USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 19
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In early life Thomas Wesley Killion took up the occupation of farming which he followed continuously until thirty-five years of age. His con- nection with journalism began on the ist of March, 1898, when he estab- lished the Semi-Weekly Sun at Moulton, continuing its publication at that place until February, 1911, when the plant was removed to Center- ville, where the paper is still published as a weekly. He likewise estab- lished the Centerville Weekly Sun on the 14th of February, 1912. and has succeeded in building up a large circulation as well as developing a good job printing business. His office is well equipped with everything necessary for turning out high-class job printing as well as for the publica-
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tion of a paper. To these lines Mr. Killion gives his entire attention with the result that his patrons receive a most readable journal, attractive from the standpoint of the printer's art as well as a medium of general and local news.
On the 2d of April, 1885, at Centerville, Iowa, Mr. Killion was married to Miss Sarah F. Clark, a daughter of William A. Clark, in whose honor the Grand Army post at Moulton was named. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war and also a noted Methodist minister. For several years prior to her marriage the daughter was successfully engaged in teaching in Appanoose county. To Mr. and Mrs. Killion have been born four children: Carl G., who married Miss Myrtle Benson, of Albia, Iowa; E. Floyd, who married Miss Minnie Ward, of Centerville Iowa; Paul E .. a graduate of the Moulton high school of the class of 1912; and Pearl E., a freshman in the high school.
Mr. Killion votes with the democratic party and is recognized as one of its prominent local leaders. He was chairman of the Appanoose county democratic central committee for three years, during which time capable management succeeded in drawing out and increasing the vote of that party largely. In 1908 he was named for county recorder and ran far ahead of the regular party vote. He held the office of justice of the peace for three years, beginning in 1887. He was appointed postmaster at Moulton, Iowa, by President Cleveland, and took possession of the office December 1, 1893, holding it until February 5, 1898. He stands strongly in support of all he believes to be right and is a worthy representative of other organizations outside of political ranks. He became a charter men- ber of Moulton Camp, M. W. A., and on its organization in April, 1896, was elected to the office of worthy advisor, so serving for two terms. He was afterward chosen venerable consul and held that office for three con- secutive years. He was elected excellent banker and so served during the year 1910. In 1900 he became a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, joining the order at Moulton and filling the office of correspond- ent for five years and that of master of ceremonies for one year. He helped to organize the order in Centerville and is now its honorable foreman. He has been a delegate to all its state conclaves and to two of its supreme conclaves, the last one being held in Minneapolis in 1909. Christian principles have also long formed a guiding spirit in his life. When sixteen years of age he became a member of the Christian church and held the office of church deacon during the years 1909-10. Good business qualifi- cations with a talent for making a newspaper have made him a successful journalist and publisher, and a keen interest in the welfare of his country has led him to become a stanch champion of party principles which he
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deems essential to the welfare of state and country. He lives up to a high standard of ethical teaching as found in the tenets of the fraternities with which he is connected and he has been a cooperant factor in that labor which seeks the moral progress of the community.
ALFRED J. PRATT.
Iowa sent her full quota of soldiers to the Civil war and among the boys in blue who went to the front from this state was Alfred J. Pratt. Later he became widely known as a hotel proprietor in Centerville, where he also had other business interests. He was born in the state of New York, November 8, 1848, a son of George and Emeline (Delano) Pratt, the former a native of the Empire state, while the latter was born in Montreal, Canada. The father was a stage driver and came to Iowa at an early day, settling at Mount Pleasant before the building of the railroads. He drove a stage from that place to Burlington and was thus engaged until the building of railway lines put him out of busi- ness. He then removed to Centerville, where he established a hotel, becon- ing well known as its proprietor. He conducted the business from 1858 until 1886, when his wife died and he withdrew from the hotel. He then turned his attention to the livery business, which he carried on for a time but later went to Nebraska and afterward to Kansas. Following his return to Centerville he married again and here made his home until his death, which occurred on the 6th of November, 1906. He had a wide acquaintance here and was favorably known.
Alfred J. Pratt was reared and educated in Centerville, Iowa, and also attended and graduated from the normal school at Ypsilanti, Michi- gan. He was a youth of but sixteen years when he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union cause, enlisting in 1864 as a member of Company B, Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry, for one hundred days' service. On the expiration of that term he again came to Center- ville, where he was employed in different ways until 1886, helping in two surveys for the line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway from Centerville through Iowa and Nebraska. In 1886, however, he engaged in the hotel business, which he carried on continuously and suc- cessfully until June 24, 1911. The name of Pratt was therefore long connected with hotel interests in Centerville and ever stood as a synonym for enterprise and capable service in that direction. At length Mr. Pratt
MR. AND MRS. A. J. PRATT
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retired and is now making his home at No. 533 East Elm street, where he owns a good property.
