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ROBERT A. LEWIS, one of Cherokee County's excellent citizens and enterprising business men, is the proprietor of the Green HIll Nursery and Apiary. "The man who causes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before is a benefactor of the race," and as one views the grounds and fields of the man of whom we are now writing, he is duly impressed with this trite saying. Mr. Lewis is a native of New York, born in Erie County, at the town of Concord, April 25, 836. He is the fifth of a family of seven, and his parents were Oran and Nancy (Nichols) Lewis. The father was born in Vermont, May 11, 1803, and the mother was also born in the years 1803. Robert A. removed with his parents to McHenry County, Illinois, in 1841. His father was a millwright by trade, and followed that business in Illinois; in 1852 he removed to Independence, Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his days; his death occurred at Quasqueton, Iowa, in April, 1884. Robert attended the common schools, and also -506-availed himself of the facilities found at Rockton and Belvidere. He then learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked several years. In 1863 he embarked in the mercantile business at Quasqueton, Iowa, continuing there until 1872, when he came to Cherokee; previous to this time he made a trip through the Territories, spending five months on the Columbia River. Upon his removal to Cherokee he worked at his trade, but in 1873 started what is known as the Green Hill Nursery, situated one-half mile south from the city of Cherokee. At first his attention was turned to the production of ornamental and fruit trees, but later he engaged extensively in growing small fruits in connection with the nursery business proper. His trade has always been large, and his products have been among the choicest. Besides being extensively engaged in the nursery business Mr. Lewis has come to be one of the leading apiarists of the county. The location of his bees for the production of choice honey is excellent; he employs all the modern methods, using among other appliances the celebrated Root hives; one of the peculiarities of his plan is the protection given to bees during the severe winter months, when the top of the hive is removed, the top boxes of honey taken out, and a pillow of chaff put in their place; this at once equalizes the temperature and also absorbs the moisture. There are 100 hives. Mr. Lewis breeds from Italian bees and keeps bee-keepers' supplies for sale. His farm contains 133 acres, one-sixth of which is in timber and nursery. His nursery business is for sale. Mr. Lewis was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Mary A. Firman, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Alva G. Firman. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have three daughters: Luella, wife of W. P. Goldie, editor of the Cherokee Democrat; Carrie O. and Mertie E. In 1879 our subject erected one of the finest residences in the county, upon the elevated ground across the Little Sioux River, south of the city. The location and arrangement of the grounds are truly beautiful, and the premises are the first object of attraction to the passenger who comes to Cherokee by rail from the East. Politically Mr. Lewis is a stanch Republican, and is also a radical advocate of temperance, believing in total prohibition. He was postmaster at Quasqueton, Iowa, under General Grant's administration as President, from 1867 to 1872. He is a consistent member of the first Congregational Church of Cherokee. He is comfortably situated in a financial point of view, and has the respect and admiration of all his fellow-citizens. These with the blessings of a good family usually constitute happiness, and happiness is true success!
CHARLES A. DURKEE, contractor and house-mover, Cherokee, Iowa, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, august 22, 1833, and is the son of Oel B. and Harriet (Baird) Durkee, also natives of the State of Vermont. His father was a carpenter by trade, but in later years turned his attention to farming. In 1844 he removed with his family to Wisconsin, and remained there two years; he then went to McHenry County, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred in Cherokee, February, 1881. The mother had died when our subject was seventeen years old. Charles A. passed his school days in Vermont, Wisconsin and Illinois, and when he left school began to work at the carpenter's trade. In 1853 he took a trip to California, where he spent seven years. It was there that he met with the serious accident which deprived him of his right hand and eye. In 1856 there -506-was a premature discharge in blasting some rock, of which he was the unfortunate victim. He returned to McHenry County, Illinois, in December, 1860. In 1862 he was married to Miss Mary Ryan, a daughter of John Ryan, then a resident of McHenry County, Illinois, but now of Cherokee, Iowa. Her mother's maiden name was Nancy Lannon. After his marriage he settled in McHenry County, and resided there until his removal to Butler County, Iowa. In May, 1869, he came to Cherokee and took a homestead in Rock Township, returned to Butler County and removed his family to the new home. Times were hard, and he had little money to carry his family through the coming winter. He secured a job of putting the roof on a mill, and labored to a great disadvantage, having lost his hand. However, he was able to complete it, and received for his labor the munificent sum of $10. He was also a subject of the grasshopper raids for two seasons, and after that time he was more successful. He sold his homestead and moved into Cherokee, and he began working at the carpenter's trade and gave some attention to house-moving. For this latter enterprise he has fully equipped himself, being supplied with all the modern appliances. His services are in demand in adjoining counties, where he has moved stores, churches and other large buildings. He moved the court-house from the old town to its present site near the railroad station. Mr. Durkee is also a skillful stone-mason, and has built many of the foundations in Cherokee; he was employed to do this work on the first brick building erected in Cherokee. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and when a candidate for the office of sheriff he was defeated by only fifty-five votes. He owns a good residence on Third and Elm streets, and several valuable house and lots in Cherokee. He also holds the deed to a little farm of forty acres near the town, which is well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee are the parents of six children: Hattie A., Oscar Oel, Ida E., wife of Frank Hinman; R. A., an engineer; George M., Charles H. and Mamie A. Mr. Durkee is an active, industrious man, and has accomplished a wonderful amount of work in his life-time, notwithstanding the loss of his hand. He is a good violinist, and plays many of the tunes which carry the oldest back to their youthful days. Many a night has he played for the young people of Cherokee, and at the same time called off for the merry dance, and to that time many refer as the happiest hours of life's young dream.
