Biographies

~ Newcomer, John ~

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons, which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that came in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out in life before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the progressive and prominent agriculturists and stockmen of Jasper County stands John Newcomer. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his makeup and have been contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.

Like many of the leading citizens of Jasper County, Mr. John Newcomer hails from the old Keystone State, his birth having occurred in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1846, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Hostetter) Newcomer, both natives of Pennsylvania, and their parents were also born in that state, the paternal grandparents, Joseph and Fannie Newcomer, and the maternal grandparents, Jacob and Catherine Hostetter, all having spent practically their lives in that state. The parents of the subject grew up and were married in their home state, where they spent their lives on a farm of ninety acres. Jacob Newcomer was a quiet, home man, and spent his life looking after his individual affairs. His family consisted of six children, five of whom are living. Jacob Newcomer was born in 1809 and his death occurred on March 4, 1861; his wife was born in March 1809, and her death occurred on November 2, 1876. The latter finally came to Jasper County, Iowa, and spent her last days with her children here.

John Newcomer, of this review, was educated in the common schools of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and reared on the home farm, which he assisted in developing. In 1866, when eighteen years of age, he came to Illinois, but remained there only a year, when he moved to Iowa, and when he became of legal age he bought a farm, in the summer of 1868, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Hickory Grove Township. It was on the raw prairie and he set to work breaking the tenacious sod and erecting fences, and in a short time had his fields yielding abundantly and a very comfortable home, having put up all the buildings and, prospering by hard work and good management, he added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of choice land in Jasper and Poweshiek Counties. In connection with general farming, he has been an extensive stock raiser and it has long been his custom to feed a carload or two of cattle annually. He is an excellent judge of livestock of all kinds and his farm is always kept in an up-to-date condition.

Politically, Mr. Newcomer is loyal to the Republican Party and he has been a leader in local affairs for a quarter of a century. He was constable of his Township, first, twenty-five or thirty years ago; then he was Township trustee and later discharged the duties of assessor for five years, and he has been school treasurer for twenty-four years. This is certainly evidence enough of his high standing in the community and of the confidence of his fellow citizens. He has ever looked after the affairs of the Township with the same care and tact that has characterized his individual affairs. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.

On September 2, 1879, Mr. Newcomer was married to Laura Sisco, a native of Illinois, to which state she had come with her parents, Oliver and Relly Sisco, and there the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer, namely: Alma is the wife of Richard Burroughs; Arthur C. married Gertie Chenoweth; Charles O., who married Grace Breeden; Eddie M. married Nellie Burroughs; Chester J. is single and living at home. Page 1168

~ Newell, Clifton Delano ~

This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and applying his own hands and skill to nature's gifts he creates grain, hay, livestock, etc., all of which are absolute necessities to the inhabitants of the world, for no matter what our vocations and avocations may be or where we may choose to maintain our home, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we are depending upon the tiller of the soil and without him the entire human race would perish. It has been well said by one of our wisest men, "Burn down your cities and leave our farms and they will spring up again as if by magic, but destroy the farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city."

One of this large class of the world's benefactors is Clifton Delano Newell, of Kellogg Township, Jasper County, who was born December 31, 1878, in Newton Township. He is the son of George W. and Amanda (Brown) Newell, the father born in Knox County, Ohio, and the mother's birth also occurred in that County on August 11, 1848. They grew to maturity there, were educated and married in their home community and began life on the farm, in fact, have continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until the present time. They came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1878, locating in Newton Township, living a year on a rented farm a mile northwest of the town of Newton, and they continued to live in that vicinity until 1892, when they moved to a farm three miles southeast of Newton, and there became very comfortably established.

To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Newell six children have been born, namely: Nora E., Clifton Delano, of this review, Bessie H., Baxter E., Clayton Elmer and George Martin. The immediate subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Jasper County and attended the public schools, attending high school at Newton for three years. After leaving the schoolroom he took up farming with his father, on the shares, thus working until 1909, when, having gotten a good start, he purchased the one-hundred-and- forty -acre farm on which he now lives, eighty acres of which is located in section 32, Kellogg Township, and sixty-eight acres in section 5, Buena Vista Township. Until recently he owned three hundred and twenty acres in South Dakota, which he has now disposed of. His home place has been well improved and is very skillfully managed, and he carries on general farming and stock raising in a successful manner, making a specialty of breeding an excellent grade of stock.

Mr. Newell was married on January 3, 1909, to Christine Paulson, who was born in Kellogg Township, this County, September 3, 1878, the daughter of Hans M. and Pauline (Tygersyn) Paulson, both born in Denmark. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, namely: Helena Marie, Nelse R., Christine, wife of Mr. Newell of this review; Lena, Andrew, Catherine is deceased; Charley Martin, Henry is deceased, and one child died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Newell is independent, and he belongs to the Methodist Church. Page 1307.

