Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa. Volume II
Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. L.L. Taylor, editor. 1913
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
Ma - Mc
N. J. MAIN - One of the leading and influential men of Taylor township is N. J. Main, who since he began his active career in 1878, at the age of twenty- one, has been an individual force in the agricultural development of this section and whose well-directed work since that time has been a source of continual and substantial success. Today he is living in a beautiful home in Moravia and is surrounded by all the comforts and luxuries which his work has brought him, giving his time to the supervision of his three fine farms. During the years he has made steady advancement in prosperity and wealth but his labors have had an even broader significance than this, for they have constituted one of the greatest factors in the development of a fine farming section. Mr. Main is a native of Appanoose county, born March 1, 1857, a son of John W. and Sarah E. (Thackery) Main, the former a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and the latter, of Union county, Indiana. Their marriage occurred in the latter state, to which the father had removed with his parents when he was still a boy, and afterward Mr. and Mrs. John W. Main came west to Iowa, buying a farm in Chariton township, four miles west of Moravia, in 1855. Upon this property they resided until 1885, when the father retired from active life and moved into the town, where his declining years were spent. John W. Main was twice married and became the father of twelve children. His first wife, who was the mother of the subject of this review, died on September 30, 1890, aged sixty-two years, eight months and nine days. She had been a lifelong member and an ardent worker in the United Brethren church and was a woman of exemplary life and high standards. After her death the father of our subject was united in marriage to Mrs. E. J. Sumner, who survived him for twelve years. She later married again, her last union being with her fifth husband. The father of the subject of this Review was a loyal republican and very radical, voting always for the men and measures for which the party stands. While he never sought public office, his ability yet carried him forward into prominence in public life and he served for many years as township trustee. He died September 30, 1894, at the age of seventy-three years, three months and nineteen days. He was a man of high principles, sterling integrity and upright life, giving a devout adherence to the United Brethren church. He was for many years class leader and one of the trustees of the church, exemplifying in his life and practicing always the doctrines he professed. His death removed from Appanoose county one of its most widely known and honored citizens and was attended by deep and sincere regret.
 N. J. & Mary Main |
N. J. Main was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools of Appanoose county. At the age of twenty-one he began his active career, renting land upon which he raised corn but still continuing to reside at home. He worked in association with his father, who had given him some stock and was assisting him in his start in life. Mr. Main of this review married in 1882 and immediately afterward settled on seventy- two acres of land in Monroe county, which he and his father had purchased in partnership some time before. This property was in a run-down condition and consequently the selling price was very low, Mr. Main and his father paying for it eight hundred dollars. With characteristic energy and well directed labor N. J. Main applied himself to making the farm profitable, following the most progressive agricultural methods and the most upright business standards, and today the land is worth one hundred dollars per acre. |
Mr. Main lived upon this farm for eleven years, after which he traded it for a tract of one hundred acres. In the meantime he had acquired another farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Monroe county and he joined the two tracts and in company with others formed a stock company and built a cheese factory. This venture was extremely successful and at times Mr. Main milked twenty head of cows. Subsequently, however, he traded the one hundred and twenty acre farm and the seventy- two acre tract in Monroe county for two hundred acres in Chariton township, Appanoose county, to which he removed and upon which he resided until 1903, when he moved into Moravia, still continuing to operate his holdings. He owns two hundred and forty acres in Chariton township, one hundred and sixty acres, less the railroad right-of-way, on the outskirts of Moravia, and seventy-two acres on the line between Monroe and Appanoose counties. Upon his one hundred and sixty acre farm he recently erected one of the most modern homes in Taylor township and in this he is residing, giving personal supervision to the management of his agricultural interests. All of his business affairs are conducted ably, intelligently and along progressive lines and as a result Mr. Main has attained a gratifying prosperity which places him in the front ranks of successful men in Appanoose county.
On the 1st of January, 1882, Mr. Main married Miss Mary A. Stark, a daughter of David T. Stark, who was born in Scott county, Indiana, and who came as a young man to Appanoose county, settling here some time prior to 1858. In that year he married Miss Sarah A. Buroughs, who came with her parents at an early date to Appanoose county. Mr. and Mrs. Main became the parents of seven children: Linnie Maud, the wife of O. C. Smith, who is now operating one of the farms belonging to the subject of this review; Otha E., who lives at home; Elva R., who is attending Leander Clark College in Toledo, Iowa; Iva Merle, Ross Forrest and Freda Belle, all of whom reside at home; and John David, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Main are members of the United Brethren church and Mr. Main is on the board of trustees. He is a republican in his political beliefs and takes an active part in public affairs, having served in the office of assessor of Chariton township and as a member of the town council of Moravia. Fraternally he is affiliated with East Moravia Lodge, No. 510, I. O. O. F. His life has been well spent in all its relations. He has been true to high and honorable principles and has therefore made his name respected and esteemed in the section in which he was born and in which he has so long resided.
MILTON B. MARING, is a self-made man who from a humble position in the business world has worked his way steadily upward, making good use of his time and opportunities. He has had many difficulties to overcome and has met many obstacles, but gradually he has advanced by reason of his industry and perseverance and since 1900 has been conducting a prosperous business as proprietor of a grocery store and meat market in Centerville, Iowa, while since 1906 he has also been identified with coal- mining interests. He was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, January 8, 1852, a son of Samuel and Alma (Hall) Maring, who were natives of Ohio. The father came to this state in 1850, settling in Van Buren county, where he carried on farming for two years, removing in 1852 to Appanoose county, where he entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land and forty acres of timber. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and development of his property, added many improvements thereto and continued his farm work upon that place to the time of his death in July, 1902. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1856.
