"T" Biographies
THIEMIG, FRITZ
Fritz Thiemig, now one of the young and prosperous farmers of Larchwood township, whose prosperity has come from hard work and careful saving, was born in Saxony, Germany, March 4, 1868, where his father, who was a life-long farmer, lived and died. Fritz attended the common schools of his native land, and when twenty years old, in 1888, left the "Fatherland," and struck out for himself, coming to the United States in search of a home and a fortune better adapted to his ambitions than Saxon land could furnish.
The young emigrant landed in the city of New York, and made his way from there to Plymouth county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm hand for some four years. His next move was to come to Lyon county, where he bought a farm, and engaged earnestly and successfully in its cultivation.
Mr. Thiemig was married in 1893 to Miss Bertha Klingbeil, a native of Germany, where she was born in 1861. To their union have come four children: Eddie, Francis, Emma and Elsie. The four were all born in Plymouth county, Iowa. Mr. Thiemig is a Democrat and is a conservative and reliable citizen. He has worked hard, studied his field of operations, and is now the well-to-do owner of a fine farm of two hundred and five acres of land with good farm buildings, and complete appointments for profitable farming.
THIES, FRED H.
Fred H. Thies, a farmer of Dale township, with his home on section 26, was born in Freeport, Illinois, April 3, 1865, being the third member of a family of eight children, four of whom are now living, born to Fred and Louise (Duker) Thies, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a tailor by trade, but for the last two years of his life he was engaged in farming, as his health demanded a change from the tailor shop.
When his father died, Fred H. Thies was but nine years of age and the family were left on a rented farm almost destitute. These were indeed hard times, as all the children were small; but the grave-hearted mother kept her family together, and after three years bought a place of fifteen acres on which she built a little home. The children worked out, and sent their earnings home. Fred H. grew up with much work and but little schooling. When he was seventeen years old, he came into Iowa, and was so impressed with the possibilities of the state as seen in Franklin county, that he went home and so urged his mother to sell out, that she might try the possibilities of a new country, that she did sell, and bringing with her family bought one hundred and sixty acres of improved land, for which she agreed to pay $20 per acre, and make a liberal first payment. He took charge of the farm work, and remained at home until his marriage at the age of twenty-four years. The faithful mother secured her farm clear of debt and was able to do something as she wanted for her younger children.
Mr. Thies married Miss Kate Lauber, and began farming for himself. To this union were born eight children: Fred, Ida, Lydia, Tillie, August, Archie, Elsie and Nina. Mrs. Thies is the daughter of William and Barbara (Green) Laauber, both natives of Germany. They were married and lived at Freeport, Illinois, where the father died in 1859. The mother lives in Illinois, and is over seventy-seven years of age.
In the fall of 1886, in company with a younger brother, Fred H. Thies came to Lyon county, where they rented a farm together. He and his brother Henry had unitedly two hundred and forty acres of land; and that spring Henry accidentally shot himself while taking a loaded gun from his buggy. This left Fred with more land on his hands than he knew what to do with. He did the best he could, however, and in 1888 he bought an additional eighty, on which he now lives. As soon as he was able he bought more land, and now owns two hundred and forty acres. When Mr. Thies became the owner of the place there was a small unfinished house on it, with boards running up and down it. This house was often referred to as the one in which Jesse James slept in, for he and his brother passed a night in it when they were guests of Martin Cook, the original proprietor. The frame of this old pioneer shack together with one of the pioneer school houses form a part of the present home of Mr. Thies. It is true they would not be recognized as they form part of a substantial modern house. The farm has been improved with substantial buildings. His barn is 34 by 68 feet with 18-foot posts. The first winter they spent in Lyon county was full of hardships both for themselves and their stock. Mr. Thies acknowledges many favors from one "Nick" Boor, of Ashton, without whose generous friendship he would hardly have outlived the winter. Mr. Thies is a Democrat, and for eighteen years has served on the town board.
THOMPSON, COL. FRANCIS MARION
By W.L. Clark.
