USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 18
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891
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Mr. Proctor is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican, has been school director and the just confidence which his neighbors have in him is shown by the fact that they have elected him to the office of township trustee for the last four terms. He is in every way one of the township's most substantial citizens.
WALTER PRITCHARD.
Among the enterprising and highly respected citizens of Fayette county, Iowa, is Walter Pritchard, owner of one of the banner farms of Illyria town- ship, and who has come to us from the far-away little country of Wales, his birth having occurred in Breconshire, that country, on November 17, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of Wales and spent one term in school in Pennsylvania. He is the son of William and Esther (Price) Pritchard, both natives of Breconshire, Wales. They left their native coun- try in June, 1855, and came to America, locating in Tremont, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where they lived one year, then came to Fayette county, Iowa, in June, 1856, where the elder Pritchard purchased seventy acres in section 18, Illyria township, and remained there one year. Then he sold out and bought one hundred and ten acres in section 8, of this township, later adding ninety-one acres to his first purchase, and here the parents made their home until their deaths. The father was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Wales, but did not join this lodge after coming to America. Politically, he was a Democrat, but never an office seeker. His family con- sisted of three children, namely: Walter, of this review; Ann, wife of W. H. McGee, of Illyria township; Mary, wife of George Follensbee, who re- sides on the Pritchard homestead in Illyria township. The mother of these children died on May II, 1864, when forty-four years of age. William Pritchard, the father, was born July 4, 1813, died February 13, 1891.
Walter Pritchard, of this review, remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he moved to a forty-acre farm of wild land which his father gave him in section 17, Illyria township, also bought three acres more in order to get a proper outlet to the highway. The only dwelling on this place was a small log house, with clap-board roof. After living on this farm one year, he sold it and bought eighty acres in section 5, where he has since made his home. He has added to his original purchase at different times, until he had two hundred acres. Of this amount he gave his son, Wil-
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son W., fifty acres. The subject also bought eighty-one acres, forty in sec- tion 32, Pleasant Valley township, and forty-one in section 5, Illyria town- ship, which he gave his son William. He has always carried on diversified farming, and he retired from active farm work three years ago and now rents his place to his son Wilson. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never held office.
On October 28, 1865, Walter Pritchard married Ann Wilson, who was born in county Durham, England, March 10, 1847, the daughter of Chris- topher and Jane ( Morras) Wilson, natives of England, the father born Octo- ber 26, 1823, and the mother in 1824. They came to America in June, 1852, . locating at once in Fayette county, Iowa, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in sections 9 and 16, Illyria township, later purchased forty acres in section 15, later bought one hundred and twenty-seven acres in sections 9 and 16, also owned a half section in Cherokee county, Iowa. Mr. Wilson continued to reside on his farm in Illyria township until his death, February 27. 1885. Mrs. Wilson died August 20, 1872, leaving seven children, namely : Mrs. Ann Pritchard; William M., who lives in Union township; Judith, who died in 1909, when fifty-three years old: Christopher H. lives in sec- tion 17, Illyria township; John lives in section 5, Illyria township; Joseph lives in Fayette, Iowa; Mary is the wife of Louis Hunsberger, of Illyria township.
Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, namely : Esther, born in October, 1866, wife of John Langerman, of Westfield township; Jane, born February 23, 1868, is the wife of J. E. Dickinson, of Westfield township, and has two sons, Ralph M. and Harry E .; William Pritchard, born June 9, 1870, married Beula Baldwin, lives in Illyria township and has one child, Walter A .; Wilson W., born November 25, 1871, married Della Butler, and they have one child, Roscoe D .; Mary D., born November 1I, 1873, died August 13, 1892; Stella A., born April 3, 1876, is the wife of George Baldwin, lives in Illyria township and has three children, Albert, Clarence and Clinton.
GEORGE FOLENSBEE.
In every locality no class of people are more respected or stand higher as a whole than the country-bred sons, for it is from the farm that spring the substantial men of the land. If we will review the lives of many of the men who have a place in our country's history, we will find that they
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
received their early training amidst the wholesome influence of the farm fireside.
