Biographies

~ Failor, Samuel ~

It is no easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task, touching upon the details of such a record as has been that of Samuel Failor, long a well-known business man of Newton, Jasper County, but who is now living in honored retirement.

Mr. Failor was born at Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, on June 10, 1835, the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Meyers) Failor, natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was also named Andrew Failor. The father of the subject was a farmer, but in the early part of his life he learned the tailor's trade. He moved to Ohio in 1831 and entered land from the government and there, practically in the wilderness, he developed a good farm on which he spent the balance of his life, his death occurring in 1849, at the age of fifty years, his birth having occurred in 1799. He was a man of advanced ideas, of much more than average intelligence and foresight, and he was prominent socially and politically in his neighborhood. After his marriage he attended school and studied surveying, and always a student, he became a well-informed man. He was a life-long Democrat and active in politics. He was elected associate judge from his district in Ohio on the Democratic ticket, which he held until his death. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1800, also reached the advanced age of ninety years. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom Samuel, of this review, was the sixth in order of birth; they are, Andrew, who came to Iowa in 1855, became well-known and successful as a farmer and stock man, and his death occurred in Washington, D. C.; A. Jefferson, who devoted his life .to farming, died in Ohio; Katherine E. died in infancy; Benjamin A., for many years a prominent physician of Newton, Iowa, was murdered about nine years ago, one night while answering a sick call, the motive for the tragedy having been robbery, the murderer having been finally captured and brought to justice, this having been one of the most regrettable and sensational murders in the history of the County; he was a veteran of the Civil War, having gone to the front as a lieutenant, and when he was mustered out he ranked as major; he was in the Nineteenth Army Corps; he came to Iowa in 1866; he left one child, a daughter, Anna Margaret J. Failor, who married John F. Mitchell, died in Springfield, Ohio; Mary, the widow of Joseph H. Lyday, lives, in Newton; Elizabeth, who married in Ohio, David Fullerton, later moved to Augusta, Georgia, and is deceased; Cecilia is the wife of Rev. H. S. Cook, formerly pastor of the Lutheran Church in Newton, now living in Pennsylvania.

Samuel Failor, of this review, got his education in the public schools of Bucyrus, Ohio. He was apprenticed three years to a tinner to learn that trade. In 1856 he came to Iowa, reaching here in the winter when the ground was covered with an unusually deep snow, having made the trip from Iowa City to Newton by stage, the horses being scarcely able to travel through the deep snow. During his first two years in the new country he broke prairie with an ox team then, after working at his trade for a short time, went into business for himself, but when the Civil War broke out he arranged his affairs in such a manner as would permit him to go to the front, so in 1862 he enlisted in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, but that same day he secured a substitute and then enlisted as a musician in Gen. G. M. Dodge's Third Brigade Band, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and he served faithfully for a period of three years, receiving an honorable discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 7, 1865. He was at both battles of Corinth, at Atlanta, Kennesaw Mountain, and many others, and was with General Sherman on his famous campaign. He hired a man to look after his business while he was in the army, at the rate of fifty dollars per month, but when he returned he found his business ruined. Ten days after his return he opened up a hardware store, but seven months later he sold out and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Malaka Township, which he farmed for eight years, then sold out and went into the dry goods business in Kellogg; three years later he sold out and again went into the tinning business, in which he continued with his usual success for fifteen years, when he sold out and came to Newton and launched a lightning rod and eaves trough business, in the interest of which he traveled over the County and adjacent territory, covering a radius of forty miles. Continuing in this line three years, he retired from active work, turning his business over to his sons. He met with encouraging success in whatever he attempted. He owns a good residence and several pieces of valuable property in Newton.

In September 1865, Mr. Failor was united in marriage with Lucy E. Winslow, who was born August 15, 1843, at Pittsford, Vermont, the daughter of E. S. and Almino Winslow, natives of Vermont. This family came to Iowa in 1855. Mr. Winslow, who devoted his life to farming, died in Newton, Iowa, at the age of fifty-four years. They were the parents of a large family, twelve children, but only a few of them lived to maturity; Charles F., a veteran of the Civil War, died in Nebraska; H. S., who became a well-known attorney, and at one time judge of this circuit, died at Newton; Clarissa M. married Jeffrey Stone, who at one time lived in Newton, and who died in Lincoln, Nebraska, and she died in Lander, Wyoming; Willard, an old soldier, is living in the State of Washington; Mary, widow of William Whitcomb, lives in Washington.

To Mr. and Mrs. Failor five children, all sons, have been born, namely: Clarence W., who was editor of the Newton Courier for nine years and who has remained unmarried, lives at home; Elmer J. and Holland J. both live in Newton, engaged in the tinning business; they are married and each has five children; H. Virgil lives at Tucson, Arizona, where he is a prominent attorney and is secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of that city; he was graduated from Grinnell College, also the University of Nebraska, and for some time he was professor of the school at Denniston, Iowa; he is married and has three children. George F. Failor, who formerly taught school at Grinnell, is still a resident of that city; he is married and has two sons.

Mr. Failor is a member of Garrett Post No. 16, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a progressive Republican. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Newton. Mrs. Failor is a lady of splendid intellectual attainments. She taught school from the time she was fifteen years old until her marriage at the age of twenty-two. For two years she was the state organizer of Bands of Hope, under the auspices of the Good Templar lodge. She has long been an ardent worker for temperance, and is a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She is widely and most favorably known, being a lady of talent and refinement, high social standing and a worker for any cause having for its object the betterment of the community in general. Page 1011.

~ Fales, John M. ~

Probably no citizen of Newton has triumphed over greater difficulties and adversities than has John M. Fales, of Newton, Jasper County. The story of his life reads like fiction. He dates his lineage back to 1600, in which year James Fales emigrated from England and settled in Walpole, Massachusetts, married Anna Brock in 1635 fought in King Philip's War, which commenced in 1675 and died in 1708. There were eight children in his family, the fourth of whom was named Peter, born in 1668, and died August 10, 1725. His wife, Abigail Robbins, bore him eight children, the first a son, also named Peter, born April 18, 1690. He married Sarah Unity Allen July 30, 1724. Eight children came by this union, and the fourth was named Peter, born December 16, 1732. On August 4, 1726 he married Avis Bicknell. Ten children were born to them, the seventh being named Peter. Thus for four generations in the direct lineage of the subject comes the name Peter. The latter, who was born October 14, 1778, married Hannah Shepherd, and was married a second time to Judith Pole. He was born at Attleborough, Massachusetts, lived at different places, including Maine, Buffalo, New York, and died in Ohio, September 20, 1857, at the advanced age of eighty years. He was the father of sixteen children, the sixth being Ellis, the father of the subject. Ellis Fales was born in Union, Maine, July 9, 1809. He received a limited education in the common schools of Maine, and when he reached his majority married Julia Ann Avery in Sheldon, New York. They afterward removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, but in a short time pushed farther west and located in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. Nine children were born to this union, three of whom and the mother died of typhoid fever in Wisconsin. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Fales married Electa Tolman in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, by whom he had three children. For his third wife he married in Chickasaw County, Iowa, Mary Ann Tucker, which union resulted in the birth of four children.

