USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 46
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His father, Wesley Cheshire, was born in Ohio, and in carly manhood he devoted his time and energies to farming and stoek buying. He came to Iowa when his son Samuel was but six months old, settling in Indianola in 1857. Here he and his brother John eondueted a general store and in con- nection with merehandising Wesley Cheshire also engaged in farming and pur- chased and shipped stock. He was quite successful in his varied business undertakings and plaecd his capital in the safest of all investments-real estate-becoming the owner of fourteen hundred aeres of rieh farming land of Iowa. He married Miss Susan Price, a native of Virginia, and they be- came the parents of five children, as follows: John, who died at the age of twenty-one ycars; Elizabeth, who has also departed this life; Hulda, the wife of A. D. Swan, a real-estate dealer, of Little Rock, Arkansas; William, who is with his brother, and Samuel, who is a twin brother of William and whose name introduces this review. Both parents held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cheshire was also an exemplary representative of the Masonic lodge. During the last years of his life he was a prominent prohibitionist, giving stalwart support to the party which embodied his
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views upon the temperance question. He entertained clearly defined ideas of right and wrong and at all times stood loyally in defense of his principles, his neighbors entertaining for him the highest respect and confidence.
Samuel Cheshire attended the public schools of Indianola and afterward was a student in the Blue Bird Seminary. and for two years in Simpson Col- lege. In early manhood he worked at farm labor for a time but since 1890 has been identified with mercantile pursuits in Indianola. Here forming a partnership with F. S. Burberry he embarked in the clothing business on the south side of the square, under the firm style of Burberry & Cheshire. This was continued until 1898, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Cheshire has since been alone in business. In 1905 he removed his stock to the handsome new Harlan block, where he now has a modern store and carries a large line of up-to-date clothing and men's furnishing goods. His estab- lishment is well equipped and tastefully arranged and he now enjoys an ex- tensive patronage which is well merited. He also owns farm lands and has been quite successful in his business career.
In March, 1881, Mr. Cheshire was married to Miss Dora N. Hunt, who was born in 1858, a daughter of P. H. Hunt, who was a tinner by trade and for a time resided in Indianola. Mr. and Mrs. Cheshire had four children : Elmer, deceased ; Leona, who married Thomas A. Neill, of Indianola, by whom she has one child, Lambert ; Neola and Murril, who are in school.
Mr. Cheshire exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife are also connected with the United Presbyterian church and are much esteemed in this community, where they have an ex- tensive circle of friends. There has been nothing spectacular in his career. On the contrary it has been that of a business man who has quietly, faithfully and persistently performed his duties day after day in an effort to win success, realizing that labor is the basis of all honorable prosperity.
ALFRED D. SNYDER.
The advanced state of civilization of the United States owes much to its pioneer settlers who forced their way into the wilderness of its territorial possessions and out of the wild chaos there existing evolved order and sys- tem, and a community of happy homes. Partienlarly fortunate were those pioneers who chose this section of lowa as a field for their operations, for here was an abundance of pure water. a fertile soil and plenteous shade. Among these fortunate one was Andrew Snyder, the father of our subjeet. who was born in Ohio, of German descent. In 1839 he removed from Ohio with his family to Missouri, and in 1847 came to this county. There were no roads through the country at this time and for three weeks their party camped on the prairie above Des Moines. Mr. Suyder got a man to hank them to Cruise's grove and bought a claim of one hundred and sixty aeres
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in Linn township. Glad were they to find thereon a little cabin eighteen feet square, and this afforded shelter not only for his own family during the winter of 1847-48, but also parts of two other families who were less for- tunate than himself in the matter of an abode. On this place he made his home for forty years, then moved to a farm two miles north of Winterset, Madison county, where his remaining days were passed. While not a pro- fessor of religion during his younger years, he was a firm believer in Chris- tianity, and united with an orthodox church prior to his death. His wife, Elizabeth (Mosier) Snyder, was a native of Pennsylvania. She died at Norwalk, aged eighty-four years. She was a member of the Dunkard's faith. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Samuel, living in Winterset; Lucinda, wife of William Young, of Madison county; Jona- than, residing in Nebraska; Hardesty, who died at the age of seventy-two; Alfred D., of this review; Andrew, living at Valley Junetion, Iowa; Carlton, residing at Shannon City, Iowa; Sophronia, who lives with her brother, Alfred D .; Thornton, living in Nebraska, and Mary, who died in early womanhood.
