USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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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
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in 1876 and thence to Mount Pleasant. Henry county, Iowa, where they resided until 1890, when they moved to Chariton, in Lucas county. In their family were the following children: Charles Wesley, who died in infancy ; William, who died at the age of fifteen; Mrs. Goodrich; Joseph, who died in infancy ; Mrs. Hattie Go, of Mount Pleasant. lowa : Mrs. Minnie Litenfelter, who died June 13, 1911; Franklin, who passed away at the age of one year; Charles, who died in infancy; Mrs. Ida Rumble, of Saskatchewan. Canada: Fred, who makes his home in Des Moines; JJohn, who resides in Omaha, Nebraska; Joseph. of Chariton ; and Mrs. Mande Downing. of Omaha. Mrs. Goodrich was the mother of two children by her union with John Laymon, namely: Mrs. Ida Neighbor, born in Henry county, lowa, April 30, 1870. who is now living in Winterset ; and Mrs. Mina Lasher, born JJuly 21. 1872, who resides in Cory- don. where her husband is in the employ of F. M. West.
Mr. Goodrich is well known in local fraternal circles, holding membership in Wayne Post. No. 137. Department of lowa. G. A. R .. of which he has been rommander. He belongs also to Fidelity Lodge. No. 228. A. F. & A. M .. of Ilumeston, and was the first applicant for membership after the removal of the lodge from Smyrna. He served as its master for eight years and is today in possession of the articles of incorporation.
Mr. Goodrich has always given a great deal of his time to public life and is one of the most able men in official service in Imeston. For twenty-six years he has been justice of the peace in Richman township and has held office continuously with the exception of two terms. He has made an excel- Jent record, for during the period of his service but three cases went to a jury and but one appealed to a higher court. Mr. Goodrich has held nearly all of the local offices in the city and township, including those of constable and mayor of Ilumeston, in which latter position he has served for two years, and is at present serving. He has at all times been interested in the welfare of Wayne county and has given active cooperation to many movements for the public good. his efforts being always effective and far-reaching. Living in this section since 1873, he has become well known here as a man of tried integrity. business enter- prise and effective publie spirit. The spirit which distinguished him on the southern battlefields has dominated his life and has been an important element in his continued snecess.
BENJAMIN KING.
The history of the agricultural development of Wayne county and of the business progress and advancement of Homeston contains the record of the life of no more worthy, upright and honorable man than Benjamin King. extensive landowner, former farmer, president of the Homeston State Bank, and for many years one of the most powerful forces in the upbuilding of this section of the state. Through a childhood hampered by poverty and limited educational advantages, through early years of earnest labor against discouragement and hard conditions he has made his way upward to prosperity. working always with courage and steadfast determination until success and happiness have
BENJAMIN KING
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crowned his old age. Ile was born in New York, December 29, 1831, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hanmore) King, natives of New York, who lived and died in that state.
Benjamin King of this review grew to manhood in the Empire state and for two years attended the common schools. This is all the school training he ever received but it has been supplemented by travel, by deep thinking. wide reading and varied experiences and today Benjamin King is considered one of the best informed men in this part of Iowa. Intheneed by his determination to conquer all obstacles and hew ont for himself an honorable destiny, he left New York in 1868 and pushed westward to Chariton, lowa, the terminus of the railroad at that time. He and his family settled on a farm in Richman township, one mile east of Hmmeston, and with characteristic energy and determination Mr. King began his agricultural career. Pioneer conditions prevailed throughout the entire section. settlements were sparse, Mr. King's nearest neighbor being one mile away, and discomforts were innumerable. How- ever, these were faced with resolute courage and were little by little overcome. Mr. King's first farm consisted of eighty aeres but he has bought and disposed of several tracts of land since that time and was the owner of one of the finest agricultural properties in Wayne county. However, he has disposed of all of his farming land in order to give more time to his extensive business affairs.
