USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 8
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
On the 3d of September, 1876, Mr. Mack was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Pilte, whose birth occurred in the province of Posen, Germany, March 11, 1852, and who emigrated to the United States as a young woman in 1874. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, as follows: William John, George M. and Ernest Frederick, all at home; Michael William, who follows farming in Butler township; Henry, also an agrieulturist of Butler township; Henrietta, who is the wife of John Sternberg, of Seward
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eounty. Nebraska: Mary, the wife of Charles Krieser; Amelia. at home: Emma, who gave her hand in marriage to William Tisebler, a farmer of Calhoun county: Annie, twin sister of Emma, who is at home: John Lewis, a farmer of this county; and Christ Henry Her- man, who is engaged in farming in Nebraska. The wife and mother died on the 19th of November, 1913, passing away in the faith of the Lutheran church, and thus her husband and children lost a faithful and loving helper.
Politically Mr. Mack is a man of liberal views, always taking into consideration the capability of a candidate rather than his party affiliation. He has served as school director for about nine years and the eause of education has ever found in him a staneh ehampion. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church at Pomeroy. He has now passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pil- grimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
HENRY M. WELLS.
Henry M. Wells, who has lived in this county since thirteen years of age, or for a period of forty-five years, now makes his home on section 14, Butler township, and is the owner of four hundred and eighty aeres of valuable land. His birth oeeurred in Dubuque, Iowa. on the 15th of August, 1857, his parents being Thomas and Sarah ( Hibbard) Wells, who were married in Lincolnshire, England, May 31. 1851. The father was born and reared in Lineolnshire and there learned the briekmaker's trade, working at that, oceupation until 1856, the year of his emigration to the United States. During the first ten years of his residenee in this country he worked as a brick- maker of Dubuque, Iowa, and then made his way to Tama, Tama county, this state, where he remained for four years. In the spring of 1870 he came to Calhoun county with ox teams and took up his abode on a homestead elaim on seetion 14, Butler township, three and one-half miles south of what is now the town of Pomeroy. He had first come here in 1869, entered land and erected a small shanty, to which he brought his family in the spring of the following year. On this place he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life, extending the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it embraced four hundred and
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twenty acres of rich and productive land. In connection with the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raised cattle and hogs, his live-stoek interests proving a profitable sonree of income. His demise, which oceurred on the 19th of August, 1886, when he had attained the age of sixty-three years, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He gave his politieal allegianee to the republican party and ably served in the eapaeities of trustee and school director. His widow continued to reside on the homestead farm for several years after his death and then took up her abode in Pomeroy, where she passed away January 29, 1911, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born four sons and three daugh- ters, as follows: John, who was a printer by trade and died at the Printers' Home, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Parkin L., a retired citizen of Manson, Iowa; George, who is living retired in Roswell, New Mexico; Henry M., of this review; Mary, who is the wife of George Ivey, a farmer of Butler township; Sarah, who passed away at the age of eight years; and Hattie, who gave her hand in mar- riage to J. H. Lowrey and died when thirty-six or thirty-seven years of age, leaving two children.
Henry M. Wells, a youth of thirteen when the family home was established in this eounty, attended the publie schools in the aequire- ment of an education and remained with his mother until the time of his marriage. After his father's death he undertook the manage- ment of the home farm, inheriting an eighty-aere traet. General agricultural pursuits have elaimed his attention throughout his entire business eareer and have brought him gratifying finaneial returns. He now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land in this eounty but leases all except the home place of one hundred and sixty aeres.
On the 25th of December, 1889, Mr. Wells was united in marriage to Miss Martha Mattie Drommer, a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Marietta (Collins) Drommer. She was about eight years of age when the family home was established in Calhoun eounty and pursued her education in the publie schools, also spending three months as a student at the Iowa State 'Teachers' College of Cedar Falls. She began teaching when nineteen years of age and was thus engaged for thirteen terms, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which she had acquired. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of five children, namely: Sara Marietta, Pearl Hazel, John Thomas, Hattie and Harley Maurice.
Mr. Wells is a stanch republican in polities and has served as sehool director for many years, while for several years he also acted in the capacity of trustee, ever proving a faithful and efficient publie
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servant. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. In the early days Mr. Wells did consider- able trapping and he has intimate knowledge of conditions that then existed here, having witnessed the growth and development of the county from pioneer times to the present. He has won an extensive circle of friends during the long period of his residence here and therefore his record cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
FRANK EUGENE HAMILTON.