The usual experiences of a farm lad fell to the lot of Milton B. Maring, who spent his youthful days on the old homestead and attended the district schools. He early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting and continued to work with his father until he attained his majority. He then started out to earn his own living as a farm hand and was also employed at railroad work for some time. Later he secured work in the coal mines, spending ten years in that way, and at the same time engaging in business with his brother, with whom he held a partnership in a general store at Exline, this county. This venture in merchandising was made possible by the industry and economy which he had displayed in previous years. He was ever ambitious to engage in business on his own account and bent every energy toward that end, making wise use of his time and opportunities. After six years devoted to mercantile pursuits the brothers exchanged their business for a farm of one hundred acres just over the line in Missouri and M. B. Maring began the improvement of the place, where he spent five farming seasons in cultivating, continuing his work in the mines during the late autumn and winter months. He then sold his interest to his brother and went to Unionville, Missouri, where he accepted a position as clerk in a general store, in which he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Centerville and became manager of the general store of Major C. A. Stanton, with whom he remained for seven years. He was then elected sheriff of the county and served for one term. On his retirement from office he reentered the mercantile field as proprietor of a store at Rathbun, which he conducted for three years. During that period he also opened a shoe store at Centerville with J. C. Huggins as manager. In 1900 he purchased Major Stanton's business and has since conducted a grocery and meat market with phenomenal success, having a liberal and well deserved patronage. In 1906 he further extended his business activities by purchasing an interest in the Prairie Block Coal Company and operated a mine five miles southwest of the city serving as secretary, treasurer and general manager, until June 1, 1912, when he sold that property. He has developed there one of the best mines in this coal district, with a capacity of five hundred tons of coal per day. He still conducts a general store at the mines and he is one of the largest stockholders in the Scandinavian Coal Company, operating a mine at Plano, Iowa, and one at Centerville. It will be seen that Mr. Maring has made steady progress since starting out in business on his own account. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and he is now the owner of one of the largest groceries and meat markets in the city, his location being at No. 214 North Twelfth street, Centerville. In addition to his commercial and mining interests he has made investments in real estate and is the owner of some good residence property in Centerville.
Mr. Maring has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and is recognized as one of the prominent and influential local leaders, having served as chairman of the democratic county central committee for fifteen years. He was a delegate from this, the eighth congressional district, to the democratic national convention held at St. Louis in 1904 and was also nominated a candidate for elector in the same year. He has attended four national conventions and every democratic state convention of the past twenty years. He is a prominent Mason, having attained high rank in the order, and he was formerly connected with the Odd Fellows and Elk lodges.
Mr. Maring is possessed of a warmth and heartiness of manner that easily wins him friends, and among his employees and all, with whom he has had business association, he is a revered man. Unfailingly generous, readily forgiving a personal wrong, he is possessed with a kindness of heart that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Having marked ability as a mixer and a promoter he might easily have become one of the county's very richest men, but for this generosity. His has been a well spent life, useful, active and honorable in all business relations, and Mr. Maring is indeed numbered among the valued and worthy citizens of Centerville and Appanoose county.
MOSES MARING, who lives just across the state line in Missouri, is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres in Putnam county and by his progressive methods and the success which has attended his efforts has made his influence felt upon the agricultural development of this section. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, October 9, 1849, and is a son of Samuel and Alma (Hall) Maring, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. They came to Iowa at an early date and settled on a rented farm in Van Buren county, removing after two years to Appanoose county.
Moses Maring acquired his education in the common schools of Appanoose county and in the Central high school, which he attended until he was seventeen years of age. By close attention to his books and by outside reading and observation he fitted himself for teaching and followed this vocation for four years before engaging in the general merchandise business. He was successful in this line of work for five years but at the end of that time traded his store for a farm in Putnam county, just across the state line. Upon this property, which comprises three hundred acres, he has resided since that time, concentrating his attention upon its development, and meeting with a well merited and gratifying degree of prosperity. His success is the result of his and his good wife's untiring industry and capable business management and the fact that it has been accomplished, in spite of his crippled condition, is a greater tribute to his determination, his courage and his high enthusiasm, and the cooperation of his life partner.
In 1876 Mr. Maring was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Hutchison, a daughter of A. J. and Eliza A. (Hutchison) Hutchison, the former a pioneer in Appanoose county. Mr. and Mrs. Maring became the parents of thirteen children: Zetta, who married Archie Richardson; Mary V., who is Mrs. Van Pugh; May, who became the wife of Clyde Ryals; Josephine, who married Sanford Pugh; Olive, who became the wife of Alex Hudson; Essie, who is Mrs. E. J. Beard; Milton B., who married Fern Hart; Alma, who became the wife of Sherman Conger; Moses, Charles and Katie, who live at home; one child, who died in infancy; and Clyde R.
Mr. Maring is one of the directors of the Exline Savings Bank in Exline and he and his wife are devout members of the United Brethren church. He is a stanch democrat and, although he has never held public office, is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community and gives loyal support to many measures for the public good. His worth as a man of business is widely acknowledged and in his career he has proven that energy and diligence constitute a safe basis upon which to build success. Until June 1, 1912, Mr. Maring was one-third owner and president of the Prairie Block Coal Company, near Centerville, one of the best mines on the Rock Island Railroad. Starting out in life under a heavy handicap, he has faced the conditions he has met with confidence and courage, standing today among the substantial agriculturists and the men of wealth in his community.
 Sanford P. Maring |
SANFORD P. MARING, has been identified with the growth and development of Exline for many years and his work has been a force in advancement, since he has steadily promoted and built up enterprises which directly affect growth, by furthering commercial, industrial and financial activity. Since the organization of the Bradley Savings Bank in 1905 he has been its cashier and has attained a place of prominence and influence in local banking circles. He is a native son of the county, born in Caldwell township, October 23, 1858, his father being Samuel Maring, a native of Monroe county, Ohio. In that district the father of our subject grew to manhood and there married Alma Hall. About 1850 he and his wife moved to Iowa, among the earliest pioneers in the state, and located in Caldwell township, Appanoose county, where Samuel Maring filed on one hundred and sixty acres of land and after proving his title opened up a farm. He gradually became well known and prosperous, engaging beside agricultural lines in buying and selling of land. His first wife passed away during his period of residence here and he later married Mrs. Juliza Van Dyke, a native of Virginia, who was reared and educated in that state. Samuel Maring died upon the home farm, July 11, 1901, having survived his wife since 1881. |
Sanford P. Maring was reared at home and at an early age acquired familiarity with the best methods of farm operation. He aided his father with the work of the fields until his marriage, which occurred in l880, in which year he and his wife commenced their domestic life upon the Maring homestead, which the subject of this review rented from his father. He later purchased one hundred and eighty acres and still owns this property, upon which he has erected a fine residence, a good barn and convenient outbuildings and installed the necessary farm equipment. The property is made especially valuable on account of the rich deposits of coal with which a part of it is underlaid. The Iowa Block Coal Company has sunk a shaft upon the land and has touched a rich vein from which for the past eight or ten years they have taken out large quantities of fine coal.
After he had lived upon his farm for some time Mr. Maring became interested in the town of Exline, recognizing in its growing prosperity and expansion a good business opportunity. He purchased a tract of land just adjoining the town, platted it as a subdivision, laid out streets and walks, surveyed lots and put them up for sale. In his promotion of this enterprise he showed his fine business ability and executive force, for he carried it forward to successful completion, his addition being now an integral part of the town. He has built and sold several fine residences and has eight dwellings rented to tenants, owning besides valuable residence and business property. When the Bradley Savings Bank was organized in 1905 Mr. Maring was one of the leading figures in the promotion of the enterprise, of which he was made manager and cashier. He is thoroughly conversant with the banking business in principle and in detail and his capable control of the Bradley Savings Bank is manifested in its growing prosperity. It is one of the reliable financial institutions in this part of the state and conducts all kinds of banking business.
