USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 14
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GEORGE E. CLIMIE.
George E. Climie, one of the well known and representative citizens of Centerville, has spent his entire life in this county and in former years was actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits. Since 1902, however, he has been engaged in business as a dealer in pianos and in this connection has enjoyed a gratifying patronage. His birth occurred on a farm six miles east of Centerville on the ist of April, 1867, his parents being Andrew and Araminta (Loop) Climie, who were of Irish and Scotch descent respectively. The father was born in Canada in January, 1835, while the mother's birth occurred in that country on the
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26th of October, 1838. Andrew Climie came to lowa as a young man but at the end of a year returned to Canada and was there married. In 1858 he removed to Van Buren county, this state, and the following year came to Appanoose county, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by purchase until it comprised several hundred acres. He was actively engaged in the work of the fields until 1909, when he disposed of his land and took up his abode in Centerville, where his demise occurred in 1911. His wife was called to her final rest in 1910. Both were devoted and consistent members of the Baptist church of Centerville. Andrew Climie was a resident of Appanoose county for more than a half century and gained a wide acquaintance as one of its honored pioneer settlers.
George E. Climie obtained his early education in the district schools and later continued his studies in the Centerville high school. Subse- quently he spent five terms as a district school teacher and then purchased a farm of three hundred acres in Vermillion township, being successfully engaged in its operation until 1898. In that year he was elected sheriff of Appanoose county, leased his farm and came to Centerville. On the expiration of his first term as sheriff he was reelected, ably serving in that capacity for four years. In 1902 he embarked in his present busi- ness, having since handled the Chase, Kimball, Milton, Hammond, Winkel, Kohler, Campbell and Chickering pianos. He is likewise a stock- holder in the Mutual Telephone Company of Centerville and has long been numbered among the prosperous business men and substantial citizens of his native county.
In 1890 Mr. Climie was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Dale, a daughter of James and Malinda ( Long) Dale, natives of Indiana. The father was born in Madison county in 1840. while the mother's natal year was 1843. James Dale came to Appanoose county, Jowa, when a youth of seventeen and it was here that he married Miss Malinda Long. who had come to this county about the same time. Throughout his active business career he was engaged in farming and stock buying and became one of the most extensive landowners of the county, owning twelve hun- dred acres of well improved and valuable land at the time of his demise. He made a specialty of raising and shipping cattle on an extensive scale and retired from active business in 1895. coming to Centerville, where he made his home until called to his final rest on the 2d of January, 1902. After losing his first wife, in 1863, he married Miss Ida Bobo, who passed away a few years later. Subsequently he wedded Miss Sarah Kirkman. who survives him and resides in Centerville. Mr. and Mrs. Chimie have
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two children, namely: Clyde, who was born on the 10th of October, 1891, and is employed as clerk in the store of J. J. Frankel at Centerville; and Lloyd Dale, who was born September 8, 1894. and is now a senior in Centerville high school.
Mr. Chimie gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Pythias. the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is interested in various measures relating to public progress and improvement and his cooperation can be counted upon to further projects for the general good, yet his time and attention are chiefly concentrated upon his business affairs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Climie have always lived in Appanoose county and have an extensive circle of friends here.
IRVIN ANDREW MORRISON.
Irvin Andrew Morrison, who is living in retirement in Unionville after having spent thirty-eight years in agricultural pursuits and stock- raising in Union township, is a native son of Appanoose county, born Feb- ruary 25, 1847. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Byers) Morrison, the former a native of Ireland who came to the United States with his mother when he was still a child, locating in Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject was a native of that state, born in Mercer county, Novem- ber 11, 1812, of an old New England family. The parents married in the Keystone state and in 1846 removed to Appanoose county, where the father took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Udell township. With characteristic energy he cleared the property, put the un- broken soil under the plow and gradually developed a model agricultural enterprise. He remained upon his property until his death. which occurred in 1874, being long survived by his wife, who passed away in 1890. To their union were born eight children: Caroline and William Calvin, both deceased; John D., a retired merchant of Topeka, Kansas: Elizabeth and James H., both of whom have passed away; Irvin Andrew, of this review ; Mary, who married John McMurray, a fruit raiser of Auburn. California : and Esther, the wife of James Leitzell, a farmer of Altamont. Illinois.
