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Biographies of Monroe County, IowaJohn Abegglen The little republic of Switzerland has sent to America comparatively few of her adopted sons, but those who have come are a valued portion of our citizenship. One of these worthy immigrants is John Abegglen, who was born to Peter and Maggie Abegglen. His father followed farming in one of the beautiful valleys of Switzerland until 1855, when he brought his family across the Atlantic to America. Proceeding into the interior of the country, he took up his abode in Ripley county, Indiana, where he remained until 1869, and then came to Monroe county, Iowa. For the next twenty-four years he was one of the respected residents of this vicinity, and in 1893 his life came to a peaceful end, when he was eighty-two years of age; his wife is also deceased. Both were devout and consistent members of the Lutheran church and impressed upon the minds of their children lessons which have borne fruit in upright lives. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children: Crist, Margaret and Gottlieb, deceased; John; Elizabeth, also deceased; and Fred and Anna, both residents of Monroe county. John Abegglen was born in Switzerland November 27, 1840, and was a youth of fifteen when he came with his parents to the new world. All the educational advantages he was privileged to enjoy were obtained before he left his native land. He accompanied his parents to Iowa and has since been one of the prominent agriculturists of this great state. Shortly after his second marriage he took up his residence on his present farm just east of Lovilia, and in the course of the nearly ten years spent on the place has made his property both valuable and attractive. Excellent improvements are found on the farm, and everything is kept in the best of order and system. In 1865 Mr. Abegglen returned to Switzerland on a visit, which ended in a practical romance for him, inasmuch as he met Miss Margaret Michalo, with the result that she accompanied him to the United States, where they were married in 1866. Their domestic life was begun on a farm in Cedar township, Monroe county, where they remained during the lifetime of Mrs. Abegglen. They enjoyed eighteen years of wedded life, but in 1884 Mrs. Abegglen was called to her final rest. The children born of this marriage were John, Charles, Anna, George, Walter and Sherman, who are all living; and those deceased are Willie, George and Jennie. Ten years after the death of his first wife Mr. Abegglen married Miss Jennie Rose, a daughter of Edward and Phrela Rose. For a quarter of a century Mr. Abegglen has been an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, and his political support is given to the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, but as there is no congregation of that denomination in the vicinity, they attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. (Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa, 1903) Bertrand P. Castner Considering his age, which is slightly past thirty-two years at this writing, the young man above mentioned has had an unusually active and varied career, culminating in success which seldom comes even to the most fortunate so early in life. At present he is serving his second term as auditor of Monroe county, and had been elected to that responsible position before the completion of the twenty-fifth year of his age. Aside from this, however, he has been connected with various branches of business, including lumber, realty and loans, hardware and banking, which would indicate enterprise and energy as well as ability in different lines. The family was of Pennsylvania origin, from which state his father, James M., came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Appanoose county. Bertrand P. Castner was born in Bluff Creek township, Monroe county, November 24, 1870, and, his mother having died three years later, the child was sent to the home of the paternal grandmother in Pennsylvania. When eight years old he returned to his father's home at that time in Lovilia, where he was engaged in the lumber business, and received his education as he grew up at that place. When his seventeenth year had been completed he entered the lumber yard as an employee, later became a partner and remained with the firm until the fall of 1895, when he was elected auditor of Monroe county. He entered upon his duties on the first of the following January, served satisfactorily four years, and was elected for a second term, which will expire January 1, 1903. For five years Mr. Castner was connected with the Ramsay Realty, Loans and Abstract Company, and joined his brother in the purchase of a hardware business. Disposing of his interest in the Ramsay Realty Company he became cashier of the People's Savings Bank, after the opening of that institution in the fall of 1901, and also erected the building in which this bank conducts its business. In 1895 Mr. Castner was united in marriage with Miss Grace Esshom of Lovilia, and since his election to the auditorship has made his home in Albia. He is regarded as one of the most popular of the young class of Republican leaders in Monroe county, and no one of his age has a brighter promise of future honors. