USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 10
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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
In 1910 Mr. Kyner was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Hayes, who was born in Milton, Iowa, January 19, 1886, and who was graduated from the Milton high school in 1904. She is a daughter of William Wallace and Cynthia Anna (Robey) Hayes, the latter of whom was born in Indiana and died in Milton. Iowa, May 28, 1912. The father makes his home in Milton. In this family were four children : Harry, who lives near Le Mars, lowa: Bert E., who lives near Ottumwa; Mrs. Kyner; and Mrs. Catharine Norman, of Milton.
Mr. Kyner's fraternal affiliations are with Fidelity Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M., of Humeston, to which organization his father also belonged. Fle has always been a staneh supporter of the republican party and, while not a poli- tician in the sense of office seeking, he is yet progressive and public-spirited in all matters of citizenship. Ile has always been interested in municipal affairs, giving his aid and cooperation to every movement for the general good. Throughout the period of his residence in Humeston he has enjoyed to the fullest degree the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and his worth as a business man and citizen is widely recognized.
CHRISTIAN F. SPROW.
The greater part of the life of Christian F. Sprow has been passed in Warren township, Wayne county, where he resides on a farm of two hundred acres located on section 14. Ile is a native of Ohio, having been born in Wyandot county. that state, on the 19th of April, 1871, and is a son of Christian and Eva (Hetzel) Sprow. The parents were both born in Germany, but in early life they came to America and were married in Ohio, where they made their home until 1874. In the year last named they came to lowa, settling in Wayne county. Ilere the father purchased a hundred and sixty aeres of land, which he culti- vated during the remainder of his active life. As time passed he extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised two hundred aeres and upon his retirement turned the property over to his son, Christian F., with whom he now makes his home. Ile is now seventy-five years of age, while the mother, who passed away on February 28, 1908, was seventy at the time of her demise. She was laid to rest in the cemetery at Allerton.
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Christian F. Sprow, who is the youngest in a family of three, was a child of but three years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa. He was educated in the common schools of this county and upon laying aside his text-books turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing to reside on the home place in the cultivation of which he assisted his father until the latter's retirement, when he assumed the entire responsibility of its operation. The entire traet is under cultivation, and the fields which have been brought into a high state of productivity annually yield abundant harvests. Ilis chief crops are hay and grain, as he is an extensive feeder of cattle and hogs and also buys horses for the market. His farm is situated in one of the most desirable portions of Warren township, and, being provided with a natural drainage, and owing to the extensive improvements made thereon by himself and father, is num- bered among the valuable properties of the county.
Mr. Sprow was married in 1900 to Miss Effie Barker, a daughter of G. W. Barker, of this county. She was born on the ISth of January, 1876, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of six. To Mr. and Mrs. Sprow there have been born three children: Aileen, Dwight and Guy.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents hold membership. His indorsement in matters politie Mr. Sprow extends to the democratic party. He is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of his community and has served for one term as a member of the board of school directors. Mr. Sprow is meeting with the success in the development of his interests which is won by the man of diligent methods and definite purpose, in any line of endeavor.
ORA GIBBS.
One of the model farms of Wayne county is that of Ora Gibbs, who owns two hundred acres of highly cultivated land in Benton township, where for more than a quarter of a century he has successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He was born in Clarion county. Pennsylvania, on the 25th of May, 1852, and is a son of Solomon and Rebecca ( Gibson) Gibbs, The father was a native of Canada, his birth there occurring on the 24th of July, 1812, but when a lad of six years the family crossed the border into the I'nited States, locating on a Farm in Clarion county. Pennsylvania. There he was reared and educated and trained to the carcer of an agriculturist. In later years he purchased the oll homestead in the cultivation of which he engaged until 1872, when he disposed of his interests in the Keystone state and removed to lowa, łoeating in Wayne county. Here he purchased a quarter section of land two miles north of Allerton, on which he passed the remainder of his life, his death ocenrring on IInne 21. 1900. He was of English extraction, his people having removed from the mother country to Canada more than a century ago. Mrs. Gibbs was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, on July 11, 1524. and was reared, educated and married in the state of her nativity. She accompanied her husband and family on their removal to lowa and passed away on the old homestead on the 17th of August, 1900. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs
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ORA GIBBS AND FAMILY
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numbered eight, of whom our subject is the eldest. In order of birth the others are as follows: Newman, who passed away in 1896; Jane, the deceased wife of William Kimple, of Nebraska : James and Cameron, of Wayne county ; Lewis, who is a resident of Colorado; and Oliver and Elmer, of this county. They were all born in Pennsylvania.
