USA > Iowa > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Dr. Dilts and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of Monarch Lodge No. 183, Knights of Pythias, of Salem. As a physician he lias al- ready acquired the confidence of the people, and as members of society he and his wife are held in high esteem.
HIERON WEBB WOOLSON, deceased, who became a citizen of Henry County in 1856, was during his residence here one of its foremost citizens, and a leader in its public, pro- fessional, social and religious circles. A man of marked personality, of great ability, of unswerving uprightness of character, of the strictest profes- sional integrity, conscientious and fearless in the discharge of every duty, public or private, he pos- sessed all the requisites for leadership. His mind was trained, and his character formed in the school of necessity, and the lessons there learned were never forgotten. He was born at Lisbon, N. H., on the 28th of October, 1811, and was a son of a New England farmer. ITis mother's Christian name was Rebecca. Some years after the birth
of the subject of this memoir, his parents re- moved to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where both died, the father leaving his widow and nine chil- dren in straitened circumstances. Before that event young Theron had become a bread winner, and was hired out to farmers in the neighborhood. His only actual schooling was during this time, when he attended the district school four winter terms, his liberal education being entirely self-ae- quired. He was of an active, susceptible tempera- ment, with an ardent desire for knowledge, and from his early youth showed the love of reading which clung to him all his lifetime. A physician in whose employ he was about this time, observing his intel- ligenee and thirst for learning, gave him free access to his library, whose contents he soon mastered, also reading all other books accessible, which were by no means numerous in country neighborhoods in that day.
An elder brother who had remained in New Hampshire, had a merchant tailoring establishment in Littleton, in that State. Theron was apprenticed to him, and he devoted himself with characteristic ardor to mastering that trade, at which he soon be- came an adept. While working at it he kept up his reading and study, and soon attracted the at- tention of the pastor of the church of which he was an attendant. This man was highly educated him- self, and recognizing a kindred spirit in the studious young tailor, gave him lessons in the higher English branches in mathematics, and in Latin, hearing his recitations evenings. Close attention to his trade, coupled with his studious habits, told on a not over rugged constitution, and out-door work became a necessity. He procured employment as a wood worker, and after a time was given charge of a foot-lathe. His health was benefited by the change, and he at the same time made opportunity to eon- tinue his studies while at his labor, having his book before him, reading, and digesting what he read while he worked.
With restored health he sought more congenial employment, and having thoroughly qualified him- self, procured a position as teacher, first in New Hampshire, and afterward in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. The characteristics of impressing his ideas on others, and of acquiring control over those with
440
HENRY COUNTY.
whom he came into contact, here found an oppor- tunity for development. His schools came to be considered models for order and for the rapid mental growth of his pupils. Ilis earnestness im- pressed the scholars, and the result was shown in their rapid advance. IIe followed this profession until 1835, when he determined to go farther west, and establish himself in what he designed should be his permanent life-work. Stopping at Tonawanda, Erie Co., N. Y., he engaged, temporarily as he sup- posed, as clerk and book-keeper in a large general store. His business habits, close attention, and strict integrity, soon won recognition, and by de- grees the proprietor leaned more and more on his employe, until the care and management of the entire business devolved upon him, and the busi- ness which he had taken up, as he supposed, but for a time, became the work of his early manhood. In this he continued for several years, but having more knowledge than any other person in the locality of legal and business matters, he in- evitably drifted into the position of adviser and counselor of many people there, who came to rely upon his judgment and character. He engaged ex- tensively in conveyancing, and was elected Justice of the Peace, which undoubtedly gave him the bent which in later years led him into the practice of the law, which he studied, and to the practice of which he was admitted at Buffalo, in that county. He embarked, and always successfully, in many enter- prises at Tonawanda. For some years he had a shingle factory there, and he was the inventor of the process of steaming the blocks from which they were cut, greatly facilitating and cheapening their manu- facture. He, with a brother-in-law, engaged largely in real-estate operations, and he laid out an addi- tion to the town, and by his foresight and industry acquired a liberal fortune. He lived in Tonawanda for twenty-one years, and was a leading citizen of the town and county, often called upon to fill posi- tions of trust. Ile was for years President of the Board of Trustees of the village, and head of the local educational board. He represented the town in the Board of Supervisors, of which he was Chair- man, and he also filled the position of Loan Com- missioner for the county. He was a truly repre- sentative citizen, who strongly impressed himself
on those with whom he was associated. and had the respect and confidence of all who knew him, and wielded a great influence in the community. There, as later in Mt. Pleasant, he was foremost in ad- vocating publie improvements, and fostering worthy enterprises.
