USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 12
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Mr. and Mrs. Allen have become the parents of twelve children. The oldest. Carrie E., was born December 15, 1856, and grew to womanhood in Lucas county. She attended the public schools and later the Missouri State Normal School at Kirksville, after which she engaged in teaching. resigning to become county superintendent of schools of Lucas county. She held this position from January 1, 1890. to January 1, 1896. She is at present engaged in teaching in the public schools in Chicago. Eliza Matilda was born March 31. 1858. On the 19th of January. 1876, she married Joseph C. Cassity and died near La Grange, Illinois, January 1, 1897. Sarah Adelaide was born March 17, 1860, and mar- ried March 7. 1882. William 1. Prather. of Cedar township. Mary Isabel was born October 17, 1861, and on March 11, 1885, married Samuel F. Goltry, of the vicinity of Russell. Louisiana was born June 21. 1563. and married on March 11. 1885, George Il. Johnson, of Strasburg, Canada. Charles Edgar was born January s. 1865. He married on the 29th of August. 1889. Miss Susie 1. Morrow, and they reside in Nebraska. Fred Hadley was born December 18, 1866. and now resides in Nebraska. He married on the 10th of October, 1894. Jessie E. Elliott. Henry Smith was born August 10. 1869. He married on November 1. 1893. Miss Annie E. Boyd, and they live near Russell. Gertrude Marion was born March 21. 1871. On the Bd of August. 1898. she married William Perry Wortman and they make their home at Malvern, lowa. Ayhner 1. was born November 24. 1873. and married on the 2d of October. 1901. Miss Mabel Werts. They reside near Russell. Tandy Clay was born October 5. 1876, and married on the 20th of June. 1901. Miss Nellie B. Gasser. The youngest child in this family. Dr. Lloyd Raymond, was born September 27, 1878, and married on the 25th of September. 1906. Miss Katharine Hoffman. They make their home at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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Mr. Allen voted for Abraham Lincoln and since that time has been a stanch supporter of the republican party. He is an adherent of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church and is known as a man of exemplary character, upright and honorable in all the relations of life. His name has long been an bonored one in this locality, for he has taken an active part in the development of Lucas county sinee pioneer times and has made many substantial contributions to progress.
WILLIAM H. HICKOK.
William H. Hickok, a well known and successful resident of Humeston, was for a number of years identified with educational interests as a school teacher and also worked at the painter's trade during his active business career but is now living retired, having accumulated a competence that supplies him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. In addition to his home at Humeston he owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on section 34. Union township, Lucas county.
Mr. Hickok was born in Mercer county, Ilinois, on the Ist of December, 1845, his parents being Ambrose Nelson and Eliza Maria ( Wright ) Hickok. both of whom were natives of New York. Harry Hickok, the paternal grand -. father of our subject, was born in the Empire state and passed away in Illinois. Representatives of the family were among the earlier settlers of both Ohio and Illinois. Ambrose N. Hickok, the father of William II. Hickok, whose birth occurred in 1816. was the eldest child of his parents and at the age of twelve years was left an orphan. He became an agriculturist by occupation and was engaged in the work of the fields both of Illinois and Iowa. taking up his abode in Union township. Lucas county, this state, in 1873. His demise occurred in Hlumeston, Jowa, in 1907, while his wife passed away on the old home farm in Immeas county in 1896. They were the parents of five children. Hannah Alvira. born in Mercer county, Illinois, in 1843, passed away in Lucas county, lowa, in 1910. William HI., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Elizabeth Jane, a native of Rock Island county, Ilinois, born in 1847. passed away in Humeston, Iowa, in 1911. Daniel Nelson, born in Rock Island county, Hlinois, in 1850, passed away in Lucas county. lowa, in 1905. He was one of the prominent citizens of his community, being held in high esteem by his fellowmen, and was well known in fraternal circles, having attained the highest rank as an Odd Fellow. He had two sons, Harry V. and Arthur, both of whom are deceased. Clarence Alvin, a native of Mercer county, linois, born in 1853, resides at Aledo, within a few miles of his birthplace, and at the present time is sheriff of Mercer county. His children are four in number, namely : Burton O., Robert A., Mrs. Grace A. Brown, and C. Earl.
