USA > Iowa > Calhoun County > Past and present of Calhoun County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress, and achievement, Volume II > Part 9
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Frank Grimes acquired his education in Greene county, this state, and assisted his father in the work of the fields until twenty- five years of age. About 1889 he came to Calhoun county, Iowa. and purchased the farm which he has since operated, improving the
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same until it is now a valuable and productive property. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 33. Butler township, and in its careful cultivation Mr. Grimes has won a gratifying measure of success, annually gathering good crops which find a ready sale ou the market.
On the 13th of February, 1891, Mr. Grimes was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret O'Donnell, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, November 18, 1862, and as a young girl was taken by her parents, John and Elizabeth O'Donnell, to Greene county, where she was reared and educated. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children, namely: Edward and Basil, both at home; Bessie, who is engaged in teaching school; and Sherman, Reynolds and Margaret, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Grimes gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and in religious faith both he and his wife are Catholies. They have many friends and never fail to command the esteem and regard of all who come in contact with them.
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BERT GRIFFETH.
Bert Griffeth, who has throughout almost his entire career been identified with the agricultural life of Calhoun county, has also been engaged in the real-estate business in Roekwell City since 1912. He is a native of this county, born June 17, 1873, a son of Calvin and Susan (Summerville) Griffeth, the former born in New York in 1840. and the latter a native of Scotland, born in 1839. They located in Illinois at an early day and it was in that state that their marriage occurred. They later came to Calhoun county and here the father took up a homestead claim, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of this locality. He was a quiet and unassuming man and throughout a long period was identified with farming in this county. In politics he was a republican, while in religious faith he was a Congregation- alist, and his wife also held membership with the church of that denomination. In their family were nine children. all of whom survive. Both the father and mother are deceased, the former pass- ing away in 1912, when seventy-two years of age, while the mother departed this life in 1905, when sixty-nine years old. Thus the county lost two of its most highly respected and honored pioneer settlers.
Bert Griff'eth is the fourth in order of birth in his father's family. He was reared on the home farm and under his father's direction
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became thoroughly familiar with all phases of agriculture. He was educated in the common schools near his father's home and after put- ting aside his textbooks he resumed work on the farm and when starting out upon an independent business venture continued work along that line. IIe has become successful and is now the owner of two tracts of land, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, one lying in Garfield township and the other in Pocahontas county, Iowa. Since 1912 in addition to farming he has successfully engaged in buying and selling farm lands, handling Iowa and Minnesota prop- erty, and he also handles town property and now makes his home in Rockwell City. He today occupies a notable position in business and agricultural circles, and his labors have been of a character that have contributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success,
In 1901 occurred the marriage of Mr. Griffeth and Miss Emma Featherstone, a daughter of William Featherstone, who was one of the earliest settlers of Calhoun county and is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Griffeth have one daughter, Florence, now thirteen years of age. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Griffeth is a Mason, now serving as junior warden of his lodge. In polities he is a republican. Both he and his wife are worthy repre- sentatives of two of the prominent pioneer families of the county, and they are highly esteemed by their large circle of friends and acquaintances.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOLDER.
Benjamin Franklin Holder makes his home on section 8, Lake Creek township, where he owns four hundred acres of rich farm land, of which he is cultivating two hundred and forty acres. His activi- ties set a standard for progressive farming and he is accounted one of the foremost agriculturists of his district. He was born in Logan county, Illinois, August 21, 1856, a son of Solomon L. and Elizabeth (Blake) Holder. The father served as a soldier during the latter part of the Civil war.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth Benjamin F. Holder remained upon the old homestead farm and on attaining his majority began farming on his own account. On the 19th of Novem- ber, 1882, he completed his arrangements for having a home of his own in his marriage to Miss Fannie E. Gullett, whose birth occurred
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in Roanoke, Illinois, May 18, 1864. They have become the parents of four children, as follows: Bessie A., who is the wife of M. E. Fox and resides in Gibson, Illinois; Sne J., who gave her hand in marriage to Bert Daugherty; and Kate E. and Lyman F., both at home.
Following his marriage Mr. Holder continued to reside in Illi- nois until the spring of 1908, when he came to Iowa and established his home on section 8, Lake Creek township, Calhoun county. He purchased his present farm, comprising four hundred acres of rich and productive land, and at the present time he is personally culti- vating two hundred and forty acres of that tract. He raises spring wheat and other cereals and his farm is neat and thrifty in appear- ance. IIe has a beautiful home equipped with every modern con- venience. Upon the place he has his own gas plant and he has intro- duced every facility to lighten the work of the household and to promote the work of the fields. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and his well directed energy has made him one of the foremost farmers of his county.