The family later moved to Missouri, and again returned to Iowa, and in a short time migrated to Norton County, Kansas, where they remained until the father's death, on September 16, 1888. Mr. Ellis was a blacksmith by trade and, although never having the advantages of a school education, by constant reading at home, became a well posted man, and was able to hold his own in debates with men much better educated than he.

John M. Fales, of this review, was the sixth son of Ellis and Julia Ann (Avery) Fales, and he was born near Farmington, Ohio, April 17, 1843, and with his parents, who pushed westward at an early date, experienced many of the hardships coincident to pioneer life. On February 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth United States Infantry, Second Battalion. They were sent to headquarters at Columbus, Ohio, and later to Columbus, Kentucky; here the subject remained, doing guard duty at headquarters until February 1864, when he was ordered to join his regiment at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He participated in the battles of Buzzard Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, July 4, 1864, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro, and subsequently, under the command of General Sherman, marched to the rear of Atlanta and was under fire most of the war. When Sherman started for the sea, Mr. Fales, with his brigade, was sent back to Lockout Mountain, where he was honorably discharged, February 12, 1865. Returning home, he located in Chickasaw County, Iowa, and invested what money he had saved from the pay of his service in the army in land, buying seventy acres. At this time, September 1865, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Sisson. Shortly after their marriage her stepmother died and her father, James Sisson, who was then well advanced in years, was left alone. They took him into their family and he agreed to make them a deed to forty acres of land, which he owned if they would take care of him the rest of his life. Agreeing to this, they sold their own place and moved to the home of her father, but this not proving to be a happy arrangement, the deed was returned to Mr. Sisson, giving him back his land, and leaving them nearly penniless. Thus, Mr. Fales and his wife and little babe were turned out into the world by Mr. Sisson without anything.

Mr. Fales then moved to Jasper County, Missouri, in 1870, but soon returned to northern Iowa. Here, at Fredericksburg, he operated a wagon shop and at this time his father-in-law again became a member of his family, Mr. Sisson now being without funds, having deeded away his property and got nothing for it to some one who was to give him a home during the rest of his life, but becoming dissatisfied and homeless Mr. Fales, forgiving the harsh treatment he had received at his hand, took him again to his home and took care of him from that time until his death, which occurred in Newton in 1873, at the age of seventy-seven years. At this time Mr. Fales was in very reduced circumstances. He moved to Newton in 1873 and on May 20, 1875 his wife died after a long period of failing health, leaving five small children. During her illness and at her death, Mr. Fales' circumstances were such that he was compelled to accept outside assistance, and after her death homes were found for the two youngest children. One died shortly afterwards, but the other was reared by John Lamb and wife. The four children now living are Anna D., wife of Henry Metz, living in Idaho on a farm; Cora, wife of Charles Gifford, lives at Cunningham, Washington; Sidney M. is engaged in the meat market business at Rigby, Idaho; he also owns a farm near there; A. L. lives in New Mexico, engaged in missionary work.

On April 2, 1876, Mr. Fales was united in marriage with Mrs. Betsey Barker, a native of Pennsylvania, the daughter of Hiram and Eliza Gary. She was born November 16, 1848. To this union two children were born, both now deceased, as is the mother, whose death occurred on August 24, 1895. During the latter years of his life Hiram Gary, father of the second Mrs. Fales, was an inmate of their home, and he died at the age of eighty years.

On February 26, 1896, Mr. Fales was united in marriage with Mary C. Anderson. She was born in 1861 in Sweden, and she is the daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Mathews) Anderson, both natives of Sweden. She was twenty-two years old when she accompanied her parents to America, in 1883, and a brother, Victor, also came at that time. He is now engaged in farming and looks after a farm belonging to the subject of this sketch in Palo Alto Township. There were six children in the Anderson family, all of whom came to America. Only three are now living. A sister, Anna Carleston, lives at Galvey, Illinois. Her father died ten years ago at the age of seventy-four years. The mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Fales, of this review. She is now eighty-five years old.

To Mr. Fales' last union two children have been born, John Melvin: born June 27, 1897, and Peter Emery, born May 1, 1912. It will be noticed that the name "Peter" again appears, after skipping two generations, Mr. Fales believing that the name ought to be perpetuated in the family.

John M. Fales is now one of Newton's substantial citizens, being worth over fifty thousand dollars. He is a fine type of the self-made American citizen. The story of his early struggles and his gradual rise to affluence is one to make the younger generation take notice, proving that strong hands, clear brain and an honest heart can make stepping-stones of adversities and achieve large results in the face of obstacles. Before coming to Newton, Mr. Fales was engaged in the wagon making and repairing business, as above stated, in Fredericksburg. Once he sold a wagon to a man, taking in part pay an old wagon worth about ten dollars. He made a new wagon, using the irons of the old one and traded this for a young horse; he already owned a horse and therefore had a team. Soon after this trade he decided to move to Newton, so, loading up his family and earthly belongings, he drove through with his team, which he sold soon after his arrival, for sixty-five dollars, and purchased two lots in north Newton with the money. Later he was enabled to purchase enough lumber to build a house on them. This was some time after the death of his first wife when he was beginning to get on his feet again. Not long afterwards he traded the house and lots for one hundred and twenty acres of land in Cherokee County, Iowa, without seeing the land This proved to be a good trade and after holding the land for some time sold it for fifteen hundred and sixty dollars, and with twelve hundred and twenty dollars of that amount purchased eighty acres near Newton, leaving him a balance of three hundred and forty dollars, which paid for the lumber he had used in building the house on the lots, also included the price of the lots. Thus it will be seen by his various trades, which he takes pride in tracing starting with the old set of wagon wheels, he was now twelve hundred and twenty dollars "to the good." This eighty acres was sold some years afterwards for forty dollars per acre, and with the money Mr. Fales purchased ninety-one and one-half acres of fine land in Fairview Township and this he still holds. The second Mrs. Fales inherited eleven hundred dollars upon the death of her father, and forty-six and one-half acres was purchased in Wild Cat Grove with this amount. This was unimproved and Mr. Fales and his faithful wife worked very hard in placing it under cultivation, and it is now a splendid little farm, worth probably two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. Mr. Fales has since added five acres to it, thus making fifty-one and one-half acres. In all he owns in Fairview and Palo Alto Townships three hundred and sixty-five acres and two good residence properties in Newton, and he is also part owner of one of Newton's best business blocks. He is now retired from the active duties of life and lives quietly in his beautiful modern home in Newton, where his two little boys attend school. He is a member of the Baptist Church, while his wife affiliates with the Presbyterians. He is very grateful that God has prospered him and believes that "honesty is the best policy."

