USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 43
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EDWARD EVERETT DAY.
Among the citizens of Oelwein, Fayette county, who have earned and retain the respect and confidence of the people generally, none stands higher than does the subject of this sketch. He is essentially a man of action, having for many years been energetic in the prosecution of his business af- fairs, in which he has met with a gratifying degree of success.
Edward E. Day is a native son of Iowa, having first seen the light of day in Andrew, Jackson county, on the 31st day of October, 1860, and is a son of J. B. and Emma Louisa (Hughson) Day. J. B. Day was a native of the state of Vermont, who came to Jackson county, Iowa, in about 1856. His wife was a daughter of Clement and -- (Alden) Hughson. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Edward Everett, Katie, Belle, Rosetta, Maud and Mabel (twins), George and one that died in infancy. In 1861 the family moved from Jackson county to Fayette county, where, near Otsego, the father followed the pursuit of farming. About 1867 they moved to Winthrop, but three years later they returned to the farm at Otsego. Again, in 1873, they moved, going to Fayette for a year, and then again returned to the Otsego home.
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During these transitory years, the subject of this sketch attended schools in the various localities of the family residence, and being ambitious and studious, he made such rapid advance in his studies that at the age of seven- teen years he began teaching school, though not old enough to secure a regu- lar teacher's license. He first taught a term of summer school two and a half miles southeast of Oelwein, after which he taught two winter terms, the first one being three miles northeast of Oelwein and the next four miles north- west of that city. The following winter he attended as a student Miss McMullen's select school at Oelwein, and a year later was engaged as a teacher in a school one and a half miles north of that place.
Returning then to the home farm, Mr. Day remained there a year, and was married and then took up agricultural affairs on his own account on a farm three and a half miles southeast of Oelwein, this being where the Otsego postoffice was formerly located. Two years later he located on a farm a mile farther southeast, where he remained eight years, meeting with splendid success the meanwhile. In 1893 Mr. Day bought a farmi located two and three-quarters miles southeast of Oelwein, on which he resided until the spring of 1900, when he moved into the town of Oelwein, where he erected a hand- some and attractive residence on the northeast corner of North Frederick and Third streets. His removal to this city was caused principally by the fact that he had accepted the position of secretary of the Oelwein Farmers' Creamery Company, which position he retained until 1904, performing the responsible duties of the position to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders. In addition to his original farm of two hundred and forty acres, Mr. Day has bought and sold several others, being now the owner of two others, one near Oelwein and the other one in Wisconsin, the latter consisting of five hundred and sixty acres of timber land.
On March 25, 1883, Mr. Day was united in marriage with Alice Smith, the daughter of Samwell and Hannah ( Park) Smith. Mrs. Day and her parents were natives of Keighley, Yorkshire, England. The father came to the United States, locating near Oelwein, Fayette county, Iowa, in 1868, he being joined in 1870 by the other members of the family. In England Sam- well Day was an expert machinist, but since locating in Fayette county lie has followed the pursuit of agriculture exclusively and with a very gratifying degree of success. To Mr. and Mrs. Day have been born five children, namely : Everett Vernon, Mabel Alice, Shirley Louise, Inez Isabel and Gladys Hannah. Everett Vernon, after completing his elementary education in the public schools, graduated from the Upper Iowa University in 1909 and in the fall of the same year he became principal of the public schools at Kalona. Iowa.
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Mabel and Shirley are attending college at Fayette and the younger children are students in the high school at Oelwein.
Politically, Mr. Day was formerly a Republican, but of recent years he has rendered a stanch allegiance to the Prohibition party, believing that the temperance question is the greatest issue now before the American peo- ple. He is a member of the Oelwein school board and takes a keen and in- telligent interest in educational matters. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Oelwein. Relig- iously. the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Oelwein, of which they are earnest and liberal supporters, and during the past five years Mr. Day has rendered effective service as superintendent of the Sab- bath school, in the operation of which he is deeply interested. Mr. Day has had a large part in the advancement of the best interests of the community in which he lives, his support being given unreservedly to all worthy move- ments affecting the material, educational, moral or social welfare of the people generally. His efforts have been characterized by intelligence, in- dustry and wise economy and he is today numbered among the leading citi- zens of the community in which he resides.
