Biographies

~ Dales, William ~

One of the owners of extensive farming interests in Mound Prairie Township is the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, one of Jasper County's highly respected citizens. His valuable property has been acquired through his own efforts, his persistency of purpose and his determination, and the prosperity, which is the legitimate reward of all earnest effort, is today his.

William Dales was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, July 21, 1854. He is the son of Andrew and Mary (Gauley) Dales, both born near Belfast, Ireland, the father in 1826 and the mother in 1827. Andrew Dales immigrated to America when he was twenty-one years old, having been married just before he started. He came to Guernsey County, Ohio, later becoming the owner of eighty acres. In 1886 he moved to Shelby County, Iowa, and there bought eighty acres and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Politically, he was a Republican and after the Civil War he became a member of the United Presbyterian Church. His family consisted of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest.

William Dales grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place when a boy and he received his education in the district schools in Ohio. Two years after his marriage he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres in Mound Prairie Township. Selling that eighty, he bought one hundred and sixty acres, on which he erected all the buildings and made all other necessary improvements, setting out many trees, including walnut and willow groves. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He keeps large numbers of shorthorn cattle.

Politically, Mr. Dales is a Republican and he has been Township Trustee and school director. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Dales was married December 31, 1875, to Jennie E. Worthing, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of Thomas Worthing, a farmer who joined the Union Army and was taken prisoner, confined at Andersonville and starved to death in prison.

To Mr. and Mrs.. Dales the following children have been born: Mrs. Mary M. Watt, Mrs. Agnes Maud Bond, Mrs. Minnie Pearl Leonard, Mrs. Belva Lockwood Scow, Mrs. Ethel Newland, Bessie Zoe and William Vincent. Page 687.

~ Davidson, R. P. ~

Among the representative businessmen of Jasper County is R.P. Davidson, of Baxter, now an extensive dealer in farming implements, but who has spent the major part of his life in connection with agricultural pursuits, owning a fertile and valuable landed estate in Independence Township. He is carrying on his new line of business with that enterprise, discretion and fairness which are sure to find their sequel in definite success.

Mr. Davidson was born in Independence Township, this County, on October 15, 1877, and here he has been content to spend his life. He is the son of William and Eliza (Butler) Davidson. The father, born in Scotland, in March 1833, came to America when young and died in this Township, October 25, 1899. The mother was born in Cambridgeshire, England, August 15, 1833, and is now making her home with the subject of this sketch, in Baxter.

By a former marriage of the father, two children were born, James D. Davidson, of the State of Oregon, and a daughter, Jennie Aves, of State Center Township, Marshall County, Iowa. There were eleven children by a former marriage of Mrs. Davidson, as follows: William C. Butler died in California when twenty-two years of age; John D. died in Illinois when six years old; Alfred A. died July 17, 1874; Charlotte Ann Rand lives in Mitchell, South Dakota; Emma Caroline died in infancy; Matilda Belle Hennessy lives in Oklahoma; Rosetta died when sixteen years old; George Charles Butler lives in Independence Township, this County; John J. died when nine years old; Catherine Jemima Aillaud, born in May 1869, lives in Newton, Iowa; Carrie Caulfield, born September 13, 1871, lives in Baxter, Iowa. The subject of this sketch was the only child by the marriage with Mr. Davidson.

R. P. Davidson was married on June 20, 1900, to Mary Kracht, who was born in Independence Township, this County, April 1, 1878. Conrad Kracht, her father, was born in Germany in 1850. Her mother, Emma Harre, was born in Wisconsin July 30, 1858; both these parents reside in Baxter. The father immigrated to the United States when young and he became well established in the new world through his industry and good management. His family consisted of two sons and six daughters, namely: Mary, wife of Mr.

Davidson; William H., born November 21, 1881, is living on the home farm in Independence Township; Pauline A. Clark, born August 21, 1883, lives in Marshalltown. Iowa; Amanda S. Conwell, born June 3, 1885, lives in Independence Township; Helen L., born March 24, 1887, lives in Marshalltown; Lydia H. Miller, born December 18, 1889, lives in Independence Township: Ella F., born May 6, 1893; Edwin C. is attending school at Baxter. Lydia H., was graduated from the high school at Baxter with the class of 1909 and Ella with the class of 1911.

Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have one daughter, Pearl, whose birth occurred on March 14, 1902; one son has also been born to them, Oscar, whose date of birth is recorded as September 24, 1905. They were both born on the farm on which their father first saw the light of day, in Independence Township.

The Davidsons have been well known in this Township from pioneer times, the parents of the subject having been among the early settlers here.

The son, R. P., attended the local schools and worked on the home farm when a boy, in fact he has always been engaged in farming pursuits up to 1907, when he moved to Baxter, where he has a pleasant home, but he is still the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of Independence Township's best land, which he has kept well improved and well tilled. In March 1911, he purchased an implement business in Baxter and, under the firm name of Davidson & Earley, conducts a general agricultural machinery business which is rapidly growing and in which they are very successful, carrying a large, complete, modern and carefully selected stock and their patrons come from all parts of the County and from the southern part of Marshall County.

Politically, Mr. Davidson is a Republican, and is at present a member of the school board at Baxter. He is a member of Baxter Camp No. 5642, Modern Woodmen of America, of Baxter. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Congregational Church at Baxter. They have made a host of warm personal friends since moving here. Page 1223.

~ Dawson, Isaac M. ~

Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled for the most part all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been devoted. In a civilized community no calling is so certain of yielding a compensatory return as that which is culled from a kindly soil, albeit the husbandman at times is sorely taxed in coaxing from mother earth all that he desires or even expects; yet she is a kind mother and seldom chastens with disappointment the child whose diligence and frugality she deems it but just should be rewarded. The Dawson family, of which Isaac M. and his son, Francis M., now living in Independence Township, Jasper County, are most creditable representatives, have been, it would seem, specially favored by Ceres, supposed to be, according to the ancient mythologies, the goddess of husbandry, having charge of crops, especially grains; for they have been known as among the most successful agriculturists of Story and Jasper County, where their operations have been confined since pioneer days.

Isaac M. Dawson was born in Indian Creek Township, Story County, Iowa, March 21, 1867, and with the exception of two years spent in Dakota, and two in Des Moines, he has always been a resident of Story and Jasper counties. His parents, Cyrus P. and Frances (Bomberger) Dawson, were natives of Hancock County, Ohio, the father born on August 26, 1834, and the mother on March 31, 1831. There they grew to maturity, received what education they could in the old-time schools and were married, beginning life on the farm. They came to Iowa in 1854 and located here in 1856. The father died in Des Moines on September 1869, and the mother, now advanced in years, is making her home with her son, Isaac M., of this review. Her family consisted of five children, one of whom is deceased, namely: Mrs. Mary M. Cross, born August 27, 1856, lives in Independence Township, this County; Mrs. Martha Lones, born February 27, 1859; Mrs. Jemima Cross, born June 28, 1861, lives in Woonsocket, South Dakota; Mrs. Rebecca E. Cross, born November 9, 1863, lives in Madison County, Iowa; and Isaac M., of this sketch.

Isaac M. Dawson grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place during the summer months when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the schools of his home district. On December 25, 1888, he was united in marriage with Lillie F. Parish, who was born at Belvidere, Winnebago County, Illinois. February 7, 1868, and in 1870, when she was two years of age, she came with her parents, Lucian L. and Anna (Francis) Parish, to Iowa and they located in Black Hawk County. The father, who was a native of Connecticut, is now residing in Nebraska, the mother having died in Story County, Iowa, October 23, 1910; she was born in England, emigrating to the United States in early life. The Parishes became well established on a farm in Black Hawk County. This family consisted of three sons and six daughters, as follows: Frank L., born September 4, 1856, is residing at Redwood Falls, Minnesota; George was born in 1858 and died in infancy; Henry L., born December 12, 1860, is living in Cascade, South Dakota; Mrs. Hattie Lint, born March 12, 1863, lives at Maxwell, Iowa; Mrs. Nettie M. Cooper, born October 6, 1865, lives at Mitchell, Nebraska; Lillie F., wife of Mr. Dawson of this review; Mrs. Anna B. Budrow, born August 1, 1871, died January 14, 1899; Mrs. Mattie E. Kellum, born August 29, 1873, lives at Caldwell, Nebraska; Grace E., who was born February 16, 1877, lives in Pasadena, California.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have been born four sons as follows: Francis M., born in Story County, August 11, 1891, received a good common school education and has devoted his life to farming and his efforts have been crowned with a large measure of success, although he is but now merging into his majority, but he gives much promise of a successful business man, and is assisting his father with the general farming and stock raising on the home place. The other children in this family were named in the following order: Freddie E., born July 14, 1894, died November 24th of that year; Royal R., born December 17, 1902, died December 14, 1903;Morris, born in Dakota, March 21,1906.

