The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908, Part 61

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Des Moines : Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1010


USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 61


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In 1896, accompanied by his daughter. Mr. Schooler visited his old home in Scotland after an absence of forty-three years. He found two brothers and a brother-in-law living besides about forty-five nieces and nephews and a number of old school friends, whom he enjoyed meeting. They had a pleas- ant voyage over of ten days and landed in Glasgow but the return trip was not so enjoyable as they encountered two days of very rough weather. Al- though it was a great pleasure to visit the scenes of his boyhood and youth. Mr. Schooler is well contented to make his home on this side of the Atlantic, where he has prospered in his business affairs and has made many warm friends. He is independent in politics and has served as assessor of his town- ship three years and has also held sehool offiees. An earnest and faithful Christian, he is a member of the United Presbyterian church and has served as ruling elder for over thirty-three years.


AMON L. OGG.


Amon L. Ogg. who for some years has been a representative of the insur- anee business in Indianola and has recently extended his operations to the field of real-estate dealing. was born in Knox county. Ohio. May 4. 1837. His father. William H. Ogg. was born in Baltimore, Maryland. and when a boy accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county. Ohio. where he was reared upon a farm. There he remained until after his marriage and in the year 1852 he arrived in Henry county. Iowa. settling near Mount Pleasant mpon a farm. to the further development and improvement of which he devoted his energies throughout his remaining days. He was diligent and active in his farming and stock-raising interests and his careful management and keen bnsi- ness discernment won him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He married Miss Amanda Bevans, who was born in Knox county. Ohio, and was a daughter of William Bevans. a lawyer and newspaper man, who was prominent in the Buckeye state in many ways. He served as a general in the Ohio Militia and afterward located in the town of Mount Vernon. He edited the second news- paper of the town and was prominently associated with its upbuilding and development. He was an abolitionist after the style of Horace Greeley. He served as judge of the probate court and in public affairs wielded a wide in- fluence. Both Mr. and Mrs. William H. Ogg were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Ogg belonged to the Odd Fellows society


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and to the Masonic fraternity, while his political allegiance was given to the democracy. He died in 1858 at the comparatively early age of forty-one years, while his wife spent her last days in lowa and departed this life October 19, 1881. They were the parents of nine children.


Amon L. Ogg, the seeond in order of birth, was reared in the usual man- ner of farm lads, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was a youth of about sixteen years when he eame with his parents to lowa. He had attended the country sehools of his native state and afterward became a student in Howe's Academy at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and also in the Wesleyan University. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school in Henry, Lucas and Warren counties and proved his ability as an instructor and disciplinarian, maintaining good order and imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had ac- quired. While thus engaged the summer months were devoted to farm labor. He became a prominent resident of Warren county in October, 1869, and located in White Oak township, where he purchased a tract of land. Upon this farm he remained until 1882, when he eame to Indianola, where he en- gaged in the insuranee business. For twenty-six years he continued in this line, writing a large amount of insurance annually, and recently he has also engaged in the real-estate business, in which he has already seeured a good patronage. He is a man of determination and energy, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.


In early manhood Mr. Ogg put aside all business and personal eonsidera- tions that he might defend the Union cause in the Civil war and enlisted on the 2d of October, 1861, as a member of Company D, Fourth lowa Cavalry, leaving at home his wife and two children. He attained the rank of first sergeant and was afterward sceond lieutenant, holding that position when mustered out August 23, 1865, at Atlanta, Georgia, having been in eommand of his company mueh of the time during the last year of his serviee. Some- thing of the character of his serviees is indieated by the faet that he was on active duty in the siege of Vicksburg, at the battles of Selma, Columbus and Maeon, Georgia, and many others. In one of the earliest engagements in which he participated-the battle of Mariana in Arkansas-he was wounded. He made an exeellent war record, of which he has every reason to be proud. His regiment was in sixty-four battles and skirmishes where men were killed on both sides. Mr. Ogg was never off duty save when injured and was numbered among the loyal soldiers, fearless in defense of the old flag, whether his duty called him to the lonely pieket line or stationed him in the midst of the firing line. He took part in many of the long hard marehes as well as the sanguinary conflicts and throughout his entire life he has been as loyal in his eitizenship as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south.


