USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 7
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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
William 31. Larimer was four years of age when he came with his parents to this county and he grew to manhood here, acquiring his education in the distriet schools. On May 19. 1864, he enlisted in the Union army and served one hundred days, receiving his honorable discharge September 23, 1864. He returned to Lucas county and engaged in farming. following that occupation until about the year 1882, when he moved into Russell, where he became con- nected with lumber interests. He has remained identitied with the limber business here since that time and today controls an important patronage and is ranked with representative and progressive business men of the city.
Mr. Larimer has been twice married. He wedded first. on November 24. 1868, Miss Eliza Jane Hall, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois. June 9. 1848. She came to Lucas county at an early day and died in Russell, lowa. February 21, 1883. She was a daughter of Thomas and JJennie ( Maple) Hall. both of whom have passed away. They were the parents of five children: Mrs. Larimer, first wife of the subject of this review: George, who resides in Peoria county. Ilinois; and Tracy. Joseph and Catharine, deceased. By his first wife Mr. Larimer became the father of five children: Mrs. Etta Russell, who was born September 24. 1869, and who resides in St. Joseph, Missouri ; Charles L., who was born August 17, 1871, and who makes his home in Russell : Emma, who was born August 24. 1873, and who died March 17. 1874; Mrs. Jessie Hatcher. who was born December 27, 1874, and who resides in El Paso, Texas; and Harry B., who was born March 22. 1877. and who died January 22. 1908. On the 13th of January. 1885. Mr. Larimer was again married. his second union being with Miss Anna Marks, who was born in Hennepin. Ilinois, April 10, 1852. Her parents came overland to Mills county, Iowa, at an early day. Both have passed away.
Mr. Larimer is connected fraternally with the Russell post of the Grand Army of the Republic and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has resided in this county since his childhood and has become widely known here, his business integrity. his progressive spirit and his genuine per- sonal worth having gained him the respect and esteem of all who come in contact with him.
LEWIS MILES.
Lewis Miles can look back upon forty years of active experience in the pro- fession of the law in Wayne county and has attained a position of prominence among the members of the bar. Since 1894 he has practiced in partnership with (. W. Steele, and the law business transacted by the firm is of most extensive proportions, Mr. Miles was born in Marion county, Ohio, June 30. 1815, and is a son of William and Emily ( Welch) Miles, The mother's family were old Vermont settlers. William Miles came with his family to Wayne county, lowa, April 30, 1853, and took up government land. for which he had made entry in 1851. At that time there were only four log houses in the locality where he
LEWIS MILES
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settled and the nearest market was Alexandria, Missouri. He was here ste- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. December 26, 1879, excepting the years 1857 and 1858, during which time he was also engaged in the mercantile business. The mother passed away on October 11. 1865. Both were members of the Freewill Baptist church. Of their family seven children grew to maturity, while two died in infancy, and our subject is the eldest mem- ber of the family.
Lewis Miles was reared at home under pioneer conditions and received his first education in a log schoolhouse in Corydon, lowa. He went for one year to school in North Scituate, Rhode Island, and in 1865 graduated from Bryant & Stratton Commereial College in Chicago. Having supplemented his education by careful reading and study. he took np the profession of teaching and was so eh- gaged in Corydon for about two and a half years, at the end of which time he read law under General Glasgow and prepared himself for the bar examination. On October 20, 1868, he was admitted to the bar, but in the following years from 1869 to 1871 engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1872 he began the actual prac- tiee of law in partnership with JJ. N. Mcclanahan and after this partnership was dissolved he became associated with W. H. Tedford, remaining in this con- nection until 1879, when Mr. Freeland became his partner, who remained with him in business until 1893. Since August 1, 1894, he has practiced in partner- ship with C. W. Steele and this firm has ever enjoyed a wide reputation and an extensive clientage. Mr. Miles has conducted many important cases to successful issue and has handled much of the litigation arising in the city and in the sur- rounding country. He is well read in the law, forceful in argument and prepares his cases and briefs carefully. By his long years of experience he has become one of the most prominent members of the bar not only in his city and county, but in the state of Iowa, and his ability along legal lines found recognition in his appointment to the important office of United States district attorney on November 27, 1889, in which capacity he served until January 1, 1894. In 1898 he was reappointed to the same office and he again served in the same position from 1902 to 1907. being in all for thirteen years the incumbent in this position. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of the United States.
