NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
92018 7
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^
;V
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENhALOGICAL
HISTORY
OF
Appanoose and Monroe
Counties, Iowa.
Compiled under the Editorial Supervision of
S. THOMPSON LEWIS. -^
ILLUSTRATED.
New York Chicago
The Lewis Publishing Company
1903 "
^■Y
IPOBL
1803
INDEX.
Abegglen, John, 621.
Adams. Hugh Q., 573-
.■\nkrom, Eli.. 13S.
Bailey, A. J. G., 154-
Rain, Alexander, 239.
Baird, Asa, 149.
Baird. Asa .'^.. <fi.
Baker, Henry H., 43 T.
Ball. Joseph D.. I47-
Barkley, James R., 203.
Barrows. James C, 2i2t,.
Bartram, Robert T., i/l.
Bashaw. Joseph \V., 413.
Bell. Samuel N., 581-
Bernard, William, 252.
Billings, Levi, 108.
Bland. Joseph, 438.
Boardman. John S., 362.
Boggs, Clendennen. 242.
Bridal, John G., 3I5-
Brockns, Thomas S., 184.
liroihers, William. 572.
I'.rowcr, Chancellor J., 434.
Calhoun, James A., 576.
Calhoun. W. F., 378.
Callen, W. .\., 604.
Carhartt, John E., 278.
Carlton, Lawson B., 122.
Casady. Andrew J., 288.
Castner. Bertrand P., 183.
Castner. James M.. 346.
Cate, H. C, 77-
Chamberlain, John, 344.
Chidester, Emery. 566.
Chidester, H. M., 99.
Chidesier, Samuel F., 103.
Chistnan. Luther, 544.
Clark, John R., 578.
Clark, O. S., 593-
Claver, James W., 255.
Clawson, Charles, 590.
Cleveland, J. D., 600.
Condra. Jacob. 591.
Coulson, R. S.. .367.
Cox, Daniel 1\1., 28.
Cramer, George P., 284.
Cravvshaw, Adam, 614.
Creech, James M., 50.
Crist, John G.. 444.
Cummins, Rufus E., 547.
Daniels, Warren 'P., 26.
Daniels, William, 187.
Darby, William B., 34.
Davis, Ralph M., 531.
Davis, William P., 412.
Dean, George W.. 135.
DeRoss, Conrad, 105.
Dinning, David, 474.
Dinning, Robert W., 498.
Doggett, J. R., 370.
Donegan. Wesley, 194.
Doner, John, 328.
Downing. William L., 186.
Drake, Francis M., 11.
Drury, James, 83.
INDEX.
Edwards, Matison S., 325.
Edwards, William, ,533.
Egbert, A. J., 22.
Elder, .Samuel, 246.
Elledge, Edward K., 214.
Elliott, George C, ,395.
Ellis, William M., 470.
Eschbach, H. C. 167.
Everett. Fred D., 172.
Huston, William, 151.
Hyues, P. H., 3.^8.
Jackson, Calvin R., 454.
James, C. S., 212.
James, Stephen, 212.
Jennings, Edward T., 445.
Johnson. Robert K., y2.
Jones, jerry. 145.
Fee, Thomas M., 40.
Forrest, C. M.. 229.
Forsyth, Robert C, 471.
Foster, Thomas, 248.
Fowler, Imnier. 503.
Gault, Edward J., .398.
Gault, Henry, 407.
Gilbert, J. W., 162.
(jhck. Daniel. 373-
Goss, Joseph. 62.
Gray, William IL. 216.
Greenly. Emanuel B., 60.
Kendall, N. E.. 521.
Keiiworthy, David W., 66.
Kenworthy, D. C.. 541.
Killion. Thomas W.. 568.
King, S. M., 517.
Kingsberry. Robert, 448.
Kingsbury, Armilda J., 446.
Kinser, W. D., 75.
Kirchman, Herman L., 387.
Kirchman, William, 387.
Knapp. Melvin. 512.
Knapp, W. A.. a64.
Knowels. John. 354.
Hagan, James, 453.
Hakes. Carrie A., 478.
Maiden, J. W., 166.
Hammond, Henry J.. 510.
Harbokl, Lincoln, 244.
Hardenbrook. William K., 313.
Haynes. E. C, 409-
llazlewood. George C. 558.
Hibbs, James, .360.
Hickenlooper, Harrison, 158.
Hickenlooper, 'I'homas, 181.
HicKman. Solomon G., 32.
Hilton, Allien, 290.
Hinote. John A.. 208.
Hixson, Samuel, 462.
Hoagland. James S., 509.
Hoffman, Sanford, 130.
Holbrook, Solomon, 429.
Holsteine. James A., 92.
Hoover. Charles G.. 169.
Hough. Thomas W., .30.
Lathan. W. J.. 119.
Law, O. H., 392.
Lawton. Obadiah, 436.
Leseney. James V., 506.
Lewis, Clarence W., 456.
Long. Jacob G., 125.
Lnse. Jackson, 132.
.Marine, .loseph. 598.
Marshall. "Charles M.. 5.34.
Martin. David J.. 176.
Mason, Allen A., 516.
.Ma,son, C. V., 156.
May, John H., 67.
McCloud, George W., 464.
McCloud, Nathaniel, 349.
.\IcCormick. George C, 594.
McDonald. John C, 418.
.McDonald, Thomas B., 342.
McDonald, Wilber S., 425.
INDEX.
McDonald, William B., 494.
McElhaney, Joseph C, 358.
McFall, John N.. 3-'i-
McFarland. John, 390.
McKeehan, George \\'., 50J.
McKim, John D., 58.
Mercer. William, 267.
-Miller, Amos F., 253.
Miller. B. G., 47-
.Miller, Henry, 24.
Mitchell, Albert, 500.
.Mitchell, Hance, 499.
.Moss. John .•\., 142.
.Muss. John W., 227.
Xevvell, Samuel A., 282.
Noble, Edgar M., 522.
Noble, Ira, 257.
Ochler. Paul C. go.
Parker. Livingston G., 5S2
Parks. James F.. 397.
Palto'i, Thomas S., 280.
Payne. Frank S.. .vSo.
Peatman, William M., 144.
Pence, Francis S., 204.
Peppers, Lemont .■\., 561.
Phillips, H. H., 224-
Phillips, John C, 540.
Porter, Claude R., 366.
Porter, George D., 365.
Potts, Asbury W., 44.
Powers, Henry P., 201.
Price, John R., 519.
Printz, Edward T., 274.
Probasco, Emery M., 41 T.
Pugh, David. 459.
Pulliam, George T., 5.^8.
Pulliam, Thomas, 619.
Ralston, John, 615.
Reich, The Family, 199.
Richardson. A. J., 483.
Richardson, Fares, 112.
Richmond. Leviticus T., 523.
Richmond, Samuel. .536.
Roberta. Nathan, 69.
Robertson, Joseph H., 524.
Robeson, J. C, 520.
Robinson, George W., 86.
Sawyers. C. E., 605.
Sawyers, John L., 415.
Sayres, .\rlington M., 493.
Sayres, Oscar H., 492.
Sayres. William, 489.
Scott, Albert R., 484.
Scott, David H., 310.
Seddon, James A.. 466.
Sellers. Moses Y., 336.
Shahan, John W., 562.
Sholly, Jacob. 237.
Sinclair. .Archibald. 127.
Smith, William, 94.
Snodgrass, Jesse, 270.
Snow, Herman, 550.
Spencer, R. A., 602.
Spencer. Wellington. 511.
Stark. David T.. 298.
Stauber. Charles, 307.
Steel, David. 588.
Stephens, ^^'illianl, 53.
Stevens, James H., 479.
Stevenson, Blair, 383.
Stevenson, Charles PL, 606.
Steven.son, William II., 426.
Stickney, William C, 174.
Stone, James L.. 451.
Stone, John J.. 487.
Streepy, George W.. 526.
Sturdivant, John M., 424.
Sturdivant. John M., 440.
Sutcliffe. John S., 612.
Sutton, Jonas, 384.
Swan. Jesse A., 461.
Swarts, C. V., 193.
Swarls, William F., 191.
INDEX.
Taylor, Lewis L.. 220,
Taylor. William J., lOo.
Taylor. W. Parker. 320.
Trimble. Isaac N., 556.
Tucker, \. E.. 80.
'I'little. Robert W.. 2QS.
Tyrrel. Sidney F.. 117.
V'anpeU. J. N., 530.
Vermilion. C. W., 57.
Vermilion. William F.. 5
Waile-. Jrimes W., 37.
Wailes, Josiah S., 4S6.
Wakefield. Elizabeth. 449.
Wallace, Thomas, 340.
Watson. Alexander C. 26T.
Watson, James K., 273.
Wells. Francis M., 437.
White, James A., 18.
Wilcox, William, 617.
Wilkinson, Hugh E., 376.
Wilson, James. 403.
Wilson, James M.. 405.
Wilson, John G., 302.
Wolfinger, James, 468.
Wright, Henry H., 393.
FRAHCIS H. DRAKE.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL
HISTORY
OF
APPANOOSE AND MONROE COUNTIES, IOWA.
FRANCIS MARION DRAKE.
It is a great truth that some must follow and some command. But
the pages of history must ever be filled with the achievements and char-
acter of those who command, who are able to direct the power of the
hosts and bring victory to the cause of progress. And it is here fitting,
in a work purporting to give an account of the lives of those who have
aided in making the state of Iowa one of the banner states of the
Union, to give a prominent place to the life and career of ex-Governor
Drake. No fulsome tributes of praise will be here attempted, and none
are needed; his deeds speak for themselves. As a business man, as a
soldier, as a statesman, as the highest executive officer of his state, as
the founder of a great university, and, above all, as the exponent of true,
noble Christian manhood, he deserves to take rank among the leaders of
men and makers of history.
Going back to the early forefathers of the subject of this biog-
raphy, we find that the great-grandfather was James Drake, a native
of the colony of Virginia, who afterwards settled in Swift Creek, Nash
12 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county, Nortli Carolina, where he accumulated a large amount of prop-
erty, and died in the year 1790. He was the father of Benjamin, who
married Celia Thayer and became the parent of John Adams Drake.
John Adams Drake was born on the homestead which his grandfather
had established in North Carolina, on October 21, 1802. He was one
of eight children, of English ancestry, and early manifested his heri-
tage of noble ancestral qualities. After receiving a fair education in
the primitive school of the time and growing up to manhood under
the care of his excellent parents, he married, on June 12, 1826, Harriet
Jane O'Neal, a native of Franklin county, that state, and the daughter
of sturdy Irish parents; fourteen children were born of this union.
In 1829 they left the Old North state and moved to Wilson county,
Tennessee, and in October, 1830, became pioneer settlers of Rushville,
Illinois. In this latter place he engaged in mercantile pursuits and
prospered. In 1837 the family moved to Fort Madison, which was then
in the territory of \\'isconsin, as the territory of Iowa had not yet
been organized. Here he resided nine years, and during nearly all
the time held the office of justice of the peace and county probate judge.
In March, 1846, he took up his residence in Davis county, Iowa, where
he founded the town of Drakeville, and later engaged in agricultural
pursuits; he also established a bank in Drakeville, which he conducted
for several years. He was then induced by his son, the subject of this
sketch, to move to Centen'ille and become the president of the Appa-
noose County State Bank, which the latter had organized there, and for
the last few years of his life he held this position. His long and useful
life came to an end in 1880, and five years later his wife passed away.
Their wedded life covered a period of nearly fifty-four years and was
one of happiness and fruitfulness. They were earnest and consistent
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 13
members of the Christian church. He was a pioneer in the liistor)- of
that church body and was a personal friend of Alexander Campbell.
With such a parental heritage and in such surroundings was the
son Francis Marion reared. He was early taught the lessons of moral
worth and integrity and industry and Christian duty which have char-
acterized his whole life. Born in the village of Rushville, Schuyler
county, Illinois, December 30, 1830, he received such education as could
be obtained in the public schools of Fort Madison and Drakeville, ob-
taining the greater portion at the former place. Caught by the "gold
fever" of the early fifties, he organized a train to cross the plains to
the new Eldorado. In the company were six wagons, each drawn by
six oxen, and sixteen men and one boy. They crossed the Missouri
river at Council Bluffs on May i, 1832, and at Horseshoe Bend, near
the Platte river, tiiey were attacked l)y about three hundred Pawnee
Indians. In the conflict young Drake singled out the chief of the l)and
and killed him with a blow of his musket, which so demoralized the rest
that they retreated, leaving nine of their number dead on the field. On
reaching Sacramento, Mr. Drake engaged in the stock business, but the
next year returned to the States by sea. In 1854 he set out across the
plains with a drove of one hundred milch cows and arri\ed at his desti-
nation with ninety-seven of them. On the return trip he took passage
on the Yankee Blade, and the vessel was wrecked off Point .\quilla,
Mexico, resulting in the loss of eight hundred lives. Securing a small
boat, Mr. Drake made two trips to the shore with fclluw passengers.
On the last trip he was in some way thrown into the sea and was at
first refused passage in the crowded boat, but, on being recognized as
the one who had furnished the boat, he was taken on board, half dead
from exhaustion and struggling with tlic waves. For several days
14 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the survivors crouched on the barren shore, Hving on raw meat, but
were finally rescued by the steamer Goliah and carried to San Francisco.
From here he took passage on the Golden Gate, and another chapter
of adventure was added to his eventful history. A fire broke out in
the kitchen of the vessel, but by the prompt action of Mr. Drake was
extinguished without permitting the alarm to be spread to the rest of the
ship, thus averting what might have been a disastrous panic. Upon
his return to Iowa he engaged in business with his father and brothers
at Drakeville, and in 1859 removed to Unionville, Appanoose county,
where he went into the mercantile business.
When the Civil war cloud broke and threatened all interests, Mr.
Drake raised a company for the Second Iowa Infantr}-, but was too
late. As the company had been furnished with arms, however, he con-
tinued to drill it during the summer, and in the fall of 1861, when the
Confederate General Patton drove a regiment of loyal Union troops
out of Missouri and threatened lower Iowa, Captain Drake's company
was made part of an independent regiment, of which John Edwards,
then speaker of the House of Representatives of Iowa, was made
colonel. After being made major, Mr. Drake started for Albau)- and
drove General Patton across the Platte river near St. Joseph, Missouri,
but was hindered from further pursuit by the burning of the bridge.
Major Drake then reported to General Prentiss, who placed him in
command of the garrison at St. Joseph, which consisted of half of his
own regiment, some Kansas cavalry and a battalion of Ohio infantry.
After the fall of Lexington Price's army advanced westward, but was
met with such vigorous resistance from Major Drake, who had antici-
pated an attack on St. Joseph and had gone forth to meet him, that
he believed there was a large Union force in the neighborhood and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 15
withdrew. Returning home, tlie Major was not in active service until
August of 1862, when he was commissioned by Go\ernor Kirkwood
lieutenant colonel of the Thirt\-sixth Iowa Infantry, four companies of
which regiment were raised in Appanoose county. He served in the
Army of the Tennessee and later with the troops in Arkansas. At the
battle of Elkin's Ford in April, 1864, he commanded a detachment of
three companies of his own regiment, three of an Indiana regiment,
four of the First Iowa Cavalry and two pieces of light artiller)% and
repulsed and inflicted fearful slaughter upon Marmaduke's division,
three thousand strong. A few weeks later, with a brigade consisting
of three regiments of twelve hundred men and two sections of a battery,
he fought at Mark's Mills a force of six times that number, commanded
by Fagan. From early morn till noon the conflict went on, and at last
the Union forces were compelled to surrender. Lieutenant Colonel
Drake was severely and, it was supposed, mortally wounded, and was
left on the field by the enemy. As the enemy believed he would not
recover, he was paroled, and six months later rejoined his regiment,
although he was compelled to use crutches. Before leaving the service
he was honored with the brevet commission of brigadier general.
A short time after the close of the war Mr. Drake entered upon
the practice of law at Centerville, Iowa, and continued it with very
gratifying success ■ for several years. With his progressive business
insight, he realized the necessity for railroads to develop the resources
of the country, and, organizing a company, he built what is now the
Keokuk and Western from Keokuk, Iowa, via Alexandria, Missouri,
to Centerville, in 1872, and in 1880 extended the line to Van Wert. He
also built the Albia and Centerville road, several branches of the Iowa
Central, and the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, familiarly known as the
16 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
"Three I" road. Of the latter he remained president until 1898, when
he sold his interest and retired. Not only in his railroad enterprises
but in everything he has undertaken Mr. Drake has met with unqualified
success. He is president of the Centerville National Bank, the First
National Bank and the Farmers' and Miners' Savings Bank of Albia,
Iowa. He still retains the presidency of the Centerville and Albia
Railroad, which, however, does not operate its road, but leases it to
another company.
In public life Mr. Drake has a brilliant record, and he has con-
ducted the affairs of state with the same fearlessness and integrity that
have characterized his other actions. In 1893 he was persuaded to go
before the Republican state convention as a candidate for nomination
to the office of governor. He was not nominated, but two years later
the convention tendered him the nomination, and in the fall of 1895 ^^
was elected by a large majority. He entered upon the duties of that
office in January, 1896, and discharged them in a manner consistent
with his high character and independence. Soon after his entrance to
the office a report was presented to the general assembly from a com-
mission which had been appointed to revise the state laws. Upon due
consideration, it appeared that the regular session of the legislature did
not aflford a favorable opportunity for the revision, and, upon his sug-
gestion, which was approved by a majority of both houses, Governor
Drake called a special session of the assembly to revise the state statutes.
This he did in the face of considerable opposition, but he remained
firm in his convictions. The superior code of laws adopted and put in
operation gave general satisfaction to the people and fully justified his
decisive action. Governor Drake also tried, unsuccessfully, to intro-
duce the wise and businesslike practice of insuring the public property
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 17
of the state. Since then the heavy losses caused by fire in the pubhc
buildings have amply justified his policy. His was throughout a busi-
ness administration, and it is now so appreciated by the people. In
the summer of 1897 Mr. Drake sustained a severe injury from a fall,
which threatened to open anew his old battle wounds, and this, together
with a chronic ailment which had impaired his health for years, deter-
mined him to lay down the duties of his high office and care for his
failing strength. He accordingly declined to be his party's candidate
for a second term, and retired from office in January, 1898. He first
presented to the assembly, as was his duty, an able and exhaustive mes-
sage, which was marked for its many statesmanlike recommendations
as to the affairs of the state.
After retiring from the office of governor, Mr. Drake returned
to his home in Centervihe, and has since lived in the quiet and restful-
ness of private life, surrounded by his loving family and by his hosts
of devoted friends. His marriage had occurred in 1855 to Mary Jane
Lord, and six children have been reared by them to manhood and
womanhood: Frank Ellsworth, of Chicago; John Adams, of Chicago;
Amelia, now Mrs. Theodore P. Shouts, of Chicago; Eva, who is Mrs.
Henry Goss, of Centerville; Jennie, the wife of John L. Sawyers, of
Centerville; and Mary, Mrs. George \V. Sturdivant, of Centerville.
Of late years Mr. Drake has devoted much of his time and means
to the promotion of the cause of education and the upbuilding of insti-
tutions of learning. He is especially interested in the university at
Des Moines which bears his name, of which he was the founder and
its most liberal supporter. He has also been very generous in his con-
tributions to other schools and churches. He has done much to build
up the Christian denomination, although he is liberal in his donations
18 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to otlier faiths. Only recently he was most generous in his gifts for
the erection of a beautiful edifice of his denomination in Centerville, and
it was through his munificence that the Drake Free Public Library was
built in Centerville, an imposing and modern structure, which is an
ornament to the city.
Such is a very brief outline of the life of a soldier, statesman and
public-spirited citizen, who does not need the annals of history to record
his good works, for his deeds have found a permanent abiding place
in the memories of those whom he has helped by his example, influence
and efforts to higher and nobler living.
JAMES A. WHITE.
Among the well and favorably known men of Iowa is J. A. White,
tourist, lecturer and successful financier, of Centerville. Mr. White
comes of an honorable and respected ancestry. His paternal grand-
father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, in which he distinguished
himself as a brave and gallant fighter for the cause of independence.
He was residing in Indiana when he was called away by the summons
of death, being ninety-two years of age. The parents of our subject
were John and Jane (Pearman) White, who were born in Kentucky,
but were taken at an early age by their parents to Indiana, who settled
in Vermilion county, in the valley of the Wabash. For twelve years
after their marriaiL^e they resided in that state, but in 1849 removed to
Iowa and settled near Centerville. Here the father continued in agri-
cultural pursuits until his death, which occtu-red when he had passed
the sixtieth milestone of life's journey. The mother still lives, being
in her eighty-third year, and resides in Moulton. Early in life they
JAMES A. WHITE.
THE NEW \r)m:
PUBLICLf - ■
A5TO«
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL LIISTORY. 21
both joined tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, and in that faith they
lived and reared their eleven children, six of whom are now deceased.
James A. White was born in a primiti\-e log house on a farm in the
vicinity of Centerville, on December 30, 1849. The fact that it was
the year of the discovery of gold in California is the little superstition
Mr. White allows himself to believe to account for his success in
finance. He was reared on the farm and there learned the lessons of
industry, perseverance and integrity that have marked his career. His
education was obtained in the common schools, but he later in life
attended tiie Oskaloosa (Iowa) Commercial College, graduating in
1879. In 1870 he married Miss Elzina Wood, a nati\'e of Iowa and a
lady of accomplishment and culture. Immediately after his marriage
he settled on a farm and for nine }ears was engaged in this pursuit
with gratifying success. But his business qualifications prompted liim
to turn from the farm to the more active career of business. Disposing
of his personal property, he first removed to Corydon, Iowa, where he
engaged in banking and real estate for eight years, and in 1887 came
to Centerville in order to get into a large trade center. Here he has
met with unqualified success. He is the owner of considerable and
valuable real estate in the city and in Appanoose and Wayne counties
and in the state of Kansas. He has constructed several excellent busi-
ness blocks in the city, which stand as a monument to his thrift and
ability. As a financier he stands second to none, and his reputation has
extended far beyond the liorders of his county, and he is rated as one
of the ablest business men in the community. In the study of his busi-
ness career it is evident that his success has been the result of doing one
thing at a time and persevering in this until it was accomplished. He
is fair and just in his dealings, and, though exacting, he is reasonable
2-2 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
in Iiis practices, being liberal in his compensation of labor. Mr. \\^hite
is possessed of a studious and analytical mind; he has traveled exten-
sively in the United States. Canada. British Columbia. Cuba and Old
Mexico, and he has delivered several interesting and well received
lectures relative to his travels. He now has in contemplation a trip
through Europe.
In the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church Mr. White was
reared, and Iiis religious practices indicate that with the lapse of time
he grows stronger in the faith, and. while he has accomplished much
in life, he is not unmindful that to a Higher Being l^elongs the credit
for his achie\ements. In matters political he has always been a stanch
Republican. In 1896 he was a jirominent candidate for the noiuination
to the high office of governor of the state, and has since been frequently
mentioned as an a\ailal)le candidate for that place. It is generally
recognized that, were he elected to the executive chair, he would admin-
ister the affairs of state along ])rogressive business lines and with the
same skill that he has manifested in his own affairs, Eraternally Mr.
White is prominent in the Modern Wciodmen and the Knights of
Pythias orders ; in the latter lie has held various offices in both the local
and grand lodges. He is respected and esteemed as a citizen of pro-
gressiveness and enterprise in matters of city, county and state, and he
numbers manv in his list of friends.
A. J. EGBERT.
Moiudc count}-. Iowa, has many estimable citizens within her
borders, and among those who deserve some particular mention in the
history of that county is A. J. Egbert, an old settler and prominent
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 23
farmer of Jackson township. His father, Uriah Egbert, was born in
the State of New Jersey, and his mother, Susan (WilHams) Egbert,
was a native of Pennsylvania. Tlie parents of Uriah brought him to
Pennsylvania when he was a child, and in that state he grew up and
was married. He and his wife moved to Ohio and remained there the
rest of their lives. They became the parents of thirteen children:
Mary, Jeremiah, John, Sarah, Thomas, Eliza, Nancy, Jacob, Jesse,
A. J., Susan, Percilla and Uriah. This large family and its descend-
ants are now living in different parts of the Union, filling many posi-
tions in the various walks of life.
A. J. Egbert, the tenth child, was born in Seneca county, Ohio,
December 13, 1834. He remained in the county of his birth, attended
the common schools and was trained to know the value of hard work.
In the fall of 1856 he came to Iowa and spent one winter in Iowa City,
but the following spring he came to Monroe county and bought one
hundred and twenty acres of government land. He set himself to the
improvement of tliis and has since added to his property, until he now
owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land. Almost at the first call
for volunteers in the Civil war he enlisted, July 17, 1861, in Company
B, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Pie was mustered in at Burlington
and was soon ordered to the scene of action. He endured much of the
rigor of war, both in the field and in the camp, and among the battles in
which lie took part were Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Kenesaw Moun-
tain; in the last named place he was wounded by a musket ball and
disabled for two months. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ken-
tucky, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, August 21, 1865, having
served four years and four days. His army record was one of which
^i BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
he may well he proud, and few can hoast of a more faithful term of
service.
On May 21, 1873. 2\Ir. Egbert was united in marriage to Mary S.
Hittle, who was born in Lovilia, Monroe county. Her father, Jacob
Hittle, who was a nati\e of Ohio, and her mother, Huldah (Amber)
Hittle. came to h)\va at an early day and located in ]\Ionroe county,
where the mother died, but the father is still li\ing. Twelve children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Egbert, and all are living: Jesse S., Electa
S., Andrew J.. Edward, Grace, Clara, Elvin, Ira, Harrison, Estella,
Mary and Hulda. These children were all born in Monroe county.
Mr. Egbert has ever been a stanch su])porter of the principles of the
Re]Hil)lican jiart}-. He was reared in the Methodist faith, and his wife
is a meiuber of the Methodist church of Melrose. Iowa.
HEXRV MILLER.
Henry Miller, who has departed this life but is yet remembered
by the citizens of Albia as a man of genuine worth, was born in Union
county, Indiana, September 22, 1828. His father. Daniel Miller, was
one of the substantial and iirominent men of that county. lie was also
a minister of the (ierman liaptist church, and did much gocid work for
the cause of Christianity during the years of his active pastoral labors.
He resided in Indiana until ihe latter part of the fifties, when he came
with his family to Iowa, settling in Monroe county.
Henry Miller, however, did not remove to this state until several
years later, at which time he also became a resident of Monroe county.
He had l^een reared in Indiana, obtaining a common school education
there, and on October 31, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GEXEALOGICAL HISTORY. :io
Susannah Kingery, a nati\e of Union count}-, tliat stale, l)orn July
i8, 1828. She was the }oungest of five children, and wlien hut seven
years of age was left an orphan. By her marriage she became the
mother of the following named : Riley. Alonroe, \\'illie and Anna, all
deceased; Maria. Emma and Frances, who are living. Or" the sur-
\i\ing members of the family Maria is the on!}- one unmarried, and
she makes her home with her mother.
At the time of the Cixil war Henry Miller's symi)atliies were en-
listed with the Union cause, and with interest he watched the progress
of hostilities. In 1864, at what was jsrobably the darkest period of
our country's history, he felt that liis first duty was to the government,
and he offered his services to the country, remaining at the front imtil
the close of the war, when he was mustered out. ^Meritorious conduct
upon the field of battle had won him promotion to the rank of lieuten-
ant, and he returned home with a most creditable military record.
After the war he joined the Grand Ami}- of the Repul.ilic and thus main-
tained pleasant relations with his old army comrades, with whom he
delighted to meet and rehearse the experiences and stories of canij) life.
He was also at one time a member of the Masonic fraternity and of
the Odd Fellows society, Init demitted from both organizations prior
to his death.
In early life Mr. Miller ga\'e his time and attention to farm work,
which he carried on until he liad acquired a good competency. He
then abandoned the plow in order to become a factor in commercial
circles, investing his money in mercantile enterprises. Still later he
engaged in the stock business and in the closing years of his life was
a coal operator. W'hatever he undertook he carried forward to suc-
cessful completion. f(jr he was a man of strong purpose and determined
26 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
will, and, moreover, his business methods were honorable and straight-
forward. He passed away February 19, 1890, respected by all who
knew him, and in Albia, where he made his home for many years, there
are many friends who still mourn his loss. His widow and daughter
Maria are yet residents of this city and are widely and favorably known.
WARREN TAYLOR DANIELS.
Anyone who will call at the farm residence to which mail for the
above named gentleman is directed, near Moulton, in .'\ppanoose
county, Iowa, may realize what is meant by the expression "up-to-date
farming." It is situated in the beautiful prairie country for which Iowa
has long been noted, and is part of the land which produces those enor-
mous crops of corn whose figures in millions of bushels astonish the
world. The visitor will notice in front of the house a metal box marked
"U. S. Mail," which means that the occupants of the place enjoy free
rural mail delivery, that recent luxurious device of advanced civilization.
Going inside, he will soon discover that Mr. Daniels, the hospitable
owner, has telephone connection with Moulton, where most of his busi-
ness is transacted. He can also talk to all other important places in the
county and state; in other words, he can attend to all his foreign busi-
ness without going out of the house, and meantime enjoy reading the
morning papers brought to his door by obliging "Uncle Sam."
Such is a model farmer out in Iowa, and Warren Taylor Daniels
is one of them. He was l)orn in Jackson county. Ohio, September 23,
1856. and is a son of \\'illiam and Mary Jane Daniels, who are spoken
of in detail in another part of this volume. Warren grew up in his
nati\e cmuitv, attended the schools, and, like other bovs, wondered in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 27
his impatience if he would ne\'er heconie a man. At iengtli the time
came when he was free, and his first x'enture in the \vi_)rkl of business
was as a farmer and stock raiser. W'iien twenty-three years old he
embarked in the retail charcoal trade, but only continued this a year,
and some ten years later tried an investment in the lumber business.
This, too, he soon disjxjsed of. and in 1891 emigrated to Iowa and
settled at Moulton, in Appanoose county. He resumed the lumber busi-
ness at this place, owning a sawmill on Sheridan river, four miles from
town, and prosecuted it energetically for fi\-e years after his arrival.
Eventually he sold all his interests in IMoulton and mo\-ed to the farm
which is mentioned at the beginning of this sketch. It consists of one
hundred and eight}- acres of good farming land, witii all the necessary
improNcmcnts and conx'eniences, where he is engaged in raising and
feeding stock, and in addition to this Mr. Daniels owns a residence
and six building lots in Moulton.
On November 30, 188 1, Mr. Daniels was married to Miss Eliza,
daughter of James and Jane (Money) Craig, both natixcs of Ireland,
who came to the United States in 1846. They resided in Massachusetts
for thirteen years after reaching the United States, and then removed
to Gallia county, Ohio, where the mother died in 1889, but her husband
is still living in the last named state. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have four
children, whose names are Lizzie Jane, Craig E., Emma M. and Ward
T. The parents are memliers of the Methodist Episco])a.! church, and
Mr. Daniels is connected with the Odd Fellows. Daughters of Rebekah,
Red Men and Knights of Labor. There are few more comfortable
homes than that occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Daniels, and the hospitable
greeting always extended makes it a pleasure to many friends to
assemble arountl their cheerful hearthstone.
28 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
DANIEL M. COX.
Coming from old Virginia before the war, "skirmishing" for ex-
istence in \-arious places, and finally coming to Iowa for what proved
to be a permanent residence, the gentleman whose name is above given
has had his fnll share of the nps and downs of life. As long as he had
good health, Mr. Cox gave no odds to anybody, as he was indnstrious
and could hold his own with the l>est of them. But he met with a
severe accident a few years ago, which totally disabled him for manual
labor and placed him in the invalid coqis. Though thus dqirived of his
usual means of li\'elihood, Mr. Cox set his brain to work, and by use
of his ingenious inventive faculties evolved a number of useful ma-
chines which promise in time to }ield rich results. Such a man as this
is well worthy of notice and a place in any history devoted to the repre-
sentative men of his section, and no apology is needed for the follow-
ing outline of his life:
Daniel M. Cox is a son of Carlos and Maria L. Cox, both natives
of one of tlic most noted of the old colonial counties of Virginia.
Carlos was a farmer and struggled with a large family to make both
ends meet on the nnnc too productive soil of his native section, but
finally decided to try his fortune in the west, and left the land of his
nati\ity in October, 1S50. In course of time he landed in Iowa at a
little town then known as Orleans. In 11^7,3 he removed to Kansas,
where he died a \ear later, and his surviving widow resides with a son
at Moulton. They had ten children, who are thus recorded in order
of births on the pages of the family register: Elizabeth, James, Fanny,
Daniel, Carlos, Maria, Henry, Lucy, Charles and Louis.
Daniel M. Cox. who is shown l)y the alx)ve list to lie fourth in the
family, was born in Xorlhumberland county, Virginia, August 20,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 29
1838, and remained at home nntil twelve years old. In 1850 he accom-
panied his parents to Alton, Illinois, and a year later to Fayette, Illinois,
where tiie}- remained until the fall of 1864, when he joined his parents
in their emigration to Iowa, and settled in Appanoose county. He
hranched out there with his usual energy and did fairly well until 1S99.
when his hip was so badly injured by a fall as to make him a confirmed
invalid. While l\ing in lied Mr. Cox began to revolve in his mind a
device which promised to be popular in such a rich farming state as
Iowa, and this child of his brain exentually emerged in the shape of a
combination hay and stock rack. He took out a patent on this inven-
tion, and since then has made several improvements on the device, which
it is his intention to also have patented. Still another useful machine
was evolved by Mr. Cox in his weary hours of in\alidism, the same
being a sectional sliding gate, supported by rollers, which is pronounced
quite practical by those who have examined the device.
In 1867 Mr. Cox was married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Dr.
Arnold Barker, of Monterey, Iowa, who is a lady of notable traits of
character -in more ways than one. She was a school teacher in early
life and in 1865 had charge of what was known as the old Meadow
sclioolhouse in W^ells township. In the same year she came prominently
into public notice by her courage in leading the Prohibition forces
against an obnoxious saloon in Monterey kept by one James Cross.
This dive was being run in open defiance of the law. and after patience
had ceased to be a virtue, the women, led b}' Mrs. Cox, took matters
into their own hands and wiped the place out of existence. They were
arrested, but not prosecuted, as both law and order and public senti-
ment were on their side. Mrs. Cox is a member of the Presbyterian
church at Moulton and took an active part in the religious work until
30 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
an attack of rheumatism made her an invaHd as weH as her husband.
Mr. Cox is a Repubhcan in his poHtical predilections, but has not been
a place seeker, and the only office he has held in the county is that of
school director, of which he has been the incumbent for several years.
THOMAS W. HOUGH.
Along the southern bank of the Potomac river, about midway
between Harper's Ferry and Washington, is situated the old county
of Loudoun, which has figured conspicuously and sometimes patheti-
cally in the history of Virginia. Early in the Civil war it was brought
into prominence by the battle of Ball's Bluff, in which Senator Baker
of Oregon met his death. Later this county was pitilessly ravaged by
both sides, as the contending armies marched back and forth repeat-
edly across this border land between the warring sections. Loudoun
has always been noted for the substantial character of its agricultural
population, and ranked for years as one of the best farming counties
of the Old Dominion. Among the families long connected with "Old
Loudoun" and identified with her development was that of Hough,
which name was quite frequent tliere at that time. In the early part
of the last century Isaac Hough, who was the first of twelve children,
conducted a wool manufactory in connection with a mercantile busi-
ness and became a man of some importance in the community, owing
to the success of his enterprises. He married Mary Jane Paxton, by
whom he had eleven children: Martha, deceased; Thomas W. ; Mary
Ann, deceased; John, Isaac, Henry, Robert, Phoebe, Mary Elizabeth,
Jennie, deceased, and Edgar, deceased. The father died in 1868, but
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 31
liis wife survi\'ed him thirty years, not ending lier earthly pilgrimage
until 1898.
Thomas W. Hough, second eldest of their children, was born on
the grandfather's old homestead in Loudoun county, Virginia, Feb-
ruary 4, 1834, and remained in his native place until several years after
passing his majority. He left Virginia in 1859. a }'ear or two before
the desolating waves of war broke over the devoted county of Loudoun,
and made his way to what was then considered the "far west." He
first located in Jasper county, Iowa, where he lived for many years and
accumulated considerable means, but in 1892 he transferred his resi-
dence to Appanoose countv, of which he has since been a citizen. His
real estate holdings at present consist of several large town properties
at Moulton and two farms southeast of that city. Since he came to
Iowa Mr. Hough has l)cen an industrious, hard-working man, and what
he now owns is the well earned compensation of a life of labor.
On May 29, 1856, three years before his departure from Virginia,
Mr. Hough was married to Florida Schooley, by whom he had nine
children: Ida Virginia, Rosa May, deceased; Mattie Ellen, Walter
Elmer, Ellsworth Rosalie, Jessamine, Mary Ann, Thomas Albert and
Florida S. The mother died April 13. 1875, in Jasper county, Iowa,
and Mr. Hough was again married, October 18, 1877, to Fannie M.,
daughter of Samuel and Gertrude Lockwood, to which union have been
born three children: Nellie G., Bertha, deceased, and William Henry
Clyde. As the result of his industry and good management in earlier
years, Mr. Hough is able to spend the evening of his life in compara-
tive repose, and added to this satisfaction is the pleasant feeling that
he both enjoys and deserves the good wishes of his neighbors.
32 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GEXEALOGICAL HISTORY.
SOLOMON G. HICKMAN.
Solomon G. Hickman is one of the substantial farmers of Troy
township, Monroe county, Iowa, who have helped to bring the county
into prominence as an agricultural section. Grandfather Solomon was
a native of Scotland. The father, also named Solomon, was born in
Fayette county. Pennsylvania, was reared on a farm, and married Eliza-
beth Gary, a daughter of a soldier of the war of 1812. They both died
in Greene county of their native state, the former at the age of ninety-
four, the latter aged eighty-three. Solomon, Sr.. was a Democrat in
politics and a Universalist in faith, while his wife was a Presbyterian.
Seven children were born to them : Charles was a soldier and is now
deceased;. Stephen is deceased: Anna is deceased: Solomon G. ;
Archibald was a soldier and li\es on the old farm in Pennsylvania ;
Abel lives in California: William is deceased.
Solomon G. Hickman was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania,
near Waynesburg, November 30, 1840, was reared to manhood on the
home farm, there imbibing many of the wholesome principles which
were to guide him in his future. For some years he taught school in
that part of Virginia which is now comi)ri.sed in West Virginia, near
Morgantown. Tliis he continued till 1866, when he made his way to
the west, settling in Monroe county, Iowa, .\fter remaining here a
few years and taking a partner for life's journey, he went to wliat is
now South Dakota and took a homestead in Clay county, where he re-
mained four years. Returning to Iowa, he bought forty acres of his
present fine farm of one hundred and ten acres from the man who had
obtained it from the government. He has since added the balance. He
has a well furnished house, a good orciiard, large barn and feed lots,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 33
surrounded witli l)eautiful sliade trees, and the whole place evidences
thrift and prosperity.
On September 5, 1869, Mr. Hickman married Miss Mary C. Sea-
man, a lady of much intelligence, who has proved an excellent com-
panion to him: she was born, reared and educated in this county. Her
father, William R. Seaman, was one of the early settlers,
coming to the state in 1845 fi'om New York. His wife was
Drusilla Ross, a native of Illinois, and they had five children :
Minerva, deceased: Sarah Ann, Mary C, Eliza E. and Nel-
son J- The parents, who were farmers, members of the Metho-
dist church and excellent people, are both deceased, the father at the
age of sixty-five, the mother aged sixty. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman be-
came the parents of seven children : Alice, the wife of G. G. Robinson,
of Laurel, Iowa ; Solomon, a medical student of the Keokuk Medical
College; John, who is one of the prominent teachers of the county, the
principal of the public schools of Avery ; Mack, also a medical student
at Keokuk: Arthur, who is a mail carrier on route No. 5, rural free
delivery, at Albia. : Charles S. is a student in the junior class
of the Albia high school, and Philip, who is fifteen years old.
John, Mack and Solomon are all graduates of the Albia high school
and were successful teachers. Mr. Hickman is a Prohibitionist in poli-
tics and a member of the Friends church, while the balance of the family
belong to the United Brethren church. He has the reputation of being
a reliable business man, is frank and genial and has many qualities
which make him intluential in the township.
34 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
WILLIAM B. DARBY.
Representatives of the famil}- of this name figured as early settlers
of two states — Ohio, when it was still a frontier section of the country,
and Iowa, when it was emerging from the territorial condition.
Samuel Darhv, the progenitor of these western pioneers, was a Phila-
delphian, who married Charity Rudyard in his native city, and moved
to southern (^hio when it was still little lietter than a wilderness. He
did his share toward clearing and developing that portion of the state,
hecame well known in his comnuinity and served with credit in the war
of 1812. William Darhy, son of these Philadelphia emigrants, was
horn in Vinton county, Ohio. May 30. 1808, received a good education
for those days and afterward taught school with success for a number
of years. He married Sarah, daughter of Elijah Chenewnrth, a native
of Virginia, descended from Irish ancestry, and continued to live in
Ohio for many }-ears after he hecame the head of a household. The
stories then coming back of the line opportunities offered to settlers by
the young state of Iowa caused the Darbys to abandon the place of
their nativity and join the tide of emigration across the Mississippi.
Early in the fall of 1856 they departed with ox teams on their long
journey, necessai'ily moving Ijy short stages and camping out on the
road as they adxanced. It was during the famous campaign between
Buchanan and I'reniont for the iiresidency, and the excitement was at
its height when the Darhys, with their slow moving oxen, were passing
through Indiana and lllin<iis. The hoys of the famih', l>cing stalwart
Democrats, did not hesitate at e\'cry suitable opportunity to do some-
thing for their champion, and made the stopping places lively with
cheers for Buchanan. It was tlie 4th of November when the waj'farers
reached their destination in .Ajjpanoose comity, Iowa, where they ItKated
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 35
on laml in Union township. A log cabin was hastily erected, and they
soon had a home which, though rude in its surroundings, was ample
for all the needs of hardy pioneers. Of tlie five children born to the
parents, Jerusha M. died when four years old, and Thomas J. was
killed by an earthquake in California. The others are Smiley C, who
resides on the old homestead; Harper D., who is farming near the
town of Foster, in this state, and William B., who is the immediate sub-
ject of this biography. Both father and mother lived to advanced age,
the former being eighty-two and the latter eighty years old when called
to render their last earthly accounts. They were in every respect a
model couple, pious church members and always practicing the principles
of morality, while endeavoring to instil into their children a love for
all that was upright and noble.
William B. Darby, n.amesake and youngest surviving child of his
father, was liorn in Vinton county, Ohio, May 25, 1852, and was still
a lx)y when the removal to Iowa took place. He grew up on the farm,
was trained to habits of sobriety and industry by his good parents, and
when he left home in the twenty-second year of his age was prepared
to face the world with hopefulness and confidence. He was fortunate
in the selection of Margaret J. Lockmon as his wife, she being a supe-
rior woman herself and a member of a family noted for intelligence,
morality and integrity. Her father, the late William Lockmon, was
born in Indiana, but became a settler of Iowa in 1850 and figured use-
fully in the state's formative period. He assisted in the survey of the
site for the present prosperous city of Bloomfield and in other ways did
his part in the work of improvement and development. He was promi-
nent in religious work, being a deacon and elder of the Christian
church, and was in the enjoyment of general esteem and popularity
36 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
when his deatli occurred in Union township, at the comparatively early
age of fifty-four years. He married Provy, daughter of John Helmick,
of Appanoose county, by wlioni he had seven cliildren : John J., Frank
M., Margaret J. (Mrs. Darby), Gabriel S., William P., Samuel J. and
Ezra. After his marriage ]Slr. Darby located, in 1875, on forty acres
of unimproved land in Monroe county, where he built a modest house
and went to work clearing, fencing and otherwise preparing his place
for cultivation. At the ]3resent time he owns one hundred and sixty
acres of valuable land, underlaid with coal, and supplied with all the
necessary adjuncts in the shape of a good dwelling house, barn, granary,
feed lots and suitable outbuildings of all kinds. Much of his land con-
sists of meadows and fine bluegrass pastures, while the fencing and
every appurtenance are in keeping with up-to-date farming in Iowa.
His location is in Mi)nroc township, nne and one-half miles from Foster,
where he carries on general farming and stock raising with the success
that has made him one of the pros])erous farmers of his neigtorhood.
May, the eldest of his seven children, died in infancy, but the other six
were reared without mishap. Bertha, now the wife of George B.
Spencer, of Monroe township, was ;i successful school teacher before
her marriage. Laura, who has also been a popular teacher, is now a
student at the Toledo Xoruial College of Iowa. William, the eldest
son, is a popular clerk in the Cioldcn Eagle clothing store at Albia, and
the other children, in order of birth, are Amos, Frank and Kay. Mr.
Darb}' affiliates with the Demociatic part}', has served as township
trustee and was a nicml)cr of the school boanl for several years. He
is a stanch ach'ocate of all that makes for righteousness, while his geni-
ality, hospitality and frankness of disposition make him one of the
popular men of the community. Mrs. Darliy is a member of the Chris-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 37
tian church and prominent in rehgious work as a member of the aid
society.
JAMES W. WAILES.
This honored veteran of the Civil war, who is now successfully
engag-ed in farming in Chariton township, was Ijorn on tlie 20th of
January, 1834, in Bartholomew county, Indiana, and is a son of John
P. and Sophia (Wilson) Wailes, both of whom were representatives of
distingtiished old colonial families that bore an important part in the
establishment of the republic. His paternal grandparents were Samuel
and Nancy (Naylor) \Vailes, the former of whom was born in Vir-
ginia and died in ISIaryland, while the latter was born in Maryland and
died in Indiana. Our subject's parents were also natives of Maryland,
and his mother was a daughter of David and Mary (Wilson) Wilson,
who were born in the same state. David Wilson died there, but his
wife passed away in Davis county, Iowa. He was a colonel in the Revo-
lutionary war and was a son of James Wilson, one of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence, in 1776. Our subject's paternal
grandfather also aided in freeing the colonies and held a captain's com-
mission in the continental army. At an early day the father, John P.
Wailes, came to Iowa and took fi\-e hundred and twenty-one acres of
government land in Appanoose county, where he spent his remaining
days, though he died while on a visit in Kansas at the advanced age of
eighty-eight years. His wife had passed awa}' many years previously,
dying in Appanoose county at the age of fort)-five. They had nine
children, seven of whom are still living.
Coming to Iowa with his parents in boyhood, James W. Wailes
was reared on a farm in this county, and was educated in the local
4
38 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
scliools. No event of special importance occurred during his early life
until the Civil war broke out. With the blood of Revolutionary heroes
flowing in his veins, he could not remain quietlv at home when the
country was in danger, and in 1863 he enlisted in Company H, Eighth
Iowa Ca\'alry. under the command of Captain M. M. Walden, and was
in every 1>attle in which his company and regiment took part, being
never off duty during his entire service. He was in the raid with.
General McCook against the rebels near .\tlanta. Georgia, and was cap-
tiu'cd near that city. Later he was sent home as a paroled prisoner of
war. and when exchanged rejoined liis command at Macon, Georgia.
At the close of tlie war he was honorably discharged in the fall of 1865
and retiu"ned to liis home in Towa.
For fifty-one years Mr. W'ailcs has resided upon his present farm
in Chariton townshij). where he owns two hundred and fifty-three acres
of the land his father ol)taincd from the government on first coming to
this state. It is one of the best farms in the county. In 1852 a log
house, sixteen by eighteen feet, was built upon the place, which, in 1901,
was re])laccd b)- his present modern and attracti\e home, and the barns
and outbuildings are good and substantial.
On the J_'d of Feliruary, 1865, Mr. W'ailes was united in marriage
to Miss Zerelda E. Xeedham. who is also a nati\e of Bartholomew
county. Indiana, and a daughter of Bailey Wesley and Xancy Need-
ham. Her parents were Ixith born in North Carolina, as were also her
paternal grandparents, John and Nancy Needham, and her maternal
grandparents. Benjrunin and Ruth I'land. The grandparents all died
in Indiana, but Mrs. Wailes' father died in this state, of which he was
an early settler, being seventy-six years of age at the time of his death.
Her mother also died here, aged seventy-one rears. They had a family
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 39
of six children. Among her ancestors were soldiers of botl: tlie Revo-
lutionary war and the war of 1812.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wailes were born eight children, who are still
living, and four of the number are now married. They also have eight
grandchildren. The children are John W., a graduate of the Keokuk
Medical College, who is now engaged in the practice of his profession in
Davis City, Iowa; Emma, Mrs. James Kineman : Luther; Nannie,
Mrs. B. Thackery; Myrtle, Mrs. Charles Mclntyre ; Levin; James W.,
and Zerelda E.
Most of the family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and are
highly respected and esteemed wherever known. Politically Mr. Wailes
is unwavering in his support of the Republican party, and cast his first
presidential vote for John C. Fremont, riding five miles to the polls. He
has creditably filled various township offices, serving as assessor, justice
of the peace and as a member of the school board. Socially he is an
honored member of Sumner Post, No. 150, G. A. R., of Moravia, Iowa,
and also belongs to the Andersonville Prisoners" Association, having
been confined in that loathsome prison pen during his army life. He re-
counts the sufferings endured by the northern soldiers there, and at one
time saw one hundred dead within its walls. He is a man of broad
and liberal views, a good citizen and thoroughly patriotic, devoted to
the welfare of his country in times of peace as well as in war. He is
one of the most pojjular men of his township, and stands high in the
esteem of all who know him.
40 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
THO-MAS MILTON FEE.
As a prominent and talented representative of the legal profession
of Iowa, as a member of the bench whose concise, clear and accurate
judgments have gained for him marked distinction among the state
judiciary. Judge T. AI. Fee is worthy of a prominent place in the history
of Appanoose county. He is the descendant of eminent ancestors. On
the paternal side the Fee family came to America in 1627; the first
one to come was of English and Irish lineage, and he settled in Mary-
land, a branch of the house also gi>ing to Pennsylvania. On the mater-
nal side the great-grandfather Hastings was the progenitor of the
American family. He was a Protestant preacher, and on account of
persecution came across the waters and settled in Pennsylvania. The
parents of Judge Fee were Thomas and Sarah (Hastings) Fee. The
former was the son of James Fee and a Miss Lacon, who were natives
of Pennsxhania, but later removed to Ohio. Thomas Fee was bom
in Clermont count}'. Ohio, in 1802, and, on coming to manhood, em-
barked in merchandi.^ing in Brown county of that state. He was the
founder of Feesburg, in tliat countv. In 1S48 lie removed to Pike
count}-, Illinois, and l)cgan the manufacture of furniture in Perry. He
there spent the rest of his days and died in 1806 at the age of sixty-
four; liis wife survived him many years, passing away at the age of
eighty-fi\-e in Illinois. Their family consisted of eleven children, of
whom three sons and three daughters grew to maturity.
Tiiomas Milton, the youngest child, was born in Feesburg, Brown
county, Ohio, on the i8th of .\pril, 1839. From the age of nine to
nineteen he lived in Illinois, but then passed out from the parental home
and went to Missouri to teach school. In i860 he removed to Ottumwa,
THOMAS M, FEE.
riLic.;.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GEXEALOGICAL HISTORY. 4:!
Iowa, where he evinced his industry by teaching school and studying
law at the same time. He had enjoyed only a common school educa-
tion, supplemented by a course in an academy, but with such \igor and
earnestness did he apply himself that he was admitted to the bar in 1862.
May 12, 1862, is the date of his arrival in Centerville. and be at once
hung out his shingle as a practicing attorney. But in the same year he
laid all other duties aside and enlisted, in June, in Company G, Thirty-
sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, the regiment of which cx-Governor
Drake was lieutenant colonel. On October 4, 1862, he was made cap-
tain of the company, and with that rank was mustered out at the close
of the war, in September, 1865. He was captured with his regiment
at Mark's Mills, and for ten months endured the privations of prison
life at Tyler, Texas. He now recalls his war experiences with his
comrades in John L. Bashaw Post, G. A. R.
At the close of the war Mr. Fee returned to Centerville and re-
sumed his practice. For two years he served as superintendent of
schools of Appanoose county. For one term, from 1875 to 1879, he
was prosecuting attorney of the second judicial district of Iowa. In
1895 his Republican partisans elected him to the judgeship of the second
judicial district court for a term of four years, and he was re-elected
and serxed till January, 1902. In 1899 he was a candidate for supreme
judge of the state, and, although he did not receive the nomination, he
had the hearty support of his friends, and there is no doubt that he
will receive the nomination in the near future if his friends can per-
suade him to become a candidate. He has made a reputation as a
campaign orator of great force and talent.
Judge Fee is prominently identified with the social orders, a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the ;\Ia.sonic fraternity
44 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
is a Knight Templar of St. John's Commandery, No. 21, and a Mystic
Sliriner of tlie Kaaba Temple at Davenport, and is a member of the
military orfler of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery
of the State of Iowa. Lt religious belief he is a Methodist. He has
been twice married and has five children. One son, John A., is a fanner
in this county ; Thomas G. is a graduate of the law department of the
Iowa State University, was admitted to the bar in 1899 and is now
practicing in connection with his father. The judge owns a nice resi-
dence projjerty on Van Buren street, besides other real estate in the city
and in the county.
ASBURY W. POTTS.
One of the most prosperous and substantial farmers of Appanoose
county, Iowa, is .\sbury ^^^ Potts, who owns and operates a valuable
farm in Chariton township, its neat and thrifty appearance plainly indi-
cating his careful supervision and excellent management. He belongs
to an old Virginia family, noted for industry, honesty and morality.
His birthplace was Jackson county, now West Virginia, where he first
opened his eyes to the light of day on the 2d of October, 1846, the year
Iowa was admitted to the Union. His father, William H. Potts, was
born in Bath county. Virginia. October 29, 1824, and was one of the
early settlers of Chariton township. Appanoose county, Iowa. The
paternal grandfather. Jacob Potts, was born in the Shenandoah valley,
Virginia, and was the son of a well known hotel man of Baltimore,
Maryland, the family having previously resided in the latter state.
\\illiam H. Potts grew to manhood in the Old Dominion and there
married Kacliel \\'elch, a native of the same state, and a daughter of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 4o
John W'elcli, who died in Virginia. In 1849 Jacob Potts and his wife
and children, of wliom W'iUiani H. was one, together with their fam-
ihes, came to Iowa, making the journey by water, down tlie CJhio and
up the Mississippi, to Keokuk. They located in Franklin township,
Monroe county, where the grandparents of our subject spent their
remaining days, their deaths occurring on the old homesteatl where
they first settled. L'pon his own place in Chariton township William
H. Potts built a log house and at once began to break the s(.xl and culti-
vate the fields. He died in 1837 at the comparatively earl)- age of
thirty-three years, honored and respected by all who knew him. He
was a good husband and father and a kind neighbor. His witlow still
survives him, lieing now in her eightieth year, as she was born on the
i6th of Septeml>er, 1823. She is well preserved both in mind and
body, and is well loved for her kindness of heart and many admirable
characteristics. She is still living on the old home farm. In her family
were five children, namely : Asbury W., whose name introduces this
sketch; Cornelia E., wife of H. A. Thompson; Bernhart H.. a resident
of Monroe county, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Miner, who died in Craham
county, Kansas, and Eugenie, who lives with her mother. In his i)oliti-
cal views the father was a Democrat.
Asbury W. Potts was quite small when he accom])anicd his parents
on their removal to Iowa and was only eleven years old when his father
died. Being tlie oldest of the family, he became his mother's assistant in
the operation of the farm and in providing for the younger children.
He early learned lessons of honesty and industry, which ha\e been the
chief elements in his success. He attended school in a log cabfn fur-
nished with slab benches that were immovable, ruid the writing desk
was made by a slalj placed ujion iiins dri\cn into the wall.
46 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Potts remained with his mother until he was married, at the
age of twenty-three, in Monroe county, Iowa, the lady of his choice
being Miss Cynthia O. Gilliland, one of the most popular and successful
teachers of this part of tlie state at that time. She was born, reared
and educated in Crawford county, Penns_\h-ania, and engaged in teach-
ing for a time in that state prior to coming west. Her parents, Simpson
and Hannah (Lewis) Gilliland, were also natives of Crawford county,
where they spent their entire lives, the former dying at the age of fifty
years, the latter at the age of forty-five. Both were earnest and con-
sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was
a Republican in politics. By occupation he was a farmer. They had
four children: William L. and Cynthia O., who are still living, and
Samuel A. and Mrs. Mary Thompson, now deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Potts were born five children: Albert, the eldest,
is now a widower and has one child ; he resides with his father, al-
though he owns a farm of his own. Jessie is the wife of W. P. Davis,
of Monroe county, Iowa. Ilorton is married and lives on a farm in
Chariton township. Amy i.« the wife of O. Duvall, of Taylor town-
ship. Elva, the youngest of the family, is at home. The children have
all received good educations and the family is one of prominence in the
community w here they reside. The sons are capable business men and
are meeting with success in their undertakings.
Throughout his active business life Jilr. Potts has followed farm-
ing and has steadily prospered until he is now the owner of eight hun-
dred and ninety acres of the best farming land in Appanoose county.
His elegant home was erected at a co.st of two thousand dollars, and
everything about the place is in perfect harmonv therewith. There are
large barns and other outbuildings and a windmill, while a fine orchard
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 47
and grove add greatly to tlie beauty of the place. The fields are well
cultivated, and everything betokens a painstaking and progressive
owner, who thoroughly understands his chosen vocation. He is an
up-to-date farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of high grade
cattle. The success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his
own well directed and energetic efiforts, for he started out with no
capital, and he deserves an honored place on the roll of the county's
self-made men. He is a man of more than ordinar\- business ability,
possesses keen discrimination and sound judgment, and these qualities
have enabled him to leave the ranks of the many and stand among the
successful few. In manner he is hospitable, frank and genial, and he
makes many friends. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and with her husband shares in the friendship of all
who know her.
B. G. MILLER.
B. G. Miller, of Union township, Appanoose county, was born in
Tennessee, April 4, 1848, and the same year was brought to Iowa by his
father, Hon. C. B. Miller, now of Lhiionville. He was born in Hick-
man county, Tennessee, December i, 1824, and is a son of Nathaniel
Johnson Miller, whose birth occurred in North Carolina, and who was
of Irish descent. The grandfather married Sarah Martin, whose
mother l)ore the maiden name of Miss Barber, and the latter had sev-
eral brothers who were soldiers of the Revolutionary war. At his
death Nathaniel Johnson Miller left two children, Claudius B. and Har-
riet J.
Cladius B. Miller was reared upon the old home farm in Tennessee
and there acquired his education. He was married in 1846 to Martha
48 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Baldridge, an estimable lady who traveled life's journey with him for
twenty-seven years, passing away in Appanoose county in 1873. Their
children were Benjamin G. ; Joseph D., a resident of Missouri; Mrs.
Laura J. Hicks; Mrs. Amanda Miller; Sarah, deceased; William C,
and Mrs. Rosa B. Large, of Indian Territory. After the death of
his first wife the father was again married, in 1876 to Miss Dorcas E.
Jennings, of Appanoose county, a daughter of Perry Jennings. There
are two children by this union — Mabel, who is a school teacher, and
Agnes. For many years the father has carried on farming and mer-
chandising, and is recognized as a leader in business, political and social
circles. In 187 1 and 1873 he was elected to represent his district in the
state assembly and left the impress of his individuality upon the legisla-
tion enacted during those sessions. At the time of the Civil war he
was equally loyal to his country, joining the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry
under the commnad of Colonel Kittridge. He did faithful service in
defense of the government and is now a valued member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old
comrades. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and there is no man in the community more
honored and respected than Claudius B. Miller.
Benjamin G. Miller has spent his entire life in Appanoose county.
He remained under the parental roof and at an early age assisted in
the work of the farm. His education was obtained in a log school-
house, seated with slab benches, and his feet rested upon a puncheon
floor. In one cml of the room was an immense fireplace, and the
methods of instruction were also somewhat primitive. At the time of
the Civil war. although a boy of fifteen years, he enlisted for service
in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, as a member of Company C. This
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 49
was the same company to wliicli his father belonged. He was under
the command of Captain Allen W. Miller and Colonel Kittridge, and
later the company was commanded by Captain William Vermillya.
With his regiment he took part in a number of hotly contested battles,
and on the expiration of his term of service he was honorably dis-
charged and returned to his home. He then resumed farm work, and
at the age of nineteen }ears was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Clancy, who has been a faithful companion and helpmeet to him as
the years have passed by. She is a native daughter of Appanoose
county, and her parents were Wesley and Malinda (Martin) Clancy,
who became pioneer settlers here; in fact, Mr. Clancy was the first
man to establish a home in the county, the date of his arrival being in
May, 1843, at which time he secured a claim from the government.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Miller has carrietl on agricultural
pursuits, and is now the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred
and four acres in Union township. I'pon it is a g(X)d modern resi-
dence, standing on a natiu'al l>uilding site, and around it are fine shade
trees, beautiful flowers and shrubs, making the home one of the most
attractive features of the landscape. There is an orchard, containing
many kinds of fruit trees, and meadows and pasture lands furnish feed
for the stock in both summer and winter. There is a large barn, feed
lots and granaries and other necessary outbuildings, and the farm has
some of the best corn producing land in the county. Mr. Miller is also
engaged in the stock business, raising and feeding good grades of stock,
and through this avenue he is likewise meeting with excellent success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Miller has been blessed with the follow-
ing children: Mrs. Cora E. Thompson; William N., who married
Bertha Hudgens and lives in Udell township; Turpa J., Cleffie B., Iva
50 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
E. ; and John B., Flora and Alice, who are now deceased. The
last named was twenty-two years of age at the time of her
death, and she had many friends who mourned her loss because
of her pleasing characteristics and many excellent qualities. Mr.
Miller is recognized as one of the leading Democrats of his
township and was nominated b)- his party in 1902 for the position
of county supenisor. No trust of a public or private nature reposed
in him has ever been betrayed, and at all times he gives his influence
and aid on the side of right, impro\ement and progress. His entire
life having been passed in this county, his history is well known to his
many friends and neighbors and the fact that those who have known
him the longest entertain for him the warmest regard is an indication
of an upright career.
JAMES MADISON CREECH.
James Madison Creech, who owns and cultivates a fine farm of
three hundred and eighty-fi\e acres on section 24, Taylcir township,
came to Appanoose county on the 24th of April. 1857, and has made
liis home here since then. He was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee,
October 22, 1834, a son of Stephen Creech, who was born in Virginia,
and a grandson of Elijah Creech, also of the Old Dominion. The fam-
ily, however, is of Irish descent, the great-grandfather having been born
on the Emerald Isle, whence he emigrated to the new world Stephen
Creech was reared in Virginia and in early life learned the cooper's trade.
He married Elizabeth Hicks, who was born in the same state as was her
father. James Hicks, who was of English descent, and scr\ed his coun-
try as a soldier in the war of 1812. Removing westward to Tennessee
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 51
Stephen and Eliza Creech spent their remaining days upon tlie old home-
stead farm, which the father continued to cultivate throughout his active
business career. In politics he was first a Whig and afterward a Demo-
crat and both he and his wife were members of the Missionary Baptist
church. His death occurred when he had attained the ripe old age of
eighty-two years and his wife passed away at the age of seventy years.
Their children were Sarah, James M.. Lydia, Elijah, John, deceased;
Amanda, S. Nelson, Andrew, who has passed away; William Jesse and
Solomon B. Only four of the number, however, are now living.
James M. Creech was reared in Hawkins county upon the home
farm and at an early age began following the plow. He obtained his
education in a log sclioolhouse and wlien twenty-one years of age left
the state of his nativity, going to Texas, where he remained for some
months. He then came northward to Appanoose county, Iowa, and has
since been identified with agricultural interests in this part of the state.
He was married on October 2, 1858, in Appanoose county, to Miss
Eliza Clancy, who for forty-four years has been a faithful companion
and helpmeet to him on life's journey. She was born in Jackson
county, Illinois, a daughter of John W^esley Clancy, who was one of the
first settlers of this county, arriving here in May, 1843, when Iowa was
still a territory. He was born in Tennessee and was there united in
marriage to Malinda Martin, a nati\e of Kentucky. In Iowa Mr.
Clancy developed a good farm in the midst of pioneer surroundings
and here he died at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed
away at the age of forty-eight years. He voted with the Democracy
and was a loyal adherent of the Missionary Baptist church, in which
he served as a deacon. To him and his wife were Ixjrn ten children,
seven of whom reached years of maturity, namely : Clarissa, de-
52 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ceased; William, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Creech, Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop,
John, deceased; Mrs. Mary Miller, George, Mrs. Jane Coulson, Mrs.
Freelove Chambers, and Andrew, deceased. For his second wife the
father chose Mary Frost and they had three children, but Walter is
the only one now li\'ing, Edward and an infant being the deceased.
For a while after his marriage Mr. Creech located upon the farm
belonging to his father-in-law, and then with the money he had gained
through his own labors he purchased forty acres of land and took up
his abode in a little log cal)in upon his present farm. Here he worked
hard, chopping away the timlier and clearing the bushes from many
acres of land. .As time has passed and his financial resources have in-
creased he has added to his property until he now has three hundred
and eighty-five acres, constituting one of the best farms in his town-
ship. This is rich bottom land and upland and the fields are watered
by Soap creek. All is fenced and the farm is divided into pasture and
meadow lands and tilled fields. An orchard yields its fruits in season
and a large barn and other outbuildings furnish shelter for grain and
stock, while the home of the family is accounted one of the best country
residences in Appanoose county. Mr. Creech has been a very success-
ful farmer and stock-raiser, and assisted by his estimable wife has ac-
quired a handsome competency.
The home of this worthy couple has been blessed with ten chil-
dren: John, Rosa, William, George F., Charles S., a merchant of
Udell, Iowa; Mrs. Josephine Swaim, of Union townshii); Ellis, who
died at the age of twenty-one years ; Jane, who passed away at the age
of eleven years; Ro\' N., of the same township; Edgar, who is a young
man of nineteen years assisting in the work of the home farm. Mr.
and Mrs. Creech have a granddaughter, Edna, who is now eleven years
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 53
of age and wiio lias lived with them since her babyhood because of Iier
mother's deatli. Her father is Wilham Creecli, their third son. Mr.
Creech votes witli the Democracy and has served for six years as town-
ship supervisor. He belongs to tlie Masonic fraternity and is a member
of the Missionary Baptist churcli. He is a man of splendid physique,
being six feet and one and a half inches in height and weighing over two
hundred pounds. In manner he is genial and cordial, in disposition
friendly, and lie possesses the sterling traits of character which in
every land and every clime command respect and regard. His life, too,
pro\'es how effective are industry, perseverance and good management
in winning prosperity, for though he started out in life empty-handed,
he is now the possessor of a very valuable property.
WILLIAM STEPHENS.
As the above named came to Iowa shortly after its admission into
the Union as a state he has a clear title to the claim of being one of the
early settlers, and his long residence in Monroe county gives him stand-
ing as one of its best known citizens. He also enjoys the much prized
honor of having served his country well in its hour of need and of
coming out of the army with a good military record. As his civil life
has been passed in agricultural pursuits it has necessarily been of a
quiet and unostentatious character, but it is something of a distinction
to be a successful farmer in Iowa, the state so noted for its progress
in agriculture, and those who know Mr. Stephens will not deny him the
right to be counted one of this honorable host. His forefathers were
Virginians and settled in that section of the state which, on account of
disagreements growing out of the Civil war, seceded and began busi-
54 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ness as a new commonwealtli. Long before this event, however, Wil-
liam Stephens had removed from his native country of Wales and taken
up his alx)de in the valley of the Greenbrier river. He chose as his wife
Sarah C. McVev, who, like liimself, was of Irish extraction, being the
daughter of Samuel McVey.
William Stephens remained some time in West Virginia after
liis marriage, but e\entually removed to Louisa county, Iowa,
where he carried on fanning in connection with carpentering un-
til his death, at the age of forty-seven. His wife long survived him and
died after her removal to Monroe county, when in the sixty-eighth
year of her age. James S.. the eldest of their six children, served as a
soldier in the Mexican war and afterward was killed by robbers at
St. Joe, Missouri, for which crime four men were hanged on the banks
of the Missouri ri\cr. William, the second son, will be fully noticed
further along. Martin and .Alexander, third and fourth of the family,
are now residents of Nebraska. Mary Jane is the wife of Tiiomas
Brandon and lives at Melrose, Iowa, and Elizabeth C. Stephens is the
wife of J. N. Repp, of Monroe county, Iowa.
William Stephens, second son and namesake of his father, was born
in Grecnljrier count}'. West Virginia, and eleven vears later went with
his parents to Stark count}-, Illiudis, whence they came in 1848 to the
state of Iowa. His rearing and education did not differ from tiiat of
the average farm boy of the period, and was without incident of im-
portance until the outlireak of the Civil war. In 1862 Mr. Stephens
enlisted in a company commanded by Captain (leorge Xoble, whidi
was part of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under
Colonel Kittrcdge and Lieutenant Colonel Drake. This regiment oper-
ated extensivel}' in .Arkansas, and Mr. Stephens took part with it in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 55
engagements at Helena, Little Rock, Elkin's Ford, Camden and Mark's
Mills. At the last mentioned place he was captured by the "Johnny
Rebs" and taken as a prisoner to Tyler, Texas. After being cooped
up for ten months he was lucky enough to obtain an exchange and came
home on a thirty days' furlough. Not being able to rejoin his regi-
ment at the expiration of his month's leave he was examined by the
medical board and given an extension of time for thirty days, after
whicli he reported at headquarters at Keokuk, and was ordered to be dis-
charged from the service shortly afterward at Davenport.
Mr. Stephens married Mrs. Minerva J. Turner, whose husband
died in the Civil war in 1862, and whose maiden name was Johnson,
she being the daughter of Isaac and Louzana Johnson, who came from
Kentucky and ended their days in Iowa.
Mrs. Stephens' great-grandfather was James McBrier, a veteran of
the war of 181 2. It is told of the latter that when he returned from
the army he stopped before his wife's house and asked for lodging, but
not being recognized, met with a refusal. Being somewhat abashed at
his reception he made himself known by exclaiming: "I am James
McBrier, your husband." This, of course, led to his being taken in
and warmly welcomed, and, as the story writers say, "they lived hap-
pily ever after."
The children of this union are thus recorded in order
of birth: Mrs. Cynthia Hammons, who resides at Hilton; Wil-
liam H., Mrs. Alice Bowman, Mrs. Mattie Hankins, who died in
igoo, leaving a child, Lile Hankins; Ernest, Edward, Arthur, Lizzie
Eathen, and Manola. Mr. Stephens resides on the homestead place in
Franklin townsiiip and is comfortably fixed in all respects. He is a
member of the Seventh Day Advent church, of the Grand Army of the
50 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Repiiljlic, and in all the relations of life is found to be genial, sociable
and ready to oblige.
WILLIAM F. VERMILION.
Among the men of Appanoose county who have gone, leaving the
impress of their lives ()n the institutions and welfare of their community,
is William F. X'ermilion. The parents of this gentleman were Joel and
Nancy (Shaw) Vermilion, natives of old Kentucky; the father was a
minister in the Baptist church and about 1840 removed from Kentucky
and settled in Putnam county. Indiana, where he continued in his min-
istratinn until his death.
William was also a native of Kentucky, born there on October 18,
1830; coming with his parents to Indiana he obtained his mental train-
ing in the primitive schools of that state and grew up to healthy and
vigorous manhood. He then went to Illinois, and having made medi-
cine his choice of the professions began the study of that science and
later attended the Rush IMedical College in Chicago. The date of his
arrival in /Xppanoose county, Iowa, was about 1857. He had accom-
panied an invalid brother to Texas and drove from there to this county,
where he remained; he was united in marriage to Mary Kemper, whose
father, Valentine Kemper, had settled in Monroe county from Putnam
county. Indiana. At Iconium, Appanoose county, Mr. Vermilion began
the practice of medicine and continued until the Civil war threw all
peaceful pursuits into confusion. In 1861 he organized a company
which was known as Company F, Thirty-si.xth Iowa Infantry; of this
he was commissionetl captain and serving loyally through the struggle
was nuistered out in September, ^865.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 57
On his return from tiie war lie devoted himself to the study of
law, was admitted to the bar, and thereafter continued the practice of
this profession in Centerville. On the Republican ticket he was elected
and served one session in the state senate, but outside of this held no
public office. His wife, Mary Kemper Vermilion, having died, he was
in 1894 united in marriage with Mrs. Kate B. Day, of Centerville, who
survived him. When in his sixty-fifth year he passed away in his home
at Centerville, on December 28, 1894.
C. W. VERMILION.
C. W. Vermilion, the son of William F. and Mary (Kemper) Ver-
milion, and a sketch of whose father appears above, has followed in the
profession of his father. He was born in Centerville, Iowa, on the 6th
day of November, 1866, and was reared and educated in his native
town; his higher education was received in DePauw University in In-
diana, and in 1889 he graduated in the law department of the Univer-
sity of Michigan. In October of the same year he was admitted to
the Iowa bar and began practice in Centerville. Mr. Vermilion has also
given some attention to politics, being a member of the Republican
party. In 1892 he was made count}- attorney and was re-elected two
years later. In 1901 Governor Shaw appointed him judge of the
second judicial district court to fill the unexpired term caused by the
resignation of Judge T. M. Fee, and at the election of the following
year he was elected for the ensuing full term. In 1897 Mr. Vermilion
was married to Clare Eloise Biddle, who is the youngest daughter of
William M. Biddle, a pioneer of Appanoose county.
58 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GEXEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JOHN D. McKIM.
John D. McKim. whose farm is located on section 5 in Union
township, is one of the early settlers of Appanoose county and was the
first school teacher of his township. From that time to the present he
has been active in support of material, social, intellectual and moral
interests calculated to benefit the community, and his locality classes
him with its best citizens. He was born in Spencer county, Indiana,
March 11, 1827, and on one side comes of Scotch ancestry and on the
other of Scotch-Irish. His father, Robert McKim, was born in Ken-
tucky in July, 1798, and was reared in that state and in Indiana. He
became a hunter and largely devoted his time to the hunting of wild ani-
mals with the Indians. When a young man he had served in some
of the Indian wars and in the war of 1812. He was married in Ken-
tiii-Uy to Elizabeth Tate, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of
Samuel Tate, who also rendereil his country faithful service as a soldier
in the war of 1812 and by aiding in protecting the frontier settlements
against Indian attacks. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKini were born
twelve children, of whom five reached years of maturity, while three
are still living, those being: Alfred, of Missouri; Sarah, who is liv-
ing in the same state: and John D., of this review. The mother died
in Spencer county, Indiana, and the father afterward married Nancy
Lamar, by whom he had three children, but all are now deceased. His
death occurred in Spencer county, February 23. 1862. Both he and
his wife were members of the Baptist church, and he was a Republican
in his political views.
John D. iMcKim was reared upon the home farm in Spencer county
and is indebted to the public schiwls of that locality for the educational
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 5U
priv'ileges he enjo_\ed. Wlien he ceased to be a student he Ijecanie a
teacher and followed that profession for several terms. In his native
county he married Rebecca Lamar, who was a nati\e of Spencer
county, Indiana, born April j, 183 1, her parents being Elisha and
Nancy (^W'ollen) Lamar, nati\es of Kentucky; the former died in In-
diana in middle life, and his children were Mrs. McKim, Elijah, now
deceased; Mathias, who was a soldier of the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infan-
try in the war of the Rebellion and is now deceased; Hannah, who has
also passed awa}- ; and Trusten, who was a soldier of the Twenty-hrst
Missouri Infantry and is now living in Oklahoma.
In the year 185 1 Mr. McKim left his old home in Indiana and came
to Appanoose county, Iowa, settling in Lhiion township, where he has
since resided. He has lived upon his present farm for eighteen \ears
and has here a tract of sixty-one acres of good land, on which is a com-
fortable home, a suljstantial barn and a fine bearing orchard. His
fields, too, are well cultivated and his laljors annually bring to him a
comfortable living. The home of Mr. and Mrs. McKim has been
blessed with ten children: Alfred, of Ringgold county, Iowa; J. R.,
of Nebraska; James R., deceased; Elijah Marion, who has also passed
away; Mathias Wollen, of Moravia; Lewis Cass, of this county; Mrs.
Martha Josephine Sapp, deceased; Mrs. Sarah E. Stocker. of Union
township; P'rank Leslie, of Des Moines, Iowa; and one that died in in-
fancy.
Mr. McKim's military ser\ice began on the jtli of November, 1862,
at which time he joined the boys in blue of Company B, Seventh Iowa
Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He was under the com-
mand of Captain John Wilcox and Colonel Sumner and the regiment
did duty in Nebraska and the west against the hostile Indians, being
60 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
stationed at different times at Fort Riley, at Fort Kearney, at O'Fal-
lon's, and Julesburg, Colorado, and at other points upon the frontier.
They did much effective service for the government in suppressing the
uprising of the Indians. Mr. McKim had his toes and lower limbs
frozen and has suffered much since that time on account of this. He
has always voted with the Repul)lican party and has served as town-
ship assessor, as constable and as justice of the peace, discharging his
duties in a most prompt and capable manner. He has also ser\'ed on
the school board and he was the first teacher of Union township and
was followed In- Thomas Underwood, our subject examining him and
granting him his certificate. The cause of education has ever found in
Mr. McKim a warm friend, and on the school board he did everything
in his power to advance educational interests here. He belongs to the
Christian church, his wife to the United Brethren church, and both
are people of genuine worth. His word is as good as his bond, his in-
tegrity standing as an unquestioned fact in his career.
EMAXUEL B. GREENLY.
Emanuel B. Greenly, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who
offered his services to the government when eighteen years of age and
faithfully defended the old Hag through the hour of the country's peril,
is now successfully carrying on farming in Union township, Appanoose
county. He was Ixirn in Lancaster county, Pennsylvaia, in 1843, a son
of John and Sarah (P.uchter) Greenly, both of whom were natives of
Pennsylvania and spent their entire li\cs in that state. They held mem-
bership in the Dunkard church and were people of genuine worth.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. (U
Four of their sons. Andrew, Samuel, Amos and Emanuel, were volun-
teer soldiers in the Union Army.
At a ver}- early age Emanuel B. (Ireenly was bountl out. and he had
no opportunity to secure an education, Init through his own lahur he
learned to read and write. His youth was one of unremitting toil and
whate\er he has achiexed has been won through his own labor. \\'ith
every department of farm labor he early became familiar. He was
married first in Pennsylvania to Miss Sarah W'inkleman. a natixe of
that state. She died in Illinois, leaving five children: Anna, Barbara,
John, Mary and Wilhelmina. In 1880 in Hancock county, Illinois, Mr.
Greenly was again married, his second union being with Marv Cane,
a daughter of John and Rebecca Cane. Mrs. Greenly, b\- a former
marriage, bad one son, Ira S. W'ollin, Axbo is now in .Mbia. Iowa.
Mr. Greenly was but eighteen years of age when the Ci\il war
broke out. He had watched with interest the progress of e\-ents in the
south, and believing in the righteousness of the Union cause he enlisted
at Lancaster. Pennsylvania, in 1861, as a mem])er of Company C,
Seventy-ninth Peimsylvania Infantry, under Captain Dysart and Colonel
Hambright. Later his compau}- was commanded by Captain Bone,
and still later by Captain Dysart, and for three years ]Mr. Greenly re-
mained with the army, taking i:)art in a number of important engage-
ments, including the battles of Perrysville, Stone River, Murfreesboro,
Nashville, Chickamaugua, and Chattanooga. He became ill with ty-
phoid fever and also suffered from other ailments. Because of this
he was transferred to the Nineteenth Invalid Corj) as a member of com-
pany G, commanded by William C. Albergcr. For a time he was in
the hospital at \\'as]nngton. D. C, and also at Buffalo. New York, and
in Elmira he was honorably discharged. Me returned to his home with
<'.2 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
a good war record, for he had ever been loyal to his duty and faithful
to the best interests of the nation. In 1877 or '78 he moved to Illi-
nois. It was in the year 1880 that Mr. Greenly came with his family
to Iowa, settling in Union township, Appanoose county. He here owns
seventy-eight acres nf good land, upon which is a stable, a good or-
chard, a wixsd lot and pasture lands, in addition to the richly cultivated
fields. His time and attention are given untiringly to his farm work, and
certainly he deser\^es great credit for what he has accomplished, owing
his success entirely to his own efforts. He is a member of the Grand
Anny of the Republic, being associated with Sumner Post No. 398, of
Moravia, and his wife is a loyal member of the United Brethren church.
JOSEPH GOSS.
The abo\e named is a familiar figure in commercial circles at Cen-
ters'ille, where he has been engaged in different branches of merchandis-
ing for forty-seven years. During this period, also, he has been actively
identified with the religious, educational and social life of this enter-
prising county seat. Few men have more acquaintances than he in Ap-
panoose and surrounding cnunties. and none possesses a fairer name in
'the marts of trade. Joseph Goss is one of two survivors of an English
family whicli came to this country before Iowa had been admitted into
the Union as a state. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Burrows)
Goss and was liorn at Manchester, England, April 28. 1834. In 1842,
when he was about eight years old. his parents left their native land for
America, and upon arrival at the port of New Orleans made their way
up the I\Iississi])]5i to St. Enuis. Some fi\-e or six years were spent in
the Missouri metropolis, but hoping for better opportunities the emi-
JOSEPH GOSS.
YORK
public;.
«sr, ■ 'MO
riLOEN r»U.-.»ATIONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 65
grants proceeded to tlie new state of Iowa and found a location at Keo-
kuk. Their deaths occurred in tliat city at comparatively early ages,
the father being hut forty-six and the mother fifty-two years of age
when the final summons came which closed their earthly careers. Only
two of their six children are now li\ing.
Joseph, the eldest of these, was forced to shift for himself at an
early age, without capital and with ven' limited equipments in the way
of education. The trade of brick-mason and plasterer, which he had
learned in early manhood, afforded him support for seven years, when
he determined on a different line of occupation. It was in 1855 that
Mr. Goss settled at Centerville, which, with the exception of one year
spent at Eddyville, has ever since been the scene of his business activi-
ties. In 1859 he secured employment as a clerk in a general store, and
remained in that situation for twelve consecutive years. Meantime he
had by close saving accumulated a little capital, and with this, in 1870,
he branched out in a moderate way as a dealer in boots and shoes. He
prosecuted this business for ten years, during which time agricultural
implements were added as a side line, and in 188 1 he disposed of the
stock and establishment to his son. He then purchased a well stocked
hardware store, and has continued in that line of business with flat-
tering success up to the present time. Mr. Goss is now probably en-
titled to the rank of dean of the business corps at Centerville by virtue
of longest continued service, and, considering the disadvantages under
which he labored when beginning, has accomplished results that reflect
credit upon his ability as a merchant.
In December, 1855, about the time he came to Centerville, Mr.
Goss was married to Clara Brough, a native of Virginia, by whom he
had four children. He has long been affiliated with the Christian
66 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
church and has been a member of the Knights Templar for twenty
years. Though deprived of educational opportunities in youth, and
perhaps because of that very fact, Mr. Goss has always been a stanch
friend of education, and for fourteen years was an active member of the
Centerville school board. A charter member of the Republican party,
he has ever co-operated cordially with that great political organization,
but has neither sought nor desired office of any kind.
DAVID \\'. KENWORTHY.
One of the retired farmers of Monroe county who has been an in-
habitant of this state for over sixty-five years, thus being able to take
a front seat in the old settlers" meetings, is David W. Kenworthy. He
is the son of Jelni and Amaretta (Stockton) Kenworthy. Jehu Ken-
worthy was born in North Carolina in i8oi and there grew up to man-
hood. Long before Iowa was admitted to statehood he came to Cedar
county and in 1S54 removed to Mom^oe county and liought land near the
present site of the village of Tyrone; and on this farm of two hundred
and forty acres he lived until his death. In politics he was a member of
that famous organization known as the Know Nothing party and was
also a Whig and a Republican; he and his wife were members of the
Qiristian church. His wife was a native of Ohio and Inire him eleven
children : Rebecca, deceased ; Alzina, deceased ; Clark, deceased ; Mary
is living; Ira, deceased; William, deceased; David W. is living; Jesse,
deceased; Charles Otis is living; George, deceased, and Winfield Scott
is living.
David W. Kenworthy is a native son of Iowa, having been born
in Cedar county, October 20. 1838; the first few years of his life were
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 07
spent here and in 1847 lie went to Montgomery county, Indiana, where
he remained for nine years. He then returned to Monroe county, but
soon after emigrated to Oregon, whicli was at that time one of the
growing and newly developed sections of the country. While there the
Civil war burst upon the country and he was one of the first to enlist,
enrolling himself on December 10, 1 861, at Phoenix, in Company D,
First Oregon Cavalr}- ; they spent the following winter at Camp Baker
and in the spring crossed the state to Oregon City, where they were en-
gaged in numerous skirmishes with the Indians ; after three years' ser-
vice he was mustered out at Vancouver, Dec. 10, 1864. The year fol-
lov\ring his army service he drove a team for the government and in May,
1865, he returned to Monroe county and engaged in farming, which
occupation he has continued up to the present time.
On February 2. 1866, Mr. Kenworthy was married to Miss Eliza-
beth McCreary, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa at an early day.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenworthy became the parents of six children, four sons
and two daughters : Arthur, Amaretta, Nona, William, Harry and
Mark; all were born in this county and are living at the present time.
Mr. Kenworthv has always found that the Republican party expressed
his political belief, and in the various affairs of public concern has shown
himself a true and representative citizen of the county.
JOHN H. MAY.
The press has not only recorded the history of advancement, but
has also ever been the leader in the work of progress and improvement,
in the vanguard of civilization. The philosopher of some centuries ago
proclaimed the truth that "the pen is mightier than the sword," and
68 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
this statement is continually being verified in the affairs of Hfe. In
molding public opinion the power of the newspaper cannot be over-
estimated, but at all events the influence is greater than any other single
agency. Since Mr. May became a factor in the journalistic field he has
done much to promote the welfare and progress of his town, and the
Cincinnati Review, of which he is the editor and proprietor, is found as
the champion of all measures for the general good.
Mr. May is a native of Adair county, Missouri, born December 26,
1859. His parents were James W. and Mary A. (Forrest) May. The
father was born in eastern Tennessee in 1805, a son of William May,
who was born in Tennessee and was of English lineage. William May
married a daughter of Governor John Sevier of that state, and among
their children was James W. May, who after arriving at years of ma-
turity wedded Miss Mary A. Forrest, who was born in Pike county,
Missouri, in 1817. Mr. May had been previously married and by the
first uni(3n had three children, while by his marriage to the mother of
our subject he had eleven children. In 1844 he came to Iowa, settling
in Wapello county, and subsequentl}- he removed to Missouri, but in
1864 he came again to Iowa, this time settling in Appanoose county.
In 1868 he took up his alxxle in Cincinnati, and the northwest part of
the town has been built upon a part of his old farm. Throughout his
active business career he carried on agricultural ])ursuits and thus pro-
vided a good living and comfortable home for his family. In his politi-
cal views he was a Republican, lie died in 1876. and his wife sur-
vived until 1882, when she was also called to her final rest.
When but a lad John H. May came with his parents to Cincinnati,
where he was reared and educated, and in his youth he worked upon his
father's farm. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 69
later purchased tlie old homestead from the other heirs and laid it out in
town lots, making several additions to Cincinnati. To a considerable
extent he has engaged in the real estate business, antl his property invest-
ments and sales have brought to him a desirable profit. In 1893 he pur-
chased the Review, which lie has since published. It is a well edited
journal, neat and attractive in appearance, and has secured a good circu-
lation. He also conducts a job printing business in connection with the
publication of the paper and has a well equipped newspaper plant.
In 1894 Mr. May was united in marriage to Miss Anna Fox, a
daughter of John and Sarah (Boyles) Fox. Mrs. May was born in
Cincinnati and ijy her marriage she has become the mother of three chil-
dren : Elbridge Fox, Jennie Pauline and Erma Josephine. The par-
ents hold membership in the Christian church, and Mr. May is a mem-
ber of the Modern \Voodmen camp. In his political views he is a Re-
publican and publishes his paper in tlie interest of that party. Well
known in the community in which almost his entire life has been passed,
he has become a popular as well as widely known citizen, and his ef-
forts in behalf of his town have proved of value to the community.
NATHAN ROBERTS.
Nathan Roberts was one of the first settlers of Iowa, belonging
to that band of brave pioneers who faced the hardships, trials and dan-
gers incident to life in a wild region in order to lay the foundation for
the present development and progress of the state. His name should
certainly be recorded upon the pages of Monroe county's history and it
is with pleasure, therefore, that we present the history of his life to our
readers. He was Ixirn in Bradfunl countv, Pennsvlvania, November
70 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
7. 18 16, a son of Nathan and Jane (Griffin) Roberts. The father fol-
lowed farming throughout his entire life and never left Pennsylvania,
dj-ing there on the 25th of October, 1858; his wife has also long since
passed away.
Nathan Roberts spent the first twenty-three years of his life in
the Keystone state, and then, attracted by the possibilities and business
opportunities afforded by the then far west, he came to Iowa in 1839,
first settling in Van Bnren county. This was many years before the
admission of the state into the Union, in fact, with the exception of
a few settlers who had located along the river, the entire country was
wild and unimpro\-ed, the great prairies stretching for miles, covered
with the native grasses and unoccupied save by the red men. After
he had completed his education in the schools of Pennsylvania he had
worked at farming, and after reaching this state he again resumed ag-
ricultural ])ursuits, which he carried on up to the time of his death.
Mr. Roberts brought his l)ride to his pioneer home. He was mar-
ried in 1838, near Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Sally Ann Runnels, a daugh-
ter of Snow and Mary Runnels. Her father, who was born August 8.
1796, passed away in 1840, at the comparatively early age of forty-four
years, Init the mutlier reached an advanced age, her birth occurring on
the 15th of Decemljer. 1799. and her death on the 27th of May, 1872.
The children in the Runnels family were as follows : Huram and
Nancy, both deceased; Mrs. Roberts, of this sketch; Stephen Perry,
who has also passed away; Lemuel, deceased; Roderick, who is living
in Marysvillc. Iowa; and Solan, deceased. One brother, Charles Run-
nels, resides upon a farm adjoining that upon which Mrs. Roberts makes
her h(Mne. He settled in Monroe county in 1843 and was married fi\e
years later in 1848. in this state, to Miss Diana Harter, but his wife is
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 71
now deceased. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. Roberts were born ten children, five
sons and five daughters, namely : Tryon, Allen, Charles, deceased ;
Helen, Mary J., Lemuel, William, deceased; Lovilia C, Sarah A., and
Harriet L.
It is with her daugliter, Mrs. James Hinds, that Mrs. Roberts now
makes her liome. Mrs. Hinds had the following children: Allen
Theodore, Richard Nathan, deceased; James E., who has also passed
awa_\', and Lulah May.
Through forty-seven years Nathan Roberts carried on agricult-
ural pursuits in Iowa. He came to Monroe county in 1846 and from
that time until his death was numbered among the leading citizens
of this portion of the state, taking an active and helpful part in every-
thing pertaining to general progress and improvement. He was deeply
interested in what w'as accomplished in the county as it emerged from
its primitive conditions to take its place among the leading counties of
the commonwealth. He sat upon the first jui'y ever convened in Albia
and for a numljer of years served as constable of his township and also
as township trustee, discharging" his duties in a straightforward, capable
manner. He gave his political support to the Democracy. It was in
March, 1876, that Mr. Roberts was called to his final rest and through-
out this portion of the state his death was deeply regretted. The county
certainly owes a debt of gratitude to him and to other pioneers who
came here and bore the hardships of frontier life in order to open up
this region to civilization. Mrs. Roberts, a most estimable lady, still
survives her husband and is living with her daughter, Mrs. Hinds.
She can relate many interesting incidents concerning the pioneer days,
and her memory forms a connecting link lietween the primitive past
and the progressive present.
T2 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL IlISTOkV.
ROBERT K. JOHNSON.
Robert K. Johnson is well known as a representative of the farm-
ing interests of Appanoose county. Iowa, and is numbered among the
early settlers, for through a half a century he has li\ed in this portion
of this state. He was lx)rn in Mason county, Virginia, January 20,
1834, a son of James and Margaret (Van Meter) Johnson. The father
was born in the Keystone state and was a son of John Johnson, a na-
tive of Ireland. Upon the old home farm in the state of his nativity
James Johnson was reared, and later married Margaret Van, Meter,
wdiose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, as did that of her father. John
Van Meter, who belonged to an old Pennsylvania Dutch family. In
1852 the parents of our subject 1)ade adieu to their old home in the east
and started westward with the hope that they might benefit their finan-
cial condition in fine of the newer states beyond the Mississippi. They
journeyed until they readied Monroe county, Ii)wa, where they estab-
lished their home, becoming pioneer settlers and aiding in laying the
foundation for the present prosperity and de\'elopment of the county.
In religious faith they were connected with the United Brethren church.
The mother died at the age of sixty-tln-ee years, while the father reached
the age of seventy-two years. To them were born eight children, of
whom six still survive, one having died in infancy. These are Rachel,
John, Robert K., Jane, Seth, Eli. William and James E. Eli served
throughout the Ci\il war as a soldier in the Union army and was held
a prisoner for a time. He died in Independence, Oregon. September
2, 1902.
Robert K. Johnson obtained a common school education and spent
his early life at farm work when not engaged with the duties of the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 73
schoolroom. At the age of eighteen he came to Monroe county, Iowa,
where he began farming, and here in 1866 he won a companion and
helpmeet for life's journey, being united in marriage to Miss Lemira
Tarr, an estimable lady, who was born in Vinton county, Ohio, where
she pursued her education and spent her girlhood days. Her father,
Samuel Tarr, was born in Virginia, and died in Augusta, Hancock
county, Illinois, at the age of seventy years, while her mother, who
bore the maiden name of Nancy Hollingshead, was born in Vinton
county, Ohio, where her father located among the first settlers. She,
too, died in Augusta, Illinois, when seventy-six years of age. Her
sterling worth was widely acknowledged and she was a devoted member
of the Christian church. By her marriage she had become the mother
of six children, five of whom are living, namely: Pinckney, deceased;
Mandana, John, Mrs. Johnson, George and Mary.
Throughout his business career 'Mr. Johnson has carried on agri-
cultural pursuits and is today the owner of two excellent farms, compris-
ing six hundred and twenty acres of the ricli soil of Iowa. His home
place is substantially improved with a good residence, a large barn and
fine orchard. The plowed fields give promise of golden harvests, and
pasture and meadow lands furnish feed for the stock both in the winter
and summer months. The home has been blessed with the presence of
three children, but he and his wife were called upon to mourn the loss
of their daughter Gussie, who died December 24, 1901, at the age of
twenty-nine years. She was greatly lieloved for her good qualities of
heart and mind, and her loss is deeply felt by her many friends as well
as by her family. They have two sons, George and Samuel, both of
whom are living upon the old homesteads in Chariton township, Ap-
7i BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
panoose county, and Monroe township, Monroe county, devoting their
energies to farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Johnson has been very successful in his business and as the
years have passed has added annually to his income until he is now the
possessor of a handsome competence. At the present time he is living
retired at the fine home in Moravia, and his rest is well merited and
fully enjoyed. In politics he is an earnest Republican, and belongs to
Sumner Post Xo. 398, G. A. R., of Moravia, to which he is entitled to
membership because of the active aid which he rendered to the govern-
ment in the hour of peril. During the progress of the war of the Re-
bellion he joined the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, becoming one of the boys
in blue of Company F. under Captain E. Cummins anil Colonel J.
Dorr. He enlisted June 24, 1863. serving until the close of the war.
The regiment did much gallant service in the held with the western
army, forming a part of the rough-rider command. A division of the
western army was attached to Cleneral Sherman's command, and Mr.
Johnson participated in a numl>er of skirmishes and battles. He was
taken prisoner on the 30th of June, 1864, when the army was in the vi-
cinity of Atlanta, Georgia, and for three months was incarcerated in
Andersonviile, for one month at Charleston and for some time at Flor-
ence, South Carolina. During this time he had charge of several teams
and forty men engaged in drawing water to the prison. He was pa-
roled at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and returned home on a furlough.
He received an honorable discharge on the 5th of June, 1865, and re-
turnctl to Iowa. Toda\- he is as true and loyal to his duties of citizen-
ship as he was when he followed the old flag upon southern battle
fields.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 75
W. D. KINSER.
W. D. Kinser, a farmer on section 2, Taylor township, Appanoose
county, has resided in this section of the state for fifty-live years, and
therefore tlie history of its development, progress and improvement is
well known to him. He was born in ]\Iartin county, Indiana, No-
vember II, 1838, and his ancestry was one noted for industry and hon-
esty. His father, \\'illiam Kinser, was born in \^irginia, and the
grandfather, Michael Kinser, was a native of Virginia, and of German
descent. Emigi'ating westward, however, he took up his abode in
Lawrence county, Indiana. William Kinser was reared and married in
the Old Dominion and with his wife, Catherine, who was born in
Kentucky and belonged to an old Virginian family, he went to Illinois
in 1846, making the journey by team and wagon. That was the year
in which Iowa was admitted to the Union. Mr. Kinser settled in Knox
county, Illinois, where he remaiiied for one season, and in 1847 came
to Monroe county, Iowa, taking up his abode near the present town of
Moravia. Here he secured government land and made his home by
developing a wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He voted with the
Democracy, being an advocate of the principles set forth by Jackson.
His death occurred in Union count}\ Iowa, when he was eighty-four
years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty. She was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was loved by all for her
kindness of heart. This worthy couple had nine children : Nancy,
Tyler and Martha, all deceased ; John, George, Malinda, William D.,
Michael, and Elisha.
William D. Kinser was but nine years of age when the family re-
moved to Monroe county and upon the home farm he spent his youth,
76 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life
for him during tliat i)eriod. In one of the primitive schools of the lo-
cality he obtained his education. The little "temple of learning" was
built of logs and had a puncheon floor, while an immense fireplace occu-
pied one entire end of the room. In June, 1863, Mr. Kinser offered
his services as a defender of the Union, enlisting in Company F, Eighth
Iowa Cavalry, under Captain E. Cummins and Colonel J. B. Dorr.
The regiment made a most gallant war record and was with the rough
riders of the western army. For a time they were under General Mc-
Cook's command and did nuich active service in the field. Mr. Kinser
was captured at Newnan, Georgia, on the 30th of July, 1864, and was
confined in the rebel prisons at Andersonville and Florence, South
Carolina, and at Wilmington. From the last named place he succeeded
in making his escape and after walking for three days reached the
Union lines. He was then sent to Annapolis, Maryland, by way of
St. Louis, Missouri, and was granted a furlough, and before his leave
of absence expired the war was ended and he was honorably discharged
at Davenport, May 31, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed gen-
eral farming.
Mr. Kinser was married at the age of nineteen to Nancy J. Sumner,
a native of Indiana, and a daughter of James and Orpha Sumner.
Samuel Sunnier, a brother of Mrs. Kinser, was killed in the Union army
during the Ci\il war, and the Grand Army Post at Moravia was named
in his honor. Mrs. Nancy J. Kinser passed away in 1862, aud in 1876
Mr. Kinser was again married, his second union l>eing with Mrs. J. M.
Williams, who was then the widow of Larkin Williams. She had two
children by her first marriage: Mrs. Idie Williams, of Taylor town-
ship, Appanoose county : and Rolla, deceased. Mrs. Kinser was born
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 77
in Ohio, but was educated in Iowa. Her father, Joel Skinner, now de-
ceased, became one of tlje earl)' settlers of the state, locating here in
1854. His wife, who tore the maiden name of Rachel Chetworth, has
also passed away. In their family were seven children, six of whom
are yet living: Harper, who was a soldier of the Union army and is
now li\ing" in Oregon; John: Thomas, of Appanoose county; Joseph,
who resides in Utah ; Mrs. Matilda Cook, and Mrs. Saniantha Carleton,
of Texas. The father was a farmer and a minister of the Baptist
church and his life was one of irreproachable honesty and uprightness.
Mr. Kinser gives his political support to the Republican party and
labors earnestly for its growth and success. When twenty-one years
of age he was elected a justice of the peace and served as county super-
visor in Monroe county. He was also postmaster of Moravia under
President Harrison for four years and in the discharge of his official
duties has ever been found prompt and faithful. He belongs to Sum-
ner Post No. 398, G. A. R., and also to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the
Presbyterian church. His business activity has always been in the line
of agriculture, and he owns one hundred and twenty acres of valuable
land, two miles from the town of Moravia. Upon this he has a good
house and all necessarv mitbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock,
and a glance at his place will indicate to the visitor that the owner is
careful, systematic and progressive in his work.
H. C. GATE.
On a farm on section 22. Taylor township, Appanoose county,
resides H. G. Gate, whose landed possessions comprise two hundred and
78 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
twenty acres. For thirty-six years he has lived in the county and is a
representative of one of its pioneer families. His birth occurred in
Mercer count}\ Missouri, October 22, 1858, and his father, Samuel
Cate, was born in Sevier county, Tennessee, while the grandfather,
William Cate, became one of the early settlers of Iowa. He took up his
abode in Appanoose county and later resided with a daughter in Mer-
cer county, Missouri, where his last days were passed. Samuel Cate
became a farmer and when he had reached years of maturity he chose
Miss Lucinda Wicker for a companion and helpmate on life's journey.
She was born in North Carolina, and they began their domestic life in
Mercer county, ^Missouri, where they lived for some time. Mr. Cate
devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, thus providing for his
family. His wife died in Mercer county, Missouri, at the age of twenty-
five years, leaving two children: James M., a resident of Centerville,
Iowa; and H. C. Cate. The father was a second time married and re-
sided upon a farm in Taylor, in York county, Nebraska. He died
while on a trip to attend a funeral, aged sixty-four years. He deposited
his ballot for the Democratic nominees and he was a worthy member of
the Primitive Baptist church.
H. C. Cate spent the days of his childhood in Mercer county, Mis-
souri, until eight years of age, when the family moved to Appanoose
county, Iowa, and as his age and strength increased he gave more and
more time and attention to farm work. In his youth he pursued his
studies in a log schoolhouse, sitting upon a slab bench, but later in a
more modern school house. When twenty-two years of age Mr. Cate
took up his abode upon his present farm. He sought as a companion
and helpmate for life's journey Miss Laura Hiatt. of Taylor township,
who was born and reared here, her parents having been among the early
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 79
settlers of the townsliip. Tliey took up tlieir abode here in 1845 before
the admission of Iowa into tlic Union. Her fatlier, Lewis Hiatt, was
born in Stokes county. North Carolina, and he married Rachel Swaim,
whose birth occurred in the same locality. They journe}'ed westward
to Iowa with a one-horse wagon, bringing with them their htnisehold
goods and one child. O. A. Hiatt. After spending the winter in Henry
county, they came the following spring to Appanoose county and
settled upon what is now the old Hiatt homestead. Here the
mother is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-one years, but the
father passed away September 5, 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years.
