USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 53
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martens have been born eleven children, but Katherine died at the age of twenty years and one died in infancy. Nine of the family still survive. viz .: Carl. who is assisting in the operation of the home farm : Matilda. Earnest, who is a graduate of the Towa Business College, and is
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
holding a position in a banking house in Des Moines; Oscar, Frank, George, Roy, Raymond and John, all yet at home.
Mr. Martens has been a lifelong republican where national issues and questions are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He has served as township trustee for several terms, has been a member of the school board for a quarter of a century and has acted as secretary of the board. He has been a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party and greatly desires the success of the party, through the adoption of its prin- ciples. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Wick, where he has served as consul for several years. He is also connected with the Yeoman of Indianola and with the Modern Brotherhood of that place. He belongs to the Lutheran church at Churchville, of which both he and his wife are charter members. It was the first organization of this denomination in the county, and aside from aiding in its establishment he has been one of its official members for several years. His life has been honorable and upright in its purposes and its condnet and no man of the community enjoys or receives any fuller measure of respect than does John F. Martens who has spent almost his entire life here.
JOHN McLAIN.
John McLain, the proprietor of Pioneer Farm. on section 4. Linn town- ship. is a native of this county, having been born on the farm which he now owns and purchased from the other heirs of his father's estate. This consists of eighty acres. with improvements, and to the old homestead he has added thirty acres additional, so that he now owns one hundred and ten acres in all. He is the son of James and Caroline (Van Hyning) MeLain.
His father was a native of Uniontown. Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1826, and was left an orphan when but five or six weeks old. He was reared by an uncle and annt. Ebenezer Herring and wife. both of whom are now dead. They removed to Lee county, Iowa, when he was a young man and here he grew up to manhood and married Caroline Van Ilyning, who was born in Ohio in 1832. In 1853 or -1854 they started on an overland trip for Cali- fornia, but after going a long way towards their destination they turned around and came back as far as Warren county. Towa. where they purchased eighty acres of wild land. This Mr. Mcbain improved and made his home until the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. His widow survived him for about five years and passed away in 1895. Mr. MeLain was a success- ful farmer and a public-spirited citizen, giving freely of his support, both moral and financial, to any movement that was calculated to advance the interests of the community. He was a member and active worker in the Presbyterian church. In politics he was a republican and held minor township offices. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McLain were born twelve children. namely: Thomas J., living at San Jose. California; Tearsey Jane, wife of R. W. Diekey. of Linn
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RESIDENCE OF J. F. MARTENS
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township; Nancy, the wife of JJ. B. MeClane, who lives in California; Eldora, wife of D. J. Knouf, a farmer of Linn township; Atha, wife of W. H. White. of Kansas City; Jessie, wife of W. A. Thompson, of Des Moines; Alice, who lives at home with her brother, John, of this review; Arthur, a farmer of Polk county; Kate, the wife of F. L. True, of Los Angeles, California; Albert aud Bertha, both of whom died in childhood.
John Melain and his sister, Alice, continue to reside on the old home place. Both are members of the Pleasant Ridge Methodist church which is just across the road from their residence. In this church Mr. Mcbain holds the office of steward. In politics he is a republican, on which ticket he has served as township clerk, although he is in no sense of the word an office secker. Mr. MeLain is au energetic, progressive farmer who has the satisfaction of seeing his efforts rewarded with a generous return from the products of his place, and while of an unassuming, retiring disposition, yet the community lias a feeling of security in the knowledge that he is ever to be relied upon in times of trial, or of need.
CHARLES HICKMAN.
Charles Hickman, a practical, enterprising and progressive farmer living on section 19, Lincoln township, owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of land. constituting a neat and well improved farm. It adjoins the corporation limits of Indianola and its well kept appearance is proof of the careful supervision and untiring energy of the owner. He has made his home in Warren county since 1865. His birth occurred in London, England, August 18, 1839. He came to the new world with his father, Edward Hick- man, in 1848, and settled first in Philadelphia. He was a jeweler by trade, and after being thus employed in Philadelphia for a time he removed to New Jersey. He then located on the farm in Burlington county, where he carried on the work of tilling the soil for a number of years.
