USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 69
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Politically, Mr. Davis has always voted with the Republican party, though he has never been an aspirant for public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Maynard, while his religious belief is in harmony with the creed of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an earnest and liberal member.
On December II, 1867, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Helen J. Wells, who was born August 15, 1841, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George Holbert and Charlotte (Hallock) Wells, the former a native of Goshen, New York, and the latter of Orange county, the same state. Mr. Wells studied law at Montrose, Pennsylvania, and after his ad- mission to the bar he moved to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where he was en- gaged in the active practice of his profession for fifteen years. Because of the failure of his health he went to Susquehanna county, that state, where he engaged in farming for several years, also engaging in the dry goods busi- ness at Gibson, that state. He died in 1879 and his wife in 1872. Mr. Wells was a stanch Republican in politics and stood high in the counsels of his party, being at one time a member of the Legislature. Fraternally, he was a member of the Sons of Temperance. In religion he was a Universalist and his wife was a Baptist. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Helen, wife of the subject of this sketch; Charles, deceased; Emma, who resides in California; Hallock, deceased; John H., of Denver, Colorado; George D., deceased; a son that died in infancy ; Charlotte lives in Pennsyl- vania. To the subject and his wife have been born eight children, namely : (1) George Lincoln, who is a successful farmer in Idaho, married Lottie Bell Day and they have seven children, Hallee, Arthur, Robert. Maude,
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Dean (deceased), George and Catherine (deceased). (2) Lena is the wife of Prof. G. E. Finch, of Dillon, Montana, and they have four children, Helen, Fred, Eugene and Robert. (3) Walter, who is an attorney at Spo- kane, Washington, is connected with public works there. He was a profes- sor in the Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, and also in Grinnell College, Iowa. Subsequently he took post-graduate courses in the Leland Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, and Yale University and also graduated at the Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa. He married Hazel Klinger and they have two children, Ruth and Mildred. (4) Arthur, who is an attorney at Spokane, Washington, attended the Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, and after taking a course in law at Iowa City, was admitted to the bar there. He married Florence Carpenter and they have two children, Rachael and John. (5) Benjamin attended the Upper Iowa University and was then two years in an art school in Chicago and one year in art study at Indianapolis, Indiana. He is now a professional baseball player with the Spokane, Washington, club. (6) Jessie is the wife of John L. Seaton, pro- fessor of Greek in the Wesleyan University, at Mitchell, South Dakota, and they have two children, William D. and Mary W. (7) Charlotte, who is unmarried, is general secretary of the Young Woman's Christian Asso- ciation at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was formerly a preceptress at the Upper Iowa University for two years, and was afterwards stationed at Chicago for training-school work and later at Montgomery, Alabama, as general secretary for the Young Woman's Christian Association two years. (8) Irving graduated from the high school at Maynard and later from that at West Union, and also graduated at Grinnell College. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Seattle, Washington, and is now practicing his pro- fession in partnership with his brother Arthur, under the firm name of Davis & Davis, at Spokane, Washington.
OLIVER B. DODD, M. D.
Among the old and well known medical men of Fayette county is Dr. Oliver B. Dodd, of Waucoma, whose long life of unselfish devotion to the interests of suffering humanity has made his name a household word in the town and adjacent country and won for him a warm and permanent place, not only in the hearts of his many patients but also in the esteem and confidence of the public. Doctor Dodd is a native of Knox county, Ohio, where his
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J. B. Dodd
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birth occurred February 8, 1839, being a son of Stephen and Phoebe Dodd, both parents born in the state of New Jersey.
In his early life the subject attended the public schools until finishing the usual course of study, after which he acquired a knowledge of the higher branches in a seminary at Mt. Carroll, Illinois. With a well defined purpose to make his life useful to his fellowmen, he took up the study of medicine and in due time entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, which he attended during the winter of 1865-6 and later pursued his researches and investiga- tions in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1871. On receiving his degree, the Doctor located at Waucoma, Iowa, where he has since practiced with gratifying suc- cess, being at this time one of the oldest physicians and surgeons in Fayette county, as well as one of the most trusted and beloved men of his calling in this part of the state.
