1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa
Page Index:
Hulsebus |
Lewis |
H Hansen |
R Woods |
J Woods |
Alwill |
Hess |
Plummer |
Booth
The invention of the automobile has diverted millions of dollars into this industry, and there is scarcely a town of any size in the
United States where there are not thousands of dollars invested in some phase of the automobile industry. The garage and its accompanying repair
shop is found in every county seat in the state of Iowa, and such an establishment is now as necessary a feature in the life of the city as is the blacksmith shop, the shoe store, or the bank. The largest garage and repair shop in Harlan, Iowa, is owned by FRED A. HULSEBUS, a skilled mechanic and a man trained in mechanical and electrical engineering, and one of the best businessmen of the county seat. Mr. Hulsebus is not only interested in the material advancement of his city, but in its civic life he takes a prominent and effective part. As councilman of Harlan, he favors every measure which he feels will benefit his home city in any way, and in this way performs the highest duties of American citizenship.
Fred A. Hulsebus, the owner of the Hulsebus Motor Car Company of Harlan, Iowa, was born at Warrensburg, Illinois, March 20, 1879. He is the son of
Herman and Hannah (KEPLER) HULSEBUS, natives of Germany, and Switzerland, respectively. His father was born in 1842 and his mother in 1859.
Herman Hulsebus was educated in the schools of his native land and came to America in 1864, settling in Freeport, Illinois. He worked in the immediate
vicinity of that city for a few years as a farm hand, and then began to work as a section boss on the railroad, and for many years followed this kind of
railroad work. Eventually, he became a railroad constructor, and for sixteen years worked for various railroads in the construction of new lines. In 1886,
he moved to Defiance, Iowa, settled on a farm in Union Township and farmed until he retired to Defiance, Iowa, in 1899. When he came to Shelby County, he was in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, and built part of that company's road through this county. Seven children were born to Herman Hulsebus, and wife: Fred, Samuel, Charles E., Mary, Emma, Clara B., and Leora. Samuel married Mollie HULSEBUS, while the rest of the children, with the exception of Fred and Clara B., are still single.
The elementary education of Fred A. Hulsebus was received in the common schools of Union Township, Shelby County, Iowa, and later he attended the
high school at Defiance. After leaving the high school, he became a student in the Highland Park College at Des Moines, Iowa, where he devoted his
study to mechanical and electrical engineering. Being of a mechanical turn of mind, he was deeply interested in these two particular courses which were
offered by the college and was known as one of the keenest and brightest students in Highland Park College at the time of his attendance. After leaving
college, he was in the hardware and telephone business at Defiance, Iowa, being a partner of Frank McGUIRE in the hardware business and with Robert
G. PENNISTON in the telephone business. He remained at Defiance, following this dual line of activity, until 1908 when he sold his various interests in
that place and traveled for a short time. In 1908 he came to Harlan, Iowa, and engaged in the automobile business in the basement of the Fay Hardware
Store on South Fifth Street. He met with such flattering success that he felt justified in building a garage and machine shop of his own, and consequently
constructed a building on East Durant Street with a floor space of seven thousand square feet, and has just completed an addition which gives him a
floor space of sixteen thousand square feet, the largest and best equipped garage in the city. He has the agency for the Buick and Cadillac automobiles
and has built up a large and lucrative business, both in the sale of cars as well as their repair.
Mr. HULSEBUS married November 26, 1902, to Dora KRUGER, the daughter of Captain John and Marie (POTESTA) KRUGER, and to this union two
daughters have been born: Blanche and Fern.
The parents of Mrs. Hulsebus were both natives of Germany and when a young man, her father became a sailor of the high seas and shipped in various
parts of the world until 1859, when he located in Ackley, Iowa. He ws a captain of a sailing vessel for several years while following the sea. He died in
Ackley in 1882. Nine children were born to Mr. KRUGER and wife: Henry, Johannah, John, Philip, Harry, Herman, Dora, and one who died in infancy. Of
these children, Henry and one son by the name of Philip are deceased.
