USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 2
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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
DAVID H. KERBY.
David IT. Kerby, who in 1912 was called upon to serve as mayor of Seymour and who in the short time since his election has brought about a number of remedial measures of great importance to the well-being and growth of the community, is one of the foremost lawyers of the city. Ilis tireless energy. industry and knowledge have gained for him the substantial reward which he finds in his extensive practice and in recognition by his fellow citizens as one of the men of affairs in this district.
David H. Kerby is a native of lowa, in which state he was born in Appanoose county. May 28. 1855, and is a son of Sammel and Mary F. (Poarey) Kerby. The father was born in Randolph county, Missouri, in 1827, and was a son of David Kerby, of Kentucky, who was of English descent. At the time when The family was established in the I'nited States four Kerby brothers came from the motherland to Virginia in colonial days and From these four Kerby brothers all the members of the American Kerby family are descended. The grandfather of our subject, David Kerby, came from Kentucky to Missouri in the early
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history of that state, about 1824. He was a true type of a pioneer and a versatile man, practiced and accomplished in various professions and trades. For seven- teen years he was active as a hunter and wagon maker and his services as such were in great demand in the pioneer districts in which he resided: but he was also a man of learning and combined with his pursuits the practice of medieine, while at times when there was no minister to spread the gospel he would tend to the ministration of souls as a preacher. He was married three times and became the father of a large family, members of which are found today in many states of the Union. There were born to him twenty-six children. nine daughters and seventeen sons, all of whom grew up to be useful citizens in the sections in which they resided, the youngest son dying shortly after he had reached his majority. David Kerby was a man not only accomplished and well read but of extraordinary physique, his strength and good health remaining with him until he attained an advanced age. He often took pleasure in recount- ing an incident from his youthful days illustrating his physical power, when he used to climb the trees to suspend from their branches the deer killed on the hunt to save it from attacks of the wolves, carrying the body in his teeth.
Ewing Kerby, an unele of our subject, was the first white man to build a cabin in Appanoose county, lowa, and his daughter was the first white child born in this county. Another cousin of our subject, Elizabeth Daily Stephens, was the second white child born in Appanoose county. Samuel Kerby, the father of our subject, followed agricultural pursuits during his life and came to Fowa before the Civil war. In this great conflict he served for twelve months with the state militia and after being discharged returned to Missouri, where he subsequently followed farming for the rest of his life and passed away in Schuyler county. that state, on the 10th of March, 1908. Although he had hardly enjoyed any school privileges, he educated himself by profound and wide reading and as he was a great student not only of books but also of condi- tions as they existed and people as they were, he became a great judge of human nature. He was familiar with the books of the best thinkers the world has produced and took delight in studying such profound men as Demosthenes, Ingersoll, Talmage and many others. Naturally his judgment was often referred to by his fellowmen, who greatly esteemed him for his profound knowledge, and depended upon his decisions as final in such controversies as would arise from time to time. His religion was that of the Methodist church and his political views inclined towards the republican party, in the ranks of which he was active, although he never sought office as a reward for party fealty. Ile brought to all public matters that high-minded interest which it is the privilege and duty of every citizen to take who is concerned in the welfare and future of this great nation.
