History of Page County Iowa

Emigrants coming to Iowa

The following 25 biographies have been extracted from the History of Page County Iowa. Biography of Beal, Alfred Franklin Biography of Burwell, Joseph Biography of C. N. Crain Biography of Damewood, N.P. Biography of Edwin Carlos Lane Biography of Elrick, S.M., JR. Biography of Ferguson, Earl R. Biography of Ferguson, W.P. Biography of Fleenor, Ezra M. Biography of Foster, Charles Wesley Biography of Foster, Joseph C Biography of Frink, O.H., Hon Biographical Sketch of Kampe, C.A. Biography of Kimball, O. A. Biography of Linderman, Charles E. Hon. Biography of Morris. Mont Biography of Parslow, Harry Edmond Biography of Powers, Jacob … Read more

Biography of W. P. Ferguson

It is not the distinctive and specific purpose of biography to give expression of a man’s modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the record establishing his position by the consensus of public opinion. Judged in this manner W. P. Ferguson is numbered among the eminent representatives of the Iowa bar and for many years has been termed “the first citizen of Shenandoah,” not only in the fact that he was the first to establish himself in business here, but also because he has ever stood as a leader in the work of public progress and … Read more

Biography of Thomas Henderson Read

With no special training for the conduct of important financial interests Thomas Henderson Read is now acting as president of the First National Bank of Shenandoah and has been since its organization and in the control of its affairs he has given proof of his ability to solve the more difficult financial and economical problems. The subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his opportunities and his obligations. He was born in Huntsville, Schuyler county, Illinois, March 3, 1841, … Read more

Biography of S. M. Elrick, Jr.

S. M. Elrick, Jr., owning and operating a valuable and productive farm of seventy-seven acres in Valley township, was born in Henry county, Illinois, on the 18th of February, 1864, his parents being S. M. and Margaret (Ferlhing) Elrick, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The year 1868 witnessed their arrival in Page county, Iowa, and here they subsequently purchased a tract of land. Both the father and mother still survive, being now residents of Minnesota. Of their family of eleven children, the following are yet living: S. M., of this review :H. C., of New Mexico; F. P., … Read more

Biography of S. A. Youngberg

Tarkio township has a class of citizens of which it has every reason to be proud as on the whole they are energetic, seeking success in legitimate lines of business and recognizing at the same time their individual obligations to their fellowmen and to the country. Not a few of Tarkio’s citizens come from Sweden and to this class belongs S. A. Youngberg, who is now following farming on section 3. He was born in Sweden in June 1837, his parents being John and Anna Swanson, both of whom lived and died in Sweden. Mr. Youngberg was reared in the … Read more

Biography of O. A. Kimball

In a history of the business development of Clarinda and Page county mention should be made of O. A. Kimball, who for some years figured prominently in connection with the lumber trade and later with the agricultural interests of the community. He was born in New Hampshire in 1835 and was a son of Edwin and Elizabeth (Prescott) Kimball, both of whom were natives of New England. The father followed the occupation of farming in New Hampshire, where both he and his wife died. The Kimball family was established on American soil in the early period in the colonization of … Read more

Biography of N. P. Damewood

In a history of the agricultural development of Nebraska township and of Page county mention should be made of N. P. Damewood, who for more than half a century has been identified with the farming interests of this part of the state. His home is situated on the county line and comprises one hundred and two acres. That which lies in Page county is on sections 24 and 25, Nebraska township, while twenty-two acres extend across the boundary line into Dallas township, Taylor county. His life record began in Dubois county, Indiana, November 9, 1852, and in the spring of … Read more

Biography of Mont Morris

The agricultural interests of Nodaway township find a worthy representative in Mont Morris, who is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres situated on the southwest quarter of section 23. This farm is largely devoted to the raising of stock and Mr. Morris is well known as a breeder of shorthorn cattle. He was born in Champaign county, Illinois, October 22, 1866, and is a son of Price W. and Elizabeth (Horr) Morris, both of whom were natives of Ohio but spent their last days in Page county. The father devoted his entire life to … Read more

Biography of Joseph C Foster

Joseph C. Foster, carrying on general farming interests for many years in East River township but now leaving the arduous labor of the farm to others, although he still gives to it his general supervision, was born in Madison county, Ohio, December 23, 1826. He is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Silver) Foster, both of whom were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The father was born there May 17, 1794, and when six years of age accompanied his parents to Ross county, Ohio, where he lived until eighteen years of age. A removal was then made to Madison county, … Read more

Biography of Joseph Burwell

Joseph Burwell owns and cultivates a tract of land of forty acres on section 26, Nodaway township. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life’s journey and his record is in many respects a highly creditable one worthy of emulation. He was born in Crayford county, Ohio, August 1, 1834, and his parents, William and Nancy ( Morris) Burwell, were also natives of that state. In 1865 they came to Iowa and the mother (died in Limn county during the first year of their residence in this state. The father afterward came to Page county and here spent his … Read more

Biography of James G. Williams, M.D.