~ Newell, George W. ~

The subject of this sketch, who bore the illustrious name of George Washington Newell, was born April 28, 1845, near Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. He was the second child born to Hugh and Sarah (Lovridge) Newell. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio. The father died in Ohio in 1859, at the age of forty-five years, when the boy George was only thirteen years old. The mother lived to attain her eighty-first birthday, dying in 1902 in Ohio.

Mr. Newell was one of eight children, five of whom are still living, the eldest, Anna, dying at the age of fifteen years; Mary Newell, who married Samuel Finerty, now deceased, in 1909; Margaret, who married Miller Rush; John, who married Emma J. Parker; and Clara, the youngest child, who became the wife of S. Willard, all live in Knox County, Ohio, the home of their birth; Olive, who married Aaron Bebout, lives at Gatesville, Texas, and Thomas Newell lives in Texas, near Sonora.

On the 12th day of October 1875, Mr. Newell was united in marriage to Amanda Brown, daughter of Garrett and Mary (Holland) Brown, her father being a native of Maryland and her mother a native of West Virginia. She was one of nine children, whose names are: James U., who died in the army in 1864, enlisting in Ohio; Ann E., who married Caleb Burdett, and lives near Poplar Springs, Maryland; Reason H., who married Harriet Bixby, and, who died in Ohio; Joanna V., who married Robert White, and died in Mount Vernon, Ohio; Mary L. married Frank Brock, of Mt. Vernon; William M., who married Nancy J. Mills, lives in Union County, Iowa; Henry M., unmarried, and Frank, who married Ethel Gray.

Mrs. Newell's father died in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years, in Ohio, where also her mother died in 1896, at the age of eighty-six. In March 1876, soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Newell, they removed from Ohio to Iowa. For about five years he rented land, not being possessed of capital to buy. But at the end of that time he bought one hundred and forty acres in Kellogg Township, near Rushville. Here he lived for nine years, when he sold it and bought the beautiful home where he lived until his death, consisting of one hundred and eighty-one and one-half acres in Palo Alto Township, paying only thirty-three and one-third dollars per acre for it. The house, which was there when Mr. Newell bought the place, has been moved back and an elegant, commodious house now stands in its place.

To Mr. and Mrs. Newell have been born six children, as follows: Nora I., born August 12, 1876, married to William Starrett, and to this couple have been born three children, William L., George L. and Daniel C. They live in Kellogg Township on a farm; Clifton D., the second child, was born December 31, 1877, married Christina Paulson, and lives in Kellogg Township on a farm and have one little daughter, Dorothy Ruth; Clayton E., born October 10, 1879, living in Palo Alto Township, married Ina Eaton, and they have four children, Iva B., Thelma, Ralph and Rowena A., now living in Gettysburg, South Dakota; George M. Newell, born January 29, 1882, lives in California; Bessie H., born August 31, 1883, married Peter Jensma, lives in Newton Township on a farm, and they have three children, Ethel, Celia Bessie and Wilhelmina; Bertha E., born April 30, 1885, lives at home with her mother.

Mr. Newell was a public-spirited man and a man of sterling worth and of progressive ideas. He was a Democrat, but was not what one would call a fastidious one. He never aspired to public office. At one time he was elected justice of the peace in Mariposa Township, but he refused to serve. He served as school director for five years and for the last fifteen years he had been chairman of the board of trustees of the Methodist Protestant Church of Hixon Grove. Mrs. Newell is also a member of this church. Mr. Newell was called to his final rest on April 21, 1912, honored and beloved by all who knew him. He was a good husband, a loving father and will be remembered for many a year by those near and dear to him. Page 832.

~ Newell, Herbert E. ~

Among the men of influence in Jasper County, who have the interest of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines, is Herbert E. Newell, who, although handicapped by nature, has not been subdued by untoward circumstances, but has been active and successful as an agriculturist, managing his fine landed estates in Richland Township with that care and discretion which stamps him as a twentieth-century farmer of the highest order.

Mr. Newell was born in Scott County, Iowa, December 5, 1870. He is the son of S. S. and F. A. (Powell) Newell, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of New York. They grew to maturity and were educated in the East. The father came to Iowa about 1853 and the mother about 1856. The former located in Davenport, and was a contractor. His wife taught school for some time after coming here. They were married in Scott County and they resided in Davenport until 1877, in which year they came to Jasper County and located on a farm southeast of Kellogg where they established a comfortable home and lived until about eight years ago when they removed to Newton, the father's death occurring soon afterwards, in 1892; the mother is making her home with her son, Herbert E., of this review. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Newell, four of whom are living, namely: W. E. lives near Altoona, Iowa; S. H. resides near Kellogg, this County; Mrs. Agnes Lorimer lives in Iowa City; and Herbert E., of this review.

