ( Lance) Cumberledge, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Cumberledge was a farmer by occupation and in 1872 removed with his family to Ap- panoose county, where he invested in two hundred and forty acres of land in Johns township. He immediately began the development and further improvement of this place and was soon recognized as one of the enter- prising, progressive and highly respected farmers of the locality. To his original purchase he added another tract of one hundred and thirty acres and continued the cultivation of all of his land up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1894. The only interruption to his business career came at the time of the Civil war, when he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving for nine months. He afterward became a member of the Grand Army post, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his comrades who wore the blue uni- form at the darkest hour in the history of the country.
Mr. and Mrs. Cumberledge became the parents of nine children : Alice, who is deceased; Samuel G., a druggist of Oklahoma; Mary E., who is the wife of Ed Harrington and resides in Utah; Calista, who makes her home in Webb City, Missouri : Effie, the wife of William Elgin. of Walnut, Iowa; George F., a resident of Oklahoma; Valiska and Leona. both of whom have passed away; and Isora, who is the wife of J. E. Moore, a farmer of Appanoose county. The death of the husband and father in 1894 was the occasion of deep regret not only to his immediate family but also to many friends, for he lived an upright and honorable life, was straightforward and progressive in business, loyal in citizenship and possessed many pleasing social qualities.
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After the death of her first husband Mrs. Cumberledge became the wife of Absalom Henry, who is now in Nebraska. She owns and occupies a pleasant residence at No. 802 West Washington street and also owns another residence property at No. 724 West Washington street. Her long residence in the county has made her widely known and she has many warm friends who esteem her highly for her sterling worth.
H. CLAY ADAMS.
H. Clay Adams, partner in the Red Cross Drug Company and well known in Centerville as an active, able and progressive business man, is a native of Iowa, born in Sigourney, March 4, 1882. His parents were Henry C. and Sophronia (Mintecr) Adams, both natives of lowa, the father having the distinction of being the first white male child born in Washington county. He grew to maturity in that section and for a num- ber of years worked at the blacksmith's trade. Later he was elected sheriff of Keokuk county and served with ability and conscientiousness from 1878 to 1882. Under President Cleveland's administration he was appointed to the Indian service and was stationed first at Fort Defiance, Arizona. and later at Fruitland, New Mexico. He was an honored vet- eran of the Civil war, having served through four years of that conflict as a member of Company D, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. His death occurred in New Mexico in 1893, in which year he was accidentally drowned. His wife survived him two years, dying in 1895.
H. Clay Adams acquired his education in the public schools of Sig- ourney and when he laid aside his books secured employment in a drug store and continued in this position for three years, registering in 1902. In 1903 he came to Centerville and entered into partnership with A. J. Weller, under the name of the Red Cross Drug Company. The enterprise which they conduct is run along progressive and modern business lines and the success of the undertaking is attributable in no small measure to Mr. Adams, whose careful and systematic methods and keen business discern- ment constitute an important element in the attainment of prosperity. Since coming to Centerville Mr. Adams has made some judicious invest- ments and has now important realty holdings, including his fine home at 704 West Washington street and other valuable residence property. He is a stockholder in the Centerville Savings Bank.
On the 20th of April. 1904. Mr. Adams married Miss Effie M. Wendt. a daughter of David O. and Emma (Heiser) Wendt. natives of Penn-
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sylvania. The father followed farming in that state for a short time but came to Sigourney in early times and bought land, which he has operated since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Adams became the parents of a son. Henry C., who is six years of age. Mrs. Adams is a devout member of the Meth- odist church and fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but never seeks public office. Early realizing that persistent labor is the basis of all honorable success, he has put forth diligent effort and has secured a gratifying trade by reason of his honest dealing and his sincere desire to please his patrons.
WILLIAM B. HAYS, LL. B.
William B. Hays, one of the younger and popular members of the legal fraternity in Appanoose county, has won an enviable reputation in professional circles as a practicing attorney of Centerville. His birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1875. his parents being Harry H. and Mary (Boyd) Hays, who are likewise natives of that county. The father comes of Yankee stock, while the mother is a lady of Scotch-Irish lineage. They were married in Guernsey county, Ohio, and are living on a farm there. Harry H. Hays being a farmer and stock dealer. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Rey- olutionary war and suffered with the patriots at Valley Forge.
William B. Hays, who was the first born in a family of three sons and two daughters, obtained his early education in the district school of his home locality and subsequently attended the high school at Martins Ferry. Ohio, being graduated therefrom in 1895. During the following ten years he taught school in order to defray the expenses of a college course, teaching for one year in the district school of his home locality, for a sim- ilar period in district school of Wayne county, Iowa, and for eight years in the high school at Corydon, Iowa. In the summer months he had attended summer sessions at Drake University of Des Moines and at Central University of Pella, Iowa. In the fall of 1907 he left the Corydon high school as principal and entered the law department of the University of Iowa, being graduated therefrom with honors in 1910 and winning the degree of LL. B. Coming to Centerville. he opened an office here and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his pro- fession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an
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assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its con- duct. He is a member of the Appanoose County Bar Association.
