USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 4
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In 1879, Mr. Post was married to Miss Mary V. Rudd, of Washing- ton, lowa, at which place her birth occurred in 1855, her parents being Major W. and Rhoda (Shirk) Rudd. The father, who was a member of an old Maine family, came to lowa about 1850, and located in Wash- ington county. There he engaged in farming during the remainder of his active life and he was also a school teacher. The Shirk family were natives of Indiana. To Major and Mrs. Rudd were born six children, Mrs. Post being the fifth in order of birth. The other members of the family are as follows: Emma, the wife of Dr. J. T. Atkinson of Kansas City, Missouri ; Annis M., the widow of Captain Dana, a Civil war vet- eran, of Ottumwa, lowa; Martha E., who is teaching school in Belpre, Kansas; Samuel J., who is also a resident of Belpre: and Olive, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Post have had six children, two of whom died in infancy. In order of birth those who are living are as follows: Vivian, who married 1 .. E. Erlewine, of Spokane, Washington, and is the mother of one child: Edwin R., who married Edna Stickney, also a resident of Spokane: Paul A., who married Lulu P. Blosser and has one child: and Marjorie, who is living at home and attending school.
Mr. Post is an active worker in the Presbyterian church and has been superintendent of the Sunday School for several years. Mrs. Post is a member of the Baptist church and is interested in the work of its various organizations. She also belongs to the P. E. O. Society. In his political views Mr. Post is a republican. He was sergeant-at-arms at the national convention at St. Louis, when William Mckinley was nominated for president, and was regarded as a possible appointee to the post of secretary of agriculture during the first term of that president. He has always taken an active interest in all movements affecting the agriculturist, and was secretary and treasurer of the National Farmers' Alliance and secretary and business agent for the State Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Post has always figured quite prominently in local public life and was a member and
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secretary of the commission appointed by Governor Bois to revise the revenue laws of the state of lowa. He possesses high standards of citizenship and all questions affecting the general welfare of the com- munity enlist his attention, particularly those of an educational nature, and he served for a long period as a member of the school board, during a portion of which time he was president of that body. Mr. Post is held in high repute as a private citizen because of his active cooperation in all public movements, as a business man because of the honorable and upright methods along which he conducts his transactions, and as a public official because of the capable and efficient manner in which he meets his responsibilities.
JOSEPH J. FRANKEL.
No man occupies a more enviable position in business circles of Center- ville than Joseph J. Frankel, proprietor of the large and flourishing dry- goods store which bears his name. He is respected and esteemed by all who know him, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also ow- ing to the fact that his business methods have been constantly straight- forward and honorable. He is a dependable man under all circumstances and the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him for- ward into important business relations. A native of Poland, Mr. Frankel was born November 30, 1873, and is a son of Joseph and Eve (Margolis) Frankel. both of whom were born in that country. The father was a con- tractor and grain dealer and was unusually successful in both branches of activity. He never came to America but passed away in Poland in Feb- ruary, 1904, at the age of sixty-six. Later his widow came to America and settled in Peoria, Illinois, where she now resides, having reached the age of seventy-seven.