K. K. KLEPPE, JR.
It is a fact recognized by all that the United States can boast of no better or more law-abiding class of citizens than the great number of Norwegians who have found homes within her borders. Though holding dear and sacred the beloved homeland, they are none the less devoted to the fair country of their adoption and should necessity require it would be willing to go forth in battle for the maintenance of its institutions. Among this highly respected class is the subject of this sketch, K. K. Kleppe, who is operating a splendid farm in Dover township.
Mr. Kleppe was born in Norway on September 21, 1851, the son of K. K. and Martha Kleppe, both also natives of Norway. The family came to America in 1857 and at once came to Fayette county, Iowa, locating in Dover township. Their first home was in a rude dug-out in the northern part of the township. This was their home for about a year, and during this time the father was employed at fifty cents a day wages. Their condition was certainly anything but encouraging, and was especially dismal and uncomfortable when, as a result of heavy rains and constant dampness, the bedding and personal -
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garments rotted. They then moved to where the subject of this sketch now lives. About two years later the father was enabled to buy eighty acres of land in that location, and subsequently added more land. He was energetic and applied himself assiduously to the task of clearing this land and ren- dering it fit for cultivation. He thus himself cleared practically all of the one hundred and eighty acres comprising the farm. He erected a full set of farm buildings and made many other permanent and substantial improvements. To him and his wife have been born seven children, five sons and two daugh- ters.
Politically, Mr. Kleppe has always been a stanch Republican and has served as township treasurer and school trustee. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran church and he materially assisted in the organization of the church here in an early day. Because of his belief that the members had a right to talk in church meetings, which was contrary to the belief of his church, he separated himself from it and joined another religious body where his belief was more in harmony.
K. K. Kleppe, Jr., was reared by his parents and he received a limited education in the public schools, he not being able to attend until he was sixteen years old. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years old, when he bought the eighty acres where he now lives and at once applied himself to its improvement and cultivation. He has erected attractive and well ar- ranged buildings and has maintained the place at a high standard of effi- ciency and productivity. In addition to following a diversified system of farming, he gives some attention to the raising of Shorthorn cattle, and in the handling of livestock he has met with excellent success. He is thoroughly practical and systematic in his efforts and the success which has crowned his efforts has been richly earned.
His farm now comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres and is num- bered among the best farms of the township.
At the age of about twenty-three years, Mr. Kleppe was united in mar- riage with Anna J. Peterson, and they have become the parents of nine chil- dren, namely: John, Christopher, Enoch (of Buffalo, South Dakota), Mar- tha, Clara, Jacob (who is a student in Red Wing College), Elmer, Samuel and Evelyn. Of these. Clara is a resident of South Dakota, the others being still members of the home circle.
Politically, Mr. Kleppe is a Republican and has served six years as township trustee, having also served as road supervisor and has been school treasurer ever since he located where he now lives. Religiously, he is a Lu- theran. He is a man of excellent personal qualities and takes a commendable
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interest in local public affairs. Because of what he has accomplished and his genuine worth, he enjoys unbounded respect and confidence throughout the community where he lives.
HENRY HARRISON FOOT.
The family of this name, with its connections by marriage, in Fayette county, constitute an element of influence in the agricultural world. They enjoyed the benefits of a strong and honorable ancestry, of which they have proved themselves worthy in every respect. The Foots were of Eastern origin, but we hear of them in the West before the days of the great Rebel- lion. Ira Foot was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, but when he was a young man his parents migrated to Preston, Minnesota, and he came with them. About 1856 he appeared in Fayette county, where, in connection with another young man, he started a photograph gallery in West Union. He married Sarah, daughter of David and Fanny Thompson, of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, who came to West Union while a girl in company with her parents. After marriage the Foots went to Dover township and lived there about one year, after which they removed to Minnesota, but did not remain long in that state. Returning to Dover township, Mr. Foot bought a farm of over one hundred acres which he cultivated until 1883 and then located in Hawkeye. He died there at the comparatively early age of fifty-four, his widow now being a resident of West Union and the wife of C. C. Bacon.
