USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
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In the family of seven children John R. Ness was the fourth in order of birth and was but four years of age at the time the family left Norway and crossed the Atlantic. His boyhood days were spent on the family homestead in De Kalb eounty, Illinois, and his aid was given to his father in the development of the farm until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he went to South Dakota. In that state he was employed at farm labor for four years, after which he eame in 1890 to Calhoun county, where for two years he rented land. He then purchased one hundred and twenty aeres, constituting a part of his present farm, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per aere. Sinee that time he has been carrying on general agricultural pursuits on his own account. Only a small portion of the land had been broken when it came into his possession and he had to perform the arduous task of using the breaking plow in order to turn the first furrows. As the years passed on the work of development and improvement was continued and in 1895 he had so prospered that he was able to pur- chase forty acres more. Twelve years later he bought an additional traet of eighty acres for which he paid eighty-five dollars. In addi- tion he owns two hundred aeres at Corwith, Hancock county, Iowa, so that his landed interests are sufficient to return to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 11th of May, 1893, Mr. Ness was joined in wedloek to Miss Anna Knudson, a native of Norway, born and reared in the same neighborhood as her husband. She was brought to the United States in childhood, crossing the Atlantie in 1867. For a year the family lived in Illinois and in 1868 established their home in Webster county, Iowa, which was then a frontier distriet. To Mr. and Mrs. Ness have been born five children, Ida, Elizabeth, Cora, Nellie and Theodore, all yet under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Ness is a republican. He has never sought nor desired offiee but has served as sehool treasurer for fifteen years. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, to the sup- port of which they contribute generously. Mr. Ness came to the new world a poor boy and has depended entirely upon his own re- sourees for his advancement along business lines. He owes his prog- ress to indefatigable energy and persistent purpose. He now has a
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well developed property, equipped with all of the accessories and con- veniences of the model farm of the twentieth century, and his hold- ings are now extensive, being the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift.
JOSEPH KILGORE BLANCHFIELD.
Four hundred and twenty acres of land on section 2, Jackson township, pays tribute to its owner, Joseph Kilgore Blanchfield, who is a well known farmer and stock-raiser. He was born upon the farm which he now owns, on the 24th of February, 1873, a son of James and Mary E. ( Kilgore) Blanchfield. The father, who was born in the north of Ireland about 1838, was a son of John and Ellen Blanch- field and when twenty years of age accompanied his parents to Canada. Subsequently the family removed to Sycamore, Illinois, where John Blanchfield passed away. James Blauchfield purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township, Calhoun county, Iowa, and took up his residence thereon. Being very successful as a farmer, he became in time the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land in this county, a quarter section in South Dakota and a residence in Lake City, where he removed in 1905. He lived there in honorable retire- ment from active life until his death, which occurred in 1909. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party in early man- hood, but later he became a stanch supporter of the republican party. Ilis wife, who was born near Londonderry, Ireland, is still living in Lake City at the advanced age of about eighty years. Two of their children survive, the brother of our subject being John W., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Joseph Kilgore Blanchfield received a common-school education and during his boyhood and youth also gained much valuable knowl- edge concerning the various phases of agriculture. He has followed the occupation to which he was reared and is recognized as a farmer of unusual ability and efficiency. He understands thoroughly the principles underlying general farming and stock-raising, and as he displays excellent judgment in the management of his affairs, he has prospered from the time that he began his independent career. He now owns four hundred and twenty acres of fine land on section 2, Jackson township, and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. He also owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company of Lake City.
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On the 18th of April, 1906, Mr. Blanchfield married Miss Cora Woody, a daughter of James A. Woody, a resident of Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. Blanchfield have two children, Glenn and Richard, whom they have adopted as their own.
Mr. Blanchfield is a republican and has served acceptably as school director. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Lake City and is highly esteemed not only in that organization but wherever known. Ile is quiet and unassuming, but his gemmine worth and ability have made themselves felt and gained him the un- qualified respect of those with whom he has come in contact.
LOUIS SMITH KETCHIUM.