Col. Francis Marion Thompson, who settled at Rock Rapids in 1875, by reason of his official business and social relations is justly entitled to more than passing notice in a work of this character. He was born near Carey, Ohio, October 11, 1842. His father was Matthew Thompson, a soldier of the war of 1812, bornat Head Elk, Cecil county, Maryland, January 8, 1791. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Thompson, and paternal grandmother, Sarah Bell, were natives of Belfast, Ireland, where they were married, and where their first son, Thomas Cruse Thompson, was born. Both the Thompson and Bell families were related to the famous Lord Thomas Cruse, who was compelled to flee the country for his participation in the revolution of 1798. He sought an asylum in the United States, where he died soon after. His mother, Martha Spaulding, was a daughter of Abel Spaulding, who served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, and through her is a direct descendant of Aquila Chase, who settled in the town of Newberry, Massachusetts, i 1640, and is thereby closely related to Bishop Philander Chase (1775-1852), and Salmon P. Chase (1808-1873), Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and Secretary of Treasury of the United States in Lincoln's cabinet.
Col. Francis Marion Thompson
He for whom this sketch is written first attended school in a log school house in Ohio, where everything was of the rudest and most primitive character. His early education was carefully superintended by his mother, who was a prominent educator of her time to whom he went to school several years. He came to Iowa, in company with his father's family, in 1857, settling in Clayton county, then but sparsely settled, it being counted a frontier county. The trip from Ohio was made overland and consumed forty days, being made in a covered wagon. Mr. Thompson's father's career was a checkered one--having made and lost more than one fortune. He came to Iowa, believing the then new West afforded him better opportunities to obtain a home and properly rear his family.
Our subject, a born musician, at the age of five years, could read music better than print. Later he was placed under the instruction of George F. Root, of Chicago. From his fifteenth year he devoted much of his time to singing and did much evangelistic work after his conversion and admittance to the Methodist Episcopal church. His mother being a lady of rare attainments, refined and highly educated herself, held ambitions for the schooling and culture of her sons and desired Francis M. to become an educated minister of the Gospel. Not being financially able to send him to college, two friends of the family, who observed the bent of his mind, as well as musical powers, offered to furnish funds to educate him. Plans were accordingly made for him to enter college in the autumn of 1862, but it seemed Providence held another fate for the promising youth, and his mother's fond ambitions were not to be realized. The great Civil war cloud hung like a pall over a threatened nation. President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand more men, in August, the same year, and Mr. Thompson, with his brother, enlisted as a member of Company D, Twenty-first Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. Samuel Merrill.
It was believed that the rebellion would be crushed before another year elapsed, when young Thompson planned to enter college, but the record shows three long years of a struggle ensued before peace was declared. During those eventful years, he of whom this memoir is written participated in many engagements, among them Hartsville, Missouri; Milligan's Bend, Vicksburg, Mississippi campaign; bombardment of Grand Gulf; Part Gibson, where General Grant highly complimented the regiment on being the first in and last out of the fight. He was also at Champion Hills, Big Black River Bridge, and in numerous other engagements. In the last named fight, Mr. Thompson was one who helped carry gallant Colonel Merrill off the field, after his being severely wounded. He himself, was never wounded, simply hit on the toe by a spent rebel bullet. Later on his regiment went through the Texas campaign and that of Mobile and up the Red River, and was present at the surrender of General Kirby Smith. While in camp at Dauphin Island, at the mouth of Mobile Bay, his eyes became afflicted and grew worse rapidly, resulting in almost total blindness. He, with the regiment, was mustered out of the United States service at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in August, 1865. In the fall of 1865 his old Colonel interested himself in the young solder, who had helped carry him from the field of battle, and sent him to Chicago, where for eleven months he was under the care of an eminent oculist, Dr. E.L. Holmes. His right eye was taken out and his left eye partly saved, so that he now sees by the use of an artificial pupil, using a very strong glass. During the time he was entirely blind, the government gave him a pension of eight dollars ($8.00) per month, which increased from time to time, until in 1893 he was receiving seventy-two dollars ($72.) per month. But Hoke Smith, then Secretary of the Interior department, had this reduced to thirty dollars ($30.). After McKinley was elected President it was restored again to seventy-two dollars ($72.) per month.