Isaac M. Dawson brought his family from Dakota to Jasper County in 1906 and purchased one hundred and thirty-nine acres of productive and well located land in Independence Township, upon which he has erected modern and substantial improvements, and they are making a success in diversified farming and stock raising. He has a substantial and pleasant home and such outbuildings and up-to-date farming implements, as his needs require.

Politically, Mr. Dawson is a Republican and he has been school director and road supervisor. Both he and his son, Francis M., are members of the Yeomen lodge at Baxter. This family has not only secured a competency since locating here, but they have made a host of friends and are highly respected throughout the County. Page 1161.

~ DeBolt, Joseph ~

A name known to everyone who has the slightest acquaintance with the business history of Newton and Jasper County is Joseph DeBolt, for he has for some time filled a large place in the industrial affairs of this locality, and as an energetic, enterprising and far-sighted man whose influence makes for the up building of the community he has earned a reputation second to none of his contemporaries. He possesses a broad, inquiring mind and is keenly alive to everything that tends to improve material conditions and benefit those upon whose shoulders falls the burden of making possible the phenomenal progress resulting from the development and success of the industrial evolution in the contemporaries. He possesses a broad, inquiring mind and is keenly alive to approachable, he has a strong and vigorous personality and in the best sense of the term is a leader of men and well fitted to manage large and important enterprises.

Mr. DeBolt was born on January 13, 1859, in Woodford County, Illinois, the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Bair) DeBolt, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up, were educated and married and began life on a farm, not long afterwards, however, moving to Illinois, locating in Vermilion County and continued farming, the family coming on to Iowa when the son Joseph, of this review, was fourteen years old, and located near Perry. Six years later they went back to Illinois, first to Knox County, but four years later returned to Vermilion County. Here Mr. DeBolt farmed until 1905, when, having accumulated a competency through many years of consecutive toil, he retired. His death occurred in 1908, at the age of seventy-two years. He was the son of Jacob DeBolt, who also spent his life on a farm. Benjamin DeBolt was twice married, his first wife dying when Joseph, of this review, was eight years of age. He was the oldest of a family of six children, the others being Clara, wife of Frank Morton, a farmer in Illinois; Esther, now deceased, married William Snart, a tailor at Sterling, Illinois; Edward is living at Galesburg, Illinois; two children died in infancy. Benjamin DeBolt's second marriage resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Frank and Clark are living at Newton; Harold, Tina and Isabella, all of East Lynn, Illinois.

Joseph DeBolt obtained his education in the district schools of Woodford County, Illinois. When nineteen years of age he began working in a brickyard. In the fall of 1898 he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and located on a farm in Newton Township and he farmed successfully until the fall of 1910, when he moved to Newton and formed The Western Stock Remedy Company, a stock company making and handling remedies for live stock. He is president of the company and every member of his family owns stock in the company.

Mr. DeBolt travels extensively in the interest of the concern, which has achieved a wide popularity, its products meeting with a ready sale wherever their merits are known. They are well equipped in every way for the manufacture of various kinds of what has been proven to be superior grades of stock remedies. The prestige arid success of the company has been due to the able management and judicious counsel of Mr. DeBolt.