GATES M. FOBES was born in Ontario County, New York, in the town of Gorham, August 25, 1826. His father, Enoch Fobes, was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1786, of Scotch descent; he was a farmer by occupation and an early settler of Western New York. He married Sabra Gates, who was born in Western New York, a daughter of Perley and Orpha Gates. They were the parents of one child only. Gates M. Fobes remained in his native State until he had grown to manhood. He attended an academy, and afterward entered Lima College, pursuing his studies in that institution for two years. He returned to his home and assisted his father, who did an extensive farming and milling business; he remained with his father until he reached his twenty-fourth year, when he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Blodgett, a daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Catlin) Blodgett. Mr. and Mrs. Fobes are the parents of six children: Sabra E., wife of Henry Maltby; Orson B., clerk of the -508-County Courts of Cherokee; Linda E., wife of Frank E. Robinson; Lucy G., a teacher of music; Agnes M. and Susan E., school teachers. On the mother's side of the house there have been several generations of teachers, and the mantle has not fallen on unworthy shoulders in the present generation. After his marriage Mr. Fobes settled in Ontario County, and took charge of his father-in-law's mills, remaining there five years. In 1855 he removed to Winneshiek County, Iowa, and settled on a tract of Government land which he cultivated for six years; he then removed to the town of Decorah, in order to give his children better educational advantages; there he resided seventeen years. At one time he owned large farming interest, but sold out to engage in the business of packing pork; he entered into partnership with G. F. Francis and Morgan Howard, and the business was continued four years. At the end of this time he sold out and came to Cherokee, Iowa; this was in the years 1876. He purchased a tract of 320 acres in Amherst Township, which is now occupied by his son-in-law, Mr. Maltby. Mr. Fobes is living on his little farm of forty-six acres within the corporate limits of Cherokee. He has turned his attention to the breeding of fine trotting horses, and has sold one animal for $2,700. He owns several, nine at least, standard-bred fine Hambletonian horses, and other trotting breeds. Mr. Fobes is a member of Oakfield Lodge, No. __, I.O.O.F., of Genesee County, New York, and organized by Horace Greeley in 1846.
of New York, and was born in Ohio, but was brought to Iowa when a small child. By this union six children have been born: John W., Cora D., Henry E., Chareles E., Arthur Blaine and Albert L. While Mr. Stevens lived in the country he held numerous local offices, including that of president of the School Board, which he retained two years. He is an acceptable member of the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 188, Cherokee, Iowa. He commenced life in this county on small means, but by prudent management he has come to be possessed of a good property; he owns a farm of 320 acres, aside from his large business interests in Cherokee.
