USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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expects to spend the remainder of his years in well earned rest. In addition to his home he owns his father's farm in Clay township, comprising five hun- dred and eighty acres of choice land, with two sets of improvements, and also eleven hundred and forty aeres of excellent coal land in Colorado, besides stoek in the Home State Bank of Humeston.
On the 29th of May, 1886, Dr. MeGuire was united in marriage to Miss Eva Miriam Calwell, who was born in Clay township. January 7, 1866, a daugh-
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ter of James and Miriam ( Elliott ) Calwell, natives of Portage county, Omno, where the father died in 1886. In the C'alwell family were the following chil- dren : Belle, who died at an early age: Clinton, who resides in Denver, Colo- rado: Mrs. Lilly Vanderbeak, of Akron, lowa; Mrs. Barbara Alexander, of Lwcon, lowa: Willard W., of Belle Plaine. Kansas; Mrs. MeGuire, the wife of the subject of this review ; Mrs. Cora Guinn, who resides in Three Hills. Alberta, Y'anada : James, of Clay township: and Joseph, who died in infancy. Mrs. McGuire also has the M. D. degree and has been a true helpmate to her husband.
Dr. McGuire gives his allegiance to the republican party and his influence is always given to progressive publie measures, although his publie spirit never takes the form of office seeking. Fraternally he is identified with luarfino Lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M .. of Walsenburg. Colorado: Walsenburg Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M .; Commandery, No. 18, K. T., of Trinidad, Colorado; and El Ge Bel Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. of Denver. Ile holds membership also in the Modern Woodmen of America. the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Neighbors and he and his wife belong to Walsenburg Chapter. No. 14. O. E. S. They are both well known in social circles of Humes- ton, for they are representatives of two of the finest pioneer families in this part of the state. The Doctor is widely read and a liberally cultured man, a deep reader along professional and general lines. This interest has led to his collecting one of the choice medieal libraries in the city and he possesses also valuable books of other kinds. The many sterling traits of his character are known to his fellow townsmen, a great majority of whom number him as a friend.
JAMES A. STILES.
James A. Stiles, who is now living retired in Allerton. was for thirty-six years engaged in farming in this county, of which he became a resident in the spring of 1869. He is one of those who first responded to the call for troops in '61, and for more than three years valiantly served his country on the battle- fields of the south. The third in order of birth in a family of five. his natal day was the 12th of December, 1838, and his birthplace Lancaster county. Pen- sylvania. His parents. William and Henrietta ( Woolsey ) Stiles, were also natives of Pennsylvania, where the mother passed away during the early child- hood of our subject. The father continued to make his home in the Keystone state until 1858, when he removed to lowa with his family, locating in Washing- ton county, and there he resided until his death, which occurred in 1873.
The boyhood and early youth of lames A. Stiles were passed in the state of his nativity. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company D. Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three months. At the expira- tion of that time he reenlisted for three years, being mustered out with the rank of orderly sergeant at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in Angust, Isot. He was captured by the enemy in a raid at Rome, Georgia, and was sent to the prison at Belle Island, but was exchanged thirty days later and rejoined his regiment. lle participated in all of the battles in which his regiment was engaged. incluid-
JAMES A. STILES AND FAMILY
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ing that of Perryville. Stone River, Atlanta. Chickamauga and Lookout Moun- tain. Upon receiving his discharge he joined his father in Washington county, remaining there until his marriage in the spring of 1865, following which he located in Johnson county, this state. After a year's residence there he returned to Washington county, where he remained until the spring of 1869, when he came to Wayne county, purchasing eighty aeres of raw land which he culti- vated for four years. At the expiration of that time he traded his holding for a hundred and twenty acres in Clay township, this county, which he soll four years later. investing the proceeds in two hundred and forty acres of land in Warren township. He engaged in the further improvement and cultivation of the latter place until 1905, when he soll it and, withdrawing from active life, came to Allerton, where he has since lived retired.
