USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 5
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 5
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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
DR. WILLIAM H. EARNEST
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Numa Block Coal Company and the Prairie Block Coal Company. Dr. and Mrs. Earnest are members of the Presbyterian church, taking an active and helpful interest in the affairs of that organization.
Dr. Earnest is a republican and although his professional duties have been manifold and exaeting. he has found time to take up public position, and served as county coroner for some time, while he also acted as United States pension examiner. In 1864, when only fifteen years of age, his boyish spirit stirred by the all-pervading patriotism of those times, he enlisted with the One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Infantry as volunteer and also served with the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Regiment, being mnstered out with honorable discharge at the close of the war. Although a mere boy, he never faltered in the performance of any duty or task assigned him, however ardnons, however hazardous, his valor. his zeal and his devotion to his eonutry awakening and inspiring courage in men many years his senior who served with him in the ranks for the preserva- tion of the Union. Dr. Earnest's fraternal associations extend to the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic. In the former he is a blue lodge Mason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner, while in the latter he is affiliated with William Kellogg Post, No. 186, of which he has served as commander. In the latter connection he meets his comrades of yore and there finds that spirit which keeps alive the flame of patriotism and devotion to one's country which makes life more noble and more sacred. There have been no spectacular phases in the life record of Dr. William Earnest, but his history is one of those which tell of the simple life led in the right direction, and which inspire and encourage others by what has been accomplished through energy, ambition, kindness and character.
HENRY S. BROWN.
The death of Henry S. Brown in Unmeston in 1911 marked the passing of one of that sturdy band of pioneers who founded the civilization of the central west and laid the foundations of its future development. At the time of his death Mr. Brown was ninety-three years of age and had lived for upwards of half a century in Wayne county. so that he was among its oldest residents, hav- ing been a witness of its growth and advancement through fifty years of an honorable and worthy life. He saw the broad prairies converted into productive fields and in all of the work of progress was an active participant, his fine quali- ties of mind and character gaining him the unqualified respect and esteem of his fellowmen.
Henry S. Brown was born in Swedesboro. New Jersey. November 3. 1818. the same year which marked the birth of Queen Victoria. His parents were poor and he had therefore the advantages of only a common school education and was obliged to lay aside his books at the age of fourteen in order to begin his apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade. Ile became very proficient in this work and followed it successfully for a number of years, finally establishing a shop of his own at Shiloh. Before he left New Jersey. on July 21. 1842, Mr. Vol. 11-3
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Brown married Miss Ruth D. West and after the event continued working at his trade until 1850, when, attracted by the growing prominence of the central west as a productive farming region. he and his young wife began their journey westward to east their lot in a country which was then a frontier wilderness. They went to Buffalo by rail and from there by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago and thence to Peoria, Ilinois. Mr. Brown bought a farm of eighty acres six- teen miles northwest of Henry. in Stark county, and began its improvement in connection with his work as a blacksmith. In the development of the farm he was ably assisted by his wife, who proved herself a worthy and courageous help- mate for the pioneer. and together they carried forward the work of improving their holdings, becoming finally the possessors of one of the finest farms in that part of Illinois. In 1870 they sold this property and moved to Richman town- ship, Wayne county, Iowa, where Mr. Brown purchased one hundred and sixty acres. located three miles northwest of Humeston. The years brought him pros- perity as the result of his well directed labor and each season more abundant harvests rewarded his care and labor, and at length he retired from active life, moving in 1880 into Humeston, where he established a home and where the remaining years of his life were spent.
