USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 12
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834
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
JOSEPH HOBSON NEFF.
Among the enterprising business men of West Union whose labors and influence have tended greatly to the city's advancement and prosperity the name of Joseph Hobson Neff, of the firm of Neff Brothers, proprietors of the Electric Light and Power Plant, occupies a deservedly conspicuous place. A native of Fayette county and for many years identified with its interests, he has contributed materially to the building up of an enterprise of great value to the community and, as a man and citizen, recognized his obligations to the public and in a manner creditable to himself discharged the same to the satis- faction of all concerned.
Joseph Hobson Neff was born in Fayette county, Iowa, May 22, 1861, and spent his childhood and youth in his native town of Auburn where, at the proper age, he entered the public schools and in due time acquired a fair edu- ยท cation. While still young he took up his study of telegraphy, at which he soon became quite proficient and in 1882 accepted a position as agent with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, which he held during the ten years following. While thus engaged he had charge of offices at Scotch Grove, Delhi and Waucoma and on severing his connection with the above line spent the ensuing ten years with the Chicago Great Western road, during which time he was stationed at Sumner, Iowa. On the death of his brother. H. M. Neff, the subject abandoned the railway service and returned to West Union, became a partner of his older brother, Charles G. Neff, in the City Electric Light and Power Plant, with which enterprise he has been connected since January, 1902. Since becoming a member of the firm of Neff Brothers he has labored diligently to familiarize himself with electric lighting and it is needless to state that the plant under the able and judicious management of the present proprietors has kept pace with the growth of the city and fully met the requirements of the public. ( See sketch of C. G. Neff. )
Mr. Neff, on February 24, 1881, was happily married to Katie M. Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis, late banker and prominent business man of Fayette county. Mrs. Neff was born in Wisconsin, received her education at a ladies' seminary in the state of Vermont, and has presented her husband with five children, Mabel, Frank A., Anna L., Joseph D. and Ruth N., all living and at home, Frank and Anna being twins.
For a number of years Mr. Neff has been prominent in Odd Fellowship. and at this time is one of the leading members of the order in the state. He has been very active in the lodge at West Union, besides holding various
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
positions in the general work of the order, serving for five years as a member of the board of instruction, one year as chairman of the committee on mileage and per diem and one year as chairman of the committee on transportation, all being grand lodge appointments. He has passed all the chairs in the sub- ordinate lodge, encampment and Patriarchs Militant, has been active and in- fluential in the Daughters of Rebekah lodge and was the first past grand to serve on the board of instruction, higher official attainments having been re- quired for the position previous to his appointment. During the year 1899 he was a special officer, appointed by the grand master to institute new lodges and while thus engaged was instrumental in arousing a deep and widespread interest in Odd Fellowship throughout the state and reviving the work in a number of places where it had formerly flourished, but afterwards gradually subsided and at several points ceased altogether. He has long been a leading spirit in the grand lodge, where his abilities are recognized and appreciated, and in the deliberations of that exalted body his voice and influence have had much to do in formulating policies and directing the general work of the order. He was district deputy grand master two terms and in that capacity traveled quite extensively visiting lodges and promoting an interest in the fraternity in various other ways.
Mr. Neff votes the Republican ticket, but can hardly be called a poli- tician as he has never been an aspirant for office nor has he entertained any ambition for leadership. In all that concerns the material welfare of the com- munity or the general good of the populace he has manifested a deep and abid- ing interest and, as an intelligent, broad-minded, progressive American of the present day, he is easily the peer of any of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Neff is a Presbyterian in her religious faith and an active member of the church at West Union, being president of the Ladies' Aid Society and otherwise inter- ested in religious and philanthropic work.
ALBERT E. JONES.