Ora Gibbs passed his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity, acquiring a meagre edneation in its district schools, which he attended at irregular inter- vals until old enough to assist his father in the fields. In common with all farmer lads of that period he was early trained to agricultural pursuits, and long before he had attained his maturity was doing a man's work. He aecom- panied his family on their removal to lowa and continned to share the responsi- bilities connected with the enltivation of the home place until he was twenty-two years of age. Ile then started out on his own responsibility and for several years thereafter farmed as a renter. Ilis efforts in this direction were rewarded with a fair measure of success and he finally succeeded in accumulating sufficient money to enable him to purchase his present place and here he has ever since continned his agricultural career. Dis is one of the oldest farms in the county. the government grant having been issued more than sixty years ago. The first house erected on the place is still standing but is now used for an ontbuilding, and despite the fact that it has been in constant use for sixty years is still in a good state of preservation. That Mr. Gibbs has led a life of well organized activity is evidenced by the general appearance of his farm, from his earefully tilled fields to the condition of his stock and buildings. As his circumstances have permitted he has added to the value of his homestead by the introduction of various improvements. Ile has erected a comfortable, modern residence and at a convenient distance therefrom are situated the barns and sheds, which are substantially constructed buildings and well adapted to their various uses. His equipment is thoroughly adequate to his needs and comprises practically every machine or implement known to the progressive agriculturist of the present day. In connection with the cultivation of his fields he raises stock, making a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs for the market. As he has always directed his under- takings in a practical and intelligent manner, concentrating his efforts upon the achievement of a definite end, he has prospered and is now numbered among the successful business men and substantial citizens of his community.
On the 4th of February, 1875, Mr. Gibbs was married to Miss Catherine Sollenbarger, whose birth occurred in this state on the 5th of July. 1851. She is the eldest child born to David and Mary Margaret ( Allen) Sollenbarger. natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. When he was twenty-one the father came to lowa and here he met and subsequently married Miss Allen. who removed to this state with her parents in early girlhood. Here Mr. and Mrs. Sollenbarger passed the entire period of their domestic life, his death occurring in 1900 and hers in February, 1912. To them were born eight children, those beside MIrs. Gibbs being as follows: John W., who is a resident of Wayne county ; Jennie, who died in childhood; Florence, who is living in Corydon; David T., a resident of Allerton; Mary Margaret, the wife of John Stromsten, of Corydon ; George, also of Corydon ; and Ella, who died in infaney. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs numbers eight, as follows: George F., who was born in November, 1875, residing in this county ; Florence Jane, who was born in July,
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1877, now the wife of Albert Bott, of this county ; J. Elmer, whose birth oeenrred in January, 1879, also residing in this county : Mary Olive, the deceased wife of Fred A. Wolf, who was born in 1880 and died in 1906: D. Pearl, who was born in 1882, at home : C. Oramil, who was born in 1853 and died in infancy : Martha Margaret, whose natal year was 1884, and who is now Mrs. John MeGraw ; and Ethel Maude, who was born in 1886, the wife of Frank Lohr, of Wayne county.
The family manifest their religious faith through their connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents have long held membership. Mr. Gibbs is one of the widely known residents of Benton township. where his industrious habits and honorable business methods have won him the respect and esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens, among whom he numbers many stanch friends.
GEORGE WASHINGTON RIKER.
