USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 38
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 38
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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
Aside from his professional relations Dr. Croston has long been recognized as an influential factor in the public life of Lucas, giving of his time and talents unstintedly for the advancement and upbuilding of the city and county
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Although born across the water, he is a loyal American citizen, his public spirit being proven by definite and effective work in the public interest. Ile stands as a central figure in educational circles of the county, being now in the twenty-fifth consecutive year of his service as a member of the school board, having been first elected in the spring of 1888. He has been president of the board for a number of years and to his energy, conscientiousness and unselfish labor is due the present efficiency of the public-school system in Lucas. He has never shirked anything which he believed to be his duty and even in the face of the greatest opposition has carried forward his educational work to successful completion and is now enjoying in the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens the pleasure which comes to man from duty well per- formed. The people of Lneas have evideneed their gratitude for his services by retaining him in his position and giving him their support in the promotion of his many projects of reform and advancement. Dr. Croston has been mayor of Lucas for three terms and has been for twenty-four years a member of the town conneil, his public service standing as a testimonial to his loyalty and faithfulness in citizenship.
Dr. Croston married, in England in 1868, Miss Eliza Fletcher, a native of that country, who died in Lucas. To their union were born three children : Ellen, who is caring for the home in Lucas: Ernest, who resides in Needles, California; and George, a graduate in medieine from Northwestern Uni- versity in Chicago and one of the leading physicians and surgeons in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Dr. Croston gives his political allegiance to the republican party and asıde from the official positions before mentioned has served also as health officer of the town of Lucas and as county physician. Fraternally he is identified with Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414. A. F. & A. M., and belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his daughter are affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, as was his wife during her lifetime. A man of ability, intelligence and public spirit, with his powers broadened and devel- oped by travel and close observation, liberal-minded in his views and influenced at all times by regard and consideration for the rights and privileges of others, Dr. Croston stands as a representative of all that is most honorable in pro- fessional and private relations. Ile has given a great deal of his attention to the practice of medicine, in which he has won success during the years, but his professional labors have not excluded his active support and promotion of the other vital interests which go to make up the final sum of the human exist- ence.
HARRISON TAYLOR FLEENOR.
A descendant of early lowa pioneers, Harrison Taylor Fleenor engages in agricultural pursuits on forty-five acres of choice land on section 32, JJackson township, Lucas county. He was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, April 22, 1847. his parents being Hiram and Mary Ann (Portlock) Fleenor, the father a native of Virginia. The parents came to Des Moines county in 1832, being
Vol. II-19
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among the earliest settlers of lowa. At that time there were but two buildings in Burlington. They made their start to this state from Indiana, driving over- land in the old pioneer fashion. The father died in Des Moines county, Iowa, - at the age of sixty-nine years, long surviving his wife, who also died in that connty at the age of twenty-seven. In their family were but two children. the brother of our subjeet being William, who still resides on the old home farm in Des Moines county. Of a subsequent marriage of the father were born eight children, as follows: Isaae : George : John. deceased ; Robert ; Mrs. Mary Hildig; Elipees, deceased ; Mrs. Sadie Linder: and Mrs. Lydia Cullenbeck. All were born and reared in Iowa.
In the acquirement of his education Harrison T. Fleenor attended common school, early assisting his father in the work on the home farm and becoming acquainted with thorough agricultural methods. In 1863 he enlisted from Burlington, lowa, for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Com- pany C of the Thirtieth lowa Volunteer Infantry, which was a part of the Army of the Cumberland. Yet a mere boy of sixteen. Mr. Fleenor distin- guished himself by his courageous conduct and faithfulness to his duties, inspiring others with his spirit of patriotism. He participated in every engage- ment with his regiment except the battle of Lookout Mountain and upon receiving his honorable discharge returned to the pursuits of private life. having followed farming and the carpenter's frade since the close of the war. Mr. Fleenor enjoys today a pension from his government in part payment of the valuable services which he rendered the Union in upholding the northern cause. He remained in Des Moines county until 1867 and then moved to Madison county, this state, there following the carpenter's trade for six months. His next removal was to Lucas county, remaining, however, but three months before removing to Missouri, where he made his home for two years. He then returned to Jackson township, of which he has been a resident ever since. This was in the year 1871. He now gives his attention largely to the cultivation of forty-five acres of valuable land, upon which can be found good improvements. His building are in a state of good repair and he follows progressive methods in order to increase the productivity of the soil. A resident of Lucas county for over four decades, he largely enjoys the esteem of his friends and neighbors and such prosperity as has come to him no one begrudges him.