Upon his removal to Rock Rapids, Mr. Thompson engaged in the farm implement business, having the pioneer concern in that line in the place. He soon traded the business for a farm near town. In 1877 he was appointed sheriff of Lyon county to fill a vacancy and was elected for the short term. Later he embarked in the drug business with George C. Wood. Mr. Thompson objected to selling whiskey, so his partner sold to J.M. Webb, and for the same reason Mr. Webb sold to Mr. Thompson. This was a very successful business venture, but the constant strain on his eye forced him to retire, and in 1887 he took his family to California. Returning to Iowa, he with others organized the Doon Savings Bank--now First National,--and he still holds his interests there.
In the spring of 1896, he, in company with others, including his brother, J.F. Thompson, became interested in a thirteen-thousand-acre tract of land, near Sacramento, California, and were also interested in the building of the Sacramento, Fair Oaks & Orange Vale electric railway line. In all, Mr. Thompson has had occasion to cross the Rocky Mountains sixteen times, over various routes, since 1887. Early in 1901, when the Beaumont, Texas, oil field was discovered, in company with his brother, J.F., organized an Iowa company, including himself, styled the "Thompson-Hill Oil Development Company." They were owners and operators of a tract of land on "Spindle Top," "Law Lake," "Saratoga" and other tracts. At first one of the two wells sunk by them discharged one hundred thousand barrels of oil in twenty-four hours. Our subject was chosen general superintendent and remained in the oil field until the spring of 1903. They still have valuable holdings there. He is also interested in a copper-gold mine in Idaho, and other western mineral and mining property.
In 1902 the oil company of which he was a member sent him east in connection with the company's business. Upon this trip Mr. Thompson passed through the city of Hudson, Michigan. It was breakfast time and he was seated in the elegant 'diner,' and he was just then reminded of a day thirty-six years prior thereto, when, as a young, one-eyed soldier he landed in the same place, en route to friends, twelve miles in the country, and did not possess one cent to his name--hence went without food after leaving Chicago until his friends' homes were reached--standing the liverymen off for his twelve-mile passage. It can easily be imagined the thoughts and feelings running through his mind upon going through the city, so many years afterward, with much of this world's goods. "This is the only country the sun shines on," remarked Mr. Thompson, "where a poor boy, who had lost an eye in the service of his country, could begin at the bottom and achieve such financial success." It goes without saying that he fully appreciates the flag he sacrificed so much to save.
For a life companion he chose Miss Nettie Wiltse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dr. A. Wiltse, of Strawberry Point, Iowa. They were married October 3, 1872, and are the devoted parents of three daughters--Ella E., born June 5, 1878, who took naturally to music and was graduated at the high school of Rock Rapids; also attended business college at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, now the wife of E.T. Greenlief, an attorney at law of Rock Rapids. Genie M., born August 11, 1880, now the wife of Forest LeRoy Nichols, in the clothing business in Rock Rapids. Gertrude V., born November 21, 1883, now a sophomore in Morning Side College, Sioux City, Iowa.
The Thompson's are all Republican, our subject casting his first vote for President Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. He is past commander of Dunlap Post, No. 147, Grand Army of the Republic at Rock Rapids, also past aid-de-camp on the department commander's staff, and past assistant inspector-general, of Iowa, on the staff of Gen. I.N. Walker commander-in-chief, with rank of colonel. He is past master of Border Lodge, No. 406, A.F.&A.M., past high priest of Lyon Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and past excellent grand master of Third Vail Grand Chapter of Iowa, Royal Arch Masons.
This gentleman's career, checkered though it has been, and blighted by the curse of war, and the cherished plans of his early youth thwarted, yet in all, he may count his life highly successful and eminently suited to inspire those who shall come after him.