On February 20, 1868, Mr. Miles married Miss Mary D. Robb, a daughter of William and Rebecca Robb, of Wayne county, and of this union were born four children : William E., who is engaged in mercantile pursuits; Charles B., who is also engaged in commercial lines; Winifred, the wife of HI. II. Carter ; and Lois, who married D. W. Jackson.
Mr. Miles has been an active factor in the local councils of the republican party. He has always taken great interest in political affairs and as early as October, 1869, was elected to the state legislature from his district. In 1879 he was a candidate for the state senate, but was defeated at this election. Being nominated in 1883 on his party's ticket for the same position, he was elected and served in the upper house of the lowa legislature from 1883 until 1887. He secured the passage of a number of important measures which were of great. benefit to his district, and his work while at the capital was generally of an important and effective character. In 1880 he served in the capacity of presi- dential elector. Mr. Miles' life work has been successful in the truest sense of the word. He is broad-minded and tolerant and readily discriminates between
Vol. II-4
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the essential and non-essential points as they come up in his work. He takes the same interest in promoting publie affairs that he gives to his private practice and he has done much that redounds to his credit to benefit the city in which he makes his home. He has been actuated by a laudable ambition to succeed from his carly youth and this ambition and his undaunted energy have carried him to success.
GEORGE PARKIN.
Well known as one of the prosperous agriculturists of I'nion township. Lneas county, and prominent in the public life of his township. George Parkin is to be ranked with its foremost citizens. He was born in Delaware county, Pensyl- vania, April 18, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and An (Newsome) Parkin, both natives of England. The father was born in that country in 1827 and with his wife came to America in 1856. In 1878 the family removed to U'nion township, Lucas county, and there the father was successful until his death, which occurred in November, 1908. His wife has also passed away, her demise having occurred in Union township in August, 1902. Both were highly esteemed and respected in this locality for their many admirable qualities of mind and character, In their family were five children, of whom four died in infancy, the subject of this review being the only surviving member.
George Parkin was educated largely in Pennsylvania and in 1878, when nineteen years of age, came with his parents to I'nion township. Lucas county, where they located on April 12th. and has resided here ever since. While in Pennsylvania members of the family had found employment in the woolen mills but since coming to lowa they have ever been engaged in farming and stock- raising and it is this occupation which has brought Mr. Parkin success. Although his educational advantages in his native state were meager he has learned much by reading and studied deeply in the university of life. Applying himself indus- triously to his purpose, he brought his one hundred and sixty acres farm on section 21 to a high state of cultivation and now also owns forty acres on section 19 and ten aeres on section 5, all in Union township. His buildings are sub- stantial and his residence is comfortable, while the most modern machinery can be found upon the place. He engages in general farming and also gives consid- erable attention to stock-raising.
