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Full text of "Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ... and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages"

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OF 


Greene  and  Carroll  Counties,  Iowa. 


Containing  Poetraits  of  all  the  Presidents  op  the  Uniteii  States  froji  Washington"  to 
Cleveland,  with  accompanying  Biogkapiiies  oi'  each;  Poijtkaits  and  Bioguapiiies 
OF   the  Governors   of   the    State:    Engravings  op   Puominent   Citizens 
in    Greene    and    Carroli,    Counties,   with     Personal    Histories 
OF  jiany  of  the  Leading  Families,  and  a  Concise   His- 
tory OF  THE  two    Counties    and    their 
Cities    and    Villages. 


THE  LEWIS  PUBLTSIIING  COMPANY, 

li:!  Adams  .Street,  Chicago. 
1887. 


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PRESIDENTS    OF    THE 
UNITED    STATES. 

CTeorge  Washington '■) 

John  Adams 14 

Thomas  Jett'erson     20 

James  Madison 30 

James  Jlonroe 33 

John  Quincy  Adams 38 

Andrew  Jackson   47 

]Mai'tin  Van  Buren 53 

^Villiam  Henry  Harrison 5G 

John  Tyler 00 

James  K.  Polk 04 

Zachary  Taylor 08 

Millard  Fillmore v3 

Franklin  Pierce 70 

James  Buchanan   80 

Abraham  Lincoln 84 

Andrew  Johnson 93 

Ulysses  S.  Grant 90 

Kutherlbrd  B.  Hayes '. .  .103 


James  A.  Garfield 109 

Chester  A.  Arthur 113 

Grover  Cleveland 117 

HISTORY   OF   IOWA. 

Aboriginal  ...   123 

Caucasian   134 

Pioneer  Life 133 

Louisiana  Territory 137 

Iowa  Territory 139 

State  Organization  and  Subse- 
quent Historj' 141 

Patriotism 140 

Iowa  Since  the  War l.^il 

State  Institutions 1-51 

Educational 154 

Statistical    157 

Physical  Features 158 

Geology 158 

Climate 103 

Census  of  Iowa 104 


Territorial  Otlicers  104 

State  Otlicers  105 

GOVERNORS  OF  IOWA. 

Robert  Lucas 171 

John  Chambers 173 

James  Clarke 175 

Ansel  Briggs 179 

Stephen  Hempstead 183 

James  W.  Grimes 187 

Ralph  P.  Lowe 191 

Samuel  J.  Kirkwood 105 

William  M.  Stone 199 

Samuel  Merrill  303 

Cvrus  C.  Carpenter 307 

Joshua  G.  Newbold 211 

John  H.  Gear 215 

Buren  R.  Sherman 219 

William  Larrabee 323 


i 

I 


-^*  History  of  Greene  6oui2TY.^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


A. 

Adams,  W   H 354 

Addy,  J.  A 300 

Addy,  W.  L 358 

Adkins,  H.  H 314 

Albert.  J.  H 443 

Allan,  William 439 

Allen,  Mrs.  R.  A 433 

Allen,  Rensselaer 390 

Allison,  Alfred 258 

AUstott,  John  G 443 

Ames,W.  E 393 

Anderson,  B,  F 333 

Anderson,  D.  B 313 

Anderson,  D.  P 370. 

Anderson,  J.  W  288 

Anderson,  S.  B 399 

Andrew,  George 420 

Arch,  J.  D 450 


Armstrong,  T.  J 297 

Atchinsou,  George 352 

B. 

Babb,  V.  S 303 

Barker,  A.  B 333 

Barnes,  I.  M 315 

Barth,  W.  C  350 

Bassett,  C.  H 347 

Beaty,J.  F 453 

Beebe,  Henry 418 

Berrien,  E.  B 447 

Berry,  J.  E 300 

Bish,  John 374 

Bistline,  W.  H  378 

Blake,  H,  M 338 

Blanshan,  D.  1 3.50 

Bofink,  Charles 279 

Boggs,  L.  W 407 


Bolin,  Benjamin 428 

Bontz,  J.  P 331 

Boyden,  John 395 

Bradley,  J.  F.  M 450 

Bradshaw.  Frank 344 

Breiner,  P.  B 403 

Bucher,  Henry  375 

Buchrailler,  E.  S 454 

Burk,  Archibald 300 

Burk,  Joshua 348 

Burk,Leroy 259 

Burke,  James 330 

Burkholder,  C.  K 451 

C. 

Cain,  Abram 235 

Cain,  Edward 374 

Cain,  Robert 334 

Carey,  A.  H 406 


r 


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CONTENTS. 


( 


't 


( 

fit 


Wt 

I 


Carlton,  E.O 

liiiter,  E.  11 

tarter,  J.  C 

(ass,  F.  1) 

IhiUls,  II.  I 

t'liunh,  Z.  A 

Chunliin,  Joseph.. . 

Clark,  K.  C 

(.'levelaml,  V.  L. . .  . 
C'lipi>ert()n,  William 

Cloploii,  Isaac 

('.icliraii,  .losepli 


I 

I 


395 

312 

377 

2(>8 

438 

301 

29-1 

232 

31G 

413 

28G 

30.5 

(\)naiit,  Daviil   -^11 

(  oniiell,  Koberl ='43 

Ciiombs,  Joseph ''36 

Cooper,  F.  I' ='W 

Copeland,  John 44.) 

Councilman,  S.  J •'"8 

Cowan,  J.  T 352 

Cralib,  .lames 3i'.j 

Crandall,  L.  B 319 

Crow,  W.  M 31(i 

Crowiler,  W.  G 331 

Culley,J.  M 271 

Curran,  J.  F 440 


Franklin,  W..\   281 

Franklin,  W.  J 294 

Free,  F.  A 354 

Free,  Samuel 348 

Free,  S.  Q 3C1 

French,  E.  K 363 

French,  B.  P 2.>7 

French,  G.  V 411 

Frymier,  I.  W -i^" 


J. 


G. 


I). 


John. 


Davenport 

Dawson,  .1.11 

Day,  (i.  W 

Derry,  J.  J  ... .   . . . . 

Dickinson,  II.  W.  ■ . 
Dickinson,  William 

Dillavou,  G.  C 

Dillavou,  James. .  . 
Dinan,  John 
Do(li,'e,  C.  >I 


.  .401 
...448 
.  ..33.J 
...311 
...26.5 
...302 
...247 
...2.51 
...240 
. . .303 


Gallup,  J.  N 

G.irland,  J.  U 

Garrett,  \V.  K 

Gayl<ir(l,'E.  \\ 

Gibson,  Robert 

Gillibuul,  A.  II   

Gillilanil,  (i.  M 

Gilroy,  G.  W 

Goodrich,  Calvin 

Goodrich,  Washington 

Goodwin,  Robert 

Graham,  II.  W 

Gray,  A.  J 

Gray,  John 

Greene,  W.  R 

G  re  it,  J.  C 


.283 


.43.5 
.4.56 
.361 
,.281 
,  .242 
..235 
.  .2(i0 
..298 
..338 
..314 
.  .393 
..423 
.  .3.59 
..4.51 


Jackson,  C.  H 238 

Jackson,  G.  W 249 

Jaqties,N.  D 240 

Jaques,  Thomas ^j  ' ' 

Jay,  Samuel 440 

Jetlries,  C.  L 323 

Jenks,  Rev.  S.  E 257 

W.  F 453 

John,D.  B 357 

John,  J.  B 300 

Johnson,  Amos.    230 

Johnson,  D.  E 44.5 

Johnson,  Emmersou 243 

Johnson,  Ephraim 285 

Johnson,  I.  II   268 

Johnson,  Jesse 317 

Johnson,  J.  B 423 

Johnson,  J.  J"' 238 

Johnson,  Joseph 3.50 

Johusiui,  S.  W. . 


Jones,  E.  W. . 
Jones,  H.  J. . 
Jones,  Josiah. 


Groves,  W.  K 335 

Gulick.J.  P 331 


H. 


DunttM-man,  William 292 

Dwinnell,  U.  A 370 

E. 

Eagleson,  G.  G 250 

Eason,  Hoberl 279 

Edinliorou;:!!,  C.  J 408 

Eilwards,  Daniel 428 

Ellison,  Samuel 409 

Elmore,  W.  A 391 

Enihree,  Daniel   320 

Enlield,  Charles 396 

English,  C.  A 305 

English,  J.  U 385 


F. 

Ferguson,  F.  M . . . . 
Ferguson,  W.  M . . . 
Ferrin,  Zebulon   . . 

Fey,  A.  II 

Fit/.  J.  W 

Fit/.patrick,  J.  J  . . . 
Fit/.  Patrick,  P.  M. 

Fleck,  G.W 

Forbes,  K.  P  

Forbes,  J.  M 

Forbes,  .1.    R 

Ford.  1.  W 

Foy,  E.  W  

Franklin,  F.  M. . . . 


Haight,  1).  li ... 

Hall,  J.  B 

Ham,  H.  M 

Ham,  Kingman 
Hanks,  George. 
Hanson,  Hoberl 
Hanson,  G.  F 


....427 
....326 
....310 
....313 
....300 
. . . .417 
....306 


...341 
...383 
...2.53 
...231 
...281 
...426 

...in') 

....347 
...373 
...437 
....340 
....372 
....324 


Harding,  E 278 

Harmon,  Franklin 441 

Harmon,  Lafavette 441 

llarnion,  U.  L 3.53 

Harris,  A.  C 347 

Hatlield,  G.  B 413 

llaun,  J.(; 349 

Head,  A.  -M 383 

Heath,  H.  B 430 

Ileator,  Jacob 299 

lleisel,  John 408 

Henderson,  ILL 419 

Heudeison,  J.  A 293 

Herron,  S.  W 444 

Iliggins,  James 358 

Hiilm.an.G.  C  303 

Hoshaw,  J.  M 24( 

Howard,!.  D 234 

Howard,  R.  h 433 

llulVman,  (i.  A 328 

Hughes,  Frances 257 

Huirhes,  F.J 2.56 

Hunt,  J.  1 253 

Hutchinson,  Jonathan . .  .333 


I. 


dy, 

Id, 


Infield,  Henry 


..237 
.  .425 
.  .425 


K. 


Keller,  A.  D 437 

Kellev,  Charles 343 

Kellogg,  11.  W 270 

Kendan,  G.  B 408 

Kettell,  Henry 421 

Kinsey,  U.B 244 

Kinsman,  J.  C 431 

Kions,  M.  W 233 

Knowles,  A 454 

Koenig,  Augustus 424 

Krause,  A.F 267 

Krause,  C.  W 400 

Kuder,  G.W...-. 275 


Lawrence,  G.  G 244 

Lee,  William 243 

Libis,  Francis 404 

Lilley,  D.  M 337 

Linn,  J.  J 411 

Linn,  Mason 239 

Linn,  W.S 419 

Livermore,  H.  N 327 

Livingstim,  W'.H 373 

Lloyd,  E.  1 409 

Long,  Charles 417 

Lovejov,  J.  C 323 

Lowi-rv,  O.  W 353 


,owery, 

Lowry,  R.  A 

Luccock,  Rev.  G.  N. 

Lunnon,  George 

Lyon,  J.  L 

Lyons,  Theodore. . . 


.M. 


.318 
.445 
.432 
.348 
.405 


..416 
.  .258 


Mack 
i\lacU 
Mannin 
Mantz 


A.J 

Willard 

Rev. 

C... 


Joseph.. . 


Marker,  Emanuel 


..364 

.   271 

..333 

. . .405 

. . .339 


CONTENTS. 


Marquart,  August  . 

Martin,  S.  S 

Martin,  T.  B 

Martin,  T.W 

Matliews,  J.  K 

Matteson,  I.  J . 


.409 
.389 
.387 
.443 
303 
.433 


Mavnard,  S.  C 413 

McAllister,  W.  A  309 

McCartliy,  Jolin 345 

JlcCrory,  W.  L 439 

McCu''  y,  G.  13 307 

:Mo^   jakl,  William 3.)7 

Mc^'Uffle,  M.  B 305 

ilcKay,  John 343 

^[cNauglit,  W.  A.  J 355 

Mecum,  0.  B 367 

Merrill,  Mrs.  E.  H 443 

Metzger,  C.  C 338 

Meyer,  Philip 346 

Miller,  R.  W 319 

Millett,  T.  A 300 

Mish,  J.  J 397 

Moore,  R.  C 403 

Morden,  R.  P 374 

Morris,  D.  J 449 

Moss,  J.  E 390 

Muir,  Robert,  Jr 399 

JIunn,  G.  W 308 

Myers,  H.  R 413 

N. 

Neal,  A.  M 365 

Neary,  R.  W 267 

Nelson,  Swan 309 

Noyes,  N.  G 346 

Nugent,  John 443 

O. 

O'Connor,  John 415 

Odell,  G.  M 444 

Olds,  J.  K 315 

Olive,  Richard 389 

Osborn,  B.  F 454 

Osborne,  John 370 

Oxley,  B.  T 435 


Park,  C.  B 379 

Park,  O.  W 439 

Park,  W.  R 403 

Parker,  James 336 

Parmenter,  F.  H 385 

Paul,  W.  S 355 

Perkins,  W.  H 333 

Perkins,  W.  H 434 

Peterson,  Martin 336 

Pettit,  J.  E 388 

Phelps,  E.  P 419 

Pierce,  AV.  H 414 

Potter,  Harvey 341 

Q- 

Quayle,  John 455 

Quirk,  Rev.  M.  J 434 


Raver,  A.  F. 
Ray,  J.  W. . . 


.340 
.393 


Reece,  T.  B 286 

Reeder,J.  M 418 

Reese,  G.  W 349 

llemick,  L.  B 371 

Renner,  William 332 

Reuner,  W.  II 335 

Reynolds,  Patrick 420 

Reynolds,  Terrence 359 

Rhoads,  J.  M 351 

Rhoad,  Samuel 334 

Rice,  Columbus 368 

Rice,  F.  T 433 

Rice,  John 441 

Richardson,  Matthew 351 

Richardson,  M.  H 353 

Ridle,  J.  H 337 

Riley,  E.  II 343 

Rinehart,  Elhanan .390 

Ritchie,  L.  1 307 

Rittgers,  H.  C 456 

Rittgers,  S.  R 400 

Robbins,  F.  E 239 

Roberts,  Eli 397 

Roberts,  Roland 337 

Roberts,  Thomas 404 

Roberts,  Rev.  Willam 373 

Robinson,  George 259 

Robinson,  I.  E 447 

Robinson,  Jonatlian 304 

Roby,  W.  G 424 

Rogers,  H.  D 233 

Root,  D.  P ...420 

Rosa,  Francis 384 

Rowles,  J.  A 385 

Russell,  Caleb 337 

Russell,  J.  J   389 

Russell,  N.  F 393 

Rutter,  S.  S 453 


S. 


Sanders,  James 437 

Sayers,  M.  C  370 

Schermerhorn,  W.  S 355 

Seaman,  R.  G 363 

Seaman,  W.  P 378 

Semmons,  AV.  J 310 

Shannon,  A.  F 373 

Shaw,  Joel 330 

Shearman,  William 380 

Sherman,  J.  M 416 

Shipman,  Horace 453 

Shreve,  James 391 

Smith,  Aaron 386 

!  Smith,  J.  AV 246 

i  Smith,  P.  A 429 

''  Smittle,  Anton 453 

Smittle,  J.  A 397 

States,  G.  W 422 

Steele,  J.  M 269 

Stevens,  AV.  R 317 

Stevens,  William 301 

Stewart,  Mrs.  L.  J 360 

Stillman,  E.  B > 393 

Stilsou,  Rev.  Lyman 381 

Stockwell,  Levi 341 

Stream,  P.  C 414 

Stream,  W.  C 386 

Stream,  Wilson 388 


Stroud,  William 400 

Suydani,  C.  H 280 

Swartzendruver 435 

T. 

Tallman,  J.H .335 

Taylor,  S.  M 364 

Terrill,  T.  M 369 

Thomas,  J.  R 403 

Thomas,  L.  B 391 

Thompson,  C.  AV 438 

Thompson,  G.  AV 430 

Thompson,  L.  S 393 

Thompson,  AV.  A 276 

Thornton,  James 369 

Toliver,  Isom 329 

Towers,  James 344 

Turrill,  H.  A 414 

V. 

Vader,  I.N 398 

Vader,  J.  W 383 

Vance,  T.  AV 446 

Vest,  AV.  H 438 

AV. 

AValrad,  Horace 321 

Walton,  Charles 250 

AA^ard,  E.  S 395 

Warner,  S.  E 323 

AA'atsou,  George 398 

Way,  C.  W 383 

Weatherson,  G.  A 366 

Weatherson,  J.  H 283 

Wells,  A.  C 369 

AVessling,  Daniel 336 

AVest,  B.  F 306 

Westervelt,  M.  B 243 

AVherry,J.  P 291 

AVhite,  O.J 263 

Whiteside,  Samuel  26(i 

AViggins,  S.  AV 349 

AVight,  Marion 366 

Wilkinson,  John 384 

Will,  Christian 385 

Williams.  J.  D 303 

AVilliams,  M 345 

Williamson,  J.  B. 341 

AVilliamson,  J.  J 421 

Wilson,  John 348 

Wilson,  S.  E 374 

AVilsou,  AVilliam 431 

Winkelman,  Benjamin 375 

AVood,  Robert 256 

Woods,  B.  G 337 

AVoods,  C.  A 245 

Wright,  Ervin 371 

AVright,  G.  AV 394 

AVyant,  G.  AV 365 

Y. 

Yates,  AVilliam 345 

Young,  F.W 456 

Y'oungman,  H.  A 449 


U,-.-^.- 


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z. 

Zavilz,  W.  I) 380 

Zeiller,  Hillbuiu 377 

Zeller,  A ;J34 

Zeller,  James 398 

ZelllioeCer,  l?ev.  George 333 


CONTENTS. 


Zellhoefer.  W.  V 320 

Zimmeiuiau,  Stepbeu 370 

GENERAL  HISTORY. 

InlriiduulDry 4.')!) 

Karl)'  History 465 

Ullicial  Kegisler 474 


Political  History 477 

The  Civil  War 484 

The  Press 489 

Professional 493 

^nscellaueous 4!)S 

Jetterson 503 

Towns  ami  V.Uages 511 


-g'S'-S-^ 


I } 
) 

\ 


^Record  of  Carroll  County, »=^ 

BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  ^X^ 


Adams,  Edwin (133 

Amos,  H.  W 013 

Anderson,  L.  T  594 

Annear,  Joseph 597 

Armstrong,  Alexander 537 

Arts,  William G13 

15. 

Habcock,  C.  AV 540 

liuinister.  William .501 

Ifecker,  W.  L 039 

Bedford,  Alfred 543 

Bedford,  Charles 543 

Beiter,  Nicholas 578 

Bell,  Harvey 568 

Bell,  John 035 

Berger,  Peter .535 

Bingham,  Samuel .5.55 

Bohnenkami),  J.  II 591 

Bowman,  Samuel 578 

Boyce,  John .5.59 

Brand,  Jai-ob 545 

Brigham,  L.  P 615 

Biuniug,  Clemens 009 

Brunin.L',  J.  H .500 

Bverlv,  J.  II 594 


C. 

Carpenter,  Henry. . . 

Charles.  P.  A 

Chevalier,  J.  F 

Cbrislmas,  Daniel... 
Coklo,  C.  C 


.501 
.583 
.580 
.010 
549 


Conner,  (icorge. 503 

Cooley,  H.  J 033 

Cooley,  I.  N 593 

Cooney,  John 033 

Coppock,  J.J 031 

Comb,  C.  V ,5.56 

Coulter,  J.  N 533 

Culver,  M.  M ,574 


1). 


Davis,  Daniel. 
Deal,  J.  K.... 


..038 
..545 


Deshler,  J.  J 583 

Dickey,  J.  H 617 

Dickson,  Robert 536 

Drees,  J.  M ,504 

E. 

Elliott,  Asa  589 

Ehvood,  Thomas ,558 

Engleman,  J.  C 032 

English,  J.  AV .593 

Erp,  AV.  F 590 

Everts,  D.  F 579 

F. 

Fendrich,  Rev.  John .597 

Ferguson,  George 611 

Florencourt,  F.  F 619 

Fobes,  E 541 

Frisbee,  H.  ^1 008 

Fuerth,  J.  J 553 

Funk,  E.  JI ..549 

G. 

Gabel,  H.J ,5.53 

Gardner,  J.  AV 5.53 

Gales,  H.  H .595 

Geiselharl,  Conrad 558 

George,  Henry 563 

Gilley,  AVilliam 573 

Guam,  J .  H 628 

Graham,  J.  B 623 

Graves,  J.J 025 

Grillilh,  l.N 5.57 

Gritlith,  J.  E 577 

Grole,  Henry 009 

Guthrie.P.  M 547 

II. 

Harris,  Arista .505 

Harris,  Isaac 564 

Hatlield,  A.  R 618 

Havens,  J.  O ,591 

Hayner,  Hoberl 604 

I  lelVellinger,   U.  S 536 

Hemesalii,  Rev.  11.  J .543 

Henry,  S.  D 009 


Hess,  J.  P 

Hesslingh,  George.. 
Hesslingb,  Herman. 

Hilau,  David 

Hiuklev,  J.  D 

Hobbs.J.  \V 

I-Ioff,  AA^L 

HoUnian,  Rev.  J.  P.. 

Hood,  J.  A 

Horton.  Oliver 

Howard,  J.  R 

Hoyt,  31.  A 

Hungerford,  J.  B 


..612 
.  .565 
..634 
..583 
..CIS 
..500 
. .  5.55 
..546 
..595 
..590 
..587 
..630 
..038 


I. 


Ingledue,  O.  U. 


.580 


Jetlries,  George. 
Jerome,  Grin... 
Johnson,  P.  J. . . 
Jones,  U.  0 


.502 
.614 
.621 
.576 


K. 


Kay,  J.AV 

IvloUe,  Henry. .  . 
Kniest,  Lambert., 

Kotas,  John 

Krause,  F.  AV 

Kuhn,  .lacob 


.^85 
..(i\3 


.0.30 

.587 
.586 
.539 


Lamont,  Peter. . 
Lawrence,  C.  S. . 
Leibfreid,  F.  M. 
Louthan,  J.  H..  . 
Lynch,  William. 
Lyons,  L.  M .  . .  . 


.577 
.034 
.585 
.599 
.614 
.611 


M. 


.Ma<Oean,   P.  M  .... 

AlcClue,  T.  B 

-McCormack,  G.  AV. 
.AlcKenna,  T.  S.. . . 
Mctiuaid,  J.  L.... 


.  599 
.608 
.  505 
.590 
.001 


CONTENTS. 


Meis,  Coniiul 637 

Miller,  Michael 615 

Moershell,  Ferdinand 546 

Mohler,  Isaac 550 

Moore,  O-M 538 

Morlau,  J.  W 548 

Morris,  C.  E 636 

Morrow,  W.  .T 603 

N. 

Nestie,  John 568 

Neil,  Charles 539 


O. 

O'Connor,  Rev.  P.  J . 


...607 


P. 

Paine,  G.  W 58<J 

Park,  Andrew 543 

Parker,  Cephas 634 

Parker,  John 603 

Parker,  T.  L 581 

Parsons,  E.  M 540 

Patton,  U.  L 559 

Plainer,  W.  H 631 

Powell,  Henry 509 

Preston,  Sylvester 633 

Q 

quint,  S.C 583 


R. 

Uadeletr,  H.  D 593 

Heever,  E.  H 604 

Keid,  T.  C 639 

Khoades,  Cyrus 635 

Kibble,  Crockett 616 

Kichman,  E.  P 556 

Ricke,  J.  H 557 

Ricke,  Richard 637 

Roberts,  Moses 563 

Roderick,  Thomas 566 

Rousli,  Valentine 506 

S. 

8al inner,  15.  I 584 

Schelle,  F.  J 610 

Schmicli,  Michael   554 

Schiilze,  D.  &  Son 574 

Shirk,  D.  E 538 

Smith,  M.  S 634 

Smith,  Seth 575 

Soat,  H.  F 556 

Soper,  O.J 570 

Staak,  August 551 

Stearns,  L.  A 603 

Steigerwalt,  \V.  P 600 

Stevens,  J.  W 619 

Stevens,  Robert 607 

Stokes,  Georee 551 

Stoll,  L.S..."; 579 

Stoufler,  P.  B 594 

Strunk,  H.J 636 

T. 
Talbott,  A.  A 509 


Thorn,  M.  S 624 

Tuuue,  E.  B 580 

Tregloan,  W.  G  553 

Trowbridge,  William 543 

Tuel,  Alexander 634 

Turechek,  Frank 581 

W. 

Wagner,  Theodore 619 

W^iidron,  W.  F 567 

Wegmann,  Uev.  Theo 633 

Wetland,  G.  A 603 

Weilaud,  J.J 617 

Westbrook,  C.  H 575 

Wetter,  George 535 

Whitman,  C.  S 616 

Whitney,  J.  R 623 

Wiedemeier,  Joseph 567 

Williams,  K.  K 596 

AVilson,  Samuel 598 

Wine,  E.  S 588 

Winnett,  G.  ]\I 548 

GENERAL     HISTORY. 

Introductory 639 

Early  and  Civil  History (i4:! 

Political  and  Official 601 

The  Civil  War 007 

The  Press 071 

Professional 074 

Miscellaneous .678 

Carroll 685 

Towns  and  Villages 694 


ILLUSTF^ATIONS. 


Adams,  John 15 

Adams,  John  Quincy 39 

Armstroug,  T.  J 396 

Arthur,  Chester  A 113 

Briggs,  Ansel 178 

Buchanan,  James 81 

Carpenter,  Cyrus  C 206 

Chambers,  John 170 

Clarke,  James.. 170 

Cleveland,  Grover 110 

Fillmore,    Millard 73 

Garfield,  James  A 108 

Gear,  John  H 214 

Gilley,   William 572 

Grant,  Ulysses  S 97 


Grimes,  James  W 186 

Gulick,  J.  P 330 

Gulick,  Mrs 330 

Harrison,  William  Henry 57 

Hayes,  Rutherford  B 103 

Hempstead,  Stephen 182 

Iowa  State  House 123 

Jackson,  Andrew 46 

Jefferson,  Thomas 21 

Johnson,  Andrew 92 

Kirkwood,  Samuel  J .  .194 

Larrabee,  William   222 

Lincoln,  Abraham 85 

Lowe,  Ralph  P 190 

Lucas,  Robert : 170 


Madison,  James 27 

Merrill,  Samuel 202 

Monroe,  James 33 

New  bold,  Joshua  G 310 

Pierce,  Franklin 77 

Polk,  .Tames  K 05 

Sherman,  Buren  R 318 

Stevens,    Robert 606 

Stone,    William  M 198 

Taylor,  Zachary 69 

Tyler,  John 01 

Van  Buren,  Martin 53 

Washington,  George 8 

White,  O.  J '. 262 


J 'J 


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I  ENOX   AND        i 


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it 


GEORGE     M'ASn/NGTON. 


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I 


EORGE  WASHING- 
TON, the  "Father  of 
his  Country"  and  its 
first  President,  1789- 
'97,  was  born  Febru- 
ary 22,  1732,  in  Wash- 
ington Parish,  West- 
moreland Count  y,  Virginia. 
His  father,  Augustine  Wash- 
ington, first  married  Jane  But- 
,_„  »  ^,. .  ler,  who  bore  him  four  chil- 
CcIwIj)  drcn,  and  March  6,  1730,  he 
married  Mary  Ball.  Of  six 
children  by  his  second  mar- 
riage, George  was  the  eldest, 
the  others  being  Betty,  Samuel,  John,  Au- 
gustine, Charles  and  Mildred,  of  whom  the 
youngest  died  in  infancy.  Little  is  known 
of  the  early  years  of  Washington,  beyond 
the  fact  that  the  house  in  which  he  was 
born  was  burned  during  his  early  child- 
hood, and  that  his  father  thereupon  moved 
to  another  farm,  inherited  from  his  jiaternal 
ancestors,  situated  in  Stafford  County,  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  where 
he  acted  as  agent  of  the  Principio  Iron 
Works  in  the  immediate  vicinit}',  and  died 
there  in  1743. 

From  earliest  childhood  George  devel- 
oped a  noble  character.  He  had  a  vigorous 
constitution,  a  fine  form,  and  great  bodily 
Strength.    His  education  was  somewhat  de- 


fective, being  confined  to  the  elementary 
branches  taught  him  by  his  mother  and  at 
a  neighboring  school.  He  developed,  how- 
ever, a  fondness  for  mathematics,  and  en- 
joyed in  that  branch  the  instructions  of  a 
private  teacher.  On  leaving  school  he  re- 
sided for  some  time  at  Mount  Vernon  with 
his  half  brother,  Lawrence,  who  acted  as 
his  guardian,  and  who  liad  married  a  daugh- 
ter of  his  neighbor  at  Belvoir  on  the  Poto- 
mac, the  wealthy  William  Fairfax,  for  some 
time  president  of  the  executive  council  of 
the  colon3\  Both  Fairfax  and  his  son-in-law, 
Lawrence  Washington,  had  served  with  dis- 
tinction in  1740  as  officers  of  an  American 
battalion  at  the  siege  of  Carthagena,  and 
were  friends  and  correspondents  of  Admiral 
Vernon,  for  whom  the  lattcr's  residence  on 
the  Potomac  has  been  named.  George's 
inclinations  were  for  a  similar  career,  and  a 
midshipman's  warrant  was  procured  for 
him,  probably  through  the  influence  of  the 
Admiral ;  but  through  the  oppositicjn  of  his 
mother  the  project  was  abandoned.  The 
family  connection  with  the  Fairfaxes,  how- 
ever, opened  another  career  for  the  young 
man,  who,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  was  ap- 
pointed surveyor  to  the  immense  estates  of 
the  eccentric  Lord  Fairfax,  who  was  then 
on  a  visit  at  Belvoir,  and  who  shortly  after- 
ward established  his  baronial  residence  at 
Greenway  Court,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley. 


■r™""*"''™"'"— "— "'°*'""^'*™°''"™*"— '"™"''"™""'"™"—*'™'''^™*""'"* 


■■■■■■■■■■■w"»»^'g»a>"d 


PRES/UENJS    OF    THE     UN/TED    STATES. 


Three  years  were  passed  by  young'  Wash- 
ington in  a  rough  frontier  hfc,  gaining  ex- 
perience which  afterward  proved  very  es- 
sential to  him. 

In  1751,  wiien  the  Virginia  militia  were 
put  imdcr  training  wiih  a  view  to  active 
service  against  France,  Washington,  thougli 
onl)'  nineteen  years  of  age,  was  appointed 
Adjutant  with  the  rank  of  Major.  In  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  the  faihng  health  of 
Lawrence  Wasliington  rendered  it  neces- 
sar}'  for  him  to  seek  a  warmer  climate,  and 
George  accompanied  him  in  a  voyage  to 
Barbadoes.  They  returned  early  in  1752, 
and  Lawrence  shortly  afterward  died,  leav- 
ing his  large  property  to  an  infant  daughter. 
In  his  will  George  was  named  one  of  the 
executors  and  as  eventual  heir  to  Mount 
Vernon,  and  by  the  death  of  the  infant  niece 
soon  succeeded  to  that  estate. 

On  the  arrival  of  Robert  Dinwiddle  as 
Lieutenant-Governor  of  Virginia  in  1752 
the  militia  was  reorganized,  and  the  prov- 
ince divided  into  four  districts.  Washing- 
ton was  commissioned  by  Dinwiddle  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  Northern  District  in 
1753,  and  in  November  of  that  year  a  most 
important  as  well  as  hazardous  mission  was 
assigned  him.  This  was  to  proceed  to  the 
Canadian  posts  recently  established  on 
French  Creek,  near  Lake  Erie,  to  demand 
in  the  name  of  the  King  of  England  the 
withdrawal  of  the  French  from  a  territory 
claimed  b}'  Virginia.  This  enterprise  had 
been  declined  by  more  than  one  officer, 
since  it  involved  a  journey  through  an  ex- 
tensive and  almost  unexplored  wilderness 
in  the  occupancy  of  savage  Indian  tribes, 
either  hostile  to  the  English,  or  of  doubtful 
attachment.  Major  Washington,  however, 
accepted  the  commission  with  alacrity  ;  and, 
accompanied  by  Captain  Gist,  he  reached 
Fort  Le  Bocuf  on  French  Creek,  delivered 
his  dispatches  and  received  reply,  which,  of 
course,  was  a  polite  refusal  to  surrender  the 
posts.     This  rcj)ly  was  of  such  a  character 


as  to  induce  the  Assembly  of  Virginia  to 
authorize  the  executive  to  raise  a  regiment 
of  300  men  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining 
the  asserted  rights  of  the  British  crown 
over  the  territory  claimed.  As  Washing- 
ton declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  that  post, 
the  command  of  this  regiment  was  given  to 
Colonel  Joshua  Fry,  and  Major  Washing- 
ton, at  his  own  request,  was  commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel.  On  the  march  to  Ohio, 
news  was  received  that  a  part}'  previously 
sent  to  build  a  fort  at  the  confluence  of  the 
Monongahela  with  the  Ohio  had  been 
driven  back  by  a  considerable  French  force, 
which  had  completed  the  work  there  be- 
gun, and  named  it  Fort  Duquesne,  in  honor 
of  the  Marquis  Duquesne,  then  Governor 
of  Canada.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
great  "French  and  Indian  war,"  which  con- 
tinued seven  years.  On  the  death  of  Colonel 
Fry,  Washington  succeeded  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  regiment,  and  so  well  did  he 
fulfill  his  trust  that  the  Virginia  Assembly 
commissioned  him  as  Commander-in-Chief 
of  all  the  forces  raised  in  the  colon)-. 

A  cessation  of  all  Indian  hostilit}'  on  the 
frontier  having  followed  the  expulsion  of 
the  French  from  the  Ohio,  the  object  of 
Washington  was  accomplished  and  he  i^e- 
signed  his  commission  as  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Virginia  forces.  He  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Williamsburg  to  take  his  seat  in 
the  General  Assembly,  of  which  he  had 
been  elected  a  member. 

January  17,  1759,  Washington  married 
Mrs.  Martha  (Dandridge)  Custis,  a  young 
and  beautiful  widow  of  great  wealth,  and  de- 
voted himself  for  the  ensuing  fifteen  years 
to  tiie  quiet  pursuits  of  agriculture,  inter- 
rupted only  by  his  annual  attendance  in 
winter  upon  the  Colonial  Legislature  at 
Williamsburg,  until  summoned  by  his 
country  to  enter  upon  that  other  arena  in 
which  his  fame  was  to  become  world  wide. 

It  is  ininecessary  here  to  trace  the  details 
of  the  struggle  upon  the  question  of  local 


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aEORQE     WASHINGTON. 


self-government,  which,  after  ten  years,  cul- 
minated by  act  of  Parliament  of  the  port  of 
Boston.  It  was  at  the  instance  of  Virginia 
that  a  congress  of  all  the  colonies  was  called 
to  meet  at  Philadelphia  September  5,  1774, 
to  secu  re  their  common  liberties — if  possible 
by  peaceful  means.  To  this  Congress 
Colonel  Washington  was  sent  as  a  dele- 
gate. On  dissolving  in  October,  it  recom- 
mended the  colonies  to  send  deputies  to 
another  Congress  the  following  spring.  In 
the  meantime  several  of  the  colonies  felt 
impelled  to  raise  local  forces  to  repel  in- 
sults and  aggressions  on  the  part  of  British 
troops,  so  that  on  the  assembling  of  the  next 
Congress,  May  10,  1775,  the  war  prepara- 
tions of  the  mother  country  were  unmis- 
takable. The  battles  of  Concord  and  Lex- 
ington had  been  fought.  Among  the  earliest 
acts,  therefore,  of  the  Congress  was  the 
selection  of  a  commander-in-chief  of  the 
colonial  forces.  This  office  was  unani- 
mously conferred  upon  Washington,  still  a 
member  of  the  Congress.  He  accepted  it 
on  June  19,  but  on  the  express  condition  he 
should  receive  no  salar}'. 

He  immediately  repaired  to  the  vicinity 
of  Boston,  against  which  point  the  British 
ministry  had  concentrated  their  forces.  As 
early  as  April  General  Gage  had  3,000 
troops  in  and  around  this  proscribed  city. 
During  the  fall  and  winter  the  British  policy 
clearly  indicated  a  purpose  to  divide  pub- 
lic sentiment  and  to  build  up  a  British  party 
in  the  colonies.  Those  who  sided  with  the 
ministry  were  stigmatized  by  the  patriots 
as  "  Tories,"  while  the  patriots  took  to  them- 
selves the  name  of  "  Whigs." 

As  early  as  1776  the  leading  men  had 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  there  was  no 
hope  except  in  separation  and  indepen- 
dence. In  May  of  that  year  Washington 
wrote  from  the  head  of  the  army  in  New 
York :  "  A  reconciliation  with  Great  Brit- 
ain is  impossible When  I  took 

command  of  the  army,  I  abhorred  the  idea 


of  independence  ;  but  I  am  now  fully  satis- 
fied that  nothing  else  will  save  us." 

It  is  not  the  object  of  this  sketch  to  trace 
the  military  acts  of  the  patriot  hero,  to 
whose  hands  the  fortunes  and  liberties  of 
the  United  States  were  confided  during  the 
seven  years'  bloody  struggle  that  ensued 
until  the  treaty  of  1783,  in  which  England 
acknowledged  the  independence  of  each  of 
the  thirteen  States,  and  negotiated  with 
them,  jointly,  as  separate  sovereignties.  The 
merits  of  Washington  as  a  military  chief- 
tain have  been  considerabl}-  discussed,  espe- 
cially by  writers  in  his  own  country.  Dur- 
ing the  war  he  was  most  bitterly  assailed 
for  incompetency,  and  great  efforts  were 
made  to  displace  him  ;  but  he  never  for  a 
moment  lost  the  confidence  of  either  the 
Congress  or  the  people.  December  4,  1783, 
the  great  commander  took  leave  of  his  offi- 
cers in  most  affectionate  and  patriotic  terms, 
and  went  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  where 
the  Congress  of  the  States  was  in  session, 
and  to  that  body,  when  peace  and  order 
prevailed  everywhere,  resigned  his  com- 
mission and  retired  to  Mount  Vernon. 

It  was  in  1788  that  Washington  was  called 
to  the  chief  magistracy  of  the  nation.  He 
received  every  electoral  vote  cast  in  all  the 
colleges  of  the  States  voting  for  the  office 
of  President.  The  4th  of  March,  1789,  was 
the  time  appointed  for  the  Government  of 
the  United  States  to  begin  its  operations, 
but  several  weeks  elapsed  before  quorums 
of  both  the  newly  constituted  houses  of  the 
Congress  were  assembled.  The  city  of  New 
York  was  the  place  where  the  Congress 
then  met.  April  16  Washington  left  his 
home  to  enter  upon  the  discharge  of  his 
new  duties.  He  set  out  with  a  purpose  of 
traveling  privately,  and  without  attracting 
any  public  attention  ;  but  this  was  impossi- 
ble. Everywhere  on  his  way  he  was  met 
with  thronging  crowds,  eager  to  see  the 
man  whom  they  regarded  as  the  chief  de- 
fender of   their    liberties,  and    everywhere 


iii<iii»MM,»ia»ai 


'-■-■'-■-■^■^"■-■'-■■'■-■-■"■■■■■-■-■ii»'""-*-"-"'»J*-"«"-"-« 


J'A'ES/DEATS     OF     THE     U.V/TED    STATES. 


within  its  specific  and  limited  sphere,  wliilc 
the  others  were  for  enlarging  its  powers  by 
inference  and  implication.     Hamilton  and 


he  was  hailed  with  those  public  manifesta- 
tions of  joy,  regard  and  love  which  spring 
s|)<)nlancously  from  the  hearts  of  an  affec- 
tionate and  grateful  people.  His  reception  I  Jefferson,  both  members  of  the  first  cabinet, 
in  New  York  was  marked  by  a  grandeur  were  regarded  as  the  chief  leaders,  respect- 
and  an  enthusiasm  never  before  witnessed  ivelv,  of  these  rising  antagonistic  parties, 
in  that  metropolis.     The  inauguration  took     which  have  existed,  under  different  names, 


place  April  30,  in  the  presence  of  an  immense 
multitude  which  had  assembled  to  witness 


from  that  day  to  this.    Washington  was  re- 
garded as  holding  a  neutral  position  between 


the  new  and  imposing  ceremony.  The  oath  them,  tiiough,  by  mature  deliberation,  he 
of  office  was  administered  by  Robert  R.  \  vetoed  the  first  apportionment  bill,  in  1790, 
Livingston,  Chancellor  of  the  State.    When     passed  by  the  party  headed  b}'  Hamilton, 


this  sacred  pledge  was  given,  he  retired 
with    the   other   officials   into    the   Senate 


address  to  both  houses  of  the  newly  con- 
stituted Congress  in  joint  assembly. 

In  the  manifold  details  of  his  civil  ad- 
ministration, Washington  proved  himself 
ccpial  t(j  the  requirements  oi  his  position. 
The  greater  portion  of  the  first  session  of 
the  first  Congress  was  occupied  in  passing 
the  necessary  statutes  for  putting  the  new 
organization  into  complete  operation.     In 


veto  power  under  the  present  Constitution. 
It  created  considerable  excitement  at  the 
time.  Another  bill  was  soon  passed  in  pur- 
suance of  Mr.  Jefferson's  views,  which  has 
been  adhered  to  in  principle  in  every  ap- 
portionment act  passed  since. 

At  the  second  session  of  the  new  Con- 
gress, Washington  announced  the  gratily- 
ing:  fact  of  "  the  accession  of  North  Caro- 


tins legislation  the  nature  and  character  of 
the  new  system  came  under  general  review. 
On  no  one  of  them  did  any  decided  antago- 
nism of  opinion  arise.  All  held  it  to  be  a 
limited  government,  clothed  only  with  spe- 
cific powers  conferred  by  delegation  from 
the  States.  There  was  no  change  in  the 
name  of  the  legislative  department ;  it  still 
remained  "the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  of  America."  There  was  no  change 
in  the  original  flag  of  the  country,  and  none 
in  the  seal,  which  still  remains  with  the 
Grecian  escutcheon  borne  by  the  eagle, 
with  other  emblems,  imder  the  great  and 
expressive  motto,  "  /:  Plnribiis  Unui/i." 

The  first  division  of  parties  arose  upon 
the  manner  of  construing  the  powers  dele- 
gated, and  they  were  first  styled  "strict 
constructionists"  and  "  latitudinarian  con- 
structionists." The  former  were  for  con- 
fining  the  action  ol  tlie  Government  strictly 


I  of  the  same  year  he  amiounced  by  special 
message  the  like  "  accession  of  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island,"  with  his  congratulations  on 
the  happy  event  which  "  united  under  the 
general  Government"  all  the  States  which 
were  originally  confederated. 

In  1792,  at  the  second  Presidential  elec- 
tion, Washington  was  desirous  to  retire ; 
but  he  yielded  to  the  general  wish  of  the 
country,  and  was  again  chosen  President 
by  the  unanimous  vote  of  every  electoral 
college.  At  the  third  election,  1796,  he  was 
again  most  urgently  entreated  to  consent  to 
remain  in  the  executive  chair.  This  he 
positively  refused.  In  September,  before 
the  election,  he  gave  to  his  countrymen  his 
memorable  Farewell  Address,  which  in  lan- 
guage, sentiment  and  patriotism  was  a  fit 
and  crowning  glory  of  his  illustrious  life. 
After  March  4,  1797,  he  again  retired  to 
Mount  N'ernon  lor  peace,  quiet  and  lepose. 


which  was  based  upon  a  principle  construct-        ( 
ively  leading  to    centralization  or  consoli 


chamber,  where  he  delivered  his  inaugural  !  dation.     This  was  the  first  exercise  of  the        \ 


tlie  discussions  brouglit  up  in  tiie  course  of  i  lina"  to  the  Constitution  of  1787,  and  June        / 


,B^CTj 


GEORGE     WASHINGTON. 


His  administration  for  the  two  terms  had 
been  sticcessful  beyond  the  expectation  and 
hopes  of  even  the  most  sanguine  of  his 
friends.  The  finances  of  the  country  were 
no  longer  in  an  embarrassed  condition,  the 
pubHc  credit  was  fully  restored,  life  was 
given  to  every  department  of  industry,  the 
workings  of  the  new  system  in  allowing 
Congress  to  raise  revenue  from  duties  on 
imports  proved  to  be  not  only  harmonious 
in  its  federal  action,  but  astonishing  in  its 
results  upon  the  commerce  and  trade  of  all 
the  States.  The  exports  from  the  Union 
increased  from  $19,000,000  to  over  $56,000,- 
000  per  annum,  while  tlie  imports  increased 
in  about  the  same  proportion.  Three  new 
members  had  been  added  to  the  Union.  The 
progress  of  the  States  in  their  new  career 
under  their  new  organization  thus  far  was 
exceedingly  encouraging,  not  only  to  the 
friends  of  liberty  within  their  own  limits, 
but  to  their  sympathizing  allies  in  all  climes 
and  countries. 

CM  the  call  again  made  on  this  illustrious 


chief  to  quit  his  repose  at  Mount  Vernon 
and  take  command  of  all  the  United  States 
forces,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-General, 
when  war  was  threatened  with  France  in 
1798,  nothing  need  here  be  stated,  except  to 
note  the  fact  as  an  unmistakable  testimo- 
nial of  the  high  regard  in  which  he  was  still 
held  by  his  countrymen,  of  all  shades  of  po- 
litical opinion.  He  patrioticall)'  accepted 
this  trust,  but  a  treaty  of  peace  put  a  stop 
to  all  action  under  it.  He  again  retired  to 
Mount  Vernon,  where,  after  a  short  and 
severe  illness,  he  died  December  14,  1799, 
in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  The 
whole  country  was  filled  with  gloom  by  this 
sad  intelligence.  Men  of  all  parties  in  poli- 
tics and  creeds  in  religion,  in  ever}'  State 
in  the  Union,  united  with  Congress  in  "  pay- 
ing honor  to  the  man,  first  in  war,  first  in 
peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  country- 
men." 

His  remains  were  deposited  in  a  family 
vault  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  at  Mount 
Vernon,  where  they  still  lie  entombed. 


14  PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UN/TED    S'TATeS. 


^11 


;  I  1  fitl  ^,^'  P  f '  '  "  "1 1  "  "  I  "  M  '  t  I  1  ■  ■  I  ri  iri  1 1  rt  n  1 ;  r  I  ■  I  ]  ■  i  r  i  t  t  rtiiti'i'tM'iiitTMIinniMllll  "*• 


"^^F 


iHS^If  ^POHN  ADAMS,  the  second 


President  of  the  United 
States,  1797  to  1801,  was 
born  in  the  present  town 
of  Ouinc}-,  then  a  portion 
of  Braintree,  Massachu- 
setts, October  30,  1735.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  of  mod- 
erate means,  a  worthy  and 
industrious  man.  He  was 
a  deacon  in  the  church,  and 
was  very  desirous  of  giving 
his  son  a  collegiate  educa- 
tion, hoping  that  he  would 
become  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  But,  as  up  to  this 
time,  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  had  been  only 
a  play-boy  in  the  fields  and  forests,  he  had 
no  taste  for  books,  he  chose  farming.  On 
being  set  to  work,  however,  by  his  father 
out  in  the  field,  the  very  first  day  con- 
verted the  bov  into  a  lover  of  books. 


Accordingl}-,  at   the 


of   sixteen  he 


entered  Harvard  College,  and  graduated  in 
1755,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  highly  esteemed 
for  integrity,  energy  and  ability.  Thus, 
having  no  capital  but  his  education,  he 
started  out  into  the  stormy  world  at  a  time 
of  great  political  exxitement,  as  France  and 
England  were  then  engaged  in  their  great 
seven-years  struggle  for  the  mastery  over 
the   New   World.     The  fire  of  patriotism 


seized  young  Adams,  and  for  a  tini-r  he 
studied  over  the  question  whether  he 
should  take  to  the  law,  to  politics  or  the 
army.  He  wrote  a  remarkable  letter  to  a 
friend,  making  prophecies  concerning  the 
future  greatness  of  this  country  which  have 
since  been  more  than  fulfilled.  For  two 
years  he  taught  scliool  and  studied  law, 
wasting  no  odd  moments,  and  at  the  early 
age  of  twenty-two  years  he  opened  a  law 
ofifice  in  his  native  town.  His  inherited 
powers  of  mind  and  untiring  devotion  to 
his  profession  caused  him  to  rise  rapidly 
in  public  esteem. 

In  October,  1764,  Mr.  Adams  married 
Miss  Abigail  Smith,  daughter  of  a  clerg}-- 
man  at  Weymouth  and  a  lady  of  rare  per- 
sonal and  intellectual  endowments,  who 
afterward  contributed  much  to  her  hus- 
band's celebrity. 

Soon  the  oppression  of  the  British  in 
America  reached  its  climax.  The  Boston 
merchants  employed  an  attorney  by  the 
name  of  James  Otis  to  argue  the  legality  of 
oppressive  tax  law  before  the  Superior 
Court.  Adams  heard  the  argument,  and 
afterward  wrote  to  a  friend  concerning  the 
ability  displayed,  as  follows  :  "  Otis  was  a 
flame  of  fire.  With  a  promptitude  of 
classical  allusion,  a  depth  of  research,  a 
rapid  summary  of  historical  events  and 
dates,  a  profusion  of  legal  authorities  and  a 


'1' 

f  II 


)l'. 


.  I  i 


THl 

X   " 


JOHN    ADAMS. 


'7 


I* 

% 


I' 


prophetic  glance  into  futurity,  he  hurried 
away  all  before  him.  American  independence 
was  then  and  there  born.  Every  man  of  an 
immensely  crowded  audience  appeared  to 
me  to  go  away,  as  I  did,  ready  to  take  up 
arms." 

Soon  Mr.  Adams  wrote  an  essay  to  be 
read  before  the  literary  club  of  his  town, 
upon  the  state  of  affairs,  which  was  so  able 
as  to  attract  public  attention.  It  was  pub- 
lished in  American  journals,  republished 
in  England,  and  was  pronounced  by  the 
friends  of  the  colonists  there  as  "  one  of  the 
very  best  productions  ever  seen  from  North 
America." 

The  memorable  Stamp  Act  was  now 
issued,  and  Adams  entered  with  all  the 
ardor  of  his  soul  into  political  life  in  order 
to  resist  it.  He  drew  up  a  series  of  reso- 
lutions remonstrating  against  the  act,  which 
were  adopted  at  a  public  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  Braintree,  and  which  were  sub- 
sequently adopted,  word  for  word,  by  more 
than  forty  towns  in  the  State.  Popular 
commotion  prevented  the  landing  of  the 
Stamp  Act  papers,  and  the  English  author- 
ities then  closed  the  courts.  The  town  of 
Boston  therefore  appointed  Jereni}-  Grid- 
lev,  James  Otis  and  John  Adams  to  argue  a 
petition  before  the  Governor  and  council 
for  the  re-opening  of  the  courts;  and  while 
the  two  first  mentioned  attorneys  based 
their  argument  upon  the  distress  caused  to 
the  people  by  the  measure,  Adams  boldly 
claimed  that  the  Stamp  Act  was  a  violation 
both  of  the  English  Constitution  and  the 
charter  of  the  Provinces.  It  is  said  that 
this  was  the  first  direct  denial  of  the  un- 
limited right  of  Parliament  over  the  colo- 
nies. Soon  after  this  the  Stamp  Act  was 
repealed. 

Directly  Mr.  Adams  was  employed  to 
defend  Ansell  Nickerson,  who  had  killed  an 
Englishman  in  the  act  of  impressing  him 
(Nickerson)  into  the  King's  service,  and  his 
client  was  acquitted,  the  court  thus  estab- 


lishing the  principle  that  the  infamous 
royal  prerogative  of  impressment  could 
have  no  existence  in  the  colonial  code. 
But  in  1770  Messrs.  Adams  and  Josiah 
Quincy  defended  a  party  of  British  soldiers 
who  had  been  arrested  for  murder  when 
they  had  been  onl}'  obeying  Governmental 
orders  ;  and  when  reproached  for  thus  ap- 
parently deserting  the  cause  of  popular 
liberty,  Mr.  Adams  replied  that  he  would  a 
thousandfold  rather  live  under  the  domina- 
tion of  the  worst  of  England's  kings  than 
under  that  of  a  lawless  mob.  Next,  after 
serving  a  term  as  a  member  of  the  Colonial 
Legislature  from  Boston,  Mr.  Adams,  find- 
ing his  health  affected  by  too  great  labor, 
retired  to  his  native  home  at  Braintree. 

The  year  1774  soon  arrived,  with  its  fa- 
mous Boston  "  Tea  Party,"  the  first  open 
act  of  rebellion.  Adams  was  sent  to  the 
Congress  at  Philadelphia ;  and  when  the 
Attorney-General  announced  that  Great 
Britain  had  "  determined  on  her  system, 
and  that  her  power  to  execute  it  was  irre- 
sistible," Adams  replied  :  "  I  know  that 
Great  Britain  has  determined  on  her  sys- 
tem, and  that  very  determination  deter- 
mines me  on  mine.  You  know  that  I  have 
been  constant  in  my  opposition  to  her 
measures.  The  die  is  now  cast.  I  have 
passed  the  Rubicon.  Sink  or  swim,  live  or 
die,  with  my  country,  is  my  unalterable 
determination."  The  rumor  beginnins:  to 
prevail  at  Philadelphia  that  the  Congress 
had  independence  in  view,  Adams  foresaw 
that  it  was  too  soon  to  declare  it  openly. 
He  advised  every  one  to  remain  quiet  in 
that  respect;  and  as  soon  as  it  became  ap- 
parent that  he  himself  was  for  independ- 
ence, he  was  advised  to  hide  himself,  which 
he  did. 

The  next  year  the  great  Revolutionary 
war  opened  in  earnest,  and  Mrs.  Adams, 
residing  near  Boston,  kept  her  husband  ad- 
vised by  letter  of  all  the  events  transpiring 
in  her  vicinity.     The  battle  of  Bunker  Hill 


,^y-M..»«.iaii^s,^iir»--i"-»«"j»5»a»«ii» 


J 


iS 


i^  RES  I  DENTS     OF     THE     UN /TED    STATES^ 


the  fighting  men  of  the 
delegation 


came  on.  Congress  had  to  do  something 
immediately.  The  first  thing  was  to 
choose  a  commander-in-chief  for  the — we 
can't  say  "  army 
colonies.  The  New  England 
was  almost  unanimous  in  favor  of  appoint- 
ing General  Ward,  then  at  the  head  of  the 
Massachusetts  forces,  but  Mr.  Adams  urged 
the  appointment  of  George  Washington, 
then  almost  unknown  outside  of  his  own 
State.  He  was  appointed  without  oppo- 
sition. Mr.  Adams  offered  the  resolution, 
which  was  adopted,  annulling  all  the  royal 
authority  in  the  colonies.  Having  thus 
prepared  the  way,  a  few  weeks  later,  viz., 
June  7,  1776,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  a  few  months  before  had  declared 
that  the  British  Government  would  aban- 
don its  oppressive  measures,  now  offered 
the  memorable  resolution,  seconded  by 
Adams,  "  that  these  United  States  are,  and 
of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent." 
Jefferson,  Adams,  Franklin,  Sherman  and 
Livingston  were  then  appointed  a  commit- 
tee to  draught  a  declaration  of  independ- 
ence. Mr.  Jefferson  desired  Mr.  Adams 
to  draw  up  the  bold  document,  but  the 
latter  persuaded  Mr.  Jefferson  to  perform 
that  responsible  task.  The  Declaration 
drawn  up,  Mr.  Adams  became  its  foremost 
defender  on  the  floor  of  Congress.  It  was 
signed  by  all  the  fifty-five  members  present, 
and  the  next  day  Mr.  Adams  wrote  to  his 
wife  how  great  a  deed  was  done,  and  how 
proud  he  was  of  it.  Mr.  Adams  continued 
to  be  the  leading  man  of  Congress,  and 
the  leading  advocate  of  American  inde- 
pendence. Above  all  other  Americans, 
he  was  considered  by  every  one  the  prin- 
cipal shining  mark  for  British  vengeance. 
Thus  circumstanced,  he  was  appointed  to 
the  most  dangerous  task  of  crossing  the 
ocean  in  winter,  exposed  to  capture  by  the 
British,  who  knew  of  his  mission,  which 
was  to  visit  Paris  and  solicit  the  co-opera- 
tion of  the  French.     Besides,  to  take  him- 


self away  from  the  country  of  which  he 
was  the  most  prominent  defender,  at  that 
critical  time,  was  an  act  of  the  greatest  self- 
sacrifice.  Sure  enough,  while  crossing  the 
sea,  he  had  two  very  narrow  escapes  from 
capture ;  and  the  transit  was  otherwise  a 
stormy  and  eventful  one.  During  th^ 
summer  of  1779  he  returned  home,  but  was 
immediately  dispatched  back  to  France,  to 
be  in  readiness  there  to  negotiate  terms  of 
peace  and  commerce  with  Great  Britain  as 
soon  as  the  latter  power  was  ready  for  such 
business.  But  as  Dr.  Franklin  was  more 
popular  than  heat  the  court  of  France,  Mr. 
Adams  repaired  to  Holland,  where  he  was 
far  more  successful  as  a  diplomatist. 

The  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United 
States  and  England  was  finally  signed  at 
Paris,  January  21,  1783;  and  the  re-action 
from  so  great  excitement  as  Mr.  Adams  had 
so  long  been  experiencing  threw  him  into 
a  dangerous  fever.  Before  he  fully  re- 
covered he  was  in  London,  whence  he  was 
dispatched  again  to  Amsterdam  to  negoti- 
ate another  loan.  Compliance  with  this 
order  undermined  his  physical  constitution 
for  life. 

In  1785  Mr.  Adams  was  appointed  envoy 
to  the  court  of  St.  James,  to  meet  face  to 
face  the  very  king  who  had  regarded  him 
as  an  arch  traitor!  Accordingly  he  re- 
paired thither,  where  he  did  actually  meet 
and  converse  with  George  III.!  After  a 
residence  there  for  about  three  jears,  he 
obtained  permission  to  return  to  America. 
While  in  London  he  wrote  and  published 
an  able  work,  in  three  volumes,  entitled: 
"  A  Defense  of  the  American  Constitution." 

The  Articles  of  Confederation  proving 
inefficient,  as  Adams  had  prophesied,  a 
carefully  draughted  Constitution  was 
adopted  in  1789,  when  George  Washington 
was  elected  President  of  the  new  nation, 
and  Adams  Vice-President.  Congress  met 
for  a  time  in  New  York,  but  was  removed 
to  Philadelphia  for  ten  years,  until  suitable 


ii 


SSS^SaSSSSSSSSSSJiSSSBSaSSSSSSM^SMSSmSM? 


UtSMSmSmmmi 


.W„HI-B-I»kW. 


JOHN    ADAMS. 


19 


buildings  should  be  erected  at  the  new 
cajiital  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  Mr. 
Adams  then  moved  his  family  to  Phila- 
delphia. Toward  the  close  of  his  term  of 
office  the  French  Revolution  culminated, 
when  Adams  and  Washington  rather 
S3'mpathized  with  England,  and  Jefferson 
with  France.  The  Presidential  election  of 
1796  resulted  in  giving  Mr.  Adams  the  first 
place  by  a  small  majority,  and  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son the  second  place. 

Mr.  Adams's  administration  was  consci- 
entious, patriotic  and  able.  The  period 
was  a  turbulent  one,  and  even  an  archangel 
could  not  have  reconciled  the  hostile  par- 
ties. Partisanism  with  reference  to  Eng- 
land and  France  was  bitter,  and  for  four 
years  Mr.  Adams  struggled  through  almost 
a  constant  tempest  of  assaults.  In  fact,  he 
was  not  truly  a  popular  man,  and  his  cha- 
grin at  not  receiving  a  re-election  was  so 
great  that  he  did  not  even  remain  at  Phila- 
delphia to  witness  the  inauguration  of  Mr. 
Jefferson,  his  successor.  The  friendly 
intimacy  between  these  two  men  was 
interrupted  for  about  thirteen  years  of  their 
life.  Adams  tinall}'  made  the  first  advances 
toward  a  restoration  of  their  mutual  friend- 
ship, which  were  gratefully  accepted  by 
Jefferson. 

Mr.  Adams  was  glad  of  his  opportunity 
to  retire  to  private  liic,  where  he  could  rest 
his  mind  and  enjoy  the  comforts  of  home. 
By  a  thousand  bitter  experiences  he  found 
the  path  of  public  duty  a  thorny  one.  For 
twenty-six  3'ears  his  service  of  the  public 
was  as  arduous,  self-sacrificing  and  devoted 
as  ever  fell  to  the  lot  of  man.  In  one  im- 
portant sense  he  was  as  much  the  "  Father 
of  his  Country "  as  was  Washington  in 
another  sense.  During  these  long  years  of 
anxiety  and  toil,  in  which  he  was  laying- 
broad    and    deep,    the   foundations   of   the 


greatest  nation  the  sun  ever  shone  upon,  he 
received  from  his  impoverished  country  a 
meager  support.  The  only  privilege  he 
carried  with  him  into  his  retirement  was 
that  of  franking  his  letters. 

Although  taking  no  active  part  in  juiblic 
affairs,  both  himself  and  his  son,  John 
Quincy,  nobly  supported  the  policy  of  Mr. 
Jefferson  in  resisting  the  encroachments  of 
England,  who  persisted  in  searching 
American  ships  on  the  high  seas  and 
diagging  from  them  any  sailors  that  might 
be  designated  by  any  pert  lieutenant  as 
British  subjects.  Even  for  this  noble  sup- 
port Mr.  Adams  was  maligned  by  thou- 
sands of  bitter  enemies  !  On  this  occasion, 
for  the  first  time  since  his  retirement,  he 
broke  silence  and  drew  up  a  very  able 
paper,  exposing  the  atrocit}'  of  the  British 
pretensions. 

