USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 32
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John G. Clark remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, living on a rented farm in Appanoose county for about three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Kansas and there followed farming until the winter of 1888, when he returned to Appanoose county and has here remained continuously since. He is now engaged in business as the proprietor of a feed stable at Centerville and is enjoying a liberal patronage in this connection.
In 1879 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Wool- ridge, who was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1863, her parents being William and Susan ( Jessey) Woolridge, the former a farmer of this county. In 1884 they removed to Elk county, Kansas, and there resided until they passed away. Unto John G. and Margaret ( Wool- ridge) Clark were born two children, namely: Defsy Grace, whose birth occurred in January, 1881, and who is the wife of Madison Howell, an agriculturist of Guthrie, Oklahoma: and LeRoy, who was born on the 24th of November, 1883, and was killed on the 18th of August, 1903, by the accidental discharge of a revolver. The wife and mother passed away in this county on the 6th of May, 1891, and in 1896 Mr. Clark was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Flota A. Ward, the widow of Harvey Ward of this county and a daughter of George and Talitha I. Wilson. Her father is a farmer of Appanoose county.
In politics Mr. Clark is a stanch republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has held various township offices and in 1906 was elected sheriff of Appanoose county, proving such a capable official that he was reelected in 1908. On the 29th of July, 1910. it fell to his duty to hang at the state penitentiary John Junkins, a colored man, for the murder of Clara Roisein, a Swedish woman of Ottumwa, lowa, and so
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became the instrument of justice in atonement of an atrocious crime. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Centerville and the Yeomen, while both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist church of Centerville. He has gained many stanch friends in both social and business life and his record is a creditable one inasmuch as his success is attributable to his own efforts.
JOHN L. PHARES.
John L. Phares, a well known and prosperous resident of Centerville, is proprietor of the Centerville Poultry & Produce Company, an extensive and important concern which was established on the 16th of November, 1912. It was in Centerville that his birth occurred on the 17th of Novem- ber, 1868, his parents being A. J. and Jennie ( Brough) Phares. The father, a gentleman of German and Irish descent, is a native of Keokuk, Lee county, lowa, while the mother, who is of Dutch extraction, was born at Amity, Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in Centerville, this county. For several years A. J. Phares drove a stage between Fort Madison and Burlington and after removing to Centerville, in 1862, drove stage from there to Moravia and Leon, Iowa. Subsequently he took up the butcher's trade, also dug coal and conducted a restaurant. In 1890-91 he served as a member of the city council. In 1907 he put aside active business cares and with his wife has since lived retired in Centerville. Our subject had ten brothers and sisters and there was no death in the family until all had reached adult age and were married. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Phares have lived in Appanoose county for a half century and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
In the acquirement of an education John L. Phares attended school at Centerville and after putting aside his text-books learned the butcher's trade. He was also employed for a time as motorman on a street car in Centerville and for several years acted as a stationary engineer. In Novem- ber, 1908. he became connected with the poultry business as foreman for the firm of Hurd & Company and at the end of a year accepted the posi- tion of local manager for the lowa Produce Company. He held the posi- tion continuously until he engaged in business on his own account under the name of the Centerville Poultry & Produce Company. He makes shipments to Chicago, New York, Boston and Philadelphia and sends out on an average of five thousand live chickens and four cars of dressed poultry per month. At times he ships from two to three cars of eggs per
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week. Mr. Phares buys all the produce on his own account and all pro- cecds from eastern sales return directly to Centerville. He devotes his attention exclusively to his growing business interests and in their control is winning a gratifying and well merited measure of success.
On the 19th of October, 1890, Mr. Phares was united in marriage to Miss May Goldsberry, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Goldsberry. The father is a veteran of the Civil war and an agriculturist by occupation. He was a resident of Cincinnati, Iowa, at the time of his daughter's marriage to Mr. Phares but subsequently came to Center- ville, where both he and his wife still make their home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phares have been born the following children. Guy W., whose birth occurred on the 2d of October, 1891, and who is now a substitute city mail carrier, wedded Miss Isel Critzer of Centerville, by whom he has two children, Barnard and Clyde. Raymie, whose natal day was November 9, 1893, acts as foreman for his father. Alfred, who was born on the 30th of October, 1896, is also in the employ of his father. Jennie, whose birth occurred on the 6th of October, 1906, attends the Garfield school. Paul, who was born November 14, 1908, is at home. Four gen- erations of the Phares family are now living.
Mr. Phares exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He is a supporter of the Christian church and his wife is a mem- ber of the assembly. Fraternally he is identified with the Foresters of America, belonging to the Centerville lodge. He is one of the prosperous and capable business men of Centerville, where he has passed his entire life and has a host of warm friends.
BURT STONE.