Mr. HULSEBUS is a Republican in politics, very progressive in his political views and takes an active part in everything pertaining to his city's
advancement. Mrs. Hulsebus is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is safe to say that Mr. Hulsebus is one of the most
enterprising and successful businessmen in the county seat and that he has a bright future before him.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 858-860
Family Researcher: NA
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Frank LEWIS, one of the good farmers of this county, and a man who has good soil, was born August 10, 1863, in Kentucky. His parents, David and
Martha (STEWART) Lewis, were both natives of the same state. David Lewis worked upon his father's farm after leaving school until he was 18 years of age, and then found work on the flat-boats running from Cincinnati to New Orleans. He remained with the flat-boating business for three years and then
returned to his father's farm in Kentucky and remained with him until his marriage, after which he rented land for two or three years, when he purchased
the old home place of 365 acres and remained on this tract until his deth, which occurred in 1895, hiw widow passing away in 1903. David Lewis and
wife were the parents of nine children: Betty, Mattie, Alice, Lucy, Frank, Samuel, Allen, Roy and William. All of these children are still living except Mattie.
Frank Lewis received his education in the schools of Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, and after leaving the school assisted his father on the home farm until he was
21 years of age, when he went to Illinois, where he worked for a year upon the farms in that state, and in 1886, at the age of 23, came to Iowa and located
in Shelby County, near Harlan, on a farm. He worked by the month for the first three years after he came to this county, and then bought a team and rented 240 acres of land and began farming for himself. He was not married and for the next six years lived by himself upon a farm, but after his marriage he rented another farm southeast of Harlan for two years. During all this time, he was saving his money with the intention of purchasing a farm of his own, but not finding what he wanted he went to Polk township and rented a fine farm of 200 acres and lived on it for the next ten years. By this time, he felt able to indulge in his life-long desire and purchased the present farm of 160 acres on which he lives. Since buying this farm, he has built large and commodious barns, hay sheds and other outbuildings, and made the farm one of the best improved in the township. He raises a large amount of hogs and cattle each year and finds ready sale for all his stock at a good price.
Mr. Lewis married to Settie WYLAND, the daughter of Solomon and Catherine WYLAND, and to this union seven children were born: Blanche, Ralph,
Ray, Gladys, Dale, Morris and Gerald. All of these children are unmarried and living with their parents. Mrs. Lewis' parents were natives of Indiana and
Ohio, respectively, and came to Iowa early in the history of the state and located in this county and have lived here since 1885. They are still in good
health. They reared a family of five children: Anna, Oscar, Ray, Ada and Settie Wyland.
Mr. Lewis is a Republican and has always been interested in local politics. He has been a member of the school board of his township for many years
and in that capacity has favored all measures which he felt would benefit the schools in any way. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons at Defiance. Mr. Lewis is a man who has worked for all he has and deserved a great deal of credit for the success which has attended his
efforts. He has a large circle of friends in this county who admire him for his many neighborly qualities.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa. Transcribed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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One of the many worthy sons of Denmark who has made his home in this county is Hans N. HANSEN, who was born in Denmark in 1875. His father and mother, Hans N. and Sidsel M. HANSEN, were both born in Denmark in 1841 and 1840, respectively, and his mother died in her native land in 1892. Hans N. Hansen, Sr., left Denmark after the death of his wife and settled in Harlan, Iowa, after coming to America, and lived with his children until his death in 1906.
Hans N. Hansen was one of nine children born to his parents, six of whom are still living. He received a good common school education in his native
land, a country which has as good schools as are to be found anywhere in the world. As a boy he dreamed of America, and as soon as he had saved a
little money, he decided to come to this country and seek his fortune. At the age of 18 he left home and came to the United States, a friendless youth, with no capital and with no knowledge of the language. He at once came to Shelby County, Iowa, where there were other people from his country and secured employment upon a farm, where he worked for three years. He then rented land in Jackson Township in various placed for a period of ten years, all the time saving his money and getting ready to invest in farming land of his own. In 1911 he moved to Harlan and engaged in the real estate business, buying and selling land, and he is now the owner of 25 lots in Harlan and 430 acres of land in Shelby County, Iowa, and the state of Missouri. He has shown remarkable foresight and discrimination in the purchase of land and is regarded as one of the most reliable real estate men in the county.
Mr. HANSEN was married on August 8, 1906, to Marie MIKELSEN, who was born on october 10, 1884, in this county. She died February 8, 1914, leaving
her husband with three children living, Evelyn, Clifford, and Marien. One daughter, Ruth, had passed away before her mother's death. Mrs. Hansen's
father, Andrew MIKELSEN, was born in Denmark in 1851 and is now living in Monroe township in this county.