Mr. Ogg was married March 10. 1859, to Miss Mary McCoy, who was born in Guernsey eounty, Ohio. May 7. 1842. Her parents eame to Henry county, Iowa, when she was two years of age. By her marriage she has become the mother of ten children, namely: Charles M .. now deceased; Wil-


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liam M., who is a baker and makes his home in Indianola; Edward M. S., who is employed with the Herald office in this city ; billie J., the wife of II. C. Fisher, a resident of Indianola; Samuel B., who is also employed on the Herald of this city; Mary B., the wife of F. C. Young, a harness dealer of Indianola ; Ollie M., the wife of Frank W. Sprague, a resident of Bagley, Iowa, where he is engaged in the implement and hardware business; Elizabeth; Nellie; and Frank L., who is in Seattle, Washington.


Both Mr. and Mrs. Ogg are faithful adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is also a valued member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and James Randolph Post, G. A. R., of which he is past commander. His politieal record is ereditable and his position on questions of importance is never an equivocal one. He is a stalwart supporter of republican principles, was eity assessor for ten years and in 1901 was elected county auditor, while popular suffrage continued him in office for two terms. His official reeord is altogether creditable and throughout the period of his residence in Warren county Mr. Ogg, whether in business or official relations, in publie or in private life, has eonunanded the respect and enjoyed the esteem of his fellow townsmen.


ADAM STIFFLER.


Adam Stiffler, one of the few remaining pioneer settlers of Warren county, was born in Tusearawas county, Ohio, January 7, 1828, the son of George and Nancy (Dust) Stiffler. His father, as the name indicates, was of German descent. Ile was a native of Pennsylvania and when a young man removed to Tuscawaras county, Ohio, where he was an early resident of the town of New Philadelphia. Later he removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he combined the occupation of farming with that of the milling business. Ever ambitious to better his condition, in 1856 he removed with his family to Iowa, where he settled at St. Charles, Madison county. Here he died two years later. While a resident of Ohio he married Miss Nancy Dust, a native of Pennsylvania, who survived her husband some years, passing away at St. Charles, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stiffler were born thirteen children, ten of whom grew up to the estate of manhood and womanhood. Three of them are yet living, namely : Mrs. Thompson, who resides in Colorado; Simon, a resident of California; and Adam, of this review. Three of their sous volunteered for the defense of the Union at the outbreak of the Civil war. One, J. W., was killed at the battle of Chattanooga; another, William H., was wounded at Vicksburg and discharged; and the third, J. IL., served for three years, or until the cessation of hostilities.


Adam Stiffler received his education in the district schools of Ohio. He followed his father's fortunes and aided him in his enterprises throughout his young manhood. Prior to the removal of the family to Iowa he was married to Miss Nancy Thompson, and he and his young wife accompanied them on their western trip. He engaged in blacksmithing in St. Charles, and followed


ADAM STIFFLER


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


this occupation there for twelve years. His business thrived and served as a stepping-stone to greater prosperity, which he found in the purchase of eighty acres of land upon which the town of Norwalk, then but a stage station, is now located. Here he bought a hotel and, as the growth of the surrounding country demanded the conveniences of a market place, he laid out the city of Norwalk.


Ile was elected its first mayor and served for two consecutive terms. The village, which was born of the necessities of the times, prospered and grew, resulting in an increased value in his realty holdings. He pinned his faith to the future of the locality and results have proven that his judgment was well founded. Quick to discern the opportunities of the times, Mr. Stiffler engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, thus converting the products of the community into an available form of cash. Hle now derives a substantial income from his property in Norwalk and for eight years has lived retired, spending his summers at home, but wishing for a more genial elimate in which to spend the months of winter, Norwalk, Los Angeles county, California has been selected as a winter resort by him for several years past and is really now his permanent home.