FRED KLUDAS, a retired farmer of Cherokee, Iowa, was born in Prussia, in the village of Helle, October 18, 1829, and is the oldest of a family of four children, all of whom are living. The parents, John and Elizabeth (Hans) Kludas, emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York in 1854. They continued their journey to Chicago, and thence to the State of Minnesota. Fred Kludas entered school at the age of six years, and pursued his studies until he was fourteen years old. He then went to work on a farm, and until he was twenty years old followed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. He then entered the Prussian Army and served his country for two years. In the spring of 1854 he sailed with his parents for America. From New York City he proceeded to Schenectady, New York, where he remained for three months; thence he went to Chicago, Illinois, in which city he staid a short time, and then went to Elgin, Illinois. He went to work on a farm, receiving for his services $22 in the summer, and in the winter $9 per month. He afterward went to Minnesota, but the Indians proving troublesome, he returned to Illinois, and began farming on his own account. He rented land for four years, and at the end of that time he bought ninety-six acres, on which he lived until he came to Cherokee County in 1870. There he located on land in Afton Township, which was new and uncultivated and unimproved. He first owned eighty acres, to which he afterward added 160 acres. He built a good house and barn, and made many valuable improvements. He was one of the successful wheat-raisers, but in later years he turned his attention to the raising and fattening of hogs. He has also been unusually fortunate in raising and feeding cattle. Mr. Kludas was married November 3, 1857, to Miss Ernestine Arndt, a native of Prussia, and a daughter of Gottlieb Arndt. At the time of her marriage she was living in Minnesota. Four children have been born of this union: Albert W., a farmer in Afton Township; Emma M., wife of Philip F. Fassler, of Stockton, California; Willie (deceased), and Fred J. at home. In 1888 Mr. Kludas removed from his farm to the city of Cherokee, Iowa, and has since lived there a somewhat retired life. He owns a comfortable home in the Addition. Politically he has cast his lot with the Democratic party, although for twenty years he affiliated with the Republican party. He is a worthy member of the Lutheran Church.
NATHANIEL BRUCE, retired farmer of Cherokee, is one of the men to whose energy and industry Cherokee County owes its present state of development. He was born in England in November, 1842, and is the oldest son of George and Catherine Bruce. The family emigrated to America, taking passage on a sailing vessel, which landed them in the city of New York after a voyage of eight weeks. They journeyed thence to Clinton County, Iowa. the father and mother afterward settled in Jones County where they lived three years; then they came to Cherokee County, and located on a farm in Pilot Township. Nathaniel had attended the schools of England and during the two winters he pursued his studies in Clinton County, Iowa. He then went to work on a farm by the month, and followed this occupation until he was married in September, 1871, to Miss Ellen Shintaffer, the oldest daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Stratton) Shintaffer. Her father was shot by a highwayman and horse-thief at 3 o'clock in the day; he had been instrumental in bringing some of the outlaws to justice, and this was the penalty he paid. His wife removed to Kansas, where she died in 1880. After his marriage Mr. Bruce settled in Diamond Township, Cherokee County, on a tract of fifty-five acres which he afterward sold; he then purchased another tract of 135 acres, and selling that, removed to Silver Township, where he had bought 240 acres; to this he added forty acres more, and made many excellent improvements in the way of buildings; he also brought the land to an advanced state of cultivation. He was very successful in the raising of small grains, and made most of his money in this branch of husbandry. He continued farming until 1888, when he removed to Cherokee, locating near the Fountain House, where he has a good residence with neat and comfortable surroundings. He has rented his farm in Silver Township; he commenced life without means, and has not won his present position of ease and independence without labor and economy; his first house was one twelve feet square; and in that he and his wife lived happy and content until they were able to afford something better. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have had born to them two children: Stella L. and Rosella.
PETER MATTHEW is one of the farmers of Cherokee County, Iowa, who has retired and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors. He is a native of Scotland, born in Aberdeenshire, August 12, 1828, and in that country grew to man's estate. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Marr) Matthew, the father being a weaver by trade; also holding a farm; they both remained in Scotland until death. Peter was sent to the parish school from six to fourteen years of age, and then went to learn the blacksmith's trade; he served an apprenticeship of three years, and then worked at the business in different cities for four years. At the end of this period he started a shop of his own in Rosehearty, which he had for twelve years. During this time he was quite successful, and was wise in that he saved his earnings. He removed to New Deer and operated a shop for four years, and in the spring of 1867 he sailed away from his native land for New York City, and thence continued his journey to Allamakee County, Iowa, stopping at Postville. In 1869 he removed to Cherokee Township, Cherokee County, and located five miles north of the city; he took up a homestead of eighty acres, and entered forty acres of Government land. The first three months he lived in a tent, and then built his home and made other improvements. His toils and labors can be imagined when it is state that he hauled his lumber partly from Sioux City and Denison. He remained on this place until 1889, having settled there twenty years before; he then removed to Cherokee. Mr. -511-Matthew was married in 1857 to Miss Christina Smart, a native of Scotland and a daughter of William and Jane (Bruce) Smart. Ten children have been born of this union, seven of whom are living: Jane, wife of Joseph Montgomery; William S., Mansfield B., Harriet, wife of George Wilkie; and Ann W., wife of Edwin Wilkie; Eliza J. and Alice S. Two boys died in infancy, and Alfred died in 1888, in his twenty-first year. Mr. Matthew advocates temperance and free trade, and was a member of the Freemasons and of the Free Church of Scotland.
