USA > Iowa > Polk County > Portrait and biographical album of Polk County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 48
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
767
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
derives no little income therefrom. Since attain- his majority Mr. Oldfield has been prominently identified with the business interests of Mitchell- ville, and ever ready to aid in the establishment of any enterprise calculated to aid in the progress of the town. Therefore, in August. 1889, when a bank was talked of, he became one of the prime movers in the affair, and when the organization was effected was called upon to fill the office of cashier. which position he still holds. Although the bank has been in operation less than a year it has already gained a reputation as one of the solid financial institutions of the county, its sue- cess being due in no small degree to Mr. Oldfield, who is not only fair and honorable in all his deal- ings, but is genial in manner and soon wins the confidence and respect of all with whom he is brought in contact.
On the 3d of November, 1875. Mr. Oldfield was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary J. Grismer. and their union has been blessed with three children, but Edna E., the eldest, is now deceased. Maud A. and Guy are still with their parents. The family holds a high position in the social world, and Mr. Oldfield and his wife are well worthy the esteem with which they are regarded. He is numbered among the representative citizens and leading men of Mitchellville. and not a little of the activity and prosperity which characterizes the town is due to his efforts. In political sentiment, like his hou- ored father, he is a stalwart Republican, having supported that party since attaining his majority. He has filled other public offices, in addition to that of Postmaster, and has three times served as Mayor. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, being a member of the Modern Wood- men, Good Templars. and Masonic fraternity. in which he has held the office of Worshipful Master for some seven years. He has been connected with the temperance organization for some fifteen year-, and i- a most active worker for the advancement of the cause. He strongly favors prohibition. and look great interest in the passage of the prohibi- tory amendment. Both Mr. Oldfield and his wife are earnest Christian people, the former a member of the Universalist Church. and the latter a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, with which she
mited in childhood. He has served as Superin- tendent of the Sunday school for about five years. and is an untiring laborer in the Master's vine- yard. Charitable and benevolent, he is ever ready to extend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and his wife is an able assistant in all his good works.
ON. BRADFORD B. LANE. one of the prominent citizens of the county, residing on section 16, Washington Township, is a Canadian by birth. His father, Nathan Lane was born in Canada of English descent and fol- lowed farming in pursuit of fortune. He wedded Mary Moot, a native of the Empire State, born of German parentage and by that union became the father of twelve children. of whom our subject is the youngest. but only five are now living-Nelson N. and Joseph who are engaged in farming in Can- ada; William. a practicing physician of Newfane, N. Y .: Bradford B .. and Margaret ( Mrs. McPher- son ) who is a widow and resides in Lincoln County Ontario, The parents continued their residence in Canada until their deaths, which occurred in Lin- coln County. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Church and highly respected people. Our subject was born in Lincoln County, Onta- rio. Canada, on the 5th of February, 1838, and began his school life in his native town. At the age of sixteen he entered Carlile Seminary of Seboharie County, N. Y .. where he remained one year and then, returning home in 1855, engaged in teaching for one year. He next pursued his studies for a similar period of time in Belleville Seminary. after which he again tanght until the fall of 1858. Pos- ressing a strong desire to visit the South, he then made his way to Western Tennessee, but a short Southern experience sufficed to convince him that the North was more suited to his taste and locating in Hamilton County, Ill., he secured a position as teacher in the public schools until 1860. Desiring to further continue his studies, he then entered Ola Hlin College. completing the Sophomore course in the class of 1862. The three succeeding years he passed in his native country and in 1865 went
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
to Des Moines but located in Palmyra, Warren County. Iowa, where he again engaged in teach- ing. In the fall of the same year he joined the Des Moines Conference of the Methodist Church, having been ordained as minister in 1867, and in 1869 was ordained as Elder. He then had charge of various churches until 1872, when he settled on his farm in Washington Township, and for ten years, in connection with the cultivation of his land, preached for the Highland Congregational Church in distriet No. 7. For seventeen years he labored faithfully in the Master's vineyard but failing health at length forced him to abandon its duties. The out door exercise of farm life proved better than indoor studying so be resolved that hereafter to devote his attention to that occupation. He How owns two hundred and eighty acres of land all under a high state of cultivation as the result of his industry and business ability.
