USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 8
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Nelson county, Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. His father was a pioneer in Keokuk county, coming to that section when Iowa was still a territory. In the early '4os he began teaching school, receiving for his services a dol- lar and fifty cents per month from each pupil. His attention was given to this work for some time, but he later abandoned it and established him- self in the general merchandise business at Richland. In 1870 he settled in Sigourney and opened a general store in that town, which he operated until his death, which occurred in March, 1880. His wife survived him many years, dying in May. 1900.
Alexander J. Weller was reared at home and attended the public schools in Sigourney. Later he took a course in pharmacy at the Northwestern University in Chicago, receiving his degree in 1895. Being thus splendidly equipped for what he had determined to make his life work, he returned to lowa and conducted a drug store in Sigourney for six years. In 1902 he sold this enterprise and came to Centerville, where he has since resided. He purchased a drug business from Carl Weeks and one year and a half later entered into partnership with H. C. Adams, under the firm name of the Red Cross Drug Company. The store is located at 116 East Jackson street and is one of the most modern pharmacies in the town. The drug and medical department contains everything necessary to fill the most dithi- cult prescriptions, while the more popular lines of goods are kept full and complete. Mr. Weller is a progressive, able and enterprising business man and these qualities in his character have been felt as vital forces in the building up of the extensive patronage which the Red Cross Drug Company enjoys.
On April 21, 1896. Mr. Weller married Miss Stella H. Adams. a daughter of Henry C. and Sophronia ( Minteer ) Adams, natives of Iowa, the father being the first white child born in Washington county. When he grew to maturity he followed the blacksmith's trade in his native sec- tion and from 1878 to 1882 served as sheriff of Keokuk and Washington counties. He enlisted in Company D. Thirteenth lowa Volunteer Infan- try. in 1861. and served for four years, after which he returned to łowa and resumed his trade. The latter years of his life were spent in the Indian service, to which he was appointed by President Cleveland. For a number of years he had his headquarters at Fort Defiance, Arizona, and later went to Fruitland. New Mexico, where he was accidentally drowned in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Weller have one daughter. Mildred, who was born April 30, 1898. The family residence is at No. 904 West Maple street.
Fraternally, Mr. Weller holds membership in the Masonic order and is past exalted ruler of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He gives
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his support to the principles of the democratic party and has served ably and conscientiously on the town council, working for the promotion of measures of general benefit. With him perseverance, diligence and integrity have been standards, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the respect and esteem of his many friends.
JAMES DUREE.
James Duree, who during the later years of his life lived retired in Centerville, was formerly connected with farming interests and contrib- uted in substantial measure to the agricultural development of his district. He was born in Kentucky, March 29, 1822, his father being Peter Duree. The father, also a native of the Blue Grass state, was a farmer by occupa- tion and spent his last days in Missouri, where the mother also died. In his youthful days James Duree attended school in Kentucky and also in Indiana, to which state the father removed with the family, settling on a farm near Greencastle. At an early date they went to Missouri and estab- lished their home in Mercer county, where the father passed away. At a later date James Duree came to Iowa, locating near Numa, where he bought land and engaged in farming. Subsequently he took up his abode on what became known as the Duree farm and was married there. Fol- lowing his marriage he settled upon the old home place belonging to his wife's family, six miles west of Centerville on the state road and there they resided continuously until 1894, when they rented the farm of one hundred and sixty acres and came to Centerville. Mr. Duree had brought the land to a high state of cultivation, improved his fields according to advanced and progressive methods and annually gathered therefrom rich harvests. The last six years of his life were spent in quiet retirement and he passed away March 4, 1896. He had purchased town property which he liad remodeled, making a comfortable home that is now occupied by his widow, who also owns the farm from which she derives a good rental.
Mr. Duree was married in 1879 to Mrs. Lucy Jane ( Parks) Felkner, the widow of William S. Felkner, who died in 1874. Mrs. Duree is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Lowe) Parks, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Parks was a farmer and after living for a time in Illinois, where he mar- ried Sarah Lowe, came to Iowa, settling in Davis county. In 1865 they removed to Appanoose county, establishing their home in Pleasant town- ship, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Later he retired from active business life and passed away at the home of his son, in Cen-
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terville, May 10, 1903, having for little more than half a year survived his wife, who died on the 18th of October, 1902. They were among the early settlers of this part of the state and took an active interest in fur- thering its upbuilding and progress. At the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union but was rejected on account of his health. By her first marriage Mrs. Duree had four children : Gilman Felkner, now living on a farm in this county; Leslie, of Centerville; Chloe, who married P. W. Duree, who died in 1912, while his widow lives in Centerville: and Seldon E. Felkner, who died in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Duree have but one son, Otis R., who married Mabel Hall, a daughter of A. P. Hall, of Centerville. They are residents of Sioux City. Mrs. Duree was born in Davis county, Iowa, March 13, 1848, and attended school there but was married in Appanoose county, where she has since made her home, occupying a pleasant residence at No. 615 East State street at the present time. Mr. Duree was a republican but without ambition for office. He held membership in the Methodist church, while his widow belongs to the Christian church. Her parents were also earnest Christian people, holding membership in that church and were numbered among the worthy and valued citizens of this part of the state. For many years Mr. Duree ranked with the highly respected and representative agri- culturists of Appanoose county and through his diligence and business integ- rity won the success that enabled him in his later years to live retired.