On October 20, 1880, Mr. DeBolt was united in marriage with Ida Burton, who was born in Knox County, Illinois, on June 22, 1859. She was the daughter of Harvey and Rachael (Carpenter) Burton, both natives of Ohio. Her mother died when she was five years of age, and her father subsequently remarried. By the first marriage there are living but two children, Oscar, now a Nebraska farmer, and Ida, wife of Mr. DeBolt. The children of the second marriage now living are: John; Nettie, wife of George Bandy, lives in Washington. Mrs. DeBolt's father was a carpenter by trade; his death occurred in 1898 at the age of seventy-six years.

To Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt six children have been born, namely: Marion, who married Edna A. Gibford, lives in Newton and is manager of the home office of the Western Remedy Company, of which he is a large stockholder. Earl DeBolt, who also owns considerable stock in this concern, is employed in the home office of the same; he is unmarried and is still with his parents. Flossie DeBolt married Walter Austin, and is now deceased, leaving a child; Dorothea V. Lester, Glen and Clara are at home, the last named child having been given a good musical education.

Mr. DeBolt is a member of the Modern Woodmen in Newton; he also belongs to the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association. In politics he is a Democrat; but is not a radical partisan, though he is interested in whatever tends to promote the general good in his County whether politically, morally or materially. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. DeBolt is a man of sound judgment and sterling character, a man whose word is as good if not better than the bond of most people. Page 644.

~ DeBruyn, Frank K. ~

Both paternally and maternally, Frank K. DeBruyn, one of the up-to-date farmers of Richland Township, Jasper County, is descended from Hollander ancestry, who, like many people from the old world, were lured to this country by the prospect of obtaining lands, which was practically an impossible thing to do in their native country by reason of the high price of real estate and its entailment to the wealthy. They became very comfortably established in our free republic and it seems that their aim has always been to do the right and it is to such as they that our country is indebted for the stability of its institutions and for the large measure of prosperity which it enjoys. The immediate subject of this review seems to' have inherited many of the sterling characteristics of his worthy forebears.

Mr. DeBruyn was born in Marion County, Iowa, October 12, 1867, the son of Kryn and Mattie (VanVark) DeBruyn, both born in Holland, the latter having been brought to America when but a few days old, her father leaving his native land in order to escape military service in the regular army, so the mother of the subject grew to womanhood and was educated in America, and here also the father of Frank K. DeBruyn spent most of his life, and received practically all his education, having been fifteen years of age when he landed on our shores in 1853, making the voyage with a half-sister and her husband, the grandparents at the time being deceased.

Kryn DeBruyn settled near Pella, Iowa, and there worked out in order to get a start. When the Civil War came on he showed that he was in sympathy with the Federal Government by enlisting in Company G, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served gallantly for three years. He was taken prisoner and held for ten months in Andersonville. After the War he returned to Iowa and married and for some time he worked in the brickyards at Howell, then called Amsterdam, then he rented land in the vicinity of Pella for, a few years. In 1887 he moved to Jasper County where he lived until his death in 1905, having established a good home and made a good living for his family, which consisted of the following children: Maggie, Mary, Minnie, Anna, Emma, Jennie, Berdie, Mayme, Will, Arrie, Neil, Johnnie (deceased).

Frank K. DeBruyn, of this review, was the oldest of the family. He attended the public schools in Marion County and remained on the home place until he was twenty-one years of age. He being the eldest child, considerable work and responsibility devolved upon him, but the training was of much subsequent value. He then worked out by the month, and after his marriage he rented land. In 1899, having gotten a good start through close application and economy, he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of good land in Richland Township which he developed into an excellent farm where he has, carried on general farming and stock raising. He feeds several loads of cattle each season and has had uniform good luck in this line. He has recently built a large, modern and attractive dwelling, fitted with up-to-date equipment and conveniences.

Politically, he is a Republican.

Mr. DeBruyn was married on November 20, 1890, to Nellie DePenning, who was born in Marion County, Iowa, the daughter of Jacob DePenning, an early settler in Marion County, and to this union the following children have been born: Mattie, Jemmie, Carl and Goldie. The subject is a man of fine physique, jovial, hospitable and pleasant; he enjoys hard work, for which he has an unusual capacity. Page 853.

