USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 53
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CARRIE L. EARLEY.
No history of Jasper county, published in the beginning of the twen- tieth century would be complete if special mention were not made of the well remembered lady of talent whose name forms the caption of this biographical memoir, whose beautiful and idyllic life has been transplanted to higher planes, but whose influence will long continue to pervade and uplift the lives of her many, many warm friends left to continue the "farce men call life."
Carrie L. Earley was born near Newton, Iowa, February 2, 1880, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George G. Earley, a well known and highly respected early Jasper county family. Her girlhood years were spent on the farm near Newton and her education was begun in the country schools. Later she graduated from the Newton high school and, having applied herself very assiduously to her text-books, received a good education, and afterward became one of the faithful and popular teachers in the schools of her home city, continuing her work until frail health compelled her to desist. In 1904 she was nominated on the Democratic ticket for county superintendent of schools and reduced the Republican majority of six hun- dred to one hundred and seventy-five.
The local newspapers reflected from time to time her literary tendencies and her writings were always read with interest and pleasure, for hers was a very versatile and trenchant pen, such as only the truly gifted can wield. Her mind was exceedingly keen, her information was general and her grasp of matters pertaining to the interests of the people was broad and comprehen-
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sive. She had a faculty of close analysis and was quick at repartee and un- usually strong and apt in debate. Her mind and heart were absolutely pure and very sympathetic. She always aligned herself on the side of right and was completely against oppression of any sort, no matter against whom nor by whom directed.
From girlhood she had a passion for writing verses. She wrote simply because her mind was overflowing with thoughts too big to be retained, yet she was conservative and was seldom heard to speak of her writings, even to intimate friends. It was not until "afterward" that the volumes and quality of what she had written were fully comprehended and that her friends and acquaintances realized that they had had in their midst a soul gifted with poetic fire.
On August 24, 1907, Miss Earley passed into larger life. The splendid beauty of her character and the strong undercurrent of love which dominated her every impulse were more clearly understood when what she had written was revealed.
A book of her poems, containing eighty pages, has been published and even the closest friends of the author were surprised at the diversity of the subject-matter, showing a breadth of thought and comprehensiveness un- surmised. Some of her verses have been set to music and have thus touched the hearts of many.
Although her span of years was short, she wielded an influence that shall be ever widening and deepening and her work will not be finished until the "great book" is closed. Her beautiful Christian character was the finished product of the Master Builder, whose skill she reflected in her work-in school, in church and in literary pursuits.
As a further perpetuation of her sweet memory it may be said that one of her gems of verses has been adapted to a pleasing air and has now been pub- lished and adopted in many of the public schools of the state. The words of this popular song are as follows :
IOWA, FAIREST OF EARTHI.
You may sing of the glorious mountains And their snow-capped peaks so high ; I can sing of a sight that is fairer, That, delights while it rests the eye ; 'Tis the beautiful rolling prairie
Where the green hills meet the blue sky.
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Chorus :- There's a land that is fairer and dearer Than any strange country on earth, Where the breezes sweep over the prairie, In the beautiful land of my birth, And the sunlight kisses the green fields Of old Iowa-fairest of earth.
You may sing of the grand old ocean When the white sails its breast adorn ; I am sure there is a sight that is grander In the dear land where I was born- When the warm wind ruffles the green waves In a field of old Iowa's corn.
You may sing of magnificent mansions, Of the castles on the Rhine ; They can never bring rest to the homesick ; For their splendor I do not pine. But I long for the little old farm house On that dear childhood home of mine.