Unto the first marriage of Mr. Stiffler were born three children. One died as a young woman; Ophelia is now the wife of A. G. Hartley, of Des Moines; George is a stoek-buyer and shipper of Norwalk. The mother died at St. Charles many years ago. For his second wife Mr. Stiffler chose Miss Matilda Foster. To this union were also born three children, namely : J. W., who lives in West Virginia; J. E., residing in Kansas; and F. C., who is now the cashier of the New Virginia Savings Bank. The second Mrs. Stiffier died in 1905 and Mr. Stiffler again manifested his faith in and respect for womanhood by his marriage to Mrs. Emily Stiffler, the widow of his brother Harvey, who is now the companion and helpmate of his deelining years.


For fifty years Mr. Stiffler has been an active member of the Methodist church. He helped to organize the first one that was established in the New Virginia cireuit, at St. Charles. His politieal allegiance has always been given to the republican party, which he has at various times been called upon to serve, notably as mayor of Norwalk as well as in other minor offices. In look- ing baek over his career Mr. Stiffier has every reason to feel, like Paul, the apostle, that he "has fought a good fight," and that life has yielded him full and rich returns.


1


LEWIS SCHEE.


Lewis Sehee is one of the leading and sueeessful business men of Warren county, having extensive investments in farming property and also interested in banking at Indianola and Milo. He is a man of keen discernment and of marked enterprise, who seems to have aeeomplished at every point of his sue- cessful career the possibilities for success at that point. His judgment is at


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


all times sound and rehable and his business interests have been most carefully controlled. Now making las home in Indianola, he is, however, a native of Marion county, lowa, born on the 15th of April. 1553. His parents were Alexander and Alice Schee, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of J. F. Schee on another page of this volume. He was reared to farm life and attended the country schools. On attaining his majority he chose as a life work the occupation which had claimed much of his time and attention in his boyhood and was actively associated with farming interests until 1893, when he removed to Indianola. Ile is still, however, the owner of valuable farm property, melnding more than six hundred acres in this part of the state and he also has interests in other land. lle has been a large feeder of cattle and is still extensively engaged in business, his sales annually reaching a profitable figure. He has likewise banking interests, being now a stockholder in the Indianola Banking Company, of which he is the vice president and he is also financially interested in the Bank of Milo.


In September, 1877, Mr. Schee was married to Miss Manece Long, who was born in Illinois in October, 1856, and is a daughter of John and Jane Long, who on coming to Warren county settled in Otter township, casting in their lot with its pioneer residents. Mr. and Mrs. Schee had six children : Myrtle, the wife of E. B. Igo, a resident of White Oak township; JJennie, who has departed this life; Mabel; Clara; Lewis R .; and Elmer.


In his political views Mr. Schee is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is now serving as a member of the city council and is interested in all that pertains to the municipal welfare or progress of state and nation. In community affairs he gives hearty coopera- tion to plans and measures which are calculated to prove of public benefit and is recognized as a citizen of value, while in business circles he enjoys the entire ยท confidence of those with whom he has had business dealings and the admiration of all who know aught of his successful and honorable career.


JOSEPH HENDRICKSON.


Joseph Hendrickson, who is now living retired on his farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 27, Liberty township, was born in Warren county, Ohio, February 26, 1830, his parents being Brazilla and Jane (Van Tilburg) Hendrickson, the former a native of New Jersey, while the latter's birth occurred in Warren county, Ohio, in 1811. When but an infant the father was brought by his parents to Warren county. Ohio, and spent his entire life


in the Buckeye state, his occupation being that of an agriculturist. ]


resided in Preble county for six years and subsequently removed to Darke county. Ohio, where he passed away in 1881 at the age of seventy-three years. He was a member of the New Light church. with which his wife was also identified. The latter was of German descent and was one of a large family.


He


1 -


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Her demise occurred in Darke county, Ohio, in the year 1884. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brazilla Hendrickson were born six children, only two of whom survive, the sister of our subject being Mrs. Mary Jane Downey, of Darke county, Ohio.


