USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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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
Dr. and Mrs. MeNay became the parents of three children. The oldest. Leo N .. was born in Lucas county, lowa. Angust 22. 1883. He attended the common schools in the community and attended the Humeston high school. later completing a course in comparative medicine in the Chicago Veterinary College and receiving his degree in 1906. He located for practice at Garden Grove, Decatur county. lowa. and has secured a gratifying and representative patron- age, for his ability and knowledge of the underlying principles of his profession is well known. On December 26. 1906, he married Miss Sadie Garret, who was born September 13, 1886. She is a daughter of Silas and Alice (Conrad Gar-
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ret, the former born October 21. 1844, and the latter August 17, 1848. The father is a tinner by trade and is following his chosen occupation in Chicago, Illinois. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Sadie MeNay are as follows: Mrs. Clara Smith, born September 5, 1876, is a graduate of the Burlington high school and is now residing in Peoria, Illinois. Edward, born February 19, 1878, is a magazine writer and financial editor of the New York Sun. His home is in New Jersey. Mrs. Gertrude Graham, born December 11. 1882, was for- merly a stenographer in Chicago, where she now resides. Mrs. Marie Briggs, born October 20, 1884. was also a stenographer in Chicago, in which city she still makes her home. Thomas, who completes the Family. was born Juine 16. 1890. He is a talented cartoonist and makes his home in Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Leo N. MeNay have three children: Lillian Maxine, born August 28, 1907 : Mildred Alice, born June 7, 1909; and Garret, born June 9, 1911. Dr. MeNay owns a beautiful home and well equipped office in Garden Grove and is one of the most successful veterinary surgeons in the city. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen, while his wife belongs to the Pythian Sisters in Garden Grove. The second child born to Dr. and Mrs. George P. MeNay, Mary Olive. was born in Lucas county, June 21, 1887. She attended the common schools of that seetion and was graduated from the Inmeston high school with the class of 1907. She is a member of the P. E. O. of Humeston. The youngest child in the family, William Lyle, was born September 5. 1893. and died April 21, 1895.
This family is one of the oldest and most highly respected in this section of Iowa, where its members are prominent in business, social and professional circles and are found always among the leaders in the promotion of worthy projects which influence the permanent welfare of the community. Mrs. MeNay is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a lady whose many excellent traits of heart and mind have won her the affection and esteem of all who know her.
WILLIAM L. WERTS.
William L. Werts, a representative of a well known pioneer family of Lucas county, owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 16, Cedar township, besides valuable residence property in Russell, where he makes his home. Ile is connected with business affairs in the city as manager of the cream, egg and poultry station, and has proved Farsighted, capable and reliable in carrying forward his interests. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, February 4, 1860, and is a son of 3. Il. and Sophia (Imes) Werts. the former born in Muskingum county and the latter in Zanesville. In pioneer times the parents came down the Ohio river as far as Cairo, Illinois, and journeyed thence to Eddyville by rail. They then came overland to Cedar township, this county, arriving in this section of the state when it was an open prairie and Russell had not yet been incorporated. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade and fol- lowed this oceupation during all of his active life. He is now living retired in Russell, having survived his wife for some years. In this Family were nine chil-
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dren. eight of whom are still living. as follows: Mrs. Eliza Evans, who resides in Washington township: William L .. of this review: Mrs. Ada Drake, a resi- dent of Cedar township: A. J., who makes his home in Springfield, Ilinois; Mrs. Tillie Johnson, of Cedar township; George and AAsa, twins, who live upon the home farm ; and Leila, who resides with her father in Russell.
William L. Werts was still a child when he journeyed from Muskingum county to Lucas county with his parents. He acquired his education in the public schools of this locality and resided upon the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age. He then entered the employ of E. J. Hatcher. a general merchant in Russell, with whom he remained for twenty-one years, eight months and twenty-one days, becoming during that time one of the most trusted and reliable men connected with the concern. After the death of Mr. Hatcher. Mr. Werts continned for a year and a half in the employ of Mr. Wiltsey, who became the owner of the store. Mr. Werts also discharged his duties as admin- istrator of the estate of Mr. Hatcher with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He then turned his attention to farming, operating one hun- dred and twenty acres of choice land on section 16, Cedar township. He still owns this property although he has since returned to Russell, where he is now manager of a cream. egg and poultry station. He owns also two residence prop- erties in the city and his affairs are capably managed, bringing him substantial and gratifying success.