On September 7, 1867, Mr. Fleenor was married in Des Moines county, lowa, to Miss Jeannette Leonard, a native of that county, who was born on March 22. 1850. Her parents were among the early settlers of Des Moines county, coming there in 1846 by the overland route. The father. George Leonard. a native of France, died in Lucas county in 1892, and the mother. Nancy Leonard. a native of Ohio, also died in this county. In their family were three sons and four daughters, Mrs. Fleenor being the oldest in the family. The others were: John, deceased: Moses, deceased : Tabitha ; Lafayette, deceased : Mary, deceased ; and Lizzie. AH were born and reared in Des Moines county. Mr. and Mrs. Fleenor became the parents of five children, of whom four are living, the eldest, John, having passed away. The others are: William, a resident of Michigan : Perry, of Everist, lowa : Rose, residing with her parents: and Mary, also at home. All these children are natives of Lucas county, where they grow to maturity.
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Interested in publie matters, Mr. Fleenor gives his stanch adherence to the republican party. keeping well informed upon all issues that effect the welfare of his locality. county, state and nation. le has for seven years efficiently served as constable of Jackson township and has given evidence of his interest in the cause of education by serving as a member of the school board of his distriet. his term covering a similar period. For many years he has filled the position of road supervisor and has been active in the good roads movements, recognizing the importance of transportation facilities as regards the farmer. In every respect Mr. Fleenor is a progressive and public-spirited citizen, having given evidence of his patriotie spirit in war as well as in times of peace and being highly regarded and esteemed for his many good qualities of mind and character by all who know him and most of all by those who know him longest.
JOHN WESLEY LIPE.
A farm of eighty acres of choice land located in Otter Creek township gives evidence of the prosperity of John Wesley Lipe, a native of this township, born January 17, 1869, and a son of John and Mahala (Davidson) Lipe, the former a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, born Jannary 9, 1829, and the latter a native of Indiana. The father, in 1832, was brought to Indiana but sub- sequently came to Iowa, where he died in Otter Creek township, April 29, 1910. The mother also died in that township, preceding her husband in death by nearly forty years, her demise occurring in December, 1871. Both were early settlers of Lucas county, coming to Otter Creek township in the fall of 1861. The father had a military record to his eredit, having done duty in the Union army with Company C., Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Jolm Lipe had five children, of whom three are living. William, the eldest, who was born April 3, 1862, has since passed away. Phoebe Ann, born August 2, 1863, is also deceased. Mrs. Martha Ellen Pfrimmer, born July 7, 1866, resides in Otter Creek township. Mrs. Sarah Frances Eaton was born in December, 1870, and is also a resident of that township. The other member of the family is John W., our subject, who was the fourth in order of birth. The father subsequently married again. of this second union being born the following children: Mrs. Addie Harvey, a resident of Otter Creek township; Mrs. Alvie Lovina Baker, also of that township; and Winfred LeRoy and Wilford, twins, both deceased.
John W. Lipe was reared under the parental roof, losing his mother when only about three years of age. In the acquirement of his education he attended the schools of the neighborhood and subsequently assisted his father in the work of the farm. He has since become the owner of eighty acres of choice land on sections 13 and 14, Otter Creek township, which are under a high state of cultivation. His improvements are in excellent condition and his home is comfortable and well and modernly equipped. Beside general farming Mr. Lipe specializes in stock raising, deriving a gratifying income from both lines of endeavor.