The rapidly growing State of Iowa attracted Mr. Woolson's attention, and he made a tour through it with the intention of seeking a home within its borders. The superior educational advantages of Mt. Pleasant determined his location here, and he removed to it in 1856, arriving here June 6 of that year. After coming to Mt. Pleasant, he devoted himself exclusively to the practice of the law, and formed a partnership with Henry Ambler, Esq .. then the leading attorney of the city, and the firm at once took a prominent place among the lawyers of the State. Three years later the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Woolson associated with himself a son-in- law, Samuel McFarland, who entered the Union army during the Rebellion, became Colonel of the 19th lowa Volunteers. and was killed while charg- ing a rebel battery at Prairie Grove, Ark., in De- cember, 1862. After this Mr. Woolson was alone until 1864, when he entered into partnership with P. N. Bowman, Esq., which continued until Sept. 6. 1866, when the latter retired, and the partnership with his son John S. was formed, which was un- broken until Mr. Woolson's death.
From an appreciative sketch of his career, writ- ten not long after Mr. Woolson's death, we extract the following :
"That keen interest in educational matters which had characterized his former life, was carried to his new residence, and the cause of education found no more unselfish, zealous and considerate advocate and friend. He was for many years a member of the educational board of the city; for years its President, and aided largely, by his devotion. en- ergy and ripe judgment, in placing the public schools of the city in their present well-deserved high position. To him the public-school system was a matter so sacred, so intimately connected with the public welfare and highest interests of the commonwealth, that its demands upon his time were always honored gladly and freely.
"For a number of years he held the position of City Solicitor of the city, and he was for a number of terms its Mayor. As Mayor, he exhibited that decision of character, determination of purpose, and
441
HENRY COUNTY.
care for the interests intrusted to him, which were marked features of his whole life. An illustration can be given, taken from his entranee upon his duties as Mayor. By resolution of the City Coun- cil, there had been submitted to vote of the electors, at the election at which he was first elected Mayor (and when, also, a new Couneil was elected), the question of reducing the lieense upon billiard tables, which was then substantially a prohibitory license, and by a considerable majority the electors refused to sanetion any reduction. The day arrived for the meeting of the Council at which the votes of the election were to be canvassed, and when the old Couneil and the Mayor were to step out and the newly elected step into office. The old Council had a strong majority of its members who were in favor of reducing the license, while the newly elected Council were opposed to such reduc- tion. Mr. Woolson had intimations of an ex- pected attempt by the old Couneil to pass-in the face of the vote just east by the people against such a step-an ordinance reducing the license on the tables, and, preparing for it, he subscribed the oath of office as Mayor, and quietly stepped, with other citizens, into the eouneil chamber to witness the proceedings of the canvass. When the Council had been called to order, a motion was made to proceed to the canvass of the votes, a proceeding which had enstomarily been the first business of such a meet- ing. But those in charge of it had determined to pass the ordinance reducing the license, and, hav- ing the voting power, they compelled the eanvass to give way to the consideration of the ordinance, which passed through its first and second readings, and was about to be put on its passage, and the vote to be taken. At this juneture, and when it had become apparent that the opponents of the measure were powerless to prevent its adoption, and that it was the settled purpose of the retiring members to defeat, by this unusual proceeding, the expressed will of the city, Mr. Woolson stepped forward, handed to the City Clerk his oath of office, and demanded of the Mayor his seat as the duly elected Mayor of the city, which was yielded to him. The roll call proceeded. Mr. Woolson di- rected the Clerk to call his name, and cast his vote against the ordinance. This vote, in connection with his firm action in the chair, effectually check- mated the conspirators, defeated the ordinance, and thus secured the triumph of the expressed popular will.
"Mr. Woolson was a member, and the Chairman of the first Board of Supervisors of this county, and for years held the position of Attorney for the county.