WILLIAM M. DINES.
On the roll of Appanoose county's honored dead appears the name of William M. Dines, who for twenty-eight years followed the stonemason's trade in Centerville and who is also entitled to grateful remembrance by reason of his service in the Federal army during the Civil war. He was born in Ohio, February 27, 1838, a son of Archibald and Margaret (Mor- rison) Dines. natives of that state. The father was a stonemason by trade and spent his entire active life engaged in that occupation. passing away in Ohio. His wife also died in that state.
In the acquirement of an education William Dines attended the public schools of his native section and after laying aside his books learned the stonemason's trade under his father. He worked at this in Ohio until 1877 and after that spent two years in Kansas before finally settling in Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1879. He was in Ohio at the outbreak of the Civil war and enlisted immediately in Company E. Thirty-second Ohio
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Infantry, serving four years. The hardships of his service and the priva- tions which he was obliged to endure greatly impaired his health and his illness compelled his retirement from business some years before his death. He passed away May 31, 1907. Throughout the years of his active busi- nes career and in every relation of his life he enjoyed the confidence, esteen and loyal friendship of all with whom he was associated and his death was the occasion of deep sorrow and widespread regret.
In January, 1863, Mr. Dines married Miss Susan Miller, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Cox) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania. The father went to Ohio when he was a young man and engaged in farming in that state, purchasing property which he operated until his death in 1892. He had survived his wife many years, she having passed away in 1862. Their daughter, the widow of the subject of this review, was born in Ohio in 1837. She and her husband had six children: Eliza C., the wife of George Peabody, of Centerville; Margaret, who resides with her mother ; James E., a stonemason in Centerville; Carrie Estella, the wife of Albert Yant, of the same city; John William, deceased; and a child, who died in infancy.
Mr. Dines held membership in the Grand Army post and was affiliated with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He gave his allegi- ance to the republican party but never sought political preferment. He was, however, loyal and public-spirited in all matters of citizenship, taking an interest in those projects which had for their object the upbuilding and development of the county, and thus it was that in his passing Centerville lost one of its representative and valued citizens.
LLOYD B. PEAVEY.
Lloyd B. Peavey, who passed away in Centerville on the 17th of March, 1901, was long engaged in railroad service and for a few years prior to his death served as freight conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. His birth occurred in Bangor, Maine, on the 2d of June, 1848, his parents being Thomas Howard and Aborine (Reynolds) Peavey, who were likewise natives of that state and came of Yankee stock. The father served as a captain of Sharpshooters during the period of the Civil war. After the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south he established his home at Epworth, Iowa, and there spent the remainder of his life as a cabinet-maker and photographer. His wife also passed away at that place. Their children were three in number, namely:
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Robert H., who is a retired agricuturist of Marcus, Iowa; Lloyd B., of this review ; and Allard C., who resides on the old home place at Epworth, Iowa.
Lloyd B. Peavey obtained his education in the schools of Bangor, Maine, and at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, when but a youth of thirteen, ran away from home and endeavored to enlist. He told the recruiting officer that he was old enough to enter the army but was rejected on account of being too short. He made another attempt to enlist, however. at the camp of his father. Captain Peavey, who sent him home. When the war was over he came with his parents to Iowa and continued his education at Epworth. After putting aside his text-books he learned the gunsmith's trade and then went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he worked at that occupation for a time. Subsequently he went to Illinois and entered the railroad service as passenger conductor on the Iron Moun- tain road. being thus employed for a number of years. Later he removed to Creston, Iowa, and was there employed as a freight conductor until 1898, when he came to Centerville. From that time until his death he acted as a freight conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He died of Bright's disease on the 17th of March, 1901, and is survived by his widow, who resides with her children on East Maple street in Cen- terville.
