USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. II > Part 7
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No family in western Jasper county is better or more favorably known or more highly esteemed than the Kellys.
LEE C. WESTFALL.
In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that they have been compelled very largely to map out their own career and furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success and it is of such a one that the biographer now writes, Lee C. Westfall, an honored veteran of the great Rebellion and a substantial citizen of Mingo, Poweshiek township, Jasper county.
Mr. Westfall was born in Morgan county, Indiana, on October 10, 1842. He is the son of A. P. and Sarah Pettit Westfall, being their only child. They came from Knox county, Illinois, to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1854, locating at Monroe, then Tolls Point. The mother's second husband was Joseph Owens.
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The subject became both a stationary and locomotive engineer, making this his principal life work, following his chosen vocation until about 1890, when he retired. He was one of the brave sons of the North who offered his services and his life, if need be, that the Union might be perpetuated, enlisting at Monroe, Jasper county, in Company B, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, at the first call for three-year troops, and he served until in July, 1865. in a manner that stamped him as an efficient and loyal American soldier. He served under Grant at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, in fact, all the engagements in the West. After the fall of Vicksburg he was sent to Georgia and fought at Kenesaw Mountain and in all the battles in the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded on July 21, 1864. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea. and went from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas to Washington City.
After returning home from the army Mr. Westfall resumed his work as engineer, becoming widely known in this part of the state in this line of endeavor. For a number of years he has been township trustee and he has been township clerk for the past fourteen years, and secretary of the township school board for the past fifteen years. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a member of the E. H. Keyes Post No. 511, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mingo, being adjutant of the same for fifteen years. He has filled these offices with much credit to himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.
Mr. Westfall was married in 1866, in this county, to Jane Poling, daugh- ter of Martin Poling, who served in the Civil war in the same company and regiment with the subject, as did also Mrs. Westfall's brother, Silas Poling. The mother of Mrs. Westfall was known in her maidenhood as Peary Carpen- ter : they were born in Randolph county, Virginia, from which they went to Union county, Ohio, then came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1856, and they died in Shelby county, this state.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Westfall, namely: Alice married D. D. Adams, son of Elias Adams, a pioneer here; S. W. is farming in Poweshiek township; Minnie L. married E. S. Turner, of this township. who is mentioned in the sketch of his father, C. C. Turner, appearing in this work; Arthur M. is farming in Winnebago county, Minnesota; Leroy G. lives in Mingo, Iowa ; he is at present clerk in Baker & Baker's general store in Mingo.
The mother of these children passed to her rest c11 October 14. 1901, and on August 25, 1903, Mr. Westfall was married to Mrs. Mary Anderson. daughter of James Solomon. a pioneer of Poweshiek township, Jasper county.
Mr. Westfall is well known throughout the county and is highly re- spected by all as one of the worthy pioneers and veterans.
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WILLIAM R. JICKLING.
The maxim "Through struggle to triumph" holds good in every locality and while it is true that many aspirants to fame and fortune fall exhausted in the "fierce conflict which men call life," a few by their inherent force of char- acter and strong mentality, rise above their environment and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the goal toward which their face was set through the long years of struggle that must necessarily precede any accom- plishment of great magnitude. Such has been the history of William R. Jick- ling, a successful farmer of Sherman township, Jasper county. He was born in Barry county, Michigan, June 9, 1864, the son of John D. and Susan (Cuth- bert) Jickling. Robert Jickling, the paternal grandfather, who was a native of England, emigrated to Canada in 1836, and there the father of the subject of this sketch was born, and in the Dominion his parents spent the rest of their lives. Susan Cuthbert, mentioned above, was born in England and when thirteen years of age she emigrated to the United States and selected Michigan as her future home. She was accompanied by her parents, who died in that state. John D. Jickling moved to Michigan in an early day and there he mar- ried. In 1865 he moved to Jasper county, Iowa, and here he worked at his trade of harness-making for three months, then bought eighty acres in Sher- man township, which he broke and improved and erected substantial build- ings on it. Here he has prospered, being a hard worker and a good manager, and he is now the owner of four hundred and fifty-four acres in one body, constituting as good and desirable land as the township affords. Since 1903 he has lived in the village of Ira, where he has a fine home. His family con- sists of five children, four of whom are living. Politically, the elder Jickling is a Republican, but he has never been very active in public affairs.