He had always carried on agricultural pursuits, and his life was so
honorable and upright that he enjoyed the unqualified confidence of
those with whom he came in contact. He voted with the Republican
party. His widow, who has lived upon the old homestead farm for
fifty eight }ears, became the mother of eight children, namely : O. A. ;
Lydia A.; Mrs. Sarah Andrews; Mrs. Emeline Williams, of Rocky
Ford, Colorado: Preston S. : Laura, now the wife of our subject;
Mary J., who died at the age of sixteen years, and Martha, who passed
away at the age of seven years.
Mr. Cate now has a farm of two hundred and twenty acres ; he
has made a specialty of the raising of sheep for a number of years. He
has known no other occupation than that of farming, nor has he de-
sired to engage in other jnirsuits. because he has found this profitable,
and through his untiring energy and well directed labor he has gained
a comfortable competence. To him and his wife has been born a
daughter, Lucinda Rachel, who is yet living. They lost one son, Sam-
uel Zelvin, who died at the age of eight years, and three children who
died in infancy. Mr. Cate belongs to the Primitive Baptist church and
80 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
in politics is independent, taking little active part in political affairs
and never seeking or desiring office. He is yet in the prime of life and
already has achieved creditable success, which augurs well for his
future.
A. E. TUCKER.
A. E. Tucker is living on section 21, Taylor township, and is one of
the representative agriculturists and leading citizens of Appanoose
county, serving at the present time as a member of the board of super-
visors. He was born in Henry county, Iowa, July 24, 1848, and is a son
of John Tucker, who came to this county when Iowa was a territory. His
birth occurred in Forsyth county. North Carolina, on the 31st of Aug-
ust, 18 1 5. His father, Francis Tucker, was born in Maryland and was
of English descent. He married Millie Cruse, a native of North
Carolina, in which state her entire life was passed. After her de-
mise Francis Tucker came west to Iowa and died in Appanoose county,
at the ad\anced age of eighty-four years. John Tucker was reared in
the state of his nativity and after arriving at years of maturity wedded
Sarah Swaim. In 1844 they started westward with one horse and a
wagon, thus traveling across the countr}- to Iowa, where the}' ar-
rived in 1844, settling in Henry county. The state had not then been
admitted to the Union and much of the territory was still in its primi-
tive condition, the work of civilization and progress having scarcely
been begun. In 1849 the Tucker family came to Douglas township,
Appanoose county, and the father Iniilt a log house and made a home for
his family, carrying on agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were
ended in death. He voted with the Republican party and both he and
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 81
his wife were Methodists in reHgious faitli. Mrs. Tucker passed away
at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of nine children,
namely: Andrew J., a resident of Douglas township, Appanoose
county; Alson E., whose name introduces this record; Mrs. Nancy J.
Hiatt; Eli F. ; Mrs. Rachel C. Hicks, deceased; Mary E., deceased; Lem-
entine H., and Mrs. Cynthia E. Rose, deceased. One child, Susanna,
died in Henry county, Iowa, at the age of eighteen months.
A. E. Tucker was reared in the usual maimer of farmer lads of
the period. He pursued his education in a log schcnM house, which was
seated with slab benches, while the other furniture was equally primitive.
However, his knowledge has been supplemented by reading and ob-
servation since leaving the schoolroom. His training at farm work
was not meager, and in field and meadow he received practical experi-
ence to prepare him for life's responsible duties. He remained upon
the home farm with his father until twaity-seven years of age, when he
was united in marriage to Miss Izora T. Andrews, who was born upon
the farm where she is now living. Her father, Silas Milton Andrews,
was one of the prominent early settlers of Appanoose county, but has
now passed away. He was born in Giles county, Tennessee, in 1808,
and was a son of James Andrews, whose birth occurred in North Caro-
lina and who wedded Nancy McCorkle. Both James Andrews and his
wife died in Tennessee, and it was in that state that Silas M. Andrews
was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy
Woods, who was born in Giles county in 1812. She is now living
with our subject at the advanced age of ninety years and is the oldest
settler of the count}-. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews came to the county in
1S51, taking u]) their aljode upon the farm which is now the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Tucker. With characteristic energy the father began
82 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
tlie development of the fields and continued his farm work up to the
time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-seven years of
age. By trade he was a saddler and followed that pursuit in connection
with farming in Tennessee. His political allegiance was given the
Democracy and in religious faith he was a Protestant. In the family
were seven children, of whom three are now living, namely : George,
a resident of Juniata, Nebraska; Harvey M.. of Livingston, Iowa; and
Mrs. Izora T. Tucker. Four of the number have passed away, namely :
James, Marilla, John M. and C. P. The last named was a soldier of the
Civil war and enlisted in the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry and died in a
rebel prison at Tyler, Texas.
To our subject and his wife have been born four children:
Louisa S., the wife of Thomas Long, of Appanoose county; John M.,
who wedded Chloe Z. Clancy, of Taylor township, and Cephas E.. who
resides at home and is one of the successful school teachers of the
county. They also lost one son. Frank W., who died at the age of
four years. Mr. Tucker gives his earnest support to the Republican
party, for he beliexcs that its platform contains the best elements of
good government. He is a leader in Republican ranks in this locality,
has served as township trustee and assessor and for three years has
been a member of the board of supervisors. His wife belongs to the
Presbyterian churcli and both are people deserving the high regard in
which they arc uniformly held. Mr. Tucker has always been true and
loyal to the official duties entrusted to his care and at the same time he
has carefully conducted his agricultural interests. He owns one hun-
dred and sixty acres, constituting one of the fine farms of Taylor town-
ship. Everything ujion the place is in keeping with the progressive
spirit of the times, and no modern improvement is lacking, the latest
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 83
improved machinery being used in caring for his fields, whicli are now
under a high state of cultivation. He also has upon his place an ex-
cellent orchard and good grades of stock, in fact, he is one of the suc-
cessful farmers of Taylor township, Appanoose county.
JAMES DRURY.
One of the Iwys in blue of the Civil war, and at all times a loyal
citizen, true to the interests of county, state and nation, James Drury
is numbered among the representative citizens of Monroe county. He
was born in county Clare, Ireland, on the 15th of August, 1835, and is
a son of Michael and Mar}' (Sullivan) Drury, also natives of the Em-
erald Isle. When our subject was but eleven months old his father
died, and in 1845 the mother and son joined an older brother in
America, the latter. John Drury, residing in Chester, Vermont. The
mother's death occurred in Springfield, that state, at the age of seventy-
five years.
In 1 86 1 James Drury offered his services to his adopted country,
enlisting in Company C, Fourth Vermont Regiment, under Captain
Farr. and at the close of his three years' term he re-enlisted and served
until the close of the war, receiving his discharge on the 6th of August,
in IMontpelier, and was mustered out of service at Brattleboro, Ver-
mont. He was made color bearer and sergeant of his regiment, was in
many of the hard fought battles of the war, and was at all times a faith-
ful and intrepid soldier. After a long service he applied for a fur-
lough, and his application was endorsed by his captain in the follow-
ing words: "I have the honor to request that a furlough of twenty-
five days be granted to Sergeant James Drury, Company C, Fourth
84: BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and I will beg leave to repre-
sent that on making this request I have a desire to promote the inter-
est of the service, as well as to pay a well earned tribute to existing
merit. This veteran soldier, the color bearer of the regiment, has
served from the commencement of the war until the [iresent time with a
singleness of purpose — a heart ever faithful to the great principles for
which we have been contending. Ever foremost among his comrades,
he has carried the colors through victory and defeat. Disregarding
danger, he has led his regiment in all the battles it participated in from
May 5, 1864, to October 19, 1864. In the Wilderness, at Spottsyl-
vania. Cold Harbor and Petersburg, his coolness and bravery in action
commanded the respect of his officers as well as the faith and confi-
dence of his comrades. In the engagement near the W'eldon Railroad,
when misfortune overtook the greater part of his regiment, he saved
its colors. But more particularly did he distinguish himself in the bat-
tles in the Shenandoah valley, Charleston, Berryville, Fisher's Hill and
Cedar Creek being names impressed upon the memories of his com-
rades in common with his. Charles G. Fisher." The application was
approved as follows: "Approved for twent\-five days, and respect-
fully forwarded. Sergeant Drury has proved himself one of the best
soldiers of the brigade, under every specification mentioned in said
order and on e\ery battlefield which his regiment has served upon,
and especially in saving the colors of his regiment June 23, on the Wel-
don Railroad, when almost the entire regiment was captured. George
P. Foster." The furlough was granted as follows: Headquarters
Army of the Potiimac. February 27, 1865. — Sergeant James Drury,
Company C, Fourth \^ermont \'oluntcers, is granted a furlough for
twenty-five days as a reward for soldiery conduct. — By command of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 85
Major General Parke. — (Signed) Chas. E. Pease, Assistant Adjutant
General. For his bra\ery at the battle of Weldon Railroad, on the 23d
of June. 1864, Mr. Drury was rewarded with a medal by a special
act of congress. As a further reward for his services Sergeant Drury
was tendered the position of second sergeant of Company D, Fourth
Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry, by Governor J. Gregoi-y Smith,
of Vermont.
After the close of the war our subject returned to his old home
in X'^ermont. where he remained until his removal to Albia, Iowa, on the
15th of October, 1869. In his youtli he learned the stone-mason's
trade, which he followed for many }'ears in the Green Mountain state.
When he arrived in Iowa, in company with his young wife, his entire
capital consisted of two dollars and fifty cents, and out of this amount
he was obliged to pay fifty cents to have his trunk taken to his home,
eight miles north of Albia. He immediately resumed work at his
trade in this locality, and now owns his present farm of two hundred
acres of fertile and well improved land. On the 28th of December,
1868, in Vermont, he was united in marriage to Jane Daugherty, a
native of Ireland, and they have become the parents of ten children, all
of whom are living. Charles Thomas is a stone mason in Albia. John
Sherman has two children, a son and a daughter. Two daughters of
the family, Kathryn and Mary, are engaged in teaching school ; two of
the sons, Harry and Logan, are attending school in Des Moines : another
daughter, Dora, keeps house for her two brothers in Des Moines; a
son, Emmett, is a railroad man in Seattle; and two sons, Edward Leo
and James A., are at home. The family are memlsers of the Catholic
church at Albia. In political matters Mr. Drury is a life-long Republi-
can, and his first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in his second
86 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
race for the presidency. In his fraternal relations he is a member of
the Masonic order, being connected with Lovilia Lodge. He is also
color bearer of the Bluff Creek Veterans' Association, and is a member
of Orman Post No. 123, G. A. R., of Albia. At the meeting in which
Mr. Drury was elected to the position of standard bearer, Comrade
E. C. Canning delivered the following well chosen words: ''Your,
election by the spontaneous and unanimous voice of your comrades as
standard bearer, into whose hands we now entrust this beautiful ban-
ner, a gift from friends we deeply love and highly honor, surely calls
forth some expression why so lionored. You, an adopted citizen of our
country, manfully stood for its defense in many well fought battles,
saving the flag of your regiment at the Weldon Railroad, carrj-ing it
over the broken lines of the enemy at the charge of Cedar Creek, and
again bringing off the colors in the battle of the Wilderness, and bear-
ing yourself so gallantly that a grateful country has conferred on you
its highest badge of military honor. We give to your keeping this
flag that our sons may emulate your noble deeds, and if war shall ever
darken the horizon of our beloved land that they may with brave and
manly hearts rally to her defeiise and man her ships, and that our flag
shall speak defiaiKe to her enemies and ever wave the banner of the
free over the home of the brave."
GEORGE W. ROBINSON.
By general consensus of opinion of all his acquaintances, the late
George W. Robinson was a good farmer, a good friend and a good
neighbor. As he treated all men well in life, so all men mourn him,
now that he is no more, and this brief biography is intended as a memo-
GEORGE W. ROBINSOH.
THF V-
PUBL
TILOEN F«UN»ATiONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 89
rial which may he liled away hy liis family and friends, who regret his
loss and respect his memory.
George \V. was tiie son of Richard G. and Sarah Jane Robinson,
natives of West Virginia. The father was a farmer and stock raiser
and pnrsued that occupation in West Virginia with a fair measure of
success. His son, George W. Robinson, was born in Harrison county,
West Virginia, September i6, 1831, and was in early manhood wlien he
came to Iowa in 1855. He first located in Howard county, but soon
afterward went to Davis and finally found permanent residence in Ap-
panoose coimt}-. In 1862 he purchased and took possession of the farm
near Dean, wdiich he cultivated with success until the time of his death,
on the 6th of May, 1891.
On May 30, 1861, George W. Robinson was united in marriage
with Miss Sarah Louisa, daughter of John and Ann Bond, natives of
Ireland, who came to the United States shortly after their marriage.
Their daughter, Sarah Louisa, was born in .Vppanoose county, Iowa,
October 28, 1846, and lias spent her whole life in the confines of her
native county. Her father, wdio came to Iowa at a period sufficiently
early to entitle him to the name of "first settler," ended his da}'s in
1883, and his wife passed from the scenes of earth two years later. In
this connection it is interesting to remark that one of their daughters
and a sister of Mrs. Robinson was the first woman in Iowa to whom a
marriage license was issued. Since the death of her husband Mrs.
Robinson has owned the farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres of
excellent land near Dean, Init she rents most of the estate and does
not worry herself with the practical details of agriculture.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had five children, whose names are thus
recorded: Albert W., married Mary A. Phares, of Centerville; Clara
90 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
L., wife of T. M. Dickinson, of New Virginia, Iowa; Minnie A., wife
of Frank Hatton, of this township; Lula May, wife of James O. Pat-
terson, of Dean ; and Sarah F., deceased. Mrs. Robinson is a member
of the Christian cliurch and participates actively in the rehgious and
philanthropic work devolving upon the congregation. As she is in
easy circumstances, of a social and hospitable disposition, her household
is headquarters for her many friends, and a pleasant place for visitors
to sojourn.
PAUL C. OEHLER.
Paul C. Oehler is a farmer of Taylor township, living on section i.
He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 23d of September,
1823. and among iiis ancestry were many men prominent in the military
circles of the fatherland. The history of Wurtemberg back through
five hundred years makes mention of the Oehlers. The parents of our
subject were Christopher and Christina (Walderich) Oehler, who in
1831 crossed the Atlantic to .\merica, bringing with them their fi\e
children. Init one of the number died while thev were upon the sea.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Oehler passed away in Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
where Mr. Oehler was carrying on agricultural pursuits. After be-
coming an American citizen he iiad endorsed the Democratic party, and
in religious faith was a Moravian. His death occurred when he was
seventy-two years of age and his wife passed away at the age of
sixty-eight years. The members of their family were: Gotlieb F.,
Paul C, Joanna, Louisa, Elizabeth. Pauline, Emanuel and Ernest
Frederick.
Paul C. Oehler was only seven years of age at the time of the emi-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 91
gration of the family to the new world. He was reared upon a farm in
Ohio and acquired his education in the schools of that state. When
twenty-three years of age he went to Wyandotte, Kansas, with a Mor- .
avian colony, or mission, and there engaged in farming for the colony,
for eight years, after which he went to Arkansas. On the 5th of Feb-
ruary, 1863, he joined the Union army, enlisting in Fayetteville, Wash-
ington county, Arkansas, as a member of Company I, First Arkansas
Regiment, under Captain William Hevington. The captain was killed
by bushwhackers, so that First Lieutenant Morrison was in command
most of the time. Mr. Oehler lived in a Confederate neighborhood for
eighteen months before he enlisted and served as a member 01 the home
guard for some time. He saw much of the rebel element in the south
and because of his Union sentiments he had many narrow escapes. For
fourteen months he remained with the army and participated in the
battle of Fayetteville, where he was injured by the bursting of a shell
at his side. He was then honorably discharged at Fort Smith, Arkan-
sas, April 25, 1864, on account of his disability, after which he re-
turned to his home.
It was in that year that Mr. Oehler came to Appanoose county,
Iowa. Here he has two hundred and eighty-eight acres of rich and
productive land and his farm is supplied with all modern equipments.
There is a good residence, substantial barns and a bearing orchard, and
his fields annually return to him excellent harvests. He has fine horses
and cattle upon his place, and owns in addition to his plowed land sixty
acres of timber land. In 1852 Mr. Oehler was united in marriage to
Miss Marie Benade, who was reared and educated in Saxony, Ger-
many. In that country her parents died and at the age of twenty-four
years she came to the United States. By her marriage she has be-
92 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
come the mother of six children: Augustus Morse, EHen J., Henry
J., Charles E. and Ed. F. They also lost one child, Lucius, their first
born. The parents hold membership in the Moravian church. Mr.
Oehler is a member of the Grand Army post in ^loravia. His politi-
cal support is given to the Republican party and while he has never
sought or desired office he is interested in the success of the political
principles in which he believes. He is frank, genial and jovial in man-
ner, and the sterling traits of his character have gained for him many
friends.
JAMES A. HOLSTEINE.
Almost a hundred years ago, or to speak more definitely, during the
second decade of the nineteenth century, there lived in old Virginia a
worthy couple whose names were George and Annie (Beeler) Holsteine.
The husband was a hatter by trade, and this was the means he used to
"keep the wolf from the door" and provide for the wants of a rapidly
increasing family, a task which he sometimes found a difficult one,
owing to lack of Inisiness and scarcity of customers. Eventually he
became discouraged and concluded to try for a betterment of fortune
in the new state which had then but recently been admitted into the
Union. So gathering about him his wife and little ones, together
with the scanty household goods, he started on the weary journey
across mountains, down rivers and over roadless forests to the wilderness
northwest of the Ohio, known as southern Indiana. It was in 1827 that
this trip was made, and when George Holsteine arrived at his destination
he bought some of the government land which was then being sold
very cheap and established his family in a log cabin thereon. From
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 93
that time he supported them by working this Indiana farm. The
mother died in Iowa, and later he died in Bloomington, Indiana.
James A. Holsteine, the third in a family of seven children, was
born in Virginia, December i8, 1822, and was only five years old when
the memorable journey was undertaken to the wilds of Indiana. He
grew up in the neighborhood where his father settled and remained
there until he had completed the twenty-seventh year of his age. About
that time he began to think of moving farther west, and in 1849 set
out for a long and uncertain trip for the country beycnd the great
Father of Waters. He traveled through Iowa until he reached Davis
countv, and after looking around awhile concluded that was a good
place for a poor man to locate. Consequently a place was picked out
near what is now the town of Moulton, and here Mr. Holsteine set to
work in earnest on a place he had secured. The working of this farm
in Davis county occupied his attention until 1894, when he purchased
his present home. Not being able to buy land at first, he secured em-
ployment by the month on the farms of other people, and by these jobs,
supplemented by splitting rails for so much a hundred, he supported
himself and saved a little money until in time he was able to buy land
of his own. He continued to be a resident of Davis county until 1894,
when he purchased his present home in Appanoose county, just seven
miles from his former place and a short distance west of Moulton. The
property of different kinds now owned by Mr. Holsteine shows that he
did not waste his time in idleness or neglect any opportunity to better
his condition. In fact he has an abundance of this world's goods and
is able to spend his declining years in comfort, cheered by the attentions
of an afifectionate family and the kind words of the friends he has
gained during a long and blameless life. On October 25, 1870, he
9i BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
married Nancy Caroline Toombs, who uncomplainingly shared the hard-
ships of earlier years, and is now the joyous participant in the good
things which have come to them as the result of ceaseless toil and en-
deavor. Misses Grace and Ruth Ann, their only children, are at home,
and they assist in dispensing the hospitality and kindly greetings which
await all friends who visit at the Holsteine homestead.
WILLIAM SMITH.
Perhaps every country on the face of the globe has sent its rep-
resentatives to the new world, but there is no element in our American
citizenship more justly valued than that which has come from the mother
country — England. Mr. Smith was born in the northern part of the
"merrie isle," in July, 1826, and is a son of William and Jane Smith,
who were also natives of that countrj-. By trade the father was a
shoemaker and followed that pursuit in order to obtain a living for his
wife and children. He died about forty-five years ago and his wife
forty years ago. Both were members of the established church of
England. In the family were seven children, of whom Thomas and
James became residents of Lovilia and there died.
William Smith was reared in his native countr}' and when a young
man heard what proved to him interesting tales of America and its
possibilities. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world he bade
adieu to home and friends in 1850 and sailed for New York, whence
he made his way into the interior of the country, settling first in Ohio,
north of Marietta. There he remained for eight years, after which
he removed to Illinois, taking up his abode in Macoupin county. He
was a cabinet maker by trade and for three months he worked at Mar-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 05
tin's Ferry, West Virginia, for Mr. Hussey, who was the real inventor
of the McCormick binder and became a partner of Mr. McCormick,
but the latter not only got credit for the invention but through the sale
of the product became a very wealthy man, while Mr. Hussey died a
poor man. After leaving Mr. Hussey's employ Mr. Smith was a resi-
dent of Morgan county, Ohio, until his removal to Illinois and there
he resided until 1862, when he came to Monroe county, Iowa, since
which time he has lived in Monroe county. He first located in Blufif
Creek township, where he carried on farming until 1875, when he re-
moved to a farm in Union township just east of Lovilia. For a num-
ber of )ears he carried on agricultural pursuits with success, but now
a part of his land is rented to tenants, while the remainder is man-
aged bv his sons, and Mr. Smith is living retired in the enjoyment of
the fruits of his former toil.
In 1864 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Amanda Myers,
a daughter of Alexander and Nancy Myers, the former a native of
North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Myers had
nine children; Alice, William, deceased; Jessie, Mary, John, Gertie,
also decea.sed; Thomas, Daniel, and one that died in infancy. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are: John, Jesse and Gertie. Mrs.
Smith had two brothers. Clark and Henry, who were soldiers of the
Civil war, fighting in defense of the stars and stripes. In his social re-
lations Mr. Smith was formerly an Odd Fellow, but does not maintain
active connection with the order at this time. He and his wife have
attended various chmches and are well known people of the commu-
nity, having a large circle of warm friends.
96 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ASA S. BAIRD.
Among the representative citizens and prominent farmers of Mon-
roe county none is more deserving of mention in this volume than Asa
S. Baird, who owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred and forty
acres on section 34, Mantua township, and on section 3, Urbana town-
ship. He is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and an early
settler of this county, having located here in 1854, when most of the
land was still in its primitive condition and the work of improvement
and cultivation had scarcely begun.
Mr. Baird was born in Harrison county. West Virginia, on the
6th of April, 1824, and is a son of Adam Baird, a native of Maryland
and a representative of a good old Scotch family from the highlands.
By trade the father was a cabinet maker and carpenter, and being a
good mechanic he always found plenty to do in his line. He was
married near Little York, Pennsylvania, to Miss Barbara Wilhelm, who
was born and reared in that state, belonging to a Pennsylvania Dutch
family. Her father, Frederick "V\^ilhelm. was a soldier of the war of
1812. Leaving the east in 1856, Adam Baird and his wife came to Iowa
and spent their last days in Monroe county, where he died at the age of
seventy-five years, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty-three.
Both were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he
was a Wliig in his political views. Three daughters and one son of their
family died in Lewis county. West Virginia, and the others were as
follows: John. Susan, Elijah, Mary, Adam, who died in Iowa; Wil-
liam, and Asa S.
Asa S. Baird spent his boyhood and youth in Lewis county. West
Virginia, and is indebted to its schools for his educational advantages.
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GEXEALOGICAL HISTORY. 97
W'itli his father he learned tlie cabinet maker's and carpenter's trade,
whicli lie followed for some time while in the east. At the age of
twenty-four years he was married in Lewis county, the lady of his
choice being Miss Sarah Tharp, who has now been to him a faithful
companion and helpmeet for over half a century. She was born, reared
and educated in that county, and is a daughter of Hezekiah and Huldah
(Cox) Tharp, natives of Harrison county. West Virginia, who spent
their last days in Van Buren count}-, Iowa. The father, who was a
farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy years. His political
support was given the Democratic party. In religious faith he was
first a Baptist, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he held the offices of class leader and steward, always taking an
active and prominent part in church work. Of his ten children only two
are now living: Sarah, the wife of our subject, and William, a resi-
dent of Van Buren county, Iowa. Those deceased are Emily, Chris-
tiann, Nancy, Huldah, Almira. Smith, a son who died in infancy, and
Mrs. Zadok Chidester. who died February 15, 1903.
It was in 1854 that Mr. Baird, accompanied by his wife and three
children, removed from ^^'est Virginia to Iowa, the journey consuming
six weeks, as it was made by horse and wagon, the family spending
the nights in the public houses along the road. Reaching Monroe
county, Mr. Baird located in Urbana township abi^ut a mile and a half
from his present home, where he erected a log house and where he
continued to reside until his removal to his present farm in Mantua
township fourteen years ago. He has erected a fine house upon a natural
building site, surrounded with shade and ornamental trees: has planted
an orchard ; built barns and other outbuildings, and today has one of
the best improved and most valuable farms in the township. In his
98 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
farming operations he has been very successful and well merits the
prosperity that has come to him.
To Mr. and Mrs. Baird were born the following children :
Thomas, who is now engaged in the lumber business in Albia; Mrs.
Victoria Jenkins, a resident of Van Buren county; Adam, at home with
his father; Mrs. Barbara Berry, who was formerly a teacher and is
now living in Wapello county, Iowa ; Hezekiah, who died at the age of
twenty-six years, leaving a widow; Mrs. Mary Heald, a resident of
Schuyler county, Missouri; Jennie, at home; and Schuyler C, who as-
sists his father in the operation of the home farm and is now serving
as township assessor. The children were all provided with good edu-
cational privileges and the family is one of which any parents might
well be proud.
During the Rebellion Mr. Baird manifested his patriotism and
lo}alty by enlisting, in 1862, in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infan-
tr}-, under Colonel Kittridge. His company was first commanded by
Captain Varner and later by Captain Porter. He participated in the
engagements at Camden and Prairie De Han, besides other battles and
skirmishes, and was taken prisoner at Marks Mills, being incarcerated
in the rebel prison at Tyler, Texas, for ten months. After his ex-
change he returned home on a furlough and later rejoined his regiment
at White river, Arkansas. At the close of the war he was honorably
discharged at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Monroe county to re-
sume the more quiet pursuits of farm life. During his absence his wife
had bravely carried on the work of the farm and provided for their
seven children, l)eing a noble woman, of patriotic spirit and kindly im-
pulses.
Mr. Baird afifiliates with the Republican party and has filled offices
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 99
in Urbana township, being trustee for several years. For years he was
a member of the school board. His religious faith is manifest by his
membership in tiie Methodist Episcopal church, and he has ever taken
a very active part in its work, serving as class leader, steward and su-
perintendent of the Sunday school. His life has been in harmony with
his professions and he is justly entitled to the respect and confidence so
freely accorded him.
H. M. CHIDESTER.
No history of Monroe county would be complete without mention
of the Chidester family. Fifty-seven years have passed since they first
came to the county, having established their home within its borders in
i8-^6, just as the Indians were leaving for the reservations assigned
them. Great indeed was the difference in the conditions of the county
at that time from what it is today, most of the land being still in its
primitive condition and few improvements having been made.
Mr. Chidester was born in Lewis county, West Virginia, October
28, 1837, a son of Zadok and Susannah (Tharp) Chidester, who were
also natives of that county. His paternal grandfather, Holdridge
Chidester, was born in Virginia of Scotch, English and Welsh ancestry,
the family being early established in the Old Dominion. He was a
soldier of the war of 18 12. Zadok Chidester was reared, educated and
married in the county of his nativity, his wife being the daughter of
Hezekiah and Huldah (Cox) Tharp, who spent their last days in Van
Buren county, Iowa. Her father was also a native of Virignia and of
English descent.
It was in June, 1846. that Zadok Chidester brought his family to
:^()()564
100 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Iowa, making the journey by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi
rivers to Keokuk, Iowa, whence they proceeded b)' ox team to Monroe
county, locating on the farm in Mantua township where his widow re-
sided until her death on the 15th of February, 1903. There the father
secured seven hundred acres of fertile and productive land, and after
building a log house for the accommodation of his family, he at once
set to work to clear, break and improve his place. Throughout his
active business life he successfully engaged in general farming and
stock-raising, but was at length compelled to relinquish active labor on
account of rheumatism, from which he suffered for many years, but
being a man nf good business and executive ability he still managed
his business with remarkable skill. After a useful and well spent Ufe
he passed away at the age of eighty-six years, honored and respected
by all who knew him. He was a most hospitable man, the latch-string
on his door being always out, and no one was ever refused entertain-
ment at his home. His word was ever considered as good as his bond
and his advice was often sought by his friends and neighbors. In poli-
tics he was a Democrat. His estimable wife, who survived him, re-
sided till her death in the pleasant home he erected upon his farm in
later years, and was beloved by all who knew her.
To this worthy couple were born fourteen children, of whom eleven
are still living, namely: H. M.. of this review; Mrs. Sarah Deyo, of
Mountain Grove, Missouri ; Mrs. Virginia Pittinger. of the same place ;
Leander and Flo\d, both residents of Mantua township, this county;
Mrs. Marietta Perrin. also of Mantua township; Mrs. Huldah Rogers,
of Nuckolls county, Nebraska ; Elliott, of Tacoma, Washington ; Zadok,
of Mantua township ; Emery, a well known citizen and prominent stock-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 101
man of Urbana township, Monroe county; and Frank, who lives on the
old homestead farm.
The subject of this sketch was a lad of nine years when he ac-
companied his parents on their remo\al to Iowa, and being the oldest
son he soon proved of great assistance to his father in the development
and improvement of the farm. His education was acquired in an old
log schoolhouse with slab seats and puncheon floor. He remained
under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, when he ofifered
his services to the country to assist in crushing out the rebellion, en-
Hsting in February, 1863, in Company A, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer
Infantr\', under the command of Colonel Kittridge, Lieutenant Colonel
Drake and Captain Porter. He was in the battles of Elkins Ford, Cam-
den, and at Marks Mills was taken prisoner. During the ten months he
was in the hands of the enemy his rations consisted of but one pint of
meal per day. After being exchanged he returned home on a furlough
and later rejoined his regiment at White river, Arkansas. At the close of
the war he received an honorable discharge from the service and retiu'ned
home to resume farming and stock-raising.
At the age of twenty-five \ears Mr. Chidester married Miss Sarah
Parry, who was born in England but was reared and educated at Cedar
Creek in Guilford township, Monroe county, Iowa, her parents being
David and Mary (Newman) Parry, also natives of England. By oc-
cupation her father was a stonemason and farmer. On coming to the
new world in 1854, he located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1856
came to Iowa, making the journey by water, down the Ohio and up the
Mississippi river to Keokuk. He settled in Guilford township, Monroe
county, but his last days were spent in Union township, Iowa, where
he died at the age oi seventy-six years. He was an earnest member of
102 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the Christian church and a Repubhcan in politics. His wife, who was
a member of the same church, departed this Hfe at the age of eighty-
five years. They had eight children, namely : David, who enlisted in
the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil war and died
in the service; Sarah, the wife of our subject; James M., Mrs. Mary
McCauley, Emily, Jennie. Mrs. Martha Peck, Mrs, Maggie Turner.
In his farming operations Mr. Chidester has steadily prospered and
is today the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres, it being one of
the most desirable tracts in the county. The buildings upon the place
are of good and substantial character, and its neat and thrifty appear-
ance indicates the supervision of a painstaking farmer and man of
more than ordinary business ability. He follows stock-raising in con-
nection with general farming.
Seven children ha\e been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chidester : Lean-
der, in business in Ottumwa, Iowa: Mrs. Clara Grooms, of Monroe
county; William and James, both residents of Mantua township; Mrs.
Anna Wilson, who is also living in that township ; and Ussie, who is
now a student in Drake College of Des Moines, where she is taking up
the arts and sciences ; she has been a popular and successful teacher and
spent four years in the Ottumwa high school. Hezekiah died aged two
years, six months:
Mr. Chidester maintains relations with his old army comrades
by his membership in Castle Post No. 313, G. A. R.. of Avery, and has
held office in the same. Politically he is a strong Republican, never
wavering in his allegiance to that party. As an honored pioneer and
one of the representative men of his community, as well as a loyal de-
fender of the country during the dark days of the Civil war, he is
worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 103
SAMUEL FLOYD CHIDESTER.
Samuel Floyd Chidester. who owns and controls a farm of ninety-
five acres on section 2/. Mantua township, Monroe county, was born in
Lewis county, Virginia, July 19, 1846, a representative of one of the old
families of that state. His paternal grandfather was also born in
Virginia. The father, Zadok Chidester, likewise a native of that state,
came to the west at an early period in the development of Monroe county,
locating here in 185 1. He became an active factor in the agricultural
development of this portion of the state, and through his labors a rich
tract of land was improved and transformed into a valuable farm. He
was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Tharp, who was born, reared
and educated in Virginia, a daughter of Hezekiah Tharp, of that state.
Their home farm comprised seven hundred acres of valuable land in
Monroe county and Mr. Chidester was ver\- successful, practical and
progressive in carrying on the work of the fields and in the raising of
stock. He possessed excellent business qualifications, and his property
was the visible evidence of his life of well directed lalxjr and enterprise.
He gave his [XDlitical support to the Democracy until his death, which oc-
curred when he was eighty-three years of age. In the family were
fourteen children : H. Morgan, who is a prominent citi;^en of Man-
tua township and a veteran of the Civil war: Mrs. Sarah N. Deyo, of
Mountain Grove, Missouri; Mrs. Virginia Pittinger, of that place; S.
Floyd; Mrs. Hukla Rogers, of Nebraska; Mrs. Mary Perrin, of Man-
tua township; America, deceased; Zadok and Leander, who are resident
farmers of Mantua township ; Elliott, of Tacoma, Washington ; Emery,
a prominent citizen of Urbana township, Monroe county; Frank, who
is living on the old homestead farm, where his mother died at the ad-
104 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
vancecl age of eighty-one years ; Grant, who died at the age of sixteen
years; and one that died in infancy.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm
hfe for Samuel Floyd Chidester in his }'outh. He worked upon the
farm and gained a practical experience of the best methods of caring for
the stock and of cultivating the fields. He pursued his studies in a log
schoolhouse with slab seats and puncheon floor, and at the age of nine-
teen years was married to Celestia Stevenson, who was then sixteen
years of age. They have since traveled life's journey together, shar-
ing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity.
Mrs. Chidester was born in this township and pursued her education
here. Her father, John Stevenson, one of the early settlers of Mantua
township, passed away in 1896, while her mother, who bore the maiden
name of Dorliska Bates, passed away in 1879. Their children were as
follows : Grandison, of Des Moines, Iowa ; George, of Oregon ; Charles,
of Mantua township; Mrs. Chidester; Fred, who died on the home farm
at the age of sixteen years ; Eben, who was accidentally shot at the age
of twenty-seven years and died as the result of his injury; an infant
son died unnamed; Laura Jane, who resides with our subject; and
Robert, who was killed for his money in California. Mr. Stevenson
was seventy-nine years of age when called to his final rest, his birth
having occurred in Ireland in 18 17, while his wife, who was born in
Ohio, died at the age of sixty-two years. They both held membership
in the Baptist church and were people of sterling worth.
Mr. and Mrs. Chidester have had two sons and three daughters.
Isan, who is a barber of Blake.sburg, Iowa, wedded Millie Hampshire,
of Ottumwa, this state, and the} have two sons, Harold and Edmond.
Susan is the wife of Riley Kendall, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and they have
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 105
three children, Audrey. Goldie and Floyd. George, who lives in New
Mexico, wedded Myrtle Miller and has two sons. Paul and Boyd. Mrs.
Laura Denning is a resident of Poweshiek county, Iowa, and her chil-
dren are Loyd and Ona. One daughter, Lavina, was accidentally
burned to death when three years of age.
The home farm is pleasantly located not far from Albia, on sec-
tion 27, Mantua township, and comprises ninety-five acres of land, on
which are found substantial buildings and all modern accessories. Mr.
Chidester votes with the Democracy and has served as a member of the
school board. His wife belongs to the Christian Union Club, and his
moral standard is that of the golden rule, which he practices in his
daily life, and as a result his career has ever been an honorable and
upright one, worthy of the confidence and esteem of those with whom he
has been associated.
CONRAD DeROSS.
Conrad DeRoss. who is living on section 15, Mantua township,
Monroe county, has resided here since 1867. Pennsylvania is the state
of his nativity, his birth having ocauTed in Meadville, Crawford county,
July 20, 1836. His father. Alexander DeRoss, was born in German-
town, near Philadelphia, and comes of French ancestry, his father hav-
ing crossed the Atlantic to America with General LaFayette, and aided
the colonies in their struggle to secure independence at the time
of the Revolutionary war. He was pleased with the new world
and after the cessation of hostilities returned to his native country and
brought his family to Pliiladelphia.
Alexander DeRoss served a seven years' apprenticeship at the shoe-
106 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
maker's trade, and in Meadville, Pennsylvania, was married to Susan
Cole, a native of that state and a daughter of Conrad Cole, who was
also born in Pennsylvania and represented an old Pennsylvania Dutch
!amily. Conrad Cole served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was
present when Commodore Perry achieved his famous victory on the
lakes. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Magdalena Deeter,
and among their children was Mrs. Alexander DeRoss, who by her
marriage became the mother of seven sons and a daughter: Helen, a
resident of Meadville. Pennsylvania; Henry, also of that state: and si.x
sons who were in the Ci\il war as defenders of the Union cause. Wil-
liam was a member of the Fortv-hfth Missouri and is now livine- in
o
Louisiana. Alexander H. belonged to the One Hundred and Eleventh
Pennsylvania Infantry and went with Sherman on the celebrated march
to the sea, and died in 1900. Conrad was a member of the One Hun-
dred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Regiment, known as the Bucktails.
Jonathan G. belongetl to the same company and regiment and after being
four times wounded in battle was killed at Hatches Run, south of Peters-
burg. Hiram C. was a member of the One Hundred and Eleventh
Pennsylvania Infantry and afterward a lieutenant of the Third Pennsyl-
vania Heavy Artillery, and at Fortress Monroe he had charge of the
guards over Jefiferson Davis, who was confined there after the close of
hostilities. Eli was a member of the Third Missouri Light Artillery,
Battery L, and was afterward an Indian agent who became well known
in the west and is now a physician in Wichita, Kansas. The father of
this family passetl away at the age of sixty-four years. In politics he
was a Republican and he belonged to the English Lutheran church. His
wife, who also held membership witli that denomination, died at the age
of eighty- four years.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. lOT
Conrad DeRoss is indebted to the public school system of Craw-
ford county, Pennsylvania, for the educational privileges he enjoyed.
He learned the mason's trade in early life and followed that pursuit until
after the beginning of the Civil war, when, in August, 1862, he responded
to the country's call for three hundred thousand and joined Company
H, of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
known as the Bucktails, under the command of Captain James W. H.
Reisinger and Colonel Langhorn \^'ister. The first lieutenant was C.
T. Shaw, a veteran of the Mexican war and the second lieutenant was
George D. V. Sheldon. The subject of this review was in the service
for three years and was then discharged on account of disability.
In the fall of 1867 Mr. DeRoss came to Iowa and afterward went
to the territory of Nebraska, where Indians were numerous, both of
the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes. These went upon the warpath against
each other, and there were exciting times in that section of the country.
On account of poor health Mr. DeRoss removed to White Sulphur
Springs, Missouri, and later came to Monroe county, Iowa. Here he
has an excellent farm of fifty-five acres, supplied with all modern
equipments and underlaid with a rich vein of voal. There is a good
orchard upon his place, and substantial buildings, and the whole is en-
closed with well kept fences.
On April 17, 1861, five days after Fort Sumter was fired upon,
Mr. DeRoss was married at Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Sarah E. Prall,
who has been to him a good wife. She was born in Mead\'ille and is a
daughter of John and Phebe (Smith) Prall; the latter was a daughter
of one of the soldiers of the war of 181 2 and she died in Pennsylvania;
Mr. Prall, however, is now living in Nemaha, Nebraska. His chil-
dren are : Mrs. Rosetta Seid, of Nebraska, Mrs. DeRoss and John
108 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
H.. who is li\ing in Oregon. To our subject and his wife have been
born eleven cliildren : Mrs. Laura E. Green, Belle Prall, Frank, of
Louisiana; George, who is one of the successful carpenters and photog-
raphers of Oklahoma; Henry, a carpenter and photographer; Mrs.
Phebe Rhodes, Mrs. Orpha Lukey, Mrs. Myrtle Kirkendall, Frederick,
Magretta E., who died at the age of eleven years; and John Alexander,
who died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. DeRoss has provided his
children with good educational privileges, realizing how important this
is as a preparation for life's work.
An earnest Republican in his political views, Mr. DeRoss has never
wavered in his support of the principles of the party and has been hon-
ored with a number of township offices, in which he has served with
capability and fidelity. He belongs to the Grand .\rmy Post at Avery,
and three times has served as its commander, a fact which indicates his
popularity with his old army comrades. For twenty-eight years he
has been a member (if the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his
wife has taken the Rebekah degree. He is a man of intelligence, a
progressive farmer and an honored old soldier, and as one of the worthy
citizens of Monroe county we gladly present the record of his life to
our readers.
LEVI BILLINGS.
Levi Billings is proprietor of the Springhill dairy farm of Mantua
township, Monroe county, and is one of the popular, intelligent and
prosperous citizens of this locality, where he has made his home since
185 1. He is also entitled to representation in this volume because he
was a loyal soldier of the Union army during the Civil war. His birth
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 109
occurred in Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, August 30, 1845, and
the family moved to Williams county in the northwestern part of the
state when he was an infant. His father, Ed Billings, was born in
Vermont and was a son of Elias Billings, whose birth occurred in
Connecticut, and who represented one of the old families of that state.
His death occurred in the Green Mountain state. It was in Vermont
that Ed Billings was reared, and when a young man he emigrated
westward, settling in Cleveland, Ohio. He was married in Cuyahoga
county to Amelia Gildersleeve, a native of that county and a daugh-
ter of Joseph Gildersleeve, who was of Pennsylvania Dutch an-
cestry, and whose wife died during the infancy of Mrs. Billings, who
was then reared by her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Beebe.
In 185 1 the parents of our subject arrived in Iowa, having made the
journey westward by team and wagon. They settled on Miller's Ridge,
but the father was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his
death occurred in 1855, when he was but thirty-five years of age. He
left a widow and six children, of whom four are now living, namely :
Mrs. Dorcas Soles, of Illinois ; Le\'i ; William, of Kansas ; and Or-
lando, of Missouri. Those who have passed away were Mrs. Ellen Dodge,
of Appanoose county ; and Anson, who died at the age of forty-nine
years. The mother long survived her husband and passed away at the
age of seventy-three years.
Levi Billings was a little lad of six summers when the family came
to Monroe county, and he can remember in those days when two to
five yoke of oxen were driven to the breaking plow. He was early
taught to work, and the habit of industry thus inculcated has been one
of his salient characteristics in later life. He obtained his education
in a subscription school, and in 1862 he offered his services to the
no BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
government, enlisting as a member of Company B, Seventli Iowa Cav-
alry, under Captain Wilcox and Colonel Summers. He served for
three years, one month and twelve days as a loyal defender of the
Union, and in addition to his long experience in the war, he also cast
his first vote and was married before he was twenty-one years of
age. He joined the army on the 17th of August, and his regiment
formed a part of the rough rider command of the western army. He
marched 4,888 miles over the plains of the west in 1864, and was at
Fort Kearney, at Julesburg, Colorado, in Utah and at Yankton, South
Dakota, participating in a number of engagements with the hostile
Siouxs and Cherokees and other warlike tribes. He had also crossed
the plains to Pike's Peak, Colorado, in 1862, driving an ox team. At
Omaha, Nebraska, he was honorably discharged and at once returned
to his home.
It was on the 12th of August, 1866, that Mr. Billings was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Tyrrell, a daughter of Oliver Tyrrell, who
came to the west in 1845 from Lorain county, Ohio, with a team and
wagon. Her mother bore the maiden name of Melvina Johnson and
was born in Virginia. The father carried on agricultural pursuits in
Iowa until his life's labors were ended in death at seventy-five years
of age. His political support was given the Republican party and
he was a member of the Christian church. His wife, who was an
earnest Christian woman, passed away at the age of seventy-four
years. In their family were ten children: Mrs. Ellen Hoskins, Mrs.
Billings, Mrs. Hulda Wilson, who is deceased; Mrs. Lora Elder, who
died at the age ni thirty-five years; Eliphalet. who resides in Mantua
township; William, who is living ujjon the old homestead in Mantua
township. Monroe county, where the little log cabin still stands; Mrs.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. Ill
Eliza Galib, of the same township; Mrs. Ann Miller and Mrs. Cath-
arine Wignall, both of Mantua township; and Mrs. Leona Cook, of
Wapello county.
Since his marriage Mr. Billings has devoted his energies untir-
ingly to agricultural pursuits, and his farm property now comprises
two iiundred and thirt)-three acres of rich land, on which are found
unfailing springs of pure water. His place is appropriately named the
Springhill dair}- farm, for he is extensively engaged in the dairy busi-
ness, keeping twenty-three cows for this purpose. Every equipment
known for a model farm is found upon his place, and neatness and
thrift characterize every department of the farm work. The sale of
his dairy products brings to him an excellent financial return and he
also realizes a comfortable competence from his harvests.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Billings has been blessed with nine
children : Mrs. Ida Beebe, of Nebraska ; Clinton, who is living upon
a farm adjoining the home place; Willard, of Monroe county; Mrs.
Minnie Lesenger, of Aver}', Iowa; Mrs. Ella Porter, of Albia; George,
Albert, Harrison and Daisy. Mr. Billings is a stalwart Republican,
unfaltering in his advocacy of the party principles, and on questions
of the day he keeps well informed. He has held a number of township
offices and is a member of James R. Castle Post No. 313, G. A. R., of
Aver}', in which he has twice served as commander. He has also been
an officer in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are people of
genial manner and social disposition, and are popular with a large cir-
cle of friends.
112 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
FARES RICHARDSON.
The gentleman above named, who is now spending the evening of
his days raising fine poultry and stock on his farm near Moulton, has
had an adventurous career and is able to tell some thrilling stories of
his early experiences. Before he had reached his majority he took the
then perilous trip acn^s the plains to California, and encountered all
the dangers and hardships incident to pioneer life in that western
wilderness. It was the period of the first gold excitement in that region,
and Mr. Richardson's tales of his mining life, with its fits of alternate
hope and disappointment, success and failure, "flush times" and starva-
tion, have diverted many a party of friends as they assembled around
his hospitable stove in the long winter evenings. The famil}' was of
eastern origin, but by early migration were long identified with diflferent
states of the west. Samuel Richardson, who was a native of Maine,
was married in New York to Susan Granger, a lady of Canadian
parentage. They farmed for a while in the state of their nuptials, and
they removed to Michigan, where the same occupation was taken up
and followed for many years. In the spring of 1844 the family again
turned their faces toward the setting sun and entered upon a tedious
journey, which did not end until they drew up in Jackson county, Iowa.
A home was secured in that locality, which continued their place of
abode until 1869, when they came to Appanoose county and settled in
Washington township, where both parents found their last resting place.
Fares Richardson, one of the children of this estimable couple,
was born in McComb county. Michigan, thirty miles north of Detroit,
April 22. 1839, and was consequently five years old when his parents
came to Iowa. He grew up with the restless and roving disposition
characteristic of the game western spirits of those days, and it was
FARES RICHARDSON.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 115
his fortune to have his love of adventure full)- gratified. In 1859, in
company with his brother Josiali, Mr. Richardson started on foot for
the distant shores of California, and, after a wearisome tramp over
plains and mountains, amid hardships and dangers, and undergoing
many privations, arrived without serious misliaps at Sacramento. After
spending three years in California without notable result, these cour-
ageous young men made their way to the wilds of Oregon and found a
lodgment on John Day's river, where they discovered the gold mine
afterward known as Canyon City. In the spring of 1862 they pur-
chased horses and mules and engaged in packing supplies to various
points in the surrounding country where mining was in progress, and
were themselves engaged in mining a year or two with fair success.
When they first landed in Oregon the Richardson boys had only twenty
•dollars, which they soon exhausted for food, and then "staked a claim."
The early returns from this, however, were rather disappointing, as the
first pan from their new mine netted onl}- a half dollar's worth of gold
dust. Nothing daunted, however, they secured additional claims, and
their hard work was rewarded for a while by taking out gold dust at
the rate of ten to fifteen dollars a day. At this juncture the two
brothers formed a partnership with Bid Coons, Jerry Growdivant, Lewis
Martin. Arthur Sacket, George Chamberlin and Thomas Sitton, all
of whom were adventurous spirits in search of fortunes in the mines
of Oregon. Shortly after this party began operating together pro-
visions ran out. and four of the squad were detailed to go in search
of food. Taking eight mules and all the available cash, amounting
to about four hundred dollars, the four men started on the perilous
trip to the distant Dalles of Oregon, not less than three hundred miles
away, on the lower Columbia river, Their journey led them through
116 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the country of the Indians, who at that time were very hostile to the
whites, and the travehng over the roadless mountains and across in-
numerable streams of torrential rapidity made the trip one long to be
remembered. During their absence there were hungry times in camp,
the boys finding it difficult to get anything to eat, and being forced
to subsist on two ounces of bread and three of meat as a daily ration.
When the exploring party returned after twenty-one days, they re-
ported having met many prospectors leaving the country in disgust,
and declaring that no gold was to be found in that section. In reply
to this Bid Coons, who had remained with the party in camp, drew
out one thdusand dollars in gold dust, which he exhibited to the return-
ing pilgrims. This, with the newly brought food, made all hands very
happy, and the next few days were spent in feasting and resting.
Shortly afterward the ]Kirty located what was subsequently called the
Richardson claim, from wliich they took forty thousand dollars' worth
of crude gold. It took fourteen months to do this, however, and as
expenses were heavy, flour, meat, tea, coffee and tobacco selling each
at the rate of one dollar per pound, not much was saved by the miners
as the result of their arduous labors.
Having had enough of mining and its inevitable privations to last
him a while, Mr. Richardson turned his face homeward and arrived
at the house of his parents in Iowa some time during 1864. Shortly
afterward he was married to Margaret Wirt, who died in 1876, leaving
three children : E. J- Richardson. Mrs. Martha E. McCoy and Mrs.
Jessie Haynes. The four years subsequent to his marriage Mr. Rich-
ardson continued to reside in Jackson county in the vicinity of his
father, and accompanied the latter on his removal to Appanoose county
in 1869. In 1876 he contracted a second marriage with Miss Sarah
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 117
Leach, by whom he has one child, now Mrs. Belle Briiiiger. Mr.
Richardson has devoted his time of late years to the breeding of fancy
poultry and Aberdeen polled cattle on his fine farm one and one-half
miles north of Moulton.
SIDNEY F. TYRREL.
For sixty years Sidney F. Tyrrel has been numbered among Mon-
roe county's most patriotic and honored citizens and he is still actively
engaged in agricultin"al pursuits in Mantua township. He was born
in Portage county, Ohio, on the 25th of August, 1835, and was a
boy of seven years when he came to the territory of Iowa with his
parents. Philander Lorenzo and Sarah (Bates) Tyrrel, who were promi-
nent early settlers o{ Moiu'oe county. The family is of English origin
and was founded in America by two brothers who came from England
two hundred }ears ago, one settling in New York state and the other
farther south. Grandfather Philander Tyrrel was born in the Empire
state and became a soldier of the war of 18 12, his widow afterward re-
ceiving a pension until her death. Philander Lorenzo Tyrrel grew to
manhood in Portage county, Ohio, and there married Sarah Bates, a
native of New York and a daughter of Charles Bates, of that state.
In 1 84 1 they mo\-ed to Caldwell county, Missouri, driving the entire
distance, and two years later come to Monroe county, Iowa, being
among the first to locate in Mantua township, the old homestead being
southwest of the present residence of our subject. Here the father died
at the age of eighty years. He was born in 1812 and throughout his
active business life followed farming. In politics he was a Republican.
His estimable wife passed away in 1900 and her death was deeply
118 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
mourned b)" many friends as well as b}- her immediate family. Their
children were Sidney F., of this review; Mrs. Olive Morgan; I. N., a
resident of Mantua township; Mrs. Mary Chidester; Benjannn : John,
a resident of Ringgold county, Iowa; Perry, of Urbana township, Mon-
roe county ; Osman ; James ; and Mrs. Dorliska Miller. They are all
numbered among the most worthy citizens of their respective communi-
ties.
From the time he was eight years old Sidney F. T}Trel has made
his home in Monroe county, and amid pioneer scenes he grew to man-
hood, his education being obtained in a primitive country schoolhouse
with puncheon floor. In 1863, during the dark days of the Rebellion,
he put aside all personal interests, and in response to the country's call
for aid he enli.sted in the Thirt\-si.xth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, l)eing
under the command of Colonel Kittridge. Lieutenant Colonel F. M.
Drake and Captain Porter. He was in the engagements at Little Mis-
souri river, (irand Prairie, Camden, Arkansas, and suffered much
from swollen feet while on forced marches when the amiy was retreat-
ing to Camden. Mr. Tyrrel wa5 honorably discharged at the close of
the war.
In 1857 he was married to Miss Catherine Nolan, who was born
near Hillslxjro, in Highland county, Ohio, a daughter of Doster and
Mar}' (Anderson) Xolan, also natives of the Buckeye state and early
settlers of Van P.uren county. Iowa, where the mother died, but the
father's death occurred in Putnam county, Missouri. In their family
were two sons who were soldiers of the Civil war: Albert C, now a
resident of Nemaha county, Kansas, was first a member of the Second
Iowa Volunteer Infantry and later of an Illinois regiment; and James
B. served in the Third Iowa Cavalry and is now living in Indian Terri-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 119
tory. To Mr. and Mrs. Tyrrel were born three children who are still
living, namely: Kester L.. a resident of Monroe township, this county;
Sarah, wife of James Spears, of Mantua township; and Alice, wife of
Ed Larue, of Russell, Iowa. Mary A., a most estimable young lady,
died at the age of eighteen years, and one child died in infancy.
In 1 86 1 Mr. Tyrrel located upon his present farm, which consists of
one hundred and nineteen acres of well improved land, on which is a
good orchard and substantial buildings, that stand as monuments to
the thrift and enterprise of the owner. He has ever been regarded as
one of the most skillful farmers of his locality. As a Democrat, he has
taken quite an active interest in public afifairs, and efficiently served as
township trustee for three terms. He is an honored member of J. R.
Castle Post No. 113, G. A. R., of Avery, Iowa, and is also connected
with the Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee. He has always
been found true to every trust reposed in him and has minifested a
patriotic spirit in times of peace as well as in times of war.
W. J. LATHAN.
W. J. Lathan, one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citi-
zens of Mantua township, has made his home in Monroe county for
fifty-two years and has therefore witnessed almost its entire develop-
ment and growth. He claims Indiana as his native state, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Bloomington, June 26, 1849. His father, John Lathan,
who is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, was born in South
Carolina, and is a son of William Lathan, who was of Irish parentage.
His ancestors belonged to an old and honored Protestant family, and
their descendants have been people of prominence in the various locali-
ties where thev have made their homes.
120 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
John Lathan was reared upon a farm and attended the schools of
tlie neighborhood. When a young man he left his native state and
went to Indiana, which was then a new country, and there met and mar-
ried Miss Rebecca Jane Harbison, a woman of many admirable traits
of character, who proved to him a most capable helpmeet as well as a
loving wife. She was a daughter of William Harbison, who was also of
Irish descent. In 1850 John Lathan and family left the Hoosier state
and came to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi river on a ferryboat. He
purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Monroe county,
and subsequently bought one hundred and fifty acres more, being ex-
tensively engaged in farming and stock-raising throughout his active
business life. He is a worthy and zealous member of the Associated
Presbyterian church, in which he has held the office of elder, and his
life has ever been in harmony with his professions. His wife, who
was an earnest member of the same church, died at the age of sixty-
nine years, and her death was widely and deeply mourned, for she
made friends of all witli whom she was brought in contact. In their
family were the following children: W. J.; Tillman H., a resident of
Red Oak, Montgomery county, Iowa; Samuel H., whose home is in
Troy township, Monroe county ; Miss Sarah C. Lathan, who lives at her
father's homestead; Alexander B., who died unmarried at the age of
thirty-three years; Margaret E., deceased wife of Ed G. Forsythe, of
Mantua township; Stewart, who died at the age of fourteen vears; and
Anna, who died at the age of two years. By his ballot the father sup-
ports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has
efficiently filled several township offices, being one of the most popular
men of his community.
W. J. Lathan passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 121
his father's farm, and in the schools of that locaHty he acquired a good
practical education, which enabled him to successfully engage in teach-
ing for some years, entering upon that profession at the age of twenty-
one years. His brother Tillman was also one of the successful and
popular teachers of the county for a time. For the past twenty-three
years W. J. Lathan has resided upon his present farm in Mantua town-
ship, and as an agriculturist he has prospered, owning one of the best
places in the community. He has a nice residence, surrounded by a
beautiful lawn and orchard, and the barns, cribs and other outbuildings
present a neat and thrifty appearance, showing the owner to be a man
of progressive ideas and careful habits. His place is conveniently lo-
cated five miles from Albia and conmiands a fine view of the surround-
ing country. In connection with general farming, stock-raising is car-
ried on quite extensively.
At the age of twenty-eight years, Mr. Lathan was united in mar-
riage to Miss Melissa Forsyth, a lady of education and refinement, who
attended school here and was one of the popular teachers of the county
prior to her marriage. Her father, David Forsyth, was a native of
Ohio, and a son of Elijah Forsyth, who was also born in that state.
David Forsyth married M. Elizabeth Haugh, who was born in Virginia
and belonged to an old Virginia family of German descent. On com-
ing to Iowa they spent a short time in Davis and Van Buren counties,
but finally, in 1850, located in Monroe county, where the father followed
farming until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-nine years.
He was an elder in the United Presbyterian church for many years and
was a most exemplary man. His political support was given the Re-
publican party. His widow still survives him, being now seventy-
eight years of age, and continues to reside on the old homestead. Their
122 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
children were Mrs. Mary S. Burlingame, of Troy township; Mrs.
FideHa Chisman, who was formerly a teacher and is now living in
Wapello county, Iowa; Erastus, a resident of Mantua township; Melissa,
wife of our subject; Mrs. Emma Chisman, of Ottumwa, Iowa; Lodema,
who married James Lathan and died at the age of thirty-two years;
and Harvey and Elmer, who died in childhood. Five children bless
the union of our subject and his wife: Anna May, Mary E., wife of
Elmer Gray, of Troy township; Arthur B., Iva J., and Ralph E.
Mr. Lathan uses his right of franchise in support of men and meas-
ures irrespective of party, but usually supports the Democratic party in
national politics, and besides holding township ofifices he served as county
supervisor, being a valued and influential member of the board. He is
firm in his convictions of right and wrong and has displayed good judg-
ment in his management of public affairs as well as private interests.
For some years he filled the ofiice of justice of the peace and was a
member of the school board. Religiously both he and his wife are mem-
bers and he has been an elder of the Associated Presbyterian church,
and are among the most highly esteemed citizens of the county. Physi-
cally he is a man six feet in height, and socially is very popular.
LAWSON B. CARLTON.
Among the brave men who devoted the opening years of their man-
hood to the defense of our country from the internal foes who sought
her dismemberment was Lawson B. Carlton, who for half a century has
been among the honored residents of Monroe county, Iowa, his home
being in Mantua township. A native of Ohio, he was bom in Geauga
county on the 15th of September, 1841, and is a son of Marion Carlton,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 123
who was born in Connecticut and belonged to an old family of that state,
which was of English descent. Going to Ohio, the father there married
Philosha Bradley, a native of that state and a daughter of Selah Brad-
ley, who was also born in Connecticut. In 1850 Marion Carlton brought
his family to Iowa, making the journey by the lakes to Chicago, by rail-
road to Burlington, and on by stage to his destination in Wapello county.
By occupation he was a farmer, but when the country became involved
in civil war he laid aside the plow and entered the service as a member
of the Thirty-third Iowa Infantry. He never lived to return home, but
died at Milliken's Bend, Mississippi, at the age of forty-six years. In
politics he was a Republican. His wife died at the age of fifty-eight
years. They were the parents of five children, namely : Lawson B., of
this review. Angle M. ; Adolph, who was a soldier of the Third Iowa
Cavalry during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Oregon ; Mrs.
Cora Stanley, who also makes her home in that state; and Harley H., of
Sheridan county, Kansas. In connection with farming the father also
worked at the carpenter's and wheelwright's trades and was a good me-
chanic.
Lawson B. Carlton was a lad of nine years when he accompanied
his parents on their removal to the Hawkeye state, where he grew to
manhood. During his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade and be-
came a good workman, continuing to follow that occupation until after
the inauguration of the Civil war, when, feeling that his country needed
his aid, he enlisted in 1862 in Company H, First Iowa Cavalry, under
Captain Westcott and Colonel Anderson. He remained in the service
until hostilities ceased and at different times was under the command
of Generals Custer, Steele and Davison. His services being no longer
124 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
needed, he was honorably discharged at Austin, Texas, and returned
home with a war record of which he may be justly proud.
Before entering the army Mr. CarUon was married, in February,
1861, to Miss Ehza A. Miller, whose brother, James M. Miller, was also
in the service, being a member of Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry.
He was killed in battle on the i6th of April, 1865, at the age of twenty-
four years, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. Mrs.
Carlton was born in Portage county, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. F.
Miller, also a native of that state, who came to Iowa in 1846, being the
first to settle on Miller's Ridge, in Mantua township, Monroe county.
Here he died at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, and his wife, who
bore the maiden name of Clarissa Morgan and was a native of Ohio,
died at the age of seventy-two. Both were faithful members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and he was a Republican in politics and by
occupation a farmer. Their children were Eliza .\., wife of our subject;
Mrs. Harriet Riddle; Albert; D. R.; Mrs. Florence Ames, of Mantua
township, and Washburn, a resident of Decatur county, Kansas.
The following named children have been born to our subject and
his wife: D. C, who is married and is now engaged in the operation of
his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres; Mrs. Ada Hinton, a
resident of Cass County, Iowa; and A. F., who married Elsie Macy and
lives with his father on the home farm, has three children — Leslie, Forest
and Verne. Mr. Carlton and his son own a well improved and highly
cultivated farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres, on which is a good
house and substantial outbuildings. Besides the cultivated fields there
are pasture, meadow and woodlands, and. the farm is a very productive
and valuable one. The family hold membership in the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and Mr. Carlton is identified with J. R. Castle Post No.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 126
313, G. A. R., of Avery, Iowa. Both he and his sons vote the Repub-
lican ticket and take quite an active and commendable interest in public
affairs.
JACOB G. LONG.
Jacob Grimes Long is numbered among the native sons of Iowa,
his birth having occurred November 5, i860, in Albia, whence the family
soon moved to the old family homestead near his present farm in Mantua
township. Throughout his entire life he has resided in this locality, in-
terested in the work of progress and doing all he could for the promotion
of the best interests of his county. His father, William Long, now de-
ceased, came to the territory of Iowa in the year 1844. He was born
in county Antrim, Ireland, in 1808, of Scotch-Irish parentage. The
family was of Protestant faith and noted for industry and honesty. In
his youth William Long was trained to farm work, and he obtained his
education in his native country, but when a young man left the Emerald
Isle and crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He first wedded Mary
Hebrew, who died leaving one child, Alexander Long, who is engaged
in the bus and transfer business in Albia, Iowa. For his second wife
the father chose Mary J. Elder, who was born in Ireland, and she, too,
was of Scotch-Irish ancestry and of the Protestant religion. During
her girlhood she came to the United States with her father, Thomas
Elder, who died in this country. Mrs. Long was a devoted wife and
mother, a kind neighbor and a faithful friend and was beloved by all
who knew her. She was a Presbyterian in religious belief and died in
February, 1897, at the age of sixt\--five years. William Long was also
a member of the Presbyterian church, and his life was in harmonv with
120 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
its teacliings and principles. His political support was given to the Re-
publican party and in matters of business he was known to be reliable
and trustworth)-. never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow-
men in the slightest degree. To this worthy couple were born seven
children: John W., who resides on the old home farm in Mantua
township: Jacob G., of this review; Mrs. Jennie Warner, of Monroe
county; Thomas, who is in the far west; Mrs. Mary Turner, who is
deceased ; Mrs. Belle Hawthorn, of Monroe county ; and Qiarles, who
is living in Albia.
Jacob G. Long was early trained to the work of the farm and be-
came a hand in the fields, where he was employed from the time of early
spring planting until crops were harvested in the autumn. A few months
each year he pursued his education in a little schoolhouse built of oak
boards. During a portion of his youth he worked out by the month as
a farmhand, and thus gained a start in the business world. When
twenty-eight years of age he was tmited in marriage to Miss Barbara
Sinclair, with whom he has since traveled life's journey. She is a
daughter of John Sinclair, who was a leading farmer and prominent
early settler of this jxjrtion of the state, and upon his farm in Mantua
township she was born and spent her girlhood days.
Mr. and Mrs. Long have two children : John, who is now twelve
years of age, and Rettie Pearl, nine years of age. They also lost a little
daughter in infancy. The home farm of Mr. Long comprises a quarter
section of Iowa's rich and productive land. It is equipped with all of
the improvements usually found upon a good farm, and annually his
fields return to him rich harvests. He also has good returns from his
orchard, and in his pastures and feed lots are seen high grades of cattle,
horses and hogs. To the Republican party he gives his earnest support,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 12?
and he has served as a member of the school board, the cause of educa-
tion finding in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Methodist Epis-
copal church and his life exemplifies the spirit of religion which causes
one to look upon the bright side, to make the most of opportunities and
to advance steadily in those walks of life leading to the development of
an upright character.
ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR.
Ireland has furnished to Monroe county a number of its citizens of
worth, intelligence and business ability, and among this number is
Archibald Sinclair, who rendered to his adopted country faithful service
in the Civil war. He came to Monroe county in 1856, his birth having
occurred in county Tyrone, Ireland, on the 2d of February, 1847. His
father, John Sinclair, was born in the same country and there obtained
a good education. He belonged to a Protestant family whose worth was
widely acknowledged, and after arriving at years of maturity he was
married in his native country to Miss Mary Moore, who was also born
and reared on the Emerald Isle. Crossing the Atlantic to the United
States with their family, they took up their abode in Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, in 1853. The father, however, had made the trip to America
two years prior to this time, and in 1856 he brought his wife and chil-
dren to Monroe count}-, Iowa, settling in Mantua township. He was a
dyer by trade and while living in Philadelphia worked in a carpet factory.
Coming to the west, he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and
was recognized in time as one of the leading farmers of his locality. In
politics an earnest Republican, he never wavered in his allegiance to that
party, and for it cast his first presidential vote after becoming a natural-
128 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ized American citizen. He was reared in the Covenanter faith, and both
lie and his wife were Presbyterians. A man of broad general informa-
tion, he was especially well informed concerning history, and after com-
ing to the United States he kept in touch with topics of general interest
in America. He and his wife were laid to rest in the cemetery of Pleas-
ant township. Their children were as follows : Mrs. Belle Henderson,
of Mantua township; Archibald; Mrs. J. G. Long, who is also living
in Mantua township; and Anna and Margaret, both of whom are de-
ceased.
Archibald Sinclair was a little lad of about se\en or eight years
when brought by his mother to the United States, and with his parents
he came on to Iowa, being reared upon the home farm here. His father
and mother endeavored to impress upon his mind the value of industry
and integrity in the active affairs of life, and the lessons which he thus
learned have never been forgotten, but have been continually practiced
in his contact with his fellow men. He obtained his education in the
public school, and when but sixteen years of age offered iiis services to
the government, enlisting in the First Iowa Cavalry, under command
of Captain W. Whisnen and Colonel Daniel Anderson, while A. U. Mc-
Cormick was the first lieutenant of the company. Mi. Sinclair joined
the army in March. 1864, and although very young proved a valiant de-
fender of the Union, serving in the southwest under General Davison
and General Rpsecrans, and was also under General Custer in Texas,
during which time the regiment made several long and severe marches
through a wild country, living on half rations. The march was con-
tinued through all kinds of weather, and at length they reached San
Antonio, Texas. Mr. Sinclair was honorably discharged in March,
1866, at Davenport, Iowa, having been mustered out at Austin, Texas,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GEXEALOGICAL HISTORY. 129
where he had done guard duty for a time. A brave soldier boy, he de-
served all of the praise which his country could give him for his loyal
defense of the starry banner.
After his return home Mr. Sinclair worked upon his father's farm
until he established a home of his own. He was married in 1872 to
Miss Hannah Spears, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of
William and Mary (Simpson) Spears, bi^th of whom were natives of
the Buckeye state, and the former died in Ottumwa, Iowa. At the
father's death the mother was left with the care of eight children, and
she died at the age of seventy-two years. They were earnest Christian
people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Five of
the children are still living, namely : Mrs. Hannah Sinclair, John, James,
Anna and Washington, the others having passed away.
Mr. Sinclair is the owner of two hundred and fifty-three acres of
rich land and his farm is a valuable property because of the excellent
improvements he has made upon it. The place is well watered by a creek
and two fine springs, and the fields are rich and productive, while the
yield of the orchard adds not a little to the income of the owner, as well
as supplying the table with fruit. The pleasant home of the family
stands upon a natural building site, and in the rear are good barns with
feed lots and pasture lands. Mr. Sinclair keeps fine shorthorn cattle
and keeps from forty-five to sixty head of horses upon his place. He
also has a large number of sheep, and is well known as a successful stock
raiser.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair have been born ten children : John ; Mrs.
Jennie Lewis, of Mantua township, who was a popular teacher of the
county; Mrs. Mary Chidester, of the .same township; William; Susan,
who is engaged in teaching school; James, Robert, Charles, Grant and
130 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Earl. Mr. Sinclair is an earnest Republican, has frequently attended the
county conventions as a delegate, and has labored untiringly and effec-
tively for the interests of his party and friends. He has served on the
school board, but has never been a politician in the sense of seeking
office. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades
through his membership in Albia Post, G. A. R., and his wife belongs to
the Methodist church, as do some of their children.
SANFORD HOFFMAN.
Sanford Hoffman, who carries on general farming on section i,
Taylor township, where he has ninety-seven acres of good land, has been
a resident of Appanoose county since 1875, and his residence in the
state dates from 1870, for in that year he settled in Monroe county. He
was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, November 24, 1834, and is a
son of Henry Hoffman, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, and who
represented one of the old Pennsyhania German families noted for in-
dustry and integrity. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Elizabeth Higgins, and she, too, was born in the Keystone state, of
Pennsylvania German parentage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman died in
Greene county, where the father had followed the occupation of farming
as a life work. In politics he was a Republican and was a member of
the Church of God. In the family were thirteen children, eleven of
whom reached years of maturity, while three were soldiers of the Civil
war, Bryce being a member of a Pennsylvania regiment, while Layton
joined a West Virginia regiment.
Sanford Hoffman spent his boyhood days in the county of his na-
tivity, and his parents impressed upon his mind lessons of industry and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 131
perseverance. His literary training was received in the public schools,
and at the age of twenty-three years he was married. Miss Rachel Plantz
becoming his wife. She was born and reared in Greene county, Penn-
sylvania, a daughter of George and Catherine (Stollen) Plantz, both
of whom died in Iowa.
It was in 1864 that Mr. Hoffman offered his services to the gov-
ernment, enlisting in the Sixth West Virginia Infantry, with which he
served until the close of the war, when lie was honorably discharged.
He then returned to farm life in Pennsylvania and in 1870 moved west-
ward to Iowa, settling in Monroe county, where lie carried on farming
until 1875. In that year he came to Appanoose county, and has since
lived upon his present farm on section i, Taylor township, where he has
ninety-seven acres of rich and productiNC land. It is well watered by
a creek, and there are good pastures and meadows together with
plowed land. He keeps a high grade of Polled Angus cattle and draft
horses of English breed, and both in his stock-raising and in his gen-
eral agricultural pursuits he is meeting with success for as the years
pass his income gradually increases.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were born seven children : Frank-
lin M. resides in this county. Jervis Leroy, who carries on farming
here and is now serving as justice of the peace, was born in Greene
county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, and was therefore eight years of age
when the famil}- came to Iowa. He was here reared, obtaining a good
education, and for a number of }ears was successfully engaged in
teaching. On the 27th of May, 1897, he wedded Miss Lizzie Stoops,
who was born in Monroe county, Iowa, a daughter of William and
Judith (\\'right) Stoops. Her father was a soldier of the Thirteenth
Iowa Infantry during the Civil war. J. L. Hoffman and his wife have
132 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
two sons, Charles and Harold. The other children of our subject and
his wife are: Mrs. Ollie Hampton, of York, Nebraska; and Mrs.
Mary Faber, of Monroe county, Iowa. The>' also lost three children,
Libbie and Harvey, who were successful teachers, and an infant named
Jane.
Mr. Hoffman exerts his right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Republican party. He belongs to Moravia Post,
G. A. R., and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In
matters of business he is straightforward and reliable and when called
uix)n to aid in any measure or improvement of benefit to the community
his co-operation is not withheld.
JACKSON LUSE.
Jackson Luse, who resides on section 17, Taylor township, Ap-
panoose county, where he owns and operates two hundred and for^y
acres of good land, besides forty acres in section 25, Chariton township,
was born on the old homestead farm in this county, April 8, 1855. His
father, Aaron Luse, was one of the pioneer settlers here and was a
native of Trumbull county, Ohio, born March 12, 1819. The grand-
father was William Luse, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed from
the Keystone state to Ohio and there spent his remaining days. Aaron
Luse was reared in Ohio, where he ranained until nineteen years of
age, and then went to Missouri, while later he became a resident of
Illmois. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage in Van
Buren county, Iowa, to Miss Martha Smith, who was born October
26, 182 1, near Cleveland, Ohio, and with her parents went to Van Buren
county, Iowa, when this state was still a territory. The marriage of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 133
Mr. and Mrs. Luse was celebrated on tlie 24th of January, 1841, and
ten years later they became residents of Appanoose county, Iowa. The
father secured a tract of government land which he transformed into
one of the best farms of the township. He also successfully engaged
in the raising of stock, and he improved his fields with modern equip-
ments, planting an orchard, building a large barn, also a comfortable
home and other buildings upon his place. He set out one of the first
orchards in the county and took an active interest in the agricultural
development of this section nf the state. Honorable in all things, his
word was as gixxl as his bond, and he left to his family an untarnished
name. His death occurred August 25, 188 1, when he was sixty-two
years of age, and his wife passed away August 3. 1898, at the advanced
age of nearly seventy-seven years. Both were devoted members of
the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Luse served as steward
and also as Sunday school superintendent for a number of years. His
wife was an invalid for a quarter of a century. In their family were
eight children : Mrs. Rosetta Cline, whose husband died of the measles
contracted in the Civil war, and who is living in Moravia; Mrs. Sarah
J. Skinner, of Moravia; Mrs. Martha Foster, who is a widow living in
Taylor township; Laura E., the wife of Rev. George M. Andrews, of
Adams county, Nebraska; William J., of Gordon Grove, Iowa; Jack-
son, of this review; Mary, the wife of T. J. Turner, of Moravia; and
Douglas, who died at the age of eleven months.
Jackson Luse was reared upon the old family homestead, where
he was early trained to habits of industry, economy and integrity. He
attended the public schools to a limited extent, and by reading, study
and investigation in later years has become a well informed man. At
the age of twenty-one he was united in marriage to Miss Mina Kaster,
134 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
who was born in Chariton township, Appanoose county, and was reared
and educated here. Her father, Robert Raster, was one of the early
and prominent settlers of the county, a native of Pennsylvania, whence
he removed to Indiana, and from that state came to Iowa. His wife
bore the maiden name of Mary McDaniel, and she, too. was born in
Pennsylvania. She is now living in Chariton township, at the age of
seventy-eight years, but Mr. Raster passed away at the age of seventy-
four years. He was a farmer by occupation and gave his political sup-
port to the Democratic party, while his religious faith was indicated by
his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mrs. Ras-
ter also belongs. For a number of years he was a class leader in the
Fairview church and was one of the active workers and liberal sup-
porters of the churcli. In this family were ten children: Mrs. Huldah
J. Worthington, of Hamilton county, Nebraska; Mrs. Mary E. Boyer,
of Chariton township; Robert H., of this county; Mrs. Luse; Jauies M.,
of Monroe county. Iowa : Mrs. Hannah E. Gladfelder, of Chariton
township; William and Benjamin, who have passed away; and Nancy,
who was the firstborn and died at the age of nine years. Another
daughter, Mrs. Australia Worthington, died at York, Nebraska.
Reared upon the home farm Jackson Luse has devoted his entire
life to agricultural pursuits and the nursury business, except two years
which were spent in the village of Maine, and ranks among the lead-
ing farmers of his portion of the state. In 1892 Mr. Luse established
a fruit nursery on his home place, which he conducted successfully
for almost ten years, closing it out to engage more exclusively in ag-
riculture. For two years he conducted a mercantile business in Maine
and served as postmaster during that time. He has upon his prop-
erty a good house, good barn and a fine orchard of ten acres, around
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 135
which is a half mile of evergreen trees to serve as a wind-break. The
buildings for the shelter of grain and stock are substantial and com-
modious, and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appear-
ance. The greater part of the farm of two hundred and forty acres
is under a high state of cultivation, and the owner is regarded as one
of the successful men of his locality.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Luse has been blessed with seven chil-
dren: Efifie v., the wife of J. W. McDaniel, of Chariton township;
Elbert A., who is living in the same township; Robert E., Lloyd E.,
Guss E., Cody Jackson and Coy E.. all under the parental roof. Mr.
Luse gives his political support to the Republican party and is a rec-
ognized leader in this locality. For four years he served as assessor
of his township and was re-elected in the fall of 1902; was also justice
of the peace and township trustee, and in the discharge of his official
duties he has been most prompt and faithful. _ He belongs to the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, and every movement
for the benefit i>f his community and tending to promote advancement
in all material, social, educational and moral lines receives his sup-
port and endorsement.
GEORGE W. DEAN.
George W. Dean is proprietor of the Peerless Hereford Farm,
making a specialty of the raising of fine Hereford cattle. He is a
leading citizen of this locality and a veteran of the Civil war. He was
born in Schuyler county. Missouri, May 24, 1839, and is a son of
Levin Dean, who was one of the early settlers of Appanoose county.
His birth occurred in Kentucky, and he was reared there, removing
136 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
afterward to Missouri. In Howard county, of the latter state, he was
united in marriage to Miss Missouri Ann Evans, also a native of the
Blue Grass state. In 1846 they removed from Missouri to Appanoose
county, Iowa, casting in their lot with the early settlers who were re-
claiming the wild lands for farming purposes. Here Mr. Dean carried
on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he was
sixty-five years of age. His widow still survives him and is now living
at Moravia, at the age of eighty-six years. In their family were seven
children: Elizabeth is deceased; George W. is the second of the fam-
ily; Jesse, who was a soldier of the Civil war, died in a .'louthern prison
at Tyler, Texas, having been captured by the enemy ; Sarah has passed
away ; Mrs. Mary Harn resides in Moravia ; Mrs. Martha McCauley is
the next younger; and Erastus is also living in Appanoose county. The
father, in order to provide for his family, always carried on farm work.
He gave his political support first to the Whig party and afterward to
the Republican party, and in religious faith both he and his wife were
Methodists.
George W. Dean was a lad of seven summers when brought by his
parents to Appanoose county, and upon the home farm his early boy-
hood days were spent. He obtained his education in a log schoolhouse
which was seated with slab seats, and he has also added to his knowl-
edge by experience and observation. In August, 1862, he responded
to the country's call for aid in preserving the Union, enlisting as a
member of Company C, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantn,', under Captain
Phillips and Colonel C. W. Kittridge. Later the company was com-
manded by Captain W. Vermilya. Mr. Dean was wounded at the en-
gagements at Marks Mills and for a time was held in a prison. In
September, 1865, he received an honorable discharge, at which time
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 137
he was serving with the rank of sergeant. Whether on the lonely
picket line or upon tlie firing line he was found loyal to his duty and
returned to his home with a creditable military record.
Mr. Dean had been married in i860 in Appanoose county to
Margaret C. Baldridge, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of
W. C. Baldridge, who came to Iowa in 1849. He was a farmer by oc-
cupation and gave his political support to the Democracy, while his
religious work was in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal church, of
which he was a member. He died at the age of forty-seven years
and is sur^•ived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Miss
Harriet Jane Miller and is now seventy-six years of age. In their
family were se\en children, namely: Margaret C, Drucilla, Sarah,
James, Cyntha, Mary and Nora. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dean
has been blessed with eight children: W. F., who is a practicing
physician of Warren county, Iowa, and is a graduate of the Van-
derbilt College of Tennessee; Mrs. Maggie J. Campbell, of Hastings,
Nebraska; Mrs. Ella D. Smith, of Appanoose county; Ralph, who
died at the age of eight years; Mrs. Arietta Morrison, of Colby
county, Kansas; Earl M., who is a student in the Iowa Wesleyan Col-
lege at Mount Pleasant, Iowa ; Emil E. ; and Lucile Dean, who is at
home.
In 1866 Mr. Dean located upon the farm which has since been
his place of residence, becoming the owner of two hundred and twenty
acres of land. This was mostly wild land, and his labors soon wrought
a transffirmation in the ajipearance of the place, the fields becoming
highly cultivated and good buildings erected. He now has a fine resi-
dence, big barns, pasture lands and feed lots and an extensive orchard.
He is making a specialty of the raising of Hereford cattle and has a
138 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fine herd of thoroughbred stock upon his place. So splendidly im-
proved is his farm that it is well named "Peerless," and the owner
is a representative agriculturist, standing for all that is progressive and
practical in farm work. He votes with the Republican party, which
he has supported since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham
Lincoln. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and the
Masonic fraternity, being connected with the lodge, the chapter and the
Eastern Star. He also holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal
church and is well known as a man of genuine worth, loyal in citizen-
ship and progressive in his business affairs.
ELI ANKROM.
On a modest homestead of eighty acres, two miles from Moulton,
may be found that always pleasing spectacle of a man and woman who
have lived together in conjugal union for a long period of time. Mr.
and Mrs. Ankrom, the couple alluded to, were married forty-seven
years ago, and during all that time ha\e had nothing approaching a
disagreement. All except seven of these years of connubial bliss have
been passed on the farm near Moulton, and there this worthy but un-
assuming couple expect to remain until the lengthening shadows are
followed by that final accounting from which no man can escape. Their
story is soon told, as it is of the uneventful kind that usually enters
into the lives of farmers and does not admit of gaudy coloring or
dramatic touch in narration.
John Ankrom, a young Marylander, left his native state about the
third decade of the last century and crossed the Potomac for the pur-
pose of seeking a better fortune in old \'irginia. Whether or not he
HR. AHD MRS. ELI AKKROH.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. Ul
found tlie fortune is not recorded, but it seems that lie found something
better in the shape of a g-ood woman, wiiom he wisely made his wife,
and who, in subsequent years of trial, proved entirely worthy of his
choice. A few years after their marriage, John and Hannah Frances
Ankrom decided that while old Virginia was a great state to be born
in, it was not so desirable as a place of residence for those not pos-
sessed of much of this world's goods. Accordingly, in 1834, they
joined the tide of emigTati(_in then settting strongly toward the rich ter-
ritory in the west, and did not stop until they arrived in the heart of
the richest of it. They tra\eled by boat as far west as Burlington and
rode in wagons from there to their destination, which lay near Fair-
field, forty miles west of Burlington, Iowa. There the father pur-
chased land, which he worked hard and continuously until his death
in 1867, his wife surviving him eleven years and passing away in 1878.
Their son, Eli Ankrom, was horn in Virginia, February 27, 1832,
and was conseciuently two years old when the long journe)- to Iowa was
undertaken by his parents. He assisted his father on the farm until
1855, when he decided to many and set up a household of his own.
The lady whom he selected as his wife was Elizabeth Walmer, whose
birth occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio, April 21, 1837, and who
was brought to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1851 b}' her parents.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Ankrom took his bride to a place nine
miles northeast of Fairfield, where he was engaged in farming during
the following six years. Subsequently one year was spent in Davis
county, and then Mr. and Mrs. Ankrom located on the farm in Appa-
noose count}-, near Moulton, which was destined to ])rove their perma-
nent abiding place. This estimable couple are without children of their
own, but have an adopted son in the jierson of John II. .\nkrom, upon
142 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
whom they have centered all their affections and hopes, and who gives
promise of realizing their brightest expectations. Mr. and Mrs. Ank-
rom are devoted members of the Christian church, and by practice as
well as precept show the sincerity of their religious convictions. In
fact, they are one of those couples who "grow old gracefully," whom
young people like to surround on account of their fatherly and moth-
erly kindnesses and who secure general esteem by gentleness of man-
ners and goodness of heart.
JOHN A. MOSS.
The above named gentleman is a native of Iowa and has been
closely identified with the state's development from the time of his
entrance into active business life. His earlier adult years were c
voted to teaching, in which occupation he achieved decided success and
gained rank as one of the best instructors of his grade in the state.
Abandoning the schoolroom for the farm, Mr. Moss displayed equal
ability in that line and is now known far and wide as a breeder of
short-horn cattle and one of the progressive agriculturists of his coun-
ty. His father, G. R. Moss, was a North Carolinian, who emigrated
to Indiana and was there married in 1852 to Martha Bishop, a native
of Ohio. One year after marriage this ct)uple removed to Appanoose
county, Iowa, and located on- a farm in Bellair township, which proved
to be their permanent home. The father devoted himself energetically
to general farming and stock-raising, in which business he achieved a
gratifying success, and was in good circumstances at the time of his
death in April, 1900. The surviving widow still occupies the old home-
stead and receives from her loving children the devotion due to a good
BIOGRAPHICAL AMD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 143
mother. Of tlie nine children born to these early settlers of Bellair
township only four now survive, and among them is the subject of this
sketch.
John A. Moss was born in Appanoose county, October 2, 1857, and
grew up on the farm without incident or accident worthy of mention. His
routine consisted of that combination of work and study which forms
such a useful training in youth and has laid the foundation for so many
successful men of the world. Besides attendance in the country schools
Mr. Moss had the benefit of academic courses at Centerville and Moul-
ton, which were supplemented by a term in Commercial College at
Iowa City. Thus, unusually well equipped in an educational way,
Mr. Moss joined the great army of instructors engaged in teaching
"the young Iowa idea how to shoot," and devoted the next ten years
to assiduous attention to this useful calling. Having a natural apti-
tude for preserving discipline and imparting knowledge, Mr. Moss was
quite successful as a teacher in the ordinary country schools, and equally
so during his one year in charge at West Grove, Davis county, and
five years in the county of Wayne. In 1891 he abandoned the school
room indefinitely, returned to Appanoose county and settled down to
general farming and stock-raising. At the present time he is a mem-
ber of the firm of Moss & Bowen, breeders and dealers in short-horn
cattle, which industry is conducted in connection with miscellaneous
agriculture.
In 1885 Mr. Moss was united in marriage at Mystic, Iowa, with
Miss Lizzie, daughter of Obadiah and Agnes Lawton, and the children
of this union are Everett, Orison, Wilber Earnest, Osa Ilo, Carl Law-
ton, Mary Agnes, Margaret and Jolm B. For twenty-four years Mr.
Moss has been a member of the Christian church, in wliich lie holds
10
144 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the position of elder, and has always taken an active interest in religious
work. His fraternal connections are with the Knights of Pythias,
Modern \\'oodnien of America, Court of Honor, Royal Neighbors
and Rathbone Sisters.
WILLIAM j\I. PEATMAN.
Starting in life without cajjital and working his way to the top,
having engaged successfully in many enterprises, a public-spirited citi-
zen and the holder of offices of trust — such is the epitome of the career
of William M. Peatman, and such a man deserves a place in a volume
containing the lives of Appanoose county's prominent citizens. His
father, John J. Peatman, was born in England, in Lincolnshire, and
came to America when a young man of eighteen years. He was mar-
ried in Ohio to Mary Peach, a native of Muskingum county, and soon
after he moved to Peoria, Illinois, but four or five years later went to
Iowa and settled in the lower edge of Monroe county in 1854; he
remained there and engaged in farming until 1890, when he took up his
residence in Centerville.
William M. Peatman claims Illinois as his native state, where he
was born May 8, 1853, in Peoria; his boyhood was passed in the invig-
orating life of the farm, and his education was received in the country
schools. He was a good student and at the age of sixteen years began
teaching, which he continued for seven years. He learned the trade
of blacksmithing and wagon and carriage-making, which he followed
for about three years. Having taken up his residence in Moravia, Iowa,
he turned his attention to the lumber and grain business for two years.
At that time he was elected county recorder and in 1883 moved to
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 145
Centerville to carry on the duties of that position for one term. When
his official ser\-ices were ended Air. Peatman opened up a real estate
and abstract office and two years later formed a partnership with
W. G. Clark, the firm being since known as Clark & Peatman, real
estate, abstracts, insurance and loans. With Mr. Clark he started the
Centerville Brick and Tile Company, which has grown to be one of
the leading industries of the city. Besides real estate he does quite an
extensive contracting business, and is now erecting the new Appanoose
county court house. He is a careful, energetic and capable business
man, and his success has been well deserved because of these qualities.
The Republican party expresses his political convictions, and as its
candidate he was elected to the office of recorder; he also served for
four years as mayor of Moravia during his residence there. He is a
Knight Templar Mason and a Mystic Shriner. In 1S79 he became
the husband of Miss Ellen Knox, and two children have blessed the
union, a son and a daughter. Besides being successful in his own af-
fairs Mr. Peatman has been very zealous toward advancing the inter-
ests of his city. Among other things he was a promoter of the city
electric light plant, the street railroad and the water works.
JERRY TONES.
Jerry Jones is an intelligent, practical and progressive farmer
residing in Union township, Monroe county, not far from Lovilia,
where he owns and operates one hundred and forty-two acres of land.
He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred
within its borders May 17, 1847. His parents were Lewis and Sarah
Ann (Hughes) Jones, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter
UQ BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
of Ohio. In early life, however, they became residents of Lee county,
Iowa, and were there married. In 1844 they came to Monroe county,
when it was opened up for settlement by the white race, and took up
their abode upon a farm near that upon which our subject now resides.
All around them for miles stretched the unbroken prairie, and wild
animals were freqently killed in the district. Hardships and trials in-
cident to frontier life were to be borne, but the father persevered in the
work of developing a farm, and eventually his land became quite valu-
able, owing to the care and cultivation he had bestowed upon it. He
voted with the Democracy and both he and his wife were members of
the Christian church. In their family were seven children : John
and Henry, both deceased ; Jerry ; Martha, who has also passed away ;
Martin, deceased : and Levi and Mary, who complete the family. The
father died in 1894, at the age of seventy-two years; and the mother
died in 1900, at the age of seventy-four. Both were interred in the
Osborn cemetery.
Jerry Jones, the eldest of the living children, was reared in his
native county and at the usual age entered the public schools, thereby
acquiring the education which fitted him for the duties of a business
career. He early worked upon the home farm, and when a young
man he began farming on his own account and has since followed this
pursuit. He won Miss Nancy J. Chance as a companion and helpmeet
for life's journey, the marriage taking place in 1867. ^^r parents
were John and Lettie Chance, natives of Illinois and Tennessee re-
spectively. They became early settlers of Monroe county, where they
remained for many years, and in 1883 removed to Oregon, where they
are still living. In the same year our subject took his family to the
Sunset state with the intention of locating there, but at the end of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. U7
fourteen months they decided that they preferred Iowa as a place of
residence and came to their present farm, which has now been their home
for twenty years, and the neat and thrifty appearance of tlie farm indi-
cates the careful supervision of Mr. Jones, who keeps in touch with
the progress continually being made along agricultural lines and uses
the knowledge which he gains concerning agricultural methods for the
betterment of his place. In 190 1 Mr. and Mrs. Jones made a visit
to Oregon, spending two months with relatives there.
To this worth}' couple have been born fi\'e children: James E.,
John L., Charles E., William Burton, Willis Vernon. They have also
reared Anna L. Jones, a daughter of Mr. Jones's brother Levi ; her
mother died when she was an infant. Mr. Jones keeps well informed
on the political issues of the day and gives his political support to the
Democracy, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his
time and energies to his business affairs. He served, however, as school
director in his township for twelve years, and the cause of education
found in him a warm friend, who labored effectively for the best in-
terests of the schools of his locality. He possesses the progressive
spirit of the west, the spirit that has led to the rapid development of
this section of the country, and whate\'er concerns the welfare of
Monroe county elicits his interests and gains his co-operation.
JOSEPH D. BALL.
When one reflects that the remarkable strides of modern civiliza-
tion began with the birth of the printing press in the middle of the
fifteenth century, and that in the present century the press is the
greatest disseminator of knowledge, and, ab<jve all other influences,
wields the greatest jjower in politics, business, public opinion, and, in
US BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fact, in all departments of life, then it is that we may rightly appreciate
the modern newspaper and the place it occupies in every city and village
and country place in the wide domain of the United States. And
not only as the head of one of these important enterprises, but as a
man of character and worth in himself, is it fitting that mention should
be made in this- volume of Joseph D. Ball, the editor of the Mystic
Letter and the postmaster of the town of Mystic, Iowa.
Our subject is the son of Samuel K. and Sarah G. (Needham)
Ball, the former born near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1830, and the
latter born in Jennings county, Indiana, in 1834. The latter married
John Buckles in Indiana and with her husband started with a mule
team to drive to Iowa; while traveling through eastern Iowa her hus-
band died, and with that indomitable will so characteristic of the
early settlers she drove to this country with the corpse of her hus-
band in the wagon and with her small child in her arms; she made
her home with a brother in Johns township until her marriage to Mr.
Ball. Samuel K. Ball left his native state of Kentucky when young
and went to Bartholomew county, Indiana, and at the age of sixteen
went to Mississippi, where, under the eye of his uncle, who owned a
newspaper, he learned the printer's trade. He later returned to In-
diana and learned the carpenter's trade. He came to Centerville, Iowa,
in 1856, and worked in a printing establishment two years. He then
moved to Johns township, following farming, blacksmithing and car-
pentering until 1879, when he bought a half interest in a printing estab-
lishment in Centerville and edited a paper in the interests of the Green-
back party, known as the Centerville Blade. In April, 1881, he lo-
cated at Seymour, Iowa, and established the Seymour Enterprise and
was its editor until his death in August, 1881.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL LIISTORY. UD
Joseph D. Ball \va^s born in Johns township, Appanoose county,
Iowa, October 20, 1865, and spent the earlier years of his life on the
farm. In 1879 '^^ ^'''st became acquainted with the printer's trade.
After the death of his father he returned with his mother to Johns
township, farming and working in the mines until 1892, when he moved
to Mystic and for six months was employed as foreman of the Mystic
Letter. In September, 1892. he purchased the Mystic Letter of Dr.
W. C. Griffith and in February, 1893, disposed of it to W. S. Scott. In
July, 1893, he again bought the plant, and has been conducting it very
successfully ever since. He has always endeavored to make the paper
an organ for the advancement of the public interests and he has shown
much tact in the handling of the varied matters with which the editor
has to deal.
Mr. Ball is a staunch Republican, and on September 16, 1901,
he was appointed postmaster of Mystic, which office he now fills; since
he has been its incumbent, the office has changed from one of the
fourth class to a third class office, and its business is conducted in a
manner pleasing to all patrons. In connection with A. J. Richardson
he is manager of the Mystic Opera House. Fraternally he is a Knight
of Pythias. In 1893 Mr. Ball was married to Miss Tillie Skillen, a na-
tive of Pennsylvania, Her father died in Pennsylvania, while her
mother lives on a farm northwest of Mystic. One child was born of
this naarriage. May i, 1897, whose name is Carlos Stanton Ball.
ASA BAIRD.
Asa Baird, the owner of the Elm Park Farm, on section 3, Ur-
bana township, Monroe count}-, was Ijorn on the old homestead, Sep-
tember 5, 1859. His father, Asa S. Baird, was a prominent and in-
150 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fluential early settler of the county, who located in Urbana, later mov-
ing to Mantua township. He married Sarah Tharp and they became
the parents of nine children, of whom the su1)ject of this review is
the fifth. Upon his father's farm Asa Baird spent the days of his child-
hood and youth, and as his age and strength increased he became more
and more actively engaged in the work of the fields. His education
was obtained in the district schools, and throughout his entire life he has
followed farming, finding it a profitable source of income because of
the methods he has followed and the thrift and enterprise which char-
acterize his work.
In 1892, in Troy township, Monroe county, Mr. Baird was united
in marriage to Miss Eva Barnhill, a lady of intelligence and good fam-
ily, who has been a faithful companion and helpmeet to her husband
during the ten years of their married life. She was born, reared and
educated in this county, a daughter of William Harvey Barnhill, who
died June 26, 1899, his wife having preceded him on the 4th of .April,
1889. About fifteen years ago they became residents of Iowa. Both
were natives of Kentucky and the father was a gallant soldier of the
Civil war, serving in Company C, Thirtieth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer
Infantry. During an engagement he was wounded in the left hand.
In politics he was an earnest Republican and both he and his wife en-
joyed the warm regard of many friends. In their family were nine
children: Mary Alice, Josephine, Virginia, Anna, William, Rosa,
Charles W., Ralph and Mrs. Baird. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baird
has been blessed with four children: Charles Edgar, Harvey S., Clara
Grace and Frank Orville.
The Elm Park Farm comprises two hundred and thirty-three
acres of valuable land, rich and productive. In additioil to waving fields
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 151
of grain tliere are ricli meadow lands of bluegrass, large Isarns and
feed lots, and an oi chard oi fine fruits. Tiie house is a pleasant one,
and neatness and thrift characterize the place and indicate to the
passer-by the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner. Mr.
Baird gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, believing
firmly in its principles and doing all in his power to secure its success
and the election of liis friends who become candidates for office. He
has frequently served as a delegate to county conventions. His wife
is a member of the Christian cliurch, and he contributes to its sup-
port, for he is found as a friend of temperance, morality and education,
and he lielieves in progress along all lines that will add to the wel-
fare of the county.
WILLIAM HUSTON.
William Huston is now living a retired life in Avery, and for
many years has been a respected and worthy citizen of the county, using
his influence and giving liis aid for the promotion of measures and
movements for the general good and the county's upbuilding. He
came to the county in 1865. His birth occurred in Monongahela,
Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1817, and his father,
John Huston, was also a native of the Keystone state. The grand-
father, Daniel Huston, was Iiorn in the north of Ireland and was a
Protestant, belonging to a Scotch-Irish family of Presbyterian faith.
He was reared in the place of his nativity until twenty years of age,
when lie boarded a sailing vessel bound for the new world, and when
tlie Re\<)lutionary war broke out he joined the continental army and
fought under (jeneral Washington. His death occurred in Pennsyl-
152 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
vania when he had attained to a good old age. John Huston was
reared upon tlie home farm in the Keystone state and there married
Mrs. Nancy (Barr) Gibson, a widow, who had two children, John
and Betsy Gibson. She was born on the ocean while her parents were
coming to the United States, as memliers of a colony composed of the
Burrs, Crawfords, Harpers and other families, who located in Penn-
sylvania. All were of Protestant faith. To John and Nancy Huston
were born the following named: Mary, now deceased; Nancy; William;
and Daniel, who was drowned when a boy. The father died at the
age of eighty-two years and the mother passed away at the age of
seventy-four. For many years he was an elder in the Presbyterian
church and was an earnest Christian gentleman, a faithful friend and
a devoted husband and father, and his excellent qualities won for him
the trust and confidence of all with whom he came in contact.
William Huston was reared in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and when quite voung was instructed concerning the value of honesty
and industry in the active affairs of life. The schools of the county
afforded him opportunity for mental discipline, and when twenty-six
years of age he made preparation for having a home of his own by
his marriage to Miss Sarah Louderbeck, a native of Pennsylvania and
a representative of one of the old Dutch families of the state. Her
father, Thomas Louderbeck, was born there and married Jemima Berry-
man, also a native of that state, where both lived until called to the
home beyond. Mr. and Mrs, Huston began their domestic life in the
east, remaining in the state of their nativity until 1865, when, at-
tracted by the business possibilities of the west, they came to Iowa, where
Mr. Huston purchased the Gossage farm of one hundred and twenty
acres, adding thereto till he now has one hundred and seventy-five
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 153
acres. The years have seen added improvements made, barns have
been built, and there are now rich pastures of bluegrass and highly
cultivated fields, while an orchard yields choice varieties of apples
and other fruit. This farm is a very valuable one and its value is
enhanced because it is underlaid with coal. Mr. Huston has a fine
brick residence on his farm, and this is situated in the village of Avery,
where he has lived since coming to Iowa.
Eight children have been born to him and his wife: Joseph, who
for a number of years was a successful teacher, is now living in Atchi-
son county, Missouri ; he married Miss Martha Elder and has seven
sons and seven daughters. Agnes is the wife of D. Nichol, of Albia,
Iowa. JoItu, formerly a farmer li\'ing in the village of Avery, is now a
traveling salesman with his liome in Albia. Oliver C. is an agricul-
turist. Mrs. Elizabeth Love makes her home in Seattle. Mrs. Mai7
McMillan died in Monroe county. Daniel, who was a well known
and capable physician of Wayne county, Iowa, died leaving a widow.
William died at the age of fourteen years. The children have been
well educated and are honored and respected wiierever they are known.
Mr. Huston's farm is operated by his sons, who are successful and pro-
gressive agriculturists and stock-raisers.
In 1 87 1 Mr. Huston returned to his old home in Pennsylvania
upon a visit, and he has also visited Seattle, Washington, and other
points on the Pacific coast. A member of the Reformed Presbyterian
church, he served as one of its elders for many years, and his Christian
faith has been manifest in his upright life, for he has so lived as to
command the respect and good will of his fellow men. He has now
reached the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey and has therefore
been a witness of much of the growth and development of the country
154 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
through the nineteenth century, while in Monroe county he has borne
his share in planting an advanced civilization here. He is now a
venerable man who in the evening of life can look back over the past
without regret, for honor and integrity have been the guiding elements
in his conduct.
A. J. G. BAILEY.
A. J. G. Bailey, proprietor of the Lookout farm in Mantua town-
ship, is one of the most successful and skillful farmers of the locality
and has been an important factor in the moral, intellectual and material
welfare of Monroe county since 1864. He was born in Lewis county,
Virginia, January 25, 1842, which was also the birthplace of his father,
James R. Bailey, and his grandfather, Carr Bailey, was born in the same
state, of English parents, who were early settlers of the Old Dominion.
The family had its representatives in both the Revolutionar}- war and
the war of 1812.
On reaching manhood James R. Bailey married Miss Christie Ann
Tharp, a daughter of Hezekiah Tharp. Thoroughout life Mr. Bailey
followed farming and by his ballot supported the men and measures of
the Democratic party. For many years he was a deacon in the Bap-
tist church, and died in that faidi at the ripe old age of eighty-seven
years. His wife was seventy-eight years of age at the time of her
death. They were the parents of thirteen children: A. J. G., H. D.,
C. B., J. W. and John E., who are still living; Mrs. Minnie Reed, who
died in Virginia; Cynthia Ann, who died at the age of twenty years;
Elzire Bird, who died in Virginia; Nancy, who died in Baltimore,
Maryland; Paschal B., deceased; and three who died young.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 155
During his hoylKKKl and youtli A. J. G. Bailey pursued his educa-
tion in the schools of his native county, and having acquired a good
education he successfully engaged in teaching for three terms. On the
i8th of October, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Ann
Woofter, who was also born, reared and educated in Lewis county,
Virginia, of which state her parents, Amos and Catherine (Shannan)
Woofter, were life-long' residents, being of German dejscent. Her
father died at the age of eighty and the mother at the age of sixty
years. Their children were Marion; Albert, deceased, who was a
soldier of the Civil war and was confined in Libby prison for a time;
Matilda Ann, wife of our subject; Mrs. Sarah Williams; Mrs. Mary A.