Dr. James G. Williams, deceased, who for a number of years was a successful practitioner of medicine in Braddyville, Page county, Iowa, was born in Ohio on the 12th of July 1830. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents’ home and attended the district schools in the acquirement of his early education. When eighteen years of age he went to Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, where he enrolled as a student in the high school of that city. After completing his high-school course he entered the Keokuk Medical College in preparation for a professional career. He … Read more

Biography of Jacob Holland Powers

In the period which marked the pioneer development of Page county and witnessed the laying of the foundation upon which has been built its present prosperity and progress, Jacob Holland Powers was a prominent factor in the district. He came here in the early days and for many years figured prominently in connection with its agricultural interests and also as the owner of a large amount of real estate. He is well remembered, too, as a man of kindly spirit and generous civility as manifested in his liberal aid to those who needed assistance. He was born near Morgantown in … Read more

Biography of J. Edgar Sawhill

J. Edgar Sawhill, owning and operating one of the finest and most productive farms of Page county, is thereon engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is meeting with excellent success in his undertaking. He is a well known figure in agricultural circles throughout the county, being actively connected with the Farmers’ Institute and also with the experimental station for a number of years. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of October 1858, a son of John and Jane (Pollock) Sawhill, the former born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and the latter in Ohio county, West … Read more

Biography of Hon. O. H. Frink

Hon. O. H. Frink is one of Page county’s representative citizens who has never allowed personal interest or ambition to dwarf his public spirit. His feelings have ever found expression in prompt action rather than in theory and as mayor of Shenandoah lie is now doing effective work in promoting needed restrictive, regulative and constructive measures. He also stands as one who has been prominent in business circles, his previous activity and well directed energy bringing him the competence that makes possible his present retirement. A native of Indiana, Mr. Frink was born in the city of Elkhart, May 26, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Charles E. Linderman

Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success, and judged by this standard as well as by the ratings of the business world Hon. Charles E. Linderman was a most successful man. He was numbered among the prominent, valued, honored and respected citizens of southwestern Iowa and left the impress of his individuality for good on its substantial development and improvement. He stood for high ideals in citizenship, in business affairs and in private life, and the nobility of his manhood made him most honored … Read more

Biography of Harry Edmond Parslow

Harry Edmond Parslow, a leading attorney of Clarinda, who has practiced continuously since 1879, is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in Middlesex county, on the 15th of April, 1855. He is the son of Abraham and Hannah (Mahon) Parslow, the former a farmer by occupation. His youthful days were spent in his parents’ home, during which time he pursued his education in the public schools and also took a preparatory course. For a year and a half he engaged in teaching school and then came to Iowa, arriving in Clarinda on the 3rd of September 1875. To … Read more

Biography of George W. Scholes

George W. Scholes is a well known and worthy representative of the farming interests of Harlan township, now busily engaged in the cultivation and improvement of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 26. Nearly every state in the Union has furnished its quota of citizens to Iowa and among those sent by Ohio is Mr. Scholes, whose birth occurred near Loudonville, on the 7th of July1840. He was one of five children born unto Elijah and Caroline (Tracy) Scholes, who were also natives of Ohio. The mother died in that state in 1850 and the father was … Read more

Biography of Ezra M. Fleenor

Ezra M. Fleenor, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Valley township, Page county, is one of Iowa’s native sons, his birth occurring in Henry county on the 27th of June, 1860. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Shidler) Fleenor, natives of Iowa and of Pennsylvania respectively, both of whom still survive and make their home in Clarinda. In their family were seven children, all of whom are living but one. Reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life, Ezra M. Fleenor devoted the years of his boyhood and youth to the acquirement of a common-school education and … Read more

Biography of Edwin Carlos Lane

Edwin Carlos Lane, editor of one of the leading county-seat newspapers of Iowa, was born August 11, 1855, on the home farm of his maternal grandfather situated midway between Plano and Bristol Station near the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in Little Rock township, Kendall county, Illinois. He was one of a family of three sons and one daughter whose parents were Levi Hart and Emily Jane (Kendrick) Lane. The father was born in Lewis county, New York, in 1830, and was a son of Lyman Lane, a native of Suffield, Connecticut, who was born in … Read more

Biography of Ed F. Rose

Ed F. Rose, as president of the Clarinda National Bank, needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. The institution bears the impress of his individuality in its progressive methods. His course at all times will bear the closest investigation and his name is synonymous for business probity, while his word is as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. He was born in McDonough county, Illinois, July 24, 1859, his parents being Charles 1\I. and Elsie H. (Buckner) Rose. The father was for some years engaged in various pursuits and following his removal to Page … Read more