On the 20th of October. 1863, Mr. Lane was united in marriage with Miss Namie Brown of Ohio, deighter of Alexander and Naney (Sheldon) Brown, both of whom were natives of Providence, 1. 1. Mrs. Lane was born in Huron County, Chio, a part of the Western Reserve, and her father was one of the stalwart abolitionists and honored pioneers of that section. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are Isuents of three children -- Grapho, who was born in Canada, August 10, 1861, is at home; Sappho who was born in Webster County, lowa, March 25, 1>68, is a young lady of more than average ability. She graduated from the College of Physicians and Smgeons, of Des Moines, in the class of 1889, and is now pisuing a literary course in the Ames Ag- ticultural College; Bismark, the youngest, was born in Camluidge, Story County, Iowa, June 7, 1872. The family is one of which the parents may well I. proud.
For a number of years Mr. Lane has ranked among the prominent citizens of the county and is a leading member of the Republican party, doing all in his power to advance its interests and secure it's success. In 1889, he was nominated by his party as candidate for State Representative to the Twenty-Third General Assembly and was elected by a large majority. We quote the following which tells something of his course in the house.
"The lord Capital, published by ex-Senator Young. compliments Polk County's Representa- tives in the late session of the Legislature as fol- lows: It is a matter of common talk that the County of Polk has rarely been better represented than in the Session just closed. One of the mem- bers from this county was unexpectedly called upon to act as temporary presiding officer. It has always been the custom for one of the Representatives from this county to call the House to order. but never, until 1890, did this process occupy more than a few minutes of time, a temporary presiding officer being almost immediately elected. This year the process extended over two weeks, during which time Mr. Lane acted as temporary speaker. llow well the duties, thus unsought and unintention- ally assumed, were performed, is a matter of common fame. The member from Polk County, as a presiding officer, was in fact an agreeable surprise. Few men, however well versed in parliamentary law, could have more happily presided over the House during so troublous a period. In all the other business of the session, whether in committee on the floor, this gentleman and his colleague were effective members, working with conscientious and zeal, for the best interests of the State. The fact that neither of the members are residents of Des Moines gave rise to some apprehension before the session, that the interests of the city might suffer from neg- leet, not because of unwillingness, but because of want of knowledge of the needs and wishes of our citizens. But now it is generally conceded that the city's interests, have seldom if ever been better cared for and often not so well, by its own residents; and the citizens of Des Moines and es- pecially those of the party which elected them are abundantly satisfied with the record made by the county's representatives. The Capital only: voices the general sentiment of the community when it expresses the wish that the metropolitan county and the capital of the State may always be as well represented in the General Assembly as they have been by Bradford B. Lane and William J. Stewart."
After leaving the chair, in which he had served so acceptedly. Mr. Lane continued one of the lead- ing members of the House and served on a num- ber of the most important Committees. He worked
Lucy Hobaugh
J. K. Hobaugh
771
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
faithfully for the best interests of the city and county. served as a member of the Committee on on Ways and Means. on Corporations, on Schools. on Pardons and was chairman of the Committee on Rules. His course won the respect of even his po- litical enemies and was highly satisfactory to all his constituents.