Burt Stone, closely connected with business interests of Plano as a successful general merchant, is a native son of Appanoose county, born in Johns township, on the 15th of February, 1877, his parents being J. J. and Sarah E. (Cole) Stone. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Indiana, and they came to Appanoose county separately in 1855. The father established himself in 1859 in the general merchandise business in Plano and also engaged in farming. He operated his store successfully until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in a Kansas regiment and served for four years. Afterward he resumed his former occupation and engaged in it until 1892, when he moved his estab-
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lishment to Mystic and after a short time retired. He has now reached the age of seventy years, while his wife is sixty-nine.
Burt Stone was educated in the public schools of Plano and after completing the usual course worked in his father's store until 1896. In that year he accepted the position as superintendent of the Juckett Coal Company's mine in Mystic and was later an independent general mer- chant in Diamond. He conducted this enterprise from 1899 to 1901 but in the latter year sold his interests and established a restaurant in Mystic, which he operated until 1903, when he and his brother formed a partner- ship and purchased the Evansville mine, which they developed for some time. In 1905 Mr. Stone purchased the Mystic Letter and made this an excellent weekly journal, both the news and the business departments be- ing in a flourishing condition under his able management. In the fire which destroyed most of the business section of Plano the plant was con- sumed and Mr. Stone turned his attention to other pursuits. In March, 1911, he came to Plano and here established a general store, which he has since conducted. In business affairs he has met with excellent suc- cess and has steadily prospered, being regarded as one of the most pro- gressive and reliable business men in the community.
Mr. Stone married, on the 15th of July, 1896, Miss M. Frogle. a daughter of Peter and Matilda (Long) Frogle, natives of Missouri, where the father followed mining until his retirement. He is now living in Keokuk, lowa. Mr. Stone gives his allegiance to the democratic party and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He is a man of high integrity and commercial honor, who enjoys in highest measure the respect of all who know him. That many of his firmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood to the present time is an indication that his has been an honor- able and upright life and one well worthy of the highest esteem.
CHARLES S. CONGER.
Charles S. Conger is a worthy representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of Appanoose county and is well known in this section, where he was born. His popularity is due to definite attainment in agri- cultural pursuits and in the field of public life and his success and promi- nence have rewarded an active, useful and honorable business career filled with hard work and persevering labor. He was born on the farm which
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he now operates and which he calls the Hillside Stock Farm, August S, 1862, and is a son of Elias Conger, a native of Ohio. The grandfather of the subject of this review, Enos Conger founded the family in lowa, moving to this state in the early period of its pioneer development and making a definite location in Appanoose county when the father of our subject was still a child. About the year 1844 he preempted land in this section of the state, upon the present site of the town of Exline, which is now a thriving and prosperous village. Enos Conger later left his original tract and located upon the farm now owned by his grandson. this property having therefore been in possession of the family for three generations. The grandfather owned two hundred acres which was all raw land when it came into his possession. He broke the soil and made substantial improvements and in the work of development was aided by his son, Elias, who was reared upon the farm and who after the death of his father continued its operation. At the outbreak of the Civil war the father of our subject enlisted in the Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry and served for three years and six months in the Federal army. After- ward he received his honorable discharge and returned home, where he remained for a short time, later going to the Pacific coast. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Jane Ireland, was also a representative of a well known pioncer family. She died in 1868 and afterward Elias Conger went to Washington, where he engaged in the timber business on a large scale and where he resided until he moved to Texas.
Charles S. Conger remained at home until after the death of his mother, when he was bound out to a Mr. Tibler, a farmer of Putnam county, Missouri, from whom he received kind treatment and where he found a good home, and a quiet but strong affection sprang up between master and employe. After serving his time Mr. Conger remained upon the farm which he operated, carrying forward the work of improvement and caring for Mr. Tibler in his old age. He thus grew familiar with the details of practical farming and became in time an able agriculturist. Later he purchased the farm and operated it for a number of years, dis- posing of it in 1886. In that year he left Missouri and returned to Appa- noose county, where he purchased eighty acres of the old homestead. which he began to farm and further improve. As his circumstances justified he purchased more land and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres, all fenced, drained and developed. and most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Conger first erected a fine residence and later a good barn which stands diagonally across the road from the house. He has excelent outbuildings for the shelter of stock and grain and has planted a number of acres in orchard, from which he harvests fine crops annually.
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He has made a specialty of raising and feeding stock and sometimes ships his animals direct to the markets, where they have a ready sale. A man of quiet, steady industry, sound judgment and conservative business meth- ods, he has advanced step by step from poverty to wealth and from a hunible position to one of prominence, being ranked today among the men who establish and promote agricultural standards in this part of the. state.
