USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 52
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In 1872 Mr. Heiny was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at the age of fifty-two years. By their marriage they had seven children : William A., president of the Sandyville Bank, of Sandyville; Benjamin F., who is cashier of the Citizens Bank at Pleasantville, this state; Eli, engaged in dry-goods business at Sandyville, and also cashier of the Farmers Bank of that town; Thomas, who was engaged in the dry-goods business in Knoxville, lowa, and is now a broker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Charles H., who is a farmer and stockman of Runnells, Iowa; Elizabeth Melsena, the wife of Emer- son Gilbert, who is a stockman and also manager of the Benjamin Heiny farm near Sandyville; and Lydia A., the wife of William Lookenbill, a farmer of Nebraska. After losing his first wife Mr. Heiny was again married, his second mion being with Miss Rebecca E. Burch, in 1884. She was born in Indiana, and by this marriage has become the mother of two children: Nellie Grace, who is engaged in teaching school, and is also a teacher of music, and makes her home with her parents; and George W., who is in the employ of the Boone County Telephone Company, at Ames. Mr. Heiny now has altogether eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In matters of citizenship he has always been interested to the extent of giving his active support to measures for the public good. He votes with the democratie party and has held some township offices. He became a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Sandyville, and in former years was identified with the Masons. Though the snows of many winters have whitened his hair. he yet possesses notable energy and activity and keeps in touch with the spirit of the times and with the country in its varions lines of development.
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
He has lived to see remarkable changes in Warren county, for when he came here it was largely a pioneer district, its lands walland uncultivated, its forests ubent and its streams unbridged All this has changed as the work of improve- ment and civilization has been carried forward until the county takes rank with the older counties of the great state, Mr. Heiny's memory forms i connecting buk between the primitive past and the progressive present, and he relates many interesting stories of the early days.
S. A. GOSE.
S. A. Gose is not only one of the leading citizens of I'mon township but also fought for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and as such he is justly deserving of prominent mention in the history of his county. Throughout his aetive busmess hic he has engaged m agricultural pursuits and is today the owner of a fine farm on section 2, Union township.
Mr. Gose was born on the 21st of February, 18.11, in Boone county, Indiana, and is a representative of an old Virginia family of German origin. His grandfather, Stephen Gose, and also Ins father, George W. Gose, were natives of Virgima and in that state the latter grew to manhood. Ou leaving the Old Dominion they removed to Boone county, Indiana, where in the midst of the wilderness they cleared and improved a farm. There George W. Gose was united in marriage to Miss Frances Brown, a native of Kentucky, and they continued to make their home in Boone county for a number of years. In 1851 they removed to Marion county, lowa, where he opened up a farm and is still residing at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
S. A. Gose was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Marion county, lowa, and in the common schools of that county he acquired a good practical education, which well fitted him for teaching. a pro- fession he followed in Marion county for one winter before entering the army. Joining the boys in blue, he enlisted Angust 8, 1862, as a member of Company A. Thirty-third lowa Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Western Department. His first engagement of any consequence was at Helena, Arkansas, and he was later in the battles of Little Rock. Prairie Deanne, Jenkins Ferry, the siege of Spanish Fort and other engagements. Ile was never off duty on account of illness or other causes and at the close of the war was mustered out at New Orleans and honorably discharged. Returning home, he then engaged in farming during the summer months. while through the winter he taught school for a few years.
In March. 1869. in Warren county. Mr. Gose married Miss Rebecca Sinnard. a daughter of Thomas J. Sinnard, and they have one child. Ora J .. the widow of E. F. Warren, who died here in February. 1898. She has a son. E. F. Warren, Jr., who is now ten years of age.
FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE GOSE FAMILY
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
After his marriage Mr. Gose located on a part of his present farm in Union township, commencing with eighty acers, only a part of which was under cultivation and the only improvement was a small house. As time passed and he prospered in his farming operation he kept adding to his property until he now has four hundred and fifty acres of rich and arable land, on which are two good sets of farm buildings. Ile raises and feeds quite a large amount of stock and is regarded as' one of the most progressive and enterprising agriculturists of his community.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Gose has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, casting his first vote for Abraham Lineoln while in the army in 1864. He has been a delegate to the county, state and congressional conventions of his party and has filled the office of justice of the peace in this county and as assessor in Marion county. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the Otterbein United Brethren church, the house of worship being built on the Gose farm. He has taken a leading and active part in church and Sunday school work, serving as superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-two years and is now secretary of the Warren County Sunday School Association. Ilis life ha's been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Warren county. At all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit the moral, intellectual or material welfare of this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
J. W. HARSH & SON.
The firm of J. W. Harsh & Son, carpenters and contraetors of New Vir- ginia, has been prominently and successfully identified with the building in- terests of Warren county for many years. The senior member, John W. Harsh, was born in West Virginia, January 15, 1833, a son of John J. Harsh, likewise a native of that state. The latter drove across the country to Warren county, Iowa, in 1854 and took up a tract of government land west of the village, but later became a blacksmith, being one of the first followers of that vocation in Virginia township. His last days were spent in Clarke county, Iowa, at the home of his daughter, where he passed away at the age of eighty-eight years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Woodring, was also born in West Virginia and accompanied her husband on his re- moval to Iowa. Her death occurred in Clarke county when she had attained the age of eighty-nine years. Of her family of eleven children seven survive, namely : J. W., of this review ; Henry and Abraham, residents of Indianola, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Kellen, of Squaw township; Mrs. Margaret E. Wolf. of Washington township; Mrs. Mary Ann Osgood. of Clarke county, Iowa. and Mrs. Ruth Ann Stark, of Oklahoma.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
J. W. Harsh spent his boyhood days in the state of his nativity and acquired his education in the common schools. In 1855 he made his way to Missouri and on the Ist of January, 1856, came to Virginia township, where he engaged in farming for a short time, and then became connected with the carpenter's trade. Hundreds of attractive structures thronghont the sur- rounding country stand as momments to his architectural skill and ability and he has erected more buildings than anyone else here. For a number of years he has been associated in business with his son, C. W .. under the style of J. W. Harsh & Son, and they are well and favorably known throughont the county as men of excellent business ability and unfaltering integrity.
In Virginia township occurred the marriage of JJ. W. Harsh and Miss Mary Margaret Strock. a native of Pennsylvania and a sister of W. C. Strock, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. She has now attained the age of seventy-nine years and carefully reared five of her family of chil- dren. C. W .. was born in New Virginia, obtained a public school education and learned the carpenter's trade under his father, with whom he has now been connected in business for many years. He wedded Miss Mary Kent, by whom he has one son, and they reside in a home which he erected and which is considered one of the finest dwellings in the village. Ida May, the wife of Jerry Brittan, makes her home in Minnesota. Daisy is the wife of John Stanchel, a real-estate dealer of New Virginia. Effie became the wife of J. C. Hackelby and lives in New Virginia. Winifred is the wife of G. W. Frazier, a blacksmith of New Virginia. Three children of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Harsh died in infancy.
Mr. Harsh was originally a whig in his political affiliation but on the dissolution of that party became a republican and has always been an active worker in its local ranks. He was postmaster of New Virginia during the Civil war, serving under the administrations of Buchanan, Lincoln and John- son. He has likewise acted as township clerk, township trustee and as a member of the school board. being recognized by his fellow townsmen as an efficient public official. Both he and his wife have been lifelong and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. in the work of which they have been actively and helpfully interested. Though now past seventy-five years of age, he is still hale and hearty and is daily to be found attending to his busi- ness duties, displaying the enterprise and activity of a man of much younger years.
JAMES A. HYDE.
