Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889. More biographies will be added as time permits.
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
S - T - U - V
Sanders, H. W.
Secor, Herbert T.
Shull, Morgan
Smith, Ransom
Steiglider, Ernest August
Strawn, S. H.
Taber, H. J.
Taylor, S. B.
Tryon, E. A.
Tuttle, Frank M.
Van Hooser, C.
Varney, Charles M.
Clay county biographies: A-B, C-D, E-F-G, H-I,
J-K-L, M-N, O-P,
Q-R, W-X-Y-Z.
Return to Index.
Sanders, H. W., farmer, was born in New York in 1836, and settled in this county about ten years ago. He has been prosperous, and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. He has an excellent farm, which is well improved, with good buildings and quite a large number of head of stock.
Secor, Herbert T., was born in Racine, Wis., October 8th, 1845, and subsequently with his parents moved to New Lisbon, where he remained until 1877, when he came to Clay county. During his stay in New Lisbon he clerked in a store and also in the American Express Company's office. Upon coming to this county he worked on a farm for a brief period, and then came to Spencer and took charge of his father's grocery store, which he conducted for several years. He then went west, where he remained some time, and then returned to Spencer. He was married in May, 1885.
Shull, Morgan, farmer, was born in Green county, Wis., where he lived for twenty-five years and worked on a farm, and in 1861 went to Freeport, Ill., where he worked at the blacksmithing trade. During the civil war he was a member of company K, 16th Wisconsin volunteer infantry, and served until peace was declared between the belligerent countries. After the war he went back to Wisconsin, where he remained one year on the farm and then came to Clay and took up a homestead on section 10 Clay township, where he lived for about ten years and then removed to Peterson and opened a blacksmith shop. Subsequently he came to Spencer and entered into partnership with James Hagerty and carried on a blacksmith and wagon making establishment. After a stay of eight years he sold out and purchased what is know as the "Lone Tree Farm," where he removed his family and for two years employed his time in farming. He again came to Spencer and went into the blacksmithing trade; finally sold out and went railroading; then returned to the farm where he has since remained. He was married in 1865 to Miss Isabelle Hunter. They have five children, J. W., J. E., Franklin, Dora, and Sadie. Mr. Shull is a democrat in politics and has been the choice of his party several times for county offices.
Smith, Ransom, was born in Palmyra, Ontario county, New York, October 20th, 1799. He lived in that county twenty years, when he moved to Niagra county, and subsequently to Wisconsin. In 1876 he removed to Clay county. Mr. Smith is the oldest man in the county. He has twice been married. His first wife's maiden name was Ruth Gaunett. In 1861 he was married to Emmeline Cole, of Wisconsin.
Steiglider, A., butcher, was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, June 15th, 1862, and resided in that county until April, 1882, when he came to Clay county and engaged in farming until October, 1887. He then removed to Spencer and opened up a meat market on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and is at present engaged in that line of trade. He thoroughly understands the business--having previous to his coming to Spencer been in that business--and by his uniform courtesy and square dealing has established a large and lucrative trade. The central location of his market and the quality of his meats bring a liberal patronage. Mr. A. was married February 7th, 1882, to Miss Lizzie De Mont. They have three children, Emma, Maggie and Charlie.
[Note: from Suzanne Steigleder Fightmaster, granddaughter of Ernest August Steigleder. "Ernest August (Gus) was one of the sons of August Frederick Steigleder and Matilda Schilling of German Township, Keokuk, IA. August Frederick was born in Suhl, Theringen Walde, Germany in 1828. He married Matilda in 1850 and came to America in 1855 and first settled in St. Louis, MO. In 1856 he moved to Sigourney, IA. Their children were Bertha, Emma, Hartwick, Edmund, Ernest August, Stephen Fred, Henry, and twins Emil and Louis, and Gustav. Ernest August had five children, Emma (1882-?), Margaret (1884-1954), Charles John (1887-1970, my father), Marjorie (1890-?), and Elizabeth (1893-1974). My father married Rose Alida Hellman and had two children, Charles John Jr., and Suzanne Irene. That is as much of the lineage as I have. I do have more information about the lives of my grandfather and great grandfather, if you are interested. Please contact me for more information."]
Strawn, S. H., farmer. He owns 250 acres of excellent land, of which 240 acres are under an excellent state of cultivation. He was born in Pennsylvani in 1841 and subsequently moved to Illinois. He served his country four and one-half years faithfully and nobly, being engaged in some of the most important battles of the war. After the close of the war he went to Nevada, and in 1872 he came to Clay county and settled. He is a successful and prosperous farmer; he was married in 1872.
Taber, H. J., carpenter, was born in Erie county, Penn., Feb. 10th, 1835, and lived in that State until 1847, when he moved to Lake county, Indiana, until 1859. During his residence in that State he worked at the carpenter's trade. He then came to Dallas county, and subsequently moved to Waverly, Bremer county, where he occupied his time working at his trade. In 1871 he moved to this county and settled in Riverton township, and lived on a farm until 1888. In addition to farming, he spent one or two years in railroading. During his residence in Riverton, he held the office of school director seven times, was treasurer three times, and in 1885 was elected county supervisor for three years. He is a Democrat in politics, and a very ardent one. He was married to Miss Mary Baskin. They have five children: A. C., W. P., Carrie, Mabel, and Maud. he owns 80 acres of land, 60 of which is under cultivation.
