USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 5
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Lewis L. Taylor, whose name introduces this review, was brought to Appanoose county when a small boy, and has resided within its borders since 1849. He was reared on his father's farm, and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. He began teaching when twenty years of age, and taught thirty terms of school. altogether. impart- ing clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1879 he was elected clerk of the district and circuit courts. and held that office for four terms. or eight years. He took up his abode at Center- ville in November, 1879. and has lived in the town continuously since. At the end of four terms' service as clerk of the courts he entered the First National Bank of Centerville as bookkeeper and teller. acting in the dual capacity for several years. In 1903 he was elected state senator of the third district, comprising Appanoose and Davis counties, and by reelection has been continued in that office to the present time, his record
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fully justifying the confidence of his constituents and winning general approval. He held various minor offices in former years, and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the leading and valued citizens of the community. In Washington township, this county, he owns a well improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres.
On the 26th of May, 1864, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Miriam Siler, a native of Shelby county, Illinois, and a daughter of Ben- jamin H. and Jane ( Fleming) Siler, who passed away in Davis county, Iowa, where they had established their home, in 1847. Mrs. Taylor was one of a family of six daughters and two sons, who reached mature years, the others being as follows: Lucy A., William Henry, Levi, Amanda. Joanna, Mary E. and Ellen. Unto our subject and his wife were born two children, namely: Henrietta, who was active in Sunday school and Endeavor work, and passed away at the age of thirty-four years; and John B., who wedded Miss Katharyne Eby, January 9, 1907, and is now serving his second term as county auditor. Mr. Miriam Taylor was called to her final rest on the 30th of March, 1906, at the age of sixty- two years, one month and two days. She had long been a member of the Christian church, and her life had been in consistent harmony with its teachings. Her surviving husband has been an elder in the Central Church of Christ of Centerville for many years.
WILLIAM EVANS.
William Evans, who passed away in Centerville on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1898, was a pioneer citizen of Appanoose county, who was for many years prominently identified with important business interests and also won an enviable reputation in financial circles here as cashier of the First National Bank of Centerville. Among the public offices which he held was that of county treasurer, in which capacity he was retained for four terms. His birth occurred near Salem, Washington county. Indiana, on the 12th of May, 1829, and it was in that year that his parents took up their abode in Greencastle, Putnam county, Indiana, where his boyhood was spent on a farm. In 1849, when a young man of twenty, he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Monroe county, Iowa, and there continued to reside until February, 1864. At that time he came to Appa- noose county, lowa, settling in Iconium, where he was engaged in the mercantile business until December, 1871. when, having been elected treasurer of the county, he took up his abode in Centerville and here
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made his home until his death. As the democratic candidate for that office he overcame the normal republican majority and thus received tan- gible evidence of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the voters. That his record fully justified the faith of his constituents is indicated in the fact that he was three times reelected, gaining and maintaining a reputation as one of the county's most competent and trusted officials. At the end of eight years' service as treasurer he was offered the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Centerville and proved a valued representative of that institution by reason of his wide acquaintance, ex- cellent business ability and sterling integrity. The period of his residence in lowa covered about a half century and most of that time was spent in Appanoose county. In 1888 he had removed to Topeka, Kansas, but returned two years later. He was appointed postmaster of Centerville in 1894 but at the end of three years resigned on account of impaired health, spending the winter of 1897-98 in Texas. Returning to Centerville, he passed away here on the 4th of September, 1898. His widow has since continued to reside in Centerville. He had won the high esteem and friendship of all who knew him, and in his demise the community lost one of its prominent, respected and representative citizens.