In the acquirement of an education Joseph J. Frankel attended school in his native country. He was nineteen years of age when he came to America, settling in Peoria in 1892. He secured a position in a clothing store and retained it until 1900, when he came to Centerville, where he has since resided. At first he worked in a department store operated by A. Grinspan and he continued this identification until July. 1901, when he returned to Peoria and established himself in the wholesale men's furnish- ing business, under the name of the Peoria Mercantile Company. This enterprise he conducted successfully until February, 1905, when he sold the concern and came again to Centerville, joining Mr. Grinspan in the
MR. AND MRS. J. JJ. FRANKEL
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
management of his general store. Their association continued until Jan- uary, 1910, when Mr. Grinspan was obliged to go west on account of his failing health. Mr. Frankel at that time purchased his interest in the busi- ness and has operated the store ever since. His establishment comprises a fine double store and basement at Nos. 116-118 West Jackson street and is one of the finest of its kind in Centerville. Mr. Frankel carries a large and complete line of stock and strives in every way to keep pace with metropolitan progress, buying new goods as they come upon the market and never selling anything not favored by the newest fashion. This pro- gressive spirit is one of the factors in his success, secondary in importance only to the standards of unwavering integrity and honesty to which he has steadily adhered. He has ever utilized his opportunities to the best ad- vantage and, making steady progress in the business world, has to- day reached a position of prominence and influence. Mr. Frankel has at this writing under contemplation plans for using the entire building in which his store is now located and on realization of this project will own and occupy the largest dry-goods emporium in southern lowa. Doubtlessly his trade will increase to warrant such enterprise for which he deserves all success, as he is a man who very truly can be called the salt of the earth. one whom it is a pleasure to meet and one whom all who know him only wish the best of success. He is a stockholder in the Centerville & Mystic Interurban Railroad and in the Centerville Gypsum Company and is besides extensively interested in the Hercules Manufacturing Company of Centerville. He owns a beautiful home at No. 700 Drake avenue.
On the 12th of July, 1900, Mr. Frankel married Miss Minnie Grins- pan, a daughter of Aaron and Leah (Starovolsky) Grinspan, natives of Knyshin. Russia, where the father was born October 20. 1847. He was reared and educated in his native city and there learned the weaver's trade. which he followed for many years, gaining rapid advancement and finally becoming superintendent of a factory. He remained in Russia until 1882 and then came to America, settling first in Brooklyn, New York. After a short period of residence there he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and there secured a position as superintendent of Sherman Brothers Woolen Mill, continuing in this position for a number of years. Later he came to Center- ville and for some time peddled dry goods. Being ambitious, energetic, well educated and intelligent, he was rapidly successful and had soon saved a sufficient sum of money to establish himself in business. He opened a small store near the Burlington depot and after conducting his enterprise in that location for some time moved to a more favorable location, estab- lishing himself at No. 116 West Jackson street, where Mr. Frankel is now located. He continued active in the management of this enterprise until Vol 11 -?
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
his health failed and he was obliged to go west to recuperate. He died in Seattle, Washington, July 25, 1910, at the age of sixty-three, and is buried in St. Joseph, Missouri. His widow survives and makes her home in Seattle, having reached the age of sixty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Frankel have become the parents of a daughter. Helena Josephine, who was born May 19, 1904.
Mr. Frankel gives his allegiance to the republican party but is not ac- tive in political affairs, although he is public-spirited and loyal to a marked degree. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's, and with his family is a devout member of the Congregation B'nai Israel. As a resident of Centerville he has been loyal in his support of everything pertaining to the welfare of the city and has made some substantial contributions to its development and progress.
JOHN C. ASHBY.
Appanoose county numbers among its most substantial, progressive and influential citizens and among its most worthy native sons John C. Ashby, who since 1903 has been engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Centerville. He was born near this city on the 11th of August, 1866, and is a son of E. G. and Sarah ( Hollingsworth) Ashby, the former a native of Indiana, born October 4. 1840, of Scotch-Irish stock. The mother of our subject was also born in Indiana, her natal day being June 22, 1845. She is of English and Irish ancestry and she came to Appanoose county in the early '50s. The father of our subject settled in this part of Iowa before the Civil war. beginning his independent career as a school- teacher. He served in the Federal army and after his discharge he returned to Appanoose county. where he married and engaged in farming. He fol- lowed general agricultural pursuits for a few years but finally abandoned this occupation in favor of teaching, in which he engaged until his death. which occurred on the 11th of August, 1894. He became gradually promi- nent in educational circles of the section and was for a number of years county superintendent of schools, serving with ability and conscientiousness. After his demise his wife moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she still resides.
