USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 2
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Mr. Bradley would never brook obstacles that could be overcome by determined, earnest and honorable effort. When one avenue seemed closed to him he would hunt out another path which would lead him to his destination. Moreover, he never regarded any step as final but rather as the starting point for further accomplishment. But it was not alone his success that made Mr. Bradley one of the most prominent and honored residents of southern lowa. His personal characteristics commended him to the confidence and good-will of all. As a citizen he worked for the continuous upbuilding and development of Centerville, withholding his cooperation from the movement which he believed would contribute to its material growth and improvement or to its intellectual and moral advancement. He held membership with the Presbyterian church and was an earnest, Christian man, unostentatious yet loyal in his professions and exemplifying in his daily walks of life the teachings of his church. He gave freely where aid was needed, was ever ready to speak a word of encouragement or to extend a helping hand. There were indeed in
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his life record many traits worthy of emulation. He passed away May 15. 1896. and was survived by his wife until the 14th of February, 1904. He had for forty years been a resident of Centerville, honored and esteemed by all, the simple weight of his character and ability having carried him into important relations with large projects. The benefit of his influence, his activity and example is immeasurable but all accord to him prominence as one whose efforts have been of great value and worth in the upbuilding of the county.
ELDRIDGE HALL SAWYERS.
Appanoose county numbered Eldridge Hall Sawyers among its repre- sentative, honored and valued citizens. He did much to uphold law and order here and to promote public progress, and in his life displayed many sterling traits of character. He was born in Giles county. Tennessee. May 14. 1828. his parents being Allen and Martha Louise ( Stinson) Sawyers. The father, who was of Scotch descent, was born in 1804 and learned and followed the wagon-maker's trade. In 1824 he wedded Martha L. Stinson, who was born in 1801 and was of Welsh lineage. The paternal grandfather, David Sawyers, was a native of Tennessee. The maternal grandparents were Alexander and Elizabeth ( Bradley) Stinson, the former born in 1776. The latter was a daughter of Francis Bradley, who was murdered near his home in Pennsylvania by four Tories at the time of the Revolutionary war. Francis Bradley had wedded Mary Patterson, a native of Germany, so that the blood of Scotch, Welsh and German ancestors mingled in the veins of Eldridge H. Sawyers. In the year 1846 his parents left Tennessee and came to lowa, settling in the vicinity of Troy. Davis county, where they lived for a few years, but in 1849 they came to Appanoose county. casting in their lot with the pioneer residents of this section of the state. The father purchased a farm near West Grove and also entered considerable land for many of the broad acres of the county were then in possession of the government. The old homestead is still owned by the family and upon that farm both the father and mother remained until called to their final rest. Allen Sawyers passed away December 15. 1884, having for a long period sur- vived his wife. They were accounted worthy and representative residents here and took an active part in the early development of this section of the state as well as in promoting its later day progress and improvement. They had a family of ten children, namely: Ophelia. James, Eldridge Hall. Electra, Mary, Martha, Louisa, John, Dell and William.
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Eldridge H. Sawyers was a youth of eighteen when he accompanied his parents to lowa and arrived in Appanoose county about the time he attained his majority. His education was acquired in the district schools and when not busy with his text-books he aided his father in the work of the fields, continuing upon the home farm until twenty-seven years of age, when he began farming on his own account, cultivating a tract of land near West Grove, lowa, until 1861, when he removed to Orleans, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for two years. He afterward lived at Moravia for a year and following the close of the Civil war came to Unionville, where he worked at the wagon-maker's trade. He always led a busy, active and useful life. He had few idle or leisure moments and he always accomplished what he undertook. Called to public office, he was kept busy during his service as constable in warring on the horse thieves that then infested this region, helping to drive them out of Appanoose county. At one time he served as deputy sheriff of Davis county and for several terms was justice of the peace in Udell township, this county. He proved capable, efficient and trustworthy in office and in every relation of life commanded the respect, confidence and good-will of those with whom he was associated. His political al- legiance was always given to the democratic party but in the discharge of his duties he was no partisan and performed his public service fearlessly and faithfully. This was in keeping with the aid which he rendered his country in days of war, for during the period of hostilities between the north and the south he was captain of a company of border guards. He helped to organize the company, was elected to its command and was busily engaged at times in preventing invasions of the enemy into southern Iowa. With his command he took part in a number of lively skirmishes.
