~ Adams, Hugh ~

Hugh Adams, residing on Section 4, Kellogg Township, is the son of John Quincy and Emily (Lyckey) Adams, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. Our subject was born in the Buckeye State April 2, 1849. In 1855 his father came west and traded a team of horses for a part of the farm on which our subject now resides. He came to the County, assisting McKinzy Ownes to locate here, returned to Ohio, and in 1856 returned to the Hawkeye State, where he became a permanent resident. He died here February 4, 1873, at the age of 73 years, his wife surviving him, died May 7, 1889, at 73 years of age. Hugh, who was inclined to see something of the country, drifted about for some years, working out most of the time as a farm hand. After his father's death, or, rather, in 1881, he came back and purchased the old homestead. January 16, 1889, he married Amie Parker. One child was born to them. His second marriage was September 3, 1891, at which date Lizzie Vandeventer became his wife. She was a native of Virginia. Two children have been born to them: Lloyd and Bessie. Page 16

~ Adkins, Theodore B. ~ Photo

Theodore B. Adkins, residing on Section 27, Rock Creek Township, is farming on the Alvin Adkins estate where he was born March 12, 1868. Alvin Adkins was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, September 19, 1822. His parents were J. and Nancy (Pemberton) Adkins. He came to Iowa in 1844, locating in Henry County, and from there to Jasper County in 1846. T. B. Adkins was married November 13, 1895, to Susannah A. Gill. Her parents were Thomas and Elma Gill, who came to Jasper County from Illinois in 1893. Two children have been born to them: Olen R., and Elma A. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Jasper County, and the Metropolitan Business College of Chicago. He is a farmer and stock raiser, and takes an active interest in all enterprises that tends to develope the county in which he has lived for so many years. Alvin Adkins, father of our subject, was one of the early pioneers of the county. A man of more than ordinary ability and a highly respected citizen, and assisted in building the first court house in Newton, and crossed the plains to California in 1852 to, search for gold, and remained six years. He died in Jasper County January 9, 1901. Page 20

~ Agnew, John S. ~

John S. Agnew, the senior member of the firm of J. S. Agnew & Son, was born in Pennsylvania March 8, 1828 and has been a resident of Jasper County since March 1864. John and Mary G. (White) Agnew parents of our subject, were also natives of the Keystone State, and when John S. was three years of age the family removed to Ohio. His father, by occupation was a carder and fuller of cloth and died in Ohio in 1847. His mother came west in 1852 and died in Knoxville, Marion County, Iowa, in 1865. John S. Agnew left Ohio in 1856, and located in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, where he commenced to learn his trade, that of a stone cutter. In 1859 he went to Davis County, Missouri. In September 1860, we find him in Marion County, Iowa, and in March 1864, in Jasper County, engaged in the marble business, in which business he has been engaged since 1856. Margaret Ann Dennis and our subject were united in marriage in Ohio in 1855. She was a native of the Buckeye State. By this union five children were born. Four grew to maturity, Harry J., the only surviving one. Their names were: Mary, Kate, Delle, Harry J. and Charles W. Harry J. Agnew was born August 18, 1864, and has always remained with his father, and is now the junior member of the firm. May 2, 1888, he was united in marriage to Emma J. Welch, a native of Pennsylvania. Her parents were Patrick and Jane (Ward) Welch, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. They have one daughter, Bernice. Mrs. John S. Agnew departed this life September 2, 1887. Part III, page 4

~ Aherns, John ~ Photo

John Aherns is a resident of Section 2, Rock Creek Township, and was born in Germany April 26, 1852. He came to America with his parents in 1854, and located in Bureau County, Illinois. In 1858 the family pushed on farther west and located in Poweshiek County, Iowa. His parents were John and Henrietta (Schultz) Ahrens, natives of Pommerania, Germany. His father was an agriculturalist in his native land, and died in Poweshiek County, Iowa, in 1861. There were three children in this family, Charles, John and Augusta, who were all born in the old country, and Caroline and Henry, born in America, and are now residents of Poweshiek County. Mrs. Ahrens, after the death of her husband, was again united in marriage to Frank Long, who is now deceased. Our subject was united in marriage, September 25, 1877, to Christine Kaisand, of Searsboroug, Poweshiek County. Her parents were Conrad and Margaret (Shaffer) Kaisand, who came to America in 1886. Her father died November 8, 1898; her mother is living with our subject and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens are the parents of five children: Frank, born June 15, 1878; John, born March 10, 1880; Katie, born August 12, 1882; Helen, born February 14, 1886, and Henry, born March 3, 1888. The family have been residents of Jasper County since in Jasper County.* The trip from Indiana was made with horse team. 1889. Mr. Ahrens is no office seeker, but is a stanch supporter of the Democratic Party, and is a member of Lily Lodge No. 254, A. F. & A. M. Page 23. *Original wording