John C. Ashby is in all essential respects a self-made man. for he began his independent career at the early age of fourteen years, and has been de- pendent upon his own resources since that time. He learned independence and self-reliance in the school of experience and the lessons have been of
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
utmost value to him in the development of his later career. When he laid aside his books he obtained a position in a grocery store conducted by Drake & Lane in Centerville and remained in their employ for twenty-two years. gaining steady advancement. He was economical and farsighted and saved a great deal of the money which he earned until he had accumulated a sufficient sum to establish himself in business. In 1902 he became engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at Centerville and is still con- nected with both lines of activity, giving close attention to the manage- ment and control of his enterprise. He has proven himself a man of great ability, strong and determined purpose and undaunted energy, and his business judgment is rarely if ever at fault. Consequently, in the course of years he has won success and is numbered among the representa- tive men of his community.
In 1891 Mr. Ashby married Miss Eunice Gunn, a daughter of Isaac F. and Johanna ( Rowden) Gunn, the former a general contractor and builder of Centerville. Mrs. Ashby's father was born in Illinois and moved from that state to Missouri, where his marriage occurred. Later he and his wife came to Centerville and remained here until 1900. when they moved to Oklahoma. There the father's death occurred in 1906. His widow makes her home with the subject of this review. Mrs. Ashby is a native of Missouri, her birth having occurred February 20, 1870. She and her husband have one son, Max R .. who was born October 10. 1892. He was graduated from the Centerville high school in 1912 and is at present in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, studying architecture and drawing.
Mr. Ashby gives his allegiance to the republican party and from 1903 to 190; served on the Centerville city council. working earnestly and con- scientiously in the interests of the public. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist church. He is one of the most enterprising men in Centerville, always ready and willing to do what he can for the general upbuilding and growth, and is held in high respect as a progressive and influential busi- ness man.
MRS. SARAH S. WEBSTER.
At different periods Mrs. Sarah S. Webster has been closely associated with the educational progress and intellectual development in Appanoose county where she is now tilling the position of superintendent of schools. Her labor- have been of far-reaching and beneficial effect and in her work
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she has held to high standards of practical achievement as a preparation for the responsible duties of life. lowa may be proud to number one of her force and ability among her native daughters. Mrs. Webster was born in Monroe county, this state, October 26, 1858, her parents being John W. and Nancy J. (Stoops) Clodfelter, who were natives of Putnam county, Indiana. The father came to lowa during the pioneer period in the development of this state, settling in Monroe county, where his father entered land from the government, securing a wild tract which he con- verted into rich and productive fields. John W. Clodfelter was reared and educated on the old family homestead, early assisting in the plowing. plant- ing and harvesting when not busy with the duties of the schoolroom. He continued with his parents until after the outbreak of the Civil war when his spirit of patriotism prompted his enlistment and he became a mem- ber of Company A, Thirty-sixth lowa Infantry, with which he served for about two years. He then became ill, his death resulting from expos- ure. His widow survives and now resides at Moravia, Appanoose county, at the age of seventy-three years.
Mrs. Webster was reared and educated in Monroe county, attending the district schools and afterward entering the Albia high school. She began teaching school when but sixteen years of age and after two years of successful work in the schoolroom was married. in July. 1877, to Alvah Webster, a son of Alvah and Cynthia ( Legg) Webster, who were natives of New York. The father was a farmer and became one of the early residents of Illinois, where he secured a tract of wild land. entered as a claim from the government, and began farming, devoting his remain- ing days to agricultural pursuits near Kankakee, Ilinois, in which city he also conducted a general store for a number of years or until his death. His wife has also passed away. Their son. Alvah Webster, Jr ... is a cheese maker by trade and followed that business continuously and successfully until January. 1899, when he suffered from a stroke of paralysis which incapacitated him for further business activities. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have one child, Claudia M., the wife of William P. Schrock. engaged in the manufacture of medicinal remedies at Plano, Iowa. They have four children, Hazel, Beatrice, Leonard and Sarah.
