USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
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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
Politically Mr. Clore is a republican, well informed upon the issues of the day and taking an active and helpful interest in the community's welfare. Mrs. Clore is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Norwood, to which organization and its allied societies she gives her material and moral sup- port. Both she and her husband are highly regarded and esteemed in Otter Creek township and Lucas county where they are well and favorably known, having won good-will and high regard by their many high qualities of mind and character. The success Mr. Clore has attained is well earned and well merited for it is the outcome of a life rich in effort and labor, a just return which none ean hegrudge him.
BERT I. JAMES.
Bert I. James holds the position of rural free delivery carrier out of Derby and with his wife is a partner in the conduct of the Derby Hotel. A spirit of enterprise and progress has aetuated him through all his career and has brought him at an early age a degree of success which places him among the substantial men of the city. He was born at a point two miles north and one-half mile east of Columbia, Marion county, Iowa, April 10, 1886, his parents being Charles and Rebecca E. (Mathis) JJames, the former a resident of the vicinity of Corydon, Wayne county, Iowa. The mother passed away in Marion county on February 14, 1893.
On the paternal side Mr. James is a grandson of Enos James, who came as a pioneer with his family to Warren township. Lueas county, where they settled near Derby. Enos James, after the death of his wife, returned to Ilinois, where he passed away. Charles James, the father of our subject, was born in that state on the 8th of August, 1864. He was taken to Iowa when a small boy by his parents, and after the death of his mother returned with his father to Illi- nois. Subsequently he came back to Iowa as a young man, going to Marion county, where on the 2d of October, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca E. Mathis. The latter was the second in a family of three daughters, being born January 8, 1867. Her parents were William W. and Georgianna Vol. II-17
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( Wilkerson) Mathis. Her father was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on Angust 20, 1817, and her mother in the same state on August 13, 1833. They were married on January 19. 1864, and soon thereafter came to Marion county, Iowa to establish a home. They lived on a farm one mile north and three-fourths of a mile west of Columbia for many years or until the death of William W. Mathis, which occurred on the 10th of June, 1904. at the age of eighty-six years, nine months and twenty days. To them were born three children: Mrs. Josephine Crowley, whose birth occurred January 18. 1865: Mrs. Rebecca E. James; and Rilla J., who was born January 23. 1869. and who makes her home with her mother in Columbia, to which city she moved after the death of her husband.
The only issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Charles James is Bert I., our subject. The parents lived happily for a few years in their home in Marion county. when on February 14. 1893, the mother was called to her final rest at the early age of twenty-six years, one month and six days. Her hus- band, Charles James, subsequently removed to Wayne county, lowa, making his home near Corydon, where he now lives. In 1910 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Bessie Higley, of Wayne county.
Bert I. James was the only child born to his parents. He acquired his edu- eation in the public schools of Marion county, and there resided until 1903. when he moved to the vicinity of Derby and obtained employment as a sta- tionary engineer. After two years he was engaged as a substitute rural free delivery carrier and he did such prompt, capable and efficient work that on the 1st of May, 1909, he was appointed regular carrier ont of Derby, a posi- tion 'which he still retains. To its duties he adds those connected with the conduet of the Derby Hotel, which he has owned since October. 1912. and with the capable assistance of his wife has made this one of the best institutions of its kind in Incas county, run on modern, up-to-date lines, and equipped with all the conveniences to be found in the better hostelries of the middle west.
On the 19th of December. 1906. Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Rash, who was born in Lucas county, on the 3d of February, 1886. a daughter of William and Belle (Clarke) Rash, the former born in Kon- tueky. June 20. 1857. and the latter July 14, 1858. The parents came to lowa and settled in Lucas county in 1863 and have since remained honored resi- dents of this locality. The mother has been twice married and has one son by her former union. Bernard W. Farrel, of Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Rash became the parents of five children: Mrs. James, wife of the sub- jeet of this review; Clande, who was born February 1, 1889, and who died in March, 1890: Mrs. Lennie Smith, born November 20. 1591. residing in Derby; Mrs. Hollie Seott, who was born May 16, 1894, and who lives in the vicinity of Derby : and Erma, whose birth occurred on the 8th of January, 1896, and who resides with her parents. All the above children were born and reared in Leas county. Mr. and Mrs. James have two children: Evelyn Maxine, born May 4, 1908: and Olin M .. born April 16, 1911.
