The above
image is of my ancestors.
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John Jackson Rodenbough ,was born near Trenton,
New Jersey, on the 10th of June, 1832, and died
upon his farm on section 19, Grove township, Pottawattamie
county, September 1, 1906, so that his life record
covered the span of seventy-four years. In all
that he did he was actuated by a sense of conscientious
obligation and his integrity land trustworthiness
in every relation of life gained for him unqualified
confidence and good will. His parents, George
and Elizabeth (Jackson) Rodenbough were natives
of New Jersey, whence they removed to Illinois,
there spending their last days.
John J. Rodenbaugh, one .of a family of twelve
children, continued a resident of the east until
he had attained his majority, and at the age of
twenty-one accompanied his parents on their removal
to Roseville, Warren county, Illinois, where he
resided until his removal to Iowa about 1869.
He was accompanied by his first wife and two children
and established his home in Grove township, where
he resided until his life's labors were ended
in death. He owned three forty-acre tracts .of
land in the township, his home place being on
section 19 and there were two sets of buildings
on this farm of one
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hundred and twenty acres. His entire life was
devoted to general agricultural pursuits and his
carefully directed labor brought him a good living
and enabled him to provide well for his family.
In early manhood Mr. Rodenbough wedded Miss Mary
Ann Axtell, a native of Pennsylvania, who in early
life went to Illinois with her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Axtell. The children of this union
were: Wilbert Elsworth, now deceased; George Thomas,
of Idaho, and Flora Bell, the wife of Nathan Moore,
of Pendleton, Oregon. In 1873, having lost his
first wife, Mr. Rodenbough was again married,
his second union being with Miss Eunice Dilley,
who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, August
6, 1839, and when two years of age went to Warren
county, Illinois, with her parents, William and
Mary (Axtell) Dilley, who were likewise natives
of the Keystone state. Some years later they removed
to Sterling, Kansas, where their last days were
passed. Prior to their removal from Illinois,
their daughter Eunice became the wife of Mr. Rodenbough.
She was a relative of his first wife, her grandfather
and his first wife's father having been cousins.
Three children have been born of the second marriage:
Mary Ann Elizabeth, the wife of John Mills, who
is residing in the second -dwelling on the old
homestead farm, and by whom she has five children;
William Herbert, who is living with his mother
and has three children; Mrs. Nettie May Williams,
who died in Mahaska county, Iowa. There are now
twenty-five grandchildren.
The death of the husband and father occurred
on the 1st of September, 1906. He had been a stalwart
republican in his political views, and his Christian
faith is indicated by his membership in the Protestant
Methodist church. His life covered more than the
Psalmist's allotted span of three score years
and ten, and the record is one of usefulness,
activity and integrity. All who knew him respected
him, and those whom he met socially gave him their
warm friendship. Mrs. Rodenbough still resides
upon the home place on section 19, Grove township,
where she has lived since her marriage.
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Thomas J. Johns, county supervisor, and a leading,
influential and respected farmer of Center township,
living on section 5, was born near Des Moines,
Polk county, Iowa, August 26, 1852, and is it
representative of one of the old pioneer families
of the state. His father, Peter S. Johns, was
a native of Indiana and with his parents came
to Iowa, where he was reared amid pioneer environments
and conditions. Having reached man's estate he
married Miss Sarah Fisher, who was born in Kentucky
and who accompanied her parents to Iowa in her
early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Johns continued residents
of Polk county until 1864, when they removed to
Pottawattamie county, and soon afterward he offered
his services to the government and joined the
army. His death occurred in this county in 1866,
and he is still survived by his widow, who is
now living in Oakland at the age of seventy-seven
years. Their children were as follows: Angeline,
the wife of M. S.
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Gillespie, of Valley township; Thomas J.; Newton
F., who died in the state of Washington; Lucretia,
who died when a little more than twenty-three
years of age; and Anderson B. and Henderson F.,
twins, the former now of Denver, Colorado, and
the latter of Woodbine, Harrison county, Iowa.
Both are practicing attorneys.