William Il. Hickok grew to manhood in his native county and obtained his early education in the graded schools, subsequently attending the high school at Rock Island and the Ilinois Wesleyan College at Bloomington. After the family home had been established in Iowa he returned to Ilinois and fol- lowed the profession of teaching in the latter state for abont five years. Alto-
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gether he spent about fifteen years in the schoolroom and became known as a successful educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In addition to his labors as a school teacher he worked at the painter's trade, being busily engaged at that occupation until recently incapacitated by physical disability. As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings and has gained and maintained an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and public-spirited citizens of the community.
In politics Mr. Hickok is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Humeston, with which denomination he became identified when but twelve years of age. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masons, joining Lodge No. 755 at Preemption, Ilinois, and enjoying the distinction of being one of the most rapidly advanced men in the history of the order, for he completed the work in three successive nights. For about five years he served as secretary of Preemption Lodge. At the present time he is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 228. A. F. & A. M .. of Humeston. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of highest commendation.
JOSEPH N. MCCOY. M. D.
Dr. Joseph N. MeCoy, who for a number of years has successfully practiced as physician and surgeon in Corydon and has built up a gratifying clientage in this connection. has not only become well and favorably known in connection with his profession but also has served as mayor of his home city, greatly pro- moting during his administration public interests. Dr. MeCoy was born in Memphis, Missouri. March 12. 1859, and is a son of Joseph J. and Mary (Me('andless) MeCoy, both natives of Kentucky. The paternal grandfather was Zachariah McCoy, who as a young man crossed the Atlantic from Scotland to seek a home in the new world and find prosperity in its opportunities. He first located in Virginia, but later removed to the Blue Grass state. Joseph JJ. McCoy, the father of our subject, came to Missouri in 1856. where he located at Mem- phis. During his active life he followed agricultural pursuits successfully. Ile made his home at Memphis until his demise, which occurred in the early 60s. Mrs. Mary MeCoy removed to Allerton, lowa, after the death of her husband. where she subsequently passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 1. McCoy were the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of whom grew 10 maturity.
Joseph N. McCoy, our subject, was reared at home and received his education in the public schools. Having acquired a fundamental knowledge of English learning, he decided upon a medical career and in order to take up studies along this line removed to Keokuk, lowa, where he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1982. Shortly thereafter he came to Corydon, lowa, where he remained in practice for four years, but in 1566 he removed to Pratt, Kansas, where he established an office and successfully followed his profession for some time. In February.
DR. JOSEPH N. MCCOY
1 BLI
A T:D
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1898, he returned to Corydon, where he has since built up a clientage of gratify- ing proportions. In the course of his practice he has become more or less iden- tified with surgical work and serves as local surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad, and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Ilis work in this connection as well as in his private practice is of a high order and he enjoys the full confidence of his patients. In the course of years he has not only gained a wide experience but he has natural intuition for the exercise of his profession. He is careful in diagnosis and after he has onee recognized the nature of a ease he is quick in his decision and seldom fails to apply the right kind of remedy.
Dr. MeCoy was married in 1877 to Miss Louisa L. Thompson. of Memphis, Missouri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Thompson. They have one son, Bernard E., who makes his home in Spokane, Washington, where he follows the same profession as his father, specializing in diseases of the eye, nose and ear. lle is a graduate of Barnes Medical College of St. Louis, where he finished his course in 1905. He is married and has one son.
Dr. McCoy is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and has been highly honored by that organization, as he was grand chancellor for the Domain of Jowa for the year 1910. However, he practically centers his whole attention upon his profession. All of his time is given to his patients and he is at their service day or night whenever and wherever needed, going to any inconvenience to be of help in an emergency. He is a member of the state and county medical societies and also of the Des Moines and Southwestern lowa Medical Associations, and through the medium of these memberships keeps in contact with new work done in the profession and the latest methods and discoveries made in the world of medical science. There is little dissension of opinion regarding the high quality of his work and he has won for himself favorable criticism for the skillful methods which he has followed not only among the general public but also among his colleagues in the profession.
