USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 37
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HENRY BYAL.
One of the leading citizens and representative farmers of Clear Creek township, Jasper county, is Henry Byal, who has spent nearly a half century here, during which time he has taken part in the development of the locality and has become well established. His has been an eminently active and useful life, but the limited space at the disposal of the biographer forbids more than a casual mention of the leading events in his career, which will suffice to show what earnest endeavor and honesty of purpose rightly applied and persistently followed will lead to-unqualified success.
Mr. Byal was born in Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, September 16, 1860; he is the son of William and Margaret (Johnson) Byal, both natives of Ohio, where they grew up, were educated and married and there spent their early lives. They came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1863, here established a good home and here the mother died on December 12, 1909; the father died December 18, 1911, in California, where he was staying with his son, and is buried at the Union Chapel cemetery in Clear Creek township. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, namely: Milton, who resides in California; Henry, of this sketch; Carrie died when nineteen years of age; Maggie died at the age of twenty-two; W. J. lives in Clear Creek township, this county. The older of these children were born in Ohio and the younger in Iowa.
Henry Byal was three years of age when his parents brought him to Jasper county, Iowa, and he has been a continuous resident here since. He grew up on the home farm, where he worked when a boy, and attended the public schools in the winter time. When a young man he turned his atten- tion to farming and has continued to till the soil to the present day, now own-
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ing one hundred and thirteen acres in Clear Creek township and eighty acres in Independence township, and also one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Plainview, Texas. He has kept his land under good improvements and cultivation, and has carried on general farming and stock raising in a success- ful manner. He has a pleasant home.
Mr. Byal was married on October 29, 1901, to Mattie Rippey, who was born in Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa, December 3, 1869, the daughter of W. F. Rippey and wife, a complete sketch of whom appears else- where in this work.
To the subject and wife seven children have been born, six of whom are living, all still members of the home circle; they are : Margaret, born June 26, 1902: Marjorie, born July 24, 1903; Madge, born December 18, 1904; a son died on the day of birth, January 27, 1906; William Denver, born April 25, 1907; Henry Stanley, born August 15, 1909; Roger, born March 21, 19II.
Politically, Mr. Byal is a Republican, and in religious matters his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Unity Lodge No. 520, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Baxter and of the chapter at Colfax: also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mingo, and he has held all the chairs in the latter.
JAMES J. TRAMEL.
This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for James J. Tramel, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits us all, was for a long lapse of years one of the prominent citizens of Jasper county, having come to this section in pioneer times, and he assisted in every way possible in bringing about the transformation of the county from the wild condition found by the first settlers to its latter day progress and improvement. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself, he also be- longed to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.
Mr. Tramel was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, November 28, 1842. He is the son of W. A. B. and Cynthia ( Alexander ) Tramel, the father born in February. 1802, in North Carolina, and the mother born in Indiana in 1804.
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The family first moved to Clinton, Georgia, thence to near Richmond, In- diana, and from there to Kosciusko county, that state, and from the latter place to Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, and here the parents of the subject spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father occurring in April, 1897, and that of the mother on March 3, 1878. They were the par- ents of the following children: Mrs. Eliza Ann Jeffries died in Jasper county in 1903; Mrs. Nancy Campbell, born in Indiana, on September 17, 1830, died in Independence township, this county, on March 25, 1886; Mrs. Martha Price is living in Ira; Alexander is living in Clear Creek township; Joseph M. died in East Portland, Oregon, in 1906; Mrs. Caroline Weston, born in Octo- ber, 1840, lives in Ira ; James J., of this sketch, is the youngest.
James J. Tramel was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Jasper county and settled in Clear Creek township, and here he grew to manhood and attended the public schools. He took up farming for a liveli- hood early in life and up to 1903 was one of the township's leading agricul- turists, owning in Clear Creek township a well improved and fertile farm of one hundred and ninety acres. In 1903, having accumulated a competency, he and his wife retired from the active duties of life and moved to Ira, where they purchased a commodious and cozy home, and here Mr. Tramel resided quietly, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of endeavor, until summoned to close his earthly career on January 7, 1912, after a successful, useful and honorable career, being one of the sterling pioneers of the community, the family having been among the first settlers here, their arrival having been on October 10, 1852.
Mr. Tramel was married on May 21, 1868, to Hannah Crawford, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 30, 1849. When young in years she came to Poweshiek township, Jasper county, Iowa, with her parents, James B. and Eliza Ann (Walters) Crawford, the latter a native of Ohio. They established a good home in Jasper county and spent the rest of their lives here, the father dying in 1891 and the mother at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of the following children: Hannah, wife of Mr. Tramel, of this sketch; Jane, deceased; Henry, who lives in Lake City, Iowa : Mary lives in Audubon county, Iowa ; Nellie lives at Ira, this county ; John H. lives in Ira.
