USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 10
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In November, 1867, Mr. Wright was happily married to Hattie Potts, of Elgin, Illinois, daughter of Jacob H. and Katherina (Hansman) Potts, the father born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1813, the mother in Richland county, that state, on September 25th of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Potts were the parents of eight children, namely: John, born April 3, 1835; Abigail. born August 29, 1837, married J. West and lives at Fairbank; Sophronia, born February 2, 1840, is the wife of Robert M. White, of Oregon ; Elizabeth, born July 16, 1842, died September 11, 1845; Benjamin, of Bay City, Texas, was born January 7, 1845; Hattie, wife of the subject, was born August 7. 1847, and Isabelle, now Mrs. Isaac Skillings, of Oregon, whose birth occurred on February 23. 1856.
Jacob H. Potts, the father, settled in Illinois in an early day and in 1855 moved from that state to Iowa, locating in Black Hawk county, three miles southwest of Fairbank. Later he migrated to Brown county, Nebraska, where his death occurred, his widow subsequently returning to Fairbank. where she spent the remainder of her days.
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Mr. and Mrs. Wright have had six children : Ida Ann, who died Septem- ber 1, 1892; Vinnie Sherman, who was killed by a mule February 9, 1886; Charles F., who died April 25, 1898; Myrtle Belle, who departed this life in July, 1900; Laura M., who died December 28, 1883, and William Arthur, the only surviving member of the family, who was born October 18, 1884, and is still with his parents.
Mr. Wright takes an active interest in military matters and is well posted on the history of the United States, being especially familiar with facts connected with the late Civil war, in which he bore such an honorable part. He organized Fairbank Post No. 367, Grand Army of the Republic, served as its commander for eight years, besides filling all the other offices, and is still one of the most conspicuous and influential members. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at the above place, his wife being a member of the Pythian Sisters and an active worker in the same. Both are highly esteemed and have many warm friends in the community where they reside.
HENRY W. GROSS.
The gentleman whose name appears above is one of the many thousands of German-born people who cast their lot with Iowa and have done so much to make her the proudest of all the agricultural commonwealths. Though, as a general thing, Germans seem to prefer the pursuits of cities, they also show a fine adaptation to the country when their lot is cast in that direction. There are no better farmers, as they possess the very qualities necessary to succeed in the exacting work of farming. They are economical and doggedly persistent in carrying out their objects. They also have excellent judgment of stock and farm values, knowing exactly what things are worth and how to get them. Iowa has no better farmers than the population that came to her from Germany, and her obligations to these people as state-builders are very great.
Henry W. Gross was born in Germany May 9, 1873, his father being named Henry. He had the benefit of a good education before leaving his native land, being a pupil in the excellent schools of that county for nine years. When his father decided to emigrate to America he brought his son along, locating near Eldorado in Fayette county. Henry attended school at this place for about three months, his teacher being Rev. G. Blessin. He went to work for his father on the latter's farm and kept this up for three years.
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Next he worked out for ten years, going through all the hardships and drudg- ery incident to such a life. The training, however, was valuable, as lie learned all the details and endless routine of farm work, preparatory to the time when he should have a farm of his own. This opportunity came to him after his marriage, when he found himself in charge of one hundred and sixty acres of land east of Eldorado. He has been engaged in the business for ten years and has something to show for his work. He has made many improvements, including buildings of various kinds, such as he needed in the operations. The whole farm has been touched up, the fencing is kept in good order, the soil in proper shape for cultivating and all other things are done that bespeak the progressive farmer. Mr. Gross is fond of stock and keeps a good grade on his place. He does not attempt fancy farming, nor does he handle the expensive thoroughbreds, but he farms in a general all around way which, after years of experience, has been found safest.
In 1900 Mr. Gross married Sabina, daughter of Fred Vagts, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have three children, Arthur, Richard and Lottie. The family are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Gross is independent in politics.
WILLIAM P. SHAFFER.