S. S. Newell, the father, was a businessman of splendid attainments and he became one of the substantial men of his community. He was a director in the Mutual Insurance Company of Newton, also a director in the Jasper County Fair Association. Fraternally, he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious matters a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was a good and useful man and highly esteemed by all who know him.

Herbert E. Newell was seven years of age when his parents brought him to Jasper County. He grew to maturity here and received a good education in the country schools, which has since been supplemented by extensive home reading and study. He also attended school at Kellogg.

When nineteen years of age he became afflicted with rheumatism and has since been a cripple, but he has borne his lot with rare fortitude and is a pleasant, entertaining man to meet, and although he has not been able to work he gives his farms his personal management and has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, his splendidly-improved and highly-productive farming in Richland Township. He has accumulated a very comfortable competence and is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished. Politically, he is a Democrat and is a well-informed man on political and current topics of the day. Mr. Newell has remained single. Page 672.

~ Newell, John P. ~

John P. Newell, a prominent businessman of Newton, and proprietor of the Continental Clothing Store in Newton and Monroe, Iowa, was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, November 17, 1862, and removed to Newton with his parents in August 1868. He secured his education in the public schools of Newton, and at the age of fourteen took a position as clerk in a newsstand on the west side of the square. He continued as clerk in various places, and in the spring of 1884 accepted a position as salesman in the Continental, which was opened in that year and owned by Boston parties. In 1888 he, became manager, and in 1896 was made partner, and in 1897 bought out Mr. Loomis; and is now the sole owner of the establishment. Mr. Newell was married April 6, 1892, to Miss Pet Wilson, who was born in Newton. She was the daughter of J. T. and Mary (Helphrey) Wilson, who came to Jasper County in 1855, Mr. Wilson having come from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Wilson from Licking County, Ohio. Mr. Newell's father was born in New Jersey April 4, 1818, removing to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and from there to Bucyrus, Ohio. Before coming to Bucyrus he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Cunningham, and both moved to Jasper County in 1868. There are three brothers and four sisters of Mr. Newell's yet living: W. G., of the Taylor-Newell Co., E. F. in the furniture business in Des Moines, and the rest in different parts of the United States. Mr. Newell is a member of the Business Men's Association, and of the entire Masonic bodies of Newton. Page 47

~ Newell, S. H. ~

In the collection of material for the biographical department of this publication there has been a constant aim to use a wise discrimination in regard to the selection of subjects and to exclude none worthy of representation within its pages. Here will be found mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture it is permitted to offer a resume of one of the most active of the younger generation of agriculturists of Jasper county, who, by close application and a willingness to forge ahead despite obstacles, has acquired a very substantial start in life and at the same time won and retained the respect of all who know him.

S. H. Newell was born in Scott County, Iowa, May 27, 1874, the son of S. S. and Frances (Powell) Newell, the mother born in New York and the father in Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in 1860, while yet single, and here they were married. He was a carpenter by trade, but after his marriage devoted his attention to farming, buying a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Scott County, which he cleared and improved and on which he lived until 1874, when he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he lived three years, when he moved to Jasper County and bought a farm in Richland Township and there became well established and lived until within two months of his death, which occurred on April 12, 1902. His widow is now living in Newton. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom are living.

S. H. Newell, of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and the high school at Kellogg, later attending the Des Moines Commercial College, lacking a short time of graduation. He returned to Jasper County and took up farming for a livelihood, operating the home place until his father's death, in 1902. He is now the owner of a good farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, a part of the old homestead, but he farms it all, one hundred and eighty acres. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, and he also engages in real estate to a considerable extent. He owns two hundred and ten acres in Jasper and Kossuth Counties. These are used for speculation, but he makes this his home. He has remodeled the old home and added such other improvements as to render the place modern and desirable in every respect.

Politically, Mr. Newell is a Democrat. He was Township Clerk for one term and secretary of the school board for three years, still holding the latter position. He belongs to the Pleasant View Methodist Church, and is a member of the Kellogg Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Newell was married on March 5, 1902, to Elva Allfree, a native of Jasper County and the daughter of J. W. Allfree and wife, old settlers here. One daughter, Katherine Elizabeth, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Newell. Page 863.

~ Newton, George W. ~

Perhaps, for his age, no man in Jasper County has accomplished more for the city of Newton than George W. Newton, a man whose sterling characteristics would bring him success in any walk of life, for nature seems to have combined in him those attributes of head and heart which, when properly controlled and directed, as they have evidently been done in his case, never fail of large results. Although young in years, Mr. Newton is widely known as the head of one of the best and most rapidly growing manufacturing institutions in the City of Newton.