Alfred D. Snyder was born in Richland county, Ohio, October 15, 1834. Ile was but five years old when his parents removed to Missouri, and thirteen years of age when they removed thenee to Iowa. His father's home was a stopping place for emigrants from Ohio, where they found a cordial, hearty welcome. Whey they first came to the county an Indian burying ground was not far distant down the river, and one of the pastimes of Mr. Snyder's youth was to scrape handfuls of beads from the ground above these graves. Other trophies which these graves yielded to the unsuperstitious settlers were rifles which had been buried with the braves, and bottles of whisky which had been put there to accompany them to the happy hunting ground. Likewise, the Indian blankets found upon these mounds were made to serve a more substantial ,purpose than as an adornment to the final resting place of a dead chief, and in Mr. Snyder's memory remains the vision of a coat worn in Warren county made from one of these blankets. Mr. Snyder is often called upon in pioneer meetings to relate some of the experiences of his early days, and he never lacks for a keenly interested audience. He has often written articles for the local papers on pioneer times, a distinction to which he is entitled by virtue of his being the oldest living settler in Linn township.
Mr. Snyder has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and started farming operations in his own behalf when twenty-four years of age. Prior to this time he lived at home with his father. He first rented land, but afterward bought his present home of eighty aeres on section 14, where he has resided for over forty years. When he first took possession of this place it was a wild traet of unimproved land, but nothing daunted he under- took the building of fences and the erection of the necessary buildings, even- tually converting it into a comfortable, modern home. Before the railroads penetrated this section he carried the mail from Des Moines to Winterset when there were no roads but only a trail. He made the trip three days each
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week for a salary of one hundred and thirty dollars per year. In those pio- neer days all flour was hauled from Oskaloosa, and naturally the corn which grew abundantly in that locality was made to act as substitute for flour. Mr. Snyder recalls the time when he has worked for hours grating boiled corn on a tablecloth spread on the floor, with which to made bread when millers, were few and far between.
Mr. Snyder's first wife was Susan Webster,a native of Virginia. She died many years ago. His second wife was Frances Ellen Brookens, who died five years ago, leaving one child, a son, Frank, who is now a young man and lives at home with his father.
Mr. Snyder is a member of the Methodist church of Norwalk, in which he has served as trustee and it was while he was in that office that the new parsonage was built. For years he has been a prohibitionist. He carries his years well. is in good health and takes an active interest in the work of his farm.
HON. MARK ANTONY DASHIELL.
The life of Hon. Mark A. Dashiell was such as causes his memory to be cherished by all with whom he eame in eontaet. Choosing Warren county as a place of residence during the pioneer epoeh in its history, he was from that time until his death a factor in its material, intellectual, social and moral development. He was one of the most masterful beeause one of the best bal- anced of men. He always looked at life from a rational standpoint, reeog- mized the true value of its opportunities and its purposes and not only lived so as to develop his own powers but also aided others to work along the lines of greatest good.
