Birt Waugh

WAUGH, SMITH, RITCHIE, CALKINS, VOGELSANG, KETELSEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/24/2011 at 21:51:24

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Volume 2, Excerpt, pages 926, 927, and 928.

BIRT WAUGH.

Herein is partially recorded the history of a family of honorable and worthy men and women, who have taken their share in the development of Clinton county. And what more can one do for one's country than the rearing to manhood and womanhood of twelve strong citizens, as did the father of the subject, the wagonmaker of Maquoketa and farmer of Clinton county.

Birt Waugh was born in Brookfield township, Clinton county, Iowa, on January 10, 1875, on the farm which he now owns, the son of Edward Fletcher Waugh and Liddy (Smith) Waugh. Edward Waugh was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1833, the son of natives of Ireland, who came to Jackson county, Iowa, in an early day where he lived to the age of ninety-nine. Edward Waugh came to Jackson county in 1854, and there met his wife, who was born in New York, February 21, 1843, and came to Jackson county in 1852. For twelve years Mr. Waugh followed the wagonmaker's trade in Maquoketa, then, having been set back by the war, in 1866 he removed to Clinton county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, to which he afterwards added one hundred and sixty more. Here he lived and farmed successfully until 1907, when he returned to Maquoketa, and now lives there in retirement. In politics he is a Republican, and has held local offices in Brookfield township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of fifteen children, twelve of whom are living: Lester, Vernon Edward, Etta (deceased), Sherman (deceased), Arthur, Clinton, Gertrude, Allie, Birt, Charles, Anna, Mary (deceased). Bird, Edward Fletcher and Elbert.

Birt Waugh grew to manhood on the old farm, and attended the common schools and Dixon's Normal College, then engaged in farming, and now owns eighty acres of land. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle. For about ten years he has been the owner of a threshing machine, and spends his summers largely in the work of threshing. He and his family are members of the Methodist church. On January 17, 1905, he was married to Martha Richie, who was born on April 26, 1884, in Liberty township, Clinton county, the daughter of C. E. and Ella (Calkins) Richie. C. E. Richie came early to Clinton county; here his wife died, and he is now living at Toronto, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Waugh are the parents of one son, Fay Elsworth, born January 31, 1906.

Charles Waugh, a brother of Birt, was born on the Waugh homestead on June 27, 1877. He attended the public schools, is a farmer, and works eighty acres of land, giving special attention to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is, like all his brothers, a Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows. On October 10, 1906, Charles Waugh was married to Celia Vogelsang, of Clinton county, Iowa. Two children have been born to them, Thelma and Melvin.

Edward F. Waugh, another brother, was born on February 27, 1884, attended the common schools, and early began farming. He is working eighty acres of the homestead, and is also a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, a Republican, and an Odd Fellow, like his brothers. He was married on March 26, 1906, to Hermina Kettlesen, of Clinton county. One child, Vera, has been born to them.

Another brother, Elbert, works the remaining eighty acres of the homestead. He also is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle. In politics he is a Republican.

The Waugh brothers are all excellent farmers, and strong, progressive young men. They have many friends, and no family in their community is more highly respected than the Waughs.