Irvin Andrew Morrison acquired his education in the subscription and public schools of Appanoose county and grew up on his father's farm. becoming early familiar with the pioneer conditions which then existed and with the details of practical argriculture. In 1869 he and his two
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brothers purchased two hundred acres of land on section 23, Union town- ship. Later Mr. Morrison purchased his brothers' interests and to this tract added eighty acres, of which he afterward sold forty. Upon the remainder of the tract for a number of years he engaged in general farm- ing which he abandoned in 1907, when he rented the farm and came to Unionville, where he purchased a beautiful home in which he lives retired. He owns two hundred and forty acres on section 23, Udell town- ship, upon which he has made all the necessary improvements and to which during the days of his activity he gave his earnest attention, making it one of the most valuable properties in this part of the county.
In 1870 Mr. Morrison was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Noland, a daughter of Joshua and Frankie (Lowe) Noland, both of whom were born in Estill county, Kentucky, the former on the 22d of February, 1812, and the latter on the 10th of January, 1814. The father was of English, French and German ancestry and the mother of Scotch, Irish and Dutch stock. Her ancestry can be traced back in a direct line to Joe Proctor, the noted Indian fighter of Kentucky. Joshua Noland was a farmer and followed this occupation in Kentucky until after his marriage, which occurred in 1852. He then came to Davis county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he later added, acquiring in all two hundred acres. He remained upon this property until his death, which occurred April 4, 1884. His wife survived him only a few weeks, dying on the 20th of the same month in the same year. To their union were born seven children: Mary E., John N., William and Ann, all of whom are deceased; Amanda, the wife of the subject of this review ; Daniel, who makes his home in Big Eddy, Oregon; and Samuel, a merchant of Everdell, Minnesota.
Mr. Morrison's married life has been singularly happy and during the forty-three years of its continuance he has found in his wife a charming companion and a loyal helpmate. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have six chil- dren and twenty-cight grandchildren, all of whom are worthy of the honored name they bear. Their eldest daughter, Frankie, who was born July 14, 1871, is the wife of Walter Whistler, a farmer of Udell town- ship. William M., born January 3, 1873, is a merchant in Unionville. Mary, born June 4, 1874, became the wife of Andrew Eslinger, of Foster, Monroe county, and is deceased. Samuel, born July 22, 1876, is employed in a florist's shop at Des Moines. Walter, born August 21, 1878, is assist- ing his father in the operation of the home farm. The youngest daughter. Lucy Ann, was born September 8, 1883. She is the wife of John O). Moore, a merchant of Unionville. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members of the Methodist church.
Vol. 11-9
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Mr. Morrison gives his allegiance to the democratie party and has served as trustee of Union township for a number of years and has also been a member of the school board. He is well known throughout Ap- panoose county, where his entire life has been spent, and after his long, uscful and active career can look back without regret on a life, whose purposes have always been high and sincere.
HENRY T. PHILLIPS.
Henry T. Phillips will long be remembered as one of the most active and successful merchants of Unionville and as a man of unusual ability whose judgment was seldom at fault and whose fidelity to trust and high sincerity of purpose were never questioned. For fifty-two years he was a resident of Appanoose county and here his entire active career was spent, terminating with his death on the 16th of April, 1911. Mr. Phillips was born in Lexington, Indiana, August 17, 1844, a son of James H. and Elizabeth (Robertson) Phillips, the former a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, where his birth occurred on August 19, 1820. When he was a year old he was brought by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brannock Phillips, to Jefferson county, Indiana, and in 1831 he removed to Jennings county in the same state, where he subsequently entered the mercantile business, continuing in it until 1854. In that year he moved into Iowa, locating in Appanoose county, and in 1862 took up his residence in Union- ville, where he conducted a general store until his death, which occurred in 1875. He married in 1843 Miss Elizabeth Robertson, who was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, in 1823, the youngest daughter of one of the earliest pioneer settlers in that part of the state. Four children were born to their union: Henry T., the subject of this review; Mary E .. born in 1847; Emma J., born in 1850; and Eddie M., born in 1866. The father of our subject was for many years postmaster of Unionville and proved himself a capable and efficient public servant. His father. Bran- nock Phillips, was a member of the state legislatures of Indiana and Iowa.
