USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
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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 D. STURGEON.
One of the most successful agriculturists and stockmen of Wayne county is David D. Sturgeon, who resides on a farm of six hundred and eighty aeres the greater part of which is located on sections 5 and 6 of laekson township, and the remainder in Corydon township. He has long been a resident of lowa, Having settled here when this section of the state was largely undeveloped prai- rie and gave little promise of its future prominence as an agricultural district. Mr. Sturgeon was born in Centerville. Pennsylvania, on the 20th of May, 1836, and is a son of Robert and Eliza ( Rogers) Sturgeon. The parents, who were born, reared and married in the Keystone state, removed to Ohio in 1839, and there resided for seventeen years. In 1856, they continued their journey west . ward to Appanoose county, lowa, where they passed the remainder of their lives. the mother passing away in 1869. at the age of sixty-five years, while the father was eighty at the time of his death. his natal year being 1799. They were the parents of twelve children, our subject being the eighth in order of birth.
David D. Sturgeon was a child of only three years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and a youth of twenty when the family came to lowa. In the acquirement of his education he first attended the district and public schools of Martinsburg, Ohio, completing his course of study in the academy at Chesterville, that state. At the age of seventeen years he laid aside his text-books and began his apprenticeship at the silversmith's trade. When he was twenty-one he identified himself with the commercial interests of Con- terville, Iowa, where for twenty-five years he successfully engaged in the jew- elry business. Owing to failing eyesight at the expiration of that time he was compelled to seek another occupation and disposing of his store he came to Wayne county and bought a farm. and has ever since been engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He has directed his undertakings in a well organized, capable manner and has met with more than an average meas- ure of success, and now hokls the title to three thousand acres of land, the greater portion of it being located in Wayne and Appanoose counties and the remainder in Missouri and Kansas. The land in his home place has a natural drainage and has been brought to a high state of productivity. The entire tract is fenced with barbed wire, and the improvements on the place are consist- ent with the spirit of progress and enterprise he has always manifested as a
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business men. In connection with the cultivation of his fields he raises graded Jersey cattle and hogs for the market and also horses and mules.
In religions faith Mr. Sturgeon is a Methodist, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through all of the chairs and encampment. During the Civil war he volunteered his services three times, but was always rejected because of an injury he had sustained to his hand. However, he went to the front to take care of a brother-in-law, who had previously joined the army and was ill, remaining in the south until the close of hostilities. 'His allegiance in matters politie Mr. Sturgeon gives to the repub- lican party, but has never been identified with official affairs. He is interested in the Corydon Lumber Company of Corydon. and is numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of Wayne county, where he is accorded by all who know him the esteem and respect ever extended to enterprising men of honorable and upright business methods. Mr. Sturgeon has been an interested observer of the prog- ress and development of this section of lowa, toward the advancement of which he has contributed his quota both as a business man and agriculturist. When he first came here the country was but sparsely settled. and the woods still abounded with wild game, deer being plentiful, while the settlers were com- pelled to protect their stock from the wolves.
WILLIAM E. WYATT.
William E. Wyatt is the owner of valuable property interests in Lucas county, owning one hundred and sixty acres of choice land in Union township besides a comfortable residence in Derby, where he makes his home. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of lowa. having come to this county with his parents in 1853, but his birth occurred in Edgar county. Illi- nois. September 19, 1847. Ile is a son of S. Y. and Eliza (Scott ) Wyatt. natives of Virginia, who made the overland journey in 1853 and settled in Clarke county, Iowa, where they made their home for a number of years. They endured all of the hardships and difficulties of pioneer existence but eventually devel- oped a well improved and productive farm. The father died in Clarke county at the age of eighty-six and the mother passed away in Lucas county. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following grew to maturity : William E., of this review; Jacob, who is engaged in farming in U'nion town ship: James, of Montana : and Mrs. Electa Jane Wells, who has passed away.
