USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
William Lindsay made substantial progress as a farmer and in due time became one of the most successful men of his calling in Eden township, promi- nent and public spirited in all that pertained to the community's welfare. Like the majority of enterprising farmers, he gave special attention to the breeding and raising of fine livestock and always kept on his farm a large number of thoroughbred high-grade cattle, which he sold at liberal prices. He always en- deavored to keep abreast of the times on matters of public interest, kept himself well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day and gave his sup- port to the Democratic party, although never actively engaging in politics. Before leaving his native country he united with the Congregational church and after coming to Iowa became a charter member of the local branch of that denomination in Waucoma and continued faithful to the same as long as he lived, living a life singularly free from fault, demonstrating the beauty of Christianity when practically applied.
This estimable gentleman and representative citizen wielded a potent influence for good among all with whom he associated, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the community in which the greater part of his life was
675
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
spent. After a mutually happy wedded experience, he was called to his final reward on May 3, 1897, and on the 3d day of January, 1906, his faithful and devoted wife and helpmeet was reunited to him in that world where the loved and lost are restored and where partings shall be no more.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay resulted in the birth of two children, a son by the name of Clyde, who died at the age of sixteen, and a daughter, Tina, who, on October 3, 1900, became the wife of Charles Fee. Mr. Fee was born at Center Point, Iowa, January 16, 1874, and spent his early life in Linn county, where his parents, Matt and Hannah Fee, still re- side. Since his marriage he has devoted his attention to the management of the farm in Eden township, on which he now lives, renting the tillable land and giving his time to stock raising, in which he is quite extensively engaged and in which his success has been most gratifying. The farm is one of the finest and best improved in the township, containing about two hundred and forty acers of fine land, and as a model rural home it compares favorably with any other place of like area in this part of the state. Mrs. Fee inherits many of the sterling qualities for which her parents were distinguished and is a lady of sound, practical intelligence, an excellent housewife, and keenly alive to the interests which have come to her by inheritance. She assists her husband in all of his efforts, presides with becoming grace and dignity over the house- hold and is held in high esteem by her neighbors and friends of the community in which she lives.
THOMAS HOWARD.
The Howards and their connections were old families long resident of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were Thomas and Lucinda Howard, the former a soldier in the war of 1812. William and Elizabeth Alcorn, the maternal grandparents, lived in Pennsyl- vania for many years. John Howard, son of Thomas, was born near the Ohio and Pennsylvania line and devoted his life to farming. In 1854 he removed to Iowa and located in Fayette county where he met with unusual success and became a large land owner. He bought two hundred three and a half acres of timber in Pleasant Valley township and after years of work in clearing, ditching, fencing and otherwise improving, had a fine estate to show for his labor. He married Mary Alcorn, by whom he had nine children, five still living. Among his sons was Thomas Howard, who was born in Penn- sylvania March 7, 1853. He attended the district schools during the winter and helped with the farm work in the summer seasons. As soon as he became
676
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
of age, he started to farming on his own account and has met with success in his ventures. Within a mile of his father's homestead he bought two hun- dred and eighty-two acres and farmed it until 1907. During the last few years he followed cattle raising, which he found profitable, but lately has been in retirement.
In 1875 Mr. Howard married Esley, daughter of Isaac Connor, of Wis- consin, who came to Fayette county about 1855 and settled in Pleasant Valley township. He was a soldier during the Civil war, serving in the Thirty-eighth Regiment for three years. Mr. Howard adopted Anna Clark, when eight months of age, and reared her to womanhood. She was a daughter of Wil- liam Clark, who came from Ohio to Iowa, about 1855 and settled in Clayton county, where he engaged in farming. He married Ellen Conner, by whom he had six children, three still living. At present he is in Montana, his wife having died in 1876. He served a short time toward the close of the Civil war, being very young when he enlisted. Emery and Henry, his two older brothers. served during nearly the whole period of the war.