Mr. Fales relates in an interesting manner his early experiences in Iowa, which were characterized by hardships, privations and labor of the most strenuous nature. Among these experiences he tells in the following words of his efforts to build his first house: "Soon after I came from the army I purchased a small piece of wild land near Fredericksburg, Chickasaw County, Iowa, paying for it with the money I had saved in the army service, using all my means in this purchase. I now needed a house, but, having no money, I worked for a Mr. Martin for ten days, for which I received one thousand feet of native lumber, delivered at the sawmill. Then I gleaned around and got about seven hundred more feet of native lumber and hauled it to the mill. I then went to Mr. Paden, who owned the mill, and bargained with him to saw my logs at ten dollars a thousand, paying him in work by the day. I then got some logs and hewed my sills, eight inches square. Needing shingles, I went to Mr. Martin and bought a large black oak shingle tree for four dollars, to be paid at harvest time. I had the tree sawed into shingle blocks and hauled them to the shingle factory. I paid for the making of the shingles by work at the shingle factory. When I had the materials on the ground and ready to start the building I went to a Mr. Conner to help me put up the little house, which was to be fourteen by eighteen feet, eight feet high. He was too busy to help me, but said he could show me how so that I could do the work as well as he could. When ready to raise the building I went to town to buy some nails. I had in my pockets but thirty-five cents and went to a hardware store to buy two dollars' worth of nails. Being a stranger, they did not want to trust me, but said they would let me have the stuff if my father would say it was all right. Going to see my father, I found he had gone to the country, so I went back to the store. While there a man came in who was doing some mason work for the store people and said he wanted them to get him a workman. I spoke up and asked for the job, which I secured, and after working two days was able to buy my two dollars' worth of nails. I found a man who had a window he did not need and worked for him until I had paid for the window.

My wife being anxious to get into the house, we moved in the spring of 1866, with but one side of the roof on, one window in, a blanket doing service for a door and the floor only temporarily laid. This is the way I built my first house. We were both happy in this home of our own, though it was ever so humble, and when the building was completed it was a very comfortable house. Page 544.

~ Feldschneider, Frederick S. ~

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch has long enjoyed prestige as a leading citizen of the community where he resides. This is the result of genuine merit and ability, but is not to be wondered at when we learn that in his veins flows the blood of a long line of sterling Prussian ancestors, and many of their praiseworthy attributes seem to have outcropped in him, so that the courage he has displayed in the battle of life has won him definite rewards.

Mr. Feldschneider was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, June 18, 1854. He is the son of Frederick and Rekka (Houseman) Feldschneider, both born in Prussia, now a part of Germany, the father's birth occurring on August 11, 1828, and there they grew up and married. The father learned the trade of stonemason, which he followed with success. In 1849, soon after he was married, he immigrated to America on an old-fashioned sailing vessel, the voyage requiring forty-five days. They landed at New Orleans and later came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, in which city they spent three and one-half years, then went to Freeport, Illinois, where they lived until 1866, working at his trade. Then he and his family loaded their household effects in two covered wagons and drove through to Jasper County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres in Mariposa Township. Here they prospered by hard work and they added to their original purchase until the home farm consisted of an entire section of good land. This the father operated successfully and accumulated a competency and lived here the balance of his days, dying on April 2, 1899. He was well known and influential in his community. He served in several local offices, such as Township Trustee, school director, and he took an active part in the affairs of the Democratic Party. He and his wife belonged to the German Evangelical Church. Their family consisted of two sons and three daughters, namely: Mrs. Louisa Lorenzen, deceased; Frederick S., of this review; Mrs. Mary Heinke; Henry, deceased; Mrs. Rekka Reichter, deceased.

Frederick S. Feldschneider grew up on the farm and was educated in a German school in Illinois and district No. 4, in Mariposa Township, Jasper County, Iowa. He remained at home and worked for his father until he was thirty-one years old, then rented land of his father for twelve years. He inherited one hundred and twenty acres of the old home place, and to this he has added eighty acres, and the two hundred acre farm which he is now successfully operating is one of the best in the vicinity. He has placed it under excellent improvements and keeps it well cultivated. He built a substantial and attractive dwelling in 1900 and he has good outbuildings. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of raising Light Brahma chickens, and he raises various kinds of good livestock. He is now serving as Township Trustee and as school director in his district. Politically, he is a Democrat and he attends the German Evangelical Church, assisting liberally in its support.

On December 16, 1885, Mr. Feldschneider was united in marriage with Sophia Klein, who was born in Freeport, Illinois, on May 18, 1859, and her death occurred on March 17, 1908. She was the daughter of Friedman and Louisa (Khoete) Klein, both natives of Germany. To the subject and wife the following children were born: Clara, John (deceased), Grace and Freda.

The subject is interested in the People's Savings Bank of Laurel, also in the Farmers' Elevator at that place. He is regarded as one of the progressive businessmen and citizens of his Township. The subject's nephews, Frederick and William Feldschneider, sons of his brother Henry, who is now deceased, make their home with him, our subject having reared them from babyhood. Page 1362.

~ Finch, David ~

David Finch, an honored citizen of Newton for over fifty years, one of the worthy pioneers of this new country whose interests he ever had at heart and sought to promulgate in any way possible, was born in Yates County, New York, January 19, 1827. His childhood and youth were spent in Ohio, in which state, on May 28, 1854, he was united in marriage with Jemima Dean, and soon afterward they emigrated to Iowa, settling in Newton, Jasper County, which, with the exception of a few years spent in Nebraska, had been his home through all the years until his death, in 1908.

In February 1877, his wife was called to her rest, leaving beside her husband, three sons, Madison, now residing at Wray, Colorado, and Edgar and Ernest, residents of Newton, Iowa. An only daughter, Florence, had died in early childhood.

In November 1879, Mr. Finch was united in marriage with Mary Kime, who, with their one son, Earl Finch, of Los Angeles, California, survives him. Surviving him are also four sisters, all that are now left of a family of eleven children. Mr. Finch was a man of industry and very successful in a material way.

