USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 20
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IRA L. LONG.
Ira L. Long, who is cashier of the Numa State Savings Bank and who controls other important business interests in Numa, is numbered among the most able, energetic and ambitious young men of that community. He is a native of Appanoose county, born in Vermillion township, November 10, 1889, and is a son of Charles and Marietta (Miller) Long, also born in the same section. The father was reared upon a farm and after attain- ing his majority followed agricultural pursuits, operating a valuable prop- erty until his death, which occurred on the 18th of October. 1912. The mother is still living.
Ira L. Long acquired his early education in the district schools of Ver- milion township and later entered the Centerville high school, graduating from that institution with the class of 1909. Deciding to continue his studies he went to Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant and was thus thoroughly equipped to begin his independent career. After laying aside his books he came to Numa and was appointed cashier of the Numa State Savings Bank, with which he has been connected since that time. He has proved himself in the discharge of his important duties a far-sighted and reliable business man and an able financier and is regarded as one of the most valuable men connected with the bank. He has other important
CHARLES LONG
THE NEW : .. .. PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, L'NIX ! ) TILD N FOCADA IONS.
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financial interests, being a stockholder in the First National Bank of Sey- mour and the owner of a large automobile livery business in Numa. In addition he holds title to eighty acres of improved farm land in Lincoln township, just adjoining the town.
Fraternally Mr. Long is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, acting as financier of that organization. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church, and politically he gives allegiance to the democratic party, supporting always its men and measures, although he never seeks office for himself. He is well known in this county where he has lived since his birth and has a wide acquaintance here, having won uniform trust and good-will by reason of a life which in all of its phases is upright, straightforward and honorable. He is still a young man but has proven himself able, ambitious and energetic and he cannot fail of continued progress and increasing prominence in the financial world.
DEXTER A. SPOONER.
Among the men who were active in the business development of Appa- noose county was Dexter A. Spooner, who for over half a century was prominently identified with the transfer business in Centerville. His death, therefore, removed from the city one whom it could ill afford to lose, a man of signal sincerity and integrity of purpose, whose individual work was an important factor in general development. Mr. Spooner was born in Indiana in August, 1832, and was a son of Benjamin and Martha ( W'are) Spooner, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Kentucky. The father worked at the saddler's trade in that state for a number of years but came to Centerville in the early '40s and established himself in the grocery business. Prior to that time, however, he had been prominent in agricultural circles of Appanoose county. After moving into the town, however, he never resumed his agricultural pursuits and spent the remainder of his life engaged in the grocery business. He passed away in 1872 and was survived by his wife until 1884.
Dexter A. Spooner was still a child when his parents moved to Appa- noose county and therefore his education was acquired in the public schools of this part of the state. After he laid aside his books he worked on his father's farm until he had attained his majority and then moved into Centerville and established himself in the transfer business. As time passed his enterprise grew and finally assumed large proportions, owing to his
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untiring and well directed efforts during half a century. He was a man of sound judgment and excellent business ability and in the conduct of his affairs met with well deserved success, indirectly assisting in a material way in the upbuilding of the community. He died November 4, 1907.
In May, 1871, Mr. Spooner married Miss Claudine B. Stratton, a daughter of J. F. and Laura W. (Foster) Stratton, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Massachusetts. The father was a civil engineer and his business took him to Michigan at a time when that state was still a territory. He worked at his profession there for a number of years but finally came to Centerville, Iowa, and served for many years as county surveyor of Appanoose county. Later he was elected county clerk and held this office for some time, showing in all the relations of his public life the same energy, ability and keen discrimination which marked his professional career. He died in 1884 and was survived by his wife until 1888. Mrs. Spooner, the widow of the subject of this review, has extensive property holdings in Centerville, owning an attractive home at No. 303 East Washington street and a controlling interest in the Spooner Transfer Company. She makes her home in the house which her father built in 1858, and intends to spend the remainder of her life in this house which is endeared to her through long association. Her father was one of the earliest settlers in Centerville and helped to lay out the town, as he did also the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Mr. Spooner was well known in the Masonic order and for many years was active in the affairs of that organization. He gave his allegi- ance to the republican party and was a member of the Methodist church, molding his life in accordance with its doctrines. The years of his active career had been spent in honorable and worthy work in Centerville and his death brought to a close a life of genuine and unostentatious use- fulness.
WILLIAM H. MCCABE.
