USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
Mr. Cool and wife conduct a popular and excellent hotel at Baxter.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Melville J. Cool, named as follows : Ole died when seven months old ; Mack G., born on the same farm as was his mother, at Clyde, March 29, 1882, is assisting in the implement business at Baxter : Fred C. was born in Clear Creek township, June 28. 1885, and is working at the barber trade at England, North Dakota: Scott was born in Collins, Story county, March 7, 1888, is residing in Baxter. These children were reared in Jasper county and educated in the local schools.
Politically, Mr. Cool is a Democrat and he and his sons are members of Baxter Camp No. 5248. Modern Woodmen of America. at Baxter.
GEORGE A. PERIN.
One of the worthy young farmers of Independence township is George A. Perin, worthy representative of an old and highly respected family. He has led a quiet life and his integrity has always been unassailable, content to lead a quiet, sober and industrious life, with no ambition for anything but the sphere of a private citizen, and his many friends bear testimony to his amiable qualities and sterling characteristics.
Mr. Perin was born in this township on August 6, 1879, and here he grew to manhood on the home farm, where he worked during the crop seasons when of proper age, and here he received his educational training and has always . been identified with local agricultural interests. He is the son of Glover and Jane (Barbee) Perin, the father born in Hancock county, Indiana, November 14, 1839, and the mother in Missouri on January 8, 1838. They came to Jasper county, Iowa, in an early day and are still living here, making their home with the subject on the farm. Their ten children were born in Inde- pendence township, and they were named as follows: William, born in 1860, lives at home; Mrs. Lucinda Colyar, born April 2, 1862, is deceased ; Mrs. Sarah McQuiston, born November 8, 1864, is deceased; John Francis, born May 28, 1866, lives in Webster county, Iowa; Clara, born in February, 1865, is deceased; Charles, born July 29, 1867, lives at home; Annie, born October 17, 1872, is deceased; Harry, born January 20, 1874, is deceased ; Nora, born November 29, 1876, is deceased : George A., of this sketch.
II24
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
George A. Perin was married on April 27, 1905, to Carrie May Plumb, who was born in Independence township, this county, September 16, 1883, the daughter of William and Laura ( Shepley) Plumb, both natives of Iowa, the father born on January 16, 1861, and the mother in Polk county on May 15, 1865. Both these parents were children of pioneers of this state.
There were thirteen children in the Plumb family, nine of whom are liv- ing. named as follows: Carrie May, wife of Mr. Perin, of this sketch, is the eldest ; William, born March 23, 1885, died 1904; Mrs. Jennie Taylor, born June 3, 1887, lives in Independence township: Clara, born December 12, 1889, lives in Independence township: Mrs. Elsie Plumb, born November 27, 1892, lives in Dakota ; Orpha. born October 9, 1896, lives at home; Alma died in infancy ; the next two died in infancy unnamed ; Van, born October 4, 1902 ; Wilda, born June 16, 1905 ; Harry, born February 10, 1909; Golola, born July 10, 1910. The younger children are at home with their parents in Inde- pendence township; they were all born in Jasper county with the exception of Elsie, who was born in Kossuth county, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Perin four children have been born, namely : Marion Arthur, born January 12, 1906; Leo Anderson, born September 5, 1907; Jennet Ethel. born October 5, 1909: the youngest child died in infancy un- named.
Mr. Perin tills forty acres belonging to his father, and this he is man- aging in such an able manner as to insure a comfortable yearly income. Politically, he is a Republican, and in his fraternal relations he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America of Baxter. He is a member of the board of education of Independence township.
AUGUST HAGER.
It is almost unnecessary at this time to speak of the part played by European aliens, many of them exiles, in the upbuilding of this nation. They thronged our shores on the Atlantic prior to the Revolution; the stream grew larger and more constant at its close, and they have continued to come in ever- increasing numbers. We have always plenty of room for them and they pay us back manifold by their industrious and frugal lives and by their contribu- tions to the prosperity of almost every section of the national union.