The Democratic party has always claimed the support of Mr. HANSEN, although he has never taken any active part in its deliberations. He is a loyal
member of the Danish Lutheran Church and contributes liberally of his means to support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. In the management of his business affairs, Mr. Hansen has shown shrewd intelligence, sound judgment and a keen far-sightedness, which stamps him as a man of more than ordinary ability. Persistent energy, honesty of motive and correct dealing have brought to him their reward, and today no man in his
county is better known or more highly respected. He is a warm supporter of all movements tending toward the advancement and welfare of his fellow
citizens along social, educational, moral or material lines, and is eminently deserving of the high position he holds in his community today.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1200. Transcribed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Among the citizens of this county who know from actual experience something of the hardships and privations of pioneer days in this
locality is Robert WOODS. Robert Woods, now living in comfortable retirement after a life spent in farming circles, was born September 20, 1859, in
County Down, Ireland, son of Peter and Agnes (WALKER) WOODS. Mr. Woods recalls the name of his maternal grandfather was Joseph, but has no
recollection of that of his paternal grandfather. Mr. Woods spent his boyhood with his parents and came to this country in 1876, locating first in Henry
County, Illinois, with an uncle, William PRITCHARD, by name. There he remained for two or three years, when he came into this state and book up his
residence in Polk County, remaining there until 1883. In company with Hugh HAMILTON, he came to Shelby County, where they purchased 160 acres in
partnership, the same being located in Greeley Township. They came first to Harlan, from which point they arranged to drive to their land. Inasmuch as
there was no building of any description whatever on their possessions, they stopped in Kirkman and purchased lumber sufficient to construct a small
house ten by sixteen feet. They also procured in Kirkman the services of a man to assist them in building and in that small house they lived for a time,
later adding another room or two, as the state of their finances permitted. After a time, Mr. Woods and his partner agreed to separate and did so, dividing
the land equally between them, Mr. Woods taking possession of the eastern 80 acres. Some time after that, he purchased 100 acres of land in section
27 of Greeley Township, but later disposed of that and now owns but the original 80, which he rents out to others.
On December 28, 1880, Mr. WOODS was united in marriage with Maggie WALKER, born also in County Down, November 10, 1859, the daughter of
James and Jane (PRITCHARD) WALKER. Mr. and Mrs. Woods were friends and sweethearts in the old country, and after he was settled here, she joined
him in 1880 and their marriage took place. Their union was blessed with five children, only two of whom are living: Jennie, the eldest, born October 11,
1881, and Edith P., born August 25, 1885. Edith was married on February 22, 1905 to Arthur CAMPBELL and they make their home in Greeley Township,
where they are rearing their family of three children, Maurice R., Ralph James, and Howard William. William B., Mr. WOODS' oldest son, was born on July 26, 1883, and he was married December 14, 1904, to Ona KLINKEFUS. His death occurred July 23, 1905, and was occasioned by drowning in a small lake near his home. Mabel E., born on December 26, 1887, became the wife of Lee IRWIN, March 16, 1911, and her untimely death occurred March 27, less than two weeks after her marriage. Walter E., the youngest son, was born April 27, 1895, and died November 2 of the same year. Mr. Woods also had the misfortune to lose his wife on September 26 of the same year, just a few weeks previous to the death of his little son.
About five years after Mr. Woods came to this country, his parents also came over, and in 1907 he and his brother James made a trip back to the old sod
to see an uncle, their only remaining relative there. During the lapse of years, the old home had changed a great deal, as well as the conditions of life.
Mr. Woods' fraternal affiliation is with the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons. Politically, he endorses the principles of the Republican party. He has been regarded as one of the more active workers of his party in the community, although he never aspired to the higher public offices. However, he has served as a member of the school board and also as road supervisor. He was reared within the Presbyterian Church, but during late years has
allowed his membership to lapse because there is no church of that particular faith in his vicinity. Mr. Woods' farm is duly registered as the Spring Creek Farm. During the years of his residence here, he not only has prospered in a material way, but in his manner of living has won the esteem of all who know him.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1265. Transcribed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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Among the many families of Irish descent who have come to Shelby County, Iowa, there is none who is more loyal to this
country than the WOODS family. Joseph WOODS, son of Peter and Agnes (WALKER) WOODS, was born May 23, 1866, in County Down, Ireland. Peter
Woods was a farmer by occupation and owned a small farm in Ireland before coming to the United States. In 1881 he came to this country and settled in
Illinois with his family where he lived for one year. He then moved to Mitchelville, Iowa, where he remained two years, and then in the spring of 1884
permanently located in Shelby County. He rented land for several years and then purchased 80 acres of land in section 36 of Greeley township. Here he
lived for three years, when he purchased 312 acres of land in partnership with his two sons, James and Joseph. This land was in section 1 of Douglas
Township, and on this farm he lived until his death in December 1906 at the age of 75. Peter Woods and wife were the parents of nine children, six of
whom are living, the other three having died in the old country.