In April. 1885, Mr. Werts married Miss Cora E. Allen, who was born in Cedar township, this county, and who grew to womanhood here. Her parents. Elijah and Mary J. ( Kertz) Allen, were among the early settlers in this part of lowa and both died in Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Werts have become the parents of four children, three of whom are still living: Mrs. Elva Hancock, who resides in Montana ; Hazel, who is married and lives in Russell: and Arthur Il .. who resides with his parents. The daughters attended common school of this locality and both had two seasons of summer school at Des Moines. They after- ward engaged in teaching until their marriage.
Mr. Werts is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has been a member of the town council and of the board of education and is interested in public affairs. doing all in his power to promote general progress. He is respected and external in business eireles for his ability and integrity of character while his gemine personal worth has gained him the warm regard and confidence of many friends.
DAVID L. MURROW.
The profession of law has assmed more and more importance in relationship to our life as the years have passed. As present day conditions have become more complicated. life's activities present new angles and possibilities, with dan. ger points and pitfalls to be avoided, and business transactions have to be con- sidered from the legal view point and properly safeguarded before being put into exeention. As the struggle for supremacy waxes keener and wages liercer. the lawyer's advice, opinion and assistance is practically indispensable and there
DAVID L. MURROW
1
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is hardly an individual who at one time or another does not stand in need of legal help. David L. Murrow, who since his admittance to the bar in 1901 has practiced law in Corydon and has been connected with much important litiga- tion sinee that time, has built up a reputation for reliability, knowledge and clear understanding of the situation which has lifted him from among the many into the ranks of the successful few. Although advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate awaited him, for he soon demonstrated his ability to capably handle intricate cases and each year has brought him an increase in his praetice.
David L. Murrow was born in Poweshiek county, this state, May 9, 1871, and is a son of Thomas A. and Evaline (King) Murrow. The grandfather, Benjamin Murrow. brought the family to lowa in 1850. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and was a native of the state of Kentneky, born on the 29th of August, 1802. His wife's name before her marriage was Sarah Blue, who was also born in the Blue Grass state on the 17th of April, 1807. Members of the family distin- guished themselves by service in the War of 1812. Thomas A. Murrow, who dur- ing his life followed agricultural pursuits, came to Wayne county in 1883, and here he passed away August 16, 1912. The mother of our subject was a daughter of John and Naney King. who at an early day came from Indiana to lowa and settled in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Murrow were the parents of twelve children. eight of whom are living.
David L. Murrow, who was the fifth in order of birth of the children born to his parents. received a country school education. He early showed a preference for a professional career and decided upon the law as the one for which he seemed best adapted and which would bring him the most rapid success. Ile entered the law department of Drake University and graduated from this insti- tution in 1901, coming immediately after attaining his degree to Corydon, where he has since been engaged in practice. Since 1906 he has been in partnership with R. C. Poston. Mr. Murrow occupies a ereditable and enviable position at the Wayne county bar, for he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and presents them clearly and forcefully. Never failing to command the attention of court or jury, his pleas often obtain the verdict desired. His reasoning is logical and his deductions sound and he is seldom surprised by an unexpected attack of opposing counsel.
On October 31, 1893, Mr. Murrow was married to Miss Estella A. Kendall, of Lucas county, Iowa, and a daughter of N. W. and Isabelle Kendall. Mr. and Mrs. Murrow had three children: Ieyl I., who is attending Drake University ; Thomas Kendall. a high-school student, at home; and Wilma J., also at home. Mrs. Murrow passed away on October 15, 1909.
