USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 36
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 36
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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
On March 27, 1889, James A. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Elma Ellen Pim, who was born in Jackson township, Lucas county, Iowa, February 1, 1865, and died in her native township on July 28, 1893. Her parents were Samuel W. and Mary Jane (Jumper) Pim, the former a native of Chester county, l'ennsylvania, born on May 11. 1822, who died in Jackson township. February 16, 1882, and the latter also a native of Pennsylvania, born December 16, 1826, and still residing at Chariton, lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Pim became the parents of nine children: William Henry, of Jackson township; Mrs. John Sehnebly, of Jackson township; Mrs. Esther Jane Carpenter, who resides at Herman, Nebraska : Salora Salina, who died at the age of eight years; Preston Penrose, of Oklahoma ; Mrs. Rachel Rebecca Reed, residing in Canada; Candace Clementine, deceased; Elma Ellen, who became the wife of our subject; and Mrs. Ola Amelia Morgan, who makes her home with her aged mother in Chari- ton, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker had one daughter, who first saw the light of day on the same farm in Jackson township on which her father was born,-Mrs. Nellie Blanche Mank, the date of her birth being February 9, 1890. She acquired her edneation in the public schools of the neighborhood and grew to woman- hood on the home farm. where she still resides with her husband. Todd Otto Vol II-18
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Mank, who assists our subject in the operation of land. Miss Nellie Blanche Walker married Todd Otto Mauk on March 5. 1911. the latter having always been a resident of Lucas county, being born in White Breast township on June 10, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Mank have one daughter, Florence Elma, who was born on the same farm on December 15, 1911. She is of the third generation in the same family to be born on this property, and this is one of the rare instances in the history of Lucas county of three generations of one family being born on the same farm.
Mr. Walker gives his allegiance to the republican party and although not an office seeker, keeps well informed upon all pubie issues and is never found lag- ging on election day. readily recognizing the obligations of American citizen- ship. Both he and his daughter are members of the Presbyterian church of Lucas. Ile gives his warm support to all worthy publie enterprises and can always be found in the front ranks of those who are willing to bear their share in any measures undertaken to promote public advancement. Liberal-minded and of studious nature, Mr. Walker is well read and a representative of the pro- gressive type of agrienlturist, although his progressive spirit is finely tempered by a conservative judgment. He and his family are among the most highly respected people of his locality. receiving the high regard and confidence of all who know them.
JOHN H. THOMAS.
The name of Thomas has been well known in Lucas county since pioneer times and its present representative. John Il. Thomas, is a native of the county and today one of the most substantial and prominent agriculturists of Jackson township, where he owns one hundred and twenty-one and one-half acres of land. lle was born in Chariton. lowa. May 17, 1871. and is a son of William and Nancy (Wooley) Thomas, the former a native of Connectient and the latter of Knox county, Hinois. The mother came to Lucas county in 1851. making the journey overland with ox teams in company with her parents, and the family settled in Warren township upon a fract of raw prairie land upon which wild game abounded. They were among the early settlers in this part of Imieas county and contributed in a substantial measure to its agricultural development. The mother passed away in Jackson township on the 22d of .January, 1908. She and her husband had two children, both born and reared in Lneas county: Mrs. Addie A. Kelsey, whose birth occurred on the 9th of August. 1868, and who is now residing in Watertown, New York: and John Il., of this review.
When John H. Thomas was three years of age he moved from Chariton with his mother and they made their home in Otter Creek township, where he attended distriet school, at the same time becoming familiar with the details of farm operation by practical labor upon his mother's property. When he was seventeen years of age he began his independent career. moving to Warren township, where he cultivated the soil for some time. From there he moved half a mile south of Lueas and engaged in farming, subsequently entering the
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coal mines in the city, where he remained for three years. He then purchased a farm three miles southeast of Lueas and this he has improved and developed since that time. It comprises one hundred and twenty-one and one-half acres of land in Jackson township with excellent improvements, including a modern, attractive and well furnished home. Mr. Thomas is a seientifie and practical agriculturist and has met with excellent success in his farming operations, he and his son having secured prizes on corn, potatoes and timothy seed during the Short Courses held in the immediate vicinity. The son captured first prize in the Derby Short Course of 1913 on a single ear of eorn and seeond prize on the best ten ears of eorn and both have been honored with awards in every contest in which they have entered. Mr. Thomas is also a stock-raiser on an extensive scale, breeding and owning full-blooded Poland China hogs and good grades of horses and cattle. His business interests are all carefully and capably condueted and his success has followed as a natural result of his well directed labor and unremitting industry.
