USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 32
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On the 17th of January, 1872, Mr. Waterman was married to Miss Eliza W. Burrows, a daughter of Stephen and Martha (Root) Burrows. Her pater- nal grandfather was a native of New York and in that state Stephen Burrows was also born, while his wife was a native of Virginia. She was a daughter of Ammon Root, who was born in the Old Dominion, followed the openpation of farming and served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. He died on Monday night, December 25, 1893, at the close of his hundredth Christmas day. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Burrows became carly residents of Rock county, Wisconsin. It was he who invented the first boring machine for boring rifles, which was placed in use by Remington Brothers. He originated the idea which made possible the patenting of the cotton gin by Whitney, the har- vester by Marsh brothers, the clover huller, and many other epoch-making machines. Mr. Burrows' inventive genius was displayed in many other ways which have contributed materially to the industrial and commercial develop- ment of the country. He died at Whitewater, Wisconsin, July 18, 1880. His family numbered eight children: De Ette, Ellen, Alvin D., Eliza W., Clara, Edward, Alice M. and Franeis.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Waterman were born live children : Alice C., the wife of F. E. Hoyne, a resident of Rolfe, Iowa; Inez D., the wife of b. E. Bladine, a resident of Marathon, lowa, by whom she has one son, John Burrows Bladine; JJay Herbert, who is a partner with his father in the hardware busi- ness, is married and has one daughter, Marion; Glen B., who is a practicing dentist at Peterson, Iowa ; and Charles R., who is a student in the lowa State College, at Ames, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Waterman are members of the Congregational church. He belongs to Newell Lodge, No. 232. 1. O. O. F., and also to the Modern Wood- man camp. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and his standing in the community is indicated by the fact that he has continuously served as a member of the city council since its organization. lle has also for many years been a member of the school board, serving a part of the time as its pres- ident and has been both sehool elerk and city elerk. He regards a public office as a publie trust and his loyalty in official positions stands as an unques-
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tioned fact in his career. Ile has labored effectively and earnestly for the welfare of the community, realizing fully the obligations and responsibilities of citizenship, and at the same time he has conducted a successful business enter- prise which makes him a representative and valued resident of Newell.
P. A. JACOBSON.
P. A. Jacobson, engaged in the manufacture of wagons at Sionx Rapids, was born in Norway. April 29, 1836. He has therefore passed the seventy- seventh milestone on the journey of life and though well advanced in years is still an active factor in the world's work. His parents were Jacob and Johannah (Peterson) Jacobson. who spent their entire life in the land of the midnight sun.
P. A. Jacobson was reared and educated in his native country, remaining a resident of Norway until he attained the age of thirty years. coming to America in 1866. He first located at Stoughton. Wisconsin, where he remained for four years and then came to Sionx Rapids. Buena Vista county was still a prairie district. The work of improvement had scarcely been begun here and much of the land was still unclaimed and nneultivated. The district. however, was becoming settled by an industrions and enterprising class of people and Mr. Jacobson east in his lot with the early settlers. open- ing a wagonmaking and blacksmithing shop at Sioux Rapids. He had learned the trade in his native country and throughout his entire life he has confined his attention to this line of business. His youth was a period of earnest toil. for in addition to blacksmithing and wagonmaking he spent some time work- ing on the farm, and during the winter months he devoted much time to fishing on the ocean coast. The habit of industry which he thus formed characterized his work after he eame to the new world and he has always led a busy, useful life. Now in his declining years he finds more contentment in working in the shop and looking after the business than he could secure in retirement from labor. In fact, he could never be content without some husi- ness interest to occupy his time and attention. Ile has a well equipped shop, supplied with the latest tools, machinery and modern appliances for carrying on his work. A few years ago he was persuaded to give up his business and take life easy, but he found that doing nothing was to him harder work than the labors to which he was accustomed, and after a short time he became dis- contented. but when once more in his shop, working with his tools, he felt that he was not wasting his time and contentment returned. In addition to his industrial interests he owns one-half section of land in Dakota and has resi- dence and other property in the town.