Mr. James gives his political allegiance to the republican party and as a loyal and progressive citizen takes a deep interest in community affairs, giving his hearty support and active cooperation to every worthy publie enterprise. His wife is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is widely known
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in Derby and the vicinity, not only as a representative of a highly respected pio- neer family, but also as a woman of culture, refinement and ability as well as excellent traits of character. Mr. James is fond of the best literature and is a wide reader especially along historical lines where his interests lie to a great extent. Although still a young man he has already gained a creditable measure of success and he possesses in his energy and ability a guaranty of contimed progress.
JACOB B. WYATT.
Jacob B. Wyatt. a worthy representative of one of the most prominent and highly respected pioneer families in Iowa, controls extensive property interests in this state, owning two hundred and ten acres of land in Union township, Lucas county, and two hundred and forty in Franklin township. Clarke county, besides a comfortable and well furnished residence in Derby where he makes his home. For a number of years he was closely and influentially associated with agricultural interests in this locality and did a great deal to promote farm- ing development, his success and the honorable methods by which it was attained gaining him the respect and esteem of the entire community. Ile has now however practically retired from active life and does only a small amount of teaming work. his labors in former years having brought him a substantial fortune which enables him to spend the evening of his life in well earned leisure.
Mr. Wyatt was born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 27th of June, 1852, and is a son of Sacker Y. and Eliza ( Scott, Wyatt, natives of Virginia. They were among the earliest settlers in this part of lowa, making the journey overland in 1853 and settling in Clarke county, where they made their home for a num- ber of years. They found here a frontier wilderness, with miles of unbroken soil stretching in all directions, sparsely settled, and inhabited mostly by Indians. Here they endured all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer existence, meeting the conditions of their life with confidence and courage, and they eventually developed 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 had ten children, four of whom grew to maturity, as follows: W. E., a resi- dent of Derby: JJacob. of this review : James, of Montana; and Mrs. Electa Jane Wells, who has passed away.
Jacob Wyatt was only one year old when his parents came overland to lowa. and in the public schools of Clarke county he acquired his education, dividing his time between his studies and work in clearing, developing and improving the new farm. He thus became thoroughly familiar with all the details of farm operation and when he began his independent career turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared. lie became a prosperous and success- ful farmer, acquiring extensive holdings in Clarke and Lueas counties, and prov- ing able, farsighted and discriminating in the conduet of his interests. He owns today two fine farms one of two hundred and ten acres in Union township, Ineas county, and another of two hundred and forty acres in Clarke county, both well
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improved and reflecting everywhere the many years of care and labor which the owner has expended upon them. In the course of time Mr. Wyatt accumulated a substantial fortune and feeling that he had earned a period of rest and leisure. moved into Derby where he occupies one of the finest and most modern homes in the town. He engages in teaming to some extent. preferring to have some work to occupy his time and he is well known and highly respected by all who know him.
In Osceola, this state, on the Ist of January, 1872, Mr. Wyatt was united in marriage to Miss Dora E. Wolverton, who was born in Decatur county. lowa, on the 4th of May. 1856. She is a daughter of John and Rebecca Jane (Swine- hart) Wolverton, the former born in Ohio, February 14, 1829, and the latter born January 29, 1833. The father died in Derby, lowa. December 17. 1907, and his wife survives him, making her home with her son in Derby. They were among the earliest settlers in Decatur county. Mr. and Mrs. Wolverton became the parents of six children : Mrs. Margaret Jane Canfield, who was born May 10. 1853; and who died in 1878: Louise, who was born January 7, 1855. and who passed away on the 9th of January. 1855: Mrs. Dora E. Wyatt. the wife of the subject of this review : Samnel Byron, who was born on the 30th of January, 1859, and who has passed away : John K., who was born April 15, 1870, and resides in Stonts- ville, Missouri : and W. P., of Derby. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt have two sons : Fred C .. born in Clarke county, April 10, 1875; and Ernest Orville, who was born December 5, 1878, and who is now employed in National Park. Montana.