Mrs. David Finch was the daughter of George W. and Julia Kime, very old settlers of Jasper County and well known here to a past generation, both being now deceased. The mother was born in Ulster County, New York, May 16, 1816; she moved to Ohio in 1837 and two years later was married to George W. Kime and they moved to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1852. Then, ten years afterwards, they moved to a place three miles south of West Union, Nebraska, where they remained until Mrs. Kime's death, December 5, 1890. Her remains were brought to Newton, Iowa, and interred in the cemetery here. George W. Kime, who spent the latter years of his life in retirement, died at the home of his son, Jarvis Kime, near Dunning, Nebraska, on December 22, 1898; his remains were interred beside his wife in the cemetery at Newton, Iowa. He was eighty-one and a half years of age, having been born in Virginia on July 6, 1817. He lived in his native state until seven years of age when he removed with his parents to Seneca County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and was there married to Julia A. Springer on November 10, 1839, and their union resulted in the birth of three children, namely: Margaret E., who died in her seventeenth year; Jarvis M., who lives in Nebraska; and Mary, widow of David Finch of this sketch.

In 1853 George W. Kime moved with his family by wagon to Iowa County, Iowa, and there lived amid the primitive conditions prevailing all over the state at that period until 1837, in which year he moved to Newton, Jasper County, and here made his home until 1879, when he moved his family to Custer County, Nebraska, where the remainder of his life was spent on a farm.

David Finch had been a faithful member of the Congregational Church for many years, in fact, was one of its pillars of strength. He was also a worthy Mason, a Knight Templar, one of the last duties of his life being in attendance at the funeral of a brother Knight, from which he was returning home on April 24, 1908, when he was stricken with paralysis which resulted in his passing away a few days later at the age of eighty-one years, three months and twelve days, his death being marked with rare fortitude and sublimity of faith. Page 613.

~ Flanagan, Owen J. ~

As his name would indicate, Owen J. Flanagan, of Mariposa Township, Jasper County, is of Irish descent, being of the second generation in America. He has the characteristic wit, tact, energy and courage of his race, so many of whom have conferred a great favor upon the various states of the Union, for they have been emigrating to our shores since the early colonial days and have done a great work in pushing forward the car of civilization, taking an active part in public affairs and lending their services when our flag had to be defended. All in all, no more desirable race of people have come to this country than the Irish.

Mr. Flanagan was born in Jasper County, Iowa, September 7, 1875, and he is the son of William and Katherine (Kelly) Flanagan, both natives of Ireland. They spent their earlier years in their native country and immigrated to America, remaining a while in New York City, then coming to Jasper County, Iowa. There were eight children in their family, an equal number of boys and girls, namely: Martin, Owen J. (of this review), William, John, Julia, Maggie, Mary and Anna.

Mr. Flanagan received a good common school education and assisted with the general work about the place. After leaving school he clerked in a general store at Sully, Iowa, for six 'years, giving entire satisfaction to his employers. He then turned his attention to farming, and in March 1909, located on the farm which he now owns in Mariposa Township, this County, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent and well improved land, where he carries on general farming and stock raising successfully.

Mr. Flanagan was married on December 3, 1902, to Minnie DeBruyn, who was born in Pella, Marion County, Iowa, July 3, 1879 the daughter of Kryn and Mattie (Van Vark) DeBruyn, both natives of Holland, the father born November 7, 1838, and died January 9, 1904, at the age of sixty-five years, six months and two days, the mother having been born April 20, 1848. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flanagan, a daughter, Vernona, born April 9, 1905, and a son, Leo, born January 9, 1908.

Politically, Mr. Flanagan is a Democrat, and religiously a Catholic. Mrs. Flanagan is one of a family of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, namely: Frank, William, Ida, Maggie, Minnie (wife of the subject), Anna, John (deceased), Emma, Jenny, Bertie and Maymie. Page 1301.

~ Fleck, David S. ~

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch is prominent in the business, social and political affairs of Jasper County, and is a native of Iowa, having been born in Mahaska County, Iowa, in 1859, on the 21st day of November. His father, William Fleck, was a native of Illinois and his mother, Cassie (Brown) Fleck, was a native of Ohio. The family came from Illinois to Iowa in 1856 and located first in Henry County, but a short time afterward removed to Mahaska County, where William Fleck entered two hundred and forty acres of land from the government. He has long since gone to his eternal home, having passed away in 1885, at the early age of fifty-three. After twelve years of farming, Mr. Fleck engaged in the grain business in Leighton, and this business he continued to the time of his death, besides superintending and overseeing the work of his farm. He was a very prominent man in his community, public spirited and broadminded. He was a member of the Baptist Church, to which denomination his wife, mother of the subject, also belongs. She is seventy-five years old at this time and lives at the old home place, near Leighton.

David S. Fleck was one of eight children. At the age of twenty-one he began work for himself, following agricultural pursuits for a while, after which he engaged in the grain and lumber business at Leighton, carrying on both enterprises for about ten years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Nebraska and engaged in the elevator business in the town of Mindon. From there he returned to Iowa and operated an elevator at Templeton, Carroll County, and engaged in the grain business there for a couple of years, at the expiration of which time he, together with Macy Brothers, purchased the lumber and grain business at Killduff. Mr. Fleck owns and operates a stock and grain farm near Killduff where at all times can be found some of Jasper County's choicest hogs, cattle and horses.

On February 28, 1889, Mr. Fleck was united in marriage to Alta Coryell, the daughter of R. V. and Julia Coryell, the father being a native of Ohio and the mother of Missouri. The family came to Oskaloosa about the year 1850. Mr. Coryell was a prominent farmer in Mahaska County, and it was here that the daughter, Alta, was born in October 1866. She is one of three living children. The father and mother are both living in Mahaska County, Iowa, aged seventy-five and sixty-eight, respectively.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fleck have been born three children, namely: Raymond, born March 25, 1890, in Mahaska County; Harold, born November 11, 1896, in Jasper County; Wilma, born April 7, 1900, in Jasper County.

Mr. Fleck is a member of the board of County Supervisors, having been elected on the Democratic ticket in 1906 and again in 1909, and his picture, together with those of the other two County supervisors, was placed in the corner stone of the new County court house when built. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Newton. Fraternally, he is identified with the Masonic lodge No. 59, at Newton, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Newton. Mrs. Fleck is a member of the Rebekah lodge and Eastern Star chapter at the same place. Mr. Fleck owns property and lives in the city of Newton. Page 1197.

~ Forsyth, Allen W. ~

It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal Army during the great Civil War between the States. The old soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known, especially if he puts on his old faded uniform. And when he passes away, which all of them will do in the course of another decade or two, friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made fifty years ago on the field of battle, on the long, weary march or the no less dreaded hospital, and ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his services to his country in the hour of peril. Allen W. Forsyth, long one of the enterprising farmers of Jasper County, who is now spending his last years in honorable retirement in his cozy home in the town of Sully, is one of the old soldiers who went forth to fight to save the Union of the states.

