Marion County >> 1915 Index

The History of Marion County, Iowa
John W. Wright and W. A. Young, supervising eds. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915.

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Daniel Wagner - page 332

Daniel Wagner, deceased, who resided near Dallas, was the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of fine land, although he began his business career empty-handed. He was born in Germany on the 14th of February, 1831, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Feight) Wagner, who came to America in 1832 when their son Daniel was an infant of eighteen months. The family first located in Pennsylvania, but subsequently removed to Indiana and thence to this county, arriving here in 1848. They located near the site of the village of Dallas and Henry Wagner entered land from the government. He remained upon his farm until his death and gave the greater part of his time to its operation, although he was a tailor by trade. His wife also passed away upon the homestead. They had three children, those beside the subject of this review being John and Mrs. Elizabeth Morelock, both of whom are deceased.

Daniel Wagner was reared to manhood in this county and here received his education. Mr. Wagner was one of the forty-niners who went west across the plains to California during the gold rush. He spent about ten years freighting across the country, making several trips, and then returned to Marion county and took up farming, to which occupation he had been trained in his boyhood as he early began to assist in the operation of the homestead. He began for himself with no assets, save his knowledge of farm work and his strength and industrious habits. He first secured land near Bauer, this county, where he resided for three years, after which he removed to a farm six miles north of Dallas. His hard work, thrift and wise management of his affairs were rewarded, as he became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of land which he operated until a very short time previous to his death. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he raised high grade stock and found both branches of his activity profitable. At one time he held stock in the Pleasantville Bank. His demise, which occurred in 1907, deprived the county of one of its industrious and highly successful agriculturists and was sincerely deplored. The farm is mainly owned by his widow, who makes her home at Knoxville.

On the 14th of March, 1867, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage in this county to Miss Deborah Clark, a native of Dade county, Tennessee, born on the 10th of December, 1844. Her parents were John and Eliza (Carroll) Clark, the latter of whom is still living at Dallas at a very advanced age, her birth having occurred on the 25th of January, 1822. In 1849 the family removed to this county and located near Dallas, where John Clark entered land. He farmed for many years, but upon retiring from active life removed to Knoxville and died there a year or two later, on the 17th of April, 1891. His widow later removed to Dallas, her present home. He was a Baptist, but Mrs. Clark is a member of the Christian church. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Wagner was Rev. James Thomas Clark, a Baptist minister of Tennessee. Mrs. Wagner has five brothers living, namely: Frank and George, twins, the former living in Pleasantville, this county, and the latter in Oklahoma; William, of Montrose, Colorado; Hiram, of this county; and Benjamin, who resides with his aged mother. Two sisters died young, Susie in infancy and Mary Catherine when fourteen years of age. Mrs. Wagner grew to womanhood in this county, as she was but a child of four years when the family settled here. For the past five years she has made her home in Knoxville, where she has built a fine residence on Montgomery street. To her union with Mr. Wagner were born five children: two deceased; Mrs. Harry Yetter, a resident of Knoxville; Mrs. J. A. Hartley, also of Knoxville; and Paul, a farmer of Johnson, Minnesota, who is married and has two children. A stepson, John, resides at Audubon, Iowa, and is married and has three children. Another stepson, Henry, died when a youth of sixteen.

Mr. Wagner was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and his wife is a member of the Christian church. In politics he was a democrat and manifested at all times a commendable interest in matters of public concern. He was well known throughout the county and was esteemed not only for his material success in life, but also for those fine qualities of character that command honor wherever found.

John Jesse Walker owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Swan township. The place is well improved according to modern ideas of farm life and in addition to tilling the soil Mr. Walker engages in the raising of graded stock and chickens. He was born upon this farm, on section 33, Swan township, May 20, 1867, his parents being Francis Marion and Mary F. (Harrison) Walker, the mother of a distant relative of former presidents William Henry and Benjamin Harrison. The parents were married here after coming to Iowa from Indiana. Francis M. Walker was born in the latter state and died February 28, 1913, when more than seventy-seven years of age. His father had passed away in Indiana and his mother afterward became the wife of Andrew Schirmer. They came to Iowa in the fall of 1847, bringing their family and settling on section 28, Swan township, Marion county, at which period this district was still upon the frontier. Only here and there was there a little cabin to be seen, showing that the white men were penetrating into the western wilderness to reclaim the district for the uses of civilization. Mr. Schirmer secured considerable land and was actively identified with the early agricultural development of this section of the state. Both he and his wife died at an advanced age upon the old homestead farm which he developed, and with their passing the county lost two of its worthy and well known pioneer citizens.

Francis M. Walker was twelve years of age when, in 1847, the family came to Iowa and the remainder of his life was here passed. He spent the last twenty-one years at Pleasantville and through many years he was known as a successful farmer, stock-raiser and business man. He owned altogether four hundred and fifty acres of rich and valuable land, which he divided among his children. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for active duty as a member of Company G, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for almost three years as a private under Captain Jenkins, during which time he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. He then returned home and was married on the 9th of April, 1866, to Miss Mary F. Harrison, who was born in Indiana, near Ladoga, and came with her parents to this county in the latter '40s, the family settling in Pleasant Grove township, where her father secured a farm. Both he and his wife passed away here at an advanced age. Both Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Walker were members of the Christian church and for a half century he was connected with the Masonic fraternity. His life was at all times guided by high and honorable principles and measured up to the most advanced standards of manhood and citizenship. He served for ten years as constable and made an excellent record in the office. He passed away February 28, 1913, but his widow survives and now resides in Pleasantville at the age of sixty-nine years. They were the parents of three children: John J., whose name introduces this review; Minnie O., the wife of John Cormany, a resident farmer of Swan township; and James U., who also follows farming in the same township.

John J. Walker was reared and educated in Swan township, attending the public schools, wherein he mastered the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He has always followed farming and success has attended his efforts in a gratifying measure, for his methods have been practical. Moreover, he has studied the soil and has kept informed concerning modern ideas relative to the development of the fields and the care of stock. He has made many fine improvements upon his place and it is today one of the most attractive features in the landscape. He has a pleasant residence, in the rear of which stands commodious barns and outbuildings, while these in turn are surrounded by highly cultivated fields. He annually gathers good harvests and an important feature of his business is the raising of graded stock and fine chickens.

