USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 7
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
The family residence of Dr. Blachley is a fine home at No. 510 West State street. in addition to which he owns a number of residence and business properties here, having made judicious investment in real estate. Dr. Blachley was formerly connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow- but is not affiliated with any lodge at the present time. His wife is a member of the Methodist church. Politically he is a democrat, voting for the men and measures of the party yet not seeking or desiring office. He has always concentrated his energies upon his professional duties and his labors in that direction have brought him well- deserved prominence and success.
HARRY E. LUTHER.
Harry E. Luther is proprietor of the largest garage in Centerville and in addition is sales agent for the Ford and Oakland automobiles. He estab- lished this business in 1907 and has met with growing success in its con- duct. His birth occurred in Clinton, lowa, May 23, 188o, his parents being Charles E. and Anna R. ( Hodgson) Luther, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Canada. In early life the father followed farm- ing but soon after his marriage turned his attention to railroading, run-
68
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
ning a train for a time. Subsequently he took up construction work and finally removed to Clinton, Iowa, where he was employed on construc- tion work by the Northwestern Railroad Company. His next place of resi- dence was at What Cheer, Iowa, where he embarked in the hotel business, conducting the Clifton House there for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned to railway service in connection with construction work for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. After some time he left that business and removed to Birmingham, Missouri, where he continued for a year. He next bought a farm near Burlington, Iowa, which he cultivated for a year, and then returned to Clinton in 1892. For six years thereafter he lived retired but indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and at the end of that period he took another position in connection with construction work with the North- western road when that company was laying its double track from Boone to Council Bluffs, a task that required a year for its completion. At the end of that time Mr. Luther once more retired and is now comfortably sit- uated in Clinton.
Harry E. Luther was reared and educated in that city, attending the public schools. He afterward learned the plumber's trade which he fol- lowed for three years in Clinton and for one year in Kansas City, Mis- souri. He next returned to Clinton and took charge of the sporting goods department of the wholesale hardware house of C. E. Armstrong & Com- pany, remaining there for three years. Going to the isthmus of Tehuantepec he there joined his brother and took charge of the mechanical department of the Tehuantepec Rubber Culture Company with which he was connected for three years. On his return to the United States he made his way north- ward to St. Louis, where he entered the employ of the Simmons Hardware company. That was during the year of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition there and Mr. Luther did all the decorating for the ten thousand dollar exhibit of the company at the fair. He afterward came to Centerville where he engaged in the hardware business on his own account until 1907, when he sold out, turning his attention to the automobile business. For five years he handled the Ford machine exclusively but now also handles the Oakland car and conducts the largest garage in the city, receiving a liberal patronage.
In 1900 Mr. Luther was married to Miss Rosa Pauline Flynn, a daugh- ter of Michael and Hattie Flynn. The father died when Mrs. Luther was an infant and she was quite young at the time of her mother's demise. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Arthur E., eleven years of age ; and Pauline M., aged five.
69
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Mr. Luther owns several residence lots here and has a pleasant and attractive home at No. 315 North Fifteenth street. He holds membership with the Elks lodge and gives his political support to the republican party. His has been an active and useful life and while he has never been actu- ated by the spirit of vaulting ambition he has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open. Thus gradually he has advanced and he is now at the head of a business which is constantly growing and bringing him a substantial income.
JOSEPH P. GRIBBEN.
For more than a third of a century Joseph P. Gribben has been a resi- dent of Centerville and has made an excellent record in connection with the abstract business. Moreover, in every relation of life he has won and merited the respect and confidence of those who know him, proving himself at all times a progressive, reliable citizen and a man worthy of the trust and confidence of his associates. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, in August, 1839, and has therefore passed the seventy-third mile- stone on life's journey. His parents were George and Eliza (Perry) Gribben, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. In the 'sos the father came to Iowa, settling at Benton, where he worked at his trade for a number of years. He then removed to Cameron, Mis- souri, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1879. His wife survived him for a quarter of a century, passing away in 1904.
Joseph P. Gribben is indebted to the public-school system of his native state for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. In his youthful days he learned the painter's trade and subsequently spent some time on the Pacific coast, locating upon his removal to Missouri, in 1870, at Cam- eron, where he remained for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to Centerville, where he has since made his home. Here he opened a set of abstract books and continued in the business for almost a third of a century or until 1908, when he retired, enjoying now a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. The only interruption to his active and well directed business affairs came at the time of the Civil war. when in response to the country's call for aid he offered his services and was assigned to duty with Company I, First California Regiment, with which he continued for four years. He had come to California at an early day and it was there that he joined the boys in blue.