Thomas J. Johns was a little lad of twelve years
when he came with his parents to what is now Bellknap
township and has resided in the vicinity of the
old home since that time. The father died in 1866,
soon after he returned from the war, in which
he had contracted disease, and later Mr. Johns
removed with his mother to Center township. In
connection with his brother, he purchased a half
section of land in this township and together
they cultivated the place for several years. About
1898 Mr. Johns purchased his present farm, comprising
two hundred acres on sections 5 and 8, Center
township. Since that time he has built two good
barns and a hog house. He has remodeled the dwelling,
and keeps all of the buildings upon his place
in a state of good repair. The latest improved
machinery is used in carrying on the work of the
fields and in the pastures are found high grades
of stock. Polled Angus cattle is the leading feature
of the farm and he now feeds about a hundred head
annually, this branch of his business constituting
an important source of revenue.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Johns
was married January 6, ]887, to Miss Izora B.
Butler, who was born in Polk county, Iowa, in
1860, and in 1879, came to Pottawatt3Jmie county
with her parents, W. B. and Tacy Butler, natives
of Indiana and Ohio respectively. The father is
now living in Oakland, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Johns have been born five children: Frances Genevieve,
Grace Edna, Newton Butler, Homer Plummer and Ruth
Louise.
In his political views Mr. Johns is a republican,
taking a deep and active interest in the party
and doing all in his power to promote its growth
and insure its success. He has been a delegate
to the county and state conventions and has served
on the various committees. For over twenty years
he was a trustee of Center township, was secretary
of the township school board for five years, and
in 1906 was elected county supervisor, in which
position he is now serving. He belongs to the
Modern Woodmen camp at Oakland. His long retention
in political office indicates how faithful he
has been to his duties, and over the record of
his public career there falls no shadow of wrong
or suspicion of evil.
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Oscar H. Brown, who for a quarter of a century
has conducted a successful enterprise as a drug
merchant of Council Bluffs, is a native of Henderson
county, Illinois, his birth having occurred on
the 28th of September, 1857. His parents were
Clinton W. and Louisa (Short) Brown, the former
born in Tennessee in the year 1829. He followed
agricultural pursuits as a life occu-
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pation, and was married in Illinois, in 1855,
to Louisa Short, by whom he had six children,
of whom three survive: Oscar H., Fanny A. and
Elray Clare Brown. The mother died in 1878, while
the father, who still survives her, now makes
his home in Council Bluffs. The grandfather of
our subject was Reuben Brown, a native of Tennessee,
who removed to Illinois and later to Fremont county,
Iowa, where his death occurred.
Oscar H. Brown was reared on the farm on which
he was born until he had reached the age of eleven
years, when he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Pottawattamie county, Iowa. Here he
divided his time .between the work of the home
farm and the duties of the schoolroom, and also
taught for four years in the district schools.
He remained under the parental roof until 1875,
and when he had finished his education in the
schools of Council Bluffs, he entered the drug
store of Harle & McKune, of that city, and
during the six years of his connection with that
firm mastered the business in principle and detail.
In 1883 he purchased the retail business of the
concern, and in the years which have since passed
has made the enterprise one of the prominent and
successful retail establishments of the county.
Aside from the drug department, Mr. Brown also
deals in paints, oils and glass. He possesses
untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms
his plans readily and is determined in their execution,
and his close application to business and his
excellent management have brought to him the high
degree of prosperity which is today his. He is
vice president of the Iowa Pharmaceutical Society,
and is also a member of the National Association
of Retail Druggists, to which he has twice been
a delegate from Iowa.
In 1890, Mr. Brown was united in marriage, in
Council Bluffs, to Mame A. Sherlock, and unto
this union was born one son, Arthur C. Brown.
Mr. Brown is not active in politics, preferring
to give his entire time and attention to his business
affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Maccabees
and the Woodmen of the World, and in his daily
life exemplifies the benevolent principles of
these various organizations. Both he and his wife
are widely and favorably known for their many
excellent traits of heart and mind and the hospitality
of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their
many friends throughout the county.
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John L. Harsch makes his home in Silver Creek
township, where he carries on general farming
and stock-feeding. He owns land operates three
hundred and twenty acres lying on sections 23
and 26, and in addition he has a tract of two
hundred acres near Macedonia. His stock-feeding
interests are conducted on quite an extensive
scale and he is well known as a representative
business man of this community.
Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on the 12th of
September, 1868, Mr. Harsch is a son of Adam Harsch,
who was a tanner by trade, and carried on
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business along that line during his active life.