Mrs. Webster taught school continuously from 1883 until 1907, when she was elected county superintendent of schools, being the first woman chosen to that position in Appanoose county. She was the candidate on the democratic ticket and was again elected for the office in 1912. Her efforts in behalf of the schools have been resultant of great good. She holds to high standards of instruction and believes in thorough training without the unwise adoption of school fads which often prevent a pupil
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
from becoming thoroughly grounded in the fundamental principles of school work. As far as possible she makes a study of each pupil and labors for individual benefit. Wide reading keeps her in touch with advanced methods employed by educators throughout the country and her labors have at all times been fruitful of results.
Mrs. Webster is a stockholder in the Centerville Light & Traction Company, owning and operating an interurban line between Centerville and Mystic, a distance of six miles. She is also the owner of a nice resi- dence where she and her husband reside at No. 512 Drake avenue and a good residence property in Moravia, lowa. She holds membership in the Women's Relief Corps and her religious faith is that of the Christian church. Her standards of life are high and her influence is ever cast on the side of righteousness, reform, truth and improvement.
THOMAS G. FEE.
The name of Fee has long figured prominently in connection with the bench and bar of Appanoose county and in the practice of law Thomas G. Fee, whose name introduces this review, has won for himself a credita- ble position as an able lawyer whose wide knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is supplemented by the ability to accurately apply those principles. He is now practicing in Centerville, his native city. He was born August 25, 1877, a son of Thomas Milton and Marie ( Barker) Fee. The father's birth occurred in Feesburg, Brown county, Ohio, April 18. 1840, and his parents, Thomas J. and Sarah ( Hastings) Fee, were of English and Irish descent respectively, the former being a well known merchant and manufacturer of Ohio, whence he removed to Illinois with his family in 1849. In the latter state Thomas Milton Fee was reared and educated, remaining there until 1860, when he became a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching school. He also took up the study of law in that city under the direction of Colonel S. W. Sum- mers but in May, 1862, removed to Centerville and on the 8th of August of the same year offered his services to the government, enlisting in Com- pany G, Thirty-sixth lowa Volunteer Infantry. He took part in various engagements with the Thirteenth, Sixteenth and Seventh Army Corps and was captured at Mark's Mills, Arkansas, after which he was for ten months confined in a rebel prison at Tyler, Texas. In September, 1865, he was mustered out and was honorably discharged at Davenport. Fol- lowing his return from the war he established himself in the practice of
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
law, which he followed continuously to the time of his death save for the period spent upon the bench. For a time he served as superintendent of public instruction in Appanoose county and for a term of four years was district attorney for the second judicial district of Iowa. In those connections he displayed unfaltering devotion to duty as well as great energy and ability. In 1894 he was elected district judge and remained upon the bench until January, 1902, when he resigned and resumed the private practice of law with his son Thomas as his partner. His decisions had ever been strictly fair and impartial, based upon the law and the equity in the case. and he was regarded as one of the most capable judges ever presiding over the district court. In politics he was a republican, deeply interested in the success of the party because of his firm belief in the efficacy of its principles as factors in good government. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained high rank, becoming a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army post and was a promi- nent representative of the county bar association. In 1881 he lost his first wife and later married Mrs. Cill McGregor, of Centerville, who now resides at Rice's Landing in Pennsylvania. Judge Fee passed away in Centerville, April 13, 1910. honored and respected by all who knew him. His children were seven in number, namely: William, who passed away at the age of five years; Frank, who died when twenty-one years of age; John, who acts as car inspector for the Santa Fe railroad at Bakersfield. California; Marsa, who is the wife of J. W. Voorhees, a fruit ranchman residing at Bakersfield, California: Thomas G., of this review: Eugenia. at home ; and John M., an agriculturist of Vermillion township, who mar- ried Ethel Barber, of Chicago.
