USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 54
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Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lotts, namely : Malissa Jane, who married Jay Prouty, lives on a farm near Prairie City; Olive, who mar- ried Edward Hays, lives six miles from this village, and they have one son, William Russell Hays ; Emma married J. R. Chandler and lives at home with her father; her only child, Hazel, lives with her.
Politically, Mr. Lotts is a Republican and while he takes the interest of a right-minded citizen in public affairs, he has never sought political preference. He has been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty years, having been class leader for many years. His wife was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, and known to a wide circle of friends as a noble-minded, kind-hearted woman.
JOHN W. REYNOLDS.
It is oftentimes considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the his- torian or the cheers and appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things and very few are great in many things. Many by a lucky stroke achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their neighborhoods .. It is not a history of the
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lucky stroke that benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a guide for the success of others. Among those of the past genera- tion in Jasper county who achieved success along steady lines of action was John W. Reynolds, a man whose character was above reproach and who richly merited the confidence and esteem which all freely accorded him, for he took a deep interest in the development of the locality, and always stood ready to do his full share in the work of progress.
Mr. Reynolds was born on July 23, 1837, in Vermilion county, Illinois, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds, the mother dying when he was a baby and when he was about fifteen years old his father came to Linn county, Iowa, and there purchased a farm where he continued to reside until his death, becoming well established there, and he was one of the well known settlers of that county.
When he was about twenty-five years of age, John W. Reynolds returned to Vermilion county, Illinois, and located near his old home, remaining there about fifteen years, during which time he met and married, on June 16, 1861, Mary A. Morgan, of that county. She was born June 4. 1843, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Morgan, successful farmers of that county and highly honored citizens there.
Seven children were born to this union, named as follows: Dora May died when four years old; Alton lives in Denver, Colorado: Ida (deceased) married H. Van Epps, of Jasper county, and they had two children, Nellie Grace dying in infancy, Percy being the living child; Loella Reynolds died at the home of her mother at the age of thirty-one years in 1901 ; Victor, who lives on the home farm, married Ada L. Simpson and they have four children, Foster, Paul, Floyd and Robert: Nellie Reynolds died in 1901 ; Foster, the youngest child, died in 1901.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John W. Reynolds took up their residence in Illinois and remained there eleven years, and in 1872 the family came to Jasper county, Iowa, locating in Buena Vista township on a farm of one hundred and forty acres, about five and one-half miles southeast of Newton and there they lived until the death of Mr. Reynolds on April 4, 1892, and there Mrs. Reynolds continued to reside until 1900, when she moved to Newton, locating in a commodious and cozy home which she had built. Remaining there a few years, she moved to the beautiful home she now owns and occupies at No. 215 North Mechanic street, and here many friends delight . to gather for she is popular with a wide acquaintance. She has retained the home farm. Mr. Reynolds made quite a success as a general farmer and stock
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raiser and he was a man whom everybody trusted. He was a worthy and active member of the Methodist church at Pleasant View, Jasper county, to which his family also belongs. In 1862 Mr. Reynolds showed his love of the national union by enlisting for service in the Federal army, becoming a mem- ber of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. A few months later he was honorably discharged on account of disability and returned to his home in Vermilion county, Illinois.
Politically, Mr. Reynolds was a Republican and he took an active part in the affairs of his party. He was a well read man and always abreast of the times.
JESSE SLAVENS.
The subject of the present sketch is a well known resident of Colfax, and was formerly a farmer of Washington township, where by hard work and honest dealing he accumulated a large amount of property, and is still the owner of one of the largest and best farms of the township. To his neighbors he is known as a man of high honor and integrity, of good business judgment, an enterprising and progressive farmer and a loyal friend.
Jesse Slavens was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, thirty miles west of Indianapolis, the son of James and Mary (Davis) Slavens. The Slavens family were a family of soldiers. Many of the Indiana family served in the Mexican war, Reuben Slavens, the grandfather of Jesse and his son Thomas took an active part in the war of 1812, and Reuben Slavens' father served in the Virginia troops during the Revolution. Jesse Slavens came to Iowa at the solicitation of his uncle, C. M. Davis, with whom he lived for a while. At the outbreak of the war no youth descended from such a line of soldiers could have remained away from battle at his country's call, and Jesse Slavens en- listed in Company I. Tenth Iowa Infantry, under Captain Garrett, in 1861, and served for four years. He was in the Western army through the Corinth campaign to Vicksburg, was at the battle of Missionary Ridge, and went with Sherman to Atlanta and on to the sea, then took part in the Grand Review at Washington. He followed the line of greatest resistance, and took part in all the principal battles fought by the Western army. Always a brave and faith- ful soldier, he escaped with but one wound during the war, a slight one re- ceived at Champion Hill.
