USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 29
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Stephen Greenleaf, the father of our subject, was graduated from the Kentucky Medical College of Louisville in 1876 and studied for a time at Mount Pleasant, lowa. It was in Bloomfield, Iowa, that he began the practice of medicine and surgery, while subsequently he opened an office at Ash Grove. At the time of his demise, which occurred in 1886. he was a resident physician of Milton, lowa. It was on the 28th of September. 1876, at U'nionville, Appanoose county, that he wedded Miss Mary Lillian Sawyers, a daughter of Dr. S. H. and Mary F. ( Miller ) Sawyers, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. She was a maiden of fourteen when her parents established their home in Unionville. Her father was one of the pioneer physicians and surgeons of this county, practicing his pro-
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fession at Iconium and Milledgeville before he located in Unionville, where his death occurred in 1892. His widow lives in Centerville with her daughter, Mrs. George Barnett.
Harry S. Greenleaf completed the public-school course in Unionville in 1899 and then entered Parsons Academy at Fairfield, while subse- quently he continued his studies in Parsons College, being graduated from that institution in the spring of 1905 with the degree of B. S. Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, he then went to Iowa City, entered the College of Law of the State University of lowa and won the degree of LL. B. in 1908. He then came to Centerville and one month after the date of his graduation entered the law office of the Hon. Claude R. Porter as junior member of the firm of Porter & Greenleaf. in which connection he has since been engaged in general practice. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitation of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and pro- vided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. He is a member of the bar association of this county and enjoys an enviable reputation as an able representative of his profession.
In politics Mr. Greenleaf is a republican. He was elected city solicitor of Centerville in 1909, and being reelected in 1911, is serving in that capacity. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Pres- byterian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Yeomen of Centerville. He resides with his mother in an attractive home at No. 416 South Fifteenth street.
JESSE M. BECK.
Jesse M. Beck, senior partner of the firin of Beck & Needham, has not only been active and successful in developing and promoting the interests of the Iowegian Printing Company, publishers of one of the leading papers of the southern part of the state, but has also proven a valued cooperant factor in the conduet of other interests and business enterprises that con- stitute important features in the upbuilding and prosperity of the state. He was born on a farm in Keokuk county, near the Mahaska and Wapello county lines, November 8, 1873. His father. George W. Beck. born in Hocking county, Ohio, December 13, 1842. was a son of David Beck. a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, whence he came to America in 1835. Sixteen years later or in 1851 David Beck removed with his family to
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Mahaska county, Iowa, and since that time George W. Beck has been a resident of Mahaska, Keokuk or Wapello counties. About 1875 the latter removed to a farm in Wapello county, eight miles north of Ottumwa, and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place from time to time until it now comprises four hundred aeres. He con- tinuously cultivated the place until he retired from active business life, establishing his home in Fremont, Mahaska county, where he now resides. In early manhood he wedded Lottie MeFall, a daughter of Gideon B. and Mary ( Newsome) MeFall, who came to lowa from Indiana in 1846. Mrs. Beck was born in Mahaska county, near Fremont, April 23, 1849.
In the district schools Jesse M. Beck began his education and supple- mented his early studies by preparatory college work in Penn College at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and by a collegiate course in the lowa Wesleyan College at Mount Pleasant, from which he was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Throughout this entire period from 1875 he had lived on the old homestead farm with his parents and for one year ere completing his college course he engaged in teaching. Following his graduation he left the farm and did reportorial work on the Ottumwa Courier for a short time in 1900, and later on the Muscatine Journal. of which he became managing editor in 1901 and so continued until March, 1903. At that date he was joined by John R. Needham, of Sigourney. in the purchase of the Centerville lowegian, of which Mr. Beck became and has since remained editor. The firm has prospered in the conduct of the business of the Jowegian Printing Company. The circulation of the paper has grown to thirty-eight hundred and the departments of the business have increased very materially. Moreover, the firm has given financial support to various Centerville enterprises, being liberal subscribers to the Mystic Interurban railroad, becoming stockholders in the Centerville Savings Bank on its organization and also of the Gypsum Company which is now develop- ing an important industry. Furthermore, they have become owners of a choice business lot on which they are contemplating the erection of a new building soon, and they also own a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Walnut and Chariton townships.
