USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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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
Born in Montgomery county, Indiana, on April 8, 1854, Thompson D. Ashby accompanied his parents on their overland trip to Iowa, starting on April 10, 1861, and reaching Otter Creek township May 3d of that year. Both of his parents have passed away. The father, William HI. Ashby, a native of Kentucky, was born December, 1821. dying in Otter Creek township on April 26, 1875; and the mother, Margaretta (Boyer) Ashby, a native of Pennsylvania, born November 28, 1823, died in the same township on December 30, 1902, in her seventy-ninth year. The latter became a resident of Indiana when a small girl. removing to that state with her parents. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William II. Ashby were nine children: Mrs. Elizabeth L. Yenawine, born August 10. 1846, and died in Illinois in March. 1872; Mrs. Mary C. Long. born December 18, 1848, residing at Twin Falls, Idaho; A. C .. born July 21, 1850, a
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resident of New Market, Tennessee; John B., who was born June 7. 1852 and died in 1870; Thompson D., our subject : Newton B., born July 7, 1856, a resident of Des Moines, this state and for eight years United States consul to Ireland, with residence in Dublin, Ireland, being appointed by President Grover Cleve- land : George Lucky, born December 18, 1858, residing at St. Paul, Texas; Lewis S., born September 7, 1861, engaged in general merchandising at Norwood, lowa : and William E .. born February 11. 1864, a resident of Des Moines, where he is interested in the telephone business, with which he formerly was connected in Chariton. The seven oldest children of the family were born in Indiana and the remaining two in Lucas county, lowa.
Thompson D. Ashby was reared under the parental roof and received such edneational advantages as the vicinity afforded, there being but few pupils in the community in the early days when he went to school. At that time the post office was still at Tallahoma and most of the trading had to be done at that place and Chariton. As yet no railroads traversed this section. He carly became acquainted with agricultural work, and acquiring the thorough methods of his father laid the foundation of his latter day success. He now owns a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty aeres on section 26. Otter Creek township, under high cultivation and well improved. All modern equipments and machinery can be found upon the home place. His barns and ontbuildings are kept in good repair and his residence is comfortable and commodious. For the past thirty-four years he has divided his attention between farming. stock- raising and the shipping of live stock, and from these occupations has received gratifying returns.
On March 18, 1880. Mr. Ashby was married to Miss Lel L. Pfrimmer, who was born in Indiana on November 10. 1856. Her father George Pfrimmer was born in France on February 19, 1825, and still makes his home with Mrs. Ashby, having passed his eighty-eighth birthday. Her mother. Mrs. Lydia Ann Pfrimmer, who was born in Indiana in 1829. died in Otter Creek township, this county, June 21. 1900. In their family were five children: Charles W .. born in 1846, who resides in Mena. Arkansas: Samuel. deceased : Francis M., born in 1850, who resides in Stratton, Nebraska, where for a number of years he has served as postmaster: Mrs. Thompson D. Ashby : and A. C., a resident of Otter Creek township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were born nine children, all of whom are living: Dr. Mary Edith. born March 13. 188], who practices osteopathy in Texas: Mrs. Iola L. Primm, born November 8, 1882. residing in Otter Creek township : Thompson D., born September 16, 1884, a resident of St. Paul, Texas: George E., born September 15, 1886, residing in Lucas county : Nina M., born April 2. 1889, a school teacher of Lucas county: Lydia M .. born May 30, 1891, teaching school in her home district : William H., born December 29. 1893, also teaching school in his native county; Charles F., born April 15. 1896, at home: and Albert Olyn, born December 16. 1899, attending school in the vicinity. AH of the children received the best educational advantages. Edith and Nina attended school at Bloomfield and Thompson D., Jr .. and George attended Simpson College at Indianola, while Lydia took a course at the Chariton high school.
Thompson D. Ashby preserves independence in regard to politieat matters and votes for whatever candidate and measure he considers of greatest benefit.