John Howard, the subject's father, was a man of great force of character and noted for his energetic way of doing things. He worked hard when work was to be done, but loved sport and realized the importance of vacations. He was passionately fond of hunting and spent many days in pursuit of game in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. He obtained considerable reputation as a hunter and was known far and wide as a successful Nimrod. As a farmer he was a hard worker and as he was a man of strong and robust constitution he was able to do much labor. The members of the Howard family, which has been identified with Fayette county for nearly sixty years, have always ranked among the prominent farmers and they have been suc- cessful in most of their undertakings. Mr. Howard is a Republican in his party affiliations, though he has never cared for or sought office and pays little attention to what is called "practical politics." His wife is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and takes considerable interest in the affairs of the society.
HANNIBAL H. HOUSE.
The family of this name in Fayette county came from New York to the West many years ago-in fact, when Iowa was little more than a wilder- ness compared to its wonderful development in recent years. Abraham Jackson House, the founder of the western branch, was born in Herkimer
HANNIBAL H. HOUSE AND FAMILY.
A. J. HOUSE.
MRS. A. J. HOUSE.
677
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
county, New York, in 1834. His parents were A. J. and Rachel ( Putnam) House, both born in Montgomery county, New York, where the father fol- lowed the occupation of carpenter and farmer. In 1852 A. J. House, with his entire family, came to Iowa and located in Fayette county in the northern part of Union township. They pre-empted land and embarked in farming with a log house for a residence. There the father lived until his death, a year later. His son remained on the home farm in Union township for a while and then returned to New York on a health trip. In 1859 he married Esther Shaffer, by whom he had nine children.
H. H. House, the eldest of these, was born in Union township, Fayette county, Iowa, in June, 1861, and received his education in the district schools. He has always followed farming and has prospered as the result of good management and much hard work. Besides sixteen acres in Dover township, he bought the part where he now lives in 1901, first sixty-five acres, to which he added fifteen acres in 1905 by another purchase. In 1908 still another tract of eighty acres was added to his holdings and in all it will be seen that he owns considerable land. He is a general farmer and stock raiser, painstak- ing and prudent in all of his business affairs. In 1894 Mr. House married Effie, daughter of Charles Anderson, and has three children, Chauncey, Stella and Lydia. He is a Republican in politics and, with his family, a member of the United Evangelical church.
Charles Anderson, father of Mrs. H. H. House, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, February 18, 1850. His parents were James and Marinda (Bell) Anderson, the former of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. About 1845 they removed to Wisconsin and located on government land in Rock county: In 1852 they came to West Union and opened a general store, which was operated about two years. The next move was to Colorado, where they ran a grist mill for some two years. They took up farming, which was followed until the father's death. He owned one hundred and sixty acres at the time of his death, in 1862. Charles was educated in Dover township and worked at farming until 1899 in Fayette and Winneshiek counties. He accumulated one hundred twenty-eight acres and engaged in general farming. In 1899 he came to Clermont and was there engaged in the restaurant business for three years. His next venture was the purchase of a small place near Cler- mont where he spent one winter and then returned home. Since then he has lived in retirement except the office of street commissioner, which he still holds. In 1871 he married Emma G. Learn, by whom he had seven children: Elmer, of Clermont; Herbert, of Montana; Effie Blanche, of Dover township; Lester, of Montana; Mertie, of Clermont township; Ruth,
-
678
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
at home, and Beulah, at home. Mr. Anderson is a Democrat and in earlier years served for seven years on the board of trustees. He was also a member of the Clermont school board. The Houses and Andersons have long been one of the strong family connections in Fayette county and have held up their corners at all conjunctures calling for good men. They have been mostly successful in their ventures and stand high in the business community as men of integrity and honesty. They are quiet and unassuming in manners, but move steadily along to the accomplishment of whatever they undertake. Henry Anderson, a brother of Charles, was a member of Company G, Thirty- eighth Iowa Regiment, during the Civil war.
MILES HOLTON.
