USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 61
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Mr. Barbee was married in November, 1904, to Lizzie Inglis, who was born in Illinois in 1884. She is the daughter of John Inglis, who was born in Scotland and is now living in Texas. There were twelve children in the Inglis family.
To Mr. and Mrs. Barbee three children have been born, namely: Zola Fern, born in Melbourne, Iowa; Raymond Harold, born in Fairmount, Minne- sota; Gladys, born in Webster City, Iowa. The two older children are at- tending school at Mingo. Politically, Mr. Barbee votes independently.
FRANK B. ROSS.
Frank B. Ross, the subject of this sketch, is a splendid example of what an enterprising young man of sincere purpose can accomplish. But twenty- five years of age, Mr. Ross is the owner and proprietor of one of the best stores in the town of Reasnor and enjoys the respect and good will of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the county. Keen, alert and energetic, he is honest to the core and believes in doing by his fellow man as he would be done by.
Mr. Ross was born May 12, 1884, in Jasper county, Iowa, and is the son of Charles F. and Almeda L. (Smith) Ross, both of whom were natives of Iowa, the mother being born in Jasper county.
It was in 1864 that the father of the subject came to Jasper county and as a mere boy engaged in farm work. In 1878 he purchased forty acres, to which by thrift and untiring industry he kept adding until at one time he owned one hundred and seventy-eight acres. While he followed general farming only, he raised some stock also. He still owns and resides upon the first land he ever bought and still is actively engaged in farming. Mr. Ross's father is well known and is a solid, stable man of affairs and a good citizen.
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While never a politician or a man who has sought office, he is a man who takes a keen and intelligent interest in the advancement and upbuilding of his county and state. At different times for over twenty years he has been director and treasurer of the independent district schools. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Evangelical church.
The subject of this review is one of twelve children, of whom seven are now living: Elsie, who was born in 1877, died in childhood; William A., born July 9, 1879, is a prosperous farmer residing near Newton, Iowa; Jessie died in infancy; Bertha also died in infancy; next in order of birth is the subject of this sketch; Elmer, born July 9, 1886, died when quite young ; Zell S., born June 3, 1888, is a well-to-do farmer residing in Jasper county ; Charles Owen, born October II, 1890, died at the age of ten years; Ada Ruth, born December 19, 1892, resides at home; Harry S., born March IO, 1895, is at home; Edith Fern, born January 30, 1899, is at home; Robert L., born March 16, 1901, is at home.
Mr. Ross began working for himself in the spring of 1905, following the pursuit of farming. At this business he continued steadily in Jasper county until March, 1909, when he removed to northern Minnesota upon a farm of two hundred and twenty acres he had purchased there, but later he returned to Reasnor, when he purchased, June 1, 1910, the general store and hardware business of J. J. McCartney, which he has conducted successfully ever since, selling pumps and windmills in connection with the other general items of hardware.
On February 28, 1905, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Victoria A. Tool, the daughter of H. F. L. and Louan (Woody) Tool, both of whom were natives of Iowa, and both of whom are living at this writing, on farms in Minnesota.
Mrs. Ross was born January 20, 1885, in Jasper county and departed this life May 8, 1909. No purer or more gentle spirit ever passed from earth into the great unfathomable beyond than she and many were the hearts left desolate by her going. Ever delighting in doing acts of kindness and living for others, she was a woman whose life was an example of that which the Savior of men exemplified while upon earth. Always an earnest worker in the Methodist church, she put her faith and her devotion into deeds and was a guiding star and spiritual inspiration to many who were fortunate enough to know her.
Besides her bereaved husband, she left behind her a sweet little daughter, Mable Louise, who was born December 26, 1908. Every effort was made by Mr. Ross to save her fair young life, the best nurses and physicians ob-
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tainable were procured and she was taken to the city hospital at Aiken, Minne- sota, but all without avail, for death came four days after she entered the hospital. It was after the untimely death of his beloved wife that Mr. Ross returned to Reasnor and engaged in his present business.
The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Ross are : Julia C., wife of F. E. Fair- child, a farmer residing in northern Minnesota; Nora, wife of Zell S. Ross, a brother of the subject; William A .; Ella and Irena, live at home in Minne- sota. Lena died when but two and one-half years old.