On the 31st of May, 1898, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Effie J. Hall, who was born in Stark county, Illinois, on the 7th of November, 1880. a daughter of Sylvester and Catharine (Harding) Hall, natives of Seranton. Pennsylvania, the latter born April 9, 1845. They arrived in New Virginia. Warren county, Iowa, in January. 1881, and here remained until their danghter was four years of age, when they moved to Jay, Clarke county, where they remained until they took up their residence near Lucas, Lueas connty, Iowa, where the father died in 1889. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred in Jackson township on the 10th of October, 1904. In their family were nine children : Septer, who resides near Lueas: Daniel, deceased ; Charley. who makes his home near New Virginia: a son, who died in infancy ; James, also of New Virginia: Orange, of the same city; Mrs. Thomas, wife of the subject of this review; Gladys, deceased: and Carrie, who makes her home in New Virginia. The seven eldest children in this family were born in Illinois. and the two younger ones in lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have become the parents of three children : Ina, born May 1, 1899; Charley C., born March 18, 1901; and Eunice Cecilia, born August 29, 1903. All are attending the public schools in this vicinity.
Mr. Thomas gives his political allegiance to the progressive party and has served several times on state and federal juries. He takes an active and helpful interest in the welfare of this section, for here his entire life has been spent and his many sterling qualities of mind and character have gained him the respect and esteem of all who are associated with him.
ALFRED CONNER.
Derby numbers among its honored, valued and representative citizens, Alfred Conner, who for ahnost sixty years has been a resident of Union township and is ranked with the earliest and greatest of her pioneers. He has witnessed prac- tieally the entire period of the development and expansion of this part of the state and in the work of npbuilding has borne an active and honorable part
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through the years, accomplishing not only a great individual prosperity, but a success which is important as an element in general growth. Possessed of unusnal traits of mind and character. he has so guided his activities and directed his life that he has won the respect and esteem of all who have been in any way associated with him and is recognized as a progressive citizen, an able business man and a worthy and upright gentleman. Mr. Conner has been a resident of Union township since the spring of 1855. but was born in Preston county. West Virginia. November 3. 1831. Ile is a son of Job and Nancy (MeNier) Conner. the former a native of Preston county and the latter of Pennsylvania. The parents came overland from Brandonville. West Virginia. in 1844, and settled in Cass county. Indiana, near Logansport, then moved to Union township, Lucas county. lowa, in 1855, where the mother passed away in 1861. at the age of fifty years. The father died in Indiana at the age of forty. The following children were born to their union : Mrs. Margaret Clymer, who has passed away : Alfred, of this review: Elizabeth, deceased ; William H .. who resides in Derby; John: Harrison, who has passed away ; Lney Ann, who died at the age of fifteen : and two, who died in infancy.
Alfred Conner spent his childhood and youth in Brandonville. Preston county, West Virginia, and when he was twenty-four years of age. accom- panied his parents overland to lowa, loeating in Union township in 1855. He found here a tract of raw prairie land. on which wild game was abundant, sparse settlements where Indians were frequent visitors, and indeed all of the hard conditions of pioneer life. There was a little trading point at Eddyville and a station at Chariton, but the rest of the county was practically all unbroken prairie which the first settlers were endeavoring to develop into prodnetive farms. Mr. Conner turned his attention to farming and stock- raising and for over a half century thereafter continued to engage in these pursuits, becoming in time a prominent and successful agrienlinrist. With characteristic energy he carried forward the work of developing his fields, first breaking the raw soil and erecting buildings, and afterward improving the place and equipping it with modern machinery. In the early days he also operated the first saw and feed mill in Lucas county, whither came the greater portion of the carly settlers in the surrounding districts. He became well acquainted with his neighbors, for all the pioneers were drawn together by common necessity, and he has held their honor and respect through the years, so that today he is one of the most highly esteemed men in this part of lowa. A few years ago he retired from active business life and moved into Derby. where he expects to spend the remainder of his days. He has disposed of almost all of his land but retains ninety acres in JJackson township.
