History of
Fremont and Mills County, Iowa
Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1901.
G
Samuel Galbraith, who is identified with the farming interests of Henderson county,
Illinois, was born on the 6th day of November, 1824, in Kingston, east Tennessee, a son of
Thomas and Margaret Galbraith. The family is of Scotch descent. The father was a farmer by
occupation and carried on that business in Tennessee until 1829 when with his family he
removed to Illinois, locating first in Morgan county. The following year, however, he
removed to Adams county, that state, and in 1834 took up his abode in what is now
Henderson county, Illinois. In the latter place the subject of this review spent the
greater part of his youth. He was early inured to the arduous labors of developing a
frontier farm. He acquired a limited education in the district schools of the
neighborhood, and after putting aside his text books he engaged in chopping and making
rails, for every farm had to be fenced in order to protect the crops against the horses,
hogs, sheep and cattle. Mr. Galbraith early became familiar with the work of the field and
meadow, assisting in the cultivation of the fields from the time of the early spring
planting until the harvests were gathered in the late fall. Throughout his business career
he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He went to Henderson county, Illinois, in
1834 and now resides near Gladstone, Illinois where he has a good farm. He has placed this
under a high state of cultivation, has added many improvements and derives from the place
a good income.
On the 28th of June 1849, Mr. Galbraith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Evans, who
was born in Indiana, June 13, 1830. Their marriage has been blessed with the following
children: Amanda, born April 20, 1850; James F., born September 12, 1851; Minerva, born
October 12, 1853; Mary, born August 8, 1855; John, who was born January 9, 1857, and died
on the 24th of December, of that year; Evaline, born October 18, 1858; Margaret J., born
January 9, 1861; William T., born December 5, 1864; Charles E., born December 5, 1866;
Clyde E., born January 15, 1869; and Myrtle S., born October 15, 1876, and died November
1, 1877.
Mr. Galbraith has long been a supporter of the Democracy and cast his last presidential
vote for William Jennings Bryan. He has, however, never been an aspirant for political
honors, preferring to give his time and attention to the business affairs whereby he has
gained a comfortable competence. Socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity,
having been made a Master Mason in Fortitude Lodge. No 638, F. & A.M., in 1868. For a
number of years he served as its treasurer and enjoys a high regard of the brethren of the
fraternity. He is widely known as reliable business man and citizen of sterling worth.
Alexander
C. Gaston, a well-known
representative of commercial interests in Tabor, was born in Oberlin,
Ohio, on the 16th of February, 1838.
He represented one of the old families of Massachusetts.
As the name indicates the family is of French lineage three
brothers having been driven from France during the time of the Huguenot
massacre. One became a
resident of North Carolina, a second of Connecticut and the third, a
bachelor, died in Ireland, leaving a fine estate, but the fortune was
claimed by the crown. Alexander
Gaston, the grandfather of our subject, removed from the old Bay state to
Ithaca, New York, at an early day, and his death occurred when he was
seventy-three years of age. His
wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Belcher, and died in 1850, at the age
of fifty-five years. They
were farming people and were well known for their sterling worth.
George B. Gaston, the father of our subject, was born near Ithaca,
New York. He was one of the
founders of the Tabor College, and died in Tabor, in 1873.
Mr. Gaston, whose name introduces this
record, pursued his education in the common district schools and also
studied geometry for one term. In
addition to this he devoted some time to the mastery of the Greek
language. When twenty-one
years of age he started out to make his own way in the world, His destination being Pike's Peak, which was then the scene
of mining excitement. He and
his companions traveled for three days and got as far as Salt Creek, when
the party formed a new decision and proceeded to Fort Laramie, where they
divided. Mr. Gaston and one
of his companions, however, returned to Iowa, taking up their abode in
Fremont county. Becoming
identified with its farming interests, he was for a long time engaged in
the tilling of the soil, transforming the wild land into productive fields
which brought to him a good financial return for his labor.
Through a long period Mr. Gaston continued farming, but in
February, 1900, he established a grocery store in Tabor, and is there
engaged in business at the present time.
He has already secured a large patronage and is finding in the new
venture a profitable source of income.
On the 27th of March, 1862, Mr. Gaston was
united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Jones, a daughter of Solomon and Esther
(Esterbrook) Jones. They
became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, as follows:
Ozroc, who is a stenographer for Judge Thornell and resides in Tabor; Cora
Ellen, now the wife of Waldo G. Rice, a resident of Cedar county,
Nebraska; Etta Marla, at home; Abbie Marie, wife of Henry O. Sheldon, who
is living in Laurel, Nebraska; Myron Clinton, who is also under the
parental roof; and Alonzo A., who is now attending school.