Mr. Maring has been twice married. On October 10, 1880, he wedded Miss Ella Hollenbeck, a native of Pennsylvania, who afterward came to Appanoose county. She passed away on January 26, 1907, leaving three children: Nadie, the wife of T. C. Kline, of Exline; John L.; and Claude S. On the 14th of September, 1907, Mr. Maring was again married, his second wife being Miss Kate Kinkaid, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, but who was educated in Exline and Centerville. Previous to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools of Appanoose county and was well known in local educational circles.
Mr. Maring gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, with which he has been affiliated since casting his first vote. He has been elected to a number of important local positions of trust and honor, in all of which he has served capably and conscientiously, bending his energies to the promotion of projects which affect the public growth. He is a member of Exline Lodge, No. 726, I. O. O. F., and he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. Both are members of the Christian church and are well known in the community, their home being the center of a charming circle of friends. Mr. Maring gives his influence and aid to progressive public measures and is a stanch supporter of the business, social and political institutions of the community which he has done so much to upbuild.
 Silas W. Maring |
SILAS W. MARING - The life record of Silas W. Maring stands in contradiction to the old adage that a rolling stone gathers no moss, for while Mr. Maring has again and again changed his place of residence it has been because in each change he has seen broader opportunity for advancement and in the utilization of this opportunity he has gradually worked his way upward until his success enabled him to retire from business life. He is now resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labor, his competence being sufficient to supply him with the necessities and comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 10, 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Alma (Hall) Maring, of whom further mention is made in connection with the sketch of M. B. Maring, on another page of this work. The family came to Iowa in 1851, when the subject of this review was a lad of about six years. A location was made in Van Buren county but after one year, or in 1852, they came to Appanoose county, so that in the schools of this county Silas W. Maring acquired his education. His early experiences were those which usually fell to the lot of the farm boy of that period. |
He was soon acquainted with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting and remained with his parents on the old home farm until he was twenty years of age, when with a large party traveling in fifteen wagons he left Centerville in 1865 and crossed the plains to Oregon. There he began work as a farm hand but after a short time made his way to the gold mines. He remained in the Pacific northwest until December 6, 1867, when he returned home by way of the water route and the Isthmus of Panama, reaching Appanoose county on the 25th of January, 1868. He then rented a farm which he cultivated for a year, after which he purchased forty acres of land that he cultivated for some time. He next removed to southwestern Missouri, where he bought and improved a forty-acre tract of land, living upon it about four years. He then returned to Iowa and rented a farm for three years, after which he went to Kansas and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. With characteristic energy he began its improvement and lived thereon for a number of years, when he rented the property and went to the state of Washington, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land near Seattle. After a year, however, he traded that farm for another in Kansas and returned to the Sunflower state, where he again carried on farming for four years. He then sold both of his farms and went back to Washington, where he purchased ten acres of land at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre and for two years engaged in raising hops and potatoes. He then sold and went to Oregon, where he invested in forty acres of river bottom land which he improved and cultivated for eleven years, producing good crops. On the expiration of that period he returned to Centerville and purchased property on South Main street but after a year he again went to Missouri, where for three years he cultivated a farm belonging to his wife. In February, 1908, he returned to Centerville and invested in several residence properties. He now resides in a fine home at No. 508 West Jackson street, where for almost five years he has lived retired.
On the 7th of April, 1868, Mr. Maring was married to Miss Martha Kirby, a daughter of Sharp Kirby, a native of Missouri. There were two children of that marriage: Alma, who died in 1872; and Samuel E., who died three days after his mother, who passed away in 1874. In 1876 Mr. Maring wedded Miss Jane E. Simmons, a daughter of Richard Simmons, a native of Indiana. They had five children, as follows: Flora, who married Harvey Bailey, of Oregon; Rose, who is the wife of Henry Wilkins, of Spokane, Washington; Josephine, who married Harry Nimmons, of Seattle, Washington; LeRoy, who is operating a farm in Kansas; and William S., a locomotive fireman residing in Moulton, Appanoose county. The wife and mother was called to her final rest June 23, 1892, and for his third wife Mr. Maring chose Mrs. Nancy E. Dobbins, a daughter of Mrs. Ellen (Maring) Flick. Her father died before her birth. The third marriage of Mr. Maring was celebrated June 29, 1903.
Mr. Maring is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has many warm friends in the fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. His attitude in life toward his fellowmen and toward all public interests has found its root in his faith as a member of the Methodist church. He possesses attractive social qualities which have made him popular and well liked in the various localities in which he has lived and in Centerville he is most highly esteemed. In his business career all days have not been equally bright, yet he has persevered as the years have gone by and his judicious investments and untiring industry have brought him a substantial measure of success.
JOHN W. MARTIN - Among the able, progressive and far-sighted business men of Numa is John W. Martin, who conducts a large general store and likewise controls other important business interests throughout Appanoose county. His career has been marked by steady advancement along legitimate lines and he has gained a high degree of prosperity which is the direct outcome of his steady work and his effective ability. He was born in Putnam county, Missouri, September 28, 1871, and is a son of Neal and Permelia (Lane) Martin, the former a native of Randolph county, Missouri, and the latter of Ireland. The father moved to Putnam county at an early date and there engaged in the general mercantile business in Martinstown, a community which was named in his honor. For forty-six years he conducted this enterprise, evidencing in all of his business relations the integrity and high standards of business morality upon which his prosperity was founded. He died in Martinstown, January 12, 1903, at the age of seventy-six, and his death was deeply mourned and regretted by a wide circle of friends. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1873.