. To Mr. and Mrs. Tramel were born one son, Frank W., whose birth occurred on January 27, 1871, and is now residing in Clear Creek township.
James J. Tramel was one of the patriotic sons of the North who risked his life for his country during the dark days of the early sixties, having en- listed for service in the Federal army on August 22, 1862, in Company D,
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Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served gallantly for three years, taking part in many trying campaigns and hard-fought battles. He was in the numerous conflicts along the Sabine river, at the siege of Vicksburg, and the battle of Port Gibson. His second captain was Myron S. Cox, now living in Oakland, California. He was honorably discharged, and was mus- tered out of the service at Davenport, lowa. He then returned to Jasper county and resumed farming.
Mr. Tramel was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, E. H. Keyes Post No. 511, of Mingo, lowa. Politically, he was a Republican, and he was active in local public affairs. He was trustee of his township for a period of nine years, and was also at one time a member of the board of education in Clear Creek township. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Ira. Personally, he was a genial, whole-souled, obliging gentleman, high minded and correct in his every-day deportment and he won and retained the confidence and esteem of all classes.
FRANK E. CLEVERLEY.
The names of those men who have distinguished themselves in their communities through the possession of those qualities which daily contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those about them, should be preserved. Such a one is Frank E. Cleverley, a progressive young farmer of Clear Creek town- ship. Jasper county.
Mr. Cleverley was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, January 30, 1875, and the following year his parents brought him to Clear Creek township, Jasper county, which has been his residence ever since. He is the son of Jonathan and Jane (Owens) Cleverley, both born in England, the mother in Coventry : they now reside in the town of Collins, this county, the father being seventy-five years of age and the mother sixty-five. There were eight children in their family, four of whom are living, namely : Mrs. William Kini- berley, of Clear Creek township; Mrs. Maria Clapper resides in Oklahoma ; J. H. lives in Indian Creek township. Story county; Frank E., of this sketch. All these children were born in Allamakee county.
Frank E. Cleverley grew up on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He was married in 1896, to Cora Maxwell, who was born near Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, March 4, 1875. She is the
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daughter of Henry and Irene (Snow) Maxwell, both now residing in Clear Creek township. Their children are as follows: Alice, deceased; Oscar lives in Idaho; Mrs. Ida Galloway lives in Riceville, Iowa ; Mrs. Frank E. Cleverley, of this sketch; Charles A. lives in Clear Creek township; Mrs. Carrie Owen, of Clear Creek township; Pearl lives at home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cleverley four children have been born, namely : Charles, born January 7, 1897; Orville, born June 13, 1898; Ethel, born August 7, 1900; Agnes, born December 30, 1904.
Politically, Mr. Cleverley is a Republican and he takes much interest in local affairs. He is a member of the school board.
Mr. Cleverley has followed farming and stock raising all his life and he has met with a large measure of success. He is now the owner of a well improved and well tilled farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clear Creek township, and he has a pleasant and well furnished home, in which is to be found the best current literature and good books. He is a broad-minded, progressive gentleman who has not reached that stage where all his time is utilized in securing and hoarding the "almighty dollar" and he believes in the old adage, "Live and let live."
DAVID G. TIPTON.
Standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship, David G. Tipton, long one of Jasper county's active agriculturists who is now leading a retired life in his. cozy home in Baxter, has been an influential factor not only in the material welfare of his township, but also the moral welfare of the same. He is one of the loyal "boys in blue," having fought for his country's honor in its hours of direst need in the great rebellion of the sixties. He comes of an old and highly esteemed Ohio family, the genealogy of which is traceable to an early period in the history of that commonwealth, his paternal grandfather being one of the very earliest settlers of Harrison county, Ohio, when that was a mere wilderness, the haunt of wild beasts and scarcely less wild men, and his oldest son was captured by the Indians, but effected his es- cape after three days of continuous travel, enduring many hardships, and finally found his way back to his people.
David G. Tipton was born in Harrison county, Ohio, August 4, 1836, the son of William Tipton, who was born, reared and died in that county, this, briefly stated, being also the history of the subject's mother, who was known
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in her maidenhood as Catherine Gregory. Their family consisted of ten chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy, nine growing to manhood and woman- hood, named as follows : Mrs. Mary Farmer died in Kansas; Samuel died in Pennsylvania; Mrs. Eliza George died in Ohio; David G., of this review; John is living in Quaker City, Ohio; Mrs. Ann Vickers died in Ohio; Aquilla died in Ohio after he left the army; William's residence is unknown.