"In 1861 he was elected to the State Senate from
this county, and was re-elected in 1865. He was a member of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth General Assemblies. In the Senate he was a lead- ing member, serving on its most important commit- tees, and exercising a large influence in shaping the legislation of that body, and held by vote of the Senate, the position of President pro tem. It has been truly said of him, that he here 'sustained a reputation not only for earnest, upright honesty, but for the highest skill and ability as a legislator.'"
As an illustration of the estimate put upon Mr. Woolson by his fellow Senators, we quote from a letter received by his son, Hon. John S. Woolson, in November, 1887, from Hon. Warren S. Dungan, now a member of the Senate, and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of that body during the first year of Mr. Woolson's service :
"I am reminded of the winter I spent in Des Moines with your father, in the Senate of the Ninth General Assembly, in 1862. . . He was the best posted on the statutes of the State of any Senator. He knew at a glance how any measure proposed compared with the law as it existed. He was al- ways ready and on the alert, genial but dignified; a noble Senator, doing honor to his constituents, and noble service to the State. Let us emulate his example."
Mr. Woolson was a Senator throughout the war of the Rebellion, and by voice, vote, pen and purse, was a determined, effective supporter of the Gov- ernment. The editor of the Mt. Pleasant Journal being in the military service, Mr. Woolson assumed his duties, and during his editorship the paper never gave forth an uncertain sound on National matters, but was always an earnest supporter of the cause of National unity. Not only in State and National matters did Mr. Woolson take an active interest, and aet a leading part. As a citizen of Mt. Pleas- ant, every movement looking toward the moral and material advancement of the city found in him a hearty supporter. Early in life he was a believer in the doctrines of the Democratie party, but when that party became, in his judgment, unfaithful to its professed principles, he left its ranks, and there- after was a Republican. He was a member of the first Republican convention held at Buffalo, N. Y., and participated actively and influentially in the councils of the party. He was a delegate from this
442
HENRY COUNTY.
State to the National Convention which first nomi- nated Gen. Grant for President.
llis religious associations were with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member from 1836. He united with the Asbury (now First) Methodist Episcopal Church. after coming to Mt. Pleasant, and was for many years a member of its official board, and a zealous, consistent member of the church until his death.
September 1, 1836, Mr. Woolson was married to Clarissa Simson, who proved herself a devoted wife and loving mother. She died suddenly, March 7, 1862, while he was absent in the Legislature, of which he was then a member. She left three daugh- ters: Mrs. Peter Melendy, now of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mrs. R. J. Borghlothaus, of Minneapolis, Minn .; and Mrs. M. W. Darling, of Sioux City, Iowa; also one son, John S., of whom see sketch on another page. June 26. 1865, Mr. Woolson was united in marriage with Anna Carney, who with her son, J. Leigh, now survives.
Mr. Woolson's death was sudden and unexpected. On Nov. 7, 1872, he was at his office preparing for the approaching term of Court. For several days he had been somewhat unwell, and in the afternoon of that day was feeling so much worse that he re- tired to his home. Within two hours of that time he was attacked with acute cholera morbus, so vio- lent in its action as to closely simulate Asiatic cholera. The attack was so violent that in a few hours hope was almost abandoned, and when his wife (who had been absent with a sick daughter) arrived home at 9 P. M., his life was despaired of. Hle lingered until 4:20 P. M. of the next day, when the great soul was released from the overtasked body, passing peacefully away. His funeral on November 10 was attended by a large concourse of mourning friends, and by the bar of the county, who attended in a body. His remains were interred in Forest Home Cemetery, in the city in which his riper years had been spent, and of which he was, with possibly a single exception, the foremost citi- zen.
On the following day, at the opening of the Dis- triet Court, a committee, previously appointed at a meeting of the members of the bar, presented reso- lutions adopted by that body, which were placed
upon the records of the court. Judge Joshua Tracy, in well chosen words, paid the following tribute to the memory of Mr. Woolson :
The resolutions just read, commemorative of the death of our friend and professional brother, express in appropriate terms the many estimable traits of character he possessed. They also express the great grief and heartfelt sorrow experienced by his family and the community at large at the loss of one whose place at home, in society and in church, cannot be filled.
llis character for strict professional integrity, honesty of purpose and courteous deportment, was such as to endear him to everyone who became in- timately acquainted with him.