Mr.  Adams  outlived  nearly  all  his  famil3\ 
Though  his  physical  frame  began  to  give 
way  many  years  before  his  death,  his  mental 
powers  retained  their  strength  and  vigor  to 
the  last.  In  his  ninetieth  year  he  was 
gladdened  by  the  popular  elevation  of  his 
son  to  the  Presidential  office,  the  highest  in 
the  gift  of  the  people.  A  few  months  more 
passed  away  and  the  4th  of  Julv,  1826, 
arrived.  The  people,  unaware  of  the  near 
approach  of  the  end  of  two  great  lives — 
that  of  Adams  and  Jefferson — were  making 
unusual  preparations  for  a  national  holiday. 
Mr.  Adams  lay  upon  his  couch,  listening  to 
the  ringing  of  bells,  the  waftures  of  martial 
music  and  the  roar  of  cannon,  with  silent 
emotion.  Only  four  days  before,  he  had 
given  for  a  public  toast,  "  Independence 
forever."  About  two  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon he  said,  "And  Jefferson  still  survives." 
But  he  was  mistaken  by  an  hour  or  so ; 
and  in  a  few  minutes  he  had  breathed  his 
last. 


■■■■■■g^g«."«»"»''i 


■gi-n-f 


.«».■»■, tSTgiEHSWJ* 


J — 


.■,■_■,»_■,■ 


■"-■-■-■-■-■-■■■-■■^ 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


■■»»« 


^^^_^_,.g^y^^^3_^_,^;^.3.^^  I 


IfeHHH: 


i 


IS 


^T^f "OMAS  JEFFER- 
son,  the  third  Presi- 
dent of  the  United 
States,  i8oi-'9,  was 
born  April  2,  1743, 
the  eldest  child  of 
his  parents,  Peter 
and  Jane  (Randolph)  Jef- 
ferson, near  Charlottes- 
ville, Albemarle  County, 
Virginia,  upon  the  slopes 
of  the  Blue  Ridge.  When 
he -was  fourteen  years  of 
age,  his  father  died,  leav- 
ing a  widow  and  eight 
children.  She  was  a  beau- 
tiful and  accomplished 
lady,  a  good  letter-writer,  with  a  fund  of 
humor,  and  an  admirable  housekeeper.  His 
parents  belonged  to  the  Church  of  England, 
and  are  said  to  be  of  Welch  origin.  But 
little  is  known  of  them,  however. 

Thomas  was  naturally  of  a  serious  turn 
of  mind,  apt  to  learn,  and  a  favorite  at 
school,  his  choice  studies  bemg  mathemat- 
ics and  the  classics.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  entered  William  and  Mar}'  College, 
in  an  advanced  class,  and  lived  in  rather  an 
expensive  style,  consequently  being  much 
caressed  by  gay  society.  That  he  was  not 
ruined,  is  proof  of  his  stamina  of  character. 
But  during  his  second  year  he  discarded 


society,  his  horses  and  even  his  favorite 
violin,  and  devoted  thenceforward  iifteen 
hours  a  day  to  hard  study,  becoming  ex- 
traordinarily proficient  in  Latin  and  Greek 
authors. 

On  leaving  college,  before  he  was  twenty- 
one,  he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and 
pursued  it  diligently  until  he  was  well 
qualified  for  practice,  upon  which  he 
entered  in  1767.  By  this  time  he  was  also 
versed  in  French,  Spanish,  Italian  and  An- 
glo-Saxon, and  in  the  criticism  of  the  fine 
arts.  Being  very  polite  and  polished  in  his 
manners,  he  won  the  friendship  of  all  whom 
he  met.  Though  able  with  his  pen,  he  was 
not  fluent  in  public  speecli. 

In  1769  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the 
Virginia  Legislature,  and  was  the  largest 
slave-holding  member  of  that  bod}'.  He 
introduced  a  bill  empowering  slave-holders 
to  manumit  their  slaves,  but  it  was  rejected 
by  an  overwhelming  vote. 

In  1770  Mr.  Jefferson  met  with  a  great 
loss;  his  house  at  Shadwell  was  burned, 
and  his  valuable  library  of  2,000  volumes 
was  consumed.  But  he  was  wealthy 
enough  to  replace  the  most  of  it,  as  from 
his  5,000  acres  tilled  by  slaves  and  his 
practice  at  the  bar  his  income  amounted  to 
about  $5,000  a  year. 

In  1772  he  married  Mrs.  JNIartha  Skciton, 
a    beautiful,    wealthy    and     accomplished 


zS-^^^^TZ^ 


■If! 


i  tl 


'A. 


'I 

f  I! 
<l  I 


I 


S 


THOMAS    JEFFERSON. 


23 


young  widow,  who  owned  40,000  acres  of 
land  and  130  slaves;  yet  he  labored  assidu- 
(Hislv  for  the  abolition  of  slavery.  For  his 
new  home  he  selected  a  majestic  rise  of 
land  upon  his  large  estate  at  Shadwell, 
called  Monticello,  whereon  he  erected  a 
mansion  of  modest  yet  elegant  architecture. 
Here  he  lived  in  luxury,  indulging  his  taste 
in  magnificent,  high-blooded  horses. 

At  this  period  the  British  Government 
gradually  became  more  insolent  and  op- 
pressive toward  the  American  colonies, 
and  Mr.  Jefferson  was  ever  one  of  the  most 
foremost  to  resist  its  encroachments.  From 
time  to  time  he  drew  up  resolutions  of  re- 
monstrance, which  were  finally  adopted, 
thus  proving  his  ability  as  a, statesman  and 
as  a  leader.  By  the  year  1774  he  became 
quite  busy,  both  with  voice  and  pen,  in  de- 
fending the  right  of  the  colonies  to  defend  ' 
themselves.  His  pamphlet  entitled:  "A 
Summary  View  of  the  Rights  of  British 
America,"  attracted  much  attention  in  Eng- 
land. The  following  year  he,  in  company) 
with  George  Washington,  served  as  an  ex- 
ecutive committee  in  measures  to  defend 
by  arms  the  State  of  Virginia.  As  a  Mem- 
ber of  the  Congress,  he  was  not  a  speech- 
maker,  yet  in  conversation  and  upon 
committees  he  was  so  frank  and  decisive 
that  he  always  m.ade  a  favorable  impression. 
But  as  late  as  the  autumn  of  1775  he  re- 
mained in  hopes  of  reconciliation  with  the 
parent  country. 

At  length,  however,  the  hour  arrived  for 
draughting  the  "  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence," and  this  responsible  task  was  de- 
volved upon  Jefferson.  Franklin,  and 
Adams  suggested  a  few  verbal  corrections 
before  it  was  submitted  to  Congress,  which 
was  June  28,  1776,  only  six  days  before  it 
was  adopted.  During  the  three  days  of 
the  fiery  ordeal  of  criticism  through  which 
it  passed  in  Congress,  Mr.  Jefferson  opened 
not  his  hps.  John  Adams  was  the  main 
champion  of  the  Declaration  on  the  floor 


of  Congress.  The  signing  of  tliis  document 
was  one  of  the  most  solemn  and  momentous 
occasions  ever  attended  to  by  man.  Prayer 
and  silence  reigned  throughout  the  hall, 
and  each  signer  realized  that  if  American 
independence  was  not  finally  sustained  by 
arms  he  was  doomed  to  the  scaffold. 

After  the  colonies  became  independent 
States,  Jefferson  resigned  for  a  time  his  seat 
in  Congress  in  order  to  aid  in  organizing 
the  government  of  Virginia,  of  which  State 
he  was  chosen  Governor  in  1779,  when  he 
was  thirty-six  years  of  age.  At  this  time 
the  British  had  possession  of  Georgia  and 
were  invading  South  Carolina,  and  at  one 
time  a  British  officer,  Tarleton,  sent  a 
secret  expedition  to  Monticello  to  capture 
the    Governor.     Five   minutes    after    Mr. 

,JeffprsDii.  escaped  with  his  family,  his  man- 

•si'ort  was  liv  possession  of  the  enemy  !  The 
British  trob'p's  also  destroyed  his  valuable 
plantation  on  the  James  River.  "  Had  they 
cari;iie.d  off  the  sFaves,"  said  Jefferson,  with 

"chaYacteVisttc  'magnanimity,  "  to  give  them 
freedbfh',  fhey'would  have  done  right." 

The  year  1781  was  a  gloomy  one  for  the 
Virginia  Governor.  While  confined  to  his 
secluded  home  in  the  forest  by  a  sick  and 
dying  wife,  a  party  arose  against  him 
throughout  the  State,  severely  criticising 
his  course  as  Governor.  Being  very  sensi- 
tive to  reproach,  this  touched  him  to  the 
quick,  and  the  heap  of  troubles  then  sur- 
rounding him  nearly  crushed  him.  He  re- 
solved, in  despair,  to  retire  from  public  life 
for  the  rest  of  his  days.     For  weeks  Mr. 

Jefferson  sat  lovingly,  but  with  a  crushed 
heart,  at  the  bedside  of  his  sick  wife,  during 
which  time  unfeeling  letters  were  sent  to 
him,  accusing  him  of  weakness  and  unfaith- 
fulness to  duty.  All  this,  after  he  had  lost 
so  much  property  and  at  the  same  time 
done  so  much  for  his  country !  After  her 
death  he  actually  fainted  away,  and  re- 
mained so  long  insensible  that  it  was  feared 
he  never  would  recover!     Several  weeks 


24 


PRESIDE.VTS     OF    TUB     U.V/TED    STATES. 


passed  before  he  could  fully  recover  his 
equilibrium.  He  was  never  married  a 
second  time. 

In  the  spring  of  1782  the  people  of  Eng- 
land compelled  their  king  to  make  to  the 
Americans  overtures  of  peace,  and  in  No- 
vember following,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  reap- 
pointed by  Congress,  unanimously  and 
without  a  single  adverse  remark,  minister 
plenipotentiary  to  negotiate  a  treat}'. 

In  March,  1784,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  ap- 
pointed on  a  committee  to  draught  a  plan 
for  the  government  of  the  Northwestern 
Territory.  His  slavery -prohibition  clause 
in  that  plan  was  stricken  out  by  the  pro- 
slavery  majority  of  the  committee;  but  amid 
all  the  controversies  and  wrangles  of  poli- 
ticians, he  made  it  a  rule  never  to  contra- 
dict anybody  or  engage  in  any  discussion 
as  a  debater. 

In  company  with  Mr.  Adams  and  Dr. 
Franklin,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  appointed  in 
May,  1784,  to  act  as  minister  plenipotentiary 
in  the  negotiation  of  treaties  of  commerce 
with  foreign  nations.  Accordingly,  he  went 
to  Paris  and  satisfactorily  accomplished  his 
mission.  The  suavity  and  high  bearing  of 
his  manner  made  all  the  French  his  friends; 
and  even  Mrs,  Adams  at  one  time  wrote 
to  her  sister  that  he  was  "  the  chosen 
of  the  earth."  But  all  the  honors  that 
he  received,  both  at  home  and  abroad, 
seemed  to  make  no  change  in  the  simplicity 
of  his  republican  tastes.  On  his  return  to 
America,  he  found  two  parties  respecting 
the  foreign  commercial  policy,  Mr.  Adams 
sympathizing  with  that  in  favor  of  England 
and  himself  favoring  Fiance. 

On  the  inauguration  of  General  Wash- 
ington as  President,  Mr.  Jefferson  was 
chosen  by  him  for  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
State.  At  this  time  the  rising  storm  of  the 
French  Revolution  became  visible,  and 
Washington  watched  it  with  great  anxiety. 
His  cabinet  was  divided  in  their  views  of 
constitutional   government  as   well   as  re- 


garding the  issues  in  France.  General 
Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  was 
the  leader  of  the  so-called  Federal  party, 
while  Mr.  Jefferson  was  the  leader  of  the 
Republican  party.  At  the  same  time  there 
was  a  strong  monarchical  party  in  this 
country,  with  which  Mr.  Adams  sympa- 
thized. Some  important  financial  measures, 
which  were  proposed  by  Hamilton  and 
finally  adopted  b}'  the  cabinet  and  approved 
by  Washington,  were  opposed  by  Mr. 
Jefferson ;  and  his  enemies  then  began  to 
reproach  him  with  holding  office  under  an 
administration  whose  views  he  opposed. 
The  President  poured  oil  on  the  troubled 
waters.  On  his  re-election  to  tiie  Presi- 
dency he  desired  Mr.  Jefferson  to  remain 
in  the  cabinet,  but  the  latter  sent  in  his 
resignation  at  two  different  times,  probably 
because  he  was  dissatisfied  with  some  of 
the  measures  of  the  Government.  His 
final  one  was  not  received  until  January  i, 
1794,  when  General  Washington  parted 
from  him  with  great  regret. 

Jefferson  then  retired  to  his  quiet  home 
at  Monticello,  to  enjoy  a  good  rest,  not  even 
reading  the  newspapers  lest  the  political 
gossip  should  disquiet  him.  On  the  Presi- 
dent's again  calling  him  back  to  the  office 
of  Secretary  of  State,  he  replied  that  no 
circumstances  would  ever  again  tempt  him 
to  engage  in  anything  public!  But,  while 
all  Europe  was  ablaze  with  war,  and  France 
in  the  throes  of  a  bloody  revolution  and  the 
principal  theater  of  the  conflict,  a  new 
Presidential  election  in  this  country  came 
on.  John  Adams  was  the  Federal  candi- 
date and  Mr.  Jefferson  became  the  Republi- 
can candidate.  The  result  of  the  election 
was  the  promotion  of  tiic  latter  to  the  Vice- 
Presidency,  while  the  former  was  chosen 
President.  In  this  contest  Mr.  Jefferson 
reall}-  did  not  desire  to  have  either  office, 
he  was  "so  weary"  of  party  strife.  He 
Icjvcd  the  retirement  of  home  more  than 
any  other  place  on  the  earth. 


^  ^kV  «fcy^j'«  J  ^v.  rs»^ -«&.  f  ■ 


J  "^j--*^  ^fc/-<»^r 


THOMAS     JEFFERSON. 


25 


m 


J: 


But  for  four  long  years  his  Vice-Presi- 
dency passed  jo3^1essIy  away,  while  the 
partisan  strife  between  Federalist  and  Re- 
publican was  ever  growing  hotter.  The 
former  party  split  and  the  result  of  the 
fourth  general  election  was  the  elevation  of 
Mr.  Jefferson  to  the  Presidency!  with 
Aaron  Burr  as  Vice-President.  These  men 
being  at  the  head  of  a  growing  party,  their 
election  was  hailed  everywhere  with  joy. 
On  the  other  hand,  many  of  the  Federalists 
turned  pale,  as  they  believed  what  a  portion 
of  the  pulpit  and  the  press  had  been  preach- 
ing— that  Jefferson  was  a  "  scoffing  atheist," 
a  "Jacobin,"  the  "  incarnation  of  all  evil," 
"breathing  threatening  and  slaughter!  " 

Mr.  Jefferson's  inaugural  address  con- 
tained nothing  but  the  noblest  sentiments, 
expressed  in  fine  language,  and  his  personal 
behavior  afterward  exhibited  the  extreme 
of  American,  democratic  simplicity.  His 
disgust  of  European  court  etiquette  grew 
upon  him  with  age.  He  believed  that 
General  Washington  was  somewhat  dis- 
trustful of  the  ultimate  success  of  a  popular 
Government,  and  that,  imbued  with  a  little 
admiration  of  the  forms  of  a  monarchical 
Government,  he  had  instituted  levees,  birth- 
daj^s,  pompous  meetings  with  Congress, 
etc.  Jefferson  was  always  polite,  even  to 
slaves  everywhere  he  met  them,  and  carried 
in  his  countenance  the  indications  of  an  ac- 
commodating disposition. 

The  political  principles  of  the  Jeffersoni- 
an  party  now  swept  the  country,  and  Mr. 
Jefferson  himself  swayed  an  influence  which 
was  never  exceeded  even  by  Washington. 
Under  his  administration,  in  1803,  the  Lou- 
isiana purchase  was  made,  for  $15,000,000, 
the  "  Louisiana  Territory  "  purchased  com- 
prising all  the  land  west  of  the  Mississippi 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

The  year  1804  witnessed  another  severe 
loss  in  his  family.  His  highly  accomplished 
and  most  beloved  daughter  Maria  sickened 
and    died,    causing    as    great    grief    in    the 


stricken  parent  as  it  was  possible  for  him  to 
survive  with  any  degree  of  sanity. 

The  same  year  he  was  re-elected  to  the 
Presidency,  with  George  Clinton  as  Vice- 
President.  During  his  second  term  our 
relations  with  England  became  more  com- 
plicated, and  on  June  22,  1807,  near  Hamp- 
ton Roads,  the  United  States  frigate 
Chesapeake  was  fired  upon  by  the  Brit- 
ish man-of-war  Leopard,  and  was  made 
to  surrender.  Three  men  were  killed  and 
ten  wounded.  Jefferson  demanded  repara- 
tion. England  grew  insolent.  It  became 
evident  that  war  was  determined  upon  by 
the  latter  power.  More  than  1,200  Ameri- 
cans were  forced  into  the  British  service 
upon  the  high  seas.  Before  any  satisfactory 
solution  was  reached,  Mr.  Jefferson's 
Presidential  term  closed.  Amid  all  these 
public  excitements  he  thought  constantl}' 
of  the  welfare  of  his  family,  and  longed 
for  the  time  when  he  could  return  home 
to  remain.  There,  at  Monticello,  his  sub- 
sequent life  was  very  similar  to  that  of 
Washington  at  Mt.  Vernon.  His  hospi- 
tality toward  his  numerous  friends,  indul- 
gence of  his  slaves,  and  misfortunes  to  his 
property,  etc.,  finall)'  involved  him  in  debt. 
For  years  his  home  resembled  a  fashion- 
able watering-place.  During  the  summer, 
thirty-seven  house  servants  were  required! 
It  was  presided  over  by  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Randolph. 

Mr.  Jefferson  did  much  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  University  at  Charlottesville, 
making  it  unsectarian,  in  keeping  with  the 
spirit  of  American  institutions,  but  poverty 
and  the  feebleness  of  old  age  prevented 
him  from  doing  what  he  would.  He  even 
went  so  far  as  to  petition  tiie  Legislature 
for  permission  to  dispose  of  some  of  his 
possessions  by  lottery,  in  order  to  raise  the 
necessary  funds  for  home  expenses.  It  was 
granted ;  but  before  the  plan  was  carried 
out,   Mr.    Jefferson    died,  July    4,    1826,   at 

12:50  ]'.   M. 


26 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UN/TED    STATES. 


V.    AMES     MADISON,    t  h  c 

3;      fourth    President    of    the 

'■^^     United    States,    iSog-'i;, 

was    born    at    Port   Con- 

tTd^s?-  ilirei''  ■  ■-"'•.  ^^''^V,  Prince  George 
^^/^.tS^^  £l  .i;"  Comity,  Virginia,  March 
i6,  1 75 1.  His  fatiicr, 
Colonel  James  Madiscjn,  was 
a  wealthy  planter,  residing 
upon  a  very  fine  estate 
called  "  Montpclier,"  only 
twenty-five  miles  from  the 
home  of  Thomas  Jefferson 
at  Monticello.  The  closest 
personal  and  political  at- 
tachment existed  between 
these  illustrious  men  from  their  early  youth 
until  death. 

James  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  seven 
children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  all 
of  whom  attained  maturity.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  conducted  mostly  at  home, 
under  a  private  tutor.  Being  naturallv  in- 
tellectual in  his  tastes,  he  consecrated  him- 
self with  unusual  vigor  to  study.  At  a  very 
early  age  he  made  considerable  proficiency 
in  the  Greek,  Latin,  French  and  Spanish 
languages.  In  1769  he  entered  Princeton 
College,  New  Jersey,  of  which  the  illus- 
trious Dr.  Weathcrspoon  was  then  Presi- 
dent.    He  graduatefl  in   1771,  with  a  char- 


acter of  the  utmost  purity,  and  a  mind 
highly  disciplined  and  stored  with  all  the 
learning  which  embellished  and  gave  effi- 
ciency to  his  subsequent  career.  After 
graduating  he  pursued  a  course  of  reading 
for  several  months,  under  the  guidance  of 
President  VVeatherspoon,  anil  in  1772  re- 
turned to  Virginia,  where  he  continued  in 
incessant  study  for  two  years,  nominally 
directed  to  the  law,  but  really  including 
extended  researches  in  theology,  philoso- 
phy and  general  literature. 

The  Church  of  England  was  the  estab- 
lished church  in  Virginia,  invested  with  all 
the  prerogatives  and  immunities  which  it 
enjoyed  in  the  fatherland,  and  other  de- 
nominations labored  under  serious  disabili- 
ties, the  enforcement  of  which  was  rightly 
or  wrongly  characterized  by  them  as  per- 
secution. Madison  took  a  prominent  stand 
in  behalf  of  the  removal  of  all  disabilities, 
repeatedly  appeared  in  the  court  of  his  own 
county  to  defend  the  Baptist  nonconform- 
ists, and  was  elected  from  Orange  County  to 
the  Virginia  Convention  in  the  spring  of 
1766,  when  he  signalized  the  beginning  of 
his  public  career  by  ])rocuring  the  passage 
of  an  amendment  to  the  Declaration  of 
Rights  as  prepared  by  George  Mason,  sub- 
stituting for  "toleration"  a  more  (-niphatic 
assertion  of  leligious  liberty. 


/ 


/>c{  /^c^-L-r 


THENZV/'YO«K|; 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LeWOX  AH{> 
TILDEN  FOU*<OaT«D«S. 


,{ISSI 


L  /  ^CLr~^v^>  ^u/« 


yAMES    MADISON. 


29 


In  1776  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Virginia  Convention  to  frame  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  State.  Like  Jefferson,  he  took 
but  little  part  in  the  public  debates.  His 
main  strength  lay  in  his  conversational  in- 
fluence and  in  his  pen.  In  November,  1777, 
he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Council  of 
State,  and  in  March,  17S0,  took  his  seat  in 
the  Continental  Congress,  where  he  first 
gained  prominence  through  his  energetic 
opposition  to  the  issue  of  paper  money  by 
the  States.  He  continued  in  Congress  three 
years,  one  of  its  most  active  and  influential 
members. 

In  1784  Mr.  Madison  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Virginia  Legislature.  He  ren- 
dered important  service  by  promoting  and 
participating  in  that  revision  of  the  statutes 
which  effectually  abolished  the  remnants  of 
the  feudal  system  subsistent  up  to  that 
time  in  the  form  of  entails,  primogeniture, 
and  State  support  given  the  Anglican 
Church  ;  and  his  "  Memorial  and  Remon- 
strance" against  a  general  assessment  for 
the  support  of  religion  is  one  of  the  ablest 
papers  which  emanated  from  his  pen.  It 
settled  the  question  of  the  entire  separation 
of  church  and  State  in  Virginia. 

Mr.  Jefferson  sa3's  of  him,  in  allusion  to 
the  study  and  experience  through  which  he 
had  already  passed : 

"  Trained  in  these  successive  schools,  he 
acquired  a  habit  of  self-possession  which 
placed  at  ready  command  the  rich  resources 
of  his  luminous  and  discriminating  mind  and 
of  his  extensive  information,  and  rendered 
him  the  first  of  every  assembly  of  which  he 
afterward  became  a  member.  Never  wan- 
dering from  his  subject  into  vain  declama- 
tion, but  pursuing  it  closely  in  language 
pure,  classical  and  copious,  soothing  al- 
wa3's  the  feelings  of  his  adversaries  by  civili- 
ties and  softness  of  expression,  he  rose  to  the 
emin.ent  station  which  he  held  in  the  great 
National  Convention  of  17S7  ;  and  in  that  of 
Virginia,  which  followed,  he  sustained  the 


new  Constitution  in  all  its  parts,  bearing  off 
the  palm  against  the  logic  of  George  Mason 
and  tlie  fervid  declamation  of  Patrick 
Henry.  With  these  consummate  powers 
were  united  a  pure  and  spotless  virtue 
which  no  calumny  has  ever  attempted  to 
suUv.  Of  the  power  and  polish  of  his  pen, 
and  of  the  wisdom  of  his  administration  in 
the  highest  office  of  the  nation,  I  need  say 
nothing.  They  have  spoken,  and  will  for- 
ever speak,  for  themselves." 

In  January,  1786,  Mr.  Madison  took  the 
initiative  in  proposing  a  meeting  of  State 
Commissioners  to  devise  measures  for  more 
satisfactory  commercial  relations  between 
the  States.  A  meeting  was  held  at  An- 
napolis to  discuss  this  subject,  and  but  five 
States  were  represented.  The  convention 
issued  another  call,  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Madi- 
son, urging  all  the  States  to  send  their  dele- 
gates to  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1787,  to 
draught  a  Constitution  for  the  United 
States.  The  delegates  met  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed, every  State  except  Rhode  Island 
being  represented.  George  Washington 
was  chosen  president  of  the  convention, 
and  the  present  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  was  then  and  there  formed.  There 
was  no  mind  and  no  pen  more  active  in 
framing  this  immortal  document  than  the 
mind  and  pen  of  James  Madison.  He  was, 
perhaps,  its  ablest  advocate  in  the  pages  of 
the   Federalist. 

Mr.  Madison  was  a  member  of  the  first 
four  Congresses,  i789-'97,  in  which  he  main- 
tained a  moderate  opposition  to  Hamilton's 
financial  policy.  He  declined  the  mission 
to  France  and  the  Secretaryship  of  State, 
and,  graduall}'  identifying  himself  with  the 
Republican  party,  became  from  1792  its 
avowed  leader.  In  1796  he  was  its  choice 
for  the  Presidency  as  successor  to  Wash- 
ington.  Mr.  Jefferson  wrote :  "  There  is 
not  another  person  in  the  United  States 
with  whom,  being  placed  at  the  helm  of  our 
affairs,  my  mi-nd  would  be  so  completely  at 


3° 


PItESIDE.VTS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES. 


rest  for  tlie  fortune  of  our  political  bark." 
But  Mr.  Madison  declined  to  be  a  candi- 
date. Mis  term  in  Congress  had  expired, 
and  he  returned  from  New  York  to  his 
beautiful  retreat  at  Montpelier. 

In  1794  Mr.  Madison  married  a  young 
widow  of  remarkable  powers  of  fascination 
— Mrs.  Todd.  Her  maiden  name  was  Doro- 
th\'  Paine.  She  was  born  in  1767,  in  Vir- 
ginia, of  Quaker  parents,  and  had  been 
educated  in  t\\e  strictest  rules  of  that  sect. 
Wlicn  but  eighteen  years  of  age  she  married 
a  young  lawyer  and  moved  to  Philadelphia, 
where  she  was  introduced  to  brilliant  scenes 
of  fashionable  life.  She  speedily  laid  aside 
the  dress  and  address  of  the  Quakeress,  and 
became  one  of  the  most  fascinating  ladies 
of  the  republican  court.  In  New  York, 
after  the  death  of  her  husband,  she  was  the 
belle  of  the  season  and  was  surrounded  with 
admirers.  Mr.  Madison  won  the  prize. 
She  proved  an  invaluable  helpmate.  In 
Washington  she  was  the  life  of  society. 
If  there  was  any  dilSdent,  timid  young 
girl  just  making  her  appearance,  she 
found  in  Mi"s.  Madison  an  encouraging 
friend. 

During  the  stormy  administration  of  John 
Adams  Madison  remained  in  private  life, 
but  was  tiie  author  of  the  celebrated  "  Reso- 
lutions of  1798,"  adopted  by  the  Virginia 
Legislature,  in  condemnation  of  the  Alien 
and  Sedition  laws,  as  well  as  of  the  "  report" 
in  which  he  defended  those  resolutions, 
which  is,  by  many,  considered  his  ablest 
State  paper. 

The  storm  passed  away  ;  the  Alien  and 
Sedition  laws  were  repealed,  John  Adams 
lost  his  re-election,  and  in  1801  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson was  chosen  President.  The  great  re- 
action in  public  sentiment  which  seated 
Jefferson  in  the  presidential  chair  was  large- 
ly owing  to  the  writings  of  Madison,  who 
was  consequently  well  entitled  to  the  post 
of  Secretary  of  State.  With  great  ability 
he  discharged  the  duties  of  this  responsible 


office  during  the  eight  years  of  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son's administration. 

As  Mr.  Jefferson  was  a  widower,  and 
neither  of  his  daughters  could  be  often  with 
him,  Mrs.  Madison  usually  presided  over 
the  festivities  of  the  White  House ;  and  as 
her  husband  succeeded  Mr.  Jefferson,  hold- 
ing his  office  for  two  terms,  this  remarkable 
woman  was  the  mistress  of  the  presidential 
mansion  for  sixteen  years. 

Mr.  Madison  being  entirely  engrossed  by 
the  cares  of  his  office,  all  the  duties  of  so- 
cial life  devolved  upon  his  accomplished 
wife.  Never  were  such  responsibilities 
more  ably  discharged.  The  most  bitter 
foes  of  her  husband  and  of  the  administra- 
tion were  received  with  the  frankly  prof- 
fered hand  and  the  cordial  smile  of  wel- 
come ;  and  the  influence  of  this  gentle 
woman  in  allaying  the  bitterness  of  party 
rancor  became  a  great  and  salutary  power 
in  the  nation. 

As  the  term  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  Presidency 
drew  near  its  close,  party  strife  was  roused 
to  the  utmost  to  elect  his  successor.  It  was 
a  death-grapple  between  the  two  great 
parties,  the  Federal  and  Republican.  Mr. 
Madison  was  chosen  President  by  an  elec- 
toral vote  of  122  to  53,  and  was  inaugurated 
March  4,  1809,  at  a  critical  period,  wiien 
the  relations  of  the  United  States  with  Great 
Britain  were  becoming  embittered,  and  his 
first  term  was  passed  in  diplomatic  quarrels, 
aggravated  by  the  act  of  non-intercourse  of 
Mav,  iSlO,  and  finally  resulting  in  a  decla- 
ration of  war. 

On  the  1 8th  of  June,  1812,  President 
Madison  gave  his  approval  to  an  act  of 
Congress  declaring  war  against  Great  Brit- 
ain. Notwithstanding  the  bitter  hostility 
of  the  Federal  party  to  the  war,  the  country 
in  general  approved ;  and  in  the  autumn 
Madison  was  re-elected  to  the  Presidency 
by  128  electoral  votes  to  89  in  favor  of 
George  Clinton. 

March  4,  1S17,  Madison  vieldeil  1  he  Presi- 


^-....-..^..■.iii«fSij^i»W«Mii»»M„n_a,a«»,Miin5;» 


yAMES    A/AD/SON. 


31 


dency  to  his  Secretary  of  State  and  inti- 
mate friend,  James  Monroe,  and  retired  to 
his  ancestral  estate  at  MontpeHer,  where  he 
passed  the  evening  of  his  days  surrounded 
by  attached  friends  and  enjoying  the 
merited  respect  of  the  whole  nation.  He 
took  pleasure  in  promoting  agriculture,  as 
president  of  the  county  society,  and  in 
watching  the  development  of  the  University 
of  Virginia,  of  which  he  was  long  rector  and 
visitor.  In  extreme  old  age  he  sat  in  1829 
as  a  member  of  the  convention  called  to  re- 
form the  Virginia  Constitution,  where  his 
appearance  was  hailed  with  the  most  gen- 
uine interest  and  satisfaction,  though  he 
was  too  infirm  to  participate  in  the  active 
work  of  revision.  Small  in  stature,  slender 
and  delicate  in  form,  with  a  countenance 
full  of  intelligence,  and  expressive  alike  of 
mildness  and  dignity,  he  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  all  who  attended  the  convention, 
and  was  treated  with  the  utmost  deference. 
He  seldom  addressed  the  assembly,  though 
he  always  appeared  self-possessed,  and 
watched  with  unflagging  interest  the  prog- 
ress of  every  measure.  Though  the  con- 
vention sat  sixteen  weeks,  he  spoke  only 
twice;  but  when  he  did  speak,  the  whole 
house  paused  to  listen.  His  voice  was 
feeble  though  his  enunciation  was  very  dis- 
tinct. One  of  the  reporters,  Mr.  Stansbury, 
relates  the  following  anecdote  of  Mr.  Madi- 
son's last  speech: 

"  The  next  day,  as  there  was  a  great  call 
for  it,  and  the  report  had  not  been  returned 
for  publication,  I  sent  my  son  with  a  re- 
spectful note,  requesting  the  manuscript. 
My  son  was  a  lad  of  sixteen,  whom  I  had 
taken  with  me  to  act  as  amanuensis.  On 
delivering  my  note,  he  was  received  with 
the  utmost  politeness,  and  requested  to 
come  up  into  Mr.  Madison's  room  and  wait 
while  his  eye  ran  over  the  paper,  as  com- 
pany had  prevented  his  attending  to  it.  He 
did  so,  and  Mr.  Madison  sat  down  to  correct 

the  report.     The  lad  stood  near  him  so  that 
3 


his  eye  fell  on  the  paper.  Coming  to  a 
certain  sentence  in  the  speech,  Mr.  Madison 
erased  a  word  and  substituted  another  ;  but 
hesitated,  and  not  feeling  satisfied  with  the 
second  word,  drew  his  pen  through  it  also. 
My  son  was  young,  ignorant  of  the  world, 
and  unconscious  of  the  solecism  of  which  he 
was  about  to  be  guilty,  when,  in  all  simplic- 
ity, he  suggested  a  word.  Probably  no 
other  person  then  living  would  have  taken 
such  a  liberty.  But  the  sage,  instead  of 
reoarding  such  an  intrusion  with  a  frown, 
raised  his  eyes  to  the  boy's  face  with  a 
pleased  surprise,  and  said,  '  Thank  you,  sir  ; 
it  is  the  very  word,'  and  immediately  in- 
serted it.  I  saw  him  the  next  day,  and  he 
mentioned  the  circumstance,  with  a  compli- 
ment on  the  3'oung  critic." 

Mr.  Madison  died  at  Montpelicr,  June  28, 
1836,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five. 
Wiiile  not  possessing  the  highest  order  of 
talent,  and  deficient  in  oratorical  powers, 
he  was  pre-eminently  a  statesman,  of  a  well- 
balanced  mind.  His  attainments  were  solid, 
his  knowledge  copious,  his  judgment  gener- 
ally sound,  his  powers  of  analysis  and  logi- 
cal statement  rarely  surpassed,  his  language 
and  literary  style  correct  and  polished,  his 
conversation  witty,  his  temperament  san- 
guine and  trusfful,  his  integrity  unques- 
tioned, his  manners  simple,  courteous  and 
winning.  By  these  rare  qualities  he  con- 
ciliated the  esteem  not  only  of  friends,  but 
of  political  opponents,  in  a  greater  degree 
than  any  American  statesman  in  the  present 
century. 

Mrs.  Madison  survived  her  husband  thir- 
teen years,  and  died  July  12,  1849,  i'^  the 
eighty-second  year  of  her  age.  She  was  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  women  our  coun- 
try has  produced.  Even  now  she  is  ad- 
miringly remembered  in  Washington  as 
"  Dolly  Madison,"  and  it  is  fitting  tliat  her 
memory  should  descend  to  posterity  in 
company  with  thatof  the  companion  of 
her  life. 


Lj?lJij;U!!U-¥-w'««g'wJ*iL*aJg.MgjL?jagLg"iB"a"ai'"a"mgi 


i 


3i 


PJiES/DEIVTS     UF     THE     UN  11  ED    STATES. 


l^f     JiMlilSa  MlOMMlBM,     fl 


f '|r  AMES  MONROE,  the  fifth 
President  of  the  United 
ij;^  States,  1817-25,  was  born 
in  Westmoreland  County 
Virginia,  April  28,  1758. 
lie  was  a  son  of  Spence 
Monroe,  and  a  descendant 
of  a  Scottish  cavalier  fam- 
ily. Like  all  his  predeces- 
sors thus  far  in  the  Presi- 
dential chair,  he  cnjo3'ed  all 
the  advantages  of  educa- 
tion wiiich  tlic  country 
could  then  afford.  He  was 
carl}'  sent  to  a  fine  classical 
school,  and  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen entered  William  and  Mary  College.. 
In  1776,  when  he  had  been  in  college  but 
two  years,  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  adopted,  and  our  feeble  militia,  with- 
out arms,  amunition  or  clothing,  were  strug- 
gling against  the  trained  armies  of  England. 
James  Monroe  left  college,  hastened  to 
General  Washington's  headquarters  at  New 
York  and  enrolled  himself  as  a  cadet  in  the 
army. 

At  Trenton  Lieutenant  Monroe  so  dis- 
tinguished himself,  receiving  a  wound  in  his 
shoulder,  that  he  was  promoted  to  a  Cap- 
taincy. Upon  recovering  from  his  wound, 
he  was  invited  to  act  as  aide  to  Lord  Ster- 
ling, and  in  that  capacity  he  took  an  active 
part  in  the  battles  of  Brandywinc,  Ger- 
niaiitownand  Monmouth.    ;\t  Gcrmantown 


he  stood  b}'  the  side  of  Lafayette  when  the 
French  Marquis  received  his  wound.  Gen- 
eral Washington,  who  had  formed  a  high 
idea  of  young  Monroe's  ability,  sent  him  to 
Virginia  to  raise  a  new  regiment,  of  which 
he  was  to  be  Colonel;  but  so  exhausted  was 
Virginia  at  that  time  that  the  effort  proved 
unsuccessful.  He,  however,  received  his 
commission. 

Finding  no  opportunity  to  enter  the  army 
as  a  commissioned  officer,  he  returned  to  his 
original  plan  of  studying  law,  and  entered 
the  ofihce  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  was 
then  Governorof  Virginia.  He  developed 
a  very  noble  character,  frank,  manly  and 
sincere.     Mr.  Jefferson  said  of  him: 

"James  Monroe  is  so  perfectl}-  honest 
that  if  his  soul  were  turned  inside  out  there 
would  not  be  found  a  spot  on  it." 

In  17S2  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly 
of  Virginia,  and  was  also  appointed  a  mem- 
ber of  the  E.xecutive  Council.  The  next 
year  he  was  chosen  delegate  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  for  a  term  of  three  years. 
He  was  present  at  Annapolis  when  Wash- 
ington surrendered  his  commission  of  Com- 
mander-in-chief. 

With  Washington,  Jefferson  and  Madison 
he  felt  deeply  the  inefficiency  of  the  old 
Articles  of  Confederation,  and  urged  the 
formation  of  a  new  Constitution,  which 
should  invest  the  Central  Government  with 
something  like  national  power.  Influenced 
by  these  views,  he  introduced  a  resolution 


'■"■"!■"■'■■■ 


^  J 


^^^-;^-T^^j/^  V'    z^^^'Z-c^'-'^^ 


.;:T 


ASTOR,   LENOX  AMO 
TILOEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


yAMES    MONROE. 


3S 


that  Congress  should  be  empowered  to 
regulate  trade,  and  to  lay  an  impost  duty 
of  five  per  cent.  The  resolution  was  refer- 
red to  a  committee  of  which  he  was  chair- 
man. The  report  and  the  discussion  which 
rose  upon  it  led  to  the  convention  of  five 
States  at  Annapolis,  and  the  consequent 
general  convention  at  Philadelphia,  which, 
in  1787,  drafted  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States. 

At  this  time  there  was  a  controversy  be- 
tween New  York  and  Massachusetts  in 
reference  to  their  boundaries.  The  high 
esteem  in  which  Colonel  Monroe  was  held 
is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  judges  to  decide  the 
controversy.  While  in  New  York  attend- 
ing Congress,  he  married  Miss  Kortright, 
a  young  lady  distingLiished  alike  for  her 
beauty  and  accomplishments.  For  near)}' 
fifty  years  this  happv  union  remained  un- 
broken. In  London  and  in  Paris,  as  in  her 
own  country,  Mrs.  Monroe  won  admiration 
and  affection  by  the  loveliness  of  her  per- 
son, the  brilliancy  of  her  intellect,  and  the 
amiability  of  her  character. 

Returning  to  Virginia,  Colonel  Monroe 
commenced  the  practice  of  law  at  Freder- 
icksburg. He  was  very  soon  elected  to  a 
seat  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  the  ne.xt 
year  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Vir- 
ginia convention  which  was  assembled  to 
decide  upon  the  acceptance  or  rejection  of 
the  Constitution  which  had  been  drawn  up 
at  Philadelphia,  and  was  now  submitted 
to  the  several  States.  Deeply  as  he  felt 
the  imperfections  of  the  old  Confederacy, 
he  was  opposed  to  the  new  Constitution, 
thinking,  with  many  others  of  the  Republi- 
can party,  that  it  gave  too  much  power  to 
the  Central  Government,  and  not  enough 
to  the  individual  States. 

In  1789  he  became  a  member  of  the 
United  States  Senate,  which  office  he  held 
acceptably  to  his  constituents;  and  with 
honor  tui  himself  lor  four  years. 


Having  opposed  the  Constitution  as  not 
leaving  enough  power  with  the  States,  he, 
of  course,  became  more  and  more  identi- 
fied with  the  Republican  party.  Thus  he 
found  himself  in  cordial  co-operation  with 
Jefferson  and  Madison.  The  great  Repub- 
lican party  became  the  dominant  power 
which  ruled  the  land. 

George  Washington  was  then  President. 
England  had  espoused  the  cause  of  the 
Bourbons  against  the  principles  of  the 
French  Revolution.  President  Washing- 
ton issued  a  proclamation  of  neutralit}'  be- 
tween these  contending  powers.  France 
had  helped  us  in  the  struggle  for  our  lib- 
erties. All  the  despotisms  of  Europe  were 
now  combined  to  prevent  the  French 
from  escaping  from  tyrann}'  a  thousandfold 
worse  than  that  which  we  had  endured. 
Colonel  Monroe,  more  magnanimous  than 
prudent,  was  anxious  that  we  should  help 
our  old  allies  in  their  extremit}*.  He  vio- 
lently opposed  the  President's  procla- 
mation as  ungrateful  and  wanting  in 
magnanimity. 

Washington,  who  could  appreciate  such 
a  character,  developed  his  calm,  serene, 
almost  divine  greatness  by  appointing  that 
ver}'  James  Monroe,  who  was  denouncing 
the  polic}'  of  the  Government,  as  the  Minis- 
ter of  that  Government  to  the  republic  of 
France.  He  was  directed  b}'  Washington 
to  express  to  the  French  people  our  warm- 
est sympathy,  communicating  to  them  cor- 
responding resolves  approved  by  the  Pres- 
ident, and  adopted  by  botii  iiouses  of 
Congress. 

Mr.  Monroe  was  welcomed  by  the  Na- 
tional Convention  in  France  with  the  most 
enthusiastic  demonstrations  of  respect  and 
affection.  He  was  publicly  introduced  to 
that  body,  anil  received  the  embrace  of  tiie 
President,  Merlin  de  Douay,  after  having 
been  addressed  in  a  speech  glowing  with 
congratulations,  and  with  expressions  of 
desire  that    iiarmony  might  ever    exist  be- 


1 

A 

} 

\ . 
'1 
>  I 


■■■■■■■■■■iiL"jtMi«"»"j»"m"«!!«"« 


^j-*v  ■*.'*.' -^-1 -*  I  m- ( ^  ■mj  ^kj  i»>  "* 


't"* 


36 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


character   of  George 


tween  the  two  nations.  The  flags  of  the 
two  republics  were  intertwined  in  the  hall 
of  the  convention.  Mr.  Monroe  presented 
the  American  colors,  and  received  those  of 
France  in  return.  The  course  which  he 
pursued  in  Paris  was  so  annoying  to  Eng- 
land and  to  the  friends  of  England  in 
this  country  that,  near  the  close  of  Wash- 
ington's administration,  Mr.  Monroe,  was 
recalled. 

After  his  return  Colonel  Monroe  wrote  a 
book  of  400  pages,  entitled  "  A  View  of  the 
Conduct  of  the  Executive  in  Foreign  Af- 
fairs." In  this  work  he  ver}'  ably  advo- 
cated his  side  of  the  question;  but,  with 
the  magnanimity  of  the  man,  he  recorded  a 
warm  tribute  to  the  patriotism,  abilit)-  and 
spotless  integrity  of  John  Jay,  between 
whom  and  himself  there  was  intense  antag- 
onism ;  and  in  subsequent  years  he  ex- 
pressed in  warmest  terms  his  perfect 
veneration  for  the 
Washington. 

Shortly  after  his  return  to  this  country 
Colonel  Monroe  was  elected  Governor  of 
Virginia,  and  held  that  ofifice  for  three 
years,  the  period  limited  by  the  Constitu- 
tion. In  1802  he  was  an  Envoy  to  France, 
and  to  Spain  in  1805,  and  was  Minister  to 
England  in  1803.  In  1806  he  returned  to 
his  quiet  home  in  Virginia,  and  with  his 
wife  and  children  and  an  ample  competence 
from  his  paternal  estate,  enjoyed  a  few  years 
of  domestic  repose. 

In  1809  Mr.  Jefferson's  second  term  of 
office  expired,  and  many  of  the  Republican 
party  were  anxious  to  nominate  James 
^t()^r()e  as  his  successor.  The  majority 
were  in  f:ivor  of  Mr.  Madison.  Mr.  Mon- 
roe withdrew  his  name  and  was  soon  after 
chosen  a  second  time  Governor  of  Virginia. 
He  soon  resigned  that  office  to  accept  the 
l)ositi()n  of  Secretary  of  State,  offered  him 
by  President  Madison.  The  correspond- 
ence which  he  then  carried  on  with  tlie 
British    Government     demonstrated    that 


there  was  no  hope  of  any  peaceful  adjust- 
ment of  our  difficulties  with  the  cabinet  of 
St.  James.  War  was  consequently  declared 
in  June,  18 12.  Immediately  after  the  sack 
of  Washington  the  Secretary  of  War  re- 
signed, and  Mr.  Monroe,  at  the  earnest 
request  of  Mr.  Madison,  assumed  the  ad- 
ditional duties  of  the  War  Department, 
without  resigning  his  position  as  Secretary 
of  State.  It  has  been  confidentl}'  stated, 
that,  had  Mr.  Monroe's  energies  been  in  the 
War  Department  a  few  months  earlier,  the 
disaster  at  Washington  would  not  have 
occurred. 

The  duties  now  devolving  upon  Mr.  Mon- 
roe were  extremely  arduous.  Ten  thou- 
sand men,  picked  from  the  veteran  armies 
of  England,  were  sent  with  a  powerful  fleet 
to  New  Orleans  to  acquire  possession  of 
the  mouths  of  the  Mississippi.  Our  finan- 
ces were  in  the  most  deplorable  condition. 
The  treasury  was  exhausted  and  our  credit 
gone.  And  yet  it  was  necessary  to  make 
the  most  rigorous  preparations  to  meet  the 
foe.  In  this  crisis  James  Monroe,  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  with  virtue  unsurpassed  in 
Greek  or  Roman  story,  stepped  forward 
and  pledged  his  own  individual  credit  as 
subsidiary  to  that  of  the  nation,  and  thus 
succeeded  in  placing  the  city  of  New  Or- 
leans in  such  a  posture  of  defense,  that  it 
was  enabled  successfully  to  repel  the  in- 
vader. 

Mr.  Monroe  was  truly  the  armor-bearer 
of  President  Madison,  and  the  most  efficient 
business  man  in  his  cabinet.  His  energy 
in  the  double  capacity  of  Secretary,  both 
of  State  and  War,  pervaded  all  the  depart- 
ments of  the  country.  He  proposed  to 
increase  the  army  to  100,000  men,  a  meas- 
ure which  he  deemed  absohitel)'  necessary 
to  save  us  from  ignominious  defeat,  but 
which,  at  the  same  time,  he  knew  would 
render  his  name  so  unpopular  as  to  preclude 
the  possibility  of  his  being  a  successful  can- 
didate for  the  Presidenc}'. 


JAMES    MONROE. 


37 


The  happy  result  of  the  conference  at 
Ghent  in  securing  peace  rendered  the  in- 
crease of  the  array  unnecessary;  but  it  is  not 
too  much  to  say  that  James  Monroe  placed 
in  the  hands  of  Andrew  Jackson  the 
weapon  with  which  to  beat  off  the  foe  at 
New  Orleans.  Upon  the  return  of  peace 
Mr.  Monroe  resigned  the  department  of 
war,  devoting  himself  entirely  to  the  duties 
of  Secretary  of  State.  These  he  continued 
to  discharge  until  the  close  of  President 
Madison's  administration,  with  zeal  which 
was  never  abated,  and  with  an  ardor  of 
self-devotion  which  made  him  almost  for- 
getful of  the  claims  of  fortune,  health  or 
life. 

Mr.  Madison's  second  term  expired  in 
March,  1817,  and  Mr.  Monroe  succeeded 
to  the  Presidency.  He  was  a  candidate  of 
the  Republican  party,  now  taking  the  name 
of  the  Democratic  Republican.  In  1821  he 
was  re-elected,  with  scarcely  any  opposition. 
Out  of  232  electoral  votes,  he  received  231. 
The  slavery  question,  which  subsequently 
assumed  such  formidable  dimensions,  now 
began  to  make  its  appearance.  The  State 
of  Missouri,  which  had  been  carved  out  of 
that  immense  territory  which  we  had  pur- 
chased of  France,  applied  for  admission  to 
the  Union,  with  a  slavery  Constitution. 
There  were  not  a  few  who  foresaw  the 
evils  impending.  After  the  debate  of  a 
week  it  was  decided  that  Missouri  could 
not  be  admitted  into  the  Union  with  slav- 
ery. This  important  question  was  at  length 
settled  by  a  compromise  proposed  by 
Henry  Clay. 

The  famous  "Monroe  Doctrine,"  of  which 
so  much  has  been  said,  originated  in  this 
way:  In  1823  it  was  rumored  that  the 
Holy  Alliance  was  about  to  interfere  to 
prevent  the  establishment  of  Republican 
liberty  in  the  European  colonies  of  South 
America.  President  Monroe  wrote  to  his 
old  fi'iend  Thomas  Jefferson  lor  advice  in 
the  emergency.     In  his  reply  under  date  of 


October  24,  Mr.  Jefferson  writes  upon  the 
supposition  that  our  attempt  to  resist  this 
European  movement  might  lead  to  war: 

"  Its  object  is  to  introduce  and  establish 
the  American  system  of  keeping  out  of  our 
land  all  foreign  powers;  of  never  permitting 
those  of  Europe  to  intermeddle  with  the 
affairs  of  our  nation.  It  is  to  maintain  our 
own  principle,  not  to  depart  from  it." 

December  2,  1823,  President  Monroe 
sent  a  message  to  Congress,  declaring  it  to 
be  the  policy  of  this  Government  not  to 
entangle  ourselves  with  the  broils  of  Eu- 
rope, and  not  to  allow  Europe  to  interfere 
with  the  affairs  of  nations  on  the  American 
continent;  and  the  doctrine  was  announced, 
that  any  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  Euro- 
pean powers  "  to  extend  their  system  to 
any  portion  of  this  hemisphere  would  be 
regarded  by  the  United  States  as  danger- 
ous to  our  peace  and  safety." 

March  4,  1825,  Mr.  Monroe  surrendered 
the  presidential  chair  to  his  Secretary  of 
State,  John  Ouincy  Adams,  and  retired, 
with  the  universal  respect  of  the  nation, 
to  his  private  residence  at  Oak  Hill,  Lou- 
doun County,  Virginia.  His  time  had  been 
so  entirely  consecrated  to  his  country,  that 
he  had  neglected  his  pecuniary  interests, 
and  was  deeply  involved  in  debt.  The 
welfare  of  his  country  had  ever  been  up- 
permost in  his  mind. 

For  many  years  Mrs.  Monroe  was  in  such 
feeble  health  that  she  rarely  appeared  in 
public.  In  1830  Mr.  Monroe  took  up  his 
residence  with  his  son-in-law  in  New  York, 
where  he  died  on  the  4th  of  July,  1831. 
The  citizens  of  New  York  conducted  his 
obsequies  with  pageants  more  imposing 
than  had  ever  been  witnessed  there  before. 
Our  country  will  ever  cherish  his  mem- 
ory with  pride,  gratefully  enrolling  his 
name  in  the  list  of  its  benefactors,  pronounc- 
ing him  the  worthy  successor  of  the  illus- 
trious men  who  had  preceded  him  in  the 
presidential  chair. 


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PRESIDENTS     OF     THE     UN  IT  ED    STATES. 


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'OHN  OUINCY  ADAMS, 

the  sixth  President  of  the 
United    States,     i825-'9, 
was    born    in   the    rural 
home    of     his     honored 
father,  John  Adams,    in 
Q  u  i  n  c  y  ,    Massachusetts, 
July  II,  1767.     Hisinother, 
a  woman  of  exalted  worth, 
watched  over  his  childhood 
during  the  almost  constant 
absence  of  his  father.      He 
commenced    his   education 
at  the  village  school,  giving 
at  an  early  period  indica- 
tions of   superior  mental  en- 
dowments. 

When  eleven  3'ears  of  age  he  sailed  with 
his  father  for  Europe,  where  the  latter  was 
associated  with  Franklin  and  Lee  as  Minister 
Plenipotentiary.  The  intelligence  of  John 
Quincy  attracted  the  attention  of  these  men 
and  received  from  them  flattering  marks  of 
attention.  Mr.  Adams  had  scarcely  returned 
to  this  country  in  1779  ere  he  was  again 
sent  abroad,  and  John  Quincy  again  accom- 
panied him.  On  this  voyage  he  commenced 
a  diary,  which  practice  he  continued,  with 
but  few  interruptions,  until  his  death.  He 
journeyed  with  his  father  from  Ferrol,  in 
Spain,  to  Paris.  Here  he  applied  himself 
for  six  months  to  study;  then  accompanied 


his  father  to  Holland,  where  he  entered, 
first  a  school  in  Amsterdam,  and  then  the 
University  of  Leyden.  In  1781,  when  only 
fourteen  years  of  age,  he  was  selected  by 
Mr.  Dana,  our  Minister  to  the  Russian 
court,  as  his  private  secretar}'.  In  this 
school  of  incessant  labor  he  spent  fourteen 
months,  and  then  returned  alone  to  Holland 
through  Sweden,  Denmark,  Hamburg  and 
Bremen.  Again  he  resumed  his  studies 
under  a  private  tutor,  at  The  Hague. 

In  the  spring  of  1782  he  accompanied  his 
father  to  Paris,  forming  acquaintance  with 
the  most  distinguished  men  on  the  Conti- 
nent. After  a  short  visit  to  England,  he  re- 
turned to  Paris  and  studied  until  May, 
1785,  when  he  returned  to  America,  leav- 
ing his  father  an  embassador  at  the  court 
of  St.  James.  In  1786  he  entered  the  jun- 
ior class  in  Harvard  University,  and  grad- 
uated with  the  second  honor  of  his  class. 
The  oration  he  delivered  on  this  occasion, 
the  "  Importance  of  Public  Faith  to  the 
Well-being  of  a  Community,"  was  pub- 
lished—an event  very  rare  in  this  or  any 
other  land. 

Upon  leaving  college  at  the  age  of  twenty 
he  studied  law  three  years  with  the  Hon. 
Theophilus  Parsons  in  Newburyport.  In 
1790  he  opened  a  law  office  in  Boston.  The 
profession  was  crowded  with  able  men,  and 
the  fees  were  small.     The  first  year  he  had 


J,      ^  .    J+^io/yy^ 


THENEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


A8TOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILOEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


'""^i—m'*' 


JOHN    ^UINCr    ADAMS. 


.^ 


4' 


no  clients,  but  not  a  moment  was  lost.  The 
second  year  passed  away,  still  no  clients, 
and  still  he  was  dependent  upon  his  parents 
for  support.  Anxiously  he  awaited  the 
third  year.  The  reward  now  came.  Cli- 
ents began  to  enter  his  office,  and  before 
the  end  of  the  year  he  was  so  crowded 
with  business  that  all  solicitude  respecting 
a  support  was  at  an  end. 

When  Great  Britain  commenced  war 
against  France,  in  1793,  Mr.  Adams  wrote 
some  articles,  urging  entire  neutrality  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States.  The  view 
was  not  a  popular  one.  Many  felt  that  as 
France  had  helped  us,  we  were  bound  to 
help  France.  But  President  Washington 
coincided  with  Mr.  Adams,  and  issued  his 
proclamation  of  neutrality.  His  writings 
at  this  time  in  the  Boston  journals  gave 
him  so  high  a  reputation,  that  in  June, 
1794,  he  was  appointed  by  Washington 
resident  Minister  at  the  Netherlands.  In 
July,  1797,  he  left  The  Hague  to  go  to  Port- 
ugal as  Minister  Plenipotentiar}-.  Wash- 
ington at  this  time  wrote  to  his  father,  John 
Adams: 

"  Without  intending  to  compliment  the 
father  or  the  mother,  or  to  censure  any 
others,  I  give  it  as  my  decided  opinion, 
that  Mr.  Adams  is  the  most  valuable  char- 
acter we  have  abroad;  and  there  remains 
no  doubt  in  my  mind  that  he  will  jirove  the 
ablest  of  our  diplomatic  corps." 

On  his  way  to  Portugal,  c.pon  his  arrival 
in  London,  he  met  with  dispatches  direct- 
ing him  to  the  court  of  Berlin,  but  request- 
ing him  to  remain  in  London  until  he  should 


receive 


instructions.       While    waiting    he 


was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Catherine  John- 
son, to  whom  he  had  been  previously  en- 
gaged. Miss  Johnson  was  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  Joshua  Johnson,  American  Consul 
in  London,  and  was  a  lady  endowed  with 
that  beauty  and  those  accomplishments 
which'  fitted  her  to  move  in  the  elevated 
sphere  for  which  she  was  destined. 


In  July,  1799,  having  fulfilled  all  the  pur- 
poses of  his  mission,  Mr.  Adams  returned. 
In  1802  he  was  chosen  to  the  Senate  of 
Massachusetts  from  Boston,  and  then  was 
elected  Senator  of  the  United  States  for  six 
years  from  March4,  1804.  His  reputation, 
his  ability  and  his  experience,  placed  him 
immediately  among  the  most  prominent 
and  influential  members  of  that  body.  He 
sustained  the  Government  in  its  measures 
of  resistance  to  the  encroachments  of  Eng- 
land, destroying  our  commerce  and  insult- 
ing our  flag.  There  was  no  man  in  America 
more  familiar  with  the  arrogance  of  the 
British  court  upon  these  points,  and  no 
one  more  resolved  to  present  a  firm  resist- 
ance. This  course,  so  truly  patriotic,  and 
which  scarcely  a  voice  will  now  be  found 
to  condemn,  alienated  him  from  the  Fed- 
eral party  dominant  in  Boston,  and  sub- 
jected him  to  censure. 

In  1805  Mr.  Adams  was  chosen  professor 
of  rhetoric  in  Harvard  College.  His  lect- 
ures at  this  place  were  subsequently  pub- 
lished. In  1809  he  was  sent  as  Minister  to 
Russia.  He  was  one  of  the  commissioners 
that  negotiated  the  treaty  of  peace  with 
Great  Britain,  signed  December  24,  1814, 
and  he  was  appointed  Minister  to  the  court 
of  St.  James  in  1815.  In  1817  he  became 
Secretary  of  State  in  Mr.  Monroe's  cabinet 
in  which  position  he  remained  eight  years. 
Few  will  now  contradict  the  assertion  that 
the  duties  of  that  office  were  never  more 
ably  discharged.  Pr(jbably  the  most  im- 
portant measure  which  Mr.  Adams  con- 
ducted was  the  purchase  of  Florida  from 
Spain  for  $5,000,000. 

The  campaign  of  1824  was  an  exciting 
one.  Four  candidates  were  in  the  field. 
Of  the  260  electoral  votes  that  were  cast, 
Andrew  Jackson  received  ninety-nine;  John 
Quincy  x-\dams,  eighty-four;  William  H. 
Crawford,  forty-one,  and  Henry  Clay, 
thirty-seven.  As  there  was  no  choice  by 
the  people,  the  question  went  to  the  House 


■\- 


■■■■■■■■■■■■"■■»  ig"ii»iP"«'»B"B"«»ii*»«»a"^. 


PliES/DENTS     OF    THE     UN /TED    STATES. 


of  Representatives.  Mr.  Clay  gave  the 
vote  of  Kentuck}'  to  Mr.  Adams,  and  he 
was  elected. 

The  friends  of  all  disappointed  candidates 
now  combined  in  a  venomous  assault  upon 
Mr.  Adams.  There  is  nothing  more  dis- 
graceful in  the  past  history  of  our  countrv 
than  the  abuse  which  was  poured  in  one 
uninterrupted  stream  upon  this  high- 
minded,  upright,  patriotic  man.  There  was 
never  an  administration  more  pure  in  prin- 
ciples, more  conscientiously  devoted  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  country,  than  that  of 
John  Quincy  Adams;  and  never,  perhaps, 
was  there  an  administration  more  unscru- 
pulously assailed.  Mr.  Adams  took  his  seat 
in  the  presidential  chair  resolved  not  to 
know  any  partisans  hip,  but  only  to  con- 
sult for  the  interests  of  the  whole  Republic, 

He  refused  to  dismiss  any  man  from  of- 
fice for  his  political  views.  If  he  was  a  faith- 
ful officer  that  was  enough.  Bitter  must 
have  been  his  disappointment  to  find  that  the 
Nation  could  not  appreciate  such  conduct. 

Mr.  Adams,  in  his  public  manners,  was 
cold  and  repulsive;  though  with  his  per- 
sonal friends  he  was  at  times  very  genial. 
This  chilling  address  verv  seriously  de- 
tracted from  his  popularity.  No  one  can 
read  an  impartial  record  of  his  administra- 
tion without  admitting  that  a  more  noble 
example  of  uncompromising  dignity  can 
scarcely  be  found.  It  was  stated  publicl}' 
that  Mr.  Adams'  administration  was  to  be 
put  down,  "  though  it  be  as  pure  as  the  an- 
gels which  stand  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
throne  of  God."  Many  of  the  active  par- 
ticipants in  these  scenes  lived  to  regret  the 
course  they  pursued.  Some  years  after, 
Warren  R.  Davis,  of  South  Carolina,  turn- 
ing to  Mr.  Adams,  then  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  said: 

"  Well  do  I  remember  the  enthusiastic 
zeal  witli  which  we  reproached  the  admin- 
istration of  that  gentleman,  and  the  ardor 
and  vehemence  with  which   we  labored  to 


bring  in  another.  For  the  share  I  had  in 
these  transactions,  and  it  was  not  a  small 
one,  I  hope  God  zvill  forgive  vie,  for  I  sliall 
iieiicr  forgh  <c  myself. 