Mr. Peavey was united in marriage to Miss Ada Crowe, a native of Yorkshire, England, and a daughter of George H. and Mary J. (Sudgen) Crowe, who were likewise born at that place. George H. Crowe, a machin- ist by trade, brought his family to the United States in 1869, locating first in Brooklyn, New York, whence he afterward removed to Winona, Minnesota, where he now makes his home. He lost his first wife in 1903, at Fort Madison, Iowa, where at that time he was in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad as a machinist. To George H. and Mary J. Crowe were born the following children : Mrs. Ada Peavey: Harry V .. a machin- ist of Texas: and Bertram, who is a machinist of Oklahoma. In 1908 Mr. Crowe was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Emma Crockett. Mr. and Mrs. Peavey have four children. Harry B .. who was born on the 20th of January. 1885, is a mechanic in the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Centerville and acts as cor- poral in Company E, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Iowa National Guard, of Centerville. Howard L., whose birth occurred on the 7th of October, 1887, is employed as fireman by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company at Centerville and is also a member of Company E. Fifty- fourth Regiment, Iowa National Guard. Vera M., whose natal day was March 6, 1891, is a student in Success Business College of Ottumwa,
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Iowa, and will be graduated therefrom as a stenographer in 1913. Don- ald G., who was born on the 18th of April, 1893. is employed in the Bur- lington roundhouse at Centerville. Harry B. Peavey is a member of Centerville Lodge of Masons, A. F. & A. M., of this city, while Howard L. Peavey belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Engineers of Centerville.
Lloyd B. Peavey gave his political allegiance to the republican party, exercising his right of franchise in support of its men and measures. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and was also a mem- ber of the Order of Railway Conductors at Cairo, Illinois. His widow is a member of the Episcopal church but attends the Christian church of Centerville, as there is no Episcopal church in the city. She belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Degree of Honor in this city. She is well known and highly esteemed here and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances.
ALVA STALEY.
Among those whom Appanoose county once numbered among her citizens but who have now passed to the Home Beyond was Alva Staley, who through much of his life engaged in carpentering here. He also made a creditable record as a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting in the army as a musician. Ohio claimed him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Perry county, on the 4th of June, 1831. His parents were Joel and Matilda Staley, also natives of the Buckeye state, where the father followed the occupation of farming until he came to Appanoose county at a very early day. He then bought land, which he improved and cultivated throughout the remainder of his life with the exception of a short period in which he engaged in the manufacture of flour.
With the removal of the family to Iowa, Alva Staley became one of the pioneers of Appanoose county, arriving here, however, in his child- hood days. He acquired his education in the public schools and after he had put aside his text-books began learning the carpenter's trade, which he thereafter followed in order to provide for his own support and that of his family. He was an industrious and energetic workman and gained for himself a creditable place in industrial circles. Mr. Staley possessed much natural musical talent and following the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted as a musician with the Third Iowa Cavalry.
It was on the 13th of January, 1856, that Mr. Staley was united in
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marriage to Miss Mary Smith, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Smith) Smith, who were natives of Ireland. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and operated a tract of land on the Emerald isle throughout his active life. Following his death his wife and children came to the new world, settling first in Canada, where Mrs. Smith spent her remaining days. Mrs. Staley is the only one of the family now living. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children but two of the num- ber died in infancy. The others are: Mary, residing with her mother; Minnie C., the wife of L. M. Campbell, a farmer of this county; Bingham S., a contractor of Centerville; Owen W., who follows farming in this county ; and Rollin MI., who resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Staley owns a pleasant home at No. 520 North Ninth street, but at the time of her husband's death they were living on a farm of one hundred and one and a half acres which he had purchased and was cultivating. Since his demise, however, Mrs. Staley has sold that property and resides in the city, where she also owns a good dwelling just north of her home. She is a consistent and faithful member of the Baptist church, as was Mr. Staley, and he was also a worthy member of the Odd Fellows society. His political support was given to the republican party and he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day but did not seek nor desire office. He passed away April 1, 1892, after a residence of about fifty years in Appanoose county, during which period he had witnessed its development as wild lands were converted into productive farms and as towns and villages sprang up. He had always been deeply interested in the changes which occurred and he bore his share in the work of general progress and improvement.
GEORGE W. THOMPSON.
George W. Thompson was a well known and highly respected resi- dent of Centerville and also had a wide acquaintance in other parts of the county. He was in the seventy-fourth year of his age when called to his final rest on the 20th of March, 1910, his birth having occurred in Dearborn county, Indiana, September 7, 1836. His parents were George and Alice A. (Murray) Thompson, the former a native of Yorkshire, England, while the latter was born in Zanesville, Ohio. George Thomp- son was a farmer by occupation and when eighteen years of age came to the United States with his father, settling first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until the time of his marriage, when he removed to Guilford,
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Indiana. There he purchased a farm which he at once began to develop and improve, living upon that place throughout his remaining days and converting it from a wild tract into one of rich fertility. He died there in 1876, at the age of seventy-two years, while his widow survived until September, 1888.