Mr. Gaston has served as county trustee for three terms,
discharging his duties in a manner to promote the best interests of the
community. He is a trustee of
Tabor College and is a member of the Congregational church.
Public progress and local improvement are causes both dear to his
heart, and he withholds his support from no measure or movement that is
calculated to advance the general welfare.
His history is that of one who has demonstrated the truth of the
old adage that success is not a matter of genius but results from earnest
labor, and his industry and unflagging determination have enabled him to
win a creditable standing among the substantial citizens of his adopted
county.
Ozro C. Gaston, a well-known resident of Fremont county, was born in Tabor, Iowa,
February 10, 1863. The public schools afforded him his early educational privileges and he
later pursued a partial course in Tabor College. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for
six months, in 1883-4, and then took up the study of stenography which he pursued without
the aid of a teacher. In 1885 he accepted a position in Council Bluffs as an amanuensis
and later was employed in a similr capacity in Omaha. In September, 1886, he was appointed
deputy reporter for Judge Mohaly and remained with this until April 21, 1887, when he was
appointed official reporter in the thirteenth judicial district of Nebraska.
On the 12th of October, of that year, Mr. Gaston was united in marrige to Miss May A.
Fetter, a daughter of J. L. and Mry (Jones) Fetter, of Oakland, Iowa. He then located at
McCook, Nebraska, and there resided until 1888, when he entered into partnership with C.
A. Potter, one of the oldest stenographic reporters of the state. This relationship was
maintained until 1889. On the 3rd of September of that year Mr. Gaston was appointed by
Judge Thornell, to the position of reporter for the fifteenth judicial district of Iowa,
and has since resided in Tabor. He is particularly proficient in his line, is extremely
accurate in his work and has the broad knowledge and sound judgment which enable him to
make his services especially valuable. He was largely instrumental in organizing the state
association of stenographers in Iowa and the National Association selected him to act as
organizer for the middle west. In this capacity he has worked in thirteen different
states. In August, 1889, he was elected first vice-president of the National
Stenographer's Association, which has continually grown in strength, now numbering six
hundred members. Admission to the organization is only secured by the most capable
representatives of the profession. At the time the World's Congress was held at the
Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 he prepared and read a paper on the subject of his
profession and its possibilities.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gaston have been born three sons; George C., Ozro F. and Robert H.
Mrs. Gaston is a lady of high literary and artistic taste. She is a member of the Ladies'
Union and was the organizer of the Woman's Club in Tabor. The latter is devoted to the
study of classical authors and different topics of literary interest, while the Ladies'
Union gives its time to church work. Mr. Gaston is a member of the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, belonging to St. Albans Lodge No. 17, of Council Bluffs, and is also a member
of the Congregational church.
William Wallace Gaylord, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Green Township,
Fremont county, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, September 30, 1832. His father
E. B. Gaylord,was a native of Massachusetts, born near Amherst College, on the 6th of
September, 1806, and was a son of Elijah Gaylord, whose father came from England to
America and was of French lineage. The grandmother of our subject was also of the same
nationality. Elijah Gaylord was twice married and by the first union had two sons and a
daughter, E. B. Gaylord being the second in order of birth. The other died in early
womanhood and by his second marrriage Mr. Gaylord had five children. As a means of
livelihood, he followed carpentering and farming and died about 1834, at the age of
sixty-eight years. Having arrived at years of maturity the father of our subject was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Frederickson, a native of Massachusetts, in which
state her parents were married. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord had ten children, eight of whom
reached years of maturity, while three sons and three daughters are yet living. The
parents came to Fremont county in 1846 and located in Sidney township, before the town of
Sidney was established. From Illinois they journeyed westward by team, having two covered
wagons drawn by three yoke of oxen. They made the trip in regular emigrant style, being
two months on the way. After camping for two months on Little Mosquito Creek they came to
Fremont county, taking up their abode five miles south of the home of our subject. There
the father built a rude log cabin, 16 x 16 feet, with puncheon floor, clay fire-place and
mud-and-stick chimney. He secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and made his home
thereon for two years, after which he sold that property and came to the farm upon which
our subject now resides, entering from the government a half-section of land, for which he
paid one dollar and a quarter per acre. Throughout his remaining days he was connected
with the business interests of Fremont county, being well known as an enterprising
agriculturist. He died September 27, 1873, and his wife, surviving him about ten years,
passed away on the 27th of December, 1883.