A native of Indiana, Mr. Dashiell was born in Dearborn county, October 7. 1826, his parents being Charles and Nancy (Masten) Dashiell. The former was a native of Baltimore. Maryland, and after aequiring a collegiate educa- tion he gave his attention to surveying. He followed that profession in Dearborn county, Indiana, and also in Will county, Illinois, where his last days were passed. In Ohio he married Miss Nancy Masten, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. Following her husband's demise she made her home with her son. Mark A., and passed away in Warren county.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dashiell were fifteen children : Masten, a retired merchant at Indianapolis; Mrs. Elizabeth Sherman, a resi- dent of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Cynthia MeCreary, whose demise recently ocenrred at Seymour, Indiana : John. who passed away in middle life at Kankakee, Illinois; Mark A .. of this review: Mrs. Malina Harris, a widow living in St. Louis, Missouri; Mahala, who died in infancy ; Charles Wesley. who served his country as a soldier and who passed away in Kansas City. Missouri; Mrs. Rebecca Davis, a widow who makes her home in Chicago :
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
George, who was also a soldier and now resides in Portland, Oregon; Henry who for three years served as a captain in the army and now lives at Spokane Falls, Washington; Virgil William, who was also a captain in the army and resides in Chicago ; twin brothers and the remaining children died in infancy. Of the nine brothers, five of them were soldiers of the Civil war, their service amounting in the aggregate to sixteen years.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Mark A. Dashiell in his boyhood and youth. He was reared in the state of his nativity and supplemented his early education by study in the high school of Indianapolis, from which he was graduated. He afterward matri- culated in Greencastle College but left that institution before completing the course. Determining upon the practice of medicine as his life work, he began reading in the office and under the direction of Dr. Sutton, of Aurora, Indiana, and in 1851 was graduated from the Indianapolis Medical College. Dr. Dashiell then located for practice in his native county, where he remained for two years and in 1853 arrived in Warren county, Iowa, to become a pioneer phy- sician of this part of the state. For thirty years he resided at Hartford in the northwestern portion of the county, and his practice exceeded in volume and importance that of any other member of the medical fraternity in this locality. In the early days when the county was sparsely settled, it was neces- sary that he take long rides across the prairies through the heat of summer or the winter's storms to minister to the sick and suffering. He never re- garded his personal comfort or safety when his professional service was in demand but responded readily to the call of all who needed him. His own unselfishness in this regard, combined with his ability as a practitioner, made him the loved family physician in many a household and his name is yet honored and cherished by those who knew him. For many years Dr. Dashiell enjoyed an extensive and profitable practice at Hartford but as the years came on apace he felt it necessary to withdraw from the country practice and all the hardships it entailed.
His usefulness was by no means limited to his professional labors, for in public service he rendered efficient aid to the county as its representative in the state legislature and in other capacities. In 1868 he accepted the nomina- tion of the republican party as a candidate for the general assembly and such was his personal popularity and the confidenee reposed in him by his fellowmen that he was elected by an overwhelming majority. In 1872 he was chosen a member of the state senate and was again made one of the solons of Iowa in a reelection in 1878. He likewise served once more in the thirtieth and thirty-first general assemblies as repreesntative from his distriet and was con- nected with much important constructive legislation through the work done in committee rooms. He had been one of the organizers of the republican party in Iowa, had attended the first state convention and for many years was always seen as a delegate in the conventions of the party in this state. His publie service was actuated by the utmost fidelity to principle and devotion to the general good. His position was never an equivocal one, nor was he ever abusive of adversaries, but at the same time was unfaltering in a course
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which he believed to be right. As a campaign orator he was forceful and eloquent and to him-was largely due the honor and credit of bringing the prohibition amendment prominently before the people of the state, being chair- man of the committee which presented it to the legislature. He then went upon the rostrum as an advocate of its passage and in his latter years labored earn- estly to secure the enforcement of the law which he had been instrumental in passing. In all of his legislative work he looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities and opportunities of the future and mani- fested the most far-sighted judgment in his support of various political measures. Dr. Dashiell also enjoyed the distinction of being perhaps the oldest member of the United States board of pension examiners in lowa, hav- ing been appointed to the position in 1863. In the discharge of his duties in that office he won the encomiums of the government and his labors were as well satisfactory to the pensioners. He was always recognized as a man of unquestioned integrity and honesty of purpose and such was the respect which the younger members of the medical fraternity entertained for his professional ability that they again and again sought his counsel and ad- vice in difficult cases.