In Chariton. lowa, in 1857. Mr. Conner was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Wade, who was born in Pennsylvania in IsJl. a daughter of Waitman T. and Ruhama ( Niken) Wade, natives of Virginia. The parents came to the eastern part of lowa in 1851, and after remaining one winter, moved in the spring of the following year to Lucas county, where for a time the father taught the Goshen school. In 1856 he was elected county surveyor and after holding this office for some time was made county treasurer, a position in which he did earnest and capable work for a member of years. Both parents have passed away, the father dying in Appanoose county and the mother in Chariton.
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To their union were born eight children: George; desse, who died while in the Union army during the Civil war; Elijah, who passed away in Kansas; Waitman, who resides in Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Conner, wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. Eliza Spray, who died in Seattle, Washington, in 1908; Mrs. Phoebe Chapman, who makes her home in Oregon: and Mrs. Ruhama Pollard, deceased. The older children were born in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the younger in Union township. Mrs. Conner has passed away, her death having occurred in Derby. January 12. 1911. She and her husband became the parents of nine children, all born in Union township, as follows: Marion S., who was born May 31. 1859, and who lives in Warren township; W. 11., who was born in 1860, residing in Moscow, Idaho; Mrs. Eliza JJ. Williams, who was born in October, 1862, residing in Derby; Joseph E., who was born in 1866, and who died August 22, 1905; George W., born in 1868, living in New Mexico : Franklin L., whose birth ocenrred May 29, 1876, and who resides in White Breast township; Martha A., who died at the age of three; and two sons. who died in infancy.
Mr. Conner is a devout member of the Baptist church, which he joined al Goshen church in 1857. He has been an active religious worker through the years. serving for a long period as deacon and for some time as clerk in his church. In his npright and honorable life he has exemplitied the doctrines in which he believes and he has never been known to give his consent or aid to any project which his conscience has not thoroughly sanctioned. In polities he is a democrat, and he takes an intelligent and active interest in public affairs, cooperating heartily in all progressive enterprises and never seeking to evade any of the duties of citizenship. He has been an active worker in the ranks of his party and has held all the township offices, his official career having been varied in service and faultless in honor. Throughout his long. useful and honorable life he has never been known to betray a confidence, to be false to a friend, to neglect any personal or publie duty and he has in con- sequence won a high place in the regard and esteem of his fellowmen. Those who are fortunate enough to come within the close circle of his friendship find him a courteous and kindly gentleman, interested in his neighbors and anxious to do all in his power to promote their happiness and prosperity. In Derby and throughout Union township he is known familiarly as "Unele Alfred," and he has made this name a synonym for upright living, for loyal citizenship and for kindliness of spirit.
DAVID A. AcMAINS.
David A. MeMains, a well known and representative citizen of Union township, Lucas county, enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful salesmen of sonthern Iowa in connection with the quetioneering business and owns a valuable farm of six hundred and twenty acres in addition to his home at Derby. llis birth occurred in Union township, this county, on the 20th of October, 1857, his parents being James and Catharine (Sears) MeMains. The
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father was born in Kentucky on the Ilth of April. 1820, while the mother's birth occurred in Indiana on the 5th of August, 1824. In 1856 they took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Lueas county, lowa, and here the mother passed away in February, 1884, while the demise of JJames MeMains occurred at Indianola, Iowa, on the Ist of June, 1901. They had two children, namely: Mrs. Melissa Westfall, who was born in Jefferson county, lowa, on the 22d of August, 1850, and resides in Indianola; and David A., of this review.
