USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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Mr. Dalton is prominent in the democratic organization in Iowa and in 1906 was made a member of the state eentral committee from the tenth district. Ile served in that capacity for six years, during four of which he was secretary of the committee. For twenty-three consecutive years he has been chairman of the county central com- mittee and his eounsel and his active work in behalf of the.party both as an individual and as editor of the Democrat have been important factors in securing democratie success in the county and in the state. He is widely known and all who have come in contact with him acknowledge his ability and testify to his integrity and publie spirit.
JUDSON MEADE.
Judson Meade, who passed away in Rockwell City on the 13th of June. 1912, had been for three decades successfully engaged in business as a general merchant of the town. His birth occurred in North Norwich, New York, on the 3d of July, 1846, and about 1871 he came to Iowa, establishing a boot and shoe store at Denison, in Crawford county. At the end of about ten years he disposed of the business and came to Rockwell City in 1881. here opening a general store the following year. This he conducted continuously and sue- cessfully throughout the remainder of his life, being accorded an extensive patronage in recognition of his reliable business methods, fair dealing and reasonable prices.
On the 2d of November, 1877, Mr. Meade was united in marriage to Miss Sadie K. Heston, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, February 13, 1858, and was graduated from Haverford Col- lege of that city. She took up her abode in Denison, Iowa, in 1876 and the following year gave her hand in marriage to Judson Meade.
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To them was born a son, Edward H., who is now a resident of Ed- monton, Alberta, Canada.
In politics Mr. Meade was a democrat and during President Cleveland's administration he held the office of postmaster, ably dis- charging the duties devolving upon him in that connection. He died on the 14th of June, 1912, when nearly sixty-six years of age. He attended the Methodist church, to which his widow belongs. Mrs. Meade has been a resident of this county for a third of a century and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
C. H. L. SOUDER, M. D.
Dr. C. II. L. Souder is a retired physician who now lives on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 34, Garfield town- ship. His birth occurred in Perry county, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of October, 1853, his parents being George and Mary ( Wentz) Sou- der, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. In 1853 they took up their abode near Shelby, Richland county, Ohio, where the father was successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active business career. He died at the venerable age of eighty-two years, while his wife was sixty-two years old when called to her final rest, both passing away in the faith of the Reformed church.
C. H. L. Souder spent the period of his boyhood on the home farm in Ohio and acquired his early education in the public schools. When about twenty years of age he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, while his professional training was received as a student in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, from which institution he was graduated in 1881. He began the practice of medicine at Emmetsburg, Palo Alto county, Iowa, but at the end of three months, in October, 1881, opened an office in Rockwell City, Calhoun county, where he followed his profession continuously and successfully until 1892. In 1893 he removed to Chicago, entering a homeopathic college of that city, from which he was graduated in 1894, and for ten years he was successfully engaged in practice at the corner of Stewart Ave. and Seventieth St., Englewood. In 1902, because of impaired health, he took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Garfield township, this county, which he had purchased for twenty-five dollars an acre in 1891. He has remained thereon continuously sinee and has improved the property
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to such an extent that it is now worth two hundred dollars per acre. Both Dr. Souder and his wife are physicians, but no longer practice except when their services are requested by neighbors or friends.
On the 3d of August, 1882, Dr. Souder was united in marriage to Miss Ellen A. Starr, a native of Joliet, Illinois, and a graduate of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which institution she won her degree in 1882. She was also actively engaged in prac- tice in the western metropolis until her husband returned to this county. She became the mother of three children, as follows: Mary Attie, who has attended a school of domestic arts and has been super- visor of similar work in the public schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in Kansas for a year; George Starr, who follows farming in Garfield township; and Charles D., who died at the age of twenty years.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Dr. Souder has supported the men and measures of the republican party and he has ably served in the capacities of school director, secretary of the school booard and township trustee. His religions faith is that of the Methodist church. Both he and his wife are well known in social circles of the community and have a host of warm friends.
CHARLES H. TAYLOR.
Charles H. Taylor, residing at Sherwood, is yard manager for the William T. Joyce Lumber Company, in which connection he is conducting a growing and successful business. He was born August 22, 1848, in Rensselaer county, New York, the family home being at Dunham Hollow. His father, George Taylor, was a native of Eng- land and came to America about the year 1846, after which he was employed in various woolen mills in the state of New York. He married Lucy Cross, a native of New York, born in 1811. His death occurred in the year 1884, while his wife survived until 1900.
Charles HI. Taylor attended school to the age of ten years and was then put to work in woolen mills, being employed in that way until he reached the age of fourteen. He then went to Lebanon Flats, where he did chores for his board and a salary of ten dollars per month with the privilege of attending school. There he remained for about four years, at the end of which time he went to Cayuga county. New York, where he was employed at farm labor. While working in that way he also attended school, thus continuing his edu-
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cation until he reached the age of twenty-one years. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil and he early learned the value of money and recognized the foree of industry and determination.
