USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 42
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Mr. Piffer was married in Warren county, May 16, 1878, to Miss Gennet Pilmer, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of George and Jennet Pilmer, who were natives of Scotland. On coming to the new world they settled in Ohio, where they were afterward married. About 1850 Mr. Pilmer removed to the west, taking up his abode in Warren county. He became a prominent farmer, owning a valuable tract of land of three hundred aeres, to which he added all modern accessories and conveniences. He also owned a farm in Guthrie county, Iowa, and was numbered among the leading and representative agrieulturists of his community.
Mr. and Mrs. Piffer began housekeeping on a farm lying on either side of the boundary line between Polk and Warren counties, the residenee standing in the former county. There they lived until 1881, after which they took up their abode on a farm at Seotch Ridge. Mr. Piffer fenced and tiled that place, tilling the fields and carrying on the work of general improvement, being there nineteen years in all. In 1899 he purchased the farm whereon the family now lives, removing to this property in 1900. This place consists of eight hundred and eighty aeres and is a most highly improved and valuable farm. He also owned another tract of land of six hundred aeres, being one of the extensive landowners of this part of the state. He was also a large stock raiser and feeder and a well known finaneier. He placed his investments judiciously and realized a handsome return from them. He seemed to recognize almost intuitively the best way to work his farm and whatever he undertook he carried forward to sueeessful completion.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Piffer were born ten children, six sons and four daughters : George F., who is carrying on the home farm and is engaged in the live-stock business; John W., a student at Simpson College; Harry W. and Robert M., who are also students in that college; J. Fred and Frank A., at home ; Emma, the wife of the Rev. R. J. Picker, a minister of the Presbyterian ehurel at West Allis, Wisconsin; Charlotte, at home; Florence, who is pur- suing her education at Monmouth, Illinois; and Annie, who completes the family.
Mr. Piffer was devoted to his home and family and not only did everything in his power to promote the happiness and welfare of his wife and children, but also rendered the most filial love and devotion to his mother, who lived with him until his death and survived him for four years. In polities he was an earnest republican but never eared for office, preferring to give his attention to his extensive farm and other business interests. He held membership with the United Presbyterian church of Summerset while his widow is a member of the same denomination at Indianola and he was a liberal supporter of the
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church, its societies and benevolences. His life in many respects was most exemplary and worthy of all regard. His fellowmen might well repose confi- dence in him for no trust given him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. Hle recognized fully his obligations to his fellowmen and while he made splendid snecess in his undertakings, he gained his prosperity by methods the honor of which none call into question. Since her husband's death Mrs. Piffer and her son George have had charge of and have carried on the farms and business interests constituting the estate. She is a lady of excellent business judgment and keen discernment. is a charming hostess, having the faculty of making her guests feel at home, and moreover, is an active and helpful worker in the church and its auxiliary societies.
HUGH WILLIAMS.
Hugh Williams, an energetic and enterprising business man of Ackworth, Iowa, came to this state in 1866, and has made his home in Warren county since 1872. His early home, however, was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Wales, September 3. 1842, but he was only four years old when brought to this country by his father. Daniel Williams, who was also a native of Wales. The family located in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where Hugh Williams grew to manhood.
When the country became involved in civil war, he enlisted Angust 11. 1862, in Company F. Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Going south, he participated in the battles of Franklin, Chickamauga and Resaca, and in the last named en- gagement he had part of the index finger of his left hand shot off, and being thus disabled he was sent first to the hospital at Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he spent about two months, and later at Louisville, Kentucky. He was later detailed to help guard the arsenal at Louisville, and on the expiration of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged June 12. 1865. and returned to his home in Illinois.
During the summer of 1865, Mr. Williams worked in a mill, and in April, 1866, he was married in Knoxville, Illinois, to Mrs. Mary J. Elliott, the widow of James Elliott, who was a member of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Resaca. In the fall after his marriage Mr. Williams came to Iowa and located near Red Rock in Marion county, where he purchased land and also bought a half interest in a sawmill. being engaged in the manufacture of Imber for two or three years. He then traded his property there for land in Warren county and here he engaged in farming for a time. Later he removed to Sandyville, where he bought two places, and there continued to farm for several years or until his removal to Aekworth in 1893. For some years he had been engaged in the live-stock business and he now buys and ships stock on quite an extensive seale and also deals in grain. In 1900 he embarked in the Imber business, opening a new
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yard in Aekworth, and during the fifteen years of his residence here he has done much to promote the welfare of the town by advancing its business in- terests.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born ten children, those still living being: William, who is now in partnership with his father; Robert, who is engaged in the grain business in Aekworth; Roy, who operates the home farm of one hundred and ninety acres; Effie, the wife of Benton Hornaday, a farmer of this county; Fannie, the wife of J. E. Ford, a business man of Indianola ; Anna, wife of Frank Robertson; and Maud, wife of Rev. Henry Stewart, who is now a student in a Free Methodist Institute at Greenville, Illinois. Those of the family deceased are Daniel, who died at the age of three years; and Mary and Johnnie, who died in infancy.
