Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889.
Contributions are welcome. If you have any biographies of your Clay county ancestors that you would like to contribute, whether from other sources or written by yourself, please contact me at: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator
E - F - G
Eckley, John
Eckley, W. O.
Ellis, W. E.
Evans, John
Fairbanks, Charles B.
Faulkner, Thomas W.
Fehr, Jacob
Fenn, Isaac
Fish, Howard Sherman
Fisk, Uriah D.
Flint, Ernest Parker
Freeburg, Gustaf
Frees, Wm.
Furst, George
Gifford, James
Gillespie, D. C.
Gillespie, Samuel
Gleason, G. A.
Goldsworthy, J. T.
Greene, Albert W.
Greenslit, N. E.
Clay county biographies: A-B, C-D,
H-I, J-K-L, M-N,
O-P, Q-R, S-T-U-V,
W-X-Y-Z.
Return
to Index.
Farmer, PO Sioux Rapids. Was born in Birmingham, Van Buren county, Iowa, on the first day of January 1849. When at a youthful age his parents moved to Knox county, Illinois. For twenty years he remained a resident of that state. On November 5th, 1859, he returned to Iowa and has been a citizen ever since that date. Afterwards he came to Clay county, and is among the few who braved the privations of pioneer life and suffered from the ravages of the grasshopper raids and yet remained. He has been a successful farmer, and although losing almost everything by the grasshoppers, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. In 1878 he began in a small way to manufacture cheese, and his business has gradually grown annually made over 55,000 pounds, which has met with a prompt and ready sale. Mr. Eckley is a leading and influential citizen of Douglas township, and has been, a number of times, chosen by his fellow townsmen as their representative besides holding a number of township offices.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 224.
CC Note: See Clay county Gravestone Photo page for photo of John & Jane Eckley's tombstone.
Among the younger men finding their fortunes in the great west is W. O. Eckley, who is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Logan township, and formerly well known as a livery man and dealer in farm implements, both of which enterprises he gave up recently in order to devote his undivided attention to his agricultural interests. He is a man whose aggressive spirit is enabling him to turn the soil to his advantage, and being possessed of the strength and vigor of youth, he may well look forward to many a year of bountiful harvests, which will be the means of leading him along the pathway of success and to permanent prosperity. A native son, his birth occurred in Douglas township, Clay county, December 19, 1877 and he is a son of John L. and Mary E. (Duboise) Eckley. His father was also a native of Iowa, and now resides in Barnum, Carlton county, Minnesota. His mother is a native of New York state.
The boyhood days of W. O. Eckley were spent in Douglas township and Spencer, where he attended the common schools and remained at his studies until he had completed his education. Upon leaving school he remained at the home of his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Being somewhat inspired by the brawny arm of the blacksmith, he thought he would like to engage in that occupation as his life work, consequently he secured a place in a blacksmith shop, when, after one years hard work, he gave up his desire to follow the occupation and engaged in business at Gillett Grove. He remained there two years and became connected with a livery business, which he pursued for a time, and then entered the employ of Charles Gilmore, for whom he worked until he was united in marriage, and then took up farming in Herdland township. He followed farming there for a period of three years, then removed to his present rented farm in this township, and there cultivates a half section of excellent land. Since his occupancy of this place he has been meeting with more than ordinary success in producing general crops and in handling and breeding a high grade of stock, and at the expiration of 1909 he anticipates having sufficient surplus means with which to rent an additional quarter section, upon which he will broaden his farming interests and pay more attention to stock-breeding.
February 2, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Carlson, a daughter of John Carlson, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, who now resides in Greenwood, Missouri. To this union have been born the following children: Hazel Esther, who is four years of age, and Harvey John, now in his third year. The republican party receives Mr. Eckley’s support, the principles of which, upon candid consideration, he has decided contain the secret of the nation’s financial power and permanent prosperity. He attends divine services at the Methodist church and his excellent qualities of character and enterprising spirit have given him high standing as a citizen of the community.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 599.