This sketch deals with one of Fayette county's well-to-do farmers and a man of exemplary habits, who is looked upon as one of the substantial men of the county. William P. Shaffer, of Auburn township, is Hoosier-born, having first seen the light of day in Grant county, Indiana, June 14, 1853, but for more than fifty years he has claimed this county as his home. He was educated in the public schools here and did himself honor in the class of chi- rography, being a prize winner. He has ever shown an interest in educational matters, for a number of years holding the office of school director. Mr. Shaffer grew to manhood on his father's farm and assisted with the work about the place until he was twenty-two years old. His father being a car- penter by trade, he formed a liking for the work and became an apprentice, and later, for a period of four years, he assisted Nate Shank, a carpenter of West Union. For twenty-four years the subject followed this industry, mak- ing his home in West Union, where he was considered the leading contractor and builder. Some of the best homes in the city are now monuments to his excellent skill. So much in demand was he that it was no unusual thing
DAVID SHAFFER.
MRS. JANE SHAFFER.
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for him to have as many as seven to ten contracts at one time, ranging any- where from two thousand dollars to seven thousand dollars each. In the country adjacent to West Union may be seen many fine barns and commodious residences which he built. Having a desire to again take up the tilling of the soil, he abandoned his trade in 1901 and for three years lived on a rented farm near West Union. In 1904 he moved to his present location, a farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres located in Auburn township, sections 3I and 32, the property of Mrs. Charles Woodard, of West Union. He also rents eighty acres at Donnan, Iowa, in connection with the farm he lives on. Mr. Shaffer may be termed a progressive farmer. He has made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs for several years, usually raising one hundred head or more a year.
In 1857, when modes of travel were vastly less numerous than in this generation, David and Jane (Pemberton) Shaffer, the subject's parents, left Grant county, Indiana, and wended their way westward, by the overland route, in a couple of covered wagons, each drawn by two teams. They stopped in Fayette county and Mr. Shaffer being acquainted with the carpenter trade, he soon secured employment by assisting in the erection of the old Seminary building, which was then under the course of construction. Those were the days when dwellings were scarce in this locality and it was not long until Mr. Shaffer took up contracting and built many of the best homes in and around the town of Fayette. In 1873 he retired from carpenter work. Having, by his industry and economy, accumulated a sufficient amount of means, he pur- chased a farm three miles north of Fayette, where he lived until 1891, when he rented it and moved to Fayette and for the past ten years has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Minnie Cullins. He sold his farm about 1895. He was born in Knitney, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1830. He was the son of German parents and was reared on a farm in the Keystone state. He went to Grant county, Indiana, when a young man and served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade there. In 1852 he married Jane Pemberton, born in 1830 in the state of Ohio, and the daughter of Quaker parents. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer were the parents of seven children. The third in order of birth died in infancy. Those living are: William P., the subject; Willis F., born De- c'ember, 1854, resides on a farm in Jewell county, Kansas ; Robert B. is a con- tractor and builder in Albion, Iowa; Mrs. Tacie J., wife of Charles Ash, of Fayette, Iowa; Minnie, wife of Martin Cullins, of Fayette, where Mr. Shaffer makes his home; Lincoln D. lives on a farm east of Fayette. Mrs. Shaffer died in July, 1890. Mr. Shaffer is a Republican. During his wife's lifetime they were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he still accepts this
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doctrine. He has been an advocate of education and was long a member of the school board.
On December 24, 1884, William P. Shaffer married Agnes Todd. She was born in Chemung, McHenry county, Illinois, October 19, 1861, and is the daughter of Rev. Daniel and Agnes M. (Cameron) Todd, both natives of Scotland. Her father was born in Glasgow in 1827, her mother in Edin- burgh in 1831. They came to Toronto, Canada, in 1858, with Mrs. Todd's mother and were married there in 1859. Soon after their marriage they moved to McHenry, Illinois. Mr. Todd was a minister of the Presbyterian faith and for five years held the pastorate of that church in Chemung. In 1865 the family moved to Clayton county, Iowa, and located on an eighty- acre farm near Volga City. He preached in the Presbyterian churches in Volga and Highland, Iowa, until he retired from the ministry about 1884. About 1886 the family moved to West Union, where they remained until Rev. Todd's death. In 1902 Mrs. Todd went to Portland, Oregon, to live with her son. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Dr. Anna Todd, who lives at Lewiston, Idaho; Mrs. Shaffer; Rev. William M. Todd, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church in Hastings, Michigan; Esther C., wife of Frank Becht, of Spokane, Washington; Euphemia H. Todd died at the age of seventeen years ; Frances, wife of Ira J. Merritt, resides at Portland, Oregon; Henry C. Todd, of Portland, Oregon; John C. Todd died aged twenty-seven years; James A. Todd, of Lewiston, Idaho. Rev. David Todd was a graduate of a college at Glasgow, Scotland. He died on October 31, 1900, and was interred at West Union.