WILLIAM JORDAN, Postmaster of Larrabee, Iowa, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, June 23, 1823. He is a son of John and Temperance (Edwards) Jordan, natives of the State of Maryland. The parents were among the early settlers of Muskingum County, and saw many of the hardships and endured the trials of pioneer days. When William was four years old his father died, and at the age of eight years his mother removed with her family to Morgan County, Ohio, and later to Washington County, that State. Our subject is the fifth of a family of seven children; he was reared to the occupation of a farmer and received his education in the common schools of that day. Mr. Jordan was united in marriage March 18, 1845, in Morgan County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah A. Sharp, a daughter of John and Sarah Mary (Anderson) Sharp. The following year he decided to make a home for himself in a new, untried country, as his father and mother before him had done. So he emigrated to Iowa and located in Linn County, three miles from Marion, where he was among the earliest settlers. There he resided until 1868, when he removed to Tennessee, where he spent one year. Thence he came again to Linn County, and in 1873 he settled in Cedar Township, Cherokee County, where he now resides. He has a good residence, and is surrounded with all the comforts of life; his barn and other farm buildings are good, substantial structures. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan are the parents of five children: Addison, a resident of Linn County, Iowa; James H., of Washington Territory; John A., of Cherokee County; Kate, wife of Joseph Whitehead, and Ettie. Politically Mr. Jordan affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served his township as trustee for ten years, and has been president of the School Board for several terms. He was appointed postmaster in 1887, and has been a most efficient and faithful officer. He is sixty-six years old but bears his age lightly, and is yet a young man in spirit. He takes an active interest in educational affairs, and gladly supports any measures tending to the advancement of the community in which he lives.
E. H. WHITEHOUSE has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County, Iowa, since the year 1870. He was born at Smithfield, Somerset County, Maine, May 29, 1853, and is the third son of Isaac and Mary C. (Rankins) Whitehouse. Isaac Whitehouse, a retired farmer of Cherokee, was born at Smithfield, Maine, November 11, 1816, and is the son of Robert Whitehouse, a descendant of an English family, who for many generations were farmers. Robert Whitehouse married Betsey Farnham, a native of New Hampshire, and a daughter of Benjamin Farnham, of Hollandish descent. Mary C. (Rankins) Whitehoue, mother of our subject, was a native of Maine, and the -512-daughter of Joseph and Johanna (Perkins) Rankins. Isaac Whitehouse and family removed from Maine to Boone County, Iowa, about 1867, and in the spring of 1869 they came to Cherokee County. The father bought a homestead and added more land to it, on which he lived until he removed to Cherokee in 1822. E. H. Whitehouse was about fourteen years old when his parents went to Boone County, Iowa. He passed his school days in Smithfield, Maine, and when the family removed from Boone County to Cherokee County he started out in life for himself. that he found it a royal road does not appear from his experience. He began by breaking prairie with a three-horse team, sleeping in a tent at night. He purchased 160 acres in Silver Township, and carried on a general farming business until he came to Cherokee in 1888. He has had some training in the use of carpenter's tools, and after settling in town he formed a co-partnership with Frank Jones and they engaged in the manufacture of wagons, buggies and sleighs; they opened a general repair shop in connection with the business, to which they added a blacksmith shop. In December, 1879, Mr. Whitehouse was married to Miss Emma Little, a daughter of William and Rebecca Little, who removed from Pennsylvania to Cherokee. Mr. Whitehouse owns a good farm in Silver Township and a comfortable residence in the town of Cherokee. He has traveled extensively through the States and Territories of the West, but has come to the conclusion that Cherokee Cunty is the enchanted spot.