Mr. Brown was particularly happy and fortunate in his home life, his wife being a true and worthy helpmate during their sixty-five years of married life. They became the parents of nine children. four of whom are still living. namely : Mrs. John MeKinnon, of Viola. Ilinois: II. H .. who is agent for the Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek Short Line Railroad. with headquarters in Colorado Springs: R. A., a farmer residing in Farson, Wyoming : and Mrs. Mva Humes- ton, of Ilumeston. One of the most interesting events in the career of Mr. and Mrs. Brown was the celebration in 1892 of their golden wedding anniversary, when all of their children and grandchildren and their many friends gathered at their home to congratulate them upon the event and to wish them many more years of happy life. The companionship between Mr. and Mrs. Brown was broken by death in 1907, when. on April 21st of that year, the mother was called to her final rest. While preparing breakfast on the 13th of April she was stricken with apoplexy and Tell across Mr. Brown's lap, pining him to the chair in such a way that he was unable to move. Miss Hattie Humeston, a grand- daughter, was awakened by Mr. Brown's eries, and with the assistance of her mother placed Mrs. Brown in bed, from which she never again arose, passing away on Sunday, April 21st, at four o'clock. She was one of the true pioneer women of the central west and her life was filled with goodness, love and help- ful service. She was an untiring worker in the cause of temperance, serving as president of the Women's Christian Temporanee Union for several years and upon the committee of ladies organized to break up the saloon business in Humeston. The sorrow at her death was widespread and sincere. for she had many friends in Humeston and throughout Wayne county who had been drawn to her by her kindness, her helpfulness and her true and worthy life. She and her Imshand belonged for many years to the Baptist church. but after they moved into Humeston joined the Christian denomination, of which they were active supporters for a number of years. Mr. Brown survived his wife until 1911, when he passed away at the advanced age of ninety-three, his death ending a life honorable, loyal and upright in its purposes and high and lofty in its
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aims and ambitions. A broad sympathy and a true kindness of heart endeared him to many friends, for whom "Grandpa" Brown always had a cheery word and a helping hand, and his death was a great loss to Wayne county in the ranks of her successful pioneers.
GEORGE MOSER.
Throughout the years of an active, useful and honorable life, George Moser has worked his way upward from poverty to a position of prominence and intlu. ence, facing defeat, overcoming obstacles, meeting reverses with high confidence and courage and advancing steadily to final triumph. The record of his life furnishes splendid examples of the compelling power of honesty and industry and of the value of ambition and determination in the development of a sur- cessful career, for he started out in life empty-handed and is today one of the largest shippers of stock in Wayne county. Mr. Moser is one of the many sturdy, energetic, capable and enterprising men whom Germany has given to America. He was born in Wittenberg, April 24, 1866, and is a son of B. and Ushler (Schaefer) Moser, natives of the fatherland, the former of whom died in Humeston in 1911 and the latter in the same city in 1899. In this family were six children, all born in Germany: John, who is residing in Clay town- ship; George, of this review; Matthew, who is assisting his brother George in the conduct of his meat market; Mrs. Barbara Waite, of Idaho; Michael, who died in 1906; and Mary, who passed away at the age of fourteen.
George Moser spent his early childhood in his native country, but in 1881 came to America with his parents, settling first in Aurora, Ilinois, where he remained for one year and a half. In 1883 he came to Wayne county and has resided here ever since. At the time of his arrival he possessed a capital of six dollars and fifty cents, but his assets in determination and ambition were unlim- ited, and with characteristic energy he set himself to work out an honorable career. For two years he engaged as a common laborer and then for an equal period hired out by the month at farm labor.
The four years after this were spent in railroad work, Mr. Moser in the mean- time saving every penny over his living expenses and investing his money in a judicious manner. In this way he acquired enough to stock a farm and he therefore rented land and engaged in general agricultural pursuits. For two years he developed this property and was just beginning to make some progress toward success when his farm buildings and all of his stock were destroyed by fire. At this time also his wife, who had aided him in his reverses and shared his hardships, passed away, leaving him to face a situation that would have dis- conraged an ordinary man. However, with renewed energy Mr. Moser set himself to repair his fortunes and at length became interested in the live stock busi- ness, shipping his own animals. Gradually he extended his activities to include the buying. selling and shipping of other stock, and at length his patronage increased and extended until today he has become one of the largest stoek deal- ers in Wayne county. In 1906 he purchased a meat market in Homeston and in addition to this owns and operates five hundred and ten acres of land, with
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three sets of improvements. llis farming. stock-raising and meat business he carries on practically as one enterprise, displaying in the management of his extensive business interests the executive force and power of control upon which his success is founded.
