USA > Iowa > Henry County > The history of Henry county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 82
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in infancy. Members of the Catholic Church.
Shaner, I. V., saddler, New London.
Shaner, Samuel, merchant, New London. Shannon, William, merchant, New London. Shaver, George W., merchant, New Lon- don.
Shepard, B. S., butcher, New London. Shepard, L., cabinet-maker, New London. Shields, J. L., miller, New London.
SHOPBELL, JACOB, stock. raising, feeding and shipping stock, S. 5; P. O. Mt. Pleasant; born in Knox Co., Ohio, May 2, 1844; when 12 years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa; they located in this county, where he was brought up, and is engaged in stock-raising, feeding and shipping ; he owns 180 acres of land. Married Miss M. A. Stewart, a native of Ohio, Jan. 22, 1879. His father died in 1872 ; his mother living with him, and is now 73 years of age.
Shulte, H. H., far., S. 24; P. O. New London.
Sickler, William, far., S. 26; P. O. New London.
Smith, C. W., merchant, S. 26; P. O. New London.
Smith, David, harness-maker, New London. Smith, Guy W., far., S. 10; P. O. New London.
SMITH, JAMES W., far .; S. 17; P. O. New London ; born in Schuyler Co., Ill., Nov. 9, 1829; when 4 years of age, his parents came to Iowa; lo- cated in Lee Co .; in 1835, they came to Henry Co. and settled at Lowell, Baltimore Tp. His father built the mills there, and started them in 1838; he died in 1840; he was a great friend of Black Hawk, the Indian Chief, and, perhaps, few settlers knew him better. Of a family of five children, James is the only one who survives: he was brought up and learned the milling busi- ness in Lowell, and continued in it un- til the past six years, when he has been engaged in farming; owns 100 acres of land. He married Charlotte M. Clark, a native of Indiana, Nov. 27, 1859 ; she died Nov. 30, 1867, leaving three children-Francis P., born Sept. 10, 1860; Ida C., born Aug. 18, 1862, and Fred H., born Jan. 13, 1866. He married Mrs. Olive Kirkpatrick Sept. 20,
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NEW LONDON TOWNSHIP.
1868; they have one daughter-Mary V., born July 27, 1869. Mrs. Smith is a native of Indiana ; she married C. H. Kirkpatrick, a native of Illinois, April 9, 1860 ; he died June 9, 1862, in the army; he enlisted in the 2d Minn. V. I .; left one son-Thomas H.
Smith, E., far., Sec. 17; P. O. New London.
Smith, N. R., retired, New London.
Snyder, A., hotel-keeper, New London. Snyder. G., cabinet-maker, New London. SNYDER, N. F., hotel, New London; owns the house, valued at $3,500; born in Germany in 1832 ; came to America in 1850 ; lived six years in Cincinnati, Olio ; moved to Wisconsin and was engaged in farming and logging twenty years ; came to Henry Co. in 1876. Married Miss Augusta Rodka in 1856; she was born in Germany ; have three children - August F., Charles F., Emma; two deceased. Democrat.
Spaulding, R. C., Sr., mason, New London. Springton, P., New London.
Stabler, John, laborer, New London.
Stafford, G., far., Sec. 12; P. O. New London.
Stephens, T. E., far, Sec. 7; P. O. Mt. Pleasant.
Stevenson, E., merchant, New London. Stoddard, M. M., merchant, New London. STOW, BENJAMIN F., Pro- fessor, New London ; was born May 7, 1847, in Adams Co., Ill., where he lived on a farm until 14 years old; then moved with his parents to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Enlisted as musician in Co. H, 45th I. V. I., in the spring of 1864. Learned the tinner's trade at which he worked in Mt. Pleasant, New London, and in Quincy, Ill. In the winter of 1868-69, Mr. Stow taught his first term in Hancock Co., Ill .; the following summer and fall was in the employ of William Garretson & Co., then of Gales- burg, Ill., where he gained valuable business experience. Mr. Stow was in Quincy in the hardware trade; his health failed ; he had a desire for a better education, and returned to Mt. Pleasant, where he attended the Howe Academy ; he taught in Trenton suc- cessfully ; received the most valuable part of his education at the Illinois Nor- mal University in 1872-73-74, where
his talents as a singer soon gave him a position in the best society. Prof. Stow married Miss M. A. Mount, an accom- plished lady with fine abilities as a teacher. Prof. Stow is Principal of the New London Academy ; also acting as S. S. Superintendent Presbyterian Church ; President of the R. R. Club ; Vice President and Conductor of the Progressive Musical Association of New London.
Summers, Samuel, Jr., far., Sec. 29 ; P. O New London.