On the 9th of April, 1889, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Shutt, who was born in Warren county, September 25, 1866, a daughter of Edward and Martha (Yount) Shutt, who came to this county at an early day. The father was born in Pennsylvania, July 31, 1837, and at the age of four years was taken to Ohio and afterward to Indiana, coming as a young man to Iowa, at which time he settled in Warren county. He enlisted in 1861 in defense of the Union cause and served for four years, having in the meantime veteranized. He participated in the famous march to sea under General Sherman, which proved the weakness of the Confederacy, showing that the troops had been drawn from the interior to protect the border. He was ever a loyal and valorous soldier and in August, 1865, returned home with an army record of which he had every reason to be proud. He resided in this part of the state for many years and finally passed away near Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, January 7, 1901. His wife was born in Indiana and with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Brown, removed to Warren county, Iowa, where she afterward became the wife of Mr. Shutt. They were the parents of three children: Mrs. Walker; G. W. Shutt, now living in Hartford; and Mrs. Eva Shutt, whose home is in Stuttgart, Arkansas. The mother died in May, 1874, and the father afterward wedded Miss Katie Fisher, who passed away several years later, leaving several children, who are now widely scattered. The parents of Mrs. Walker were both Baptists in religious faith. Mrs. Walker was reared in Warren county, was educated in the common schools and afterward engaged in teaching in Warren county for five terms. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children: Leila, now the wife of Lloyd Wall, of Pleasant Grove township, by whom she has two daughters, Louise and Helen; and Leitha, Mary Frances, Minnie Edna, Jessie Marian and Edwin Wayne, all at home.

Mr. Walker exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Swan Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and for a number of years he has also been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church and both taken an active interest in its work and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Walker takes a sane view of life, has judged its opportunities correctly and has so lived that he has gained success in business and at the same time has ever merited the confidence and good-will of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

James U. Walker is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Marion county. He owns and occupies a splendidly improved farm of one hundred and fifty acres and lives in the old home of his father, Francis M. Walker, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of another son, John J. Walker. It was on the 18th of October, 1873, that James U. Walker first opened his eyes to the light of day. He was reared upon the old home farm and after attending the common schools near his home spent a year as a student in Ackworth. He has following farming successfully since starting out in business life on his own account and has made many of the improvements upon his place. He has a fine home here and the farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance. A glance at the place indicates that its owner must be a man of progressive spirit and unfaltering diligence, for the fields are well tilled, the fences and buildings are kept in good repair and there is every evidence of careful supervision and progressive methods. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Walker also engages in the raising of graded stock and his annual sales bring to him a gratifying income.

Mr. Walker has been married twice. On the 7th of February, 1895, he wedded Miss Della Camp, a daughter of the late John Camp, and to them was born a son, Francis Marion, who was named for his paternal grandfather and who is at Fort McDermott, Nevada, with his mother. Mr. Walker's present wife was Miss Mamie Mote, whom he wedded February 23, 1910. She was born in Palmyra, Iowa, a daughter of Ephraim and Ann Eliza (Gilman) Mote. The family were early settlers in Warren county, having taken up their abode near Palmyra in 1846, when Ephraim Mote was but a young lad. His parents removed from Ohio to Iowa and cast in their lot with the pioneer residents of this state. Ephraim Mote was born in 1834 and was therefore seventy-eight years of age when, in July, 1912, he passed away. His widow is now living in Des Moines, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Walker was reared and educated near Indianola and by her marriage has become the mother of one daughter, Esta Bernice, born July 19, 1911.

Politically Mr. Walker is a republican, voting for the men and measures of the party, yet never an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Odd Fellows, while he and his wife are connected with the Rebekahs. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Modern Woodmen camp of Pleasantville, while his wife is a member of the Christian church. They are both well known in this county and many speak of them in terms of high regard. Mr. Walker is, moreover, recognized as one of the leading farmers of Swan township, employing all the modern methods which have made this one of the rich agricultural districts of the state.

H. W. Ward, a worthy native son and representative merchant of Marion county, is the proprietor of a general store and meat market at Harvey and is meeting with well merited success in the conduct of his business. His birth occurred on the 22nd of November, 1876, his parents being Jeremiah and Mary (Cox) Ward, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They came to Iowa in the '60s and the mother is still living here, but the father has passed away. Their two children survive.

H. W. Ward received a high-school education in his youth but started out to earn his own livelihood at the early age of twelve years, working at farm labor until he had attained his majority. He then secured employment in the Morrell packing house at Ottumwa and subsequently returned to this county, becoming railroad agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Harvey. On July 4, 1903, he embarked in business on his own account as a merchant of Harvey, where he has since conducted a general store and meat market, being accorded a gratifying patronage in both branches of his business. He owns a substantial residence and two lots in Harvey and is widely recognized as a prosperous and esteemed citizen of the community.

In 1902 Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Harrington, a native of Marion county and a daughter of Thomas N. and Mary (Loynachan) Harrington, the former having passed away. They had ten children, eight of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Ward have been born two children, Marvin Reed and Merlyn Watson. Mr. Ward gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served as a member of the city council and also in the capacity of school director. He and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church and are well known and highly esteemed for their many excellent traits of character. They have spent their entire lives in this part of the state and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

No name is more highly honored and no record more worthy of commendation than that of Charles Owen Way, who for many years made his home in Marion county, his life being crowned with success and at the same time fraught with good deeds to others. He passed away December 31, 1902, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him. He made his home near Bussey and was one of the largest landowners and stock-raisers of his section of the state, his holdings embracing twelve hundred acres. His success came to him as the result of unfaltering energy, keen sagacity and sound business judgment, resulting in judicious investment and the wise management of his affairs.

Mr. Way was one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Mahaska county, near the Marion county line, in June, 1858, his parents being Joshua and Ruth (Ridlen) Way, the former a native of Wayne county, Indiana, and the latter of Shelby county, that state. The father was a son of Seth Way, who in 1839 came to Iowa with his family and settled in Keosauqua. In the same year Joshua Way took up his abode in Marion county, becoming one of its early settlers, and in 1843 he and two others staked off their claims by lantern light, theirs being the first claims entered with the present borders of the county. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the property but with characteristic energy Joshua Way began to break the sod and develop the farm, his labors soon bringing about a marked transformation in the appearance of his land, which in the course of a few years was yielding abundant harvests. In the year 1854 he married Miss Ruth Ridlen, a daughter of Timothy and Sarah Ridlen, who came to Marion county in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Way were born seven children: Seth, of Knoxville, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Charles Owen, of this review; Walter, a farmer living at Bussey, Iowa; William, also a farmer of this county; Parker, who follows farming in Mahaska county; and two daughters who died in childhood.

Charles O. Way spent his youthful days under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district and public schools of the county. He was married in 1879, when a young man of twenty-one years, after which he settled in Marion county, making his home here until his death, or for a period of twenty-three years. He always devoted his active life to farming and was notably successful, becoming one of the best known agriculturists of Marion county. He readily recognized the opportunities for judicious investment and by adding to his holdings from time to time became the owner of about twelve hundred acres, still in the possession of his widow. His farm work was conducted along progressive lines. He studied the soil and its possibilities, practiced the rotation of crops and employed modern methods in the development of his fields, which in the course of years brought to him substantial profits. He made excellent improvements upon his land and through the erection of substantial buildings afforded ample shelter for grain and stock. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions he also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising and did considerable to improve the grade of stock handled in this section of the state.