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and his fraternal connections with the Masons. (Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa, 1903) Thomas Hickenlooper Monroe county, Iowa, would seem to be a good place for young men ambitious of official honors, as will be attested by an examination of the biographies in this volume. The present treasurer was elected about the completion of his thirty-seventh year, the auditor was first chosen before he was twenty-five years old and Mr. Hickenlooper found himself clerk of the district court when scarce twenty-four years of age and but one year from his legal studies. While this makes a very creditable showing for the rising generation in Monroe, it also gives pleasant testimony to the willingness of the older element to help forward deserving young men by a generous support of their worthy ambitions. The young gentleman who was taken from his law books to be made clerk of courts at Albia is genealogically speaking a mixture of German and Irish. His grandfather, after marrying and rearing a family in the east, came to Iowa in the same year that statehood was conferred upon this new western commonwealth. Thomas Hickenlooper settled in Monroe township, Monroe county, and engaged in farming, which he pursued with success until 1881, when he died, about eighty-eight years old. His children were: William, now dead; George, Charles, Theophilas, deceased; Cyrus, Simon, Caroline, deceased; Rebecca, Harrison and Thomas. Theophilas Hickenlooper, who was born in 1829, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, after his arrival in Monroe county married Margaret Gray of Indiana, settled with his bride on a farm and spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1887, and his widow is at present a resident of Albia. Their five children were Mary, Frank, Harry, Ella, deceased, and Thomas. Thomas Hickenlooper, youngest of this family, was born on his father's farm in Monroe county, Iowa, July 23, 1876, and supplemented his common school education by taking a commercial course. When twenty-one years old he left the farm to study law, and after two years spent in mastering the principles of this profession was admitted to the bar in October, 1889. He entered immediately into practice, but had been so engaged only a year when elected clerk of the district court in the fall of 1900. In 1902 he was renominated on the Republican ticket, and at the fall election in that year was re-elected for a second term, which furnishes ample proof of the efficiency with which he had discharged his duties. In 1901 Mr. Hickenlooper was united in marriage with Miss Nora Floyd of Kirksville, Missouri, and is at present residing in Albia. Mr. Hickenlooper is regarded as one of the rising young Republicans, whose popularity and ability place him in line for promotion to higher honors. He is active in the social and fraternal life of the city, holding membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, the Foresters and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. (Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa, 1903) John Ralston In presenting to our readers the history of John Ralston we record the life work of one who has long been recognized as a leading, influential and respected citizen of Monroe county. He is now living retired in Albia, but for many years was engaged in farming and stock raising in Monroe county, and in his business affairs his conduct was so straightforward and honorable that his word was recognized as good as any bond. Mr. Ralston was born in eastern Ohio on the 15th of August, 1830, and is a son of James and Martha Ann (Gordon) Ralston, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father spent the first eighteen years of his life in the land of the heather, and thence crossed the broad Atlantic in a sailing vessel, eventually becoming a resident of eastern Ohio. He first settled, however, in Virginia, and from that place removed to the Buckeye state. His first wife died during the early boyhood of her son John, who was the youngest of their three children, the others being Andrew and Nettie. After her death James Ralston was united in marriage to Elizabeth Mathers, who was born in 1807 and was a resident of Ohio. Five children graced this marriage: Martha, Samuel, Robert, James and Maggie. A third time Mr. Ralston was married. Miss Mary Reed, a native of Pennsylvania, becoming his wife. There was one son by that union, William. For several years James Ralston continued to make his home in Ohio, but in the fall of 1860 he severed his business connections there and came to Iowa, spending his last days in Madison county, this state, where he died in 1867 at the age of eighty years. John Ralston spent the years of his minority in Guernsey county, Ohio, and on attaining his majority sought a home in Iowa, for he believed he would have better business opportunities in the western district, where competition was not so great. Here he took up carpentering, but in his earlier years he had taught school in Ohio. In 1860 he became a resident of Madison county and was living here at the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. He was in the army the last nine months of the long struggle for the preservation of the Union, being drafted for service, after which he became a member of Company D, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and after the close of hostilities was mustered out in Washington, D. C. His brother Robert served throughout the entire period of hostilities as a member of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry. At the close of the war Mr. Ralston returned to his home in Madison county and for twenty years was interested in farming and stock raising. In 1885, however, he took up his abode in Monroe county, settling in Albia, where he is now living. However, he spends about six months each year upon his farm in Madison county. About six years ago he established a tanning factory in Albia organizing a stock company for this purpose, but eventually he sold out and the factory has since been moved elsewhere. On the 22d of November, 1862, Mr. Ralston was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bell, a daughter of William and Mary Bell, who were natives of Ohio. They became the parents of two children, Mary and Emma. The wife and mother, however, died in 1890, passing away at her home in Albia on the 5th of September of that year, after which her remains were interred in the Albia cemetery. Mr. Ralston has always had firm faith in