One of the worthy sons of the old fatherland who has become one of Jasper county's progressive citizens is August Hager, well known mill oper- ator of Baxter. He was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, September 5,
1125
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
1875, and there he grew to maturity and received his education in the common schools. He is the son of Herman and Sophia (Stock) Hager, both natives of Germany, the father having died in that country several years ago, but the mother is still living in the old country. Five children were born to them, namely : Herman lives in Germany; Fred, who is president of the State Sav- ings Bank of Baxter, was born November 29, 1863, and he is one of the lead- ing business men of this vicinity ; Lena Stoelting lives in Germany ; Lena Eins- meyer is also still a resident of her native land; August of this sketch is the youngest.
August Hager emigrated to America in 1894 and located at Baxter, Iowa, and entered the employ of his brother in the local flouring mill, and with the exception of six months spent in farm work he has continued in this business to the present time, having bought the mill from his brother in 1902, Henry Noah being an equal partner from July, 1902. This is one of the best known and most popular mills in the county and has a wide and ever growing patron- age, for high grade work is done here at all times and every caution is ob- served in order to please and give honest service. It is equipped with the most up-to-date and best approved machinery and is properly prepared in every respect to turn out the best material promptly. The products are eagerly sought for all over the country and the mill is usually run at its full capacity, seventy barrels daily, many car loads being shipped to various localities.
On April 6, 1904, August Hager was married to Carrie Kracht, who was born in Independence township, Jasper county, Iowa, August 9, 1878. She is the daughter of Adolph and Wilhelmina ( Begemann) Kracht, both born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the father on June 29, 1841, and the mother on December 7, 1847. They grew up, were educated and married in the father- land, and came to Iowa in early life and they now live retired in Baxter, hav- ing secured a competency. There were eleven children in their family. The two eldest, Henry and Matilda, died in infancy; Fred. born in Wisconsin, December 19, 1873, lives in Baxter; William died when eight years old; Lydia, born December 5, 1879, lives in Baxter ; Carrie, wife of Mr. Hager of this review ; Elvina Wintermeier lives in Independence township, this county ; Adolph, born March 2, 1884, lives in Baxter; Emma, born December 13, 1884. lives in Baxter; Anna, born November 13. 1887, also lives in Baxter.
Politically, Mr. Hager is a Democrat. He is a member of the German Reformed church of Independence township. He has always been a student of the world's best literature and of the current topics of the times. He has led a commendable life since coming among us and has made a host of friends who admire him for his business ability, his progressiveness and honesty.
1126
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
WILLIAM KIMBERLEY.
There could be no more comprehensive history written of a community or county or even of a state and its people than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "prominent and pro- gressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has out- stripped the less active and less able plodders on the highway of life, one who has been consistent in his life work and never permitted the "grass to grow under his feet." one who, while advancing his own interests has not neglected his full duties to the general public, at the same time upholding an honored family name.
William Kimberley, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Clear Creek township. Jasper county, was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, February 28. 1862, and in 1866. when four years old, he came with his parents, Isaiah and Mary Ann (Cleverly ) Kimberley a complete sketch of whom appears else- where in this work, and here he has continued to reside, having grown up on his father's farm which he worked during the crop seasons and attended the local schools.
On February 20, 1884. Mr. Kimberley was united in marriage with Mary Cleverly, who was born in Allamakee county, Iowa. She is the daugh- ter of Jonathan and Jane ( Owens ) Cleverly, both born in England where they spent their early lives, were educated and married, emigrating subsequently to America and they are now living at the village of Collins, Jasper county. Iowa, where they are highly respected. Of their two children, the wife of the subject is the only one living, her brother being deceased.
Four sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. William Kimberley, named as follows : Arthur, born June 7. 1885 : Mary, born Septem- ber 10. 1886: John, born December 27. 1887: James, born November 4, 1892 ; Jadie, born January 14, 1895: Nettie, born February 5. 1899. These children were born on the farm where the parents first located, and, in fact, which has since been the family home. This place consists of five hundred and forty- four acres of choice land in Clear Creek township, which Mr. Kimberley has placed under high-grade and up-to-date improvements and kept the soil scien- tifically tilled so that succeeding years have enhanced rather than depreciated its strength and value, in fact, it is a pleasure to look over his beautifully kept fields and his substantial and convenient group of farm buildings, including a modern, ample and well furnished residence, surrounded by gardens, orchards and everything that makes a rural life attractive. this home being one of the most attractive. desirable and tastily appointed in Jasper county.