In 1879 Mr. Way married Miss Mary L. Doughtman, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of E. G. and Hannah M. (Hughes) Doughtman, who settled near Bellefontaine, Iowa, nearly sixty years ago. Her father came to this state from Indiana and was married in this county. He lived for about three years in Knoxville and passed away a quarter of a century ago. He was a democrat and quite active in local affairs, holding several offices. He was also a Mason. To Mr. and Mrs. Way was born a son, Merle E., who is attending the State Agricultural College at Ames in preparation for the scientific operation of the land which he and his mother own. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and well known in local fraternal circles. A daughter died about twenty-five years ago, when nine years old. Mrs. Way removed to Knoxville in 1903 and purchased the fine residence at No. 1304 Montgomery street which is now her home. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She has resided in this county for more than a third of a century and has witnessed much of its development and progress.

Mr. Way was a prominent factor in the agricultural life of the county and was not only highly respected by the general public but held in warm regard by many close personal friends. Few if any of the citizens of Marion county have been held in higher esteem. He possessed a genial, joyous nature, always looked upon the bright side of things, and made friends wherever he went. He possessed a wonderful personality that attracted to him all with whom he came in contact. While he became a wealthy man he never boasted of his worldly goods and was charitable to a fault. No worthy person ever appealed to him for aid in vain and he had a hand constantly outreaching to help the poor and needy. His many acts of kindness extended into the broad field of common brotherhood and his sympathies into an ever widening circle. He was a man honored and loved by all. Few tributes will sink deeper into the human heart than one offered by an untutored farmer, a tenant on one of Mr. Way's farms for more than seven years, who, when he heard of the death of his friend and benefactor said: "The Almighty made few men equal to Owen Way." In manner he was quiet and unassuming and when not occupied with business devoted the greater part of his time to his family. He enjoyed the social gatherings of his friends and was happy in extending the hospitality of his home to them. Mr. Way was prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the blue lodge at Tracy, the chapter at Knoxville, the commandery at Oskaloosa and the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. He leaves a name and reputation that are above reproach, for in all his manifold business activities he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of another but conducted his business along strictly honorable lines and won the high respect of all with whom he came in contact. He judged men not by wealth but by worth, and true worth could ever win his regard. The poor did not prize more highly his benefactions than did his associates his cheery smile and kindly greeting. His was one of those natures that shed around them much of the sunshine of life. A modern philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged by this standard alone Charles Owen Way was a most successful man.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Marion county without recognizing the fact that the name of Way figures prominently in connection with the development and substantial progress of the district, especially along agricultural lines. It was Joshua Way, father of Seth Way, who with two others, at midnight on the 1st of May, 1843, staked off the first claims entered in this county, and from that time to the present he and others of the family have borne an active part in advancing the material, political and social interests of the district. He was born Wayne county, Indiana, in 1822, a son of Seth Way, who in the year 1837 came to Iowa with his family and settled at Keosauqua. In the same year Joshua Way visited Marion county and six years later, on the 1st of May, 1843, he and two others staked off their claims by lantern light, their quarter sections being the first ones entered from the government in this county. He immediately took up his residence upon his claim and continued to reside there until his death. The others who staked off their claims the same night were Horace Lyman and Colonel Stanford Dowd, while Mr. Jones and Mr. Durham arrived but a short time afterward. The men built cabins and those who were married went to Keosauqua on foot to bring their families to their new homes, while Mr. Way, who was then a young man of twenty-one years and single, took care of the claims until the others returned.

It was in 1854 that Joshua Way was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Ridlen, a native of Shelby county, Indiana, and a daughter of Timothy and Sarah Ridlen, who were likewise natives of the Hoosier state, whence they came to Marion county in 1849, the father purchasing government land not far from the home of Mr. Way. Seven children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Way: Seth; Charles Owen, who died in 1902; Walter, who is a farmer and resides in Bussey, Iowa; William, who follows farming in this county; Parker, who owns and cultivates a tract of land near Bussey; and Mary and Sarah, who died in childhood. The father passed away on the 19th of May, 1895, and the mother's death occurred in September, 1910.

In the demise of Joshua Way the county was deprived of a representative farmer and good citizen, while his close friends and relatives suffered an irreparable loss in his passing. As one of the earliest white settlers in this part of the state he experienced the privations that must always characterize real pioneer life, but the consciousness that he was assisting in the development of a splendid section of country more than compensated for the hardships endured. Moreover, in the improvement of his opportunities he won a very substantial and gratifying measure of success and at the time of his death was the owner of twenty-five hundred acres of valuable land, all in Marion and Mahaska counties. He was regarded as one of the best business men in his section of the state and his prosperity was attributable entirely to his own labors and sound judgment. His education opportunities were very limited and without capital he came to Marion county in early manhood, working his way steadily upward until he was numbered among the most prosperous and highly esteemed citizens. He was widely known for his kindly interest in young men who were desirous of gaining a start in the business world. He never hesitated to loan wagons or other farm equipments and was also most generous in his financial assistance. He believed in the goodness and honor of those with whom he had business dealings and seldom, if ever, was his confidence betrayed, for the trust which he displayed awakened the better nature of many with whom he came in contact. His hand was constantly outreaching to assist another. A modern philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success." And judged by this standard, as well as by what he acquired along material lines, Joshua Way was a most successful man. His memory is cherished by all who knew him and his example is indeed one worthy of emulation.

His eldest son, Seth Way, was born in 1856, on the old homestead farm which his father had entered from the government, and at the usual age he became a public-school pupil. His training in the work of the fields began early and as his strength increased he aided more and more in the operation of the farm until, while still a youth in years, he was doing all the work that fell to the lot of one of adult age upon a farm in the middle west. After attaining man's estate he continued to follow agricultural pursuits for a number of years and he brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and added thereto all modern equipments and accessories. In 1888 he rented his land and removed to Knoxville, where the following year he entered into partnership with C. K. Davis in forming the firm of Davis & Way, dealers in grain, hay, coal, wood and lumber. This firm was very successful during this period and in 1910, at the death of Mr. Davis, the firm became Seth Way & Company and so continues to the present time. They ceased to deal in lumber some years ago and confine their attention to hay, coal and wood. The business has grown along substantial lines and is today one of the important concerns of the kind in the county, Mr. Way giving his entire attention thereto. He likewise has extensive agricultural interests, owning in Liberty township nine hundred and forty-seven acres, which he operates in connection with his son. He raises high grade stock of all kinds and is accounted one of the most successful farmers of Marion county. His enterprising methods have been the source of the growth and development of his business and at every point in his career he seems to have realized the possibility for successful accomplishment at that point.

Mr. Way was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Arminta Johnson, of this county, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Beal) Johnson, who came to Marion county from Ohio in 1868. Her father devoted his life to farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Way have been born two children: Charles J., who is operating his father's farm; and Nora, the wife of A. J. Vandermeulen, an agriculturist. Mr. Way is a republican in his political allegiance and fraternally is a member of the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Rebekahs. They fully merit the general esteem with which they are regarded by their fellowmen. Capability has brought Mr. Way to the front and through the wise utilization of the opportunities which have been his he has gained a place among the representative business men and foremost citizens of Knoxville.