While the subject of this sketch has not attained a high degree of promi- nence, he has the right to claim the esteem of his fellow men, and he does rank among the leading citizens and farmers in his native county in point of clean character, which is the keynote of a successful life. He is one whose life has been linked with that of the pleasant environments of the farm from his infancy. He was born in Illyria township, Fayette county, Iowa, Sep- tember 17, 1859, the oldest living son in a family of six children, and has had a continuous residence in this county. His parents, Dexter and Isa- belle (Meikle) Folensbee, located here about 1855 and had a share in as- sisting in the growth and improvement of Fayette county.
Dexter Folensbee was born in Enfield, New Hampshire, March 3, 1823. His wife was a native of Scotland, the place of her birth being near Edin- burgh, and the year 1826. When Isabelle Meikle was a maiden of fifteen summers, she, in company with her parents, embarked to America, little re- alizing perhaps, that in this foreign country she was to meet her husband. A little prior to her arrival in Trumbull county, Ohio, where her parents set- tled, young Folensbee's parents had come from the New England states, both families locating on nearby farms. Here these young people grew up and a romance began which resulted in their marriage, in April, 1846. About ten years later they came to Iowa and remained for a short time at Lima, in Westfield township, when they removed to Illyria township and located on a farm of forty acres which he entered in section 20. They lived here eight or ten years and, selling their property to a good advantage, they bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in sections 18 and 19, which they made their residence until they passed away. Dexter Folensbee died July 31, 1891, his wife expiring November 14, 1885. They were adherents to Chris- tianity, and, although deprived of present-day church affiliations, they wor- shipped within their home and lived every-day lives consistent for a follower of God. Politically, Mr. Folensbee was a Whig. Later he became a Repub- lican, and assisted local politics by efficiently holding several minor township offices. They were the parents of six children, of whom two died quite young. Those living are Mrs. Jennette Eller, the oldest; George, the subject of this sketch; Frank Folensbee, and Mrs. Adelia Shepard, who reside in Westfield township.
George Folensbee remained with his parents and assisted with the farm duties until his marriage. At the age of twenty-one years he concluded to accept responsibility and began renting land and working it in connection with
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
that of his parents. At the time of his marriage, September 16, 1886, to Mary E. Pritchard, he took up his abode on a farm of one hundred acres in Illyria township, section 8, which was a gift to his wife from her parents, William and Esther (Price) Pritchard, it being the old homestead of her parents, and on which she has lived since less than one year of age. They keep it in the best of condition and it may truly be said that it is a valuable piece of property. Mr. and Mrs. Folensbee had educational advantages alike, both having received the instruction that the district school offered. They are the proud parents of one child, a daughter. of education and many ac- complishments. She was born October 6, 1887. Mr. Folensbee is a Repub- lican. He has never taken an active interest in office seeking, but prefers studying the issues at hand and voting as behooves the honest American citizen.
ALBERT P. JOHNSON.
With a reputation of an honorable, upright man, industrious, temperate, economical and in every way exemplary in his every-day life and conduct, Albert P. Johnson, of Smithfield township, Fayette county, has performed well his part as a factor of the body politic and no one questions his standing as one of the leading farmers and enterprising citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born in McHenry county, Illinois, February 13, 1848. and, having come to Fayette county, Iowa, when a boy, received most of his education in the common schools here, with three terms in Upper Iowa Uni- versity at Fayette. He is the son of Benjamin N. and Eliza (Sears) Johnson, the former born in the state of New York, August 6. 1803, and the latter born in the Empire state on July 10, 1806. They were both reared on farms and married in their native state, after which event they moved to McHenry county, Illinois, where Mr. Johnson bought a farm and lived until 1853, when they moved to Fayette county, Iowa, and located on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, forty acres each in sections 6 and 7, Smithfield township, and eighty acres in Harlan township, a part of this farm being owned at present by their son, the subject.