In 1858 Mr. JJacobson was married to Miss JJohannah Jacobson and they have become the parents of two sons. Andrew and John. The former married Julia Olsen and lives in South Dakota, while John wedded Lena Jensen and also lives in South Dakota. There are two children to this marriage, Guy and Laura. The brothers are now engaged in merchandising, having a well
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equipped store. The family are all members of the Lutheran church and in this community have the warm regard and unqualified friendship of those with whom they have come in contact.
Mr. Jacobson has always voted with the republican party since he became a naturalized American citizen and his son John was elected on that ticket to the office of county clerk of Buena Vista county. which position he accepta- bly filled for eight years. Mr. Jacobson has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world for he has here found the opportunities he sought. and by his energy and determination has steadily worked his way upward, being now in possession of a good property and basi- ness which supplies him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
W. S. VAN BUSKIRK.
Business enterprise and activity finds its root in laudable ambition. It is the man who is not satisfied but recognizes the possibilities for further development, who finds genuine pleasure in the solution of difficult business problems, that is not only winning advancement for himself but is aiding in pushing forward the wheels of progress for the world at large. Of this class of men W. S. Van Buskirk is a worthy representative. He has been a resi- dent of Alta for about twenty-five years and is actively engaged in dealing in buggies, wagons and harness. He is numbered among the old settlers of the state, dating his residence in lowa from 1856. ITis birth occurred in Ham- ilton, Monroe county, Pennsylvania. February 21, 1844.
ITis father, Samuel Van Buskirk, was also a native of the Keystone state. as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Miss Mary Ann MeNeal. Both were reared in Pennsylvania and after their marriage they settled on a farm in Monroe county, where all of their children were born. In 1856 they removed westward to lowa, taking up their abode in Delaware county, where the father purchased a farm, on which some improvements had been made. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits for some years, but after- ward removed to Buena Vista county, settling in Aha, where his last days were passed.
W. S. Van Buskirk was a youth of twelve years when the family left the place of his nativity. He had begun his education in the public schools there and he continued it in the schools of lowa. During the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the home farm, giving his father the benefit of his services until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he fitted up a breaking team of oxen and engaged in breaking prairie for several years. IJe broke hundreds of aeres in Delaware county and thus materially aided in the upbuilding of the state at different times. He and his brother purchased and operated a thresher for several years and later, going to Dubuque county, Iowa, Mr. Van Buskirk, with the proceeds of his farm labor, purchased eighty aeres of prairie land, which he broke and feneed. He also built upon it a
W. S. VAN BUSKIRK
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comfortable home and there carried on general farming for four or five years, when he sold that property.
While living in Dubuque county, Mr. Van Buskirk was married, on the Ist of March, 1872, to Anna Tincknell, a native of Dubnqne county, and a sister of Fred Tineknell, cashier of the Alta Bank. Following their marriage Mr. Van Buskirk brought his bride to Buena Vista county, where the pre- vions year he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw and undeveloped prairie in Maple Valley township. This later he placed under the plow and converted it into productive fields. The same fall he bought eighty acres adjoining. He then made a permanent location in Buena Vista county and afterward bought land near Alta. He also bought forty acres additional just across the road, placed it under the plow and for a num- ber of years devoted his time and energies to the work of the farm. He became connected with the mercantile interests as proprietor of an imple- ment business and, in connection with Samuel Parker, established and conducted a lumberyard for a few years. Purchasing a few implements, he gradually built up a business in that line but in later years closed ont that department. At the present time he carries a large line of buggies, wagons and harness, and occupies a busines block which he erected and still owns. At different times he has invested in farm property and owns a number of farms in the county. He has developed much land here and thus contributed in a large measure to the early progress of the county in agricultural lines. At different times he has owned four or five places and he still has two hun- dred and forty acres south of town and three hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township. The former traet is the first farm which he ever purchased on coming to the county. It is supplied with all modern improvements and the many evidences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He has been a breeder of Aberdeen-Angus cattle for a number of years and has a herd of over sixty head of pure blooded registered eattle. Ile thus ranks with the leading stock raisers of the state for his herd is one of the finest in the county and at its head is an imported male. In addition to his property in Buena Vista eounty he also has four hundred and eighty acres in Minnesota and formerly owned land in South Dakota, but has sokl the latter.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Van Buskirk have been born four daughters and two sons. The elder son, Charles, is associated with J. M. Wegerslev, who is post- master and editor of the Alta Enterprise, while Ralph is a farmer of Nokomis township. The eldest daughter, Belle, is the wife of W. O. Tompkins, a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal church, well located at Cherokee, Iowa; Ida is a graduate of Cornell College, of Iowa, and is regarded as one of the most successful publie school teachers of this part of the state, being principal of the Linn Grove school; Alice is the wife of Charles Abbott, a farmer of Noko- mis township; and Nellie is at home.