Thomas G. Fee completed his preliminary education by graduation from the Centerville high school with the class of 1896 and then entered the law department of the Iowa State University. For a year he pursued a special course of study and later was graduated from the law depart- ment as a member of the class of 1899 with the degree of LL. B. He at once opened an office in Centerville and for two years practiced alone, but with his father's retirement from the bench joined him as junior partner in the firm of Fee & Fee. a connection that was maintained until the spring of 1909. when Thomas G. Fee went to Los Angeles, California, as spe- cial representative for some oil companies. He lived at Los Angeles and at Bakersfield until 1912 and then, returning to Centerville. resumed the practice of law in this eity.
In June, 1904, Mr. Fee was married to Miss Janet Gray, a daughter of .J. R. and Sarah (Cyphers) Gray, the former a native of Scotland, while
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
the latter is of Scotch lineage. They reside in Centerville, where Mr. Gray is employed as engineer by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. For the past twenty-six years he has been upon one run, between Keokuk and Centerville. Mr. and Mrs. Fee have become parents of a daughter and son: Margaret, who was born April 26. 1905, and is now a pupi! in the public school: and Thomas, who was born October 14, 1907, and was named for his father, grandgather and great-grandfather.
Mr. Fce holds membership with Centerville Lodge. No. 940. B. P. O. E., and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, while his wife is a mem- ber of the Order of the Eastern Star. She is also connected with the P. E. O., and both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Fee gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been somewhat active in its local ranks, serving for three terms as chair- man of the county central committee. In the fall of 1904 he was elected county attorney and through reelection served for two terms. He occupies a creditable and enviable position at the Appanoose county bar, for he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and skill and presents them with clearness and force, so that he never fails to command the attention of court or jury and seldom fails to win the verdict desired. His reason- ing is clear, his deductions sound and he is seldom surprised by an unex- peeted attack of an adversary.
HON. L. L. TAYLOR.
Hon. L. L. Taylor has ably represented the third Iowa district in the state senate since first elected to that body in 1903. He has been a resident of Appanoose county for more than six decades, and has made his home in Centerville for a third of a century. His birth occurred near Munfordville, Hart county, Kentucky, his parents being John M. and Nancy A. ( Wilson) Taylor, who were natives of South Carolina and Virginia, respectively. His paternal grandparents were John and Susan (Moberly) Taylor, the former born in Maryland on the ist of May. 1772, and the latter a native of South Carolina. John Taylor was a gentleman of Scotch descent. His first wife passed away in Hart county, Kentucky, in 1808, and eight years later he wedded Miss Susan Trotter, whose demise occurred in Davis county, lowa. He was called to his final rest on the 7th of June. 1857, in Appanoose county, at the age of eighty-five years, one month and six days. His first wife bore him eight children who lived to maturity, and by his second marriage there were
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
nine, who lived to maturity. William and Nancy Ann ( Parks) Wilson, the maternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Virginia, and became early settlers of Hart county, Kentucky, where both passed away. William Wilson reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years. He and his wife reared a family of five children.
John M. Taylor, the father of the Hon. L. L. Taylor, was a farmer by occupation, and also followed carpentering and contracting. When two years of age he was taken by his parents to Hart county, Ken- tucky, and was there reared. In 1849 he came to Appanoose county, Iowa, locating in Washington township, where he entered land from the government, developed and improved a farm and reared his family. Dis- posing of that property; he purchased another farm a mile and a half. west, and thereon spent the remainder of his life. His demise occurred on the 14th of April, 1889, but fourteen days before his eighty-fifth birthday. His wife, who survived him for a number of years. passed away on the 2d of September, 1896, when more than eighty-five years old. Both were Baptists in religious faith. John M. Taylor held various township offices and was widely recognized as a representative and esteemed citizen of this county, within the borders of which he resided for four decades. Unto him and his wife were born nine children. seven sons and two daughters, seven of whom grew to adult age. as follows: William J., who passed away on March 28, 1910; Holland P., whose demise occurred on the 16th of July, 1860; Lewis L., of this review; Isaac W., who resides near Blythedale, Harrison county. Missouri : James N., deceased; Mary Jane, who is the wife of William S. Beggs, and lives near Moulton, Iowa; and Nancy Alice, the deceased wife of Frank Hughes.
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