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under the circumstances. He has efficiently filled the office of assessor of Otter Creek township, and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of Norwood Lodge, No. 490, and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America as a member of Camp No. 5040 of Nor- wood. A man well read and well informed, Mr. Ashby is highly esteemed in his community, not only for his material attainments, but for his intellectual accom- plishments. He possesses an extensive knowledge on a great range of subjects and is acquainted with the best literature of the present and the past. Of high qualities of character. he is a man who receives the confidence and good-will of all who know him and his standing is high in the community, where he has not only been a witness of the changes that have occurred, but a helpful and cooperant factor in the general advancement.
WILLIAM R. PIM.
A member of an old pioneer family of Jackson township, Lucas county, William R. Pim is prominently connected with the agricultural development of this section, owning five hundred and fifteen aeres of choice land on sections 3 and 10 in Jackson township and section 34 in Otter Creek township. An elegant and modern home upon his land in Jackson township is evidence of his prosperity and stands as a result of his incessant labor, indefatigable energy and agricultural ability. Born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on March 24, 1855, his parents were William and Rebecca (Robison) Pim. the former born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. and the latter in Franklin county, that state. Both parents have passed away, their deaths occurring in Jackson township. May 12, 1885. and October 12, 1899, respectively. In their family were twelve children, of whom five are living: Mary, who resides on the old home farm in Jackson township: Mrs. Jenie P. Robbins, of Chari- ton. Iowa; William R., of this review; Frank L .. born March 16. 1862, resid- ing on the home farm with his sister Mary; and Mrs. Jessie M. Knotts, of Brashear. Missouri. In 1858, when our subject was but three years old, the family proceeded westward down the Ohio river, going by boat to Cairo, Illi- nois, and thenee up the Mississippi to Alexandria, Missouri, and overland by wagon to Jackson township. Lucas county, where they settled on section 2. This farm has ever since been in the bands of the family and is now owned by F. L. Pim. a brother of our subjeet, and his sister Mary and known in the distriet as the Prairie View Farm.
William R. Pim received his educational advantages in Jackson township. where he was brought by his parents when but three years of age. He sub- sequently assisted his father with the work of the farm and, being well grounded in the details and methods of agriculture. subsequently set out on his own account and by thrift and industry gradually possessed himself of five hun- dred and fifteen acres of the most valuable land, located on sections 3 and 10 in Jackson township and seetion 34 in Otter Creek township. He is one of the most successful farmers of his locality and raises live stock to some extent. his farm being particularly adapted for that purpose. His farm is especially
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renowned for its feed yards, which are the best in the county, where he pre- pares his stock for the market, where the highest prices are obtained. The land is all under high cultivation and kept in a good state of productivity by the rotation of erops and scientific methods, his equipment being of the most. modern and up-to-date kind. Barns and outbuildings are of the newest type and the family home is commodious and comfortable.
On February 23, 1886. Mr. Pim married Miss Harriet JJ. Snuggs, who was born in Henry county, lowa. September 14, 1861, and was reared in Warren county. this state. Her parents were among the early settlers of Lucas county, having made their first home near Last Chance in Union town- ship. Her parents, James and An Maria (Hall) Suggs, were natives of England and both have passed away, the death of the father occurring in Warren county, this state, in 1889, and that of the mother in Lacona, that. county, on January 2. 1909. In their family were twelve children : Henry E .. of Warren county. this state: Mrs. Pim, the wife of our subject : Amanda, who died at the age of fourteen: Mrs. Martha E. Oxenreider. of Lucas county; Thomas, deceased: Florence, of Newbern, lowa: John. deceased; Mrs. Olive Hatfield, of Lacona, this state: Mrs. Sadie E. Miller, also of that city : James ... of Liberty Center, this state; Lewis, who resides in this county ; and Samuel. who makes his home in Newbern. Our subject and his wife have four chil- dren: Mrs. Martha Sharp. born November 22. 1887. of Galesburg, Illinois; Mrs. Blanche Crow. born June 22, 1889, of Lucas, Iowa; James William. born January 3, 1894, who resides at home and assists his father with the work of the larm: and Sarah, born September 6, 1897. attending high school in Lueas.
Although Mr. Pim is publie-spirited and takes a deep interest in the advancement and development of his seetion, he has not actively participated in the public life of Lucas county. However, he fully recognizes his obliga- tions as an American citizen and gives his vote to the democratic party. He is a forceful element in his home community and has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred as primitive conditions have given way to the onward march of civilization, but has been a helpful and cooper- ant factor in bringing about the prosperity enjoyed by the present generation.