On the 25th of November, 1852, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Vestle, who was born in Putnamville, Indiana, on the 9th of March, 1831. They became the parents of six children. Sarah Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in Monroe county, Iowa, on the 3d of September, 1854, gave her hand in marriage to William H. Everson on the 3d of September, 1873, and passed away at Pratt, Kansas, on the 13th of March, 1901. She was the mother of four children, as follows: Pearl, who was born in Centerville, Iowa, in December, 1874. and wedded Tenny Rogers, by which union there is one child, Eugene Everson : Jennie, who was born at Centerville in 1877 and gave her hand in marriage to Jess E. Dickinson, by whom she has a son, Frank Dickinson; Frank, who was born at North English, Iowa, in 1879, and passed away at Pratt. Kansas, in 1902; and Goldie, who died in 1908 and who was the wife of Clifford Roberts, by whom she had a daughter. Elizabeth Roberts. Mar- garet Esther Evans, whose birth occurred in Monroe county on the 30th of January. 1856, became the wife of James Cain Bevington on the 12th of March. 1874, and died in Centerville, Iowa, on the 6th of May. 1883. She had two children, namely: William M., who was born in Centerville. Iowa. in May. 1875, and wedded May Brooks, by whom he has one daughter. Esther Bevington; and Lois, whose birth occurred at Centerville, Iowa, in June, 1879, and who became the wife of Dennis L. Fleak in 1900. Lucy Ann Evans, who was born. in Monroe county, Iowa. on the
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11th of November, 1857, passed away at Centerville on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1892. In July, 1879, she gave her hand in marriage to Richard C. Stewart, by whom she had a daughter, Ida Margaret Stewart. William Franklin Evans, whose birth occurred in Monroe county on the 16th of November, 1859, makes his home in St. Louis, Missouri, and acts as general solicitor for the Rock Island and Frisco lines. Maria Belle Evans, who was born in Iconium, lowa, on the 26th of November, 1863. became the wife of Hubbard Milton Cyphers in April, 1885. They have one daughter, Beulah Evans, who was born on the 18th of January, 1887, and who wedded Harold H. MeLucas in 1910. Ida Evandale Evans, whose birth occurred in Iconium, lowa. on the 8th of February. 1867. was married in 1883 to Clarence William Walton. Their daughter, Lucy Estelle Walton, was born on the 4th of May. 1888. and gave her hand in marriage to Hugh N. Fogle in 1911.
As above stated, William Evans was a stanch democrat in his political views. While a resident of Iconium he served as postmaster for eight years, and he also acted as township clerk and assessor for several terms. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. to which his widow also belongs. He served as deacon and trustce of the church and exemplified its teachings in his daily life. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 76 and Encampment No. 24 and being a past grand of the former. He manifested in his character that admirable combination of qualities which caused him to work diligently and do well whatever he undertook. He was a useful citizen, interested in every worthy enter- prise, responsive to every moral obligation, and in his dealings with men showed that he recognized the true significance of life and sought to meet and assume its higher and nobler duties.
J. W. WILLIAMS.
J. W. Williams, a representative and respected resident of Centerville who is now living practically retired, won recognition and success in busi- ness circles as the founder of the Williams Piano & Organ Company of Chicago, which owns two factories in the metropolis and is now conducted by him and his sons. His birth occurred in Freeport. Armstrong county. Pennsylvania. on the 12th of July. 1833, his parents being Jacob and Eliza ( Bowers) Williams. The father, who was a native of Maryland and of Dutch descent, worked at various occupations. About the time
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of the outbreak of the Civil war he made his way down the Ohio river by boat, landing at Cairo, Illinois. Continuing his journey westward, he located at Centerville, lowa, and here both he and his wife lived until called to their final rest.
J. W. Williams spent the first twenty-one years of his life in the state of his nativity and had but limited educational opportunities in his youth. His knowledge has been continually augmented, however, through reading, experience and observation. In 1854 he came west to Center- ville, Iowa, and having learned the tinner's trade in Pennsylvania, opened a tin shop in partnership with E. Washburn of Ottumwa. At the end of two years he purchased his partner's interest, conducting the business for several years in a shop near the northeast corner of the square. Sub- sequently he embarked in the hardware and implement business and grad- ually became identified with the organ and piano business. In 1887 he admitted into partnership with him his oldest son, H. B. Williams, and later his son, C. S. Williams. The firm began the manufacture of organs in Chicago in 1893 and in 1898 began to make pianos. The Williams Piano & Organ Company owns two factories in Chicago and has a capacity of twenty pianos and thirty-five organs per week. J. W. Williams won an enviable reputation as a successful and enterprising business man and was one of the well-known piano men of Chicago. At the present time he is living retired at Centerville in an attractive home on North Main street.