In 1901 Mr. Hays was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Lowe, a daughter of John and Ann Lowe. The father was a native of Ken- tucky and an agriculturist by occupation. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy until the outbreak of the Civil war and then joined the party of Lincoln, supporting its men and measures until his demise, which occurred at Corydon, Iowa, in 1903. His widow, who is a native of Mis- souri and comes of Yankee stock, now resides in Centerville with her daughter, Mrs. Hays.
Mr. Hays is a stanch democrat in politics and in 1912 was made the candidate of his party for the office of county attorney. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Centerville, to which his wife also belongs. They enjoy the warm regard of many friends and the hospitality of their own home is greatly appre- ciated by those who know them.
GEORGE W. DEAN.
A man loyal in friendship, faithful in citizenship and honorable in all business relations passed away when George W. Dean was called to his final rest in Unionville, February 28, 1909. He had then reached the age of nearly seventy years and practically his entire active life was spent in Appanoose county, so that he was among its oldest residents, having been a witness of its growth and development and an important factor in it. As a successful farmer and the owner of the Peerless Hereford Stock Farm he made his influence felt upon the advancement of two of the most important industries in the state and in all work of progress he was an . active participant, his honorable, upright and well spent life gaining him the unqualified respect and esteem of his fellowmen. Mr. Dean was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, May 24, 1839, a son of Levin Dean, one of the pioneer settlers in Appanoose county. The father was a native of Kentucky and in that state was reared and educated, removing as a young man to Howard county, Missouri, where he married Miss Missouri Ann Evans, also a native of Kentucky. In 1846 they came to Appanoose county, casting their lots with the pioneers who were reclaiming the wild land for farming purposes. With characteristic energy and resolute pur- pose the father of our subject opened up a new farm just west of Union-
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. DEAN
LEVIN DEAN
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ville and steadily carried forward the work of its development and im- provement until his death, making it finally one of the most valuable properties in the state. His wife survived him for many years, dying in Moravia at the advanced age of eighty-seven. In their family were seven children: Elizabeth, deceased; Jesse, who died in the Rebel prison at Tyler, Texas, during the Civil war; Sarah and George W., our subject, both of whom have passed away; Mrs. Mary Harn, of Glendale, Cali- fornia: Mrs. Martha MeCauley, deceased; and Erastus, who is living in Unionville. Levin Dean was one of the prominent figures in local whig politics during pioneer times and after the birth of the republican party gave active support to its principles and policies. He and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George W. Dean spent his childhood upon his father's farm in U'dell township and continued to assist in its operation for many years. In a little log schoolhouse he began his education which he supplemented and broadened by wide and careful reading, deep thinking, experience and observation. In August, 1862, he offered his services to his country as a member of Company C, Thirty-sixth Jowa Volunteer Infantry, and went immediately to the front. He was wounded in the engagement at Marks Mills and taken prisoner and held by the Rebels until September, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the service, holding the rank of sergeant. Previous to his enlistment Mr. Dean, in 1860, had located on a farm which had been given to him and his wife by her father. After the war. however. he settled on eighty acres he had bought himself and continued to reside upon this property until 1906. He added to his holdings from time to time and finally acquired two hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, one mile south of the town, and became widely known as one of the most successful farmers in the state. Early in his career he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, R. M. Hicks, now of Centerville, and began the breeding of registered Hereford cattle, afterward becoming one of the most prominent representatives in this line of work in lowa. When Mr. Hicks removed to Centerville Mr. Dean pur- chased his interests and conducted the enterprise alone. His property was called the Peerless Hereford Stock Farm and his herd of from sixty to one hundred high-grade animals was known all over the state and rep- resented standard quality. Mr. Dean sold for breeding purposes alone. Later he took his son. Emil, into partnership with him and in 1906 turned over to him the farm and moved into Unionville, where he died on the 28th of February. 1909.
On January 11, 1866, Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet C. Baldridge, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of W. C. and
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Harriet Jane (Miller) Baldridge, who came to Iowa in pioneer times, settling in Appanoose county, five miles west of Unionville, in 1849. There the father bought a farm which he afterward sold and moved to the vicinity of Iconium, where he and his family resided for some time. Later he returned and purchased property near his original location and there remained until his death in 1867, when he was forty-seven years of age. He was a stanch democrat and active in his adherence to the partys' principles. His religious views were in accordance with the doc- trines of the Methodist Episcopal church. After his death Mrs. Bald- ridge married William Miller and they continued to reside upon the farm for a number of years, Mr. Miller finally retiring and moving to Union- ville, where his death occurred. His widow survives and has reached the age of eighty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Dean became the parents of eight children. William F., the eldest. is a physician and surgeon in Osceola, Iowa. He married Miss Rachel Smith and after her death wedded Mrs. Jossie Dukes, who had one child. Marie, by her former husband. Maggie J. is the wife of J. C. Campbell, of Hastings, Nebraska, who is employed in a lumberyard at that place. Ralph L. died at the age of eight years. Ella D. is the wife of Jacob B. Smith, a farmer and rural mail carrier of Udell township. They have three children, Alta, Dean and Dwight L. Arletta married Henry E. Morrison, of Topeka, Kansas, and both are deceased. They had two children. Paul B .. who is married, and Mildred, both residing in Topeka. Earl M. is a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan College at Mount Pleasant. He is residing at present in the vicinity of Nyssa, Oregon, where he owns and operates a large ranch. He married Miss Stella Hale, of Kansas City, and they have one child, Dorothy. Emil E. attended the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, and is now residing in Payette. Idaho, where he owns and operates a fruit farm. He married Miss Mattie Allen and they have one daughter. Mar- garet. Lucile D., who studied music in the Iowa Wesleyan College, is the wife of A. M. Johnston, a fruit grower of Payette. Idaho, and they have one son. George Finley.