At the close of the war, in the fall of 1865, Jesse Slavens came to Wash- ington township and located on the farm which he now owns, where he has
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since spent the most of his life and which contains four hundred acres of fertile and improved land. On this farm he has expended much labor and it has been well rewarded. One year ago he rented his farm and retired to Colfax. Mr. Slavens is a member of the Grand Army, an Odd Fellow, and has taken the blue lodge and chapter degrees of Masonry. In politics he is a strict Republican, and has efficiently served the people for one term on the board of county supervisors. He is now trustee of Washington township, serving on his second term, having been six years in office. His official service has been greatly satisfactory to the people. Mr. Slavens owns a large amount of business property in Colfax. Mr. Slavens has one child. a daughter, the wife of Jesse Marquis, of Washington township.
Widely and favorably known in the county. Mr. Slavens is especially deserving of mention among the representative citizens of his community.
ROBERT ALEXANDER SCOTT.
One of the influential citizens of Jasper county is Robert Alexander Scott, who, after a strenuous life as an agriculturist, is now living in honorable retirement. A man of excellent endowments and upright character, he has been a valued factor in local affairs and has ever commanded unequivocal con- fidence and esteem, being loyal to the upbuilding of his community and ever vigilant in his efforts to further its interests along material, moral and civic lines.
Mr. Scott was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 30, 1845, the son of John G. and Isabel J. (Smith) Scott. The father was born in Wales and was the son of Job Scott, who came with his father to America when the former was only four months old, locating in Pennsylvania, near Parkers- burg, and later moved to Belmont, Ohio, and there the death of Job Scott occurred in February, 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-five years, he having been born on May 25, 1789. There were eight children in his family, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: John G., father of Robert A., of this review, was born June 30, 1816: Harrison, now deceased: Henry died in Warren county, Iowa, in 1911: Jefferson went to the frontier at the age of twenty years and was never again heard of; Mary Ann, who married a Mr. Green, lived in the southern part of Iowa, and she died in 1911 .: Sarah Jane married a Mr. Balderson and lives in Chicago; Elizabeth Scott Robinson lives in Illinois : Rebecca Scott-Burk is living in Ohio. The family is of a sturdy stock and all live to an advanced age.
MR. AND MRS. ROBERT A. SCOTT
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTAR LEW.X TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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John G. Scott, father of the subject, was a cooper by trade, but after he came to Iowa he engaged in farming, becoming well known in the county and was influential among the pioneers, being a fine old gentleman personally of whom it was said, "He has no enemies." Being a man of exemplary char- acter, he was highly respected by all who knew him; he was fearless in the discharge of his duties when he knew he was right and he held various township offices. His death occurred on August 7, 1905, at the age of eighty- nine years, his widow, who was a native of Ohio, surviving until February 25, 1910, reaching the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of three children, Lovina J., who married David Tipton, lives at Baxter, Iowa, they being retired; Sarah Frances, who married Joseph Miskimins, is now de- ceased ; Robert Alexander, of this review, was the oldest of the three.
Mr. Scott received a good common school education in his native county and he lived at home until his marriage, on January 10, 1867, to Eliza Moore, the daughter of John and Eliza (Hutchinson) Moore. Her father was born in Ireland and he came to America when a child with his parents and settled on a farm in Guernsey county, Ohio, and there the daughter, Eliza, was born on May 25, 1845. She was the next youngest daughter in a family of six children, namely: Nancy J., deceased, married J. B. Wherry, who formerly lived in Jones county, Iowa; Mary, who married William J. Wherry, lived on a farm near Wyoming, Jones county, until Mr. Wherry's death; William James is living retired in Jackson county ; Samuel G. is in the mercantile business in New York city ; John Humphrey, the young- est, enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil war, at the age of sixteen years, and he was captured and confined in Andersonville prison, where he died.
Soon after the marriage of the subject he came to Jasper county, Iowa, and located on a farm south of Baxter, of one hundred and twenty acres. Here he devoted himself to farming successfully until about twelve years ago. He then bought two hundred and twenty acres nine miles south of Newton, a part of the Jesse Long place, which he still owns. It is a valuable and well improved place. About ten years ago he bought property in Newton and retired from active farming and stock raising, having since lived quietly in his beautiful home in this city. He was very successful in his life work, having always applied himself very carefully to whatever he had in hand.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of three children, namely : Alice Orena, born September 25, 1867, married George Alfred, and they are now living in South Dakota and have three children. John A., born March 14, 1871, (37)
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lives on a farm south of Newton, and they have one child. Elba Job, born May 25, 1875, lives in Newton.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the United Presbyterian church. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Baxter; Mrs. Scott is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
Mr. Scott has always taken an abiding interest in the general develop- ment of Jasper county and has always stood reeady to aid in any worthy movement. He has made a host of warm personal friends since coming to this county by his exemplary life, his public spirit and his industry.