Louis Smith Ketchum was for many years a farmer but at the time of his demise was living retired in Lake City. He was born on the 30th of April, 1835, in Victor, New York. His father, who was a cooper by trade, passed away in 1903 at an advanced age. The mother died in 1850.
Louis S. Ketchum attended the district schools in the aequire- ment of an education and remained at home until 1863, when he went to Gentry county, Missouri, where for one summer he herded sheep. He then enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was with the Union army for two years and ten months. or until discharged. Upon returning to civil life he became a farm hand, following that occupation in Gentry county. Missouri, for three years. He next removed to Fremont county, Iowa, where he worked upon a farm for two and a half years, after which he returned to Gentry county, Missouri, where he engaged in breaking the prairie for one year. His next removal was to Mills county, Iowa, but after farming there for seven years he eame to Elm Grove town- ship, Calhoun county, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres. For eleven years he devoted his energies to the enltivation of his land but at the end of that time, having accumulated a competence. re- moved to Lake City, where he passed away on the 3d of August, 1905.
On the 4th of May, 1877, Mr. Ketchum was married to Mrs. Mary (Hyatt) Gregg, widow of Herman T. Gregg. She was born in Jones- boro, Indiana, on the 12th of August, 1848, a daughter of Eli and Lorinda (Patterson) Hyatt. Her mother passed away when she was but a year old but her father survived until 1900. She was mar- ried in Fremont county, Iowa, February 14, 1867, to Herman T.
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Gregg, who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, February 23, 1835, a son of Thomas and Sinia Gregg. His father was by occupation a farmer. Herman T. Gregg enlisted in the Union army at Wheeling and proved a loyal and faithful soldier. In 1867 he removed to Fre- mont county, Iowa, where he was married. His demise oceurred on the 10th of October, 1873, and was occasioned by a horse rearing and striking him in the neck. To Mr. and Mrs. Gregg were born three children: Sinia, the wife of J. M. Lowe, of Wolback, Nebraska; Harry F., who was born October 2, 1870, and who died December 4, 1914; and Jessie L., who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum became the parents of a daughter, Norah Etta, now the wife of B. A. Young, of Sac City, Iowa.
Mr. Ketehum was a republican and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. He was a member of Lander Post, No. 156, G. A. R., and was in sympathy with the aims and purposes of that organization. Throughout his life he manifested a high order of patriotism and did all in his power to promote the publie welfare. IIe made and retained many friends who still cherish his memory. Mrs. Ketchum is an influential member of the Baptist church and does all in her power to further the work of that organization. No worthy cause appeals to her in vain and she is most generous in her contribu- tions to various charitable organizations and institutions. She holds the unqualified respeet and the warm regard of those with whom she has been brought into contact.
MRS. FRANCES LEATHERBERRY.
Mrs. Frances Leatherberry has long been recognized as an active factor in church and lodge work and in social circles of Lake City. She was born July 7, 1870, in the town which she still makes her home, a daughter of Franklin and Caroline Cornelia ( Hoke) Hogle, who were married in August, 1869. The father was killed by a falling tree on the 18th of January, 1870, while the mother survived until 1912. Mr. Hogle was a soldier in the One Hundred and fifth Ohio Infantry during the Civil war, enlisting in 1863.
After losing her first husband Mrs. Hogle became the wife of Levi D. Aton, who became a well known contractor and builder of Lake City, where he established his home in July, 1870. He was born in Pennsylvania, March 4, 1844, a son of Rufus and Encebia (Mead) Aton, who were also natives of the Keystone state. Levi D. Aton was
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reared and educated in Ohio and on the 15th of May, 1861, with his brothers, L. G. and D. M., he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the boys in blue of Company I, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which command was assigned to the Army of the Cumber- land. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and toward the elose of the war was detailed and served for six months in the United States Artillery. Later he re-enlisted and he had been actively engaged at the front for four years and two months when the war ended, receiving an honorable discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, in July, 1865. For two years after his return from the army Mr. Aton engaged in repairing vehieles in Ohio. In 1868 he went to DeKalb county, Illinois, and a year and a half later removed to Lake City, Iowa, where he arrived in July, 1870. On the 2d of August of that year he wedded Mrs. Caroline C. Hogle, whose first husband was an old schoolmate and army comrade of Mr. Aton. By this marriage there is a surviving daughter, Ida E., the wife of Jaek Cochran, of Lake City. There were also four sons who died in infancy or early childhood. After residing in Lake City for a time Mr. Aton took up carpentering and has since been identified with building operations, eventually becoming a contractor and builder and ereeting many of the residenees of the town. He voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and has sinee given stalwart allegiance to the republican party. He is an active member of Lake City Post, No. 156, G. A. R. His wife held membership in the Presbyterian church and passed away in that faith in 1912.