The farming and stock-raising interests of Warren county are well repre- sented by James A. Hyde, who is living on section 28. Lincoln township, where he owns and cultivates eighty acres of land. This constitutes a neat and well improved farm and the work which Mr. Hyde does year after year is manifest in the excellent appearance of the place, the fields being under
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
a high state of cultivation, while substantial improvements have been made that indicate his careful supervision and progressive spirit. He is minbered among the honored pioneers, having lived here continuonsly since 1852. His birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 12, 1839.
His father, John A. Hyde, was born in Ireland and was one of the pio- neers of Ohio, where he married Miss Martha Ann Adair, who was born at Gettysburg. Pennsylvania. He was a farmer in Ohio for some years and in 1852 came to lowa, making the trip down the Ohio river on the boat, Golden Era and thence up the Mississippi to Davenport. He located first in Scott county, where he farmed for four years, and then removed to Clinton county, settling near Dewitt. He entered a tract of land from the government in 1853 and began the arduous task of developing a new farm. He had no neighbors nearer than two or three miles. It is a work of much difficulty to break the sod and prepare the land for the first planting. bnt with char- acteristic energy Mr. Hyde continued his work and as a result his fields soon brought forth rich and abundant harvests. He became one of the influential residents of the community, served on the first board of supervisors and was justice of the peace. He died in 1861, while his wife survived him for a num- ber of years.
James A. Hyde was reared to manhood in Clinton county, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boy- hood and youth. He was married in that county on Thanksgiving day of 1866 to Miss Mary J. Irwin, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 12, 1839, but was reared in Monmouth, Illinois. After their marriage they located on a farm near Dewitt and Mr. Hyde continued to cultivate the fields there for several years. Eventually, however, he sold out and bought where he now resides. coming to Warren county, in 1873, and becoming owner of eight acres. It was an old farm and the buildings were dilapidated, but he at once began the work of improvement and the original house was replaced by a substantial and neat residence. He also put up a good barn, planted an orchard, fenced the fields and in fact made many modern improvements and in connection with the tilling of the soil began the raising of stock. He has made a specialty of raising heavy draft horses and in fact has carried on an extensive business in this line, some of his animals selling as high as two hundred and fifty dollars. He has also raised high-grade cattle and hogs and is an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyde have three daughters and one son: Joseph E., who is married and now follows farming in Lincoln township; Martha E., at home ; Della, the wife of Zade Wheeler, of this county; and Minnie M., the wife of Albert Wheeler, a farmer of this county. They also lost a son, John Edwin. who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Hyde is a republican, but without desire for office as a reward for party fealty. He has for years been identified with the schools and served as president of the board for a long period. The canse of education finds in him a stalwart friend and he is, moreover, a man of high purpose whose life has been actuated by the most honorable principles.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church of Indianola and in the work of church and Sunday school take an active and helpful part. The integrity of his purpose and the reliability of his business methods have never been called into question. Men who know him trust him and he has a wide acquaintance among the best citizens of the county, whose respeet he merits and receives.
O. J. SMITH.
Snecess is not a matter of genins as held by some, or of good luck as others contend. It is the result of clear judgment, experience and indefatiga- ble energy. This statement is verified by investigation into the lives of the greatest majority of men who have gained prosperity and are known in their respective communities as men of foree and ability. The life of O. J. Smith is proof of this statement for he has gained a place among the substantial residents of Lincoln township, although when he started upon his business career his capital was quite small. General farming and stock-raising now claim his attention and he lives on section 23. Lincoln township, where he owns and cultivates a farm of two hundred and forty acres.
