Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa
New York, Chicago: Lewis publishing Co., S. Thompson Lewis, editor. 1903
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
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WARREN TAYLOR DANIELS - Anyone who will call at the farm residence to which mail for the above named gentleman is directed, near Moulton, in Appanoose county, Iowa, may realize what is meant by the expression "up-to-date farming." It is situated in the beautiful prairie country for which Iowa has long been noted, and is part of the land which produces those enormous crops of corn whose figures in millions of bushels astonish the world. The visitor will notice in front of the house a metal box marked "U.S. Mail," which means that the occupants of the place enjoy free rural mail delivery, that recent luxurious device of advanced civilization. Going inside, he will soon discover that Mr. Daniels, the hospitable owner, has telephone connection with Moulton, where most of his business is transacted. He can also talk to all other important places in the county and state; in other words, he can attend to all his foreign business without going out of the house, and meantime enjoy reading the morning papers brought to his door by obliging "Uncle Sam."
Such is a model farmer out in Iowa, and Warren Taylor Daniels is one of them. He was born in Jackson county, Ohio, September 23, 1856, and is a son of William and Mary Jane Daniels, who are spoken of in detail in another part of this volume. Warren grew up in his native county, attended the schools, and, like other boys, wondered in his impatience if he would never become a man. At length the time came when he was free, and his first venture in the world of business was as a farmer and stock raiser. When twenty-three years old he embarked in the retail charcoal trade, but only continued this a year, and some ten years later tried an investment in the lumber business. This, too, he soon disposed of, and in 1891 emigrated to Iowa and settled at Moulton, in Appanoose county. He resumed the lumber business at this place, owning a sawmill on Sheridan river, four miles from town, and prosecuted it energetically for five years after his arrival. Eventually he sold all his interests in Moulton and moved to the farm which is mentioned at the beginning of this sketch. It consists of one hundred and eighty acres of good farming land, with all the necessary improvements and conveniences, where he is engaged in raising and feeding stock, and in addition to this Mr. Daniels owns a residence and six building lots in Moulton.
On November 30, 1881, Mr. Daniels was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of James and Jane (Money) Craig, both natives of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1846. They resided in Massachusetts for thirteen years after reaching the United States, and then removed to Gallia county, Ohio, where the mother died in 1889, but her husband is still living in the last named state. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have four children, whose names are Lizzie Jane, Craig E., Emma M. and Ward T. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Daniels is connected with the Odd Fellows, Daughters of Rebekah, Red Men and Knights of Labor. There are few more comfortable homes than that occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Daniels, and the hospitable greeting always extended makes it a pleasure to many friends to assemble around their cheerful hearthstone.
WILLIAM DANIELS , is a self-made man who without any family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career has battled energetically and earnestly and has achieved both character and competence. He is now classed among the progressive agriculturists of Appanoose county, where he owns a valuable tract of land. He has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred on the 9th of May, 1822, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. His parents were Abraham and Rebecca (Rawley) Daniels. The father was born in Germany and the mother was born in Pennsylvania of English parentage. They were married in the Keystone state and removed westward to Ohio. They settled in Columbiana county. The father was a millwright by trade and in connection with working at that pursuit carried on agricultural pursuits, thus providing for his family. He died when the subject of this review was about ten or twelve years of age, but the mother, long surviving him, passed away in Gallia county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-six years. In their family were eight children, namely: Joseph, John, David, Abraham, William, Nancy, Mary Ann, and Sophia. Of this number all are now deceased with the exception of the subject of this review.
William Daniels was reared upon his father's farm, and his educational privileges were extremely limited. He had the opportunity of attending school for only a few days, but he learned to read and write, and throughout his entire life has been a student, so that he has constantly added to his knowledge by reading, experience and observation and has become a well informed man. At an early age he started out to earn his own living, and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. After living for a short time in Pennsylvania with an uncle, he left his native state to rejoin his mother in Ohio. He then remained at home working upon a farm until he was able to do for himself. He then entered the employ of a man in Wellsville, Ohio, the owner of a wholesale grocery and commission house. So capably did he serve the interests of his employer and so faithful was he to his duty, that he was retained in that service for seven years, and was promoted from time to time with a proportionate increase in salary. On the expiration of that period Mr. Daniels left his old employer and went to California, where he spent four years in hunting and mining. On the expiration of that period he again started for Ohio and after reaching his destination, having made the trip by way of New York city, he returned to his old home in the Buckeye state.