Mr. Wyatt is a devont member of the Christian church and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, of which latter organization his wife is also a member. He and his wife are also members of the Yeomen at Derby. He is a stanch democrat and has held sev- eral offices of public trust, in all of which he has proven capable, reliable and efficient in the discharge of his duties. In the course of an active, useful and honorable life he has made many substantial contributions to the agricultural development of this part of lowa, and his record is a credit to a name that has been a respected and honored one since pioneer times.
WILLIAM JJ. BURGETT.
William J. Burgett is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ineas county and was born in Liberty township, December 10. 1862, his par- ents being Aaron and Nancy (Bowles) Burgett. The father was born in John- son county, Indiana, October 19, 1841, and the mother was also a native of that state. They were both quite young when they came to Lucas county and set- tled in Liberty township with their respective parents. To their union were born six children, of whom William J. Burgett of this review is the oldest. The others were: Mrs. Laura . Fread, now deceased : John L., who was born March 4, 1869, and resides in Kansas City. Kansas: Henry A., who was born March 8, 1871, and is living in Liberty township: Mrs. Ida E. Luther-Fogle. deceased ; and Lydia Belle, who died in infancy. The mother passed away
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in Liberty township, November 24, 1874, and the father afterward married again. There were two children of that marriage: Elmer C .. who now resides on the old homestead in Liberty township; and Mrs. Leta V. Fogle, a resident of Colorado. All of the children of both marriages. with the exception of Laura, who was born in Montana, were natives of Liberty township and were educated in the district schools. The father reached a ripe old age, passing away in Liberty township, June 14, 1903.
No event of special importance oceurred to vary the routine of life l'or Wil- liam J. Burgett until he left home to enter the Ackworth Academy, which he attended for two terms. He afterward engaged in teaching for three terms but has made farming his chief occupation through life and has brought his land to a high state of cultivation owing to his enterprising and progressive methods.
On the 25th of August, 1885, Mr. Burgett was married to Miss Lona Frazer, a teacher, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, February 18, 1863, and came to Lucas county with her parents, Otho Shipley and Ann Maria ( Lyde- botham) Frazer. The family settled in Lincoln township, but in 1871 a removal was made to Liberty township. The father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, November 27, 1819, and died in Chariton, lowa, March 1, 1890. The mother, whose birth occurred at Endicott Mills, Maryland. June 8, 1825, passed away in Chariton, May 3, 1904. There were nine children in the Frazer family, of whom seven are living: Thomas Shipley, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 23, 1847, and now makes his home in Chariton ; Franklin Wesley, who was born May 17, 1849, and died August 9, 1855: Mrs. Amorille Virginia Ram- sey, who was born September 5, 1851, and resides in California ; Benton W .. who was born March 29, 1854, and lives in Chariton; Mrs. Esther Josephine Davis, who was born August 15, 1857, and resides in Des Moines, Jowa; Charles Lincoln, who was born September 15, 1860, and passed away October 5. 1863; Mis. Burgett: Mrs. Lillian May Peck, who was born February 12, 1867, and resides in Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Margaret Caklona MeCollough, who was born April 30, 1869, and lives in Chariton. The five ellest are natives of Perry county, Ohio, while Lincoln and Mrs. Burgett were born in Illinois and the youngest in Lucas county, lowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Burgett became the parents of seven children. Marion Ver- non, born June 8. 1887, is now a veterinary surgeon connected with the United States bureau of animal industry at St. Louis. Edith Elinor, born Deeem- ber 10, 1888. is teaching school near Russell. lowa. Mrs. Vivian Irene Strom- lund, born March 31, 1890. is living in Salix, Towa. She was a successful teacher in Lneas county before her marriage. Theressa Odette, born January 29, 1892, is teaching school in English township. Nellie Agnes, born December 9. 1895, is attending the Jowa Teachers' College at Cedar Falls. Leslie Glenn, born December 24, 1898, and Fern Marie, born December 12, 1901, are attending the public schools. In addition to the common-school course Theressa spent a sum- mer in attendance at the lowa Teachers' College, and the three elder children spent a year at Simpson College and one term at Shenandoah, while Vivian, Theressa and Nellie were students in the academy at Oakley for two years. All this indicates the deep interest Felt by Mr. and Mrs. Burgett in the cause of edueation, showing their desire to have their children splendidly qualified by mental training for life's practical and responsible duties.