March  4,  1829,  Mr.  Adams  retired  from 
the  Presidency  and  was  succeeded  by  An- 
drew Jackson,  the  latter  receiving  168  out 
of  261  electoral  votes.  John  C.  Calhoun 
was  elected  Vice-President.  The  slavery 
question  now  began  to  assume  pretentious 
magnitude.  Mr.  Adams  returned  to 
Quincy,  and  pursued  his  studies  with  una- 
bated zeal.  But  he  was  not  long  permitted 
to  remain  in  retirement.  In  November, 
1830,  he  was  elected  to  Congress.  In  this 
he  recognized  the  principle  that  it  is  honor- 
able for  the  General  of  yesterday  to  act  as 
Corporal  to-day,  if  by  so  doing  he  can  ren- 
der service  to  his  countr}'.  Deep  as  are 
our  obligations  to  John  Quincy  Adams  for 
his  services  as  embassador,  as  Secretary  of 
State  and  as  President;  in  his  capacity  as 
legislator  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, he  conferred  benefits  upon  our  land 
which  eclipsed  all  the  rest,  and  which  can 
never  be  over-estimated. 

For  seventeen  years,  until  his  death,  lie 
occupied  the  post  of  Representative,  tow- 
ering above  all  his  peers,  ever  read}'  to  do 
brave  battle  for  freedom,  and  winning  the 
title  of  "  the  old  man  eloquent."  Upon 
taking  his  seat  in  the  House  he  announced 
that  he  should  hold  himself  bound  to  no 
party.  He  was  usually  the  first  in  his 
place  in  the  morning,  and  the  last  to  leave 
his  seat  in  the  evening.  Not  a  measure 
could  escape  his  scrutin}'.  The  battle 
which  he  fought,  almost  singly,  against  the 
pro-slavery  fiarty  in  the  Government,  was 
sublime  in  its  moral  daring  and  heroism. 
For  persisting  in  presenting  petitions  for 
the  abolition  of  slavery,  he  was  threatened 
with  indictment  by  the  Grand  Jury,  with 
expulsion  from  the  House,  with  assassina- 
tion; but  no  threats  could  intimidate  him, 
and  his  final  triuiuph  was  complete. 


JOHN    ^UINCr    ADAMS. 


43 


On  one  occasion  Mr.  Adams  presented  a 
petition,  signed  by  several  women,  against 
the  annexation  of  Texas  for  the  purpose  of 
cutting  it  up  into  slave  States.  Mr.  How- 
ard, of  Maryland,  said  that  these  women 
discredited  not  only  themselves,  but  their 
section  of  the  country,  by  turning  from 
their  domestic  duties  to  the  conflicts  of  po- 
litical life. 

"Are  women,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Adams, 
"  to  have  no  opinions  or  actions  on  subjects 
relating  to  the  general  welfare  ?  Where 
did  the  gentleman  get  his  principle?  Did 
he  find  it  in  sacred  history, — in  the  language 
of  Miriam,  the  prophetess,  in  one  of  the 
noblest  and  sublime  songs  of  triumph  that 
ever  met  the  human  eye  or  ear  ?  Did  the 
gentleman  never  hear  of  Deborah,  to  whom 
the  children  of  Israel  came  up  for  judg- 
ment ?  Has  he  forgotten  the  deed  of  Jael, 
who  slew  the  dreaded  enemy  of  her  coun- 
try ?  Has  he  forgotten  Esther,  who,  by  her 
petition  saved  her  people  and  her  coun- 
try? 

"  To  go  from  sacred  history  to  profane, 
does  the  gentleman  there  find  it  '  discredita- 
ble '  for  women  to  take  an  interest  in  politi- 
cal affairs?  Has  he  forgotten  the  Spartan 
mother,  who  said  to  her  son  when  going 
out  to  battle,  '  My  son,  come  back  to  me 
with  thy  shield,  or  Jipon  thy  shield  ? '  Does 
he  remember  Cloelia  and  her  hundred  com- 
panions, who  swam  across  the  river  under 
a  shower  of  darts,  escaping  from  Porsena  ? 
Has  he  forgotten  Cornelia,  the  mother  of 
the  Gracchi  ?  Does  he  not  remember  Por- 
tia, the  wife  of  Brutus  and  the  daughter  of 
Cato? 

"  To  come  to  later  periods,  what  says  the 
history  of  our  Anglo-Saxon  ancestors  ? 
To  say  nothing  of  Boadicea,  the  British 
heroine  in  the  time  of  the  Ceesars,  what 
name  is  more  illustrious  than  that  of  Eliza- 
beth ?  .Or,  if  he  will  go  to  the  continent, 
will  he  not  find  the  names  of  Maria  Theresa 
of    Hungary    of  the    two    Catherines    of 

4 


Prussia,  and  of  Isabella  of  Castile,  the  pa- 
troness of  Columbus  ?  Did  she  bring  '  dis- 
credit '  on  her  sex  by  mingling  in  politics?  " 

In  this  glowing  strain  M^.  Adams  si- 
lenced and  overwhelmed  his  antagonists. 

In  January,  1842,  Mr.  Adams  presented 
a  petition  from  forty-five  citizens  of  Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts,  praying  for  a  peaceable 
dissolution  of  the  Union.  The  pro-slavery 
party  in  Congress,  who  were  then  plotting 
the  destruction  of  the  Government,  were 
aroused  to  a  pretense  of  commotion  such  as 
even  our  stormy  hall  of  legislation  has 
rarely  witnessed.  They  met  in  caucus,  and, 
finding  that  they  probably  would  not  be 
able  to  expel  Mr.  Adams  from  the  House 
drew  up  a  series  of  resolutions,  which,  i( 
adopted,  would  inflict  upon  him  disgrace, 
equivalent  to  expulsion.  Mr.  Adams  had 
presented  the  petition,  which  was  most  re- 
spectfully worded,  and  had  moved  that  it  be 
referred  to  a  committee  instructed  to  re- 
port an  answer,  showing  the  reason  why 
the  prayer  ought  not  to  be  granted. 

It  was  the  25th  of  January.  The  whole 
body  of  the  pro-slavery  party  came  crowd- 
ing together  in  the  House,  prepared  to 
crush  Mr.  Adams  forever.  One  of  the  num- 
ber, Thomas  F.  Marshall,  of  Kentucky,  was 
appointed  to  read  the  resolutions,  which 
accused  Mr.  Adams  of  high  treason,  of 
having  insulted  the  Government,  and  of 
meriting  expulsion;  but  for  which  deserved 
punishment,  the  House,  in  its  great  mercy, 
would  substitute  its  severest  censure.  With  ^ 
the  assumption  of  a  very  solemn  and  mag-  t 
isterial  air,  there  being  breathless  silence  in  \ 
the  audience,  Mr.  Marshall  hurled  the  care-  5 
fully  prepared  anathemas  at  his  victim.  i 
Mr.  Adams  stood  alone,  the  whole  pi-o-slav-  \ 
ery  party  against  him.  j 

As  soon   as   the  resolutions   were  read,        \ 
every  eye  being  fixed  upon  him,  that  bold 
old  man,  whose  scattered  locks  were  whit- 
ened by  sevent}''-five  years,  casting  a  wither-        ' 
ing  glance  in  the  direction  of  his  assailants,         } 


PRESIDENTS 


UNITED    STATES. 


'it 
% 


i«< 


'5 
ii  t 

it 


in  a  clear,  shrill  tone,  tremulous  with  sup- 
pressed emotion,  said: 

"  In  reply  to  this  audacious,  atrocious 
charge  of  higrh  treason,  I  call  for  the  read- 
ing  of  the  first  paragraph  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  Read  it !  Read  it!  and 
see  what  that  says  of  the  rights  of  a  people 
to  reform,  to  change,  and  to  dissolve  their 
Government.' 

The  attitude,  the  manner,  the  tone,  the 
words;  the  venerable  old  man,  with  flash- 
ing eye  and  flushed  cheek,  and  whose  very 
form  seemed  to  expand  under  the  inspiration 
of  the  occasion — all  presented  a  scene  over- 
flowing in  its  sublimity.  There  was  breath- 
less silence  as  that  paragraph  was  read,  in 
defense  of  whose  principles  our  fathers  had 
pledged  their  lives,  their  fortunes  and  their 
sacred  honor.  It  was  a  proud  hour  to  Mr. 
Adams  as  they  were  all  compelled- to- listen 
to  the  words: 

"  That,  to  secure  these  rights,  govern- 
ments are  instituted  among  men,  deriving 
their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the 
governed;  and  that  whenever  any  form  of 
government  becomes  destructive  of  those 
ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  alter  or 
abolish  it,  and  to  institute  new  government, 
laying  its  foundations  on  such  principles 
and  organizing  its  powers  in  such  form 
as  shall  seem  most  likely  to  effect  their 
safety  and  happiness." 

That  one  sentence  routed  and  baffled  the 


foe.  The  heroic  old  man  looked  around 
upon  the  audience,  and  thundered  out, 
"  Read  that  again!"  It  was  again  read. 
Then  in  a  few  fiery,  logical  words  he  stated 
his  defense  in  terms  which  even  prejudiced 
minds  could  not  resist.  His  discomfited 
assailants  made  several  attempts  to  rally. 
After  a  conflict  of  eleven  days  they  gave 
up  vanquished  and  their  resolution  was  ig- 
nominiously  laid  upon  the  table. 

In  January,  1846,  when  seventy-eight 
years  of  age,  he  took  part  in  the  great  de- 
bate on  the  Oregon  question,  displaying 
intellectual  vigor,  and  an  extent  and  accu- 
racy of  acquaintance  with  the  subject  that 
excited  great  admiration. 

On  the  2 1  St  of  February,  1848,  he  rose  on 
the  floor  of  Congress  with  a  paper  in  his 
hand  to  address  the  Speaker.  Suddenly 
he  fell,  stricken  by  paralysis,  and  was  caught 
in  the  arms  of  those  around  him.  For  a 
time  he  was  senseless  and  was  conveyed 
to  a  sofa  in  the  rotunda.  With  reviving 
consciousness  he  opened  his  eyes,  looked 
calmly  around  and  said,  "  T/a's  is  the  end  of 
earth."  Then  after  a  moment's  pause,  he 
added,  "  I  am  content."  These  were  his  last 
words,  and  he  soon  breathed  his  last,  in  the 
apartment  beneath  the  dome  of  the  capitol 
— the  theater  of  his  labors  and  his  triumphs. 
In  the  language  of  hymnology,  he  "died  at 
his  post;"  he  "  ceased  at  once  to  work  and 
live." 


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ANDREW     JACKSON. 


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Andrew  jackson, 

the  seventh  President 
of  the  United  States, 
i829-'37,  was  born  at 
the  Waxhaw  Settle. 
t^  ment,  Union  Coun- 
h"^  ty,  North  Carolina, 
March  i6,  1767.  His  parents 
were  Scotch-Irish,  natives  of 
Carrickfergus,  who  came  to 
America  in  1765,  and  settled 
on  Twelve-Mile  Creek,  a  trib- 
utary of  the  Catawba.  His 
father,  who  was  a  poor  farm 
laborer,  died  shortly  before  An- 
drew's birth,  when  his  mother  removed  to 
Wnxhaw,  where  some  relatives  resided. 

Few  particulars  of  the  childhood  of  Jack- 
son have  been  preserved.  His  education 
was  of  the  most  limited  kind,  and  he  showed 
no  fondness  for  books.  He  grew  up  to  be  a 
tall,  lank  boy,  with  coarse  hair  and  freck- 
led cheeks,  with  bare  feet  dangling  from 
trousers  too  short  for  him,  very  fond  of  ath- 
letic sports,  running,  boxing  and  wrestling. 
He  was  generous  to  the  younger  and 
weaker  boys,  but  very  irascible  and  over- 
bearing with  his  equals  and  superiors.  He 
was  profane — a  vice  in  which  he  surpassed 
all  other  men.    The  character  of  his  mother 


he  revered;  and  it  was  not  until  after  her 
death  that  his  predominant  vices  gained 
full  strength. 

In  1780,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  Andrew, 
or  Andy,  as  he  was  called,  with  his  brother 
Robert,  volunteered  to  serve  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary forces  under  General  Sumter,  and 
was  a  witness  of  the  latter's  defeat  at  Hang- 
ing Rock.  In  the  following  year  the 
brothers  were  made  prisoners,  and  confined 
in  Camden,  experiencing  brutal  treatment 
from  their  captors,  and  being  spectators  of 
General  Green's  defeat  at  Hobkirk  Hill. 
Through  their  mother's  exertions  the  boys 
were  exchanged  while  suffering  from  small- 
pox. In  two  days  Robert  was  dead,  and 
Andy  apparently  dying.  The  strength  of 
his  constitution  triumphed,  and  he  regained 
health  and  vigor. 

As  he  was  getting  better,  his  mother 
heard  the  cry  of  anguish  from  the  prison- 
ers whom  the  British  held  in  Charleston, 
among  whom  were  the  sons  of  her  sisters. 
She  hastened  to  their  relief,  was  attacked 
by  fever,  died  and  was  buried  where  her 
grave  could  never  be  found.  Thus  Andrew 
Jackson,  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  was 
left  alone  in  the  world,  without  father, 
mother,  sister  or  brother,  and  without  one 
dollar  which  he  could  call   his  own.     He 


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48 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


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soon  entered  a  saddler's  shop,  and  labored 
diligently  for  six  months.  But  gradually, 
as  health  returned,  he  became  more  and 
more  a  wild,  reckless,  lawless  boy.  He 
gambled,  drank  and  was  regarded  as  about 
the  worst  character  that  could  be  found. 

He  now  turned  schoolmaster.  He  could 
teach  the  alphabet,  perhaps  the  multiplica- 
tion table;  and  as  he  was  a  very  bold  boy, 
it  is  possible  he  might  have  ventured  to 
teach  a  little  writing.  But  he  soon  began  to 
think  of  a  profession  and  decided  to  study 
law.  With  a  very  slender  purse,  and  on 
the  back  of  a  ver}'  fine  horse,  he  set  out 
for  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  where  he 
entered  the  law  office  of  Mr.  McCay. 
Here  he  remained  two  years,  professedly 
studying  law.  He  is  still  remembered  in 
traditions  of  Salisbury,  which  say: 

"  Andrew  Jackson  was  the  most  roaring, 
rollicking,  horse-racing,  card-playing,  mis- 
chievous fellow  that  ever  lived  in  Salisbur}^ 
He  did  not  trouble  the  law-books  much." 

Andrew  was  now,  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
a  tall  j'oung  man,  being  over  six  feet  in 
height.  He  was  slender,  remarkably  grace- 
ful and  dignified  in  his  manners,  an  exquis- 
ite horseman,  and  developed,  amidst  his 
loathesome  profanit}-  and  multiform  vices,  a 
vein  of  rare  magnanimit3^  His  temper  was 
fiery  in  the  extreme;  but  it  was  said  of  him 
that  no  man  knew  better  than  Andrew 
Jackson  when  to  get  angry  and  when  not. 

In  1786  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
two  years  later  removed  to  Nashville, 
in  what  was  then  the  western  district  of 
North  Carolina,  with  the  appointment  of  so- 
licitor, or  public  prosecutor.  It  was  an  of- 
fice of  little  honor,  small  emolument  and 
great  peril.  Few  men  could  be  found  to 
accept  it. 

And  now  Andrew  Jackson  commenced 
vigorously  to  practice  law.  It  was  an  im- 
portant part  of  his  business  to  collect  debts. 
It  required  nerve.  During  the  first  seven 
years  of    his  residence    in    those   wilds  he 


traversed  the  almost  pathless  forest  between 
Nashville  and  Jonesborough,  a  distance  of 
200  miles,  twenty-two  times.  Hostile  In- 
dians were  constant!}'  on  the  watch,  and  a 
man  was  liable  at  any  moment  to  be  shot 
down  in  his  own  field.  Andrew  Jackson 
was  just  the  man  for  this  service — a  wild, 
daring,  rough  backwoodsman.  Daily  he 
made  hair-breadth  escapes.  He  seemed  to 
bear  a  charmed  life.  Boldly,  alone  or  with 
few  companions,  he  traversed  the  forests, 
encountering  all  perils  and  triumphing 
over  all. 

In  1790  Tennessee  became  a  Territory, 
and  Jackson  was  appointed,  by  President 
Washington,  United  States  Attorney  for 
the  new  district.  In  1791  he  married  Mrs. 
Rachel  Robards  (daughter  of  Colonel  John 
Donelson),  whom  he  supposed  to  have  been 
divorced  in  that  year  by  an  act  of  the  Leg- 
islature of  Virginia.  Two  years  after  this 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson  learned,  to  their 
great  surprise,  that  Mr.  Robards  had  just 
obtained  a  divorce  in  one  of  the  courts  of 
Kentucky,  and  that  the  act  of  the  Virginia 
Legislature  was  not  final,  but  conditional. 
To  remedy  the  irregularity  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, a  new  license  was  obtained  and  the 
marriage  ceremony  was  again  performed. 

It  proved  to  be  a  marriage  of  rare  felic- 
ity. Probably  there  never  was  a  more 
affectionate  union.  However  rough  Mr. 
Jackson  might  have  been  abroad,  he  was 
always  gentle  and  tender  at  home;  and 
through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  their  lives,  he 
treated  Mrs.  Jackson  with  the  most  chival- 
ric  attention. 

Under  the  circumstances  it  was  not  un- 
natural that  the  facts  in  the  case  of  this 
marriage  were  so  misrepresented  by  oppo- 
nents in  the  political  campaigns  a  quarter 
or  a  century  later  as  to  become  the  basis 
of  serious  charges  against  Jackson's  moral- 
it}'  which,  however,  have  been  satisfactorih' 
attested  by  abundant  evidence. 

Jackson    was    untiring    in    his   duties   as 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


49 


United  States  Attorney,  which  demanded 
frequent  journeys  through  the  wilderness 
and  exposed  him  to  Indian  hostihties.  He 
acquired  considerable  property  in  land,  and 
obtained  such  influence  as  to  be  chosen 
a  member  of  the  convention  which  framed 
the  Constitution  for  the  new  State  of  Ten- 
nessee, in  1796,  and  in  that  year  was  elected 
its  first  Representative  in  Congress.  Albert 
Gallatin  thus  describes  the  first  appearance 
of  the  Hon.  Andrew  Jackson  in  the  House: 

"  A  tall,  lank,  uncouth-looking  personage, 
with  locks  of  hair  hanging  over  his  face  and 
a  cue  down  his  back,  tied  with  an  eel  skin; 
his  dress  singular,  his  manners  and  deport- 
ment those  of  a  rough  backwoodsman." 

Jackson  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  the 
Democratic  party.  Jefferson  was  his  idol. 
He  admired  Bonaparte,  loved  France  and 
hated  England.  As  Mr.  Jackson  took  his 
seat.  General  Washington,  whose  second 
term  of  office  was  just  expiring,  delivered 
his  last  speech  to  Congress.  A  committee 
drew  up  a  complimentar}'  address  in  reply. 
Andrew  Jackson  did  not  approve  the  ad- 
dress and  was  one  of  twelve  who  voted 
against  it. 

Tennessee  had  fitted  out  an  expedition 
against  the  Indians,  contrary  to  the  policy 
of  the  Government.  A  resolution  was  intro- 
duced that  the  National  Government 
should  pay  the  expenses.  Jackson  advo- 
cated it  and  it  was  carried.  This  rendered 
him  very  popular  in  Tennessee.  A  va- 
cancy chanced  soon  after  to  occur  in  the 
Senate,  and  Andrew  Jackson  was  chosen 
United  States  Senator  b\-  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee. John  Adams  was  then  President 
and  Thomas  Jefferson,  Vice-President. 

In  1798  Mr.  Jackson  returned  to  Tennes- 
see, and  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate. 
Soon  after  he  was  chosen  Judge  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  that  State,  with  a  salary  of 
$600.  This  office  he  held  six  years.  It  is 
said  that  his  decisions,  though  sometimes 
ungrammatical,  were  generally  right.     He 


did  not  enjoy  his  seat  upon  the  bench,  and 
renounced  the  dignity  in  1804.  About 
this  time  he  was  chosen  Major-General  of 
militia,  and  lost  the  title  of  judge  in  that  of 
General. 

When  he  retired  from  the  Senate  Cham- 
ber, he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  through 
trade.  He  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  in 
Philadelphia  and  sent  them  to  Nashville, 
where  he  opened  a  store.  He  lived  about 
thirteen  miles  from  Nashville,  on  a  tract  of 
land  of  several  thousand  acres,  mostl}'  un- 
cultivated. He  used  a  small  block-house 
for  a  store,  from  a  narrow  window  of 
which  he  sold  goods  to  the  Indians.  As  he 
had  an  assistant  his  office  as  judge  did  not 
materially  interfere  with  his  business. 

As  to  slaver}',  born  in  the  midst  of  it,  the 
idea  never  seemed  to  enter  his  mind  that  it 
could  be  wrong.  He  eventually  became 
an  extensive  slave  owner,  but  he  was  one  of 
the  most  humane  and  gentle  of  masters. 

In  1804  Mr.  Jackson  withdrew  from  pol- 
itics and  settled  on  a  plantation  which  he 
called  the  Hermitage,  near  Nashville.  He 
set  up  a  cotton-gin,  formed  a  partnership 
and  traded  in  New  Orleans,  making  the 
voyage  on  flatboats.  Through  his  hot  tem- 
per he  became  involved  in  several  quarrels 
and  "  affairs  of  honor,"  during  this  period, 
in  one  of  which  he  was  severely  wounded, 
but  had  the  misfortune  to  kill  his  opponent, 
Charles  Dickinson.  For  a  time  this  affair 
greatly  injured  General  Jackson's  popular- 
ity. The  verdict  then  was,  and  continues 
to  be,  that  General  Jackson  was  outra- 
geously wrong.  If  he  subsequently  felt  anj^ 
remorse  he  never  revealed  it  to  anyone. 

In  1805  Aaron  Burr  had  visited  Nash- 
ville and  been  a  guest  of  Jackson,  with 
whom  he  corresponded  on  the  subject  of  a 
war  with  Spain,  which  was  anticipated  and 
desired  by  them,  as  well  as  by  the  people 
of  the  Southwest  generally. 

Burr  repeated  his  visit  in  September, 
1806,  when  he   engaged  in  the  celebrated 


i 


combinations  which  led  to  his  trial  for  trea- 
son. He  was  warmly  received  by  Jackson, 
at  whose  instance  a  public  ball  was  given 
in  his  honor  at  Nashville,  and  contracted 
with  the  latter  for  boats  and  provisions. 
Early  in  1807,  when  Burr  had  been  pro- 
claimed a  traitor  by  President  Jefferson, 
volunteer  forces  for  the  Federal  service 
were  organized  at  Nashville  under  Jack- 
son's command;  but  his  energy  and  activ- 
ity did  not  shield  him  from  suspicions  of 
connivance  in  the  supposed  treason.  He 
was  summoned  to  Richmond  as  a  witness 
in  Burr's  trial,  but  was  not  called  to  the 
stand,  probably  because  he  was  out-spoken 
in  his  partisanship. 

On  tiie  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Great 
Britain  in  1 812,  Jackson  tendered  his  serv- 
ices, and  in  Januar}',  181 3,  embarked  for 
New  Orleans  at  the  head  of  the  Tennessee 
contingent.  In  March  he  received  an  or- 
der to  disband  his  forces;  but  in  Septem- 
ber he  again  took  the  field,  in  the  Creek 
war,  and  in  conjunction  with  his  former 
partner.  Colonel  Coffee,  inflicted  upon  the 
Inflians  the  memorable  defeat  at  Talladega, 
Emuckfaw  and  Tallapoosa. 

In  May,  18 14,  Jackson,  who  had  now  ac- 
quired a  national  re[)utation,  was  appointed 
a  Major-General  of  the  United  States  arm}-, 
and  commenced  a  campaign  against  the 
British  in  Florida.  He  conducted  the  de- 
fense at  Mobile,  September  15,  seized  upon 
Pensacola,  November  6,  and  immediately 
transported  the  bulk  of  his  troops  to  New 
Orleans,  then  threatened  by  a  powerful 
naval  force.  Martial  law  was  declared  in 
Louisiana,  the  State  militia  was  called  to 
arms,  engagements  with  the  British  were 
fought  December  23  and  28,  and  after  re-en- 
forcements had  been  received  on  both  sides 
the  famous  victory  of  January  8,  181 5, 
crowned  Jackson's  fame  as  a  soldier,  and 
made  him  the  typical  American  hero  of 
the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

In  i8i7-'i8  Jackson    conducted  the  war 


against  the  Seminoles  of  Florida,  during 
which  he  seized  upon  Pensacola  and  exe- 
cuted by  courtmartial  two  British  subjects, 

Arbuthnot    and    Ambrister acts    which 

might  easily  have  involved  the  United 
States  in  war  both  with  Spain  and  Great 
Britain.  Fortunately  the  peril  was  averted 
by  the  cession  of  Florida  to  the  United 
States;  and  Jackson,  who  had  escaped  a 
trial  for  the  irregularity  of  his  conduct 
only  through  a  division  of  opinion  in  Mon- 
roe's cabinet,  was  appointed  in  1821  Gov- 
ernor of  the  new  Territorv.  Soon  after  he 
declined  the  appointment  of  minister  to 
Mexico. 

In  1823  Jackson  was  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate,  and  nominated  by  the  Ten- 
nessee Legislature  for  the  Presidency.  This 
candidacy,  though  a  matter  of  surprise,  and 
even  merryment,  speedily  became  popular, 
and  in  1824,  when  the  stormy  electoral  can- 
vas resulted  in  the  choice  of  John  Ouincy 
Adams  by  the  House  of  Representatives, 
General  Jackson  received  the  largest  popu- 
lar vote  among  the  four  candidates. 

In  1828  Jackson  was  triumphantly  elected 
President  over  Adams  after  a  campaign  of 
unparalleled  bitterness.  He  was  inaugu- 
rated March  4,  1829,  and  at  once  removed 
from  office  all  the  incumbents  belonging  to 
the  opposite  party — a  procedure  new  to 
American  politics,  but  which  naturall}-  be- 
came a  precedent. 

His  first  term  was  characterized  by  cpiar- 
rels  between  the  Vice-President,  Calhoun, 
and  the  Secretary  of  State,  Van  Buren,  at-, 
tended  by  a  cabinet  crisis  originating  in 
scandals  connected  with  the  name  of  Mrs. 
General  Eaton,  wife  of  the  Secretary  of 
War;  by  the  beginning  of  his  war  upon  the 
United  States  Bank,  and  by  his  vigorous 
action  against  the  partisans  of  Calhoun, 
who,  in  South  Carolina,  threatened  to 
nullify  the  acts  of  Congress,  establishing  a 
protective  tariff. 

In    the    Presidential    campaign    nl    1832 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


51 


Jackson  received  219  out  of  288  electoral 
votes,  his  competitor  being  Mr.  Clay,  while 
Mr.  Wirt,  on  an  Anti-Masonic  platform, 
received  the  vote  of  Vermont  alone.  In 
1833  President  Jackson  removed  the  Gov- 
ernment deposits  from  the  United  States 
bank,  thereby  incurring  a  vote  of  censure 
from  the  Senate,  which  was,  however,  ex- 
punged four  years  later.  During  this  second 
term  of  office  the  Cherokees,  Choctaws  and 
Creeks  were  removed,  not  without  diffi- 
culty, from  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Missis- 
sippi, to  the  Indian  Territory;  the  National 
debt  was  extinguished;  Arkansas  and 
Michigan  were  admitted  as  States  to  the 
Union;  the  Seminole  war  was  renewed;  the 
anti-slavery  agitation  first  acquired  impor- 
tance; the  Mormon  delusion,  which  had 
organized  in  1829,  attained  considerable 
proportions  in  Ohio  and  Missouri,  and  the 
countr)'  experienced  its  greatest  pecuniary 
panic. 

Railroads  with  locomotive  propulsion 
were  introduced  into  America  during  Jack- 
son's first  term,  and  had  become  an  impor- 
tant element  of  national  life  before  the 
close  of  his  second  term.  For  many  rea- 
sons, therefore,  the  administration  of  Presi- 
dent Jackson  formed  an  era  in  American 
history,  political,  social  and  industrial. 
He  succeeded  in  effecting  the  election  of 


his  friend  Van  Buren  as  his  successor,  re- 
tired from  the  Presidency  March  4,  1837, 
and  led  a  tranquil  life  at  the  Hermitage 
until   his   death,  which   occurred    June  8, 

1845- 

During  his  closing  years  he  was  a  pro- 
fessed Christian  and  a  member  ot  the  Pres- 
byterian church.  No  American  of  this 
century  has  been  the  subject  of  such  oppo- 
site judgments.  He  was  loved  and  hated 
with  equal  vehemence  during  his  life,  but 
at  the  present  distance  of  time  from  his 
career,  while  opinions  still  vary  as  to  the 
merits  of  his  public  acts,  few  of  his  country- 
men will  question  that  he  was  a  warm- 
hearted, brave,  patriotic,  honest  and  sincere 
man.  If  his  distinguishing  qualities  were 
not  such  as  constitute  statesmanship,  in  the 
highest  sense,  he  at  least  never  pretended 
to  other  merits  than  such  as  were  written 
to  his  credit  on  the  page  of  American  his- 
tory— not  attempting  to  disguise  the  de- 
merits which  were  equally  legible.  The 
majority  of  his  countrymen  accepted  and 
honored  him,  in  spite  of  all  that  calumny 
as  well  as  truth  could  allege  against  him. 
His  faults  may  therefore  be  truly  said  to 
have  been  those  of  his  time;  his  magnifi- 
cent virtues  may  also,  with  the  same  jus- 
tice, be  considered  as  typical  of  a  state  of 
society  which  has  nearly  passed  away. 


I.' 


52 


PliESIDENTS     OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


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ARTIN    VAN    BU- 
REN,    the    eighth 
'■'^Hj    President  of  the 
United  States,  1837- 
'41,  was  born  at  Kin- 
';?5't*    derhook,  New  York, 
December    5,    1782. 
I  lis  ancestors  were  of  Dutch 
origin,  and  were  among  the 
earliest  emigrants  from  Hol- 
land   to    the    banks    of    the 
Hudson.     His  father  was  a 
tavern-keeper,  as  well  as  a 
.    farmer,  and  a  very  decided 

Democrat. 
Martin  commenced  the  stud\' 
of  law  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  politics  before  he  had  reached 
the  age  of  twenty.  In  1803  he  commenced 
the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  village. 
In  1809  he  removed  to  Hudson,  the  shire 
town  of  his  county,  where  he  spent  seven 
years,  gaining  strength  by  contending  in 
the  courts  with  some  of  the  ablest  men 
who  have  adorned  the  bar  of  his  State. 
The  heroic  example  of  John  Quincy  Adams 
in  retaining  in  office  every  faithful  man, 
without  regard  to  his  political  preferences, 
had  been  thoroughly  repudiated  by  Gen- 
eral Jackson.  The  unfortunate  principle 
was  now  fully  established,  that  "  to  the 
victor  belong  the  spoils."  Still,  this  prin- 
ci[)le,  to  which  Mr.  Van  Buren  gave  his  ad- 


herence, was  not  devoid  of  inconveniences. 
When,  subsequently,  he  attained  power 
which  placed  vast  patronage  in  his  hands, 
he  was  heard  to  say :  "  I  prefer  an  office 
that  has  no  patronage.  When  I  give  a  man 
an  office  I  offend  his  disappointed  competi- 
tors and  their  friends.  Nor  am  I  certain  o( 
gaining  a  friend  in  the  man  I  appoint,  for, 
in  all  probability,  he  expected  something 
better." 

In  1812  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  elected  to 
the  State  Senate.  In  181 5  he  was  appointed 
Attorney-General,  and  in  1816  to  the  Senate 
a  second  time.  In  1818  there  was  a  great 
split  in  the  Democratic  party  in  New  York, 
and  Mr.  Van  Buren  took  the  lead  in  or- 
ganizing that  portion  of  the  party  called 
the  Albany  Regency,  which  is  said  to  have 
swayed  the  destinies  of  the  State  for  a 
quarter  of  a  century. 

In  1 82 1  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the 
convention  for  revising  the  State  Constitu- 
tion, in  which  he  advocated  an  extension  of 
the  franchise,  but  opposed  universal  suf- 
frage, and  also  favored  the  proposal  that 
colored  persons,  in  order  to  vote,  shoidd 
have  freehold  property  to  the  amount  of 
$250.  In  this  year  he  was  also  elected  to 
the  United  States  Senate,  and  at  the  con- 
clusion of  his  term,  in  1827,  was  re-elected, 
but  resigned  the  following  year,  having 
been  chosen  Governor  of  the  State.  In 
March,  1829,  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of 


O  7  2^^^  ^^^J i<^c^^^-c^ 


MARTIN    VAN    BUR  EN. 


S5 


State  by  President  Jackson,  but  resigned 
in  April,  183 1,  and  during  the  recess  of 
Congress  was  appointed  minister  to  Eng- 
land, whither  he  proceeded  in  September, 
but  the  Senate,  when  convened  in  Decem- 
ber, refused  to  ratify  the  appointment. 

In  May,  1832,  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  nomi- 
nated as  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Vice- 
President,  and  elected  in  the  following 
November.  May  26,  1836,  he  received  the 
nomination  to  succeed  General  Jackson  as 
President,  and  received  170  electoral  votes, 
out  of  283. 

Scarcely  had  he  taken  his  seat  in  the 
Presidential  chair  when  a  financial  panic 
swept  over  the  land.  Many  attributed 
this  to  the  war  which  General  Jackson  had 
waged  on  the  banks,  and  to  his  endeavor  to 
secure  an  almost  exclusive  specie  currency. 
Nearly  every  bank  in  the  country  was  com- 
pelled to  suspend  specie  payment,  and  ruin 
pervaded  all  our  great  cities.  Not  less  than 
254  houses  failed  in  New  York  in  one  week. 
All  public  works  were  brought  to  a  stand, 
and  there  was  a  general  state  of  dismay. 
President  Van  Buren  urged  the  adoption  of 
the  independent  treasury  system,  which 
was  twice  passed  in  the  Senate  and  defeated 
in  the  House,  but  finally  became  a  law  near 
the  close  of  his  ridminictration. 

Another  important  measure  was  the  pass- 
age of  a  pre-emption  law,  giving  actual  set- 
tlers the  preference  in  the  purchase  of 
public  lands.  The  question  of  slavery,  also, 
now  began  to  assume  great  prominence  in 
national  politics,  and  after  an  elaborate 
anti-slavery  speech  b}-  Mr.  Slade,  of  Ver- 
mont, in  the  House  of  Representatives,  the 
Southern  members  withdrew  for  a  separate 
consultation,  at  which  Mr.  Rhett,  of  South 
Carolina,  proposed  to  declare  it  expedient 
that  the  Union  should  be  dissolved;  but 
the  matter  was  tided  over  by  the  passage 
of  a  resolution  that  no  petitions  or  papers 
relating  to  slavery  should  be  in  any  way 
considered  or  acted  upon. 


In  the  Presidential  election  of  1840  Mr. 
Van  Buren  was  nominated,  without  opposi- 
tion, as  the  Democratic  candidate,  William 
H.  Harrison  being  the  candidate  of  the 
Whig  party.  The  Democrats  carried  only 
seven  States,  and  out  of  294  electoral  votes 
only  sixty  were  for  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  re- 
maining 234  being  for  his  opponent.  The 
Whig  popular  majority,  however,  was  not 
large,  the  elections  in  many  of  the  States 
being  very  close. 

March  4,  1841,  Mr.  Van  Buren  retired 
from  the  Presidency.  From  his  fine  estate 
at  Lindenwald  he  still  exerted  a  powerful 
influence  upon  the  politics  of  the  country. 
In  1844  he  was  again  proposed  as  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  the  Presidency, 
and  a  majority  of  the  delegates  of  the 
nominating  convention  were  in  his  favor ; 
but,  owing  to  his  opposition  to  the  pro- 
posed annexation  of  Texas,  he  could  not 
secure  tiie  requisite  two-thirds  vote.  His 
name  was  at  length  withdrawn  by  his 
friends,  and  Mr.  Polk  received  (he  nomina- 
tion, and  was  elected. 

In  1848  Mr.  Cass  was  the  regular  Demo- 
cratic candidate.  A  schism,  however, 
sprang  up  in  the  party,  upon  the  question 
of  the  permission  of  slavery  in  the  newly- 
acquired  territory,  and  a  portion  of  the 
party,  taking  the  name  of  "  Frce-Soilers," 
nominated  Mr.  Van  Buren.  They  drew 
away  sufficient  votes  to  secure  the  election 
of  General  Taylor,  the  Whig  candidate. 
After  this  Mr.  Van  Buren  retired  to  his  es- 
tate at  Kinderhook,  where  the  remainder 
of  his  life  was  passed,  with  the  exception  of 
a  European  tour  in  1853.  He  died  at 
Kinderhook,  July  24,  1862,  at  the  age  of 
eighty  years. 

Martin  Van  Buren  was  a  great  and  good 
man,  and  no  one  will  question  his  right  to 
a  high  position  among  those  who  have 
been  the  successors  of  Washington  in  the 
faithful  occupancy  of  the  Presidential 
chair. 


"1\ 


(I 


— ^,.-.^<r 


56 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


1  WILLIAM  HENRY  HflHRISDN.  p 


L  I  A  M  HENRY 
HARRISON,  the 
ninth  President  of 
the  United  States, 
I  84  I,  was  born 
February  9,  1773, 
in  Charles  County, 
Virginia,  at  Berkeley,  the  resi- 
dence of  his  father.  Governor 
Benjamin  Harrison.  He  studied 
at  Hampden,  Sidney  College, 
with  a  view  of  entering  the  med- 
ical profession.  After  graduation 
he  went  to  Philadelphia  to  study 
medicine  under  the  instruction  of 
Dr.  Rush. 
George  Washington  was  then  President 
Df  the  United  States.  The  Indians  were 
committing  fearful  ravages  on  our  North- 
western frontier.  Young  Harrison,  either 
lured  by  the  love  of  adventure,  or  moved 
by  the  sufferings  of  families  exposed  to  the 
most  horrible  outrages,  abandoned  his  med- 
ical studies  and  entered  the  army,  having 
obtained  a  commission  of  ensign  from  Pres- 
ident Washington.  The  first  duty  assigned 
him  was  to  take  a  train  of  pack-horses 
bound  to  Fort  Hamilton,  on  the  Miami 
River,  about  forty  miles  from  Fort  Wash- 
ington.    He    was   soon    promoted    to    the 


rank  of  Lieutenant,  and  joined  the  arm}' 
which  Washington  had  placed  under  the 
command  of  General  Wayne  to  prosecute 
more  vigorously  the  war  with  the  In- 
dians. Lieutenant  Harrison  received  great 
commendation  from  his  commanding  offi- 
cer, and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
Captain,  and  placed  in  command  at  Fort 
Washington,  now  Cincmnati,  Ohio. 

About  this  time  he  married  a  daughter 
of  John  Cleves  Symmes,  one  of  the  fron- 
tiersmen who  had  established  a  thriving 
settlement  on  the  bank  of  the  Maumee. 

In  1797  Captain  Harrison  resigned  his 
commission  in  the  army  and  was  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  and 
cx-officio  Lieutenant-Governor,  General  St. 
Clair  being  then  Governor  of  the  Territory. 
At  that  time  the  law  in  reference  to  the 
disposal  of  the  public  lands  was  such  that 
no  one  could  purchase  in  tracts  less  than 
4,000  acres.  Captain  Harrison,  in  the 
face  of  violent  opposition,  succeeded  in 
obtaining  so  much  of  a  modification  of 
this  unjust  law  that  the  land  was  sold  in 
alternate  tracts  of  640  and  320  acres.  The 
Northwest  Territory  was  then  entitled 
to  one  delegate  in  Congress,  and  Cap- 
tain Harrison  was  chosen  to  fill  that  of- 
fice.    In  1 800  he  was  ajipointod  Governor 


iW^O^ea'^taiV^ 


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TILDiN 


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WILLIAM    HENRr    11  AH  til  SON. 


S9 


of  Indiana  Territory  and  soon  after  of 
Upper  Louisiana.  He  was  also  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs,  and  so  well  did  he 
fulfill  these  duties  that  he  was  four  times 
appointed  to  this  office.  During  his  admin- 
istration he  effected  thirteen  treaties  with 
the  Indians,  by  which  the  United  States 
acquired  60,000,000  acres  of  land.  In  1804 
he  (jbtaincd  a  cession  from  the  Indians  of 
all  the  land  between  the  Illinois  River  and 
the  Mississippi. 

In  1S12  he  was  made  Major-General  of 
Kentucky  militia  and  Brigadier-General 
in  the  army,  with  the  command  of  the 
Northwest  frontiei^.  In  1813  he  was  made 
Major-Gencral,  and  as  such  won  much  re- 
nown b}'  the  defense  of  Fort  Meigs,  and  the 
battle  of  the  Thames,  Octobers,  1813.  In 
1814  he  left  the  army  and  was  employed  in 
Indian  affairs  by  the  Government. 

In  18 16  General  Harrison  was  chosen  a 
member  of  the  National  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives to  represent  the  district  of  Ohio. 
In  the  contest  which  preceded  his  election 
he  was  accused  of  corruption  in  respect  to 
the  commissariat  of  tiie  army.  Immedi- 
ately upon  taking  his  seat,  he  called  for  an 
investigation  of  the  charge.  A  committee 
was  appointed,  and  his  vindication  was 
triumphant.  A  high  compliment  was  paid 
to  his  patriotism,  disinterestedness  and 
devotion  to  the  public  service.  For  these 
services  a  gold  medal  was  presented  to  him 
with  the  thanks  of  Congress. 

In  1819  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of 
Ohio,  and  in  1824,  as  one  of  the  Presiden- 
tial electors  of  that  State,  he  gave  his  vote 
to  Henry  Clay.  In  the  same  year  he  was 
elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 
In  1828  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Adams  minister  plenipotentiar}'  to  Colom- 
bia, but  was  recalled  by  General  Jackson 
immediatel)'  after  the  inauguration  of  the 
latter. 

Upon  liis  return  to  the  United  States, 
General   Harrison    retired   t(j    his    farm   at 


North  Bend,  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  six- 
teen miles  below  Cincinnati,  where  for 
twelve  years  he  was  clerk  of  the  County 
Court.  He  once  owned  a  distillery,  but 
perceiving  the  sad  effects  of  whisky  upon 
the  surrounding  population,  he  promptl}' 
abandoned  his  business  at  great  pecuniar}' 
sacrifice. 

In  1836  General  Harrison  was  brought 
forward  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency. 
Van  Buren  was  the  administration  candi- 
date; the  opposite  party  could  not  unite, 
and  four  candidates  were  brought  forward. 
General  Harrison  received  seventy-three 
electoral  votes  without  any  general  concert 
among  his  friends.  The  Democratic  party 
triumphed  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  chosen 
President.  In  1839  General  Harrison  was 
again  nominated  for  the  Presidency  by  the 
Whigs,  at  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  Mr. 
Van  Buren  being  the  Democratic  candi- 
date. General  Harrison  received  234  elec- 
toral votes  against  sixty  for  his  opponent. 
This  election  is  memorable  chiefly  for  the 
then  e.xtraordinar}'  means  employed  during 
the  canvass  for  popular  votes.  Mass  meet- 
ings and  processions  were  introduced,  and 
the  watchwords  "  log  cabin  "  and  "  hard 
cider"  were  effectually  used  by  the  Whigs, 
and  aroused  a  popular  enthusiasm. 

A  vast  concourse  of  people  attended  his 
inauguration.  His  address  on  that  occasion 
was  in  accordance  with  hisantecedents,  and 
gave  great  satisfaction.  A  short  time  after  he 
took  his  seat,  he  was  seized  by  a  pleurisy- 
fever,  and  after  a  few  days  of  violent  sick- 
ness, died  April  4,  just  one  short  month  after 
his  inauguration.  His  death  was  universally 
regarded  as  one  of  the  greatest  of  National 
calamities.  Never,  since  the  death  of 
Washington,  were  there,  throughout  one 
land,  such  demonstrations  of  sorrow.  Not, 
one  single  spot  can  be  found  to  sully  his 
fame;  and  through  all  ages  Americans  will 
pronounce  with  love  and  reverence  the 
name  of  William  Henrv  Harrison. 


6o 


PRESIDENTS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES. 


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OHN  TYLER,  the  tenth 
President  of  the  United 
States,  was  born  in 
Charles  City  Count}-, 
Virginia,  March  2g,  1790. 
His  fatlier.  Judge  John 
Tyler,  possessed  large 
landed  estates  in  Virginia, 
and  was  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  men  of  his 
day,  filling  the  offices  of 
Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Delegates,  Judge  of  the  Su- 
])reme  Court  and  Governor 
of  the  State. 
At  the  early  age  of  twelve 
young  John  entered  William  and  Mary 
College,  and  graduated  with  honor  when 
but  seventeen  years  old.  He  then  closely 
apjtlied  himself  to  the  study  of  law,  and  at 
nineteen  years  of  age  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  When  only  twenty- 
one  he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  State 
Legislature.  He  acted  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party  and  advocated  the  measures  of 
Jefferson  and  Madison.  For  five  years  he 
was  elected  to  the  Legislature,  receiving 
, nearly  the  unanimous  vote  of  his  county. 

When  but  twenty-six  years  of  age  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  Congress.  He  advo- 
cated a  strict  construction  of  the  Constitu- 
tion and   tlu'  most  careful    vigilance   over 


State  rights.  He  was  soon  compelled  to 
resign  his  seat  in  Congress,  owing  to  ill 
health,  but  afterward  took  his  seat  in  the 
State  Legislature,  where  he  exerted  a 
powerful  influence  in  promoting  public 
works  of  great  utility. 

In  1825  Mr.  Tyler  was  chosen  Governor 
of  his  State — a  high  honor,  for  Virginia 
had  many  able  men  as  competitors  for 
the  prize.  His  administration  was  signallj' 
a  successful  one.  He  urged  forward  inter- 
nal improvements  and  strove  to  remove 
sectional  jealousies.  His  popularity  secured 
his  re-election.  In  1827  he  was  elected 
United  States  Senator,  and  upon  taking  his 
seat  joined  the  ranks  of  the  opposition.  He 
opposed  the  tariff,  voted  against  the  bank 
as  unconstitutional,  opposed  all  restrictions 
upon  slavery,  resisted  all  projects  of  inter- 
nal improvements  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment, avowed  his  synipath}'  with  Mr.  Cal- 
houn's views  of  nullification,  and  declared 
that  General  Jackson,  by  his  opposition  to 
the  nullifiers,  had  abandoned  the  principles 
of  the  Democratic  party.  Such  was  Mr. 
Tyler's  record  in  Congress. 

This  hostility  to  Jackson  caused  Mr. 
Tyler's  retirement  from  the  Senate,  after 
his  election  to  a  second  term.  He  soon 
after  removed  to  Williamsburg  for  the 
better  education  of  his  children,  and  again 
took  his  seat  in  the  LcLrislature. 


■ny^i 


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TlLDtN 


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,0N8. 


JO/IN     TVLER. 


63  I 


In  1839  he  was  sent  to  the  National  Con- 
vention at  Harrisburg  to  nominate  a  Presi- 
dent. General  Harrison  received  a  majority 
of  votes,  much  to  the  disappointment  of  the 
South,  who  had  wished  for  Henry  Cla3\ 
In  order  to  conciliate  the  Southern  Whigs, 
John  Tyler  was  nominated  for  Vice-Presi- 
dent. Harrison  and  Tyler  were  inaugu- 
rated March  4,  1841.  In  one  short  month 
from  that  time  President  Harrison  died, 
and  Mr.  Tyler,  to  his  own  surprise  as  well 
as  that  of  the  nation,  found  himself  an 
occupant  of  the  Presidential  chair.  His 
position  was  an  exceedingly  difficult  one, 
as  he  was  opposed  to  the  main  principles  of 
the  party  which  had  brcjught  him  into 
power.  General  Harrison  had  selected  a 
Whig  cabinet.  Should  he  retain  them,  and 
thus  surround  himself  with  coimcilors 
whose  views  were  antagonistic  to  his  own? 
or  should  he  turn  against  the  party  that 
had  elected  him,  and  select  a  cabinet  in 
harmony  with  himself?  This  was  his  fear- 
ful dilemma. 

President  Tyler  deserves  more  charity 
than  he  has  received.  He  issued  an  address 
to  the  people,  which  gave  general  satisfac- 
tion. He  retained  the  cabinet  General 
Harrison  had  selected.  His  veto  of  a  bill 
chartering  a  new  national  bank  led  to  an 
open  quarrel  with  the  party  which  elected 
him,  and  to  a  resignation  of  the  entire 
cabinet,  except  Daniel  Webster,  Secretar}- 
of  State. 

President  Tyler  attempted  to  conciliate. 
He  appointed  a  new  cabinet,  leaving  out  all 
strong  party  men,  but  the  Whig  members 
of  Congress  were  not  satisfied,  and  they 
published  a  manifesto  September  13,  break- 
ing off  all  political  relations.  The  Demo- 
crats had  a  majority  in  the  House ;  the 
Whigs  in  the  Senate.  Mr.  Webster  soon 
found  it  necessary  to  resign,  being  forced 
out  by  the  pressure  of  his  Whig  friends. 

April  12, 1844,  President  Tyler  concluded, 
through  Mr.  Calhoun,  a  treaty  for  the  an- 


nexation oi   Texas,  which  was  rejected  by 
the  Senate  ;  but  he  effected  his  object  in  the 
closing  days  of  his  administration  by  the 
passage  of  the  joint  resolution  of  March  i 
1845. 

He  was  n(^minated  for  the  Presidency  by 
an  informal  Democratic  Convention,  held 
at  Baltimore  in  May,  1844,  but  soon  with- 
drew from  the  canvass,  perceiving  that  he 
had  not  gained  the  confidence  of  the  Demo- 
crats at  large. 

Mr.  Tyler's  administration  was  particu- 
larly unfortunate.  No  one  was  satisfied. 
Whigs  and  Democrats  alike  assailed  him. 
Situated  as  he  was,  it  is  more  than  can 
be  expected  of  hiauan  nature  that  he 
should,  in  all  cases,  have  acted  in  the  wisest 
manner;  but  it  will  probably  be  the  verdict 
of  all  candid  men,  in  a  careful  review  of  his 
career,  that  John  Tyler  was  placed  in  a 
position  of  such  difficulty  that  he  could  not 
pursue  an}'  course  which  would  not  expose 
him  to  severe  censure  and  denunciation. 

In  18 1 3  Mr.  Tyler  married  Letitia  Chris- 
tian, who  bore  him  three  sons  and  three 
daughters,  and  died  in  Washington  in  1842. 
June  26,  1844,  he  contracted  a  second  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Julia  Gardner,  of  New 
York.  He  lived  in  almost  complete  retire- 
ment from  politics  until  February,  1861, 
when  he  was  a  member  of  the  abortive 
"  peace  convention,"  held  at  Washington, 
and  was  chosen  its  President.  Soon  after 
he  renounced  his  allegiance  to  the  United 
States  and  was  elected  to  the  Confederate 
Congress.  He  died  at  Richmond,  January 
17,  1862,  after  a  short  illness. 

Unfortunately  for  his  memory  the  name 
of  John  Tyler  must  forever  be  associated 
with  all  the  miser}'  of  that  terrible  Re- 
bellion, whose  cause  he  openly  espoused. 
It  is  with  sorrow  that  history  records  that 
a  President  of  the  United  States  died  while 
defending  the  flag  of  rebellion,  which  was 
j  arrayed  against  the  national  banner  in 
deadly  warfare. 


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PHESIDENTS     OF     THE     UN /TED     STATES. 


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AMES    KNOX   POLK, 
the   eleventh   President   of 
'^f^«*     the  United  States,  1845- 
'49,   was   born   in    Meck- 
lenburg   County,   North 
Carolina,    November    2, 
1795.     He   was   the   eldest 
son  of  a  family  of  six  sons 
and  four  daughters,  and  was 
•     a  grand-nephew  of  Colonel 
Thomas  Polk,  celebrated  in 
connection  with  the  Meck- 
lenburg Declaration  of  In- 
dependence. 

In  1806  his  father,  Samuel 
Polk,  emigrated  with  his  fam- 
\\y  two  or  three  himdred  miles  west  to  the 
valley  of  the  Duck  River.  He  was  a  sur- 
veyor as  well  as  farmer,  and  gradually  in- 
creased in  wealth  until  he  became  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  region. 

In  the  common  schools  James  rapidly  be- 
came proficient  in  all  the  common  branches 
of  an  English  education.  In  1813  he  was 
sent  to  Murfreesboro  Academy,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  181 5  entered  the  sophomore  class 
in  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  at 
Chapel  Hill,  graduating  in  1818.  After  a 
short  season  of  recreation  he  went  to  Nash- 
ville and  entered  the  law  office  of  Felix 
Grundy.     As  soon  as  he  had  his    finished 


legal  studies  and  been  admitted  to  the  bar, 
he  returned  to  Columbia,  the  shire  town  of 
Maury  County,  and  opened  an  office. 

James  K.  Polk  ever  adhered  to  the  polit- 
ical faith  of  his  father,  which  was  that  of 
a  Jeffersonian  Republican.  In  1823  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature  of  Tennessee.  As 
a  "  strict  constructionist,"  he  did  not  think 
that  the  Constitution  empowered  the  Gen- 
eral Government  to  carry  on  a  system  of 
internal  improvements  in  the  States,  but 
deemed  it  important  that  it  should  have 
that  power,  and  wished  the  Constitution 
amended  that  it  might  be  conferred.  Sub- 
sequentl}-,  however,  he  became  alarmed  lest 
the  General  Government  become  so  strong 
as  to  undertake  to  interfere  with  slavery. 
He  therefore  gave  all  his  influence  to 
strengthen  the  State  governments,  and  to 
check  the  growth  of  the  central  power. 

In  Januar}-,  1824,  Mr.  Polk  married  Miss 
Mary  Childress,  of  Rutherford  County,  Ten- 
nessee. Had  some  one  then  whispered  to 
him  that  he  was  destined  to  become  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  that  he  must 
select  for  his  companion  one  who  would 
adorn  that  distinguished  station,  he  could 
not  have  made  a  more  fitting  choice.  She 
was  truly  a  lady  of  rare  beauty  and  culture. 

In  the  fall  of  1825  Mr.  Polk  was  chosen 
a   member  of  Congress,  and   was  continu- 


■■-■-■-■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■»■■■  j«n-»5ws»-"-"-"-«»»»M»»,»,»,". 


THE  NEW  YORK 

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ACTOR.   LENOX  /yw{) 


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JAMES    A".     POLK. 


ously  re-elected  until  1839.  He  then  with- 
drew, only  that  he  might  accept  the 
gubernatorial  chair  of  his  native  State. 
He  was  a  warm  friend  of  General  Jackson, 
who  had  been  defeated  in  the  electoral 
contest  by  John  Quincy  Adams.  This 
latter  gentleman  had  just  taken  his  seat  in 
the  Presidential  chair  when  Mr.  Polk  took 
his  seat  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 
He  immediately  united  himself  with  the 
opponents  of  Mr.  Adams,  and  was  soon 
regarded  as  the  leader  of  the  Jackson  party 
in  the  House. 

The  four  years  of  Mr.  Adams'  adminis- 
tration passed  away,  and  General  Jackson 
took  tne  Presidential  chair.  Mr.  Polk  had 
now  become  a  man  of  great  influence  in 
Congress,  and  was  chairman  of  its  most 
important  committee — that  of  Ways  and 
Means.  Eloquently  he  sustained  General 
Jackson  in  all  his  measures — in  his  hostility 
to  internal  improvements,  to  the  banks,  and 
to  the  tariff.  Eight  years  of  General  Jack- 
son's administration  passed  away,  and  the 
powers  he  had  wielded  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Martin  Van  Buren  ;  and  still  Mr. 
Polk  remained  in  the  House,  the  advocate 
of  that  type  of  Democracy  which  those 
distinguished  men  upheld. 

During  five  sessions  of  Congress  Mr. 
Polk  was  speaker  of  the  House.  He  per- 
formed his  arduous  duties  to  general  satis- 
faction, and  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  to 
him  was  passed  by  the  House  as  he  with- 
drew, March  4,  1839.  He  was  elected 
Governor  by  a  large  majority,  and  took 
the  oath  of  office  at  Nashville,  October  14, 
1839.  He  was  a  candidate  for  re-election 
in  1841,  but  was  defeated.  In  the  mean- 
time a  wonderful  revolution  had  swept 
over  the  country.  W.  H.  Harrison, the  Whig 
candidate,  had  been  called  to  the  Presiden- 
tial chair,  and  in  Tennessee  the  Whig  ticket 
had  been  carried  by  over  12,000  majority. 
Under  these  circumstances  Mr.  Polk's  suc- 
cess was  hopeless.     Still  he  canvassed  the 


State  with  his  Whig  competitor,  Mr.  Jones, 
traveling  in  the  mcjst  friendly  manner  to- 
gether, often  in  the  same  carriage,  and  at 
one  time  sleeping  in  the  same  bed.  Mr. 
Jones  was  elected  by  3.000  majority. 

And  now  the  question  of  the  annexation 
of  Texas  to  our  country  agitated  the  whole 
land.  When  this  question  became  national 
Mr.  Polk,  as  the  avowed  champion  of  an- 
nexation, became  the  Presidential  candidate 
of  the  pro-slavery  wing  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  George  M.  Dallas  their  candi- 
date for  the  Vice-Presidency.  They  were 
elected  by  a  large  majority,  and  were  in- 
augurated March  4,  1845. 

President  Polk  formed  an  able  cabinet, 
consisting  of  James  Buchanan,  Robert  J. 
Walker,  William  L.  Marcy,  George  Ban- 
croft, Cave  Johnson  and  John  Y.  Mason. 
The  Oregon  boundar\'  question  was  settled, 
the  Department  of  the  Interior  was  created, 
the  low  tariff  of  1846  was  carried,  the 
financial  S3'stem  of  the  Government  was 
reorganized,  the  Mexican  war  was  con- 
ducted, which  resulted  in  the  acquisition  of 
California  and  New  Mexico,  and  had  far- 
reaching  consequences  upon  the  later  fort- 
unes of  the  republic.  Peace  was  made. 
We  had  wrested  from  Mexico  territory 
equal  to  four  times  the  empire  of  France, 
and  five  times  that  of  Spain.  In  the  prose- 
cution of  this  war  we  expended  20,000 
lives  and  more  than  $100,000,000.  Of  this 
money  $15,000,000  were  paid  to  Mexiccj. 

Declining  to  seek  a  renomination,  Mr. 
Polk  retired  from  the  Presidency  March  4, 
1849,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  General 
Zachary  Taylor.  He  retired  to  Nashville, 
and  died  there  June  19,  1S49,  i"  the  fifty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age.  His  funeral  was  at- 
tended the  following  day,  in  Nashville,  with 
every  demonstration  of  respect.  He  left 
no  children.  Without  being  possessed  of 
extraordinary  talent,  Mr.  Polk  was  a  capable 
administrator  of  public  affairs,  and  irre- 
proachable in  private  life. 


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ACHARY  TAY- 
LOR, the  twelfth 
President  of  the 
United  States,. 
1 849-' 50,  was  born 
in  Orange  County, 
Virginia,  Septem- 
ber 24,  1784.  His  father, 
Richard  Ta)lor,  was  Colo- 
nel of  a  Virginia  regiment 
in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  removed  to  Kentucky 
in  1785  ;  purchased  a  large 
plantation  near  Louisville 
and  became  an  influential  cit- 
izen ;  was  a  member  of  the  convention  that 
framed  the  Constitution  of  Kentucky ;  served 
in  both  branches  of  the  Legislature  ;  was 
Collector  of  the  port  of  Louisville  under 
President  Washington ;  as  a  Presidential 
elector,  voted  for  Jefferson,  Madison,  Mon- 
roe and  Clay;    died  January   19,1829. 

Zachary  remained  on  his  father's  planta- 
tion until  1808,  in  which  year  (Ma}-  3)  he 
was  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  the 
Seventh  Infantry,  to  fill  a  vacancy  oc- 
casioned by  the  death  of  his  elder  brother, 
Hancock.  Up  to  this  point  he  had  received 
but  a  limited  education. 

Joining  his  regiment  at  New  Orleans,  he 


was  attacked  with  yellow  fever,  with  nearly 
fatal  termination.  In  November,  1810,  he 
was  promoted  to  Captain,  and  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1812  he  was  in  command  of  Fort 
Harrison,  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Wabash 
River,  near  the  present  site  of  Terre  Haute, 
his  successful  defense  of  which  with  but  a 
handful  of  men  against  a  large  force  of 
Indians  which  had  attacked  him  was  one  of 
the  first  marked  military  achievements  of 
the  war.  He  was  then  brcvetted  Major, 
and  in    1814  promoted  to  the  full  rank. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  war  Taylor 
was  actively  employed  on  the  Western 
frontier.  In  the  peace  organization  of  18 15 
he  was  retained  as  Captain,  but  soon  after 
resigned  and  settled  near  Louisville.  In 
May,  i8i6,  however,  he  re-entered  the  army 
as  Major  of  the  Third  Infantr}' ;  became 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Eighth  Infantry 
in  1819,  and  in  1832  attained  the  Colonelcy 
of  the  First  Infantry,  of  which  he  had  been 
Lieutenant-Colonel  since  1821.  Ondifferent 
occasions  he  had  been  called  to  Washington 
as  member  of  a  military  board  for  organiz- 
ing the  militia  of  the  Union,  and  to  aid  the 
Government  with  his  knowledge  in  the 
organization  of  the  Indian  Bureau,  having 
for  many  years  discharged  the  duties  of 
Indian  accent  over  larg-e  tracts  of  Western 


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PL-  WRY 


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TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


ZACHAltr    TAT  LOR. 


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country.  He  served  through  the  Black 
Hawk  war  in  1833,  and  in  1837  was  ordered 
to  take  command  in  Florida,  then  the  scene 
of  war  with  the  Indians. 

In  1846  he  was  transferred  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Army  of  the  Southwest,  from 
wiiich  he  was  relieved  the  same  year  at  his 
own  request.  Subsequently  he  was  sta- 
tioned on  the  Arkansas  frontier  at  Forts 
Gibbon,  Smith  and  Jesup,  which  latter  work 
had  been  built  under  his  direction  in  1822. 