Mr. Shaffer and wife have reared eight children, as follows: Bessie A., who was born April 24, 1886, was united in marriage with Homer C. Car- michael in February, 1905, and passed away June 6, 1909; Ethel E., born October 19, 1887, was married to Maxwell Saltsgiver on February 2, 1910, and they reside in Union township; Edith A., born February 19, 1889, and Anna F., born May 11. 1893, both at home ; Clarence D. Shaffer, born June 26, 1895; William H., born October 24, 1898; Grace M., born July 23, 1902 ; Leslie E., born December 4, 1904. In politics, Mr. Shaffer is a Republican. He is an honor to his party, his county and his home.
FRANK ALBERT ROBINSON.
A skilled engineer and loyal citizen of Oelwein, Iowa, is Frank Albert Robinson, who was born in Bremer county, this state, in November, 1858, the son of Alfred and Lucy Ann (Wilson) Robinson, both born near Toronto,
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Canada, the former being the son of Sala Robinson and wife and the latter the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Huston Wilson, her father being a native of Vermont. The parents of Frank A. Robinson, of this review, were married at St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois, and from there they moved to Seaton, in the north part of Fayette county, Iowa, in 1855. The following year they moved to Franklin township, Bremer county, this state, and it was while living there that their son, Frank Albert, was born. He grew to maturity on his father's farm and assisted with the general work on the same; how- ever, when only fifteen years of age, he went to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he worked at farming for a period of two years, then went to Lan- caster county, Nebraska, and continued farming. Two years later he re- turned to his old home in Bremer county and took a position at the state asylum at Independence and his services were continued there for four years. Then the old desire for travel seized him again and for the next four or five years he visited many different places, residing in Kankakee, Illinois ; Mendota, Wisconsin ; Lincoln, Nebraska, and Clarinda, Iowa, remaining one year at the last named place. While there he began learning steam engineering and has followed that occupation ever since, having mastered all the details of the same and become an expert in this line, so that his services have al- ways been in great demand. He was engineer at the state asylum at Hast- ings, Nebraska, for a period of five years. From Hastings he went to Elgin, Illinois, where he was second engineer for four years at the state asylum of Illinois. He has been employed in the engine room of seven different state asylums, two in Nebraska, one in Wisconsin, two in Illinois and two in Iowa. He was at Elgin, Illinois, twice, and twice at Mendota, Wisconsin. About 1896 he came to Oelwein, Iowa, and took a position at the electric light plant. About two years later he began working at the power house of the Chicago Great Western shops, where he remained a little over a year. In 1902 he was placed in full control of the Oelwein water works pumping station, where he has done a most excellent work, a work, perhaps, that few people realize the importance of, relating to the maintenance of pure water to drink by the people of this city and for fire protection, etc. The city water works were established in 1896 and since Mr. Robertson took charge of the station the capacity has been increased from-seven hundred and fifty thousand gallons daily to one million, seven hundred and fifty thousand gal- lons daily.
Mr. Robertson was married February 16, 1904, to Ida May Galloway, daughter of William and Ida (Harris) Galloway, -Mrs. Robertson and her parents came from Henry county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Robertson
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three children have been born, namely : Alfred Edgar, Edna May and Frank Orville. The first named died when fourteen months old.
Mr. Robertson belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Modern National Reserve and the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Republican. He has always been a great student of general text-books, especially anything that relates to his vocation. He belongs to engineering societies when pos- sible and always seeks to improve in his work and he stands high in engineer- ing circles. He is a man of exemplary habits, industrious, painstaking and careful. He is in many respects like his father, who was a man of sterling traits, one of the progressive farmers of Bremen county, Iowa, where he bought land soon after his removal there. He was in Company G, Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was a gallant soldier for the Union. He was wounded in the battle of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and on account of his in- juries received an honorable discharge. These injuries finally resulted in his death in 1870.
