USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 29
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In 1891 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Lange and Miss Etta May Tucker, who was born in Green Bay township, May 21, 1872, a daughter of G. W. and Clara (Minard) Tucker, early settlers of this locality, having located here in the spring of 1851. Her father prospered as an agriculturist and became the owner of five hundred acres of very valuable land, which is now owned by his widow. He was also prominent in public affairs and served as sheriff of Lee county for several years. He is now deceased, but Mrs. Tucker is still living, making her home in Fort Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Lange have one son, George W., at home.
Mr. Lange is one of the leading members of Wever Lodge, No. 552, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled a number of offices, and he also belongs to the Rebekahs and the Grange. He was reared in the Lutheran church and has always affiliated with the democratic party, taking a commendable interest in public affairs and serving as trustee of his township. He is a worthy representative of an old and honored family of this county and well deserves mention in this volume.
AUSTIN F. PHILPOTT, M. D.
Dr. Austin F. Philpott, successfully engaged in the general prac- tice of medicine and surgery in Fort Madison, keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and has a clear understand- ing of those truths which are brought to light through scientific investigation and research. He comes from a family of physicians, his grandfather, father and uncle, as well as his wife's father, hav-
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austin + Philpath
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ing all been members of the medical profession. He was born on the 15th of February, 1882, at Richland, Iowa, and is a son of J. W. and Lucy ( Bollinger) Philpott, also natives of Iowa. The for- mer is a son of J. H. Philpott, a native son of Kentucky, and a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Medicine, who about the year 1857 established his home at New London, Iowa, where he con- tinued in active practice until his death a half century later. Fol- lowing in the professional footsteps of his father, Dr. J. W. Philpott took up the study of medicine in the University of Vermont, in which he completed his course. Returning to lowa, he has engaged in practice in this state. He opened an office in Fort Madison in 1887 and has since been identified with the active work of the profession here. Distinguished honors have come to him. He has been chosen to the presidency of the Lee County Medical Society and was also president of the Fort Madison Medical Society. He served as chief surgeon of the Chicago, Fort Madison & Des Moines Railway and as assistant chief surgeon of the Santa Fe. For twenty years he was surgeon of the Iowa state penitentiary, retiring from that position in 1913, as well as from active practice. For years he was one of the foremost representatives of the profession in Fort Madison. Frater- nally he is connected with the Masons and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft.
Dr. Austin F. Philpott was reared in Iowa and attended the public schools of Fort Madison, also the Normal School at Chilli- cothe, Missouri, and Highland Park College at Des Moines, Iowa. Determining to engage in the profession to which his father and grandfather had devoted their lives, he entered the St. Louis Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in 1903. He then located for practice in Fort Madison, where he has since remained, and has been closely associated with his father in his professional activity. He specializes to a large extent in surgery and has developed his powers along that line to a high degree. He also continues in general practice and to further promote his effi- ciency pursued post-graduate work in the Chicago Post-Graduate College. Upon the retirement of his father he assumed his prac- tice along with his own.
In 1909, Dr. Philpott was united in marriage to Miss Cheryl Thornber, of Fort Madison, a daughter of Dr. J. M. Thornber, now of Ferris, Illinois, and in the social circles of the city they occupy an enviable place. Dr. Philpott is a member of all the va- rious medical societies, city, county and state, and was president of the Fort Madison Medical Society in 1913. He was city physician Vol. II-19
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for six years and is now surgeon for the state penitentiary and the Mississippi Power Company at Fort Madison. He concentrates his efforts upon his chosen profession to the exclusion of all other business interests. He holds to high standards, conforms his prac- tice to the most advanced ethics of the profession, and enjoys the high regard and confidence of his brethren of the medical fraternity as well as of the general public.
THOMAS SKYLES.