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John W. Lipe was married to Sarah G. MeClane and of this union were born two daughters, Isyl and Opal. Politically he is a socialist and in religious matters a member of the Latter Day Saints church of Otter Creek. Fraternally he affiliates with Senna Lodge, No. 344, A. F. & A. M., of Liberty Center, Iowa. A public-spirited man of progressive tendencies, Mr. Lipe by his individual efforts has largely contributed to the general agricultural advancement and w herever known is highly regarded and esteemed.
GEORGE WASHINGTON GARTON.
A pioneer of Wayne county, lowa, where he has made his home for over sixty years, George Washington Garton has become one of the largest land owners in this section, where he holds title to eight hundred and eighty acres of valuable property on sections 5. 7. 8, 9 and 10, Clay township, and he takes the more pride in his prosperity because he has secured the same entirely by his own efforts.
Mr. Garton was born in Putnam county. Virginia. November 4, 1844, and is a son of Allen D. and Caroline ( Kimberling) Garton. The father was born near Red House Shoals, West Virginia, September 17, 1817, and died in Washington township, Wayne county, lowa, in November. 1892. Thomas Garton, Sr., the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia. of Scotch-Irish deseent, and served as a soldier of the war of the Revolution, His son, Thomas Garton, the grandfather of George W. Garton, also rendered distinguished military service, being a participant in the War of 1812, in which he was seriously wounded. He carried the cartridge ball which disabled him in his leg for about thirty-five years and after the bullet was located and extracted. it was kept by a sister as a memento in remembrance of her brother for a great many years after his death. A peculiar occurrence connected with it is the fact that after a lapse of about fifteen years the bullet crumbled into dust. For generations the family were prominent farmers and large plantation owners in Virginia. The father, Allen D. Garton, in 1851 left his native state with his family and, coming down the Ohio river as far as St. Louis, then proceeded up the Mississippi to Keokuk. There he purchased a team and made his way to Jefferson county. lowa, and thence to Wayne county, where he arrived in Washington township. October 10, 1851, and there remained until his death. There were no railroads at the time and the nearest trading point was Chariton. The means of loco- motion were ox teams and much of the travel was by foot and therefore necessarily slow. The father became one of the substantial farmers of Wayne county and served in a munber of public offices, being county assessor from 1857 until 1858, and serving as justice of the peace for ten years. He was a man of studions mind and a lover of books, well read and highly educated. In 1837 he united with the Methodist church and after coming to Washington township became a member of the Baptist denomination. On October 3, 1843. he married Miss Caroline Kimberling, who died May 31, 1860, and to them were born eight children, of whom George W., our subject, is the oldest. J. M .. the next in order of birth, died while young and Henry B. is also deceased. F. M. resides
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in Oklahoma and T. E. makes his home in Washington township. The next in the family is N. H. Garton, a resident of Allerton, lowa. Mrs. Elizabeth (Garton) lolmes died in Humeston in 1911. The youngest member is Cassius A., a resi- dent of Decatur county, lowa. In October, 1861, the father married Mary Raines, a daughter of John and Ellen Raines, and they became the parents of six children: Charles W., a resident of Broken Bow, Nebraska; Emma May, also of Nebraska : Willis L., of the same state ; and William A .. Mary A. and Maria F. The three eldest children were born in Virginia but the younger ones were born in lowa and all were reared in Wayne county.
George W. Garton came with his parents to Wayne county in 1851. when a boy of only seven years, and received his education in the schools of the neigh- borhood. lle early assisted his father with the work of the farm and became acquainted with the best methods of agriculture. Subsequently he taught school for four years in Wayne county and in the course of his work in that capacity introduced a novelty along the line of teaching geography in this section which was, that by singing the lessons they might more easily be fixed in the minds of the pupils. This new departure he instituted in 1866. He began to teach in 1865 when twenty-one years old and has in his possession one of the oldest cer- tifirates to be found in the county. Subsequently he turned all his attention to agrienlture and as snecess attended his efforts he increased his holdings until he is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of finely cultivated and highly valuable land in Clay township, Wayne county, on sections 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10, equipped with four sets of improvements. Progressive and energetic, he has always followed the most up-to-date methods in agrienlture and has become one of the substantial men of the locality.