John W. Martin was reared in Putnam county, Missouri, and acquired his early education in the public schools of that section, completing it in Kirksville, Missouri. After he had laid aside his books he engaged in the general merchandise business in partnership with his father for a year and a half, after which he sold out his interests and moved to Coatsville, Missouri. This was the first of a series of changes in location, all of which materially advanced Mr. Martin's interests. He spent two years in the hardware business in Coatsville and then moved to Graysville, where he purchased his uncle's general store which he operated for two years. During that time he became well known in local political circles of that place and his loyalty and progressive spirit were recognized in his election to the office of county treasurer. When he had completed his term of service he moved to Hartford, Missouri, and there engaged in the general merchandise business. After two years, however, he sold his enterprise and in May, 1897, came to Numa, where he has since resided. He purchased a general store and has since been successful in the conduct of this enterprise, man- aging in addition a profitable hardware concern. These, however, form only a small portion of Mr. Martin's extensive business interests in Appanoose county. In 1904 he purchased a coal mine operated at that time by the Walnut Coal Company and after developing this successfully for four years sold out at a profit and bought another mine at Pleasant Plain. After he had operated this for one year he disposed of it for seventeen thousand dollars and later bought what was known as the Jim White farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres, and also owns the coal and mineral rights to four hundred and eighty acres. He is president and manager of the Martin Block Coal Company of Numa. This concern has a paid up capital of fifty thousand dollars and is one of the important commercial enterprises in this part of the state. Mr. Martin has proven himself an eminently capable, far-sighted and discriminating business man and financier, who recognizes and uses each favorable opportunity, who correctly judges commercial conditions and who has ably converted his knowledge to his own advantage. Everything which he does is done capably and well and his prosperity today is the visible evidence of his energy, reliability and well directed ambition. His interests in Appanoose county extend over a wide field, making him one of the leading and representative business men of this community.
On the 5th of July, 1889, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca E. Warwick, who was born in Putnam county, Missouri, September 15, 1873, and who grew to womanhood there. She is a daughter of J. M. and Frances (Hatfield) Warwick, natives of Kentucky, who moved to Missouri in early times. The father bought land in Putnam county and at one time owned and operated ten thousand acres, being one of the most prosperous agriculturists and extensive landowners in the locality. He re- tired from active life in 1902 and has since made his home in Numa. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout that conflict as a member of a Missouri cavalry regiment. His wife also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have become the parents of five children: Mamie 0., the wife of W. B. Russell, who manages Mr. Martin's hardware store; John Neal, who is studying medicine in Chicago, Illinois; Ola Blanche F., the wife of Mat Folwell, of Numa; Ophie Grace, the wife of Robert Ross, who resides in Numa and operates the mine belonging to the subject of this review; and Winnifred P., who is attending the Centerville high school.
Fraternally Mr. Martin is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order, being well known and popular in all of these organizations. He is a devout member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for a number of years he served upon the Numa town council, discharging his duties conscientiously and always with a view to the best interests of the general public. He is public-spirited and progressive, eager for the welfare of his community and giving active and helpful co- operation to any movement which tends to promote it.
JAMES W. MASON, is now acting as mail carrier on the rural free delivery route out of Udell. He has a wide acquaintance in the county and many friends. He was born in Caldwell township. May 23, 1857, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families here, his parents being William and Phoebe Ann (Wells) Mason. The father was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1831, and was of Scotch-Irish descent, while the mother was born in Randolph county, Missouri, December 6, 1831. In the year 1852 William Mason went to Davis, Iowa, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mason, and his grandfather, Isaac Mason. The last named was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and is possibly the only representative of that conflict who now lies buried at Drakeville, Davis county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mason, after living in this city for a time returned to Titusville, Pennsylvania, and there passed away. The maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Wells, were among the first settlers in Appanoose county, arriving here in 1837. This region was a great wilderness, into which they penetrated, and James Wells, together with three of his sons, took up a large tract of government land on the Chariton river, where Cole City now stands. James Wells was a Christian preacher and organized the first church in Appanoose county, known as the Hilltown church of Wells township. He proved a potent force in the moral development of this section of the state and was also concerned with its material progress and upbuilding, erecting the first grist and sawmill of the county in 1839. In many other ways he promoted public progress and improvement here and his name is inseparably associated with this part of the state. Wells township being so called in his honor. Both he and his wife died here and were laid to rest in Appanoose county, near Cole City, Mr. Wells passing away in February, 1857.
The marriage of William Mason and Phoebe Ann Wells was celebrated in 1856 and they began their domestic life upon a farm in Caldwell township. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and developed his property until 1884, when he sold out and went to Thomas county, Kansas, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Both he and his wife remained upon that farm until called to their final rest, Mr. Mason dying in 1895, while his widow survived until 1908.
James W. Mason completed his education in the Moulton high school and afterward engaged in teaching for seventeen years in the public schools of this county and in Thomas county, Kansas, and Missouri, proving a capable educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He was married in 1883, after which he removed to Thomas county, Kansas, where he secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. He taught school during the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. For thirteen years he remained upon that place and then returned to Appanoose county, taking up his abode in the village of Udell, although he continued to follow farming until 1906, when he was appointed rural mail carrier, to which position he is now giving time.
Mr. Mason was married in 1883 to Miss Sarah Jane Taylor, a daughter of William and Martha (King) Taylor, who were natives of Ohio. The mother was born near Zanesville, April 25, 1829, and her parents were natives of east Tennessee. With them she removed to Davis county, Iowa, in the late '40s and about the same time that Taylor became a resident of Appanoose county. He had lost his father in Ohio, after which he came to Iowa and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, Appanoose county, this was prior to his marriage. Later he bought forty acres in Davis county and was closely connected with the agricultural development of this section of the state for a long period. It was in Appanoose county that Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were married and upon the farm in Washington township they began their domestic life. Three years later he invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Udell township, just north of his original purchase, and afterward became the owner of one hundred and forty acres in Washington township, on which he took up his abode. A few years later he returned to the old home place and there passed away in 1864. His widow sold the tract in Washington township but still owns the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Udell township, to which she removed after the death of her husband. She is living on that place with two of her children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason have been born five children. Clara Alice, born November 20, 1884, is the wife of Frank Honar, a farmer of Douglas township. William T., born December 23, 1887, is a barber in Badger, Iowa. Oscar D., born February 5, 1891, is at home. Miles F., born March 13, 1893, is a barber at Moravia, Iowa. Chester B., born August 2, 1896, is at home.
Mr. Mason belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Udell, and he and his family are members of the Christian church. He gives his political support to the republican party and is well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. For fifty-five years he has lived in this section of Iowa and has, therefore, been a witness of practically the entire growth and development of Appanoose county. He has seen it transformed from a frontier district into a populous and prosperous section of the state and rejoices in what has been accomplished as the years have gone by. He is one of the enterprising citizens of this section and a man whose worth is acknowledged by his many friends.