C. D. DENNIS.
The subject of this sketch, Clay Dean Dennis, is a native of Iowa, having been born August 23. 1860, in Wapello county. His father, Benjamin H., and his mother, Matilda (Jackson) Dennis, were both natives of Brown county, Ohio. The father, Benjamin Dennis, was born May 27, 1830, and his childhood and youth were spent in his native county. On attaining his majority, he left his home in Ohio and came west, locating in Lee county, Iowa, about the year 1852. Remaining here only about one year, he went on to Wapello county, where he purchased land, and the next year, on August 23, 1854, he married Matilda Jackson, daughter of Richard and Isabella (Baum) Jackson, whose birth occurred on November 5. 1833. To this couple were born three sons and two daughters, all of whom first saw the light of day in Wapello county, Iowa, and whose names are as follows : Wesley, born in June, 1855, died at Dexter, Iowa. November 3, 1909; Min-
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erva, born October 17, 1856, married James Carey, and lives near Kilduff ; Willmer, born December 17, 1857, lives in Newton; one child who died in infancy; and Clay Dean, the subject of this review. In the year 1864 Mr. Dennis traded forty acres of land in Wapello county for two hundred and forty acres in Jasper county, near Kilduff, where he removed his family in March, 1865. Here Mrs. Dennis died on January 7, 1872. On April 23, 1874, Mr. Dennis again married, choosing as his wife Mary J. Davis, daugh- ter of C. M. Davis. In 1878 he built a splendid home in Newton, and retired from active labor ; and here he lived until his death, which occurred January 31, 1900. Mr. Dennis was an active worker in the Disciples church and was always allied with every good work. For ten years he was a member of the official board of the church, with which he united in 1856.
Clay Dean Dennis began working for himself at the age of eighteen years. In 1881 he came into possession of eighty acres of land from his father, which he still holds, and he has since then acquired other lands through his energy, industry and successful operations until he is now the owner of three hun- dred and twenty acres of the best land in Jasper county.
On March 4, 1883, Mr. Dennis was united in marriage to Margaret A. Richardson, daughter of James and Ann (Stabler) Richardson, both natives of England, the mother born at Molerat Row, Long Benton parish, England, March 21, 1827. Mrs. Dennis was the only child of this marriage, but by a former marriage of the mother to a man by the name of Hall there were three children, namely : Lizzie, who died in infancy, and Henry and Thomas Hall, both living in Grundy county, Missouri. The mother, who was born on March 27, 1827, is living with her son, H. S. Hall, in Missouri. Mrs. Dennis was born May 13, 1865, in New Castle, England, and when she was one year old, the family came to the United States, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Six years later they removed to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and five years later they came to Jasper county, Iowa, where they purchased the old Cradlebaugh farm of one hundred and twenty acres near Kilduff, and here the husband and father, James Richardson, departed this life on June 18, 1894.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dennis lived on their farm until in October, 1908, when they removed to Newton, where they now reside. On account of the failing health of Mrs. Dennis, she was no longer able to con- tinue the arduous duties pertaining to life upon the farm.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have been born four children, as follows: James Arthur, born February 6, 1884, married Helen Vinall and lives near Kilduff ; Benjamin H., born June 28, 1885, married Bertie De Bruyn, lives
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near Kilduff; Leah A., born January 6, 1893, now attending high school in Newton; Thomas Clifford, born September 9, 1899, attending school in Newton.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Dennis are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been so affiliated for the last twenty-five years.
Although Mr. Dennis's home is now in Newton, he still takes an active part in overseeing his farm, and in raising, buying and selling stock for the market. He is a Republican in politics. At one time Mr. Dennis was severely kicked by a sick horse, which he was doctoring, and the report was widely circulated that he was killed. Some enterprising firm got up a mem- orial card and sent it to him. He considers it quite a unique experience. Mr. Dennis was treasurer of the school board in his township for a number of years. He owns a fine automobile and goes back and forth to his farm in his car.
JOHN COAKLEY.
