USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 57
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Fremont L. Tiffany spent his youth on the home farm and still lives on a portion of the same, which he has kept well cultivated and is one of the best known farmers of Clear Creek township.
There were five children in the Tiffany family, named as follows : Clara V., born March 23, 1882, was graduated from the high school at Colfax, later from Drake University at Des Moines, and she is now at home with her parents : Carl, born May 9, 1884, is living on a farm near the village of Clyde, this county; Emma Alta, born May 21, 1886, died in the Methodist hospital at Des Moines, where she was employed as professional nurse : Ray, the subject of this review; Joseph Sylvester, born January 25, 1897, is living at home.
Ray Tiffany was married on February 22, 1907, to Clara A. Skinner, who was born in Clear Creek township, this county, June 26, 1889, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated in the local schools. She is the daughter of Hon. Herbert K. and Mary A. (Edwards) Skinner, the father born in Lawrence county, New York, April 2, 1849, and the latter born in Jasper county, Iowa, on March 29, 1855. To this union eight children were born, five of whom are living, namely : Elsie M. died in early life, as did also George M .: Charles H., born May 2, 1883, lives in Clear Creek township; Mrs. Bertha H. Borts, born May 20, 1885, lives on the old Skinner home- stead in Clear Creek township; Clara A., wife of Mr. Tiffany, of this sketch ; Arthur L., born December 6, 1892, lives with his parents; Lena, born June 4, 1896, at home ; Howard Otis, born March 12, 1899, died March 24th of the same year.
Herbert K. Skinner has been successful as a business man and is the owner of over five hundred acres of valuable land, mostly in Jasper county and some in Texas. He has long taken an abiding interest in political affairs and is a leader in his party, having held a number of local offices and he is now ably representing his county in the state legislature.
To Ray Tiffany and wife one daughter has been born, Myrtle May, whose birth occurred on June 2, 1908.
Mr. Tiffany is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and fifty- three acres, which he has kept well improved and under a high state of culti- vation. His land lies in Collins township, three miles east of Collins, Story county. They have a competency and, being people of correct ideals, they
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have not reached that period, as have many, when money getting interferes with their mental edification and the progress of their better natures. Politi- cally, Mr. Tiffany is a Republican.
MATTHEW BROWN.
Among the most prominent of the young business men of Newton and Jasper county, the name of Matthew Brown stands. But thirty years of age, he is at the head of one of Jasper county's most important industries. He was born April 2, 1880, in Jasper county, and is the son of William and (Boyd) Brown, both natives of Scotland, his parents having married there and come to America in 1863. From New York, their landing place, they went to Maryland for a short time, the father working in the coal mines of that state, but they soon left Maryland for Jasper county, Iowa. Landing in Jasper county, the father began farming. The farm he purchased was one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land, but Mr. Brown set resolutely to work clearing it and improving it, building a good brick house thereon. He remained upon this farm until his death, which occurred in June, 1906. Mr. Brown was a tireless worker and a man of public spirit. He raised much fine stock and was a member of the Shorthorn Breeders' Association. Few men were better or more favorably known in Jasper county. The mother of the subject of this sketch died while living upon the farm.
Mr. Brown, the subject of this review, is one of six children, all living, as follows : Mrs. Agnes McAllister, wife of David McAllister, of Jasper county ; Jennie Johnson, wife of David Johnson, a farmer residing at Mt. Ayer, Iowa; Mary Shields, wife of Delmer Shields, a motorman of Des Moines, Iowa; Clara French, wife of Vernon French, a farmer in Jasper county ; Robert B., a farmer residing in Jasper county ; and Mr. Brown, the subject of this sketch.
Matthew Brown was married May 27, 1903, to Maud E. Gilford, daugh- ter of John and Ann Gilford, both natives of Jasper county, and residing in the county at this writing. Mrs. Brown has the following brothers and sisters : William, residing in Spokane, Washington; Frank, residing in Sisters, Ne- braska; Ella Evans, wife of William Evans, Greeley, Colorado: Charles, of Holton, Washington; Mr. Pearl, residing at Brainard, Minnesota : Maud E., wife of the subject, born May 8, 1884; Harry, of Glenwood, Iowa.