In 1855, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Williams was joined in wed- lock to Miss Mary Elizabeth Bradley, a native of Belfast, Ireland. of Scotch-Irish descent, who came to the United States when a young girl. Our subject was married after establishing his home in the west, return- ing to Pittsburg for his bride. To them were born six children. H. B. Williams, of Evanston, Illinois, wedded Miss Lulu Corkhill. by whom he had two children. John C., who died at the age of twenty-five years: and Lucy. Ella V. is the wife of George W. Randle, of Centerville, and the mother of five children. Lulu. Ruby. Bess. Albert and Ralph. Lena is the wife of J. K. Huston, of Pasadena, California, by whom she has two children, Florence V. and Donald M. Carl S. wedded Miss May Weir, who died leaving three children. Faith. Weir and Bradley. For his second wife he chose Miss Elizabeth Bonnell. Mrs. Anna ( Wil- liams) Hinshaw, who died at the age of thirty-seven years. was the wife of Professor Hinshaw, of Valparaiso. Indiana, and the mother of . four children. Carl W .. William W., John T. and Marie. Albert E. Williams passed away when a youth of nineteen.
Mr. Williams is a republican in politics but has never sought nor
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. belonging to the lodge at Centerville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Williams are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Centerville. the former having been for many years a class leader. steward and trustee. Coming to this country almost six decades ago, he has witnessed the wonderful trans- formation that has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization. He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey and his career has ever been such that he can look back upon the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
ALVAH S. DUKES.
Alvah S. Dukes, holding a position of prominence and responsibility in financial circles of Unionville as cashier of the Unionville Savings Bank, was born on a farm three miles southwest of Centerville. August 20, 1870. He is a son of Henry L. and Sophia M. ( Lantz) Dukes, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of New England ancestry, and the latter born in Ohio of German parents. Their marriage occurred four miles southwest of Centerville, Henry L. Dukes having come west with his parents at an early date. He farmed for a number of years upon a tract of land three and one-half miles southwest of the city, carrying on gen- cral agricultural pursuits upon this property until his death, in 1872. He was making a ramrod for a gun and the weapon was accidentally discharged, the bullet penetrating Mr. Dukes' right lung. and from the effects of this injury he died one week later. Afterward his wife re- turned to the home of her parents and ten years later was united in marriage to A. H. Pool, now deceased. Mrs. Pool is living with her daughter. Mrs. Ola L. Potts, of Garden Grove, Decatur county. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Dukes were born three children: Winifred M., treasurer of Appanoose county; Alvah S., of this review ; and Ola 1 ... who married H. W. Potts, a druggist of Garden Grove, lowa. By her second union the mother of our subject had one daughter, Edith M .. who married Walter Miller, a merchant of Garden Grove.
In the acquirement of an education Alvah S. Dukes attended the district school in Appanoose county and the public school at Unionville. After he had laid aside his books he remained upon the home farm until twenty-five years of age and then secured a position as clerk in the gen-
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eral store of Miller & Dukes, in Unionville, his brother, Winifred M. Dukes, being at that time junior member of the firm. Later Mr. Dukes of this review entered into partnership with his brother and this connec- tion was maintained for some time. During the period of their associa- tion they had established a store in Henry county, Iowa, and Alvah S. Dukes took charge of this enterprise, disposing of it after two years and returning to Unionville, where he and his brother again conducted a mer- cantile establishment under the firm name of Dukes Brothers. When this business was sold Alvah S. Dukes was appointed deputy county treasurer under his brother and served for three years, or until 1912, when he was elected cashier of the Unionville Savings Bank of Unionville, which position he now holds. He has proved himself a valuable and reliable official and his judgment has come to be regarded as practical and sound concerning the complex problems of banking and finance, for his progressiveness is tempered by safe conservatism and based upon a thorough understanding of modern business principles.