Moneypenny, deceased ; Norval, of Virginia ; Mrs. Amelia Hindman,
deceased ; and Lydia. deceased. The parents were members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a Republican in poli-
tics.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are as follows: Mrs.
Sarah Morgan, now deceased; Mrs. Amanda C. Monroe, a resident of
Albia. Iowa ; Thomas, of Mantua township ; A. Grant, of Troy town-
ship; Amos, who died at the age of twenty-four years, a most promis-
ing young man, honored and respected by all who knew him ; Lizzie,
at home ; Charles, a resident of .Appanoose county ; Eva lona and Lulu,
both at home; Eve and Noah died in infancy. The family is one of
prominence in the community where they reside.
Mr. Bailey remained in Virginia until 1864, when he came to
Monroe county, Iowa, and here followed carpentering as well as farm-
ing for some time. In 1868 he purchased his present farm in Man-
tua township, and today has one of the best improved places of the
locaHty. His house is commodious, well furnished and comfortable,
156 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
his barns and outbuildings are good and substantial : there is a good
orchard upon the place, and all the conveniences and accessories of a
model farm are here found. His house was erected in 1894 at a cost
of eighteen hundred dollars. He keeps a good grade of horses and
cattle, and has met with success both as a general farmer and stock-
raiser.
Politically Mr. Bailey is identified with the Republican party; has
served as a delegate to its conventions, has filled the office of justice of
the peace in a most acceptable manner, was assessor in 187 1 and is now
serving as trustee of his township. He is officially connected with the
German Baptist church, and is a man of kindl\', genial disposition, who
makes friends wherever he goes, and has the entire confidence and
respect of those with whom he comes in contact either in business or
social life.
C. V. MASON.
The life of the tiller of the soil, while it has many hardships and
uncertainties which make it unattractive to many, is after all the basis
of the world's industries, and in all the ages of history men ha\-e fol-
lowed it, not from necessity but because they were drawn to it by the
natural desire to make the earth bring forth after its kind and because
It afforded the most independent existence among the pursuits of man-
kmd. But now the old prejudices against farming are being dispelled
by the new and scientific methods which tend to remove the former
hap-hazard results and place it upon the most substantial basis. And
among the young and progressive farmers of Monroe county who take
rank with those who will be the leaders of agriculture in the first part
of the twentieth century is C. V. Mason.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 157
His father, J. \\'. Mason, was a native of the state of Missouri
and removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, wlien quite young, and while
yet a young man came to Monroe count}-, where in 1861 he was married
to Martha J. Barnes, a nati\e of Indiana ; her father, Jesse Barnes,
was a native of Kentucky and was a pioneer settler of Cedar township,
Monroe C(iunty, anil his wife's name was Eliza Ann Hogland; Jesse
Barnes died in Monroe county, but his wife is still living. J. W.
Mason was a Republican in political sympathies, and he and his wife
were members of the United Brethren church. He passed away in
1884 at the age of forty-two, but his wife is still living with the sub-
ject of this sketch: there were seven children born to them, three sons
and four daughters: John A., Minnie L.. Eli A., Carrie, C. V., Esta,
and Cora Mae.
C. V. Mason was ushered into the world in Monroe county, Jan-
uary 25, 1871, was reared to manhood under the hardy discipline of
the home farm in Wayne township and there received his education
in the country schools. In November of 1893 he was married to Min-
nie M. Davis, who is a native of Hancock county, Illinois, and a daugh-
ter of Eugene Davis, a native of Ohio: she spent her childhood in Illi-
nois and came to Iowa after she had reached maturity. Mr. and Mrs.
Mason have three sons, Clifford J., Paul E. and Dwight D. Mr.
Mason casts his vote for the Republican party and he and his wife are
faithful members of the United Brethren church. He has made a
success of farming and he and his family stand high in the regard of
his fellow citizens.
158 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
HARRISON HICKENLOOPER.
After a somewhat stormy life, the gentleman above named is now
taking things more quietly at his home in Albia. He is an interesting
man to know, and one of those who, when well known, it is impossible
not to esteem. A shattered arm bears mute testimony that he was well
at the front during the national peril, and that he did not hesitate to
bare his breast to the leaden storm that was hurled from the south
against the defenders of the Union. Mr. Hickenkxiper has many thrill-
ing stories to tell of those troubled times, in which be shared his full
part of the dangers and bore his portion of the burdens in order, as the
great President Lincoln said, "that tliis nation might live." Like most
of the other veterans, Mr. Hickenloojier proxetl himself as useful in
peace as he had been brave in war, and when it was all over took up
the threads of life where he had drcipped them to enlist, and joined
the busy workers at home, who were engaged with the \-arious vocations
of a prosperous commonwealth. So far liack that "the memory of
man runneth not to the contrary," as the law writers sav. the Hicken-
looper family were established in Pennsylvania, and for manv genera-
tions identified with its agricultural development. For the purposes
of this sketch the genealogy will begin with Tliomas Hickenlooper, who
was born in western Pennsylvania in 1793, and in early manhood en-
gaged in the manufacture of salt. He married Julia A. Hawkins, also
of the Keystone state, and in 1846 emigrated with his family to Iowa,
where he located on a farm in Monroe county. The father died in
1881, the mother in 1890, and of their ten children all but three are
living.
Harrison Hickenlooper was born in .\rmstrong county, Pennsyl-
vania, April 21, 1840, and consequently was si.x years old when his
HARRISON HICKEHLOOPER.
PUB!,.
AirOU, (.ENOX ANO
TIL06N F«UN»ATIONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. ICl
parents came to this state. He grew up in Monroe county and was
still living at home when the outbreak of the Civil war drove all
thoughts from his mind save the single determination to join the throng
then rushing to the defense of the Union. In May, 1861, he enlisted
in Company E, Sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under
Captain Henry Sanders, and with this command took part in all the
early campaigns of the western army. During this period he partici-
pated in the battles of Shiloh, Black River, Jackson, the sieges of
Corinth and Vicksburg, not to mention the many intervening engage-
ments of a minor nature. At the battle of Missionary Ridge Mr. Hick-
enlooper received a gimshot wound in the arm, which so badly shat-
tered that member as to necessitate his removal to the hospital at Chat-
tanooga, from which place he was taken to Nashville. Up to the time
of this accident he had not lost a moment's time from his company,
but reported promptly for duty every day after his enlistment. The
injury above mentioned, however, was so severe as to incapacitate him
for future duty, and he received his discharge for disability after a
faithful service of two years and nine months. After his release from
the armv Mr. Hickenlooper returned home and put in a crop on his
father's farm. Later he taught school a while, and in the fall of 1865
was elected treasurer of the c(junt\', in which office he served four
years. Wheii his time expired he kept a bookstore, and then acted as
agent for the American Express Company until his re-election to the
country treasurership in 1874. After serving the term of two years
he was again elected and finished his career in this office in 1880, but
afterward was appointed deputy treasurer and has served several years
in that capacity. He has always been an active Republican and recalls
with pride the fact that his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham
162 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Lincoln, wlien that great patriot and statesman was making tlie race
for his second term. Besides his long tenure of the office of county
treasurer, he served six years in the office of justice of the peace, and
has been a local leader of his party ever since he returned from the
army.
November 13, 1867, Mr. Hickenlooper was married to Sarah J.,
daughter of Samuel and Jane (George) Wallace, natives of Virginia,
who came to Iowa in 1854. Mrs. Hickenlooper was lK)rn in Virginia,
March 7, 1845, 'i"d died at Albia, February 24, 1900. She was a de-
voted member of the United Pre.sbyterian church, and all who knew her
intimately speak highly of her virtues as a woman, wife and mother.
Of the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Hickenlooper, Clara died in Albia
at the age of twenty-four years ; Mildred married Albert F. Ewers
and has one daughter, Edna ; \^^'lllace, civil engineer, who graduated
from the Iowa university, is in business at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
and Edna remains at home with her father. Mr. Hickenlooper is a
member of the Knights of Pythias, has been an Odd Fellow for thirty
years, and belongs to Orman Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He
was a charter member of the last mentioned order and has been hon-
ored by his old war comrades with all the offices in the local organiza-
tion.
J. W. GILBERT.
A life devoted to agricultural pursuits is naturally peaceful and
free from many of the striking features which characterize men in
more hazardous callings, but to be a successful farmer, nevertheless,
requires all the resolute purpose, the energy and the careful manage-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 163
ment which are necessary to any business; and in J- W. Gilbert we see
a man who is a farmer, representative of these qualities, and one of the
leading men in his line in the county of Monroe.- His father, William
Gilbert, was a native of the old Green Mountain state, born there in
the early years of the past century ; he joined the great tides of emigra-
tion which were constantly streaming westward from the less favored
sections of the east to the fertile areas of the west, and on reaching
Iowa in 1854 settled on a large farm of seven hundred acres in Jackson
township, Monroe county, where he was an extensive farmer for the
rest of his life. He was one of the earliest supporters of the Repub-
lican party and was a member of the Christian church. Before coming
west he had married Elizabeth Hickocks, who was a native of the state
of Connecticut. She became the mother of fifteen children, and of
them six are living at the present time. The elder Gilbert died in
Jackson township in 1878, aged si.xty-six, and his wife died in Lucas
county in 1902.
J. W. Gilbert was the fourth child and his birth occurred in Jack-
son county, Indiana, June 7, 185 1. He came to Iowa when three
years of age and received his education in the schools of Melrose. In
1879 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Thompson, a native of Kansas
and the daughter of B. F. Thompson, of the same state. Si.x children
blessed this marriage, one son and five daughters : Amasa, Cora, the
wife of Elmer Adcock; Effie, Pearl, Milly, and Macey. Mr. Gilbert
has always followed farming and is recognized as one of the representa-
tive citizens of the county. In politics he has adopted the choice of
his father and votes for the Republican party, and his church mem-
bership is with the United Bre.thren.
ICi BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
W. A. KNAPP.
W. A. Knapp has always li\ed in the Mississippi valley, his birth
having occurred in Switzerland county, Indiana. His parents were
John J. and Sarah Knapp, and under the parental roof he was reared.
He has been a resident of Iowa since 1855 and has taken an active and
helpful interest in everything pertaining to the general good and pro-
gress of the communities with which he has been connected. At the
time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal consid-
erations and offered his services to the government, enlisting as a mem-
ber of Company G, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, with which he went
to the front. He participated in a number of hotly contested battles,
including the two days" engagement at Shiloh and the two days' contest
at Corinth. He was also in the battle of Tupelo and others of lesser
importance and was always found as a faithful follower of the old flag,
never wavering in his allegiance to the Union cause. He was honorably
discharged in July, 1865, and returned home as one of the heroes of
the Civil war, to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that it
can never repay. In the battle of Tupelo he was wounded by a piece of
shell which injured him considerably and he now receives a well de-
served pension.
Mr. Knapp has a wide reputation as a penman, both for his skill as
a writer and as a pen artist, his ability in this direction being of a very
superior order. He is now a teacher of penmanship and his artistic
work in this regard is almost unsurpassed.
On the 30th of August, 1865, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage
to Miss Isabelle Trussell, the wedding ceremony being performed by
George Osborn, justice of the peace. Their union has been blessed
with a large family of eleven children, namely : Viola Jane, who was
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 165
born Januan- 6, 1867. and died the same year; Mary C, who was born
November 10, 18G9, and died March 8. 18S5; Priscilla, born April 5,
1872. who died tlie same day; Mahlon, torn March 22, 1873; LilHe,
born Jnly 30, 1874, wiio died December 4, 1897; Sarah E., who was
born March 6, 1S78, and died December 8, 1878; Dorothy, who was
lx)rn December 9, 1879. and died December 25, 1879; Albert R., born
April 2T,, 1881 ; Clarence Winchester, born December 15, 1882; Emma,
who was born March 17, 1884, and died the same year; and Alelvin M,,
born July 20, 1886.
In 1889 Mr. Knapp remo\'ed to Moravia and has since been ac-
counted one of the prominent and influential residents of this place.
He was honored with the office of mayor of the city, which he filled for
a term of five years. His administration was practical, business-like
and progressive and he retired from office as he had entered it, with
the confidence and good will of all concerned. He received the high
commendation of all law-abiding citizens and his course was one which
proved of benefit to the town. In 1894 he was president of the board
of trustees of Union township. In politics he has always been a Re-
publican, prominent in the work of the party and doing everything in
his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He feels it to
be one of the duties of citizenship to uphold political views in which
are embodied the 1ie=t ideas of good government. He has delivered
a number of campaign addresses in behalf of tiie party and his in-
fluence has lieen of no restricted order. Neither has the moral nature
of man been neglected in the life work of Mr. Knapp, who is an or-
dained elder of the Christian church, lie has filled many pulpits and
in many public addresses has set forth the value of Christianity to
the world and the plan of redemption as exemplified by the Nazarene
1(36 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
teacher. Thus has he labored along mjiny lines for the upbuilding of
his country and his people, and no man in all the community is more
deserving of the respect, confidence and good will of his fellow townv-
men than is W. A. ICnapp.
J. W. HALDEN.
J. W. Halden is an enterprising business man of Moravia, where
he has made his home since 1899. ^"d where he is engaged in the drug
business. He was born in Monmouth, Illinois, July 20, 1863, a son of
J. W. and Jessie D. Halden, who in 1869 removed from Illinois to
Iowa, settling upon a farm in Warren county. The subject of this re-
view was then only six years of age. In that county he entered the
public schools, gaining a good knowledge of the common English
branches of learning, while upon the home farm he received ample
training in the work of tilling the soil and cultivating the fields. In
1880 he removed to Centerville, Iowa, and in 1889 became a factor
in official life there, being appointed to the position of deputy sheriff.
Tlie following year he was appointed city marshal and discharged his
duties with promptness and fidelity and without fear or favor. After
retiring from the ofifice he removed to Moulton in September, 1893,
and resided there for six years, coming thence to Moravia in 1899.
Here he has since carried on business as a druggist and now has a
well appointed store, in which he carries a complete line of drugs
and kindred articles. Because of the neat appearance of the store
and the honorable dealing of the proprietor, combined with his rea-
sonable prices and earnest desire to please his customers, he has se-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 167
cured a liberal patronage, which is constantly growing, and which is
well merited.
Mr. Halden was united in marriage in tlie year 1891 to Miss
Etta Berry, and to them have been born four chidren, but only two are
now living. Myrl, who was born on the ist of July, 1892, died on
the 5th of May, 1901. Berry F., born April 13, 1894, is still with his
parents. Jessie D., born July 31, 1897, passed away on the 5th of
February, 1899, when only two years of age, and Vivian, born on the
nth of October. 1902, completes the family. Mr. Halden has been
quite prominent in fraternal circles. He was initiated into the mys-
teries of Masonr}\ in which he has attained the third degree, and he
also belongs to the Odd Fellows, in which he has filled the office of sec-
retary. He is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica. \^'eIl known in military circles, he served for nine years as a
member of Company E. Second Regiment, Iowa National Guard, and
was successively corporal, sergeant and orderly sergeant. Mr. Halden
is yet a young man, imbued with the progressive spirit of the west, and
his genial manner, social nature and kindly disposition have made him
popular with a large circle of friends, while in business afYairs he has
won success through close application and energ}'.
H. C. ESCHBACH. M. D.
During a residence at Alhia of some fourteen years, the gentleman
above named has impressed himself quite favorably upon the com-
munity both as a man and a physician. Before coming from the east
he obtained an excellent education, Ixith literary and professional, and
this has been so improved upon l)y subsequent study and observation,
16S BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to say nothing of his practical experience, that it may truthfully be
said that Dr. Eschbach is now one of the best informed men in his
profession. If proof of this were needed, it is furnished by the fact of
his membership in so many prominent medical associations, and the
active part he takes in their deliberations. Dr. Eschbach's grand-
parents were natives of the German Palatinate and after their emigra-
tion to the United States located in Pennsylvania, where they spent
the remainder of their days. The Doctor's parents were David and
Sarah Eschbach, both natives of Pennsylvania, who spent their lives in
agricultural pursuits, and died at the respective ages of seventy-eight
and sixty-nine years. They had eight children, of whom four are
living.
H. C. Eschbach, one of the younger of his father's surviving chil-
dren, was born October 23, 1856, in that part of Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, known as "Paradise." He was reared on the
farm, and in addition to the attendance at the public school had the
benefit of courses at the Limestoneville and Turbutville Academies, and
Franklin and Marshall Colleges at Lancaster. He was graduated at the
last mentioned institution in 1880 and shortly after entered the medical
department of the Pennsylvania University, where he was graduated
with the class of 1883. Equipped with a diploma from the famous
college, Dr. Eschbach turned his face toward the setting sun and
sought in the boundless west opportunities for rising in the profession
he had chosen for his life's work.
He located first at Des Moines, where he practiced two years, and
from there went to Monroe the capital of Jasper county. Tliree years
were devoted to practice at this place and in January, 1888, Dr. Esch-
bach selected what proved to be his final location at Albia and here has
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 169
remained up to the present time in general practice as a physician and a
surgeon. He is an esteemed member of nearly all of the more promi-
nent organizations devoted to the advancement or the promotion of the
welfare of individual practitioners. Included in this last are the Des
Moines and Iowa State Medical Associations, the International Asso-
ciation of Railway Surgeons, American Medical Association, and the
Tri-State Medical Association. Dr. Eschbach is surgeon for the Iowa
Central Railroad Company, and his professional work in that position
has given entire satisfaction to his employers. In 1892 Dr. Eschbach
was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Coe, by whom he has three
children. He holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks and is as popular in social circles as he is esteemed in the pro-
fessional world.
CHARLES G. HOOVER.
Dentistry, like many other professions, has reached its present high
point of development within the past few years and now rests on a scien-
tific basis, requiring besides the qualities that are common to all pro-
fessions remarkable care and accuracy and patience. The town of
Albia, Monroe county, Iowa, is fortunate in having among her profes-
sional men one of the leaders in this important branch of modern aids
to the increase of physical health and comfort, and it is the purpose of
this sketch to briefly narrate some of the main facts of his career which
will be of interest to the many readers of this historical volume.
The parents of our subject were John C. and Mary (Wintermote)
Hoover; the father was a native of Germany and the mother of New
Jersey ; the former, who was a farmer through the years of his business
170 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
activity, was a soldier in the Civil war, having been a member of the
Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he returned from the service shat-
tered in health, and as a result died at the early age of thirty, December
24, 1869, leaving two children. John C. Hoover was his wife's sec-
ond husband; her first husband was Ferdinand Hoover, by whom she
had two children; her third husband is Dennis Druley, of which union
there were no children; they now live in Boston, Indiana.
Born of the alx)ve parents in Greenville, Ohio, on the 23d of
April, 1867, was Charles G. Hoo\er. He was reared in his native
state and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of the
vicinity and of Yellow Springs, Ohio, also gaining much of the strength
necessary for his life work on his father's farm. Having decided to
study dentistry he attended the Indiana Dental School at Indianapolis
and in 1891 received his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. For
two years following his graduation he worked in a dental office at
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and in 1893 came to Albia and established an
ofifice, where he has ever since continued with success that has been
gratifying to himself and friends. He keeps up with the progress of his
profession and is a member of the Iowa Dental Society and of the
Southwestern Iowa Dental Society.
In 1894 Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Olive M. Wright, the
daughter of Samuel W. and Marietta (Hancock) Wright, of Albia.
Two children are now in their home, Harry Kenneth and Wendell
Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of the Christian church,
and he is a chapter Mason and Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Hoover
claims especial distinction from the fact that he is a self-made man,
having had few of the favoring winds of fickle fortune to carry him
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 171
to success, but having become what he is by his own diligent and per-
sonal application.
ROBERT THOMAS BARTRAM, M. D.
Among the physicians of Albia who command the confidence of the
people to a high degree and enjoy a large clientage because of their
skill in the treatment of the ills that flesh is heir to, is Dr. Bartram,
who is recognized not only as an expert in his profession but also as
a man of high character and one who through his own efforts has
gained the place which he now occupies, in other words, a man who is
the architect of his own fortunes.
Doctor Bartram is the son of English parents, Robert and Mary
(Stokes) Bartram being born, reared and married in that country,
and while there two sons and two daughters were born to them. The
family came to the United States in 1852 and settled on a farm in
Kendall county, Illinois; from here they removed to Iowa about 1874
and located in Warren county, where both passed away, Mrs. Bar-
tram dying in 1884 at the age of fifty-six, and her husband in 1894
at the age of seventy-four. Four sons and four daughters were born
to them in America, and thus they were the parents of twelve children.
Robert Thomas was born while his parents resided in Kendall
county, Illinois, the date of his birth being January 25, 1853. He was
reared on a farm and received his education in the country schools,
after which he taught for two terms. Having been attracted to the
medical profession he began his study when twenty-five years old and
in 1886 graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Keokuk, Iowa; he then came to Albia, where he has become one of the
172 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
successful practitioners. He owns a well equipped office, a good medi-
cal library, and he has always been a hard student, having taken post-
graduate courses in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keo-
kuk.
Dr. Bartram was twice married; his first wife, whom he married
in 1881, was Miss Henrietta J. Stare, who died in 1891, leaving two
children, Fern and Ida. In 1893 he became the husband of Emma S.
Snodgrass, and their children are Margarette and Lois. He and his
wife are members of the Presbyterian church and stand high in the
social circles of the city.
FRED D. EVERETT.
The world, and America in particular, will never grow tired of
praising the "self-made" man, one who begins life with none of the
often fictitious helps, such as wealth, position or a family name, and
by consistent and hard "plugging" forges forward to a position in the
front rank ; when this man has won the contest he often bears none of
the signs of the struggles and disappointments through which he has
passed, but to those who know his whole life he seems deserving of his
success and well worthy a place among the leaders of men. The popular
young lawyer of Albia, Iowa, Fred D. Everett, is one of this class,
and in the long future which is before him a highly prosperous career
seems to be marked out for him.
Mr. Everett comes from a good mingling of nationalities, the pro-
gressiveness of his English father being supplemented with the sturdy
qualities of a Swiss mother; he is the son of John and Bertha (Demuth)
Everett, the former born in England and the latter in Switzerland,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 173
both coming to America in childhood. They were married in Davis
county, Iowa, where Mr. Everett followed the occupation of a miller
and died in 1900; his wife still survives and resides in Bloomfield, Iowa.
There were only two children, a son and a daughter, Fred D. and
Frances M.
Fred D. Everett was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, April 18, 1876,
and there grew up to manhood. In 1892 he graduated from the high
school and the following year taught school in Monroe county. The
next two years he engaged in fanning in Monroe county, and having
from these occupations saved some money and being filled with the am-
bition to enter the profession of the law, in the fall of 1895 he began
his studies in the law department of the State University at Iowa City,
from which he graduated in the spring of 1897 and was immediately
admitted to the bar. He selected Albia as the place to begin his legal
career and formed a partnership with D. M. Anderson, which has
continued to the present time. In the enthusiasm consequent upon the
breaking out of the Spanish- American war in 1898 he became a private
in Company D, Fifty-first Iowa Infantry, and served in the Philippines
up to November, 1899. Since this time he has engaged actively in
the practice of the law. As an evidence of his growing popularity
and his ability, in the fall of 1900 he was elected on the Republican
ticket to the office of attorney of Monroe county and in the fall of
1902 received a renomination and election for second term. Fra-
ternally Mr. Everett belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen : he is a man
of nuich public spirit, and his enterprising character is evidenced in the
record of bis public career.
17i BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
WILLIAM C. STICKNEY.
Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and snccessful business
men of this portion of Iowa is William C. Stickney. His life history
most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued
effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and en-
ergy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connection
with the various business enterprises has been a decided advantage to
Appanoose county. He is now the popular cashier of the First Na-
tional Bank of Moulton.
Mr. Stickney was born in Prince Edward county, Ontario, Can-
ada, on the Sth of June, 1842, and his parents were Walter H. and
Phebe (Christy) Stickney. He con.ies from one of the oldest families
of England. The line of descent can be traccil back In William Stick-
ney, a native of England, who in the seventeenth centurv left his own
country and crossed the broad .\tlantic, settling in Rowley, Massa-
chusetts. His descendants are now numerous and are widely scat-
tered throughout the country, Mr. Stickney of this revie^v being in the
eighth generation in America. John Stickney, the paternal grand-
father, was born in Massachusetts, and after acquiring his literary
education took up the study of medicine and became a physician.
When a young man he went to Canada and was there married to Re-
becca Barker, a native of Saratoga county. New York, and a de-
scendant of an old New England family. Among their children was
Walter H. Stickney. He was born and reared within twenty miles of
the birthplace of his son William, and after arriving at vears of matur-
ity he wedded Phebe Christy, also a native of the same locality, and a
daughter of William Christy, who was born in Scotland, whence he
came to America alone at the age of seventeen years. He first lived
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 175
in Philadelpliia. liut later tciok up liis aliode in Canada. His wife, who
bore tlie maiden name of Ruth Bull, was a native of Dutchess county,
New York. Mr. and Mrs. Stickney spent their lives in Prince Ed-
ward county. Canada. There the former followed farming and was
one of the enterprising and progressi\'e agriculturists of his community.
Both he and his wife were followers of the Quaker church, and in
their family were eight sons and two daughters. Three of the brothers
are now deceased, and one brother is living in Canada, another in New
York, and two in East St. Louis. Illinois. The sisters are still residents
of Canada.
William C. Stickney was reared upon his father's farm in Canada,
and at the usual age entered the district schools, acquiring a fair En-
glish education. His training at farm work was not meager, and he
continued to assist his father in the development and improvement of
the home place until t\\ent_\-three years of age. After spending one
year in New York he came to the west and for a year resided in Illi-
nois. In 1870 he arrived in Iowa, settling in Butler county, where for
two years he was engaged in farming, and during that time he was
married. He then returned to Canada and spent six years on the old
home, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. On the expiration
of that period he again came to Iowa, settling in Franklin county, of
which he was a resident for six years. He followed merchandising
at Hampton with a fair degree of success, and in 1S85 he turned his
attention to the banking business at Sheffield, accepting the position
of assistant cashier. In 1887 he came to Moulton, where he was first
cashier of the Moulton Bank and later cashier in Bradley's Bank.
Upon the organization of the First National Bank in 1900, he was
chosen its cashier, and has since occupied the position. His compre-
176 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
hensive knowledge of tlie Ijanking lousiness, his close application, his
unfailing courtesy and his popularity have contributed in a very ma-
terial degree to the success of the institution.
In 1870 Air. Stickney was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Coble,
who was born in Wisconsin, aud they now have four children : Edwin
L., who is assistant cashier in the Fir.st National Bank; Russell, who is
in Los Angeles, California ; Walter, a student of the State University
of Colorado: and Edna, at home. Mr. Stickney is a stalwart Re-
publican, and socially is a Master Mason, while his religious faith is
indicated by his membershi]) in the Methodist Episcopal church, He
has made an untarnished record and an unspotted reputation as a busi-
ness man, and in all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to
truth, honor and right, justly \aluing his own self-respect as infinitely
more desirable than wealth, fame and position. In those finer traits
of character which coml)ine to form that which we term friendship,
which endear and attach man to man in bonds which nothing but the
stain of dishonor can sever, which triumi)h and shine brighter in the
hour of adversity — in those qualities he is richly endowed.
DAVID J. MARTIN.
One of the ablest and most prosperous men of Monroe county
to-day is D. J. Martin, who resides two and three-quarters miles north-
west of Melrose, on the place known as the Walnut Grove farm, where
he is extensively engaged in breeding thoroughbred shorthorn cattle
and Poland China hogs. He started in life without any particular ad-
vantages which would of themselves boost him to the top round of
the ladder of success, but he has by the wise use of the talents that
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 179
were vouchsafed to him and by the exercise of the determination and
energy that were in him risen to a place where he may be called one
of the leaders in the business and social life of his community.
M. D. Martin, his father, was born in Ohio and came to Illinois
when quite a young man, and from there went to Iowa, where he
located in Wayne county, and a few years later located in Wayne town-
ship, Monroe county. His wife, Elizabeth S. Prather, was born in
Bartholomew county, Indiana, in 1828, and there passed her early life.
She came to Iowa in 1848 and located in Van Buren county, but in the
same year her father, D. J. Prather, settled in Monroe county, and she
remained at home there until her marriage. The marriage occurred in
1853, and one child was born, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Martin
married a Miss Sackett for his second wife, and they became the
parents of three children. Mr. Martin died in South Dakota in 1891
and was buried near Rochester, Minnesota, where his second wife now
lives. The mother of our subject li\-ed on the home farm until 1884,
when she went to Eugene, Oregon, where her death occurred January
30, 1901.
D. J. Martin is a native son of Monroe county, his birth having
occurred August 8, 1854. He received his preliminary education in
the town of Melrose, and at the age of seventeen entered Howes .Acad-
emy at Mount Pleasant, where he was a student for two years, and
he then spent one year at the Iowa Wesleyan University. For the next
seven years he devoted himself to teaching school in the winter and
to farming in the summer seasons. On March 5, 1885, he was mar-
ried to Miss Sarah Brandon, who was born in Monroe county, and
whose father we shall mention further on in this article. She attended
the common schools of her native count)' until her seventeenth year,
12
180 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
and afterward received a complete business training at the Bloomfield
and Shenandoah business colleges. After returning from school she
opened the first set of books in her father's newly established bank at
Melrose, and for four years preceding her marriage acted as cashier in
this bank, she having been among the first, or perhaps the first lady
bank cashier in the state of Iowa. Her sister then accepted the
position and served in that capacity until her marriage, at
which time Mr. and Mrs. Martin took charge of the bank, Mr. Mar-
tin l)eing cashier and his wife assistant. This arrangement was
continued for about seven years, and during the last four years Mr.
Martin was the owner of a one-third interest in the bank. After re-
tiring from the bank he returned to his farm, where he now lives. He
has about four hundred acres of excellent land, and his place shows
the evidences of good management and thrift, which are largelv respon-
sible for his success. He also owns land in Oregon, while his wife has
eighty acres in this county and one hundred and si.xty acres in Texas.
In political belief Mr. Martin adheres to the Republican party and
is chairman of the central committee of Wayne township. In religious
affairs both he and his wife have been reared in the faith of the
Methodist church and are active workers in the cause. They are well
known and highly respected in all circles. Mr. and Mrs. Martin
became the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter: Ran-
dall, who died in infancy; Elbert C, Sterling B., Thomas. David B.,
Mildred L. : all are natives of Monroe county.
Thomas Brandon, the father of Mrs. Martin, is a pioneer settler
of Monroe county. He was Ix)rn in Crouchtown, Tennessee, .August
27, 1826, and remained there until sixteen years of age. He came to
Iowa in 1845 and took up a homestead claim in Franklin township,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 181
Monroe county. He has since bought a great deal of land in this
county and at one time owned about fourteen hundred acres, a large
part of which he has since given to his children. He was the founder
of the first bank in Melrose, and perhaps has done more to develop
the material resources of the county than any other one man. Forty-
one years ago he nearly suffered the loss of his eyesight, and his
daughter, Mrs. Martin, assisted him in organizing his bank at Melrose,
and to her he owes much of his success. He is now seventy-six years
old and spends his winters on a large plantation in Texas and San
Diego, California. Mr. Brandon is well known over the entire county
and is ever}'where shown the honor due to an old age following a life
of useful and successful effort.
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
182 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
rearing a family in tlie east, came to Iowa in tlie same year that state-
hood was conferred upon this new western commonwealth. Thomas
Hickenlooper settled in Monroe township, Monroe county, and en-
gaged in farming, which he pursued with success until 1881, when he
died, about eighty-eight }ears 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 Re-
publican 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 Wood-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 183
men of America, tlie Foresters and the Brotherhood of American Yeo-
men.
BERTRAND P. CASTNER.
Considering his age. wliich is sliglitly ]jast tliirty-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 responsil)le position before the completion of the twenty-fifth
year of his age. Aside from this, however, he has been connected with
various branches cjf business, including lumber, realty and loans, hard-
ware 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, 1S70, 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 employe, 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 i, 1903. For five years Mr. Castner was connected
184 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
with the Ramsay Realty, Loans and Abstract Company, and joined
his brother in tlie purchase of a hardware business. Disposing of his
interest in the Ramsay ReaUy 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 affilia-
tions are with the Presbyterian church, and his fraternal connections
with the Masons.
THOMAS S. BROCKUS.
Thomas S. Brockus owns and operates two hundred and thirteen
acres of rich and arable land in Washington township. Appanoose
county, and is known as a successful farmer and stock-raiser. His
birth occurred in Carroll county, Indiana, on the i8th of December,
1847, and his parents, Thomas C. and Jane M. (Scott) Brockus, were
also natives of the same state, the subject of this review being their only
child. The father died in November, 1847, before the birth of Thomas,
and the mother afterward married again, becoming the wife of John
Brinegar. With her second husband she came to Iowa in 1856, set-
tling in Bremer county, where they resided for ten years, and in 1866
they came to Appanoose county, taking up their abode in Washington
township, where they both spent their remaining days. Mr. Brinegar
passing away in 1880. His widow survived him for many years and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 185
died in 1902 at the age of seventy-eight years. She bore lier husband
eight children.
During the period of his boyhood and youth Thomas S. Brockus
remained witli liis nuither, and was therefore reared on a farm and
pursued his education in the common sciiools. Tlie occupation witli
whicli he became famihar in voutlr has always been his life work. He
left the parental roof when twenty-one }ears of age and about the time
he was married settled upon his present farm. He was then a poor
man with no capital, but he possessed energy and determination, and
these are the best foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of
success. He worked early and late, and his life has always been an
industrious and honorable one. As time passed his methods were re-
warded. The financial return that enabled him to extend the bounda-
ries of his farm was judiciousl\- in\ested. antl he now has two hundred
and thirteen acres of valuable land, which he has placed under a high
state of cultivation.
In 1868 Mr. Brockus v.-as united to Miss E. Jane Hays, who was
born in Indiana, and their marriage has been blessed with the fol-
lowing children: Sallie, Thomas J.. Lulu M., Mattie and Lavina L.
Mattie died at the age of four years. Of the living all are now mar-
ried with the exception of the youngest. The family have long re-
sided in Washington township and Mr. Brockus has been called upon
to serve in positions of public trust. He has filled the office of school
director for fifteen years, was trustee for one term and then some time
later was again elected to the same office, and is now serving as one
of the trustees of his township. He is found to be a faithful officer,
prompt and capable in the discharge of his duties and ever alive to
the best interests of his community. In his political affiliations he is
186 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
a staunch Rqjublican and is a member of the Church of Christ. His
Hfe has been quietly passed and he has always been free from ostenta-
tion and display, but those who know him estimate his character as
most commendable and that he is well worthy of the respect and con-
fidence of those with whom he is associated.
\MLLIAM L. DOWNING, M. D.
The last century, which is justly regarded as the greatest in the
history of mankind, is not (inly remarkable for its wonderful inven-
tions in the things that go to make up material progress and increase
the luxuries of living until the poor man is now the peer of the prince
of several centuries back, Init along with the wonderful advance
in science have come discoveries which tend to revolutionize the
science of medicine and surgery and raise the profession to one of
the grandest pursuits that can occupy the attention of man. And a
man who earnestly strives to keep in touch with the progress of science
and has won an enviable reputation as a physician and surgeon of no
mean ability, is William L. Downing of Moulton, Appanoose county,
Iowa. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland and of pure
Irish stock. His father, Samuel B. Downing, was born in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, and came to Davis county, Iowa, where he married Miss
Telitha Stark, a native of Indiana; they still reside in Davis county,
where he carries on farming pursuits.
William is one of ten ciiildren and was lx)rn in Fox River town-
ship, Davis county. Iowa, March ii, 1862. After a youth spent on
the farm and in the country school he devoted himself to teaching,
which he followed for four years: he received his normal instruction
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 187
in the Southern Iowa Normal and Commercial Institute of Bloomfield,
Iowa. He began his study of medicine at Unionville, Iowa, under the
Doctors Sawyers and then entered Rush Medical College at Chicago,
where he graduated in February, 1886. For a time he engaged in
practice at Unionville, Putnam county, Missouri, but in 1890 came to
Moulton. Iowa. He has a fine practice and is especially noted for his
skill in surgery. He has been a self-made man and his success is the
reward of his own efforts. To show that he follows the most pro-
gressive methods we have only to mention that in 1896 he took a post-
graduate course in the Fost-Graduate school of New York city and in
1901 took a similar course in the Chicago Polyclinic.
Dr. Downing holds membership in the American Medical Asso-
ciation, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Tri-State (Iowa, Illi-
nois, Missouri) Medical Society, the Western Association of Sur-'
geons and Gynecologists, the Northeastern Missouri Medical Society,
the .\ppanoose and W^ayne Counties Medical Society, and the Des
Moines Valley Medical Society ; he is also the local surgeon of the
Wabash and the Burlington railroads. He is a Master Mason. In
1887 the Doctor married Miss Martha A. Coons of Davis county, Iowa,
and they have liad three children: Inez, born June 13, 1889; Helen,
died aged eight years; and Wendell, born on the 28th of July, 1894.
They are members of the Christian church and hold a highly respected
place in the social circles of the city.
WILLIAM DANIELS.
William Daniels is a self-made man who without any family or
pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career has battled
energeticall}- and earnestly and has achieved both character and com-
188 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
pelence. He is now classed among the progressive agriculturists of
Appanoose county, where he owns a valualjle tract of land. He has
passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, his birth having oc-
curred on the 9th of May, 1822, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. His
parents were Abraham and Rebecca (Rawley) Daniels. The father
was born in Germany and the mother was born in Pennsylvania of
English parentage. They were married in the Keystone state and re-
moved westward to Ohio. They settled in Columbiana county. The
father was a millwrig'ht by trade and in connection with working at
that pursuit carried on agricultural pursuits, thus providing for his
family. He died when the subject of this review was about ten or
twelve years of age. but the mother, long surviving him, passed away in
Gallia count}-. Ohio, at the age of se\-enty-six years. In their family
were eight children. nanicl\ : Joseph, John. David, Abraham, \Vil-
liam, Nancy, Mary Ann, and Sophia. Oi this number all are now
deceased with the exception of the suliject of this review.
William Daniels was reared upon his father's farm, and his edu-
cational privileges were extremely limited. He had the opportunity
of attending school for only a few days, but he learned to read and
write, and throughout his entire life has been a student, so that he
has constantly added to his knowledge by reading, experience and
observation and has become a well informed man. At an early age
he started out to earn his own living, and whatever success he has
achieved is due entirely to his own efforts. After living for a short
time in Pennsylvania witli an uncle, he left his native state to rejoin
his miither in Ohio. He then remained at home working upon a farm
until he was able to do for himself. He then entered the employ of
a man in Wellsville, Ohio, the owner (jf a wholesale grocer_\- and com-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 189
mission house. So capalily did lie serve the interests of liis employer
and so faithful was he to his duty, that he was retained in that service
for seven years, and was promoted from time to time with a propor-
tionate increase in salary. On the expiration of that period Mr. Dan-
iels left his okl employer and went to California, where he spent four
years in huntings and mining. On the expiration of that period he
again started for Ohio and after reaching his destination, having made
the trip by way of New York city, he returned to his old home in the
Buckeye state.
In 1853 Mr. Daniels was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane
Reid, a daughter of William and Maria (Depew) Reid. His wife
was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 7, 1833, and the young
couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Jackson county, Ohio,
where for twenty-seven years Mr. Daniels continued the work of till-
ing the soil. He then resolved to seek a home in Iowa, and in 1881
came to this state. He located in Appanoose county upon his present
farm, which comprises four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land
in Wells township, and everything about his place is neat and thrifty
in appearance, the Daniels farm being one of the attractive features of
the landscape. The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed
with the following children : James Franklin, who is married and
is a farmer of Appanoose county ; \\'arren Taylor, who is married and
follows farming in this county; Albert Reid, an agriculturist; Maria,
the wife of Fred Hartwick; Rebecca; William Sherman, who is married
and lives in this county, served in the Spanish-American war; Charles
E., who is married and at home, enlisted also for the Spanish-.\mcrican
war, !)ut his regiment was never called into active service; George
Newman; and Vance \'eal, deceased.
IDO BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Daniels has also experienced military ser\ice for one year.
He was with the American army in the Mexican war. having enlisted
in the Second Ohio Regiment. In politics he is a stalwart Republican,
having from the organization of the party been an unfaltering advocate
of its principles. His wife and children hold membership in the Meth-
odist Episcopal church. j\Ir. Daniels has now reached the evening of
life and has reason to ht congratulated upon what he has accom-
plished. Thrown upon his own resources in early childhood, he has
overthrown the difficulties and oljstacles in his path and with deter-
mined purpose lias steadily advanced until he has reached a creditable
and gratifying position upon the plane of affluence.
WILLI.\M J. TAYLOR.
For forty years William Joseph Taylor has resided upon the farm
which is now his home, in Washington township, Appanoose county.
He was born in Hart count\-. Kentucky, January 25, 1836. and was a
youth of thirteen years when with his parents he came to Iowa,
since which time he has lived in this state, and the work of the home
farm early received his attention and energy. To the public schools
of the neighborhood he is indebted for the educational privileges he
enjoyed. After arriving at years of maturity he chose as a companion
and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Mary E. Rucker, their wedding
being celebrated October 25, i860. The lady is a daughter of Milton
and Margaret (Asby) Rucker, natives of Clark county, Kentucky,
whence they came to Iowa. Mrs. Taylor was born in Sangamon county,
Illinois, on the i8th of November, 1839. and for twelve years she
proved a devoted companion to her husband, but on the 28th of Octo-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 191
ber. 1872. was called to her final rest. There were three children born
of this marriage : Emma Lourenna, now the wife of Frank Hughes,
a farmer living in Washington township; Mildred, the wife of John
S. Linden, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Washington town-
ship; and Lillian V'., the wife of Irvin Richardson, who makes his
home in Missouri.
After his marriage Mr. Taylor took up his abode on a farm in
Washington township, and in December, 1863, l""^ came to his present
farm, which is located on section 34. This has been his home almost
continuously since, covering forty years. He has here one hundred
and twenty acres of rich land and his efforts have transformed it into
a valuable tract, neat and thrifty in appearance, having all the evidence
of careful supervision and progressive cultivation. Mr. Taylor votes
with the Democracy. He has had no desire for public office, having
always preferred to gi\e his attention to his business affairs, in which
he has met with creditable and well merited success, so that he is now
the owner of a rich and valuable farm which annually returns to him
a good income.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN SWARTS.
William Franklin Swarts, now deceased, was a respected citizen
and enterprising farmer of Appanoose county, living in Wells town-
ship. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the Sth of September,
1850, and was the youngest of six children born to Frederick and
Phebe Ann Swarts, of whom further mention is made on another page
of this work in connection with the sketch of C. V. Swarts, now an
enterprising farmer of W'ells townsljip.
192 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
William Franklin Swarts spent his early youth in the state of his
nativity, being twelve years of age at the time of his parents' removal
to Iowa. They took up their abode in Wells townsliip and here he
always made his home, assisting in the work of field and meadow
through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued
his studies in the public schools. He was thus well equipped for life's
practical duties. The occupation to which he was reared he made
his life work and was well known as a man of marked industry and
enterprise.
On the 23d of November, 1879, Mr. Swarts was united in mar-
riage to Miss Viola Maring, a daughter of Joseph Maring, a prominent
resident of Wells township. To this union have been born five chil-
dren, as follows: Lee Eddie; Bertha Jane, wife of James Myers, of
Wells township: Lewis Burton, Henry Willard. and Carrie Belle. In
his political views Mr. Swarts was an earnest Republican and his
close study of the questions and issues of the day had led him to ally
his forces with that party. His life was one of untiring industry,
idleness and indolence being utterly foreign to his nature. His do-
mestic tastes made his home to him the best place on earth, and he put
forth every effort in his power to promote the welfare of his wife and
children. In matters of business he was ever straightforward and
reliable, and in friendship he was faithful, his many excellent qualities
of heart and mind endearing him to those with whom he came in con-
tact, and when he died, April 4, 1898, his loss througliout the com-
munity was widely felt, as well as in the household in which he was a
loving husband and father.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 193
C. V. SWARTS.
When the tocsin of war sounded and tlie country needed and de-
manded the aid of all loyal citizens for the preservation of the Union,
C. V. Swarts was among those who followed the nation's starry ban-
ner upon southern battlefields. He is now quietly following farming
in Wells township. Appanoose county, where he has become the owner
of one hunilred and sixt}-six acres of land, now well cultivated. He
was born in Highland county, Ohio. December 13, 1840, and is a son
of Frederick and Phebe Ann (Fenner) Swarts, the former a native of
Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. On the paternal side our sub-
ject is of German ancestr}', and in the maternal line comes of English
stock. His parents were married in Ohio and after the wedding cere-
rnony was performed they began their domestic life upon a farm in
Highland county, Ohio, living there until the spring of 1862, when they
came to Iowa, making the journey by boat from Cincinnati to Keokuk,
and thence across the country to Appanoose county. They settled in
Wells township and throughout their remaining days the father carried
on agricultural pursuits. He died in 1894 at the age of eighty-eight'
years, and his wife passed away aioout thirty years ago. Although
he entered upon his business career a poor man he was a hard worker
and success attended his efforts. His political views were in harmony
vvith the principles of the Repuljlican party and he was a staunch friend
of progress, reform antl inii)r(i\emcnt. Both he and his wife were
earnest Christian people and all who knew them entertained for them
the highest regard. In their familx- were six children; Wilson K.,
a resident farmer of Missouri; Julia A.; C. V., whose name intro-
duces this review; Henry, Wesley, and W. Frank, all of whom are
deceased. Wilson and C. Y. were both soldiers of the Civil war.
194 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Upon tlie home farm in Ohio, Mr. Swarts of this review was
reared and a common school education was afforded him. He was
twenty-two years of age when he came to Iowa with his parents, and
this state has since been his home. In May, 1863, lie offered his ser-
vices to the government and was assigned to Company E, of the
Seventh Iowa Cavalry, with which he served as a private for about
three years, being mustered out in 1866. He was always found at his
post of duty whether it called him to the lonely picket line or into the
midst of battle, and with a most creditable military record he returned
to his home.
In the fall of the same year Mr. Swarts was united in marriage
to Miss Dorcas Pulliam, a daughter of John and Rebecca Pulliam.
They have eight children: Rosa. Emma, Charles. Lando. Alfred, Wil-
liam, Josie, and Claude. They also lost a little daughter in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Swarts began farming on his own account
and has since carried on this pursuit with signal success. His farm
of one hundred and sixty-six acres is now under a very high state of
cultivation and is equipped with everything necessary for carrying on
the work according to the modern and approved methods of the pres-
ent time. In his political views he is a Republican, earnest in his ad-
vocacy of the party, and as a citizen he is to-day as true and loyal to his
country as when he followed the old flag through the south.
WESLEY DONEGAN.
Among Iowa's native sons residing in Monroe county is Wesley
Donegan, who was born in Jefiferson county, this state, on the i8th of
February, 1842, his parents being John and Margery (Roberts) Done-
d
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. lOt
ean, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father died in Monroe
county at the age of eighty-six years and thus a Hfe of usefulness and
uprightness was ended. His wife, however, passed away in Jefferson
county in 1848, wlien her son Wesley was a little lad of six years. The
family had been established in this state in 1836, at which time John
Donegan became a resident of Burlington, Iowa, and three years later
he went to Jefferson county, where he resided continuously until 1853.
In that year, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made
his way to the Pacific slope and for twenty years resided in that section
of the country. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom
three are yet living.
Wesley Donegan may well be termed a self-made man, for all that
he has in life has been acquired through his own efforts and he has not
only a competence, but has de\'eloped a character which is in every way
worthy of respect. When only eleven years of age he was bound out,
and for two years worked with a man whose services he had entered. He
then ran away and from the age of thirteen years was employed as a
farm hand by the day or month, working in the fields from early morn-
ing until evening. After the inauguration of tlie Civil war. believing
that his first duty was to his country, he joined the ami)- in Aug^ist,
1862, and was assigned with Company A, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, under
the command of Captain Anderson. He then served until June, 1865,
and was discharged by reason of the expiration of his term and also of
the close of the war. Investigation into his war record shows that he
was a loyal defender of the Union, faithfully performing bis duty
whether it called him into the thickest of the fight or stationed him upon
the lonely picket line. He was always with his company and regiment
in the various battles in which the command engaged, with the excep-
ts
198 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
tion of a period when he was on detached service, and althougli fre-
qnently ill and unfit for duty he always reported each day.
At the close of his military service Mr. Donegan returned to Illi-
nois and in the fall of 1865 came to Iowa, settling first near Eddyville,
in Monroe county, where he worked by the month. When his earn-
ings enabled him to make investment in property he purchased a tract of
land in Mahaska county, which was partly improved. He then further
continued his arrangement for a home of his own by his marriage,
which was celebrated February 6, 1870, the lady of his choice being
Miss Mary P. Templeton. who was born upon the farm where she is
now living, a daughter of Adolphus D. and Mary (McGlothlen) Tem-
pleton. One of her paternal uncles was the first recorder and treasurer
of Monroe county. Her father was born in Indiana and aliout 1843,
when Iowa was still a territory, came to this section of the state, his
death occurring on the farm across the road from our sul)ject's home
when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife, who was also born
in Indiana, died at the age of eighty-one years. In their family were
ten children, of whom four are yet living. To our subject and his
wife have been l)orn eight children, five of wliom yet survive, namely:
John .\.. who is married and has two children; Dax'id H.. a resident of
Colorado; Mary Grace, Laura May, and Viola Pearl, all at home.
They have been provided with the educational advantages of the schools
of this locality and the members of the household are widely and favor-
ably known in this locality.
After his marriage Mr. Donegan carried on farming in Blufif
Creek township, I\Ionroe county, for one year and subsequently spent
two years in Alahaska county. Iowa, after which he removed to Colo-
rado, where for ten years he conducted a ranch. On the expiration of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 199
that decade lie again came to Iowa, but later spent a winter in Kansas,
and then once more established his home in Monroe county on the old
Templeton farm of two hundred and thirty-eight acres, which has
since been his place of residence, where his time and attention have been
devoted to its further cultivation and development.
Aside from his farm work ]\Ir. Donegan has been quite prominent
in local political affairs and has filled a number of offices. He has
been a staunch Democrat since casting his first presidential vote for
Seymour, and while living in Colorado he served as county assessor
for one term of two years. He maintains relations with his old army
comrades through his membership in Wilcox Post No. 138, G. A. R.,
of Eddyville, and while not a member of any church, he attends the ser-
vices of various denominations and has contributed to their support.
With interest in his county and its progress, he has co-operated in much
work for the general good and at the same time has carried on his per-
sonal business affairs in a manner that has made his work successful,
returning to him a satisfactory income.
THE REICH FAMILY.
As the name shows, the original ancestors of this family were
Germans. Christopher Reich was a native of North Carolina and
lived and died there : he was a member of the Moravian church and was
active in luiilding up its interests : he was the father of six children and
four of them lived to years of maturity. One of these was Henry
Edward Reich, who was born in Salem, North Carolina, December
18, 1814; in a school of the Moravian sect he was educated and then
served an apprenticeship at the tinner's trade, which he followed dur-
200 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ing his residence at Salem. At the age of twenty-seven he was married
and soon afterward, in 1850, came west; he started by way of wagon
and_ thus reached Louisville. Kentucky, whence he went by boat to
Keokuk, Iowa. From there by wagon he reached the present site of
the town of Moravia, in Appanoose county, and settled one-half mile
west, where a representative had located go\-ernment land for him.
He was foremost in laying out the town of Moravia, using for that
purpose his pocket compass and tape line ; on his farm near by he opened
the first store and also the first postofifice, of which he became the post-
master, serving until 1861. When the town of Moravia became a
certainty he was one of its pioneer merchants ; he also dealt in clocks
and in clock repairing, having a mechanical genius which fitted him
for this trade, and at an early day he had peddled clocks in Indiana.
In religion he was a strict adherent of the Moravian church, and
in that faith he pas.sed away in May, 1895, thus ending a long and
useful life, devoted to the ser\-ice of his family and his religion. In
politics he was a Democrat. in 1841 Mr. Reich was married to
Anna Aurelia Herbst, also Imrn in Salem, North Carolina, and she
survived him five uKintlis. passing away at the age of seventy-two.
Three children were born to them before lea\ing Nortli Carolina, th€
oldest daughter dying in infancy ; the other two were Laura E. and
Francis A. Mrs. Reich's brother, Charles Herbst, also came west
witli them and lived, married and died in this county. The other
children born to them on reaching Iowa were Mary C, Jimii^is A. and
Ella L., all deceased.
Fr.\xcis .\. Reich, the only living son of Henry Edward and
Anna Aurelia (Herbst) Reich, was born in Salem. North Carolina,
on the 30th of June, 1848, and was accordingly only a small child when
BIOGRAPHICAL A.VD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 2Ul
Brought to Iowa l)y his parents. jNIoravia has ahvays been his home
town and liere lie was eihicated. In earl_\- Hfe he farmed; for eleven
years was in the sawmill business and then for about fifteen years fol-
lowed the carpentering trade. On December 4, 1882, he engaged in
the grain and lumber business in the employ of W. M. Peatman, and
in 1885 he and his brother Junius bought out the firm; Junius also
conducted a grocery and boot and shoe store in which (lur subject was
interested. Francis managed the lumber business and in 1887 became
the sole proprietor: in 1889 A. D. Maiken became his partner, but since
his death in 1897, Mr. Reich has carried on the enterprise alone, the
firm being known as F. A. Reich, dealer in lumber and grain.
In 1 88 1 Mr. Reich was married to Miss Pearl Weinberg, a native
of Augusta, Illinois, and the daughter of German parents; they have
seven children: H. Claude, Clarence P., Gladys P., Francis W.,
Herschel \\'., and Loren Keith and Kenneth Clare, twins. Mr. Reich
votes the Prohibition ticket, and he and his wife are members of the
Methodist church. Their home is a pleasant one and they are es-
teemed members of societv.
HENRY PERRY POWERS.
In studying the ancestral sources of this family we discover that
the progenitors were from Germanx- and that the name was originally
spelled Pouer, then Power, and later Powers ; and it is also possible
to see in the character of our worthy subject some of the sturdy traits
that lie nuist liave inherited from his Teutonic forefathers, who as a
people still retain the characteristics that have made them famous since
the dawn of histor\-. The earliest ,\nierican ancestor of whom we iiave
202 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
definite knowledge was grandfather Joseph Powers, a native of Vir-
ginia. Thomas Powers, the son of Joseph, was a native of West
Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio: in tliat state he married Mary Bar-
ron, a native of New York, and in 185 1 came to Iowa; they settled near
Centerville and spent the remainder of their days in and about that
town. In early life he followed farming and later engaged in the car-
penter's trade, and these two occupations made the principal pursuits
of his life. Although he was ardent in his adherence to the principles
of the Democratic party, he never aspired to hold any public office. He
and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Tweh-e children
were born to them, and eleven of these are still living.
Henry Perry, the son of Thomas and Mary (Barron) Powers,
is a native of Centerville, .Appanoose county, Iowa, being born in that
thriving city on the 28th day of February. 1856. He passed the first
twenty-one years of his life in and about Centerville and had the privi-
lege of a common school education. When he becajne of age he came
to Moulton and learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed up
to 1889. But within him there was the constant desire for higher
things which finally impelled him to put aside his awl and take up the
study of law. He began reading law with W. F. Garrett, which he con-
tinued till 1894, and then entered Drake University to carry out his
studies. He was successful and in 1895 passed the examination before
the supreme court and was admitted to the bar. He then returned to
Moulton and opened an office and has since been carrying on a good
practice, at the same time dealing in fire insurance and real estate. He
owns a fine professional library and is a deep student of all the live
questions of the day.
In the true sense of the word Mr. Powers is a self-made man,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 203
and as such deserves all the rewards that have come to his well directed
efforts. He is a Democrat, a Baptist, and a member of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1879 he was married to Miss Jennie
Ogden, a native of Appanoose county, and they have two children,
Buhless and Harrv.
JAMES R. BARKLEY.
James R. Barkley, a leading attorney of Moulton, Iowa, is an
example of a self-educated and self-made man, for, starting without
a rich inheritance to assist him, by the pluck that seems inborn in many
men. and particularl}- Americans, he has found the way to fair success
in life. Thomas Barkley, his father, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and
when a voung man came to America in company with his mother. He
soon moved to Iowa and in Da\is county married and spent the re-
mainder of his days on a farm, dying when the subject of this sketck
was but a child. His wife, Margaret Campbell, was a native of Mus-
kingum county, Ohio, and early in life came to Davis county with her
parents, about 1854; she now resides in Moulton. The only children
were James R. and Samuel E., the latter a drug clerk in Moulton.
James came into the world on tlie farm in Davis county, Iowa, on
the 13th of February, iS6t;. Tlie happy days of his boyhood were
passed in the tasks of the scho(jlroom and in the stimulating outdoor
life of the farm. After his common school education was finished, he
attended the Southern Iowa Normal at Bloomfield ; he then taught for
six terms and with the money thus earned he Ijegan the study of law,
completing the prescribed course in Drake l'ni\ersity at Des Moines.
In the spring of 1894 he was admitted to the bar and in December
20i BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
of that year opened his office in Moulton, where he has since practiced
and has buiU up a good business. And from his record in the past we
may presage a still brighter future for him.
Mr. Barkley is active in Democratic politics ; he is a Master Mason
and a member of the Methodist church. In 1896 he was united in
marriage to Minnie Henke. of Moulton, and the\- have two children in
their home, Robert and Kathleen.
FRANCIS SEIGLE PENCE.
The mere reading of the above name would suggest that the
bearer was born during the Civil war and that his father was a patriotic
upholder of the Union cause. Both these guesses will be found verified
by this biography as its details are unfolded in the regular order of
narration. At present the namesake of the famous German soldier
who cast his lot with his adopted country in her hour of great trial is
a prosperous Iowa farmer residing near the little village of Moravia,
' but, as is the case with most of the inhabitants of the state, his parents
were of eastern origin. How and when they came, what they did after
coming and the subsequent status of their descendants are the main
points which make up the particulars of this biographical sketch. Tht
name of Pence was formerly a familiar one in Maryland, and to a
family of this designation was born, on the 17th of February, 18 18,
a son named Daniel. His people being in somewhat narrow circum-
stances the boy was compelled at an early age to work for a living, and
when a young man decided to abandon the state of his nativity and
embrace the better prospects offered b\- the rising young common-
■\^ealth of the west. Daniel first made his way to Ohio, then a kind of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 205
Mecca for all ambitious emigrants, and after reaching his destination
found employment with one George Adams, who was running a grist-
mill in Muskingum county. About the time, or shortly after, that he
arrived Absalom and Harriet (Johnson) Foster, another Maryland
famih', had taken up their abode in the same section of the Buckeye
state. Naturally they got acquainted and eventually became intimate,
with the result that Daniel "fell in love" with Jane Fisher, the attractive
daughter of the coujile abo\e mentioned. The young couple were
united in marriage, June 4. 1843, and for several years thereafter re-
tained their residence in the county of Muskingum.
But Daniel had for some time been looking longingly toward the
fine new state just coming into prominence along the banks of the upper
Mississippi and finally resolved to join the secondaiT tide of emigration
then setting in strongly for Iowa. So one bright morning in 1855 a
team of horses was hitched up, the family's household goods were
packed in the wagon and with the usual camping outfit the little party
was soon on its way to the land of promise. It took fully four weeks
to make the trip, but at length the weary and travel-stained wanderers
reached their destination in Appanoose county. As Iowa was yet only
nine years old as a state, the Fences came at a sufficiently early period to
be ranked as first settlers or early pioneers, and as such they were
known t(3 the succeeding generation. Daniel signalized his advent by
purchasing a claim for one hiuidred and sixty acres of land in Taylor
township, at a price which seemed to him dear enough, but which to one
familiar with present prices of land in Iowa appears absurdly low.
The purchaser found a rude log cabin on his place and also about
twenty-five acres that had been broken for cultivation, and with this
condition of things confronting them he and his good wife settled down
206 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to business. They realized that tliere was much hard work before tliem
and the road to wealth and ease a long and arduous one. but they set
themselves resolutely to the task of facing every obstacle and over-
coming every difficulty. Under the good management of Daniel Pence
on the outside and of his sensible wife in her own sphere magical-
changes were soon wrought on this raw Iowa farm. The log cabin
in time gave way to a commodious residence, fencing and outbuildings
ornamented the landscape and the once wild prairie was brought into a
high state of cultivation. As prosperity smiled upon him the proprietor
added tract after tract to his possessions until eventually his original
investment of one hundred and sixty had grown to something like thir-
teen hundred acres of fertile land. The price, too, improved with the
acreage, and when Daniel Pence was called to render his last account
he was in that comfortable condition known among farmers as "well
off." .\s the extent of the farm and its operatiitns increased so did the
occupants of the household, and in course of years the fond parents
saw a fine lot of bo}s and girls growing up around them. They lost
three by death, .\bsalom and Josephine passing away in childhood, and
Harriet in infancy, but all the others grew to maturity and are doing
well in the world. Charles Daniel, the eldest son, served as a Union
soldier in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and is
at present living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Peter David and William
Henry, second and third of the surviving children, are residents of
Taylor township, near the old family homestead. George Marion is
living at Gordon Grove, Iowa; and Sarah Jane, the only daughter, is
the wife of William Du\all and resides in Monroe county.
Francis Seigle Pence, youngest of the children above mentioned
was Ixjrn May 26, 1862, on the old homestead in Appanoose county,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 207
Iowa, and owes his first name to the fact that he appeared on the scene
at the lieight of the Civil war. His father was an admirer of General
Francis or Franz Sigel, one of the famous corps commanders of the
army of the Potomac, and gave his name to the boy born when the
German patriot was much in the public eye. Though Francis was not
able to say, in the language of the old soldiers' song, that "he fit mit
Sigel," lie grew up to be the kind of a boy and man that the veteran
general would be proud to acknowledge as a namesake. At the time
of his birth his parents were still living in the old log cabin which shel-
tered them for many years after their arrival in Iowa. His father had
branched out extensivelv in stock-raising by the time he reached robust
boyhood, and turning his attention to the dairying department of the
farm he learned all about cheese-making. This furnished him employ-
ment for twelve vears after he acquired the details of the business, and
when he himself became a land-owner the knowledge acquired in youth
proved quite useful to him in many ways. He has prospered since
going into business for himself, as any one may see who now visits his
place about a mile from the village of Moravia. At present Mr. Pence
owns the old homestead farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which
he has occupied as sole proprietor since his father's death May 23. 1897,
and lives in a l)rick house which cost two thousand dollars and stands
very near the site of the old log cabin where he was born. There is
also a good liarn on the place, ihirty-six by fifty feet in dimensions, be-
sides a granary, buggy sheds, feed lots and all the other accessories of
an up-tu-date Iowa farm. Mr. Pence has a telephone in his house,
and also enjoys the rural delivery of mail, these services furnishing him
quick communicatiiMi with all surrounding points of importance and
enabling him to transact his business in twentieth century style. Any
208 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
one who calls to see him will find out without being told that the pro-
prietor is hospitable and genial in disposition and treats all visitors with
the royal and hearty welcome customary in farm households of the
first class. Mr. Pence's long residence and extensive dealings have
made him well known throughout Appanoose and adjoining counties,
among whose people he numbers his friends by the hundreds.
February 19, 1893, Mr. Pence was married to Eleanor, daughter
of Robert and Mary Jane (Nichol) Bell, of Monroe county, to which
part of Iowa her parents came in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Pence have a
bright little family growing up, consisting of two boys and two girls.
Robert Daniel, the eldest, has about completed his eighth year, while
his eldest sister. Hazel, is a year his junior. Ina is si.x years old, and
little Garrett, the baby of the family, has hardly finished the second
year of his ago. In politics Mr. Pence has always aftrliated with the
Democratic party and confines his fraternal connections to membership
in the order of Modern Woodmen of America. He and the other
children have always kxiked carefully after the comfort of their mother,
Mrs. Jane Pence, to whom they owed so much during the times of toil
and struggle in the formative ])eriods of their lives. This venerable
lady, now in the seventy-eighth year of her age, is pleasantly located in
a good home at Moravia, where the evening of her days is made enjoy-
able by the kimlh- attentions of friends and relatives.
JOHN A. HINOTE,
Since 1877 John A. Hinote has been a resident of Appanoose
county and now lives on section 25, Taylor township, where within
the boundaries of his farm are comprised one hundred and seventy acres
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 209
of ricli land. He is one of tlie citizens that Indiana has furnished to
the Hawkeye state. He was born March 17, 185 1, a son of Peter
Hinote, whose birth also occurred in Indiana. The grandfather was
Alexander Hinote and his grandfather came from Ciermany to tiie new
world at a very early day and served in the Revolutionary war. Alex-
ander Hinote died in Indiana and it was upon a farm in that state that
Peter Hinote was reared. When he had attained years of maturity he
wedded Isabel Dyer, whose birth occurred in that state, June 9, 1820.
On her mother's side she came of the Montgomery family of North
Carolina and in the year 1855 Peter Hinote came with his wife and chil-
dren to Iowa, tra\-eling by team to Des Moines, which was then a small
village largely built of log cabins. Indians were encamped along the
river and were engaged in hunting and trapping, and the work of pro-
gress and improvement seemed scarcely begun in the state. In 1856
the family removed to Gentry county. Missouri, and after two years the
father traded his property there for a farm in Harrison county, Mis-
souri, where he li\'ed until his life's labors were ended in death, when
he was forty-nine )-ears of age. His wife, long surviving him, passed
away at the age of seventy-two years, dying in the faith of the Regular
Baptist church, of which she was a devoted member. Their children
were: .\lexander, who for three years was a soldier in the Third Iowa
Cavalry during the Civil war and died in Buffalo county, Nebraska,
in 1900; Samuel, who li\-es in Nebraska; William, a successful music
teacher and preacher of the Christian church, who is now living on the
old homestead in Missomi; Elisha P., of Gentry county, Missouri;
Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson and Mrs. Annice_Clabaugh, both of that state;
two sons, who died in Indiana ; and Ellen Jane, who has also departed
this life.
210 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Jolm A. Hinote was reared upon tlie Missouri farm, and tlie work
of field and meadow occupied a considerable share of his time and at-
tention through the period of his youth. In the winter months he pur-
sued his education in the district schools, seated upon slab benches be-
fore a big fireplace. When twenty-two years of age he went to Wapello
county, Iowa, settling upon a farm, and in 1876 he arrived in Appanoose
county. Here at the age of twenty-five years he married Clara M.
Stevens, who was a successful and capable teacher prior to that time.
She is one of the native daughters of the county, for her father, George
L. Stevens, located here at a very early day and the family residence
has since been maintained in this portion of the state. He was born in
September, 1814, in Indiana, and was a son of the Rev. Benjamin
Stevens. In addition to agricultural pursuits he carried on blacksmith-
ing and he lived a life in hanuony with his profession as a member of
the Baptist church, dying in that faith at the age of seventy-four years.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Maria Fletcher, was born in
Kentucky, and died at the age of se\enty-three years. Her parents
were James and Nancy (Dawson) Fletcher and the latter was a ilaugh-
ter of Mrs. Elizabeth Dawson, who in her maidenhood bore the name
of Miss Anderson. Elizabeth Dawson had a somewhat tragic history,
for when she was but fourteen years of age she and her brother were
captured by the Indians during the war of 181 2. but later were ex-
changed at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. On that occasion her parents and
one of their children were killed by the savages. The Andersons were
of Scotch descent. George L. Stevens died while visitinp- his old home
in Indiana and his wife died at Moravia. Their children were as fol-
lows : John L., a resident of Idaho; Mrs. Jurilda Knabb. of Nodaway
county, Missouri; George W.; Mrs. Clara M. Hinote; and Salathial F.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 211
and Benjamin F., Ijoth deceased. The last named was a volunteer in the
Indian war in Xeljraska. serving- against the hostile red men, and he
killed their chief and secured his trophies, including some firearms, a
wig, a rohe, a blanket and a gun. Later he became a prominent physi-
cian and his death occurred in Appleton Mills, Missouri. Another
member of the family was J. F., who is also deceased.
For eighteen years Mr. Hinote has lived upon the farm which is
now his home, having" here one hundred and seventy acres of land. He
calls his place Hazel Dell, and the farm is regarded as one of the best
in this locality. He has erected a good modern home at a cost of over
thirteen hundred dollars and it is tastefully furnished. He has a barn
thirty by forty feet and uses the latest improved machinery in carrying
on the farm work. There is also a good orchard, a grove and meadow
and pasture lands and he keeps good grades of cattle, horses, sheep and
hogs. Both as a stock-raiser and as a general farmer he has been suc-
cessful and for nine months he was proprietor of a store at Hiatt Sta-
tion in Taylor township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hinote have been born nine children : Lawrence
L., a resident of Pendleton, Oregon; Peter Clyde, who died at the age of
seven years; Verna Z., Richard Cleveland, Leoto Ethel, Bertha Lutecia,
John Athel, Hazel Dell, and Paul Phillip. Mr. Hinote has served as
postmaster of Hiatt and his daughter Verna was his assistant. He
has also been justice of the peace. The household is noted for its hos-
pitality and the members of the family enjoy the warm regard of a
large circle of friends.
212 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
, STEPHEN JAMES and C. S. JAMES, M. D.
The gentlemen wliose names head this article are prominent citi-
zens of the city of Centerville and stand high in the esteem of their
friends and acquaintances on account of their many excellent qualities.
Stephen James is a son of David and Clarissa James, the former a na-
tive of Trenton, New Jersey, and the latter of New York; the birth-
place of Stephen was near Utica, New York. He grew to manhood
much after the manner of all boys and was allowed the privilege of a
liberal education. When the Civil war came like a blight upon the
country, he enlisted and .ser\ed three years in Company B, First United
States (Berdan's) Sharpshooters, being made corporal soon after en-
listment, and he participated in many battles with the army of the Po-
tomac. Since the war he has retained his connection with his old com-
rades by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he
holds the honorable position of member of the executive committee of
the national council of administration.
After the war, during the years 1867-8, Mr. James resided in
Appanoose county, Iowa, and then went to Kansas, where he remained
until 1880: he then returned and has ever since lived in this county.
In early life he taught school for a number of years, but later took up
farming, which he carried on successfully until 1888; this year was the
date of his removal to Centerville and he has since been engao-ed in
clerical work, for four years and a half assisting Dr. Reynolds, and
since that time doing like service for his son. Dr. C. S. James.
Mr. James upholds the principles of the Republican part^^ with all
the ardor of his belief, and he and his wife are zealous members of the
Methodist church. The maiden name of his wife was Miss Sarah E.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 213
Heasley, who has proved a most capable and devoted helpmeet to him
in the journey of life. They have two children, Charles S. and Lora D.
Charles S. James, son of Stephen James, was born in Emporia,
Kansas, in 1870, and while only a little more than thirty years of age
he has gained an enviable reputation as a leading physician and surgeon.
When ten years old his parents brought him to Appanoose county and
there he was educated in the common schools and in the Iowa Wesleyan
University. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. E. M.
Reynolds of Center\'ille, continuing from 1887 to 1891 ; he completed
his course in the University Medical College at Kansas City, graduating
March 14, 1891, and on March 20, the same year, opened his office in
Centerville. Dr. James has always been a progressive and eager stu-
dent of his profession and in 1899 he took a post-graduate course in the
Chicago Polyclinic and also in the New York Post-Graduate School in
1901, and in the same year did post-graduate work in Philadelphia and
Baltimore. Since 1892 the Doctor has been a member of the Iowa
State Medical Society and in 1900 was honored with the chairmanship
of the section Practice of Medicine. In the line of his profession he is
a member of many other bodies, the Des Moines Valley Association, the
Western Surgical and Gynecological Society, the Appanoose and Wayne
Counties Medical Society, of which he is secretary; of the Southwestern
Medical Society and of the American Medical Association; he is a mem-
ber of the board of insane commissioners of Appanoose county and is
surgeon for the Burlington Railroad. Fraternally the Doctor stands
high in the Masonic order, being a Knight Templar and a Shriner, and
he is also a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican. On
June 7, 1894, he was married to Miss Blanche Barrows, a daughter of
J. C. Barrows of Centerville.
2U BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
EDWARD K. ELLEDGE.
This gentleman is the prosperous general merchant of Cincinnati,
Iowa, where he has been established since 1893. and there is no doubt
that he has materially improved commercial and trade conditions since
he has been in business. The family has been well known in Appanoose
county for over half a century, and no biographer of the prominent men
of the county could well omit mention of them. But for a rounded his-
tory of the Elledges we must take the reader back to the ancestral home
in Scotland, where grandfather Benjamin Elledge was born January
24, 1782. He came to America and first took up his abode in Virginia,
then moved with the western stream of migration to Indiana, whence
he came in pioneer days to Pike county, Illinois, and remained there
until he was called to his final rest in his seventy-second year, October
31, 1833. His wife was Catherine Reynolds, who was of German de-
scent and was born July 13, 1786, and died before her husband, in Pike
county, having become the mother of a large family.
One of the sons was Henry V. Elledge, who was born in Indiana,
June 2, 1826. He was reared in Pike county, Illinois, and when he
was twenty-four years of age came to Appanoose county, Iowa, the cen-
tury having just turned the half-way mark. Since that time he has
resided here almost continuously; he was in Davis county, Iowa, for
about two years and in Hitchcock county, Nebraska, for four, but in
1893 he returned and is now residing in Cincinnati. Farming has been
his life occupation. Air. Elledge had been in Appanoose county but a
short time when he was married on December 8, 1850, to Miss Hannah
Rogers ; her father was Thomas J. Rogers, a pioneer settler of Appanoose
county, and her mother. Phoebe Shin, is still surviving in Moulton,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 2l5
Iowa. Mrs. Elledge was lx>rn August 4, 1833, and died at the a.ge of
thirty-two, on March 13, 1866, and of tlie cliildren born to her the fol-
lowing reached years of maturity: William R., born June 20, 1853,
is now living in Colorado; Charles R., born November 5, 1857, is in
this county; Mary Emma, born October 13, 1861, lives in Arkansas;
and Edward Kindred. After the death of his first wife Mr. Elledge
was married to Mrs. Mary S. Jennings. Her son, James D., who was
born to her of a former union, August 22, 1864, took the name of
Elledge, and was the boyhood companion and was often taken for the
twin of Edward K. ; they were reared together from the age of two
and were together constant]}-, and the former is now a prosperous
farmer of this county. The living children of the second union are:
Laura Maud, born September 20, 1874, and now in St. Louis; Carl
B., born May 23, 1876; Eva Ora, bom September 25, 1881, also a resi-
dent of St. Louis.
The family history has now been brought down to Edward K.
Elledge, who was born while his parents were farming in Davis county,
Iowa, December 8, 1863. He had a fair amount of schooling mixed
in with the wholesome labor of the farm, and when he was eighteen
years old he began life for himself, for the following twelve years being
in the milling business. He was not a person to dissipate his earn-
ings as fast as he got them, and by 1893. '^^ith the capital he had ac-
cumulated, he was able to start his present mercantile house in Cin-
cinnati. His good business methods have commended him to the pub-
lic, and he is now rated as one of the soundest and most reliable mer-
chants in the county. He owns his own store, which is a two-story
and basement brick block, equipped in a modern way, with elevator and
stairways, and with a fine and well selected stock of goods.
216 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
On November 15, 1896, Mr. Elledge was married to Miss Laura
E. Pugh, who was born in this county, November 29, 1871. Her
parents are Samuel and Dicy (Baker) Pugh, the former born in Ohio,
July 6, 1838, and the latter in West Virginia, June 8. 1843: of the nine
children born to IVIr. and Mrs. Pugh the following came to maturity:
Laura E., Van H.. Sanford C, Lucy E., David A., and Blanch H.. all
of whom reside with their parents except Laura E. The first child to
come into the home of 'Six. and Mrs. Elledge was Lloyd Cameron, on
February 2, 1898; then Inez Maud, December 19. 1899; and Lora
Lucile, Januarv 31, 1901. Mr. Elledge is a Democrat in political belief,
and is a good member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His
success is not a matter of luck, but has been gained by close application,
honorable principles, and unremitting diligence, which are the cardinal
virtues in this workadav world and lead to certain and honest rewards.
WILLIA:\I II. GR.W.
The beautiful country site known as Shadeland is the property- of
William H. Gray and is pleasantly located two miles west of Eddyville
in Monroe county. This place is endeared to Mr. Gray because of the
associations of his boyhood as well as those of later years, for it was
here that he was born on the 18th of June, 1849. The family is of
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and back thrf)Ugh four hundred years is the line
of descent traced, showing close connection with the nobility of Eng-
land.
Great-grandfather James Gray, of Barrington, New Hampshire,
was a private in Captain Richard Dowe's Company in Colonel W'in-
gate's Regiment of New Hampshire troops, in 1775. and never re-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 217
turned horn the war. His children were as foHows : Henry, John,
Joseph, James, Solomon, Hannah, Fanny, and Johannah, who married
Thomas Berry. James Gray's son Henry emigrated to Vermont in
company with a Thomas Berry. He married Eunice Goodwin, whose
mother's name was Dunbar, and the children were : John Blake ;
Wells, who died in Minnesota; William, who died in Canada; Henry,
who died in the United States service; .Vnson, in Vermont; Hannah,
Margaret, Abigail, Eunice. Judith, and h\anny. John Blake Gray and
Eliza J. Stephens were married May 15th, 1834, in Illinois. He went
into business in what is now Burlington, Iowa, in the same year. He
was permitted to name the place, which he did in remembrance of his
home in \'ermont. and the first shipment of goods that came to Bur-
lington, Iowa, was sent to John B. Gray. The place had been called
Flint Hills or Shockocon. The issue from this union is as follows :
John Stephens Gray, William Henry Fulton Gray, James Anson Gray,
Abigail A. Gray, Mary Frances Gray, Lilleas Jane Gray, Eunice Eliza
Gray ; all were Ixirn in Iowa except the next to the last daughter,
who was born in Texas.
In 1837 John B. Gray went from Burlington to Texas, where he
remained three or four years, but the Indians were so hostile and the
Mexicans so treacherous that it was not safe for the whites, who never
knew at what hour they might he called out to defend their homes or
to rescue some stolen member of some other citizen's family. How-
ever, there were great prospects of becoming wealthy in the possession
of land obtained tiirough some sort of grants of the republic of Texas.
Mr. Gray harl obtained great tracts of it — they measured it by the
league — but when the difficulty came up between the United States and
Mexico he chose rather to enjoy the safety of the states and home gov-
218 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ernment, to wealth in a disputed country with all the chances of war
before him; so in 1840-41 he made the trip back to Iowa in a wagon,
making frequent stops on the journey. In the fall of 1842 he obtained
an agency to sell goods to the Sac and Fox Indians who were occupy-
ing this part of the country west of the Mississippi river. He lived
in Eddyville, near which place there was a large encampment of the
Indians awaiting transportation to some point farther north or west in
the territory. The time of the opening of this part of the countiy to
the whites was April i, 1843. ^t which time Mr. Gray took possession
of his claim, and li\-ed continuously in this county (Monroe) until he
died on December 9, 1876. He did not always reside on the farm, for
he was one of the commissioners to the first territorial legislature.
Thus Mr. Gray"s family were among the \-ery pioneers of Iowa, and his
son, John, was the first child born in Monroe county.
The wife of John Blake Gray, Eliza J. Stephens, was born in Vir-
ginia; went to Indiana when she was three years old; came to Illinois
and then to Iowa about 1834-35. Her brother, Samuel Stephens, was
the head of the family at this time; he always lived near Burlington
and died there. Mrs. Gray's brothers and sisters were Samuel, Mary,
Margaret, Agnes, Isaac, Elsy Ami. and James Fulton, the family being
in some way related to the famous Robert Fulton, the inventor.
Elsy Ann married John Webber, whose name can be found in the gov-
ernment records of Des Moines county, Iowa. Agnes married, first,
a Mr. White, who died, and she then married a Mr. Sturdevant, who
held the position of gunsmith among the Sac and Fox Indians, and was
moved with the Indians when their term of possession expired; he died
in what is called the Osage purchase.
As a boy ^\'iIliam li. Civay alternated his play with work and as
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 219
his years and strength increased he liecame a factor in the work of the
fields. His education was acquired in the puhhc schools and thus he
was fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. Throughout his
business career he has carried on agricultural pursuits, his labors being
attended with excellent results because of his thorough training for the
work and his careful management and progressive methods.
In the year 1874 Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Fan-
nie Myrick, who was born in the same locality as her husband. Their
union has been blessed with two children : Macy, who is married ; and
Archie E.. at home. The son assists his father in their extensive fruit
business and in the other work of the farm. Mr. Gray is known as one
of the most prominent representatives of horticultural interests in this
portion of the countr_\-, and sixty acres of his fine farm is devoted to
the culti\-ation of fruit. He owns altogether two hundred and forty
acres of land, his orchard contains many varieties of fruit trees and
he also raises the smaller fruits, so that throughout the summer season
various kinds of products are gathered and sent to the market. In
fruit production Mr. Gray gives special attention not only to the size,
but also to the quality and flavor, and thus the products of Shadeland
find a ready sale upon the market, and Mr. Gray's opinions regarding
horticulture are largely received as authority in this part of the state.
Everything liearing ujion fruit culture is of interest to him and the
ideas advanced which he belic\'es will pro\'e of practical benefit in
his work are readil}' taken u]i and incorporated into the labor of car-
ing for his orchards. Shadeland is well named because of the many
and the beautiful trees which adorn the farm, and through the vista
of green can be seen a lovely lake which is one of the attractive feat-
ures of his beautiful countrv seat,
220 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Gray exercises liis right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Repubhcan party, of which he has been a stahvart
supporter since he cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant in
1872. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, as every true
American citizen should do, but has never sought or desired ofiice, pre-
ferring to give his attention to the production of grain and fruit. His
farm is splendidly equipped for the purposes for which it is utilized
and in the midst of fine orchards and highly cultivated fields stand
substantial buildings, including a nice residence. The household is
noted for its hospitality, which is greatly enjoyed by the many friends
of the family. j\Ir. Gray has made "honor" his life motto, and it is
this which has characterized his social, his Imsiness and his political
relations. He is always straightforward in his dealings, courteous to
friends and neighbors, and his genuine worth of character has made
him a man worthy of the highest regard.
LEWIS LEROY TAYLOR.
Grandfather John Taylor was a native of the Old North state, and
the family had established themselves there at a time when the history
of America had hardly begim. His son John M. was also a native of
North Carolina, but came west to Kentucky, where he was married to
Nancy A. Wilson, a native of that state and the daughter of William
Wilson, who came of an old Virginia family. After their marriage the
parents of our subject lived on a farm in Kentucky for fourteen years,
but in 1849 settled on a farm in Washington township. Appanoose
county, Iowa, and there spent the remainder of their days; he passed
away in 1889, aged nearly eighty-five, and his wife in 1899, also aged
LEWIS L. TAYLOR.
TRK
AiTon. uf vox »N8
TILOEN F«UN»AriONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 223
eighty-five; had he Hved one day more they would have lived to-
gether as husband and wife for fifty-four years. By occupation he was
a farmer and carpenter and gained a moderate success in business. In
religious faith they were Baptists, and he was a Democrat. To their
marriage were born nine children, one of whom died in infancy, and
one at the age of thirteen; the others were as follows: William J., a
farmer of Appanoose county; Holland P., who died in i860; the sub-
ject of this sketch; Isaac W., of Harrison county, Missouri; James
N., who died in 1901 ; Mary Jane, the wife of W. S. Beggs, of this
county; Nancy A., who died in 1897.
Lewis Leroy Taylor was ushered into this world in Hart county,
Kentucky, March 27, 1838. Since 1849 ^^^ has resided in this county
and his early life was spent on a farm. He devoted himself to farm-
ing and teaching school up to 1879; in that year he located in Cen-
terville to serve as clerk of the courts, to which office he was elected
for four terms, eight years in all. .After severing his official connec-
tion with the county, he was teller and bookkeeper in the First National
Bank of Centerville for twelve years. In January, 1903, he accepted the
position of cashier in the new bank of Unionville, known as the Union-
ville Savings Bank. While living in Washington township Mr. Taylor
served eight years as assessor and the same time as justice of the peace;
also was secretary of the school district, township of Washington, for
fifteen successive years, serving in that office from 1864 until 1879.
In 1864 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Miriam
Siler, a native of Illinois, and she became the mother of two children,
Henrietta, who died in 1900, and a son, John B.. who is now in the
drug business in Centerville. Mr. Taylor has been an active member of
the Democratic party, and he and his family are devoted members of
224 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the Christian church, in which he holds an official position. He has
gained a highly respectable position in society and is esteemed for his
many excellent qualities of heart and mind.
H. H. PHILLIPS.
H. H. Phillips is the proprietor of the Sunny Slope stock farm,
situated on section 4, Douglass township. Appanoose county. He has
spent his entire life in this locality and represents one of the pioneer
families that was founded at a primitive period in tlie history of the
state. His birth occurred in Walnut township, Appanoose county,
August 16, 1862, his parents being Jacob and Sarah (Frisby) Phillips.
The father was born in Clayton county, Ohio, in 1829, and his ancestors
were people of genuine worth, active in business and honorable in all
transactions. He was reared in the stale of his nativity and continued
his education there until the removal of the family to McLean county,
Illinois, the home being established near Bloomington. In that locality
Mr. Phillips was maried to Sarah Frisby. who was born in Ohio and
spent her girlhood days in that state and Illinois, largely pursuing her
education in the latter state. Attracted by the opportunities offered
by Iowa, they loaded some of their household goods into a wagon which
was drawn by a team of horses, and thus about 1850 they made their
advent into Appanoo.se county. Mr. Phillips had but small means, but
was industrious and possessed excellent business qualifications, and
through his unremitting diligence and perseverance he became one of
the wealthy men of his locality. He bad firm faith in the future of
Iowa, made investments in land and also became the owner of large
numbers of cattle and horses. As the years passed he prospered in his
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 225
undertakings and at his death left an estate vahied at forty tliousand
dollars. In the family were nine children, five sons and four daughters,
and those who are still living are Clara, on the old homestead; Lewis
F., a prominent cattleman of \Miite Lake, South Dakota; Howard H. ;
Charles C, of Walnut township, Appanoose county; and Perry M.,
who lives upon the home farm with his mother and sister and operates
the fields. The children of the family who have passed away are
James \\ ., Emma, Mary and Ellen, all of whom died in early life. The
father departed this life in February, 1900, at the age of seventy-one
years. He voted with the Republican party, but was never an aspirant
for office, giving his aid, however, to all measures which he believed
would prove of public good, and his integrity stood as an uncpies-
tioned fact in his career. In religious faith he and all of his family
were Methodists.
Howard H. Phillips was reared upon the old homestead farm and
early in life was trained to the work incident to the cultivation of the
fields and the care of stock. His early educational privileges were sup-
plemented by study in the college at Quincy, Illinois, and when eighteen
years of age he began teaching, which profession he followed for some
time in Appanoose county. His services were always in demand be-
cause he was an excellent disciplinarian and also had the ability to im-
part readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired.
He lived upon the home farm until his marriage, which occurred when
he was twent\-f(iur years of age, the lady of his choice being Marinda
Whistler, who had also successfully taught school prior to her mar-
riage. Her father, Samuel Whistler, now deceased, was lx>rn in Vir-
ginia and his father was born near Hayestown, Virginia. Samuel
Whistler was a loyal member of the German Baptist church and died at
226 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the age of forty-sexen years. To him and Iiis wife were born eleven
children: William H.. Martha E., John H., Mary J., Columbus E.,
Amanda A., Lewis C, Anna C, Sarah A., Mrs. Phillips and S. \\'alter.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips has been blessed with seven
children: Car! E., Anna May, Luella, Walter H., Edith Esther. Wen-
dell D. and Martha Etta. The parents are well known people of this
locality and have a large circle of warm friends. Their home is pleas-
antly located on section 4. Douglass township, and is appropriately named
the Sunny Slope farm. It comprises three hundred acres of rich land
and in addition to this Mr. Phillips also owns another tract of two hun-
dren and sixty-fi\e acres in this county and six hundred and forty acres
in Aurora county. South Dakota, near White Lake, it being well stocked
with cattle and horses.
The Sunny Slope farm is one of the best in Appanoose county,
supplied with all modern equipments and all of the accessories of a
model farm, on which he is engageil in the raising of high-grade horses
and cattle. An earnest Republican in politics, lie is unfaltering in his
advocacy of the right principles and has held a number of township
offices. Li 1S95 he was also elected a member of the board of county
commissioners and served three years, making a creditable record by his
faithful service and his practical aid given to measures for the upbuild-
ing of the localitv. Jn manner he is genial and courteous, and his
kindly disposition and many excellent traits of character have made him
a popular citizen of Appanoose countv.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 227
JOHN W. MOSS.
Jolm W. Moss was born December 17, 1830, in Putnam county,
Indiana, his parents lieing" Francis and Mary (Webster) Moss, both of
whom were natives of X'irginia. Tlie fatlier died in Putnam county,
Indiana, at tlie age of sixty-eight }ears, and the mother afterward
came to Iowa, spemUng her last days in Pleasant township, Monroe
county, where she died at the very advanced age of ninety-one years.
In the famih- of this worthy couple were nine children, eight of whom
reached years of maturity.
In taking up the Iiistory of John W. Moss we present to our read-
ers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this
portion of Iowa. He remained upon the home farm in the Hoosier
state until twenty-one years of age and his boyhood's training was
such as to make him familiar with farm work in its various depart-
ments. The mental discipline which he had was that afforded by the
common schools and on attaining his majority he left Indiana, believ-
ing that he might have better business opportunities in a district further
west. Accordingly he came to this state in the year 1853. After a
year, however, he returned east and in 1S53 he again came to Iowa,
settling in Monroe county, wh.ere he has since made his home. In
i860 he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of land, but of this he
has since sold a portion and he now owns one hundred acres. Mr.
Moss has made the place what it is to-day, a valuable and well improved
farm, but this statement but faintly indicates the years of earnest labor
which have been devoted to the farm. After taking up liis abode here
he worked early and late in order to place his fields under cultivation,
practicing the rotation of crops in order to keep the land productive and
228 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
following progressive methods that have become known to the farmer
as time has advanced. He had no special educational privileges to aid
him, in fact, he pursued his studies while seated upon a slab bench in a
log schoolhouse. In him, however, was the strength of character that
caused him to brook no obstacles that could be overcome by persistent
and determined energy and his labor has been the ladder upon which
he has risen to the plane of affluence. There is now evidence that his
farm is underlaid with one of the richest coal veins in the county or
state, and in the development of this there lies in store for Mr. Moss
a handsome competence, of which he is certainly deserving as a reward
for his career of industry.
On the 15th of November, i860, occurred the marriage of our
subject and Mary Miller, the widow of Abraham Kingerw She was
born in Ohio and l>y tliis union has become tlie mother of two sons,
the elder being Perry E., who is married and has two children; and
Riley E., who is married and had four children, three of whom are yet
living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moss are faithful members of the Baptist
church and take an active interest in its work, doing all they can for
the extension of its influence. In political circles Mr. Moss is also
prominent and influential and is identified with the Democratic party.
In 1878-9 he served as county auditor of Monroe county and from 1884
until 1887 was the county treasurer, discharging his duties in a most
prompt and capable manner. He has also filled township offices and
was at one time the candidate of his party for the legislature, but could
not overcome the strong Republican majority of his district. His first
presidential vote was cast for General Winfield Scott, the candidate of
the Whig party in 1852, and in 1856 he voted for James Buchanan,
the Democratic nominee for the presidency, since which time lie has
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 22(»
never wavered in his allegiance to the Democracv. Both he and his
wife possess sterling traits of character, which have gained for them
high esteem through the conininnit}-, and the life record of Mr. Moss
proves conclusively that success is not a matter of genius hut is the
outcome of clear judgment rmd exi)erience and that it may be won by
diligence and persistency of purpose.
C. MILTON FORREST.
C. Milton Forrest is widely known in Monroe county. For many
years he was connected with agricultural pursuits and is now a repre-
sentative of the Consolidated Coal Company, making his home in
Lovilia, anil the qualities of an upright manhood ha\-e long l)een mani-
fested in his career, and few men enjoy in a higher degree the respect
and conlidence of those witli whom they are associated. Mr. Forrest
is further entitled to mention as one of the native sons of the county
and a representative of one of its pioneer families. He was born in
Bluff Creek township, February i, 1847, his parents being Thomas E.
and Susan (Harris) Forrest, both of whom were natives of Kentucky,
During his boyhood days Thomas E. Forrest accompanied his parents
to Licking count)-, Indiana, where he remained for a number of years,
and in 1844 he left the Hoosier state for Iowa, settling in Monroe
county. A farmer by occupation, he followed that pursuit throughout
his entire life, his agricultural labors being ended in death in 1862.
He was at that time residing in Albia. His capability and worth were
widely recognized by his fellow men, who frequently intrusted him with
positions of responsibility. He served as justice of the peace and was
one of the early commissioners of Monroe county who located the
230 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county seat. While acting as justice his decisions were always strictly
fair and impartial, and he was also called upon to perform many mar-
riage ceremonies. His political support was given to the Republican
party, for he strongly endorsed its principles and joined the party upon
its organization. He was also a devout member of the Christian
church, to which his wife belonged, and they not only contributed liber-
ally to its support but also took an acti\-e and helpful part in its work.
The mother died on the old home farm in Bluff Creek township in
1888, when sixty-eight years of age. In the famil_\- of this worthy
and respected couple were ten children : John W'.. who came home
from the army in 1863. but died S(X)n afterward: ^Millie C. who has also
passed away; \\'ashington and Richard, both deceased; Thomas J.,
who was in the army and has departed this life; C. Milton, of this re-
view ; Matilda Jane, who was the latter's twin sister and is deceased ;
Laura, deceased; Marion; and Mary, who has also been called to her
final rest. The family was certainly well represented in the Union
army during the war of the Rebellion. John W. enlisted in 1861 and
Thomas J. in 1862, and both were loyal and gallant soldiers.
C. Milton Forrest was reared in Monroe county and is indebted to
the common school system for the educational privileges which he en-
joyed. When not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom he as-
sisted his father in the work of field and meadow, and after completing
his education devoted his entire time and attention to farming, which
has been his principal occupation since. As a companion and help-
meet for life's journey he chose Miss Jane C. Cousins, their wedding
taking place in 1867. The lady is a daughter of Moses and Nancy
Cousins, who were natives of Vermont and came to Iowa at an early
day, settling on a farm on which a part of Albia now stands. Mrs.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 231
Forrest was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849, '""id \\'ith 'ler parents
came to Iowa in 1853,. In the family were the following children:
Moses and Nancy, both deceased; Washington B. ; Verness, who has
also passed away; Emma, and Mrs. Forrest. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cous-
ins died in 1888, the father at the age of eighty-four and the mother
at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Forrest's eldest brother was a ser-
geant in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Regiment and her brother, Washing-
ton B., is now a practicing physician of Akron, Ohio. Mrs. Forrest
secured a good education and is a lady of more than average intelli-
gence and culture. By her marriage she has become the mother of
eight children: Alice, Clara Agnes, Mrs. Annie Laurie McAlister,
Mrs. Elsie Verness Carhart, Charles E., Minnie G., who is teaching
school in Lovilia; Nora M., and Nellie I. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest have
also ten grandchildren.
Previous to the time of his marriage Mr. Forrest had manifested
his loyalty to the government by enlisting for service in the Union
army at Albia in 1864. He was assigned to the company under com-
mand of Captain N. B. Humphreys, organized at Albia, while the regi-
ment was under command of Colonel Stone. Mr. Forrest was with
General Sheridan in the Virginia campaign and at the close of the war
was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, and received his final pay as
a soldier in Davenport, Iowa. He has a warm place in his heart for
the boys who wore the old blue uniforms, and is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic and at the present time is serving as presi-
dent of the Veterans' Association of Bluff Creek township.
In his political views Mr. Forrest has been an earnest Republican
since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln, and he
has been honored with a number of offices, because the people recog-
16
232 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
nize his loyalty in citizenship and his capability in the discharge of his
duties. In 1885 he was nominated for sheriff of the county, but was
defeated by L. T. Richmond. Two years later, however, botli men
were again candidates for the office and he defeated Mr. Richmond.
When he had served for two years he was again nominated and this
time defeated W. T. Gardner, so that he filled the office for four con-
secutive years, and by his promptness and fidelity won high commenda-
tion. Throughout the greater part of his life he has carried on agri-
cultural pursuits, owning and operating a farm in Bluff Creek township,
but in September, 1902, he abandoned the plow and removed to Lovilia.
where he is at present employed 1)y the Consolidated Coal Company.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Forrest are faithful members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and their interest in this work is manifested by the
active co-operation which thev give. They are especially well knnwn
in connection with the social functions and work of the Veterans' Asso-
ciation of Bluff Creek township and at the meeting heltl on the 22d of
May. 1896. when a fiag was presented l)y the ladies of the township tc
the association, she delivered the chief address, which we gladly give.
It is as follows :
"The ladies of Bluff Creek have kindly chosen that I, in their
name, should have the pleasant task to present to the Veterans" Associa-
tion this flag as a memento of our love and esteem. This day, the
anniversary of the assault on Vicksburg — May 22, 1863 — is one long
remembered by all soldiers and their families.
"Many thoughts come to me as I look upon this flag. It recalls
to memory the pale cheeks of women and the llushed faces of men as
they parted from loved ones and marched away to the boisterous sound
of drums and the silver tones of bugles to take part in that great Strug-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 233
gle to do and to die for 'the eternal right,' and we bade you goodbye
with breaking hearts, praying God to be with you while 'His truth was
marching on.'
"Many never returned. They are at rest in the land they helped to
make free; under the flag they made stainless; they sleep beneath the
shadows of the clouds, careless alike of storm and sunshine, each in
the windowless palace of rest.
"Soldiers of the Republic ! You were not seekers after vain glory
nor were you animated with hopes of plunder or love of conquest. l)Ut
you fought to preserve the blessings of liberty, that your children might
have peace, and to finisii what the soldiers of the Revolution com-
menced ; to keep our country on the map of the world and our flag re-
corded in heaven.
"Grander than the Greeks and nobler than the Romans the sol-
diers of the Republic battled for the rights of others ; the nobility of
labor, that mothers might own their own babes and that our nation
might be sovereign, great and free. Blood was as water, money as
leaves and life as common as air until our flag floated over the re-
public without a slave or a master.
"Now, as we look upon our flag, it is to us something more than
a piece of bunting, a patch-work of colors; it is to us a remembrance
of deeds of loyalty, of patriotism, of suffering and of duties nobly
done, whether upon the battlefield, in prison pen, upon the lonely picket,
or against the treacherous foe on the great plains of the far west.
" 'Nothing but a flag, it is bathed in tears,
It tells of triumphs, hopes and fears;
It tells of hosts of loyal men,
Who've marched beneath in days gone by.
234 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
It tells of prayers of mothers, wives.
The heart must pray though lips be dumb,
Silent it speaks, and thoughts will come."
"The red, the symbol of love and fervency, is a remembrance of
the love you have for our country and her flag, and the fervency with
which you responded when the first mutterings of the distant storm of
rebellion were heard, and the lightning flash and thunderous roar of the
guns as they fired upon Fort Sumter. And when the call for troops
was made you so bravely responded, 'W'e are coming, Father Abraham,
three hundred thousand more.'
"It was a might}' gathering from farms, mines, work-shops,
schools, colleges, from the bar and pulpit, all over our fair north, still
echoing that response, until over two million fathers and sons were in
arms to protect our Union. Many boys there were^no older than
those upon this platform — worthy descendants of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence ; so down through the ages shall the chil-
dren of the republic sing how well you maintained the constitution,
preserved the union of states established Ijy our fathers, kept the flag
unsullied and giving the nation a new birth of freedom.
"The white, the symbol of purity, is a remembrance of your purity
of purpose, not for personal gain or mere idle pastime, but to preserve
our nation as one, that the shackles should be dropped from four mil-
lion men, women and children ; that no longer should be heard the
blood-hounds upon the footsteps of some poor human being seeking for
freedom, and that no longer should husband be sold from wife, mother
from her children, but freedom should be for evervone.
"The blue, the s)nibol of truth and fidelity, is a remembrance of
this love you have for our country, and when you followed our loved
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 235
flag, through all those long weary marches through winters" snows and
springtime slush and mud, through cities and towns, over prairies and
on to the field of Ijattle, where the furrows of the old field were as
ravines filled with blood, and where you left so many of your comrades
pierced with bullets, torn with shell, their life ebbing away among the
withered Iea\-es, then did you, with features stern and nerves of steel,
resolve that not a star by traitorous hands should be removed from that
field of blue.
"But the gallant deeds of the thousands in the forepart of the bat-
tle were eclipsed only by the heroic fortitude of the prisoners in 'Dixie,'
in the presence of untold torture, compared to which the whistle
of the bullet and the screaming of the shell was as the sweetest music.
There is no blacker page in the world's history than that on which is
recorded tli£ cruelties practiced u])on the Union prisoners of war in
Libby, Belle Isle, Salisbury and far-away Tyler, Texas; in Anderson-
ville, five times enlarged, ten times intensified, thirty thousand prison-
ers on eighteen acres of ground, without shelter, but within sight of
timber; without water, yet within sight of pure, bright sparkling water;
without food, except each day one-half pint of corn meal, ground cob
and all; no fire in winter to protect against the cold winds and rains;
no shelter from the hot blistering sun of the southern summer. Suffer-
ing, starving semblances of humanity, yielding your liberty by refusing
to renounce your allegiance to the flag and country you lo\-ed so well.
Grander deeds than these ha\e no man done.
"The stars upon the field of blue are a remembrance that the Creator
of all things has blessed your efforts, and not a star was lost, and the
cries of the afflicted through all the long weaiy years have been heard,
for He said, 'The right shall prevail ;" and through your trials and suf-
23G BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ferings you have bequeatlied to your country the legacy of liberty and
union, insuring to your children the blessings of free institutions,
under which they enjoy greater prosperity, a larger liberty, a
higher civilization and a purer Christianity than was ever before en-
joyed by a people.
"The yellow, emblem of constancy, is a remembrance that you
were constant and true to all duties. As you so proudly marched away
under the flying flags, keeping step to the wild, grand music of war,
you followed our flag in sunshine and storm, victory or defeat, with
as much confidence as did the children of Israel who followed the pil-
lar of cloud l)y da\' and of fire by night. You laid vour lives, your
honors, 3'our fortunes, upon the altar of liberty and union, that a 'gov-
ernment of the people and bv the people should not perish from the
earth.' ,
"The eagle, a remembrance of the liberty you gained 'with malice
toward none and charity for all."