Mr. Ross is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having at one time been trustee and also superintendent of the Sunday school of the church at Belleview. He is an uncompromising foe of liquor and the liquor traffic, and is a Prohibitionist in politics. Affable and genial, he is one of the popular men of the younger generation of the county.
JOHN W. CUSHATT.
The Cushatt family has been well known in Jasper county during prac- tically its entire period of development, in which laudable undertaking they have performed their parts in a manner that cannot fail to elicit our hearty commendation, for they belong to that class of progressive and enterprising citizens who believe in lending what aid is necessary in promoting the general good, while advancing their individual interests. A worthy scion of this old and honored family is John W. Cushatt, of Baxter, a young man of many fine traits of character.
Mr. Cushatt was born in the county where he still resides and where his life has been spent, his birth occurring on October 31, 1882, and here he received a good education in the common schools, learning the barber trade here early in life and this he has followed to the present time with an unusual degree of success. He is at present associated with Alden Trussel, a sketch of whom appears in this work. He is regarded as a most skillful artist in his line and his shop is fully equipped with all modern appliances and is always neat and sanitary. His hundreds of regular patrons are promptly waited on and treated with every courtesy.
Robert W. Cushatt, father of the subject, was born in July, 1854. He married Sarah Nirk, who was born in Illinois, her parents being pioneers of Jasper county, Iowa, and became prominent here in the early days. For a full history of this family the reader is referred to the sketch of Rev. W. C.
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Nirk, which appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject's parents are still living in Sherman township, this county. Eight children were born to Robert W. Cushatt and wife, an equal number of sons and daughters, all living at this writing, namely : Ida Orr, born October 20, 1878, lives in this county ; Henry, born August 30, 1880, lives in Sherman township; John W., of this review ; Ray, born April II, 1885, lives near Riceville, Iowa ; Blanche, born September 16, 1888, was graduated from the Baxter high school in 1907 and is now clerking in the Baxter Mercantile Company's store; Lela, born March 8, 1890, is living near Newton, Iowa; Frank, born August 22, 1892, and Alta, born September 12, 1901. These children were all born and reared in Jasper county.
John W. Cushatt was married on April 21, 1906, to Clara Miller who was born in Newton, Iowa, the daughter of John C. and Carrie (Kiser) Miller, the father born in Holstien, Germany, in 1836, emigrated to America in early life, married here and spent his later years in Jasper county, Iowa, where his death occurred in January, 1909; the mother, who was born in Freeport, Illinois, in 1855, is living in Baxter. They became the parents of three children, namely: Edward, who is connected with the general mer- chandise firm of Miller & Klemme, of Baxter, was born March 28, 1883; Clara, wife of Mr. Cushatt of this review ; William, who lives in Independence township, this county, were all born in Jasper county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cushatt a son and a daughter have been born, namely : Vera Alta, whose birth occurred on October 21, 1907, and Ralph Robert. born May 30, 1910.
Politically, Mr. Cushatt is a Democrat and, fraternally, he belongs to ยท Baxter Lodge No. 168, Knights of Pythias, of Baxter, and the Modern Woodmen of America, Baxter Camp No. 5642.
FRANK W. DENSMORE.
A young man who is succeeding admirably well at the restaurant busi- ness at Mingo, Clear Creek township, Jasper county, and who seems to be starting life on the right track with the proper principles guiding him, is Frank W. Densmore, who was born in this township, February 26, 1880, and here he grew to manhood, and. with the exception of two years in Wash- ington state, he has made this his home, in which vicinity his parents were among the earliest settlers. He was educated in the local schools and devoted
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his earlier years to farming, having cared for himself since the age of thir- teen. On July 12, 1911, he opened the restaurant where he is still engaged in business and is enjoying a liberal patronage, assisted by his excellent wife. He keeps his place attractive and neat and is obliging and genial to his patrons.