Her daughter Franees was reared in Lake City, acquiring her education in the publie schools, and in 1890 she became the wife of Charles Edward Leatherberry, who was born at Sherwood, Michigan, May 7, 1865. The first thirteen years of his life were there passed and he then went to Clarksville, Nebraska. After a year and a half he removed to Bennett, Iowa, where he lived to the time of attaining his majority. He thenee removed to Lake City, where he resided until 1905, when he removed with his family to Auburn, Iowa, to become manager for the Joyee Lumber Company. His entire life was devoted to the lumber business and he continued his residence in Auburn until he was called to his final rest on the 3d of May, 1913, being then only forty-eight years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Leather- berry had been born two daughters: Mrs. R. H. Flemming, of Lake City, Iowa: and Mildred, who is at home with her mother.
During his residence in Lake City Mr. Leatherberry had united with the Presbyterian church and at his demise his remains were taken back to Lake City for burial, the funeral services being held in the
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church in which he had first publicly announced his faith in God. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonie fraternity, and the funeral services were attended by the Masonic bodies of both Auburn and Lake City and also the Odd Fellows lodge of Lake City, the funeral rites of the Masonie order being observed at the grave. Mr. Leather- berry was a man of many sterling traits of character. Ile never sought to figure prominently in publie connections but his sterling worth was recognized by those with whom he was associated and the circle of his friends constantly broadened. To his family he was devoted and it is in his own home that his loss is felt with greatest force.
Mrs. Leatherberry also belongs to the Presbyterian church and takes a helpful interest in its work. She has been very active along several lines, being president of the Woman's Relief Corps and a past matron of Brilliant Star Chapter, O. E. S., of Auburn, while now she is affiliated with Lake Queen Chapter, O. E. S., of Lake City. She has also been through all of the chairs in the Rebekah lodge, the ladies' auxilliary of the Odd Fellows society, and is now financial secretary of Star Lodge. She attacks everything that she undertakes with a contagious enthusiasm and accomplishes results which would be impossible to a woman of less energetie nature and of less firm purpose.
JOHN H. FITCH.
John H. Fitch is the owner of the Rio Vista Stoek Farm, eom- prising three hundred and forty-two aeres in Jaekson township and specializes in raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, Poland China hogs and Barred Roek poultry. He was born on the farm where he still lives on the 4th of November, 1872, a son of Captain W. II. and Sarah E. F'iteli, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Our subjeet entered the publie schools at the usnal age and after graduating from the high school at Lake City took a business course at Drake University of Des Moines. In 1896, when twenty-four years of age, he began farming for himself, operating a portion of the one thousand acres of land belonging to his father. At the latter's demise in 1907 the estate was divided and our subject received three hundred and forty-two aeres, which he has since cultivated and which is known as the Rio Vista Stoek Farm. He breeds high grade Aber-
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deen Angus eattle, Poland China hogs and Barred Roek poultry and the sale of his stock yields him a good ineome annually. He has gained an enviable reputation among the stoek-raisers of the county and his eattle, hogs and poultry never fail to bring a good priee upon the market. He not only understands the principles of animal hus- bandry but is also an excellent business man and his resources are steadily increasing. He owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Lake City, of which he is also a director, and is likewise finan- cially interested in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. In 1913 he erected a modern residence and everything about his place is kept in excellent condition.