Henry T. Phillips attended district school and supplemented this by a course in the Burlington (Iowa) Business College. He made his first loca- tion in this state in 1860, when he accepted a position in his father's store at Eddyville, Iowa. This he held until the 9th of August, 1863. when he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, although he was not yet nineteen years of age. However, he was stricken with typhoid fever and prevented by his serious illness from joining his command. When he
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recovered he and his father came to Unionville and opened a general store, with the conduct of which Mr. Phillips of this review was asso- ciated until he was again able to offer his services to his country. He enlisted in 1864 in the Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was mustered into service on June 4, serving until the end of the war. After his honorable discharge he returned to Unionville and again resumed the conduct of his mercantile enterprise, with which he was identified from that time until his death. No breath of suspicion was ever cast upon the integrity of his business methods or the honor of his character and his name stood always as a synonym for upright and straightforward dealings and was honored and respected wherever it was known. Mr. Phillips passed away on the 16th of April, 1911, and after his demise his son Ralph, who for several years previous to this had been associated with him, remained in charge of the concern, buying out the interest of his uncle, Edward Phillips, and today he is one of the leading merchants of Unionville.
On August 17, 1869, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Sawyers, a daughter of Elisha and Emma E. ( Stinson ) Sawyers, the former born in Rockbridge, Virginia, on the 7th of January, 1805. He later moved into Tennessee and after his marriage in that state, on the 15th of February, 1831, followed the tailor's trade there for some years, coming to Appanoose county in 1847 as one of the pioneer settlers. He entered land in Udell township and upon it carried on general farming until his death, which occurred at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. His wife was born near Charlotte. North Carolina. She was badly in- jured in a runaway accident at West Grove, lowa, in 1871. and died from the effects of the accident. Her daughter, the wife of the subject of this review, was born in Giles county, Tennessee, and was one of the earliest settlers in Udell township. Her grandfather. Alexander Stinson, married Miss Elizabeth Bradley and her grandmother on the paternal side was Miss Elizabeth Paxton, who could trace her ancestry back to the year 1250 A. D., at which time the family was entitled to bear a coat of arms. Mrs. Phillips attended school in Centerville, studying in the old courthouse when it had two rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of four children. The eldest. Ralph, was born on the 3d of May, 1870. He is proprietor of the store formerly operated by his father and is one of the representative business men of Unionville. He is prominent in religious circles, being a member and trustee of the Presbyterian church. Ray, a twin of Ralph, passed away when two weeks old. Estella Elizabeth was born June 17. 1876. She married Arthur L. Lyon, superintendent of schools of Humeston, and
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they have two children: Carolyn Elizabeth, born October 20, 1905; and Leonard Phillips, born November 7, 1909. The fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips was a son, who died in infancy.
Fraternally Mr. Phillips belonged to the blue lodge in Masonry and was prominent in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic. He affiliated with the republican party from the time he cast his first vote and served as clerk of Udell township until within a few years of his death. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was in hearty sympathy with all movements, social or religious, which had as their object improvement and advancement. He was a fine example of an honorable and loyal citizen, actuated always by worthy ideals which he successfully applied to the practical duties of life.
SAMUEL D. KNOX.