The subject of this brief sketch, who occupies a responsible position with the Chicago Great Western railroad at Oelwein, is numbered among the best residents of this prosperous city and enjoys the confidence of all who know him, because of his sterling qualities and upright life. Mr. Jones is a native of the great city of Chicago, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 5th day
836
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
of July, 1873. He is a son of Smith E. Jones, Jr., a native of rock-ribbed Wales, who came to the United States with his parents when a small boy, some time prior to 1840. The subject's paternal grandparents were Smith Ebbert and Mary M. Jones. On the family's arrival in the New World they located in Pennsylvania, but subsequently moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, where they remained until after the close of the Civil war, when they moved to Chicago. In that city the subject of this sketch was reared and secured his education in the public schools. At the early age of fourteen years he started out in life on his own account, apprenticing himself to learn the ma- chinist's trade in the shop of Walter K. Manning, where he completed his ap- prenticeship and then worked three years longer or a total service under Mr. Manning of seven years. He then entered the employ of the Illinois Central railroad as a machinist, and was sent to the shops at New Orleans, Louisiana. A year later he entered the service of the Southern Pacific railroad at Houston, Texas, with whom he remained as a machinist about nine months. He then returned to his native city and became a machinist for Arthur J. O'Leary. Mr. Jones has held a number of other positions, in all of which he has gained valuable experience in various branches of his trade, having been employed on both marine and railroad work and in the general line in many different shops. He was employed by Fairbanks, Morse & Company at Beloit, Wiscon- sin, for six years, at the end of which time he went to Waterloo, Iowa, as a machinist in the employ of the Davis Engine Works. In August, 1902, Mr. Jones entered the employ of the Chicago Great Western road at Oelwein, Fayette county, entering the shops as machinist. He has since been promoted to the position of machinist foreman, assisting the general foreman at the round-house. He has demonstrated his fitness for any position to which he may be assigned and not only enjoys the good will of his superiors, but is also popular with his fellow employes and those under him.
Fraternally Mr. Jones is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken all the degrees up to and including those of Knight Templar. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
On March 9, 1898, Mr. Jones took unto himself a helpmeet in the person of Maude M. Lane, of Beloit, Wisconsin, a union which has been most happy and congenial. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are popular in the social circles in which they move and their home is a favorite meeting place for their friends, who appreciate the spirit of hospitality which is ever in evidence there.
T. J. CAPPER.
837
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
T. J. CAPPER.
The department store of the cities had its precursor, and still has its lesser prototype, in the general store of the country community, where in former days anything from a tack to a coffin could be bought, and which today exposes for sale a range of articles almost equal to that of the department store. In older times the store was the center of social life. In the daytime in the busy seasons of the year the customers were mostly women and children, but in the winter and in the evenings the farmers came in for the mail and brought their marketing and usually had more or less time to discuss the weather, crops and politics. This phase of the general store is changing with changing conditions of life, but it still has its useful place to fill, and has incidentally lifted many a man far up the path of prosperity.
T. J. Capper was born in Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, Iowa, in February, 1857, the son of John and Dorinda (Brooks) Capper, who were born in Carroll county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather was also John Cap- per, the son of John Capper of Virginia, and Susannah (Morrison) Capper, born in Ireland. The second John Capper was a miller and was killed before the birth of his son John, father of the subject of this sketch. His maternal grandfather was John Brooks, born in Ireland, who married a Miss Fawcett there, came to America in 1818 and located as a pioneer farmer in Carroll county, Ohio. John Capper, the third, was educated in Carroll county, and farmed as a young man, he and his mother owning a farm and carrying on general farming. In 1854 he came to section 17, Pleasant Valley township, bought one hundred sixty acres and improved it, living there until 1890, when he retired, lived for a while in West Union and Elgin, then moved to Benton county, Iowa, in 1908. He was a Republican until Greenback times in 1878, and after that a Democrat, always active in politics and held several township offices. He reared eight children, six of whom are still living, one daughter having died in 1872 and another in 1875. The latter, Susan M., wife of Ezra Patterson, was killed by a runaway team near Elgin on July 31, 1875.