William E. Wyatt grew to manhood on his father's farm in Franklin town ship. Clarke county, and there remained until he was twenty-one years of age. lle then married but continued to reside in the vicinity, engaging in farming for a minber of years. In 1883 he removed 10 Derby and here he turned his attention to the general merchandise business, developing in the course of years a large and important enterprise and building up an extensive patron age as result of his tine stock of goods, his reasonable prices and his honorable and straightforward business methods. Mr. Wyatt till continues to make his home in Derby and he is numbered today among the valued and respected resi dents of that city. He owns a well furnished home here and one hundred and
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sixty acres of land in Union township, to which he gives active and careful supervision.
On the 10th of December, 1868, Mr. Wyatt was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Levally, who was born in Eddyville. lowa. December 19, 1848, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Tunks) Levally, the former of whom died in Eddyville, Iowa. The mother afterward moved to Union township, Lucas county, and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this review. Upon this property she passed away in January, 1882. She and her husband became the parents of four children: Mrs. Phoebe Garland, who has passed away; Mrs. Martha Irvin, of Weldon, Iowa; Henry Benton, who enlisted from Lucas county for service in the Union army and died upon the battlefield; and Mrs. Wyatt, wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt have an adopted son, Lee W. Lugar, whom they took into their home at the age of eighteen months. A more extended mention of his career appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Wyatt belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Yeomen in Derby and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. They are devont members of the Christian church at Last Chance. Both are representa- tives of well known families of this county and have an extensive acquaintance within its borders, their fine qualities of character having commanded the con- fidence and high regard of their fellow citizens.
JOHN C. AND W. J. FULLER.
Joli C. Fuller, a native of Magog, Canada, where he was born September 25, 1835, now lives retired in his comfortable home in Lucas after a long and active career as agriculturist, having followed farming in Lucas county sinee 1872. His parents, Benjamin and Susan (Chapman) Fuller, were also natives of that country, where they passed away. The maternal ancestors originally came from the United States.
John C. Fuller was reared under the parental roof in Canada, remaining in that country until he was twenty-eight years of age, when in 1863 he removed to Illinois where he remained for nine years, following agricultural pursuits until in 1872 he came to Lucas county. lowa, where he and his wife have resided since. They settled in Liberty township where he attained success. his inces- sant labor, energy and thorough methods bringing him prosperity. A few vears ago he retired and purchased a comfortable home in Lucas, and there he spends his declining years in the enjoyment of a competence.
On August 20, 1855, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Nel- son, who was also born in Canada on Christmas day, 1835. She made the trip to Illinois with her husband in 1863, a journey which consumed eighteen days on account of inclement weather, and subsequently remained his true and faith- ful helpmate, sharing success and adversity alike. Her parents, Major General Manley Nelson, a well known officer, and Mrs. Belinda (Smith) Nelson, are both deeeased. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller became parents of ten children of whom the four eldest were born in Canada, the next three in Illinois and the remain-
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der in Lucas county. They are as follows: Lunette C., deceased; Ernest Elbert, who has also passed away: Mrs. S. S. Compston, a resident of North Platte, Nebraska : Manly J., residing in Lucas; Olaf B., who also makes his home in that city ; Herbert F., of Bedford. lowa: Engene D., who passed away in June, 1891; Orris JJ .. of Chariton; W. J .. of Lucas; and Bert C., of Cres- ton, this state.
Of this family W. A. Fuller was born in Lucas county, lowa, May 16. 1874, and there attended public schools and grew to manhood. He early became con- neeted with coal mining interests of Lucas and is thus identified at the present time. He was married. February 9. 1897, to Miss Lily May Patterson, who was born in Washington county, Ohio, May 7, 1880. and of her parentage more extended mention is made on another page of this volume under the caption J. D. Patterson. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Fuller were born three children : Ona, born June 5, 1899: Fleta. born in October. 1902: and Zora Belle, born February 27, 1907. All of these are attending the public school in Lucas. Pub- lie-spirited and progressive. Mr. Fuller carries on the honorable traditions of the family and is making' for himself a substantial place in the community. Wherever known he is highly respected and esteemed and he and his wife are popular among the younger residents of Lucas.
EIGENE A. SMITH.
