USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 45
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After his marriage, Mr. Adamson remained on the farm only a few years, then on account of failing health, he moved to Newton and purchased the home where his widow now resides and there he lived until his death, January 15, 1897, and he was buried at Newton cemetery. He left his family a beautiful home and several valuable lots in Newton, also another valuable residence property, these holdings of Mrs. Adamson being well situated on East South street in a very desirable residence district of the city. Mrs. Adamson is a woman of estimable characteristics and has a host of warm personal friends who often visit her in her beautiful home. Her family were influential in their locality, and two of her brothers. Thomas j. and George W. Poore, were in the Civil war, the former being in the same company with her husband, William Adamson, and the latter was in the lowa Cavalry and he died while in the service.
Z. W. BLAKELY.
Among the representative farmers of Sherman township, Jasper county. the name of Z. W. Blakely, who has now departed from this life for his heav- enly home, is that of a man whose ability and character are often mentioned by those who were familiar with him. Unfaltering in the performance of his duty, whatever that may have been ; a thorough and persevering Christian throughout all the days of his life, he was a citizen of the type to whom the state of lowa owes her greatness.
Z. W. Blakely was born on a farm in Knox county, Ohio, Pike town- ship, on January 29, 1830, the son of Hugh and Catherine Blakely. His father spent his days in farming, and his son early took up his father's occupation and followed it to the end of his days. He remained on the home farm until he was married, on November 8, 1849, to Elizabeth Kunckel, who was born in the same township as he, on December 2, 1831, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Kunckel. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Blakely remained on the farm of Mrs. Blakely's parents for three years, lived on different farms in Knox county, and in 1860 moved to Muscatine county, Iowa, shortly after- ward to Cedar county, where they lived for eight years, then in 1870 came to Jasper county. Here they lived each year accumulating and adding slowly to their property, until Mr. Blakely's death, on March 27. 1898. At the time
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of his death, he was the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, the cultivation of which had well repaid him.
To the union of Z. W. Blakely and Elizabeth Kunckel nine children were born, of whom three are now living. Catherine Isabella is the wife of W. M. Guessford, of Newton, and the mother of six children: Cora, Ed- ward W., Elmer, James, Lula and Earl. Mary married Jacob Klein, of Jas- per county, to whom she has borne two children, Thelma and Florence E. Maggie is married to O. N. Green, of Newton, and has one son, Lester. Mr. and Mrs. Blakely also reared another child. Fanny, now the wife of O. G. Braley, near Kellogg, Iowa.
In politics Z. W. Blakely was a Democrat before the war, then became a stanch Republican, and in his later life voted the Prohibitionist ticket. At the age of seventeen he united with the Methodist church, and was ever afterward a faithful member He was a class leader in the church at Newton. and took a leading part in all the affairs of the congregation. Honest and hardworking, of honor and integrity above reproach, he was a successful farmer, and left his family well provided for. He was much liked by those who knew him, for in his daily life he exemplified the teachings of the Christ in whom he had faith, and showed to the world a most lovable, and at the same time a strong character. To his wife and family he was a model husband and father, ranking his duty to his family as only next to, and indeed as a part of. his duty to his God, and his tenderness towards the members of his family was very noticeable. Such were the excellencies of the character of this man, that his taking off wrought an especial hardship on those who were intimately associated with him, and thus received the advantages of his advice and his presence, and to them the loss was great. their grief consoled only by the knowledge that he had gone to a fitting reward.
MADISON TICE.
To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization. its happy homes, its arts and sciences, its discoveries and inventions, its edu- cation, literature, culture, refinement and social life and joy, is to be truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accom- plished by the early settlers and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Such a one was the well remembered and highly revered late Madison Tice. a sterling character, whose life was fraught with many good
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deeds and whose record was above reproach, a man whom to know was to honor and admire and whose record may be held up as worthy of imitation by the youth of this locality whose destinies are still matters for the future to determine.