George Washington Riker, living retired in Russell after many years' close connection with agricultural interests of Lucas county, was born in Cayuga county, New York, December 9, 1837. He is a son of Henry L. and Ann C. (Thorne) Riker, natives of Dutchess county, that state, the former born Jan- ary 29, 1814. and the latter July 26, 1817. Their marriage occurred December 3. 1835, and they resided in Cayuga county many years thereafter, later mov- ing to Dutchess county, where their deaths occurred. Eight children were born to their union: Mrs. Elizabeth Knapp, deceased: George W .. of this review : William Henry, who resides in New York; Martha Ann, deceased ; Ganzewoort Melville, of New York: Mrs. Anna L. Eckert, deceased: Frank, who has also passed away ; and Cora, who resides in Rochester, New York.
George Washington Riker grew to manhood in Cayuga county and acquired his education in the public schools there. When he was twenty-four years of age he removed to Dutchess county and there followed farming for some time. later engaging in the boot and show business. In 1871 he moved to Lucas county. this state, and settled on a farm in Washington township, becoming in the course of years a representative and successful agriculturist, with extensive interests in farming lands. He resided upon his property until 1882 and then purchased eleven aeres also in Washington township but within the incorpo- rated town of Russell and retired from active life. Since that time he has given a great deal of attention to the care of bees, finding both recreation and profit in bee culture. He has in addition perfected a number of inventions upon which he has taken out patents, among them a wire stretcher, a wire splicer and a culvert form, all of which have been tried and found practicable and useful.
Mr. Riker has been twice married. He wedded first, in New York. Sep- tember 2. 1861. Miss Angeline E. Benediet, who was born in Cayuga county. New York, September 7, 1839. She was a daughter of Smith and Eliza Ann ( Williams) Benediet, the former a native of Connectient, born February 27. 1809, and the latter of New York, born January 4, 1810. Both have passed away, the father dying July 18, 1851. and the mother January 29. 1890. In
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their family were four children: William, who has passed away : Angeline and Adaline, twins, the former of whom became the first wife of the subject of this review and the latter of whom has passed away ; and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Riker became the father of three children by his first mar- riage: Smith Henry, who was born September 2, 1863, and who is residing in Troy, New York; George B., whose birth occurred March 26. 1865. and who lives in Fort Morgan, Colorado; and Mrs. Addie S. Huston, who was born August 26, 1867, and who makes her home in Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Riker also adopted into their family, Walter B., the son of James and Florence Bell Russell, who was born at Lincoln, Nebraska, July 26, 1885, and who on Janu- ary 26. 1887, was given by his mother to Mr. and Mrs. Riker to keep and rear as their own. This trust they lovingly fullfilled, giving him the care of a father and mother. He has now grown to manhood and bears the surname of Riker. lle is brakeman on a passenger train on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad with a run from Burlington to Creston, lowa. The first Mrs. Riker passed away June 16, 1901, and two years later Mr. Riker was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Ellen (Taylor) Van Anken. She was born in Caynga county, New York, a daughter of William and Marilla (North- rnp) Taylor, natives of Connecticut. Both have passed away, the father dying in Russell and the mother in New York. They were the parents of three chil- dren : Ellen, the wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. Almira Osborne, who died in 1913: and William, who lives in New York. After the death of William Taylor's first wife he was again married and by his second union had three children : Eugene, who has passed away; James, who resides in New York : and Mrs. Emma Rainey, of New York. By her marriage to Mr. Van Auken Mrs. Riker had four children, as follows: William, who was born May 14, 1872, and who makes his home in New York; Mrs. Gertrude Brown, who was born May 26, 1873, also a resident of that city: Floyd, whose birth occurred April 15, 1876, and who makes his home in San Diego, California ; and Howard, whose birth occurred February 25, 1880, and who now resides in Los Angeles.
Mr. Riker was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars and belongs to the Grangers. He is a republican in his political beliefs and served for some time as a member of the town conneil of Russell, being always active in public affairs and cooperating heartily in all measures to promote general advancement and growth. He is well and favorably known in the city, where he has resided since 1882, and throughout Lucas county, where he has lived for forty-two year's, his neighbors and friends holding him in high regard as a representative business man and an upright and loyal citizen
HENRY SANDERS.