Mr. King's career indicates clearly what may be accomplished when determi- nation, ability and unfaltering industry are strong characteristics of the indi- vidual. Throughont the course of his active and well spent life he has by diligence, application and the labor of his hands amassed a comfortable fortune which has been honorably acquired and never unworthily used. He has moved into a beautiful home in Humeston and is to a great extent concentrating his attention upon the affairs of the Humeston State Bank, which he opened on the 9th of February. 1893, and which now has a capital stock of sixty thousand dollars. Mr. King has been acting as its president since the organization of the institution and under his able management it has grown to be one of the strong, reliable and conservative banks of the city.
In New York, on the 13th of April, 1859, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Julia Elizabeth Deyo, who was born in Coldwater, Michigan, April 3, 1839, a daughter of Abram and Phoebe Deyo, natives of New York. The father died in Nebraska in 1886 and the mother passed away in her native state on the 31st of August. 1906. In their family were four children: Mrs. Rowena Hasbrouck, of New York: Mrs. King, of this sketch; Martha IL., who passed away in 1909; and Mrs. Adelia Hasbrouck, also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. King became the parents of two daughters, both of whom were born in Poughkeepsie. New York; Mrs. Cora P. Fletcher, whose birth occurred on the 7th of February, 1860, and who died at Tingley. Iowa, December 19. 1908; and Phebe Deyo. born September 8, 1862, who for the past fourteen years has been assistant cashier of the Humeston State Bank. Both daughters received an excellent publie-school edneation and Phebe is a graduate of the lowa Business College at Des Moines. Mrs. King is a member of the Congregational church.
Mr. King gives his allegiance to the republican party and has at all times been eminently progressive in his citizenship. He has served in various important local offices, having been assessor of Richman township. mayor of Vol II- 7
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Humeston, a member of the town council and city treasurer, discharging his official duties in a straightforward, progressive and conscientious manner. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with Fidelity Lodge. No. 228. F. & A. M .. of Humeston. and Chappaqua Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a charter member. Mr. King deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. having worked his way steadily upward by determined and straightforward effort. He is today one of the most highly respected pioneer citizens of southern lowa and the progress of his career can be readily traced through his youth of steadfast work, his active, energetic and successful middle age to the evening of his life, which is full of years and honor.
OSCAR F. NIDAY.
A worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Warren township is Oscar F. Niday, who owns two hundred and forty-four acres of land located on sections 15 and 16. which he is devoting to general farming and stock-rais- ing. Ile is a native of Wayne county, his birth having occurred in Benton township on the 7th of March. 1874, and a son of John R. and Catherine (Allen) Niday. They were born in Ohio, but came to lowa with their parents in the early days and after marriage settled on a quarter section of land which the father had purchased from the government. After cultivating this holding for a number of years he disposed of it and invested the proceeds in some land in Benton township, and there continued his agricultural career until his retire- ment from active life. He removed to Corydon in 1892, making that eity his home until his death in 1898. at the age of sixty-eight years. He was buried in Rush cemetery. Benton township, where the mother, who passed away in 1886. was also laid to rest. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Niday, of whom our subject is the youngest.
Oscar F. Niday was reared at home in very much the same manner as all country youths. In the acquirement of his education he first attended the local schools, then became a student of a preparatory school in Lincoln, Nebraska, and after his father removed to Corydon continued his course of study in the high school at that city for a year. He taught during the winter months and worked on the farm in summers from that time until his marriage in 1899. since which he has devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He is engaged in diversified farming and stock-raising. specializing in the breeding and raising of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shire horses. He is also an extensive feeder and buys cattle for the market. His land has a natural drainage and has been so capably and intelligently tilled that his fields annually yield abundant harvests, the quality of which is in every way fully equal to the quantity. His entire holding is fenced, a hundred and sixty aeres of it hog-tight, and it is all subject to the plow. Mr. Niday has not confined his attention to the development of his farm solely as a business proposition, but has expended much time and money in making it a more attractive place of residence. Practically all of the sheds and outbuildings now on the place have been erected during the period of his ownership, and in 1911 he remodeled the
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house and the year previous he rebuilt the barn, while at various times he has installed about the premises many modern conveniences.
