Taylor County, Iowa 1910 History: page 505

Homer W. Sickels, meeting with success through his well directed efforts in general farming and stock raising, is now one of the prosperous residents of Jefferson township. He makes his home on section 21 and is the owner of five hundred and seventy acres of valuable land in three well improved farms. For a long period he has been identified with the growth and development of this part of the state, being numbered among the pioneer settlers of Taylor county, where he has lived since 1860. He was only about seven years of age at the time of his arrival and upon his boyish memory were impressed many pictures of the district into which the family came as well as the tale of events which marked the progress of early times. He was born in Calhoun county, Michigan, March 23, 1853.

His father, James Sickels, was a native of New Jersey, where he was reared and married. On his removal from the east he became a resident of Calhoun county, Michigan, where he resided for several years, and his children were mostly born there. Thinking perhaps to enjoy better advantages in Iowa and attain success more quickly, he came to this state in 1860, settling first at Plattville, where he engaged in farming. Later he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, which was entirely devoid of improvements but he at once undertook the task of overturning the first furrows and the breaking plow soon left its mark across the virgin prairie. Upon the farm which he there developed and improved he reared his family, continuing his residence in this county up to the time of his death. His wife survived him for a few years, when she, too, passed away.

The usual experiences of frontier life came to Homer W. Sickels in his boyhood and youth for he shared with the family in all of the hardships and trials incident to the establishment of a home amid pioneer surroundings. As his age and strength permitted he assisted in the task of clearing away the brush and of opening up the farm, carrying on the work until the wild prairie grasses were replaced by fields of waving grain. He continued with his father until he attained his majority and soon afterward was married, the wedding being celebrated in Worth county, Missouri, in 1874, when Miss Susan R. Sleeth became his wife. She was born in Andrew county, Missouri, but was reared in Taylor county, her parents (page 506) being David and Margaret (Kauble) Sleeth, both now deceased. Her father was born in West Virginia.

The young couple began their domestic life upon the old home farm which Mr. Sickels cultivated for four years. They then removed to Rooks county, Kansas, where he homesteaded a claim and proved it up. For six years he carried on farming there and then returned to Taylor county, where he has since lived. Here he purchased eighty acres, upon which he now makes his home, the place at that time having but slight improvements upon it, including a small house. He recognized its possibilities, however, and at once began diligently to till the soil and carry on the work of general advancement along the lines of progressive farming. From time to time he has added to his holdings as his financial resources have permitted and now has three farms with good improvements upon them. On two of these he has erected large and commodious barns and has otherwise kept up the work of general progress. He tills the soil in the cultivation of grain and he also raises and feeds stock, fattening from two to three carloads of cattle and two to three carloads of hogs each year. On his home place he has erected a substantial two-story residence in modern architectural style, has also built a good barn, a double crib and a wagon house. He has likewise set out an orchard and made the farm one of the most attractive features in the landscape.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sickels have been born eleven children: E. G., who is married and follows farming in Worth county, Missouri; Guy, who is married and cultivates one of his father's farms; John, who is married and is also operating a tract of land belonging to his father; Frank, who is married and lives with his father on the home place; Challie and Glen, both at home; Gertie, the wife of C. E. Rusco, a farmer of Jefferson township; Alice, the wife of John Gold, also an agriculturist; Clara, the wife of O. T. Campbell, a resident farmer of Taylor county; Ina, the wife of Arthur Wisdom, also a farmer; and Maggie, at home.

While Mr. Sickels usually votes the republican ticket and is loyal to the interests of the party, he casts an independent ballot at local elections, where no party issue is involved. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Athelstan and of the Modern Woodmen camp. Almost his entire life has been spent in this county and he has aided in its development as one of its active men and progressive citizens. The secret of his own success is found in his earnest and indefatigable labor and his example may well serve to encourage others who must depend upon their own resources. In this land where advancement is not hampered by caste or class progress eventually follows persistent purpose and intelligently directed industry and it has been through those means that Homer W. Sickels has become one of the men of affairs in his part of the county.