From the beginning of his career to the present time Doctor Dodd has aimed to familiarize himself with his profession and keep in close touch with the latest discoveries and improvements in the same, to the end that he might become a true healer and render suffering humanity the greatest possible ser- vice. As already stated, his long period of residence in his field of practice has enabled him to study to advantage and treat with marked success the ills peculiar to the locality, and the universal praise accorded him bears testimony to his eminent standing as a physician and the confidence resposed in him as a worthy and high-minded citizen. Doctor Dodd has always been averse to pub- licity, there being few eddies or cascades in the current of his years. He chose the noiseless ways and paths of the world rather than the clamor and din that induce unrest, and his proverbial modesty has ever forbade his coveting the glare of preferment or conspicuous situations. Although unacquainted with the arts of personal advancement and lacking emphatically in self-asser- tion, he has not only adorned his profession and gained a reputation achieved by few, but every station to which called he has honored and his relations with his fellow men have been charaterized by those lofty purposes and high ideals which mark him a benefactor of the race.
In addition to his professional experience Doctor Dodd has an honorable military record, having served in Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry, during the late rebellion and seen much active duty in Mis- sissippi and other states where his command was actively engaged until the expiration of his period of enlistment on the 29th of October, 1864. Return- ing to Illinois at that time, he applied himself to the study of medicine and the following year came to Waucoma, Iowa, where, on April 22, 1865, he was
(45)
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united in marriage with Mary J. Burnside, daughter of George and Olive M. Burnside, of Fayette county, the union resulting in the birth of three chil- dren, Frank B., Theron E. and Florence O.
Frank B. Dodd, the oldest of the family, was graduated from the State University, after which he read medicine in his father's office and later fin- ished his professional studies in the medical department of the University, standing among the highest in his class at the time of graduation. On leaving the above institution he returned to Waucoma and engaged in the practice with his father, which partnership lasted until his untimely death on the 15th day of November, 1907. Dr. Frank B. Dodd was a young man of fine mind and exceptional abilities in his profession. He served two years as coroner of Fayette county, and was on the high road to eminence as a phy- sician and surgeon when death put an end to what promised to be an unusually brilliant and distinguished career.
In political faith Doctor Dodd is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, but in no sense can he be termed a politician. Notwithstand- ing his aversion to publicity, however, he was induced some years ago to accept the nomination for county coroner, to which office he was duly elected and the duties of which he discharged with the same ability and conscientious fidelity which characterize his regular professional services. He was health officer of Waucoma one term, also served as mayor of the town and at one time was a member of the county board of supervisors, in all of which posi- tions he labored diligently for the public good and made his official duties paramount to every other consideration. Doctor Dodd is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, in which he has attained the degree of Knight Templar, being an influential worker in the blue lodge and commandery at Waucoma and enjoying in marked degree the esteem of his brethren in his own town and elsewhere. In matters religious he is liberal in all the term implies, holding membership with no church, but according to all the same right of opinion which he claims for himself. Respected by his neighbors and fellow citizens and honored by the public, his life has been a blessing to the county in which he resides.
WILL W. WRIGHT.
The subject of this article was born in South Hero, Vermont, on the 7th of October, 1860. He is the only living child in a family of four born to James S. and Grace M. (Hoyt) Wright, both of whom were natives of New England. James S. Wright was born in Grand Isle county, Vermont, on
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the 14th of October, 1826, and was a son of Josiah and Mary (Phelps) Wright. Josiah Wright was born in North Carolina in 1790, and removed to Vermont in early youth. His death occurred at North Hero, Vermont, on the 25th of June, 1856, twenty years prior to the death of his wife, who was born in 1795, and died February 22, 1876.