Mr. Tice was born September 28, 1827, near Wheeling, West Virginia, and he was the son of Jacob and Jane Tice, who lived on a farm there, and who, later in life, moved to Illinois, locating in Menard county on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which they purchased in 1847, in which year their son. Madison, of this review, came to Jasper county, Iowa, and located on one hundred and sixty acres, near Monroe, being among the pioneers. Here he set to work with a will and, although beset with many obstacles, he developed a good farin and home. which he sold in 1850 and moved to Mahaska county, this state, where he purchased three hundred and twenty aeres which is now owned by his widow. It is very well located, being four miles from Pella. There Mr. Tice lived until his death, April 30, 1896. He developed an excellent farm by hard work and good management and accumu- lated a competency.
On September 5. 1854. Mr. Tice was united in marriage with Nancy Mays, who was born March 8. 1836, in Highland county, Ohio, near Chilli- cothe. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary Mays, who came to lowa in an early day and were living on a farm near Oskaloosa when their daughter Nancy was married.
To Mr. Tice and wife eleven children were born, namely: One died in infancy : the ten living are, Theopolus D. married Harriet .A. Godby, and they have five children, Lester C., William M., Della J., May B. and Veda G .: Manella Tice married J. E. Hull and they have five children, Madison, O. K .. Homer H., Pearl and Frank: Mary Tice married J. W. Straughan, but this union has been without issue : Louisa Tice married Luther Lawrence, and they have three children, Lucy I., Nancy M. and Harvey T. Minnie Tice married E. N. Grimes, and they have two children, Gladys C. and Ruth W .: C. G. Tice married Lovina Jarard, which union has been without issue: Cora Tice married F. P. McAdoo and they have four children, Avis C., Irene E .. Frances C. and Beulah K. : Hattie M. Tice married O. L. McAuley, which union has been without issue: Daniel T. Tice married Gertrude Williamson and they have one child. Ruth J. : Lottie Tice has remained single and is living with her mother and assisting in keeping their beautiful and well furnished home at No. 319 North Mechanic street.
Madison Tice held to the creed of the Christian church, which he at- tended, although he was not a member. He was active as a member of the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Peoria, Iowa, and in political affairs he was always a stanch Democrat.
After his death, Mrs. Tice remained on the farm near Pella, Mahaska county, for seven years, then came to Newton on March 10, 1902, and pur- chased the home where she now resides, mentioned above.
Mr. Tice was a successful and enterprising farmer and he was a man who was popular among his neighbors, being charitable. hospitable and always honest.
R. H. BAILEY.
Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his reputation and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently a critical study of the life record of the honored young man whose name forms the caption of this paragraph will be of interest to many readers of this history, for it is one of usefulness and correct conduct.
R. H. Bailey, the present popular and efficient county recorder of Jasper county, was born in Des Moines township, near Vandalia, this county, June 23, 1880. He is the representative of one of the sterling early families of Jasper county, being the son of N. P. and Nancy J. ( Keating) Bailey. The elder Bailey was a native of Illinois, from which state he came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1855. locating on a farm in Des Moines township, which he soon had under excellent improvements and had established a good home where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1901. at the age of sixty- six years. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania. from which state she moved with her parents to Ohio and thence to Iowa about 1855, with her parents. She is still living, making her home in Vandalia: she is a woman of fine Christian characteristics.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Bailey, namely: H. C .. deceased : J. E. lives in Des Moines : Edna Pearl is the wife of W. J. Bruner, of St. Louis; M. Coral is the wife of F. A. Vaughan, of Primghar, Iowa : R. H., of this review. These children received good common school educa- tions and are well situated in life, respected in whatever community they have cast their lot.
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R. H. Bailey, of this review, grew to maturity on the home farm where he assisted with the general work about the place and during his youth attended the neighboring schools in the winter time, receiving a good educa- tion which has been supplemented in later life by general home reading and study. He remained on the parental acres until he was elected county re- corder in 1908 on the Republican ticket, in which year he moved to Newton and where he has since resided. He has long taken an active part in the affairs of the party, and his selection to the important position he now occupies is looked upon as a very fortunate one, owing to the fact that he has discharged his duties in this capacity in a most effective and praiseworthy manner, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned. So faithful and well did he discharge his duties during his first term that he was his party's choice for re-election in 1910.