He was born in Germany, but became a resident
of Ohio when seven years of age, and in the early
'40s cast in his lot with the pioneer residents
of Wisconsin. He became an influential, well known
and prominent citizen of Sheboygan and for a number
of years was active in the management of municipal
interests as a member of the city council. He
died about 1900 at the age of seventy-five years,
and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary
Dunbar, has also passed away. She was born and
reared in Ohio and by her marriage became the
mother of six sons and two daughters, Louisa and
Wallace being now deceased. They passed away when
about eighteen and nineteen years of age respectively.
Those still living are: Joseph, who is engaged
in feeding stock at Herman, Nebraska, where he
owns a good farm of two hundred and forty acres;
Benjamin land George, who are engaged in farming
in Wisconsin; Wesley, of Marian, Ohio, where for
years he has conducted business as a dealer in
hides and leather and also buys grain; Mrs. H.
G. Fleith, whose husband is a banker at Warsaw,
Wisconsin; and John L.
John L. Harsch spent his boyhood and youth in
the state of his nativity and learned the tanner's
trade under the direction of his father. On his
removal to the west he made his way to Omaha,
where he entered the employ of the Stockyards
Company, becoming assistant night yardmaster.
He removed from South Omaha to Pottawattamie county
on the 1st of May, 1897, and has since been identified
with agricultural interests of this locality.
He began here by purchasing one hundred and sixty
acres of land on section 23, Silver Creek township,
but has more than doubled his possessions since
that time. Today his farming property comprises
three hundred and twenty acres situated an sections
23 and 26, Silver Creek township, whereon he makes
his home, and a valuable tract of two hundred
acres near Macedonia. He has placed many improvements
upon the home farm, which is now equipped with
all modern accessories and conveniences, while
the latest machinery is used to facilitate the
work of the fields. The principal feature of his
business, however, is raising and feeding live-stack.
He feeds about sixty head of cattle per year,
has from one hundred and twenty to one hundred
and twenty-five head of hogs on his place and
in former years had about one hundred head of
lambs annually. His shipments are made to the
Chicago and Omaha markets and he is accounted
one of the leading stock-feeders of this locality.
In all of his work he is systematic, methodical
and practical, and he believes in keeping high
grades of stock that he may demand good prices
on the market.
Mr. Harsch was married in this county to Miss
Viola McKenzie, a daughter of Mack McKenzie, now
deceased. Her birth occurred in Pottawattamie
county and she has always made her home within
its borders. Three children have graced this marriage:
Wallace, Lucile and Avis. The parents are well
known in the community and they have an extensive
circle of warm friends.
Politically Mr. Harsch is an independent democrat,
usually voting far the men and measures of the
party, yet not considering himself bound to do
so. His attention has chiefly been given to his
business affairs and the strong
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determination which he has manifested in carrying
to successful completion whatever he undertakes,
combined with his laudable ambition and honorable
dealing, have secured to him a place among the
men of affluence in Silver Creek township.
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Jonas B. Blake, who in the face of obstacles
and difficulties which would have utterly discouraged
many a man of less resolute spirit, has steadily
worked his way upward, becoming one of the prosperous
citizens and representative business men of Pottawattamie
county, was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts,
on the 19th of April, 1834. He is one of the two
surviving children of Eben D. and Adeline (Ball)
Blake, whose family numbered seven children, the
living daughter being Mrs. Elizabeth A. Spooner,
the widow of L. L. Spooner, of La Salle, Illinois.
The father was born in Massachusetts and the greater
part of his life was spent in Worcester county,
that state. He conducted a hotel in Northborough
for many years, and was one of the well known
men of that section. Late in the '50s he came
to Iowa, settling in Crescent City, where he died
three months later.
Jonas B. Blake was reared in his father's home,
became a public-school student at the usual age
and eventually attended the high school at West
Newton, Massachusetts. When about seventeen years
he left home to become a factor in business life
of Boston, where he was employed in a wholesale
house for three years, receiving seventy-five
dollars the first year, one hundred dollars the
second year and one hundred and twenty-five dollars
the third year. On the expiration of that period
he went to New York city, where he was again employed
in a wholesale house for a year, after which he
removed to Buffalo, New York, where he worked
for one year in a retail boot and shoe house.
He then continued his journey westward, arriving
in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1856, and a short time
afterward he settled in Crescent City. His desire
for knowledge of and experience in the west, however,
was not satisfied and with a wagon and team of
horses he and his brother, with another party,
drove through to Denver, Colorado, being twenty-eight
days on the road. After a year passed in Denver,
Jonas B. Blake returned to Crescent City and,
being married soon afterward, settled in Council
Bluffs. He became associated with a mercantile
firm there.