Mr. Moser has been twice married. In 1891 he wedded Miss Bertha Ruff. who was born in Clay township and who passed away in the same section in 1892. One child. Ernest, was born to this union. In 1893 Mr. Moser married Miss Emma Grouch, a native of lowa, born March 7. 1860. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Grouch, both of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Moser have one son. Leo, who was born in Clay township, June 4. 1897. The family reside in a beautiful home just south of the city. in Richman township, and are well known throughout the entire community.
Mr. Moser gives his allegiance to the progressive party and is active and pro- gressive in all matters of citizenship, serving at the present time as a member of the town council. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is today one of the prominent and representative men in Hinnes- ton and is a valuable addition to the ranks of its citizenship. Coming penniless and unknown from Germany over a quarter of a century ago. he has fully real- ized the hope which brought him to our shores, regarding America as another name for opportunity. The record of his courageons, sturdy and undaunted struggle against obstacles and reverses and the final triumph of his successful life may well serve as a spur to others equally unfortunate and as a hope and inspiration to those who come after.
FLOYD E. FARR.
Floyd E. Farr is the proprietor of the Rexall Drug Store and is one of the most able, progressive and successful business men of lumeston. He was born in Macon, Missouri, January 4, 1878, and is a son of William E. and Hattie (Sagiser) Farr and a grandson of Edward Farr who lost his life during the Civil war. The father of our subject was born in Missouri. December 9. 1852. and is at present residing in Kansas City, at the age of sixty years. llis wife was a native of Pennsylvania, born October 5. 1854, and her death occurred on the 26th of November, 1898. In their family were three sons, all of whom were born in Macon, Missouri, namely: Floyd E. of this review; Sydney B. a resident of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Homer L .. also a resident of that city.
In the acquirement of an education Floyd E. Farr attended the public schools of Macon, Missouri, and Cowgill, of the same state. When he began his active career he came to Humeston and entered the employ of Il. C. Ady, who was engaged in the drug business here, and afterward he was with the Benge Drug Company. When Mr. Farr left his first position he went to Corydon as manager of the Shipley Drug Company in that city but eventually he returned to Humeston and re-entered the employ of the Benge Drug Com- pany. Afterward he went into business for himself, conducting a drug store of his own at Cambria for two years, disposing of his enterprise in order to assume the management of the Stevens Drug Store in Kansas City, where in
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remained for six months. At the end of that time he returned to Humestou and purchased his present establishment, which he has since conducted. The scope of the business has been expanded beyond the limits of Mr. Farr's original idea and the store now contains departments in which are handled wallpaper. paints. Eastman kodaks, Edison phonographs. Haviland chinaware, silverware and jewelry, besides a complete stock of drugs and drug sundries. Mr. Farr is also agent for the famous Rexall remedies. Matson Bennett has been assisting him in the conduet of his establishment for the past three years and Theophile Kaznearehak is at the head of the jewelry department. His store is one of the finest of its kind in this part of lowa. its flourishing condition being entirely due to the earnest and well directed efforts of the owner, who is a shrewd, able and resourceful business man and a powerful factor in the general commer- cial growth of his community.
On November 29, 1899, Mr. Farr was united in marriage to Miss Elsie B. Humeston, who was born in White Breast. Lucas county, Jowa, November 29. 1879, a daughter of Alva and Annie E. (Brown) IIumeston, the former a native of Trumbull county. Ohio. born Angust 12. 1852, and the latter of Stark county, Illinois. The Humeston family is one of the oldest and most prominent in this part of Iowa and Alva Ilumeston is one of the broad. liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens of the community in which he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Farr have become the parents of one daughter, Helen Maxine, who was born in Humeston, Jannary 14, 1906. Mrs. Farr is a member of the Christian church.
