USA > Iowa > Buena Vista County > Past and present of Buena Vista County, Iowa > Part 35
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Loyally espousing the cause of the Union at the time of the Civil war, Mr. Clancy enlisted at La Salle, Illinois, May 8, 1861, as a private in Company F, Twenty-third Ilinois Volunteer Infantry. Ilis first engagement was the bat- tle at Lexington, Kentucky. Being taken prisoner he was held as such one
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night and then paroled and sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was mustered out of service. In October, 1861, he reenlisted, becoming a private of Com- pany HI. Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon promoted to sergeant and for two years and a half was color bearer of his regiment. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth. Tuka, Pleasant 1Till, Yellow Bayou, and Nashville, Spanish Fort, Mobile and Fort Blakely and was finally mustered out at Montgomery, Alabama, April 1, 1866. He was wounded four times.
In 1882 he came to Buena Vista county, lowa, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in the cultivation of which he was successfully engaged until 1893. In that year he took up his abode in Storm Lake, where he has since lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease, his unremitting industry and well directed energy in former years having brought to him a goodly competenee.
Mr. Clancy was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hunt, a native of Ire- land, by whom he has the following children: Kate, the wife of James Connell ; John and Peter. both of whom are residents of Providence township; Mary, who is the wife of Charles Grishy; Annie, who became the wife of Ed Grisby ; Bridget ; Maggie; and Patrick and Thomas, both of whom are engaged in farming.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Clancy are devoted members of the Catholic church and are well and favorably known throughout the county in which they have now resided for more than a quarter of a century. The hope that led Patrick Claney to leave his native land and establish a home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization gained the measure of success that now enables him to spend his remaining days in honorable retirement from labor.
IRA J. FROWNFELTER.
Tra J. Frownfelter, successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on sec- tion 35, Washington township, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1855. His father, Solomon Frownfelter, also a native of Pennsyl- vania, was there reared and married, the maiden name of his wife being Martha Shoman, who was likewise born in the Keystone state. Solomon Frownfelter was a tailor by trade but later became a stonemason, which occu- pation he followed during his active business career. Ilis entire life was spent in the state of his nativity and there he reared his family of four sons and two daughters, the record of whom is as follows: JJohn; Ira J., of this review ; Leonard, a resident of North Dakota; Luther, of Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania; Mrs. Ellen Broker, who is a widow; and Jane, the wfe of John Harlan.
Ira J. Frownfelter was reared in his native county and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. being only eight years of age when he commenced work as a farm hand by the month. In early manhood he removed westward to Ilinois, locating in Piatt
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county, where he was employed as a farm hand until the time of his marriage. Subsequently he was engaged in the operation of a rented farm in Piatt county for five years and on the expiration of that period, in 1893, he came to Buena Vista county, Iowa. After cultivating rented land for several years he pur- chased his present farm of eighty acres on section 35, Washington township, which under his management has become a well improved and valuable prop- erty. He has feneed the fields, put in more than eleven thousand feet of tile and has equipped his place with all the modern accessories and conveniences that go to make up a model farming property of the twentieth century. More- over the success which has crowned his labors is entirely the result of his own industry and perseverance and represents the fit utilization of his business ability and sound judgment.
On the 2d of March, 1888, Mr. Frownfelter was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Armsworth, a native of Piatt county, Illinois, who was called to her final rest in September. 1900. The two children of this union were as follows: Harry E., who is at home with his father; and Marion, who passed away when but four months old.
JJOHN FRANKLIN CLOUGH.
John Franklin Clough, who is a well known and successful representative of the agrienltural interests of Buena Vista county, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 3d of October. 1859, his parents being Gardner and Laura (Joslyn) Clough. The paternal grandparents were Jabez and Letty (Capron) (longh, the former born June 5, 1794, and the latter February 7, 1796. They were married on the 10th of August, 1818, and the record of their children is as follows: Elmora, whose birth occurred January 17, 1819, was united in mar- riage to Jacob R. Trask on the 19th of Jannary, 1842, and passed away October 24, 1859. Gardner, the father of our subject, of whom further mention is made below, was born August 23, 1820, and wedded Miss Laura Joslyn on the 31st of October, 1846. Hiram, whose natal day was May 9, 1822, married Miss Phebe Barrett on the 8th of March, 1846. Eleina W., who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 3d of April, 1824, became the wife of Septy Waite on the 3d of September, 1850. Edward A., born December 11, 1825, was joined in wedlock to Miss Happlonia Austin on the 7th of December, 1846. Marcellus, born September 15, 1827, was twice married. On the 30th of Angust, 1854, he wedded Miss Mary Young, who was called to her final rest December 23, 1870, and on the 23d of October, 1875, he was again married, his second mion being with Amy Rice, who passed away April 25, 1894. Sarah 1., born September 28, 1829, became the wife of Walter Levendol on the 3d of September, 1850, and passed away September 30, 1864. Fanny M., who was born March 15, 1832, gave her hand in marriage to Edwin Hartwell on the 4th of November, 1852, and died October 20. 1855. Jabez Clongh, the father of this family, was called to the home beyond on the 4th of July, 1872, while the demise of his wife had occurred June 19, 1868.