Mr. Smith was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa. May 17. 1859. His father is now one of the most venerable citizens of Indianola and mention is made of him on another page of this work. The son was reared to manhood in Powesheik county and excellent school privileges were afforded him so that he was able to supplement the advantages of the ditsriet schools by a more advanced course. He engaged in teaching school for one term and then took up the work of railroad construction. His entire life has been one of persistent activity, guided by sound judgment. On the 28th of December, 1881, Mr. Smith was married in Powesheik county to Miss Laura Higgins. a native of Johnson county, Iowa. After their marriage they removed to Audubon county, where Mr. Smith began farming, sixteen years being devoted to general agricultural pursuits in that locality. As he had no money with which to purchase a farm he rented land for eight years, during which time his energy and diligence. supplemented by the aid of his wife. brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. This he did and for eight years longer continued in Audubon county. He then sold out there and removed to Green county, where he owned a farm of two hundred and forty acres which he cultivated for two years. He then sold and bought where he now lives, becoming owner of this property in 1902. He repaired the build- ings, fenced the fields and now has a good house upon his place with a sub- stantial barn and other outbuildings. He has cleared for the first time some of the land here and as the years have passed his labors have brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, so that the work of early spring plant- ing is followed by the garnering of rich crops in the late autumn. He also raises and feeds stock. fattening hogs for the market and this aids quite materially to his yearly income.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three sons and three danghters, the oldest, Professor Roy A. Smith, is a graduate of the Simpson Business College and is now teacher in Charleroi Commercial College; Cella, is the wife of Roy Williams who is farming on land belonging to his father, Hugh Williams. Harrison is a student in Simpson College; Carrie B., Corda C., and Leota F., are all at home.
The parents indicate their religious faith in their membership in the Methodist. Episcopal church and their elose adherence to its teachings. Mr. Smith was superintendent of the Sunday school in Audubon county for eight years and has been an active worker in the church and a generous contribu- tor for the support of the cause. Politically he is an unfaltering advocate of the republican party and served as township assessor of Audubon county for six years. He has been township trustee here for five years and has been identified with the schools in an official capacity for a number of years. He has been a delegate to the county conventions and for two years was a dele- gate to the republican state convention. He is a worthy representative of a well known family and like others of the family has lived a life of intense and well directed activity, characterized by faithfulness in the performance of every duty.
ROBERT B. MCCLELLAND.
Robert B. MeClelland, whose well formulated plans are leading him to the goal of success, is numbered among the enterprising and sneeessful merchants of Milo. In his veins are the mingled streams of Scotch, Irish and German blood. His grandfather, Jack McClelland, was long a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and Robert B. McClelland was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1849. ITis parents, James and Phoebe (Bottomfield) MeClelland, were both natives of Pennsylvania and at an early day went to Ohio, settling in Towa in the spring of 1853. The father was born in 1821 and died in 1881, while the mother passed away at the age of eighty-two. Their family numbered eight children, of whom Robert B., was the third in order of birth. The others are : John W., who resided in Lebanon, Kansas, but is now in Breckenridge, Colorado ; Clarinda, the wife of William R. Williams, now living in Breeken- ridge, Colorado; Sarah E., the wife of James M. Barnes, who resides at Hot Springs, South Dakota; Emma J., the wife of Joseph L. Stites, living in Holdridge, Nebraska; James L., who died at Greeley, Colorado; Barbara, the wife of Charles Wood, also living in Greeley, and Mary E., who married John M. Allen and resides at Lebanon, Kansas.
Robert B. McClelland attended the common schools and remained at home until 1872. after which he spent some time in Kansas, where he seeured a government land elaim. In the fall of 1876 he secured a elerkship in a general store at Hammondsburg. Iowa, owned by John A. Overday, and eon- tinued in his employ there and at Milo until February, 1888, as a most trusted
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
employe. He gained, too, broad business experience which well qualified him to engage in merchandising on his own account, which he did in 1888 as senior partner of the firm of MeClelland & De Vore. Abont six months later Mr. De Vore sold out to Frank P. Runyan and after a few months Mr. Runyan disposed of his interest to Silas Westerfield. The firm of MeClelland & Westerfield then continued business until 1900, when Mr. Westerfield was succeeded by b. B. Bloom. Two months later Mr. MeClelland became sole proprietor, purchasing the interest of his partner and not long after the firm name was changed to MeClelland & Sons and so continued to the first of Angust, 1908, when he sold to A. S. White, of Grinnell, Iowa, who has con- tinued the business. This store has been longer established than any other mercantile enterprise and their stock is also the largest.
