The Warder Family of Wapello County, Iowa

MADISON C. WARDER.

Madison C. Warder is the owner of a large farm in Pleasant township, his possessions aggregating four hundred and thirty-seven acres of valuable.and productive land. He is widely known, both as a general farmer and stock-raiser, and he bears a reputation for being an enterprising, progressive and thoroughly reliable business man. He was born in Ohio, November 12, 1848, and is a son of Philip M. and Nancy (Dillon) Warder, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They came to Wapello county, Iowa, in 1853, ' settled on a farm in Competine township, where they continued to reside until called from this life. Their family numbered seven children, of whom three are living: Frank, now a resident of Hedrick, Iowa; Madison, of this review; and John. There is also a half brother, A. D., who is living in Pleasant township.

Madison C. Warder remained at home until he had reached adult age and then, with a common-school education and the spirit of energy and ambition as a foundation upon which to build later success, he started out in life. He first purchased a farm of ninety-seven acres, upon which he made his home for two years. He then sold that property and made investment in his present farm, to which he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of a valuable and productive property of four hundred and thirty-seven acres, all in Pleasant township. His home place is situated on section 17. He has always engaged in raising and feeding stock and keeps high grade cattle, horses and hogs upon his place. His crops are most carefully produced according to modern scientific methods. He

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In 1875 Mr. Warder was united in marriage to Miss Nancy- Carson, a native of this county and a daughter of Calvin and Tena Carson, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a native of Tennessee, while the mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warder have been born eleven children, of whom eight still survive: Madison, at home; Effie B., the wife of William Amsbaugh; H. E.; Thurman; Sherman; Mary, the wife of Landa Shoemaker; May, the wife of Ray Green; and Jessie, at home. The wife and mother is a member of the Christian church. Politically Mr. Warder is a democrat, and he has served as township trustee and justice of the peace. In the latter office his decisions have been strictly fair and impartial. He has also done good work as a member of the school board, and his aid and cooperation, have been factors in promoting general improvement and progress along many lines. Moreover, he deserves mention in this volume as one of the pioneer residents of Wapello county, where he arrived when a little lad of about five years and where he has made his home continuously for more than six decades. During this period he has witnessed marvelous changes, as pioneer conditions have given way before an advancing civilization. He has lived to see the early homes replaced by commodious and substantial farm residences, while schools and churches have been built here and there and towns and villages have sprung up, indicating the growth in population and progressive spirit that actuates the citizens of this section of the state.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

A. D. WARDER.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Competine township and Wapello county without recognizing the fact that the Warder family has long resided here and has been prominent in promoting agricultural progress and in advancing development along other lines.

A. D. Warder was born in Competine township, November 27, 1856, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, his father being Philip M. Warder, who was a native of Virginia. In 1853, however, he came to Iowa, settling in Wapello county, and thereafter remained a resident of Competine township. Upon the old homestead which the father developed and improved, A. D. Warder spent the days of his boyhood and youth, remaining there until he had attained his majority. He then began farming on his own account, first securing a tract of land which he rented for five years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until at length his industry and economy had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. He then invested in a farm in Pleasant township and still owns the original place, to which he has added from time to time until he now has four hundred and sixty acres on sections 4, 5, 6 and 8. He has lived continuously upon this farm throughout all the intervening years to the present time, and its excellent appearance is due to his care and supervision. He is systematic in his work, plans his tasks carefully and executed them with promptness. Moreover, he has come to know what the soil requires, the best time for planting and the best methods of cultivating his crops and, acting upon this knowledge, he is meeting with excellent success in his work.

In 1877 Mr. Warder was united in marriage to Miss Adella Carson, who was born in this county, a daughter of Calvin and Pertina Carson, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Warder became parents of ten children: Nettie, who has departed this life; Nancy M., now the wife of H. Muldoon; Pertenia E., the wife of Arch Shaw; Avis, the wife of William Decker; Goldie, the wife of G. H. Garber; Claude; Gladys, at home; Rex B.; Hilda, at home; and Allen H. The wife and mother passed away June 25, 191 1, and was laid to rest in the Ottumwa cemetery. She was a faithful member of the Christian church and possessed many excellent traits of heart and mind, while her good deeds and kindly spirit endeared her not only to her immediate family, but to all with whom she came in contact. Mr. Warder has also led an earnest Christian life. He belongs to the church with which his wife was connected and is serving as one of its elders. His political indorsement is given to the Democratic party, and he has filled the office of township trustee. He is likewise treasurer of the school board and is much interested in the cause of education, believing the public-school system to be one of the bulwarks of the nation. Mr. Warder deserves mention in this volume, not only as a representative of an old pioneer family, but as a man whose sterling worth classes him with representative citizens.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRY E. WARDER.