Mr. Blake has been an influential factor in community
affairs and in local political circles. For more
than ten years he was a member of the school board
in Avoca, and acted as chairman of the building
committee at the time of the erection of the magnificent
school building there. For many years he was a
member of the republican central committee of
this place and, while never an office seeker,
his opinions have carried weight in the councils
of his party and his influence has been strongly
felt. He served for several years as a member
of the board of supervisors, and has always taken
an active part in any movement pertaining to the
advancement of Avoca's welfare and
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upbuilding. For sixteen years he was postmaster
of the town, and in politics he has always been
an earnest republican.
Mr. Blake was married to Miss Harriet L. Bennett,
of Rockford township, Pottawattamie county, who
died in 1894. In their family were six children,
of whom four are yet living: Anna A., the wife
of Merritt Barnes, a jeweler of Avoca; Fannie
L., the wife of Dr. George A. Spaulding, of Avoca;
Walter, who is in Chicago; and Helen, at home.
In all of his business life Jonas B. Blake has
manifested an unfaltering purpose, and difficulties
and obstacles have seemed but to serve with him
as an impetus far renewed and vigorous effort.
He has so utilized his opportunities that he stands
today as one of the prosperous residents of the
county.
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R. W. Jones is now practically retired from business
life but still resides upon his finely improved
farm on section 34, Grove township. Three years
ago, however, he relegated its active work to
others, having up to that time successfully carried
on the work of tilling the sail and raising stock.
He has lived upon this farm for thirty-one years,
or since his arrival in Pottawattamie county in
1876. He made his way to the middle west from
Pennsylvania, but is a native of Wales, born in
1844. His parents, William and Margaret (Evans)
Jones, both died in Wales, the mother passing
away during the early childhood of her son, R.
W. Jones, who was forced to start out in life
for himself at a very early age. Whatever success
he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable to
his awn labors. He early came to a realization
of the fact that success has its basis in unremitting
toil and that advancement depends largely upon
capable management and perseverance. Having thus
early learned the lessons of life, he has put
them into actual practice as the years have gone
by.
He arrived in America in 1863, having borrowed
the money to pay his passage. Far a time he resided
in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was employed
at common labor. He was, however, a carpenter
by trade and followed that pursuit to some extent
in the east in connection with other lines of
work. His first purchase of land made him owner
of the farm which is still his home. As stated,
he came to Pottawattamie county in 1876, and has
since lived upon this place, although he has in
the meantime extended its boundaries. He first
became owner of eighty acres and has added to
the property until he now has one hundred and
sixty acres of land which is well improved.
Mr. Jones was married in Pennsylvania to Miss
Ellen Thomas, also a native of Wales, whence she
came to America in her girlhood days with her
parents, who died in Pennsylvania many years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have five children, two of
whom were born in the Keystone state and three
in this county, namely: Sarah, who is the wife
of S. D. McLean, of Grove township, and has seven
children; Margaret, the wife of L. Richardson,
of
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Missouri, by whom she has four children; Miriam,
the wife of Frank Williams, of Montgomery county,
Iowa, by whom she has one daughter; Edith, the
wife of T. A. Thomas, of Montgomery county, by
whom she has two children; and William, who is
operating the home farm.
Politically Mr. Jones is a republican, and while
he discharges the duties of citizenship with a
sense of conscientious obligation, he has never
sought or desired office as a reward for party
fealty. He belongs to the Congregational church
and is interested in every department of its work,
but is most active perhaps in support of home
and foreign missions, contributing very liberally
to this cause, which is undenominational. He is
particularly interested in the work in China,
India and Africa and does what he can for the
spread of the gospel in heathen lands. His religious
belief is manifest in his daily life, in his honor
in business, in his consideration for the rights
of others and in his devotion to high ideals.
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A. H. SMITH.
A. H. Smith is a self-made man, whose life of
activity and well directed labor finds visible
evidence in his well improved farm of three hundred
and ninety acres in Hazel Dell township. He also
owns a beautiful residence at the corner of Locust
and Oak streets in Council Bluffs. From the age
of eighteen years he has been dependent entirely
upon his own resources and such a record should
serve to encourage others showing what can be
accomplished through intelligently directed labor.