James S. Wright was descended from families founded in this country during colonial days. His own boyhood and youth were spent in the Green Mountain state, where he received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen years he came to Hudson, Ohio, where he served a regular ap- prenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which was his vocation for many years. After ten years' absence, he returned to Vermont and there, on the 3Ist of March, 1858, he was united in marriage with Grace M. Hoyt, who was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, May 25, 1835. She was a daughter of Daniel and Prua (Keeler) Hoyt, the former born in Westchester county, New York, in 1806, and who was descended from an old New England family of English origin. He died in Vermont in 1878. His wife, Prua Keeler, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, of German ancestors.
James S. Wright came to West Union, Iowa, in 1862 and established a home here, which is occupied by the survivors of the family at this time. For some years he worked at his trade, but in a quiet and unobtrusive manner soon became thoroughly identified with the history of the county. He was a mem- ber of the first city council after the town of West Union was incorporated. He served three years as secretary of the Fayette County Agricultural Society, was secretary of the school board, deputy county auditor, deputy county clerk, recorder of the city council, mayor of the city, and held other minor offices, thus evincing the public appreciation of his capabilities and sterling integrity as a citizen and public officer. In the fall of 1885 he was elected county treas- urer of Fayette county, and was re-elected in 1887. Mr. Wright had always been a pronounced Democrat in his political affiliations, and his success at the polls in a county strongly Republican is a fair indication of his personal popularity. He died in this city, February 16, 1894, his widow and the sub- ject of this sketch being the only survivors of his family. He was a zealous member of the Masonic fraternity and served three successive years as mas- ter of West Union Lodge No. 69. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Will W. Wright, the subject of this sketch, was brought to West Union in infancy, and this city has been his home for nearly half a century. He was educated in the public schools, and at an early age began a career as clerk in the hardware store of his uncle, the late H. B. Hoyt. Nine years
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were spent in this position, when, on the election of his father to the office of county treasurer, he was chosen as chief deputy and served in that capacity for four years. On the first of January, 1890, he and his cousin, F. E. Hoyt, purchased the long-established business of H. B. Hoyt, and continued the same for several years, when Mr. Wright sold his interest to his partner, but still retains a prominent position as salesman and office man. Mr. Wright in- herited many family characteristics peculiar to his father. He is quiet and unassuming, in no sense obtrusive, and does not claim for himself the credit due him for his achievements.
Mr. Wright was happily married on the 4th of May, 1886, when Sabra C. Crowell, who was born November 4, 1859, at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, be- came his wife. Her parents were Joshua and Survina E. Crowell. At the time of Miss Crowell's marriage, and for some years previously, she was a successful teacher in the public schools of the county. Joshua Crowell was born September 10, 1824, at West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, and died Octo- ber 29, 1865, in Wisconsin. Survina E. Crowell was born May 21, 1827, at Provincetown, Massachusetts, and died November 14, 1892, at West Union, Iowa. The only child born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Wright is Harley S., now a student in the State University of Iowa. He was born in West Union, August 15, 1887. Having been graduated from the high school of his native city, he at once entered upon a course of higher educa- tion and is making rapid progress in dentistry, being a careful and methodical student. He also has high standing in athletic circles, playing on the univer- sity football and baseball teams.
WV. W. Wright is a member of West Union Lodge, No. 69, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is well advanced in the work of the fraternity. He is liberal in religious views, as were his ancestors. He has never sought public office. preferring a quiet and happy domestic life to the allurements of official honors. This family, as represented by the Wrights, Hoyts, Kents and Rubyors, is one of the earliest in West Union, and are prominent and well known in their several spheres throughout the community.
HON. LESLIE B. MATTOON, M. D.
One of the prominent men of his day and generation, and a man whose name will ever occupy a first place on the scroll of representative citizens of Fayette county of a past generation, was Hon. Leslie B. Mattoon, M. D., a man who won distinction in more phases of life than one and did as much or more for this locality than any other man. His example could be emulated
LESLIE B. MATTOON.
