USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 3
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
On the toth of March, 1878. Dr. Severs was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe J. McAtec, a daughter of Oliver and Sarah ( Lundy ) MeAtec. both of whom were natives of Van Buren county. Iowa, and were of
26
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Scotch-Irish descent. Oliver McAtee, who followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active career, passed away in 1902 on a farm three miles east of Moulton. His widow resides in that city. To Dr. and Mrs. Severs have been born five children. Agnes is the wife of Edward B. Isett, a humber dealer of Wickes, Arkansas, by whom she has three children, Donald, Margaret and Stanton. Blanche gave her hand in marriage to Orrie B. Forman, a bookbinder of Centerville, lowa. Madge is at home with her parents. Essie passed away at the age of six years and Georgia died when but nine months old.
Dr. Severs is a democrat in politics and was the candidate of his party for the office of county coroner in 1912. Both he and his wife are con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Centerville. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. belonging to Lodge No. 76 at Centerville, and his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. He is well known in social. professional and political circles in the county of his nativity and the force of his character and his enter- prising spirit have gained him influence.
JOHN LANKFORD.
For almost forty-seven years John Lankford was engaged in the fur- niture and undertaking business in Centerville and throughout the entire period ranked as one of the leading, enterprising and progressive mer- chants of the city. Honored and esteemed by all, he is now living retired at the age of eighty-five years, his well spent life having gained for him a high place in the regard of his fellow townsmen. He is one of the ven- erable residents of Appanoose county, his birth having occurred in Indian- apolis, Indiana, about a mile east of the courthouse on what was known as Pogues Run. March 31. 1827. His parents were Robert F. and Sarah (Street ) Lankford. The father, a native of Virginia, was born near Petersburg of English ancestry and became a carpenter and cabinet- maker by trade. He died in Missouri in 1883 while his wife passed away near Indianapolis in 1835.
Their son, John Lankford, attended a district school about seven miles from Indianapolis and in his youthful days learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. When nineteen years of age he went to Preble county, Ohio, where he worked on the construction of the courthouse in 1849-50. He spent four years in carpentering in Preble county and then started westward, traveling by stage coach to Hamil-
27
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
ton. Ohio, by bus to Cincinnati and by boat to St. Louis, where he remained for three days, after which he proceeded by boat to Keokuk, lowa, and then walked across the country to Ottumwa, that state. This was in 1850. He was employed in carpenter work in that city from June until Decem- ber and on the 15th of the latter month arrived in Centerville, Iowa. The town had been laid out and at that time contained a population of about one hundred. Appanoose county, however, was a frontier district and contained only one hundred and fifty voters. Much of the land was still in possession of the government for only here and there settlement had been made, showing that the work of civilization and improve- ment had been begun. During the winter following his arrival Mr. Lank- ford conducted a shoe shop and in the spring began work at the car- penter's trade which he followed for fifteen years. In 1865 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, buying out the store of Pen- dington & Houston. From that time until 1912 he was at the head of the business and his enterprising methods, his sound judgment, his energy and his industry were factors in his growing success, making him ulti- mately one of the prosperous residents of the city. In 1912 he sold out to his son Roy, who is today the leading furniture dealer of Centerville. conducting a large and well-equipped store and enjoying an extensive patronage.
On the 21st of September. 1852. Mr. Lankford was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy Jane Henderson, a daughter of William S. and Sarah Henderson, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and were representatives of old American families. Mrs. Lankford was born in the Blue Grass state and when a child accompanied her parents on their removal to Indiana. Subsequently she became a resident of Iowa and was married in Centerville. On the 21st of September. 1902, this vener- able and highly esteemed couple celebrated their golden wedding anni- versary in their pleasant home at No. 112 East Maple street, and on Sep- tember 21. 1912. they passed their sixtieth year of a harmonious mar- ried life. the diamond jubilee, surrounded by members of the family and among many friends, neighbors and well-wishers. It is seldom that a man and wife travel life's journey together for sixty years, and the event was a most unusual and interesting one, greatly enjoyed by all who were present, including their living children, their three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A sumptuous meal was served and the bride and groom of sixty years before received a number of beautiful and taste- ful gifts as mementos of the occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Lankford were the parents of eight children. William S. is a retired furniture dealer of Centerville, conducting a business here independent of his father for
28
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
many years. Sarah became the wife of W. G. Clarke, an attorney and real-estate dealer of McAllister, Oklahoma, and they have four children : Ethel and Robert, both of McAllister; Harry E., now of Albia; and George, of McAllister. Heber Lankford, who was a railroad conductor, died January 13, 1907, at North Judson, Indiana. He married Lulu May Ammons, who now resides in Salem, Oregon, and they were the par- ents of a son, John Ammon Lankford, who is with his mother. Beatrice is the widow of John B. Spooner, who was foreman of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy railroad shops in Centerville, where he died in 1898. Mrs. Spooner and her daughter Jessie now make their home with her parents. Grace is the wife of E. E. Tyner, a city mail carrier of Indian- apolis, and they have four children, Earl, Adrian, Melvin and Robert. Carl, a painter and decorator of Centerville, married Annie Cheeseman, of this place. Roy, who succeeded his father in business, married Orpha Albright, of Unionville, Missouri. He is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery in Masonry, to the Mystic Shrine and also the Modern Woodmen camp of Centerville. Leona, the youngest of the family, is the wife of Claude Henaman, of Centerville, manager of the A. E. Wooden clothing store. They have one child, Mary Frances.
