USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 54
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Following his marriage Mr. Nine took possession of the Ervin place of eighty acres, which was fairly improved, but with characteristic energy he began the further development and improvement of this property and as his financial resources have increased he has extended its boundaries until it now comprises two hundred and sixty acres, constituting a most desirable farm. He has had a busy and useful life and in all of his agricultural interests, has been found progressive, practical and reliable. In politics he is a stanch republican, giving his support to the party since casting his first presidential vote for General Grant. He has filled several local offices capably. serving as assessor, road supervisor and member of the school board. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and says that the first sermon he ever heard preached was by the father of Senator John P. Dolliver, of Iowa. He is well known in his community as a citizen whose aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further varions progressive movements and measures that tend to advance the upbuilding of the county.
PHILIP MANSER.
Philip Manser is one of the worthy citizens that England has furnished to Warren county, and he is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and. sixty acres, situated on section 29. White Breast township. He was born in County Sussex, England, where he was reared to farm life. Having heard favorable reports concerning the new world and the advantages here to be enjoyed, he decided to leave his native land and accordingly in 1871 crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Upon landing in New York he made his way at once to Des Moines in Polk county, where he remained one month, and then went to Marion county, where he secured employment on the railroad, and later on rented a farm which he cultivated for two decades. In 1893, however, he removed from Marion county to Warren county, and located on a farm in Lincoln township, cultivating the same for two years. He then lived on other rented tracts for a few years, while in 1902 he purchased the farm on which he now makes his home. This comprises one hundred and sixty acres, situated on seetion 29. White Breast township. He has divided the place into fields of
HOME OF PHILIP MANSER
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convenient size by well kept fences, has tiled the land, erected a barn and other substantial outbuildings and has also built a good modern residence, which is surrounded by a nice lawn and shade trees. Here he is engaged in general ag- rieultural pursuits, following only the most modern methods in operating his farms, and using the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors. He also raises horses, cattle and hogs, feeding for the market each year, and he also gives some attention to dairying, keeping a number of cows for this purpose. Each branch of his business is given elose attention and thus he is meeting with exeellent success in his undertakings.
It was prior to his emigration to the new world that Mr. Manser was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Ann Loveday, their wedding being eelebrated on the 13th of August, 1870. By their marriage they have become the parents of three children: John, Fred and Ester, all of whom are married and in homes of their own.
Mr. Manser's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the men and measures of democracy. He has never sought nor desired public offiee, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private business affairs. Seeking a wider field in which to give full scope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities, Mr. Manser has here found the opportunities he songht. Although he began life in the new world a poor man, he has by his thrift, economy and determination and the assistance of his estimable wife, accumulated a valuable property, and at the same time he commands the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, for he is everywhere known as an upright, honorable and publie-spirited citizen.
ALEXANDER SANDERS.
Alexander Sanders, owning one hundred and twenty-three acres of rieh and productive land in Squaw township, his home place of eighty acres being located on section 29, was born in West Virginia, February 4, 1859. His parents, Peter and Rebecea (Bolyard) Sanders, were natives of Virginia, but the former died when Alexander was a small boy, while the mother eame to Iowa and lived in New Virginia until the time of her demise.
Alexander Sanders eame to this state when a young man and has sinee been identified with the agricultural interests of Warren county. He and his wife reside on eighty acres on section 29, Squaw township, which was given the latter by her father at the time of her marriage. They own one hundred and twenty-three acres of farming land in this township, and Mr. Sanders is meeting with a creditable measure of success in the cultivation of his fields, which annually return golden harvests in return for the care and labor that is bestowed upon them.
On the 1st of February, 1883, Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Rosa J. Keller, a daughter of Franklin Keller, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. Eight children were born to this union, seven of
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
whom are living, aud the record of the family is as follows: Lola O., who died when six weeks old; Lillian, the wife of Frauk Sims, of Lafayette, In- diana; and Bess E., byda B., Ethel F., Loten, Hildred C. and Rosamond, all at home.
Mr. Sanders is a republican in his political views, and he and his family are members of the Mount Tabor Methodist Episcopal church. They have an extensive circle of friends throughont the community, the hospitality of the best homes being freely and cordially extended theu.
OLIVER K. BUTLER.
Oliver K. Butler, who since 1877 has been engaged in the watchmaking and in the jewelry business, dates his residence in lowa from 1857, and since 1868 has made his home in Indianola. He was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1846, and was therefore quite young when he came to this state in company with his parents, Basil D., and Lovisa (Mack) Butler, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively, the former of French Hugenot ancestry and the latter of English-Scotch descent. The maternal grandfather was a member of Colonel Herman Swift's Regiment, of New Jersey Volunteers in the Revolutionary war, serving as a fife major but carried and handled a gun. He was a preacher of the Methodist church and became a circuit rider of Indiana. He died in the immediate neighborhood of the home of Edward Eggleston, the author of the "Cirenit Rider." and was one hundred and one years of age at the time of his demise. His political allegiance was given to the whig party.