Charles Hickman was reared on a farm and early became familiar with the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn. During the Civil war he served on the construction corps in Virginia, and drove a team while in the army of the Potomac. In 1865 he came west to Towa and as his financial condition rendered immediate employment a necessity, he secured work as a farm hand, and was thus employed for several years. He was married in Indianola by the Rev. Clammer, in 1866. to Miss Anna A. Rogers, a danghter of Joseph Rogers. and a native of New Jersey. The family removed to Towa during her early girlhood, so that she was reared in Warren county. After their marriage the young couple located on a farni in Lincoln township, which Mr. Hickman rented. cultivating it for several years. He brought it under a high state of cultivation and when his work had secured for him a substantial competence he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides, and at
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
once began to improve and farm this property. He has since built a neat resi- dener, has set out evergreen trees, which greatly enhance the attractive ap- pearance and promote the value of the place. He also planted an orchard, has fenced the fields and has made a valuable property. For nine years he has now routed the farm, but gives to it his personal supervision and has two sets of farm buildings on the place.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hickman have been born the following children: Ed- ward, who carried on farming in this county; Charles, who is enltivating the home Farm: George, who is a business man of Indianola ; Furman, who lives at home, and Mary, the wife of James Wear, a farmer of St. Marys. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman also lost one child in infancy.
The parents are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr Hickman is a republican, but has no desire for office although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is well known in Indianola as a man of sterling character and worth who has long been identified with the development of this county and has ever borne his share in the work of public progress and improvement. At the same time he has carefully managed his business interests so that in the course of years he has gained a place among the men of influence of the commity.
A. M. BADGLEY.
A. M. Badgley is a well known resident of Hartford, who as a practical mechanic and farmer has been connected with the business interests of War- ren county for many years. He was born in Morgan county. Indiana, on the 24th of February, 1845, and is a son of Clark and Jane L. (Duncan) Badgley, who were natives of Indiana and Kentucky respectively. The father was born in 1816 and on reaching manhood was married in the Hoosier state, where his wife was reared, and where they continued to reside until after the birth of several of their children. Coming to Warren county, Iowa, in 1852. they located on a farm near the village and the father engaged in its operation throughout the remainder of his life. He followed other occupations. however. at the same time. having in early life learned the trade of brick and stone mason and also a plasterer. He died there on the 14th of February. 1877. and was survived by his wife for several years.
A. M. Badgley was a lad of only seven years when brought by his par- ents to this county and here he grew to manhood amid pioneer surroundings. He attended the common schools to a limited extent but is mainly self-edu- cated since reaching man's estate. He carly learned the use of tools and opened a repair shop. which he conducted for several years with good success. After his marriage he engaged in farming on rented land for some time and then purchased a farm adjoining Hartford, whereon he made his home for some years. but is now living in the village though he still continues to operate his land.
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On Christmas day, 1870, Mr. Badgley was married in Hartford to Miss Adeline Gibbons, who was born, reared and educated in Ohio. They have one son, A. A. Badgley, who is a jeweler by trade and is now conducting a store in Hartford.
At national elections Mr. Badgley always supports the republican party but he has never cared for public office, his time and attention being wholly occupied by his business interests. His son belongs to Hartford lodge, I. O. O. F. The family is one of prominence in the community where they reside.
JACOB F. LOUGH.