Mr. Murrow, however, has not only made a ereditable record in his profes- sion, but has devoted his services largely to the growth and upbuilding of Cory- don. He is publie-spirited and takes a deep interest in all measures undertaken in the interests of the city. and in 1910 was elected to the office of mayor. serv- ing for two years in that capacity. During his administration important im- provements were made, prominent among which are the waterworks and the sewerage system, which were installed under his direction. He gives his politi- cal support to the democratic party. His religious affiliations are with the Christian church. while his fraternal relations extend to the Masons and the
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Knights of Pythias. In the former organization he has attained high rank and is a member of the blue lodge, a Knight Templar, a Royal Arch Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Murrow is a man of strong character and has come to be reeog- nized as a forceful element in the community, his sterling traits having won him the high regard and confidence not only of his clients, but of all those with whom he has come in contact. At all times he has been actuated by laudable ambition and this has carried him to success.
ALPHTEOUS SMITH.
Among the family names which have been honored and respected ones in Wayne county since pioneer times is that of Smith, whose present representa- tive. Alpheons Smith, recently retired from active life, is an exponent of all the rugged, sturdy and upright characteristics which have been family traditions for over half a century. The older generation has passed away, having left an enduring monument to their lives and activities in the fine farm which they evolved ont of the wilderness and in the standards of integrity and sincerity of purpose which they left to their children. Their son, our subject. also a pioneer, endured in his earlier years all the trials and hardships incident to life in a new country. Today he is one of the honored and respected citizens of Wayne county and has earned rest and retirement by a long life of valuable and well directed labor.
Alpheons Smith was born in Mason county, West Virginia, August 12. 18-19, and is a son of V. B. and Louvisa (Hart) Smith, natives of that state, the father's birth having oreurred on the 30th of November. 1820, and the mother's on the 20th of January. 1818. They left West Virginia in 1853 and came down the Ohio river to the Mississippi and thence to Keokuk, Iowa, where they secured a team and came overland to Benton township. Wayne county. Here the father purchased two hundred and eight acres of land which has been in possession of the family since that time. Like all pioneers, the elder Mr. Smith was a man of action and he spent many long hours of labor battling with the pioneer conditions which prevailed here at the time of his settlement. Prairies stretched for many miles in all directions from his farm. broken only by a few sparse settlements. Life was hard and the work heavy, but Mr. Smith bent his determination and resolution to overcoming the obstacles in his path and before his death, which occurred December 19. 1900, had made his farm a valuable and productive property. His wife has also passed away, dying in Benton township. June 15, 1880. In their family were nine children: Eliza- beth, who was born April 21, 1841, and died in Virginia at the age of five: Martha Ann, who was born April 16, 1842. and who is now deceased : Lonis, whose birth occurred April 1. 1844, and who died before Vicksburg. Mississippi, during the siege of that place: Mrs. Sarah Jane Sloemm, who was born Jannary 11. 1846, and who died in Clay township ; Reverdy, who was born November 19. 1847. and passed away in infancy ; Alpheous, of this review ; Edgar K., who was born November 8, 1851, and whose death oreurred in Wayne county, July 8, 1870; Miranda, who was born February 14. 1856, and who passed away in
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Benton township; and Nancy, whose birth occurred on the 14th of March. 1857, and who also died in Benton township. All of the children in this family were natives of West Virginia with the exception of the two youngest, who were born in Wayne county, and all were reared and educated in łowa.
Alpheous Smith was four years of age when he came with his parents to Wayne county and from his early childhood was familiar with the hard condi- tions of pioneer life. He attended the old-fashioned school of that time, which was supported by subscriptions from the parents of the children and conducted in the homes of the patrons. Ilis hours outside of the schoolroom were filled with hard labor. for the new farm had to be cleared, the sod broken, buildings and fences ereeted and other improvements made. As a result, when Mr. Smith grew to manhood he was a skilled and practical agriculturist and when the time eame for him to begin his active career he was well equipped for its duties. By that time the family homestead had been increased to five hundred and eighty aeres, upon which Mr. Smith steadily carried forward the work of devel- opment and improvement through the years, making it one of the finest and best equipped properties in the county. The land lies in Benton, Clay and Wash- ington townships and upon it there are three excellent sets of improvements. Mr. Smith remained upon his farm until 1909, when he gave up active work and purchased a comfortable and modern home in Humeston, where he and his worthy wife are spending their declining years in rest and comfort, the just reward of their earnest, upright and honorable lives. They are people of exemplary character, of the rugged whole-souled type which has been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the state and in placing it in the front ranks of Ameriean commonwealths.