~ DeBruyn, William C. ~

One of the leading citizens and representative farmers and stockmen of Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, is William C. DeBruyn. His has been an active and useful life, but the limited space at the disposal of the biographer forbids more than a casual mention of the leading events of his career, which will suffice to show what earnest endeavor and honesty of purpose rightly applied and persistently followed will lead to ultimate success. He is looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking to the betterment or advancement in any way of the community in which he resides, never shrinking his duty when questions involving the general good are at stake, for he believes it the duty of every citizen, while laboring for his own advancement, to look to the progress of his locality and the happiness of his neighbors as well. He has always been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worthy of the utmost confidence and respect, which his fellow citizens have been free to accord owing to his genial disposition, his public spirit and his uniformly upright and industrious life.

Mr. DeBruyn was born in Marion County, Iowa, on August 25, 1868. He is the son of Kryn and Mattie (VanVark) DeBruyn, both natives of Holland, the father born on November 7, 1838, and the mother on April 29, 1849. The father spent his early boyhood in his native country immigrating to the United States when fifteen years of age, in 1853, and was thrown on his own resources when but a boy, having lost his father when five months old and his mother when twelve years of age. He was given a home by his brother-in-law, Von Steinburg, and he accompanied them to Marion County, Iowa, and they settled in Lake Prairie Township. The mother of the subject was brought to Marion County, Iowa, just a few days after she was born, her parents, William and Mary VanVark, establishing their home there. In Marion County the parents of the subject of this sketch grew to maturity and received their education in the common schools and there they married. The father worked on the farm until the breaking out of the War Between the States when he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served faithfully for a period of three years, during which time he spent ten months in the Confederate prison at Tyler, Texas, having contracted the scurvy there, the scars from which he still carries. He returned to Iowa after the war and resumed farming in Marion County. He came to Jasper County some time afterwards and farmed here on rented land until his death, on January 9, 1904. His family consisted of five sons and eight daughters, twelve of whom survive, William C., of this review, being the second in order of birth.

William C. DeBruyn grew up on the farm and he attended the public schools in Pleasant Grove district, Marion County. When twenty-one years of age he began life for himself, having assisted his father with the general work on the land he had under cultivation until then. He worked one year by the month and then buying a team and harness and plow the following fall, he rented ground, forty acres of corn land, of Pat Moran. The following spring he was married, and after renting one year he purchased eighty acres in Elk Creek Township, which he later sold and bought two hundred and forty acres, having met with encouraging success in this favored locality, for he was always a hard worker and managed his affairs in a masterly manner. This land was in Des Moines Township, southwestern part of Jasper County, but that being a bad year and fortune going against him he gave up this land and rented for another year. In the fall of 1897 he bought one hundred and eighty-five acres immediately east of the town of Galesburg and moved thereto the following spring. Here he met with encouraging success and had added sixty acres in two more years, and he is now the owner of one of .the choice farms of the Township, which consists of three hundred and five and a half acres, including town property on which he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has placed this land under a high state of improvement and cultivation and he is regarded as one of the best farmers of his community. In 1912 he purchased thirteen acres in the town of Galesburg and also bought a fine house and barn there and this was his place of abode for a period of nine years. Turning his attention to merchandising, he conducted a general store in 1909 and 1910 in Galesburg. This he later disposed of and, being lured by the freedom of outdoor life, returned to the farm on February 1, 1911, and he is at this writing living at his beautiful home just east of Galesburg where he is well fixed to enjoy life and make a good living. In connection with general agricultural pursuits, he handles some excellent live stock of which he is fond and a splendid judge, making a specialty of Percheron horses, which, owing to their superior quality, are much admired by all fanciers.

Politically, Mr. DeBruyn is a Republican and he takes a good citizen's interest in the affairs of his community, which he has served most acceptably as justice of the peace, his decisions having always been characterized by fairness and they have seldom met with a reversal at the hands of a higher tribunal. Religiously, he is a member and liberal supporter of the Christian Church of Galesburg.

On March 3, 1892, occurred the ceremony, which united the lives of William C. DeBruyn and Anna DePenning. The latter was born in Summit Township, Marion County, Iowa, on February 2, 1873. She there grew to womanhood and received her education in the common schools. She is the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Akerman) DePenning, the father having been a pioneer of Marion County, locating there in 1851. The mother was born in Mahaska County, Iowa.

