USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 68
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James A. Greenfield was reared in Illinois and Iowa, and supplemented his eommon-school education by one term's attendance at Ackworth Academy. He had no financial assistance on starting out in life on his own account and the sueeess which he now enjoys is therefore entirely the result of his own well directed labor and eapable management. For the first two years after his marriage he operated a rented farm and eventually had eighty aeres given to him by his father-in-law, to which he has since added at different times until his holdings have assumed extensive proportions. He now owns and success- fully operates his home place. comprising one hundred and seventy aeres on seetion 1. Liberty township. and likewise has eighty-two acres on section 2. Liberty township, and thirty-five aeres on section 34. Otter township. His property is all finely improved and in addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in stoek-raising, breeding Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle.
Mr. Greenfield was united in marriage to Miss Aliee Kimzey, who was born in this county in March, 1859, a daughter of R. W. Kimzey. They now have two children, Miss Gene and Vietor, who are at home.
In his political views Mr. Greenfield is a demoerat, while fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Milo. Both he and his wife are devoted and faithful members of the Methodist church. exemplifying in their daily lives the teachings of that denomination. Brooking no obstaeles that
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honest effort can overcome, Mr. Greenfield has steadily worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the prosperous and representative agricultur- ists and stock-raisers of the county.
ROBERT NICHOLSON.
Robert Nicholson, now living retired in Carlisle, was for many years engaged in the milling business at that place, owning and operating a grist the flouring mill. He is a native of England, born near Newcastle, June 8, 1832, and spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his birth, in the meantime learning the trade of a miller. In 1852 he emigrated to the new world, taking passage on a sailing vessel at Shields, which after a long and tedious voyage of seven weeks dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, having encountered many severe storms on the trip.
Locating at Minerva, Stark county, Ohio, Mr. Nicholson there worked at his trade for about a year and then removed to Will county, Illinois, where he scenred employment in a mill, where he perfected himself in the business during the four years spent there. He contracted agne, however, and with the hope of benefiting his health he then came to Iowa and found work in a mill at Cedar Rapids. A year later he removed to Des Moines, where he started the City Flonring Mills, which he conducted for six years and a half, and in 1862 came to Carlisle, where he has since made his home. Here he bought a steam mill and engaged in merchant milling, buying wheat which he manufactured into flour, shipping thousands of barrels to Des Moines. His plant being destroyed by fire in 1888, he erected a new mill, putting in a full roller process and up-to-date machinery, and he successfully carried on the business until 1905, sinee which time he has lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. Besides his business property he built two residences in Carlisle, including his present comfortable home, which was erected in 1898 and is a well improved place, heated by furnace and surrounded by a neat lawn and beautiful shade trees.
Mr. Nicholson was married in Des Moines in November, 1858, to Miss Mary Ann Garton, who was born near London, England, and came to the United States at the age of fifteen years. Of the eight children born to them one died in infaney and Burt died at the age of seventeen years. Those living are: William T., a farmer of Allen township, who is married and has four sons and three daughters; Frank W., who is engaged in the wholesale flour business in Des Moines and is married and has one son ; R. V., a traveling man living in Des Moines, who is also married and has one son; Arthur J., who is travel- ing salesman residing in San Franeiseo; Mrs. Hattie J. Hastings, who is a widow living in Des Moines and has two children; and Grace, wife of C. S. Beymer, a business man of Des Moines.
The republiean party fiuds in Mr. Nicholson a stanch supporter of its principles and he was elected the first mayor of Carlisle, which office he most
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creditably filled. He was also officially connected with the schools for many years and served as school treasurer. Publie spirited and progressive, he has taken an active interest in all measures calentated to advance the interests of his town and county and he is justly regarded as one of the leading citizens of Carlisle, where he has now made his home for almost half a century. Relig- iously he and his wife are earnest members of the Baptist church.