Mr. Forsyth was born in Decatur County, Indiana, August 14, 1847, the son of Thomas Harris Forsyth, a native of New Jersey. He devoted, his life to farming and in early life came to Indiana where he bought a: farm. In 1847 he drove an ox team and wagon overland to Marion County, Iowa, and bought a farm, in fact, two farms of eighty acres each. He traversed Jasper County on his way and found but one house between Lynnville and Newton. He was a typical pioneer and was delighted with the new country, although to many less courageous souls it would have been far from inviting, for the roads were little less than winding trails, no bridges spanned the streams, no fences stretched across the seemingly interminable plains, still the roaming grounds of the wolf and other kindreds of the wild. He had the wisdom to foresee a great future for the country and he did not mind the hardships in getting a foothold here. He had married Mary Ann Hawk, a native of Kentucky, and they worked hard, economized and soon had a comfortable home in payment of their pains, and there Mr. Forsyth became influential, taking a leading part in public affairs. For some time he was a member of the board of supervisors, and for a period of twenty years he was a justice of the peace, filling these offices in a most worthy manner. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He ably served his country as second lieutenant in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His family consisted of four children: Charles died during the Civil war while in the service: Allen W., of this review; John is deceased: Fred lives in Nebraska.

Allen W. Forsyth attended school in Marion County, and he assisted his father with the general work about the place until his marriage. He then bought forty acres in Marion County, which he later sold and he came to Jasper County in 1881 and bought two hundred acres in Linn Grove Township, his father having assisted him in the purchase. Later disposing of this, he bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he still owns and which he brought up to a high-state of cultivation and improvement and successfully carried on diversified farming until 1907, when he retired and moved to Sully and there built a modern, well-arranged and beautiful home.

Politically, Mr. Forsyth is a Republican and he served as assessor for seven years in succession. He is a member of the Congregational Church and the Grand Army of the Republic. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served very gallantly in the Western army, taking part in many important Southern campaigns. He was only sixteen years old when he enlisted, but he performed his duty as well as the seasoned veterans during his service of eighteen months, which was terminated by the close of the war, during which time he was not off duty a single day on account of sickness.

Mr. Forsyth was married on November 7: 1868, to Priscilla Banthysen, who was born in Shelby County, Indiana, October 24, 1849, the daughter of John Banthysen and wife, who moved from Indiana to Marion County, Iowa, in 1852, driving overland with an ox team. The mother of the subject's wife was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Clayton.

To Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth the following children have been born: Edwin S., born September 7, 1869, lives in Colfax, Iowa, and is engaged in the hardware business; Harry E. and Mrs. Clara Sherman, twins, were born May 5, 1872; Thomas C., who lives in Spokane, Washington, was born March 10, 1875; Mrs. Lola B. DeWitt, born June 7, 1880, lives with her father; she has one son, John Doyle DeWitt. Page 1038.

~ Fowler, L. E. ~

Mr. L. E. Fowler is a Hoosier by birth, having been born in Laporte, Laporte County, Indiana, on September 23, 1861, the scion of a sterling old pioneer family, his parents being T. L. and Letitia J. (Braden) Fowler, the father having been born in Marcellus, New York, on September 22, 1834. and the mother's birth occurred in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on March 3, 1843. They came to Story County, Iowa, in an early day and engaged in the hotel business at Collins, conducting one of the best and most popular hostelries in central Iowa, meeting with a large measure of success. Their hotel was destroyed by fire in the latter part of 1910, after which they purchased a pleasant and substantial home in Baxter, Jasper County, where they are now residing, retired from active life, their son, L. E., of this review, looking to their every need and comfort in their declining years. Their other son, Charles W., who was also born in Laporte, Indiana, his birth occurring on December 16, 1862, lives in South Bend, that state.

Mr. Fowler of this review grew to maturity in Laporte, Indiana, and received a good common school education, which has later in life been added to by systematic home study and miscellaneous reading and actual contact with the world. His parents being poor, he began life's struggles for himself at the tender age of fourteen years. For a number of years he engaged in teaching, his last years in this line of endeavor being at Slater, Iowa. Having become a registered pharmacist in the meantime, he entered the drug business at Lynnville, Iowa, remaining there eight years, during which he enjoyed a liberal trade with the town and surrounding country. Disposing of this business, he moved to Baxter, Jasper County, and engaged in hardware and undertaking, securing an embalmer's certificate for the state of Iowa in 1902. In 1903 he turned his attention to banking and is now cashier of the People's State Savings Bank and a director in the same. Much of the success and popularity of this safe and conservative institution, universally recognized as one of the soundest in this section of the state, has been due to his efforts, and although it is a new bank it has enjoyed a rapid growth, doing a general banking business.

Mr. Fowler was married on September 19, 1893, to Etta Heath, a lady of culture and refinement and the representative of an excellent family. She was born in McCordsville, Hamilton County, Indiana, on October 2, 1863, and she came with her parents, Robert and Rachael (Shenkle) Heath, to Story County, Iowa, in an early day and there grew to maturity and obtained her education and for several years was one of Story County's best schoolteachers. These parents were both natives of Indiana, the father born on April 10, 1835, and the mother on March 27, 1837. They still reside on the old home farm in Story County, having long since become leading agriculturists of that locality. Mrs. Fowler is the eldest living of a family of five children, the others being, Belle Heath, Halleck Heath, Clarah (oldest), McNeu Heath (dead), and John Heath, of Meridian, Oklahoma.

One child, a bright lad, now attending school in Baxter, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler on March 18, 1900, bearing the name Lowell Heath Fowler.

Mr. Fowler has an attractive and modern home in Baxter, tastily furnished and well supplied with the world's best literature. Politically, he is independent, subscribing to no man-made creed, but supporting those he deems worthy of trust. He has been honored by the people of this community with the secretaryship of the school board for the past six years, his long experience in the schoolroom making him a valuable acquisition. He has also been a member of the town council of Baxter. Fraternally, Mr. Fowler belongs to Unity Lodge No. 520, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Baxter, and he has been secretary of the same. His Church membership has always been with the Methodist Episcopals, but in the absence of that denomination in Baxter he affiliates with the Congregational Church.

Mr. Fowler was married on September 19, 1893, to Etta Heath, a lady of culture and refinement and the representative of an excellent family. She was born in McCordsville, Hamilton County, Indiana, on October 2, 1863, and she came with her parents, Robert and Rachael (Shenkle) Heath, to Story County, Iowa, in an early day and there grew to maturity and obtained her education and for several years was one of Story County's best schoolteachers. These parents were both natives of Indiana, the father born on April 10, 1835, and the mother on March 27, 1837. They still reside on the old home farm in Story County, having long since become leading agriculturists of that locality. Mrs. Fowler is the eldest living of a family of five children, the others being, Belle Heath, Halleck Heath, Clarah (oldest), McNeu Heath (dead), and John Heath, of Meridian, Oklahoma.

