Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II, Part 25

Author: Taylor, L. L., ed
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 452


USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 25


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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


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to become attorney for the Frisco lines. He has since acted in that capa- city, being now chief counsel in the law department of the Frisco system, and is also general attorney for the Rock Island road. He is a director of the Central National Bank of St. Louis and occupies a prominent and enviable position in professional and financial circles. His ability, nat- ural and acquired, has been constantly developed through study, research and experience and he stands today as one of the foremost legal represen- tatives of railway interests in the middle west.


GEORGE W. NOLAND.


George W. Noland is one of the enterprising citizens of Appanoose county, making his home in Udell. He was born December 22, 1872, in Udell township, his parents being John N. and Emma C. (Boyer) No- land. The father's birth occurred in Estill county, Kentucky, in 1842, and the mother is a native of Coles county, Illinois. John N. Noland is of English descent and is a prominent stockman and fruit-raiser. When a child he came to lowa with his parents, the family settling in Davis county, since which time he has been a resident of this state. The mother arrived in Iowa with her parents about the same time and they were mar- ried in Davis county, whence they removed to Appanoose county. October 1, 1863. Mr. Noland purchased eighty acres of land in Udell town- ship, to which he afterward added forty acres, residing upon that place for fourteen years and developing it into an excellent farm. On account of failing health, however, he sold out and removed to Arkansas. but after a short time returned to Iowa and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Davis county, on which he passed away in 1883. His widow survives and is now acting as housekeeper for her son George.


After acquiring his preliminary education in the district schools George W. Noland entered the Western College at Toledo. Iowa. September 18, 1891, to prepare himself for the ministry. Hc was a bright, precocious child and a general favorite with everyone and during his school days had made steady progress in his studies, which was supplemented by an ex- cellent record during his college course. Before entering college, however, he had attended five terms of summer school at the Southern Iowa Normal College at Bloomfield in order to prepare himself for teaching. In 1893 he entered upon the active work of that profession and taught ten terms of summer school in order to meet the expenses of his own education. Dur- ing his college days he was known as an excellent student and a fine de-


MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. NOLAND


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bater and held the chair of critic in the Scylomathian Literary Society of Western College. Being interested in literary and journalistic work, he was given a position in 1894 on the reportorial staff of the Ottumwa Cour- ier. In 1895 he made a tour of the state of Iowa and he spent one winter in traveling for a wholesale dealer in novelties at Ottumwa, lowa. He was later given a position on the reportorial staff of the Bur- lington Hawkeye and subsequently served in a similar capacity on the Des Moines Capital and the Chicago American. In the spring of 1900 he went to Bloomfield, where he opened an office and a racket store. The same fall, however, he removed to Darbyville, Missouri, where he engaged in merchandising, and while there he was appointed postmaster. On the Ist of June, 1906. he removed to Salina, Kansas, and it was while living there that he composed and brought out a number of popular songs, one entitled " 'Neath the Cotton Woods of Sunny Kansas Land" and another called "I Don't Want to Trade You Off for Any Other Girl." Soon after the publication of his music a paper commenting upon his picture said: "In this portrait we see fine organic quality, a high degree of the mental temperament, with the intellectual, moral and esthetic elements quite strong. Ideality and the poetic faculty predominate, giving a love of beauty in nature and art and a great imagination. It is a fine picture for character study."


After living in Salina, Kansas, for about a year Mr. Noland went to Brookville, Kansas, where he purchased a shoe store, added to the stock and built up a good trade, but eventually sold out there and in 1908 went to Mountain Grove, Missouri, as pastor of the Christian church. Later he returned to Darbyville, Missouri, where he opened a general store and was again appointed postmaster. In 1910 his wife's health failed and, hoping to benefit her thereby, he returned to Mountain Grove, Missouri, settling on a farm, but Mrs. Noland passed away not long afterward. Mr. Noland then went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained with his mother until October 16, 1911, when they all removed to Udell. Here he rented a store room and put in a new stock of general merchandise and dry goods. He is enjoying a growing business here and is num- bered among the enterprising merchants of the town.


