USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 29
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Mr. Phelan was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, on September 12, 1839, the son of Michael and Mary (Dullard) Phelan, both natives of the Emerald isle, where they grew up, were educated and married, in fact, spent their lives on a farm of their own, which was, indeed, unusual in that country, most of the land having been owned from almost time immemorial by the so-
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called or actual aristocracy. Their family consisted of four sons and three daughters, namely : Daniel, of this review, was the eldest; William came to America and is now living in Poweshiek township, this county; Mrs. Ellen Ryan; Charles is deceased; Michael lives in Valeria; Mary and Anna both died when young.
Daniel Phelan attended school in Ireland and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years of age, then came to the United States, lo- cating in 1866 in Jasper county, Iowa, and, in order to get a start, worked as a farm hand for a Mr. Gannor, then rented land for two years. By this time he was enabled to buy eighty acres in Poweshiek township. He soon had his place under excellent improvements, put up a good dwelling, substantial barns and, prospering by hard work and good management, he became, in due course of time, one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of the county, and he is now the owner of about one thousand acres of valuable and desirable land, all of which receives his careful attention. He has been an extensive cattle feeder, shipping several car loads each year to market, and, being an excellent judge of live stock and how to properly care for them, no small part of his splendid competency has been derived from this source. He is a man of excellent judgment and foresight and his rise was rapid when he reached a place where opportunities existed.
Politically, Mr. Phelan is a Democrat, but he has not been an office seeker, preferring to lead a quiet life, devoting his attention to his large landed estate, lying along the rich bottoms of the Skunk river, this valley being as rich as any in Iowa. In view of the fact that he came to this locality a poor boy some forty-seven years ago, and, without assistance from anyone, forged his way to the front rank of our industrious citizens, he is certainly deserving of a great deal of credit and of the high esteem in which he is universally held. He is known to be a man of scrupulous honesty, his word being as good as the bond of most men, and he is widely known and liked by all who have had dealings with him or know him well. He is a worthy member of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Phelan was married on July 7, 1873, to Catherine Phelan, no rela- tion although same name; her birth occurred in Queens county, Ireland, and she is the daughter of Edward Phelan and wife, natives of Ireland. One child born to the subject and wife, whom they named Michael, is deceased.
But Mr. Phelan was a father to many. In their generous and hospita- ble way he and his good wife were always ready to welcome to their home those who needed a friend and protector, and they loved and provided for those under their care, as if they were their own children.
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REECE BOND.
A modern business man, prominent in all circles, of Reasnor, Jasper county, is Reece Bond, who seems to have inherited something of the Bond characteristics of energy, integrity and praiseworthy traits in general, and he is a genial, kind-hearted young fellow who can claim hosts of friends, espe- cially in his home town of Reasnor.
Mr. Bond was born in Monroe, Iowa, December 6, 1878, and he is the son of S. A. and Lydia J. (Anderson) Bond, natives of Ohio. His parents were married in Iowa, whither they had immigrated in their youth, and at the time of their marriage the father was a farmer. Later he engaged in the grocery business at Monroe, of which city he was a pioneer merchant, and was successfully engaged in business there over ten years. Within one year of his death he sold out on account of ill health, his death having occurred on May 3, 1886, at the early age of forty years. He was a well known man and public spirited citizen of fine attributes. In politics he was a Republican. His wife died at Monroe, Iowa, on December 6, 1909, at the age of sixty-one years.
Reece Bond is a member of a family of six children, one of whom, Carl, died when sixteen years of age; those living, besides the subject, are, Mrs. Minnie Crum, wife of W. S. Crum, a farmer living near Altoona, Iowa; Madge Miller, wife of W. F. Miller, a general manager for the Southern Pacific railroad, at Marshfield, Oregon; Mrs. "Milly" Custer is the wife of Charles Custer, a merchant at Monroe, Iowa ; Grace married W. H. Roman, a farmer who resides near Monroe, Iowa.
