The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908, Part 72

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 72


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His father. Thomas Owens, was a native of Wales, born in 1823, and was a child of only nine years when he came to the new world. He first located in Ohio, where he grew to manhood upon a farm, and continued to make his home there until 1848, when he came to Iowa and entered one hundred and twenty acres of land in Warren county. The following winter he worked in Des Moines but in 1851 returned to Ohio, where he remained a year or more, and then again came to Warren county, locating upon his farm. Here he wedded Miss Mary Ann Parks. a native of Ireland, born in 1827, who came to America with her parents in 1844 and located in Ohio, where she continued to make her home until 1852, when she came to Iowa. She is a sister of John Parks, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Selling his first property Thomas Owens bought other land and engaged in farming east of Hartford for fourteen years, at the end of which time he purchased ninety- two and a half acres of land where his son Edward now lives, later adding to it until he had two hundred and twelve and three-fourths acres. Here he made his home until called to his final rest on the 1st of May. 1891. and his wife survived him until September 19, 1904, when she too passed away.


Edward Owens is one of a family of three children and his sister Hannah resides with him on the home farm, which they now own. His brother John Owens, born in 1858. died December 18, 1873. Our subject was pro- vided with good school privileges, attending the public schools, while later he


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pursued a commercial course at Drake University, and attended the Highland Park Preparatory school, and Drake University. He was engaged in teaching school for five winter terms but with that exception he has always followed farming and stock-raising, now making a specialty of hops. He also raises good horses and shorthorn cattle, having a herd of fifteen full blooded cows and a registered bull. bred by Frank Morris. At the death of his father he took charge of the farm and has since built fifteen rods of woven wire fence upon the place, which is perfectly hog tight. He has made many other useful and valuable improvements and has bought an adjoining tract of land, so that he now has three hundred and fifty-six acres, which he keeps under a high state of cultivation.


Mr. Owens is a prominent Odd Fellow and was a charter member of the lodge at Hartford which he assisted in establishing, but he now holds member- ship in Palmyra Lodge, in which he has filled all the chairs and has served as district deputy. Ile is also a member of Carlisle Canton and has served as noble grand. On national issues he supports the democratic party but at local elections he votes independent of party ties, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. He has served as assessor. township trustee and township clerk, being the present incumbent in the last named office, and his official duties have always been faithfully and satisfactorily discharged.


WEAR CASADY.


Wear Casady. deceased. was born in Fayette county. Indiana, on the 12th of December, 1823, his parents being Simon and Dilla (Call) Casady. He acquired his education in the district schools and was reared to the pur- suits of the farm, becoming connected with agricultural interests in his native county when he arrived to man's estate. In 1856 he came to lowa. purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land in Lin township. Though in moderate circumstances. he could not pay for all of the land at that time. but as the years passed by he was very successful in his undertakings and at one time owned five hundred and forty acres of well improved and productive land. The farm on which he first located when coming to this county remained his home until he was called to his final rest on the 3d of April. 1881. his death being widely mourned and deeply regretted.


In 1849. in Fayette county. Indiana, Mr. Casady was united in marriage to Miss Hannah J. Hart. whose birth occurred in that county on the 10th of February. 1830. her parents being William and Eliza J. (Terry) Hart. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Casady were born thirteen children, namely: Emma J .. the wife of H. P. Dyer. of Dexter. lowa : Elmer, who is married and resides at Salt Lake City. engaged in the real-estate business: Simon. an agriculturist of Cass county. Iowa: Lizzie, who is employed in a large department store at Salt Lake City: P. M .. who resides in. Kansas City, is also in the real-


MR. AND MRS. WEAR CASADY


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estate business; William, an attorney in Idaho; George, who follows farm- ing in Mahaska county, lowa; Helen, the wife of Melvin Haggard, of Texas; Warren, an attorney of Bueyrns, Ohio; Frank, who operates the old home stead farm; Louis, whose demise occurred at Seattle, Washington, two years ago ; Charles, who passed away at the age of seven years, and J. N., a banker of Norwalk, who is mentioned on another page of this volume.