"The cord, a remembrance of the manj^ ties that bind this united
country together, and may the cords of loyal, enthusiastic sentiment
grow stronger and stronger while we are permitted to live, and when
the last roll is called may we be gathered in that great camp where the
bugle sounds neither 'reveille' nor 'lights out.'
"And from the stars and stripes we recall the story of liberty and
union as exemplified in the lives of Washington, Lincoln, Grant, and
the patriotic sons of the republic, who by their valor and suffering ren-
dered the fame of this trio imperishable, and we look upon the Ameri-
can flag by 'angels' hands to valor given,' with as much reverence as did
the Israelites look upon the Ark of the Covenant.
"This flag, the emblem of this grand nation, is a symbol of the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 237
nolilest strengtli and purest love; its every \va\e and fold speaks to us
with inore thrilling wtu'ds than orator ever uttered. It recalls to mem-
ory when Lincoln hore our country's hurden, and Grant led the army
to victory, and to a more perfect union, which is to-day the wonder and
admiration of the world. This, the nation's standard, as it floats to-day,
reminds us that we are free, subjects of no king Init Him who rules the
universe.
"Mr. Watson, to you as the representative of the veterans, I have
tried to express the lo\-e and esteem in which we hold the soldiers of the
republic. W'ords are a poor medium and are soon forgotten, but as
you and your comrades look upon the flag, may each color bring to
your memory our gratitude and love for your protection. I now have
the honor to present to you this flag."
JACOB SHOLLY.
Jacob Sholly, who was well known and highly esteemed for his
sterling integrity and honor and was long classed among the represent-
ative citizens of Monroe coimtv, passed awav June 6, igoi. He was
born in Germantown, Ohio, May 24, 183 1, and was a son of Joseph
Sholly, a native of Pennsylvania. The father was a shoemaker by
trade, following that pursuit in order to provide f(~ir his family. When
the son Jacob was but fourteen vears of age both the father and mother
were stricken with t\phoid fever and died within two weeks of each
other. Six children survived them, of whom the subject of this re-
view was the second in order of birth. His early life was marked by
no event of special importance aside from his parents' death, when he
was thrown upon his own resources, ^^■hen a \oung man he took up
238 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the painter's trade, which he followed throughout his entire life, and
his success was, no doubt, due in a large measure to his faithful ad-
herence to the work in which as a young tradesman he embarked.
After leaving his home in Ohio he went to Indiana, where he met and
married Miss Martha Jane Smith, the wedding taking place in 1852.
The lady was a daughter of Peter and Ruth Smith. Her mother died
during the infancy of the daughter and the father's death occurred in
1 85 1. In the family were nine children, four of whom are still living,
and I\Irs. Sholly was the fourth in order of birth.
The young couple began their domestic life in Indiana, where
they remained until 1856, when they removed to Kirksville, Missouri,
which was their place of residence for five years. Early in the year
1861 Mr. and Mrs. Sholly removed to Monroe county, Iowa, becoming
early residents of Albia, which was then a mere hamlet, containing a
few log houses. Here he began work at the painter's trade, which he
followed through a long period, and the excellence of hi.s work se-
cured him a good patronage. He always lived faithfully up to the
terms of a contract and because of his desire to please his patrons and
his straightforward dealings he was accorded a constantly growing
trade.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sholly were born five children : William F.,
Marion, George, John and Edward, but the only one now living is
William F., the eldest. They also had an adopted daughter, Blanche
Ijams, who is now married and resides in Albia, while a granddaughter,
Gertrude Shdlly. is now living with her grandmother, Mrs. Martha J.
Sholly.
Fraternally ]\Ir. Sholly was connected with the Odd Fellows so-
ciety for a number of years and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 239
his brethren of the order. He held membership with the Christian
church and in his Hfe exempHfied his behef, doing everything in his
power to promote the growtli and extend the influence of the church,
while with his fellow men he was e\er honest and considerate. He
passed away on the 6th of June, 1901, at the age of seventy years, leav-
ing behind the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Mrs. Sholly
still sur\-i\-es her husband and makes her home in Albia, where she
has many friends. She, too, is a member of the Christian church and
has lived in harmony with its teachings.
ALEXANDER BAIN.
Nature certainly intended that man should rest in his declining
years. His whole history proves this. In youth he is strong, vigorous
and ambitious, and in mature )-ears he has learned to so direct his la-
bors that as a result of his sound judgment, experience and industry,
he may acquire a good competence. As the evening of life draws on,
his physical powers are somewhat diminished and it is just that the
long years of business activity should be followed by a period in whicli.
to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. This has been vouchsafed to
Mr. Bain, wlio is now living retired in Albia, but for many years car-
ried on agricultural pursuits in Monroe county.
A native of North Carolina, his birth occurred on the 26th of Jan-
uarv, 1820. His parents were Robert and Mary (Irwin) Bain, and
the former was a native of Scotland, while the mother was of Dutch
extraction. In early life Robert Bain came to the United States and
for some time resided in North Carolina, but the latter part of 1820
witnessed his emigration to what was then the wild west — Jefferson
240 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county, Indiana, where he spent his remaining da)'S. The family ex-
perienced all the hardships and trials of pioneer life there, but as the
years passed the fruits of the father's labor brought to them a comfort-
able living. In addition to agricultural pursuits he engaged in work as
a teamster. His study of the political questions led him at first to give
his support to the Jacksonian Democracy, and his religious faith was
that of the Presbyterian church. His life was upright and honorable
and to his children he furnished an example well worthy of emulation.
He passed awav April 12, 1845, ^^ '^i^ home in Jefferson county. In-
diana, and his wife died in tlie same locality on the 15th of July, 1849.
Their children were: Samuel. \\'illiam. Robert. James. Sarah, John,
Jane. Mary. Margaret, Alexander. Thomas. Nancy, and one daughter
that died in infancy, and all are now deceased with the exception of
Alexander and his sister Margaret. The parents were laid to rest in
the cemetery of the United Brethren church in Jefferson county. In-
diana.
Before he had reached his first birthday Alexander Bain was taken
by his parents to Jefferson county and resided there continuously until
October. 1855. when he came to Monroe county, Iowa, where he has
since lived. His educational privileges were limited because of the
primitive character of the frontier schools. Tliroughout his entire
life he has carried on farming and though he has met with some ditificul-
ties and obstacles in his path he has steadily persevered and has event-
ually become a well-to-do citizen. In early life he suffered heavy losses,
but with strong resolution and determined purpose he started again,
working hard and living economically and in six years had made fifty-
five hundred dollars.
In Lakewood county, Indiana, in 1840, Mr. Bain was united in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 241
marriage to Miss Mary Gulic, a daugliter of William Gulic, a miller
of that part of the countr}-. Six children were horn to our subject and
his wife while they were residents of the Hoosier state, these being:
James, who was born in 1841 ; Henry and Sarah, both deceased; Ellen,
Hattie, and Annie. After tlie arri\-al of the family in this state other
children were added to the household, including Robbie and Mary
Louisa, the latter now deceased.
Mr. Bain secured a tract of land in Mantua township, Monroe
county, and with characteristic energy began its cultivation, making
the fields so productive that he annually gathered good harvests and
thus materially increased his income. At length, on account of the
ill health of his wife, he removed to Albia, where he lived for seven
years, and in 1898 he was called upon to mnnrn the loss of his loved
companion, with whom he had tra\'cled life's journe\' for fifty-eight
3'ears. She was called tr> her final rest (.ni the 12th of October of that
year, at the age of eighty-two }'ears, having been born in 1816. Mr.
Bain sold his farm to his son-in-law, \\\ C. Scorck, just prior to his
wife's death, and since that time he has lived a retired life. Mrs. Bain
was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Bain
also belongs, having joined the organization when eighteen years of
age. For a long period he served as an elder in the church, but later
resigned. His interest in the church, however, and in the advancement
of the cause of Christianity has never abated, and his influence has
ever been cast on the side of right and truth. He has now reached the
age of eighty-three years, and his has been a career in which industry,
straightforward dealing, loyalty in citizenship and kindliness to his
fellow men have l)een the salient characteristics.
242 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
CLENDENNEN BOGGS.
Clendennen Boggs is now living a retired life in Albia. He has
passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, and his has been
an upright and honorable career, worthy of the respect and veneration
which are sliown him. He was born in Braxton county. West Vir-
ginia, June i8, 1826, his parents being L. M. and Nancy Boggs, who
were also natives of West Virginia. The father followed farming
throughout his entire life, thus providing for his family. With his
wife and children he started for the west in the year 1837 and took up
his abode in Lee county, Iowa, nine years before the admission of the
state into the Union. He secured a tract of land upon which he carried
on agricultural ])ursuits. and in 1843. when the district now comprised
within Monroe county was opened for settlement by the white man, he
came with his famil_\- t<i this ])orti()n of the state and was among the
honored pioneers who laifl liroad and deep the foundation for the pres-
ent development and ])rogress of the county. He gave his political sup-
port to the Whig ]iarty in early life ;uid when the Rqiublican party was
organized he joined its ranks. In the early fifties he was called upon
to mourn the loss of bis wife, who died in the faith of the Methodist
church, of which she was a de\'out and earnest member. Mr. Boggs
long survived her, reaching the advanced age of ninety-three years, his
death occurring in T899. Their children were Clendennen: Hender-
son; Nathan; Mary Jane, deceased ; Louisa; Smith; George M., who
has also passed away ; Martha. \nn: Malissa; and Martin.
Clendennen Boggs spent the first thirteen years of his life in the
state of his natixity and then became a resident of Iowa, where he has
lived continuously since, and the history of the state from early pioneer
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 243
times is familiar to him. His educational privileges were limited, but
he made the most of his opportunities and as the years have passed he
has prospered, gaining a comfortable competence as the result of his
earnest and indefatigable lal)or. When t\vent3-three vears of age he
was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Margaret Ramsey, a daughter of John
Ramsey, their wedding being celebrated in Monroe county, where he
had located alxiut three years previous. Previous to his marriage he
had entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the govern-
ment, for which he jiaid the price of one dollar and a quarter per acre.
It was as it came ivom the hands of nature, covered with the native
prairie grasses, not a furrow having" been turned or an improvement
made thereon, but he at once began to break the prairie and in course of
time the fields were planted and good harvests followed. Through his
energetic eiforts antl the assistance of his estimable wife he prospered
as the years passed by and throughout his active Ijusiness career con-
tinued to engage in farming, but he eventually put aside business cares,
and disposing of his land remo\'ed to Albia. He there purchased prop--
ert}' and has since made his home in this place.
To I\[r. and Mrs. Boggs have been born the following children:
Henry Clay: \\'illiam E., deceased: and Newton E. For almost fifty-
seven years the subject of this review has resided in Monroe county
and for more than a half century he and his wife ha\e traveled life's
journey together. While there lia\-e been no exciting chapters in his
career, his life history proves how valuable are enterprise and industry
in the active afifairs of life, for it has been along these lines that Mr.
Boggs has acquired the comfortable competence that now enables him
to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
244 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
LINCOLN HARBOLD.
Development and progress, centralization and specialization — these
terms are characteristic of the present age of industrial activity; and
nowhere are these facts more patently shown than in the history of the
great stock-raising and meat business, which reaches its highest per-
fection in the United States and under the energy and genius of the
American producer. It is only within the past few years that the rais-
mg of large quantities of cattle was possible or profitable: but with
the growth of transportation facilities and the expanding of the pack-
ing and preserving industry, the stock business has been revolutionized
and is now one of the surest and most profitable pursuits ; immense
herds may be fattened and hurried off to distant markets for packing
with absolute certainty of returns, and with none of the anxieties or de-
lays connected with the old local markets and local slaughter houses.
With these facts before us, we can better appreciate the foremost posi-
tion which Lincoln Harljold occupies among the business luen of Ap-
panoose county, for although a comparatively young man. he is reck-
oned as one of the leaders of Iowa's many stock dealers.
Samuel L. and Mary E. (Hudson) Harbold were the parents of
our subject; the former was a native of the old Bluegrass state and
was born near the town of Paris. Tliese worthy people first met in
Appanoose county and were there married and spent the remainder of
their lives. Samuel was considered one of the prominent and influen-
tial farmers of southern Iowa and bis successful life was certainly an
inspiration to his young son, and the memory of bis name and work was
not by any means the least inheritance which he left behind at his
death. His life was ended on September lo, 1895. and his wife died
in 1875, when the boy, Lincoln, was Init twelve years old.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 2io
Lincoln Harhold is a native of Appanoose county and was born
on his fatlier's farm. August 7, 1863; lie was reared under the sturdy
discipline of the home farm and early accjuired an insight into the prac-
tical working of the business to which he was to later give his atten-
tion and utmost efforts. As he grew older and the possibilities of the
business became more apparent, he increased his facilities until he is at
present the owner of six hundred and sixty acres of fine land near
Piano, and two hundred and eighty acres near Truro, Iowa, which he
devotes to the grazing of the thousands of cattle handled by him every
year, and he buys large cpiantities of grain for their consumption. Mr.
Harbold first began the feeding and handling of stock on a large scale
in 1896, and now his broad acres are the temporary feeding" grounds
for many cattle, wliich, as soon as they have reached the required weight
and the market justifies it, are shipped of¥ to the packing centers, and
thus the business goes on, with its various fluctuations, but continually
bringing increased returns to its capable manager and owner. He
feeds annually three thousantl cattle and five thousand hogs, which con-
sume one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of corn.
In 1887 Mr. Harbold was married to Caroline Kirkland, the
daughter of Benson and Mary (Doran) Kirkland. Her father was
a native of West Virginia and her mother was born in Maryland ; they
were married in West Virginia and in 1869 came to Iowa and located
on a place two miles west of Mr, Harbold's home; they are still living
and reside on the old Kirkland farm in Johns township. Mr. and
Mrs. Harbold became the parents of three children, only one of whom
is now living, Grace Harbold. After their marriage they began house-
keeping on the farm which they now reside and to-day they own the
finest residence in .\ppanoose county, comfortable and comiuodious, and
246 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fitted with all the conveniences which make life in the country ideal.
All these possessions which go to make life happier are but the results
r»f the well deserved success of Mr. Harbold, who has won all by care-
fully following the business instincts implanted in him in his youth and
by the application of the cardinal virtues which are given to every man.
In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows in Piano.
SAMUEL ELDER.
In almost all American communities there may be found quiet, re-
tiring men. who never ask for public office or appear prominent in pub-
lic affairs, yet who. nevertheless, exert a wide-felt influence in the com-
munity in which they li\c and help to construct the proper foundation
upon which the social and iMlitical world is built. Such a man is
Samuel Elder, who throughout his entire life has been an honored and
respected citizen of Monroe county. He was bom on the farm on
which he still resides, ten miles northeast of Albia, four miles north of
Avery and three miles from Qiisholm. the latter being his postoffice
address, and the date of his birth was January 26. 1853. His paternal
grandfather, John Elder, came to this coimtry from Ireland when
twenty years of age, and his death occurred in Ohio, while on the
maternal side our subject is descended from old Penn.sylvania ancestry.
He is a son of Matthew and Jane (Lowery) Elder, the fi)rmer of whom
was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. In 1850 Matthew Elder came
to Iowa, locating on our subject's present homestead, where he passed
away in death at the age of si.xty-eight years and one month. His
wife, who was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, died at the home of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 247
a son in Albia, when she had passed the age of eighty-one years. Ten
children were the resuh of this union, nine of whom are still living, and
the deceased daughter left a family of five children.
Samuel Elder received his early education in the schools of Mon-
roe county, while later he attended the educational institutions of Eddy-
ville, Iowa, and Monmouth, Illinois. After his marriage he located in
Ringgold county, Iowa, where he farmed on rented land for two years,
after which he purchased and removed to a place in Wayne county, this
state. After a residence there of one year he sold his possessions and
purchased the three hundred acres which constitute his present valuable
homestead. The farm is located in Pleasant township, and at the time
of purchase was only partially improved, but he has since placed the
entire tract under cultivation, and it is now one of the valuable farms
of the county. He devotes ItIs attention to general farming and stock-
raising, and in both lines of industry his efforts are being rewarded
with a high and well merited degree of success.
The marriage of Mr. Elder was celebrated on the 14th of March,
1878, when Miss Anna Chisholm became his wife. She was born in
Columbiana county, Ohio, and is a member of an old and prominent
family of Monroe county, Iowa, the village of Chisholm, located
therein, having been named in honor of her father. She is a daughter
of William and Mary (McQueen) Chisholm. The father, also of Col-
umbiana county, Ohio, came to Iowa in i860, and his death occurred in
this state at the age of sixty years. His mother, Janet, reached the re-
markable age of one hundred and one years, and she was from Scot-
land. The mother of Mrs. Elder, who was born in Columbiana county,
Ohio, also spent her last days in this localit)-, passing away in death
at the age of sixty years. By her marriage Mrs. Elder has become the
248 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
mother of three children, the two eldest of whom, Charles M. and
Mary E., are attending Penn College of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and the
youngest. Janet, is at home. In political matters Mr. Elder has been
a life-long Republican, his first vote having been cast for R. B. Hayes
in his race for the presidency, and in 1899 he was elected to the position
of supervisor and he was made chairman of the board. The family
are members of the United Presbyterian church, and Mr. Elder as-
sisted materially in the erection of the house of worship of that denom-
ination in this locality.
THOMAS FOSTER.
For a half-century Thomas Foster was a resident of Appanoose
county and while he did not figiu'e prominently in political or public
affairs, he was nevertheless numbered among the valued citizens because
of his interest in everything pertaining to the public good, and because
in private life he was a man worthy of respect and honor. He was
born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 14th of July, 1828, and passed
away at his home near Moulton, Iowa, on the 14th of August, 1901.
His parents were John and Elizabeth Eve (Rhoades) Foster, in
whose family were thirteen children: Thomas, Rachel, Arthur, An-
drew, Hannah, Rebecca, Catlierine, Mary, John, Evaline, Angelina,
Jackson and Washington. Of this family Thomas Foster was the
eldest and in consequence of this the burdens which devolved upon him
in early years were heavy. He was reared to farm life and in the
common schools pursued his education. He remained under the par-
ental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, and at that time be-
came the manager of the family affairs, remaining in charge for sev-
THOMAS FOSTER.
riLOEN F»UNBaTION3.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 25l
eral vears, during which time he was the main support of his mother
and younger brothers and sisters. He bravely performed the duties
which devolved upon him and fulfilled his task with conscientiousness
and energv, such as characterized his entire career. On leaving Illinois
the family had removed to Missouri, thence to Lee county, Iowa, and in
185 1 had come to Appanoose county, where Thomas Foster made his
home until called to his final rest. Throughout the years of his man-
hood he carried on agricultural pursuits, his labors being interrupted
only by his service in the Civil war. On the 8th of July, 1862, feeling
that his first duty was to his countn- in her hour of peril, he offered his
ser\'ices to the government, enlisting as a member of Company D, Sixth
Iowa Infantr}-, in which command he served for four years and one
month, never faltering in his loyalty or in the discharge of any task as-
signed to him, although he was often in the thickest of the fight and
became familiar with all the hardships of war.
In 1864, while home upon a furlough,' Mr.' Foster was married,
the lady of his choice being Miss Sabra A. Robinson, a daughter of
Joel and Jane (Daily) Robinson. The lady was born in Fountain
county, Indiana, September 25, 1836. Her parents were southern
people who removed from North Carolina to Tennessee, thence to In-
diana, whence they came to Appanoose county, Iowa, in 185 1, here
spending their remaining days. After the close of the war Mr. Foster
resumed farming and was thereafter actively engaged in the work of
tilling the soil. He placed the land under a very high state of cultiva-
tion and made many excellent and modern improvements upon his
place, which are today evidences of his life of thrift and industry. In
connection with the cultivation of the fields he also engaged in stock-
raising and found that a profitable source of income. At his death he
252 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
left a fair estate, and to his widow, wlio survives l:im, lie left a com-
fortable competence for the rest of her life. He was an industrious
and energetic man, in whose career there were few idle moments. He
was fair-minded, just and honest, and was uniformly respected by a
wide circle of accjuaintances. While not a member of any religious
organization, he was a man of high moral worth and rectitude of charac-
ter, and well may it be said of him that he was a loyal and enterprising
citizen and a faithful friend and kind husband. He held membership
in the Grand Army of the Republic and was highly esteemed l)y iiis
old comrades of the l)lue. Mrs. Foster is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and is well known in the county where she has re-
sided for more than a half century.
WILLIAM BERNARD.
When the hey-day of life has been spent and old age comes on. it
is a blessed privilege to be able to look back upon a life of fruitful effort
and to know that not all the opi)ortunities thrown in one's way have
been passed by; and certainly in a country of opportunity, this great
United States, no man can offer anj- excuse for not enjoying this privi-
lege, and it is a pleasure to here record the life of one who has passed
a successful career and now reaps the contentment coming to the re-
tired farmer.
Malechia Bernard, who was Ixjrn in Manland, came from there to
Seneca county. Ohio, when that state was still young, and he remained
there till liis death. He married Sarah Rayner, a native of Maryland,
and she died in Michigan. These were the parents of the subject of
this sketch and they liad nine cliildren in all, six sons and three daugh-
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 253
ters: fohn. deceased: Susan, deceased; Edwin, deceased; Aaron;
William ; George ; Washington, tleceased ; Ellen, deceased ; and Mary.
Malechia Bernard was a member of the old Whig party and his reli-
ofious l)elief was that of the Methodist Protestant church.
William Bernard is able to claim the beautiful old state of Mary-
land for his birthplace, being liorn there in Frederick county, December
17, 1823, and he was reared and educated in that place. At the age of
seventeen he came to Ohio, where he remained for eleven years. His
arrival in Monroe county is dated in 1855. and he first located in Pleas-
ant township, but afterward lx)ught a farm in Jackson township, which
he still owns, although he is now retired from active farming. He be-
longs to the Republican party and ior a number of years was a suc-
cessful attorney, but he has ne\-er aspired to any of the honors that
come with political office. f-Iis has lieen a well-rounded and full life,
and he is a representative and w^orthy citizen of the county.
While residing in Seneca county, Ohio, Mr. Bernard was married
to Elizabeth Egbert, who was a native of that county. Eight children
now make up the happy family, seven sons and one daughter, as fol-
lows: Charles W.. George M., Warren. Rolla. Jesse, Alta, William,
Jr., and one who died in infanc}-. Mrs. Bernard died December 31,
1890, and on October 15, 1902, Mr. Bernard married Miss Sarah
Albert, who is a native of Indiana.
AMOS E. MILLER.
One of the most progressive and enterprising business men of
Monroe county is Amos E. Miller, who is connected with one of the
largest cheese factories in the county. By his progressive spirit and
254 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
unflagging energy he has contributed in a large measure to the business
activity of Bluff Creek township, and is regarded as a man of force and
worth in the business world. Mr. Miller was born in Ripley county.
Indiana, on the 28th of January, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Mary
R. (Hiteman) IMiller. The father, who was of German origin, was a
native of France, but when a mere boy he left his home across the sea
and came to the United States. The year 1858 witnessed his arrival
in the Hawkeye state, and a location was made near the vicinity of Hite-
man in Monroe county, that village having been named in honor of an
uncle of our subject. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller died in Pottawattomie
county, Iowa, the former at the age of seventy-nine years and the latter
when fifty-nine years of age. They became the parents of twelve chil-
dren, ten of whom are still lix'ing.
Amos F. Miller was early inured to the labors of the farm, and he
continued to reside on the old home farm until the nth of March, 1881,
when he was married to Martha E. Williams. She was born in Kan-
' sas, and b\- her marriage has become the mother of six children, one of
whom died in infancy, and those living are: Amy, who became the
wife of J. C. Moore: and Henry E., Qiarles M., Anna L., and Mildred
E., at home. All are receiving excellent educational privileges, and
they will no doubt prove an honor to the honored family name. After
his marriage Mr. Miller located on a farm near Avery, Monroe county,
Iowa, where he conducted a cheese factory for one year, he having
learned that business prior to his marriage. Removing thence to
Lynnville. Iowa, be resumed the same occupation, and after residing
there for a time located southeast of Albia. Three years later he
came to his present location, four miles northwest of that city, where
he is now serving as the manager, treasurer and salesman of one of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 255
the largest cheese factories in tlie count}'. This concern has a capacity
of seven thousantl pountls of milk daily, and furnishes employment to
many men. The plant is now ecjuipped with modern machinery and all
accessories for facilitating the work and rendering the product of value
on the market by reason of its excellent quality.
Mr. Miller is also the owner of a valuable farm, and is one of the
substantial business mei: of Monroe county. He was reared in the faith
of the Republican party and was one of its supporters until the Prohibi-.
tion agitation in Iowa, when he supported Grover Cleveland in his first
race for the presidency, and continued to uphold Democratic principles
until the nomination of William J. Bryan. Since that time he has exer-
cised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the
Republican party. For one term he served as assessor of his township,
for many years was a member of the school board, and is now school
secretary and township trustee, being incumbent of the latter position
by appointment. The family attend the services of the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
JAMES W. CLAVER.
Tlie name of James W. Claver is inseparably interwoven with the
history of Monroe county. He is one of its honored pioneers and most
esteemed and wortln- farmers. His birth, however, occurred in the
old Hoosier state, in Putnam county, where he first opened his eyes to
the light of day on the 28th of August, 1845. When nine years of age,
in 1854, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the fam-
ily locating where our subject now resides, and with the exception of his
term of one year in charge C)f tlic count \- farm this locality has since
256 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
continued to be his home. When the Civil war was inaugurated for
the preservation of the Union, Mr. Claver nobly offered his services to
his native countr}-, enlisting in June, 1863, in Company C, Eighth Iowa
Cavalry, under Colonel J. B. Dorr. His military record was indeed
an honorable one and when the war had closed and the country no
longer needed his services he was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa. Re-
turning thence to his home, he remained under the paternal roof until
his twenty-second year, when he was married to Eliza Milliard, a na-
tive of Van Buren county, Iowa. They became the parents of five
children, three of whom still survive: Ervin E., Nellie and Bert F.,
all of whom are married, and Ervin E. and Nellie have each two chil-
dren. The first born in this family died at the age of two years, and
another passed away in infancy. The wife and mother also passed into
eternal rest, and in 18R8 Mr. Claver was united in marriage to Loretta
Bucher, by whom he has one son, Frank W.
After his first marriage Mr. Claver settled down to farm life on
the old homestead, which is located about seven miles north of Albia,
in Bluff Creek township, and the many improvements here inaugurated
by the father have been carried out by the son, and it is now one of
the valuable homesteads of the locality. The fellow townsmen of our
subject, who ha\e recognized his worth and ability, have called him to
many public offices, and among the many local positions which he has
held ma}- be mentioned that of township trustee, while for many years
he was also a member of the school board. He has, since casting his
first vote, continued to uphold the principles of the old Republican
party. The family attend tlic services of the Methodist Episcopal
church. As the years have passed by Mr. Claver has acquired a hand-
some competence. He possesses the sterling qualities of the sturdy
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 257
pioneers who have bravely faced Uie trials and hardships of life on the
plains in order to make homes for their families, and thus aided in lay-
ing the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this por-
tion of the state.
IRA NOBLE.
The fame of Iowa as the home of thoroughbred stock has extended
over the cixilized world. The last census gives her precedence in the
live-stock indnstrv over all the states of the American Union, and her
output is as fine in cpiality as it is large numerically. The famous
breeding counties of old England, which at one time supplied this and
all other countries with the best samples of horses, cattle and sheep, no
longer exercise the pre-eminence once enjoyed. Nor do the stock
centers in the celebrated bluegrass sections of Kentucky, middle Tennes-
see and Ohio now enjoy the supremacy which a few decades ago was
allowed them without question. The fine-stcKk banner, like the center
of population and the "Star of Empire," has been moving westward
and at length seems to float permanently over the comparatively new
state, whose eastern border is washed by the upper Mississippi. It is
onlv necessary to attend one of the international live-stock exhibitions
given at Chicago every December to be convinced that Iowa is able to
hold her own in competitifin with the whole world in this important
department of national development. All over the state may be found
farms devoted to the scientific breeding and feeding of stock, where the
general methods embody all the latest impro\-ements and the concrete
results of the highest skill. One of these stock farms, which is a model
of its kind, is situated in Monroe county, near Albia, and the foregoing
258 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
prefatory remarks are intended as an introduction to its owner. It is
called the Maple Row stock farm, and has l)een owned and operated
about seventeen years liy Mr. Ira Noble, a member of a family long
influential in the affairs of Monroe county. The lover of fine horses
who visits this place will find much to delight the eye in tlic shape of
fine trotters of the loest strains and trained b_\' a thorough master in
the art of breeding. He will be shown stallions with pedigrees as long
as those of any English king, who ha\e to their credit some remarkable
aclucvements on the track. General Wilkes, Jr.. has a record of 2:24
1-2, and is the sire of one colt with a record of 2 :o8;4 tn his credit,
twelve others with records better than 2 :20 and twenty-four in the
2 130 list. Red Maple was sired by Red Baron and is another high-
born member of this e(juine aristocrac)'. having to bis credit the hardest
and longest race in the world, won at Independence after twelve heats.
Much space could be devoted to description of other beauties on this
fine farm and to the place itself, but first something must be said of
the proprietor and the family to which he belongs.
Samuel Nolile, the emigrant founder, came from Ireland during
the latter part of the eighteenth century and settled in Huntington
county, Pennsylvania. His son John. Ixirn in 1796. long afterward
removed to Iowa, where he died in 187 1, at Faii-field. He married
Elizabeth, daughter of Aliram Crane, of German lineage, by whom He
had ten children, all sons but one, and nine of these are still living.
Samuel Noble, one of the nine boys, was born in Huntington county,
Penns}l\ania, No\-ember 30, 1819, and came to Iowa in 1845, just -a
year previous to the state's admission into the Union. He first located
at Fairfield, Jefferson county, but in 1849 embarked in merchandising
at Albia, and continued that business with success for sixteen years.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 259
In 1865 he closed out liis mercantile Ixisiness and engaged in realty and
loaning, which constituted his occupation for a number of years. Dur-
ing this period he did much for the improvement of Albia, a notable
instance being the erection of the fine business block on the northwest
corner of the sriuare, which is known by his name. By judicious invest-
ments in real estate and general business ability he became a large
property holder, his possessions including several hundred acres of farm
land near the city. As a stockholder and director in the Monroe County
Bank he was for many years an influential figure in the financial circles
of Albia and ranked without question as one of its leading citizens. In
i860 he was elected judge of Monroe county on the Republican ticket
and also served several terms as a member of the city council. He has
been an elder in the Presbyterian church for forty years or more, and
during that time also one of the most liberal contributors to and pro-
moters of religious work of all kinds. In 1842 Judge Noble married
Miss Sarah Matthews of Pennsylvania, who died a few years later in
her native state, and in 1849, after coming to Iowa, he contracted a sec-
ond matrimonial union with Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel Ship-
ler, of Jefferson county. Mrs. Noble died October 14, 1892, leaving
two sons, Emmett E. and Ira, and a daughter, Mary, now the wife of
Charles Tharp of Chicago.
Ira Noble, second of the sons above mentioned, was born in /Vlbia,
Monroe county, Iowa, May 6, 1857, and was educated in the schools of
his native place and in Burlington. His first business employment after
leaving the schoolroom was as clerk in the old Monroe Count)' Bank,
but he soon abandoned this for more energetic pursuits. From earliest
childhood he had developed a fondness for horses, and was never so
happy as when handling these animals. This disposition found a vent
260 BIOGRAPHICAL AAW GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ill tlie establishment of a livery stable, which enterprise followed closely
after his departure from the bank, and he was also connected for a time
with a grocery store in Albia. The ruling passion, however, found full
gratification in 1886, when Mr. Noble abandoned every other kind of
business to concentrate his attention upon stock-breeding. In the year
mentioned he took possession of Maple Row stock farm, consisting of
nearly one hundred and sixty acres of land within a mile of Albia.
Here he entered into the l)reeding of horses for the road and farm, and
for a number of years kept jacks, but latterly he has practically dropped
all other features to make a s])ecialty of trotters. He handles only the
standard breeds, as a glance over his catalogues will show, and his place
is visited liy turfmen from far and near who are anxious to secure
promising colts. Mr. Xol)le eiij<ns a high reputation as a breeder and
handler of trotting stock, and his name is familiar throughout the west
*
at all places where turfmen meet for business or pleasure. From his
neatly kept farm go forth every year a dozen or more fine young ani-
mals, the product of proud sires and dams, and many of Mr. Noble's
out])ut have made fine racing records. His re])utatioii both as a breeder
and conscientious dealer, added to the excellence of his stock, enables
him to obtain high prices and to enjoy a deserved prosperity as the
result of his enterprise. It is such men as he that have given to Iowa
her place of proud pre-eminence in the live-stock industry and brought
her to the front as the home of thoroughbreds of the highest and best
()uality.
In 1879 Mr. Noble was united in marriage with Miss Nellie A.,
daughter of James B. and Elizabeth ( Irvin) Bell, the former of Penn-
sylvania and the latter of Indiana, and now residing on a farm in Kan-
sas, Mrs, Noble, who is highly spoken of by those who knew her well
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 2G1
as a Cliristiaii wife and motlier, died a few years ago, at the compar-
atively early age of thirty-nine. She left as a consolation to her bereaved
husband three unusually bright children, whose names are Guy G., Iva
J., and J. Thorpe, who in years to come promise to be worthy success-
ors to their father in his noble calling.
ALEXANDER C. WATSON.
Taking all things equal, the soldier makes a better citizen than the
civilian, for upon the field of battle he has learned what it means to
stand bv the country in the hour of peril, and the patriotism which he
has manifested in the hour of strife remains with him through the
years following and pro\-es one of the basic elements of his citizenship.
Mr. Watson is among the number who, when the south attempted to
overthrow the Union, went forth in defense of the national government
at Washington and through the period of civil strife loyally defended
the old flag and the cause it represented. Today he is regarded as one
of the leading business men of Monroe county, where he is successfully
engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising.
A native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Watson was born
November ii, 184^, and comes of a family noted for military prowess
and unwavering loyalty to the country in hours of danger. One of
his ancestors served with General Braddock in the French and Indian
war and was captured by Indians at Fort Pitt. Others of the name
served in the cause of independence, and the grandfather of our sul)-
ject was a soldier of the war of 181J, bearing arms for his country at
the earlv age of eleven years; he was wounded and drew a pension.
One of the near relatives, an .Mexander Watson, was a captain in the
262 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
war of the Rebellion, and still others joined the Union army and fought
with the boys in blue. Thomas Watson, the father of our subject, was
born in county Antrim, Ireland, and was only a vear and a half old
when brought by his jjarents to America. After arri\'ing at years of
maturity he wedded Elizabeth D. Cameron and in the year 1855 he
came with his family to Washington county, Iowa, and spent two years
there when he moved to near Tyrone and operated a sawmill two years.
In 1859 he came to Alonroe county, Iowa, settling upon the farm where
his son Alexander now resides, about four miles north of Albia. Op-
pression in any form was always distasteful to him and awakened his
strong opposition and it was therefore natural that he should oppose
the cause of Rebellion and work for the suppression of slavery in the
south. His home in Pennsylvania had been a station on the famous
underground railroad and he did everything in his power to promulgate
anti-slavery sentiments. .\t one time he and iiis father were the only
abolitionists who voted in their district. He passed away at the age
of seventy-six years, and his wife died at the Jiome of her son Alexander
when also seventy-six years of age. The\- were the parents of eight
children, three of whom are yet living, and the sister Mary now makes
her home with her brother Alexander. She is a lady of noble Christian
character and presides with gracious hospitality over his home.
Alexander C. Watson spent the first thirteen years of his life in
Mifflin count}-, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the nth of No-
vember, 1842. In 1855 he accompanied his parents on their westward
emigration and here lie assisted in the arduous task of developing a new
farm, working in field and meadow, as does the average farmer boy,
until he iiad attained the age of eighteen years. Then, on the 2d of
October, 1861, in response to his country's call for aid to suppress the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. '263
rebellion in the south, he enlisted for service as a member of Company
H, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, becoming a member of Colonel Crocker's
Reeiment, with which he served for three vears and four months. He
participated in the engagements at Shiloh and Corinth, and he started
with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, but was wounded at
Kenesaw ]\Iountain, when he was sent home on a furlougli.
\\'hen the war was ended INIr. \Vatson received an honorable dis-
charge at Marietta, Georgia, and received his last pay at Louisville,
Kentucky, after which he returned to his father's home in Monroe
county, Iowa.
For two years following his military experience Mr. Watson at-
tended school in order to be prepared for the duties of a business career
and has since been actively engaged in farming and stock raising, carry-
ing on his affairs in a systematic manner, which shows that he is thor-
oughly familiar with the best methods of farm work. He lived and
worked upon the old homestead and was soon recognized as a leading
business man and stock raiser. He is especially well known in the latter
direction, ha\ing tiealt quite extensi\'ely in pure standard bred stock,
making a specialty of Galloway cattle and Shropshire sheep and Po-
land China and Chester White liogs. He also owns some of the best
bred horses that have e\er loeen placed upon the market. He is con-
tinually seeking to improve the grade of stock raised and has thus done
much for the community, for as the grade of stock is impro\'ed prices
are accordinglv advanced, :md the entire locality is benefited thereby.
Since his return from the war he has practically lived all of the time
upon the farm which is yet his home. The first house was 16x24 feet
and is still standing near ihe present commodious and modern resi-
dence, which was Ijuilt in 1869. There are good barns and outbuild-
204 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ings upon tlie place, and the air of neatness and thrift prevails, indi-
cating a careful and progressive owner.
On March 2, 1882, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Lane, a native of iMuskingum county, Ohio, and a daughter of
Dr. J. Morris and Susanna Lane; her father was an own cousin of
the celebrated Jim Lane, who won his fame in "Bleeding Kansas." The
Doctor died in Ohio, but his widow still survives and is living in Bloom-
field, that state. Mrs. Watson was a most estimable lady, possessing
a beautiful character, and her kindliness of heart and her cordial man-
ner won her the love and esteem of all with whom she was brought
in contact, but at the early age of twenty-fi\e years she was called to
her final rest, passing away on the 12th of December, 1884, her birth
having occurred on the 23d of ]\Iay, 1859. She was prominent in
church work, holding membership with the Presbyterian denomina-
tion, and her Christian faith permeated her entire life and colored her
relations with those with whom she came in contact. She died leaving
two sons — Morris L. and Thomas E. — who are bright, intelligent boys,
now students in the Albia high school.
Mr. Watson cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln
in 1864 while a member of the army. His father had been an old-line
Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party, to prevent
the further extension of slaver}-, he joineil its ranks and cast his vote
for John C. Fremont. On attaining his majority the son followed in
the father's political footsteps and has never seen a reason to change
his allegiance to the party. He and the family are members of the
Associate Reformed church and he is liberal in support of the cause
of Christianity, is a friend of education and co-operates in all meas-
ures for the general good, along lines of progress, reform and improve-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 265
ment. His has been an acti\'e and useful life, one which commends
him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought
in contact. Perhaps no better evidence of his patriotic spirit can be
given than by quoting the speech which he made in behalf of the vet-
erans of his township when they were presented by the ladies of the
community with a fine flag:
" In behalf of the veterans of our township, and in profound re-
spect for the purpose that prompts this gift, I accept from your fair
hands this beautiful gift — the flag of our country — and would say that
to those who have followed this starrj' banner through the storm and
carnage of battle to victory and final peace, no other gift could so touch
our hearts, so awaken the memories of the past, and kindle our emo-
tions, none that could appeal with more eloquence to the future in all
that we desire for the glory of our country and the happiness of those
we hold most dear.
" And in receiving this beautiful emblem of our country's glory,
we are not forgetful of the brave boys who marched with us to the
front at our country's call, who are not with us to take part in these
pleasant ceremonies. We have heard their dying cry as they fell in
defense of this flag, and they are not forgotten. No ! There is a voice
from their tomb that is sweeter than song, and a remembrance to those
dead to which we turn ever from the charms of the living, whose frag-
mentary history was recorded b)- the daily press as only a picket shot
down, or they died in hospital, or they fell in battle, or they died in
prison, where the common humanities of life were forgotten by a cruel
and embittered foe, liut their memor\' and honor are cherished by a
grateful and patriotic people, and their blood adds a deeper luster to
17
266 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
this beautiful flag, anrl by their sacrifice we enjoy the inestimable bles-
sings of peace and a nation preserved.
" And we cannot receive this beautiful flag without remembering
our mothers — some Ijeing with us to-day to bless us with their pres-
ence — who with pathetic fortitude, with tearful eyes and breaking
hearts, as they caressed and kissed us good-bye, asking God's speed
with a mother's blessing, seeing only visions of wounds and death to
their sons who marched to the country's defense. A thousand battles
tell in part the story of their sorrows, and gentle time has in some
measure assuaged their grief and solaced their hearts, and to the great
num1>er the angel of mercy has come and touched them with his wings
and whispered in their ears this message : ' Come, ye blessed of my
Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you,' leaving us the precious
memory of their gracious lives. May we not say the held of blue is
the heaven of mother's love, in which is relit the stars of our unity and
glory ?
" In accepting this beautiful flag we express the desire that it may
ever remain the defense of civil liberty, and that by wise and whole-
some laws to every worthy member of our nation life shall be written
in potential mood, that the stranger within our gates may have full
protection, and that all children of men may turn with joy and hail it
as the defence of all that is true and equitable in government. And we
will teach our children to honor, defend and advance its glory. And
now, dear hearts, in receiving this beautiful flag from your fair hands,
we renew again all the covenants of life. and. although in the progress
of the years we feel that the sword of its defense is passing to other
and vounger hands, we feel assured that our gallant sons will stand
for its defense and will follow and defend it wherever duty and honor
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 267
calls, and will transmit it unsullied with added luster by their worthy
lives and noble deeds. And when we have heard the last song, and the
last audible word, and looked for the last time in your loving faces,
and God shall have closed our vision, may this beautiful banner drape
the casket as we are carried to our last encampment, as the emblem of
the country we loved and a token of affection of those we hold most
dear, and we express the first and last desire and prayer of our hearts,
may God bless you all."
WILLIAM MERCER.
The subject of this review is a self-made man who in his youth
had few ad\'antages, educational or otherwise, nor had he the assist-
ance of influential friends, but he possessed strong resolution, and, de-
siring" to become a successful factor in business circles in Monroe
county, he has labored earnestly and energetically until his efforts have
been crowned with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He now li\es
in Bluff Creek township, where he owned a valuable property, com-
prising four hundred and sixty-five acres of land, which, however, he
has divided among his children, retaining for himself one hundred and
sixty acres.
Mr. Mercer was born in Kentucky, February 26, 1827, and comes
of a family of Scotch origin. From the land of hills and heather his
early ancestors went to England and thence to America. The great-
grandfather was a soldier in the continental arm}- during the Revo-
lutionary war and valiantly assisted in winning American independ-
ence. George and Mary (Martin) Mercer, the grandparents, were
residents of Pennsylvania, whence they removed at an early day to
268 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Kentucky, there residing until called to their final home, the former at
the age of sixty-eight years, the latter at the age of seventy-four.
Martin Mercer, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and
served his country in the war of i8ij under General Jackson, partici-
pating in the "tearless battle" of New Orleans. He was married to
Anna L. Biggs, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Christ) Biggs,
who were residents of Kentucky, but removed to Indiana, where both
passed away at an advanced age, the former when he had attained four-
score years, the latter at the age of seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Martin
Mercer also removed to Indiana, locating there in 183 1. They became
the parents of ten children, l)ut only two are yet living, William and
his brother. H. H. Mercer. The father died in Indiana at the age of
seventy-three, and the mother's death occurred in the same place when
she was seventy-two years of age.
The early youth of William Mercer was a period of persistent and
unremitting toil. His educational ])rivileges were very meager, as he
had opi)ortunity to attend school for only about two months each year,
and during that time he pursued his studies in a log building, sitting
upon seats made of slabs, which rested upon wooden pins or legs fitted
into a hole bored in the wall. His training at farm labor, however,
was not meager, for from, an early age he worked in the fields from
early morning until evening, but, always ambitious for advancement,
his persistence, energy and diligence at length won the victory over
limited financial circumstances, and he stands to-day as one of the suc-
cessful men of his count}-.
On the 27th of March, 1S56, Mr. Mercer married Miss Bernetta
H. Sellers, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Nathan and Mary
(Yowell) Sellers. Her father was a son of James and Mary (Craw-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 269
ford) Sellers, and the former, a native of Kentucky and of Scotch
descent, died in his native state, while the latter passed away in Indi-
ana. Nathan Sellers was born in Kentucky and when he had arrived
at years of niaturit}- wedded Mary, daughter of W'illiam and Margaret
(Coppage) Yowell. Her father was of English lineage and lived in
Kentucky. He died in an explosion of a steamer on which he was a
passenger, and his wife died in Kentucky when more than ninety years
of age. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Sellers came to Iowa and here spent
their remaining days, the former dying in Appanoose county at the
age of sevent_\-fi\-e, the latter at the age of eighty years in Monroe
county. They had eight children, of whom five or yet living, including
Mrs. Mercer, the estimable wife of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs.
Mercer have been born ten children, six of whom are yet living: Henry,
who is married and has two children; \A'illiam L., who is married and
has three children: John P., who is married and has four children;
Emma, at home; kla, tAso with her father: and Inez, who married
Dr. C. X. Hyatt and has one child. A daughter. Florence, died at the
age of twenty-three years, and the others died in infancy.
Since 1850 Mr. Mercer has been a resident of Monroe county, and
great changes ha\'e occurred in that period, for the wild land has been
plowed and made to bloom and blossom as the rose. His own farm
has undergone a complete transformation. He first purchased two
hundred and sixty acres and his first farmhouse was 17x20 feet, in
which he lived until 1870, when liis ]jresent fine home was erected, and
in the interim the boundaries of his farm have also been extended until
the place comprises four hundred and sixty-five acres of land. He
has divided this among his boys, who arc now operating it, with the
exception of William, who in February, 1902, was graduated from the
270 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
College of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, and is now practicing
in Hailey, Idaho.
In politics Mr. Mercer was first a A\'hig and voted for General
Scott, and in 1856 he cast his ballot for John C. Fremont and has since
been a stanch Republican. He has filled various local offices and in
i860 he was elected county supervisor, serving for two years, and was
the first supervisor of the first superior court of Monroe county. He
has always l>een active in support of measures for the general good,
and through more than half a century's residence in the county his
labors have greatly benefited his locality, and at the same time his
efforts in business circles ha\e brought to him a very gratifying return.
JESSE SNODGRASS.
One cannot carr\- his investigations far into the history of Monroe
county without learning that the Snodgrass family has long been a
prominent and honored one in this section of the state. The year 1846
witnessed the arrix-al not only of our subject but his parents and their
children, and the three generations which have here been represented
have taken an active part, first in reclaiming the wild land for farming
purposes and since then in carrying forward the work of improvement
and upbuilding.
Jesse Snodgrass was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, January
I, 1831, a son of Jesse and Jane (Atchison) Snodgrass. The father
was lx)rn in Ireland in 1784 and spent the first twenty-four years of his
life on the Emerald Isle, after which he crossed the Atlantic to America
in 1809 on a sailing vessel. He took up his alx)de in Pennsylvania, and
the year 18 12 was an eventful one in his history, for in that year he
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 271
was married and he also enlisted for service in the second war with
England. He wedded Jane Atchison, a native of Washington county,
Penns}'lvania, and in 1825 they remox'ed to Ohio, where they remained
for twenty years, coming thence to Monroe county, Iowa, in 1846. All
was wild here, the district being a frontier region, and the father en-
tered from the government the land upon which the city of Albia now
stands, making it his home for nine years. His last days were spent
upon the farm of his son Jesse, where he died in 1876 at the age of
ninety-two years. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1795, died in
Albia in 1858. In his political views Jesse Snodgrass, Sr., was a Dem-
ocrat in early life, l)ut became a stanch adherent of the abolition prin-
ciples, and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the fur-
ther extension of slavery he joined its ranks and continued to march
under its banners until his death.
Jesse Snodgrass, whose name introduces this record, remained a
resident of Ohio until fifteen years of age, when he accompanied his
parents on their removal to Monroe county, where he has since resided,
and its history from pioneer times down to the present is familiar to
him. He assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm from
the unbroken prairie, following the breaking plow and later planting
crops and gathering harvests. Throughout most of his life he has
carried on farming, and is to-day the owner (jf a valuable tract of rich
and productive land, comprising two hundred and fifty acres. It is
splendidly equipped with excellent buildings, the latest improved ma-
chinerv and all accessories for facilitating the work of the farm, and
through the careful and systematic control of his business affairs he has
gained a verv handsome competence. In addition to his agricultural
pursuits he was engaged in merchandising in A]l)ia for nine years.
272 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Snodgrass was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Martin,
a native of Monroe county, Indiana, and a daughter of Wilham and
Sarah Martin, who were natives of Ireland. After living in Indiana
for some time they became residents of Monroe county, Iowa, in 1846,
and here they spent their remaining days. To Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass
have been born nine children, of whom six are yet living: Olive, who
married John Lucas and has eight children; Cora B., at home; Emma,
the wife of Dr. Bartram ; Charles, who is married and has two chil-
dren; Susie, who is married and has two children; and Clara, who is
also married, but has no children. Mr. Snodgrass provided his family
with excellent educational privileges, all having entered the district
schools and from there advanced until they liecame students in the
state normal. The family is one of prominence in the community, noted
for intelligence, business capacity, social qualities and moral worth.
Most of the representatives of the name living in this county are mem-
bers of the United Presbyterian church, although some are identified
with other denominations. Since the parents of our subject came to
the frontier of Iowa in 1846 Monroe count)- has been indebted to the
family for what has been accomplished by its members in four genera-
tions for the welfare and progress of this section of tiie state. Mr.
Snodgrass has borne his full share in upholding the county's best inter-
ests, and wherever he is known he is highly esteemed for his genuine
worth. He is a supporter of the Republican party, with which he has
affiliated since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont
in 1856, but has never been an office seeker, preferring to devote his
time and energies to his business afifairs, in which he has met with
gratifying success.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 273
JAMES K. WATSON.
James K. Watson, who is recognized as one of the leading farmers
and stock raisers of Monroe county, resides on section 4, Troy town-
ship. He was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, a son of
John and Ellen (Davis) Watson, who were also natives of Pennsyl-
vania, and in that state the father died. The family continued to reside
in Juniata county until 1871, when they decided to establish a home
in the west and made their way to Monroe county, where was pur-
chased the farm upon which our subject now resides — then a partially im-
proved tract of land. The sons began the further development and cul-
tivation of the place, and it was upon this farm, three miles northwest
of Albia, that the mother spent her remaining days, passing away in
1879. She had survived her husband for twenty-seven years, and had
ever remained true to his memory. She carefully reared her children^
five in number, doing for them everythfng in her power, that they
might be fitted for life's practical duties. Three of the children still
survive her.
Coming to Iowa, James K. Watson at once became a factor in the
agricultural development of Monroe county, and the fine farm which
he to-day owns is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise.
With the exception of six apple trees, every tree upon the place has been
planted by him. The buildings have been erected by him, and the fine
property as \\t see it to-day is the result of his labors. In 1874 he was
united in marriage to Miss Margaret Elder, who has since been to him
a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. Their only child,
however, died in infancy. Their first home was a small and poor house,
16x24 feet, l)ut after twcnt)- years he erected his nice residence and in
addition he has built good barns and other outl)uildings. For some
274 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
time he has engaged in tlie breeding of fine stock, more for his interest
in fine domestic animals than as a source of profit. He was one of a
company tiiat lirouglit tlie first Clyde and Percheron stallions into
Monroe county, and he has done much to improve the grade of stock
raised in this locality, while upon his own farm he has some very fine
cattle, horses and hogs, showing the result of high breeding in producing
good grades.
Mr. Watson cast his first presidential vote for General Grant at the
time of his second election, and has been deeply interested in the growth
and success of his part}-, using his infiuence to this end. His fellow-
citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions
of public trust, and for ten years he served as township trustee, while
in 1 90 1 he was elected a memlier of the county board of supervisors, on
which he is now serving in an acceptable manner. He belongs to the
United Presbyterian church, and in a business and political way is widely
known in the county and state, where he is recognized as a high type of
our progressive American manhood.
EDWARD TRENTON PRINTZ.
The medical profession has an eminent representati\e in Edward
Trenton Printz, a leading ])hysician of Moultnn. Appanoose county,
Iowa. He is of German ancestr} and inherits some of the estimable
traits of that worthy race. Peter Printz. his paternal grandfather, was
of German lineage and a native of Virginia, being a large planter.
Solomon Printz. our subject's father, married Sarah Kibler. whose
father, John Kibler, was a Virginia planter and also of German descent,
and later came west with our subject's parents and died in Illinois at
EDWARD T. PRIHTZ.
(the NEW YORK
|PlJBLfCL[BRARY
' . - - X * N
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 277
tlie age of eighty-seven. Solomon and Sarali Printz were both natives
of Page countv, Virginia, and in 1849, with a family of two sons and
two danghters, came west in a wagon and settled in Jasper county, Illi-
nois, on a farm; there they spent the rest of their lives, he dying when
past sixtv, and she when past seventy. They belonged to the Evangeli-
cal Lutheran church, and he was an active Democrat and a success-
ful farmer. Their children were as follows: Calvin F., deceased;
Hiram, living in Newton, Illinois, and a prominent business man of
that place; the two daughters next in order died in childhood in Illi-
nois; Lydia, the wife of Mr. Strall, of Illinois; John A., a fariuer and
stock-raiser of Jasper county, Illinois; Edward Trenton; and Mary,
who died at the age of twenty-six years.
Edward Trenton Printz was born in Newton, Jasper county, Illi-
nois, November 6, 1S56, and was reared on a farm up to his sixteenth
vear; he first attended the country schools and then attended the normal
school at Newton. Having fitted himself thoroughly for the task of
teaching, he followed that profession for five years in the state of his
birth. Having decided that his bent of mind was toward medicine as
a calling, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chi-
cago and graduated in 1884, after which he located in Newton, Illinois,
and practiced for two years. The date of his arrival in Moulton is
1886, since which time he has gained a large and lucrative patronage.
Mr. Printz is a member of a number of professional organizations, the
Iowa State Medical Society, the Des Moines Valley Medical Society,
the .\ppanoose and Wayne Counties Medical Society, the .'\merican
Medical Association, and the National Association of Railway Sur-
geons.
Dr. Printz was married in 1888 to Lizzie Marshall, who died in
278 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
1890; in 1895 lie was married to Verna Dye, and he has had two chil-
dren by his last wife. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
JOHN E. CARHARTT.
Far back into the early history of this conntr\- can the ancestry
of the Carhartt family be traced. The first of the name in America was
Thomas Carhartt. who crossed the Atlantic to serve as secretary to
Governor Dugan, and in onr subject's home is a complete genealogical
record, gi\-ing the lines of descent from Thomas Carhartt down to the
present. The parents of our subject were James S. and Mary (Elder)
Carhartt, the former a son of Seth Carhartt and the latter a daughter of
John Elder. They resided for some time in Coshocton countv, Ohio,
and both were natives of that state, but in 1850 they started westward
and estal)lished their home in Monroe county, where the father engaged
in farming. He spent his last days in the home of our subject, where
he died aged seventy-six years. The mother afterward went to Union
county, Iowa, where she died at the age of eighty-two years, but John
Carhartt brought her remains back to this county, and she was Iniried
by the side of her husband. In the family were si.x children, but John
E. and one sister are the only ones now surviving.
John E. Carhartt was born in Co.shocton county, Ohio. Sq)tember
13, 1840, and was reared upon the home farm, spending the first ten
years of his life in the state of his nativity, and then accompanying his
jjarents on their remo\al to Iowa, with the interests of which state he
has since been identified. His education was begun in a log schoolhouse,
and be cf)nned his lessons while sitting upon a bench made of a slab
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 279
laid on wooden pins driven into the wall. Later, however, he enjoyed
better educational privileges and for a time was a student in Albia.
Reading upon the current topics of interest has made him a well in-
formed man. and he keei)s well versed on general subjects, political
and otherwise. Through his youth he assisted in the work of the
home farm, but during the early part of the Civil war he enlisted in
Company E, Sixth Iowa Infantry, under Captain Sanders. He was
with his regiment in a number of battles and skirmishes, and though he
often went upon long marches or took part in battles when suffering
from ill health, he reported for duty every day and loyally stood by
the old flag until it was planted victoriously in the capital of the south-
ern Confederacv. After the close oi the war he was honorably dis-
charged at Louis\ille, Kentucky, and was mustered out at Davenport,
There was no braver man in the arnn-, and with a creditable military
record he returned to his home.
Mr. Carhartt at once went to his father's home, near where he
now resides, and in the spring of 1866 purchased his present farm in
Troy township. He further completed his arrangements for having a
home of his own when in 1868 he married Miss Alice A. Boggs, a
native of Monroe count}-. Four children have been born to them, of
whom three are yet living: Mary L., who married S. H. Latham and
has four sons; James S., who is married and has two sons and a
daughter; and John W., at home, assisting his father in the cultivation
of the farm. Since his marriage Mr. Carhartt has resided continuously
upon his present farm and has made it a fine country home, its neat
and thrifty appearance being indicative of the care and supervision of
a progressive owner.
Never an active politician in the sense of office .seeking, Mr. Car-
280 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
hartt has always had firm faitli in the principles of the party which he
endorsed by casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in
1864, while in the army. He has labored for the success of the party
and is recognized as one of the stalwart Republicans of the locality. He
is a charter member of J. R. Castle Post No. 313. G. A. R., of Averv, the
oldest post in this section of the state ; for two years he served as its com-
mander, after which he became quartermaster and has since held that
office. He also belongs to the Presbyterian church, and his Christian
faith and belief have been manifest in his conduct toward his fellow-
nien, who know him to be a man of upright i)ur])ose and of intrinsic
worth of character.
THOMAS S. PATTON.
The above named, now living in retirement at Albia after a busy
life, is a native of Ohio and has spent the whole of his activities within
the borders of this state. Like most of his ancestors for generations,
he has depended upon the soil for a livelihood, and the chief business
of his life has been the cultivation of Mother Earth. His people, like
nine-tenths of all the older lowans, came from eastern states during
the formative period of tliis section and took jKirt in the settlement,
which was at its culmination between 1850 and 1870. The paternal
grandparents of the gentleman under consideration were James and
Anna (Walker) Patton, natives of T'ennsylvania, who ended their days
in the state of Ohio. Their son, James H. Patton, was born in Ohio
in 1820, came to this state in 1856 and i)racticcd medicine in Louisa and
Washington counties, Iowa, for a few years, when he engaged in farm-
ing. He died December 22, 1889. Dr. Patton married Elizabeth A.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 281
Shaw, wlio was l)oni in Wasliington county, Pennsylvania, in 1829,
and died in Iowa in 190J. Her parents were Pennsylvanians, who emi-
grated to Iowa, engaged in farming and died in that state.
Thomas S. Patton, son of the physician above mentioned, was
born in Harrison dmnty, Ohio. August 29. 1849, '"""^ remained under
tlie parental mof until he reached the age of twenty-one years. In the
expressive western language he then "struck out for himself" and spent
the two following years in laboring for monthly wages. On February
5. 1874, he married Mary A., daughter of Josiah J. and Margaret
(Shaw) Orr, and a native of Louisa county, Iowa. Her father was a
Tennessean. but the son of an Irish immigrant who came to this country
at an earlv period and died at an advanced age. Josiah J. Orr came to
Iowa about 1844 and purchased land, which he was engaged in farming
until his death, which occurred January 26, 1900, at Columbus City, in
the eighty-eighth year of his age, having been born August 26, 1812.
After his marriage ]\Ir. Patton spent six months in Washington county,
then rented a farm from his father-in-law in Louisa county, which he
cultivated for se\en years, and then purchased one hundred and twenty
acres of partially impicved land in Monroe county, Iowa. This was
followed by various purchases and sales until, as the result of all his
transactions in real estate, Mr. Patton's holdings now amount to two
hundred and ninety-six and one-half acres. Of the three children born
to Mr. and Mrs. Patton, Frederick Oscar died when he was twenty
months old; James O., who was l)t)rn November 20, 1888, in Monroe
county, is now attending high school ; Robert A., the youngest child,
was born .\ugust 13. 1894, and like his brother gives promise of a
bright future. In fact, both of Mr. Patton's boys show unusual spright-
liness and bid fair by their future achievements in life to rcllect credit
282 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
on tlieir honored parents. Mr. Patten's political affiliations have always
been with the Republican party, and his first vote was cast for General
Grant when he was making the race for his second presidential term.
In religion he and his wife are believers in the doctrines taught by the
United Presbyterian church, and as members of that denomination they
have always been active in its work.
SAMUEL A. NEWELL.
Though not a native of Iowa, the above named has been a resident
for over fifty years, and so long has he been identified with the affairs
of Monroe county that he may justly be classed with the earliest pio-
neers. Originally from the nortli of Ireland, his ancestry settled in
old Virginia many generations ago, and his paternal grandfather,
Samuel Newell, was a man of note during the latter half of the
eighteenth century. He enlisted for the Revolutionary war, fought gal-
lantly in many engagements, and at the battle of King's Mountain re-
ceived a British bullet in his body which he carried until his dying day.
Samuel married a Miss Montgomery, and among their children was a
son named William. The latter married Paulina, daughter of David
and Elizabeth Fain, Tennesseeans by birth, who removed first to Ken-
tucky and then to Indiana, where the former ended his days. William
and Paulina (Fain) Newell came to Iowa in_i85i and settled in Monroe
county, where the former died shortly after his arrival, in the fiftieth
year of his age, his wife long surviving him and dying when seventy-
six years old. Of their eleven children six are living in different sec-
tions of the country, and all of them have families of their own.
Samuel A. Newell, who is included in the last mentioned list, was
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 283
born January 25, 1838, during the residence of his parents in Owen
county, Indiana. He was therefore about thirteen years old when they
came west, and grew to manhood on the farm settled by liis father in
Monroe county. After his father's death he became the head of the
household and occupied the position of a parent towards his younger
brothers and sisters. He took charge of the farm and managed it until
1870, and during the subsequent twelve years was engaged in mer-
chandising at Melrose, Monroe county. After retiring from his mer-
cantile venture in 1882, he embarked in the live stock business, and since
then has been a general dealer in this industrv.
&
In May, i860, Mr. Newell was united in marriage with Malinda
J., daughter of David and Rebecca (Nail) Lukenbill. who came to Iowa
in 1852. The father died in Eddyville in January, 1853, a few weeks
after his arrival, but his wife lived to be sixty years old before passing
away at the home of her daughter. She had nine children, and of these
three are now living, including Mrs. Newell, with whom she lived and
was tenderly cared for during her declining years. Mr. and Mrs.
Newell have an only daughter, named Ida, who married David A. Cris-
well, a train dispatcher, and ha? three children, one boy and two girls.
The Newells have a creditable record for patriotism, gained at different
periods of the country's history. Besides the grandfather, of Revolu-
tionary fame, one of his uncles participated in the Black Hawk war,
and Mr. Newell himself was one of "the bra\-e boys in blue" who fought
for the Union. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company C,
Eighteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Van
Benthusen, and served loyally with his command for aliout one year.
Mr. Newell started his political career by voting for .Abraham Lincoln
when he was making his race for the presidency, and has ever since
18
284 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
favored Republican principles, though he is very independent in his
voting and "carries his sovereignty under his hat.'" He was an Odd
Fellow until his lodge surrendered its charter. He may be described
as a strictly self-made man, as what he has done has been accomplished
without the assistance of wealthy or influential friends, and by his indi-
vidual efforts he has obtained a creditable standing in the social and
business world.
GEORGE P. CRAMER.
As the gentleman abo\e named has been a resident of Iowa since
1849, three years after the state's admission into the Union, he is en-
titled to the designation "early pioneer." and also to the respectful con-
sideration which attaches to that name everywhere. The variety of
Mr. Cramer's pursuits, his large experience with men and affairs, and
the ad\entures that have befallen him during his long career make him
an unusually entertaining companion, and a pleasant evening may be
passed any time by one who induces Mr. Cramer to relate his experi-
ences. He can tell stories of what hap])ened while he was an officer
of the law arresting criminals; he knows how to keep hotel from twenty
years' experience in that business; as proprietor of a transfer company
he has come in constant contact with that irritable quantity called the
traveling public. But above all, ]\lr. Cramer once had charge of a
circus and was successful in its management. He sold his circus to
Sells Brothers. Knowing that others will be interested in such a man.
pains have been taken to obtain the main details of his life, which will
now be unfolded in consecutive order.
The genealogy will be started with the grandparents on either
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 285
side, both of whom were Pennsy!\-anians of some note in their day.
Christopher Crane, the maternal grandfather, served as a soldier in
the war of 1812, and paternal grandfather Cramer, who spelled his
name with an initial K. was a minister in the Lutheran church. The
latter had a son, Christian J. Cramer, who was born at the family home
in Lancaster county, Pennsyh'ania, and after he grew up learned the
trade of a harnessmaker. He married Barbara Crane, of Huntington,
and later settled in Blair county, Pennsylvania, where he spent some
years in the prosecution of his regular calling. It was while his parents
resided in Blair county that their son, George P. Cramer, was born,
March 16, 1834, and he spent the first fifteen years of his life in the
place of his nativity. In 1849 the family migrated to the distant state
of Iowa by the somewhat crude and mingled methods of travel then
in vogue, and after their destination was reached a home was established
in the county of Fairfield, JefTerson township. They moved on a farm,
but came to Albia in the spring of 1850. George P., not finding the
opportunity he wanted near home, went over to Fort Des Moines and
secured a job of hauling sawlogs. This, however, he kept up only two
months and then began looking around for something more suitable
to his taste. Albia, now the prosperous capital of Monroe county, was
at that time a mere iiamlet, but Mr. Cramer determined to cast bis lot
with what seemed to be a promising place and located there in the fall
of 1849. Securing a clerkship in a dry goods store, he supported him-
self from his salary for two years. The father having reopened his
harness shop at that place, the son joined him and spent two years as
assistant manager and salesman. The termination of this period
brought him to the completion of the nineteenth year of his age, at
which time he made his first important business venture. Beginning as
286 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
a buyer and shipper of live stock at Albia in 1853, his l)usiness grew
witlT the town, and Mr. Cramer was one of tlie important dealers in
this industry until 1866, when he closed out. His next venture was in
the dry goods business, which he conducted at Albia two years and dis-
posed of for the purpose of organizing a circus. This move seemed
to be out of his line and caused some wonder among Mr. Cramer's
friends, but he showed that he knew what he was doing and soon had
his knights of the ring and sawdust, his accomplished equestrians, his
fun-making clowns and other wonders going all over the country and
showing to crowded tents. That he was making a success of it is amply
proved by the fact that the great aggregation knows as Sells Brothers
bought him out in 1870. After this exciting experience Mr. Cramer
settled down to the more peaceful pursuit of hotel keeping, and for
almost twenty-three years made the Cramer I lotel one of the most
popular stopping places at Albia. In connection with the hostelry he
conducted a bus and transfer company, of which he is still in active
control. Though, a lifelong Republican, having cast his maiden presi-
dential vote for John C. Fremont, the jiarty's first candidate, his office
holding has been limited to membership in the city council and service
as ciMistable and deputy sheriff.
On April 26, 1856, Mr. Cramer was married to Miss Rachel Webb,
whose ancestry is deserving of more than a passing notice. Her great-
grandparents, Adrian and Lucinda A\'ebl), were Virginians, who re-
moved to Ohio early in the nineteenth century. Among their children
was a son named John, who ser\ed as a substitute for his father in the
war of iSij and drew a pension. He owned a farm in Preble county,
Ohio, and there, (_)n the j8th of September, 1818, was born to him a
son named Jacob. The latter remained under the paternal roof until
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 287
the completion of his twentietli year, when he went to Iowa and in
the fall of 183S located in \'an Buren connty. Xot being satisfied with
the sitnation, he "abont-faced" and went to Rush county, Indiana, and
a few years later to Jefferson county, in the same state. In the spring
of 1846 he returned to Iowa, took possession of a farm in Monroe
county and operated it until elected clerk of the court, in which office
he served three terms. In 1853 he went to California, spent two years
there and in July, 1857, reap]iearcd at his home in Albia after a tedious
trip across the plains. In i8'io he took another trip west, this time on
a prospecting expedition, which lasted about eighteen months, and
since then Mr. Webb has resided at Albia. In 1840 he was married
to Sarah J., daughter of David and Susan (Donney) Caldwell, natives
of Kentucky, who died in Iowa. One of the children by this marriage
was Mrs. Rachel Cramer, who was born in Rush county, Indiana, De-
cember 4, 1840, and died in Albia, Iowa, December 22, 1882, leaving
three children. W. P. Cramer, the }'oungest of these, was born in
Jefiferson count}-, Iowa, April 13, 1863, and died in Albia in 1895. The
first child was Anna, now the wife of Sheriff John Doner, of whom a
sketch is printed in another part of this volume. The second of the
children was Emma, who married Thomas Mitchell and has one child.
March 22, 1888, Mrs. Cramer contracted a second marriage, with Melissa
darlinghouse, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has two' children :
(ieorge C, born Jul\' 12, i88q, and Elsie A., born December 22, 1891.
The familv enjov cordial welcome in the best circles of Iowa society.
He is also prominent in connection with the fraternal orders, having
been a Mason for twenty years and a member of the Knights of Pythias
almost from the incorporation of the organization, which he joined
when there were only twenty-one in the state.
288 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ANDREW JACKSON CASADY.
This name recalls that period of American history when "Old
Hickory" was the central figure on the political stage and boys were
called after him by admirers of the great Democratic leader. In fact,
Mr. Casady was born when the hero of New Orleans was at the height
of his fame, and he was about entering the race which ended in his
first triumphant election to the presidenc}'. It needs no prophet to tell
us that Mr. Casady's father was one of the mighty throng then shouting
lustily for "Old Andy," as the naming of his son for the future presi-
dent clearly indicates where he stood. As will be seen later, the son
kept up the traditions of his family when he himself came on the politi-
cal stage, and as a Democratic leader or candidate fought many a
valiant battle for the principles of his party. He is a son of Thomas
H. and Sophia (Scott) Casady, native New Yorkers, who were born
and bred and died in the great Empire state of the east. The father
was born at Alljany, March 28, 1800, and died in 1857, while his wife,
who was two years older than himself. sur\-ived until 1877, her birth
having occurred March 28. 1798, just two years to a day before her
husband's birtli. They had nine children, but of these only three are
now living.
Andrew Jackson Casady was born in Jefferson county. New York.
July 26, 1827, but by reason of his parents' removal was reared from
the fourth year of his age to manhood in the countv of Herkimer.
After growing up he taught school for a number of terms both in town
and country, and at his twenty-sixth year decided to try his fortunes
in what was then called the "far west." A trip from New York to
Iowa in those days was quite an event in one's life, inasmuch as the
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 289
distance was long and tlie facilities for transportation by no means the
best. This tedious and even dangerous journey was, however, made
by Mr. Casady without accident, and in December, 1853, he arrived at
Iowa City. The state being quite young and sparsely populated, the
opportunities for emplovment or business were not so numerous as they
became at a later period, so as a temporary means of gaining a liveli-
hood Mr. Casady concluded to become a pedagogue. That teaching
school in Iowa at that period was not without its picturesque features
is evidenced liy the fact that during school hours it was no uncommon
spectacle to see Indians peeping in at the windows to see what the
"pale faces" were doing. At this time, however, there was little fear
of trouble from the Indians, and Mr. Casady taught many years in Iowa
without feeling that his scalp was at all in danger. Meantime he had
utilized his spare time in acquiring an elementary understanding of
the law, and made such progress as to gain admission to the bar in
i860. In his first case he had for an opponent Rush Clark, afterward
speaker of the house of representatives and one of the most distinguished
men in the state. In 1862 Mr. Casady joined a party which had been
organized in Iowa City to prospect in the recently discovered gold fields
in the Salmon river region of British Columbia. The passage across
the plains to this wild and mountainous section was accompanied by
dangers as well as privations, and Mr. Casady received a gunshot
wound during one of the brushes with the Indians while traversing the
countr)- then claimed hv tliose roving nomads. He is now the only sur-
vivor of the dashing party of young men who started out so bravely
in search of adventure and fortune in the wilds of Snake river over
forty years ago.
In 1865, after his return from the west, Mr. Casady went to St.
290 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Charles. Missouri, to accept the agency of the express company at that
point and spent several of the subsecjuent years at different places in the
same state. Later he returned to Albia and has since made his home at
that enterprising county seat. .\t an early period he got in touch with
frontier {xjlitics and soon became popular both as a worker and an office
holder. His official service was as deputy sheriff in Johnson county,
which he held under two different principals. Later he was elected in
Monroe county, Iowa, to the offices of county superintendent, auditor,
surveyor, assessor and attorney. As previously stated, he was born and
bred a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren in
1848, and his zealous work has often been a benefit to iiis party asso-
ciates at Iowa City. September 13. 1865, Mr. Casady was married
to Miss Sue P. Morrison of Illinois, luit of the three children of this
union two died in infancy. Marion, who reached maturity, is the wife
of Thomas II. Woolsey. a telegraph operator at Great Bend, Kansas,
and has one child, Hugh H. Mr. Casaday and his family are well
known and popular in Monroe county and enjoy a welcome in the best
circles of society at Albia.
ALBERT HILTON.
The name borne by this gentleman has been a familiar one in Ap-
panoose and Monroe counties ever since their organization as bodies
politic, and the Hilton family has been an influential one in this section
from the time that Iowa was admitted into the Union as a state. In
fact, the history of the founder is largely a history of Monroe county,
as he came here when the Indians were still in possession, and only
three years after Iowa was given existence as a territory. No apology
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 291
tlierefore is necessary for dwelling at some length upon the biographical
details of this early pioneer, as they will prove interesting to all who
enjoy stories of the "olden time."
James Hilton, who was destined to become such a prominent citi-
zen of the future Iowa, was born in Orange county. New York, July
9, 1816. Nine years later he was taken by his parents to New York
city, there grew to manhood and in October. 1841. left his native state
to identify himself permanentl\- with the rapidly dfeveloping region be-
yond the Mississippi. Travel then was mostly by the rivers, and after
a tedious journey across intervening states the young voyager found
himself on one of the small steamers used at that time for navigating
the great "Father of \\'aters." On this boat he ascended the Missis-
sippi to a little town called Keokuk and situated in what was then known
as the Black Hawk Purchase. The landing at this point was made on
the 20th of November. 1841, or only three years after Iowa territory
had been organized, and when white men were not allowed to occupy
the land west of the Purchase. What is now Monroe county was at that
time the hunting grounds of roving tribes of red men. Owing to the
unsettled condition of affairs young Hilton went to Missouri and re-
mained there until September. 1842. when he returned to be present at
the Iowa Indian agency when the treaty was negotiated between the
national government and the Sac and Fox Indian tribes. The negotia-
tions resulted in the purchase and throwing open for settlement of all
the territory extending from the west line of Jefferson to the Missouri
river, comprising more than two-thirds of the present state of Iowa.
The young easterner was much impressed with what he saw on this oc-
casion, and often in after life detailed the circumstances to parties of
friends. The aboriginal owners of the land, yielding to inexorable fate
292 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
and overwhelming odds, were assembled to bargain away under duress
their hereditary homes and yield the land tiie_\- loved to the hated pale
face. The chieftains present at these negotiations bore names that have
been perpetuated throughout Iowa to designate different political divi-
sions of the state, but this is all that remains of that romantic race
which roamed at will over all the boundless prairies of the west. Among
the mighty chiefs taking part in this sad and solemn ceremony were
Keokuk, Mahaska. Powshiek, Wapello. Pashpaho. Hardfish and Appa-
noose.
After the conclusion of this historic treaty, young Hilton returned
to Missouri and remained there until May, 1843, '" which time the
Indians were to vacate so much of the territory as extended westward
to a line agreeing with llie west line of what is now Monroe county.
He then came back, and the picture presented on his return so im-
jjressed his imagination that it remained a vivid recollection to his
dying day. The country was still in all its virgin newness and wild
grandeur. Herds and flocks of wild game, the great open country
&
without haliitation. houses, fences or any other indication of civiliza-
tion — such was tlie panorama unfolded before James Hilton in the
spring of 1843. But this young man was there for practical rather
than sentimental purposes, and the urgencies of the situation left him
little time for moralizing; the main thing was to secure a home, and
he at once made claim to a tract of excellent land, containing at that
time two hundred and eighty acres, on which he soon had erected the
small log cabin so characteristic of as well as so indispensable to the
early pioneer. On this place, wliicli. however, underwent many changes
in the way of liuildings and other improvements, James Hilton resided
during the long period that intervened between his first coming and his
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 293
final call to rest nearly sixt)- years later. These years were marked by
great activity both in pnblic and private life, and during the time he
held many offices of trust, which were administered with ability and
unswerving integrity. He was the first clerk of the district court of
Monroe county, having been appointed by Judge Charles Mason, in
March, 1846. In April, 1857, he was elected judge of Monroe county,
which necessitated his rcmo\al to Albia, where he resided for several
years in a hewed log house in W'est Benton street. While occupying
the position of judge he built the court house at a cost of about ten
thousand dollars, and was warml}- commended by the people for the
economic judgment ilisplayed in its construction. In October, 187 1,
he w-as elected to represent Monroe county in the fourteenth general
assembl}- and accjuitted himself as a legislator with the same discretion
he always exhibited on the bench. He was an authority on all things
relating to the earl)' settlers and the history of Monroe county, and it
was a rare treat to hear him relate stories and describe incidents of the
remarkable times which ha\e long since passed away never more to be
seen of men. In the spring of i860 Judge Hilton gave up his residence
at Albia and returned to his lieloved home in the country, where death
overtook him on the gth dav of January, 1902, more than sixty years
after he first set foot on the soil of Monroe county.
In September, 1845, Judge Hilton was married to Mary E. Rankin
of Davis county, witli whfim he lived in utmost harmony and affection
until she was called from the scenes of earth in 1875. This union
proved as fruitful as it was happv and of the twelve children all of the
seven sons and three of the five daughters are still living. It is with
Albert Hilton, one of the elder sons, that this biograi)Iiy is more imme-
diately concerned, and some particulars concerning him will now be
294 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
given. He was born in the old historic homestead in Monroe county,
Iowa, April 8, 1853, and was trained to farm life under the excellent
instruction of his honored father. He received a good education as he
grew up. and upon reaching manhood was well qualified for the duties
which it was his destiny to discharge during his lifetime. His ambition
had always been to succeed in the higher branches of agriculture, and
his wishes in this respect have been am])ly fulfilled. After securing a-
home of his own and one hundred and sixty acres of land as a basis
of operations, Mr. Hilton soon develo])cd his qualities as a farmer and
breeder. Turning his attention t(} blooded stock, he soon liad one of
those fine thoroughbred herds for which Iowa has so long been famous,
and to-day he ranks as one of the most successful l^reeders of Monroe
county. He has never aspired to office, but devoted all hi,s time to the
prosecution of his agricultural interests, and is a i)ronounced Democrat,
but in local affairs votes for the best man.
May 15, 1884, Mr. Hilton married Miss Mary A. Arnold, a mem-
ber of another of the old and highly respected families of Monroe
county. Her father, Willis Arnold, was born in Franklin county, Ken-
tucky, October 13. 1809, being the ninth child of a family of twelve
sons and one daughter, all of whom grew up, married and had families;
the last survivor is Mrs. Eliza J. Deal, a widow, who lived for some
time with a daughter at Magnolia, Iowa. In 1816 Willis Arnold went
with his iiarents to Washington county, Indiana, and later removed to
near the town of Greencastle, where in 1835 he was married to Martha
Rice Reed. There were nine children by this union, the three sur-
vivors l)eing Elizabeth A. Noble. Eliza J. Sylvester, both residing at
Albia, and Marcus T, Arnold, a prominent business man of Bur-
lington, Kansas. In tlie fall of 1850 Willis Arnold came with his fam-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 295
ily to Albia and in tlie fall of 1853 was elected to the office of sheriff
of Monroe county. He joined the Christian church at Greencastle,
Indiana, in 1835, and at his house in Albia the first Christian organiza-
tion was made, llis first wife died a few months after this event, and
in 1853 Mr. Arnokl married Zerelda Robinson, of Indiana, by whom
he had four chiklren, and the three now living are Mrs. Mary (Arnold)
Hilton, Martha L. Waugh of Lucas county, and Albert G. Arnold of
Fairfield, Nebraska. The father died February 24, 1899, at his home
in Albia. when well advanced in the ninetieth year of his age. Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Hilton have one son, Carl A., who was born January 6,
1888. has developed already into a zealous student and gives promise
of a career in life that will reflect credit upon his honored ancestry.
The family are members of the Christian church and highly respected
in the best social circles of the county, as well on their own merits as
because of the respect felt by all the people for the memory of their
pioneer fathers.
ROBERT W. TUTTLE.
Iowa farmers, as a class, are regarded as the most intelligent and
progressive, as they certainly are among the most prosperous, in the
world. Nowhere is agriculture carried on more scientifically ; nowhere
are methods more thorough and mudern. and nowhere is the latest im-
proved machinery in more universal use. The results are such as might
be expected from the foregoing facts, as Iowa takes the lead in its out-
put of that imperial crop of all crops, king corn, and in the number,
quality and fineness of its blooded stock of all kinds. In all these par-
ticulars the young giant (jn the banks of the "Great Father of Waters"
296 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
lias long since left her older sisters in the east far behind in the path
of progress. In fact, the methods, implements and general style of
farming" in the older eastern states are "old fogyish" compared with
those prevailing on the fat and fertile prairies of Iowa, which is now
the chief priestess in the temple dedicated to Ceres. It follows from
the foregoing that when it is said of a man that he is a worthy repre-
sentative of Iowa farmers, he is jnstified in feeling complimented, and
this can with trnth be affirmed of Robert \^^ Tuttle, who resides on his
place near IMoravia. It is interesting to know men of this kind and
still more interesting to go npon their places and study the twentieth
century process by which such splendid results are achieved in the
noblest of all the callings.
The Tuttles on the paternal side are descended from an old New
York family, while through the mutlier they trace back to the Virginia
family of Law. Parmenas Tuttle, who was a native of Oneida county.
New York, came to Iowa about the middle of the last century and first
settled in Monroe county, not far from the present village of Moravia.
He married Elizabeth Law of \'irginia, by whom he had seven chil-
dren, and six of these are now living with families of their own. The
father died at his Iowa home, aged fifty-seven years, but the death of
the mother, who long survived him, did not occur until September,
1902, when she was about seventy years old. Robert W. Tuttle, one
of their sons, was born in Monroe county, Iowa, on his father's farm
near Moravia, October 15, 1859. His early training and education
were not unlike those of the average farm boy, and he remained with
his mother until twenty-one years of age. February 10, 1880, he was
married to Mary A. Temple, a native of Marion county, Iowa, where
she was brought up on a farm and trained to all those duties which
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 297
go to make tlie excellent housewife. Her father, John F. Temple, who
came from North Carolina, farmed for a number of years in Iowa, but
is at present living in Oregon. He married .\nna Bell Long of Penn-
sylvania, who bore him three children and died some years ago near
Mora\-ia. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle lived for some
years in that economical way suitable to a young couple beginning life
on limited means, but they were industrious and thrifty and were soon
able to indulge in some of the luxuries of life. Their residence up to
1899 was a small house about 14x28 feet, where they contented them-
selves until the present commodious residence was built and ready for
occupancv. They are now agreeabh- situated in every way, and Mr.
Tuttle's skill as a farmer, aided by his wife's excellent management,
has brought prosperity to their hospitable home. Though his farming
is chiefly of the mixed or general character customary in that section,
Mr. Tuttle pays considerable attention to breeding roadsters, using
only standard bred trotters as sires, and has turned out some fine speci-
mens of this kind of stock. He leads a quiet, unobtrusive life, attends
strictly to business and performs punctually every duty devolving upon
a good citizen and good neighbor. The household has been brightened
bv the advent of eight children, whose names, arranged in order of
birth, are Warren W., Etta L.. Lora, deceased, Dessie D., Robert W.,
Marcia and Marie, twins, and Grace H. Lora died at the age of two
years, Warren W. is attending college at Grinnell, and the others re-
main at home. The entire family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, and the political affiliations of Mr. Tuttle are with the
Republican party.
2t)S BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
DAVID THORNTON STARK.
A visitor to Moravia, Iowa, wlio calls at a certain farmhouse on a
tract of land adjoining the village on the south will get acquainted
with samples of the very best afforded by American rural life, and see
a specimen of the agricultural development of the United States which
is the wonder of the world. The recent owner of this farm was a man
who came to Iowa in the year that saw its admission into the Union as
a state, and whose career therefore covered the whole of that period
which has seen this great commonwealtli develop from raw prairie land
to leadership in farm products among all the states of the Union. He
and his good wife grew up with this western state, and at every step of
its progress were found doing their full share toward accomplishing its
manifest destiny. Each commenced life poor, and knew what it was
to work and work hard. Each was one of a large familv and com-
pelled l)y circumstances to do drudgery of the most grinding kind when,
under happier auspices, the)' would have been at school or play. Know-
ing misfortune and hardships, equally inured to privation and care, they
joined hands together when those hands were practically their only
reliance, and side by side they struggled and hoped and prayed until
fortune at length smiled upon them, with the result that they were able
to spend the evening of their lives in one of the happiest homes that is to
be found in all the region around.
When David and Edith Stark came from their southern home to
Indiana there was little in the prospect that was pleasing. It was early
in the nineteenth century, when the Hoosier state was still enveloped in
its massive forests of walnut, oak and beech, when comparatively little
land had been cleared, and when the task before the agricultural pioneer
was little less than appalling. But the Starks set resolutelv to work
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 299
like so many others of their courageous compatriots, anci someliow or
other, by hook or by crook, managed to grub out a living from the
reluctant surroundings. In the course of time the first comers were
gathered to their fathers, but a son was left to represent them and per-
petuate the famil}- name. When Caleb Stark grew up he married Rhoda
Burney, and li\-ed some years thereafter in his native state, but after re-
peated discussions around the family fireside it was decided that they
could do better by moving farther west. So, in 1846, the very year in
which Iowa was made a state of the Union, this little caravan might
have been seen wending their way toward the setting sim to cast their
destiny with the new commonwealth just emerging into existence on
the banks of the Mississippi. One of this party was David Thornton
Stark, who had been born in Scott count)-, Indiana, in September,
1837, and was consequently at that time only nine years old. With a
boy's freshness and watchfulness, however, he well remembered that
trip and often loved to tell about its incidents in after years. In due
time the emigrants reached Iowa, and shortly thereafter settled on a
farm in Appanoose county, in the vicinity of what is now Walnut City.
But within one year after their arrival a great and what, under the
circumstances, seemed an irreparable calamity fell upon the little family
from the Hoosier state. The father fell sick, and after lingering a short
while was carried away in the very prime of life, before he had reached
his fortieth year. This blow seemed to be irremediable, but the widow
and the little ones braced themselves for the inevitable, and by dint of
a desperate struggle managed at last to pull through. Foremost among
the little workers who strained e\-ery nerve to help his mother was
David Thornton, and many a time in later life he told of the hardships
of those trying times. He worked hard and he worked late, he worked
18
300 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
at home and lie worked for others. He found out wliat it was to he a
liired boy for exacting neighbors, who hustled him out of bed to eat
breakfast by candle light, then to the barn to feed the stock, later to
the field for a hard day's work, back to the house to do chores and to
bed thoroughly exhausted by the day's labor. This routine, begun at
ten or twelve years of age, went on for some years, his compensation
being a mere pittance, but that pittance went to help mother, and David
was satisfied.
So things ran along until he began to think of marrying, his choice
falling upon a neighboring girl of great worth, w'ho also knew what
it was to work for a living. Sarah Burrows was the daughter of Will-
iam and Margaret Burrows, the former of Xorth Carolina, and the
latter of Tennessee, who had married early in life and settled in Lee
county, Iowa. There were eleven children in this family, nine of whom
are yet living, and as they were poor Sarah had to assist from early
girlhood in keeping -the wolf from the door. She and David Thornton
Stark, therefore, were kindred spirits and knew how to sympathize with
each other when, after their marriage, March lo, 1858, they "set up
housekeeping" on a rented farm. Their only capital was willing hands,
good health and ambition to succeed, backed by mutual love and confi-
dence in each other. The struggle was a hard one during the years
they lived on rented places, but by the closest kind of economy they
managed to save some money for a rainy day. With this Mr. Stark
found a chance to buy at a bargain eighty acres of land that was sold
at sheriff's sale, paying half in cash and the rest at the end of a year.
This tract, which lay near Walnut City, on the west, pro\ed the starter
or nest egg, and from that time on affairs went more smoothly with our
worthy friends. Pros]>erity snu'led upon tlicni, and a few years later
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 301
]\Ir. Stark traded his little place for a larger farm lying between Mo-
ravia and Iconium. This he afterward disposed of to advantage and
purchased the Putnam farm in the same vicinity, which in turn was
traded to his son-in-law for three small tracts near Moravia. Those he
rented to different parties and retired to Moravia, where he engaged in
the stock business and took things more easily for some years. Being
at last in easy circumstances, he bought the fine farm adjoining Moravia
on the south, and in 1898 built the handsome house in which he and his
faithful wife made their home and enjoyed comparative leisure aftei
their arduous lives of labor and self-sacrifice. The venerable father of
Mrs. Stark was affectionately cared for by his daughter and son-in-law
until his eyes were closed in death, at the age of eighty-three years.
Her mother went to live with a daughter in Missouri, where she was
tenderly looked after until her earthl_\- pilgrimage was eijded, in the
sixty-seventh year of her age.
Mrs. Stark has been an active member of the Christian church for
more than twenty years, and she and her husband were regarded as
pillars and mainstays in the Sunday-school and other religious work.
None contributed more liberally than he toward the building of churches
and spreading the gospel throughout Appanoose county, and his ex-
emplary Christian life is an inspiration for the rising generation. In
politics, while never an office seeker, Mr. Stark was always loyal to
the principles of the Democratic party and cast his first presidential
vote for Stephen A. Douglas, when the "Little Giant" was making his
race against Lincoln in the memorable campaign of i860. A few addi-
tional words as to the children of Mr. and Mrs. Stark will fitly close this
narrative. Rhoda J., their eldest daughter, married happily Harlan
Scott, but died at the early age of thirt)-five years, after becoming the
302 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
mother of six children; Mary A., the second dangliter. married Noble
Main and also has six children; William, the eldest son, has a family
consisting of a wife and one child ; James has had three children, but lost
one by death. This record of IMr. Stark's prominence in his community
and his worthy and useful life of sixty-five years will indicate how deep
was the loss to his wife, family and friends, when on the 26th of Jan-
uary, 1903, he was called to his final rest, after a life whose influence
will be felt in the future generation.
JOHN G. WILSON.
The above named is a good example of the self-made man, which
the free institutions of our great republic make possible of development
from all the walks of life simply by allowing full play to the natural
ability and resourcefulness typical to American youth. It has become
a truism that the humblest child, with poorest surroundings, may in
this country aspire to the highest honors, and if he does not reach them
the failure is not due to artificial restraints or the obstacles of special
pri\ilege. In this country, at least, however it may be elsewhere, pov-
erty of itself is no disgrace. The disgrace consists in doing nothing to
avoid it. So, with every possible inducement to do well and every en-
couragement to honorable ambition, it is a spectacle as common as it is
pleasing to see young men all o\er the Union rising in a few years from
penury to plenty and from lowly callings to become rulers of the state.
In this honorable list the writer takes pleasure in placing John G. Wil-
son of Albia, who, though scarcely yet in the prime of life, finds himself
elected treasurer of the prosperous county of Monroe. He has achieved
that honor without fictitious aid of any kind, without powerful social
JOHN G. WILSOH.
■'•^■Ki
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 305
backing or wealth, wliicli some people believe to be indispensable to
success ill any great undertaking. These are valuable, undoubtedly,
but not indispensable, as is pro\'ed in the case of Mr. Wilson and thous-
ands like him, and it is always a pleasure to have such examples to bring
forward for the encouragement of others who are fighting life's trying
battles.
It is possible that l)ut for the slavery agitation in }-ears gone by
Mr. Wilson would not be li\-ing in Iowa, but in the state down on the
Atlantic coast where Sir Walter Raleigh landed the first band of white
men that settled on those shores. Jesse M. and Miriam P. (Gardner)
Wilson, the former of Irish and the latter of French descent, were living
in North Carolina during the exciting period immediately preceding
the great Civil war. Mr. Wilson, if not an outright abolitionist, had
a dislike to the whole slavery system and no love for the insolent element
which in the interests of that infamous institution were ruling things
with a high hand in the southern states. During the last years of the
fifties residence in any of these states was made very unpleasant for
those supposed to hold opinions antagonistic to the ruling classes, and
this condition of affairs was the cause of driving away man}' of tlu
state's best citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, in 1859, determined to leave
the lanrl cjf their nati\-ity and seek a home in the boundless west, where
there were no artificial restrictions on worth or hateful caste dis-
tinctions to rejjress honest ambitions. By one living in the age of
trolley cars going at the rate of si.xty miles an hour and lightning ex-
press trains crossing the entire continent in less than five days,
something like amazement is felt at the statement that the
Wilsons started on their long journey from the Carolina
mountains to the upper course of the Mississijipi with an ox
306 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
team, and that fifty-five days were consumed on the trip. But "the
race is not always to the swift," and even a team of oxen will get there
if you give them time enough. So in due course Jesse Wilson and his
wife were found settled on a farm in Monroe county, which at that time
was filled with virgin land yet untouched by the plow. The newly ar-
rived North Carolinians did their share in the way of work, and it is
needless to add that the rich Iowa soil did the rest. So it was not long
until the emigrants were in comfortable circumstances, possessed of all
the substantials and some of the luxuries of life. Mr. Wilson was a
carpenter and supplemented his farm labors by working at his trade, a
handicraft always in demand in new settlements, and between the two
employments he had been able to lay by something when the messenger
of death reached him in January'. 1900. He espoused the cause of the
Republican party during his residence in Iowa, and held several town-
ship offices, including that of justice of the peace, which he occupied
about ten vears. He and his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and taught their children the tenets of Christianity
as unfolded in the creed of that denomination. Mr. Wilson was about
seventy years old when he closed his mortal career; his wife is still
living on the old farm in Monroe township, in the seventy-fifth year of
her age. Their children, seven in number, were: Abel P., Mary J.,
deceased; Nathaniel G., Martha A., John G., Ephraim P., Rachel S.,
and all the living sons reside in Monroe county.
John G. Wilson, fifth in the list above enumerated, was born on
the farm in Monroe county, Iowa, August 16, 1863, and after reaching
suitable age assisted his father in the carpenter shop. After the com-
pletion of his nineteenth year he entered the employment of a railroad
company and continued in this occupation eleven years, during a portion
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 307
of whicli time he was foreman of a section gang. In 1894 he aban-
doned railroading to engage in general merchandising at Foster, and
was thus employed when elected treasurer of Monroe county in the fall
of 1901. In December of that year he removed to Albia to enter upon
the discharge of liis official duties, which ha\-e ever since demanded all
his attention to the exclusion of other business.
In 1888 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage \vith Miss Minnie
Winecup, of Monroe county, and they have had six children, of whom
five are living. His religion and politics are in accord with those of his
late father, which make him an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal
faith, on the one hand, and an advocate of Republican principles on the
other.
CHARLES STAUBER.
The late Joseph Stauber. besides being a very worthy and good man
in the ordinary relations of life, was an interesting person to know on
account of his patriarchal age. His career lacked only four years
of covering the whole nineteenth century, and thus embraced the most
interesting period of the world's history. He was born about the time
that JefYerson was finishing his first administration, and it is well to
recall a few events to show how long ago this was. The war of 1812
did not commence until eight }-ears after Mr. Stauber's birth, and the
battle of Waterloo was still eleven years in the future. Queen Vic-
toria, whose reign is regarderl as phenomenal for its length, was not
even born at that time, and yet she ])assed to her account several years
ago. Abraham Lincoln, who was five years younger than Joseph
Stauber, li\ed liis wonderful career and i)assed away thirty-five years
308 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
before Mr. Stauber's death. Scores of people of national fame, who re-
mained before the people so long as to seem old men, had their rise,
progress and decline far within the period at both ends as measured by
the birth and death of Joseph Stauber. He was an eye witness to all
the wars of the Union after the Revolution. He was alive at the admis-
sion of ever}- state into the Union after Ohio in 1802. Since he came
upon the scene the United States has grown from a straggling string of
states along the Atlantic seaboard, with a few million inhabitants, to a
mighty republic, embracing all the territory between the two great cardi-
nal oceans of the globe. Mighty, tremendous, almost inconceivable have
been the changes and revolutions since Joseph Staubers' birth in 180^
and his death in 1900.
The family of this name, though long settled in North Carolina,
came originally from the north during the latter half of the eighteenth
century. Christian Stauber was still a boy when his parents left their
home in Pennsylvania to find a new location in the Old North state, and
he continued to live there until his death at the age of seventy-five years.
He married Maria Baumgartner, and from this union sprang the Joseph
Stauber who became the progenitor of the western branch of this numer-
ous family connection. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Christian
and Anna (Stair) Fogel, and lived for some years thereafter in North
Carolina, but eventually decided to try his fortunes in the we.st. It was
in the fall of 1849 that he jiackcd his household goods and with his wife
and little ones set out on the long and tedious journey to the distant
state of Iowa. The point of destination was Fairfield, where they spent
the winter of 1849-50, and in the spring of the last mentioned year
remo\ed to the county of Appanoose. At that time Iowa was a com-
paratively wild .state, and the farms which now "blossom as the rose"
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 309
were almost entirel}- uniiiipr(i\ed. The newcomers, who were rushing
in by the thousands, were able to secure these rich lands at what would
now be regarded as ridiculously low prices, and in this way poor emi-
grants could by very small investments in cash lay the foundations for
magnificent landed estates. Joseph Stauber Ixnight warrants for two
hundred and fort\- acres of prairie land, on which stood a little shanty,
and set to work with a will to improve his place. The absence of heavy
timber made this a much easier task than confronted most of the pioneers
in states farther east, and in course of time Mr. Stauber effected such
magical citanges that the once raw land is now one of the most highly
improved and \alua])le farms in the county. His wife, who was two
years his junior, having been born in 1806, passed away in 1878, but his
own death did not occur until March 12, 1900.
Six of their eight children are li\-ing, and of this number is
Charles Stauber, who was born in North Carolina in 1847, '^'''^1 conse-
cjuently was about two years old when bis parents came to Iowa. As
he grew up he assisted his father in making the old homestead what it
is now, and learned the art of agriculture after the Iowa methods, which
are perhaps the best in the world. At first, of course, it was necessary
for the family to live in a rather rude way, after the manner of pioneers,
and for many years they were sheltered in a cabin about sixteen by
thirty-two feet in size. This in time was replaced by a commodious
residence, completed in 1874, and all the other necessary buildings and
adjuncts of an up-to-date farm were added as they were needed. .Ml
the children married and went to themselves with the exception of
Charles and Ellen, who. since the death of their father, have continued
to occupy the hf)me place. Though Mr. Stauber has preferred to re-
main a bachelor, his home has not been without the cheerfulness that is
310 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
imparted by the presence of children. His score of nephews and nieces
think the world and all of "Uncle Charles," and their frequent visits to
the old homestead are the source of nuich merriment and social pleas-
ure. The farm is situated about one mile east of the \-illage of Mor-
avia, in one of the most desirable sections of the county, and is culti-
vated by Mr. Stauber with the skill and good judgment which come
only from long experience. His standing in the county, both as a busi-
ness mati and model citizen, leaves nothing to be desired, and none enjoys
greater personal popularity among those wlio know him intimately.
Though his parents were of the religious sect known as Morjn^ians, Mr.
Stauber is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, but his
sister still stands by the old church.
DAVID H. SCOTT.
For over half a century David H. Scott has been one of the promi-
nent citizens of Monroe county. Iowa, where he has made an enviable
record not only as a progressive farmer. Init also as a public-spirited
man who has been raised to high places of trust in his county, and
now in the declining days of his long career he enjoys that satisfaction
which always belongs to the man of upright character.
On Februarv 25. 1797, .Mexander Scott was born in Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania ; he later removed to Fleming county, Kentucky,
where he was married to Martha Wills, who was a native of Fleming
countv, Kentucky, born in iRor). Shortly after their marriage, in 1827,
they came to P'utuam county, Indiana. Tliere Mr. Scott, who was a
farmer and wheelwright by occupation, located on a strip of timber land
and spent considerable time in clearing and improving it. Both of these
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 311
worthy people died in Indiana, the husband passing away in 1S79, on the
same day and month on wliich his birtli occurred, and his wife in 1847.
David H. Scott, wlio was a child of the above parents, was born in
Fleming county, Kentucky, June 27, 1825, and he attended school and
worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then
married and he and his wife tirst went to housekeeping in Clinton county,
Indiana, where they lived on a rented farm for one year ; they next
moved to Putnam county and farmed for four years. On October i,
1850, they arrived in Iowa; in the prexious year Mr. Scott had come to
Monroe county and entered a piece of land six miles north of the present
town of Albia, and on this he built a log cabin and a wheelwright's shop
and settled down to real life. In the fall of 1854 he sold out and pur-
chased a farm that now joins Albia on the north ; much time and money
were spent in the improvement of this property, and in 186 1 he dis-
posed of this land and bought a place four miles east of Albia, to which
he removed in the spring of 1862. In August of this year his patriotic
spirit aroused him to enlist in Company .\. Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry;
he entered the service as first sergeant and was later commissioned sec-
ond lieutenant, but after two years' service, while in the discharge of his
duty as an officer of the government, he suffered a broken
leg and resigned his position and returned home. While
away in the army he had left his farm to the care of his wife
and children, who riglit nobly performed the vigorous duties pertaining
to its management. On his return he took up the work of improvement
RiT-l resided there until 1896: in this year he sold out and removed to
Albia, where he and his wife now make their home, relieved from the
cares and responsibilities of earlier life and enjoying the ease which
comes as the result of diligent effort.
312 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Scott has an excellent record as a pulilic-spirited man and as
a leading- member of the Republican party of his county. In 1854,
when the movements were on foot to establish what is now the Repub-
lican party, he helped to organize the party in Alonroe county and has
ever since been one of the active spirits in pcjlitics. For twenty years he
served as assessor of his township and as a final reward for his services
and in recognition of his ability, in 1895 he was elected to the Iowa
house of representatives from his county ; he ser\ed in the session of the
following year and also in the extra session which followed, called for
the purpose of revising the state laws. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are de-
voted members of the First Presbyterian clnuch ; Mr. Scott has been
an elder for forty-three years and he was twice sent to tlie Presbyterian
general assembly, one at Saratoga, New York. 'in 1883. and one at Port-
land, Oregon, in 1892. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand
Army of the Republic.