JOHN H. BIDDINGER & SON.
The firm of John H. Biddinger & Son, of Oelwein, Iowa, is one of the best known harness establishments in this part of the state and by judicious management it has gradually extended its prestige until an excellent pat- ronage is enjoyed, which reaches far beyond the borders of Fayette county. The senior member of the firm and one of the city's leading business men is John Henry Biddinger, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, September 25, 1845. He is the son of Andrew and Sarah (Harr) Biddinger, each representing old families of the Keystone state. Their son, John H., of this review, moved with his parents to Auburn, Fayette county, Iowa, when seven or eight years old. His father was a tailor and very suc- cessful in his line. During the Civil war, young John H. began learning the harnessmaker's trade, which he became very skilled in, and in 1872 he started a harness shop at Auburn and was building up a good trade when, in 1880, he moved to Oelwein; thus for nearly half a century he has been known as a harnessmaker and leather dealer in this locality and abundant success has crowned his long years of persistent and careful endeavor.
Mr. Biddinger was married in 1869 to Almeda Lewis, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Lewis, natives of Dane county, Wisconsin, and this union resulted in the birth of two children, Ernest Elmo, born in 1872, married May Knapp, daughter of Edward and Emma (Cleveland) Knapp, of
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McGregor, Iowa, and they are the parents of two children, Homer and Ralph. Ada Biddinger was born in 1877, married Will Tout, son of William and Minnie (Moore) Tout, of Toronto, Canada, and they are the parents of three children, Kenneth, Florence and another daughter. Mr. Tout is a foreman in the shops of the Chicago Great Western railway.
Fraternally the subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both encampment and subordinate.
John H. Biddinger continued in the harness business in Oelwein until 1892, when his son Ernest bought a half interest in the business. In 1902 he bought the other half from his father, the latter retiring, but after some time spent in recreation and in an effort to regain his health, the elder Bid- dinger returned to the shop, where he still takes an active part in the work, not caring to be idle, for he has always been a very industrious man. When he first came to Oelwein he bought the John Wilson harness shop, which was located in a small frame building at the northwest corner of East Charles street and First avenue. In 1897 he built a substantial and convenient brick building at No. 21 West Charles street. It is a two-story business block in which both store and shop are located, the upper part being residence flats. The store is well arranged and an up-to-date line of harness is always carried and the shop is equipped with the latest pattern machinery, so that high grade work is always done. Other harness shops have been started in Oelwein at various times, but, as a rule, they did not remain long, but because of su- perior workmanship, better knowledge of the trade and an honest system in dealing with customers, the Biddinger shop has continued, now being the only one in Oelwein.
ROBERT H. P. RATHBUN.
The subject of this sketch, who is one of the well known and respected citizens of Oelwein, Fayette county, has achieved definite success in life in the face of discouraging and apparently insurmountable circumstances, and today no man in his community enjoys to a greater degree the confidence of those who knew him. Industry and perseverance have been the keynotes to his success, and in the highest qualities of manhood he is the peer of any of his fellows.
Mr. Rathbun was born in Dewitt county, Illinois, on December 12, 1840, and is the son of Parr and Ruth (White) Rathbun. His father and paternal grandfather came from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania, and later moved
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from there to Licking county, Ohio, and subsequently to Illinois. When the subject of this sketch was about eleven years old the family moved to Lodi, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where they followed farming. His education was received in a select subscription school. The lad was of an independent turn of mind and was ambitious, and having determined to pay his own way through school he worked at whatever he could find to do, such as mowing hay and similar work. After completing his education he remained on the home place until he was about thirty-five years old. In the meantime he mar- ried and in 1874 he moved to Smithfield township, Fayette county, Iowa, where he followed farming. About four years later he bought a farm in Scott township, this county, to which he moved. He remained there until the spring of 1880, when he rented his farm and went to Adair county, where he engaged in running a stock farm for a brother-in-law, with whom he was in partnership. Some time later he returned to the Scott township farm, built a neat and comfortable residence and in other ways made permanent and substantial improvements on the place. He remained there until the fall of 1902, when he moved to Oelwein, where he now resides, practically re- tired from active labor, enjoying the rest which he had so richly earned. He is still the owner of the one-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm in Scott township and also owns residence properties in Oelwein.