Jacob F. Lough at one time served as supervisor of Warren county and was formerly identified with its general agricultural pursuits, but while not active in the work of the farm now he still gives to his farming and stock- raising interests his general supervision and has gained success through capa- ble management and diligence. He makes his home in Indianola, from which point he supervises his business affairs. His present place of abode is widely separated from the place of his birth, for he entered upon the journey of life in Rockingham, Virginia, December 10, 1842. His father, John Lough, was a native of Pendleton county, Virginia, but the mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Zirkle, was born in Rockingham county. The Lough family is of German extraction, while the Zirkle family is of Irish stock. Both parents were consistent Christian people, who held membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church and John Lough voted with the democracy, until the outbreak of the war, after which he became a republican. In his business life he was a blacksmith and farmer and found that industry is the key which unlocks the portals of success. He died in Barbour county, West Virginia, in 1889, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1854.
Jacob F. Lough was the third in a family of six children and the youngest son. He was reared on the farm and attended the subscription schools, while later he spent one term as a student in Simpson College at Indianola, taking up his studies there after the war. During the period of hostilities between the north and the south he enlisted at Webster, West Virginia, on the 4th of July, 1863, as a member of Company C, Fourth West Virginia Cavalry, and thus loyally defended the interests of the Union. He served for eight months and then reenlisted. this time becoming a member of Company D, of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry, with which he remained until the end of the war as a non-commissioned officer.
When the war was over Mr. Lough returned to the Old Dominion, but soon afterward eame to Iowa, arriving in August, 1865. He then located on a farmi which he purchased in Jefferson township and with characteristic energy began to cultivate and improve the fields. As the years passed his careful supervision was indicated by the neat and thrifty appearance of the place. He raised the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also han-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
dled good grades of stock. Both branches of his business proved profitable and were carried on by him until 1892, when his fellow townsmen recognized his fitness for office and his loyalty in citizenship by electing him to the posi- tion of supervisor in 1892. He then removed to Indianola, where he has lived to the present time but still manages his farming and live-stock interests.
On the 29th of September, 1866, Mr. Longh was married to Mrs. Sarah E. Sarchett, the widow of John M. Sarchett, who was killed in ambush at Springfield, Missouri. By her former marriage Mrs. Sarchett had two ehil- dren : Theodore H., a resident farmer of JJefferson township, and Mary E., who is the widow of Lewis Marlatt and the owner of a millinery establish- ment in Indianola.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Longh belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his name is on the membership rolls of the Odd Fellows lodge and of the James Randolph Post, of which he is a past commander. An earnest repub- liean in his political views it was upon the party ticket that he was elected county supervisor in 1892, serving in the office for six years. During one year of that time he filled the position of chairman. He has also held other offiees and has represented the third ward in the city conneil of Indianola, exereising his official prerogatives in support of all that is progressive in municipal affairs. He is a representative of our best type of American man- hood and chivalry. By perseverance. determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstaeles which barred his path to success, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action.
JOHN FRANCIS GOODE.
John Franeis Goode is now practically retired from business life, although he retains connection with the Citizens Bank of Milo as its vice president. There are few men whose lives are erowned with the honor and respect so uniformly aeeorded him but throughont his entire career, eovering eighty-one years, he has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right between himself and his fellowmen. In all of his business activity he has been straightforward and reliable and his success has come as the just reward of earnest, persistent effort. He is moreover entitled to representation in this volume as one of the pioneer residents of the county. He is a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred June 29, 1827, in Prince Edward county, about twelve miles from Farmville, and in the neighborhood in which General Lee surrendered his forees to General Grant in the Civil war.