On the 16th of October, 1845, Mr. Scott was marrieil to Miss Mary
Wilis, who was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, May 28, 1827. Her
]iarents, David and Sarah (Ramsey) Wills, were natives of Kentucky,
the father ])eing born in March. 1799, died in 1868, and the mother born
January i, 1807, died March 29, 1889; they were married in Kentucky
and he followed farming as a life occupation; in October, 1837. they
moved from Kentucky and went to Putnam county, Indiana, and re-
mained there until 1850, when they came to Monroe county, Iowa, where
they made their home until their death ; for a number of years they were
on a farm one mile south of .\lbia. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became the
parents of nine children, five of whom are living: Mrs. Clara Ellen
Clodfelter, of Independence, Oregon ; Sarah Martha died at the age of
six years; Margaret Ann died two years after her marriage to Mr.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 313
Charles Fox; Mrs. Mary E. Smith h\cs four miles south of Alhia ; Mrs..
Melissa Jaue Cooj^er lives in this county ; Charles Sumner died at the
age of four years: Mrs. Laura Belle Campbell is a resident of St. Louis;
Mrs. Ann- Mildred Dixon resides in X'incennes, Indiana; and Emma
died in infancy.
\\'ILLL\M K. HARDENBROOK.
To the superficial observer it often seems that worldly success is
the result of some inherited talent which has given an individual the
start of mankind or is the result of some adventitious circumstances
usuallv designated as luck, but when studied from the standpoint of
universal history the open sesame which unlocks the door of success is
found to be nothing more nor less than industry and perseverance, quali-
ties before which the nKJSt obstinate obstacles gradually yield and open
the road to golden gain. And this rule is exemplified in the case of the
subject of this sketch, who, starting with only the knowledge of a trade,
has worked himself to a place of prominence in his city.
His father, Isaac Hardenbrook, was born in Ohio, February 22,
1823, and died March 12, 1888; he married Mary A. Kelly, who was
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Sq^tember 15, 1823, and later came to
Morrow county, Ohio, with her parents, where her marriage occurred
in 1843. Isaac Hardenbrook was actively engaged in farming during
the earlier part of his life and later operated a flouring mill; he dis-
posed of his farm near .Mbia, Iowa, in 1874. and moved to La Villa,
where he ran a flcjuring mill until J 886. when he retired from active
pursuits. After his death his wife made her home in Kansas for three
years and then resided in Alhia with her daughter until her death, Jan-
3U BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
uary 13, 1903. Of the nine children born to these parents four are now
living.
One of the sons of the above parents was William, who was born
in Mount Gilead. Morrow county, Ohio, November 9, 1844. His boy-
hood was spent on the farm of his birth until he was twelve years old,
and on May 8, 1856, he came with his parents to Monroe county, Iowa,
and lived on his father's farm five miles north of Albia. His educa-
tion was received in the town school of Mount Gilead and in the country
schools of Monroe county. William remained with his parents until
Julv, 1862, when the Civil war summoned him into the ranks, and he
enlisted in Company D, Twenty-second Iowa Infantry, under Captain
R. M. Wilson; he spent nine months in the service and then received
an honorable discharge on account of physical disability. After his re-
turn he went to Osceola, Iowa, where three years were spent in learning
the harness trade; having thoroughly mastered the business he worked
for three years at this trade in Henry county, Illinois; he then spent
about a year in Albia and in 1871 went to Minneapolis. On November
I, 1874, Mr. Hardenbrook opened a harness shop on the southeast cor-
ner of the square in Albia and since that time has rapidly extended his
business and increased his influence in the various affairs of the city
until he is now recognized as one of the leaders. He located in his pres-
ent convenient and commodious store in 1887.
Mr. Hardenbrook has been very influential in the councils of Re-
publican party; he has been a member of the city council and has been
chief of the fire department; in 1897 he was nominated and elected to
the office of mayor and such has been the satisfaction with his adminis-
tration that he is now serving his third term. He is a member of var-
ious organizations, the Grand .\rmy of the Republic, the Independent
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 315
Order of Odd Fellows, the \\'oodnien of tlie World, the Ancient Order
of United Workmen and the Elks. In 1876 Mr. Hardenbrook was mar-
ried to Jnlia B. Mount, who was born in \\'est Virginia, June 21, 1854;
her parents, John and ^Iar_\- Mount, became residents of Fairfield, Iowa,
and spent their declining clays in Albia; John Mount was a cabinet maker
bv trade and at one time owned a store in Albia. One child, Carrie M.,
was born to Mr. and Mrs. Hardenbrook, and she resides at luime with
her parents.
JOHN G. BRIDAL.
At one of the hospitable homes in Monlton may be found an elderly
gentleman of English birth, but a thoroughly Americanized citizen, who
is a decidedly interesting person to talk to. He can tell you of a period
in American history which yields to none in "stirring incidents of flood
and field," tragic e\'ents growing out of sectional feuds, racial wars and
deeds done when the passions of lawless men are at their worst. For
Mr. Bridal will entertain you with stories of "Bleeding Kansas" in the
days of the "border ruffians," old John Brown of Osawatomie and the
frightful feuds growing out of the bitter antagonism between the advo-
cates of slavery and the friends of freedom. From 1856 until 1865 Mr.
Bridal was right in the midst of all this and participated actively in some
of the most e.xciting scenes of those dark and tempestuous times. One
who listens to him now in his quiet retirement at Moulton and finds him
in a mood to talk of his first ten years' experiences in "free America,"
will be struck at the contrast between the startling nature of his themes
and the subdued voice in which he describes them.
It was to Joseph Bridal, a gentle English shepherd, and his wife,
316 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Elizabeth Galpin, that America is indebted for the son who was des-
tined to take such hvely part in tlie first serious colHsion between the
rorces of freedom and tlie hateful system of human bondage. John G.
Bridal, child of these unassuming parents, was born in Dorsetshire,
England, September ii. 1831, and twenty-three years later found him-
self standing in New York city wondering where to turn for a living.
He finally decided to go "up state" to the great river connecting Erie with
Ontario, and here for a few months he secured employment as a boat-
man on the Niagara. Tiring of this occupation, the young Englishman
moved further west and upon arri\-ing in Illinois secured a year's work
as hired hand in connection with a sawmill and farm. The termination
of this job brought him into the year 1856, when he married Mary
Gaplin. and later made a move which introduced all the excitement he
wanted intn his hitherto rather uneventful life. In the year following
his marriage, Mr. Bridal, with his newly made bride b\- his side, started
on his venturesome trip to Kansas. On the way they were joined by a
Methodist minister named Frate Shepard, who was taking his family to
join a brother then engaged in selling supplies to the Indians in Frank-
lin county. At the time these little parties united their forces the terri-
torv to which they were journeying was the most disturbed and the most
dangerous jilace in the United States. Kansas was filled with outlaws
of every kinil, rude and lawless people from all over the world, intent
only on killing and plundering, and a "holy terror" to all persons peace-
fully inclined. What were called tlie "1x)rder ruffians" were organized
gangs from the southern states, chiefly Missouri, whose object was to
make a slave state out of the new territory, and with this end in view
they sought to drive out all who were unfriendly to their scheme. As
manv fearless men had come to this debatable land from the northern
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 317
states and man}- of them were strong Abolitionists, hating slavery with
all the earnestness of their natures, it was easy to foretell that the ruffians
would not have it all their own waj'. In addition to all this, the terri-
tory abounded in wild Indians, who were not slow to take advantage of
the incipient Civil war, and altogether Kansas at that time was anything
else but a pleasant summer resort.
When Mr. Bridal and his fellow travelers reached their destina-
tion in Kansas, they were not long in realizing the deadly dangers bv
which they were surrounded. Hardly had they alighted from their sad-
dles until it was ascertained that a conspiracy to exterminate them was
on foot among the Indians. Fortunately for the intended victims, how-
ever, a scjuaw who was at the time on unfriendly terms with her tribe
betrayed the plot in time to enable them to escape. This treacherous
action of the redskins delayed for two years a treaty then pending be-
tween them and the United States government and caused nuich incon-
venience. After this trouble subsided Mr. Bridal and Preacher Shep-
ard secured a job of hay-cutting from one of the Indian chiefs, but dur-
ing the six months' time of its continuance had many exciting experi-
ences and narrow escapes from the wiles of the savages.
While living in Franklin county, Mr. Bridal became acquainted
with the then only locally known John Brown, who was destined soon
to obtain world-wide celebrity as organizer and leader of the famous
Harper's Ferry raid. At the time under consideration, Brown was en-
gaged in preaching to his followers in Franklin county, and Mr. Bridal,
who often went to hear him, says he always placed revol\-ers on the
pulpit in front of him before he began to talk, to prevent attacks from
the friends of slavery. The natural gloominess and bitterness of the
old fanatic had been greatly intensified liy the killing of three of his
20
318 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
sons at the hands of the "border rnffians." and his intense hatred of slav-
ery was doubtless accentuated by desire for personal revenge upon the
murderers of his children. Although Mr. Bridal enjoyed the personal
acquaintance of Brown, he knew nothing of the plans for the Harper's
Ferr\' episode until the explosion of that great forerunner of the Civil
war had electrified the nation from ocean to ocean.
In 1858 Mr. Bridal went to Kansas City with a team of oxen to do
hauling, and his first job was to take a load of sugar and coffee to some
Osage Indians who were located at Humboldt, one hundred miles west
of his starting point. It was a dangerous and desperate trip and one
which Mr. Bridal will never forget, beset as the country was by savage
Indians and still more savage white men. He lost his way several times
and once after night drove far out into a pond and had much difficulty
in extricating himself from the murky morass. Near Mound City he
came upon a party of friends located in a fort and shortly after his ar-
rival the men departed to visit their families in different parts of Kan-
sas, leaving two boys on guard. Mr. Bridal moved on west and when
he reached his destination found that the people he came to supply had
been out of ])rovisions for nearly a month and were almost starved. On
his return trip he learned that a bloody tragedy had been enacted at the
fort which he passed on the outward journey. The two boys left as
guards, besides ten other persons, had been murdered by a band of vil-
lains, such as were then often met with in that turbulent territory. .This
same gang of ruflfians had met Mr. Bridal on their way to the fort, but
strange to sa\- had not robbed or molested him in any way. Mr. Bridal
was a resident of Kansas when the vote was taken on the momentous
question of making it a free or slave state and this contest led to intense
excitement among the opposing factions. In order to vote Mr. Bridal
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 319
and others were compelled to cross the river, which was swollen high at
the time, and for the benefit of those who could not swim, William H.
Lawrence, afterward secretary of state of Kansas, swam across carrying
a rope which was stretched over the stream and used as aid for his fol-
lowers. In 1862 Mr. Bridal enlisted in Nugent's Second Missouri Bat-
talion and for six months was with this command in pursuit of General
Price and his raiding forces. He also assisted in defense of Fort Scott,
meeting a force of Confederates which outnumbered the Union troops
seven to one, but they succeeded in defeating them. The nearest Mr.
Bridal came to being wounded was when three bullets passed in rapid
succession through his hair, but they only grazed the scalp and did no
injury. This ended his war experience and also his adventures in
"Bleeding Kansas," which he left shortly after the war for more peace-
able and congenial climes.
In 1865 he located in Davis county, Iowa, having lost his wife in
Kansas in 1864, and two years later came to Appanoose count\-, where
he lived until eleven years ago on a farm north of Moulton and then
moved to town, where he has since resided. By his first marriage he
had three children: Joseph W., of Council Bluffs, Iowa; George L.,
of Oklahoma: Mrs. Ann E. Taylor. By his second marriage, to Martha
J. Dysart he had two children : Arthur, of Appanoose county, and
John, of South Dakota. His present wife was Jane Thrap, a native of
Ohio ; was brought to Davis county, Iowa, when quite small bv her par-
ents, Henry and Susannah (Moots) Tharp. Mr. Bridal is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and one of the esteemed
comrades in the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
320 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
W. PARKER TAYLOR.
Descended from early residents and connected with a family long
identified with the interests of Appanoose county, Mr. W. Parker Tay-
lor owns anil resides upon a farm of three hundred and thirty acres of
what many consider the finest land in the county. His home is the
abode of elegance, comfort and hospitality, and its owner is one of the
most popular as he certainly is one of the most substantial citizens of
the township. The family name for generations has been connected
with farming, but the younger set, being born in the age of marvelous
advances in scientific agriculture, have figured conspicuously in all that
relates to that great industry in the section where their lot has been cast.
They are of eastern origin and of mixed northern and southern blood.
Samuel Tavlor, who was born in Ohio in 1816, and Elizabeth Pella,
whose birth occurred in West Virginia, August 4. 1832, met and' mar-
ried manv vears afterward in the state of Iowa. Their union took place
in Davis county in 1855, but later land was purchased in Appanoose
comity, where the father farmed and raised stock with success until
his deatli in 1891 at the age of seventy-five years. His widow survives
and makes her home with a son, John E. Taylor, who now owns the old
homestead.
W. Parker Taylor, another of the sons, was born in Davis county,
Iowa, October 8, 1859, and remained under the parental roof until sev-
eral years past his majority. In 1883. he made his first venture on his
own account In- beginning work on one of the neighboring farms and
while so engaged, like the young man in Tennyson's ])oem, his fancy
"lightly turned to thoughts of love." In other words, he determined to
take a wife, and this resolve was consummated by his marriage on March
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 321
5. 1884, to Miss Nancy J. Ransom. Ininiediatcly thereafter the young
couple settled down to housekeeping on the old Taylor farm, which had
heen entered from the government by his father, and have since had no
complaint to make as to the share of happiness and prosperity vouchsafed
to them. In fact, the)- have every reason to lie thankful, as in addition
to the luxurious home above mentioned and other property, both real
and personal, their household has been brightened by the advent of
healthy and happy children, such as cannot fail to delight a parent's
heart. Of the seven born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, they have lost only
one b_\- death, tlie survivors being Clarence Lowell, Orpha, Saniuel D.,
Leo, Elsie and Mabel. Father and mother are members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, while Mr. Tayl(jr's fraternal connections are with
the Masonic Order and "Yeomen."
JOHN N. McFALL.
After working hard on his farm for over fifty years with only brief
and occasional intervals of rest, the gentleman above named was com-
pelled in the fall of 1902 to suspend his personal labors on account of
poor health. Nor will any one begrudge him this well earned rest which
comes in the evening of a long and useful life, during which he has
reared and pro\ided for a large family, borne his share of all public bur-
dens and fulfilled every obligation of good citizenship. Mr. McFall's
earliest recollections are of an "old Kentucky" home, in which he played
with a numerous band of little brothers and sisters, most of whom have
long since settled their earthly accounts and joined the silent majority.
The head of this household in the "time long ago" was David McFall,
an industrious, liard-vvorking man who ckcd out a living for himself
322 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
and numerous progeny by incessant labor on a none-too-productive Ken-
tucky farm. He married Mary Ami Harvey who, like himself, was a
native of the state and after "plodding along" many weary years they
concluded to try their fortunes in a more bounteous if not more con-
genial clime, where better results would reward the toiling husband-
man. \\"\i\\ this end in \-iew, the father and mother prepared for the
long journey to the "far west," and there was something both pictur-
esque and pathetic in the picture presented on the eve of departure. As
there were few railroads in those da}-s, the trip must necessarily be made
in wagon and the lack of good roads, the innumerable streams to be
crossed and the long distance, made such a journey a very serious under-
taking. The household "plunder," as it was called, was loaded into
tlie "prairie schooner," the numerous children were stowed away as well
as possible, a final farewell was taken of friends in old Kentuckv and the
adventin'ous emigrants were off for the distant state of Iowa. The
journey included the passage through many states, the crossing of the
Ohio, Mississippi and scores of other streams, with all the incidents and
accidents sure to happen to such a train of movers. This was in 1850,
and after 1)eing many weeks on the road the weary wanderers finally
reached their destination in A])panoose county, where they secured a
humble home and set bravely to work to re-establish their shattered for-
tunes. There were altogether eleven children in the family, but only
three of them now remain. The father died at St. Louis in 1862, while
visiting a son who was in the army at that place, and the mother, after
surviving him about twelve years, passed away in 1874.
John X. McFall, one of the three surviving children, was born
at Russell. Kentucky, December 11, 1836, and well remembers the
wagon trip across the country, as he was fourteen years old at the time.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 323
As he grew up in Appanoose connty he worked at such odd jobs as he
could obtain, niosth- on farms, until e\'entually he was able to have a
home for himself and settle down to the peaceful pursuits of agricul-
ture. As the sharer of his cares and joys he selected jMiss Lavisa King,
to whom he was married in i8()i. and of whom he was bereaved by
death on the 14th of July, 1876. The six children of this union are
James William, a resident of Kansas; David L., Francis M., John L.,
Mrs. Amanda Ellen Da\-idson and Charles W. Mr. McFall is a man
of religious tendencies and has been a member of the Christian church
during all the years of his adult life. He continued to attend actively
to his business affairs and do more or less manual labor on his farm
until the fall of IQ02, when he was compelled by ill health to seek re-
tirement. Since then he ha? been making his home with his second-
born son, David L. McFall. The latter was married to Mary E. Mc-
Grew, of Appanoose county, and the}- have five children : Alta M.,
Blanche L. Ella C. Glenn C. and Zana E.
JAMES C. BARROWS.
The alxne named gentleman needs no introduction to citizens of
Appanoose county, hwi a few biographical details concerning this promi-
nent editor of Centerville may prove of interest to those living without
the sphere of his activities. For twenty-two years Mr. Barrows has
been identified with newspaper work at the county seat, and two-thirds
of this time has been spent as pniprietor of its leading political journal.
Such a position, always one of conspicnousness and responsibility, has
necessarily gi\'en Mr. Barrows a wide acquaintance and brought him in
touch with the forces engaged in developing and governing his city and
32+ BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
section. Though editors naturally make enemies, Mr. Barrows has
probably escaped with as few of these necessary counter-irritants of
successful men as any one in tlie business, a result due largely to an un-
failing tact and a "sweet reasonableness" combined with firmness.
Though Mr. Barrows was really born in Canada, it was so near
the border and under such circumstances that this slight difiference in
geography cannot be cited in discount of his genuine Americanism.
His grandfather was a Verinonter. wlio engaged in business near Pres-
cott, on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence, and retained a residence
in that locality during the remainder of his life. He left a son who
strengthened the ties originally binding him to American soil by marry-
ing a lady of the typically patriotic family of Adams, whose ancestors
came from Boston. James C. Barrows, the future editor with whose
affairs this sketch is concerned, was the son of the last mentioned couple,
and his birth occurred at Prescott. Ontario, February i6, 1845. Eleven
years after his appearance in the world his parents removed to Iowa
and located in Wapello county, but after the war Mr. Barrows located in
Center\'ille, where he has since resided. In 1856, the date of his arrival,
Iowa was a new and comparatively crude state, having been a member
of the Union only ten years and as yet scarcely giving promise of the
wonderful commonwealth which it has since become. It was a good
state to go to, however, and a good state to remain in, as Mr. Barrows
and some hundreds of thousands of others have long since found out.
It was, above all. a patriotic state and rallied rapidly to the support of
the Hag of the free when that sacred emblem was menaced by the re-
bellion of 1 86 1. Though quite young when this portentous event oc-
curred, Mr. Barrows contributed his full share in support of the Union
cause by enlisting in Cinnpany H, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, with which he
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 325
served until tlie close of hostilities. His regiment during the last year
and a halt of the war was part of General Ed McCook's cavalry divi-
sion, which operated in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, and did
effective service b}- those rapid raids which- gave the final strokes to the
dying rebellion.
After the restoration of peace Mr. Barrows located in Centerville
and engaged in business. About 1881 he became connected with news-
paper work, and seven }-ears later took charge as proprietor of the
lowegian, the leading Republican paper of Appanoose county. He was
alone in the ownership for some years, but later his son, George Earl
Barrows, was admitted into partnership and the paper has since been
conducted under the firm name of Barrows & Barrows. It ranks among
the strongest and most successful of tlie many prosperous county-seat
newspapers in Iowa, and at all times and under all circumstances has
been a true and able exponent of Republican jirinciples.
MATISON S. EDWARDS.
The gentleman above named is another member of the family whose
record and achievements are fully noticed in the sketch of his elder
brother. With the latter he constitutes the firm of Edwards Brothers,
which for thirty-two years has been actively engaged in buying, breed-
ing, selling and shipping live stock of all kinds. Though his activities
have been chiefly confined to the stock business, Mr. Edwards has been
a moving spirit in other lines and cjuite prominent in political, religious
and banking circles. He is certainly one of the leading men of the
county and it would be taking little risk to set him down as also one of
the most popular ol the citizens of Appanoose. Mr. Edwards conies
326 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
naturally by his fondness for stock and skill in its handling, as his
father before him was an expert in this line and laid the foundation on
which his enterprising sons have built so successfully. William Ed-
wards, of Tennessee, removed in earlv manhood to Kentucky and mar-
ried one of the attracti\e maidens of that state named Alarilla Elliott.
After this event the young couple "settled down to housekeeping," as
they say in the country, and the father engaged in breeding and raising
the stock for which old Kentucky has long been so famous. He did
fairly well at the business, but concluded that by moving farther west
he could do still better. With this end in view, he closed out his deals,
converted his estate into money, loaded up his personal property and in
the fall of 1850 started on the long journey to Iowa. The family ar-
rived safely in \'an Burcn county, where they spent the first year, and
then moved on to Appanoose, which was destined to be the place of
their permanent abode, 'ilie father purchased a farm five miles south
of Moulton and soon was under wa}' again in his favorite pursuit of rais-
ing and selling live stock. He kept this up for about thirty years,
during which time he did a great deal of business, made and lost consid-
erable money, but on the whole came out on the right side of the ledger
and as old age approached found himself in possession of a comfortable
estate. Eventually he sought rest from active business by retirement
at Moulton, where bis death occurred in 1885, followed by that of his
wife in February, 1902,
Matison S. Edwards, younger son of the afore-mentioned couple,
was born in Laiuel county, Kentucky, April 11, 1850. and when six
months old was an unconscious particijjant in his parents' journey to
the west. He grew up on the farm near Moulton, where his father ini-
tiated him into all tlie mysteries of breeding and selling stock with sue-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 327
cess, with other innunierahle and more or less important details con-
nected with progressive agricuhiire. The boy proved an apt scholar
and there was never a time in his subsequent life when it was easy to
get the better of him in the price of a bunch of yearlings or the com-
parative values of herds of "high grades" and roadsters. But young
Edwards got a little schooling, too, as he went along and what he learned
in the neighborhood schools was increased and improved by several
years' attendance at the Centerville Normal. At length, studies finished
and books laid aside, he was ready to take up his life work in earnest and
at an early age was busil_\- engaged in general farming and stock-
raising. The culminating point in his career was reached in 1870, when
he joined with his brother William to make tTie celebrated firm of Ed-
wards Brothers, which has long been one of the heaviest dealers in live
stock in soutliern Iowa. They ship carloads of hogs to Ottumvva and
of cattle to Chicago every week and their annual purchases and sales
involve an amount of money which would astonish the average citizen.
In addition to hogs and cattle, which constitute their main line, the
firm also handles horses adapted to farm and road purposes and large
numbers of these animals are disposed of at their monthly sales. Re-
gardless of any profit accruing to themselves, the Edwards Brothers
deserve the name of public benefactors by reason of the benefit they have
brought to the people in encouraging them to raise stock and furnishing
them a home market for their products. Aside from his main pursuit
Air. Edwards has found time to lend his aid to other enterprises. When
the Aloulton State Savings Bank was organized in 1902 through his aid
and encouragement, he was made one of the directors and also elected
president. Bv way of diversion as well as Ijecause his convictions lead
earnestlv in that direction, Mr. Edwards has been in the habit of taking
328 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
a liand in politics wlien campaign times approacli. and is recognized ns
one of tiie leaders on tlie Republican side. He is nothing of an ofifice
seeker, however, and is willing to let the "plums" go to others, his only
official position being that of member of the board of supervisors, to
which he was elected in 1892 for a term of three years.
In 1870 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Miss Mattie
W. Lane, who was born at \\'inchester, Adams county, Ohio. March 2,
185 1, but came to Iowa in girlhood, with her parents. Bv this union
there were six children, but the only sur\i\iirs are Fred C. Edwards and
Mrs. Ethel E. Yotaw, with whom her father has resided at the corner
of Maine and Broadway since the loss of his wife by death, December
26, 1901. Though ])referring a town residence Mr. Edwards owns a
valuable and highly improved stock farm nf three hundred and twenty
acres one mile northeast of Moultnn. He is oiie of the leaders in the
Methodist Episcopal church and holds fraternal connection with the
Knights of Pythias and Rathbone Sisters.
JOHN DONER.
The lives of some men are simply told. They have been reared to
one ])ursuit and have followed this with unflagging industry flirough-
out their acti\e careers, jierhajis in one locality, and their history must
detail solid worth, devoid of the striking features that adorn the course
of other men. And there are those, equally successful, whose lines have
been cast in both pleasant and unpleasant places, who have been
switched from one track to the other and journeyed far from that calm
starting point, so that it is often difficult for the subject himself to
thread the devious ways by which he has arrived at his present destina-
JOHH DONER.
•iron, lEiMox 4N0
riLOEN FeuNHATlONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 331
tion; such is the case witli the hte of Mr .John Doner, who. as one of
Monroe county's popular officers and citizens, deserves an account in
this \vorl< of personal history. ,
Michael and Mary (Allen) Doner, the father and mother, were
both born in Ireland and when past twenty years of age came to
America, where the\- were married in Utica, New York; they resided
here alwut live years and then came to Elburn, Kane county. Illinois,
which continued to be their home until 1888; in this year they removed
to Marshalltown, Iowa, and both passed away here, Mrs. Doner dying
in 1891 and her husband just one week later. In this country Mr.
Doner followed railroading and for three years served in the Civil war
in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry.
Of the eiglit children, six boys and two girls, born to the above
parents, John Doner was the eldest and was born in the city of Utica,
New York, March 8, 1848. He passed his early youth in Elburn, Illi-
nois. He was just fourteen years old when the Civil war broke out,
and fired by the spirit of patriotism he one day left the school room, ran
away from home and coming to Chicago volunteered his services to the
United States army; he was accepted and on June 9, 1862, was en-
rolled in Company H, Sixty-ninth Illinois Infantry, from which he was
discharged September 28, 1862, his term having expired. On January
15, 1863, he re-enlisted in Battery D, First Illinois Light Artillery,
under McAllister, and served in this company until the close of the
war, being discharged July 28, 1865. Fle took part in the following
well known conflicts : Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion
Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, Nashville and the Atlanta campaign.
Being still in his 'teens when he returned home, he spent one year in
school at his home town and then, following the example of his father,
332 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
he began railroading; in 18G7 he entered the employ of the Chicago and
Northwestern in the capacity of brakeman and the next year came into
Iowa, braking for the same company from Dunlap to Council Blufifs.
In 1870 he was promoted to the position of conductor, but in 1871 vol-
untarily left that company and obtained a similar position with the Bur-
lington and Missouri River Railroad in Iowa, running a train from
Ottumwa to Creston ; in the fall of that year he became conductor on the
Iowa Central from Albia to Northwood, in charge of a passenger train.
In 1873 he suffered one of the many accidents that are incident to this
dangerous calling and lost a hand, after which he retired from the busi-
ness. During his last engagement he had made Albia his headquarters
and he now made this his home. For four years he was a hotel clerk;
for three years was the editor and ]niblisber of the Albia DeuKicrat,
which he then sold, and entered int(; the hotel and restaurant business.
For four years he served as deputy sheriff under F. S. Miller, and in
1884 he went west to McCook. Nebraska, and in Hayes county of that
state he remained five years, in which time he proved up and worked a
claim. On returning to Albia he was for three years deputy sheriff
under C. M. Forrest and for the next three years was night watch-
man. In 1895 Mr. Doner became the Populist candidate for sheriff of
Monroe county, and in the face of the strong opposition of the Repub-
lican and Democratic candidates overcame the majority and was elected.
In 1897 he was the fusion choice for the place of the Democrats and
the Populists and was successful, as also in 1899 and 1901, being four
times elected in a Republican county.
Mr. Doner is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks and the Mystic Toilers. On August 3,
1874, in Albia, Mr. Doner was married to Miss Anna Cr:uner, and they
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 333
have one living child, a clangliter, I""rances. Mr. Doner had a brother,
Thomas, who was a soldier in the Civil war, sening three months in the
same company as his father, and another brother, Michael, was on the
flag-sliip Pensacola of the United States navy, for three years ; both
these brothers are now dead.
WILLIAM EDWARDS.
The gentleman abo\e mentioned is perhaps the best known man in
Appanoose county. His fame chiefly rests upon his achievements as
a breeder and dealer in stock, Init he is one of those broad-gauge men
who are not content with (Uie occupation, and he has figured conspicu-
ously in banking and relig"i(.His circles. His name has been rendered
familiar all over southern Iowa and in adjacent stock markets by the
firm of Edwards Brothers, of which William is the senior member.
Many of the thousands of carloads of all kinds of stock which keep busy
the railroads leading from Iowa to Chicago are sent out by this enter-
prising firm, whose yearly transactions foot up an enormous sum of
money. Bv this traffic they have been benefited themselves, but they
have also greatly benefited the state b\' stimulating the trade in stock,
while improving its quality. It is to such men as these that Iowa owes
its prominence in the world of agriculture, and to no two citizens is
more credit due for this culmination than to the Edwards Brothers.
This notable family is of southern origin. W'illiam Edwards, Sr.,
moved in early life from his nati\e state of Tennessee to Kentucky, where
he met and married Alarilla Elliott, with whom he migrated in 1850 to
Iowa. The first year after this arrival was passed in Van Buren county,
after which they settled permanently in Appanoose on a farm about
334 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
five miles south of Moulton. Here for many years the head of the
household carried on successful farming, with especial attention to live
stock, a taste for dealing in which he had acquired in his "Old Ken-
tucky home." Eventually, as the shadows hegan to lengthen and old
age was felt to be creeping on, this estimalile couple moved to town for
the purpose of spending more agreeably their declining years. The
closing scene occurred for the father in 1885, but his wife survived many
years afterward and terminated her lilameless life in 1902.
William Edwards, namesake and eldest son of his fatlier, was born
in Laurel county, Kentucky, December 19, 1843, -''"d was about seven
years old when his parents settled in Iowa. As he grew up he received
from his father that training in farm management and stock dealing
which proved so valuable to him in later life, and meantime obtained a
fair education during desultory attendance in the schools of the town-
.ship and at Centerville. Young Edwards, though still in his "teens"
when the Civil war began, was among the first to enlist, and served with
steady gallantry for three years and eleven months as sergeant of Com-
pany B, Second Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. He made an excellent
record in the army and as soon as his honorable discharge was obtained
returned without delay to his home in Iowa. Immediately thereafter
he took up the work interrupted 1)y the war and soon showed that he
possessed a natural aptitude for the farm and all the various ramifica-
tions of agricultural pursuits. His tastes as well as his talents seemed,
however, to turn naturally to stock-raising and stock-selling, and in
his branch of agriculture his success has been pre-eminently pro-
nounced. In 1870 he formed a partnership with his brother, Matison
S. Edwards, for the raising, buying and shipment of live stock, which
firm now ranks among the foremost of its kind in southern Iowa.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 336
While making a specialty of cattle and hogs, they have also dealt exten-
sively in horses for the farm and road. It is hardly necessary to attempt
to analyze the reasons for the success of this popular fraternal firm, in •
asmuch as the causes lie close to the surface, in the shape of good judg-
ment, untiring energy and an acquisition of the public confidence by
constant fair dealing. That is the whole story in a nutshell. Every-
body knows the Edwards Brothers; everybody likes them; everybody
has confidence in them, and everybody trusts them. At present Mr. Ed-
wards owns, one-half mile from Aloulton, three hundred and twenty
acres of land, which is one of the best stock farms in the state.
His residence in Moulton has long been celebrated for the gen-
erous hospitality of its happy home circle and the family constitute a
social center around which assemble all the brightest and best people
of the vicinity.
In 1867 Mr. Edwards was married to Mary A. Floyd, and the six
of the nine children by this union now living are : Uh'sses W., Mrs.
Mae Tifft, wife of G. E. TifTt, a Methodist minister, stationed at Moline,
Kansas; Charles W., Clyde V., Clarence F., and James H. The last
two mentioned are still at home and Clarence remains on the farm all
the time, looking after the practical management of his father's widely
diversified interests. In 1901 Mr. Edwards consummated a second
marriage with Miss Maude May Taylor, who presides over his home
with a grace and discretion that add much to its social charm. In many
ways, aside from his main liusiness, Mr. Edwards has proved himself a
progressive, enterprising and public-spirited man. In 1902 he was one
of the organizers of the Moulton State Savings Bank and holds the
position of director of this popular institution. In religious circles he
has also long been acti\e, enforcing his views both by precept and prac-
336 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
tice. He contributed lil>erally to tlie funds for tlie construction of the
handsome building devoted to the services of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of whicli lie is a leading member. The fraternal connections
of Mr. Edwards are confined to the Odd Fellows, with whom he has
fraternized for o\er twenty-eight years, and associates with his old com-
rades in the Grand .Army of the Republic.
MOSES Y. SELLERS, M. D.
The medical corps at Moulton includes the above named physician,
who has been practicing there over thirty-three years and has become
thoroughly identified with the growth and progress of the place.
Though a nati\e of Indiana Dr. Sellers has been a resident of Iowa
nearly half a century and has done his share as a citizen to help forward
the marvelous development which has characterized this state during
that eventful period. The family is of Kentucky origin, his father,
Nathan Sellers, having been born on a farm near Lexington in the first
quarter of the nineteenth century. He married Mary Yowell, also a
member of a Kentucky household, and with her moved to Indiana at an
early period in the history of that state. He settled on a farm in Put-
nam county and in after years rose to a position of prominence in that
community, being elected treasurer of the county and otherwise hon-
ored by his political associates. In 1854 he removed with his family to
Iowa and located near Albia, county seat of Monroe, and there resumed
his old occupation of tilling the soil.
Moses Y. Sellers, next to the youngest of his father's eight chil-
dren, was born near Greencastle, Indiana. Augiist 5, 1839, and was a
boy almost fifteen years old when the migration was made to Iowa. He
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 337
assisted his father on the farm and attended school until he reached his
majority, when he engaged in teaching, and followed that occupation
for five years. During the year 1864 he spent some time at the Keokuk
Medical College and after leaving that was engaged for four and a half
years in the practice of medicine at Iconium. Afterward he returned
to the same institution at Keokuk, where he took a thorough course and
was graduated in the class of 1S80. Immediately thereafter he returned
to his office at Moulton, and that town lias ever since been the central
point from which lie prosecutes his professional labors. The Doctor
is a member of the Des Moines Medical x^ssociation and the Medical
Society of Wayne and Appanoose Counties. His religious affiliations
are with the Christian church and his fraternal connections are confined
to membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
May 14, 1867, Dr. Sellers was united in marriage with Sarah Cas-
sie Stauber, who died in October, 1870, leaving two children, whose
married names are Mrs. Lillie May Brunk and Mrs. Flora Effie Bradley.
August 30, 1877, Dr. Sellers contracted a second marriage, his bride be-
ing Elizabeth C. Tipton, who died leaving three children : Mrs. Jennie
Bell Brunk, Maggie, and Earl D. Sellers, who is a medical student in the
Louisville Medical College. Dr. Sellers contracted his third matrimon-
ial alliance with Mrs. Ann Primm, a native of Virginia, who came west
vvith her parents in 1853. Mrs. Sellers is the daughter of Samuel Peek,
who married Mary Hildreth, by whom he had ten children : Elizabeth,
Amelia, Aaron, Eli, Gustavus, Alfred, Ann, iMack, Christopher Colum-
bus, and Casandra. Of these children Christopher C. and Mrs. Sel-
lers are the only ones living. Mrs. Sellers was married in Virginia to
A. P. Primm and lived with him a few years near Lafayette, Indiana,
after which they came to Greene county, Iowa. Mrs. Primm's marriage
338 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to Dr. Sellers occurred at Lancaster, Missouri, in 1890, since which time
she has presided over the household at Moulton witli the dignity and
grace of the experienced housekeeper.
P. H. HYNES.
One of the husiest, most energetic and progressive business men of
Monroe county is P. H. Hynes of Avery, the secretary of the Smoky
Hollow Coal Company, and in his official capacity he controls the opera-
tions of six hundred men employed in the mines, besides a large number
of bookkeepers and others employed in clerical capacities. From a
humble financial position he has gradually worked his way upward
through close application, unremitting diligence and honorable methods,
and today occupies an enviable position as a leader of industrial interests
in this part of Iowa, and his example is one well worthy of emulation.
Mr. Hynes is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, born in 1865, a
son of Patrick and Mary Hynes. His mother died in 1890. His
father, who was born of Irish parentage, died in 1869. The son, P. H.
H}nes, was reared in Keokuk county, Iowa, and his school privileges
were supplemented by study at home and by knowledge gained in the
school of experience. Possessing an observing eye and retentive mem-
ory he has continually added to his knowledge until he has made it a
potent factor in his successful business career. When a boy he began
work in the coal fields in a humble way, but his earnest labor and close
application won the attention of those who employed him and he was
promoted from time to time. He lived successively in Lee county, Ma-
haska and Moriroe counties, and as the years passed gradually pro-
gressed in the business world until for the past ten years he has filled the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 33'J
responsible position of secretary of the Smoky Hollow Coal Company,
of which Mr. Evans is the president. J\Ir. Hynes is virtually in con-
trol of the business and his practical understanding of every department
of coal mining' from the time the shafts are sunk rmtil the product is
placed upon the market makes him splendidly qualified for the super-
vision of the e.\tensi\e interests of the company. More than six hun-
dred miners are employed, together with superintendents, bookkeepers
and other clerks, and one thousand tons of coal are daily taken from
the earth and prepared for distrilnition throughout the country. The
company pays good wages, has done much for its men in providing
comfortable homes, and the treatment of employes is always just and
fair, so that the feeling is one of general satisfaction, and the men en-
tertain genuine respect for the officers of the company.
In 1894, in Monroe county, Mr. Hynes was married to Miss Mary
Appleman, a lady whose many social cpialities and intellectual worth
have endeared her to those with whom she has been brought in con-
tact. She was educated in this state and is a daughter of W. S. Apple-
man, for many years a well known citizen of Avery. Mr. and Mrs.
Hynes now have one son, P. H., Jr.
In his political views Mr. Hynes is a Republican and is regarded
as one of the leading workers of the party in his town. He has fre-
quently served as a delegate to party conventions and does all in his
power to promote the growtli and seciu'e tlie success o7 tTTe organiza-
tion. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the
Modern Woodmen of America. In manner he is genial, pleasant and
easily ap])roachable and always gives courteous attention to those who
seek an audience with him in business horu'S, while in social circles lie
is known as a companionable and popular gentleman. He is also a
340 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
man of fine personal appearance, being six feet in height and well pro-
portioned. He has in Avery a beantiful home, furnished with many
evidences of refined taste and culture. He is widely known in busi-
ness, social and political circles in the state, and has high standing, be-
cause of his strong personality, his unquestioned integrity and sterling
manhood.
THOMAS WALLACE.
This venerable man, now in the eighty-first year of his age, was
one of the first settlers of Appanoose county, where he has lived consid-
erably over half a century. His farm, consisting originally of ninety
acres, was all wild land when he bought it and with the exception of
thirteen acres every inch of it was cleared by JNIr. Wallace, as the result
of many a hard blow and many years of wearisome labor. In fact, his
whole life, from childhotxl up. has been one of almost unremitting toil,
and up to a year ago he might still be seen in his fields "holding a row"
with the best of them. Though quiet and unassuming, Mr. Wallace is
a man of great worth and real nobility of character and in his unpre-
tentious way has contributed to the development which has placed Iowa
at th? lead of all the agricultural states of the Union.
He is a son of Solomon and Millie Wallace and was born in Kent
county, Delaware, December 14, 1822. Tlie death of his father when
he was still in early childhood brought upon him that fate so much
dreaded, the necessity of becoming a "bound boy" as the only means of
obtaining a livelihood. Such a life at best is not enviable, but Mr.
Wallace seems to have fallen into fairly .good hands when apprenticed
to one William Hollingsworth, a seafaring man who lived in Kent
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 341
county, Delaware. This individual was captain of a sailing boat and it
was the business of little Thomas to cook for the crew, while incidentally
engaged in mastering the details of the sailor's trade. This drudgery
continued four ^•ears, at the end of which time the boy was taken by his
master to Fayette county, Indiana, where he was fortunate enough to
find an uncle, who furnished him a home. He remained with his uncle
Joshua one year, during which time he worked on the farm all ^veek
and hauled logs on Sunday. At the expiration of his time on this place
the boy had completed the thirteenth year of his age and during the ten
following years was engaged as a farm hand by the month on differ-
ent places in that part of Indiana. In 1845 he was married to Eliza
Barkley and spent the next two years on the farm of his wife's father,
in Fayette county. Indiana. In the fall of 1847 he removed with his
wife and child to Davis count}-, Iowa, where he remained five months
and then made what pro\ed to be his final move to Appanoose county.
He arrived in March. 1848, and immediately took possession of the
farm of one hundred and sixt}- acres which has ever since been his place
of residence. Here he busied himself for some years getting his land
in shape for cultivation, until his household affairs were disarranged by
the loss of his wife, who died in the early part of 1856, leaving five
children. These, in order of l)irth, were George, now a resident of But-
ler county. Kansas ; James, of the same section ; Mrs. Sarah Ankrom.
who has since died; Jasper, who lives in Cu.ster county, Nebraska; and
Lewis, who resides near his father's homestead.
On August 7, 1856. Mr. Wallace took a sec(jnd wife in the person
of Lydia Croxton, who died Decemljcr 28. 1888, leaving seven children:
Mrs. Margaret E. Gordon: John, of Davis county, Iowa; Francis M.,
of Butler county, Kansas; Warren, of Centerville, Iowa; Washington
342 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
H., of Davis county; Mary J., of Appanoose county; and I\Irs. Minerva
C. Bean, of Fort Madison. On March 31, 1890, Mr. Wallace contracted
his third matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Nancy J. Howell, who came in
childhood to Iowa with her parents from Roanoke county, Virginia.
By her first marriage she had one child, Mr. A. A. Howell, who is now
proprietor of the Howell House at Moulton. Mr. Wallace is a de-
voted member of the Christian church and for a long time performed
the functions of preacher during the absence of the regular pastor. As
he has occupied his present homestead for fifty-four years he is probably
entitled to rank as the oldest continuous resident of Appanoose county.
His place contains a curious relic of the olden times in the shape of a
log cabin whicli was the first building ever located in Appanoose
countv, hax'ing been removed there from the nearbv county of Davis.
THOMAS BENTON McDONALD.
Among the worthy citizens of Monroe county who have come to
this locality from Indiana is Thomas Benton McDonald, who was born
in Liberty, Union county, in the Hoosier state, December 6, 1846. He
comes of Irish lineage, his father, Bernard McDonald, having been born
in county Carlow, Ireland, whence he crossed the Atlantic to America.
The paternal grandfather was Edwin Lawrence McDonald, M. D., who
on reaching years of maturity wedded a Miss Camel and among their
children was a son to whom they ga\e the name Bernard. The latter
was a sailor in early life, following the sea for some years. Taking
up his abode in this country, he wedded Elizabeth Heavenridge, a na-
tive of Virginia, and in 1840 he retired from the sea in order that he
might devote his energies to farming, which occupation he followed
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 343
until 1 888. when he put aside business cares entirely. He was born
in 1808, took up his abode in this country in 1840 and is now living a
retired life in Fairmount, Indiana, at the very advanced age of ninety-
five years. His wife passed awaj- in 1865. The children of their fam-
ilv were : Thomas B. ; Emeline, deceased ; Edwin ; Lawrence, who has
also passed away; John, Frank. Elizabeth and Jemima.
Thomas B. McDonald spent his early days in Indiana and attended
the i)ul)lic schools there. When he became a young man he began
learning the trade of a spinner and after a year spent in that way he
secured employment with a millwrigiit. In 1867 he began railroading
on the Pan Handle system, first acting as a brakeman. while later he
was promoted to the position of conductor. When he had been with
the Pan Handle road for a year he left Indiana and removed to Ne-
braska, where he secured a position as conductor on the Midland &
Pacific Railroad, running between Nebraska City and Lincoln. In
1871 he began work on the Burlington as conductor and continued in
that capacity until 1879. when he retired altogether from railroad work.
He then came to Lovilia, Iowa, and with the capital he had acquired
through his own labors and economy began merchandising. He is to-
day the leading merchant of the town and his efforts have been largely
instrumental in the upbuilding and improvement of this place. He car-
ries a large and well selected line of general goods, and because of his
correct business policy and earnest desire to please his customers is ac-
corded a liberal patronage. On the loth of December, 1890, he es-
tablished a private bank, which is known as the Lovilia Exchange and
which has become a leading financial institution in this part of the
county. Its present officers are T. B. McDonald, president ; O. L.
Wright, vice president; and Jerry Wilcox, cashier.
344 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
On the 25th of January, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mc-
Donald and Mrs. Sarali J. Wilcox, a widow, and a daughter of Joseph
Patterson. Her parents were residents of Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs.
McDonald is an estimable lady, holding membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church of Lovilia and her friends in the community are many.
Mr. McDonald, however, is an adherent of the lipiscopalian faith, and
fraternally is connected with tlie Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No.
269, F. & A. M., Clinton Chapter No. 16, R. A. M.. and the Malta Com-
mandery, K. T. He is an exemplar}- member of the craft, true to its
beneficent teachings. Mr. McDonald started out upon his business
career without capital, and the success that he has achieved is entirely
due to his (iwn efforts. He may well be termed a self-made man, for
he has placed his dependence upon his own industry, unremitting dili-
gence and perseverance and these have proved the foundation upon
which he has builded the superstructure of his prosperty.
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN.
When death comes to any one it is customary to review the life
record and note whether it has been for good or ill. Favorable indeed
is the judgment which has been passed upon John Chamberlain, who
for seventy-five years traveled life's journey, performing faithfully and
well every duty which devolved u])ou him and meeting fully every obli-
gation that rested upon him. His example, therefore, is commendable
and worthy of ciuulation, and Jiis life history deserves a place on the
pages of this volume among those of the representative citizens of Mon-
roe county.
Mr. Chamberlain was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 28,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 3i5
1827, and was a son of James and Sarah (Peterson) Chamberlain, both
of whom were natives of Virginia, wlience they removed to the Buckeye
state, settHng there at a pioneer epoch in its histor}'. A farmer by occu-
pation, the fatlier followed that pursuit throughout his entire life, culti-
vating his fields from year to year in order to provide for his family,
which in the course of time came to number ten children. These were:
John, now deceased ; Mary, Josiah, James, Henry, Washington, Eliza-
beth, who has also passed away ; Abraham, Weed, and William, de-
ceased. The father was called to his final rest in 1882, at the age of
seventy-five years, and the luother reaching the advanced age of eighty-
nine years, her death occurring in 1898.
John Chamberlain li\ed in Ohio until twenty-two years of age, his
boyhood being passed in a manner similar to that of most farmer lads
of the period, ^^1^en school was in session and his services were not
needed on the farm he there pursued his studies, but during the months
of summer he assisted in the work of the fields, plowing, planting and
harvesting, all farm work becoming familiar to him ere he left home.
The year 1847 witnessed his arrival in the new state of Iowa and he
took up his abode in Eddyville. I<"our years later, on the 29th of June,
185 1, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Bredwell, a daughter of
John and Elizabeth Bredwell. Her mother died when Mrs. Chamber-
lain was but three years old, but her father long survived, passing away
about 1872. In 1842 Mrs. Chamlicrlain and her brother came to Iowa,
locating in Eddyville, and in Monroe county she has since made her
home. She was born March 20, 1834, and at the age of seventeen she gave
her hand in marriage to Mr. Chamberlain, with whom she traveled life's
journey long and happily. For the past forty years she has resided
upon her present farm, the location being made here shortly after their
346 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
marriage. As tlie years passed several children came to bless the house-
hold, namely: Annis and Rachel Ann, both deceased; Sarah Elizabeth;
Edward: Henryi; John: Otis; Minnie. W'illin, William, all three de-
ceased ; and Ida.
Throughout his entire married life Mr. Chamberlain followed farm-
ing and carpentering. He kept everything about his place in good con-
dition, exercised care and thought in planting his fields and harvesting
his crops, and the annual sale of his farm products returned to him a
good income. The home place is pleasantly located west of Lovilia.
In his political \iews ^Ir. Chamberlain was a Democrat and for many
years served as a school director and a member of the school board.
He believed in progress in education as in other lines and was anxious
to have good schools and competent teachers. In his younger years he
belonged to the Baptist church, but afterward united with the Christian
church, with which he held membership until bis death. F(ir many
years he was also identified with the Masonic fraternity and was a
faithful follower of its teaching concerning brotherly kindness and
helpfulness. He died on the home farm. September i6, 1902, at the
age of seventy-fi\e years, and his remains were laid to rest in the Os-
born cemetery. Mrs. Chamberlain is still residing at home and she,
too, is a loyal member of the Christian church, whose teachings and prin-
ciples she has made the guide of her life.
JAMES M. CASTNER.
James M. Castner, wdio is engaged in the hardware and implement
business in Lovilia, has been a representative of mercantile interests in
this place for a number of years, and is an enterprising man, who might
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 347
well he termed a "captain of industry" because of his indefatigable labor
and successful control of every work he has undertaken. Far back into
the early history of Pennsylvania can his family history be traced. lu
1766 his ancestor entered from the government the land upon which
James M. Castner was born, and the old house is still in the possession
of his descendants. Six generations of the Castners have been born
upon that land, and the town of Donora, Pennsylvania, has been built
upon a portion of it. Daniel and Rebecca (Miller) Castner, the parents
of our subject, were both natives of the Keystone state, and the former,
a farmer by occupation, devoted his energies throughout his entire life
to the tilling of the soil. His political support was given the Democracy
and he was ever a citizen of worth, giving his co-operation to every
measure which he believed would benefit his locality. He died in 1875,
and his wife, surviving him twenty-one years, passed away in 1896. In
their family were twehe cliildren : Martin Van Buren, Maria E., James
M., John K., Silas W., Jessie M., Bert W., Mary J., Wilbert F. and
William L., and two that died in infancy.
Upon the ancestral homestead in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
James M. Castner was born, February 11, 1843, and was there reared,
while in the common schools of the neighborhood he received his educa
tion. Lessons of industry and integrity were early impressed upon his
mind by his parents, and through the periods of vacation he gained
practical knowledge of farm work 1))' assisting his father in the fields.
At the age of twenty-four he left his boyhood home and in 1868 became
a resident of BlufT Creek township, Monroe county, where he followed
farming for about six years. In 1874 he took up his abode in Lovilia,
where he has since resided. In 1875 he established a lumber and grain
business, which he conducted with success until 1894, when he sold out
348 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to the Green Bay Lumber Company, and he is now conducting a hard-
ware and implement business. He is well known as a factor in the
business life of Lovilia and after embarking in his new enterprise it was
not long before he had secured a liberal patronage, which is constantly
growing, so that the business has already assumed profitable propor-
tions and the future of the enterprise seems a bright one.
In 1866 Mr. Castner was united in marriage to Miss Helen Pollock,
a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born
three children, two sons and a daughter, but Bert P., the eldest, is the
only one now living, Mary Josephine and John Kerr having passed
away. The wife and mother died in 1874 and in 1876 Mr. Castner
was again married, his second union being with Miss Rose Clark, a
daughter of P. R. Clark. Imvc children have graced this union: Guy
Kerr, Katheryn, Anna, Louis and James Miller.
A staunch Republican. Mr. Castner exercises his right of franchise
in support of its men and measures, and has lalxired effectively for its
success in this community. He has been honored with some local offi-
ces, having served as school director, as justice of the peace and as a
member of the board of supervisors and his ofTficial labors resulted bene-
ficially along the lines directed. Both he and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his f raternal^refat'ions Tie is con-
nected with the Masons, the Odd hallows and the United Workmen,
holding membership in the local lodges in Albia. Starting out in life
for himself without capital, and realizing that there is no roval road to
wealth, Air. Castner has labored diligently and unremittingly in an ef-
fort to attain prosperity, and today is accounted one of the substantial
citizens of his adopted town, while his social qualities are those which
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 349
win friends, and \vhcre\ei" known Mr. Castner is spoken of in terms of
high regard.
NATHANIEL McCLOUD.
This well-known farmer of Taylor township became a resident of
.\ppanoose count}', Ii/iwa, in 1864. He has, therefore, been identified
with its agricultural interests for almost forty years, although he did
not locate upon his present farm until April, 1901. He was born in
Highland county, Virginia, April 4, i(S4i, the same year in which King'
Edward of England was born. He belongs to a family noted for in-
dustry, honest}', morality and courage. His ancestors came originally
from the highlands of Scotland, being descended from McCloud, a
Scottish chief, who was prominent in the wars of that country two hun-
dred years ago. His grandfather, Nathaniel McCloud, was also a native
of the Old Dominion, as was also his wife Margaret McMahan, who
was of Irish lineage.
Nathaniel McCloud, Sr., was a soldier of the war of 18 12. He
received a land warrant calling for one hundred and sixty acres of gov-
ernment land for his services. Not hax'ing a disposition to farm, after
having the land warrant in his possession for thirty or forty }'ears he
traded it for a horse valued at about seventy-five dollars. He never was
the owner of any real estate, but spent his life in hunting wild game in
the Cheat anil Allegheny niountains. At the age of three-score and ten
years he died in Pocahontas county, West Virginia, at the home of his
youngest daughter, Mrs. Mahala Jackson.
Their son, (jeorge Riley McCloud, father of our subject, was Ixjrn
and reared in Virginia. In early life he wedded Miss Mary J. Warner,
350 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
a native of Pendleton county, that state. Her parents were James and
Jane Warner of Virginia, where tliey spent their entire Hves. The
Warners were a well known and prominent family of that state. Two
of its representatives became distinguished ministers of the gospel.
George Warner was a member of the Methodist Church South. He
moved from Pendleton count}- to Fayette county. West Virginia, where
he married and spent the remainder of his life. He died during the
war of the Rebellion at an old age. Zebedee, a nephew of the Rev.
George Warner and a first cousin of the subject of this sketch, was a
minister of the United Brethren Church of Christ, one of its most noted
members. He held the degree of LL.D. He was the presiding elder of
Clarksburg district. West Virginia, during the war. During his elder-
ship he had a discussion with the editor of the standard cliurch ])apcr,
published at Dayton. Ohio. Warner tcxjk the position that the discipline
would have to be changed on the subject of secret organizations ; that
the members should have the right to exercise their own judgment as to
the teachings of the Bible on the subject of secret orders. Since that
time the rules of the church have been changed, thus showing that
Warner's position was right. He died in Nebraska at about the age of
fifty, while serving as a niissionar\-. Z. Warner was married near
Boonesville, Maryland, September ii, 1856, to Sarah C. Snively, wlio
survives him and makes her home at Parkersburg, West Virginia. To
them were born nine children, seven of whom are still li\ing.
With team and wagon George R. McCloud, N. McCloud and fam-
ilies came to Iowa in 1864, settling in Chariton township, Appanoose
county, where George R. followed farming the remainder of his life,
dying there at the age of sixty years. He was a Democrat in politics.
He had been a member of the Christian church for a number of years, to
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 351
the time of liis death. His widow still survives him, having reached
the advanced age of eighty-five years. Of the twelve children ten
reached the age of maturity, namely : William E., who died in York,
Nebraska, June ii, 1902; Nathaniel, of this review; George; Nancy
J., deceased; Elizabeth; Susan; Asa; Amanda; Henry; and Anna.
Under the parental foof Nathaniel McCloud passed the days of his
boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the operations of farming
when not in school. At the age of nineteen years he was married at
Harper's Ferry, Virginia, Septemljer 20, i860, to Miss Rachel J. Tom-
linson, both of Highland county, Virginia, his wife being a daugh-
ter of Zacariah and Huldali Tomlinson, who made their home
there throughout life. She was third in order of birth in a
family of five children, the others being Henry, Sarah Ann, Hester,
and Mary, two of whom are now residents of Kansas; the
brother Henry lives in Oklahoma, and the other sister lives in Vir-
ginia. As previously stated, N. McCloud came to Iowa in 1864 and
cast his first vote at Moravia., Iowa. The first land he purchased was
in Chariton township, in 1870. After securing one hundred and fifty
acres of land near Maine station, he remained a resident of that neigh-
borhood till 1901. He was the promoter of the postoffice known as
Maine and served as postmaster during 1887. He afterwards had the
name of the postoffice changed to that of Ray in honor of his eldest son.
He and family, with many otiiers. were in a cyclone which passed over
their home on the evening of May 5, 1894. The cyclone began about
six miles west of the home of this family and swept away all the build-
ings in its path for a distance of many miles, taking away all the out-
buildings of this family, leaving the dwelling, but moving it from the
foundation. The family took refuge in a cave. Only one person — Mrs.
22
352 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
William McDanel — was killed in this storm, but a number of others
were seriously injured.
William E. McCloud, above mentioned, the eldest brother of the
subject of this sketch, came to Iowa at the age of seventeen years. At
the age of nineteen he married Miss Ann M. Sears of Taylor township.
He followed the occupation of farming some years, but later in life was
an extensive stock shipper, at one time being in partnership with Captain
E. Cummins in the shipping business, and afterwards was a partner
of R. M. Hicks. After moving to York, Nebraska, Mr. McCloud en-
gaged in the commission business in the stock-yards at Omaha; was
also one of the organizers of the bank at Waco, Nebraska. His son,
C. A. McCloud, and nephew of the subject, is now engaged in the real
estate and insurance business at York, Nebraska. He is very prominent
in the county in Repul^lican party politics, and is among the wealthiest
citizens of his county.
Mrs. Rachel J. McCloud died March 12, 1883, having lived a num-
ber of years as a faithful and consistent member of the United Brethren
church, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. R. H. Kaster, of Chariton town-
ship. On June 15, 1884, our subject was again married, his second
union being to Mrs. Mary J. Breese, widow of Timothy Breese, de-
ceased. Timothy Breese was a member of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry.
He was born in Ohio, but reared in Lee county, Iowa, dying near
Iconium, Iowa, December 15, 1880, holding membership in the Chris-
tian church at the time of his death. He left three surviving sons:
Alpha A., by a former wife; Mary Hazlewood ; and Ira E., now of
Chicago, Illinois. One son, Everett, died at the age of four months.
By the union of Nathaniel and Mary J. AlcCloud were born four
children, three of wh(nn are now living — Alta, Ray and Irl, Fannie
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 353
having' died in infancy at the age of twelve months. Mrs. McCIoud.
the present wife, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, November 8,
1850, near Greencastle. She was a daugliter of James and Anise Nich-
olson, formerly Anise Brewer. Her fatlier was a farmer by occupation ;
also a brickmason. He brought his family to Iowa in i860 and located
near Iconium and died in 1875 at the age of sixty-two 3'ears. His politi-
cal support was given to the Republican party, and he was an active
member of the Methodist church, in which he served as class leader for
a. number of years. His wife, who was also an earnest member of the
same church, was born in North Carolina and died in Monroe county,
Iowa, February 10, 1896, at the age of seventy-eight years. To James
and Anise Nicholson were born thirteen children, as follows : Edna,
Martha, Melvina, Nancy, Mary J., John; Ephraim, and Hannah, de-
ceased. The others died in infancy. Ephraim enlisted in the Thirty-
sixth Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, and served until the close of the war.
He died at Duvall's Bluff of smallpox just after the remainder of his
company were mustered out of the service.
In March, 1901, N. McCloud purchased the Jefferson Turner farm
of one hundred and forty acres in Taylor township, where he now re-
sides. This farm is located on the Albia and Centerville wagon road,
one mile south of Moravia. On this farm is a two thousand dollar
house and brick cellar. The lawn is adorned with pine, cedar and other
shade trees, and there is a good orchard and a large pond well stocked
with fish. In fact, it is one of the most attractive and desirable farms
of its size in the count}-. In addition to the raising of grain, Mr. Mc-
Cloud raises and feeds stock for market and has found this branch of
his business cpiite profitable. The Democratic party finds in Mr.
McCloud a stanch supporter of its principles. He has always taken an
354 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
active interest in public affairs. Both lie and his wife are connected
with the Methodist church and are people of refinement and culture, who
make friends wherever they go.
Ira E. Breese, before mentioned, the stepson of our subject, made
his home at the home of N. McCloud from June 15, 1884, till the spring
of 1895. Then, to get better school facilities, he went to Shenandoah and
attended Western Normal College. From there, in September, he went
to Quincy, Illinois, and attended the Gem City Business College and
graduated from there in the shorthand course in April, 1897. He en-
listed May 27, 1898, in the United States navy and was discharged
September 30, 1898. During his service in the navy he was at New
York, Brooklyn, Norfolk, Hampton Roads and Key West, returning
by way of Philadelphia and Chicago. He is at present engaged with
the American Railway Guide Company as stenographer, with excellent
chances fur promotion.
JOHN KXOWELS.
Jolm Knowels is a retired farmer of Appanoose county, who from
an early period in the development of this portion of the state has re-
sided in the county. For many years he followed agricultural pursuits,
but has now put aside business cares to enjoy a well earned rest and
his comfortable competence, which has been acquired through untiring
energy and perserverance.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Knowels was Ixirn in Holmes county, that
state, on May 4, 1818: a son of John and Hester Knowels. In the
state of his nativity he was reared and educated, his boyhood days being
quietly passed and unmarked by any event of special importance. At-
JOHN KNOWELS.
I -'" Mt'.W YORK
i'-!l.I'^'rpRARY
iSrOS, LENOX 4N0
ritOEN FOUNDATIONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 357
tracted by the opportunities of the growing west he came to Van Buren
county. Iowa, in 1840, and U^ok up his abode in Appanoose county,
where lie has since made his home. In that year lie was united in mar-
riage to Miss Martha Jackson, a native of Ohio, born in the same year
in which her husband's birth occurred. They became the parents of
eight children, one of whom is now deceased. After the death of his
first wife Mr. Knowels was again married, his second union being with
Eva Jane McKern, whom he wedded in 1877. She is stiU Hving with
him, and tliey have four children.
On locating in this county, Mr. Knowels took up his abode upon a
farm and began to till his fields and harvest his crops, keeping in toucli
with the advanced methods of farming which were introduced and
proved of practical value in the work of cultivating and improving his
place. He was thus engaged when the country became involved in
Civil war. A loyal advocate of the Union cause, during the progress of
the war he felt that his first duty was to his country, and he enlisted
as a member of Company I, Third Iowa Cavalry, with which he went to
the front. In 1862, in the midst of battle, he was wounded by a bullet
in the left leg, just below the knee, and because of the injury he receives
a pension from the government. Age would have exempted him from
military service had he so desired, but his patriotic devotion to his
country led him to join the army, and in days of peace he has been
equally patriotic and quick to respond to his country's needs. One of
the results of his war service was a change of name. His name was
originally spelled Nowels, and the family still spell it so, but when Mr.
Novvds's description roll was made when he entered the army the name
was put down Knowels, and he has since continued it so himself.
Mr. Knowels went to the armv as a Democrat, but his political
358 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
views changed during the progress of the war, and he returned a Re-
publican and has since been most loyal to the party and its principles;
but he is not strictly partisan and regards always the capability of the
candidate as well as the party to which he belongs. Mr. Knowels is a
third degree Mason and a charter member of Antiquity Lodge No. 252,
F. & A. M. For eighty-four years he has traveled the journey of life,
during which time he has witnessed many changes in the world of
progress and has seen his country advance to take a proud position
among the leading countries of the world. He is still interested in
what is going on, and is an entertaining, companionable old gentleman,
who can relate many interesting events concerning the pioneer history
of Appanoose county and the early days during which he took up his
abode here to become an active factor in agricultural circles.
JOSEPH C. McELHANEY.
Joseph C. McElhaney is today one of the prosperous agriculturists
and enterprising business men of Monroe county. There is no rule for
achieving success, yet certain elements are always found in a prosperous
career, and these are tireless energy and keen business perception, both
of which are manifested in the career of Mr. McElhaney, who is now
controlling extensive and important interests both in Monroe county
and in other sections of the country. He is a native of Hancock
county, Ohio, his birth having occurred there January 21, 1853, his par-
ents being Isaac and Sarah Jane (Reddick) McElhaney. His father
was born in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch-Irish descent, while the
mother was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio. Durnig his residence
in the Buckeye state, Isaac McElhaney followed the cooper's trade, but
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 359
after his remo\'al to Iowa he aliandoned iudustrial interests in order to
give his attention to agricultural pursuits. The year 1865 witnessed
his arri\al in this state and he took up his abode in Guilford townsliip,
Monroe county, where he made his home for ten years, and then re-
moved to Union township, where his remaining days were passed. As
every true .\merican citizen should do, he kept well informed on all
political questions affecting the welfare of his county, state and nation,
and his belief in the principles of Democracy led him to cast his ballot
for its nominees. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the
United Presbyterian church and took an active part in its work. l!ij
death occurred on the 19th of March. 1891, when he had reached the
age of seventy-fi\-e years and seven months, and his widow is still liv-
ing, making her home with the subject of this review. To Mr. and Mrs.
Isaac McElhane_\- were horn eight children, five of whom are yet living,
namely: Mary J.. Margaret C, Mattie, Cynthia and Joseph C. Those
who have passed away are David R., who was the eldest; Irvin Presley;
and Dora, who was the youngest of the family.
Joseph C. McElhaney lived in Ohio until he had reached the age of
nine years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa.
He acquired his early education in the public schools and when sixteen
years of age took up the study of geology, which he mastered and then
began prospecting for coal in the employ of different companies. He
has done prospecting work in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa, and has been
instrumental in locating several coal beds which have yielded excellent
returns. He is today the owner of a fine and valuable farm of three
hundred and sixty-six acres of Iowa's rich soil, located just north of
Lovilia, and of this two hundred acres is under cultivation, being planted
with cereals best adapted to the climate. The remainder of the farm is
3r,0 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
pasture land and Mr. McElhaney is successfully engaged in raising and
dealing in stock, his annual sales from animals bringing to him a good
return. He has resided upon his present farm for fifteen years, living
with his mother and his two sisters, Maggie and Cynthia. Mr. Mc-
Elhaney is a man of excellent business ability, resourceful and far-
sighted and he has not confined iiis attention entirely to one line. At
the present time he is extensively interested in rice growing and has a
tract of land of ten thousand acres in Texas, of which forty-five hun-
dred acres are now planted to rice. He has been interested in rice pro-
duction since 1899 and believes it to be one of the country's profitable'
crops.
Mr. McElhanev is a member of the Pioneers' Association and at
the recent meeting held in Lovilia he served as officer of the day. He
is honored and respected b}- all, not only on account of the success he has
achieved, but also because of the honorable, straightforward business
policy he has ever followed. In his business affairs he has never taken
advantage of the necessities of his fellow men, but has been fair and just
in all transactions, and his prosperity is the legitimate outcome of care-
ful discernment in business and of unremitting diligence.
JAMES HIBBS.
Among the many worthy and esteemed residents of Appanoose
county who make up the farming class, and by their substantial citizen-
ship and progressive ideas have made the county one of the foremost
agricultural sections of the state, is Mr. James Hibbs, who now resides
in Numa. but for many years served in an official position, was active
in the mercantile business, and also as a leading farmer.
His parents were Mahlon N. and Elizabeth (Hurst) Hibbs, who
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 361
were both natives of Tennessee, and wlien )oung were taken by their
parents to Putnam county, Indiana, wliere they were married. Mr.
Hibbs was a lifelong farmer. In 1847 he came to Iowa with his family
and located in Wapello county, and there he died about 1850. Shortly
afterward his wife, with her children, moved to Appanoose county and
located on a farm two miles south of what was known as Hibbsville,
where Mrs. Hibbs died.
James Hibbs, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the eldest
of eight children, six of whom are still living. He was born in Putnam
county, Indiana, April 15, 1826. He early displayed the energy and
honesty of purpose which ha\e charactertized his entire career, and not
only was he successful in his private affairs, but entered heartily into
any enterprise directed toward the common gcxid. When he, with his
mother and family, settled in Appanoose county, he was instrumental
in having a postoffice established near their farm, and in his honor it
was named Hibbsville. Dr. Hall, now deceased, was the first postmaster
of this place, but after his incumbency Mr. Hibbs was appointed to
the office and conducted it in connection with a general store until 1901,
when the postoffice was abolished. Mr. Hibbs still owns the old farm
south of Hibbsville, Init makes his home in Numa.
In 1856 Air. Hibbs was married to Martha E. Cooley, who is a
native of Indiana, and was born in 1840. When only six months old
she came west witli her parents and has since made her home in this
county. Mr. and Mrs. Hibbs became the parents of eight children, of
whom six are now living: Mahlon E., James W., Mrs. Martha Farmer,
George, Mrs. Nancy Jane Ellis and Samuel. This family hold a very
influential position in the social and business life of their community and
justlv command the high regard of many friends and acquaintances.
362 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JOHN S. BOARDMAN.
The subject of tliis sketcli has had a career extending over a period
of many years whicli may justly be described as arduous, adventurous
and hazardous. The first portion covered tlie period of the Civil war,
during which Mr. Boardman saw much hard service and fighting, and
made a most creditable record. Leaving the army, he entered a service
whose risks and dangers are second only to those of war. and as a
"railroader"' endured hardships in many different states and in the em-
ployment of many different corporations. Added together, his army
and railroad ser\ice extended from the early si.xties to 1898, nearlv
forty years, and none will envy him the repose he is now enjoying after
a life of such strenuous labor and exciting experiences. His father,
Levi Boardman, was a native of New York state, who followed milling
in early life antl devoted his last years to farming. He married Minerva
Monroe, who came from Scotland with her parents in childhood and
grew up in Genesee county. New York. This union, which continued
in utmost conjugal harmony until severed by the death of Mr. Board-
man in 1866, resulted in the birth of eight children, of whom only two
are now living.
John S. Boardman, youngest of his father's surviving children,
was born in Pennsylvania, January 17. 1843, and was prevented by
poor health in childhood from obtaining more than the mere rudiments
of an education. When fourteen years old he began driving a stage
between Columbus, Pennsylvania, and Jamestown, New York, but soon
abandoned this job for emplo\ment in the oil fields of Crawford county,
Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was engaged for four years as a stage
driver between Titusville and Union, Pennsylvania, and during this
time also had charge of several teams. This monotonous and unexcit-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 363
ing employment was terminated by tliat mighty event wliich changed
the current of so many milHon li\es, and altered the very course of
history itself. The outbreak of the Civil war found young Boardman
in his eighteenth year, and full of the fiery patriotism that inspired
every spirit in those troublous times. His feelings found vent by enlist-
ment in Company B, Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Cav-
alry, with which he went promptly to the front and took part in the
opening scenes of the great drama along the Virginia border. At the
expiration of his term he re-enlisted, or "veteranized." as it was then
termed, in the same command, and remained with it until the last gun
was fired in the fratricidal strife. Mr. Boardman's services were not
only of a varied and dangerous character, but they were marked through-
out by a gallantry and devotion to duty which brought him constant
commendation of bis superior officers. He was with General McClellan
all through the Peninsula campaign and during this exciting time was
detailed to act as orderly for the commander-in-chief. Later, when
General Pope took command in Piedmont, Virginia, the troops to which
Mr. Boardman belonged were detached and sent to join his forces, it
being the only part of the regiment that was employed in that service.
By reason of this detached assignment the troops participated in the
hard fought battles of second Bull Run, Antietam and South Mountain,
with all the intermediate hard marching and privation which charac-
terized the campaign preceding and following Lee's first invasion of
Maryland. June i6, 1863, shortly before the battle of Gettysburg,
whither the armies were then converging, Mr. Boardman met with the
misfortune of being wounded and taken prisoner, which necessitated a
countermarch under guard up the valley of Virginia to Richmond,
where he was intrcxluccd to the delectable bill of fare of Libby prison.
364 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
After four weeks' detention in tliis dismal den he was transferred to
Belle Isle, an equally undesirable boarding house, situated on James
river, near the western end of Richmond. From this alxjde of misery-
he was sent in a month to another of the same kind at Florence. South
Carolina, and finally obtained his parole at Charleston, in the same state.
After his release Mr. Boardman served under General Phil Sheridan
throughout his famous campaign in the Shenandoah valley, taking part
in the innumerable raids and skirmishes wliicli preceded Early's com-
plete overthrow in the fall of 1864. During his services with Sheridan's
dashing and incomparable cavalry, "Sir. Boardman was commissioned
second lieutenant for conspicuous bravery and held this rank until mus-
tered out of the service on the 20th of Jul_\-, 1865.
Immediately after obtaining his honorable discharge, Mr. Board-
man went directly to his brother and engaged as a fireman on the Chi-
cago and Northwestern Railroad. Thus began a career which was des-
tined to last a long time in the same line of work, and during this period
he worked as a locomotive engineer, ten years for the Chicago and
Northwestern, five years for the Burlington and Southwestern, one year
for the Union Pacific, five years for the Wisconsin Central, four years
for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, and seven years for the Illinois
Central. The only interruption in this chain of employment was caused
by failure of health, which compelled him to spend four years in Colo-
rado for recuperation. Finally, in 1898, he concluded that he had done
his share of hard work, and the \eteran soldier and railroader sought
a rest from the strain and jierils to which he had so long been sub-
jected. He first located in Appanoose county in 1879, and ever after-
ward made his headquarters here while engaged in various railroad
occupations.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 305
In 1S64 Mr. Boardnian was married to Mary Robinson, who died
in 1876, leaving a son, W. R. Boardnian, who is at present a resident
of Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1883 a second marriage was contracted,
witli Miss Emma Ferris, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa with her
parents in earl}- childhood. They are comfortably situated on a pro-
ductive farm of eighty acres, five miles west of Moulton, where a gen-
erous hospitality is dispensed to visiting friends. For the last thirty
years Mr. Boardman has been a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, still holds membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and is an honored conu"ade in the Grand Arm\' of the Re-
public.
GEORGE D. PORTER.
Through a long line of good Irish ancestral stock — and a good
ancestral heritage is often worth more than money — reared among sur-
roundings that were favorable to the growth and development of the
excellent traits of his character, the subject of this biography was one
who made the most of life's opportunities, and his career is well worth
study and enuilation. In tracing the ancestry of the Porter family we
find that in the year 1797 Robert Porter with his wife Elizabeth and
son George left their nati\'e land of Ireland and sought a home in the
new world, landing at Wilmington. From there he drifted into Penn-
sylvania, and there maintained his residence. So far as is known he
had only one son, George, who was born in Ireland and married Mollie
Dougal. Their son, George D. Porter, was born in Pennsylvania in
1805, and luarried Sarah McCoy, and they became the parents of the
subject of this sketch. George D., Sr., was a Presbyterian minister,
and preached at various points in Illinois, later moving to Cedar
366 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county, Iowa, in 1851, in wliicli state he preached at several points. He
continued in the active work of tlie ministry until his death, which oc-
curred in Blairstown, Iowa.
George D., the son of George D. and Sarah (McCoy) Porter, was
born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1846. He obtained a fair edu-
cation in the public schools and later studied law in Richmond, Mis-
souri, being admitted to the bar at that place. He began the practice of
his profession at Aloulton, Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1870. In the
following year he returned to Richninnd, and there married Hannah
Rodman, a native of Indiana. They then came to Moulton, but soon
took up their residence in Centerville. where he carried on a very lucra-
tive general law practice. Mr. Porter was a thorough believer in the
principles of the Democratic party, and was always active in the party
councils. The citizens of Centerville chose him to the important posi-
tion of mayor of the numicipality, and he also ser\-ed on the school
board. His useful life came to an end in Centerville, on the nth of
February, 1899, and thus passed away a man whose worth was well
recognized by his fellow-citizens and whose influence in public and
social affairs will long be felt in the comnumity. He left behind his
widow, who resides in Centerville, and five children: Claude R.. Sadie
L., Northa I., George McCoy, and .\nna Mary.
Claude R. Porter, the son of (Jeorge D. and Hannah (Rodman)
Porter, was born in Moulton, Iowa, July 8. 1872. After graduating at
the Centerville high school he spent one year of study at Parsons Col-
lege at Fairfield, Iowa. He then decided upon the legal profession as
his life work, and after studying under his father for a time attended
the St. Louis Law School for one year, and was admitted to the Iowa
bar in October, 1893. He has since carried on a high-class practice in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 367
Centen-ille. As an e\-idence nf liis popularity and eminent fitness for
important positions in count}- and state, it is only necessary to give the
offices he has held in the gift of the people. Although, like his father,
he was an ardent Democrat, in 1895 the yoters of his county, which is
Republican, elected him as a representatiye to the lower house, and
chose him again in 1897, while in 1899 he was made state senator from
the district consisting of Appanoose and Davis counties, which is a
Republican district, and in 1902 he was elected county attorney of Ap-
panoose county. Fraternall}- he is a member of the Masonic order
and the Knights of Pythias, and in religion is a Presbyterian. In 1899
his marriage was celebrated to Miss Maud L. Boutin, of Centerville,
and they have one son, George.
R. S. COULSON.
Among the substantial and progressive farmers and stock raisers
of Appanoose county none stands higiier in public esteem than R. S.
Coulson, who owns and operates the fine farm Maplehurst, of two
hundred and twenty acres, on section ^^, Douglass township. He was
born on the old Coulson homestead in this county on the 24th of Janu-
ary, 1861, and is a representative of an old and honored family, his
father, William Coulson, having settled here about 1849. The latter
was a native of Tennessee, where he grew to manhood upon a farm, and
in that state he married Margaret Slater, who was also born and reared
there. Loading their possessions into a wagon, they came to Iowa in
1849, ^""^ ^°^^ "P '^'^^''' I'esidencc in Taylor township, this county,
where Mr. Coulson engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the re-
mainder of his life. Success crowned his well directed efforts and he
;i68 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
became the owner of several hundred acres of land. He was one of the
heaviest taxpayers in the county, and was a man highly respected and
esteemed by all who knew him. By his marriage to Margaret Slater
he had six children, four of whom are still living: John, a resident of
Darbyville; Elkaner, also of Appanoose county; Samuel, of Johns
township; and Jerry, of Oklahoma; while Rachel and Luther are both
deceased. For his second wife the father married Martha Kinser. who
came of a good family. She was born in Indiana and died in 1882 at
the age of fifty-four years. The children born of this marriage were
Frank, a resident of Taylor township, Appanoose county; F. H., of
Monroe county, Iowa; R. S., of this review; Mrs. Mary Sarepta Turner,
who lives on the old home farm; Wiley B., also of this county; .Ben-
jamin and Sarah, both deceased ; Martha, and Margaret.
R. S. Coulson passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon the
old home farm, and by assisting in its operation developed his physical
strength, while his literary education was acquired in the district schools
of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty-two years he was united
in marriage to Miss Flora Scott, who was also a native of this county,
where she was reared and educated, being a daughter of Stephen Scott,
now deceased, who was a resident of Taylor township. After a brief
marrieil life she died in 1884 at the age of twenty years. She was an
earnest and consistent member of the United Brethren church, to which
the mother of our sul)ject also belonged.
In 189 1 Mr. Coulson was again married, his second union being
with Mrs. Lucy (Tadlock) Hopkins, widow of J. B. Hopkins, who was
a member of the United Brethren church, and died in this county in
1889. Mrs. Coulson was Ijorn in Wapello county. Iowa, near the city
of Blakesburg, but the greater part of her girlliood was passed in Appa-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 309
noose county. Her parents are J. M. and Charlotte (Kent) Tadlock,
residents of Taylor township, this county. Her father came to Iowa
from Illinois, but her mother was Ixirn in Lincolnshire, England,
though she was only eight years of age when she came to the new
world and settled in Iowa. In his political views Mr. Tadlock is a
stanch Democrat and his religious faith is manifest by his member-
ship with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In his family are seven
children, namely: Lucy, the wife of our subject; Thomas: John A.;
Arthur J.: Ivy S. ; Arlie R. ; Sylvia S. Our subject and his wife
have two children, Flora C, now ten years of age, and Bethel E.,
aged eight.
Throughout his active business life Mr. Coulson has followed
farming with marked success, and is to-day the owner of a well im-
proved and valuable farm of two hundred and twent}- acres. He has
erected thereon a fine residence, a large barn and windmill, and has set
out an orchard ; in fact, he has one of the best and most desirable
farms of its size in the county. The fields are highly cultivated and on
the pastures are seen good grades of stock. By his ballot Mr. Coulson
supports the Democratic party and its principles, and he has efficiently
served as a member of the school board in his district. Now in the
prime of life, he is enjoying the success which usually follows a life of
industry and honesty, and both he and his wife are numbered among
the most highly esteemed and honored citizens of the community where
they reside.
23
370 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
J. R. DOGGETT.
J. R. Doggett, wliose fine farm of three hundred and forty acres
is pleasantly located on section T5, Douglass township, Appanoose
county, not far from Centerville, is a self-made man, who, through un-
tiring industry and unfaltering honesty and good management has
worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His residence in the
county covers almost thirty-eight years, and he is one of Iowa's native
sons, for his birth occurred in Wapello county, near Ottumwa, on
the 17th of December, 1848. His father, Silas Doggett, came to Appa-
noose county in 1865 and died ten years later at the age of fifty- four
years. He was born in Indiana and was reared in that state, and when
a young man cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Wapello county,
living there when it was possible to hunt wild game, for so desolate was
the region that the animals had not l)een driven west I)y the approach
of the white man. Mr. Doggett was a good hunter and trapper and
secured the animals for their furs, which brought a fair price. In those
early days it required two weeks to go from his home to mill, and the
family endured many hardships and privations incident to life on the
frontier. He married Martha Redish, who was born in Indiana and
died in 1848, leaving a family of ten children, namely: Thomas Dud-
ley, who is now deceased ; Mary A. ; Catherine, who has also passed
away; Absolom, who died in 1902; John; Dudley; Daniel P.; Nancy
J.; Moses, who was a soldier of the Civil war; and J. R., of this re-
view. In the year 1849, soon after the discovery of gold in California,
the father crossed the plains with an ox team, being five months upon
the way. There were few good roads, and as the rivers were unbridged
they had to be forded. The party with which he traveled had several
encounters with the Indians and on more than one occasion Mr. Doggett
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 371
narrowly escaped deatli. For tliree or four years he engaged in mining
in California, and then returned to Wapello county. Iowa, and later
went to Appanoose county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits
imtil his demise. For his second wife he chose Harriet (Derhy)
Bouren, and they had four children : Gilmore, Martha, Milton, and
Harriet. The last named is now deceased. The father voted with
the Democracy and was a zealous and active member of the Hardshell
Baptist church, in which he was an exhorter, proclaiming the gospel
tidings for many years.
J. R. Doggett was reared in Wapello county until fifteen years of
age, and in early life began work in the fields, following the plow almost
from the time that he was old enough to reach its handles. He ob-
tained his education in subscription schools, which were held in different
houses in the neighborhood, and remained at home until nineteen years
of age, when he went west, being employed in freighting across the
plains. He afterward engaged in mining coal in Wyoming and in
driving freight trains. He was also a cowboy upon the plains and in
the winter months mined coal at Bitter Creek, Wyoming. He experi-
enced many hardships and saw some of the wild and exciting times
which form a part of the early history of the west. After two years,
however, he returned to Appanoose county, Iowa, and began farming
here.
At the age of twent}--two years Mr. Doggett was united in mar-
riage in Douglass township to Miss Ellen Rebecca Ullem, who has in-
deed been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey
of life. She is a lady who possesses many excellent characteristics and
is highly esteemed for her good qualities of heart and mind. She was
born in Monroe county, but was reared and educated in .\ppanoose
372 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county, and is a daughter of John Ullem, wliose birth occurred in Indi-
ana, Marcli 13, 1826. He was one of tlie four children of Jacob Ullem,
a native of Germany, and the latter had a i)rother Josiah. who served
in the Mexican war. Jacolj L'llem was united in marriage to Jerusha A.
Stewart, and their son Jolui was reared after iiis thirteenth year by
Harley Greenwood, a prominent man. In 1848 John Ullem came to
Iowa and two years later made the overland trip to California with ox
teams, being upon the road for five months, during which time he met
the usual experiences incident to traveling across the plains in those
days. At length he reached his destination in safety, and after two
years spent in the mines of California he returned to Iowa by way of
the Isthmus, bringing with him a good sum of money which he had
secured in the far west. In 1850 he came to Monroe, later moving to
Appanoose county. In \"an Buren county he had married Phebe M.
Cook, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Jacob Cook. She died at
the age of forty years. At her death Mrs. Ullem left the following chil-
dren : Mrs. Lydia C. Morrison, now deceased: IMrs. Doggett; Hannah
Jane White, living in Centerville; Jerusha Ann; Phebe Darthuley,
the wife of Gilmore Doggett; Oliver Cook; Mary Gertrude; Lewis
Harley ; and Leila Addie, all of the last six being deceased ; John
Josiah, of Appanoose county ; Frances Matilda, who has also passed
away; and Benjamin Richard. For his second wife the father of these
children chose Susan Hockett, and b\' this marriage there was one son,
James N. His third wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Vought,
ami they had no children. The father was a successful man and good
manager and became the possessor of a fine farm and excellent property.
His life was ever upright and honorable, and he therefore won the con-
fidence and uufiualified esteem of those with whom he came in contact.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 373
To Mr. and Mrs. Doggett were hnrn seven children: Charles
Edward : James Harley ; Leonard Ullem ; Xellie Jane, the wife of
F. W. Hollingsworth, of Putnam county, Missouri; Darthuley May;
Daisy Ellen; and Farrie Myrtle. The children have all heen provided
with good educational privileges, fitting them fur life's practical duties.
Mr. Doggett's landed possessions now aggregate four hundred and
sixty-five acres, and his place is one of the finest farms of the county.
In boring a well on Mr. Doggett's farm five veins of coal were passed
through, one six-foot \'ein, one five-foot and two three-foot and one of
tweh'e inches, all at a depth of less than two hundred feet. The large
and well built residence is tastefully furnished, and in the rear stands
a big barn and other substantial outbuildings. In the orchard are
annually gathered fine varieties of apples and other fruits and the
meadows and pasture lands furnish feed for the stock through the
months of summer and through the winter season. There is also a
wood lot upon the farm and rich fields of grain, from which Mr. Dog-
gett annually harvests good crops. He started out in life on his own
account with a cash capital of but thirty dollars, and to-day is num-
bered among the substantial residents of his community, owing to his
unfaltering energv- and the capable assistance of his estimable wife. In
politics he is a stanch Democrat, and both Mr. and Mrs. Doggett are
loyal members of the Christian church.
D.ANIEL CLICK.
For more than a quarter of a century Daniel Click has resided in
Appanoose county and his home is now located in Douglass township,
where he has a good farm. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on
374 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the 2ist of August, 1843, and is a son of Isaac Click, whose birth oc-
curred in Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Daniel Click, was of Penn-
sylvania Dutch parentage, coming of a family noted for reliability in
business and honor in all life's relations. He served his country as a
soldier in the war of 1812. Isaac Click, after arriving at years of ma-
turity, was united in marriage to Luvina Boyer, who was born in the
Keystone state of Pennsylvania parentage. Three children graced this
marriage : John \\., who is now deceased ; Daniel ; and Louis, who
was a soldier of the One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry
during the Civil war and is now living in Missouri. The mother died
in Indiana when her son Daniel was but six years of age, and later the
father married again and had three children by that union : Isaac M.,
Malissa and Emma. Mr. Click i)assed awav in Carroll county. Mis-
souri, when sixty-eight years of age. He had devoted his entire life
to agricultural pursuits, had. given his political support first to the De-
mocracy and later to the Republican party, and had held membership in
the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he contributed generously.
Daniel Click, whose name introduces this review, obtained his edu-
cation in the schools of Indiana. He was quite young at the time of
the outbreak of the Civil war, but in response to the call of President
Lincoln for six hundred thousand men he joined the Twelfth Indiana
Infantry, enlisting at Columbus, under Colonel William Link, who re-
ceived his mortal wound at the battle of Richmond. Kentucky, at which
time Colonel \Mlliams took command of the regiment. The captain
of Mr. Click's company was George Trotter, a brave and gallant officer.
Our subject served for two years and eleven months, performing every
duly without question, knowing that the first obligation which rests
upon a soldier is to obey orders. He participated in many battles and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 375
skirmislies, including tiie engagements at Ricliniond, at Missionary
Ridge and at Cliickamauga. The regiment was first with General John
A. Logan's corps, and later Mr. Click went upon the celebrated march
from Atlanta to the sea under General Sherman. He tcnik part in the
battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and Ezra Church. At Jackson,
Mississippi, he suffered a sunstroke, and later, on account of other ail-
ments, he had to go to the hospital at Rome, Georgia, where he re-
mained from June until September. He then joined his regiment at
Atlanta and afterward marched with his command to Savannah. Later
he was in the battles of Beaufort, North Carolina, Columbia, South
Carolina, and Bentonville, and marched on to Petersburg, Virginia, and
to Richmond, proceeding thence to Washington, D. C, where lie took
part in the grand review, the gallant Twelfth Lidiana leading the parade
on that memorable occasion. Mr. Click was honorably discharged at
the close of the war and returned to his home with his regiment, which
had gone out thirteen hundred strong and came back with only three
hundred, the graves of the others ha\-ing been made in the soil of Ten-
nessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia. They had
marched six thousand miles and participated in twenty battles and many
skirmishes.
In 1865 Mr. Click removed from Indiana to Missouri and was
married on the 29th of December, 1S69, in Carroll county. Missouri,
to Martha J. Henamen, who was a successful teacher of that county
and a lady of culture and refinement. She was Ixirn in Belmont county,
Ohio, a daughter of John and Martha (Good) Henamen. Her father
was born near Hamburg, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of eighty-
four years, but her mother is living in Centerville, Iowa, at the age of
eighty-five years. 'J"he Henamen family came to Appanoose county,
376 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Iowa, in 1851, and after living here for nineteen years removed to Car-
roll county, Missouri. Our subject and his wife have had three sons
and seven daughters, namely: Harry E., Mrs. Stella McDonald, Mrs.
Nannie B. Wells, Mary Edna. Frank R., Fannie B., Erma H., Eva
Fern, Mina Lucile and John W'., but the last named died at the age of
eight years.
In 1876 Mr. Glick came to Appanoose county from Missouri, and
he has here a good farm of forty-one acres in Douglass township. This
is well fenced and he has erected a new house and upon the place is a
substantial barn. The land is rich bottom land, bordering on Snyder
creek. Everything about the place is indicative of the progressive and
practical spirit of the owner. In political views Mr. Glick is a Repub-
lican, and he has served on the school board in this locality. He belongs
to the Free Methodist cliurch. in which he has served as class leader
and steward, and he is a friend of temperance, morality and education.
HUGH E. WILKINSON.
Not far from Cincinnati, Iowa, on mail route No. 3, is a cozy and
attractive farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of highly
improved and fertile land. Everything on and about this farm indicates
thrift and good management. All the modern improvements in the way
of machinery and appropriate agricultural architecture assure the visitor
that a progressive and up-to-date farmer lias tlic management of things
on that place. Closer inspection will show that the dwelling house is
equipped with a telephnne. which places the manager in quick touch with
the county seat and surrounding towns, while Uncle Sam's mail carrier
stops at the door c\er}- day to deliver newspapers and letters. Such is
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 377
one of the prettiest places to be seen in a state famous for its fine farms
and ideal homes. Inquiry eHcits the information that the liappy owner
of this "little farm well tilled"' is Hugh E. Wilkinson, and it is the
object of this biography to tell the reader something about him. He is
descended from a combination of English and Irish joined in matri-
monial alliance. Dr. Thomas Wilkinson, who was born and bred in
England, in early life met and married in Ohio an Irish lady by the
name of Ann Murphy, and this union of natives of two countries so
hostile produced no evil results, as "they lived happily ever after."
They made their home in Dayton, Ohio, where Dr. Wilkinson prac-
ticed medicine a few years, but in 1856 he removed to Appanoose
county, Iowa, secured a farm in Franklin township and there spent all
the remainder of his days. The Doctor was a Presbyterian in religion,
while his wife adhered to the doctrines promulgated by the Baptist
church. He lived to the rather advanced age of ninety-one years and
died in 1901, just a year after his wife, who passed away in 1900 when
eighty-five years old. Their only children were William M. and Hugh
E., the former of whom is now living in the old home place in Franklin
township.
Hugh E. Wilkinson, the second son, was born at Dayton, Ohio,
June 5, 1853, and was just three years old when his parents trans-
ferred the scene of their operations to Iowa. He grew up in Appa-
noose county and received good educational advantages at the common
schools in Franklin township, the high school at Centerville and the
academy at College Springs, Iowa. As soon as he laid aside his books
he engaged in farming, and this has ever since been the regular occu-
pation of his life. His Iowa residence, however, was interrupted by
a western sojourn of ten or twelve years beyond the Missouri river.
378 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
While at Newton, Kansas, wliere he lived several years, he met and
married Phcfibe J-, daughter of John and Sarah Phillips, residents of
that place. He went from Kansas to Colorado, where he remained until
1897, and then returned to his old home in Iowa, from whicli he has
never since departed. How comfortable he is now fixed, and how well
he has been doing, is sufficiently emphasized in the opening paragraph
of this biographical sketch. Of Mr. ^^■ilkinson's four children, two,
Anna and Thomas P., are living, and the other two, Harry E. and Fred
W .. have joined the great majority. In ]iolitics he is a Republican, in
religion a Methodist, and fraternally a member of the Masons, and
he and his wife and their eldest daughter are members of the Order
of the Eastern Star.
\\". F. C.VLHOUN.
W. F. Calhoun, the well known proprietor of the Lone Elm stock
farm and one of the most successful agriculturalists of Chariton town-
ship, his home being on section 17, came to Appanoose county in 1874,
and has since been prominently identified with its upbuilding and devel-
opment. He was born near Salem in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the
17th of April, 1852, and comes of a good family, noted for intelligence,
industry and honesty. His father, David Bell Calhoun, was torn in
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and was a son of James Alex-
ander Calhoun, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject's an-
cestors were devout members of tl.e Presybterian church and were early
settlers of western Pennsylvania. From that state his grandfather re-
moved to Indiana, where his last days were passed. He was a soldier
of the war of 18 12.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 381
David B. Calhoun grew to manhood in his native state and re-
ceived a good education during boyhood. On reaching man's estate
he married Miss Margaret B. Fife, who was also a native of Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania, luit was reared in Washington county, that state.
Her people came originally from the highlands of Scotland, though her
father, ^^'illiam Fife, spent his entire life in the Keystone state, dying
*■
in Washington county. In early life David B. Calhoun taught school
and also engaged in clerking in a store. For a time he made his home
in Wheeling, West Virginia, and on coming west in 1874 located in
the northern part of Appanoose county, and in 1892 moved to Avery,
Monroe county, Iowa, where he died October 25, 1894, honored and re-
spected by all who knew him. In religious faith he was a Covenanter
and in politics was a Jacksonian Democrat, holding office during his
residence in Ohio. His widow, who was to him a faithful companion
and helpmeet, still survixes her husband and now makes her home in
Franklin township, Monroe county, near Iconium. In the family of
this worthy couple were seven children, of whom W. F. Calhoun is the
eldest. The others are J. A., a resident of Monroe county, Iowa ; John
B., of Decatur county, this state; Mrs. Mary J. Kingery, of Brighton,
Iowa; C. C. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Matthew, deceased; and
Lee, who died in childhood.
W. F. Calhoun spent the first thirteen years of his life in his native
state and then accompanied his parents on their removal to northern
Indiana. Later his home was near Joliet, Will county, Illinois, and
from there he removed to Putnam county, Indiana, settling near Green-
castle. His education was obtained in the schools of Illinois, Indiana
and Iowa, where he was fitted for the teacher's profession. In 1874
he came to Appano<ise county, Iowa, where he commenced teaching two
382 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
years later, being thus employed through eight winter terms with good
success. Since then he has given his attention exclusively to his farm-
ing and stock-raising interests. He is now the owner of a valuable
farm of four hundred and fifty-fi\'e acres, known as the Lone Elm stock
farm, which is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences,
and improved with a g(X)d residence, barn and other outbuildings for the
shelter of grain and stock. He raises a high grade of cattle, which he
finds quite profitable.
On the 6th of November, 1S77, Mr. Calhoun married Miss Hen-
rietta Elizabeth Free, who was born, reared and educated in this county.
Her father, John Free, a prominent stockman of Chariton township,
is fine of the ]ii(>neers of this county and one of its largest land owners.
He was born in Xorth Carolina in 1830. a son of William and Sarah
(.\lfred) Free, who were natives of South Carolina and died in Indiana.
From that state John Free came to Iowa at an early day and here he has
steadily prospered until he is now the owner of about sixteen hundred
acres of land, mostly vallev land, on which are good and substantial
farm buildings, though his first home in this state was a log cabin, six-
teen by sixteen feet. He raises a large number of cattle and horses and
has l)een remarkably successful in all his undertakings. In 1854 he
married Harriet Sheeks, a native of Indiana, and to them were Ixirn
ele\en children, seven of whom are still li\'ing, and the\' also have four-
teen grandchildren. During the Civil war Mr. Free enlisted, in Aug-
ust, iS6j, in Company F, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under
the command of Captain Vermillion, and was in the service for three
years, l>eing a prisoner at Cam]) Ford, Tyler, Texas, for nine months of
that time, ^^'hen hostilities ceased he was honorably discharged and
returned home. He is a supporter of the Republican party and a man
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 383
of prominence in tlie communit}' wliere he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Cal-
houn lia\e fi\'e cliildren : Harley Z., a mechanic and farmer, married
Miss Laura Jennison, November 5, 1902; Lori Garfield, one of the
popular teachers of this county ; Lillie May, also a popular and success-
ful teacher; Ina Osa and Sylvia Emily.
Our subject, his wife and oldest daughter are members of the
Christian church, and no family of Chariton township stands higher in
public esteem. By his Iiallot Mr. Calhoun supports the men and
measures of the Republican party, and for thirteen years most efficiently
and satisfactorily served as a member of the school board in his town-
ship. He is a well informed man and is hospitable and jovial in dispo-
sition.
BLAIR STEVENSON.
The family to which the above named belongs was contributed to
Iowa in its formative period h\ the old Keystone state, which sent forth
such swarms of vounger citizens to the western part of our country.
Henr\- Stevenson, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
March 20, 1802, was the son of poor parents, and as he grew up had
t() work hard for a livelihood. In his earlier years his occupation was
that of a woodchopper, but later he abandoned this rather exacting pur-
suit for that of farming. He married Sarah Blair, a daughter of one
of his neighbors, whose birth occurred in October, 1797. and after this
event lived some years in his native state, but in 1845 moved with his
family to Darke county, Ohio, where he rented and cultivated a farm
for six years. In 1851 they went to Wapello county, Iowa, where an-
other place was rented until iS^A, and then a final move was made to
Appanoose county to the farm at present occupied by their son, where
384 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
they lived until their deaths, which occurred respectively in 1885 and
1880.
Blair Stevenson was horn in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, Janu-
ary 17, 1834, and he was next to the youn.8:est in a family of eight
children, four of whom are living. He was eleven years old when his
parents moved west, and the frequent changes of residence which sub-
sequently took place were not conducive to regular education such as is
obtained in schools. In fact, his training consisted principally of the
hard work he had to do on the various farms rented or owned by his
father, but all this came in good play when he himself assumed the
burden of managing a farm. On March 24, 1864. he was married in
Wapello county to Louise White, a native of Gallia county, Ohio, who
came to Iowa with her parents when two years old. Mr. and Mrs.
Stevenson have seven children: Sarah Jane, wife of E. H. Streepy;
Laura Belle; Mrs. Emma Barlett; Mrs. Minnie Hutchison; Walter;
Mrs. Myrtle Fox ; and Ella. Though he still resides on the home farm,
Mr. Stevenson sold the place to his son-in-law, Mr. Streepy.
JONAS SUTTON.
In the earlier years of the nineteenth century there lived in the
isolated mountain section of western Virginia a young man named
Cornelius Sutton. He was born in Pendleton county, of poor parents,
and was himself of the class who are compelled to earn their daily bread
by the sweat of their brows. When still a mere lad, so great were the
necessities of the family, that he was compelletl to become a "bound
boy," and spent many weary years of drudgery learning the tanner's
trade. He mastered it, however, and when he became a journevman
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 385
went into the business regular!}' and followed it many years as a means
of livelihood. In the cotu'se of time he felt able to take a wife, as, for-
tunately, poverty is no bar to matrimony, and his choice of a life com-
panion fell upon one of the neighborhood girls named Ellen Johnson.
Shortly after his marriage Cornelius decided to mo\-e to the nearby
county of Harrison, where he changed from tanning to farming, and
from that on to the end was engaged in agricultural pursuits. The
exact date of his death is not given, but it is known that his good wife
did not long survive him, and the two sleep side by side in a lonely
cemetery of West Virginia. This worthy couple became the parents
of eleven children, most of whom have long since passed away, there
being at present only three survivors of this once large family. One of
these is the well known farmer and citizen who now^ lives in retirement
near Moulton, Iowa.
Jonas Sutton, one of the older children of his father Cornelius,
was born in Highland county. West Virginia, January i, 1832, and
was reared to manhood on the farm to which the family removed in
his infancy. Schools were few and far between in West Virginia in
those days, and farmers' boys bad little opportunity for what they called
"book learning." Young Sutton, like the rest of them, got his educa-
tion by the hard licks necessary to make rough land produce, and he
learned early the stern but useful lesson that there is no success without
labor. Jonas Sutton had reached his twenty-ninth year before he felt
able to marry, but in i860 w^as united in the holy bonds with Sarah
Jane Robinson, one of the industrious and deserving young women of
Harrison county. They remained in their native state during the whole
period of the Civil war, though the Virginias at that time were not very
desirable places of abode, and after the conflict was over, with its waste
386 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
and ruin, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton wisely concluded that they could better
their fortunes by moving- far towards the setting sun. It was in 1865
that this journey was entered upon, and it did not conclude until Mr.
Sutton and his wife "drew rein" in Appanoose county, Iowa. There
they located on a tract of land which later became widely known as
the old Sutton homestead, situated in the most desirable section of the
county, in the southwest part of Moulton. The land was rich, Mr.
Sutton was industrious and an excellent manager, Mrs. Sutton was a
good Jiousekeeper, and with these elements present the statement almost
naturally follows that success and comfort and finally wealth waited
upon the immigrants from Virginia. Between his fine crops and fine
stock, both of which he raised in abundance, Mr. Sutton found himself
in easier circumstances almost every year, and when finally he felt like
retiring he liad an elegant home in which to .spend the evening of his
days. He cultivated his farm from the time of his arrival until the fall
of 1902, a period of thirty-seven years, and at the end of that time was
the owner in fee simple, witliout mortgage or obligation of any kind,
of three hundred and seventy-five acres of the finest land in Appanoose
county. After the death of his good wife, however, which occurred in
April, 1902, the old jilace looked lonely to Mr. Sutton, and the next fall
he took up residence with his daughter, Mrs. Florence Peterson, at her
hospitable home, two and one-quarter miles west of Moulton. Here he
takes life easy, avoids worr\- of all sorts, and has a kind greeting for
all friends, who are quite numerous, as Jonas Sutton is one of the
popular as well as one of the substantial men of Appanoose county.