Fraternally. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen, standing high in each, and in religious matters he is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Bailey was married June 7. 1911, to .Anna L Sauerman, daughter of C. F. Sauerman, of Newton.
FRANK SELLMAN.
It is not the weaklings who accomplish worthy ends in the face of op- position, but those with nerve and initiative whose motto is "He never fails who never gives up," and with this terse aphorism ever in view, emblazoned on the pillar of clouds, as it were, before them, they forge ahead until the sunny summits of men are reached and they can breathe the purer air that inspires the souls of men in respite. Such has been the history of Frank Sell- man, a leading business man of Newton, who was born October 4. 1868, in Jasper county, Iowa, on a farm in Elk Creek township. He is the son of Charles O. and Lucinda ( Graffis) Sellman, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Ohio. They grew to maturity in the East and were edu- cated there, and they came to Iowa in 1855. locating among the early settlers of Elk Creek township. Jasper county, where they became well established, developed a good farm and became influential in the community. Grandfather Beal Sellman came to Marion county, lowa, in an early day and he operated there one of the first mills in the state. The death of Charles O. Sellman oc- curred in June. 1886. while middle aged, having been born in 1842. His wife
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is living in Buena Vista township, this county. The father devoted his life to farming and he held a number of minor local offices. He was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, in which he served faithfully for three years. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and many other engagements. His family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: Hattie died when seven years old : Blanche is the wife of Grant Wheatcraft. of Buena Vista township: Jessie died in in- fancy ; Frank, of this review.
Frank Sellman worked on the home farm during his youth and lived there until he came to Newton in 1906. He received a good education in the common schools, which has since been supplemented by home reading and actual business experience. He was seventeen years old when his father died. and after that he farmed for himself. (The father died from the effects of a kick from a horse.)
The subject received his business training in the Western Normal Col- lege at Shenandoah, Iowa, from which he was graduated. In 1906 he was elected county auditor on the Democratic ticket, and he made such an ex- cellent record that he was re-elected in 1908, filling the duties of this office in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and gained the ad- miration of all concerned. His term expired January 1, 1911, and he is now devoting his time exclusively to the hardware business, having been in partner- ship with H. M. Cox for some time, at Newton. They carry a large and care- fully selected line and have built up a very satisfactory patronage.
Mr. Sellman was married on February 17, 1895. to Laura Cooper, daugh- ter of A. V. Cooper. a well known citizen, living near Prairie City, Iowa, and to this union eight children have been born: Jessie. Jean. Robert, Florence. Arthur. Urith, Frances, Esther, all at home and all in school except the two youngest.
Mrs. Sellman is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally Mr. Sellman is a Mason, belonging to the Knights Templar and the Shriners.
JOHN M. EMERY.
The highest claim to the crown of good citizenship of John M. Emery, a gentleman too well known all over the state of Iowa to need any introduction here, is his universal dedication of himself to all moral and uplifting public issues. Point out the right side of all questions of vital public and general
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interest and there you will find Mr. Emery arrayed as an advocate and fighter, and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of unabating energy, unbending integrity, unswerving public spirit and an in- dustry that never flags, having gained the confidence and good will of his fellow men in all the relations of life by his genial address, his straightfor- ward business policy and his unquestioned loyalty to life's higher ideals.