Eighty years have dissolved in the mists of the past since the venera- ble gentleman and esteemed settler whose name introduces this sketch first saw the light of day. Miles Holton was born October 16, 1829, in Ontario county, New York, where his parents, Francis and Sallie (Ellis) Holton, were then living. Three years later the family moved to Huron county, Ohio, and settled about twelve miles from Sandusky, where the subject remained until attaining his majority. Francis Holton, a native of Mary- land, died in Ohio at the age of seventy-one years; his wife, who was born in Massachusetts, lived to the age of sixty years. The early life of the subject was spent on a farm in Huron county, Ohio. In 1851, when a lit- tle past twenty-one years old, he came to Fayette county, Iowa, and located in Illyria township, where his brother, Samuel, who had arrived the pre- vious year, was then living. The latter was a hardware merchant, but aft- erwards engaged in the grocery business at West Union where he made his home for a number of years, having been an honored citizen of Fayette county from 1850 until his death, at the age of seventy-one years.
Shortly after his arrival, Miles Holton purchased a tract of school land in Pleasant Valley township, near the village of Elgin, and with his accustomed industry and energy at once proceeded to improve the same. By well directed labor he soon had his possession enclosed and in due time the greater part of it was broken and in cultivation, besides being other- wise well improved. He erected a substantial dwelling and good outbuild- ings, but the great Civil war breaking out interfered very materially with his plans, for, like other loyal young men throughout the North, he deemed it his
679
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
duty to assist the government in the time of need, accordingly he laid aside the implements of husbandry, in September, 1861, enlisting in Company F, Ninth Iowa Infantry, entering the army as corporal and in due time rising to the position of first lieutenant. Mr. Holton served with an honorable rec- ord until the downfall of the Confederacy, veteranizing at the expiration of the period of his enlistment, participating in many of the most noted engage- ments of the war, and at its close took part in the Grand Review at the nation- al capital. He was in command of the company when mustered out and his long and strenuous period of service was without a single day in the hospital, nor was he ever absent from the ranks on account of wounds, sickness or any kind of disability. After his discharge, in July, 1865, he retired to Fayette county and engaged in the grocery trade at West Union, where he did a fair business until 1869, when he disposed of his stock and moved to his present farm near Alpha, from which time until retiring from active life, a few years ago, he devoted his attention to the cultivation of the soil. On taking pos- session of his place it was the mere beginning of a farm, as but few acres had been cleared and the improvements were of the most ordinary kind. By dili- gent application and good management, however, he was not long in chang- ing the appearance of things and within a comparatively brief period he had the greater part of his land in a successful state of tillage and substantial buildings erected and prosperity seemed to attend his every effort.
Mr. Holton, on March 31, 1867, was united in marriage with Anna Davis, daughter of Philander and Euphrasia (Talcott) Davis, who came to Iowa, a number of years ago, and settled at Waucoma, Fayette county, where the father died August 2, 1891, the mother on December 29, 1897. Of the family of this estimable couple all are living except Ashbel E., who departed this life at Alpha, in the month of May, 1908. Mrs. Anna (Davis) Holton was born November 30, 1844, in Rock county, Wisconsin, and at the age of twelve was brought by her parents to Waucoma, Iowa, where she grew to ma- turity and received her education. When but fifteen years old she began teaching and was thus engaged for six years in the public schools of Fayette and Delaware counties, having been employed for three terms at Waucoma, when there was but one teacher besides herself in the town, several of the old residents having been her pupils, among whom were Mrs. Dr. Dodd, J. W. Kieron and A. Webster.
Mr. and Mrs. Holton have had one child who died when quite young. Claire O., whose birth occurred on the 9th of March, 1884, and who was taken by Mr. and Mrs. Holton at the age of seven months, married Lena Talbert and is the father of a daughter who answers to the name of Ruth.
680
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
He is prominent in the order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of Waucoma Lodge, besides belonging to the encampment, and is also an active member of Alpha Camp No. 5357, Modern Woodmen. A farmer by occupation, he is also a leading citizen of Eden township and enjoys the respect and con- fidence of a large circle of friends.