William Wallace Gaylord was reared in a village in Hancock county, Illinois, between
the ages of six and fourteen years, the family having emigrated westward to that place
about 1838. He received but limited educational privileges and remained at home until
twenty-two years of age. His father was a shoemaker and he followed that pursuit to some
extent. Later he worked at carpentering, having special ability in that line. He early
manifested a marked mechanical genius and his very efficient services enabled him always
to command good positions in the line of his trade. throughout the years of his business
career he always followed carpentering to a greater or less extent.
On the 1st of October, 1855, Mr. Gaylord was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Johnson,
of Knox county, Illinois. Unto them were born four children: Edith, now the wife of
Charles Prathen, of Oklahoma, by whom she has four children; Hattie, who was born in 1858,
and became the wife of William Dawson, after which she married R. B. Tucker, and died
March 6, 1890, leaving four children; William W., who resides upon the home farm, and who
married Miss Laura A. Gray, of Thurman, by whom he has a little daughter, Ruby Mirth; and
A. D., of Shenandoah, Iowa, who is married and has three children. The mother was only
sixteen years of age at the time of her marriage and she died in early womanhood. Two of
her children died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gaylord was again
married, his second union being with Miss Frances Badham. They became the parents of five
children, but three died in infancy and those yet living are Leonora, who engaged in
teaching in Shenandoah, and Alma, a farmer of Green township, Fremont county, who is
married and has one son. In 1879 Mr. Gaylord was again called upon to mourn the loss of
his wife.
In his political affiliations he is a Democrat and has filled a number of public
offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has served as constable,
road supervisor and school trustee. He is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and
has served as one of its elders. For twelve years he was connected with business affairs
as a coal and wood dealer in Shenandoah. He is now devoting his energies to agricultural
pursuits in Green township. In 1892 he sold his eighty-acre farm in this neighborhood,
which was a part of the old homestead, and is the only portion which has passed from the
possession of the family. Honorable dealing has ever won for him the respect and
confidence of his fellow man and his sterling worth has gained for him the high regard of
many with whom he has been associated. He has a wide acquaintance in Fremont county and
his circle of friends is extensive.
James
K. P. Goodfellow
Farming and stock raising form an important
element in the business activity of Fremont county, and of this line James K.
P. Goodfellow is a prominent representative.
He is a successful man whose determined purpose has overcome all
obstacles and difficulties in his path, enabling him to advance steadily on
the high road to success. He was born in Wooster, Ohio, August 26, 1844, and is of
Irish lineage, for his paternal grandfather, William Rufus Goodfellow, was a
native of the Emerald Isle. He
married a Miss Allison, became a Pennsylvania farmer and subsequently removed
to Ohio, locating in Wayne county, near Wooster, where he reared his family of
three sons and three daughters of
whom one daughter is still living. The
grandfather died in 1866, when eighty years of age.
His son, Matthew A. Goodfellow, was born in Center county,
Pennsylvania, in 1809, but was reared in Ohio.
He married Drucilla Culbertson, who was born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, but their marriage was celebrated in the Buckeye state, where
their eleven children were born. Eight
of the number reached years of maturity, and those still living are Hugh C., a
leading commercial traveler who resides in Chicago and has a wife and one son;
Drucilla L, the widow of Edgar Miles of Denison, Iowa; and James K.P., of this
review. The mother passed away in
1853, while the father's death occurred in southern Illinois in 1881. He was for some years a resident of Monroe county, Iowa and
for one term represented his district in the state legislature, having been
elected to that office on the Democratic ticket.
At his parental home James K. P. Goodfellow was
reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the farm.
In March, 1862, when but seventeen years of age, he offered his
services to the government as a soldier of the Union army, enlisting at St.
Louis in the Fifth Missouri Cavalry for three years.
He served for three years and one month, and returned to his home
before he had attained his majority. He
was on active duty in Missouri and Arkansas, and manifested loyalty and
bravery equal to that of the veteran of twice his years.
After his return from the front he spent three years as a student in
Tabor College, and was successfully engaged in teaching for several terms in
Mills county, Iowa.
On the 6th of August, 1869, Mr. Goodfellow was
united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Hurlbutt, who resided in Mills county,
near Tabor, but was born in Ohio. Her parents were R. H. and Arvilla (Mead) Hurlbutt, both
natives of Ohio, whence they came to Iowa in 1853.