Mr. George W. Newton is the scion of a sterling ancestry, his birth having occurred on May 5, 1873 in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, and he is the son of Wallace and Laura J. (Shealds) Newton, both natives of Ohio and both now deceased. The father was by occupation a carpenter, coming from a long line of mechanics and artisans.

George W. Newton is one of a family of three children, all living: Ambrosia married Oliver Sparks, the present mayor of Galena, Kansas, and the owner of the largest and best zinc mine in the country; Julia married Everett Wilkins, a farmer living near Fairview, Illinois; George W. is the eldest of the three.

Mr. Newton began working for himself soon after the death of his mother. Coming to Livermore, Iowa, he took charge of a photograph gallery for a short time. Later, in response to an advertisement asking for a window trimmer, he came to Newton and entered the employment of the Iowa Mercantile Company, with which he remained one year, at the end of which time he entered the manufacturing business in a small way, turning out advertising specialties. At first he formed a partnership and the firm name was the Newton Manufacturing Company. This concern began, with little capital, to manufacture a number of small wood, metal and cardboard specialties, in a little back room, but having a good line and the tact to handle it properly, they were successful almost from the very beginning, and from time to time they were compelled to move into larger quarters. On January 1, 1910, they incorporated for twenty-five thousand dollars and purchased their own building. Since then they have rented and now occupy another large building near their own building. They are manufacturing the largest and fastest selling advertising novelty in the United States, the Safety Magazine Match Safe, which little article is the direct outcome of the inventive genius of George W. Newton, of this review. He has also invented and designed a number of special machines for its accurate and rapid manufacture, in fact, it is to the pluck and energy of Mr. Newton that the company owes much of its phenomenal success and its widespread popularity, for he is by nature an organizer and promoter and is able to foresee with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of a present transaction, and he has made few mistakes as a business man.

On June 20, 1902, Mr. Newton was married to Anna Grace Van Winegarden, daughter of William and Jacob Winegarden, natives of Holland, from which country they came to America in early life, and here Mrs. Newton was born. She received a good education and is a lady of many fine personal qualities, which makes her a favorite in the best social circles of her city. She is a member of a family of nine children, all of whom live within twenty miles of Newton; they are, Jennie married Scott Byers, a farmer near Sully; Anna Grace, wife of Mr. Newton; Mrs. Miller, wife of Fred Miller, a farmer of this county; John is farming near Galesburg; Eva lives with her parents near Sully; Carry married Walter Blackwood, a farmer near Newton; Walter, Emma and Rudolph are living at home.

To Mr. and Mrs. Newton two children have been born, George Maxwell and Jacoba Lorene.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Newton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Newton, and, fraternally, he belongs to the Yeomen. Politically, he is a Republican. He is a man of the highest standing in the community having the confidence and respect of all classes. Page 441.

~ Nichols, Hannah ~

The part women played in assisting the early settlers cannot be underestimated. By nature not as robust physically as their male companions, hardships and privations leaned more heavily upon them, but the women of that day who came with their husbands and families into the loneliness of what was then the wilderness or the wild trackless plains were equal to the occasion. The pioneer woman, whether married or single, helped dispel the gloom, to disseminate the sense of hopelessness which occasionally fell upon the settlers in their relentless labor. A woman of such caliber is Hannah Nichols, who can claim a wide acquaintance and a host of loyal friends throughout Jasper County, who, having passed her four score and sixth mile-stone, is an interesting link between the present and the rifle-bearing days of the first settler when hardships were the rule and pleasures the exception.

Miss Nichols, who is a member of the Fugard family and who is making her home with Noble J. Fugard, she being a sister of Mrs. Fugard's mother, was one of the very early settlers of Jasper County. She was born August 12,1825, in Ottawa County, Ohio, and she was the daughter of John and Mary (McLoyd) Nichols, the father having been born in Virginia in 1790, and the mother's birth occurred in the same state in 1791. They came to Ohio in early youth and were married there, continuing to reside there until 1836, when they moved to Henry County, Indiana, where Mr. Nichols worked as a carpenter. In 1854 the family moved to Iowa and settled in Henry County at first and in the fall of that year they came to Buena Vista Township, Jasper County, and bought one hundred and sixty acres just a mile north of Murphy, for which they paid fifteen dollars per acre for the prairie land and twenty dollars per acre for the timber land. At that time there were only five families in the township. The death of John Nichols occurred on December 22, 1855, his widow surviving until June 18, 1870, both dying on the home farm, which they had labored so assiduously to develop.