Joseph WOODS was 13 years of age when his parents came to this country and consequently received part of his education in his native land and
completed it in Greeley Township in this county. He assisted his father on the home farm and remained with his parents until he married in 1897, when
he built a house on a part of the 312 acres of land which he owned in partnership with his father and brother, taking 104 acres for his share. He has
since bought 104 acres of land in section 2 of Douglas Township, and 52 acres of his father's estate, making a total of 256 acres of good land. His
buildings are all of the best quality and he has a system of piping the water over his buildings which is a model of ingenuity as well as convenience. His
farm buildings are also lighted with gas lights. He has always done general farming and stock raising, and keeps full-blooded Shorthorn cattle on his
farm at all times. He feeds from six to eight car loads of cattle for the market each year. In the fall of 1914, Mr. Woods erected a granary and corn crib
combined, 34 by 48 by 16 feet, with a high cement foundation. It will hold 7,000 bushels of ear corn. There are seven bins in the second story, each ten
feet deep.
Mr. Woods was married April 7, 1897 to Effie V. BIGLER, who was born January 1, 1877, in Poweshiek County, Iowa, and is the daughter of Edward and
Maggie (GRANT) BIGLER, natives of Ohio and of German and Scotch descent, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. BIGLER were the parents of five children, of
whom Effie was the oldest. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have four children living: Lester L., born October 1, 1899; Bernice M., born June 19, 1903; Walter Glen,
born February 11, 1907; and Robert J., born June 3, 1911. The oldest child, Ethel G., born March 9, 1898, died at the age of one month.
Politically Mr. Woods is a Republican. He was school director of his township for several terms and favored every measure which would benefit the
schools in any way. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Irwin, and he and his wife are both members of the Order of
the Eastern Star. Mr. Woods was reared in the Presbyterian Church, but he and his family are now loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
take an active part in all church and Sunday school work. Mr. Woods is a stockholder in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of this county. In 1912,
he made a trip to Ireland to visit his old home and returned with many interesting mementoes of his native land. He is held in high esteem by everyone
with whom he has been connected in any way, and he is a man of sterling honesty and high character.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 710. Transcribed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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A sterling farmer of Irish descent is James Robert Alwill, who is now living in Center township, although he owns land in Monroe, Clary and Jackson townships as well. His parents came to America in the same year that he was born and located for a time in Illinois and permanently settled in Shelby county in 1881. Mr Alwill has had a very successful career as a farmer and his fine farm of two hundred and seventy acres is a good tribute to his hard labor and good management.
James R Alwill, the son of James and Isabell (Bell) Alwill, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, June 11, 1865. His parents were both born, reared and married in Ireland, and left the land of their birth in 1865 to come to America. They located in Rock Island county, Illinois, and lived there for fifteen years. In 1881, the Alwill family moved to Shelby county, where the father bought one hundred and sixty acres in Monroe township, paying seventeen dollars and a half and twenty-six dollars an acre for the land. James Alwill, Sr, continued in active farming until 1898, when he retired from farm life. He died two years later. His widow lived until 1912. There were eleven children born to James Alwill, Sr, and wife: Sarah Ann, Thomas B, Margaret, Cassie, James Robert, Eliza Jane, Isabell, Mary, William M, Emma and Matilda.
James R Alwill was educated in the schools of Rock Island county, Illinois, and also attended school for a short time after his parents moved to Shelby county, Iowa. He was sixteen years of age when the family located in Shelby county. Shortly afterwards he began to help his father on the farm. As soon as he became of age, he rented a farm and four years later bought eighty acres in Clay and Monroe townships. He farmed until 1906 and then moved to Harlan, Iowa. Two years and a half more found him back on his farm again, where he is now living. He has added to his original eighty acres until he now owns two hundred and seventy acres in Center, Monroe, Clay and Jackson townships. He is an extensive raiser of hogs and cattle and feeds all of his grain to his stock.