Henry Harrison Foot, son of the foregoing, was born in Dover township, Fayette county, Iowa, September 26, 1858. He is of patriotic descent on both sides, his father having four brothers and his mother one brother in the Union army during the Civil war. He began to make his own living when eighteen years old and since then has been busy in various ways and places. He did farm work in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, and finally reached the point where he wished to settle down. The first thought to this end was a wife and he selected Clara M., daughter of A. W. and Helen Strain Henderson, the ceremony being performed September 16, 1885. The Hendersons came from New York state to Wisconsin after the Civil war, but after a brief residence there concluded to cast their fortunes with Iowa. During the seventies they located in Fremont township, Fayette county, and were ever afterwards fix- tures of that section. For five years after their marriage Mr. Foot lived south of Hawkeye. In 1890 he purchased a farm of two hundred and four acres
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in sections [ and 2 in Bethel township, and part across in Eden township, and on this place he has ever since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. Foot have had nine children : Blanch Maude, Melva Belle, Fern, Harrison Henry, Lulu Ruth. AAlfred James, Hazel Lucille and Clara Amy. Melvin, twin brother of Melva Belle, died when two months old. Mr. Foot is a member of the Odd Fellows and takes an interest in all matters of local progress. In a quiet way he aims to be a good farmer, a good neighbor and a reliable citi- zen. He stands well in the community and is regarded as a man of integ- rity. In his farming operations he belongs to the class of sturdy-going men who have done so much to place Iowa at the forefront of agricultural states. He followed diversified farming, which includes all the cereal crops of the sec- tion and as much livestock as is justified by his facilities. He has met with success in his operations and this success is chiefly due to his own industry, economy and good management. He has risen from a common farm hand, without means or backing, to become one of the land owners of the county and has taught the rising generation the real way to overcome the difficul- ties of life. His farm is in good shape with suitable appliances and he does not allow slipshod methods around the place.
WILLIAM MILLER.
This esteemed and well known citizen is a native of Wayne county, Ohio. and dates his birth from November 20, 1846. Henry Miller, his father, a Pennsylvanian by birth, moved to Ohio about the year 1836 and spent the re- mainder of his life in the latter state, rearing his family in Wayne county and dying there a number of years ago. He served in the Mexican war.
The early experience of William Miller was attended by no event worthy of record. his childhood and youth having been spent under the pa- rental roof, varied by attendance during the winter seasons at the district school near his home. At the age of sixteen years he started out to make his own way in life, and after working for one year on a farm in Wisconsin went to Iowa where he spent the ten years ensuing. While in Wisconsin he cut logs in the winter time for so much per thousand feet and during the summer months was employed in various capacities in the mills, in this way becoming familiar with the lumber interests and developing great aptitude in all parts of the business. At the expiration of the period indicated he re- turned to his Ohio home, but after spending a year there came to Iowa and
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purchased, in 1873, one hundred and sixty acres of land in Chickasaw county near the Fayette county line, to which he removed his family three years later.
Addressing himself to the task of improving his land, it was not long until Mr. Miller had a goodly number of acres under cultivation and in due time his labors were rewarded with one of the best improved farms in the community. He spared neither pains nor expense in putting up good build- ings and providing for the comfort of those dependent upon him and during the course of the next twenty years he not only increased his farm but made substantial progress as an agriculturist and stock raiser, at one time owning considerably in excess of one thousand head of cattle and hogs, which he dis- posed of at liberal prices. His land, which lies about six miles from Wau- coma, with Fredericksburg as the nearest town, is admirably adapted to gen- eral farming and pasturage and while he occupied it his success was gratifying. By industry and judicious management he succeeded during the time indi- cated in amassing a handsome competence, sufficient in fact to enable him to retire from the active duties of the farm and spend the remainder of his life at less strenuous labor. With this object in view, also with a desire to provide his children with better educational. advantages, Mr. Miller, in 1896, rented his place and moved to the pleasant and attractive home a short distance east of Waucoma, where he now resides.