The only manner in which his mother desires for him to be thoroughly educated is being realized, in the fact that he is now educating his youngest daughter, at this time at Morning Side Methodist College, at Sioux City, Iowa, while his own education has come from his daily mingling with men of affairs, in a business and social way. In religious faith he and his estimable family are Methodists.
In reviewing this man's life-work, one finds prominent the spirit of loyalty and kindness. None stands higher among his associates. It matters not how many years hence this memoir may be read, it will stand as an excellent example for any youth, showing, as it does, how a poor boy, who early in life sacrificed an eye in defense of his country's flag, battled against adversity and finally won. Whether one meets Mr. Thompson in business relations, in public circles, in his office, or at his home fire-side, he is the same genial, plain, intelligent, companionable man, who loves his home, its trees and flowers and birds, and appreciates its hallowed surroundings. Of such men, the world affords none too many.
A few words concerning Morningside College which is mentioned in the preceding paragraphs will be of interest. The people of Lyon county have always been deeply interested in the education of their children. The splendid public schools in the various towns of the county bear testimony to this fact. The college nearest the county is Morningside College, located at Sioux City, Iowa. Founded in 1894, supported and patronized by one of the most intelligent communities on the face of the earth, this institution has had a phenomenal growth. Seven years ago there were in attendance 180 students. It has steadily increased until now 567 students crowd its halls. It supports a faculty consisting of 28 members that have been prepared for their work in the best universities and colleges of America and Europe. This college enjoys the enviable reputation of having had the most rapid growth of any institution of similar grade in the state.--Editor.
THOMPSON, COL. JAMES KNOX POLK
Colonel Thompson, long a resident of Rock Rapids, but now deceased, was in his lifetime one of the more distinguished citizens of northwestern Iowa. He was a man of character
Col. James K.P. Thompson
and ability in every walk of life, and whether as a soldier, he well sustained the reputation for dauntless gallantry early won by the Iowa troops in the Civil war, or as a civilian, his personal standing and business efficiency were alike unquestioned. His way he won against great obstacles, and in his career well illustrated the wonderful possibilities in American society, showing how an American makes himself, and may be what he will.
Colonel Thompson was born near Carey, Ohio, August 21, 1845, a son of Matthew Thompson, and a grandson of Isaac and Sarah (Bell) Thompson, both native to the soil of Ireland, being born in Telford, Ireland, where they were married, and where their first son, Thomas Cruse Thompson, was born. The Thompson and Bell families were related to Lord Thomas Cruse, a refugee from Ireland on account of his participation in the Revolution of 1798. He came to the United States, where he soon after died. His mother, Martha Spaulding Thompson, was a daughter of the Revolutionary hero, Abel Spaulding and a direct descendant of Aquilla Chase, who settled in Newberry, Massachusetts, in 1620. Thus Colonel Thompson was a blood relation of Bishop Philander Chase, who died in 1852, and also of Salmon P. Chase, who died in 1873, and was for years Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Colonel Thompson was not insensible to the obligations of this notable ancestry, and early made vows of utility and public service which were closely observed. His schooling began in a log cabin in Ohio, whither his father, (who was a native of Head Elk, Cecil county, Maryland, where he was born January 8, 1781, and had seen gallant service in the war of 1812) had early brought his family.
The Colonel was accustomed to attibute his excellent practical education to the unceasing care of his mother, who was one of the best teachers of the day, and to whom he attended for several years.
In November, 1857, Matthew Thompson brought his family to Clayton county, Iowa, making a home on what was then the very verge of civilization. Some forty days were spent on the journey by covered wagon from Ohio, a trip that was replete with interesting experiences, and which brought them into close contact with an intensely wide-awake and pushing people. Colonel Thompson's education proceeded along the usual lines, and in 1869, with S.T. Woodward, of Elkader, as perceptor, he began the study of law. In May, 1873, he was admitted to the bar, and at once opened his office for the practice of his profession in Lyon county, his being the first legal establishment in the county. Here he was actively engaged in practice until 1893, meeting with much success, and proving himself a safe counsellor and a very capable
"The Woman's Refief Corps has contributed much, not only to the strength of the G.A.R. but to the comfort and happiness of its members. They are the guardian angels of our Order, and wherever suffering and want is found, nearby will be found some member of this noble Order."