Mr. Densmore is the son of Thomas and Lucy (Tripp) Densmore. Thomas Densmore was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, April 12, 1835, and his wife was born in Ogle county, Illinois, July 13, 1841. They came to Jasper county, Iowa, he in 1859, she in 1853, and they were married October 14, 1859, in Clear Creek township. He died on April 14, 1902, and she on February 18, 1890. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are
deceased, namely : David T., born August 2, 1860; Maggie M. (Mrs. Dennis Alder ), born October 14, 1861, lives in Cape Horn, Washington; Thomas B., born September 11, 1862; Mary B., born February 23, 1864; Charlie E., born January 15, 1867; Eddie M., born May 10, 1868; Jessie B., born Decem- ber 17, 1874; Frank W., of this sketch: Robert M., born August 10, 1881, lives in California; of these children the following are dead: David T., on August 20, 1888; Thomas, on October 3, 1862; Mary, October 30, 1864; Charlie, March 24, 1867: Edward, July 11, 1874; Jessie, November 5, 1875.
On December 25, 1899 Mr. Densmore was united in marriage with Lydia Lura Franklin, a native of Clear Creek township, her birth occurring on August 7, 1883. She was reared here and has always lived in this com- munity. Her parents were among the earliest settlers of this county. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Ava (Bellmore) Franklin, whose marriage occurred in 1864. The father, who was a veteran of the Mexican war, was born in New Hampshire in 1826, and he died in Clear Creek township March 26, 1890; the mother is a native of Indiana, born May 7, 1846, and she is still living at Mingo, this county, having come to this locality with her par- ents when she was five years of age. She is the daughter of Stephen and Jane Bellmore, old settlers in Clear Creek township. Benjamin Franklin came to Clear Creek township in 1850, and at one time owned about twelve hundred acres of land between Indian and Clear Creeks.
There were eleven children in the Franklin family, nine of whom are living, namely : John, of Des Moines, born April 1, 1865: Mrs. Fannie Etna Kending, born October 28, 1867, died November 23, 1909: Mrs. Lilly Belle Couch, born March 4, 1870, is living in South Dakota: Rosa Lee, born March 24. 1872, died in infancy; Dock Benjamin, born February 24. 1874. lives in Clear Creek township, this county ; James E., born May 9. 1876, lives in Mingo; Mrs. Waty Jane Young, born August 10, 1878, lives in Clear
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Creek township; Andrew Jackson, born April 2, 1881, lives in Mingo; Lydia Lura, wife of Mr. Densmore of this sketch, was born August 7, 1883; Will- iam W., born February 8, 1888, lives at St. Baird, New Mexico, being a soldier in the United States army; Guy Wesley, born April 4, 1889, lives in Des Moines. These children were all born in Clear Creek township. Mrs. Ava Franklin has twenty-three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren living and eight grandchildren have passed away.
To Mr. and Mrs. Densmore one son has been born, Otto Thomas, September 17, 1893, and one daughter, Lucy Leonora, August 8, 1905. Both are attending school at Mingo.
Politically, Mr. Densmore is a Republican, and he affiliates with the Christian church. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 194, at Washougal, Washington. He is a member of Mingo Camp, No. 1180, Modern Woodmen of America, of Mingo, also of the National Travelers Benefit Association. Mr. Densmore belongs to Yeoman lodge, No. 350, of Mingo. They are supporters of every beneficial public enterprise.
GEORGE LANE.
In observing the things about us as we go through life, we find much of interest, even in our immediate environment, but there is little that interests one more than to observe how different men begin and continue the duties of life. Some commence in hesitation and seem to hesitate at every obstacle they encounter. Others begin boldly, but after a time show by some defect in execution, that they have not properly mastered their tasks. Still others commence with steady grasp of the situation, and show by their subsequent accomplishments that they have compassed the problem of life; to the last class success always comes and they are the men to leave behind them good names and their descendants are left to reap the harvests of good actions.
One of the enterprising and deserving men of the locality of which this history treats is George Lane, well known in railroad circles as division fore- man of the bridge department of the Chicago Great Western Railroad Com- pany, with headquarters at Marshalltown.
Mr. Lane was born in Baxter, Jasper county, Iowa, on February 5, 1878. He is the son of Reuben M. and Alice (Logsdon) Lane, the father born in Muskingum county, Ohio, December 5, 1845, and the mother in Jasper county, Iowa, on July 6, 1852. In 1856 the father moved to Jasper county
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with an uncle and here grew to manhood, locating near Newton. Both the father and the grandfather of Reuben M. Lane were soldiers in the war of 1812. The subject's maternal grandparents, Thomas and Martha (Dawson) Logsdon, were natives of Kentucky, where they grew up and were married, emigrating to Jasper county, Iowa, in pioneer times, 1850; and here became very comfortably established.