Mr. Lankford has been a republican since the organization of the party. His first presidential vote, however, was cast for General Taylor and in 1912 he voted for the reelection of President Taft. His sons are also true-blue republicans, unfaltering in their advocacy of the party prin- ciples. Mr. Lankford became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Eaton, Ohio, in 1850, and joined Centerville lodge as a charter member-the only one now living. He is today the oldest Odd Fellow in Iowa. He has paid dues into the lodge for sixty-two years and has never drawn a single dollar in benefits. He likewise holds member- ship with the Masons, belonging to both the blue lodge and commandery of Centerville. His religious faith is that of the New Light church and his wife is a member of the First Church of Christ. When in 1912 he retired from active business at the age of eigty-five years he was the oldest active undertaker in the United States. He is indeed a remarkable man. one of strong character and of marked individuality. He has never worn an overcoat. yet he has been ill but few times in his life. His mind is yet exceedingly alert and he keeps in touch with the questions and inter- ests of the day. He has built many of the palatial homes in Appanoose county, a number of which are still standing, and with the development, progress and improvement of the county along many lines he has been closely associated. He was a member of the first city council of Center-
29
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
ville and was school director for a number of years, but in his later years has never cared for nor desired office and when elected justice of the peace refused to serve. Nature has been kind to him because he has never abused her laws. One usually thinks of old age as a period when mental as well as physical powers weaken, but there is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years go by and gives out of its rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the record of John Lankford, who is not only one of the most venerable but also one of the most honored citizens of Appanoose county-honored and respected wherever known and most of all where he is best known.
ABE GOLDSTEIN.
Abe Goldstein is well known in mercantile circles in Centerville, being one of the proprietors of a department store which he conducts in con- nection with Lewis Salinger. A spirit of enterprise actuates him in all of his business interests and is winning for him substantial success. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, December 25, 1880, and is a son of Reuben and Esther Goldstein. who were natives of Russia. The father came to this country at an early day, settling in St. Paul, Minnesota. He had engaged in teaching in his native land but after arriving in the new world turned his attention to merchandising which he carried on in St. Paul for several years. He then removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he continued in the same business to the time of his death, which occurred in 1896. His widow is yet a resident of that city.
Abe Goldstein was reared and educated in the cities of St. Paul and Omaha and when his schooldays were over secured a situation in a drug store in which he remained for two years. He then went to Fairbury, Nebraska, and was employed in a dry-goods store belonging to his brother- in-law, remaining with him there and in Nebraska City for seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Centerville in 1902 and entered into partnership with Lewis Salinger in the operation of a department store which they have since successfully conducted, carrying a large and well selected line of goods and enjoying a liberal patronage. They also own and carry on the Grand Leader which is likewise a department store. The two establishments are very complete, carrying everything to be found in their line, and their enterprising and progressive business methods have brought them a continuously growing trade. Mr. Goldstein is also a
30
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
stockholder of the Centerville Gypsum Company, the Hercules Manufac- turing Company and in the Centerville & Mystic Interurban Railway Company.
On the 28th of April. 1903. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gold- stein and Miss Anna Chapman, a daughter of Hyman and Esther Chap- man, natives of Russia. The father settled in Centerville at an carly period in its development and engaged in peddling for a number of years. after which he turned his attention to the real-estate business and in its conduct attained a gratifying degree of wealth. He passed away January 18, 1912, and is survived by his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein have but one child. Rosaline, now six years of age. They own a nice'home at No. 500 Drake avenue and Mr. Goldstein is well known in fraternal circles. holding membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, with the lowa State Traveling Men's Association and with the I. B. O., a Jewish lodge. He holds to the religious faith of his fathers, his membership being in B'nai Israel. His political support is given to the republican party and. recognizing the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizen- ship, he does all in his power to advance the welfare and upbuilding of the community. He has made a creditable record in business circles for one of his years, for he started out empty-handed and through persistent effort and energy has reached a position among the substantial business men and merchants of his adopted city.
CLARENCE S. WYCKOFF.