It was in 1900 that Mr. Noland was married to Miss Lizette Boyer, a daughter of Madison and Mary B. (Moore) Boyer, both of whom were natives of Illinois. They were married in that state and removed to Appanoose county, where the father taught in the public schools and also engaged in preaching in the Christian church. During the Civil war he acted as hospital clerk and drummer boy and some time after hostilities had closed drew a pension. At the close of the war he returned to


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Appanoose county, where he continued teaching. Later he removed to Davis county, where Mrs. Noland was born in 1874. While the family were living there he served as county treasurer two terms and was a prominent and influential citizen of that locality. His wife died in Davis county and Mr. Boyer passed away at the home of his brother in Udell. Their daughter Mrs. Noland was a talented musician and com- poser and wrote the music for her husband's songs. By this marriage were born two children: Edna, born at Salina, Kansas, October 17, 1906; and John M., in Darbyville, Missouri, in 1909.


Mr. Noland is a member of the Odd Fellow's lodge at Bloomfield, Iowa. He gives his political support to the democratic party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He has always been deeply interested in the study of phrenology. When a boy he obtained possession of a publication of Fowler & Wells, which he read with great interest; he studied his schoolmates and on entering college had access to the library, which contained the works of Spurzheim, George Combe, Neison Sizer and the Fowlers, which he eagerly read, becoming an advocate of phrenology. He has lectured quite extensively on this subject through the middle west and at different times has followed this science. Now, however, he devotes his attention to merchandising and is building up a good trade in Udell. Church work has also long interested him. At an early age of fifteen he began preaching and was called "the boy preacher." He was an eloquent speaker and drew large congregations to hear him and many joined the church under his teach- ings. His has been an active life, fruitful of good results along many lines, and wherever he has gone he has been known as a student, whose reading and researches have been deep.


DAVID LODWICK.


A spirit of enterprise and progressiveness in business characterizes the activities of David Lodwick, one of the partners in the Lodwick Brothers Coal Company, now owning and operating five mines at Mystic. This is one of the most important industries of this section of the county, adding materially to its wealth in that it furnishes employment to a large num- ber of workmen while at the same time returning a substantial income to the proprietors. Mr. Lodwick is a native of the little rock-ribbed country of South Wales, his birth having occurred at Pun Dyram, near Dowlais. January 7, 1864. His parents were William and Ann (James) Lodwick,


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both of whom were born in 1824, the former in Cardiganshire and the latter in Pembrokeshire. In 1870 the entire family came to the United States, settling first at Akron, Ohio, and a short time thereafter they went to Youngstown, remaining in the vicinity of that city for about twenty years. They were also for several years in Shawnee, in Perry county, but finally returned to Youngstown, where both the father and mother passed away, the former dying in 1887, while the latter survived him for twenty years, departing this life in 1907. William Lodwick engaged in coal mining throughout his entire life. Unto him and his wife were born seven children : John B., still living at Youngstown, Ohio; Rachel, the wife of John Llewellyn, of Mystic; L. L., who is in partnership with his brother David, and makes his home in Ottumwa, Iowa; Margaret, who married Lewis E. Lewis and is living in Youngstown, Ohio; W. B., a resident of Greeley, Colorado; David; and Martha Ann, who is the wife of John D. Williams, of Sherodsville, Ohio.