MR. AND MRS. GARDNER S. CLOUGH
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Gardner and Laura (Joslyn) Clough, the parents of John Franklin Clough, who were natives of Vermont, were married in the Green Mountain state and in the early '50s made the journey westward. They settled first near Decorah, Winneshiek county, lowa, where they entered a preemption elaim of one hundred and sixty aeres. About four years later, however, Mr. Clough soll his interests in Winneshiek county and removed to Clayton county, where he remained for about two years. At the end of that time, in 1862, he had made arrangements to engage in the milling business on the lowa river in Allamakee county, but as the struggle between the north and the south steadily grew more determined and sanguinary he resolved to put aside all business and personal considerations and strike a blow in defense of the Union. On the 25th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company I. Twenty-seventh Towa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by A. J. Smith. His service included active participation in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg Landing, Bull Run, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red River expedition and the engagements at Pleasant Hill and Holly Springs. He was honorably dis- charged in the fall of 1865 and then returned to his family in Waukon, Iowa, where they had been living during the war.
Mr. Clough spent the winter there and in the spring of 1866 came with his family to the Little Sioux in Buena Vista county, lowa, securing a govern- ment claim on the southwest quarter of section 20. Here he was confronted by the dangers, hardships and privations of frontier life and found the arduous existence of a pioneer doubly hard, as his health had already been undermined by his long service in the army, during which time he had undergone the exposure and fatigue of long, weary marches and many of the experiences of war in its most cruel aspeet. He entered the army a strong, robust man, of youthful appearance, and at the elose of the war returned home with greatly impaired health and gray hair. Though coming of a long-lived race of people, the exigencies of war and pioneer life proved too much for his constitution and he passed away on the 27th of February, 1877, when but fifty-seven years of age. As long as memory remains to the American people they will cherish and honor the record of those who re- sponded to the call of patriotism in the darkest hour of our country's history and who sacrificed so much for the supremacy of the Union.
For the first few years after their arrival in Buena Vista county, Mr. Clough and his family lived in a sod shanty and the nearest market was at Fort Dodge-a distance of seventy-five miles across the unbroken prairie. The sod house was finally replaced by a more comfortable and commodious dwelling, and gradually more settlers came to the county and the land was being cultivated and improved. Mr. Clough always took an active interest in public affairs and for four years served as county supervisor. The eleven years during which he resided here was the period in which the county was being opened up to civilization and when the early settler, even though possessed of indomitable energy and courage, often found the struggle for a livelihood a most difficult one. Just as the tide was turning and the pioneers were beginning to enjoy the fruits of their persisteney and labor. he was called to his final rest, thus being denied the pleasure of witnessing
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the growth and development of the community in whose upbuilding he had taken sneh an important part. His wife, however, survived him for a num- ber of years, passing away on the 17th of February, 1901, when seventy-two years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born four children : Aldine, who married Adelia Ryder and resides in Salem, Oregon; Fred, who wedded Miss Sophia Baneoast and makes his home in Everly, Iowa; John Franklin. of this review; and William, who married Miss Rose Wengirt and resides on the old homestead where his birth occurred.
John Franklin Clough accompanied his parents on their removal to this county and lived on the old homestead farm here for thirty-five years. He was seventeen years of age at the time of his father's death and upon him and his younger brother, William, devolved the support of the family. For several years the brothers gave their time and energies to the cultivation of the home place and brought it under a high state of improvement, making it a valuable and productive property. In 1900 John F. Clough purchased and located on his present farm, comprising the northwest quarter of seetion 18, Lee township. where he has a comfortable home beautifully situated amid a grove of trees. He is well known as a prosperous and progressive agri- culturist of the county and riehly merits the esteem and confidence which is uniformly accorded him.
In 1886 Mr. Clough was united in marriage to Miss Nettie L. Langdon, a daughter of Samuel Porter and Nancy (Emery) Langdon, natives of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania respectively. Soon after the marriage of the parents, which had been celebrated in Boone county, Illinois, abont 1841, they removed to Columbia county, Wisconsin, where they resided for about six years. On the expiration of that period they went to Crawford county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1873 came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, living for a time in Storm Lake and then taking up their abode on a farm near Sionx Rapids. Samuel P. Langdon passed away on the 29th of May, 1886, and his wife was called to the home beyond on the 2d of February, 1893. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clough have been born three children: Nellie Augusta, Isa Emily and Anra Blanche.
In his political views Mr. Clongh is a stanch republiean and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 551, at Sioux Rapids. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recog- nition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his eounty.