Lumber dealer, res. corner Park and Second streets, was born in Washington county, Vermont, July 12, 1841 and remained a resident of that place fro 24 years, when he went to Arkansas and stayed six months. He then removed to Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, and lived there two years, but becoming desirous of living in the east he returned to Vermont and remained there four years, finally coming back to Iowa and locating at Vinton again. In 1881 he moved to Peterson and opened a lumber yard. While in Benton county he worked at the carpentering business and in Vermont was engaged in farming pursuits. He saw that Peterson was destined to grow into a town of some proportions and make a good trading point and therefore settled there. After building an office and establishing himself he ordered several car loads of lumber. At that time Peterson was without railroad facilities and he was therefore compelled to employ teams to haul it a distance of twenty-four miles. He is therefore entitled to the honor of establishing the first lumber yard in Peterson. He is a careful business man and pays the strictest attention to business affairs and ahs been remarkably successful in building up a good trade. He is a public spirited and liberal minded citizen. He was married March 5, 1865, to Miss Sarah A. Haven. They have one son E. H. A description of Mr. Ellis' lumber yard is given elsewhere.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 188.
Farmer, residence Fourth street, was born in Wales sixty years ago and lived there until 1852 when he came to this country and settled in Baltimore where he worked in the smelting works for some nine years. In 1861 he moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and for seven years was a farmer. He came to Clay county in 1868 and took up a homestead on section 24 of now Peterson township where he remained until recently when he moved to Peterson. Mr. Evans is one of the hardy pioneers of the county and fully comprehends the difficulties of pioneer existence. He has passed through the latter as well as the grasshopper siege and knows the discomforts of both. He has been a successful farmer and has accumulated a considerable competency. He has held the position of township trustee off and on for fifteen years, was a member of the board of supervisors in early times and has been a member of the township school board. He was married in 1850 to Miss Margaret Harris. They have but one child, W. E., who is engaged in the mercantile business of Peterson. Mr. Evans after many years of hand toil intends to spend his remaining days quietly and has rented out his farms containing 365 acres.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 188.
Hardware merchant, Main street. He was born in Owego, Tioga county, N. Y., September 22, 1846, and lived in that county for nineteen years. In December, 1863, he enlisted in Co. H., 39th New York Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. His regiment was attached to the first brigade, first division, ninth army corps, and participated with that corps in its great charge after the explosion of the Petersburg mine. Here death and destruction was on every hand and the killed and wounded in that brave but futile charge was enormous. With his regiment he took part in all the battles of the Wilderness and after the Grand Review at Washington his regiment was sent to Buffalo, when he was mustered out. He had previously been transferred to Co. G, 51st N. Y. In 1865 he came to Iowa and located at Centre Point, Linn county, and engaged in farming. In 1870 he moved to Clay county and homesteaded a part of section 20 in Clay township. Here he farmed until 1882 when he moved to Spencer and for the next four years was in the insurance and loaning business. During the year of 1886 he moved to Peterson and commenced the hardare trade in which he has been exceedingly successful. he is an enterprising merchant and a good citizen. He takes quite an interest in Grand Army matters and is a member of the Peterson post. Besides serving as a private in his company he was orderly for a time to Gen. Wilcox, who commanded the First Division of the Ninth Corps. His regimental commander was Colonel Tracey, now secretary of the navy. He was married in 1866 to Miss Colina Russell. They have four children, Minnie B., Hiram B., Florence L. and Lucy Z.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 189.
Faulkner, Thomas W., clerk, was born in Lawrence county, New York, April 20th, 1857, where he lived for eight years, and with his parents went to Monroe county, Wis., where he lived thirteen years on a farm. From there he went to Minnesota and lived three years, and in 1881 came to Spencer. For a time he was employed in the dray line, but the greater part of his time, since a resident of this place, he has been clerking for David Wooliscroft. He was married March 30th, 1880, to Miss Ida A. Polk. They have two children: Ida Myrtle and Cora Susan.
Laborer,was born in Switzerland and came to this country about ten years ago. He possesses a roving disposition and a desire to see the great United States. He has lived a large number of states. His longest stay was in New Jersey and Illinois. From the latter state he came to Clay county.
May 24, 1962
Fenn, Isaac, farmer, was born in New Haven, Orange co., Conn., in 1834, where he lived about twenty-one years. He then moved to Kansas in 1856 and remained there until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted in Co., K, 11th Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He came to Iowa and located in Clay county in 1869, and has since been a resident. He was married in 1860 and has nine children.