The mother of our subject, Mrs. Mary F. (Pearey) Kerby, was a daughter of Henry and Millie ( Collier) Pearey, of Kentucky. The parents removed from the Blue Grass state to Missouri during the pioneer times of 1830 and made settlement in Carter county. Later they removed to Jasper county, where Mr. Pearey settled upon a squatter's claim which today constitutes a part of the thriving city of Carthage, Missouri. Later he removed to the northern part of Missouri, where he lived until his demise. In 1849, when the gold finds of California attracted the attention of the world, he made his way to that far-off
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country, where he remained in search of the precious metal. and again in 1559 we find him in the Pike's Peak country, where he prospected in search of a fortune. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kerby were the parents of eleven children. two of whom died in infancy. The others are: Millie A., who married C. B. Webb, a resident of Colorado, and has seven children, one of whom is deceased ; Martha E .. who is the wife of Butler Porter, resides in Missouri and has six children ; David TI., of this review ; Mary S., who married R. Alexander, since deceased. and is the mother of eight children, making her home in Missouri; Sarah F., who married James Graves, by whom she has ten children, five of whom are engaged in school teaching, and who makes her home in Schuyler county. Mis- souri : Benjamin L., who resides in Schuyler county, Missouri, and has attained prosperity as a farmer and trader there and has seven children ; Emma B., who married Ed Porter, by whom she has two children, and resides in Schuyler county, Missouri: Samuel L. who makes his home with his mother on the old home place: and Laura M .. the wife of Sammel B. Shumate, by whom she has two children, a resident of Schuyler county, Missouri. The mother of Edward Porter, brother-in-law of our subject, is still living and in good health at the age of ninety-five years. She was the first woman in the state of Ohio to draw a salary as a school teacher. Mrs. Sammel Kerby is still active and looks after her own work in the household at the age of eighty-three. Her interest in pres- ent day occurrences has not in the least abated and she has the esteem and friendship of many who have had the honor of her acquaintance.
David II. Kerby was reared at home and during his youthful days made him- self useful upon his father's farm. He received his education in the common schools of Missouri and lowa and after having completed his education taught school, reading law at the same time. Out of three years he taught thirty-three months, attended two courses of one month each at a normal school and read law, so he was able to complete his course in that time and was admitted to the bar in 1983. This extraordinary accomplishment stands as irrefutable proof of his iron will and of his energy in attaining his ambition and will always redound to his credit. In the spring of Isst he began the practice of law in Seymour, lowa, and has since been engaged in the pursuit of his profession in that city, with the exception of two years which he spent in Kansas and two in which he practiced in Sioux City, lowa. He is a man marked by strength of character and in the course of his career has won the high regard and confidence of his clients and colleagues in the profession. He has won favorable criticism for himself for the careful and systematic methods which he follows in pro- paring his cases. He has a remarkable power of concentration and application. and his retentive memory has often excited the wonder of other lawyers. He stands high in the discussion of legal matters before the court, Where his com- prehensive knowledge of the law stands him in good stead, and by the applica- tion of legal principles he demonstrates the wide scope of his professional attain- ments, He occupies an enviable position at the Wayne county bar and in the presentation of his cases is so clear, forceful and concise that he seldom fails to carry the verdict he desires. Naturally the circle of his clients has expanded year by year as his attainments have increased and as his reputation has grown, and today he is recognized as one of the foremost men of the bar in these parts of the state. He is entirely free from ostentation and carries most of his cases
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to success by the simple weight of his character and the clear demonstration of the legal points in litigation, and he has been carried to the eminent position which he now occupies in the life of the community by a laudable ambition which has permeated his whole life's course and has carried him forward to success and prosperity.
In April, 1883, David HT. Kerby married Miss Anna Loomis, a daughter of William and Mary ( Klinkingheard ) Loomis. the former a native of New York who became one of the early settlers of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Kerby have one daughter, Mary E., who was born in Seymour in 1884, and in 1909 married Dr. Edwin Burchett, a resident of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Kerby are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
David H. Kerby has, ever since he became a resident of Seymour, been con- nected with the growth and welfare of the community. He has been not only an interested witness of the changes that the times have brought about, but he has been a helpful and cooperant factor in the general advancement of this section. His activities in many ways have been constructive in the development of the locality and everything he has been called upon to do in the interests of the general public he has done well. His political views are those of the democratic party and he has always taken an active interest in spreading the doctrines and principles of this great organization. and his voice in its local councils is often heeded and always respectfully listened to. In 1912 his fellow citizens honored him with election to the highest office in their gift-the mayor's chair-and in the few months since he has taken up the reins of the city goverment he has demonstrated his energy and his term of administration promises to be one of greatest benefit to the healthful growth of the community. His fraternal rela- tions are confined to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the local lodge of which he has held all of the chairs. David HI. Kerby is a successful man in the truest sense of the word, a man unusually broad-minded and intelligent, tol- erant and with wide experience. Never mercenary or grasping and always belier- ing in something greater than mere material wealth, he has in the course of his life, which he has spent simply and unostentatiously, become a factor for good in his community in almost every phase of endeavor. Quick to discriminate between the essential and non-essential not only in matters of law. but also in public affairs, his varied activities redound to his own credit and to his individ- ual success, while they have been for the benefit of the community as well.