1127
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
In connection with general farming on a large scale, Mr. Kimberley has embarked in the short-horn cattle business, and is obtaining some of the best strains purchasable, his fine herd attracting widespread attention. He is an excellent judge of live stock of all kinds and has always kept a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. He has managed well and has accumulated a com- petency, large success having attended his efforts. He is the representative of one of the leading families of the county and his career has been such as to win the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Politically, Mr. Kimberley is a Democrat and while he has ever manifested the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, he has never been an aspirant for public leadership, being content to devote his attention to his large agri- cultural interests, knowing that to achieve the largest success in any line one must concentrate one's energies and refrain from diverting the mind in too many channels. Personally, he is a very pleasant gentleman and therefore makes friends without effort.
WILLIAM M. CAMPBELL.
The gentleman whose name initiates this article is a native of Indiana, a state which has been the cradle of much of our western civilization and upon which the commonwealth of Iowa has largely drawn for its most enlightened, enterprising and progressive people. This Hoosier class has demonstrated continuously that they believe in extending the bounds of civilization to the utmost. They never shirk their duty, but plunge into the work to be done in any new community and bear their full share. The good they have done in Jasper county cannot be estimated in dollars and cents, for they have, while assisting with the material development of the same, not neglected the civic, religious and moral phases of civilization, but at once began to build school houses and churches, to place prudent men in public office, so that the laws would be respected and enforced. These traits were doubtless the result of the careful training by their honored pioneer ancestors, who are regarded as worthy of all honor-the kind of people that found empires and republics and who, believing with Bishop Whipple that "westward the course of empire ever takes its way," have sought to do their full share in the good work. One of these excellent gentlemen, who, while not among the earlier horde of his countrymen to cast his lot in ours, has yet been among us for upwards of thirty- five years. during which the most rapid and astonishing changes have taken
II28
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
place, is William M. Campbell, farmer of Clear Creek township, who, while not among the leaders in agricultural and business affairs, yet has sought to do his part well as a citizen and has led a life that is in every way commendable.
Mr. Campbell was born in Rush county, Indiana, on April 26, 1864, and there he spent his early boyhood, coming to Jasper county, lowa, with his parents in 1875. and with the exception of five years in Missouri and two years in Nebraska he has continued to reside here. The family located in Independence township, later moving to Clear Creek township where they have resided for some time.
The subject is the son of Frank and Mary (Kelser) Campbell, both natives of Indiana, the father born in Rush. county, and they grew up, at- tended school and were educated in their native state and were married there, moving to Jasper county, Iowa, in the year mentioned above and here they established a good home through perseverance and economy and they spent the balance of their lives, the father dying in Jasper county on July 31, 1898, and the mother's death occurred here in February, 1911, having survived her hus- band thirteen years.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Campbell, seven of whom are living at this writing, named as follows: Mrs. Alice Crosley died in June, 1911 : Belle died when eighteen years of age; Allen H., born October 20, 1861, lives at Ira ; William M., of this review ; Solon lives in Des Moines ; Mrs. Emma Eckles also lives in Des Moines ; Ira makes his home at Valeria, this state: Samuel lives at Ira, Iowa: Mrs. Esther Smith and Fred also live at Ira.