To Mr. and Mrs. Reuben M. Lane six children have been born, namely : Mrs. Stella Logsdon, of Colfax, and Leslie, of Minnesota, were twins, and were born on August 24, 1876, in Madison county; George, of this sketch; Harvey, born May 31, 1881, in Jasper county, is living near Melbourne, Marshall county ; Laura, born February 12, 1886, in Jasper county, lives with her parents in Baxter; Walter Guy Lane was born at Baxter, Iowa, February 15, 1893. Their parents are still living in a comfortable home in Baxter and enjoy the friendship of a wide acquaintance.
George Lane grew to manhood in this county and he attended school in his native community. After leaving school he was employed by the Chicago Great Western Railroad Company as bridgeman, and he has re- mained with the company. ever since, having given the utmost satisfaction, as will be seen from the fact that they have entrusted him with the highest position in the bridge department, that of division foreman, with head- quarters at Marshalltown. He understands thoroughly every detail of his work in this connection and is a conscientious, trustworthy employe.
Mr. Lane has a pleasant home at No. 20212 South Second avenue, Marshalltown. He is a member of Baxter Lodge No. 168, Knights of Pythias, Baxter, Iowa.
ABNER B. CAMPBELL.
We should indeed be proud of the fact that there is no limit in this country to which natural ability, industry and honesty may not aspire. One born in the most unpromising surroundings and reared in the most adverse environment may, nevertheless, break from his fetters and rise to the highest station in the country, and the qualities do not have to be of transcendant character to enable him to accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping the opportunities presented than to any remark- able qualities possessed by him. Accordingly it is found that very often in this country the leaders in political, business, professional and other lines of endeavor often possess no greater ability than thousands of others. They
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have simply taken better advantage of their opportunities than their fellows. And this truth runs through every occupation. The farmer who rises above his fellow tillers of the soil does so merely because he takes advantage of conditions which they overlook.
One of the successful agriculturists of Jasper county is Abner B. Camp- bell, of Independence township. He was born on the place and in the house where he now resides on June 27, 1864, and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools of his district. He has always followed farming, his fine farm of two hundred acres being under a high state of improvement and cultivation. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of raising full-blood Duroc-Jersey hogs. He keeps the old homestead in ship shape in every respect.
The subject's parents, Allen D. and Nancy (Tramel) Campbell, were among the early settlers in Jasper county, having located in Independence township in 1852. The father was born in Ohio on February 23, 1827, and the mother in Indiana, September 17, 1830. They grew up and were married in the East, and they spent the last years of their lives in this county, the father's death occurring on August 25, 1899, his wife having preceding him to the grave on March 25, 1886. They became well established here through hard work and economy, developing a splendid farm from the wild prairie.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen D. Campbell, named as follows: Cynthia Caroline, born August 5, 1851, died September 13, 1882 ; Francis William, born May 18, 1855, died April 26, 1856; James Alexander, born May 29, 1857, lives in Manning, Iowa; Mary Alice, born February 10, 1860, died December 16, 1889; Abner Beecher, of this sketch: Mrs. Iva Cora Rumbaugh, born June 23, 1870, lives in Independence township. These children were reared on the home place in this township, and they were edu- cated in the local schools.
Abner B. Campbell, of this review, was married on October 28, 1906, to Anna Henning, who was born in Independence township, this county, on May 9, 1882, and she was educated in the local schools, having always lived in this community. She is the daughter of John George and Eva Barbara (Musig) Henning, both born in Germany, the father on November 20, 1848, and the mother on October 3, 1847. There they spent their earlier years. emigrating to the United States when young, and became residents of Indepen- dence township, Jasper county, Iowa, and here the father spent his remaining days, dying on May 30, 1905 : the mother is living in this township.
There were five daughters and one son in the Henning family, namely : Maggie, born March 9, 1877, lives in Independence township: Katie, born
1
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June 28, 1881, also lives in this township; Anna, wife of Mr. Campbell, of this review; Mrs. Lizzie Matthews, born November 15, 1884, is living in Des Moines, Iowa; Rosa, born January 26, 1887, is living at the homestead in Independence township; the son died at the age of four months. The above named daughters were born and reared in this township and educated in the home schools.