May  28,  1845,  he  received  a  dispatch  from 
the  Secretary  of  War  informing  him  of  the 
receipt  of  information  by  the  President 
'*  that  Texas  would  shortly  accede  to  the 
terms  of  annexation,"  in  which  event  he 
was  instructed  to  defend  and  protect  her 
from  "  foreign  invasion  and  Indian  incur- 
sions." He  proceeded,  upon  the  annexation 
of  Texas,  with  about  1,500  men  to  Corpus 
Christi,  where  his  force  was  increased  to 
some  4,000. 

Taylor  was  brevetted  Major-General  May 
28,  and  a  month  later,  June  29,  1846,  his  full 
commission  to  that  grade  was  issued.  After 
needed  rest  and  reinforcement,  he  advanced 
in  September  on  Monterey,  which  city  ca- 
pitulated after  three-days  stubborn  resist- 
ance. Here  he  took  up  his  winter  quarters. 
The  plan  for  the  invasion  of  Mexico,  by 
way  of  Vera  Cruz,  with  General  Scott  in 
command,  was  now  determined  upon  b}' 
the  Govenrment,  and  at  the  moment  Taylor 
was  about  to  resume  active  operations,  he 
received  orders  to  send  the  larger  part  of 
his  force  to  reinforce  the  army  of  General 
Scott  at  Vera  Cruz.  Though  subsequently 
reinforced  by  raw  recruits,  yet  after  pro- 
viding a  garrison  for  Monterey  and  Saltillo 
he  had  but  about  5,300  effective  troops,  of 
which  but  500  or  600  were  regulars.  In 
this  weakened  condition,  however,  he  was 
destined  to  achieve  his  greatest  victor}'. 
Confidently  relying  upon  his  strength  at 
Vera  Cruz  to  resist  the  enemy  for  a  long 
time,  Santa  Anna  directed  his  entire  army 


against  Taylor  to  overwhelm  him,  and  then 
to  return  to  oppose  the  advance  of  Scott's 
more  formidable  invasion.  The  battle  of 
Buena  Vista  was  fought  February  22  and 
23,  1847.  Taylor  received  the  thanks  of 
Congress  and  a  gold  medal,  and  "  Old 
Rough  and  Ready,"  the  sobriquet  given 
him  in  the  army,  became  a  household  word. 
He  remained  in  quiet  possession  of  the 
Rio  Grande  Valley  until  November,  when 
he  returned  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  Whig  convention  which  met  at 
Philadelphia,June  7,  1848,  Taylor  was  nomi- 
nated on  the  fourth  ballot  as  candidate  of 
the  Wliig  party  for  President,  over  Henry 
Clay,  General  Scott  and  Daniel  Webster. 
In  November  Taylor  received  a  majority 
of  electoral  votes,  and  a  popular  vote  of 
1,360,752,  against  1,219,962  ftjr  Cass  and 
Butler,  and  291,342  for  Van  Buren  and 
Adams.  General  Taylor  was  inaugurated 
March  4,  1849. 

The  free  and  slave  States  being  then  equal 
in  number,  the  struggle  for  supremacy  on 
the  part  of  the  leaders  in  Congress  was 
violent  and  bitter.  In  the  summer  of  1849 
California  adopted  in  convention  a  Consti- 
tution prohibiting  slavery  within  its  borders. 
Taylor  advocated  the  immediate  admission 
of  California  with  her  Constitution,  and  the 
postponement  of  the  question  as  to  the  other 
Territories  until  they  could  hold  conven- 
tions and  decide  for  themselves  whether 
slavery  should  exist  within  their  borders. 
This  policy  ultimately  prevailed  through 
the  celebrated  "  Compromise  Measures"  of 
Henry  Clay;  but  not  during  the  life  of  the 
brave  soldier  and  patriot  statesman.  July 
5  he  was  taken  suddenly'  ill  with  a  bilious 
fever,  which  proved  fatal,  his  death  occur- 
ring July  9,  1850.  One  of  his  daughters 
married  Colonel  W.  W.  S.  Bliss,  his  Adju- 
tant-General and  Chief  of  Staff  in  Florida 
and  Mexico,  and  Private  Secretary  during 
his  Presidency.  Another  daughter  was 
married  to  Jefferson  Davis. 


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PRESIDENTS     OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


LLARD  FILL- 
MORE, the  thir- 
j^^/  teenth  President 
of  the  United 
States,  i85o-'3,  was 
born  in  Summer 
Hill,  Cayuga 
County,  New  York,  Janu- 
ary 7,  1800.  He  was  of 
New  England  ancestry,  and 
his  educational  advantages 
were  limited.  He  early 
learned  the  clothiers'  trade, 
but  spent  all  his  leisure  time 
in  study.  At  nineteen  years 
of  age  he  was  induced  by 
Judge  Walter  Wood  to  abandon  his  trade 
and  commence  the  study  of  law.  Upon 
learning  that  the  young  man  was  entirely 
destitute  of  means,  he  took  him  into  his 
own  office  and  loaned  him  such  money  as 
he  needed.  That  he  might  not  be  heavily 
burdened  with  debt,  young  Fillmore  taught 
school  during  the  winter  months,  and  in 
various  other  ways  helped  himself  along. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession 
in  the    village  of  Aurora,  situated  on  the 


eastern  bank  of  the  Cayuga  Lake.  In  1825 
he  married  Miss  Abigail  Powers,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Lemuel  Powers,  a  lady  of  great 
moral  worth.  In  1825  he  took  his  seat  in 
the  House  of  Assembly  of  his  native  State, 
as  Representative  from  Erie  County, 
whither  he  had  recently  moved. 

Though  he  had  never  taken  a  very 
active  part  in  politics  his  vote  and  his  sym- 
pathies were  with  the  Whig  party.  The 
State  was  then  Democratic,  but  his  cour- 
tesy, ability  and  integrity  won  the  respect 
of  his  associates.  In  1832  he  was  elected 
to  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Congress. 
At  the  close  of  his  term  he  returned  to  his 
law  practice,  and  in  two  years  more  he  was 
again  elected  to  Congress. 

He  now  began  to  have  a  national  reputa- 
tion. His  labors  were  very  arduous.  To 
draft  resolutions  in  the  committee  room, 
and  then  to  defend  them  against  the  most 
skillful  opponents  on  the  floor  of  the  House 
requires  readiness  of  mind,  mental  resources 
and  skill  in  debate  such  as  few  possess. 
Weary  with  these  exhausting  labors,  and 
pressed  by  the  claims  of  his  private  affairs, 
Mr.  Fillmore  wrote  a  letter  to  his  constitu- 
ents and  declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  re- 
election.    Notwithstanding  this  communi- 


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MILLARD    FILLMORE. 


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cation  his  friends  met  in  convention  and 
renominated  him  by  acclamation.  Though 
g;ratified  by  this  proof  of  their  appreciation 
of  his  labors  he  adhered  to  his  resolve  and 
returned  to  his  home. 

In  1847  Mr.  Fillmore  was  elected  to  the 
important  office  of  comptroller  of  the  State. 
In  entering  upon  the  very  responsible  duties 
which  this  situation  demanded,  it  was  nec- 
essary for  him  to  abandon  his  profession, 
and  he  removed  to  the  city  of  Albany.  In 
this  year,  also,  the  Whigs  were  looking 
around  to  find  suitable  candidates  for  the 
President  and  Vice-President  at  the  ap- 
proaching election,  and  the  names  of  Zach- 
ary  Taylor  and  Millard  Fillmore  became 
the  rallying  cry  of  the  Whigs.  On  the  4th 
of  March,  1849,  General  Taylor  was  inaug- 
urated President  and  Millard  Fillmore 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

The  great  question  of  slavery  had  as- 
sumed enormous  proportions,  and  perme- 
ated every  subject  that  was  brought  before 
Congress.  It  was  evident  that  the  strength 
of  our  institutions  was  to  be  severely  tried. 
July  9,  1850,  President  Taylor  died,  and,  by 
the  Constitution,  Vice-President  Fillmore 
became  President  of  the  United  States. 
The  agitated  condition  of  the  country 
brought  questions  of  great  delicacy  before 
him.  He  was  bound  by  his  oath  of  office 
to  execute  the  laws  of  the  United  States. 
One  of  these  laws  was  understood  to  be, 
that  if  a  slave,  escaping  from  bondage, 
should  reach  a  free  State,  the  United  States 
was  bound  to  do  its  utmost  to  capture  him 
and  return  him  to  his  master.  Most  Chris- 
tian men  loathed  this  law.  President  Fill- 
more felt  bound  by  his  oath  rigidly  to  see 
it  enforced.  Slavery  was  organizing  armies 
to  invade  Cuba  as  it  had  invaded  Texas, 
and  annex  it  to  the  United  States.  Presi- 
dent Fillmore  gave  all  the  influence  of  his 
exalted  station  against  the  atrocious  enter- 
prise. 

Mr.  Fillmore  had  serious   difficulties  to 


contend  with,  since  the  opposition  had  a 
majority  in  both  Houses.  He  did  every- 
thing in  his  power  to  conciliate  the  South, 
but  the  pro-slavery  party  in  that  secticMi 
felt  the  inadequency  of  all  measures  of  tran- 
sient conciliation.  The  population  of  the 
free  States  was  so  rapidly  increasing  over 
that  of  the  slave  States,  that  it  was  inevita- 
ble that  the  power  of  the  Government 
should  soon  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  free 
States.  The  famous  compromise  measures 
were  adopted  under  Mr.  Fillmore's  admin- 
istration, and  the  Japan  expedition  was 
sent  out. 

March  4,  1853,  having  served  one  term. 
President  Fillmore  retired  from  office.  He 
then  took  a  long  tour  through  the  South, 
where  he  met  with  quite  an  enthusiastic 
reception.  In  a  speech  at  Vicksburg,  al- 
luding to  the  rapid  growth  of  the  country, 
he  said: 

"  Canada  is  knocking  for  admission,  and 
Mexico  would  be  glad  to  come  in,  and 
without  saying  whether  it  would  be  right 
or  wrong,  we  stand  with  open  arms  to  re- 
ceive them;  for  it  is  the  manifest  destiny  of 
this  Government  to  embrace  the  whole 
North  American  Continent." 

In  1855  Mr.  Fillmore  went  to  Europe 
where  he  was  received  with  those  marked 
attentions  which  his  position  and  character 
merited.  Returning  to  this  country  in 
1856  he  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency 
by  the  "Know-Nothing"  party.  Mr.  Bu- 
chanan, the  Democratic  candidate  was 
the  successful  competitor.  Mr.  Fillmore 
ever  afterward  lived  in  retirement.  Dur- 
ing the  conflict  of  civil  war  he  was  mostly 
silent.  It  was  generally  supposed,  how- 
ever, that  his  sympathy  was  with  the  South- 
ern Confederacy.  He  kept  aloof  from  the 
conflict  without  any  words  of  cheer  to  the 
one  party  or  the  other.  For  this  reason 
he  was  forgotten  by  both.  He  died  of 
paralysis,  in  Buffalo,  New  York,  March  8, 
1874. 


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PRESIDENTS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES. 


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'RANKLIN    PIERCE, 

the  fourteenth  Presi- 
dent of  the  United 
States,  was  born  in 
Hillsborough,  New 
Hampshire,  Novem- 
ber 23,  1804.  His 
father.  Governor 
Benjamin  Pierce,  was  a  Rev- 
olutionary soldier,  a  man  of 
rigid  integrity  ;  was  for  sev- 
eral years  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature, a  member  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's council  and  a  General 
of  the  militia. 
Franklin  was  the  sixth  of  eight  children. 
As  a  boy  he  listened  eagerly  to  the  argu- 
ments of  his  father,  enforced  by  strong  and 
ready  utterance  and  earnest  gesture.  It 
was  in  the  days  of  intense  political  excite- 
ment, when,  all  over  the  New  England 
States,  Federalists  and  Democrats  were  ar- 
rayed so  fiercely  against  each  other. 

In  1820  he  entered  Bowdoin  College,  at 
Brunswick,  Maine,  and  graduated  in  1S24, 
and  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the 
office  of  Judge  Woodbury,  a  very  distin- 
guished lawyer,  and  in  1827  was  admitted 
to  the  bar.  He  practiced  with  great  success 
in  Hillsborough   and  Concord.     He  served 


in  the  State  Legislature  four  years,  the  last 
two  of  which  he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the 
House  by  a  very  large  vote. 

In  1833  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Con- 
gress. In  1837  lis  ^^''is  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate,  just  as  Mr.  Van  Buren  com- 
menced   his   administration. 

In  1834  he  married  Miss  Jane  Means 
Appleton,  a  lady  admirably  fitted  to  adorn 
ever}'  station  with  which  her  husband  was 
honored.  Three  sons  born  to  them  all 
found  an  early  grave. 

Upon  his  accession  to  office,  President 
Polk  appointed  Mr.  Pierce  Attorney-Gen- 
eral of  the  United  States,  but  the  offer  was 
declined  in  consequence  of  numerous  pro- 
fessional engagements  at  home  and  the 
precarious  state  of  Mrs.  Pierce's  health. 
About  the  same  time  he  also  declined  the 
nomination  for  Governor  bv  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

The  war  with  Mexico  called  Mr.  Pierce 
into  the  army.  Receiving  the  appointment 
of  Brigadier-General,  he  embarked  with  a 
portion  of  his  ti'oops  at  Newport,  Rhode 
Island,  May  27,  1847.  He  served  during 
this  war,  and  distinguished  himself  by  his 
bravery,  skill  and  excellent  judgment. 
When  he  reached  his  home  in  his  native 
State  he  was  enthusiastically  received  by 


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FRANKLIN    PIERCE. 


the  advocates  of  the  war,  and  coldly  by  its 
opponents.  He  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  frequently  taking  an  active  part 
in  political  questions,  and  giving  his  sup- 
port to  the  pro-slavery  wing  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 

June  12,  1852,  the  Democratic  convention 
met  in  Baltimore  to  nominate  a  candidate 
for  the  Presidency.  For  four  da3-s  the}' 
continued  in  session,  and  in  thirtj^-five  bal- 
lotings  no  one  had  received  the  requisite 
two-thirds  vote.  Not  a  vote  had  been 
thrown  thus  far  for  General  Pierce.  Then 
the  Virginia  delegation  brougiit  forward 
his  name.  There  were  fourteen  more  bal- 
lotings,  during  which  General  Pierce 
gained  strength,  until,  at  the  forty-ninth 
ballot,  he  received  282  votes,  and  all  other 
candidates  eleven.  General  Winfield  Scott 
was  the  Whig  candidate.  General  Pierce 
was  elected  with  great  unanimity.  Only 
four  States — Vermont,  Massachusetts,  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee — cast  their  electoral 
votes  against  him.  March  4,  1853  he  was 
inaugurated  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  William  R.  King,  Vice-President. 

President  Pierce's  cabinet  consisted  of 
William  S.  Marcy,  James  Guthrie,  Jefferson 
Davis,  James  C.  Dobbin,  Robert  McClel- 
land, James  Campbell  and  Caleb  Cushing. 

At  the  demand  of  slavery  the  Missouri 
Compromise  was  repealed,  and  all  the  Ter- 
ritories of  the  Union  were  thrown  open  to 
slavery.  The  Territory  of  Kansas,  west  of 
Missouri,  was  settled  by  emigrants  mainly 
from  the  North.  According  to  law,  they 
were  about  to  meet  and  decide  whether 
slavery  or  freedom  should  be  the  law  of 
that  realm.  Slavery  in  Missouri  and 
other  Southern  States  rallied  her  armed 
legions,  marched  them  into  Kansas,  took 
possession  of  the  polls,  drove  away  the 
citizens,  deposited  their  own  votes  by 
handfuls,  went  through  the  farce  of  count- 
ing them,  and  then  declared  that,  .by  an 
overwhelming  majority,  slavery  was  estab- 


lished in  Kansas.  These  facts  nobody 
denied,  and  yet  President  Pierce's  adminis- 
tration felt  bound  to  respect  the  decision 
obtained  by  such  votes.  The  citizens  of 
Kansas,  the  majority  of  whom  were  free- 
State  men,  met  in  convention  and  adopted 
the  following  resolve : 

"Resolved,  That  the  body  of  men  who, 
for  the  past  two  months,  have  been  passing 
laws  for  the  people  of  our  Territory, 
moved,  counseled  and  dictated  to  by  the 
demagogues  of  other  States,  are  to  us  a 
foreign  body,  representing  only  the  lawless 
invaders  who  elected  them,  and  not  the 
people  of  this  Territory- ;  that  we  repudiate 
their  action  as  the  monstrous  consummation 
of  an  act  of  violence,  usurpation  and  fraud 
imparalleled  in  the  history  of  the  Union." 

The  free-State  people  of  Kansas  also  sent 
a  petition  to  the  General  Government,  im- 
ploring its  protection.  Ii;  reply  the  Presi- 
dent issued  a  proclamation,  declaring  that 
Legislature  thus  created  must  be  recog- 
nized as  the  legitimate  Legislature  of  Kan- 
sas, and  that  its  laws  were  binding  upon 
the  people,  and  that,  if  necessary,  the  whole 
force  of  the  Governmental  arm  would  be 
put  forth  to  inforce  those  laws. 

James  Buchanan  succeeded  him  in  the 
Presidency,  and,  March  4,  1857,  President 
Pierce  retired  to  his  home  in  Concord, 
New  Hampshire.  When  the  Rebellion 
burst  forth  Mr.  Pierce  remained  steadfast 
to  the  principles  he  had  always  cherished, 
and  gave  his  sympathies  to  the  pro-slaver}' 
party,  with  which  he  had  ever  been  allied. 
He  declined  to  do  anything,  either  b}' 
voice  or  pen,  to  strengthen  the  hands  ol 
the  National  Government.  He  resided  in 
Concord  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
October,  1869.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
menial  and  social  of  men,  generous  to 
a  fault,  and  contributed  liberally  of  his 
moderate  means  for  the  alleviation  of  suf- 
fering and  want.  He  was  an  honored 
communicant  of  the  Episcopal  church, 


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AMES  BUCHANAN,  the 
fifteenth  President  of  the 
United  States.   1857-61, 
was     born    in    Franklin 
County,  Pennsylvania, 
April   23,    1791.      The 
place    where    his  fatlier's 
cabin    stood     was    called 
Stony   Batter,    and   it    was 
situated  in  a  wild,  romantic 
spot,  in  a  gorge  of    mount- 
ains,   with    towering    sum- 
mits rising  all  around.     He 
was  of  Irish  ancestry,  his 
father  having  emigrated  in- 
1783,    with   very  little  prop- 
erty, save  his  own  strong  arms. 

James  remained  in  his  secluded  home  for 
eight  3'ears  enjoying  very  few  social  or 
intellectual  advantages.  His  parents  were 
industrious,  frugal,  prosperous  and  intelli- 
gent. In  1799  his  father  removed  to  Mer- 
cersburg,  where  James  was  placed  in 
school  and  conuiienced  a  course  in  English, 
Greek  and  Latin.  His  progress  was  rapid 
and  in  1801  he  entered  Dickinson  College 
at  Carlisle.  Here  he  took  his  stand  among 
the  first  scholars  in  the  institution,  and  was 
able  to  master  the  most  abstruse  subjects 
with  facility.  In  1809  he  graduated  with 
the  highest  honors  in  his  class. 

He  was  then  eighteen  years  of   age,  tall. 


graceful  and  in  vigorous  health,  fond  of 
athletic  sports,  an  unerring  shot  and  en- 
livened with  an  exuberant  flow  of  animal 
spirits.  He  immediately  commenced  the 
study  of  law  in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1812.  He  rose 
very  rapidly  in  his  profession  and  at  once 
took  undisputed  stand  with  the  ablest  law- 
yers of  the  State.  When  but  twenty-six 
years  of  age,  unaided  by  counsel,  he  suc- 
cessfully defended  before  the  State  Senate 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  State,  who  was 
tried  upon  articles  of  impeachment.  At 
the  age  of  thirty  it  was  generally  admitted 
that  he  stood  at  the  head  of  the  bar,  and 
there  was  no  lawyer  in  the  State  who  had 
a  more  extensive  or  lucrative  practice. 

In  1812,  just  after  Mr.  Buchanan  had 
entered  upon  the  practice  of  the  law,  our 
second  war  with  England  occurred.  With 
all  his  powers  he  sustained  the  Govern- 
ment, eloquently  urging  the  rigorous  pros- 
ecution of  the  war;  and  even  enlis'ing  as  a 
private  soldier  to  assist  in  repelling  the 
British,  who  had  sacked  Washington  and 
were  threatening  Baltimore.  He  was  at 
that  time  a  Federalist,  but  when  the  Con- 
stitution was  adopted  by  both  parties, 
Jefferson  truly  said,  "We  are  all  Federal- 
ists; we  are  all  Republicans." 

The  opposition  of  the  Fcderali'-ls  lo  the 
war  with  England,  and  tiie  alien  and  scdi- 


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THE  r:,-v/  YORK 
publ:  ,ry 


yAMES    BUCHANAN. 


83 


tioii  laws  of  John  Adams,  brought  the  party 
into  dispute,  and  the  name  of  Federalist 
became  a  reproach.  Mr.  Buchanan  almost 
immediately  upon  entering  Congress  began 
to  incline  more  and  more  to  the  Repub- 
licans. In  the  stormy  Presidential  election 
of  1824,  in  which  Jackson,  Clay,  Crawford 
and  John  Ouincy  Adams  were  candidates, 
Mr.  Buchanan  espoused  the  cause  of  Gen- 
eral Jackson  and  unrelentingly  opposed  the 
administration  of  Mr.  Adams. 

Upon  his  elevation  to  the  Presidency, 
General  Jackson  appointed  Mr.  Buchanan, 
minister  to  Russia.  Upon  his  return  in  1S33 
he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  United  States 
Senate.  He  there  met  as  his  associates, 
Webster,  Clay,  Wright  and  Calhoun.  He 
advocated  the  measures  proposed  by  Presi- 
dent Jackson  of  making  reprisals  against 
France,  and  defended  the  course  of  the  Pres- 
ident in  his  unprecedented  and  wholesale 
removals  from  office  of  those  who  were  not 
the  supporters  of  his  administration.  Upon 
this  question  he  was  brought  into  direct  col- 
lision with  Henry  Clay.  In  the  discussion 
of  the  question  respecting  the  admission  of 
Michigan  and  Arkansas  into  the  Union,  Mr. 
Buchanan  defined  his  position  by  saying: 

"  The  older  I  grow,  the  more  I  am  in- 
clined to  be  what  is  called  a  State-rights 
man." 

M.  de  Tocqueville,  in  his  renowned  work 
upon  "  Democracy  in  America,"  foresaw 
the  trouble  which  was  inevitable  from  the 
doctrine  of  State  sovereignty  as  held  by 
Calhoun  and  Buchanan.  He  was  con- 
vinced that  the  National  Government  was 
losing  that  strength  which  was  essential 
to  its  own  existence,  and  that  the  States 
were  assuming  powers  which  threatened 
the  perpetuity  of  the  Union.  Mr.  Buchanan 
received  the  book  in  the  Senate  and  de- 
clared the  fears  of  De  Tocqueville  to  be 
groundless,  and  yet  he  lived  to  sit  in  the 
Presidential  chair  and  see  State  after  State, 
in  accordance  with  his  own  views  of  State 


rights,  breaking  from  the  Union,  thus 
crumbling  our  Republic  into  ruins;  while 
the  unhappy  old  man  folded  his  arms  in 
despair,  declaring  that  the  National  Consti- 
tution invested  him  with  no  power  to  arrest 
the  destruction. 

Upon  Mr.  Polk's  accession  to  the  Presi- 
dency, Mr.  Buchanan  became  Secretary  of 
State,  and  as  such  took  his  share  of  the 
responsibility  in  the  conduct  of  the  Mexi- 
can war.  At  the  close  of  Mr.  Polk's  ad- 
ministration, Mr.  Buchanan  retired  to  pri- 
vate life;  but  his  intelligence,  and  his  great 
ability  as  a  statesman,  enabled  him  to  exert 
a  powerful  influence  in  National  affairs. 

Mr.  Pierce,  upon  his  election  to  the 
Presidency,  honored  Mr.  Buchanan  with 
the  mission  to  England.  In  the  year  1856 
the  National  Democratic  convention  nomi- 
nated Mr.  Buchanan  for  the  Presidency. 
The  political  conflict  was  one  of  the  most 
severe  in  which  our  country  has  ever  en- 
gaged. On  the  4th  of  March,  1857,  Mr. 
Buchanan  was  inaugurated  President.  His 
cabinet  were  Lewis  Cass,  Howell  Cobb, 
J.  B.  Floyd,  Isaac  Toucey,  Jacob  Thomp- 
son,  A.  V.  Brown  and   J.   S.  Black. 

The  disruption  of  the  Democratic  party, 
in  consequence  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
issue  of  the  nationality  of  slavery  was 
pressed  by  the  Southern  wing,  occurred  at 
the  National  convention,  held  at  Charleston 
in  April,  1S60,  for  the  nomination  of  Mr. 
Buchanan's  successor,  when  the  majority 
of  Southern  delegates  withdrew  upon  the 
passage  of  a  resolution  declaring  that  the 
constitutional  status  of  slavery  should  be 
determined  by  the  Supreme  Court. 

In  the  next  Presidential  canvass  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  was  nominated  by  the  oppo- 
nents of  Mr.  Buchanan's  administration. 
Mr.  Buchanan  remained  in  Washington 
long  enough  to  see  his  successor  installed 
and  then  retired  to  his  home  in  Wheatland. 
He  died  June  i,  1868,  aged  seventy-seven 
years. 


84 


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BRAHAM      LIN- 

^^       COLN,  the  sixteenth 

J?       President    of    the 

United  States,  i86i-'s, 

^  i      was    born  February 

'k^     12,    1809,    in     Larue 


21 


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(then  Hardin)  County, 
Kentucky,  in  a  cabin  on  Nolan 
Creek,  three  miles  west  of 
Hudgensville.  His  parents 
w  ere  Thomas  and  Nancy 
(Hanks)  Lincoln.  Of  his  an- 
cestry and  early  years  the  little 
that  is  known  may  best  be 
given  in  his  own  language  :  "  My 
parents  were  both  born  in  Virginia,  of  un- 
distinguished families — second  families,  per- 
haps I  should  say.  My  mother,  who  died 
in  my  tenth  year,  was  of  a  family  of  the 
name  of  Hanks,  some  of  whom  now  remain 
in  Adams,  and  others  in  Macon  County, 
Illinois.  My  paterna'  grandfather,  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  emigrated  from  Rockbridge 
County,  Virginia,  to  Kentuck}'  in  1781  or 
1782,  where,  a  year  or  two  later,  he  was 
killed  by  Indians — not  in  battle,  but  by 
stealth,  when  he  was  laboring  to  open  a 
farm  in  the  forest.  His  ancestors,  who  were 
Quakers,  went  to  Virginia  from  Berks 
County,  Pennsylvania.     An  efTort  to  iden- 


tify them  with  the  New  England  family  of 
the  same  name  ended  in  nothing  more  defi- 
nite than  a  similarity  of  Christian  names  in 
both  families,  such  as  Enoch,  Levi,  Mor- 
decai,  Solomon,  Abraliam  and  the  like. 
My  father,  at  the  death  of  his  father,  was 
but  six  3'ears  of  age,  and  he  grew  up,  liter- 
ally, without  education.  He  removed  from 
Kentucky  to  what  is  now  Spencer  County, 
Indiana,  in  my  eighth  year.  We  reached 
our  new  home  about  the  time  the  State  came 
into  the  Union.  It  was  a  wild  region,  with 
bears  and  other  wild  animals  still  in  the 
woods.     There  I  grew  to  manhood. 

"  There  were  some  schools,  so  called,  but 
no  qualification  was  ever  retjuired  of  a 
teacher  beyond  '  readin',  writin',  and  cipher- 
in'  to  the  rule  of  three.'  If  a  straggler,  sup- 
posed to  understand  Latin,  happened  to 
sojourn  in  the  neighborhood,  he  was  Idoked 
upon  as  a  wizard.  There  was  absolutely 
nothing  to  excite  ambition  for  education. 
Of  course,  when  I  came  of  age  I  did  not 
know  much.  Still,  somehow,  I  could  read, 
write  and  cipher  to  the  rule  of  three,  and 
that  was  all.  I  have  not  been  to  school 
since.  The  little  advance  I  now  have  upon 
this  store  of  education  I  have  picked  up 
from  time  to  time  under  the  pressure  of 
necessity.    I  was  raised  to  faini-work,  whicli 


y—C^ 


THH  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIGLIPHARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX   AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


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aBHAHAM    LIXCOLN. 


S7 


I  continued  till  I  was  twenty-two.  At 
twenty-one  I  came  to  Illinois  and  passed 
the  first  year  in  Macon  County.  Then  I  got 
to  New  Salem,  at  that  time  in  Sangamon, 
now  in  Menard  County,  where  I  remained 
a  year  as  a  sort  of  clerk  in  a  store. 

•'  Then  came  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  I 
was  elected  a  Captain  of  volunteers — a  suc- 
cess which  gave  me  more  pleasure  than  any 
I  have  had  since.  I  went  the  campaign, 
was  elated  ;  ran  for  the  Legislature  the 
same  year  (1831-')  and  was  beaten,  the  only 
time  I  have  ever  been  beaten  b}'  the  people. 
The  next  and  three  succeeding  biennial 
elections  I  was  elected  to  the  Legislature, 
and  was  never  a  candidate  afterward. 

"  During  this  legislative  period  I  had 
studied  law,  and  removed  to  Springfield  to 
practice  it.  In  1846  I  was  elected  to  the 
Lower  House  of  Congress ;  was  not  a  can- 
didate for  re-election.  From  1849  to  •854- 
inclusive,  I  practiced  the  law  more  assid- 
uously than  ever  before.  Always  a  Whig 
in  pohtics,  and  generally  on  the  Whig  elec- 
toral tickets,  making  active  canvasses,  I  was 
losing  interest  in  politics,  when  the  repeal 
of  the  Missouri  Compromise  roused  me 
again.  What  I  have  done  since  is  pretty 
well  known." 

The  early  residence  of  Lincoln  in  Indi- 
ana was  sixteen  miles  north  of  the  Ohio 
River,  on  Little  Pigeon  Creek,  one  and  a 
half  miles  east  of  Gentryville,  within  the 
present  township  of  Carter.  Here  his 
mother  died  October  5,  1818,  and  the  next 
year  his  father  married  Mrs.  Sally  (Bush) 
Johnston,  of  Elizabethtown,  Kentucky.  She 
was  an  affectionate  foster-parent,  to  whom 
Abraham  was  indebted  for  his  first  encour- 
agement to  study.  He  became  an  eager 
reader,  and  the  few  books  owned  in  the 
vicinity  were  many  times  perused.  He 
worked  frequently  for  the  neighbors  as  a 
farm  laborer ;  was  for  some  time  clerk  in  a 
store  at  Gentryville;  and  became  famous 
throughout   that    region    for    his   athletic 


powers,  his  fondness  for  argument,  his  in- 
exhaustible fund  of  humerous  anecdote,  as 
well  as  for  mock  oratory  and  the  composi- 
tion of  rude  satirical  verses.  In  1828  he 
made  a  trading  voyage  to  New  Orleans  as 
"  bow-hand  "  on  a  flatboat ;  removed  to 
Illinois  in  1830;  helped  his  father  build  a 
log  house  and  clear  a  farm  on  the  north 
fork  of  Sangamon  River,  ten  miles  west  of 
Decatur,  and  was  for  some  time  employed 
in  splitting  rails  for  the  fences — a  fact  which 
was  prominently  brought  forward  for  a 
political  purpose  thirty  years  later. 

In  the  spring  of  185 1  he,  with  two  of  his 
relatives,  was  hired  to  build  a  flatboat  on 
the  Sangamon  River  and  navigate  it  to 
New  Orleans.  The  boat  "  stuck  "  on  a 
mill-dam,  and  was  got  off  with  great  labor 
through  an  ingenious  mechanical  device 
which  some  3'ears  later  led  to  Lincoln's 
taking  out  a  patent  for  "an  improved 
method  for  lifting  vessels  over  shoals." 
This  voyage  was  memorable  for  another 
reason — the  sisjht  of  slaves  chained,  nial- 
treated  and  flogged  at  New  Orleans  was 
the  origin  of  his  deep  convictions  upon  the 
slavery  question. 

Returning  from  this  voyage  he  became  a 
resident  for  several  years  at  New  Salem,  a 
recently  settled  village  on  the  Sangamon, 
where  he  was  successively  a  clerk,  grocer, 
surveyor  and  postmaster,  and  acted  as  pilot 
to  the  first  steamboat  that  ascended  the 
Sangamon.  Here  he  studied  law,  inter- 
ested himself  in  local  politics  after  his 
return  from  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and 
became  known  as  an  effective  "stump- 
speaker."  The  subject  of  his  fii^st  political 
speech  was  the  improvement  of  the  channel 
of  the  Sangamon,  and  the  chief  ground  on 
which  he  announced  himself  (1832)  a  candi- 
date for  the  Legislature  was  his  advocacy 
of  this  popular  measure,  on  whicii  subject 
his  practical  experience  made  him  the  high- 
est authority. 

Elected  to  the  Legislature  in   1834  as  a 


J'/C/iS/DENTS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES. 


"  Henry  Clay  Whig,"  he  rapidly  acquired 
that  command  of  language  and  that  homely 
but  forcible  rhetoric  which,  added  to  his 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  people  from 
which  he  sprang,  made  him  more  than  a 
match  in  debate  for  his  few  well-educated 
opponents. 

Admitted  to  the  bar  in  1837  lie  soon 
established  himself  at  Springfield,  where 
the  State  capital  was  located  in  1839, 
largely  through  his  influence ;  became  a 
successful  pleader  in  the  State,  Circuit  and 
District  Courts  ;  married  in  1842  a  lady  be- 
longing to  a  prominent  family  in  Lexington, 
Kentucky;  took  an  active  part  in  the  Pres- 
idential campaigns  of  1840  and  1844  as 
candidate  for  elector  on  the  Harrison  and 
Clay  tickets,  and  in  1846  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  House  of  Representatives 
over  the  celebrated  Peter  Cartwright. 
During  his  single  term  in  Congress  he  did 
not  attain  any  prominence. 

He  voted  for  the  reception  of  anti-slavery 
petitions  for  the  abolition  of  the  slave  trade 
in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  for  the 
Wilmot  proviso;  but  was  chiefly  remem- 
bered for  the  stand  he  took  against  the 
Mexican  war.  For  several  3'ears  there- 
after he  took  comparatively  little  interest 
in  politics,  but  gained  a  leading  position  at 
the  Springfield  bar.  Two  or  three  non- 
political  lectures  and  an  eulogy  on  Henry 
Clay  (1852)  added  nothing  to  his  reputation. 

In  1854  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri 
Compromise  by  the  Kansas-Nebraska  act 
aroused  Lincoln  from  his  indifference,  and 
in  attacking  that  measure  he  had  the  im- 
mense advantage  of  knowing  perfectly  well 
the  motives  and  the  record  of  its  author, 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  of  Illinois,  then  popu- 
larly designated  as  the  "  Little  Giant."  The 
latter  came  to  Springfield  in  October,  1854, 
on  the  occasion  of  the  State  Fair,  to  vindi- 
cate his  policy  in  the  Senate,  and  the  "  Anti- 
Nebraska"  Whigs,  remembering  that  Lin- 
coln iiad  often  measured   his  .strensfth  with 


Douglas  in  the  Illinois  Legislature  and  be- 
fore the  Springfield  Courts,  engaged  him 
to  improvise  a  repi}'.  This  speech,  in  the 
opinion  of  those  who  heard  it,  was  one  of 
the  greatest  efforts  of  Lincoln's  life ;  cer- 
tainly the  most  effective  in  his  whole  career. 
It  took  the  audience  by  storm,  and  from 
that  moment  it  was  felt  that  Douglas  had 
met  his  match.  Lincoln  was  accordingly 
selected  as  the  Anti-Nebraska  candidate  for 
the  United  States  Senate  in  place  of  General 
Shields,  whose  term  expired  March  4,  1855, 
and  led  to  several  ballots;  but  Trumbull 
was  ultimately  chosen. 

The  second  conflict  on  the  soil  of  Kan- 
sas, which  Lincoln  had  predicted,  soon  be- 
gan. The  result  was  the  disruption  of  the 
Whig  and  the  formation  of  the  Republican 
party.  At  the  Bloomington  State  Conven- 
tion in  1856,  where  the  new  party  first 
assumed  form  in  Illinois,  Lincoln  made  an 
impressive  address,  in  which  for  the  first 
time  he  took  distinctive  ground  against 
slavery  in  itself. 

At  the  National  Republican  Convention 
at  Philadelphia,  June  17,  after  the  nomi- 
nation of  Fremont,  Lincoln  was  put  for- 
ward by  the  Illinois  delegation  for  the 
Vice-Presidenc}',  and  received  on  the  first 
ballot  no  votes  against  259  for  William  L 
Dayton.  He  took  a  prominent  part  in  the 
canvass,  being  on  the  electoral  ticket. 

In  1858  Lincoln  was  unanimously  nomi- 
nated by  the  Republican  State  Convention 
as  its  candidate  for  the  United  States  Senate 
in  place  of  Douglas,  and  in  his  speech  of 
acceptance  used  the  celebrated  illustration 
of  a  "house  divided  against  itself"  on  the 
slavery  question,  which  was,  perhaps,  the 
cause  of  his  defeat.  The  great  debate  car- 
ried on  at  all  the  principal  towns  of  Illinois 
between  Lincoln  and  Douglas  as  rival  Sena- 
torial candidates  resulted  at  the  time  in  the 
election  of  the  latter  ;  but  being  widely  cir- 
culated as  a  campaign  document,  it  fixed 
tlie    attention    of    the    country    upon     the 


79M 


'  '  -----  - ^1^ 


— ^a 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN. 


89 


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former,  as  the  clearest  and  most  convinc- 
ing exponent  of  Republican  doctrine. 

Early  in  1859  he  began  to  be  named  in 
Illinois  as  a  suitable  Republican  candidate 
for  the  Presidential  campaign  of  the  ensu- 
ing year,  and  a  political  address  delivered 
at  the  Cooper  Institute,  New  York,  Febru- 
ary 27,  i860,  followed  by  similar  speeches 
at  New  Llaven,  Hartford  and  elsewhere  in 
New  England,  first  made  him  known  to  the 
Eastern  States  in  the  light  by  which  he  had 
long  been  regarded  at  home.  By  the  Re- 
publican State  Convention,  which  met  at 
Decatur,  Illinois,  May  9  and  10,  Lincoln 
was  unanimously  endorsed  for  the  Presi- 
dency. It  was  on  this  occasion  that  two 
rails,  said  to  have  been  split  by  his  hands 
thirty  years  before,  were  brought  into  the 
convention,  and  the  incident  contributed 
much  to  his  popularity.  The  National 
Republican  Convention  at  Chicago,  after 
spirited  efforts  made  in  favor  of  Seward, 
Chase  and  Bates,  nominated  Lincoln  for 
the  Presidency,  with  Hannibal  Hamlin 
for  Vice-President,  at  the  same  time  adopt- 
ing a  vigorous  anti-slavery  platform. 

The  Democratic  party  having  been  dis- 
organized and  presenting  two  candidates, 
Douglas  and  Brcckenridge,  and  the  rem- 
nant of  the  "American"  party  having  put 
forward  John  Bell,  of  Tennessee,  the  Re- 
publican victory  was  an  easy  one,  Lincoln 
being  elected  November  6  by  a  large  plu- 
ralit\',  comprehending  nearly  all  the  North- 
ern States,  but  none  of  the  Southern.  The 
secession  of  South  Carolina  and  the  Gulf 
States  was  the  immediate  result,  followed 
a  few  months  later  by  that  of  the  border 
slave  States  and  the  outbreak  of  the  great 
civil  war. 

The  life  of  Abraham  Lincoln  became 
thenceforth  merged  in  the  history  of  his 
country.  None  of  the  details  of  the  vast 
conflict  which  filled  the  remainder  of  Lin- 
coln's life  can  here  be  given.  Narrowly 
escaping  assassination    by  avoiding  Balti- 


more on  his  way  to  the  capital,  he  reached 
Washington  February  23,  and  was  inaugu- 
rated President  of  the  United  States  March 
4,  1 86 1. 

In  his  inaugural  address  he  said:  "  I  hold, 
that  in  contemplation  of  universal  law  and 
the  Constitution  the  Union  of  these  States  is 
perpetual.  Perpetuity  is  implied  if  not  ex- 
pressed in  the  fundamental  laws  of  all  na- 
tional governments.  It  is  safe  to  assert 
that  no  government  proper  ever  had  a  pro- 
vision in  its  organic  law  for  its  own  termi- 
nation. I  therefore  consider  that  in  view 
of  the  Constitution  and  the  laws,  the  Union 
is  unbroken,  and  to  the  extent  of  my  ability 
I  shall  take  care,  as  the  Constitution  en- 
joins upon  me,  that  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  be  extended  in  all  the  States.  In 
doing  this  there  need  be  no  bloodshed  or  vio- 
lence, and  there  shall  be  none  unless  it  be 
forced  upon  the  national  authority.  The 
power  conferred  to  me  will  be  used  to  hold, 
occupy  and  possess  the  property  and  places 
belonging  to  the  Government,  and  to  col- 
lect the  duties  and  imports,  but  beyond 
what  niav  be  necessary  for  these  objects 
there  will  be  no  invasion,  no  using  of  force 
against  or  among  the  pecjple  an3'where.  In 
your  hands,  my  dissatished  fellow-country- 
men, is  the  momentous  issue  of  civil  war. 
The  Government  will  not  assail  you.  You 
can  have  no  conflict  without  being  your- 
selves the  aggressors.  You  have  no  oath 
registered  in  heaven  to  destroy  the  Gov- 
ernment, while  I  shall  have  the  most  sol- 
emn one  to  preserve,  protect  and  defend 
it." 

He  called  to  his  cabinet  his  principal 
rivals  for  the  Presidential  nomination  — 
Seward,  Chase,  Cameron  and  Bates;  se- 
cured the  co-operation  of  the  Union  Demo- 
crats, headed  by  Douglas;  called  out  75,000 
militia  from  the  several  States  upon  the  first 
tidings  of  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter, 
April  15;  proclaimed  a  blockade  of  the 
Southern  posts  April    19;  called  an  extra 


eVfMWnilUfa^c 


90 


PJiESIDENTS    OF    THE     UN/TED    STATES. 


session  of  Congress  for  July  4,  from  which 
he  asked  and  obtained  400,000  men  and 
$400,000,000  for  the  war;  placed  McCIellan 
at  the  head  of  the  Federal  army  on  General 
Scott's  resignation,  October  31;  appointed 
Edwin  M.  Stanton  Secretary  of  War,  Jan- 
uary 14,  1862,  and  September  22,  1862, 
issued  a  proclamation  declaring  the  free- 
dom of  all  slaves  in  the  States  and  parts  of 
States  then  in  rebellion  from  and  after 
January  i.  1S63.  This  was  the  crowning 
act  of  Lincoln's  career — the  act  by  which 
he  will  be  chiefly  known  through  all  future 
time — and  it  decided  the  war. 

October  16, 1863,  President  Lincoln  called 
for  300,000  volunteers  to  replace  those 
whose  term  of  enlistment  had  expired ; 
made  a  celebrated  and  touching,  though 
brief,  address  at  the  dedication  of  the 
Gettysburg  military  cemetery,  November 
19,  1863;  commissioned  Ulysses  S.  Grant 
Lieutenant-General  and  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States, 
March  9,  1864;  was  re-elected  President  in 
November  of  the  same  year,  by  a  large 
majority  over  General  McCIellan,  with 
Andrew  Johnson,  of  Tennessee,  as  Vice- 
President;  delivered  a  very  remarkable  ad- 
dress at  his  second  inauguration,  March  4, 
1865;  visited  the  army  before  Richmond  the 
same  month;  entered  the  capital  of  the  Con- 
federacy the  day  after  its  fall,  and  upon  the 
surrender  of  General  Robert  E.  Lee's  army, 
April  9,  was  actively  engaged  in  devising 
generous  plans  for  the  reconstruction  of  the 
Union,  when,  on  the  evening  of  Good  Fri- 
day, April  14,  he  was  shot  in  his  box  at 
Ford's  Theatre,\Vashington,  byJohnWilkes 
Booth,  a  fanatical  actor,  and  expired  early 
on  the  following  morning,  April  15.  Al- 
most simultaneously  a  murderous  attack 
was  made  upon  William  H.  Seward,  Secre- 
tary of  State. 

At  noon  on  the   isth  of  April  Andrew 


Johnson  assumed  the  Presidency,  and  active 
measures  were  taken  which  resulted  in  the 
death  of  Booth  and  the  execution  of  his 
principal  accomplices. 

The  funeral  of  President  Lincoln  was 
conducted  with  unexampled  solemnity  and 
magnificence.  Impressive  services  were 
held  in  Washington,  after  which  the  sad 
procession  proceeded  over  the  same  route 
he  had  traveled  four  years  before,  from 
Springfield  to  Washington.  In  Philadel- 
phia his  body  lay  in  state  in  Independence 
Hall,  in  which  he  had  declared  before  his 
first  inauguration  "  that  I  would  sooner  be 
assassinated  than  to  give  up  the  principles 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence."  He 
was  buried  at  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery,  near 
Springfield,  Illinois,  on  May  4,  where  a 
monument  emblematic  of  the  emancipation 
of  the  slaves  and  the  restoration  of  the 
Union  mark  his  resting  place. 

The  leaders  and  citizens  of  the  expiring 
Confederacy  expressed  genuine  indignation 
at  the  murder  of  a  generous  political  adver- 
sary. Foreign  nations  took  part  in  mourn- 
ing the  death  of  a  statesman  who  had  proved 
himself  a  true  representative  of  American 
nationality.  The  freedmen  of  the  South 
almost  worshiped  the  memory  of  their  de- 
liverer ;  and  the  general  sentiment  of  the 
great  Nation  he  had  saved  awarded  him  a 
place  in  its  affections,  second  only  to  that 
held  by  Washington. 

The  characteristics  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
have  been  familiarly  known  throughout  the 
civilized  world.  His  tall,  gaunt,  ungainly 
figure,  homely  countenance,  and  his  shrewd 
mother-wit,  shown  in  his  celebrated  con- 
versations overflowing  in  humorous  and 
pointed  anecdote,  combined  with  an  accu- 
rate, intuitive  appreciation  of  the  questions 
of  the  time,  are  recognized  as  forming  the 
best  type  of  a  period  of  American  history 
now  rapidly  passing  away. 


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THE  NEW  YORK 

Pl.TiLlC  UBRARY 


ASTUR.  LENOX  ANO 
7«J)eK  FOUNDATIONS. 


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»"%i?«j!!r?*ifi^'c.*Tt:-*5L"?<_^Y?pv"ja}^ 


ANDREW     JOHNSON. 


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tFWNDREW  JOHNSON, 
the  seventeenth  Presi- 
dent of   the   United 
States,    1865-9,    was 
b  o  r  n  at  Raleigh, 
North  Carolina,  De- 
c  e  m  b  e  r  29,    1808. 
His  father  died  when 
2  was  four  years  old,   and  in 
is  eleventh  year  he    was  ap- 
renticed  to  a  tailor.     He  nev- 
"   attended    school,    and    did 
3t  learn  to  read  until  late  in 
is   apprenticeship,    when    he 
denly  acquired  a  passion  for 
obtaining  knowledge,  and  devoted 
all  his  spare  time  to  reading. 

After  working  two  years  as  a  journe}-- 
man  tailor  at  Lauren's  Court-House,  South 
Carolina,  he  removed,  in  1826,  to  Green- 
ville, Tennessee,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade  and  married.  Under  his  wife's  in- 
structions he  made  i"apid  progress  in  his 
education,  and  manifested  such  an  intelli- 
gent interest  in  local  politics  as  to  be 
elected  as  "  workingmen's  candidate  "  al- 
derman, in  1828,  and  mayor  in  1830,  being 
twice  re-elected  to  each  office. 

During  this  period  he  cidtivated  his  tal- 
ents as  a  public  speaker  by  takitig  part  in  a 


debating  society,  consisting  largely  of  stu- 
dents of  Greenville  College.  In  1835,  and 
again  in  1839,  he  was  chosen  to  the  lower 
house  of  the  Legislature,  as  a  Democrat. 
In  1 841  he  was  elected  State  Senator,  and 
in  1843,  Representative  in  Congress,  being 
re-elected  four  successive  periods,  until 
1853,  when  he  was  chosen  Governor  of 
Tennessee.  In  Congress  he  supported  the 
administrations  of  Tyler  and  Polk  in  their 
chief  measures,  especially  the  annexation 
of  Texas,  the  adjustment  of  the  Oregon 
boundary,  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  tariff 
of  1846. 

In  1855  Mi\  Johnson  was  re  elected  Gov- 
ernor, and  in  1857  entered  the  United 
States  Senate,  where  he  was  conspicuous 
as  an  advocate  of  retrenchment  and  of  the 
Homestead  bill,  and  as  an  opponent  of  the 
Pacific  Railroad.  He  was  supported  by  the 
Tennessee  delegation  to  the  Democratic 
convention  in  i860  for  the  Presidential 
nomination,  and  lent  his  influence  to  the 
Brcckenridge  wing  of  that  party. 

When  the  election  of  Lincoln  had 
brought  about  the  first  attempt  at  secession 
in  December,  i860,  Johnson  took  in  the 
Senate  a  firm  attitude  for  the  Union,  and 
in  May,  1861,  on  returning  to  Tennessee, 
he  was  in  imminent  peril  of  suffering  from 


94 


PRES/DEA'TS     OF     THE     UNITED     STATES. 


popular  violence  for  his  loyalty  to  the  "  old 
flag."  He  was  the  leader  of  the  Loyalists' 
convention  of  East  Tennessee,  and  during  j 
the  following  winter  was  very  active  in  or- 
ganizing relief  for  the  destitute  loyal  refu- 
gees from  that  region,  his  own  family  being 
among  those  compelled  to  leave. 

By  his  course  in  this  crisis  Johnson  came 
prominently  before  the  Northern  public, 
and  when  in  March,  1862,  lie  was  appointed 
by  President  Lincoln  military  Governor  of 
Tennessee,  with  the  rank  of  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, he  increased  in  popularity  by  the  vig- 
orous and  successful  manner  in  which  he 
labored  to  restore  order,  protect  Union 
men  and  punish  marauders.  On  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Presidential  campaign  of  1864, 
the  termination  of  the  war  being  plainly 
foreseen,  and  several  Southern  States  being 
partially  reconstructed,  it  was  felt  that  the 
Vice-Presidency  should  be  given  to  a  South- 
ern man  of  conspicuous  loyalty,  and  Gov- 
ernor Johnson  was  elected  on  the  same 
platform  and  ticket  as  President  Lincoln; 
and  on  the  assassination  of  the  latter  suc- 
ceeded to  the  Presidenc}',  April  15,  1865. 
In  a  public  speech  two  days  later  he  said: 
"The  American  people  must  be  taught,  if 
they  do  not  already  feel,  that  treason  is  a 
crime  and  must  be  punished;  that  the  Gov- 
ernment will  not  always  bear  with  its  ene- 
mies; that  it  is  strong,  not  only  to  protect, 
but  to  punish.  In  our  peaceful  histor}^ 
treason  has  been  almost  unknown.  The 
people  must  understand  that  it  is  the  black- 
est of  crimes,  and  will  be  punished."  He 
then  added  the  ominous  sentence:  "In  re- 
gard to  my  future  course,  I  make  no  prom- 
ises, no  pledges."  President  Johnson  re- 
tained the  cabinet  of  Lincoln,  and  exhibited 
considerable  severity  toward  traitors  in  his 
earlier  acts  and  speeches,  but  he  soon  inaug- 
urated a  policy  of  reconstruction,  proclaim- 
ing a  general  amnesty  to  the  late  Confeder- 
ates, and  successively  establishing  provis- 
ional Governments  in  the  Southern  States. 


These  States  accordingly  claimed  lepresen- 
tation  in  Congress  in  the  following  Decem- 
ber, and  the  momentous  question  of  what 
should  be  the  policy  of  the  victorious  Union 
toward  its  late  armed  opponents  was  forced 
upon  that  body. 

Two  considerations  impelled  the  Repub- 
lican majority  to  reject  the  policy  of  Presi. 
dent  Johnson:  First,  an  apprehension  that 
the  chief  magistrate  intended  to  undo  the  re- 
sults of  the  war  in  regard  to  slavery;  and,sec- 
ond,  the  sullen  attitude  of  the  South,  which 
seemed  to  be  plotting  to  regain  the  policy 
which  arms  had  lost.  The  credentials  of  the 
Southern  members  elect  were  laid  on  the 
table,  a  civil  rights  bill  and  a  bill  extending 
the  sphere  of  the  Freedmcn's  Bureau  were 
passed  over  the  executive  veto,  and  the  two 
highest  branches  of  the  Government  were 
soon  in  open  antagonism.  The  action  of 
Congress  was  characterized  by  the  Presi- 
dent as  a  "  new  rebellion."  In  July  the 
cabinet  was  reconstructed,  Messrs.  Randall, 
Stanbury  and  Browning  taking  the  places 
of  Messrs.  Denison,  Speed  and  Harlan,  and 
an  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  by 
means  of  a  general  convention  in  Philadel- 
phia to  form  a  new  party  on  the  basis  of  the 
administration  policy. 

In  an  excursion  to  Chicago  for  the  pur- 
pose of  laying  a  corner-stone  of  the  monu- 
ment to  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  f^resident 
Johnson,  accompanied  by  several  members 
of  the  cabinet,  passed  through  Philadelphia, 
New  York  and  Albau}',  in  each  of  which 
cities,  and  in  other  places  along  the  route, 
he  made  speeches  justifying  and  explaining 
his  own  polic}',  and  violently  denouncing 
the  action  of  Congress. 

August  12,  1867,  President  Johnscjn  re- 
moved the  Secretary  of  War,  replacing 
him  by  General  Grant.  Secretary  Stanton 
retired  under  protest,  based  upon  the  ten- 
ure-of-ofifice  act  which  had  been  passed  the 
preceding  March.  The  President  then  is- 
sued a  proclamation  declaring  the  insurrec- 


»■■■' 


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«""'""*' 


^  A^Z)/?i5'  IV     JOHNSON. 


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tioii  at  an  end,  and  that  "  peace,  order,  tran- 
qiiilit}-  and  civil  authority  existed  in  and 
throughout  the  United  States."  Another 
proclamation  enjoined  obedience  to  the 
Constitution  and  the  laws,  and  an  amnesty 
was  published  September  7,  relieving  nearly 
all  the  participants  in  the  late  Rebellion 
from  the  disabilities  thereby  incurred,  on 
condition  of  taking  the  oath  to  support  the 
Constitution  and  the  laws. 

In  December  Congress  refused  to  confirm 
the  removal  of  Secretary  Stanton,  who 
thereupon  resumed  the  exercise  of  his  of- 
fice; but  February  21,  1868,  President 
Johnson  again  attempted  to  remove  him, 
appointing  General  Lorenzo  Thomas  in  his 
place.  Stanton  refused  to  vacate  his  post, 
and  was  sustained  by  the  Senate. 

February  24  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives voted  to  impeach  the  President  for 
"  high  crime  and  misdemeanors,"  and  March 
5  presented  eleven  articles  of  impeachment 
on  the  ground  of  his  resistance  to  the  exe- 
cution of  the  acts  of  Congress,  alleging,  in 
addition  to  the  offense  lately  committed, 
his  public  expressions  of  contempt  for  Con- 
gress, in  "  certain  intemperate,  inflamma- 
tory and  scandalous  harangues"'  pronounced 
in  August  and  September,  1866,  and  there- 
after declaring  that  the  Thirty-ninth  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  was  not  a 
competent  legislative  body,  and  den3-ing 
its  power  to  propose  Constitutional -amend- 
ments. March  23  the  impeachment  trial 
began,  the  President  appearing  b}-  counsel, 
and  resulted  in  acquittal,  the  vote  lacking 


one  of  the  two-thirds  vote  required  for 
conviction. 

The  remainder  of  President  Johnson's 
term  of  office  was  passed  without  any  such 
conflicts  as  might  have  been  anticipated. 
He  failed  to  obtain  a  ncMiiination  for  re- 
election b}'  the  Democratic  party,  though 
receiving  sixty-five  votes  on  tiie  first  ballot. 
July  4  and  December  25  new  proclamations 
of  pardon  to  the  participants  in  the  late 
Rebellion  were  issued,  but  were  of  little 
effect.  On  the  accession  of  General  Grant 
to  the  Presidency,  March  4,  1869,  Johnson 
returned  to  Greenville,  Tennessee.  Unsuc- 
cessful in  1870  and  1872  as  a  candidate  re- 
spectively for  United  States  Senator  and 
Representative,  he  was  finally  elected  to  the 
Senate  in  1875,  and  took  his  seat  in  the  extra 
session  of  March,  in  which  his  speeches 
were  comparatively  temperate.  He  died 
July  31,  1875,  and  was  buried  at  Green- 
ville. 

President  Johnson's  administration  was  a 
peculiarly  unfortunate  one.  That  he  should 
so  soon  become  involved  in  bitter  feud  with 
the  Republican  mpjoritv  in  Congress  was 
certainl}'  a  surprising  and  deplorable  inci- 
dent; yet,  in  reviewing  the  circumstances 
after  a  lapse  of  so  man)'  3'ears,  it  is  easy  to 
find  ample  room  for  a  charitable  judgment 
of  both  the  parties  in  the  heated  contro- 
versy, since  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  any 
President,  even  Lincoln  himself,  had  he 
lived,  must  have  sacrificed  a  large  portion 
of  his  popularity  in  carrying  out  ariy  pos- 
sible scheme  of  reconstruction. 


5^ 


^'.1 


PRESIDEIVTS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES. 


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LYSSES  SIMPSON 
GRANT,  the  eight- 
eenth President  of  the 
United  States,  iS6g-'yy, 
was  born  April  27,  1 822, 
at  Point  Pleasant, 
-|^  Clermont  County, 
Ohio.  His  father  was  of  Scotch 
descent,  and  a  dealer  in  leather. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  en- 
tered the  Military  Academy  at 
West  Point,  and  four  years  later 
graduated  twenty-first  in  a  class 
of  thirty-nine,  receiving  the 
commission  of  Brevet  Second 
Lieutenant.  He  was  assigned 
to  the  Fourth  Infantrj^  and  re- 
mained in  the  army  eleven  years.  He  was 
engaged  in  every  battle  of  the  Mexican  war 
except  that  of  Buena  Vista,  and  received 
two  brevets  for  gallantry. 

In  1848  Mr.  Grant  married  Julia, daughter 
of  Frederick  Dent,  a  prominent  merchant  of 
St.  Louis,  and  in  1854,  having  reached  the 
grade  of  Captain,  he  resigned  his  commis- 
sion in  the  army.  For  several  years  he  fol- 
lowed farming  near  St.  Louis,  but  unsuc- 
cessfully ;  and  in  i860  he  entered  the  leather 
trade  with  his  father  at  Galena,  Illinois. 

When  the  civil  war  broke  out  in  1861, 
Grant  was  thirty-nine  3'ears  of  age,  but  cn- 
tirelv  unknown  to  public  men  and  without 


any  personal  acquaintance  with  great  affairs. 
President  Lincoln's  first  call  for  troops  was 
made  on  the  15th  of  April,  and  on  the  19th 
Grant  was  drilling  a  company  of  volunteers 
at  Galena.  He  also  offered  his  services  to 
the  Adjutant-General  of  the  army,  but  re- 
ceived no  repl}'.  The  Governor  of  Illinois, 
however,  employed  him  in  the  organization 
of  volunteer  troops,  and  at  the  end  of  five 
weeks  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the 
Twenty-first  Infantry.  He  took  command 
of  his  regiment  in  June,  and  reported  first 
to  General  Pope  in  Missouri.  His  superior 
knowledge  of  militaiy  life  rather  surprised 
his  superior  officers,  who  had  never  before 
even  heard  of  him,  and  they  were  thus  led 
to  place  him  on  the  road  to  rapid  advance- 
ment. August  7  he  was  commissioned  a 
Brigadier-General  of  volunteers,  the  ap- 
pointment having  been  made  without  his 
knowledge.  He  had  been  unanimously 
recommended  by  the  Congressmen  from 
Illinois,  not  one  of  whom  had  been  his 
personal  acquaintance.  For  a  few  weeks 
he  was  occupied  in  watciiing  the  move- 
ments of  partisan  forces  in  Missouri. 

September  i  he  was  placed  in  command 
of  the  District  of  Southeast  Missouri,  with 
headquarters  at  Cairo,  and  on  the  6th,  with- 
out orders,  he  seized  Paducah,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Tennessee  River,  and  commanding 
the  navigation  both  of  tiiat  stream  and  of 


-/■^  <Z-^<--^ 


;^ 


i 


I 


1 » 


ULrSSES    S.    GRAiVT. 


99 


the  Ohio.  This  stroke  secured  Kentucky 
to  the  Union ;  for  the  State  Legislature, 
which  had  until  then  affected  to  be  neutral, 
at  once  declared  in  favor  of  the  Govern- 
ment. In  November  following,  according 
to  orders,  he  made  a  demonstration  about 
eighteen  miles  below  Cairo,  preventing  the 
crossing  of  hostile  troops  into  Missouri ; 
but  in  order  to  accomplish  this  purpose  he 
had  to  do  some  fighting,  and  that,  too,  with 
only  3,000  raw  recruits,  against  7,000  Con- 
federates. Grant  carried  off  two  pieces  of 
artillery  and  200  prisoners. 