ROBERT R. CRAIG.
Robert R. Craig, who since January, 1907, has filled the position of cashier of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Corydon, has by his activities in a large measure contributed toward the splendid growth of this institution. The Farmers & Merchants State Bank was organized in 1883 by William Hughes, Samuel Fry, F. R. Fry, Lewis Miles, A. Walden. B. Harper, J. A. Harper, M. A. Farren, V. B. Smith, S. H. Moore, Carl Moore, E. A. Roa, U. 11. Welch, F. M. Everett, W. S. Sproatt and W. M. Pray and its officials were: William Hughes, president ; W. S. Sproatt, vice president ; and J. A. Harper, cashier. The first capitalization was for sixty thousand dollars, of which fifty per cent was paid in. Later, in 1900. A. Walden became president and William Hughes vice president. In 1901 F. R. Fry was made vice president and F. M. Smith succeeded Mr. Ilarper as cashier. Mr. Fry and Mr. Hughes then alternated as vice president for several years. In 1906 William Inghes was elected to the presidency and
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served as such for one year, and in 1907 R. C. Poston was elected president and has acted, in this capacity ever since. F. B. Fry served as cashier of this bank from 1904 to 1907. in which year our subject was elected to this office and has since filled the position with ability and circumspertion, greatly to the benefit of the institution with which he is connected. In 1907 William Hughes became vice president and has served in that capacity ever since. In 1893 the remaining fifty per cent of the treasury stock was called upon and was paid in, so that the bank then had a fully paid in capital of sixty thousand dollars. The earn- ings have in the course of years been added to the surplus and today the bank's resources, consisting of capital and surplus, exceed one hundred and five thou- sand dollars. A statement from Angust 30. 1911. gives the deposits at about three hundred thousand dollars and the undivided protits at about seven thou- sand dollars. The total assets of the institution exceed four hundred thousand dollars. In 1913 the board of directors of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank consisted of John Krouse. R. C. Poston, William Hughes, Belle B. Sproatt, G. F .. Miller. A. Ileilmann and F. 1, Pray. In 1883 the bank erected its own building but the same was destroyed in 1897 by fire and since it has rebuilt and is housed in a substantial two-story residence, of which the lower floor serves for banking purposes, while the second story is used for offices.
Robert R. Craig was born at Freedom. Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1865, and is a son of William and Angeline (Rodgers) Craig. The family is of Scotch descent. The father during his life was an engineer and passed away in Pennsylvania in 1892. The mother moved subsequently with her family to California, where she died eighteen years later, or in 1910. Robert R. Craig secured his early education in the county schools and in the Pearsoll Academy, West Bridgewater. Pennsylvania, and while attending the academy also taught school during the winter months. He then started in the drug business, with his brother. in Freedom, Pennsylvania, but in 1886 came to Corydon and entered upon a position in the drug store of W. S. Sproatt. He gave up this employment subsequently and became connected with the clothing. boot and shoe business and later was engaged in the hardware and implement business in Wellman, Washington county. lowa. Upon his return to Corydon in 1907 the cashier- ship of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank was offered him and he accepted the proposal and began upon his duties on the 7th of January of that year. and has since given his attention to the business of the bank, which has greatly prospered under his efficient guidance. His activities have been constructive in the development of new business and the resources and stability of the bank have through his labor largely increased. He also has extensive agricultural interests, as he is the owner of six hundred and twenty aeres, situated in JJasper, Keokuk and Wayne counties, lowa. This land he rents out and he receives therefrom gratifying returns. Furthermore he is the sixth largest stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants State Bank and is numbered among the men of affairs of his community.
In Derember. 1890. Mr. Craig married Miss Hattie Beal. of Corydon. a daughter of Thomas and Mary ( Farrell) Beal, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. They were early pioneers of Wayne county at the time of their arrival here and resided upon the land which they first entered for about thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have three daughters: Marie, at.