Joseph Skinner, who is carrying on general farming on section 20, Clayton township, his labors being of a practical and progressive character which have transformed his tract of one hundred and sixty acres into rich and productive fields, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, on the 28th of October, 1853. He is a son of Israel and Polly Ann (Dickson) Skinner, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and in 1840 removed to Illinois, becoming pioneer settlers of La Salle county, where Mr. Skinner opened up a farm and reared his family. Both he and his wife died there after many years residence in the county, during which time they were numbered among the respected and worthy citizens.

While still living in La Salle county, Mr. Skinner was married there on the 20th of January, 1881, to Miss Augusta Hudgens, who was born and reared in La Salle county. They began their domestic life on the old home farm and, following the death of his parents, Mr. Skinner purchased the place and continued its further development and improvement until 1897, when he disposed of that property and came to Iowa. He had previously visited the state, purchased his present farm and in the following spring removed his family to the new home. Here he has since continued his work, has further improved his place and it is now equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the nineteenth century. It is pleasantly situated within two and a half miles of Bedford so that the advantages of town life are easily accessible while those of rural life are continuously enjoyed. He has made specialty of the raising of pure Duroc Jersey hogs and is well known as a breeder and dealer in livestock. He has held various public sales, usually two each year, and he sells and ships stock to Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. He was formerly engaged in the dairy business and was one of the promoters of the Creamery Company, operating in Bedford.

Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have become parents of three sons: J. L., who is now a bookkeeper in the National bank at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Herbert, who is operating the home farm and was married in Bedford January 17, 1909, to Miss Grace Rankin, who was born in Kansas but was reared in Iowa; and Wilber, who is a young man assisting in the operation of the home farm. The parents are members of the Bedford Methodist Episcopal church and their many good qualities of heart and mind are widely recognized. Politically he is a republican and officially identified with the schools of La Salle county but, since coming to Iowa, has taken no part in political affairs. He is, however, a public-spirited citizen, interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and cooperating in many movements for the general good. He has been diligent and persistent in his business affairs and has won that success which is the merited and logical reward of earnest and well directed labor.

J. H. Snyder is the owner of a valuable farming property of three hundred, seventy-two and a half acres situated on sections 27 and 28, Clayton township. The extent and importance of his business interests place him prominently in the front rank among the agriculturists of this part of the state, and his labors have contributed much to the progress of Taylor county in this connection. Moreover, he is entitled to representation in this volume as an honored pioneer settler of the county, for through more than a half century he has resided within its borders and has not only been a witness of its upbuilding but has cooperated in many movements for the general good. He arrived in September, 1858, coming from Scott county, where he had lived since October, 1856. He was but a young lad when he took up his abode in Iowa, his birth having occurred in Pocahontas county, West Virginia, on the 26th of January, 1851. His father, W. A. Snyder, was born in Highland county, Virginia, and was there reared, after which he removed to West Virginia. In the latter state he wedded Miss Mary W. Hannah, a native of West Virginia. While farming was his principal occupation he also engaged in teaching and likewise followed the carpenter's trade. While still residing in West Virginia three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder who in 1856, removed with their family to Iowa, settling first in Scott county, where he engaged in farming for two years. In 1858 he removed to Taylor county, purchased wild land in Gay township and opened up a new farm of one hundred and twenty acres. After he had cultivated it for a time he sold that property and later developed two other farms and also owned three different farms. He continued a resident of this county throughout his remaining days, passing away at a ripe old age, in 1906. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1883. They were worthy and respected pioneer settlers of the county, taking an active and helpful interest in the work of general improvement and development.

J. H. Snyder was a lad of seven summers when he came with his parents to Iowa, the period of his boyhood and youth being largely passed in Taylor county, where he shared with the family in all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and also assisted his father in carrying on the farm. His education was acquired in the district schools, which he attended through the busy seasons, while in the early spring he assisted in the work of planting and as the year (page 603) progressed did his share in the cultivating and harvesting of the crops. He remained with his father until twenty-four years of age and was then married in this county and began farming for himself. He first purchased eighty acres of land in Gay township and transformed it into productive fields. He also cultivated another farm in addition to his own place for one year and then went upon his father's land, also farming his own place.