On the 22d of February, 1865, Mr. Stiles was married to Miss Mattie M. Irving, a daughter of William Irving of Cadiz, Ohio. She is the eldest in a family of five and was born on the 18th day of May. 1846. Of this marriage there were born the following children: Ada. of Miami, Oklahoma, who mar- ried L. S. DeSilva and has five children : Susan S .. who is in the state hospital at Clarinda, where she was placed after a severe case of typhoid fever. her mental condition resulting from the treatment ; Belle M., the deceased wife of Harvey Ferrel, who passed away in 1907. at the age of thirty-three years, leaving two children; Charles A., who is married and engaged in ranching and the cattle business in Colorado: Alva E., who married Harley H. Hillyard and is residing in this eounty; Grace, who died at the age of eighteen years as the result of a railroad wreck ; and Alice, who died when three years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Stiles are active members of the Presbyterian church of which he has been one of the ellers for several years. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge of Allerton and the chapter at Corydon. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party and he has always taken an active interest in all local affairs. For many years he was a member of the school board, having performed the duties both of president and secretary, and for three years he served on the board of county supervisors. Mr. Stiles is one of the well known pioneers of Wayne county, where he is held in high regard, having discharged his business affairs in an honorable and upright manner, while as a publie official he has manifested the same loyalty and fidelity of purpose which characterized him on the battlefields of the south.
JJOHN PAUL REAM.
Lucas county has been signally favored in the class of men who have oven- pied her public offices and prominent among these is John Paul Ream who is now filling the position of county treasurer to which he was elected on the democratie ticket in 1908. That his service received publie indorsement is indicated by the fact that he was reelected in 1910. lle was born in Benton township, Lueas county, July 9. 1869. a son of Samuel Mitchell and Nancy E. (Murphy) Ream, who were natives of Hillsboro, Ohio, and were reared, educated and married there. Soon afterward they removed westward with
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lowa as their destination and settled in Lucas county where the remainder of their lives was spent upon a farm. The father always carried on general agri- cultural pursuits and after coming to this state he invested in land in Benton township, paying for his first purchase only a dollar and a quarter per aere. Ultimately he became the owner of three hundred acres of rich and productive land and in addition to the development of the fields he conducted a profitable business in buying and feeding cattle. In polities he was a stanch demoerat and believed firmly in the principles of the party platform. He belonged to the Masonie fraternity and he was a generous contributor to the support of the Seventh Day Adventist church of which his wife was an active and faithful member. He died January 23, 1907, at the age of seventy-one years, while his widow survived him for more than two years, passing away October 7, 1909. at the age of seventy. They were the parents of a large family of six sons and six daughters: Mrs. Emma Webb, who is now deceased: W. D., the owner of an extensive ranch at Dingle, Idaho; Dora Cain, living in Hartford, Jowa : Mrs. Edith L. Burns, who has been a teacher all her life and is now at Shawnce, Oklahoma, after residing in that stato since it was opened as a ter- ritory; John Paul: James C., living at Twin Falls, Idaho: M. C .. a farmer and traveling salesman: Mrs. Ida Parsons, of Joliet, Montana: Duward B., living on the old homestead in Lucas county; Elda, of Montana; and Samuel and Nancy, who died in infancy.
John Paul Ream has always resided in Lucas county save for one year spent in Idaho as a salesman and farmer. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native county and for a few years engaged in teaching, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Ile organized the Western Union Telephone Company and has been identified with many progressive movements which have had direet and important bear- ing upon the welfare, progress and prosperity of this section of the state. Ile is a stockholder in the Spring Lake Ice Company of Chariton and is the owner of a farm of one hundred and fifty aeres in Benton township.
Business interests, however, have been but one phase of his existence and have not prevented his active participation in measures relating to the public good. He has also been a champion of the system of public education and has been alnost continuously connected with the schools in some official capacity since attaining his majority. At one time he served as town clerk and also as assessor of Benton township. In polities he is a liberal democrat, voting as his judgment dictates without feeling that he should blindly follow a party leadership. In 1908 his fellowmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, elected him county treasurer of Lucas county, he being either the first or the second democrat ever chosen to that position. He ran far ahead of his ticket. a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. His excellent record during his first term led to his reelection in 1910. He was prominently identified with securing the second rural free delivery route in Lucas county, circulating a petition in support of and working hard for this measure.