On the 10th of June, 1855, Mr. Sawyers was married. in Bloomfield. lowa, to Miss Margaret Stoner, who was born October 28, 1838, a daugh- ter of Christian and Margaret (Moses) Stoner. The father, a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent, made farming his life work. His wife was also born in the Keystone state and came of Dutch ancestry. They were married in Pennsylvania and removed to Ohio, their daughter. Mrs. Sawyers, being born at Ashland. Ohio. where Christian Stoner con- tinued to reside until his death. His widow afterward came to Iowa. settling in Davis county, and was married in Ohio to Isaac Van Nordstrand. Subsequently they removed to Kansas, where both died. Mrs. Sawyers came to Iowa from Ohio in 1854 with her brother Henry Stoner and her sister Elizabeth, and they settled on a farm near Bloomfield. Davis county. where they were living at the time of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Saw- yers, who became the parents of seven children. Minnie, the eldest. is
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
the wife of J. A. Collins, a grocer and feed merchant of Kansas City, Missouri, by whom she has five children, Allen, William, Kathryn. Claude and Margaret. Ida May died in infancy. Orville married India Christy, has one child, Le Rex, and is now agent for the Rock Island Railroad Company at Seymour, Missouri. Thomas died in infancy. Lou is at home with her mother. May Belle is the wife of D. C. Horton, who is conducting a stone quarry at Jacksboro, Texas, and they have four chil- dren, Helen, Harold. Fet and Margaret Hall. Roy Alen, a railroad man of Newton, Kansas, married Gertrude Vermilya, of Unionville, and they have three children, Beryl, Doris and Robert Hall.
Mr. Sawyers always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a devout member. His wife is now prominently and actively connected with the church at Unionville and her labors have con- stituted an important element in its growth and progress. She is connected with the Ladies Aid and the Home Missionary Societies of her church and cooperates in various other departments of the work. Mr. Sawyers belonged to the Knights of Labor of Unionville and to the Odd Fellow's lodge at Bloomfield. He passed away April 17, 1909, and is survived by his widow, who occupies a pleasant residence in Unionville. For sixty years he had lived in Appanoose county and none of its citizens was per- haps more familiar with the history of this section of the state as the work of development and improvement was carried on. He stood for all that is progressive in citizenship, for all that is honorable in business life and for all that works for the betterment of the individual and the community at large. Those who knew him found him kindly in spirit and action and he had a host of friends in Appanoose county, limited only by the circle of his acquaintance.
B. FRANK STURDIVANT, M. D.
College training well qualified Dr. B. Frank Sturdivant for the onerous and responsible duties connected with the practice of medicine, to which he gives his attention in Centerville, his native city. He was born June 30. 1883, his parents being Dr. John M. and Elizabeth ( Wood) Sturdi- vant, who were natives of Iowa and Ohio respectively. In 1861 the father removed to Cincinnati, this county, and there entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery, in which he continued until 1882. when he opened an office in Centerville, here practicing for eight years or until his death in 1890. His widow survives and is now seventy-two years of age.
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Dr. Sturdivant was reared and educated m Centerville, completing the high-school course by graduation with the class of 1903. Desirous of enjoying further educational opportunities, he then matriculated in Drake University at Des Moines, which he attended for a year. He next entered the Northwestern Medical College at Chicago and. completing his course in that institution, was graduated in June, 1908. Immediately afterward he returned to Centerville and became associated with Dr. J. L. Sawyer, with whom he practiced for two years or until the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1911, when he opened an independent office and has since been alone. In the interval he has secured a liberal practice which is indicative of the confidence and trust reposed in his professional skill. He keeps in touch with the advanced work that is being done by the profession through his membership in the Appanoose and Iowa State Medical Societies.
Dr. Sturdivant was married on the 24th of May, 1910, to Miss Cecil Blackburn, a daughter of Noel C. and Mary ( Houston ) Blackburn. who are natives of Ohio and lowa respectively. The father came to this state with 'his parents when about three years of age. He was the son of a Baptist minister and when old enough he turned his attention to farming and also worked to some extent at the carpenter's trade. At different times school teaching constituted a source of income to him and he also delivered on a rural mail route here for eight years. Both he and his wife are now living in Centerville.
Dr. and Mrs. Sturdivant occupy a nice home at No. 408 South Main street. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and his political faith is indicated by the support which he gives to the democratic party. His wife is a member of the Methodist church and both are highly esteemed here, where they have many friends not only among the younger but also among the older citizens of Centerville.
HON. SILAS W. BRYANT.
Hon. Silas W. Bryant. acceptably filling the office of mayor of Center- ville, was formerly closely and prominently identified with business affairs here and at all times has been a progressive citizen, whose labors have been a factor in the upbuilding of this part of the state. He was born in the town of Cincinnati, this state, October 14. 1873. a son of William and Hannah E. ( Bogart) Bryant. the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Indiana. The father became a resident of Appanoose county at a very
SILAS W. BRYANT
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
early period, settling here prior to the Civil war, in which he enlisted as a member of Company G, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, serving from 1861 until 1865. He was only seventeen years of age when he joined the army but no veteran of twice his age showed greater loyalty or bravery. He participated in a number of hotly-contested battles and with the close of hostilities he returned home. He then began working for his father who operated a flourmill called the Old Shoot mill, located near Exline. There Mr. Bryant was employed as a stationary engineer and always followed that business until 1902, when he was appointed city marshal of Centerville, acting in that capacity for two years, at the end of which time he accepted a position with the government in looking after the postoffice building. He served in that capacity until his death, which occurred in March, 1909. while his wife passed away in July, 1907.