On the 8th of November, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pratt and Mrs. Eunice (Brough ) Creigo, a daughter of John and Nancy E. (Carper) Brough, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. Her father was a carpenter by occupation, coming to Appanoose county in an early day. His wife died in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have no children but by her former marriage there was a daughter, Emma, now the wife of C. E. Delander.
Mr. Pratt votes with the democratic party and has three times rep- resented his ward on the board of city aldermen, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many progressive public movements. He holds membership with the Grand Army post at Centerville and his wife is a member of the Christian church and the Women's Relief Corps. For more than a half century he has lived in Appanoose county and has therefore been a witness of the greater part of its growth and development. He has seen its wild lands converted into good farins, its primitive homes replaced by modern dwellings, its villages developed into thriving towns and cities, and as the years have gone by he has cooperated in many movements contributing to the progress that has placed Appanoose among the leading counties of this great commonwealth.
JAMES M. DALE.
The records of the agricultural development of Appanoose county contain no more honored and worthy name than that of James M. Dale whose memory is yet cherished by those who knew him, although ten years have passed since he was called to his final rest. A native of Indi- ana, Mir. Dale was born in Hendricks county. November 20. 1841, and is a son of John and Charlotte ( Columbia) Dale, natives of Kentucky. The father farmed in that state for some time but came to Indiana at an early date and there engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1855, when he came to Appanoose county and purchased a farm just northeast of Centerville, which he improved and operated for the remainder of his life. He died in 1892, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1873.
James M. Dale acquired his early education in Indiana and was four- teen years of age when he came to Appanoose county. He completed his studies in the district schools and after laying aside his books worked upon his father's farm until he attained his majority. He then began his independent career, purchasing land from his father. He operated Vol 11-12
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this farm for the remainder of his life, giving a great deal of attention to its improvement and development along progressive and practical lines. From time to time he added to his holdings until he possessed thirteen hundred acres of land, comprising one of the finest farms in this part of Iowa. He passed away January 2, 1902, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.
In 1861 Mr. Dale married Miss Malinda Long, who was born in 1844. She is a daughter of Valentine and Fanny Long, natives of Indi- ana, where the father farmed before he came to Appanoose county among the early settlers. Here he purchased land and operated a model agri- cultural enterprise until his death in 1877. He was survived by his wife for ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Dale became the parents of four children. John, the eldest, resides in Centerville. Hattie G. is the wife of George B. Steele whom she married on the 8th of July, 1887. They became the parents of three children: Jessie Opal, who is eighteen years of age; Charlotte Dale, aged fifteen; and one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Steele owns and operates a large skating rink in Centerville, her building being one hundred feet by eighty feet. She also holds the title to a fine residence at No. 514 West State street, in which she resides with her family. The third child born to Mr. and Mrs. Dale is Charlotte, the wife of G. E. Climie, a piano dealer in Centerville. The youngest child in this family is Lemuel, who is connected with the grocery business in the employ of M. B. Maring. The mother of these children passed away in 1872 after a short illness.
Mr. Dale was a devout member of the Christian church, and polit- ically supported the democratic party. In all the relations of his life he worked toward high ideals, seldom failing to accomplish what he under- took. The extent and importance of his business interests and his fidelity to the principles of honorable and upright manhood made him a valued and honored citizen and his death caused widespread and sincere regret which was a genuine tribute of sorrow at the close of a worthy life.
P. S. DAVIS.
The Sunnyside Farm on section 10, Franklin township, is the property of P. S. Davis, one of the representative agriculturists and prosperous business men of Appanoose county. Throughout his entire life he has followed the occupation of farming and is now the owner of eighty acres of good land, and the neat and attractive appearance of his place is proof
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of his careful supervision and practical methods. Mr. Davis is a native son of Iowa, born in Wapello county, September 1, 1853, his father being James Davis, who came to Iowa as a young man and located in Wapello county, where he resided for some years. Later he moved into Appanoose county and made his home in Pleasant township, where he purchased a farm and engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He spent the later years of his life upon this property and died about 1900. His wife survived him some time, passing away in 1911, at the home of her son.
P. S. Davis was still a child when his father moved to Appanoose county and his education was, therefore, received in the public schools of this section. He remained at home until he was seventeen years of age and then began his independent career, securing work at breaking prairie land. For one summer he drove a five yoke team of oxen over undeveloped farms in the neighborhood, getting them into condition for the first planting, and afterward worked as a monthly farm laborer for five years, remaining in the employ of one man during the entire period. He married in 1880 and in the same year rented a farm in Franklin township, and after developing this property for two years moved upon the land owned by his wife's family, upon which he carried on general farming for some time. Later he purchased the eighty acres upon which he now resides and immediately began the further cultivation of this property and has added to his activities the development of the Baker farm of eighty acres adjoining. Upon his own tract he has built a modern resi- dence, with a southern exposure, and has carefully tended the lawn which surrounds it and beautified it with shrubs and plants. He has erected a good barn and substantial outbuildings and has installed the necessary equipment, being today the owner of a model farm. In all of the con- struction work done upon the property Mr. Davis has aided materially. for he is a mechanic of unusual skill and ability and capable of doing the most delicate work on machinery. For a number of years he has conducted a blacksmith shop upon his property and does a great deal of the blacksmith work of the neighborhood in addition to his own. More- over, for a time he owned and operated a threshing machine, which he ran for sixteen years, and during the winter seasons engaged in butchering for his neighbors.