~ Aillaud, Louis ~ Photo

Louis Aillaud, residing on Section 1, Mound Prairie Township, was born in Scott County, Iowa, July 14, 1866. His parents, William and Catharine (Schwein) Aillaud, were natives of Germany. His father came to America in 1845 (and was a sailor three years before he came to America) and his mother in 1849. Of this family there are living four sons and two daughters, Louis being the youngest. He married Nina C. Butler February 21, 1893. He was born in Jasper County in May 1869. Mr. Aillaud is a thorough farmer, and a successful breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle, and Duroc Jersey swine. His three brothers are near neighbors, all of whom are more or less engaged in stock feeding at which they are a marked success. Page 47

~ Allen, James ~

James Allen, residing on Section 15, Independence Township, was born in Scotland in September 1833, and came from Edinburgh direct to Jasper County in 1871, arriving here June 19th. He was married in Scotland January 3, 1861, to Joana Davidson. She was born in 1840. They have seven children: John, William, Charles, Fred, Maggie, now Mrs. Yule, who resides in Colorado, Lizzie, now Mrs. Chas. Davey, and Jessie, at home. When our subject came to Jasper County $700.00 was the amount of his capital. He now owns 240 acres of land, which is under a high state of cultivation, supplied with suitable buildings, on which our subject carries on quite an extensive stock raising business, breeding thoroughbred Short Horn cattle. Page 28

~ Allfree, Henry I. ~Photo

Henry I. Allfree, residing on Section 27, Sherman Township, was born in Jasper County May 19, 1866. His parents, Abram K. and Sophia (McGovern) Allfree, were natives of Pennsylvania, and settled in Jasper County in 1865, and are still residents of Sherman Township. His father was born October 27, 1831, and his mother January 31, 1831. Henry I. was married October 15, 1890, to Belle Sanderson. She was born in Ohio February 21, 1870. They are the parents of five children, Minnie, Mary, Jimmie, Edith and Vera. When our subject started for himself it was with very limited means, his capital being a team of horses. He has been a careful manager, however, and has acquired a competency. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic Party. Socially, the family attend the Presbyterian Church. Page 44

~ Altemeier, Henry S. ~Photo

Henry S. Altemeier, residing on Section 13, Newton Township, is a successful agriculturalist, and is the son of one of the pioneers of Jasper County. He was born September 10, 1864, and is the son of Simon and Mary (Andreas) Altemeier, natives of Germany, who now reside in one of the most comfortable homes in Mariposa Township. Elizabeth Breach (sic Mulbrook) was born in Jasper County February 15, 1871, and became the wife of our subject July 27, 1893. Their children are Frederick K., born August 20, 1894, and Elma Helene, born July 8, 1896. Mr. Altemeier is an energetic and successful farmer. Assisted by his wife, they will make a mark worth copying after among the agriculturalists of Jasper County. Politically, Mr. Altemeier believes in the principles or the Democratic Party. Socially, he and the family are members of the Evangelical Church. Page 40

~ Altemeier, Simon F. ~

Simon F. Altemeier, whose beautiful farm residence graces Section 35, Newton Township, was born in Jasper County December 5, 1872. He is the son of Simon and Mary Altemeier, early and prominent residents of Mariposa Township. Here our subject grew to manhood, receiving his education in the district schools of that township. Minnie Kienzle became his wife February 10, 1897. She was born in Muscatine County, Iowa, August 27, 1873. Mrs. Altemeier is a well-educated lady. She is a graduate of the high school of State Center, Iowa, and the business college at Des Moines. After finishing her education, she taught school for several years, and later was a bookkeeper in a sash and door factory in Muscatine, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Altemeier are the parents of one child: Laurine Estella, born December 16, 1900. Politically, Mr. Altemeier believes in the principles of the Democratic Party. Socially, he and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Newton. Page 11

