The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908, Part 74

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 74


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


and other wild animals roamed the prairies. Mrs. Long pursued her educa tion in a little log schoolhouse, attending later Mrs. Nutting's school.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long have been born four sous, namely : John JJ., a farm- er residing northeast of Indianola, was born in 1866. He married Flora Der- rough and unto this union have been born four children, Albert, Grace, Don and Frank. Thomas L., a farmer of Offer township. was born in 1867 and married Miss Carrie Reed. James, residing on a farm in White Oak township, was born in 1869. He married Miss Nannie Howe, by whom he has one daughter. Leila. Henry, Jr., born in 1883. conduets farming operations in Otter township. He married Miss Ida Friedley, and they have one son. Verle.


Politically. Mr. Long is a democrat, but he has never sought nor desired office. He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ in Christian Union, of Hammondsburg.


H. C. J. GOODALE.


For almost forty years H. C. J. Goodale was a resident of Warren county and his last days were spent in retirement at Indianola, where he passed away on the 14th of May, 1903. honored and respeeted by all who knew him. He was born on a farm in Rutland county. Vermont. October 10, 1834, his parents being Harry and Elizabeth (Stiekney) Goodale. During his boyhood and youth he received a good academie education and was carly trained to the occupation of farming. which he made his life work, though he taught school for a time when a young man .. During his boyhood he removed with his parents to New York state, where he was reared. and from there went to Minnesota, spending two or three years in the latter state.


While a resident of Minnesota, Mr. Goodale was married in 1859 to Miss Eliza P. Sterns, who was born in Pern. Essex county. New York. in 1840, a daughter of John and Lncy Sterns. At an early day her parents removed to Minnesota, where both died. The father was a mechanic by oeeupation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goodale were born three children : Doran J .. a resident of Otter township, this county : Ede E .. the wife of Irwin Law, also of Otter town- ship ; and Harry .J., who is living in Lincoln township. There are also eight grandehildren.


On leaving Minnesota, Mr. Goodale made a visit to his old home in New York and also spent a short time with his parents in Illinois. He then eame to Towa and located in Warren county about 1864, purchasing a farm in Otter township, which is still in possession of his widow. Here he owned two hundred aeres of well improved and highly cultivated land. on which he made his home until his retirement from labor in 1893, when he took up his abode in Indianola. He was a good farmer and business man. of more than ordinary intelleet and education. and he stood deservedly high in the esteem of his neighbors and friends. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church and affiliated with the Masonic fraternity from an early day. The democratic party


H. C. J. GOODALE


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he efficiently served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a true friend. Since her girlhood Mrs. Goodale has been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church and like her husband she has many friends throughont the connty.


JOHN BAXENDALE.


John Baxendale, an agriculturist and stock-raiser residing on section 26, Greenfield township, was formerly connected with the mercantile interests of Warren county. He was born in West Leigh, near Manchester, England, February 27, 1856, his parents being William and Alice (Smith) Baxendale, both natives of that country. The father, who was a silk weaver and farm laborer by occupation, died in England in 1868. In later years the mother came to America and made her home with her son John, in Iowa, until she passed away January 5, 1902, at the age of seventy-two years.


John Baxendale, the only child in his father's family, was reared in his native village and when nine years of age began work in a bolt factory. His parents did not want him to work but as his companions were all employed he urged to be allowed to accept a position. When ten years old he commenced work in a coal mine without the knowledge of his parents, being there em- ployed for fourteen years, during which time he was promoted to the position of foreman.


Mr. Baxendale was married in 1875 and in 1880, in company with his wife, sailed from Liverpool to the United States, settling at Fontanet. Indiana. where he helped to sink the first coal mine, but after a few weeks went to Staunton, Macoupin county, Illinois, where he remained two years, working in the mines. On the expiration of that period he went to Deeatur, Illinois, was there engaged in mining for a year and subsequently spent about six months in England.


On again arriving in this country in 1884, Mr. Baxendale located in Des Moines, Iowa, where for about a year he was employed in a coal mine. He afterward came to Summerset. Warren county, as foreman for the Sum- merset Coal & Mining Company, acting in that capacity for two years. On aecount of failing eye-sight, he then purchased a grocery and general merean- tile store at Summerset and successfully engaged in its conduet for fourteen years. during which time he made a second trip to his native land. His home was on a forty-acre tract of land near his present farm and he conducted his store three miles away, making the trip to his place of business twice a day for nine years. Subsequently disposing of his store and farm. he purchased the ninety-eight acre tract where he now resides in section 26. Springfield township. which has been his home since 1901. He has remodeled the house. put in water works and likewise has a hundred-ton silo, one of the first in the county. He has also erected barns and outbuildings, fenced the fields


FHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


and altogether has a finely improved and valuable property, said by many to be the best farm of similar dimensions in Warren county. He is a scientific agriculturalist and in addition to the work of general farming also raises cattle, hogs and horses, shipping about a carload of hogs annually. He also has some Jersey cows and conducts a dairy. He is widely recognized as a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of the community and, as one whose success is entirely the result of his own and his Family's well directed labor and capable management.