In 1853 Mr. Daniels was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Reid, a daughter of William and Maria (Depew) Reid. His wife was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 7, 1833, and the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Jackson county, Ohio, where for twenty-seven years Mr. Daniels continued the work of tilling the soil. He then resolved to seek a home in Iowa, and in 1881 came to this state. He located in Appanoose county upon his present farm, which comprises four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Wells township, and everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, the Daniels farm being one of the attractive features of the landscape. The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with the following children: James Franklin, who is married and is a farmer of Appanoose county; Warren Taylor, who is married and follows farming in this county: Albert Reid, an agriculturist; Maria, the wife of Fred Hartwick; Rebecca; William Sherman, who is married and lives in this county, served in the Spanish-American war; Charles E., who is married and at home, enlisted also for the Spanish-American war, but his regiment was never called into active service; George Newman; and Vance Neal, deceased.
Mr. Daniels has also experienced military service for one year. He was with the American army in the Mexican war, having enlisted in the Second Ohio Regiment. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, having from the organization of the party been an unfaltering advocate of its principles. His wife and children hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Daniels has now reached the evening of life and has reason to be congratulated upon what he has accomplished. Thrown upon his own resources in early childhood, he has overthrown the difficulties and obstacles in his path and with determined purpose has steadily advanced until he has reached a creditable and gratifying position upon the plane of affluence.
WILLIAM B. DARBY - Representatives of the family of this name figured as early settlers of two states - Ohio, when it was still a frontier section of the country, and Iowa, when it was emerging from the territorial condition. Samuel Darby, the progenitor of these western pioneers, was a Philadelphian, who married Charity Rudyard in his native city, and moved to southern Ohio when it was still little better than a wilderness. He did his share toward clearing and developing that portion of the state, became well known in his community and served with credit in the war of 1812. William Darby, son of these Philadelphia emigrants, was born in Vinton county, Ohio, May 30, 1808, received a good education for those days and afterward taught school with success for a number of years. He married Sarah, daughter of Elijah Cheneworth, a native of Virginia, descended from Irish ancestry, and continued to live in Ohio for many years after he became the head of a household. The stories then coming back of the fine opportunities offered to settlers by the young state of Iowa caused the Darbys to abandon the place of their nativity and join the tide of emigration across the Mississippi. Early in the fall of 1856 they departed with ox teams on their long journey, necessarily moving by short stages and camping out on the road as they advanced. It was during the famous campaign between Buchanan and Fremont for the presidency, and the excitement was at its height when the Darbys, with their slow moving oxen, were passing through Indiana and Illinois. The boys of the family, being stalwart Democrats, did not hesitate at every suitable opportunity to do something for their champion, and made the stopping places lively with cheers for Buchanan. It was the 4th of November when the wayfarers reached their destination in Appanoose county, Iowa, where they located on land in Union township. A log cabin was hastily erected, and they soon had a home which, though rude in its surroundings, was ample for all the needs of hardy pioneers. Of the five children born to the parents, Jerusha M. died when four years old, and Thomas J. was killed by an earthquake in California. The others are Smiley C., who resides on the old homestead; Harper D., who is farming near the town of Foster, in this state, and William B., who is the immediate subject of this biography. Both father and mother lived to advanced age, the former being eighty-two and the latter eighty years old when called to render their last earthly accounts. They were in every respect a model couple, pious church members and always practicing the principles of morality, while endeavoring to instill into their children a love for all that was upright and noble.
William B. Darby, namesake and youngest surviving child of his father, was born in Vinton county, Ohio, May 25. 1852, and was still a boy when the removal to Iowa took place. He grew up on the farm, was trained to habits of sobriety and industry by his good parents, and when he left home in the twenty-second year of his age was prepared to face the world with hopefulness and confidence. He was fortunate in the selection of Margaret J. Lockmon as his wife, she being a superior woman herself and a member of a family noted for intelligence, morality and integrity. Her father, the late William Lockmon, was born in Indiana, but became a settler of Iowa in 1850 and figured usefully in the state's formative period. He assisted in the survey of the site for the present prosperous city of Bloomfield and in other ways did his part in the work of improvement and development. He was prominent in religious work, being a deacon and elder of the Christian church, and was in the enjoyment of general esteem and popularity when his death occurred in Union township at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years. He married Provy, daughter of John Helmick, of Appanoose county, by whom he had seven children: John J., Frank M., Margaret J. (Mrs. Darby), Gabriel S., William P., Samuel J. and Ezra. After his marriage Mr. Darby located, in 1875, on forty acres of unimproved land in Monroe county, where he built a modest house and went to work clearing, fencing and otherwise preparing his place for cultivation. At the present time he owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, underlaid with coal, and supplied with all the necessary adjuncts in the shape of a good dwelling house, barn, granary, feed lots and suitable outbuildings of all kinds. Much of his land consists of meadows and fine bluegrass pastures, while the fencing and every appurtenance are in keeping with up-to-date farming in Iowa. His location is in Monroe township, one and one-half miles from Foster, where he carries on general farming and stock raising with the success that has made him one of the prosperous farmers of his neighborhood. May, the eldest of his seven children, died in infancy, but the other six were reared without mishap. Bertha, now the wife of George B. Spencer, of Monroe township, was a successful school teacher before her marriage. Laura, who has also been a popular teacher, is now a student at the Toledo Normal College of Iowa. William, the eldest son, is a popular clerk in the Golden Eagle clothing store at Albia, and the other children, in order of birth, are Amos, Frank and Ray. Mr. Darby affiliates with the Democratic party, has served as township trustee and was a member of the school board for several years. He is a stanch advocate of all that makes for righteousness, while his geniality, hospitality and frankness of disposition make him one of the popular men of the community. Mrs. Darby is a member of the Christian church and prominent in religious work as a member of the aid society.