Reece Bond, the youngest child in his family, obtained a good education in the home schools, and he began working for himself when seventeen years of age as clerk in a clothing house, where he remained for five years, giving his employers the utmost satisfaction by his aptitude to learn the business and his courtesy to the trade. Then he moved to Jasper county and began farm- ing, which he followed successfully for a period of eight years, then, in 1908, he accepted a position in the general store of Fred Roberts, in Reasnor, Mr. Bond being general manager, which position he held with much credit to himself and to the satisfaction of Mr. Roberts until 1909, when the store was purchased by F. J. Coffee, with whom Mr. Bond still remains, although he lives upon his farm near Reasnor. He has an excellent place, which he has kept well improved and on which stand a comfortable and attractive resi- dence and good outbuildings.
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On November 17, 1899, Mr. Bond was married to Nellie D. Sipe, the daughter of James and Clara (Solomon) Sipe, both natives of Ohio. She has no natural brothers or sisters, but one half brother. Charles Sipe, of Pella, Iowa. Her father was killed in a runaway accident near Reasnor, Iowa, in September, 1888. Her mother, Mrs. J. B. Wheeler, resides in Newton.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bond have been born three children, all of whom are living, namely : Carl, born October 15, 1902; Helen, born October 5, 1904; Winnifred, born November 13, 1910, are all at home, the two eldest being in school.
Mr. Bond is well known in the vicinity of Reasnor and over the county and his reputation is without a stain. Fraternally, he is a member of Fair- view Lodge No. 197, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Monroe, also of the Woodmen of the World at Reasnor. He has held a number of town- ship offices and he was recently a candidate for the office of trustee of Palo Alto township, losing by but a small margin. He was formerly a director of the local telephone company and he is a man who is active and influential in all public affairs.
Mrs. Bond is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Reasnor, and she takes an active part in both church and Sunday school work. She was born on the farm upon which they now reside.
RICHARD E. BOND.
When he gazes over his broad acres of well cultivated land Richard E. Bond, a progressive young farmer of Mound Prairie township, is justified in feeling that he has achieved the acme of his ambition, when in early life he became imbued with the ambition to some day take front rank among the leading agriculturists of his locality.
Mr. Bond was born in Wisconsin, March 15, 1873. He is the son of Richard Bond, Sr., and Frances (Bartholomew) Bond, the father born in the state of New York in 1838 and the mother in Wisconsin. The father devoted his life to farming and when two years old he came to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, with his parents, William and Eva (Smith) Bond. The father of. the subject grew up in Wisconsin and there engaged in farming for a number of years on rented land. During the Civil war he served in the Union army. 'In 1875 he brought his family to Mound Prairie township, Jasper county, where he homesteaded a farm, also rented land and here be-
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came very comfortably established. The death of his wife occurred in 1882 and in 1888 he moved to Nebraska, and at the town of Scotia he ran a store. His death occurred in 1906.
To Richard Bond, Sr., and wife the following children were born : William A .; Richard E., of this sketch; Edward, Mrs. Eliza Gilbert, Mrs. Harriet Etta Baker, Mrs. Mary Jane Lytle, Fred, Lottie and Phoebe are all deceased.
The subject of this sketch attended the Bear Grove school in Mound Prairie township, and after his mother's death lived a short time with his aunt. Mrs. Kees, then began working out as a farm hand
Then he married and rented land for six years. In 1906 he bought forty acres in Mound Prairie township, and to this he has added forty acres more. He has built a modern house and barn, and everything about the place is under excellent improvements and shows good management.
Politically, Mr. Bond is a Republican and he has served his township as assessor for six years.
On March 22, 1899, Mr. Bond was united in marriage with Agnes Maude Dales, who was born in Jasper county. She is the daughter of William Dales, a complete sketch of whom is found in another part of this work. The following interesting children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bond : William Wilford, Genevieve, Pearl and Mamie Evelyn.