William R. Jickling was reared on the home farm and there he worked when a boy, attending the public schools in his district. He remained at home until he was thirty-four years of age, working with his father, in fact, he still works with him a great deal. In 1891 he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Sherman and Poweshiek townships, and he has made extensive improvements on the same, including a large, convenient and attractive home and good outbuildings, and he has met with a large measure of success as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has added to his original purchase until he now has four hundred and twenty-two acres in Sherman, Poweshiek, In- dependence and Mound Prairie townships. He raises and feeds a great many cattle and hogs.
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Politically, Mr. Jickling is a Republican, but is not a public man, pre- ferring to devote his attention to his large farming interests, though he is always ready to support any measure looking to the general advancement of his community.
On March 5, 1898, Mr. Jickling was united in marriage with Clara Belle Day, a native of Story county, Iowa, and the daughter of Jackson and Maria Day, who came to this county from Indiana. Her father's death occurred in 1889, his widow surviving until 1903. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jickling, namely : Ethel May died in infancy ; Florence Fay, born August 23, 1900.
GEORGE P. PIERCE.
Among the citizens of Sherman township, Jasper county, Iowa, who have built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves with valuable landed estates and personal property, none has been more worthy of the large success attained than George P. Pierce. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discourage- ments to overcome, he has succeeded admirably and now as the forerunners of old age are upon him he has the gratification of knowing that the com- munity in which he has resided for nearly a half century has benefited by his industry and his counsel.
Mr. Pierce was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, March II, 1845, the son of Alfred and Julia (Kelsey) Pierce. His paternal grandparents were natives of New York and in a very early day moved to Wisconsin and there spent the remainder of their lives. The father of the subject was born in New York and he moved to Wisconsin with his parents. The maternal grandparents, natives of New York also, moved to Wisconsin in pioneer times, and in that state the parents of the subject were married and there spent their lives on a farm, Alfred Pierce owning three hundred and twenty acres of the time of his death, about 1860. his wife having died in 1845 when George P., of this sketch was an infant. Their family consisted of eight children, five of whom are living. The father was a hard-working, quiet, home man, and was a member of the Christian church.
George P. Pierce grew up on the home farm in Wisconsin and there attended the common schools, remaining under the home roof until he was twenty years of age, then, in 1865, he came to Iowa, locating in Sherman township, Jasper county. About 1875 he bought eight acres in this township,
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which he broke and improved, and gradually added to the same until he has at present a valuable place of one hundred and thirty-five acres, well im- proved with modern buildings, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising, though for the past six years he has been living practically retired.
Politically, Mr. Pierce is a Republican, and he has held a number of local offices, including township trustee. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Mr. Pierce was married in 1866 to Elizabeth Harter, a native of Wis- consin, and the daughter of William and Elizabeth Harter, old settlers there who came to Iowa about 1860 and spent their last days here. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, namely: Amanda Ellen; Frank Alfred and Nora Edith are both deceased; William C., Charles W., Audra; Clifford is deceased ; Frank.
AVERY THOMAS LAWRENCE.
There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellowmen. Characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personalities serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic, enterprising, broad-minded and strong-souled class Avery Thomas Lawrence, of Newton, belongs. He is one of the best known men in Jasper county, where, for several decades, he has played no secondary role in the drama of material and public affairs, and who, now that the autumn of his years has come, is living serenely in his cozy home in the county seat, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of strenuous endeavor.
