Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa
New York, Chicago: Lewis publishing Co., S. Thompson Lewis, editor. 1903
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
A - Ba
 Eli & Elizabeth Ankrom |
ELI ANKROM - On a modest homestead of eighty acres, two miles from Moulton, may be found that always pleasing spectacle of a man and woman who have lived together in conjugal union for a long period of time. Mr. and Mrs. Ankrom, the couple alluded to, were married forty-seven years ago, and during all that time have had nothing approaching a disagreement. All except seven of these years of connubial bliss have been passed on the farm near Moulton, and there this worthy but unassuming couple expect to remain until the lengthening shadows are followed by that final accounting from which no man can escape. Their story is soon told, as it is of the uneventful kind that usually enters into the lives of farmers and docs not admit of gaudy coloring or dramatic touch in narration. |
John Ankrom, a young Marylander, left his native state about the third decade of the last century and crossed the Potomac for the purpose of seeking a better fortune in old Virginia. Whether or not he found the fortune is not recorded, but it seems that he found something better in the shape of a good woman, whom he wisely made his wife, and who, in subsequent years of trial, proved entirely worthy of his choice. A few years after their marriage, John and Hannah Frances Ankrom decided that while old Virginia was a great state to be born in, it was not so desirable as a place of residence for those not possessed of much of this world's goods. Accordingly, in 1834, they joined the tide of emigration then setting strongly toward the rich territory in the west, and did not stop until they arrived in the heart of the richest of it. They traveled by boat as far west as Burlington and rode in wagons from there to their destination, which lay near Fairfield, forty miles west of Burlington, Iowa. There the father purchased land, which he worked hard and continuously until his death in 1867, his wife surviving him eleven years and passing away in 1878. Their son, Eli Ankrom, was born in Virginia, February 27, 1832, and was consequently two years old when the long journey to Iowa was undertaken by his parents. He assisted his father on the farm until 1855, when he decided to marry and set up a household of his own. The lady whom he selected as his wife was Elizabeth Walmer, whose birth occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio, April 21, 1837, and who was brought to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1851 by her parents. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Ankrom took his bride to a place nine miles northeast of Fairfield, where he was engaged in farming during the following six years. Subsequently one year was spent in Davis county, and then Mr. and Mrs. Ankrom located on the farm in Appanoose county, near Moulton, which was destined to prove their permanent abiding place. This estimable couple are without children of their own. But have an adopted son in the person of John H. Ankrom, upon whom they have centered all their affections and hopes, and who gives promise of realizing their brightest expectations. Mr. and Mrs. Ankrom are devoted members of the Christian church, and by practice as well as precept show the sincerity of their religious convictions. In fact, they are one of those couples who "grow old gracefully." whom young people like to surround on account of their fatherly and motherly kindnesses and who secure general esteem by gentleness of manners and goodness of heart.
HENRY HAMMOND BAKER - One can hardly pass the blacksmith shop in Cincinnati, Iowa, without involuntarily recalling Longfellow's poetic tribute to the "Village Blacksmith," and the robust genius who presided over its busy bellows. As the poem indicates, there is something about an establishment of this kind that suggests health and strength and honesty. The occupation itself is very health-giving, the charcoal business being regarded as a specific for lung disorders, and the whole atmosphere of the place is calculated to inspire kindly and friendly feelings. The blacksmith is the farthest possible removed from feebleness or debilitation of any kind, and is usually an optimist by nature, the very sight of whom is sure to drive away the worst case of "blues. " The little shop at Cincinnati which suggested these reflections was built by Mr. Baker nearly fifty years ago, and is now the oldest structure in the town. It was in fact the pioneer of its kind, being made of hewn lumber taken from the banks of Shoal creek, and its puffing bellows and musical anvil were the first sounds of that kind to awaken the echoes around this new-born Iowa village. Having said so much about his shop it will now he in order to tell something of the man who built it and has conducted it so long, and such particulars as could be obtained will be found herein set forth.