ALLEN W. FORSYTH.
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal army during the great civil war between the states. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known, especially if he puts on his old faded uniform. And. when he passes away, which all of them will do in the course of another decade or two, friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made fifty years ago on the field of battle, on the long, weary march or the no less dreaded hospital, and ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recount- ing his services to his country in the hour of peril. Allen W. Forsyth, long one of the enterprising farmers of Jasper county, who is now spending his last years in honorable retirement in his cozy home in the town of Sully, is one of the old soldiers who went forth to fight to save the Union of the states.
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Mr. Forsyth was born in Decatur county, Indiana, August 14, 1847, the son of Thomas Harris Forsyth, a native of New Jersey. He devoted his life to farming and in early life came to Indiana where he bought a farm. In 185I he drove an ox team and wagon overland to Marion county, Iowa, and bought a farm, in fact, two farms of eighty acres each. He traversed Jasper county on his way and found but one house between Lynnville and Newton. He was a typical pioneer and was delighted with the new country, although to many less courageous souls it would have been far from inviting, for the roads were little less than winding trails, no bridges spanned the streams, no fences stretched across the seemingly interminable plains, still the roaming grounds of the wolf and other kindreds of the wild. He had the wisdom to foresee a great future for the country and he did not mind the hardships in getting a foothold here. He had married Mary Ann Hawk, a native of Kentucky, and they worked hard, economized and soon had a comfortable home in payment of their pains, and there Mr. Forsyth became influential, taking a leading part in public affairs. For some time he was a member of the board of supervisors, and for a period of twenty years he was a justice of the peace, filling these offices in a most worthy manner. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He ably served his coun- try as second lieutenant in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His family consisted of four children: Charles died during the Civil war while in the service ; Allen W., of this review ; John is deceased; Fred lives in Nebraska.
Allen W. Forsyth attended school in Marion county, and he assisted his father with the general work about the place until his marriage. He then bought forty acres in Marion county, which he later sold and he came to Jasper county in 1881 and bought two hundred acres in Linn Grove township, his father having assisted him in the purchase. Later disposing of this, he bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he still owns and which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement and successfully carried on diversified farming until 1907, when he retired and moved to Sully and there built a modern, well-arranged and beautiful home.
Politically, Mr. Forsyth is a Republican and he served as assessor for seven years in succession. He is a member of the Congregational church and the Grand Army of the Republic. During the Civil war he enlisted in Com- pany K, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served very gallantly in the Western army, taking part in many important Southern campaigns. He was only sixteen years old when he enlisted, but he performed his duty as well as the seasoned veterans during his service of eighteen months, which was terminated by the close of the war, during which time he was not off duty a single day on account of sickness.
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Mr. Forsyth was married on November 7: 1868, to Priscilla Ban- thysen, who was born in Shelby county, Indiana, October 24, 1849, the daughter of John Banthysen and wife, who moved from Indiana to Marion county, Iowa, in 1852, driving overland with an ox team. The mother of the subject's wife was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Clayton.
To Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth the following children have been born: Edwin S., born September 7, 1869, lives in Colfax, Iowa, and is engaged in the hard- ware business; Harry E. and Mrs. Clara Sherman, twins, were born May 5, 1872; Thomas C., who lives in Spokane, Washington, was born March 10, 1875: Mrs. Lola B. DeWitt, born June 7, 1880, lives with her father; she has one son, John Doyle DeWitt.
PETER P. PENTICO.
The name of Peter P. Pentico will long be remembered by the people of Jasper county, for he was a man who set a worthy example and was not averse to doing his full duty as a neighbor and citizen and although he is now sleeping the sleep of the just that knows no waking, his influence is still felt in Mound Prairie township, where he developed an excellent farm- stead and maintained his home for many years.