Like many of the best citizens of Jasper county, Mr. Emery hails from the old Empire state, his birth having occurred in Steuben county, New York. July 31, 1849. he being the scion of a sterling old family, the son of A. G. and Alice (Chatfield ) Emery, both natives of New York, the mother's par- ents having come from Massachusetts, and the paternal grandfather served his country under Washington at Valley Forge. A. G. Emery was a Baptist minister and for many years was prominent in that denomination. He grew to maturity and was educated in his native state, and in 1854 he brought his family to lowa, locating in Fayette county, and the following year he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Clayton county, and there began farming and preaching. He was successful and to his original holdings he added land until he owned a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. In 1875 he sold this and moved to Kansas, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. also took up a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and there he spent ten years, preaching and farming, then sold out and moved to Norton, Kansas, where he lived eight years, thence moved to Boulder, Colo- rado, where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying when past eighty- seven years of age, and there he was buried. He was a good and useful man and highly honored wherever he went. His wife a most excellent wo- man, died at Bennett, Colorado, two years later at the age of eighty-five. Rev. A. G. Emery was a remarkable man in many ways; he was exceptionally alert, vital and forceful, and possessed the magnetic ability to sway all who came into contact with him. His voice was musical and at the same time powerful and his eloquence impassioned and all-pervading. He was a born leader of men. and, whether from the pulpit or lecture platform, he always carried his audience with him. He took a deep interest in politics and was ever the champion of things worth while. He was a fine example of that sturdy band of pioneer citizens who have made the Middle West the great and prosperous land that it is today. His wife was a woman of sweet and gentle character, bringing into her home life the most benign and uplifting influence and she was of great assistance to her husband in his work. She remained at home and took care of the family while he took a course in Hamilton College, New York, through which institution he worked his way. They became the parents of nine children, one of whom died in infancy ;
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Ogden L. died at Norton, Kansas, in 1885; Effie married Andrew Gibson and died in Smith county, Kansas, in 1895, leaving five children; Hattie mar- ried Charles Frye, and she died in Boulder, Colorado, in 1908; those living besides John M., of this review, are: Charles L., of Bennett, Colorado; Dr. H. G., of Denver, Colorado; R. D., of Des Moines, who is secretary of the Great Western Accident Association; Lettie married William Roundtree and lives at Bennett, Colorado.
John M. Emery received a good education in the home schools and he started out for himself early in life. In 1869 he was married to Ellen L. Lawrence, a native of New York. Her parents spent their lives on a farmi and are now both deceased. Mrs. Emery is one of eleven children. six of whom are living, namely : Mary A. is the widow of Benjamin Hunt, of Ken- sington, Kansas: Estella married T. J. Piper and they live at Greeley, Colo- rado: Myra is the wife of J. A. Lawrence, living in Wisconsin; A. T. lives at Newton, Iowa : Ellen, wife of Mr. Emery, was the youngest of the family.
After renting a part of his father's farm in Clayton county, Iowa, John M. Emery began farming, but six months later he took up the insurance business, at which he worked steadily for ten years, then sold out and took a position in a store for a year, after which he went on the road as traveling salesman for a gents' furnishing house, with which he continued for five years. He then took his present position with the Irwin-Phillips Company, of Keo- kuk, having given them his usual high grade service and being regarded as one of their most efficient and trustworthy employes.
Mr. Emery has made a special study of many languages, devoting special attention to the Swedish, mastering the same so perfectly that he can assume the role of a Swede for an indefinite time without being detected, even among Swedes. Added to this accomplishment is a rare sense of humor that is de- lightful in the extreme, consequently, being a good mixer, he is popular with all classes. He has a happy faculty of making after-dinner speeches, having frequently appeared at banquets and public gatherings, and his company is eagerly sought wherever he goes. Personally, he is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, jovial. kind, hospitable, unselfish.
To Mr. and Mrs. Emery have been born the following children : Bur- dett R. lives in Abilene, Kansas; Theodosia married Jesse T. Tripp, and they are living at Bennett, Colorado; Avery lives in Newton.
Fraternally, Mr. Emery belongs to Newton Lodge No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Newton, and Gebal Chapter No. 12, Royal Arch Masons. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Newton. He has a pleasant and well furnished home at Newton.
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THOMAS R. PHILLIPS.
