IowaJones/Biographies/J. W. Newman

. W. Newman–E. J. Noble

J. W. Newman
Born July 16, 1852

J. W. Newman, whose industry and energy in former years now makes it possible for him. to live retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the Scioto river, within twenty miles of Columbus. his birth occurring July 16, 1852. His father, Emanuel Newman, came to Iowa in May, 1853, settling in Fairview township, Jones county, where he remained for four years, after which he removed to Greenfield township. Upon his arrival here he had not a dollar in his pocket, but with undaunted energy he at once sought employment, which he secured. During the first year, however, he received only two dollars and forty cents in cash, taking the remainder of his wages in clothing and eatables. He was industrious and persevering, however, and as the years passed prosperity came to him and he eventually became the owner of over four hundred acres of land. During the Civil war he was drafted but borrowed the money and hired a substitute. In Richland county, Ohio, he had married Miss Elizabeth Spade and to them were born ten children. She was an earnest and consistent member of the United Brethren church and died in that faith in 1905 at the age of seventy-three years. His death occurred on the 30th of March 1906, when he was seventy-five Years of age.

J. W. Newman was but ten months old when his parents brought him to Greenfield township, and therefore practically his entire life has been spent within its borders. He remained under the parental roof until he attained young manhood, and then started out in the business world on his own account, farming sixteen years and later becoming identified with the lumber interests of Martelle. Throughout the succeeding years he devoted his time and attention to this line of activity and no better evidence of his ability and enterprise is needed than the remarkable success which attended his efforts during that period. He retired from active business in igo5 with a competence that makes it possible for him to enjoy all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. The money which he accumulated during his active business career has been wisely invested in real estate, and he now owns three hundred and fifty acres of choice farm land in Greenfield township, eight hundred and forty acres in Minnesota and several business buildings in the town of Martelle, his holdings making him one of the extensive property owners in Greenfield township. He is also well known in the financial circles of Martelle, being one of the organizers of the new Citizens Savings Bank of that town. It was in 1875 that Mr. Newman was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Murfield, a daughter of J. S. Murfield, one of the early settlers of Greenfield township, residing here since 1851. Unto this union were born three children, namely: Blanche, the wife of Charles Holcomb; Gertie, who married Earl Boxwell; and Edna, who is still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have three grandsons and one granddaughter.

The family hold membership in the church of Christ at Martelle and are people of high standing in the community in which they reside. Fraternally Mr. Newman belongs to White Rose Lodge, K. P., of Martelle, while politically he is a very stanch and loyal supporter of the prohibition party, being bitterly opposed to the liquor traffic, deeming it one of the greatest evils against which the country has to contend. He is a member of the town council of Martelle, having held that office since the town was organized, and he has served as tax collector and school director of Greenfield township for two years. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he ever has the best interests of the community at heart and his cooperation is never withheld from any movement which has for its object the material, political, intellectual and moral welfare of Greenfield township. Starting out in life without any favoring advantages, he has worked his way upward in the business world through his own efforts entirely, and today stands among the representative and substantial citizens of his township, well deserving the proud American title of a self-made man. His success, however, has been worthily won, for throughout his entire career there has been not a single esoteric phase, his methods at all times measuring up to a high standard of commercial ethics.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 582.

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Henry Nickol
Born 1827

HENRY NICKOL, farmer, Castle Grove Twp., Sec. 33; P.O. Castle Grove; born in Saxony in 1827; he emigrated to this country in June, 1854; he lived in Aurora, Ind., one year, where he worked at his trade that of a shoemaker; he came to Anamosa about 1856, where he worked at his trade about four years; he bought a farm in Linn Co., where he lived about one year; lived in Cass Township two years; came to his present location in 1863, but removed to Bowen's Prairie after two years; thence to Nebraska for one season; returned to Jones Co., and located permanently on his present farm. He was married to Sarah Shuper, of Pennsylvania; they have four children—Charlotte, Mary, Jane, Albert and Frank. He has 120 acres of land.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 700, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel.