John A. Welch was born in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, November 24, 1834, and was the fourth son and fourth child of a family of seven children. His father, John R. Welch, was born May 24, 1805, in Bath county, Kentucky, and died on the 18th of May, 1891, in Salem, Oregon. He was of English parentage. The mother of our subject, Matilda Lowry Welch, was of Irish and German descent. She was born on the 27th of November, 1807, and died in Butler, Missouri, November 28, 1880. The father moved with the family to Iowa in the year 1843, making the journey with ox teams. They located temporarily in Jefferson county but after a residence there of ten or eleven months moved on further west in May, 1844, and located in an unorganized part of the country, which was later organized and given the name of Marion county.

Here John A. Welch grew to manhood. During the summer of 1854 he with his brothers, James and Isaiah, drove cattle overland to California and was four months lacking a few days in making the trip. He worked in the gold mines most of the time in the central and northern part of the state for three years. In the spring of 1857 he with his brother Isaiah returned to Iowa by way of Panama and New York. James had previously returned by the same route. After reaching home he attended school and taught school alternately until the commencement of the Civil war in 1861.

On account of a war scare along the southern border of the state he with nearly one hundred other men from Marion county volunteered their services to aid others from different parts of the state to repel the invaders. On arrival at the war threatened district the expected invaders had returned south. After a reconnoissance lasting four weeks through northwestern Missouri without a conflict, all parties returned to Iowa and were disbanded without the loss of a man. Soon after returning home from this expedition Mr. Welch enlisted and was regularly mustered into the United States service in G Company Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. After nine months' service he was discharged at Corinth, Mississippi, on account of disability.

About one year after returning home from the army he engaged in the mercantile business in Attica in the southeast part of the county, with J. M. Cathcart as a partner, under the firm name of Cathcart & Welch. A few years later, in 1872, a change of location was made to Knoxville, the county seat, where a mercantile partnership was formed with D. T. Welch, and they did business under the firm name of Welch & Welch. From this time on he was in business one way and another in Knoxville for ten years. In 1882 he moved to Burrton, Harvey county, Kansas, where he resided for twenty-six years, during which time he was engaged in mercantile, banking or lumber business, at the end of which time he retired and removed to Hutchinson, Kansas, where he now resides at 620 North Main street.

A few days after Mr. Welch had volunteered his services to the United States, he was married to Mary E. Haines, October 22, 1861. She was of Welsh and Scotch lineage and of Quaker parentage, born in New Jersey, January 27, 1840. Both are now living and have passed their fifty-third wedding anniversary.

Thompson E. Welch - page 315

Thompson E. Welch is well known as the proprietor of a general store at Columbia, conducting one of the largest establishments of that character in Marion county. His birth occurred in this county on the 12th of March, 1878, his parents being James and Eliza (High) Welch, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Indiana. They reared a family of nine children and all are still living with the exception of Fred, who was drowned at the age of nineteen years.

Thompson E. Welch acquired his education in the common schools and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. Subsequently he started out as an agriculturist on his own account and successfully followed farming for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his property and embarked in the mercantile business at Russell, in Lucas county, but sold out at the end of eight months, though he remained there for two years. He purchased a store in Columbia, in March, 1913, and there he has carried on business as a general merchant continuously and successfully since, being the owner of one of the largest establishments of the kind in the county. He displays a comprehensive and carefully selected stock of goods, which he sells at reasonable prices, and a liberal patronage is accorded him. In addition to his double-store building, Mr. Welch owns a residence in Columbia and also eighty acres of land in eastern Kansas.

In 1903 Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Miss Cora C. Simmons, a native of Marion county and a daughter of Leonard and Anna (Maddy) Simmons. Her father still survives, but her mother has passed away. To Mr. & Mrs. Welch were born six children, namely: Frances, Sylvia, Lois, Forrest and two who died in infancy. The wife and mother died on the 2d of July, 1914, and her remains were interred in the Indiana cemetery.

Mr. Welch is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Russell. In both business and social circles he has become popular and is widely recognized as one of the esteemed, representative and enterprising citizens of his native county.

For two terms Ashlie Welsher served acceptably as county recorder and since 1911 has been engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Knoxville and in the intervening three years has negotiated a large number of real-estate transactions and has written many insurance policies. He was born in Lorain county, Ohio, on the 8th of November, 1857, a son of Alonzo and Mary A. (Rowland) Welsher, who were natives of Monroe county, New York, and Lorain county, Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandfather was Aaron Welsher, a native of New York who removed to Ohio and was a farmer by occupation. The maternal grandfather was Wildman Rowland, a native of Massachusetts, descended from Revolutionary stock.

Alonzo Welsher grew to manhood in Ohio and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1852 he made the long and perilous journey overland to California and remained in that state until 1855. In that year he returned east and in 1856 was married. In September, 1861, he brought his family to this county, locating upon a farm in Franklin township, which he had purchased two years before. He continued to live here until his death, which occurred on the 17th of July, 1914. In addition to operating his farm he conducted a saw mill. His political adherence was given to the republican party and for three terms he served upon the board of supervisors. His widow survives and is well known and highly esteemed in her locality. To them were born two children; Ashlie, of this review; and Bertram R., who was killed in a railway wreck on the 1st of October, 1900.

Ashlie Welsher received a public-school education and in his youth also learned the principles of farming. After starting out in life for himself he devoted his time to agricultural pursuits until 1901, when he removed to Knoxville and in the fall of 1906 was elected county recorder. He performed so well the work devolving upon him in that capacity that he was reelected in 1908. His second term expired on the 1st of January, 1911, and since then he has been successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. He is a man of energy, foresight and sound business judgment and these qualities insure his continued success in his chosen field.

On the 1st of November, 1882, Mr. Welsher was united in marriage to Miss Nannie J. Wilson, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Newbrey) Wilson. Her father served in the Civil war, enlisting from this county, to which he had come in the late '50s. He was married here to Miss Ellen Newbrey, a daughter of John Newbrey, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the county but who in the '70s removed to Kansas, where he died when more than ninety years of age. To Mrs. and Mrs. Welsher have been born four children: Ethel, at home; Earl, manager of the lumberyard at Melcher; Clinna, at home; and Don, who was born in 1894 and died in 1895.

The family attend the Congregational church and Mr. Welsher's political allegiance is given to the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 61, F. & A. M., and Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M. His son Earl is a past master of Oriental blue lodge, a member of the Knights Templar commandery and the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. Welsher is past matron of the Eastern Star and both daughters also belong to that order and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Earl has been connected with the Iowa National Guard and has served as first lieutenant. Mr. Welsher has made an excellent record as a public official, as a business man and in all relations of life and enjoys the merited respect of his fellow citizens.

The name of Whitlatch became connected with the history of Marion county during pioneer times, for among the early settlers in this section of the state was the family of which Charles Whitlatch was a representative. He was born in Ohio on the 24th of August, 1826, a son of Noah and Eva (Bible) Whitlatch, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state, when they removed to Indiana. They became residents of Iowa in pioneer times and both the father and mother spent their last days in Marion county.