Fraternally Mr. Farr is affiliated with Fidelity Lodge, No. 228. A. F. & A. M .. and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Ile is widely known in his locality, where he has lived for many years, his upright and hon- orable character winning for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is associated. llis career furnishes a splendid example of the power and force of determination and enterprise. for his path to success has been by no means clear of obstacles. Hlis stock was twice destroyed by fire, once at Cambria and once at Ilumeston, but Mr. Farr did not allow himself to become dis- heartened, facing his reverses with confidence and courage and finally winning a substantial measure of prosperity.
J. HERBERT PARK.
J. Herbert Park has been a resident of Wayne county for forty years. Dur- ing that time he has witnessed the growth and development of this section of the state and has been a powerful individual forre in its agricultural and busi- ness development, many of the leading banks in Lucas and Wayne counties owing their foundation to his initiative spirit and their development to his ability and enterprise, and his eight hundred aere farm standing as a conclusive evidence of his energy and ability. His record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement, showing what may be accomplished by indi- vidual effort when intelligently directed, for it has been by his own labors that
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he has gained the prominent position which he now ocenpies among men of marked ability and substantial worth in his community.
.I. Herbert Park was born in Warren county, Illinois, October 28. 1843. and is a son of Warren and Sophia ( Wheaton) Park, natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1806 and the latter in 1816. The Park family is one of the oldest in America and was founded here by a representative of the line who located in Massachusetts in 1635, settling on the spot where Harvard College now stands. There is still extant and in the possession of the subject of this review a genealogieal record extending back eight generations. It contains the names of JI. Herbert Park's great-grandfather. Samuel Park, who was a member of the Massachusetts general court during the Revolutionary war, his grandfather. John Park, wounded in King Philip's war, and his paternal grandmother, who was a member of the famous Adams family of Massachusetts, from which Presi- dent John Quincy Adams came. The parents of the subject of this review were pioneers in Illinois, having settled in Warren county, that state, after the Black Hawk war. Both died in Henderson county, the father in 1856 and the mother in 1904. Among their children were: Russell, who has passed away : Mrs. Mary Calista Anderson, who resides in Lincoln, Kansas: JJ. Herbert. of this review ; Orlando Appleton, who resides in Brownsville, Oregon : Solomon Adams, of Henderson county, Illinois: Eugene, deceased ; and Harry Ellsworth. also of Brownsville. Oregon. The elder members of this family were born in Massachusetts and the younger in Henderson county, Illinois.
J. Herbert. Park grew to manhood in Minois and there attended common schools. After laying aside his books he engaged in teaching. and at the out- break of the Civil war enlisted from Henderson county in Company G. One Hundred and Eighteenth Volunteer Infantry, serving as a non-commissioned officer and receiving his honorable discharge. He afterward returned to Hen- derson county and resumed his teaching, later abandoning this occupation and turning his attention to the stock business and to dealing in lands. In 1870 ho settled at Burlington, lowa, and there obtained a position in a law office, doing notary work and also managing the real-estate department. Following this he went to the western mountain states and there engaged in the mercantile business in the mining camps of the Rocky mountains for about twenty years. Before settling at Burlington he had purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of choice land in Richman township. Wayne county, and after his return from the mining camps he settled upon this property, whereon he has since resided. To it he has added extensively from time to time and is now a large landowner, holding between seven and eight hundred neres lying in Richman township, this county, and Union township. Lucas county. The farm has three sets of good improvements and is a valuable property in every particular, for it has been operated along modern, practical lines, and it responds to the care and labor of its owner in constantly increasing productiveness.
In addition to his farming interests Mr. Park has for many years been very prominent in financial circles of Humeston and the vicinity and has assisted in the organization of seven different banks. Today he is interested in the Home State Bank of Humeston and in the Cambria Savings Bank. He was the organ- izer of the Derby State Bank, in which he has since disposed of his stock.