70
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Following the close of the war Mr. Gribben was married, on the 6th of December, 1866, to Miss Caroline Holloway, a daughter of Ira and Achsah (Bouton) Holloway, the former a native of Ithaca, New York, and the latter of Lorain county, Ohio. Her father was a farmer by occu- pation and when he removed to the Buckeye state he purchased a tract of land which he cultivated and improved, carrying on farming successfully. for many years. Eventually, however, he sold that property and went to Michigan, where he bought another tract of land, continuing his farming operations there throughout the remainder of his days. He died Septem- ber 3, 1887, and his wife's death occurred on the 27th of November, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Gribben became the parents of four children : Ira G., aged forty-four years, who is engaged in railroading and lives in St. Louis, Mis- souri ; Percy C., aged forty-two years, who makes his home in Pueblo, Colo- rado; Harry E., aged thirty-eight years, a resident of Los Angeles; and Ralph, who died on the 8th of February, 1885. Mr. Gribben and his wife occupy a pleasant modern residence at No. 403 South Main street and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Grib- ben served as city clerk of Centerville for six years, proving a capable and efficient officer, and his political allegiance has always been given to the republican party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has been a party of reform and progress since. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with those who like himself wore the blue uniform during the darkest hour in our country's history. He has ever been loyal in citizenship, manifesting the same fidelity which he displayed when he followed the old flag.
BARTON A. OGLE.
In a history of Centerville's representative citizens mention should be made of Barton A. Ogle, although thirty years have 'come and gone since he departed this life. In an early period in the history of Centerville he figured as one of its prominent and influential citizens and won a credit- able position in business circles. He was born in Indiana. December 10, 1835, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Johnson) Ogle, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, the father being a representative of an old New England family, while the mother came of German lineage. In 1831 they removed to Indiana, where the father followed the miller's trade for about a quarter of a century. He then in 1856 came to Iowa with his family,
71
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
settling near Leon, Decatur county, where he remained for three years and thence came to Appanoose county in 1860. Here he again followed his trade but did not own the mill. Both he and his wife spent their last days in Centerville.
Barton A. Ogle attended school in Indiana and came with his parents to Iowa about the time he attained his majority. He remained for some time in Leon and was married there in 1859. The following year he removed to Centerville, where he worked in the mill with his father. How- ever, about two years later he put aside all business cares and personal considerations in order to aid his country in the struggle to preserve the Union, enlisting in 1862 at Cincinnati, Iowa, as a member of Company I, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until the close of hostilities. He participated in a number of important engage- ments leading up to the final victory which crowned the Union arms and at the close of the war was honorably discharged.
With a most creditable military record Mr. Ogle returned to Appanoose county and for three years thereafter worked in the mill at Relay. In1869, however. he was elected auditor of Appanoose county on the republican ticket and came to Centerville. He discharged his duties so efficiently and capably during his first term that he was reelected and retired from office at the end of the second term as he had entered it-with the confidence and good-will of all concerned. He then worked for his brother for a time in the livery business and was afterward employed in a foundry. Later he accepted a position with the Ireland Iron & Bridge Company in the interests of which he traveled up to the time of his death on the 14th of July. 1882.
It was on the ist of September, 1859, that Mr. Ogle was united in marriage to Miss Minerva E. Arnold, a daughter of Moses and Jemima (Barnes) Arnold. The father who was a native of Maryland, was of Irish descent and was a farmer by occupation. The mother, who was born in Virginia, was of Dutch lineage. In 1855 they removed to Ohio and sub- sequently to Indiana, later settling on a farm near Leon, Iowa, where they lived until 1875, when they went to Harrison county, this state, spending their last days in Modale. The father, who was born in 1795, passed away in 1884, while the mother, born in 1813, reached the age of eighty years, dying in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Ogle became the parents of nine children : Charles W., a machinist by trade, now living in St. Louis, Mis- souri : Almeda May, who died at the age of five years: Albert Francis, who died when thirty-nine years of age: Wesley Harlan, who is raising chickens on a ranch four miles north of Colorado Springs. Colorado, and who mar- ried Lulu Moore: John, who is engaged in the jewelry business in Seattle.
72
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Washington; James, who is manager of the Regal Laundry and who mar- ried Bertha MeClure of Centerville, they now making their home with his mother; George B., who married Grace Scott and is proprietor of the Regal Laundry; Kate, who is the wife of Clarence Wyckoff, an attorney of Centerville; and Bulah, at home. The daughters Kate and Bulah are members of the Order of Eastern Star at Centerville.