Among the men who came to Appanoose county in the period of its pioneer development and who for many years have been identified with the progress and upbuilding of this part of the state is William H. McCabe, who made his first settlement here in 1856. He has given his attention almost entirely to agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of four hun- dred acres of valuable land on section 5. Franklin township, a portion of which is the family homestead. He was born in Saratoga county, New
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York, on the 25th of June, 1853, and is a son of John and Eleanor (Angle) McCabe, both natives of the Empire state. The father farmed in Sara- toga county for a number of years but in 1856 moved west to lowa and located in Appanoose county, where he purchased land upon which his son now resides. His tract at that time comprised eighty acres and was all prairie, which Mr. McCabe was obliged to break before beginning the work of development. He got the land under the plow and gradually carried forward the work of improvement, building the necessary farm buildings and a comfortable dwelling. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, he left the farm and enlisted in an Iowa company, being later transferred to a Kansas cavalry regiment. He served for eighteen months and was then discharged on account of disability. Returning home, he again settled upon his farm, but soon afterward died from the effects of his military service. His wife, left alone, bravely faced the hardships of pioneer life and reared her family of two sons and two daughters, namely: Peter, a farmer of Franklin township: Clara, who became the wife of Peter Bales, also of Franklin township; Mary, the wife of D. W. Pettigrew, of Lincoln township; and William H., of this review.
The last named was in his childhood familiar with pioneer conditions in the state and even as a small boy aided in breaking the soil in the devel- opment of his father's farm. He had very few school advantages and is largely self-educated, having gained the greater part of his knowledge through reading, experience and observation in later years. As soon as he was able he obtained work by the day or month and labored in this way for several years, saving his money and accumulating a comfortable sum With this he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead. which he has since continued to operate. He did not fear earnest and per- sistent work and steadily carried forward the work of development in which he had assisted since childhood, adding to his holdings until the farm comprises four hundred acres. He replaced the early dwelling with a modern two-story residence in 1897, while barns and out-buildings were also crected, the farm thus becoming a model property. The fields are carefully tilled and Mr. McCabe has secured the latest improved machin- ery to facilitate his work. He gathers large harvests and the stock which he keeps is of good grades, commanding a ready sale, and he is numbered among the men of affluence in this community. He owns in addition to the homestead twenty-two acres of timber land in the vicinity.
In Lincoln township, on September 1, 1875, Mr. McCabe was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lowry, who was born and reared in Appa- noose county, a daughter of R. S. Lowry. They became the parents of seven children: W. H., Jr., who attended the Seymour high school and
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who is now assisting his father in the operation of the farm; Nettic, the wife of Frank Armntrout, of Marshall county, Indiana; Ethel, who mar- ried Hosea Phillips, a farmer of Franklin township; Anna, who became the wife of John Kirkpatrick, of Johnson county, Iowa; Ola, who teaches music; Hallie, a graduate nurse and a resident of Iowa City; and Eula, who attends the Seymour high school. Mr. McCabe's first wife passed away in August, 1904, and on the 7th of June, 1911. he was again married. His second wife was Mrs. Emma Fox, of Lemonville, Missouri, who was born and reared in Franklin township. She is a daughter of Joseph Melson and the widow of William Fox, by whom she had five children. Of this family two, Ray and Lilly, are living with their mother. Mrs. McCabe is a devout adherent of the Baptist church.
Mr. McCabe gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is prominent and active in local affairs, being particularly interested in school matters. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of education and has been influentially identified with the betterment of the schools. He was township trustee for six years and has served as dele- gate to numerous county conventions and has done conscientious work upon petit and grand juries. He was formerly a member of the Masonic order in Seymour, where he held membership in the blue lodge and chapter. and was affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons. The record of his career ex- tends back to pioncer history and his activities have been connected closely with the development of the county. While his life has been quietly passed, it has been useful and beneficial in its results, showing what may be accomplished by a determined and persistent spirit and honorable dealing. He occupies a place of prominence among the representative citizens of Appanoose county, but the most envious cannot grudge him his success- so worthily has it been won.
CHARLES F. PARKER.
Appanoose county numbers among her prominent and successful native sons Charles F. Parker, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Franklin township, who is in addition a power and a dominating force in the public life of the section. He was born on the farm which he now operates, March 18, 1856, and is a son of L. G. Parker, a native of Jefferson county, New York, who was born February 7. 1815. The father of our subject grew to manhood in the Empire state but when a young man went to Ohio, where he married Miss Nancy J. Barney, also born in New
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York. He was a man of excellent education, of college training, being a graduate civil engineer, and after he moved to Ohio became prominent in school circles. He engaged in teaching for a number of years in that state and during his period of residence gave most of his time and attention to that occupation. In 1854 he moved to Iowa and located on the farm now owned by the subject of this review. This was a part of a tract of six hun- dred acres which had been previously entered by his father-in-law, Ben- jamin Barney. Mr. Parker settled upon this property, broke the soil and carried forward the work of development, making it a model agricultural enterprise. After a time he resumed teaching and was gradually carried forward into important relations with educational affairs, and in this line of work as in all the others with which he was identified became prominent and influential. He reared his family of children in Appanoose county and spent the remainder of his life upon his farm, dying in March, 1905. He had survived his wife for some years, her death having occurred in 1894.