Joseph Hendrickson was brought to Preble county, Ohio, by his parents when six years of age, but some six years later the family home was estab- lished in Darke county, Ohio, where our subject remained until his removal t. Warren county, lowa. From the age of twelve years he was largely reared in Darke county and attended the subscription schools for about three months during the winter season, the pioneer district affording but limited educational advantages. In the school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons and through reading and observation has become a well informed man. In November, 1855, he came to this county and was married, but after a few days returned to Darke county, Ohio. In March, 1857, however, he once more started for Warren county, arriving here on the 17th of April, 1857, and locating on the farm which has been his home to the present time and which was entered by his father-in-law, George Crumrine, in


1854. Mr. Hendrickson had but little capital to aid him in improving the place but he resolutely set to work and as the years passed transformed the wild tract into a finely improved farm. He has a commodious and substantial home surrounded by fruit and shade trees, all of which he set out himself, there being no timber on the property when he took possession of it. In those early days the settlers took their wool to Des Moines to be carded, that place


being the nearest trading and milling point. Mr. Hendrickson shelled a load of corn on a spade and hauled it to Ottumwa, and also hauled lumber from that town. He made several trips to Eddyville and Ottumwa, exper- ieneing the various hardships and trials incident to pioneer life. As the years passed, however, he gained a gratifying measure of prosperity through the careful management of his agricultural interests and is now enabled to spend the evening of his days in well earned ease.


On the 29th of November, 1855, Mr. Hendrickson was united in marriage to Miss Delilah Crumrine, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, in 1839, a daughter of George and Rachel (Potter) Crumrine. The father, a native of Ohio, came to Warren county, Iowa, in 1854, entering three quarter sections of land in Liberty township and likewise another forty-acre traet. Having brought considerable money with him, he also purchased one eighty-acre tract and four forty-acre tracts of land. He was one of the most prominent and respected pioneers of this county, and the large measure of success which he achieved enabled him to provide well for his children. Joseph Hendrickson and Mr. Davis are the only ones who still reside on the land he gave to his daughters. George Crumrine made his home in this county for many years, also spent some years in Kansas and subsequently removed to Texas, where his death occurred. He lost his wife and one child in 1854 but about three years later was again married, his second wife passing away in this county.


Unto Joseph and Delilah (Crumrine) Hendrickson were born eight chil- dren, four of whom still-survive, namely: George, who is now farming near Morgan Valley, though for twenty years he engaged in digging coal, is married


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and has several children ; Mrs. Sarah Kerns, of Liberty township ; John C., who resides in Minnesota; and Letha, the wife of Joseph Hiatt, of Indianola. The four members of the family who are deceased are as follows: Lydia Jane, who was the wife of James Cooper; Phoebe, who married Nathan Keeney; Melzina, who passed away at the age of seven years; and Viola, who died when eighteen months old. The mother of these children was called to her final rest in 1884, her remains being interred in Hendrickson cemetery.


In 1886 Mr. Hendrickson was again married, his second union being with Julia A. W. Zeck, who was born in Pennsylvania. March 1. 1859. She removed to Washington county, lowa, in an early day and later came to Warren county. She passed away October 16, 1905, leaving one son, Joseph L., who is employed as stenographer by the JJ. II. Cownie Glove Company of Des Moines. On the 15th of April, 1908, Mr. Hendrickson was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Margaret Loan, who was born in Macon county, Illinois, in September, 1846, a danghter of Lewis and Rachel (Hunter) Freeman. In 1865, at Iowa City, Iowa, she became the wife of James K. Loan, whose death occurred in Lucas county, Iowa, in October, 1897, when he was fifty-two years of age. Unto James K. and Margaret (Freeman) Loan were born six children, namely: Rosa, the wife of Rolla Smith, of Fairmont, Missouri; Alice, who died when twenty-seven years of age; Thomas, a resident of Clarinda, whose first wife, Rosa Graves, is now deceased and who has married again; Nellie, the wife of John Martin, living near Oakley, Iowa; Mary, who died in infancy; and Cora, the wife of Samuel Haw, who makes her home near Chariton, Iowa. Joseph Hendrickson now has eight great-grandehildren. In his political views Mr. Henderson is a democrat, giving stalwart support to the men and measures of the party. . He became a member of the New Light church in 1856, while his wife was formerly a Baptist. For more than a half century he has now been identified with the agricultural interests of this conty and is widely recognized as a citizen of worth and valne, whose support can ever be counted upon in furthering any movement or measure for the general welfare. Thongh past the seventy- eighth milestone on life's journey, he is still alert and active and has the appearance of a man of much younger years.