GEORGE W. SEFRIT.
Since 1900 George W. Sefrit has been engaged in the cultivation of a val- uable farm of two hundred and eighty aeres of choice land on sections 27 and 31. Otter Creek township. However, quite recently he has disposed of this property to good advantage, acquiring title to eight hundred aeres in Ringgold vomity. On his Lucas county farm he gave especial attention to hog raising. and he is renowned throughout the state for having had one of the finest herds of Poland China hogs on his farm. Following progressive and scientific meth- ods, he attained a success which places him in a class by himself and his pros- perity is the more creditable as it has been brought about entirely through his own efforts. Born in Warren county, Illinois, on March 6, 1868. he is a son
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of Isaae M. and Annie (MeDonald) Sefrit, natives of Davis county, Indiana, where the father was born November 6, 1840, and the mother on October 30, 1841. Isaac M. Sefrit passed away at Chariton, Iowa, but his wife is surviv- ing and makes her home at Carson, this state. In their family were seven children: Mary, who died in Illinois; Mrs. Dora W. Lynn, of Clarke county, lowa: George W., of this review; Mrs. Amy G. Forney, of Carson, lowa ; Mrs. Ollie MI. Cooley, of Chariton, Iowa; Hattie, who passed away at the age of two years; and Mrs. Ruby Tate, also of Chariton. The three eldest children were born in Illinois and the younger ones in Clarke county, Iowa, where they all were reared. In 1869, when our subject was but one year of age, the par- ents removed from Illinois to Clarke county, Iowa, and there the father fol- lowed farming and stock-raising, being successful in his efforts.
George W. Sefrit was reared upon the home farm in Clarke county, attend- ing the schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of his education. He early began to assist his father with the work of the farm and became well versed in thorough methods of agriculture. He followed this occupation in Clarke county until 1900, when he purchased the farm in Otter Creek town- ship, which he has cultivated until recently. This property comprises two hun- dred and eighty acres of choice land on seetions 27 and 34 and thereon ean be found all modern improvements. In 1907 he began to specialize in raising purt-blooded Poland China hogs and had the reputation of having one of the finest droves in the state. At a public sale which took place in February, 1912, in Chariton, Iowa. he disposed of fifty animals which brought him on an average of seventy-five dollars per head. His drove averaged about two hun- dred a year and he shipped to all parts of the United States. He made rapid strides in this venture, to which he devoted his whole time and attention. and prosperity has attended his efforts. Four well known heads of his drove were: Longfellow Jr., No. 13513: Big Bone Again, No. 61351; Smooth Wonder III, No. 61352: and Miller's Choice. No. 64979. All of his stock was selected of the Big Bone type. His former farm is especially equipped with sheds and buildings to facilitate breeding and he seized every opportunity to make a sue- eess of his specialty.
On March 23, 1892, George W. Sefrit was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hendricks, a native of Kansas, who was born December 20, 1871, her par- ents being George and Sarah (Harrison) Hendricks .. The father was born in Indiana and died in Kansas, the mother also being a native of the former state. passing away in 1874. Both died while Mrs. Sefrit was quite yonng. Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks were the parents of five children, all of whom are living: James, residing near Topeka, Kansas; Frank, who also makes his honk near that city; Mrs. Sarah Manning, of Woodhull, Illinois; Mrs. Jennie Roe. residing near Garden Grove, lowa; and Mrs. Sefrit, the youngest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Sefrit became the parents of ten children, of whom one, Ahna, died at the age of three years. The others are: Amy, born February 8, 1894; Harley M., born April 5, 1896; Bessie, born Inne 6, 1898; Frank, born January 25, 1900: Lonis Il., born January 10, 1902; Anna, born Novem- ber 8. 1903; Andrey. born April 2, 1905; Vera L., born February 3, 1907; and George W., Jr., born October 23, 1908. The five eldest of the children were born in Clarke county, Iowa, but the younger ones are natives of Imeas
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county. All attended the common schools of the vicinity. Amy. the eldest daughter, taking a course at the high school at Chariton.
