| History and Genealogy | |
Jasper County, Iowa BiographiesDavid Edmundson Widely known as one of the leading citizens of central Iowa during her pioneer history and the subsequent period of her development, the name of David Edmundson stands out conspicuously, and although he has long since been called to a higher plane of action, the influence of his useful life, the many unselfish and charitable deeds he performed will continue to pervade the lives of succeeding generations, and the hearts of those who had the good fortune to be associated with him are warmed and their spirits braced by some faint echo of the words of wisdom and kindness he spoke. His well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his keen discernment brought him prosperity and his life demonstrated what may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and has the perseverance to continue his labors in the face of any discouragements which may seem to arise. In all the relations of life he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was brought into contact, and a biographical history of Jasper county would certainly lack an important link were a record of his useful and interesting career omitted. David Edmundson was the scion of a fine old Southern family, many winning characteristics of which he seemed to inherit, and he himself was born on Dixie soil, his birth occurring in Harrison county, Kentucky, June 9, 1811, and there he spent his early boyhood, removing with his parents, William and Mary Edmundson, to Indiana, locating at Greencastle in 1827, and there the death of his father occurred, and afterwards David Edmundson came to Burlington, Iowa. He located in Des Moines county in 1836 and there he remained until in March, 1841, when he was united in marriage with Temperance Gordon, a lady of many beautiful attributes and the representative of an excellent old family, her birth having occurred in May, 1821, in Pennsylvania, she being the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Gordon. After their marriage they moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, having remained in Des Moines county but a short time. Remaining about a year in the former place, they moved, in 1846, to Jasper county, and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres where the county poor farm is now located; after remaining there three years they moved to Newton in 1849 and there Mr. Edmundson assisted in laying out the city, and here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres from the government, he and his wife being among the very earliest settlers of this county and city, and certainly none were more influential or prominent in its early history than they, and none better known or more highly esteemed, for with old-time hospitality and genuine neighborly impulses they performed unnumbered acts of kindness among the first settlers. Mr. Edmundson was active in politics and wielded a strong influence for his party and he was called upon to represent Jasper county in the state Legislature when the capital of the state was located at Iowa City. He was afterwards elected county judge, the duties of which important office he performed in an eminently creditable manner, as he did those of representative. He had charge of building the old court house, in 1862, which was only recently torn down. When the Civil war came on Mr. Edmundson was too patriotic to restrain his impulses to fight in defense of the old flag and he offered his services to the Union, though he was fifty-one years old at the time. He was commissioned second lieutenant of Company D, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after a very gallant service of two years resigned and returned to this county and for the next fifteen years devoted his attention very largely to the office of justice of the peace. He was one of the brave band who crossed the trackless western plains to the gold fields of California, he and a number of other Jasper county citizens making the long and prolix journey in 1850, the trip requiring three months. The return trip was made by water by way of the Isthmus of Panama and up the Mississippi river. He, in later life, talked most interestingly of this experience in the far West and of other early occurrences. Politically, he was early in life a Whig and after the Republican party was organized he loyally supported its principles. He made a splendid record as judge, both in this county and at the military post at Columbus, Kentucky. The death of this excellent citizen occurred at his late residence, No. 520 East Temperance street, Newton, Iowa, on July 26, 1895, at the age of eighty-four years. One of his brothers lived to be ninety-two years old and his mother was ninety-four years of age when she passed away in Oskaloosa, Iowa. To Mr and Mrs. David Edmundson eight children were born, namely: Arabella, the eldest child, is the wife of S. W. Macy. of Spokane, Washington; Alex lives at Los Angeles, California; David G. lives at Des Moines, Iowa; Ella is deceased; Freda lives at the old home in Newton; Mary is deceased: Charles is deceased; Elizabeth lives with her sister, Freda, at the old homestead mentioned above, and here the mother, who was a woman of gracious personality, passed to her rest on April 2, 1910. The Edmundson family has ranked in the forefront of Jasper county citizens from the earliest pioneer days to the present, none standing higher socially, and no one has done more for the locality honored by his citizenship than David Edmundson, whose memory is revered by all who knew him personally or of his work. Past & Present of Jasper Co., Iowa, Vol. 1, 1912 Conrad Hay Conrad Hay, residing on Section 30, Clear Creek Township, is a pioneer in this section of the state, and has been a resident of Jasper County since 1857. He was born in Pennsylvania May 10, 1854, and with his parents John P. and Rosa A. (Lint) Hay, came west at a early date. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was born August 12, 1813, and died in February 1894. His mother is now a resident of Maxwell. There were four sons and two daughters in his father's family, Conrad being the oldest. Susan Borts became the wife of our subject in January 1875. She was born in Indiana, February 25, 1852. They are the parents of four children: John, Clayton, Edwin, Melvina and Rosanna. When our subject started for himself, he possessed a team and wagon and two cows. He has been reasonably successful in his business enterprises, and now owns 255 acres of land in the Clear Creek Township. Politically, he believes in the principals laid down by the Republican party. Socially, he and his wife are members of the M. P. Church. [Source: pg. 35, 1901 Atlas of Jasper County, Iowa, Part III, James W. Johnson James W. Johnson, a successful stock and grain farmer of section twenty-nine, township fourteen, range fifteen, Sherman county, Nebraska, is widely and favorably known as a man of affairs and influence in his community. He has spent most of his life in Nebraska, and is one of the younger men among the state's early settlers. Mr. Johnson was born at Newton, Iowa, July 24, 1866, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Watson) Johnson, third in a family of ten children. The father is mentioned at length else where in this work. Five sons - George E., Walter, Frank, Charles and Ernest - live in Valley county, Nebraska. Three daughters - Mrs. Maggie Van Scoy, Mrs. Fanny Sample and Mrs. Kate Paulser - live in Valley county. At the age of twelve years, James W. Johnson came with his parents to Hall county, Nebraska, where the family remained three years, then moved to Valley county, where the father secured a homestead, on which he still resides. The son received his early education in Iowa, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, learning all kinds of farm work. In 1889, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sherman county, which he operated for sixteen years, and in 1905 secured the one hundred and forty-acre farm where he now lives. He erected a very comfortable home, and otherwise improved the place, bringing it to a high state of cultivation. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs in his community, and has served many years as a member of the school board, being now director of district number thirteen, and he has also served as township clerk. March 2, 1902, Mr. Johnson married Miss Frances Huckelberry, a native of Marion county, Illinois, daughter of Philip and Matilda (Hewett) Huckelberry, both also born in Illinois. Her father died in Sherman county in 1904, and her mother now resides in Burt county, Nebraska. Mr. Huckelberry and wife had eight children, those besides Mrs. Johnson being: a daughter in Indiana, a daughter in Illinois, two sons and two daughters in Nebraska, and one son in Illinois. To Mr. Johnson and wife three children have been born, namely: Alta M., a student in the St. Paul Business College; Mata, a student in the same institution; and Ellen Marie at home. Mr. Johnson is a populist in political faith, and, fraternally, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. On his first Sherman county farm, Mr. Johnson lived for eight years in true pioneer style before building a modern frame dwelling. [Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, 1912, submitted by CD=FOFG] Mrs. Louise (Waasenaar) Kane - 92 Mrs. Kane was born in Holland January 10, 1864. She came to this country with her parents when she was a small child. Mrs. Kane is the mother of five children -- Armel; Oscar; Gertrude (Hanell); Gay (Shaphorst) of Brooking, South Dakota; and Elsie (Tice). Her husband, Daniel, died in 1944. (from page one of booklet Centennial 1856-1956 Then Til Now Memories Prairie City available in Prairie City at the Historical Society -transcribed by Carrol Mick) Kintz Family John William Kintz, the son of Joseph and Mary Walkerburger Kintz, was born April 6, 1834, in Ohio. He came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1845 with his parents. His marriage to Mary Oswalt took place there August 1, 1852. They were the parents of six children. One son, Joseph B, died November 16, 1853, at the age of two months and twenty-nine days. Mary Elizabeth Kintz was born February 8, 1853. She was married twice; to James Bird and to James Galigan. She lived in West Des Moines in 1925. Her death occurred January 25, 1936. Rebecca Ann Kintz was born about 1855. George William Kintz was born November 6, 1857, at Collins, Iowa. He was married April 25, 1878, at Jasper County, Iowa, by P. H. Doud, J. P., to Mary Alice Furguson. The daughter of John Ferguson and Anna Stock, she was born April 25, 1855. They were the parents of three children. Their son, Chauncie, married Margaret Hoy and had two children, Loren and Russell. Loren now lives in Palos Verdes Estates, California. Russell is deceased. The daughters were Mrs. Milo (Nora Kintz) McKeever and Mrs. Minnie (Kintz) Belding. Jane Kintz was married second to George McQuiston, the son of Perry Commodore McQuiston and Catherine (Henning) McQuiston. Commodore Perry Kintz was born about 1861 in Jasper County. His first marriage occurred Dec 12, 1880, in Jasper County, Iowa. His bride was Rhoda Almira Sager, the daughter of Simon and Eliza (Alder)Frances Sager. They were the parents of one son, William Lawrence Kintz, born April 5, 1884, at Colfax. He lived in Colfax his entire life. Bill was married to Louise Maitland. They had four children: Lawrence, now deceased; Mrs. Helen Broughton of Mitchellville; Mrs. Paul (Virginia) Hill of Colfax; and a daughter, Ella, who died at the age of three. Commodore Perry Kintz's second marriage was on October 2, 1890, at the E. M. Streeter home. He was married to Yettie Wiesel, the daughter of Labram and Caroline (Williams) Wiesel of Clear Creek Township. They were the parents of two sons, James Ora and John Ivan. Commodore died and Yetta was married to a Mr. Brigham. Yetta died July 31, 1915, in Des Moines and is buried at the Kintz Cemetery. Source: Mingo, Iowa Community Centennial 1884-1984 History Book, C. P. KINTZ Farmer and Stock Raiser; Sec. 14; P. O. Clyde; born in Summit Co., Ohio, Dec. 1, 1841; came to this county with Father Joseph in 1845, who is now the oldest settler in this part of the county. He has a good farm located near Clyde, with good building and orchard, and under good improvement; has 226 acres, valued at $40 per acre. He enlisted in Aug. 1862 in the 40th Iowa V. I.; was in the Western army; lost his health by taking the measles and taking cold, and was discharged by reason of physical disability. He married Mary Ann THOMPSON in Iowa in 1863. She was born in Ohio April 4, 1844. They have seven children - Margret, Sarah, Joseph W., Laura Bell, Mary, Alta and Charles. He is a Democrat. Source: "1878 History of Jasper County" Clear Creek Township Biographies; - - - - - - - - - - - - Commodore P. Kintz It would indeed be hard to find in the annals of Jasper County a name worthier or better known than that of the sterling pioneer, the late Commodore P. Kintz. If great and beneficial results, results that endure and bless mankind, are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the history of this or any locality that may take their places above the hardy pioneers? To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization, its happy homes, its education, literature, culture and social joy, is to be the truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accomplished by the early settlers, and it is granted by all that they builded wiser than they knew. Admit that as a rule but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendent possibilities that rested upon their shoulders, realizing but little the results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their hands, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, resolution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, accomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors. Mr. Kintz, being prominent among the honored pioneer element in the locality of which this history treats, achieved an incalculable amount of good, for he not only did what he could in the material development of the community, but he set an example for industry, integrity, unfailing honesty and kindness that is not frequently surpassed. Mr. Kintz was born in Summit County, Ohio, December 1, 1841, the son of Joseph and Mary (Walkerburger) Kintz, the father born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1813, and the mother's birth also occurred in that state on May 2, 1812. They grew up and were married in their native State, and they emigrated to Jasper County, Iowa, before it was surveyed, settling seventeen and one-half miles from their nearest neighbor, having driven horses from Ohio to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where they were exchanged for oxen. They made their entry into Jasper County in 1845 and entered one thousand acres of land from the government near the present village of Clyde and here they set to work establishing a new home, underwent all the hardships incident to pioneer life, but with courage and perseverance they set about the task and succeeded, finally becoming