T. J. Capper was educated in the common schools of this township. As a young man he farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter, later remained on the old place and added to the original farm, following general farming. In 1896 he sold out and bought A. Benson's general store at Elgin and has since carried on that business very successfully. In 1882 he was mar- ried to Emeline L. Shaffer (sister to J. D. Shaffer mentioned in this work). Their children are : Frank L., clerk in a general store at Dike, Iowa, who mar- ried Nellie Pfeifer ; Susie, Boies, Flossie M. and Charles L. Mrs. Capper is
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Capper is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He is a Democrat, has been on the school board of Elgin ever since coming here, and served as councilman for several years. He has the reputa- tion of being progressive and up to date in every particular, being always ready to assist in undertaking any thing for the general benefit. He has prospered as a merchant from the start, thanks to his fitness for the calling.
RAY S. SACKVILLE.
The subject of this sketch, one of the younger residents of Jefferson township and a leading farmer of the community in which he lives, is a na- tive of Fayette county, Iowa, and a son of John O. and Alice Sackville, the former born in 1847 in Canada, the latter in Lawrence county, New York, in the year 1855. When two years old John O. Sackville was taken by his parents to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he grew to maturity and shortly after attaining his majority he came to Fayette county, Iowa, locating in Jefferson township in 1869. Purchasing a tract of wild land, he addressed himself to the task of clearing and improving the same and in due time his labors bore their reward in a good farm and a comfortable home where he spent the remainder of his days, dying on the 3d day of July, 1903.
Mrs. Sackville's father was S. W. Day, whose birth occurred in Chitten- den county, Vermont, in 1830. In 1848 he went to Lawrence county, New York, thence to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1853, where he remained ten years, at the expiration of which period he moved to Fayette county and in due time became one of the well-to-do men and public spirited citizens of his locality. Eliza Hawkins, who became his wife on December 7, 1852, was born in Lawrence county, New York, April 5. 1834. Five children consti- tuted the family of this worthy couple, viz: Mrs. Alice E. Sackville, born October 29, 1854; Wilson H., born October 10, 1857; George A., whose birth ocurred in May, 1860; Effie Louise, born April 11, 1864, and Gertrude A .. whose natal day was the 22d of October, 1869. John O. and Alice Sackville were the parents of three children, the oldest of whom, a daughter by the name of Maude, married Richard Smith and lives in Oelwein, where her husband is engaged in the real estate business. Ray S., of this review, is the second in order of birth, the youngest being Fern, who lives with her mother in Oelwein. John O. Sackville was an industrious, hard working man, a successful tiller of the soil and from time to time was honored with
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
various local offices, having served very acceptably as assessor, school di- rector and in other capacities. He was a Republican in politics and a worthy member of the Presbyterian church of Oelwein, with which organization his widow is still identified.
Ray S. Sackville was born November 9, 1879, on the family homestead in Jefferson township, and early became familiar with the varied duties of the farm. In the public schools, which he attended at intervals during his minority, he obtained a practical education and having been reared in close touch with nature he took kindly to the soil and decided to devote his life to the cultivation of the same. He remained with his parents until reaching his majority, since which time he has been farming for himself and he now runs the homestead besides owning one hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land in section II, Jefferson township, from which he realizes a fair share of his income.
Mr. Sackville is an enterprising, wide-awake man, who cultivates the soil according to the most approved methods and in addition to general ag- riculture devotes considerable attention to livestock and dairying, in both of which his success has been very gratifying. He aims to keep abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his calling and, being a careful ob- server as well as an excellent manager, his progress since beginning life upon his own responsibility has been steady and substantial and, as already indicated, he now ranks among the enterprising men and representative citi- zens of the township in which he resides. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party; fraternally, belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Oelwein, and since childhood has been a member of the Presby- terian church. Personally, he is very agreeable and has many warm friends and no one is more highly esteemed or holds a larger place in the confidence of the public.
On February 12, 1907, Mr. Sackville was happily married to Minnie J. Spence, a native of county Down, Ireland, and a daughter of James Spence, who came to this country some years ago and is now one of the permanent farmers of Jefferson township (see sketch). Mrs. Sackville was a very popu- lar teacher before her marriage and could at any time have her choice of schools in her neighborhood. She is a very cultured lady. Mr. and Mrs. Sackville move in the best social circles of the community and their home is the abode of a genuine hospitality which makes it a favorite rendezvous for the young people of the neighborhood. Blessed with health and a gen- erous share of this world's goods, their lives have indeed been cast in pleas- ant places and their future appears bright and promising.