Charles F. Parker is one of a family of six sons. He remained upon his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age and then in company with an older brother went to Kansas, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. For two years he was a resident of Newton, Kansas, but at the end of that time returned to lowa and worked upon the homestead and in the mines for two years. He then made another journey into Kan- sas, where he homesteaded a claim in Finney county and proved upon it until he had completed payment, when he sold the property. He returned to Appanoose county and married here in 1883 and immediately afterward located on part of the home farm, to which he has since added, being now the owner of a large portion of the original tract. He has made extensive and substantial improvements upon the property which he has provided with a good residence and excellent barns and out-buildings and in addi- tion has planted a good orchard which is now in bearing. In connection with general farming Mr. Parker is making a specialty of raising pure- blooded Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. His animals command a ready sale in the markets, this portion of Mr. Parker's business being an important source of his income.
On the 8th of April. 1883, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Ida Harl, who was reared and educated in Appanoose county. She was the eldest daughter of J. T. Harl, a prominent pioneer in lowa. Mrs. Parker passed away in 1904, leaving four children. Pearl lives at home. John G., who is aiding in the operation of the home farm. is married and has one son, Ray Harl. The two youngest children are Neil J. and Ida Harl.
Mr. Parker is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and holds an official position in the local lodge. Eminently progressive in his
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citizenship, he has for many years taken an active part in the political life of his community and his work along public lines has been felt as a force in general development. For eighteen years he has served as justice of the peace, having been first elected in 1894 and reelected at the expiration of each term. He has served as county committeeman and as a delegate to numerous conventions and in November, 1912, was elected a member of the board of county supervisors. He has made an honorable and worthy record in all his official relations, standing today among the prominent men in public life in this part of Appanoose county.
ELMER J. MODEN.
Elmer J. Moden is an active business man of Numa, where for a num- ber of years he has conducted a first-class restaurant, his work along lines of advancement making him a factor in the general business development and progress of the town. Appanoose county has numbered him among its residents since his birth, and he is regarded in Numa as a valuable addition to the ranks of progressive business men. He was born in Brazil, Bellair township, November 29, 1885, and is a son of John and Carrie (Stirts) Moden. The father came to Appanoose county in pioneer times and was one of the first settlers in the town of Brazil. He was an experienced coal miner and after coming to Iowa engaged in that occupation during the re- mainder of his life, passing away in 1895. His widow still makes her home in Brazil.
Elmer J. Moden was reared at home and acquired his education in the district schools of Bellair township. After completing his studies he also engaged in coal mining and for thirteen years continued his connection with that line of work. At the end of that time he went to Plano, Walnut township, and established himself in the restaurant business, conducting a flourishing enterprise for one year, after which he sold out at a profit and came to Numa. Here he resumed his occupation and is now operating the only first-class restaurant in the town. His business interests are carefully conducted and his sound judgment, industry and enterprise are manifest in the prosperity which comes to him.
On the 11th of September, 1909, Mr. Moden was united in marriage to Miss Ida Philby, a daughter of George and Emma (Rothwell) Philby, natives of England. The father came to America with his parents when he was a child and as soon as he was old enough he engaged in coal mining. In 1882 he came to Appanoose county and resumed his former occupation.
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He now resides in Plano. Mr. and Mrs. Moden have two children : Edith L., two years of age; and Ruth V., aged one.
Mr. Moden gives his allegiance to the republican party and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church. Frater- nally he is affiliated with the Foresters of America. Mr. Moden is also the organizer and leader of the band at Numa, and is an accomplished music- ian, being an artist on the clarinet. He is still a young man but possesses In his character the qualities upon which success is founded and his con- tinued advancement is, therefore, assured. As a resident of Numa he has been loyal in his advocacy of everything pertaining to the welfare of the town and has already made some substantial contributions to its develop- ment and progress.
MARION MCCRORY.
Marion McCrory, engaged in business at Moravia as a dealer in feed, was born in Davis county, lowa, February 10, 1872, a son of Winn and Mary (Shepard) McCrory. With their respective parents they removed from Ohio to Davis county, Iowa, where they were married, and there made their home for some years. The mother died in that county but the father passed away in Missouri. He was a lifelong farmer and had reached the age of fifty-two years when, in 1898, he was called to his final rest. Marion MeCrory was but nine days old at the time of his mother's demise. He has spent the greater part of his life in Moravia and its vicinity, being reared by his grandparents, Thomas and Catherine McCrory, whose last days were spent in Moravia.