~ Andreas, Fred C. ~Photo

Fred C. Andreas, an early settler and prominent farmer of Section 11, Elk Creek Township, came to Jasper County in the fall of 1856, and experienced one of the hardest winters this country has ever known. He is the son of Frederick and Sophiah (Rohrdanz) Andreas, and was born in Germany April 1, 1843. In the winter of 1868, he was united in marriage to Wilhelmina Castorf, a native of Germany. Ten children were born to them, three sons and seven daughters: Emma, Wilhelmina, Ella, Martha, Fred, William, Cora, Frank, Mary and Stella, all of whom are living. But few men in Jasper County who came here from a foreign land, have taken a more active part in the affairs of the county or is more widely known than the subject of this sketch. For many years he was identified with the political history of the county, but has never allowed his name to be presented for anything but township offices. For six years he was one of the board of trustees of his township. Politically, he is a Republican, and socially he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. Part III, page 7

~ Arnold, Joseph ~Photo

Joseph Arnold, Attorney at Law and Notary Public at Lynnville, has been identified with the history of Jasper County since 1851. He was born in Indiana April 1, 1832, and when about seven years of age his parents emigrated to Iowa and settled in Henry County, where Salem now stands; later to Jefferson County, where they resided until 1843. Central Iowa was thrown open to settlement about this time, and his father, Jesse Arnold, the first day the settlers were permitted to do so, made a claim two miles east of Oskaloosa. His farming utensils consisted of an axe and a gun. Joseph remained with his father about seven years, during which time he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. Young Arnold was energetic, and wishing to make a record for himself, in the spring of 1851, made his advent among the few shanties of Lynnville, and prepared to carve his way in the new country with a set of carpenter's tools. His father followed him soon after, and purchased the grist and sawmill at this place. Joseph then engaged with his father in its operation, and remained with him until his father's death in 1865.

Up to 1861, Joseph Arnold had made grand strides towards reaching the top of the financial ladder, but in June of that year, he received an injury while trying to jump from a wagon, that caused concussion of his spine, and for some time thereafter all said there was no hope for his recovery. Three years later, however, Dr. Sanford, of Keokuk, gave him the first word of encouragement he had received, by saying: "You cannot be cured, but you can be helped." This was enough to brace such a man as Arnold, and while he had never been physically strong, he has been reasonably healthy for a great many years, and is thankful for the work that he has been permitted to perform since that date both in church and his law practice. Mr. Arnold was first married November 3, 1853, to Tacy Smith. They became the parents of the following children: Mary Elizabeth, Martha Emma, Abbie, deceased, Rayford Linley, Ardilla Jane, Jesse B., deceased. Mrs. Arnold died in Oskaloosa January 22, 1869, in her forty-second year.

He was married the second time to Sarah Emma Hawkins in 1870. Three children have been born to them: Flora E., Maud, and Joseph W. They live in a comfortable home. He has educated a family of eight children, that are scattered but doing well, which is a great satisfaction to he and his wife during their declining years. In 1864 he was ordained as minister by the Society of Friends, of which body he has been a member for many years. He has discharged his duties with credit to himself and to his Society. A portrait of both he and his father very appropriately appear in another portion of this work. Page 27

~ Austin, Dr. William H. ~ Photo

Dr. William. H. Austin, a veterinary surgeon in the city of Newton, was born in, Mankato, Minnesota, April 8, 1865, and became a resident of Jasper County in the fall of 1891. He is the son of Joseph and Mary (Comstock) Austin, natives of England and New York respectively. His father was a farmer, and our subject remained with him until twenty-one years of age, receiving his education up to that time in the district schools and the Spirit Lake Academy. When he arrived at his majority he commenced a veterinary course at the Ames Agricultural College, and graduated in 1891, after which he became a resident of Newton, and has secured a lucrative practice, and. is now assistant state veterinary, which position he has held for the past six years. June 28, 1892, he married Katharine Ammons. Two children have blessed this union, one of whom is living, Mabel. The doctor takes an active interest in the affairs of the town, county and state. Socially, he is a member of Delta Lodge No. 53, Knights of Pythias. Page 40