On the 21st of January. 1889. Mr. Ream was married to Miss Anna E. Erickson, who was born in Lucas county and is a daughter of Angust and Anna Erickson, who were natives of Sweden. The living children of this
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marriage are five in number, Lester F., Eulala, Roscoe, Cecil and Sidney M., while two sons, Charles and Fred, died in infancy. The parents hold mem- bership in the United Brethren church and Mr. Ream belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. Those who know him esteem him highly not alone for what he has accomplished in the business world but because of his tidelity and trustworthiness in every publie relation.
JOHN C. PHILLIPS.
Jolm C. Phillips, who at one time was one of the most extensive landown- ers in Appanoose county and for many years prominently connected with agri- cultural and business interests of the section, is living retired in Seymour. His residence in this part of the state covers a period of forty years and he is consequently well known, having by a life of energy. industry and straight- forward dealing gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He is. moreover, entitled to a place in this work from the fact that he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Phillips is a native of Ohio, born in 1841, and is a son of Theophilus and Mahala Ann ( Moore) Phillips, natives of Ohio. The father of our subjeet was a son of John Phillips and was of Welsh ancestry, while the mother was a daughter of John Moore, a veteran of the War of 1812, who in turn was a son of a Revolutionary soldier. Theophilus Phillips, the father of the subject of this review, came to lowa in 1871 and remained in this state two years, going to Kansas in 1873 and estab- lishing his home in that state, where his death occurred in February, 1879. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1852.
John C. Phillips acquired his education in the public schools of Ohio and farmed in that state until 1862. On August 9th of that year he enlisted in Com- pany F. Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Culbertson, See- ing active service until the end of the war. Hle was mustered ont in Cincin- nati, Ohio, and immediately resumed his agricultural pursuits, remaining in his native state until the fall of 1868. In that year he went to Missouri and settled on a farm in Pettis county but after three years came to Wayne county. settling in this seetion in April. 1872. Ile located first in Monroe township and established himself in the stock business at Centerville, gaining rapid and well deserved snecess, owing to his reliable and straightforward business methods. In 1884 he abandoned his stock business in Favor of general farming, purchasing a tract of land, which he set about improving and developing with characteristic energy. From time to time he added to his holdings, becoming finally the owner of two thousand acres. In all of his business affairs Mr. Phillips is straightforward, reliable and progressive and consequently his labors met with a gratifying degree of sneeess, his industry and enterprise having gained for him such a competence that in 1903 he was able to put aside the active duties of life and enjoy somewhat. of its rest and pleasures. He moved into Seymour, where he still has some important business connections, although he is not personally active. lle is
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interested as a director in the First National Bank and owns eight hundred acres of land in Wayne county and elsewhere besides his beautiful and attractive home.
On the 244th of August. 1861. Mr. Phillips married Miss Clementine Drake. a daughter of James Il. and Caroline ( Marshall) Drake, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Three of Mrs. Phillips' brothers-in-law took an active part in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips became the parents of thirteen children : Charles E .. who lives in Montana: Emma ., the wife of I. E. Stewart. of Moore, Montana : James T .. who resides on the old home place; Hosea M. and J. Walter, who are engaged in farming in Appanoose county ; Harry E., who died in infancy : Carrie A .. the wife of 1. T. Richardson, a farmer of Appanoose county : V. Bowen. of Buffalo, Montana: K. Kendall. who follows farming in this county; Herbert Il .. John J. and Oscar Orville, who are all engaged in agricultural pursuits in Appanoose county; and Roscoe C., of Buffalo. Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Phillips gives his allegiance to the republican party and is progressive and public-spirited in his citizenship. He belongs to Kellogg Post. G. A. R., and thus keeps in touch with his comrades of the battlefield. Being a man of great business ability and exeentive force, he has contributed during the years of his residence in this part of lowa to the general welfare and progress. During the years of his activity his energy was untiring and it was through his zealons application to business and his straightforward dealing that he met with such rapid success and is now able to live retired, maintaining the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and enjoying the comforts and contentment of a well spent and useful life.