Thomas Skyles, a well known resident of Fort Madison, was born near Rushville, in Schuyler county, Illinois, February 28, 1835, his parents being Benjamin and Hannah ( Peak) Skyles, the former born in Jackson county, Tennessee, August 24, 1810, and the latter in Hardin county, Kentucky, October 14, 1818. Our subject's paternal grandfather, William Skyles, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, April 5, 1773, and in early life married Lyda Chaddie, who was born July 9, 1777. They spent their lives on the frontier, surrounded by the Indians. From Maryland they removed to Kentucky, later to Tennessee, from there to Arkansas, and finally came north to Illinois, but spent their last days in Iowa. William Skyles died in Lee county in 1845. By occupation he was a farmer. During the French and Indian war his brother, Jacob Skyles, was captured by the Indians and burned at the stake.
The parents of Mr. Skyles of this review were married in Rush- ville, Illinois, and remained residents of Schuyler county for four years, coming to Lee county in 1838. They crossed the river at Nauvoo, landing at Montrose, lowa. Settling in Lee county, the father engaged in farming in Jefferson township for some years. He was a soldier of the Black Hawk war. In his family were eleven children, namely: Thomas, whose name heads this sketch ; Alexander T., who was a soldier of the Civil war and is now a resident of Nebraska; William, who died in infancy; George W., who also was a soldier of the Civil war and is now a resident of Nebraska; Robert, who makes his home in the same state and was for four years a member of the Fourth lowa Cavalry during the Civil war; Fannie J., who married Frank B. Kent and died December 23, 1897; John MI., a resident of Montrose; Magnolia, the wife of James Griswold of Jefferson township; Nancy B., who married A. C. Snively of West
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Point township; Franklin P., of Keokuk; and Susan, the wife of William H. South, of Fort Madison.
Thomas Skyles was only three years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Lee county in 1838 and for sixty-six years he lived on the old homestead, but at present is residing at No. 3115 Chicago street, Fort Madison. As a farmer he met with success and is now practically living retired.
On the 29th of April, 1858, Mr. Skyles was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Conlee, who was born in Illinois, April 23, 1830, and died in Fort Madison, July 2, 1909. She came to this county with her parents about 1836 and was a daughter of Reuben and Nancy Conlee. To Mr. and Mrs. Skyles six children were born : William B., now a resident of Memphis, Missouri; John H., of Warsaw, Illinois; Mary Elizabeth, at home; Harvey A., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Fort Madison; Adam W., of Astoria, Oregon; and Anna, the wife of Alexander Bullard of Jefferson township.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Skyles has been a stanch sup- porter of the democratic party, to which the family have always adhered, never scratching a ticket at election. He has held various township offices and takes an active interest in public affairs. For sixty-two years he has been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church and conducted the largest Bible class in the Sunday school. Wherever known he is held in the highest esteem.
B. P. TABER.
B. P. Taber, for years a most prominent figure in connection with the lumber interests of lowa, has throughout his business career displayed notable sagacity and energy. There have been no esoteric chapters in his entire history, but there has been a ready recognition and utilization of opportunity, combined with close application in the control and development of the business interests with which he has been associated. Making his home in Keokuk, he is today con- nected with a lumber trade that covers three states and which is con- ducted under the name of the Taber Lumber Company, with B. P. Taber as president. A native of Massachusetts, he was born in Lynn on the 6th of May, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Ann ( Phillips) Taber. The father was a manufacturer of oilcloth, but one day suffered severe injuries through a fall, which rendered him an invalid for life. In 1853 the family came to Keokuk, where the parents
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spent their remaining days, the father dying on the 3d of February, 1877, and the mother on the 12th of September, 1883.