David Lodwick was a lad of but six years when the family crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority and his boyhood days were largely spent around the mines. For four years, however, he was employed in the rolling mills at Youngstown but during the remainder of his life he has been identified with mining interests. He dug coal for many years and did everything connected with the mining of that product so that he thoroughly knows the business in principle and detail. In 1889 he came to Mystic with his brother William and has now made his home here for a period of twenty- three years. His brothers, J. B. and L. L. Lodwick, had preceded him to this district in order to lease some coal land and had succeeded in leasing one hundred and sixty acres from JJohn M. Elgin. David Lodwick and his brother William then opened two drift mines on the property above mentioned and David Lodwick has since been actively engaged in the operation of the mines, giving his personal supervision to the work. He is associated in the business with his brothers, L. L. and J. B., the three forming the Lodwick Brothers Coal Company of Mystic. They are now operating five mines in this district, having a capacity of eight hundred and fifty tons of coal per day. One of these mines was opened and devel- oped entirely by David Lodwick, his brothers, however, being associated with him in the operation of the other four. He is the active partner in the business and has complete charge of the mines. He also conducts two supply stores in connection with the mines and employs altogether about five hundred workmen. His long experience has made him familiar with every phase of mining and mine equipment as well as mine operation and he is today one of the prosperous residents of the county, having attained


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a measure of success which is the direct result of his unfaltering industry, his perseverance and his determination. He has platted Roosevelt Heights, an addition to Mystic, and he is also the owner of a half interest in Fruitland, an addition which he opened in connection with T. R. Sedg- wick. In 1911 he built and now owns the Masonic Temple here and he is also the owner of a corner block on Second and Main streets.


Mr. Lodwick has always been most active in the affairs of the town, contributing in large measure to its upbuilding and improvement and to the establishment of a high moral tone here. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party and he has filled several offices. He assisted in the corporation of the town of Mystic in 1890 and for several years acted as city clerk. He was also a member of the city coun- cil for a number of years and was mayor two years, during which period he gave to the city a faithful, businesslike administration. He has always stood for progress and reform and has shown his deep interest in the cause of education by active service on the school board of which he was presi- dent for several years. He has taken a most helpful part in suppressing the liquor traffic and he was untiring in his efforts to secure the admission of the interurban line when it was opposed by the merchants of the town.


In 1891, Mr. Lodwick was united in marriage to Miss Marjorie Grif- fiths, who was born in Wales in September, 1864, and came to the United States in 1869 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Griffiths. The children of this marriage were six in number: William G .. who is attend- ing college in Mount Pleasant, lowa: John S., a high-school student : David, Charles T, and Albert, all yet at home; and Mary Evelyn. who died at the age of eight years. The parents are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Lodwick has served on the official board. He is a Master Mason, belonging to Walnut Lodge, No. 588. A. F. & A. M .. and is also connected with the Woodmen. His interests are broad, his activities resourceful, his public spirit unfailing. He has accomplished much that is beneficial to the city and his business enterprises have always contrib- uted to public prosperity as well as to individual success.


ALEXANDER ORR.


Alexander Orr is a retired coal operator of Mystic. He was not always a mine owner, for in early life he was himself an active worker in the mines and it was through his determination, perseverance and intelligently directed efforts that he gradually advanced until he became the possessor


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of certain valuable coal-bearing properties which were operated success- fully, bringing to him a substantial measure of prosperity that enabled him at length to live retired. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, March 25, 1844, and is a son of Robert and Margaret ( Nicol) Orr. His father was also a native of Ayrshire, while the mother's birth occurred in the highlands of Scotland. She died in that country in 1859 when about fifty-three years of age, after which the father came to the United States with his son Alexander in 1863. He made his way to Colchester, Mc- Donough county, Illinois. The following year they removed to Bush- nell, Illinois, and in 1875 established their home at What Cheer, lowa, where the father spent his remaining days, passing away June 19, 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. In his early life he learned and followed the weaver's trade and later was employed in connection with the opera- tion of coal mines. In his family were three children: Robert, who died in Bushnell, Illinois; William, who died in Mystic; and Alexander.