There were seven children in their family, named as follows: Abigail, born July 1, 1816, died in early life; Nancy, born October 10, 1818, died in Jasper County, Iowa, in 1863; she was the wife of Joshua Delhorn; Amy, born June 26, 1821, died in childhood; John, born October 7, 1822, died in 1901; Hannah, of this review; Mary, born May 1, 1828, died the following year; Rebecca, born October 15, 1831, died April 23, 1863; she was the mother of Mrs. Noble J. Fugard, mentioned above.

For the past eleven years Miss Nichols has made her home with Mr. Fugard and wife, the latter being her niece and they have been pleased to minister to her every want, but being hale and in possession of her faculties she is far from being a burden in her declining age, and is a woman of remarkable memory, consequently her reminiscences of pioneer days are interesting and instructive; she is quite active. She lived on the same farm from 1854 to 1904, a half-century, when the place was sold and she moved to town with the Fugard family. She has never married. Her life has been filled with good deeds and she has always been known to have a very amiable and genial disposition, which has endeared her to all who have come into contact with her. Page 656.

~ Nirk, W. C. ~

Specific mention is made of most all the worthy citizens of Jasper County within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored section of the great Hawkeye State and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its growth in every phase. Among this number is W. C. Nirk, one of the sterling German citizens who have settled within our borders. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, July 4, 1837, and there he grew to maturity and was educated, remaining there until 1854, when he emigrated to America and settled in Cumberland. Pennsylvania, later moving to Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio, where he remained three years, then moved to McLean County, Illinois, and worked as a farm hand for six years, being in the employ of Isaac Funk most of this time, his wife also assisting. They were industrious, frugal and economical and soon had a start, and they came to Baxter, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1864, and here they eventually became well established and are today enjoying the fruits of their earlier years of industry.

Matthew Nirk, father of the subject, was born in Germany in about 1799, and he came to America in an early day, dying in Rhodes, Iowa, in 1886. He married Rosina Liebrand, who was born in Germany and there she lived and died, her death occurring when the subject was quite young. Six children were born to them, three sons and three daughters, namely: Andrew, born in Germany in 1830, died in Illinois; John, born in Germany in 1834, died in Sheldon, Iowa, in 1900; Rosina, born in 1832, died in McLean County, Illinois; W. C. of this review; Catherine Kessler, born in Germany in 1840, is living in Bloomfield, Arkansas.

W. C. Nirk was married in March 1863, to Anna Kaufman, who was born in Lancaster County. Pennsylvania, December 1, 1838. Her father, Henry Kaufman, was born in Pennsylvania and his death occurred in Illinois while enroute to Iowa, where he intended to locate; he married Sarah Schweenhard, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in McLean County, Illinois. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Nirk is the sole survivor; several died young, those reaching maturity being Lizzie, Henry, Susan, Sarah and Mrs. Nirk

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nirk, as follows: Henry, born December 31, 1858, is residing in Iroquois, South Dakota; Sarah Cushatt, born June 2, 1860, lives at Baxter, Iowa; Mary Park, born November 12, 1861, lives at Carlyle, Iowa; Emma Marsh, born in 1864, lives in Minong, Wisconsin; Clara Livingston, born September 21, 1866, lives at Newton, Iowa; John lives at Garfield, Washington; Charles, born April 4, 1873, lives in Jasper County. The three eldest children were born in Illinois, all the others in Jasper County, Iowa.

Mr. Nirk came to Jasper County with but little capital, but he has worked hard and been successful, now owning an interest in one of the best-improved farms in Jasper County. About twenty-five years ago he purchased a home in Rhodes where he and his faithful life companion are quietly passing their declining years. They are both fond of good literature and always keep well supplied. Politically, Mr. Nirk is independent. He is an elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Rhodes, having been a most faithful member of the Church since 1872. Page 805.

~ Noah, Calvin ~

In the history of Jasper County as applying to business affairs, the name of Calvin Noah, well known hardware merchant of Baxter, occupies a conspicuous place, for through a number of years he has been one of the representative men of affairs, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Noah they have brought a satisfactory reward for his well directed efforts, and while he has benefited himself and community in a material way he has also been an influential factor in the educational, political and moral uplift of the community.

Mr. Noah was born in Jasper County, Iowa, on March 31, 1877. He is the son of Henry and Frederika (Schuenelle) Noah, both residing in Baxter, where the father is one of the proprietors of the Baxter Roller Mills. He was born in Germany in 1847 and there grew to manhood. He was twenty years old when he emigrated to America, and his first place of residence here was in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where he remained six years, then came to Jasper County, Iowa, and engaged in farming in Malaka Township for a period of twenty-seven years. Leaving the farm in July 1902, he entered the flourmill at Baxter in partnership with August Hager, and they have built up an extensive business.