Mr. Ogle was an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and also held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's and with the Grand Army post. His political support was always given to the republican party, for he believed it to be the party of reform and progress and it was ever his earnest desire to further through political measures the best interests of city, state and country. He held member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow still belongs and his was an upright and well-spent life, gaining for him the confidence and good-will of many. He sought at all times to follow the golden rule, to speak highly, to deal justly and to promote the social, intellectual and moral progress of the community in which he made his home.
SILAS W. MARING.
The life record of Silas W. Maring stands in contradiction to the old adage that a rolling stone gathers no moss, for while Mr. Maring has again and again changed his place of residence it has been because in each change he has seen broader opportunity for advancement and in the utilization of this opportunity he has gradually worked his way upward until his success enabled him to retire from business life. He is now resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labor, his competence being sufficient to supply him with the necessities and comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 10. 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Alma (Hall) Maring, of whom further mention is made in connection with the sketch of M. B. Maring, on another page of this work. The family came to Iowa in 1851, when the subject of this review was a lad of about six years. A location was made in Van Buren county but after one year, or in 1852, they came to Appanoose county, so that in the schools of this county Silas W. Maring acquired his education. His early experiences were those which usually fell to the lot of the farm boy of that period. He was soon acquainted with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting and remained with his parents on the old home farm until he was twenty years of age, when with a large party travel-
SILAS W. MARING
75
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
ing in fifteen wagons he left Centerville in 1865 and crossed the plains to Oregon. There he began work as a farin hand but after a short time made his way to the gold mines. He remained in the Pacific northwest until December 6, 1867, when he returned home by way of the water route and the Isthmus of Panama, reaching Appanoose county on the 25th of Janu- ary, 1868. He then rented a farm which he cultivated for a year, after which he purchased forty acres of land that he cultivated for some time. He next removed to southwestern Missouri, where he bought and improved a forty-acre tract of land, living upon it about four years. He then returned to Iowa and rented a farm for three years, after which he went to Kansas and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. With charac- teristic energy he began its improvement and lived thereon for a number of years, when he rented the property and went to the state of Washington, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land near Seattle. After a year, however, he traded that farm for another in Kansas and returned to the Sunflower state, where he again carried on farming for four years. He then sold both of his farms and went back to Washington, where he pur- chased ten acres of land at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre and for two years engaged in raising hops and potatoes. He then sold and went to Oregon, where he invested in forty acres of river bottom land which he improved and cultivated for eleven years, producing good crops. On the expiration of that period he returned to Centerville and purchased property on South Main street but after a year he again went to Missouri, where for three years he cultivated a farm belonging to his wife. In February, 1908, he returned to Centerville and invested in several residence properties. He now resides in a fine home at No. 508 West Jackson street, where for almost five years he has lived retired.
On the 7th of April, 1868, Mr. Maring was married to Miss Martha Kirby, a daughter of Sharp Kirby, a native of Missouri. There were two children of that marriage: Alma, who died in 1872; and Samuel E., who died three days after his mother, who passed away in 1874. In 1876 Mr. Maring wedded Miss Jane E. Simmons, a daughter of Richard Simmons, a native of Indiana. They had five children, as follows: Flora, who mar- ried Harvey Bailey, of Oregon ; Rose, who is the wife of Henry Wilkins, of Spokane, Washington; Josephine, who married Harry Nimmons, of Seattle, Washington : LeRoy, who is operating a farm in Kansas; and Wit liam S., a locomotive fireman residing in Moulton, Appanoose county. The wife and mother was called to her final rest June 23. 1892, and for his third wife Mr. Maring chose Mrs. Nancy E. Dobbins, a daughter of Mrs. Ellen (Maring) Flick. Her father died before her birth. The third mar- riage of Mr. Maring was celebrated June 29, 1903.
Vol. II -?
76
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Mr. Maring is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has many warm friends in the fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. His attitude in life toward his fellowmen and toward all public interests has found its root in his faith as a member of the Methodist church. He possesses attractive social qualities which have made him popular and well liked in the various localities in which he has lived and in Centerville he is most highly esteemed. In his business career all days have not been equally bright, yet he has persevered as the years have gone by and his judicious investments and untiring industry have brought him a substantial measure of success.
JAMES ARTHUR DILLON, D. O.
The practice of osteopathy has enlisted the services of many energetic, progressive young men who recognize that the development of this science has been a step in advance toward checking the ravages of disease. Care- fully trained for practice, Dr. James Arthur Dillon is following the prac- tice in Centerville and is meeting with substantial success in his under- taking. He was born in Lancaster, Missouri, May 23, 1880, and is a son of Thomas H. and Mary C. (Wilson) Dillon, who are mentioned at length on another page of this volume. Doctor Dillon in the acquirement of his education completed a course in the Centerville high school with the class of 1899 and the same year entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, where he pursued the regular course and was graduated with the degree of doctor of osteopathy in 1902. Since that time he has continuously practiced and has made constant progress in his chosen calling as further study and experience broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency.