Mr. Smith is a native of Buffalo, Michigan, born
July 10, 1853. His father, Anthony Smith, whose
birth occurred in Ohio, was a veterinary surgeon
and traveled all over the country. He made the
overland trip to Colorado and about 1861 settled
in Council Bluffs. Twenty-five years ago he made
a trip to the west and after a few letters home
was never heard from again. His wife, Mrs. Margaret
Smith, was born in New Jersey and died in Council
Bluffs at the age of seventy-six years. Their
marriage, which was celebrated in La Porte county,
Indiana, was blessed with three children but one
is now deceased, the brother of our subject being
Alva Smith, a real-estate dealer of Council Bluffs.
A. H. Smith was but eight years of age at the
time of the removal of the family to this county
and his boyhood days were spent in Council Bluffs,
his public-school education being supplemented
by a course in Bryant & Stratton Business
College of that city. At the age of eighteen years
he started out in life on his own account. He
had no capital but he possessed the more substantial
qualities of industry, energy and determination.
He resolved that he would win success if he could
do so by consecutive and honorable labor. His
first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres,
to which he has added from time to time as his
financial resources have increased until he is
now the owner of a valuable property of three
hundred and ninety acres in Hazel Dell township.
Here he is successfully carrying on general
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farming, his place presenting a neat and attractive
appearance, showing the owner to be a man of progressive
spirit and a thorough agriculturist. He has also
bought residence property in Council Bluffs, having
a beautiful house there at the corner of Locust
and Oak streets. He has had no assistance save
that rendered him by his estimable wife, who has
carefully managed the household affairs and thus
been of much aid to her husband in his work.
Mrs. Smith bore the maiden name of Emma C. Peterson.
She was born in Pottawattamie county and married
in Council Bluffs. Her father, Peter Peterson,
a farmer of Garner township, is now deceased.
She has two sisters living: Mrs. Josephine Woodworth,
of Council Bluffs; and Mrs. Christina Smith, who
is living in Norwalk township. Unto our subject
and his wife were born four children, of whom
George W., the eldest, died at the age of eighteen
years; while one died in infancy. Clara E. and
Howard L. are yet at home.
The parents are members of the Reorganized Church
of the Latter Day Saints and Mr. Smith is a republican
in politics, having been unfaltering support to
the party since reaching the age of twenty-one.
He has served as township trustee for three years
and has done effective service in behalf of the
cause of education as a member of the school board.
His fellow citizens accord him their respect because
of what he has accomplished and their trust by
reason of the honorable methods that he has ever
followed.
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Jacob A. Hetrick, living on section 36, York
township, was born in Scott county, Iowa, April
13, 1870, and when but six years of age was brought
to Pottawattamie county by his parents, Peter
and Elizabeth (Auman) Hetrick. The father, a native
of Pennsylvania, was born in 1833, and was reared
and married there, his wife, however, being a
native of Ohio. Removing westward to Iowa they
settled near Davenport, where the father followed
farming for a few years. Then in 1876 he brought
his family to Pottawattamie county, establishing
his home upon a farm in York township, which he
purchased. There he secured one hundred and sixty
acres of land and afterward added to this place
until he owned three hundred and sixty acres,
divided into three farms. His remaining days were
passed in this county, where for long years he
was classed with the representative and leading
agriculturists. He died in 1895, having for five
years survived his wife, who passed away in 1890.
In their family were four sons and three daughters,
all of whom are yet living.
Jacob A. Hetrick was largely reared on the old
home farm amid the conditions and environments
of pioneer life. The common schools afforded him
his educational advantages, his studies being
pursued during the winter months, while in the
summer seasons he worked at farm labor, continuing
to aid his father in the development and cultivation
of the field until after he had attained his majority.
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On the 22d of October, 1892, occurred an important
event in his life, his marriage to Miss Anna Stewart,
who was born and reared in this county and engaged
in teaching prior to her marriage. Subsequent
to this event Mr. and Mrs. Hetrick located on
the farm where they now reside, commencing with
an eighty acre tract of land. Later he built the
residence which he now occupies-a large two-story
dwelling, attractive in its style of architecture,
comfortable in its arrangement and in its furnishings.
Not far distant stands a good barn and there is
a windpump and feedmill on his place. The latest
improved machinery is used to facilitate the work
of the fields, and, in fact, everything about
the farm indicates practical, progressive methods.