After  repeated  applicitions  to  General 
Halleck,  his  immediate  superior,  he  was 
allowed,  in  February,  1863,  to  move  up  the 
Tennessee  River  against  Fort  Henry,  in 
conjunction  with  a  naval  force.  The  gun- 
boats silenced  the  fort,  and  Grant  immedi- 
ately made  preparations  to  attack  Fort 
Donelson,  about  twelve  miles  distant,  on 
the  Cumberland  River.  Without  waiting 
for  orders  he  moved  his  troops  there,  and 
with  15,000  men  began  the  siege.  The 
fort,  garrisoned  with  21,000  men,  was  a 
strong  one,  but  after  hard  fighting  on  three 
successive  days  Grant  forced  an  "  Uncon- 
ditional Surrender"  (an  alliteration  upon 
the  initials  of  his  name).  The  prize  he  capt- 
ured consisted  of  sixty -five  cannon,  17,600 
small  arms  and  14,623  soldiers.  About  4,- 
000  of  the  garrison  had  escaped  in  the  night, 
and  2,500  were  killed  or  wounded.  Grant's 
entire  loss  was  less  than  2,000.  This  was  the 
first  important  success  won  by  the  national 
troops  during  the  war,  and  its  strategic  re- 
sults were  marked,  as  the  entire  States  of 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee  at  once  fell  into  the 
National  hands.  Our  hero  was  made  a 
Major-General  of  Volunteers  and  placed  in 
command  of  the  District  of  West  Ten- 
nessee. 

In  March,  1862,  he  was  ordered  to  move 
up  the  Tennessee  River  toward  Corinth, 
where  the  Confederates  were  concentrat- 
ing a  large  army  ;   but  he  was  directed  not 


to  attack.  His  forces,  now  numbering  38,- 
000,  were  accordingly  encamped  near  Shi- 
loh,  or  Pittsburg;-  Landins:,  to  await  the 
arrival  of  General  Buell  with  40,000  more; 
but  April  6  the  Confederates  came  out  from 
Corinth  50,000  strong  and  attacked  Grant 
violently,  hoping  to  overwhelm  him  before 
Buell  could  arrive  ;  5,000  of  his  troops  were 
bej'ond  supporting  distance,  so  that  he  was 
largely  outnumbered  and  forced  back  to  the 
river,  where,  however,  he  held  out  until 
dark,  when  the  head  of  Buell's  column 
came  upon  the  field.  The  ne.Kt  day  the 
Confederates  were  driven  back  to  Corinth, 
nineteen  miles.  The  loss  was  heavy  on 
both  sides ;  Grant,  being  senior  in  rank  to 
Buell,  commanded  on  both  days.  Two 
days  afterward  Halleck  arrived  at  the  front 
and  assumed  command  of  the  army,  Grant 
remaining  at  the  head  of  the  right  wing  and 
the  reserve.  On  May  30  Corinth  was 
evacuated  by  the  Confederates.  In  July 
Halleck  was  made  General-in-Chief,  and 
Grant  succeeded  him  in  command  of  the 
Department  of  the  Tennessee.  September 
19  the  battle  of  luka  was  fought,  where, 
owing  to  Rosecrans's  fault,  only  an  incom- 
plete victory  was  obtained. 

Next,  Grant,  with  30,000  men,  moved 
down  into  Mississippi  and  threatened  Vicks- 
burg,  while  Sherman,  with  40,000  men,  was 
sent  by  way  of  the  river  to  attack  that  place 
in  front ;  but,  owing  to  Colonel  Murphy's 
surrendering  Holly  Springs  to  the  Con- 
federates, Grant  was  so  weakened  that  he 
had  to  retire  to  Corinth,  and  then  Sherman 
failed  to  sustain  his  intended  attack. 

In  January,  1863,  General  Grant  took 
command  in  person  of  all  the  troops  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  and  spent  several  months 
in  fruitless  attempts  to  compel  the  surrender 
or  evacuation  of  Vicksburg;  but  July  4, 
following,  the  place  surrendered,  with  31,- 
600  men  and  172  cannon,  and  the  Mississippi 
River  thus  fell  permanently  into  the  hands 
of  the  Government.      Grant  was    made  a 


'. 


if' 


'■'} 


301963 


PRESIDENTS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES. 


Major-General  in  the  regular  army,  and  in 
October  following  he  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  Division  of  the  Mississippi. 
The  same  month  he  went  to  Chattanooga 
and  saved  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
from  starvation,  and  drove  Bragg  from  that 
part  of  the  country.  This  victory  over- 
threw the  last  important  hostile  force  west 
of  the  AUeghanies  and  opened  the  way  for 
the  National  armies  into  Georgia  and  Sher- 
man's march  to  the  sea. 

The  remarkable  series  of  successes  which 
Grant  had  now  achieved  pointed  him  out 
as  the  appropriate  leader  of  the  National 
armies,  and  accordingly,  in  February,  1864, 
the  rank  of  Lieutcnant-General  was  created 
for  him  by  Congress,  and  on  March  17  he 
assumed  command  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States.  Planning  the  grand  final 
campaign,  he  sent  Sherman  into  Georgia, 
Sigel  into  the  valley  of  Virginia,  and  Butler 
to  capture  Richmond,  while  he  fought  his 
own  way  from  the  Rapidan  to  the  James. 
The  costly  but  victorious  battles  of  the 
Wilderness,  Spottsylvania,  North  Anna  and 
Cold  Harbor  were  fought,  more  for  the 
purpose  of  annihilating  Lee  than  to  capture 
any  particular  point.  In  June,  1864,  the 
siege  of  Richmond  was  begun.  Sherman, 
meanwhile,  was  marching  and  fighting  daily 
in  Georgia  and  steadily  advancing  toward 
Atlanta  ;  but  Sigel  had  been  defeated  in  the 
valley  of  Virginia,  and  was  superseded  by 
Hunter.  Lee  sent  Early  to  threaten  the  Na- 
tional capital ;  whereupon  Grant  gathered 
up  a  force  which  he  placed  under  Sheridan, 
and  that  commander  rapidly  drove  Early, 
inasuccessionof  battles,  through  the  valley 
of  Virginia  and  destroyed  his  army  as  an 
organized  force.  The  siege  of  Richmond 
went  on,  and  Grant  made  numerous  attacks, 
but  was  only  partially  successful.  The 
people  of  the  North  grew  impatient,  and 
even  the  Government  advised  him  to 
abandon  the  attempt  to  take  Richmond  or 
crush  the  Confederacy  in  that  way;  but  he 


never  wavered.  He  resolved  to  "  fight  it 
out  on  that  line,  if  it  took  all  summer." 

By  September  Sherman  had  made  his 
way  to  Atlanta,  and  Grant  then  sent  him 
on  his  famous  "  march  to  the  sea,"  a  route 
which  the  chief  had  designed  six  months 
before.  He  made  Sherman's  success  possi- 
ble, not  only  by  holding  Lee  in  front  of 
Richmond,  but  also  by  sending  reinforce- 
ments to  Thomas,  who  then  drew  off  and 
defeated  the  only  army  which  could  have 
confronted  Sherman.  Thus  the  latter  was 
left  unopposed,  and,  with  Thomas  and  Sheri- 
dan, was  used  in  the  furtherance  of  Grant's 
plans.  Each  executed  his  part  in  the  great 
design  and  contributed  his  share  to  the  re- 
sult at  which  Grant  was  aiming.  Sherman 
finally  reached  Savannah,  Schofield  beat 
the  enemy  at  Franklin,  Thomas  at  Nash- 
ville, and  Sheridan  wherever  he  met  him ; 
and  all  this  while  General  Grant  was  hold- 
ing Lcc,  with  the  principal  Confederate 
army,  near  Richmond,  as  it  were  chained 
and  helpless.  Then  Schofield  was  brought 
from  the  West,  and  Fort  Fisher  and  Wil- 
mington were  captured  on  the  sea-coast,  so 
as  to  afford  him  a  foothold  ;  from  here  he 
was  sent  into  the  interior  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Sherman  was  ordered  to  move 
northward  to  join  him.  When  all  this  was 
effected,  and  Sheridan  could  find  no  one  else 
to  fight  in  the  Shenandoah  Valle}',  Grant 
brought  the  cavalry  leader  to  the  front  of 
Richmond,  and,  making  a  last  effort,  drove 
Lee  from  his  entrenchments  and  captured 
Richmond. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  final  campaign 
Lee  had  collected  73,000  fighting  men  in 
the  lines  at  Richmond,  besides  the  local 
militia  and  the  gunboat  crews,  amounting 
to  5,000  more.  Including  Sheridan's  force 
Grant  had  1 10,000  men  in  the  works  before 
Petersburg  and  Richmond.  Petersburg  fell 
on  the  2d  of  April,  and  Richmond  on  the 
3d,  and  Lee  fled  in  the  direction  of  Lynch- 
burg.     Grant   pursued    with    remorseless 


■B»iu— ■'■■"iB^n' 


■l-M  —  M* 


°nf  »"«»■«  Wai  —  ji  — ■!■■"»■' imMuuS* 


^"■''■™m"«ii''m'"«* 


iTLfSSES    S.    GRANT. 


energy,  only  stopping  to  strike  fresh  blows, 
and  Lee  at  last  found  himself  not  only  out- 
fought but  also  out-marched  and  out-gen- 
eraled.  Being  completely  surrounded,  he 
surrendered  on  the  9th  of  April,  1865,  at 
Appomattox  Court-House,  in  the  open  field, 
with  27,000  men,  all  that  remained  of  his 
army.  This  act  virtually  ended  the  war. 
Thus,  in  ten  days  Grant  had  captured 
Petersburg  and  Richmond,  fought,  by  his 
subordinates,  the  battles  of  Five  Forks  and 
Sailor's  Creek,  besides  ni'.ir\erous  smaller 
ones,  captured  20,000  men  in  actual  battle, 
and  received  the  surrender  of  27,000  more 
at  Appomattox,  absolutely  annihilating  an 
army  of  70,000  soldiers. 

General  Grant  returned  at  once  to  Wash- 
ington to  superintend  tiie  disbandment  of 
the  armies,  but  this  pleasurable  work  was 
scarcely  begun  when  President  Lincoln  was 
assassinated.  It  had  doubtless  been  in- 
tended to  inflict  the  same  fate  upon  Grant ; 
but  he,  fortunately,  on  account  of  leaving 
Washington  early  in  the  evening,  declined 
an  invitation  to  accompany  the  President 
to  the  theater  where  the  murder  was  com- 
mitted. This  event  made  Andrew  Johnson 
President,  but  left  Grant  by  far  the  most 
conspicuous  figure  in  the  public  life  of  the 
country.  He  became  the  object  of  an  en- 
thusiasm greater  than  had  ever  been  known 
in  America.  Every  possible  honor  was 
heaped  upon  him ;  the  grade  of  General 
was  created  for  him  by  Congress;  houses 
were  presented  to  him  by  citizens ;  towns 
were  illuminated  on  his  entrance  into  them  ; 
and,  to  cap  the  climax,  when  he  made  his 
tour  around  the  world,  "all  nations  did  him 
honor"  as  they  had  never  before  honored 
a  foreigner. 

The  General,  as  Commander-in-Chief, 
was  placed  in  an  embarrassing  position  by 
the  opposition  of  President  Johnson  to  the 
measures  of  Congress ;  but  he  directly  man- 
ifested his  characteristic  loyalty  by  obeying 
Congress  rather  than  the  disaffected  Presi- 


dent,   although    for    a    short   time  he    had 
served  in  his  cabinet  as  Secretary  of  War. 

Of  course,  everybody  thought  of  General 
Grant  as  the  next  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  he  was  accordingly  elected  as 
such  in  1868  "by  a  large  majority,"  and 
four  years  later  re-elected  by  a  much  larger 
majority  —  the  most  overwhelming  ever 
given  by  the  people  of  this  country.  His  first 
administration  was  distinguished  by  a  ces- 
sation of  the  strifes  which  sprang  from  the 
war,  by  a  large  reduction  of  the  National 
debt,  and  by  a  settlement  of  the  difificulties 
with  England  which  had  grown  out  of  the 
depredations  committed  by  privateers  fit- 
ted out  in  England  during  the  war.  This 
last  settlement  was  made  by  the  famous 
"  Geneva  arbitration,"  which  saved  to  this 
Government  $15,000,000,  but,  more  than  all, 
prevented  a  war  with  England.  "  Let  us 
have  peace,"  was  Grant's  motto.  And  this 
is  the  most  appropriate  place  to  remark 
that  above  all  Presidents  whom  this  Gov- 
ernment has  ever  had.  General  Grant  was 
the  most  non-partisan.  He  regarded  the 
Executive  office  as  purely  and  exclusively 
executive  of  the  laws  of  Congress,  irrespect- 
ive of  "  politics."  But  every  great  man 
has  jealous,  bitter  enemies,  a  fact  Grant 
was  well  aware  of. 

After  the  close  of  his  Presidency,  our 
General  made  his  famous  tour  around  the 
world,  already  referred  to,  and  soon  after- 
ward, in  company  with  Ferdinand  Ward, 
of  New  York  City,  he  engaged  in  banking 
and  stock  brokerage,  which  business  was 
made  disastrous  to  Grant,  as  well  as  to  him- 
self, by  his  rascality.  By  this  time  an  in- 
curable cancer  of  the  tongue  developed 
itself  in  the  person  of  the  afflicted  ex- 
President,  which  ended  his  unrequited  life 
July  23,  1885.  Thus  passed  away  from 
earth's  turmoils  the  man,  the  General,  who 
was  as  truly  the  "  father  of  this  regenerated 
country 
the  infant  nation 


\\ 


11  ■ 


as  was  Washington  the  father  of 


' 


'^^■^^^  fl  3 


°-^'^™'*''"° 


PRESIDENTS     OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


•  v  --b.'<r'  ..s^  e'-  'V- 


*f.# 


UTHERFORD  BIRCH- 
ARD  HAYES,  the  nine- 
teenth President  of 
the  United  States, 
iS77-'8i,  was  born  in 
'^hu  Delaware,  Ohio,  Oc- 
1-'^^^^  tober  4,  1822.  His 
ancestry  can  be  traced  as  far 
back  as  1280,  when  Hayes  and 
Rutherford  were  two  Scottish 
chieftains  fighting  side  by  side 
with  BaHol,  William  Wallace 
and  Robert  Bruce.  Both  fami- 
lies belonged  to  the  nobilit}', 
owned  extensive  estates  and  had 
a  large  following.  The  Hayes 
family  had,  for  a  coat  of-arms,  a 
shield,  barred  and  surmounted  by  a  flying 
eagle.  There  was  a  circle  of  stars  about 
the  eagle  and  above  the  shield,  while  on  a 
scroll  underneath  the  shield  was  inscribed 
the  motto,  "Recte."  Misfortune  overtaking 
the  family,  George  Hayes  left  Scotland  in 
1680,  and  settled  in  Windsor,  Connecticut. 
He  was  an  industrious  worker  in  wood  and 
iron,  having  a  mechanical  genius  and  a  cul- 
tivated mind.  His  son  George  was  born 
in  Windsor  and  remained  there  during  his 
life. 

Daniel  Hayes,  son  of  the  latter,  married 
Sarah  Lee,  and    lived    in    Simsbury,   Con- 


necticut. Ezekiel,  son  of  Daniel,  was  born 
in  1724,  and  was  a  manufacturer  of  scythes 
at  Bradford,  Connecticut.  Rutherford 
Hayes,  son  of  Ezekiel  and  grandfather  of 
President  Haj'es,  was  born  in  New  Haven, 
in  August,  1756.  He  was  a  famous  black- 
smith and  tavern-keeper.  He  immigrated  to 
Vermont  at  an  unknown  date,  settling  in 
Brattleboro  where  he  established  a  hotel. 
Here  his  son  Rutherford,  father  of  Presi- 
dent Hayes,  was  born.  In  September,  1813, 
he  married  Sophia  Birchard,  of  Wilming- 
ton, Vermont,  whose  ancestry  on  the  male 
side  is  traced  back  to  1635,  to  John  Birch- 
ard, one  of  the  principal  founders  of  Nor- 
wich. Both  of  her  grandfathers  were 
soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

The  father  of  President  Ha3'es  was  of  a 
mechanical  turn,  and  could  mend  a  plow, 
knit  a  stocking,  or  do  almost  anything  that 
he  might  undertake.  He  was  prosperous 
in  business,  a  member  of  the  church  and 
active  in  all  the  benevolent  enterprises  of 
the  town.  After  the  close  of  the  war  of  181 2 
he  immigrated  to  Ohio,  and  purchased  a 
farm  near  the  present  town  of  Delaware. 
His  family  then  consisted  of  his  wife  and 
two  children,  and  an  orphan  girl  whom  he 
had  adopted. 

It  was  in  1817  that  the  family  arrived  at 
Delaware.     Instead    of    settling   upon  his 


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THE  NEW  YORK] 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
T1LDEN  FOUNDATIOM*. 


•~1 . 


RUTHERFORD    B.    HATES. 


i"S 


farm,  Mr.  Hayes  concluded  to  enter  into 
business  in  the  village.  He  purchased  an 
interest  in  a  distillery,  a  business  then  as  re- 
spectable as  it  was  profitable.  His  capital 
and  recognized  ability  assured  hiin  the 
highest  social  position  in  the  community. 
He  died  July  22,  1822,  less  than  three 
months  before  the  birth  of  the  son  that  was 
destined  to  fill  the  office  of  President  of  the 
United  States. 

Mrs.  Hayes  at  this  period  was  very  weak, 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  so  feeble 
at  birth  that  he  was  not  expected  to  live 
beyond  a  month  or  two  at  most.  As  the 
months  went  by  he  grew  weaker  and  weaker 
so  that  the  neighbors  were  in  the  habit  of 
inquiring  from  time  to  time  "if  Mrs. 
Hayes's  baby  died  last  night."  On  one  oc- 
casion a  neighbor,  who  was  on  friendly 
terms  with  the  family,  after  alluding  to  the 
boy's  big  head  and  the  mother's  assiduous 
care  of  him,  said  to  her,  in  a  bantering  way, 
"That's  right!  Stick  to  him.  You  have 
got  him  along  so  far,  and  I  shouldn't  won- 
der if  he  would  really  come  to  something 
yet."  "  You  need  not  laugh,"  said  Mrs. 
Hayes,  "  you  wait  and  see.  You  can't  tell 
but  I  shall  make  him  Pi-esident  of  the 
United  States  yet." 

The  boy  lived,  in  spite  of  the  universal 
predictions  of  his  speedy  death;  and  when, 
in  1825,  his  elder  brother  was  drowned,  he 
became,  if  possible,  still  dearer  to  his  mother. 
He  was  seven  years  old  before  he  was 
l)laced  in  school.  His  education,  however, 
was  not  neglected.  His  sports  were  almost 
wholly  within  doors,  his  playmates  being 
his  sister  and  her  associates.  These  circum- 
stances tended,  no  doubt,  to  foster  that 
gentleness  of  disposition  and  that  delicate 
consideration  for  the  feelings  of  others 
which  are  marked  traits  of  his  character. 
At  school  he  was  ardently  devoted  to  his 
studies,  obedient  to  the  teacher,  and  care- 
ful to  avoid  the  quarrels  in  which  many  of 
liis   schoolmates    were  involved.     He  was 


always  waiting  at  the  school-house  door 
when  it  opened  in  the  morning,  and  never 
late  in  returning  to  his  seat  at  recess.  His 
sister  Fannie  was  his  constant  companion, 
and  their  affection  for  each  other  excited 
the  admiration  of  their  friends. 

In  1838  young  Hayes  entered  Kenyon 
College  and  graduated  in  1842.  He  then 
began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Thomas  Sparrow  at  Columbus.  Hishealth 
was  now  well  established,  his  figure  robust, 
his  mind  vigorous  and  alert.  In  a  short 
time  he  determined  to  enter  the  law  school 
at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  where  foi" 
two  years  he  pursued  his  studies  with  great 
diligence. 

In  1845  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Marietta,  Ohio,  and  shortly  afterward  went 
into  piactice  as  an  attorney-at-law  with 
Ralph  P.  Buckland,  of  Fremont.  Here  he 
remained  three  years,  acquiring  but  limited 
practice,  and  apparently  unambitious  of 
distinction  in  his  profession.  His  bachelor 
uncle,  Sardis  Birchard,  who  had  always 
manifested  great  interest  in  his  nephew  and 
rendered  him  assistance  in  boyhood,  was 
now  a  wealthy  ban'Kcr,  and  it  was  under- 
stood that  the  young  man  would  be  his 
heir.  It  is  possible  that  this  expectation 
may  have  made  Mr.  Hayes  more  indifferent 
to  the  attainment  of  wealth  than  he  would 
otherwise  have  been,  but  he  was  led  into  no 
extravagance  or  vices  on  this  account. 

In  1849  he  removed  to  Cincinnati  where 
his  ambition  found  new  stimulus.  Two 
events  occurring  at  this  period  had  a  pow- 
erful influence  upon  iiis  subsequent  life. 
One  of  them  was  his  marriage  to  Miss 
Lucy  Ware  Webb,  daughter  of  Dr.  James 
Webb,  of  Cincinnati;  the  other  was  his 
introduction  to  the  Cincinnati  Literary 
Club,  a  body  embracing  such  men  as  Chief 
Justice  Salmon  P.  Chase,  General  John 
Pope  and  Governor  Edward  F.  Noyes. 
The  marriage  was  a  fortunate  one  as  every- 
body knows.     Not  one  of  all  the  wives  of 


rii,»;a«-«»w«w».«»a-.«=»ii»i5»=i«»«w-M«w«w«w«w«P'«i 


m'^m^in^m^m 


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PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


our  Presidents  was  more  universally  ad- 
mired, reverenced  and  beloved  than  is  Mrs. 
Hayes,  and  no  one  has  done  more  than  she 
to  reflect  honor  upon  i\.merican  woman- 
liood. 

In  1S56  jVIr.  Hayes  was  nominated  to  the 
office  of  Judge  of  tlie  Court  of  Coniinon 
Pleas,  but  decHned  to  accept  the  nomina- 
tion. Two  years  later  he  was  chosen  to  the 
office  of  City  Solicitor. 

In  i86i,  when  the  Rebellion  broke  out, 
he  was  eager  to  take  up  arms  in  the  defense 
of  his  countrv.  His  military  life  was 
bright  and  illustrious.  June  7,  1861,  he 
was  appointed  Major  of  the  Twenty-third 
Ohio  Infantrv-  In  July  the  regiment  was 
sent  to  Virginia.  October  15,  1861,  he  was 
made  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  his  regiment, 
and  in  August,  1862,  was  promoted  Colonel 
of  the  Seventy-ninth  Ohio  Regiment,  but 
refused  to  leave  his  old  comrades.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  South  Mountain, 
and  suffered  severely,  being  unable  to  enter 
upon  active  duty  for  several  weeks.  No- 
vember 30,  1862,  he  rejoined  his  regiment  as 
its  Colonel,  having  been  promoted  Octo- 
ber 15. 

December  25,  1862,  he  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  Kanawha  division,  and  for 
meritorious  service  in  several  battles  was 
promoted  Brigadier-General.  He  was  also 
brcvetted  Major-General  for  distinguished 


services  in  1864.  He  was  wounded  four 
times,  and  five  horses  were  shot  from 
under  him. 

Mr.  Hayes  was  first  a  Whig  in  politics, 
and  was  among  the  first  to  unite  with  the 
Free-Soil  and  Republican  parties.  In  1864 
he  was  elected  to  Congress  from  the  Sec- 
ond Ohio  District,  which  had  always  been 
Democratic,  receiving  a  majority  of  3,098. 
In  1 866  he  was  renominated  for  Congress 
and  was  a  second  time  elected.  In  1867  he 
was  elected  Governor  over  Allen  G.  Thur- 
man,  the  Democratic  candidate,  and  re- 
elected in  1869.  In  1874  Sardis  Birchard 
died,  leaving  his  large  estate  to  General 
Hayes. 

In  1876  he  was  nominated  for  the  Presi- 
dency. His  letter  of  acceptance  excited 
the  admiration  of  the  whole  country.  He 
resigned  the  office  of  Governor  and  retired 
to  his  home  in  Fremont  to  await  the  result 
of  the  canvass.  After  a  hard,  long  contest 
he  was  inaugurated  March  5,  1877.  His 
Presidency  was  characterized  by  compro- 
mises with  all  parties,  in  order  to  please  as 
many  as  possible.  The  close  of  his  Presi- 
dential term  in  188 1  was  tlie  close  of  his 
public  life,  and  since  then  he  has  remained 
at  his  home  in  Fremont,  Ohio,  in  Jefferso- 
nian  retirement  from  public  notice,  in  stiik- 
ing  contrast  with  most  others  of  the  world's 
notables. 


'-■-■-■-"-■■' 


THE  NEW  YORKJ 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR.  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN   FOUNDATIONS. 


.^ii^t^tgatg^t^'^'^'^^' 


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^IMtli  IL  (^  A^RE£ilil.<s=€-  IS 


J^^^Sr'i^^AMES  A.  GARFIELD, 
^-\-'  f'i'^Jk^:'^  twentieth  President  of 
^'''"^*''Mi!jfe«»  the  United  States,  1881, 
was  born  November  19, 
I  S3 1,  in  the  wild  woods 
o  f  Cuyahoga  Count}-, 
Ohio.  His  parents  were 
Abram  and  EHza  (Ballon) 
Garfield,  who  were  of  New 
-  England  ancestry.  The 
senior  Garfield  was  an  in- 
''  dustrious  farmer,  as  the 
rapid  improvements  which 
appeared  on  his  place  at- 
tested. The  residence  was 
the  familiar  pioneer  log  cabin, 
and  the  household  comprised  the  parents 
and  their  children — Mehetable,  Thomas, 
Mary  and  James  A.  In  May,  1833,  the 
father  died,  and  the  care  of  the  house- 
hold consequently  devolved  upon  young 
Thomas,  to  whom  James  was  greatly  in- 
debted for  the  educational  and  other  ad- 
vantages he  enjoyed.  He  now  lives  in 
Michigan,  and  the  two  sisters  live  in  Solon, 
Ohio,  near  their  birthplace. 

As  the  subject  of  our  sketch  grew  up,  he, 
too,  was  industrious,  both  in  mental  and 
physical  labor.  He  worked  upon  the  farm. 
or  at  carpentering,  or  chopped  wood,  or  at 
any  other  odd  job  that  would  aid  in  support 
of  the  family,  and  in  the  meantime  made  the 


most  of  his  books.  Ever  afterward  he  was 
never  ashamed  of  his  humble  origin,  nor  for- 
got the  friends  of  his  youth.  The  poorest 
laborer  was  sure  of  his  sympathy,  and  he 
always  exhibited  the  character  of  a  modest 
gentleman. 

Until  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of  age, 
James's  highest  ambition  was  to  be  a  lake 
captain.  To  this  his  mother  was  strongly 
opposed,  but  she  finally  consented  to  his 
going  to  Cleveland  to  carry  out  his  long- 
cherished  design,  with  the  understanding, 
however,  that  he  should  try  to  obtain  some 
other  kind  of  employment.  He  walked  all 
the  way  to  Cleveland,  and  this  was  his  first 
visit  to  the  city.  After  making  many  ap- 
plications for  work,  including  labor  on 
board  a  lake  vessel,  but  all  in  vain,  he 
finally  engaged  as  a  driver  for  his  cousin, 
Amos  Letcher,  on  the  Ohio  &  Pennsyl- 
vania Canal.  In  a  short  time,  however,  he 
quit  this  and  returned  home.  He  then  at- 
tended the  seminary  at  Chester  for  about 
three  years,  and  next  he  entered  Hiram  In- 
stitute, a  school  started  in  1850  by  the 
Disciples  of  Christ,  of  which  church  he  was 
a  member.  In  order  to  pa}'  his  way  he 
assumed  the  duties  of  janitor,  and  at  tmies 
taught  school.  He  soon  completed  the  cur- 
riculum there,  and  then  entered  Williams 
College,  at  which  he  graduated  in  1856, 
taking  one  of  the  highest  honors  of  his  class. 


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PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


Afteiwaid  he  returned  to  Hiram  as  Presi- 
dent. In  his  youthful  and  therefore  zealous 
pict}-,  he  exercised  his  talents  occasionally 
as  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel.  He  was  a 
man  of  strong  moral  and  religious  convic- 
tions, and  as  soon  as  he  began  to  look  into 
politics,  he  saw  innumerable  points  that 
could  be  improved.  He  also  studied  law, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1859. 
November  11,  1S58,  Mr.  Garfield  married 
Miss  Lucretia  Rudolph,  who  ever  after- 
ward proved  a  worthy  consort  in  all  the 
stages  of  her  husband's  career.  They  had 
seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 

It  was  in  1859  that  Garfield  made  his 
first  political  speeches,  in  Hiram  and  the 
neighboring  villages,  and  three  years  later 
he  began  to  speak  at  county  mass-meetings, 
being  received  everywhere  with  popular 
favor.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
this  year,  taking  his  seat  in  Janiiar}',  i860. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  in  1861,  Mr.  Garfield  resolved  to 
fight  as  he  had  talked,  and  accordingly  he 
enlisted  to  defend  the  old  flag,  receiving 
his  commission  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Forty-second  Regiment  of  the  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  August  14,  that  year.  He 
was  immediately  thrown  into  active  service, 
and  before  he  had  ever  seen  a  gun  fired  in 
action  he  was  placed  in  command  of  four 
regiments  of  infantry  and  eight  companies 
of  cavalry,  charged  with  the  work  of  driv- 
ing the  Confederates,  headed  by  Humphrey 
Marshall,  from  his  native  State,  Kentucky. 
This  task  was  speedily  accomplished,  al- 
though against  great  odds.  On  account  of 
his  success,  President  Lincoln  commissioned 
him  Brigadier-General,  January  11,  1862; 
and,  as  he  had  been  the  youngest  man  in 
the  Ohio  Senate  two  j'ears  before,  so  now 
he  was  tiie  3-oungest  General  in  the  army. 
He  was  with  General  Buell's  ami}'  at  Shi- 
loh,  also  in  its  operations  around  Corinth 
and  its  march  through  Alabama.  Next,  he 
was   (Iclailed  as  a  member  of  the  general 


court-martial  for  the  trial  of  General  Fitz- 
John  Porter,  and  then  ordered  to  report  to 
General  Rosecrans,  when  he  was  assigned 
to  the  position  of  Chief  of  Staff.  His  mili- 
tary history  closed  with  his  brilliant  ser- 
vices at  Chickamauga,  where  he  won  the 
stars  of  Major-General. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  without  any  effort  on 
his  part,  he  was  elected  as  a  Representative 
to  Congress,  from  that  section  of  Ohio 
which  had  been  represented  f(jr  sixty  years 
mainly  by  two  men — Elisha  Whittlesey  and 
Joshua  R.  Giddings.  Again,  he  was  the 
youngest  member  of  that  body,  and  con- 
tinued there  by  successive  re-elections,  as 
Representative  or  Senator,  until  he  was 
elected  President  in  1880.  During  his  life 
in  Congress  he  compiled  and  published  by 
his  speeches,  there  and  elsewhere,  more 
information  on  the  issues  of  the  day,  espe- 
cially on  one  side,  than  an}'  other  member. 

June  8,  1880,  at  the  National  Republican 
Convention  held  in  Chicago,  General  Gar- 
field was  nominated  for  the  Presidency,  in 
preference  to  the  old  war-horses,  Blaine 
and  Grant ;  and  although  many  of  the  Re- 
publican party  felt  sore  over  the  failure  of 
their  respective  heroes  to  obtain  the  nomi- 
nation. General  Garfield  was  elected  by  a 
fair  popular  majority.  He  was  duly  in- 
augurated, but  on  Jul)'  2  following,  before 
he  had  fairl}'  got  started  in  his  administra- 
tion, he  was  fatally  shot  by  a  half-demented 
assassin.  After  very  painful  and  protracted 
suffering,  he  died  September  19,  1881,  la- 
mented b}'  all  the  American  people.  Never 
bcfcjre  in  tlie  history  of  this  country  had 
anything  occurred  which  so  nearly  froze 
the  blood  of  the  Nation,  for  the  moment,  as 
the  awful  act  of  Guiteau,  the  murderer. 
He  was  duly  tried,  convicted  and  put  to 
death  on  the  gallows. 

The  lamented  Garfield  was  succeeded  b)' 
tlic  Vice-President,  General  Arthur,  who 
seemed  to  endeavor  to  carry  out  tlie  policy 
inaugurated   by  his  predecessor. 


Fi::  ::Yi 


ASTOR.   LENOX   AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


J 


CHESTER    A.    ARTIIUR. 


113 


hMI  ESTER   ALLEN 

If  ARTHUR,  the  twen- 
'  ty-first  Chief  Execu- 
tive of  this  growing 
republic,  i88i-'5,  was 
born  in  F  r  a  n  k  1  i  n 
County,  Vermont, 
October  5,  1830,  the  eldest  of  a 
family  of  two  sons  and  five 
->j|»^  daughters.  His  father,  Rev. 
F?|^i»  Dr.  William  Arthur,  a  Baptist 
clergyman,  immigrated  to  this 
country  from  County  Antrim, 
Ireland,  in  his  eighteenth  year, 
and  died  in  1875,  in  Newton- 
ville,  near  Albany,  New  York, 
after  serving  many  years  as  a  successful 
minister.  Chester  A.  was  educated  at  that 
old,  conservative  institution.  Union  Col- 
lege, at  Schenectady,  New  York,  where  he 
excelled  in  all  his  studies.  He  graduated 
there,  with  honor,  and  then  struck  out  in 
life  for  himself  by  teaching  school  for  about 
two  years  in  iiis  native  State. 

At  the  expiration  of  that  time  young 
Arthur,  with  $500  in  his  purse,  went  to  the 
city  of  New  York  and  entered  the  law  office 
of  ex-Judge  E.  D.  Culver  as  a  student.  In 
due  time  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  when 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  hi&  intimate 


friend  and  old  room-mate,  Henry  D.  Gar- 
diner, with  the  intention  of  practicing  law 
at  some  point  in  the  West;  but  after  spend- 
ing about  three  months  in  the  Westen. 
States,  in  search  of  an  eligible  place,  they 
returned  to  New  York  City,  leased  a  room, 
exhibited  a  sign  of  their  business  and  al- 
most immediately  enjoyed  a  pa3'ing  patron- 
age. 

At  this  stage  of  his  career  Mr.  Arthur's 
business  prospects  were  so  encouraging 
that  he  concluded  to  take  a  wife,  and  ac- 
cordingly he  married  tlie  daughter  of  Lieu- 
tenant Herndon,  of  the  United  States  Navy, 
who  had  been  lost  at  sea.  To  the  widow 
of  the  latter  Congress  voted  a  gold  medal, 
in  recognition  of  the  Lieutenant's  bravery 
during  the  occasion  in  which  he  lost  his 
life.  Mrs.  Artnur  died  shortly  before  her 
husband's  nomination  to  the  Vice-Presi- 
dency, leaving  two  children. 

Mr.  Arthur  obtained  considerable  celeb- 
rity as  an  attorney  in  the  famous  Lemmon 
suit,  which  was  brought  to  recover  posses- 
sion of  eight  slaves,  who  had  been  declared 
free  by  the  Superior  Court  of  New  York 
City.  The  noted  Charles  O'Conor,  who 
was  nominated  by  the  "  Straight  Demo- 
crats" in  1872  for  the  United  States  Presi- 
denc}',  was  retained  by  Jonathan  G.  Lem- 


1 

i 


1 1 


'I 


I 


114 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


mon,  of  Virginia,  to  recover  the  negroes, 
but  he  lost  the  suit.  In  this  case,  however, 
Mr.  Arthur  was  assisted  by  WiUiam  M. 
Evarts,  now  United  States  Senator.  Soon 
afterward,  in  1856,  a  respectable  colored 
woman  was  ejected  from  a  street  car  in 
New  York  City.  Mr.  Arthur  sued  the  car 
company  in  her  behalf  and  recovered  $500 
damages.  Immediately  afterward  all  the 
car  companies  in  the  city  issued  orders  to 
their  employes  to  admit  colored  persons 
upon  their  cars. 

Mr.  Arthur's  political  doctrines,  as  well 
as  his  practice  as  a  law3'er,  raised  him  to 
prominence  in  the  party  of  freedom ;  and 
accordingly  he  was  sent  as  a  delegate  to 
the  first  National  Republican  Convention. 
Soon  afterward  he  was  appointed  Judge 
Advocate  for  the  Second  Brigade  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  then  Engineer-in- 
Chief  on  Governor  Morgan's  staff.  In  1861, 
the  first  year  of  the  war,  he  was  made  In- 
spector-General, and  next,  Quartermaster- 
General,  in  both  which  offices  he  rendered 
great  service  to  the  Government.  Alter 
the  close  of  Governor  Morgan's  term  he 
resumed  the  practice  of  law,  forming  first  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  Ransom,  and  subse- 
quently adding  Mr.  Phelps  to  the  firm. 
Each  of  these  gentlemen  were  able  lawj'ers. 

November  21,  1872,  General  Arthur  was 
appointed  Collector  of  the  Port  of  New 
York  by  President  Grant,  and  he  held  the 
office  until  July  20,  1878. 

The  next  event  of  prominence  in  General 
Arthur's  career  was  his  nomination  to  the 
Vice-Picsidency  of  the  United  States,  under 
the  influence  of  Roscoe  Conkling,  at  the 
National  Republican  Convention  held  at 
Chicago  in  June,  1880,  when  James  A.  Gar- 
field was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  ticket. 
Both  the  convention  and  the  campaign  that 
followed  were  noisy  and  exciting.  The 
friends  of  Grant,  constituting  nearly  half 


the  convention,  were  exceedingly  persist- 
ent, and  were  sorely  disappomted  over 
their  defeat.  At  the  head  of  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket  was  placed  a  very  strong  and 
popular  man  ;  yet  Garfield  and  Arthur  were 
elected  by  a  respectable  plurality  of  the 
popular  vote.  The  4th  of  i\Iarch  following, 
these  gentlemen  were  accordingly  inaugu- 
rated ;  but  within  four  months  the  assassin's 
bullet  made  a  fatal  wound  in  the  person  of 
General  Garfield,  whose  life  terminated 
September  19,  1881,  when  General  Arthur, 
ex  officio,  was  obliged  to  take  the  chief 
reins  of  government.  Some  misgivings 
were  entertained  by  many  in  this  event,  as 
Mr.  Arthur  was  thought  to  represent  espe 
cially  the  Grant  and  Conkling  wing  of  the 
Republican  party ;  but  President  Arthur 
had  both  the  ability  and  the  good  sense  to 
allay  all  fears,  and  he  gave  the  restless, 
critical  American  people  as  good  an  ad- 
ministration as  they  had  ever  been  blessed 
with.  Neither  selfishness  nor  low  parti- 
sanism  ever  characterized  any  feature  of 
his  public  service.  He  ever  maintained  a 
high  sense  of  every  individual  right  as  well 
as  of  the  Nation's  honor.  Indeed,  he  stood 
so  high  that  his  successor,  President  Cleve- 
land, though  of  opposing  politics,  expressed 
a  wish  in  his  inaugural  address  that  he 
could  only  satisf}'  the  people  with  as  good 
an  administration. 

But  the  day  of  civil  service  reform  had 
come  in  so  far,  and  the  corresponding  re- 
action against  "  third-tcrmism"  had  en- 
croached so  far  even  upon  "second-term" 
service,  that  the  Republican  party  saw  fit 
in  1884  to  nominate  another  man  for  Presi- 
dent. Only  by  this  means  was  General 
Arthur's  tenure  of  office  closed  at  Wash- 
inatuii.     On  his  retirement  from  the  Presi- 

o 

dencj,  March,  1885,  he  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law  at  New  York  City,  where  be 
(lied  KiAi'iulier  l'\  I'^^t'!. 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  riHRARY 


ASTOR,   LENOX   AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


^ 


.^L—m-^ »- 


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r 


GROVE  R     CLEVELAND. 


117 


'r- 


^^* 


\^j:^'"T?^^T  ROVER  CLEVE 
l^itMf  ^      LAND,  the  twenty- 
JiriS)l>i^  t>  ^-^Jt^      second  President  of  the 

United  States,  1885—, 
was  born  in  Caldwell, 
Essex  County,  J>Jew 
Jersey,  March  18, 
The  house  in  which  he 
was  born,  a  small  two-story 
wooden  building,  is  still  stand- 
ing. It  was  the  parsonage  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  of 
which  his  father,  Richard 
Cleveland,  at  the  time  was 
pastor.  The  family  is  of  New 
England  orisrin,  and  for  two  centuries  has 
contributed  to  the  professions  and  to  busi- 
ness, men  who  have  reflected  honor  on  the 
name.  Aaron  Cleveland,  Grover  Cleve- 
land's great-great-grandfather,  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  but  subsequently  moved  to 
Philadelphia,  where  he  became  an  intimate 
friend  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  at  whose 
house  he  died.  He  left  a  large  family  of 
children,  who  in  time  married  and  settled 
in  different  parts  of  New  England.  A 
grandson  was  one  of  the  small  American 
force  that  fought  the  British  at  Bunker 
Hill.  He  served  with  gallantry  through- 
out the  Revolution  and  was  honorably 
discharged  at  its  close  as  a  Lieutenant  in 
the  Continental  army.  Another  grandson, 
William  Cleveland  (a  son  of  a  second  Aaron 


-  ^i 


Cleveland,  who  was  distinguished  as  a 
writer  and  member  of  the  Connecticut 
Legislature)  was  Grover  Cleveland's  grand- 
father. William  Cleveland  became  a  silver- 
smith in  Norwich,  Connecticut.  He  ac- 
quired b}'  industry  some  property  and  sent 
his  son,  Richard  Cleveland,  the  father  of 
Grover  Cleveland,  to  Yale  College,  where 
he  graduated  in  1824.  During  a  year  spent 
in  teaching  at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  after 
graduation,  he  met  and  fell  in  love  with  a 
Miss  Annie  Neale,  daughter  of  a  wealthy 
Baltimore  book  publisher,  of  Irish  birth. 
He  was  earning  his  own  way  in  the  world 
at  the  time  and  was  unable  to  marry;  but 
in  three  years  he  completed  a  course  of 
preparation  for  the  ministr}',  secured  a 
church  in  Windham,  Connecticut,  and 
married  Annie  Neale.  Subsequently  he 
moved  to  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  where  he 
preached  for  nearly  two  years,  when  he 
was  summoned  to  Caldwell,  New  Jersey, 
where  was  born  Grover  Cleveland. 

When  he  was  three  years  old  the  family 
moved  to  Fayetteville,  Onondaga  County, 
New  York.  Here  Grover  Cleveland  lived 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  the  rugged, 
healthful  life  of  a  country  boy.  His  frank, 
generous  manner  made  him  a  favorite 
among  his  companions,  and  their  respect 
was  won  by  the  good  qualities  in  the  germ 
which  his  manhood  developed.  He  at- 
tended the  district  school  of  the  village  and 


'"J 

i 


■■-"■i' 


^■■«°  — ™M"«1^»^« 


nS 


PRESIDENTS    OF    THE     UNITED    STATES. 


was  for  a  sliort  time  at  the  academy.  His 
lather,  however,  believed  that  boys  should 
be  taught  to  labor  at  an  early  age,  and  be- 
fore he  had  completed  the  course  of  study 
at  the  academy  he  began  to  work  in  the 
village  store  at  $50  for  the  first  year,  and  the 
promise  of  $100  for  the  second  year.  His 
work  was  well  done  and  the  promised  in- 
crease of  pay  was  granted  the  second  year. 

Meanwhile  his  father  and  family  had 
moved  to  Clinton,  the  seat  of  Hamilton 
College,  where  his  father  acted  as  agent  to 
the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Home  Missions, 
preaching  in  the  churches  of  the  vicinity. 
Hither  Grovcr  came  at  his  father's  request 
shortly  after  the  beginning  of  his  second 
year  at  the  Fayetteville  store,  and  resumed 
his  studies  at  the  Clinton  Academy.  After 
three  years  spent  in  this  town,  the  Rev. 
Richard  Cleveland  was  called  to  the  vil- 
lage church  of  Holland  Patent.  He  had 
preached  here  only  a  month  when  he  was 
suddenly  stricken  down  and  died  without 
an  hour's  warning.  The  death  of  the  father 
left  the  family  in  straitened  circumstances, 
as  Richard  Cleveland  had  spent  all  his 
salary  of  $1,000  per  year,  which  was  not 
required  for  the  necessary  expenses  of  liv- 
ing, upon  the  education  of  his  children,  of 
whom  there  were  nine,  Grover  being  the 
fiftli.  Grover  was  hoping  to  enter  Hamil- 
ton College,  but  the  death  of  his  father 
made  it  necessary  for  him  to  earn  his  own 
livelihood.  For  the  first  year  (i853-'4)  he 
acted  as  assistant  teacher  and  bookkeeper  in 
the  Institution  for  the  Blind  in  New  York 
City,  of  which  the  late  Augustus  Schell  was 
for  many  years  the  patron.  In  the  winter 
of  1854  he  returned  to  Holland  Patent 
where  the  generous  people  of  that  place, 
Fayetteville  and  Clinton,  had  purchased  a 
home  for  liis  mother,  and  in  the  following 
spring,  borrowing  $25,  he  set  out  for  the 
West  to  earn  his  living. 

Reaching  Buffalo  he  paid  a  hasty  visit  to 
an    uncle,     Lewis  F.   Allen,  a    well-known 


stock  farmer,  living  at  Black  Rock,  a  few 
miles  distant.  He  communicated  his  plans 
to  Mr.  Allen,  who  discouraged  the  idea  of 
the  West,  and  finally  induced  the  enthusi- 
astic boy  of  seventeen  to  remain  with  him 
and  help  him  prepare  a  catalogue  of  blooded 
short-horn  cattle,  known  as  "  Allen's  Amer- 
ican Herd  Book,"  a  publication  familiar  to 
all  breeders  of  cattle.  In  August,  1855,  he 
entered  the  law  office  of  Rogers,  Bowen 
&  Rogers,  at  Buffalo,  and  after  serving  a 
few  months  without  pay,  was  paid  $4  a 
week — an  amount  barel}'  sufficient  to  meet 
the  necessary  expenses  of  his  board  in  the 
family  of  a  fellow-student  in  Buffalo,  with 
whom  he  took  lodgings.  Life  at  this  time 
with  Grover  Cleveland  was  a  stern  battle 
with  the  world.  He  took  his  breakfast  by 
candle-light  with  the  drovers,  and  went  at 
once  to  the  office  where  the  whole  day  was 
spent  in  work  and  study.  Usually  he  re- 
turned again  at  night  to  resume  reading 
which  had  been  interrupted  by  the  duties 
of  the  day.  Gradually  his  employers  came 
to  recognize  the  abilit}',  trustworthiness 
and  capacity  for  hard  work  in  their  young 
employe,  and  by  the  time  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  (1859)  he  stood  high  in  their  con- 
fidence. A  year  later  he  was  made  confi- 
dential and  managing  clerk,  and  in  the 
course  of  three  years  more  his  salary  had 
been  raised  to  $1,000.  In  1863  he  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  district  attorney  of  Erie 
County  by  the  district  attorney,  tiie  Hon. 
C.  C.  Torrance. 

Since  his  first  vote  had  been  cast  in  1858 
he  had  been  a  staunch  Democrat,  and  until 
he  was  chosen  Governor  he  always  made 
it  his  duty,  rain  or  shine,  to  stand  at  tiie 
polls  and  give  out  ballots  to  Democratic 
voters.  During  the  first  )-ear  of  his  term 
as  assistant  district  attorney,  the  Democrats 
desired  especially  to  carry  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors. The  old  Second  Ward  in  which 
he  lived  was  Republican-  ordinarily  by  250 
majority,  Iwt  at   the   urgent   request    of  the 


'» 


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»■'»  U'm  ■  »■  J^'l»M  ■'^■^ 


'■■■■-■«■-■-■- ■J"S»-«.-»^-»=»: 


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*MBS!!SSBSi!SiBPSiBSSSSSCfSSiSSiBSS 


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(;A'0  1  -li/i     CL  E  VELA  NO. 


119 


i 

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party  Grover  Cleveland  consented  to  be 
the  Democratic  candidate  for  Supervisor, 
and  came  within  thirteen  votes  of  an  elec- 
tion. The  three  years  spent  in  the  district 
attorney's  office  were  devoted  to  assiduous 
labor  and  the  extension  of  his  professional 
attainments.  He  then  formed  a  law  part- 
nership with  the  late  Isaac  V.  Vanderpoel, 
ex-State  Treasurer,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Vanderpoel  &  Cleveland.  Here  the  bulk 
of  the  work  devolved  on  Cleveland's  shoul- 
ders, and  he  soon  won  a  good  standing  at 
the  bar  of  Erie  County.  In  1869  Mr. 
Cleveland  formed  a  partnership  with  ex- 
Senator  A.  P.  Laning  and  ex-Assistant 
United  States  District  Attorney  Oscar  Fol- 
som,  under  the  firm  name  of  Laning,  Cleve- 
land &  Folsom.  During  these  years  he 
began  to  earn  a  moderate  professional  in- 
come; but  the  larger  portion  of  it  was  sent 
to  his  mother  and  sisters  at  Holland  Patent 
to  whose  support  he  had  contributed  ever 
since  i860.  He  served  as  sheriff  of  Erie 
County,  i870-'4,  and  then  resumed  the 
practice  of  law,  associating  hitnseif  with  the 
Hon.  Lyman  K.  Bass  and  Wilson  S.  Bissell. 


The  firm  was  strong  and  popular,  and  soon 
commanded  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 
Ill  health  forced  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Bass 
in  1879,  and  the  firm  became  Cleveland  & 
Bissell.  In  1881  Mr.  George  J.  Sicard  was 
added  to  the  firm. 

In  the  autumn  election  of  1881  he  was 
elected  mayor  of  Buffalo  by  a  majority  of 
over  3,500 — the  largest  majority  ever  given 
a  candidate  for  mayor^and  the  Democratic 
city  ticket  was  successful,  although  the 
Republicans  carried  Buffalo  by  over  1,000 
majority  for  their  State  ticket.  Grover 
Cleveland's  administration  as  mayor  fully 
justified  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by 
the  people  of  Buffalo,  evidenced  by  the 
great  vote  he  received. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  met 
at  Syracuse,  September  22, 1882,  and  nomi- 
nated Grover  Cleveland  for  Governor 
on  the  third  ballot  and  Cleveland  was 
elected  by  192,000  majority.  In  the  fall  of 
1 884  he  was  elected  President  of  the  United 
States  by  about  1,000  popular  majority, 
in  New  York  State,  and  he  was  accordingly 
inaugurated  the  4th  of  March  following. 


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jTHENEW  YORK 

'PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,   LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


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IOWA    STATE  HOUSE  AT  DES  MOINES 


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|1istory  of  lou;a. 


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A@0RZ@XI!f&E,. 


''■xfllE  race  or  races  who 
occupied  this  beau- 
tiful prairie  country 
before  the  advent  of 
the  whites  from  Eu- 
rope had  no  litera- 
ture, and  therefore 
have  left  us  no  history  of 
themselves.  Not  even  tra- 
ditions, to  any  extent,  have 
been  handed  down  to  us. 
Hence,  about  all  we  know 
of  the  Indians,  previous  to 
explorations  by  the  whites, 
is  derived  from  mounds 
and  a  few  simple  relics. 
The  mounds  were  erected 
by  a  people  generally  denominated  Mound 
Builders,  but  whether  they  were  a  distinct 
race  from  the  Indians  is  an  unsettled  ques- 
tion. Prof.  Alex.  Winchell,  of  the  Michigan 
State  University,  as  well  as  a  number  of 
other  investigators,  is  of  the  opinion  that 
those  who  built  mounds,  mined  copper  and 
iron,  made  elaborate  implements  of  war, 
agriculture  and  domestic  economy,  and 
built  houses  and  substantial  villages,  etc., 
were  no  other  than  the  ancestors  of  the 
present  Indians,  who,  like  the  ancient 
Greeks  and  Romans,  were  more   skilled  in 

lO 


the  arts  of  life  than  their  successors  during 
the  middle  ages.  Most  people  have  their 
periods  of  decline,  as  well  as  those  of  prog- 
ress. The  Persians,  Hindoos  and  Chinese, 
although  so  long  in  existence  as  distinct 
nations,  have  been  forages  in  a  state  of  de- 
cay. Spain  and  Italy  do  not  improve, 
while  Germany,  Russia  and  the  United 
States  have  now  their  turn  in  enjoying  a 
rapid  rise.  Similarly,  the  Indians  have  long 
been  on  the  decline  in  the  practical  arts  of 
life.  Even  since  the  recent  days  of  Feni- 
more  Cooper,  the  "  noble  "  red  men  have 
degenerated  into  savages,  despite  the  close 
contact  of  the  highest  order  of  civiHzation. 

Nearly  all  modern  authorities  unite  in 
the  opinion  that  the,  American  continent 
was  first  peopled  from  Eastern  Asia,  either 
by  immigration  across  Behring's  Strait  or 
by  shipwrecks  of  sailors  from  the  Kamt- 
schatkan  and  Japanese  coast.  If  mankind 
originated  at  the  north  pole,  and  subse- 
quently occupied  an  Atlantic  continent, 
now  submerged,  it  is  possible  that  the 
American  Indians  are  relics  of  polar  or 
Atlantic  races. 

The  ancient  race  which  built  the  towns 
and  cities  of  Mexico  and  the  Western 
United  States  is  called  the  Aztec,  and  even 
of  them  is  scarcely  anything  known  save 


'■^■^■''■"M' 


5SE1SS 


iSBmSESSSS^tSi 


««esi»i«j^fg> 


124 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


what  can  be  learned  from  their  buried 
structures.  The  few  inscriptions  that  are 
found  seem  to  be  meaningless. 

Indian  mounds  are  found  throughout 
the  United  States  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  but  are  far  more  abundant  in 
some  places  than  others.  In  this  State 
they  abound  near  the  principal  rivers. 
They  vary  in  size  from  a  few  to  hundreds 
of  feet  indiameter.and  from  three  to  fifteen 
or  more  feet  in  height.  They  are  generally 
round,  or  nearly  so,  but  in  a  few  notable 
exceptions  they  bear  a  rude  resemblance  in 
their  outline  to  the  figure  of  some  animal. 
Their  contents  are  limited,  both  in  quantity 
and  variety,  and  consist  mainly  of  human 
bones,  stone  implements,  tobacco  pipes, 
beads,  etc.  The  stone  implements  are  axes, 
skinning  knives,  pestles  and  mortars,  arrow 
points,  etc.  The  human  bones  are  often 
found  in  a  mass  as  if  a  number  of  corpses  had 
been  buried  together,  and  indicate  that  their 
possessors  were  interred  in  a  sitting  posture. 
Judge  Samuel  Murdock,  of  Elkader,  this 
State,  who  has  made  this  subject  a  special 
study  for  many  years,  is  of  the  opinion  that 
these  remams  are  not  of  subjects  who  were 
inhumed  as  corpses,  but  of  persons  who, 
under  the  influence  of  a  savage  religion, 
voluntarily  sacrificed  themselves  by  under- 
going a  burial  when  alive. 

CAUCASIAN. 

The  first  member  of  this  race  to  discover 
the  Mississippi  River  was  Ferdinand  Dc 
Soto,  a  Spaniard,  who  explored  the  region 
of  the  Lower  Mississippi  in  1 541,  but  came 
no  farther  north  than  the  35th  parallel. 
He  founded  no  settlements,  nor  was  he  ever 
followed  by  others  of  his  country  to  make 
settlements,  and  hence  Spain  lost  her  title 
to  the  country  which  she  had  earned  by 
discovery  through  her  subject,  De  Soto. 
At  a  subsequent  period  a  Frenchman  re- 
discovered the  realm,  took  possession  of  it 
in  the   name    of    France,    and    his   fellow 


countrymen  soon  followed  and  effected 
actual  settlements.  Accordingly,  in  1682, 
France  claimed  the  country,  and,  accord- 
ing to  the  usage  of  European  nations, 
earned  a  proper  title  to  the  same.  The  re- 
sult was  a  collision  between  those  two  na- 
tions, success  finally  crowning  the  efforts  of 
France. 

In  a  grand  council  of  Indians,  on  the 
shore  of  Lake  Superior,  they  told  the 
Frenchmen  glowing  stories  of  the  "  Father 
01  Waters "  and  of  the  adjacent  country, 
and  in  1669  Jacques  Marquette,  a  zealous 
and  shrewd  Jesuit  missionary,  became  in- 
spired with  the  idea  of  visiting  this  re- 
gion, in  the  interests  of  civilization.  After 
studying  the  language  and  customs  of 
the  Illinois  Indians  until  1673,  he  made  prep- 
arations for  the  journey,  in  which  he  was 
to  be  accompanied  by  Louis  Joliet,  an  agent 
of  the  French  Government.  The  Indians, 
who  had  gathered  in  large  numbers  to  wit- 
ness his  departure,  endeavored  to  dissuade 
him  from  the  undertaking,  representing  that 
the  Indians  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  were 
cruel  and  bloodthirsty.  The  great  river 
itself,  they  said,  was  the  abode  of  terrible 
monsters  which  could  swallow  men,  canoes 
and  all.  But  the  shrewd  missionary,  already 
aware  of  Indian  extravagance  in  descrip- 
tion, set  out  upon  the  contemplated  jour- 
ney May  13.  With  the  aid  of  two  Miami 
guides  he  proceeded  to  the  Wisconsin 
River,  and  down  that  stream  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi. Floating  down  the  latter  he  dis- 
covered, on  the  25th  of  June,  traces  of 
Indians  on  the  west  bank,  and  landed. 
This  was  at  a  point  a  little  above  the  mouth 
of  the  Des  Moines  River,  and  thus  a  Euro- 
pean first  trod  the  soil  of  Iowa.  After  re- 
maining a  short  time  and  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  the  red  man  as  he  tiicn  and 
there  exhibited  himself,  he  proceeded  down 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois,  thence  up 
that  river  and  by  Lake  Michigan  to  the 
French  settlements. 


! 


imamawTS^^m^m^u^m^m^m^u^w^vifmsm^BifSi 


HISTORT    OF    IOWA. 


Nine  years  later,  in  1682,  Rene  Robert 
Cavalier  La  Salle  descended  the  Missis- 
sippi to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  in  the  name 
of  the  King  of  France  took  formal  posses- 
sion of  all  the  Mississippi  Valley,  naming  it 
Louisiana,  in  honor  of  his  king,  Louis  XIV. 
The  river  itself  he  named  Colbert,  in  honor 
of  the  French  minister.  Soon  afterward 
the  Government  of  France  began  to  en- 
courage the  establishment  of  a  line  of  trad- 
ing posts  and  missionary  stations  through- 
out the  West  from  Canada  to  Louisiana, 
and  this  policy  was  maintained  with  par- 
tial success  for  about  sevent3--five  years. 
Christian  zeal  animated  both  France  and 
England  in  missionary  enterprise,  the 
former  in  the  interests  of  Catholicism  and 
the  latter  in  favor  of  Protestantism.  Hence 
their  haste  to  pre-occupy  the  land  and  prose- 
lyte the  aborigines;  but  this  ugly  rivalry  dis- 
gusted the  Indians  and  the}'  refused  to  be 
converted  to  either  branch  of  Christianity. 
The  traders  also  persisted  in  importing 
whisky,  which  canceled  nearly  every  civ- 
ilizing influence  that  could  be  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  savages.  Another  character- 
istic of  Indian  nature  was  to  listen  atten- 
tively to  all  that  the  missionary  said,  pre- 
tending to  believe  all  he  preached,  and  then 
offer  in  turn  his  theory  of  the  world,  of  re- 
ligion, etc.;  and,  not  being  listened  to  with 
the  same  degree  of  attention  and  pretense 
of  belief,  would  depart  from  the  white 
man's  presence  in  disgust.  This  was  his 
idea  of  the  golden  rule. 

Comparatively  few  Indians  were  perma- 
nently located  within  the  present  bounds 
of  the  State  of  Iowa.  Favorite  hunting 
grounds  were  resorted  to  by  certain  bands 
for  a  time,  and  afterward  by  others,  subject 
to  the  varying  fortunes  of  their  little  wars. 
The  tribes  were  principally  the  Illinois, 
lowas,  Dakotas,  Sioux,  Pottawatomies  and 
finally  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

In  1765  the  Miami  confederacy  was  com- 
posed of  four  tribes,   whose    total    number 


of  warriors  was  estimated  at  only  1,050 
men.  Of  these  about  250  were  Twightwees, 
or  Miamis  proj^er;  300  Weas,  or  Ouiate- 
nons;  300  Piankeshaws  and  200  Shockeys; 
but  their  headquarters  were  along  the 
Maumee  River,  in  Indiana  and  Ohio. 

From  1688  to  1697  the  wars  in  which 
France  and  England  were  engaged  re- 
tarded the  growth  of  their  American  colo- 
nies. The  efforts  made  by  France  to 
connect  Canada  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  by 
a  chain  of  trading  posts  and  colonies  nat- 
urally excited  the  jealousy  of  England  and 
gradually  laid  the  foundation  for  a  struggle 
at  arms.  The  crisis  came  and  the  contest 
obtained  the  name  of  the  French  and  Indian 
war,  the  French  and  Indians  combining 
against  the  English.  The  war  was  termi- 
nated in  1763  by  a  treaty  at  Paris,  by  which 
France  ceded  to  Great  Britain  all  of  North 
America  east  of  the  Mississippi,  except  the 
island  on  which  New  Orleans  is  situated. 
The  preceding  autumn  France  ceded  to 
Spain  all  the  country  west  of  that  river. 

In  1765  the  total  number  of  French  fami- 
lies within  the  limits  of  the  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory did  not  probably  exceed  600.  These 
were  in  settlements  about  Detroit,  along 
the  river  Wabash  and  the  neighborhood  of 
Fort  Chartres  on  the  Mississippi.  The 
colonial  policy  of  the  British  Government 
opposed  any  measures  which  might 
strengthen  settlements  in  the  interior  of 
this  country,  lest  they  should  become  self- 
supporting  and  consequently  independent 
of  the  mother  country.  Hence  the  settle- 
ment of  the  Northwest  was  still  further 
retarded.  That  short-sighted  policy  con- 
sisted mainly  in  holding  the  lands  in  the 
possession  of  the  Government,  and  not 
allowing  it  to  be  subdivided  and  sold  to 
those  who  would  become  settlers.  After 
the  establishment  of  American  indepen- 
dence, and  especially  under  the  administra- 
tion of  Thomas  Jefferson,  both  as  Governor 
of  Virginia  and    President  of   the    United 


I 


if 


I 


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I) 


i 


-u  ,, 


'»"■«"■»'*'■— ■■"'"™«'™»™« 


■MMM^pim^M^MWra^ 


!26 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


States,  subdivision  of  land  and  giving  it  to 
actual  settlers  rapidly  peopled  this  portion 
of  the  Union,  so  that  the  Northwest  Terri- 
tory was  formed  and  even  subdivided  into 
other  Territories  and  States  before  the 
year  1820. 