Mr. Lawrence was born in Jefferson county, New York, December 3, 1836. He is the son of Daniel T. and Almera (Brown) Lawrence, the father born on the coast of Massachusetts, July 16, 1803, and his death occurred on October 4, 1883, at Volga, Iowa, and the mother died on April 28, 1852.
When the father of the subject was five years old he went with his parents to the state of New York, which was then a wilderness, and there he grew up like all pioneer children. He was married when twenty-four years of age, and in his youth learned the shoemaker's trade, which he subsequently followed! until 1837. when he came to Madison county, Ohio, and there he reared his
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MR. AND MRS. AVERY T. LAWRENCE
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family of six daughters and one son. In 1854 he moved to Perry township, Clayton county, Iowa, and there he developed a farm on which he continued to reside until his death.
Avery T. Lawrence, of this review, was educated in the pay schools of his day in Ohio, and he has been a great reader and student of miscellaneous themes all his life, thereby acquiring a vast fund of knowledge,-in fact, he is the peer of all of his contemporaries in this locality when it comes to being pro- foundly and broadly educated, and, being for the most part self-learned, he is thereby deserving of all the more praise. He has always been liberal in his reli- gious belief, taking human character for its standard before mere profession. He has carried on his researches fearlessly and, being a vigorous and indepen- dent thinker, he has ever been his own exponent. A keen student of nature, he has ever been an interested student of bird, animal and plant life, a lover of the wild, viewing God's glorious out-of-doors with both the eye of a poet and a philosopher, through which majesty and inscrutable splendor and mystery he has been enabled to see the working of the Master Mind, the handiwork of the Deity. He believes in the application of the Golden Rule in his everyday life. and his word has ever been considered as good as the bond of most men.
On March 9, 1873, Mr. Lawrence was united in mariage with Mary C. Gill, of Jefferson, New York. This union was without issue. Mrs. Law- rence's death occurred on April 9. 1893, and on June 15, 1895, the subject was united in marriage with Florida Martha Boyd, who was born in Chicago. June 26, 1852, the daughter of Thomas and Martha (Mayfield) Boyd. her father a native of the District of Columbia, and the mother was born in Nashville. Tennessee. Mr. Boyd was for many years in the employ of the government in different capacities and at various points, in Wisconsin and Chicago, part of the time as Indian agent. He subsequently engaged in the dry-goods business, and in 1854, while on a trip to New York to buy goods. his death occurred at Detroit, Michigan, while just in the prime of life. His wife died in Illinois when fifty-one years old. Their family consisted of six children, of whom two, Thomas and Harriet, are deceased ; Mary is the wife of Albert DuPuis, a farmer near Savanna, Illinois ; Charles is a surveyor in Colorado: Virginia is the wife of Henry Bell, of Chicago.
Mrs. Lawrence's great-great-grandfather Boyd was a prominent public man in his day and in the early history of America he was appointed min- ister plenipotentiary to France.
To Mr. and Mrs Lawrence has been born one child, Ruth, who is now attending high school, where she is making a splendid record, and she is taking special training in instrumental music.
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At one time Mr. Lawrence was quite active as a Greenback politician. He called the first Greenback convention ever held in Clayton county.
In a business way Mr. Lawrence has been very successful. He was formerly engaged in the creamery business on an extensive scale, shipping butter from his farm to New York City. Some twenty years ago he bought the place adjoining Newton where he has since resided, leading a retired life. He is one of the worthy "boys in blue," having served his country well as a soldier in one of the western armies during the ivar between the states, being at the front ten months ; however, he spent most of his time in the hospi- tal, sick, and was compelled to return home on account of physical disability, but he had seen some hard service during that brief period.
Mr. Lawrence is one of a family of seven children, named as follows: Mary, wife of Benjamin Hunt, of Kensington, Kansas; Mrs. Emily Ross died in Ohio; Avery Thomas, of this sketch, was next in order of birth; Estella, who married Thomas Piper, lives in Greeley, Colorado; Almira lives in Wisconsin; Theodosia married George Rue and they live in Greeley, Colorado; Ellen is the wife of John Emery, of Newton.