Mr. Conger married in Putnam county, Missouri, December 15, 1884, Miss Betty Speak and they became the parents of six sons, of whom Roy N. met death by an accident in 1911, when he was twenty-five years of age. Those who survive are Finis T., Ira I., Benona, Lowell E. and John L.
Mr. Conger gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has always been a force in community affairs although he has never desired political preferment. In 1910, however, he was elected township trustee of Pleasant township and has served also as a delegate to numer- ous county conventions. For years he has been identified with educational work, being especially interested in school expansion and his activities in this and in all other public relations have been such as reflect great credit on his progressiveness, his political conscientiousness and his public spirit.
SANFORD P. MARING.
Sanford P. Maring has been identified with the growth and develop- ment of Exline for many years and his work has been a force in advance- ment, since he lias steadily promoted and built up enterprises which di- rectly affect growth, by furthering commercial, industrial and financial activity. Since the organization of the Bradley Savings Bank in 1905 he has been its cashier and has attained a place of prominence and influence in local banking circles. He is a native son of the county, born in Cald- well township, October 23, 1858, his father being Samuel Maring, a na- tive of Monroe county, Ohio. In that district the father of our subject grew to manhood and there married Alma Hall. About 1850 he and his wife moved to lowa, among the earliest pioneers in the state, and located in Caldwell township, Appanoose county, where Samuel Maring filed on one hundred and sixty acres of land and after proving his title opened up a farm. He gradually became well known and prosperous, engaging be- side agricultural lines in buying and selling of land. His first wife passed away during his period of residence here and he later married Mrs. Juliza
S. P. MARING
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Van Dyke, a native of Virginia, who was reared and educated in that state. Samuel Maring died upon the home farm. July 11, 1901, having survived his wife since 1881.
Sanford P. Maring was reared at home and at an early age acquired familiarity with the best methods of farm operation. He aided his father with the work of the fields until his marriage, which occurred in 1880. in which year he and his wife commenced their domestic life upon the Mar- ing homestead, which the subject of this review rented from his father. He later purchased one hundred and eighty acres and still owns this property, upon which he has erected a fine residence. a good barn and convenient outbuildings and installed the necessary farm equipment. The property is made especially valuable on account of the rich deposits of coal with which a part of it is underlaid. The lowa Block Coal Company has sunk a shaft upon the land and has touched a rich vein from which for the past eight or ten years they have taken out large quantities of fine coal.
After he had lived upon his farm for some time Mr. Maring became interested in the town of Exline, recognizing in its growing prosperity and expansion a good business opportunity. He purchased a tract of land just adjoining the town, platted it as a subdivision, laid out streets and walks, surveyed lots and put them up for sale. In his promotion of this enter- prise he showed his fine business ability and executive force, for he carried it forward to successful completion, his addition being now an integral part of the town. He has built and sold several fine residences and has eight dwellings rented to tenants, owning besides valuable residence and business property. When the Bradley Savings Bank was organized in 1905 Mr. Maring was one of the leading figures in the promotion of the enterprise, of which he was made manager and cashier. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in principle and in detail and his capable control of the Bradley Savings Bank is manifested in its growing prosperity. It is one of the reliable financial institutions in this part of the state and conducts all kinds of banking business.
Mr. Maring has been twice married. On October 10. 1880. he wedded Miss Ella Hollenbeck, a native of Pennsylvania, who afterward came to Appanoose county. She passed away on January 26. 1907, leaving three children : Nadie, the wife of T. C. Kline, of Exline: John L. : and Claude S. On the 14th of September. 1907. Mr. Maring was again married, his second wife being Miss Kate Kinkaid, who was born in Monroe county. Ohio, but who was educated in Exline and Centerville. Previous to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools of Appanoose county and was well known in local educational circles.
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Mr. Maring gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, with which he has been affiliated since casting his first vote. He has been elected to a number of important local positions of trust and honor. in all of which he has served capably and conscientiously, bending his energies to the pro- motion of projects which affect the public growth. He is a member of Exline Lodge, No. 726. 1. O. O. F., and he and his wife belong to the Re- bekahs. Both are members of the Christian church and are well known in the community, their home being the center of a charming circle of friends. Mr. Maring gives his influence and aid to progressive public measures and is a stanch supporter of the business, social and political institutions of the community which he has done so much to upbuild.
JOHN TILLMONT.