The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, if he is willing to press forward in the face of all opposition, refusing to be downed by untoward circumstances, thus making stepping stones of what some would find to be insurmountable stumbling blocks. The gentleman whose life history herewith is, we hope, accurately and succinctly set forth, is a conspicuous 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. As the name indicates, John Coakley is of Irish origin, although born and reared on American soil and a loyal and representative citizen of the state in which he lives. Mr. Coakley was born in Cook county, Illinois, in 1845, the son of Cornelius and Mary (Wolf) Coakley, the father born in county Cork, Ireland, and the mother in Denmark. The father was reared and educated in Ireland, and when twenty- two years of age he emigrated to America, unaccompanied. He at once came to Indiana, when that state was comparatively undeveloped, and there he secured employment on a canal as boss. Mary Wolf came with her parents from far Germany and settled near Ft. Wayne in the Hoosier state, where the father worked at his trade of saddler, and the parents of the subject
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were married in Logansport, Indiana. Subsequently the elder Coakley turned his attention to farming, owning eighty acres near Ft. Wayne, that state, then moved to Terre Haute, and in 1851 he came to Iowa, driving overland to Mahaska county, the trip requiring six weeks, their little caravan con- sisting of two wagons, two carts, a buggy and seven horses. On the trip, John. of this review, then six years old, had an attack of the whooping-cough. Upon their arrival in the wild Hawkeye state, the father purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres, and entered some other, and, being a hard worker and a man of natural business endowments, he prospered in the new country, be- coming influential and among the largest land owners. his estate comprising thirteen hundred acres at the time of his death, forty acres of which was in Elk Creek township, Jasper county. His death occurred near Pella, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, his wife reaching the age of seventy-six when her summons came. Their family consisted of six children, namely : Anna, who is deceased, was the wife of James Sheehy and lived on a farm in Mahaska county ; John, of this review : J. J. lives in Altoona, Iowa ; Thomas is deceased: Catherine, wife of George Sheehy, of Los Angeles, California, where Mr. Sheehy is engaged in business ; Mary is the wife of Henry Van Fleet. an automobile dealer in Pella, Iowa.
John Coakley received what educational training he could in Marion county, under the most primitive and adverse conditions, for it will be remem- bered that he grew up in pioneer times, when there were few schools in this country and what there were lacked proper management and equipment. When twenty-four years of age he began farming for himself on a portion of his father's farmstead, the latter giving him two hundred acres when he reached the age of twenty-seven. This land was in Mahaska county and he still owns it. having added to his holdings there until he is now the owner of four hun- dred and sixty-five acres in that county, and he also owns one hundred and twenty-one acres in Palo Alto township, Jasper county. He became one of the leading general agriculturists and stock men of his community and laid by an ample competency, so that in 1901 he left the farm, moved to Newton, where he has a modern and attractive home, and here he has lived practically retired. although he spends considerable time on his farms.
On June 24. 1869, Mr. Coakley was united in marriage with Catherine Marrinan, of Ottumwa; she was the daughter of Patrick Marrinan. Her death occurred five years later, leaving the following children : Mary Jane, wife of R. A. Autry, died ten years ago, leaving one child, Harry : Catherine T. married Louis Schaub, of Ottumwa, and they have one child. Mart T.
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Two years after the death of his first wife Mr. Coakley remarried, his second wife being Anna Ford, whose death occurred eleven months later with- out issue. In 1881 he was again married, his third and present wife being Johanna C. Mulcahy, who was born in Marion county, Iowa, in 1855, and she is the daugliter of P. L. and Margaret ( Fitzpatrick ) Mulcahy. The father was born in county Limerick, Ireland, and there was reared and attended school, when twenty-five years of age locating at Saratoga, New York. Mrs. Coakley's mother was born in Spring Valley, New York, her parents being natives of Ireland, who came to America and lived a number of years, but finally returned to Ireland, spending the remainder of their days in their native land. When a child of fourteen, Mrs. Coakley's mother paid a visit to the Emerald Isle. These parents came to Iowa in the spring of 1855 and entered and purchased land and followed farming for some time, owning two hundred acres in Fairview township, where the mother still resides, being now seventy-five years of age, the father having died six years ago, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was a remarkable man in many re- spects. They reared ten children, nine of their own, named as follows : Johanna C., wife of Mr. Coakley: Martin, who owns a rice plantation in Arkansas ; Mary is the wife of Fernando Roush and lives in Lamar, Colorado ; Margaret is the wife of Dan O'Roak, of Newton ; Clementine lives with her mother ; Catherine is the wife of Bernard Kane and lives near Percy, Iowa; Jennie, Thomas, James and Richard are all at home. Mary Riley, the adopted child, is now the wife of J. J. Coakley, brother of the subject. She was the child of Mrs. Coakley's aunt ( father's sister), her father having lost his life in the army, as a result of which her mother died of grief.