WILLIAM LEE CLOUGIL
William Lee Clough, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist. owning a valuable and well improved farm on section 20, bee township, was born on the old homestead in Buena Vista county, Iowa. April 3, 1870. Ilis father, Gardner Spaulding Clough, is mentioned at length in the sketch of John Franklin Clongh, which is given on another page of this work. The work of
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the home farm and the duties of the schoolroom alternately occupied his time until he had attained his majority and then, in connection with his brother, John F., he devoted his entire time to the operation of the home place until about twenty-four years of age. The brothers then divided the property. John F. taking the north half and William the south, and this arrangement continued until 1900, when John F. Clough purchased the northwest quarter of section 18, and William took entire possession of the old homestead, com- prising a quarter section of land. Thus he has always resided on the farm where he was born and in its cultivation and development he has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of success, being now numbered among the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of his native county. ITis attraetive and commodious residence adds to the beauty of the surroundings and in its neat and thrifty appearance his farm indicates the supervision of a practical and enterprising owner. It is located within three and a half miles of Sioux Rapids, which distance is covered in a few minutes by his fine motor car.
On the 22d of May, 1894, Mr. Clough was united in marriage to Miss Rose Wengirt, a daughter of Ulrich and Johanna (Wagner) Wengirt, both natives of Germany. About 1866 the parents crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up their abode in Independence, lowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Wengirt passed away on the 8th of April, 1900. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children, namely : Leona Agnes, Mary Laura and George William.
Mr. Clough gives stalwart support to the men and measures of the repub- lican party, and his wife is a devoted member of the Catholic church at Sioux Rapids. 1Te is well and favorably known throughout the county in which he has spent his entire life and that his career has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his staneh friends and admirers.
CALVIN WILLIS GARBERSON.
In the history of the successful men of Buena Vista county mention should be made of Calvin Willis Garberson, who is now living retired in Storm Lake. For many years, however. he was connected with agricultural inter- ests, and in the tilling of the soil gained the success which now makes him one of the prosperous and valued residents of this locality. He was born in Marion county, Ohio, September 26, 1846.
His father, Jonathan Garberson, was a native of Ohio, born Mareh 21, 1821, and his life record covered the intervening years to Jannary 18, 1876. The family was founded in America in colonial days, and when the colonists attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression representatives of the name served in the Continental army in behalf of the cause of independence. Calvin Willis Garberson now has in his possession a sword which belonged to
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his grandfather. Job Garberson, when he was defending American interests in the Revolutionary war.
Jonathan Garberson was a miller by trade and, on coming to Iowa in 1858, settled upon a farm in Story county which had been purchased by his father. There he lived up to the time of his death, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation until the place annually yielded rich harvests. It is now the property of his son Calvin. He was a very industrious man, never indulging in useless expenditure, and though he started out in life empty- handed he reared a large family and gave to them many of the comforts that go to make life worth the living. He was a Baptist in religious faith, was active in church work and served as one of the church officers. His political views were in harmony with the democratic party and upon that ticket he was elected to several township offiees. He married Lucinda Ann Chapman, who was born in Ohio and died April 7, 1884, at the home of her son Alvin Willard, in Elk township, this eounty, having for some years prior to her death resided with her sons. She was of English decent and in early life was a member of the Baptist church, but in later years became a member of the Christian church. By her marriage she became the mother of fourteen children.
Calvin Willis Garberson was one of twin brothers. There was one older member of the family. lle was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. attended the country schools and afterward pursued his studies in Albion Col .. lege at AAlbion, Iowa. Ile then returned home to take up the work of the fields with his father and for forty years he has been identified with the farm- ing interests of Buena Vista county, either in the active work of the fields or as the owner of good farm property. Ile arrived in this county May 19. 1869, and settled in Elk township, securing one-half of the southwest quarter of seetion 34, which he took up as a homestead from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on the place, but with characteristic energy he began its development and soon brought the fields under a high state of fertility. With the exception of one year he continu- ously resided in Elk township until 1894. . He then removed to the farm in Nokomis township on which he lived for six and one-half years, and in 1901 he came to Storm Lake to find better facilities for educating his daughters. IFere he is now living in honorable retirement. He has been very prosperous, and from time to time he has added to his property holdings until his landed possessions now aggregate twenty-seven hundred acres in Buena Vista and other counties.
In 1873 Alr. Garberson was married to Miss Mary Matheson, who was born near Toronto, Canada, July 19, 1853, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Armour) Matheson. Her parents came to the United States April 12, 1869, and soon afterward settled in Elk township, Buena Vista county, becoming pioneer residents of this part of the state. They bore their full share in the work of development and progress as the county was eon- verted from a wild region into one of rich productiveness, settled by a con- tented and prosperous people. Mrs. Garberson's mother died August 15,
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1871, and was long survived by her husband, whose death occurred June 25. 1905.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Garberson were born six children : Wallace Clayton, now a practicing attorney at Sibley, Iowa, who married Lola Carmichael and has one child; Gertrude, who died in infancy; Aura and Rena, both at home; Grave. who died January 1. 1907. in her twentieth year, when a sophomore in college; and Bessie, at home.