For  more  than  100  years  after  Marquette 
and  Joliet  ti^od  the  virgin  soil  of  Iowa  and 
admired  its  fertile  plains,  not  a  single  settle- 
ment was  made  or  attempted  ;  not  even  a 
trading-post  was  established.  During  this 
time  the  Illinois  Indians,  once  a  powerful 
tribe,  gave  up  the  entire  possession  of  this 
"  Beautiful  Land,"  as  Iowa  was  tl>en  called, 
to  the  Sacs  and  Foxes.  In  1803,  when 
Louisiana  was  purchased  by  the  United 
States,  the  Sacs,  Foxes  and  lowas  pos- 
sessed this  entire  State,  and  the  two  for- 
mer tribes  occupied  also  most  of  the  State 
of  Illinois.  The  four  most  important  towns 
of  tiie  Sacs  were  along  the  Mississippi,  two 
on  the  east  side,  one  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Upper  Iowa  and  one  at  the  head  of  the 
Des  Moines  Rapids,  near  the  present  site 
of  Montrose.  Those  of  the  Foxes  were — 
one  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  just 
above  Davenport,  one  about  twelve  miles 
from  the  river  back  of  the  Dubuque  lead 
mines  and  one  on  Turkey  River.  The 
principal  village  of  the  lowas  was  on  the 
Des  Moines  River,  in  Van  Buren  Count}', 
where  lowaville  now  stands.  Here  the  last 
great  battle  between  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 
and  the  lowas  was  fought,  in  which  Black 
Hawk,  then  a  young  man,  commanded  the 
attacking  forces. 

The  Sioux  had  tlic  northern  portion  of 
this  State  and  Southern  Minnesota.  They 
were  a  fierce  and  war-like  nation,  who  often 
disputed  possessions  with  their  rivals  in 
savage  and  bloody  warfare ;  but  finally  a 
boundary  line  was  established  between 
them  by  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  in  a  treaty  held  at  Prairie  du  Chien 
in  1825.  This,  however,  became  the  occa- 
sion of  an  increased  number  of  quarrels  be- 


tween the  tribes,  as  each  trespassed,  or  was 
thought  to  trespass,  upon  the  other's  side  of 
the  line.  In  1830,  therefore,  the  Govern- 
ment created  a  forty-mile  neutral  strip  of 
land  between  them,  which  policy  proved  to 
be  more  successful  in  the  interests  of  peace. 

Soon  after  the  acquisition  of  Louisiana  by 
our  Government,  the  latter  adopted  meas- 
ures for  the  exploration  of  the  new  terri- 
tory, having  in  view  the  conciliation  of  the 
numerous  tribes  of  Indians  by  whom  it  was 
possessed,  and  also  the  selection  of  proper 
sites  for  mihtary  posts  and  trading  stations. 

The  Army  of  the  West,  General  Wilkin- 
son commanding,  had  its  headquarters  at 
St.  Louis.  From  this  post  Captains  Lewis 
and  Clarke,  in  1805,  were  detailed  with  a 
sufficient  force  to  explore  the  Missouri 
River  to  its  source,  and  Lieutenant  Zebulon 
M.  Pike  to  ascend  to  the  head  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. August  20  the  latter  arrived  within 
the  present  limits  of  Iowa,  at  the  foot  of  the 
Des  Moines  Rapids,  where  he  met  William 
Ewing,  who  had  just  been  appointed  Indian 
Agent  at  this  point,  a  French  interpreter, 
four  chiefs  and  fifteen  Sac  and  Fox  war- 
riors. At  the  head  of  the  rapids,  where 
Montrose  now  is,  Pike  held  a  council  with 
the  Indians,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  stat- 
ing to  them  that  the  President  of  the  United 
States  wished  to  inquire  into  the  needs  of 
the  red  man,  with  a  view  of  suggesting 
remedies. 

On  the  23d  he  reached  what  is  supposed 
from  his  description  to  be  the  site  of  Bur- 
lington, which  place  he  designated  for  a 
post ;  but  the  station,  probably  b}'  some 
mistake,  was  afterward  placed  at  Fort  Madi- 
son. After  accidentally  separating  fi-om  his 
men  and  losing  his  way,  suffering  at  one 
time  for  six  days  for  want  of  food,  and  after 
many  other  mishaps  Lieutenant  Pike  over- 
took the  remainder  of  the  party  at  the  point 
now  occupied  by  Dubuque,  who  had  gone 
on  up  the  river  hoping  to  overtake  him.  At 
that  point   Pike  was  cordially  received  by 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


127 


Julieii  Dubuque,  a  Frenchman  who  held  a 
mining  claim  under  a  grant  from  Spain,  but 
was  not  disposed  to  publish  the  wealth  of 
his  possessions.  Having  an  old  field-piece 
with  him,  however,  he  fired  a  salute  in 
honor  of  the  first  visit  of  an  agent  from  the 
United  States  to  that  part  of  the  country, 
and  Pike  pursued  his  way  up  the  river. 

At  what  was  afterward  Fort  Snelling, 
Minnesota,  Lieutenant  Pike  held  a  council 
with  the  Sioux  September  23,  and  obtained 
from  them  a  grant  of  100,000  acres  of  land. 
January  8  following  (1806)  he  arrived  at  a 
trading  post  on  Lake  De  Sable,  belonging 
to  the  Northwestern  Fur  Company,  whose 
field  of  operations  at  that  time  included  this 
State.  Pike  returned  to  St.  Louis  the  fol- 
lowing spring,  after  making  a  successful 
expedition. 

Before  this  country  could  be  opened  for 
settlement  by  the  whites,  it  was  necessary 
that  Indian  title  should  be  extinguished  and 
the  aboriginal  owners  removed.  When  the 
Government  assumed  control  of  the  country 
by  virtue  of  the  Louisiana  purchase,  nearly 
the  whole  State  was  in  possession  of  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  at  whose  head  stood  the 
rising  Black  Hawk.  November  3,  1804,  a 
treatv  was  concluded  with  these  tribes  by 
which  they  ceded  to  the  United  States  the 
Illinois  side  of  the  great  river,  in  consider- 
ation of  $2,234  worth  of  goods  then  de- 
livered, and  an  annuity  of  $1,000  to  be  paid 
in  goods  at  cost ;  but  Black  Hawk  always 
maintained  that  the  chiefs  who  entered  into 
that  compact  acted  without  authority,  and 
that  therefore  the  treaty  was  not  binding. 

The  first  fort  erected  on  Iowa  soil  was  at 
Fort  Madison.  A  short  time  previously  a 
military  post  was  fixed  at  what  is  now 
Warsaw,  Illinois,  and  named  Fort  Edwards. 
These  enterprises  caused  mistrust  among 
the  Indians.  Indeed,  Fort  Madison  was 
located  in  violation  of  the  treaty  of  1804. 
The  Indians  sent  delegations  to  the  whites 
at  these  forts  to  learn  what  they  were  do- 


ing, and  what  they  intended.  On  being 
"  informed "  that  those  structures  were 
merely  trading-posts,  they  were  incredu- 
lous and  became  more  and  more  suspicious. 
Black  Hawk  therefore  led  a  party  to  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Madison  and  attempted  its 
destruction,  but  a  premature  attack  by  him 
caused   his  failure. 

In  181 2,  when  war  was  declared  between 
this  country  and  Great  Britain,  Black  Hawk 
and  his  band  allied  themselves  to  the  British, 
partly  because  thev  were  dazzled  by  their 
specious  promises,  but  mostly,  perhaps,  be- 
cause they  had  been  deceived  by  the  Amer- 
icans. Black  Hawk  said  plainly  that  the 
latter  fact  was  the  cause.  A  portion  of  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  however,  headed  by  Keo- 
kuk ("watchful  fox"),  could  not  be  per- 
suaded into  hostilities  against  the  United 
States,  being  disposed  to  abide  by  the 
treaty  of  1804.  The  Indians  were  there- 
fore divided  into  the  "war"  and  the 
"  peace "  parties.  Black  Hawk  says  he 
was  informed,  after  he  had  gone  to  the  war, 
that  his  people,  left  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river,  would  be  defenseless  against  the 
United  States  forces  in  case  they  were  at- 
tacked ;  and,  having  all  the  old  men,  the 
women  and  the  children  on  their  hands  to 
provide  for,  a  council  was  held,  and  it  was 
determined  to  have  _the  latter  go  to  St. 
Louis  and  place  themselves  under  the 
"  American"  chief  stationed  there.  Ac- 
cordingly they  went  down,  and  were  re- 
ceived as  the  "  friendly  band  "  of  Sacs  and 
Foxes,  and  were  provided  for  and  sent  up 
the  Missouri  River. 

On  Black  Hawk's  return  from  the  British 
army,  he  says  that  Keokuk  was  introduced 
to  him  as  the  war  chief  of  the  braves  then 
in  the  village.  On  inquiry  as  to  how  he 
became  chief,  there  were  given  him  the 
particulars  of  his  having  killed  a  Sioux  in 
battle,  which  fact  placed  him  among  the 
warriors,  and  of  his  having  headed  an  ex- 
pedition in  defense  of  their  village  at  Peoria, 


'■■■m»Bi1'-M"M— MMM»»MlMMM»»M»MlW|l.MHI»WM»'Mi*S;WaB 


■-■-■-■-"-■»■-■-■»■««■-■-■«■■.  ".^-''^"-■■■'■.■■.■■■■■■-■■■■■'■■-■■■■-■-■-■-■-■-■«' 


5 


J28 


HISTORT    OF    IOWA. 


In  person  Keokuk  was  tall  and  of  portlv 
bearing,  and  in  speech  he  was  an  orator. 
He  did  not  master  the  English  language, 
however,  and  his  interpreters  were  never 
able  to  do  him  justice.  He  was  a  friend  of 
our  Government,  and  always  endeavored 
to  persuade  the  Indians  that  it  was  useless 
to  attack  a  nation  so  powerful  as  that  of 
the  United  States. 

The  treaty  of  1804  was  renewed  in  1S16, 
which  Black  Hawk  himself  signed;  but  he 
afterward  held  that  he  was  deceived,  and 
that  that  treat}'  was  not  even  yet  binding. 
But  thci'c  was  no  further  serious  trouble 
with  the  Indians  until  the  noted  "  Black 
Hawk  war"  of  1833,  all  of  which  took  place 
in  Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  with  the  expected 
result — the  defeat  and  capture  of  the  great 
chief,  and  the  final,  effectual  and  permanent 
repulsion  of  all  hostile  Indians  to  the  west 
of  the  great  Mississippi.  Black  Hawk  died 
October  3,  1838,  at  his  home  in  this  State, 
and  was  buried  there  ;  but  his  remains  were 
afterward  placed  in  the  museum  of  the  His- 
torical Society,  where  thev  were  accident- 
ally destroyed  by  fire. 

More  or  less  affecting  the  territory  now 
included  within  the  State  of  Iowa,  fifteen 
treaties  with  the  Indians  have  been  made, 
an  outline  of  which  is  here  given.  In  1804, 
when  the  whites  agreed  not  to  settle  west 
of  the  Mississippi  on  Indian  lands.  In  1815, 
with  the  Sioux,  ratifying  peace  with  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States;  with  the 
Sacs,  a  treaty  of  a  similar  nature,  and  also 
ratifying  that  of  1804,  the  Indians  agreeing 
not  to  join  their  brethi-cn  who,  inidcr  Black 
Hawk,  had  aided  the  British ;  with  the 
Foxes,  ratifying  the  treaty  of  1S04,  the  In- 
dians agreeing  to  deliver  up  all  their 
prisoners ;  and  with  the  lowas,  a  treaty  of 
friendship.  In  1816,  with  the  Sacs  of  Rock 
River,  ratifying  the  treaty  of  1804.  In  1824, 
with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  the  latter  relin- 
quishing all  their  lands  in  Missouri ;  and 
that    portion    of    the     soulhcasl    corner    of 


II  MlMMlig  >»»!■■ 


Iowa  known  as  the  "  lialf-breed  tract"  was 
set  ofT  to  the  half-breeds.  In  1825,  placing 
a  boundary  line  between  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 
on  the  south  and  the  Sioux  on  the  north. 
In  1830,  when  that  line  was  widened  to 
forty  miles.  Also,  in  the  same  year,  with 
several  tribes,  who  ceded  a  large  portion  of 
their  possessions  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State.  In  1832,  with  the  Winnebagocs,  ex- 
changing lands  with  them  and  providing  a 
school,  farm,  etc.,  for  them.  Also,  in  the 
same  year,  the  "Black  Hawk  purchase" 
was  made,  of  about  6,000,000  acres,  along 
the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  from  the 
southern  line  of  the  State  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Iowa  River.  In  1836,  with  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes,  ceding  Keokuk's  reserve  to  the 
United  States.  In  1837,  with  the  same, 
when  another  slice  of  territory,  comprising 
1,250000  acres,  joining  west  of  the  forego- 
ing tract,  was  obtained.  Also,  in  the  same 
year,  when  these  Indians  gave  up  all  their 
lands  allowed  them  under  former  treaties; 
and  finally,  in  1842,  when  they  relinquished 
their  title  to  all  their  lands  west  of  the 
Mississippi. 

Before  the  whole  of  Iowa  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  United  States  Government 
sundry  white  settlers  had,  under  the  Spanish 
and  French  Governments,  obtained  and  oc- 
cupied several  important  claims  within  our 
boundaries,  which  it  may  be  well  to  notice 
in  brief.  September  22,  1788,  Julien  Du- 
buque, before  mentioned,  obtained  a  lease 
of  lands  from  the  Fox  Indians,  at  the  point 
now  occupied  by  the  city  named  after  him. 
This  tract  contained  valuable  lead  ore,  and 
Dubuque  followed  mining.  His  claims, 
however,  as  well  as  those  to  whom  he  after- 
ward conveyed  title,  wei^e  litigated  for 
many  years,  with  the  final  result  of  dis- 
appointing the  purchasers.  In  1799  Louis 
Honori  obtained  a  tract  of  land  about  three 
miles  square  where  Montrose  is  now  sit- 
uated, and  his  title,  standing  through  all 
the  treaties  and  being  iinallv  coiilii  nied  by 


HISTOm'    OF    JOWA. 


U9 


the  Supreme  Court  of  tlie  United  States,  is 
the  oldest  legal  title  held  by  a  white  man 
in  the  State  of  Iowa.  A  tract  of  5,860  acres 
in  Clayton  County  was  granted  by  the 
Lieutenant-Governor  of  Upper  Louisiana 
in  1795  to  Basil  Girard,  whose  title  was 
made  valid  some  time  after  the  preceding 
case  was  settled. 

Other  early  settlers  were:  Mr.  Johnson, 
an  agent  of  the  American  Fur  Company, 
who  had  a  trading-post  below  Burlington. 
Le  Moliere,  a  French  trader,  had,  in  1820, 
a  station  at  what  is  now  Sandusky,  in  Lee 
County,  si.K  miles  above  Keokuk.  During 
the  same  year  Dr.  Samuel  C.  Muir,  a  sur- 
geon of  the  United  States  army,  built  a 
cabin  where  the  city  of  Keokuk  now  stands. 
His  marriage  and  subsequent  life  were  so 
romantic  that  we  give  the  following  briet 
sketch : 

While  stationed  at  a  military  post  on  the 
Upper  Mississippi,  the  post  was  visited  by 
a  beautiful  Indian  maiden — whose  native 
name  unfortunately  has  not  been  preserved 
— who,  in  her  dreams,  had  seen  a  white 
brave  unmoor  his  canoe,  paddle-  it  across 
the  river  and  come  directly  to  her  lodge. 
She  felt  assui'ed,  according  to  the  super- 
stitious belief  of  her  race,  that  in  her  dreams 
she  had  seen  her  future  husband,  and  had 
come  to  the  fort  to  find  him.  Meeting  Dr. 
Muir  she  instantly  recognized  him  as  the 
hero  of  her  dream,  which,  with  childlike 
innocence  and  simplicity,  she  related  to 
him.  Her  dream  was,  indeed,  prophetic. 
Charmed  with  Sophia's  beauty,  innocence 
and  devotion,  the  Doctor  honorably  mar- 
ried her,  but  after  a  while  the  sneers  and 
gibes  of  his  brother  ofificers — less  honorable 
than  he,  perhaps — made  him  feel  ashamed 
of  his  dark-skinned  wife,  and  when  his  regi- 
ment was  ordered  down  the  river  to  Belle- 
fontaine,  it  is  said  that  he  embraced  the 
opportunity  to  rid  himself  of  her,  and  left 
her,  never  expecting  to  see  her  again,  and 
little  dreaming   that  she   would  -have  the 


courage  to  follow  him.  But,  with  her  in- 
fant child,  this  intrepid  wife  and  mother 
started  alone  in  her  canoe,  and  after  many 
days  of  weary  labor  and  a  lonely  journey  of 
900  miles,  she  at  last  reached  him.  She 
afterward  remarked,  when  speaking  of  this 
toilsome  journey  down  the  river  in  search 
of  her  husband,  "  When  I  got  there  I  was 
all  perished  away — so  thin !"  The  Doctor, 
touched  by  such  unexampled  devotion, 
took  her  to  his  heart,  and  ever  after  until 
his  death  treated  her  with  marked  respect. 
She  always  presided  at  his  table  with  grace 
and  dignity,  but  never  abandoned  her  na- 
tive st3'le  of  dress.  In  i8i9-'20  he  was 
stationed  at  Fort  Edward,  now  Warsaw, 
but  the  senseless  ridicule  of  some  of  his 
brother  officers  on  account  of  his  Indian 
wife  induced  him  to  resign  his  commission. 
He  then  built  a  cabin  as  above  stated, 
where  Keokuk  is  now  situated,  and  made 
a  claim  to  some  land.  This  claim  he  leased 
to  Otis  Reynolds  and  John  Culver,  of  St. 
Louis,  and  went  to  La  Pointe  (afterward 
Galena),  where  he  practiced  his  profession 
for  ten  years,  when  he  returned  to  Keokuk. 
His  Indian  wife  bore  to  him  four  children — 
Louise,  James,  Marv  and  Sophia.  Dr. 
Muir  died  suddenly  of  cholera  in  1832,  but 
left  his  property  in  such  a  condition  that  it 
was  soon  wasted  in  vexatious  litigation,  and 
his  brave  and  faithful  wife,  left  friendless 
and  penniless,  became  discouraged,  and, 
with  her  two  younger  children,  disap- 
peared. It  is  said  she  returned  to  her  peo- 
ple on  the  Upper  Missouri. 

The  gentleman  who  had  leased  Dr. 
Muir's  claim  at  Keokuk  subsequently  em- 
ployed as  their  agent  Moses  Stillwell,  who 
arrived  with  his  family  in  1828,  and  took 
possession.  Flis  brothers-in-law,  Amos  and 
Valencourt  Van  Ansdal,  came  with  him 
and  settled  near.  Mr.  Stillwell's  daughter 
Margaret  (afterward  Mrs.  Ford)  was  born 
in  1 83 1,  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  called  by 
the  Indians  Puckashetuck.     She  was  prob- 


ill 


I30 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


ably  the  fiist  white  American  child  born  in 
Iowa. 

In  1829  Dr.  Isaac  Gallaud  made  a  settle- 
ment on  the  Lower  Rapids,  at  what  is  now 
Nashville.  Tlie  same  year  James  S.  Lang- 
wortii\-,  who  had  been  engaged  in  lead- 
mining  at  Galena  since  1824,  commenced 
lead-mining  in  the  vicinity  of  Dubuque.  A 
few  others  afterward  came  to  that  point  as 
miners,  and  they  soon  found  it  necessar)'  to 
hold  a  council  and  adopt  some  regulations 
for  their  government  and  protection.  They 
met  in  1830  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  by  the 
side  of  an  old  ci^ttoawood  drift  log,  at  what 
is  now  the  Jones  Street  Levee  in  Dubuque, 
and  elected  a  committee,  consisting  of  J.  L. 
Langworthy,  H.  F.  Lander,  James  Mc- 
Phetres,  Samuel  Scales  and  E.  M.  Wren, 
who  drafted  a  set  of  rules,  which  were 
adopted  by  this,  the  first  "  Legislature"  of 
Iowa.  They  elected  Dr.  Jarote  as  their 
officer  to  choose  arbitrators  for  the  settle- 
ment of  difficulties  that  might  arise.  These 
settlers,  however,  were  intruders  upon  In- 
dian territory,  and  were  driven  off  in  1832 
by  our  Government,  Colonel  Zachary  Tay- 
lor commanding  the  troops.  The  Indians 
returned  and  were  encouraged  to  operate 
the  rich  mmcs  opened  by  the  late  white 
occupants. 

But  in  June  of  the  same  year  the  troops 
were  ordered  to  the  east  side  of  the  Missis- 
sippi to  assist  in  the  annihilation  of  the 
very  Indians  whose  rights  they  had  been 
protecting  on  the  west  side  ! 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  Black 
Hawk  war  and  the  negotiations  of  the  treaty 
in  September,  1S32,  by  which  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  ceded  the  tract  known  as  the  "  Black 
Hawk  Purchase,"  the  settlers,  supposmg 
tiiat  now  they  had  a  right  to  re-enter  the 
territory,  returned  and  took  possession  of 
their  claims,  built  cabins,  erected  furnaces 
and  prepared  large  quantities  of  lead  for 
market.  But  the  prospects  of  the  hardy 
and  enterprising  settlers  and   miners  were 


again  ruthlessly  interfered  with  by  the 
Government,  on  the  ground  that  the  treaty 
with  the  Indians  would  not  go  into  force 
until  June  i,  1833,  although  they  had  with- 
drawn from  the  vicinitv  of  the  settlement. 
Colonel  Taylor  was  again  ordered  by  the 
War  Department  to  remove  the  miners, 
and  in  January,  1833,  troops  were  again 
sent  from  Prairie  du  Chien  to  Dubuque  for 
that  purpose.  Tliis  was  a  serious  and  per- 
haps unnecessary  hardship  imposed  upon 
the  miners.  They  were  compelled  to  aban- 
don their  cabins  and  homes  in  mid-winter. 
This,  too,  was  only  out  of  respect  for  forms; 
for  the  purchase  had  been  made,  and  the 
Indians  had  retired.  After  the  lapse  of 
fifty  years,  no  very  satisfactory'  reason  for 
this  rigorous  action  of  the  Government  can 
be  given.  But  the  orders  had  been  given, 
and  there  was  no  alternative  but  to  obey. 
Manv  of  the  settlers  re-crossed  the  river, 
and  did  not  return  ;  a  few,  however,  re- 
moved to  an  island  near  the  east  bank  of 
the  river,  built  rude  cabins  of  poles,  in 
which  to  store  their  lead  until  spring,  when 
they  could  float  the  fruits  of  their  labor  to 
St.  Louis  for  sale,  and  where  they  could  re- 
main until  the  treaty  went  into  force,  when 
thev  could  return.  Among  these  were  the 
Langworthy  brothers,  who  had  on  hand 
about  300,000  pounds  of  lead. 

No  sooner  had  the  miners  left  than  Lieu- 
tenant Covington,  who  had  been  placed  in 
command  at  Dubuque  by  Colonel  Taylor, 
ordered  some  of  the  cabins  of  the  settlers  to 
be  torn  down,  and  wagons  and  other  prop- 
erty to  be  destroyed.  This  wanton  and 
inexcusable  action  on  the  part  of  a  subordi- 
nate, clothed  with  a  little  brief  authority, 
was  sternly  rebuked  by  Colonel  Taylor,  and 
Covington  was  superseded  by  Lieutenant 
George  Wilson,  who  pursued  a  just  and 
friendly  course  with  the  pioneers,  that  were 
only  waiting  for  the  time  when  they  could 
repossess  tlicir  claims. 

The  treat  V  went  formallv  into  effect  June, 


■■^■"■''''■■''■"■"■"■'™M^«"»*'M"™™»^M"'5*»"'»'^ra"'Mi"M™M"a*»^»^»'"M"M"»'-"CT'»»"'M  —  MB»BMMMMM» 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


13' 


1833,  the  troops  were  withdrawn,  and  the 
Lang  worthy  brothers  and  a  few  others  at 
once  returned  and  resumed  possession  of 
their  homes  and  claims.  From  this  time 
must  date  the  first  permanent  settlement  of 
this  portion  of  Iowa.  John  P.  Sheldon  was 
appointed  superintendent  of  the  mines  b}^ 
the  Government,  and  a  system  of  permits 
to  miners  and  licenses  to  smelters  was 
adopted,  similar  to  that  which  had  been 
in  operation  at  Galena  since  1S25,  under 
Lieutenant  Martin  Thomas  and  Captain 
Thomas  C.  Legate.  Substantially  the  primi- 
tive law  enacted  by  the  miners  assembled 
around  that  old  cottonwood  drift  log  in 
1830,  was  adopted  and  enforced  bv  the 
United  States  Government,  except  that 
miners  were  required  to  sell  their  mineral 
to  licensed  smelters,  and  the  smelter  was 
required  to  give  bonds  for  the  payment  of 
6  per  cent,  of  all  lead  manufactured  to  the 
Government 

About  500  people  arrived  in  the  mining 
district  in  1833,  after  the  Indian  title  was 
fully  extinguished,  of  whom  150  were  from 
Galena.  In  the  same  year  Mr.  Langworth}' 
assisted  in  building  the  first  school-house  in 
Iowa,  and  thus  was  formed  the  nucleus  of 
the  populous  and  thriving  city  of  Dubuque. 
Mr.  Langworthy  lived  to  see  the  naked 
prairie  on  which  he  first  settled  become  the 
site  of  a  city  of  15,000  inhabitants,  the  small 
school-house  which  he  aided  in  construct- 
ing replaced  by  three  substantial  edifices, 
wherein  2,000  children  were  being  trained, 
churches  erected  in  every  part  of  the  city, 
and  railroads  connecting  the  wilderness 
which  he  first  explored  with  all  the  eastern 
world.  He  died  suddenly  on  the  13th  of 
March,  1865,  while  on  a  trip  over  the  Du- 
buque &  Southern  Railroad,  at  Monticello, 
and  the  evening  train  brought  the  news  of 
his  death  and  his  remains. 

Lucius  H.  Langwortliy,  his  brother,  was 
one  of  the  most  worthy,  gifted  and  inllu- 
ential  of  the  old  settlers  of  this  section  of 
11 


Iowa.  He  died  greatly  lamented  by  many 
friends,  in  June,  1865. 

The  name  Dubuque  was  given  to  the 
settlement  b}'  the  miners,  at  a  meeting  held 
in  1834. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk 
war  in  1832,  Zachariah  Hawkins,  Benjamin 
Jennings,  Aaron  White,  Augustine  Horton, 
Samuel  Gooch,  Daniel  Thompson  and  Peter 
Williams  made  claims  at  Fort  Madison.  In 
1833  General  John  H.  Knapp  and  Colonel 
Nathaniel  Knapp  purchased  these  claims, 
and  in  the  summer  of  1835  the}'  laid  out  the 
town  of  "  Fort  Madison."  Lots  were  ex- 
posed for  sale  early  in  1836.  The  town  was 
subsequentl}'  re-surveved  and  platted  by 
the  United  States  Government.  The  popu- 
lation rapidly  increased,  and  in  less  than 
two  years  the  beautiful  location  was  cov- 
ered by  a  fiourishing  town,  containing 
nearly  600  inhabitants,  with  a  large  pro- 
portion of  enterprising  merchants,  mechan- 
ics and  manufacturers. 

In  the  fall  of  1832  Simpson  S.  White 
erected  a  cabin  on  the  site  of  Burlington, 
seventy-nine  miles  below  Rock  Island. 
During  the  war  parties  had  looked  long- 
ingly upon  the  "Flint  Hills"  from  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  river,  and  \Vhite  was 
soon  followed  by  others.  David  Tothers 
made  a  claim  on  the  prairie  about  three 
miles  back  from  the  river,  at  a  place  since 
known  as  the  farm  of  Judge  Morgan.  The 
following  winter  the  settlers  were  driven 
off  by  the  military  from  Rock  Island,  as 
intruders  upon  the  rights  of  the  Indians. 
White's  cabin  was  burned  by  the  soldiers. 
He  returned  t(j  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
during  the  winter,  and  in  the  following 
summer,  as  soon  as  the  Indian  title  was  ex~ 
tinguished,  returned  and  rebuilt  his  cabin. 
White  was  joined  by  his  brother-in-law, 
D.)olittle,  and  they  laid  out  the  town  of 
Burlington  in  1834,  on  a  beautiful  area  ot 
sloping  eminences  and  gentle  declivities, 
enclosed    within    a    natural    amphitheater 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


formed  by  the  surrounding  hills,  which 
were  crowned  with  luxuriant  forests  and 
presented  the  most  picturesque  scenery. 
The  same  autumn  witnessed  the  opennig  of 
the  first  dry-goods  stores  by  Dr.  \V.  R.  Ross 
and  Major  Jeremiah  Smith,  each  well  sup- 
plied with  Western  merchandise.  Such 
was  tiie  beginning  of  Burlington,  which  in 
less  than  four  years  became  the  seat  of 
government  for  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin, 
and  in  three  years  more  contained  a  popu- 
lation of  1 ,400  persons. 

Immediately  after  the  treaty  with  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  in  September,  1832,  Colonel 
George  Davenport  made  the  first  claim  on 
the  site  of  the  present  thriving  city  of 
Davenport.  As  early  as  1827,  Colonel 
Davenport  had  established  a  flat-boat  ferr)', 
which  ran  between  the  island  and  the  main 
shore  of  Iowa,  by  which  he  carried  on  a 
trade  with  the  Indians  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. In  1833  Captain  Benjamin  W.  Clark 
moved  from  Illinois,  and  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  town  of  Buffalo,  in  Scott  County, 
which  was  the  first  actual  settlement  within 
the  limits  of  that  county. 

The  first  settlers  of  Davenport  were  An- 
toine  Le  Claire,  Colonel  George  Davenport, 
Major  Thomas  Smith,  Major  William  Gox- 
don,  Pliilii)  Hambough,  Alexander  W.  Mc- 
Gregor, Levi  S.  Colton,  Captain  James  May 
and  others. 

A  settlement  was  made  in  Cla3'ton  County 
in  the  spring  of  1832,  on  Turkey  River,  by 
Robert  Hatfield  and  William  W.  Wayman. 
No  further  settlement  was  made  in  this  part 
of  the  State  until  1836. 

The  first  settlers  of  Muscatine  County 
were  Benjamin  N^'e,  John  Vanater  and  G. 
W.  Kase}',  all  of  whom  came  in  1834.  E. 
E.  Fay,  William  St.  John.  N.  FuUington, 
H.  Reece,  Jonas  Pettibone,  R.  P.  Lowe, 
Stephen  Whicher,  Abijah  Whitney,  J.  E. 
Fletcher,  W.  D.  Abcrnethy  and  Alexis 
Smith  were  also  early  settlers  of  Musca- 
tine. 


As  early  as  1824  a  French  trader  named 
Hart  had  established  a  trading-post,  and 
built  a  cabin  on  the  bluffs  above  the  large 
spring  now  known  as  "  Mynster  Spring," 
within  the  limits  of  the  present  city  of 
Council  Bluffs,  and  had  probably  been  there 
some  time,  as  the  post  was  known  to  the 
employes  of  the  American  Fur  Company 
as  "  La  Cote  de  Hart,"  or  "  Hart's  Bluff." 
In  1827  an  agent  of  the  American  Fur 
Company,  Francis  Guittar,  with  others, 
encamped  in  the  timber  at  the  foot  of  the 
bluffs,  about  on  the  present  location  of 
Broadway,  and  afterward  settled  there.  In 
1S39  a  block  house  was  built  on  the  bluff  in 
the  east  part  of  the  city.  The  Pottawat- 
omie Indians  occupied  this  part  of  the 
State  until  i846-'7,  when  they  relinquished 
the  territory  and  removed  to  Kansas.  Billy 
Caldwell  was  then  principal  chief.  There 
were  no  white  settlers  in  that  part  of  the 
State  except  Indian  traders,  until  the  arri- 
val of  the  Mormons  under  the  lead  of  Brig- 
ham  Young.  These  people  on  their  way 
westward  halted  for  the  winter  of  i846-'7, 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Missouri  River, 
about  five  miles  above  Omaha,  at  a  place 
now  called  Florence.  Some  of  them  had 
reached  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  the 
spring  before  in  season  to  plant  a  crop.  In 
the  spring  of  1847  Brigham  Young  and  a 
portion  of  the  colony  pursued  their  journey 
to  Salt  Lake,  but  a  large  portion  of  them 
returned  to  the  Iowa  side  and  settled  mainly 
within  the  present  limits  of  Pottawatomie 
County.  The  principal  settlement  of  this 
strange  ccMnmunity  was  at  a  place  first 
called  "  Miller's  Hollow,"  on  Indian  Creek, 
and  afterward  named  Kanesville,  in  honor 
of  Colonel  Thomas  L.  Kane,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  visited  them  soon  afterward. 
The  Mormon  settlement  extended  over 
the  county  and  into  neighboring  counties, 
wherever  timber  and  water  furnished  de- 
sirable locations.  Orson  Hyde,  priest,  law- 
yer and  editor,  was  installed  as  'president 


■B":2»nlB"«w«"i»«»«a«».»..»=i;g:wi=S 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA 


of  the  Ouorum  of  Twelve,  and  all  that  part 
of  tlie  State  remained  under  Mormon  con- 
trol for  several  years.  In  1847  they  raised 
a  battalion  numbering  500  men  for  the 
Mexican  war.  In  1S48  Hyde  started  a 
paper  called  the  Frontier  Guardian,  at 
Kanesville.  In  1849,  'ifter  many  of  the 
faithful  had  left  to  join  Brigham  Young  at 
Salt  Lake,  the  Mormons  in  this  section  of 
Iowa  numbered  6,552,  and  in  1S50,  7,828; 
but  they  were  not  all  within  the  limits  of 
Pottawatomie  County.  This  county  was 
organized  in  1848,  all  the  first  officials  be- 
ing Mormons.  In  1852  the  order  was  pro- 
mulgated that  all  the  true  believers  should 
gather  together  at  Salt  Lake.  Gentiles 
flocked  in,  and  in  a  few  years  nearly  all 
the  first  settlers  were  gone. 

May  9,  1843,  Captain  James  Allen,  with 
a  small  detachment  of  troops  on  board  the 
steamer  lone,  ai-rived  at  the  site  of  the 
present  capital  of  the  State,  Des  Moines. 
This  was  the  first  steamer  to  ascend  the  Des 
Moines  River  to  this  point.  The  troops 
and  stores  were  landed  at  what  is  now  the 
foot  of  Court  avenue,  and  the  Captain  re- 
turned in  the  steamer  to  Fort  Sanford  to 
arrange  for  bringing  up  more  soldiers  and 
supplies.  In  due  time  they  too  arrived, 
and  a  foit  was  built  near  the  mouth  of  Rac- 
coon Fork,  at  its  confluence  with  the  Des 
Moines,  and  named  "Fort  Des  Moines." 
Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  troops,  a  trad- 
ing-post was  established  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river  by  two  noted  Indian  traders 
named  Ewing,  from  Ohio.  Among  the 
first  settlers  in  this  part  of  Iowa  were  Ben- 
jamin Bryant,  J.  B.  Scott,  James  Drake 
(gunsmith),  John  Sturtevant,  Robert  Kin- 
zie,  Alexander  Turner,  Peter  Newcomer 
and  others. 

PIONEER    LIFE. 

Most  of  the  early  settlers  of  Iowa  came 
from  older  States,  as  Pennsylvania,  New 
York  and  Ohio,  where  their  prospects  for 


even  a  compctenc}'  were  very  poor.  The}' 
found  those  States  good — to  emigrate  from. 
Their  entire  stock  of  furniture,  implements 
and  family  necessities  were  easily  stored 
in  one  wagon,  and  sometimes  a  cart  was 
their  only  vehicle. 

After   arriving  and  selecting  a  suitable 
location,  the  ne.Kt  thing  to  do  was  to   build 
a  log  cabin,  a  description  of  which  may  be 
interesting  to  many  of  our  younger  readers, 
as  in  some   sections  these   old-time  struct- 
ures are  no    more  to    be   seen.     Trees   of 
uniform  size  were  chosen  and  cut  into  loes 
of  the  desired  length,   generally  twelve  to 
fifteen  feet,  and  hauled  to  the  spot  selected 
for  the  future  dwelling.     On  an  appointed 
day  the  few  neighbors  who  were  available 
would  assemble  and  have  a  "  house-raising." 
Each  end  of  every   log  was  saddled  and 
notched  so  that  they  would  lie  as  close  down 
as  possible;    the  next  day  the    proprietor, 
would   proceed    to  "chink"    and    "daub" 
the  cabin,  to  keep  out  the  rain,    wind  and 
cold.     The  house  had  to  be  re-daubed  ev- 
ery fall,  as  the  rains  of  the  intervening  time 
would  wash  out  a  great  part  of  the  mortar. 
The  usual  height  of  the  house  was  seven  or 
eight  feet.     The   gables    were   formed  by 
shortening  the  logs  gradually  at  each  end 
of  the  building  near  the  top.     The  roof  was 
made  by  laying  very  straight  small  logs  or 
stout  poles  suitable  distances  apart,  and  0:1 
these  were  laid  the  clapboards,  somewhat 
like  shingling,  generally  about  two  and  a 
half  feet  to  the  weather.     These  clapboards 
were  fastened  to  their  place  by    "  weight- 
poles"   corresponding    m  place     with   the 
joists  just  described,  and  these  again  were 
held  in  their  place  by  "  runs  "  or  "  knees  " 
which  were  chunks  of  wood  about  eighteen 
or  twenty  inches  long  fitted  between  them 
near   the    ends.     Clapboards    were    made 
from   the  nicest   oaks    in    the    vicinity,   by 
chopping    or  sawing    them   into    four-foot 
blocks  and  riving  these  with  a  frow,  which 
was  a  simple  blade  fixed  at   right  angles  to 


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■■■^■-■-■■■■■■■■■-''-■^■-■-■■■■■■ill-»-i»lW-M-lll-M. 


134 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


its  handles.  This  was  driven  into  the 
bloclvs  (o[  wciod  by  a  mallet.  As  the  frow 
was  wrenched  down  through  the  wood, 
the  latter  was  turned  alternately  over  from 
side  to  side,  one  end  being  held  by  a  forked 
piece  of  timber. 

The  chimney  to  the  Western  pioneer's 
cabin  was  made  by  leaving  in  the  original 
building  a  large  open  place  in  one  wall,  or 
by  cutting  one  after  the  structure  was  up, 
and  by  building  on  the  outside,  from  the 
ground  up,  a  stone  column,  or  a  column  of 
sticks  and  mud,  the  sticks  being  laid  up 
cob  house  fashion.  The  fire-place  thus  made 
was  often  large  enousrh  to  receive  fire-wood 
six  to  eight  feet  long.  Sometimes  this 
wood,  especially  the  "  back-log,"  would  be 
nearly  as  large  as  a  saw-log.  The  more 
rapidly  the  pioneer  could  burn  up  the  wood 
in  his  vicinity  the  sooner  he  had  his  little 
farm  cleared  and  ready  for  cultivation. 
For  a  window,  a  piece  about  two  feet  long 
was  cut  out  of  one  of  the  wall  logs,  and  the 
hole  closed,  sometimes  by  glass  but  gener- 
ally with  greased  paper.  Even  greased  deer- 
hide  was  sometimes  used.  A  doorway  was 
cut  through  one  of  the  walls  if  a  saw  was  to 
be  had;  otherwise  the  door  would  be  left 
by  shortened  logs  in  the  original  building. 
The  door  was  made  by  pinning  clapboards 
to  two  or  three  wood  bars,  and  was  hung 
upon  wooden  hinges.  A  wooden  latch, 
witli  catch,  then  finished  the  door,  and  the 
latch  was  raised  by  any  one  on  the  outside 
by  pulhng  a  leather  string.  For  security 
at  night  this  latch-string  was  drawn  in,  but 
for  friends  and  neighbors,  and  even  stran- 
gers, tlic  "  latch-string  was  always  hanging 
out,"  as  a  welcome.  In  the  interior  over 
the  fire-place  would  be  a  shelf  called  "  the 
mantel,"  on  which  stood  a  candlestick  or 
lamp,  some  cooking  and  table  ware,  possi- 
bly an  old  clock,  and  other  articles;  in  the 
fire-place  would  be  the  crane,  sometimes  of 
iron,  sometimes  of  wood;  on  it  the  pots  were 
hung  for  cooking;  over  the  door,  in  forked 


cleats,  hung  the  ever-trustful  rifle  and  pow- 
der-horn; in  one  corner  stood  the  larger  bed 
for  the  "  old  folks,"  and  under  it  the 
trundle-bed  for  the  children;  in  another 
stood  the  old-fashioned  spinning-wheel, 
with  a  smaller  one  by  its  side;  in  another  the 
heavy  table,  the  onlj'  table,  of  course,  there 
was  in  the  house;  in  the  remaining  was  a 
rude  cupboard  holding  the  tableware, 
which  consisted  of  a  few  cups  and  saucers, 
and  blue-edged  plates,  standing  singly  on 
their  edges  against  the  back,  to  make  the 
display  of  table-furniture  more  conspicu- 
ous; while  around  the  room  were  scattered 
a  few  splint-bottom  or  Windsor  chairs,  and 
two  or  three  stools. 

These  simple  cabins  were  inhabited  by  a 
kind  and  true-hearted  people.  They  were 
strangers  to  mock  modesty,  and  the  traveler 
seeking  lodging  for  the  night,  or  desirous 
of  spending  a  few  days  in  the  community, 
if  willing  to  accept  the  rude  offering,  was 
always  welcome,  although  how  they  were 
disposed  of  at  night  the  reader  might  not 
easily  imagine;  for,  as  described,  a  single 
room  was  made  to  answer  for  kitchen, 
dining-room,  sitting-room,  bed-room  and 
parlor,  and  many  families  consisted  of  six 
or  eight  members. 

The  bed  was  very  often  made  by  fixing  a 
post  in  the  floor  about  six  feet  from  one 
wall  and  four  feet  from  the  adjoining  wall, 
and  fastening  a  stick  to  this  post  about 
two  feet  above  the  floor,  on  each  of  two 
sides,  so  that  the  other  end  of  each  of  the 
two  sticks  could  be  fastened  in  the  oppo- 
site wall;  clapboards  were  laid  across  these, 
and  thus  the  bed  was  made  complete. 
Guests  were  given  this  bed,  while  the  fam- 
ily disposed  of  themselves  in  another  cor- 
ner of  the  room  or  in  the  loft.  When 
several  guests  were  on*  hand  at  once  they 
were  sometimes  kept  over  night  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner:  When  bedtime  came  the 
men  were  requested  to  step  out  of  doors 
while  the  women  spread  out  a  broad  bed 


'rTi^S^SS^Si^ 


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S5*SS5! 


m^mm^ta^mimm^ii-* 


■Ty^^^^'Bf^lB^^^IM^^^^^B^^^M^^B'^^ 


■  Bg»"Ml»»"M'M«.'faM'«M^g;     : 


HISTOItr     OF    /OWA. 


13.S 


upon  the  mid  floor,  and  put  themselves 
to  bed  in  the  center;  tlie  signal  was  given, 
and  the  men  came  in  and  each  husband  took 
his  place  in  bed  next  his  own  wife,  and 
single  men  outside  beyond  them  again. 
They  were  generally  so  crowded  that  they 
had  to  lie  "spoon  "  fashion,  and  whenever 
anyone  wished  to  turn  over  he  would  say 
"  spoon,"  and  the  whole  company  of  sleep- 
ers would  turn  over  at  once.  This  was  the 
only  way  they  could  all  keep  in  bed. 

To  witness  the  various  processes  of  cook- 
ing in  those  days  would  alike  surprise  and 
amuse  those  who  have  grown  up  since 
cooking  stoves  and  ranges  came  into  use. 
Kettles  were  hung  over  the  large  fire,  sus- 
pended with  pot-hooks,  iron  or  wooden, 
on  the  crane,  or  on  poles,  one  end  of  which 
would  rest  upon  a  chain.  The  long-hand- 
led fr3'ing  pan  was  used  for  cooking  meat. 
It  was  either  held  over  the  blaze  by  hand 
or  set  down  upon  coals  drawn  out  upon 
the  hearth.  This  pan  was  also  used  for 
baking  pancakes,  also  call  flapjacks,  batter- 
cakes,  etc.  A  better  article  for  this,  how- 
ever, was  the  cast-iron  spider,  or  Dutch 
skillet.  The  best  thing  for  baking  bread 
in  those  days,  and  possibly  even  in  these 
latter  days,  was  the  flat-bottomed  bake 
kettle,  of  greater  depth,  with  closely  fitting 
cast-iron  cover,  and  commonly  known  as  the 
Dutch  oven.  With  coals  over  and  under  it, 
bread  and  biscuits  would  be  quickly  and 
nicely  baked.  Turkey  and  spare-ribs  were 
sometimes  roasted  before  the  fire,  sus- 
pended by  a  string,  a  dish  being  placed 
underneath  to  catch  the  drippings. 

Hominy  and  samp  were  very  much  used. 
The  hominy,  however,  was  generally  hulled 
corn — boiled  corn  from  which  the  hull  or 
bran  had  been  taken  by  hot  lye,  hence 
sometimes  called  lye,  hominy.  True  hom- 
iny and  samp  were  made  of  pounded  corn. 
A  popular  method  of  making  this,  as  well 
as  real  meal  for  bread,  was  to  cut  out  or 
burn  a   large    hole    in   the    top    of  a  huge 


stump,  in  the  shape  of  a  mortar,  and  pound- 
ing the  corn  in  this  by  a  maul  or  beetle 
suspended  by  a  swing  pole  like  a  well- 
sweep.  This  and  the  wellsweep  consisted 
of  a  pole  twenty  to  thirty  feet  long  fixed  in 
an  upright  fork  so  that  it  coidd  be  worked 
"  teeter  "  fashion.  It  was  a  rapid  and  sim- 
ple way  of  drawing  water.  When  the  samp 
was  sufficiently  pounded  it  was  taken 
out,  the  bran  floated  off,  and  the  delicious 
grain  boiled  like  rice. 

The  chief  articles  of  diet  in  an  early  day- 
were  corn  bread,  hominy  or  samp,  venison, 
pork,  honey,  pumpkin  (dried  pumpkin  for 
more  than  half  the  year),  turkey,  prairie 
chicken,  squirrel  and  some  other  game, 
with  a  few  additional  vegetables  a  portion 
of  the  year.  Wheat  bread,  tea,  coffee  and 
fruit  were  luxuries  not  to  be  indulged  in 
except  on  special  occasions,  as  when  visit- 
ors were  present. 

Besides  cooking  in  the  manner  described, 
the  women  had  many  other  arduous  duties 
to  perform,  one  of  the  chief  of  which  was 
spinning.  The  big  wheel  was  used  for 
spinning  yarn  and  the  little  wheel  for  spin- 
ning flax.  These  stringed  instruments  fur- 
nished the  principal  music  for  tlie  family, 
and  were  operated  by  our  mothers  and 
grandmothers  with  great  skill,  attained 
without  pecuniary  expense,  and  with  far 
less  practice  than  is  necessary  for  the  girls 
of  our  period  to  acquire  a  skillful  use  of 
their  costly  and  elegant  instruments.  But 
those  wheels,  indispensable  a  few  years  ago, 
are  all  now  superseded  by  the  mighty  fac- 
tories which  overspread  the  country,  fur- 
nishing cloth  of  all  kinds  at  an  expense  ten 
times  less  than  would  be  incurred  now  by 
the  old  system. 

The  traveler  always  found  a  welcome  at 
the  pioneer's  cabin.  It  was  never  full. 
Although  there  might  be  already  a  guest 
for  every  puncheon,  there  was  still  "  room 
for  one  more,"  and  a  wider  circle  would  be 
made  for  the  new-comer  at  the  big  fire.     If 


11 


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136 


HISTORl~    OF    IOWA. 


the  stranger  was  in  search  of  land,  he  was 
doubly  welcome,  and  his  host  would  vol- 
unteer to  show  him  all  the  "  first  rate  claims 
in  this  neck  of  the  woods,"  going  with  him 
for  da\-s,  showing  the  corners  and  advan- 
tages of  ever}' "  Congress  tract  "  within  a 
dozen  miles  of  his  own  cabin. 

To  his  neighbors  the  pioneer  was  equally 
liberal.  If  a  deer  was  killed,  the  choicest 
bits  were  sent  to  his  nearest  neighbor,  a 
half-dozen  miles  away  perhaps.  When  a 
pig  was  butchered,  the  same  custom  pre- 
vailed. If  a  new-comer  came  in  too  late 
for  "  cropping,"  the  neighbors  would  sup- 
ply his  table  with  just  the  same  lu.xuries 
they  themselves  enjoj'ed,  and  in  as  libei-al 
quantity,  until  a  crop  could  be  raised. 
When  a  new-comer  had  located  his  claim, 
the  ncigiibors  for  miles  around  would 
assemble  at  the  site  of  the  proposed  cabin 
and  aid  himin  "  gittm  "  it  up.  One  party 
with  axes  would  cut  down  the  trees  and 
^  hew  the  logs;  another  with  teams  would 
t  haul  the  logs  to  the  ground;  another  party 
)  would  "raise"  the  cabin;  while  several 
I  of  the  old  men  would  rive  the  clap-boards 
\  for  the  roof.  B3'  night  the  little  forest 
J  domicile  would  be  up  and  ready  for  a 
)       "  house-warming,"   which    was  the  dedica- 


tory occupation  of  the  house,  when  music 
and  dancing  and  festivity  would  be  enjojxd 
at  full  height.  The  next  day  the  new-comer 
would  be  as  well  situated  as  his  neighbors. 
An  instance  of  primitive  hospitable  man- 
ners will  be  in  place  here.  A  traveling 
Methodist  preacher  arrived  in  a  distant 
neighborhood  to  fill  an  appointment.  The 
house  where  services  were  to  be  held  did  not 
belong  to  a  church  member,  but  no  matter 
for  that.  Boards  were  collected  from  all 
quarters  with  which  to  make  temporary 
seats,  one  of  the  neighbors  volunteering  to 
lead  off  in  the  work,  while  the  man  of  the 
house,  with  the  faithful  rifle  on  his  shoulder, 
sallied  forth  in  quest  of  meat,  for  this  truly 
was  a   "ground  hog"    case,    the  preacher 


coming  and  no  meat  in  the  house.  The 
host  ceased  not  to  chase  until  he  found  the 
meat,  in  the  shape  of  a  deer;  returning  he 
sent  a  bo}'  out  after  it,  with  directions  on 
what  "pint"  to  find  it.  After  services, 
which  had  been  listened  to  with  rapt  atten- 
tion by  all  the  audience,  mine  host  said  to 
his  wife,  "  Old  woman,  I  reckon  this  'ere 
preacher  is  pretty  hungry  and  3'ou  must 
git  him  a  bite  to  eat."  "  What  shall  I  get 
him?"  asked  the  wife,  who  had  not  seen 
the  deer,  "  thar's  nuthen  in  the  house  to 
eat."  "  Why,  look  thar,"  returned  he, 
"  thar's  a  deer,  and  thar's  plenty  of  corn  in 
the  field;  you  git  some  corn  and  grate  it 
while  I  skin  the  deer,  and  we'll  have  a 
good  supper  for  him."  It  is  needless  to  add 
that  venison  and  corn  bread  made  a  sup- 
per fit  for  any  pioneer  preacher,  and  was 
thankfully  eaten. 

Fires  set  out  by  Indians  or  settlers  some- 
times purposely  and  sometimes  permitted 
through  carelessness,  would  visit  the  prai- 
rie every  autumn,  and  sometimes  the  for- 
ests, either  m  autumn  or  spring,  and  settlers 
could  not  always  succeed  in  defending 
themselves  against  the  destroying  element. 
Many  interesting  incidents  are  related. 
Often  a  fire  was  started  to  bewilder  game, 
or  to  bare  a  piece  of  ground  for  the  early 
grazing  of  stock  the  ensuing  spring,  and  it 
would  get  away  under  a  wind  and  soon 
be  beyond  control.  Violent  winds  would 
often  arise  and  drive  the  flames  with  such 
rapidity  that  riders  on  the  fleetest  steeds 
could  scarcely  escape.  On  the  approach 
of  a  prairie  fire  the  farmer  would  immedi- 
ately set  about  "  cutting  off  supplies  "  for 
the  devouring  enemy  by  a  "  back  fire." 
Thus  by  starting  a  small  fire  near  the  bare 
ground  about  his  premises,  and  keeping  it 
under  control  next  his  property,  he  would 
burn  off  a  strip  around  him  and  prevent  the 
attack  of  the  on-coming  flames.  A  few 
furrows  or  a  ditch  around  the  farm  were 
in  some  degrees  a  proteclion. 


'■Mn^MMH^HajHI^IIiMMi^H^SB 


;■«■..,  ■«««■,,■«» 


■  jlMl'WMiW 


■  ■■■■■■-■■I.  "« .-■■=."'«'».-■-'"<-'■  ■''"■■■■■"■»»'°""-'"-*-'»"'' '■'"iS^*^ 


HISTOnr    OF    IOWA. 


137 


I 


An  original  prairie  of  tall  and  exuberant 
grass  on  fire,  especially  at  night,  was  a  mag- 
nificent spectacle,  enjoyed  only  by  the 
pioneer.  Here  is  an  instance  where  the 
frontiersman,  proverbially  deprived  of  the 
sights  and  pleasures  of  an  old  community, 
is  privileged  far  be3-ond  the  people  of  the 
present  day  in  this  country.  One  could 
scarcely  tire  of  beholding  the  scene,  as  its 
awe-inspiring  features  seemed  constantly  to 
increase,  and  the  whole  panorama  unceas- 
ingly changed  like  the  dissolving  views  of 
a  magic  lantern,  or  like  the  aurora  borealis. 
Language  cannot  convey,  words  cannot 
express,  the  faintest  idea  of  the  splendor 
and  grandeur  of  such  a  conflagration  at 
nigiit.  It  was  as  if  the  pale  queen  of  night, 
disdaining  to  take  her  accustomed  place  in 
the  heavens,  had  dispatched  myriads  upon 
myriads  of  messengers  to  light  their  torches 
at  the  altar  of  the  setting  sun  until  all  had 
flashed  into  one  long  and  continuous  blaze. 
One  instance  has  been  described  as  follows: 

"  Soon  the  fires  began  to  kindle  wider 
and  rise  higher  from  the  long  grass;  the 
gentle  breeze  increased  to  stronger  currents, 
and  soon  formed  the  small,  flickering  blaze 
into  fierce  torrent  flames,  which  curled  up 
and  leaped  along  in  resistless  splendor;  and 
like  quickly  raising  the  dark  curtain  from 
the  luminous  stage,  the  scenes  before  me 
were  suddenly  changed,  as  if  b}'  a  magi- 
cian's wand,  into  one  boundless  amphithea- 
ter, blazing  from  earth  to  heaven  and 
sweeping  the  horizon  round, — columns  of 
lurid  flames  sportivel}'  mounting  up  to  the 
zenith,  and  dark  clouds  of  crimson  smoke 
curling  away  and  aloft  till  they  nearly  ob- 
scured stars  and  moon,  while  the  rushing, 
crashing  sounds,  like  roaring  cataracts, 
mingled  with  distant  thunders,  were  almost 
deafening;  danger,  death,  glared  all  around; 
it  screamed  for  victims;  yet,  notwithstand- 
ing the  imminent  peril  of  prairie  fires,  one 
is  loth,  irresolute,  almost  unable  to  with- 
draw or  seek  refuge. 


LOUISIANA   TERRITORY. 

As  before  mentioned,  although  De  Soto, 
a  Spaniard,  first  took  possession  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valle}'  for  his  Government,  Spain 
did  not  establish  her  title  to  it  by  following 
up  the  proclamation  with  immediate  settle- 
ments, and  the  country  fell  into  the  hands 
of  France,  by  whose  agent  it  was  named 
"  Louisiana." 

By  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  France  ceded 
to  England  her  possessions  in  Hudson's 
Bay,  Newfoundland  and  Nova  Scotia,  but 
retained  Canada  and  Louisiana.  In  171 1 
this  province  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a 
governor-general,  with  headquarters  at 
Mobile,  for  the  purpose  of  appl3-ing  a  new 
policy  for  the  settlement  and  development 
of  the  country.  The  very  next  year  ano- 
ther change  was  made,  placing  all  this  ter- 
ritory in  the  hands  of  Anthony  Crozat,  a 
wealthy  merchant  of  Paris,  but  this  scheme 
also  failed,  as  Spain  continued  to  obstruct 
the  efforts  of  any  Frenchman  to  establish 
trade,  by  closing  the  ports  against  him.  In 
1717  John  Law  appeared  on  the  scene  with 
his  famous  "  Mississippi  Company,"  as  J,hc 
Louisiana  branch  of  the  Bank  of  France ; 
and  as  his  roseate  scheme  promised  to  do 
much  in  raising  crippled  France  upon  a 
surer  footing,  extended  powers  and  privi- 
leges were  granted  him.  He  was  to  be 
practically  a  viceroy,  and  the  life  of  his 
charter  was  fixed  at  twenty-five  years.  But 
in  1720,  when  the  "  Mississippi  bubble"  was 
at  the  height  of  its  splendor,  it  suddenly 
collapsed,  leaving  the  mother  country  in  a 
far  worse  condition  than  before. 

Heretofore  Louisiana  had  been  a  sub- 
ordinate dependence,  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Governor-General  of  Canada.  Early 
in  1723  the  province  of  Louisiana  was 
erected  into  an  independent  Government, 
and  it  was  divided  into  nine  districts,  for 
civil  and  military  purposes. 

Characteristic  of  human  nature,  the  peo- 
ple were  mo'"e  excited  with  prospects  of 


ii 


:«»M„S„M_B„W„M„»a,,B„l««»»BiMMi£T»aP«SWaP»MMl.»»l«»«..»-"»"-"-»'-i"--»"«»'--'"iJg^S'»«™»»w'»a- 


'3S 


Hr STORY     OF    IOWA. 


finding  enormous  wealth  ready  at  hand,  if 
they  should  continue  to  scour  the  country, 
which  they  did  in  places  as  far  west  as  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  to  the  neglect  of  their 
agricultural  and  domestic  interests.  A  habit 
of  roaming  became  fixed.  At  the  same  time 
their  exposed  condition  was  a  constant 
temptation  to  Indian  rapine,  and  the  Nat- 
chez tribe  in  1723  made  a  general  assault 
upon  the  whites.  At  first  they  were  re- 
pulsed, but  about  five  years  afterward, 
aided  by  the  Chickasaws  and  others,  they 
fell  upon  the  French  village  of  St.  Catha- 
rine and  massacred  the  whole  male  popu- 
lation. Two  soldiers,  who  happened  to  be 
in  the  woods,  alone  escaped  to  New  Or- 
leans, to  bear  the  news.  The  colonies  on 
the  Yazoo  and  the  Washita  suffered  the 
same  fate.  Maddened  by  these  outrages, 
the  whites  turned  upon  the  Natchez  and  in 
the  course  of  three  years  exterminated 
them.  They  were  probably  the  most  in- 
telligent tribe  of  Indians  north  of  Mexico. 

During  the  fifteen  years  from  1717  to 
1732  the  province  increased  in  population 
from  700  to  5, 000,  and  in  prosperity  to  a 
wonderful  degree.  It  remained  under  royal 
governors  until  1764,  the  end  of  the  French 
dominion.  Most  of  this  time  the  Indians 
were  troublesome,  and  in  1754  began  the 
long  "French  and  Indian  war"  with  Eng- 
land, which  resulted  in  favor  of  the  latter, 
that  Government  obtaining  all  of  New 
France,  Canada,  and  the  eastern  half  of 
Louisiana.  This  province  did  not  suffer 
by  being  the  scene  of  battle,  but  did  suffer 
a  great  deal  from  a  flood  of  irredeemable 
paper  money.  In  the  meantime  the  western 
portion,  or  residue,  of  this  province  was 
secretly  promised  to  Spain ;  but  before 
either  of  the  foreign  powers  had  opportu- 
nity to  rejoice  long  in  their  western  posses- 
sions, a  new  power  on  earth,  the  United 
States,  took  independent  possession  of  all 
the  country  except  Louisiana  and  Florida, 
which  it  has  maintained  ever  since.    Durina: 


the  seventy  years  of  French  control  the 
province  of  Louisiana  increased  in  popula- 
tion from  a  few  destitute  fishermen  to  a 
flourishing  colony  of  13,540. 

St.  Louis,  Missouri,  was  started  in   1764. 

Don  O'Reilly,  the  new  Governor  of  Loui- 
siana in  1764,  ruled  with  a  despotic  hand, 
yet  for  the  general  advantage  of  the  peo- 
ple. His  successor,  Don  Antonio  Maria 
Bucarelly,  was  mild,  and  he  was  succeeded 
January  i,  1777,  by  Don  Bernard  de  Gal- 
vez,  who  was  the  last  Governor.  He  sym- 
pathized with  American  independence.  The 
British,  with  140  troops  and  1,400  Indians, 
invaded  Upper  Louisiana  from  the  north 
by  way  of  the  Straits  of  Mackinaw,  and  in- 
vested St.  Louis,  Missouri,  in  1780,  but 
were  driven  off.  When  the  Indians  saw 
that  they  were  led  to  fight  "  Americans"  as 
well  as  Spaniards,  they  found  that  they  had 
been  deceived,  and  withdrew  from  the 
British  army,  and  thus  General  George  R. 
Clark,  in  behalf  of  the  Americans,  easily 
defended  St.  Louis,  and  also  all  the  new 
settlements  in  this  western  country. 

After  the  Revolutionary  war  the  country 
began  again  to  prosper.  Governor  Galvez, 
b}^  a  census,  ascertained  that  Louisiana  had 
in  1785  a  population  of  about  33,000,  exclu- 
sive of  Indians. 