W. H. DOWNEY.


W. H. Downey, living on section 20, Lincoln township, is one of the prosperons and progressive farmers, stock-raisers and feeders of Warren connty and is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land which is pleasantly and conveniently situated near Indianola. In fact, the property adjoins the corporation limits of the city, so that the advantages offered by the county seat are easily obtained, while at the same time he has the benefits and privileges of rural life.


Mr. Downey is a native son of Iowa. his birth having occurred in Monroe county April 23, 1855. His father, Alexander Downey, was born in Indiana


MR. AND MRS. W. H. DOWNEY


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


and was there reared and married. Hle followed farming in that state until after the birth of two of his children, when he removed with his family to Iowa, about 1854, becoming one of the first settlers of Monroe county. There he opened up and developed a new farm, which he cultivated for some time, and ou selling that property he established his home in Decatur county, where he spent his last years, his death occurring there about 1882. His wife survives him and is still living in Decatur county.


William II. Downey was reared in that county, upon the old home farm and was early instructed in the best methods of tilling the soil and cultivating the crops. He enjoyed good school privileges in his youth and on the home farm was instructed concerning the value of industry, economy and persever- anee. When he started out in life on his own account he rented a farm in Decatur county, and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Bertha Harsh, who was born and reared in Warren county and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harsh, who are now living in Indianola at the ages of eighty-three and seventy-eight respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Downey were married on the 8th of April, 1882, and located on a tract of land of eighty aeres in Squaw township. He had built a house prior to his marriage, so that they at once began their domestic life upon the farm. Mr. Downey had improved and cultivated the property for five years, when he sold out and returned to Decatur county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he cultivated for three years. He then disposed of that farm and bought a place of one hundred and forty acres in Clarke connty, Iowa, where he lived for four years. During that period he made many improvements upon the place and when he sold out, he removed to Ringgold county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty-eight acres.


For three years he continued to till the soil there and then again made sale of his property and became a resident of White Oak township, in Warren county, where for two years he cultivated one hundred and sixty acres of land. He cleared sixty acres of brush land, sold at a good advance and purchased wo hundred and forty acres in the same township, which he also farmed for wo years. Again he embraced the opportunity of selling for a substantial advance over the purchase price and invested his capital in two hundred aeres north of Indianola, which he cultivated for two years. when he traded the property for a farm and a town residence. He lived in town for a year, then old his farm and purchased where he now resides. Here he has an excellent property, equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories. Although te started out in life empty handed, he has gradually worked his way upward, meeting with fair snecess in all business transactions, until he now has a valuable farm and a good home. He has made a business of raising and feed- ng stoek and his fields are also well tilled, both branches of his business roving profitable.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Downey have been born three sons and two daughters : Villiam Arthur, who has now started out in life for himself; Mary E .. the wife f William Church, of Indianola; Robert L .. James A .. and Edith Zorelda, all t home.


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


Mr. Downey exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and at local elections, where no issue is involved, he casts an independent ballot. He was elected and served as assessor of Squaw township, has also been highway commissioner and has been officially connected with the schools for many years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been one of enterprise and activity and his labors have been of a character that have brought him a fair measure of prosperity. le is well known in Lincoln township and Warren county and the success that he has enjoyed has come to him as the direct result of his diligence.




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