OUN K. HOBAUGH, who resides on section 1, Washington Township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Polk County, having since 1853 been a witness of its growth and progress, and an active participant in its development and mpbuilding. He is widely known throughout the community as a prominent and respected citizen, and we take pleasure in pre- senting a sketch of his life work to the readers of the AtreM. A native of Logan County, Ohio, he was born on the 7th of April, 1820, his parents he- ing George and Elizabeth Hobaugh. Both were natives of Westmoreland County, Pa., the former born in 1793, the latter in 1797. The father be- came a resident of Ohio in 1801, settling in Ross County. In Madison County he was married, and their eldest son, Van D., was there born on the 22d of January, 1819. Their next place of residence was in Logan County, and in 1827 they removed to Sidney. Shelby County, Ohio. Their next re- moval was from the State, they locating in Grant County, Ind .. in 1835, where for thirty years Mr. lobaugh continued his residence, coming to Polk County in 1855. He built a home in Washington Township, but in 1865 removed to Marion, Ind., where his wife. a most estimable Jady, died in 1871. The husband then resided with his children, his death occurring on the 19th of July, 1874, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, while visit- ing his daughter in York County, Neb. Both were members of the Christian Church. and lived carn- 1. consistent lives. Their children were as fol- lows: Van D., who was born in Madison County, in 1819, and died near Marion, Ind., May 31, I>SS; John K .; Rachel, who was born in Logan County. March 17, 1822, became the wife of Samuel Farr,
of Grant County, Ind .; William IL .. born in Logan County, September 18. 1821. died in Grant County, Ind., October 23. 1852, leaving a wife and three children-Mary A., George and W. Il .; Lydia, the fifth of the family, was born in Logan County. August 3, 1826, and is the wife of Benjamin Wool- man, a farmer of Colorado, Neb. ; Priscilla, born January 30, 1828, in Shelby County, Ohio, died in Grant County Ind .. February 9. 1847, at the age nineteen years; George W., who was born in Shelby County, March 1, 1830, and came to Polk County in 1853, becoming one of the first settlers of Washington Township, died October 1. 1856, and his grave was the third in Peoria City Come- tery. He left a wife and one daughter, Lucy, who became the wife of Elias Harlan, of Kingsbury. Cal. ; Elizabeth, born in Shelby County, Ohio May 22, 1832, was the first wife of Elias Draper. and died in Polk County, June 19, 1857. leaving three children-Theodore H., who was born March 10, 1852, in Grant. County, Ind .; Francis A. born in Oakland, Cal., February 18, 1855; and Sarah E., born in Polk County, in June, 1857.
The advantages which our subject, John K. Ilo- baugh, received in his youth were limited, and on attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, with no capital save energy and a deter- mination to make the most of every opportunity. lle familiarized himself with the rudiments of edu- cation in the log schoolhouses of Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio, and on leaving the parental roof began his business career as a farm hand, working for $12 per month. Previous to this time he had learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed during the winter season, and continued his other employment dining the summer months. He also split rails to add to his income, being paid by the thousand. Such was the manner in which his carly life was passed and the competence which he has now acquired, is but a fitting reward for his la- bors.
On the 16th of January. 1812, Mr. Hobaugh united his destiny with that of Miss Lucy Wool- man, their marriage being celebrated in Indiana. Mrs. Hobaugh was born in Clark County. this. August 1. 1821, and is a daughter of Abrieron and Ruth (Bond) Woolman, the former a mitisee!
772
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
New Jersey, the latter of Virginia. Both removed I progressive citizens of the community. In con- to the Buckeye State in an early day, where they were married. They are now deceased. the father having died in Clinton County, the mother in Grant County, Ind. Ento Mr. and Mrs. Hobaugh have been born three children, all born in Grant : County, Ind .-- Ruth E., born November 1, 1812, died in her native county June 16. 1511; Eber W .. boro April 5, 1811. died February 19. 1848; Har- vey S., born Angust 24, 1817. died March 21, 1818. The loss of their children has been the deepest affliction which has fallen upon Mr. and Mis. Hobaugh in the many years in which they have traveled life's journey together. Otherwise their lot has been a prosperous and happy one.