Thomas Lawrence, paternal grandfather of the subject, was a picturesque frontiersman and Indian fighter, and he served three years in the army during the Indian wars; after his discharge he was compelled to walk all the way from Massachusetts to Cincinnati.
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are cultured, educated and hospitable people whom it is a pleasure to meet and they have a host of friends throughout the locality of which this history deals.
ALBERT JOHNSON.
One of the owners of extensive farming interests in Jasper county is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch. His valuable property has been acquired through his own efforts, his persistency of purpose and his determina- tion, and the prosperity which is the legitimate reward of all earnest efforts is today his. Mr. Johnson is easily the peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood and good citizenship. He is what he is from natural endowment and self-culture, having attained his present position solely through the impelling force of his own genius. He possesses not only those powers which render men efficient in the material affairs of life, but also the gentler traits that mark genial and refined social intercourse. In his daily
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affairs he manifests a generous regard for his fellows and as a large-hearted, whole-souled gentleman, actuated by principles of honesty, no man in the county merits and commands more fully the good will of the people.
Albert Johnson, of Lynnville, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, August 19, 1840, and he is the son of Jervis and Malissa L. Johnson, both natives of Virginia, in which state the father grew up and engaged in farming until he was twenty-seven years of age, then came to Henry county, Indiana, locating at Dublin, and there engaged in manufacturing hats and eight years later he came to Montgomery county, Indiana, locating near Crawfordsville and there continued the manufacture of hats, also owned and operated a farm there. In 1851 he came to Lynn Grove township, Jasper county, Iowa, and entered the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres from the govern- ment, near Lynnville, later adding one hundred and sixty acres more which he improved and there he carried on farming extensively until his death, in 1882. He was a member of the Friends church. His family consisted of five sons, named as follows: Joseph, deceased; Albert, of this review ; Jervis, deceased; Charles lives at Hartford, Kansas; Henry lives in Grinnell, Iowa.
Albert Johnson attended school in Indiana and a short time after coming to Jasper county. His parents being pioneers here had plenty of hard work to do in getting a start, so he was compelled to do his share of the labor. They had come to Indiana from Virginia in a one-horse cart with all their belong- ings, the total value of which was practically nothing, and they emigrated to Iowa in a wagon, and upon their arrival in Lynn Grove they invited their neighbors for miles around to assist in building their first cabin. They became well known and influential here and developed a splendid farm which is now owned by their son, Albert, of this sketch. The father was always a Republi- can and was during the days of slavery agitation a conductor on the "under- ground railroad." The day the subject was eighteen years of age his father sent him with a family of runaway slaves to J. B. Grinnell's residence, the next station.
Albert Johnson was married on June 24, 1903, to Anna J. Wilson, who was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 6, 1858. She is the daughter of Gideon C. and Susan (Stokes) Wilson, both of whom spent their lives in Indiana, in which state Mrs. Johnson was born, at Milton, but they did not get acquainted until reaching maturity, having met in California, where Mrs. Johnson lived.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson reside in Lynnville, where they have a fine resi- dence. He is a member of the Friends church, and is an open-hearted, genial gentleman whom everybody likes.
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BARNEY ESMEYER.
A wealthy man and a man of influence, especially among those of his own nationality, is Barney Esmeyer. Born in Holland on February 25, 1864, he came to the United States in 1892 with no capital except his two hands, and in the eighteen years that he has lived here he has become one of the wealthy farmers of his community. He was the only one of his family that ever left his native country. His father, whose name was also Barney, was a farmer by occupation, and died in Holland in the year 1900, at the age of sixty-four. His mother's name before her marriage was Nellie Johnson, and she departed this life in the year 1889, aged sixty-four. To this couple there were born six children besides the subject of sketch, namely: Minnie, who married Al Middledorf: John: Erades: Dick, who died at the age of thirty-two years; and Bertha, who married a man by the name of Johnson.
