USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 8
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796
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Dorcis, born March 25, 1902; Archie Verne, born September 10, 1903; and Dorothy Iola, born February II, 1909.
Politically, Mr. Crawford is a Republican and takes an active part in the questions and issues of the day. He has held the office of school director, as well as various other offices of minor importance. While he does not ad- here to any one church, Mr. Crawford is a believer in religious life. Mrs. Crawford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Crawford keeps up the high standard of cultivation of the farm so long practiced by his father. He takes especial interest in the breeding and raising of live stock and fancy chickens, making a specialty of Poland China hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens, raising between four and five hundred of the latter each year. In addition to his own farm of eighty acres, Mr. Crawford usually rents a farm of eighty acres, but during the current year has confined himself to his own farm with the intention of devoting his time hereafter to dairying, raising thoroughbred Holstein cattle.
LUCIUS C. ROBERTS.
As a farmer, stock-raiser and citizen, Lucius C. Roberts has ranked for a number of years among the leading men of Fayette county and occupies a place in the public eye second to that of none of his contemporaries. Few residents of his community have been so actively identified with its develop- ment and progress and no other has so indelibly impressed his personality upon the township in which he lives or exercised a stronger influence in directing and controlling the interests of the same. Mr. Roberts is the scion of an old and distinguished family which figured in the history of the colonial period, and in the struggle for independence more than one of its representatives bore arms for the American cause and gained honorable men- tion for gallant and meritorious service.
Ephraim M. Roberts, the subject's father, was the eldest son of Lucius Q. C. Roberts, of near Charleston, South Carolina. His great-great-grand- father, Col. Owen Roberts, who served in the war of the Revolution as colonel of the Fourth South Carolina Artillery, was killed at the battle of Stone River, South Carolina, in defending the harbor from eight ships. Richard Brooks Roberts, son of Owen and father of Lucius Brooks Roberts, was an officer in the Revolutionary war and bore a gallant part in a number of campaigns and battles.
797
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Three of Ephraim's brothers became distinguished professional men, viz : Dr. W. B .; Col. E. A. L. and Dr. Charles H. Roberts, late of Lloyd, Ulster county, New York. All achieved prominence in the practice of den- tistry and the annals of that profession abound with frequent references to the advancement made in the practice by the ability of these men. Many instru- ments and appliances were invented by them, among which may be noted the dental furnace and vulcanizer, now in universal use. E. A. L. Roberts entered the Union army at the beginning of the late Civil war as lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-ninth New York Infantry, and later was made captain of a com- pany in the Eighty-fourth New York, in both of which capacities he rendered efficient service and gained high repute as a brave and fearless officer. He was the inventor of a Maine torpedo, much used by the government, and also invented a torpedo to be exploded in oil wells. In 1865 he went to Titusville, Pennsylvania, with the latter, to test it in a well that had almost ceased flow- ing, but it was a long time before the owner would permit the test to be made. When he finally gave his consent the results were such as to cause a great de- mand for the torpedo and but a few months had elapsed until it was in general use as a necessary adjunct to oil production. With this, as with many other inventions, various parties contested Mr. Roberts's claim for his patents, thus leading to long and expensive litigation, but in every instance the decisions of the courts were in his favor. Both he and Dr. W. B. Roberts became in- terested in the Titusville oil field and in due time amassed a fortune at the business.
Charles H. Roberts from 1856 to 1858 invested very largely in Fayette county (Iowa) lands, using land warrants given to his grandfather for services during the war of the Revolution. In this way he secured about thirty-six thousand acres, principally in the townships of Bethel, Banks, Westfield and Center, paying fifty cents per acre for land which in the early seventies brought from ten to fourteen dollars per acre, but which could not now be purchased for many times the latter sum. With money thus derived, he purchased stock in the North Carolina railroad, of which he afterwards became president, and thenceforth he devoted his attention mainly to railroad development and man- agement. He invested largely in railroad securities and in due time amassed great wealth, his fortune at the time of his death being conservatively esti- mated at many millions of dollars. This enterprising and eminently suc- cessful business man died at his home in Lloyd, New York, in his eighty-ninth year. For twenty years he spent considerable of his time in Fayette county and while here became widely and favorably known throughout the state, such men as Joseph Hobson and Governor Larrabee being among his close personal friends.