Mr. Davis married, in Centerville, Iowa, on the 15th of February. 1880. Miss Penelope J. Baker, a daughter of H. H. Baker, of Cincinnati. one of the early settlers in that community. Mr. Baker is a blacksmith by trade and for over fifty years has conducted a shop at Cincinnati, being one of the well known and widely popular men in this part of. Appanoose county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have adopted two daughters: Pearline.
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who is married and has two children; and Laura May, a teacher in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Christian church.
Mr. Davis gives his allegiance to the republican party and has been stanch in his adherence to its principles and policies since casting his first vote. He has resided in Appanoose county for a number of years and has spent his entire life in the state of Iowa. During the time he has identified himself with the best interests of his community and is regarded as a valuable addition to the ranks of its citizenship, for in business deal- ings he is reliable and straightforward and in all the relations of his life honorable, progressive and upright.
BINGHAM S. STALEY.
Bingham S. Staley, architect and builder, whose prominence in the field of his chosen calling is indicated by the importance of the contracts awarded him, is one of the native sons of Appanoose county, his birth having occurred on the 15th of November, 1871, a son of Alva and Mary (Smith) Staley. The father was born in Perry county, Ohio, June 4, 1831, and for a long period was identified with building operations in Centerville, but is now deceased. Extended mention of him is made on another page of this wark.
In the district school Bingham S. Staley pursued his education, and when seventeen years of age started out in life on his own account. From that time forward he has depended upon his labors and resources and whatever success he has enjoyed has arisen therefrom. He learned the carpenter's trade and for some time worked for wages in the employ of others, after which he began contracting and building on his own account. He has since continued in this business and ranks with the most prominent in his line in Centerville, having erected a large number of the different homes of the city, also the present postoffice, a new courthouse and a number of business blocks. At the present time he is engaged on the erection of the big plant for the Hercules Manufacturing Company. The character and importance as well as the volume of his work indicates his high standing and his success in his chosen field. When he started out he was determined to thoroughly master the work at hand and to perform every duty faithfully, and the same spirit has ever characterized him in the exercise of his contracts, winning for him, therefore, a prominent position in the business circles of the city.
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Mr. Staley was married to Miss Mary B. Smith, a daughter of Thomas M. and Amanda (Joiner) Smith, who are mentioned at length in connec- tion with the sketch of R. N. Smith, on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Staley have become the parents of six children: Frederick Paul, who is a graduate of the Centerville high school of the class of 1912 and is now working with his father; Robert A., who was born October 16, 1895, and is attending high school; Howard R., who was born December 16, 1900, and is also a high-school student; Mary L., born December 25. 1902; Thomas D., born February 9, 1904; and Donald Kieth, born August 7, 1908. The wife and mother, who was a native of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away in Centerville on the 8th of September, 1908, and her death was deeply regretted by many friends who recognized her sterling traits of character and many good qualities of heart and mind. Mr. Staley holds membership with the Elks and Masonic lodge of Center- ville. He has never had any political ambition but has always voted with the republican party and is unfaltering in his loyalty thereto. He is a member of the Christian church and it is well known that his influence has always been on the side of right, progress, justice, truth, and improve- ment.
SCOTT PEACOCK.
Scott Peacock, well known in business circles of Centerville as pro- prietor of the business formerly operated by the Capital Printing Company, was born in Missouri, August 6, 1879. He is a son of Gordon and Margaret (Bennie) Peacock, natives of Scotland, the former of whom followed mining in that country for some time. At an early day the father of our subject came to America and eventually settled in Missouri, where he bought land. For a number of years he gave his entire atten- tion to the improvement and development of his farm, making it finally one of the most attractive properties in his section of the state. When he left his farm he retired from active life and came to Centerville, where he now resides. He is well known as a veteran of the Civil war, having served during that conflict as a member of Company K, one hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His wife passed away in 1900.