840
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
JOHN RAFFERTY.
The subject of this sketch is descended from sterling Irish ancestry and in him are found those stanch qualities of character which have made the Irish people so desirable a class of citizens in this cosmopolitan land. During a course of years in Fayette county he has so ordered his life as to earn and retain the confidence and esteem of the people with whom he has been associated and today is numbered among the representative citizens of Clermont township.
Mr. Rafferty was born in Ireland on November 17; 1844, and is a son of Nicholas and Bridget (Halpin) Rafferty, both also natives of the Emerald isle. The family emigrated to the United States in 1851, locating first in New Jersey and later removing to Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently they made their home at Newport, Kentucky. The father's death occurred in Cincinnati in 1852. In 1866 the mother and her four sons came to Iowa, locating in Clayton county, where they made their future home and where the mother's death oc- curred in 1890. Prior to leaving Ohio, a daughter had married and moved to New York.
John Rafferty was reared on a farm and received his education mainly in the schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky. As soon as old enough, he went to work in factories in an effort to help care for his mother and other members of the family, his first employment being in a hemp weaving fac- tory. Eventually he learned the trade of a carpenter and prior to the war of the Rebellion he was employed at his trade by the government at Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas. Subsequently he came to Clayton county, Iowa, and entered upon an agricultural career, becoming the owner of four hundred and eighty- seven acres of fine land, to which he has devoted his attention and in the opera- tion of which he has met with well deserved success. He is thoroughly prac- tical in his work and progressive in his ideas, keeping in touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture, so that he has been enabled to realize satisfactory returns for the labor he has expended. His farm is well improved, containing an attractive and comfortable residence, substantial and well ar- ranged barn and other necessary buildings, while the general appearance of the place indicates him to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. Though his farm lies in Clayton county, Mr. Rafferty maintains his residence in Cler- mont, having during the past ten years been practically retired from active labor, enjoying that rest which his past efforts have entitled him to. He is a stockholder in the Clermont State Bank.
Politically, Mr. Rafferty has always been aligned with the Democratic party and has rendered efficient and satisfactory service as a justice of the
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MR.AND MRS.JOHN RAFFERTY.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
peace in both Clayton and Fayette counties. In religion the family are identi- fied with the Catholic church, to which they render a faithful and generous sup- port.
On September 6, 1906, Mr. Rafferty was united in marriage with Fay Wells, a native of Clermont village, this county, and the daughter of Joseph and Josephine ( Mathews) Wells. Her father is a native of Wisconsin and her mother of Clayton county, their home now being in Clermont. They be- came the parents of eight children, all of whom are living. They are numbered among the leading and most highly respected families of the community.
Though quiet and unostentatious in his personal bearing, Mr. Rafferty is possessed of qualities which have commended him to the esteem of all who know him and he is enjoying an enviable standing in the community in which so many useful years of his life have been spent.
NELSON A. GERKEN.
Believing that greater opportunities existed for him right here at home than elsewhere, Nelson A. Gerken has spent his life in the same vicinity, and, judging from the large success that has attended his efforts, he was wise in remaining on the old homestead in Oran township, Fayette county, where he was born August 2, 1865. He is the son of Henry Gerken, who was born December 28, 1826, in Hanover, Germany. He married Nancy Sidler March 26, 1854; she was the widow of Samuel Sidler and the daughter of Henry and Sarah Myers, natives of Pennsylvania. The following children were born to Henry and Nancy Gerken : Ellen, born December 21, 1856, married Henry Gerlt, and they are both now deceased; John Wesley, farmer, born March II, 1859, in Oran township, married Alice L. Judd and they have four children, Mary L., Jessie M., Walter C. and John H .; Levi Arnold Gerken, born July 28, 1861, died when five years of age; Mary Agnes, born June 25, 1863, mar- ried Henry P. Faust, of Parkston, South Dakota; Nelson A., subject of this review ; Aliva L. A., born November 16, 1868, married Dell Hunter, of Oel- wein, Iowa; Benjamin F., born February 24, 1887, in Oran township, mar- ried Della Bradly, and died March 8, 1910.