To Mr. and Mrs. DeBruyn eight children have been born, named in order of birth as follows: Frank, born November 27, 1892, Mary Gladys, born April 23, 1895, Jennie, born September 13, 1897, died October 7th, of the same year; Jacob W., born January 8, 1899, died September 6, 1910; Maudie Beatrice, born August 30, 1912, Bernice Leona, born March 22, 1904, Clara Wilma, born March 13, 1906; Luella Fern, born August 17, 1908.

Mr. DeBruyn is a good businessman and does not hesitate to back his better judgment by taking a chance. He has been very successful during the latter part of his life and has laid by a competency for his old age. He is well preserved physically, a man of splendid physique, and very pleasant indisposition, a kind father and husband and a good neighbor and citizen, a plain unassuming man whom it is a delight to meet. Page 1072.

~ Decatur, Samuel ~

Among the successful farmers of Jasper County who have forged their way to the front by sheer force of will and individual merit rather than by the influence and material assistance of others, no worthier example could be found than that of Samuel Decatur, of Rock Creek Township. He is a man of excellent judgment, which accounts for his uniform success as an agriculturist and stock raiser. Being careful in his calculations, resourceful in his dealings and eminently honorable in his relations with others, people have always reposed confidence in his word, as his integrity has ever been above criticism. He is one of the best examples of the truly self-made American this County can produce, for he started at the bottom of the ladder and his rise to a topmost rung has been by hard work, close application and the exercise of great patience, making stepping-stones out of the obstacles encountered on the highway of life.

Mr. Decatur was born in Tioga County, New York, October 15, 1850, the son of William and Julia Ann (Cortwright) Decatur, both natives of New York, he of Binghamton and she of Tioga County, and there they grew up and were married. Mr. Decatur worked by the month until the commencement of the Civil War when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninth New York Volunteer Infantry. For there months he was sick in the hospital and was finally discharged on account of disability. He brought his wife to Poweshiek County, Iowa, in 1869 and located in Grinnell, their son, Samuel, of this review, having preceded the parents there the year previous. The father remained in that city until his death, in 1882; however, he spent his last days on the farm with the subject. His family consisted of seven children, five of whom are living. Mrs. William Decatur survived her husband a short time.

Samuel Decatur, of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of New York, and when but eleven years of age he was compelled to work to help support the family while the father was in the war. When eighteen years of age he came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and worked by the month until the spring of 1881. When a boy he worked many a day for fifty cents, cutting wood, and boarded himself, and later he worked for two seasons on the Iowa Central railroad, using his own team. He was economical and thereby got a start, these hard experiences doing him good and insuring his success later in life In 1881 he bought a farm of thirty acres in Rock Creek Township; this being timbered, he did a great deal of hard work developing it, but this was his start toward a large and valuable farm. he having added to his original purchase from time to time, as he prospered, until he is now the owner of one of the best-improved and most productive farms in his Township, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres; he has all modern conveniences, including a good silo, substantial outbuildings and a large and neatly furnished residence. In 1904 he bought the Perry Madison place of two hundred seventeen and one-half acres, which joined his original farm on the south. It is one of the oldest farms in the vicinity, but is still rich and productive, having been carefully tilled. Mr. Madison was one of the first settlers here and took up this farm from the government when this part of the state was yet a wild prairie. He was the first schoolteacher in Rock Creek Township and was well known to the early settlers.

In politics Mr. Decatur is a Republican and he has held a number of local offices, always with credit to himself and with satisfaction to the people.

In 1876 Mr. Decatur was united in marriage to Orilla Clapp, a native of Walworth County, Wisconsin, and the daughter of Alvin and Martha Clapp, old settlers of that County, having come from New England when Wisconsin was a territory. They began life as typical pioneers, erecting a log house and clearing a small patch, and in time had a good home, and there they spent the remainder of their lives, both being now deceased. Their family consisted of three children: Eli, who died in the army; Orilla, wife of Mr. Decatur; Marida, who married E. M. Waffle.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Decatur, namely: Clarence is married and is living in Poweshiek County; George; Mable, who married William Tesser, lives in Grinnell; Herbert; Delphina married Arthur Durr and lives in Rock Creek Township; Lawrence; William McKinley; one child died in infancy. Page 738.