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by the youth with much profit if he is seeking a model that could not help but guide him into planes of higher endeavor than often falls to the lot of man.
Doctor Mattoon was born in Hermon, St. Lawrence county, New York, April 29, 1847, and was the son of James and Mary A. ( Wheeler) Mattoon, both of whom were natives of the Empire state where they grew to maturity, received their education and were married. The father and three sons proved their patriotism by enlisting in the Union army when the war between the states began, and while thus engaged in the service of his country, James Mat- toon gave up his life on July 3, 1862. Vincent served for nearly three years at the front, then returned home ; his brother John was killed in the great battle of Chancellorsville. Leslie B. and a sister complete the family.
Leslie B. Mattoon spent his youth under the parental roof-tree and re- ceived a good education in the common schools and the Wesleyan Seminary of Gouverneur, New York. Although only in his eighteenth year, he enlisted in the Federal army on August 30, 1864, becoming a member of Battery C, First New York Light Artillery, in which he made a very creditable record, being discharged June 17, 1865. He participated in the second battle of Hatcher's Run, the capture of Fort Steadman, and the capture of Petersburg. Receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home and attended school through the winter season, and in the spring of 1866 emigrated to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm during the summer seasons and taught school during the winter months. Having long entertained an ambition to enter the medical profession, he began reading medicine during his leisure moments, and in 1873 he entered the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, where he made an excellent record and from which institution he was graduated in 1875. In the autumn of the same year he came to Eigin, Iowa, and was engaged in practice there continuously until his death. He died on June 10, 1902, having enjoyed a liberal practice and becoming one of the noted medical men of this section of the state.
Doctor Mattoon was married in Elgin on August 23, 1879, to Louise Sutter, a native of this county and the daughter of Louis Sutter and wife. Her death occurring on February 25, 1885, the Doctor was married, on November 14, 1888, to Lillie Stoehr, also a native of Fayette county and a daughter of a worthy and prominent family, George A. Stoehr and wife. To this union were born three children, Leslie Bois, Jamie and Nellie.
Politically, Doctor Mattoon was a Democrat, although he cast his first vote for Grant. He always took considerably more than a passing interest in political affairs, keeping himself well informed on all issues of the day,-in fact, he was a well read man and acquainted with the best literature of the world. In 1887 he made the race for state senator and was subsequently
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elected, and, having made a very commendable record as a public servant in that important office, he was re-elected in 1891. As an official he won praise both from his constituents and his colleagues, and made a record of which any- one might well be proud.
Doctor Mattoon was a successful man in business affairs and laid by a nice competency. For some time he was president of the State Bank of Elgin and occupied the same position in connection with the Elgin Canning Company, the large success of both having been due in no small measure to his able and judicious management. Fraternally, he was a Knight Templar Mason, and belonged also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Work- men, the Iowa Legion of Honor, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He deserved the high esteem in which he was held by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
CHARLES WEBSTER.
The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the sys- tematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a large and profitable industry and the accumu- lation of a handsome competence.
Charles Webster, member of the well known business firm, the Carpenter- Webster Lumber Company of Waucoma, Iowa, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, was born in Eden township, Fayette county, Iowa, May 18, 1859, the son of an excellent old family, Joseph and Phoebe A. Webster, the father born in 1824 and the mother in 1829. The father is still living on the old homestead, a man admired and respected by all classes.
Charles Webster received a good business education in the common and high schools of Waucoma, and he began life for himself as a teacher, having had charge of the schools at Eldorado and near Fort Atkinson for some time. He then learned telegraphy and through the influence of his brother and father secured the agency of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway at Wau- coma, being the first depot agent at this place, having opened the depot here
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on May 4, 1880, thirty years ago. For several years he faithfully discharged the duties of this office, eventually drifting into other lines of business. He has been associated with his brother, Ace Webster, in the lumber business, land speculation, merchandising, etc., for many years and they have been very successful in whatever they have undertaken. Theirs is one of the strongest business concerns in Fayette county and they enjoy a very liberal patronage, having a large number of lumber yards.