At St. Charles, Iowa, on October 24, 1895, occurred the marriage of Will- iam M. Campbell and Agnes M. Boyd, the latter born on July 12, 1872, in Poweshiek township, and there she grew to womanhood and attended the district schools. Her grandfather Boyd bought land at that place for three dollars per acre in pioneer days. He was an influential man in his community. and was licensed as a layman in the Methodist Episcopal church three months after his conversion. Mrs. Campbell is the daughter of Parker and Sarah Jane (Cromer) Boyd, the father born in Ohio and the mother born in Indiana. They came to Jasper county, Iowa, in an early day and here became well established and here they spent the balance of their lives, the father dying in April, 1898, and the mother on October 10, 1907. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom three are living, named as follows: The eldest child, a son, died in infancy ; Agnes M .. wife of Mr. Campbell, of this review ; Hugh died when three months old : Emma F., born July 28, 1875, was one of the prominent school teachers of Jasper county for several years; she was
II29
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
born on the old Cromer, homestead at Greencastle; the next three children died in infancy ; Mary E. died when twenty years of age; Fred, born August 22, 1887 ; the youngest, a daughter, died in infancy. These children were born in Poweshiek township, Jasper county, and were reared and educated here.
To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been born four children, of whom three are living, named as follows : Omar, born in Clear Creek township, September 18, 1896; Iva, born March 30, 1898; a daughter, born July 16, 1902, died the same day; Ila, born September 19, 1907. The two older children are attending school in Clear Creek township, in their home district.
Mr. Campbell has devoted his life to farming, beginning on the home place when but a boy, working in the fields during the crop season and attend- ing the common schools in the winter months. He is an advocate of the "intensive" farming idea and is successfully using these modern methods of agriculture on fifty acres in Clear Creek township.
Politically, Mr. Campbell is a Republican and both he and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he holding membership at Ira and she in the congregation at Mingo. They are both highly respected and have a wide circle of friends throughout this locality.
ยท JAMES R. POAGE.
Among the honored gentlemen of a past generation in Jasper county was James R. Poage, a man who during his residence in this community merited and received the highest respect and esteem of his acquaintances. A man of honest motives, purest purposes and kindliest feelings toward all, he made and retained for himself a host of friends. His domestic and social relations were of the most pleasant character, and the fact that his surroundings were such as to make life enjoyable was due solely to his individual merits, his affable and courteous treatment of others and his strict adherence to justice in all his dealings.
Mr. Poage was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 3, 1834. He was the son of George G. and Jane (Riggs) Poage, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Pennsylvania. They grew up in the East and were mar- ried there, finally coming West, where they spent the latter part of their lives, the father dying in Nebraska and the mother in Colorado. Their family con- sisted of five children, all now deceased, namely: James R., of this sketch; Stephen W., George G., Mrs. Arabella Dungon ; Mary died in infancy.
1
1130
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
James R. Poage grew up in Ohio and received such education as the early schools of his community afforded. He came to Jasper county, Iowa, in the fall of 1857, and here became well established, securing a good farm through his industry, his place consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, which he brought up to a high state of cultivation and improvement and ranking as one of the most desirable farms in Malaka township. He de- voted his life to general farming and stock raising and here spent the re- mainder of his life, passing to his rest on January 23, 1905. His widow is still in possession of this farm, in addition to which she owns a very cozy home in Baxter.
Mr. Poage was married in this county on October 27, 1859, to Harriet E. Scott, who was born in Warrick county, Indiana, January 31, 1842. She came with her parents to Jasper county in 1856 and here she has since re- sided, having lived to see the locality develop from a wild, sparsely settled prairie to one of the most opulent sections of Iowa. She received her educa- tional training in the old-time schools, and she has been known as a woman of many praiseworthy characteristics, and, like her lamented husband, always numbered her friends by the score. She was the daughter of Robert and Marinda (Earl) Scott, the father born in Connecticut, February 22, 1836, and the mother in Ohio, March 3, 1818. They grew up and were married in the East, eventually coming to Iowa, where they became very comfortably established and influential, and the father's death occurred in Jasper county in February, 1875 : the mother is residing in Corning. Adams county, Iowa, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. She is the sole survivor of the charter members of the Congregational church at Newton.