~ DeJong, John J ~

Notwithstanding the fact that the kingdom of Holland is one of the smallest countries of the world, it has sent a large number of settlers to the United States during the years that have elapsed since independence was secured by the brave colonists. The people of that country were not slow to appreciate the great advantages offered in a free country where "liberty" was the shibboleth, and they were to be found aboard nearly every sailing vessel that "snailed" its way across the great Atlantic during the first century of our republic, and even for many decades prior thereto. Being quick to recognize the possibilities that opened out in splendid perspective before all emigrants who should settle early in this country, they established themselves in various sections of the Union, and, being thrifty, willing to work and strictly honest in all life's relations, they have prospered and proven to be among our best emigrant citizens.

Among the worthy Hollander families, members of which have shown themselves to possess the characteristics enumerated above, is the DeJong family, a creditable representative of which is John J. DeJong, farmer of Lynn Grove Township, Jasper County. He was born in Mahaska County, Iowa, July 27, 1876, the son of Floris D. and Anna Maria (Tomnisna) DeJong, both natives of Holland. John and Dena (Fleming) Tomnisna, the maternal grandparents, were also natives of Holland, and there grew up and were married, emigrating to America in 1846, and, with fourteen other families, located at Pella, Iowa, that vicinity then being wild and unsettled. The grandfather started in as a merchant and made a success, buying such things as the colony needed and selling to them for a reasonable profit. He also bought their products when they had time to get their farms producing, buying up their hogs, butchering the same, and marketing them at Keokuk. Later he started a mill here and ran that for many years. He made a success of whatever he turned his attention to, being a businessman of large capacity and keen foresight. He became well and widely known in this part of Iowa and figured prominently in the development of the same in the pioneer period, always assisting in any way possible in furthering the interests of the community. He was finally killed in a runaway accident in the timber and died at Pella.

The paternal grandparents of the subject, Aderin and Mary DeJong, were also born and reared in Holland, from which country they emigrated to the United States about a half century ago, settled in Mahaska County, Iowa, among the pioneers and there established a good home in which they spent the rest of their lives.

Floris D. DeJong and wife, parents of the immediate subject of this sketch, grew up in Holland and emigrated to our shores when single, and they located in Mahaska County, Iowa, where they were married, soon afterward taking up farming for a livelihood, buying eighty acres in that County. This they sold in 1886 and moved to Jasper County, buying an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Elk Creek Township, which they improved and placed under modern cultivation, prospering from year to year and here they spent the rest of their lives, becoming very comfortably fixed and were highly respected by all who knew them. They began life with nothing, and by close application, careful detail as to small things and honest dealings, they accumulated a competency. They were quiet, unobtrusive people and worthy members of the Dutch Reformed Church at Sully, this Township. They reared a large family in comfort and respectability and gave them educational advantages. There were fourteen in all, of whom John J., of this review, was the fourth in order of birth; they are all living at this writing, as is also the mother, the father having passed away on December 2, 1907.

John J. DeJong grew to maturity on the home farm and there assisted with the general duties incident to such a life. He attended the public schools. He was eight years of age when he began working in his father's fields and, having thus been trained to agricultural pursuits, he has followed the same all his mature life and has met with well-merited success. In 1896 he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Lynn Grove Township. In 1907 he purchased forty acres more and he still owns this choice farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has placed many valuable improvements from year to year. He has a good home and convenient surroundings. In connection with general farming, he has long been a dealer in live stock and a breeder of Poland-China hogs and graded cattle.

Politically, Mr. DeJong is a Democrat, but is in no sense a politician. On January 23, 1896, Mr. DeJong was united in marriage with Lizzie Krusemann, who was born in Holland, the daughter of Everaad and Johanna (Geurts) Krusemann, who were born, reared and married in Holland, and they immigrated to the United States when their daughter, Lizzie, wife of Mr. DeJong, was seven years of age. They settled in Iowa and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeJong, named as follows: Floris, Everaad, Maria and Johanna. Page 1273.