To Mr. and Mrs. Coakley three children have been born, all of whom are at home, constituting an intelligent, happy and interesting group: Margaret Anna ; Myrtle Agnes, who is teaching in the country schools, and the son, John P. They are all members of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Coakley has been a life-long Democrat.
It is interesting to note that Mr. Coakley helped haul much of the stone and lime that was used in the construction of the old court house, which was torn down to give place to the new structure recently erected. There is now in the family a much beloved and handsome horse, "Bob," a descendant of one of the horses which helped bring the family to Iowa. The Coakley's are most pleasant and hospitable people and they number their friends only by the limits of their acquaintance.
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JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
CAPT. JACOB F. WEAVER.
The record herein presented is that of a man who was a few years ago among the best known and most influential of the citizens of Colfax, whose life is in all respects honorable and a worthy example. Responding to his country's need in his youth, he served faithfully in her armies, and for his bravery and efficiency he won promotion from the ranks to the command of a company ; at the close of the war engaging in business, he proved his capa- bility, and easily won success; he was always ready to aid in the development of his community; and though his death seemed untimely, yet he had com- pleted a full life, and in deeds and works had lived more than many who have lived longer.
Jacob F. Weaver was born in Indiana, the son of George H. and Eliza- beth (West) Weaver, on December 5, 1837. His mother was a sister of William West, a merchant of Colfax. Both his parents died when he was an infant, and he was reared to maturity by his grandmother West. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted at Mechanicsville, Iowa, in the Fifth Iowa Infantry, in which he served until the regiment was almost annihilated, and he was severely wounded. On his return after the healing of his wound he was transferred to Fifth Iowa Cavalry, was promoted, and was mustered out as first lieutenant, acting as captain. He took part in twenty-six battles and skirmishes, and went with Sherman to the sea. After the war he was a leading member of the Grand Army at Colfax.
In 1865 Captain Weaver came to Newton, Iowa, and engaged in the drug business for three years. In 1868 he came to Colfax, and bought out the interest of Mr. Kennedy in the firm of West & Kennedy, in the mercantile business, the new firm being West & Weaver. Until September, 1883. Cap- tain Weaver remained a member of the firm, which had remarkable success, and was during that time the leading business firm in the city. Captain Weaver accumulated a fair amount of property in Colfax. He was especially active in the Republican party, and did considerable work for his party all over the county of Jasper, which was effective, and ranked him as one of the most sucessful workers of the party. He never sought any local office, but was postmaster of Colfax for seven years, dying before his second term expired. Mrs. Weaver was appointed postmaster from 1894 to 1898. Cap- tain Weaver died on January 6, 1893. at the age of fifty-five. His loss was deeply felt by the community.
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Captain Weaver was first married to Kate M. Dee, of Colfax. After her death he was married to Adella V. West, of Colfax, a daughter of Joseph T. West, a pioneer of Jasper county, and a grain merchant of Colfax. Joseph T. West was born in Hicks county, Pennsylvania, and was married in Mount Vernon, Iowa, to Susannah Hahn, the daughter of Daniel S. and Permelia (Epperson) Hahn. Mr. Hahn was an early settler of Lynn county, Iowa, and came in the forties from Virginia. His wife was a native of Kentucky. Joseph T. West died in Colfax, in 1900, at the age of seventy-one. Mrs. Weaver survives her husband.
Captain and Mrs. Weaver became the parents of three children : Roscoe B. Weaver graduated from Simpson College in 1905, and served as a first lieutenant in the Philippine constabulary for about four years from 1905 to 1909. For three years of this time Mrs. Weaver resided in the Philippines with her son. He is now a student at Yale University, New Haven, Con- necticut, taking post-graduate work. Gail S. Weaver is deceased. DiEtta J. Weaver is in school in Colfax.
Captain Weaver was among the foremost men of Colfax in all respects, and had strong faculties of leadership. He was a progressive business man. active in public interests, and a kind and loving husband and father.
WILLIAM M. LOTTS.