An e.excellent farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres in Pleasant township is the property of Harry E. Warder and pays to him substantial tribute in good crops for the care ami labor which he bestow upon the place. He was born in Pleasant township, December 11, 1881, and is a son of M. C. and Xancy (Carson) Warder, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Wapello county. Iowa. The father was but a year old when brought to this state by his parents, and since that time has lived continuously in Pleasant township. Wapello county, where he still owns and occupies an excellent farm.

Harrv E. Warder was one of a family of eleven children, and his youthful days were spent in a manner similar to the others of the household, his educational training being received in the district schools, while his father's instructions and practical experience made him acquainted with all of the departments of farm work. He has never sought to change his occupation, for he finds it profitable and congenial. He continued to assist his father until after he had attained his majority and then purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising two hundred and thirty-eight acres, all in Pleasant township, on sections i6 and 17. He has improved this property with fine buildings, and the farm presents a most attractive appearance owing to the neatness and thrift which pervade the place and the excellent crops which are annually gathered.

In his political views Mr. Warder is an earnest democrat and is now filling the office of township assessor, having acted in that capacity for four years, his duties being discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belongs to Olive Branch Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., and to Farmers Lodge, No. 198, I. O. O. F., having filled all of the chairs in the latter organization. He is in hearty sympathy with the teachings of these two fraternities and in his life exemplifies their beneficent principles and high purposes.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

F. L. WARDER.

F. L. Warder, cashier of the Farson Savings Bank at Farson, has been a lifelong resident of Wapello county, his birth having occurred in Pleasant township, July 24, 1879, his parents being John C. and Nancy A. (Goudy) Warder, the former a native of Ohio. The mother was born in this county and is a representative of one of its old pioneer families. Both are still living and their family circle, including twelve children, has never been broken by the hand of death — a remarkable record.

F. L. Warder, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days in the usual manner of farm lads. He became a pupil in the district school near his father's home and through the summer months assisted in farm work, being thus engaged until he reached the age of twenty-one. Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, and also hoping to find them more profitable than agriculture, he left home and secured a clerkship in the Ottumwa National Bank, where he remained for a year. On the expiration of that period he purchased an interest in the Doty Clothing Company, with which he was connected for three years. He then established the Farson Savings Bank in 1905, became its cashier, and is still active in that capacity. He is a graduate of the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois. He has closely applied himself to his work, and the thoroughness and energy with which he has executed the tasks devolving upon him have developed his powers and made him a resourceful and forceful business man.

In 1903 Mr. Warder was united in marriage to Miss Lorene Lemberger of Burlington, Iowa, a daughter of John L. and Mary (Semshorn) Lemberger, who are now residents of Los Angeles, California. In their family were four children, all of whom yet survive. Mr. and Mrs. Warder hold membership in the Congregational church and are greatly esteemed in the community where they reside because of various attractive social qualities and genuine character worth. They own and occupy a fine residence in Farson, and Mr. Warder is also the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and seven acres on section 5, Pleasant township, from which he derives a substantial annual income. It is now a recognized fact that whatever he undertakes he accomplishes if the result can be attained through straightforward, honorable effort, and thus he has made for himself a creditable position in the business circles of the county.

CHARLES w. Mccarty.

Charles W. McCarty, postmaster of Ottumwa, is a popular citizen, widely and favorably known in this county. In the discharge of the duties of his present position he is always prompt and capable, and businesslike methods are manifest in the control of all the interests of the office. Wapello county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred within her borders on the lath of April, 1864. He is a son of John W. and Margaret J. (Warren) McCarty, natives of Ohio, whence they came to Iowa with their respective parents, and all four of the grandparents continued residents of Wapello county until called to their final rest, their graves being in this county. John W. McCarty devoted the greater part of his life to the profession of school teaching, but passed away when a comparatively young man of thirty-six years, his death occurring February 22, 1874. His widow still survives and makes her home with her children. In their family were five children: Charles W.; A. C, who was killed in a railroad accident; Maggie, deceased; W. F., living in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and John H., of Stockport, Iowa.

Charles W. McCarty has spent the greater part of his life in Wapello county, where he was reared upon a farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors incident to the development of the fields. When seventeen years of age he entered the railroad service as a telegraph operator and for nearly a quarter of a century was connected with the Rock Island Railroad Company. He was acting as cashier in the local freight office at the time he was nominated and elected county auditor in November, 1906. He has since been continuously in public office and the record which he has made as a public servant is most commendable. After serving as auditor for two years he was re-elected and at the close of his second term he was made deputy auditor, in which position he continued for a year and a half, when he resigned to become postmaster of Ottumwa, his commission being dated July 23, 1913. He has been a lifelong democrat, never changing his party affiliation, and he has labored earnestly to promote the growth and insure the success of his party.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.