Mr. Pentico was born in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1830. He was the son of John and Katherine (Young) Pentico, both born in Germany, from which county they came to America when children and here they grew to maturity and were married in Philadelphia. It was in 1851 that John Pentico and family moved to Scott county, Iowa. He owned eighty acres in Mound Prairie township, Jasper county, which he cleared and improved. He was killed by lightning.
Peter P. Pentico, of this sketch, grew up on the farm and when a boy he worked hard on the home place, and received his education, which was meager, in Pennsylvania. He and the other boys were compelled to assist their father clear the home place, which was heavily timbered, consequently they had little chance to attend school. At the death of his father the subject purchased the interest of the other heirs, and after his marriage, in 1867, he moved to the home farm in Jasper county and here he improved the land and erected good buildings on it, the country being principally raw prairie at that time. He planted groves which are now large and valuable. He was a successful farmer, a hard worker and a good manager. He took an interest
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PETER P. PENTICO
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in local affairs, but never aspired to public office. He was a member of the United Brethren church in early life.
Peter P. Pentico proved his loyalty to the Union by enlisting at Wilton Junction, Iowa, in the first year of the war, September, 1861, in Company D, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. A. I. Sharpe, to serve three years, and the regiment was assigned to the Iowa Brigade, McClearnand's division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee. He proved to be a gallant soldier, participating in the following engagements: Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, Corinth, Black River Bridge, Grand Gulf and others. He was in the hospital at Vicksburg in 1863. He was in the Tennessee and Mississippi campaigns and he was in the Grand Review in Washington. Mr. Pentico was transferred to Keokuk, Iowa, and rejoined his regiment at New Albany, Indiana, and was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1865.
On April 9, 1867, Mr. Pentico was married to Caroline Cline, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 1842, the daughter of Tobias Cline, a native of Germany and a tailor by trade, who spent most of his life in America, where he became well established and was highly respected by all who knew him.
The death of Mr. Pentico occurred on March 23, 1909. His widow lives retired in a beautiful cottage in Colfax.
The following children were born to the subject and wife: Albert E., Homer, Mrs. Mara Ida Wiggins, Jesse is deceased ; Roy.
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CHARLES W. WILDMAN.
Success is only achieved by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it cannot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and 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 endeavor 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 before their ideal is reached or definite success in any chosen field is attained In the life history of Charles W. Wildman, the well known publisher of the Lynnville Star, we find evidence of a peculiar characteristic that always make for achievement,- persistency, coupled with courage, fortitude and actuated by lofty traits,-
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and as a result Mr. Wildman stands today as one of the representative citizens of Jasper county, whose interest he has at heart, having ever had an abiding faith in her future, and he is today a potent factor in her upbuild- ing.
Mr. Wildman, like many of the enterprising citizens of the locality of which this history deals, is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Athens county, Ohio. September 1, 1869, and he is the son of Oliver and Hannah (Bailey) Wildman, the father born in Pennsylvania in 1833 and the mother's birth occurred in 1835. The elder Wildman started in life for himself as a merchant, and for some time he successfully carried on general merchandising in Adena, Ohio, and he was also postmaster there. In 1871 he came to Iowa, locating at New Sharon and there he continued merchandising from 1876 to 1893, then sold out and in 1896 came to Lynn- ville, Jasper county, and here engaged in general merchandising and built up a large trade with the town and surrounding country, and in 1907 he retired from active life. His family consisted of the following children : Lou; Ada is deceased : Grant is an electrician at Keokuk; Charles W., of this review.
The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch received his education at New Sharon and he started in life as a partner with his father in the mercantile business as soon as he became of age and he was thus engaged until the family moved to Lynnville in 1896. Then he was on the road in the produce business until 1899, in which year he started a furniture and undertaking business which he carried on with his usual suc- cess until 1907, when he sold out. He next engaged in the real estate busi- ness until 1909, in August of which year he purchased the Lynnville Star and has continued to edit and publish the same to the present time. He has greatly improved the property and his paper has gradually increased in cir- culation and in importance as an advertising medium. Its mechanical ap- pearance has been much improved and it is popular with a wide territory. its editorials being ably and convincingly written and its news columns filled with crisp, late, important current news of the world This paper was estab- lished in 1900.