RALPH M. DAVIS , a cigar manufacturer, is acceptably filling the office of mayor of Moulton, and is one of the wide-awake and enterprising men of the city, who exemplifies in his life the progressive spirit which has led to the rapid upbuilding of the west. He is also connected with the commercial interests of the town, having been formerly a member of the Davis Brothers Manufacturing Company, but he now conducts the business alone and in his own name. He set at naught the old adage that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for Mr. Davis is a native son of the town in which he has been honored with the offices within the gift of the people. He was born in Moulton on the 23rd of April, 1874, and is a son of Levi and Martha (Willett) Davis and a grandson of Richard Webb Davis, who was born in Delaware in 1805, but was reared in Maryland. In 1833 Richard Webb Davis was married to Almira Landfier, a native of Dayton, Ohio, and a short time afterward they moved to Lewistown, Fulton county, Illinois. He was a stonecutter by trade, having performed much work of that kind, and he also followed farming. In 1839 they removed to Adair county, Missouri, where they spent one winter, and then took up their abode in Schuyler county, but in 1842 came to Appanoose county, Iowa. In 1846 he moved to Bloomfield, Davis county. His wife died in Bloomfield in 1862 at the age of fifty- two years. They became the parents of thirteen children, namely: Adriel B., who was born September 2, 1835; Levi, who was born February 23, 1837; Mary, Lucy, Nancy, James Price and Sarah Jane, twins, who died at birth; Julia, Webb and two who died in infancy.
Levi Davis, the second of the above enumerated children, was born in Illinois, February 23, 1837, and shortly afterward, in 1840, was taken by his parents to Schuyler county, Missouri. Subsequently they took up their abode in Bloomfield, Davis county, Iowa, and in 1857 moved to Orleans, now a deserted village north of Moulton, and there Mr. Davis met and married Miss Martha J. Willett, their wedding being celebrated April 14, 1858. To this union were born eight children, as follows: Fannie B., Homer E., Eva L., James A., Fernando C., Willie W., Ralph M., Ray L., all of whom are living with the exception of Eva L., who died in March, 1871. The family came to Moulton in 1869, and for many years the father was the express agent at this place, and when it was first incorporated he was elected the town marshal. He was a citizen of prominence, and for fifteen years was honored with the office of chief executive, also acting as a justice of the peace. He had an excellent knowledge of the law and often met learned counsel at the bar, when he often floored his opponents. He was a stalwart Democrat in his political views, was an active and consistent member of the Christian church, and filled an important niche in the pioneer days of the locality and will long be remembered as one of the landmarks of Moulton. After nearly a month's illness his death occurred on the 16th of December, 1902, leaving an aged wife, who is still living in this city, and seven children.
Ralph M. Davis spent his boyhood days in his parents' home and at the usual age was sent to school, acquiring a good English education. After leaving school he went upon the road as a traveling musician, and for ten years was thus employed, visiting various parts of the country. In the year 1896 he returned to Moulton and entered into partnership with his brother, Ray L., a practical cigarmaker, under the firm name of Davis Brothers Cigar Manufacturing Company, this relationship being continued until our subject purchased his brother's interest, January 26, 1903. The business has steadily grown, and he now manufactures a number of brands of cigars which have become favorites on the market. The enterprise was established on a small scale, but has steadily increased, until the business now pays an excellent annual dividend.
In 1898 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Clinkenbeard, of Moulton, and the young couple enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city, their circle of friends being extensive. Mr. Davis is a member of the American Benevolent Association, the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Masonic fraternity, and in addition to being a Master Mason is connected with the order of Eastern Star. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and in the spring of 1902 was elected upon that ticket to the position of mayor of the city, in which position he is now acceptably serving. He has already manifested deep regard for the public welfare, and his efforts in behalf of the general good have been effective.