Doctor Dillon was married in 1904 to Miss Minta Dawkins, a daughter of Alpheus and Sarah Jane (Smith) Dawkins. Her father who was of Scotch descent, was born in Kentucky, July 18, 1848, and the mother, who came of English lineage, was born in Illinois, April 6. 1845. In his boyhood days Mr. Dawkins accompanied his parents on their removal to Missouri and the lady whom he afterward made his wife also went to that state with her parents. There they became acquainted and were married, after which they began their domestic life upon the farm which Mr. Daw- kins continued to cultivate until his death. In 1898 his widow came to Centerville and now makes her home with Doctor and Mrs. Dillon. In
77
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
the Dawkins family were six children: Florence, the wife of Ed Everett, a plumber of Grinnell, Jowa; Herman, engaged in farming at Scotts Bluffs, Nebraska; Mina, deceased; Mrs. Dillon ; Lola, who married Harry Con- ner, an insurance and real-estate dealer of Ottumwa, Iowa; and Luther, a merchant of Centerville, Iowa. To Doctor and Mrs. Dillon have been born three sons: John Le Roy, who was born September 7, 1905, and is now in school: Joe, who died in infancy; and James Arthur, born Janu- ary 19. 1910.
Doctor Dillon has held no public offices. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the blue lodge of Masons at Centerville, and both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. His wife is a member of the Baptist church, interested and active in its work. and doing all in her power to extend its influence and promote its growth. Doctor Dillon is a member of the Atlas Club of Kirksville, Mis- souri, and in politics he is a republican. While he is neglectful of none of the duties and interests of life he concentrates his efforts upon his profes- sional services and has been accorded a liberal patronage which is bringing to him substantial success.
SCHUYLER C. BROWN.
Schuyler C. Brown, proprietor of a livery stable in Centerville, is well known in Appanoose county, of which he is a native. His birth occurred in a log cabin on a farm in Sharon township, August 22, 1855, his parents, Samuel L. and Mary A. (Collins) Brown, having been pioneer residents of this part of the state. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in New York. He was a tailor and worked at his trade for some years in Indiana, to which state he removed when it was a frontier section. Afterward he came to lowa and took up his abode in Appanoose county, again becoming associated with pioneer life, for this county was then but sparsely settled. He entered from the government one hundred and twenty acres of land five miles east of Centerville, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He at once began to clear and culti- vate the place and succeeded in transforming it into rich and productive fields. Upon that farm he continued to make his home until his death, both he and his wife passing away in 1888.
Schuyler C. Brown was reared and educated on the old home place. early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In the winter months, when the work of the farm was
78
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
largely over for the year, he attended the district schools and he remained with his parents until they were called from this life, after which he pur- chased the interests of the other heirs in the old home property. He then carried on general agricultural pursuits on his own account until December, 1903, when he sold the farm and came to Centerville. For a year there- after he engaged in teaming and then established a livery barn which he has since conducted. He keeps a number of horses and a fine line of vehicles and in all of his business dealings is enterprising and reliable, so that a liberal patronage has been accorded him.
In April, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Rachel Shepard, a daughter of Mrs. Sarah Shepard, a native of Missouri, who is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Brown, at the age of sixty-six years. Four children were born to our subject and his wife: Ruby, who is sixteen years of age: Doud, aged fourteen; Lucille, whose death occurred in 1905 ; and Crystal, aged five.
Mr. Brown filled the office of township clerk in Sharon township, while living upon the farm, and has always been an ardent republican in poli- tics but never an active politician. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and are interested in its work and the expansion of its interests. They reside at No. 1011 South Eleventh street and are well known here. Mr. Brown has been a resident of the county for fifty-seven years and has therefore witnessed practically its entire growth and develop- ment, for in his boyhood there were still tracts of land owned by the gov- ernment, while the work of cultivation and improvement seemed scarcely begun. He has lived to witness the building of railroads, the introduc- tion of the telegraph and the telephone and the establishment of many modern improvements, which indicates that the county is in every respect abreast with the improvement of the present day.
ALEXANDER J. WELLER.
Alexander J. Weller, partner in the Red Cross Drug Company, is one of the many business men of modern times who base their success upon long familiarity with one line of work and special efficiency in its details. A spirit of energy and determination has characterized his career since enter- ing the business world and has brought him a degree of success which places him among the representative business men of Centerville. He is a native of Iowa, having been born in Sigourney, November 2, 1873, and he is a son of Richard F. and Jennie (Shaffer) Weller, the former a native of
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.