Dr. Dashiell was married at Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1851, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisiana Noble, a daughter of Dr. B. S. Noble, a dis- tinguished physician of Indianapolis and a brother of one of Indiana's gov- ernors. Mrs. Dashiell received a liberal education and was a lady of culture and refinement, who enjoyed to the fullest extent the good will and love of those with whom she came in contact. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children: Mary Jane, the wife of S. J. Spaulding. a resi- dent of Des Moines; Jessie Benton, who passed away in her twentieth year; Martha. the wife of F. S. Burberry. a merchant of Indianola; Noble, who was engaged in farming and stock-raising on land which was owned by his father near Indianola, and died in January, 1898; Mark A., Jr .. who died of tubereu- losis in August, 1898. soon after graduation from the medical college at In- dianapolis, Indiana. and six children who died in infancy.
Dr. Dashiell served for twenty years as master of the Masonie lodge at Hartford and was also prominent in other fraternal organizations. He was known as a leading member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he took all of the degrees and filled the various official positions both in the subordinate lodge and encampment. He held membership in the Pres- byterian church, of which his wife was likewise a devoted member. He be- came identified with that organization in early manhood and his religions behef largely permeated his life and shaped his conduet in his relations with his fellowmen. In professional lines he was connected with the state. dis- triet and county medical societies and of the last named served as president for two or three years. On giving up his country practice he removed to Indianola in 1887 and in his later years his attention was largely given to office practice. Many there were who were loath to give up his services and he continued to attend them until he had reached the evening of life. He was more than eighty years of age when called to his final rest. passing away on
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the 3d of July, 1907. His good qualities were many, his faults very few. His entire life was characterized by a mental and moral development which gave him place as a man among men and has cansed his name to be inscribed deeply on the roll of Warren county's honored citizens.
C. L. BALES.
C. L. Bales is living on section 19, Lincoln township, where he is en- gaged in general farming and in the raising and feeding of stock. The oppor- tunity for his activity in these connections is afforded through his ownership of a well improved and valuable tract of land of one hundred and eighteen acres. He has made his home in the county for forty-four years and is one of the native sons of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Jefferson county in June, 1860, so that he was but four years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Warren county. His father, Caleb Bales, was a native of Indiana and was there reared. In that county he married Ebbie Brey, also a native of Indiana, and in 1859 they became residents of Jefferson county, lowa, where Mr. Bales followed farming for four years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Warren county, settling at Palmyra. He spent his last years on a farm near Ackworth, where his death occurred about 1892. He had long survived his wife who died in Jefferson county in 1864.
C. L. Bales was reared to manhood in Warren county, upon the home farm, and assisted his father until he had attained his majority, when thinking that he might find other pursuits more congenial and profitable he learned the painter's trade.
Mr. Bales made arrangements for having a home of his own by his mar- riage in Lineoln township, on the 15th of February, 1882, to Miss. Lydia Eicher, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of George Eicher, who removed from the Buckeye state to Iowa. In 1898 Mr. Bales had charge of the county farm as its superintendent and there remained for nine years. He repaired and improved the buildings on the place and greatly enhanced the value of the farm. His father-in-law. Mr. Eicher. was the former superintendent. Mr. Bales married his wife there when Mr. Eicher had charge and twenty-five years later celebrated his silver wedding there, while two of his children were also married on the county farm. While acting as superintendent there Mr. Bales purchased the farm where he now resides, but rented it out for a few years. He took up his abode thereon in March, 1907, and has since added to and remodeled the house, but in April, 1908. his residence was completely destroyed by fire, causing a total loss. He has since built another nice home and a good barn on the place, has enclosed the fields with well kept fences and has put out much fruit. He cultivates corn and other cereals best adapted to the soil and elimate and in addition to general farming he raises good stoek, fattens them for the market and annually sells a large number of hogs, his stoek-raising interest proving a profitable branch of his business.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bales have been born four children: George Bert who was married while on the poor farm and is a resident farmer of this county; Nellie Flotilla, the wife of Merrill Smith, a ranchman of Idaho; Alta, Bonnie, a young lady, at home, and Harold N., who completes the family.