798
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
In his will Charles H. Roberts made provision for the children of his brother Ephraim, railroad bonds exceeding the sum of fifty thousand dollars being converted to their use. In 1857 Ephraim Roberts removed to Iowa and. settling on a part of the above land in Bethel township, proceeded to develop and otherwise improve the large farm, to which he devoted most of his subsequent life. He married, in his native state of New York, Julia Seeley, a native of Vermont, after whose death he took a second wife and companion in the person of Polly Faulkner, who accompanied him to Iowa and departed this life in Fayette county some years ago. Mr. Roberts died in Waucoma in April, 1890, at the age of seventy-four. The following are the names of the children of Ephraim Roberts: Lucius C., of this review ; Jennie, who married a Mr. Chamberlin and lives in New York; Charles H., of Hawkeye; Morris M., of Mason City, this state; Ephraim L., a farmer of Fayette county; Owen M., of Falkton, South Dakota; Catherine, wife of J. M. Wetherbee, of West Union; Louisa married William Speicher and died at the age of forty-six ; Mary, wife of Jerry Flaherty, of Hawkeye ; Clara, now Mrs. Emmerson Thompson, of Sioux City, and Amelia, who married Walter Haverstrete and lives at Lovell, Oklahoma.
Lucius C. Roberts, to a brief review of whom the remainder of this sketch is devoted, was born at the family home in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the first day of April, 1849. In 1857 he was brought to Iowa by his parents and from that time until his fifteenth year lived at home and assisted in the work of the farm, attending the public schools at intervals the mean- while. Actuated by a desire to see something of the world and mingle in the affairs of men, he severed home ties when a lad of fifteen, joining, in 1864. a company of stockmen who were going to Wisconsin to buy oxen for the government. He assisted in driving one hundred and sixty head from that state to Idaho and on arriving at his destination met Col. W. F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), at that time a scout accompanying the United States troops, who, being pleased with the youth, invited him to join his squad of scouts. Accepting the invitation, young Roberts during the eighteen months ensuing was one of Cody's most valuable and trusted men, and while thus engaged he passed through many thrilling experiences and met with not a few adventures, which if properly narrated would prove very interesting reading. The Indians at that time were not friendly to the government and sought by every means within their power to annoy the whites, especially the scouts, for whom they had great enmity, also a wholesome fear. On one occasion Mr. Roberts was one of thirty scouts who recaptured four hundred stolen horses from a camp of hostiles, as well as liberated three white women who had been held
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
captive for some time and who had begun to despair of being released. For his services while a scout Mr. Roberts was paid thirty dollars per month and at the expiration of the period indicated he reluctantly severed his connection with the squad and its beloved leader and, returning home, engaged in farm- ing and stock raising.
Receiving in 1882 a liberal legacy from his uncle, Dr. W. B. Roberts, Mr. Roberts purchased his present fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on Green creek, Eden township, and on this he has lived and prospered, making many substantial improvements, until his place is now one of the finest and most valuable stock and general purpose farms in the county. While rais- ing abundant crops of all the grains, vegetables, etc., grown in this part of Iowa, he devotes the greater part of his attention to his live stock interests, making a specialty of Polled Angus cattle, being the first man to introduce this superior breed of animals to Eden township in the year 1887. For five years he served as commission stock dealer in Sioux City and other sections of western Iowa, and in this capacity he became widely known to stock men throughout the entire state. Mr. Roberts votes with the Republican party on state and national issues, but in local affairs is what may be termed an independent. He keeps well versed on the questions before the people and is abreast of the times on all matters of public interest, being a reader, a close observer and an independent thinker whose opinions carry weight and com- mand respect.