In his political views Mr. Holder is a democrat but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is interested, how- ever, in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the con- munity. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he is now serving as treasurer of the township school board. Fraternally he is a prominent Mason, holding membership in Twin Lakes Lodge, A. F. & A. M .: and he is a past master of Gibson Lodge, No. 483, F. & A. M., of Gibson, Illinois. IIe was formerly identified with the Royal Arch chapter, in which he served as sojourner, but is now demitted from that branch of Masonry. He still has membership in Paxton Commandery, K. T., of Paxton, Illi- nois, and in Oriental Consistory. S. P. R. S., of Chicago. His reli- gions opinions coineiding with the teachings of the Methodist church, he is identified with that denomination and his influence is ever given on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.
PARK C. TORRANCE.
Park C. Torrance, a well known and substantial resident of Rock- well City. is engaged in the insurance business. He was born in Mount Vernon, Linn county, Iowa, on the 7th of February, 1857, of the marriage of Hugh and Rhoda (Dike) Torrance. His paternal
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grandfather, Cunningham Torrance, was born in Pennsylvania, and the family is of Scotch-Irish deseent. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Dike, was born in Vermont and his father served in the Revo- lutionary war. Hugh Torrance was born in Pennsylvania on the 24th of June. 1824, and his wife's birth occurred in Vermont on the 14th of December, 1830. They were married in June, 1854, at Mount Vernon, lowa. Mr. Torrance eame to this state in 1844 and entered land from the government. He operated that farm until 1882, when he came to Calhoun county and located four and a half miles west of Roekwell City, purchasing a quarter section. He cultivated and improved his land, together with his son Park C., for a number of years, but at length removed to Roekwell City, where he resided for about five years, dying June 7, 1898. He was . e oblican and served for some time aeeeptably as constable. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church. He was a generous, broad- minded man and was well liked and highly respected in his eom- munity. His wife, who passed away March 21, 1882, was for many years a member of the Protestant Episcopal church but soon after her marriage joined the Presbyterian church. They were the par- ents of seven children, five of whom survive, namely: D. D., who is head janitor of Cornell College of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Park C .: Mary. the wife of Orville T. Turner, a farmer living in this county; H. W .. who is living on a farm in Florida : and Lillie, who married Frank F. Logsdon, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Park C. Torrance was edneated in the common sehools but when fifteen years of age put aside his textbooks in order to devote his entire time to assisting his father with the work of the homestead. He followed agricultural pursuits for many years and became the owner of two hundred aeres of fine land in Twin Lakes township, this county. As the years passed he added to his capital and in 1895 put aside the active work of the farm and removed to Rockwell City, where he has sinee lived. He is at present engaged in the insurance business and gives the greater part of his attention to fire insurance, although he also writes some life insurance. He has proved as sue- eessful in this field as he did in farming and is one of the progressive and influential business men of Roekwell City.
In 1885 Mr. Torrance was married to Miss Eliza J. Hawk, a daughter of John Hawk, who located in lowa in pioneer days of this state and devoted his time to farming. To this union have been born two children: J. Emery, who married Nellie Murray, August 21, 1913, and is elerking in a store; and Lillie T., at home. The mother passed away April 22, 1915, in her fifty-eighth year.
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Mr. Torrance is a republican in his political belief and has served as constable and justice of the peace, while he is at present holding the office of city assessor, which he has filled for five years. Frater- nally he is well known, belonging to the Masonic blue lodge, the Eastern Star, the Royal Areh chapter and the Knights Templar commandery. In 1891-92 he served as master of his lodge and he has also passed through all of the ehairs in the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while he has served as secretary thereof for six terms. His religious belief is indicated by his mem- bership in the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he takes an active part. He began his independent business career without eap- ital. but through the exereise of the qualities of enterprise, foresight and sound judgment has beeome one of the wealthy men of Roekwell City. Although he values greatly his material suceess, he esteems vet more highly the goodwill and respect which are generally aeeorded him in recognition of his integrity and public spirit.
CHARLES A. HUFF.
Charles A. Huff is the owner of one of the largest general mer- chandise stores in Roekwell City and is a leader in movements seek- ing the commercial growth and expansion of the eity. He was born in Winthrop, Iowa, on the 1st of May, 1870, a son of E. C. and Lueinda (Pierce) Huff, more extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.