There were ten children in the Scott family, five of whom are living, named as follows : Mrs. Rosetta Mckinstry, deceased : Mrs. Lydia M. Dulin, deceased : Harriet E., who married Mr. Poage of this sketch; Mrs. Armina J. Shipp lives in Nebraska : Mrs. Emily A. Preston lives at Corning, Iowa : Rob- ert N., deceased : Mary A., deceased : Lucian S. lives in Buena Vista county, lowa: Frank M., deceased; Edgar C. is living in Minnesota. The oldest sister was born in Ohio: the next four in Indiana, where the family lived a . number of years, and the younger ones were born in Scott county, except the two younger, who were born in Jasper county, Iowa, where the family main- tained its home for some time prior to coming to Jasper county.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Poage, six of whom are living. namely : S. W., born August 15. 1860, lives in South Dakota ; James M., born September 10, 1862, lives in Nebraska : Robert A., born April 26. 1865, lives in Malaka township. Jasper county; Frank Irvin, born April 11, 1868, lives in
II3I
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
Oklahoma ; Leslie N., born November 20, 1869, died October 4, 1902 ; Herbert E., born April 5, 1872, lives in Canada; Mrs. Hattie G. McFarland, born June 28, 1875, lives with her mother in Baxter; Lucian S., born September 14, 1877, died August 20, 1907. These children were born and reared in Jasper county, and have been identified with the agricultural interests of what- ever localities they have lived in.
Politically, Mr. Poage was a Republican, and was long an influential factor in local affairs, holding a number of offices, such as a member of the school board of Malaka township, township trustee and township clerk. His father was one of the founders of Wittemberg College and remained a stanch friend of that institution all his life. He was one of the oldest teachers in Jasper county. The Poage family are members of the Congregational church at Baxter. Both parents of Mrs. Poage, also her uncle, Edwin Scott, and his wife Ruth, were charter members of the Congregational church at Newton.
ALFRED O. WILSON.
The subject of this sketch early in life realized the fact that success never comes to the idle or dreamer and he has accordingly remembered the aphorism, and devoted himself to ardent toil along lines that cannot but insure success. The property which he enjoys has been the result of energy rightly applied and has been won by commendable qualities. In such a man as Mr. Wilson there is especial satisfaction in offering in their life records justification for issuing a biographical compendium such as the one at hand-not necessarily that the careers of such men as his type have been such as to gain them wide reputation or the admiring plaudits of men, but that they have been true to the trusts reposed in them, have shown such attributes of character as entitle them to the regard of all and have been useful in their respective sphere of action, at the same time winning and retaining the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come into contact.
Alfred O. Wilson was born in Story county, Iowa, May 14, 1877, and he came with his parents to Jasper county in 1878 and with the exception of a year and a half spent in Rhodes engaged in the livery business, he has been a continuous resident of the same, being now successfully engaged in farming in Independence township. Here he grew to manhood and received his edu- cation in the common schools. He is the son of Elisha and Sarah A. ( Barnes) Wilson, the father born in Kentucky. He came to Iowa in an early day,
1132
JASPER COUNTY, IOWA.
spending the latter years of his life in Jasper county, his death occurring in February, 1903, at the age of sixty-two years. His widow is now living in Colorado. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living, two having died in infancy; those living are, Mrs. Mary Hand, of Colorado; H. D. also resides in the Centennial state; Mrs. Jennie Nason and Mrs. Laura Goodrich also live in Colorado; Alfred O., of this sketch. The older chil- dren were born in Henry county, lowa, where the parents lived for a number of years upon first coming to this state.
Elisha Wilson was a typical pioneer and he erected the first blacksmith shop in the town of Baxter, this having been the second building there.
AAlfred O. Wilson was married on February 20, 1891, to Bessie May Pit- cock, who was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on April 25; 1877. She is the daughter of William and Matilda (Tedrow) Pitcock, both natives of Ohio. Her father is residing at Mingo, having come to Jasper county, Iowa, in an early day ; his wife passed away in this county on June 28, 1907. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Harley re- sides at Goddard; Mrs. Rosa Hansen lives in Independence township; Harry lives at Goddard; Bessie May, wife of Mr. Wilson, of this sketch; Mrs. Rilla Ware lives in Jasper county ; William lives at Mingo and Edward at Goddard. They were all born, reared and educated in Jasper county, with the exception of the eldest son, who was born in Ohio.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.