In the early part of the nineteenth century there lived in Allegany county, Maryland, a worthy couple whose names were Henry Pennington and Catherina (Hammond) Baker. Henry was a carpenter by trade, but found it no easy task to provide by the proceeds from his trade for the large and constantly increasing family which relied upon him for support. He was a man of exemplary habits and tireless industry, but times were rather hard in Maryland in those days and eventually the Bakers decided to seek a better field in the distant west. They went as far as Ohio, where they resided a number of years, and in 1853 removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, where a settlement was made on a farm two miles from the site of the present town of Cincinnati. But the father did not live long to enjoy his new home surroundings, as his death occurred in November, 1855, two years after his arrival in the state, and in the fifty-fourth year of his age. Of his twelve children those living are Henry H., Taylor and Eliza, and those deceased are Perry D., John K., Jacob, Catheryn, Hiram, Susan, Mary Ann, Marvin T., and Oliver T.
Henry Hammond Baker, the second in age of this family, was born in Allegany county, Maryland, August 5, 1830, and was a mere lad when his parents located at Millwood, Ohio. He grew up in this town and in Newcastle, but educational facilities were poor at that time and he received but a scant amount of the kind of learning to be obtained from books. When old enough he learned the blacksmith's trade, and for three years worked in a shop at Columbus. In 1853 he accompanied his father to Appanoose county, Iowa, and located in Pleasant township, a little east of where Cincinnati now stands. He opened a shop shortly after his arrival, but as soon as the village was founded he moved to that point and put up the building alluded to in the remarks introducing this memoir. As therein stated, it was the first blacksmith shop at Cincinnati, and any one curious in examining ancient landmarks will find this interesting relic of the past still standing in the rear of the McDonald Bank. He will also become acquainted with the worthy proprietor, who, though now past seventy-two years of age, still conducts business as of old, and is yet able to shoe a horse or mend a tool with the best of them.
In April. 1853, Mr. Baker was married in Ohio to Penelope Head, who died in 1860, leaving three children: Penelope J., Ella and Angelina, deceased. In 1862, after his removal to Cincinnati, he married Mary Ann, daughter of James and Martha Boley, and by this union there were seven children: James J., Henry G., Minnie, Mary, Chester, Harlan and Carl, the last three being deceased. All of the living are married with the exception of Henry. After the death of his second wife Mr. Baker contracted a third matrimonial alliance with Nancy, widow of Henry Jaquiss and daughter of Daniel McDonald, one of the founders of the town of Cincinnati. She died May 12, 1895. Mr. Baker is prominently connected with Masonry, being a member of the lodge, chapter, commandery, council and Mystic Shrine.
JOSEPH D. BALL - When one reflects that the remarkable strides of modern civilization began with the birth of the printing press in the middle of the fifteenth century, and that in the present century the press is the greatest disseminator of knowledge, and, above all other influences, wields the greatest power in politics, business, public opinion, and, in fact, in all departments of life, then it is that we may rightly appreciate the modern newspaper and the place it occupies in every city and village and country place in the wide domain of the United States. And not only as the head of one of these important enterprises, but as a man of character and worth in himself, is it fitting that mention should be made in this volume of Joseph D. Ball, the editor of the Mystic Letter and the postmaster of the town of Mystic, Iowa.
Our subject is the son of Samuel K. and Sarah G. (Needham) Ball, the former born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1830, and the latter born in Jennings county, Indiana, in 1834. The latter married John Buckles in Indiana and with her husband started with a mule team to drive to Iowa; while traveling through eastern Iowa her husband died, and with that indomitable will so characteristic of the early settlers she drove to this country with the corpse of her husband in the wagon and with her small child in her arms; she made her home with a brother in Johns township until her marriage to Mr. Ball. Samuel K. Ball left his native state of Kentucky when young and went to Bartholomew county, Indiana, and at the age of sixteen went to Mississippi, where, under the eye of his uncle, who owned a newspaper, he learned the printer's trade. He later returned to Indiana and learned the carpenter's trade. He came to Centerville, Iowa, in 1856, and worked in a printing establishment two years. He then moved to Johns township, following farming, blacksmithing and carpentering until 1879, when he bought a half interest in a printing establishment in Centerville and edited a paper in the interests of the Greenback party, known as the Centerville Blade. In April, 1881, he located at Seymour, Iowa, and established the Seymour Enterprise and was its editor until his death in August, 1881.