To those of us who have been so intimately ac- quainted with him for the last sixteen years in the practice of the legal profession. these traits of char- acter of our departed friend will serve to guide us upon our professional path way, and, it may be hoped, will lead us to that point of true worth and great- ness which he occupied when he ceased to be one among us.
It is worthy of remark upon this solemn occasion, that although our deceased friend possessed a ner- vous, sensitive cast of temperament, and that in the practice of his profession he was ardently devoted to his client's cause, yet no matter how close the contest, or heated the discussion in which he was engaged, he never so far forgot the character of the true professional gentleman. as to be guilty of ap- płying to his opponent unkind words, or opprobrions epithets, and his conduct toward the Court in the management and argumentof his causes was always equally commendable,
By the death of Theron W. Woolson, society has lost an honored, valuable member, the State an able legislator, the church of which he was a mem- ber a true Christian. the legal profession an able advocate, and his bereaved family a kind-hearted and devoted husband and father.
With mournful pleasure, it is ordered that the resolutions presented be spread upon the records of this court; and as a further token of respect to the memory of our departed friend. it is ordered the Court do now adjourn.
Committees were appointed to present the resolu- tions to the Supreme Court of the State, and also to the United States Circuit Court for this State, in both of which he had an extensive practice.
The Board of Supervisors of the county, for whom Mr. Woolson was at the time of his death counsel, also took formal action in the passage of this resolution :
443
HENRY COUNTY.
Be it resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Henry County, now in session, That it is with feel- ings of profound regret that we learn of the death of a former honorable member and Chairman of this board, and for a long time its principal at- torney and adviser, Hon. Theron W. Woolson; and it is with great pleasure we record our admiration of the fidelity of his conduct in all those relations, discharging them with promptness, great good judgment and ability ; and we hereby express and tender to the family of the deceased our heartfelt sympathy.
The press of the whole State, and of both political parties, noticed in fitting terms and with expres- sions of appreciative feelings, his life and death. From his political and professional associates many letters were received by his family, all expressive of their profonnd sorrow at his sudden and un- timely death.
It is difficult concisely, yet fully, to express the proper estimate of a life so well rounded, so sym- metrical as a whole, and yet possessing in so many directions such marked peculiarities. Perhaps the characteristic best remembered by his intimate friends as pervading his whole life, and lighting up his daily walk, was the entire faithfulness, the thorongh conscientiousness. with which he applied himself to the performance of duty, in whatever direction that duty lay. As a lawyer he was re- garded as pre-eminently a safe counselor, and had the justly deserved reputation of a dissuader from litigation, often inducing clients to settle amicably rather than by active proceedings, a trait in his ad- mirable character which was fully appreciated by the better class of litigants, and which entitled him to the blessings promised to the "peacemaker." No client, constituent or employer ever had veca- sion to complain of lack, on his part, of thorough application to the matters placed in his charge. To this application he brought a mind naturally strong . and clear, which had been matured by close observ- ation and continuous study. His mind was emi- nently judicial, and had he been called to the bench, he would have graced the highest position. His record as a citizen, lawyer, official and legislator, shows his faithful attention, his ripe judgment, his intellectual strength and his purity of life.
Yet that record is not complete without mention of his home life. IIe was peculiarly domestic in his 1
tastes and desires, and no happiness was so keenly appreciated by him as that which came from the surroundings of family and friends at home. The shadows and perplexities of business or official life he left outside the threshold, and to family and friends under his own roof-tree was fully shown the genuine hospitality of his nature. In his later years, the enjoyment he realized from his home life perceptibly increased, and his distaste for the strifes and conflicts of public life became stronger, until prospect and promise of official station alike failed to induee him to submit again to the disa- greeable accompaniments of public position. No truer father or devoted husband ever gladdened a happy home. In all the relations of life he "fought a good fight," he "kept the faith," and his memory is precions not only to the family he trained to fol- low in his footsteps, but to all who had the privi- lege of knowing him.
The admirable portrait of Mr. Woolson, on a preceding page, will preserve to his many friends the lineaments of this great man as he appeared in his mature years. It is one that adds great value to this volume, and our readers will thank us for inserting it.