leading farmers of the County and here they spent the balance of their lives, both being now deceased. There were five children in their family, as follows: John W., who lives at Colfax, this County; Commodore P., of this review; Mrs. Sarah Signs, now deceased; Mrs. Rebecca Buttinger, of Clear Creek Township, Jasper County; Susan lives at Colfax. Mr. Kintz, of this sketch, was four years old when his parents brought him to this County. Here he grew to manhood, assisted with the work of developing the homestead and here he was content to spend his life. When the great Civil War began he offered his services to the Federal government, enlisting at Clyde, this County, in August 1862, in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he made a very faithful soldier in the Western army, from which he was honorably discharged, he having been practically incapacitated for service, having been attacked with measles, later contracting a severe cold. He at once returned home and resumed farming as soon as able. Mr. Kintz was married on October 7, 1863, to Mary Ann Thompson, who was born in Ohio, April 4, 1844, the daughter of William and Margaret (Morehead) Thompson, a prominent family who came to Jasper County, Iowa, in early days and became well established there. There were eleven children in the Thompson family. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kintz, six of whom are living at this writing, all born in Clear Creek Township; they were named as follows: Mrs. Margaret Cool, born July 10, 1864, lives at Baxter, Iowa; Mrs. Sallie Downs, born October 10, 1866, lives in Clear Creek Township; Joseph W., born October 1, 1868, died at Fort Dodge, Iowa; Laura D., born October 24, 1870, died when nine years of age, in October 1879; Mary E., born January 10, 1872, is deceased; Mrs. Alta Gingles, born February 16, 1874, lives at the village of Collins, this County; Charles, born March 1, 1877, lives on the old home farm in Clear Creek Township; Pearl M., born July 16, 1879, is deceased; Mrs. Myrtie M. Shryock, born July 16, 1879, lives at Baxter, Iowa; Carl C. and Cloe A., twins, were born November 8, 1882, both dying in August the following year, the son on the 16th and the daughter on the 19th; Oley A., born July 27, 1885, was graduated from Drake University and is at present living in Des Moines. In 1888 Mr. Kintz moved from the farm and turned his attention to the hotel business, first at Collins, then Rhodes, continuing thus until 1900. Mr. Kintz was very successful in a business way and accumulated some splendid property and a competency, his estate, including a business house in Colfax, also one in Collins, together with a large, substantial and well furnished home in the latter town, and two hundred and seventy acres of choice, well-improved and productive land in Clear Creek Township, this County, also valuable land in South Dakota. In the early days the newcomers made the Kintz home their stopping place until they could locate and this name was one of the best known in this and adjoining counties. The death of Commodore P. Kintz occurred on April 5, 1908, at his beautiful home in Collins, where Mrs. Kintz still resides. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church here, and he belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the local lodge conducting his funeral, which was one of the largest this part of the County ever saw, for he was popular with all classes, having been a kindly, generous, honest and hospitable gentleman who believed in scattering sunshine about him as he went through life. Source: pg. 1319, "Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa" by General James B. Weaver, George D. Parmenter Holding prestige among the successful agriculturists and stock raisers of Jasper county, George D. Parmenter, now of Grinnell, Iowa, is entitled to more than passing notice in the biographical history of this locality, for here he labored long and arduously until he became one of the substantial men of his township and one of its largest land owners, improving his home place until he brought it up to a high and successful state of cultivation, in fact, rendered it one of the choicest farms of this section of the state. He is a man of essential worth, very energetic and industrious and by diligent devotion to his vocation he has succeeded in accumulating a liberal competence, besides much valuable land in other localities than this. His life has been led along such conservative lines as to insure the winning and retaining of the confidence of all with whom he has had dealings in any way and he has ever stood ready to lend what aid he could in furthering the general interests of his vicinity. Mr. Parmenter was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 25, 1849, the son of Lorenzo and Kezia (Robbins) Parmenter. The father born in Massachusetts and the mother in Pennsylvania. They came to Illinois in their youth, single, he with his sister and three brothers, and she with her parents and family, being one of a large family. One sister located in Ohio, but later in life came to Iowa, where her death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Parmenter married in Illinois. He had learned the tailor's trade when a boy, but he turned his attention to farming in Illinois and was very successful, becoming an extensive farmer, owning about three hundred acres and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Their family consisted of four children. In politics he was a Republican and was very active in party affairs, having held several local offices, including county supervisor. His death occurred in September, 1896, his widow surviving until November, 1899. They were good and useful people and were highly honored in their community. Mr. Parmenter's great-grandfather was in the Revolutionary war. Oliver Robins, a, brother of Mr. Parmenter's mother, was in the Mexican war. George D. Parmenter enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, having passed through the common schools and spent two years in the Iowa State University. He came to Jasper county, this state, and located on one hundred and sixty acres of wild land which his father had previously purchased. Here he went to work earnestly, broke the land and improved it, soon having one of the choice farms of his township. He prospered by reason of close application to his individual affairs and by good management he is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres in this county besides eighty acres in Poweshiek county, Iowa, and three hundred and twenty acres in North Dakota. His Jasper county farm is a model in every respect and he here carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. In 1893 he moved to an eighty-acre farm a mile west of Grinnell in Poweshiek county, but sold this in 1902, retiring from active life and moving to a beautiful home which he purchased at No. 1228 Main street, Grinnell, where he still resides. He is a Republican in politics, and has held a number of local offices, including that of township trustee. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Parmenter was married on December 31, 1874, to Lydia Roberts, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur P. and Maribee (Freeman) Roberts. The father was a member of the famous band of "forty-niners" who sought gold in California. He returned to Illinois where he lived until his death, in November, 1887, at an advanced age, having been born on November 30, 1809. His wife was born on September 13, 1810, and her death occurred on March 30, 1867. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are living, three daughters and two sons. One of the sons, Isaac N., was a soldier in the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and his death occurred in the hospital, of measles contracted while in the service. Two of his cousins also went to the front, one of them being killed. Mrs. Parmenter's grandfather, Ebenezer Roberts, was a soldier in the war of 1812, having enlisted from the state of Maine. After the war he settled in Indiana. Arthur P. Roberts, father of the subject's wife, devoted his life to farming. He was successful as a gold miner in the west and returned to Illinois with enough money to buy a fine two hundred acre farm. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Mary E. Woods and she is still living, making her home at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter, namely: Marcus served in Company K, Fiftieth Iowa Infantry, in the Spanish-American war, and he now lives on a farm in Poweshiek county; Rosella is the wife of O. J. Worcester, connected with the Grinnell Herald; Josephine and Florence are both at home. Past & Present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. 1, 1912 Jacob Ruggles - 94 Jacob Ruggles was born June 2, 1862 about one and three-quarters miles west of Otley, Iowa. After his father's death he moved with his five brothers, one sister, and his mother to a farm four miles southwest of town. Mr. Ruggles, then 23, married Mandy Herman, 17, in Nebraska, December 31, 1885. They were seperated by her death after 62 years together. Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles were blessed with six boys and five girls; one boy and three girls have died. Those living are: Earl--who has lived on the late J. B. Ryan's place north of town for 43 years. Hattie Hatsall--who lives in Des Moines. Her husband is a retired employee of Iowa Power and Light Company. Charles--who lives in Des Moines and works for the Globe Supply Company. Lee--who lives in Prairie City. John--who lives in Des Moines and works for Solar Aircraft. Gail--who will soon retire from the Navy in California. Winnie Sullivan--who lives in California. When he was asked his philosophy for long life, he said, "By gum, work hard, eat good, sleep good, and live a clean life. That's the way I've always lived, and am still living it. I'll be 94 in June; I've lived alone for ten years, waited on myself, and do my own business and everything." (from page one of booklet Centennial 1856-1956 Then Til Now Memories Prairie City available in Prairie City at the Historical Society -transcribed by Carrol Mick from copy in possession) Watson Valentine Terpstra One of the worthy citizens of Elk Creek township, Jasper county, who has long followed agricultural pursuits is Watson Valentine Terpstra, who, by close application when a boy, established those habits of industry and frugality which insured his success in later years. Only a cursory glance at his well-tilled fields, well-cared-for buildings and fences and the comfortable buildings on his place is necessary to demonstrate his successful management and the characteristic thrift of his family, for since the pioneer days of this section of the Hawkeye state the Terpstras have been admired for their enterprise and honesty. In every relation of life they have been regarded as representative citizens, discharging every duty devolving upon them with commendable fidelity and proving themselves worthy in every way of the large measure of respect with which they have been treated by all who know them. Their lives have been as an open book, the pages of which are singularly free from blot or blemish, and citizens in whom all classes have been pleased to repose the most implicit confidence and trust, so that we are glad to give the readers of this work a review of their careers, although somewhat brief and imperfect. Watson V. Terpstra was born in Marion county, Iowa, on February 14, 1868. He is the son of Dow W. and Rosa (Napjus) Terpstra, both natives of Friesland, Holland, the father born on June n, 1842, and the mother on September 23, 1848, and from there they emigrated to America, the mother when she was eight years of age, with her parents, John and Rosa (Plantenga) Napjus; they settled near Red Rock, Marion county, Iowa, in 1856, where they lived one year and then moved to Pella. There the mother of the subject grew to womanhood and attended school, marrying Mr. Terpstra on February 14. 1867. Dow W. Terpstra was the son of Watson and Sietska (Zuidma) Terpstra, natives of Holland, who emigrated to America in 1850 and located in the state of New York, engaging in farm work there for five years, then moved to Iowa, locating in Marion county, and there bought eighty acres of land and there the father of the subject grew to manhood and helped develop the farm from the raw prairie. After his marriage he moved to Jasper county in 1869 and bought about eight acres of land near Killduff, which he later traded for one hundred and twenty acres in Elk Creek township. Here he worked hard and forged ahead and became one of the substantial and influential men in his community, finally becoming the owner of four hundred and fifty acres on which he carried on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, being known as one of the largest cattle feeders in the county. Laying by a competency, he retired from active life in 1905 and he and his good wife retired to their pleasant home in Sully, Iowa, and there they continued to enjoy the fruits of their earlier years of industry until Mr. Terpstra's death, on July 11, 1906, Mrs. Terpstra subsequently returning to the farm and she is at present living on a portion of the old homestead. Politically, Dow W. Terpstra was a Democrat and he took a great deal of interest in the affairs of his community, holding several local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was a man of fine personal characteristics, a typical pioneer, having found in Iowa a wild, new country, and here he bore the hardships and worked hard to develop himself and eventually wrenched success from a resisting nature and, passing from the arena on to his reward, left behind a clear record. To Mr. and Mrs. Dow W. Terpstra eight children were born, named as follows: Watson Valentine, the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sietsk George, of North Dakota; Harry D. is farming in Elk Creek township, this county; Albert L., Mrs. Rose Dick, Mrs. Yetta Romans, Martin and John. When Watson V. Terpstra was about a year old his parents moved to Jasper county and here he grew to manhood and received his education in the McKinney district school. When he was sixteen years of age he went to Pella, Iowa, and, having had a desire to enter the mercantile field, found employment there and learned the business, clerking in a general merchandise store for two years. But not taking to this line as kindly as he had anticipated, he returned to his father's farm and there assisted with the general work on the same until he was twenty-one years old. Then for two years he clerked in the store of August Wendt at Newton, Iowa. Shortly after this he took charge of the clothing department in the large department store at Boyden, Iowa, remaining there two years, giving his usual high grade service and general satisfaction. Then, in 1899, after having spent several years in the mercantile business, he traded his property in Newton for a restaurant in Prairie City, in southwest Jasper county, and he lived there one year, then traded his restaurant for a farm in Decatur county, Iowa. In 1900 he began renting a farm of his father, a part