Mr Alwill was married December 8, 1896 to Mrs Agnes Dixon, the daughter of Leas Kough and Mary (Evans) Kough. The one child born to this union, died in infancy. Mrs Alwill's parents were born near Altoona, Pennsylvania, and lived there until after their marriage, when they came to Scott county, Iowa. Mr Kough rented a farm in that county and lived on it until his death in 1864. His widow lived until 1901. Mr and Mrs Dixon were the parents of nine children: Benjamin, Augusta, Alfred R, James H, Arthur M, Edward B, Mrs Mary Kaston, Mrs Kate Nicholas and Mrs Agnes Alwill. All of these children are still living except Benjamin and Augusta. Mary Kough first married Robert Dixon, who died in May, 1894.
Politically, Mr Alwill is identified with the Progressive party, having become affiliated with this party in the summer of 1912 upon it organization. He has never taken an active part in political affairs, although he is a firm believer in good government and does everything he can to establish it. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1121. Transcribed by: Norm Prince
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The keynote of success is thrift, and he who would be successful must possess this one requisite or all other qualifications count as nothing. There are some people who seem to have this characteristic firmly imbedded in their makeup and others who lack it entirely and can not cultivate it. When we think of thrift we always associate it with the Anglo-Saxon race; with the peoples of Holland, of Germany, of Denmark, of Norway and Sweden, particularly. Alvin Hess, one of the substantial farmers of Shelby county, Iowa, is descended from sterling Danish ancestry and has all of those qualities which have made his race one of the thriftiest of Europe.
Alvin Hess, the son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Doonan) Hess, was born on April 13, 1877, in Mercer county, Illinois, and has lived in this county since he was two years of age. His father was born in Denmark in 1851 and, when a young man of nineteen, came to this country and located in Mercer county, Illinois. He first secured work as a day laborer upon the farms in that county and after his marriage rented a farm in the same county and lived on it until 1879. In that year he came with his family to Shelby county, Iowa, and bought a farm in Center township. That he succeeded is shown by the fact that he accumulated within the course of a few years a farm of six hundred and eighty acres. In 1911 he retired from active farm life and moved to Harlan, where he is now living surrounded by all the comforts and convenience of modern life. His wife was born in Ireland in 1855, and to this union there have been born twelve children, all of whom are living but one: Henry, Chris, Herman, Ernest, Leonard, Alvin, Lena, Emily, Annie, may and June.
Alvin Hess received his education in this county and remained at home until his marriage, in 1900. He then rented a farm from his father and three years later bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Center township, his farm being known as the “Center Park” farm. Within a period of fourteen years he has accumulated three hundred and sixty acres of land, two hundred and forty of which is located in Pottawatamie county, Iowa. H has placed extensive improvements upon his land and in 1913 completed a beautiful modern home which cost him six thousand dollars. His home has electric lights, hot and cold water all over the house, and every modern convenience which a housewife could wish. Mr Hess has found the most profit in the raising of cattle, and markets from one to two hundred head each year. In 1914 he planted sixty acres of corn and other crops in proportion. He has a fine grove of five acres covered with forest trees and a two-acre fruit orchard, which gives a bountiful yield every year.
Mr Hess was married on March 14, 1900, to Claudia Lauritzen, the daughter of Claus and Anna Lauritzen, and born in Denmark on September 21, 1876. Her father was an early settle of Iowa and farmed in Shelby and Audubon counties until his death, in 1903. Mr and Mrs Hess are the parents of six children, Grove E (deceased), Edna E, June, Malvin, Carrol L and Chris J.
In politics, Mr Hess is allied with the Republican party, but has never been active in political matters. His extensive agricultural interests have demanded all of his attention and political offices have never had any attraction for him because of this. He and the members of his family are members of the Episcopalian church, to whose support they are liberal contributors.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, p. 1120. Transcribed by: Norm Prince
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A retired farmer of Harlan, Iowa, who has met with more than usual success in his chosen vocation is William Taylor PLUMMER, who has been a
resident of this county for more than 40 years. The land which he bought for ten dollars an acre in 1873 is now worth from one hundred fifty to two
hundred dollars an acre. Mr. Plummer passed through all the experiences common to the early pioneers of this county, and although he had many
discouragements to meet during the first few years, yet he persevered and remained on his farm. Success crowned his efforts and now in his declining
years, he can look back over a life which has been well spent, not only in providing for his family, but also in taking his share of the burdens of the life of
the community in which he spent so many of his years.