R. G. ARNOLD.
R. G. Arnold, a prosperous farmer and extensive landowner of Norwalk. lowa, was born in Summit county, Ohio. September 21. 1840, the son of Wesley and Anna (Towsley) Arnold, who was his father's second wife and who died while he was yet a baby. His father had been married before to Amma Gibbs, by whom he had three children, and after his mother's death he married a third time, two children being born to this union. During the war Wesley Arnold removed from Ohio, where he had followed the occupation of farming. and settled in Linn township, Warren county. Iowa, where he passed away at the age of eighty-one years, being buried from the Methodist church. of which he had been an active member and ardent supporter.
The boyhood and youth of R. G. Arnold was passed ou his father's farm in Ohio and he is indebted to the district schools of his native county for his education. His father was of English descent and according to the enstom of this nationality his son was supposed to give to him all his earnings and energies until he was twenty-one years of age. but at the age of eighteen years he bought his time from his father and engaged in farming on his own behalf. Quick to respond to the call for volunteers for the preservation of the Union at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. young Arnold enlisted in 1862 as private in Company F. Thirty-fourth lowa Volunteer Infantry. from which he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. He served three years. partici- pating in the first battle and siege of Vicksburg. in the battles of Arkansas Post. Blakeley. Spanish Forts and several others. He was mustered out of service at Davenport. Iowa. at the close of the war. Although present at a number of engagements he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, nor did the exposure and hardships incident to the campaign effect in any way his hardy constitution, as he has always been a very healthy man.
At the close of the war he settled in Linn township, Warren county, where his father then lived. and bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land which he improved and made his home until 1893. when he sold this place and bought the farm upon which he now resides, and which adjoins the village of Norwalk. in which his residenee is located. This farm consists of one hundred and forty acres of highly improved land and the residenee built thereon is one of the finest in the town. Mr. Arnold owns another farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Liun township and one of ninety-five acres in Greenfield township.
R. G. ARNOLD
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Mr. Arnold's first wife was Miss Clara Black, a native of Ohio, who died May 7, 1881. To this union were born two children, one of whom is dead and the other. Arthur, is married to baura Ulster and lives on one of his father's farms. On March 19, 1884, Mr. Arnold was married a second time to Miss Emma Comstock, a native of Michigan. They have two children, Edith, the wife of Fred Connard, of Cass county. Jowa ; and Homer, who lives at home.
Mr. Arnold has always taken an active interest in the social and political affairs of his home community and has for over thirty years been a member of the Methodist church, in which he serves as an officer. His political support is given to the republican party and he has at various times been called to office, having served for two terms on the board of supervisors, also as town- ship clerk, township trustee and other minor township offices. Fraternally, he is a member the M. W. A. of Norwalk, and formerly, as long as they had a post there, was a member of the G. A. R.
While still actively engaged in general farming Mr. Arnold yet finds time for extensive reading and keeps himself well informed on the questions and issues of the day and by precept and example is regarded as a highly influential eitizen.
LOUIS HOFFMAN.
Louis Hoffman, who is engaged in business in Lacona as a dealer in harness, buggies and wagons, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to this country. When twenty years of age, foreseeing that there was no future there for him and having heard and read of the freedom and opportunity for advancement in this country, he decided to leave home. In was in 1882 that he first set foot on American soil and he has since made this state his home. Mr. Hoffman was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, April 12, 1862, a son of Sebastian Hoffman, likewise a native of that province, where he worked at the shoemakers trade. He spent his entire life there and is now deceased.
The son, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in his native land and after coming to this country soon mastered the English language. Before coming to America he learned the shoemaker's trade. working at the same for some little time. Upon his arrival in the new world he made his way to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he worked at his trade and also did various duties that would yield him an honest living. He later took up his abode in Lineville, this state, where he was employed as a farm hand by the month for a time and then went to Corydon, where he continued to work at his trade and in the meantime learned the harnessmaker's trade. For several years he conducted a shoe shop in the latter eity and in 1900 eame to Lacona. where he purchased a harness shop and engaged in business on his own account. He put in a stoek of buggies and wagons and has now built up a large and profitable business, owing to the high grade goods which he carries and his
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reasonable prices. He has built a fine modern building in which he conducts Ins business and has also created a nice home in Lacona.