Mr. Garton was married. January 20, 1870, to Miss Mary S. Shipley, who was born in Missouri, March 6. 1849, and died in Clay township. Wayne county, March 16, 1910. Her father was Richard R. Shipley, a native of Kentucky, who died in Clio, lowa, at the age of eighty-nine years, while her mother passed away when Mrs. Garton was quite young. The family were early pioneers of the state of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Garton are the parents of the following children : William R., a resident of Clay township; one who died in infancy ; Allen D., who passed away at the age of two years and ten months: Gilbert Hollister, a resident of Clay township; Samuel, who makes his home in the same township; and Edward. also residing there. The four eldest children were born in Richman township and the younger ones are natives of Clay township.
Mr. Garton is a stanch democrat and has heldl all of the local township offices. an indication of his popularity and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. In 1903 he was democratie nominee for state representative l'or Wayne county and has attended a number of county and state conventions and always has been a valued man in the councils of his party. His sons have also aspired to public office and one at present holds the office of justice of the peace in (lay township while another is assessor in the same township. The family are members of the Baptist church in Clay township, in the work of which they take active and helpful interest. and Mr. Garton gave liberally of his means towards the construction of the church building as well as donated the land upon which it was built. He is an exemplary member of the Masonic body.
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being connected with Clay Lodge. No. 191, A. F. & A. M .. of which for many years he was worshipl'nl master. In his various relations of life he has shown himself to be a man of strong character and high principles and has become a force for good in the community in which he makes his home, where he is highly regarded by all who know him. As a pioneer of this section he has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred but has been largely instrumental in bringing about the general advancement which has made the wild prairie one of the most fertile sections of the middle west. In whatever relation he has done service his work has been of a high order and the prosperity which has come to him is well merited and while he has attained individual success along agricultural lines he has been constructive in the development of new methods in this section of the country.
W. J. S. TAYLOR.
W. . J. S. Taylor, a resident of Humeston, who came to the state of lowa sixty- eight years ago and has been a pioneer of Wayne county, where he has made his home for half a century. can look back upon a career which stands forth as a credit to his industry. energy and ability. Successful along agricultural lines, he is the owner of a productive farm of two hundred acres on seetions 21 and 34. Richman township, and for thirty years ran successfully a gristmill in this vicinity and was also prominent as a stock-raiser. Moreover, he was a leader in all movements which were inaugurated to promote growth and development and his efforts along those lines were recognized in his election to the highest office within the gift of the people of lumeston-that of mayor.
Mr. Taylor was born in Indiana. December 2, 1843, and is a son of James and Elizabeth Fair (Steele) Taylor, the former a native of east Tennessee. where he was born April 5. 1818, and the latter born August 14. 1823. In the spring of 1845 the parents with their family came overland from Indiana and settled in Davis county, Iowa, where the father followed agricultural pur- suits for fifteen years. In the spring of 1860 another removal was made to Decatur county, this state, which remained the home of the family for three years before they came, in the spring of 1863. to Riehan township, Wayne county. Here the father engaged in agriculture and attained prominence, passing away in Humeston, lowa, July 28, 1892. greatly respected by all who knew him, while the mother survived until April 15, 1910, dying at the same place. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Jesse Steele, who was born February 7. 1795, and spent a great part of his life in the state of Pennsylvania, passing away January 23, 1844. The maternal grandmother, Jane Y. ( Fair) Steele, was born October 5. 1805, and died August 1, 1904. The Fair family to which this grandmother belonged was of French extraction, leaving that country during the days of religious perseention and inquisition about 1685, and there is a record extant which tells of the marriage of Nicholas Fair to a Miss Elizabeth Taylor in about 1752. This direct ancestor of our subject in the maternal line soon after his marriage moved to Pennsylvania and from there to Washington county, Tennessee. He had eight children, of whom five served in the American
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army at the time of the battle of King's Mountain, and Mr. Taylor has in his possession a genealogical record which extends from this period to the present day. Five brothers of Elizabeth Fair (Steele) Taylor, the mother of our subjeet, who are now deceased, fought in the Union ranks during the Rebellion and the youngest of them was imprisoned at Andersonville for nine months, at the end of which time he made an attempt-driven to desperation and pre- ferring immediate death to endless torture-to escape and succeeded.