Eugene A. Smith is one of the extensive landowners of Lucas county. carry- mg on general farming upon two hundred and forty aeres in Washington town- ship and owning besides a half interest in three hundred acres in Benton township. He is still active in the conduct of his farming interests but resides in Russell, where he owns a modern and well furnished home. He was born in Muskin- gum county. Ohio. April 22. 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Emmeline ( Vogel) Smith, the former a native of Muskinginn county, born in March, 1827, and the latter of Germany. The parents moved to Wapello county. lowa, making the journey overland in 1862, and they settled in Blakesburg. where they resided for some time. On the 26th of March, 1864. they moved to Lucas county and the father died on the farm near Russell, on the 26th of April. 1890. The mother, who was brought to America when she was a few months old, also passed away in this city. Eight children were born to their union : Angusta, the wife of Thomas C. Thorne. a Farmer in Union township : Mrs. Adelia Thorn- brie, who was born March 12, 1855, and who now resides in Des Moines, łowa ; C. D., who was born Angust 5, 1857, and resides near Russell: Eugene A., of this review; Mrs. Violet Con, whose birth occurred February 15, 1861. and who makes her home in Afton. lowa : Mrs. Adessa Plotts, who was born January 25, 1566, and who now resides in Des Moines; one who died in infancy unnamed ; and Algernon, who died at the age of two years.
Eugene A. Smith was three years of age when he accompanied his parents on their overland journey to lowa. He came with them to Lucas county in 1864 and here acquired his education. After laying aside his books he turned his attention to farming and this ocenpation he has since followed with gratify-
EUGENE A. SMITH
PUBLO LUMARY
ACTI LIN X TILDEN FU NA NS
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ing success. He owns today two hundred and forty aeres in Washington town- ship, with a set of good improvements, and in conjunction with his brother C. D. Smith has three hundred aeres of choice land in Benton township, this latter property being supplied with excellent barns and outbuildings and labor- saving machinery. Mr. Smith resides in Russell, where he owns a comfortable home and where he has become widely and favorably known as a progressive business man and publie-spirited citizen.
On the 30th of September, 1885, Mr. Smith married Miss Carrie W. Lutz, who was born in Bushnell, Illinois. May 14. 1863. She is a danghter of George and Elizabeth ( Ewald) Lutz, natives of Germany, the former born in Bavaria, August 16. 1829, and the latter born March 20, 1837. The father came to America in 1852 and the parents were married at Bushnell, Illinois, where they resided until 1884, coming in that year to Lucas county, lowa, where the father engaged in farming. Both have passed away. George Lutz dying at Russell in the home of his daughter. Mrs. Smith, March 2, 1904, having survived his wife, who died at Russell, February 3, 1902. Six children were born to their union : Nicholas, whose birth occurred January 15, 1861. and who died at Chariton, May 3, 1912: Mrs. Smith. wife of the subject of this review: John, who was born June 25, 1866. and who died at Macon, Missouri, April 20, 1888; George, who was born December 3, 1868, and who resides in South Dakota; Louis, who passed away at the age of six months; and Mrs. Elizabeth Blanchard, who was born October 12, 1876, and who resides in Chariton. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of two sons; Guy Walter, who was born July 21, 189], who graduated from the Russell high school and who is at present attending the Capital City Commercial College of Des Moines; and Howard Engene, whose birth occurred January 14. 1896. and who is attending public school in Russell.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in his political beliefs and served for four years as a member of the school board and for a similar period of time on the city council. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes a prominent part. His life is at all times in harmony with his professions and those who know him entertain for him the highest regard because of his admirable qualities of heart and mind.
FRED CALVIN WYATT.
Fred Calvin Wyatt is well known in agricultural eireles of Lueas and Clarke counties as superintendent of his father's extensive farming interests and in business circles of Derby as a successful dealer in horses. He is a native son of this part of lowa, born in Franklin township, Clarke county. April 10, 1875, his parents being Jacob B. and Dora E. (Wolverton) Wyatt, of whom extended mention is found elsewhere in this work.