Summers, George, far., Sec. 30; P. O. Mt. Pleasant.
SWIFT, ESTIS, miller, New Lon- don; born in New London in 1856; commenced to learn his trade with his father in 1872; completed it in 1877. Married Miss H. C. Fowler Oct. 21, 1877. Mr. S. is employed in the mill of Messrs. Shield & Tomlinson, in which mill he learned his trade. Republi- can.
SWIFT, MONROE, miller, New London ; was born in Ripley Co., Ind., in 1832; came to Iowa in 1854. Mar- ried Sarah J. Courtney in 1853; she was born in Illinois; have five children -Sadoris, Estis, Mary E., Frank and Anna Bell. Mr. S. is Alderman, and has served three years. Members of the Baptist Church ; Republican.
ELFER, HENRY, blacksmith, New
T London.
Telfer, James, blacksmith, New London. Telfer, J. W., law student, New London. TELFER, MARY, MRS., physician and midwife, New London ; Mrs. T. was born in Scotland in 1820; came to America about 1845, to Henry Co. Married James Telfer in 1843; her maiden name was Mary Farquhar- son. Mr. Telfer was born in Scotland in 1817; have five children-James W., Charles A., Henry, David A., Ella A .; three dead-C. F., M. E., Alice. Mr. Telfer is a blacksmith. Members of the Methodist Church.
Telfer, Z. A., New London.
Thompson, John, grain dealer, New Lon- don.
V ANDERBERG, JOHN, far., Sec. 34; P. O. New London.
Van Trump, I, far., Sec. 15 ; P. O. New London.
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DIRECTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
W ALKER, E. L., far., Sec. 15; P. O. New London.
Walker, Geo., far., S. 9 ; P. O. New Lon- don.
Waller; W. D., nurseryman, New London. Waller, Wm. L., far., S. 26; P. O. New London.
Warren, A. R., mail-carrier, New London. Warren, M. E., New London.
Waters, Samuel, far., S. 9; P. O. New London.
Watkins, T., far., S. 25; P. O. New London.
Waugh, Wm., far., S. 30; P. O. Mt. Pleasant.
Wayman, O. G., school-teacher, New Lon- don.
Weller, Chas. B., merchant, New London. Weller, Wm. L., far., S. 1; P. O. New London.
Willey, E., far., S. 32; P. O. New London. Willey, J., far., S. 34; P. O. New London. Willey, John, far., S. 28; P. O. New Lon- don.
Willey, L., far., Sec. 31 ; P. O. Mt. Pleas- ant.
WILSON, FRANK R., physician,
1 New London; born in Springfield, Penn., in 1855; came to Iowa in 1856; re- ceived his education at the State Uni- versity, Ann Arbor, Mich .; graduated in 1873 ; commenced practice the same year in Panora, Guthrie Co., Iowa; re- mained tbere about four years; then came to New London in 1877; com- menced practice and opened a drug store; makes prescriptions a specialty. Married Miss Louisa Bryan in 1876; she was from Guthrie Co., Iowa; they have one child-Frank B., born Nov. 23, 1877. He has a practice of $1,500 a year.
Wilson, H. T., far .; P. O. New London. Woolberton, L. W., laborer, New London. Workman, W. S., far., S. 27; P. O. New London.
Wright, B., far., S. 14; P. O. New Lon- don.
Wright, W. S., far., S. 19; P. O. Mt. Pleasant. Y OUNDT, ANDREW, Justice of the Peace, New London.
Too Late for Insertion in their Proper Places.
THERON WEBB WOOLSON.
Theron Webb Woolson was born at Lisbon, N. H., October 28, 1811. His father was a farmer of very limited means, who some few years after the birth of Theron, removed with his family to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he died at a well-rounded old age, leaving his widow and nine children surviving him.
The financial circumstances of the family required that Theron should early go out to work, and, consequently, he was hired by the month in the neighbor- hood where his father resided, during which time he succeeded in attending the winter school in his district through four winters. This comprises all the schooling he received. But being naturally quick in thought and retentive in memory, and having an unusual hungering after knowledge, he soon mastered all the volumes in the general, though small, library of the physician for whom he was working, and familiarized himself with the books of his kind neighbors generally.