GEORGE ELMORE.
George Elmore, now living retired in Seymour, has had a long and active business career characterized by many changes in occupation and location, all of which have materially advanced his interests. From 1890 to 1903 he was in the coal mining business in this eity and by years of earnest and well directed work earned the retirement he is now enjoying. He was born in New York, April 22, 1846, and is a son of Daniel and Helena (Yager) Elmore, both natives of that state, the former of English descent and the latter of German lineage. The father of our subjeet was a Methodist minister and was also active at carpen-
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tering. He and his wife became the parents of eight children: Mary J. and M. P., both of whom have passed away : Inliet M .. a resident of Lodi, New York : Carrie, deceased ; Sylvester; Celestia, whose home is in the state of New York ; F. L. Day, who was killed in the Civil war; and George, of this review.
George Elmore acquired his education in New York, where he attended an academy, and after laying aside his books he left home and clerked in a grocery store in Illinois for some time. Later he spent one year traveling for a nursery concern. but finally returned to New York and resinned his studies. In 1866 he came west, locating in Wyoming, where he obtained employment with the Wyoming Coal Company, acting for about four years as superintendent of mines. In 1869 he went east on a visit and remained in New York until April of the following year, when he went to Clinton. lowa, and there established himself in the retail wood, coal and ice business. At the expiration of four years he went to British Columbia and was successful as a fur trader until 1590. This period of his life was extremely interesting. as during the time he traveled over the greater part of northern Canada, journeying on the Fraser river almost to its source in search of furs. During that time he opened a trading post and this was so signally successful that he gave his entire attention to the business. establishing posts at various points. He was in partnership with his brother, M. P. Ehore, and together they secured a gratifying patronage. becoming sue- cessful and well known as reliable fur traders. In 1890 Mr. Ehmmore returned to lowa, settling in Seymour, where, with his brother. M. P. Elmore, and R. I. Armstrong, he purchased the Sunshine coal mine, which he operated until 1903. when they disposed of the enterprise and Mr. Ehmore retired.
In 1874 Mr. Elmore married Miss Luella Maple, a daughter of Henry and Maria Maple, of Illinois, the former of whom passed away when Mrs. Elmore was still a child. Mr. Elmore gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is publie-spirited and progressive in his citizenship. In 1896 his fel- low citizens called upon him to accept the office of mayor and he did such able. progressive, straightforward and businesslike work that in 1908 he was again chosen to the office. He is a man of marked intelligence and great force of char- acter, whose natural ability makes him an ideal leader of public thought and opinion.
OSBORN BRADLEE COBB.
Osborn Bradlee Cobb, cashier of the Allerton State Bank. for many years gav. his exelisive attention to agricultural pursuits. with which he is still engaged, being the owner of a highly cultivated and well improved farm of two hundred and thirty acres, located in the vicinity of Allerton. A native of New Hampshire, his birth occurred at Hart's Location. Carroll county, that state, on May 11, 1-59, his parents being Samuel F. and Harriet ( Bradlee) Cohb. The father was a native of Maine and the mother of Massachusetts, but they were married in the last named state, whener they subsequently removed to New Hampshire, settling at Hart's Location. There Samuel F. Cobb engaged in farming until 1869, when he disposed of his interests and removed to lowa with
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his family. He came direct to Wayne county and bought eighty acres of prairie land, in the cultivation of which he met with such success that he was later able to increase his holdings by the purchase of adjoining tracts, until his farm con- tained two hundred acres. The further improvement and cultivation of his plaee engaged his attention until his death, which occurred in March. 1901, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother, who is in her eighty-second year, now makes her home in Allerton. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. Cobb mm- bered six, three sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the eldest.