JOHN H. MAY, prominently identified with newspaper publication in Appanoose county as editor and owner of the Cincinnati Review and as owner and publisher of the Exline Messenger, was born in Adair county, December 26, 1859, his parents being James Washington and Mary Ann (Forrest) May. The father was born in the eastern part of Tennessee, August 8, 1805, and was a grandson of John Sevier, the first governor of that state and also its first member of congress. He served as governor for fourteen years and aided largely in shaping the policy of the commonwealth. He was equally distinguished as an Indian fighter and as an officer of the Revolutionary war, being one of the American officers in command at the battle of Kings Mountain. In the maternal line John H. May is a representative of an old Missouri family. His mother was born in Pike county, near the birthplace of Mark Twain, in 1817, before the admission of the state to the Union.
In the public schools of Cincinnati, Iowa, John H. May pursued his education, the family removing to Appanoose county in his boyhood days. He completed his course in 1881 and for about twelve years thereafter devoted his time to farming and teaching. He proved capable and efficient in each line but in July, 1893, turned his attention to newspaper publication, becoming editor and owner of the Cincinnati Review. He made this a popular journal with a large local patronage and in May, 1910, he extended the scope of his activities to include the publication of the Messenger of Exline, Iowa. Capable management and understanding of the public desire in connection with newspaper publication and unfaltering energy and perseverance have brought to Mr. May a substantial measure of success.
On the 1st of February, 1894, at Council Grove, Kansas, was celebrated the marriage of John H. May and Miss Anna B. Fox, a daughter of John and Sarah J. Fox. Mrs. May was born in Cincinnati, Iowa, September 4, 1862, but for a number of years resided in Morris county, Kansas. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Elbridge F., Jennie Pauline and Erma Josephine. The family attend the Christian church, of which Mr. May became a charter member on its organization. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekah degree, is a past noble grand and has filled all of the chairs in the local organization. In politics he is a republican with tendency toward the progressive wing rather than the stand-pat branch of the organization. He is an admirer of, and supported. Senator A. B. Cummins and also Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. He has held some local offices including that of assessor, member of the city council and trustee, and for ten years has been a member of the Cincinnati school board of which he is now serving as president. He is at all times deeply and actively interested in affairs relating to the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the community and his influence and efforts have been a potent force in advancing the general good.
HARLEY C. McANELLY, whose home farm is an excellent tract of land of three hundred and fifty acres in Franklin township, is engaged in the feeding and shipping of stock in connection with the cultivation of the soil and is well known as one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of his community. There is a valuable deposit of coal upon a portion of his farm and of late years he has been giving more and more attention to the development of the vein, having met with a gratifying degree of success in his mining operations.
Mr. McAnelly is a native of Iowa, born in Wayne county, June 23, 1875. He was reared upon his father's farm and received his primary education in the district schools. However, he is largely self-educated, having gained the greater part of his knowledge through reading, experience and observation since attaining mature years. Mr. McAnelly began his independent career by purchasing eighty acres of land in Appanoose county, which he developed for three years, after which he rented out the place and went to the state of Washington, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres and engaged in general farming for two years. When he sold his Washington property he returned to Iowa and settled on a farm in Franklin township, this county. From time to time he added to his original tract and finally acquired three hundred and fifty acres, upon which he made substantial improvements, remodeling the residence and building a good barn and outbuildings and making it in all respects a valuable and desirable property. Mr. McAnelly is likewise extensively interested in stock-raising and has met with much success with his standard-bred horses and his graded cattle and hogs. Of late years he has given special attention to the development of the rich coal deposits which underlie a large portion of his property and in 1912 he sunk a shaft and opened up a coal mine, which has already reached a depth of one hundred and sixty feet. The vein is rich, varying in thickness from two to three feet, and it adds very materially to the value of the property. Mr. McAnelly married, in Wayne county, Iowa, March 23, 1899, Miss Hattie Fortney, a native of Adair county, Missouri. She received her primary education in the district schools of that section and was later graduated from the Kirksville Normal School. Mr. and Mrs. McAnelly have adopted a son, Lawrence. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, attending Simpson chapel. Mr. McAnelly is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in both fraternal and social relations has won and merited high regard, while in his business life he has met with well-deserved prosperity.
WILLIAM H. McCABE - Among the men who came to Appanoose county in the period of its pioneer development and who for many years have been identified with the progress and upbuilding of this part of the state is William H. McCabe, who made his first settlement here in 1856. He has given his attention almost entirely to agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land on section 5, Franklin township, a portion of which is the family homestead. He was born in Saratoga county New York, on the 25th of June, 1853, and is a son of John and Eleanor (Angle) McCabe, both natives of the Empire state. The father farmed in Saratoga county for a number of years but in 1856 moved west to Iowa and located in Appanoose county, where he purchased land upon which his son now resides. His tract at that time comprised eighty acres and was all prairie, which Mr. McCabe was obliged to break before beginning the work of development. He got the land under the plow and gradually carried forward the work of improvement, building the necessary farm buildings and a comfortable dwelling. At the outbreak of the Civil war, however, he left the farm and enlisted in an Iowa company, being later transferred to a Kansas cavalry regiment. He served for eighteen months and was then discharged on account of disability. Returning home, he again settled upon his farm, but soon afterward died from the effects of his military service. His wife, left alone, bravely faced the hardships of pioneer life and reared her family of two sons and two daughters, namely: Peter, a farmer of Franklin township; Clara, who became the wife of Peter Bales, also of Franklin township; Mary, the wife of D. W. Pettigrew, of Lincoln township; and William H., of this review.
The last named was in his childhood familiar with pioneer conditions in the state and even as a small boy aided in breaking the soil in the development of his father's farm. He had very few school advantages and is largely self-educated, having gained the greater part of his knowledge through reading, experience and observation in later years. As soon as he was able he obtained work by the day or month and labored in this way for several years, saving his money and accumulating a comfortable sum. With this he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, which he has since continued to operate. He did not fear earnest and persistent work and steadily carried forward the work of development in which he had assisted since childhood, adding to his holdings until the farm comprises four hundred acres. He replaced the early dwelling with a modern two-story residence in 1897, while barns and out-buildings were also erected, the farm thus becoming a model property. The fields are carefully tilled and Mr. McCabe has secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate his work. He gathers large harvests and the stock which he keeps is of good grades, commanding a ready sale, and he is numbered among the men of affluence in this community. He owns in addition to the homestead twenty-two acres of timber land in the vicinity.