On the 11th of September. 1901, in Sigourney, lowa, Mr. Beck was united in marriage to Miss Edna Pauline Needham, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Needham. Her father was formerly connected with the publication of the Oskaloosa Herald and later was owner and editor of the Sigourney News. He likewise served as postmaster of Sigourney for some time and during the Civil war was a member of the Twenty-second Jowa Cavalry Regiment in which he became a lieutenant. Mrs. Beck possesses natural musical talents which have been cultivated by study.
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being a graduate of the lowa Wesleyan Conservatory at Mount Pleasant, of the class of 1899. She takes an active interest in club work. being a member of the P. E. O. Society, the Wednesday Club and the M. X. L. Society. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have two sons, Harold Needham and Paul Ralph, aged respectively eight and five years.
The parents are members of the Methodist church, active and help- ful in its work, Mr. Beck serving as superintendent of the Sunday school and as chairman of the board of stewards. He was a delegate from the lowa conference in 1912 to the general conference of the church in Min- neapolis which meets once in four years to legislate for the church and elect its bishops and leading officials. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and his political support is given to the republican party. He is a believer in its principles, in its past record, in its present ability to meet the problems of the day and in its future possibilities for pro- moting good government. He stands as a stanch and helpful advocate of various projects and measures which have contributed to the welfare and upbuilding of Centerville. He was a director of the Commercial Club and later of the Booster committee. He was secretary of the Chau- tauqua during its entire existence of six years, was a member of the school board for three years and is president of the Drake Free Public Library board. A spirit of progress actuates him in all that he does and while work- ing toward high ideals he utilizes practical methods in their attainment.
MILES BATEMAN.
Miles Bateman is a prominent and well known representative of man- ufacturing interests in Centerville, his success having come to him as the direct and logical result of unfaltering enterprise and industry guided by sound judgment. He was born in England in November, 1855, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth ( Askew) Bateman, who were also natives of the same country. The father was a farmer and always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in England. He represented one of the old families of his county, his ancestors having occupied one house upon the old homestead farm for three hundred years. There Thomas Bateman passed away in 1870, having for five years survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1865.
Miles Bateman remained a resident of England until fifteen years of age and during that period pursued a public-school education. He then crossed the Atlantic to the new world and, settling in Omaha, where he
MILES BATEMAN
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had relatives, learned the moulder's trade. Desirous for a better educa- tion that should further qualify him for the responsibilities and duties of life he attended night school during that period. He remained in Omaha for five years, after which he returned to England, where he con- tinued to live for three years. Once more, however, he came to the new world, this time settling in Moline, Illinois, where he entered the employ of the John Deere Plow Company, working at his trade in their factory for a year. He was afterward employed in various places until 1885, when he came to Centerville and secured a position as foreman in the Kirchman foundry. He served in that capacity for six years, after which he engaged in business on his own account in connection with B. A. Fuller, conducting a foundry and machine shop. This was successfully carried on for four years, at the end of which time Mr. Bateman disposed of his interest to his partner. He then went to Lone Tree, lowa, where he organ- ized a business that is now conducted under the name of the Zimmerman Steel Company. He was in active connection therewith for three years and on selling out returned to Centerville, where he again became a part- ner of Mr. Fuller, organizing the Hercules Manufacturing Company for the manufacture of stump pullers. The business has since been incorpo- rated and they are now controlling the largest stump-pulling and land- clearing machinery plant in the world, their output being sent to all parts of the country. Mr. Fuller is president and treasurer of the com- pany, with Mr. Bateman as vice president. The plant is splendidly equipped with the latest improved machinery needed in their work and the business is growing steadily year by year, Mr. Bateman's practical knowledge of mechanics as well as his business experience constituting an important factor in its success. In addition to his manufacturing interests Mr. Bateman is a stockholder in the Centerville Gypsum Company and is the owner of considerable valuable real estate here. including a fine home at No. 423 Bank street.