Henry Noah was married in 1873 to Frederika Schuenelle, who was born in Wisconsin, on February 25, 1849, daughter of Frederick and Frederika (Bodkin) Schuenelle, natives of Germany, both emigrating to this country and spending the rest of their lives here. Thirteen children were born to Henry Noah and wife, namely: Lydia, Clara, Anna, Selma, Calvin, Alma, Elvina, John, Rosa, Mrs. Nancy Raridon and Meta.

Calvin Noah grew to manhood in Jasper County and was educated in the public schools here. He assisted his father with the farm work until he reached his majority. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed two years, then worked in the mill at Baxter. In 1906 he became a partner in the hardware and furniture business in Baxter, and on March 1, 1911, he became-sole proprietor of the store. He is handling both lines in a very successful manner, enjoying an extensive and ever growing trade with the surrounding country, carrying one of the largest and most up-to-date stocks in these lines to be found in the county. By industry and close attention to details he has met with a large measure of success and has secured a competency.

Mr. Noah was married on March 29, 1910, to Charlotta Wintermier, who was born in Jasper County, Iowa, on April 16, 1883. She grew to womanhood and received her education here. She is the daughter of Louis, Sr., and Lottie (Miller) Wintermier, both natives of Germany, where they spent their early years, finally emigrating to America and locating in Jasper County, where they prospered in agricultural pursuits. They are now residing in a comfortable home in Baxter. Their family consisted of seven children, three of whom are living, namely: Louis, of Independence Township; Mrs. Lena Kruse lives in Malaka Township; and Charlotta, wife of Mr. Noah, of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Noah are members of the German Reformed Church. Page 1080.

~ Noah, Henry ~

For many years a resident of Jasper County, Iowa, Henry Noah, one of the highly esteemed and thrifty Germans of this locality whose interests he has ever had at heart, and who has, while advancing his own welfare, done much toward promoting the civic, industrial and moral tone of the vicinity, is deemed especially worthy of mention in a biographical work of this nature. His career has been one of hard work and integrity, of fidelity to our institutions and wholesome living, consequently he is deserving of the respect in which he is held by everyone.

Mr. Noah was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1847, and there he grew to manhood, migrating to America when twenty years old, landing on our shores with less than an even start in material affairs, but with a determination to succeed and with a courage that recognizes no discouragement. His first place of residence in the New World was in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where he remained six years, then came to Malaka Township, Jasper County, Iowa, where he engaged successfully in farming for a period of twenty-seven years. He left the farm in July 1902, and entered the milling business at Baxter, in partnership with August Hager, which they have continued to operate to the present time with ever increasing success. They have one of the best and most modernly equipped mills in this part of the state.

Louis Noah, his father, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, and his mother, Lottie Noah, was also born in the fatherland. There they grew up and were married, finally immigrating to America, both dying in Wisconsin, where they spent the latter part of their lives. There were six children in their family, of whom Henry, of this sketch, was the eldest; the others being, August, Adolph, Simon, Mrs. Elvina France, all of whom live in Wisconsin, and Louisa, who died in early life. Henry Noah was married in 1870 to Frederika Schniller, who was born in Wisconsin, February 25, 1849. She is the daughter of Frederick and Frederika (Bodkin) Schniller, both natives of Germany, where they spent their early lives, eventually immigrating to America, and the father died in Nebraska, and the mother's death occurred in Wisconsin. There were ten children in the Schniller family.

To Mr. and Mrs. Noah have been born thirteen children, named as follows: Lydia died in infancy; Clara lives in Portland, Oregon; Anna died young; Selma lives at home; Calvin, born March 31, 1877, lives at Baxter, Iowa; Alma died aged twenty-seven years; Elvina lives in Baxter; John lives in Portland, Oregon; Rosa is teaching in the public schools of Jasper County and lives in Baxter; Mrs. Mary Raridon lives in Sherman Township; Meta is teaching school in Jasper County and lives at home. These children were reared in this County and were educated in the local schools, three having graduated from the Baxter high school. Rosa attended the State Teachers College at Cedar Falls.

Politically, Mr. Noah is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to be a public man. He and his family belong to the German Reformed Church of Independence Township. Mr. Noah has been very successful in a business way, both as a general farmer and mill man, and he has secured a competency through his own efforts. The family stands high in the social life of this Township. Page 1174.