It was during his residence in Corydon, this state, that Mr. Hoffman was umted in marriage to Miss Bertha MeCarty, the wedding being celebrated on the 23d of December, 1888. She was born and reared in this state and by her marriage has become the mother of a son and danghter. Nellie is the wife of Robert Goode, a native of Iowa, where he was also reared. He is now engaged in the harness business in Lacona. Fred is the other member of the family.
Mr. Hoffman's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give hearty support to the men and measures of the republican party. During his residence in Corydon he served in the city council for several years and also acted as street commissioner and since coming to Lacona has served on the village and the school boards. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. in the work of which they take an active and helpful part. He is now acting as a trustee and steward of the church and is also assistant superintendent of and a teacher in the Sunday school. No matter in what relation of life we find him, whether in public office, in business or social life, he is always the same honored and honorable gentleman and all who know him have for him none but the highest regard and esteem.
R. A. BARCROFT.
R. A. Barcroft, who is one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers and feeders of Greenfield township, owning and operating a well improved and valuable farm of six hundred and sixty acres, is numbered among the old settlers of Iowa. dating his residence in this state since 1864. and in Warren county since 1882. He was born in Hohnes county, Ohio, March 8, 1861. a son of John R. and Susan F. (Ankeny) Bareroft, both of whom were natives of that state. the father having been born in Harrison county. John R. Bar- croft was a man of exceptionally good education and was a lawyer by pro- fession. He first engaged in the practice of law in Ohio, but in 1864 he removed to Iowa and located in Mahaska county, where he practiced law for eighteen months and then removed to Des Moines, where he continued to follow his profession for a number of years. He later bought land in this county, and opened up the farm where the son now resides. making this his permanent residence for some time. while still maintaining his law offices at Des Moines. Eventually, however. he returned to Des Moines to reside. and there he died on the 20th of January, 1901. His wife survives him and now resides in the capital city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barcroft were born four children, namely. R. A .. of this review; J. K .. a resident of Alexandria. Louisiana : Mary. the wife of George E. King. a financier and capitalist of Des Moines : and Hattie. the widow of James M. MeCaughan, and also a resident of Des Moines.
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R. A. Bareroft was reared and educated in Des Moines. In early man- hood he came to the farm and took charge of the place and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile has built two good residences, barns and the necessary ontbuildings, and has the place well fenced. In connection with the raising of grains and cereals he has made a business of raising high grade stock and fattens for the market from three to five carloads of cattle and hogs annually.
In 1899 Mr. Bareroft was married in Des Moines to Miss Mary Wright, a daughter of John P. Wright, who was a native of Indiana and is now deceased. Politically Mr. Bareroft has been a lifelong republican. He has served as delegate to numerous county conventions but has never sought nor desired public office. Mr. Bareroft has been a resident of Iowa for nearly half a century and has witnessed the growth and development of Des Moines, Indianola, Polk and Warren counties, and is regarded as one of the best known, progressive, public-spirited citizens of this section.
WILLIAM COOPER WILSON.