On the 12th of February, 1896, Mr. Fitch married Miss Lida R. Hall, a daughter of John R. and Mary Jane ( Barnard) Hall, now of Cedar Rapids. Her father was born in Kentucky in 1835 but in 1862 removed to Butler county, Iowa, where Mrs. Fiteh was born.
Mr. Fiteh votes independently at local elections but where national issues are at stake supports the principles and candidates of the repub- liean party. He is an influential member of the local Christian church, of which he was a deaeon and elder for seventeen years. but resigned those offiees a year ago. He is well known throughout the county in which he has passed his entire life and the fact that those who have known him most intimately from boyhood are his stanehest friends is indubitable proof of his worth as a man.
HENRY T. RENCH.
Henry T. Reneh earries on general farming on seetion 26, Gar- field township. He is one of the well known residents of this part of the county and his business activity has placed him among its sub- stantial citizens. He was born in Jones county. Iowa, on the 11th of December, 1863, a son of John II. and Martha J. (Campbell) Reneh. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was born in Laneas- ter county, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John H. Rench, a native of Germany, who also devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Com- ing to the new world, he continued a resident of Pennsylvania until called to his final rest when he had reached an advanced age. His son and namesake was reared in the Keystone state and was there married. In 1857 he came to lowa, settling in Jones county, where he carried on farming with a fair measure of success until his death, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-six
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years. His wife. a native of Indiana. made the journey to Iowa in a covered wagon in pioneer times, antedating the building of railroads. She died at the age of seventy-six years, three months and five days, passing away in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she had long been a devoted member. In the family were nine children, five sons and four daughters: Adella. now living in Cherokee county, Iowa: Charles, a resident farmer of Garfield township; Al, who is proprietor of a grain elevator at Lytton: Florence, who died at the age of twenty-four years: Henry T .: Wilbur, a resident farmer of Garfield township: May, living in Sae county, Iowa; Fannie, in Muscatine county : and one who died in infancy.
Henry T. Rench spent his boyhood days upon the home farm with the usual experiences that come in such an environment. He was educated in the public schools, supplemented by a term of study in the Epworth high school. He enjoyed the work and outdoor life of the farm and so on attaining his majority did not seek to change his mode of life, but began farming on his own account by renting land. He was thus engaged until 1887, when he came to Calhoun county and purchased eighty acres of raw land on section 22 at six- teen dollars per acre. He borrowed one hundred and fifty dollars to aid him in making payment upon the place, which he at once began to improve and develop, living thereon for three years. He then sold that property and purchased two hundred and forty acres of his pres- ent place in partnership with his brother Charles. They continued their farming operations together until 1913, when they divided their interests. They had added to their original holdings and at the time of the division Henry T. Rench came into individual possession of one hundred and sixty-eight acres of valuable farm property. For many years he has successfully carried on farming and stock-raising and in addition has operated a threshing machine for forty-five years through Calhoun and adjoining counties. This has brought him a wide acquaintance and he has many friends in his part of the state. In addition to tilling the soil he raises horses and mules and finds this a profitable feature of his business.
In 1894 Mr. Rench was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Strain, a native of Tama county, Iowa, who came to Calhoun county in her girlhood days with her parents, Joseph and Nevada Strain. Her father is now Indian agent at Muskogee, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Rench have become parents of four children: Hazel, who was graduated in June, 1915, from the Rockwell City high school, win- ning valedictorian honors in a class of twenty-eight; Metha, Harry and Ethel, all at home.
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Mr. Rench is an Odd Fellow, holding membership in the lodge at Lytton .. In his political views he is a republican and he has filled the offices of township trustee and school director. He has worked diligently, his days busily employed in farming, stock-raising and threshing, and his carefully directed business affairs have brought him a substantial measure of success, so that he is now one of the well- to-do farmers of Garfield township.
WILLIAM SMITH EAKIN.