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Pomona College. Claremont, California; Amoret ; and Roberta Guinevere. The parents are members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Craig is a republican in his political views but has never sought publie office. His fraternal relations are confined to membership in the Masonie lodge. Mr. Craig occupies a creditable and enviable position in the financial circles of Corydon and the success which he has won for himself is largely due to the careful and systematie methods which he has followed. He has always led a busy and useful life and his industry, energy and geniality are largely respon- sible for the success which he has attained. Ile is a man of strong character and has come to be recognized as a forceful element in the community, his sterling traits having won him the high regard and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM SANDERS SPROATT.
One of the highly esteemed pioneer business men of Corydon was the late William Sanders Sproatt, who passed away on the 29th of March, 1909. Ile was a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred at Carlyle, Sullivan county, that state, on the 22d of May, 1846, and was a son of John and Eliza ( Minnich) Sproatt. The father was born in Pennsylvania, but in early life he removed to Indiana, where he acquired some land and engaged in farming. There he met and married Miss Minnich, a native of Tennessee, whenee she removed with her parents to Indiana, soon after that state was admitted to the Union. Both parents are now deceased, the mother's death having occurred in 1905. To them were born sixteen children. of whom our subjeet was the only one to leave home.
William Sanders Sproatt passed his boyhood and youth in very much the same manner as other lads who were reared in the rural sections of Indiana during the pioneer days. He obtained his education in the district schools, and while there engaged in the mastery of the common branches assisted his father with the cultivation of the fields and the care of the stock. Long before he had attained his majority he was thoroughly familiar with the duties of the agriculturist, which vocation he followed during the early years of his man- hood. When he was twenty-five he left home and joining a family by the name of Ledgerwoods came to Iowa. They made the journey in a covered wagon and upon their arrival in the state located in the vicinity of Leon. Mr. Sproatt later came to Corydon and took a position in the drug store of Dr. Chester, whom he bought out. He continued to conduet this enterprise with a fair measure of snecess until about three years prior to his death. when owing to the condition of his health he disposed of his store and lived retired. He was widely known throughout this section of the state, having been identified with the business interests of Corydon longer than any other resident of the town at the time of his retirement.
In this city on the 21st of March, 1877, Mr. Sproatt was married to Miss Belle B. Bridge, a daughter of Mrs. P. W. Miles, and a native of Marion county, Ohio. Her father, William Bridge, was a member of an Ohio regiment during
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the Civil war and died at the front. His widow subsequently married William Miles, the family later removing to Corydon. To Mr. and Mrs. Sproatt there were born two children, Bertha, who married C. L. Clark, of Corydon; and John F .. who is with the lowa Engineering Company and travels over the entire country. Mrs. Sproatt owns a very attractive modern residence, which she erected in 1910, and takes an active interest in the social life of the com- mmity.
Fraternally Mr. Sproatt was affiliated with the Masonic order. in which he had attained high rank, being a member of the Davenport Shrine. His political support he gave to the democratic party. and although he took an active interest in local affairs he would never accept an office. Mr. Sproatt was highly respected as a private citizen because of the active cooperation he ex- tended to all worthy enterprises and movements designed to promote the welfare of the community, and as a business man because of the honorable and upright manner in which he conducted his transactions. His death was deeply mourned by his fellow townsmen among whom he mummbered many stanch friends of long years standing, who accorded him the respect and esteem ever extended to men of integrity and good principles.
HARDIN L. EXLEY.