Frank Eugene Hamilton is a resident farmer of Lake Creek township, his home being on section 27, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres which he has brought under a high state of cultiva- tion and improvement. He was born in Tioga county, New York, on the 26th of October, 1849, his parents being Ira and Laura (Handy) Hamilton. The father, also a native of Tioga county, was born in August, 1825, and was a son of Jonathan and Helen (Skillings) Hamilton. Ira Hamilton became a New York farmer, following agricultural pursuits in the Empire state throughout his entire life. His death occurred, however, in Michigan, when he was visiting there, and his wife has also passed away.
Frank E. Hamilton obtained his education in the public schools of his native state and worked with his father upon the home farm until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he started out in life independently. On leaving the east he made his way to Living- ston county, Michigan, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he came to Iowa and has since been a resi- dent of Calhoun county. For eighteen years he lived in Jackson township, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits, and for five years he made his home in Union township. On the expiration of that period he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Lake Creek township, where he still resides. His farm is a well improved property. his fields being carefully tilled, while the energy and industry which he displays in all that he undertakes is manifest in the excellent appearance of his farm in every partienlar.
On the 30th of July, 1876, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Ella Thompson Monroe, who was born April 19, 1855, in Cass county. Michigan, a daughter of Serino W. and Cordelia (Scribner)
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Thompson. The father, who was born in Vermont in May, 1837, became one of the pioneer settlers of Calhoun county, establishing his home in Jackson township in 1858. He entered one hundred and sixty aeres of land there and afterward purchased a similar traet near Cottonwood cemetery. He was aetive and prominent in publie affairs in an early day and served as county judge when that office was equivalent to supervisor at the present day. He died in January, 1901, at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife, who was born in Michigan in 1837, passed away in that state in 1857. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born five children: Fred, now living in Sioux City: Mabel, deceased: Charles, a resident farmer of Garfield township; Harry, who carries on farming in Haneoek county; and Laura, at home.
In his political views Mr. Hamilton has always been an earnest democrat, believing in the principles of the party as faetors in good government. He has served as township elerk of Jackson township, has been secretary of the sehool board for twenty-two years and has been president of the Lake Creek Cemetery Association. His life in a way has been quiet and uneventful, being devoted to general agri- cultural pursuits, yet he has ever been faithful to trust reposed in him, has been honorable in his business dealings and straightforward in his relations with his fellowmen, so that his record is one worthy of the respect and regard which are tendered him.
GEORGE W. CORWIN.
During the later years of his life George W. Corwin lived retired in Roekwell City but had long been identified with agricultural pur- suits in Calhoun county and was numbered among the representative farmers of the locality. He was born July 20, 1849, in Peoria county, Illinois, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that state. In fact, he was about forty-four years of age when he came to Iowa and in the meantime had devoted twenty-one years to farming in Woodford county, Illinois, where he settled in 1872. There he resided until February, 1893, when he brought his family to Iowa and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Calhoun eounty. With characteristic energy he began farming here and in addition to tilling the soil in the eultivation of the erops best adapted to climatie condi- tions he raised considerable stock. He was thus active until 1906, when he disposed of his property. Later, however, he rented a farm
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and continued its cultivation until December, 1909, when he removed to Rockwell City and retired from active business life.
On January 24, 1874, Mr. Corwin was united in marriage to Miss Elmira Tool, a daughter of C. II. Tool. She was born in Wood- ford county, Illinois, February 20, 1853, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children: Flora and Glenn, both of whom died in 1905: Myrtle and Cora, both at home; Elmer, living near Waseka, Minnesota: George, living at New Hampton, Iowa; Mark, a resident of Pomeroy, Washington; and Goldie, at home.
Mrs. Corwin is a member of the Methodist church, which Mr. Corwin also attended. He was a democrat in his political views and fraternally was connected with the Mystic Workers. He passed away March 7, 1910, leaving behind him many warm friends, for during his residence in Calhoun county, covering a period of seven- teen years, he had become endeared to many with whom he was asso- ciated. He was a man ever loyal to his honest convictions and his religious faith was a motive force in his life, so that he ever endeavored to follow the golden rule, doing unto others as he would have them do unto him.
ROBERT A. HORTON.
Robert A. Horton is engaged in the loan and collection business and is recognized as a man of sound judgment and initiative. He was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, on the 11th of November, 1850, a son of Gabriel and Jane (MeBride) Horton, whose parents were both natives of the state of New York, the former born in 1812 and the latter in 1810. Their marriage was solemnized in the Empire state and in 1837 they drove across the country to Illinois, settling in Winnebago connty. The father took up a homestead, paying there- for the usual government price of a dollar and a quarter per aere. He operated his farm for many years but eventually sold and removed to a small town in that county, where he passed away in 1890. His wife taught school in New York previous to her marriage and received a dollar a week as compensation for her services, which gives some idea of the low seale of salaries prevailing. Her demise occurred two years after that of her husband. He belonged to the Masonic blue lodge and both held membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. He was very active in Masonry and exemplified in his life its beneficent teachings. His political belief was that of the republican
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party, and he voted for "Honest Abe." One of his sons, Sherman R. Horton, served in the Civil war, in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and was killed in a skirmish five miles north of Culpeper, Virginia, in November, 1863. The previous July he had participated in the famous battle of Gettysburg. The Horton family is of English descent and the MeBrides are of Scotch-Irish extraction.
