USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 6
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of the firm of Trimble, Carruthers & Trimble. On January 1, 1882, he removed to Keokuk as assistant general attorney for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, a position which he has ever since filled. He is known to his colleagues as a lawyer of extensive read- ing and detailed knowledge of the fine points of the law and as a man who spares neither time nor pains in securing the rights of his clients and in safeguarding their interests in every possible way. In addition to his practice as a lawyer he is also acting as president of the Bloomfield State Bank, bringing his knowledge of financial and commercial conditions to bear upon the management of that institu- tion.
On the 5th of October, 1877, Mr. Trimble married Miss Nannie J. Leech, of Bloomfield, and to this union has been born a daughter, Agnes. Mr. Trimble was a strong advocate of democratic princi- ples until the adoption of the silver plank in the platform of that party, when he became an independent democrat. He holds party considerations to be secondary in government and men and measures to be of first importance. He is a well-known member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. In his life he prac- tices the principles of brotherly kindness, for which the Masonic craft has always stood. He has won prosperity in his profession and has gained the good will of all who know him.
LEE FOSTER.
Lee Foster is one of the prosperous farmers of the county, operat- ing a valuable farm situated on sections 8 and 9, Pleasant Ridge town- ship. His birth occurred in Henry county, Iowa, April 13, 1858, and his parents were N. P. and Delilah (Moberly) Foster, who came from Highland county, Ohio. The father was born in 1822 and passed away at the ripe old age of eighty-four and a half years, hav- ing long survived his wife, who died when quite a young woman, in 1865. In 1850 they settled in Henry county, Iowa, and there built a log cabin, which remained the family residence for many years and where the children were reared. Rachel, the oldest child, married W. A. Hutchinson, a farmer of Henry county, Iowa, and has now passed away. Sarah is the wife of Charles Delang, an agriculturist of Lee county. Emily is the wife of Joe Goodie, a farmer of Lee county. John farms at Bloomfield, Iowa. Lee is the next in order of birth. Addie is now Mrs. J. Binford and lives at Fort Collins,
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Colorado, where her husband is engaged in business. Delilah is the wife of Charles Hill, a farmer of Nebraska. Two children passed away in infancy.
Lee Foster received the excellent training in agriculture common to sons of pioneer farmers, as from early childhood he assisted in the work of the homestead. His education was that afforded by the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood. He has found agriculture a con- genial occupation and has followed it continuously. He understands the methods of cultivation adapted to this region and his crops are abundant and of such quality as bring a good price upon the market. His success as a farmer is based upon experience, good judgment and the willingness to utilize any new discoveries of value.
Mr. Foster was married in 1885 to Miss Emma Shelledy, who was born April 17, 1865. They have two children, the older being Clyde Newton, who was born November 8, 1886, and is now secretary of the township school board. He married Miss Elbertine Hampton on the 14th of January, 1911. The daughter, Ola J., was born on the 4th of July, 1888, and is now the wife of Carl Carden, a farmer of Henry county, by whom she has one son, William Foster, whose birth oc- curred May 2, 1913. Mr. Foster and his family belong to the Meth- odist Protestant church and rank among those who in every way possible labor for the moral as well as the material upbuilding of their community.
REV. J. M. GLICK.
Rev. J. M. Glick is pastor of the Presbyterian church of West Point, which is the oldest church of that denomination in the state of lowa. He was born in Holt county, Missouri, June 9, 1857, and is a son of Rev. Daniel and Barbara (Miller) Glick, who went to Missouri in the spring of 1857 from Virginia. The father was a native of the Old Dominion, born January 27, 1824, and his life record covering the intervening years to the 24th of July, 1891, when death called him. He was a minister of the Dunkard church for more than twenty-five years and was a prominent factor in the up- building of the community in which he lived along various lines contributing most largely to its moral development. He wedded Barbara Miller, who was born in Virginia, November 4, 1830, and died September 15, 1861. By this marriage he had three children, two of whom are living: Rev. J. M. Glick, of West Point; and John
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D., of St. Joseph, Missouri. After losing his first wife the father married again and by the second union had two children, both of whom still survive.