Among the successful agriculturists of Lucas county is to be numbered Hardin L. Exley, who owns a valuable farm of two hundred and seventy-six aeres in I'nion township besides the old family homestead in Clarke county which contains two hundred acres, Born in Franklin township, Clarke county. lowa, on November 5. 1854. Mr. Exley is a son of Thomas and Cynthia La Foon) Exley, the former born near Leeds, England, October 25, 1820, and the latter a native of Surry county. North Carolina. born JJuly 14. 1526. Upon coming from England the father came to lowa, where he remained for one year and then returned to the mother country in order to settle the affairs of the family there. Returning to America, he landed in New Orleans, where he expected to locate, but conditions at that time caused him to go to Burlington, lowa, and he subsequently went to Eddyville and finally in 1554 to Clarke county. The trip to that section was made overland in the primitive style of the pioneers and took place in the spring of 1854. When the father first came to Burlington, lowa was still a territory. He was by profession a bookkeeper and as such engaged in Eddyville and also conducted a store before taking up his residence in Clarke county. He was one of the earliest settlers in Jowa and one of the pioneers of that county.
The mother was a dircet descendant of the famous La Foon family of Hngenots who were driven From France and who settled in Surry county. North Carolina. In 1832 the family moved from North Carolina to Indiana. coming to lowa in 1-12 and locating in Jefferson county. In 1851 Mrs. Cynthia Exley came with her husband to Clarke county, where not long after their son. Hardin L., was born. At the time when they settled there the most primitive conditions still prevailed, Indians were still numerous and wild game abundant
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and they endured all the hardships incident to such a life. There were only three houses between their place and Garden Grove, a distance of ten miles, on the main road. at that time. Subsequently the father attained success as an agrienlturist and passed away on the home farm in Clarke county. Angust 4, 1905. His wife survived him until November 6, 1912, when she died at the same place. In their family were eleven children: James Harmon, who died at the age of two years: Mrs. Rebecca Carey, who was born at Eddyville and who now resides in Kansas; Benjamin F., who died at the age of seventeen ; Joseph, residing at Sargent, Nebraska : Hardin L .. our subject; Sarah E., who died at the age of eighteen; Sanford, of Clarke county, lowa; Mrs. Mary E. Leach, of Sargent, Nebraska; Mrs. Cora R. Hines, of South Dakota; Mrs. Linnie HI. Ilines, of Woodburn, lowa; and Charles S., of Clarke county. The three eldest children were born at Eddyville and the remainder in Clarke county. They all attended the common schools of the community, their first schoolhouse being of log construction and a subseription school such as was maintained in pioneer days.
Hardin L. Exley passed his youth amid the primitive conditions of pioneer life and acquired such educational knowledge as could be procured near his father's home. le early trained himself to agricultural pursuits, assisting his father with the farm work and learning in the school of experience. As the years passed he became an independent farmer, acquiring a total of two hun- dred and seventy-six acres of choice land in Union township, upon which can be found two sets of improvements. Ilis land is under high cultivation and his annual harvests bring him fine returns. He also gives considerable attention to stoek-raising. Ilis buildings are kept in good repair and are modernly equipped and his machinery is of the latest make, installed with an idea towards labor saving and in order to increase the yield of his acres. Mr. Exley also owns the old homestead of two hundred acres in Clarke county, which is in a high state of cultivation.
On July 3, 1884, Mr. Exley was united in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Moore, a native of Lueas county, where she was born on January 15, 1864. She grew to womanhood in this vicinity and has always been a resident here. Her parents, who were numbered among the early settlers of Lucas county, were Riley and Mary Ann (Matthews) Moore, both natives of Indiana. The father passed way in Jackson township, this county, in 1868, and the mother also died in that township. She was a member of the well known Matthews family of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Moore became the parents of four children: Charles Allen : Mrs. Exley; William Edward; and Mrs. Serilda JJ. O'Connell, of llite- man, Jowa. Mr. and Mrs. Exley have four children, all of whom were born in Lucas county : Thomas Moore, who was born May 16, 1885, and who is now a resident of Los Angeles, California; Charles Weaver, a farmer, who was born March 28, 1889, and who now makes his home in Union township: Joseph F., who was born February 10, 1893, and who is now residing on the home farm in Clarke county ; and Mary Ann. who was born January 15, 1898, and who is now attending school.
Mr. Exley has always been deeply interested in public affairs and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has been a school director of his district and done much toward promoting the cause of education. In three
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