On attaining his majority Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Aliee Turner, the wedding being celebrated on the 22d of August, 1869. Mr. Taylor engaged in teaching sehool eontin- uously through the winter seasons from 1868 until 1878 inelusive, and during the summer months he earried on farming until the last three years of that period, when he devoted the summer seasons to the nursery business. In the spring of 1879 he left the east and made his way to Iowa with Lake City as his destination. Here he engaged in teaching during the suecceding four years and in the fall of 1882 he embarked in the implement business, in which he engaged for a year. At the end of that time he became associated with R. E. Mos- ley in the lumber, coal and farm machinery business, in which he continued for seventeen years, building up a good trade in that con- neetion, so that he enjoyed a gratifying annual ineome. After sever- ing his connection with Mr. Mosley he was out of business for two years and on the expiration of that period he removed to Sherwood, where he accepted the position of yard manager with the William T. Joyee Lumber Company. He has since remained in that connection and now capably directs the interests of the business at this point.
As the years have passed five children have been added to the Taylor household. M. Louise, the firstborn, is now the wife of W. A. McCauley, of Lake City. Clinton H. is connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and makes his home at Lake City. Charles A. is located at Ruthven, Iowa. Bertrand F. is a resident of Lake City and Mabel E. is the wife of James Clarke, living on a farm in Lake Creek township.
Mr. Taylor is a republican in polities and fraternally is a Mason, belonging to Zerrubbabel Lodge, No. 240, A. F. & A. M. He is recognized as a successful business man and is also highly esteemed personally, as he has many admirable traits of eharaeter.
CHARLES M. RANDALL.
Charles M. Randall has built up an extensive and profitable job printing business and is well and favorably known in business circles of Rockwell City. His birth occurred in Bath county, Kentucky, on the 15th of May, 1854, and he is a son of Abraham Joshua and Mary
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Ann (Summers) Randall. The genealogy of the Randall family has been traced back to John Randall, a native of England, who emi- grated to America when this country was still a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain. He died at Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1684. His son. John Randall, was born there in 1666 and became the father of fourteen children. His demise occurred in Stonington, Connecticut. The father of our subject was born in Westmoreland, New York, March 3, 1823, and the mother in Fleming county, Ken- tueky, where her marriage occurred on the 29th of June, 1847. In 1858 Mr. Randall emigrated to Iowa with his family and settled in Polk county the following year. While living in Kentucky he fol- Iwoed the profession of school teaching but after removing to this state turned. his attention to merchandising, becoming proprietor of a grocery store in Des Moines. A number of years later he removed to Colorado, and then to Kansas City, Missouri, where both he and his wife are living, he at the age of ninety-three years and she at eighty-seven years. His politieal belief is that of the republican party and he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. To him and his wife were born six children, four of whom survive.
Charles M. Randall was educated in the Des Moines high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1875. At Winterset, Iowa, he learned the printer's trade, which he has followed during his entire business eareer. In 1889 he came to Rockwell City and found employment on the Advocate, with which he remained for a number of years. In 1907 he established a printing shop and does a large commercial printing business, the greater part of his trade com- ing from Calhoun county. ITis plant is well equipped with modern machinery and he spares no pains in turning out high grade work. His long years of experience in the printing business enable him to do work of which he has every reason to be proud and those needing job printing done have patronized him liberally.
On the 15th of July, 1880, occurred the marriage of Mr. Randall and Miss Laura M. Davis, the latter a native of Attiea, Indiana. To this marriage was born a daughter, Helen Willietta, who is now the wife of Melvin R. Wimsatt, employed in the postoffice at Kansas City. In October. 1885, Mr. Randall married Miss Katie R. Pee- don. of Peedee. Iowa, whose birth occurred April 4, 1864. They have become the parents of a son, Wilbur Monroe, who is in a whole- sale drug store in St. Paul. He married Miss Alma J. Wishart, who was born in Canada.
Mr. Randall is a republican and is stanch in his support of the candidates and principles of that party. Fraternally he is identified
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with the Masonic blue lodge, of which he has been secretary for twenty years; the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed through all of the chairs; the Knights of Pythias, in which he has served as chancellor commander; and the Order of the Eastern Star. His wife has been secretary of the Rebekahs for over twenty years and for many years has held that office in the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Randall has made for himself a creditable place in business cireles in Rockwell City and is also a factor in the moral and fraternal life of the community. His dominant qualities are those which invariably command respect and he has gained the warm personal regard of many.
THEODORE ZIERKE.
