USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 21
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county, with his parents, J. W. and Anna Sharp, being at that time a lad of sixteen years. His father secured the last piece of land open for entry in the township and there developed a farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. They had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom F. M. Sharp was the eldest. He was reared in the usual manner of farm lads and always carried on general agricultural pur- suits. He purchased eighty acres of the present homestead, which at that time was a tract of raw land. but with characteristic energy soon trans- formed it into fertile fields, to which he added from time to time until two hundred and eighty acres were comprised within the boundaries of his place. He continually carried on general farming here until ten years ago, when he sold the old home to his son F. S. Sharp and went to Missouri to live in the Ozark country for the benefit of his health. He was a valued and highly respected resident of this part of the state, honored and esteemed wherever known and most of all where he was best known. He enlisted on the 24th of June, 1861, as a member of Company D. Sixth lowa Volun- teer Infantry, and served for more than four years. or until the close of the war, being mustered out at Washington, D. C., where he took part in the Grand Review, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen in the west- ern hemisphere, thousands of victorious troops marching through the streets of the city, between the ranks of a cheering multitude that welcomed their return. Mr. Sharp participated in many hotly contested battles. never faltering in the face of the gravest danger. In days of peace he was a loyal and progressive citizen and filled a number of local offices, while at one time he was a candidate for the legislature and also for county superinten- dent of schools on the democratic ticket. Although his party was largely in the minority, such was his personal popularity that he came within a few votes of being elected. He and his wife were active members of the Cun- berland Presbyterian church and he was a valued member of the Grand Army post here. In Masonry he had also attained high rank, being a mem- ber of the Knight Templar commandery and the Mystic Shrine. Unto him and his wife were born eight children: F. S .. of this review: J. E .. a hard- ware merchant of Centerville: Lillie R., the wife of J. W. Yates. of Thomasville, Georgia: Annie, the wife of William Spencer. of Albia. Thomas P., of Thomasville, Georgia: Luella, the wife of T. E. Robinson. of Elkhead, Missouri ; John G., living in Tampa, Florida : and Alberta. the wife of W. H. Blake, of Tampa.
F. S. Sharp, whose name introduced this review. has always resided upon the old homestead, devoting his life to general agricultural pursuits. He acquired a public-school education and when his text-books were put aside he concentrated his energies upon farm work and ultimately became
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the owner of the farm which had long been the property of his father, con- prising two hundred and ninety acres of rich and productive land on section 15, Taylor township. Upon this place his father had put many improve- ments and Mr. Sharp keeps it in excellent condition. devoting his attention to the cultivation of grain and the raising of stock. He has also been a director of the Moravia State Savings Bank since its organization.
On the 21st of July. 1895, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Hilton, who was born in Monroe county, Iowa, near the Hilton postoffice, which was named in honor of her father. Judge James Hilton. who came to this part of the state in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have two children, Mary and James Hilton. Mr. Sharp votes with the democratic party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He is, however, an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity. in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree and has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. A lifelong resi- dent of Taylor township, he is, indeed, widely known and his many ad- mirable characteristics have gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he is associated.
J. H. MCCAULEY.
In various offices J. H. McCauley has proven his fidelity to the best interests of the community and at all times has been a loyal and valued citizen of Appanoose county during the forty-five years of his residence here. The greater part of his life has been spent in Iowa, although he is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, his birth occurring December 4. 1838. about twelve miles southwest of New Lisbon in a little log cabin which he visited in 1911. finding it still well preserved after all those years. His parents. Patrick and Elizabeth ( Brown) McCauley, were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, the former becoming a resident of the Keystone state when he accompanied his parents to the new world in his childhood days. The Brown family is of Scotch lineage. It was in 1843 that Patrick McCauley left Columbiana county, Ohio. with his family and drove across the country to Jefferson county, Iowa. with a plug team and linchpin wagon. He located north of Fairfield. where he spent the first winter in a primitive house with no floor. The little building sheltered father, mother and eleven children. After nine years spent in Jefferson county. Mr. Mccauley removed to Appanno- county, where with a land warrant he secured three hundred and twenty
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acres four miles southwest of Iconium. He died at the home of his son, J. H. McCauley, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away in this county at the age of sixty-five years. All of the eleven children reached adult age and were married save the youngest brother, T. C. McCauley, who was wounded at Marks Spring, Arkansas, and died there. He had enlisted for service in the army with an Iowa regiment, but had been transferred to the Sixth Company before his death in 1863. The eldest son of the family, John McCauley, served for three years in defense of the Union and then veteranized, remaining with the Third lowa Cavalry until the close of hostilities. The only members of the family now living are J. H. McCauley and his sister Matilda, who is the widow of S. J. Van Horn and resides in Cleveland, Ohio.