Mr. Holton is a zealous member of the Grand Army of the Republic and nothing affords him greater pleasure than to meet his old comrades and recall the trying times and stirring experiences while upholding the honor of the flag on the bloody fields of the Southland. He still has the sword which he carried as first lieutenant and prizes the weapon as a sacred relic. As already indicated, he discontinued active labor some years ago and is now living a life of retirement, his adopted son Claire carrying on the farm.
LEWIS I. SPRAGUE.
A young farmer of Center township, Fayette county, who is making rapid strides as a modern twentieth-century husbandman is Lewis I. Sprague, the representative of an old and influential family. He was born at Sand- ridge, Dekalb county, Illinois, August 27, 1870, and is the son of Charles and Hattie (Rogers) Sprague, the father a native of Canada and the mother of Sandridge, Illinois. The maternal grandfather, Israel Rogers, came from the state of New York to Chicago, driving an ox team overland, in a very early day, before much of the intervening country was settled, and he "staked" out a large farm on Fox river. On this he made a small clearing, built, first, a log cabin and in time had a very comfortable home and a good farm, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was very active in the affairs of the state of Illinois, especially in Republican politics. He became well-to-do and owned a large interest in the shops at Sandridge, and was president of the same many years. He was a Latter-day Saint and was one of the organ- izers of the church of that denomination in his community, being a leader in the same for many years. He was the son of Israel Rogers, a native of England who came to New York in the early days, and who spent his last days in the state of Illinois with his son. He traded in furs with the Indians, and he was a brave and hardy pioneer. Peter Sprague, the subject's paternal grandfather, married Hannah Brown, the daughter of one of the old and hon- ored pioneer families. He was born in Canada August 23, 1826, and to this union two sons and two daughters were born, one daughter dying in infancy;
MRS LIBINAS SPRAGUE.
LEWIS I. SPRAGUE.
681
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Rachel married Nelson Darnell and died in 1890; John lives in Sandridge, Illinois; Charles, father of Lewis I. Sprague, of this review, and who was born in Canada March 13, 1847, lives in Decatur county, Iowa. He came with the family to Iowa in 1876, the same time the Darnell family came, and located in Decatur county, where he farmed about six years and then moved to Fayette county, and bought wild land of A. J. Ducan, the place consisting of four hundred acres, where Lewis I. Sprague, of this review, now lives, and here the father worked improving the place, until 1900, de- voting his time to general farming and stock raising.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sprague, four of whom are still living. In 1900 the father moved to Lamoni, Decatur county, Iowa, and in a short time retired. He is a Democrat in politics and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
Lewis I. Sprague was educated in the public schools and the high school of Fayette. He has always followed farming and has been very successful, and, with the exception of nine months spent at Independence, working for D. P. Shaddeck, he has lived in Fayette county all his life, and with the ex- ception of the time he spent there has always worked for himself. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead and is a general farmer and breeder of full-blood Poland China hogs, which, owing to their excellent quality, find a very ready market.
Mr. Sprague was married on January 1, 1891, to Libinas Bratt, who was born in Fayette county on January 1, 1870, the daughter of William A. and Electa J. (Proctor) Bratt, the father a native of New York and the mother of Ohio.
The father of Mrs. Sprague came to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, when a boy with his parents and there grew to maturity. When the Civil war came on he enlisted in Company H, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served gallantly throughout the struggle, after which he came to Iowa and located in Center township, Fayette county, and here directed his at- tention to farming. He first bought forty acres and later eighty more, mak- ing him a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he improved. He was a Republican and a Baptist.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis I. Sprague: Lewis Lloyd, born in Fayette county, September 24, 1894, and Clair William, born here April 23, 1900.