Besides the daughter with whom he resides, his other children are
G. W. Sutton, who lives 'iwq miles west of Moulton, and Mrs. Letta
Swartz, whose residence is in the same neighborhood. Mr. Sutton has
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 387
long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and it is
needless to add that his social and religious life is guided by the same
moral bearing and regard for the well-being of others that have always
characterized his conduct in business affairs.
HERMAN L. AND WILLIAM KIRCHMAN.
Herman L. Kirchman comes of one of those old German families
which seem fast rooted in the soil and have derived their elemental
strength from the rugged land of tlieir birth. In the very first century
of modern history, when the world was just awaking from the sleep
of the middle ages, we find members of the house engaged in the great
work of the universities; for since 1535 some representative of the
family has been a professor in one of the universities, as was the father
of our subject. Herman was the third of his father's twelve children
and was born in the kingdom of Prussia on March 28, 1839. He re-
ceived his education in tlie uni\ersity in which his father was professor
and in the great technical school at Kiel, Germany, learned the trade
of machinist. He became an engineer on one of the ocean steamers
and was thus employed for three years. During one of his trips to the
United States the Civil war broke out, and at the first call for volun-
teers he enlisted in a New York company of volunteers, all of whom,
however, deserted, with the exception of himself and a few others, who
were transferred to Company K, Eleventh New York Infantry; after
serving for one year he was honorably discharged.
The next event in Mr. Kirchman's life is one that is interesting
from the point of general history. In 1863 he came west to Chats-
worth, Illinois, and placed the machinery in the first beet sugar plant
388 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ever established in tliis country, an industry which now occupies so
prominent a place in the commerce of tlie world. Mr. Kirchman oper-
ated this plant for two years, and then went to Clinton, Iowa, and
was superintendent of the Union Iron Works there for fourteen
years. He then went to Davenport, Iowa, and was superintendent of
the Donohue Machine Shops for four years. After spending a year in
Muscatine, Iowa, he returned to Davenport and was employed by the
Rock Island Railroad for a year. March i. 1883, is the date of his com-
ing to Centerville. He here purchased a machine shop and operated it
under the name of the Centerville Iron Works as sole proprietor up to
the time of his death, which occurred April 24, 1901.
Mr. Kirchman died in the consciousness that he had been success-
ful in his best endeavors and that by his honest industry he had laid
up a fair competeitce. He began his operations in this city, owing a
part of the purchase price of his plant, but the concern grew and is still
carrying on a splendid trade. Mr. Kirchman's first marriage occurred
in New York city just after his army service, when he became the hus
band of Helen Geissler, of German nativity, who bore him three chil-
dren — William, Irnia, and Jessie. At Davenport he married for his
second wife Dora Carstens, who survives him, and is the mother of one
son, George W. In religious belief he was a Unitarian, was a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Ancient Order of United
Workmen.
William Kirciim.vn, the son of Herman Kirchman by
his first wife, was born in Clinton, Iowa, June 29, 1866. After receiv-
ing a common school education, lie learned the machinist's trade luider
his father. He worked in his father's .shops and at the latter's death
succeeded to the ownership of the Centerville Iron \\'orks. This shop
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 3S9
is equipped with all niachincr\- for working in metals and does a large
business in placing heating plants. Likewise it makes a specialty of
mining machinery and general repair work. Mr. Kirchman was mar-
ried in 1889 to Blanche Randolph, and they have two children. He
has been chosen to represent the citizens in the city council and is a
public-spirited man, ever ready to help any enterprise for the good of
the community.
HON. FRANK S. PAYNE.
Grandfather Henry Payne was a native of the great state of Vir-
ginia and was one of the early settlers of Iowa, settling in Henry
county of that state in 1835, before the territory had been made into a
state. The father of the immediate subject of this sketch, Charles \V.
Payne, was born in Henry county, Iowa ; his wife was Margaret Patton,
who was born near Wheeling, West Virginia ; her father, Matthew
Patton, was also a pioneer of Iowa, and after returniup" to Virginia
for a time, he took up his permanent residence in Henry county.
Charles W. Payne has spent most of his life in the pursuit of agricul-
ture and now owns and conducts a fine farm in Henry county, raising a
great number of stock and making extensive deals in buying and ship-
ping the same. He has been a stanch and loyal Republican and has
served two terms in the lower branch of the Iowa legislature. There are
four children in the family, two sons and two daughters.
Frank S. Payne, the oldest son of this family, first saw the light
on a farm near Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, August 16, 1869.
He passed his boyhocxl days on the farm and attended the country
schools. He then was sent to his uncle, a lawyer in Bushncll, Illinois,
and there graduated from the high school at the age of fifteen years.
390 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
From there he entered Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant,
and was graduated in 1892. Having decided upon the profession of
law, he entered the Northwestern University Law School at Chicago
and completed his course in 1894. In the same year he was admitted
to the bar in both Iowa and Illinois, and in the fall of that year located
at Centerville. where he began the practice which he has since carried
on so successfully.
Besides attending to his large clientage, Mr. Payne has taken an
active interest in political affairs. In the fall of 1899 he was elected on
the Republican ticket as representative in the lower house of the state
legislature and was re-elected in 1901. By a curious coincidence he
served his first term in the house just twenty years after his father had
held the same place. The part that he took in the affairs of legislation
was very creditable to him. In 1896 Mr. Payne was married to Miss
Grace Dickison. of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church and are valued and respected members
of society, always ready to do their share toward advancing any good
cause.
JOHN McFARLAND, M. D.
The medical profession probably has more opportunities and gives
a wider field for studious research antl beneficent work in the interests
of humanitv than any other great calling that now occupies the atten-
tion of men's endeavors. The ranks of the profession have a valuable
addition in the person of John McFarland, who is one of the leading
practitioners of Centerville, Iowa. His parents were George and Eliza-
beth (Solms) McFarland. The former was a native of Edinburgh,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 391
Scotland, a land that has produced many a sturdy American citizen.
He came to this country when he was thirty-fi\-e years of age and was
married in New York, which was his wife's native state. From there
he came west to Wisconsin and there died. He was a farmer by occu-
pation and possessed all the excellent (|ualities that are characteristic
of the Scot. The wife, with her family of ten children, is still living.
Jolin, one of the above familv, was born in Fond du Lac county,
Wisconsin, in 1855. He remained on his father's farm until he was
twenty-one and received a good common school education, graduating
from the high school in Fond du Lac. He had learned the trade of mill-
wright, and for five years after leaving the farm was engaged in this
with considerable success. He then went to South Dakota and farmed
and raised stock until 1885. Deciding that he was fitted for some more
congenial occupati(5n, in that year he entered tiie Homeopathic Medical
College in Chicago and in 1887 completed a successful course of study
in that institution. In 1889 he closed Out his stock business in Dakota,
and in the spring of the following year located in Centerville, where he
has since carried on his profession with marked success. Mr. McFar-
land is prominently connected with the Lidependent Order of Odd Fel-
lows. In 1899 he was united in marriage to Miss Etta Grimes, of Cen-
terville. They have a pleasant home, are surrounded with all the com-
forts of life and are the center of an ever widening circle of friends
and acquaintances. To predict the future from the past, we presage a
bright career before our worthy subject.
392 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
O. H. LAW.
In America, abo\'e all other countries, are true worth, character,
perseverance and steady, intelligent effort appreciated and rewarded,
and it is our privilege in this short article to sketch the career of a man
who has risen to the top under difficulties that would have discouraged
anyone with less of the true American grit and energy. The parents
of this gentleman were Thomas and Rachel (Booth) Law, who were
horn, reared and married near Senecaville, Ohio, and after their mar-
riage came west and settled on a farm in Wells township, Appanoose
county, Iowa. Thomas Law had learned the tailor's trade and followed
it for many years, until failing health compelled him to take up some
outdoor work. He accordingly engaged in farming and is now living
retired in Moulton. Iowa.
O. H. Law is one of seven chiUlren. four sons and three daughters,
and his birth occurred <in a farm just south of Moulton, on February i,
1857. His early education was limited to what he could secure in the
first eleven years of his life. At that age he was put to the hard and
uncongenial work in the woolen mill at Moulton, and he labored there
until he was nineteen years old. Finding no profit in such employment
and being unable to reconcile it to his higher views of life, he left the
mill and fiir a while did whatever came to his hands, sawing wood and
odd jobs. He was determined to gain an education, even at that late
date, and with commendable effort graduated from the Moulton high
school in 1878. He then taught school for a total of thirty-six months,
studying law in the meantime. In 1S80 he was admitted to the bar and
at once began practice in Cenlcrvillc, soon building up a good practice.
Mr. Law's political career is also worthy of notice. He has always
been a Democrat; altlunigh living in a strongly Republican community,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 393
he has 1ieen chosen to many oftices. For two years he served as deputy
county auchtor; in 1881 he was elected county auditor and was re-
elected; for one term, from 1888 to 1890. he was city solicitor of Cen-
terville. In all these offices he has evidenced his business push and
blameless integrity. In 1886 Mr. Law branched out into the real estate,
loan and alistract business and has developed a large and lucrative busi-
ness. His brother has been associated with him since 1889. and in 1891
the firm was incorporated as the Law Brothers Compau)'. Mr. Law is
known as a hustler and is certain to make a success of any enterprise
which he undertakes. He was married in 18S0 to Miss Anna Deeds,
and they have two children. The family is one of the most respected
in the town and has a large circle ni friends.
HENRY H. WRIGHT.
General Henry Harrison Wright is an honored veteran of the Civil
war and a man who has for a number of years held a leading place among
the prominent business men of A])panoose county, Iowa, where he is
engaged in the general insurance lousiness. He was born in Williams-
port, Warren count}-, Indiana, on the 26th of February, 1840, being a
son of John B. and Eliza ( Purjue) Wright. The father, who was a
native of Ohio, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, while the mother, who
was l)orn in Indiana, was of Irish descent.
Henry H. \\'right s])ent the first twenty years of his life in the place
of his birth, receiving his early education in its common schools, which
was later supplemented by a course in the Boyer Academy of Williams-
port. When eighteen years of age he began learning the printer's trade,
which he followed at Williamsport, Indiana, and Dan\ille, Illinois, until
394 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
i860, coining thence to Centerville, Iowa, his intention being to con-
tinue the journey to the mines at Pike's Peak. However, in May, 1861,
at tlie first call for troops, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, be-
coming a member of Company D, Sixtieth Iowa Infantry, entering
the ranks as a private, and was not mustered into service until the 17th
of July following. His regiment served in Missouri until March, 1862,
when it was ordered to Shiloh, taking part in the engagement at that
place; also participated in the siege of Corinth, in the campaign in
northern Mississippi under General Grant, in General Sherman's divi-
sion and corps, the Vicksburg campaign, the second capture of Jackson,
Mississippi, Missionary Ridge, and in the relief of General Burnsides
at Knoxville, Tennessee. It also participated in the Atlanta campaign,
including the battles of Resaca. Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Atlanta. Jonesborough and Lovejoy's Station. The regiment was
with General Sherman on his march to the sea, the campaign through
the Carolinas, in the battle of Bentonville, at the capture of Raleigh,
North Carolina, and in the march through Richmond, Virginia, to
Washington, where it participated in the grand review in May, 1865.
Mr. W^right took part in all the engagements with his regiment, and
January i, 1865, was commissioned second lieutenant of his company
by Governor Stone.
He was mustered out with his regiment at Louisville, K'entucky,
July 22, 1865, and after his discharge from the army returned to Cen-
ter\illc. In the following October he was elected sheriff of Appanoose
county, which office he held by re-election until January, 1874, serving
in all eight years, and for the following two years he was the deputy
.sheriff under John M. Elgin, In January, 1876, General Wright em-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 395
barked in tlie insurance, real estate and abstract business at Center-
ville, to which lie has devoted more than twenty-five years.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated on the 15th of Novem-
ber, 1866, at Centerville, when Miss Catherine A. Gray became his
wife. They have five hving children: John Albert, Henry Clay, Fanny,
Mary D., and Rolle. One son, Charles Cyrus, died in October, 1872, at
the age of five }ears, and Jesse Berch died at the age of fourteen months.
On the 7th of December, 1878, Mr. Wright entered the Iowa National
Guard as first sergeant of Company E, Fifth Regiment, and soon after-
ward, on I\Iarch 14, 1880. was promoted to second lieutenant of Com-
pany E, Second Regiment, while on April 15, 188 1, he was made the
captain. He was promoted to colonel of the Second Regiment, July
26, 188 1, and on September 3, 1885, was elected brigadier general and
twice re-elected, commanding the Fir-st Brigade, Iowa National Guard,
for eleven years. He was appointed adjutant general for Iowa, Febru-
ar)' I, 1896, by Governor F. M. Drake, and served two years. In his
political affiliations Mr. Wright is a Republican, and fraternally is a
member of the Odd Fellows order, being past noble grand of Center-
ville Lodge No. 76, and he is also a past post commander of John L.
Bashaw Post No. 122, G. A. R.
GEORGE C. ELLIOTT.
This gentleman, who served as clerk of the district court of Ap-
panoose count}', is perhaps the most experienced official in the county.
During his comparati\el\- short lifetime he has served in three different
county offices, and prcxiously served two terms as deputy in the office
he recently filled as principal. This long official service has not only
396 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
made him efficient, but has brought him into acquaintance with a large
number of people whose good will is the Ijest test of his standing. As
he is still under thirty years of age, a member of the dominant party
and quite popular with all classes, it is safe to predict for this accom-
plished young man a brilliant and successful future. He is now en-
gaged in the abstract business. He is a son of John and Nancy
(Morgan) Elliott, who formerly lived in Davis county, but came to
Centerville in 1SS4. The father was twice elected clerk of the district
court of Appanoose county and served his two terms with such satisfac-
tion as to be voted one of the most popular officials the county ever had,
George C. Elliott was born May 14. 1874. while his parents re-
sided at Drake\ille, h)wa, and was ten years old when brought by them
to Centerville. He attended the city schools, but at a very early age
became a dc])utv under his father in the clerk's office of the district
court. As he remained there during his father's two terms, he re-
ceived an unusually thorough training in all the details and duties con-
nected with such a trust. Naturally this made his services in demand
and he was appointed deput\- in the recorder's office, where he served
a vear, and went fnmi there to the office of the county treasurer, with
whom he remained as deputy four years. In addition to all this he
was for a time collector of delinquent taxes and the duties of these posi-
tions were discharged with such efficiency and fidelity that when a va-
cancv occurred in the clerkship of the district court Mr. Elliott was
appointed to fill the unexpired term. This appointment, which sent him
back as principal to the office which he had so long occupied as deputy,
was made in laiuiary, 1002, and he forwith assumed charge of his
trust. Since leaving this office Mr. Elliott has engaged in the abstract
business, which occupies his attention at the present time. Mr. Elliott's
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 397
political preferences are zealously Republican and he is popular as a
worker and leader among the younger element of the party to which
he s;i\'es an earnest advocacy.
JAMES FRANKLIN PARKS.
The story of the life of the subject of this sketch is like that of
man}- other progressi\e Iowa citizens, filled with years of boyish enjoy-
ment and work on the old farm, advancing by steady degrees along the
way of life, and by his conscientious work and determination pushing
forward until he now occupies an honored place among the citizens of
Appanoose count)- and is serving the people in one of the important of-
fices of the county.
Robert and Sarah (Lowe) Parks are the parents of the subject of
this biograph)- ; the father was born in Tennessee, but when a mere in-
fant was taken by his parents to Luliana, where they lived and died.
Robert grew to manho(-)d in this state and when nineteen years old went
to Illinois ; he was there married, Sarah Lowe being a native of Ken-
tuck\-, but being taken by her parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, when
a young girl. Soon after his marriage he went to Iowa and finally de-
cided to locate in Davis county, but in 1865 moved to a farm in Ap-
panoose county. He has been a successful farmer all his life. He has
always cast his \-ote for the men of the Republican party, and relig-
iouslv he and his wife are members of the Christian church. There
have been born to them five daughters and two sons.
lames Franklin, one nf the aboxe children, was born while his par-
ents resided in Davis county, Iowa, on Christmas day of 1859. Reared
on the farm, his labor was diversified by attendance in the district schools
398 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
and by evenings spent in reading and self-education at Iiome. He re-
mained on his parents" farm in Appanoose county until 1884 and in that
year was married to Miss Cora F. Kewley, the daughter of Thomas P.
Kewley, deceased, and a native of Illinois. After his marriage Mr.
Parks settled on a farm and has farmed and resided in this county ever
since with the exception of two years spent in Nebraska.
He has taken an active interest in local politics, being a member of
the Republican party; in the fall of 1900 he was chosen by his fellow
citizens to the office of county auditor; the confidence the people showed
in him in electing him to this office has been amply endorsed by the ca-
pable handling of the position bestowed u])on him. He is progressive
and ready to assist in any enterj)rise for the city's advancement, and he
has a genius for hard work that will effect many improvements in the
details of his office. Mr. Parks holds membership in the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Christian church. His mar-
riage has been blessed with two sons, Thomas R. and Seth Lyle.
EDWARD J. GAULT.
One of the distinguished citizens of Appanoose county, his name
figuring prominently in public afifairs. is Edward J. Gault. He was
born near Belfast, Ireland, on the ist of June, 1828, his parents being
Francis and Deborah (McCall) C.ault. both of whom were natives of
the l-lmerald Isle. His paternal grandfather was a participant in the
Irish revolution and was killed in that conflict by the British at the bat-
tle of Antrim. In 1839 the parents of our subject with their seven
children came to the United States and took up their altode in Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, where they remained for ten years. On the expira-
ELWARD J. GAULT.
THi^
ARY
riLOEN
fei
NtATIONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 401
tion of that period the_\- renio\ed to Madison, Wisconsin, and late in the
year 1854 they left that locality, following our subject to Appanoose
county, Iowa. Here the mother died in i860 at the age of sixty-three
years, and the father's death occurred in 1S70. when he was seventy
years of age. Both were laid to rest in the Cincinnati cemetery. The
father was reared a farmer and throughout his entire business career
carried on agricultural jiursuits, achieving fair success in his under-
takings. In politics he was first an old-line Whig and afterward be-
came a Democrat. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, while
his wife was connected with the Episcopalian church. In their family
were seven children, namel\- : Annabel, now deceased; Francis, who
died in Kentucky: Edward J., of this review; Richard, who is a resi-
dent farmer of Iowa ; Henry, who died in Appanoose county in 1885 ;
.\nnie, the wife of James Wolfinger, who is li\'ing near Cincinnati ; and
one that died in infancy.
Edward J. Gault was in his eleventh year when his parents came
to the United States and during the succeeding decade was a resident
of Philadelphia and of New York city, spending a year and a half of
that time in the American metropolis. He was apprenticed to learn
the painter's and gilder's trade in Philadelphia. After spending a
year and a half in New York he resided it: Wilmington, Delaware, for
about the same time. On the expiration of that period he went to
Louisville, Kentucky, which place he left in October, 1850, going down
the Ohio river and uj) the Mississippi to Galena, Illinois ; from that
place he made his way to Madison, Wisconsin, where he was employed
as a farm hand until the spring of i85_'. In the summer of that year
he went tO' Oswegi). Illinois, where he worked at his trade, and in the
spring of 1853 he came to .\ppanoose county. Iowa, settling where ne
402 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
now lives, in Pleasant township. Since that time he has carried on
general farming and stock-raising. Whm lie came to this county he
brought with him a capital of about three hundred dollars, all of which
he had saved from his earnings. He has since been very successful in
his business affairs, his diligence and enterprise enabling him to over-
come all difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily
upward to prosperit}-.
On Christmas day of 1853 Mr. Gault was united in marriage to
Miss Sophia L. McClure, a daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Young)
McClure. Mrs. Gault was born in Ohio, but her parents were natives
of the north of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the new world. In
religious faith they were Presbyterians. Mrs. Gault died on November
27, 1873, at the age of forty-three years, and on the 25th of June, 1879,
Mr. Gault was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Jane
S. Wootten, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a daughter of
Stqjhen M. and Jane (Kennedy) Simmons, both of whom were natives
of Philadelphia. Ten children were born U< the marriage of our sub-
ject and his wife, and nine of the number lived to vears of maturity,
namely: Thomas F., Annie, h'rank E., Edward, Mary, Alice, Richard,
Jessie, and Sophia, of which number Mary is now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Gault was first a Whig and afterwards
became a Douglas Democrat. Since that time he has been unfaltering
in his support of the Democracy. In 1861 he was elected a member of
the county board of supervisors and ser\ed for one year. In the fall
of 1861 he received a unanimous vote electing him to the lower Ikhisc
of the state legislature, being the only official e\er gi\en the unbroken
support of the people in this way. He served for one term and then
declined to continue in the office. In 187 1, however, he was elected to
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 4:03
the state senate and tilled that position for four years. In 1883 he was
again chosen to the same office and served for four years. An enumera-
tion of the men of the present generation who have won honor and puh-
lic recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the
state to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to
make prominent reference to Mr. Gault. He holds distinctive prece-
dence as a statesman, as well as one of the leading and progressive ag-
riculturists of his community. He has been and is distinctively a man
of afifairs and one who has wielded a wide influence, and during his
service in both branches of the general assembly he left the impress of
his individualit\- upon the legislation enacted during those periods. He
and his faiuil}- attend the ser\'ices of the Congregational cliurch and are
prominent and representative residents of Appanoose county.
JAMES WILSON.
The land of the b<3nnie bluebell and of the immortal Burns has sent
forth many a worthv sim tcj the free land across the waters who has been
an important factor in the industrial, social and political life of this
country, and to have the Ijlood of the sturdy Scotch in one's veins is in
itself an excellent heritage. And it is now our pleasure to record the
career of one who is in every way an ornament to his adopted land and
an American citizen in the true sense of the word. The Wilson family
traces its lineage back to an old Scotch house. James and Janet
(Young) Wilson were the parents of our immediate subject and were
both born in Scotland. James Wilson. Sr., was a coal miner anil at
the age of thirt\'-four lost his life by falling down a shaft. To them
were born eight children, of whom six are still living; one died in in-
404 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fancy and a son, Adam, was killed on the western plains in 1863 by the
Indians.
James Wilson was the oldest son and was born in Inveresk parish,
Mid-Lothian county, Scotland, on the 22d day of September, 1834.
All the school training that was afforded him was such as he could
obtain in the first ten years of his life; at the end of that period he be-
gan liis career as a coal miner. In 1S54, when twenty years of age, he
came to America; he landed in New York city; from there went to
Philadelphia, then on to Baltimore, finally obtaining employment in a
coal mine in Frostburg, Allegany county, Maryland ; after spending a
short time here he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and worked in a mine,
then was employed in Warren county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1861
located in Monmouth, Illinois, where he engaged in mining for twenty-
one years. He made his arrival in Center\ille, Iowa, in 1882, and he
iiere bought a local coal mine, which he developed and operated for
some time, and for a year ran a butcher shop. After this venture he
bought another mine in Ccnterville ;ui(l ojjcrated it in connection with
the Star Coal Company; later, selling his interest, he became a stock-
holder in the Anchor Coal Company, in which he only recently dis-
posed of his interest. From 1889 he has served as superintendent of the
mines, his wide experience in mining making him invaluable in operat-
ing and developing the affairs of the company.
In 1862 Mr. Wilson celebrated his marriage in Monmouth, Illinois,
to Miss Elizabeth Welsh, who is also a native of Scotland. Six chil-
dren were Ixjrn to them: His son. James M., whose sketch also ap-
pears in this work, is a leading lawyer of Centerville ; a daughter, Janet,
has been for several years a successful teacher in the schools of Center-
ville; another daughter, Isabell, was a private stenographer for Cover-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 405
nors F. M. Drake and Leslie M. Sliaw during their administrations, and
now occupies an excellent position in the treasury department under
the present secretary of the treasury. About 1856 the widowed mother
of our subject came with her children to America and here spent the re-
maining days of her life, passing away at the age of eight3--three. Mr.
Wilson stands high in the Masonic order, having taken the thirty-second
degree. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, and this
has come to be the very highest distinction that can be conferred upon
a democratic, liberty-loving American.
JAMES M. WILSON.
]\Iarked success has been the attendant of James M. Wilson
throughout his brief but brilliant career, and when we consider the fact
that he is not yet at the meridian of life it is not difficult to predict
still greater achievements for him in the future. As the history of his
father's family has been reviewed above, it will not be here necessary to
recapitulate.
James M. Wilson was ushered into the world on September 8,
1866, near the city of Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, the son of
Scotch parents, James and Elizabeth (Welsh) Wilson; he is one of four
living children. His first training was gained in the common schools,
and when his father came to Centerville in 1882, he was employed as
weigh-master in the coal mine with which his father was connected,
but he later attended the Centerville high school and graduated in 1885 ;
he then entered and spent two years in Monmouth College. Upon his
return home he was engaged in several occupations before his miml was
fully centered; for a time he railmaded, for one year was clerk in
26
400 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
United States railway mail service, then took up teaching for awhile,
being employed near home one winter and for a year taught in Ver-
sailles, Illinois ; in all these pursuits he displayed much versatility, thor-
oughness and ability. He then began the study of law under Hon. T,
M. Fee; in 1896 he graduated in the law department of the Iowa State
Xiniversity as president of a class of one hundred and three members.
He had been admitted to the bar in 1895 and has since carried on a good
practice in Centerville. Mr. Wilson has taken an active part in politics
and for fifteen years has been one of the popular speakers at the various
political meetings. In 1896, as the candidate of the Republican party,
he was elected county attorney and received a re-election in the fall of
1898; previously he had served two years as city attorney of Centerville,
In 1901-1902 he was reading clerk of the state convention held in Iowa.
His ofificial record was an excellent one.
Mr. Wilson is prominent in the fraternal orders, being a Knight
Templar, Royal Arch Mason, having served as high priest of Euclid
Qiapter No. 43, and a Mystic Shriner; also a Knight of Pythias, and
he is a member of the judiciary committee of the state Knights of
Pythias grand lodge. On December 24. 189 1. he married Flora M.
White, a daughter of J. .\. \^^hite, a prominent citizen of Centerville.
They have two children, Eva, born October 13, 1892, and Jean, born
July 12, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist
church and stand high in the regard of their many friends and ac-
quaintances.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 407
HENRY GAULT.
The Gault homestead, situated a short distance north of Cincin-
nati, is one of the most attractive as weh as vakialjle of tlie many beau-
tiful estates in Appanoose county. Consisting of seven hundred and
fifty acres of the fine farming land for which Iowa is noted, cultivated
by the most modern methods known to scientific agricuhure, and orna-
mented with a variety of buildings of tasteful architecture, it is difficult
to imagine a more alluring picture than that presented by this superb
country seat. At this happy home dwell the widow and children of the
man by whose industry and wise management the property was accum-
ulated and improved within less than thirty years, and concerning whose
life and work it is the intention tO' communicate a few particulars in
this brief biography. The late proprietor was not a man of show nor in
any sense a spectacular or sensational character, his achievements being
all wrought out by quiet means and never with sound of trumpets.
So his story presents no dramatic incidents or details out of the ordinary
such as might be expected in the peaceful pursuits characteristic of a
farmer's life.
Henry Gault was born in Ireland, October 6, 1833, and as sketches
of his parents, Francis and Deborah (McCall) Gault, appear in another
part of this volume, in the biography of E. J. Gault, it is not necessary
to repeat the particulars here. They emigrated to this country when
Henry was quite small and settled in Philadelphia. The boy remained
at home until seventeen years old and in 1850 went to Wisconsin, where
he remained for six years. From that state he proceeded on west until
he reached Appanoose county, Iowa, where he took possession of the
farm which proved his place of residence until the end of his life. He
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and from the beginning
408 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
made a success of these pursuits, whicli in its general results partook
of the phenomenal. In fact, he seemed to have a natural turn for the
business, and all his moves prospered. He had attained but a limited
education in youth, but had one of those minds and dispositions that
are quick to take advantage of opportunities, knowing how to master
details as well as how to group the latter so as to control general re-
sults. When his work seemed practically done and an elegant home
had been provided for his last days, he was called suddenly away from
the scenes of earthly care and endeavor in such a way as made his death
a peculiarly sad one. On the 25th of March, 1885. while standing on
the platform at Moulton and in the act of boarding a train for his home,
the threads of life suddenly broke asunder and he dropped dead in his
tracks, from what the physicians pronounced heart failure. So ended
a useful and. in its way, a remarkable career, which reflects credit of
the highest order on him who gave it direction and controlled its forces.
In December, 1855. Mr. (lault was married to Hester, daughter of
Thomas and Mary Jane McClure, both of whom were natives of Ireland.
Mrs. Gault's mother died in 1848, and her father in 1878, when eighty-
two years old. The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. (iault are thus re-
corded in the family register: Francis, deceased: James R., Debbie,
Jennie, Harry and William T. ; Frank and Thomas, deceased. Of
those living. Harry is the only one married, and he and the other chil-
dren reside with their mother. Mr. Gault, during his lifetime, was a
member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife also has long affiliated
with that denomination. His only fraternal connections were with
Masonry, of which ancient and honorable order he was long an es-
teemed member.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 409
E. C. HAYNES.
One of Centerville's public-spirited citizens is Colonel Haynes, who
is now the popular postmaster and has an excellent record as soldier in
the war of the Rebellion, has filled several public offices and has a good
reputation as a leading lawyer. Colonel Haynes' father, Cyrus
Haynes, was a native of North Carolina and removed from that state to
Tennessee in iSii, when only six years old; in that state he grew to
manhood and then came north to Illinois, where he was married. Ma-
hala Smith, who became his wife, was born in Kentucky, and in girlhood
was brought to Illinois by her parents, who went on to Iowa in 1837
and settled in Van Buren county, before the admission of the territory
to statehood. After his marriage Cyrus Haynes lived in Illinois till
185 1 ; his wife died in 1850 and in the following year he came to Iowa
and hxated in Appanoose county, where he resided until his removal to
Missouri about 1868. He died in 1871.
The birthplace of E. C. Haynes was in McLean county, Illinois,
where he came into the world on the nth of May, 1844; at the death
of his mother he came to Iowa and li\-ed with his grandparents in Van
Buren county: in 183J he went to his father's home in Appanoose
county, where he has made his home ever since. He enjoyed the ad-
vantages of the common schools and was in attendance at the Troy
(Iowa) College, when the Ci\il war spread its fury over the land.
.'Vmong the first, in May, 1861, he enlisted in the state military service,
and his company afterwards became Com])any D, Sixth Iowa Infantry;
his service la.sted through the war to July, 1865. At Atlanta, in 1864,
he was wounded and tbcreliy lost an arm. He entered the war as a
private and was discharged as first lieutenant. He now retains mem-
410 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
bership in tlie John L. Bashaw Post No. 122, Grand Army of the Re-
public.
At the close of his army service Mr. Haynes took a course in the
Birmingham (Iowa) College and prepared for his chosen profession of
the law by attending the Iowa State University. Upon his admission to
the bar in 1868 he at once began his practice in Centerville, where he con-
tinued for several years and soon evinced his ability. Because of his
active participation in politics he was elected in 1868 to the position of
county recorder and served two terms. He was also chosen mayor of
Centerville. In the nineteenth general assembly he was chief clerk of
the Iowa house of representatives. He was first appointed to the place
of postmaster by President .Arthur and has held that office under every
Republican president since that time. Mr. Haynes is familiarly known
as "Colonel," which title he has derived from serving as lieutenant col-
onel under several of the state governors.
l-"raternally Mr. Haynes is connected with the Knights of Pythias,
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. The maiden name of his wife was Elma M. Felk-
ner. and she is the mother of nine children : Two of the sons served in
the Spanish-American war, H. C. Haynes being captain of Company
E, Fiftieth Iowa Infantry, and Glenn C, first sergeant of the same com-
pany ; the former is now lieutenant colonel of the regiment, while the
latter is captain of Company E ; three sons are privates in the company ;
Leo R., E. C. and Fritz; the oldest daughter, Bessie, is a teacher in the
public schools; Helen is a mailing clerk; the other two children are
Wilma and Marian. The family is a happy one and add much to the
social life of the city, being highly esteemed by all.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 411
EMERY MELVILLE PROBASCO.
The legal prolession is the lodestone that attracts many a man of
keen, brilliant intellect, for in that field lie boundless opportunities for
wealth, social position and fame. And one of the devotees of the law
in Appanoose county and one to whom marked success has come while
still young, is the attorney whose name heads this article.
Grandfather Peter Probasco was a native of New Jersey and later
came west and made a permanent settlement in Putnam county, Mis-
souri, where he entered land and dexoted almost all the rest of his life
to farming; toward the end of his life he started to California to spend
his last years, but while visiting in Wayne county, Iowa, he passed away,
being about seventy years of age. He reared a large family, and of this
was Edward Probasco, the father of our subject. The latter was born
in New York, came west to Missouri and was a pioneer merchant of
Mendota, that state; about 1880 he came to Appanoose county, Iowa,
and here pursued farming for ten years; in 1890 he removed to Moul-
ton, where he engaged in the lumber business for a time, but is now
retired. During the Civil war he served in the Union army for two
years. While living in Missouri he was married to Malinda R. Mc-
Connel, a native of Iowa and of Scotch descent ; only three children of
this union arrived at years of maturity.
Of this parentage Emerv' Melville Probasco was born in the village
of Mendota, Putnam county, Missouri, September 20, 1871. His child-
hood and youth were spent on a farm and in the common schools; he
graduated at the high school at Moulton and also the Highland Park
Commercial College. Having determined unou the study of law, he was
graduated in 1897 i" the law department of the Iowa State University
and in Jime of the same year was admitted to the bar. He then opened
412 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
up his office in Moulton and was soon enjoying a good practice. In
politics Mr. Proljasco's lot lias been cast with the Republican party, and
as the candidate of that party he was chosen to the office of county at-
torney in 1900; on tlie first day of the following year he entered upon
his duties, at the same time remo\ing to Centerville. He has shown
much ability in the conduct of this position and now ranks as one of the
rising lawyers of the county. Mr. Probasco was happily married in
1901, Miss Anna Nelson of Indianola, Iowa, becoming his wife.
WILLIAM P. DAVIS.
William P. Davis, the efficient and popular sheriff of Appanoose
county, began life as a i)oor boy and by industr}-, perseverance, and
thrift has succeeded in l)uilding up a modest competence against old
age, and has so well shown his capacity for action that the people of the
county have raised him to one of the important offices of trust. His
parents were 'riiornton and Nancy Ann (Vestel) Davis, now deceased;
the father was born in Ohio and tlie mother in Indiana, in wliich state
the\- were married. ,\ftcr coming to Iowa they settled in Monroe
county and followed farming the rest of their lives. Nine children were
born to them, of whom two are now deceased.
William P. was born on his father's farm in Monroe county, Iowa,
March 22. 1859. He lived at home until twenty-four years old, helping
his father witli the arduous lal^ors of farm work and attending the dis-
trict sclioiil in the winter. After his marriage he settled on a farm in
Independence township. .\p]ianoose county, and continued with good
success in this occupation until he was elected by his Republican par-
tisans to the office of sheriff in Xo\'embcr, 1901 ; he is now serving in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 413
that office to tlie fullest satisfaction of tlie people. Mr. Davis now owns
an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Independence town-
ship, which is under a fine state of cultivation and has many improve-
ments.
In 1883 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Alma Grance Linch, and
six children ha\e l)een born to them; one son, Delbert, is now acting
as deputy sherilY. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood-
men. He is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife belongs to
the Christian church. The family are held in high regard in society,
and the position that Mr. Davis has gained for himself by his efforts
is the worthy reward of his unimpeachable character.
JOSEPH W. BASHAW.
Joseph W. Bashaw, now deceased, was one of the representative
business men of Centerville, Iowa, and what he had accomplished in life
was due to his own efforts and to his persevering industry. In, his
veins there was a liberal mingling of English, French, Irish and Scotch
blood. His parents were William and Mary Jane (Hull) Bashaw,
both nati\-es of Virginia; the_\' had nine children and in 1854, when the
subject of this sketch was but nine years old, they came west from Vir-
ginia by wagon to Blakesburg. Wapello county, Iowa, where for several
years he followed Iris trade of wagon maker. He died about 1872,
being fifty-six years old, and his wife survived him about twenty years,
dying at the age of se\enty-fi\'e.
The birth of Joseph occurred in Culi)epcr county, Virginia, Jan-
uary 23, 1845, and in the town of Blakesburg he was reared and given
4U BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
a common school education. Up to his nineteentli year he worked in
his father's shop and tlien went to Ottumwa. Iowa, where he engaged
in carriage making for four or five years. On returning to Blakesburg
he married an'd in 1870 came to Centerville, wliicli place he made his
home for the remainder of his life. He at once opened a carriage shop
and Iniilt up a fine trade: a few years before his death he took his son
Ernest as partner, and he now conducts tlie prosperous firm of J. W.
Bashaw & Son. Mr. Bashaw's life was ended on February 3, 1902.
Beginning as a poor man, he was able to lay flown his life's work with
the satisfaction that he had fought a good fight and that he well de-
served the competence he had earned.
I'oliticallv he was a Democrat; he was prominent in the Methodist
church, being one of its oflkers, and was al.so identified with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd I'ellows. In .\pril, iS(>7, he was married to
Xancy Gaston, born in McConnelsville, ]\Iorgan county, Ohio, in 1848;
her parents, .Alexander and Mary (Cohagan) Gaston, the former a na-
tive of Ohio and the latter nf Virginia, settled in Davis county, Iowa,
in 1854, and in 1861 located in Blake.sburg; her father was a physician
and surgeon and died in i88_' in Xewliern, Marion county, Iowa, but
the mother is still li\ ing and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs.
Bashaw. Of this marriage there are now five children living: Wil-
liam is a jeweler in Centerville, J. Ernest is the manager of the firm of
f, W. Bashaw & Son, Qara L. is an osteopath student at Kirks-
ville, Missouri, Frank C, and George Elton. Mrs, Bashaw is a de-
vout member of the Methodist church, and the family is one of the most
respected in the city.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 415
JOHN LAZELLE SAWYERS. M. D.
This name has been made familiar to every inhabitant of Appanoose
county by the long continued prominence of father and son in the medi-
cal profession. It seems to be a case of heredity, but at any rate the
father's great and widespread celebrity has been equalled if not sur-
passed by his talented son. The two lives together cover a period of
one-half a century, during which there never was a time when "Dr.
Sawyers" was not a familiar sound to every citizen of the county. This
family, now so well known, had its beginning with a poor boy of Ten-
nessee, who was buffeted by all the waves of "outrageous fortune" in
youth and early manhood, but eventually triumphed after a series of
struggles that challenged the highest powers of manhood to cope with
them successfully.
Elisha Sawyers was born near Nashville, and being left an orphan
was forced to undergo the hardships as well as humiliations usually con-
nected with the conditions described as "bound out." During this pe-
riod he mastered the tailor's trade, married after he regained his busi-
ness freedom and came with his family to Iowa about 1850. For awhile
he kept a hotel at Centerville and later one at Unionville, to which place
he had removed for the prosecution of his trade. He lost his wife by
death in 1854, but li\ed himself to the extreme age of ninety-five years
and closed his arduous but blameless career at Unionville in 1901. His
children, in order of birth, are thus recorded in the family register:
Sylvester H., deceased; Lizzie, deceased; Eugene, lona. David, Allen
and Mattie J.
It was Sylvester Hartwell Sawyers, the oldest of the above men-
tioned children, who became the famous physician and father of physi-
cians. He was born during the hard years before his parents left
416 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Tennessee, but despite narrow circumstances the father managed to
give liis promising boy a fair Hterary education. He early developed an
ardent ambition to become a doctor and was still a boy when he took up
the study of medicine. After his parents came to Appanoose county
he entered vigorously into the practice and soon accjuired a local, fol-
lowed by a state reputation, in the profession. This distinguished phy-
sician married Mary F. IMiiler, 1_iy whom he had ten children : John
Lazelle. Mary Lillian. Kate C, deceased: Sylvester H.. Ralph, de-
ceased; Clyde E., Emma. Ada. Zelma and Frank. The father died in
1890, but the mother still presides o\cr the hospitable home in Union-
ville, an object of devoted affection fr(ini her loving children and esteem
from her numerous friends.
John Lazelle Sawvers. oldest of the children and destined successor
of his father in medical fame, was born at the ancestral home in Union-
\ille, ]u\\ iS. 1836. I lis early education was obtained in the local
schools and under a private tutor, with which groundwork he began the
studv of medicine in his father's office when eighteen years old. It is
needless to sav that he made rapid jjrogress under such able preceptor-
ship and was soon qualified to grapple with the higher branches taught
only at the special schools for this purpose. He first went to the Chi-
cago Medical College, but in 1876 entered the Kentucky School of Medi-
cine at Louisville, where he obtained a degree in the following June,
and receixed the prize for surgery and a gold medal for general pro-
ficiencv in all the branches of medicine, .\fter his graduation he prac-
ticed in ])artnership with his father at L'nionville until the fall of 1877,
when he returned to the Chicago Medical College and was graduated in
that institution in the class of 1878. During the winter preceding his
graduation he had l)een appointed physician at the Cook County Hos-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. Ul
l)ital, wliere he remained for twenty-two months and derived much ad-
vantage from the medical training t(i be derived from such a position.
In 1879 Dr. Sawyers returned to his old home at Unionville, where he
resumed and continued practice for about one year. In 1880 he went
abroad and spent nearly two years in the old world, most of his trme be-
ing occupied in attending clinical lectures at the various hospitals of
\'ienna, Austria. During his absence Dr. Sawyers visited many parts
of France and Ciermaiiy and spent some time also at the most celebrated
resorts in Italy and Switzerland. His tour was suddenly interrupted
and he called home by the severe illness of his father, which was at first
thought to be fatal. But he recovered and in partnership with his son,
after the latter's return from Europe, practiced medicine until 1883. In
that year the younger Dr. Sawyers separated from his father and located
at Centerville. where he soon gained a large and lucrative practice and
rose rapidly to ])rominence in his profession. In fact, his fame soon
spread beyond the confines of his nati\e count}-, his skill as a physician
and surgeon attracting many patients from a distance, and he has often
been called into consultati(jn in important cases over a wide territory,
both in Iowa and JNIissouri. The Doctor is a member of the Des Moines
Valley Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the Ameri-
can Medical Association.
In 1883 Dr. Sawyers was united in marriage with Miss Jennie,
daughter of Ex-Governor F. M. Drake, of Centerville, and to this union
three children ha\e been born. The parents are members of the Chris-
tian church and the Doctor is prominent in Jilasonry, having reached the
Knight Tem])lar degree, .\fter the foregoing details it is hardly neces-
sary to add that Dr. Sawyers and his famil}- enjo_\- a warm welcome in
the best social circles at Centei"\ille and other cities of the state.
418 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JOHN CRATON McDONALD.
One of the most successful, enterprising and progressive business
men of Cincinnati is John Craton McDonald. With liim success in hfe
lias been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and heart, his manly
principles, by unfaltering determination, by unflagging industry and by
a diligence that has enabled him to persist in a course which he has
marked out. We read of the li\es of tlie heroes of the past, and they
not only prove of historical interest, but serve to inspire and encourage
us. Yet we need not go to former ages for examples well worthy of
emulation. The men of prominence today eciual in exemplary traits
of character those who have passed away, and the life record of Mr.
McDonald is one which proves what may be accomplished with indi-
vidual effort when guided by sound judgment and correct business prin-
ciples.
Mr. McDonald was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 13,
1845. and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Stewart) McDonald. The
father was born in Mercer count}-. Pennsylvania, on the 10th of March,
1814. and was a son of John and Mary (Uber) McDonald. The
grandfather of our subject was a native of Westmoreland county, Penn-
.sylvania. and when a young man removed to Mercer countv. that state,
where he spent his remaining days, dying at the age of sixty years.
He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, against the Indians in Ohio.
His father was William McDonald, who emigrated from Scotland and
settled in Pennsyhania. He had but two children. John and Susan.
John McDonald was united in marriage to Mary Uber, who was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and was descended from an old Hessian family
that settled in the Keystone state soon after the Revolutionary war.
Among their children was Daniel McDonald, the father of our sub-
JOHN c. Mcdonald.
T'^E^'EWYORfcl
£Nox mo
'""•''^•■-^■•'^•-•AT/ONS
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 421
ject, who was reared in the state of his nativity and after arriving at
years of maturity wedded Mar}' Stewart, who was born September 15,
1816, in county Londonderry, Ireland, and was a daughter of Craton
and Nancy (Sloan) Stewart. Her fatlier was a son of Sir Jolm Stew-
art, whose fatlier was a son of Walter Stewart and a cousin of King
Charles the Second, and removed from England to county Antrim,
Irelantl, in 1648. In the year 18 16 Craton Stewart emigrated to the
United States and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. There
he spent his remaining days and it was in that county that the parents
of our subject married on the 25th of November, 184 1. They took
up their abode in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and there lived until
April, 1 85 J, during which time six children were born to them. With
their family they then removed westward, locating in Lee county, Iowa,
and in March. 1854, came to Appanoose county. Iowa, settling in Cin-
cinnati, where they resided until called to their final rest. The father
was a well-to-do farmer, carrying on his work along progressive lines
and thereby securing a good competence. In politics he was first a
Whig and then a Free Soiler. Later he advocated the cause of the
Abolition party and wdien the Republican party was formed to prevent
the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and became one of
its stalwart advocates. Both he and his wife were members of the
Presbyterian church in early life, but afterward became identified with
the Congregational church. 5'S''^'^ children were born to them, of
whom one died in infancy, while seven reached years of maturity,
namely: Mrs. Nancy Sloan Baker, who died May 12, 1894; Mrs.
Mary Lucetta Root, of Centerville, Iowa; John C, of this review;
Albert Clark, of Cincinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza Josephine McCann, who
died November 26, 1900; Mrs. Harriet Beecher David, of Cincinnati,
422 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
9
and Wilber Sumner, wlio is associated with his brother, John
C, in business. Tlie mother of these children passed away on
the 1 8th of May. 1878, and on the 19th of .April. 1895, the father was
called to his final rest.
John Craton McDonald was born and reared upon the farm and
was seven years of age when brought to Iowa. When a youth of nine
years he became a resident of Appanoose county, where his home has
since been. He acquired a common school education and assisted in the
task of improving his father's farm. In April, 1863, feeling that the
country needed his services, he joined the Union army, enlisting as a
private of Company E, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, for a term of three
years. He served against the Indians on the plains and was honorably
discharged on the 17th of May, 1866, with the rank of sergeant major
of his regiment. He is now a member of Henry Jaquiss Post No. 325,
G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relationship with his old army
comrades and has spent many a social hour with them recalling scenes
which occurred upon the tented fields or in the midst of battle.
Upon his return from the war Mr. McDonald resumed farming
and was thus engaged in connection with his father until 1870. In
that vear he was married and began life as a farmer upon his own ac-
count, continuing the culti\ation of the soil for about ten years. In
1880 he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business in connec-
tion with his brother, A. C. McDonald, and in 1882 they also added a
lumberyard to their enterprise. In the same year the father became a
partner, but in 1885 our subject purchased both his father's and his
brother's interest and continued alone in business until 1888. In that
year his brother. Wilber S., became his partner, and the business has
since been carried on under the firm name of J. C. McDonald & Brother.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 423
They have enjoyed a Hberal and growing patronage as furniture and
lumber merchants, their sales being quite extensive. On the ist of
April, 1889. they also widened the scope of their labor by entering the
banking business under the fimi name of J. C. McDonald & Brother,
bankers. In 1898 they established the Citizens' Bank, the subject of
this review acting as president, while Wilber S. McDonald is filling
the position of cashier. Our subject also has some farming interests,
and the various branches of his business are returning to him excellent
profits.
In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McDonald and Miss
Mary Boyles, a daughter of John P. Boyles. She was born in Belmont
county, Ohio. September 22, 1846. and died March 30, 1895, leaving
one child, while five children born to them had passed to the home be-
yond. The one that was living at the death of the mother was Cath-
erine, and she subsequently died at the age of twenty-five years. In
1896 Mr. McDonald was again married, his second union being with
Miss Alice Reed, of Jackson, Michigan. In 1890 he erected a large
and handsome modern frame residence in Cincinnati. It is one of the
most tasteful homes in this part of the state and would be a credit to a
city of much greater size than the one in which Mr. McDonald makes
his home. In his political views he is a Republican and fraternally is a
Master Mason and an Odd Felkiw, having taken all three of the degrees
in the latter organization. He likewise belongs to the Congregational
church. His unswerving purpose, his unquestioned fidelity, his un-
faltering honesty and his unchanging will have commanded the highest
respect of all. He has been a leader in the cause of liberty, freedom
and progress, and his hearty co-operation has ever been given to that
which tends to elevate mankind.
2a
424 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JOHN M. STURDIVANT, M. D.
John M. Sturdivant, M. D., who is engaged successfully in the
practice of medicine and surgery in Cincinnati, receives a liberal patron-
age, wliich is the public tribute to his skill and ability. He also has the en-
dorsement of his professional friends and commands respect and confi-
dence wherever he goes. He was born in the town which is still his
home, his natal day being January 14, 1866. His father, the late Dr.
John M. Sturdivant. Sr.. is represented on another page of this vol-
ume. The son remained a resident of Cincinnati until he was sixteen
years of age. when his parents removed to Centerville. Iowa, and in the
schools of the two towns he was educated, accpiiring a good literary
knowledge to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstruc-
ture of professional learning. He took up the study of medicine in his
father's office and remained under his instruction for two years. On
the expiration of that ])eri()d he entered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons at Keokuk. Iowa, and was graduated in that institution in
March, 1887. He then located in Earlton. Kansas, where he practiced
until June. 1890, when he returned to Centerville. .\t that time he be-
came associated with his father, with whom he remained until the lat-
ter's death. He continued in practice in Centerville, however, until
i8o3, when he came to Cincinnati. This has since been his home, and
he has enjoyed a large and growing practice, which has made constant
demands upon his time, energies and attention. He is continually
broadening his knowledge through reading and research and has also
gained new ideas through the interchange of thought by his meml^ership
in the Putnam County (Missouri) Medical Society and of the North-
eastern Missouri Medical Society.
In 1889 Dr. Sturdivant was united in marriage to Miss Allie Can-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 425
non, of Kansas, and they now liave two sons, John M. and Byron Earl.
Tlieir home is celebrated for its gracious and pleasing hospitality, which
is much enjoyed bv their many friends. The Doctor is a Democrat in
his political affiliations, and is a prominent Mason, having attained to
the Knight Templar degree in that order. Entering a profession where
advancement depends entirely upon indi\'idual merit and upon broad
learning, he has gained a position of considerable distinction and well
deserves mention among the representative citizens of his part of the
state.
wiLBER s. McDonald.
One of the leading and representative business men of Cincinnati
is Wilber S. McDonald, a member of the firm of J. C. McDonald &
Company, dealers in furniture and lumber. They are also bankers, and
the subject of this review is acting as cashier of the Citizens' Bank, the
success of this institution being largely due to his efforts and capability.
He was born in Cincinnati on the 29th of April. 1856, and is a son of
Daniel and Mary (Stewart) McDonald, who are mentioned in connec-
tion with the sketch of J. C. McDonald on another page of this work.
He was reared upon a farm and the educational advantages afforded him
were those provided b}' the common schools. He remained upon the old
homestead until twenty-five years of age. In 1884 he went to Green
City, Missouri, being preceded to that place only by the station agent.
He built the first house and became the first merchant there and also the
first real estate dealer, and in his business operations he prospered, his
sales of lands and of goods bringing to him a good financial return.
Mr. McDonald remained there until 1886, when he went to Greencastle,
Missouri, where he resided for two vears, and acted as foreman of a
426 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
large lioop and railroad tie company. In 1888, however, he returned to
Cincinnati, and since that time has been associated with his brother in
business as a banker, lumberman and furniture dealer. As cashier of
the Citizens" Bank he has thoroughly mastered the business in all its de-
partments. He has become a popular official because of his obliging
manner and imfailing courtesy, combined with excellent business ability
and executive force.
In 1882 Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Louisa
Phillips, of Sullivan county, Missouri, and they now have four ciiildren:
George S., Wendall Phillips, M. John, and Cora Marie. The parents
hold membershii) in the Congregational church and have a nice home in
Cincinnati. Mr. McDonald is a Republican and keeps well informed on
the issues of the day, and is thus enabled to support his position l)y intel-
ligent argument. F'rominent as a Knight Templar Mason, in his life
he exemplifies the benevolent and helpful spirit of the craft. Through
his own exertions he has attained an lionorable and marked prestige
among the representative l)usiness men of his native town, and with
equal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own for-
tunes and one whose success amply justifies the application of the some-
what hackneyed l)ut most expressive title, "a self-made man."
WILLIAM H. STEVENSON, M. D.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success
has been w-orthily achieved, who has attained wealth by honorable busi-
ness meth.ods, ac(|uired a liigh reputation in his chosen calling by merit,
and whose social prominence is not less the result of an irreproachable
life than of recognized natural gifts. Mr. Stevenson is one who in the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 427
practice of medicine has gained enviable distinction, being today recog-
nized as one of tlie leading members of his profession in this part of
Appanoose count}-. He is now li\'ing in Cincinnati, where for almost
twenty years he has made his home, and in addition t(T the care wdiich he
gives to a large general practice he is also conducting a drug store which
he established about ele\en years ago.
The Doctor was born in the town of Castine, Darke county, Ohio,
on the 13th of No\-ember, 185 1, and is a son of Parkhill John and Marj-
(Gunder) Stevenson. The father was born in Fayette county, Penn-
s}'l\aia, and was a son of Henry Stevenson, who was likewise a native
of the Keystone state and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Leaving
Penns}lvania, Henry Stevenson removed to Darke county, Ohio, and
thence to Iowa, first settling in Wapello county. About 1856 he came
to Appanoose county, taking up his abode in Franklin township, w'here
he lived for many years, making farming his occupation, and died when
about eighty-se\en years of age. The Doctor's father was married in
Ohio, having accompanied iiis parents to that state in his youth. He
wedded Miss Mary Gunder, who was born, in Darke county, and was a
daughter of William Henry Gunder, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent.
At an early epoch in the development of Darke countv he had located
there and made his home in that community throughout his remaining
days. It was in 186S that the Doctor's parents removed from Ohio to
Appanoose count}-, Iowa, settling in Franklin township, and four years
later they took up their abode in Cincinnati, where the father is now liv-
ing at the advanced age of seventy-seven years, while the mother has
reached the psaln-iist's span of three-score years and ten. Parkhill
Stevenson is a shoen-iaker by trade and throughout his entire busines.s
career lias carried on iiis work along tiiat line. A man of sterling
42S BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
worth, he has always been honorable and straightforward in business
and has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he
has been associated. In the family were six children, one of whom is
deceased.
Dr. Stevenson, the eldest child, spent the first seventeen years of
his life in the state of his natixity and then accompanied his parents to
Iowa. He, too, laid the foundation of his education in the public schools
of Darke county, Ohio, and after his removal westward became a stu-
dent in Christian College at Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he gained a liberal
literary education, and when nineteen years of age he began teaching
school and followed that profession successfully for some time, alternat-
ing his work as an educator with periods of study through several years.
In the meantime he t(K)k up the study of medicine under the direction
of Dr. John M. Sturdivant of Cincinnati, Iowa, and after reading with
him for a time entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chi-
cago. In 1884 he entered upon the practice of medicine in this city,
where he has since been located and where he has enjoyed a constantly
growing patronage. About eleven years ago he also established a drug
store, which he has since conducted in connection with his medical prac-
tice.
In 1S75 ^'^^ Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Matilda White,
a native of Wapello county, Iowa, and to them have been born three
children, but Frank, the eldest, is now deceased. The others are Lil-
lian L. and Arthur P., who are still with their parents. In his social
relations the Doctor is a Master Mason and is also connected with the
Independent Order of Odtl Fellows. His time and energies are largely
devoted to his practice, although in matters of citizenship he is pro-
gressive and pultlic spirited. Greater than in almost any other line of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 429
work is tlic responsihilit}' that rests upun the physician. The issues
of life and deatli are in liis hands. A false prescription, an unskilled op-
eration may take from man that whicli he prizes above all else, life.
The physician's power must be his own. Not by purchase, by gift or
by influence can he gain it. He must commence irom the beginning,
learn the rudiments of medicine and surgery and continually add to his
knowledge by close study and earnest application and gain his reputation
by luerit. If he can reach prominence it must come as a result of skill,
knowledge and ability, and these qualiiications are jxjssessed in a large
degree by Dr. Stevenson, who occupies a most enviable position in the
ranks of his chosen profession.
SOLOMON HOLBROOK.
The gentleman abo\e named is one of the oldest residents in the
state. When he came here Iowa was still a territory, its admission to
the Union not occurring until six years after Mr. Holbrook's arrival.
When he first trod the elastic prairie sod of Iowa in 1840 there were
only a little over forty-three thousand people in the territory, whereas
there are now several million in the state. In addition to being a
pioneer of pioneers, ]\Ir. Holbrook has another claim to distinction. He
was one of the four men who founded and laid out the town of Cin-
cinnati and is the only survivor of the ciuartette. This occurred nearly
fifty years ago, and altogether it will be seen that Mr. Holbrook is a
very interesting man to know, if one would hear good stories and gain
information alxmt the times of long ago, when the now mighty western
commonwealths were still in tlieir swaddling clothes. He has lived
through the most interesting period of .\nierican history, and his career
430 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
was coincident witli many of tlie most dramatic and epoch-making
events in the United States. As he is one of a class especially deserving
of honor, but of whom few now remain, it is peculiarly appropriate that
something should be said of his origin and career in a book devoted to
the representati\e men of Appanoose county.
The family was long identified with Connecticut, and there Elias
and Eliza (Reed) Holbrook were born. They came to Iowa in 1839,
where they spent the remaining days of their lives until called to rest
many years ago. They were t\'pical natives of this famous New Eng-
land state, of quiet, industrious habits, strictly moral and devoted mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and regardful of every duty in
all the relations of life. The wife died in 1S57, and the husband sur-
vived her onI\- a few years, his death occurring at the beginning of the
Civil war, when he was eighty-one years old. The children of this east-
ern couple consisted of two sons: Luther R., now deceased, and Solo-
mon Holbrook. The latter was born at Tolland, Connecticut, June 8.
1822, and he remained at home until the completion of his eighteenth
year. Yankee boys, however, are apt to think their home a cage and
early become restless with desire to try their fortunes in "the wide, wide
world." In this spirit, like so many other "down easterners" before
and since, young Holbrook left the parental roof in 1840 and started on
the then long journey to the territory of Iowa. He first settled in Lee
county, where he followed farming and stock-raising, but five years
later removed to Appanoose county and located in Pleasant township.
In 1853, together with his brother, Luther R. Holbrook, and Daniel and
John McDonald, he assisted in laying out the town of Cincinnati, which
at its birth contained a schoolhouse, postofifice and blacksmith shop as
its only stock of municipal buildings. All the original founders, save
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 431
Mr. Holbrook, ha\'e long since passed to their reward, and peculiar in-
terest attaches to him as the sole survivor of that pioneer period.
In 1845 Mr. Holbrook was united in marriage with Mary Ann
Welsh, and all their seven children are living except John R., the eldest
son, who died in Andersonville prison during the Civil war. The other
six are Oliver K., Ida May, Ellis R., Perry S., William and Florence J.
Mr. Holbrook's political affiliations were always strongly anti-slavery,
and his feelings on this subject made him cast his first presidential vote
for John P. Hale, who ran on what was called the Free Soil ticket in
1852 with George W. Julian of Indiana. This movement was really
the precursor of the Republican party, and after it was organized Mr.
Holbrook became and has remained one of its steadfast advocates. His
only fraternal connections are with the Masons, of which ancient and
honorable order he has long been an esteemed member.
HENRY HAMMOND BAKER.
One can hardly pass the blacksmith shop in Cincinnati, Iowa, with-
out involuntarily recalling Longfellow's poetic tribute to the "Village
Blacksmith." and the robust genius who presided over its busy bellows.
As the poem indicates, there is something about an establishment of
this kind that suggests health and strength and honesty. Tlie occupation
itself is very health-giving, the charcoal business being regarded as a
specific for lung disorders, and the whole atmosphere of the place is
calculated to inspire kindly and friendly feelings. The blacksriiith is
the farthest possible removed from feebleness or debilitation of any
kind, and is usually an optimist by nature, the very sight of whom is sure
to drive away the worst case of "blues." The little shop at Cincinnati
432 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
which suggested tliese reflections was built by Mr. Baker nearly fifty
years ago. and is now the oldest structure in the town. It was in fact
the pioneer of its kind, being made of hewn lumber taken from the
banks of Shoal creek, and its puffing bellows and musical anvil were tht
first sounds of that kind to awaken the echoes arountl this new-born
Iowa village. Having said so much aliout his shop it will now be in
order to tell something of the man who built it and has conducted it so
long, and such particulars as could be olrtained will be found herein set
forth.
In the early part of the nineteenth century there lived in Allegany
count}-, Maryland, a worthy couple whose names were Henry Penning-
ton and Catherina (Hammond) P>aker. Henry was a carpenter by
trade. l)ut fuund it no cas\- task to ])r()\ide b\' the ])roceeds from his trade
for the large and constantl_\- increasing family which relied upon him
for support. He was a man of exemplary habits and tireless industry,
but times were rather hard in Maryland in those days and eventually the
Bakers decided to seek a l)etter field in the distant west. They went as
far as Ohio, where they resided a number of years, and in 1853 re-
mo\ed to .\ppanoose countw Iowa, where a settlement was made on a
farm two miles from the site of the present town of Cincinnati. But
the father did not li\e long to enjoy his new home surroundings, as his
death occurred in Xmember, 1855, two years after his arri\al in the
state, and in the fifty-fourth year of his age. Of his twelve children
those li\ing are Henry H.. Taxlor and Eliza, and those deceased are
Perry D.. John K.. Jacob, Catheryn, Hiram, Susan. Mary .Ann, Marvin
T., and Oliver T.
Henry Hammond Baker, the second in age of this family, was
born in Allegany county, Maryland, August 5, 1830, and was a mere
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 433
lad when ItIs parents located at Millwood. Ohio. He grew up in this
town and in Newcastle, hut educational facilities were poor at that
time and he received but a scant amount of the kind of learning to be
obtained from books, \\nien old enough he learned the blacksmith's
trade, and for three years worked in a shop at Columbus. In 1853 he
accompanied liis father to Appanoose county, Iowa, and located in
Pleasant township, a little east of where Cincinnati now stands. He
opened a shop shortly after his arrival, but as soon as the village was
founded he moved to that point and put up the building alluded to in
the remarks introducing this memoir. As therein stated, it was the
first blacksmith shop at Cincinnati, and any one curious in examining
ancient landmarks will find this interesting relic of the past still standing
in the rear of the McDonald Bank. He will also become acquainted
with the worthv proprietor, who, though now past seventy-two years of
age, still conducts business as of old, and is yet able to shoe a horse or
mend a tool with the best of them.
In April, 1853, Mr. Baker was married in Ohio to Penelope Head,
who died in i860, leaving three children: Penelope J., Ella and An-
gelina, deceased. In 1862, after his removal to Cincinnati, he married
Mary Ann, daughter of James and Martha Boley, and by this union
there were seven children : James J., Plenry G., Minnie, Mary, Chester,
Harlan and Carl, the last three being deceased. All of the living are
married with the exception of Henry. After the death of his second
wife Mr. Baker contracted a third matrimonial alliance with Nancy,
widow of Hem'}- Jaquiss and daughter of Daniel McDonald, one of
the founders of the town of Cincinnati. She died May 12, 1895. Mr.
Baker is prominently connected with Masonry, 1)eing a member of the
lodge, chapter, conunandery, council and Mystic Shrine.
434 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
CHANCELLOR J. BROWER.
A very active life has been tliat of the su1)ject of this sketch, em-
l^racing a range of varied emplo\ment from soldiering to teaching and
from official positions in connection with edncation to tenure of place
in the go\'ernment civil service. But it is principally on his achieve-
ments as an educator that Mr. Bruwer rests his claims to recognition,
and these alone would entitle him to honorable mention in any history
devoted to representative men of Iowa. In fact all his life has been de-
\'oted to worthy causes, his work usually being along business which
brought more benefit to others than himself, this remark being especially
applicable to his long and efficient services in educating the rising gen-
erations.
The family is of mixed norlhorn and southern origin, l)ut moved
west so long before the Ci\il war as tn be thoroughly indoctrinated with
the loyal \iew on all ([uestions leading u\i to that memorable struggle.
Jeremiah Brower. who was born and bred in Xew York, married a
North Carolina lady who had spent the early years of life in her native
state. Shortly after their marriage in North Carolina, Jeremiah and
Xancy W. Brower remoxed to Marion county, Missouri, where they
made their home about twenty years. In 1850 the family changed resi-
dence to Centcrxille. Iowa, where the father ])racticed medicine three
years, and then mo\ed to Wa_\'ne county, wlierc he continud his profes-
sional work until compelled to retire b\- the infirmities of old age. His
death occurred in iS~C) and two years later his widow to<ik up her resi-
dence in Oregon, where she spent the remainder of her days. Their
children, nine in innnber, arc thus recorded in order of birth in the fam-
ily register: Julia Ann. Chancellor J., Elizabeth, Elias, William, Emily,
Amelia, Albert G., and Buchanan.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 435
Chancelli)r J. Brower, secuiid of the family in age, was Ijorn in
Marion connty, Missouri, March 30, 1835, and was consequently fifteen
years old when taken by his parents to Iowa. After an attendance of
some years in the common schools of Centerville he entered the Phila-
delphia Unixersity, where he was graduated in 1867, securing two de-
grees, A. B. and A. M. On April 2, 1862, he had enlisted in Company
F, Seventeenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served with
this command nine mimths, at the end of which time he was honorably
discharged for disability. His service was with the army of the west
antl among the more important engagements in which he tcMjk part was
the battle of luka, Mississippi, on September 19, 1862, and the one at
Corinth, October 4, of the same year, .\fter obtaining his release from
the army l\Ir. Brower returned to Iowa and taught school several years
in .\ppanoose comity, .-uid graduall\- established a reputation as an e.x-
perienced educator.
In 1886 he received an appointment in the civil service department
of the government at Washington and served two years in the field as
a special examiner. In 1891 he was appointed professor of mathematics
and natural sciences at Muskogee, Indian Territory, and discharged
the duties of this position about three years. In the spring of 1894 he
went to Jackson, Mississii)])!, and spent two years as a professor of
mathematics and physics, Init failing health caused him to relinquish
this employment and return to Iowa. In 1897 he resumed teaching at
Centerville and in 1900 was elected superintendent of the Tama City,
Iowa, pul)lic schools, which position he held a year and then retired from
active business life.
In 1858 Mr. Brower was united in marriage with Miss Tiu^sey J.,
daughter of William and Ellen Hamilton, now deceased. The two chil-
436 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
dren of this union were Hattie and Luella. tlie latter dying in infancy.
During the greater part of liis life Mv. Brower has been a believer in re-
ligion and for forty years has been a member of the Missionary Baptist
church at Centerville. He is also prominent in fraternity circles, hold-
ing membership in several of the best known orders, including the va-
rious branches of Masonr}', from the blue lodge to the Mystic Shrine; in
the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Brower has performed his duty faithfully in all the relations of life,
as soldier, teacher, religious worker, and in his retirement is justly en-
titled to that kindliest reward: "Well done, thou good and faithful
servant,"
OBADIAH LAWTON.
The above named, now li\ing in retirement at Mystic, spent the
greater portion of a long life in the arduous and trying work of coal
mining. He may be said to have inherited this calling, as his father,
James Lawton, was a miner in England many years ago and continued
that occupation until the end of his life. He was a religious man and a
strict member of the Anglican Wesleyan Methodist church, his life
being of such an exemplary character as to prove an example to his fel-
low miners. He married Ann Coo])er and their seven children were
Robert, John, Ralph, William, James, Rachel and Obadiah, none of
whom are now living except the last mentioned.
Obadiah Lawton, youngest of the family, was born in Stafifordshire,
England, March 25, 1826, and in October, 1854, lost his father by death.
Finding little to encourage him in his native land, Obadiah resolved to
emigrate, and when siill a lad found himself in the United States search-
ing for a job. Naturally he turned towards the mining regions, and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 437
succeeded in getting" work in tlie cnal mines of \\"est Virginia, which
for many }ears was continued in tlie coal-producing sections of Penn-
sylvania and Illinois. ' Ha\'ing wearied of this employment and saved
some money, Mr. Lawton came in 1881 to Iowa and settled in Ap-
panot")se county near Brazil. Elex-en years after his arrival in the
county he took up his ahode in the town of Mystic and since 1891 has
lived a retired life in that place. As the result of industrious habits
and much hard work, Mr. Lawton has laid up a sum sufticient to make
him comfortable for life and to assist his children, some of his prop-
erty consisting- in farm land in Appanoose county. In 1857 he was
marrietl to Agnes Brown, and the children by this union are thus re-
corded: Mary Ann, deceased; Jennie, Maggie, Lizzie, Lena, Sarah,
Robert. James, William, David and Obadiah.
FRANCIS M. WELLS.
This gentleman, who is now living in retirement at Piano, is en-
titled to entrance to the class known as early settlers of Iowa, his resi-
dence in the state having extended over thirty-five years. He is a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and a son of Benjamin L. and Sophia (Coon)
Wells, a worthy and unpretentious couple who spent all the days of theii
lives within the borders of the Keystone state. Benjamin Wells was a
farmer by occupation, what was then known as a Free Soiler in politics,
and in religion rather inclined toward the Methodist church, of which
his wife was a devout member. The latter died in 1851, when about
forty-eight years (jkl, and after surviving her a number of years the
hu.sband passed away in 1863 at the age of sixty.
Their son, h'rancis M. Wells, was born in Greene cuunty, Penn-
sylvania, February i, 1832, and remained at home until a year or two
438 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
past his majority. After reaching liis twenty-tliird year, he determined
to strike out for himself, and going to IlUnois engaged in the carpenter's
trade. At Bureau in that state he became acquainted with Christina
Anderson, and tliis accjuaintance ripened into marriage in 1857, after
which the couple still continued to reside in Illinois about ten years.
In 1867 ]\Ir. Wells removed to Appanoose county. Iowa, obtained pos-
session of some land in Johns township and for many years thereafter
devoted his whole time to its cultivati(jn. His wife died in 1871, leav-
ing four children: Henry Clay, Mandana, Emma, deceased; William
Sherman. In 1872 Mr. Wells married Lydia .\. Hinegardner, whose
two children, Byron and Daniel R.. are now dead. In 1893 Mr. Wells
and family removed to Piano, where he has since lived in retirement,
and there his second wife died July 22. 1902. She was a good woman,
of devout religious temperament, and all her life she belonged to the
Christian church, of which Mr. Wells himself is also a member. His
political predilections have always been Rei)ublican, though he has
neither sought nor held oftice, and his fraternal connections are con-
fined to membership in the Masonic order.
JOSEPH BLAND.
Few of its present citizens can claim a longer residence in Iowa than
the gentleman whose name is above transcribed. He came here in 1853,
only seven years after its admission into the Union as a state, and when
the population was but two hundred thousand, as compared to the mil-
lions now inhabiting this ])rosi)er(jus commonwealth. During all of
the fifty succeeding years of rapid development and marvelous growth,
Mr. Bland has counted one and borne his full share in making Iowa
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 439
what it is now generally admitted to be, the greatest agricultural state
in the Union. He is a native of Pennsylvania and son of Thomas and
Elizabeth Bland. This worthy couple, though both born in old Vir-
ginia, went, after their marriage, to the neighboring Keystone state and
were identified therewith during all of their subsequent lives. Thomas
Bland was a carpenter by trade, and it required all his time and many a
day's arduous toil to support his wife and thirteen children. He suc-
ceeded, however, in making a good living for all until called to his last
rest in 1S74, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His first wife
died in 1854 after becoming the mother of the following named chil-
dren : Mary, Susan, Delilah, Amelia, Martha, Joseph, John, Kate,
Elizabeth, Thomas, Sarah, Cynthia and Ellen. By a second marriage
with Sarah Sharpneck there were three children : Frank, William and
one who died in infancy.
Joseph Bland, who was tlie sixth of his father's first set of children,
was born in Greene count}-, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1824, and re-
mained at the place of his natixity until reaching his majority. In 1844
he came west, spent a year in Ohio, thence went to Missouri, where he
remained over a year, and then returned to Pennsylvania and
was married to Elsie, daughter of Henry and Nancy Church. In 1853,
accompanied by his bride, Mr. Bland again started westward, but this
time settled in Appanoose county, which was destined to be his perma-
nent abiding place. It took hard work to succeed in Iowa, as else-
where, but Mr. Bland was young and vigorous then and equal to all
reasonable demands that might be made upon him. The long years of
struggle have not been without their compensation, and besides a com-
fortable home he finds himself in possession of considerable land and
other property. Aljout 1883 Mr. Bland noticed that his health had be-
27
iiO BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
gun to fail, and deeming it the part of prudence to cease from hard
work, he retired with his family to Piano and in a cozy home at that
place is spending the evening of his days.
The children resulting from Mr. Bland's early marriage are ten
in number, and thus recorded in order of l)irth : Xancy, Mary, de-
ceased ; Henry; Benton, deceased; Sarah; ]\linerva; Amelia, deceased;
John, Ada, and Charles, the latter dying in infancy. During the Civil
war Mr. Bland served as a memlier of the Iowa State Home Guards.
He and his wife have long been members of the United Brethren
church and are highly esteemed in all relations of life.
JOHN M. STURDIVANT, M. D.
A man who ior many years held a leading place among the physi-
cians of this countv and seemed to be one of those gifted men who are
successful in everything they undertake, was Dr. John M. Sturdivant.
His father, Robert J., was a native of Tennessee, born in 1804; he re-
moved to Indiana, but in 1836 came to Iowa and located on a fanii in
Harrisburg township, \'an Buren county, where he lived for many
years, and where he died, having become very wealth. He married
Anna Smithson, also a native of Tennessee and born in 1812, whose
father was a native of France; she died when the subject of this article
was only five years old, and Mr. Sturdivant married a second time.
John M. came into the world on a farm in Van Buren county.
Iowa, on tlie 3d day of August, 1838, and ended his long and success-
ful career in Center\ille on the "th of November, 1890, when he had
lived to see his life's highest ideals and hopes realized. He passed
his boyhood days on his father's farm, where the healthful influences
of country life no doubt did nnich to sha])e his character. His educa-
JOHN M. STURDIYANT.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 44^
tion was received in the country scliools. and he tlien attended college
at Denmark and Galesburg. Having determined upon medicine for his
profession he began his studies under Dr. O. George at Bonaparte,
Iowa, and after practicing for a time in Bonaparte, he attended an eye,
ear and throat infirmary at St. Louis ; he then went to the Keokuk
Medical College, where he was graduated in 1861. Coming to Appa-
noose comity, he began his practice in Cincinnati, which he continued till
1882, when he came to Centerville. He had been one of the pioneers of
the town of Cincinnati and was one of its first merchants. In the med-
ical profession he was eminently successful and his patients ■ over the
count}- will long remember his kind offices.
In i860 Dr. Sturdivant was married to Miss Elizabeth Wood; she
was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in. 184 1, and was brought to Iowa
in 1844 by her parents, Benjamin and Jane (Lowe) Wood, who settled
in Van Buren county. The following children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Sturdivant: Laura M., who is the wife of T. F. Gault; Law-
rence J., a prominent physician of E.xline, Iowa; John M., also a phy-
sician, of Cincinnati; Anna Iowa, deceased; M. Gertrude, deceased;
George W., who is a merchant of Centerville; B. Wayne, deceased;
Carleton B., of Centerville; and Frank, of Centerville.
Dr. Sturdivant was a man of high moral character and with many
qualities which endeared him not only to his immediate family but to
the whole communit}-, and thus his loss was deeply felt. His political
affiliations were with the Democratic party, and he was prominent in the
Masonic order. Mrs. Sturdivant is a faithful member of the Christian
church and also of the Eastern Star. She is nnich esteemed in the city,
not only on her husband's account, but for her own sweet and noble
ways.
444 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JOHN G. CRIST.
The above named, who is now leading a retired hfe at his home
near Jerome, lias been a resident of Appanoose county for thirty-three
years. Pre\iously lie had li\ed many years in Indiana, where his parents
brought him in what the historians call an "early day," and thus Mr.
Crist has been familiar with life in the west for the full period allowed
by the psalmist as the limit of human existence. Though his career
has not been especially adventurous, Mr. Crist has seen mucli and can
tell many interesting stories of his experiences of what used to be called
"the far west," but which, is now in the very center of civilization. A
son of John and Mary Crist, he was born at Delaware, Pennsylvania,
October 28, 18 19. When he was still a lad his parents left their native
state and located in h'ranklin county, Indiana, where they spent the
remainder of their days. Though not members of any church, they
were belie\ers in the truths of the gospel, often attended divine services
and instructed their offspring in the fundamental truths of Christianity.
Of their eight chikiren the four now li\ing are John G., Isaac, Allison
and Margaret.
Mr. Crist grew uj) in Indiana, where he got some education by
irregular attendance at the country schools, and when the Civil war
came on he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, with which he served loyally until injury from a fall while
marching compelled his discharge for disability, after twenty -one months
in the army. In 1869 he left Indiana for Iowa, and upon arrival took up
his abode on a farm in Apjianoose county, near Jerome, which has ever
since been his abiding place. In 1849 Mr. Crist was married in Indiana
and has eight cliildren : Julm, Isaac, .\lfred, Sarah Elizabeth,
Emily, Mary, William and Minnie. The parents are members of the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 445
Baptist church and the whole family are among the most respected
residents of the neiirhborhood around Jerome.
EDWARD T. JENNINGS.
It is not too much to say that in this commrmwealth of the free
and independent the man who ]jerforms faithfully the duties that fall
to the lot of the American citizen is the peer of any proud and hide-
bound aristocrat who ever pranced in the rental purple before the admir-
ing" gaze of serf-born foreigners; and at the end of a long life of con-
scientious and active effort he may well view with satisfaction and con-
tentment the work of his hands. In this list of worthy and honored
citizens we include with perfect right the name of Edward T. Jennings,
who is one of the leading farmers of Appanoose county, and resides
near the town of Piano.
\\'illiam Jennings, who was the father of our subject, was born in
Covington. Kentuck)-, and died in Jolms township, Appanoose county,
in May, 1869; he married Christina Shultz, who was a native of Penn-
sylvania, and died in Johns township May 16, 1874. They were mar-
ried in Adams county, Ohio, and there began their home life. Mr.
Jennings was a gunsmith b)- trade and followed this calling all his life.
In July of 1854 he left Ohio and took up his residence in Jolms town-
ship, Appanoose countw where he and his wife remained the balance of
their lives.
One of the children of the above parents was Edward T. Jennings,
whose birth occurred in Adams county, Ohio, September 13, 1837, and
his youth was passed in the \aried activity common to most boys reared
in the first half of the last century. At the very Ijcginning of the war of
446 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the Rebellion he enlisted in the Fifth Kansas Cavalry under Colonel
H. P. Johnson, who recruited a company in Iowa. He was afterward
transferred to the Sixth Kansas and saw much of the stern reality of
war in Missouri, Arkansas and other western states. He w^as taken
prisoner at Fort Smitii, Arkansas, and for over a year endured confine-
luent in the southern war prison at Tyler, Texas. He was among those
who were engaged in chasing the Price raiders, and did considerable
guerrilla fighting. After he was released from the prison he returned
to Appanoose county. He first lived on a farm two miles south of
Piano, and in 1892 removed to his present nice home just south of Piano.
There he conducts his farming interests very profitably.
Mr. Jennings was married in 1869 to Josephine Van Dorn, who
was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, March 12, 1844, and died August
21, 1899; her parents removed to Appanoose county in 1856. Of the
four children of Mr. and Mrs. Jennings two are still living and keep
house for Mr. Jennings — Lena and Elizabeth. Mr. Jennings lives over
again the scenes of the Civil war among his comrades in the Grand
Army of the Republic post at Centerville. He actively supports the
principles of the Republican party, and has shown his interest in edu-
cation in his community by serving for twenty-five years as president of
the school board.
ARMILDA JENNIE KINGSBURY.
Mrs. Armilda Jennie Kingsbury, residing near the village of Dia-
mond, Appanoose county, Iowa, was born in Coles county, Illinois,
August 28, 1844, and was the daughter of excellent people by the name
of Dr. A. A. and Catherine (Dick) Keran. Her father was a native
of Shelby county, Ohio, and her mother was bom in Kentucky. These
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY, ■iil
parents were married near Paris, Edgar cnimtw Illinois, and soon after-
ward came to Coles countw where the subject of this sketcli first saw
the ligiit of day. A. A. Keran was a pliysician and also a Methodist
minister. For thirteen months he was engaged in the practice of medi-
cine in Minnesota, and he then brought his family to Davis county.
Iowa, and settled on Soap creek, but in 1854 he removed to Appanoose
county and located on a farm one mile west of where Mrs. Kingsbury
now resides. Mr. Kcran and wife afterward moved to Clarke county,
Iowa, also to Kansas and Missouri, and in tiolden City of the latter
state he passed away.
It was in the fall of i860 that Miss Armilda married John Kings-
bury, and they at once began their married life r>n a farm to the east of
the jilace where Mrs. Kingsbury now lives. When the Civil war came
on Mr. Kingsbury was found among the volunteers who were willing
to sacrifice their private interests to the welfare of the country. He
enlisted in Company I. Thirt}-sixth Iowa Infantry, and at the battle
of Arch Mills was wounded. This wound was the eventual cause of
his death in 18S5. ^Irs. King.sbury made her home with her parents
in Kansas until her husband was discharged from the service, and
they then returned to Iowa and engaged in farming pursuits.
To the union of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Kingsbury were born eight chil-
dren, and these are now filling honorable places in the different walks
of life. William is at home: Mrs. Minnie O'Neal lives in Ringgold
county. Iowa; Roy is at home; Elmer was a member of Company I,
l-'ourteenth Infantr}-. of the regular army in the Philippines, but now
resides in Salt Lake City ; Charles resides at Marion. Iowa ; Harry
is in this county; Jesse Gordon makes his home near Garfield; and
May is at home. The sons have taken the place of their father and
448 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
farm the estate of one hundred and sixty acres in Bellaire township.
Mrs. Kingsbury is a devoted memlier of the Christian church and occu-
pies a place of high regard in tlie community.
ROBERT KINGSBERRY.
Robert Kingsberry is a native of the bright, green isle of Erin,
anfl with all the lively and progressive qualities of the race, he, like
thousands carrying the blood of the ancient Celts in their veins, has
closely identified himself with the American democracy and filled the
niche of a worthy and upright citizen. He was born in the north of
Ireland, county Monaghan, in the month of March, 1823. His father,
Robert Kingsberry, was Ijorn in 1802 and died in 1858, and spent his
whole life in tilling the soil of his native land. His mother's maiden
name was Mattie Dugan. She came to America and lived with the
subject of this sketch, passing away about 1863.
Rol)ert s])ent the first twenty-four years of his life on the farm of
his father, and in 1848 decided to cast in his lot with the great world
he had heard so much about on the other side of the Atlantic. He
landed in New York on June 13 and remained there one month, ac-
cpiainting himself with the ways of the new world, and then went to
Cleveland and from there to Xenia, Ohio, where he lived for a num-
ber of years. In the latter place he was engaged in railroading on the
Little Miami Railroad for sixteen years, and for two years was engineer
on a switch engine in Centerville. In February, 1864, Mr. Kingsberry
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Volun-
teer Infantry, and until the close of the war saw much hard service in
Georgia, Teimessee and Alabama. He was mustered out at Camp Chase,
Columbus. Ohio, with a creditable record as a soldier for his adopted
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 449
country. Mr. Kingsberry dates his arrival in Iowa in tlie year follow-
ing the war. He had previously, in 1853, purchased one hundred and
eighty acres of land in this county, and here he has ever since made
his home, owning at the present time two hundred and twenty acres
of choice land.
On the 26th of February, 1850, Mr. Kingsberry married Miss
Sarah Mills, who was living at Springfield, Ohio, at the time of her
marriage. She was born in Ireland, January i, 1828, and was reared
on a farm near the home of her future husband. Her father died in
1836, and in 1847 sl^^ came to America with her mother, who died
three months after landing. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsberry had eight chil-
dren, of whom the six following are living: W. D., George, Mary,
Robert, Jr., Jennie, and Maggie. Mr. Kingsberry was for a numl:)er
of vears secretary of the school board. He is a member of the Free
and Accepted Masons, holds closely to the tenets of the Republican
party and is a meml)er of the Methodist church. In all the relations of
life, whether in the position of the skilled mechanic, as a soldier or as a
farmer, whether in pri\ate business affairs or in the larger public inter-
ests, he has made his influence felt as a man of integrity, thorough, ca-
pable and honest.
ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD.
One of the honored residents of Appanoose county living near
Piano is Mrs. Elizabeth Wakefield, who, already past the allotted three
score and ten, still experiences the joys of life in the peace which is
alone the concomitant of an old age preceded by years of industrious
and conscientious effort. Mrs. Wakefield is a native of Bartholomew
450 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county. Indiana, her l)irtli taking place on April 29, 1829. Her parents
were Samuel and Anna (Stater) Daugherty. who hoth died in Indiana,
where the father had for many years followed the trade of a carpenter
and blacksmith and was also a farmer. On August 24. 1848, Miss
Daugherty was married to James Stuckey Wakefield, and it was their
lot to travel together the way of life for nearly half a century, sharing
equally the burdens and the comforts which came to them.
Mr. Wakefield was born in Bartholoniew county. Indiana, June
6, 1823. and passed awa)- on Januar\- 16, 1899. His parents were
native to Indiana and were neigh1)ors to the Daughertys. The father,
\vho was a teacher by profession, died at the age of forty-eight, and the
mother at the age of eighty-four. After their marriage James and
Elizabeth Wakefield went to housekeeping with a grandfather of Mr.
Wakefield, and later moved to a farm owned by the father of Mrs.
Wakefield, where the_\- remained until 1855. They then loaded their
possessions into wagons, took with them horses and live stock and
made the Inng but ])leasant journey to .\])pan<x)se county, where they
(xcupied the place which is still in the possession of Mrs. W^akefield.
Like his father, Mr. Wakefield was a teacher, and many who have now
grown to middle age remember him as the instructor their youth. W'hile
in Indiana he served for many years as justice of the peace, being elected
on the Democratic ticket. He also held the same office in Appanoose
county and was fulfilling its duties a short time before his death. He
was a member of the board of supervisors at the time the court house
was built in 1861 ; also when the county farm was purchased. During
President Cleveland's first administration he was postmaster of Piano.
For twenty-two years he was school treasurer, holding that place at
the time of his death. His religious connections were with the Chris-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 451
tian churcli. Such a life of usefulness could not fail to leave its im-
press upon the community, and to him was shown the regard due the
man of character and faithfulness to trust which he had proved himself
to be.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield and all are now
living: Mrs. Catherine A. Baker, of Bellaire township; Mrs. Sylvania
J. Wailes, living north of Garfield; Samuel W., of Brazil, Iowa;
George W., at home; James H., of Piano; John A., of Des Moines;
Mrs. Elizabeth Matilda Cross, living near the old home; William F.,
also near home; Christian E., residing north of Garfield; and Randle
Fisher, at home.
JAMES L. STONE.
James M. Stone, who was the father of the subject of this brief
biography, was born in the state of Connecticut, August 27. 1809, and
died in August, 1895, having a long and useful life to his credit. He
left home at the age of sixteen and went to Elizabethtown, New Jersey,
where he earned a livelihood liy peddling tinware. At that place he also
met the lady who became his wife. Miss Eliza Ann Wilcox. She was
born in New Jersey on December 29, 1812, and died July 2t,. 1871.
After their marriage they went to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and settled
on a one hundred acre tract of timber land given to them by Mrs. Stone's
father. Mr. Stone followed farming the rest of his life. In 1857 he
came to Iowa with his wife and children and located on a farm in Appa-
noose county, where he and his wife remained until called away by
death. Of the seven children born to them five are yet living: J. J.
Stone, of Mystic, Iowa; .\lfred Stone, of Centerville; Albertus Stone,
452 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
wlio resides in Kansas; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Powers, of Chicago; and
James L. Stone.
James L. Stone was liorn in Ashtabula county, Ohio, June 6, 1835,
and at an early age learned the art of husbandry upon the farm of his
father, with whom he came to Iowa in 1857. When twenty years of
age he was married, on February 4, 1855. his wife being i\Iiss Ximena
Dodge, and the ceremony being performed just across the Pennsylvania
line. Miss Dodge was born in Ashtabula county, June 4, 1839. Cyrus
and Susan (Thomas) Dodge, her parents, were natives of Ohio, the
former dying when the daughter Ximena was small, and the latter, who
was born in 18 18, passing away in 1877. The only son of these parents
was killed in the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born eleven
cliildrcn, and nine of these are still living and occupy honorable places
in society: Almeron J. Stone resides at St. Joseph, Missouri; Frank
L. is in South Dakota; James N. lives at Beatrice, Nebraska; Mrs.
Flora Rigsby is in Kansas: .\urelius conducts a store in Piano; Mrs.
Alice Benson resides in Kansas ; Charles W. has his home in St. Joseph,
Missouri; W. Bvrd lives at Piano; and Clyde resides in St. Joseph.
Tlie outbreak of the Civil war threw all the plans of domestic
comfort and material happiness into confusion, and with the other loyal
citizens Mr. Stone offered his services, being enrolled, in 1862, in Com-
I)any I, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and he followed the flag till the
close of the struggle ; most of his service was spent in Arkansas, Mis-
sissippi, Missouri, and Texas. At the battle of Saline River he was
taken ])risoner and endured ten months of confinement in the southern
prison at T_\ler. Texas. \\ ith the exception nf tliis period spent in the
service of his country Mr. Stone has followed farming the greater part
of his active life and met with excellent returns, so much so that in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 453
1897 he retired from the farm and now makes his liome in Piano, where
he and liis wife enjo}- the fruits of their former toil He is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are
actively connected with the Methodist church. The record of such a
life is full of encouragement, and among the names of men who have
been marked for their consistent efforts in the upbuilding of the life of
every community must be placed that of James L. Stone.
JAMES HAGAN.
James Hagan is one of the old residents of Appanoose county and
derives from his Irish father many of the characteristics of that race,
which have undoubtedly been a considerable factor in his successful
career thniughout the many years of his life. His father was John
Hagan and was a nati\e of Dublin county, Ireland. He came to
America when four years old ; his parents first located in Princeton,
New Jersey, and later removed to Warren county, Ohio. John Hagan
became a ship carpenter and weaver by trade and was engaged in this
occupation most of his life. His wife was Elizabeth Glasbie, who was
a native of Virginia and went to Warren county with her parents,
where she met and married Mr. Hagan. Shortly after their marriage
they removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, but later returned to Warren
county, where Mr. Hagan died in 1833. His wife continued the weav-
ing business and remained on the farm until 1840. She died in 1845.
James Hagan was the son of the above parents and was born in
Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, on the 23d of February, 1825.
He was reared principal!)' by his mother and learned the coopering
trade, which he followed in Clinton county, Ohio, up to 1848. In 1852
454 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
he became a resident of Illinois, and the following year removed to
Council Blufifs, Iowa, where he remained only a short time. In the latter
part of 1853 he returned to his native state of Ohio and engaged in the
coopering business. In October, 1854, in company with Peter Sidles,
he came to Appanoose county and located in Lincoln township. The
next year he was married and began married life on a farm in Lincoln
township. Shortly afterward he removed to Bellair township, lived
one year at Xuma and then returned to Lincoln township. He con-
tinued farming until 1870. when he came to Jerome and occupied his
present nice home. He gave up the active duties of the farm when his
sons were able to take charge. Mr. Hagan was also a carpenter l)y
trade and followed that pursuit for several years.
On -August 2. 1855, Mr. Hagan was united in marriage to Eliza-
beth B. Criswell. daughter of John and Rebecca ( Kilgore) Criswell.
Of the six children born to them fi\e are living: Mrs. .\da Crouch,
Mrs. Mary Belle Hawkins, William A., Mrs. Emma Ogle and John.
Mr. Hagan is the oldest Mason in Seymour Lodge, having been a mem-
ber fifty-three years. He is also a member of the Methodist church.
CALVIN R. JACKSON.
Among the old residents of Appanoose county who have figured
prominently in its development and progress is Calvin R. Jackson, wlio
has been an inhabitant of the county for nearly half a century and has
witnessed its growth from a county with a scattered population to its
present nourishing condition as one of the ft)remost agricultural and
industrial counties of the great western commonwealth. His parents
were Thomas and Delilah (Wethington) Jackson, who were both born
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 455
in the Bluegrass state wlien its mighty forests were almost intact and
the IniHans were still equal sharers with the whites. The)' afterward
mo\-ed to Ohio and then to Indiana. Mr. Jackson was a farmer and
lumberman, and he met his death h}- a heavy log rolling on him as he
was on his way to Louisville, Kentuck}-.
It was while his parents resided in Jefferson county, Indiana, that
Calvin R. Jackson came into the world, the date of his birth being
Februarv 2, 1820. He grew up to manhood in his native state and in
1848 left Indiana with his mother, his wife, his sister and two children
and came west to the new state of Iowa. They first located in Henry
county and after remaining there ime year moved to Jefferson county.
In 1854 he came to Appanoose county and settled on a farm three miles
south of Centerville, but a year later went to Jerome, where he now
resides. Air. Jackson was a successful and enterprising farmer until
1894, in which year he retired from the active labors of the farm and
opened a boarding house in Jerome, now furnishing one of the indispen-
sable places of rest and home comforts which have been one of the insti-
tutions of the world since the beginning of time. Mr. Jackson is also
one of the Civil war veterans. He was a member of the Fifth Kansas
Infantr\- and was afterward transferred to the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, in
which regiment he saw nmch arduous service for three years and three
months in Missouri.
Mr. Jackson's first marriage occurred in 1844 to Ellen Watkins,
who died May 22. 1879. Ten children were born of this marriage and
eight are now surviving. His second wife was Nancy (Cashman)
Heirrear, who is still li\-ing. No children were born (.)f this union. Mr.
Jackson is a member of the Grand .\rmy post at Seymour and in re-
ligiun he belongs to the L'nited Brethren church.
456 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
CLARENCE W. LEWIS.
It is the universal opinion that success in business is the result of
industry and application rather than any special talent, and in fact what
obstacle can stand long before these cardinal virtues ? In the city of
Centerville there grew up a great business, known as the Lewis Lum-
ber Companv. which was the result of the hard work and progressive
business skill of two men, S. Lewis and his son. And we shall here
gi\'e in brief detail the main points of the life of Clarence W. Lewis,
who did so much for the welfare of his city and at his death left the
priceless legacy of a good name. Mis parents were Seth and Celina
(W'oodworth) Lewis, the former a native of Connecticut and of Welsh
ancestry. Tliey were married in Illinois and about 1865 located in
Marengo, that state, where he engaged in the banking business, having
previously dealt in lumber.
Their son, Clarence, was l)orn in the village of Blackberry, Illinois,
February 7, 1855, and was educated in the comnron schools, and at an
early age entered his father's bank, in 1880 he was married and then
went to Trentim, Missouri, where, in connection with his father, he
engaged in the lumber business. I'.ut they remained here only two
years and in 18S2 came to Centerxille, where they established an exten-
sive lumlicr concern. They also had branches in Seymour, Jerome and
Mystic, Iowa ; the father located in Seymour, where he managed the
lumber yard and also conducted a bank; there his death occurred in
1893, after a long and prosperous career in different lines of commer-
cial activity. In 1894 tiie Lewis Lumber Company was incorporated
with the following officers : C. \V. Lewis, president and treasurer ; L.
W. Lewis, vice president, and C. M. Crego, secretary. From the be-
ginning this company enjoyed a large patronage and it occupies large
CLARENCE W. LEWIS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 459
yards and slieds, covering fully a half a block of ground. By its abil-
ity to buy in immense quantities the firm has been able to sell at reduced
prices, at the same time offering the very best lumber in the mar-
ket, and thus the concern has become one of the sources of pride to
the citizens of Centerville. Mr. Lewis continued at the head of this
enterprise until his death, which took place on April 4, 1901. And thus
passed away a man whose influence for good was everywhere felt and
whose remarkable success in the business field will long serve as a me-
morial to his strong, honest, forceful character. In 1880 Mr. Lewis
was married to Carrie M. Safford, a native of Marengo, Illinois, and
the daughter of Frank and Wealthy (Hanchett) Safford, pioneers of
Illinois from New York. There are five living children; Louise,
Lawrence, John, Howard and Carrie May.
DAVID PUGH.
David Pugh belongs to a famil)- that was connected with the early
settlement of different sections of this country, and he himself can claim
the right to attend the conventions of the old settlers of Iowa. No
class of people is worthy of more respect than those who have blazed
the way for the oncoming army of civilization, and in the coming years
the figures of these brave and hardy pioneers will loom up larger and
larger on the horizon of history, for to them belongs in great measure
the credit for "western expansion," the wonder of the nineteenth cen-
tury. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Levi and Jane
(Watkins) Pugh, both natives of Virginia. Levi Pugh was one of the
honored veterans in the war for the final vindication of American rights
in 18 1 2, and by occupation he was a tiller of the soil. Joining the tide
28
460 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
of emigration which, after the war for independence, streamed across
the mountains into the western territory, in 1827 they settled in Wayne
county, Indiana, and from there UKn-ed to Washington county. Levi
Pugh died wiiile lixing in Wayne county, and his wife passed away in
Harrison county, JMissouri.
David Pugli claims the Old Dominion state for his hirthplace,
being liorn in Montgomery county, January 12, 1819, and he spent his
youth in the invigorating work of the farm, and moved with his parents
to their different places of residence. His coming to Johns township,
Appanoose county, is dated on May 9, 1854, and he has ever since
made this his home, with the exception of twenty-two months spent in
Kansas. His occupation throughout his active career has been that of
farmer and teamster. In 1S92 he removed to Piano, and he now resides
there with his wife, spending his remaining days in peace, and quiet con-
templation of the future and happy memories of the past.
Mr. Pugh was married in 1842 to Nancy Needham, a native of
Jennings county, Indiana, born May 4, 1824. She was living with her
parents, Enoch and Lucretia (Spaulding) Needham, in Bartholomew
county, Indiana, at the time of her marriage, and in that state both her
parents died. There were born to ]\Ir. and Airs. Pugh twelve children.
Five of these died in infancy, one was killed while bravely serving his
country in the Civil war, and the five now li\ing are as follows : Mrs.
Jennie Baird, of Centerville; Mrs. Ann Baker, of Kansas; Preston
Pugh, in Nebraska; William H. Pugh, in Kansas; and Mrs. Josephine
Needham. living in Ringgold county, Iowa.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 401
JESSE A. SWAN.
To the superficial observer tlie lives of men possess a monotonous
similarity and almost undeviating regularity, consisting of birth, a short
period of active existence, and the end-all, death; but to the sympathetic
student the life of ever}- individual shows a thousand phases of interest,
stamping every human being as an individual distinct from all his fel-
lows ; and, although space precludes an entering into the inner and real
life of men, yet their outward acts are entertaining and indicative of
the wide diversity in mankind. Among such men of Appanoose county
as have made an impress on the life and institutions of the community
is Jesse A. Swan.
Jesse A. Swan is the son of James N. and Mary (Mauldingj
Swan, and a native of Appanoose county, having been born here in tlie
month of October, 1868. He was born on a farm and there spent his
youth, receiving his education in the country schools. He lived on the
farm until he was twenty-three years of age, and tiien purchased the
J. J. Bland hardware store in Piano. He is now most successfully con-
ducting this, in connection with a general store and the village postoffice.
On I\Iay 23, 1901, Mrs. Swan was appointed postmistress, and she is
now capably filling that position. Mr. Swan holds membership with
the Modern Woodmen, and is otherwise prominently identified with
the interests of the community. On June i, 189 1, Mr. Swan married
Miss Minnie E. Elgin, and they have one son, Carl E., who was born
March 10, 1892.
The parents of Mrs. Swan were John M. and Mary J. (Silknitter)
Elgin. The former's place of nativity was at Martmsville, near Indian-
apolis, Indiana, and the latter was born near the same place, and when
only eight years of age came west with her parents and located in the
462 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
northern part of Appanoose county. Mr. Elgin also came to this county
when a child. He was a farmer, an extensive stock dealer and for four
years most capably performed the duties of sheriff of Appanoose county.
He also served his country as a soldier in the Civil war. ]\Ir. Elgin died
April I, 1900, Init his wife still survives and resides in Centerville. To
these parents were born seven children, and all but one are living: W.
E. Elgin, Charles H. Elgin, Maude Elgin, Jennie Elgin, Fred Elgin, the
last three being at home with their mother, and Minnie E., the wife of
our subject, was born near Walnut City, Appanoose county, December
19, 1868.
SAMUEL HIXSON.
With the active blood of southern-born parents in his veins and
with a sturdy inherited character, Samuel Hixson has spent his long
life amid \arious scenes, has engaged in the noble calling of agriculture
with such energy and businesslike astuteness as to place him among the
front rank in that occupation, and besides his private matters has found
the time and possessed the inclination to serve his fellow citizens in
public offices, and thus fulfill the duties that are indissoluble from true
American citizenship.
Such is the brief record of this gentleman, whose parents were
William and Sallie (Pearson) Hixson. The former was born in the
sunny state of Georgia in 1804 and ended his earthly labors in 1887,
The latter was a native of North Carolina and died when the subject
of tliis sketch was fourteen years old. William Hixson was brought by
his parcr.ts, in 1816, to Preble county, Ohio, where the latter made
their home until tlicir tlcath. He engaged in farming all his life and
attained a foremost position among the agricultural element of the
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 403
county. Seven children were horn to these parents, and three are now
surviving: Mrs. Rehecca Rineliart, of Preble county, Ohio; Mrs.
Hannah Gard, of Randolpli county, Indiana ; and Samuel.
Samuel Hixson was ushered into the world in Preble county,
Ohio, September 20, 1832, and reniaineil in that county until 1856, hav-
ing by that time become fully initiated into the intricacies of farm life,
with all its ups and downs, and also having found for himself a partner
in life's journey. In that }ear he came west to Iowa and located in
Lee county, where he pursued his cliDsen \'ocation for the period of six
and a half years. In 1863 he removed to Appanoose county and settled
on the place north of INIystic on which they now reside. Here he early
became identified with the public interests of the county, and his fitness
for places of trust \\'as recognized in 1879 by his election on the Green-
back ticket to a seat in the Iowa legislature, where, during the session of
1880, he performed his due share in the actions of that body. For one
term he held tlie office of justice of the peace and was a member of the
Walnut township board. In religion he is connected with the Christian
church.
In the fall of 1S55 Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Elizabeth
Miles, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, February i, 1837. Her
parents were John and Susan Miles, both natives of Ohio. The former
was born February 5, 18 10, and died in 1870, and the latter was born
June 23, 1813, and died March 27, 1853. Mrs. Hixson's father was a
shoemaker by trade and also followed farming. He had nine children,
six of whom are living : Mrs. Delila Eikenbary, Mrs. Rebecca Harms-
ton, Catherine Miles, P. M. Miles, deceased, C. V. Miles, and Mrs.