Samuel D. Knox is proprietor of a harness business in Mystic, with which line of trade he has been continuously connected since 1884, al- though his present enterprise was not established until 1891. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, where the town of Hedrick now stands, on the 5th of February, 1851, his parents being William D. and Amanda J. (Doughty) Knox. The mother was born in Indiana, May 26, 1826, while the father's birth occurred in that state, December 12, 1822. They were married in Iowa on the 15th of November, 1846, and throughout the entire period of their married life, save for two years spent in Hancock county, Illinois, they resided in Jefferson county, Iowa. He followed both farming and merchandising and his was an active, useful life. His wife passed away in 1880. In their family were five children: John M., who is a resident of Winfield, Kansas; Washington W., living in Abing- don, lowa; Samuel D., of this review; Arthur M., who died in infancy; and Norris S., who makes his home in Rock Island, Illinois.
Samuel D. Knox resided with his parents in Jefferson county, with the exception of two years spent in Illinois, up to the time when he came to Appanoose county. He learned the harness-making trade in Abingdon. and applying himself closely to the business became a good workman. He has been engaged in that line of trade since 1884 and on the 13th of November, 1891, he came to Mystic where he has since made his home. He is now one of the oldest residents of the town, which was founded in 1887-four years before his arrival. He has figured continuously as a factor in its commercial enterprise for twenty-one years and is a wide-
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awake, alert, energetic business man, who closely watches and utilizes his opportunities for the attainment of success.
In politics Mr. Knox is a democrat, having closely adhered to the principles of the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as postmaster in Abingdon under President Cleveland's first administration and he has been mayor of Mystic for one term. He is well known in fraternal circles, having been identified with the Masons for twenty-one years and is a past master of Walnut Lodge. No. 588. A. F. & A. M. of Mystic. His identification with the Odd Fellows dates from October, 1884, and he is a member of Marwin Lodge, No. 555, of Mystic. In his life he is loyal to the teachings of these organizations, recognizing the duties and obligations of his fellowmen and extending to them a helping hand when occasion arises.
LEWIS WEST.
Lewis West, whose family are now residing in Appanoose county, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, December 10, 1829, his parents being Har- mon and Lucinda West. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, never left his native state but after his death his widow came to lowa and for a time made her home with her son Lewis. Later, however, she returned to Ohio and her last days were spent in Clinton county.
The educational opportunities enjoyed by Lewis West were those afforded by the public schools of his native state and after he had put aside his text-books he learned the carpenter's trade and subsequently took up building and contracting. Removing westward, he settled first at Gales- burg, Illinois, where for several years he engaged in carpentering, and then came to Iowa, establishing his home in Mahaska county, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Sarah Ann Gray, the wedding being celebrated on the 18th of September. 1856. Mrs. West is of Scotch descent. Her grandfather, William Gray, came from Scotland to the new world and settled in Tennessee. He was a saddler by trade and long followed that pursuit. He lived to the remarkable old age of one hundred years, while his wife, Mrs. Ann Gray, reached the advanced age of ninety- five years. Their son Taswell Gray was born in Tennessee and learned the tanner's trade but became a minister of the German Baptist or Dunkard church. He afterward not only worked at his trade but engaged in preach- ing the gospel. and his influence was a potent force for good in many com- munities in which he lived. He was born October 26, 1811, and after
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arriving at years of maturity wedded Priscilla Dillman, who was born in Virginia, November 14, 1808, and was descended from New England and Irish ancestry. They were married in Ohio and in 1855 came to Iowa, settling upon a farm in Mahaska county, which Mr. Gray pur- chased. He carefully and systematically tilled his fields and also con- tinued his church work, establishing a number of Dunkard churches in different parts of the state. At length, because of his wife's failing health, he sold the farm and removed to Schuyler county, Missouri, where he purchased other land. When the Civil war was at its height, however, rendering existence in that district perilous, they left the border state of Missouri and took up their abode in Udell township, Appanoose county, where Mr. Gray invested in eighty acres of land, which he cultivated for a time but afterward removed to Unionville, where both he and his wife passed away, the latter dying September 2, 1883. Their children were eight in number but only three are now living: Mrs. Lewis West; Mrs. Hannah West, of Lancaster, Missouri; and Albert Gray, a resident farmer of Udell township.