Politically, Mr. Johnson was a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a member of the Congregational church and a deacon in the same for many years, having always been a regular attendant on church services. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin N. Johnson were the parents of eight children, of whom Albert P. of this review was the seventh in order of birth; three of these children are
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living, namely : William S., who was born October 24, 1834, and resides in Wichita, Kansas; Mrs. Nancy Hulbert, born May 31, 1838, lives al Norwalk, California ; Albert P., of this review. The father of these children was called from his labors on November 22, 1885, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in October, 1862.
Albert P. Johnson made his home with his father on the farm until the fall of 1876, when he rented a farm for about a year and a half. In the spring of 1878 he returned to the home place and rented it of his father, and he lived on this place in a house which he built upon moving there, until 1884, when he rented the adjoining farm and moved onto it, remaining there until the spring of 1887, when he returned to the home farm, which he bought in 1892, and, with the exception of the year 1903 and 1904, he has continued to make his home on the farm. During the period referred to he spent two years in Oelwein, Iowa. Mr. Johnson made a great success of general farm- ing and stock raising, and he retired from active farm work in the spring of 1910.
Politically, Mr. Johnson is an independent voter, believing in men rather than party platforms, and he has never held political office. He is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yoemen, Lodge No. 51, of Maynard, Iowa. He and his wife were formerly members of the United Brethren church, but at present they are not members of any denomination.
On October 16, 1872, Mr. Johnson married Helen Bunton, who was born at Union, Rock county, Wisconsin, July 4, 1852. She was educated in the public schools of Fayette, Fayette county, Iowa. She is the daughter of Rev. Willis T. and Hila H. (Farris) Bunton, natives of London, Laurel county, Kentucky, the father born April 11, 1805, and the mother on January 5, 1810. They were married in Kentucky, later moving to Illinois, thence to Wisconsin, and finally to Fayette county, Iowa, locating on government land, three miles south of West Union. The death of Mr. Bunton occurred on July 19, 1890, and that of Mrs. Bunton on July 19, 1870. Mrs. Johnson is the eleventh of a family of twelve children, and she is the sister of L. M. Bunton, of West Union township. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John- son, Ernest B., born March 17, 1878, and Willis B., born September 12, 1873. who lives in Des Moines, Iowa, is connected with the Des Moines Silo Com- pany, and is secretary of the Iowa State Dairy Association. After graduating from the Fayette Business College, he was graduated from the Ames College of Agriculture in dairying; he was assistant state dairy commissioner for several years, but resigned that important post in 1910. Ernest B. Johnson resides in St. Paul, Minnesota. After completing his education, he took up
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the study of music, both vocal and instrumental, and he is considered an expert piano tuner, the best in the Twin Cities, and as a teacher of vocal and instru- mental music and as a composer of popular music he has won an envied repu- tation. Both he and his brother are young men of exceptional ability, and, judging by their marked success in the past, the future will doubtless crown them with many additional laurels.
EDWARD C. DORLAND.
Edward C. Dorland, now deceased, was an enterprising business man and influential citizen of West Union. He was wide-awake, energetic and abreast of the times in all that concerns the material prosperity of the city and the social and moral welfare of the populace. He has been much in the public eye and his great personal popularity was indicative of the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow men, his death, on June 23, 1910, being greatly deplored by all who knew him.
Ed C. Dorland was a native of Fayette county, Iowa, and a son of John and Sarah (Schrack) Dorland, both born in Richland county, Ohio. These parents came to West Union in October, 1852, but shortly after their arrival moved to a farm, where the father's death occurred in 1865, his widow sub- sequently becoming the wife of Volney N. Brown, an ex-soldier of the Civil war, with whom she is still living, both having reached the advanced age of about eighty years.
