The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908, Part 86

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 86


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MR AND MRS. JOHN FRANK


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cessfully engaged in general farming and stoek-raising. He has placed many fine improvements on the property, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the enterprise and progressive spirit of its owner. In addition to the home farm he also owns some timber land and is widely recognized as one of the prosperons and substantial citizens of the community, his well directed labor in former years now enabling him to live practically retired.


Mr. Frank was united in marriage, in Peoria county. Illinois, to Miss Mary L. Proctor, who was born in that county, November 17, 1842, her parents being Joseph and Jane (Matthews) Proetor, who were originally from Virginia. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frank have been born five children. Albert Andrew, a native of Peoria county, Illinois, now makes his home at Indianola, although he owns a farm in Liberty township. He wedded Miss Walton, by whom he has two children. Mary Olive and John W. Florence Josephine is the wife of R. T. Savin and resides in Nebraska. She became the mother of four children, but one son, John, is living, the others are deceased. William Frank passed away in Nebraska in 1903. Mrs. Jennie Parker lives in North Dakota and has one son, Carl. She also lost a son, Freddie, who died at the age of two and a half years. Everett L., who follows farming in Liberty township, wedded Carrie Musselman.


In his political views Mr. Frank is a republiean, easting his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community, having won the friendship and regard of all with whom they have come in contaet during the long period of their residence here.


CHARLES S. COCHRAN.


Charles S. Coehran is well known as a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Warren county. He is engaged in farming in White Breast township and has spent his entire life in this loeality. He was born on the old Coehran homestead in the same township, November 7, 1869, and is a son of William J. Cochran, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The events of his boyhood were such as usually constitute the experiences of farmer lads. He attended the common schools, and, when not busy with his text- books, assisted in the work of the home farm, aiding in the plowing, planting and harvesting. He continued to work upon the old homestead until about four years ago when he began farming on his own aeconnt and is now eulti- vating a good traet of land in White Breast township.


On the 25th of October, 1904, Mr. Cochran was united in marriage to Miss Mabel E. Crawford, who was born in Illinois, and is the daughter of J. W. Crawford. a merchant of Winfield. Iowa. They have many friends in the community and the hospitality of its best homes is freely accorded them. In polities Mr. Cochran is a republican and is now serving for the seventh year as township trustee, his long continuance in the office being unistakable proof


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of the capable manner in which he discharges his duties. He is also secretary of the school board of the township and is interested in all that pertains to it's educational development and substantial progress in other ways.


ELIAS B. HICKS.


Elias B. Hicks, who is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war and who was for years one of the prosperons farmers and stock-raisers of Union township, is now living retired in Sandyville, his mind a rich store- house of memories of stirring events of the past. He was born in Owen county, Indiana. November 27, 1838, a son of James B. and Sarah (Beeman) Ilieks, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. In early manhood the father left his native state and located in Owen county, Indiana, where, as one of the pioneer settlers of that section, he engaged in farming. He wedded Sarah Beeman, the mother of our subject, who died in 1856. . He later married a second time and his widow now resides at Sandyville. In 1851 Mr. Ificks removed from Indiana and located in Union township, this county, where he opened up a farm, upon which he spent his remaining days. He died about 1881.


Elias B. Hicks was thirteen years of age when his father located here, and his life sinee that time has been closely identified with the growth and develop- ment of the surrounding country. He aided his father in the work of the farm and contributed to the general advancement of the family interests up to the time he was twenty-three years of age when, at the outbreak of the Rebel- lion he enlisted in Company G. Tenth Iowa Infantry, in August, 1861, and was sent south with his regiment. He saw an unusual amount of aetive service, and is one of the fortunate few who lived to tell of their experiences in Andersonville prison, where during the years of 1864 and 1865 over twelve thousand Union prisoners died as a result of the cruelty and mismanagement of its superintendent, who later paid the penalty of his crimes by being exe- cuted after a trial by the United States court. Mr. Hicks' first engagement was at Charleston, Missouri; later he was in the battles of Champion's Hill, Jacksonville, Mississippi; Black River Bridge; the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, and finally in the battle of Missionary Ridge, where he was taken prisoner and held for thirteen months. He was first taken to Richmond, later to Belle Isle, and from there to Andersonville, where he remained all of one summer. That he eseaped death is doubtless due to the faet that he was transferred from there to Charleston, where after being detained about two weeks he was finally committed to the Confederate prison at Florence. He was held there three months, when he was paroled and returned home, later receiving an honorable discharge at Davenport. He enlisted as a private. from which rank he was promoted to corporal and later to sergeant.