C IIRISTIAN ROTII, a farmer residing on sec- tion 9, .Jefferson Township. Henry Co., Iowa, was born in France, April 10, 1845, and is the son of Christian and Katie (Wittmer) Roth, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Peter Roth, brother of our subject. In this county Christian Roth, Jr., grew to manhood, and was married, Feb. 15, 1877, to Miss Fannie Augsperger, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shantz) Aug- sperger, the father born in Strasburg, France, the mother in Germany. Jacob was but six weeks old when his parents came to America. They settled in Butler County, Ohio, near Hamilton, and were among the early settlers there. The Shantz family located in Wayne County, near Worcester, and the parents lived and died there. They had eight chil- dren : Jacob married Miss Blouth, and resides on the homestead farm in Wayne County, Ohio; Christian, for his second wife, wedded Annie Creaser, and
444
HENRY COUNTY.
resides in Fulton County, Ohio; Joseph, a resident of Butler County, wedded Katie Augsperger; Peter wedded Annie Roth, and resides near West Point, Lee Co., lowa; another son died in infancy ; Lena, wife of Joseph Reece, and Elizabeth, com- plete the family. She was mother of seven chil- dren, all living except one: Christian, deceased. married Elizabeth Augsperger; his widow married Peter Sehroch, of Butler County, Ohio. Katie mar- ried Joseph Meyer, of the same county ; Mary is the wife of Joseph Houder, a resident of Bureau County, Ill .; Lena married Peter Imhoff, of Butler County ; Annie is the wife of Nicholas Summer, of the same county ; Fannie married our subject; and George is the husband of Mollie Shafer, and resides in Butler County. Mrs. Roth's father reached the age of sixty-six years, and his wife is yet living, now nearly seventy years of age.
Since the marriage of Christian Roth, Jr., and Miss Fannie Augsperger three children have been born-Albert, Edward and Katy A. They are pleasantly located upon a nice farm near the village of Wayland, a part of the first lands purchased by Christian Roth, Sr. Our subject is one of the most enterprising of men, and is rapidly growing wealthy. The Roths have ever been noted for their integrity and honor in business dealings, and for their up- right conduct. Christian Roth and his wife are both members of the Mennonite Church, and we gladly make mention of the family.
AMES BENTLEY ROSE, Justice and Mayor of Salem, Iowa, was born June 1, 1819, in Uniontown, Belmont Co., Ohio, and is the son of Solomon and Narcissa ( Arnokl) Rose. Solomon Rose was born in New York City, and there learned the trade of cabinet-maker. 1Je later went to Washington County, Pa., where his mar- riage with Miss Arnold was celebrated in October, 1817. Prior to his marriage he enlisted in the War of 1812, during which time he was private seere- tary of Gen. Proctor. The land warrant then ob- tained was laid out in Mills County, Iowa, after he came to this State in 1837. Mr. Rose with his young wife removed to Senecaville, Guernsey Co.,
Ohio, where he purchased a hotel, which in connec- tion with his trade was carried on during his resi- dence in that city. James B. was then but a lad and learned the hotel business perfectly.
Reason A., Solomon C., Sarah, William H. and Silas comprise the family. Their removal to lowa was made Oct. 1, 1837, they taking passage on a steamer down the Ohio, then up the Mississippi to Ft. Madison, where they landed Nov. 11, 1837. At West Point Mr. Rose purchased property, and dur- ing their residence in that eity he carried on cabi- net and carpenter work. lle was a finished work- man, and in that early day was a most welcome accession to that country. The family became per- manent residents of Salem Oct. 9, 1846. Here Mr. Rose purchased property, and carried on farming during the remainder of his life. His death occurred May 6, 1860; his faithful wife, who survived him eleven years, died and was buried at Omaha, Neb. Of the children, Reason A., a farmer, and minister of the United Brethren faith of Marysville, Ore., wedded Mary Mickum; Solomon C. married Sa- mantha Beard, of Salem, the ceremony being per- formed by our subject, who was then Justice of the Peace, and is a farmer of Ilerman, Washington Co., Neb .; Sarah, deceased wife of C. M. Whee- lock, this being one of the first marriages in Lee County; the death of William H. and of Silas occurred at West Point. Mr. Rose, prior to com- ing to Henry County, in partnership with his son- in-law, Mr. Wheelock, purchased the lands near Keokuk upon which the infirmary now stands.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.