In  the  summer  of  the  latter  year  Don 
Estavan  Miro  became  Governor /r^'  tciii.  of 
the  Spanish  possessions  in  this  country,  and 
was  afterward  confirmed  as  such  by  the 
king.  During  his  administration  a  vain 
attempt  was  made  by  the  Catholics  to 
establish  the  inquisition  at  New  Orleans. 
He  was  succeeded  in  1792  by  Baron  de 
Carondelet,  and  during  his  term  the  Spanish 
colonies  grew  so  rapidly  that  their  Govern- 
ment became  jealous  of  the  United  States 
and  sought  to  exclude  all  interference  from 
them  in  domestic  affairs ;  but  all  efforts  in 
this  direction  were  ended  in  1795  by  the 
treaty  of  Madrid,  which,  after  some  delay 
and  trouble,  was  fully  carried  out  in  1798. 


Under  the  leadership  of  Livingston  and 
Monroe,  the  United  States  Government, 
after  various  propositions  had  been  dis- 
cussed by  the  respective  powers,  succeeded 
in  effecting,  in  1803,  a  purchase  of  the  whole 
of  Louisiana  from  France  for  $11,250,000, 
and  all  this  country  west  of  the  great  river 
consisted  of  the  "  Territory  of  Orleans " 
(now  the  State  of  Louisiana)  and  the  "  Dis- 
trict of  Louisiana  "  (now  the  States  of  Ar- 
kansas, Missouri  and  Iowa,  and  westward 
indefinitely).  The  latter  was  annexed  to  the 
Territory  of  Indiana  for  one  year,  and  in 
1805  it  was  erected  into  a  separate  Terri- 
tory, of  the  second  class,  the  legislative 
power  being  vested  in  the  Governor  and 
judges.  Before  the  close  of  the  year  it  was 
made  a  Territory  of  the  first  class,  under 
the  name  of  the  "  Territory  of  Louisiana," 
the  Government  being  administered  by  the 
Governor  and  judges.  The  first  Governor 
was  James  Wilkinson,  and  he  was  succeeded 
near  the  close  of  1806  by  Colonel  Meri- 
weather  Lewis,  the  seat  of  Government  be- 
ing at  St.  Louis;  and  during  his  adminis- 
tration the  Territory  was  divided  into  six 
judicial  districts  or  large  counties — St. 
Charles,  St.  Louis,  St.  Genevieve,  Cape 
Girardeau,  New  Madrid  and  Arkansas.  In 
1810  the  population  of  Louisiana  Territory 
was  21,000,  five-sevenths  of  whom  were  in 
Arkansas. 

In  1812  the  State  of  Louisiana  was  ad- 
mitted into  the  Union,  and  then  it  was 
deemed  expedient  to  change  the  name  of 
the  Territory.  It  was  accordingly  given 
the  name  of  "  Missouri  Territory,"  which  it 
retained  until  the  admission  of  the  State  of 
Missouri  in  1821. 

IOWA    TERRITORY. 

Although  the  "  Northwestern  Territory" 
— carved  out  of  Virginia  and  now  divided 
into  the  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Michigan  and  Wisconsin — never  included 
Iowa,  this  State  was  in  1S34  incorporated 
1% 


into  the  "Territory  of  Michigan,"  and  thus 
became  subject  to  the  ordinance  of  1787; 
and  two  years  later  it  was  made  a  part  of 
"  Wisconsin  Territory,"  and  two  years  still 
later,  in  1838,  the  "Territory  of  Iowa" 
was  formed  independently,  with  sixteen 
counties  and  a  population  of  23,000. 

In  1833,  ^t  Dubuque,  a  postoffice  was 
estabhshed,  and  some  time  prior  to  1834 
one  or  two  justices  of  the  peace  had  been 
appointed.  In  1834  the  Territorial  Legis- 
lature of  Michigan  created  two  counties 
west  of  the  Mississippi — Dubuque  and  Des 
Moines — separated  by  a  line  drawn  west- 
ward from  the  foot  of  Rock  Island.  These 
counties  were  partially  organized.  John 
King  was  appointed  "  Chief  Justice"  of  Du- 
buque County,  and  Isaac  Leffler,  of  Bur- 
lington, of  Des  Moines  County.  Two 
associate  justices  in  each  county  were  ap- 
pointed by  the  Governor.  In  October, 
1835,  General  George  W.  Jones,  of  Du- 
buque, was  elected  a  delegate  to  Congress. 
April  20,  1836,  through  the  efforts  of  Gen- 
eral Jones,  Congress  passed  a  bill  creating 
the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  which  went 
into  operation  July  4,  that  year.  Iowa  was 
then  included  in  that  Territory,  of  which 
General  Henry  Dodge  was  appointed  Gov- 
ernor. The  census  of  1836  showed  a  popu- 
lation in  Iowa  of  10,531,  of  which  6,257 
were  in  Des  Moines  County  and  4,274  in 
Dubuque  County. 

Ths  first  Legislature  assembled  at  Bel- 
mont, Wisconsin,  October  25,  1836;  the 
second  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  November  9, 
1837;  and  the  third,  also  at  the  latter  place, 
June  I,  1838. 

As  early  as  1837  the  people  of  Iowa  be- 
gan to  petition  Congress  for  a  separate 
Territorial  organization,  which  was  granted 
June  12  following.  Ex-Governor  Lucas,  of 
Ohio,  was  appointed  by  President  Van  Bu- 
ren  to  be  the  first  Governor  of  the  new 
Territory.  Immediately  upon  his  arrival 
he  issued  a  proclamation  for  the  election  of 


members  of  the  first  Territorial  Legislature, 
to  take  place  September  lo.  The  following 
were  elected : 

Council. — Jesse  B.  Brown,  J.  Keith,  E. 
A.  M.  Swazey,  Arthur  Ingram,  Robert 
Ralston,  George  Hepner,  Jesse  J.  Payne, 
D.  B.  Hughes,  James  M.  Clark,  Charles 
Whittlesey,  Jonathan  W.  Parker,  Warner 
Lewis,  Stephen  Hempstead. 

House. — Wm.  Patterson,  Hawkins  Tay- 
lor, Calvin  J.  Price,  James  Brierly,  James 
Hall,  Gideon  S.  Bailc}',  Samuel  Parker, 
James  W.  Grimes,  George  Temple,  Van  B. 
Delashmutt,  Thomas  Blair,  George  H. 
Beeler,  Wm.  G.  Coop,  Wm.  H.  Wallace, 
Asbury  B.  Porter,  John  Frierson,  Wm.  L. 
Toole,  Levi  Thornton,  S.  C.  Hastings, 
Robert  G.  Roberts,  Laurel  Summers, 
Jabez  A.  Burchard,  Jr.,  Chauncey  Swan, 
Andrew  Bankson,  Thomas  Cox  and  Har- 
din Nowlin. 

At  the  session  of  the  above  Legislature 
Wm.  W.  Chapman  was  elected  delegate 
to  Congress.  As  the  latter  body  had  given 
the  Governor  unlimited  veto  power,  and 
as  Governor  Lucas  was  disposed  to  exer- 
cise it  arbitrarily,  the  independent  "  Hawk- 
eyes  "  grew  impatient  under  his  administra- 
tion, and,  after  having  a  stormy  session  for 
a  time,  they  had  Congress  to  limit  the  veto 
power.     Great  excitement  also  prevailed. 


both 


the 


Legislature 


and    among  the 


people,  concerning  the  question  of  the  loca- 
tion of  the  seat  of  Government  for  the 
State.  As  they  knew  nothing  concerning 
the  great  future  development  and  extent  of 
the  State,  they  had  no  correct  idea  where 
the  geographical  center  would  or  should 
be.  The  Black  Hawk  purchase,  which  was 
that  strip  of  land  next  the  Mississippi,  in 
the  southeastern  part  of  the  State,  was  the 
full  extent  and  horizon  of  their  idea  of  the 
new  commonwealth.  Hence  they  thought 
first  only  of  Burlington  or  Mount  Pleasant 
as  the  capital.  Indeed,  at  that  time,  the 
Indians  liad  possession  of  the  rest  of  Iowa. 


But  a  few  of  the  more  shrewd  foresaw 
that  a  more  central  location  would  soon  be 
further  to  the  north  at  least,  if  not  west, 
and  a  point  in  Johnson  Count)'  was  ulti- 
mately decided  upon. 

Commissioners,  appointed  by  the  Gov- 
ernor, selected  the  exact  site,  laid  out  a  sec- 
tion of  land  into  a  town,  sold  lots  and 
proceeded  to  erect  the  public  buildings. 
The  capitol  was  commenced  in  1840  and 
Iowa  City  became  thenceforward  the  capi- 
tal of  the  State.  The  fourth  Legislative 
Assembly  met  at  this  place  December  6, 
1 841,  but  not  in  the  new  capitol  building, 
as  it  was  not  yet  read3\  Being  somewhat 
difficult  to  raise  the  necessary  funds,  the 
building  was  not  completed  for  several 
3ears.  The  early  Territorial  Legislatures 
of  Iowa  laid  the  foundation  for  a  very  just 
and  liberal  Government,  far  in  advance  of 
what  had  ever  been  done  before  by  any 
State. 

About  this  time  a  conflict  arose  between 
this  Territory  and  Missouri  concerning  the 
boundary  line  between  them.  There  was 
a  difference  of  a  strip  eight  or  ten  miles 
wide,  extending  from  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Missouri  rivers,  which  each  claimed.  Mis- 
souri officers,  attempting  to  collect  taxes 
within  the  disputed  territory,  were  arrested 
and  confined  in  jail  by  Iowa  sheriffs,  and 
the  respective  Governors  called  out  the 
militia,  preparing  for  bloodshed.  About 
1,200  Iowa  men  enlisted,  and  500  were  act- 
ually armed  and  encamped  in  Van  Buren 
County,  ready  to  defend  their  Tcrritor}-, 
when  three  prominent  and  able  men  were 
sent  to  Missouri  as  envoys  plenipotentiar}-, 
to  effect,  if  possible,  a  peaceable  adjustment 
of  the  difficulty.  Upon  their  arrival,  they 
found  that  the  county  c(5mmissioners  of 
Clark  Count}-,  Missouri,  had  rescinded  their 
order  for  the  collection  of  the  taxes,  and  that 
Governor  Boggs  had  dispatched  messen- 
gers to  the  Governor  of  Iowa  proposing  to 
submit   an    agreed    case    to  the    Supreme 


HISTORT    OF    IOWA. 


141 


Court  of  the  United  States  for  tlie  settle- 
ment of  the  boundary  question.  This  prop- 
osition was  declined;  but  afterward,  upon 
petition  oi  Iowa  and  Missouri,  Congress 
authorized  a  suit  to  settle  the  controversy. 
The  suit  was  duly  instituted,  and  resulted 
in  the  decision  that  Iowa  had  only  asserted 
"  the  truth  of  iiistor)',"  and  she  knew  where 
the  rapids  of  the  Des  Moines  River  were 
located.  Thus  ended  the  Missouri  war. 
"  There  was  much  good  sense,"  sa3's  Hon. 
C.  C.  Nourse,  "in  the  basis  upon  which 
peace  was  secured,  to-wit:  '  If  Missourians 
did  not  know  where  the  rapids  of  the  river 
Des  Moines  were  located,  that  was  no  sutifi- 
cient  reason  for  killing  them  off  with  powder 
and  lead;  and  if  we  did  know  a  little  more  of 
history  and  geography  than  they  did  we 
ought  not  to  be  shot  for  our  learning.  We 
commend  our  mutual  forbearance  to  older 
and  greater  people.' "  Under  an  order 
from  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States  commissioners  surveyed  and  estab- 
lished the  boundary.  The  expenses  of  the 
war,  on  the  part  of  Iowa,  were  never  paid, 
either  by  the  United  States  or  the  Territo- 
rial Government. 

STATE      ORGANIZATION     AND      SUBSEQUENT 
HISTORY. 

The  population  having  become,  by  the 
year  1844,  sufficient  to  justify  the  formation 
of  a  State  Government,  the  Territorial  Leg- 
islature of  Iowa  passed  an  act,  approved 
February  12,  that  year,  submitting  to  the 
people  the  question  of  the  formation  of  a 
State  Constitution  and  providing  for  the 
election  of  delegates  to  a  convention  to  be 
called  together  for  that  purpose.  The 
people  voted  upon  this  at  their  township 
elections  in  the  following  April,  giving  the 
measure  a  large  majority.  The  elected 
delegates  assembled  in  convention  at  Iowa 
City,  October  7,  1844,  and  completed  their 
work  by  November  i.  Hon.  Shepherd 
Leffier,  the   President  of  this  convention, 


was  instructed  to  transact  a  certified  copy 
of  the  proposed  Constituticjn  to  the  Dele- 
gate in  Congress,  to  be  submitted  by  him 
to  that  bodv  at  the  earliest  practicable  da}'. 
It  also  provided  that  it  should  be  submitted, 
together  with  any  conditions  or  changes 
that  might  be  made  by  Congress,  to  the 
people  of  the  Territory,  for  their  approval 
or  rejection,  at  the  township  election  in 
April,  1845. 

The  Constitution,  as  thus  prepared,  fixed 
the  boundaries  of  the  State  very  differently 
from  what  were  finally  agreed  upon. 

May  4,  1846,  a  second  convention  met  at 
Iowa  City,  and  on  the  i8th  of  the  same 
month  another  Constitution,  prescribing  the 
boundaries  as  they  now  are,  was  adopted. 
This  was  accepted  by  the  people,  August 
3,  by  a  vote  of  9,492  to  9,036.  The  new 
Constitution  was  approved  by  Congress, 
and  Iowa  was  admitted  as  a  sovereign 
State  in  the  American  Union,  December 
28,  1846.  The  people  of  the  State,  antici- 
pating favorable  action  by  Congress,  held 
an  election  for  State  officers  October  26 
which  resulted  in  i\.nsel  Briggs  being  de- 
clared Governor;  Elisha  Cutler,  Jr.,  Secre- 
tary of  State;  Joseph  T.  Fales,  Auditor; 
Morgan  Reno,  Treasurer;  and  members  of 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives. 

The  act  of  Congress  which  admitted 
Iowa  gave  her  the  i6th  section  of  every 
township  of  land  in  the  State,  or  its  equiv- 
alent, for  the  support  of  schools;  also 
seventy-two  sections  of  land  for  the  pur- 
pose of  a  university;  also  five  sections  of 
land  for  the  completion  of  her  public  build- 
ings; also  the  salt  springs  within  her  limits, 
not  exceeding  twelve  in  number,  with  sec- 
tions of  land  adjoining  each;  also,  in  con- 
sideration that  her  public  lands  should  be 
exempt  from  taxation  by  the  State,  she 
gave  to  the  State  five  per  cent,  of  the  net 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  public  lands  within 
the  State.  Thus  provided  for  as  a  bride 
with    her    marriage    portion,    Iowa    com- 


Jl 


SJfSSOmSmSmSm! 


SS2SS 


W^VfW^ 


142 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


menced  "  housekeeping "  upon  her  own 
account. 

A  majority  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1S46  were  of  the  Democratic  party; 
and  the  instrument  contains  some  of  the 
pecuHar  tenets  of  the  party  at  that  day. 
All  bani<s  of  issue  were  prohibited  within 
the  State.  The  State  was  prohibited  from 
becoming  a  stockholder  in  any  corporation 
for  pecuniary  profit,  and  the  General  As- 
sembly could  only  provide  for  private  cor- 
porations by  general  statutes.  The  Consti- 
tution also  limited  the  State's  indebtedness 
to  $100,000.  It  required  the  General  As- 
sembly to  provide  public  schools  through- 
out the  State  for  at  least  three  months  in 
the  year.  Si.x  months'  previous  residence 
of  any  white  male  citizen  of  the  United 
States  constituted  him  an  elector. 

At  the  time  of  organization  as  a  State, 
Iowa  had  a  population  of  1 16,65 1,  as  appears 
by  the  census  of  1847.  There  were  twenty- 
seven  organized  counties  in  the  State,  and 
the  settlements  were  rapidly  pushing  to- 
ward the  Missouri  River. 

The  first  General  Assembly  was  com- 
posed of  nineteen  Senators  and  forty  Rep- 
resentatives. It  assembled  at  Iowa  City, 
November  30,1846,  about  a  month  before 
the  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union. 

The  most  important  business  transacted 
was  the  passage  of  a  bill  authorizing  a  loan 
of  $50,000  for  means  to  run  the  State  Gov- 
ernment and  pay  the  expenses  of  the  Con- 
stitutional conventions.  The  great  excite- 
ment of  the  session,  however,  was  the 
attempt  to  choose  United  States  Senators. 
The  Whigs  had  a  majority  of  two  in  the 
House,  and  the  Democrats  a  majority  of 
one  in  the  Senate.  After  repeated  attempts 
to  control  these  majorities  for  caucus  nom- 
inees and  frequent  sessions  of  a  joint  con- 
vention for  purposes  of  an  election,  tiie 
attempt  was  abandoned.  A  school  law  was 
passed  at  this  session  for  the  organization 
of  public  schools  in  the  State. 


At  the  first  session  also  arose  the  ques- 
tion of  the  re-location  of  the  capital.  The 
western  boundary  of  the  State,  as  now 
determined,  left  Iowa  Citv  too  far  toward 
tlie  eastern  and  southern  boundary  of  the 
State;  this  was  conceded.  Congress  had 
appropriated  five  sections  of  land  for  the 
erection  of  public  buildings,  and  toward  the 
close  of  the  session  a  bill  was  introduced 
providing  for  the  re-location  of  the  seat  of 
Government,  involving  to  some  extent  the 
location  of  the  State  University,  which  had 
already  been  discussed.  This  bill  gave  rise 
to  much  discussion  and  parliamentary  ma- 
neuvering, almost  purely  sectional  in  its 
character.  It  provided  for  the  appointment 
of  three  commissioners,  who  were  author- 
ized to  make  a  location  as  near  the  geo- 
graphical center  of  the  State  as  a  healthy 
and  eligible  site  could  be  obtained;  to  select 
the  five  sections  of  land  donated  by  Con- 
gress; to  survey  and  plat  into  town  lots  not 
exceeding  one  section  of  the  land  so  se- 
lected, etc.  Soon  after,  by  "  An  act  to 
locate  and  establish  a  State  University," 
approved  February  25,  1847,  the  unfinished 
public  buildings  at  Iowa  City,  together 
with  ten  acres  of  land  on  which  they  were 
situated,  were  granted  for  the  use  of  the 
University,  reserving  their  use,  however, 
by  the  General  Assembly  and  the  State 
officers,  until  other  provisions  were  made 
by  law. 

When  the  report  of  the  commissioners, 
showing  their  financial  operations,  had 
been  read  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, at  the  next  session,  and  while  it  was 
under  consideration,  an  indignant  membci", 
afterward  known  as  the  eccentric  Judge 
McFariand,  moved  to  refer  the  report  to  a 
select  committee  of  five,  with  instructions 
to  report  "  how  much  of  said  city  of  Mon- 
roe was  under  water,  and  how  much  was 
burned."  The  report  was  referred  witii- 
out  the  instructifMis,  but  Monroe  City  never 
I  became  tiie   seat  of   Government.     V>\    an 


■'mSSmBjiS^ 


fiBi 


^•J' 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


H3 


act  approved  January  15,  1S49,  the  law  by 
which  the  location  had  been  made  was  re- 
pealed and  the  new  town  was  vacated,  the 
money  paid  by  purchasers  of  lots  being  re- 
funded to  them.  This,  of  course,  retained 
the  seat  of  Government  at  Iowa  City,  and 
precluded  for  the  time  the  occupation  of 
the  building  and  grounds  by  the  University. 

After  the  adjournment  of  the  first  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  Governor  appointed 
Joseph  Williams,  Chief  Justice,  and  George 
Green  and  John  F.  Kinney,  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court.  They  were  afterward 
elected  by  the  second  General  Assembly, 
and  constituted  the  Supreme  Court  until 
1855,  with  the  exception  that  Kinney  re- 
signed in  January,  1S54,  and  J.  C.  Hall,  of 
Burlington,  was  appointed  in  his  place. 

At  this  session  Charles  Mason,  William 
G.  Woodward  and  Stephen  Hempstead 
were  appointed  commissioners  to  prepare  a 
code  of  laws  for  the  State.  Their  work 
was  finished  in  1850  and  was  adopted  by 
the  General  Assembly.  This  "  code  "  con- 
tained among  other  provisions  a  code  of 
civil  practice,  superseding  the  old  common- 
law  forms  of  actions  and  writs,  and  it  was 
admirable  for  its  simplicity  and  method.  It 
remained  in  force  until  1863,  when  it  was 
superseded  by  the  more  complicated  and 
metaphysical  system  of  the  revision  of  that 
year. 

The  first  Representatives  in  Congress 
were  S.  Clinton  Hastings,  of  Muscatine, 
and  Shepherd  LefHer,  of  Des  Moines 
Countv.  The  second  General  Assembly 
elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  Au- 
gustus Cassar  Dodge  and  George  W.Jones. 
The  State  government,  after  the  first  ses- 
sion, was  under  the  control  of  Democratic 
administrations  till  1855.  The  electoral  vote 
of  the  State  was  cast  for  Lewis  Cass  in  1848, 
and  for  Franklin  Pierce  in  1852.  The  popu- 
lar vote  shows  that  the  Free-Soil  element 
of  the  State  during  this  period  very  nearly 
held  the  balance  of  power,  and  that  up  to 


1854  it  acted  in  the  State  elections  to  some 
extent  with  the  Democratic  party.  In  1858 
Lewis  Cass  received  12,093  votes,  Zachary 
Taylor  11,034,  and  Martin  Van  Buren,  the 
Free-Soil  candidate,  1,226  votes,  being  167 
less  than  a  majority  for  Cass.  In  1852 
Pierce  received  17,762  votes,  Scott  15,855, 
and  Hale,  Free-Soil,  1,606,  being  for  Pierce 
301  votes  more  than  a  majority. 

The  question  of  the  permanent  location 
of  the  seat  of  government  was  not  settled, 
and  in  185 1  bills  were  introduced  for  the 
removal  of  the  capital  to  Pella  and  to  Fort 
Des  Moines.  The  latter  appeared  to  have 
the  support  of  the  majority,  but  was  finally 
lost  in  the  House  on  the  question  of  order- 


ing it  to  its  third  reading. 


At  the  next  session,  in  1853,  a  bill  was 
introduced  in  the  Senate  for  the  removal  of 
the  seat  of  government  to  Fort  Des  Moines, 
and  on  first  vote  was  just  barely  defeated. 
At  tlie  next  session,  however,  the  effort  was 
more  successful,  and  January  15,  1855,  a 
bill  re-locating  the  capital  within  two  miles 
of  the  Raccoon  Fork  of  the  Des  Moines, 
and  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners, 
was  approved  by  Governor  Grimes.  The 
site  was  selected  in  1856,  in  accordance 
with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  land 
being  donated  to  the  State  by  citizens  and 
property-holders  of  Des  Moines.  An  asso- 
ciation of  citizens  erected  a  building  for  a 
temporar)^  capitol,  and  leased  it  to  the  State 
at  a  nominal  rent. 

The  passage  by  Congress  of  the  act  or- 
ofanizina:  the  Territories  of  Kansas  and  Ne- 
braska,  and  the  provision  it  contained  abro- 
gating that  portion  of  the  Missouri  bill  that 
prohibited  slavery  and  involuntary  servi- 
tude north  of  36°  30'  was  tiie  beginning  of 
a  political  revolution  in  the  Northern  States, 
and  in  none  was  it  more  marked  than  in  the 
State  of  Iowa.  Iowa  was  the  "  first  free 
child  born  of  the  Missouri  Compromise," 
and  has  always  resented  the  destruction  ol 
her  foster  parent. 


i 


t 


144 


HIS  I  CRT    OF    IOWA. 


The  year  1856  marked  a  new  era  in  the  his- 
tory of  Iowa.  In  1854  the  Chicago  &  Rock 
Island  Railroad  had  been  completed  to  the 
cast  bank  of  the  Mississippi  River,  opposite 
Davenport.  In  the  same  year  the  corner- 
stone of  a  railroad  bridge  that  was  to  be  the 
first  to  span  the  "  Father  of  Waters,"  was 
laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies  at  this 
point.  St.  Louis  had  resolved  that  the 
enterprise  was  unconstitutional,  and  by 
writs  of  injunction  made  an  unsuccessful 
effort  to  prevent  its  completion.  Twenty 
years  later  in  her  history,  St.  Louis  re- 
pented her  folly,  and  made  atonement  for 
her  sin  by  imitating  Iowa's  example.  Jan- 
uary I,  1856,  this  railroad  was  completed  to 
Iowa  City.  In  the  meantime,  two  other 
railroads  had  reached  the  east  bank  of  the 
Mississippi — one  opposite  Burlington,  and 
one  opposite  Dubuque — and  these  were  be- 
ing extended  into  the  interior  of  the  State. 
Indeed,  four  other  lines  of  railroads  had 
been  projected  across  the  State  from  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Missouri,  having  eastern 
connections. 

May  15,  1856,  Congress  passed  an  act 
granting  to  the  State,  to  aid  in  the  con- 
struction of  railroads,  the  public  lands  in 
alternate  sections,  six  miles  on  either  side 
of  the  proposed  lines.  An  extra  session  of 
the  General  Assembly  was  called  in  July  of 
this  year,  that  disposed  of  the  grant  to  the 
several  companies  that  proposed  to  com- 
plete these  enterprises.  The  population  of 
Iowa  was  now  500,000.  Public  attention 
had  been  called  to  the  necessity  of  a  rail- 
road across  the  continent.  The  position  of 
Iowa,  in  the  very  heart  and  center  of  the 
republic,  on  the  route  of  this  great  high- 
way of  the  continent,  began  to  attract  atten- 
tioti.  Cities  and  towns  sprang  up  through 
the  State  as  if  by  magic.  Capital  began  to 
j)Our  into  the  State,  and  had  it  been  em- 
])loyed  in  developing  the  vast  coal  measures 
and  establishing  m;uiufactorics,  f)r  if  it  had 
been  cxijended  in  inijdoviug  the  lands,  and 


in  building  houses  and  barns,  it  would  have 
been  well.  But  all  were  in  haste  to  get 
rich,  and  the  spirit  of  speculation  ruled  the 
hour. 

In  the  meantime,  every  effort  was  made 
to  help  the  speedy  completion  of  the  rail- 
roads. Nearly  every  county  and  cit}'  on 
the  Mississippi,  and  many  in  the  interior, 
voted  large  corporate  subscriptions  to  the 
stock  of  the  railroad  companies,  and  issued 
their  negotiable  bonds  for  the  amount. 
Thus  enormous  county  and  city  debts  were 
incurred,  the  payment  of  which  these  mu- 
nicipalities tried  to  avoid,  upon  the  plea 
that  they  had  exceeded  the  constitutional 
limitation  of  their  powers.  The  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  held  these  bonds 
to  be  valid,  and  the  courts  b}'  mandamus 
compelled  the  city  and  county  authorities 
to  levy  taxes  to  pay  the  judgments  re- 
covered upon  them.  These  debts  are  not 
all  paid,  even  to  this  day  ;  but  the  worst  is 
over,  and  the  incubus  is  in  the  course  of 
ultimate  extinction.  Tiie  most  valuable 
lessons  are  those  learned  in  the  school  of 
experience,  and  accordingly  the  corpora- 
tions of  Iowa  have  ever  since  been  noted 
for  economy. 

In  1856  the  popular  vote  was  as  follows: 
Fremont,  43,954;  Buchanan,  36,170,  and 
Fillmore,  9,180.  This  was  1,296  less  than  a 
majority  for  Fremont.  The  following  year 
an  election  was  held,  after  an  exciting  cam- 
paign, for  State  officers,  resulting  in  a  ma- 
jority of  1,406  for  Ralph  P.  Lowe,  the  Re- 
publican nominee.  The  Legislature  was 
largely  Republican  in  both  branches. 

One  of  the  most  injurious  results  to  the 
State,  arising  from  the  spirit  of  speculation 
prevalent  in  1856,  was  the  purchase  and 
entry  of  great  bodies  of  Government  land 
within  the  State  by  non-residents.  This 
land  was  held  for  speculation  and  placed 
beyond  the  reach  of  actual  settlers  for  many 
3ears.  From  no  other  one  cause  has  Iowa 
suffered  so  much  as   from  tlie  short-sighted 


-f^^J  -^L^-^^  ^ft^  >i 


HlSsrORT    OF    IOWA.  141; 


and  counties  was  also  limited  to  5  percent, 
upon  the  valuation  of  their  taxable  property. 
The  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  were  to 
be  elected  by  the  popular  vote.  The  per- 
manent seat  of  government  was  fixed  at 
Des  Moines,  and  the  State  University  lo- 
cated at  Iowa  City.  The  qualifications  of 
electors  remained  the  same  as  under  the  old 
Constitution,  but  the  schedule  provided  for 
a  vote  of  the  people  upon  a  separate  propo- 
sition to  strike  the  word  "  white"  out  of  the 
suffrage  clause,  which,  had  it  prevailed, 
would  have  resulted  in  conferring  the  right 
of  suffrage  without  distinction  of  color. 
Since  the  early  organization  of  Iowa  there 
had  been  upon  the  statute  book  a  law  pro- 
viding that  no  negro,  mulatto  nor  Indian 
should  be  a  competent  witness  in  any  suit 
or  proceeding  to  which  a  white  man  was  a 
party.  The  General  Assembly  of  i856-'7 
repealed  this  law,  and  the  new  Constitution 
contained  a  clause  forbidding  such  disquali- 
fication in  the  future.  It  also  provided  for 
the  education  of  "all3'Outh  of  the  State" 
through  a  system  of  common  schools.  This 
Constitution  was  adopted  at  the  ensuing 
election  by  a  vote  of  40,311  to  38,681. 

October  19,  1857,  Governor  Grimes  issued 
a  proclamation  declaring  tlie  city  of  Des 
Moines  to  be  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 
The  removal  of  the  archives  and  offices  was 
commenced  at  once  and  continued  through 
the  fall.  It  was  an  undertaking  of  no 
small  magnitude;  there  was  not  a  mile  of 
railroad  to  facilitate  the  work,  and  the 
season  was  unusually  disagreeable.  Rain, 
snow  and  other  accompaniments  increased 
the  difficulties;  and  it  was  not  until  Decem- 
ber that  the  last  of  the  effects, — the  safe  of 
the  State  Treasurer,  loaded  on  two  large 
"  bob  sleds  "  drawn  by  ten  3fokes  of  oxen, 
— was  deposited  in  the  new  capitol.  It  is 
not  imprudent  now  to  remark  that  during 
this  passage  over  hills  and  prairies,  across 
rivers,  through  bottom  lands  and  timber, 
the  safes  belonging  to  the  several  depart- 


policy  of  the  Federal  Government  in  selling 
lands  within  her  borders.  The  money 
thus  obtained  by  the  Federal  Government 
has  been  comparatively  inconsiderable. 
The  value  of  this  magnificent  public  do- 
main to  the  United  States  was  not  in  the 
few  thousands  of  dollars  she  might  exact 
from  the  hardy  settlers,  or  that  she  might 
obtain  from  the  speculator  who  hoped  to 
profit  by  the  settlers'  labors  in  improving 
the  country.  Statesmen  should  have  taken 
a  broader  and  more  comprehensive  view  of 
national  economy,  and  a  view  more  in  har- 
mony with  the  divine  economy  that  had 
prepared  these  vast  fertile  plains  of  the 
West  for  the  "  homes  of  men  and  the  seats 
of  empire."  It  was  here  that  new  States 
were  to  be  builded  up,  that  should  be  the 
future  strength  of  the  nation  against  foreign 
invasion  or  home  revolt.  A  single  regi- 
ment of  Iowa  soldiers  during  the  dark  days 
of  the  Rebellion  was  worth  more  to  the 
nation  than  all  the  money  she  ever  exacted 
from  the  toil  and  sweat  of  Iowa's  early 
settlers.  Could  the  statesmen  of  forty 
years  ago  have  looked  forward  to  this  day, 
when  Iowa  pays  her  $1,000,000  annually 
into  the  treasury  of  the  nation  for  the  ex- 
tinction of  the  national  debt,  they  would 
have  realized  that  the  founding  of  new 
States  was  a  greater  enterprise  than  the  re- 
tailing of  public  lands. 

In  January,  1857,  another  Constitutional 
Convention  assembled  at  Iowa  City,  which 
framed  the  present  State  Constitution.  One 
of  the  most  pressing  demands  for  this  con- 
vention grew  out  of  the  prohibition  of 
banks  under  the  old  Constitution.  The 
practical  result  of  this  prohibition  was  to 
flood  the  State  with  every  species  of  "  wild- 
cat" currency. 

The  new  Constitution  made  ample  pro- 
visions for  home  banks  under  the  super- 
vision of  our  own  laws.  The  limitation  of 
the  State  debt  was  enlarged  to  $250,000, 
and  the  corporate  indebtedness  of  the  cities 


^fiTjg-'^l'IgirrsTjgTj'^Cg^^'!!;;!^'!;^^ 


146 


HISTORY     OF    IOWA. 


merits  contained  large  sums  of  money, 
mostly  individual  funds,  however.  Thus 
Iowa  City  ceased  to  be  the  capital  of  the 
State,  after  four  Territorial  Legislatures, 
six  State  Legislatures  and  three  Constitu- 
tional Conventions  had  held  their  sessions 
there.  By  the  exciiange,  the  old  capitol  at 
Iowa  City  became  the  seat  of  the  university, 
and,  except  the  rooms  occupied  by  the 
United  States  District  Court,  passed  under 
the  immediate  and  direct  control  of  the 
trustees  of  that  institution.  Des  Moines 
was  now  the  permanent  seat  of  govern- 
ment, made  so  by  the  fundamental  law  of 
the  State,  and  January  11,  1858,  the  Sev- 
enth General  Asscmbl}'  convened  at  the 
new  capitol.  The  citizens'  association, 
whicli  built  this  temporary  building,  bor- 
rowed the  money  of  James  D.  Eads,  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Instruction,  and  leased 
it  to  the  State.  In  1864  the  State  pur- 
chased the  building.  At  the  session  of  the 
General  Assembly  in  1858,  James  W. 
Grimes  was  elected  United  States  Senator 
as  successor  to  George  W.  Jones. 

During  the  years  i858-'6o,  the  Sioux 
Indians  became  troublesome  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  State.  They  made  fre- 
quent raids  for  the  purpose  of  plunder,  and 
on  several  occasions  murdered  whole  fami- 
lies of  settlers.  In  1861  several  companies 
of  militia  were  ordered  to  that  portion  of 
the  State,  to  hunt  down  and  expel  the 
thieves.  No  battles  were  fought.  The 
Indians  fled  as  soon  as  they  ascertained 
that  systematic  measures  had  been  adopted 
for  their  punishment. 

P.XTRIOTISM. 

The  Presidential  campaign  of  i860  was 
the  most  remarkable  and  exciting  of  all  in 
the  history  of  Iowa.  The  fact  that  civil 
war  might  be  inaugurated  and  was  threat- 
ened, in  case  Mr.  Lincoln  was  elected,  was 
well  understood  and  duly  considered.  The 
people  of   Iowa  indulged   in    no  feeling  of 


hatred  or  ill-will  toward  the  people  of  any 
State  or  section  of  the  Union.  There  was, 
however,  on  the  part  of  the  majority,  a 
cool  determination  to  consider  and  decide 
upon  our  national  relations  to  this  institu- 
tion of  slavery,  uninfluenced  by  an)^  threat 
of  violence  or  civil  war.  The  popular  vote 
of  Iowa  gave  Mr.  Lincoln  70,409;  Stephen 
A.  Douglas,  55,011;  Breckenridge,  1,048. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  01 
Iowa,  as  early  as  1851,  had  by  joint  resolu- 
tion declared  that  the  State  of  Iowa  was 
"  bound  to  maintain  the  union  of  these 
States  by  all  the  means  in  her  power."  The 
same  year  the  State  furnished  a  block  of 
marble  for  the  Washington  monument  at  the 
national  capital,  and  by  order  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  there  was  inscribed  upon  its 
enduring  surface  the  following:  "  Iowa: 
Her  affections,  like  the  rivers  of  her  borders, 
flow  to  an  inseparable  Union."  The  time 
was  now  approaching  in  her  history  when 
these  declarations  of  attachment  and  fidelity 
to  the  nation  were  to  be  put  to  a  practical 
test. 

The  declaration  of  Mr.  Buchanan's  last 
annual  message,  that  the  nation  possessed 
no  constitutional  power  to  coerce  a  seced- 
ing State,  \vas  received  by  a  great  majority 
of  our  citizens  with  humiliation  and  dis- 
trust. Anxiously  they  awaited  theexpiring 
hours  of  his  administration,  and  looked  tc 
the  incoming  President  as  to  an  expected 
deliverer  that  should  rescue  the  nation 
from  the  hands  of  traitors,  and  the  control 
of  those  whose  non-resistance  invited  her 
destruction.  The  firing  upon  the  national 
flag  at  Sumter  aroused  a  burning  indigna- 
tion throughout  the  loyal  States  of  the  re- 
public, and  nowhere  was  it  more  intense 
than  in  Iowa;  and  when  the  proclamation 
of  the  President  was  published,  April  15, 
1861,  calling  for  75,000  citizen  soldiers  to 
"  maintain  the  honor,  the  integrity,  and 
the  existence  of  our  national  Union,  :uid 
the    perpetuity    of   popular    govi  rnnicnt," 


-■^■■-n«MMMM»-»-M-»«W|,W«W.gM»»,M»B»aM,B»M,l 


H/STORV    OF    lOU-A. 


M7 


the  good  people  of  Iowa  were  more 
tlian  willing  to  respond  to  the  call.  Party 
lines  gave  wav,  and  for  a  while,  at  least, 
party  spirit  was  hushed,  and  the  cause  of 
/;)ur  common  countr}-  was  supreme  in  the 
affections  of  the  people.  Peculiarly  fort- 
unate were  the  citizens  of  Iowa  at  this 
crisis,  in  having  a  truly  representative 
man,  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood,  as  executive 
of  tlie  State. 

Within  thirty  days  after  the  date  of  the 
President's  call  for  troops,  the  first  Iowa 
regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  a  second  regiment  was 
in  camp  ready  for  the  service,  and  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  State  was  con- 
vened in  special  session,  and  had  by  joint 
resolution  solemnly  pledged  ever}'  resource 
of  men  and  money  to  the  national  cause. 

The  Constitution  of  Iowa  limited  the 
State  debt  to  $250,000,  except  debts  con- 
tracted to  "  repel  invasion,  suppress  insur- 
rection, or  defend  the  State  in  war."  The 
General  Assembly  authorized  a  loan  of 
$800,000  for  a  war  and  defense  fund,  to  be 
expended  in  organizing,  arming,  equipping 
and  subsisting  the  militia  of  the  State  to 
meet  the  present  and  future  requisitions  of 
the  President.  Those  in  power  looked  to 
the  spirit  rather  than  to  the  letter  of  the 
Constitution,  and  acted  upon  the  theor}' 
that  to  preserve  the  nation  was  to  pre- 
serve the  State,  and  that  to  prevent  in- 
vasion was  the  most  effectual  means  of 
repelling  it.  A  few,  however,  in  both 
branches  of  the  General  Assembly  were 
more  careful  of  the  letter  of  the  Constitu- 
tion. Three  votes  in  the  Senate  and  sev- 
enteen in  the  House  were  cast  against 
the  loan  bill.  These  bonds  were  at  7  per 
cent,  interest.  Only  $300,000  were  ever 
issued,  and  they  were  purchased  and  held 
chiefly  by  our  own  citizens.  At  this  crisis 
James  W.  Grimes  and  James  Harlan  were 
in  the  United  States  Senate,  and  General 

Samuel  R.  Curtis  and  General  Vandeverin 
1.3 


the  House  of  Representatives.  During  the 
first  year  of  the  war,  Iowa  furnished  sixteen 
regiments  of  infantry,  six  of  cavalry  and 
three  batteries, — in  all,  22,000  soldiers. 
Iowa  had  no  refuse  population  to  enlist  as 
"  food  for  powder."  Her  cities  contained 
none  of  that  element  found  about  the  pur- 
lieus of  vice  in  the  great  centers  uf  popu- 
lation. Her  contribution  to  the  armies  of 
the  republic  was  a  genuine  offering  of 
manhood  and  patriotism.  From  her  fields, 
her  workshops,  her  counting-houses,  her 
offices,  and  the  halls  of  her  schools  and 
colleges,  she  contributed  the  best  muscle, 
sinew  and  brain  of  an  industrious,  enter- 
prising and  educated  people.  The  first 
regiment  of  Iowa  soldiers  fought  the  bat- 
tle of  Wilson's  Creek  after  their  term  of 
enlistment  had  expired,  and  after  they  were 
entitled  to  a  dischai-ge.  They  were  citi- 
zen soldiers,  each  of  whom  had  a  personal 
interest  in  the  struggle.  It  was  to  them  no 
question  of  enlistment,  of  bounty  or  of  pay. 
When  the  gallant  General  L3'on  placed 
himself  at  their  head,  and  told  them  that 
the  honor  of  Iowa  and  of  the  nation  was  in 
their  hands,  he  addressed  men  who  knew 
what  the  appeal  meant,  and  to  whom  such 
an  appeal  was  never  made  in  vain. 

At  the  fall  election  of  1861,  party  spirit 
had  revived;  and  the  contest  for  the  control 
of  the  State  administration  was  warm  and 
earnest.  Dissensions  arose  in  both  parties 
but  the  election  resulted  in  a  majority  of 
16,600  votes  for  Kirkwood,  who  was  thus 
retained  as  Governor  of  Iowa.  In  1863 
the  Republicans  elected  their  cantlidate 
for  Governor,  William  M.  Stone,  by  a  ma- 
jority  of  29,000. 

Meanwhile  the  General  Assembly  had 
passed  a  law  authorizing  the  "  soldiers' 
vote,"  that  is,  citizens  of  the  State  in  the 
volunteer  military  service  of  the  United 
States,  whether  within  or  without  the  limits 
of  the  State,  were  authorized  to  open  a  poll 
on  the  dav  of  the  election,  and  to  make  re- 


1 1 


■n-m-W 


I4S 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


turn  of  their  votes  to  the  proper  civil  au- 
thorities. In  the  Presidental  contest  of 
1864  the  popular  vote  at  home  was  as 
follows:  Lincoln,  72,122;  McClellan,  47,- 
703.  The  soldier  vote  returned  was:  Lin- 
coln, 16,844;  McClellan,  1,883. 

The  General  Assembly  did  all  in  its 
power  to  encourage  enlistment  and  to  pro- 
tect the  soldiers  in  the  field  and  their  fami- 
lies at  home.  Statutes  were  enacted  sus- 
pending all  suits  against  soldiers  in  the 
service,  and  all  writs  of  execution  or  attach- 
ment against  their  propertv;  and  county 
boai^ds  of  supervisois  were  authorized  to 
vote  bounties  for  enlistments,  and  pecuni- 
ary aid  to  the  families  of  those  in  the  serv- 
ice. The  spirits  of  our  people  rose  and 
fell,  according  to  the  success  of  the  Union 
armies.  One  day  the  bells  rung  out  with 
joy  for  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  and 
again  the  air  seemed  full  of  heaviness  be- 
cause of  our  defeats  on  the  Peninsula;  but 
through  all  these  dark  and  trying  days,  the 
faith  of  the  great  majoritv  never  wavered. 

The  Emancipation  Proclamation  of  the 
President  was  to  them  an  inspiration  of  a 
new  hope. 

In  the  Adjutant's  department  at  Des 
Moines  are  preserved  the  shot-riddled  col- 
ors and  standards  of  Iowa's  regiments. 
Upon  them,  by  special  authority,  were 
inscribed  from  time  to  time  during  the  war 
the  names  of  the  battle-fields  upon  which 
these  regiments  gained  distinction.  These 
names  constitute  the  geographical  nomen- 
clature of  two-thirds  of  the  territoi"y  lately 
in  rebellion.  From  the  Des  Moines  River 
to  the  Gulf,  from  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Atlantic,  in  the  Mountains  of  West  Virginia 
and  in  the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  the 
Iowa  soldier  made  his  presence  known  and 
felt,  and  maintained  the  honor  of  the  State, 
and  the  cause  of  the  nation.  They  were 
with  Lyon  at  Wilson's  Creek;  with  Tuttle 
at  Donelson.  They  fought  with  Sigcl  and 
with   Curtis  at    Pea  Ridge;  with   Crocker 


at  Champion  Hills;  with  Reid  at  Shiloh. 
They  were  with  Grant  at  the  surrender  of 
Vicksburg.  They  fought  above  the  clouds 
with  Hooker  at  Lookout  Mountain.  The\- 
were  with  Sherman  in  his  march  to  the  sea, 
and  were  ready  for  battle  when  Johnston 
surrendered.  They  were  with  Sheridan  in 
the  valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  were  in 
the  veteran  ranks  of  the  nation's  deliverers 
that  stacked  their  arms  in  the  national  cap- 
itol  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  State  furnished  to  the  armies  of  the 
republic,  during  the  war,  over  70,000  men, 
and  20,000  of  these  perished  in  battle  or 
from  diseases  contracted  in  the  service. 

We  append  here  a  brief  notice  of  each 
regiment : 

The  First  Regiment  was  organized  under 
the  President's  first  call  for  three-months 
volunteers,  with  John  Francis  Bates,  of  Du- 
buque, as  Colonel.  It  comprised  various 
independent  military  companies  that  had 
been  organized  before  the  war,  who  ten- 
dered their  services  even  before  the  break- 
ing out  of  hostilities.  The)'  were  mustered 
in  May  14,  and  first  saw  service  under 
General  L\on  in  Missouri. 

Second  Infantry;  Samuel  R.  Curtis,  of 
Keokuk,  Colonel.  This  was  the  first  three- 
years  regiment,  and  made  a  most  distin- 
guished record  throughout  the  South,  go- 
ing with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  returning 
through  the  Carolinas,  etc.  After  the 
battle  at  Fort  Donelson,  the  unenthusiastic 
General  Halleck  pronounced  this  regiment 
"  the  bravest  of  the  brave." 

Third  Infantry;  Nelson  G.  Williams,  of 
Dubuque  County,  Colonel.  Veteranized 
in  1864,  but  before  the  new  officers  received 
their  commissions  the  regiment  fought  itself 
out  of  existence  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta  ! 

Fourth  Infantry  ;  G.  M.  Dodge,  of  Coun- 
cil Bluffs,  Colonel.  Engaged  in  the  prin- 
cipal battles  of  the  South. 

Fifth  Infantry;  William  H.  Worthington, 
of    Keokuk,    Colonel;     180  veteranized    in 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■-■■■■■■■■M»«».ia»ai»«i«1iWr.«»»B.»«Wa"«l»«»»»»Ui«W-WiH-P«M«»«M«W«Mi 


/I*  . 


IIISTORT    OF    IOWA. 


149 


1864  and  were  transferred  to  the  Fifth 
Cavalry. 

Sixth  Infantry ;  John  A.  McDowell,  of 
Keokuk,  Colonel.  Engaged  faithfully  in 
many  of  the  prominent  battles. 

Seventh  Infantry  ;  J.  G.  Lauman,  of  Bur- 
lington, Colonel.  It  lost  227  at  the  single 
battle  of  Belmont. 

Eighth  Infantry ;  Frederick  Steele,  of  the 
regular  army.  Colonel.  Most  of  this  com- 
mantl  suffered  in  rebel  prisons  for  eight 
months.  Was  on  duty  in  Alabama  nearly 
a  year  after  the  collapse  of  the  Rebellion. 

Ninth  Infantry ;  William  Vandever,  of 
Dubuque,  Colonel.  Was  in  almost  ever}- 
Southern  State,  traveling  altogether  10,000 
miles;  marched  more  than  4,000  miles! 

Tenth  Infantrv ;  Nicholas  Persczel,  of 
Davenport,  Colonel.  Fought  mainly  in 
Mississippi;  losing  half  its  number  at  the 
battle  of  Champion  Hills  alone  ! 

Eleventh  Infantry ;  A.  M.  Hare,  of  Mus- 
catine, Colonel.  Served  mainly  in  the  in- 
terior of  the  South,  doing  as  valiant  service 
as  anjr  other  regiment. 

Twelfth  Infantry  ;  J.  J.  Wood,  of  Maquo- 
keta.  Colonel.  In  rebel  prisons  eight 
months.  Veteranized  January  4,  1864,  a 
larger  proportion  of  the  men  re-enlisting 
than  from  any  other  Iowa  regiment.  Served 
for  several  months  after  the  close  of  the 
war. 

Thirteenth  Infantry;  M.  M.  Crocker,  of 
Des  Moines,  Colonel.  Fought  in  the  South- 
ern interior  and  made  the  famous  round 
with  Sherman  to  the  sea,  being  the  first  to 
enter  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  where  se- 
cession had  its  rise. 

Fourteenth  Infantry;  William  T.  Shaw, 
of  Anamosa,  Colonel.  Nearly  all  captured 
at  Shiloh,  but  were  released  after  a  few 
months.  Engaged  in  some  of  the  severest 
contests. 

Fifteenth  Infantry;  Hugh  T.  Reid,  of 
Keokuk,  Colonel.  Served  three  and  a  half 
years  in  the  heart  of  the  Rebellion.- 


Sixteenth  Infantry ;  Alex.  Chambers,  of 
the  regular  army.  Colonel.  Bravely  served 
throughout  the  South. 

Seventeenth  Infantry;  John  W.  Rankin, 
of  Keokuk,  Colonel.  Served  in  the  in- 
terior of  the  South. 

Eighteenth  Infantry;  John  Edwards,  of 
Chariton,  Colonel.  Much  of  its  time  was 
spent  in  garrison  duty. 

Nineteenth  Infantry ;  Benjamin  Crabb, 
of  Washington,  Colonel.  Served  mainly  in 
Mississippi.  Were  prisoners  of  war  about 
ten  months. 

Twentieth  Infantrv,  comprismg  five  com- 
panies each  from  Scott  and  Linn  counties, 
who  vied  with  each  other  in  patriotism; 
William  M.  Dye,  of  Marion,  Colonel.  En- 
gaged mainly  on  the  Gulf  coast. 

Twenty-first  Infantry  ;  ex-Governor  Sam- 
uel Merrill,  Colonel.  Distinguished  in  val- 
iant service  throughout  the  South.  See 
Twenty-third  Regiment. 

Twenty-second  Infantry ;  William  M. 
Stone,  of  Knoxville,  since  Governor  of  the 
State,  was  Colonel.  Did  excellent  service, 
all  the  way  from  Mississippi  to  old  Virginia. 

Twenty-third  Infantry  ;  William  Dewey, 
of  Fremont  County,  Colonel.  Its  services 
were  mainly  in  Mississippi.  At  Black  River 
but  a  few  minutes  were  required  in  carr}'- 
ing  the  rebel  works,  but  those  few  minutes 
were  fought  with  fearful  loss  to  the  troops. 
The  Twent3'-first  also  participated  in  this 
daring  assault,  and  immediately  after  the 
victory  was  gained  General  Lawler  passed 
down  the  line  and  joyfully  seized  every  man 
by  the  hand,  so  great  was  his  emotion. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry  ;  the  "  Iowa 
Temperance  Regiment,"  was  raised  b)' 
Eber  C.  Byam,  of  Linn  County.  Engaged 
mainly  in  the  Lower  Mississippi  Valle}'. 

Twenty-fifth  Infantry  ;  George  A.  Stone, 
of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Colonel.     "To  the  sea." 

Twentv-sixth  Infantry;  Milo  Smith,  of 
Clinton,  Colonel.  Took  part  in  many  great 
battles. 


i 

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'1.5,  . 


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mWjm! 


^50 


HISTOnr    OF    IOWA. 


Twenty-seventh  Infantry ;  James  I.  Gil- 
bert, of  Lansing,  Colonel.  On  duty  all  the 
way  from  Minnesota  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Twenty-eighth  Infantry  ;  William  E. 
Miller,  of  Iowa  City,  Colonel.  Service,  in 
the  region  of  the  Lower  Mississippi. 

Twenty-ninth  Infantry  ;  Thomas  H.  Ben- 
ton, Jr.,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Colonel.  Sta- 
tioned in  Arkansas. 

Thirtieth  Infantry  ;  Charles  B.  Abbott, 
of  Louisa  County,  Colonel.  In  the  thickest 
of  the  war,  coming  home  loaded  with 
honors. 

Thirty-first  Infantry  ;  William  Smyth,  of 
Marion,  Colonel.  Returned  from  its  many 
hard-fought  battles  in  the  interior  of  the 
South  with  only  370  men  out  of  1,000  en- 
listed. 

Thirty-second  Infantry;  John  Scott,  of 
Nevada,  Colonel.  Engaged  in  a  number  of 
battles. 

Thirty -third  Infantry  ;  Samuel  A.  Rice, 
a  popular  politician  of  Central  Iowa,  Colo- 
nel.    Served  from  Arkansas  to  Alabama. 

Thirty-fourth  Infantry;  George  W.Clark, 
of  Indianola,  Colonel.  Traveled  15,000 
miles  in  its  service  ! 

Thirty-fifth  Infantry  ;  S.  G.  Hill,  of  Mus- 
catine, Colonel.  Served  bravely  in  a  dozen 
battles,  and  traveled  10,000  miles. 

Thirty-sixth  Infantry  ;  Charles  W.  Kitt- 
redge,  of  Ottumwa,  Colonel.  Suffered  a 
great  deal  from  sickness— small-pox,  measles, 
malaria,  etc. 

Thirty-seventh  Infantry,  the  "Gray- 
Beard  Regiment,"  being  composed  of  men 
over  forty-five  years  of  age,  and  was  the 
only  one  of  its  kind  in  the  war.  Garrison 
and  post  duty. 

Thirty-eighth  Infantry;  D.  II.  Hughes, 
of  Decorah,  Colonel.  Most  unfortunate  of 
all  in  respect  of  sickness,  300  dying  during 
tiie  first  two  years. 

Tiiirty-ninth  Infantry;  H.  J.  B.  Cum- 
mings,  of  Winterset,  Colonel.  One  of  the 
most  distinguished  regiments  in  the  field. 


Fortieth  Infantry ;  John  A.  Garrett,  of 
Newton,  Colonel. 

Forty-first  Infantr}-  was  not  completed, 
and  the  three  companies  raised  for  it  were 
attached  to  the  Seventh  Cavalry. 

There  were  no  regiments  numbered 
Forty-second  or  Forty-third. 

Forty-fourth  Infantry  for  100  da3's; 
Stephen  H.  Henderson,  Colonel.  Garrison 
duty  in  Tennessee. 

Forty-fifth  Infantry,  lor  100  days;  A.  H. 
Bereman,  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Colonel.  Garri- 
son dut}-  in  Tennessee. 

Forty -sixth  Infantry,  for  100  days;  D.  B. 
Henderson,  of  Clermont,  Colonel.  Garri- 
son duty  in  Tennessee. 

Forty-seventh  Infantry,  for  100  days; 
James  P.  Sanford,  of  Oskaloosa,  Colonel. 
Stationed  at  the  sickly  place  of  Helena, 
Arkansas. 

Forty-eighth  Infantry  (battalion),  for  100 
days;  O.  H.  P.  Scott,  of  Farmington,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. Guarded  prisoners  on  Rock 
Island. 

First  Cavalry  ;  Fitz  Henry  Warren,  of 
Burlington,  Colonel.  Served  for  three 
years,  mainly  along  the  Lower  Mississippi. 

Second  Cavalry ;  W.  L.  Elliott,  a  Cap- 
tain in  the  Third  Cavalry  of  the  regular 
army,  Colonel.  Fought  faithfully  in  many 
important  battles  in  Tennessee  and  Missis- 
sippi. 

Third  Cavalry  ;  Cyrus  Bussey,  of  Broom- 
field,  Colonel.     Distinguished  in  war. 

Fourth  Cavalry;  A.  B.  Porter,  of  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Colonel.  Participated  with  zeal 
and  judgment  in  the  hottest  of  battles  in 
Tennessee  and  Mississippi. 

Fifth  Cavalry,  only  in  part  an  Iowa  regi- 
ment; William  W.  Lowe,  of  the  regular 
army.  Colonel.  Distinguished  in  the  hotly 
contested  battles  of  Tennessee  antl  vicinit}'. 
Sixth  Cavalry;  D.  S.  Wilson,  of  Du- 
buque, Colonel.  Served  against  the  In- 
dians. 

Seventh    Cavalry  ;    S.    W.    Summers,   of 


— \i 


lUSTORV     OF    IOWA. 


Ottumwa,  Colonel.  Served  against  the 
Indians. 

Eighth  Cavalry  ;  Joseph  B.  Dorr,  of  Du- 
buque, Colonel.  Served  faithfully  in  guard- 
ing Sherman's  communications,  etc. 

Ninth  Cavalry ;  M.  M.  Trumbull,  of 
Cedar  Falls,  Colonel.  Scouting,  guard  and 
garrison  duties  in  Arkansas. 

First  Battery  of  Light  Artillery;  C.  H. 
Fletcher,  of  Burlington,  Captain.  Served 
in  Arkansas  and  Tennessee. 

Second  Battery ;  Nelson  I.  Spoor,  of 
Council  Bluffs,  Captain.  Engaged  at  Farm- 
ington,  Corinth  and  other  places. 

Third  Battery  ;  M.  M.  Hayden,  of  Du- 
buque, Captain.  Engaged  at  Pea  Ridge, 
and  in  other  important  battles. 

Fourth  Battery ;  on  duty  most  of  the 
time  in  Louisiana. 

Iowa  Regiment  of  Colored  Troops  ;  John 
G.  Hudson,  of  Missouri,  Colonel.  Garrison 
duty  at  St.  Louis  and  elsewhere. 

Northern  Border  Brigade ;  James  A. 
Sawyer,  of  Sioux  City,  Colonel.  Protected 
the  Northwestern  frontier. 

Southern  Border  Brigade  ;  protected  the 
southern  border  of  the  State. 

The  following  promotions  were  made  by 
the  United  States  Government  from  Iowa 
regiments :  To  the  rank  of  Major-General 
— Samuel  R.Curtis,  Frederick  Steele,  Frank 
J.  Herron  and  Grenville  INI.  Dodge  ;  to  that 
of  Brigadier-General — Jacob  G.  Lauman, 
James  M.  Tattle,  W.  L.  Elliott,  Fitz  Henry 
Warren,  Charles  L.  Matthies,  William  Van- 
dever,  M.  M.  Crocker,  Hugh  T.  Reid, 
Samuel  A.  Rice,  John  M.  Corse,  Cyrus 
Bussey,  Edward  Hatch,  Elliott  W.  Rice, 
William  W.  Belknap,  John  Edwards,  James 
A.  Williamson,  James  I.  Gilbert  and  Thomas 
J.  McKean  ;  Corse,  Hatch,  Belknap,  Elliott 
and  Vandever  were  brevetted  Major- 
Generals  ;  brevetted  Brigadier-Generals — 
William  T.  Clark,  Edward  F.  Winslow,  S. 
G.  Hill,  Thomas  H.  Benton,  S.  S.  Glasgow, 
Weaver,     Francis     M.     Drake, 


George  A.  Stone,  Datus  E.  Coon,  George 
W.  Clark,  Herman  H.  Heath,  J.  M.  Hed- 
rick  and  W.  W.  Lowe. 

IOWA    SINCE   THE   WAR. 

The  two  principal  events  (A  political  in- 
terest in  this  State  since  the  war  have  been 
the  popular  contests  concerning  woman 
suffrage  and  the  liquor  traffic.  In  the 
popular  elections  the  people  gave  a  ma- 
jority against  the  former  measure,  but  in 
favor  of  prohibiting  the  sale  or  manufact- 
ure of  intoxicating  liquors. 

A  list  of  State  officers  to  date  is  given  on 
a  subsequent  page.  The  last  vote  for 
Governor,  October  9,  1883,  stood  as  fol- 
lows: For  Buren  R.  Sherman,  Republican, 
164,141  ;  L.  G.  Kinne,  Democrat,  140,032, 
and  James  B.  Weaver,  National  Green- 
back, 23,093. 

STATE    INSTITUTIONS. 

The  present  capitol  building  is  a  beauti- 
ful specimen  of  modern  architecture.  Its 
dimensions  are,  in  general,  246  x  364  feet, 
with  a  dome  and  spire  extending  up  to  a 
height  of  275  feet.  In  1870  the  General 
Assembly  made  an  appropriation,  and  pro- 
vided for  the  appointment  of  a  board  of  com- 
missioners to  commence  the  work  of  build- 
ing. They  were  dulv  appointed  and  pro- 
ceeded to  work,  laying  the  corner-stone  with 
appropriate  ceremonies,  November  23, 1871. 
The  structure  is  not  yet  completed.  When 
finished  it  will  have  cost  about  $3,500,000. 

The  State  University,  at  Iowa  City,  was 
estaltlished  there  in  1858,  immediately  after 
the  removal  of  the  capital  to  Des  Moines. 
As  had  alread}'  been  planned,  it  occupied 
the  old  capitol  building.  As  early  as  Janu- 
ary, 1849,  two  branches  of  the  university 
were  established — one  at  Fairfield  and  one 
at  Dubuque.  At  Fairfield,  the  board  of 
directors  organized  and  erected  a  building 
at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  This  was  nearly  de- 
stroyed by  a  hurricane  the  following  year, 


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HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


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but  was  rebuilt  more  substantially  by  the 
citizens  of  Fairfield.  This  branch  never 
received  any  aid  from  the  State,  and  Janu- 
ar}"^  24,  1853,  at  the  request  of  the  board, 
the  General  Assembly  terminated  its  rela- 
tion to  the  State.  The  branch  at  Dubuque 
had  only  a  nominal  existence 

By  act  of  Congress,  approved  July  20, 
1840,  two  entire  townsliips  of  land  were 
set  apart  in  this  State  for  the  support  of  a 
university.  The  Legislature  of  this  State 
placed  the  management  of  this  institution 
in  the  hands  of  a  board  of  fifteen  trustees, 
five  to  be  chosen  (by  the  Legislature)  every 
two  years,  the  superintendent  of  public 
instruction  to  be  president  of  the  board. 
This  board  was  also  to  appoint  seven  trus- 
tees for  each  of  the  three  normal  schools,  to 
be  simultaneously  established — one  each 
at  Andrew,  Oskaloosa  and  Mt.  Pleasant. 
One  was  never  started  at  the  last-named 
place,  and  after  a  feeble  existence  for  a 
short  time  the  other  two  were  discontin- 
ued. The  university  itself  was  closed  dur- 
ing i85g-'6o,  for  want  of  funds. 