The fields are well fenced and in addition to
cultivating the crops he also raises some fruit.
He likewise makes a business of raising, feeding
and fattening stock, shipping from three to four
carloads of cattle and about a hundred head of
hogs annually. He is a successful business man
and stock-feeder, owing to his unfaltering perseverance
and the sound judgment which is brought to bear
in the management of his business interests.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hetrick have been born three
children: Ivan, and Velma and Thelma, twins. In
the community the parents are much esteemed as
people of genuine worth. Mr. Hetrick is connected
with Oakfield lodge of the Modern Woodmen, and
he votes with the republican party. He has been
a delegate to county conventions and does everything
in his power to promote the success of his party
and extend its influence. He is recognized as
a public-spirited man who had the best interests
of the community at heart, as is manifest by his
tangible efforts for the public good and the active
co-operation which he gives to many measures which
are advanced for the promotion of its material,
social, political and intellectual interests.
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Thomas Keast, who dated his residence in this
county from 1877, was a self-made man, who came
empty-handed from England to the new world to
enjoy in its better business conditions the broader
opportunities which were to lead him to success.
He followed farming on section 31, Macedonia township.
His birth occurred in Cornwall, England, August
9, 1844, and of that country his parents, Samuel
and Elizabeth (Talling) Keast, were also natives.
The .father died in 1848, but the mother is still
living at the very advanced age of ninety-one
years and is yet hale and hearty. She resided
alone for a number of years, doing her own housework,
but about a year ago she went to live with a grandchild.
Thomas Keast was reared in the land of his birth,
and in early life was connected with the occupation
of farming, but afterward turned his attention
to mining. As a companion and helpmate for life's
journey he chose Miss Eliza Grace Oliver, whom
he wedded March 3, 1865. She was born in Cornwall,
England, April 27, 1846, and was a schoolmate
of Mr. Keast in their
1047
childhood days. Her parents were William and
Elizabeth (Matthews) Oliver.
Four years after their marriage the young couple
sailed for the United States, taking passage on
a vessel which weighed anchor at Liverpool and
sailed for New York. They did not tarry in the
east, however, but proceeded into the interior
of the country, spending one year at Rockford,
Winnebago county. They then took up their abode
upon a farm at New Milford, where they lived for
four years and afterward removed to the vicinity
of Linnville, Ogle county, Illinois, where they
made their home until 1877. That year witnessed
their arrival in Pottawattamie county, and Mr.
Keast purchased eighty acres of the home farm,
whereon he resided up to the time of his death,
which occurred June 9, 1895. He had prospered
in his undertakings and left an estate of three
hundred and eighty acres, all in one body. Of
this eighty acres was on section 36, Silver Creek
township, and the remainder in Macedonia township,
the home standing on section 31. Almost his entire
life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits
and he followed no other occupation after coming
to Pottawattamie county. In addition to tilling
the soil he engaged quite extensively in raising
stock and both branches of his business proved
profitable. In February preceding his death he
removed into the present fine residence which
stands upon the farm and which he had just completed.
It is now a monument to his thrift and enterprise.
The greater part of his place was unbroken prairie
when it came into his possession, but he converted
it into rich and productive fields, which he brought
into a high state of fertility. He set out a grove
and made many other modern improvements and in
the course of years the farm became one of the
valuable properties of the neighborhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Keast became the parents of seven
children, of whom the eldest two were born in
England. Emma is the wife of D. D. Clark, of Gregory,
South Dakota, and has six children: Charles, Nettie,
Frank, Florence, Morris and Janey. Samuel is married
and has three children, Earl, Evelyn and a baby
unnamed. William operates the home farm for his
mother. John, living at Huntley, Harlan county,
Nebraska, is married and has a daughter, Rena
Grace. Elizabeth is the wife of Walter Casson,
of Silver Creek township, and has six children:
Charles, Ernest, Oda, Roy, Chester and Allen.
Frank, living in Macedonia township, has four
children: Roy, Gladys, Marian and Fay. Charles,
the youngest of the family, resides upon a part
of the old home farm and is married and has three
sons: Edgar, Walter and Lawrence.
In his political views Mr. Keast was a republican
from the time when he became a naturalized American
citizen. He was not prominent in political circles,
however, preferring to devote his time to his
family, and he derived his greatest happiness
from providing for the welfare and comfort of
his wife and children. His financial condition
at the time of his death was in marked contrast
to his position when he arrived in the new world.