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In politics Mr. Burgett is a democrat and for three terms served as town- ship clerk. He has also filled the office of school director. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Oakley and they are interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community. The home farm, known as the Pioneer Farm, comprises one hundred and forty-five acres of choice land on seetions 21 and 22, Liberty township, whereon are good improvements. This was a portion of the old Halverty place, one of the first farms of Liberty township to be developed. and there is still to be seen in a good state of preservation an old log house which was built by Mr. Halverty at an early day. The home contains relies of early times, including a Bible printed more than a hundred years ago, old-fashioned wool cards and a spin- ning wheel, together with other relies of pioneer times. Moreover, their home contains many examples of the choicest literature, for the entire family take deep interest in all things which are educational and broadening. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burgett are descendants of early settlers and are numbered among the most progressive citizens of the county. interested in its welfare and active in promoting its advancement.
HENRY C. DILLMAN.
Henry C. Dillman, actively engaged in farming in Lucas county, his land possessions comprising two hundred and thirty-four aeres, was born in Liberty township, October 30. 1862. His father. Andrew Dillman, a native of Indiana. died in Liberty township in 1866, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Frances Henderson, was born in Indiana and is now living in Chariton. They came to Imneas county in 1856, settling in Liberty township. after having made an overland journey according to the primitive methods of the times. They were farming people of this section of the state and the old Dillman homestead is still in possession of the family. In the family were seven children, six of whom are living: George W .. of Warren township: S. P., a resident of Vernal. Utah : Mrs. Mary E. Howard, living near Oakley, lowa : Martha S .. of Chariton ; Henry C., of this review : and Louisa Thomason, of Liberty township. The oldest daughter was Harriet, who died in 1864. The five eldest children were born in Indiana and the two youngest in Liberty township, following the removal of the family to Lucas county.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof. Henry C. Dillman attended the public schools and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields. His father built the first frame schoolhouse in Liberty township and Mrs. Molly Welch was one of Henry C. Dillman's first teachers. He taught school in Clayton county in 1882 and in 1883, and in Lucas county in 1887 and ISSS. The greater part of his life, however, has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He was carefully reared in that work, carly becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the erops, so that practical experience proved of great aid to him when he began farming for himself. He owns two hundred and thirty-four aeres on sertions 21, 25 and 28. Liberty township. He has a set of good buildings upon his place and all modern
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improvements, while the attractive appearance of his farm indieates his careful supervision and systematie methods.
In Wayne county, lowa, in 1886, Mr. Dillman married Miss Lola Gregg, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Jane (Finch) Gregg, who came to lowa at an early date and here passed away. They were the parents of five children of whom three are living: Mrs. Emma Lunney, of Mount Ayr; Mrs. Dillman; and Park Gregg, of Carlisle. lowa. The other two died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Dillman have three sons: Robert A., born September 15, 1888. who resides on a part of the old Dillman homestead: Louis E., born September 24, 1895, at. home with his parents: and Franklin G .. born March 12. 1903. who is pursuing his education in the public schools. Mrs. Dilhnan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Oakley.
Mr. Dillman belongs to several fraternal orders, including the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Chariton and the Modern Woodmen of America at Oakley. He also has membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. In politics he is a republican and has held a number of local offices. He was township clerk for a number of years and for twenty years was connected with the school board as director, secretary and treasurer. In 1903 he was elected county auditor and was reelected, filling the position for two terms. Ile made a creditable record in that connection and his public service like his private life commends him to the warm regard and good-will of all.