Howard Sherman Fish was born January 2, 1871 in Spencer, Clay County, Iowa. His parents were Daniel Heath Fish and Caroline English Fish. According to family history he received a Dr. of Optics from Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology, May 31, 1906 at Chicago, Illinois. He married Lillie Faye Day of Afton, Union County, Iowa on December 21, 1895 at Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa. This was a surprise wedding according to an article in the Beacon. They moved to Spokane, Washington in the early 1900s and then on to Seattle, Washington.
Contributed by: Wilma Bishop, a granddaughter of Howard Sherman Fish.
Uriah D. Fisk, who since 1882 has been a resident of Clay county, is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Logan
township. This is an attractive place because of its skillfully tiled fields and the
substantial improvements he has put upon the property. He is, therefore, well known as an excellent representative of the agricultural life of the
community, and the success he has attained in his farming operations is attributable entirely to his own labors. One of Iowa's native sons, he was
born in Adams county, June 12, 1871, and is a son of Robert and Emeline (Webster) Fisk, both of whom were natives of Canada. The Fisk family was
established in Lee county, Illinois, about 1855, while the Websters located there a few years later, the parents or our subject being married in Lee
county, where they continued to reside for a number of years. July 3, 1882, when their son Uriah was eleven years of age, they arrived in Clay county,
Iowa, locating on section No. 28, Lincoln township, where they have since made their home.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Uriah D. Fisk was early trained to the work of the farm,
assisting in the labors of the fields and meadow as the years passed and his
strength increased. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and in his school and home training he formed habits of life
which have made his an active, useful and honorable career.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Fisk chose Miss Emma Klein, born in Iroquois county, Illinois, July 27, 1873, a daughter of
Fred and Caroline (Bishop) Klein, who were natives of Germany. To this union there came three children: Milo, born November 30, 1896; Robert, born June
27, 1901; Vera, born April 3, 1903. On coming to America in 1864 Fred Klein and wife settled in Chicago, where they remained for several years. The
father was a shoemaker by trade and depended upon that occupation for a living in early manhood, but later turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits. Leaving Chicago, he established his home in Iroquois county, Illinois, where he lived a few years, and in 1884 came to
Clay county, Iowa. Here he secured land and carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was sixty-six years of age. His
wife survived him about four years and died on the 23rd of October, 1903, at the age of sixty-nine years.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fisk was celebrated November 29, 1894, after which they
established their home in Garfield township, where his attention was given to general agricultural pursuits for about seven years. In 1904
the removal was made to Logan township and he purchased the farm which he now owns and operates. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of well
cultivated fields, on which are fine improvements. In fact, all of the equipments of a model farm are to be seen upon this property, and in
addition to tilling the soil. Mr. Fisk is largely interested in stock raising and shipping. He is a busy man, his time and attention being
closely given to his farming and livestock interests, and as the years go by he is
attaining substantial success in his chosen field of labor.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 644.
Ernest Parker Flint, cashier of the Exchange Bank at Dickens, was born at Stoughton, Dane County, Wisconsin, July 23, 1869, and is a son of Angelo A. and Emma (Parker) Flint, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Flint lived in Stoughton, Wisconsin, until ten years of age and began his education in the public school there. Later he removed to northern Michigan and subsequently became a resident of Spencer as his parents established their home in these different localities. He was graduated from the high school at Florence, Wisconsin, and later from the Beloit College Academy, where he completed his course in 1892. He then took a position as assistant cashier in the Exchange Bank of Dickens and since 1899 has been the cashier. He is now thoroughly conversant with the banking business in principle and detail and his capable control of the Exchange Bank is manifested in its growing success. It is one of the reliable financial institutions of this part of the state and conducts all kinds of banking business.
On the 15th of November, 1894, Mr. Flint was united in marriage to Miss Lorena Varney, a daughter of James O. and Jennie (Holt) Varney. Mrs. Flint was born in this county, near Spencer, and by her marriage has become the mother of one daughter, Mariah. Mr. Flint exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served as school treasurer for a number of years. He belongs to Dickens Lodge, No. 583, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. They are well known in the community and their home is the center of a cultured society circle. Mr. Flint always gives his influence and aid to progressive public measures and stands as a stalwart defender of justice, truth and right, in public as well as private relations.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 253.