Hixson. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson were the pai^ents of nine children, and
eight are still living, being numbered among the respected citizens of
4G1 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
their county: Elliott P., of Keokuk county; John Miles, of this county;
James \\'illiam, at home with his parents ; Mrs. J. \\'. Ellis, near Cin-
cinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza Douglas, in this county; Mrs. Leonia Ellis,
of Calhoun county, Iowa ; Mrs. Lauretta Ockerman, of Wayne county,
Iowa ; and Mrs. Catherine Blattner, of Keokuk county.
GEORGE W. McCLOUD.
George ^V. McCloud is one of the representative farmers of Appa-
noose county and deserves special mention on account of the active part
he has always taken in afTairs of pulilic nature and his character as a
worthy and upright citizen. His parents were George R. and Mary
Jane (\\'arner) McCloud, natives of Virginia. The former died Feb-
ruar\' 3, 1886. hut the latter still sur\ives and makes her home with her
children in .\ppanoose county. Mrs. McCloud has the unique distinc-
tion of being at the head of five generations. Four different groups of
children ha\e descended from her. and she is now variously designated
as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grand-
mother, a relationship almost incredible without the actual facts at hand.
This estimable lady was born in Pendleton county. Virginia. January
26, 1818, and was there reared, remaining at home with her parents,
William and Jane Warner, until she married Mr. McQoud. After their
marriage they remained in \'irginia until November 7, 1865, when they
started on the trip to Iowa. They made the entire journey by wagon
and finally located in the northern part of this county, near Iconium.
Mr. McCloud made farming his occupation all his life, and his death
occurred in Iconium. Ten of their children grew to maturity and eight
of these are living: Nathaniel, residing at Moravia; the subject of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 465
this sketch ; Susan Teegarden, of Moravia, Iowa ; EHzabeth Sheeks, of
Kansas; Asa R.. of Iconium ; Mrs. Amanda Myers, of Kansas; Henry,
of Mystic ; Anna Burns, of Iconium.
George W. McCloud claims the Old Dominion state as the place of
his birth, being born in Pocahontas county, March i. 1845. When only
seventeen years old he bravely shouldered a musket in defense of the
Union, enlisting December 4. 1861, in Company B. Tenth West Virginia
Infantry. In 1863 he was attached to Battery G, First Virginia Flying
Artillery, and was a participant in many of the important battles of the
war, some of them being DrcKip Mountain, ]\Iaryland Heights, Win-
chester, Woodstock. Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. In the last men-
tioned both ex-Presidents Hayes and McKinley took part. He was also
in several raids in Tennessee and Virginia under General W. W. Aver-
ell. On returning from the war, he soon forgot the sanguinary strug-
gles on the battlefield in the engrossing occupation of a farmer, to which
pursuit he had determined to devote himself; and in this calling he has
made a gratifying success and at the present time owns a farm of one
hundred and sixteen acres, one-half mile north of Mystic, which is a
model in many respects.
Mr. Cloud's marriage occurred in 1874 to Miss Jennie Thomas,
who.se parents, Asbury and Mary A. (Bowers) Thomas, are both de-
ceased, the father dying in Texas and the mother in Appanoose county.
Jennie Thomas was born on February 14, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. McCloud
had nine children born to them, of whom six are now living; Linnie
Myrtle Garton, Minnie, Lillie, Harrison, Mary and McKinlev. The
members of this family are well known in the conununitv, and their li\-es
have always been such as to conunand the high regard of their friends
and acquaintances.
466 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JAMES A. SEDDON.
In tlie multiplicity of modern industrial interests the one factor that
must everywhere be reckoned with is "King Coal." Without this uni-
versal article of fuel the great industries of this, the greatest commercial
country on the globe would be completely paralyzed, the busy marts of
trade, transportation and all the activities that make up the civilization
of modern times would receive the check that nothing else could effect.
Therefore we must duly respect one who is instrumental in bringing to
the market this important product; and in Mr. James A. Seddon we
have a man who has been engaged in coal mining in its different phases
ever since he was a child, and one who now occupies a foremost place
in the business interests of .\ppanoose county.
Ralph and Mary (.Armstrong) Seddon were both natives of Eng-
land and were married Ln the county of Lancashire, about 183 1. The
former was born September 26, 1807, '^"d died September 24, 1859.
The latter was born in October, 18 10, and died in the month of July,
1874. They spent their entire lives in the country of their birth, and
Mr. Seddon was employed as a coal digger up to his twenty-second
year, when he became a manager of mines and continued in this till
his death. They were the parents of fifteen children, the only three
survivors making their home in .\merica : John Seddon, of Mystic,
Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Newman, of Hines, Iowa; and James A., the
subject of this sketch.
In Lancashire, England, on the 12th of May, 185 1, James A. Sed-
don was born, and at the age of eight years began working in the mines.
In 1869 he left England, and, coming to the United States, located in
Boone count}-, Iowa, where he obtained employment as a coal miner.
In 1870 he went to Wyoming and followed mining one year. The next
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 467
year he returned to Iowa and from tliere went to Monongahela, Wash-
ington county, Pennsylvania: from there, in 1872, to Tioga county,
that state, always engaged in mining. He soon returned to his old
home in England, intending to remain there, but in July, 1874, he again
set out for the new world, and this time located in Jefferson county,
Iowa, where he remained till 1876; he then followed his calling for
three months in Marion county, and for fifteen months in Monroe
county. In 1877 he became a mine operator, but disposed of his inter-
ests the next year and came to Whatcheer, Keokuk county, Iowa.
Shortly afterward he made a second trip to his old home, but after a
visit of nine weeks returned to Whatcheer, where he stayed four months.
He then took charge of a mine in Wyoming, but in the latter part of
1878 he resumed the operation of mines in Monroe county, Iowa. In
1880 he spent six months in Whatcheer, and then for the third time
went to Wyoming, where he was manager of the coal mines of the
Union Pacific Railroad, but he continued this only fourteen months,
when he again came to Whatcheer and was employed for fifteen months
in weighing coal. In 1884, again taking up his residence in Monroe
county, he remained until 1886, when he came to Mystic, Appanoose
county, where he has since made his home.
Mr. Seddon and his lirother Thomas opened the second mine in
Mystic, which was known as the Seddon Brothers Coal Company. They
disposed of this mine to the Centerville Block Coal Company. They
then purchased the Mystic Block, which they sold to the Peerless Coal
Company. They then opened up the Bran and Bower mine, and three
others west of Mystic. Mr. Seddon is now the owner of the Iowa and
Missouri mine and the Klondyke, and holds controlling interest in
the Mystic Fuel Company's mine. For a number of years Mr. Seddon
468 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
has been engaged in Ijuilding houses for tlie miners and selHng them
on the instalment plan. There are about two hundred and twenty-five
men in his employ. In October. 1899, he opened a general store in the
west end of town, and on the ist of January. 1901. he established a
store in a central part of the town, which is owned by a joint stock
company, but all the slock is owned 1:)y Mr. Seddon except five shares.
Mr. Seddon built and now owns the store building occupied by the Bain
Brothers' general store.
When Mr. Seddon returned to England for the first time he was
married to Anna Morris, a native of England, as were her parents. She
died August 22, 1892, at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving four
children : Margaret Elizabeth, James Sanmel, Winfield Scott and
Peter Henn*. In January. 1893, Mr. Seddon married Miss Hannah
E. Hughes, who is a native of Des Moines, Iowa. They have two chil-
dren, Hazel and Beatrice.
JAMES WOLFINGER.
The record of Mr. Wolfinger is that of a man who has worked his
way upward to a position among the substantial men of the community
in which he li\es. His life has been one of industry and perseverance,
and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have
won him the supjiort and confidence of many. Back to the old Key-
stone state must we turn for the ancestry of our subject, and in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the
5th of September. 1833. He is a son of John and Catherine (Miller)
Wolfinger, both born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Their marriage
was celebrated in the last named state, where Mr. Wolfinger was ac-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 469
tively engaged in farming until 1854, in which year the family removed
to Mercer county, Illinois. That locality continued to be their home for
the following four years, on the expiration of which period they took
up their abode in Bates county, Missouri, and there the father's death
occurred in March, 1861, when he had reached the age of sixty-three
years. The mother afterward removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, and
her death occurred on the 17th of February, 1879, at the age of eighty-
one years. Five children were Ixjrn to this worthy couple, but only two
of the number are now living, James, and Huldah, wife of Thomas
Phillips, a resident of Nebraska. Those deceased were Elias, who died
October 11, 1864, in the Union army; Nelson, died May 5, 1862; Shad-
rach, died September 21, 1864, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, while in the
service.
James W^olfinger, whose name introduces this review, accompanied
his mother on her remnwd to Appanoose county, and has ever since con-
tinue<l his residence in this locality. On their arrival here they first
located in the vicinity of Numa, where the son James turned his atten-
tion to agricultural pursuits. On the 12th of August. 186 1, he enlisted
for ser\'ice in the Ci\'il war, entering Company B, Sixth Kansas Cavalry,
and servetl his country as a valiant soldier until November 18, 1864,
when he was honorably discharged. Returning thence to his home in
Appanoose count}-, he was here married in 1868. when Miss Annie
Gault became his wife, and their union has resulted in the birth of four
children, three of whom still sur\ive, namely: Deborah, who was born
in 1871, and is at home with her parents; Catherine, who was born
on the 14th of September, 1S73, and is the wife of Edward G. Camp-
Wl, of Appanoose county ; and James F., who was born March 2^,
1876, and is also at home. Since 1875 the family have resided in their
470 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
beautiful and attractive home one-half mile north of Cincinnati, where
Mr. Wolfinger owns one hundred and ninety-five acres of rich and fertile
land. In his social relations he is a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic, in which he holds pleasant relations with his old comrades of
the blue.
WILLIAM M. ELLIS.
The late William M. Ellis was quite well known to citizens of
Appanoose county, of which he had been a resident for more than forty-
five years. He was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, January 13, 1830,
but when onl)- eight years old was taken by his parents to Harrison
count\-, Indiana, where they took up a permanent abode, which only
ceased with their deaths many years later. William grew up in Har-
rison county, and such education as he was destined to receive was ob-
tained in the soiuewhat crude schools then prevailing in that section of
Indiana. When aiiproaching the completion of his nineteenth year he
met and married Miss Margaret A. Ellis, a distant relative of his family,
the ceremony occurring in Harrison county, Indiana, December 24,
1849. Miss Ellis was but slightly her husband's junior, having been
born, in Harrison county, .'\pril 4, 1830, and the union that then took
place lasted for more than half a century in a harmony of temperament
and tastes that was as pleasing as it was unusual.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ellis resided on an Indiana
farm for six years, and then decided on a remo\al to the distant state
of Iowa. It was in 1854 that this, their first bridal trip, was taken, and
when they reached the new state beyond the Mississippi a location was
selected in \'an Buren county, which remained their home during the
three following years. In 1857 they transferred their residence to
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 471
Appanoose county, wliere Mr. Ellis became the owner of the celebrated
Long Branch stock farm, and for years was noted as one of the most
extensive stock raisers in that part of the state. Of late years, however,
owing to failing health, he was compelled to relax his former vigorous
efforts and leave the tasks to younger hands. Eventually, in the course
of nature, he reached the "inevitable hour" which awaits all things
mortal, and on the 226 of March, 1902, his kind heart and benevolent
impulses were hushed in death. Since this sad event Mrs. Ellis has
resided at the old homestead, which has witnessed so many of the
mutual joys of herself and husl)and. and where the golden anniversary
of their wedding day was observed in 1899. Of her nine children
seven still remain ti) comfort her old age, though their residences are
scattered in many different states and localities. Perry, Jesse and Mil-
lard all reside in Appanoose county, the latter at Numa. Elias is a
citizen of Kansas. Mrs. La'ura Tony makes her home in Missouri. Mrs.
G. W. Edwards is in distant Colorado. Mrs. Harry Benefield, youngest
of the family, is living in Oklahoma territory. Mrs. Ellis looks after
the business of the farm and keeps the old homestead cheerful with the
hospitality that always distinguished it and ready for the reception of
her children when they come, as it always was in their childhood, dur-
ing the happy days gone by.
ROBERT CRAWFORD FORSYTH.
Though this son of "old Scotia" has led a roving life on land and
sea, changed residence and business frequently, he has, with the shrewd-
ness of his race, kept an eye on the main and followed the advice of his
great national poet to "gather gean by every wile that's justified by
472 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
honor." In other words, after a long and busy career and his due share
of the rebuffs of fickle fortune. Mr. Forsyth can show a comfortable
balance on the right side of the ledger and is justly entitled to rank as
a successful man of business. It is something of a privilege to have
been born in the same county that produced Robert Burns, and this
honor belongs to Mr. Forsyth, whose place of nati\ity has received such
a halo from the poetry of this immortal writer that it has become
familiar all over the world. He was the son of James and Margaret
(Crawford) Forsyth and his birth occurred in .\yrshire. Scotland, June
2, 1832. His father was a hand loom weaver and his business was to
make some of those shawls and ])laids for which Scotland is so cele-
brated in the marts of trade.
The parents, who spent their whole li\es within the confines of
Scotland, had ten children, of whom Robert was the \-oungest. They
removed tt> Dundee when the lad was four years old. and in that famous
old town he was reared while being educated under the strict discipline
of the Scottish schools. When near his fourteenth year the boy was
apprenticed to learn the apothecary's trade, which in that countrv carries
with it the power to diagnose cases of sickness among the county poor.
It was his intention to e\'entually become a phvsician. hut after serving
his apprenticeship the irresistible inclination toward the sea, s® common
to the coast countries, drew him like a lodestone, and at the age of
seventeen he found himself aboard a ship bound for "foreign parts." It
was his fortune to get his fill of this kind of life. After tossing on the
billows, riding through storms and undergoing all the other hardships
of seafaring for ten years, it was with an increased stock of experience
but no considerable improvement in his exchequer that Mr. Forsyth
stepped ashore after his decade of dallying with the inconstant sea.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 473
About this time, or, more specifically, in August, 1857, he took to him-
self a wife, and this event set him to thinking that it was desirable to
establish a permanent home. With this end in \-iew he crossed the
Atlantic in 1858 to Canada, but soon crossed the l>order into the states
and eventually drifted to Rock Island, Illinois, where he found lodg-
ment and work. For some years after his arrival he found what the
loggers call "rough sledding," but his sailor's career had inured him
to hardship, and he buckled down manfully to such hard tasks as he
had undertaken to do. For twenty-three years Mr. Forsyth put in his
time between coal mining and farming, spending eight years at Rock
Island, the other fifteen in Poweshiek county, Iowa. Subsequently he
lived awhile in Keokuk county, and eventually found his way to Appa-
ncOTse county, where he selected a location at Mystic that proved to be
permanent. During his stay in Poweshiek county Mr. Forsyth resumed.
work as a mine operator, liut the venture proved unsuccessful. At
W'hatcheer, Iowa, he embarked in the drug business, and during the ten
years of its continuance at that point found the knowledge acquired
during his apprenticeship in Scotland could be put to practical use. At
the present time Mr. Forsyth is conducting the drug business at Mystic,
in partnership with his son, and they also have a branch establishment
at Redfield, under the firm name of Robert Forsyth & Company.
Of late years fortune has smiled upon the Scottish sailor, and with
constantly impro\'ing financial conditions he is able to say with King
Richard : "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer
by this sun of York, and all the clouds that hovered o'er our house are
in the deep bosom of the ocean buried." The lady whom Mr. Forsyth
married in 1857 was Betsie Butter, who has borne him a large family of
children, all of whom grew to maturity and are well settled in the
474 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
world, tlieir names being: James C, Donald W., David B., Robert J.,
Ditgal R., Isabella, Mary E., Jesse and Lizzie. The parents are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church, while ^Ir. Forsyth also holds fraternal
connections with the Masons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
DAVID DINNING.
Connected with the development of the rich coal deposits of Iowa,
David Dinning is now accounted one of the most prosperous business
men of Cincinnati, Iowa. At the age of fourteen years he started out
in life for himself, and though but a boy from that time forward he
earned his own living, and wliatever success he has since achieved is a
direct result of his own labors. He was born in Ayreshire, Scotland,
on the 27th of April, 1859, and is a son of Matthew and Martha
(Nicol) Dinning, who were also natives of Scotland. His paternal
grandfather, Hugh Dinning, was a son of Matthew Dinning, who was a
sexton, or Scottish beagle. His marked characteristics made him the
subject of many anecdotes which are told in Dean Ramsey's "Anec-
dotes of the Scottish Worthies." The parents of our subject had ten
children, of whom five are now living and are residents of Cincinnati.
The father and mother came to the United States in 18S4, taking up
their abode in Cincinnati, Iowa, where Mr. Dinning is still living at
the ripe old age of seventy-six years. His wife, however, passed away
in 1890 at the age of fifty-nine years.
David Dinning was the first of the family to come to America. He
crossed the Atlantic in 1880 when twenty -one years of age, believing
that he might better his financial condition in the new world with its
broader business opportunities. He had gained a fair education in the
DAYID DINHIHG.
TH F NRW YORK
pr 'Y
»jron, UEi^ox 4.N0
riLO£N f«UNtATI INS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 477
schools of Scotland, and at the age of eleven years had begun to mine
coal. After a short duration following liis arrival in the United States,
he came to Appanoose county. Iowa, where he has since lived. For
two years he was employed as a coal miner at Centerville, and in Aug-
ust. 1883. he came to Cincinnati, where he obtained similar work, but
his ability soon won him promotion and he was made manager of the
Cincinnati Joint Stock Company in control of the Appanoose mine,
which position he continued to fill until 1888. In that year, with three
of his brothers and two of his brothers-in-law. he formed a partnership
under the name of the Thistle Coal Company, and they began the de-
velopment of the Thistle coal mine, sinking a shaft and carrying on the
work with energy. In 1892 Mr. Dinning, associated with Da\id Steel,
purchased the interest of all the other partners and now these two gen-
tlemen are in control of three paying mines, the second one being known
as the Thistle Mine No. 2, and the third. The Merchants mine, known
as Thistle Mine No. 3. Annually under their supervision a large amount
of coal is taken from the earth and placed upon the markets, where it
commands a good price, and brings to the mine operators a desirable
financial return for their labor.
In 1 88 1 Mr. Dinning was united in marriage to Miss Jane Ross,
also a native of Scotland, and to them were born four children : Mary
Belle, now the wife of J. A. Cochrane, doctor of dental surgery at Cin-
cinnati, Iowa; Matthew and Martha, both of whom are deceased; and
George, who completes the family. The parents are zealous members
of the Congregational church, and Mr. Dinning is a Royal Arch Mason.
In his political views he is a Republican, but the demands of his business
give him no time for seeking public ofiice. His career proves that the
only true success in life is that which is accomplished by personal ef-
28
478 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fort and consecutive industry. It proves tliat tlie road to success is
open to all young men who have the courage to tread its pathway, and
the life record of such a man should sei"ve as an inspiration to the
young of this and future generations, and teach by incontrovertible
facts that success is ambition's answer.
CARRIE A. HAKES.
This lady, who resides on her farm near Centerville, is one of those
interesting links which connect the pioneer past with the progressive
present. Although by no means a very old woman, her life covers the
whole of that period dui'ing which Town grew from raw prairie to the
finest \K)(\y of agricultural land in the whole world. During her resi-
dence here of about forty-seven years it has been the fortune of Mrs.
Hakes to witness most of the important steps which have led to the
Iowa of to-day. When she came the state was comparatively undevel-
oped and the population was still small, and she has seen the mar-
velous growth which step by step and decade b}- decade proceeded until
this great trans-Mississippi commonwealth achieved an acknowledged
supremacy among all the agricultural states of the Union. It is in-
structive to review, even though briefly, the lives of such old residents
as Mrs. Hakes, as they represent a period and can tell us of conditions
which have passed away, never to return, and only in books specially
devoted to such subjects or from the lips of the few surviving partici-
pants can we now learn of those
" Round whose home the glory
That blushed and bloomed
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old Time entombed."
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 479
Carrie A. Hakes was born in Pennsylvania, April 28, 183 1, a
daughter of A. D. Rose and Sarah (Yeager) Rose, both natives of
New York. Pre\'ious to the birth of Mrs. Hakes they mo\-ed to Penn-
svlvania, where the father was a farmer. After living in that state a
number of years, the family removed to Missouri and located at Alex-
ander, where the daughter was married to Henry Hakes, October 11,
1854. Henry Hakes was born in New York, September 27, 1823,
studied medicine with one of the leading pliysicians, and before coming
west in 1853 had practiced with some success in his native state. Shortly
after his marriage Dr. Hakes removed to Appanoose county, Iowa,
where he located and resumed the practice of medicine at Centerville.
In addition to this, he conducted a drugstore and was the first person to
have an open front on what is known as the west side of the square.
In 1865 Dr. Hakes disposed of his drug business and moved to his
farm southwest of Centerville, where he resided until his death, which
occurred May 31, 1885. Mrs. Hakes, who has no children, still occu-
pies the homestead and looks after all details connected with the man-
agement of her estate. She has long been a member of the Baptist
church, and her husband, during his lifetime, was connected with the
same denomination.
JAMES H. STEVENS.
Few men of his age have had such a varied business career as the
popular merchant whose life it is now the intention to outline. Scarcely
any of the regular mercantile callings have escaped Mr. Stevens" activi-
ties, and at different times be has been a carpenter, dealer in hardware,
jeweler, general merchant, furniture dealer, keeper of a second-hand
480 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
store, and to cap it all twice a proprietor of two different hotels. But
Mr. Stevens' fame rests on even a more enduring foundation tlian that
of having been "all sorts of a merchant," and successful in each line.
He is entitled to the honor of having founded the town of Mystic, which
now holds out bright promises, but when discovered by Mr. Stevens w'as
in a decidedly forlorn state. In fact, there was nothing of it at all, un-
less two or three scattering farmhouses could be called a town, but the
store established by Mr. Stevens made a nucleus around which in time
grew u\) the now lively infant \illage. From these preliminary remarks
it will be seen that James H. Stevens is an interesting man to know, and
it is the object of this memoir to introduce the reader to his ac-
quaintance.
He is a son of the late Wesley Jiles and Jane (Schooler) Stevens,
natives of Ohio, who removed to Illinois about the third decade of the
nineteenth century and settled in the vicinity of Abingdon, where they
engaged in farming. Some years later tliey moved to Iowa and located
near Eddyvillc. but in 1850 returned to Illinois, where they remained
until 1862 and again came to Iowa for permanent residence. A sojourn
of eight years was made in W'apello county, followed in 1870 by re-
moval to Appanoose and the selection of a location near Mystic. Dur-
ing the last four or five years of his life Mr. Stevens resided at Mystic,
where his death occurred in 1899. but his widow still occupies the old
home. Mr. Stevens was a farmer all his life. Republican in his politics
and the religious afifiliations of himself and wife were with the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. Of their nine children only live are now living.
James H. Stevens, youngest of his father's four sons, was born
at .\bingdon, Illinois, .\ugust 24, 183 1, and he participated in the fam-
ily's subsequent sojournings in Iowa, .\fter the usual routine and edu-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 481
cational experiences of farm life, lie branclieil out fur himself at the
age of eighteen in the trade of a carpenter. This employment engaged
most of his time and attention for eighteen years, and in 1887 he began
a general mercantile business at Mystic, or, rather, at what subsequently
became M_\stic, as there was no town there when Air. Stevens became
the pioneer merchant of the locality. He had a partner named Elgin,
but the business was only conducted one year under the firm name of
Ste\ens & Elgin, after which it was sold to Swanson Brothers. Subse-
quently Air. Stevens purchased a third interest in the same store, re-
mained a partner for the next two years of the Swanson Brothers and
Ewand Brothers Company, when he again disposed of his holdings. In
1890 he went into the hardware business as senior member of the firm
of Stevens & Heifner, which continued until 1893, when he sold his inter-
est and retired. Meantime he had embarked in the jewelry business
in 1892 as senior member of Stevens & Casey, but this interest he also
disposed of after a year to Forsyth & Son. In the fall of 1893 the firm
of J. H. Stevens & Company was formed to conduct a hardware busi-
ness, and shortly afterward the old partnership of Ste\-ens & Casey was
renewed to carry on a general merchandise store. After one year this
last mentioned interest was disposed of, and in the spring of 1894 Mr.
Stevens purchased the Coulter & Heifner hardware store, still retaining
his interest in the firm of J. H. Stevens & Company. To Wallace Dun-
can, his partner in the last mentioned firm, he sold a half interest in
the hardware store [jurcliased from Coulter & Heifner, which was there-
after conducted under the firm name of Duncan & Company. Later Mr.
Stevens bought the Duncan interest in liotli .stores and since then has
conducted the business alone under his own name in a double room. He
added furniture to the hardware stock, but in 1901 he sold the furniture
482 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
business to A. Shaw and confined himself exclusively to his other branch.
He carries a full line of general hardware, stoves, agricultural imple-
ments and tinware. At one time Mr. Stevens was interested in a sec-
ond-hand store of general goods, which he managed four years with a
partner a portion of the time. Nor must it be omitted that twice during
his busy career he undertook the role of "mine host," having charge of
the Richelieu Hotel one year and the Iowa House a short time. He
began business on the capital earned at the carpenter's trade and by farm-
ing, and his success in various lines indicates decided skill as a financier
as well as those "hustling" qualities indispensable to success in any line.
The firm of Stevens & Elgin was the first to carry on a mercantile
business at Mystic, the starting of their store in 1887 being the begin-
ning of the town, as jirevious to that not a lot liad been laid out and
three farm houses were the only buildings in the vicinity. For the
first si.x months after the birth of this embryo city goods were hauled
from (iarfield station on the Keokuk and Western Railroad, two and
one-half miles distant, .\fter the Milwaukee Railroad was constructed
a station was opened and named Mystic. The same year that Mr.
Stevens began his pioneer mercantile venture the first regularly operated
coal mine was opened, but at present there are about thirty mines in
the vicinity and the town has a population of over two thousand. As
his partner only remained with him about one year, Mr. Stevens may
truly be styled the founder of Mystic, as he certainly has been one of its
principal business men and most enterprising citizens.
On the social side of life Mr. Stevens is as agreeable as he is pop-
ular in the commercial world. In 1875 he was united in marriage with
Miss Maggie J., daughter of Robert Baker, a pioneer of Appanoose
countv, and their family consists of six children. Tlieir household
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 483
forms the central attraction for many friends, who esteem it a privilege
to share in its genial hospitalities.
A. J. RICHARDSON.
Though Mystic is only a fifteen year old town it is quite a lusty
youth and has already assumed the features of an incipient city. Chiefly
owing to the near presence of so many coal mines in full operation, the
population has grown rapidly, and with it business has naturally in-
creased, which, of course, has created a demand for merchants, bank-
ers and all the other adjuncts of civilization, and it is the object of this
memoir to sketch an outline of the life of one who has been quite con-
spicuous among the financiers of the lively little city of Mystic. Mr.
Richardson has been identified with the place for eight years, more than
half the age of the town, and during that time has impressed himself
most favorably upon the business element as well as the general public.
His father, who had the same name as himself, was a native of Ohio,
but came to Iowa before the Civil war and passed the remainder of his
days in this state. After his arrival he met and married Susan Bullard,
an immigrant from Illinois, located on a farm in Lee county, and lived
there imtil his wife's death, in 1880, in the forty-ninth year of her age.
Seven years after this liereavement, the father removed to Wayne
county, Iowa, where he died in 1895 at the age of seventy.
A. J. Richardson, one of the fi\-e surviving children, was born at
Fort Madison, Iowa, May 29, 1869, and grew to maturity on his father's
farm. Besides attendance in the country schools he had the benefit of
a course in the business college at Burlington, where he was graduated
in the class of 1890. For a short time after leaving school he was book-
484 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
keqjer in a bank at Promise City, later was promoted to the position of
cashier in the same institution and held this place about two years. In
December, 1894, Mr. Richardson was made assistant cashier of Brad-
ley's Bank at Mystic and three years later was given the position of
cashier, which he has since lield.
In May, 1897, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with Miss
Ella Taylor, one of the popular young ladies of Mystic, and their house-
hold is one of the most attractive social features of the town. Besides
his qualifications as a business man, Mr. Richardson is recommended to
his friends and wide circle of ac<iuainlances by his courteous address
and genial manner. He is fond. of club life and gratifies this feeling of
fellowship by connection with Masonry, in which he has reached the
Knight Templar degree, the Elks and Motlern Wocnlmen of America.
ALBERT ROBB SCOTT.
Owing to the fact that he has held the office of justice of the peace
f(ir many years Mr. Scott has naturally become a prominent and well
known i)ersonage at Mystic. In addition to his judicial position, how-
ever, he has been connected with the town almost from its birth in the
shoe-repairing business or as real estate dealer. In these various capaci-
ties, which ha\-e brought him in constant contact with the public, Mr.
Scott has become acquainted with almost everybody for miles around
anil he has man\- friends wlio entertain for him a warm personal re-
gard. He is the son of John Scott, wlio came from Indiana in the
spring of 1S51 and located on a farm in Appanoose county, a part of
which was later used as the site of Walnut City. He arrived in Iowa
with limited means, but managed to buy a small body of land, which
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 485
he improved, and eventually placed himself in comfortable circum-
stances. Aside from farming he did some promoting and was the
builder of the Christian church at \\'alnut City. By his first marriage
in Indiana he had fi\e children, all daughters, and by a second union
with Alary Robh, he had six sons and three daughters. He and his
wife were members of the Christian church, which they joined in Indi-
ana under the ministrations of the celebratetl Alexander Campbell. Mr.
Scott continued to farm with success until his death in i860 at the com-
paratively early age of tifty-six years.
Albert Robb Scott, one of the chiklren b\' his father's second mar-
riage, was born in Alorgan county, Indiana, November 8, 1848, and was
consequently but three \ears old when lirought to Iowa b}' his parents.
He grew up on the farm, was trained to its work, and during the first
forty years of his life knew no other occupation except that connected
with agriculture. In i88j he went to South Dakota, but after trying
the opportunities of that new state for six years concluded to return to
Appanoose county, which has since remained his constant place of resi-
dence. In 1888 he located at Mystic and opened a shoe-repairing shop,
which he contlucted until Octr)ber. 1901, and then engaged in the real
estate business. Considering that he began business on his own account
in the sixteenth year of his age. without any special advantages, Mr.
Scott may IcKjk complacently mer his career as one of comparative suc-
cess, as he now owns considerable real estate, all accumulated in the last
fifteen years. In 1889 he was appointed justice of the peace and by sub-
sequent elections has held the office ten years, though not continuously,
and has made a good record as a dispenser of justice and dispatcher of
business.
On February 18, 1869, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss
486 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Amanda Long of Appanoose county, and of the eleven children born to
this union there are ten living, seven sons and three daughters. Mr.
Scott's political predilections have always been decidedly Republican,
and his fraternal connections have been confined to membership in the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.
JOSIAH SAMUEL WAILES. M. D.
Physicians are indispensable adjuncts of new towns, whose rapid
growth, lack of sanitary regulations and other dangers incident to munic-
ipal adolesence are a])t to make calls for the doctor frequent and per-
sistent. They might make an effort to get along for awhile without
lawyers or dentists or even preachers, Ijut doctors they must have. In
this connection it is not too much to say that the growing town of
Mystic was rather fortunate when Dr. W'ailes settletl there, inasmuch
as he is what is called in the west a "hustler," that is. a man of unusual
energy, and besides is an excellent physician and surgeon and on the
whole "a royal good fellow." The Doctor's people came from Mary-
land, but were so long identified with Indiana as to be entitled to the
name of "genuine Hoosiers." John P. Wailes and Sarah Wilson were
both born in Maryland and both migrated to Indiana, where they met
and married, but later removed to Iowa and settled in Appanoose county.
It was in i<S55 that they took uj) their abode on a farm in Chariton
township and here lioth ended their da}S, the mother in 1862 and the
father twenty years later. They reared a family of eight children,
equally divided between sons and daughters.
Josiah Samuel \\'ailes, one of the sons of the couple just described,
was born at Waileslx)ro, Bartholomew county. Indiana. June 21, 1848,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 487
and was therefore seven years old when his parents made their migra-
tion to Iowa. He grew up on the paternal homestead in Appanoose
county and obtained the principal part of his-education in the schools at
Iconium. He had early concei^'ed a desire to enter the medical profes-
sion, and with a view to gratify this ambition became a pupil in the
office of Dr. Abel Jewett. After studying diligently for a year under
this able preceptor, the }outhfuI aspirant for professional honors went
to Kansas, opened an office at Peabody and practiced there nine years
in partnership with Dr. George M. Gronnett. After this experience
Dr. Wailes entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk
and was graduated by that institution in the class of 1889. Immediately
thereafter he located at Brazil, Iowa, practiced there three years and in
1 89 1 came to Mystic, where he has ever since been one of the features
of the place.
In 1 89 1 Dr. Wailes was married to Sarah J. Cross, who died in
1897, leaving- fi\e children. In 1902 he took a second wife in the per-
son of Mrs. Susa M. Stoole, whose maiden name had been Cunningham,
and there is no more popular couple in Mystic social circles than the
Doctor and his amiable wife. Dr. \\'ailes is justly entitled to rank as a
strictly self-made man, as he owes all he has and all he has done to his
own practically unaided exertions. As previously stated, he is a man
of great energy of character and has no superior in the rapid and effi-
cient dispatch of business, both ordinary and professional.
JOHN J. STONE.
All the states of the Union have contributed to the population of
Iowa, but i)crhaps none ha\'e sent a more generous stream than Ohio.
Much of this, too, may be said to have been by "infiltration" rather than
488 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
direct contribution, tliat is, the immigrants first came to Ohio from the
east or south and later moved fartlier west. Inckided in this class was
James M. Stone, whose father was one of three brothers who emigrated
from England to the United States in the latter part of the eighteenth
century and made their subsequent homes in Connecticut. James mar-
ried Ann Eliza Wilcox, a native of Xew Jersey, of German descent, and
with her joined the tide of emigration to Ohio, where they li\-ed for a
number of years, and in 1858 came to Iowa. He lx)ught a home in
Johns township. Appanoose county, which he cultivated for a livelihood
during the remainder of his days. His wife died in 1871 in the fifty-
eighth year of her age and his own life was terminated by death in 189S
when eighty-seven years old. They were both members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church and their children consisted of five boys and two
girls.
John J. Stone, one of his father's five sons, was Ixirn in Ashtabula
coimty. Ohio, Fel)ruary 4. 1842. and was aliout sixteen years old when
brought to Iowa by his parents. There was nothing out of the ordinary
either in his rearing or his schooling, the first notable event in his
career occurring in September. 1861, when he became a soldier of the
Union for service in the Civil war. His enlistment was in a company
that had been raised in Johns townshi]). but as Iowa's quota of seventy-
five thousand men mider the President's call was already full it could
not be accepted l\v the governor of that state. They had better success,
however, with the chief executi\e of Kansas, who had them enrolled as
a company in the Fifth Regiment, Kansas Cavalry. They were mus-
tered in without delay and Mr. Stone served altogether for more than
three years and three months. ])art of the time with Harvey's Company
from Iowa and later by transfer as a member of Company H (Thomp-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 4S9
son's). Fifth Regiment, Kansas Cavalry. Besides numerous skirmishes
Mr. Stone took part in tlie more serious engagements at Helena, Little
Rock, Pine Bluff, Yazoo Pass, and when mustered out in 1865 had
reached the rank of corporal, .\fter returning from the army he ]iur-
chased a farm in Johns township and cultivated it for a livelihood until
1880, when he engaged in merchandising at Piano. Thirteen years
later he located at IMystic, and this pro^■e(l to he his final mo\-e, as he
has e\er since been one of the acti\'e commercial spirits of the town, the
firm name at the present being J. J. Stone & Son. He has been quite
successful in business and his entire career, both in war antl peace, has
been creditable to him as a man and citizen.
In 1865 yir. Stone was married to Sarah E. Cole, by whom he has
five children: Zena M., James 1\[., Celia E., .\lbertus and Arthur, all
married except the last and all four of the sons merchants. Mr. Stone's
political preferences are for the Republican party, hut his office-holding
has been confined to two terms as mayor of Mystic and eight years as
justice of the peace in Johns township. He has been a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty-five years, and by virtue
of his honorable military services is an esteemeil comrade of Centerville
Post, G. A. R.
WILLIAM SAYRES, M. D.
Dr. William Sayres, now deceased, has left behind him the memory
of an upright life as well as one of professional skill and ability. He
was the loved physician in many a household in .\ppanoose county and
enjoyed the warm regard of those with whom he came in contact l)oth
professionally and socially. He was born in Harri.sf)n county. Ohio,
December 24, 1818. and passed away in Cincinnati. Iowa, March 14,
490 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
1897. He was reared upon the farm Ijelonging to his father, Ephriam
Sayres, of Harrison county, and was given a common school education.
Later he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, and after the expira-
tion of his term of service followed that pursuit for a few years, but a
natural predilection for the study of medicine led him to prepare for the
practice, and he began his reading toward that end in Freeport, Ohio.
For two years he continued his reading under a practicing physician
who acted as his preceptor, and then began the ])ractice of medicine in
Westchester, Ohio, where he remained for a }ear. He also practiced
for a similar period at Marietta, that state, and in 185 1 came to the
west, locating in Drakesville, Iowa, whence lie came to Cincinnati in
1855. Here he practiced for about six years and then on account of
failing health abandoned the practice of medicine and on a very limited
capital engaged in the grocery business. In the new imdertaking, how-
ever, he prospered, and soon had a general store, doing a large volume
of business. He was assisted by liis sons, O. H. and A. M. Sayres, the
former becoming his partner in 1877 and the latter in 1880. after which
the firm was known as Sayres & Sons, general merchants. .\t the time
of the father's death in 1897 O. H. Sayres l)ecame sole proprietor of the
store.
In politics Doctor Sayres was first a Whig and afterward a Republi-
can. Fie served as a delegate to the first Republican state convention
of Iowa, held at Iowa City, traveling on horseback to take part in the
deliberations of the new political organization. In July, 1861, he was
appointed by President Lincoln to the position of postmaster of Cin-
cinnati and continuously thereafter held the office up to the time of the
first administration of President Cleveland, discharging his duties in a
most capable manner, which won for him the high commendation of all
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 491
concerned. In 1876 lie visited the Centennial Exposition at Philadel-
phia and there saw many things of interest giving evidence of the
world's progress. He was always public si)irited, and his nature was
never narrow or restricted, rejoicing only in the advancement of his
local community.
In December. 1841, Dr. Sayres was united in marriage in Ohio to
Miss Mary Hannah Winders, a native of Harrison county, Ohio, born
August 20, 1822. She still sur\-i\-es him and is now one of the oldest
residents of tlie count}', making her home in Cincinnati. Of the chil-
dren lx)rn of this marriage, four died in early life while the following
reached years of maturity: John D., born in Ohio, in 1843, "^^''is a
hardware merchant of Cincinnati, and died September 24, 1895; Oscar
H. and Arlington M. are both mentioned on another page of this work;
Mary C. is the only surviving daughter of the family. For many years
the Doctor and his wife were members of the Congregational church, to
the support of which he contributed liberally, while in its work he took
an active part and zealously promoted its efiforts in behalf of mankind.
He served at one time as mayor and was one of the influential and hon-
ored members of the community. Those qualities which ever command
respect and regard were his ; he was kind, a quality which tempered
his inflexible love of justice; he was ever true to what he believed to be
right and neither fear nor favor could swerve him in defending his
honest convictions, yet he was always lenient in passing judgment upon
others and was ever ready to assist those in need. Well known in Cin-
cinnati, no man enjoved the respect and good will of his fellow citizens
more than did Dr. Sayres.
492 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
OSCAR H. SAYRES.
Throughout his entire business career O. H. Sayres has been con-
nected with tlie mercantile interests of Cincinnati and throughout the
greater part of his Hfe lie has hved in this place. Xot to know O. H.
Sayres is to argue one's self unknown, for through the long years of his
residence here, because of his prominence in public affairs, his activity
in business and his social nature, his acquaintance has constantly
widened. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio. August 5, 1847. ^^i"^
was only four years of age wlien Ijrought to Iowa by his parents, Dr.
William and Mary Hannah (Winders) Sayres. He was not yet eight
years of age when the family came to Cincinnati. Here he acquired his
education in the common schools and in early life entered upon his
business career as a clerk in his father's store. In 1H77 he was admitted
to a partnership in the Inisiness, and in 1880 his brother, A. M. Sayres,
also became a partner, this relation being maintained until the death of
the father in 1897. At that time the younger brother withdrew and
Oscar H. Sayres has since been sole proprietor. Since 1901 he has been
engaged in the hardware trade, carrying a complete stock of the best
goods in his line. He has a well arranged and handsome store and his
is an active and successful business career. When associated with his
father he was engaged in general merchandising.
In 1878 occurred the marriage of Oscar H. Sayres and Miss Liz-
zie Johns, a native of Ohio. Two children graced this marriage: Lois
E. and George C both of whom arc still with their parents. The latter
was born in Cincinnati, August 8. 1880, and was provided with a high
school education : he is now associated with his father in business, and is
a Master Mason. Mr. Sayres is also identified with the Masonic order,
having taken the degrees of the blue lodge. He and his wife are mem-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 493
bers of the Congregational cliurcli, to wliicli their children also belong.
The family is an influential and leading one in the community. Mr.
Sayres exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and
measures of the Republican party, init has never sought or desired of-
fice, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business,
which has been attended by gratifying success.
ARLINGTON M. SAYRES.
Arlington JM. Sayres, a general merchant of Cincinnati, was born
in Drakesville, Iowa, June 6, 1854, and is a son of the late Dr. Wil-
liam Sayres, who is represented above in this work. During his infancy
he was brought to Cincinnati by his parents and was here reared and
educated. Early in life he received his business training as a clerk in
his father's general store and in 1S80 he was admitted to a partnership
in the business in which his brother Oscar H. Sayres had become a part-
ner three years before. Under the firm name of Sayres & Sons tlie busi-
ness was conducted until the father's death in 1897. Not long after this
our subject sold out to his brother and turned his attention to the hard-
ware trade, but later disposed of his stock of goods in that line and
was out of business for two years. On the ist of August, 1901. how-
ever, he again iiecame a potent factor in trade circles of Cincinnati by
opening a general mercantile establishment, which he has since con-
ducted. He is today enjoying a large and growing patronage, his well
selected stock finding favor with the public, so that his sales are quite
extensive, and thereby a good profit accrues.
In 1883 Mr. Sayres wedded Miss Clara Orr, of Davis county, Iowa,
and two children have blessed this marriage, Byron and Lela. aged re-
30
494 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
spectively seventeen and thirteen years. The son is associated with his
father in mercantile pursuits. The family are all members of the Con-
gregational church. Their home is celebrated for its gracious hospital-
ity, which is enjoyed l)y a large circle of acquaintances, who are many
in the community. Mr. Sayres"s study of the political issues and ques-
tions of the day has made him an ardent Republican. Fraternally he
is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. As a representa-
tive business man of his community Mr. Sayres is widely respected and
honored by those who know him.
WILLIAM BARTON McDONALD.
During his long life the gentleman above named has spent a good
deal of time in three different states, but has been a resident of Ap-
panoose county for nearly half a century. While his career has not
been especially adventurous, it has been one of usefulness, and contrib-
utory to the full extent of his abilities to the welfare of each and every
community in which he has resided. More than this no man can do, and
it will be well with the best of us if the same can be truthfully said
when we come to render the final accounting for deeds done in the
flesh. Thomas McDonald, who was a native of Maryland, found his
way to Kentucky when it was still the "dark and bloody ground" of
song and story, and became a participant with the other settlers in the
adventures incident to the pioneer period. Some years after arriving
there he met and married Frances Smoot, a native of the state, and who
had lived for twenty years in Kentucky. In 1846 he removed with his
family to Indiana, but within a year after reacliing that state the final
summons came both to himself anrl wife, and the children were left to
shift for themselves.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM B. McDOKALD.
THE NEW YORK
PUBLICLIBRARY
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 497
William Barton McDonald was born in Kentucky on the 15th of
January, in 18 18, and was consequently twenty-eight years old when his
parents took up their residence in the Hoosier state. He spent his
twenty-first year in the college at Bloomington, Illinois, and for some
time afterwards was engaged in farming in the Indiana counties of
Montgomery, Jennings and Monroe. i\Ir. McDonald was a resident of
Hendricks county, in the same state, for twenty years, six of which
were devoted to school teaching and fourteen to farming. On No-
vember 5, 1847, '1^ ^^'•^s married to Lucinda Dale, and eight years later
removed with his wife to Appanoose county, of which they have been
honored residents for forty-seven years. Originally Mr. McDonald lo-
cated three miles northeast of Centerville, where he owned three hun-
dred and seventy-six acres of land, most of which was subsequently
sold or divided among the children. The latter were eight in number
and the ones now living are Mrs. Mary Frances Shaw, George W.,
John D., Mrs. Emma Florence Long, and Henry McDonald. Those
deceased are James W., Thomas J., and Mrs. Luella Jane Evans. In
1902 Mr. and Mrs. McDonald took up their abode at Centerville and
have since been comfortably located in a cosy home on Seventh street.
They are both members of the Christian church at Centerville, and are
objects of almost reverential esteem by those who are familiar with their
blameless lives and exalted worth. Mr. McDonald holds fraternal
connections with Lodge No. 42, F. and A. M., of which he has been a
member in good standing for twenty-six years.
498 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ROBERT W. DINNING.
Among the young business men of Cincinnati is numbered Robert
W. Dinning, the senior member of tlie firm of Dinning & Mitchell, gen-
eral merchants. He is a member of a prominent Scotch family of this
county and his birth occurred in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 9th of July,
1868, his parents being Matthew and Martha (Nicol) Dinning. Reared
and educated in Scotland, he came to the United States in 1886 with
his parents and has since lived in this place. _ He was only twelve years
of age when he began earning his own living in Scotland by working
in the coal mines and after coming to America he followed the sainc
occupation in this county for ten years. For five years he was a part-
ner of the Thistle Coal Company, but sold his interest therein in 1892.
In 1895 he began merchandising here and has since conducted his store
with excellent success. In 1897 he admitted W. L. Mitchell to a part-
nershi]), and they have since enjoyed a good and constantly growing
trade. They do not find it dilticult to retain patrons whose support has
once been secured, and this is due, doubtless, to their honorable business
methods, their promptness and their earnest desire to please. Mr. Din-
ning possesses the qualities which make a popular merchant. He is
genial and approachable, and has the tact to know how to meet the
varied natures which one continually sees when engaged in any mer-
cantile enterprise.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Dinning and Miss Agnes
Bowie, of Cincinnati, and they now have two children, Ellen and Mat-
thew. The parents hold membershi]) in the Congregational church and
Mr. Dinning is a Master Mason, while in his political views he is a
Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party.
In his life he exemplifies many of the strongest and most commendable
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 499
elements of the Scottisli nation, including thrift, business sagacity,
strong purpose and aljsolute justice.
HANCE MITCHELL.
Coming to Appanoose county in limited financial circumstances,
Hance Mitchell, b\' his well spent life, proved the force of industry, econ-
omy and energy in winning success. At the same time he made for himself
an honorable name and gained the respect of all with whom he came in
contact. Although some years have passed since he departed this life,
he is yet remembered by the many who knew him and entertained for
him a high regard. He was born in Pennsyhania in the year 1801 and
died in Pleasant township. Ai)panoose county, in 1868. At an early
age he was left an orphan and was then bound out to learn the carpen-
ter's trade. In his vouth he left Pennsylvania and went to Ohio, settling
in Guernsey county, where he still continued to follow the carpenter's
trade. There he married Miss Charity Hunt, who was born in Guern-
sey countv, Ohio, about 1810, and who died in Appanoose county in
1867. They resided in Ohio until 1853, when they removed westward
to Illinois, spending about two years in that state. In 1855 they went
to Clarke county, Iowa, and there resided for ten years, settling in Ap-
panoose county on the 23d of February, 1865, as residents of Pleasant
township, where their remaining days were passed. The father fol-
lowed farming throughout his entire married life, and his careful man-
agement of his land enabled him to win a fair degree of success in this
way.
Before leaving Ohio twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Mitchell, but four of that number died in childhood. Tlie others who
500 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
reached mature years were: Cynthia, who married G. W. Banker,
and died, leaving several children : John V., a resident of Clarke
county; Joseph, of Lafayette county, Missouri; Hiram, who is living in
Clarke county, this state; Albert, of Appanoose county; Robert, who
makes his home in Oklahoma ; Preston, who was married and died, leav-
ing several children; and Martha, who married W. L. Robertson, and
died, leaving two children. All of the sons became farmers.
When Hance Mitchell came to the west he had little capital, and it
was to better his condition that he sought a home beyond the Mississippi.
His determination to do this was attended with good results. He pur-
chased eight hundred acres of land in Clarke county at a time when
farm land sold for a low figure. He afterward disposed of his property,
and came to Appanoose county rather as a prospector than anything
else, but here he spent his remaining days. In his political affiliations
he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. Both he and his wife
were members of the Christian church and their religious belief was
manifest in their relations with their fellow men. They closely followed
the golden rule and were people of the highest respectability, respected
and honored wherever known. They became worthy pioneer settlers
of Appanoose count\- and deserve mention among the representative
citizens who have contributed to the upbuilding of the county.
Albert Mitchell, a son of Hance Mitchell, was born on the old home
farm in Guernsey county, Ohio, A])ril i, 1846. When twenty years of
age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Appanoose county,
where he has since made his home. He was reared upon a farm and
acquired a fair common school education. He afterward engaged in
teaching for a few years, being employed for two terms as a teacher in
the village of Cincinnati, and during the remainder of the time in the dis-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 501
trict schools. Fanning, lio\ve\'er. lias been his real life work and along
that line he has met with success. After his marriage he lived upon the
old homestead which his father purchased until about 1880, when he
settled upon his present farm just at the southwest corner of Cincinnati.
A part of this farm has now been laid out in town lots and good resi-
dences have been erected thereon. In connection with his agricultural
pursuits Mr. Mitchell has dealt in stock, his enterprise in this branch of
the business bringing to him a good return. He has two hundred acres
in his residence farm and he also owns three hundred and twenty acres
in another i)art of Pleasant township. He is a practical and progressive
agriculturist, keqjing in touch with all modern methods, which indicates
that the farmer is not bchintl his city brothers in improvement or ad-
vancement.
In 1871 Mr. Mitchell Avas united in marriage to Eliza Jane Hol-
brook, a daughter of Luther R. Hollirook, one of the pioneer citizens of
Pleasant township and of Cincinnati. Their marriage has been blessed
with two children: Charles H., now deceased; and Wesley L., who is
a member of the firm of Dinning & Mitchell, drv goods merchants of
Cincinnati. The parents hold membership in the Congregational
church. For thirty-se\-en years Mr. Mitchell has beeir a resident of this
county and has theref(jre witnessed nnich of its growth and development.
His life has been riuietly passed, yet he has always been found faithful
to his duties of citizenship, and in business life has won the respect and
confidence of his fellow men Ij_\- his reputable dealing and justice in all
trade transactions.
502 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
GEORGE W. McKEEHAN.
McKeehan & Brothers has long been a popular mercantile firm at
Cincinnati and it is the object of this biography to give a brief outline
of the career of the senior member. He is a native of Iowa and a son
of pioneer parents who became identified with this vigorous western
state in the days when it was l)ut sparsely populated. David McKee-
han, who was born in Ohio in 1814, came west with his two brothers,
Bazil and James, in 1843, and located on a farm in Lee county, Iowa,
and in 1846 came to Centerville. Before leaving Ohio he had married
Susan Hankins, a native of that state, and by her he had the following
named children: Hankins C, now of Centerville; Lovina, wife of Dr.
Ames Patterson; Belle, wife of Porter Sparks; Sarah, a resident of Cen-
terville; John K., of St. Paul, Minnesota; Samuel A., of Cincinnati;
Cassie, wife of Frank Fisk; and George \V. The father of this family
was a Methodist in religion, a Democrat in [xilitics and a farmer by oc-
cupation until his untimely death l)y a stroke of lightning in 1868. His
wife survived him until 18S1, when she passed away in the fifty-third
year of her age.
George \V. McKeehan. youngest of the children, was born on his
father's farm in Appanoose county, Iowa, March 18, 1862, and received
a fair common school education as he grew to years of maturity. In
1884 he branched out for himself by engaging in the butchering busi-
ness, and opened a meat market at Cincinnati in partnership with his
brother, Samuel .\. Since that time the Ijrothers have continued to-
gether in Inisiness, but at the present time are conducting a general mer-
chandise store. In 1893 Mr. McKeehan was appointed postmaster of
Cincinnati by President Cleveland and held that position for a term of
four years. He proved a popular official, just as he has proved a popu-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 503
lar butcher and merchant, and he is certainly one of the enterprising-
men of his adopted town. In 1884 Mr. McKeehan was united in mar-
riage witli Miss Minnie May. wlio shares with him tlie friendship of an
extensive social accjuaintance. His political predilections have always
been Democratic, and his fraternal connections are confined to mem-
bership in the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows and the Modern \\'oodmen.
IMMER FOWLER.
Appanoose county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive
and prosperous divisions of the state of Iowa, justly claiming a high
order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to gain
marked adx'ancement in the material upbuilding of the section. The
countv has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have
controlled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the sub-
ject of this review demands representation as one who has served the
county faithfully and well in positions of distinct trust and responsi-
bilit\'. He is now serving as postmaster of Cincinnati, a position which
he has occupied continuously since 1897.
Mr. Fowler was born in Noble county, Ohio, October i, 1843, his
parents being Cherry V. and Elizabeth (Bond) Fowler. The father
was born in New Hampshire and when six years of age accompanied his
parents on their removal to Noble county, Ohio. He was a son of
Lemuel Fowler, also a native of the old Granite state. The ancestors of
the family came from England. The grandfather was a farmer by oc-
cupation and after his removal to the west remained a resident of Ohio
until his death. Cherry V. I'owler was reared in the Buckeye state and
504 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
as a companion and helpmeet for life's journey chose Miss Elizabeth
Bond, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio. They became the par-
ents of fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters, and five of the sons
were loyal defenders of the Union cause in the Civil war. The father
was a farmer by occupation, and with his wife at the time of their mar-
riage settled upon a farm in Xoble count}-. Ohio, there living together
for sixtv-four vears, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time
passed by, for theirs was an ideal marriage relation. Mrs. Fowler died
at the age of eighty-one years, wliile her husband reached the ad\anced
age of eighty-seven years.
Upon the home farm Immcr Fowler was reared and in the common
schools of the neighborhood obtaineil his education. He was but eigh-
teen years of age when he offered his ser\ices to the go\ernment. enlist-
ing as a pri\-ate of Company G, Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry, with
which he served from the 24th of December. 1861, until the nth of
Jul}', 1 865, having re-enlisted on the ist of January, 1864. At the time
he was discharged he held the rank of sergeant. He had participated
in many important battles, including that of I'^ort Donelson, Shiloh, the
siege of Corinth, X'icksburg, the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march
to the sea. He likewise participated in the grand review at Washing-
ton and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, after which he re-
turned to his Ohio home. In 1865, while his company and others were
at Louisville, Kentucky, awaiting the mustering out, there was issued
a general order to furlough three men from each company, but in order
to increase the number the division cnmmandcr issued an order that
each company elect a fourth man fr(jm its ranks, and Mr. Fowler's com-
pany chose him as this fourth man. This was an honor conferred upon
him and indicates the standing he held with his comrades, who further-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 505
more manifested their friendship for him and their trust in him by plac-
ing in his charge a large sum of money which they wished to be carried
to their several homes in his vicinity, the sum aggregating between two
and three thousand dollars.
Mr. Fowler remained in Ohio for only about a year and in 1867
came to Appanoose county, Iowa, settling in Caldwell township upon a
farm. He carried on agricultural ]nu\suits here until 1891 and in the
meantime gave consideralile attention to teaching. He followed that
profession for twent}-four years, from 1866 until 1890, in Ohio, Iowa
and Missouri, and was a capable instructor and ga\'e general satisfaction
in every district in which he was employed. At the same time he car-
ried on his farm work through the summer months, liut in 1891 he
abandoned the plow and removed to Exline and two years later to Cin-
cinnati, where he engaged in merchandising until appointed postmaster
on tlie 23d of July, 1897. He has since occupied the office and his ad-
ministration of its affairs has been practical, businesslike and sys-
tematic, showing that he has gained the commendation of all fair-minded
citizens.
In 1868 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fowler and Miss Mary
Steward. They have five children: Charles C, a physician in Des
Moines, Iowa; Ella D., wife of H. E. Johnson, of Caldwell township;
Hattie I., wife of J. C. Bohne. who resides in St. Louis; Bert E., a stu-
dent in Des Moines; Ethel, in school at home. Mr. I'owler is identified
with the Republican party, basing long supportetl its principles, and he
maintains pleasant relationship with his old army comrades through his
memjjership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He is also a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church and is interested in the moral, intel-
lectual and material development of his community. True to his duty
506 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
upon southern battlefields, he has been equally lo_val to the best interests
of his country in times of peace, and is now proving his fidelity to the
government by capable service as one of its official representatives.
JAMES VALENTINE LESENEY.
Among the earnest and enterprising men whose depth of character
and strict adherence to principles excite the admiration of their con-
temporaries, James Valentine Leseney is prominent. Banking interests
are the heart of the commercial body, indicating healthfulness of trade,
and the bank that follows a safe, conservative business policy does more
to establish public confidence in times of wide-spread financial depres-
sion than anvthing else. Such a course has the Farmers and Merchants'
Bank of Cincinnati followed under the able management of its officers,
one of whom is Mr. Lesene_\', the popular and well known cashier. For
some tiny; he has Ijeen one of the most prominent and active business
men of this place, and his efforts ha\e been of benefit to the city, while
they have also promoted his indixidual jirosperity.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Leseney was born in Miami county, near the
town of Fletcher, on the 14th of February, 1858, his parents Ijeing Jon-
athan and Jane (Garbry) Leseney, who were also natives of Miami
county, 'idle paternal grandfather, Willi.im Lesenew was born in Penn-
sylvania and S])ent the greater part of his life in Ohio. Jtihn (jarbry,
the maternal grandfather, was' also a resident of the P>uckeyc state
througliout the greater portion of his life. The jjarents of our subject
were married in Miami county and to them were born five children, one
of whom (lied in childhood. Those still li\-ing are William L., a resi-
dent of Oklahoma; Frances E., the wife of X. A. Robertson, of Promise
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 507
City, liiwa; James V., of this review; and Justice M., wlio is a railroad
passenger conductor of New Mexico, running on the Santa Fe road. In
1862 the fatlier brought the family to Iowa, settling upon a farm near
Cincinnati, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for about a decade.
In 1872 he took up his abode in the town and for ten }ears was proprie-
tor of the Cincinnati hotel. In 1882 he turned his attention to mer-
chandising, conducting a general store in connection with his son James.
This was sold out in 1893 and in that year the b^armers and Merchants'
Bank was organized by Mr. Leseney, his son and N. A. Robertson, the
l)ank being opened for business on the 3d of January, 1894. The father
was connected with this institution until his death, which occurred De-
cember 18, 1900, when he was nearly seventy-five years of age,. and since
that time his widow has held his interest in the bank. Mr. Leseney was
a staunch Republican in politics, and in ante-bellum days was an Aboli-
tionist. He held membership in the Christian church, was an untiring
worker in its behalf and was one of the organizers of the church of that
denomination in Cincinnati. His life was permeated with his Christian
faith and in his relations with his fellow men he largely exemplified the
precept known as the golden rule. His widow still survives him and is
now living in Cincinnati, at alxjut the age of seventy-five years, her birth
having occurred on the 3d of January, 1828. She, too, is a member of
the Christian church and a most estimable lady.
Under the parental roof James V. Leseney was reared. He at-
tended the schools of Cincinnati and from an early age has been an ac-
tive factor in the business life of this locality. His parents removed to
the town when he was fourteen years of age, and he was twenty-four
vears of age when he l)ecame a jjartner of his father in the establishment
and conduct of a general mercantile store, which they successfully car-
508 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ried on for eleven years. In 1893, however, they sold out in order to
give their attention to the banking business. In that year they were
joined by N. A. Robertson in the establishment of the Farmers and Mer-
chants' Bank, which now enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the lead-
ing institutions in this part of Appanoose county. From the organiza-
tion Mr. Robertson has served as president and Mr. Leseney as its cash-
ier. Since its organization the bank has enjoyed a constantly increasing
patronage. It has always followed a safe, conservative policy, which
lias commended it to the support of the public, and its officers and stock-
holders are men of well known reliability and unquestioned business
honor.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Leseney and Miss Adda
Armstrong, a daughter of J. H. B. Armstrong, who was formerly a resi-
dent of Cinciimati, Iowa, but is now deceased. They have one son,
Chester A., who, with their niece. Myrtle O. Mallum, constitutes the
household. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias
and in his political views is a Republican. Mr. Leseney is recognized
as a very wide-awake, progressive business man, whose life seems to
typify the enterprising spirit that has ever dominated the Mississippi
valley and has led to its wcjudcrful development. His success has been
the result of honest, persistent purpose and effort in the line of honorable
dealing and manly principles. His aims have always been to attain the
best and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he
has undertaken. His life has been marked by a steady growth, and now
he is in the possession of a comfortable competence, and more than all
has that contentment that comes from the conscience of having lived to
a good purpose.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 509
JAMES S. HOAGLAND.
This gentleman was born near Campbellsville, Kentucky, tlie son
of Jolm and Nancy (Ship) Hoagland. The former was also a native
of Kentucky and a farmer and breeder of fine horses. His wife was a
native Kentuckian. In 1837 they moved to Indiana and settled eighteen
miles south of Indianapolis in Johnson county, where they remained till
their deaths, he passing away in ]88g at the age of eighty-eight, and his
wife was also eight}--eight years old at the time of her death. Their
children were Malinda Jane, deceased; James S.; Eliza Ann; John,
Isaac, deceased; Marian; Jeptha, deceasetl ; Isabel, deceased; Lizzie,
deceased; George; and Nancy. The sons, with the exception of James
S., are living in Johnson county, Indiana, and Marian and Nancy also
live there, while Eliza Ann is a resident of Iowa.
James S. Hoagland remained in Kentucky until he was fourteen
years old, where he received a common school education. After going
to Indiana he attended Franklin College, where he was graduated in
1846 and was then chosen assistant surveyor on the Miami reserve
having taken a civil engineering course in college. He was next resi-
dent engineer on the Franklin and j\Iartins\-ille Railroad, and in 1855
was connected with the management of the construction of the line from
Jeffersonville to Indianapolis, and also sketched the topography of the
Peru and Indianapolis line.
On November 23, 1848, Mr. Hoagland was married to Miss Mary
Ann Woods, of Morgantown, Indiana, the daughter of William and
Elizabeth Woods, natives of Tennessee. On account of his wife's ill
health he mo\cd tn Iowa and settled on a quarter-seclii)n of land which
he had entered in 1848 in Monroe county. On this he began the rais-
ing of live slock and general farming, and he also acquired land in
510 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Wayne townsliip. He lias made several moves since coming to the
count}'. Ijut now resides on his farm in Cedar township, ^vhere lie held
the office of supervisor for twelve years shortly after coming here, and
was also a justice of the peace. He was nominated three times for the
legislature, but refused till the last time, when he was elected, and
served during the session of 1884.
His wife died December 31. 1887. and was buried at Eden Chapel
cemetery. Her children were Elvirely R. ; Fremont, deceased; Hernon;
Jerome, deceased; John, deceased; Peter; Alarius; Laura, deceased;
and Mary Ann. Mr. Hoagland was an ardent Democrat till the forma-
tion of tiie Greenback party, when he joined its ranks, and it was on that
ticket that he was elected a member of the twentieth assembly, which
was the first session held i)i the new capitol building. He is a member
of the United Brethren church, as was his wife, and her brother, the
Rev. W(X)ds. is a prominent minister in the Methodist church, being a
presiding elder, with his residence at Indianapolis, Indiana.
HEXRY J. HAAIMOXD.
This gentleman was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, near Zanes-
ville, February 6. 1833. the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Hammond,
Grandfather Hammond came to Ohio at an early day ; he was a farmer,
a Republican in politics and a Methodist, and his death occurred in
Marion county. Ohio. His son Jacob was a native of Pennsylvania, and
he and his wife came to Iowa in 1854, where he died in February, 1882,
at the age of seventy-two, and his wife died in 1876. Their children
were: Henry J., Daniel W., GreenvilleC, who died in the army of ill-
ness; Butler, deceased; James, Emeline, Catheryn, Nancy Hattie, and
Elizabeth, deceased.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 511
Henry J. Hammond remained in Oliio till he was twenty-one years
old, where he received a fair education and also became acc[uainted with
farming, which was the principal occupation of his life. In 1862 he en-
listed for the war at Knoxville, Iowa, and served through the struggle
in Company A, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was mus-
tered out at New Orleans and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, and is
now a pensioner.
In i860 Mr. Hammond was married to Mary M. Copeland, the
daughter of James and Jane Copeland, the former from Kentucky and
the latter of Indiana. The children of this union were Samuel B., Joseph
F., John C, Elizabeth, deceased, Josephine C, Clayton, Clarke, de-
ceased, and Mary Emeline, deceased. Mrs. Hammond died in April,
1882, and is buried in Marion county ; she was a member of the Metho-
dist church. Mr. Hammond is a Republican, has been a Mason since
1862 and is a member of the Methodist church. His son, Joseph F.,
assists him in carrying on the home place.
WELLINGTON SPENCER.
This citizen of Monroe county, Iowa, was born in Morgan county,
Ohio, May 15, 1848, the son of David and Angeline Spencer, both na-
tives of Ohit>. The father was a farmer all his life and lived in Ohio
till his death, which occurred July 28, 1888; ten years later his wife
came to Iowa, and now makes her home with her son Wellington and at
McConnelsville. There were twelve children in the family : Welling-
ton, Levi D., Anna N., Corwin II., the first vice president of the St.
Louis exposition; Hamilton, Arthur C. and Albert, twins; Jenny, Bush-
rod, Alonzo, Rhoda C, and Mrs. Florence Donnelly.
31
512 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Wellington Spencer passed his boyhood days in Ohio, where he re-
ceived a o-ood education, and then taught school for a time. He took
up the carpenter's trade and also followed farming. He came to Iowa
in 1870, and first settled in Cedar township; he has lived on his present
farm for nine years. He was married in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1869,
to Amanda Hammond, the daugliter of James and Sarah Hammond,
the father a native of Ohio and the mother from England. Their three
children are Robert, Edward and Minter Day, the first and the last be-
ing luarried and having homes of their own, while Edward remains on
the home place. Robert is the superintendent of the Albia public
schools. Mr. Spencer is a Republican and has held various township
offices. AMien the Civil war liroke out he was so patriotic as to offer
his services, liut they were rejected owing to his youth. He and his
wife and chilflren are members of the Methodist cluuxh.
MELVIN KNAPP.
While the vast commercial enterprises of this country are the
wonder of the foreign world and place the United States in the front
rank of nations, it should ever be kq^t in mind that the basis of this
priisperity and commercial dominion is necessarily in the great agricul-
tural interests; in the corn and wheat belt of the United States lies the
destiny of the world, and all other interests, large and small, rise or fall
witli the size of the corn and wiieat crops. With these facts in mind,
it is eminently fitting that in the foremost agricultural district of the
great state of Iowa prominent mention should l)e gi\en the farmer and
citizen Melvin Knapp.
Elihu and Polly (Hays) Knapp were the parents of this gentle-
HBLYIH KHAPP.
TI1.0E.S F*j\»aTIONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. S15
man ; tlie former was a native of the state of New York, born February
12, 1800, and died in February, 1883; the latter was born in the state
of Virginia, and died February i, 1846. They were married in Frank-
Hn county, Ohio, and took up their residence in ^Madison county, that
state, in the home previously established by Mr. Knapp, near Amity.
There Elihu operated a tannery, and made harness and shoes. Of
the three children in the family our subject alone survives.
The birth of Melvin occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on July
7, 1834; he remained at home until he was twenty-two years old and
when not in school spent his time in the tannery and in farm labor. In
the spring of 1856 he went to the great west, expecting to locate in
Kansas, which was at that time the hotbed for all the civil strife which
was so soon to break forth on the whole country. He concluded to
avoid that and instead removed to Towa, locating in Appanoose county
in April. A little later he was married and after spending the first
year of his married life in Ohio he settled in Independence township,
Appanoose county, where he remained for two years. He then located
in Bellair, coming to Numa after the cUjse of the war. His
plans were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war; he enlisted in
the Thirtv-sixth Iowa Infantry and for three years saw active service in
the field, all of that time being spent west of the Mississippi river, ex-
cept at the time of the siege of Vicksburg. He returned and purchased
his present farm in 1865. and has since been acti\ely engaged in farm-
ing; he is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fertile and
well tilled land, which he devotes to general crops.
In December, 1856, Mr. Knapp married Miss Lucretia McGuire;
they became the parents of three children, two of whom are now liv-
ing: Ella Hugh, residing in Pleasant township; and Caroline, who is
516 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
at home. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are memljers of the Christian cliurch
and are well thought of in the society of the community; he is a mem-
ber of the Centerville post of the Grand Army of the Republic and has
been a Mason since 1863.
ALLEN A. MASON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Giautaiiqua county, New
York, April 14, 1834, the son of Xorman and Sarah Ann (Allen) Ma-
son, the latter a descendant of Ethan .Mien, of historic fame. His
father was a native of New York and his mother a native of Vermont,
and they were married in Washington county, New York, in 1830. Af-
ter marriage they lived in western New York, but came west to Iowa
in 1863 and settled in .\lbia, where for a time he conducted a restaurant
and 1)oarding bouse. To this union these children were born: Eliza-
beth, deceased; Allen A.; Darwin N., a minister; William Gussie, de-
ceased; Mary; Charles, deceased ; Katie; Lillian, deceased; and Jessie,
deceased. Eather of these children died in 1892, but bis wife is living
with her son in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Allen A. Mason spent his early days in western New York until
twenty-two years of age. He taught school in Ohio, Pennsylvania and
New York. He was married in October, i860, to Miss Margaret Boyle,
daughter of \\'illiani and Esther Boyle, pioneers of Iowa. The four
children by this union were: Charles N., Fred D., John H., and Ben
A. His wife died in the spring of 1874, and is buried in Albia. He
was married in the fall of 1875 to Martha E. Taylor, daughter of John
M. Taylor. Si.x children have been born by bis second wife: Walter
M., Ralph T., Elsie. Roy E., Edna E., Carlis.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 517
W'licn Mr. IMason first came to Iowa he followed the carpenter's
trade, He ser\'ed as deputy clerk for two years, and in 1858 and 1859
he was deputy treasurer and recorder. In 186 1 he was elected county
judge on the Republican ticket. Since 1864 he has been engaged in
running a nursery and in farming. He has one hundred and twenty
acres on the home place, ha\ing sold off three hundred acres in 1901.
He was in the dairy business in Albia from 1876 until 1887, and had the
only milk wagon at that time in the city.
S. M. KING, M. D.
Dr. S. M. King was born in Portage county, Ohio, September 27,
1836, on a farm, and when two years old his parents moved to Illinois.
His parents were Joel E. and Emeline (Barnes) King, both natives of
Massachusetts. The father's parents were Robert and Bridget (Mor-
gan) King, natives of Massachusetts, and great-grandfather Robert
King was a native of Ireland and died in Berkshire county, Massachu-
setts, in 1802, aged sixty-two years. His wife was also a native of
Ireland, and he married in Ireland and they had eleven children. He
was a practicing phvsician. His son, Dr. Robert King, was also a prac-
ticing physician and participated in tlie war of 1812, as a captain of
the Massachusetts militia. He remo\ed from Massachusetts to Portage
county, Ohio, in 1826, and li\ed and died there. He had twelve chil-
dren, of whom was Joel Elisha King, our subject's father, born in 1813
and died in 1890 in Fairfield, Iowa. His wife is living in Mount Pleas-
ant, Iowa; she was born December 24, 1813.
They had eight children, si.\ now living. Pie, too, was a physician
and in 1861 enlisted in Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer In-
518 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
fantry, and was detailed to the Iiospital ser\ice. In 1862 he was dis-
charged on account of physical disability. He moved to Fairfield, Iowa,
in 1865 and practiced there up to his death. He was a Republican and
a Methodist. When he went to Illinois from Ohio it was to preach, but
he gave up the ministry for medicine.
Sylvester Morgan King was the eldest of the children and he was
reared in Illinois. On .\pril 19. 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twen-
tieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and was at Fredericks-
burg, Fort Donelson and Shiloh, being se\-erely wounded at the last
battle. On October 12, 1862, he was discharged and .\ugust 15, 1864,
re-enlisted from Akron, Ohio, in Company I, Si.xth Ohio Volunteer
Cavalry, and served in all the engagements, including Hatcher's Run,
Five Forks, Dinwiddle, Sailor's Creek, Farmville, and on to Appomat-
tox under Sheridan. He was discharged May 30, 1865, at the close of
the war, and then came to Iowa. He soon went to Cleveland, Ohio, and
there attended the Cleveland Homeopathic College, in 1866, and then
came to Iowa and located at Eddyville, wdiere he remained till 1870,
when he came to Albia. He has been in active practice ever since. In
1878 he graduated from the Hahnemann Hospital College at Chicago.
He is a member of the Iowa Homeopathic Medical Societv and the
American Institute of Homeopathy. He is also a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a
thirty-second degree Mason, of the Scottish Rite, is a Knight of Pythias,
a Modern Woodman, and belongs to the Ancient Order of United Work-
men. He was married in 1866 to Louisa M. Chafifee.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 519
JOHN REES PRICE.
John Rees Price, attorney at law, was born at Rhoudda Valley,
South Wales, June 2^,. 1874. the son of Isaac and Ann (Davis) Price.
His parents are nati\es of Wales and trace their genealogy back for
many generations in Wales to the time of William the Conqueror. In
1880 the parents came to America, stopping in Rapids City, Illinois, in
the spring of 18S0. and in the fall of the same year came to Monroe
count}', Iowa, and settled three miles west of Albia, at what was known
then as Cedar Mines. Here the father engaged in mining and farming,
having from earl_\- life been engaged in those occupations in Wales,
From 1886 to 1889 the family was in the territory of Washington, but
then returned to ]\Ioiu"oe count}-, where the parents have since resided.
For several }ears past the father's occupation has been farming; he re-
sides in Guilford township and is meeting with fair success.
These parents had se\'en children. Jolui Rees Price being the third
oldest. His youth was spent in coal mining, and he was educated in
the country schools, and then spent four years in Central University at
Pella, Iowa. He taught school several years in Monroe and Marion
counties and in May, 1898, began the study of law in All)ia, under John
T. Clarkson. He was admitted to the bar on examination before the
supreme court in May. 1900. and since then has practiced in Albia. He
was in partnership with Thomas Hickenlooper up to the time the latter
was qualified as clerk of district courts. He was then alone till March,
1902, when he formed a partnership with Judge J. C. Mitchell, of Ot-
tumvva, the latter holding an office at Ottumwa, his resident town. At
the same time J. H. Tomlinson, of Eldon, became an associate partner,
the firm being Mitchell, Tomlinson & Price, a strong and successful
combination. The firm conducts a general law practice, abstract and
520 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
loan business. Mr. Price is a Republican and belongs to the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was mar-
ried in 1899 to Miss IMary Welch.
J. C. ROBESON.
J. C. Robeson was born near Hamilton, Ohio, January 6, 1834, the
son of Elihu and Mary I. (Cummins) Robeson, both natives of Butler
county, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, William, was born at Rock-
bridge, Virginia, and mo\ed to Pennsylvania, and thence to Ohio.
Robeson is a Scotch-Irish name. The Cummins family are of Scotch
extraction. The parents of our subject moved from Ohio in 1854 to
Des Moines count)-, Iowa, where the father died in 1864. The mother
afterward died in Monroe county, Iowa. The father was a farmer, a
Whig in politics and he and his wife were United Presbyterians. They
had seven children.
J. C. Robeson is the oldest in the family. He was reared on a farm
and received a common school education. He came west with his par-
ents in 1854. On Xovember 16, 1861. he enlisted in Company K, Four-
teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He is now a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He came to Monroe
county in 1869 and settled four miles north of Albia and farmed up to
1900, when he removed to Albia. He is now president of the Albia
Telephone Company.
A Republican in politics, he was elected representative in the fall
of 1887, and served one term. He has been twice married; first in i860
to Miss Maria McChesney, who died in February, 1861, leaving one
child, John E., of Monroe county, a farmer. In 1870 he married Mrs.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 521
Margaret Elder, and they had three children. He and his wife are
members of the United Presbyterian church.
N. E. KENDALL.
N. E. Kendall, an attorney at law. was born in Lucas county, Iowa,
near Russell, on March 7, 1S68. the son of Elijah L. and Lucinda (Stev-
ens) Kendall. The father was born in Shelby county, Lidiana, and the
mother in Hendricks county, Indiana. When Elijah Kendall was in
boyhood his parents came to Iowa and settled in Lucas county, where
they li\-ed and died. Grandfather Abbott G. Kendall was a native of
Highland county. Ohio, and was a son of Aaron M. Kendall, of Irish
descent. The father of our subject was a farmer and was a member of
Company C, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and served four years as a
private in the Civil war. He died in 1896, aged seventy years, and his
wife died when our subject was a boy.
N. E. Kendall was reared on a farm and given a common school ed-
ucation. He was fifteen years old when he left the farm to take up the
battle of life for himself. He went to Chariton, Iowa, and entered the
law office of Stuart Brothers, as a stenographer and law student. He
later came to Albia and entered the law office of T. B. Perry, in the same
relation, and was admitted to the bar May 15, 1889, since which time
he has i)racticed in Albia. He is a Republican and was city attorney
for Albia for two terms and county attorney for two terms ; also a mem-
ber of the Republican state committee for three terms, being secretary
one term, and \ice chairman two terms. He was elected a memlicr of
the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth general assemblies of Iowa.
In 1896 he was married to Miss Belle Wooden, of Centerville.
522 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Kendall is a Master Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
the Brotherliood of American Yeomen, and the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks.
EDGAR M. NOBLE.
Mr. Noble was born in the town of Albia. Iowa, April 25, 1854, the
son of David A. and Elizabeth Ann (.\rnold) Noble. His father was
born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Indiana. They were married
in .Mbia in 1853. the father having come to Albia in 185 1, and the
mother in 1S52. They had three children. The elder ]\Ir. Noble mer-
chandised in Albia thirty or more \ears and died in 1895, aged sixty-
fi\-e, but his wife still resides in .\lbia, aged sixty-eight. The father was
a Republican and was county treasurer two terms. He and his wife
were members of the Christian church. He was a successful business
man as a general mercliant. He had a fair common school education.
The last several years of his life were spent retired.
Edgar M. Noble was reared and educated in .\lbia and spent one
year at Christian College at Oskaloosa. In early life he entered the
store of his father and was in mercantile lines up to 1895, since when
he has been in the real estate and insurance business. He was married
in 1878 to Miss Anna Miller. He is a Republican and the nominee of
his ])art_\- for auditor of the county. He and his wife are Methodists,
and he is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 523
LEVITICUS TILTON RICHMOND.
Le\-iticus Tilton Riclinidiul, cashier of tiie First National Bank and
Farmers' and Miners' Savings Bank of Albia, Iowa, was born on a farm
in Cedar township, Monroe county, Iowa, June ii, 1861, the son of
Samuel and Sarah A. (Bell) Richmond, both sides being Irish stock.
His father was born in Trimble county, Kentucky, November 22, 1822,
and was reared in Kentucky, where he was married, his wife being a
native of Kentucky. From this state they removed to Indiana, where
they resided near Bedford for a few years and in the fall of 1844 came
to Burlington, Iowa, and the next \'ear went to Davis county, Iowa, and
in the spring" of 1846 came to Monroe county and settled in Cedar town-
ship, where the father still resides, but the mother died in February,
1897. He has been a farmer and miller, being a millwright by trade.
Leviticus Tilton Richmond was reared on a farm and was the
eighth of a famil_\- of ten children, one son and a daughter being younger
than he; there is only one daughter in the family. His early education
was obtained in country schools, afterward at Central University at
Pella, Iowa, being there from 1877 t'' 1880. In 1880 he taught in the
academy at Kno.xville for si.x terms. He had previously taught and by
attending school and teaching alternately had educated himself. His
first teaching was in the public schools of Monroe county, and his first
term was taught in 1878, when just past eighteen. In March, 1882, he
began reading law under the late \V. A. Nichole, of Albia; was admitted
to the bar in May, 1883. He at once began the practice of law in Albia.
Mr. Richmond is a Democrat and as such was appointed deputy
sheriff in 1884. He was elected sheriff in 1885 for a short term and in
1886 was re-elected and held office till January i, 1888, when he re-
sumed the practice of law. For five months he served as mayor of ;\lbia,
524 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
being appointed by the council, of which body he was a memljer; he was
a councihnan for four years. For four years he was a member of the
board of trustees for the Industrial School for the Blind at Knoxville,
Iowa, through appointment by the general assembly. He practiced law
up to January, 1899, when he was made cashier of the First National
Bank and in October, 1901. when the Farmers' and Miners' Savings
Bank was organized, he became its cashier.
He was married November 18, 1885. to Lizzie W. Malone, a native
of Maryland, and a daughter of James and Mary (Coughlin) Malone,
natives of Ireland, and who came to Monroe county in 1870, and died
here. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are: Francis H., Wil-
liam T.. and Thomas B. The family are members of the Roman Catho-
lic church.
JOSEPH HARVEY ROBERTSON.
"Men of progress" is a i)hrase that aptly applies to many Americans
in this twentieth century of industrial advancement, and in these three
words is often summed u]) the highest comi)liment that can be paid to
these soldiers of this commercial age when the world's battles are no
longer fought b\- the sword. .\nd among those who may \ery justly
Ije considered in this class is the gentleman whose name heads this
sketch, a worthy, prosperous and leading citizen of Appanoose county,
Iowa. While he has devoted his life to hard work and has intently fol-
lowed the business of his choice, he has also found time to give to the
public interests of his connnunity and is a worthy exponent of American
citizenship in its highest and best sense.
Moses Robertson was his father ; he was born in Kentucky on
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 625
October 21, 181 1, and died in Appanoose county on November 29, 1893.
His wife, Jane Streepy, was a native of Knox county, Indiana, where
she was born August 15, 1826, and slie died on X'ovember 9, 1862.
Moses Robertson went to Knox county, Indiana, wdien he was ten years
of age, and tliere spent tlie da}s of his youtli, ol)tained liis echication in
the countr}- scliools and married the lady of his choice. In 1852 they
came west and located on the same farm wliich is now the property
of the subject of tliis sketch. Besides conducting" the farm they opened
a general store on the place and continued this for a number of years.
In 1 89 1 he left the farm and spent the remainder of his life in Cin-
cinnati, Iowa.
Joseph Harvey claims Appanoose county as the place of his birth,
and his birthday,' was January 8, 1858. He attended the country schoul
up to his sixteenth year, and then learned the blacksmith trade, whicJi
he never followed, however. Prior to 1901 he had been engaged ex-
tensi\elv in the stock business and has been considered one of the lead-
ing farmers of the county. He has now somewhat relaxed the vigorous
toil of his younger years and is enjoying the fruits of his well spent life.
He has always shown an active interest in the political afifairs of the
county and is one of the local leaders of the Republican party. He is ?
member of Prosperity Lodge No. 504, F. & A. M.
Mr. Robertson was married in 1878 to Miss Emma Stevenson,
and they became the parents of three children: Ava, born May 31,
1879; Ora, born June 9, 1881; and Joe, born June 11, 1891. Emma
Stevenson was the daughter of P. J. and Mary (Gunder) Stevenson,
and was born in Darke county. Ohio. Xovember 30, 1857. Her parents
came to AppancxDse county in 1868, in which county they now reside.
526 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
GEORGE W. STREEPY.
It is now our privilege to record briefly tlie life history of a man
who has served his country as a soldier in defense of the Union, and in
the peaceful pursuits of an agricultural life has gained as great victories
as on the battlefield and is now able to look back on a life of well spent
activity. His father was Edward Streepy, who was born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1801 and died in 1895, aged ninety-four years; his mother was
a native of Davis count}-, Indiana; was born in 1806 and died in 1847;
her maiden name was Delilah Freeland and she was married in Davis
county. Edward Streepy was brought to Washington county, Indiana,
when he was thirteen years old ; by occupation he was a farmer and
followed this calling all his life. After the death of his wife he re-
mained in Davis county until 1850 and then went to what is known as
the North River Bottom in Indiana, where he carried on his farming
operatitjns for four years; in 1854 he sold out and came to Iowa, lo-
cating near Unionville in .Appanoose count}-, where he spent the re-
mainder of his days.
George W. Streepy, the son of the above parents, came into the
world in Davis county, Indiana, February 6, 1833, and spent the days
of his youth nuicli after the manner of all boys who are reared under the
invigorating inlluences of the farm. In 1850 he settled in Davis county,
Iowa, but remained there only one year and then came to Appanoose
county, where he has since made his home. \\'hen the lurid glow of
civil strife lit up the land his spirit was aroused to defense of the Union
and in 1863 he enlisted in Compau}- I, Thirty-si.xth Iowa Infantry; on
account of an injury to his left leg he served most of the time in the
commissary department. With the exception of this period spent in the
service of his country and three years which he devoted to mercantile
GEORGE W. STREEPY.
THE NEW YORK
PUBLICLIBRARY
riLOEN F»UN»AriON».
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 529
pursuits at Iconium, Mr. Streepy has engaged in tilling the soil all his
life, and he has met with most encouraging success. He has three hun-
dred and fifty-five acres all in (^ne hody on his place; a fine and valuable
farm.
In 1856 Mr. Streepy was married to Lucy Elizabeth Dean and three
children were born: Dedetta A., who is now Mrs. Edward White;
and the two deceased are Alice and Baxter. Mrs. Streepy died in 1862.
In 1866 he was again married, his second wife being Mary Reprogle,
who died August 2y. 1875; she left one child, Mrs. Mary E. Harvey, of
Centerville. For his third wife Mr. Streepy chose, on March 16, 1876,
Miss Margaret J. Cafferty, who is now living and is the mother of three
children : C. E. Streepy, Zelma E. Streepy and George W. Streepy,
Jr. Mr. Streepy recalls the days of the Civil war by his membership
with the Grand Army of the Republic. He casts his vote for the Re-
publican party, and in the public affairs of the county has been a mem-
ber of the county board of supervisors for one term and has filled num-
erous township offices. He has been one of the prominent members of
the Methodist church and a few years ago donated the ground, directly
across the road from his home west of Cincinnati, upon which has been
erected a substantial house of worship ; the only condition affixed,to this
gift was that the church should be of no particular denomination, but
open to all services held in the cause of religion. In this, as in many
other ways, Mr. Streepy has shown his excellent common sense and his
desire for general progress in the community. He may be truly desig-
nated as a man of character, one whose every act is in accord with his
inmost principles of right and justice.
530 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
J. N. VANPELT.
The constantly increasing numljer of farmers who. after a Hfe of
well spent activity, are retiring and passing their remaining days in
the enjoyment of their competences is an indication that this most
worthy class of industrial workers is now meeting with the rewards
wliich they so richly deserve, for surely the tiller of the soil, ahove
all other men, shoukl lie ahle to lay hy enough in his working years to
give him the comforts of life without labor in old age. One of the
retired farmers of Monroe county, Iowa, is J. N. Vanpelt, who is
now making his home in Melrose and has been one of the leading agri-
culturists of this section.
His parents were William and Angeline (Nadenhush) Vanpelt,
the former a native of Washington county, Virginia, and the latter
lx)rn in Franklin county, Ohio. William Vanpelt li\ed in his native
state until sixteen years of age, and then went to Ohio and located in
Franklin county, where he was married. He later came to Monroe
county and purcliased a farm of eighty acres ; he was also a carpenter
by trade and followed this occupation as long as he was able to do
active work. His first wife died at the birth (jf the subject of this
sketch, and he was again married, his sectjml wife becoming the mother
of twelve children.
The birth of J. N. Vanpelt occurred in Franklin county, Ohio,
October i8, 1835, and after spending his boyhood in Ohio he came, at
the age of sixteen, to Monroe county and was then engaged as a farm
laborer until the outbreak of the Civil war. His fighting blood was
kindled, and on the patriotic day of the Fourth of July, 1862. he en-
listed in Company D. Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being
mustered in at Iowa City. He was first sent to Raleigh, Missouri,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 531
under Colonel Stone, and his regiment participated in twenty-five en-
gagements throughout the war, among them the siege of Vicksburg;
Jackson, Mississippi; Baton Rouge; Champion Hills; Winchester,
Virginia;; in this last named battle JMr. Vanpelt was wounded by the
explosion of the last shell fired by tlie Confederates in the engagement,
and one part of the shell took off a thumb and another lodged in his
hip, which fragment he still has in his possession. After lying in the
hospital for several months he recovered from his wounds and was
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, February 3, 1865, having spent three
and a half years in the service of his country. He easily went back to
the peaceful pursuit of farming again and continued to live on his farm
until 1899. when he retired and moved to Melrose, where he now lives
in a comfortable home.
Mr. Vanpelt was married December 17, 1868, to Amanda Cobb,
who is a native of Missouri and the daughter of Joseph Cobb, a pioneer
settler of Marion county, Iowa ; she left the state of her birth when five
years old and went with her parents to Marion county and later to
Monroe county, where she remained till her marriage. Eight children
were born, six sons and two daughters : William A., Tula, Scott,
Julia, Lee, Wylie, Lewis and Sherman. Mr. Vanpelt is a stanch Re-
publican and keeps up his connection with old army conn-ades by his
membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife
are members of the Methodist church.
RALPH M. DAVIS.
Ralph M. Davis, a cigar manufacturer, is acceptably filling the
office of mayor of Moulton, and is one of the wide-awake and enter-
prising men of the city, who exemplifies in his life the progressive spirit
32
532 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
which has led to the rapid upbuilding of the west. He is also con-
nected with the commercial interests of the town, having been formerly
a member of the Davis Brothers Manufacturing Company, but he now
conducts the business alone and in his own name. He set at naugiit
the old adage that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own
countr}-," for Mr. Davis is a native son of the town in which he has been
honored with the offices within the gift of the people. He was born
in Moulton on the 23d of April, 1874, and is a son of Levi and Martha
(Willett) Davis and a grandson of Richard Webb Davis, who w-as
born in Delaware in 1805, Init was reared in Maryland. In 1833
Richard Webb Davis was married to .\lmira Landfier, a native of
Dayton, Ohio, and a short time afterward lhe\- moved to Lewistown,
Fulton county, Illinois. He was a stonecutter by trade, having per-
formed much work of that kind, and he also followed fanuing. In
1839 ihev removed to Adair county, ]\Iissouri, where they spent one
winter, and then took up their abode in Schuyler county, but in 1842
came to Appanoose count}-, Iowa. In iH^d he moved to Bloomfield,
Davis county. His wife died in Bkjomfield in 1862 at the age of fifty-
two }ears. They became the parents of thirteen children, namely :
Adriel B., who was born September 2, 1835; Levi, who was torn
February 23, 1837; Mary. Lucy, Nancy, James Price and Sarah Jane,
twins, who died at birth; Julia, Webb and two who died in infancy.
Levi Davis, the second of the above enumerated children, was
l)orn in Illinois, February 23, 1837, and shortly afterward, in 1840,
was taken liy his parents to Schuyler county. Missouri. Subsequently
they took up their abode in Bloomfield, Da\-is count}-. Iowa, and in
i8s7 moved to Orleans, now a deserted village north of Moulton, and
there Mr. Davis met and married Miss Martha J. Willett. their wed-
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 533
cling being celebrated April 14, 1858. To this union were born eight
children, as follows: Fannie B., Homer E., Eva L., James A., Fer-
nando C, Willie \\'., Ralph M., Ray L., all -of whom are living with
the exception of Eva L., who died in March, 1871. The family came
to Moulton in 1S69, and for many years the father was the express
agent at this place, and when it was first incorporated he was elected
the town marshal. He was a citizen of prominence, and for fifteen
years was honored with the office of chief executive, also acting as a
justice of the peace. He had an excellent knowledge of the law and
often met learned counsel at the bar. when he often floored his oppo-
nents. He was a stalwart Democrat in his political views, was an active
and consistent member of the Christian church, and filled an important
niche in the pioneer days of the locality and will long be remembered
as one of the landmarks of Moulton. After nearly a month's illness
his death occurred on the i6th of December, 1902, leaving an aged
wife, who is still living in this city, and seven children.
Ralph M. Davis spent his boyhood days in his parents' home and
at the usual age was sent to school, acquiring a good English educa-
tion. After leaving school he went upon the road as a traveling musi-
cian, and for ten years was thus employed, visiting various parts of
the country. In the year 1896 he returned to Moulton and entered
into partnership with his brother, Ray L.. a practical cigarmaker, under
the firm name of Davis Brothers Cigar Manufacturing Compau}-, this
relationship being continued until our subject purchased his brother's
interest, Januarv 26, 1903. The business has steadily grown, and he
now manufactures a mimber of brands of cigars which have become
favorites on the market. The enterprise was established on a small
534 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
scale, Ijut has steadily increased, until the husiness now pays an excel-
lent annual dividend.
In 1898 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Clink-
enbeard. of Moulton, and the young couple enjoy the hospitality of
many of the best homes of the city, their circle of friends being exten-
sive. Mr. Davis is a member of the American Benevolent Association,
the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association, the Modern Woodmen of
America, the Masonic fraternity, and in addition to being a Master
Mason is connected with the order of Eastern Star. In politics he has
always been a Democrat, and in the spring of 1902 was elected upon
that ticket to the position of mayor of the city, in which position he is
now acceptably serving. He has already manifested deep regard for
the public welfare, and his efforts in behalf of the general gCKxl have
been effective.
CHARLES M. MARSHALL.
Charles M. Marshall, the postmaster of Moulton, Icnva, is a mem-
ber of a large family of men noted for their public spirit and enterprise,
and his excellent career as a business man and as the incumbent of the
most important public office of his city makes him specially deserving
of a place in this volume. His parents are William and .\rminda
(Hayes) Marshall, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of
Ohio. They were married in Ohio and in 1872 came west, first locating
in Missouri, where for a time he ran a hotel in Coatsville. In 1873 he
removed to Lnva, since which time they resided in Moulton. For
many years he was in the real estate business, and for twenty-one
years was assessor of his township. His long and blameless career
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 535
was ended in deatli on Decenil)er 17, 190J. He was a Republican and
in religiiin a Methodist. William IMarshall was married three times,
antl onr subject is the son of his third wife. There are five living chil-
dren of the first marriage, one of the second and four of the third.
Those living are as follows: W. J. Marshall is a prominent lianker
of Sardinia, Ohio, the original home of the family; Mrs. Dr. W. W.
Glenn, of Hillsboro, Ohio; Judge H. L. Marshall, of Eufaula, Indian
Territory; Robert L. Marshall, of Cincinnati, Ohio, an employe of the
Big Four Railroatl,; James O. Marshall, also in the railroad business;
W. L. Marshall, a farmer in Indian Territory; our subject; Guy Mar-
shall, in the employ of the rural free delivery service at Moulton; Cam.
G. Marshall, assistant postmaster of Moulton; and Booze Marshall, at
home in Moulton.
Charles M. Marshall claims Brown county, Ohio, as his nati\-e
home, having been l)orn there Feliruary 5, 1864. He has spent most of
his life in Moulton, where he was reared to manhood and given a
common school training. After reaching manhood he entered the
clothing house of Wooldridge & Pulliam at Moulton and continued in
their employ for eleven years. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster
of Moulton and took charge of the office on the anniversary of his
birthday of that year. Four years later he received a reappointment
and is still filling this position. That Mr. Marshall has been faithful
and progressive in the performance of the duties of this office is sub-
stantiated 1)\' the fact that under his administration three rural free
delivery routes have been established, and that the salary of the office,
which depends upon the receipts, has been raised from twelve hundred
dollars to fifteen hundred dollars a year, and through his efforts the
office is now located in a new brick building, heated with steam and
536 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
provided with conveniences such as few towns the size of Moulton have.
Mr. Marshall is a thorough belie\er in the principles of the Re-
publican part}-. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and a
Knight of Pythias. He is active in church work and is chorister in
the Methodist church. In 1S85 he was united in marriage to Miss
Jennie D. Gale, of Moulton, and they ha\e two bright children, Olive
and Lucile. The family (x-cui)y a prominent place in the society of the
town and are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and ac-
quaintances.
S.XMUEL RICHMOND.
More than a half century has jjassed since Samuel Richmond
arrived in Monroe county, and his residence in the state dates from
1845. Most of this time he has carried on farming and is to-day the
owner and ()ccu])ant of a good farm in Cedar township. He was born
in Morgan count}-, Kentucky, on the 20th of November, 1822, a son
of John and .Mice Richmond, the former a native of Virginia, while
the latter was born in Tennessee. John Richmond carried on general
farming and also made a specialty of the raising of tobacco. In his
early life he devoted his energies to the advancement of the interests
of the Whig party, and when the Republican party sprang into exist-
ence he jcjined its ranks and continued to give to it his support until he
departed this life. He died m 1882 and his wife passed away five years
later. To their marriage were lx)rn six children: Lizzie; Samuel;
William, who is deceased ; Silas ; and Henry and David, twins. From
the time when he located upon the farm where our subject was born
until his death the father resided continuously in that place, and was a
well known resident of his portion of Kentucky.
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 537
When Samuel Richmond left his hirthplace in the Bluegrass state
he went to Indiana, where he remained for three \'ears. and during that
time he was engaged in farming" and in working in a mill. In 1845,
however, he left Indiana and came to Iowa, settling first in Bur-
lington, where he remained through one winter. In 1846 he took
up his abotle in Wapello coimt_\-, where he continued until the following
September, when he removed to Monroe county, with which section of
the state he has since been identified, cox-ering almost fifty-seven years.
He has made his home throughout this period in Cedar township,
where he now owns four hundred and eight acres of land, constituting
one of the gotxl faj-ms of the localit}-, well tilled fields surrounding sub-
stantial barns, and a comfortalile frame resilience.
In ^larch. i84_', in Johnson county, Indiana. Mr. Richmond was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Bell, of that county, a daughter of
Isaac and Elizabeth Bell. Mrs. Frances Cooper, a sister of Mrs. Rich-
mond, is the only survi\ing member of the Bell family, and she now re-
sides upon the Richmond farm. Ten children were born to our subject
and his estimalile wife: Byron, now deceased; William Perry; James
H., who has also passed away: Crates C, John, Frank D., Columbus,
Tilt, Jane, and Major S.
In 1897 Mr. Richmond was called upon to mourn the loss of his
wife, who passed away in that year at the age of seventy-three. As man
and wife tiiey had traveled life's journey for fifty-five years, sharing
with each other the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity
which come to checker the careers of all. Mrs. Richnifmd was a mem-
ber of the Baptist church and Mr. Richnmnd belongs to the Methodist
church. He is an earnest, consistent Christian man, wlm has ever en-
deavored to live at peace with his fellow men and to treat them hon-
538 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
orably and fairly in all business transactions, and therefore in the
evening of life he is honored and respected, receiving the veneration
which should ever be accorded to those of advanced years. As he looks
back along the vista of the past there are many incidents in his career
in the county of which he has reason to be proud. He walked twelve
miles to the election to vote for the adoption of the state constitution,
and helped to organize Cedar township. He never missed an election up
to date; helped build the first cabin, the first school and church in the
township, and has done his part in making rails, building fence, breaking
prairie, killing rattlesnakes and wolves ; and now he is ready to pay his
last tax and with it go home with no one left behind but his friends to
mourn.
GEORGE T. PULLIAM.
The most that can l)e attempted in a brief sketch of this kind is a
recital of the main facts of the outward life of a man, and from these
details posterity must judge tlie character of him who lived and wrought
in the past : but surely it does not always recjuire the seer to scan the
history of the individual to judge his fitness for the higher rewards
of the world, for the book of man's life lies open and there the deeds
done here show the fruit of his best endeavors. And while the career
of the prominent citizen of Moulton, Iowa, whose name heads this
article, may be summed up in a few lines, there is evidence therein of
hard, conscientious, well directed effort, ever lifting the life of today a
step above that of the yesterday.
The father and mother of George T. Pulliam were James and
Charity (Hinch) Pulliam, both natives of Kentucky; they were taken
to Illinois in youth and there they grew up and married. In 1853
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 539
they came to Iowa and first settled near Eddyville; the next year they
renio\-ed to Davis county, and in 1856 nioxed to Orleans, Appanoose
county. He was a farmer, a merchant and a stock dealer, and was one
of the pioneers of the village of Orleans. He was a pioneer Republican,
joining that political organization at its inception : in religion he and
his family were members of the Christian church. He died in 1868 at
the age of fifty years. In 1858. while living in Orleans, his first wife
died, aged thirty-si.x years, having borne him six children. The oldest
son, William H., serveil in the Twenty-first Missouri Infantry and later
in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry ; during the siege of Atlanta he recei\'ed a
wound and from its effects died August i, 1864.
The birth of George T. Pulliam occurretl in Pike count)-. Illinois,
November i, 1849. His boyhood was spent on the farm and he was
given a common school education. At the age of twenty he was thrown
upon his own resources and soon started upon his career as a merchant
in Moulton; he was one of the successful retailers of that- town for more
than twenty-five years, but in 1898 he retired; his principal line was
clothing. For twent\- }ears J. F. Wooldridge was his partner, first
under the name Wooldridge. Pulliam cS; Deupree. and then Wooldridge
& Pulliam, and later Geo. F. Pulliam.
In 1885 Mr. Pulliam was married to Miss Ollie M. Gates, who was
at the time a very pojjular and successful teacher in the Moulton schools.
In politics he is Republican; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and
a great friend of the public schools, of which they are so justly proud.
His success is due to his own efforts, and he is justl}- ranked as one of
the leading business men of Moulton and .Kppanoosc county.
540 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
JOHN C. PHILLIPS.
One of the largest land owners and most extensi\e agriculturists
in Appanoose county is John C. Phillips. His father was Theophilus
Phillips, whose wife was Mahalia Ann Moore; they were both natives of
Adams county, Ohio, and were married in that county. Mr. Phillips
was throughout his life a tiller of the soil, and his life labors were ended
in death in 1879. when at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Phillips
died in 1853, aged thirty-nine years. Mr. Phillips came west in 1863
and after residing in Appanoose county for two years returned to Ohio;
in 187 1 he spent one year in Missouri and later removed to Appanoose
county, where he passed the remaining days of his useful life. This
worthy couple were the parents cjf ten children, of whom six are now
living.
One of these children was John C, who was l)orn in .\dams county,
Ohio, January 5, 1841. and was reared to a farmer's life, spending
his youth in work on the farm and in attendance at the country schools.
He had arri\ed at manhood when the Ci\il war spread its blight over
the land and in 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Ninety-first Ohio Vol-
unteer Infantry, and gave three years of faithful service to his country.