Since the ist of October, 1843, J. H. McCauley has made his home in this state, arriving here when not quite five years of age. He is there- fore one of lowa's honored pioneers and has lived to witness the greater part of the growth and progress of the state as it has emerged from frontier conditions and taken rank with the leading states of the Union. His residence in Appanoose county covers forty-five years and throughout the entire period his sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship have won him high regard. He has been a farmer and stockdealer during the greater part of his life, but for three years was upon the road as a traveling sales- man, making Burlington his headquarters, and for some time was a retail merchant at Iconium, where he remained for eleven years, and while con- ducting his mercantile interests there he also engaged in farming. For thirty-six years he has been an auctioneer and during that time has never missed but two dates. Since he disposed of his commercial interests about thirty years ago he has given his attention to overseeing his farm and live-stock interests and his auctioneering business. These different con- nections have made him widely known and wherever he has gone he has made friends, for he is a man of genial disposition and kindly spirit. At different times he has been called to public office, serving as postmaster at Iconium for four years, as school treasurer there for ten years and also as school director for a number of years. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party, for he is a firm believer in its principles.
In September, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. MeCauley and Miss Mattie Dean, of Unionville, Iowa, a daughter of Liven and Susan Dean. Mrs. McCauley died in February. 1905. at the age of fifty-six years. leaving three sons and a daughter: Ray D., of Moravia: Charles. of Chicago; Ned, who is cashier of the Moravia State Savings Bank: and Stella, the wife of H. C. Reich, of Moravia.
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Mr. McCauley attributes much of his success to the influence, assistance and encouragement of his wife. He did not know the letters of the alphabet when nineteen years of age. He had only six months' schooling and his wife became his teacher. He mastered the lessons which she assigned with the same thoroughness that has characterized him in every relation of life. He has never faltered in the accomplishment of any task to which he has set himself and his resolute spirit has been one of the strongest elements in his growing success. His life has ever been a busy, active and useful one. Although he is now seventy-four years of age, he is still closely and prominently associated with business affairs and recently during a period of seven weeks be purchased twenty-eight carloads of heavy cattle feeders, one hundred and twenty yearlings and two carloads of cattle for butchering. At the same time he has conducted his farm and sales busi- ness, manifesting energy and perseverance equal to that of many a man of half his age. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and for thirty-eight years he has been a faithful member of the Masonic fraternity, true to its teachings concerning mutual helpfulness and broth- erly kindliness. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished for with no advantages at the outset of his career he placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of hard work and determination and those qualities in the course of years have brought him substantial and well deserved prosperity.
OSCAR W. JOHNSON.
Among the active and progressive business men of Exline is numbered Oscar W. Johnson, postmaster and well known as a partner in the firm of Freeburg & Johnson, general merchants. He was born in Sweden, March 28. 1878, and when he was only nine years of age was brought to America by his father, who came with his family across the Atlantic and pushed on to lowa, locating in Centerville.
Oscar W. Johnson grew to maturity in Centerville and was educated in its public schools. In his early life he worked in the coal mines and later clerked for four years, receiving in this way an excellent business training. Later he was made superintendent at the Dewey mine and after two years of able work in this capacity resigned and formed his present partnership with R. M. Freeburg. Mr. Johnson came to Exline as active manager of the general store which the firm conducts and by virtue of the prosperity he has achieved occupies today an enviable position in business circles. He
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
carries a complete stock of well selected goods and has secured a liberal patronage because of the honest and upright commercial methods to which he has steadily adhered. He divides his time between the conduct of his mercantile establishment and his duties as postmaster of Exline, to which position he was appointed in 1909. He has proven himself able, sys- tematic, prompt and reliable in this capacity and is widely popular through- out the district which he serves. Mr. Johnson owns some valuable resi- dence property and has made many profitable real-estate deals, having bought and sold three residences in the town.
In Burlington. Iowa, on the 5th of November, 1903. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Gussie Nelson, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, of Swedish parents. To their union were born three chil- dren, Elvira, Lucille and Nabine. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Christian church. Mr. Johnson gives his allegiance to the republican party and in addition to his work as postmaster is also serving as council- man on the Exline town board. He is especially interested in school mat- ters and has been identified with many projects relating to public-school expansion, having served for many years on the board of education. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is well known in this part of lowa, where he was reared to manhood. standing today among the most valued and representative men of this community.
JOHN W. MARTIN.