On the 3d of April, 1870, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Dollarhide, who was born in Cass county. Indiana. April 20, 1850. She is a daughter of Allen and Martha A. (Fitzer) Dollarhide, natives of Ohio, who went to Indiana, then eame to Wayne county in 1854 and removed to Indiana in 1859, both passing away in that state. In their family were four children : Mary E., now Mrs. Alpheous Smith; George, who was born April 14, 1851. and who died in Indiana at the age of eighteen: Bruce, who passed away in Wayne county, lowa, at the age of four; and Alva, whose death occurred in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of six children, all of whom were born in Clay township; JJesse V .. who was born November 17, 1872, and who died August 3, 1910; Edward, who was born in August, 1874, and who died on the same day : Blanche, who was born April 13, 1876, and passed away April 11th of the following year; Mrs. Ethel Coffee, who was born June 2, 1878. and who is now residing in Richman township; Opal, who was born September 4, 1880. and who died November 24, 1881; and Harry A., who was born in October, 1888, and died May 8, 1895. Mrs. Coffee is the sole surviving member of this family of six. She was married in Clay township. September 25, 1896, to Cressy C. Coffee, a native of Indiana. To their union were born the following children: Lloyd L., born June 11. 1897; Alonzo A., born March 2. 1899; Nettie Lois, born January 15. 1905; Sehna Irene, born October 11. 1906: and Laverna, born September 14, 1909. The three eldest children in this family were born in Clay township, while the younger ones were born in Rich- man township.
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Mr. Smith gives his allegiance to the republican party and has been trustce of Clay township. During the entire period of his residence in this section he has been known as a man of most admirable principles, loyal to all his duties and obligations, a liberal supporter of all worthy objects and a patriotic and broad-minded citizen who since pioneer times has assisted in numberless ways in advancing the permanent welfare of the community. Indeed, no record of Wayne county would be complete without a review of the honorable and useml career of Alpheons Smith, recognized throughout the section as one of its most respected and estimable citizens.
THOMAS M. PERKINS.
For over thirty years Thomas M. Perkins has been influentially connected with business interests of Seymour and is now the proprietor of a profitable feed store. Ile has shown himself upright and reliable in all of his business dealings and in consequence has achieved a degree of success which places him among the representative men of his community. He was born in Newark, Ohio. August 8, 1836, and is a son of William and Hannah ( Mitchell) Perkins, natives of Kentucky. The father of our subject was a son of William Perkins, also of Kentucky, and on the maternal side Mr. Perkins' grandparents were William and Elizabeth Mitchell, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ireland. The father of our subjeet moved from Kentucky to Ohio at an early date and in the latter state his death occurred. His wife also died in Ohio.
Thomas M. Perkins acquired a common school education and remained in his native state until 1855. In that year he came to lowa. locating in Promise City. Wayne county, where he engaged in farming until 1870, when he opened a grocery store and since that time has given his attention entirely to business lines. Hle conducted his first enterprise in Promise City until 1882 and then came to Seymour, where he opened a similar establishment, managing it successfully for a number of years. In 1909 he disposed of his grocery business and opened the ford store which he still owns. He is an able, resourceful and progressive business man and consequently his patronage has increased rapidly and has reached gratifying proportions at the present time.
In 1857 Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Mier Ackley. of Ohio. a daughter of George and Sarah Ackley, who came to lowa in 1856. Her father was a farmer and was successful in this line of ocenpation both in Ohio and in lowa. By this marriage Mr. Perkins had three children. Frank 1 .. born Angust 7. 1-58, was engaged in the grocery business and died in 18s1. leaving one child, Willa Doris. Rose A., the second of the family, is now the wife of Walter Knowlton, a resident of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and they have one child, Myra. William B. born September 25, 1869, is engaged in the grocery business in Seymour. After the death of his first wife Mr. Perkins married Miss Martha Kinney, of Seymour, who has also passed away. In 1909 he was again married. his third union being with Mrs. Ella Roninger, of Appanoose county.
