USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 39
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
431
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
James M. Lepper of this review attended the district schools and spent his childhood upon his father's farm. After he had attained his majority . he went to Mystic and there learned the carpentering trade, working at it for wages for one year. He soon, however, abandoned carpentering in order to engage in contracting and building and in this way he gained valuable experience in his chosen line of activity. In the fall of 1903 he came to Centerville and established his office in this city. With char- acteristic energy he applied himself to his duties, bending his energies to the building up of a representative patronage. In this he has succeeded, for his ability soon made him widely known and today he occupies a place among the leading contractors in the city. He does a great deal of resi- dence work and has built many of the finest homes in Centerville, all of which are attractive in design and substantial in construction. Mr. Lepper has carefully watched his business interests, noting his opportunities for success. and the years have brought him gratifying prosperity as reward for his well directed labors.
On the 4th of December, 1889, Mr. Lepper was united in marriage to Miss Louisa McMurray, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Haw- thorn) McMurray, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Lepper have become the parents of a son, Jesse, whose birth occurred in Appanoose county, July 19, 1892. and who is now assisting his father. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lepper are devout members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and both are well known in the affairs of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Lepper is a republican in pol- itics and has always been interested in the growth and advancement of Appanoose county. although his public spirit never takes the form of office seeking, and he is a progressive man who seems to realize the value of every situation and to make the most of his many opportunities. Through legitimate lines of expansion he has built up a growing business which is indicative of his spirit of enterprise and determination.
CHARLES WEBER.
Charles Weber is a well-known resident of Udell and an enterprising. progressive business man who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is proprietor of a gristmill in the town and he also deals in farm implements and wind pumps. He was born in Ger- many. May 12. 1861. and is a son of Phillip and Minnie ( Fulton ) Weber. both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was a physician.
432
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
died in that country in 1861 and the following year the mother with three , of her children came to the United States, settling first in New York city, where she went to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Drummyer, who with two of her brothers had come to America two years before. Later Mrs. Weber removed to Illinois, where she resided until her death in 1894.
Charles Weber was only a year old when brought to this country and when only six years of age began to earn his own living. He herded cattle in Illinois for twenty-five cents per week and that he was faithful, even though so young, is seen in the fact that he remained with the same man for two years. He afterward herded cattle for another man for fifty cents per week and when he was ten years of age he began working as a farm hand and was thus employed for five years. He afterward removed to Washington Heights, Illinois, where he learned the butchering busi- ness, and when eighteen years of age he came to Iowa, settling in Poweshiek county, where he entered the employ of Craver, Steele & Austin, manufac- turers of grain headers. After seventeen months spent in that employ he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and became a brakeman on the Rock Island Railroad. He next removed to Moulton and afterward to Moberly, Missouri, where he worked on the Wabash Railroad for a few months, and then returned to Moulton, where he engaged in house moving and well drilling. He next turned his attention to farming in Douglas town- ship and for five years remained upon that place. In 1905 he went to Davis county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land which he afterward traded for a hardware store at Moulton. He had been engaged in mer- chandising there for only a brief period. however, when he sold the store and bought one hundred and ten acres of land in Van Buren county, Iowa. where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1907. In that year he sold the farm and came to his present home in Udell, purchasing of John McConnell the gristmill which he yet operates. carrying on a successful business. He also deals in farm implements and wind pumps and has a good sale for this product.
On the 20th of December. 1884. Mr. Weber was married to Miss Sarah Morrow, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Morrow, natives of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent. The latter accompanied her aun. on her removal to Davis county. Iowa. in the early 4os and John Morrow went with his parents to the same county a few years later. There th young people became acquainted and were married in 1852. Subsequentl they removed to Appanoose county and settled upon a farm which cor tinned to be their home until their life's labors were ended in death, bot passing away in this county, in 1909 and 1910 respectively. It was
433
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Appanoose county that Mrs. Weber was born, May 2, 1868. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of five children: Etha, who died in infancy; Virgil, born April 27, 1887, who lives at home; Carl, who was born August 24, 1889, and is a traveling salesman in the employ of the Haw & Simmons Hardware Company of Ottumwa, lowa: Owen Orval. born September 26, 1891. teaching in the public schools of this county; and Frank, whose birth occurred on the 12th of November, 1893, and lives at home. He taught school for a time in Monroe county, Iowa. The parents are members of the Christian church, to the support of which they contribute liberally, and take an active part in its work.
In politics Mr. Weber is a progressive and is now serving as marshal of the village of U'dell. At one time he was a member of the school board of Douglas township and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He likewise belongs to the Odd Fellow's lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. and in every relation of life he commands the respect. confidence and good-will of his associates. While he has lived in many places the greater part of his life has been pased in this section of Iowa and he has been an interested witness of its growth and improvement and has taken an active and helpful part in advancing its welfare and progress.
JAMES W. MASON.