Among the able, progressive and far-sighted business men of Numa is John W. Martin, who conducts a large general store and likewise controls other important business interests throughout Appanoose county. His career has been marked by steady advancement along legitimate lines and he has gained a high degree of prosperity which is the direct outcome of his steady work and his effective ability. He was born in Putnam county, Missouri, September 28, 1871, and is a son of Neal and Permelia ( Lane) Martin, the former a native of Randolph county, Missouri. and the latter of Ireland. The father moved to Putnam county at an early date and there engaged in the general mercantile business in Martinstown, a com- munity which was named in his honor. For forty-six years he conducted this enterprise, evidencing in all of his business relations the integrity and high standards of business morality upon which his prosperity was founded. He died in Martinstown, January 12. 1903, at the age of seventy-six, and
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his death was deeply mourned and regretted by a wide circle of friends. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1873.
John W. Martin was reared in Putnam county, Missouri. and acquired his early education in the public schools of that section, completing it in Kirksville, Missouri. After he had laid aside his books he engaged in the general merchandise business in partnership with his father for a year and a half, after which he sold out his interests and moved to Coatsville, Mis- souri. This was the first of a series of changes in location, all of which materially advanced Mr. Martin's interests. He spent two years in the hardware business in Coatsville and, then moved to Graysville, where he purchased his uncle's general store which he operated for two years. Dur- ing that time he became well known in local political circles of that place and his loyalty and progressive spirit were recognized in his election to the office of county treasurer. When he had completed his term of service he moved to Hartford. Missouri, and there engaged in the general merchan- dise business. After two years, however, he sold his enterprise and in May, 1897, came to Numa, where he has since resided. He purchased a general store and has since been successful in the conduct of this enterprise, man- aging in addition a profitable hardware concern. These. however, form only a small portion of Mr. Martin's extensive business interests in Appa- noose county. In 1904 he purchased a coal mine operated at that time by the Walnut Coal Company and after developing this successfully for four years sold out at a profit and bought another mine at Pleasant Plain. After he had operated this for one year he disposed of it for seventeen thousand dollars and later bought what was known as the Jim White farm, com- prising two hundred and forty acres, and also owns the coal and mineral rights to four hundred and eighty acres. He is president and manager of the Martin Block Coal Company of Numa. This concern has a paid up capital of fifty thousand dollars and is one of the important commercial enterprises in this part of the state. Mr. Martin has proven himself an eminently capable, far-sighted and discriminating business man and finan- cier, who recognizes and uses each favorable opportunity, who correctly judges commercial conditions and who has ably converted his knowledge to his own advantage. Everything which he does is done capably and well and his prosperity today is the visible evidence of his energy, reliability and well directed ambition. His interests in Appanoose county extend over a wide field, making him one of the leading and representative business men of this community.
On the 5th of July, 1889. Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca E. Warwick, who was born in Putnam county, Missouri, Septem- ber 15. 1873, and who grew to womanhood there. She is a daughter of J.
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M. and Frances ( Hatfield) Warwick, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Missouri in early times. The father bought land in Putnam county and at one time owned and operated ten thousand acres, being one of the most prosperous agriculturists and extensive landowners in the locality. He re- tired from active life in 1902 and has since made his home in Numa. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout that con- flict as a member of a Missouri cavalry regiment. His wife also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have become the parents of five children : Mamie O., the wife of W. B. Russell, who manages Mr. Martin's hardware store ; John Neal, who is studying medicine in Chicago, Illinois; Ola Blanche F., the wife of Mat Folwell, of Numa; Ophie Grace, the wife of Robert Ross, who resides in Numa and operates the mine belonging to the subject of this review; and Winnifred P., who is attending the Centerville high school.
Fraternally Mr. Martin is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order, being well known and popular in all of these organizations. He is a devout member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republi- can party and for a number of years he served upon the Numa town coun- cil, discharging his duties conscientiously and always with a view to the best interests of the general public. He is publie-spirited and progressive, eager for the welfare of his community and giving active and helpful co- operation to any movement which tends to promote it.
WILLIAM MORRISON ELLIS.
Upon the roll of Appanoose county's honored dead appears the name of William Morrison Ellis, who is held in loving and grateful remembrance by his many friends in this section, although thirteen years have passed since his death. He was for a long period one of the substantial and pro- gressive agriculturists of this section of the state and through the years of his honorable and upright career he gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. Mr. Ellis was a native of Kentucky. born on the 13th of January, 1830, his parents being Marcellus and Nancy Ellis, both natives of Kentucky. The father farmed in that state for some time but eventually came north and settled in Indiana, whence in 1855 he came to Caldwell township, Appanoose county, where he purchased land and engaged in general agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life.
WILLIAM M. ELLIS
MRS. M. A. ELLIS
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William M. Ellis acquired his education in the public schools of Ken- tucky and of Harrison county, Indiana, and grew to manhood in the latter section. He left Harrison county about the year 1850, trading his prop- erty in that state for a land warrant for forty acres in Sharon township, Appanoose county, to which he added eighty acres entered from the govern- ment. For a number of years he concentrated his attention upon the im- provement and development of this farm, making it in all respects a model agricultural enterprise. When he left Sharon township he moved into Caldwell township, purchasing eighty acres, and upon this property he carried on general agricultural pursuits. His intelligently directed energies brought him success and he continued to cultivate his farm until his death, which occurred in 1899. His widow now lives upon the homestead, which for some time she rented out but which her grandson Vernie L. Ellis is now operating for her.