Charles Webster is the youngest of two sons born to Hon. J. P. Webster and wife, the father having been born in New York in 1824, where he grew to maturity and was educated; he came to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1853, locating in Eden township, being the first settler in that vicinity. He braved the primitive conditions and developed an excellent farm and a good home. He was the founder of the town of Waucoma, which was laid out on a por- tion of his farm which he entered from the government. He has watched the development of this town with fatherly pride and has had the satisfaction of seeing it become one of the principal trading points in the county, the hand- some little city being beautifully located on both sides of the Turkey river and is an ideal place for either a home or business point. J. P. Webster is now eighty-six years old, but is hale and hearty, in full possession of his faculties, a clear-headed, companionable old gentleman with whom it is a delight to talk of the pioneer conditions of this locality and its subsequent development, in which he has played a conspicuous part. He is favorably known to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and greatly beloved by the older residents of the county. He is serving his twenty-fifth term as mayor of Waucoma, being, perhaps, the oldest mayor in the United States, both in point of age and in service.
Charles Webster was married on September 9, 1883, to Dolly Potter, daughter of S. A. and A. L. (Seeber) Potter, a fine old family, of which Mrs. Webster is an excellent representative, being a lady of refinement and education. Their union has been graced by the birth of three children, Joe C., Neil A. and Ben A.
Politically, Mr. Webster is a Republican, but he is too busy with his numerous affairs to take more than a passing interest in political affairs, though his support may always be depended upon in furthering any move- ment looking to the general good of his community. In fraternal matters he belongs to the Masons, Knights Templars and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to the Automobile and Commercial clubs.
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NILES H. SPEARS.
Among the citizens of Westgate, Fayette county, Iowa, who have long occupied a conspicuous position among the leading men of the community is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. A man of sterling integrity, marked business ability and genial disposition, he has not only earned the respect of his business associates, but has gained for himself the good will of all who have come in contact with him.
Niles H. Spears was born February 26, 1843, in Erie county, Ohio, and is the son of Nathan W. and Susan Maria (Toogood) Spears, both of whom were natives of New York state. The father became a woolen manufacturer at Birmingham, Ohio, where for several years he was success- fully engaged in business. Later he moved to Tecumseh, Michigan, where he operated a woolen mill for five years. August 23, 1855, he came to Fayette county, Iowa, driving through with three yoke of oxen and a span of horses, a combination which in those early days was a common sight. He located on land in section 21, Fremont township, his having been the honor of naming the township, after General Fremont, the "Pathfinder." There were but seven or eight other families in the township at that time and but little progress had been made in the way of improvements. Mr. Spears obtained a half section of government land, which he improved and on which he resided until his death.
Nathan W. Spears took an intelligent interest in public affairs and was a stanch Republican in his political opinions. He rendered good service to the community as a justice of the peace and as postmaster. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they gave an earnest and liberal support. Mr. Spears was twice married, first to Eliza Tainter, and to this union were born the following children: William, de- ceased; James V., who died in Michigan; Sabra Jane died in childhood ; Jessie M. died in South Dakota. By this marriage with Susan Maria Toogood the following children were born: Charles G., who now resides near Water- loo, Iowa, served three years during the Civil war as a member of Company F, Thirty-eighth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry ; Jane is the wife of L. C. Head, of Sumner, Iowa; Frank M. died in Duluth, Minnesota; Niles H., the subject of this sketch; Mary L. became the wife of P. H. Winnegar, who died August 3, 1910, in the old Spears homestead in Fremont township, this county ; Daniel H., who died at Sedalia, Missouri, in 1864, was a member of Company C, Twelfth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry; Sarah E. is the wife of L. B. Gillett, of Sumner, Iowa.
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