They began their domestie life in Washington Township, Grant County, Ind., where he owned a heavily timbered form of forty acres, part of which he cleared ready for cultivation. He continued the operation of bis land during the summer months, and when the crops were harvested and stored for the winter, took his place upon his bench and worked at the shoemaker's trade until 1758, when he sold his farm in Grant County, and loading his household effects into a wagon, started for łowa, his destination being Polk County. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 1. Washington Township, and entered eighty acres on the same seetion. At the time it was all com- prised in Elkhart Township, and the settlers in both were few in numbers. In 1856 Mr. Hobaugh was appointed to organize and name the township, to which he gave the name of Washington, after the one in which he had made his home in Indiana. He found but three or four families in the township when he came to lown, and the entire township was almost wholly unimproved. He and his good wife took up their abode in a little log cabin with a clapboard roof and puncheon floor. and began life in true pioneer style. In the winter the show would sift through the chinks, but they bore un. complainingly all such hardships. putting aside every other consideration except that in the end they would have a good home as the result of their (fforts. Mr. Hobangh has over taken an active in- terest in the advancement of the county's interests, and is numbered among the public-spirited and
nection with Mr. Pearson he platted and laid out a village. calling it Peoria City , but the railroad pass- ing through Maxwell and leaving it to one side, the little town became a thing of the past. How- ever, for some time it was a flourishing place. Mr. Holaugh there opened a general store, the first in this part of the county, and did much to aid in it's growth and progress, but it became a doomed town when the railroad left it to one side. Churches and schools have found in him a firm friend to whom they could go for aid in their darkest hours. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, having sup- ported that party since his organization. He has filled many offices of honor and trust. From 1856 until 1862 he was Justice of the l'ence, in 1862 and 1863 he was Township Supervisor, and during the erection of the schoolhouse was Township Ticas- urer. Mr. Hobaugh and his estimable wife are widely known, and in all the country round about are held in the highest regard. As pioneers and worthy citizens they are well worthy of representa- tion in this volume.
Mr. and Mrs. Hobaugh were for many years members of the United Brethren in Christ Church, but as there is no church of their denomination near to them. they still adhere to that faith, and are earnest. exemplary Christians and contribute liberally to the support of other denominations,
FUDGE WILLIAM IL. MCHENRY, a promi. nent pioneer of Polk County, his residence dating from August, 1818. was born near Co- lumbus, Franklin County, Ohio, September 17, 1816. His father. Alexander Blair MeHlenry, was born in Kentucky, of Irish descent ; his ances- tors were Irish. They settled in what is now the United States long before the Revolutionary War. Ft. Mellenry in Maryland was named after one of them. There the Stars and Stripes were floating when Key wrote the immortal song called . The Star Spangled Banner." He removed to Ohio in his youth and in the Buckeye State married Miss Sarah Wood. The lady was a native of Cayuga
773
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
County, N. Y., of Welsh extraction. the mother having been born in Wales. Alexander Blair Me- Henry was a teacher ly profession. The family of which he is a member is descended from some Irish emigrants who at an early day settled in Vir- ginia, but afterwards removed to Maryland, whence they made their way to Kentucky during the early settlement of that State. One of his ancestors was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
The subject of this sketch was deprived by death of a father's care in carly youth. He was reared to manhood upon a farm, where he received but limited educational advantages, the privileges he enjoyed being such as the common schools afforded, but he studied industriously, both in and out of school, giving especial attention to mathematics and surveying, for which he possessed a strong love. In September, 1836, he removed from Ohio to Warren County. Ind., making the journey by teams, and on reaching his destination followed farming. He was married in that county on the 10th of March, 1845, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Butterfield, daughter of Judge Na- thaniel Butterfield. The lady was born in Warren County, and there resided until her husband went. to seek his fortune elsewhere.
Judge Melleury entered upon the study of law in Indiana, but in 1815, before completing his preparation for examination, removed with his young wife to Shelby County, I., where he raised a company for the Mexican War, of which he was elected Captain. The company. however, was never called into actual service. In the summer of 1818 he started with his wife and baby for lowa. tray- eling in true emigrant style. He reached the Des Moines River. opposite Ft. Des Moines, on the 13th of August of that year. As no bridge had yet been built in or near that locality, he waded the river and drove his team across, then made his way up Beaver Creek Valley about six miles above the fort. where he located land for a farm. He took contracts for Government surveys of Dallas and other counties, during the performance of which he often waded the classic Coon and took his night's repose sheltered by the prairie grass and a tent made of cotton cloth. In the fall of 1818, when the land sales were about to begin at
1
lowa City, an immense meeting of the settlers.of Polk County was held at Ft. Des Moines to organ- ize for the protection of settlers against speculators in the rights to their claims. Several meetings of a like nature had been previously held, but at this one final action was to be taken. A committee of three, consisting of Thomas Baker, Frank Watson and Willin U. Mellenry, was appointed to draft aset of club laws. Mr. Mellenry was the author of the laws, of which the following-is a synopsis:
Ist. That the meeting shall appoint a commit- tof of three to settle all disputes between settlers as to claims, boundary lines, etc.