He had to borrow money in order to come to the
United States, and started here, therefore, in
debt. When he settled upon the home farm in Macedonia
township there was only a small four-room house
on the place. That he lived
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a life of activity and energy is indicated by
the fine appearance of the farm, in the midst
of which stands a commodious and attractive residence
built in modern style of architecture. Mr. Keast,
however, did not get to enjoy his new home for
any length of time, as death claimed him and he
passed from earthly toil to the rest beyond. His
diligence and perseverance in former years enabled
him to leave his family in comfortable financial
circumstances.
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James Hadfield is numbered among the leading
farmers and has also for a long period been a
resident of the county, taking up his abode here
in 1881. He settled in Neola township, where he
now owns five hundred and forty acres of rich
land that in its productiveness annually returns
rich harvests, making Mr. Hadfield one of the
successful agriculturists of this part of the
state. He is of English birth and parentage, having
first opened his eyes to the light of day in Chestershire,
England, January 31, 1838. There he was reared,
and when but eight years of age went to the coal
mines, where he was continuously employed until
he attained his majority. His educational advantages
were necessarily limited and he had practically
no opportunities in other directions, but his
youth of strenuous toil did not crush out his
ambition, while on the contrary the conditions
of the old country served to stimulate him to
a search for something better. The favorable reports
which he heard concerning America and her interests
and advantages led him, to take passage on a sailing
vessel which in April, 1859, weighed anchor in
the harbor of Liverpool.
In the meantime Mr. Hadfield had been married
in England to Miss Mary Ormson, a native of that
country. When twenty-one years of age he made
the voyage across the briny deep and went to St.
Clair county, Illinois, where he followed mining
from 1859 until 1879, being foreman at the St.
Clair coal mines during the last five years. On
the expiration of that period he removed to Tipton,
Moniteau county, Missouri, where he followed farming.
He arrived in Pottawattamie county in 1881, but
afterward returned to Missouri, where he again
engaged in farming for a year. Selling out on
the expiration of that period, he once more came
to Pottawattamie county in 1882, and has since
lived within its borders, his time and energies
being given to general agricultural pursuits.
By his first marriage Mr. Hadfield had four children,
of whom two are now living, the elder being Sarah
Carlson, the wife of Oscar Carlson, a farmer of
Neola township, by whom she has four children,
Alvin, Ralph, Mary and Alfred. William O., the
surviving son, married Kate Bateman, by whom he
has two children, William and Ruth. His attention
is given to farming at Neola. Having lost his
first wife, Mr. Hadfield was married in St. Louis,
Missouri, June 13, 1874, his second union being
with Anna Handbury, a native of England, who came
to America in early womanhood. Unto this
1049
marriage have been born six sons, but they lost
the second in infancy. The others are: James E.,
at home; Joseph P., who married Martha Dewey and
lives on his father's farm; Frank, who wedded
Nettie Wittmore, by whom he has one daughter,
Hazel, and also lives on his father's farm; George
A., a farmer of Neola; and John H.
Following his removal to Pottawattamie county
Mr. Hadfield rented land for two years. Careful
expenditure and untiring industry during that
period brought him capital sufficient to enable
him to make purchase of one hundred and twenty
acres of land, upon which he began farming on
his own account, subsequently adding another one
hundred and twenty acres to the original tract.
He improved the first place, putting good buildings
upon it and later he bought one hundred and sixty
acres. His next purchase brought him forty acres
adjoining the home place and still later he added
one hundred acres, all of his land being now well
improved. His possessions have thus been increased
from time to time until he has five hundred and
forty acres in Neola township, making him one
of its large landowners and prosperous citizens.
He has been feeding cattle far ten years, shipping
annually from two to three carloads and also a
carload of hogs. To same extent he has made a
specialty of Durham cattle. For nineteen years
he lived upon the farm and then removed to Neola
in 1901, building there a good home. From his
property he derives a gratifying annual income
that supplies him with all of the comforts and
some of the luxuries of life.
In politics Mr. Hadfield is independent, voting
far men and measures rather than far party ties.
He has served as road supervisor and as school
director, but the honors and emoluments of office
have had little attraction for him. He attends
the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his life
has exemplified many sterling traits of character,
not the least of which are his diligence and fair
dealing in all business relations. He early realized
the value of persistent labor and the fact that
all success rests thereon. To this end he put
forth earnest and consecutive effort which, guided
by sound judgment, keen sagacity and business
discernment, have gained him a place among the
prosperous residents of the county, enabling him
now to rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of
his former toil.