Rev. J. M. Glick supplemented his public-school training by study in the Missouri Valley College at Marshall, Missouri, and also spent one year in a theological seminary at Lebanon, Tennessee. He won his Bachelor of Arts degree from the former institution and soon after his graduation from the Missouri Valley College entered upon the active work of the ministry, to which he has devoted his life, preaching in northern Missouri until 1902. He was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Mountain View for six years and then accepted a call to the pastorate of the church at Salem, Mis- souri, where he remained for four years. He removed from Salem to West Point in the spring of 1913 and entered upon the work of the ministry here as pastor of the oldest Presbyterian church in the state of Iowa. He has done good work wherever he has been located. He is an earnest speaker, is most zealous for his cause and has been the means of promoting the substantial growth of the church work in the different localities where he has labored. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows society and to the Knights and Ladies of Security, while his political allegiance is given to the democratic party.
ASAPH BUCK.
For the past twenty-six years Asaph Buck has been successfully engaged in the wholesale grocery business at Keokuk as president of the Buck-Reiner Company. His birth occurred in Patriot, Switzer- land county, Indiana, on the 31st of August, 1844, his parents being Sherman A. and Urainia H. (Hicks) Buck, both of whom are de- ceased. In the spring of 1847 the family removed to Henry county, Iowa, settling on a farm.
Asaph Buck, who is the only survivor of a family of five children, remained in Henry county, this state, until seventeen years of age, aiding in the work of the home farm and also attending the district schools intermittently. In the spring of 1862 he went to Van Buren county and for one year devoted his attention to the work of the fields. On the Ist of April, 1863, he came to Keokuk, Iowa, and for a time worked at any and every honorable employment that pre- sented itself. In May, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company C. Forty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and did guard duty in Ten-
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nessee until the expiration of his term of enlistment, which covered one hundred days, being mustered out of service at Keokuk.
On the 17th of November, 1865, Mr. Buck became a porter in the wholesale grocery establishment of Kellogg, Berge & Company, continuing with this concern for a period of five years or until 1870, when he embarked in the retail grocery business under the firm name of Buck & Huxley. In the spring of 1872 he sold out his business and returned to the firm of Kellogg, Berge & Company, purchasing an interest therein. For ten years he was a traveling salesman for this house and for six years acted as buyer and manager. In February, 1888. he disposed of his interest in the firm and formed the corpo- ration of Buck-Reiner Company, of which he has served as president continuously since. The concern has enjoyed a steady growth under his able direction and he has long been numbered among the pros- perous and representative merchants of Keokuk.
On the 3d of December, 1865, Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Struthers, of Keokuk, by whom he had six children, two of whom survive, namely: Alfred E., who acts as vice president of the Buck-Reiner Company; and Elsie C. He is a republican in politics and has served his fellow townsmen in a number of official positions. He was alderman from the first ward for three consec- utive terms or for six years, from 1882 to 1888, and for two years held the office of city treasurer. In 1898 he was made postmaster and throughout the following eight years ably discharged the duties de- volving upon him in that connection. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The period of his residence in Keokuk covers more than a half century and his record is that of one of its most esteemed and leading citizens.
SAMUEL HOUSTON.
Samuel Houston, deceased, was an honored pioneer settler of Lee county and for many years was a prominent, leading and influential farmer of Denmark township, making his home on section 35, where he owned, developed and improved a good farm. He was a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, in 1815, his parents being Ira and Elizabeth (Epps) Houston.