Mr. Williams has aided in the improvement of Aekworth by the erection of a new store building, and was a genarous contributor toward building the Methodist and Friends churches. He never withholds his aid from any enter- prise which he believes will prove of publie benefit. The republican party finds in him a stanch suporter and he has served as a delegate to various county conventions ; filled the office of township trustee while living on his farm; was school treasurer for eleven years; justice of the peace one term; and has also served as a member of the city council and as mayor of Aekworth. He is pre- eminently publie spirited and progressive and the reins of city government were never in more capable hands. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and are worthy the high regard in which they are uniformly held.
ANDREW N. McPHERSON.
Andrew N. McPherson is a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln township, who derives an excellent income from his farm of two hundred and ten acres, which is situated on sections 9, 10, 15 and 16. His business career has been characteristic of unfaltering industry and well directed effort, and he is widely known in Warren county, where he has made his home since the spring of 1875. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, December 21, 1845. His father, Maleomb MePherson, was also a native of that state, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Margaret Noble, also a native of Ohio. The MePherson family is of Seoteh lineage and was founded in Ohio at an early period in the settle- ment of that state. Maleomb followed farming in Columbiana county, where he reared his family and spent his last days, being one of the respected agricul- turists of his community.
A. N. MePherson was reared upon the home farm, in the county of his nativity, where he resided continuously to the age of eighteen years, when in 1864, he responded to the cause calling for troops and enlisted as a member of Company B, One Hundred Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hun-
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dred days' service. Going to the sonth he did scouting and guard duty and worked on the intrenchments during the most of his term in service. In the fall of 1864 he was honorably discharged and returned home, again taking up his abode upon the farm in Columbiana county, where he assisted in the work of the fields until his marriage. It was about 1870 that he wedded Hannah Connell, who was born and reared in Columbiana county. They began their domestic life upon a farm where they lived for five years and then removed westward to Warren county. Iowa, where Mr. McPherson purchased one hun- dred and thirty acres of raw land. It was one of the first farms to be im- proved. Later he bought more land and is now the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and ten acres. On this place he has erected a good residence, also has substantial outbuildings, and in addition to tilling the soil he makes a specialty of raising hogs and finds this an important and profitable branch of his business.
After living in this country for a time, Mr. McPherson lost his first wife and later married Anna B. Noble, who was born in Hardin county, Iowa, but was reared and educated in Warren county, Iowa. There were two children of the first marriage: Irene C., the wife of William Noble; and Bert A., who is married and follows farming in this eounty. There are four children of the second marriage: William N., Andrew M., Walter S., and Lachlin R. Politically, Mr. MePherson is a republican, and, although he has never sought nor desired office, he has served as township trustee and as school director for a number of years. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Indianola and they have many friends in the eity as well as in the immediate neighborhood where they reside. Mr. McPherson is well known as a man of business integrity and worth and has the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, while his business success is indicative of a life of well directed energy and thrift.
HON. JAMES H. BARNETT.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we ean ill afford to lose. whose lives have been of such benefit to the community, that their loss brings a sense of personal bereavement to all. Such was the Hon. James HI. Barnett. who was closely identified with the development of Indianola and Warren county during the greater part of his life. He became one of the active and prosperons business men and farmers and aside from his individual interests. he always found time and opportunity to aid in any measure or movement that was calculated to promote the npbuilding and welfare of the county. He died at his home, adjoining the corporation limits of Indianola. December 28, 1906. Ile was then but in the prime of life, for his birth occurred in Shenandoah county. Virginia, October 8. 1845.
His father, James Barnett, was reared in the Old Dominion and in 1847 removed with his family to lowa. settling first in Virginia township. Warren
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county, where he remained but a short time. There were comparatively few settlers within the borders of the county at that time and there were still many evidences of Indian occupancy. In the sunner seasons the prairies were starred with millions of wild flowers and in midwinter were one dazzling unbroken sheet of snow. Only here and there had a settler established his home and begun the work of development and improvement.