On the 24th of November, 1875. in England, occurred the marriage of John Baxendale and Miss Mary . Roper, a native of Standish in Lancashire. England, and a daughter of William Roper. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baxendale were born eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Mary Alice is at home. John E. is now an electrical machinist of Los Angeles, California. He wedded Julia Mann. Thomas R .. Elizabeth and Albert JJ. Baxendale are still at home.


In his political affiliations Mr. Baxendale was formerly a democrat but has now for many years supported the republican party where national ques- tions and issues are involved, though at local elections he votes independently. Ile served as postmaster for four years during President Cleveland's adminis- tration, and has been a delegate to democratic state and county conventions. For thirty-four years he has now been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined at Manchester, England, when eighteen years of age. being at the present time a member of the lodge of Indianola. Since 1893 he has been connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Indian- ola, and he attends the Methodist Episcopal church at Summerset. of which his wife is a member. They are well and favorably known throughout the county, having won the warm esteem and friendship of all with whom they have come in contact in business and social relations.


WALLACE HINES.


Wallace Hines, who owns and operates eighty acres of valuable land on section 20, Belmont township, where he is also engaged in stock raising, was born in this township, near the county line, July 1. 1860. His parents, Wil- liam and Clarissa Jane (Chapin) Hines, both of whom are now deceased, were natives of Virginia and New York respectively. but came to this county prior to the Civil war, the father being largely engaged in agricultural pursuits. Their family numbered six children, namely: Johu, who has passed away; Smith, of Nodaway county, Missouri; Noble, who makes his home in Cass county, Iowa ; Wallace. of this review ; Ellen, the widow of Alonzo Ferguson, residing at Milo ; and Clara, the wife of J. W. Brown. of South Dakota.


Wallace Hines was reared in the county of his nativity and acquired a common school education. Throughout his entire business career he has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and for the past fourteen years has owned and


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cultivated his present farm of eighty aeres on section 20, Belmont township. The property is well improved and in addition to the work of general farming he also raises stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.


In 1887 Mr. Hines was united in marriage to Miss Emma Estes, a native of Marion county, Iowa, and a danghter of J. M. Estes. an early settler of that conty, who is now deceased. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, as follows: Lela J., the oldest child, is deceased; Eva B., Ells- worth. Clyde. Daisy and Noble.


In his political views Mr. Hines is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Mystic Toilers at Milo. He is well known as one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of his native county and the circle of his friends is ahnost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.


W. F. CLEVENGER.


W. F. Clevenger is numbered among the prominent and active business men of Lacona, where he is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, and in the present year was elected as mayor of the city, in which connection he is giving a publie-spirited and businesshike administration. He is a native of Indiana, born in Oxford, Benton county. April 23, 1848, a son of Captain Willis and Elizabeth (Cochran) Clevenger, both natives of the Buckeye state, the former of Highland county.


Mr. Clevenger followed farming in his native state and later removed to Indiana, becoming a pioneer settler of Benton county, where he opened up and developed a farm. There four children were added to the household and in 1855 he removed with his family to Warren county, this state, entering land from the government, on a portion of which the city of Lacona now stands. He owned altogether three hundred and twenty acres of land and was classed among the prominent and public-spirited citizens of this section of the state. During his residence here he was elected and served as post- master of the town and for a time carried the mails between Newbern and Indianola. He likewise served as a veteran of the war and was captain of a company of militia. His death occurred soon after the close of the war, in 1866. but his wife still survives and has now reached the advanced age of eighty-five years.


W. F. Clevenger, whose name introduces this review, was a little lad of seven years when he was brought by his parents to Warren county and his education was acquired in the Lacona schools. His advantages in this direc- tion, however, were very limited but through reading. observation and exper- ience in later years he has greatly added to his fund of knowledge. At the time of the strife between the north and the south he put aside all business and personal considerations and enlisted as a member of the Forty-eighth


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


lowa Volunteer Infantry. Company S. joining on the 21st of May, 1861. Going to the front he was engaged mostly in garrison duty till the close of hostilities.


After his return from the war he engaged in teaching in Warren county. following that vocation in this district for some time. He was later engaged in teaching in Harrison county, this state, during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he worked at the carpenter's and joiner's trade. After a residence of fourteen years in Harrison county he removed westward to Nebraska and took up a tree claim and engaged in merchandising in Long Pine, remaining in that city for abont thirteen years. He then returned to Iowa and lived in Des Moines for about three years, on the expiration of which period he removed once more to Lacona, where he has since made his home. Upon his arrival here at that time he engaged in contracting during the sin- mer months and continued to teach school in the winter seasons. but at the present time he is doing a real-estate and insurance business, in which he is meeting with success. He has made a close study of property values and is therefore able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales for his patrons. He also writes a large amount of insurance annually and this branch of his business is also proving profitable. He had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this section of Warren county, and acting in accordance with the dictates of his judgment, he is now reaping a rich reward.