On the Sth of February, 1899. Mr. Niday was married to Miss Ida L. Pray, who was born on the 1st of December, 1875, and is a daughter of William and Letitia (Bennett) Pray, whose history is more fully given in the biography of F. 1. Pray, which appears in this work. She is the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Niday numbers five, as follows: Floyd, Hubert. Vernon. Manfred and Evelyn.
The family are regular attendants of the Christian church of Allerton, iu which the parents hold membership, and politically Mr. Niday has supported the republican party until recently and now gives his allegiance to the pro- gressives. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance in Wayne county, and numbers among his closest friends many of the comrades of his boyhood, which fact pays tribute to his character. As a citizen Mr. Niday is progres- sive and enterprising, in matters of business he is trustworthy and reliable, and as a friend he is thoroughly loyal and dependable, all of which qualities have united in winning him the esteem of his neighbors and fellow townsmen.
FRANCIS 1. PRAY.
Francis 1. Pray, well known in Corydon as a feeder of high-grade cattle, has extensive business interests and has been so successful in their management that he is accounted one of the leading and influential men in this part of the state. Hle is a native of Wayne county, born October 1, 1865, a son of William and Letitia (Bennett) Pray, natives of Terre Haute, Indiana, who came to lowa in 1860 and located in Wayne county. The father bought land just east of New York and also purchased a farm near Bethlehert, upon which he resided until his retirement, when he moved into Corydon, where his death occurred on the 2d of December, 1897. He was a republican in his political views and active and loyal in his support of the party to which he adhered. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are living.
Francis 1. Pray began his active career by operating a farm which he rented from his father and was so successful in the management of his enter- prise that at length he was able to purchase land of his own. He bought a farm in Wright township but in 1895 sold this traet and purchased the old home place. Since that time he has operated this property, although he makes his home in Corydon. He has been successful in all departments of agriculture but from the beginning has given special attention to feeding cattle and is now recognized as a man of note in this line of occupation, to whom years of experience have brought a knowledge which makes his opinion an authority. Mr. Pray made his home upon his farm until March, 1909, when he moved into Corydon, his extensive business interests demanding his personal attention. He is a member of the firm of Teegarden & Pray, buyers and shippers of cattle, hogs and other stock, and is on the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank. He is one of the leading and inthu-
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ential men in this locality, having founded a substantial degree of prosperity upon qualities of industry, perseverance, trustworthiness and high integrity and force of character.
On the 1st of March, 1885, Mr. Pray married Miss Hattie C. Ewers, of Wayne county, a daughter of Smith and Elizabeth Ewers, natives of Ohio, who came to this part of lowa in 1882. The father was a farmer and followed gen- eral agriculture upon a tract of land near Confidence until his death. His widow still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Pray became the parents of four children : William Evan, who passed away at the age of two and a half years; Francis Marion ; Lawrence Albert : and Eula May.
Fraternally Mr. Pray is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and from 1901 to 1904 was a member of the board of supervisors, doing able, intelligent and efficient work in an official capacity. He has been a resident of Wayne county all dur- ing his life and has come to be regarded as a substantial and progressive busi- ness man, who displays in all of his activities the energy and discrimination upon which his prosperity is founded. He is eminently public-spirited and no measure for the public good seeks his aid in vain. His individual attain- ments are broad in their significance and his influence wide in its scope since his labors throughout the years have been a cooperant factor in many move- ments which have been of value to the community at large.
HENRY W. GITTINGER.
The newspaper interests of Ineas county are ably represented by Henry W. Gittinger, editor and proprietor of the Chariton Leader, one of the widely read and influential journals of this part of the state. The important posi- tion this newspaper holds in the eyes of the public is largely due to the efforts of Mr. Gittinger, who ably directs its policy in the interest of general advance- ment. moral and intellectual development and material expansion.
Born on December 18, 1861, in Washington township. Lucas county, lowa, Henry W. Gittinger is a son of Peter and Sarah Gittinger. The mother before her marriage was Sarah West. a daughter of N. E. West, one of the pioneers of Lucas county. She was born in Kentucky, but his father was a native of Baltimore county. Maryland, where he grew to young manhood. At the early age of eighteen he entered the United States navy and had the distinction of serving under Commodore Perry in the suppression of the slave trade along the African coast in days long before the Civil war. During the contliet with Mexico he was transferred to the land forces and distinguished himself by the Faithful fulfillment of his duties and his courageous conduet.