B. P. Taber had but limited educational opportunities. He at- tended school to some extent in Cincinnati, Ohio, but, owing to his father's affliction, he was early thrown upon his own resources and when a boy in years began earning his living. He worked at all the odd jobs that a poor city boy usually takes up, including the selling of papers, which is perhaps the most common employment among all city youths. In January, 1855, he came to Keokuk, then a young man of eighteen years, and on the southeast corner of Fifth and Blondeau streets established a retail grocery store under the firm name of Taber & Tisdale. He afterward removed the business to the present site of the Iowa Hotel and in 1859 sold out. He then went upon the river, becoming third clerk on the steamer William M. Morrison. Gradually he worked his way upward to a captaincy and was in command at different times of several river boats, the largest and best of which was the Ruth, a vessel well remembered by the old-time citizens. In 1866, having given up river life, he became interested in the lumber trade as a member of the Hosmer- Taber Company. This enterprise prospered and he afterward acquired his partner's interest, conducting the business under the firm name of Taber & Company until 1895. In that year the Taber Lumber Company was organized and incorporated by the old hrm and business has since been continued under that name. Their trade today covers three states and they have branch offices at various points in Illinois and Iowa. B. P. Taber is president of the company, B. C. Taber, secretary, and E. C. Taber, treasurer. The business is now one of large volume and with the trade B. P. Taber has been continuously connected for forty-eight years. He has watched every indication pointing to success, has wisely improved the advantages which have come to him and throughout his career has displayed the ability which has enabled him to succeed. He has seemed in- tuitively to recognize the possibilities of a situation and constantly he has extended his trade connections until its ramifying interests now cover a very extensive territory and the business brings an extensive and gratifying return annually.
On the 13th of June, 1866, Mr. Taber was united in marriage to Miss Nellie P. Carroll, a daughter of Charles Carroll, of St. Louis. She died September 15, 1907, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which she had long been a devoted member. Mr. Taber has held membership in the Masonic lodge for fifty years. He is a republican, but has never held office. In the duties of citizenship he is never
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remiss and his cooperation can be counted upon to further many movements looking to a greater and better Keokuk, but he has had no thought of the rewards of office in all this. He is alert and enter- prising in business and ready at all times to meet any condition or any emergency that may arise. He has now passed the seventy- eighth milestone on life's journey, yet still gives supervision to his important commercial interests.
WELLS M. IRWIN.
Wells M. Irwin has long been a prominent factor in mercantile circles of Keokuk as president of the Irwin-Phillips Company, a wholesale dry-goods concern of which his father was one of the founders in 1856. His birth occurred near Hamilton, Ohio, on the 12th of June, 1852, his father being Stephen Irwin, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. He was brought to Keokuk by his parents when four years of age and was here reared, receiving his primary education in the public schools and as a student in Professor W. W. Jamieson's Latin school. He completed his literary education at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, and Dart- mouth College of Hanover, New Hampshire, and subsequently read law for a time, but abandoned that profession in order to become identified with commercial pursuits. From that time to the present he has been continuously connected with the wholesale dry-goods establishment of which he now serves as president.
In 1856, Frederick Kramer and Stephen Irwin came to Keokuk and embarked in the wholesale dry-goods and notion business under the firm name of Kramer, Irwin & Company. In the '6os Stephen Irwin bought out his associates and conducted the enterprise under the name of S. Irwin until it was changed to S. Irwin & Company. Subsequently it became Irwin, Phillips & Company, the members of the firm being Stephen Irwin, Cyrus E. Phillips and Iram A. Sawyer. The last named passed away on the 12th of May, 1909. In 1887 the business was incorporated as the Irwin-Phillips Company, which style has been continued to the present time. Stephen Irwin died in 1894 and was succeeded as president by C. E. Phillips, who passed away in 1903 and was succeeded by John N. Irwin, son of Stephen. John N. Irwin was called to his final rest in 1905 and during the past nine years another son of Stephen, Wells M. Irwin, has been at the head of the establishment. The Irwin-Phillips Company is one
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of the few wholesale houses of Keokuk that has invariably discounted its bills in times of financial panic as well as during periods of pros- perity. In his important position as head of this extensive enterprise, Wells M. Irwin has manifested excellent executive ability and keen discernment that have insured its continued growth and success. He also served as president of the Commercial Club for more than a score of years and at present acts as treasurer of the lowa State In- surance Company and vice president of the Central State Savings Bank.
In 1881 Mr. Irwin was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kiser, by whom he has the following children : Mary Wells Irwin; La Favour, who is now Mrs. Frank LeBron; and Stephen. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and Delta Kappa Epsilon. He has been repeatedly offered by the different political parties, the mayoralty of Keokuk and, in fact, he has been extended other political honors in this con- gressional district, but has declined, preferring to employ his time and attention in other directions. He has spent the greater part of his life in Keokuk and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a leading business man and respected citizen.