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In his twenty-first year Samuel Houston came west to the terri- tory of Iowa and settled in Lee county, which was then a frontier district. He purchased a claim, on which some improvements had been made, and the following year he was joined by his parents, who settled upon an adjoining property. With them Samuel Houston made his home until 1848, when he completed arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Hornby. He secured one hundred and sixty-five acres of land and improved this property, which is now owned by his son Harry W. Houston. He worked diligently and persistently year by year, transforming the tract into highly cultivated fields and adding many modern improve- ments. His methods of farming were at once practical and pro- gressive and his energy resulted in the production of excellent crops.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Houston were born seven children. Annie M., who was born in March, 1849, became the wife of William L. Morgan and died in 1912. Her husband still survives, now mak- ing his home in Phillipsburg, Kansas, at the age of eighty-two years. Camilla J., born in May, 1851, is the widow of H. S. Dearing, who died in Missoula, Montana, in June, 1913. She is now a resident of Missoula. Charles T., born in July, 1856, makes his home at Clar- inda, Iowa. Edward C., born in July, 1858, resides at Prosser, Wash- ington. Harry W. is the next of the family and is mentioned else- where in this volume. Carrie, born in January, 1864, became the wife of Rev. H. L. Henn, now of Denmark, but her death occurred in January, 1900. Arthur S., born in February, 1867, completes the family.
Samuel Houston was a republican, joining that party upon its organization and remaining thereafter an active supporter of its principles to the time of his demise. He and his wife were consistent and faithful members of the Congregational church at Denmark. They joined that church on its organization and thus were active in forming the oldest church of that denomination in Iowa. Their lives, ever upright and honorable, won for them high regard and unqualified confidence. Their years were fraught with good deeds and wherever they were known they were justly held in high esteem and gained the friendship of all with whom they were brought in contact. The father of Mr. Houston of this review was also a native of Hillsboro county, born in 1786, and his wife's birth there occurred in 1792. They were parents of two sons and four daughters, all of whom married and settled in Iowa, either in Lee or adjoining coun- ties. The family came to this state in 1837, making an overland trip with teams, being two months upon the road. The trip was an
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arduous one, but they possessed the courage that animated the pioneers who laid the foundation for Iowa's present greatness and prosperity. They were members of the Congregational church and Ira Houston, who possessed considerable musical talent, acted as choir leader in the early days.
JAMES KENNEDY.
Agriculture is the leading industry of lowa and James Kennedy, a well known farmer and stock raiser residing on section 29, Cedar township. this county, is one of the up-to-date and progressive men engaged in the production of crops. He owns three hundred acres of fine land, which his father entered from the government and which is now a finely improved place.
Mr. Kennedy was born in Marion township, April 12, 1844, a son of Josiah and Julia (Scott) Kennedy, the former born in Casey county, Kentucky, in January, 1817. His parents were John and Mary (Vandever) Kennedy, the former a native of Virginia and a son of a Revolutionary soldier. In 1812 when a young man of about twenty-two John Kennedy was united in marriage in Kentucky to Miss Vandever, who was born in 1790 in Surry county, North Car- olina. They remained in the Bluegrass state until 1828, when a re- moval was made to Morgan county, Illinois, where John Kennedy died. In 1842 his widow and children came to this county, which remained her home until her death, which occurred January 16, 1864. She was buried in a private cemetery near her home. In her youth she was a member of the Baptist church, but united with the Christian denomination after her arrival in this county. Her son Josiah was the third in order of birth in the family of five children, the two eldest being daughters and the two younger ones sons. All have now passed away.
Josiah Kennedy and Miss Julia Scott were married in Scott county, Illinois, about 1838, the license for their wedding being the first one issued in that county. The bride and her twin sister, who were born en route while her parents were removing from Adair county, Kentucky, to Morgan county, Illinois, lived to be over sev- enty years of age. The family were members of the Christian church. Of the nine children born to Josiah Kennedy and wife, five passed away in infancy and the three living besides the subject of this review are : Mrs. Welch, the widow of the Rev. James Welch, who resides at
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Argonia, Kansas; Mrs. Jewell, a widow living at Bonaparte, lowa; and Mrs. William J. Dinsmore, of Cedar township. The father passed away July 26, 1891, upon the home farm and his demise was regretted by a host of friends.
James Kennedy was reared in this county and has always made it his home. He secured his education at Howe's school in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and after putting aside his text-books devoted him- self to the cultivation of the fields. After his father's death he bought out the other heirs to the homestead which he now owns. It is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land and pro- duces excellent crops. He has bought other land and now owns alto- gether three hundred acres. In addition to his farming operations, he is identified with the other business interests as president of the Farmers & Traders Savings Bank at Hillsboro, Iowa, one of the substantial and reliable financial institutions of Henry county.