Mrs. Garberson and daughters belong to the Presbyterian church, while in early manhood Mr. Garberson held membership in the Christian church. In polities he is a democrat. Ile has served as a member of the board of supervisors and has held a number of township offices. the duties of which he has discharged in a prompt and capable manner. His life has been an active, busy and useful one, and his diligence has been rewarded with success. He is now one of the extensive landowners of the county, and his large posses- sions indicate his life of thrift and energy.
HERBERT A. HARVEY.
Herbert A. Harvey, who is the architect of his own fortunes. is now cashier in the Bank of Newell. and ocenpies an enviable position in business cireles by reason of his ability and enterprise. He was born in Excelsior, Richland county, Wisconsin, December 6. 1868. and is a son of Dr. Leonard J. and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Harvey, who were natives of Ohio and Canada respectively. Ilis paternal grandfather, Hiram Harvey, was also born in Canada and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He died in Newell, Iowa, in 1897. at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy years. Four of their children died in infaney and four sons and a daughter reached maturity. namely: Eldah, the wife of William Caruthers; Edgar; Leonard J .; Thurber; and Gary.
Dr. Leonard J. Ilarvey is now following his profession in Alta, lowa. On coming to this state in December, 1870, he settled at Storm Lake and the following July was joined by his family. He there continued to practice for many years but eventually removed to Alta. where he now makes his home. At the time of the Civil war he esponsed the Union cause and joined Company II, Seventh Wisconsin Vohmteer Infantry. Having been discharged on account of disability, he later enlisted in Company C, Twenty-third Wisconsin Regiment, and was on active duty in the hospital service. He is now a mom- ber of the Grand Army post at Alta, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. The mother of our subject holds membership in the Methodist church. She is a daughter of Samnel and Mary (Egglefield) Hawkins. Her father passed away in Wisconsin in 1863. at the age of forty- seven years, and her mother died in 1893, at the age of eighty-five. In their family were the following children : Elizabeth, Mary Ann. Maria, Eleanor, Belle, James, Thomas and Albert.
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Unto Dr. and Mrs. Harvey have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters: Minnie, the wife of J. O. Peterson, of Alta. Iowa; Charles 1., a resident of Wellington. Colorado: Herbert A .. of this review ; Ella B., the deceased wife of J. W. Barber; Cora M., the wife of O. O. Harlan, of Marion- ville, Missouri; Ray W., who died at the age of two years: and Henry C., a resident of Carthage, South Dakota.
Hlerbert A. Harvey was reared in Storm Lake from the age of two years and was a student in the public schools until he completed the high-school course by graduation in the class of 1885. He was engaged in clerking in Brown Brothers store in Storm Lake for six years, after which he and his brother Charles L. came to Newell and purchased a clothing store, conducting business for two years. On the expiration of that period Herbert A. Harvey sold his interests to his brother-in-law. J. W. Barber. after which he spent a few months in Wakonda, South Dakota, and later engaged in clerking for two years. For the past nine years, however. he has been connected with the Bank of Newell and has been its cashier since 1900. During this period he has thoroughly mastered the banking business and the success of the institut- tion is attributable in no small measure to his efforts.
On the 18th of May. 1892, Mr. Harvey was married to Miss Myra Judge, a daughter of Patrick Henry and Della C. (Sutton) Judge. Two children have graced this union, Gladys and Doris. Mrs. Harvey was born in Floyd county, lowa, and her father was a native of Ireland. while her mother's birth occurred in Canada. They had two children, their son being Harold E., now living at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Mr. Harvey belongs to Rex lodge, No. 242, K. P., and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He has been committeeman for Newell township six years, being chairman of the county central committee one year of that time. While he feels a keen interest in the success of the party he has no time nor inclination to seek public office, giving his undivided attention to his duties as bank cashier. The . patrons of the bank and those who meet him in other relations of life know him as a genial, courteous gentleman of unfeigned cordiality and good-will.
LAWRENCE FOELL.
Prosperity is the result of hard labor combined with sound business judg- ment and this truth is abundantly verified in the life of Lawrence Foell, who now owns four hundred acres of valuable land on section 19. Hayes township. Mr. Foell is a native son of lowa, born on a farm in Jefferson township. Dubuque county. May 27. 1859, a son of George Foell. now a resident of Storm Lake. The son was reared in his native county to the age of sixteen years and acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Buena Vista county during its carly development. The father located on a traet of unimproved land and the son gave his entire time to the work of development and improvement on
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