Eli B. Nims
Born December 17, 1813

ELI B. NIMS, deceased; was born December 17, 1813, in Jefferson Co., N.Y.; in 1853, he came to Jones Co. Died January 12, 1861. He married Miss Emily C. Brainard October 10, 1843; she was born in Medina Co., Ohio, August 5, 1822; they had nine children, six of whom are living-Dwight B., J. W., William A,, Eddie, Ida A. and Ada E. Mrs. Nims owns 160 acres of land; her son William A. manages this farm; he married Miss Martha Smith November 27, 1873; she was born in Grant Co., Ind.; came to Jones Co. with her parents when an infant; they have three children—Myrtie A., Laura E. and Eli S.; live on Sec. 16; P.O. Wyoming. Family attend the M.E. Church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 605.

Elmer J. Noble
Born May 27, 1824

Elmer J. Noble, who occupies one of the finest homes in Castle Grove township, was born in Pickering township, province of Ontario, Canada, August 2, 1855, and is a son of Alfred and Margaret Hawkins (Vardon) Noble. The former was born in Markham, Ontario, Canada, May 27, 1824, his parents being Ambrose and Hannah (Badgerow) Noble. Ambrose Noble was a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, while his wife was born in the vicinity of the town. As a young man he walked to Canada, carrying a bundle of his possessions over his back, and his wife's people also journeyed on foot to that country, driving two cows with them. They located in the forest, about sixteen miles from Toronto, where Ambrose Noble procured a farm and conducted a tannery in connection with his agricultural interests. Nine of the children born to him and his wife are now living. Alfred, the eldest, was the father of our subject; and Martin, the youngest now resides with Alfred's widow.

During all his life Alfred Noble followed farming. He was about forty-three years of age when, in 1867, he came to the United States and located in Castle Grove township, Jones county, Iowa. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added one hundred and sixty more in the course of a few years, making a farm of three hundred and twenty acres on which his son Elmer now lives. Some years later he bought one hundred and twenty acres, adjoining the first farm, on which his widow now lives and which was his home until January 18, 1891, when he responded to the call of death. The greater number of the improvements on the two farms are largely the result of his efforts, for he was a man who had learned well the lessons of tilling the soil to the best advantage and lost no opportunity of increasing the value of the land he held. In March, 1847, Alfred Noble wedded Miss Margaret Hawkins Vardon, who was born in New Brunswick, January 19, 1829, on the farm on which her father, Thomas Vardon, was brought into the world. Her mother was also a native of New Brunswick, having been born in Penfield, near St. Johns. In the year 1840, Mr. Vardon moved his family to Ontario, where he and his wife passed the remaining years of their lives. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Noble four died in infancy. The others are Hannah, who died at the age of nineteen years; Emma, who is the wife of Kenneth McCoullough, of Long Beach, California; Elmer J., the subject of this sketch; Marshall, of Houston, Texas; Harriett, the wife of Frank Scott, of Chico, California; Nellie, the wife of John Deischer, of Castle Grove township; and Minnie, who married Albert Starr, of Oelwein, Iowa. Blanche, the youngest of the family, died at the age of three years.

Elmer J. Noble was about twelve years of age when his parents came to this county, and now for more than forty years has been a farmer in Castle Grove township, for he worked for his father for a number of years, and later assumed the full management of the home place. It consists of the three hundred and twenty acres first purchased by his father and is under a high state of cultivation. He assisted the older man in the erection of the many outbuildings which are one of the features of the place, but the handsome twelve room dwelling, which was built in 1904, is the results of his own efforts and planning. Although its size alone would entitle it to special recognition among the houses of the township, it is its equipment, the modem conveniences and the many touches of refinement that have given it the name of being one of the finest in this county.

It was in 1881 that Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Castle Grove township, March 1, 1864, and is a daughter of Napoleon B. and Mary Jane (Twamley) Scott. Mr. Scott Was a native of Indiana and has now passed away, but his wife is residing in Lyon county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Noble four daughters have been born: Blanche, Elsie Claire, Grace Darling and Florence Elizabeth.

Since the organization of the Peniel Presbyterian church of Castle Grove township about eight years ago the family have been members of its congregation and Mr. Noble has been one of its elders. Politically he finds himself in sympathy with the republican party and has taken some part in local affairs, although he could hardly be called a seeker for official preferment.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 350.