Henry W. Gittinger was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools of Lucas county, near his father's home. He early showed an inclination for the printer's art and subsequently became connected with the printing office of the Russell News at Russell, lowa. Familiar- izing himself with all the details of the trade and the conduet of a newspaper he required by thrift and industry the means to set himself up independently and
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became the editor and proprietor of the Chariton Leader. His wide experience and innate ability are ereditably reflected by this newspaper, which has become one of the important organs of this part of the state. Its news cohunns are ably conducted and local as well as general items brought before the readers in a clear and precise style. As the prestige of the paper has increased its cireu- lation has expanded and its advertising columns grown to such an extent that the enterprise from a financial point of view is as much of a success as it is as a news disseminator and a guardian of publie rights and public progress.
On December 10, 1885, Mr. Gittinger was united in marriage at Russell, Iowa, to Miss Nellie Goltry. a daughter of William and Cordelia Goltry, carly and well known settlers of Lucas county. There have been two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gittinger: Howard, who married Miss Gladys MeCollough, and who ably assists his father in the publication of the Chariton Leader: and Grace, who is the wife of Mr. Charles W. Sugden and resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Before her marriage Mrs. Sugden was a school teacher by profession.
Publie-spirited and progressive. Mr. Gittinger gives his able support to all measures undertaken to benefit the community and improve conditions and affiliates with the democratic party, the measures and candidates of which he stanchly upholds. He has become a powerful infinenee for progress in his community and a leader for good along moral and intellectual lines as well as an ardent advocate of agricultural development and commercial expansion. Much of the prosperity prevailing in Lucas county is due to the efforts of Mr. Gittinger, who through the medium of his paper has promoted many beneficial measures and has always advised and counseled in such a way that Following his leadership far-reaching and lasting results have been obtained.
GEORGE W. LARIMER.
Among the men who have been active in inaugurating and shaping the business development of Chariton is numbered George W. Larimer, who has been connected with business interests in the city since 1875 and who, steadily extending the field of his connections, is today one of the substantial and representative men of the community. He conduets an important abstract business and is well known in financial circles through his connection with the Chariton National Bank. the Loan & Trust Bank and the State Savings Bank.
Mr. Larimer was born in Noble county, Indiana, February 19. 1853, a son of William MeDowell and Christiana (Barkley) Larimer, natives of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, the former born April 19, 1824, and the lat ter in September, 1825. They afterward moved to Noble county, Indiana, where the father died in September. 1853, leaving two children: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Howard, who was born in September, 1851. and who died in 1997: and George W., of this review. Afterward the mother and her children moved to ('hariton township, this county, where Mrs. Larimer engaged in teaching. being the first teacher in the famous Highland district. She afterward mar- ried again, her second Imsband being Cyrus Larimer, by whom she had four
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children : Mrs. Nettie Mitchner, a resident of Des Moines, lowa ; Mrs. Emma Gribben, who passed away in 1912: Clara, also deceased : and IT. IL., who was born in 1862 and who now resides in Chariton. The two older children were born in Noble county. Indiana, and the other two in Lucas county, this state.
George W. Larimer accompanied his mother and sister to Chariton town- ship in 1855 and grew to manhood amid pioneer conditions in this locality. In 1864 he began his independent career, securing a position south of Chari- ton as a sheep herder. He later learned the tinner's trade and received a remuneration of five dollars per week. He paid striet attention to business and was gradually advanced. eventually securing a comfortable competency. He began his mercantile career in Chariton on the Ist of January. 1875. and he continued in this line of business until 1892. each year witnessing his increasing prosperity and prominence. In the latter year he retired from active life but in 1897 became interested in the Loan & Trust Bank, the State Savings Bank and the National Bank. all of Chariton, and he still continues his identification with these institutions. He also conducts an abstract busi- ness and he has been very sneressful in this line. his prosperity coming as the direct result of his discriminating business judgment. his energy, enterprise and progressive spirit.