In his wife Mr. Dean found a worthy helpmate who at all times has proven a blessing to the household and in an important way, by her counsel and wise management, has forwarded the best interests of the family. She and her children are devout members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Unionville and for many years she has taught in the Sunday school. Her mother and her daughter are also active in this work and four generations of the family are today factors in the spread of Methodist Episcopal doctrines in this section. Mr. Dean also gave devoted adherence to this religion, accepting its principles as one of the funda-
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mental beliefs of his life and basing his actions upon his faith. He was a stanch republican and from the time he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln gave helpful and progressive support to its principles and policies. Mr. Dean was a charter member of the Masonic lodge and for nine years served as worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was one of the oldest residents in this section of lowa and was continuously con- nected with its development and advancement, watched its progress from pioneer times and took a leading part in all that pertained to the general good.
JACOB B. SMITH.
Jacob B. Smith, the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, U'dell township, has for the past six years served as a mail carrier on R. F. D. Route No. 2 out of Unionville, His birth occurred on Soap creek, Davis county, Iowa, on the 6th of June, 1864. his parents being Paris S. and Nancy Jane (Jones) Smith, who are natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was of Dutch descent and a native of Philadelphia. Coming to Iowa, Paris S. Smith took up his abode near Bloomfield, Davis county, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits until the time of his retirement in 1902, when he removed to Blakesburg. He has now attained the venerable age of eighty-four years, while his wife is eighty years of age. On the ist of April, 1911, at Blakesburg, they celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Jacob B. Smith obtained his early education in the district schools of his native county, later attended the high school at Bloomfield and sub- sequently pursued a course of study in the normal school at that place. He then followed the profession of teaching for two years and on the expiration of that period took up a homestead in Rawlins county, Kansas. where he resided for one year. Returning to this state, he was here married and then took his bride to Kansas, where he remained for tive years and proved up his claim. After again returning to lowa he settled in Appanoose county and for twelve years devoted his attention to the operation of rented farms west of Unionville. In 1906 he sold his Kansas claim and purchased and located on his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres which lies just south of Unionville. He leaves the active management of the property to his sons, his time having been largely occupied during the past six years by his duties as a mail carrier on R. F.
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D. Route No. 2 out of Unionville. Mr. Smith and his son Dwight carry on general farming and breed registered Hereford cattle from the Peer- less herd of Herefords raised and bred in this county for years by his father-in-law, George W. Dean.
On the 7th of January, 1885, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Dean, her father being George W. Dean, a farmer and stockman of Udell township, who is deceased and a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children, Alta L., Dean and Dwight L.
Politically Mr. Smith is a republican. He is widely recognized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America at Unionville, while he and his wife and daughter are all members of the Order of the Eastern Star at that place. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their children belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Unionville, Mrs. Smith and her daughter Alta forming the younger half of the four generations that are active workers in that church. The life of Mr. Smith has been one of continuous activity, characterized by close application, untiring persever- ance and well directed effort. and success has come to him in substantial measure.
WILLIAM H. BROWN.
One of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Centerville is William H. Brown, who since 1900 has been connected with the store of M. B. Maring. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois. December 12, 1853, and is a son of David and Louisa ( Brooks) Brown, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. The father was a carpenter by trade and in the '4os went to Ogle county, where he was connected with building operations until 1859. He then removed with his family to Kansas when it was yet a territory and there worked at his trade in a town called Black Jack, receiving fifty cents per day for his labor. After two years they were driven out by the Indians and the famine, Mr. Brown trading his homestead of one hundred and sixty acres for a team of horses, harness and wagon, with which he traveled to Missouri. That was in the spring of 1860. Soon afterward he offered his services to the gov- ernment as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in Company D. Twenty- second Missouri Cavalry, with which he remained for four and one-half years, or until victory crowned the Union arms. He then returned to
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Missouri, purchased a home and worked at his trade a part of the time while the remainder of his time was devoted to general agricultural pur- suits. He cultivated rented land in addition to his forty acre tract and for a number of years he successfully carried on farming in that state. In 1895, however, he came to Mystic, Appanoose county, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in April, 1899. when he was seven- ty-five years of age. for he was born on the 9th of February, 1824. His wife, who was born JJanuary 10, 1823, passed away April 21, 1885.
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