William Cooper Wilson, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the southwest quarter of section 21. Otter township, traces his ancestry back to the early settlement of Virginia. The founder of the family in America was David Wilson, a son of David Wilson, of the kingdom of Scotland, who came to America in probably the seventeenth century and located in the colony of Virginia. A member of the family took a conspicuous part in bringing about the Revolutionary war, being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Wilson's father, George Wilson, was born in West Virginia, October 31. 1795, and was reared in the Shenandoah valley. He emigrated to Ohio from Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1808. His father located the family near the present site of Newark, Ohio, and probably built the first log cabin in that locality. He followed the occupation of farming and remained there until the time of his death. He brought one colored man to Ohio but had been given him freedom but he chose to stay with the family. George Wilson was married on the 1st of June, 1819, to Miss Eliza Jane Moore, who was born at Marsh Creek, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1798, and was a descendant of Colonel David and Janet (Buchanan) McClellan, of Marsh Creek, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland. She was taken to Guernsey county, Ohio, as a child, In later years she removed to the by her parents, where she was reared. home of an unele. in Licking county. Ohio, and there she was married to Mr. Wilson. In 1842 they went to Illinois and located in Cass county, where Mr. Wilson engaged in farming. They remained there until the time of their death, the father passing away on the 30th of September, 1872, and the mother following him five years later, her death occurring October 8. 1877. Mr. Wilson was a whig in polities, and was a devont member of the Presbyterian
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church They were the parents of nine children, all of whom but two arrived at maturity, as follows: Eliza Am was born May 12, 1820. On January 11, . ISH, she became the wife of Addison Augier, and she died in Cass county. Hhmois, in 1902. Milton Scott, born March 3, 1823, went to California in the days of '19, and there he was married February 21, 1860, to Mary 1. Chandler. who is still living. He died in January, 1905. Nancy M., born May 20, 1825, became the wife of B. Franklin Stribling and died in Cass county, Ilinois, Angust 7. 1872. Archibald Moore, born Jannary 1, 1827. died January 12, 1837. being but a few days over ten years of age. Emily Elizabeth, born August 6. 1829, became the wife of H. W. Montgomery on January 16, 1850. She died in South Dakota. John Newton. born June 1. 1832, married Rachel M. Berry, October 7. 1858. He died at Virginia. Cass county, Finois, January 1. 1905. William C. is the subject of this review. Belinda Maria, born March 12, 1838, was married to Dwight C. Angier, May 21, 1864. She died July 11. 1872. Henrietta Rebecca, born September 11, 1841. died September 5, 1847.
William C. Wilson was born in Licking comty. Ohio, Jime 30. 1835, and he resided there until his sixth year, at which time his parents removed to Cass county. Illinois, where he was reared and educated in the country schools. On September 16, 1862, he was married to Miss Hannah M. White and began farming operations on his own behalf. In 1867 he brought his young wife to this county and located on the present home farm on the 1st day of Angust. having purchased it July 24 of that year. He was led to make the change be- cause of his failing health and the years into which his life has lengthened ont are an ample proof of the wisdom of choosing this locality. At the time of his coming here there were few residents in this part of the county. but Mr. Wilson had faith in its future because of the superior quality of the soil. and the high state of cultivation under which he has brought his own farm, and the many improvements which he has added to it, as well as the general appearance of the homes with which he is surrounded, all go to prove that his judgment was well founded.
Mrs. Wilson was born in Menard county. Illinois. March 30, 1839. the daughter of Rev. James and Maria (Greenwood) White. Her father was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was a pastor in Illinois for many years. being a pioneer preacher of that state. He died many years ago. Mrs. Wilson was one of many children. She was educated in Illinois. where for several years she engaged in teaching in the schools of Sangamon. Cass and Menard counties. She died August 2, 1898. at the home in Otter township, leaving two sons, namely: Frank G., born in Cass county. Illinois. October 8. 1864. married Miss Louisa Silcott, who died in 1890. leaving two children. Mary and Rex, who are now attending school in Indianola. Frank G. resides with his father and operates the home farm. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Indianola. and has served as assessor of Otter township. Edwin M., born in Cass county, Illinois. February 12. 1867, also makes his home with his father, but is a traveling man, covering western territory.
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Mr. Wilson has ever given his political allegiance to the republican party. having east his first presidential vote in 1856, since which time he has voted at all elections with one exception, that being the state election in lowa in 1867. He has served some sixteen years as township trustee and in various school offiees. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Milo, as are also his two sons.