In November, 1881. Mr. Parkin was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sprott, who was born in Van Buren county. lowa, on January 28. 1-58. Her parents were Joseph and Frances ( Brown) Sprott, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were born July 30, 1826, and April 24. 1830, respectively. The father was attending Rush Medical College of Chicago when the news of the California boom struck that eity and he left his studies and traveled overland to California It later returned by way of Panama over the same route where now the Panama canal is being constructed. On his second trip west he located in Union town- ship, near the old Westfall homestead, and there remained successfully engaged in agrienlture until his death. He passed away in Derby in August. 1903, and his wife survived him for about two years. her demise ocenrring in Union towa-
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ship on April 23, 1905. In their family were six children, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, residing sonth of Chariton; Mrs. Joan Chapman, of Derby ; Mrs. George Parkin ; Mrs. Kate Robinson, whose home is in White Breast town- ship; Mrs. Alice Washburn, of Union township; and Thomas, deceased. The three older children were born in Van Buren county and the three younger in Union township, Lucas county. The Sprott family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Union township and the name has ever been held in high esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Parkin have become the parents of seven children : Joseph, born September 5, 1882, who resides in Union township; Mrs. Grace Thorne, born August 30, 1884, who also resides in Union township: Mrs. Annie Barger, born October 15, 1888, who also makes her home in this township ; Nellie, born December 4, 1891, who resides with her parents; Mabel, born October 19, 1894; Frances, born September 30, 1897 ; and Gerald, whose natal day was May 6, 1903. These children were all born on the old home farm in Union township.
Ilis politieal convictions lead Mr. Parkin to support the republican party and he has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, having for cleven years served as township trustee and for ten years as treasurer of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows of Derby. A successful man along material lines and a factor in public life, his true achievement lies in the esteem and respect accorded him on account of those manly qualities of mind and character which have made possible his prosperity.
F. T. MCKIBBEN.
F. T. MeKibben, dealing in real estate and condneting also a general insur- ance agency, has built up an extensive business, to which he devotes a great deal of his time and attention. His close application, his strong purpose, his con- servative and honorable methods constitute the basis of a success which classes him today with the leading and representative business men of Timeston. He is a native of lowa, born in Decatur county, his parents being John and Harriet (Hurd) MeKibben, natives of Trumbull county, Ohio. The parents of our subject settled in Decatur county in 1857 and there resided for many years. The father is living at the present time in Bumeston and is seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away in this city in 1895. They became the parents of six children : F. T .. of this review ; Mrs. Mary Ellen King, who lives in Humeston ; Mattie, who passed away in the City of Mexico ; Mrs. Belle Kirby, also of Humes- ton : Mrs. Elizabeth Richards, of the same city; and Orman, who resides on the old home farm in Decatur county.
F. T. Mckibben was reared at home and grew to manhood upon his father's farm, attending the public schools of Garden Grove. When he laid aside his books he engaged in the mercantile business in Garden Grove for two years and later in Highpoint for ten years. He met with substantial snecess in this line and, carefully directing his interests. achieved results that were directly attribut- able to his enterprise and ready use of opportunity. In 1893 he removed to Ilmmeston and here for some time carried on his former occupation. conducting
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a general mercantile store for sixteen years. In 1909 he disposed of this enter- prise and engaged in handling real estate, dealing in town property. both improved and unimproved, and in farming lands in the vicinity. In addition he is conducting a profitable insurance agency, representing some of the leading companies in the United States. In both connections he has secured a large clientage and is devoting his fine business ability and executive force to the further development of his interests.
In Humeston, in 1894, Mr. MeKibben married Miss Jennie Wolverton, who was born at Highpoint. Decatur county, on the 4th of April, 1864. She acquired her education in the public schools of that locality and remained at home until she married. Her parents, Perry and Caroline ( Miller) Wolverton, are both natives of Ohio but reside in Humeston. To their union were born two dangh- ters: Mrs. Libby C'anfield, residing at Fort Madison, lowa : and Mrs. McKibben. Mr. and Mrs. McKibben also have two daughters, both born in Humeston: Har- riet, whose birth occurred on the ISth of February, 1896, and who is now attending the Ilumeston high school: and Margaret, born December 10, 1903. who is attending public school. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reside in a comfortable and attractive home and are well known and widely popular in social circles of the city.
Mr. MeKibben gives his allegiance to the republican party and is in all matters of citizenship progressive, energetic and publie-spirited. For a number of years he did able work as a member of the town council and at the present time is serving as president of the board of education. The salient features of his life command the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, for he has met discouraging conditions with high confidence and quiet courage thus win- ning success. The qualities which he displays in relation to all matters of general interest mark him as a public-spirited citizen and his record is in all respects a credit to his resolution and his optimism.