~ Nolin, Cyrus ~

The career of the well-known and highly respected gentleman whose name forms the introduction to this sketch illustrates forcibly the possibilities that are open to men of earnest purpose, integrity and sterling business qualifications. A well-spent life and an honorable career constitute the record of Cyrus Nolin, who was born in Fairview Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on January 7, 1858, and here he has been content to spend his life, being still a resident of this locality. He is the son of George W. and Susanna (Harcourt) Nolin, the father born on the banks of White River, Indiana, May 16, 1829, and the mother was a native of Green County, Wisconsin, having been born near Monroe in 1837. Grandfather Nolin lost his parents when quite young. His father was married before and his mother married after the death of George W.'s father. The latter was the only child of that union, and he was brought up by his uncle, John Crist, but he left his uncle's home at the age of sixteen years and started in life for himself. He had thus spent thirteen years with his uncle, since he was three years old when taken to his home in Wisconsin. At the age of twenty-one George W. Nolin came with a party of friends and relatives to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1850, and located at Monroe. He first worked in the blacksmith shop of Jacob Kipp and Louis Hummel, and he became an expert blacksmith and gunsmith. He soon bought eighty acres five miles east of Monroe and paid twenty-five per cent interest on the money he borrowed to enter the land from the government. In those days game was plentiful here, the country being wild and unsettled, and George W. Nolin became a famous hunter. He is said to have killed more deer than any man in this locality, being an expert shot. He located a shop on his farm and divided his attention between the two. At the time of his death, July 28, 1886, he owned one hundred and seventy acres. He was a natural mechanical genius and his services as a blacksmith and gunsmith were in great demand. He was a strong advocate of anti-slavery, and the fugitive slave law was the only law of his country he refused to obey, he and his neighbors materially assisting slaves. After the Civil War he was a J. B. Weaver man and followed him in politics.

Cyrus Nolin was the oldest child by the first marriage of George W. Nolin, his first wife dying at the age of nineteen years. He subsequently married Mary Jane Thorne and to the second union ten children were born. The maternal grandparents of the subject, Daniel and Jane (McCall) Harcourt, came to Jasper County in 1850. This family was of English descent, as the name implies, and Daniel Harcourt was a cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Cyrus Nolin attended the Oak Grove district school. Being the oldest son, he managed the farm and much responsibility and hard work fell to his lot when a boy, but he was thrifty and learned to be a mechanic from his father, and he has done some very skillful work. When a young man he took up land in Kansas, but he later returned to Iowa, not liking the Sunflower State so well as his own. He then worked at the carpenter's trade for three years at Newton. Then leasing a coalmine four miles south of Monroe, he operated that for three years. His next venture was to buy one hundred and sixty acres, five miles east of Monroe. He rented his land in 1900 and opened a blacksmith shop in Reasnor, this county.

Mr. Nolin became an active silver Democrat in the campaign of 1900. He got up the largest political gathering ever seen in Reasnor. He was a leader in local Democratic affairs and was township committeeman for some time. After managing his shop three years he returned to the farm. He has been very successful in a business way, being a man of progressive ideas, a hard worker and a good manager, and he is now the owner of five hundred and seventy-one acres of valuable land in Jasper County, which he keeps under modern improvements. In the spring of 1910 he moved to Monroe, where he has since lived retired in his beautiful home, having come here for the benefit of the schooling for his children.

Mr. Nolin was married on June 7, 1882, to Robena Marshall, who was born near Glasgow, Scotland, July 10, 1862, the daughter of Robert Marshall, who came to Jasper County in 1865. To this union have been born the following children: Robert G., who married Elsa Butin, died on the 24th of November, 1909, at the age of twenty-four years; William H., who is a farmer in this county, married Grace L. Jarnagin; Elvin M. married Cattalina Fennema; Mary is at home with her parents. Page 958.

~ Nolin, William Harvey ~

One of the honored vocations from the earliest ages has been husbandry and as a usual thing men of worthy impulses have been patrons of agriculture. The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance, which characterizes true manhood and the boy is indeed fortunate who is reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields.

Among the enterprising young farmers of Fairview Township, Jasper County, Iowa, is William Harvey Nolin, who was born in Marion County, Iowa, February 21, 1885. He is the son of Cyrus Nolin and wife, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The subject was the second in a family of four children, the others being, Robert George, now deceased; Elvin Meek; Mary Alice Blanch.

William H. Nolin attended school at Sunny Point and he grew up on the home farm, assisting with the general work there when a boy. On the evening of his twenty-first birthday he was married, and he then began renting land of his father-in-law, and the year following he rented of his father. In 1911 he and his brother, Elvin, bought a portion of the James A. Tool farm of one hundred and twenty acres, renting other land also, operating two hundred and eighty acres in all. The two live together and work the place together and they are making a success as general farmers and stock raisers, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs, Belgian and Shetland horses and light Brahma chickens.

William H. Nolin is independent in politics, voting always for the best man, regardless of party. He is a prohibitionist in belief. He belongs to Tool's Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Nolin was married on February 21, 1906, to Grace Lucile Jarnagin, who was born December 19, 1884, in Marion County. She is the daughter of Alpheus Jarnagin, who came from Illinois to Iowa in 1865. Mrs. Nolin attended the Enterprise district school in Fairview Township, this county.