William Smith Eakin is a retired farmer residing in Jackson township and is popular with all who know him. He has passed the three score years and ten allotted to man and the rest which he is now enjoying is well deserved, for he was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. His birth occurred on the 4th of September, 1843, in Greene county, Tennessee, and he is a son of William A. and Mary (Reeve) Eakin. The father, who was born in Virginia, removed to Tennessee, where he resided for many years. He was a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist church and traveled from place to place preaching the gospel. His death occurred in 1861.
William S. Eakin came to Calhoun county, Iowa, in 1877, having bought eighty acres of land in this county for three hundred dollars from speculators in eastern Virginia. In 1884 he removed to his present farm on seetion 8. Jackson township, and devoted his time and energies to its operation until he retired from active life. He met with a gratifying measure of success and gained more than a competence.
Mr. Eakin was living in Tennessee at the time of the Civil war and in 1861, while attending an academy. was conseripted into the Confederate army. He was sent to join Company A of the Sixty- first Tennessee Infantry, which was being drilled at a place called Henderson's Depot. He participated in the fighting at Jackson. Mississippi. and in the Vicksburg campaign. During the siege of that stronghold he suffered severely and upon its surrender was held captive for some time but was eventually exchanged. Upon his exchange he was placed in the Tennessee Mounted Infantry, which conmiand took part in many small skirmishes but no battles and was disbanded in 1865.
On the 11th of January, 1866, Mr. Eakin was married to Miss Mae Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of John Jones, of Virginia. To
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this union have been born nine children, eight of whom survive, namely: Anna, the wife of A. R. Bremer, of Sunrise, Minnesota; William, of North Yakima, Washington, who married Ella Yetter; Bessie, the wife of John Sager; John, who is living in California; Charles, who married Margaret Royce: Clara, the wife of Ed Gran- than. of Lake City, Iowa: Lulu, who married Walter O'Connor, a farmer of Jackson township; and Walter, a merchant, who married . Annette Foley and resides in Lake City.
Mr. Eakin is a republican and has always been stanch in his sup- port of that party, although he has never desired office as a reward for his loyalty. However, he served as school director for several terms and in that official capacity did all in his power to promote the welfare of the local schools. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church. He is a zealous advocate of the prohibition cause, believing the liquor evil to be at the root of many of the serious problems that confront the country. He is straightfor- ward and sincere and these qualities have gained him the respect of all who have come in contact with him, while his attractive personality has enabled him to gain and hold the warm friendship of many.
SAMUEL J. FARLOW, M. D.
Dr. Samuel J. Farlow has been engaged in the general practice of medicine at Somers since the 15th of December, 1905, and has been an active representative of the profession since 1893, in which year he was graduated from the Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons. IIe was born in Randleman, Randolph county, North Carolina, on the 4th of August, 1862, and is a son of Samnel and Anna (Hill) Farlow, who were also natives of the Old North state. The father there spent his entire life and was very active in educational and . religious cireles in the community in which he lived. He held some local offices and he was a most helpful member of the Friends church. His business interests were diversified. He owned a large farm and also operated a cotton gin and brick making plant and conducted a nursery business. His death occurred in Randleman, North Carolina, in 1896, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-six years.
Samuel J. Farlow was the tenth in order of birth in a family of twelve children and after attending the common schools he continued his edueation in Guilford College near Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1882 he made his way to the middle west and spent two and a half Vol. II-15
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years in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended school and also worked as a farm hand. In 1885 he became a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, and for several years was numbered among the eapable teachers in the graded schools of that city, but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, as it was his desire to become an active medical practitioner, and to that end he entered the Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated with the elass of 1893. The same year he began practice at Farnham- ville, Iowa, where he continued in general practiee for twelve years, and on the 15th of December, 1905, he came to Somers, where he has since remained. A liberal practice has been accorded him at that place, his ability winning hin wide reeognition as a skilled physician, not only among his fellow townsmen, but also among his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession. In addition to his practice he owns land in Webster county and has large land holdings in Wisconsin, including a dairy and stock farm. He raises Shorthorn cattle and his farming interests are systematically, carefully and successfully eon- ducted, but the major portion of his time is devoted to his general practiee.
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