The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
JACKSON LUSE.
Jackson Luse needs no introduction to the readers of this volume for he has spent his entire life in this county and his conduct has ever been actuated by high principles, with due regard for the rights of his fellow- men. He belongs to that class of substantial agriculturists who constitute the real strength and stability of any community and are the builders of its progress and prosperity. Bom on the old homestead farm on the
8th of April, 1855, Jackson Luse has therefore been a resident of Appa- noose county for more than fifty-seven years. He represents one of the old pioneer families here, being a son of Aaron Luse, a native of Trum- bull county, Ohio, who was bom on the 12th of March, 1819. The grandfather, William Luse, was a native of Pennsylvania and on remov- ing from that state established his home in Ohio, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. Aaron Luse was reared in Ohio to the age of nineteen years when he went to Missouri and afterward to Illinois. Subsequently he arrived in Van Buren county, Iowa, and there when a young man of twenty-two years was married to Miss Martha Smith, who was bom near Cleveland, Ohio, October 26, 1821, and came to Iowa with her parents when the state was still under territorial mle, the family home being established in Van Buren county. Ten years after their mar- riage, which was celebrated on the 24th of January, 1841, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Luse came to Appanoose which was still a frontier district, much of the land being then in possession of the government. Mr. Luse entered a claim which he transformed into one of the best farms of the township and in addition to the cultivation of die cereals best adapted to soil and climate he successfully engaged in raising stock. He also planted an orchard which soon came into good bearing and throughout the years of his residence here took an active and helpful interest in the agricul- tural and horticultural development of this part of the state. He erected upon his place a commodious and attractive honje, also barns and other necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and in all of his business dealings was found to be thoroughly reliable as well as enter- prising and progressive. His many sterling traits of character commanded for him the confidence and good-will of all who knew him. His death, which occurred August 25, 1881, when he was sixty-two years of age, was a cause of deep regret to all those who knew him. His wife sur- vived him for about seventeen years, dying August 3, 1898, when she was about seventy-seven years of age. They were for many years active and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking a help- ful part in its work and contributing generously to its support. Mr. Luse served as church steward and also as superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years. The cause of education found in him a champion and he advanced the interests of the schools while serving on the board. He was likewise township assessor, township tmstee and justice of the peace and discharged every duty devolving upon him, whether of a public or private nature, in the most capable and satisfactory manner. The family numbered eight children : Mrs. Rosetta Cline, whose husband
died of disease contracted in the Civil war, while she passed away in Moravia, Iowa, April 13, 1911, at the age of sixty-nine years; Mrs. Sarah J. Skinner, who died at Main, Iowa, January 13, 1906, when sixty- one years of age; Mrs. Martha Foster, a widow living in Taylor town- ship; Laura E., the wife of Rev. Greorge M. Andrews, of Kenesaw, Adams county, Nebraska; W. J., of Garden Grove, Iowa; Jackson; Mary, the wife of T. J. Turner, of Moravia; and Douglas, who died at the age of eleven months.
The experiences which came to Jackson Luse in his boyhood and youth were those which usually fall to the farm lad who is trained in a home where energy, economy and industry are regarded as important factors in life. As opportunity offered he pursued his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses and in the school of experience he has since learned many valuable lessons. He was married when twenty-one years of age to Miss Mina Kaster, who was born in Chariton township, Appanoose county, and was reared and educated here. Her father, Robert Kaster, was a native of Pennsylvania and lived for some time in Indiana before coming to Iowa. On his arrival in this state he cast in his lot with the early settlers of Appanoose county and became well known and prominent here. He had wedded Mary McDaniel, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. His death occurred October 6, 1895, when he was seventy-four years of age, while his wife died January 24, 1912, at the age of eighty-six. Mr. Kaster voted with the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church of which his wife was also a consistent and loyal member. For a number of years he was a class leader in the Fairview church, taking an active part in its work and giving generously to its support. Mr. and Mrs. Kaster were the parents of ten children: Nancy, who died at the age of nine years; Mrs. Hulda J. Worthington, of Hamilton county, Nebraska; Mrs. Mary E. Boyer, of Chariton township; Robert H., of Appanoose county; Mrs. Luse; James M., of Monroe county, Iowa; Mrs. Hannah E. Gladf elder, of Chariton township; William and Benjamin, both deceased; and Mrs. Australia Worthington, who passed away at York, Nebraska.
Throughout his entire life Jackson Luse has carried on general agri- cultural pursuits and the nursery business, save for two years which he spent in the village of Main and one year in Nebraska. The habits of industry and perseverance which he formed in his youth have remained salient features in his success. He is today the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of good land which includes the old homestead farm. His fields are carefully tilled and produce substantial crops and as the years have gone by he has won that prosperity which is the reward of
earnest, persistent and honorable labor. In 1892 he established a nursery which he conducted successfully for almost ten years, after which he closed out the business in order to devote his attention more exclusively to the cultivation of grain. For two years he conducted a store in Main and also served as postmaster during that time. His attention, however, has been largely given to his farm which is a splendidly improved prop- erty. In addition to a new home upon the place he has three large and substantial barns. A fine orchard of ten acres is enclosed by a half-mile of evergreen trees which serve as a wind-break as well as add to the beauty of the place. The greater part of the land is under cultivation, producing excellent crops each year, and Mr. Luse is justly regarded as one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers of his locality, keeping in touch with the trend of modem progress. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, has always practiced rotation of crops and employs other modern and scientific meth- ods the value of which has been proven by practical experience.
Mr. and Mrs. Luse have become parents of seven children: Effie V., the wife of J. W. McDaniel, of Chariton township; Elbert Aaron, Robert E., Lloyd E. and Gus E., all of whom are married and have homes of their own upon farms in Taylor township ; and Cody Jackson and C6y E., who are yet with their parents. The son Elbert A. was married February 26, 1902, to Miss Bertha Mae Stockwell and they became the parents of a son and two daughters : Doyle and Freda, at home ; and Ruby, who died at the age of fifteen months. Robert E. was married May 30, 1903, to Miss Glennie Mae Hixon, and they had a daughter, Glennie Marie, who died in infancy. Lloyd E. was married April 3, 1912, to Erma H. Glick. Gus E. was married June 24, 1909, to Miss Edna A. Tisue, who departed this life July 22, 1909, and on the 15th of February, 191 1, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mae J. Jones, by whom he has one son, Thomas Jackson. To Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel have been bom six children, four sons and two daughters, William G., Ryman Jack- son, Lyndon Luse, Lloyd E., Bertha Gladys and Daphne Viola.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their lives are guided by its teachings. For a quarter of a century Mr. Luse has served as one of the church trustees, has also been Sunday school superintendent and church steward. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a prominent worker in its local ranks. He filled the office of township assessor for six consecutive years, was town- ship trustee for three terms, has been justice of the peace and a member of the school board. In every relation of life he has commanded the con- fidence and good-will of those who know him, for his life has been upright
and honorable and he holds to high ideals. He has lived to witness remarkable changes in the county during the fifty-seven years of his resi- dence here, for its wild lands have been claimed and cultivated, towns and villages have sprung up, schools and churches have been built and all modem improvements have been introduced. As the years have gone by he has ever borne his share in the work of advancement, giving his sup- port and indorsement to all measures for the material, social, intellectual and moral benefit of the community.
Source: Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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