The Scandinavia peninsula has furnished to America valuable citizens, including Gustaf Freeburg, who is interested in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising at Rossie, this county. His birth occurred near Guttenberg, Sweden, May 22, 1849, and he is a son of Magnus and Mary (Anderson) Johnson, his father pursued general farming in his native land until his death in 1862, while his wife also departed this life, during the same year. In their family were the following children: Christina and Andrew, deceased; Anna, widow of Carl Lunbeck; John, who resides in Sweden; and Gustaf.
In the common schools of his native land Gustaf Freeburg acquired his education and upon completing his studies remained at home until he was thirteen years of age, at which period of his life he went to live with an aunt with whom he spent three years. He then secured employment on a farm, where he remained until his marriage and then rented land which he cultivated until the year 1880, when he came to the new world and visited with a brother located in Lincoln township, where he remained for ten weeks. Later he removed to Summit township, where for two years he was in the employ of James Goodwin and in the year 1882 removed to the farm on which he now resides. Here he owns eleven hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, all the improvements on which he has made himself, and aside from having a comfortable dwelling he also has a commodious barn and all the necessary outbuildings together with machinery and other conveniences with which to carry on his work by modern methods. When Mr. Freeburg first took possession of this property he owned but a single team of oxen and a lumber wagon, which conveyance he not only employed in his farm work but also utilized to take himself and family to church. At that time his barn and stable combined consisted of a building fourteen by sixteen feet and in it he kept his provender and also his oxen and later a team of mules, when he had earned sufficient money to buy them during the first winter he engaged in farming for himself. These were his sole possessions but he was not so fortunate with them as he would have liked to have been, since one of the mules died shortly after he purchased it and he was compelled to borrow a horse from a neighbor in order to complete the team, and as he had no money with which to pay for the hire of the animal he worked it out on his neighbor’s farm. In three years time he mortgaged his farm, which then consisted of eighty acres, and with the money he obtained he purchased a team. By hard work and food management he saved his earnings from year to year, until finally he increased his small farm of eighty acres to his present extensive landed possessions, including more than eleven hundred and twenty acres. He is regarded as one of the most industrious as well as one of the most prosperous agriculturists in the county. Aside from general farming in the production of hay and the various kinds of grain, he also engages in stock raising and keeps on hand a number of fine cattle and hogs, and he does a considerable shipping business.
In 1872, in his native land, Mr. Freeburg was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Peterson and to this union have been born eleven children, manly: John; Carl, who wedded Mary Anderson and resides on a farm in Lincoln township; Selma M., who became the wife of Andrew Olson, who is also an agriculturist of Lincoln township; Clara Amelia, the wife of Gus Carlson, of Lincoln township; Martin; Albert; Emma; Harry; Hannah; Elizabeth, and Beda. Mr. Freeburg’s political opinions have always been on the side of the republican party and, having intelligently investigated the merits of the several political platforms, he considers the principles of republicanism best suited to preserve the prosperity of the country and promote its financial interests. Consequently he is always ready with his vote and influence to secure the election of its candidates. He has filled the positions of a road supervisor and school director, in which capacities he has served efficiently for a number of terms. He is a man of high moral character, dutiful to his religious obligations as a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, of the Sunday school, of which he is superintendent. Mr. Freeburg is one of the most substantial farmers of the vicinity, well known throughout the township for his diligence and enterprise, and he deserves great credit for his present prosperity, which is due solely to his own exertions.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 538.
Frees, Wm., billiard hall, Spencer, was born in Germany, March 22nd, 1848, and came to America in 1869. Previous to coming to this country he had spent several years in the study of music, and when he came to the United States and located in Chicago he taught it for some time. He then went to Aurora, and worked at the barber trade, and from there he moved to Leroy, where he lived for two years, and then came to Spencer. He opened a barber shop, which he ran for about ten years. He was married in 1879 to Miss Sarah Roth. They have two children, Mabel and Elsie.