The agricultural interests of Jasper county were well represented for a number of years by William M. Lotts, one of the practical and enterprising farmers of the southwestern part of the county, who, after accumulating a competency, is now living retired in his pleasant home at Prairie City. He has been both practical and progressive in his methods and to his energy and perseverance is attributed the gratifying success which has attended his efforts. Fidelity is one of his chief characteristics, such fidelity as is manifest in his faithful discharge of all the duties of life, and it has won him warm regard wherever known.
William M. Lotts was born in Gallia county, Ohio, April 15, 1825, and he is the son of Isaac and Nancy ( Knox) Lotts, natives of Greenbrier county, Virginia, and they engaged in farming all their lives. The paternal grand- father of the subject, Jacob Lotts, emigrated to the United States from Ger- many when but sixteen years of age and settled in Virginia. He was a cabi- netmaker by trade. He enlisted for service in the Revolutionary war in 1876,
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in which he served until the close of the conflict. He married a sister of the famous General Wolfe. He moved to Gallia county, Ohio, in 1806 and there his death occurred in 1839. His wife died in 1837. The father of the subject changed the spelling of the family name from the German "Lotz" to "Lotts." the present spelling. He and a sister left Virginia and came to Ohio in 1814 when that country was still the land of the red men and wild beast, sparsely settled. He entered a quarter section of land from the government,' and estab- lished a home there, working hard and undergoing the usual hardships of a newcomer. Leaving there in 1837. he came to Knox county, Illinois, where he bought two hundred and forty-two acres and on this he spent the remainder of his days, dying on October 4. 1875. his wife preceding him to the grave only a few days, her death occurring September 26th of that year. Three of William Lotts' uncles were soldiers in the war of 1812, namely : Abraham, whose son is at present a prominent figure in Washington, D. C .: William Humphreys and Isaac Hawk. Abraham Lotz also fought in the Indian war of 1811. against Tecumseh's band under the Prophet at Tippecanoe, Indiana. Like other members of his family he was a brave and forbearing man, always ready to face any danger.
William M. Lotts is one of a family of seven children, five of whom reached maturity : Sarah, who married David Ward, died in Illinois ; Minerva, who married Woodford Pearce, also died in Illinois; Salenda, who was the wife of James Rebstock, also died there. Her husband was a lieutenant in the Union army during the Civil war. Milton lives at Knoxville, Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years: William M .. of this sketch, was fifth in order of birth: Abraham was killed while building a raft on the Missouri river, near Fort Benton, Montana, in 1865.
William M. Lotts received his education in the district schools of Knox county, Illinois. In 1851 he was united in marriage with Hester \. Webb, of Ross county. Ohio. She was born November 18, 1829, and her death occurred on August 25. 1899, in Prairie City, Jasper county, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Charlotte (Godfrey) Webb, who came to Illinois in an early day and were well known and prominent in their locality. Mr. Webb was in the war of 1812. His death occurred in Warren county, Illinois, in 1852. His wife died in Indiana when their daughter, Hester A., wife of Mr. Lotts, was but a small child.
Of Mrs. Lotts' brothers and sisters, Oliver died in Colfax, Iowa: Henry, who was a successful gold digger, a member of the famous band of "forty- niners," died in Illinois : Hester A. was next in order of birth : William died at Derby, Iowa, and Francis at Gilson, Illinois.
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After his marriage William M. Lotts began farming, renting land the first year, then bought a quarter section which he later sold, then came to Jefferson county, lowa, where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres. After farming this two years he again sold out and returned to Warren county, Illinois, where he bought one hundred and eighty-five acres of land which he farmed for eleven years, then sold out and purchased a small place near Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois, in order to get proper schooling for his children. After living there three years he sold out and came to Iowa, landing in Prairie City, Jasper county, March 22, 1872, and purchased a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres four miles from town in Des Moines township, which he still owns and which he has kept well improved and well tilled, in fact made it one of the model farms of the county. For this place he paid thirty- three dollars per acre ; it is not worth over one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, in fact, he has refused that figure. Having accumulated a competency through general farming and stock raising, he retired from active life in 1892 and moved to Prairie City.
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