William Taylor PLUMMER, son of Levi and Martha (MORROW) PLUMMER, was born in Marion Co., Iowa, in 1848. His father and mother were both natives of Morgan County, Indiana, his father's birth occurring in 1823, and his mother's in 1837. Levi PLUMMER and his wife were both reared in Morgan Co., Indiana, and lived there for some time after their marriage. In 1847 Levi Plummer and wife moved west and located in Marion County, Iowa. They made the long overland trip in a prairie schooner and were seven weeks on the road. After spending about one year in Marion County, the family moved to Jasper County where Levi bought a farm of 480 acres from the Government. He farmed there for about 40 years and died in 1892, his wife passing away in 1907. Thirteen children were born to Levi Plummer and wife: James, Samuel, Margaret, William Taylor, Anna, Elizabeth, George, Joseph, Mary, Charles, Eleanor and two who died in infancy. Besides the two who died in infancy, Anna, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary are also deceased.
William T. Plummer was educated in the schools of Jasper County, Iowa. He remained at home until he was married at the age of 22, after which he
rented a farm and began for himself. Three years later, he moved to Shelby County, Iowa, arriving here in the summer of 1873. He at once bought 80
acres of land in Jackson Township, for which he paid ten dollars an acre, and continued in active farm life until 1902, when he retired to Harlan to spend
his declining years. At that time, he owned 210 acres in this county as well as 380 acres in Nebraska, making a total of nearly 600 acres of land. In 1908 he sold his farm in this county, but still retains his Nebraska farm.
Mr. Plummer was married July 9, 1870, in Jasper County, Iowa, to Hattie BEAN, daughter of David and Martha (MARTIN) BEAN, and to this union eleven
children have been born: Mary, Jennie, Samuel, Charles, Lee, Maude, Joseph, Everett, Annabel, Cora and Daisy. Mary is the wife of John G. WESTROPE and has eight children, Glora, May, Thomas, Richard, William Taylor, John Frederick, Mary Charlotte and Charles Franklin. Jennie is the wife of Charles OBRECHT and has three children, Clyde, Anton, and Elliott. Samuel died in infancy. Charles married Dessie McDOWELL and has three children, Lucile, Dorothy and Eva May. Lee married Myrtle HOME and has two children, Harold and Charlotte. Maude became the wife of Merrill BOWEN and has four children, Lois, Mary, Evelyn, and B.B. Joseph married Stella KILGORE, and has four children, Maxine, Velma, Verne, and Raymond. Everett married Stella HEAD and has two sons, Elliott and Taylor. Annabel died in infancy. Cora became the wife of Albert DALTON and has two children, Opal and Clyde. Daisy is the wife of Marcus LARSEN and has one child, Velma.
Mrs. Plummer's parents were born near Zanesville, Ohio. Her father was a pottery maker and followed that occupation in Ohio until 1856, when he came
to Iowa and located in Jasper County, near Greencastle. He operated a general mercantile establishment there for several years and then engaged in
farming until the opening of the Civil War. He enlisted for service as a member of Company B, 40th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served for 18
months, when he was discharged on account of disabilities arising from illness. He returned to his home in Iowa, where he resumed the occupation of
farming, following that until his death which occurred in 1899. His wife died in 1865. Six children were born to David BEAN and wife: Irwin, Harriett (wife
of Mr. Plummer); Fred, deceased; Manning, deceased; Elmer, who lives in South Dakota; and Cora, who lives in Kansas. Mr. BEAN was married a
second time to Jennie GARDNER and to this second marriage three children were born, Charlotte, Florence and David.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1452-54. Transcribed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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The lessons to be learned from the life story of an enterprising and successful citizen, held in high esteem by his fellow men, prove
a guide for succeeding generations who are destined to follow in the footsteps of the departed. The history of Shelby county would be incomplete, did it
not contain the life story of the late merchant of Harlan, Nathaniel BOOTH. He was a pioneer settler of Shelby County and a citizen of Harlan for many
years. He was among the county's most useful and best loved citizens.