It was subsequent to his marriage that Lewis West removed to Mis- souri, where he remained until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he came to Appanoose county and settled on a farm south of Unionville. He rented land there for seven years, after which he went to Schuyler county, Missouri, where he invested in one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived until his death January 27, 1882. At the time of his demise he was preparing to return to Appanoose county, expecting to make his home in Udell township. He had sold his Missouri farm, had packed his goods and was ready to come to Iowa when he was taken ill and passed away. His widow carried out their plans, removing to Appanoose county and taking charge of the farm which her husband had purchased in Udell township. After a year, however, she rented the land and came to Unionville, where she purchased a lot and built a new home, which she now occupies. She still owns the farm of one hundred and twenty acres, from which she derives a good rental.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. West were born two children. Alfred H .. whose birth occurred in Mahaska county, August 11. 1857, is now living at Las Vegas. New Mexico, and for twenty-five years has been a railroad con- ductor. He married Miss Nettie Ely, and they have two children, Ever- ett and Nellie. Albert, a twin brother of Alfred, is an invalid in the State Hospital at Mount Pleasant. Mrs. West adopted a daughter. Clara. the daughter of William West, her husband's brother, the mother having died when the child was only eight days old. Clara West grew to young womanhood knowing Mrs. Lewis West as a mother and is as dear to her
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as an own child could be. She became the wife of Frank Crow, of Ottum- wa, lowa, and they have five children, Bertha, Alfred, Mary, Jessie and Dorothy.
Lewis West is remembered by many of the older settlers of Appanoose county. He was one of the pioneer residents of the state and took active and helpful part in its early development, sharing in the hardships and privations of pioneer life and doing all in his power to promote the improve- ment and upbuilding of the district in which he lived. For a year after his marriage he and his wife were living north of Oskaloosa, at which time the Indians were numerous but were always friendly. They often brought prairie chickens to Mrs. West. While residing in that locality Mr. West was a member of the Odd Fellow's lodge at Oskaloosa. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and at one time he was a member of the Dunkard church of Udell township, with which his widow is still connected. He lived an upright, honorable life and left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
GEORGE C. ELLIOTT.
George C. Elliott, serving for the fourth term as clerk of the courts of Appanoose county, has a record as a public official which any man might well envy, for in his long connection with public office capability, efficiency and promptness have ever characterized his service. He was born in Drakesville, Davis county, Iowa, in May, 1874, his parents being John and Nancy (Morgan ) Elliott. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1837, and the mother's birth occurred in Switzerland county, Indiana, March 25, 1845. With his parents John Elliott removed to Davis county, Iowa, in 1851, and there learned the carpenter's trade, which he afterward followed until the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted as a member of Company A, Third lowa Cavalry, and was at the front until the close of hostilities, participating in many hotly contested battles, in which he proved his loyalty to the old flag. When the war was over he returned to Davis county and settled upon a farm owned by him and a brother. He then turned his attention to the nursery business, which he conducted for six years, and on the expira- tion of that period removed to Drakesville, where he engaged in the lumber and grain business, which he carried on with substantial success until 1882. He then sold out and came to Centerville, accepting a position as travel- ing salesman with the Osborn Machine Company, which he represented
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for some time. He next turned his attention to the sale of nursery stock, in which business he continued for a considerable period, after which he was called to public office, being elected county clerk of Appanoose county. He filled that position capably for four years and following his retire- ment was elected and served as mayor of Centerville for two years. Soon afterward he was elected to the office of justice of the peace and served for two years. He likewise filled the position of councilman for several terms and in that connection exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive public movements and reforms. Entering the insurance field, he followed that business throughout his remaining days, passing away March 9, 1908, at the age of nearly seventy-one years. His widow is living in Centerville with her son and daughter at No. 530 North Eighth street. In the family were four children: Jennie, who was born in 1867 and died in 1873; Allie, who was born in 1870 and is at home with her mother; George C., of this review; and Stella, who was born in 1875 and is the wife of J. P. Mason, who is traffic superintendent for the Bell Tele- phone Company at Des Moines.
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