Henry Sanders, of Lucas, Iowa, has for many years been connected with agrienltural and commercial interests of the county and for the past ten years has done valuable service in the employ of MeKlveen Brothers & Rogers, in Lucas. Born in Union township, this county, on March 6, 1865. he is a son of
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John and Mary A. (Hite) Sanders. The paternal grandfather, Adam Sanders, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Union township. Lucas county, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife. Hannah Sanders, also a native of the Key- stone state. died in the same township. aged seventy-four years. Both settled in Union township in 1853 and are buried in the cemetery at Smyrna. The maternal grandparents were William and Naney (Irvin) Hite, natives of West- moreland county. Pennsylvania, both of whom passed away in Wyandot county. Ohio, the former at the age of sixty-eight years and the latter when sixty-seven years old. In their family were six children, of whom two survive. John Sanders, the father of our subject. was born in Somerset county. Pennsylvania. on June 4. 1818, and died in Nebraska. December 8, 1904. He came to U'nion township. Lucas county, in 1856. His wife, Mary A. Sanders, was a native of Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania, born July 25. 1839, and moved westward with a sister, first settling at Garden Grove. Deratur county. Jowa, whence they came to Lucas county in 1852. When they made the overland trip there were but few settlers, the country for the most part being uninhabited prairie. Mr. and Mrs. John Sanders had two children: Mrs. Hannah Yont. born March 20. 1863, who married E. 11. Yont on March 10. 1587, and died May 4. Isss. leaving one daughter. Mrs. Cassie Yont ) Sellers, born April 23. 1sss, who resides near Chariton, lowa: and Henry, the subject of this review. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Sanders married the Rev. S. N. Matheny, who was born February 29, 1821. in Missouri. He was taken in his infancy by his father to Kentucky, where he lived for about right years, when the family removed to Indiana. In 1850 they came to lowa and in 1857 he was ordained a Methodist Episcopal minister. He became a Mason in 1872. On February 9. 1847. he was married to Elizabeth Jane Wilkins, who passed away January 11. 1898, and to this union were born thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters.
Henry Sanders grew to manhood in Lucas county of which he has since been a continuous resident with the exception of one year. In the acquirement. of his education he attended the common schools and carly became acquainted with agricultural labor, engaging in farming until he was thirty-five years oldl. when for three years he worked as carpenter in Lucas. For the past ten years he has been employed by the firm of MeKlveen Brothers & Rogers, in Lucas, and by his ability, industry and innate honesty has earned the high confidence of his employers.
On February 3, 1889, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Irvin, who was born in U'nion township. this county. January 7. 1863, and there grew to womanhood. She is a member of an old pioneer family. her parents being A. J. and Kate (Van Vost) Irvin. the former a native of Ohio, horn April 15. 1536, and the latter of Shelby county, Indiana, born September 2. 1812. Both of her parents came to this county in 1552 with their respective families and were married in this county on November S, 1860, and are still residing in their comfortable home in Union township. Mr. and Mrs. Irvin had nine children, of whom Mrs. Henry Sanders was the oldest. The other surviving members are: Matthew the born January 25, 1864, a resident of Hastings, Nebraska: Mande, whose birth occurred September 19, 1872. and who resides with her parents in Union township: Lee. born September 19. 1875.
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making his home in Lucas: Mrs. Julia Eekleberry, born November 29, 1877, residing in Union township; and Etta, a resident of that township who was born Jannary 31, 1882. The deceased are: Margaret, who passed away at the age of one year; Mary, a little maiden of three years at the time of her death : and Elizabeth, who died when one year of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are the parents of six chikIren : E. Arlie, born January 7, 1890, now residing in Lucas : Fred J., born September 6. 1891: Myrtle V., born January 16, 1893; Ethel Z .. born March 23. 1895: Don W., born in Decatur county, August 25, 1896; and Wilma L., born October 5, 1900. With the exception of Don W., all of the children were born in Lueas county.
Politically Mr. Sanders affiliates with the republican party and in religious faith he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Both also belong to the Yeoman lodge of Lucas. Mr. Sanders owns a comfortable residence in that city where he is widely and favorably known and highly esteemed for his many high qualities of mind and character.
GEORGE P. McNAY, D. V. M.