Charles Whitlatch came with the family to this district and with every phase of pioneer life he soon became familiar. Many of the homes at that early day were built of logs. The fields were largely unfenced and there was not a little prairie land still unclaimed and uncultivated. Mr. Whitlatch became an active factor in the development of the farming interests of the county and throughout his entire life gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He worked on persistently and energetically year after year, turning the furrows in the early spring, planting the seeds, cultivating the crops and in due time gathering good harvests. He overcame difficulties and obstacles by determination and energy and in all of his business affairs was thoroughly reliable.

In this county Mr. Whitlatch was married on the 17th of November, 1861, to Miss Millie Hall, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Martin and Susan (Kee) Hall, who removed to Iowa in 1848 and settled in Marion county upon a farm which the father entered from the government. Both he and his wife died upon this place. In their family were eight children, of whom four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlatch became the parents of seven children, as follows: Robert J., who operates the home farm; Mary J., who is the wife of Frank Mallory; John H.; one who died in infancy; Eva, who gave her hand in marriage to John Spaur; Edgar E.; and Pearl C., who died at the age of eighteen years.

Mr. Whitlatch provided liberally for his family through the conduct of his farming interests, which as the years passed on brought to him a creditable measure of prosperity. He did not seek to figure prominently in any public connection but was a devoted husband and father, a faithful friend and a public-spirited and progressive citizen. After his demise his widow sold the old homestead and is now living in the village of Attica, where she owns and occupies a pleasant residence. She is a Protestant in religious faith and throughout her entire life has displayed many sterling traits of heart and mind which have endeared her to those with whom she has been brought in contact.

George Whitlatch - page 174

George Whitlatch is one of the venerable residents of Indiana township, having passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey. He has always carried on farming and there are few whose length of residence in Marion county approaches his own, for he arrived here seventy-one years ago. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, May 29, 1829, a son of Noah and Eva (Bible) Whitlatch, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They were married, however, in Ohio and to them were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Of this numerous family only two, George and William, are now living.

On leaving Ohio the parents removed with their family to Indiana, where they lived until 1843 and then came to Marion county, Iowa, settling in Indiana township. This was then a frontier district and the seeds of civilization had scarcely been planted when they took up their abode here. Wild animals infested the forests; there were wolves, deer and many kinds of feathered game. Indians, too, were numerous but on the whole were friendly toward the settlers. There were no railroads, few wagon roads had been laid out and it was a long distance to mill and market. The settlers depended largely upon what they could raise for their supplies, although the skillful hunter had no difficulty in supplying his table with meat in the early days.

Mr. Whitlatch secured one hundred and sixty acres of government land and at once began the difficult task of breaking the sod. There were many hardships and privations to be met in those early days but the father, with the aid of his sons, continued the work of development and in the course of years his place became profitable. He was a democrat in his political views and was interested in public affairs, cooperating in various plans and movements for the upbuilding and improvement of the district in which he lived. He held some of the township offices and his duties were discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in early manhood and afterward joined the Methodist Protestant church, living an earnest Christian life until called to his final rest in 1865. His wife long survived him and passed away in 1891, at the age of ninety-five years. They were laid to rest in a cemetery in this county.

George Whitlatch was a youth of fourteen years when brought by his parents to Iowa. He pursued his education in log schoolhouses both of Indiana and Iowa. Split logs were used for seats and desks and the building was heated by an immense fireplace. The methods of teaching were very primitive and the pupil had an opportunity of studying only a few branches. Mr. Whitlatch broke the prairie for a dollar and a quarter per acre in his early manhood and when twenty-seven years of age he left home and started in business on his own account. He has always followed farming and is still the owner of good property in section 20, Indiana township. In his earlier years he was very active in the work of the fields, doing everything necessary upon the farm for its development and improvement. In addition to cultivating corn, wheat and other cereals he engaged in the raising of graded stock and this also brought to him a substantial financial return.

On the 14th of September, 1856, Mr. Whitlatch was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Morrison, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Whitlatch) Morrison, who in the year 1854 came to Iowa and settled in Marion county, taking up their abode in Indiana township. Both parents passed away here. The father was buried, however, in California and the mother in Missouri. They had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitlatch were born seven children, namely: Mary J., who died at the age of eighteen; Ida, the wife of Jackson Rogers; Frank; Odella, who died in infancy; Cora, also deceased; Amnie, who died at the age of two years; and Hugh, who is engaged in farming in Marion county.

The parents hold membership in the Methodist Protestant church and guide their lives by its teachings. In politics Mr. Whitlatch is a democrat and has filled a number of local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. No history of this county would be complete without extended reference to him, so long as he resided here. As one of the pioneer settlers he is indeed widely and favorably known and there is no phase of the county's development and improvement with which he is not familiar. Many events which are to others a matter of history are known to him through personal connection therewith. He has seen the land claimed and cultivated, churches and schoolhouses erected and villages converted into thriving towns and cities. As the years have gone on he has rejoiced in what has been accomplished and he loves to tell the story of what has been done - a tale which he relates in a most interesting manner.

William J. Whitlatch, wide-awake, alert and enterprising, is numbered among the leading young farmers of Indiana township. He was born December 26, 1885, on the farm which is still his home, his parents being George and Sally (Simmons) Whitlatch, both of whom were natives of Marion county. In their family were three children: Lennie; Ernest G., now living in Lucas county, Iowa; and William J.

The last named entered the public schools at the usual age and therein mastered the branches of English learning. He also worked in the fields and his practical training qualified him for the responsibilities of business life when he started out for himself. He was married February 17, 1904, at Knoxville, Iowa, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Eliza Bybee, who was born October 14, 1883, a daughter of Lyman Lee and Elizabeth Emma (Bellamy) Bybee, who are now residents of Knoxville and who are mentioned elsewhere in this work.

After his marriage Mr. Whitlatch rented a farm for a year and then purchased property. He is now the owner of eighty acres on section 28, Indiana township, and he operates altogether three hundred and seventy acres, being thus extensively engaged in farming. He has studied the best methods of crop production, knows the nature of the soil upon his farm and through careful cultivation has made his fields very productive. He also engages in stock-raising and keeps on hand good grades of cattle and hogs. He is a breeder of pure bred Hampshire hogs and Oxford sheep and a profitable department of his stock-raising is his pure bred Brown Leghorn chickens. Success has attended his intelligently directed efforts and he is accounted one of the representative farmers of his community.

To Mr. and Mrs. Whitlatch has been born a daughter, Emeline Jeanette, who was born November 26, 1906, and is now in school. The parents are members of the Methodist Protestant church and are people of the highest respectability, their genuine worth having gained for them high esteem. Mr. Whitlatch exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, holding membership in Attica Lodge, No. 229. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in Lodge No. 657, while Mrs. Whitlatch is a member of Lodge No. 70, Daughters of Rebekah, at Knoxville. His life has been characterized by high and honorable principles and he is ever devoted to duty, nor through neglect thereof leaves to others the work which he should do. He is thoroughly honorable in matters of citizenship and matters of business, and he holds friendship inviolable.