Silas W. Bryant was reared and educated in Centerville and in start- ing out in the commercial world secured employment in connection with the ice business, which he followed for five years. He and his brother then began to work for the Diamond Mine Company, installing machinery for four years. On the expiration of that period Silas W. Bryant formed a partnership with S. A. Martin and purchased an ice business, which they conducted under the firm style of Bryant & Martin. Mr. Bryant remained a factor in that business for thirteen years and met with a creditable and gratifying degree of success in the undertaking. In 1911, however. he sold out to his partner and a month later or in March he was elected mayor of Centerville, which office he has since filled, discharging his duties with fairness and impartiality. He seeks the welfare of the city and brings to bear in his official capacity the same sterling qualities which gained hin suc- cess as a business man. Mr. Bryant has also served two terms of three years on the school board and was elected in March, 1912, for another term.
In May, 1896, Mr. Bryant was married to Miss Sarah Bales, a daugh- ter of P. M. and Nancy ( Underwood ) Bales, who were natives of Ten- nessee. The father was a farmer and followed that occupation until his death, which occurred in his native state in 1882. The mother afterward removed to Princeton, Missouri, where she resided until called to her final rest in 1904. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have been born two children. Harry W. and Irene, aged respectively fourteen and eleven years. In addi- tion to his fine home at No. 614 West Garfield street, Mr. Bryant owns two good residence properties in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He and his family hold membership in the Baptist church and are people of social prominence Vol 11-2
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
here, having an extensive circle of warm friends among Centerville's best residents. Mr. Bryant is at all times an approachable man, genial and courteous in manner, and his unfeigned cordiality and sterling worth have made him one of the popular as well as valued citizens of the community.
D. C. BRADLEY.
Honored and respected by all, D. C. Bradley occupies a prominent position in commercial and financial circles in Centerville, nor are his efforts and activities limited by the confines of this city. He is connected with banking interests in various sections of the state and the respect entertained for him is not less the result of his success than of the straight- forward, honorable business policy that he has ever followed. His busi- ness activities never seek nor require disguise, having been based upon the rules which govern strict integrity and unfaltering industry. Mr. Brad- ley is, furthermore, recognized as a leader in the progressive movements which have for their object the welfare and upbuilding of Centerville. There are many tangible evidences of his public spirit and his practical efforts in behalf of the city and as one of its councilmen he has exercised his official prerogatives in support of projects of reform and improve- ment. He was born in this city, August 13, 1858, and is a son of William and Amanda T. (Campbell) Bradley, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. His youthful days were passed under the parental roof and his public school education was supplemented by a course in Parson's College at Fairfield, Iowa, and further study in Mon- mouth College, at Monmouth, Illinois. His more specifically business training was received in Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg. Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876. Upon his return home he made his initial step in the business world in connection with the First National Bank, previously founded and conducted by his father. From that time to the present he has been active in the conduct of the bank, assuming more and more largely the responsibilities of man- agement and control, and at the present time he is vice president and the largest stockholder in the institution. His success in this field has led him to extend his efforts over a wide territory in connection with the bank- ing interests of Iowa and he is now president of the Fairfield National Bank at Fairfield, of the First National Bank at Seymour, the Farmers State Bank at Promise City. Bradley Savings Bank at Exline. and Brad- ley's Bank at Mystic. He is likewise the vice president and a large stock-
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HISTORY OF APPANNOOSE COUNTY
holder of the lowa State Savings Bank of Centerville, of the Moravia State Savings Bank of Moravia, the National Bank of Bloomfield and is also Interested in six other Iowa banks. Still this does not indicate the extent of his activities nor of his resourcefulness for he owns a controlling interest in the Centerville Light & Traction Company, operating street-car lines in Centerville and an interurban line between this place and Mystic. a distance of six miles. It also furnishes the electric lighting for both Center- ville and Mystic and furnishes the electric power for the operation of the gas and heating plants. It was through the efforts and sound judgment of Mr. Bradley that all of these enterprises were made possible and he was likewise the founder and promoter of the Pure Ice Company, becom- ing associated with S. A. Martin in the erection of an ice plant, the firm being the only icc dealers of the city. Mr. Bradley likewise organized the Centerville Brick Company in which he owns a controlling share of the stock and he is heavily interested in the coal industry in this vicinity, hav- ing been identified with the development of coal properties in this sec- tion for the past twenty years. One of his mines known as No. 30 has a capacity of five hundred tons daily. As he thus continually extended his industrial and financial interests Mr. Bradley has also made judicious investment in realties and is now one of the largest land owners of the state, having considerable holdings in farm lands in Appanoose county. In all of his business affairs he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities of the future. He seems to have almost intuitive perception as to the possibilities for successful accomplishment in any given connection, recognizing both the difficulties and the chances which his sound judgment weighs to a nicety, foretelling with remarkable accur- acy the result.