In the year 1880 Mr. Roberts contracted a matrimonial alliance with Frances Holders, of Chickasaw county, Iowa, the ceremony being solemnized April 7th of that year. The following are the children born to the union : Almira, wife of William Royster, of Ft. Dodge; Walter, a druggist of Wau- coma; George, who lives on the family homestead; Jennie, Emma and Elnora, the last three still with their parents. Thus only too briefly have been set forth the leading facts in the life of one of Fayette county's enterprising and successful men. He has mingled much with the world and his career through- out has been above reproach. In his social relations, he is a genial com- panionable gentleman, his domestic habits being strong and his home the center of a generous hospitality. There, surrounded by his family and friends, he enjoys the repose which comes from a cordial exchange of kindly deeds with those near him, without which life would be divested of many of its charms. Actuated by a high sense of honor in his relations with his fellow citizens, he has tried to realize his ideal of manly living and, being still in the prime of his powers, the future awaits him with the promise of continued use- fulness.
800
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
JOHN OWENS.
Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing quali- ties and those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities, and it was only by the most persevering and continuous en- deavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight when obstacles thwart their pathway, or their ideals have been reached or definite success has been attained in any chosen field. In the life history of the honora-
. ble gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biographical record are found evidence of a pecular characteristic that always makes for achieve- ment-persistency, coupled with fortitude and lofty traits, and as a result of such a life, Mr. Owens has long stood as one of the representative citizens of Fayette county, one of her best known, most influential and highly re- spected men.
Like many of the substantial citizens and captains of industry in this country, John Owens hails from the fair Emerald Isle, having been born in Dromore, county Down, Ireland, on December 17, 1837. His parents, Philip and Eleanor (Armstrong) Owens, were people of much sterling worth and highly respected in that country. Their son John received a very serviceable education in the schools of his home land, and when yet a small boy decided to devote his life work to the mercantile profession, consequently he began clerking in a store in his native community and learned much of the "ins and outs" of the business before coming to this country.
In the year 1856 Philip Owens brought his family to America, his wife having died when John was a boy. The voyages across the great Atlantic in those days were tedious and ofttimes hazardous, but the family finally made their way to Fulton City, Illinois, remaining there two years, thence came to Fayette county, Iowa, and John engaged in farming near West Union, pur- chasing a farm two years later in Chickasaw county, in company with two of his elder brothers, and there they engaged in general farming until Decem- ber 23, 1863, when John Owens decided that the life of the husbandman was not so much to his fancy as that of the merchant, so he came to West Union and launched in the mercantile business. By the exercise of his rare innate ability in this line his business grew by leaps and bounds until he became the leading merchant of the county in due course of time and one of the most
801
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
substantial men of this locality. For many years he was associated in busi- ness with A. D. Davis, under the firm name of Owens & Davis, which firm was dissolved in 1875, after which Mr. Owens continued alone, owning his own substantial and attractive business block, which was a convenient brick structure well adapted to his business, fifty by eighty feet, two stories and a basement, Mr. Owens occupying nearly the entire building with a complete and carefully selected line of dry goods, clothing, carpets and notions, em- ploying six clerks continuously and often in rush seasons many more, doing an annual business of fifty thousand dollars. He was also extensively en- gaged in various other enterprises and for many years gave employment to more men than any other employer in West Union, or perhaps Fayette county. Soon after locating in West Union he began dealing in livestock, forming a partnership with John R. Cook in 1873 ; besides livestock, they handled farm- ing machinery and they continued to do a thriving business for many years, their annual sales in livestock amounting to about six hundred thousand dol- lars. Mr. Owens also engaged extensively for a number of years in furnish- ing timber and ties to railroad companies, his annual sales sometimes running as high as twenty thousand dollars. During those years he engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits, owning one farm of three hundred and fifty acres, about two and one-half miles southeast of West Union, and three other smaller ones in Fayette county, all aggregating five hundred and eighty acres. Mr. Owens was also one of the incorporators of the Fayette County Savings Bank, of West Union, and for some time was a member of its board of directors. He continued actively in business until 1904, when he exchanged his stock of goods for three hundred and twenty acres of rich farm land in Eden and Auburn townships, this county, known as the Slocum farm, which he still owns and operates through tenants, while he still resides in West Union in a comfortable and cozy home. Mr. Owens has paid all his debts dollar for dollar, this being one of his business principles, and thus honorably closed his long and interesting business career, still owning his excellent farm. Considering the fact that he is a self-made man, starting in life with but little and receiving scarcely any assistance, he forged ahead in the face of all adversity and finally became one of the foremost business men of this part of the state. It is clear that he is the possessor of superior business acumen, is able to see with remarkable accuracy the outcome of present transactions, makes few mistakes in his calculations, has an analytical mind and is a man of fortitude, energy, persistency-in fact, has the qualities that win in the battle of life in whatever field he might choose to operate. Honesty and
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802
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
straightforward dealing have marked his relations with his fellow men throughout his career, thus inspiring their confidence and esteem.