Mrs. Brown is an entertaining woman of intelligence and culture. She
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is a member of the First Christian church of Newton and of the Ladies Aid and C. W. B. M. societies of that church.
Mr. Brown, after conducting a general blacksmithing business for eight years, purchased the Newton Tile Works, which factory he has successfully operated for five years, manufacturing first class drain tile of all sizes up to and including eight-inch, his factory being the only one in Newton making tile. Few young men are so well known in the county as this young manu- facturer, as he is one of the most enterprising of the county's many business men.
EPHRAIM C. BATTLES.
One of the most up-to-date agriculturists of the northwestern portion of Jasper county is Ephraim C. Battles, of Clear Creek township. Mr. Battles has always followed farming for a livelihood and he is regarded as an enter- prising and typical tiller of the soil of the present day. His thorough system of tillage, the good order of his fences, the well-cared-for condition of his fields, the commodious and comfortable buildings, all demonstrate his success- ful management and substantial thrift. During the past decade he has lived on the farm which he now owns and the years of his residence in this com- munity have won for him a very high place in the confidence and esteem of his many neighbors and friends. In every relation of life he has always been regarded as a representative citizen, discharging every duty devolving upon him with commendable fidelity and proving himself worthy the large measure of respect with which he is treated by all who know him, and that embraces much of the population of both Jasper and Polk counties, this state, as well as other sections of the country.
Mr. Battles was born in Polk county, Iowa, on February 18, 1876, and there he grew to manhood and received his educational training, started in life as a farmer and continued to reside there until February, 1902, when he moved to Jasper county. He is the son of Hiram and Susan E. (Lacey) Battles, the father born in Ohio on August 24, 1838, and the mother was born in Tennessee on January 25, 1846. They grew up and were married in the East, coming to Iowa in pioneer days and became well established in Polk county where the father spent the rest of his life, dying on September 17, 1892. The mother is now living in Mitchellville, this state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Battles thirteen children were born, twelve of whom are living, named as follows: Isaac S., born in Hamilton county,
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EPHRAIM C. BATTLES
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lowa, August 21, 1867, is living at Santiago, Polk county; Etna, born in Jasper county, Iowa, on December 10, 1868, lives at Mitchellville ; Mrs. Bertha Williams, born August 24, 1871, lives at Farrar, Polk county ; Delmer, born February 28, 1873, also lives at Farrar: Calla, born November 12, 1874, died August 24, 1875; Ephraim C., of this sketch; Fred, born November 25, 1877, lives in Ira, this county ; Edward B., born September 1, 1879, lives at Farrar, Polk county; Mrs. Ella Baldwin, born October 10, 1881, lives at Mingo, this county ; Dora Hilker, born August 16, 1883, lives in Polk county ; Leroy H., born August 28, 1885, lives at Mitchellville : Asa W., born January 8, 1888, is residing at Pineville, Oregon; Lloyd C., born August 15, 1890, lives at Mitchellville. This family was reared in Polk county.
Ephraim C. Battles located in Clear Creek township when he came to Jasper county early in the year 1902. Here he began farming on rented land, then purchased the old Byal place, containing two hundred acres of choice land, which he still retains and which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation, until today it is regarded as one of the best farms in this part of the county. Mr. Battles purchased this place in 1909. He has a pleasant home and good outbuildings and he always keeps an ex- cellent grade of live stock.
Mr. Battles was married on August 30, 1896, to Mary E. Baldwin, who was born in Jasper county, Iowa, December 26, 1876, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education in the common schools. She is the daughter of Daniel F. and Frances (McClannahan) Baldwin, the father born in Pennsylvania on May 1, 1853, and the mother in Towa, on October 1. 1856. They reside in Mingo, this county, where they have a comfortable home and are well known.