.1. N. DICKS, M. D.
Dr. 1. N. Dieks, who is a native of lowa, has over since he graduated been engaged in the practice of medicine at Cambria and is one of the oldest and most successful physicians of Wayne county. He was born in Independence township. Appanoose county, September 4. 1850, his parents moving there the year previous, and is a son of Sammel M. and Margaret dane ( Etter) Dicks. The father was born in Kentucky in 1516 and passed away in Appanoose county in 1>78, while the mother, who was born in Indiana in 1832, died in Appanoose county in 1896, surviving her husband for eighteen years. In young manhood the father came to lowa to make a prospective tour of the country and make himself acquainted with the agricultural possibilities, returning to Indiana. where he remained for two years. In 1819. however, he oner more moved west- ward and entered land in Appanoose county, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits until his death, being one of the early pioneers of that section. In their family were eight children, as follows: Mrs. Mary Alakin, residing in Appanoose county on the farm adjoining that on which she was
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born; Dr. Dicks, of this review; Charles II., who, in May, 1906, passed away at Des Moines, Iowa: Oscar N., living in Appanoose county on the old home farm where he was born and reared; Hiram M., a resident of Monroe county, Iowa: Mrs. Sarah F. Cavett, who makes her home with the subject of this sketch : and Jacob Elmer and Ella C., twins, both residing in Appanoose county. The eldest of the children was born in Indiana but all the younger ones are natives of Appanoose county and there they were reared.
Dr. Dieks was reared under the parental roof on the old homestead and attended the schools of the neighborhood in the acquirement of an education. His early advantages along that line were such as were available under pioneer conditions when the country was still unsettled and settlements were sparse. Early in life there developed in him a bent toward a professional career and as he ripened in years he decided upon the medical profession as that for which he felt most adapted and subsequently attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, lowa, in pursuance of a professional education and graduated from that institution with the class of 1876. Having received his degree, he immediately began to practice at Cambria, where he has ever since remained. As the years have passed his clientage has increased and his reputa- tion is such that the same is derived from a large surrounding territory. Ile is careful in diagnosis, but after he has come to a decision and has recognized the nature of a case is quick to apply the needed remedies. Capable, earnest and conscientious in the performance of his duties, he has during the long years of his practice demonstrated an ability which is far above the average, resulting in a practice which has made him prosperous. As his means have increased he has largely invested in valuable real estate and owns today two hundred and forty acres of fertile land, including eighty aeres on section 29, as well as one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, all in Washington township, and on these he has two complete sets of improvements. Besides his beautiful home in Cambria he owns there two business properties and also another residence which he rents out, and, moreover, owns property of the same character in Corydon. From his various interests Dr. Dicks receives a gratifying income which, in connection with what his practice nets him, puts him in an independent financial position and has made him one of the substantial men in the locality.
In 1872 Dr. Dieks married. in Appanoose county, Miss Barthena Miner. a native of West Virginia, who passed away only two years after her marriage. in Monroe county, Iowa, in January, 1874. There was one daughter born of this union, Mrs. Effie M. Moore, on October 13, 1873. her husband being vice president of the Anchor Fire Insurance Company of Des Moines, where they reside. On April 3, 1879, the Doctor was again married, his second union being with Miss Jennie Nelson, a native of Washington township, this county, boru Angust 7, 1856. She attended the public schools of her native county in the acquirement of an education and there grew to womanhood and spent her entire life. Her parents were lohn M. and Sarah (MeCutcheon) Nelson, the former a native of Mason county, West Virginia, born September 4, 1834, and the latter born in Floyd county, Indiana, April 22. 1837. The parents became early pioneers of Wayne county, traveling overland in the primitive ways of the early days to this county in 1854, spending the remainder of their lives here. where both passed away, the death of the mother occurring March 20, 190-1.