Nathaniel Booth was born in London, England, September 21, 1837, the youngest of sixteen children. He came to America in 1849 with his parents, who
first settled in St. Louis. His parents had been converted to the faith of the Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons, in England and came to America to cast their lot with that people. The mother and several members of the family died of cholera soon after they arrived here. The next year, the father, with the remaining children, came to Kanesville, Iowa, now Council Bluffs, and resided for two years. When Nathaniel was a little over 15 years old, he started on the long overland trip across the plains, with the intention of locating in Utah among the Mormon brethren. His sufferings during this long trip and the previous privations of the people of his faith can well be understood. The boy, on reaching Salt Lake City, worked at various points within the Salt Lake valley. While there, he married Sarah A. ROBBINS, a woman of English birth who had found her way to that locality in company with a party of immigrants from England.
After a time, Mr. BOOTH got out of harmony with the tenets promulgated by the governing powers of the Mormon church and the one advocating polygamy became especially abhorrent to him. His natural independence of spirit revolted against the petty tyrannnies put upon the people by the Church officials. Accordingly, in 1860, he removed with his family to California and took up his residence in Stockton, where he engaged in the lumber business. It was necessary for him to leave Salt Lake City secretly, as it was not only unpopular but dangerous for a follower to leave the domain dominated by the Church at that time. In California, he was employed by a firm of lumbermen as a teamster and laborer for a period of ten years. The wife of his young manhood was taken from him by death in 1868 at Stockton. Three sons, William, Henry, and Joseph, were born to them, all of whom are now deceased.
His second marriage occurred March 3, 1869, with Mary Ann PHILLIPPS, who survives him and resides in Harlan. Mrs. Booth was born in California, July 27, 1850. She is the daughter of David J. and Mary (DAVIS), both natives of Wales, who came to America in 1849 and located in California, where they remained all their lives. The mother died when Mrs. Booth was fifteen months old. She was the youngest of seven children. In 1871, the family made the long overland trip eastward to Shelby County and settled on a farm east of Harlan. it is probable that the return to Harlan and final settlement in this county was due, in a great measure, to associations of earlier days in the vicinity of Kanesville and his faith in its inevitable development. In this locality, many of his earlier friends who had espoused the cause of the Latter-Day Saints had likewise settled. They had ideas in common with his. After nine years spent on the farm, which were years of prosperity and plenty, the family moved to Harlan. Here he purchased an interest in an implement business in company with E. J. TROWBRIDGE, an established dealer in Harlan. Six months later, he purchased his partner's interest and conducted it
successfully for a number of years. Later, he admitted his son, Charles D., to partnership, under the firm name of N. Booth & Son. Still later, David J.,
another son, was admitted to the business and the firm name changed to The Booth Implement Company, by which name it is widely and favorably
known at the present time.
Five children were born to Nathaniel and Mary Ann BOOTH, all of whom are residents of Harlan: Charles D., David J., Mary Elizabeth, Charlotte E., and
Nathaniel P.
It is impossible in the brief space allotted to this esteemed gentleman to record the story of 40 years life in this vicinity. N. Booth was possessed of a
strong mentality and an agreeable personality, which had been strengthened by contact with the strenuous men of the time, and experience in the
personal happenings of 20 years of western life. Upon his farm, he soon attained a position fo leadership among his fellow men and took an active and
influential part in the affairs of the neighborhood. His name figures prominently in the records of the school and township government. After his removal
to Harlan, he continued to fill a place of prominence. He served the city in a public way in many of the lesser offices and could never be induced to seek
higher political preferment. He was a charter member of Harlan Lodge of Odd Fellows and of Parian Lodge of Masons. He was a recognized leader
among the Odd Fellows and filled all the offices in the different bodies. He served as treasurer of the local lodge for a number of years. To him and the
late L.D. SUNDERLAND are due the splendid buildings owned by the lodge on the south side of the square.
Mr. Booth died August 16, 1910 in the Methodist Episcopal hospital at Omaha, where he had gone for a surgical operation. He was sincerely mourned by
all who knew him. His demise was a distinct loss to the community. While inclined to be brusque in his manner, he was kindly disposed toward his
fellow men and was a stanch and true friend in time of need. He was charitable and public spirited to a high degree and was especially helpful and kind
to young men. He had but one standard for both men and women in matters affecting the sexes and was a godly, moral, upright gentleman. He was
frankly outspoken in his views and none was ever deceived as to his attitude on public questions and civic affairs affecting the welfare of the city and
state. He was an earnest believer in the doctrines of the Latter Day Saints and he frequently spoke in the local church in his younger days. His wide
experience among men and affairs engendered a religious tolerance and a profound respect for the views of his fellow men.
Source: 1915 Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 1050-1052. Transcribed by: Mona Sarratt Knight
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