Basil D. Butler, father of our subject, was a physician in early life but afterward abandoned the profession and took up the milling business in which he was quite prosperous. His name was on the membership rolls of the Masonic fraternity and the whig party always counted upon his allegiance in his early manhood but later he joined the ranks of the democratic party. He died in 1886 at the venerable age of eighty years, while his wife died in 1863, at the age of fifty years. She was a member of the Universalist church.
Oliver K. Butler was the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine chil- dren. He attended the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for about nine years. He then turned his attention to the jewelry business and watchmaking, becoming quite an expert in those lines and since 1877 he has been continuously connected with these departments of trade. As stated, he has made his home in Iowa since 1857, in which year he came with his parents to Warren county. The family home was es- tablished in Union township, where his father erected a mill and Oliver K. Butler became an assistant in the mill. His youth was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil and following his early mill experiences he learned the carpenter's trade and was busily engaged in that line for a num- ber of years. It was in 1868 that he came to Indianola, being connected with
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building operations here until 1877. since which time he has conducted a jew- elry store. He is now one of the oldest merchants in the city, having for more than three decades been a representative of its commercial pursuits. He has a large and well appointed establishment and is accorded a liberal patron- age.
In 1865 Mr. Butler was married to Miss Jane Hook, who was born in Ohio and is a representative of an old Pennsylvania family. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Tidball) Hook, who came to Iowa in 1853, settling in Marion county. whence they afterward removed to Warren county. The father east his lot with the pioneer families, aiding in reclaiming new land and converting the raw prairie into productive fields. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been born two children. Alice B., now the widow of Frank Miller. a merchant. who died in 1906, leaving two children : Leo B., who is a graduate of the Indianola high school of the class of 1908. and Adeline, a high school student. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Butler was Etta E., who died when but one year of age. The Presbyterian church of Indianola finds in Mr. and Mrs. Butler consistent and helpful members and active workers. They have been identified with the church since 1868 and Mr. Butler has long served as one of its elders. He contributes generously to its support and does all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. IIe is also a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, the Workmen lodge and the Ycomen, and is in sympathy with all those organizations which have for their objeet mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. At the polls he manifests loyalty to the democracy but is not an active political worker, pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his private business affairs. Start- ing out in life for himself at an early age he has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources and as an architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well.
ALEXANDER JENNER.
Alexander Jenner is a retired farmer now living in Indianola. For a long period he was closely associated with the work of the fields and found in that pursuit opportunity for the attainment of success. His business methods have ever been honorable and upright and the policy that he has pursued has won for him the respect of those who know him. While he now leaves the active work of the farm to others, he is still the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of productive land in Warren county.
Mr. Jenner claims Germany as the land of his birth, his natal year being 1842, while the place of his nativity is Wittenberg. It was there that his father, George Jacob Jenner. was born on the 30th of January, 1798. He served as a soldier in the German army and made farming his life occupation. Having reached years of maturity he was wedded to Miss Eliza Baldrich, who was born in Germany in 1801. In the year 1852 Mr. Jenner brought his
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
family to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in the month of June. They made their way from New York City to Cincinnai, Ohio, where Mrs. Jenner died just three weeks after their arrival in the new world. Nor was Mr. Jenner long permitted to enjoy his new home. for he passed away August 15, 1855. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Their family mmmbered seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest.
Alexander Jenner was a lad of ten years when the family came to the new world and was left an orphan at the age of thirteen. He attended school in Germany until the emigration to the United States but his educational op- portunities were very meager. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age he took up farm work as a means of livelihood and was thus employed by the month until the time of the Civil war. During the first year he received only a dollar and a half per month, while during the second year he was paid thirty dollars for ten month's labor. His employers found him diligent, per- severing and faithful and though his lot was one of earnest and unremitting toil he soon learned the value of industry and perseverance and became self- reliant and energetie. On the 14th of July. 1863, with patriotic ardor he responded to the country's call and enlisted in Adams county. Ohio, as a member of Company G. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He served until March 8. 1864. and was then mnstered out at Cleve- land. Ohio. He was captured at Tasso. Tennessee. but was recaptured within twenty minutes as the battle surged back and forth. He took part in the engagements at Cumberland Gap. and at Finch River and was also in numer- ous skirmishes.