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Henry Parker arrived in Malvern, Iowa, with a
cash capital of twenty-five cents, in which his
brother was jointly interested. Today he is one
of the leading stack breeders, raisers and shippers
of Pottawattamie county, and those who read between
the lines will learn the story of his close application,
determined purpose and unfaltering industry, whereby
he has steadily advanced from a mast humble financial
position to one of affluence.
He was born in Lincolnshire, England, December
4, 1848, and is a son of George and Elizabeth
(Beet) Parker. The father arrived in Iowa in 1883,
and spent his last days in Mills county. His first
wife died in
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England, and he crossed the Atlantic to the new
world that he might marry his brother's widow,
which was contrary to the laws of his native country.
Henry Parker is one of a family of six sons: George,
now deceased; Hon. John. Parker, of Mills county,
who for two terms represented that county in the
state legislature; James, of Mills county; Henry,
of this review; Joseph, who is living near Oakland;
and Philip, who died at the age of four years.
There were also several sisters who died in early
childhood.
The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly
passed by Henry Parker in the land of his nativity,
where he remained until twenty-one years of age,
when he crossed the Atlantic, hoping to enjoy
better business opportunities in the new world.
He made his way to Malvern, Iowa, in 1870 in company
with a brother, Joseph, and they resided in Mills
county for ten years, after which Henry Parker
removed to the farm in Silver Creek township,
Pottawattamie county, upon which he has since
made his home. In England he worked as a farm
hand save during the last six months of his residence
in that country, when he was employed in a foundry.
The favorable reports which he heard concerning
the United States, its business conditions and
it opportunities, determined him to seek his fortune
in the new world. He and his brother, however,
had but twenty-five cents between them when they
left the train at Malvern, Iowa, and both went
to work on a farm by the month, having already
two brothers, George and John Parker, who were
thus employed in Iowa.
Henry Parker of this review worked by the month
for two years and eight months, and then wishing
that his labors should more directly benefit himself,
he rented land, which he cultivated for seven
years. He then made his first purchase of property,
becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres
on section 25, Silver Creek township, where he
now lives. Upon the place was a small board shanty,
but as the years have gone by he has secured modern
equipments and facilities upon the farm, has erected
substantial buildings .and now has a well improved
place. He raises stock in addition to grain and
has made a specialty of Poland China hogs and
shorthorn cattle. Five years ago he purchased
a Percheron stallion, Dawson No. 27937, which
was raised in Illinois and registered by M. L.
Ayers, of Shenandoah, Iowa, who is widely known
as a prominent importer. His live-stock interests
both as a breeder and raiser of fine stock have
contributed substantially to his success and his
opinions are largely regarded as authority upon
the matter of raising live-stock.
On the 14th of January, 1873, Mr. Parker was
united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Wriggs,
a native of Indiana and a daughter of Joseph Foxworthy,
who now resides near Malvern at the venerable
age of eighty-three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker
were born ten children: Louisa, now the wife of
Zelma Hughes, of Mills county; Minnie Estella,
the wife of Elton Lawson, of Silver Creek township;
James Henry, living in Randolph. Nebraska; Fred
William, of Silver Creek township; Bertha, the
wife of Frank Keat, of this county; Robert Lincoln;
of Silver Creek township; Elva May, the wife of
Marcus L. Moats, of Randolph, Nebraska; John Sherman
and Millie, both at home; and Marvin Merritt,
who died at the age of two years,
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In his political views Mr. Parker is an earnest
republican and for one term was township trustee.
He also held a number of school offices, and the
cause of education has found in him a warm and
stalwart friend. He is particularly helpful in
the Methodist Episcopal church in which both he
and his wife hold membership, aided in the erection
of the house of worship, and is now serving as
one of the church trustees. His father was a Methodist
preacher engaged in regular pastoral work for
about six years, while throughout the remainder
of his life he was a local preacher. His son,
Henry, has known him to walk twenty-six miles
on Sunday and preach three sermons, after which
he would take up the regular work of the farm
on Monday morning. As the years have gone by Henry
Parker has made substantial progress in a business
way, and when one examines into his life record
to find the secret of his success, it will be
found in his close application and unfaltering
diligence.
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