At a comparatively early age he entered the merchant-tailoring establishment of his oldest brother as an apprentice, and soon became an adept at tailoring in its different branches, his leisure hours meanwhile being devoted to reading and study. It was his good fortune to have as Pastor of the church which he attended, a man of deep piety and benevolent disposition, who had been thoroughly educated in a full collegiate course. Recognizing in Theron a lad of
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more than usual intellectual promise and application, he gave Theron the priv- ilege of reciting to him on stated evenings, and in this manner Theron acquired his early knowledge of the Latin language and the more advanced English branches. His health, however, began to fail him, and his system, never too rugged, began to give way under the confinement incident to his trade, to such a degree that his physician insisted on severe and continuous labor and more outdoor employment. Leaving the shop, he entered the employ of a firm of wood-workers, where his duties led him largely to the operation and use of a foot-lathe. Here he found the needed physical exercise, and here, too, he found additional opportunity for farther mental improvement, his book being constantly before him on a rack or support placed by him on the farther side of his lathe, and in this manner he pursued his studies while at his daily work.
His health having become apparently restored, he taught school for some time in that county, employing himself between his school-terms at such occu- pation as he could best obtain, his studious habits being meanwhile kept up, so far as his daily work permitted. Here was first brought into action the remark- able power he subsequently exhibited in controlling others and in quietly and determinedly accomplishing the results at which he aimed-the essence of executive power. His schools were regarded remarkable for the quiet pervad- ing them, the enthusiasm of the scholars and the perfection with which-almost without friction and with rare instances of any attempt at insubordination-the whole school moved peacefully along under the complete control of the teacher. Toward this result, the personal magnetism or enthusiasm he inspired in the work, an enthusiasm born of his own devotion and zeal as a student, contributed, perhaps, no less than that rare quality, possessed by him in a large degree, of attracting others toward him and his convictions, and holding them by his thorough conscientiousness of purpose and his frank sincerity of action.
In 1835, he started Westward to find a location where his life's work should be fairly commenced. Stopping at Tonawanda, Erie Co., N. Y., in the western portion of the State, and then almost on the frontier, he entered for, as he sup- posed, a short time upon the duties of clerk and book-keeper. His business tact, ready application and thorough devotion to his duties soon placed upon his shoulders the main burden and management of the mercantile establishment, and almost without knowing it, he had located and had entered upon the work of his early manhood.
It may be safely be said that, during the twenty-one years he resided at Tonawanda, no desirable public movement or enterprise was undertaken without his active co-operation. The qualities before spoken of, naturally caused him to be pushed forward whenever such enterprises were undertaken. He filled, at different times, the various local public positions within the town and village where he resided, and he was for years President of the Village Board of Trust- ees, and the official head of the local educational board. At different times he represented his town in the County Board of Supervisors, and also served as Chairman of that Board. He also filled the position of Loan Commissioner for his county. He was admitted in the city of Buffalo, in that county, to practice law.
In 1856, he removed with his family to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, arriving June 6. He was attracted to that city by the educational advantages it afforded for his children, and the inviting appearance of the city and its surroundings for a residence. Devoting himself exclusively to the practice of law, after some months' practice by himself, he formed a law copartnership with Henry Ambler, Esq. Upon the dissolution of this firm, he formed a copartnership with Hon.
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DIRECTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Samuel McFarland, his son-in-law, which was terminated in December, 1862, by the death of Col. McFarland. Subsequently, he entered into partnership with P. N. Bowman, Esq., which continued until September 6, 1866, when Mr. Bowman retired, and Mr. Woolson formed a partnership with his son, John S. Woolson, which continued until the death of the senior member.
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 added largely, by his devotion, energy and ripe judgment, in placing the public schools of the city in their present well-deserved high posi- tion. 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 care for the interests intrusted to him, which were marked features of his whole life. An illustration can he given, taken from his entrance upon his duties as Mayor. By resolution of the City Council, there had been submitted to vote of the electors, at the election at which he was first elected Mayor (and when, also, a new Council was elected), the question of reducing the license upon billiard-tables, which was then substantially a prohibitory license, and by a considerable majority the electors refused to sanction 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 Council and Mayor were to step out and the newly-elected step into office. The old Council had a strong majority of its members in favor of reducing the license, while the newly-elected Council were opposed to such reduction. Mr. Woolson had intimations of an expected attempt by the old Council to pass-in the face of the vote just cast 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 Council-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 customarily been the first business of such a meeting. But those in charge of it, had determined to pass the ordinance reducing the license, and, having the voting power, they compelled the canvass 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 juncture, and when it had become apparent that the opponents of the measure were powerless to prevent its adoption, and that it was the set- tled 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 directed the Clerk to call his name, and cast his vote against the ordinance. This vote, in connection with his firm action in the chair, effectu- ally checkmated 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 Super- visors 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-
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DIRECTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
elected in 1865. He was a member of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth General Assemblies. In the Senate he was a leading member, serving on its most important committees, and exercising a large influence in shaping the legislation of that body, and at one time holding, 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." He was in the Senate throughout the war, for the suppression of the rebellion, and by voice, vote, pen and purse he was a deter- mined, effective supporter of that war. During the absence, in the military service, of its editor, Mr. Woolson, who was prevented by physical infirmities from entering the service, was the acting editor of the Mount Pleasant Journal, and its tones were never uncertain, during that period, upon matters affecting the national weal or woe.