W. A. STEWART.
A well developed and highly improved farm of two hundred aeres, sit- uated on section 18, White Breast township, is the property of W. A. Stewart, who has spent ahnost his entire life in Warren county. Hle was born in Col- umbia county, Ohio, January 1, 1851 and is one of a family of five sons and six daughters, whose parents were JJoseph and Mary (Applegate) Stewart. Mr. Stewart was a carpenter by trade and worked both as a carpenter and farmer in the Buckeye state. In 1858 he made his way to this state, settling in Marion county, where he made his home for two or three years, when he located on a farm near Summerset in Warren county. There he opened up and improved a farm and reared his family. Both the parents are now deceased. the father passing away in the spring of 1907, while his wife died several years previously .
W. A. Stewart was a lad of nine years at the time of the parents' removal from the Buckeye state to Iowa. He acquired his education in the common schools and assisted in the operation of the home farm until he reached years of maturity, when, attraeted by the reports of the west, he made his way to Cripple Creek, Colorado, where he remained for five years. He then made his way to the Black Hills of South Dakota, working in the mills of Deadwood from 1877 until 1883. He then made his way to his old home in Iowa travel- ing from Deadwood to Pierre by stage. Upon his return to Warren county he purchased eighty aeres of his present farm and from time to time as his finan- cial resources increased he has added to his landed possessions until he today is the owner of two hundred acres, situated on section 18. White Breast town- ship. He has made this a valuable property through the improvements he has here made in the way of buildings and fences and he has also placed the land under a high state of cultivation. In addition to carrying on general farming he also raises some stock, making a specialty of horses and cattle, this branch of his business bringing to him a good financial return.
Mr. Stewart established a home of his own by his marriage on the 9th of March 1886, to Miss Jennie Hemphill. a daughter of S. C. Hemphill, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Their home has been blessed with two daughters : Ethel E., a young lady at home, and Lena Effie. They also lost a daughter, Maud, who died in infaney.
Politically Mr. Stewart is a republican but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to do his duty as a private citizen. With the excep-
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tion of the few years spent in the west he has lived in this state for almost a half century and during that time has witnessed many changes that have here occurred. He can remember being in Des Moines prior to the entrance of railroads in that city and in many other districts marked changes have taken place. He has, however, not only been a witness but has contributed in substantial measure to the work that has been carried forward until today this section of the state takes rank with the older districts of the east.
PHILESTER OUDERKIRK.
Philester Ouderkirk, who owns and operates a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and fifty acres on section 16. Union township, has been a resident of this county since the 26th of October. 1869. and has borne an active part in its development and prosperity. His early home was in New York, his birth occurring in Onondaga county, that state, on the 13th of November, 1834, a son of Richard B. and Amanda (Perkins) Ouderkirk, who were born in New York and married at Hannibal, Oswego county. New York. Leaving his native state, the father took his family to Michigan in 1835 and settled in Lenawee county, where he made his home until 1847. and then removed to Knox county. Illinois, locating on a farm near Maquon. where he spent some years. There his first wife died and was buried in 1851. Three years later he married again in Washington county, lowa. In the fall of 1869 he went to Appanoose county, lowa. and the following year took up his residence in Ringgold county, this state, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying there in 1874. His second wife, survived him until 1904.
Philester Ouderkirk grew to manhood in Knox county, Illinois, and his school privileges being very limited he is almost wholly a self-educated as well as a self-made man. He was married in that county in April, 1860, to Miss Sarah Stoekdale, who was born in Ohio and reared in Knox county, Illinois. After a happy married life of over forty-one years. she passed away on the 3d of July, 1901. There were two daughters by that union: Elma Arnetta is now the wife of Charles Stacy. now operating the Ouderkirk farm, and they have two children. Sarah Adeline and John Earl. Rosavena is the wife of J. H. Hill, a farmer of Union township. and they have three sons, Charles P., Harold O. and Gerald E.
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