J. F. Williams, residing in section 31, Clay township, owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres in Clay and Liberty townships part of which has been in his possession more than a quarter of a century. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Marion county, his birth having here occurred on the 20th of August, 1857. His parents, S. C. and Sarah M. (Salliers) Williams, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, removed to Indiana and subsequently came to Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives here. They had ten children, seven of whom still survive.

J. F. Williams attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when sixteen years of age left home and began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand. In 1887, having practiced strict economy, he had accumulated sufficient capital to buy land of his own and in that year came into possession of forty acres. In 1894 he bought eighty acres more and in 1900 another eighty-acre tract, so that he now has two hundred acres in Clay and Liberty townships which he operates. He erected modern and substantial buildings on the property and brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement, the well tilled fields annually yielding bounteous harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, both branches of his business bringing him a gratifying annual income.

In 1883 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss M. C. Rose, a native of Marion county, Iowa, and a daughter of Richard and Matilda (Glenn) Rose, mention of whom is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of T. R. Gregory, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Williams. For six terms prior to her marriage the wife of our subject followed the profession of teaching in this county. They have two children. M. W., who was born May 16, 1884, and now assists his father in the operation of the home farm, wedded Miss Sylvia B. Whitlatch, by whom he had two children: Macel, deceased; and Laverne. Elma A. Williams is still under the parental roof.

Mr. Williams exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has ably served in the capacity of school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Protestant church, to which his wife also belongs. They have spent their entire lives in Marion county and are widely and favorably known within its borders, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

Marion county is fortunate in having county officials who are thoroughly competent and also conscientious in the discharge of their duties and one of the most efficient of these public servants is William J. Wilson, the present county treasurer. His position is one of great responsibility and one requiring the use of system and the exercise of accuracy. He has proven himself admirably fitted for the office and his constituents have had no reason to regret his election.

He was born on the 3d of September, 1863, in this county, a son of James T. and Mary M. (Brown) Wilson, natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. The paternal grandfather, William Wilson, was also born in the Buckeye state. He subsequently removed to Iowa, locating in this county a few years after his arrival in the state. He was a farmer by occupation and was highly respected in his community. His son, James T., grew to manhood in this county and was here married to Miss Mary M. Brown, who came here from another part of Iowa in her girlhood. James T. Wilson passed away in 1884, but his widow survives and lives at Pleasantville. To them were born six children: Amanda, the widow of Marion Sexton and a resident of Pleasantville; Annette, who married James Peck and lives at Hartford, Kansas; Belle, the wife of Thomas Moore, a resident of Union county, Iowa; William J., of this review; Ida, the wife of William Miller and a resident of Indianola; and Thomas, who died when a child of eight years.

William J. Wilson received a common-school education and also became familiar with farming when a boy. He followed that occupation until 1888, or until he was twenty-five years of age, and then he and his mother removed to Pleasantville, taking up their residence there and renting the farm. He embarked in the general merchandise business in association with F. H. Spalte, but after a time sold his interest to his partner, though he remained in the latter's employ. In 1906 he was elected county sheriff, taking office in 1907, and he served in that capacity for two terms, proving resourceful and fearless in the preservation of the peace and apprehension of criminals. At the expiration of his second term as sheriff he traveled for one year for the well known company of J. I. Case, manufacturers of threshing machines, and after that was employed for a year in Knoxville. In 1912 he was elected county treasurer and took office in January, 1913. The work devolving upon him, the collection of the taxes, the disbursing of public funds and the keeping account of all transactions has been accurately done and his record is one that reflects much credit upon his business ability. In November, 1914, Mr. Wilson was reelected, his second term beginning January 1, 1915.

In September, 1893, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss May McDaniel, a daughter of J. A. and Lettie (Clark) McDaniel. Her father was for many years a hardware merchant of Pleasantville but is now living retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two children, Arlen J. and Beulah, both at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a democrat in his political belief. Fraternally he is a member of Pleasant Lodge, No. 128, F. & A. M.; Pleasantville Lodge, No. 446, I. O. O. F.; and Wildey Encampment, No. 116, of the Odd Fellows; Pleasantville Lodge, No. 149, K. P.; and Ontario Tribe, No. 73, I. O. R. M. Both he and his wife belong to Knoxville Chapter, No. 85, O. E. S., and she is also a member of the Pythian Sisters. Both in private life and in an official capacity Mr. Wilson has always conformed his life to the highest standards of conduct and has proved highly capable and he has contributed to the general welfare and prosperity.

M. M. Wren - page 406

M. M. Wren is a farmer and stockman who owns and operates two hundred and forty acres upon section 32, Knoxville township, and he is highly respected wherever known. He was born in that township on the 24th of March, 1861, a son of Michael and Catherine (Brown) Wren. The father was born in County Kerry, Ireland, but emigrated to America as a young man. He first located in Indiana, where he was married, but later removed to Marion county, Iowa, arriving here in 1856. He entered eighty acres of land, which is a part of the farm now owned by the subject of this review, and from time to time as his resources increased he added to his holdings until he held title to two hundred and fifty acres. His fine farm was the evidence of his prosperity and none grudged him his success as it was won by persistent effort and good management. He passed away in 1890, when about seventy-four years of age. He and his wife were both communicants of the Catholic church. She was also born in County Kerry, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States with her parents, the family home being established in Indiana. Her parents both passed away in that state. She died in February, 1888, when about sixty-five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wren had three children: James, now residing in Des Moines, is married and has a family. M. M. is the subject of this review, and Mary is the wife of Patrick Riley, of Ottumwa.

M. M. Wren was reared upon the farm he is now operating and gained his education in the school of his home neighborhood. The early training given him in agriculture by his father stood him in good stead and he has proved successful as a general farmer. The splendid condition of his place testifies to his carefulness and industry and his labors are rewarded by abundant crops.

In 1886 Mr. Wren married Miss Maggie Ruane, a native of County Roscommon, Ireland, born on the 3d of December, 1863. Her parents were Thomas and Catherine (Murray) Ruane, who in the winter of 1864-5 emigrated to Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Ruane was a baker and followed his trade in that city, where he passed away while still a young man. His widow married L. F. Cotter at Baltimore and in 1869 they removed to this county and located at Knoxville. Mr. Cotter died there a quarter of a century ago but his widow survives at the age of ninety-five years and still makes her home at Knoxville. Mr. and Mrs. Ruane had three children: Mrs. Wren; Mary A., the deceased wife of James Wren, her demised occurring in 1904 in Des Moines; and John, superintendent of the insurance patrol at Minneapolis, Minnesota. The sons born to the mother by her marriage to Mr. Cotter are now leading merchants of Knoxville. Mrs. Wren was reared and educated in Knoxville and there her marriage occurred. She has become the mother of three children, all born upon the home farm. Charles, who is twenty-seven years of age, resides at Lovilia, Monroe county, this state, and is cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of that place. He married Miss Gertrude Kinney, of this county. Catherine is at home and is a graduate of the Highland Park College at Des Moines. She has taught in both Marion and Monroe counties. Margaret completed the public-school course and is at home.