In June, 1881, Mr. Bateman was married to Miss Florence Lindsay, a daughter of Mace and Elizabeth Lindsay, who were natives of Ohio. In 1868 the father came to this state, settling at Oskaloosa, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade, continuing to make his home in that city until his death in 1872. His widow is still residing there. Mr. and Mrs. Bateman have three children : George, twenty-nine years of age, who is a moulder by trade employed by the Westinghouse Electric Company at Cleveland, Ohio: Harold, twenty-seven years of age, who is a locomo- tive engineer running west out of Rock Island. Ilinois; and Walter. twenty-two years of age, a student in the State University at Iowa City.
Mr. Bateman votes with the democratic party and keeps well informed Vol II-18
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on the issues and questions of the day but does not seek nor desire office. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he is always loyal to its teachings. He came to the new world practically empty-handed, his capital consisting mostly of courage and determination ; but upon those qualities he has builded his success and although the way has at times seemed hard, he has gradually advanced along the path of prosperity until he now occupies an enviable position.
GEORGE GLADFELDER.
By reason of a life of useful and worthy labor along progressive lines, influenced by high standards of integrity and honor, George Gladfelder has gained the unqualified respect and esteem of all with whom he has been associated. Moreover, he has another claim to a place in the public regard, for his name stands high on the long list of men who fifty years ago sacrificed their personal interests in order to serve their country during the dark days of the Civil war. Mr. Gladfelder is a native of Ohio. born in Noble county, July 25, 1836, and is a son of William and Mary ( Cline) Gladfelder, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vir- ginia. Their marriage occurred in Ohio, to which state both had removed in childhood. The father was a carpenter by trade and attained a fair degree of success in this occupation until 1853, when he left Ohio and came to Iowa, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Chariton township, Appanoose county, upon which he resided until his death in 1881. His wife survived him for some time, passing away in 1888.
George Gladfelder was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools. As a youth he learned the carpenter's trade under his father's instruction and at the age of twenty began his independent career. He worked at carpentering until one year after the outbreak of the Civil war, enlisting on August 27. 1862, in Company C. Thirty-sixth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry. He served with courage and ability until the close of hostilities and received his honorable discharge at Duvall Bluff, Arkansas, on the 24th of August, 1865. He arrived at his home in lowa on Septem- ber 11, of the same year, and resumed carpentering and building work. in which he continued until 1881, meeting with a gratifying degree of success. Mr. Gladfelder has a record of thirty years' activity in this occu- pation, his work being interrupted only by his period of military service. In 1872 he bought from the heirs their interest in the estate of his father- in-law's farm, upon which he has made his residence since that time. and
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has given his attention to its further development, meeting with the suc- cess which always attends earnest and well-directed labor.
In 1861 Mr. Gladfelder was united in marriage to Miss Tamsey J. Callen, a daughter of Edward Callen, who came to Appanoose county from Tennessee in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Gladfelder became the parents of three children: George R., who has passed away: Brittie, the wife of C. C. Phillips, of Appanoose county: and Harry C., who makes his home in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Gladfelder are devout adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Gladfelder is a member of the board of trustees. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and for four years served as assessor, discharging his official duties in an able and conscientious manner. He is especially interested in educational affairs and has a record of twenty-three years' continuous service as sec- retary of the school board. He keeps in touch with his comrades of fifty years ago through his membership in the Samuel Summer Post. No. 398, G. A. R., of which he has served two terms as commander and is now in his tenth year as adjutant. Mr. Gladfelder has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and can look back upon many years of active, worthy and useful work. His fellow citizens esteem and respeet him as a man whose labors have been a powerful force in development and whose life has been made successful by reason of talent and ability, given to honorable causes and never unworthily used.
CHARLES ALBERT HORNADAY.