His father, Joseph Goode, also a Virginian, was born in 1798 and lived to attain the remarkable age of ninety-four years. His death even then came by accident, he being trampled under foot by a drove of horses. Early in life he developed a splendid physique and the grace of athletie symmetry aceom- panied his every move. He seemed never more at ease than when in the
J. F. GOODE
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
saddle and sat his horse as a part of him, so simultaneously did he respond to the rhythmie movements of his steed. He was a hatter by trade and followed that occupation for years. Of a happy, cheerful temperament, he was a companionable gentleman and wherever he went made many friends. Devoted to the cause of Christianity, he often engaged in preaching the gospel and did all in his power to promote the cause. In 1854 he came to lowa, settling in White Breast township, Warren county. A grassy mound in Goode's Chapel burying-ground marks the last resting place of this man of many virtues, whose life was well worthy of emulation. In early manhood he wedded Mary A. Johnson, who was also a native of Virginia and her many deeds of kindness and charity will make her long remembered by all who knew her. She passed away in 1878. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom John F. Goode was the second in order of birth. The eldest, W. P. Goode, formerly the popular host of a hotel in Lebanon, Kansas, now resides in Oklahoma. Rebecca Caroline, residing in Milo, is the widow of John Smith, an old hotel-keeper of this place. Sarah is the deceased wife of Burwell Britton, of Highland county, Ohio. Henry is now living a retired life in Milo. Mary B., is the widow of Thompson Walton, who was a farmer of White Breast township. Lottie V. is the wife of Robert W. Kimzey, a farmer of Liberty township.
John F. Goode, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits and early began work in the fields. The removal of his family to Ohio made it possible for him to pursue his education in the public schools of that state. On starting out in life for himself he chose the occupation to which he was reared and invested in land on section 32, Belmont township, Warren county, Iowa. With characteristic energy he began its development and as the years passed brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He continued the improvement of the farm until 1862, when he removed to Sandersville, Iowa, where for three years he was engaged in general merchan- dising. He then lived on his farm until 1878, when he removed to Kansas and spent one year in merchandising at Council Grove, Morris county. He became a resident of Milo in 1879 and continued in the same field of activity until about 1897, engaging in general merchandising under his own name for a time, while later he became senior partner of the firm of Goode & Paxton. Eventually he traded his interest in the store for a tract of land and retired from mercantile business. He has always been interested in farming and is now the owner of some good farming property. A man of resourceful ability, he has carefully utilized his opportunities for advancement and in this way he became the first vice president of the Citizens Bank of Milo, of which he was also one of the organizers. He is so connected with it at this writing in 1908.
On the 18th of Jamary, 1854, was celebrated the marriage of John Francis Goode and Miss Elizabeth Walton, the wedding taking place at her home in Highland county, Ohio. She was born in that county, while her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Walton, were natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to the Buckeye state during the pioneer epoch in its history. Mr. and Mrs. Goode have become the parents of nine children. Mary E., born
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
January 31, 1855, is now the wife of O. J. Higbee, a resident farmer of Liberty township. Emma F., born September 6, 1856, is the wife of John B. Walker, of Milo. Caroline C., born October 16, 1858, is the wife of Louis Shafer, formerly of the firm of Shafer & Wadle, general merchants of Milo, but now a resident of North Dakota. LeRoy W., born August 15, 1860, died at the age of two and a half years. Josephine, born October 15, 1862, only attained the age of eighteen months. John W., born October 15, 1865, was graduated from Simpson College, of Indianola, Iowa, and died in Colorado in early manhood. Dolly M., who was born November 6, 1867, and was graduated in stenography at Oskaloosa, łowa, is the deceased wife of Tony Wadle, formerly of the firm of Shafer & Wadle. Joseph N., born July 23, 1870, was graduated from the commercial department of Simpson College in the class of 1893 and is now assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank of Milo. Lucy A., born November 5, 1872, completes the family.
Mr. Goode is probably the oldest Mason in the state of lowa, having been initiated into the order at Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1848. He is now the only survivor of the first officers of that lodge. He has since established several different lodges, including two in Newbern, lowa, and also the Milo lodge and has served in nearly all of their offices. He has long been a member of the Christian Union church and for many years voted with the democracy but during the past twenty years has supported the prohibition party-a fact which indicates his attitude on the temperance question. He was nominated by that party for the legislature and has always done much for the interests of the city in temperance lines. He has been honored with election to the offices of alderman and mayor of Milo and has exercised his official prerogatives in support of various movements and measures which have been of utmost benefit in public progress.