The Dorlands were very early settlers of Fayette county and their descendants are now numbered among the esteemed and substantial men and women of their respective communities. James Dorland, the first of the name to move to this part of the state, died in 1864 previous to the arrival of his family from Ohio. Among his children who afterwards became well known and took an active part in the affairs of their different places of resi- dence were : John, father of the subject; Mrs. Elizabeth Gruver, Daniel W., Cornelius, Clermont V. and Mrs. Mary Herriman, all deceased, Mrs. Herri- man, the last of the family, departing this life in the year 1909.
The surviving children of John and Sarah Dorland are three in number, namely : James Charles, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Mrs. Anna Caldwell, who lives at Fort Dodge, and George F., a farmer of Spencer county, this state, all well settled in life and greatly interested in their neighbors and friends.
EDWARD C. DORLAND.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Ed C. Dorland was born August 1I, 1857, on the home farm in Cler- mont township, where he early learned those lessons of industry and thrift which characterized his life from that time to its close. When fourteen years old he quit his studies in the public schools to begin work for himself and from that tender age he made his own way in the world. During the first ten years of his independent career he was employed in a hotel as chore and general utility boy, and at the expiration of that time turned his attention to the barber trade, in which he soon became quite proficient, and at which he worked on a weekly salary during the seventeen years ensuing. In 1881 he purchased a shop of his own, and with the exception of two years this had been his chief occupation subsequently, although becoming identified with various other business enterprises in the meantime. In 1902 he bought the stand formerly owned by his employer, the late George Thompson, one of the finest and best equipped establishments of the kind in the city, operating three chairs and sparing neither pains nor expense to make his place attractive to his customers. In connection with his regular business he was also proprietor of a fine billiard parlor, containing four tables, and two bowling alleys, both establishments affording a pleasant means of amusement and recreation to the young men of the town. Ordinarily he gave employment to three assist- ants, but during certain seasons the services of several more were required, his place being the most popular resort of this kind in the city and always conducted in a quiet, peaceable manner, meeting the approval of the public.
Mr. Dorland's business ventures were quite successful and he was one of the financially solid men of West Union, owning several valuable properties in the city, also a large stone livery barn and two dwelling houses which rent at liberal figures, besides holding considerable stock in the Fayette National Bank, of which institution for eleven years he was a director.
Beginning life without capital and with no assistance save that afforded by a sound body, willing hands and a laudable ambition to succeed, Mr. Dor- land made the most of his opportunities and the competency which he ac- quired and the honorable place which he had attained in business circles were due entirely to his own unaided efforts. In the true sense of the term he was a self-made man and as such exerted a wholesome influence among his fellow townsmen and was ready to lend his assistance to enterprises and measures having for their object the general welfare of the community in which he re- sided.
Mr. Dorland was married on January 16, 1882, to Eva St. Clair Brewer, daughter of John S. and Charlotte (Seamons) Brewer, early settlers of West
(57)
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Union and among the highly esteemed residents of the place. These parents died in this city some years ago leaving a family of one son and five daughters, namely: Mrs. W. W. Wirt; Mrs. N. C. Spencer ; Mrs. D. J. Paige; Mrs. William McKinley: John S., living. Mr. and Mrs. Dorland became the par- ents of two children, Merle, born on November 22, 1882, now the wife of Joseph Nye, and Helen Louise, whose birth occurred on the 7th day of July, 1889.
Mr. Dorland affiliated with the Republican party and, like the majority of enterprising men, took an active part in the interest of secret fraternal organizations. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's for about twenty years ; he belonged to the Masonic brotherhood, being an in- fluential worker in West Union Lodge No. 69: Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Elgin, and Langridge Commandery, Knights Templar, besides taking a leading part in instituting the Knights of Pythias lodge in West Union, of which he was a charter member and which he represented at differ- ent times in the grand lodge of the state. He was honored with every official position within the gift of these different orders, holding the office of senior warden in the commandery at the time of his death and was esteemed very highly by his brethren at home and wherever known.