To Daniel F. Baldwin and wife twelve children were born, eleven of whom are living, named as follows: Charles Edward, born March 28, 1874, lives in Montana ; Mary E., wife of Mr. Battles, of this review ; Frank Elmer, born December 26, 1877, lives at Mingo; Mrs. Gertie Ellen Sannon, born July 12, 1879, lives in Denver, Colorado; Mertie Elizabeth, a twin sister of the last named (Mrs. Sannon), died in infancy: Mrs. Bertha Elizabeth Miller, born May 13, 1884, lives in Mitchellville, Iowa: Jacob Frederick, born Janu- ary II, 1887, lives in Jasper county ; Mrs. Florence Longnecker, born Decem- ber 16, 1889, is a resident of Mingo; Roy Wesley, born November 4, 1893; Irvin J., born June 12, 1896: Vera, born August 2, 1898 : Ruby, born February 2, 1900, all live at Mingo, Jasper county. This family was reared and edu- cated in this county.
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The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Battles: Pearl, born September 23, 1897; Ethel and Edna, twins, born January 23, 1899, the latter dying on August 30th of the same year; Finley Austin, born May 18, 1904; Coral, born July 25, 1906; Charley Lacey, born December 1I, 1907. These children are attending school in their home district.
Politically, Mr. Battles is a Democrat and, fraternally, he belongs to Mingo Lodge No. 174, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Mingo, and he and Mrs. Battles belong to the Rebekah lodge of Mingo, and they also hold membership with the Yeomen lodge of Ira. He belongs to the encampment of that place and she is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps there.
CARL TIFFANY.
This sterling young man is the owner of one of the choice farms in the locality of which this history treats and he is favorably looked upon as an upright and honest man, as well as an industrious agriculturist whose success is well deserved.
Carl Tiffany was born in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, on May 9, 1884. He grew to manhood here and has always been identified with the farming interests of the community and he received his education in the local schools. He represents one of the oldest families of the northwestern part of Jasper county, members of which have been active in the general develop- ment of the same for some three generations, the Tiffanys having ever stood for progressive citizenship wherever they have located.
The subject is the son of Fremont L. and Mary Ella (Stock) Tiffany, both natives of Clear Creek township, this county, each representatives of early families. The paternal grandfather, Sylvester Tiffany, emigrated to Jasper county in 1849 and that year joined the famous band of gold seekers in California, returning here in 1855, where he remained until his death, in 1910, at an advanced age, having outlived his wife, Esther Campbell, twenty years and more, her death having occurred at Colfax in 1889. The . father of the subject grew up on the farm here and worked hard when a boy in the new country. He married Mary E. Stock upon reaching manhood and to them five children were born, namely: Clara V., who was born in 1882, received an excellent education at the Colfax high school and Drake University and is living at home with her parents on the farm; Emma Alta, born in 1886, became a professional nurse and died in the Methodist hospital
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in Des Moines, in which she was employed; Ray is living in Collins township, Story county ; Joseph Sylvester, born in 1897, is at home; Carl, of this review.
Fremont L. Tiffany owns the old homestead in Clear Creek township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres ; the place originally consisted of three hundred and sixty acres. He has been successful as a general farmer, and is one of the influential men of his community. For a full history of the Tiffany family the reader is referred to the sketch of the subject's father ap- pearing elsewhere in this work.
Carl Tiffany was married March 9, 1904, to Susan Mae Patterson, who was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on December 21, 1879. Her parents, Gillian F. and Sarah Ann (Logsdon) Patterson, were early settlers of Jasper county ; they were both natives of Kentucky, in which state they spent their early lives. The father enlisted for service in the Union army from Illinois. These par- ents now reside in Sherman township, Jasper county.
The Patterson family consisted of twelve children, eleven of whom are living, namely : Edward lives near Baxter; Mrs. Arminda Spencer lives at Weeping Water, Nebraska; William also lives in Nebraska; Leander lives in Delta, Iowa; John lives near Newton, this state; James lives in Newton : Thomas lives in South Dakota: David lives in Weeping Water, Nebraska : Susan Mae, wife of Mr. Tiffany, of this sketch ; George lives at home with his parents in Sherman township; Mrs. Julia Hurst is deceased ; Alexander lives at Clyde, Iowa.
To Mr. and Mrs. Carl Tiffany have been born one son and one daughter, Harold Carl, born April 17, 1907, and Sarah Mae, born February 23, 1910. They were both born in Clear Creek township, Jasper county.