One child, a bright lad, now attending school in Baxter, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler on March 18, 1900, bearing the name Lowell Heath Fowler. Page 1208.

~ France, William H. ~

William H. France was born in Mercer County, Missouri, on December 11, 1858, but most of his life has been spent in Iowa. He is the son of Orville Henry France and Margaret Worth Clary France, the father born in Fulton County, Illinois, on May 23, 1834, and the mother near Louisville, Kentucky, on August 1, 1834. The latter came to Fulton County, Illinois, with her parents, Richard and Ann Clary, from Kentucky in early life and there she grew to womanhood and received her education. The father of the subject also grew up and was educated in the State of Illinois, and there they were married. He began life as a farmer in the Prairie state, but soon after his marriage left there and moved to Iowa, where he remained two years, then went to Missouri where his son, William Henry, of this sketch, was born on a rented farm. Not long afterwards the family went back to Illinois and resumed farming, remaining there until 1860, when they came again to Iowa, locating in Jasper County, the father buying fifty-four acres in Elk Creek Township. Here he got a good start and, by good management and persistent effort, prospered, later adding to his original purchase until he owned two hundred and fifty-four acres and there he farmed on a large scale and raised considerable livestock of various grades. In 1894 he sold out and moved to Clark County, this state, where he owned three excellent farms, which he subsequently sold and then moved to St. Charles, Iowa, where his wife's death occurred in 1906. Then he sold out and removed back to his old boyhood community in Fulton County, Illinois, and this is his present place of abode. He has been successful in his life work beyond the average farmer and now in his old age is enjoying the comforts of life as a result of his former years of activity. Politically, he is a Democrat and in religious matters belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church.

To Orville H. France and wife four sons and three daughters were born, of whom the subject of this biographical review was the fifth in order of birth; the others are, Mrs. Mary M. Pahr, deceased; Ella Belle, deceased; Mrs. Roxy L. Bucklew, Alfonzo W., Leonard W., and a son who died in infancy.

William H. France, of this sketch, attended the district schools of Illinois and Iowa, and he began assisting with the work on the farm when a mere child; at ten years old he began driving a team and a few years later found him a regular farm hand in the harvest fields. He remained under his parental rooftree until he was married. He then purchased forty acres, which forms a part of his present farm and he has continued to reside here to the present time. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has kept well tilled and well improved. He has built all the buildings, which are now to be seen on the place, and they are substantial and convenient, in fact, everything about him indicates good judgment and a fair measure of prosperity. Mr. France was married on April 2, 1884, to Almina Bedora Smith, who was born in Lincoln County, Ohio, on March 21, 1860. She was the daughter of John J. Smith, who first came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1854. Mrs. France was a woman of many commendable characteristics, and she was called to her reward on November 24, 1909. One son, Loren Wilson France, whose birth occurred on March 28, 1887, was the only child born to the subject and wife and he is now assisting his father on the home place. Page 960.

~ French, Andrew ~

A well known and influential business man and citizen of Jasper County who is deserving of the success he has attained in the world's affairs, because he has worked along proper avenues and been careful of his conduct at all times, is Andrew French, who was born near Geneseo. New York, August 27, 1866, and he is the scion of an excellent old family of the Empire state, being the son of Charles L. and Hannah (Emery) French, both of whom are natives of New Hampshire. The father emigrated from his native state to Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1872 and lived here ten years, then moved to a farm near Reasnor, where he lived until his death at the age of seventy-five years; his wife is still living at the age of seventy-eight. In her girlhood she had the rare privilege of being the pupil of John Greenleaf Whittier, the poet. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. French two sons and two daughters were born, all living, namely: Mrs. Alvin Dodge, of Larrabee, Iowa; Mrs. Clarence Bennett, of Creighton, Nebraska; Augustus E. has no fixed residence, traveling extensively; Andrew, of this review.

Andrew French came to Iowa with his parents: with whom he made his home until he was twenty years of age, then went to western Kansas, where he found employment on cattle ranches for six years. He then went to Oklahoma City, where, among other things, he served as United States marshal, his chief duties being to keep down the lawless elements in the Indian country. He performed the duties of this important office in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, making a most commendable record and proving himself to be a man of tact, foresight, courage and unswerving determination. He remained in that country nine years, and he saw the site of the present great center of industry, Oklahoma City, when there was but one house there. Returning to Jasper County, Iowa, he is now the owner and operator of a sawmill.

On September 26, 1888, Mr. French was united in marriage with Emma Evans, daughter of G. W. and Lucy Evans, and to this union one child has been born, Charles W„ who resides in McCloud, Oklahoma. Mr. French's second marriage was solemnized on September 15, 1900, when he was united with Mrs. Anna Oliver, widow of Millard Fillmore Oliver and the daughter of Menke Blink and Anna Vanderlaan, both natives of Holland, Mrs. French being born in that country, May 26, 1869, and she was two years of age when her parents brought her to America in an old sailing vessel. Her own mother had died at the birth of Mrs. French and her father had remarried before starting to this country. The family settled in Chicago in 1871. In 1887 the daughter contracted her first marriage to M. F. Oliver, a son of James M. and Mercy (Noel) Oliver. James M. Oliver was a native of Ohio, a cabinet-maker by trade and came to Iowa. Mercy Noel was born July 2, 1819, in Scioto County, Ohio, married James Oliver December 7, 1851, and died October 18, 1912, near Monroe, James Oliver died in 1907. Of their five children M. F. Oliver was third in order of birth. Mrs. Anna Oliver moved to Sioux County, Iowa. Her parents also came there to live, purchasing a small tract of land within the corporate limits of the city, and there they followed gardening until too old to work. The father died at the age of seventy-eight, the step-mother reaching the remarkable age of ninety-six.

Mr. and Mrs. Oliver became the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other, Millard F. Oliver, was born April 27, 1896, and resides with his mother in Reasnor, and is now attending high school at Monroe, a remarkable young man, bright, genial, well beloved and a natural musician, being at this early age a master of the piano. He is admired by all who know him and a great comfort to his mother. He is upright, honorable and the making of a good man and citizen. Mr. Oliver was a very fine cabinet-maker and skilled wood worker. His death occurred in 1898.

Mrs. French is one of a family of ten full brothers and sisters, of whom but two besides herself survive, five having died in infancy; Alice, seven years old, died on board ship while the family was en route to America; Mrs. John Pool died in Chicago in 1898; Herman Blink lives in Wisconsin; John Blink lives in Indiana. Mrs. French is well known and much admired as a vocalist, and for many years has sung at funerals and different public gatherings. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Monroe. Page 988.