In his political views Mr. Bales has been a lifelong republican and. al- though he has never sought nor held office up to the present time, he was a candidate for sheriff in 1902. He has been identified with the schools for a number of years and stanchly supports every measure to improve the system of public education here. He and his daughter and son, George, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Spring Hill and to the Modern Woodmen .camp. His life has been well spent and the sterling traits of honorable manhood are his. He has never depended upon friends nor influence to aid him in his business career, but has through persistent effort overcome many difficulties and obstacles and by un- faltering perseverance has won a place among the men of affluence in Lincoln township.
C. C. RUNDALL.
Throughout his active business life C. C. Rundall carried on farming with marked success and is still the owner of three hundred and forty acres of valuable land in this county, though he is now living retired in New Vir- ginia. Like many of Iowa's best citizens, he was born in Ohio, his birth occurring in Delaware county, May 6. 1846. His father, Shadrack Rundall. was a native of New York, and of English descent. He brought his family to Towa in 1854 and purchased government land in Clinton county, where he continued to make his home until called from this life on the 24th of July. 1871, His occupation was that of farming. In early manhood he married Miss Rhoda Nettleton, who was born in Connecticut and died in Cedar county. Iowa, January 16, 1884. They were the parents of ten children, of whom five are still living but our subject is the only one residing in this county. Two of his brothers were members of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry during the civil war. Leland died of lung fever on his way to the front. only thirty miles from home, leaving a wife and two children. George served throughout the war and was honorably discharged. He is now a resident of Oregon.
C. C. Randall spent the first eight years of his life in Ohio and then ac- companied his parents on their removal to this state, growing to manhood in Clinton county. For some time he pursued his education in an old fash- ioned log schoolhouse with słab seats and a desk made by placing a board on wooden pins driven into the wall. He remained under the parental roof until his father's death and then conducted the home place for three years. In 1874 he came to Warren county and in connection with a brother-in-law purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of unimproved land on the South river
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
in Virginia township. Four years later he purchased his partner's interest in this property and subsequently became the owner of other lands, owning farms in the same township. He made farming his life occupation and still has three hundred and forty aeres of good farming land besides twenty-five aeres adjoining the village of New Virginia, where he located in 1894. Here he has built a beautiful home and amid many comforts he is now enjoying a well earned rest. In addition to his property in this county he owns one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Wyoming.
On the 27th of April, 1869, in Clinton county, Iowa, Mr. Rundall was united in marriage to Miss Mollie V. Kimes, who was born in Meigs county, Ohio, June 14, 1849, her parents being Jacob and Sarah (Hicks) Kimes, both now deceased. Her father, who was also a native of the Buckeye state and of German descent, removed to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1862, and there fol- lowed farming throughout the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Rundall have one child living. Nora V., a little girl, at home, and one daughter, who died in infaney.
Mr. Rundall casts his ballot for the men and measures of the democratic party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian church of New Virginia, of which Mrs. Rundall is a eharter member. Their upright, honorable lives have gained them a host of friends and in business circles Mr. Rundall has the confidence and esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact.
T. M. MeCLURE.
With the pioneer development of Warren county, T. M. MeClure has been actively identified for he located here in 1852 and for many years was one of the leading business men of Indianola, but is now practically living retired in this eity. He was born n Clinton eounty. Indiana, Deeember 30, 1834, his parents being Thomas M., and Ruth (Alley) MeClure, natives of Virginia, where they continued to make their home until after their marriage. In early life the father learned the tanner's trade, but after his removal to Clinton county, Indiana, he opened up a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Later he improved a farm in Howard eounty, that state, where he resided until coming to Iowa in 1851. The following year he took up his abode in Warren county, and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in White Oak town- ship, on which he continued to live until called from this life. His wife, who survived him for some time, is also now deceased.
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