Clarence S. Wyckoff, who in January, 1913, assumed the office of county attorney to which he has been recently elected, has since 1898 engaged in the practice of law in Centerville, making continuous progress :is the result of developing powers based upon wide study, practical experi- ence in the work of the courts and thorough preparation of each specific case. Appanoose county clainis him as a native son, his birth having occur- red in Cincinnati, June 6, 1870. His parents were George W. and Jose- phine (Stanton) Wyckoff. The father was born in Hlinois, March 4, 1838. and was of English lineage. In the early Jos his parents removed with their family to lowa county, this state, and later went to Putnam county. Missouri, but in the late 'sos George W. Wyckoff returned to lowa and settled on a farm near Cincinnati which is still his place of residence. Dur- ing the early part of the Civil war he was married to Josephine Stanton. who was born in Marion, Marion county, Ohio, in 1842, and is of Scotch-
31
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Irish lineage. She came to Appanoose county in the carly 'jos with her wid- owed mother, settling on a farm west of Cincinnati. She was educated in the schools of Cincinnati and afterward successfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of this county. Just prior to their marriage Mr. Wyckoff purchased the farm upon which they are now living and which he has continuously developed and improved up to the present time, save for the period of his service in the Civil war, when he was made captain of Company D. Eighteenth Missouri Volunter Infantry. He is not only numbered among the leading agriculturists of the county but has also left his impress upon the legislative history of the state, having for three terms represented Appanoose county in the general assembly.
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Clarence S. Wyckoff. who supplemented his public-school course by study in Amity College at College Springs, lowa, where he was graduated on the 14th of June, 1894. with the degree of B. S. He then entered upon preparation for the bar. having determined to make the practice of law his life work. and on the 8th of June, 1898, was graduated from the State University of lowa with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. On the ist of August of the same year he opened an office in Centerville and has devoted his time and attention exclusively to his professional duties since that day. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow no dreary novitiate awaited him, for he soon demonstrated his ability to capably handle intricate and important law problems and each year his practice has grown in volume and impor- tance so that he now has a large and satisfactory clientage. He was appointed by Judge Woolson, judge of the United States district court, as referee in bankruptcy for the district of Appanoose and Monroe. a position which he filled until the state was redistricted and the afore- mentioned counties were merged into a larger district. His public service, however, did not cease with his retirement from that office. For one term he served Centerville as its mayor and it was during his administra- tion that the city began the building of sanitary sewers and the work of street paving. His administration was characterized by other needed improvements and reform measures for he stood at all times for the wel- fare of the municipality. On the 5th of November, 1912. he was elected county attorney of Appanoose county and entered upon the duties of the office on the 6th of January, 1913. He has always been a stalwart sup- porter of the republican party since attaining his majority and has taken an active interest in the political campaigns, doing all in his power to pro- mote the growth and insure the successful adoption of the principles for which the party stands.
32
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
In Centerville on the 21st of October, 1903. Mr. Wyckoff was mar- ried to Miss Kate Ogle, a daughter of B. A. and Minerva (Arnold ) Ogle. Their children are: Helen Louise, aged eight years, her birth occurring August 20, 1904; Frederick Ogle, aged six years, born June 27. 1906; and Ruth Virginia, a little maiden of three, born September 14, 1909. The parents are members of the First Methodist church of Centerville and have been most active in its various lines of work, Mr. Wyckoff serving as a member of the official board for the past ten years, while his coopera- tion along other lines has been a factor in the excellent work being done by the church. He holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and has attained the Knight Templar degree. He also belongs to Centerville Lodge, No. 76, I. O. O. F., and the Elks lodge, and in the Knights of Pythias lodge of Centerville he has filled all of the offices. While all these varied interests lead to the development of a well-rounded charac- ter it is after all his profession that claims the majority of his time and energies, and Mr. Wyckoff ever holds to a high standard of professional ethics. He is entirely free from ostentation or display but the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into important public relations, especially as an active factor in the work of the courts.
CHARLES A. STANLEY.
Charles A. Stanley is capably filling the position of postmaster at Unionville and is a well known and highly respected citizen of this com- munity, who as a public officer and in private life has made a creditable record. He was born in this county, March 30, 1874, his parents being William and Ruth (Buckmaster) Stanley. He represents one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state, his father having been a farmer of Udell township and at one time also postmaster of Unionville.
Charles A. Stanley completed his education in the Unionville high school when sixteen years of age. He afterward remained upon the home farm for a time, assisting his father in the work of the fields until he attained his majority. He did not wish to make agricultural pursuits his life work, however, and when he reached manhood came to Unionville, where he worked in a livery stable for one year. In 1903 he was appointed rural mail carrier and was on his route for two years. He then determined to resume farm work and rented a tract of land, which he continued to cultivate and improve until the fall of 1912. On the 1st of October he was appointed postmaster and assumed the duties of the office, which he
33
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
is now filling in a manner that reflects credit upon himself and is entirely satisfactory to his constituents.