~ Frizzell, Walter E. ~

Walter E. Frizzell is a prosperous young farmer living on the Kellogg road about five miles east of Newton, on the place in which he was born. He is the son of George and Mary L. (Trivetts) Frizzell. His father was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1841, and died in June 1909, in Jasper County, Iowa. He, the father, was the eldest child in a family of nine, five of whom still survive: Allen; Elnora, wife of Joseph Temple; Susan, wife of Joseph Statts; John M., and Elizabeth, wife of William Hartz.

The mother of Mr. Frizzell was born in Indiana, December 14, 1846, and died in Jasper County, Iowa, February 13, 1900. She was one of six children. George Frizzell, father of the subject, was twice married, and by his first wife he had two children, Alva G. and Flora B., who married Elijah Myerly. By the second wife he had three children: Minnie, Inez Farmer, who married G. E. Farmer, and Walter E., the subject of this review. The latter was born July 10, 1878. On December 11, 1907, he married Lila May Russell, daughter of Samuel and Katherine (McGlaughlin) Russell, who was born May 24, 1883. Her father, a man of upright character and a veteran of the Civil War, was familiarly called Uncle Samuel, on account of his amiable disposition. For the last three years of his life he walked in darkness, having lost the use of his eyes. Mr. Russell was three times married. In 1846 he married Ellen Armstrong, who died while he was in the war, leaving no children. His second wife was Katherine Emrick, to whom he was married in 1866. She died in 1878, leaving three children: Jacob, Eldora, and Sadie, wife of George Woodward. In 1882 he was again married to Katherine McClaughlin of Rochester, Pennsylvania, who still survives him and lives in Newton, Iowa. To them were born three children: Samuel C., Lila May and Claribel, wife of W. P. O'Neil, living in Des Moines.

Mr. Russell was born in Richmond, Virginia, and died August 31, 1904, in Jasper County. He came to Iowa from Virginia in May 1887, and located near Metz.

To Mr. and Mrs. Frizzell have been born two children: Charles William, born September 6, 1908, and Mary Catherine, born October 26, 1911.

Mr. Frizzell is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, worth two hundred dollars per acre. He inherited a part of this land at his father's death, and then bought out the interests of the other heirs. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Frizzell is a member of the Baptist Church at Newton. Page 923.

~ Fugard, Judson ~

Mr. Fugard was born at Bellville, Richland County, Ohio, February 14, 1850, and is the son of John F. and Angalina (Cowan) Fugard. His father's people came from the Granite state, and his mother's from Maryland, and were among the early settlers of Ohio. One of his ancestors was Rev. Isaiah Stone, a prominent Baptist minister of New England. Another one was Samuel Fugard, of Bedford. New Hampshire, who had quite a good record as a Revolutionary soldier. He was a minuteman at the beginning of the war, and accompanied the ill-fated winter expedition against Quebec. He afterwards served for six years in the Continental line, or regulars, as a member of the Sixth Company of the First New Hampshire Regiment, and took part in the principal campaigns and battles of the war. He endured the hardships of Valley Forge, and was among the one thousand five hundred picked men who crossed the Delaware River and attacked Trenton, on a night so cold that two of their number froze to death. On this occasion his company was given the post of honor, by being selected to lead the advance and capture the enemy's outposts, receiving great credit for their gallantry. After his return from the war, he was granted a pension by the Legislature. The records state that he had been discharged as unfit for duty he cause worn out in the service, and that a certificate has been given him by his Excellency, General Washington, stating that lie was entitled to a pension.

Mr. Fugard's parents moved to Jasper County in 1855, and settled in Buena Vista Township, eight miles southeast of Newton. The country was then new and thinly settled, but they enjoyed pioneer life and did their full share towards building up the community by actively favoring those things that were for the public good. Four children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. Noble J. Fugard, of Newton, grew from childhood to honorable manhood in this home, and several other children also shared its benefits for one or more years, so that it was often known as the ""Orphans' Home." The farm on which the Fugard family first settled remained in their possession for fifty years.

The father died at the age of sixty-three. His widow afterwards married J. J. Young, who is now deceased. She makes her home with her son, and, although past her eightieth year, she enjoys good health and takes an active interest in affairs at home and abroad, and has learned the great secret of how to grow old sweetly.

Judson Fugard grew to manhood on the farm and knew the meaning of hard work, performing his part in helping to develop the home place from its raw state. He attended the public schools and Hazel Dell Academy and graduated from the law department of the State University. He opened an office in Newton and practiced for a number of years alone, and afterwards was associated for some twenty years with A. F. Brown, Esq. under the firm name of Fugard & Brown. He still maintains a law office, but devotes a part of his time to looking after outside interests. Some years he has had charge of as much as two thousand acres of farmlands belonging to others. For several years he has been interested in dairying, and has a herd of thirty cows, and a modern dairy barn and silo in a fine grove adjoining town. Improved methods are used in caring for the dairy products, which find a ready market,

On March 5, 1884, Mr. Fugard was united in marriage with Ella Slemmons, a worthy young lady of Des Moines Township. Her parents, Mr., and Mrs. Benjamin Slemmons, were highly esteemed people of that community. They afterwards lived at Newton for a number of years, and then removed to Mahaska County. Both are now deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Fugard still reside in the same home in which they commenced housekeeping. Two children have graced their union. John Reed, the son, is twenty-four years old, and married Rowena Owen, an excellent young lady of Plano. Illinois. He is a graduate of the Newton High School and afterwards took a four-years course of study in the School of Architecture of the Illinois University. Upon his graduation from the latter institution, he was offered a position with a prominent architect of Chicago and spent six months superintending the erection of some fine residences at Princeton, New Jersey. He is now located in Chicago and doing well. Florence Angelina, the daughter, is fifteen and is the light of her parents' home.

Mr. Fugard and his family belong to the Newton Baptist Church and make four generations of their family that have been connected with it. He is also a member of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a Republican in politics, and has served his party as secretary of the county committee and in other capacities. At the time of the prohibitory amendment campaign, he served for three years as secretary of the amendment association and helped to thoroughly organize the county and carry it for prohibition by nearly two thousand majority. He has achieved some reputation as a writer, his articles possessing a quaint and interesting style full of humor and pathos. For several, years he had charge of the local work of the Newton Journal, was the Newton correspondent for the State Register, and has done considerable work for other papers, among them the Chicago Tribune.

Personally, Mr. Fugard is a very pleasant gentleman to know, being genteel in manners, unostentatious and obliging. Page 430.