JOHN J. CRIMMINS.
John J. Crimmins has been successfully engaged in business as an undertaker of Keokuk for a number of years and is also serving for the second term as sheriff of Lee county. His birth occurred at La Fayette, Indiana, on the 7th of March, 1856, his parents being John and Mary (McDonald) Crimmins, who were natives of County Clare and County Kerry, Ireland, respectively. They came to Amer- ica when children, were married in Indiana and became the parents of four sons. The mother died at Kokomo, Indiana, and the father subsequently came to Lee county, lowa, to join his mother, who had taken up her abode here when the Indians yet roamed within the borders of this county and when Keokuk was a frontier village. John Crimmins is still living at the venerable age of eighty-seven years.
John J. Crimmins, Sr., whose name introduces this review, was left motherless when about eight years of age and was reared on a farm among strangers. In 1874, when a young man of eighteen years, he came to Keokuk and here secured employment with the old Hos-
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mer Lumber Company, while later he worked in the sawmill of the Taber Lumber Company. Subsequently he was employed in the old Smyth packing house and next worked in the Keokuk branch of the Fowler packing concern of Chicago, later being employed by the same company in Winthrop, Missouri. Returning to Keokuk a year later, he entered the packing and commission house of Patterson Brothers and afterward worked for Coey & Company, Limited, a branch of a house at Belfast, Ireland. He next became a wiper in the roundhouse of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway and sub- sequently was employed as a fireman on the road for about four years. On the expiration of that period he became an engineer and thus served for about eighteen months. In 1888 he resigned his posi- tion and embarked in the undertaking business, in which he has been successfully engaged to the present time with the exception of about three years.
In 1885 Mr. Crimmins was united in marriage to Miss Ellen J. Flynn, by whom he had five sons, namely: George, who died at the age of twenty-two years; John J, Jr .; Francis V .; Harry B .; and Arthur B.
Mr. Crimmins gives his political allegiance to the democracy. In January, 1906, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Lee county, serv- ing in that capacity for four years or until 1910, when he was elected sheriff. His record in that connection proved so satisfactory to his constituents that he was reelected in 1912 and is therefore still hold- ing the office at the present time. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. The prosperity which he now enjoys is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it has been acquired entirely through his own well directed and untiring efforts. A man of sound judgment and keen discernment, possessing those qualities which make for success in the business world, he has also exemplified in his life those traits which win and retain warm friendships, and today he is numbered among the substantial, representative and valued citizens of Keokuk.
E. J. BUFE.
E. J. Bufe is one of those excellent citizens whom Germany has given to our western republic. His birth occurred in Wuenschen- dorf, near Lauban, Germany, on the 2d of August, 1851, his parents being Wilhelm and Pauline (Lange) Bufe, also natives of the father-
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land, where their whole lives were passed. The father engaged in farming and was known as a substantial agriculturist. In the family were eleven children, seven of whom, three sons and four daughters, are now living. Three of the number came to this country as follows : E. J., the subject of this review; Paul, who is with his brother E. J .; and Amelia, the wife of Max Rudke, of Missouri.
E. J. Bufe came directly to Lee county, Iowa, after landing on the shores of the new world, arriving here in September, 1866. He joined an uncle, Carl Lange, who was located here, and remained on the farm with him for a year. He believed that other work would be more congenial than farm labor and therefore went to Pontoosuc, Illinois, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. He spent five years there and two and a half years at Colusa, Illinois. In 1875 he located in Green Bay township, this county, and started a black- smith shop, which he has operated to the present time. This is the third shop which he has conducted and his long experience makes him most efficient in all lines of his trade. He started in a small way by himself, but in 1888 his brother joined him and has been his part- ner since 1907. They give such good satisfaction in the work done that it is necessary to employ additional men and two nephews, Carl and Edward Rudke, are their assistants. Mr. Bufe of this review was the first to learn the trade and instructed his brother therein. They do everything in the line of blacksmithing and general repair- ing and the volume of their business is unusually large for a small town. Our subject owns a farm of sixty-seven acres, located a mile from his shop.
