USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 38
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Professor Cart was married at that place on the 24th of June, 1879, to Miss Belle Mercer, who was born, reared and educated at Goshen and was also a teacher prior to her marriage. After leaving Goshen, Professor Cart had charge of the schools at Knoxville, lowa, for two years. He lost his wife there, her death occurring May 4, 1881. Subsequently Professor Cart had charge of the schools at Tama. Iowa, for two years, and during that period he was again married on the 6th of September. 1882, his second union being with Miss Minnie Poyner, a native of Iowa, who was born in Tama county, and was a niece of Ex-Lieutenant Governor Poyner. Professor Cart in 1890 received a government appointment through the influence of General Morgan and Major Conger, and went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he established the Indian Industrial school. He opened up the school there and was its superintendent for three and one-half years, doing excellent work at that point in the civilization of the red raee through the forces of industrial traiu- ing. In 1893 Professor Cart returned to Towa and took charge of one of the public schools of Des Moines. While there he made application for the posi- tion of principal of the Chariton schools, being one of the sixty-eight who sought the position. He received the appointment, however, and took charge. remaining as principal there for five years. He was recognized during his active connection with the profession as one of the leading educators of Iowa. proving an excellent disciplinarian as well as instructor, while all of the schools under his guidance made substantial progress along commendable lines. During his residence in Chariton, Professor Cart made a trade whereby he became owner of his present farm, and in 1899 took up his abode upon this place, since which time he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. . Ho has made many changes in the appearance of the farm, has erected a good residence and has otherwise greatly improved the property. displaying in its management the same progressive spirit and successful accomplishment which marked him in his school work. The home has been blessed with five children : Ralph, who is well educated and is now doing for himself; Wilma, at home;
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Herbert P., who has completed a commercial course at Simpson College; Kate, who completed the course in the Indianola high school, and Edward, a student in the home school.
Politically, Mr. Cart is identified with the republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Indianola and are active workers for its upbuilding and advancement. Professor Cart was a delegate to the general assembly held at Winona Lake, Indiana, in 1898. He has served as an elder in the church at Indianola and also at Chariton and does everything in his power to further the upbuilding of the church in this com- munity. He is well known is Masonie circles, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter at Indianola and Des Moines commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Professor Cart is well known in Warren and adjoining counties. He has been particularly active and helpful in the advancement of educational interests and is now a worthy representa- tive of farm life, bringing to bear keen discrimination and unfaltering energy in the control of his agricultural interests.
C. B. KERN.
One of the most prominent young farmers of Linn township is C. B. Kern, who is successfully engaged in general agriculture and stock-feeding on section 24. where he has an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He was born in the house where he now lives, it being built by his father, John Kern, who was familiarly known by the title of Major, having served with distinetion as an officer in the civil war.
Major Kern was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 11, 1833, and ivas a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Kern. He spent his boyhood and youth in his native state, and his early education, acquired in the district schools, was sup- plemented by a course at Wesleyan college, Delaware. Ohio. At the age of twenty years he came to Warren county, Iowa, where he taught school and also engaged in farming, locating on an undeveloped tract of land west of Norwalk. To the improvement and cultivation of that farm he devoted his energies till after the war and the remainder of his life was spent on the farm where his son now lives, erecting thereon good and substantial buildings. In connection with general farming he engaged in stoek-raising and in his undertakings met with marked success.
In 1855 Major Kern was united in marriage to Miss Miriam Black, who was also a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born November 24, 1837, and was a danghter of Benoni and Mary Black, early settlers of Linn township, this county. Nine children blessed this union, namely: George A., who died at the age of twenty-five years ; Clara Ellen, who died in infancy ; Mary, who died in childhood ; Joseph Edward, now a resident of Los Angeles, California ; Har- riet A., deceased wife of C. W. Fisk, of Kingfisher, Oklahoma; C. B., of this
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review; Lillian Louise, deceased; Herman B .. a resident of St. Panl; and Blanche, who lives with our subject.
When the country became involved in civil war, Major Kern resolved to aid in the defense of the Union and in 1862 assisted in organizing Company H, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made captain. For meritorions conduet he was promoted to the rank of major and as such was mustered out of service. He was a good officer, loved by those under him and respected by his fellow officers. He was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Norwalk and one of its early class leaders. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The democratic party found in hin a strong advocate of its principles and he took quite an active and influential part in politieal affairs, serving as treasurer of the county for two terms and completed a term by ap- pointment as representative at Des Moines. After a useful and well spent life, he passed away June 17, 1889, and his estimable wife died on the 6th of Jan- nary, 1908.