For two years following his retirement from the farm, Mr. Miller was engaged in general merchandising at Waucoma as a member of the firm of Miller & Gressler, but at the end of that time disposed of his interest in the business and has since been enjoying the fruits of his industry in a life of ease and quietude. For many years he has kept abreast of the times on all mat- ters of public interest and as a Democrat has been active in local politics, at- tending the various nominating conventions and using his influence in the making of platforms and the formulating of policies. Although a zealous worker for his party, he has never aspired to public position, but his influence is always sought by those who seek office at the hands of their fellow citizens or ask favors as a reward for partisan service. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, having passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge to which he be- longs, and he also holds an important office in the encampment besides being an active and influential member of the canton. In religion he subscribes to the plan and simple teachings of the Christian church and with his wife is a zealous member of that body.
Mr. Miller was married at Fredericksburg, Iowa, March 18, 1879, to Flora Follett, whose parents, Simeon A. and Hannah (Wood) Follett, were natives of Ohio and New York respectively, and who came to Iowa about the
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year 1849 or '50. their respective families locating near Elkader, in Clayton county. The parents of Mrs. Follett were among the earliest pioneers of the section of country in which they settled and are remembered as a very estim- able old couple, whose lives were as benedictions to their neighbors and friends. Simeon Follett and Hannah Wood were married shortly after their arrival in Clayton county and later settled at Pleasant Valley, at which place and Elgin he worked for many years at the carpenter's trade. When their daughter was four years old they moved to Clermont and purchased the old brick hotel at that place, which they operated four years and then bought a farm one mile west of the town, where they lived until 1876, when they changed their residence to Lawler. Subsequently Mr. Follett located at the town of Alpha, where he died after a residence of two years, his death, in 1888, resulting from an injury received by a team of horses becoming un- manageable and running away. Mrs. Follett survived her husband about seventeen years, living the meanwhile at Waucoma, where her death occurred in 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller's family consists of one son and two daughters, namely : Charles, engaged in telegraphic construction in Texas and South Dakota ; Nellie, who married Oren King, of Waucoma, and had one child, Dorothy, who died October 11, 1910; and Lennis, now Mrs. Julian Peverill of Waterloo, this state : they have one child. Juliet.
MILTON W. GRIMES.
The gentleman whose life story is herewith briefly set forth is a con- spicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success in the special sphere to which his talents and energies have been devoted. Milton W .Grimes, one of the substantial and highly honored citizens of Fayette county, has, through many decades, carried on farming, gradually improving his valuable place, and while he has prospered in this. he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county and his co-operation has been of value to the general good. Especially has this been true of Union township, which has long been hon- ored by his citizenship. He is a native of the good old Hoosier state, his birth having occurred in Ripley county, Indiana, August 8, 1848. He is a descend- ant of an excellent Irish family. The first representative of the family, James Grimes, who was born in Ireland, came to America, penetrated the
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wilderness to Kentucky and was a pioneer in that state, becoming well known during the days of its early history. John, the subject's grandfather, was born in Kentucky, married Mary McDonald, a relative of Joseph McDonald, of Indiana, and John Grimes and wife and one child moved to the last named state in 1817, locating in the woods, on a farm which Mr. Grimes de- veloped, having spent his life as a farmer of the early Indiana days. He had the martial spirit, and served during the war of 1812 against the Indians in Kentucky. His death occurred on the old home place in 1877, at the ad- vanced age of eighty years, which was the age of his wife when she joined him in the silent land three years later. He was a worker in the Democratic party and was a member of the Baptist church. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, one of whom, James, was the father of Milton W., of this review. He was born on the old homestead in Indiana, April 28, 1824, and he grew to maturity on the home place, where he learned farming, and, like most children of pioneers in that early day, his educational advan- tages were limited. He married Mary Hamilton in 1847. She was a native of Indiana, and in their native state they began their married life on a heavily timbered farm. They worked hard, economized and developed a fine farm and a good home. Seven children were born to them, named as follows : Milton W., of this review; George W., who moved to Union township, this county, where he purchased a farm; Theodore and Mary Elizabeth, who both died in Indiana; Emma married Frank Dunlap and is living near the old home farm; Gillett Bonner, a farmer of Union township, and Martha Ann, of Fayette county, Iowa. The father of these children was a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist church from early manhood throughout his career. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he was a highly respected citizen. His death occurred in Indiana, February 14, 1902, and in 1907 his widow moved to Iowa, where she remained until her death, September 23, 1908.