Of the old settlers who came to this county about the same period as Mr. Goode's first residence here, some are still living in the county in the enjoy- ment of the fortunes they found in the early times, "having reaped a hundred fold;" others have long since passed away. while others have gone further west and are still pioneers, but wherever they may be and whatever fate betide them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men as a class and have left a deep and enduring impression upon the county and state. They builded better than they knew. They were of course men of activity and energy or they would never have decided to face the trials of pioneer life. Almost all were in limited financial circumstances but industry and thrift have left few of them so. The secret of their success is largely due to the fact that they lived within their means, however limited, never allowing their expenses to increase beyond their incomes but saving something year after year until prosperity erowned their efforts. Such has been the career of Mr. Goode. His memory bears the impress of many of the events and experiences which framed the early history of the county and throughout the period of his residence here he has labored consecutively and earnestly to promote the devel- opment and advance the upbuilding of this part of the state. The story of pioneer life is certainly familiar to him. He can remember when the broad
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prairies were starred with millions of flowers in June, while in December they were one unbroken, glittering sheet of snow and ice. Today there is hardly an uncultivated acre in the county and where formerly was heard the howling of the wolves at night now can be heard the lowing of the cattle and other familiar farmyard sounds that indicate a progressive civilization, promoted through the efforts of the pioneer.
Mr. Goode has borne his full share in the work of development here and has lived to enjoy the benefits of his labors in an honorable retirement and well earned ease. He has valable farming property and banking interests and only gives supervision to his business affairs without active participation in management. His life has indeed been well spent and he enjoys in fullest measure the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been associated. He has now traveled far on life's journey, having passed his eighty-first mile- stone, but so honorable has he been in his purpose and so active in his career that he ean look back over the past without regret, knowing that the unqualified respect of his fellowmen is justly merited.
MARTIN LUTHER NINE.
Martin Luther Nine, one of the worthy and esteemed citizens of Vir- ginia township, was born in Preston county, West Virginia, August 7, 1849. His father, David Nine, was also a native of Preston county, born December 23, 1822, and was a son of Christian Nine, a native of the Old Dominion, who in early life crossed the Cumberland mountains and became a farmer of West Virginia. He married a Miss Whitehair, a native of Virginia, and they be- came the parents of eleven children. The death of Christian Nine occurred when he was seventy years of age, while his wife reached the more advanced age of eighty years.
David Nine devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, acquired a large property and left to his family a splendid estate. He died in his native county, September 30, 1895. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Martin, was born in Germany, as were her parents, who in her girlhood days brought their family to the new world, settling in Maryland. She died in 1878. She named her son Martin Luther in memory of her father and the old German reformer.
In a log schoolhouse near his home, Martin Luther Nine pursued his early education and afterward completed a high school course and became a student in the West Union Normal and the Terre Alta Normal. He has al- ways been a student interested in many lines of knowledge and in early lite he taught for several years in the same room in which his high school course had been pursued. He also taught for one term after coming to Towa, having charge of the Valley school in Squaw township. He arrived in Warren county in 1881, since which time he has been a farmer of Virginia township.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
On the 13th of March, 1881, Mr. Nine was married to Miss Margaret Ervin, a daughter of Elias Ervin, one of the early settlers of Warren county. They were married in the home where they now reside the old Ervin homestead. Their children are six in number: Garfield Lincoln, the oldest, born February 12. 1883. is a graduate of the Simpson Business College of Indianola and for one year was assistant principal of that school. He now holds a lucrative position in the Bank of New Virginia; Buelah V., born October 17, 1884, is the wife of Clyde F. Wright and lives at Des Moines; Lan Blanche, boru September 22, 1886, is now teaching at Pleasantville. lowa: Ray Clinton, born December 20, 1890; Esther Freda, born March 9. 1897. and Zena Fay, born November 16. 1898, are all at home.
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