The domestic life of Mr. Owens began at Elkader, Iowa, on July 31, 1864. when he married Mary Rouen, who was born in county Mayo, Ireland, May 27, 1842, and who came to America with her parents when three years of age. She was a devout member of the Catholic church, in which faith she passed to the unknown on June 18, 1889. Of the eight children born to this union only two survive, Charles E., of Waterloo, Iowa, and John A., of Austin, Minnesota : those deceased are, John Francis, who died July 19, 1869, aged one year and three months; Minnie Ellen died June 16, 1870, aged five years, one month and eighteen days; Margaretta Anna died three days later than her sister Minnie Ellen, both of diphtheria; the age of the latter was one year, two months and eight days; Frances Terressa died October 2, 1878, aged five years, two months and fourteen days; Emilena Loretta died Octo- ber 12, 1878, aged two years and seven months; William Augustine died January 9, 1893, aged ten years, six months and four days.
The second marriage of Mr. Owens was to Sarah A. Cavenaugh, whom he espoused on June 26, 1893; she is the daughter of Edward and Mary Cavenaugh, of Fayette, where she was born; both parents are deceased, the mother having died in 1890 and the father in 1897. Mr. Owens was educated in the public schools and at the Upper Iowa University, and she taught school in the town of her nativity for ten years. after which she was employed in the public schools of West Union; she is a woman of rare quali- fications, culture, refinement and is popular with a wide circle of friends.
Four children, named as follows, were born to Mr. Owens' second mar- riage : Robert E., born September 20, 1895 ; Genevieve Eleanor, born Decem- ber 30, 1897; Mildred Sarah, born October 26, 1899; Gertrude Cecelia, born October 24, 1901.
WILLIAM M. PEEK.
In looking over the list of Fayette county citizens who have won definite success in the various walks of life and at the same time have conferred honor upon the community, one's attention is drawn to the name of William M. Peek, who was born in Clark county, Missouri, January 15, 1857, the son of D. J. and -- - (Beahar) Peek, the father a native of Ohio; the mother was born in Ireland, from which country she came to America when thirteen years of age, accompanied by her parents, Robert and Sarah Bea-
803
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
har. They first settled in Michigan City, Indiana, where the father followed teaming, later (1854) moved to Clark county, Missouri, as a pioneer, driv- ing oxen on the overland journey, which was a tedious one. When they reached their destination he purchased a quarter section of land, which he cleared and on which he lived until 1862, when he moved to Lee county, Iowa, and there entered the draying business. In 1866 he came to Fayette county, Iowa, where he farmed until his death. The paternal grandparents of William M. Peek were Jonas and Jane Peek, both born in Scotland. They came to America in 1813 and settled in Ohio and there followed farming, in which state they remained until about 1827, when they moved to Porter county, Indiana, where they were pioneer farmers and where they spent the remainder of their lives. D. J. Peek, father of William M., of this review, was educated in the common schools of Ohio. He began life first as a team- ster, later took up farming in Missouri and Iowa. His farming operations were always successful. He and his wife reared a large family, six sons and an equal number of daughters. He was a Republican politically and he was active in the party. He was one of two men in his precinct who voted for Lincoln ; he was justice of the peace for many years and also held various other offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a man whom everybody held in great respect.