WILLIAM P. DAVIS , the efficient and popular sheriff of Appanoose county, began life as a poor boy and by industry, perseverance, and thrift has succeeded in building up a modest competence against old age, and has so well shown his capacity for action that the people of the county have raised him to one of the important offices of trust. His parents were Thornton and Nancy Ann (Vestel) Davis, now deceased; the father was born in Ohio and the mother in Indiana, in which state they were married. After coming to Iowa they settled in Monroe county and followed farming the rest of their lives. Nine children were born to them, of whom two are now deceased.
William P. was born on his father's farm in Monroe county, Iowa, March 22, 1859. He lived at home until twenty-four years old, helping his father with the arduous labors of farm work and attending the district school in the winter. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Independence township, Appanoose county, and continued with good success in this occupation until he was elected by his Republican partisans to the office of sheriff in November, 1901, he is now serving in that office to the fullest satisfaction of the people. Mr. Davis now owns an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Independence township, which is under a fine state of cultivation and has many improvements.
In 1883 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Alma Grance Linch, and six children have been born to them; one son, Delbert, is now acting as deputy sheriff. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife belongs to the Christian church. The family are held in high regard in society, and the position that Mr. Davis has gained for himself by his efforts is the worthy reward of his unimpeachable character.
GEORGE W. DEAN , is proprietor of the Peerless Hereford Farm, making a specialty of the raising of fine Hereford cattle. He is a leading citizen of this locality and a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, May 24, 1839, and is a son of Levin Dean, who was one of the early settlers of Appanoose county. His birth occurred in Kentucky, and he was reared there, removing afterward to Missouri. In Howard county, of the latter state, he was united in marriage to Miss Missouri Ann Evans, also a native of the Blue Grass state. In 1846 they removed from Missouri to Appanoose County, Iowa, casting in their lot with the early settlers who were reclaiming the wild lands for farming purposes. Here Mr. Dean carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-five years of age. His widow still survives him and is now living at Moravia, at the age of eighty-six years. In their family were seven children: Elizabeth is deceased; George W. is the second of the family; Jesse, who was a soldier of the Civil war, died in a southern prison at Tyler, Texas, having been captured by the enemy; Sarah has passed away; Mrs. Mary Harn resides in Moravia; Mrs. Martha McCauley is the next younger; and Erastus is also living in Appanoose county. The father, in order to provide for his family, always carried on farm work. He gave his political support first to the Whig party and afterward to the Republican party, and in religious faith both he and his wife were Methodists.
George W. Dean was a lad of seven summers when brought by his parents to Appanoose county, and upon the home farm his early boyhood days were spent. He obtained his education in a log schoolhouse which was seated with slab seats, and he has also added to his knowledge by experience and observation. In August, 1862, he responded to the country's call for aid in preserving the Union, enlisting as a member of Company C, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, under Captain Phillips and Colonel C. W. Kittridge. Later the company was commanded by Captain W. Vermilya. Mr. Dean was wounded at the engagements at Marks Mills and for a time was held in a prison. In September, 1865, he received an honorable discharge, at which time he was serving with the rank of sergeant. Whether on the lonely picket line or upon the firing line he was found loyal to his duty and returned to his home with a creditable military record.
Mr. Dean had been married in 1860 in Appanoose county to Margaret C. Baldridge, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of W. C. Baldridge, who came to Iowa in 1849. He was a farmer by occupation and gave his political support to the Democracy, while his religious work was in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member. He died at the age of forty-seven years and is survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Miss Harriet Jane Miller and is now seventy-six years of age. In their family were seven children, namely: Margaret C., Drucilla, Sarah, James, Cyntha, Mary and Nora. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dean has been blessed with eight children: W. F., who is a practicing physician of Warren county, Iowa, and is a graduate of the Vanderbilt College of Tennessee; Mrs. Maggie J. Campbell, of Hastings, Nebraska; Mrs. Ella D. Smith, of Appanoose county; Ralph, who died at the age of eight years; Mrs. Arietta Morrison, of Colby county, Kansas; Earl M., who is a student in the Iowa Wesleyan College at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Emil E.; and Lucile Dean, who is at home.
In 1866 Mr. Dean located upon the farm which has since been his place of residence, becoming the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of land. This was mostly wild land, and his labors soon wrought a transformation in the appearance of the place, the fields becoming highly cultivated and good buildings erected. He now has a fine residence, big barns, pasture lands and feed lots and an extensive orchard. He is making a specialty of the raising of Hereford cattle and has a fine herd of thoroughbred stock upon his place. So splendidly improved is his farm that it is well named "Peerless," and the owner is a representative agriculturist, standing for all that is progressive and practical in farm work. He votes with the Republican party, which he has supported since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Masonic fraternity, being connected with the lodge, the chapter and the Eastern Star. He also holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church and is well known as a man of genuine worth, loyal in citizenship and progressive in his business affairs.