Mr. Casady was a democrat in his political views but never sought nor desired public office. He was a lifelong member of the Chirstian church, the teachings of which he exemplified in his daily life, and was a great lover of his home and family. His widow, who now makes her home in Norwalk, has attained the age of seventy-eight and is unusually bright and active for one of her years, still enjoying good health. Like her husband, she has been a lifelong member of the Christian church and is highly esteemed and re- spected throughout this county, in which she has now made her home for more than a half century.


HUGH PARKER SHEPHERD.


When Hugh Parker Shepherd departed this life he left behind a memory that is honored, for in every relation he had been found true to sterling prineiples, was loyal and progressive in citizenship. industrious, enterprising and energetic in business and always faithful to the ties of home and friend- ship. He was born near New Antioch, Ohio, his natal day being October 7, 1845. He is a son of Moses Watson and Catherine Dillon (Sayres) Shepherd. the former born July 10. 1818, and the latter July 25, 1819. The father represented an old family of New Jersey, while the mother came of Scoteh- Irish aneestry and was born at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. They were married, however, in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1839. The father was a tailor by trade and in the year 1855 brought his family to Iowa, settling in Indianola in the fall of the same year. He continued to engage in the tailoring business. working at the bench until within two years of his death, which occurred April 20. 1901, when he was in the eighty-third year of his age. He was long a devoted member of the Odd Fellows society and in his political views he was connected with the democracy. He enjoyed the high esteem of his neighbors and business associates and his friends are many. His wife belonged to the Baptist church.


Hugh P. Shepherd. the third in their family of eight children, began his education in the schools of Ohio but was only nine years of age when the family came to Iowa, where he continued his education as a public-school student. At the age of fourteen years, however, he put aside his text-books and entered upon his business career as an employe in the mercantile estab- lishment of M. R. Barker, with whom he remained for a number of years. In 1874 he formed a partnership with E. W. Perry, under the firm style of Perry & Shepherd, dealers in dry goods. This connection was continned for a


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number of years and the firm enjoyed a large and profitable trade. At length Mr. Shepherd retired, the measure of his previous success being sufficient to justify him in putting aside active business cares and enjoying a well earned rest. He had made investments that proved remunerative and he was not only a successful man but is also regarded as a most honorable one, a fact which was proven in that many trusts were committed to his care. He was frequently called upon to settle estates and upon every occasion was loyal to the trusts reposed in him. He was very popular among his business asso- ciates and wherever he went he won a host of warm friends. He was justly regarded as a man of spotless integrity, capable and painstaking, energetic and progressive. At his death he left a farm in White Oak township and valuable realty in Indianola including the Central House.


On the 15th of September. 1874, Mr. Shepherd was married to Miss Mary Frances Bryson, who was born in Iowa City. December 9. 1856, and is a daughter of Jesse and Anna Elizabeth Bryson. Her father came to Indianola in 1869 and in the same year engaged in the milling business. He is now residing here at the age of seventy-one, while his wife has reached the age of seventy years. They are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and people of the highest respectability, enjoying the warm friendship of all who know them. Their daughter, Mrs. Shepherd, is also a member of the same ehurel.


Mr. Shepherd was prominent in Masonry, taking the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter. the commandery and the consistory. He also belonged to the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines and he was a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political allegiance was given to the democ- racy and for ten years he represented the fourth ward in the city conneil, his reelection standing as evidence of his faithfulness in office and his ability in the discharge of his duties. In a review of the life record of Mr. Shepherd we are led to the thought that it is not from the few conspienons deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, happier. but from the lowly ministries of the everydays, the little faithfulnesses that fill long years.


KINSEY B. NEELY.