Mr. Wren exercises his right of franchise in support of the democratic party as he is convinced of the wisdom of its policies. He has taken a great interest in the welfare of the schools and for many years has served as president of the school board. Both he and his wife are communicants of St. Anthony's Catholic church of Knoxville and can always be counted upon to do their share in furthering the moral advancement of the community.

Dr. J. Robert Wright is one of the younger members of the medical profession at Knoxville but already his ability is gaining him gratifying recognition in a growing practice. This is his native city, his birth having occurred in Knoxville, December 5, 1884, his parents being Dr. W. E. and Melcina M. (Woodruff) Wright, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Peter Wright, was one of the pioneer settlers of this county, and Dr. W. E. Wright, brought to Iowa in his early boyhood, pursued his education in the public schools of Marion county. He afterward prepared for medical practice by a course in the Keokuk Medical College and then opened an office in Knoxville, where he remained in continuous practice to the time of his death, which occurred June 19, 1901. His widow survives and is one of the highly esteemed residents of Knoxville, where she has a warm circle of friends. Dr. Wright was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In their family were eight children, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: Willa, the wife of George T. Underhill, a resident of Knoxville; Jessie, the wife of W. S. Bilby, who makes his home in Nebraska; Ed F., living in Cedar Rapids; Kate, the wife of James Wilcox, whose home is in Missoula, Montana; Jacqueline, at home; and J. Robert.

At the usual age the last named began his education in the public schools of Knoxville, passing through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school. He later pursued his more specifically literary course in the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then spent three years in the study of medicine at Iowa City and later entered the medical department of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, from which he was graduated in 1913. He then returned to Knoxville and has since engaged in general practice.

Dr. Wright is a member of the Marion County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and politically is a democrat with independent tendencies. He is well known in the city in which his entire life has been passed and the place which he has already won as a medical practitioner makes his record in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country.

John W. Wright, whose identification with journalistic interests began more than a quarter of a century ago, has for the past thirteen years acted as city and county news editor of the Knoxville Journal, the leading republican paper of Marion county. His acquaintance is very wide and it is generally conceded that no citizen has taken a more active or helpful interest in the progress and substantial advancement of the community. His birth occurred in Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 4th of May, 1860, his parents being Dillon and Susanna (Frazier) Wright, representatives of the old line Quaker families of Grant county, Indiana, and Highland county, Ohio. The Frazier family removed to Indiana to Jefferson county, Wrights came from the Hoosier state to Iowa in 1857, likewise taking up their abode near Pleasant Plain.

John W. Wright spent his childhood days in Oskaloosa and attended school intermittently until twelve years of age. His schooling, however, did not extend beyond the primary grades, for he was taken into the coal works as miner's helper in the winter after his twelfth birthday and subsequently labored in the mines during the winter months and in a brickyard throughout the summer seasons, his time being thus occupied until 1887. In that year he took charge of the "Questions and Answers" department of the old Des Moines Leader and of a similar department in the American Rural Home, the latter being a farm paper of immense circulation published at Rochester, New York. These query departments he has continuously maintained throughout the intervening twenty-seven years. In 1888 he took the editorship of the "Notes for the Curious" department in The Republic, of St. Louis, Missouri, and also a position on the editorial staff of the Sunday Republic, furnishing the leading editorials in that edition during 1895, 1896 and 1897. The "Notes for the Curious" department was published in the Saturday and Weekly editions from 1888 until January 1, 1899, or for ten years and four months, without the exception of a single issue.

In 1879 Mr. Wright came to Knoxville, Iowa, and three years later was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Smith, by whom he had two children, namely: Loren S., who died at Beaver, Colorado, in 1904, when almost twenty-one years of age; and L. Bess, who is now the wife of Wilbur E. Brown, roadmaster of the Horton-Nelson branch of the Rock Island system, with headquarters at Fairbury, Nebraska. Mr. & Mrs. Brown have one child, Lawrence Edward, who was born at Fairbury, Nebraska, on the 5th of October, 1909.

No resident of Marion county of early or recent arrival has been more deeply concerned in the history and progress of the community than has John W. Wright. He enjoys a very extended acquaintance and is well known among all classes of people, including common laborers, miners, farmers and brickworkers, as well as merchants, lawyers, politicians, bankers and persons of statewide reputation, such as editors, educators and men of affairs. Having a mind practically unbiased by school education and as absorbent as a sponge, he has made himself known as a writer on a variety of different subjects, mainly scientific, and at present is a member in good standing of the Iowa Academy of Sciences and of the National Geographic Society. He declined the flattering offer of a place on the staff of McClure's Magazine and has been importuned to take a position under Curator E. R. Harlan at the Historical Building in Des Moines. Mr. Wright's one copyrighted book, "Christ in Myth and Legend," was published by Cranston and Curts of Cincinnati, in 1894, and the entire edition sold from the prospectus before the first finished copy came from the press. For the past thirteen years and more, since December, 1901, he has been city and county news editor of the Knoxville Journal, the leading republican paper of Marion county. During ten years of that time he furnished three thousand words every week on popular scientific subjects under the general head of "Nature Snapshots," writing from six to ten short articles weekly on animals, birds, insects, fishes, reptiles, trees, plants, etc., with a goodly sprinkling of geology as found in the local field. His style is terse and clear and his contributions have been eagerly sought and read as being most interestingly instructive. As assistant editor of the Knoxville Journal, under the able management of Messrs. Curtis & Gilson, he has maintained an enviable position in journalistic circles of the county and has helped establish the reputation of the paper on a high plane. His influence is a potent factor in the upbuilding and development of the community, being always found on the side of right, justice, truth, progress and improvement.

No history of the banking business in Iowa would be complete were there failure to make reference to the Wright family, for grandfather, father and son have been most active and prominent factors in shaping the records of the state in this regard. The work instituted by the grandfather and continued by the father, Oliver P. Wright, who is now president of the Marion County National Bank, is being carried on still further by Ora L. Wright, whose name introduces this review. He belongs to that younger generation of business men called upon to shoulder responsibilities differing materially from those resting upon their predecessors. In a broader field of enterprise they find themselves obliged to deal with affairs of greater magnitude and to solve more difficult and complicated financial and economic problems. To such work Ora L. Wright is devoting his energies and the excellent result achieved is a familiar one to all who know aught of his career.

He was born in Knoxville on the 13th of June, 1870, and with the usual school training of the lad of that age and period he qualified for the duties of later life and in 1886 entered the employ of the Marion County National Bank as bookkeeper. Parental authority was not exercised to win him advancement. On the contrary, he knew that he must win his promotion and it came to him in 1888, when, after two years' experience, he was made assistant cashier. Three years later he was promoted to the position of cashier. From that time forward his activities in banking circles have constantly broadened in scope and importance. In 1900 he organized the Lovilia Exchange Bank at Lovilia, Iowa, and since it opened its doors for business on the 10th of December of that year he has been its vice president. He also organized the Columbia Savings Bank at Columbia, Iowa, of which he is the vice president, and he was the organizer of the Iowa Savings Bank at Tracy, of which he is the president. On the 25th of June, 1903, he organized the Peoples Bank of Dallas, Iowa, of which he was president, which was formed as a private bank but was later converted into a state bank under the name of the Peoples Savings Bank. Subsequently it was reorganized with Mr. Wright as its president, as the First Trust & Savings Bank of Melcher, being removed to the town of Melcher. Mr. Wright is likewise a stockholder in the Citizens Bank and the First National Bank of Pleasantville, Iowa, and he is extensively engaged in the farm loan business, having a very large clientage in that connection. His financial interests have ever been most carefully conducted, for his sagacity is keen, his judgment sound and his energy indefatigable.