On the 17th of April, 1902. Mr. Van Buskirk was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. He was again married in 1906, his second union being with Mrs. Mariette (Honser) Meigs, a native of Pennsylvania and the widow of Samnel Meigs.
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Mr. Van Buskirk gives his politieal allegiance to the republican party, but has never sought nor desired public office. He is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fraternal Insurance Company. His life has been successful owing to his enterprising industry and well directed labors. He has worked his way steadily upward, has made judicious investments in property and as the years have gone by, has become one of the prosperous and energetic citizens of Buena Vista county, his business activity and unquestioned commercial honor gaining him a prominent place among the representative residents of north- western Iowa.
ALFRED R. BIDDLE.
Alfred R. Biddle is now proprietor of the Columbia Hotel and has beeome very popular, both in his eapaeity as host and traveling salesman. for he was upon the road for several years prior to entering upon his present business connection. His birth oeeurred in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1850, he being the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children, whose parents were Steven and Elizabeth (Shockey) Biddle, who were likewise natives of Fleming county. The father. who was born in 1813, was of English lineage. while the mother was of German extraction. His time and energies were devoted to general mercantile pursuits, in which he was quite snecessful, and in 1865 he removed from Kentucky to Macon county, Illinois, where he con- tinuously carried on farming until his death. He held membership with the Baptist church and gave his political allegiance to the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party and con- tinned to follow its banner until his demise. He passed away in 1880, having long survived his wife, who died in 1854. She too was a loyal member of the Baptist church.
As a farmer boy. Alfred R. Biddle spent the days of his boyhood and youth and attended the country schools. He was identified with the work of the fields in Illinois until 1880. and in the spring of 1881 he came to Iowa, set- tling in Storm hake, where he engaged in the machinery business. He was afterward upon the road for abont ten years as a machinery salesman, and in that connection gained a wide and favorable acquaintance. When he left the road he became the proprietor and host of the Columbia Hotel, and is still condneting the establishment. which he has made a popular hostelry.
In 1876 Mr. Biddle was married to Miss Lillie JJ. Jones, who was born in Illinois and died in 1888, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving three chil- dren : Bertha F., the wife of Curtis Bethard, of Storm Lake, who is pilot on the steamer running to the Casino; and Eva M., and Ethel P., both now deceased. In March, 1893, Mr. Biddle was again married, his second union being with Lyda E. Hancock. Her death ocenrred in November, 1906. There was one child of this marriage, Jennie Mabel, born in 1894.
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Mr. Biddle is a member of the Baptist church and of the Odd Fellows society. IIe exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and has done effective work for the city's substantial improvement in his faithful service as alderman for the past fif- teen years. He was elected chief of the Storm Lake Fire Department in 1882 and has since acted in that capacity. being perhaps, today the oldest fire chief in point of continnous service in the United States. What he has done in behalf of the city has been for its good and upbuilding and his labors have been eminently practical and helpful. He has a wide acquaintance in the community and among the traveling public, and a genial disposition and cor- dial address are qualities which have won him popularity and high regard.