Milton W. Grimes, of this review, has devoted his life chiefly to general agricultural pursuits and he has been very successful, and is now interested in the banking business. He began working on the home farm when but a boy and he attended the neighboring schools during the winter months, ac- quiring a good education, notwithstanding his somewhat limited advantages, for he applied himself very carefully to his text books. He assisted in the hard task of clearing and improving four different farms, and he did not leave the old homestead to begin life for himself until he was twenty-three years old.
Mr. Grimes married Rebecca Green on March 16, 1871. She was born in Indiana December 24. 1848, and she was the representative of a fine old
(72)
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pioneer family. To this union ten children were born, of which number one (lied in early life; they are Lindsay A., who is farming on the home place ; he married Carrie Jacobs, September 2, 1896, and she died November 3, 1899, and he was again married, his last wife being Emma Wegmiller, whom he espoused on February 28, 1906, and the last union resulted in the birth of one child, Thelma Opal, born October 15, 1908. James Grimes was married to Clara Jacobs, a sister of Carrie, October 20, 1907, and they have the fol- lowing children : Paul and Laura, both deceased; Forest, Carol, Ruthe E. and Howard E. He is a carpenter and resides at Roundup, Montana. Lizzie Grimes was married to E. H. Gillett, April 3, 1896, and they have these chil- dren : Stanley A., Edith Louise, Francis L., now deceased. They reside in West Union, Iowa, where he is pastor of the Baptist church: Edwin B. Grimes was married to Eliza R. Thompson, August 30, 1899, and they have the following children : Eva K., born July 6, 1900, died April 11, 1902; Riley, born November 1, 1901 ; Carrie Edith, born May 30, 1903, died April 30. 1904; Wilma MI., born August 10, 1905; Lillian Irene, born July 4, 1908. Edwin B. Grimes is a farmer in Union township, this county. Katie Rebecca Grimes was married to Herman Rolfs, February 20, 1907, and they have one son, born May 2, 1909, named Archie. Mr. Rolfs is a farmer near Clermont, this county. Philmer Milton Grimes is still on the home place. Emma Frances is also a member of the home circle. Archie B., born Febru- ary 15, 1892, is living at home, as is also George D., who was born on May 10, 1895. George, the fifth child born to Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Grimes, died when two years old, before the family moved from Indiana to Iowa.
After his marriage Mr. Grimes purchased a farm of one hundred and seven acres, which he successfully operated for six years, when, on account of failing health, he sold out and opened a drug store and general store, in Shelby township, of his native county, and for years he carried on a success- ful mercantile business; however, he finally returned to agricultural pursuits, which has been his chief life work. His uncle, J. B. Green, died in Fayette county, Iowa, and left him a valuable estate. consequently he came here in 1885 and took charge of the farm of five hundred acres, located in section 22. Union township, and from that time to the present this has been regarded as one of the choicest and most valuable farms in this township. Mr. Green was a very early settler of West Union, now Union township, and he earned the nucleus to a handsome fortune by operating threshing machines, which he owned. All old settlers remember "3 and 6," Jim Green, the thresher. He was a bachelor of rather eccentric character, quiet and unassuming, strictly honest and upright in his dealings and liberal with his friends. He lived
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