USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 35
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Mr. Duck did not have extensive fraternal affiliations but delighted in keeping in touch with his comrades of the battlefield through his men- bership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a staneh republican in his politics but never sought nor desired public office. Upright and honorable in all the relations of his life, he won the regard and esteem of those with whom he came in contact and his death was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. His widow makes her home in Centerville, at 428 East Jackson street. She is a devoted member of the Methodist church and exemplifies its teachings in her daily life.
REV. AXEL W. P. ELFSTROM.
A philosopher has written, "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success." and judged by this standard, the life of Rev. Axel W. P. Elfstrom was a most successful one. His time and energies were devoted to the min- istry and he was not denied the full harvest nor the aftermath of his labors. His influence was far-reaching and beneficial, his words of wis- dom bearing fruit in the lives of many with whom he came in contact. He was born March 25, 1860, in Ullervad, Vestergötland, Sweden. a son of Gustave Elfstrom, who was also a native of that country and a manu- facturer by occupation. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded the Rev. Axel W. P. Elfstrom, who, after attending high school in Falkoping and Skofde, Sweden, spent several terms in study in the col- lege at Gottenborg. In the fall of 1884, then a young man of twenty- four years, he came to America and at once entered Augustana College. at Rock Island, Illinois, there pursuing a classical course for two years. In 1886 he matriculated in Augustana Theological Seminary and was
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graduated with the class of 1888. The same year he was ordained to the ministry of the Swedish Lutheran church and accepted the pastorate of Algona, Bancroft and Swea, making his home at Algona, Iowa, where he remained for fourteen years, doing excellent service in the upbuild- ing of the church and the extension of its influence there. In 1902 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Swedish Lutheran church in Cen- terville and that he was equally honored here and that his services proved highly acceptable to the church is indicated in the fact that he was pastor to the time of his death on the 16th of August, 1910. While an active representative of the Swedish Lutheran ministry for twenty-two years he had but two pastorates during that period. His influence and labors were of far-reaching effect. He was an earnest and ofttimes an eloquent speaker and had the qualities which are so acceptable in pastoral work, a social disposition, kindly spirit and an understanding and sympathetic nature. He was a prominent member of the lowa conference of Augus- tana synod of his denomination and was recognized throughout the state, in which he lived and labored, as a student and man of scholarly attain- ments. He kept in touch with the world's work along all the lines of vital significance to mankind.
On the 5th of December. 1890, the Rev. Axel W. P. Elfstrom was married to Miss Matilda Carlson, a daughter of Carl and Johanna Carl- son. both of whom were natives of Vestergotland, Sweden. The father was a farmer by occupation and died when his daughter Matilda was but four years of age. The mother is still living in Sweden, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Mrs. Elfstrom came to the United States in 1885 and took up her residence in Chicago, where she was married. Since her husband's death she has continued to live in Centerville. Their chil- dren are: Gustav Sigfrid, who was born November 11. 1891, and is clerking in the Maring grocery store in Centerville: Hanna, who was born September 18. 1893, graduated from the Centerville high school. in 1911, and is a teacher in the Garfield school of this city: Ester, who was born May 24. 1895, and will graduate from the Centerville high school with the class of 1913: and Carl, who was born December 27. 1897, and is a high-school student.
The family are all members of the Swedish Lutheran church and their influence is always on the side of right. progress. reform and truth. Rev. Elfstrom gave his political allegiance to the republican party. nor was he neglectful of the duties of citizenship. He stood for all that is highest and best in material things and in intellectual activities while working untiringly for the moral progress of the community in which he
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made his home. His influence was of no restricted character. He was regarded as one of the strong preachers of his denomination and his work added much to the moral tone of the community. He embodied the words of the spirit of Abraham Lincoln who said. "There is something better than making a living-making a life." and therefore he put forth untiring effort in the great field of character building.
J. H. LUSE.
Since the year 1864 J. H. Luse has been a resident of Appanoose county and is therefore qualified to speak with authority of the events which have shaped its history and have had important bearing upon its progress. He is now filling the office of postmaster at Mystic and has held other public positions, the duties of which he has ever promptly and faithfully dis- charged. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 20. 1860, a son of Boan and Hannah ( Horner) Luse, who were also natives of the Keystone state, the father having been born in Greene county and the mother in Fayette county. The family comes of French ancestry on the father's side and is of German lineage in the maternal line. The grand- father, Henry A. Luse, was a native of New Jersey, served as a soldier of the War of 1812 and led an active business life, devoting the greater part of his time and attention to farming. his interests in that line being so carefully conducted that in time he became a wealthy man. He con- tinued a resident of Pennsylvania until his death.