CHARLES A. FULTON.
Charles A. Fulton is a public-spirited citizen, interested and active in the work of promotion and progress that is being carried on in Buena Vista county. He owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres on section 16, Hayes township, and deserves mention among the substantial agrienlturists of this locality. He is a native son of this state, born in Cedar county. Sep- tember 16, 1865, and is one of a family of three sons and one daughter, born of the marriage of Robert and Jane (Wiley) Fulton. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1818 and removed to Warren county, Ohio, when a young man. It was in the latter place that he was married to Miss Jane Wiley, who was likewise a native of the Keystone state but was reared in Ohio. Mr. Fulton was engaged in farming and stoek-raising in Warren county until 1864, when he opened up a farm in Cedar county, lowa, and taking up his abode in that section of the country he became one of the large landowners. owning at one time eleven hundred acres. He and his wife spent their remaining years in Cedar county, the father passing away in 1887, while the mother survived for only about a year, her death occurring in 1888.
Charles A. Fulton was reared on the home farm in Cedar county and after completing the high-school course entered college at Norton, while later he pursued a commercial course at that place. After completing his educa- tion he returned to the home farm and there remained for some time. He was married on the 15th of November, 1886, to Miss Pyra McQuillen, who was born and reared in Cedar county, Iowa, a daughter of Cyrus McQuillen, a native of Ohio.
The young couple began their domestic life in Cedar county and there made their home until 1890. when they removed to Buena Vista county and Mr. Fulton purchased his present home farm, comprising two hundred acres, situated on section 16, Hayes township. At that time, however, it presented quite a different appearance from what it does today, for Mr. Fulton has erected a nice modern house, a good barn and other outbuildings, has fenced and tiled the land and has made it a valuable as well as attractive property. With his general farming pursuits Mr. Fulton also raises and feeds stock,
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shipping both cattle and hogs to the city markets each year. He is meeting with snecess in carrying on his business affairs and today he is numbered among the worthy citizens of Buena Vista county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fulton has been blessed with a son and daughter. Robert Cyrus Fulton is a graduate of the Storm Lake high school and is now a student in Ames Agricultural College. Ethel May is a young lady at home. Mr. Fulton gives his political support to the republican party and while making his home in Cedar county served as justice of the peace and as township clerk. He has been active in the promotion of many measures whereby the citizens of this district have been benefited. He was instrumen- tal in securing the rural mail route out of Storm Lake and was also the promoter of the Independent Telephone Company. He is a member of and a director in the Farmers Institute and also a member of the Chautauqua Association. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Fulton is a steward, while he is likewise serving as superintendent of the Sunday school, and his wife is also a worker in the Sun- day school. IIe takes a deep interest in the moral development of this community while his own example is well worthy of emulation. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Yeomen, in which he is an officer. the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, and in all these various organizations is popular with his fellow members. He is a man of strong conviction, opposed to misrule in public affairs and his labors have been of direet benefit to the community in which he lives. While all recognize his superior ability and worth of character and are ever ready to pay deference to his excellent qualities, he is yet modest and unassuming in manner and all esteem him for what he is.
ALBERT C. FULLER, JR.