Our subjeet received his edueation in the sehools of Roekwell City and while still a boy began to make his own way. He did any odd jobs that he could get around the hotel and for a time he engaged in shining shoes. When but ten years of age he began working on a farm and was so employed until he was fourteen years old, when he entered the abstraet office of Smith, Jaek & Bradt. He worked there and in the county treasurer's and eounty auditor's offices for three years, after which he entered the employ of Walker Brothers in the capacity of clerk. After working for them for thirteen years he purchased the store, becoming the owner of the business in 1901. It was but a small coneern when it came into his possession but he immediately began to extend its seope and it has now grown to be one of the largest stores in Calhoun county. When he bought the store he had very little capital and it was necessary for him to borrow fifteen dollars with which to make change on the first day that he con-
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dueted the establishment. He has managed the business well, adding to the lines carried from time to time, but he has watched carefully not to jeopardize the capital invested and his initiative and prudence have been rewarded as he is now one of the substantial men of Roek- well City. Much of the rapid growth of his business is due to the fact that he has at all times adhered to the highest standard of eommer- cial ethies and has believed in giving full value for money received. He also owns considerable wild land in South Dakota and has realized a handsome profit from his real-estate transactions.
In May, 1891, Mr. Huff was united in marriage to Miss Clara Spillers, of Redfield, Iowa, a daughter of Samuel Spillers, an early settler of this state. The father fought for the preservation of the Union in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Huff have two children: Florence, a graduate of the local high school, of Drake University and of the State College at Ames; and George, who is now in his first year in the high school.
Mr. Huff is a republican in politics but has never sought to hold publie office. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and the sineerity of his faith is exemplified in the reetitude of his daily life. He is a fine type of self-made man as in his pursuit of success he has never allowed himself to use questionable methods and has never forgotten that the moral and intellectual development of the community is of as great importance as its commercial expansion.
GEORGE B. LEMEN.
George B. Lemen, residing in Rockwell City, is the present county treasurer. He was born in Dewitt county, Illinois, on the 19th of September, 1868, his parents being James M. and Sidney (Foley) Lemen. In 1909 he came to Lake City, Calhoun county, Iowa, where he purchased some lands and in 1910 he came to Lake City to reside. In 1914 he was elected to the office of county treasurer and in that position is now serving with eredit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents.
In 1891. at Shelbyville, Illinois, Mr. Lemen was united in mar- riage to Miss Lizzie A. Miller, by whom he has four children. Frater- nally Mr. Lemen is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, belonging to the lodge, chapter and com-
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mandery of the latter order. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In polities he is a republican. Active and efficient in everything he undertakes, he has gained the confidenee not only of his neighbors and friends but of a wide cirele of acquaintances throughout the county.
CLINTON D. CHILDS.
Clinton D. Childs, who has resided in Roekwell City longer than any other resident of the place, is successfully engaged in condueting a book and wall paper store here. He was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, November 11, 1872, a son of Calvin A. and Mary E. (White) Childs. His paternal grandfather, Charles Childs, was born in Virginia but removed to Ohio in his youth and in that state he earried on agricultural pursuits until his death. The maternal grandfather. Thomas White, was a eabinet-maker by trade and was living in Sandusky, Ohio, at the time of his death.
Calvin A. Childs was born near Norwalk, Ohio, in 1836 and received his edueation in his native state. He learned the cabinet- maker's trade but devoted several years to railroad work. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak in search of gold, and. although he was in ill health, he remained there for six months. In 1876 he came to Iowa with his family, loeating on the site of Rockwell City, the future county seat, on the 17th of June of that year. before any buildings had been erected in the town. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land nearby. He did some farming and carpenter work on some of the carly buildings in Rockwell City, although he was in ill health nearly all of the time that he resided in this county. He supported the candidates of the republican party in his early life but later voted the democratic ticket. Fraternally he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and his religious faith was that of the Congregational church, although he never identified himself with any church organization in Iowa. He passed away in 1883. His wife was born in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1839 and received her edneation in the public schools of the Buckeye state, where their marriage was solemnized in 1858. She passed away April 2, 1908. in the faith of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of ten children, two of whom survive, namely: Clinton D .: and Addie, the wife of C. E. Roberts, of Auburn, Iowa.
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Clinton D. Childs was but four years of age when he was brought to Rockwell City by his parents and has since resided in this county. Ile received his education in the local schools, after which he engaged in farm work for some time. Later he entered the newspaper busi- ness and for eighteen years followed that line of work. In 1907 he established a book and wall paper store in Roekwell City, which he is still conducting. Ile earries an excellent stock and as his business methods are reliable and his priees reasonable he has built up a large patronage.
In March, 1907, Mr. Childs married Miss Phoebe M. Gregg, who was born in Brownsville, Michigan, but for a number of years made her home in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a daughter of Frank C. Gregg, a court reporter. Mr. and Mrs. Childs have five children: Thomas White and Lydia Elizabeth, both of whom are in school; Isabelle Estelle. Helen Rebecca and Frank Elmer.