Iowa and its future. When he came here as a young man he believed that the state was entering upon a period of progressive development and was therefore anxious to ally his interests with those of the early settlers. Taking advantage of the business opportunities, he steadily worked his way upward, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determination and earnest purpose. His life record has at all times been one that would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and through his well directed business affairs he has not only won a competence, but has also gained the respect and regard of his fellowmen. (Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa, 1903) John S. Sutcliffe Many years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Monroe county, and he is therefore numbered among her honored pioneers as well as leading citizens. Long since has he passed the psalmist's span of three-score years and ten, being now in his eighty-fifth year, and his birth occurred in Kentucky. His father, John Sutcliffe, was born in England and was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, while by trade he was a reed-maker. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Lomax, was also a native of England, and their marriage was celebrated in Kentucky. She was a daughter of John and Magdalene (Stelly) Lomax. John Sutcliffe and wife became the parents of the following children: Frederick, Mary A., Eliza, two who died when young. Seneca, Elsie, Julia., John S. and Joseph. In 1855 the parents came to Monroe county, Iowa, where they became owners of a valuable farm, but subsequently they removed to Fayette county, Indiana, from which commonwealth both were called to their final rest, the father passing away at the age of sixty-three years. John S. Sutcliffe was reared in both Kentucky and Indiana, and in early life was taught the trade of reed-making. Since 1855 he has been a resident of Iowa, and his first home in this state was a little log cabin, which has since given place to a comfortable and commodious residence, and he has also erected a good barn, forty by eighty feet, and many other necessary farm buildings. His landed possessions consist of three hundred and twenty acres, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and on his place is a valuable orchard of two acres. For fifty years Mr. and Mrs. Sutcliffe have traveled life's journey together, their mutual love and confidence increasing as year by year they have together met the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. Their marriage was celebrated in Fayette county, Indiana, and she bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Robinson, being a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Shelly) Robinson and a native of Fayette county. She was the eldest of her parents' six children, the others being: John and Franklin, deceased; Oscar H., who died in California; Martha Ann, who died in Missouri; and Wash, who passed away in California. The parents both died in Cooper county, Missouri. Two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sutcliffe, but the son William died when only six weeks old. Their daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, on the 27th of June, 1850, and was reared and received her education in Monroe county, Iowa. She was first married to William Whitmore, a well known citizen of the county and a soldier of the Civil war, he having served in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At his death he left his widow with three children: John Oliver, a business man of Brown county, Kansas; Ellen, the wife of N. Stump and the mother of three children—Maud, Charles and Ona; and Minnie Jane, who became the wife of Thomas Smith and has two children, Florence and Fern Elizabeth. On the 17th of October, 1900, Mrs. Whitmore married Adam Crawshaw, who was born in Clinton, Iowa, September 12, 1843. His father, James Crawshaw, was born in Lancaster county, England, and after coming to the United States took up his abode in Rochester, New York. As early as 1837 he took up his abode in Iowa, thus becoming one of its earliest pioneers, and his death occurred in Clinton, this state, in 1851, when he was but thirty-six years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Dorothy Dunn, passed away in 1845, leaving one son, Adam Crawshaw. James Crawshaw was twice married, and by his second union became the father of two children, Alice Ann, the wife of ex-Governor Leslie Shaw, and Jane Gulick, of Denison, Iowa. Adam Crawshaw proved himself a loyal defender of his country in her time of trouble, having for two years served as a soldier in Company G, Fourteenth United States Volunteer Infantry, First Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. His military services covered a period of two years and nine months, on the expiration of which period he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home in Iowa. In this state he was united in marriage to Mary C. Tony, who bore him three children: James T., a resident of Nebraska; Dorothy R., deceased; and O. U. who makes his home in Pennsylvania. In 1874 Adam Crawshaw removed to Nebraska, where for some years he made his home in York county, but in 1886 went to Oberlin, Decatur county, Kansas, where in 1900 he held the position of census enumerator. For four years he also served as oil inspector of Iowa under Governor Shaw. Before reaching his twenty-first year, with a soldier's privilege, he supported Lincoln in his race for the presidency, and has ever continued to give his allegiance to the Republican party. His services in behalf of the Union during the Civil war entitle him to membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, where he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the blue. (Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa, 1903)
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