In the year 1864 Boan and Hannah Luse left their native state and came to lowa, taking up their abode in Walnut township. Appanoose county. about a mile and a half north of Mystic. They settled on the farm that is now owned and occupied by their son. James F. Luse. and both died upon the old home place. They had for thirty-seven years lived in the county when the father passed away in 1901. at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife also reached the age of seventy-seven. her death occurring in 1906. He had made farming his life work and as he prospered in his undertakings he extended the boundaries of the home place until he owned four hundred acres in one body. He was a very quiet. resourceful man. of retiring disposition but genuine worth gave him the warm regard of those who knew him. In the family were four sons, while the only daughter. Ella, who was the third in order of birth. died in Pennsylvania when but a year old. The sons are: Henry A .. who died in 1876. at the age of twenty-two years: Joseph R., a resi-
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dent of Seymour. Jowa: J. H., of this review : and James Frank. a farmer of this county.
J. H. Luse was but four years of age when the family arrived in Iowa, and the experiences of his youth and boyhood were those which usually fall to the lot of the farm lad. When not in the school room. his time and attention were largely taken up with the work of the fields and he continued with his parents until 1885. He then started in the business world as a clerk and was employed in various stores in Mystic for eight or ten years. In the meantime he took an active interest in politics and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the office of mayor of Mystic in 1892. He served for one term. or two years. and afterward went upon the road as a traveling sales- man. representing the Lodwich Brothers Coal Company for three years. He then held the office of assistant postmaster for one year and during the past five years has been postmaster of Mystic. He also filled the posi- tion of township assessor for one term in the 'Sos. His political sup- port has ever been given to the republican party. He was reared in that faith and has never seen occasion to change his principles.
Mr. Luse has been married twice. In 1884 he wedded Flora B. Stevens, who was born in Wapello county. Iowa, and died in Appanoose county in 1889. when twenty-six years of age, leaving a little daughter. Jessie M., who died at the age of four years. In 1896 Mr. Luse was again married, his second union being with Malina A. Fuller, who was born in Appanoose county in 1858. There are four children of this marriage. May. Helen. Marjorie and John Boan. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. in the work of which they are actively interested, while to its support they contribute liberally. Mr. Luse is now serving on the official board and otherwise manifests his interest in the growth of the church and in promoting its influence. He is a Master Mason. belonging to Walnut Lodge, No. 588, at Mystic, and his fidelity to its teachings makes him a worthy exemplar of the craft.
JOSEPH S. HUGHES.
Joseph S. Hughes makes his home in Centerville. owning and occupy- ing an attractive residence at 1401 North Ninth street. He has long been the owner of farming property and at one time was very active in its cultivation. His birth occurred in Johnson county. Indiana, June 26. 1847. his parents being JJohn and Charity W. (St. John ) Hughes. The
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father, a native of Indiana, was born July 31, 1822, while the mother's birth occurred near Cincinnati, Ohio, August 2, 1820. The paternal grandparents were natives of Tennessee and the great-grandfather came from Ireland. In the maternal line some of his ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New Jersey, loeating there in 1664 after a previous residence in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Charity St. John removed to Indi- ana with her grandparents and there, in 1843, she gave her hand in mar- riage to John Hughes, who was a farmer by occupation and carried on general agricultural pursuits in that state until 1855, when he came with his family to Iowa, settling in Appanoose county. He purchased one hun- dred acres of land in Pleasant township and later entered forty acres more. To this he kept adding from time to time until he owned about seven hundred acres and carried on farming on an extensive scale until 1878, when he divided his land among his children and took up his abode in Centerville, where he lived retired until his death in 1892. He had for three years survived his wife, who passed away in March, 1889. He was greatly and actively interested in public affairs, contributing to the welfare and upbuilding of the community, and for several years served as a member of the school board and was also justice of the peace. Unto him and his wife were born five children, namely: William M., who was killed in battle at Atlanta, Georgia, and was buried there; Joseph S., of this review ; Jacob A., a retired agriculturist residing in Portland, Oregon ; Jesse F., who follows farming in Pleasant township, Appanoose county ; and Mary E., who lives with a cousin at Dillon, Montana.
Joseph S. Hughes was but eight years of age when brought by his parents to Appanoose county, where he has remained continuously since. He attended the Centerville schools and when nineteen years of age began teaching, which profession he followed for six years in the district schools. He then began farming in Vermillion township and in 1878 removed to Pleasant township, occupying a part of the old home place-a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which his father had given him. He capably managed his farm and met with success in its operation but in 1883. on account of ill health, he rented the land and removed to Centerville, estab- lishing his home on North Eleventh street, where he lived until 1890. when he removed to his present residence at No. 1401 North Ninth street just outside the corporation limits. He continued to rent his farm until 1896. when he sold the place and invested in town property.