Marion McCrory acquired his education in the public schools and was carly trained to recognize the value of industry, economy and honesty. For several years after attaining his majority he engaged in farming. but for the past three years has conducted a feed store at Moravia. He buys and ships grain of all kinds and sells feed to the local trade, in which connec- tion he has built up a profitable and growing business.
On the 11th of April, 1893, Mr. McCrory was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wright, who was born in Davis county, Iowa, June 7, 1872, a daughter of Robert Wright. They have become parents of six children : William, who was drowned at the age of fifteen years: Minnie: Ethel : . George and Georgiana, twins, the latter dying in infancy: and Mattie. The family are well known in Moravia and theirs is a hospitable home. the good cheer of which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Mc-
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Crory votes with the democratic party, to which he has given his allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His fraternal rela- tions are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, in the work of which lodges he is interested, recognizing the high principles which underlie their tenets and their teachings.
JOHN PAYTON.
John Payton, who has resided in Appanoose county for more than two- thirds of a century, is the oldest living settler within its borders and is familiar with its annals from pioneer times to the present. He is now living retired in Centerville, where for many years he worked at the plaster- er's trade. His birth occurred in Shelby county, Missouri, on the 23d of October, 1835, his parents being John and Emily (Townsend) Payton. The father was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, while the mother was born in Tennessee in 1805. John Payton, Sr., accompanied his parents on their removal to Tennessee as a young man and there began farming. He was married in that state and a few years later removed to Shelby county, Mis- souri, where he met death by accident in 1837, being thrown from a horse. His widow was thus left with the care of five small children. In the spring of 1844 she sold the farm in Missouri and came to Appanoose county, Iowa, here entering one hundred and sixty acres of land. At the end of six years, in 1850, she disposed of the place and took up her abode in Center- ville, where she continued to reside until called to her final rest in 1863.
John Payton was a lad of nine years when he came to this county with his widowed mother, Centerville at that time containing but four houses. He attended school there and when twelve years of age carried the mail on horseback from Centerville to Ottumwa-a distance of forty miles. He carried mail for three years and worked at any other employment that he could find. On the 14th of February, 1862, at Centerville, lowa, he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, Sixth lowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Captain Waldron. He participated in twenty-seven of the principal engagements of the war, including those of Shiloh, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, Mission Ridge and Lookout Moun- tain. He was wounded at Atlanta, Georgia, on the 28th of July, 1864, and on the 10th of June, 1865, was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, re- ceiving his honorable discharge at Davenport, lowa, on the 25th of August, 1865. Mr. Payton was a loyal and valiant soldier, always found in the thickest of the fight and never faltering in the performance of any task
JOHN PAYTON
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assigned him. After returning to Centerville he learned the plasterer's trade, working at that occupation throughout the remainder of his active business career. During the past few years, however, he has lived retired, spending the evening of life in well earned rest. He owns an attractive home in Centerville and receives a pension of thirty dollars per month.
On the 4th of March, 1858, Mr. Payton was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Jane Swearengin, a daughter of Samuel S. and Temperance Ann (Pearson ) Swearengin, both of whom were natives of Maryland. They came west in the early '40s, locating on a farm in Davis county, Iowa. In 1852 Mr. Swearengin established his home in Appanoose county and built a flour and feed mill on the Chariton river in Sharon township. here continuing to reside until he passed away in 1857. A few years later his wite died at the home of her son George in Centerville, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Payton were born the following children : Isaac, who is deceased: Josephine, who is the widow of George Halden, a merchant of Centerville, Iowa, and now resides in Spokane, Washington; Albert, who conducts an opera house in Centerville; Ella, the wife of Rev. Stevens, of Spokane. Washington: George, who is at this writing a candidate for the office of sheriff in Appanoose county : and Claud, in New York city. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1901 and since that time Mr. Payton has had a family living with him, to look after the household.
In politics Mr. Payton is a stanch republican, having ever supported the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He attends the services of the Methodist church and his life has been upright and honorable in its various relations. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living settler in the county.
F. S. SHARP.
F. S. Sharp is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and ninety acres on section 15, Taylor township, and his careful management is evidenced in its well kept appearance and in the substantial crops which are annually garnered. It was in this township, on the 3d of January. 1865, while his father was at the front in the Civil war, that F. S. Sharp was born. He is a son of F. M. and Maggie R. (Beaty) Sharp. The father's birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania. January 26. 1839, while the mother was born in Marshall county, Ilinois, September 19. 1838. In 1855 F. M. Sharp came to Taylor township. Appanoose Vol 11-13
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