Conspicuous among those of the younger generation who are reaping the reward of the thrift and industry displayed by the early settlers of the county. is Kinsey B. Neely, a prosperous and well-to-do farmer and stoek-dealer resid- ing on section 30. Lincoln township. where he owns and operates a farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres of land, which he bought in 1900. He was born in Ralls county, Missouri. April 7. 1865. the son of Paxton and Mary (Bareroft) Neely. His father was a native of Harrison county. Ohio. He was a wagon- maker by trade and shortly after his marriage removed to Mississippi. In 1864 he went to Ralls county, Missouri, where he remained for two years and


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then came to Warren county, lowa. Here he opened up a farm and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1877, he owned seventy-five acres of land. The mother makes her home here and is now seventy-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Neely were the parents of five children, of whom Kinsey is the third in the order of birth.


Kinsey B. Neely spent the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools of the community. His first business venture in his own behalf was naturally along agricultural lines, bnt ambitious of a more diversified experience he bought a stock of general merchandise in Summerset, and for ten years conducted a store there. He eventually sold his store and bought his present farm. He remodeled and built an addition to the house, tiled the land and put in new fencing, and divided the above tract of land into two good farms. In addition to general farming Mr. Neely feeds about a carload of cattle a year and raises some horses and hogs.


On December 13, 1895, ocenrred the marriage of Mr. Necly and Mrs. Rose Sherman Bingley, a daughter of Karl Sherman, of Indianola. Mrs. Neely was born and reared in Germany and was residing with her parents in Indian- ola at the time of her marriage to Mr. Neely. She has one son by her former marriage, Carl Bingley. residing on the home place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neely have been born four children, Kinsey, Mildred, Russell and Berniee.


Politically Mr. Neely has been a life-long democrat, but in later years the principles set forth and sustained by Theodore Roosevelt have met with his unqualified approval, as has been the case with thousands of others who here- tofore had always given their political allegiance to the democracy. It


indicates a broader current of thought and a move in the right direction when principles are sustained in this manner and partisanship is relegated to the background of eustom and prejudice. Fraternally, Mr. Neely belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the Modern Brotherhood of Indianola. He does not confine his church attendance to any one sect, but usually attends either the Baptist or the United Brethren churches. His engagement in mercantile pursuits as well as his extensive farming interests have brought him in contact with a large number of people and wherever known he is held in high regard. Those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.


JAMES M. SNYDER.


James M. Snyder, who is now living retired at his pleasant home in Norwalk, was born in Crawford county. Ohio, December 2. 1832, his parents being Adam and Hannah (Gilliland) Snyder. On his emigration from Germany the great-grandfather of our subject settled about thirty miles west of Harrisburg. Pennsylvania. there remaining until his removal to Jefferson county, Ohio, where his demise occurred. The grandfather, Christly Snyder.


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located in Jefferson county. Ohio, when a young man and later look up his abode in Crawford conuty, Ohio, where he passed away in Is63, at the age of ninety-eight years, one month and fourteen days. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Magdeline Fate, lived to the remarkable old age of one hun- dred and eight years, her demise also ocenrring in Crawford county, Ohio.


Adam Snyder, the Father of James M. Snyder, was born near Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1800, and spent his entire life in the Buckeye state. He was a blacksmith by trade but in later years operated his farm. He was a Presbyterian in religions faith and a democrat in his political views. He was a man of the highest integrity and worth and his death, which occurred in Crawford county, Ohio, June 1. 1872, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Gilliland, was born in Jefferson county. Ohio, in 1799. her parents being David and Margaret (Long) Gilliland, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scotland. David Gilliland was a scholar and followed the profesison of surveying. though he spent the later years of his life on his farm. He passed away in his eighty-first year and was survived by his wife for only a few weeks. the demise of both occuring in Crawford county. Ohio. Mrs. Snyder also died in Crawford county. Ohio. being called to her final rest in 1869. when in the seventieth year of her age. She was the mother of ten children, namely : David. deceased; Christly, who resides in Kansas, being now in his eighty- third year; Margaret, whose death occurred in Crawford county. Ohio. October 28. 1896: Andrew Jackson, who passed away in Kansas. February 23. 1907, his wife's death occurring the following week: James Madison, of this review ; Mary, who was born in 1835 and who died in Norwalk, Warren county. in 1883: Melinda. who passed away in Crawford county. Ohio. in childhood ; Silas, who also died in Ohio when a child: John Wesley, who has attained the age of about seventy-one years and resides in Davies county. Missouri; and Samuel, sixty-six years of age, who makes his home in Huron county. Ohio.