Mr. Clevenger was married May 31, 1866, the lady of his choice being Miss Isabella Dutton, a native of this state, born and reared in Warren county. Their marriage has been blessed with three children, two sons and one daugh- ter. as follows: Willis F., now of Krum. Texas: Louisa I., the wife of Charles Williford. of Dalhart. Texas: and Jesse D., now residing in Napa. California. HIe served as a soldier in the Spanish-American war and was four years in Manila and in China. The mother of these children passed away in Long Pine. Nebraska, and following her demise Mr. Clevenger was again married. his second union being with Carribel Davis, whom he wedded in Pennsylvania, December 27. 1887. This union was blessed with one son, William F. B .. a res- ident of Morris Plains, New Jersey. Mrs. Clevenger died April 6. 1907.


Politically Mr. Clevenger has allied himself with the principles and policy of the republican party and has been elected to and served in many positions of public trust. For four years he served as treasurer of the county. while for two years he acted as clerk. He also served for seven consecutive years in the office of assessor, while for the past year he has filled the office of jus- tice of the peace. his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. In 1908 he was elected to the office of mayor of Lacona and in this connection is working toward reform and improvement in many lines. He also served for four years as committeeman and in many ways has contributed to the public good. He is a member of the First Church of Christ in Des Moines and is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter at Long Pine, Nebraska. He has also been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past thirty-one years and is prominent with the brethren of his craft. He main-


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tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is the present commander.


He is a man of good judgment and excellent business ability. His record as a soldier, as an official and as a business man has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact, while as chief executive of the city of Laeona he has won still higher encomiums from his fellowmen by reason of the fidelity and ability which he manifests in the discharge of his duties.


EVAN BARNETT DOWELL.


Evan Barnett Dowell, editor and proprietor of the Indianola Record, is one of Warren county's native sous, his birth occurring in Greenfield town- ship, July 16, 1855. His father, James W. Dowell, was born in Kentucky, of Dutch and Welsh ancestry, and died in 1903, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. From his native state he removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, with his parents when thirteen years of age, making that place his home for ten years. It was then. in 1845. that he came to Warren county, lowa, and cast in his lot with the pioneers of this region. In early life he had worked as a mechanic, but later turned his attention to farming and on coming to this county he entered land in Greenfield township, to the improvement and enlti- vation of which he devoted his energies until his retirement from aetive labor in 1887, becoming a resident of Des Moines at that time. There he made his home until called to his final rest. Twice he enlisted for service in the Civil war but failed to pass muster. He was first an old-line whig but became a republican on the birth of that party. He was active in church work as a member of the Baptist denomination and led an npright Christian life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Reese, was born in Vermilion. county, Illinois, in 1827. and is of Irish and English descent. She is still living at the age of eighty-one years, her mental and physical faculties intact. By birthright she is a Quaker but for many years she has held membership in the Baptist church.


Evan B. Dowell was reared upon the home farm and attended the country schools of the neighborhood, later becoming a student at Simpson College and the Iowa State University. For about ten years he taught in country sehools and also the graded schools of Summerset and Spring Hill. Subse- quently he embarked in merchandising at the former plaee, continuing in that line from 1889 until 1892 with good suceess, and at the same time he served as postmaster of the village.


On the 13th of June. 1887, Mr. Dowell married Miss Anna Wright, who was born in Greenfield township in 1865, her parents, Isaac C. and Ellen (Graham) Wright, having located there on coming to this county at an early day in its development. Mr. and Mrs. Dowell have one child, Kenneth Roy. who was born October 11, 1889, and is now a freshman at Simpson College.


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


The parents are both members of the United Presbyterian church, and Mr. Dowell is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias Fraternities. Ilis political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs. In 1892 he was elected county anditor and so acceptably did he fill that position that he was reelected in 1894. Ile was appointed postmaster of Indianola, March 17. 1900. and was reappointed in 1904, serving in all eight years and six months to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In November. 1901, he bought the Indianola Record of C. D. Lyon and now as editor and proprietor of the same he is successfully conducting that paper. He is regarded as one of the leading cit- izens of Indianola, preeminently public spirited and progressive, and he has done much to advance the interests of the city. both personally and through the columns of his paper.