ANDREW J. GWINN.
No history of the pioneer settlement of Iowa would be complete without mention of Andrew J. Gwinn, who is the first settler of Wayne county, now living. dating his residence in that section of the state from 1850, but he now makes his home in Lucas. Throughout the intervening years he has seen the prairies transformed into fertile farms, cities established, business institutions founded and a frontier wilderness transformed into a prosperous and populous state. He has not only been a witness of this growth and development but has also contributed in a large measure to the work of upbuilding and is so familiar with pioneer conditions, having in his possession all of the data pertaining to the earlier settlements. that he has made some valuable contributions to the Lueas county historieal records.
Andrew J. Gwinn was born near Eddyville, Wapello county, Iowa, July 6. 1849, and is a son of Samuel K. and Cynthia Gwinn, the former of whom was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, in 1827, and the latter in Fayette county, that state, in the same year. The father passed away in Wayne county. Iowa, in 1891, and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in Wayne county, where she was the first settler who is still living. Andrew J. Gwinn represents the third generation of his family in this section of the state, his father and grandfather having been early settlers. They came to what is now section 5, Richman township, Wayne county, in the fall of 1850. Pioneer con- ditions prevailed everywhere at that time. Wild deer roamed in the forests, the howling of wolves could be heard by night and all kinds of wild game
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abounded everywhere. Raw prairies stretched for miles in all directions, broken only by sparse settlements, the trading points being Eddyville, Ottumwa and Burlington. There were no railroads and the Indians were mimerous on the plains and prairies and at times dangerous, although they always evidenced warm friendships for the members of the Gwinn family. The overland western trail was near the place where the father and grandfather settled and thousands of emigrant wagons passed near their home. westward bound. during their earlier years. Both became prominent and successful farmers and the father lived to see a great deal of the state development, being at the time of his death a representative and substantial citizen. In the Gwinn family were eleven children: Andrew J., of this review ; John H., who died in 1853: Virginia C., who passed away in Richman township in 1853; Mary E .. who died at the age of eleven years: James M. and Sarah E., both of whom passed away in 1860; Byron, whose death occurred in 1910: Mrs. Rachel Snook, residing in Derby. Iowa : Mrs. Irene Lowe, whose home is in Union township ; Mrs. M. Davidson. of Richman township; and Sammel K., who died in 1859.
Amid the pioneer conditions above described Andrew JJ. Gwinn grew to manhood, having been only one year of age when he was brought to lowa. Ho attended the Garden Grove public schools at a time when most of the school- houses were built of logs. His childhood was spent upon his father's farm and after he grew to maturity he began farming for himself, following this occupa- tion since that time. In 1880 he took up his residence in Jackson township. Lucas county, and here he has since resided. Success and prosperity have rewarded his laudable ambition and well directed labor and he now has a comfortable home on section 28, wherein he is passing his declining years. He has traveled over practically all of Lucas county and southern lowa and is well known throughout the state to which he came as a pioneer.
On March 6, 1870. Mr. Gwinn married Miss Mary E. Sayres, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, February 28, 1850. She is a daughter of Amos and Jane (Norris Sayres, the former of whom was born in New York in 1827 and the latter in Coshocton county. They came to Enion township. Lucas county. in 1851. and here both passed away, the mother dying in 1900 and the father in 1912. In their family were the following children: Mary E., the wife of the subject of this review; John, whose home is in Union township : William. a resident of Harrisburg. Ilinois: Zim, who lives upon the oldl home farm in Union township : Ida, deceased: and Mrs. Snook, residing south of Derby. To Mr. and Mrs. Gwinn were born nine sons, of whom the second and third sons. Luther and Omar, died in infancy. Those who survive are: Enos, whose home is in Richman township; Amos K., C. C., Arthur, Everett. and Floyd and Lloyd. twins, all of whom reside in Jackson township. Of these children C. C. was born in Richman township and all of the others in Union township.
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