When his military service was ended Mr. Jenner became a resident of Dayton. Ohio. and in 1866 removed to Monmouth. Illinois. in the vicinity of which city he engaged in farming for two vers. In 1868 he arrived in Indianola and through the succeeding twenty-eight years was closely. actively and honorably associated with the farming interests of White Oak township. Year by year he carried on the work of the fields. cultivating large erops and keeping his land in good condition by the judicious use of fertilizers and the rotation of erops. He also placed substantial improvements upon his farm and transformed a tract of two hundred and twenty aeres into a valuable property. He has also raised considerable stock. for which he finds a ready sale on the market. but during the past seven years he has lived retired. his former activity bringing him capital sufficient to enable him to put aside further business cares and vet enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
In 1869 Mr. Jenner was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Schimel- pfenig. who was born in Germany in 1849. She came to the United States in 1863 when a maiden of fourteen years. with her mother. She is a sister of Adam and Jacob Sehimelpfenig of Indianola. As the years passed children were added to the Jenner household to the number of eight. as follows: Edwin. a teacher in Simpson College: Frank M .. a resident farmer of White Oak township. Warren county; Lillie, who became the wife of James Nichols. a farmer and stockman, and died in August. 1904. leaving a daughter. Eloise.
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who is living with Mr. and Mrs. Jenner; Anna, the wife of E. T. White, a farmer of Colorado; Oscar, who has departed this life; Clarence, who is a student in Simpson College, at Indianola; Leslie, who is a high school student ; and Laura, also in school.
Mr. Jenner maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in James Randolph Post, G. A. R., where around the campfires are recalled the scenes and events which occurred upon the southern battlefields. In polities he is a republican, has served as school director, has also been justice of the peace and was supervisor of White Oak township. His official duties have been promptly and capably performed and in fact in every relation of life his salient qualities have won him high regard and good will. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are much esteemed in the county, where for forty years they have made their home.
S. A. SHETTERLY.
S. A. Shetterly, the well known proprietor of Hill Crest farm on section 21, Richland township, is one of Warren county's native sons, his birth occurring in that township on the 8th of May, 1854. His father, Samuel Shetterly, was born and reared in Ohio and was a son of Rev. Henry Shetterly, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and a veteran of the war of 1812, wlio was a native of Pennsylvania and was of German descent. In early life Samuel Shetterly removed to Indiana, where he married Miss Jane Freel, a native of that state, and in 1843 he brought his family to Iowa, locating in Richland township, Warren county, where he purchased land and opened up a farm. He spent his last days in this county and died near Carlisle. His wife passed away in February, 1903.
In the family of this worthy couple was S. A. Shetterly, who attended the common schools during his boyhood and youth and remained with his mother until his marriage. It was on the 19th of April, 1877. in Hartford, that he wedded Miss Margaret J. Tidball, who is a native of Ohio and a daughter of William B. Tidball. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and removed from Ohio to this state at an early day in its development.
Mr. and Mrs. Shetterly have become the parents of nine children, of whom eight are living: Bessie is now the wife of F. G. Cutlip, who is a grad- uate of Ames College and is now engaged in the creamery business in the state of Washington; Johanna is the wife of C. K. Campbell, living in Sas- katchewan, Canada; Edith is the wife of C. C. Switzer, of Palmyra township. this county; Ed Roy, Otis W .. H. R., Lolo Katie and Everett C .. are all at home. Charles died at the age of fifteen months.
For some time after his marriage Mr. Shetterly operated the Tidball farm and then bought a place, which he cultivated for twenty years and in the meantime made many improvements thereon. On disposing of that place in
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
1899, he purchased a farm in Palmyra township, which he operated for five years, and on selling that he purchased his present farm in Richland town- ship, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres just outside the corporation limits of Hartford, whereon he located in 1903. There is a good orchard upon the place, a large barn and pleasant residence, in fact all of the improve- ments are such as are usually found upon the farm of a progressive and on- terprising agricultorist who thoroughly understands his chosen ocenpation. He raises and feeds considerable stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs, and usually sells over one thousand dollars worth of these animals each year. He also keeps a good grade of cattle and horses. He raises the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate of this region and has made an exhibit of various grains at the state and county fairs, winning over one hundred and fifty dollars worth of premiums in 1907. His specialty is Reed's yellow dent seed corn, which has carried off a number of prizes, but he has also had grasses and other grains on exhibition at the county fairs for the past ten or twelve years. He is an up-to-date farmer, keeping well posted on every- thing that will advance the interests of the agricultorist. and this is one reason of his sueeess.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Mr. Shetterly has always supported the republican party and he has been a delegate to county and state conventions, assisting in the nomination of General Drake for gov- ernor. He has served as assessor. clerk and trustee of Richland township and he has always been found true to any trust reposed in him. Both he and his wife are active and prominent members of the Presbyterian church of Hartford, of which he is now a trustee and treasurer, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
REUBEN DUNN BLOOM.