James HI. Barnett was only two years of age when brought by his family to this eounty. He was reared upon the home farm here and was educated in Simpson College, but in 1864 at the age of eighteen years-being the youngest to enlist from Warren county-he put aside all business and personal consider- ations and joined the Union army as a member of the Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and returned home.
Mr. Barnett made arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in lowa, on the 13th of October, 1867, to Miss Mary C. Crosson, who was born, reared and educated in Mahaska county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Joseph C. Crosson, who was a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred at Dayton, Ohio. He was reared, however, in Indiana, and was married there. He came with his family to Iowa and settled in Mahaska county where he spent his last years. His death occurred during the child- hood of Mrs. Barnett. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett commenced their domestic life upon the farm, for he had purchased raw land which he broke and improved and as time passed he added to his possessions until he owned three hundred and eighty acres of valuable land adjoining the fair grounds. There he erected a good residence and all the necessary barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He also fenced the place and set out an orchard and an attractive feature of his farm was a grove of three hundred chestnut trees so that his farm became known throughout the county as Chestnut farm. He also planted many pine, spruce and arbor vitae and made one of the most attractive farms of the countryside. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, producing such crops as were best adapted to the soil and climate and in addition to the tilling of the soil he engaged in importing, breeding and dealing in Percheron and other horses for twenty-five years. In this eonneetion he was widely known throughout Iowa and he handled some of the finest stoek produeed in the state.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnett were born a son and daughter: LeMar C., a young man of good education and excellent business ability, and in charge of the farm which is divided equally between mother and children; and Alice, the wife of George F. Hunt, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mr. Barnett was
active in many affairs of importance to his community. Ile was elected to and filled numerous local offices of honor and trust and in 1888 still higher politieal honors were conferred upon him in his election to the state senate where he served with distinction for one term, acting on various important committees and aiding in shaping the constructive legislation of the committee rules. He was an active member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Indianola. serving through all of the chairs and was past grand. He was also a member
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of the Grand Army Post and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He possessed keen business discrimination and unfaltering energy and won not only a valuable property through his intense and well directed energy, but also by reason of his honorable methods, left to his family the priceless heritage of au untarnished name. During the last ten years of his life he was in ill health, vet managed to superintend his business interests until his last illness. Fol- lowing his demise. Mrs. Barnett. assisted by her son, took charge of and cared for the farm and managed the business interests and she is still living on the old homestead which is situated in Lineom township. In the death of Mr. Barnett the county lost a representative and valued citizen, his associates a faithful and trustworthy friend and his family a devoted husband and father, his best traits of character ever being reserved for his own fireside.
CHRISTIAN SCHREIBER.
Christian Schreiber is now practically living retired in Indianola, deriving his income, however, from good business property and other investments. His life record is a notable example of the self-made man of foreign birth who improves the opportunities offered in the new world for business advancement and by the utilization of his advantages and by persistent. untiring effort wins a goodly measure of success. He was born in Germany in 1851, his parents being Christian and Rosina (Hokl) Schreiber. The mother came to the United States in 1884, and died in Forest, Illinois, at the age of seventy-two years. The family numbered nine children, all of whom came to America, and one brother, Jacob Schreiber, is now a blacksmith of Indianola.
Christian Schreiber acquired a common-school education in Germany. and learned the trade of blacksmithing there. Favorable reports reached him concerning America and its business conditions, and, believing that he could more rapidly acquire a competence in this country than in the old world, he sailed for the United States in the fall of 1871. In the spring of 1872 he became a resident of Indianola, where he has since remained. As his financial resources were limited, rendering immediate employment a necessity, he entered the shops of Joseph Jacoby. He afterward worked for Jolm Olive, and later opened a shop on his own accont in 1878. continuing the business for almost three decades, or until March, 1907. He was an expert workman in his line, was industrious and seenred a large patronage, which in course of years made him a prosperous citizen. In 1907 he began dealing in antomobiles, but is practical- ly living retired, owning good business property and other interests which return to him a gratifying annual income. He is also the owner of an attrac- tive modern home here.
In 1874, Mr. Schreiber was married to Miss Martha A. Hahn, who was born in Germany in 1857, and came to the United States in 1871, with her grand- mother. The marriage was celebrated in Indianola, and unto them have been born five children, namely : Lizzie, the wife of Otto Smith, by whom she has
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three children, Mr. Smith being associated in business with our subject; bena, who is the wife of S. G. Myer, a lawyer of Des Moines; Christina, the wife of Carl Minier, who follows farming, ten miles north of Indianola ; Cecil, at home; and Martha, deceased.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Schreiber are faithful members of the Presbyterian church, and he is also connected through membership relations with the Odd Fellows, the Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. There is in the anxious, laborious struggle of the business man in the workaday world some- thing that is of interest to the thoughtful student. for the course which he follows indicates methods that may be honorably pursued in the achievement of success. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and, realizing that energy and activity are the basis of all success, he worked long and persistently to achieve the prosperity which has at length crowned his labors.