James M. Snyder was reared in the state of his nativity. and when in his twenty-second year removed to Polk county. Iowa. where he remained for about two years. Subsequently he spent some six years in Ringgold county. Towa. and then removing to Des Moines he made his home there for ten years. On the expiration of that period he came to Warren county. Iowa. residing on a farm in Linn township for about ten years. Since 1881. however. he has lived in Norwalk. He is a cabinetmaker by trade and followed his calling in Ohio. Des Moines, Iowa. and elsewhere. meeting with gratifying and well merited success in his undertakings.


At Des Moines. Iowa. in 1856. Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Higbee, whose birth occurred in Crawford county. Ohio. in 1835. her parents being Isaac and Rebecca (Mosher) Higbee. They located in Platte county. Missouri. in 1837. and a few years later removed to Gentry county. that state. where the father died about sixty years ago. The mother subse- quently came to Warren county and made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Snyder for about forty years or until the time of her demise, which occurred at Nor- walk. February 4. 1894. when she had attained the age of eighty years. Unto


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our subject and his wife have been born six children, namely : Hannah Jane, who was born in 1857 and who died when but thirteen months old; Charles F., who is mentioned on another page of this volume; Josie, at home; Albert and Wilbert, twins, the former being an agriculturist of Linn township, while the latter passed away at the age of fifteen months; and D. W., who is a car- penter residing on Park avenue in Des Moines.


In his political views Mr. Snyder is a stanch republican, while his relig- ious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Norwalk. He has now been a resident of this county for more than a third of a century and is widely known as one of its substantial, public-spirited and enterprising citizens, receiving the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has honorably traveled thus far on life's journey.


HERBERT WORTHLEY.


Closely identified with the agricultural interests of Otter township is Herbert Worthley, who owns and operates a finely improved farm of four hundred acres on sections 28, 32 and 33. He was born in Henry county, Illinois, March 15, 1860, the son of Llewellyn and Martha J. (Lambert) Worthley, both of whom were born near Skowhegan, Maine. Llewellyn Worthley was born on April 1, 1827. His father was a farmer and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Henry county, Illinois. After his mar- riage Llewellyn removed to that farm, where he resided for many years. On leaving there he went to Tama county, Iowa, where he secured nearly a sec- tion of land, which he subsequently sold and then removed to Warren county. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land which is now a part of the present holdings of Herbert Worthley, of this review. The father left Iowa some twelve years before his death and traveled in Arkansas and Kansas. He contracted malarial fever and died at Jacksonport, Arkansas, in 1898. He served for nearly three years in the Civil war, being a member of Company I, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunter Infantry. Out of twenty-four soldiers that were captured at one time and incarcerated in Andersonville prison he was one of the four survivors at the end of fifteen months of captivity. Mrs. Worthley was born on the 1st of August, 1830. IIer family had long been identified with the farming interests of Maine. She survived her hus- band for abont nine years and died at Clarinda, lowa, November 9, 1907. They were the parents of five children, four of whom died in infancy, the eldest being but three years of age at the time of his death.


Herbert Worthley was but eight years of age when his parents removed to Warren county. Here he was reared and received his education in the country schools. At eighteen years of age he started out in life for himself, operating the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, and in addition to this five forty-acre tracts, much of the land being devoted to pasturage. He has ever taken an active interest in stock-raising, in which he has been most


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snecessful. his specialties being Poland China hogs and Durham cattle. His farming and stock-raising yielded him most gratifying returns, so that he was eventually able to purchase the home place, and has added to it from time to time until now, as previously stated, he owns four Indred acres of finely improved land.