In 1854, when a little lad of ten years, Alexander Orr began trapping in the mines, and from that time forward until his retirement from active business life, he was connected with coal mining. After arriving in Amer- ica. when nineteen years of age, he engaged in coal-mining in different sections of Illinois and in other places, and in 1887 he and his brother William came to Mystic. In the meantime their industry had secured them advancement in the business world and the measure of prosperity which they had attained enabled them, on coming to Mystic, to open the Iowa and Missouri mine which they operated continuously and success- fully for three years, or until 1900. This was the first mine opened in Mystic on land belonging to D. Vankike. The brothers had opened what became known as the first railroad mine at What Cheer, operating it until 1879. when they sold to the railroad company. Those were the largest coal works in Iowa at one time. In 1900 Mr. Orr and his brother opened another mine a mile and a half east of Mystic, known as the Orr Brothers mine. They found there a good grade of coal which they took out in large quantities, operating the mine until 1907, when the brother died and Alexander Orr sold out. The mine, however, is still being actively and profitably worked. The two brothers entered into partnership in 1875 and were closely identified in all their business interests from that time until the death of William Orr, following which Alexander Orr retired from active life and has since rested from further labor.


On the 25th of December, 1876, occurred the marriage of Alexander Orr and Miss Harriet A. France, who was born in Kendall county, Illi- nois, on the 7th of April, 1857, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Farrow) France, who were natives of England and were married in


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Newark, New Jersey. The mother died in Seattle, Washington, where the father still resides. In his younger days he was a miner and weaver. Mr. and Mrs. Orr became the parents of five children: Margaret E., the wife of Abner Harris, of Mystic; Alexander, living in Centerville; George James, also of Mystic; Robert William, of Aberdeen, South Dakota; and Minnie N., at home. The last named was born in Mystic and the others in What Cheer.


The family is well known here and is prominent socially, their home being the abode of a warm-hearted and cordial hospitality. Mr. Orr is a stalwart republican in polities, serving the party since he became an American citizen. He made out the first poll books in Mystie and served on the first city council. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, being a charter member of Walnut Lodge, No. 588. A. F. & A. M., and of Merriam Lodge, No. 555, I. O. O. F. He is also connected with the Order of Rebekahs. He is among the worthy repre- sentatives of his native land who through the national characteristics of strength, industry and reliability, have won success. He never had any false ideas as to the best methods of attaining prosperity but early recog- nized that industry is the basis of all business advancement and accord- ingly he worked persistently and energetically in order that he might gain that prosperity which is the legitimate goal of all business endeavor.


JAMES A. SHANKS.


James A. Shanks, one of the progressive and enterprising young busi- ness men of Centerville, is the proprietor of a well appointed and well patronized drug store at No. 1109 South Eighteenth street. He is num- bered among the worthy native sons of Appanoose county, his birth hav- ing occurred in Centerville on the 25th of June, 1886, and his parents being Albert C. and Mary E. (Wyatt) Shanks. The father is a native of Ohio and a carpenter by trade. He came to Centerville when it was but a small village and for a number of years worked as a bridge car- penter in the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney, Wabash and Rock Island Railroads. After abandoning railroad work he followed carpentering in Centerville and at the present time resides with his son. Clyde C., on East Maple street in this city. It was here that he wedded Miss Mary E. Wyatt, a native of Appanoose county, who passed away at her home in Centerville in 1908.


James A. Shanks attended the public schools of Centerville in the


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acquirement of an education, completing the high-school course in 1906. In 1907 he entered the Highland Park College of Des Moines and the same year passed the examination required by the state board of pharma- cists. During the four previous years he had been employed as a clerk in the Red Cross drug store and after passing the state examination he spent three years in the McCreary drug store. On the 19th of January, 1911, he opened a store of his own at No. 1109 South Eighteenth street, where he has since been located as the proprietor of an up-to-date drug establishment. He carries a large and well selected line of drugs and druggists' sundries and enjoys a liberal and lucrative patronage.


On the 19th of July, 1911, Mr. Shanks was united in marriage to Miss Della Hill, of Moulton, Iowa, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. Cramer Hill, the mother being a Miss Peck before her marriage. The father, who comes of Yankee stock, is a retired agriculturist residing at Moulton. The demise of his wife there occurred in 1903.