HARRY KELLER.
Harry Keller, editor and publisher of the Russell Union and honored in 1913 with the presidency of the Southern Iowa Editorial Association, a position indie- ative of his high standing among his professional brethren. was born in Camp township. Polk county. lowa, February 29. Isst, a son of Mahlon and Susan (Newell) Keller, the former born near Galesburg. Ilinois, and the latter in Coshocton, Ohio. Both came to lowa in early life, settling with their respective families in Polk county. Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Keller had six children : Mrs. George Lewis of Des Moines: Mrs. Charles Wilson, of Leavenworth. Kansas. whose husband is a soldier in the United States regular army ; Mrs. Nancy Lemon. of Milford. Nebraska; Harry, of this review: J. F .. who acts as foreman for the Swift plant at Des Moines; and Mrs. J. D. Lynch, of Marshalltown. lowa.
It was in Polk county that Harry Keller was born and reared, entering school at the usual age and passing through consecutive grades until he reached the high school. His youthd'al experiences were those which usually come to the farm lad, for he was reared to agricultural pursuits. When but eleven years of age he started in the printing business, in which connection he gradually worked his way upward. mastering the details of the business in its various phases. In February, 1906, he purchased the Lovilia Tribune, but the office was destroyed by fire in December of the same year and on the Ist of January. 1907.
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he purchased the Russell Union, which he has since continued to publish. This paper was established in July, 1897, and now has a good circulation and a liberal advertising patronage. The office is well equipped and the Union is an attractive. readable sheet, devoted to local interests as well as to the discussion of subjects of national importance. In addition to the printing plant in Russell. Mr. Keller owns a residence in the town and unimproved property, while his wife is the owner of a house and a half acre of land in Russell.
It was in Runnells, Iowa, in 1906. that Mr. Keller married Miss Lillian McAdoo, who was born at Pella, Marion county, lowa, February 8, 1889. and was educated in the public schools and in Central College of Pella. Her father, S. C. MeAdoo, was born in Tennessee and died at Runnells, August 1, 1906. Hle was a second cousin of Secretary of the Treasury MeAdoo. Her mother, Mrs. Isabelle (Sipma) MeAdoo, was born in Friesland, Holland. and is now residing in Runnells. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have a daughter, Isabel Gretchen, born at Russell. November 14, 1911.
Mrs. Keller is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Keller holds membership with several fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Pythias lodge at Chariton, the Odd Fellows lodge at Russell, the Masonie lodge at Runnells and the Order of the Eastern Star at Lovilia. His political support has always been given to the republican party, which finds in him a stalwart advocate, and in 1910 and again in 1912 he attended the state convention as a delegate. He was city clerk at Runnells in 1905 and 1906 and on the Ist of April. 1912, he became mayor of Russell, which position he has since acceptably filled. He stands fearlessly as a champion of all that he believes to be for the welfare of the community, state or nation and he issues his paper in support of the principles in which he believes.
SEAMAN W. LEWIS.