Mr. MeClelland was married April 21, 1878. to Miss Martha J Coulter, a daughter of James N. and Louisa (Gill) Coulter, who were natives of Ohio but came to Iowa at an early epoch in the development of this state and here lived until called to their final rest. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McClelland are : Edward C., who married Molly Pebler and was in business with his father; James, who was also a partner in the firm of MeClelland & Sons; Ada M., the wife of Earnest Trueblood. a resident of Milo; Grace, Carl, Robert B., Jr .. and Paul Roger. all at home ; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. McClelland is a member of Milo Lodge, No. 409, A. F. & A. M .; Milo Lodge. No. 413, T. O. O. F .; Milo Lodge, No. 160, K. P. ; Milo Camp, No. 617, M. W. A., and the Yeoman Lodge. No. 476. of Milo. He has been a representative of the craft for a quarter of a century and at one time he was treasurer of all these different fraternal organizations. He has likewise served as treasurer of the school district and has been a member of the city council. No trust reposed in him is ever betrayed in the slightest degree and his devotion to the public interests of the community is proverbial. Hc gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is a most loyal and helpful member of the Presbyterian church. His entire career has been marked by steady progress. He has always made good use of his opportunities and thus has advanced from year to year, while at the same time he has maintained an unassailable reputation for the integrity of his business methods.
JOHN F. MARTENS.
John F. Martens' excellent farming property of seven hundred and fifty acres pays tribute to the care and labor of J. F. Martens, who since 1883 has occupied this farm, his home being situated on section 15. Jefferson town- ship. His residence in the county, however, dates from 1861. He was at that time but a very small child. for his birth occurred in Will county, Thi- nois, May 1, 1860.
His father. Fred Martens, was a native of Holstein, Germany. and a farmer by occupation. When a young man he came to the new world settling
FRED . MARTENS
MR. AND MRS. J. F. MARTENS
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
in Will county, Illinois, where he followed farming and developed and im- proved a good traet of land. He had served in the Revolutionary war in Germany in 1848, and as this movement was unsnecessful he determined to seek a home in the new world where he might enjoy the fruits of liberty and independence. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Will connty, Illinois, where he married Miss Margaret Hnss, a native of Germany. In 1861 they came to Warren county, Iowa, where the father broke the sod and opened up a farm. He became one of the most prominent and prosperons agriculturists of Jefferson township, where he accumulated sixteen hundred acres of land. This he developed until his last years and in July, 1905, he was called to his final rest at the age of seventy-eight years. He had for several years survived his wife. who died in 1893, at the age of sixty-three years. They are the parents of six children, four of whom reached adult age.
John F. Martens was reared on the old home farm in Jefferson township, acquired his education in the common schools and in the summer seasons worked in the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops. Before his marriage he purchased two hundred and sixty-five acres of land and was thus well qualified to care for wife, when on the 13th of March, 1883, he wedded Miss Barbara M. Huglin, a native of Germany and a resident of Madison county from the age of six years.
With characteristic energy Mr. Martens began to cultivate and improve his farm and has been numbered among the most progressive agriculturists of this part of the state. He has erected a good two-story dwelling in modern style of architecture, has also built three large barns, hog sheds, cribs and ther buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. To his original holdings he has added by subsequent purchase, until he now owns seven hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. He also has a set of tenant buildings on the place, his farm and fields are surrounded by woven wire ence. and in fact his is one of the best improved properties in the county. ndicating in its well kept appearance the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner. For years Mr. Martens has been engaged in raising shorthorn cattle, has been an extensive feeder for fifteen years, and his sale of stock annually brings to him between four and five thousand dollars. He has likewise been engaged in raising high grade Norman Percheron horses for nine years and is not unknown in connection with the dairy busi- less. He has a cream separator and does a good dairy business. amounting to from five to seven hundred dollars annually. He spares no expense. s keeping everything about his place in good condition, and since 1890 he has largely enhanced the productiveness of his land by the use of tile. having laid fully cight carloads upon his farm.
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