In Lincoln township, on September 1, 1875, Mr. McCabe was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Lowry, who was born and reared in Appanoose county, a daughter of R. S. Lowry. They became the parents of seven children: W. H., Jr., who attended the Seymour high school and who is now assisting his father in the operation of the farm; Nettie, the wife of Frank Armntrout, of Marshall county, Indiana; Ethel, who married Hosea Phillips, a farmer of Franklin township; Anna, who became the wife of John Kirkpatrick, of Johnson county, Iowa; Ola, who teaches music; Hallie, a graduate nurse and a resident of Iowa City; and Eula, who attends the Seymour high school. Mr. McCabe's first wife passed away in August, 1904, and on the 7th of June, 1911, he was again married. His second wife was Mrs. Emma Fox, of Lemonville, Missouri, who was born and reared in Franklin township. She is a daughter of Joseph Melson and the widow of William Fox, by whom she had five children. Of this family two, Ray and Lilly, are living with their mother. Mrs. McCabe is a devout adherent of the Baptist church.
Mr. McCabe gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is prominent and active in local affairs, being particularly interested in school matters. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of education and has been influentially identified with the betterment of the schools. He was township trustee for six years and has served as delegate to numerous county conventions and has done conscientious work upon petit and grand juries. He was formerly a member of the Masonic order in Seymour, where he held membership in the blue lodge and chapter, and was affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons. The record of his career extends back to pioneer history and his activities have been connected closely with the development of the county. While his life has been quietly passed, it has been useful and beneficial in its results, showing what may be accomplished by a determined and persistent spirit and honorable dealing. He occupies a place of prominence among the representative citizens of Appanoose county, but the most envious cannot grudge him his success - so worthily has it been won.
J. H. McCAULEY - In various offices J. H. McCauley has proven his fidelity to the best interests of the community and at all times has been a loyal and valued citizen of Appanoose county during the forty-five years of his residence here. The greater part of his life has been spent in Iowa, although he is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, his birth occurring December 4, 1838, about twelve miles southwest of New Lisbon in a little log cabin which he visited in 1911, finding it still well preserved after all those years. His parents, Patrick and Elizabeth (Brown) McCauley, were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, the former becoming a resident of the Keystone state when he accompanied his parents to the new world in his childhood days. The Brown family is of Scotch lineage. It was in 1843 that Patrick McCauley left Columbiana county, Ohio, with his family and drove across the country to Jefferson county, Iowa, with a plug team and linchpin wagon. He located north of Fairfield, where he spent the first winter in a primitive house with no floor. The little building sheltered father, mother and eleven children. After nine years spent in Jefferson county, Mr. McCauley removed to Appanoose county, where with a land warrant he secured three hundred and twenty acres four miles southwest of Iconium. He died at the home of his son, J. H. McCauley, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away in this county at the age of sixty-five years. All of the eleven children reached adult age and were married save the youngest brother, T. C. McCauley, who was wounded at Marks Spring, Arkansas, and died there. He had enlisted for service in the army with an Iowa regiment, but had been transferred to the Sixth Company before his death in 1863. The eldest son of the family, John McCauley, served for three years in defense of the Union and then veteranized, remaining with the Third Iowa Cavalry until the close of hostilities. The only members of the family now living are J. H. McCauley and his sister Matilda, who is the widow of S. J. Van Horn and resides in Cleveland, Ohio.
Since the 1st of October, 1843, J. H. McCauley has made his home in this state, arriving here when not quite five years of age. He is therefore one of Iowa's honored pioneers and has lived to witness the greater part of the growth and progress of the state as it has emerged from frontier conditions and taken rank with the leading states of the Union. His residence in Appanoose county covers forty-five years and throughout the entire period his sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship have won him high regard. He has been a farmer and stockdealer during the greater part of his life, but for three years was upon the road as a traveling salesman, making Burlington his headquarters, and for some time was a retail merchant at Iconium, where he remained for eleven years, and while conducting his mercantile interests there he also engaged in farming. For thirty-six years he has been an auctioneer and during that time has never missed but two dates. Since he disposed of his commercial interests about thirty years ago he has given his attention to overseeing his farm and live-stock interests and his auctioneering business. These different connections have made him widely known and wherever he has gone he has made friends, for he is a man of genial disposition and kindly spirit. At different times he has been called to public office, serving as postmaster at Iconium for four years, as school treasurer there for ten years and also as school director for a number of years. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party, for he is a firm believer in its principles.
In September, 1865, occurred the marriage of Mr. McCauley and Miss Mattie Dean, of Unionville, Iowa, a daughter of Liven and Susan Dean. Mrs. McCauley died in February, 1905, at the age of fifty-six years, leaving three sons and a daughter: Ray D., of Moravia; Charles, of Chicago; Ned, who is cashier of the Moravia State Savings Bank; and Stella, the wife of H. C. Reich, of Moravia.
Mr. McCauley attributes much of his success to the influence, assistance and encouragement of his wife. He did not know the letters of the alphabet when nineteen years of age. He had only six months' schooling and his wife became his teacher. He mastered the lessons which she assigned with the same thoroughness that has characterized him in every relation of life. He has never faltered in the accomplishment of any task to which he has set himself and his resolute spirit has been one of the strongest elements in his growing success. His life has ever been a busy, active and useful one. Although he is now seventy-four years of age, he is still closely and prominently associated with business affairs and recently during a period of seven weeks he purchased twenty-eight carloads of heavy cattle feeders, one hundred and twenty yearlings and two carloads of cattle for butchering. At the same time he has conducted his farm and sales business, manifesting energy and perseverance equal to that of many a man of half his age. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and for thirty-eight years he has been a faithful member of the Masonic fraternity, true to its teachings concerning mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindliness. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished for with no advantages at the outset of his career he placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of hard work and determination and those qualities in the course of years have brought him substantial and well deserved prosperity.
J. LOGAN McCLURE - An excellent farm of two hundred acres situated on section 8, Pleasant township, is the property of J. Logan McClure, who in addition to cultivating his fields deals in and ships live stock. He has been a resident of Appanoose county since 1902, his birth having occurred across the border in Putnam county, Missouri, September 11, 1873. His father was one of the pioneers of that county and became an enterprising and prosperous farmer there. Upon the old homestead the son was reared, early becoming familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm boy who divides his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. His educational advantages, however, were somewhat limited and he is largely a self-educated man, having learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He continued to assist his father on the old homestead to the time of his marriage and practical training qualified him to carry on farm work on his own account.
It was on the 27th of December, 1898, in Putnam county, Missouri, that Mr. McClure was married to Miss Catherine Daily, who was likewise a native of that county and a daughter of Timothy Daily, one of the well known farmers there. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McClure began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Putnam county, where they lived for four years, and in addition Mr. McClure engaged in the raising and feeding of stock. In 1902 he purchased the place upon which he now resides and took up his abode thereon. During the ten years of his residence here he has wrought a considerable transformation in the place, which is mostly seeded to blue grass, affording excellent pasturage for his stock, for he is largely engaged in stock-raising, buying and selling for a number of years. He ships from both Centerville and Cincinnati and also to some extent from Unionville, Missouri. He is a well-known live-stock dealer and his success is well merited because of his close application, his solid judgment and his indefatigable industry. He is an excellent judge of stock, seldom fails to appraise correct weight and can accurately estimate the value of the animals which he purchases and ships.