Seaman W. Lewis, well known in banking cireles of Humeston as cashier of the Humeston State Bank, is a native son of Iowa, born in Union township, Lucas county, January 1. 1870. He is a son of Benjamin and Rachel ( Parker) Lewis, pioneers in the state and for many years highly esteemed and respected residents of Union township. The family was founded in the middle western states by the paternal grandfather of the subject of this review, who was born in New Jersey in 1800 and who came from that state when he was a lad of seventeen, settling in Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. There he married and reared his family and there passed away. The father was born in Ohio, September 19, 1830, and spent his early life in that state. In 1857 he and his wife moved to Clarke county. Iowa, and lived upon a rented farm in that section until the fall of 1860. when they came overland to Union township. Lucas county, and purchased a tract of raw prairie land. Pioneer conditions prevailed everywhere and there was but one other house upon the broad expanse of rolling prairie which stretched out in all directions, and the settlements were few and far removed. The father. however, bent his energies to the develop-
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ment of a profitable farm and with the exception of the period of his service in the Civil war, remained continuously upon the property until his death. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G. Thirty-fourth lowa Volunteer Infantry, and spent three years upon the southern battlefields, securing at the end of that time his honorable discharge. Ile returned to his farm in Lucas county and continued the work of development, carrying it forward successfully until his death, which occurred upon the homestead, January 22, 1884. The mother has also passed away, dying in Lucas county. February 22, 1894. To their union were born the following children: Eden, who was born April 14. 1854, and who is now residing in Berry county, Missouri; Ella, who died at the age of three years; Mrs. Mary Jones, a resident of Plainview, Texas; Helen, deceased ; Eliza- beth, who has also passed away; . John W., who was born September 23, 1860. and who is now one of the leading attorneys of Ottumwa. lowa: Seaman W .. of this review : William R., who was born May 11. 1872, and who died in October. 1907 ; and Amanda L., the widow of W. B. Barger of Ottumwa, lowa.
Seaman W. Lewis acquired his education in the public schools of Lucas county and remained a continuous resident of that section until he moved into Ilumeston. When he laid aside his books he followed farming, with which he has been connected during the greater portion of his life. He owns at the present time three hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in Union township and his activities in the management of this enterprise for many years con- stituted one of the factors in local development. In 1909 he moved to Colorado in order to give his wife the benefit of the healthful climate of that state but two years later returned and on March 1. 1912, moved into Humeston and accepted the position of cashier of the Humeston State Bank. He has already come to be regarded as an able and farsighted financier of great business and executive ability and the affairs of the bank have prospered greatly under his administration.
On October 16, 1891. Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Etta Carlton, who was born in Union township. Useas county, June 20, 1871. In that county she grew to womanhood, attending the public schools of the com- imity. Her father, JJohn E. Carlton, was a native of West Point. Dubuque county. born October 31. 1836. He came as one of the earliest settlers to Imucas county and there died September 15, 1895. His wife, who was in her maiden- hood Miss Rebecca Fontz, was born in Canton, Ilinois. November IS, 1841. and died in Union township, December 17, 1893. In their family were four children : Charles E .. born July 24, 1867, who is residing in Portland, Oregon ; Orley E .. who was born fune 21, 1869, and who is now residing in Humeston : Sarah Etta. who became the wife of the subject of this review : and Robert F., who was born December 16, 1879, and died July 10, 1881. Mrs. Seaman W. Lewis died April 25, 1912. She was the mother of three children: Lottie, who was born Angust 26, 1892, and died September 16. 1902: Walter Carlton, who was born August 6, 1894, and who is now attending the high school in Immeston; and Nellie, who was born September 29, 1904, and who is pursuing her studies in the public schools of Ihmmeston.
Mr. Lewis gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has served ably and conscientiously as township trustee and school director of I'nion township. Ile is a member of the Modern Woodmen of American in Derby and
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belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Humeston. He is a worthy representative of one of the most highly respected pioneer families in Iowa and possesses many sterling traits of character and mind which endear him greatly to all with whom he is associated.
JOHN J. STIRLING.
Joli J. Stirling exerts a widely felt influence upon public opinion in Cory- don and vicinity as the publisher and editor of the Wayne County Democrat, a newspaper which enjoys a large circulation in this district. He was born in Keokuk, Iowa, May 4, 1872, and is a son of John and Harriet ( Thomas) Stirling. The grandfather, John Stirling, was a native of Scotland, who in 1858 erossed with his family to the United States and located in New Hampshire. In 1866 he decided to seek the greater opportunities of the growing west and came to lowa. where he located in Bonaparte, but later moved to Farmington, where he estab- lished an enterprise which in later years beeame of great importance to the growth of this city-the Stirling Woolen Mill Company-which he ran for thirty years, or until his demise. Mrs. Harriet Stirling, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of George Thomas, a native of Pennsylvania, who in the early '40s became a pioneer of Jefferson county, Towa, and in 1854 came to Wayne county, where he followed agricultural pursuits during his active life.
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