~ Auten, Alexander C. ~ Photo

Alexander C. Auten, of Section 1, Buena Vista Township, was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 20, 1839. His parents were J. C. and Rebecca (Colley) Auten, who reared a family of 11 children: Clinton, Alexander C., Eliza, Louisa, Wesley, John, William, Elmira, Alice, Emma, and Finley. Our subject was married in Ohio in 1862 to Miss Lois D. Foot. She was a daughter of Adonijah and Elizabeth Foot. In 1865 they came from Ohio to Jasper County, and located in Buena Vista Township. The family consisted at that time of our subject and wife and one child, Frank, who was then about six months old. His first land was a tract of 40 acres on Section 5, which he purchased in 1868, on which they resided until 1895, when he removed to his present farm. A son, Jay C. was born to them in 1871, but was called to his heavenly home in 1888. Page 20

~ Axtell, Charles P. ~ Photo

Charles P. Axtell is the general manager of the department store known as the Big Store, an establishment that would due credit to a town of thirty of forty thousand inhabitants. He was born in Wyoming County, New York, June 5, 1845, where he obtained his education in the district schools and the Perry Academy. In 1861 he secured a position as clerk in a grocery, which position he held until 1865. He then removed to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and in 1868 to Newton, Iowa. He clerked for V. W. Skiff & Co. until the fall of 1875, and on the first day of January, 1876, formed a partnership with John Rae, opening a new dry goods store on the west side of the square. In 1881 Mr. Axtell dissolved the partnership and started for himself. Later on, he sold a half interest to H. M. Cox, and continued the business until the present company was organized. Mr. Axtell's father, Aaron Axtell, was born in Vermont, and his mother, Sarah Canfield, in Buffalo, New York. There are two children in Mr. Axtell's family: Mrs. F. H. Munn, residing in Ames, Iowa, and Ruth, living at home. He was married October 17, 1872, to H. A. Miller, who was born in Muscatine, January 19, 1847, and removed to Newton in 1870 with her parents. Her parents had lived in Pennsylvania before moving to Muscatine. Page 47

~ Aydelott, Ballinger ~ Photo

Ballinger Aydelott, now living a retired life at Newton dates his settlement in Jasper County from March 23, 1845, and thereby became one of the earliest pioneers of Jasper County. A brief sketch of his career will truly adorn the pages of the Jasper County Atlas and be appreciated by a multitude of friends that surround him.

Mr. Aydelott was born February 22, 1815, in Guilford County, North Carolina, near the battleground of Guilford Court House, the battle having been partly fought on his grandfather's farm, March 15, 1780.

When he was 15 years of age his parents removed to Indiana and settled in Richmond. In 1836 he went to Koscinsko County. This was a new County, at that time just settling up. He was first married March 30, 1838, to Anna Marshall, and the young couple soon located in Prebble County, Ohio, where our subject resided until coming to Iowa. On concluding to go west, he went to Cincinnati, and took a boat from there to Keokuk, and from there to Jasper County, traveling most of the way on foot.

When he landed in Jasper County, he had 25 cents in money, and at Oskaloosa, soon after, paid this amount for a letter from Ohio. His first wife died in Ohio. He was again united in marriage to Anne Paramore, who came to Jasper County with him, and located on a farm on Section 8, in what is now Buena Vista Township, on which they resided about ten years. In 1848, in company with Samuel McDaniel, he started a nursery, which they successfully operated together for several years, selling their stock over Marshall and Jasper counties.

In the fall of 1854 he removed to Newton, intending to open a nursery here, but having the misfortune of losing his wife, he changed his plans and returned to Ohio with his two children, Jesse P. and Winfield S., intending to make that his home. But after traveling about for two years, he returned to Jasper County, and was in no wise inclined to make the Buckeye State his permanent home. The next three years he remained with his brother, Joseph C. Aydelott, assisting him to open up a new farm. In 1859 he married Mrs. Jane Chew, the marriage ceremony taking place in Ohio.

In 1861 he started a butcher shop at Newton, which he closed out the following year, and in August 1862, enlisted in Company D, 40th Iowa Infantry, and served until November 1863. He participated in the battle of Vicksburg, where he was injured in the back in assisting to mount a cannon, and from this injury he has never recovered.

In 1864 he again opened a butcher shop in Newton, and managed the same until 1876. From that date until 1882 he was steward of the poor farm. He then removed to his farm in Palo Alto Township, where he resided until 1890, when he removed to Newton, where he and his youngest daughter now reside. Mr. Aydelott is the parent of eleven children, seven by his second marriage, two of whom are living: Jesse P. and Winfield S., who are residents of Kansas. By his third marriage, three children were born, two of whom are living, Myrtle Sanora, Mrs. S. R. Russell, residing in Palo Alto Township, and Mae, single, caring for her aged father. Part III, page 4