To the subject and wife three children have been born, namely: Karl William, Burt Roscoe and Harold Elvin. Elvin Meek Nolin, mentioned above, as in partnership with the immediate subject of this sketch in operating the farms in this township, was born October 4, 1887, in Fairview Township, this county. He attended the rural schools and the high school at Monroe, from which he was graduated in 1898, after which he taught school very acceptably for two years; but he has preferred farming and he is making good.

On February 21, 1911, Mr. Nolin was married to Cattolina Fennema, who was born in 1890, the daughter of John F. and Wilhelmina L. (Dejong) Fennema. These parents, who are of Holland descent, are farmers in Marion County. Page 592.

~ Norton, C. P. ~

The qualities, which have made C. P. Norton, of Prairie City, one of the prominent and successful citizens of Jasper County, have also brought him the good will and esteem of his fellow citizens, for his career from the beginning has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. He has lived to see and take part in the wonderful development of this locality and his influence has been for good along material, moral and civic lines so that he is eminently deserving of the high esteem, in which he is held by all classes.

Mr. C. P. Norton was born in Concord, Ohio, July 18, 1831. He is the son of Eden P. and Louisa (Wells) Norton, the father born in Vermont and the mother in Connecticut. They were married in Ohio. The elder Norton was a descendant of the famous Mayflower band. He was a shoemaker all his life. In 1845 he came west as far as the Mississippi river, having peddled shoes all the way, through the wild and practically unimproved country. Returning to Ohio, he spent the remainder of his life there; however, his death occurred at Monmouth, Illinois, while on a visit to his children, being then sixty-two years of age. His widow died at the home of their son, C. P., of this sketch, in Prairie City, Iowa, at the age of seventy-nine years. They were the parents of eight children, only two or whom are yet living, C. P. and H. M., the latter a physician of Kent, Iowa. Timothy died in infancy; Sidney G. died when ten years of age; W. W. died in Kent, Iowa, in 1911; L. D. died in Cincinnati, where he was for years superintendent of the Power Hall; he was a man of prominence, a fine mechanic; he was one of the Ohio commissioners to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876. Flavia A. Norton, who married Thomas Cannon, is deceased; N. J. died in Louisville, Kentucky.

When seventeen years of age C. P. Norton went to Buffalo, New York, to learn the mechanic's trade, and after remaining there two years he went back to Ohio, where, with two brothers, he engaged in the manufacture of forks, etc. Two years later he went to North Norfolk, Connecticut, and married Aurelia R. Norton, of that place. They were not related. The young couple at once started west, having but fifty dollars capital, going by rail and water to New Boston, Iowa. The first work he did was carpentering in Toolsboro. He and his wife started to housekeeping in a blacksmith shop in 1854. He made all his own furniture except one chair, which he found in a pile of driftwood in the river. For three years he remained there and did all kinds of building, his wife teaching school the meanwhile. He then moved to Warren County, Illinois, and ran a sawmill for five years. He then went to Roseville, that state, and began the repair of wagons and later the manufacture of shanghai corn plows. Later he secured a patent on a double corn plow, which he manufactured two years. It was forty-six years ago that he came to Prairie City, Iowa. He sold McCormick harvesters for three years, then sold the various machines manufactured by the Fairbanks-Morse company for two years, after which he began the hardware business by himself, later taking Julius Bisbee as a partner, the firm being known as Norton & Bisbee, and they continued with much success for a period of twenty years, enjoying an extensive trade with the surrounding country. At the end of that time the firm was forced to take over a clothing store on a debt, and this they operated for two years, then sold out. Since then Mr. Norton has led a retired life, having laid by a competency. For twenty-four winters he has gone to Florida and other southern points, and he made one trip to Cuba and there narrowly escaped being quarantined on account of yellow fever.

Mr. Norton proved his patriotism by enlisting in the Union Army, in the fall of 1863, being a member of the noted Mechanics Corps, and was sent to the front, and assigned to such work as road and bridge building, and he saw much hard and laborious service. He had attempted to enlist in 1861 as a regular soldier, but was refused on account of a defective eye and the loss of a finger. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to Monmouth, Illinois.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Norton, three of whom died in infancy, and the other, Abbie, died when six years old. Mrs. Norton's death occurred in January 1910, in Florida and she was buried there. Had she lived until March 4, 1910, less than two months longer, they would have been married fifty-four years. They raised Hannah Adams, who married Fred Heaton, who has been with the hardware firm of Little & Gill nineteen years. They also reared a boy, Thomas Stevens, who goes by the name of Norton.

Mr. Norton is a worthy member of the Methodist church. He is a strong Republican and is deeply interested in temperance work. Page 1194.