Mr. Rathbun had two brothers, James and John. The former was in the army during the Civil war and during that time the subject remained at home and cared for his parents. At the close of the war the parents decided to sell the farm and divide the proceeds among their children. The subject and his brother James bought out the interests of the other heirs and ran the farm in partnership. They bought the land at twenty-five dollars per acre, and it soon rose to a value of fifty dollars, at which price they sold it, intending to come to Iowa. They had four thousand dollars, which they loaned, and subse- quently the borrowers, including banks, went into bankruptcy, leaving the brothers in bad shape financially. About all they received at the time were numerous expressions of sympathy from neighbors, and an old aunt said, "O, well, you're young and can build up again." The subject derived con- siderable encouragement from this remark and it often recurred to him in his later days of trial. After he came to Iowa, about 1876, prices of farm products were discouragingly low, butter selling for five cents per pound. eggs for three cents a dozen, and hogs at two dollars a hundred pounds. De- spite this fact, he was not discouraged, but persevered in his efforts and man- aged to save money, eventually overcoming the obstacles which confronted him and attaining a position of comparative independence. Hard work,
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sound judgment and persistence earned their reward and today he enjoys the respect of those who have become familiar with his record, which in every respect has been an honorable one.
In 1862 Mr. Rathbun was married to Marriett Ashley, a daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Waterbury) Ashley, of Columbia county, Wisconsin, who were originally from Theresa, Jefferson county, New York. To the subject and wife have been born four children, Etta, Frank Chester, Louis and Lulu, the last two named being twins. Etta became the wife of Elmer Stebbins, of Oelwein; Frank is a mail carrier in Oelwein; Louis, who is an expert jeweler and engraver and graduate optician, lives in Oelwein; Lulu remains with her parents.
Fraternally, Mr. Rathbun is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has taken all the degrees including that of the Uniform Rank. He is a man of many splendid personal qualifications and enjoys a large acquaint- ance, among whom he numbers many warm and loyal friends.
ALFRED E. WHITNEY.
Among the citizens of Fayette, Iowa, none is more highly esteemed than the subject of this sketch, who has ably and satisfactorily filled several im- portant positions. He is a man of positive character and integrity of pur- pose and in every position in which he has been placed he has evinced those qualities which go to the making of well-rounded manhood. A man of strong social instincts, he has readily made acquaintances, among whom he numbers many warm and loyal friends.
Alfred E. Whitney was born in the town of Scotland, county of Brant, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 13th day of September, 1856, and is a son of William A. and Emily (Malcolm) Whitney, the former having been the son of Louis Whitney. When the subject was about five years old, the family moved to West Union, this county, where he was reared to manhood. He received his education in the public schools and in the S. S. Ainsworth private school at West Union.
On completing his education, Mr. Whitney received an appointment as guard at the Fort Madison prison, being then about twenty-three years old. He gave seven years efficient service in this position, and was then appointed deputy warden of the state prison at Anamosa, where he remained seven months. He then resigned this position to accept a similar one at the prison
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at Fort Madison. Altogether Mr. Whitney's service at the several institutions embraced a period of fourteen years and nine months, during which time he assisted in the management of thirty-four hundred prisoners and was con- sidered a valuable man in the position.
In July, 1902, Mr. Whitney was appointed oil inspector for the fifth district of Iowa, and held this position until the Ist of August, 1906. At the latter date the law became operative which gave to old soldiers the preference in state appointments, and Mr. Whitney returned to private life and his home at Fayette, where he has since remained. He satisfactorily and ably filled every position to which he was appointed and at all times enjoyed the abso- lute confidence and high regard of his superiors. He is a man of splendid personal qualities which commend him to the esteem of all who know him and he numbers the best people of the community among his friends.
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