LYMAN B. PRITCHARD.
Lyman B. Pritchard, who since January 15, 1907, has occupied the posi- tion of clerk of the district court at Indianola, has been a resident of Warren county since the spring of 1869. The steps in the orderly progression which mark His life are easily discernible. He was born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1849. His father, Francis Pritchard, was a native of North Caro- lina and came of a family of Welsh origin, although representatives of the name were numbered among the early residents of the old North State. Francis Pritchard was a farmer by occupation and on leaving North Carolina removed to Indiana, settling on a farm in Washington county. In his agri- cultural pursuits he was systematic, methodical and successful and as the years passed, through the capable control of his business affairs, he became prosperous. He was also a member of the Society of Friends and in early life gave his political support to the whig party but on its dissolution joined the ranks of the new republican party, with which he affiliated until his death in 1897. His life span covered seventy-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Esther Trueblood, is a native of Indiana and is now living at Darlington, that state, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. She comes of English ancestry and, like her husband, is devoted in her loyalty to the Friends church. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children. six of whom are yet living.
Lyman B. Pritchard, the eldets, was reared upon the home farm and at- tended the country schools in carly boyhood. while later he pursned an academic course. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Warren county and
IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
he began work here as a farm hand in the employ of a cousin in Washington township and was also employed by others. He likewise engaged in teaching school to a limited extent and later turned his attention to merchandising in Aekworth, conducting his store there for about fifteen years. In the spring of 1892 he removed to Milo, where he engaged in merchandising for eleven years, or until the 1st of January, 1903, when O. E. Copeland appointed him to the position of deputy in the office of clerk of the district court. He acted in that capacity for four years and became thoroughly familiar with the duties of the office, so that he was well qualified to assume the responsibility when in the fall of 1906 he was elected clerk of the district court and is the present incumbent. He has been accurate and faithful in office and has made a creditable record.
On the 18th of April, 1876, Mr. Pritchard was married to Miss Madie Morgan, who was born in Tennessee, her parents being Jonathan and Jane (Culbert) Morgan, who removed to Kansas prior to the civil war and both died in Leavenworth. Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard have one child. Jessie E., now the wife of Dr. J. I. Thompson, a dentist of Centerville, Iowa, and their chil- dren are two in number, Maurine and Mona.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Pritchard has always been a stalwart supporter of the republican party and various fratenal organizations number him among their valued representatives. He is identi- fied through membership relations with the Masons, the Eastern Star, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Mystic Toilers, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He manifests a contagious enthusiasm for every canse or interest which he supports, and an unfeigned cordiality and interesting personal traits of character have gained for him many warm friends in the county where he has now made his home for almost forty years. He has witnessed much of its growth and progress and has ever been a champion of those movements and measures which tend to advance its interests in material, intellectual, political, social and moral lines.
M. A. TAYLOR.
M. A. Taylor, an honored veteran of the civil war now living retired in New Virginia, lowa, claims Pennsylvania as his native state, being born near Harrisburg, on the 2d of June, 1841. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Braught) Taylor, were also natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. They spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania.
Our subjeet was reared and educated in much the usual manner of boys of his day and early became interested in the trouble between the north and the south arising from the question of slavery. His patriotism being aroused he joined the boys in blue, enlisting in August. 1861, at the age of twenty years, in Company D. Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He took
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part in the battles of Cedar Montain, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Resaca and Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, and the siege of Atlanta. At Cedar Mountain he received a gunshot wound which confined him to the hos- pital for eight months, and at Gettysburg he was wounded by a shell, but not seriously. He entered the service as a private but was promoted to the rank of corporal and did sergeant duty for awhile. When his term of enlistment expired he received an honorable discharge and was mustered out at Atlanta in September, 1864.
Returning to his home in Pennsylvania, Mr. Taylor remained there until the spring of 1866, when he came to Iowa and purchased eighty acres of un- improved land in Squaw township. Warren county, upon which he lived for eighteen years. He then bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and made that his home for twenty-two years, but in 1906 he retired from active farming and has since lived retired in New Virginia, purchasing one of the nicest homes in the village.
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