C. B. Kern acquired his early education in the distriet schools near his boyhood home and the public schools of Indianola. in which city the family lived while the father was serving as county treasurer. Since starting out in life for himself he has always followed farming and he purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, on which were all the farm buildings from the heirs of his father's estate. To this he has since added another quarter section and also owns a forty-acre tract of timber land. His fields are under a high state of enltivation and in his pastures are found good stock, for he makes a specialty of feeding cattle for market and usually ships from six to ten carloads per year. He is one of the leading farmers of his community and a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.
On the 15th of August, 1892, Mr. Kern wedded Miss Mary Spring, a native of Warren county and a daughter of Sammel and Amanda Spring, now living retired in Norwalk. Three children have been born to them, namely: Herman John, Mary Louise and Margaret Ellen.
JOHN HANCOCK HENDERSON.
John Hancock Henderson, whose life record constitutes an important chapter in the history of the bench and bar of Warren county. is now practicing at Indianola with an extensive and distinctively representative clientage. He was born September 16. 1848, at Ackworth, this county, the place being then known as the South River Monthly Meeting. His father, Paris P. Henderson, was a native of Union county. Indiana, his birth there occurring on the 3d of January, 1825, while his life record covered the intervening years to the 4th of January. 1908. He was of Seoteh-Irish lineage, his father being Thomas Hen- derson, who removed from North Carolina to Kentucky and thence to Indiana. Paris P. Henderson in early life became a tanner and shoemaker and in October,
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is Alfred M. Henderson, who is now engaged in the real-estate business in Marengo, Jowa, and is mayor of that city.
Warren county was largely a pioneer district during the early boyhood days of John Hancock Henderson, who in his youth attended the public schools but later enjoyed the advantage that came through instruction in the old seminary and in Simpson College of Indianola. After putting aside his text-books, he entered the real-estate business when nineteen years of age and his leisure hours during that period were given to the study of law. He was admitted to the bar January 12, 1870, and located for practice in Indianola, where he has since remained. In November, 1885, he was elected circuit judge to fill a vacancy and served until the first of January, 1887. when the circuit conrts were abolished. In the previous year, 1886, he was elected judge of the fifth judicial district for a term of four years and was elected in January, 1890, and again in 1894. During his third term he resigned and retired from the bench on the first of January, 1897. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. Of a family conspicuous for strong intellects, indomitable courage and energy, he entered upon his professional career, and such as has been the force of his character and his natural qualifications that he has over- come all obstacles and written his name upon the keystone of the legal arch of Iowa. Voluntarily relinquishing his place upon the bench to enter upon the more remunerative field of private practice, he is now numbered among the distinguished lawyers of the Indianola bar. He formed a partnership with Ex-Senator W. Il. Barry early in his professional career, the relation continuing from the first of September, 1873, until Judge Henderson's elevation to the bench. On the resumption of private practice, he again became a partner of Mr. Barry and the association was maintained until the first of August, 1901. Judge Henderson then admitted his son, Frank P. Henderson, to a partnership, and the firm of Henderson & Henderson ranks today as one of the most distinguished in this section of the state.
On the 8th of October, 1868, occurred the marriage of Judge Henderson and Miss Nannie J. Spray, of Indianola. a daughter of John and Margaret Spray, who lived at Spray's Mills. They became the parents of five children. but one is now deceased. The others are : Edgar Brenton, a practicing physi- cian at Marengo, lowa ; Frank P., associated in practice with his father; Inez S., the wife of Clyde D. Proudfoot, assistant cashier of the Worth Savings Bank ; and Dwight F., an electrical engineer at Spokane, Washington. The wife and mother died February 10, 1902. at the age of fifty-one years, and on the 20th of June. 1905, Judge Henderson wedded Hattie E. Spray. a sister of his first wife. He now has three grandchildren : Brenton B., Harriett and John H.
Judge Henderson belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of the chapter, the commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a prominent Odd Fellow. He entered the grand lodge of lowa in 1896 and was grand master
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of the Odd Fellows in 1907. He has at different times been representative to a number of the grand lodges. Ilis interest in community affairs has been manifest in many tangible ways, resulting beneficially to his city and county. In 1869, before he was twenty-one years of age, he was appointed secretary of the board of trustees of Simpson College and has so continued to the present time, while since 1870 he has been a member of the executive committee of the board. He is a lifelong republican and has frequently been a delegate to party conventions and in 1904 was a delegate to the national convention. He belongs to the Old Settlers' Association of the county and to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. In professional lines he is con- nected with the Iowa State Bar Associaion and that he is recognized throughout the state as one of its most prominent members, is indicated by the fact that he was chosen its vice president in 1896, its president in 1897 and its delegate to the American Bar Association in 1898. In 1902 he was appointed by the supreme court of Iowa a member of the board of state law examiners and served for four years. * He is now the oldest inhabitant of Indianola and was the first male ehild born in the county as originally organized. His life has been one of untiring activity and of worth. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematie and methodical in habit, sober and discrete in judgment, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kind in demeanor and inflexibility, just on all occasions, these qualities enabled him to take his rank among the representatives of judicial office in the state and made him the conservator of that justice wherein is the safegnard of individual liberty and happiness and the defense of our national institutions. His reported opinions are evidence of the profound legal learn- ing and superior ability, while in the practice of law he has maintained equally high rank as counselor and advocate.