Mr. Childs is a republican and is stalwart in his support of the candidates and policies of that party. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has served in all of the chairs of the loeal subordinate lodge. He is recognized as an efficient busi- ness man and in the conduet of his business affairs combines initiative and enterprise with soundness of judgment. He has resided in Rock- well City during the entire period of its existence and has had a part in its development not only along commercial but also along moral and eivic lines. He has many friends and those who have known him since boyhood hold him in the highest esteem, which is incontestable proof of a well spent life.
GEORGE W. SPENCER.
George W. Spencer is secretary and general manager of the George L. Brower Abstract Company and in that connection is doing excellent work, manifesting initiative and sound judgment. Ile was born near Greeneville, Tennessee, November 30, 1865, a son of John and Sarah C. (Stanfield) Spencer, natives respectively of Indiana and Greene county, Tennessee. The father was born in 1824 and the mother in 1845, and their marriage was celebrated in Greene county, Tennessee, in 1864. He farmed in the Big Bend state during the greater part of his life and passed away there in 1884. During the Civil war his sympathies were with the north, and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. He was a
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quiet, unassuming man, but his genuine worth drew to him many sin- cere friends. His widow is still living and is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
George W. Spencer is an only child and received his education in the public schools of his native state. After putting aside his text- books he came to Calhoun county, Iowa. He then farmed until 1892, when he removed to Rockwell City and began working in the office of the county treasurer. Subsequently he was employed by an attorney, M. W. Friek, for a year. In September, 1894, he turned his attention to the abstract business, becoming connected with George L. Brower, and he now holds the responsible place of seere- tary and manager of the George L. Brower Abstract Company, which has an excellent set of abstraet books and does a large busi- ness annually. He watches carefully all phases of the business, of which he has a thorough understanding, and the affairs of the com- pany are in a prosperous condition. Mr. Spencer also has other financial interests, including a studio in Rockwell City which he owns, and he likewise acts as correspondent for a number of news- papers.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Spencer and Miss Ella M. Trullinger, of Lake City, Iowa, a daughter of Aaron A. Trul- linger, one of the first settlers of this county. To this union has been born a daughter, Nora B., who received her education in the local public and high schools. She was for two years in the county treas- urer's office but is now working for her father.
Mr. Spencer is a republican and has served on the town council and as city elerk, while for six years he was a member of the school board. He is now and for the past four years has been president of the State Chautauqua Association. When he came to Iowa he not only had no capital but was in debt, as he had been compelled to bor- row money to enable him to make the journey from Tennessee to this state. He found here opportunities which he utilized, and he is now one of the substantial citizens of Rockwell City.
JOHN M. BAKER.
John M. Baker is a prominent farmer of Calhoun county living on section 35. Butler township. He was born at Keota, Keokuk county, Iowa, on the 8th of October, 1865, his parents being Peter and Mary (Peiffer) Baker. The father was a native of Germany
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and when fifteen years of age eame to the United States, settling in Keota, Iowa. He made the trip in company with his father, Peter Baker, Sr., who was one of the first settlers of that section, the family being established there about 1855. Peter Baker, Sr., was a farmer by occupation and won a gratifying measure of success through the capable management of his agricultural interests. He died at the age of seventy-two years. His son, a namesake, was reared to the occupation of farming and after the discovery of gold in Colorado he made the journey to Pike's Peak with ox teams. There he took a claim and met with a fair measure of success, spending three years in that state. During the last year, however, on account of a lack of water. he lost all that he had made. He then sold his cattle and walked from Pike's Peak to Keota, Iowa. The trip was a most strennous one, for he walked day after day alone without anything to eat or drink. He had sold his farm machinery and his oxen on time and he never heard anything from the parties to whom he made the sale. He was thus forced to start out in life anew and after reaching Keota he rented land until he was able to save from his earnings a sum suffi- cient to enable him to purchase eighty aeres of brush land. With char- acteristic energy he began its development and added thereto from time to time until he was the owner of about one thousand aeres, which he held at the time of his death. He paid off his last debt a week before his demise, which occurred when he was but fifty-seven years of age. He had made a notable suceess for one of his years when one considers the obstacles and difficulties which he had encoun- tered. In his political views he was a democrat and took an aetive part in local affairs, serving at one time as a member of the board of county supervisors. ITis religions belief was evidenced in his member- ship in the Catholic church. His wife, also a native of Germany, came to this country with her parents when six years of age, this. being in the year 1848. Her people also located at what is now Keota and her father was one of the pioneers there, taking up a homestead claim. He became quite a prominent and prosperous farmer, owning hetween eight and nine hundred acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy years of age. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. His daughter Mary was practically reared in Keokuk county and is still living in lowa at the age of seventy-three years. She, too, is a men- ber of the Catholic church. In the family were ten children, seven of whom are yet living.
John M. Baker, the second in order of birth, spent his boyhood days upon the home farm, there remaining until his marriage, when
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