No history of Appanoose county would be complete without a review of the career of Charles Albert Hornaday, one of the founders of the town of Udell and since its organization one of the greatest individual forces in its continued development, advancement and growth. He is in addi- tion one of the prominent and important farmers and stock-raisers in his township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land on section 18. and by his progressive methods, his scientific work and his well-deserved success has constituted himself a powerful factor in agricultural circles. Appanoose county numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Washington township, January 27. 186 ;. his parents being Elisha and Emily C. Hornaday, natives of Hendricks county, Indiana. But little is known of the earlier history of this family beyond the fact that the first representatives probably came from Ireland. In addition to the members of the family now living in Appanoose county
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there is another branch at Fort Scott, Kansas, to which Grant C. Horna- day belongs, and another at Keokuk, Iowa, where Calvin Hornaday re- sides. Another member of this family, William T. Hornaday, is manager of the National Zoological Park at New York City.
Charles A. Hornaday acquired his early education in the public schools of Appanoose county and afterward attended Oskaloosa College in Oska- loosa, Iowa, for three years. He began his independent career by teach- ing school, in which occupation he engaged for seven terins, after which he took up his residence on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Udell township, and engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. Both branches of his business prospered ex- tensively under his able management and in 1903 he added to his activities by becoming interested in the seed business, which now forms one of his most important interests. He is progressive, modern and practical in all that he does and in consequence his efforts have been rewarded by gratify- ing prosperity, his success placing him today among the men of marked ability and substantial worth in this part of the state.
During the entire period of his active career Mr. Hornaday has been prominent in all movements which had for their object the further develop- ment, improvement and upbuilding of this section and he has figured influentially in all progressive public enterprises. He was one of the founders of the thriving little town of Udell and was largely instrumental in inducing the Rock Island Railroad to build and maintain a station here. He represented the citizens of his district before the board of rail- road commissioners of the state at a hearing at Udell. January 31. 1894. appearing against Mr. Brayton, who represented the Rock Island Rail- road. Important testimony was introduced by other leading citizens. among whom were .J. J. Wall, D. W. Bean. J. B. Stuckey, James Mc- Donald, John B. Powell and A. H. Stuckey, and after all the evidence had been heard the board decided that it was the duty of the Rock Island Railroad to provide reasonable shipping facilities to the section of Appa- noose county surrounding Udell and that a new town be founded. where the road should build a depot, provide an agent and install sidetracks and stock yards. From this beginning the flourishing community of Udell has grown and has advanced rapidly, taking high rank today among other towns of similar size in point of extent of shipments of live stock, grain and seeds. especially timothy seed.
On the 17th of March, 1889, Mr. Hornaday was united in marriage to Miss Irene D. Caylor, a daughter of William Caylor, of Udell town- ship. To this union were born three children: William Le Roy, whose birth occurred January 6, 1890: Charles .A., born August 18, 1891 : and
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Bonnie Lee, who was born February 12, 1893, and who on March 17, 1912, married Fay Cleo Staly, a son of Clay Staly, of Douglas township. Mr. Hornaday's first wife passed away on the 20th of February. 1894, and on September 9, 1896, he was again wedded. His second union was with Miss Nellie B. McConnell, a daughter of T. P. McConnell, of Udell township. They became the parents of four children: Homer Preston, whose birth occurred June 30, 1897; Finley Lecdom, born May 29, 1900; Irma Sadie, whose birth occurred January 5, 1903: and Olive Vega, born July 1. 1907.
Mr. Hornaday is a devout and active member of the Christian church and has served as its trustee for ten years. He has for a long time taken an important part in Sunday school work and at different periods has taught classes and served for three years as superintendent of the Bible school. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is active in local affairs, having served as school treasurer continuously for over twenty years. He is always ready to do his part in advancing the inter- ests of the county along many lines of development and upbuilding and gives his hearty cooperation to movements for the good of Udell and the surrounding district. He holds a high place among progressive and suc- cessful men, for his enterprise, indefatigable energy and business probity are the salient features in his career.