GEORGE W. PARSONS.
George W. Parsons, a practical and progressive farmer who stands prom- inent among those who have won success along honorable lines, now lives on section 29, Richland township, and derives his ineome from three large and well improved farms in this eounty. The home place contains one hundred and sixty aeres which has been well tilled and earefully improved, so that it constitutes one of the attractive features in the countryside. He also has a well improved farm of three hundred and twenty-three aeres nearby, and the Parsons homestead is also his property. He needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is one of the native sons of Warren county, his. birth having here occurred June 14, 1857. His father, George C. Parsons, is a native of Virginia and was here reared. When a young man he went west. settling first in Tippecanoe connty, Indiana, where he was married to Miss Catherine Shults, a native of Virginia. Mr. Parsons followed farming in
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Indiana for some time, beginning his domestic life there, but in the fall of 1855 he came to lowa and established his home in Warren county, which. as vet. was a largely undeveloped region. He performed the strennous task of turning the first furrows on a new farm near Palmyra, but though the labor was difficult, he was persistent and energetic and in the course of years was enabled to add to his original holdings itil he owned six hundred acres of valuable land. He reared his family upon this place, spent his life here and died in 1865, his wife surviving him for a number of years. Their family mumbered two sons and two danghters, of whom George W., is the eldest. Ilis surviving sister is Mrs. Lucy Jane Canady, the wife of George Canady, of Warren county. One sister and one brother have passed away.
There was nothing musual to differentiate the youth of George W. Par- sons from that of other farm boys of the period. He worked in the fields from an early age, attended the district schools and remained with his father until the latter's death and with his mother until he attained his majority. when he carried on the home place and at length succeeded to the ownership of the property. He has never engaged in any other occupation than that to which he was reared, for he has found that it returns a good income to the man who is diligent and persevering. In 1884 he was married in Richland township, this county, to Miss Janet V. Rawson, who was born in Indiana but was reared in this county. They traveled life's journey together for about nineteen years and were then separated by the death of Mrs. Parsons, in September, 1902. Their marriage was blessed with four children. In November, 1904, Mr. Parsons was again married, his second union being with Miss Lou B. Art, who was born and reared in this county, a daughter of A. Y. Art, one of the early settlers and a farmer of Richland township. By this marriage there is one child. The sons and daughters of the first union are: P. M., who is married and is enltivating the home farm; Flossie L., at home; Eula Fay, who is also under the parental roof, and George F., who died at the age of nine months. The daughter of the second marriage is Margaret Catherine Parsons.
As the years passed, Mr. Parsons purchased more land from time to time bnt resided on the old home place until 1907, when he removed to his present home on section 29, Richland township. He has just completed a neat, modern residence, equipped with furnace heat, acetylene gas, hot and cold water, bath, and in fact every modern convenience. Few farm homes are so thorough!" supplied with all things which add to the comfort of life. Mr. Parsons How owns three farms near Palmyra, his possessions aggregating nearly eight him- dred acres. These farms are all well improved, have good buildings, orchards, ete., and are largely fenced with woven wire fence ou Osage hedge posts. There is six miles, or more, of woven wire hog-tight fence on his land. h addition to the tilling of the soil. Mr. Parsons is extensively engaged in feed- ing stock. In all of his business affairs he displays sound judgment and through the careful utilization of his opportunities he has worked his way steadily upward. He is a man of honorable purpose and his diligence and integrity constitute the keynote of his character,
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Politically, Mr. Parsons was formerly a democrat, but a change in his political views has led him to become a Roosevelt republican. He has never sought, nor would he hold office save that he served as a member of the school board for eight or ten years and has been a delegate to county conventions. llis wife is a member of the Christian church and a teacher and worker in the Sunday school. They are both well known in this part of the state aud aside from his extensive and important farming interests Mr. Parsons is a stockholder and director in the Worth Bank, at Indianola. Opportunities that others have passed by heedlessly he has noted and improved. Success has never meant to him the mere accumulation of wealth but the right use of it and as he has progressed in life his labors have not only proved a source of individual benefit but have been an element in public progress and improve. ment. He is well known in Warren and adjoining counties as a successful farmer and business man and his life might well serve as a source of encourage- ment and inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished in a country where diligence and determination are not hampered by caste or class. custom or prejudice.