George W. Thompson, who was born at Guilford, spent his youthful days in his native state, acquiring his education in the district schools and when not busy with his text-books working in the fields. After he left school his entire attention was given to farm work on the old homestead until the opening year of the Civil war, when he offered his services to the government and joined the boys in blue of Company K, Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He served for three years and three months and was often in the thickest of the fight, his regiment doing active duty at various points in the south. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his military assistance he returned home and began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming, which he carried on on the old homestead in partnership with his brother until 1867. In that year George W. Thompson was married and removed to Missouri, where he engaged in carpentering until 1876. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company as foreman of a bridge gang and came to Centerville in 1876, living here for three years. He was then transferred to Cameron, Missouri, and con- tinued in that capacity until 1897, when he left the railroad company and again came to Centerville, where he did carpenter work for the Centerville Block Coal Company, with which he continued until 1907. He then retired and built two houses in Centerville, so that his widow now owns two attractive residence properties here, occupying the one at No. 406 East State street and renting the one next door at No. 402 State street.
It was on the ist of January, 1867, that Mr. Thompson was mar- ried to Miss Catherine C. Lockridge, a daughter of Steward and Hannah (Perrine) Lockridge, natives of Kentucky and New York respectively. The father was left an orphan at an early age and removed from his native state to Lawrenceburg, Indian :. He entered business life as a traveling salesman and was thus employed for many years. In fact he was but twenty-one years of age when he went upon the road and devoted his remaining days to that vocation. He died in June. 1865, and was long survived by his widow, whose death occurred on the 24th of October, 1900. Their daughter, Mrs. Thompson, was born in Lawrenceburg. Indi- ana, October 18, 1847, and by her marriage she became the mother of five children but four have passed away, the living son being Ralph B., a
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window decorator at Denison, Iowa. The others were: Truman, who died in 1875: Jennie, in 1889; Freddie, in 1890; and Murray, in 1895. The death of the husband and father occurred March 20, 1910, after an illness lasting but a single day. The news of his demise came as a great shock to the community and brought a sense of sincere regret to all, for he was highly estecmed as a man of sterling worth. He held to the high principles inculcated by the different lodges to which he belonged. He was a member of the Grand Army post, of the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor and the local carpenters' union. His widow became a member of the Rebekah lodge, the women's auxiliary of Odd Fellowship, and also of the Degree of Honor, serving as financier of the last named for ten years. Mr. Thomp- son gave his political allegiance to the republican party and kept thor- oughly informed on the questions and issues of the day but did not seek nor desire office. His religious belief was that of the Methodist church and his was an upright, honorable life, worthy the friendship, confidence and good-will always extended him.
ISAAC S. LANE.
Isaac S. Lane, deceased, was for many years engaged in carpentering in Appanoose county and there are many who remember him as a citizen of genuine worth, possessing many admirable, manly traits that gained for him the friendship and kindly regard of all who knew him. Mr. Lane was born in Brown county, Ohio, in February, 1835, a son of John and Anna ( Dawson) Lane, who were natives of Virginia. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade and sought a home in this county at an early period in its development, the remainder of his life being here passed.
Isaac S. Lane was reared and educated in Ohio, becoming a resident of Appanoose county in 1854. He, too, was a cabinet-maker, having learned the trade with his father, and he followed that pursuit until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he enlisted in an Illinois regiment, with which he served for one year. On the expiration of that period he joined the navy, with which he served for about three years. He next went to St. Louis, where he took up the trade of ship carpentering and was upon the river, running from St. Louis to New Orleans. A few years thus passed, after which he returned to Centerville and with the capital acquired from his labors he established a grocery store. Later he embarked in the meat business,
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conducting a market for fifteen years or more, but eventually he retired from that line of merchandising and again took up carpentering, which he followed until he was unable to work any longer. His life was ever a busy, active and useful one, in which he made good use of his time and opportunities. He was ever honest in his dealings and energetic and per- sistent, and whatever he accomplished was the reward of his earnest labor.
On the 25th of November, 1897, Mr. Lane was married to Mrs. Susan (Wales) Majors, a daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Dougherty) Wales, who were natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and came in pioneer times to Appanoose county, where he secured land which he transformed into rich and pro- ductive fields, cultivating it continuously until his death in 1869. His wife survived him for twenty years, passing away in January, 1889. By a former marriage Mrs. Lane had three children: Sophia, who is the wife of Thomas Croxton : Catherine, who gave her hand in marriage to Louis Roth; and James Majors, a resident of Centerville.
The death of Mr. Lane occurred January 13, 1911, and was the occa- sion of deep regret to many friends. He had nearly passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and all who knew him esteemed him for his sterling worth. He voted with the democratic party, believing its princi- ples most conducive to good government, and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, in which he long held membership. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Mrs. Lane belongs to the Women's Relief Corps. She owns a nice home at No. 411 North Twelfth street, where she is now pleasantly situated. There was nothing particularly spectacular in the history of Mr. Lane but he always did his duty, lived peaceably with his fellowmen and followed the Golden Rule, and such men are the real strength of the community in which they reside.
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