Osborn Bradlee Cobb, who was a lad of ten years when he came to lowa with his father's family, was reared at home and educated in the public schools. He remained at home and assisted in the cultivation of the farm until he had attained his majority. The day after he was twenty-one he left the parental roof and went to working for wages. The next winter he attended school and in the spring he began farming for himself as a renter. By the practice of diligence and thrift during the succeeding two years, teaching school in the winter and farming in the summer, he managed to save enough to enable him to purchase eighty acres of land, which formed the neleus of his present valuable farm. He worked tirelessly, early and late, and as the years passed added to the value of his place by the introduction of various improvements, and as his circumstances permitted increased his acreage. His land, which has a natural drainage, is all under cultivation and through careful tilling and intelligent rotation of crops has been brought into a high state of productivity. His prin- cipal erops are hay and such cereals as can be used in the feeding of stock, as in connection with his diversified farming he is raising horses, cattle and hogs and does some feeding for the market. His horses, of which he has twenty head, are Pereherons, while his hogs are thoroughbred Chester Whites. His cattle are high-grade Durhams. a bull and several of the cows in his herd being registered. The entire place is feneed with barbed and woven wire and it is equipped with everything needed by the agriculturist, including many modern conveniences and labor-saving appliances not found on the average farm. All of the buildings now in use on the place have been erected during the ownership of Mr. Cobb. His residence, an attractive two-story and basement structure, contains nine rooms with ample closets and pantries. Practical in design and convenient in arrangement. it is well adapted to meet all the needs of the family. It was erected in 1901 and is thoroughly modern in every respect, being provided with a light- ing system and furnace heat. At a convenient distance from the house are located the barns, one of which is thirty-six by forty-six feet and the other forty by forty- eight feet, and the various sheds and ontbuildings necessary for the protection of the stock and grain. The water supply for all purposes is provided by bored wells and a spring in the pasture. Everything about the place manifests competent supervision from the appearance of the fields to the condition of the stock and the well repaired buildings. Although his duties as cashier ocenpy the greater part of his time. Mr. Cobb directs and plans the work of the farm, in the operation of which he is assisted by his sons.
On the 2d of September, 1886, Mr. Cobb was married to Miss Myrta Kil- bourn. a daughter of John and Amy ( Loomis) Kilbourn. natives of Connecticut. They came west in early life, settling in Portage county, Ohio. There the grand- father took up some land as did also her father. The parents passed the
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remainder of their lives on the old homestead, which is now in the possession of Charles Kilbourn. their son. Mrs. Cobb was born on the 30th of March. 1861, and is the second in order of birth in a family of three. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Cobb, as follows: Itasca, who died at the age of eight months: Arlo B., who was born on the 5th of January, 1889. and was graduated from the Allerton high school with the class of 1909. following which he took a course in the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines; Otra A .. who was born on the 4th of November, 1591. and was graduated from the Aller- ton high school with the class of 1913: Rola R., whose birth occurred on Novem- ber 25. 1893. a high school student : Lora M., who was born on the 6th of July. 1897. also attending high school ; and Laro F., whose natal day was the 13th of September, 190), in grammar school.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Cobb is publie-spirited. taking an active inter- est in all movements affecting the general welfare or progress of the community. lle is one of the active members of the Wayne County Farmers' Institute. and was president of this organization for two years, while for several years he was president of the Allerton Chautauqua Association. His political support he gives to the republican party and cast his first vote for President Garfield. He has served with efficiency in various local offices. having been trustee or clerk of Warren township for sixteen years, while for four he was a mem- her of the school board. Mr. Cobb is a man of good judgment and keen discernment in matters of business and has met with more than average success in the development of his interests. He holds stock in various local enterprises and is numbered among the representative citizens of the town. Progressive in his ideas, trustworthy in his business methods and honorable and upright in his private life, Mr. Cobb is accorded the confidence and esteem of a large cirele of acquaintances and is considered by those who know him a worthy representa- tive of one of the county's honored pioneer families.