Scott Peacock was six years of age when his father same to Centerville and consequently his education was received in the public schools of the town. After laying his books aside he learned the printer's trade with the firm of Barrows & Son, then proprietors of the lowegian, and he continued in their employ for five years. At the end of that time he went
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to Springfield, Illinois, and from there to various cities throughout the middle west. For fifteen years he worked at his trade in different local- ities and then, in October, 1911, returned to Centerville and purchased the business operated by the Capital Printing Company. He bought the concern from H. B. Frink, its former owner, and in one year has met with a gratifying degree of success in its conduct. He has a well equipped office, in which is found all the machinery for job printing, Mr. Peacock confining his attention to this branch of work. He has excellent business ability, an expert knowledge of his trade, fine discrimination and good judgment, and these qualities have been the most important features in his success.
Mr. Peacock married, in June. 1902, Miss Barbara E. Underfanger, a daughter of John and Emily (Taintor) Underfanger, natives of Spring- field, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Peacock have become the parents of two children: Gordon, seven years of age; and Margaret, aged one year and a half. Mr. Peacock belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Springfield, Illinois. He gives loyal support to the republican party, but official life has never had any attraction for him. He prefers to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his present affairs, in which he is most successful, and much credit is due him for the position he has attained among the substantial and prosperous business men of his community. -
H. E. BUNKER.
Among the real promoters and upbuilders of Appanoose county H. E. Bunker deserves special mention, for he has lived here since 1862 and since reaching manhood has given his time and attention to those things which have developed and promoted religious, intellectual and material progress. For a number of years he was closely connected with agri- cultural interests, but has recently given up active pursuits and lives in Exline in comparative retirement, although he engages to some extent in the insurance business. He was born in Quincy, Adams county, Illinois. March 13, 1849, and is a son of Dr. Samuel Bunker, a native of New Hampshire, who remained in that state until he was eighteen years of age. The father of our subject was a man of excellent education and broad culture. He came west to Illinois, locating in Quincy, and later began the study of medicine, taking a course at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College under Dr. Cutler. When he had completed his studies he prac-
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ticed his profession at Quincy for some time, but then moved to Astoria, Illinois, where he practiced until he came to Iowa in 1862 and located on a farm in Caldwell township, Appanoose county. Here he also engaged in the practice of medicine, but after four years moved to Omah, Missouri, where he purchased the practice of a local physician and became prominent and successful in his chosen field of work. He later located at Central City, Missouri, and still later at Mill Grove. His death occurred while on a visit to Centerville in 1893.
H. E. Bunker was a lad of thirteen when he came with his parents to Appanoose county. Here he was reared and here he received his primary education in the public schools, supplementing this by work at Unionville, Missouri, and later by a course in the Kirksville Normal School. After receiving his certificate he engaged in teaching in the schools of Missouri, Kansas and Iowa, following this profession for a number of years. In 1872 he went to Kansas and homesteaded near Abilene, where he lived for seventeen years, but in 1889 he located on the Meeker place near Exline, a farm belonging to his wife. Upon this he engaged in agricultural pursuits for nineteen years, winning a high place in the ranks of progressive and successful agriculturists. Later, however, he re- tired from active life and moved into Exline, where he bought a fine resi- dence lot and upon it built an attractive dwelling, in which he has since resided. Mr. Bunker was one of the promoters of the Appanoose County Mutual Insurance Association and was the first president of that body. serving for four years. He has of late years given his attention to solicit- ing fire, lightning and cyclone insurance and has built up an extensive business along this line. Mr. Bunker was also one of the organizers of the Exline Savings Bank and served as its first president.
Mr. Bunker was married in 1889 to Miss Helen M. Meeker, a native of Vermont, who came to Appanoose county in 1863 and who, like her husband, had been for a number of years engaged in teaching in the public schools of Missouri and Iowa. Mr. Bunker gives his allegiance to the republican party, adhering to the progressive branch of that body, and has always been more or less active in local affairs. He is serving at the present time as councilman on the village board and has been for many years a prominent figure in school matters. For a number of terms he was president of the school board, has been school treasurer and has held many other positions of trust and honor. He has been a resident of Appa- noose county for almost half a century and has been closely identified with its growth and development, giving his attention always to beneficial and important enterprises and as a consequence he has gained a high place
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among the representative and public-spirited men of this part of the state and is held in high esteem and warm regard by many friends.
Mr. Bunker is a man of deep and sincere religious feeling and his beliefs are of the practical kind which influence the work and ideals of his every-day life. He is a member of the Christian church and has for years been a leading figure in the affairs of the Christian Church Missionary Association in this section and has served as its president for twelve or fourteen years. This society holds regular conventions in various parts of the county to discuss conditions and the means of building up and promoting missionary work throughout the state, and Mr. Bunker's sery- ices have been of great and lasting usefulness. He and his wife are teachers in the Sunday school, of which he served for a time as superin- tendent. During the many years of his labors in this vineyard he has accomplished work of inestimable value, giving his services freely to a great cause without hope or desire for remuneration. His religion leavens his life, making him upright in business, loyal in citizenship and in all things a worthy and honorable Christian gentleman.
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