Mrs. Goodfellow was one of four children and was educated in Tabor
College. By her marriage she
became the mother of ten children, of whom two died in infancy, the remaining
eight being as follows: Frederick
H., a stockman of western Nebraska, who has a wife and one son; Hugh C., now a
student of Tabor College; Ralph A, who is engaged in the stock business with
his brother in Nebraska; Eunice M., who is pursuing the study of piano and
violin music; and James, Elsie A., Fanchon and Robert, aged respectively
fourteen, ten, seven and three years.
For twenty years Mr. Goodfellow has engaged in
feeding stock fattening over five hundred head of good cattle last year and
also shipping several car loads of hogs, and in connection with his two sons
he owns about four thousand acres of land in Nebraska, where they have over
six hundred head of cattle and one hundred head of graded Norman horses.
Now, the winter of 1900-01, our subject is feeding two hundred head of
cattle near Tabor, and is recognized as one of the successful stockmen of
southwestern Iowa. He is an
excellent judge of stock, which enables him to make judicious investments; and
as his methods of feeding are of the best he commands a ready sale and good
prices on the markets.
In 1896 he came to Tabor in order to provide
better educational privileges for his children.
In politics he is a stanch Republican and socially he is connected with
Milton Summers Post G.A.R., of Malvern, thus maintaining pleasant relations
with his old army comrades. His
business ability, keen insight and sagacity and his upfaltering perseverance
have enabled him to make steady progress on the high road to prosperity, and
he is now accounted one of the substantial citizens of the community.
Mike Gordon
Few men starting out in life as did Mike Gordon have won a more pronounced success, for
though he entered upon his business career empty-handed, he is to-day the owner of
fourteen hundred acres of valuable land in southwestern Missouri and makes his home upon
the Gordon farm, situated in Washington township, Fremont county. A native of the Emerald
Isle, he was born in Wexford, in 1838. The ancestry of the family can be traced back for
one hundred and fifty years. The Gordons were originally from the Highlands of Scotland,
but tribal wars and religious persecutions drove them from Scotland to Ireland, where they
found a new home and greater liberty. Mark and Ellen (Wicken) Gordon, the parents of our
subject, were both natives of Wexford and were reared and educated there. After their
marriage they reared their children there and in their native city spent their entire
lives.
Mike Gordon, who was one of a family of six children, was reared upon the old home farm
and into his mind lessons of industry, economy and honesty were early instilled. He
received a good fundamental education and remained in the Emerald Isle until after his
marriage, which was celebrated in 1864, when he was twenty-six years of age, Miss
Catherine Doyle becoming his wife. She, too, was born and reared in county Wexford,
Ireland, and belonged to one of the old families there. For thirty-six years they have
traveled life's journey together. In 1865 they determined to seek a fortune in the new
world, and bidding good bye to relatives and friends, they sailed for Quebec, Canada,
whence they afterward went to Oneida county, New York.
For three years Mr. Gordon worked on a farm in that locality, and then, at the desire
of friends and relatives in Iowa, he came to Fremont county and for two and a half years
worked on the Kansas City & Omaha Railroad, receiving good wages, and on the
expiration of that period he purchased one hundred acres of wild land and turned his
attention to farming, which pursuit he has since followed. That he had faith in a
prosperous future for Fremont county is shown by the fact that he has made extensive
investments in real estate and is today the owner of fourteen hundreds acres of as good
land as can be found in this section of the country. Upon the home farm, which he
purchased in 1888, there stands a fine residence, erected in modern style of architecture
and giving indication of the cultivated taste and refinement of the family. It is
surrounded by a well-kept lawn and in the rear are extensive barns and other outbuildings;
there is an abundant supply of water for the use of the household and for the stock and he
is extensively engaged in stock-raising, feeding about one hundred and twenty-five head of
cattle annually. He is systematic and progressive in all that he does, and his
well-directed efforts have been attended with a high degree of success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born four children; Mark, Walter, Ellen and Herbert,
all of whom are still with their parents. The sons have been provided with educational
privileges at Hamburg, and the daughter has pursued her studies in Nebraska City and in
St. Joseph, Missouri. The family is one of prominence and the home is celebrated for its
gracious hospitality, which is enjoyed by a large circle of friends of the Gordons. Mr.