The educational interests of Storm Lake are well represented by Professor Albert C. Fuller, Jr., now city superintendent of schools. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born May 16, 1877. His father, Albert C. Fuller, Sr., whose birth occurred in Oneida county. New York. is of Holland ancestry and is a college-bred man. Removing from New York to the middle west about 1865, he first settled in Rockford, Illinois, where he worked for a time at the painter's trade. Abont 1868 he removed to Buchanan county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for a brief period and then went to Wright county, Iowa, where he took up a homestead claim. This he improved and cultivated and when he had acquired a handsome competence he retired to private life in 1896, now enjoying a well earned rest in a pleasant home at Dows, Iowa. He has attained the age of sixty years. In his political views he is independent but formerly was allied with the democratic forces. In his fraternal relations he is an Odd Fellow and is a member of the Presbyterian church-associations which indicate much of the character of his interests and the rules which have governed his condnet. He married
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Florence A. MeCluer, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and is now fifty-six years of age. She is of Scotch extraction, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James McClner, having come from the land of hills and heather. Mrs. Fuller is also of Presbyterian faith and like her husband shares in the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Their family numbers four sons. Merton L. is connected with the United States weather bureau at Canton, New York. He is now the professor of meteorology in St. Lawrence University, New York, and for a time held a chair in Buena Vista College at Storm Lake. James E. is principal of shorthand and typewriting in the Goldey Business College at Wilmington, Delaware. Albert C. is the third of the family. Roy E. is secretary of the Young People's Forward Movement Association of New York City, in which connection he does both office and lecture work.
Professor Albert C. Fuller attended the district schools and later became a student in the State Normal at Cedar Falls, where he was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Master of Didacties. Hle has since been connected with educational work and is a prominent representative of the public school inter- ests of the state. In the fall of 1899 he accepted the principalship of the high school at Manning, Iowa, and a year later was made superintendent of the schools there, continning in that capacity for three years. He had the super- intendency of the city schools at Sidney for one year and since 1904 has been superintendent of the Storm Lake schools. In the meantime he has pursued his own education during summer sessions in the Iowa State University and likewise pursued a course in the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago, and also at Chicago University.
In 1901 occurred the marriage of Albert C. Fuller and Miss Olive Whitmore, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, December 18, 1876, and is a danghter of George and Margaret Whitmore, the former a farmer. Three children have been born of this union, Alberta, Ruth and Robert. The par- ents are members of the Presbyterian church and Professor Fuller is a Mason. Ile is interested in all that pertains to intellectual development and progress and has become a member of the Iowa Historical Society, the North Central Teachers Association, the Science & Mathematics Teachers Association, the Towa Mannal Training Teachers Association, the State Teachers and North- western Iowa Teachers Associations.
FRANK G. REDFIELD.
Frank G. Redfield, assistant cashier in the Miller & Chaney Bank, and almost a life-long resident of Newell, was born in Phoenix, New York, Sep- tember 23, 1871, his parents being John T. and Eldona (Gilbert) Redfield, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. He was two years of age at the time of the removal of the family to this city, where he has since resided and in the acquirement of his education he passed through the public and high school and later became a student in the Fort Dodge College. On leaving
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college he worked for his father in connection with the elevator, implement, stock and grain business for several years and following his marriage became connected with the Miller & Chaney Bank, of which he is now a partner, serv- ing as its assistant cashier since 1894. Ile has thoroughly mastered the banking business in all its departments and is a capable and courteous officer, popular alike with the patrons of the bank and his associates in its management.
On the 24th of October, 1894, Mr. Redfield was married to Miss Mary I. Miller, a daughter of De Witt C. and Agnes B. (Lawson) Miller. They are parents of four children, Frances, Eldona, John Miller, and an infant son.
Mr. and Mrs. Redfield hold membership in the Congregational church, are interested in its work and contribute generously to its support. He also belongs to Newell Lodge, No. 232, 1. O. O. F., and Rex Lodge, No. 242, K. P. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his opimons carry great weight in its local councils. For a number of years he has been a member of the city council and has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many measures that have been matters of civic virtue and pride. He has also been secretary of the school board for the past sixteen years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend. His standing in regard to his brethren of the fraternities with which he is connected is also indicated in the fact that he is serving as treasurer of both lodges in which he holds membership. In his business career he has made steady progress and with his constantly expanding powers has gained a place among the men of affluence of this community. Hle today owns a third interest in the Miller & Chaney Bank, while his landed possessions inelnde a quarter section in Sac county, a quarter section in Minnesota and other property in the state of Washington.
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