In 1884, with F. D. Merritt, Mr. Dorland was instrumental in organ- izing Company G of the Fourth Regiment, Iowa State Guard, of which he was commissioned second lieutenant, serving in that capacity for a period of three years. In addition to the interest he ever manifested in fraternal work, Mr. Dorland kept in touch with the business life of the city. He was a charter member of the West Union Commercial Club, which he served as chair- man, and he was also an influential factor in inaugurating laudable enterprises for promoting the material prosperity of the city of his residence. He was active and full of energy and a gentleman of the highest integrity, and did much for the general welfare of West Union and Fayette county. He died in the prime of life. There is no doubt that had he lived to the fullness of his years he would have enacted a still greater influence upon the community.
At the time of the death of Mr. Dorland, expressions of regret and sympathy were freely given on all sides, and among the formal expressions were the following extracts from resolutions adopted :
West Union Lodge No. 69, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons : "Where- as, his years were well spent in exemplifying the teachings of Ancient Craft Masonry : Therefore, be it resolved, That the community in which he lived has lost a respected neighbor and citizen; that West Union Lodge No. 69 misses the fellowship of a well-beloved brother, and that his family mourns the departure of a husband and father who was faithful and true."
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Langridge Commandery, No. 47, Knights Templar: "In his death our commandery has lost an honored and valiant knight, his family a true and exemplary husband and a kind and indulgent father, and the community an upright and highly respected citizen. As a Mason, he was faithful and true, as a citizen, patriotic and honorable, and as a man his life exemplified his be- lief in the brotherhood of man. Just as the shadows were beginning to lengthen in the afternoon of his life, when hope was still at flood tide, he re- sponded to that summons which we all must obey, with courage undaunted, but the influence of his life has made the world better."
Board of directors of the Fayette County National Bank: "The bank has lost one of its most useful officers, who for twelve years gave his watchful care over the affairs of said bank, as one of its directors. We deeply deplore his death and tender our deepest sympathy to his wife and family in their hour of bereavement."
WILLIAM McGEE.
In the year 1849, when the California gold fever was raging, a caravan might have been seen journeying westward from the more thickly settled country of the eastern borders of the United States. The passengers in this delegation were Joseph and Elizabeth (Weir) McGee, with their several children. They came from Rhode Island, and being content with the sur- roundings in Fayette county, Iowa, they stopped near Maynard and in 1850 entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and here continued to make their permanent residence. As time went on, and this land increased in value and produced abundant crops, Mr. McGee acquired three hundred and twenty acres near Maynard, which he later gave to his sons, Charles, James, Frank and Ernest.
Joseph McGee was married in New York state to Elizabeth Weir. She was a native of Ireland, and lived until the last day of August, 1882, to en- joy the blessings of home and family. Mr. McGee is a veteran in the Mexi- can war and now, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, he enjoys relating the experiences which he encountered. These good people followed the ad- monishings of the Good Book to "multiply and replenish the earth," for unto them were born eleven children, seven of whom survive, as follows: The first in order of birth is William, the subject, Mary A., George, James, Ear- nest, Frank, and Rachel, who remains at home and cares for her aged father.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
William McGee, of Illyria township, Fayette county, Iowa, was born at Newport, Rhode Island, November 20, 1842. He was seven years of age when he came with his parents to this county. He had the same educational advantages as did others of his associates, the training of the district school of Westfield township. As a boy he was of an industrious temperament and when not assisting with the farm work at home he secured employment with neighboring farmers, staying with his parents when work was slack elsewhere. In 1863 he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Calvary, and served three years. He was on duty for the western frontier. Upon his return he again assumed the duties of farm labor, and on November II, 1870, he was happily wedded to Anna Pritchard, who was born February 24, 1849, in Wales, the village of Breconshire, the daughter of William and Esther ( Price) Pritchard, natives of Wales. For one year the young couple rented sixty acres, located near Fayette, the property of his brother. At the expiration of this time Mrs. McGee's father presented her with fifty acres of land in section 8. Illyria township, where they moved, and have since made their place of abode. Later the subject's father deeded to him forty acres in Westfield township, which he has sold. He has had the habit of renting ground and working it in connection with his own.
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