ALEXANDER MITCHELL.
Scotland has sent many of her sons into various sections of the world to become factors in the colonization and the later development and prog- ress of the districts with which they become identified. Among the sons of Scotland who have been residents of Appanoose county was Alexander Mitchell, now deceased. He was born in the land of hills and heather in 1855, his parents being Alexander and Mary Mitchell, also natives of Scotland. The father was a grocer in the old country, conducting a store there throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife died in Scotland.
Alexander Mitchell was reared and educated in that country and in early life began mining coal. He was married to Miss Margaret MeFee. a daughter of Alexander McFre, a native of Scotland, in which country he spent his entire life. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell began housekeeping in their native country and there remained until after the birth of five of their children, when in 1881 they came to the new world, settling first in Lucas county, lowa, where the father engaged in coal mining. In
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1889 he removed to Centerville, where he resided until his death. He was connected with coal-mining interests throughout the entire period of his residence in the new world and after coming to Appanoose county he also engaged in farming for some time. Industry and enterprise were nun- bered among his salient characteristics and constituted the foundation upon which he builded his prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of nine children, namely: Alexander: Christina, deceased: James: Frank; Charles; Andrew; Eliza- beth; John; and William. Andrew Mitchell was born in Lucas county. Iowa, in 1884, and is now engaged in the butchering business at No. 1012 South Eighteenth street in Centerville. He has a well-equipped meat market and enjoys a large and growing patronage. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when in 1902 Alexander Mitchell. Sr., passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. His widow survives and is fifty-seven years of age. She owns and occupies a fine home at No. 1008 South Eighteenth street. Mr. Mitchell voted with the republican party but never sought the honors and emoluments of office as a reward for party fealty. However. he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and never neglected his duties of citizenship. Religiously he was identified with the sect known as Believers, of which Mrs. Mitchell is also a member. He possessed many of the sterling characteristics of the sons of Scotland, ineluding that thrift which manifests itself in care- ful management, and wherever he went he won the friendly regard of all.
ANDREW J. SHOULTZ.
Andrew J. Shoultz is one of the prosperous farmers and progressive business men of Franklin township, where he owns and operates a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres. The larger portion of this property has been in possession of members of the Shoultz family for many years and is known throughout Appanoose county as the Washington Shoultz homestead. He was born in Franklin township, November 1. 1865, and is a son of Marion Shoultz, a native of Indiana, who came to lowa with his father in 1850. The grandfather of our subject acquired soldiers' warrants for four hundred and twenty acres of land in Franklin township and broke the soil and developed a profitable and productive farm, upon which Marion Shoultz grew to manhood. He became one of the substantial men of the locality and was greatly respected by all who knew him. In 1864 he married Miss Mar-
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garet Peaster, a native of Germany, and to them were born four children : Andrew J .; Jackson A., who died in infancy; Jacob; and Mary.
Andrew J. Shoultz was reared in the home of his uncle and aunt. in Franklin township, and acquired his education in the district schools. His uncle died in 188t and he continued to live with his aunt until the latter also passed away. His advantages along educational lines were very lim- ited and although he is today a well-informed man, most of his culture has come by wide reading and close observation. When not engaged with his books he aided in the operation of his aunt's farm and after her death inherited the one hundred acres upon which he lives. He also fell heir to a forty-acre tract given him by his uncle and later he bought out his sister's and brother's share of his father's farm and has now combined the holdings into one tract of two hundred and twenty-five acres. The buildings already upon the property he repaired and remodeled, erected new ones, built a modern home and a fine stable and in many other ways made substantial improvements. He has a number of acres planted in orchard and is in addition extensively interested in stock breed- ing, keeping fine thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle, good horses and hogs. His farm is neat and attractive in appearance and in all of its details evidences the thorough care and supervision which Mr. Shoultz has bestowed upon it for many years. Of late years he has rented out a large portion of his farm and employs the leisure time thus obtained in looking after the repairs and improvements.
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