J.K.P. Thompson, Department Commander, 1895-96
Source: History, Department of Iowa, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic 1884-1934, Compiled by Emma B. Robinson, 1933, Historian.
Photographs, Roster of Department Officers, Supplement, Assembled and Edited by Marie L. Basham, Past National President.
practitioner. In 1876 he formed a partnership with his brother, T.C. Thompson, which continued four years. In 1877 he organized the Lyon County Bank under the name of J.K.P. Thompson & Co. This was reorganized two years later as a larger institution, with Hon. William Larrabee and others as special partners, and O.P. Miller as a general partner. Mr. Larrabee retired in 1893, the other special partners having already retired in favor of the general partners, Messrs. Miller and Thompson.
Colonel Thompson was enlisted in the Union army when a boy just past sixteen years of age, August 18, 1862, entering Company D, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, as a musician, and served throughout the war. He participated in many of the fiercest battles of the west, such as the fight at Hartsville, the running of the blockade at Vicksburg, and its subsequent siege and capture, where he was under fire for forty days and nights, where he was severely wounded within a few feet of his commanding officer, General McClernand. He had already been at Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, and at Black River Bridge. After he recovered his health at the Jefferson Barracks Hospital he rejoined his regiment at Matagorda Bay the following February, in time to take part in the Mobile campaign, the assault on the Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely, the surrender of Mobile and the capture of Kirby Smith, making altogether a record as a loyal and faithful hearted soldier of the Union, of which his children and friends may well be proud.
As might be expected from such a career, Colonel Thompson was actively interested in the organization and working of the Grand Army of the Republic, becoming a charter member of Dunlap Post, No. 147, Department of Iowa. In 1895 and the year following he served as Commander of the Department of Iowa, and long filled a similar position in the local post, being also on the staff of Commander-in-chief Vezy, and aid to several commanders in the state department. Governor Larrabee made him Lieutenant Colonel, a position he retained with Governor Jackson, and in February, 1896, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel by Governor Drake, serving as Colonel under succeeding administrations, till he was retired in November, 1902.
In county affairs the subject of this sketch was long prominent. In 1875 he was elected county recorder, a position he held for one term, though he had been in charge of the office since 1873. At one time he had charge of all the county offices. In Masonry he had attained high standing and was quite as efficient in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias, and the Sons of the American Revolution, holding at different times official positions in these orders. In religious matters he was one of the most prominent members of the Congregational church, in the state of Iowa, and served as a trustee of Iowa College. He did much to establish the Vicksburg National Park, having been chairman of the provisional board of directors from the beginning.
The marriage of Colonel Thompson and Mis Celestia A. Fobes occurred at Elkader, Iowa, November 18, 1869. To this union were born two daughters, and one son: Lily Foster (Mrs. F.B. Parker; Leta (Mrs A.S. Wold); and Hoyt Fobes, the last two being graduates of the Iowa College.
Colonel Thompson built a handsome edifice at Rock Rapids as a residence for his family. This he filled with curious collected during his travels throughout the United States and Mexico, and especially from the battlefields of the southland, on which long ago he had played a man's part. Here are relics of old Mexico, specimens of Aztec and Indian work, and two bedrooms full of antique mahogany furniture from the south, and many old and valuable books, making a library rich and rare beyond anything in this section of the state.
As the reader will see, Colonel Thompson had much to do with the development of the northwest, and from the earliest moment had aken a conspicuous part in the making of Lyon county. As he accumulated his savings he made from time to time large investments in local real estate, and the results richly justified his faith in the value of the soil. His death
occurred on January 15, 1903.
THORSON, HENRY A.