In 1873 Mr. Hughes was united in marriage to Miss Harriett J. Brooks, a daughter of Thomas and Mary ( McMurray) Brooks, the former a farmer of Wayne county, Iowa. He was born in Tennessee and was of German descent. When ten years of age he removed with his mother and stepfather
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to Kentucky and was married in that state to Mary McMurray, who was born in Kentucky and was of Irish lineage. In the early '4os they removed westward, settling in Mahaska county, lowa, where Mr. Brooks engaged in farming. In 1853 he went to Wayne county, łowa, where he again secured a tract of land which he continued to develop and improve until the time of his death in February. 1875. His wife passed away at almost the same hour and they were laid to rest on the same day. Mrs. Hughes was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, September 28. 1849. and was the youngest of a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Mar- garet, George, John, Joseph and James, all of whom are deceased: Mary. who is the wife of William Rogers, a farmer residing at Alba, Missouri : and William, who has passed away.
Mr. Hughes has held various township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He and his wife are widely and favorably known, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
EDWARD TRENTON PRINTZ, M. D.
The medical profession of Moulton finds a worthy representative in the person of Dr. Edward Trenton Printz, who for twenty-six years has been actively engaged in practice in Appanoose county, where he is recognized as a physician and surgeon of more than average ability. He was born in Newton, Jasper county, Illinois, on the 6th of November. 1856, and is a son of Solomon and Sarah ( Kibler) Printz, natives of Virginia, the father's birth having occurred in the year 1816 and that of the mother in 1812. In the paternal line the family is of Dutch extraction, but they have long been residents of Virginia, the grandfather, Peter Printz having been born in Page county, that state. He was a mill owner and also had a large plantation and many slaves. His entire life was passed in the state of his nativity where he reared a large family, all of whom remained in the south with exception of the son Solomon. Accom- panied by his wife and four children the latter brought a colony of Vir- ginians to Illinois in 1848, locating in Jasper county, where he took up a large tract of government land. The remainder of his active life was devoted to the cultivation of his farm, where he passed away in 1876. He was one of the prominent pioneers of that section, and took an active and helpful interest in all community affairs, contributing his quota
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toward promoting the progress and development of the country. He served with efficiency in various township offices, and was known as a man of high principles and progressive ideas, who was accorded the esteen and respect of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. It was in Virginia Mr. Printz was married to Miss Kibler, a daughter of John Kibler, also a Virginian, who came to Illinois with his son-in-law's colony. in 1848 and purchased an extensive tract of government land in Jasper county, where he passed the remainder of his days. Mrs. Printz lived to the ad- vanced age of seventy-five years, her death occurring in 1887. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom were born in Virginia, in order of birth they are as follows: Calvin F., who died in Jasper county, Illi-
nois; Jane, who passed away at the age of twelve years; Sarah, who was eight at the time of her death; Hiram, who is a resident of Newton. Illi- nois; Lydia, the deceased wife of Albert Strole, of Jasper county, Illinois; John, a farmer and stock-raiser of Jasper county; Edward Trenton, our subject; and Mary, the deceased wife of Frank Davis, of Jasper county.
There was no event of especially importance to vary the routine char- acteristic of farm life during the period of Dr. Printz's minority. His early education was obtained in the public schools, following which he attended the normal school at Newton and then taught for five years. He early decided to adopt a professional career and in 1881 matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, Illinois, from which institution he was awarded the degree of M. D. with the class of 1884. Immediately thereafter he returned to his home town and engaged in practice until 1886, when he came to Moulton and established an office. which he has ever since maintained. As he is a man of studious habits and has continually promoted his efficiency by keeping in close touch with the progress of his profession, Dr. Printz has met with more than an average degree of success and has built up a large and profitable practice. He has had ample opportunity to manifest his ability, both as a general practitioner and surgeon, during the long period of his connection with the medical fraternity of this county, and is held in high repute by the fellow members of his profession and the community at large. among whose citizens he numbers many close friends.
Dr. Printz has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Lizzie Marshall, whose father is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work. They were married in 1888. and in 1890 Mrs. Printz passed away. One child was born to them but it died in infancy. In 1895, Dr. Printz. married Miss Verna Dye. Of this marriage were born two children: Esther and Edward Trenton. Jr., who are attending high school. The mother passed away in 1900.
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The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Dr. Printz is a member. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while he maintains relations with his fellow practitioners through the medium of the Appanoose County Medical and the Iowa State Medical Societies. His political support he gives to the republican party, and he is now a member of the local school board. Dr. Printz is widely and favorably known in the county by reason of his sterling worth and integrity as well as because of his skill as a practitioner and the high professional standard he maintains.
C. F. HOWELL.
One of the strong and forceful members of the Appanoose county bar is C. F. Howell, practicing at Centerville, as a member of the firm of Howell & Elgin. He possesses all the qualities requisite for advance- ment in the legal profession-comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, analytical power and a ready recognition of the relation of cause and effect. The case with which he solves intricate problems has given him command of a large practice, in the conduct of which he has won many notable verdicts.