The latter grew to manhood in this county, obtaining his early education in the common schools and later pursuing a course of study in a select school at Chariton. He subsequently spent three and a half years in study at Valparaiso, Indiana, then returned to lowa and followed the profession of teaching for some time. Later he completed the business course at Valparaiso. He then turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and in connection with the work of the fields embarked in business as an auctioneer, being now known as one of the most successful salesmen of southern lowa. His territory is very extensive at the present time, covering all of Lueas, Wayne. Clarke and Decatur counties. He disposes of all classes of material but makes a specialty of stock sales. His undertakings as an agriculturist have also been attended with excellent results, and he is now the owner of a farm of six hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land in Union township, which is well improved in every partienlar and annually yields bounteous harvests. He also owns an attractive and well appointed home in Derby and is well entitled to representa- tion among the prosperous and leading citizens of his community.
On the 15th of May, 1884, Mr. MeMains was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Ochlman, who was born in Union township, this county, on the 19th of ·lune, 1858, and has always resided here. After completing her studies in the common schools she entered the select school at Garden Grove. Her parents were Charles and Dora (Tennis) Ochlman, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany, the former born on the 13th of February. 1822, and the latter on the 22d of December, 1822. Charles Oehlman emigrated to the United States in 1847 and located first near Quincy, Illinois, where he was married. In 1858 he and his wife took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Lucas county, Fowa. His demise occurred in Union township on the 15th of March, 1891, while his wife passed away in that township on the 25th of October, 1908. The latter had been twice married and by her first husband had one son. Henry Burgdorf. a native of Germany, who now makes his home in Oklahoma. Unto Charles and Dora (Tennis) Ochlman were born the following children: Mrs. Louisa Dickinson, who was born in Illinois and now resides in Seattle, Washington; Charles, born September 18, 1854, who resides on the old home farm in Union township; Mrs. Emma West, living at Conway, lowa ; Mrs. Lydia MeMains; Mrs. Frances Morey, who is a resident of Gordon, Nebraska : Mrs. Margaret Penick, of Derby, lowa ; and Mrs. Doris Hewitt, living in Gordon. Nebraska. All of the above children were reared in Lucas county. Mr. and Mrs. MeMains have one daughter. Irma Zoe, who was born on the 30th of September, 1591, and acquired her early edneation in the common schools. She subsequently attended Simpson College at Indianola for a year and then entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, from which she will graduate in June, 1915.
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Mr. MeMains gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Derby. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations : Chariton Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., of Chariton, Iowa; Derby Camp, M. W. A., of Derby; and Royal Neighbors of America, No. 1154, of Derby. Of the last named his wife is also a member. Both are fond of literature and theirs is one of the finest collections of books to be found in the community. Mr. and Mrs. MeMains are representatives of two of the honored pioneer fami- lies of Lueas county and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its horders.
JAMES W. JONES.
James W. Jones, a splendid representative of the worthiest and best type of lowa's pioneer citizen, dates his residence in this state from 1854 and has witnessed a great deal of the period of its greatest growth and development, taking an active and honorable part in the work of upbuilding. He was among the early settlers in Clarke county and has for years been numbered among representative agrienlturists in this part of the state, his eighty acre farm on section 9, Union township, Lucas county, evidencing in its appearance the care and practical labor which have been bestowed upon it. The years have brought him success. prominence and a comfortable fortune and his active and honorable life, guided always by high and worthy standards, has gained him the respect and esteem of many friends.