In 1879 Mr. Larimer married Miss Emma Ward, who was born at Winter- set. lowa, in October, 1855. She is a daughter of C. C. and Serena ( Miller) Ward. natives of Hendricks county, Indiana. The parents afterward moved to Des Moines and thence to Chariton, where the father still resides and where the mother passed away. To their union were born live children : Mrs. Larimer. wife of the subject of this review: Mrs. Cora Reeside, of Wichita. Kansas: William 11 .. of Council Bluffs, lowa ; Mrs. Molly Fuller, of Chariton : and Mrs. Mabel MeMichael, of Denver, Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. Larimer have four chil- dren. Gny W. was born September 24. 1880. After graduating from the Chariton high school he entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illi- nois, and after completing his course there he entered the medical department of the same university, from which he received the degree of M. D. He after- ward acted as interne in the Cook County Hospital and is now practicing his profession at Salida. Colorado. Mrs. Mary Pasco was born in May, 1583, and acquired her education in the Chariton high school and in Simpson College at Indianola. She now resides in Carroll, lowa. Mrs. Edith Copeland was born in April, 1888, and after graduating from the Chariton high school took a two years' course in Simpson College. She makes her home in Chariton. Robert E., who was born June 13. 1891. is at present a student in the lowa State Uni- versity at lowa City.
Mr. Larimer attends the Methodist Episcopal church at Chariton and is con- nected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a repub- lican in his political beliefs and served for six years as a member of the board of supervisors of Ineas county and has been a member of the city council of Chari- ton. He is mimbered among the distinctly successful men of the city. Through legitimate channels of trade he has won prosperity in business and has secured a comfortable fortune which he has invested judieiously, evidencing his faith in the future of Lucas county by placing his money in local enterprises. A resi- dent of this section since his childhood. he has witnessed practically its entire
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growth and development and in later years has been a prominent factor in its progress. He has made his name recognized and respected in business circles and his personal characteristies have gained him the warm regard and con- fidenee of many friends.
CARLTON MONROE MCGUIRE, M. D.
Dr. Carlton Monroe MeGuire, living retired in Humeston after many years identification with active professional life, is a native son of Wayne county, born in Lewisburg, Clay township, January 22, 1863. His parents were Josiah and Elizabeth (Axley) McGuire, both natives of Monroe county, Tennessee, the father born in 1826 and the mother April 5, 1833. The maternal grandfather, James Axley, was a famous Methodist contemporary of Peter Cartwright and was fully as forceful and able a man, although he did not seek notoriety. The parents of our subject moved from Tennessee to Clay township, Wayne county, in 1856 and were among the earlier settlers in this section. They took up land, which the father developed and improved along progressive lines, dying upon the homestead December 5. 1910. IIe had survived his wife for some years, her death having ocenrred September 2, 1897. In their family were five children besides the subject of this review: John II., who was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, in 1852 and who died in Clay township in 1866; James, also a native of Monroe county, who died in Clay township in 1872; Frank, who is a resident of Humeston ; Mrs. Mary Wilmot, born June 10. 1866, who is resid- ing in Clay township; and Marion A .. born in 1870, who died in infancy in Monroe county. Tennessee, where the family had gone on a visit to the old home.
Dr. Carlton M. McGuire grew up on his father's farm in Clay township, acquiring his primary education in the public schools of the locality. Ile later attended Garden Grove Seminary and Central University at Pella, afterward entering Rush Medical College in Chicago, graduating in medicine in 1891. Ile opened an office for the practice of his profession at Seymour, lowa, and from there went in 1894 to Walsenburg, Colorado, where he built up a large and representative patronage and where he remained until his wife's health would not permit of further residence in the dry climate. Leaving Colorado, Dr. McGuire returned to Iowa and took up his residence in Humeston, where he has since remained. He secured an extensive patronage, which he eon- ducted so wisely and ably that in time he accumulated a comfortable com- petenee, which enables him to live retired. On December 1, 1932, he moved into his beautiful modern residence in the southern part of the city and
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