David G. Tipton grew up on the old homestead in Harrison county, Ohio, and there received such education as the early schools afforded. During the last year of the Civil war he served very faithfully as a private in Company H. One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. After the war he returned home to again take up the pursuit so abruptly broken by the conflict, and there he con- tinued farming until the fall of 1867, when he came to Jasper county, Iowa, and here he has resided continuously to the present time. Here he became the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Independence township. His wife also owns fifty-six acres of good land in this township, part of the old Scott homestead, all of their land being well improved and productive. A few years ago they transferred the cares of the farm to their son, John, and purchased a pleasant home in Baxter, where they are now spending their declining years, enjoying the fruits of a well-earned compe- tency. There is a marked contrast in the aspects of this locality now and when they arrived here forty-four years ago in an old-fashioned covered wagon, the prairies then having been improved but very little.
Mr. Tipton's wife was known in her maidenhood as Levina Jane Scott, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 23, 1847, and there she grew to womanhood, received her education in the old-time schools and there she and Mr. Tipton were married on November 20, 1862. She was the daughter of John G. and Isabel Jane (Smith) Scott, both natives of Ohio, the father having died in Jasper county August 7, 1905. Mrs. Scott died in Newton; Iowa, February 25, 1910. This family arrived here in the fall of 1867. The Scott family consisted of the following children: Robert Alexander, of Newton ; Levina, wife of Mr. Tipton, of this review ; Mrs. Frances Miskimins, born October 20, 1850, died in Independence township, this county, on June 18, 1908.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tipton have been born four children, all but the eldest first seeing the light of day in Independence township, this county. They are : Mrs. Isabella Poag, born in Ohio, April 26, 1864, is living in Kingsbury county. South Dakota : Alonzo, born January 14, 1869, is residing in Baxter, Iowa: Mrs. Catherine Poag, born February 14, 1872, is residing in Malaka
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township, this county ; John, born November 10, 1874, is successfully operating his father's farm in Independence township.
Politically, Mr. Tipton is a Republican, and he has been school director in his district. He has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic / and he and his wife belong to the Congregational church, at Baxter.
JOSEPH T. STRATTON.
The record of the subject of this review is that of an enterprising gen- tleman who worthily upholds an honored family name and whose life has been very intimately associated with the material prosperity and general advancement of Clear Creek township, Jasper county, during the most progressive period of its history, and Mr. Stratton has always been found on the right side of questions looking to the progress of this locality in any way.
Joseph T. Stratton was born in this township on October 21, 1871, and he has been content to spend his life right here at home, thereby obtaining as good, if not better, opportunities as could be found anywhere else and at the same time he has had the associations of the community in which his parents were pioneers. He is the son of James and Mary (Streeter) Stratton, the father born in Scotland, from which country he emigrated to the United States in early life, married here and established his permanent home, dying in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, on August 4, 1895, at the age of sixty-four years and six months; his wife, who was born in the state of New York on April 24, 1835, died May 1, 1912; Joseph T. was the second of a family of four children, the others being Henry, who lives in Collins, Story county ; Mrs. Elsie Clapper, of Independence township; Edward lives at Maxwell, Iowa. They were all born in Clear Creek township.
Joseph T. Stratton worked on his father's farm when a boy and attended the district schools and he has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and stock raising, being regarded as an exceptionally good judge of horses; he is the owner of some of the finest horses in this locality. One of his mares took second prize at the International Stock Show at Chicago, 1910. He also owns one of the finest young horses to be seen in the state. He owns one hundred and eighty-six acres of the home place and ten acres in another part of Clear Creek township, all of which he has kept well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has a good home and outbuildings, everything about the place denoting excellent management.
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Politically, Mr. Stratton is a Republican; he has been constable of this township. Fraternally, he belongs to Crescent Camp No. 2358, Modern Woodmen of America, of Collins.
Mr. Stratton was married on April 23, 1896, to Edith Warrell, who was born in this county, September 22, 1879, the daughter of Charles and Eva (Clapper) Warrell; the mother was born in Ohio and is now residing in Collins ; the father lived in Jasper county a number of years.
There are four children in the Warrell family, namely : Edith, wife of Mr. Stratton, of this sketch, being the eldest; Mrs. Lola Penquite is living in Colfax; Oral lives in Montana; Mrs. Mabel Halterman, of Collins. The older children were born in Jasper county and the younger ones in Story county.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stratton, named as fol- lows: Eva, born August 15, 1898; Cora, born November 8, 1900; Earl, born October 1, 1902; Leola, born July 12, 1904; James T., born August 23, 1907.
WILLIS CAMPBELL.
Among the substantial men whose labor and influence gave impetus to the agricultural interests and general material improvements of Jasper county in years gone by and who today occupies a high place in the esteem of the community in which he lives is the worthy gentleman whose name introduces this article.