In 1879 Mr. Bufe was married to Miss Louisa Derle, whose birth occurred in Keokuk on the 22d of March, 1852. Her parents were Louis and Magdalena (Haefner) Derle, the former a German by birth and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bufe passed away February 17, 1908, and her sister, Mrs. Mary Gittings is now keeping house for our subject. The birth of Mrs. Gittings occurred near Dallas City, Hancock county, Illinois, on the 15th of Septem- ber, 1861. Her father, Louis Derle, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1818, and as a young man he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he married Miss Magdalena Haefner, a native of the Key- stone state. They located first at Keokuk, but later settled at Dallas City, Illinois. Mr. Derle was engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm near the home of our subject and passed away in 1885 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gittings. His wife had preceded him in death, dying in 1883 at the age of fifty-five years. Six children were born to their union as follows: Mrs. Louisa Bufe, deceased ;
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Caroline, the wife of A. G. Eckhardt, of Oklahoma; Louis, de- ceased; Euphemia, the wife of A. I. Schowalter, of Halstead, Kansas; Leonard, who died in infancy; and Mrs. Mary M. Gittings. The last named is the mother of eight children, of whom one is de- ceased, the others being: Carrie, the wife of Charles Redfern, of New London, Iowa; Bernard, of Fort Madison; Walter, of Green Bay township; Cable, of Mount Union; Vesta and Verga, twins, the former of whom is preparing for the profession of nursing in Burlington, while the latter is at home with her mother; Edith, who died in infancy; and Vada, with her mother.
Mr. Bufe was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and is still an adherent of that organization. He has voted the republican ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he is a stalwart defender of the principles and policies of the party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, also belonging to the Rebekahs and the Royal Neighbors. He is likewise a member of the Grange. He has never regretted becoming a citizen of the United States and has proved a public-spirited and useful member of the community where he has made his home for many years.
WILLIAM VOGT.
William Vogt resides on section 36, Washington township, and was born near his present home place, in Green Bay township, on the 30th of December, 1862. His father, William Vogt, was a native of Lauban, Prussia, born March 5, 1823, and on leaving his native land he made his way direct to Lee county, Iowa. He learned the trade of cabinetmaking in the old country and after living for a time in Fort Madison, where he arrived in the winter of 1848, he removed to Burlington, where he worked at his trade for a few years. He had previously been employed at cabinetmaking on Front street in Fort Madison and it was through close attention to business that he earned the capital that enabled him to purchase land. Investing in a farm in Green Bay township, he then married and gave his atten- tion to general agricultural pursuits. He wedded Caroline Goe- thert, who was born in Prussia, January 30, 1831, and in 1853 came to Lee county with her brother, Ernest Goethert, who resided with a nephew, Herman Vogt.
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After living for a time upon their first farm Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Vogt, Sr., sold their place in Green Bay township and bought the farm upon which their son William now resides. For thirty-five years the father continued to live upon this place and was then called to his final rest on the 18th of August, 1901. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land, which at his death was divided among his children. In politics he was a stanch republican and ever sought the welfare and improvement of the district in which he lived. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. He long survived his wife, who passed away on the 28th of Febru- ary, 1879. They were a most highly respected couple, displaying throughout their lives many good traits of character, which won for them the high regard and friendship of those with whom they came in contact.
Of their family of ten children William and Emma Vogt still reside upon the home place. They inherited thirty-seven acres of the land, but have since sold twenty-two acres to the Power Com- pany for the transmission line. A large part of the tract which the Power Company purchased has now become covered with Cooper lake. The substantial price received for their property enables Mr. Vogt and his sister to live in comfort. They are both advocates of democratic principles and keep in touch with all questions of vital interest, political and otherwise. They have lived for many years in this county and have a wide acquaintance, especially throughout Green Bay and Washington townships.
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