Mr. and Mrs. McClure have a family of two sons and a daughter: Francis, Ruth and Lawrence. The parents are members of the Catholic church at Unionville, Missouri, and in politics Mr. McClure has been a life-long republican but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs which, capably controlled, are bringing to him substantial financial returns.MARION McCRORY, engaged in business at Moravia as a dealer in feed, was born in Davis county, Iowa, February 10, 1872, a son of Winn and Mary (Shepard) McCrory. With their respective parents they removed from Ohio to Davis county, Iowa, where they were married, and there made their home for some years. The mother died in that county but the father passed away in Missouri. He was a lifelong farmer and had reached the age of fifty-two years when, in 1898, he was called to his final rest. Marion McCrory was but nine days old at the time of his mother's demise. He has spent the greater part of his life in Moravia and its vicinity, being reared by his grandparents, Thomas and Catherine McCrory, whose last days were spent in Moravia.
Marion McCrory acquired his education in the public schools and was early trained to recognize the value of industry, economy and honesty. For several years after attaining his majority he engaged in farming, but for the past three years has conducted a feed store at Moravia. He buys and ships grain of all kinds and sells feed to the local trade, in which connection he has built up a profitable and growing business.
On the 11th of April, 1893, Mr. McCrory was united in marriage to Miss Anna Wright, who was born in Davis county, Iowa, June 7, 1872, a daughter of Robert Wright. They have become parents of six children: William, who was drowned at the age of fifteen years; Minnie; Ethel; George and Georgiana, twins, the latter dying in infancy; and Mattie. The family are well known in Moravia and theirs is a hospitable home, the good cheer of which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. McCrory votes with the democratic party, to which he has given his allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, in the work of which lodges he is interested, recognizing the high principles which underlie their tenets and their teachings.
HOWARD F. McDONALD, a man of strong and forceful individuality, has at an early age worked his way upward to an important place in business circles of Centerville and each step in his career has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He has carefully noted and used his advantages for progress and is today one of the successful men of his part of the county, being engaged in the shoe business and otherwise influentially associated with the general business life of his community. He is a native of Appanoose county, having been born in Walnut township, April 6, 1880. His parents are George W. and Sarah A. (Long) McDonald, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Missouri. The father of our subject came to Iowa with his parents when he was still a child, settling in Appanoose county in 1853. He grew to maturity in that section and was educated in the public schools, engaging in farming after laying aside his books. He first rented a forty acre tract and was so successful in its development and cultivation that he was later able to buy the property, which he improved until 1900. From time to time he bought more land and added it to his original tract, his holdings finally comprising six hundred and sixty acres. This farm he developed until his retirement in 1900, when he moved to Centerville, where he has resided since that time. He owns a great deal of town property, holding the title to five residences in the town limits.
In the acquirement of an education Howard F. McDonald attended the public schools of Walnut township and was graduated from the Centerville high school. After this he began his active business career, securing employment in a wholesale grocery conducted by T. R. Riggs and he continued in this position for some months. Later he was employed in the shoe store conducted by R. A. McKee and retained this connection for two years. In November, 1903, he accepted a position with the First National Bank as collector and his ability, energy and industry soon gained him advancement to the position of assistant cashier. During this time he was also secretary of the Citizens Coal Company. In 1908 he resigned his position with the First National Bank and accepted his former position in the shoe store operated by R. A. McKee. He did able work as a salesman until September 16, 1910, when he purchased the shoe business formerly conducted by T. L. Greenleaf, which he has managed since that time. He carries a large and well assorted stock, the lines of which are kept up-to-date and complete, and he enjoys a large patronage. In business affairs he has been found practical as well as progressive, and his energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path. He owns a beautiful modern home in North Ninth street in Centerville and has valuable property holdings in Boise City, Idaho. He is also connected with some of the most important business enterprises in Centerville, being a stockholder in the Mutual Telephone Company and also in the Centerville Gypsum Company.
On May 30, 1910, Mr. McDonald married Miss Myra M. Simpson, a daughter of Andy M. and Hattie (Powers) Simpson. The father came to Iowa in pioneer times and operated a farm in Washington county until 1906, when he came to Appanoose county and purchased two hundred and forty acres which he is developing and improving. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are the parents of one child, Marion B., who is now sixteen months old.
Fraternally Mr. McDonald belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious views are in accord with those of the Christian church, and politically he adheres to the democratic party. In business he is progressive, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and utilizing the opportunities that are presented for progress, and he has thus gained a creditable position in business circles and the honor, respect and esteem of his many friends.
JOHN C. McDONALD - The real builders and promoters of Appanoose county have largely been the men who came into the region when it was unbroken prairie, and utilizing its natural resources transformed the unimproved land into rich and productive fields. In a history of the pioneer development of any state certain family names stand forth prominently, by reason of the influence, which the lives and activities of the men, who bore them, had upon general progress and advancement. In Appanoose county the name of McDonald has been an honored and respected one since pioneer times and the work which the early settlers did in development, the present generation is carrying forward in expansion. Among the most notable members of the family at the present time is John C. McDonald, one of the substantial, prominent and influential business men of Cincinnati, Iowa, as well as one of the most public-spirited and progressive of its citizens. The record of the family in America extends back many years, to William McDonald, who founded the family in the states, coming in early times from his native Scotland to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he made a permanent location. From him was descended Daniel McDonald, the progenitor of the family in Iowa and the father of the subject of this review. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March l0, 1814, and there grew to maturity, acquiring his education in the public schools. He married Miss Mary Stewart, a native of Ireland, and afterward resided with his wife in Mercer county for a number of years. In 1852 he moved west to Iowa, locating first in Lee county, where he engaged in farming for two years. In 1854 he moved to Appanoose county and there located upon the present site of the village of Cincinnati, which has now grown to be one of the prosperous communities of Appanoose county. The father of our subject took up a tract of raw prairie land, broke the soil and began the work of development, which he carried forward steadfastly and along progressive lines until his death, holding a high place on the list of honored Iowa pioneers of the past.