Mr. and Mrs. James Taylor were the parents of seven children, as follows: W. J. S., of this review; Mrs. Jennie Veach, who was born August 4, 1847, and died in August, 1912; Mrs. Paulina Chamberlain, born September 10, 1850, a resident of San Diego, California : Mrs. Asilee Stone, born May 22, 1853, residing in Arkansas: Mrs. Henrietta Poundstone, born June 15, 1857, of Humeston, lowa; Mrs. Clara S. Hendricks, born May 22. 1860, a resident of Concordia, Kansas; and Mrs. Ada T. Brecken, who was born May 12, 1865. and now makes her home in Barnard, Kansas.
W. J. S. Taylor was only two years of age when the family removed to lowa, where he was reared on the home farm in Davis county, attending the schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of his education. He lived there until 1860, when he moved with his parents to Decatur county and from there came to Richman township, Wayne county, in the spring of 1863 and here he has since remained. An incident which he well remembers and which is illustrative of the sparse settlement of this section at that period is that the votes cast at the first election which took place after the family had come to this township amounted to twenty-three for that district. All the removals of the family were made by team. as there were no railroads at the time and they were franght with difficulties on account of the impassibility of the roads or their entire absence. He was the only child of the family born in Indiana, the remainder all being na- tives of this state. In the spring of 1873 he began the operation of a mill in Rich- man township and continued in that occupation successfully for thirty years, although he was engaged at the same time in operating the home farm, which com- prises two hundred acres of fertile land on sections 21 and 34, Richman township. and on which he made many improvements, erecting a number of new buildings and instituting such equipment as he considered necessary for operation. Ile specializes along the line of stoek-raising and since 1889 has owned one of the best herds of Duroe Jersey swine to be found in Iowa, keeping a complete record of this stock. As the years have passed he has attained to prosperity and has become one of the substantial men of the community. He is highly esteemed as one of the pioneers of the section and respected by all who know him. He resides in Humeston, where he owns a comfortable home, well furnished, where he and Mrs. Taylor extend warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends.
On September 23, 1868, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage, in Wayne county. Iowa, to Miss Rachel MeKinley, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 6, 1847, and came with her parents to this county in September. 1863, when abont sixteen years of age. Her father, Willoughby MeKinley, was born in Ohio. April 23, 1820, and died in Richman township, August 19, 1896. The mother, who was Miss Elizabeth Carter before her marriage, was a native of the same state, born in Guernsey county, February 11, 1824, and died in Richman township. this county, JJuly 12, 1885. They were the parents of three
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children: John R., born February 23. 1846, a resident of California: Mrs. W. J. S. Taylor; and George W., born August 6, 1852. who died in Richman township, December 16, 1909. These children were all born in the state of Ohio. Mrs. Taylor's paternal grandparents were William and Tamer (Brown) MeKinley, the former born October 17, 1777. and the latter December 12, 1791. They were among the carlier settlers of Ohio, to which state they had come from Pennsylvania. The grandfather passed away February 20. 1858, and the grandmother June 27. 1845. The maternal grandfather. Richard Carter, was born September 28. 1790, and died February 23. 1842, while his wife, who was Miss Rachel Russell before her marriage, was born November 4. 1799, and died in 1861. The Me Kinley family is closely related to that of the late President William MeKinley, the two branches having become separated at the time of the removal from Pennsylvania to Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. W. I. S. Taylor are the parents of five children. all of whom were born in Richman township: Afred, who was born June 21. 1870, and resides in Richman township: James Lewis, born October 17, 1874. a jeweler and optician in Humeston: Willoughby MeKinley, horn August 29. 1878, a resident of California : Elizabeth Florence, who was born February 3. 1882, educated in the Humeston high school and at Grinnell and Des Moines col- leges, and who taught musie in Richman and vicinity for some time and is at present attending the Conservatory of Music in Chicago ; and Mrs. Ruth Louvone Bevington, born February 4. 1884, who makes her home in Centerville, Jowa.
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