of the old Jonathan Black place and also a part of the old Nels Alloway place, Mr. Alloway having been the picturesque character well known in this part of the state as the mail carrier between Marshalltown and Newton before the days of railroads. The subject still lives on this place, now owning eighty acres there on which he is making a very comfortable living, and he also rents other land. He built a new. commodious and convenient dwelling in 1904 and he has improved the place generally. He keeps good live stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. Politically, Mr. Terpstra is a Republican and an active worker for his party in a Democratic township, and his influence always helps to lower the majorities of the opposing party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Woodmen of the World and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Terpstra was united in marriage in 1892 with Anna Luella Holmes, who was born in Cass county, Nebraska, on March 5, 1870. She is the daughter of Frank T. and Hannah (Dove) Holmes, the father born in Cape May county, New Jersey, on July 7, 1837, and he was the son of Theophelus and Mary Holmes, both natives of New Jersey, in which state this family has long been more or less prominent. Theophelus Holmes was a wheelwright by trade and during the latter part of his life he was quartermaster and ship carpenter in the navy and was regarded as a very skilled mechanic by the department. Frank T. Holmes, father of Mrs. Terpstra, grew up in his native state and was educated there, and in 1855 he came west to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he remained until 1858, when he went overland to Colorado and worked in the Pike's Peak gold mines. The Civil war coming on while he was in the West, he enlisted, in 1861, in Company F, First Colorado Cavalry, and he served very faithfully until October, 1864. In 1866 he came to Marion county, Iowa, and farmed on different rented lands until 1876, when he moved to Galesburg, Elk Creek township, Jasper county, and there worked at the carpenter's trade. He is now living in the town of Galesburg retired, an aged, well known and highly respected pioneer. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson V. Terpstra: Ina, born September 14, 1893; Blanche, born May 15, 1895; Forest, born November 14, 1900; Harold, born January 7, 1903. Mr. Terpstra is a well informed man, having been a student all his life, and his home is well supplied with good literature. He is a very versatile man, speaking four languages fluently, English, Dutch. German and Friesland. This accomplishment has been a big asset to him in a business way. Personally, he is a pleasant gentleman to meet, straightforward and genial, enjoying a reputation for fairness in all the relations of life. Past & Present of Jasper Co., Iowa, Vol. 1, 1912 J. W. Thompson Among the successful agriculturists and stock men of Jasper county whose efforts and influence have contributed to the material upbuilding and general business activity of their respective communities, J. \Y. Thompson, of the vicinity of Collins, Clear Creek township, occupies a conspicuous place. Early in his career he realized the fact that practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success; that it carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others; that the greatest results in life are often attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance; that the every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and improvement, consequently Mr. Thompson has ever been alert to seize the small opportunities that he has encountered on the rugged hill that leads to life's better things. Mr. Thompson was born in Collins township, Story county, Iowa, November 25, 1866, but nearly all his life has been spent on the fine farm which he now occupies in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, whither his parents, Samuel and Catherine H. (Deeter) Thompson, brought him when he was a child, this family being one of the earliest to settle in this township, in 1855. Owing to the prominence of these parents here and in Marshall county, where the elder Thompson now resides, the biographer deems it best to devote some space here to them, before continuing with the immediate subject. Samuel Thompson, farmer of State Center township, Marshall county, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1830. When ten years old he moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and remained there until 1851, in which year he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, and has made this section of the Hawkeye state his home ever since, living to see the wonderful development of the same from the wild prairie to one of the richest agricultural sections in the Union, and he has taken no small part in this development. William Thompson, his father, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and he came to Iowa in an early day and died here. He was a member of the famous band of “forty-niners” who crossed the great Western plains in search of gold in California. The mother of Samuel Thompson was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Morehead, who was born in Pennsylvania and who died in Iowa. To William Thompson and wife there were born nine children, namely: Mrs. Nancy Jones, deceased; James died in Des Moines; Samuel, father of J. W., the subject of this review; Mrs. Sarah Parker died in 1910; Joseph lives in Nebraska; Mrs. Margaret Taggart died in Ohio; John lives at Collins. Iowa; William lives in California; Mary Ann married Commodore P. Kintz, he being now deceased, and she is living on a farm in Clear Creek township, Jasper county. Samuel Thompson was married in 1852 to Harriet Deeter, who died in 1853 and he was subsequently married to a sister of his first wife, Catherine H. Deeter, who was born in 1833 and whose death occurred at Rhodes, Iowa. By the first union one child, Mrs. Margaret Ellen Dodd, was born November 19, 1852, and she is residing in Jasper county. To the second union eleven children were born, named as follows: Mrs. Mary Aluia Norris, living at Valley Junction, Iowa; Mrs. Anna Capron, who was born March 1, 1861, died July 14, 1900; Samuel lives in Mapleton, Kansas; Mrs. Lillie Walker is deceased; Mrs. Jennie Signs is a resident of Olathe, Kansas; Mr. Rose Hand lives near Colo, Iowa; Mrs. Sadie Corbett lives in State Center, Iowa; John W., subject of this review: a son died in infancy. Samuel Thompson is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eleven acres in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, but being retired from active life he is making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Corbett, of State Center, Iowa. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company F, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Newton, and he served for two years and eight months in the Army of the Potomac under Gen. A. J. Garrett, of Newton, seeing much service, including the battle of Wilson's Creek, and he was wounded at Brownsville, Tennessee. Politically, he is a Democrat and he and "his wife are members of the Methodist church at Rhodes. He belongs to the Van Pelt Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at State Center; also belongs to Eden Lodge No. 466, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Rhodes. He talks interestingly of the pioneer days and of his experiences in coming overland from Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, before the days of railroads in Iowa, and also of his trip in wagons to Pike's Peak, Colorado, in 1860. John W. Thompson, the immediate subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Clear Creek township and was educated in the public schools there, and with the exception of three years spent in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska, having homesteaded in the last named state, and three years spent in the hardware business in Rhodes, Iowa, he has been identified with the agricultural interests of this community all his mature years, having been very successful in this line of endeavor. He farms two hundred and eleven acres of the old homestead in Clear Creek township in a manner that stamps him as a progressive twentieth-century farmer, having kept the old place well improved and well tilled, carrying on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Texas. He has a modern and well furnished home. He has always taken a deep interest in local affairs. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has been a member of the town council of Rhodes. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 2358, of Collins. On November 28, 1894, Mr. Thompson was married to Linnie Snook, who was born in Collins township, Story county, Iowa, March 7, 1873, the daughter of William and Sarah (Fisher) Snook, The father, who was a native of Maryland, died in Illinois, May 31, 1899, at the age of seventy-four years; the mother was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1838, and her death occurred on November 15, 1902. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snook, and were reared in Story county, all still living, namely: Mrs. Lottie Trauger is living at Whiting, Iowa: James lives in Kansas; Mrs. Mary Hampton lives in Nebraska; Ed. lives in Washington; William lives in Illinois; George is a resident of Ames, Iowa: Linnie, wife of Mr. Thompson, of this review, is the youngest. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, namely: Vilda, born August 13. 1895, is attending high school at Collins; Loveda, born July 27, 1899; John, born in Rhodes, August 10, 1905; Jessie, born December 6, 1907; all but John were born in Clear Creek township. Past & Present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. 2, 1912 Carl Tiffany This sterling young man is the owner of one of the choice farms in the locality of which this history treats and he is favorably looked upon as an upright and honest man, as well as an industrious agriculturist whose success is well deserved. Carl Tiffany was born in Clear Creek township, Jasper county, on May 9, 1884. He grew to manhood here and has always been identified with the farming interests of the community and he received his education in the local schools. He represents one of the oldest families of the northwestern part of Jasper county, members of which have been active in the general development of the same for some three generations, the Tiffanys having ever stood for progressive citizenship wherever they have located. The subject is the son of Fremont L. and Mary Ella (Stock) Tiffany, both natives of Clear Creek township, this county, each representatives of early families. The paternal grandfather, Sylvester Tiffany, emigrated to Jasper county in 1849 and that year joined the famous band of gold seekers in California, returning here in 1855, where he remained until his death, in 1910, at an advanced age, having outlived his wife, Esther Campbell, twenty years and more, her death having occurred at Colfax in 1889. The father of the subject grew up on the farm here and worked hard when a boy in the new country. He married Mary E. Stock upon reaching manhood and to them five children were born, namely: Clara V., who was born in 1882, received an excellent education at the Colfax high school and Drake University and is living at home with her parents on the farm; Emma Alta. born in i88fi. became a professional nurse and died in the Methodist hospital in Des Moines, in which she was employed; Ray is living in Collins township, Story county; Joseph Sylvester, born in 1897, is at home; Carl, of this review. Fremont L. Tiffany owns the old homestead in Clear Creek township, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres; the place originally consisted of three hundred and sixty acres. He has been successful as a general farmer, and is one of the influential men of his community. For a full history of the Tiffany family the reader is referred to the sketch of the subject's father appearing elsewhere in this work. Carl Tiffany was married March 9, 1904. to Susan Mae Patterson, who was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on December 21, 1879. Her parents, Gillian F. and Sarah Ann (Logsdon) Patterson, were early settlers of Jasper county; they were both natives of Kentucky, in which state they spent their early lives. The father enlisted for service in the Union army from Illinois. These parents now reside in Sherman township, Jasper county. The Patterson family consisted of twelve children, eleven of whom are living, namely: Edward lives near Baxter; Mrs. Arminda Spencer lives at Weeping Water. Nebraska; William also lives in Nebraska; Leander lives in Delta. Iowa: John lives near Newton, this state; James lives in Newton; Thomas lives in South Dakota; David lives in Weeping Water, Nebraska: Susan Mae, wife of Mr. Tiffany, of this sketch: George lives at home with his parents in Sherman township; Mrs. Julia Hurst is deceased; Alexander lives at Clyde, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Carl Tiffany have been born one son and one daughter, Harold Carl, born April 17, 1907, and Sarah Mae, born February 23, 1910. They were both born in Clear Creek township, Jasper county. Politically, Mr. Tiffany is a Republican. He is secretary of the board of education in his home district. He is the owner of an excellent farm in Clear Creek township, which he has placed under good improvements and by thrift and good management has secured a competency. He has many of the modern conveniences and luxuries, including an automobile. Past & Present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. 2, 1912 Gershom Vance Living in section 2, Palo Alto township, adjoining Newton township, is Gershom Vance. There is not a finer or nobler character in all of Jasper county than this old man, now rounding into his seventy-fifth year. A man to whom the word "friendship" means everything that the term implies, he is a man in truth, a "friend in need and a friend indeed," a man whom any one may feel proud to call friend. Steadfast and loyal in his friendships, although they have oftentimes entailed sacrifice on his part, kindly in his judgments and charitable withal, the world is a better place because Gershom Vance has lived in it. Although well advanced in years, he is hardy and active and still retains much of the buoyancy and enthusiasm of youth, and has a wonderfully retentive memory. He springs from a hardy race, his mother living to the ripe old age of ninety-two years; his father's people were also long lived and hardy. He does not now wear glasses and he can crack a hickory nut with his teeth. His grandfather, Robert Vance, was a captain in the war of 1812. By birth an Englishman, he came to this country in his early manhood and located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here he engaged in the coal business and was one of a company who first developed the second vein of coal. He married an Irish lassie and to them were born four sons: Andrew, John, William and Samuel. Andrew was a prosperous dry goods merchant in Pittsburgh and a large land owner; John and Samuel were prosperous farmers near