Mr. Sprague is a Republican in politics and he has been school director, but he has never been an aspirant to political offices, though he is interested
682
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
in the welfare of his community and county and always ready to aid in move- ments for their betterment. Fraternally he is a Woodman, while Mrs. Sprague is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
KNUD HALVERSON.
Among the citizens of Clermont township who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with landed and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than the subject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made a success of life, and in his old age has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence.
Knud Halverson is a Scandinavian by nativity, having first seen the light of day in far-away Norway on March 24, 1835. He is a son of Halver and Margaret Knudson, both also natives of the "land of the midnight sun." In 1857, attracted by the alluring prospects offered in the New World, they set sail for the United States, and on landing came at once to Clayton county, Iowa, settling on a farm, to which they devoted their energies. Their deaths eventually occurred in Wisconsin, both at advanced ages, the father being eighty-eight years old and the mother ninety-five years and two months old at decease. They were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch and a sister survive.
The subject was reared under the parental roof and secured his educa- tion in the schools of his native land. He came to the United States in 1855, two years prior to the coming of his parents, and he established himself in Clayton county, this state, where he successfully prosecuted farming opera- tions and at the same time worked at the carpenter's trade, at which he had become an adept before leaving his native land. In 1905 he sold his Clayton county farm and came to Clermont, Fayette county, where he now resides. His success in business affairs has been pronounced and he has also acquired that which is of more importance-the good will and respect of the people with whom he has been associated for so many years. Persistent industry, good management and strict integrity have been the elements which have con- tributed to his success and today no man in the community stands higher in general esteem than does he.
683
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
In 1866 Mr. Halverson was united in marriage to Isabel Oleson, who also was a native of Norway, and to them was born a daughter, Anna Matilda, who married Edwin Knudson, now deceased, and they had two children, Mabel and Edna. Mrs. Halverson died in February, 1908.
Politically, Mr. Halverson has given a stanch support to the Republican party and has at all times taken a keen interest in public affairs, though in no sense has he been a seeker after public office. Religiously, he is a faithful member of the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belonged. He has been true to his life's duties and opportunities as they have come to him and has been a loyal supporter of his adopted government at all times. In marked evidence of this is the fact that in 1861, at the outbreak of the great Rebellion, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Sixteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for the three-year service. After about a year's service, however, he was injured in the engagement at Florence, Alabama, and was sent to the hospital at St. Louis, being afterwards discharged from the service because of physical disability. He was a good soldier and faithfully served his country to the extent of his ability. He enjoys a wide acquaintance and is well liked by all who know him and who esteem him for his genuine worth.
PATRICK SULLIVAN.
The design of the fathers of the United States government was to make of this country a home of such undoubted freedom that the oppressed of every land could come here and do better than they could in their own countries. In this way the fathers reasoned that they could build up the nation with a freedom-loving people, and that their reasoning was sound and eminently wise is shown by the phenomenal development of this country. In propor- tion to population, no foreign nation has sent so many emigrants to the United States as has Ireland. Restricted and oppressed at home, curtailed of their rights and privileges in the management of their local government, these people by the thousands crossed the wide Atlantic to the shores of better America in the hope and with the utmost confidence of improving their world- ly condition.
Among the native sons of the Emerald Isle who have contributed to the advancement and prosperity of Fayette county, Iowa, mention must be made of Patrick Sullivan, who owns and operates a splendid fertile farm in Clermont township and who is favorably known because of his industry and success in
684
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
his chosen line of effort. Mr. Sullivan was born in Ireland in 1845 and is a son of Michael and Mary (Divine) Sullivan, both also of Irish birth, but who came to the United States in 1852. They first located in Ohio, but in 1856 they came to Fayette county, Iowa, and settled on a farm, to the im- provement and cultivation of which their energies were devoted. Mr. Sulli- van was prospered and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land. On this place this worthy couple spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1897 and the mother during the year previous. . Michael Sullivan was a Democrat in his political affiliations and his religious member- ship was with the Catholic church, to which his wife also belonged. They be- came the parents of four children, two of whom are living.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.