Theodore Zierke was a pioneer farmer of Calhoun county, becom- ing identified with the early agricultural development here. At the present time he is living retired, making his home in Rockwell City, for the fruits of his former toil constitute an income sufficient to pro- vide him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. Mr. Zierke is a native of Prussia, born March 31, 1849. His youth- ful days were there passed upon a farm and he continued a resident of the fatherland until 1869, when he came to America, having heard favorable reports concerning the business conditions of the new world. Ile landed in New York city on the 15th of October and was em- ployed for four months in Brooklyn, thereby acquiring funds suffi- cient to enable him to continue his journey westward, for he had arrived in this country practically penniless. He then went to Ogle county, Illinois, where he worked by the month as a farm hand, being employed in that way for about six years. or until 1875.
Mr. Zierke then came to Calhoun county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of prairie land on section 1, Logan township. He built a small house and began improving his farm, for which he had paid five dollars per aere. The land was somewhat wet and swampy and there were no bridges in the district, but he resolutely set himself to the task of making his farm cultivable and as the years passed on success attended his efforts. Later he added to his holdings a tract of eighty acres, another forty and still another one hundred and twenty, and he successfully carried on the farm work year by year and also engaged in raising stock until 1914, when he rented his farm and removed to Rockwell City, where he has since lived retired, own-
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ing a fine home at the corner of Lewis and Smith streets. His labors have been crowned with a substantial measure of prosperity and he is now numbered among the men of affluence in his community.
On the 30th of Jannary, 1873, Mr. Zierke was married to Miss Frielika Lembke, who was born in Prussia, Germany, and eame to America in 1869, reaching Ogle county, Illinois, on the 15th of May. She made the voyage in company with her parents, who journeyed across the country and established their home in Ogle county, Illinois. They removed to Calhoun county, Iowa, forty years ago and spent the rest of their lives here. Mr. and Mrs. Zierke have beeome the parents of ten children: Lena, the wife of August Osborn, a resident of Calhoun county; Jennie, at home; Albert and Robert, who are engaged in farming in this county; Otto, who operates a thresh- ing machine and corn sheller in Calhoun county; William and Theo- dore, Jr., who are also engaged in farming here: Emma, the wife of Otto Kretlow; Ernest; and John, at home.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Mr. Zierke votes with the republican party but has not sought or desired offiee, preferring to eoneentrate his energies upon his business affairs, with the result that his earnest purpose and intelligently directed labor have placed him among the prosperous citizens of the county.
THOMAS WALPOLE.
Thomas Walpole has been identified with journalism for many years and since October, 1914, has owned and published the Manson Journal, which is an excellent weekly paper. He has resided in the state of Iowa for almost six decades and has at all times thoroughly identified his interests with those of the commonwealth and of the community in which he resides.
Mr. Walpole was born in Groton, Tompkins county, New York, September 21, 1855, a son of James and Julia ( Murphy ) Walpole. While comparatively little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family, it has been learned that a publie volume gives an account of the name originating in Spain, from which country mem- bers of the family removed to Franee, from Franee to England and from England to Ireland. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Walpole and his son James was born at Drumshambo, County Leitrim, Ireland, February 2, 1832. The latter emigrated
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to the United States and after living for a time in New York eame to Iowa and followed agricultural pursuits in both Delaware and Buena Vista counties. He passed away in 1874. His wife was born in Cork, Ireland, on the 5th of August, 1832, and was a representa- tive of one of the old and well known families of the Emerald isle. Following the demise of her husband she bravely took up the task of rearing and edueating her nine children and not only kept them to- gether but gave theni a good English education. To add to the diffi- culty of the situation, there was an indebtedness on the farm and there were also the usual hardships of pioneer life to be endured. All of the children are still living, namely: Thomas, of this review ; John, James, Matthew and Mrs. John Howell, all of whom reside at Roek Valley, Iowa; E. E., of Hancock, Minnesota; Elizabeth, who is eity librarian at Storm Lake; Mrs. C. S. Relyea. of Omaha, Nebraska: and Mrs. W. H. Irving, of Goodland, Kansas.