Mr. Sefrit is a republican in his political affiliations, taking a deep interest in all matters affecting his locality and county, although he has never sought public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons, belonging to Good Shepherd Lodge. No. 414. A. F. & A. M .. of Lueas, and also a charter member of Jay Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Sefrit sold his farm in Lucas county and purchased a larger holding of eight hundred acres in Ringgold county, lowa. receiving thirty-three thousand dollars for the farm, a fact which speaks highly of his efficient management and his effective meth- ods. Actuated by a laudable ambition. he has been carried forward to sue- cess by his progressiveness, diligence, energy and ability and his prosperity is well earned and well merited, and will undoubtedly continue in an increased measure in his new venture.
ANNA KING PITTARD.
That the office of county superintendent of schools for Wayne county should be filled by a woman, an office that is of the foremost importance to the county's inhabitants. speaks well for the high ability of the incumbent. Mrs. Pittard, who practically all her life has been engaged in teaching school in various places in this section, was elected in 1910 and in 1912 was reelected to the same office in acknowledgment of her services and as an indorsement of her policies.
Mrs. Anna King Pittard was born near Bethlehem. lowa. December 7. 1869. her parents being William and Margaret (Murphy King. natives of Indiana and West Virginia respectively. She attended district school at Beth- lehem until the fall of 1886 when, at the age of seventeen years, she entered the Lineville school of Lineville. lowa. from which she was graduated with honors under Professor F. E. King in the spring of 1888. Studious of mind. a lover of books and deeply interested in guiding the education of children along the right channel. she naturally embraced the oreupation of teaching as a life work and in 1889 entered upon her first position in that connection, teaching school in Fairview district. Union township. She subsequently held various positions in the rural schools of Wayne. Lucas and Clay counties, lowa, and also taught for several terms in Warren county, Ilinois. Feeling the need of a more professional training to obtain even more satisfactory results. from 1892 until 1894 she attended the Humeston Normal School, an institution which has since become defunet, and later took special studies in Drake University. Mrs. Pittard has in fact never ceased to be a student and in the course of years has become one of Wayne county's most successful teachers.
It was while giving instruction in the village school at lona. Ilinois, that she met George W. Pittard, their acquaintanceship ripening into love and resulting in marriage, the wedding being celebrated in Bethlehem, at the home of her father, on the 10th of March, 1597. The bridegroom had prepared a com- fortable home near Alexis. Minois, and there the young married couple started housekeeping, but the happy life to which they looked forward was soon rent
ANNA KING PITTARD
PUBLIC HELARY
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asunder as the reaper Death entered and claimed the husband and, only four weeks after the marriage ceremony, at the same hour-high noon-Mrs. Pittard saw her beloved one laid to rest. Under such tragie circumstances she became a widow but there were left to her two little sons of a former marriage of her husband, George, Jr .. and Guy Pittard, now doubly orphaned, and it was upon them that she bestowed the love of a father and mother.
Subsequently Mrs. Pittard again took up her vocation of teaching, following it for several terms in the rural schools, and at the end of that time secured a position in the Corydon grade school, with which she was connected for ten years. She gave to her work in that direction the best that was in her and many of the children who learned their lessons under her able guidance have preserved for her a warm sympathy through all their later years. She became one of the most forceful and successful teachers in the city and her abilities were widely recognized. On account of ill health she was forced to resign her position. In 1910, however, she was nominated on the democratie ticket for the office of county superintendent of schools and although the democratic party was in the minority in the county she was elected by an overwhelming majority. The service she has rendered in this important office has brought about a direct and visible improvement among the teachers of the county, and this in turn has had a decided influence upon the improvement of the schools and the edu- cational facilities and advantages thereof. In November, 1912, she was re- elected to that position, which stands as an incontrovertible proof that her administration has been efficient and generally acknowledged as such, and she continues in her service greatly to the benefit of all concerned. She brings to her work the same earnestness and enthusiasm that has characterized her during all her life as a teacher and in the long line of county superintendents of schools Mrs. Pittard takes her place among the best and most highly respected.
FRED C. CONRAD.