Centerville claims him as a native son, for he was here born March 25, 1860, his parents being C. H. and Lavina ( Ward ) Howell, who were natives of New York. The father, however, became one of the pioneer residents of this city, arriving here in 1847 and establishing the second mercantile enterprise of the town. He continued in business for almost a third of a century, or until 1879, when he retired, spending his remain- ing days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He died in 1888, while his wife passed away in 1882.
C. F. Howell was reared and educated in his native city and after attending the public schools entered lowa College at Grinnell, where his more specifically literary course was pursued. He entered upon the study of law in the office and under the direction of Tannehill & Fec, with whom he continued from 1880 until 1882, when he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon active practice here. Thirty years have since come and gone and almost from the beginning he has main- tained a prominent position as a representative of the legal profession in his native county, his record standing in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without bonor save in his own country. In 1909 he was joined in partnership by Charles H. Elgin, and they are now prac-
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ticing under the firm style of Howell & Elgin, commanding a very exten- sive and important clientage, and their loyalty to the interests thereof is proverbial.
In November, 1883, Mr. Howell was united in marriage to Miss Anna Maddox, of Frankfort, Kentucky, a daughter of H. and Maria (Jones) Maddox, who were natives of Virginia. The parents never came to this state and both are deceased, the father having passed away in 1879, and the mother in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have become parents of three children, Winifred, Max and Ward. They have a pleas- ant and hospitable home and its good cheer is enjoyed by their many friends.
Aside from his law practice Mr. Howell has other interests, being a stockholder in a bank at Promise City and another at Numa. Mr. Howell votes with the republican party and is a stanch advocate of its principles. The only office he has held, however, has been in the strict path of his profession-six years' service as county attorney. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he holds firmly to the religious faith of the Presbyterian church. His influence is always on the side of progress, reform and im- provement and his activities have constituted a potent force in the upbuild- ing and development of this section.
CHARLES P. TILLMONT.
Dr. Charles P. Tillmont, who has been a successful medical practi- tioner and surgeon for the past twelve years in Centerville, is prominent in both professional and social circles of the community and is now serving a second term as county coroner and is president of the Appanoose County Medical Society. His birth occurred in New Bremin, Lewis county, New York, on the 13th of February, 1871, his parents being Stephen and Eliza- beth (Bach) Tillmont, both natives of France, and whose ancestors were of French nobility, meeting disaster in the French revolution. The par- ents and grandparents emigrated to the United States in 1842. locating in northern New York, in which state they subsequently resided, the father's death occurring in 1906 and the mother's in 1904.
Charles P. Tillmont obtained his early education in the public schools of his native town and subsequently attended the Lowville Academy at Lowville, New York, and later the Dixon Business University at Dixon. Illinois. From there he made his way to Detroit, Michigan, where he
DR. C. P. TILLMONT
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entered the employ of H. S. Robinson & Company as a traveling sales- man, covering the states of Illinois, Indiana and lowa. In 1897, having determined upon the practice of medicine, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of Illinois and graduated from that institution in June, 1901. with the degree of M. D. During his college years he had service at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois ; at Cook County Infirmary. Dunning, Illinois: and at Oakwood Sanitarium, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, under Dr. Oscar A. King at that time superin- tendent. In September, 1901, he opened an office in Centerville, Iowa, which has remained the scene of his professional labors to the present time, his practice steadily growing as he has demonstrated his skill in coping with the intricate problems which continuously confront the physi- cian in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. Through his mem- bership in the Appanoose County Medical Society, of which he is now president, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, he keeps in close touch with the progress of his profession.
In 1900 Dr. Tillmont was united in marriage to Miss Katheryn Con- ners, of Dixon, Illinois, her parents being John and Martha ( Davlin) Conners, who come of Irish and Dutch descent and are still residents of Dixon. The father, John Conners, was born in New York city, October 10. 1848. He left there when seventeen years of age and went alone to Dixon, Illinois. Soon afterward he enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry and at the close of the war was mustered out at Chattanooga. having in the meantime participated in many battles. Following his return to Dixon he married Martha Daylin, a daughter of James and Catherine Elizabeth ( Holister) Daylin, of Dixon, whose ancestry can be traced back to a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The Daylin family was established in Pennsylvania in colonial days. Mr. Conners is still living in Dixon, where he is well known as a contractor. In 1911 he came to Centerville and built a beautiful home for his daughter, Mrs. Tillmont. at 119 South street. This is one of the fine homes of the city. He and his wife occupy their own home in Dixon. In religious faith they are Catholics and in politics he is a democrat. He belongs to the Grand Armny of the Republic, the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of I'nited Workmen and of the last named is a charter member. His daugh- ter, Mrs. Tillmont, is eligible to membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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