Thomas Walpole was but two years of age when, in 1857, he was taken by his parents to Delaware county, Iowa, and in 1873 he re- moved with the family to a farm in Maple Valley township, Buena Vista county. He received his early education in the public sehools and later was for one term a student in the Southwestern Normal Sehool at Shenandoah. He also took a business course at Valparaiso, Indiana. Early in life he manifested an aptitude for study and the power of elose observation, which have characterized his career throughout the years. Following his father's demise the work of the farm devolved to a large extent upon him and during the summer months he concentrated his energies upon the operation of the home- stead. From 1874 until 1882, with the exception of one year, he taught school during the winter months and proved very successful as a teacher. During the year 1879-80 he took a business course in Valparaiso, Indiana. In 1882 he accepted the superintendency of the public schools of Alta, where he remained until 1884. In that year, in partnership with A. C. Smith, he purchased the weekly paper known as the Advertiser. A number of changes were made in the ownership of the paper and his brother, E. E. Walpole, sneeeeded Mr. Smith and in turn disposed of his interest to C. H. Wegerslev. In 1895 our subjeet sold the Advertiser and the following year bought the Storm Lake Tribune, which he consolidated with the Pilot under the name of Pilot-Tribune, with A. C. Smith as a part- ner. In 1904 he purchased his partner's half interest and in 1906 sold a third interest in the paper to C. H. J. Mitehell, who in 1910 became the sole owner of the Pilot-Tribune. During the years that Mr. Walpole was identified with the publication he strove constantly
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to raise its standard and it became recognized as one of the leading country newspapers of its section of the state. In October, 1914, Mr. Walpole again became identified with journalism, as he purchased the Manson Journal, which he still owns and publishes. It is an ex- cellent weekly newspaper, giving reliable and complete accounts of local happenings of interest and also covering the more important events in the state and nation. It has a wide circulation in Calhoun county and is liberally patronized by the local merchants as an adver- tising medium. Mr. Walpole has, however, not given his entire time to his newspaper interests, as from 1888 to 1896 he was county super- intendent of schools of Buena Vista county and two years later he was made postmaster of Storm Lake, in which capacity he served until July 1. 1915. His continued reappointment to the office is the best proof of his satisfactory service.
On the 11th of May, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Walpole and Miss Minnie Darnell, of Alta, lowa. In both the paternal and maternal lines she is descended from Revolutionary stock and repre- sentatives of both families served in the war for independence. Her father. William Darnell, fought in the Civil war as a member of the Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many im- portant engagements, was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C. To him and his wife were born the following children: Mrs. Walpole; Mrs. C. B. Mitchell, of Titonka, Iowa: Mrs. W. N. MacChesney, of Chicago Heights, Illinois; Mrs. Joseph Donaghue, of Whittier, Cali- fornia; and Mrs. E. S. Ballou, of Storm Lake, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Walpole have four children, as follows: Elsie, a graduate of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, who is now teaching mathematies in the high school at Rock Valley: Fay, a graduate of the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, lowa, who is now teach- ing in Sioux City: James Wilbur, city mail carrier at Storm Lake; and Eileen, who is in school.
Mr. Walpole gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed as to all questions that concern the welfare of city, state and nation. As an official he has discharged his duties with conscientiousness and ability, and in his capacity as editor he has been a force in promoting the interests of good government. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonie order, with which he became identified in 1895: the Court of Honor; the Modern Woodmen of America ; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He attends the Presbyterian church and is in hearty sympathy with all move- ments seeking moral progress. He is well known throughout his
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section of the state and those who are most intimately associated with him hold him in the warmest regard, which is proof of the genuine worth of his character.
MATTHEW J. FOLEY.
Matthew J. Foley is conducting one of the important commer- cial enterprises in Manson, being proprietor of a clothing and shoe store in this city. Ile was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, April 18, 1861, a son of Michael and Ellen (Burke) Foley, both of whom were na- tives of Ireland and are deceased. The father lived in the land of his nativity until he had reached the age of twenty years, when, seek- ing the broader opportunities of the new world, he set sail for Amer- ica and landing in New York, where he remained for a number of years, engaged in the contracting business. He was married in Holmesville, that state, and in 1854 journeyed with his family to the middle west, locating in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he continued busi- ness as a contractor throughout his remaining years. He was a sol- dier in the Civil war, serving for about six months during the latter part of hostilities between the north and south. He became well known in Fort Dodge and there served as alderman. Both he and his wife were comnnmicants of the Catholic church, while in politics he was a democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Foley were born thirteen chil- dren but only four are living, the sisters of our subject being: Mrs. Nora Kelly, a widow, residing in Fort Dodge; Mrs. Ellen Leary, also a widow residing in that city; and Mrs. Anna Maloney, who is a widow and makes her home in Fort Dodge.
Matthew J. Foley, the only surviving son, was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools of his native eity. His first occupation after putting aside his textbooks was as a clerk in a dry-goods store at Manson. In 1884, in connec- tion with his brother Will, he embarked in the drug business, in which he continued for six years, and then sold his interest to his brother. He next engaged in the clothing and shoe business in a small way but in order to do this was obliged to incur an indebtedness of three thou- sand dollars. From the outset the business prospered until it has now grown to large proportions, modern methods, push and square deal- ing constituting the secret of his success. He now occupies two rooms and carries a well selected line of clothing, shoes and men's furnishing goods, the quality of which has become well known so that he draws
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his trade not only from Manson but from a large surrounding area as well. In addition to his store Mr. Foley also owns some good farm property in Calhoun county and in southern Minnesota and likewise has stoek in the Farmers Savings Bank at Manson, of which he is a direetor.
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