One of the finest country homes in Lucas county, set in a fertile tract of three hundred and eighty-three acres of choice land in Otter Creek township, bespeaks the prosperity and substantial position of Fred C. Conrad, who since infancy has been a resident of this township, where he has grown to manhood. his interests having been closely connected with the development of this region. A well educated man, he takes a deep interest in the issues and questions of the day as they atleet government and general conditions, and is widely respected as one of the best informed men of his community. Born in Mahaska county, Iowa, November 21 ,1865, he was brought by his parents to Otter Creek township, Lucas county, in March, 1866, and here the family has since resided, the father following agricultural pursuits with good results. The parents of our subject are R. B. and Maria (Canterbury) Conrad, the former a native of Oswego, New York, and the latter born near Burlington, lowa. The father's birth occurred January 9. 1833, and that of the mother on November 30, 1839, the latter being one of the first white children born in this state. Both Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Conrad are passing their declining years on the same farm on which
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they settled in 1866. highly esteemed and respected by all who know them. The father was the first democrat ever to be elected to a township office in Otter Creek and for twenty-six years held the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties with fairness and impartiality. In their family were four children : Catharine, born August 13. 1859, who died October 18. 1860: 1. F., born May 10. 1860. who attended Simpson College at Indianola, lowa. and after studying law with an unele-Judge Conrad. of Des Moines-was admitted to the bar of lowa in 1885 and is at the present time one of the leading lawyers of Des Moines: Mrs. Emma Gray, born December 10, 1862, a resident of Siebert. Colorado : and Fred (. our subject. J. F. Conrad, of Des Moines-better known as Fitch to his intimate friends-is the well known author of state-wide mag- azine articles which appear under the caption of "My Views." The two sons of this family were born in Mahaska county, lowa. and the two daughters in Des Moines county. The mother is one of the oldest living native lowans and the father, in age, the oldest settler of his township.
Fred C. Conrad was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the common schools in the vicinity of his father's farm. whom he helped in the work on the homestead in his leisure hours. He is now engaged in the enliivation of three hundred and eighty-three acres of choice land on sections 23, 24 and 27. Otter Creek township, which are equipped with two sets of good improvements. Mr. Conrad has just completed one of the finest country homes in Lucas county-furnace-heated. gas-lighted. with hot and cold running water, and up-to-date in every respect. He takes great pride in his home and recognizes the importance of creating a true home atmosphere so that his children, although living on a farm, may lack nothing that a city affords. For this reason he also has garnered a very complete library, and much of the time the family spend their leisure in literary pursuits.
On March 19. 1893. Mr. Conrad was married to Miss Margaret L. Bangh. who was born in Warren county, lowa, on February 21. 1869. Her father. J. F. Baugh, a native of Hendricks county, Indiana, died in Lucas county in 1908, and her mother, Margaret Jane (Breen) Bangh. was born at Ladoga, Indiana, on April 19, 1831. and died February 26, 1900. They came to Warren county, lowa. about fifty years ago, making the trip overland. In their family were seven children : Effie A., deceased : Mrs. Jennie Rubel, born May 11, 1864. at Indianola. lowa : Mrs. Mollie Amos, deceased : Orrin T .. deceased : Mrs. Fred (". Conrad : Mrs. Martha Ellen Good. of Milo, lowa: and Mrs. Ada B. Rogers. who resides at Fullerton. California. The two eldest children were born in Hendricks county. Indiana, and the younger ones in Warren county. this state. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have four children. all of whom were born in Otter Creek township: Vivian Inez. born March 30. 1894, and attending high school in Chariton : Margaret Marie, born September 22, 1899, who is attending the common schools in the vicinity of her father's farm : Gretchen Willa. horn dune 8. 1904 : and Ralph Burdette, born December 27. 1905. Alr. and Mrs. Conrad, recog- nizing the value of a good education, give their children the best advantages that can be obtained, and in their home help in any possible way to improve the oppor- tunities through books and study. Mrs. Conrad has taught school for five terms in her own home and her sister. Mrs. Rodgers, has the remarkable record of having taught for fifty terms.
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Politically Mr. Conrad is a democrat and fraternally a member of Good Shep- herd Lodge, No. 414, A. F. & A. M., of Lueas; and Camp No. 5040, M. W. A., of Norwood, serving at the present time as clerk of the latter. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conrad are highly esteemed and respected for their substantial qualities of character and are a valuable addition to the community, not only from a material point of view. but from the standpoint of intellectuality and morality.
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