On the 25th of December, 1849, Mr. Ellis was united in marriage, in Harrison county, Indiana, to Miss Margaret A. Ellis, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Ellis, natives of Kentucky, whose ancestors came from Virginia and were originally of Dutch, Irish and Welsh extraction. Daniel and Mary Ellis went from Kentucky to Indiana and spent the remainder of their lives on a farm in Harrison county. The mother died in 1851, after which Daniel Ellis married Mrs. Patsy Bunch, of Harrison county. who has passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ellis became the parents of six children. The eldest. America, passed away at the age of fifteen. Perry, a farmer of Vermillion township, married Violinda Eddy and they became the parents of eight children, Lloyd. Floyd, Ella, Bessie, May, Alta, and William and Russell, both of whom have passed away. Jesse, the third child born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, is a farmer in Vermillion township. He married Belle Grimes and by her has six children, Lonnie, Mande, Pearl, Hazel, Hygene and Fitz. Laura married Clint Toney, a farmer of Sublett, Missouri. They have seven children, John. Hazel. Pansy, Ivy, Nora, Marion and Arthur. Millard is a cement worker in Centerville. He has been married three times, his third wife being Miss Rose Hitchcock. By his first union he is the father of five children. Ernest. Clyde, Vernie, Ethel and Shirley. and by his third marriage has one son, Harold. The youngest child born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis is Cora Della, who married Harry Bennefield. : stockman in Oklahoma, by whom she has four children. Otis. Blanche. Elsie and William. Mrs. Ellis has now reached the age of eighty-two years but is still active and vigorous and enjoys the best of health. She comes of a long-lived family. Her grandfather. John Ellis, lived to be one hundred and one years old and then met his death by accident, having
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been thrown out of a buggy and killed. Her great-grandfather was struck by lightning and killed at the age of one hundred and two years.
William M. Ellis was loyal in his support of the men and measures of the democratic party and, although he was no office seeker, he was never- theless identified with many local enterprises and was known as a cooper- ant factor in many measures that directly benefited the community. He was for several terms director of the school board and fraternally was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gave devout adherence to the doctrines of the Christian church, exemplifying in his up- right life the principles in which he believed. Those things which are most worthy and commendable in life made strong appeal to him and the standards of honorable manhood found worthy expression in his career, gaining for him widespread respect and esteem and many friends.
MATHEW MORE.
Mathew More, owning one hundred and sixty acres of land in Union township, upon a portion of which he has resided for thirty years, is a native of Ohio, born in Clark county, December 5, 1847. His parents were John and Mary E. (Moor) More, natives of England, both of whom were born in Yorkshire. Their marriage occurred in that section and im- mediately afterward they crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in New York state in 1832. Subsequently they pushed westward to Ohio and es- tablished a residence in Clark county in 1848. At the time the tide of emigration swept toward Iowa the father of our subject joined the throngs who were going westward and located in Davis county, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. He and his wife re- mained upon this property until their deaths, the father passing away in 1865 and the mother in 1890. Both were devout members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In his politics John More was a loyal democrat and a man of influence and weight in local party councils, having served for several years in various important capacities.
Mathew More was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools. After his marriage in 1874 he left Davis county and rented land in Appanoose county, near Moulton, upon which he resided for one year. He spent the next four years upon rented land in Wapello county but in 1880 returned to Appanoose county and purchased eighty acres in Union township, which constitutes a portion of his present farm. With characteristic energy he began the work of developing and cultivating his
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fields and, his methods being progressive and his standards of business in- tegrity high, his work was rewarded by well deserved success. From time to time he added to his holdings and today owns one hundred and sixty acres, constituting one of the finest and most profitable agricultural enter- prises in this part of the state.
In Davis county in 1874 Mr. More married Miss Mary E. Smith, a daughter of Paris Smith, one of the early settlers in lowa. Mr. and Mrs. More became the parents of ten children. nine of whom are still living: John Orville, of Unionville, Appanoose county; William Everett, a resi- dent of Des Moines: Paris E., whose home is in Unionville: Jessie MI .. who married Charles Tomlin, of Davis county; Ruby, the wife of Eugene Boyer, of U'nion township; Addic. the wife of Clarence Swain, also of Union township; Nannie, the wife of Olin Swain, of U'dell township: Nettie, who married Joseph Harrington, of Davis county; and Ora, a teacher in the district schools of U'nion township. Mr. and Mrs. More are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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