Politically, Mr. Tiffany is a Republican. He is secretary of the board of education in his home district. He is the owner of an excellent farm in Clear Creek township, which he has placed under good improvements and by thrift and good management has secured a competency. He has many of the mod- ern conveniences and luxuries, including an automobile.
HENRY H. MAGGARD.
Among those persons who have by virtue of their strong individual quali- ties earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fellow citizens, having by sheer force of character and persistency won their way from an humble beginning to a place of influence and prominence in the com-
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munity where they are active in industrial affairs, Henry H. Maggard, well known business man and public-spirited citizen of Baxter, Jasper county, is entitled to specific mention in a volume of this character, partly because of his praiseworthy efforts in promoting the general upbuilding of his locality, partly because he is the scion of a well known old pioneer family and partly owing to the fact that his entire life has been spent on his native prairies.
Mr. Maggard was born in Clear Creek township, this county, August 26, 1862. He grew to manhood in this community, assisted with the general work about the home place and was educated in the local schools, and he has identified himself with various enterprises during his long residence. As stated, this family was among the earliest settlers in the county. His father, Adamı Maggard, was born in Ohio and died at Colfax, Iowa. He married Eliza Cuthbert, who was born in England and who is now residing in Clear Creek township, this county. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Maggard, namely: George lives in Clear Creek township; Henry H., of this review ; Mary Neal, who lives at Adel, Iowa; Charles lives in Canada ; William lives at Ira; Sarah Jane, deceased; Laura Marks, who lives in Mis- souri ; Walter lives in Washington. These children were all born and reared in Clear Creek township.
Upon leaving the farm, Henry H. Maggard moved to Baxter and for twelve years engaged in the draying business. Later he successfully operated a grocery store and restaurant for some time.
Mr. Maggard was married on November 30, 1887, to Harriet Savers, who was born at Elmwood, Peoria county, Illinois, July 22, 1869, the daugh- ter of Matthias and Mary (Robey) Sayers. The father, who was born in Ohio, is now deceased ; her mother was born in Maryland and is now residing in Tampa, Florida. Children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sayers as follows : Addie, deceased; Harriet, wife of Mr. Maggard, of this sketch; Mrs. Hiler, of Lincoln, Nebraska ; Hannah is deceased ; Emma is also deceased ; James and Laura Ramey live at Tampa, Florida, with their mother.
One child, a daughter, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Maggard on March 17, 1891, and died in April, 1892.
Mrs. Maggard has conducted a millinery store at Baxter for a number of years, which is patronized by hundreds of patrons from all over this part of the county, for here is always to be found a large, up-to-date and care- fully selected stock of goods, tastily displayed and prices are always right. Mr. and Mrs. Maggard have worked hard and by thrift and economy have laid by a competency. Mr. Maggard is at present caring for the city's gas plant, besides his official duties as marshal, street commissioner and constable,
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the duties of which public positions he is discharging in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He has also been a member of the town council. They own a substantial and neatly furnished home in Baxter, besides a business house. Mr. Maggard has always taken a deep interest in the development of the little city and has been found active in all that pertains to the best interests of he public. He is a member of Baxer Lodge No. 168, Knights of Pythias, and has held chairs in the same.
FRED HAGER.
Upon the roll of representative citizens and prominent and influential business men of Jasper county consistently appears the name of Fred Hager, the able president of the State Savings Bank of Baxter. He is one of those sturdy spirits who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the locality in which he resides, representing that class of earnest, foreign-born citizens who have done so much for the development of the United States, while at the same time they have benefited themselves in a very material man- ner. He has been a resident of Independence township for many years, during which time he has gradually won his way into the affections of the people, for he possesses those sterling qualities of character which commend them- selves to persons of intelligence and the highest morality, so it is no wonder that he has achieved so high a position in the general estimation of all who have come in touch with him.