In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Herbert Worthley and Miss Mary N. Amos, daughter of James M. Amos, deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Worthley was born in this county on the 10th of January, 1864, and here she has resided all her life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Worthley have been born six children. namely: Clarence M., banra Ahna, Warren Leslie, Ralph Loren and Amy Bernice, all of whom reside at home with their parents; and Aaron Leo, who died at the age of nine months.


In politics Mr. Worthley is a republican. He is a man of exemplary habits and sterling worth, and no man in the community is held in higher regard.


ENOCH SAYRE.


Enoch Sayre is numbered among those men whose strong traits of charac- ter were such as commanded for him the respect and confidence of his business colleagues and associates, and in fact of all with whom he came in contact. Without any special advantages at the outset of his career, other than those received in farm training and offered by the subscription schools in a pioneer distriet, he worked his way steadily upward until he was one of the extensive landowners of the county.


His birth occurred in what was then Harrison county. Virginia, but is now Barbour county, West Virginia. June 24. 1825, and he was the second of the ten children of Solomon and Mary Ann (Ball) Sayre. The genealogical record of the family shows that they were descended from Thomas Sayre of England who became the founder of Southampton. Long Island, in the early part of the seventeenth century. The name appears in the early history of New England among the puritan stock and is also mentioned in Chronicles of the early settlers of New Jersey and Virginia. Members of the family were prominent in the different wars of the country, including the French and Indian war, the Revolutionary war, the war of 1812. the Blackhawk and Semi- nole Indian wars, the Civil war and the Spanish-American war. Others of the family gained fame as statesmen, orators and in professional and business circles.


Reared upon the home farm Enoch Sayre early became familiar with all of the duties incident to the development of the fields. He was edueated in the old-time subscription schools "the little temple of learning" being a log building furnished with słab seats and desks. It was three miles from his home and the school term covered about three months in the winter, while the remainder of the year was devoted to work on the farm. He was fortunate


ENOCH SAYRE


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being reared amid an atmosphere of Christian refinement and enfure and the lessons of integrity, industry and economy were early impressed upon his mind, while he was also instructed in those principles which were for honorable and upright manhood. By the time he had reached the age of twenty-five years he had saved enough money to make partial payment on forty acres of land and with resolute purpose he set to work to clear this of all financial inembrance. Prospering in his undertakings, his industry and careful ex- penditure enabled hin soon to purchase another forty-acre traet, and he afterward purchased another tract of similar size, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Virginia.


Attracted by the opportunities of the west, Mr. Sayre came to Iowa in 1864 and in March of that year settled in Virginia township where he invested his capital in three hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land. For a time he lived in a log cabin and then a log house but later erected a frame dwelling, which is now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Anderson. Through- out the peroid of his residence in Iowa, he prospered in his undertakings and from time to time added to his possessions until he became the owner of about one thousand acres, which was later divided among his children. He was one of the most successful agriculturists in this community and also one of the most honored because of the straightforward business methods he employed in gaining his prosperity.


On the 26th of January 1851, Mr. Sayre was married to Miss Elizabeth Felton, a native of West Virginia, and a daughter of John Felton, who was the first settler in New Virginia, Virginia township, this county. Mrs. Sayre died December 3, 1885. and was buried in New Virginia cemetery. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother, her first interest always being her home and family. She was also a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a most earnest Christian woman. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children : Harriet Virginia, now the wife of H. C. Luddington, a res- ident of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; Mary Margaret, the wife of William Howell, whose home is in Dale, Oklahoma; Matilda Jane, the wife of John. Keller, living at Crookston. Nebraska; Gideon, who died in childhood; Sarah Imnella, the wife of William C. Sayre, of White Oak township, Warren county; John, who is a resident of Bellingham, Washington; Will E., a farmer of Virginia township; Waitman, who died in childhood; Minnie E., the widow of Irwin T. Anderson. also of Virginia township; and A. E., a farmer in the same township.




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