Mr. Wildman has been postmaster at Lynnville since 1902 and he was mayor of the town in 1910 and 1911, discharging the duties of these offices in a most faithful and judicious manner, reflecting much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, proving himself a most worthy public servant.
Mr. Wildman is a loyal Republican and is one of the local leaders in his party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order.
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On February 22, 1899, Mr. Wildman was united in marriage with Grace English, who was born in eastern Iowa, near DeWitt. the daughter of Robert and Cynthia (Hutt) English. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Wayne, now thirteen years old; Dale, who has reached the age of five; and Keith, who has seen four birthdays.
WILLIAM H. HOLDSWORTH.
It is a well authenticated fact that success is the result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the wide-awake implement dealer of Sully, Jasper coun- ty, whose name forms the introduction to this biographical review, it is plain- ly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
William H. Holdsworth was born in Scott county, Iowa, March 23. 1858. the son of William and Hannah ( Rolls) Holdsworth, the father born in Ireland and the mother in Pennsylvania. The elder Holdsworth was a stone . contractor by trade. He grew up and was educated in Ireland, from which country he emigrated to America when a young man and he began working in the quarries, soon becoming a contractor and he got out stone for arsenals. bridges and various important jobs and became very well estab- lished in the new world. He was a member of the Episcopal church. His death occurred in 1903. His family consisted of nine children, named as follows: John, Samuel. Joseph, Robert, Thomas, Mary, Jane, Charles and William H., of this sketch, he being the oldest child.
William H. Holdsworth grew up in Scott county, Iowa, and attended school there, and when but a boy began working on a farm as a hand, then rented land for himself, but not taking any too kindly to the life of a husband- man, he left the farm and went to Oskaloosa and ran a bus line for six years, then, having gotten a good start, he came to Jasper county in 1891 and rented land for three or four years, then he went into the implement business at Lynnville with W. J. Breeden and they built up a good trade. In 1899, Mr. Holdsworth sold out and came to Sully and started in an implement store,
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which, with his son, Charles Oscar, he still runs. He started on a small scale, but by judicious management and honest dealings his business rapidly in- creased until he bought a large building, in connection with which he put in a garage and he handles a standard line of automobiles in connection with a large, general and well-selected stock of farming implements. His trade embraces a large territory and is ever widening. He is one of the leading merchants and business men in the southeastern part of the county.
Mr. Holdsworth has taken much interest in public affairs and he has held all the township offices and the offices in the town of Sully, always discharging his duties in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He was mayor of Sully for eight years, during which time he did much for the permanent good of the vicinity. Polit- ically, he is a Democrat, and is a leader in local affairs.
Mr. Holsworth was married in September, 1878, to Emma Kent, who was born in Ohio, from which state she came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, when very small and there she grew to womanhood and was educated. Three children have been born to this union, Mrs. Effie May Horn, Charles Oscar and Edna.
JOHN M. VARENKAMP.
If there is one thing which distinguishes the American business man . over those of any other country it is the faculty with which any and all occupations are readily taken up by him and made successful. In the older countries it was customary for the son to follow the father's pursuit. "Fol- low your father, my son, and do as your father has done," was a maxim which all sons were expected to adopt. It is in such countries as the United States that full swing can be given to the energies of the individual. A man may choose any business or profession he desires, and he is limited only by com- petition. He must meet the skill of others and give as good service as they or he will not get the positions. Such adaptation to any work or business is well shown in the career of John M. Varenkamp, a successful merchant at the village of Sully, Jasper county, who is of foreign descent. He has turned his hand to various things and proved that farming was not the only occupa- tion which he could make successful.
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