W. A. HANBY.


W. A. Hanby, who is one of the leading farmers and stock dealers of War- ren county, is a native of this state. having been born in Greenfield township. April 18, 1866, the son of J. V. and Mary E. (Rhodes) Hanby. His paternal grandparents were Josiah and Elizabeth (Vance) Hanby. who removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa in 1848 and entered land from the government in War- ren county, when J. V. was but ten years of age. Here he was reared and educated among the scenes and environments of pioneer days. and here he wedded Mary E. Rhodes, a native of Edgar county. Illinois. Unto this union were born seven children. six daughters and one son. W. A .. of this review. The mother died October 8. 1894. at the age of fifty-three years. and the father again married. his second wife being Mrs. Mary Holcomb. a widow. who is vet living. her residence being in Missouri. The father passed away Septen- ber 9. 1905. aged sixty-five years. having spent his life from the time he was ten years of age on the home place in Greenfield township.


W. A. Hanby was reared in this county and received his education in the country schools, which afforded him a solid foundation upon which to build up the practical experiences which have led him to success. He has been par- ticularly fortunate in being freed from the restrictions of routine life. it being his privilege to form independent plans and pursue them to a successful issue even when but a youth. His father depended a great deal upon his aid and assistance and since 1884. when he was but eighteen years of age. he has been engaged in buying and selling live-stock. which occupation he pursues at the present time, buying and shipping about four carloads a week. He made his first investment in real estate in the purchase of an eighty-acre tract of land in Lincoln township. two miles from Summerset, where he lived for three years. This he improved and later sold and bought his present place on see- tion 30, Lincoln township, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five aeres.


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


where he has lived since 1900. He also owns forty acres in the old home place in Greenfield township. Mr. Hanby has his farm well fenced and well tiled and also has tiled the old home place. He has improved his house, rebuilt the barn and made such other improvements as have been necessary to further his business interests.


On December 25, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of W. A. Hanby and Miss Mand Pitman, a native of Warren county, and daughter of William Pit- man. Mrs. Hanby was engaged in school teaching for some years before her marriage. They have become the parents of two children, Frances and bois.


In his political affiliations Mr. Hanby is a republican. He has been a mem- ber of the township republican committee and has been a delegate to the conn- ty conventions of his party. At local elections, however, he votes for the best men, regardless of party lines. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Indianola, of which organization he was a charter member at Summerset.


ROBERT W. KIMZEY.


Robert W. Kimzey, who is living practically retired on his farm on sec- tion 12, Liberty township, was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, October 12, 1832. a son of John and Susanna (MeNamer) Kimzey, who were natives of Georgia and Kentucky respectively. Their marriage occurred in Hamilton county, Illinois, and in 1834 or 1835 they removed to Peoria county, Illinois. there remaining until the spring of 1855, when they came to Warren county, Iowa. The father was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in White Breast township, and his demise occurred in 1891, when he had attained the age of eighty-five years. His wife had passed away in 1874, when about sev- enty years of age. Unto this worthy couple were born six children, as follows: James, whose death occurred in Warren county some years ago; Jeremiah M .. residing on his farm on section 1, Liberty township; Robert W .. of this review ; .John F .. of Clarinda, Iowa; Louisa, who passed away about 1865, when twenty- six years of age, leaving her husband, II. H. Goode, and two children to mourn her loss ; and Thomas, who died at Denver a number of years ago.


Robert W. Kimzey was reared in Peoria county, Illinois, and acquired a common-school education. Throughout his entire business career he has been successfully engaged in farming and now resides on his farm of one hun- dred and sixty aeres on section 12, Liberty township. He still handles some stoek but is now practically living retired, his farm being largely operated by his sons. He also owns ninety-five acres on section 17, White Breast township. and, in association with his sons and son-in-law owns and has improved over seventeen hundred acres of land in Warren county. He has made all of the improvements on his home farm, which is equipped with the accessories and conveniences of a model property of the twentieth century. His prosperity has come to him as the result of his untiring perseverance and excellent bus-


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


mess abihty and he is widely recognized as one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens of the county.


On the 29th of April. 1858. in White Breast township. Warren county. occurred the marriage of Mr. Kimzey and Miss Lockie V. Goode, a daughter of Joseph Goode and a native of Prince Edward county. Virginia, where her birth occurred May 18, 1836. When she was but three months old her parents removed from the Old Dominion to Highland county. Ohio, where they re- mained until the fall of 1854, when they came to Warren county, lowa.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kuzey have been born ten children : Alice, the wife of J. A. Greenfield, of Liberty township; Walter and Philip C., both of whom reside in Liberty township; John M., of Milo, who is engaged in the stock business and also owns a farm of two hundred and twenty acres in White Breast township: Joseph and Harley. both living in White Breast township; Sue. the wife of John Bissett. a stockman of Lacona; Nellie, the wife of Fran- cis Wolcott, who is engaged in farming in Liberty township; Fred, an agri- culturist of Liberty township; and Sollie E .. who passed away when about a year old




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