Mr. Hager was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, on November 29, 1864, and there he grew to maturity and attended the common schools. Leav- ing his native land in 1882, he emigrated to free America, landing on our shores, "a youth to fortune and to fame unknown." He came directly to Jasper county, Iowa, and has been a resident here ever since, taking an active and important interest in the development of the same, which has been note- worthy and remarkable, considering the fact that it was not so very many . years ago that this locality was a wild plain. Mr. Hager's rise has been rapid, as the steps from a farm laborer to bank president forcibly illustrate ; this, too, secured through avenues of industry and integrity is the highest tribute that can be paid to him by his fellow men. He is the son of Herman and Sophia (Stock) Hager, both born, reared, educated and married in Germany. and there the father died, the mother being still a resident of the province of her nativity. They were the parents of five children, namely: Herman is
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living in Germany; Fred, of this review; Lena Stoelting and Minnie Eins- meyer both live in Germany ; August lives in Baxter, Iowa.
Mr. Hager, of this review, was married on December 7, 1899, to Clara Harre, who was born in Jasper county, Iowa. She is a lady of many praise- worthy qualities and has long been a social favorite. She is the daughter of Fred and Wilhelmina (Mierkert) Harre, a prominent pioneer family of Jas- per county, the father being now deceased, but the mother is living in Baxter, Iowa. Their family consisted of eight children, all of whom are still living; they are, Mrs. Kracht, of Baxter, this county; Fred lives near Kearney, Ne- braska: Paulina Geise, of Malaka township; Otto lives in Marshall county ; Albert is agent of the Chicago Great Western Railroad Company at Wa- verly, Iowa; Mattie Kanne lives in Malaka township; Clara, wife of Mr. Hager, of this review; William lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Mr. Hager came to Baxter, Iowa, in 1882 and was for some time em- ployed by his cousins, the Hager Brothers, as a farm hand. By industry and economy he was, after some time, enabled to start in business for himself, and, by close application and wise discretion, coupled with untiring energy and rare discernment he prospered continuously. He finally entered the bank- ing business, in which he showed such aptitude that he was honored with the vice-presidency of the State Savings Bank at Baxter, upon the reorganization of which he was chosen president, which position he continues to hold in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability and to the entire satisfac- tion of the stockholders and the patrons of the bank. It is safe to say that the widespread popularity and growing prosperity of this well known, safe and sound institution has been due in no small degree to his ability as a financier and his scrupulous honesty in every relation of life. The capital stock of this bank is thirty thousand dollars and the surplus for 1911 will amount to ten thousand dollars. The corporation owns two buildings in Baxter and the present home of the institution is modern, substantial, con- venient and equipped in an up-to-date manner.
Besides his interest in this bank, Mr. Hager is the owner of six hundred and forty acres near Garnduff, Saskatchewan, Canada, also one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Douglas county, Washington, and one hundred and sixty acres in Chaves county, New Mexico. He owns a commodious and beautiful home in Baxter.
Politically, Mr. Hager is a Democrat. He has been a member of the town council for two terms and township clerk for four years, also township trustee for three years. His bank is custodian of the school, township and road funds. Many a poor young man has been assisted through Mr. Hager's
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largeness of heart, for, having once been a poor boy himself, he has a great deal of sympathy for those worthy youths who need assistance at the thresh- hold of life. Personally, he is a genial, companionable and public-spirited gen- tleman, whom to know is to admire and respect. He and his wife are worthy members and liberal supporters of the German Reformed church. They have no children, but have not withheld their aid and encouragement from the chil- dren of their neighbors and friends, and as a result of their many estimable qualities of head and heart they are held in high esteem by all who know them.
COMMODORE P. KINTZ.
It would indeed be hard to find in the annals of Jasper county a name worthier or better known than that of the sterling pioneer, the late Commodore P. Kintz. If great and beneficial results, results that endure and bless man- kind, are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the history of this or any locality that may take their places above the hardy pio- neers? To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civili- zation, its happy homes, its education, literature, culture and social joy, is to be the truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accomplished by the early settlers, and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Admit that as a rule but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendant possibilities that rested upon their shoulders, realizing but little the results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their hands, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, reso- lution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, accomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors. Mr. Kintz, being prominent among the honored pioneer element in the locality of which this history treats, achieved an incalculable amount of good, for he not only did what he could in the material development of the community, but he set an example for industry, integrity, unfailing honesty and kindness that is not frequently surpassed.
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