James W. Mason is now acting as mail carrier on the rural free de- livery route out of Udell. He has a wide acquaintance in the county and many friends. He was born in Caldwell township, May 23, 1857, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families here, his parents being William and Phoebe Ann ( Wells) Mason. The father was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1831, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. while the mother was born in Randolph county, Missouri, December 6. 1831. In the year 1852 William Mason went to Davis, lowa, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mason, and his grandfather, Isaac Mason. The last named was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and is possibly the only representative of that conflict who now lies buried at Drakeville. Davis county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mason, after living in this city for a time returned to Titusville, Pennsylvania, and there passed away. The maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Wells, were among the first settlers in Appanoose county, arriving here in 1837. This region was a great wilderness, into which they penetrated. and James Wells, together with three of his sons, took up a large tract of govern- Vol. 11-24
434
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
ment land on the Chariton river, where Cole City now stands. James Wells was a Christian preacher and organized the first church 'in Appa- noose county, known as the Hilltown church of Wells township. He proved a potent force in the moral development of this section of the state and was also concerned with its material progress and upbuilding, erecting the first grist and sawmill of the county in 1839. In many other ways he promoted public progress and improvement here and his name is inseparably associated with this part of the state, Wells town- ship being so called in his honor. Both he and his wife died here and were laid to rest in Appanoose county, near Cole City, Mr. Wells pass- ing away in February, 1857.
The marriage of William Mason and Phoebe Ann Wells was cele- brated in 1856 and they began their domestic life upon a farm in Cald- well township. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and developed his property until 1884, when he sold out and went to Thomas county, Kansas, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Both he and his wife remained upon that farm until called to their final rest, Mr. Mason dying in 1895, while his widow survived until 1908.
James W. Mason completed his education in the Moulton high school and afterward engaged in teaching for seventeen years in the public schools of this county and in Thomas county, Kansas, and Missouri, proving a capable educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He was married in 1883. after which he removed to Thomas county, Kansas, where he secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. He tau, school during the winter months, while the summer seasons were devo to farm work. For thirteen years he remained upon that place and t) returned to Appanoose county, taking up his abode in the village Udell, although he continued to follow farming until 1906, when was appointed rural mail carrier, to which position he is now giving time.
Mr. Mason was married in 1883 to Miss Sarah Jane Taylo daughter of William and Martha ( King) Taylor, who were native Ohio. The mother was born near Zanesville, April 25. 1829, and parents were natives of east Tennessee. With them she remover Davis county, lowa, in the late 'Los and about the same time Taylor became a resident of Appanoose county. He had lost his f: in Ohio, after which he came to Iowa and purchased one hundred sixty acres of land in Washington township. Appanoose county. was prior to his marriage. Later he bought forty acres in Davis cc
435
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
and was closely connected with the agricultural development of this section of the state for a long period. It was in Appanoose county that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were married and upon the farm in Washington township they began their domestic life. Three years later he invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Udell township, just north of his original purchase, and afterward became the owner of one hun- dred and forty acres in Washington township, on which he took up his abode. A few years later he returned to the old home place and there passed away in 1864. His widow sold the tract in Washington town- ship but still owns the old homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 17, Udell township, to which she removed after the death of her husband. She is living on that place with two of her children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason have been born five children. Clara Alice. born November 20, 1884, is the wife of Frank Honar, a farmer of Doug- las township. William T., born December 23, 1887, is a barber in Badger, Iowa. Oscar D., born February 5, 1891, is at home. Miles F .. born March 13, 1893, is a barber at Moravia, lowa. Chester B., born August 2. 1896. is at home.
Mr. Mason belongs to the Odd Fellow's Lodge at Udell, and he and his family are members of the Christian church. He gives his political support to the republican party and is well informed on the vital ques- tions and issues of the day. For fifty-five years he has lived in this section of Iowa and has, therefore, been a witness of practically the en- tire growth and development of Appanoose county. He has seen it trans- formed from a frontier district into a populous and prosperous section of the state and rejoices in what has been accomplished as the years have gone by. He is one of the enterprising citizens of this section and a man whose worth is acknowledged by his many friends.
INDEX
Adams, G. B. 259
124
Daniels, W. T. 415
Adamson, E. W
363
Davis, P. S. 204
Anderson. Louis 178
Ashby. J. C. 40
De Noon, E. S.
112
Dillon. J. A.
76
Bailey, Amos 252
Bailey, W. S. 303
Baker, C. C. 164
Bales, Peter
246
Duck, A. MI. 387
Dukes, A. S. 51
Duree, James
Edwards. Morgan 115
Edwards, M. S. 161
Edwards, William 173
Boughner. Martin
95
Elfstrom, A. W. P. 388
Elgin, C. H. 297
Elliott. G. C.
155
Ellis, W. M.
230
1.radley, William
11
Brokaw, Isaac
242
Browhar, Edward
Brown. S. C.
Brown, W. 11.
134
Bryant Brothers
61
Bryant. S. W
18
Bryant, W. R
299
Bunker, 11. E.
208
Burkhiser. Adam 196
Burkland, Andrew 260
Calvert, J. W. 139
Campbell. I. W. 106
Carson. R. B.
365
Case. T. . 1.
343
Clark. J. G 352
Climie, C. E 141
Conger. C. S
356 Cook. S. C.
24%
Hays, W. B.