Politically Mr. Shanks is a democrat, believing firmly in the prin- ciples of that party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Centerville, while his wife belongs to the church of that denomination at Moulton. He is likewise a men- ber of Centerville Lodge, No. 941. B. P. O. E., and in the line of his profession is connected with the Iowa State Pharmaceutical Association. He is well known in the section of the county where he has always lived and his many good qualities have gained for him the friendship and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.


JOHN QUIGLEY.


Jolin Quigley, city marshal of Centerville, was born in Canada in May, 1863, but as the family name indicates comes of Irish ancestry. His parents, Dennis and Ann (Gleason) Quigley, were both natives of Ire- land and the father, coming to America in early life, settled in Canada, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1867. He then removed with his family to Illinois, where he resumed farming, making his home in that state until his death, which occurred in 1878. His widow is still living and now makes her home in Jacksonville, Illinois. at the age of seventy-two years.


John Quigley was a little lad of but four years when the family went to Illinois, where he was reared, pursuing his education in the district schools of Morgan county. The limited financial resources of the family


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made it imperative that he earn his own living at an early age and he began work in the coal mines, following that business in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa until 1902. In 1894 he came to Centerville, where he again secured work in the mines, being thus engaged for eight years, at the end of which time he was appointed a member of the police force. He has since been in the employ of the city and at the present writing is filling the office of marshal. He had also served as deputy marshal for about six years.


In January, 1888, Mr. Quigley was married to Miss Kate Monroe, a daughter of Curt and Sarah Monroe, who were natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer and on coming to Iowa cast in his lot with the early residents of Appanoose county. He died in 1884 but the mother is still living on the home farm near Exline at the age of eighty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quigley was born one son, John, who is now twenty-three years of age. He is a printer by trade and resides in Chicago. Mr. Quig- ley owns a comfortable residence at No. 521 East Elm street. His reli- gious belief is that of the Catholic church and his political faith that of the democratic party. His has always been a useful life and to his own labors may be attributed whatever success he has achieved and enjoyed.


AMOS BAILEY.


Amos Bailey needs no introduction to the readers of a history of Appanoose county, for he has been known as a force in the agricultural development of the section since he began his active career and has attained local prominence by reason of the splendid work he has done in his efforts to evolve a higher grade of corn. He has lived in this part of Iowa prac- tically all his life, for he was born on his father's farm in Davis county, near the Appanoose county line. His birth occurred May 20, 1872, and he is a son of Sylvester and Euphane (Tate) Bailey, both of whom came to Iowa among the early settlers. The father came into the state in com- pany with his brother, Orange Bailey, and the mother of our subject made the journey with her parents. Both families settled in Davis county, where the marriage of the parents of our subject occurred. Afterward they located on a farm in Marion township, near the Appanoose county line, which the father entered from the government. There they resided for many years, the mother dying in 1876 and the father in 1886.


Amos Bailey was fourteen years of age when his father died and for some years afterward he made his home with his brother, Simpson Bailey.


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However, even as a child he was ambitious and energetic and very soon was earning his own livelihood, not wishing to accept outside support. He married in 1894 and immediately afterward located on the old home farm which he operated for four years, after which he moved to W. J. Steckel's farm in Davis county, cultivating the soil as a renter. For three years he remained upon this property but in the fall of 1901 bought his present tract of one hundred and forty acres in Union township and in January of the following year moved into the new home which he had built upon it. Here he has resided since that time with the exception of one year which he spent in South Dakota, where he proved up on a homestead in Stanley county. He still owns this property but in 1908 returned to Iowa and again settled on his farm which today is one of the finest agricultural properties in this part of the state.


On the 12th of April, 1894, Mr. Bailey married Miss May Hopkins, a daughter of William F. and Sarah (Vandover ) Hopkins, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter. of Indiana. Both came to Iowa before their marriage and after that event located on a farm in Davis county. where Mr. Hopkins died in 1901. His widow still resides upon the family homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey became the parents of five children, three of whom are living, Flora Euphane, Sylvester Ellsworth and Bertha May. all attending school.




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