Henry A. Thorson's name will surely appear on any list of the old settlers of Lyon County, though he is by no means to be counted an old man. He was born in Norway, February 8, 1851,where his father followed the trade of a carpenter as his life business. Mr. Thorson was reared to manhood in his native land, where he was educated as far as the common schools would carry him. In 1868 he sought a home in the United States determined to profit by the opportunities of the larger life this country presented the enterprising and deserving.
Mr. Thorson crossed the ocean and landed in Quebec, where, however, he did not stop, but hurried on to eastern Iowa. He was assured the opportunity he sought was to be found, and for three years he worked out as a farm hand, and gradually accumulated a little money. In 1871 he entered Lyon County where he settled on a homestead claim, on which he built a claim shanty 14 by 16 feet, and a straw shed. His first breaking was done with oxen, and he had to solve for himself many difficult problems of life on the prairie, that are no problems at all today.
Mr. Thorson was married December 10, 1879 to Miss Regnald Severson, who was born in Norway in 1863, and to this union have come twelve children: Andrew, Sever, Amelia, Marie, Hannah, Theodore, Henry, Elma, Oscar, Edwin, Severene, and Irene. All the above children were born in Lyon County, and are noted for their health, bright and sunny spirit, and general good behavior. Mr. Thorson is a Republican, and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, well improved and under careful cultivation. His farm buildings are modern and commodious, his grove is green and growing, and he is widely known as one of the leading settlers of the county.
TINLEY, JOHN P.
John P. Tinley, a well known attorney in Doon, Lyon county, whose prominence as a citizen is attested by the fact that he has been continuously the occupant of the office of Mayor of the village since 1896, and that largely without opposition; has taken a leading part in county as well as local affairs, and has shown himself a man of sound sense, wide information, and a
John P. Tinley
master of his chosen calling. As a lawyer, he has been associated with many important cases, and his professional skill has been apparent not only in the ability which he has displayed in getting to the bottom facts of law and practice, and in making them tell on his side, but in his forensic presentation of his facts and principles to the court and jury. Perhaps the most important as well as interesting case with which he has been associated was the district school bond case, which he defended and saved many thousand dollars. There is much confidence in his skill and ability, and he secures a very large percentage of the business of this part of the county and state.
Mr. Tinley studied law with his brother in Council Bluffs, where he was born, and where he was admitted to the bar. For two years he practiced with his brother, but in 1892 located at Doon, where he had already purchased a beautiful home, in which he still resides with his family. There is another residence in Doon which belongs to him, and which he rents. Mr. Tinley has gathered a law library which is worthy of comparison with any in this part of the state, and of which he may feel justly proud. He is admitted to practice in all courts, from the Supreme Court of the United States down.
Mr. Tinley was married in 1892 to Miss Margaret Stair, of Council Bluffs, and the following children have come to bless this union: Beatrice, Genevieve, Gertrude, John and Patricia., Matthew H. Tinley, the father of J.P., and Rose (Dolan) Tinley, his mother, were both born in Ireland.
A portrait of John P. Tinley will be found on another page of this volume. He is a member of Camp 1916, Modern Woodmen of America, and has served his camp as venerable consul for four years. He managed the purchase of the Woodman Hall, which is also used as an opera house, and has been in charge of its operation for some four years. In his profession he is a member of the state bar association, and is vice-president of the Lyon County Bar Association.
In 1901 our subject was a candidate for nomination for Governor on the Democratic ticket.
TRACY, EDWARD
Edward Tracy, an industrious, honorable and upright farmer and citizen of Lyon County, Iowa, is a native of Canada, where he was born August 8, 1847, a son of James Tracy, who came of an Irish lineage. He came to Canada at an early day, and was long engaged in agricultural pursuits in that country.
Edward Tracy was taken into Wisconsin when he was only six years old, where he found a new home in Rock County. There he attended the public school, and reached his manhood with a very fair preparation for the practical side of life, attained not only by the instruction of the schools, but the thoroughly common-sense training at the hands of his father and mother, who wished not only to know the theory of life, but to be also well up on its business side.
In 1871 Edward Tracy began farming for himself in Wisconsin, and in 1886 bought a farm for himself in Lyon County. Here he has worked hard and has prospered greatly, his present circumstances fully justifying his removal to this region at so early a day.