Mr. Snyder was first married in Gay township, this county, to Miss Minnie J. King, whom he wedded in April, 1875, and who died in 1876. He was married again in West Virginia in 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Jennie G. Varner, a native of that state. Soon afterward he established his home on the farm where he now lives. Having previously purchased two hundred acres and since locating here in 1884 he has bought more land from time to time and is now the owner of three hundred and seventy-two and a half acres, constituting a valuable place on sections 27 and 28, Clayton township. Here he has built a good barn, sheds and cribs and has also erected a comfortable and commodious residence. He had to clear off the brush and timber upon the place ere he could plow the fields and plant the crops. He now has two good bearing orchards upon the farm and it is altogether a well-improved and valuable property, lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He has been a very active man, always enjoying good health, and his energies have been concentrated upon his business affairs, his persistent and intelligently directed labor bringing him substantial success. Year by year he harvests good crops of corn and other cereals and he also feeds and raises hogs and cattle and to some extent handles horses. The various departments of his business are proving profitable for Mr. Snyder is neglectful of no opportunity pointing to success, nor does he fear that indefatigable effort which is so necessary to the attainment of prosperity.

By his first marriage Mr. Snyder had a daughter, Jessie, who is now the wife of Robert G. Jenkins, a resident farmer of Gay township. By his last marriage eight children have been born; John F., who is assisting in carrying on the home farm; Glen W.; Clyde V.; William W.; Leland B.; Carrie M., the wife of Daniel Cove, a farmer of Clayton township; Etta L., at home; and Mary W., who is a teacher in the schools of the county. They also lost one daughter in infancy.

While Mr. Snyder votes with the democratic party where state and national issues are involved he frequently casts an independent local ballot, considering the capability of the candidate rather than his party affiliation. His fellow-townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, have several times called him to public office. He has served as assessor and as secretary of the school board, having been officially identified with the schools for fifteen years. He was himself a teacher in early manhood, for four terms, and has ever been a stalwart champion of the cause of education. He has been a delegate to the county conventions and does all in his power to secure political integrity. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bedford and Mr. Snyder is a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge at Plattville, Iowa. As one of the pioneer settlers of the county he can relate many interesting incidents concerning its history and its progress from early times. There were few settlers within its borders at the time of his arrival. He has killed numerous deer on the (page 604) plains here, has seen many wolves and rattlesnakes. Some of the now thriving towns and villages had not yet sprung into existence, while the more pretentious cities were little more than village cross-roads. He has ever taken an active and helpful interest in matters pertaining to the general welfare and to public progress and as a progressive citizen as well as a reliable business man he enjoys the respect and good will of all who know him.

Dr. Richard W. Soper is a prominent member of the medical profession and a surgeon of ability, who practices in Taylor and Union counties, where for the past three years he has been accorded a liberal patronage. A native of England, he was born in the city of London, July 9, 1869, and received his preliminary education in the public schools of the world's metropolis. He afterward studied medicine for four years at Guy's Hospital where he pursued a four years' course and later he devoted one year to further study in the Paris Polytechnic Institute. Wide research brought to him comprehensive knowledge and, splendidly trained for his chosen field of labor, he came to the new world in 1894, locating first in Cedar county, Iowa. There he purchased a farm and devoted a year to agricultural interests rather as an experiment, but this proved somewhat expensive and was not justified by results.

Then taking up the work of the profession for which he had prepared, Dr. Soper for two years acted as assistant to Dr. Jepson, one of the noted surgeons of the United States. Subsequently he became an army surgeon and spent two years at Fort Brady, Michigan. Later he was army surgeon for two years in the Philippine Islands and, resigning, he returned to the United States, locating at Creston, Iowa, where he continued until 1906, when he arrived in Conway. Here he resumed the private practice of medicine and surgery and in the meantime to his comprehensive college training had been added broad practical experience. He has performed some very critical and intricate operations since locating here and is regarded as one of the representative men of his profession.

Dr. Soper was married in Kansas City, Missouri, on the 1st of November, 1902, to Miss Carolyn Rulon, a native of Illinois, who was born, reared and educated in Monmouth. She died September 9, 1909. Both the doctor and his wife were reared in the Episcopal faith. In fraternal lines he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow and the Knights of Pythias. He has made many friends in this community and enjoys the hospitality of the best homes of Conway and this part of the county.