William M. Peek, of this review, was educated in the common schools and he spent one year at Grinnell College. He then returned to the home farm, where he worked until 1887, when he moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he engaged in the restaurant business until 1889, when he came to Fayette county and conducted a hotel business at Oelwein, also engaged in the implement business. In December, 1900, he came to WVest Union, since which time he has held the office of county recorder, having been elected on the Republican ticket, and he has been a very faithful and conscientious servant of the people. Mr. Peek engaged in school teaching for eighteen terms in connection with farming. He was liked by pupil and patron as teacher and his services were in great demand. He began his political career as township clerk, which position he held for a period of six years while living on a farm in Columbia township, Tama county, Iowa. After moving to Oelwein he was on the school board for six years and he very ably served as mayor for two years and is now serving his fifth term as county recorder. In all his posi- tions as public servant he has given the utmost satisfaction, because he is well qualified and also a man whom the people like personally, being industrious and honest.
Mr. Peek was married in 1878 to Geneva Fowler, the daughter of a
804
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
highly respected family. To this union one child, Ida May, was born. She is the wife of H. B. Arnold, living in Oelwein, where Mr. Arnold is engaged in the grocery business. Mrs. Peek died in 1882 and Mr. Peek married, in 1889, Mary Widdans, the daughter of a well established family in Tama county, Iowa, and to this union two children were born, Marion L., who graduated in 1909 at the West Union high school, and WV. Paul.
Mr. Peek and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Peek being superintendent of the Sunday school, which office he has very faithfully filled for the past eight years. Fraternally, he belongs to the An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees.
Although Mr. Peek has no war record himself, his family did their full share in the work of saving the honor of the national union, his father hav- ing gone out at the first call for troops with two brothers, Samuel E. and Jones, all having enlisted in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, Samuel E. re- enlisting for the entire war. Jones Peek returned home on account of sick- ness and died soon afterwards. Samuel E. Peek was wounded three times, but survived the conflict and is now serving as justice of the peace in Marshall- town, Iowa.
WILLIAM CROWE.
It has been well, truly and frequently said that you cannot keep an Irish- man down. Of all the peoples who have emigrated to this country the Irish have perhaps distinguished themselves the most. Though not so thrifty as the Germans, and more erratic than the English or Scotch, they possess an intelligence, shrewdness and energy which puts them to the front in whatever line of business or whatever profession they engage. You may see an Irish- man just over from the old country wielding a pick and shovel, but you never see his son at the same work. It's in the Irish to be up and doing, and to get there.
John Crowe was born in Ireland, July 11, 1839, the son of Patrick and Hanover Crowe. His father died when he was very young and his mother and eight children came to America in 1853, and located in Canada. where John learned the blacksmith trade. At the age of nineteen he was married to Mary Anna Barragy, who was born at Emlin, Ontario. She is still living, and they have celebrated their golden wedding. In 1866 John moved to McGregor, Iowa, and in 1867 came to Clermont, Iowa, and went into partner-
805
FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
ship with Mr. Herley in a blacksmith shop and wagonmaking business, con- tinuing with him about ten years, when Mr. Herley went west. Mr. Crowe followed the blacksmith trade until he became postmaster under Harrison, which office he has held ever since, except during Cleveland's administration, and has just received the appointment for four years more. He has fulfilled the duties of this position in such a manner as to receive the commendation of all. His children are Patrick James, who died in 1880; William, subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maria Cahalan, Agnes, and Elizabeth, teachers; and Ann, assistant postmaster under her father. Mr. Crowe is a member of the Catholic church, and a Republican. He has been township trustee, school director, and was one of the first mayors of Clermont. He has also served as justice of the peace. His sociability and strong character have made him very well liked in his town, and no family there is more respected than the Crowe family.
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