Joseph D. Ball was born in Johns township, Appanoose county, Iowa, October 20, 1865, and spent the earlier years of his life on the farm. In 1879 he first became acquainted with the printer's trade. After the death of his father he returned with his mother to Johns township, farming and working in the mines until 1892, when he moved to Mystic and for six months was employed as foreman of the Mystic Letter. In September, 1892, he purchased the Mystic Letter of Dr. W. C. Griffith and in February, 1893, disposed of it to W. S. Scott. In July, 1893, he again bought the plant, and has been conducting it very successfully ever since. He has always endeavored to make the paper an organ for the advancement of the public interests and he has shown much tact in the handling of the varied matters with which the editor has to deal.
Mr. Ball is a staunch Republican, and on September 16, 1901, he was appointed postmaster of Mystic, which office he now fills; since he has been its incumbent, the office has changed from one of the fourth class to a third class office, and its business is conducted in a manner pleasing to all patrons. In connection with A. J. Richardson he is manager of the Mystic Opera House. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias. In 1893 Mr. Ball was married to Miss Tillie Skillen, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father died in Pennsylvania, while her mother lives on a farm northwest of Mystic. One child was born of this marriage. May 1, 1897, whose name is Carlos Stanton Ball.
JAMES R. BARKLEY , a leading- attorney of Moulton, Iowa, is an example of a self-educated and self-made man, for, starting without a rich inheritance to assist him, by the pluck that seems inborn in many men, and particularly Americans, he has found the way to fair success in life. Thomas Barkley, his father, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and when a young man came to America in company with his mother. He soon moved to Iowa and in Davis county married and spent the remainder of his days on a farm, dying when the subject of this sketch, was but a child. His wife, Margaret Campbell, was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and early in life came to Davis county with her parents, about 1854; she now resides in Moulton. The only children were James R. and Samuel E., the latter a drug clerk in Moulton.
James came into the world on the farm in Davis county, Iowa, on the 13th of February 1869. The happy days of his boyhood were passed in the tasks of the schoolroom and in the stimulating outdoor life of the farm. After his common school education was finished, he attended the Southern Iowa Normal at Bloomfield; he then taught for six terms and with the money thus earned he began the study of law, completing the prescribed course in Drake University at Des Moines. In the spring of 1894 he was admitted to the bar and in December of that year opened his office in Moulton, where he has since practiced and has built up a good business. And from his record in the past we may presage a still brighter future for him.
Mr. Barkley is active in Democratic politics; he is a Master Mason and a member of the Methodist church. In 1896 he was united in marriage to Minnie Henke, of Moulton, and they have two children in their home, Robert and Kathleen.
JAMES C. BARROWS - The above named gentleman needs no introduction to citizens of Appanoose county, but a few biographical details concerning this prominent editor of Centerville may prove of interest to those living without the sphere of his activities. For twenty-two years Mr. Barrows has been identified with newspaper work at the county seat, and two-thirds of this time has been spent as proprietor of its leading political journal. Such a position, always one of conspicuousness and responsibility, has necessarily given Mr. Barrows a wide acquaintance and brought him in touch with the forces engaged in developing and governing his city and section. Though editors naturally make enemies, Mr. Barrows has probably escaped with as few of these necessary counter-irritants of successful men as any one in the business, a result due largely to an unfailing tact and a "sweet reasonableness" combined with firmness.