Pittsburgh and William, the third son, who was the father of the subject, came west in the early pioneer days and located where Muscatine now stands. When a boy he learned the cooper trade and followed that business until he came west. He married Rachel Vanata, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, daughter of James and Elizabeth Vanata. She was one of twelve children and was born in 1813. To them were born eight children, six being born in Pennsylvania. In 1836 the family came west, induced thereto by the representations of a brother of Mrs. Vance, John Vanata, who had come to the west about two years previous. He left home at the age of fifteen years, and enlisted as a soldier at Pittsburgh, the company being sent to the frontier. They went to Cincinnati, took a boat up the Mississippi and landed at Oquawka, at a block house there. When the Vance family came west they built a log house twenty-four feet long and sixteen feet wide, with a partition across the middle, and here the family lived for a good many years with John Vanata, who, with William Vance, carried on trade with the Indians, trading beads for valuable furs, etc. They also had a wood yard, and part of the time worked on one side of the great Mississippi, and part of the time on the other. They had built a temporary shack on the Illinois side of the river for shelter, and here it was, being detained longer than they had reckoned on, that Gershom, the subject of our sketch, was born, on November 4, 1836, at what is now Andalusia, Rock Island county, Illinois, and being a "stranger in a strange land," they called him Gershom. He was the seventh child in the order of birth, those who preceded him being as follows: Andrew, who lived and farmed in Mercer county, Illinois, and died there in his eightieth year, was born in 1820. In 1851 he went to California to seek for gold, going overland by teams. Being well impressed with the country, he remained there until 1871, when he returned to Mercer county, Illinois; James, born in 1822, lived and farmed in Mercer county, Illinois, dying at the age of seventy-eight; Eliza, born in 1824, died at the age of thirty-two. She was the wife of Anthony Nash, a farmer of Davis county, Illinois; Robert, now in his eighty-fifth year, is living in Oklahoma. For many years he carried on farming in Davis county, Iowa. He also went to California to seek his fortune in the year 1850, going by water via New York, but returned in 1853; Mary, born 1829, was married to a man by the name of Hudson, and departed this life at the age of eighty, in Mercer county, Illinois; Catherine, born 1832, became the wife of Frank Fryant, a farmer of Mercer county, Illinois; Gershom, the subject of this review; Sarah Ellen died in infancy. The mother of the subject died December 12, 1895, and his father died in 1865, at the age of seventy-four. For the last five years of his life William Vance walked in darkness, having lost the sight of both eyes. Gershom Vance received his early educational training in the country schools, three terms in Davis county, in a log cabin school house in Soap Creek township, and at the age of eighteen he started forth to do for himself, going with a party who were doing government surveying in what is now Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona and Cherokee counties in the western part of Iowa. They were away on the trip three months, and on his return he went to Mercer county, Illinois, and hired out on farms by the month, attending the country schools in the winter months and thus continued for four years. On June 30, 1863, he was united in marriage with Emma Kiddoo, daughter of James and Margaret (Steel) Kiddoo, both natives of Pennsylvania, the mother being born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 8, 1844. She was the fourth child born in a family of eleven, six of whom besides Mrs. Vance survive, their names as follows: John, Howard and Martha, all living in Kansas; Richard, in St. Paul; Amos, living in Arkansas; and Harvey. The Kiddoo family came west and located in Mercer county, Illinois, in the year 1848, and in 1864 they removed to Jasper county, Iowa, settling near Baxter. Here, in the same year, the mother died, at the age of forty-four. In 1867 the father went to Johnson county, Missouri, and became the owner of a large tract of land. He also owned a flour mill at Warrensburg in Johnson county, dying there in 1889, at the age of seventy-four. After his marriage the subject brought his wife to Jasper county, and purchased forty acres of land, where the Parson's creamery is located, paying nine hundred dollars for the tract. A short time later he sold this land to an advantage and purchased eighty acres in Independence township, for eighteen hundred dollars, ten days later selling the same for twenty-one hundred dollars. For several years he speculated in land, buying and sellings farms. He has been the owner of many nice farms in different townships in Jasper county. At the present time he is living on a farm of sixty-five acres in Palo Alto township, close to Newton. He was formerly a heavy stock raiser. To Mr. and Mrs. Vance have been born nine children: James, born April 4, 1864, living on a farm in Palo Alto township; Margaret Eliza, born July 9, 1865, married Elsworth Ashley, lives in Palo Alto township; Olive K., born March 26, 1868, married T. E. Deacon, now deceased, lived in Union county, Iowa; Arminta, born March 26, 1870, died at the age of eight; William, born October 18, 1872, died at the age of six; Florence Bell, born in July, 1874, died at the age of four; all three little ones died in one week of diphtheria; Eva, born July 31, 1880, married E. M. Herron, lives in Newton township; Harvey Earl, born in October, 1883, lives in Kellogg township; Paul Raymond, born September 7, 1885, now employed as special agent in the census department, at Washington, D. C. He is a graduate of the Newton high school, also of Monmouth College, and of Yale. Mr. Vance is independent in politics, having been a Prohibitionist for a number of years. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church at Newton, as is also Mrs. Vance. Mr. Vance and the author of this work were boyhood friends. He is a hale and healthy old man, and at the age of seventy retains much of his youthful vigor. Past & Present Of Jasper County, Iowa, 1914 Harmon V. Van Epps A man of sterling worth and character is Harmon V. Van Epps. Fearless and uncompromising where principle is involved, he is one of the sturdy spirits so valuable to any community, and yet he is unassuming and cares little for the admiring plaudits of the world, merely striving to do his full duty as a citizen at all times. Although now well along in years, he is keen and alert in every faculty and can look serenely backward over a life well spent, with no compunction for wrong doing, and forward with no fear. He is one of the substantial citizens of Jasper county. He probably owes his thrift and sterling qualities to characteristics inherited from a long line of Dutch ancestors, which traces back to the coming of the Pilgrim Fathers. This new republic of ours can boast of few families who can trace their ancestors back so far. The first of the family to emigrate to our shores was Dirk Van Epps (or Eppn, as it was then spelled). He was one of the Pilgrims who came from Holland in 1620. He first settled in the city of New York and later in Albany, New York. Johanas, his son, was the first settler in Schenectady county, New York. His estate was on the north side of the Mohawk river, near Huffman's Ferry. He was captured by the