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Mr. Perkins gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and fra- ternally is affiliated with the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge and chapter. He has faithfully attended the Methodist church for over lifty years and his entire life has been characterized by devotion to manly and honorable principles. In all of his business dealings he is straightforward and reliable and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and good-will of all who know him.
TANDY ALLEN.
Tandy Allen, one of the best known pioneers of Lueas county and at one time one of the largest landowners in Cedar township, Lneas county, is living retired in Russell after many years of honorable and profitable connection with agricultural interests of his locality. He was born in Montgomery county. Kentucky, near Mount Sterling, June 3, 1832, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Allison) Allen, the former of whom was born in Lowden county. Virginia, February 25, 1797, and the latter October 12 of the same year. Their marriage ocenrred October 15, 1818, and they continued to reside in Virginia for some years. They afterward moved to Kentucky and thence, in 1837, came over- land with ox teams to Putnam county, Indiana, settling on a farm in that locality, upon which they continued to reside for a number of years. The father died at Bainbridge, Indiana, October 1, 1866, and the mother in the same city, August 30, 1862. Eleven children were born to their union, as follows: Mrs. Zarilda Fyffe, whose birth occurred March 13, 1820, the deceased wife of Thomas Fyffe; Joseph Franklin, who was born February 18, 1822, and who died Septem- ber 17, of the same year; Elijah, who was born September 24, 1823, and who died in April, 1885; Mrs. Armilda Fyffe, whose birth occurred November 27, 1825, and who died at Bainbridge, Indiana, March, 1897; Mrs. Loduska Cassity, who was born April 23, 1828, and who died hine 11, 1858; Mrs. Matilda McKee, who was born January 25, 1830, and who died June 16, 1868; Tandy, of this review ; Mrs. Mary Vannice, who was born September 9, 1834, and who resides in Russell; Frances, whose birth occurred Juine 3, 1837, and who died March 23, 1843; Albert, born October 10, 1839, residing at Shelbyville, Ilinois; and Mrs. Margaret MeKee, born October 5, 1841, a resident of Russell.
Tandy Allen went overland with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1837, being at that time five years of age. Ile was reared upon the home farm in Indiana and acquired his education in the district schools of that state. In September, 1854, he made the overland journey into lowa, settling on a farm in Cedar township, Lucas county, in very early times. At the time of his arrival pioneer conditions prevailed everywhere, much of the land being still a primeval wilderness. Indians and wild game were plentiful and all the hardships and privations of frontier life were to be met. These Mr. Allen faced with conti- dence and courage, developing his first purchase of one hundred and twenty acres and adding to it from time to time until he was finally the largest land- owner in Cedar township. He resided upon his property until 1894, when he moved to Chariton, making his home there until 1898, when he returned to the farm. Two years later he built a commodious home in Russell, having sold
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all his holdings with the exception of three hundred and seventy acres of the original tract.
On the 29th of January, 1856, in Hendricks county, Indiana, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Joanna Smith Vannice. a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Smith) Vannice, natives of Kentucky, the former born July 11. 1801. and the latter February 12, 1806. They moved to Indiana in 1831 and both died in that state. the father passing away February 9. 1888, and the mother February 11 of the same year. In the Vannice family were eleven children. as follows: Mrs. Luzanne Hadley, who was born February 7. 1829, and who now resides on a portion of the old home farm in Hendricks county, Indiana; William, who was born October 144, 1830. and who died at Chariton in April. 1894; Samuel, whose birth occurred March 10. 1833, and who resides in Russell : Mrs. Allen, wife of the subject of this review: Mrs. Jane Trotter, who was born March 1, 1837. and who died June 22. 1898; Mrs. Sarah Ferguson, whose birth occurred December 23, 1839, and who makes her home in Chicago, Illinois: Milton B., who was born August 6. 1842. and who died August 22. 1904: James R., who was born May 6, 1845, and who died November 12. 185) : Ellen, whose birth occurred JJanuary 8, 1848, and who died November 4, 1851; Henry, who was born July 31. 1850, and who died September 23. 1862; and Mrs. Ellen Hawkins, born February 12. 1853. residing at Indianapolis. Indiana. The two eldest children in this family were born in Kentucky and all the others on the old home farm in Hendricks county. Indiana.
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