I'red Calvin Wyatt grew to manhood upon his father's farm in Union town- ship and acquired his primary education in the district schools, supplement- ing this by one and a half years at Simpson College at Indianola. For two years after beginning his independent career he was a clerk in Sutton's store in Derby, after which he formed a partnership with Mr. Pollard under the firm
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name of Wyatt & Pollard. The partners conducted a large and profitable mer- cantile establishment in Derby for five years, after which Mr. Wolverton became connected with the concern and the name was changed to Wyatt & Wolverton. After a very successful business career Mr. Wyatt retired from the conduct of this mercantile concern and turned his attention to farming. operating an excel- lent traet of land in Union township for three years thereafter. At the end of that time, however, he returned to Derby, where his time is now fully occupied by his duties of superintending his father's two hundred and forty aere farm in Franklin township. (Parke county, and his extensive interests as a horse dealer, he having through his energy, industry and sound judgment built up a profitable patronage along this line.
Fred Calvin Wyatt married Miss Ressa C. Johnson, who was born in Derby, lowa, and who grew to womanhood in this city. attending the common schools and supplementing this by a course in the Conservatory of Music at Indianola. Extended mention is made of her parents on another page of this work in con- nection with the sketch of W. P. Wolverton. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt have become the parents of three children: Marie, Dwight and Elizabeth, all of whom were born in Derby and are now attending publie school in that city. Mr. Wyatt gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and was elected township clerk but could not qualify as he had removed his residence from the township. While making his home in Clarke county he served as a member of the board of education and is at present connected with the Derby board. IIe and his wife are both representatives of pioneer families of Iowa and have an extensive acquaintance within the borders of Lucas county. where their many excellent traits of character are known and recognized.
LIFT'S HOLT.
The year 1856 marked the arrival of Lifus Holt in lowa, for it was in that year that he located in Clarke county, becoming an early pioneer of this section of the state. He was born in Martin county. Indiana. December 29. 1846, and when ten years old emigrated overland with his parents by ox team to seek the broader opportunities of the vet undeveloped west. His parents were John and Ava ( Kilgore; Holt, natives of Indiana, who were born in 1824 and 1827. respectively. During life the father followed agricultural pursuits and, con- quering pioneer conditions and overcoming hardships and obstacles, succeeded in establishing a profitable farming enterprise, passing away on January 2. 1864. after a useful life of only about forty years. The mother survived only a few months, her death occurring in Lucas county in November of the same year. In their family were the following children: Lifus, of this review; Mrs. Allie Ferguson, of Sac county, lowa : Kellogg, of Fremont county ; Nelson. deceased : H. C., residing in Warren county; Mrs. Sarah Ann Felton, of New Virginia ; Sterling H., of Clarke county; and Mrs. Catherine Pennington, of Otter Creek township, The older children were born in Indiana and the younger ones in lowa.
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Reared amid pioneer conditions. Lifus Holt received such educational advan- tages as the neighborhood afforded and early acquainted himself with agricul- tural labors by assisting his father with the work of the farm. In steeled his spirit by hard work on the unbroken prairie and in wresting from the wilder- ness a verdant and fertile farm. No railroads were there at the time of his arrival and such conditions as surrounded him were of the most primitive kind. Indians were still plentiful and wild game often furnished the meat for the table. However, this hard school of experience formed a character which makes Lifus HIolt respected and esteemed by all who know him and which was the foundation of his success. Today he owns eighty acres of choice land on see- tion 31, Otter Creek township, with a well appointed residence and substantial outbuildings, the appearance of his farm indicating the prosperity which has been his.
In 1873 Mr. Holt was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Holt, who was born in Indiana, November 16, 1856, and in that state she grew to woman- hood. Her father, Henry Holt, was born in Pennsylvania in 1830 and died in Indiana at the ripe old age of seventy-eight, in 1909. Her mother, Vina
Ritchey) Holt, was born in the latter state in 1835 and there died on April 9, 1913, having reached the same age as her husband. Mrs. Lifus Holt has one half-brother. Henry Nichols, who resides in Indiana. Her other brothers and sisters were: Jacob, of Indiana; Mrs. Catherine Armstrong, deceased; Chris- topher, also of Indiana ; Emma, deceased; Rowena, who has also passed away; Mrs. Alma Blackamore, of Indiana: Doswell, also a resident of that state; Mrs. Margaret Hall. of Mississippi; Mrs. Lnella Cables, of New York; James, of Indiana; and George, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lifus Holt have five chil- dron : Mrs. Rowena Manley, born December 21, 1874, of Otter Creek township : Henry, born May 1. 1876, of Lneas; lohn, whose birth oceured January 21. 1878. and who is also a resident of Lucas; Seymour, born on Christmas day, 1884. who assists his father in the work of the farm; and Mrs. Georgia A. Evans, born June 19. 1888, who resides in Jackson township. All of these children were born and reared in Otter Creek township and are common school graduates.