The tendency of the times is decidedly toward the selection for public office of men of tried worth, who have given evidence of their ability in business life and who have proven their devotion to the public welfare by loyalty to all those measures and movements which are instituted for the general good. It was because of these things that Hon. A. J. Sowers was called to represent his district in the state legislature and to serve in various local capacities of honor and trust. He is preeminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. His activity in commercial lines has been a resultant factor in Bedford's upbuilding and development, and he is now well known throughout the county as a dealer in agricultural implements and vehicles.

Mr. Sowers was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 1, 1846, his parents being John G. and Sarah (Hahn) Sowers. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and of English descent. In early manhood he prepared for the practice of medicine and for many years was widely known as a successful and competent physician. In 1846 he removed westward to Illinois, settling at Naperville, where he died in 1849 at the comparatively early age of thirty-eight years He had, however, during that period demonstrated his ability to successfully cope (page 264) with the intricate problems that continually confront the physician and was one of the valued and prominent pioneers of the medical profession in that part of the state. His wife survived him for only about a year and died at the age of thirty-eight in the faith of the Episcopal church, of which both were members. She was a native of Pennsylvania and of Welsh lineage. In their family were ten children, five sons and five daughters but only three are now living: Andrew J; Mary L, the widow of John Dinges, of Bedford; and Frances A., the widow of Robert Reid and a resident of Portland, Oregon.

Following the death of his parents which occurred when he was only about four years of age, A. J. Sowers went to live with his uncle, the Rev. J. Crouse, at Bucyrus, Ohio, where he was reared. He there attended the public and high schools and, aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted in 1862 as a private of Company K, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served through the summer, although he was but sixteen years of age at the time. In the spring of 1864 he reenlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Regiment and did duty as a sergeant with that command until the succeeding fall.

After the war Mr. Sowers engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a brief period but in the spring of 1865 came to Bedford, Iowa, and soon afterward engaged in farming and teaming. In 1869 he turned his attention to the implement and vehicle business, in which he has since continued, covering a period of forty years. He carries an extensive stock, occupying a large building and enjoys a very gratifying and constantly growing business. Throughout the entire period he has been most careful in conforming his course to a high standard of commercial ethics, not because he believe such a course to be the best policy but because he believes it to be right. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in business transactions but has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of close application, unfaltering enterprise and progressive methods. In 1907 he erected what is known as the A. J. Sowers block which is sixty-six by one hundred and twenty-six feet and is one of the leading business structures of the city. It is now occupied by his implement business, the Fair store, a real-estate office and a barber shop.

In all of his public relations Mr. Sowers has made an equally creditable record. He is a stalwart republican and for several years was chairman of the county central committee. He was the first mayor of the city of Bedford, served for several terms as a member of the city council and in all such relations has exercised his official prerogatives in support of movements which have been directly beneficial to the city. Further political honors came to him in his election to the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth general assemblies and while thus representing his district he was connected with much important legislation which proved of substantial worth to the state. Outside of political connections, too, he has done effective work for the benefit of Bedford. He served in 1907 as president of the Bedford Commercial Club, the object of which is to induce business enterprises and factories to locate here and thus promote the growth of the town. He has also been the vice-president and the president of the Iowa Implement Dealers Association and has thus labored to promote general trade relations.

On the 6th of January, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sowers and Miss Olive I. Carson, a daughter of Joseph S. and Phoebe (Vanghn) Carson, of Marion, Linn county, Iowa. Unto them have been born four children, two sons and two daughters: Fay Irene, Donald J., William Lee and Edna. Fay Irene is now the wife of Clarence Orth, of Bedford, while Donald is a merchant at Tamaha, Oklahoma, and William Lee is professor of English and Latin at Hanover, Indiana. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sowers are Presbyterians in religious faith and he is serving as a deacon in the church in which they hold membership. He is also connected with the Modern Wooden of America and the Yeomen. His life history constitutes an integral chapter in the records of Bedford, where he has now lived for more than four decades, closely associated, throughout the pioneer period, with the material, intellectual, social, political and moral progress of the community.