On March 22, 1870. Elias B. Hicks married Miss Charity Dillon, who was born and reared in Warren county. Following his marriage he located on his


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farm in Union township, and began operating it with the same energy that has ever characterized his efforts. The place consisted of one hundred and sixty- five aeres, which was systematically seeded in a rotation of crops so as to insure a provision of hay, grain and pasturage for the care of his stock, in which he dealt quite extensively. He continued actively engaged in farm work until in 1899, when he rented his place and removed to Sandyville. He afterward bought a small farm south of Sandyville, which he cultivated for five years. eventually selling this and buying his present residence property in the village in 1905. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hicks have been born four chil- dren, three sons and one daughter, namely : James E., who is married and re- sides on the farm. He has one son, Oren. W. F., is a merchant of Sandyville, and is happily settled in a home of his own. He has one daughter, Doris. Benjamin H., is in partnership with his brother W. F. Sarah Anm died in January, 1893, aged twenty-two years.


In polities Mr. Hicks has ever been a staneh republican. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, sinee which time he has not missed a vote for the republican presidential candidate. As a prominent and influen- tial citizen he has been called upon to fill various offices, notably that of township trustee, in which position he has served for two or three terms, also as delegate to the county conventions, and he is now a member of the village board. Fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army post at Milo Relig- iously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the position of trustec.


D. L. PUDERBAUGH.


D. L. Puderbaugh, a successful farmer and stoek-raiser of Liberty town- ship, where he owns and operates two hundred acres of valuable land known as the Crystal Fountain farm, was born August 30, 1864, on section 26 of this township. Extended mention of his father, Andrew Puderbaugh, is made on another page of this volume. Our subject remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, thoroughly mastering the various branches of learning taught in the public schools. His attention throughout his business eareer has been largely given to agricultural pursuits. He spent the years 1886 and 1887 in Wyoming and, being married in the latter year, located in Lucas county, Iowa. In 1898, however, he took up his abode on his present home farm, being here successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil and the raising of eattle, hogs and horses. His place is called the Crystal Fountain farm, on which he has recently erected a model dwelling and also added many modern improvements and accessories. He has a fine well, from which water is siphoned to the various fields and to the barn, having three different tanks which hold a fine supply of water. He has likewise installed a Kewanee water system, supplying hot and cold water all over the house.


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


Mr Puderbaugh was united in marriage to Miss Elzina Nine, a native of Ineas county, lowa, and a daughter of Henry and Catherine ( Marker) Nine, who still reside in Lucas county, Unto Mr. and Mrs. Puderbangh have been born seven children : Gertie. Jennie, Fern. Harley, Homer, Ora and Ardis, all of whom were born in this county and are still at home.


In his political views Mr. Puderbaugh is a republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at bacona. He is well known as one of the prosperons and enterprsing residents of his native county and justly merits the respect and esteem everywhere accorded him.


JONATHAN H. MILLER.


Jonathan HI. Miller, one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war, is a prosperous and up-to date farmer residing on section 25, Palmyra township. where he owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Princeville, Peoria county, Illinois, December 3, 1842, and was there reared and received a good education, attending the schools near his boyhood home and later the high school. When but nineteen years of age he enlisted August 23, 1861, in Company D. Eleventh Illinois Cavalry and was sent south with his regiment. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, two engagements at Jackson, Tennessee, and one at Jackson, Mississippi. He was in the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, later in the battles at Black River Bridge and Yazoo City, and also took part in a number of skirmishes and lesser engagements. He reenlisted and returned home on a veteran fur- lough, after which he again engaged in active service and remained at the front until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Springfield. Illinois, October 8, 1865.


Mr. Miller then returned to his old home and on the 8th of November of that year, was united in marriage to Miss Ellen McGregor, who was born and reared in Peoria county, Illinois. They continued to reside in Peoria county for a little more than a year after their marriage, when they removed to Warren county, Iowa, in the spring of 1867. Here Mr. Miller rented a farm for one year, and, having decided to locate permanently here, the following spring he bought a farm, on which he resided for a number of years. He later sold that place and purchased his present farm, which he has improved until it bears small resemblance to its appearance at the time of his acquiring it. He has erected a good house, remodeled the barn, has built a large hay barn, has set out fruit trees and has fenced and tiled the place, and altogether has converted it into an ideal home, having with all the neces- sary requisites for the continuation of a profitable business.


Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born four sons and one danghter. One son, Ora, died at the age of eighteen years, in 1896. Of those living Frank, resides on a farm in this township; Lewis is a carpenter and mechanic


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of Palmyra; Archibald is married and helps to carry on the work of the farm. and Alice is the wife of Samuel Black, a farmer residing near Hartford.


Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Miller has been a stanch republiean. Hle cast his first presidential vote for General Ulysses S. Grant in 1868, sinee which time he has always supported every republican presidential nominee. He has ever taken an active interest in public affairs of local importance and has been twice elected to the state legislature, having served in the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh general assembly, also during one extra session. He was chairman of the committee of the Soldiers Orphan Home and has served on other important committees. Since the organization of the district school system of the county he has been actively identified with its work, having filled the various offices of director, secretary, treasurer and president of the board. He is preeminently publie-spirited and progressive and is always willing to give his support to every enterprise which he believes will prove of publie good. Fraternally, he is a member of the Hartford Post, G. A. R., on which he has served as commander at various times. Both he and his es- timable wife are members of the Methodist church. They take an active interest in Sunday school work, Mr. Miller having served as superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve or fourteen years.


FRANK A. MILLER.


The spirit of enterprise and progress which has dominated the middle west and its substantial upbuilding finds expression in the life of Frank A. Miller, one of the younger and more energetie agriculturists of this county. He was born in Peoria county, Illinois, November 9, 1867, and was bnt six months old when brought to Warren county, where he spent much of his life. For twenty years he has lived upon the farm that is now his home, deriving his income from one hundred and twenty aeres of rich farming land. He repre- sents one of the old and prominent families here, his father, the Hon. John HI. Miller, having been sent by Warren county to the state legislature, while in other ways he proved a factor in the business life and development of this section of the state.


Frank A. Miller, the eldest in a family of five children, began his educa- tion at the usnal age as a pupil in the district schools and was afterward graduated from the Ackworth Academy. This liberal educational training fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties and he received thorough training in agricultural lines on the old homestead. He continued with his father until he had attained his majority, and when twenty years of age he purchased where he now lives, becoming owner of fifty aeres of land, on which he built a house and began to farm. Later he bought other property from time to time and now has one hundred and twenty acres. It is a typical Towa farm, in the midst of which stands a comfortable and roomy residence, while nearby are good barns and outbuildings, everything being in keeping with the spirit


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


of improvement and progress which has at all times characterized Mr. Miller. He has divided his place into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, many of which are of woven wire. He has also tiled and drained his land. has grabbed up the hedge and has otherwise improved his place, making it one of the most attractive distriets of the county. Here he is engaged in the rais- ing of thoroughbred Duroc hogs, of which he has made a specialty for five years. He has some very high grade stock and his large barns and sheds afford ample shelter for the same. He has fed cattle for a number of years. having from one to two carloads upon his place. For twelve years he has been engaged in the sheep industry, formerly raising Shropshires, but now giving his attention to the Randlets and English thoroughbred sheep. He keeps Percheron horses and some mules and the extent of his stock-raising interests constitutes one of the chief sources of his prosperity.


On the 26th of October. 1887, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Fannie M. Myrick, a native of this township and a daughter of William Myrick. a representative agrienlturist of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children : Elliott and Emory. who are now attending school.


Mr. Miller votes with the republican party, but though he keeps well informed on the questions and issnes of the day. the desire for office has never been paramount with him. On the contrary, he prefers to devote his time and energies to his business affairs. He belongs to Hartford Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; to the Modern Woodmen Camp of Carlisle, of which he has been venerable counsul, and formerly he was connected with the Woodmen Camp at Hartford, of which he was a charter member. In his business affairs he has set an excellent example for improvement in farm methods and operations. He does not hesitate in accepting the methods of work which his judgment sanctions as practical and whatever he does bears the stamp of wisdom and progres- siveness. His business methods, too, are at all times reliable, bringing to him that snecess which is the just reward of honorable effort.


CHARLES W. DARNELL.


For forty years Charles W. Darnell has now made his home in Warren county. his present residence being in Indianola, and he has been prominently identified with its farming and stock-raising interests. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth occurring in Knox county on the 15th of February, 1858, and he is a son of T. M. Darnell, who was born near Indianap- olis. Indiana, in 1833. and in early life accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. There he married Miss Margaret Jane Strong. a native of Ohio, and they continued to make their home in Knox county until after the birth of two of their children. It was in 1868 that they came to lowa and the father purchased one Inindred and sixty aeres of land near Milo, which he at once began to cultivate and improve. Sub-


C. W. DARNELL


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY


sequently he bought another tract of eighty acres, making two hundred and forty aeres in all, and he continued the operation of that farm for several years, but eventually sold the place and is now practically diving retired in Winterset. Towa.