Barney Esmeyer, as stated above, was born in Holland in 1864 and came to the United States on July 4, 1892, on the vessel "Spwordan," landing in New York City. Later he came. to Iowa and settled in Mahaska county, where he worked on farms by the month for two years, at the expiration of which time he came to Jasper county, and continued working by the month for James Tough for three years. In June, 1907, he was united in marriage with Hannah Laskewitz, who was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 2, 1859. Her parents were also native Hollanders, her father having been born in the Netherlands. Two years after he came to America he met and shortly afterwards married his wife. It was a case of love at first sight. She had just come from Holland and had taken the train to Buffalo, and it was while she was getting off the train at Buffalo that Mr. Laskewitz first saw her and fell in love with her. He sought her acquaintance and in less than a year they were married. After their marriage they lived for a while in Buffalo, about two years, and then removed to Lancaster, where the father kept a grocery store. Later Mr. Laskewitz came to Pella, Iowa, and engaged in the same business, but about a year later he removed to a farm. Three or four years later he bought land in Richland township and moved there. At the time of his death, which occurred on October 4, 1899, Mr. Laskewitz owned two hundred and thirty acres of land in section 31, Richland township. He was seventy-seven years of age at the time of his death. Mrs. Laskewitz, whose maiden name was Jenette Tihsan, died in the year 1906, at the age of seventy- four. To this couple were born nine children, of whom Mrs. Esmeyer was the eldest, the others being as follows: Herman, who lives in Grinnell : Henry, living in Richland township, Iowa: Jap, who died in infancy; John, also
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living in Richland township; Alex lives in Newton, lowa; Rena, wife of Grant Murphy, lives in Oklahoma; Edward lives in Minnesota; and Nellie died at the age of three.
After the marriage of Mr. Esmeyer he rented a farm in Richland town- ship for a couple of years and then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land near Killduff in Buena Vista township. This land he sold three years ago, and two years later bought the two hundred acres on which he now resides.
Besides his general farming he raises cattle and hogs for the market, from which he derives a handsome income. His farm is well improved and in a high state of cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. Esmeyer are the parents of five children, namely : Dewey, born October 10, 1897, died in September, 1902, of scarlet fever ; Bennett, born December 31, 1899; Jennie and Edward, twins, born April 2, 1901, the little girl dying in infancy ; Nellie, born September 22, 1902, died September 15, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Esmeyer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant View.
ARTHUR STEWART MORRISON.
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 a 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 large properties honorably won in life's struggle.
Though yet a young man, Arthur Stewart Morrison, farmer of Kellogg township, Jasper county, has won a definite measure of success because he started right and continued along conservative and time-tried lines. He is a native son of this county and has spent his life here, knowing that there would be no laudable excuse for seeking a better locality. He is the representative of a good family, being the son of James Gordon Morrison and wife, the latter known in her maidenhood as Minnie Perkins, and his birth occurred here on January 2, 1880. The father of the subject was born in the state of New York and the niother in Ireland. She came to America when young and mar-
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ried Mr. Morrison in the East, and they came to Jasper county, Iowa, about 1874 and settled on a farm which they developed, becoming very comfortably established and on which they spent the balance of their lives, the father dying June 6, 1904, and the mother in 1902.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James S. Morrison, of whom Arthur S., of this review, is the oldest; the others are George, May, Harry, Harriett, Edward and Don.
The subject assisted with the general work about the home place as soon as he was old enough and attended the schools in his vicinity. He started in life for himself early, devoting his attention to farming and stock raising, which he has continued successfully to the present. He is the owner of a very desirable place, consisting of one hundred and thirty acres, of rich, slightly rolling, well improved ground which produces, under his able management, an abundance of general crops. He located on this farm in 1895. Mr. Mor- rison has remained single. Politically, he is a Democrat and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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