Politically, Mr. Campbell is a Republican, and he and his wife belong to the Christian church at Ira. They take a deep interest in local affairs, and keep well advised on the current topics of the times, being extensive readers.
ROBERT MILLER.
The Miller family have been one of the best known in Jasper county since the pioneer days and the several members of the same have so ordered their lives that they have been of much benefit to the locality in general. A very creditable representative of the present generation is Robert Miller, a man of whose record nothing but words of praise could be uttered, for he has always sought to do his duty in all the relations of life. He was born in Clear Creek township, this county, June 15, 1861, and here he grew to manhood, received his educational training and has always been identified with the agricultural life of the same. His grandfather, Joseph Kintz, was one of the earliest settlers of Jasper county, being the first settler of Clear Creek township. The father of our subject, Robert Miller, was born in Alabama. Not being in good health when the Civil war came up, he did not enlist, but later he was drafted into the service. He was compelled to make a long and arduous march from Grinnell, Iowa, to Savannah, Georgia, and he died soon after reaching that place. His family and friends felt that an injustice had been done in thus pressing him into the service when he was not able-bodied, the privations and hardships of the march having caused his death. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Rebecca Kintz. She was born in Summit county, Ohio, December 20, 1837, and there she spent her girlhood, coming to Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, in 1845, thus being among the first settlers. She is still living, making her home with the subject of this sketch on the old homestead, being now advanced in years. She vividly recalls pioneer conditions and incidents of the trip from Ohio to this township, relating how they made the long journey over rough roads, crossing but one railroad on the entire trip, that one being
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in Indiana. They saw no white people, Indians still being numerous in the Middle West then. The family were on excellent terms with all the Indian chiefs, and Mrs. Miller tells much of the famous chief, John Green, who was a welcomed visitor to all the cabins in the settlement.
There were six children in the Miller family, two of whom died in in- fancy, the others live in the immediate vicinity of the old home and are as follows: Commodore Perry, Mrs. Phoebe Long, Mrs. Mary Sumpter and Robert, of this sketch; they all live in Clear Creek township with the excep- tion of Mary whose home is in Independence township. They were born, reared and educated in the home community.
Politically, Mr. Miller is a Democrat. He has devoted his life to farming and there are one hundred and eighty acres in the old home place where he resides. In addition to cultivating that, the subject owns and directs a threshing machine, a lumber mill and corn shredder. He believes in using the most modern and improved labor-saving machinery and devices and is an up-to-date farmer. He has remained unmarried.
CHARLES H. CONNELLY.
No longer than a half century ago the farmer of Jasper county was almost wholly independent of every other business. He raised practically all his food on his farm; his mother, wife or daughter made the greater part of his clothing and required very few things from outside sources. Even his boots and shoes were made at his own home from his own leather, some- times by himself and sometimes by traveling shoemakers. The first settlers here were far from any large trading center and he had little time to spend on long journeys, the work required in developing his farm from the raw prairies being not only irksome but tedious, requiring close application. As time progressed, however, he was obliged to relinquish much of his labor to other artisans under a division of labor and a closer union of the various industries. Now his shoes are made at one factory, his shirt at another, his hat at another, his coat at another, and so on through his list of all he wears and even to a por- tion of what he eats. This is true in reference also to his farming implements, many of which were home-made. It is a fact in almost all communities today that the farmers, many of them, sell their hogs and buy their bacon, sell their cattle and buy their beef, sell their wheat and buy their flour, etc. Thus, while the farmer is not so independent, he has greater advantages. Such conditions,
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to some extent, at least were familiar to Charles H. Connelly, now one of the leading farmers of Independence township, and they were not at all uncommon to his father, who was one of our early pioneers. He was born in Clyde, Clear Creek township, Jasper county, Iowa, on May 6, 1869, and with the exception of a few months he has always resided in this county, having been reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. Twenty-two years ago he moved to Independence township, where he has resided con- tinuously to the present day, his life having been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and at present he is holding the responsible position of county bridge foreman, being employed by the board of supervisors, having charge of the bridge repairing and building of the northern district, and he is performing these important duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the board and to all concerned.
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