John Tillmont, engaged in general farming on section. 6, Taylor township, is the owner of three hundred and fourteen acres of rich and productive land, upon which he has made many improvements so that the farm is one of the attractive properties in his part of the county. A native of New York, he was born in New Bremen, Lewis county, October 10, 1864, his parents being Stephen and Elizabeth (Bach) Tillmont, who were natives of Alsace-Lorraine, but were reared and married in Lewis county, New York. The father came to the United States when four- teen years of age and the mother was but a little girl at the time of her arrival in the new world. They remained in the Empire state until their son, John, was three years of age, when they removed westward to Mich- igan. After a year and a half, however, they returned to New Bremen, where their remaining days were spent. The father followed farming throughout his entire life and at different times he also held some local offices, including that of highway commissioner, overseer of the poor and inspector of elections. In politics he was ever a stanch democrat. Unto him and his wife were born eight children: Kate, who died in Centerville. lowa, in 1911 ; John; Mary, the wife of John C. Bardo, of New Bremen. New York: P. J., who died in Iowa in 1910: Emma. living in Center- ville; J. B., who died in Oregon in 1909: Jennie, the wife of Charles Walter. of New Bremen, New York: and Dr. C. P. Tillmont, of Center- ville.
John Tillmont remained under the parental roof to the time of his marriage and the experiences of farm life in the Empire state were his. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools
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and he learned lessons of industry, economy and enterprise upon the old homestead. On the 4th of March, 1886, he married Miss Sarah Mills. who was born in New Bremen, New York. April 14, 1861, a daughter of David and Magdalene ( Lodenberg) Mills, the former a native of Ger- many and the latter of France. They were married, however, in New York, where the father followed shoe making and where both he and his wife died. Mr. and Mrs. Tillmont became parents of five children, Nina, Fred, Celia, David and Magdalene.
It was in the year 1899 that Mr. Tillmont came with his family to Iowa, settling in Taylor township, Appanoose county, where he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner of three hundred and fourteen acres of rich and fertile land and the place is well improved with substantial buildings and all modern equipments, includ- ing the machinery necessary to facilitate and promote the work of the fields. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and is very successful in his undertakings. His political support is given to the democratic party and while living in New York he filled a number of township offices, but since coming to the west has concentrated his ener- gies upon his farm work with the result that he is meeting with sub- stantial success in his undertakings and is accounted one of the leading and representative agriculturists of Taylor township.
ELZA W. ADAMSON.
Elza W. Adamson, representative of one of the oldest pioneer fam- ilies in Appanoose county, a native son of this section and today one of its active and progressive farmers and public-spirited citizens, was born in Pleasant township. December 23. 1868. His father. Henry Adamson, was a native of Fayette county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. From that state he moved into lowa in 1848 and came as a pioneer to Appa- noose county, dating his residence in this locality from May 1. 1852. In that year he preempted six hundred and forty acres of land and turned his attention to general farming, being obliged to break the soil before he could begin the work of development. He married in Lee county, Iowa. near Fort Madison, Miss Penthesilea Frost, a native of Ohio, who grew to womanhood in Lee county. She was active in religious circles and a charter member of the First Christian church in the state of lowa, which was founded at Lost Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Adamson have both
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passed away, the former dying November 18, 1911, at the advanced age of ninety-four, and the latter on the 15th of October, 1894.
Elza W. Adamson is the youngest in a family of nine children, all of whom married and became heads of families. Mrs. J. W. Shively, an only sister, died on the 14th of January. 1906. J. B. Adamson, a brother, was killed in a railroad accident on the ist of May, 1912. Elza W. Adamson was reared upon his father's farm in Pleasant township and received his primary education in the public schools, supplementing this by a course in the Centerville high school. Later he attended the Western Normal at Shenandoah and at the age of eighteen received his certificate and began teaching in the common schools of his native section. He later followed the same occupation in Cincinnati. teaching in the gram- mar grades and doing work which won him wide recognition and promo- tion to the position of principal of the Unionville schools. After three years he was elected school superintendent for Appanoose county, served one term and was reelected in 1897 for another term. He reduced the affairs under his charge to a definite organized system and in this way accomplished effective and far-reaching results. holding institutes every year with the assistance of some of the best educators in the state. In this way he brought the county teachers closely in touch with the advance- ment of educational methods and in a noticeable way raised the standard of efficiency in the profession throughout Iowa. He was connected with the schools of Appanoose county for a period of twenty years.
Since leaving office Mr. Adamson has devoted most of his attention to the further development of his fine farm of one hundred and eighty aeres on section 27, Franklin township, upon which he engages in general farming and stock-raising. being ranked among the most successful and progressive agriculturists of Appanoose county.
In Lincoln township. on the 15th of November, 1892, Mr. Adamson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Condra, a native of Appanoose county and the only daughter of Franklin Condra, whose family was numbered among the first settlers in the state, coming here as early as the year 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Adamson had six children. The eldest. Esther, died at the age of ten months. Neil C. completed the course in the Sey- mour high school and is now in his first year in the lowa State University. U. Gene completed the course in the country schools and is now attending the Seymour high school. The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Adamson are Elsie Luvey, Ersel and Thelma.
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