Henry Gerken, father of these children, was reared and educated in his native community, Hanover, Germany, and, having his boyish ambition fired by the stories of success and opportunities in the New World, he set sail for America in 1844 and, after a tedious voyage, landed on our shores, unac-
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
companied, first setting foot on American soil at New Orleans. From that city he went by steamboat to St. Louis and from there to Saline county, Illi- nois, where he secured eighty acres of school land. In 1854 he came to Oran township, Fayette county, Iowa, and came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of government land in section 10; then he went back to Illinois and brought his wife, who drove the team while he drove the cattle. They fell very sick with the ague and stayed at Fairbank, Iowa, living with Henry Myers, the wife's father; however, not long afterwards he began improving his farm. He was compelled to melt snow for his cattle to drink. He was a hard worker and was not to be discouraged, consequently he developed a fine farm and a comfortable home in due course of time. He took an interest in local political affairs and held some township offices. He was a Republican, a member of the Baptist church, and an honest and highly respected man. He reached an advanced age, dying in 1902. He was three times married, his first wife dying in 1883; his second wife was Annie Hillman, a native of Indiana, who died in 1898, and his third wife was Rachael Watkins, a sister of his second wife and the widow of a Mr. Watkins ; she now lives in Kansas. In 1891 Mr. Gerken moved to Oelwein, Iowa, where he remained until his death. He made a success of his farming, being economical and a good manager, though there was a time when he sold wheat at thirty cents per bushel, butter at six cents per pound and eggs at three cents per dozen, pork at one dollar and twenty-five cents per hundred; this was at McGregor, Iowa. But whether prices were low or high, he always made money.
Nelson A. Gerken grew up on the home farm and attended the neighbor- hood schools. In 1887 he went to Wessington Springs, South Dakota, and remained there for a period of two years, and he spent four years in Antelope county, Nebraska, on a farm. Although he got a good start in the West, he preferred his home county and in 1893 returned to Oran township and rented land here for ten years and lived in Oelwein until the spring of 1907. Since that time he has lived on the old home place, of which he owns one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Gerken was married in March, 1890, to Mary Hundley, who was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, the daughter of O. E. and Dorothy (Hughes) Hundley, the father a native of Ohio and the latter of Wales. They were married in Ohio and in 1885 went to Clark county, South Dakota, where they remained for one year, then moved to Antelope county, Nebraska, and in 1891 moved to Washington county, Oregon, where they live on a farm. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Hundley : Thomas, of Dilley. Oregon ; Margaret, the widow of Arch Van Kirk, of Hillsboro, Oregon ; Mary.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
wife of Nelson A. Gerken, of this review; Charles, who is farming in Wash- ington county, Oregon; Richard and John, twins, the former living in Wash- ington county, Oregon, and the latter in Portland, Oregon; Norman, living at home; Oscar and Arthur are the youngest children.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerken, namely: Floyd R., Roy V., Leslie C. and Glenn A.
Mr. Gerken has always been a farmer and has been very successful owing to his close application to business and his careful management of his own affairs and his honest dealing with his fellow men. He now manages a dairy in connection with his farm; he has twenty head of milk cows, handles sliort- horn cattle, and draft and driving horses of an excellent quality ; raises Chester White hogs, Plymouth Rock chickens, Bronze turkeys and Indian Runner ducks. His stock and poultry are greatly admired by all who see them. He has a splendid and attractively located home, good barn and outbuildings. He has served on the school board and was trustee of Oran township for two years, also serving as assessor. A Republican in politics, he has long been active in local affairs and has very faithfully and ably served his fellow citizens. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 230, at Oelwein. Iowa.
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