~ Fugard, Nobel J. ~

A citizen of Newton who has earned well merited success is Noble J. Fugard, for his life has been led along conservative, industrious and honorable lines and he has ever sought to do his full duty as a citizen. He is of German descent and a native of the old Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Mercer County, Ohio, April 6, 1862, and he is the son of John M. and Clara (Tindall) Border, he having been adopted into the Fugard family. His parents were married at Deerfield, Mercer County, Ohio, and his father was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of a volunteer regiment from that state, in which he served throughout the struggle. Returning to Ohio after the warm he soon afterwards drove through from that state to Jasper County, Iowa, bringing his family in an old-fashioned covered wagon, the trip requiring seven weeks, the country through which they passed being wild and the roads very rough. The hardships of the trip added to by almost continuous rains, all of which greatly discouraged them; but the mother, a courageous little woman, refused to be daunted and her admirable display of fortitude kept up the courage of the others, frequently singing the old hymn, "We Will Stand the Storm, It Will Not Be Long. The family settled on a farm in Clear Creek Township, this County, and besides farming, the father, who was an engineer, had charge of a stationary engine in that neighborhood, working in this capacity for a Mr. Richards. But a short time after reaching here disaster visited the home and the happy family circle was broken up by the sad death of the mother, who was burned to death. The father then left this part of the country, leaving his child. Noble J. of this review, to the care of neighbors. He was taken into the home of John F. Fugard when six years of age and remained with that family until after he became of age and he took their name. Having never been legally adopted by them, when he reached his majority, he secured an order from the court changing his name from Border to Fugard and he has since been known to everybody by the latter name. After the death of the mother of the subject, the father married again a Mrs. Young, and had a daughter, Mary Border, half-sister of the subject. She lives in Des Moines, and is now Mrs. Frank Ferris. His second wife is deceased, but Mr. Border is living in Des Moines. There was but one other child born to the parents of the subject, a daughter, who died in infancy.

Mr. Fugard knows but little of his mother's people. She was the daughter of Jacob Tindall, the latter a brother of George Tindall, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The family owned considerable land where the city of Trenton, New Jersey, now stands.

On June 6, 1886, Noble J. Fugard was united in marriage with Lou Mason, whose death occurred on September 12, 1888. On August 17, 1903, he was married to Mrs. Jennie Edwards, widow of Charles Edwards, and the daughter of John W. and Rebecca (Nichols) Bicknell. Her father was a native of North Carolina and was the son of Pleasant and Mary (Campbell) Bicknell. Her mother was the daughter of John and Mary Nichols and was born October 15, 1831, and died April 23, 1863. Her people were among the earliest settlers in Jasper County and a full mention of them will be found in the sketch of Hannah Nichols, appearing elsewhere in this work.

To John and Rebecca Bicknell five children were born, namely: Wilford S., Wesley C., William H., Elias M. and Mary Jane, the wife of Noble Fugard, of this review. She was born June 23, 1859. After her mother's death her father married Malinda Blackwood, and to this union two children were born, Frank, and Lester W., who died in 1911.

Mrs. Fugard's father, John Bicknell, was a well-known man in this locality. He was a successful farmer, carpenter and also owned a livery barn in Newton for a number of years. His death occurred very suddenly on September 27, 1895, in Buena Vista Township.

Mary Jane Bicknell was married to Charles Edwards, May 22, 1882, and to this union was born one child, Etta May Edwards, now the wife of Guy A. Hammer, son of Nathan Hammer; they have three children, Lois, Bessie and Lawrence.

Not having any children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Fugard took a little girl from the orphans' home in September 1907, when she was six weeks old. They have adopted her and named her Daisy; she is much beloved by them and is the sunshine of their home.

Mr. Fugard at one time owned what is known as the old Nichols place in Buena Vista Township, but sold it a few years ago and moved to Newton, where he purchased a cozy home, known as the Springer property. This attractive and pleasant home is surrounded by two acres of valuable land.

Mr. Fugard is independent in politics, but is in sympathy with the Prohibitionists. He is a member of the Baptist church, as is also his wife. They enjoy the friendship of a wide acquaintance and their home is known as a hospitable one. Page 608.

~ Fuller, Oliver B. ~

Perhaps few counties of the old Buckeye State have furnished so many settlers to the newer state of Iowa as Guernsey County and wherever we find them they are progressive and public spirited citizens, always willing to do their share in promoting the general good, and they did an especially fine service to Jasper and her sister counties in pioneer times by placing her wild lands under modern cultivation and improvement. Among this worthy number the name of Oliver Fuller, of the town of Collins, should be mentioned.

Mr. Fuller was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, on December I5, 1844, and when quite young he removed with the rest of the family to Indiana, later to Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, where the parents spent the balance of their lives, both being now deceased. They were indeed pioneers and unflinchingly bore the hardships of those somewhat trying times. The father, William P. Fuller, died in Clear Creek Township in 1857, and the mother in Story County. She was known in her maidenhood as Lucinda Gipson and was born in Ohio. They had a large family, fourteen children having been born to them, of whom four are still living, namely: Mrs. Nancy Ann Markins, who died in 1909; Alfred also died in 1909; Charlotte; Wesley is deceased; Mrs. Martha Wells is living in Collins; Oliver B., of this review; Mrs. Delilah Hinman is living in Bremer County, Iowa; William D. makes his home in Nebraska; Mary is deceased; three sons of this family died in infancy, John and twins unnamed.

Oliver B. Fuller grew to maturity on the farm and when but a boy helped with the general farm work, and he received such education as was possible in the old-time schools. In May 1865, he was married to Margaret Jane Ellison, who was born at Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, July 16, 1844. She was the daughter of Asa and Susannah (See) Ellison, both now deceased. The following were the children in the Ellison family: Milburn is deceased; Mrs. Mary McPherson, of Polk County, Iowa; Charles F. lives in Montana; Margaret Jane, wife of Mr. Fuller of this sketch; James lives in Montana; John lives near Iowa Falls, Iowa; Asa also lives in that city; Mrs. Susannah Nichols, of Montana.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fuller six children have been born, five of whom are living, namely: Warren, born March 29, 1866, is living in Tama City, Iowa; Leroy is deceased; Mrs. Ann Richardson, born in 1873, is living in Washington; Mrs. Grace Legg, born in 1876, also lives in Washington; Otis Eugene, born in 1879, is living in Collins; Mrs. Matilda Jane Mullihan, born in 1882, is living in Story County. These children were reared and educated in Jasper County.

Oliver B. Fuller learned the blacksmith's trade early in life and has worked at it continuously for a period of forty-six years, during which time he has become widely known as one of the most skilled and reliable workmen in this section of the state. He has maintained his shop in Collins the past two years. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mrs. Fuller .is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Collins. Page 1334.