Hendershot. J. E 2.37
Cool, J. H
385
Croxton, Thomas 121
Henry. L. Mel) ..
('url. R. I]. 377
Henry, Melissa A
122
libby. J. W. 191
Currie. W. K
Dillon. T. Il. 179
Dines, W. M.
Downing, W. L. 417
Bateman, Miles
318
Beck, .I. M. 316
Beer, M. H.
104
Beer. S. W.
193
Berry, W. F.
58
Blachley. H. W
66
Bradley, B. F.
284
Bradley, D. C.
Bradley, J. R. 402
Evans, William 47
Evans, W. F 271
Fre, T. G.
43
Fenton, W. J 170
Forsyth. R. C.
Frankel. J. J. 36
Fuller, B. ... 328
Gladfelder, George 322
Click, F. R. 347
Goldstein, Ahe 20
Gray. J. F 2.59
Greenleaf. I. S 335
Gribben, J. P. 69
Harrison. C. I. 332
Hays, S. P. 130
437
Dale, J. MI. 203
Adams, II. C.
Dean, G. W. 126
438
INDEX
llicks, J. M. 304
Hopkins, J. C. 290
Ilopkins, Stephen 338
Hopkins, T. E.
257
Hornaday, C. A.
323
House, John
270
llowell, C. F. 395
Hughes, J. S. 391
Ogle, B. A 70
Ogle. G. B.
102
O'Neil, D. C. 94
Organ, W. F. 374
Orr, Alexander 278
Kelly, S. A. 114
Kerschiner, J. N 287
198
Payton, John 220)
Kincade, A. W.
384
Peach, Joseph
101
Knapp, Lincoln 176
Knox, S. D. 152
Lane. I. S.
87
Phares, J. L.
354
Lankford, John
26
Phillips, HI. T
150
Lepper. J. M.
430
Lodwick, David
276
Loftus, M. M.
53
Post, August 33
Long, I. L.
210
Pratt, A. J 200
Luse, Jackson 266
Luse, J. 11.
390
Printz, E. T. 393
Luther. II. E. 67
Probasco, D. W 62
Pulliam, G. T. 419
McAnelly, H. C. 307
MeCabe, W. H.
214
MeCauley, J. II.
225
McClure, J. L. 163
AcCrory, Marion 219
Robertson, J. II
186
McDonald, H. F.
143
McDonald, .J. C.
250
MeMurray, ..
413
Main, N. J.
90
Salinger, Lewis 54
Sawyers. E. H.
15
Maring. M. B.
345
Maring, S. P.
358
Severs. G. F.
24
Maring, S. W
Shaffer, W. N
10°
Martin, J. W
228
Shanks. J. A.
280
Mason, J. W. 433
Sharp. F. S. 223
326
Meyers, C. Il.
188
Shutts. B. W.
99
Mitchell. Alexander 325
Silknitter, B. F. 335
Moden, E. J. 218
Singley, G. A. 42~
Smith, G. M. 367
More. Mathew 236
Smith. J. B.
133
More, S. J. O. 191
Smith. R. W
314
Morgan, F. C. 327
Spooner, D. A.
213
Morrison, I. A.
116
Staley, Alva
Morrison, W. 1. 141
Staley. B. S. 206
Stanley, C. A. 32
Morrison. W. R. 249
Murdy, N. E. 181
Myers, W. T. 182
Needels, G. W. 10
Nighswonger, Z. B. 409
Noland. G. W. 272
Johnson Brothers 295
Johnson, O. W.
227
Johnson, Seth 308
Parker. C. F 216
Payton, Corse 372
Killion, T. W
Peacock, Gordon 302
Peacock. Scott 207
Peavey, L. B. 82
Pixley, A. F 252
Porter. C. R. 5
Quigley. John 261
Replogle, J. A 368
Rinehart Brothers 400
Rosenbaum, Sol 119
Russell, H. A. 334
Maring. Moses
337
Scott, W. MI. 378
72
May, J. II. 423
Shoultz, A. J.
Montgomery. C. A. 424
Pratt. G. S. 120
Lynch, G. D. 422
439
INDEX
Stickler, W. B.
190
Weller. A. J
Stickney, E. L.
126
Wentworth, E. G.
15%
Stone, Burt
3:5
Wertz. J. R. ":11
Sturdivant, B. F.
17
West, Lewis
153
Whistler, A. S
Taylor, J. B .. 192
White, P. A.
Taylor, .1. J.
174
Whitsell. F. P.
Taylor, L. L .. .
15
Whitsell, L. 1
105
Thompson, G. W
Wilcox. A. R
Wilcox, James 137
Tillmont, John 362
Williams, J. W
49
Trembly, A. G.
300
Wilson. J. M.
412
Turner. B. E.
Wilson, N. W ..
311
Turner, Joseph
Wilson. Pierce 165
Wilson. R. E.
230
Wailes, J. S. 157
Wyckoff, C. S.
30
Walker, B. A.
375
Wyckoff, Perry
Weber, Charles
431
Webster, Sarah S
41 Zimmer. J. M.
112
10
Tillmont, C. P. 396
1
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.