LEONARD ALDING GREENLIEF.
One of the most interesting figures in Jasper county is Leonard Alding Greenlief. Genial, kindly and at all times cheerful, he is as alert in mind and body as a man much younger in years. Although almost blind for the past few years, this great affliction has by no means cast a shadow over his courageous and buoyant spirit, and his fund of ready humor is a delight to all who know him. As a teller of war stories (for he is one of the veteran heroes of the great civil strife of the sixties) he has few equals. While his stories are told in a humorous vein, for it is his nature to hold up the brighter side of a picture to one's view, yet their dramatic quality graphically portrays the horrors of that great conflict.
Mr. Greenlief was born on February 22, 1841, in the eastern part of Canada, in Shepherd county, about seven miles north of Vermont. He is the son of William C. and Mary ( Whitcomb) Greenlief, both natives of Canada, where the father engaged in farming, moving with his family in 1858 to Illinois, settling near Bloomington, later moving to the southern part of the state, remaining there about a year, then went back to Canada; but in a little while he came back to Illinois, locating in Henderson county. In 1862 he moved to Scott county, Iowa, where his son, Leonard A., of this review; had preceded him the year before. In 1864 he came to Jasper county and bought two hundred and forty acres of land, in Mound Prairie township, not far from Prairie City, and here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. William C. Greenlief was twice married. His first wife, mother of the subject, died in Canada before the family came to the states. After her death he married Eunice Brown. Seven children were born of the first union, namely: Mary, Adaline. Leonard Ald-
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ing, George, Lyman, Lottie and Mark. Lottie is a widow, living in Cali- fornia. By the second marriage four children were born: Hattie died in infancy; Emma J. died when seventeen years old; Charles lives in Newton; Homer has no fixed home.
Leonard A. Greenlief received his education in the district schools of Canada, and was seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States. He broke prairie sod for his father in Illinois. In 1861 he came to Scott county, Iowa, and worked for some time at breaking sod. In July, 1862, he proved his loyalty to the constitution by enlisting in the Union army, taking out his first papers looking toward citizenship at that time. His enlistment was at Davenport in Company C, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He saw a great deal of hard service, and, according to his comrades, made a most efficient soldier. He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the siege of Vicksburg for two months, at Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines, Fort Blakely, the outer works of Mobile, Alabama. After the engagement at Prairie Grove their company was sent to Van Buren, taking no provisions with them, expecting to find forage there, but the enemy had decamped, taking or destroying everything in the nature of forage, and the day following they marched back to Prairie Grove again, covering a dis- tance of forty miles without a bite to eat. Whenever videttes were called for he always volunteered, until after he had a most horrifying experience, after which he was not so eager for vidette duty. He was one of five who were sent to different posts to watch the movements of the enemy. He was the only one of the five who succeeded in reaching the post assigned him. The enemy advanced rapidly and the opposing factions engaged each other at about a distance of twenty rods with vidette Greenlief between them, lying among the weeds as close to the ground as he could, remaining there from eight in the morning until nine at night, when, under cover of darkness, he got back to camp. After that his voice was not the first to answer for vidette duty. He was sent on detached duty to serve in guarding a fleet of sixteen boats from Duvall's Bluff to Little Rock. He was never injured nor was he in the hospital during the service. He was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama. and discharged at Clinton, Iowa, after three years of gallant service under the flag of his adopted country. After his return from the army he remained in Scott county only a month, then came to Jasper county. In the fall of 1866 he bought eighty acres of land in Mound Prairie township, and from time to time he has added to it until at the present time he owns nine hun- dred acres of valuable, productive and well improved land, in two tracts. He made a pronounced success as a general farmer and stock raiser, becoming
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one of the substantial men of this part of the county. Thirteen years ago he retired from active work and moved to Newton, where he has since made his home, having a modern, attractive and neatly furnished home in one of the choice residental sections of the city.
On May 1, 1866, Mr. Greenlief was united in marriage with Hattie Chap- man, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1848, the daughter of J. O. and Mary (Woodruff) Chapman, both natives of Ohio, where Mr. Chap- man followed farming and owned a general store at Marysville, also at Richland. He came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1865 and bought land in Mound Prairie township, and here he became very well established. He died at the age of eighty-five years. There were six children in his family, namely : Mrs. Martha Thompson, deceased; Mrs. Ellen Hurd, deceased; Mrs. Frances Halferty lives in Spokane, Washington; Albert is engaged in the butcher business in Colfax; George is farming in Newton township; Hattie, wife of Mr. Greenlief of this review. The mother of these children died when the wife of the subject was five years old, and the father married again, two chil- dren being born by his second union, Charles A., who is living in Oregon, and Mrs. Mary Galusha, of Wichita, Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Greenlief have one child, Mertie, who married Frank Clymer ; they live on their farm near Prairie City and have five children, Vera, Kathryne. Nellie, John L. and William.