In his political affiliations Mr. Holt is a democrat and stanehly supports his party's candidates at the polls. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Union church of Clarke county. He still is active in the operation of his eighty acre tract of valuable land on section 31. Otter Creek township, devoting his labors to its cultivation and contributing by his work to the agri- cultural advancement of the county.
HENRY WESTFALL.
A native of Union township, Lucas county, Henry Westfall has practically passed his entire life in this vicinity. having been continually identified with agricultural interests either as an active agrienlturist or in buying and selling live stock. He is a member of one of the oldest families of Union township and it has been that pioneer spirit which has made itself felt in his career and
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brought him snecess. One hundred and sixty aeres, verdant and in good bear- ing, stand as evidence of his success and not only prove the able management of his private affairs but represent the part he has taken in the general agricul- tural development of the section. Henry Westfall was born in I'nion township on March 17. 1866. a son of Granville and leannette ( Teal) Westfall. the former a native of Jackson county. West Virginia, born March 3. 1-29, and the latter born in Rockbridge county. Virginia. on October 26. 1830. In the fall of 1849, among the earliest settlers, the parents came overland to I'nion township and there remained until their death. There were no railroads when they arrived in this section and the prairie was yet unbroken, its vast stretches peopled with Indians and wild game roaming afield. There they founded a home and with hardy. undaunted spirit underwent the trying experiences of pioneers. In their family were fourteen children: Mrs. Martha Troutman, born October 20. 1849, and a resident of I'nion township: Clark, whose birth occurred on March 6. 1851, and who passed away in the same township: David, born November 5, 1852, who makes his home in Indianola, lowa; Franklin, whose natal day was November 26. 1854, and who died in Walla Walla. Washington, on January 17, 1885; Alfred, born November 13, 1856, who died in infancy: John P., who was born December 27. 1857. and resides in Le Roy. lowa : George, whose birth- day is February 15. 1860, a resident of Derby, this state: Mrs. Flora Kyner, born November 28, 1861. of Ummeston, lowa: Mrs. Victoria Kyner, born Feb- rnary 25, 1864, of Humeston, lowa : Henry, of this review : Justin, born April 6. 1868, who makes his home in Derby, where he is manager of a large Inmber- yard and of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work ; Lucinda, born November 2, 1570, who died December 26, 18:5; do An. who was born December 23. 1871. and died before she reached her first birth anniversary, on August 29, 1872; and Charles, also deceased. Mrs. Troutman was born in Monroe county. lowa. but all the younger children were natives of Union township, Lucas county. Granville Westfall passed away in Jack- son county, West Virginia, while on a visit on December 17. 1891. in his sixty-second year. his wife having preceded him in death about six years. her demise occurring in U'nion township on November 25, 1885. They were among the highly respected people of their locality and enjoyed the confidence and good-will of their friends and neighbors.
Henry Westfall was reared under the parental roof and early guided by his parents along the right way to snecess by having instilled into him the value of those fundamental virtues which make a man respected by his follows. Ile attended the common schools in his township and there grew to manhood. becom- ing acquainted with thorough agricultural methods under the able guidance of his father. However, he did not take up immediately the active cultivation of land but for eleven years was engaged in the buying and selling of live stock in Derby, his endeavors being met with gratifying results. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of choice land, in Union township. under high eulti- vation and improved with substantial buildings. Following progressive methods, he has succeeded in making his farm one of the most valuable properties in his locality and can look with pride upon his achievement.
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