In the month of February 1870 Mr. Tracy and Miss Catherine Skelly were married. She was a native of Wisconsin, and by her marriage to Mr. Tracy has become the mother of eleven children, of whom Frank, Elizabeth, Edward and Agnes were born in Wisconsin, and William, Henry, Sylvestia, John, Edith, Cecelia, and Vivian are natives of Lyon County.
Mr. Tracy has long taken an independent position in politics, and considers that a citizen's first duty is to consider the interest of his country rather than to serve the behest of party managers, who are very largely in politics for the graft there is in it. He has served on the school board and has also been a member of the town board. By hard work and careful management Mr. Tracy has made a success of life, and well deserves the honorable position he holds in the community. At the present time he owns an estate of four hundred and eighty acres, which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. His farm buildings are strictly modern and up-to-date in every respect, and the entire establishment attests the management of an enterprising and successful farmer, such as Mr. Tracy long since proved himself to be.
TRIGG, JOHN
Mr. Trigg is a man of much force of character, and as he is one of the oldest settlers of northwestern Iowa his is a familiar presence in Lyon and Sioux counties. The opportunities of the country have been realized and embraced by him, and he is now in easy circumstances. At different times he has filled important positions of trust and honor in the town and county, and wherever placed has conducted himself with ability and integrity.
Mr. Trigg was born in London, England, October 23, 1841. His father, George Trigg, removed his family to this country in 1847, and made a home for them in Erie county, New York, where young John was reared on a farm, and where he began his education by attending a district school held in a log cabin. When he was fifteen years old he was sent to Port Witby, New York, where he attended school very briefly, only perhaps a month, and then returned home. He was married in 1865 to Miss Martha Reeves, also of English blood. She became the mother of a family of seven children, whose names are Caroline, Walter, Mary, Wallace, Grover, Lafe, and Martin, with one adopted daughter, Margie.
In 1869, Mr. Trigg and his family came to LeMars, Iowa, where he took a homestead and began farming. For twenty-one years he made his home in that county, and at different times held the offices of sheriff, assessor, justice of the peace, and constable, being almost constantly in public position. In 1890 he bought a farm in Sioux county, to which he removed his family, and there he lived for four years. About the same time he lived on another farm in the same county, and in 1897 removed to a third farm in Doon township, where he made his home, until his location in the village of Doon where he is now found.
Mr. Trigg is a Democrat, and at the present time is serving Doon township as a trustee.
TROWBRIDGE, FRED C
Fred C. Trowbridge is a worthy member of the farming fraternity who has dug a competency out of the earth, and has made himself a fortune without taking from other men. What he has accumulated, comes from the bounty of overflowing nature, and when the farmer is prosperous all the world is better off.
Mr. Trowbridge was born in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, July 5, 1865, a son of E. B. Trowbridge, who was a contractor and builder. He died June 10, 1889. They moved to Lyon County, Iowa, in 1871. The Trowbridge family has been long identified with the early history of New England, and among its generations have been men eminent in their day.
Fred C. Trowbridge grew up in his native community, and attended the common schools, and when he was twenty-one years old struck out for himself, beginning on his own account in Lyon county.
Mr. Trowbridge was married March 23, 1892, to Miss Julie Field, who was born in Linn county, Iowa, March 29, 1868. Her father, Hiram Field, a carpenter and contractor, is still engaged in following that occupation in Linn county, Iowa. There have been three children born to this union: Hettie, Robert, and Howard. The latter died June 26, 1901, at the age of three months.
Mr. Trowbridge is a Republican. He has worked hard and has already attained a very substantial success in business life. He owned a quarter section of well i mproved land, on which he put up ample and commodious farm buildings, which farm he has recently sold.
In the fall of 1901 Mr. Trowbridge and family made a trip to the state of Washington, for the purpose of visiting relatives in the west, and with a view to locating if that country suited him. Not finding anything desirable they returned in June, 1902, and built the present home.
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