Though Mr. Barrows was really born in Canada, it was so near the border and under such circumstances that this slight difference in geography cannot be cited in discount of his genuine Americanism. His grandfather was a Vermonter, who engaged in business near Prescott, on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence, and retained a residence in that locality during the remainder of his life. He left a son who strengthened the ties originally binding him to American soil by marrying a lady of the typically patriotic family of Adams, whose ancestors came from Boston. James C. Barrows, the future editor with whose affairs this sketch is concerned, was the son of the last mentioned couple, and his birth occurred at Prescott, Ontario, February 16, 1845. Eleven years after his appearance in the world his parents removed to Iowa and located in Wapello county, but after the war Mr. Barrows located in Centerville, where he has since resided. In 1856, the date of his arrival, Iowa was a new and comparatively crude state, having been a member of the Union only ten years and as yet scarcely giving promise of the wonderful commonwealth which it has since become. It was a good state to go to, however, and a good state to remain in, as Mr. Barrows and some hundreds of thousands of others have long since found out. It was, above all, a patriotic state and rallied rapidly to the support of the flag of the free when that sacred emblem was menaced by the rebellion of 1861. Though quite young when this portentous event occurred, Mr. Barrows contributed his full share in support of the Union cause by enlisting in Company H, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. His regiment during the last year and a half of the war was part of General Ed McCook's cavalry division, which operated in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, and did effective service by those rapid raids which gave the final strokes to the dying rebellion.
After the restoration of peace Mr. Barrows located in Centerville and engaged in business. About 1881 he became connected with newspaper work, and seven years later took charge as proprietor of the Iowegian, the leading Republican paper of Appanoose county. He was alone in the ownership for some years, but later his son, George Earl Barrows, was admitted into partnership and the paper has since been conducted under the firm name of Barrows & Barrows. It ranks among the strongest and most successful of the many prosperous county-seat newspapers in Iowa, and at all times and under all circumstances has been a true and able exponent of Republican principles.
JOSEPH W. BASHAW , now deceased, was one of the representative business men of Centerville, Iowa, and what he had accomplished in life was due to his own efforts and to his persevering industry. In his veins there was a liberal mingling of English, French, Irish and Scotch blood. His parents were William and Mary Jane (Hull) Bashaw, both natives of Virginia; they had nine children and in 1854, when the subject of this sketch was but nine years old, they came west from Virginia by wagon to Blakesburg, Wapello county, Iowa, where for several years he followed his trade of wagon maker. He died about 1872, being fifty-six years old, and his wife survived him about twenty years, dying at the age of seventy-five.
The birth of Joseph occurred in Culpeper county, Virginia, January 23, 1845, and in the town of Blakesburg he was reared and given a common school education. Up to his nineteenth year he worked in his father's shop and then went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he engaged in carriage making for four or five years. On returning to Blakesburg he married and in 1870 came to Centerville, which place he made his home for the remainder of his life. He at once opened a carriage shop and built up a fine trade; a few years before his death he took his son Ernest as partner, and he now conducts the prosperous firm of J. W. Bashaw & Son. Mr. Bashaw's life was ended on February 3. 1902. Beginning as a poor man, he was able to lay down his life's work with the satisfaction that he had fought a good fight and that he well deserved the competence he had earned.
Politically he was a Democrat; he was prominent in the Methodist church, being one of its officers, and was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In April, 1867, he was married to Nancy Gaston, born in McConnelsville, Morgan county, Ohio, in 1848; her parents, Alexander and Mary (Cohagan) Gaston, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia, settled in Davis county, Iowa, in 1854, and in 1861 located in Blakesburg; her father was a physician and surgeon and died in 1882 in Newbern, Marion county, Iowa, but the mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Bashaw. Of this marriage there are now five children living: William is a jeweler in Centerville, J. Ernest is the manager of the firm of J. W. Bashaw & Son, Clara L. is an osteopath student at Kirksville, Missouri, Frank C. and George Elton. Mrs. Bashaw is a devout member of the Methodist church, and the family is one of the most respected in the city.