Robert A. Horton was one of a family of six children and in his boyhood and youth met with the usual experiences of the lad reared on a farm in the middle west. He attended the district schools and a select school of Rockford, Illinois, and also learned thoroughly the basic principles of agriculture through assisting his father with the work of the homestead. On reaching mature years he started to follow the oceupation to which he had been reared and farmed in both Illinois and lowa, coming to this state in 1874. Four years later he removed to Manson and engaged in the lumber business, giving his entire attention to that line of activity for a few years. He built up a large trade, selling lumber throughout this and adjoin- ing counties, and his resources steadily increased. At length, how- ever, he turned his attention to the real-estate business, becoming a partner of C. A. Whittlesey. Their partnership was maintained for thirty-two years and in addition to eondueting an extensive real- estate business they also operated a livery barn at various times. They
still own considerable land in Minnesota in partnership. Mr. Horton also served as administrator of a number of large estates and as assignee in several eases of bankruptcy. During the last two years he has successfully engaged in the land, loan and collection business, confining his real-estate operations to town property, having recently sold his farm of two hundred aeres in Clay county, Iowa. He pos- sesses excellent judgment, understands human nature and is seldom at fault in summing up the possibilities of a proposition.
Mr. Horton was married in Iowa in 1873 to Miss Sarah A. Brownell. a daughter of Thomas J. Brownell, a native of Vermont, who became an early settler and farmer in this eounty. Mr. and Mrs. Horton had three children: Arthur T., who is an attorney at law of Pomeroy, Iowa; Mary E., who is teaching in Ogden, Utah; and Margie L., who is studying law at Drake University. The wife and mother passed away in 1895, and two years later Mr. Horton married Miss Ida M. Weigel, of Marshalltown, Iowa, a daughter of David Weigel.
Mr. Horton is a republican and has taken quite an active part in loeal publie affairs. For six years he served as a member of the board of supervisors and twice during that time was chairman of that
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body. He is now serving a second term as justice of the peace and for twelve years was a member of the board of education. He has also served as a member of the city council and for one term was mayor of Manson. He has held a number of township offices and in all of his official capacities has given able and conscientious service. Ile and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is now treasurer of the building committee. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonie blue lodge and to the Order of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member. He was formerly identified with the Knights of Pythias. Although he is a careful and shrewd business man he has never taken undue advantage of another. and his probity and integrity are unquestioned. He is one of the valued citizens of Manson and there are many who hold him in warm regard.
EDWIN OSBORN CHAPMAN.
Edwin Osborn Chapman has since 1894 occupied the farm in Lake Creek township which is still his home. He is a native of Marietta. Ohio, born June 5, 1859, and is a son of Sidney D. and Mary Ann (Seofield) Chapman, who were likewise natives of Mari- etta. The mother died when her son Edwin was but six months old and the father passed away a few years later. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company D. Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He went to the front as a sergeant and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga, thus giving his life in defense of the Union eause.
Edwin O. Chapman was reared by his mother's people. Upon the death of his father, an unele was appointed his guardian and took the lad to Carrollton, Missouri, where he remained until he reached the age of seventeen years. He was educated in the schools there, worked upon his uncle's farm and when still in his youthful days learned the carpenter's trade. At the age of seventeen he removed to Illinois and was employed at farm labor in Logan county. Later he rented a farm near Mount Pulaski and while residing there he became an active member of the Sons of Veterans and served as commander of the local camp. In 1894 he came to his present loea- tion in Lake Creek township, purchasing eighty acres of land which he has rendered much more productive by tiling his fields. His farm work is conducted along modern lines and good results are secured. He makes a specialty of raising corn and oats and he is also engaged
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in raising pure bred Chester White hogs. His farm work is carefully and systematically managed and he is now meeting with well merited success.
Mr. Chapman is pleasantly situated in his home life. He was married in February, 1880, to Miss Ada H. Morrow, of Logan county. Illinois, and they have become the parents of nine children : Mary E., who was born December 23, 1881, and is the wife of C. Sloan. of Dickinson county, Iowa; John C., who was born March 21, 1883, and makes his home near Albert City, Iowa; Ada L., born October 21, 1884, who is a teacher of Lake City and resides at home; Nina P., whose birth occurred August 23, 1886, and who gave her hand in marriage to G. Sloan, of Albert City; Edwin M., born July 24. 1888, who resides in Rockwell City; Elmo E., whose natal day was March 11, 1887, and who follows farming in Elm Grove town- ship; Maude E., born November 19, 1892, who is the wife of Fred Smith, of Sherwood, Iowa; Minnie B., who was born June 12, 1895, and is still at home; and one who died in infancy. The family is now well known in Calhoun county and in the twenty-one years of his residence here Mr. Chapman has gained for himself a creditable position as a progressive and representative farmer of Lake Creek township.