.\t tlie battle at Buffalo Gap he received a wound which compelled
him to spend some time in the army hospital. Shortly after his return
from the army, in t868, J\lr. Phillips followed the example of his father
and came to Cooper county, Missouri, where he engaged in farming
for a few years. In the spring of 1872 he mi)\e(l to Wayne county,
Iowa, and continued farming for twelve years. His residence in Ap-
jiaudosc county dates from 1884, and here he has met with most gratify-
ing success in farming and stock-raising. For ten years his stock opera-
tions were conducted on a large scale in partnership with Mr. B. Bowen,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 541
of Centerx ille. Tliat lie possessed mucli business ability was shown in
his being chosen to act as cashier of the Farmers' and Drovers' Bank of
Seymour, but after a year he resigned, preferring the free and interest-
ing life of the farm. At the present time Mr. Phillips owns on his home
place fourteen hundred and eighty acres of fine land, which is one of
the most extensive farms in the state.
In 1862 Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Clementine Drake. Her
parents were James H. and Caroline (Marshal) Drake, who were resi-
dents of Licking county, Ohio, coming to Iowa in 1878, where the
father died in 1900 in his ninetieth year, and the mother passed away
in 1893, aged seventy-seven; the wife of Mr. Phillips was born in
Licking county, Ohio, \o\eniber 27, 1843. Thirteen chiKlren were
born and all but one are now living: Charles E., Emma A. Stewart,
James F., Hosea M., Joseph Walter, Carrie A. Richardson, B. Bowen,
Kennedy Kendall, Herbert H., Jolm J., Oscar Orville, and Roscoe C. ;
the last three ]i\e at liome with their parents. Mr. Phillips retains his
connection with his old army comrades in the Grand Army of the Re-
public at Seymour, and he has membership in the Methodist church
at Genoa. It is through such men as Mr. Phillips tliat the solid and
nolile calling of agriculture as been brought to its high state of per-
fection, which in no other country of the world has been so highly de-
veloped and attracts such a high class of men.
D. C. KENWORTHY.
The subject of this sketch is a man who has been prominent in
many of the affairs of life, has fought on the battlefields of the south
in defense of the Union, has been a leading farmer of the county for
542 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL LIISTORY.
nearly half a century and has taken an active part in puhlic, social and
religious matters of the communit}-. His grandfather was Elisha Ken-
worthy and was a native of Pennsylvania ; he and his wife Sarah both
died in Indiana. Thomas Kenworthy, the father of D. C. Kenworthy,
was horn in Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. In 1844 he went to
Miami county, Indiana, and until 1853 ran a grist and saw mill. Then
coming to Monroe county. Iowa, he bought a farm near where the sub-
ject of tliis sketch now lix'es; selling this place a few years later he re-
moved to Ringgold county, hut soon sold the farm he had acquired there
to the Burlington railroad, and then went to Oregon, where he died at
the age of eighty-five. He was a successful medical practitioner in Iowa
for a numlier of years and was a man of sterling traits of character.
He lived during the heat of the slavery strife and was an uncompromis-
ing abolitionist Republican ami was an active supporter of John C. Fre-
mont in the first cam])aign of that party; he was also a friend of Colonel
Jim Lane of Kansas. He was a Methodist in religion. He was mar-
ried in Alontgomcry county, Indiana, to Sarah Beesle}', a native of
Pennsylvania; she was the mother of twche children: Sirena, Irnada,
Delitha, Louisa, Mary, Saphrona, Martha, David C, and four others.
Tliomas Kenworthy's second wife was Minerva Jackson, by whom he
had seven children ; she died in Oregon.
David C. Kenworthy was born at Crawfordsville. Montgomery
countv, Indiana, July 13. 1839. and was fourteen years old when he
came to Monroe county, in Novemlier, 1S53, and here he was reared
and completed his education in the common schools. \\'hen he was
twenty-two years old he enlisted, in July, 1861, in Company H, First
Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, under Colonel F. Warren and Captain D.
Anderson. He saw much active service in the campaign in Missouri,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 543
Arkansas and Mississippi ; lie was in tlie engagements with General
Price's army, also Qnantrell's raiders and Bill Anderson's troopers.
He was in the battle at Jackson, Missouri; Little Rock, Arkansas; Cam-
den, Missouri ; and he started to assist General Banks in the Red River
expedition, hut his regiment failed to reach him in time; they then went
on a forced march up the Saline river to meet General Price and after
crossing on pontoon bridges engaged in a hard fight which lasted all
day; he took part in the battle of the Poison Springs on the Little Mis-
souri and then received a veteran's furlough for thirtv days. He was
stationed at Mexico and St. Joseph, Missouri, and fought bushwhackers
all over the state; he was sent to Jefferson City to support the Union
forces against Price ami received his final discharge in November,
1865, returning home with a most enviable war record.
While on his veteran's furlough Mr. Kenworthy was married.
May 29, 1864, to Alice Harris, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio,
in 1845, lieing the daughter of R. B. Harris, a native of New York, and
of Mary Bains, a native of Wales. Morris Bains, the father of the
latter, is now one hundred years old and was born in Wales, where he
marrietl Alice Jones; in 1835 they came to Delaware county, Ohio, and
in 1856 came to Monroe county; the_\- had two children, Edward, de-
ceased, and Mrs. Harris; Mr. Bains has eight great-great-grandchil-
dren, thirty-six great-grandchildren, and eighteen grandchildren, and he
is known and respected as one of the patriarchs of the county. R. B.
Harris and wife had fourteen children: William, who was a st)ldier
in the Civil war in the First Iowa Cavalry and died while in the service;
Alice, who became Airs. Kcuworth}- ; Zilia, deceased; Morris; Albert;
Edward, deceased; Clinton, deceased; Emily McGinnis, living in this
countv; ALarv ; Losinia, the wife of the Rew W^'lliam Potter, of the
644 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Metliodist cliurch at Ainsworth, Iowa: Hattie: and tliree others. The
father of these children passed away at the age of eighty and the mother
at tlie age of seventy-seven, the former Ijeing a member of the Republi-
can party, and botli devoted members of the Methodist clnirch. Mr.
and Mrs. Kenwortliy are the parents of fi\-e children : Florence, the
wife of Henry Payne, of Albia; Mattie R. Barnhill, of Franklin town-
ship, a former teacher of the county; Arthur, who married Myra Searcy,
of this county; Hattie, of Albia: and Maud Richardson, residing in this
county.
Mr. Kenwortliy lives on a three hundred acre farm, known as the
old George Town farm. He takes an active interest in the success of
the Republican party and is a member of the central committee of the
township, of which he has been chairman for years; he is a leading
niemher of the post of the (Irand .\rmv of the Republic at .\lbia; and he
has been steward of the Methodist church for many \ears and one of
its most liberal supporters. Throughout his long residence in the county
he has pro\ed himself a man of no mean ability, and is held in high re-
gard.
LUTHER CHISMAN.
Luther Chisman is a self-made man, whose industry and energy in
his chosen life work have nuule him one of the well-to-do agriculturists
of his community. His birth occurred in Dearborn county, Indiana,
October 21, 1(^51. and he comes of an old Pennsylvania family of Ger-
man descent. His paternal grandfather, John Chisman. was a native
of the Keystone state, but became a resident of Iowa, and botli he and
his wife died in NVapello county and were laid to rest in a cemetery
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 545
near their liome. Their son, Edward Chisman. was horn in Indiana
and s])ent the days of his youtli upon a farm in Dearborn county. \\'hen
lie had reached man's estate lie desired a companion and helpmeet for
the journey of life and married Miss Keturah Clark, who was born in
Ohio, and belonged to a prominent family of that state of English an-
cestr}-, but was reared in Indiana. In 1853 they left their home in
Dearborn county and with their familv came to Iowa, settling in Polk
township, \\'apello county, near the Monroe county line, he having here
purchased a tract of government land in 1850. It was then raw prairie,
on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but
with characteristic energy he began to plow the fields and in course
of time made his tract a \-aluable farm property. In the family were
the foll(jwing children: Amanda, the wife of Pete Burjeson, of Blakes-
burg, Iowa: Anna, the wife of Alec Tubaugh, of this township; Luther;
Laura, wlii> became the wife of H. D. Lane and died in Wapello
county ; Trumbull : and Josephine, deceased. The father died upon the
homestead farm in 1861, at the age of forty-one years. He was a
Democrat in his political \iews and served as justice of the peace and
as a member of the school board. He held membership in the Baptist
church, to which his widow also belongs. She still resides upon the
farm and on the 13th of November, 1902, she attained her eighty-first
year.
Luther Chisman spent his early boyhood days with his parents,
but at the age of fourteen years started out to earn his own living.
Previous to this time he had been a student in a district school, in which
there were seventy-five students and two teachers in a room twenty-two
by twenty-fnur feet. It was known as the Liberty school, and to that
institution he is indebtcil for all the mental training he received inside a
546 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
schoolroom. Mr. Chisman was married on tlie 5tli of February, 1874,
to Miss Tennie Burjeson, a native of Sweden, in whicli country she was
educated. Her parents were Jacob and Lena Burjeson, and the latter
died during the infancy of Tennie. The father, however, came to
America and for six years was a resident of Iowa.
Mr. Chisman's first purchase of land comprised eighty acres in
Cedar township, Monroe county, and was bought with money acquired
through his own labor at farm work. After four years he sold this
property and removed to Kansas, where he remained for four years and
then returned to Iowa, settling on a rented farm in Ringgold county,
near Kellerton. In 1888 he purchased a farm of \\'illiam Wilcox in
Mantua township. JMonroe county, comprising one hundred and sixty
acres of land, and has since resided on this property, which constitutes
one of the best farms in the locality because of its many excellent im-
provements, its good grades of stock and highly cultivated fields. There
are blue-grass pastures, verdant meatlows and grain fields which give
promise of rich harvests, and the farm is well fenced and e\erything is
in good condition.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chisman have been born six children: James,
who is twenty-four years of age and assists in the cultivation of the
home farm: Ina, the wife of Charles Springer, a prominent farmer of
this township; Relta, who is a student in tlie high school of Albia;
Alta, who is eleven years of age; Edward, who died at the age of twenty-
one years; he was a young man loved by all for bis gcx^d qualities and
his loss was deepl_\' felt throughout the community; and Sarah, who died
at the age of two and a half years, in the state of Kansas. Mr. Chis-
man's study of political questions has led him to endorse the principles
of the Democratic party, and he has frequently been a delegate to its
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 547
county conventions. He is regarded as one of tlie substantial citizens
of the community, lieing found on tlie side of progress and improve-
ment in all matters pertaining to the general good, and in matters of
business his straightforward and reliable dealing is one of his strong
characteristics and has led to his success.
RUFUS E. CUMMINS.
Peter Cummins, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was an otTlcer in the English army and a citizen of Vincennes,
Indiana, in 1783. The act of congress, March 3, 1791 (Vol. I, page
221, U. S. Statutes), granted four hundred acres of land to each person
who in the vear 1783 was the head of a family at Vincennes or in the
Illinois country on the Mississippi, according to the act, April 30, 1810
(II Vol., Statutes, 590). The claim was confirmed by act, February
13, 18 1 3, Vol. II, General Statutes, page 800, reported in 7th Vol.
American state papers, pages 704, 722 and ■/2^.
Ephraim Cummins, the son of Peter, was born at Vincennes, in
1770: was a farmer; moved to Iowa in 185 1, and died in Wapello county,
in 1862. He was the possessor of the following patents, recorded thus:
Certificate No. 140, Vol. i, page 140; signed by James Monroe. Cer-
tificate No. 1360, Vol. 5, page 429; signed by James Monroe. Certifi-
cate No. 2628, Vol. 9, page 370; signed by J. O. Adams. Certificate
No. 3S37, Vol. 8, page 27; signed by Andrew Jackson.
His son Daniel was born in Spencer county, Indiana, in 1803; was
a farmer; moved to Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1851 ; in the spring of
1863 moved to Santa .\na, California, where he lived for twelve years,
33
548 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
tlien moved to Washington. He reared a family of twenty-two children
and died in 1886.
Ephraim Cummins, the son of Daniel, was born in Spencer county,
Indiana, February 26, 1832. At the age of sixteen he moved to Wapello
county, Iowa, with his uncle, Ephraim Cummins, and after one year
moved to Moravia, Appanoose county, Iowa.
On March 4, 1852, he married Maria Theressa Stauber, who was
born December 8, 1833, and died June 12, 1874. She was a daughter
of Joseph Stauber, who laid out the town of Moravia and named it in
honor of the Moravian church, of which he was a member. To them
were born eight children, five of whom are now living: Josephine C,
Eunice E., Frank B., Rufus E., William R., Theresa, Grant and Laura.
Ephraim Cummins afterwards married Anna R. Stauber, who was born
January 21, 1850. Two children were born: Blaine and Mabel. He
was engaged in the mercantile business before the war, closing the busi-
ness to enter the army. On his discharge he again engaged in the same
business and in connection he was postmaster and held the office until
Cleveland's election. He was a charter member of Antiquity Lodge No.
252, A. F. and A. M.. and was rated as one of the successful and leading
citizens of the county. Politically Captain E. Cummins was a Republi-
can and extended his inthience in the formation of that party in Ap-
panoose county, Iowa. He voted for John C. Fremont for president in
1856, and for Abraham Lincoln in i860, and every Republican candi-
date for president thereafter until his death. He was as true as steel
to his friends, and ne\cr (|uailcd before an enemy on the field of battle.
He was an indulgent father and treated his children with great kind-
ness, yet was linn with them, all of whom grew up to be useful men and
women, lo\al to the country and fiag.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 549
The Eightli Iowa Cavalry was commanded by Colonel J. B. Dorr,
and Captain E. Cummins, who enlisted June 24, 1863, organized Com-
pany F. They were mustered in at Camp Roberts, Davenport. Iowa,
August I. 1863, and remained there until October, 1863. when the com-
pany went to Louisville, Kentucky, where they received arms and out-
fits, and marched to Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Cummins was em-
ployed in hunting down and capturing various bands of cut-throats that
infested the state at that time. In March, 1864, the company marched
to Cleveland, Tennessee, and was made a part of the magnificent army of
General Sherman on May 3, 1864. The first fight was at Varnell,
Georgia, May 9, 1864. He was with Sherman at the capture of
Atlanta, and marched to the sea. Captain Cummins was in the various
battles and skirmishes that his regiment was engaged in on that cam-
paign up to the battle of Cassville, where he was badly wounded while
leading a charge at the head of his company, and was compelled to leave
his regiment, but as soon as he was able he returned and served under
General Thomas against Hood. At the close of the war he was hon-
orably discharged. Captain Cummins was noted for his great bravery
and coolness in battle; was a great favorite with the soldiers of his regi-
ment, and no officer was held in higher esteem than he liy the soldiers
of his own company.
(This war record was written by Corporal William D. Kinser and
Sergeant Robert K. Johnson.)
Captain E. Cummins died August 6, 1891.
Rufus E. Cummins, the son of Ephraim and Maria T. (Stauber)
Cummins, was born in the village of Moravia, Iowa, August 24, i860,
and passed his youth and gained his early educational training in this
place. His first business experience was obtained in his father's store,
550 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
but after his marriage he settled on a farm in Taylor township, Ap-
panoose county, and continued in this occupation until 1897, in which
year he was appointed postmaster of Moravia ; he still fills this ofiice
and gives entire satisfaction. Like his father, he is a Republican in
politics, and is a member of Antiquity Lodge No. 252, A. F. & A. M.,
and also a member of Monroe Chapter No. 125, R. A. M. In 1884 he
was married to Miss Jennie Long and they have one child, Beulah. Mr.
Cummins is much esteemed for his excellent personal qualities as well
as his strict business integrity.
HERMAN SNOW.
The Forest Glen stock farm, comprising six hundred and forty
acres, is the home of Herman Snow, one of the popular and prominent
citizens of Monroe county. His farm is located in Urbana township,
not far from the Blakesburg postofifice, and approaches very nearly
to the ideal stock farm. Upon the place are three houses, his own
residence being a \er)- attractive one, surrounded by a well kept lawn,
and in the rear stand good barns and sheds for the shelter of grain
and stock. The latest imjjroved machinery is used in the cultivation
of the fields, which annually return rich harvests, and there are good
pasture lands, furnishing feed for the sti:>ck in summer, while the exten-
sive meadows give a hay supply for the winter feeding. The stock
raised is of high grades, and the owner has reason for just pride in
his valuable farm, for Forest Glen is one of the finest stock farms in
this part of the state.
Mr. Snow has resided in Monroe county since 1866. He was
born in Knox county, Illinois, near Galesburg, March 21, 1852, and
CO
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PLIBLFC LIBRARY
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riLOEN f»UN»ATIONS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 553
comes of a prominent family, tlie name figuring many times upon the
pages of liistory. His father, Lucius Snow, was born in Portage county,
Ohio, and was a son of OH\er Snow, a natix'e of jMassachusetts, and a
descendant of an old New England family of genuine Puritan stock
that was established in America by English emigrants who landed on
the famous Plymouth Rock. Oliver Snow married Rozetta L. Petti-
bone, a native of Connecticut, and his last days were spent in Illinois.
For a short time he was a believer in and follower of Joseph Smith,
the noted iNhtrmon leader, but later renounced that belief. Both he
and his wife were laid to rest at Walnut Grove, now Altona, Illinois,
their graves being marked by two large trees, planted there by their
son Lucius. Lucius Snow was one of seven children. Lorenzo Snow,
the fifth in age, became an elder and the leader of the Mormon church
at Salt Lake City for a number of years, but is now deceased. Eliza
R. Snow won a wide reputation as a poet and author. Lucius was the
sixth of the faiuily. Mrs. Lenora Leavitt died at Salt Lake. Samuel
P. Snow is a well known author and writer of California. Percy
Amanda died in Illinois, aged forty, and ^Melissa iliecl in Portage county,
Ohio, aged twent_\'-five.
Reared in Ohio, Lucius Snow afterwartl lived in Illinois for a
number of years and was married in Knox county, that state, to Miss
Eliza Walker, a nati\e of New York, and a daughter of Joseph Walker,
wh(j was born in England. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Snow removed from
Illinois to St. Paul and later to Red Wing, Minnesota. He became one
of the pioneers of the locality and was an active factor in the work of
development there and was ])roniincnt in public affairs, filling a number
of positions of trust and responsibility. In 1866 he removed from
Minnesota to Monroe county, Iowa, locating in ITrl)ana township, where
554 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
he died at the age of seventy-nine years, honored and respected by all
who knew him. He had always carried on farming and stock raising
and was regarded as authority upon bees and bee culture. His widow
is now living in Blakesburg, Iowa. They had five children : Herman ;
Ida Dorothy, of Wapello county; Anson A., a prominent business man
and also postmaster of Bracewell. Decatur county, Iowa, and a well
known writer upon free thought; lantha, the wife of W. E. Bracewell,
who is one of the most extensive sorghum manufacturers of the United
States and a leading farmer of Decatur county, Iowa ; and Sidney C,
prominent in connection with the telephone business in Urbana town-
ship, Monroe county.
Herman Snow was reared in Illinois and upon the frontier of
Minnesota, and acquired a good education in the schools of the latter
state and in the Kirks\ille (Missouri) Normal College. For twelve
rears he was successfully engaged in teacliing, but now de\otes his
entire time and attention to the supervision of his farming and his
telephone interests. He owns an entire section of land in Monroe
county, from which he annually secures good crops, while his stock
sales also amoimt to a good figure each year.
On the 14th of October, 1879. Mr. Snow was united in marriage
to Miss Kate Trussell, whose father, Andrew Trussell, was one of the
prominent and wealthy farmers of Monroe county. He came to Iowa
during its territorial days, settling in Wapello county in 1842, and
afterward removing to Monroe county. He became a very prosperous
farmer, owning hundreds of acres of land and carrying on stock deal-
ing on an extensive scale. He also became one of the organizers of
the First National Bank of All)ia and one of its directors. He mar-
ried Martha Williamson, of Iroquois county, Illinois, and to them were
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 555
born five children : Mrs. Sarah A. De Haven, of Urbana township,
Monroe county; Airs. Martha J. Derby, of Wapello county; Samuel
H.. of Ewing, Holt county, Nebraska, a prominent cattleman; W. H.,
a well known banker of Moravia, and Mrs. Snow. The father gave
his political endorsement to Republican principles and was one of the
substantial citizens of Monroe county. His birth occurred in Pennsyl-
vania in 1 814 and he died at the age of seventy-six years, while his
wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight. She was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Snow, their daughter, was
reared and educated in this county and presides with gracious liospi-
tality over her beautiful home, which is characterized by culture and
refinement. In the family are four children: Norlan, who is with the
First National Bank at Albia; Zatha, who is a fine musician; F.
Ralph, and Herbert A.
For three years Mr. Snow served as a member of the county board
of supervisors and gave his aid and influence to all measures which he
regarded as beneficial to the community. He votes with the Republican
party and has frequently been a delegate to its county and state con-
ventions, having served in the state conx'ention when Governor Shaw
was nominated to head the ticket. He has also been active in advancing
the school interests of his county in the way of better schoolhouses,
better wages for teachers, and was instrumental in getting free libraries
for each school in his own township of Urljana. He is at present a
director in the First National Bank of Albia and in the Farmers' and
Miners" Savings Bank of Albia and in the Blakesburg Savings Bank
of Blakesburg, and also the president of the Blake.sburg Telephone and
Telegraph Company. For twenty-se\en years he has been a most con-
sistent and devoted memljer of the CluMstian church, has contributed
556 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
generously to its support and labored untiringly for the extension of its
influence, and has long served as Sunday-school superintendent. His
life has ever been upi-ight and honorable, his actions manly and sincere,
and he now stands as one of the strong men of the county, strong in
his success and in his honor and good name.
ISAAC N. TRIMBLE.
Isaac N. Trimble, who resides on section 31, Mantua township, is
one of Monroe county's native sons and a representative of one of her
old and honored families. He was born on the farm where he now
lives, July 6, 1834. and is a son of Thomas Trimble, who is a prominent
early settler and successful business man of the township. He was born
in Kentucky in 18 17 and was reared and educated in that state. Going
to Indiana, he was there married to Miss Elizabeth Webb, a native
daughter of the Hoosier state, and a daughter of John Webb, who was a
soldier of the Revolutionary war and afterward drew a pension. In
1850 they came to Iowa by team and wagon and were among the first
to locate in Mantua tnwnshi]), Monroe county, where the father pur-
chased two hundred and sixty acres of land and developed a farm, mak-
ing it his home up to the i)resent time. He has been called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who was a most estimable lady and a faithful
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She passed away in 1877,
at the age of forty-five years. Although now eighty-five years of age,
Mr. Trim1)le still enjoys good health, and throughout his active busi-
ness life successfully carried on general farming and stock-raising. In
politics he is a pronounced Republican, and has ever taken a commend-
able interest in public affairs. In his family were ten children, three
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 557
sons and seven daughters, namely : Alexander, who served for tliree
years and four months during the Civil war as a member of the Seven-
teenth Iowa \'olunteer Infantry and is now a resident of Albia, Iowa;
Nancy A\'., Jennie, Isaac X., Eveline, Christina, George, who died at the
age of fourteen years, Lou, who died at the age of forty-two ; and Mrs,
Lotta Miller and Mrs. Ida Gillett, also deceased. The family is one of
the most prominent and influential in Mantua township.
Upon the old homestead Isaac N. Trimble grew to manhood and by
assisting his father in the work of the farm early became familiar with
all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, at the same time
pursuing his literary studies in an old schoolhouse with bench seats, near
his home. In February, 1879, he married Miss Clara Belles, a daugh-
ter of \\'iniam and Mary J. ( Maull) Belles, who were natives of New
Jersey and Kentucky, respectively. Her parents were both members of
the Methodist Episcopal church anti her father was a Republican in
politics. In early life he learned the tailor's trade, wliich he followed
for a tin:e, but subsequently turned his attention to farming. He died
in 1897, at the age of se\-enty-eight years, and his wife passed away at
the age of fifty-two. This wortliy couple were the parents of thirteen
children, of whom eight are still li\-ing, namely: Maiy ,\nn; John, who
was a soldier of the Ci\il war; Myra; Sarah; Alva and Clarence, twins;
Oak; and Grant. Of those deceased, Isaac N. was a soldier of the Union
army during the Rebellion and was killed in battle: Slona, one who died
in infancv, Eflie, and Cnra .\., who died in Wapello county, Iowa. Mr.
and Mrs. Trimble have eight children living: Guy, Pearl, Ruth, Lena,
Fanny, George, Paul and Ola, wliile h'rank. the third in order of birth,
died at the age of nineteen years ; and Etta, the fourth of the family,
died at the age of seven years.
558 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
After his marriage ]\Ir. Trimljle continued to reside upon the old
homestead witli his father, and is tudax- successfully operating three
hundred and twenty acres of land, which is under a high state of culti-
vation and well improved. In religious faith the_\- are Friends and hold
membership in the Friends church at Alhia. Iowa. People of refinement
and culture, they make many friends, wlio are always sure of a hearty
welcome within their hospitable doors.
GEORGE C. HAZLEW'OOD.
This name has long l)cen fav(irably known in .\ppanoose county,
especiallv in the vicinity of Iconium. where its owner has resided and
carried on a prosperous business for many years. Though bred to
farming and always engaged more or less directl\- in agricultural pur-
suits, Mr. Hazlewood early developed taste and talent for dealing in real
estate, and has met with remarkable success from his numerous dealings
in land. In other ways, also, he has displayed decided business ability,
and with it all enjoys a reputation for honest dealing and financial stabil-
ity that gives hiiu credit of the highest class. It is safe to say that no
banker or capitalist who knows him would hesitate to cash at par any
note bearing the signature or endorsement of George C. Hazlewood.
liis life story in the main is much like that of many other Iowa farmers
who have descended from early pioneers from the east and ha\-e been
brought up at country homes in the rural neighborhood in this state.
About the time that Iowa emerged from the territorial condition and was
admitted to the Union as a state there arrived a worthy couple from
the east and cast their fortunes with the new commonwealth. Joseph
G. Hazlewood, who was a nati\e of Virginia, had tarried long enough
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 559
in Indiana to find a wife in tiie person of Deborah E. Downing, and
witii lier lie settled on a farm in Jefferson county. He tilled his land
there in the usual way for some years, and in 1857 made a change of
location to Mercer county, Missouri, where he remained eight years,
coming thence to Appanoose county, his death here occurring at the age
of eighty-one years, and his w'ife died when seventy-one years old. Of
their eight children seven are living, and among these is included the
prosperous farmer at Iconium whose operations it is now the intention to
describe.
George C. Hazlewood was born on the farm first occupied by his
father in JefYerson county, near Fairfield, January 9, 1852. He grew up
and received his education in that vicinity and other localities, but be-
fore reaching his majority decided to take unto himself a wife. This
resolve was carried out July 13, 1871, by his marriage to Melinda E.
McKern, a girl of Iowa nati\ity, who died in Nebraska a few years sub-
sequent to her union, at the age of twenty-eight years. She was a
daughter of John and Celaw (Van Doren) McKern, natives of Indiana
and the parents of twelve children, of whom five reached mature years
and there are now living: Jabez and Hannah Graham, residents of
Moravia; and Mr. Hazlewood's present wife. Dilemma. Of the five
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hazlewood, two are living: Bertie C.
and Rena M., the last named being the wife of Edgar Breese, and they
have one soiiv Loyd B.
During this first union Mr. Hazlewood bought a small tract of land,
mostly in its raw state, sixty acres. Three years later he bought eighty
acres more, but in two years he sold the larger tract for a handsome
profit. In a few years he i)urchased sixty acres adjoining the first pur-
chase and as time i)asse(l on Mr. Hazlewood sold this farm, consisting of
560 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
one hundred and twenty acres, after occupying it eight years. With
a speculative turn lieretofore noticed Mr. Hazlewood made another pur-
chase of one hundred and sixty acres. This, too, he sold two years
later, and purchased one hundred and five acres adjoining the village of
Iconium, on which he resided for eight years. But during this time,
owing to the poor health of his wife. Mr. Hazlewood went to Nebraska
for the benefit of his wife's health, but all in vain. His wife. Melinda
E., died in Nebraska September iS, i88j, and Mr. Hazlewood returned
to liis farm at Iconium. On the 13th of November, 1883. Mr. Hazle-
wood contracted a second marriage, with the widow of L. B. Huttim.
a sister of his first wife. She has one lixing child l)y her first husband.
John \\'.. who married Lena Young, and they have a daughter named
I-'ern. After his second marriage Mr. lia/.levvood tocjk uj) his residence
on the one hundred and fi\e acre farm, but he soon sold it in small lots,
with the profit that usuall\- accompanies his real estate transactions. The
fine farm he owns at the present time was obtained !»}■ purchase at dif-
ferent times, in three tracts, numbering ninet\-five, fort}- and one hun-
dred and twenty acres, respectively, but he afterwards disposed of the
largest tract and bought instead eighty acres in Monroe county, adjoin-
ing the balance of his land. As the result of liis various deals Mr.
Hazlewood now enjoys that happy state which is usually summed up by
the expressive phrase, "well fixed." and few men of his age can make a
better financial showing with no greater capital to start on. Mr. Hazle-
wood's farnnng is of the kind usually described as mixed or general, but
he has paid some attention to blooded stcx-k, showing a preference for
hogs of the best grades. He understands the business thoroughly,
whether on its speculative or practical side, and possesses that valuable
faculty for all business men of knowing how to make things pay.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 561
Tliougli nut witliout that intelligent interest in politics that be-
speaks the good citizen, and keeping an eye on the parties in campaign
times, he cares nothing for office, but has consented to act as justice of
the peace and member of the school board. He has alwa}-s affiliated
with the Rcpul)lican party and cast his first vote for R. B. Hayes in that
statesman's memorable contest for the presidency in 1876 against Sam-
uel J. TiUlen. Though not officially connected with any religious de-
nomination, he usually attends services at the Christian church with his
wife, who is a member.
LEMONT A. PEPPERS.
This gentleman, who is the proprietor of a popular livery barn that
goes by his name, though one of the youngest business men of the city,
is already ranked among the most progressive. He displays rare tact
an acumen in lousiness affairs, is resourceful and enterprising as to
methods and improx'ements, and gi\'es promise of becoming one of the
solid citizens from a capitalistic standpoint. His stable is especially
popular with the young people of the cit_\', who are attracted by the
courtesies and obliging spirit of the jiroprietor as well as by his well
groonictl stock and neat outfits.
Mr. Peppers' grandparents were Reuben and Catherine (Bl^vins)
Peppers, the former a Kentuckiau, who left his native state in boyhood
and died in Kansas at the age of sixty-five years. His wife died in
Milledgeville, .\i)panoose county, Iowa, at the age of sixty-three years,
after becoming the mother of nine children. Of tlie.se five are still liv-
ing, and among the number is William l'e])pers of .Mbia. lie was bt)rn
in Ashe countv, Xorth Carolina, and was reared on a farm, trained to
562 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the different kinds of agricultural work, and as he grew up obtained his
education in the district schools. He remained at home until eighteen
years of age, and then went to Jackson county, Missouri, but six months,
later went to Van Buren county. Iowa, where he spent eight months, go-
ing thence to Ottumwa. Subsequently settling in the northwest part of
Appanoose county, he built one of the first sawmills ever seen in that
section, which he operated for some years with moderate success. Later
he located on a farm in the same township, which he cultivated many
years, but finally rented his property and came to Albia. He invested
in the implement, hardware, harness and vehicle business, anil has since
given all of his attention to this line of trade.
In Ottumwa, in 1853, Mr. Peppers was united in marriage to
Martha Jane Houck, who became the mother of seven children : Wil-
liam H., Francis M., Mary .Mice, deceased; Drusilla, Sherman, Florence
and Fred. Mrs. Peppers died in 1874, and in 1875 Mr. Peppers married
Martina Hiserman. They have become the parents of three children :
Rov C, Austin \V. and Lemont A.
JOHN W. SHAH AX.
J. W. Shahan is the proprietor of the fine farm. Harvest Home, in
Walnut valley, Monroe county, and almost all that he possesses has been
acquired through his own labor, guided by sound judgment. He is now
seventy-five years of age, but still manages his business interests and is
an active, enterprising man, of sound judgment and progressive siprit.
He has resided in this county since 1853, and is therefore classed among
the pioneer settlers, for at that time comparatively few homes had been
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 563
established in tlie county and the wuric of iniprovenient largely lay in
the future.
Mr. Shahan is a native of West Virginia, his birth having occurred
in Harrison county, Feliruary 17. 1828. His paternal grandfather,
John Shahan, was also a native of West Virginia, of Irish descent, and
both he and his wife died in that state. Their son, Richard Shahan,
was born in Preston county. West Virginia, and was reared to farm life,
following agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career.
He married FJizabeth Dakon, also a native of West Virginia and a
daughter of George Dakon of Harrison county. On the paternal side
she was of German lineage and on the maternal side of English
descent. Richard and Elizabeth Shahan became the parents of eight
children : Elizabeth, Mary Ann, John W., Martha, Charity, Edmond
D., Sarah J. and Sabra. 1 hese eight children were reared to woman-
hood and manhood without having a doctor called to see any of them.
The mother was a consistent member of the Baptist church aaid died in
that faith when forty-five years of age. For his second wife Mr.
Shahan chose Margaret Williams, and they had five children : Column
bia, Jehu and Elihu, twins, Eppie and Joshua H. The father was also
a member of the Baptist church, anil his political support was given to
the Democracy. He died at the age of eighty-five years.
In the state of his nativity J. W. Shahan was reared and educated,
and aside from the lessons learned in the schoolroom his parents in-
stilled into his mind lessons of industr)- and integrity. He would often
stud)- at home at night by the light of a pine torch, for he was desirous
of impro\ing his knowledge, and after feeding forty head of cattle
gladly walked the distance of two miles which lay between his home
and the school in order that lie might enjoy the educational advantages
564 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
there afforded. When nearl\- tweiity-lwo }-ears of age he was married
in Harrison county, West Virginia, to Miss Emeline Drunimond, a
daughter of Wilford Drummond and Xancy Tharp, both of whom lie
buried in Monroe county, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Shahan began their domestic hfe in West Virginia,
but in 1853 came to Monroe county, Iowa, coming by way of the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers to Keokuk, Iowa, and thence across tlie country
to their destination. Mr. Shalian secured a tract of good Land, well
watered and comprising l)oth timlier and valley land. This farm today
comprises two hundred and eighty-eight acres of rich land on sections
II and 13. Mantua town.ship, upon which he has erected a fine residence
at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars. The barn is thirty by fifty feet
and has a rock basement. There is a fine Ijearing orchard, beautiful
groves, pastures of blue grass and meadows of hay in addition to the
fields adapted to the cultivation of grain. He has a fine herd of thor-
oughbred English red polled cattle, including some of the best specimens
of the breed in the state. Among the number are seven young bulls.
Mr, Shahan owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Allen
county, Kansas, where use is made of the natural gas on that place; also
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pleasant township, this
county, together with other i)roperty, having wisely placed his money
in the safest of all investments, real estate. As the years have passed
his jiossessions have steadily increased as the result of his careful man-
agement and good business judgment, and he is now one of the men of
affluence in Monroe county. He gives his jujlitical support to men and
measures irrespective of party ties, and has served as county super-
visor.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shahan were born seven children: Mrs. Mary
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 5G5
E. Bell, of Eddyville, Iowa; Wilford A. I., who is engaged in tlie real
estate and claim business in Portland, Oregon; Edmond Lee, who died
at the age of nine years and twenty-five days ; Jackson, who is a drill in-
spector and expert in core drilling and now in Pennsylvania; John La-
favette, of Chicago, Illinois, serving as pattern maker with the Stand-
ard Oil Company; Mrs. Jennie Bowman, of Port Angeles, Washington;
and George H., at home. The mother of these children passed away,
but her memory is still enshrined in the hearts of those who knew her
because she was a good Christian woman, an acti\-e member of the
Christian church, a faithful friend and a devoted wife and mother. In
1878 Mr. Shahau was again married, his second union being with Mrs.
Sarah Elizabeth (Smith) Berry, a native of Johnson county, Illinois,
and a daughter of D. H. and Emeline (Gosney) Smith, both of whom
died in Wapello county. Iowa. By her first marriage Mrs. Shahan had
three children : Mrs. Mary Canfield, who died in Kansas ; and two
who are living, Elvin Berry, of South Dakota; and Clara, wife of
Arthur Jones, of Washington. By her second marriage, to David
Swope, Mrs. Shahan had two children: Vienna, the wife of George
Burkman, of Mantua township; and Ermina. wife of Alonzo Bellman,
of Chillicothe, Iowa. By his second marriage Mr. Shahan has two
children: Richard F., a student in the Iowa City Medical College; and
Mabel G., at home. Mr. Shahan votes in the main with the Democratic
party. He has been a delegate to the farmers' congress held at Fort
Worth, Texas, and is interested in all that pertains to the promotion of
agricultural interests. He has ser\ed as county supervisor and is an
elder in the Christian cluux'ji, of which he has long been a faithful mem-
ber. Whatever has for its object the betterment of mankind receives his
34
566 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
endorsement, and he is widely acknowledged as a citizen of worth in his
adopted county.
EMERY CHIDESTER.
There is no more hospitable home in Monroe county than that of
Mr. and Mrs. Emery Qiidester, in Urbana township. The owner is a
leading agriculturist, a genial man and one who makes friends wherever
he goes. Moreover he is one of the native sons of the county, his birth
having occurred on the old family homestead in Mantua township,
March i6, 1862. His father, Zadoc Chidester, had come to this county
at an early day, locating here in 1846, the year of the admission of the
state into the Union. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan
Tharp, was a native of Virginia, antl their children were Morg; Sarah;
Lee; Hulda; Floyd; Mary; Jenny; Zadoc; Elliott, who is living in
Tacoma, Washington; Emery,; h^'ank, at home; and Grant, deceased.
The father of this family passed away in Monroe county at the advanced
age of eighty-six years, after having lived to see the county emerge from
its primitive condition and pioneer environments to take its place with
the leading counties of the commonwealth.
In field and meadow through the period of his boyhood, Emery
Chidester worked when not engaged with the duties oi the schoolroom,
and thus he gained practical knowledge of farming methods and was well
qualified to carry on agricultural jnnsuits for himself when he had
reached man's estate. .\t the age of twenty-one years he married
Anna Mahon, who was born in county Antrim, Ireland, a daughter of
David Mahon. who was a second cousin of General McMahon of the
French arm v. lie had two uncles who came to the United States and
BIOGRAPHICAL AKW GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 5G7
served in the Revolutionary war. David Mahon, having arrived at
years of maturity, married Maria Dunn, and in 1863 crossed tlie broad
Atlantic to America, settling in Urhana township, Monroe county, upon
a fami. He carried on farming and merchandising throughout liis
remaining days, and died at the age of seventy-four years. After lie-
coming a naturalized American citizen he supported the Repul:)licaa
party, and in his religious views was a Unitarian. His widow is still
living, at the age of seventy-three years, and makes her home with her
daughter. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children :
Anna; Dave; Mrs. Jane Burk; Mrs. Agnes Peck; Mrs. Isabelle
Miller; Mrs. Delphine Angel, who is a widow and is engaged in teach-
ing in Polk county, Iowa; Mrs. Emma Angel; Mrs. Lotta Goodwine;
and Mary, who died at the age of nine weeks.
" At the time of his marriage Mr. Chidester began farming on his
own account, and that his years have been years of industry and per-
severance is shown by the fact that he is now the possessor of a valu-
able farm of four hundred and twenty-three acres, constituting one of
the finest farms of Monroe county. Upon it is a splendid home of
twelve rooms, which was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars.
Its attractive furnishings give evidence of the cultured taste of the in-
mates, and the piano shows their love of music. Around the home is a
well kept lawn and in the rear are substantial farm buildings for the
shelter of grain and stock. He buys, feeds and ships cattle and horses,
and this as well as the production of grain proves a profitable depart-
ment of his business.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chidester have been born eight children : Mar-
cia, Dave F., Ansel Tecumseh, S. Delia, Emma Agnes, Vesta Lucrctia,
Emery Hale, and they also lost an infant son. The parents are sincere
568 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
members of the Christian church and Mr. Qiidester is a Democrat in his
poHtical views. Honorable in business relations, loyal in citizenship and
the champion of all measures tending toward the betterment of man-
kind, Mr. Chidester is respected throughout the community, and his
life record illustrates the power of industry ami integrity in winning
success.
THOMAS WESLEY KILLION.
The parents of this enterprising Iowa editor were Thomas Jeffer-
son and Jeanette Ann Killion. The former was a merchant and also
held the oflice of justice of the peace for several years. In this latter
position he made a reputation for liis decisions, and throughout his
section of the country was considered an oracle on all legal and political
questions. This extensive knowledge was due to his voracious reading
of all bcKjks and papers, and his constant intercourse with men for many
years.
Thomas Wesley Killion was born to these parents at Orleans,
Appanoose county, Iowa, July 7, i860. The good mental training
which has al all times been of value to him in his career he obtained
in the common schools of his vicinit\-, supplemented with constant read-
ing of the best books and periodicals. He early manifested considerable
talent in the line of vocal music, and the only schooling which he was
privileged] to enjoy away from home was the brief time he spent in
the musical department of the Iowa \\'eslcyan University at Mount
Pleasant. He had been reared to the work of the farm, and in connec-
tion with this pursuit at the age of twenty he began teaching music,
which he carried on during the winter months for the following twelve
# ^
THOl^AS W. KILLION.
RK
riLOEN F«, .eA!,o;,4.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 571
years. His versatilit}- has also been shown in his writing of several
musical compositions, which have been published. Mr. Killion has
been connected with the Aloulton Sun in the capacity of editor and
proprietor for live years. This is one of the leading papers of Appa-
noose county and was established on March i, 1898. It is a Democratic
organ, and its motto is "Equal rights to all, special pri\ileges to none"
— most fitting in this age of trusts and monopolies.
]\Ir. Killion's first public office was that of justice of the peace, to
which he was elected in Washington township, Appanoose county, in
1887, and he has been re-elected and has held the ofiice altogether for
three years. In the fall of 1893 President Cleveland appointed hira
postmaster of ^Nloulton, antl he tcKik charge of the office on the first of
December and held it, with credit to himself, till February 5, 1898. He
has alwaxs been a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and from his
entrance into politics has been a member of the county committee. He
is now a member of the eighth district Democratic congressional com-
mittee and is chairman of the Democratic county central committee.
His Democracy has always been based upon the good old doctrine of
a tariff for the purpose of revenue only.
In 1891 Mr. Killion became connected with the Knights of
Pythias; in Ajjril, 1896, he joined the Modern Woodmen of America
as a charter meml)er. and was elected to the office of worthy adxiser
and has served in some official capacity in Moulton Camp No.
3799 since its organization, serving now his third term as \enerabie
consul, the presiding ofificer of the order. In March, 1900, he joined
the Brotherhood of .\merican Veonien as a member of Moulton Home-
stead No. 374, and was soon elected to the office of correspondent,
which he held for three terms; he is ntiw the honorable foreman, or the
572 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
presiding officer of the homestead. Mr. KilHoii has been identified
with the work of the Christian cliurch since he was eighteen years
old, and his religious views are in conformity with this organization.
On April 2, 1885, Mr. Killion was married to Miss Sarah Frances
Clark. Her father was a Union soldier in the Civil war and was a
devout member and for many years a minister of the Methodist church.
Carl G. Killion, the first child of this happy union, was born March 6,
1886; the next in order of birth was Floj'd, born March 3, 18S8;
Paul was born June 13, 1893; and Pearl was born July 12, 1897.
WILLIAM BROTHERS.
Many are the natives of the green land of Ireland who have come
to America and car\ed fur themselves a niche in the great western re-
public and ha\c found the jxisition and the opportunities for accumulat-
ing property which would ne\cr have been afiforded them in the old
country, and in this numlier we must reckon one of the old citizens
of Monroe county, who has been a resident of the county for over half a
century and well deserves mention among the prominent men of the
county.
Michael Brothers, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a
native of Tipperary county, Ireland, and his wife, Mary Brj-an, was of
the same c<iunty. They li\ed and died in the land of their birth and be-
came the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters : Cath-
erine, John. Michael, Daniel, Patrick, William and Mary.
William Brothers was born over three-quarters of a century ago,
about the year 1825. in county Tipperary, and spent the early years of his
life in his native land. When alxnU twenty-six years old he emigrated
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 573
to America, and coming west to Iowa Ijought eighty acres of improved
land in JMonroe county. A few years later he was married and then
removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where for about three years he worked at
blacksmithing, and tlien came to Monroe county and located on the farm
where he now lives. He owns about two hundred and forty acres of
land, all under a good state of impro\-ement, and Mr. Brothers has the
name of being one of the successful farmers of the county.
In 1857 Mr. Brothers was united in marriage to Miss Catherine
Conroy, who was born in Queens county, Ireland, and was the daughter
of James Conroy, who died soon after his arrival at St. Louis, Mis-
souri; she spent her childhood in Ireland and came to this country with
her parents. There were eight children b()rn to Mr. and INIrs. Brothers,
three .sons and five daughters: Mike and James, twins; Mary, Cath-
erine, Annie, Elizabeth, Julia and John. Mr. Brothers has been promi-
nent in the local affairs of the township: he has been township trustee
and a member of the school board for several terms ; in politics he
adheres to the Democratic party. He is now about seventy-seven years
old and his estimable wife is eighty-two, lioth having passed the allotted
span of life. They are zealous members of the St. Patrick's church at
Georgetown and they gave liberally of their means and influence to
build it.
HUGH Q. ADAMS.
Nature has been lavish in her gifts to .\merica. Each section of
the country has been provided witli at least one source of income. New
England has its splendid lumber regions, renn.sylvania its coal fields,
the .south produces cotton, the west has its rich mineral deposits and the
broad Mississippi valley is the agricultural district of the country, and
574 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
it is upon the agriculturist more than any other class of citizens that
the prosperity and upbuilding of the country depends. Iowa is one of
the best cereal-producing portions of the entire land, while its rich pas-
ture lands afiford ample opportunity to the stock-raiser. Mr. Adams is
among those who are devoting their time and energies to farming, his
valuable homestead being located in Bluff Creek township. He was
born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of April, 1844, and is
a son of Alexander M. and tiarriet (Ouinn) Adams, natives of Alle-
gheny count)-, Pennsylvania, where the former died at the age of sev-
enty-six years and the latter when she had reached the age of forty
years. This worthy couple liecame the parents of fourteen children,'
eight of whom are still living.
From his early youth Hugh O. Adams has been identified with ag-
ricultural pursuits. When he was eighteen years of age the Civil war
broke out and he offered his services in defense of the Union cause,
entering Company H, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Infantry,
under the command of Captain Orman. His military career covered a
period of three years, on the expiration of which he received an hon-
orable discharge at Washington, D. C, for the war had ended and the
country no longer needed his services. Returning to his old home in
the Keystone state, he there resumed the more quiet duties of the farm
and was thus engaged until about twenty years ago. when, in 1882, he
came to Iowa. His valuable farm of two hundred acres is located six
miles north of Albia. in BlufY Creek township, and all of the many and
substantial improvements thereon stand as monuments to his thrift and
excellent business ability. He is engaged in diversified farming and
stock-raising, and in both lines of endeavor is meeting with a high and
well merited degree of success.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 575
The marriage of Mr. Adams was celebrated on the 8tli of October,
1868, when Aliss i\Iar\' Martha Clever became his wife. She, too, was
born in the old Keystone state, in Allegheny county, and is a daughter
of Martin and Elizabeth (DeGroft) Clever. Her paternal grandparents
were Martin and Mary Magdalene (Minick) Clever, while on the
maternal side she is a granddaugiiter of Adam and Eve DeGroft.
Martin Clever, the grandfather, survived until about eighty-three years
of age, and his wife reached the age of seventy-five years, Ixith dying
in Pennsylvania. IMartin Clever, the father of Mrs. Adams, was born
near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but when nine years of age he remoxed
to Allegheny county, that state, six miles northwest of Pittsburg. In the
spring of 1869 he came to Iowa, first locating north of Albia, but sub-
sequently removed to that city, and there he still resides. His wife, a
native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, died in Allegheny county,
that state, at the age of thirty-seven years. Ten children were born of
this union, and with one exception all are still Ii\ing, are married and
have families of their own. Mrs. Adams remained on the old home
farm until her marriage, and she, too, has become the mother of ten
children, one of whom, LeRoy, died at the age of four years and three
months. Those living are as follows: Martin H., who is married and
has two children, and the family reside in Chicago, Illinois; Alexander
George, whose wife died in .\lbia, leaving two children, and they are
being reared b\' our subject and his wife; Elniira P., who is married
and has two children; Roljert L., who also has two children and is en-
gaged in business in .\lbia; Mary M.. who is married and had two chil-
dren, one of whom is now deceased; (den L., who is engaged in operat-
ing the home place,; Nannie C, who is married and has one child ; iahel
G., who is married and has one child; and .\vis .\., at home. The chil-
576 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
dren reflect miicli credit upiin the parents, and the family is one of prom-
inence in the locahty in which they reside.
JAMES A. CALHOUN.
The above named is one of the well established farmers of Frank-
lin township and enjoys general respect among his neighbors and fellow
citizens generally. This is proved jjy the fact that he has lieen entrusted
with the important office of assessor as well as the consideration accorded
him in all movements affecting the pul)lic interest. Mr. Calhoun's
paternal ancestry were residents of the Scottish highlands, so famous in
song and story and the background for many of Sir Walter Scott's
charming romances. As the highlanders were born fighters, it is not
sur])rising to learn that Joseph Alexander Calhoun, the first of this
family who crossed the .\tlantic. had been ashore but a short time
when found helping his adopted country against the British in the
war of 1812. This gallant old highlander, who subsequently ended
his days in Indiana after living at different times in other states, left a
son whom he christened Da\id Bell Calhoun. The latter was born
in .'Mleghen}- count}-, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and after growing up en-
gaged in farming, but later taught school and clerked in a store for
awhile at Wheeling, West Virginia. There li\ed in Allegheny in those
days a family by the name of Fife, and as they were also of Scottish
origin it was natural that David should have been drawn towards them
on account of racial affinities. It is pleasant to learn, therefore, that
in time a match was made between David Bell Calhoun and Margaret
B., daughter of William Fife. .\n intermarriage between the Cal-
houns and F"ifes was peculiarly appropriate, a reunion as it were of
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 577
the Scottish clans, whose cliivalrous bearing, daring deeds, love affairs
and wild war music add much spice to the history of the highlands.
After marriage this couple lived many years in the section of country
bordering on the upper Ohio, but in 1874 decided to try their fortunes
in the distant west. Their journey brought them to Appanoose county,
Iowa, where a location was found on land in Chariton township, on
which they lived until Mv. Calhoun's death in 1894. They had nine
children in all, but of these only five are now living, namely : W. F.,
James A., John B., Mary J. Kingery, of Brighton, and C. C, of Sioux
Falls, South Dakota.
James A. Calhoun, second in age of the surx'iving children, was
born in Belmont count}-, Ohio, in 1855, and was a young man when his
parents came to this section of country. About five vears after his
arrival, when twent}-fi\e years old, he engaged in .teaching, and fol-
lowed this occupation for eight or ten seasons in Monroe and adjoin-
ing counties. Tn 1882 he went to South Dakota, took up a claim and
spent about eight years in that territory. At the expiration of that
period he returned to Monroe county and engaged in farming, which has
since continued to be his regular occupation. His place consists of
a hundred acres of land, which is all impro\ed and comfortably pro-
vided as to residence, outbuildings and other impro\-ements. Mr. Cal-
houn is regarded as a good farmer and esteemed as a man of industrial
habits, who attends strictly to his own business and is honorable in all
dealings with his neighbors. While living in South Dakota he held
the office of trustee, and is at present assessor of Franklin township. In
1884 he married Martha C, daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Potts)
Kinehart, who are mentioned in a family sketch im another page of
this work. Mrs. Calhoun, who was a member of the Christian church.
578 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
was imicli esteemed in the social circles to which she belonged as a kind
and affectionate mother and accommodating neighbor. She died in
1890, leaving two children, whose names are Mary D. and Carl H.
Calhoun. /
JOHN R. CLARK.
The paternal ancestors of Mr. Clark were New Englanders. and his
father, ^^'areham G. Clark, was born and reared in the state of Con-
necticut, and engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York city for
several years prior to coming west in 1H40. On August 2^. 1843, 'i*^
Troy, Van Buren county, Iowa, he married Jane L. Rankin, a native of
Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish parentage. This worthy couple were among
tlic \-cry first to come to the newly' opened territor_\- of Iowa, taking up
their abi)de in Monroe, or. as it was then called, Kishkekosh
county, at a place afterward known as Clarks Point, three miles north-
west of Albia, where young Clark had made claim on May i, 1S43. ^^
was f)ne of the enterprising farmers of the county, and remained here
until his death, June 16. 1890. in his seventy-eighth year. He was
the representative of Monroe and Appanoose counties in the second
constitutional conxention, held in Iowa City in May, 1846, and in other
ways was prominently connected with the history of the growth and de-
\elopment of Monroe county. His wife died in 1898, in her se\enty-
tliinl year, hax'ing become the mother of twelve children, one daughter
and eleven sons, all of whom are now lixing; the oldest is fifty-eight
years of age and the youngest thirty-si.x. and tni of them are residents
of Monroe county, one of Nebraska and one of Idaho.
One of the twelve is John R. Clark, who was born at Clarks
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 579
Point, Monroe county. January 3, 1855, and lias lieen a continuous
resident of tliis county ever ?ince, with the exception of two years spent
in Nebraska, from 1878 to 1880. In tlie same year as his birth the
parents sold tlie original place with the intention of moving to Texas,
but the)- were deterred from this course l.iy the sickness of John R.,
which was thus a fateful e\ent and probalily changed the course of the
lives of the whole family. The parents then bought the place which
has ever since been known as the old homestead, situated four and one-
half miles southwest of Albia. and where the children all grew up and
received such educational advantages as were obtainable in the tlistrict
schools. Mr. Clark has alwa}-s been a,n observant man, and has thus
supplemented the knowledge which he obtained in his youth so as to be
prepared for a successful business career. And the fact that he was
reared on a farm, with all its wholesome environments, and that he has
been taught the habits of economy and industry and has been strictly
temperate and mural in his life, have all aided him in attaining an in-
fluential place in the world. He engaged in farming, threshing and
sawmilling for some time, and later, with his older brother, W. Grant
Clark, opened an agricultural implement store in Albia under the name
of Clark Brothers. This is one of the leading firms in the county.
The proprietors have dealt extensively in real estate and now own nearly-
one th(jusand acres of land in the county, and besides dealing in imple-
ments carr_\- a stock of tlour, feed, etc., and are proprietors of Clark
Brothers and Company, undertakers and dealers in furniture, this es-
tablishment being the leading business of that kind in the county.
Mr. Clark has always been interested in political matters and has
mainly voted with the Democratic party since he attained his majority.
In November. 189J, he was elected county auditor .-md served two years,
580 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
but was defeated in the race for re-election by the RepubHcan landsHde
in 1894. In 1896 and 1900 he was one of the delegates from the sixth
district of Iowa to the national Poptilists" conventions. In 1896 he
became the owner of the Monroe County News, the only Democratic
paper in the county, and it is largely due to his management that the
paper has gained such a foothold in Monroe county and has become
one of the leading Democratic organs of southern Iowa. Mr. Clark
is a member of the Masonic order, and in religious matters assumes lib-
era! views.
On March 2, 1883, Mr. Clark was married at Creston, Iowa, to
Miss Lilla E. Boggs. who was born and reared in Monroe countv, the
oldest child of Percy and Jemima Boggs, who also were among the very
earliest settlers of Monroe county and are still living at Albia. They
are both of X'irginia l)irth. Her grandfather, Josiah C. Boggs, built the
first house in Troy township, and possiblv in the county, for it was
constructed as soon as possible after the first day of May. 1843. Mr.
Boggs was prominent in the early history of the county and died at the
age of eighty-three years, having reared a large family. The children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark are: Lura R., born April 23, 1884; M.
Grace, September 23, 1885; Wareham drant. March 9, 1887; Lilla E.
Beth, June 18. 1890; and Jessie R., .\pril 2j, 1894. Tlie two oldest are
graduates of the Albia high school, and (Irace completed a course at the
C. C. C. College of Des Moines in stenography and typewriting. The
family reside in a modest home in tiie north part of Albia. and here Mr.
Clark devotes much of his time to fruit culture when not occupied with
his business.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 581
SAMUEL N. BELL.
How x'aried and many are the uses of biography! After all, man
is but a unit in the vast concourse of humanity moving on to a higher
goal, whose ranks are being constantly depleted and as quickly filled
again, and when viewed in the distance of time each individual is lost
in the mass unless some tlistinguishing mark is found, and therefore
most useful is l)iograph}- to record the deeds of those who will soon
step out of the ranks and give place to the onward coming youth, and in
this record of the past will men of the future find encouragement and
hope. In the life of Samuel N. Bell will be found much worthv of
emulation, and he well deserves a page in this work which is given to the
memory of the men and women of Appanoose county.
William and Minerx'a (Nichols) Bell were the father and mother of
this gentleman and both claim Washington county, Pennsylvania, as the
place of their nativit}-. and in that county they were united in marriage.
William Bell was a wagon and cabinet maker by trade. In the spring
of 1853 they mo\ed to Wapello county, Iowa, where thev resided until
the outbreak of the Ci\il war; Mr. Bell then enlisted in a company of
Iowa infantry, and in 1862, when fifty years old, he died in St. Louis
of pneumonia contracted while in the service. Mrs. Bell survived many
years, passing away in 1897, when at the ad\-anced age of eighty-two
years. Of the six children of these parents the subject of this sketch
is the only one now living.
Samuel X. Bell came into the world in I'ayette county, Pennsvl-
vania, on the 5th of I''cbruary, 1844. He grew up to manliood much
after the manner of f)ther boys and was early introduced to the practical
side of life, and owing to the earl_\- death of his father he launched
582 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
out into an independent course in life wiien only a bo3^ In 1869 '''^
married Miss Hannah Maria Rice, who was born in Mercer county,
Pennsylvania; she came west to Iowa several years before her parents
made the journey and made her home with her brother in Cincinnati,
Iowa. After their marriage Mr. and Airs. Bell settled down to married
life on what is known as the old Bell farm and were there actively en-
gaged in farming until 1893. when they removed to their present com-
fortable home west of Cincinnati, where they carry on general farming
operations on one hundred acres of choice land.
Four children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, Init oulv
two of these are now living. Edwin R. Bell is a farmer and resides
on the place just east of the home farm; Delia Bell lives at home with
her parents. The family are members of the Baptist church (jf Liv-
ingston and are highly respected thmughnut the cummunitv where thev
have so long been useful citizens.
LIVINGSTON G. PARKER.
This gentleman, who is at present living a retired life at Living-
ston, is one of those interesting characters whom every one likes to
meet and talk to. He appeals to us an honored veteran of the Civil
war, in which he rose to the rank of captain, as a minister of the gospel,
as one of the early pioneers and a man of many varied occupations at
different periotls of life. Having lived long and always been a close
observer, Mr. Parker can talk entertainingly on a large variety of
subjects, and it well repays an effort to "draw him out" concerning
events he has witnessed or been a part of. When it is mentioned that
Mr. Parker was born in the }ear of the battle of Waterloo, it will be
LIVINGSTON G. PARKER.
THE NEW YORK
prinrrrr rcaj^i^y
riLOEN F«UN»AnoNS.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 585
readily apprehended how large a scope of the world's greatest history
is embraced within the limits of his career. ^Vhen he was a baby James
Madison was President of the United States, Victoria had not begtm
to rule England, Napoleon was emperor of France, the state where he
now lives had not even been organized into a territory, but was still a
wilderness filled with Indians and wolves, which made night hideous
with their hungry howlings. It was his fortune to take an active part
as a pioneer in one of the American states and to be in touch, as a soldier
or civilian, with the mighty events which led up to the Civil war or
occurred during the four years of its continuance. He is a grandson
of Joseph W. and Abigail Parker, the former of Massachusetts and
the latter of Vermont, who settled in New York after their marriage.
The grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, and after the con-
clusion of peace engaged in farming, which was his principal occupa-
tion throughout his life. The father of our subject, Jeremiah Parker,
died in his seventy-seventh year, while his wife Abigail, whose death
occurred but a few years ago, had attained the age of ninety.
Livingston G. Parker, a son of the above mentioned couple, was
born in Watertown, New York, February 7, 1815. and as he grew up
secured an unusually good education for those days. Besides going
through the common schools, he was graduated from the Belleville
Academy and took a course in civil engineering. He next entered
Union College, now Union Lhiiversity, at Schnenectady, New York,
in which he was graduated in 1835. After teaching school for a num-
ber of years in nnrthern New York, he commenced the reading of law
with his uncle, Orson I'.arker, wlio afterward l)ecame noted as a re-
vivalist, but our subject was ne\-er ailmilled to the bar. Tu 1838 he
removed to Ohio, where he was emi)loyed as an engineer in construct-
as
^
586 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ing the Miami canal, and in that state, on the 2d of June, 1841, he
was united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. Barney, a sister of a college-
mate, with whcmi he had been associated in the building of the canal.
Their wedding tour consisted of a trip to northeastern Indiana, where
Mr. Parker secured employment in constructing dams and water power
for a milling company. He afterward conducted a book store at
Urijana, Ohio, for a time, and both he and his wife taught in the
public schools of that city for several years. They came to Appanoose
county. Iowa, in 1854, settling at Livingston, where he has ever since
resided. After improving his farm to some extent he engaged with
J. T. Place in editing the Appanoose Chieftain, but publishing a paper
in Centerxille at that time was an uphill vocation, and he soon aban-
doned the business, although to him is accorded the honor of being
the first Republican editor of the county. He taught school one winter
in Pleasant township, and among his pupils was C. A. Stanton, with
whom he has kept up a lifelong friendship. During the years of 1859-
60 Mr. Parker was engaged in surxeying a route for the proposed State
Line Railroad, which was afterward built and kntjwn as the Missouri,
Iowa & Nebraska, now a part of the Burlington system.
When the Civil war was inaugurated, though past the age of mili-
tary duty, in company with his eldest son. Mr. Parker enlisted in
Company B, Sixth Kansas Cavalry, and shared its fortunes until in
May, 1863. He had previously been made quartermaster sergeant and
was then given a recruiting commission for Company M, Sixth Kansas
Cavalry, but was almost immediately given command of Company B
of that regiment and stationed at Westport, Missouri, Captain Harvey
and the lieutenants being on detached ser\ice, while later he became
first lieutenant of Company M, l-'ifth Kansas Cavalry, and afterward
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 58T
captain of the company. The company was a typical frontier crowd,
composed of Mexicans, Indians, soldiers from the regular army and
men from almost every state in the Union and of almost every nation-
ality and occupation, but this company has a record not excelled by any
that served in the Civil war. They engaged in the pursuit of Ouantrell
after the burning of Lawrence, Kansas, and on that occasion were in
the saddle for thirty-six hours continuously. \\'hen the regiment was
mustered out, after three years of service. Companies L and M. which
were recruited later, were consolidated under Captain Parker, attached
to the Fifteenth Kansas and marched across the plains to Fort Larned,
Kansas. They afterward made the return march to Fort Leavenworth
and were mustered out in October, 1865.
During the seven years Mr. Parker had resided in Appanoose
county prior to the war he had engaged in farming, school teaching,
surveying, editing a newspaper, and in addition had been licensed to
preach by the Baptist denomination, of which churcli he had been a
member for years. In the summer of 1866 he was regularly ordained
and called to the pastorate of the Baptist church at St. John, Missouri,
at which place, together with Exline and Livingston, in this county, he
preached for a number of years. In 187 1 he was a candidate on the
Republican ticket for the position of state senator, but was defeated
1>y Senator E. J. Gault. The six children resulting from his marriage
were: Edward L.,: John, deceased; Benjamin; Charles; Will, de-
ceased; and Albert L. .\fter a happy married life of o\'er fift)--three
years the wife died in 1894, and since that time Captain Parker has
made his home with his sons, Benjamin and Charles, where he has en-
joyed the love and respect of a nnich larger circle of friends than usually
falls to the lot of man. He became a resident of this commonwealth
588 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
soon after its admission into tlie Union, availing himself of an oppor-
tunity to join one of those wagon trains quite common in those days,
made up of kimbering vehicles called "prairie schooners," and often
containing parties of several scores of people. In this slow-moving
outfit he journeyed west, and was on the road many days before reach-
ing his destination in Appanoose county. Iowa. He became the founder
of the town of Livingston, which bears his name, and for years was
the postmaster of that hamlet. In 1892. feeling that he had performed
his full share, he retired from active business, and the evening of his
life is passing serenely, amid friends of long standing and grateful
relatives, but best of all in the consciousness of past time well spent
and duty well performed.
DAVID STEEL.
To a student of biography there is nothing more interesting than
to examine the history of a self-made man and to iletect the elements
of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life
many of the companions of his youth who at the outset of their careers
were more advantageously equipped or endowed. The subject of this
review has througli his own exertions attained an honorable position and
marked prestige among the representative men of the west, and with
signal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own for-
tunes and one whose succe.ss amply justifies the application of the some-
what hack-neyed but most expressive title, "a self-made man."
Mr. Steel was l>orn in Ayrshire. Scotland, on the 8th of January,
18^2, his ])arents being IMalthew and Elizabeth (Bird) Steel. They,
too. were natives of the land of hills and heather and spent their entire
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 589
lives tliere. The father followed the oceupation of fanning in order
to provide for his family, which numbered ten children.
David Steel had good common school advantages and when twelve
years of age began mining coal, a business with which he has since
been connected, either as a mine operator or owner, and to-day he is an
important factor in the development of the rich coal resources of Ap-
panoose county. Ere leaving his native land he was married in 1873 to
Miss Jean Dinning, a daughter of Matthew and ^Martha (Xicol) Din-
ning. Four children were born to them in Scotland : Matthew,
Martha, Elizabeth and Jean. W'itli his wife and children "Sir. Steel
sailed for the United States on the 3d of November, 1880. He has
never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America.
In this countr)- three other children ha\e been added to the family,
Da\'id. William and Hugh.
Making his way westward, Mr. Steel was engaged in mining coal
in Centerville and in 1883 came to Cincinnati, where he has since re-
sided. Here he was again employed as a coal miner until 1888, when
he joined several well known business men in the establishment of the
Thistle Coal Compan_\', and a shaft was sunk at what is now known as
the Thistle mine. A rich coal bed was struck and the output of the
mine soon brought an excellent financial return to the owners. Later
Mr. Steel and David Dinning purchased the interest of the other part-
ners and are now the S(jle ])roprietors of two paying and valuable mines.
In his political \iews Mr. Steel is an earnest Republican, giving a
loyal support to the men and measures of the party. He is identified
with the Ma.sonic fraternity as a Master Mason and he and his wife
hold membership in the Congregational church. He is a mo.st genial
man, easily approachable by all who may have occasion to seek an audi-
590 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
ence with him, and is very hospitable and generous, being sympathetic in
manner and nature and imbued witli a broad humanitarian spirit. His
Hfe record proves the force of untiring industry as a factor in the busi-
ness world, and although he started out for himself empty-handed he is
to-day classed among the prosperous and progressive men of his adopted
city.
CHARLES CLAWSON.
Charles Clawson is the proprieTrir of a meat market at Cinciiniati
and also a well known stock dealer. He was born in Lexington, Mc-
Lean county, Illinois, January i, 1868, and is a son of William and Min-
nie (Myers) Clawson. His father was a native of Lidiana, and his
mother of Illinois. Jesse Clawson. the paternal grandfather of our
subject, was born in Pennsylvania and was of Pennsylvania Dutch de-
scent. Hoping to enjoy better business opportunities in the west he
emigrated to Indiana at an early day in its development, and prior to
the Civil war took up his abode in Lee county. Iowa. Subsequently he
removed to Wayne county, Iowa, and died at Promise City. By occupa-
tion he was a farmer throughout his entire life. The parents of our
subject were married in Illinois and the year 1877 witnessed their ar-
rival in Iowa. They settled north of Corydon in Wayne county and
later became residents of Allerton, Iowa, where they yet reside. By
their marriage they had eight children, one of whom is deceased.
Upon his father's farm Charles Clawson was reared and early be-
came familiar with the work of tilling the soil. He obtained a common
school education. Not desiring to follow the plow as an occupation, at
nineteen he became connected with the butchering business in .\ller-
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 591
ton, where lie remained for two years. He then went to Mendota,
Missouri, and entered the employ of the Putnam Supply Company,
with which he was connected for five years. On the expiration of that
period he arri\'ed in Cincinnati, and with the money which he had saved
embarked in business on his own account as projirietor of a good meat
market here. He also deals in stock and owns tw'O imported stallions.
In his business interests he is associated with his brother-in-law, George
M. Smith.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mr. Clawson and Miss Mary
Smith, of Mendota, Missouri, and they now have three children. In his
political views Mr. Clawson is a stalwart Republican and has served as
constable and in other minor offices in his town. Socially he is identified
with the Masonic fraternit\- and with the Independent Order of United
Workmen. He has spent much of his life in Iowa, and in Cincinnati
he has become recognized as a trustworthy man of business who means
to win success through perseverance and honorable methods, and who
therefore is accorded a good patronage.
JACOB CONDRA.
One of the most pleasant diversions which one can enjoy is to hear
from his own lips the personal reminiscences of the old settler, who has
passed the greater majority of his allotted years, and now, retired from
those toils in which he once delighted, looks back to the days that are
dnly a memory and forward in hope of the future. For him there is no
present; he lives in that sweet, ([uiet interval when the tempest-tossed
world seems receding in the distance and the sea of life is narrowing
to the harbor of the evermore. Of such a character is this sketch written,
592 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
and too briefly must we record the life that is so rich in experiences of
the past.
For over lialf a century has Jacob Condra been one of the honored
residents of Appanoose county. Born in Crawford county, Indiana, on
the 25th of March. 1816, he passed his youth and early manhood on his
father's farm, and in 1840 removed to Knox county, Illinois, where he
tilled the soil for ten years. In 1850 he came to Iowa and entered four
hundred acres of land, where he has since maintained his home. The
trip from Illinois to Iowa was made by Mr. Condra and his wife in a
wagon drawn by an ox team. They started March 20, 1851, and ar-
rived on the first day of April. At the close of the Civil war Mr. Condra
distriljuted all but one hundred and seventy-five acres of his land among
his children. On this latter part they now make their home, but rent the
land and are retired from all active labor.
In 1838 Mr. Condra was married to Miss Louise Adams, and at
the time nt this writing thev have spent sixty-four years of happy
wedded life, experiencing joy and sorrow witli erpial share. Mrs.
Condra was born April ii, 1820. They became the parents of eleven
children, nf whom three died in infruicy, two died after reaching ma-
turity, and six are still living, as follows: Isaac N., Rebecca Odell,
Leander Franklin, Mary Angeline Kellar, Mrs. Lydia Trimble and
John .\lonzo. The parents of this family now live alone on their farm
and are in very poor health. When able to do so they were regular
attendants of the Methodist church in Simpson.
BIOGRAPHICAL A\'D GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 593
O. S. CLARK.
When O. S. Clark opened liis eyes to the light of the world the
territory of Iowa had not heen admitted to statehood, and he certainly,
therefore, can claim the title of being an old resident of the state. Great
has been the progress of this state since that time, and among the men
who have helped to develop the resources of this favored country Mr.
Clark holds a prominent place. His father's name was William G.
Clark. He was born in Connecticut and spent his early life there. It
was in 1843 that he came to Iowa and located in Troy township, Monroe
count}-, at a jilace called Chirks Point. Here he took up a claim of six
hundred and fortv acres of raw land and was soon engaged in making
this virgin soil bring forth useful crops where before it had run to
wildness. In the fall of 1855 he bought al)out four hundred acres in
Monroe township and remained on this farm until his death, in 1893,
when at the age of seventv-seven. He was married in Van Buren
county, in Ma}', 1843, to Jane S. Rankin. She was a nati\'e of Ohio
and came to Indiana with her parents at the age of fourteen and came
on to Iowa in 1844. .She Ijecanie the mother of twelve children, elex'en
sons and one daughter, of whom all are living. Mr. Clark was a Dem-
ocrat, but was an abolitionist in regard to the slave question.
O. S. Clark was the oldest child in the above family, and his birth
occurred in Tro}' townshii), Jamuu"}' 12, 1845. The hrst nine years of
his life were spent in Troy townshiix and he was then taken to Monroe
township, where he completed liis mental training in the common schools.
He remained on the home farm until tliirt\- years old, and at that age
was married to Sarah ]■". Ralib, a daughter of Isaac Rabb, who was one
of Iowa's pioneer settlers. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
594 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
Clark, one of wliom rlied in infancy. Tlie otlners are as follows: Sarah,
Margaret, Susan, Ralph. Benjamin and Luther. Mr. Clark houglit the
farm on which he now lives in 1875. and at the present time owns two
hundred and fifty acres of good land, on \\hich he raises excellent crops.
He is a member of the Prohibition party and is one of the highly re-
spected citizens of Monroe county, ahva_\s being found on the side of
right and progress.
GEORGE c. Mccormick.
No paper in Monroe county. Iowa, publishes more news, is more
public spirited in its support of all measures affecting the town and
county or enjoys more fully the backing of the best citizens of the
county, as shown by the large and representative subscription list, than
the Albia Republican, wiiose success is the result of the efforts of its
enterprising and energetic editor. G. C. McCormick. And it is most
fitting to record the life iiislory of the journal and its owner in this
book of biograpiiy of two of Iowa's most progressive counties.
Mr. McCormick comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who came to
America before the Revolution, members of the family taking part in
that war. also in the war of 1812, the Mexican and Ci\il wars, so that
they may l)e listed among the patriotic families of America. The first
ancestors settled in Virginia, then migrated west to Indiana. ;uid from
there to Iowa, in 1867. The parents of our Monroe county editor were
Mont and Ilattie McCormick; the former was a farmer and veterina-
rian and served three years in Company A, Fifty-ninth Indiana, dur-
ing the Civil war; his wife was a school teacher and a most estimable
woman, as the lasting influence she exercised over her children proved.
GEORGE C. HcCORMICK.
H E \'?W YORK
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 597
It was after his parents had taken up tlieir residence in Sandy\'ille,
Warren count}-, Iowa, tliat George C. McCormick came into the world,
on October 20, 1872. He was not born with a silver sjxxjn in his
mouth, and now that he is on the fair road to success he might have
considered that an incumbrance rather than a benefit. But he was in-
dustrious from the start, and the fact that the first eighteen years of
his life were spent on a farm probably had much toi do with the shaping
of his character and subsecpient development. At the age of eighteen
he moved to College Springs, Iowa, and entered the preparatory de-
partment of Amity College at that place, .^s he was not afraid of
hard work, he paid his way through school by doing chores for his
board, teaching school and acting as general agent for a book com-
pany, and notwithstanding such restrictions he went through with his
class and graduated in iSgj with the degree of Ph. B., having covered
the general collegiate course of studies. He had already decided to
make a career of journalism, and three months before graduation had
bought the College Springs Current Press. He published this ]iaper
until January, 1899, when he bought the Albia Republican and re-
moved to Albia in order to enter upon his duties as editor and pub-
lisher. Mr. McCormick is a man of push and ability, and he has, in
the short time he has owned it, made his paper the official organ of
the county and has placed it on a firm financial basis, so that it is a
paying property. The paper, like its editor, is straight Republican in
politics, but on the fjuestions of general policy tiiat are continually be-
fore the people for settlement it advocates progress and the general
welfare of all. In 1902 he built a two-story printing office, and the
entire office has been newly equipi)ed in the last four years, so that
there arc few country new.spapers anywhere which are better fitted up
598 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
for tlieir work. The paper is a six-column quarto, all home print, and
the average circulation for 1902 wa.s 2.204 copies.
Mr. McCormick is one of the whole-souled, genial gentlemen who
make friends everywhere they go, and his hitherto successful career is
due to these and other solid elements of character. He early learned
how to work hard and effectivelv, and this happ\' quality, combined
with his enthusiasm, makes him a winner in whate\er field of endeavor
he ma}- engage. \Miile he has advocated the principles of the Repub-
lican party and thus has been able to be of much assistance to his
part}', he has never chosen to enter the iielfl of politics, and prefers
to devote himself to his business. He is a member of the Methodist
cbnrch. belongs to the Masuns. the Woodmen and the Yeoman frater-
nities, and is a willing helper in all branches of social and religious
work. On June 22, 1897, Mr. McCormick was married at College
Springs, Iowa, to Miss Carrie Sherman, the daughter of S. L. Sher-
man. She was born and reared at College Springs, Page county. They
have one .son, Paul Sherman McCormick, who was born August 12,
1 90 1.
JOSEPH MARINE.
The subject of this sketch is one of those quiet, unpretentious men
whose names arc not seen in the jjapcrs nor on the ballots of political
parties, who ]nn'sue "the e\en tenor of their way," and whose industry,
in the mass, is the prime factor in making the wheels go muud. Mr.
Marine owns a good sized piece of land in the matchless farming state
of Iowa, and this he has worked industriously for many years and still
works in person, though nfnv in the sevent}'-first year of his age.
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 599
Though un<ihtrusi\'e in manners and inchncd to attend strictly to his
own business, wliile letting that of others alone, Joseph Marine is recog-
nized by iiis intimate friends as a man of sterling wijrth and blameless
life. The family came originally from New Jersey in the persons of
Moses and Ellen ( Monroe) Marine, who settled first in Ohio and came
west to Iowa in 1S54. The father was a farmer and followed that occu-
pation for a livelihood initil his death in 1870, two years after his wife
had departed from the scenes of earth. They had the unusually large
number of fifteen children, of whom only Moses, Joseph, .Me.xander,
Sarah and Maria are now alive, those dead being Robert, Samuel, John,
Nichols, William, Washington, Ilof, Mary, Margaret and Louise.
Joseph Marine, who was the se\enth of this numerous family, was
born .\ugust 25, 1832, in Belmont county, Ohio, and spent his boyhood
at home. In 1850, when about eighteen years old, he caught the western
fever and crossed the Mississippi into the great state of Iowa, but in
two years felt such a longing for a sight of the old Buckeye home that
he could not resist the pressure to return to Oiiio. However, he did not
long remain in his native state, but, again turning his face northwest,
came back to Iowa, and from that time until now has been one of its
most steadfast citizens.
In 1855 Mr. Marine was married to Lucy, daughter of William and
Mary Foster, to which union an only son. .Me.xander Lincoln, was born.
Mr. Marine owns a farm of two hundred and fort_\'-nine acres, which
he works himself, despite his more than three-score and ten years of
aoe. He and his wife are both devoted Christians and regular attend-
ants of the Methodist b'.pisccJiial church, nf which they have long been
members.
600 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
J. D. CLEVELAND, M. D.
The family to which this eminent physician belongs has double
charms for consideration, both as pioneers and patriots. Its first repre-
sentatives figured conspicuously in the fonnative period of Iowa, while
later descendants bore themselves bravely in behalf of the Union during
the crucial era of the Ci\'il war. Others have done well their part in
various employments and in the discharge of diverse duties, such as
fall to busy men in a great and growing country. It is fitting therefore
that a volume devoted to the representative men of Iowa should contain
some particulars of so interesting a family connection, and no apology
is necessary for sketching at some length the lives of Dr. Cleveland and
his immediate ancestors.
When Zedekiah Cleveland reached Iowa in 1833 the prosjject was
not so pleasing as it afterward Ijecame. It was at the time practically a
wild and unredeemed territory. There were no railroads as yet, the
principal avenues of communication being the ri\'crs, and population
was still very sparse and widely scattered. Only in a few places had
the rich i)rairie sod of this region been broken by the i)low, and little
promise was given then of the mammoth corn crops which have aston-
ished the people of the i)resent generation. Zedekiah Cleveland was
still little more than a boy when he reached Iowa, his birth having
occurred in Washington county, Xew York, in 181 1. but he was an
adventurous spirit and had already seen much of life both on land and
sea. He reached the west about the time of the Black Hawk purchase
and became a pioneer farmer as well as one of the first hotel men in
that locality. Later he mo\ed to \'an Buren and from there to Da\is
county, where he spent the remainder of his days. It is ditilicult to
overestimate the value of the services rendered to those young western
BIOGRAPHICAL AXD GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. GOl
territories in their incipiency by such men as Zedekiah Cleveland. It
is easy enough to travel the road after it is graded or to cross the river
after it is bridged, but the pioneer does his best work liefore there are
either roads or bridges. Each one, too, became a nucleus, a rallying
point around \vhich by degrees a settlement was formed from which
gradually grew a count}-, eventually to become an integral part of a
great state. W'e hear of this work collectively on account of its last-
ing results, l)ut not nuich individually, as the separate units disappear
in the general amalgamation. Zedekiah Cleveland in early life chose
for his bride Anna Ware, a native of Orange county, Indiana, who
shared all the hardships of his earlier struggles and passed away at
the old home in Davis county when about fifty-six years old. The
venerable husband sur\ived his faithful companion some years, and
finallv closed his eyes on the world and its contentions in 1882, when
approaching the seventy-second year of his age.
J. D. Cleveland, son of this worthy pioneer, was born in Lee
county, Iowa, Noveml)er 9, 1857, and remained at home until the
twenty-first year of his age. He then entered the normal school at
Bloomfield and from there went t(j the Northwestern Medical College
at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was graudated in the class of 1892.
His first practice after receiving his degree was at Clearmont, Missouri,
but after remaining there a while he returned to his native state. Dr.
Cleveland located for sh<jrt ])eriods at different places in Iowa, growing
steadily in reputation all the time, until finally he reached Iconium,
where he has been a fixture since 1900. He is quite popular over the
territory co\ered by his professional work and is an excellent example
of the self-made man, who rises without extraneous aids until, b}' slow
degrees and steady progress, he reaches that condition of stability which
C02 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
is the culminating ambition of every aspiring citizen. In politics the
Doctor is Democratic and had the pleasvu'e of casting his first presiden-
tial vote for Grover Cleveland. Nevertheless he is rather independent
in his political views and does not hesitate to criticise the acts or poli-
cies of his party when they seem to him wrong. Dr. Cleveland is justly
proud (if his pioneer parents and also of his two brothers, who made
honorable records on the right side during the great war for the time.
One of these, E. Aaron Cleveland, was a member of the Sixth Regi-
ment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, while his brother. Cyrus M.. belonged to
the Forty-sixth Regiment.
In 1888, while still in college. Dr. Cleveland was married to Miss
Mally Fraley. by whom he had two children, but only one of these, a
son, is now li\ing. In 1895 Dr. Cleveland toi)k a second wife in the
per.son of Miss Belle S])()nner, a popular young lady of Center\ille, by
whom he has an onl}' daughter, having lost one child bv death. The
family are communicants of the Methodist church, in which Mrs. Cleve-
land is a zealous worker, and they enjoy high standing in the best
circles of society. Dr. Cleveland is a member of the County Medical
Society and is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America.
Both personally and professionally he is nnich esteemed at Iconium
as well as at other places in the state where he has acquaintances.
R. A. SPENCER.
Among the representative business men of Moravia is numbered
R. .\. Spencer, the proprietor of a livery, sale and feed stable, located
one block from the northwest corner of the square. His barn is large,
commodious and well arranged for the accommodation of horses and
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 603
carriages, and he keeps some fine driving stock and good travelers, as
well as a nice line of vehicles. He caters to the wants of his customers
and makes a specialty of the traveling man's patronage. Genial and
affable in manner and strictly fair in his business dealings, he has
become ver}' popular and is well known throughout both Appanoose
and Monroe counties.
Mr. Spencer was born in Monroe township, Monroe county,
about thirty-five years ago, and his early life was spent upon the old
homestead there. His father, John Spencer, was torn and reared in
Kentucky, and from there remo\'ed to Indiana, where he married Miss
Nancy Alexander, a native of the Hoosier state. In 1855, loading
their household goods into a wagon, they came to Iowa and took up
their residence in IMonroe county, where the father developed a fine
farm of six hundred acres, being one of the most successful agricul-
turists and stock raisers in his conmumity. There he died, honored
and respected by all who knew him. In his family were seven children,
as follows: James; Wiliam; Mrs. Lovina B. Wedman, of Nebraska;
John; Roland A., of this review; G. B. ; and Mollie, who is living
with her mother in Albia, Iowa.
On the home farm Roland A. Spencer was early reared to habits
of industry, and his literary education was obtained in the public schools
of his native county. He followed farming until 1900, when he came
to Moravia and embarked in the livery business, which he has since
carried on with marked success, his patronage steadily increasing until
he now has a good trade. Beside his business property he has a nice
home in the southwest part of the town, where he owns a six-acre plat.
Mr. Spencer was married on the 15th of December, 1900, to Miss
Alice Andrews, a woman of intelligence and culture, who presides with
36
604 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
gracious dignity over his home. Pohtically he affiHates with the Demo-
cratic party, and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge of
Moravia.
WILLIAM A. CALLEN.
One of the men of Appanoose county who started in life with
few of the artificial aids to success and hy pluck, industry and perse-
verance and after engaging in many pursuits has now arrived at a
place of prominence in the affairs of his citv and e.xerts a wide influ-
ence in all public matters is William .\. Callen, the mayor of the
thriving city of Centerville. He has earned tliat enviable distinction of
being a self-made man and possesses the force of character which always
accom])anies such a man. The father, Peter H. Callen, was a native of
the state of Tennessee, and the mother, Susan I*". Willett, a native of
Virginia. The parents of both had settled in .\ppanoose county about
1852, and there they were married. After their marriage they farmed
for a few years in Franklin township, then removed to Orleans, where
he engaged in the general merchandise business for two years, and then
came to Moulton, Iowa, antl carried on mercantile pursuits for a
period of twenty-one years. The next move was to Eldon, Iowa, where
this worthy couple now reside, but he is retired from active business.
They became the parents of four children, of whom our subject is the
oldest.
William .\. was born on his father's farm in Franklin town-
ship, Appanoose county, Iowa, on the 8th of November, 1864, but
was reared to manhood and received his early education in Moulton.
After studying pharmacy he followed that occupation for one year in
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 605
Nebraska and also one year in Colorado. Then, returning to Moulton,
he taught in the country schools for two years. He first came to Cen-
terville in 1S90. and there served three years as deputy county auditor.
Then, in connection with J. M. Willett, he embarked in the grocery
business for two years. From 1895 to 1897 he was in the real estate
and contract business. On June 13, 1898, Mr. Callen was appointed
mayor of the city and was elected in August of the same year, at a
special election in March. 1899, was re-elected and again in 1901. Asa
further proof of his popidarity. he was elected to this office in a strong
Republican city, although he has been a lifelong adherent of the De-
mocracy. Mr. Callen is a prominent member of the orders of the Elks
and the Knights of Pythias. His marriage occurred in 1893 to Miss
Minnie T. Swearingen, and they have two bright children in their
home.
CLYDE E. SAWYERS, M. D.
.\bove is the name and title of a rising young physician at Center-
ville, who has only been in practice there a few years, but has already
obtained a hold that is a guarantee of future success. Dr. Sawyers
may l>e said to have inherited his right to adopt the medical profession,
as his father was for years a distinguished physician of Appanoose
county, whose fame and acquaintance extended all over the state.
Cl\de E.. son of the late Dr. Sylvester H. and Mary F. (Miller)
Sawyers, was born at Unionville. Iowa. July 3, 1868, and grew up in
the atmosphere characteristic of the office and surroundings of a busy
physician. After attending school in his native town several years lie
took a course in Parsons College at I'airfield, Iowa, where he was grad-
uate<l in the class of 1889. Shortly afterward he entered the College
600 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
of Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, wliere lie received
the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1891. Not satisfied with this,
however, tlie ambitious aspirant for distinction in medical science
matriculated at the famous Rush Medical College of Chicago and
received his diploma there with the class of 1894. In the following
year he opened an office for practice at Centerville, subsequent to a
short exiierience at Moravia, and since then his progress towards his
ultimate goal has been steady and flattering.
Dr. Sawyers is a memlier of the Appanoose and Wayne Counties
Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Association. He is promi-
nent in Masonry, having reached the Kniglit Templar degree in that
ancient order, and in politics he is an earnest though conservative ad-
vocate of Re])ublican principles of government. Dr. Sawyers is equally
attractive on tlie social as on tlie professional side of life, and his mar-
riage in 1902 with Miss Katherine Lockman was one of the interesting
events in Centerville society circles.
CHARLES H. STEVENSON.
This gentleman, one of the early pioneer boys of Monroe county,
now one of its highly respected citizens, formerly well known as a
capable teacher, and now llic prosperous owner of the Avery Valley
fruit farm in Mantua township, belongs to one of the prominent old
families of the Western Reserve of Ohio. His grandfather, John
Stevenson. Sr.. was born in Ireland, tliough of Scotch descent, the
history of the family going b.ick through three hundred years of high-
land annals. He married Fanny Blaine, a relative of the famous states-
man. James G. Blaine, and among their children was John Stevenson,
CHARLES H. STEYEHSON.
THENEWYORK
PHBUCLrBRARY
rtLDCN F»UN»ATION9.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. G09
Jr., who was born near Ballintraw, W^estmoreland parish, Ireland, and
was reared tliere till he was sixteen }-ears old. He then came to
.\nierica and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and when he was seventeen
years of age he was married to Miss Dorliska Bates, a native of Otsego
county, New York. Her grandfather was a cousin of General Putnam,
and under that gallant leader ser\-ed in the Revolutionary war. He
married Lucy Love, a resident of Plattsburg, New York, and one of
their cliildren was Charles Bates, who was bovn in Connecticut, and mar-
ried Mar_\- Crouch, who was l^orn in Odessa, Russia. In 185 1 John Ste-
venson, with his famil}', came west along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
to Eddyville, Iowa, and on the 8th of November settled on government
land in Mantua township, Monroe county. Here he devoted his labors
to the development of the virgin soil, and died there in 1896, when
seventy-nine years of age. He was liberal in his religious views and a
Democrat in politics. His excellent wife lived to be sixty-three years
of age. From this marriage of John Stevenson, Jr., and Dorliska
Bates there were seven children : Robert, a railroad conductor, who
was murdered in Stockton, California; George W. ; James Freder-
ick; Ebbin C, who died at tlie age of twenty-seven; Charles H. ; G.
F., a soldier of the Thirty-si.xth Iowa Infantry in the Civil war; and
Laura J. Stevenson, of Monroe county.
Charles H. Stevenson, the fifth child in this family, was born
near Mentor, Lake county, Ohio, Ajiril 11, 1846. He was five years
old when he came with Ids parents to Iowa, so that he was reared
among tlie pioneer scenes of what was then a western stale. He re-
ceived his education under private teachers at home, and for his dili-
gence and perseverance in his studies at the age of sixteen he received
the first teacher's certificate granted in Monroe county under the new
610 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
school system. He was elected to teach the school in his home district
at a salary of thirty dollars a month, the school to open on the first
Monday in Septemher. But this intended peaceful pursuit was inter-
rupted, and he resigned his position to accept thirteen dollars a month
to assist in the preservatitjn of the Union. He enlisted on August i,
1862, in Company D. Twenty-second Iowa Volunteers, with which
he served for three years, and his regiment was in some of the hardest
campaigns of the Civil war. It was the first to cross the Mississippi
river in Grant's Vickshurg campaign; it won honor in the siege of
Vickshurg and gained renown for the state of Iowa hy its gallant
assault on Fort Beauregard, May 22. 1863. Mr. Stevenson was with
his regiment when it was ordered to the Dqiartment of the Gulf, and
was engaged in the Red river campaign. In July, 1864, the regiment
was ordered to Norfolk. Virginia, and it ])articipated in the siege of
Petershurg and Richmond, remaining there till after the explosion of
the mines at Petershurg, July 30, 1864, after which the regiment was
orderctl to the Shenandoah valley imder Genera! Sheridan in the
famous Shenandoah valley campaign of 1864. He was captured in the
battle of Winchester. Virginia, September 19, 1864, and for almost
seven months following suiifered in southern prisons, being confined in
Lil)by fifty-two days, and the remainder of the time at Salisbury and
Anderson\ille. During his prison life he was instrumental in saving
the lives of some of his comrades by dividing his rations with them.
At the close of hostilities he received an honorable discharge at Daven-
port, Iowa, and then returned home.
He was then again elected to teach the liome school which he had
given up three years before to go in defense of his country's flag, and
was the successful teacher of the school for two \ears, when he was
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 611
elected to take the school at Liberty, the largest district school in
Wapello county, ha\ing an enrollment of one hundred twenty-eight
pupils. He conducted this school successfully for two years, when
failing health, due to the exposures of prison life, compelled him to
give up the schoolroom, which was the pride of his life. Since this time
Mr. Stevenson has given his attention principally to the business which
'was mentioned at the beginning of this sketch, and his success as a
horticulturist has been as remarkable as it is well deserved, the Avery
Valley fruit farm being the equal of any in this portion of the state.
When Mr. Ste\-enson was twenty-one years old he married one
of his pupils, "the jirettiest girl in the county," so he says. Ellen E.
Swope was born in \'irginia, Init being lirought at an early age to this
state, was reared here. Her parents, David R. and Nancy Ellen Swope,
both died in Wapello county, Iowa. ]\Irs. Stevenson died May 13,
1899, leaving nine children : Mrs. Ida Mosher, of Bluff Creek town-
ship, Monroe county: Alice B. Sears, of Buxton, Iowa; Clyde, who
is one of the superintendents of the coal drills of the Burton Coal Com-
pany : Robert H. ; Andice Lesley; Mrs. Teda Colvin, of Bluff Creek
township ; Lellie E. ; Carrie S. ; and J. Maurice at home. One child,
Emma Rocella, died at the age of twenty-six years. The children all
received good educations, and some of them have been successful teach-
ers in \\'apello and Monroe counties. Mr. Stevenson is a stanch Re-
publican, and as he was a defender of the Union in the days of civil
strife, so he is now the champion of progress and development of
American interests. He belongs to Castle Post No. 313, G. A. R.,
at .\vcry, and is a member of the Baptist church, while he neglects no
opportunity to advance the welfare of his community along all lines.
612 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
especially in educational progressiveness, which is the strongest pillar
upon which the nation rests.
JOHN S. SUTCLIFFE.
Many years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Monroe
county, and he is therefore nunihered 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 Sutclifife, was Ixjrn in
England and was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church,
while by trade he was a reed-maker. His wife, who Ixjre 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 Mag-
dalene (Stelly) Lomax. John Sutclitife 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, In-
diana, from whicli 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
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 613
farming and stock raising, and on liis place is a valuable orchard of
two acres. For fifty years Mr. and Mrs. Sutcliffe ha\'e 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 cele-
brated in Fayette county, Indiana, and she bore the maiden name of
Mary Jane Robinson, being a daughter of W^illiam 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 count}-, 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, In-
diana, on the J^th of June, 1850, and was reared and received her edu-
cation 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 busi-
ness 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 Octolier, 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
014 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
York. As early as 1837 he took up his abode in Iowa, thus becoming
one of its earhest pioneers, and his death occurred in Clinton, this state,
in 185 1, wlien he was but thirty-six years of age. His wife, who bore
tlie maiden name of Dorotliy 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 cliilih'en, Alice Ann. the wife
of ex-Governor Leslie Shaw, and Jane (iulick. 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 mili-
tary 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. I'., who makes his home
in Pennsylvania. In 1874 Adam Crawshaw removed to Nebraska,
where for some years he made his home in ^\)rk county. l)ut 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 Lincolli in his race for
the prcsidcncv, and has ever continued to give his allegiance to the Re-
publican partv. His services in behalf of the L'nion during the Civil
war entitle him to membership in the Gnind Army of the Republic,
where he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades of
the blue.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 615
JOHN RALSTON.
In presenting to our readers the history of John Ralston we record
tlie hfe work of one who lias long heen recognized as a leading, influ-
ential and respected citizen of Monroe county. He is now living retired
in .Alhia. hut for nian\- years was engaged in farming and stock raising
in Monroe count}-, and in his Inisiness affairs his conduct was so straight-
forward and honorahlc 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, 1x)th
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, e\entually becoming a resident of
eastern Ohio. He first settled, however, in Virginia, and from that
place remoNcd to the I)ucke\e state. His first wife died during the early
ho_\-hood of her son John, who was the youngest of their three children,
the others being .\ndrew 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 ]\Iarv Reed, a nati\'e of Pennsvbania, becoming his
wife. There was one son by that union, William. For se\'eral years
James Ralston continued to make his home in Ohio, but in the fall of
i860 he severed his business connections there and came to Iowa, spend-
ing his last (lays 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 (iuernsey county,
Ohio, and on attaining his majority sought a home in Iowa, for he
be!ie\cd he would lia\e better business i)])p<irt\inities in the western dis-
(516 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
trict, where competition was not so great. Here he took up carpenter-
ing, hut in liis earher years he had taught school in Oliio. In i860 he
Ijecame a resident of Madison county and was h\ing 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 serxice, 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 twent}' years was interested in farming and stock raising. In
1885. however, he took u]) his abode in Monroe county, settling in
.Mhia, where he is now living. However, he spends about six months
each year upon his farm in Madi.son county. .Mxnit 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 22(1 of November, 1862, Mr. Ralston was united in mar-
riage to Miss Harriet Bell, a daughter of William and Mary Bell, who
were nati\es of Ohio. They became the parents of two children, Mary
and limma. 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 .\lbia 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
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. G17
advantage of the lousiness opportunities, he steadily worked his way
upward, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determination
and earnest puri>ose. 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 fellow-men.
WILLIAM WILCOX.
The subject of this sketch is one of the honored veterans of the
Civil war, having served his country during that struggle as a member
of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, under Captain Thomas Kennedy. He was on duty for a
time at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and in the Shenandoah valley, and
remained in the ser\'ice until hostilities ceased, being honorably dis-
charged on August 4, 1865.
Like many of Iowa's best citizens, Mr. Wilcox is a native of Ohio,
his birth having occurred near Zanesville, in Muskingum county, on
the i8th of June, 1839. His father, Charles Wilcox, was born in the
same county and was a son of James Wilcox, a native of New York
state. The latter was drafted during the war of 181 2, but obtained a
substitute. In the county of his nativity Charles Wilcox grew to man-
hood and married Miss Nancy Taylor, who was also born there and
was a daughter of Dr. James Taylor, of Ohio. They continued to
make their home in that county throughout life, the mother dying at
the age of fifty-eight years and ihc father at the age of eighty-four.
He was never in but two counties during his entire life and never rode
on a railniad train, roliticallv he was a Democrat, and religiouslv
618 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
was a very active and zealous member of the ^lethodist Episcopal
church, in which he served as class leader for man^• vears. He was a
very consistent and conscientious Christian gentleman, and was highly
respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
In the family of this worthy couple were ten children, five sons
and five daughters, namely : James, now deceased ; Lavina, who died
at the age of sixteen years; Emily, who died at the age of fourteen;
John Wesley, who died at the age of twenty-three; George, who died
in Coshocton county, Ohio, at the age of sixty-eight years; W'illiam.
our subject; Charles, a resident of Muskingum county. Ohio, who
enlisted in 1862 in the Second Oliio Regiment and served two years;
Mary Jane Musk, of Ohio; and Rebecca and Elizabeth, also residents
of the Buckeye state.
Under his father's watchful care Willirmi Wilcox was reared to
habits of thrift and industry, and during nnich of his youth was en-
gaged in cutting wood and grubbing stum])s that the farm might be
cultivated. He received a fair education at a time when primitive meth-
ods were in use and the teacher boarded around among the scholars.
On reaching man's estate, he was married in Coshocton countv. Ohio,
to Miss Minerva H. Poland, who proved to him a faithful companion
and helpmate. She is a native of Coshocton county and a daughter of
George Poland, who was born in Maryland and died at the home of
our subject in Iowa at the age of eighty years. He was a farmer bv
occupation, a member of the Ba])tist church and a Democrat in politi-
cal sentiment. His wife died in Washington county. Pennsylvania.
Seven children were born to our subject and his wife, four sons and
three daughters, as follows : Charles, who now owns and operates a
good farm of one hundred and fifty acres in ^lantua township, Monroe
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. 619
county, Iowa; George F. and \\'illis, lioth at home; Flora, wife of
Grant Cook, of Mantua townsliip; Clara J., wife of George Cook, of
Mantua township: Ah-rtle F.thel, at home; and Walter Scott, who died
at the age of one year.
Leaving Ohio in 1871, Mr. Wilcox came to Iowa, and after spend-
ing eight years in Wapello county took up his residence in Mantua
township, Monroe county, where he purchased forty acres of land. To
the cultivation and improvement of this farm he has since devoted his
energies. He is a supporter of the Republican party ami an honored
member of Castle Post No. 113, G. .\. R., of Avery. His religious
faith is manifest by liis membershi]) in the Methodist Protestant church,
to which his wife belongs, and he has served as class leader in the same
for the last twenty-five years.
THOMAS PULLIAM.
Thomas PuUiam, one of the old settlers and highly respected citi-
zens of Sharon township, Appanoose county, was born in Pike county,
Illinois, on the 26th day of January, 1843, 'i"'^ i^ a son of John and
Rebecca (Likes) Pulliam. His paternal grandfather was Thomas
Pulliam, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Illitiois and there spent
his last days, his death occurring in that state. The father of our sub-
ject was born in a block-house on the Wabash river in Illinois during
the pioneer development of the state. The place in which he was born
had been built for the protection of the settlers against the Indians,
and all was wild and unimproved in that region. After arriving at
years of malurit)- he was married in his native state to Miss Rebecca
Likes, who was born in Indiana and was a daughter of William Likes,
a nati\-e of Pennsylvania. Eoth of the grandfathers of uur subject
620 BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
were soldiers in tlie war of 1812, and removed to Illinois in pioneer
times, taking an active part in laying broad and deep the foundation
for the future development and progress of the localities with which
they were associated. After their marriage the parents of our subject
continued to live in Illinois until March, 1864, when they determined
to seek a home in Iowa, and settled in Wells township, Appanoose
county, where both passed away, the mother departing this life about
1873, while the father survived her for three years and died in 1876,
at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of five sons and
three daughters, and three of the sons are now deceased. In order to
support his family the father followed agricultural pursuits throughout
his entire life, being a progressive and aiterprising farmer. In his
political affiliations he was a Democrat, and in religious faith was a
Dunkard. wliile his wife lield membership with the Baptist cliurch.
Tliomas Pulliam was reared upon the home farm and received a
common school education. He was only eighteen years of age when
he enlisted for service in the Union army, joining the boys in blue on
the 14th of August, 1862. He was assigned as a private to Company
F., One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Infantry, and remained with
that command for more than three years, when he was honorably dis-
charged, on the 30th of October, 1865. He participated in the Vicks-
burg campaign, including the siege and capture of the city, and was
afterward in the battles of .\rkansas Post, Port Gibson, Qiampion Hills,
Black River and many other engagements. At Black River the com-
pany was mounted and thereafter was on cavalry duty. Mr. Pulliam
was ever found to be a loyal soldier, faithful to the old flag and the
cause it represented. He was always found at his post of duty, whether
in the midst of battle or upon the tented fields.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY. C21
After the war was over and the country no longer needed his
services, Mr. Pulhani returned home. He first came to Appanoose
county in 1865 and remained for a year. He then returned to his native
state, where he spent two years, and then once more came to Appanoose
county. Later, liowe\er, he removed to Missouri, where he resided for
ten years, but since 1882 has mad 