In 1893 Mr. Dukes was united in marriage to Miss Mazie V. Buck- master, a daughter of E. A. and Emma (Stanley) Buckmaster, the former of whom was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, June 16, 1837, a son of Richard and Elizabeth ( Mattocks ) Buckmaster, both of German ancestry. E. A. Buckmaster enlisted at Bloomfield, lowa, in April, 1861, joining Company G. Second lowa Volunteer Infantry. After serving for six months he was discharged on account of sickness but in the following year reenlisted in Company I, Third Iowa Cavalry, serving as sergeant and seeing much active service. He was in the thick of the battle at the siege of Vicksburg and was wounded at La Grange. He served until the close of hostilities and was mustered out at Keokuk, lowa. When he returned home he established himself in the harness business in Unionville and remained in it until 1872, when he purchased a farm in Udell town- ship. He later gave up agricultural pursuits in order to operate a sawmill on Soap creek and this in turn he disposed of and opened a harness and shoe shop in Unionville which he is now conducting and is also acting as agent for the Yorkshire Creamery Company of Ottumwa. He married on January 1, 1867, Miss Emma Stanley, a daughter of Moses and Barbara ( Hoffman) Stanley, pioneer settlers of Van Buren county. lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Dukes have become the parents of two children: Harry. who was born July 4, 1899, and who is attending school in Unionville: and Dorothy, born August 19, 1906, who is also pursuing her studies. Mr. and Mrs. Dukes are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Unionville, and both belong to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Ycomen. In addition Mr. Dukes is affiliated with the blue lodge in
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Masonry. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and is at the present time serving as treasurer of the Unionville Independent school district. Trustworthy and faithful in business, progressive in citizenship and loyal to the claims of friendship, he has thus displayed many good qualities which have gained him widespread regard.
REV. MARTIN M. LOFTUS.
Rev. Martin M. Loftus has been rector of St. Mary's Catholic church of Centerville for the past eight years and has labored zealously and effectively to foster its growth and influence. His birth occurred in Bur- lington, lowa, on the 9th of August, 1875, his parents being John and Ellen (McCormick) Loftus, the former a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and the latter of County Roscommon. John Loftus, a contractor by trade, emigrated to the United States in 1862 and took up his abode in Newark. New Jersey. In 1870 he came to Burlington, lowa, where he embarked in business as a contractor and where he has resided continuously since. It was in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, that he wedded Miss Ellen McCormick. who had made her way direct to Burlington after landing on the shores of the United States. Unto them were born the following children: Thomas, who is rector of St. Mary's Catholic church at Oskaloosa, lowa; Martin M .. of this review: John, who is engaged in business as a contractor at Burlington in association with his father; and Elizabeth, at home.
In the acquirement of an education Martin M. Loftus attended Lourdes Academy at Burlington, Iowa, and also St. Ambrose College at Davenport. Later he entered St. Paul's Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota, and subse- quently completed his studies at St. Mary's Seminary of Baltimore, Mary- land. From September, 1901. until November, 1902, he was actively identified with educational interests 'as professor of Latin, history and Greek in St. Ambrose College of Davenport, lowa. In 1902 Rev. Loftus went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, as assistant to Father Smythe at St. Francis Xavier church of that city. remaining there until July, 1904, when he came to Centerville. On the seventeenth day of that month he became rector of St. Mary's church of Centerville, which has since remained under his supervision and has steadily grown in membership and as an influence for good. The church and parish house are pleasantly located on South Eighteenth street.
In his political views Father Loftus is independent, not desiring to be bound by party ties when helping to select men and measures to further
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
the general welfare. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, belonging to Loras Council at Davenport, lowa. He has labored with consecrated zeal to promote the spread of Catholicity here and has won the love and support of his parishioners in an unusual degree.