Reuben Dnnn Bloom, who is now living retired on his farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 7. Belmont township, was born near Georgetown. Brown eounty, Ohio, July 27. 1820. The family was an old one of that state. eoming originally from New York. Our subject was reared in the Buckeye state and, though he received but limited educational advantages, has beeome a well informed man through experience. observation and reading. As his father was a tailor by trade, the work of the home farm largely devolved upon the son, who took charge of the place when only about twelve years of age. The young lad was possessed of a strong constitution and good business ability and early displayed the determination and industry which have proven the salient features in his successful career as an agriculturist. In 1854. believing that better opportunities and advantages might be enjoyed in the west, he removed to Museatine eounty, Iowa, and thence eame to Warren county in 1856. Throughout almost his entire business career he has followed general farming but in his younger years was employed on the rivers during the winter season.
R. D. BLOOM
MRS. R. D. BLOOM
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He had but little capital when he arrived in this connty and the success which has since attended his efforts is therefore the result of his well directed labor and capable management. Purchasing a tract of raw land, he resolutely set to work and gradually transformed it into a highly cultivated and valuable farm. The place comprised three hundred and sixty aeres in Belmont town- ship, but since putting aside the active work of the fields he has lived retired on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Belmont township.
Mr. Bloom has been twice married. He was first wedded in Ohio, to Miss Viola Dixon, who passed away in the fall of 1853 in Peoria county, Illinois. leaving five children, of whom only one, G. D., still survives, making his home at Milo, Iowa. In Brown county. Ohio, Mr. Bloom was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Hannah Reynolds, whose demise occurred here about twenty years ago. The record of her six children, one of whom was born by her former marriage, is as follows : B. S. Reynolds, residing on section 8. Belmont township; Mrs. Esther Westerfield, of Des Moines ; Emma, at home; Luke, who makes his home in Oklahoma and is familiarly known as "Dng;" Mack who is operating the home farm ; and Oliver, of Otter township.
In his political views Mr. Bloom is a stanch democrat, and in the latter '50s served as justice of the peace in White Oak township. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having joined the order at Pleasantville, and he is a charter member of the lodges at Sandyville and at Milo. In religious belief he was formerly a Freewill Baptist but is now identified with the Christian Union church. Coming to this county more than half a century ago. he was for a long period successfully and prominently connected with its agricul- tural interests and won the competence that now enables him to spend his remaining days in well earned ease.
GEORGE K. REED.
In the history of the representative citizens of Warren connty, it is with pleasure that we present the life record of George K. Reed for he came to the county in pioneer times and has since been closely associated with its de- velopment. He stands at all times for improvement and progress, and while promoting his individual success has always found opportunity to cooperate in many movements for the public good. He was born in Indiana, November 22. 1830. His father, W. C. Reed, was a native of Sonth Carolina but was taken to Indiana by his parents while that state was yet under territorial rule. There he was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life, aided in the arduous task of opening up a new farm and eventually engaged in farming on his own account. He was married in that state to Miss Mary Keffer. a native of Indiana, and in 1843 they removed westward to Mercer county, Illinois. The death of Mr. Reed occurred in Rock Island county. Illinois. in 1866, when he was sixty-five years of age, while his wife passed away in Osceola, Iowa. George K. Reed was one of a family of eleven chil-
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dren. He spent his boyhood days in Indiana to the age of thirteen years and then removed with his parents to Mercer county. Hlinois, where he was employed at farm labor, his persisteney of purpose and his unfaltering dili- gence giving him a start in life. He Further made arrangements for hav- ing a home of his own by his marriage in Rock Island county, Ilinois, to Miss Mary Foster, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (McKee) Foster, who were natives of England and emigrated from that country to the new world.
Following his marriage Mr. Reed resided in Rock Island county, Ilinois. until the 4th of March, 1865, when he joined the Union army, becoming a member of Company 1. Twenty-eighth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, which rendezvoused at Camp Butler. He joined the regiment which was stationed at Mobile, Alabama, and there remained until the 1st of July. when the troops were ordered to San Diego. Texas. and thence up the Rio Grande to Browns- ville. Texas. Ou the 4th of March. 1866. Mr. Reed was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Rock Island county. Illinois.
He then again engaged in farming until April. 1868. when with a two-horse team and wagon, a few household goods, his wife and six children, he came to Warren county, Iowa. Here he has since made his home and is numbered among the early residents of the county for few settlements had been made within its borders at the time of his arrival. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land on section 31. Virginia township. and lived for one summer on what is now the A. E. Erwin farm. He also bought thirty-five acres of timber land on South river and from this he got out lumber to build a residence on the tract of land which he had previously purchased. The finishing lumber, however, was hauled from Des Moines and he removed into his new home on the day that U. S. Grant was elected president. He has been a hard and diligent worker and has been very successful. To his original farm he has added another tract of one hundred and twenty aeres. which he has improved and there is no better land to be found in the town- ship. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision, his prac- tical ideas and his progressive methods.
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