Charles W. Darnell was only ten years of age on the removal of the family to Iowa and he passed his boyhood and youth in Warren county, attending the common and higher schools, when not busy with the work of the home farm. Since attaining his majority, agricultural pursuits have claimed the greater part of his attention and after his marriage he located near Sandyville, where he owned and operated two hundred acres of land for seventeen years. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and kept adding to his prop- erty until he had four hundred and sixty acres in the home place and two hun- dred and eighty acres in another farm. In connection with farming he also engaged in raising and feeding stock on quite an extensive scale, fattening from seven to eight carloads of cattle each year, which he shipped to the city markets. He continued to reside upon his farm until September. 1895, when he built a nice residence in Indianola and has since made his home in this city. HIe has bought more land and is today the owner of about sixteen hundred acres, which is very valuable property under excellent cultivation and well improved. He is still actively engaged in the stock business, which he has found very profitable, and he now ranks with the most prosperous citizens of his community.


On the 4th of March, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Darnell and Miss Catherine L. Sandy, who was born, reared and educated in this county, of which her father, Jeremiah G. Sandy, was one of the pioneers and became a leading banker and business man of Indianola. Mr. and Mrs. Dar- nell are the parents of four children: Maggie, now the wife of James L. Gardner, an active and successful farmer of Lincoln township; George A. who is married and engaged in merchandising in Winterset, and Allen and Hazel, both at home.


Mr. Darnell is a member of Sandyville lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Elks Lodge, No. 98, of Des Moines, while his wife holds membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church of Indianola. Politically he has been a lifelong repub- lican, but he never sought nor desired office, his time and attention being wholly occupied by his business affairs. He is a man of far more than ordinary abil- ity, and to his energy, sound judgment and close application is due his success in life.


GEORGE H. ACKORS.


George H. Ackors is recognized as one of the prominent business men of Lacona, where he has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for the past six years. He is a native son of Warren county, his birth having occurred in Indianola, July 9, 1864, and is one of a family of five sons and one daughter born of the marriage of Elias and Rebecca (Curzant) Ackors. The


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father was a native of the Keystone state and came as a young man to łowa. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Indianola and served throughout the entire period of hostilities. After the close of the war he re- turned to his home in Indianola and was there united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Curzant, a daughter of JJ. D. Curzant, a prominent citizen of Warren county and one time sheriff of the county. He later located on a farm in Liber- ty township, which he developed and improved but he now resides in Guthrie. Oklahoma. His wife, however, is deceased. her death ocenrring during their residence in Liberty township. Warren comty.


George Il. Ackors was reared to farm life, carly becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, while his educa- tion was acquired in the common schools of his home district. At the early age of eight years he started out upon his own resources, being employed on a farm for several years. During this time through his energy, thrift and economy he managed to save a sum which enabled him to invest in land of his own and he accordingly became the owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres, situated in Lucas county, this state. Here he was engaged in general farming and stock-raising for fourteen years but in 1902 he disposed of his farming interests and removed to Lacona, where he formed a partnership with C. F. Miller and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. Ile then went to Des Moines, where he pursued a course of study in the art of embalming and received a diploma and a state license. In 1905 he purchased Mr. Miller's interest in the business and is now conducting the same on his own account. He carries a large and complete line of furniture and under- taking goods and is prepared at all times to answer any calls for his services. He is also the owner of a fine funeral car and his services are in demand not only in the city of Lacona but for many miles in the adjacent country. He ever follows the most honorable business methods and is therefore meeting with excellent success.


Mr. Aekors chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Julia Ruble, whom he wedded November 10, 1887, their marriage being celebrated in Warren county. Mrs. Ackors was born and reared in Lucas county, this state, a daughter of George Ruble, one of the early settlers of the state, coming here from the Buckeye state. They have an adopted daughter, Lou, who became a member of their household at the age of six years. She was given good educational advantages and is a graduate of the Lacona high school of the class of 1906.


Mr. Ackors supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never aspired to public office. He was, however. elected mayor of Lacona but refused to serve. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and Mr. Ackors is a Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Liberty Center. He is also identified wth Lacona Lodge. I. O. O. F., and with the Yeomen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Ackors made a trip to the west in 1906. visiting the Lewis-Clarke Exposition at Portland, Oregon, and they also visited Los Angeles. San Francisco and other points of interest on the Pacific coast. They occupy a beautiful home in Lacona, which was erected by


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Mr. Ackors, and it is the scene of many social functions. His enterprising spirit has made him a typical American in every sense of the word. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent place he now occupies in business eireles, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.


JACOB M. DILLARD.


Jacob M. Dillard, an active and progressive farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 17, Lincoln township, has spent his entire life in this county, where he was born on the 27th of January, 1857. His father, Jacob Dillard, was a native of Indiana, his birth occurring in Union county, in 1818, and in that state he grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Markes, who was born in Virginia but was reared in Indiana. After farming in that state for some years Mr. Dillard came to Iowa about 1855 and purchased a tract of wild land in Greenfield township, Warren county, where he developed and cultivated a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, making his home thereon until his death in 1898. His wife had passed away about 1893.




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