In 1900 Mr. Stanley was married to Miss Grace Vaught, a daughter of Andrew J. and Mary (Ogle) Vaught, the former a farmer of Douglas township. Her father was born in Appanoose county, October 8, 1856, and is, therefore, a representative of one of the old pioneer families here. He was of Dutch descent and was married in this county in 1875 to Mary Ogle, who was born just across the boundary line in Missouri, December 27, 1860. Following his marriage he purchased a large farm in Appa- noose county and carefully and successfully cultivated it until 1897, when he sold the place and purchased a flourmill at Blakesburg, Iowa. He operated the mill until 1900, when it was burned to the ground and he lost practically everything he had. He then returned to Douglas town- ship, Appanoose county, where he rented land, on which he now carries on general farming. His daughter Mrs. Stanley was born in Douglas township, August 4, 1880, and by her marriage became the mother of four children: Clarence, who was born May 29, 1901 : Fred, March 14, 1903; Mildred, June 23, 1905; and Robert, February 19, 1911. The three eldest are in school.
Mr. Stanley is a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering support to the party and doing everything in his power to secure the adoption of its principles. He has served as township trustee for four years and as as- sessor of Udell township for a similar period, and he is now a member of the school board of Unionville, in addition to which he is proving an efficient officer in the position of postmaster. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellow's lodge at Unionville and with the Modern Woodmen camp. His wife is connected with the Rebekahs and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which Mr. Stanley also attends. They are both native residents of Appanoose county and are held in high esteem here by an extensive circle of friends.
AUGUST POST.
The salient characteristics of August Post are such as to entitle him to mention among the representative business men of Appanoose county where he is widely known, being a member of one of Moulton's highly esteemed pioneer families. The first fourteen years of his life were passed in the state of Illinois, his birth having occurred at Plano, Kendall county. on the 28th of August, 1854. He is a son of Henry and Margaret
34
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
(Schmidt) Post, who were born, reared and married in Nassau, Germany, which was the birth place of the three eldest of their eleven children. The father, who was the son of a farmer and landowner in the old country, was early trained to agricultural pursuits to which he devoted his energies during the remainder of his active life. Concluding that America afforded better opportunities to men in limited circumstances, he took in 1853 passage for the United States, accompanied by his wife and family. He went direct to Kendall county, Illinois, where for a time he farmed as a renter in the vicinity of Plano. Later he bought land in DeKalb county which he cultivated until 1868, when he disposed of his interests there and removed to Appanoose county, Iowa. Upon his arrival in this county he purchased a tract of land in Washington township, a portion of which forms the site of the present village of Moulton, and there passed the remainder of his life. In connection with the cultivation of his fields he engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding of Clydes- dale horses, being the first importer of that breed in this section of the state. He met with success in his undertaking and became one of the best known agriculturists and stockmen in the county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Post are now deceased. The members of their family who lived to attain maturity are as follows: Ferdinand, who is a resident of Biloxi, Mississippi ; Caroline, the deceased wife of Herman Martin. of Moulton, and the mother of three children; Mrs. Lizzie Brown of Biloxi. Missis- sippi ; Phoebe, who married H. H. Martin, of Biloxi: August. our subject ; Lewis and Frederick, who are also residents of Moulton; and Amelia, the widow of W. E. Caldwell, of Des Moines, Iowa.
The education of August Post was acquired in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa. In common with the majority of lads who are reared in the country he was early trained in the duties of the agriculturist. and at the age of eighteen years engaged in the breeding and raising of fine horses with his father. He is not only diligent and enterprising but possesses more than average business ability, all of which qualities he early manifested in the pursuit of his undertaking. He subsequently purchased what is known as the Wayside Farm, which comprises two hundred and forty-five acres of land adjoining Moulton, and there for many years he successfully engaged in diversified farming and stock-raising. His energies were not confined to agricultural pursuits, however, but were directed along other lines, and in 1888 he went into the wholesale binding- twine business. He is still identified with this enterprise, which has developed in a most gratifying manner and now makes shipments to all sections of the United States and Canada. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Moulton in 1900, and was a member of its
35
IHISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
board of directors until 1910. In the year last named, together with Mr. Stickney, he purchased the controlling interest in this institution and has ever since held the office of president. Since assuming the duties in this connection he has practically withdrawn from agricultural pursuits, in which he was actively engaged for thirty years, but still owns his farm adjoining Moulton. From time to time he has made judicious invest- ments in real estate in different sections and holds the title to a thousand acres of land located in various states. He is a man of keen discernment in matters of business to the support of which he brings the energy and tenacity of purpose that pave the way to success, and to the exercise of these qualities must be attributed the prosperity he is now enjoying.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.