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Mr. Park voted for Abraham Lincoln at the time of his second election and at the second election of President Grant voted the independent republican ticket. He is, however, at present, a democrat and interested in public affairs, cooperating heartily in everything which he deems of permanent value to the community in which he has so long resided. He is connected fraternally with Fidelity Lodge. No. 228, F. & A. M., of IInmeston, and belongs to the Royal Arch Masons in Corydon. He is a man of exemplary character, just, conscien- tious and peace-loving, and during the forty years he has lived in Wayne county he has never been involved in a law suit, settling all disputes which have arisen in accordance with the principles of right and justice. A wide reader, he has spent a great deal of time and thought upon his library, which is today one of the finest to be found in this part of Iowa, being especially well supplied with books of a historical and scientific nature. Ile lives his own life; his books are his companions ; his fields are his friends; his work and business, his recreation. The best current magazines are on his reading table, for Mr. Park is a well informed man and likes to keep abreast of the questions and issues of the day. As was said of his famous kinsman, President John Quincy Adams: "IIis mind is a storehouse of facts and nothing could be more desired by a person of mental attainment than to enter into any kind of conversation with him."
DAVID A. PAGE.
David A. Page, of the Allerton Implement Company, is one of the indus- trious business men and public-spirited citizens of Wayne county, where he is serving as a member of the board of supervisors. A large portion of his life has been passed in this immediate vicinity, where for many years he actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in 1905 he removed to Allerton and iden- tified himself with the commercial interests of the town. Mr. Page was born in Woodford county, Illinois, on the 15th of April, 1865, and is a son of Moses P. and Martha E. (Banta) Page, the father a native of New Hampshire and the mother of Illinois. They were married in the last named state and began their domestie life in Woodford county, where the father engaged in farming until 1878. In the latter year he removed with his family to Wayne county, Iowa, and purchased six hundred acres of land to the cultivation and improve- ment of which he devoted his energies during the remainder of his active life. About 1891 he disposed of his interests here and went to Washington, where he is still residing at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. He has long survived the mother, who passed away in 1891, at the age of fifty-nine and is buried in the cemetery at Allerton. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Page there were born eight children, our subject being the sixth in order of birth.
The first thirteen years in the life of David A. Page were passed in his native state. He was reared in very much the same manner as all farmer lads, pursuing his education in the public schools, and while engaged in the mastery of the common branches becoming familiar with the duties of the agriculturist. He remained at home and assisted with the cultivation of the fields and care of the stock until he was eighteen, when he started out to make his own way in the
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world. Feeling he was fully qualified to begin his independent career as an agrienlturist he rented a farm in MeLean county. Hinois, which he cultivated with a good measure of success for eight years. Coming to Wayne county. at the expiration of that time, he bought two hundred acres of land in Clinton township. The further improvement and cultivation of this place engaged his energies until 1904. when renting his farm he returned to MeLean county. Illinois, where for two years he engaged in farming and then removed to Aller- ton, in order to give his children the opportunity of better educational advantages than were afforded in the country. When he came to town Mr. Page engaged in the implement business with C. P. Meredith, with whom he was associated until 1912, when with W. T. Grimes and J. T. Kastes he bought the establishment now conducted under the firm name of the Allerton Implement Company.
In 1890, Mr. Page was married to Miss Nettie Muzzy, a daughter of Alman and Mary (Packingham) Muzzy, natives of New York, who subsequently went to Illinois, coming from there to lowa about 1903. Here the father passed away in 1912. at the age of eighty-two years, but the mother, who is in her seventy-third year. is still living. Mrs. Page, who was the fifth in a family of six children, was born in October, 1865. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Page, as follows: Robert R., whose birth occurred on the 23d of January. 1891. a student first in the department of dentistry at the lowa State University, lowa City, and now at Northwestern University : and Manley A., whose natal day was November 16, 1899, attending the public schools of Allerton.
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