Mr. Greenlief is a Democrat, and is a member of the Congregational church. as is also his wife; she is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
JOHN M. HIATT.
Specific mention is made within the pages of this book of many of the worthy citizens who have honored Jasper county with their residence-citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored section of the great Hawkeye commonwealth and whose interests are or have been identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well being of the community which he selected for the arena of his life labors and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this worthy number of a past generation none was more influential or conspicuous than the late John M. Hiatt, a man combining many praiseworthy characteristics of head and heart, much of whose busy and useful life was spent within the borders of this county, whose interests he ever had at heart
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and sought to foster while laboring to advance his own. For his public spirit, his industry and exemplary character he was held in high regard by all classes.
Mr. Hiatt was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 21, 1819. He was the son of Elsey and Sallie Hiatt, who were among the old settlers of that county, the family finally moving from there to Shelby county, Ohio, when the son, John M. Hiatt, was about four years old, and there grew to maturity on the home farm and received a good education in the country public schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was married to Catherine Ike, of Shelby county, Ohio, on February 24, 1842. She was born in that county on February 2, 1821, she and Mr. Hiatt having been schoolmates there. She was the daughter of William and Hannah Ike, pioneer residents of that lo- cality, where they became prosperous farmers and influential in the affairs of the neighborhood.
After their marriage John M. Hiatt and wife remained in Shelby county, Ohio, three years, then, in 1845, moved to Dearborn county, Indiana, locating on a farm where they spent three years, thence moving to Ross, that state, where Mr. Hiatt engaged in carpentering until 1854, then started on the overland trip to Jasper county, Iowa, having been joined in Davenport, Iowa, by the parents of Mr. Hiatt, who accompanied them to Jasper county. They located on farms in Rock Creek township, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres from the government, the county being new, unimproved, in fact, wild. There the parents established a good home, in which they spent the remainder of their lives and there John M. Hiatt and wife lived until 1863. when they sold out and moved to Newton, which city was Mr. Hiatt's place of abode until his death. on January 13, 1887, at the home on West High street, where his widow continued to reside until summoned to her reward, some twenty- three years afterwards. Here Mr. Hiatt followed carpentering and contract- ing, with the exception of three years, when he was in the drug business on the east side of the public square. He was very successful in whatever he turned his attention to and he became one of the best known contractors in this locality, many of the substantial buildings over the county today being monu- ments to his skill as a builder.
Mr. Hiatt was a strong Republican and he took an active interest in party affairs. He was a worthy and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newton. He left his widow a beautiful home and several valuable buildings in Newton, which she owned until her death, on December 27, 1910, having attained the advanced age of ninety years. She was active and hearty almost to the last. her mind acute and memory excellent. It was a rare treat
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to hear her recall reminiscences of the early days and conditions of pioneer times, both here and in Ohio. She led a devout Christian life and always enjoyed the association of a host of warm friends.
To Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hiatt one child was born, a daughter, Sophia Jane, whose birth occurred on December 27, 1842, in Shelby county. She died when six years of age.
John M. Hiatt was admired and respected by all who knew him, and he did much for the early development of Jasper county along material and moral lines, and he and his faithful life companion are eminently deserving of a conspicuous place in her history.
JAMES EASTMAN.
It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the keynote of prosperity. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful celerity, and it was by such means that James Eastman, late of New- ton, Jasper county, forged to the front and won an honored place among the substantial citizens of the locality of which this volume treats. He was widely and favorably known as a man of high character, and for a number of years his influence in the community was marked and salutary.
Mr. Eastman came to us from England, where his birth occurred in 1832, and when sixteen years of age he emigrated to America, arriving on the shores of the United States, but later he went to Canada, and remained at Toronto for five years, then he went to the state of New York, where he spent four years. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Martha Hadley, of Machias, New York, in which place she was born in 1837, the daughter of John and Paulina Hadley, of that place. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Eastman came to Jasper county, Iowa, and located in Newton in the spring of 1856, and there Mr. Eastman remained until his death. Owing to failing health he retired from active work about four years prior to his death, which occurred on February 20, 1907, at the home where his widow now resides, No. 600 East Temperance street. His remains were interred in Newton cemetery. He was among the old settlers and was for years a prominent character here: he was influential in the development of the city and county and played well his part in the same. He devoted his life to contracting, both in stone and wood. work, and was very successful. Many of the finest and most substantial
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buildings which stand in Newton today are monuments to his skill as a builder. His services were in great demand owing to his adroitness in his chosen line of endeavor and his honesty in all his contracts. He left considerable valuable property to his widow, including a modern and substantial home in Newton.
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