Dr. George P. MeNay, formerly one of the best known veterinary surgeons in Humeston and now a successful real-estate operator in Denver, Colorado, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1862. He is a son of Jasper Porter and Mary Frances (Lazear) MeNay, both natives of the Keystone state, the father born JJanuary 15. 1839, and the mother June 22, 1841. Their mar- riage occurred in Pennsylvania. January 30, 1860, and to their union were born the following children: Francis JJames, whose birth ocenrred November 30, 1860, and who died January 27. 1864; George P .. of this review ; Mrs. Mary Olive Bristor, born September 19, 1866, who is residing in Ilumeston : Michael Luther, whose birth occurred January 16, 1868, and whose home is in Lucas county : John Thomas, who was born December 5, 1869, and who now resides near Derby, in Lucas county; Albert Lee, born October 22, 1873, who is prae- tieing medicine in Kansas City, Missouri; and lesse Lazear, born July 23, 1877. who is practicing dentistry in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The mother of these children died in Pennsylvania, January 30, 1880, and the father later married again. To his second union were born the following children : Florence, who is married and resides in Pennsylvania ; Daisy, who is also married and makes her home in the Keystone state; and Gertrude, who is teaching school near the old homestead in Pennsylvania.
Dr. George P. MeNay acquired his education in the public schools of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and when not engaged with his books assisted his father in the operation of the farm. His mother had invested some money in a tract of land in Ineas county, Iowa, and when Dr. MeNay grew to manhood he came west in order to assume its management. For a number of years he operated this farm and eventually purchased property of his own which he developed and improved along progressive lines for some time. In 1893 he completed a course in comparative medicine in the Chicago Veterinary College and located for practice in Humeston. For fourteen years he gave his attention to his pro-
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fessional work, building up a splendid patronage founded on real merit and recognized ability. On the 10th of July. 1907, he became interested in western real estate and opened an office in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. MeNay married Miss Addio Kellenbarger, a representative of one of the pioneer families in this section of the state. She was born in Indiana, March 8, 1859, and is a daughter of William Bishop and Sarah Blancet (Jenkins) Kellenbarger. the Former of whom was born November H. 1513. and the latter March 20, 1820. The mother was a native of Meade county. Kentucky. The parents came as pioneers to Washington township. Wayne county, in 186l. and here the father took up an nudeveloped traet of land and for many years bent his energies to its improvement. Being a skilled carpenter. his knowledge of his trade aided him greatly in the erection of the necessary farm buildings and he soon had one of the best improved properties in this part of the state. He built fences, barns and outbuildings, hauling the lumber from Burlington, łowa, and doing the work of construction with his own hands. He died at Humeston. lowa, August 20, 1901. having survived his wife since June 25. 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Kellenbarger were the parents of eleven children, namely : John Hilary, born in 1840, who resides in Grinnell, lowa : Mrs. Mary Jane Beals, born in 1>43. who resides in Custer county, Nebraska : Mrs. Rachel Harned. whose birth occurred in 1848 and who is now residing in Humeston: JJoseph Allen, who was born in 1852 and who makes his home in Custer county. Nebraska : Benjamin William, born in 1857, who resides in Myrna. Nebraska : Mrs. MeNay, the wife of the subject review : Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, triplets, who died in infancy ; Philip, who passed away in childhood; and a daughter who died in infancy. The Kellenbarger family is of old American establishment and was for many years well known in Pennsylvania. In that state Mrs. MeNay's grandfather, Joseph Kellenbarger, was born on the 12th of August, 1782, and during the War of 1812 served as a colonel in the American army. dying at ( ambria. lowa. February 2. 1872. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Rachel Lavar. died in 1825. The maternal line can be traced back to Ethan Allen, of the Continental army, for Mrs. MeNay's maternal great-grandmother was Nancy ( Allen) Shaver, a cousin of the Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. McNay's grand- parents came to Pella, lowa, in 1860, thus founding this branch of the family in the middle west. In the following year they moved to Wayne county. Iowa, and were among the earliest settlers in that section. For the first few years they encountered all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life but faced them resolutely with high confidence and courage and gradually gained prominence and prosperity, leaving to their descendants the record of worthy work well done and the memory of an untarnished name.
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