Gordon is a splendid type of the progressive, enterprising, Irish-American citizen, his
good judgment in business affairs and his unfaltering energy having enabled him to work
his way upward until prosperity has crowned his efforts. Wit and humor, his genial manner
and a social disposition have made him popular and a general favorite in society. He is
six feet in height, weighs two hundred and seventy-five pounds and is well proportioned.
There is much in his history that is worthy of emulation, indicating the possibilities
that lie before young men of determined purpose and resolute will.
John
Goy
A well known and prominent business man of
Sidney, Iowa, is John Goy, the subject of this sketch who is a member of the
firm of Hodges & Goy, merchants and dealers in clothing and general
merchandise. Mr. Goy was born near
Lincoln, England, in 1831. His
father was William Goy, a native of the same place, who now resides in Fremont
county on a farm. He was a son of
Richard Goy, who lived and died in his native land. The mother of our subject was Demarius (Asmon) Goy, who was
born in England and died at the family homestead near Tabor, Iowa, several years
ago. The parents of Mr. Goy came to
the United States when he was six months old, making the journey in a sailing
vessel and were upon the ocean six weeks. They
first located in Ohio, but later came to Fremont county, Iowa.
Our subject was educated in the public schools of
this county and remained with his parents until he was about twenty-one, coming
to Sidney in 1873. He engaged as a
clerk in the store of which he is now part owner.
At this time his employer was A. F. Metalman, a banker of the town.
In 1881 Mr. Goy formed a partnership, with Mr. Hodges, who had been in
the employ of Mr. Metalman since 1870, and bought out the business. Since that time the firm has had a very prosperous existence,
the proprietors just having built a fine brick structure, and now carry as fine
and varied a line of general merchandise and clothing as can be found in the
cities. One pleasant feature in
connection with the establishment is its roominess, giving most desirable
opportunities for the display of goods. The
arrangement is artistic and the whole place of business is one that does credit
to the town of Sidney.
The marriage of Mr. Goy took place in 1879, to
Miss Anna Cowles, a daughter of Giles and Lydia (Dovener) Cowles, both born in
Ohio. The former died in Sidney,
the latter is still living. Giles
Cowles came to Fremont county in 1836, taught school for five years and was made
county superintendent for one term, also most acceptably filling the office of
county treasurer for two terms, and was urged to accept another term, but
declined. For several years he then
engaged in the mercantile business. Perry Cowles, a son, now deceased, was the clerk of the
county court for two terms, was county recorder and at the time of his death was
a merchant. Three other children of
Mr. Cowles still survive: Mrs. Sarah Samuels, Wesley and Mrs. Goy.
Mr. Goy has one brother, W. R. Goy, and one sister, Mrs. Ann Omer.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Goy are: Raymond M., Giles D. and Carl B.
In politics Mr. Goy is a stanch Republican,
upholding the principles of the party in a manly spirit.
Both he and his estimable wife are valued members of the Presbyterian
church and are among the most highly esteemed residents of the town of
Sidney.
Winfield S.
Greenwood
Throughout his life Winfield S. Greenwood has
resided in Fremont county and represents one of the pioneer families.
People of the twentieth century can scarcely realize the struggles and
dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of
lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the
difficulties overcome. These tales
of the early days read almost like a romance to us.
To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and
conveniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was a stern and hard
one, and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energies and
sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they thus
voluntarily selected such a life and successfully fought its battles under such
circumstances as prevailed in the northwest.
Mr. Greenwood is numbered among the
representatives of the agricultural interests of Fremont county, takes an active
interest in public affairs and ranks among the leading and influential citizens
of this portion of the state. His fellow townsmen have indicated their confidence and trust reposed in him by electing him
county commisasioner, and to those who are familiar with his upright life it is
needless to say that his duties have been performed in a capable and efficient
manner. He was born in this county
October 29, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Eliza (Brubaker) Greenwood, both
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were married.
Afterward they removed to Missouri, locating in Daviess county, that
state, in 1843. While a resident
there the father engaged in freighting across the plains to Fort Kearney, and
about 1846 he brought his family to Fremont county, being one of the first
settlers in this portion of the state. He
entered a claim from the government, and as soon as the land was placed on the
market he improved a farm near the town of Thurman, and also did some freighting
after coming to Iowa, but ultimately put aside all business cares in order that
he might devote his entire attention to agricultural pursuits.
As a citizen he was recognized as one who exerted a strong influence for
good in public affairs. For a
number of years he filled the office of county judge when much of the business
of the county devolved upon that official.