CLINTON D SMITHI.
One of the most successful men of Washington township and even of Imeas county. is Clinton D. Smith, who with few interruptions has made his home in the aforementioned township since 1864. Along various lines prosperity has come to Mr. Smith, for he is not only one of the foremost farmers and stock-raisers of his district. marketing more hogs than any other farmer in Washington township, but he also owns conjointly with his brother, E. A. Smith, three hundred acres of choice land in Benton township and property in Russell, where he is also a director and vice president of the Russell State Bank. Moreover. Mr. Smith is gifted with an inventive mind, being the first man to receive a patent on a road drag, and he now owns a factory in Russell for the manufacture of these implements. Prosperity, even wealth, has come to Mr. Smith entirely through his own efforts, for he started in a humble way and what he has achieved well entitles him to that distinction of which an American is most proud, the right to be called a self-made man.
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While Mr. Smith has made large personal gains, he has been a constructive factor in the development of agriculture and industries in Lucas county, and his attainments are largely to be considered publie assets. Ever interested in the general welfare and material as well as moral and intellectual advance- ment, he has given readily of his time and means to promote worthy publie enterprises or private enterprises which contribute to the resources of the seetion.
Clinton D. Smith was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, August 5, 1857, a son of Jacob and Emmeline (Vogel) Smith, the father born in Muskingum county in March, 1827, and the mother a native of Germany. In 1862 the parents with their family, including Clinton, who was then but five years of age, came overland to Wapello county, lowa, and made settlement in Blakes- burg, where they resided until 1864, when a removal to Washington township was made. The father died at Russell on the 26th of April, 1890 .. The mother, who had more claim to be called an American than a German, for she was brought to this country when only a few months old, also passed away in Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of six children : Augusta, born November 2, 1853, who married Thomas C. Thorne, a prosper- ous agriculturist, who operates a fine farm on section 16, Union township, and of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work. Mrs. Adelia Thornbrne, who was born March 12, 1855, and who makes her home in Des Moines, lowa : Clinton D., our subject : E. A., born April 22, 1859, also a resident of Russell and owning valuable land in partnership with our sub- jeet in Benton township; Mrs. Violet Coen, whose birth occurred on Feb- ruary 15, 1861, and who makes her home in Afton, Iowa; and Mrs. Adessa Plotts, born January 25, 1866, who resides in Des Moines.
Clinton D. Smith was brought by his parents to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1862, and in 1864 removed with the family to Washington township, of which he has ever since been a continuous resident, barring some extended trips and vacations which he took at various times to Oklahoma, California, Texas and other places. An ox team was used when the family made the overland journey to Iowa and Mr. Smith still has the yoke and chain in his possession. In the acquirement of his education he attended the pioneer schools of Wash- ington township and it is worthy of mention that his first teacher was John A. Logan. Acquiring such knowledge as the crude educational facilities of the time permitted, he laid aside his text-books at the usual age and early in life began to earn his own support. In his early days in Washington town- ship he drove six yoke of oxen, breaking the prairie and preparing land for cultivation. Conditions were most primitive at the time and wild animals were yet to be found here. Rattlesnakes were plentiful and troublesome. Ilis first wages after attaining manhood were fifteen dollars a month, but as he was frugal and saving he succeeded in laying away a portion of his earn- ings, judicionsly investing his money. Mr. Smith was one of those who at one time sought the opportunities Oklahoma offered to the new settler and was among the first to take up residence at Oklahoma City, turning the prim- itive press from which was issued the first edition of the Oklahomanian. He was the fifth white man in the Arapahoe and Cheyenne reservations in Okla homa at the time they were opened. The other four members of the party Vol II-2
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