2nd. That it shall appoint a secretary, whose duty it shall be to register in a book the name of every man and the description of the tract each wanted bid off at the approaching land sale for himself. and that the secretary should attend the land sale at Iowa City and bid of the lands so registered in the name of the respective claimants. And that it should be the duties of the settlers to attend the land sales in a body and there knock down and drag out any man other than the said secretary who should attempt to bid on the settler's home.
R. L. Tedrich was chosen secretary and bidder, and a large body-guard was selected to accompany bim and go well armed and see that he was not inter- fered with in the discharge of his duty. The im- pression made by thi- formidable organization was such that the settlers' claims were respected and the land bid off as arranged.
In the meantime Mr. Melleury had continued his law studies, and in 1852 was admitted to practice in the courts of Jowa. He has held various official positions. from Justice of the Peace to Judge on the bench, the duties of which he has ever dis- charged with fidelity and ability. He was first chosen Justice of the Peace, which position be hell two years. In 1858 he was elected Sheriff of Polk County, refusing a second nomination when his two years' term had expired. On his election to that office he removed to Ft. Des Moines, which he has since made his home. He was a member of the Common Council and was elected the first Mayor of Des Moines after its organization as a city. He was also City Solicitor for one term. and would have been the people's choice for a second term had he not declined a second election. In 1856 he
774
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
was appointed surveyor for the committee whose duty it was to re-locate the State Capitol within two miles of the junction of Des Moines and Racoon Rivers. Judge Crookham. Stewart Gond- sell, Guy Wells and others constituted the commit- ter. Judge Mellenry performed the duty assigned him. laid out Capitol Square and Governor Square, and also platted a large portion of the city of Des Moines. He continued surveying until 1857, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law and the discharge of his official duties. In 1878 he was elected Judge of the District Court of the Fifth Judicial District. which then included sis counties, namely : Polk, Dallas, Guthrie, Adair, Madison and Warren. His faithful discharge of duty led to his re election again in 1882 for a term. of four years. He vacated the office December 31, 1886. His service as a judge was an arduous one, yet such was his prompt dispatch of business, with fair and impartial rulings and just decisions, that the members of the bar throughout the district were pleased at the close of his term of office to pass complimentary resolutions in the Judge's favor, while the bar of Adair County presented bim with an elegant gold-headed eane suitably inseribed.
We now return to the home relations of our sub- ject. The union of Judge and Mrs. Mellenry was blessed with a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living. Sarah E., the eldest. is the wife of Charles O. Perkins, of Des Moines; Olive is principal of the Hawthorne School; Emma is the wife of Harvey L. Glenn, now of Livingston, Mont .; William H. and Walter are both prominent young lawyers; and the other three children died in infancy.
fudge Melleury has always supported the Demo- ciatie party, and his long service in office in a State where his party has ever been in a minority indicates his great personal popularity. In the curly history of the county, and while serving as Sheriff. he acted as agent for a great many people in entering lands, and in so doing was the custodian of large sums of money. Shot bags full of gold pieces were often in his possession. but he never lost a dollar, and gave the utinost satisfaction in the discharge of the trusts imposed in him. The con- fidence shown in the early days by the pioneer in
the honesty and integrity of his neighbor was not based on bonds and securities, and was seldom abused. Judge Mellemry has spent more than forty-one years in Polk County, and there are some vet living who have known him through all that period. Such willingly testify to the purity of his record and his integrity as a business man and viti- zen. He is warm-hearted and genial by nature, plain and unpretentious. In his profession he won distinction, especially as a criminal lawyer, but he made no branch of the law a specialty; he prac- tieed in law and equity courts as well as in erimi- nal courts.
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.