His early political attachments were with the Democratic party. But when that party, in his judgment, became unfaithful to its expressed principles con- cerning "free rights and free men," he severed his connection with it. He was a member of the first Republican Convention ever held at Buffalo, N. Y., and thereafter acted with that party, and was an influential participator in the District and State conventions and deliberations of that party in his State. He was a delegate from Iowa to the National Republican Convention, which first nominated President Grant.
His religious associations were with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united in 1836, and was, thereafter, a firm, consistent member up to his death.
On September 1, 1836, he married Clarissa Simson, who proved to him a' most devoted, affectionate wife. She died suddenly upon March 7, 1862, while he was absent attending the Iowa Legislature, of which he was a member. She left surviving her three daughters-Mrs. Peter Melendy, Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Mrs. R. J. Borghlothaus, Lawrence, Kan., and Mrs. M. W. Darling, Cambria Mills, Mich. ; and one son-John S. Woolson, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
On June 26, 1865, he married Anna Carney, who survives him, with their only child-J. Leigh Woolson, Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Upon November 7, 1872, Mr. Woolson was at his office, engaged in active preparation for the approaching term of Court. He had been somewhat unwell, but not seriously, for several days, and in the afternoon felt compelled to excuse himself from the labors in which he was then engaged. Within two hours after leaving the office, he was attacked with acute cholera morbus, bordering closely upon Asiatic cholera, and so rapidly did the disease advance that before evening had set in his life was despaired of! He died November 8, 1872, at 4:20 P. M., aged 61 years-passing away as in a quiet sleep, peace- fully, and without a struggle. His funeral was upon November 10, and was attended by a large concourse of friends, the bar of his county attending in a body. He was interred in the family grounds at Forest Home Cemetery, at Mount Pleasant.
Upon November 11, at the opening of the District Court of the county, the committee, who had been previously appointed at a meeting of the members of the bar, presented resolutions which had been adopted by that body, and which were ordered and placed on the records of the Court. The remarks of the Judge (Hon. Joshua Tracy) were so appropriate and truthful, they may well be here inserted:
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
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DIRECTORY OF HENRY COUNTY ..
express the great grief and heart-felt sorrow experienced by his family and the community at large at the loss of one whose place at home, in society and in the church cannot be filled.
His character for strict professional integrity, honesty of purpose and courteous deportment was such as to endear him to every one who hecame intimately acquainted with him.
To those of us who have been so intimately acquainted with him for the last sixteen years in the practice of the legal profession, these traits of character of our departed friend will serve to guide us upon our professional pathway, and, it may be hoped, will lead us to that point of true worth and greatness which he occupied when he ceased to be one among us.
It is worthy of remark upon this solemn occasion, that although our deceased fried possessed a nervous, 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 discus- sion in which he was engaged, he never so far forgot the character of the true professional gen- tleman as to be guilty of applying to his opponent unkind words, or opprobrious epithets, and his conduct toward the Court in the management and argument of his causes was always equally commendable.
By the death of Theron W. Woolson, society has host an honored, valuable member, the State an able legislator, the church of which he was a member a true Christian, the legal profes- sion 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 uow adjourn.
The Board of Supervisors of the County, for whom Mr. Woolson was, at time of his death, counsel, also took formal action in the passage of this resolu- tion.
:
Be it resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Henry County, now in session, That it is with feelings of profound regret that we learn of the death of a former honorable member and Chair- man of this Board, anc for a long time its principal attorney and adviser, Hon. Theron W. Wool- son ; 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 heart-felt sympathy.
The press of the whole State, and of both political parties, noticed in fitting terms and with expressions of appreciative feelings, his life and death. We have not the space to insert the extracts we had desired.
It is difficult concisely, yet fully, to express the proper estimate of a life so well rounded, so symmetrical as a whole, and yet possessing in so many direc- tions 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 thorough conscientiousness, with which he applied himself to the performance of duty, in whatever direction that duty lay. No client, constituent or employer ever had occasion 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 observation and continuous study. 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 the mention of his home life. He was peculiarly domestic in his 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 were 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 induce him to submit again to the disa- greeable accompaniments of public position. No truer father or devoted hus- band ever gladdened a happy home.
In all the relations of life he "fonght a good fight," he "kept the faith," and his memory is indeed precious to all who knew him.
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DIRECTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
COL. SAMUEL MCFARLAND.
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