GEORGE ROBERT MORRIS.
George Robert Morris, successfully engaged in general farming and stock- raising in Otter township, has been a lifelong resident of Warren county, his birth occurring in Indianola, February 15, 1863, and he has never been outside the county limits longer than three months at a time. He has never missed a primary and has always voted the republican ticket.
Robert Morris, the father of our subject, was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, in 1837, and on leaving that state came to Warren county, Iowa, trading Indiana property for a farm in Otter township, near the present home of our subject. He was married in Indianola to Mrs. Phoebe (Gee) Brinker- hoff, who was born in Ohio about 1838 or 1839 and being left an orphan at an early age was brought to Indianola as a child by the father of Moses Barker, by whom she was reared. By her first marriage she had one daughter, Annie Brinkerhoff, who married William Morris and died in Indianola about fifteen years ago. She and her husband had resided in Smith county, Kansas, and in that state he died in 1906, leaving two daughters and one son, while two others are deceased.
After his marriage Robert Morris crossed the plains with a party to Den- ver. traveling with ox-teams, and for two years he remained in Colorado search- ing for gold. It was in that state that his son Edward was born. He then returned to Indianola and resumed farming in this county. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C. Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. and remained in the service for four years, or until hostilities ceased. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and other important engagements but was never injured though he suffered from disease in the south. At the
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close of the war he returned home and followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was a very prominent and successful farmer and stock- raiser, owning over four hundred acres of well improved land, which he kept under a high state of cultivation. He was reared in the Friends church and was a man highly respected by all who knew him. His estimable wife survived him for several years, passing away in 1895.
Unto them were born the following children: Flora B .. is the wife of W. O. Starbuck, who was a farmer of Warren county but on account of ill health removed to Engene. Oregon, in 1906, where he is now engaged in the real-estate business. Edward died at the age of fourteen years. George R., of this review, is the next of the family. Charles O. and F. O., were twins. The former attended Simpson College and became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died at Imperial, Nebraska, at the age of forty-one years, leaving a widow and two children who reside in Indiana. F. O., a farmer and stock-raiser of Madison county, Iowa, married Mahala Arnold, of Truro, and they have a large family, one son named Theodore, called Teddy; Victor J .. owns and operates the old Starbuck homestead in Otter township, which farm was purchased by the father just before his death and adjoins the Morris homestead. He married Minnie Walker, who lived near Wiek, Warren county. Elizabeth is the wife of John Cline and now resides in Eugene, Oregon. Wilda W., married a lady from Idaho and now owns a farm near Springfield, Oregon, though he was formerly a railroad man. Myrtle is the wife of L. Elmer Hiatt, a farmer residing west of Indianola. Carrie is the wife of Stacy Seott, who was born and reared in Polk county, Iowa, but is uow engaged in the machine, windmill and pump business at Flathead Valley, Montana.
George R. Morris attended the country schools near his boyhood home and remained with his parents until his marriage. At one time he spent three months in Nebraska but with that exception he has always remained on the old homestead in Otter township. He is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-three acres of very productive and valuable land and in addition to its operation he also cultivates one hundred aeres more. He is a breeder of fine horses, cattle and hogs. making a specialty of Percheron horses, shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, and this branch of his business he has found quite profitable.
In 1885 Mr. Morris was married to Miss Flora Wachtor, who was born in Madison county, Towa, in September, 1866, and was there reared and educated. Her parents were J. J. and Catherine (De Witt) Wachtor. early settlers of this state. Her father was a native of Switzerland and a cabinetmaker by trade. Crossing the ocean at the age of sixteen years. he first located in Batavia. lowa, where he remained until after his marriage and then removed to Peru, Madison county. During the civil war he entered the army but after nine months' service was discharged ou aceonnt of disability. In his business affairs he met with success. He died in Madison county in 1898 and his wife passed away in 1875. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Albert, who married Sophronia Tracy and now lives near Teenmsch, Nebraska.
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where he is extensively engaged in raising Poland China hogs; Henry, who is married and is employed as foreman in a large sawmill in the state of Wash- ington : James, who died in Pern, Iowa, about fifteen years ago; Ulrich %., who is married and is a merchant of Pern; Flora, the wife of our subject; Ira, who married Josie Bailey and is a mechanic of Indianola ; and Mary, the wife of Lincoln Silliman, who served as sheriff of Madison county for one term and later engaged in the machinery business but is now engaged in farming near Winterset. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Morris have been born four children : Hugh W .. who was born in 1886 and is still at home ; one who died in infancy ; Archie Roy, who was born in August, 1890, and married Stella Smith. a daughter of Arthur and Lizzie Smith. of Otter township; and Lester Edward, 'who was born in May. 1892. and is now attending school.
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