In December, 1885, Mr. Bradley was married to Miss Cora MI. Stubbs. a daughter of D. P. and Carrie H. (Hollingsworth) Stubbs, who are natives of Indiana. The father. a lawyer by profession, removed to Fair- field, Iowa, at an early day and became one of the most noted and success- ful members of the lowa bar, practicing continuously in Fairfield until his death, which occurred May 5, 1905. His widow still resides in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have become parents of two children: Bet- tina. twenty-three years of age, the wife of T. M. Stuart. assistant attorney general of Colorado, their home being in Denver: and William S .. four- teen years of age, a student in the Centerville schools. The Bradley resi- dence is a palatial one, having been erected in 1909 at No. 519 Drake avenue. Its furnishings are all that wealth can secure and refined taste suggest, and its hospitality, cordial and unfeigned, is one of its most attrac- tive features. In the building of this beautiful home Mr. Bradley dis-
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
played his faith in Centerville and its future. He has ever been active and earnest in his efforts to promote the welfare of the city, cooperating in every movement which works for its betterment. He has served for a number of years as a member of the city council and through his efforts many public improvements have been introduced. For the past nine years he has been president of the school board and to his efforts may largely be contributed the erection of the present high school building which is a credit and ornament to the city. His political allegiance has ever been given to the democratic party but his interest in good citizenship is above partisanship. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church to which he contributes liberally, seeking the moral as well as the material and intellectual progress of the city. He has accomplished much in public affairs as well as in private life. After all there has been nothing spectacular in his business career, his success being founded upon close application, indefatigable energy and keen sagacity. At the outset of his career he realized the eternal truth that industry wins -and industry became the beacon light of his life. He is a typical man of the times, representing the progressive spirit of the age. Starting out in life without any vaulting ambition to accomplish something especially great or famous, he has followed the lead of his opportunities, doing as best he could anything that has come to hand and seizing legitimate advan- tages as they have arisen. He has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open and although content with what he attained as he went along he has always been ready to make an advance. Fortunate in possessing ability and character that have inspired confidence in others. the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into import- ant relations with large interests.
GEORGE F. SEVERS, M. D.
Dr. George F. Severs has for more than two decades been engaged in the practice of medicine at Centerville and has won and maintained an enviable reputation as a skilled and able representative of his profes- sion. His birth occurred on a farm near Moulton, Appanoose county. lowa, on the 20th of April. 1858, his parents being William P. and Elizabeth (McPherson) Severs, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and were of Scotch-Irish descent. The father came to this county on
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
the 4th of July, 1851, purchasing a farm two and a half miles southwest of Moulton, whereon he made his home for five years. On the expira- tion of that period he removed to a farmi five miles north of Moulton, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits for four years and then returning to his former place. Subsequently he settled on a farm a mile and a half west of Moulton, continuing to reside there until 1875, when he removed to Davis county, lowa, where he made his home until 1880. In that year he took up his abode on the old homestead at Orleans, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away on the 18th of April, 1890. His widow survives him and makes her home at Moulton in this county.
George F. Severs obtained his early education in the district school near Moulton and subsequently attended a graded school in Davis county. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as his life work, he entered the medical department of Drake University at Des Moines in the fall of 188; and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. in the spring of 1887. He won the highest mark in a class of eighteen at the commencement examination and was elected valedictorian. He asked the special privilege of writing his own valedictory and, though such a request had never been made before, the faculty told him that if he wrote a satisfactory one they would allow him to use it. The address which he prepared won both their approval and commendation. It was at Dean, lowa, that he first began practice and he remained there for two years. Going to Cincinnati, Ohio, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute and was graduated therefrom on the 4th of June, 1889. After spending a short time in West Grove, Davis county, this state, he came to Centerville, Iowa, on the 11th of December. 1889. and has here made his home continuously since, with the exception of a year and a half spent at Houston, Texas. In 1896 and 1897 he went to Chicago and pursued a special course in surgery and gynecology at the Chicago Polyclinic. On the completion of a course in psychology at the Chicago School of Psychology he was given the degree of P. D. Continually demonstrat- ing his skill and ability in the line of his chosen profession, he has enjoyed a liberal and lucrative practice and is widely known as a popular and successful practitioner. He belongs to the Appanoose County Medical Society, the lowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation and is a member of the Iowa state board of health and the lowa state board of examiners.
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