JAMES BRADY.
James Brady is successfully engaged in business as an implement dealer of Jolley, having built up an extensive patronage in this con- nection. His birth occurred in Dixon, Illinois, on the 15th of April, 1875, his parents being Nicholas and Anna Brady, the former born in Ireland in 1835 and the latter in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1845. Nicholas Brady emigrated to the United States in 1855, when a young man of twenty years, taking up his abode in Dixon, Illinois, where he was employed at railroad work until 1881. In that year he removed to Buena Vista county, Iowa, purchasing and improving a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres within seven miles of Storm Lake, where he devoted his attention to the raising of grain and stock during the remainder of his life with excellent success. He passed away in March, 1902, in the faith of the Catholic church, of which his widow is also a devout communicant. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. Mrs. Brady still resides on the home farm near Storm Lake.
Vol. II-6
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James Brady was educated at Storm Lake and assisted his father in the operation of the home place until twenty-two years of age. In 1903 he secured a position in the implement store of Mullen Brothers at Fonda, Iowa, and three years later entered their estab- lishment in Jolley. In 1912 he became proprietor of the store which he is now conducting and has since been accorded a most gratifying patronage, for he carries an extensive stock of goods and enjoys an enviable reputation as a reliable, enterprising and progressive mer- chant. He is a Catholic in religious faith and a democrat in his political views.
HOMER A. SCOTT.
Homer A. Scott, who is engaged in the insurance business in Rockwell City, was born in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, on the 6th of February, 1869, a son of A. J. and Mary E. (Vest) Scott. His paternal grandfather resided for many years in Ohio but later removed to Greeley, Colorado. He was a physician by profession and gained quite a lucrative practice. The maternal grandfather, R. C. Vest. also lived in Ohio for a considerable time but before the Civil war removed to Iowa and passed away in Buena Vista county, this state. He followed the occupation of farming. A. J. Scott and Mary E. Vest were both born in Ohio, the former July 30, 1832, and the latter March 22, 1846, but their marriage was celebrated in Tip- ton, Iowa, in 1867. Previous to the Civil war the father removed to Cedar county, Iowa, and turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits. He was later engaged in mercantile business at Lake City, where he removed in 1875, and for some time was postmaster of that place. In 1889 he came to Rockwell City, having been elected county recorder on the republican ticket. His services were so satisfactory to his constituents that he was twice reelected, serving in all for three terms. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and thus keeps in mind the memories of the '60s when the preservation of the Union was at stake. He served in Company C, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, as first lientenant and was mustered ont with the rank of captain. He was at the front for three years and saw much hard fighting. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them have been born three children: Homer A .; Edgar M., a dentist residing at St. Louis; and Jane, who married S. E. Stanfield, clerk of the courts.
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IIomer A. Seott received his education in the Lake City schools and in a business college at Storm Lake, Iowa. After putting aside his textbooks he found employment in an office and when his father was made recorder he became his deputy. Subsequently he was con- nected with the lumber business in Des Moines and was for a while employed in a bank. Two years ago he purchased an insurance office in Roekwell City and has since done a general insurance business, representing a number of reliable and progressive companies.
Mr. Seott was married in 1901 to Miss Emma Olmstead, a daugh- ter of William E. Olmstead, of Illinois, who settled in Calhoun county, Iowa. in the early days of its history and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Seott have three children: Homer J., Eleanor and Eugenie.
Mr. Scott is a republican but has never taken an active part in politieal affairs, although he is not remiss in any of his duties as a citizen. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic blue lodge and his religious allegiance is given to the Presbyterian church. He is recognized as a business man of energy and uprightness, and his friends predict for him success.
FRANK GRIMES.
Frank Grimes is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred- and sixty aeres on section 33, Butler township, which he has operated continuously and successfully during the past twenty-eight years. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 25th of March, 1862, his parents being Edward and Delia (Pearse) Grimes, who were natives of Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States in 1862. Loeat- ing in Richmond, Indiana, they purchased ten acres of land and thereon made their home until 1871, when they removed to Greene county. Iowa, where the father bought a quarter section of land. He improved the property and devoted his attention to its operation during the remainder of his life, making a specialty of stoek-raising. Ile passed away on the 19th of December, 1909, having long sur- vived his wife, who was killed in a cyelone in Greene county, Iowa, in the year 1872.
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