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Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were the parents of nine children: Jennie, the wife of our subject : Rev. W. A. Nelson, born February 23, 1859, of Marble Rock, Iowa; Mrs. Frances A. Hickman, born August 30, 186], residing in Clay township, this county: French L., born February 14. 1865, who passed away April 17, 1865; Mrs. Hester Donahue, born March 11, 1866. a resident of Mountain Valley, Kansas; Leonard, born February 21, 1868, who passed away at the age of six and a half years, October 13, 1874; Julius, born May 2, 1871, residing at Bene- diet, Kansas; Isaac, whose birth occurred JJanuary 16, 1876. residing in this county ; and Vesta, born July 26, 1878, who died shortly before her first birth- day, July 6, 1879. All of the children were natives of Wayne county and were reared here. Dr. and Mrs. Dieks are the parents of two children : Mrs. Bertha Wright, who was born in Cambria, October 21. 1880, and is now a resident of Corydon, lowa: and Charles, born February 4, 1883. who is residing on the farm of his father near Cambria, lowa, and managing the property for him.
The political affiliation of Dr. Dicks is with the democratic party and, although he has never found time or occasion to aspire to public office, he takes a laudable interest in all matters of public importance and has been a factor in general advancement and development in this section. The family are members of the Baptist church of Cambria, in the active work of which Dr. and Mrs. Dieks take great interest and to which they give their material and moral support. He has fraternal relations with the Yeomen, being connected with the lodge at Cambria, and also was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Thirty-seven years of active service as a physician have brought him in contact with most of the people in this district and there is no one who is more highly esteemed and respected than Dr. Dicks for his professional accom- plishments as well as for his high qualities of character. There have been no spectacular phases in his life record but his has been a career devoted to his profession, in the course of which he has done perhaps more to help humanity and to alleviate sickness than any of his colleagues in the county. Successful in the truest sense of the word, he is unusually broad-minded, tolerant and kind and, never mercenary or grasping, he believes in something greater than mere material wealth and in the course of a long professional career. spent simply and unostentatiously, has been a powerful factor for good within the contines of his activity.
CHARLES HI. GEILMAN.
Charles H. Ochhan is one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of Union township, his holdings comprising four hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land. He is a representative of one of the earliest pioncer families in this part of lowa and has himself been a resident of the county since 1858. His birth occurred in Quincy. Adams county, Illinois. on the 18th of September, 1854, his parents being 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 22nd of December in the
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same year. The father emigrated to America in 1847 and located first near Quiney, Illinois, where he married. In 1858 he and his wife came overland to Lucas county, lowa, where in Union township he had in 1854 entered land, securing the patent from President Pierce. This has remained the family homestead since that time and is now in possession of the subject of this review. The father, Charles Oehlman, died in Union township on the 15th of March, 1891, and his wife survived him until 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 makes his home in Oklahoma. Unto Charles and Dora (Tennis) Oehlman were born the following children : Mrs. Louisa Dickin- son, who was born in Illinois and now resides in Seattle, Washington ; Charles, of this review; Mrs. Emma West, of Conway, lowa; Mrs. Lydia MeMains; Mrs. Frances Morey, who is a resident of Gordon, Nebraska; Mrs. Margaret Penick, of Derby, Iowa; and Mrs. Doris Hewitt, living in Gordon, Nebraska.
Charles H. Oehlman was only four years of age when he came with his parents to Lneas county, and he has since been a resident of this part of lowa. He was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the district sehool, dividing his time between his studies and work in the operation of the homestead. This property eventually came into his possession and is now his home, its four hundred and forty acres comprising one of the most valuable and produetive farms in this county. It is provided with two good sets of improve- ments and Mr. Ochilman, being a practical and progressive farmer has installed labor-saving machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. Everything about the place is in excellent condition and the farm annually yields abundant harvests.
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