Indians and held a prisoner by them for about three years, when he was rescued. During the time he was a captive he learned their language and customs and he was later appointed ambassador to the Five Nations by the government. The third in line of descent was Jan Baptist (John the Baptist), son of Johanas. The fourth in line was Johanas, who was born May 5, 1700, the son of Jan Baptist. He was a slaveholder and kept a tavern at Hoffman's Ferry in Schenectady county. The windows in the building were supplied with thick wooden shutters, which were always carefully closed at night, and often in the morning Indian arrows would be found sticking in them. His son, Jan Baptist, fifth in line, was the grandfather of the subject. Charles, his son, sixth in line, and father of the subject, was born April 12, 1783, in the state of New York, near Huffman's Ferry. He was twice married, his second wife, Angelina Vedder, being the mother of the subject. She was born September 17, 1804, in the state of New York. By the father's first marriage four children were born, namely: Annie M., deceased, married George Johnson; Simon, deceased; Susan, who remained single, is deceased; John C., born in 1821 came west with his parents; he was a member of the famous "Gray Beard" regiment of Iowa in the Civil war; his death occurred in Davenport, Iowa. The other three children all died in New York. By the second marriage of Charles Van Epps the following children were born: Charles Henry, born November 25, 1825, lived in Cedar county, Iowa, a number of years, then moved to California, where he died; Elias Vedder, born September 10, 1828, was a sharpshooter in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war and was in many an important engagement: he was in the grocery business in Davenport, Iowa, but was living retired at the time of his death; Sebastian Gonsaulus, born April 19, 1830, died September 25, 1847; he was in the Mexican war; Albert C., born December 21, 1831, was a member of Company D, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war; he was a resident of Newton up to three years ago, when he moved to California, in which state his death occurred; Agnes, born September 7, 1833, is the wife of S. V. Stacy, a retired farmer living in Davenport, Iowa; Harmon V., subject of this sketch, was born October 30, 1835, in Albany county, New York; Cornelius, born April 16, 1838, resides at Sheldon, O'Brian county, Iowa; he came here during the first settlement of the county, entered a claim and has continued to reside here; during the Civil war he was a member of the Mississippi Marine Brigade; Mary Angelica, born July 4, 1840, died when six years old; William Henry Harrison, born April 21, 1841, who went to Nebraska in 1870, is still living there: during the Civil war he served four years in Company D, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; Rebecca V., born January 22, 1843, is now the widow of Herman Block, formerly a prominent lawyer of Davenport; a son, Lewis, is in partnership with Judge Bellinger, of that place; Sarah Eliza, born July 17, 1845, married Price Cunningham, a brother of the wife of the subject; they are now living at Spokane, Washington; Theodore C., born February 15, 1847, who was formerly engaged in the real estate business at Olympia, Washington, is now living in California. In May, 1852, Charles Van Epps, father of the subject, moved with his family to Iowa, locating near Davenport, in Scott county, where he engaged in farming, later bought three hundred and twenty acres in Clinton county. He became fairly well-to-do and was highly respected. His death occurred on October 16, 1855. His widow survived until October 8. 1886, when she died at Davenport. Harmon V. Van Epps, of this review, began working for himself on a farm when he reached his majority. A few years later, in 1860, he bought forty acres of land in Muscatine county, later bought forty acres more, and a few years later an eighty-acre tract. Selling his holdings in 1884, he came to Jasper county and bought a half section of land in Buena Vista township, just south of Kellogg. This he held for twelve years, then sold it and purchased a place southeast of Newton, just outside the city limits. A few years later he sold this and bought property on East Main street in Newton. This he still owns. In 1910 he bought twenty-one acres adjoining the city on the east, on which he erected a modern, spacious and beautifully located home. Here he has a fine young orchard, comprising two hundred cherry trees and two hundred peach and apple trees, this attractive home being known as "Cherry Grove Place." On November 29, 1860, Mr. Van Epps was united in marriage with Amanda M. Cunningham, who was born in Noble county, Indiana, on October 29, 1840, the daughter of Levi and Fidelia (Schoonover) Cunningham. Her father was born near Cleveland, Ohio, February 13, 1813, and died September 22, 1883. Her mother was born in Genesee county, New York, May 29, 1814, and died in December, 1899. The father of Mrs. Van Epps was a blacksmith by trade, also engaged in farming in Noble county, Indiana. He came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1846 and bought land. He was one of the courageous adventurers who crossed the great western plains to the California gold fields in 1849. He was fairly successful and returned to Iowa, but made a second trip to the Eldorado on the Pacific coast in 1852, on the same mission, being in the same company with Horace Greeley, the famous editor and politician. In 1873 he came to Jasper county and bought forty acres of land in Newton township, and here he lived until shortly before his death, which occurred while on a visit to his daughter in Missouri. After his death his widow married Jacob Lambert, and they are both now deceased. Mrs. Van Epps is one of a family of seven children, namely: Esther married Aretus Schoonover, now deceased, and she is living at Lake Park, Oregon; Price, now living at Spokane, Washington, was a soldier during the Civil war in the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; he accompanied his father to California on his quest for gold; Dorleska married David Daly and she died in Colorado; Olive R. married Albert Van Epps and lives at San Diego, California; Mary married David Coyl and died in Missouri; Wallace is living on a farm in South Dakota, which he homesteaded in 1910, near Edgmont. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Canada, which he homesteaded. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Epps four children have been born, two of whom are now living, namely: Harry, born October 6, 1861, a machinist, living at Newton, married Ida Reynolds, who died, leaving two children, Percy R., who makes his home with his grandparents, and Nellie Grace, who died in infancy. Harry Van Epps later married Ada Baugh, and they have one child, Arthur E. Edwin P. Van Epps was born September 1, 1865, farmed in Buena Vista township and died in February, 1911, leaving a widow and two children, Bertha and Merl E. Fannie R., born October 17, 1873, died January 15, 1896. Wilmont Stacy, born January 14, 1877, lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is an optician; he married Jennie Rowland. Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Epps are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has served as steward and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a Republican, and has long been interested in the general progress of his locality in all lines. Past & Present of Jasper County, Vol. 2, 1912
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