Willis Campbell was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 22, 1854. He is the son of John and Sarah (Leeper) Campbell, both natives of the same locality in which the subject was born, the father's birth occurring in 1820 and the mother's in 1822, and there they grew up, were educated in the pio- neer schools and were married. John Campbell devoted his life to farming, at one time owning one hundred and sixty acres. He was a soldier in Com- pany I, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted in 1861, and he died of the fever just after the siege of Vicksburg on August 28, 1863. He proved to be a gallant and splendid soldier. He enlisted as a private, and for meritorious services he rose to the rank of adjutant-general. His family consisted of six sons and one daughter, namely: James, Alexander, Thomas ( deceased), Willis (of this sketch), Colin. Mrs. Jessie Kelly, George.
Willis Campbell attended school in Ohio and after his father's death, or in 1865, he moved to lowa county, Iowa, with his mother and the rest of
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the family, driving through with wagon and team. In 1867 the whole family came to Jasper county, locating in Sherman township. In 1869 they bought a farm for the mother, and the boys all remained at home and worked the place, until the death of the mother in 1875. In 1872 Willis Campbell bought eighty acres in Mound Prairie township. He has prospered through good management and close application until he now owns about nine hundred acres of choice and valuable land, all in Mound Prairie township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, in fact, is known as one of the county's most progressive and substantial agriculturists. He keeps his land under modern improvements in every way and his fields are scientifically farmed so that maximum results are obtained. He has a commodious and attractive home and convenient outbuildings, everything about his place denoting thrift, system, good taste and wise foresight. Mr. Campbell is one of the most extensive feeders in this section of the state, often feeding five hundred head annually, and owing to the high grade stock he handles he always finds a very ready market for all he offers for sale. He is regarded as one of the best judges of cattle in the county. Mr. Campbell is a Republican and while he takes a good citizen's interest in all public mat- ters, he has never sought office.
In January, 1894, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Selina A. Worden, a native of Lynn county, Iowa, and the daughter of Joseph Worden, a prominent citizen there. One winsome daughter, an only child, has graced the home of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, whom they named Gertrude.
Willis Campbell's career is one that should be held up as a model for the young men whose destinies are yet matters for the future. It shows what determination, rightly directed ambition and honesty can accomplish even in the face of opposition. He never lets the grass grow under his feet, but is one of the most energetic, hardworking and straightforward men in the county. Early in the morning and late in the evening he may be seen attending to something on his broad acres, whose management he always has well in hand, careful of every detail. He started out a poor boy and has, without assistance or influence of others, risen to a position of affluence and independ- ence, and every dollar in his possession has been honestly earned. He has been a keen observer and a close student of progressive farming. He has been on the same farm on which he still resides for a period of forty years, longer than most farmers in Jasper county to spend on any one farm. He has lived to see this locality change from a wild prairie to one of the best agricultural sections in Iowa, and he has taken a conspicuous part in this transformation.
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Near his modern home still stands the little old-fashioned frame building that was here when he came. The contrast is most noticeable. He is a man whose word is regarded as good as a bond and his credit and security is not questioned at any of the local banks, his business being so extensive that his signature is known by all. Personally, he is a congenial. unassuming, likeable gentleman, whom to know is to honor and admire.
MELVILLE J. COOL.
Jasper county has been honored by a large number of Pennsylvanians settling; within her borders. The word "honored" is used advisedly, for it has been found, almost without exception, that they have performed exceptionally well their parts as citizens, lending such aid as was necessary in the general development of the country and leading lives of industry and honesty. The life record of Melville J. Cool, of Baxter, Independence township, is no ex- ception to this general rule, as all who know him well will readily attest.
Mr. Cool was born in Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1854, but the major part , of his life has been spent in lowa, his parents having brought him to Clear Creek township, Jasper county, when he was six months old and here he has continued to reside devoting his attention to farming. He is the son of Abraham and Sarah ( Robbins) Cool, both born in Pennsyl- vania, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married, emigrating to Clear Creek township in the early history of Jasper county and they endured the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, developed a good farm, reared their children and died in Clear Creek township, the father on January 9. 1869, and the mother on July 16, 1883, having lived there since 1855. There were five children in their family, namely : Mrs. Hulda Thompson, of Hebron, Nebraska : Mrs. Almeda Dee died in 1906: William, born in 1851, is residing in Reno, Nevada : Melville J., of this sketch; Frank Curtis is living in Inde- pendence township, this county : Josephus and Josephine, twin sisters, died when six months old : Charles Woodward is living in Melbourne, Iowa. . The four younger children were born in Clear Creek township in which the subject resided about, forty years.
Melville J. Cool was married on November 25. 1877, to Maggie J. Kintz. who was born in Clear Creek township. this county, on July 10, 1864, and here she grew to womanhood, was educated and has always resided. She is the daughter of Commodore P. Kintz and wife, he a native of Summit county.
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Ohio, this family being one of the earliest in Clear Creek township. The reader is respectfully referred to the sketch of Commodore P. Kintz, appear- ing on another page of this work.
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