Of Smith & Taylor, dealers in farm implements, was born in Canada, Nov. 12th, 1850, where he lived for twenty-five years. He then came to the United States and traveled for about three years, when he came to Spencer and finally located. When he first came here, he worked at the carpentering trade, but subsequently moved on a farm, where he remained several years engaged in tilling the soil. In 1888 he removed to Spencer and formed a partnership with John S. Smith, and has since that date been in the farm machinery trade. Mr. Taylor is not only a first-class carpenter, but understands thoroughly the machine trade. He has been married twice, the first time to Miss Ruth Elkins, a number of years ago, leaving him one son, Mark D. The second time to Miss Hattie Webb. They have one child, Ettie.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 135.
Tryon, E. A., miller, of the firm of Tryon & Bruntlett, proprietors of the Spencer mills, was born in Genesee county, New York, in the year 1847, where for twenty years he made his home. He received a thorough academic education. In 1867 he moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he remained for a number of years and then removed to Plymouth county, Ohio, where he engaged in the stock business. He came to Spencer in 1889, and in company with Mr. Bruntlett purchased the Spencer mills. Mr. Tryon is a thorough business man, an excellent book-keeper, and a gentelman of large, practical experience. He was married in 1876 to Miss Minnie D. Tremaine of Plymouth county. They have four children.
Tuttle, Frank M., farmer and stock raiser is of Iowa birth, having been born in Clear Lake, May 18th, 1863, where he lived until his parents removed to Spencer in 1878, when he was fifteen years of age. He attended the public schools of Clear Lake and Spencer, was a student at Mt. Vernon College for several years, and then received a course of instruction at the Iowa Business College at Des Moines. He was, therefore, well equipped to enter business and encounter the practical things of life. He had been carefully trained for an active business pursuit by his father, Senator M. Tuttle, a man of large experience, a successful financier and a man of excellent judgment. When his father died, several years ago, his large estate was in the main entrusted to Frank's charge, and so signally has he carried out his parent's intention and so successfully has he been in his transactions, that it has stamped him as a young man possessing more than ordinary discernment and business enterprise and sagacity. He is the owner of one thousand acres of very choice land, and has under cultivation something over five hundred acres. The remaining portion is used as stock farms. He has been an extensive dealer in thoroughbred short-horn cattle, also different breeds of hogs, and is owner of some of the finest graded cattle that treads the soil of Clay county. His influence has ever been lent to encouraging, promoting and raising the breeding of every class of stock, and few men have devoted more time and money–residing in Clay county–to this than Mr. Tuttle. His theory is, that the better the breed, the better the price, and in the end it costs no more for a well-bred animal than for a poorly bred one. His ventures have been successful in this line, and have demonstrated that his theory is correct. He is an active, progressive young farmer, and has demonstrated his complete knowledge of all the requirements necessary to make him eminently successful in his chosen avocation. He is liberal and possesses generous qualities, and is a contributor to every worthy object. He was married in October 1888, to Miss Carrie Randall, daughter of P.E. Randall, cashier of the First National Bank.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 135.
Van Hooser, C., proprietor of the Central Hotel, was born in Jefferson county, N.Y., on April 10th, 1843, and when quite youthful came with his parents to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he lived until 1880. While he lived in that county, he was engaged in farming and the hotel business. In 1880 he disposed of his property and removed to Palo Alto county, where he again became a farmer and engaged in that branch of industry until 1887, when he went to Sioux Rapids and conducted a restaurant for some little time, and then sold out and came to Spencer and built the Central, a two-story frame building, located in the central part of town. It is complete throughout, being newly furnished and provided with comfortable rooms. The Central is a place where the weary can be refreshed and the appetite of the hungry satisfied. Mr. Van Hooser is a genial accommodating landlord, and spares no expense or effort to make his hotel a popular resort for the traveling public. He has a family of five, and employs three helpers. His tables are always well provided with everything the markets afford.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 136.
Among those who have consistently given personal effort to the upbuilding of the commercial, civic and social welfare of Dickens, Clay county, Iowa, none is more worthy of mention than the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this sketch. He has led an active and useful life, in the course of which he has been rewarded with success, while in local public affairs he has been prominent and influential. Charles M. Varney was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, on the 6th of April, 1861, and is a son of Ase and Miranda (Norton)Varney, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. After a number of years in Wisconsin, they came to Clay county, Iowa, where they spent their remaining days, their deaths occurring in Spencer. They were the parents of four sons, namely: Samuel, who was a veteran of the Civil war and is now deceased; James O., deceased; Harlow A., of Malta, Montana, and Charles M.
The last named was reared on the home farm an attended the neighboring district schools. He then entered the employ of the Great Northern Railroad, with which he remained until 1887, when he came to Iowa and engaged in farming, breaking the prairie sod. In 1888 he bought a half section of school land in Lake township, Clay county, to the operation of which he devoted his efforts closely during the subsequent years, and as he prospered he added other land until now he is the owner of about a full section in that locality. He made many permanent and substantial improvements on his place, developing it into one of the best farms in that part of the county, and followed progressive and up-to-date methods in all of his work.
On December 31, 1885, Mr. Varney was united in marriage to Miss Lily M. Rowe, who died February 27, 1902, leaving three children: George O., of Buffalo, Montana; Merton A., of Chicago, Illinois; and Phoebe May, who is engaged in teaching school. On May 18, 1909, Mr. Varney was married to Miss Kate Neigh, who was born and reared in Wisconsin. Politically, Mr. Varney has long been an ardent supporter of the republican party and has been honored by election to a number of public offices. He served as town clerk for sixteen years, was secretary of the school board and is now serving as town clerk of Dickens. He is a member off the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives generous support. He has in every respect merited the high esteem in which he is held, for he is a man of public spirit, fine personal attainments and exemplary character.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough
Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and
Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.