He was a school teacher and also examined other teachers.
In politics he was a Whig, supporting the party until its dissolution
when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He gave earnest consideration to every question which came up
for settlement, keeping well informed on the issues of the day.
Broad-minded and energetic he was well fitted for leadership and left the
impress of his individuality on the development and improvement of the country.
When he first came to Iowa, Indians were still numerous in this portion
of the state, game was very plentiful and wild beasts roamed over the country.
The pioneers had to go long distances to mill and sometimes had to
substitute potatoes and hominy for bread. Marketing
was done on the Missouri river and hogs were taken to St. Joseph and Council
Bluffs for sale, but emigrants consumed much of the products that were raised in
this locality. The early settlers
experienced all of the hardships and trials of frontier life, but
uncomplainingly bore them all in order to secure a good home.
Mr. Greenwood was particularly helpful to the new comers, giving them
information concerning land values and favorable locations.
His home was often opened as a place of entertainment for those who
visited the neighborhood and the household was ever celebrated for its gracious
hospitality. Mr. Greenwood
commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens in an unusual degree
and was very widely known throughout the western portion of the state.
Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian church,
and their Christian principles permeated their lives and prompted their kindly
treatment of their fellow men. Mr.
Greenwood remained upon the old homestead until his death, which occurred in
1885, but his wife survived him until 1894.
When he passed away he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of
land and for many years he had been enabled to surround his family with many
comforts, which he secured through his honest and indefatigable labor.
The children born unto this worthy couple were as
follows: John, who was accidentally shot; Clarinda, who became Mrs. George B.
Leggett; William, who died while serving his country in the Civil War as a
member of the First Nebraska Regiment; Joseph, who was a member of the Fourth
Iowa Cavalry, and after his discharge, on account of disability, returned to his
home and soon after died; W. S., of this review; Walter, a merchant who died in
Kansas City, leaving a wife and one son; and Thomas, who died, leaving one
daughter, his wife having preceded him to the invisible world.
Winfield S. Greenwood was born and reared in
Fremont county and thus far has always lived within its borders.
He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority,
and at the age of twenty-three years he was married and began farming on his own
account. He has since resided on one or two other farms and in 1882
removed to his present place of residence.
At that time it had a log house upon it but he has since erected a
commodious two-story frame residence and made other substantial improvements,
planted an orchard, set out a grove of ornamental and forest trees and now has a
beautiful place of four hundred and twenty acres lying in the valley of the
Nishnabotna river. It is a most
desirable property, the field being under a high state of cultivation, while in
the pastures are seen fine grades of stock.
at an early day he fed cattle on quite an extensive scale, but has since
abandoned that part of his work.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Greenwood was
in her maidenhood Miss Flora J. Holloway, a representative of an honored pioneer
family of Iowa. She was born February 14, 1850, in Holt county, Missouri, a
daughter of William J. and Elizabeth (Allison) Holloway, the former a native of
Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They
became pioneers of Fremont county, Iowa, where the father entered and improved a
large tract of land, becoming an extensive farmer and stock-feeder, being a
leader in that line in an early day. He
was widely recognized as a most prominent business man of the county and when
engaged in shipping stock to Chicago he was killed by the cars near Ottumwa,
Iowa, about 1881. His ability as a financier and his capable management brought
to him a high degree of success, while in trade circles he sustained an
unassailable reputation by reason of his well-known honesty. He never wavered in
his support of the Republican party and its principles, yet never sought office.
After the death of his first wife he again married.
The children by the first union were: Mrs. Greenwood; John M., Joseph W.
and Humphrey N., who followed farming; Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts; and Thomas S. and
Elmer , who are also well-known agriculturists.
For his second wife Mr. Holloway married Mrs. Hoop, a widow. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy, while the
other is Charles, a farmer. Mr. and
Mrs. Greenwood have had five children: William, who died at the age of
twenty-six years; Raymond E.; May, the wife of F. Woodard; and Clara and Bessie
who are at home.
In his political views Mr. Greenwood has always
been a supporter of the Republican party and takes an active interest in the
growth and success of his prty, yet has been modest in his demands for official
honors. Unsolicited he
received the nomination for county commissioner and to that office is again
elected for the second time, while at this writing he is serving as chairman of
the bord. He lives in a strong
Democratic county and his election is all the more flattering as it indicates
unmistakably his ability and the confidence and regard accorded him by his
fellow townsmen.
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