On the 11th of September, 1895, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Estella Dorcas Woodruff, the only daughter of Elias B. and Elizabeth Esther (Parker) Woodruff. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have become parents of two children, Esther Elizabeth and Florence Marjorie, the latter now a high-school pupil. The former, having graduated from the high school of Knoxville, is attending the Ward Belmont College at Nashville, Tennessee, where she is specializing in the study of expression.

The family is a very prominent one in the social circles of Knoxville and Mr. Wright stands as one of the foremost representatives of Masonry in his native city. Having taken the degrees of the blue lodge, he passed on through the York Rite, becoming a Knight Templar. It was in 1891 that he became an entered apprentice in Oriental Lodge, No. 61, A. F. & A. M. He now has membership in Tadmor Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., and in 1894 he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. R. In 1896 he became a Knight Templar in De Payne's Commandery, No. 6, K. T., of Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 1895 he crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Kaaba Temple at Davenport, but afterward demitted and aided in the organization of Za-Ga-Zig Temple of Des Moines, of which he is a charter member. He has held all of the chairs in the blue lodge, was master three years and since 1899 has been its treasurer, and is a life member of the grand lodge of the state. He has held all the offices in the chapter and was high priest for several years. In 1912 he organized Melita Commandery, No. 64, K. T., of Knoxville, of which he has since been the eminent commander. In 1899 and 1900 he was treasurer of the grand lodge of Iowa and he is an influential factor in Masonic circles, being one of the well known representatives of the order in the state. He is likewise a past chancellor of Knoxville Lodge, No. 72, K. P., and has been master of the exchequer for the past eighteen years.

In politics Mr. Wright is an active, earnest republican but is in no sense a politician as regards office seeking. He has never held political office but in 1914 was elected school director. It is well known that his aid and influence have ever been given on the side of advancement and improvement and he resolutely and generously supports all those movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. The subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his opportunities and his obligations. To make his native talents subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time is the purpose of his life, and by reason of the mature judgment which characterizes his efforts at all times, he stands today as a splendid representative of the banker and investor to whom business is but one phase of life and does not exclude his active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human existence.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in the business and financial circles of Knoxville than does Oliver P. Wright. This is not due alone to the success he has achieved but to the honorable, straightforward policy which he has followed, his course ever measuring up to the highest standards of business integrity. Early recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins, he made industry the beacon light of his life and it has led him at length to the goal of success and prosperity.

Born in Putnam county, Indiana, on the 17th of March, 1844, Mr. Wright is a son of Larkin and Delilah Wright, both of whom were natives of Putnam couty. The father was a son of Benjamin J. Wright, who was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, April 18, 1794, and he was a son of Benjamin S. Wright, whose birth occurred in Rowan county in 1752. The latter was a son of Richard Wright, who came to America during the colonial epoch in the history of this country, since which time his descendants have belonged to that class of representative American citizens who have upheld and promoted the stability and progress of the nation along various lines.

Larkin Wright was a farmer of Indiana and upon his removal to Knoxville in 1854 engaged in the live-stock business and also in merchandising. In 1862, in connection with J. E. Neal, he established a private bank under the firm style of Neal & Wright, and in time the name was changed to the Marion County Bank. This later was merged into the Knoxville National Bank, with Mr. Wright as president for a few years. Later he became president of the Marion County National Bank and so continued until his death, which occurred in February, 1890. His business interests were ever of a character that contributed in substantial measure to the development and upbuilding of city and county. Moreover, he was active in politics as a stalwart supporter of the republican party, although he never accepted office. He contributed also the moral development of the community and held membership in the Christian church and in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to both the blue lodge and chapter. To him and his wife were born five children, as follows: Oliver P., of this review; Cynthia J., who gave her hand in marriage to Judge Gamble; Francis M., deceased, who followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career; Naomi, who died at the age of four years; and Charles L., a practicing physician of South Des Moines.

Oliver P. Wright spent the first ten years of his life in his native county and then accompanied his parents to Marion county, where for sixty years he has now made his home. Every phase of the county's development is familiar to him and in promoting its progress he has been an important factor. He entered the mercantile and live-stock business with his father about 1857, having in the meantime acquired a public-school education. He has brought zeal and energy to everything that he has undertaken, and strong and resolute purpose has enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path.

For forty-five years he has been continuously connected with financial interests, first becoming bookkeeper of the Marion County Bank, in which he was promoted to the position of cashier in 1869. In 1871 he went to Pella, Iowa, and assisted in starting the First National Bank, of which he became the cashier. In May, 1872, he returned to Knoxville, where he organized the Marion County National Bank and was its cashier until 1891, when he was elected to the presidency and as its chief officer has since shaped its policies and directed its interests. There is no question of the stability of this institution. Safe, conservative methods have always been followed and there is no phase of the banking business with which Mr. Wright is not familiar, his long experience enabling him to carefully control the interests of the bank in such a way as to safeguard the depositors as well as promote the success of the stockholders. He has also continued active as a dealer in live stock and in land for many years and is the owner of a large number of farms, having placed much of his means in the safest of all investments - real estate.

In November, 1865, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Artie Marsh, of this county, a daughter of Osborn and Jane Marsh, who came to Marion county in June, 1849, when this was a pioneer district upon the western frontier. Much of the land was still in possession of the government and Mr. Marsh entered a claim and developed a farm which is still in the possession of the family. He was a progressive citizen and was the owner of the first buggy in the county. About 1857 he went to Indianapolis, where he purchased the vehicle for four hundred dollars in gold and then drove home across the country in his new possession. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of five children, namely: Carrie B., who gave her hand in marriage to E. B. Mitchell, of Lima, Ohio; Ora L.; William, who is a resident of Knoxville, Iowa; Maude, who is the wife of Harry Armstrong, of Des Moines; and Dana, who wedded Sherley Percival, of Des Moines.

Mr. Wright is entitled to war the little bronze button of the Grand Army of the Republic, for in May, 1864, when but twenty years of age, he offered his services to the government, becoming a member of Company A., Forty-seventh Iowa Infantry, with which he remained until the regiment was mustered out in the fall of the same year. He is a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. In politics he is a republican, earnest and stalwart in support of party principles but never an aspirant for office. He has always preferred to do his public duty as a private citizen and has given generous support to many measures for the welfare and benefit of the community. In fact he has been a leader in much that has brought about present-day conditions and he is justly accounted one of the most valued and worthy citizens of Knoxville.