The present sketch is concerned with the life of a man who was for- merly one of the prominent farmers of Jasper county. In all the relations of life he was faithful in every respect to the highest standard of duty, whether in the service of his country in war, or in the every-day duties of his peaceful farm. Though for some time he has been a resident of the better land, his memory still lives in the hearts of his affectionate wife and children, the lat- ter of whom are now occupying useful positions in the work of the world to- day.
Thomas R. Phillips was born in Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, on December 22. 1833, the son of Henry and Maria Phillips. When he was seven years of age his parents came to Knox county, Ohio, and here he grew to manhood on a farm eight miles west of the city of Mount Vernon. On the 9th day of November, 1856. he was married to Harriett Rebecca Allfree, of Green Valley, in the same county, for whom his friendship dating from boyhood had ripened into love. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the service of the United States government in Company E. Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry, thus freely offering, if need be, his life to his country. His regi- ment was under the command of Col. W. C. Cooper, of Mount Vernon, and soon after joining it Mr. Phillips was detached from his company, and made wagon master of his division, a position which he filled honorably and effi- ciently until he was honorably discharged from the service on account of ill health. In 1864 Mr. Phillips and his family moved to lowa, where he ex- pected to find, and did find, greater opportunity in farming than in his native state. He lived on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres until 1883. when he removed to Newton, there erected a handsome residence at No. 319 South Market street, and lived here until his death, on March 4, 1903, his life lacking but a few months of reaching the three score and ten allotted to man. His widow is still living in the home on South Market street. Mr. Phillips, as well as his family, was a member of the Methodist church of Newton, and took an active part in church work. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army counted him as one of the most enthusiastic of its members.
The children of Thomas R. and Harriett R. Phillips are: Edward. de- ceased ; Arthur A., deceased : Ella M., the wife of William Yost, of Newton, to whom she has borne one child, Cecil B .; Ida MI., deceased, formerly the wife of Charles Downs, of Kansas.
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Thomas R. Phillips was a man liked and respected by all who knew him, on account of the many strong and worthy features of his character. Of a companionable disposition, enjoying the society of his brother man, welcome in all gatherings, kind and generous to the poor and needy, he was in the bosom of his family the most affectionate of husbands and kindest of fathers. In war a brave and gallant soldier, in peace a substantial. public spirited citi- zen, to all mankind a friend, to his family all in all, and they all in all to him-such was Thomas R. Phillips, whose taking away left a vacancy not to be filled in the ranks of the citizens of Newton.
W. O. MCELROY.
There is no member of the Jasper county bar who occupies a higher position in the estimation of the people than does W. O. McElroy, attorney, whose office is over the Jasper County Bank. During his many years of practice he has built up a very large clientele and he occupies a peculiar posi- tion before the people in that he is regarded as an exceedingly safe counselor in all matters pertaining to legal questions. It speaks well for any man who may have the confidence of the people to such an extent that he is regarded as especially adapted to the settlement of estates and matters of equity. Mr. McElroy holds this position. His services are likewise in large demand where the drawing of intricate papers is involved .- in fact, as a lawyer, he is easily the peer of any of his professional brethren throughout the state, and the honorable distinction already achieved at the bar is an earnest of the still wider sphere of usefulness that he is destined to fill, and the higher honors to be achieved in years to come as he is yet in the prime of manhood and a close observer of the trend of the times and an intelligent student of the great questions and issues upon which the thought of the best minds of the world are centered.
Mr. McElroy was born in Fayette county, Ohio, February 2. 1858, of a sterling old family of the Buckeye state, his parents being Hugh and Martha (Kerr) McElroy, both natives of Ohio, where they grew to maturity, re- ceived their education and married, and where they began life on a farm, emigrating to Jasper county, Iowa, when their son, W. O., of this review, was eleven years of age, locating about five miles north of Newton. Here the father continued to reside for forty years, becoming well established and an influential man in his community, making this his home until his death, De- cember 8, 1908, having attained the advanced age of eighty-nine years. He
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