George Furst married to Mary Jane Rabenolt/Robinualt, both were buried in Spencer, Clay County, Iowa. George was born in Woodcock Twp., Crawford County, Pennsylvania in the year of 1810. Wife was born in 1816 in Northcumberland County, Pennsylvania and died on November 24, 1892. They moved to Iowa in 1855. George, died August 28, 1860 at the age of 50. They had nine children.
Mary Jane remarried on December 12, 1865 to James Jrred in Manchester, Iowa. Mary Jane died on November 24, 1892 at the age of 76. She is buried in Clay County, Iowa.
Contributed by: Valerie Hockey. George is her maternal gg-grandfather.
Mason and plasterer, residence First, Spencer.
Was born in Waterville, Oneida county, New York, November 8th, 1837, and lived there until ten years old, when he went to Eaton Village, Madison county, and lived there until nineteen years of age, when he went to Champaign county, Illinois, and remained during the fall. From there he went to Newark, Kendall county, and stayed about two years. It was during the year 1859 that he came to Iowa and settled in Marshall county and from there to Waterloo, when he again changed his abode. This time he went to California, where for two years he had the advantage of the flush times and salubrious climate of the Pacific coast. On his return to Iowa he settled down in Marshall county again for a brief time. From that county he went to Iowa Falls and from there back to Waterloo. For the third time he returned to Marshall county and in 1881 came to Spencer where he still lives. His life has been in a great measure filled with travels and a roving disposition, but at last finding a spot which is suited to him, he has concluded to spend the remainder of his days in Clay. He learned is trade as mason and plasterer in New York, and has continually worked at if for nearly thirty-five years and has built a number of fine buildings, among them being the Female Seminary and several blocks in Waterloo; the Glidden school house, Carroll county; the Marble block, in Marshall; the Beed block in Hampton; the Howell building in Audobon, and a number of other handsome structures. He was married in 1861 to Miss Rosseta Baker. They have living nine children, Frank, a compositor; Henry L., in partnership with his father; Myrtie, now on the stage; Fred J., Charlie, Milroy; George, Percy ad Pipo Clarence; another son and a bright young man died during the summer of 1889.
Railroad contractor, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, March 29th, 1847. When but four years old both his parents died and he was left an orphan. When nine years of age, with his brother, he went to Sauk county, Wisconsin, and lived on a farm until 1864. When but seventeen he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until peace was declared between the North and South. After being honorably discharged he returned to his home and remained there until 1869, when he came to Iowa and located at Charles City and stayed there six months. Subsequently he moved to Clear Lake and from there to Clay County. He selected a homestead in now Meadow township and for thirteen years tilled the soil. For the past five years he has been a resident of Spencer, and the greater part of these years has been engaged in railroad grade contracting in which business he has been very successful. In addition to his town property he is the owner of 520 acres of splendid farm and grazing land in Meadow township. He has 440 acres under a good state of cultivation. He early learned to depend upon his own exertions and by his own endeavors, careful financiering and close attention to business, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable of this world's goods. Since he came to this county he ha held the office of trustee of Meadow township and is at present a member of the Spencer school board. To both of these positions he has been elected against his wishes, but the people saw in him a successful business man and an enterprising citizen, and therefore demanded his services in a public capacity. He was married in July 1867 to Miss Frances M. Gloyd. The have had seven children born to them, namely, James E., Arthur D., Edgar P., Daniel C., Maudie M., Agnes May and Roy G.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 146.
Samuel Gillespie was born near Lafayette, Indiana, June 17, 1843. He continued to live in that part of the country until 1869, when he went to the pacific coast and spent there two years in teaching. He came to Clay county, Iowa, in the spring of 1871, locating in Peterson and assisting in the publication of the Clay County News, the first permanent paper published in the county. The fall of 1871 he moved to Spencer, with the newspaper with which he was connected, and his since continued to reside there, devoting most of the intervening years to work on the News.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 679.