E. EVERETT JAY, agent for the American Express Company, Cherokee, Iowa, was born in Bremer County, Iowa, near Waverly, June 11, 1857. He is the youngest of a family of five children of William M. and Jane M. (Rich) Jay; the parents were natives of England and emigrated to the United States soon after their marriage; they first stopped in the State of New York, and removed thence to Illinois, settling for at time in Saint Charles; they returned from this place to New York, and afterward his father took a trip to California, mining for several years; then they came to Iowa and settled in Bremer County, where the father died in March, 1881; he was born July 16, 1815; the mother died in December, 1888; she was born March 13, 1816. E. Everett Jay, the subject of this brief biography, passed his boyhood in Bremer County, where he received a good common-school education. After leaving the Waverly High School he entered a book and jewelry store as clerk, and served in that capacity for five years. He then clerked in the postoffice under Ed Knott, Esq., as postmaster, and L. M. Sholes, express agent and assistant postmaster; the express office was kept in the same building; this service extended over a period of four and a half years, after which he entered the employ of the American Express Company, running on the Milwaukee & Illinois Central Railroad as messenger, rendering faithful service for a period of three years and a half. October 18, 1888, Mr. Jay was transferred to Cherokee, where he took charge of the American Express business, in which he has made himself popular and has given entire satisfaction to the public as well as to his employers. He was united in marriage June 6, 1881, to Miss Maggie Connell, of Waverly, Iowa; she was born in Charles City, Iowa, and is a daughter of C. Connell, Esq., a prominent citizen of Waverly. This union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Anna Evelyn. By his long term of service and the careful manner in which he has cared for the business of the company, he has rendered himself in every way worthy of the position which he holds.
H. L. BROOKFIELD, an enterprising and highly esteemed member of the farming community of Cedar Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since March, 1878. He was born in Her Majesty's Dominion of Canada, September 17, 1829, and is a son of Mahlon and Marilla (Willson) Brookfield, also natives of Canada. His paternal grandfather was born n the State of New Jersey. In August, 1842, the family removed to the Territory of Iowa and settled in Jackson County, and there our subject was reared and educated in the common schools. Mr. Brookfield was married June 27, 1860, to Miss Helen F. Morse, of Jones County, Iowa, a daughter of John and Phoebe (Flint) Morse. By this marriage five children were born, three of whom are living: Lillian F., Marion H. and Abbie M.; the two deceased are Willie H. and Phoebe L. Mrs. Helen F. Morse Brookfield died February 24, 1870, mourned by her family and a wide circle of friends. Mr. Brookfield was again united in marriage March 6, 1878, to Miss Harriet N. Tebo, a daughter of Henry and Mary V. Tebo. Four children have been born of this union: Edwin L., Lulu Maud, Lena Leota and Huon. Mr. Brookfield lived in Jackson County until 1860, when he went to Michigan, where he remained two years, engaged in the grist-mill business. He then returned to Jones County, Iowa, where he resided until 1878, when he came to Cherokee County, as before stated. He located on the tract of land known as the Eagle farm, and lived there four years, when he bough this present farm. this he has improved in good style, his buildings being of the best class. He has a neat, comfortable residence, erected at a cost of $850; this is surrounded by a grove of three acres, and is a very attractive place. Mr. and Mrs. Brookfield are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church of Larrabee, and are numbered among the leading citizens of the county.
S. A. LIBBY, an enterprising and representative citizen of Cedar Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1882. He is a native of Cumberland County, Maine, born August 21, 1826, and is a son of James and Emma (Chase) Libby, also natives of the State of Maine, and of English ancestry. The father died at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and the mother, when our subject was two years old. He is one of a family of fourteen children, and was occupied with farm work until he was twenty-two years old; he then went to Waltham, Massachusetts, and worked at the carpenter's trade until 1853. Caught in the tide of emigration, he journeyed to the West, and located at Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, where he had two older brothers; there he remained seven years, employed at his trade; at the end of this time he removed to Delaware County, and settled near Delhi, where he lived until 1882, when, as before stated, he came to Cherokee County. For a short time he lived in Afton Township, and then purchased his present place, which is known as the Hilton farm; it contains eighty acres with a good house, barn, and many other improvements. The land lies very near the town plat of Larrabee. Mr. Libby is engaged in general framing, and he also works at his trade. In 1856, in Cumberland County, Maine, occurred the marriage -515-of S. A. Libby and Miss Angeline Riley, a native of Oxford County, and a daughter of David and Sarah (Farnham) Riley. By this union nine children have been born: Wilbur, assessor of Cedar Township; Eugene, Alvra, Roselle, Florence, Mabel, Evelyn, Annette, and Melvin (deceased). In political thought and action Mr. Libby is a Republican. He is now in his sixty-third year, and is one of the respected and highly esteemed men of the township. |
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