Mr. Kennedy was married July 4, 1872, to Miss Eliza Dawson, who was born in Lee county in 1845, a daughter of Peyton and Ellen (Stoddard) Dawson. Her parents were married in 1842 in Lee county, her father having come here in 1840 from Shelby county, Kentucky. Mrs. Kennedy has three brothers and three sisters living as follows: Linza, of Kansas City; Lucinda, of Mount Pleasant; Commodore, of La Crew; Mrs. Isadore Newsam, residing near Mount Hamill; Sherman, living on the old homestead where his par- ents passed away and where they lived for over sixty years; and Mrs. Minnie Belle Druse, of Revere, Missouri. Wesley B. died in June, 1914. at the Graham Hospital in Keokuk. Five others died in infancy. Mrs. Kennedy has always lived in this county and has wit- nessed many changes which have made for the prosperity and wel- fare of the locality. She has become the mother of eight children, all of whom were born in the log house upon the home farm. They are as follows: May, who was born May 30, 1873, is now the wife of E. C. Mahler, formerly of Bonaparte, Iowa, but now a resident of Polson, Montana, and a carpenter by trade, by whom she has four children, two sons and two daughters. Bessie, born April 28, 1875. is now the wife of J. C. Beach, a farmer residing in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and they have two sons and two daughters. Jesse, born May 21, 1876, died of disease while a member of Company G, Fiftieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish-American war. Viola Belle, born March 30, 1878, is the wife of Tyler Hixson, a farmer residing near Hillsboro and they have three sons and two daughters. William, born May 16, 1879, is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having been a member of Company I, Fourteenth United States Infantry,
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
and participating in the battle of Manila, where he was wounded. He married Julia Sullivan, of Butte, Montana, by whom he has a son and daughter. James B., born February 2, 1881, is a farmer of Primrose, Iowa. He married Miss Ruth Frary, by whom he has a daughter and two sons. Edgar Dwight, born December 7, 1883, is a farmer residing near Hillsboro. He married Miss Martie Ranson, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. Katie Ellen, born March 12, 1887, is the wife of Archie Holmes and the mother of a son.
Mrs. Kennedy is a consistent member of the Christian church. Mr. Kennedy gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served for thirty-one years as township assessor, as county surveyor for two terms and for a time as township clerk. He was elected justice of the peace but did not qualify. Fraternally he belongs to John R. Jordan Post, G. A. R., at Hillsboro, thus keeping up the associations of the Civil war. He was a member of Company E, Forty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served with honor, being mustered out with his regiment with the rank of orderly sergeant. In times of peace he manifests the same patriotism that compelled him to offer his life if need be for the defense of the Union, and his ex- ample as a citizen is one well worthy of emulation.
ALBERT DELAMERE THOMAS.
Albert Delamere Thomas, foundryman and inventor and an old- time business man of Keokuk, was born at Springboro, Warren county, Ohio, September 28, 1845. His father, Webster L. Thomas, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and came of Quaker an- cestry. When a boy he removed to Springboro, Ohio, where he learned and followed the wagon maker's trade. In 1851 he came to Keokuk but in the same year returned to Ohio. The latter part of his life was spent in retirement from business, his home being in East Liberty, where he passed away in April, 1907. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and in his political faith was a republican, joining the party in the early days of its existence. He was married in Springboro, Ohio, about 1843, to Miss Ellen Vail, who was born in Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, a daughter of Aaron Vail, whose father was one of the founders of Middletown, Ohio. The Vails came from Normandy and after representatives lived for some time in England and Wales a branch was established on American soil, settlement being made in New Jersey by three brothers of the
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
name, who crossed the Atlantic to establish their homes in what is now the United States. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Webster L. Thomas were three children, Albert Delamere, Edwin Aaron and Rolla Forrest, the last named now a resident of Ohio.