John C. McDonald was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1845. He has been a resident of Iowa for sixty years, having come to Lee county in 1852, while his residence in Appanoose county dates from 1854. He was eight years of age at the time his parents located here and acquired a limited education in the pioneer schools. From child- hood he aided in the hard labor of breaking the soil and in the making of a farm, and he continued active in this line until 1863, when he enlisted in the Federal army. He joined Company E, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and as a private was sent west and fought the Indians on the plains, taking part in many sharp skirmishes and displaying so much courage and coolness in the face of danger that he earned promotion, being discharged on the 17th of May, 1866, as sergeant major. With this creditable military record he returned to the farm in Iowa and resumed his work, aiding his father in the operation of the homestead. He married in 1870 and he and his wife began their domestic life upon a farm upon which Mr. McDonald carried on general agricultural pursuits for ten years. In 1880, however, he turned his attention to business affairs and has since been a substantial factor in the commercial development of Cincinnati, where he makes his home. He and his brother engaged in the furniture and undertaking business for two years and afterward added to their activities by selling timber, taking their father also into partnership. In 1885 John C. McDonald purchased his father's and brother's interests and continued to conduct the enterprise alone, until he formed a partner- ship with another brother, under the firm name of J. C. McDonald & Brother. This association continued for some years, the partners gradually extending their activities to include almost every phase of business in the town. They organized and promoted the Citizens Bank of Cincinnati, with W. S. McDonald as cashier, John C. McDonald being also a high official. He continued active in the banking business for a number of years, but eventually the institution changed hands, although Mr. McDonald still retains his connection with it as a stockholder and director. He is a man of Enterprise and marked force of character and there is no movement formulated in the township for the benefit of the community along lines of substantial upbuilding that does not receive his indorsement and hearty support, his labors being a cooperant factor in the work of improvement.
Mr. McDonald has been twice married. In 1870 he wedded Miss Mary Boyles, a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county, and a daughter of John Boyles, of that section. She died on the 30th of March, 1895, and in 1896 Mr. McDonald married Miss Alice Reed, a native of Jackson, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are well known in religious circles and hold membership in the Congregational church.
Mr. McDonald is prominent fraternally, holding membership in the Masonic order and in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Living in Iowa for sixty years and in Appanoose county for fifty-eight, he is one of the best known citizens of this locality, being widely recognized as a man of tried integrity and worth, of business enterprise and unfaltering determination, true to the traditions of his pioneer ancestors. His fellow townsmen honor and respect him and wherever he is known he has a wide circle of friends. Moreover, he deserves mention in this volume as one of the veterans of the Civil war, to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be fully paid.
JOHN A. McMURRAY , a well known resident of Centerville, is numbered among those who have contributed to the upbuilding and development of the state of Iowa and his work along business lines has been for many years of an important and influential character. He has resided in this part of the middle west during practically all of his life and with the exception of a few years spent in Missouri has been in Iowa since 1849. In all of his activities he has proved his worth as a loyal and progressive citizen and is, moreover, entitled to esteem and honor as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, August 5, 1845, and is a son of John and Eliza (Shockey) McMurray, the former a native of Ohio, born August 24, 1812, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1808 and located in Ohio. In 1849 he started with his family for Jefferson county, Iowa, making the journey with wagons, in which he brought his household goods and farming implements. He was, however, seized with illness at Decatur, Illinois, and died in that city. The father of our subject pushed westward and finally located in Jefferson county, taking up a government claim, purchasing the land when it came into the market. In 1869 he sold his holdings and moved into Livingston county, Missouri, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1896. He was a veteran of the Mexican war and a man always loyal and progressive in matters of citizenship. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1876.
John A. McMurray was a child of four years when he came with his parents into Iowa and practically his entire life has been spent in this state. He acquired a district-school education but laid aside his books at an early age to help his father on the farm. On the 9th of May, 1862, when he was seventeen years of age, he enlisted at Fairfield, Jefferson county, in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was almost immediately afterward mustered into service, taking part in the battles at Helena, Arkansas, Marks Mills, Prairie du Chien and Jenkins Ferry. In the latter engagement, which took place on the 30th of April, 1864, he was captured by the rebels and taken to the prison at Tyler, Texas where he was confined until the end of the war. He was mustered out at Fort Gibson on the 16th of September, 1865, and after his discharge returned to Jefferson county, where he took up mining, which he followed for a period of forty-five years, although his activity in this line of work was not continuous. In 1877 he went to Marion county and there engaged as a mining engineer for four years, removing at the end of that time to Missouri, where he spent a similar period as foreman on a railroad. In 1889 he returned to Iowa and located at Mystic, Appanoose county, where he again followed mining. However, he eventually abandoned this occupation and opened a grocery store in Mystic, conducting this enterprise successfully until he disposed of it and bought a brickyard. In 1910 he sold all of his business interests in Mystic and came to Centerville, purchasing two acres of land. Since that time he has lived practically retired, although he still does some gardening. During the entire course of his business career his work has been at all times so earnest, progressive and straightforward that it has not only contributed to his own prosperity but has constituted also a force in general upbuilding.
Mr. McMurray has been twice married. His first union occurred on the 9th of March, 1865, when he wedded Miss Elizabeth A. Hawthorn, a daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Barnett) Hawthorn, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. Mrs. McMurray's grandfather on the maternal side was a slaveholder in the south before the Civil war and the family is well known in North Carolina. Jesse and Hannah Hawthorn came north to Iowa after their marriage in 1840 and located in Jefferson county, where the father preempted land, upon which he resided until his death in 1876. His wife survived him two years. Mr. McMurray's first wife was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1844, and died in Mystic on the 27th of September, 1904. She left four children: Otto, born May 24, 1866, who is a miner in Springfield, Illinois; Mrs. Lepper, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work; Elmer, whose birth occurred on the 14th of June, 1873, and who is a miner in Mystic; and Bertha, born December 28, 1876, the wife of Ed Warrington, weigh boss in a coal mine at Decatur, Illinois. After the death of his first wife Mr. McMurray wedded Mrs. Ella Walker, a daughter of Hiram and Susanna (Medley) Hooper, natives of Indiana, who removed to Kansas in 1875 and in 1902 went to Washington, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. McMurray are members of the United Brethren church.
Mr. McMurray is well known in fraternal circles, having gained a place of distinction in the Improved Order of Red Men, of which for two years he was great chief and great prophet. For a number of years he belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Oskaloosa but has since given up this identification. He keeps in touch with his comrades of the Civil war through his membership in Post No. 122, G. A. R., of Centerville, of which he is commander. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and in 1876 was justice of the peace in Jefferson county. He has always given a loyal support to various measures for the public good, his labors constituting an element in general advancement. Wherever he is known he is respected for his unfaltering allegiance to principles of honorable manhood, which he has manifested in his business and social relations and in his public-spirited citizenship.