LEWIS SALINGER.
Lewis Salinger needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he is well known to the residents of Centerville, where he has resided since 1895. He is one of the active business men and public-spirited citizens and his work as a partner in the dry-goods business conducted by Salinger & Goldstein has closely touched the general business development of the community. He was born in Poland, March 7, 1865, and is a son of A. M. and Tina H. (Rosuck) Salinger, natives of that country, where the father conducted a hotel until his death, in 1896. The mother of our sub- ject died in the following year.
In the acquirement of an education Lewis Salinger attended school in Poland but laid aside his books at the age of seventeen years in order to come to America. He crossed the Atlantic and on the 7th of July, 1882, reached Des Moines, Iowa, and soon afterward secured work as bookkeeper in a wholesale house. For two years he held that position and then in March, 1885, left Des Moines and went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was connected with the jewelry business until 1891. In January of that year he traveled west to Idaho and located at Pocatello where he was employed in a clothing store for one year. Leaving Pocatello he went to Montpelier in the same state, working, however, in the interests of his former employers and establishing there a branch of their business. He acted as treasurer of the company for three years but eventually disposed of his interests and in 1895 moved to Centerville, being influenced in this removal by the failing health of his wife. He established himself in the general merchandise business and continued to conduet a profitable enter- prise of this kind alone until 1903, when he formed a partnership with Abe Goldstein, of Nebraska City, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Salinger & Goldstein. Their enterprise is conducted in a fine modern building two stories in height, with a basement, and in it is found everything necessary for the successful conduct of a modern mercantile establishment. The lines of goods are complete and the stock is always tastefully arranged, so that the store presents many of the aspects of a metropolitan concern. The
LEWIS SALINGER
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
firm has made courtesy and constant consideration for the wishes of their customers the policy of the house and has as a result secured a substantial patronage which is steadily increasing. Besides the main store the firm of Salinger & Goldstein conducts also what was formerly called The Grand Leader, dealing in dry goods, carpets and cloaks, succeeding J. J. Strickler in the management of this enterprise.
Mr. Salinger, being a man of resourceful business ability, enterprise, discrimination and of wide interests, has naturally been carried forward into important relations with the general business life of Centerville. He is a stockholder in the Centerville Gypsum Company, in the Centerville & Mystic Interurban Railroad Company, and is president of the Retail Merchants Association. He is one of the public-spirited men of the com- munity and gives active and hearty cooperation to those movements which have for their object the promotion of growth and development. In this relation he is a member of the Booster committee of the Centerville Com- mercial Club. which was instrumental in securing for the city electric lights around the main square, and he is at all times a force in the work of civic improvement.
On the 11th of August, 1890, Mr. Salinger married Miss Rose Gott- stein, a daughter of Simon and Hannah Gottstein, natives of Poland. The father came to America in early life and located first in New York, whence he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where for thirty-five years he conducted a store. Later he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and finally to Detroit, Michigan, where he died in the fall of 1911. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Salinger became the par- ents of a daughter, Honora, who has reached the age of twenty-one. Mrs. Salinger passed away May 16, 1905, after an illness which had extended over a period of eight or nine years.
Mr. Salinger has extensive property interests in and around Center- ville, owning his home at No. 412 Drake avenue and a fifty-acre tract one mile east of the town. He gives his allegiance to the republican party but is never active as an office seeker, preferring to work along lines of public welfare without desire for official recognition. He has extensive fraternal relations, being a blue lodge Mason and belonging also to the chapter, and is likewise prominent in the affairs of the Knights of Pythias. He is a devout member of the congregation B'nai Israel and is its president. Mr. Salinger takes an active interest in all kinds of religious and charitable work. He is a national director in the Jewish Consumptive Relief Society of Denver and this is by no means the extent of his work along lines which directly aid the needy and suffering. There are few citizens in Centerville Vol. 11-1
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