G. A. Gleason, who manifests a spirit of unfaltering determination and unwearied industry in carrying on his farming interests in Logan township, Clay county, is a representative of one of the early families of Iowa and a direct descendant of General Putnam. His parents were Clement and Jane (McDowell) Gleason. His father was a native of the state of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in Salem. At an early date he located in this state and throughout his life was well known as a farmer and merchant. He was one of the first to take up land in Wapello county, at which time the greater portion of the state was unsettled and unimproved. It was therefore not without strenuous efforts and unfaltering perseverance that the raw land was brought under cultivation. Mr. Gleason belonged to that early generation of men who did not expect to make their way in life without having to overcome difficulties and hardships, and being a man inspired by a firm purpose and an aggressive spirit he soon converted the wild and unproductive prairie into fertile fields from which he reaped generous harvests. In connection with farming he also carried on a general mercantile business and was one of the first to engage in that enterprise in his locality. He was well known throughout the county and in his day did much toward advancing the general improvement of the township in which he spent his life.
G. A. Gleason was born in Agency City, Iowa, June 10, 1848. He acquired his education in the district schools and upon completing his schooling at the age of twenty years he was apprenticed to a cooper and carpenter, with whom he remained until he learned the trade. He then worked as a journeyman for five years, at the expiration of which time he began contracting and building on his own account, his previous experience well qualifying him for this step. He followed the business in Atlantic, Cass county, and in Coon Rapids, Carroll county, Iowa, and the undertaking proved quite successful. In 1893 he came to this county and has since devoted his time to raising general crops. He has given much attention to his farming by way of making improvements and conducts the occupation upon modern principles, also carefully studying the nature of the soil. He has been successful in so cultivating his crops as to approximate a maximum yield per acre and from year to year has been gradually adding to his prosperity.
In 1867 Mr. Gleason wedded Mary L. Laraway and to this union were born the following named: Clement, an agriculturist of Sioux township; Amanda, the wife of H. A. Smith, residing on a farm in Gillets Grove township; Fred R., who is manager of the Farmer’s Elevator Company at Gillets Grove: Bessie, the wife of Robert Moore, who follows agricultural pursuits in Logan township, and Catherine, who resides with her parents. Mr. Gleason’s political views have always been in accord with republican principles and, although he is not an active politician nor does he aspire to hold public office, he takes considerable interest in elections and during campaigns uses his vote and influence in behalf of the candidates of his party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and Spencer Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Gleason’s life has been such as to merit the respect of his fellowmen and by his honesty, uprightness and industry he has contributed much toward the upbuilding of the community of which he is a representative citizen.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 584.
Goldsworthy, J. T., farmer, came to this county along in the seventies and for a number of years engaged in farming and stock trading. In 1881 he went to Montana in company with a party and spent two years in that country. Shortly after he returned to Spencer he opened a bank in Ruthven, which he conducted several years finally selling it and again returning to Clay county, he engaged in agricultural pursuits and has been very successful. He is full of energy and his business enterprises have been, in the majority of cases, successful and brought him a rich reward. He was married in December, 1884, to Miss Bedford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bedford. He is the owner of 240 acres of land.
Greene, Albert W., was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Feb. 20th, 1845. He received a common school education, and in May 1867, came to Marshall Co., Iowa, removing thence to Clay Co. in 1869, homesteading the south one-half of southwest quarter of sec. 30, Gillett's Grove township, where he has resided continuously. Greenville P.O. was established at his place July 1st, 1871, he being appointed postmaster, and is still serving in that capacity. He began a general merchandise business at Greenville in 1886, which has proven reasonably successful. During the early years on the homestead he taught the district school in the winter. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace since the organization of the township in 1873, and upon forming of "The Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning Association of Clay Co.," he was elected its president. He married Miss Lizzie Stanfield in Nov. 1868, who is still living. Mr. Greene is a member of the Friends Church, and an earnest encourager of all public enterprises.
Drayman, was born in Troy, New York, July 19th, 1866, but his parents shortly after that date came to Shell Rock, Iowa, where they lived ten or eleven years and then removed to Spirit Lake, and stayed five years. They then moved to Spencer, where since that date he has been engaged in the draying business. He is a stirring young man and by his close attention to the work intrusted (sic) to him has succeeded in building up quite a good business. He is a sage and careful man and has by hard work secured what trade he now commands.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 147.