During a brief period in his boyhood Albert D. Thomas was a resident of Warren county, Ohio. He was about six years of age when, in 1851, the family came to Keokuk, but at the end of nine months they returned to the Buckeye state, settling at East Liberty, Logan county, where he attended one of the old-time schools such as were found upon the frontier. During vacation periods he assisted his father in the work of the farm and when a youth of but nine years he aided in getting out timber and clearing the land. The winter months were devoted to the acquirement of an education until he reached the age of seventeen. It was soon after this that he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union cause, enlist- ing on the 4th of July, 1863. He went to the front as a private of Company B, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged July 3, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. He was on duty with the middle department under General Hentzleman.
At the close of the war Mr. Thomas returned to the north and resumed farming for a year. He then learned silversmithing and engraving and in 1868 he came to Keokuk, where he followed his trade in the employ of George D. Mann, a jeweler, for one year. He then became associated with S. S. Vail, a pioneer foundryman of Keokuk and his uncle, under whose directions he thoroughly learned the business, gaining practical knowledge of its management
and control in every department. When his uncle retired Mr. Thomas became connected with William Andrus, Joseph Loeffler and Thomas Hartley, foundrymen, carrying on business on Fourth street, and remained with that firm until 1878, when he branched out for himself, forming a partnership with John Huiskamp in the sewing machine business. This partnership was continued until 1884, when they discontinued. Ayear or two later Mr. Thomas rented the original structure on the site of his present building, and engaged in the foundry business for himself. With this he has since been identified. He is also well known as an inventor, having produced many useful original devices. Fifteen years ago he turned the man- agement of the foundry business over to his sons and went to Boston, being sent by the Verstrey-Grant Shoe Company of St. Louis. Mak- ing his headquarters in Boston, he manufactured a machine that is known as the Union Staple Reenforcing machine. At the end of
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1899 he returned to Keokuk and contracted with the Garton-Daniels Company, electricians, with whom he continued for a year. At the end of that time he returned to the old shop and again assumed charge of the business, giving little time to inventions. For a time he was with the Scott Manufacturing Company and afterward went to In- dianapolis, where he was with the Pope-Waverly Manufacturing Company until 1907, in which year he again came to Keokuk. He possesses a marvelous technical and practical knowledge of mechanics and has displayed marked ingenuity not only in operating various plants but also in bringing forth new and original ideas that have taken tangible form in successful inventions.
Mr. Thomas was married, in Keokuk, on the 4th of November, 1869, to Miss Ella Matilda Brown, of this city, a daughter of James H. and Rosanna M. (Martin) Brown. The children of this mar- riage were: Mary, deceased; Henry W., of Keokuk; Edna M., the wife of Dr. William J. Harter, of Keokuk; Charles M., who died in boyhood; and William M., master mechanic with the Purity Oats Company of Keokuk.
Mr. Thomas' memory goes back over the lapse of years to the period when this was largely a frontier district in which the work of progress and civilization had been scarcely begun. He recalls that on one Sunday morning in 1851, when the water was very high, his father took the family on a ferry boat and made his way through the streets of Churchville, now known as Alexandria. Mr. Thomas played in the brush all around the site of his present shop. He has lived to see marvelous changes as the work of progress and improve- ment has been carried forward, transforming this region from a pioneer district into one of the populous and prosperous sections of the state.
CHRIS HAFFNER.
Chris Haffner is a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. He resides in Donnellson and takes a most active part in promoting progress and upbuilding along various lines for the benefit of the community. He is especially a moving spirit in county affairs. He was born in West Point township, February 10, 1867, a son of Walter J. Haffner, also a native of this county, born in Franklin township, October 25, 1841. He made farming his life work and from birth to death continued his residence on the old homestead farm in West
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Point township. As the years progressed his well directed efforts brought him substantial success, and he became the owner of four hundred acres, which property is still owned by his sons. He mar- ried Magdalen Graeber, who was born near Franklin Station, in Charleston township, in 1848 and is now living with her son. The Haffner family is of German origin. The grandfather was Chris- topher Haffner, who left his native land of Germany in 1838, cross- ing the Atlantic to America. Lee county became his destination, and he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers long before the admis- sion of the state into the Union. He was married ere he left the fatherland and was accompanied to this country by his wife, while six of his brothers also took up their residence in lowa at the same time. Christopher Haffner lived to the ripe old age of eighty-six years.
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