Mr. Jones was born in Putnam county. Indiana, April 4, 1839, and is a son of Reuben and Edith ( Rogers) Jones, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. In 1854 they journeyed overland to lowa and settled as pioneers in Polk county. this state, taking up their residence on rented land, within three miles of the present site of Des Moines. The community was called Fort Des Moines at that time, and was a village so small that it has been truthfully stated that one bushel of potatoes thrown upon the market would overstock it. After a short period of residence in that vicinity the Jones family moved to Clarke county, where the father entered land. This he later disposed of. buying a farm five miles south of Osceola, Clarke county. Ilere also he encountered the hardships and privations of pioneer existence, for he settled upon his property at a very early date. finding the land for miles around raw prairie and the Indians numerous in the vicinity. With characteristic energy he began the improvement and development of his farm and became well known in agricultural circles, dying upon his holdings in 1873 when he was eighty years of age. ITis wife passed away in 1890 and was eighty-nine at the time of her death. Thirteen children were born to their union : Mary Jane, deceased; David, who died in Indiana; Asa and Mrs. Margaret Thomas, who have also passed away; James W., of this review; Mrs. Lettie Lueas, deceased ; Mrs. Martha Clear of Prosser, Washington; John. who died in Washington in 1912; Reuben, also of Washington: Jacob, who makes his home in Butte, Mon- tana; Peter of Kansas City, Missouri; Isaae; and Mrs. Nancy Ann Crooks, of
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Prosser. Washington. The eight oldest of the above children were born in Indiana and the others in Iowa.
James W. Jones was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on the overland journey into lowa and he is therefore mimbered among the pioneer settlers here. He learned farming in his childhood by practical experience upon his father's property and has reaped the benefit of this early training during his active career which has been entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. He has not remained a continuous resident of this state since his first settlement, for at one time he homesteaded land in Nebraska and remained upon it for about twenty years, making it during that period a productive and valuable farm. Eventually however he returned to Union township, Lucas county, where he has long been a factor in agricultural development. He owns eighty aeres of fine land on seetion 9, and another tract of ten acres on section 4, and his prop- erties are well improved in every partienlar, giving every evidence of careful and practical cultivation. The house in which the family reside was one of the first erected in Union township and is known as the James Leach home, having been built by a pioneer of that name. The atmosphere of the early times clings around the old dwelling and homestead. where many interesting relies of the pioneers have been discovered. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are now in possession of a piece of cedar which was taken from a depth of fifty-nine fort below the surface of the ground. at a time when a new well was being bored near the house. They possess also a flax hackle and a spinning wheel belonging to Mrs. Leach, the first mistress of the house. These things have led Mr. Jones to take an interest in accumulating curios of this character and his collection ineludes a shoehammer brought from Germany over a century ago.
In 1867 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Elvira Pollard, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 19th of October, 1848. a daughter of Hezekiah Pollard and Matilda Cox, natives of that locality, the former born May 4, 1822. The family came overland in 1852, and settled in Union township. Lucas county, on October 25th of that year, among the carliest settlers. Both have passed away, the father dying May 11, 1908, and the mother April 9, 1910. To their union were born thirteen children : Stephen Aaron, of Hamilton county, Nebraska : Mrs. Jones, wife of the subject of this review; William Zachariah. of Hamilton county, Nebraska; Nathaniel, who makes his home in Buffalo, Wyoming; JJohn of Denver, Colorado : Mrs. Margaret Castle of Hamilton county. Nebraska ; Franklin Pierce, of Wyoming: Albert, who resides in Ridgeway. Missouri; Mrs. Flora Morris, of Derby: Mrs. Theodosia Robinson, who makes her home in Confidence, Wayne county ; Elisha and Mary Belle, who have passed away; and Mrs. Ida May Dennis of Union township. The four eldest of these children were born in Indiana and the rest in Union township, this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have become the parents of ten children: Mrs. Dora MeDaniels, who was born November 16, 1868, and who is residing with her parents in I'nion township; Delora Ellen, whose birth occurred on the 18th of February, 1870. and who has passed away: Mrs. Edith Patterson, who was born December 17, 1871, and who resides in this township; Albert Walter, who was born December 21, 1873, and who resides in Kendrick, Idaho; Mrs. Clara Ida Hamilton, born December 20, 1875, also of Kendrick, Idaho; Minnie, who was born October 8, 1878, and who was graduated from the Methodist Hospital
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and the State Hospital at Des Moines; MIrs. Maude Horton, who was born November 17, 1880, and who resides in Union township; Edna A., who was born March 1, 1882, and died October 17, 1900; Fay L., born July 6, 1886; and Ernest Hezekiah. born October 9, 1891.
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