The  law  department  was  established  in 
June,  1868,  and  soon  afterward  the  Iowa 
Law  School  at  Des  Moines,  which  had  been 
in  successful  operation  for  three  years,  was 
transferred  to  Iowa  City  and  merged  in  the 
department.  The  medical  d  epartment  was 
established  in  1869;  and  in  1874  a  chair  of 
military  instruction  was  added. 

Since  April  11,  1870,  the  government  of 
the  university  has  been  in  the  hands  of  a 
board  of  regents.  The  present  faculty 
comprises  forty-two  professors,  and  the 
attendance  560  students. 

The  State  Normal  School  is  located  at 
Cedar  Falls,  and  was  opened  in  1876.  It 
has  now  a  faculty  of  nine  members,  with  an 
attendance  of  301  pupils. 

The  State  Agricultural  College  is  located 
at  Ames,  in  Story  County,  being  established 
by  the  legislative  act  of  March  23,  1858. 
In  1862  Cf)ngress  granted  to  Iowa  240,000 


acres  of  land  for  the  endowment  of  schools 
of  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts.  The 
main  building  was  completed  in  1868,  and 
the  institution  opened  the  following  year. 
Tuition  is  free  to  pupils  from  the  State 
over  sixteen  years  of  age.  The  college 
farm  comprises  860  acres,  of  which  a  major 
portion  is  in  cultivation.  Professors,  twen- 
ty-two; scholars,  319. 

The  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute  was  estab- 
lished in  1855,  'It  Iowa  City,  but  was  after- 
ward removed  to  Council  Bluffs,  to  a  tract- 
of  ninety  acres  of  land  two  miles  south  of 
that  city.  In  October,  1870,  the  main  build- 
ing and  one  wing  were  completed  and 
occupied.  In  February,  1877,  fire  destroyed 
the  main  building  and  east  wing,  and  dur- 
ing the  summer  following  a  tornado  par- 
tially demolished  the  west  wing.  It  is  at 
present  (1885)  manned  with  fifteen  teachers, 
and  attended  by  292  pupils. 

The  College  for  the  Blind  has  been  at  Vin- 
ton since  1862.  Prof.  Samuel  Bacon,  himself 
blind,  a  fine  scholar,  who  had  founded  the 
Institution  for  the  Blind,  at  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  commenced  as  early  as  1852  a  school 
of  instruction  at  Keokuk.  The  next  year 
the  institution  was  adopted  by  the  State 
and  moved  to  Iowa  City,  with  Prof.  Bacon 
as  principal.  It  was  moved  thence,  in  1862, 
to  Vinton.  The  building  was  erected  and 
the  college  manned  at  vast  expenditure  of 
money.  It  is  said  that  $282,000  were  ex- 
pended upon  the  building  alone,  and  that  it 
required  an  outlay  of  $5,000  a  year  to  heat 
it,  while  it  had  accommodations  for  130  in- 
mates. At  present,  however,  they  have 
accommodations  for  more  pupils,  with  an 
attendance  of  132.  There  are  eleven  teach- 
ers. The  annual  legislative  appropriation 
is  $8,000,  besides  $128  per  year  for  each 
pupil. 

The  first  Iowa  Hospital  for  the  Insane 
was  established  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature 
approved  January  24,  1S55.  It  is  located  at 
Mt.  Pleasant,  where  the  buildin<r  was  com- 


lUSTORV     OF    IOWA. 


I. S3 


pleted  in  1861,  at  a  cost  of  $258,555.  Within 
the  first  three  montlis  100  patients  were  ad- 
mitted, and  before  the  close  of  October, 
1877,  an  aggregate  of  3,684  had  been  ad- 
mitted. In  April,  1876,  a  portion  of  tlie 
building  was  destroyed  by  fire.  At  this  in- 
stitution there  are  now  ninet^'-four  superin- 
tendents and  assistants,  in  charge  of  472 
patients. 

Another  Hospital  for  tiie  Insane,  at  Inde- 
pendence, was  opened  May  i,  1873,  in  a 
building  which  cost  $88,114.  The  present 
number  of  inmates  is  580,  in  the  care  of  1 1 1 
superintendents  and  employes. 

The  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  is  located  at 
Davenport.  It  was  origmated  by  Mrs.  Annie 
Wittenmeyer,  during  the  late  war,  who 
called  a  convention  for  the  purpose  at  Mus- 
catine, September  7,  1863,  and  uly  13  fol- 
lowing the  institution  was  opened  m  a  brick 
building  at  Lawrence,  Van  Buren  County. 
It  was  sustained  by  voluntary  contributions 
until  1866,  when  the  State  took  charge  of 
it.  The  Legislature  provided  at  "first  for 
three  "  homes."  The  one  in  Cedar  Falls 
was  organized  in  1S65,  an  old  hotel  build- 
ing being  fitted  up  for  it,  and  by  the  follow- 
ing January  there  were  ninety-six  inmates. 
In  October,  1869,  the  Home  was  removed 
to  a  large  brick  building  about  two  miles 
west  of  Cedar  Falls,  and  was  very  prosper- 
ous for  several  years;  but  in  1876  the  Leg- 
islature devoted  this  building  to  the  State 
Normal  School,  and  the  buildings  and 
grounds  of  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home 
at  Glenwood,  Mills  County,  to  an  institution 
for  the  support  of  feeble-minded  children, 
and  also  provided  for  the  removal  of  the 
soldiers'  orphans  at  the  Glenwood  and 
Cedar  Falls  homes  to  the  institution  at 
Davenport.  The  latter  has  now  in  charge 
169  orphans. 

The  Asylum  for  Feeble-Minded  Children, 
referred  to  above,  is  at  Glenwood,  estab- 
lished by  the  Legislature  in  March,  1876. 
The  institution  was  opened  September  i, 


following,  with  a  few  pupils ;  but  now  the 
attendance  is  215,  in  the  care  of  four  teach- 
ers. This  asylum  is  managed  by  three  trus- 
tees, one  of  whom  must  be  a  resident  of  that 
county.  Mills. 

The  first  penitentiary  was  established  in 
1 841,  near  Fort  Madison,  its  present  loca- 
tion. The  cost  of  the  original  building  was 
§55,934,  and  its  capacity  was  sufficient  for 
1 38  convicts.  At  present  there  are  at  this 
prison  364  convicts,  in  charge  of  forty-three 
employes. 

The  penitentiary  at  Anamosa  was  estab- 
lished in  i872-'3.  It  now  has  239  convicts 
and  thirty-four  employes. 

The  boys'  reform  school  was  permanently 
located  at  Eldora,  Hardin  County,  in  1872. 
For  the  three  years  previous  it  was  kept  at 
the  building  of  the  Iowa  Manual  Labor  In- 
stitute at  Salem,  Henry  Count}-.  Only 
boys  between  seven  and  sixteen  years  of 
age  are  admitted.  Credit  of  time  for  good 
conduct  is  given,  so  that  occasionally  one 
is  discharged  before  he  is  of  age.  There 
are  now  (1885)  201  pupils  here. 

The  "girls'  department"  is  at  Mitchell- 
ville,  similarly  managed.  Inmates,  eight}'- 
three. 

The  State  Historical  Scjciet}-  is  in  part 
supported  by  the  State,  the  Governor  ap- 
pointing nine  of  the  eighteen  curators. 
This  society  was  provided  for  in  connection 
with  the  University,  by  legislative  act  of 
January  28,  1857,  ^'^^^  ^'^  ^^^  published  a 
series  of  valuable  collections,  and  a  large 
number  of  finely  engraved  portraits  of 
prominent  and  early  settlers. 

The  State  Agricultural  Society  is  con- 
ducted under  the  auspices  of  the  vState,  and 
is  one  of  the  greatest  promoters  of  the 
welfare  of  the  people  among  all  the  State 
organizations.  It  holds  an  annual  fair  at 
Des  Moines,  and  its  proceedings  are  also 
published  annually,  at  the  expense  of  the 
State. 


The  Fish-Hatching  House  has  been  sue- 


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HISTORT    OF    IOWA. 


cessfuUy  carrying  on  its  good  work  since 
its  establishment  in  1874,  near  Anamosa. 
Three  fish  commissioners  are  appointed, 
one  for  each  of  the  three  districts  into  whicii 
the  State  is  for  the  purpose  divided. 

The  State  Board  of  Health,  establisiictl 
in  1880,  has  an  advisory  supervision,  and  to 
a  limited  extent  also  a  police  supervision, 
over  the  health  of  the  people.^especially 
with  reference  to  the  abatement  of  those 
nuisances  that  are  most  calculated  to  pro- 
mulgate dangerous  and  contagious  diseases. 
Their  publications,  which  are  made  at  the 
expense  of  the  State,  should  be  studied  by 
every  citizen 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  germ  of  the  free  public  school  sys- 
tem of  Iowa,  which  now  ranks  second  to 
none  in  the  United  States,  was  planted  by 
the  first  settlers,  and  in  no  other  public 
measure  have  the  people  ever  since  taken 
so  deep  an  interest.  They  have  expanded 
and  improved  their  original  system  until 
now  it  is  justly  considered  one  of  the  most 
complete,  comprehensive  and  liberal  in  the 
country. 

Nor  is  this  to  be  wondered  at  when  it  is 
remembered  that  humble  log  school-houses 
were  built  almost  as  soon  as  the  log  cabins 
of  the  earliest  settlers  were  occupied,  and 
schoolteachers  were  among  the  first  im- 
migrants to  Iowa.  Schools,  therefore,  the 
people  have'had  everywhere  from  the  start, 
and  tlie  school-houses,  in  their  character  and 
accommodations,  have  kept  fully  abreast 
with  the  times. 

The  first  school-house  within  the  limits 
of  Iowa  was  a  log  cabin  at  Dubuque,  built  by 
J.  L.  Langworthy  and  a  few  other  miners, 
in  the  autumn  of  1833.  When  it  was  com- 
pleted George  Cabbage  was  employed  as 
teacher  during  the  winter  of  1833-4,  thirty- 
five  pupils  attending  his  school.  Barrett 
Whittemore  taught  the  next  school  term, 
with  twent3^-five  pupils  in  attendance.  Mrs. 
Caroline    Dexter  commenced  teaching  in 


Dubuque  in  March,  1S36.  She  was  the  first 
female  teacher  there,  and  probably  the  first 
in  Iowa.  In  1839  Thomas  H.  Beaton,  Jr., 
afterward  for  ten  years  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction,  opened  an  English  and 
classical  school  in  Dubuque.  The  first  tax 
for  the  support  of  schools  at  DLibuquc  was 
levied  in  1840. 

At  Burlington  a  commodious  log  school- 
house,  built  in  1834,  was  among  the  first 
buildings  erected.  A  Mr.  Johnson  taught 
the  first  school  in  the  winter  of  i834-'5. 

In  Muscatine  County,  the  first  school  was 
taught  by  George  Bumgardner,  in  the 
spring  of  1837.  In  1839  a  log  school-house 
was  erected  in  Muscatine,  which  served  for 
a  long  time  as  school-house,  church  and 
public  hall. 

The  first  school  in  Davenport  was  taught 
in  1838.  In  Fairfield,  Miss  Clarissa  Sawyer, 
James  F.  Chambers  and  Mrs.  Reed  taught 
school  in  1839. 

Johnson  County  was  an  entire  wilderness 
when  Iowa  City  was  located  as  the  capital 
of  the  Territory  of  Iowa,  in  May,  1839. 
The  first  sale  of  lots  took  place  August  18, 
1839,  ^"d  before  January  i,  1840,  about 
twenty  families  had  settled  within  the  limits 
of  the  town.  During  the  same  year  Jesse 
Berry  opened  a  school  in  a  small  frame 
building  he  had  erected  on  what  is  now 
College  street. 

In  Monroe  County,  the  first  settlement 
was  made  in  1843,  by  Mr.  John  R.  Gray, 
about  two  miles  from  the  present  site  of 
Eddyville;  and  in  the  summer  of  1844  a  log 
school-house  was  built  by  Gray,  William 
V.  Beedle,  C.  Renfro,  Joseph  McMullen 
and  Willoughby  Randolph,  and  the  first 
school  was  opened  by  Miss  Urania  Adams. 
The  building  was  occupied  for  .school  pur- 
poses for  nearly  ten  years. 

About  a  year  after  the  first  cabin  was 
built  at  Oskaloosa,  a  log  school-house  was 
built,  in  which  school  was  opened  by  Sam- 
uel \V.  Caldwell,  in  1844. 


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HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


15.S 


At  Fort  Des  Moines,  now  the  capital  of 
the  State,  the  first  school  was  taught  by 
Lewis  Whitten,  Clerk  of  the  District  Court, 
in  the  winter  of  i846-'7,  in  one  of  the  rooms 
on  "  Coon  Row,"  built  for  barracks. 

The  first  school  in  Pottawattamie  County 
was  opened  by  George  Green,  a  Mormon, 
at  Council  Point,  prior  to  1S49;  and  until 
about  1S54  nearly  all  the  teachers  in  that 
vicinity  were  Mormons. 

The  first  school  in  Dccorah  was  taught  in 
1855,  by  Cyrus  C.  Carpenter,  since  Go\^- 
ernor  of  the  State.  In  Crawford  County  the 
first  school-house  was  built  in  Mason's 
Grove,  in  1856,  and  Morris  McHenry  first 
occupied  it  as  teacher. 

During  tiie  first  twenty  years  of  the  his- 
tory of  Iowa,  the  log  school-house  pre- 
vailed, and  in  1861  there  were  893  of  these 
primitive  structures  in  use  for  school  pur- 
poses in  the  State.  Since  that  time  they 
have  been  gradually  disappearing.  In  1865 
there  were  796;  in  1870,  336;  and  in  1875, 
121. 

In  1846,  the  year  of  Iowa's  admission  as 
a  State,  there  were  20,000  scholars  out  of 
100,000  inhabitants.  About  400  school  dis- 
tricts had  been  organized.  In  1850  there 
were  1,200,  and  in  1857  the  number  had  in- 
creased to  3,265. 

In  March,  1858,  upon  the  recommenda- 
tion of  Hon.  iSI.  L.  Fisher,  then  Superin- 
tendent of  Public  Instruction,  the  seventh 
General  Assembly  enacted  that "  each  civil 
township  is  declared  a  school  district,"  and 
provided  that  these  should  be  divided  into 
sub-districts.  This  law  went  into  force 
March  20,  1858,  and  reduced  the  number  of 
school  districts  from  about  3,500  to  less  than 
900.  This  change  of  school  organization 
resulted  in  a  very  material  reduction  of  the 
expenditures  for  the  compensation  of  dis- 
trict secretaries  and  treasurers.  An  effort 
was  made  for  several  years,  from  1867  to 
1872,  to  abolish  the  sub-district  system. 
Mr.  Kissell,  Superintendent,  recommended 

14 


this  in  his  report  of  January  i,  1872,  and 
Governor  Merrill  forcibly  endorsed  his 
views  in  his  annual  message.  But  the 
Legislature  of  that  year  provided  for  the 
formation  of  independent  districts  from  the 
sub-districts  of  district  townships. 

The  system  of  graded  schools  was  in- 
augurated in  1849,  'i""^  n^^^'  schools,  in 
which  more  than  one  teacher  is  employed, 
are  universally  graded. 

Teachers'  institutes  were  organized  early 
in  the  history  of  the  State.  The  first  offi- 
cial mention  of  them  occurs  in  the  annual 
report  of  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Benton,  Jr., 
made  December  2,  1850,  who  said:  "An 
institution  of  this  character  was  organized 
a  few  years  ago,  composed  of  the  teachers 
of  the  mineral  regions  of  Illinois,  Wisconsin 
and  Iowa.  An  association  of  teachers  has 
also  been  formed  in  the  county  of  Henry, 
and  an  effort  was  made  in  October  last  to 
organize  a  regular  institute  in  the  county 
of  Jones." 

No  legislation,  however,  was  held  luitil 
March,  1858,  when  an  act  was  passed  au- 
thorizing the  holding  of  teachers'  institutes 
for  periods  not  less  than  six  working  days, 
whenever  not  less  than  thirty  teachers 
siioidd  desire.  The  superintendent  was 
authorized  to  expend  not  exceeding  $100 
for  any  one  institute,  to  be  paid  out  by  the 
county  superintendent,  as  the  institute  may 
direct,  for  teachers  and  lecturers,  and  $1,- 
000  was  appropriated  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  these  institutes.  Mr.  Fisher  at  once 
pushed  the  matter  of  holding  institutes,  and 
December  6, 1858,  he  reported  to  the  Board 
of  Education  that  institutes  had  been  ap- 
pointed in  twenty  counties  within  the  pre- 
ceding six  months,  and  more  would  have 
been  held  but  the  appropriation  had  been 
exhausted.  At  the  first  session  of  the  Board 
of  Education,  commencing  December  6, 
1858,  a  code  of  school  laws  was  enacted, 
which  retained  the  existing  provisions  for 
teachers'  institutes.      In  March,   1S60,   the 


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HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


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General  Assembly  amended  the  act  of  the 
board  b}-  appropriating  "  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding $50  annually  for  one  such  institute, 
held  as  provided  by  law  in  each  county." 
In  1865  the  superintendent,  Mr.  Faville,  re- 
ported that  "  the  provision  made  by  the 
State  for  the  benefit  of  teachers'  institutes 
has  never  been  so  fully  appreciated,  both 
by  the  people  and  the  teachers,  as  during 
the  last  two  years."  Under  this  law  an  in- 
stitute is  held  annually  in  each  county, 
under  the  direction  of  the  county  superin- 
tendent. 

By  an  act  approved  March  19,  1874,  nor- 
mal institutes  were  established  in  each 
county,  to  be  held  annually  by  the  county 
superintendent.  This  was  regarded  as  a 
very  decided  step  in  advance  by  Mr.  Aber- 
nethy,  and  in  1876  the  General  Assembly 
established  the  first  permanent  State  Nor- 
mal School  at  Cedar  Falls,  Black  Hawk 
County,  appropriating  the  building  and 
property  of  the  Soldiers'  Orphans  Home 
at  that  place  for  that  purpose.  This  school 
is  now  "  in  the  full  tide  of  successful  ex- 
periment." 

Funds  for  the  support  of  the  public 
schools  are  derived  in  several  ways.  The 
sixteenth  section  of  every  congressional 
township  was  set  apart  by  the  General 
Government  for  school  purposes,  being 
one  thirty-sixth  part  of  all  the  lands  of  the 
State.  The  minimum  price  of  these  lands 
was  fixed  at  $1.25  per  acre.  Congress  also 
made  an  additional  donation  to  the  State  of 
500,000  acres,  and  an  appropriation  of  5 
per  cent,  on  all  the  sales  of  public  lands  to 
the  school  fund.  The  State  gives  to  this 
fund  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  all  lands 
which  escheat  to  it ;  the  proceeds  of  all 
fines  for  the  violation  of  the  liquor  and 
criminal  laws.  The  money  derived  from 
these  sources  constitutes  the  permanent 
school  fund  of  the  State,  which  cannot  be 
diverted  to  any  other  purpose.  The  pen- 
alties collected  by  the  courts  for  fines  and 


forfeitures  go  to  the  school  fund  in  the 
counties  where  collected.  The  proceeds 
of  the  sale  of  lands  and  the  5  per  cent,  fund 
go  into  the  State  Treasury,  and  the  State 
distributes  these  proceeds  to  the  several 
counties  according  to  their  request. 

In  1844  there  were  in  the  State  4,339 
school  districts,  containing  11,244  schools, 
and  employing  21,776  teachers.  The  aver- 
age monthly  pay  of  male  teachers  was 
$32.50,  and  of  female  teachers  $27.25.  There 
were  594,730  persons  of  school  age,  of  whom 
431,513  were  enrolled  in  the  public  schools. 
The  average  cost  of  tuition  for  each  pupil 
per  month  was  $1.62.  The  expenditures 
for  all  school  purposes  was  $5,129,819.49. 
The  permanent  school  fund  is  now  $3,547,- 
123.82,  on  which  the  income  for  1881  was 
$234,622.40. 

Besides  the  State  University,  Agricult- 
ural College  and  Normal  School,  described 
on  preceding  pages,  ample  provision  for 
higher  education  has  been  made  by  the 
different  religious  denominations,  assisted 
by  local  and  individual  beneficence.  There 
are,  exclusive  of  State  institutions,  twenty- 
three  universities  and  colleges,  and  one 
hundred  and  eleven  academies  and  other 
private  schools  for  the  higher  branches. 
All  these  are  in  active  operation,  and  most 
of  them  stand  high. 

Amity  College,  located  at  College 
Springs,  Page  County,  has  eight  instructors 
and  two  hundred  and  fort3'-five  students. 

Burlington  University,  eight  instructors 
and  forty-three  pupils. 

Callanan  College,  at  Des  Moines,  has 
eighteen  in  the  faculty  and  one  hundred 
and  twenty  students  enrolled. 

Central  University,  at  Pella,  Marion 
County,  is  under  the  auspices  of  the  Baptist 
church,  and  has  eleven  in  the  faculty  and 
one  hundred  and  two  students. 

Coe  College,  at  Cedar  Rapids,  has  a 
faculty  of  ten,  and  an  attendance  of  one 
hundred  and  ninety-nine. 


Cornell  College,  Methodist  Episcopal,  at 
Mt.  Vernon,  Linn  County,  has  eighteen 
members  of  the  faculty  and  four  hundred 
and  seventy-nine  scholars.  This  is  a  strong 
institution. 

Drake  University,  at  Des  Moines,  has 
tliirty  instructors  and  three  hundred  and 
twenty-five  pupils. 

Griswold  College,  at  Davenport,  is  under 
the  control  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and 
has  seven  instructors  and  seventy-five  stu- 
dents. 

Iowa  College,  at  Grinnell,  is  pcrmanentl}' 
endowed.  Has  fourteen  instructors  anti 
three  hundred  and  eighty-four  students. 

Iowa  Wesleyan  University  (Methodist 
Episcopal),  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  has  six  mem- 
bers of  the  faculty  and  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  students. 

Luther  College,  at  Decorah,  Winneshiek 
County,  has  a  faculty  of  ten,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-five  pupils. 

Oskaloosa  College  has  a  faculty  of  five, 
and  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  students. 

Penn  College,  at  Oskaloosa,  has  a  faculty 
of  five  members,  and  one  hundred  and  forty 
pupils  in  attendance. 

Simpson  Centenary  College,  at  Indianola, 
Warren  County  (Methodist  Episcopal),  has 
a  faculty  of  seven  and  an  attendance  of  two 
hundred. 

Tabor  College,  at  Tabor,  Fremont 
County,  modeled  after  the  Oberlin  (Ohio) 
College,  has  twelve  members  in  the  faculty 
and  an  attendance  of  two  hundred  and  ten 
scholars. 

University  of  Des  Moines  has  five  in- 
structors and  fifty  pupils. 

Upper  Iowa  University  (Methodist  Epis- 
copal), located  at  Fayette,  in  Fayette 
County,  has  eleven  instructors  and  three 
hundred  and  fifty  students. 

Whittier  College,  at  Salem,  Henry 
County,  is  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Friends.  There  are  two  instructors  and 
sixty  pupils. 


When  Wisconsin  Territory  was  organ- 
ized in  1S36,  the  entire  population  of  that 
portion  of  the  Territory  now  embraced  in 
the  State  of  Iowa  was  10,531.  The  Terri- 
tory then  embraced  two  counties,  Dubuque 
and  Des  Moines,  erected  by  the  Territory 
of  Michigan  in  1S34.  Since  then  the 
counties  have  increased  to  ninety-nine,  and 
the  population  in  1880  was  1,624,463.  The 
following  table  will  show  the  population  at 
different  periods  since  the  erection  of  Iowa 
Territory  : 


Year.  Population 

1S3S 22,589 

1S40 43,115 

1S44 75.i'i2 

1S46 97,5^8 

1847 116,651 

1S49 152,988 

1S50 191,982 

1S51 204,774 

1S52 230,713 

1854 326,013 

1856 5'9.05.S 


Year  Population 

1859 638,775 

i860 ..    674,913 

1S63 701,732 

1865 750,699 

1867 902,040 

1S69 1,040,819 

1870 1,191,727 

1873   1.251,333 

1 875 1  366,000 

iSSo 1,624463 


The  most  populous  county  is  Dubuque — 
42,997.  Polk  County  has  42,395,  and  Scott, 
41,270.  Not  only  in  population,  but  in 
everything  contributing  to  the  growth  and 
greatness  of  a  State,  has  Iowa  made  rapid 
progress.  In  a  little  more  than  thirty-five 
years  its  wild  but  beautiful  prairies  have 
advanced  from  the  home  of  the  savage  to  a 
highly  civilized  commonwealth. 

The  first  railroad  across  the  State  was 
completed  to  Council  Bluffs  in  January, 
1 87 1.  The  completion  of  three  others  scon 
followed.  In  1854  there  was  not  a  mile  of 
railroad  in  Iowa.  Within  the  succeeding 
twenty  years,  3,765  miles  were  built  and 
put  in  successful  operation. 

The  present  value  of  buildings  for  our 
State  ins.titutions  is  as  follows : 


Stale  Capitol $2,500,000 

State  University.  400,000 
Agricultural  Col. 

and  Farm 300,000 

Inst,  for  the  Blind  150,000 
Institution  for  the 

Deaf  and  Dumb  225,000 


Institutions  for  the 

Insane $1,149,000 

Orphans' Hume..  62,000 
Penitentiaries....  408,000 
Normal  School. .  50,000 
Reform  School. .         90,000 


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158 


niSTORT    OF    IOWA. 


The  State  has  never  levied  more  than 
two  and  one-half  mills  on  the  dollar  for 
State  tax,  and  this  is  at  present  the  consti- 
tntional  limit. 

Iowa  has  no  State  debt.  Whatever  obli- 
gations have  been  incurred  in  the  past  have 
been  promptly  met  and  fully  paid.  Many 
of  the  counties  are  in  debt,  but  only  four  of 
them  to  an  amount  exceeding  $100,000  each. 
The  bonded  debt  of  the  counties  amounts 
in  the  aggregate  to  $2,592,222,  and  the  float- 
ing debt,  $153,456;  total,  $2,745,678. 

In  the  language  of  Judge  C.  C.  Noursc, 
we  feel  compelled  to  say  :  "  The  great  ulti- 
mate fact  that  America  would  demonstrate 
is,  the  existence  of  a  people  capable  of  at- 
taining and  preserving  a  superior  civiliza- 
tion, with  a  government  self-imposed,  self- 
administered  and  self-perpetuated.  In  this 
age  of  wonderful  progress,  America  can 
exhibit  nothing  to  the  world  of  mankind 
more  wonderful  or  more  glorious  than  her 
new  States — young  empires,  born  of  her 
own  enterprise  and  tutored  at  her  own 
political  hearth-stone.  Well  may  she  say 
to  the  monarchies  of  the  Old  World,  who 
look  for  evidence  of  her  regal  grandeur 
and  state,  '  Behold,  these  are  my  jewels !' 
and  may  she  never  blush  to  add,  '  This  one 
in  the  center  of  the  diadem  is  Iowa  !'  " 

PHYSICAL   FEATURES. 

Iowa,  in  the  highly  figurative  and  ex- 
pressive language  of  the  aborigines,  is  said 
to  signify  "  The  Beautiful  Land,"  and  was 
applied  by  them  to  this  magnificent  section 
of  the  country  between  the  two  great  rivers. 

The  general  shape  of  the  State  is  that  of 
a  rectangle,  the  northern  and  southern 
boundaries  being  due  east  and  west  lines, 
and  its  eastern  and  western  boundaries  de- 
termined by  southerly  flowing  rivers — the 
Mississippi  on  the  east  and  the  Missouri 
and  the  Big  Sioux  on  the  west.  The  width 
of  the  State  from  north  to  south  is  over  200 
miles,  being  from  tiic  jiarallel  of  43°  30'  to 


tliat  of  40°  36',  or  merely  three  degrees; 
but  this  does  not  include  the  small  angle  at 
the  southeast  corner.  The  length  of  the 
State  from  east  to  west  is  about  265  miles. 
The  area  is  55,044  square  miles,  nearly  all 
of  which  is  readily  tillable  and  highly  fer- 
tile. 

The  State  lies  wholly  within,  and  com- 
prises a  part  of  a  vast  plain,  and  there  is  no 
mountainous  or  even  hilly  country  within 
its  borders,  excepting  the  bluffs  of  the  larger 
rivers.  The  highest  point  is  near  Spirit 
Lake,  and  is  but  1,200  feet  above  the  lowest, 
which  is  in  the  southeast  corner,  and  is  444 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
The  average  descent  per  mile  between  these 
two  points  is  tour  feet,  and  that  from  Spirit 
Lake  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State, 
at  low-water  mark  of  the  Mississippi,  is  five 
feet  five  inches. 

It  has  been  estimated  that  about  seven- 
eighths  of  Iowa  was  prairie  when  the  white 
race  first  settled  here.  It  seems  to  be  a  set- 
tled point  in  science  that  the  annual  fires  of 
the  Indians,  prevented  this  western  country 
from  becoming  heavily  timbered. 

GEOLOGY. 

Geologists  divide  the  soil  of  Iowa  into 
three  general  divisions,  which  not  only 
possess  different  physical  characters,  but 
also  differ  in  the  mode  of  their  origin. 
These  are  drift,  bluff  and  alluvial  and  be- 
long respectively  to  the  deposits  bearing 
the  same  names.  The  drift  occupies  a 
much  larger  part  of  the  surface  of  the  State 
than  both  the  others.  The  bluff  has  the 
next  greatest  area  of  surface. 

All  soil  is  disintegrated  rock.  The  drift 
deposit  of  Iowa  was  derived  to  a  consider- 
able extent  from  the  rocks  of  Minnesota ; 
but  the  greater  part  was  derived  from  its 
own  rocks,  much  of  which  has  been  trans- 
ported but  a  short  distance.  In  Northern 
and  Northwestern  Iowa  the  drift  contains 
more  sand  and  ijravcl  than  elsewhere.     In 


HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


159 


Southern  Iowa  tlie  soil  is  frequently  stiff 
and  clayey.  The  bluff  soil  is  found  only  in 
the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  adjacent 
to  Missouri  River.  Although  it  contains 
less  than  i  per  cent,  of  clay  in  its  com- 
position, it  is  in  no  respect  inferior  to  the 
best  drift  soil.  The  alluvial  soil  is  that  of 
the  flood  plains  of  the  river  valleys,  or  bot- 
tom lands.  That  which  is  periodically 
flooded  by  the  rivers  is  of  little  value  for 
agricultural  purposes ;  but  a  large  part  of 
it  is  entirely  above  the  reach  of  the  highest 
flood,  and  is  very  productive. 

The  stratified  rocks  of  Iowa  range  from 
the  Azoic  to  the  Mesozoic,  inclusive ;  but 
the  greater  portion  of  the  surface  of  the 
State  is  occupied  by  those  of  the  Palaeozoic 
a"-e.  The  table  below  will  show  each  of 
these  formations  in  their  order: 


The  Sioux  quartzite,  in  the  azoic  system, 
is  found  exposed  in  natural  ledges  only 
upon  a  few  acres  in  the  extreme  northwest 
corner  of  the  State,  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Big  Sioux  River,  for  which  reason  the 
specific  name  of  Sioux  quartzite  has  been 
given  them.  It  is  an  intensely  hard  rock, 
breaks  in  splintery  fracture,  and  of  a  color 
varying,  in  different  localities,  from  a  light 
to  deep  red.  The  process  of  metamorphism 
has  been  so  complete  throughout  the  whole 
formation  that  the  rock  is  almost  every- 
where of  uniform  texture.  The  dip  is  four 
or  five  degrees  to  the  northward,  and  the 
trend  of  the  outcrop  is  eastward  and  west- 
ward. 

The  Potsdam  sandstone  formation  is  ex- 
posed only  in  a  small  portion  of  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  State.  It  is  only  to  be 
seen  in  the  bases  of  the  bluffs  and  steep 
valley  sides  which  border  the  river  thei-e. 
It  is  nearly  valueless  for  economic  purposes. 
No  fossils  have  been  discovered  in  this  for- 
mation in  Iowa. 

The  Lower  Magnesian  limestone  has  but 
little  greater  geographical  extent  in  Iowa 
than  the  Pots  Jam  sandstone.  It  lacks  a 
uniformity  of  texture  and  stratification,  ow- 
ing to  which  it  is  not  generally  valuable  for 
building  purposes. 

The  St.  Peter's  sandstone  formation  is 
remarkably  uniform  in  thickness  through- 
out its  known  geographical  extent,  and  it 
occupies  a  large  portion  of  the  northern 
half  of  Allamakee  County;  immediately  be- 
neath the  drift. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Trenton  lime- 
stone, all  the  limestones  of  both  Upper  and 
Lower  Silurian  age  in  Iowa  are  magnesian 
limestone.  This  formation  occupies  large 
portions  of  Winneshiek  and  Allamakee 
counties,  and  a  small  part  of  Clayton.  The 
greater  part  of  it  is  useless  for  economic 
purposes ;  but  there  are  some  compact, 
even  layers  that  furnish  fine  material  for 
window  caps  and  sills. 


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HlSTOItl-    OF    IOWA. 


The  Galena  limestone  is  the  upper  for- 
mation of  the  Trenton  Group.  It  is  150 
miles  long  and  seldom  exceeds  twelve  miles 
in  widtii.  It  exhibits  its  greatest  develop- 
ment in  Dubuque  County.  It  is  nearly  a 
pure  dolomite  with  a  slight  admixture  of 
silicious  matter ;  good  blocks  for  dressing 
are  sometimes  found  near  the  top  of  the 
bed,  although  it  is  usually  imfit  for  such  a 
purpose.  This  formation  is  the  source  of 
the  lead  ore  of  the  Dubuque  lead  mines. 
The  lead  region  proper  is  confined  to  an 
area  of  about  fifteen  miles  square  in  the 
vicinity  of  Dubuque.  The  ore  occurs  in 
vertical  fissures,  which  traverse  the  rock  at 
regular  intervals  from  east  to  west ;  some 
is  found  in  those  which  have  a  north  and 
south  direction.  This  ore  is  mostly  that 
known  as  galena,  or  sulphuret  of  lead,  very 
small  quantities  only  of  the  carbonate  being 
found  with  it. 

The  surface  occupied  b}'  the  Maquoketa 
shales  is  more  than  100  miles  in  length,  but 
is  singularly  long  and  narrow,  seldom  reach- 
ing moie  than  a  mile  or  two  in  width.  The 
most  northern  exposure  yet  recognized  is 
in  tlie  western  part  of  Winneshiek  Count}^, 
wliile  the  most  southerly  is  in  Jackson 
County,  in  the  bluffs  of  the  Mississippi. 
The  formation  is  largely  composed  of  bluish 
and  brownish  shales,  sometimes  slightly 
arenaceous,  sometimes  calcareous,  which 
weather  into  a  tenacious  clay  upon  the  sur- 
face, and  the  soil  derived  from  it  is  usually 
stiff  and  clayey. 

The  area  occupied  by  the  Niagara  lime- 
stone is  forty  and  fifty  miles  in  width  and 
nearly  160  miles  long  from  north  to  south. 
This  formation  is  entirely  a  magnesian  lime- 
stone, with  a  considerable  portion  of  sili- 
cious matter,  in  some  ])laces,  in  the  form  of 
chert  or  coarse  flint.  A  large  part  of  it 
probably  affords  the  best  and  greatest 
amount  of  cpiarry  rock  in  the  State.  The 
cpiarrics  at  Anamosa,  Le  Claire  and  Farle}' 
are  all  opened  in  this  lurniatioii. 


The  area  of  surface  occupied  by  the 
Hamilton  limestone  and  shales,  is  as  great 
as  those  by  all  the  formations  of  both  Upper 
and  Lower  Silurian  age  in  the  State.  Its 
length  is  nearly  200  miles,  and  width  from 
forty  to  fifty.  Portions  of  it  are  valuable 
for  economic  purposes  ;  and,  having  a  large 
geographical  extent  in  the  State,  is  a  very 
important  formation.  Its  value  for  the  pro- 
duction of  hydraulic  lime  has  been  demon- 
strated at  Waverly,  Bremer  County.  The 
heavier  and  more  uniform  magnesian  beds 
furnish  material  for  bridge  piers  and  other 
material  requiring  strength  and  durability. 
A  coral  occurs  near  Iowa  City,  known  as 
"  Iowa  City  marble"  and  "  bird's-eye  mar- 
ble." 

Of  the  three  groups  of  formations  that 
constitute  the  carboniferous,  viz.,  the  sub- 
carboniferous,  coal  measures  and  Permian, 
only  the  first  two  are  found  in  Iowa. 

The  Subcarboniferous  group  occupies  a 
very  large  area  of  surface.  Its  eastern 
border  passes  from  the  northeastern  part  of 
Winnebago  County,  with  considerable  di- 
rectness in  a  scnitheasterly  direction  to  the 
northern  part  of  Washington  County.  It 
then  makes  a  broad  and  direct  bend  nearly 
eastward,  striking  the  Mississippi  at  Mus- 
catine. The  southern  and  western  bound- 
aries are  to  a  considerable  extent  the  same 
as  that  which  separates  it  from  the  real 
field.  From  the  southern  part  of  Poca- 
hontas County  it  passes  southeast  to  Fort 
Dodge,  thence  to  Webster  City,  thence  to 
a  point  three  or  four  miles  northeast  of  El- 
dora,  in  Hardin  County,  tiience  southward 
to  the  middle  of  the  north  line  of  Jasper 
County,  thence  southeastward  to  Sigour- 
nev,  in  Keokuk  County,  thence  to  the  north- 
eastern corner  of  Jefferson  County,  thence 
sweeping  a  few  miles  eastward  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  Van  Buren  County.  Its  arc 
is  about  250  miles  long  and  from  twenty  to 
fift\-  miles  wide. 

The  most  southerly  exiiosurc  nl  the  Kin- 


HIS  TORT     OF    IOWA. 


i6i 


derhook  beds  is  in  Des  Moines  County, 
near  the  mouth  of  Skunk  River.  The  most 
northerly  now  known  is  in  the  eastern  part 
of  Pocahontas  County,  more  than  200  miles 
distant.  The  principal  exposures  of  this 
formation  are  along  the  bluffs  which  border 
the  Mississippi  and  Skunk  rivers,  where 
they  form  the  eastern  and  northern  bound- 
ary of  Des  Moines  County;  along  English 
River,  in  Washington  County  ;  along  the 
Iowa  River,  in  Tama,  Marshall,  Hamlin 
and  Franklin  counties,  and  along  the  Des 
Moines  River,  in  Humboldt  County.  This 
formation  has  a  considerable  economic 
value,  particularly  in  the  northern  portion 
of  the  region  it  occupies.  In  Pocahontas 
and  Humboldt  counties  it  is  invaluable,  as 
no  other  stone  except  a  few  boulders  are 
found  here.  At  Iowa  Falls  the  lower 
division  is  very  good  for  building  purposes. 
In  Marshall  County  all  the  limestone  to  be 
obtained  comes  from  this  formation,  and 
the  quarries  near  Le  Grand  are  very  valu- 
able. At  this  point  some  of  the  layers  are 
finely  veined  with  peroxide  of  iron,  and  are 
wrought  into  both  useful  and  ornamental 
objects.  In  Tama  Count}-  the  oolitic  mem- 
ber is  well  exposed,  where  it  is  manufact- 
ured into  lime.  Upon  exposure  to  atmos- 
phere and  frost  it  crumbles  to  pieces ; 
consequently  it  is  not  valuable  for  building 
purposes. 

The  Burlington  limestone  is  carried  down 
by  the  southerly  dip  of  the  Iowa  rocks,  so 
that  it  is  seen  for  the  last  time  in  this  State 
in  the  valley  of  Skunk  River,  near  the 
southern  boundary  of  Des  Moines  County ; 
it  has  been  recognized  in  the  northern  part 
of  Washington  County,  which  is  the  most 
northerly  point  that  it  has  been  found  ;  but 
it  probably  exists  as  far  north  as  Marshall 
County.  Much  valuable  material  is  afforded 
by  this  formation  for  economic  purposes. 
The  upper  division  furnishes  excellent  com- 
mon quarry  rock.  Geologists  are  attracted 
by  the  great  abundance  and   variety  of  its 


fossils — crinoids — now  known  to  be  more 
than  300. 

The  Keokuk  limestone  formation  is  to  be 
seen  only  in  four  counties  :  Lee,  Van  Buren, 
Henry  and  Des  Moines.  In  some  localities 
the  upper  silicious  portion  is  known  as  the 
Geode  bed  ;  it  is  not  recognizable  in  the 
northern  portion  of  the  formation,  nor  in 
connection  with  it  where  it  is  exposed, 
about  eighty  miles  below  Keokuk.  The 
geodes  of  the  Geode  bed  are  more  or  less 
masses  of  silex,  usually  hollow  and  lined 
with  cr3-stals  of  quartz  ;  the  outer  crust  is 
rough  and  unsightly,  but  the  crystals  which 
stud  the  interior  are  often  very  beautiful ; 
they  vary  in  size  from  the  size  of  a  walnut 
to  a  foot  in  diameter.  This  formation  is  of 
great  economic  value.  Large  quantities 
of  its  stone  have  been  used  in  the  finest 
structures  in  the  State,  among  which  are 
the  postoffices  at  Dubuque  and  Des  Moines. 
The  principal  quarries  are  along  the  banks 
of  the  Mississippi,  from  Keokuk  to  Nauvoo. 

The  St.  Louis  limestone  is  the  uppermost 
of  the  subcarboniferous  group  in  Iowa.  It 
occupies  a  small  superficial  area,  consisting 
of  long,  narrow  strips,  yet  its  extent  is  very 
great.  It  is  first  seen  resting  on  the  Geode 
division  of  the  Keokuk  limestone,  near  Keo- 
kuk ;  proceeding  northward,  it  forms  a 
narrow  border  along  the  edge  of  the  coal 
fields  in  Lee,  Des  Moines,  Henry,  Jeffer- 
son, Washington,  Keokuk  and  Mahaska 
counties;  it  is  then  lost  sight  of  until  it 
appears  again  in  the  banks  of  Boone  River, 
where  it  again  passes  out  of  view  under  the 
Coal  Measures,  until  it  is  next  seen  in  the 
banks  of  the  Des  Moines,  near  Fort  Dodge. 
As  it  exists  in  Iowa,  it  consists  of  three 
tolerably  distinct  sub-divisions  :  The  mag- 
nesian,  arenaceous  and  calcareous.  The 
upper  division  furnishes  excellent  material 
for  quicklime,  and  when  quarries  are  well 
opened,  as  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Van 
Buren  County,  large  blocks  are  obtained. 
The  sandstone,   or   middle   division,   is  of 


1 62 


HISTORT    OF    IOWA. 


little  value.  The  lower,  or  inagnesiaii  di- 
vision, furnishes  a  valuable  and  durable 
stone,  exposures  of  which  are  found  on  Lick 
Creek,  in  Van  Buren  County,  and  on  Long 
Creek,  seven  miles  west  of  Burlington. 

The  Coal  Measure  group  is  properly 
divided  into  three  formations,  viz.:  The 
Lower,  Middle  and  Upper  Coal  Measures, 
each  having  a  vertical  thickness  of  about 
200  feet.  The  Lower  Coal  Measures  exist 
eastward  and  northward  of  the  Dcs  Moines 
River,  and  also  occupy  a  large  area  west- 
ward and  southward  of  that  river,  but  their 
southerly  dip  passes  them  below  the  Middle 
Coal  Measures  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  river.  This  formation  possesses  greater 
economic  value  than  any  other  in  the  whole 
State.  Tiie  cla^-  that  underlies  almost  every 
bed  of  coal  furnishes  a  large  amount  of  ma- 
terial for  potter's  use.  The  sandstone  of 
these  measures  is  usually  soft  and  unfit,  but 
in  some  places,  as  in  Red  Rock  in  Marion 
County,  blocks  of  large  dimensions  are  ob- 
tained, which  make  good  building  material, 
samples  of  which  can  be  seen  in  the  State 
Arsenal,  at  Des  Moines. 

The  Upper  Coal  Measures  occupy  a 
very  large  area,  coniprismg  thirteen  whole 
counties,  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
State.  By  its  northern  and  eastern  bound- 
aries it  adjoins  the  area  occupied  by  the 
Middle  Coal  Measures. 

The  next  strata  in  the  geological  series 
are  of  the  Cretaceous  age.  They  are  found 
in  tlic  western  half  of  the  State,  and  do  not 
dip,  as  do  all  the  other  formations  upon 
wiiich  they  rest,  to  the  southward  and  west- 
ward, but  have  a  general  dip  of  their  own 
to  the  north  of  westward,  which,  however, 
is  very  slight.  vVlthough  the  actual  e.v- 
posuresof  cretaceous  rocks  are  few  in  Iowa, 
there  is  reason  to  believe  that  nearly  all  the 
western  half  of  the  State  was  originally 
occupied  by  them  ;  but  they  have  been 
removed  by  denudation,  which  has  taken 
place  at  two  separate  periods. 


The  Nishnabotany  sandstone  has  the  most 
easterly  and  southerly  extent  of  the  cre- 
taceous deposits  of  Iowa,  reaching  the 
southeastern  part  of  Guthrie  County  and 
the  southern  part  of  Montgomery  County. 
To  the  northward,  it  passes  beneath  the 
Woodbury  sandstones  and  shales,  the  latter 
passing  beneath  the  chalky  beds.  This 
sandstone  is,  with  few  exceptions,  valueless 
for  economic  purposes. 

Tiie  chalk}-  beds  rest  upon  the  Wood- 
bury sandstone  and  shales.  They  have  not 
been  observed  in  Iowa  exce]it  in  the  bluffs 
which  bcirdcr  the  Big  Sioux  River  in  Wood- 
bury and  Plymouth  counties.  Tiie}-  are 
composed  almost  entirel}'  of  calcareous  ma- 
terial, the  upper  portion  of  which  is  exten- 
sively used  for  lime.  No  building  material 
can  be  obtained  from  these  beds,  and  the 
only  value  they  possess,  except  lime,  are 
the  marls,  which  at  some  time  may  be  use- 
ful on  the  soil  of  the  adjacent  region. 

Extensive  beds  of  peat  exist  in  Northern 
Middle  Iowa,  which,  it  is  estimated,  contain 
the  following  areas:  Cerro  Gordo  Count}', 
1,500  acres;  Worth,  2,000;  Winnebago,  2,- 
000;  Hancock,  1,500;  Wright,  500;  Kos- 
suth, 700;  Dickinson,  80.  Several  other 
counties  contain  peat  beds,  but  the  peat  is 
inferior  to  that  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State.  The  beds  are  of  an  average  depth 
of  four  feet.  It  is  estimated  that  each  acre 
of  these  beds  will  furnish  250  tons  of  dry 
fuel  for  each  foot  in  depth.  At  present 
this  peat  is  not  utilized  ;  but  owing  to  its 
great  distance  from  the  coal  fields  and  the 
absence  of  timber,  the  time  is  coming  when 
its  value  will  be  fully  realized. 

The  only  sulphate  of  the  alkaline  earths 
of  any  economic  value  is  gypsum,  and  it 
may  be  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Dodge 
in  Webster  County.  The  deposit  occupies 
a  nearly  central  position  in  the  county,  the 
Des  Moines  River  running  nearly  centrally 
through  it,  along  the  valley  sides  of  which 
the  gvpsuni  is  seen  in  the  form  of  oidinary 


HISTORT    OF    /OirA. 


i<^3 


rock  cliff  and  ledges,  and  also  occiuring 
abundantly  in  similar  positions  along  both 
sides  of  the  valleys  of  the  smaller  streams 
and  of  the  numerous  ravines  coming  into 
the  river  valley.  The  most  northerly  known 
limit  of  the  deposit  is  at  a  point  near  the 
mouth  of  Lizard  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the 
Dcs  Moines  River  and  almost  adjoining  the 
town  of  Fort  Dodge.  Tiie  most  southerly 
point  at  which  it  has  been  exposed  is  about 
six  miles,  by  way  of  the  river,  from  the 
northerly  point  mentioned.  The  width  of 
the  area  is  unknown,  as  the  g^-psum  be- 
comes lost  beneath  the  overlying  drift,  as 
one  goes  up  the  ravines  and  minor  valleys. 

On  either  side  of  the  creeks  and  ravines 
which  come  into  the  valley  of  the  Des 
Moines  River,  the  gypsum  is  seen  jutting 
out  from  beneath  the  drift  in  the  form  of 
ledges  and  bold  quarry  fronts,  having  al- 
most the  exact  appearance  of  ordinary  lime- 
stone exposures,  so  horizontal  and  regular 
its  lines  of  stratification,  and  so  similar  in 
color  is  it  to  some  varieties  of  that  rock. 
The  principal  quarries  now  opened  are  on 
Two  Mile  Creek,  a  couple  of  miles  below 
Fort  Dodge. 

Epsomite,  or  native  Epsom  salts,  having 
been  discovered  near  Burlington,  all  the 
suli)hatcs  of  alkaline  earths  of  natural  origin 
have  been  recognized  in  Iowa,  all  except 
Ihc  sulphate  of  lime  being  in  very  small 
quantity. 

Sulphate  of  lime  in  the  various  forms  of 
fibrous  gypsum,  sclenite  and  small,  amor- 
phous masses,  has  also  been  discovered  in 
various  formations  in  different  parts  of  the 
State,  including  the  Coal  Measure  shales 
near  Fort  Dodge,  where  it  exists  in  small 
quantities,  quite  independently  of  the  great 
gypsum  of  deposit  there.  The  quantity  of 
gypsum  in  these  minor  deposits  is  always 
too  small  to  be  of  any  practical  value, 
usually  occurring  in  shales  and  shaly  clays, 
associated  with  strata  that  contain  more  or 
less  sulphuret  of  iron.     Gypsum   has  thus 

15 


been  detected  in  the  Coal  Measures,  the  St. 
Louis  limestone,  the  Cretaceous  strata,  and 
also  in  the  dead  caves  of  Dubuque. 

Sulphate  of  strontia  is  found  at  Fort 
Dodge. 

CLIMATE. 

The  greatest  objection  to  the  climate  of 
this  State  is  the  prevalence  of  wind,  which 
is  somewhat  greater  than  in  tlic  States  south 
and  east,  but  not  so  great  as  farther  west. 
The  air  is  purer  than  either  cast  or  south, 
as  indicated  by  the  bluer  sky  and  conse- 
quent deeper  green  vegetation,  and  is 
therefore  more  bracing.  By  way  of  con- 
trast, Northern  Illinois  has  a  whiter  sky 
and  a  consequent  more  yellowish  green 
vegetation. 

The  prevailing  direction  of  the  wiaid  is 
from  the  west. 

Thunder-storms  are  somewhat  more  vio- 
lent here  than  east  or  south,  but  not  so 
furious  as  toward  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
The  greatest  rainfall  is  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  State,  and  the  least  in  the  north- 
western portion.  The  increase  of  timber 
growth  is  increasing  the  amount  of  rain,  as 
well  as  distributing  it  more  evenly  through- 
out the  year.  As  elsewhere  in  the  North- 
western States,  easterly  winds  bring  rain 
and  snow,  while  westerly  ones  clear  the  sk}^ 
While  the  highest  temperature  occurs  here 
in  August,  the  month  of  July  averages  the 
hottest,  and  January  the  coldest.  The  mean 
temperature  of  April  and  October  nearlv 
corresponds  to  the  mean  temperature  of 
the  year,  as  well  as  to  the  seasons  of  spring 
and  fall,  while  that  of  summer  and  winter 
is  best  represented  by  August  and  Decem- 
ber. Indian  summer  is  delightful  and  well 
prolonged.  Untimely  frosts  sometimes  oc- 
cur, but  seldom  severel}'  enough  to  do 
great  injury.  The  wheat  crop  being  a 
staple  product  of  this  State,  and  not  injured 
at  all  by  frost,  this  great  resource  of  the 
State  continues  intact. 


l64 


HIST  OUT    OF    IOWA. 


CENSUS    OF   IOWA. 


COUNTIES. 


Adair 

Adams 

Allamakee 

Appanoose   . . . 

Audubon 

Benton 

Black  Hawk.. 

Boone 

Bremer 

Buchanan 

Buena  Visla.. . 

Butler 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Cedar 

Cerro  Gordo. . 

Cherokee 

Chickasaw. . . . 

Clarke 

Clay 

Clayton 

Clinton 

Crawford 

Dallas 

Davis 

Decatur , 

Delaware 

Des  Moines.. . 

Dickinson 

Dubuque 

Emmett 

Fayette , 

Floyd 

Franklin 

Fremont 

Greene 

Grundy 

Guthrie 

Hamilton 

Hancock 

Hardhi 

Harri^^on 

Henry 

Howard 

HnnilioUlt 

Ida...     

Iowa 

Jackson 

Jasper 

Jefterson 

Johnson 

Jones 

Keokuk 

Kossuth 

I.ee   .. 

Linn 

Louisa 

Lucas 

Lyon 

Madison 

Mahaska 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mills 


1850 


777 
3,131 


672 
13.S 

735 


517 


3,9  ( I 


709 


3,^73 

2^22 

'  '  '854 
7,26^ 

9f'5 

1,759 

12,988 

10,841 

""S25 


1,244 


8,705 


822 
7,210 
1,280 
9.904 
4.472 
3,<J"7 
4,822 

'i  8,86 1 

.5,444 

4,939 

47" 


i,>79 

5  989 

5,482 

338 


i860. 

1870. 

9S4 

3,982 

1,533 

4,614 

12,237 

17,868 

11,931 

16,456 

454 

1,212 

8,496 

22,454 

8,244 

21,706 

4,232 

14.5S4 

4,915 

12,52b 

7,906 

17,034 

57 

1,585 

3,724 

9,951 

147 

1,602 

281 

2,451 

I,6l2 

5.464 

12,949 

■9.73' 

940 

4,722 

58 

',967 

4.336 

10,  iSo 

5,427 

8,735 

52 

1,523 

20,728 

27,77' 

18,938 

35.357 

383 

2,530 

5,244 

12,019 

13.764 

15.565 

8,677 

12,018 

11,024 

17,432 

19,611 

27,256 

I  So 

1,389 

31,164 

38,969 

lO? 

1,392 

12,073 

16,973 

3.744 

10,768 

1,309 

4,738 

5,074 

",'74 

1.374 

4,627 

793 

6,399 

3,058 

7,061 

1,699 

6,055 

'79 

999 

5,440 

13,684 

3.621 

8.93" 

18,701 

21,463 

3,i6S 

6,282 

332 

2,596 

43 

226 

8,029 

16,664 

'8,493 

22,619 

9,883 

22,116 

15.03S 

17,839 

'7.573 

24,898 

13,306 

19.731 

13,271 

19434 

416 

3.35' 

29,232 

37,2 'o 

18,947 

28,852 

10,370 

'2,8-7 

5,766 

10,388 

221 

7,.339 

13,884 

14,816 

22,508 

16813 

24,436 

6,015 

17,576 

4,481 

8,718 

1880. 


11,199 

11,188 

19.791 
16,636 

7,448 
24,888 

23.913 
20,838 

14,081 

18,547 

7,537 

14,293 

5  595 
12,35' 
16,943 
1 8  937 
1  ',461 

8,240 

i4,.534 
11,512 

4.248 
28,829 

36,764 
12,413 
18,746 
16,468 
15,336 
17,952 
33,099 
1,901 

42,997 

1,550 

22,258 

14,677 
10,248 

'7,653 
12,725 
12,639 
14,863 
11,252 
3.453 
17,808 
i6,6.|9 
20,826 
10,837 

6,341 

4,382 
19,221 

23,771 
25,962 
'7.478 
25,429 
21,052 
21,259 
6,179 
.34,859 
37,235 
13,146 

1 4, .'.30 
1,968 

17.225 
25,201 
25,111 
23,752 
14,135 


COUNTIES. 


Mitchell 

Monona 

Monroe 

Montgomery. . . . 

Muscatine 

O'Brien 

Osceola 

Page 

Palo  Alto 

Plymouth.   

Pocahontas 

Polk 

Pottawattamie. . . 

Poweshiek 

Ringgold 

Sac 

Scott 

Shelby   

Sioux 

Storv 

Taina 

Taylor 

Union 

Van   Buren 

Wapello 

Warren 

Washington...     . 

Wayne 

Webster 

Winnebago 

Winneshiek 

Woodbury 

Worth...'. 

Wrieht 


Total 192,214 


1850. 


2.SS4 
5,73' 


55' 


4,513 
7,828 

615 


5,986 


8 
204 

12,270 

8,471 
961 

4,957 
340 


546 


i860. 


3.409 

c^32 

8,612 

1,256 

16,444 

8 


4,419 

132 

14S 

103 

11,625 

4.968 

5,668 

2.923 
246 

25.959 

818 

10 

4,05' 

5.285 

3,590 

2,012 

17,081 

14,5 '8 

10,281 

14,235 
6,409 

2,504 

1 68 

13,942 

','  '9 

7.56 

653 


1870. 


9,582 
3,654 

'2,724 
5,934 

21,688 

715 


1880. 


9,975 
1,336 
2,199 
1,446 

27,857 

16,893 

15,581 

5,691 

1,411 

38,509 

2,549 

570 

11,65' 

16,131 

6,989 

5,986 

17,67 

22,346 

17,980 

18,952 

11,287 

10,484 

',,562 

2.1,570 

6,172 

2,892 

2,392 


674.913  1, '91.792  1,624,463 


14,361 
9,055 
i3,7'9 
15,895 
23,168 

4,155 

2,219 

19,667 

4,131 
8,567 
3,7 '3 
42.,395 
39.846 
18,9.36 
1 2,085 

8,77^ 
41,270 
12,696 

5,426 
16,966 
21,585 
15,635 
14,980 
17,042 
25,282 
19.578 
20,375 
16,127 
15.9.50 

4,917 
23,937 
'4,997 

7,953 

5,062 


TERRITORIAL    OFFICERS. 

Governors. — Robert  Lucas,  1838-41;  John 
Chamber,  i84i-'45  ;  James  Clark,  1S45. 

SccrctariiS. — Wm.  B.  Conway,  183S,  died 
1839;  James  Clark,  1839-41;  O.  H.  W. 
Stull,  1841-43;  Samuel  J.  Burr,  1843-45; 
Jesse  Williams,   1S45. 

Auditors. — Jesse  Williams,  1840-43;  Will- 
iam L.  Gilbert,  1843-45;  Robert  M.  Secrest, 
1845. 

Treasurers. — Thornton  Baylie,  1839-40; 
Morgan  Reno,   1840. 

Judges. — Charles  Mason,  Chief  Justice. 
1838;  Joseph  Williams,  1838;  Thomas  S. 
Wilson,   1838. 

Presidents  of  Council. — Jesse  B.  Brown, 
1838-49;  Stephen  Hempstead,  1839-40;  M. 
Bainridge,  i840-'4i;  J.  W.  Parker,  1841-42; 
John  D.  Elbert.   i842-'43  ;    Thomas   Cox, 


HISTORY    OF    lO^VA. 


165 


1 843-'44;  S.  Clinton  Hasting,  1845;  Stephen 
Hempstead,  i845-'46. 

Speakers  of  tlic  House. — William  H.  Wal- 
lace, i838-'39;  Edward  Johnson,  1839-40; 
Thomas  Cox,  i840-'3i  ;  Warner  Lewis, 
i84i-'42;  James  M.  Morgan,  1842-43;  James 
P.  Carleton,  i843-'44;  James  M.  Morgan, 
1845  ;  George  W.  McLear\',  1845-46. 

STATE    OFKICERS. 

Governors.  —  Ansel  Briggs,  i846-'50; 
Stephen  Hempstead,  i85o-'54:  James  W. 
Grimes,  i854-'58;  Ralph  P.  Lowe,  1858- 
'60;  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood,  i86o-'64 ;  Will- 
iam M.  Stone,  i864-'68;  Samuel  Morrill, 
i868-'72;  Cyrus  C.  Carpenter,  i872-'76; 
Samuel  J.  Kirkwood,  i876-'77;  J-  G.  New- 
bold,  1877-78;  John  H.  Gear,  1878-82; 
Buren  R.  Sherman,  iS82-'S6  ;  William  Lar- 
rabee,  1886. 

Lieutenant-Governors. — Oran  Faville,  1858- 
'60;  Nicholas  J.  Rusch,  i86o-'62;  John  R. 
Needham,  i862-'64;  Enoch  W.  Eastman, 
i864-'66;  Benjamin  F.  Gue,  i866-'68  ;  John 
Scott,  i868-'7o;  M.  M.  Walden,  i87o-'72  ; 
H.  C.  Bulls,  i872-'74;  Joseph  Dysart, 
i874-'76;  Joshua  G.  Newbold,  i876-'78; 
Frank  T.  Campbell,  1878-82;  Orlando  H. 
Manning,  1882-S5  ;  John  A.  T.  Hull,   1886. 

This  office  was  created  by  the  new  con- 
stitution Sept.  3,  1857. 

Secretaries  of  State. — Elisha  Cutter,  Jr., 
i846-'48;  Joseph  H.  Bonne}',  i848-'5o; 
George  W.  McClear}-,  i85o-'56;  Elijah 
Sells,  i856-'63;  James  Wright,  i863-'67 ; 
Ed.  Wright,  1867-73  ;  Josiah  T.  Young, 
1873-79;  J.  A.  T.  Hull,  i879-'85;  Franklin 
D.  Jackson,  1SS5. 

Auditors  of  State. — Joseph  T.  Fales, 
i846-'5o;  William  Pattee,  iS5o-'54;  Andrew 
J.  Stevens,  i854-'55  ;  John  Pattee,  i855-'59  ; 
Jonathan  W.  Cattell,  i859-'6s  ;  John  A. 
Elliott,  1865-71;  John  Russell,  i87i-'75  ; 
Buren  R.  Sherman,  1875-81;  Wm.  V. 
Lucas,  1881  ;  John  L.  Brown,  i882-*83  ;  J. 
VV.  Cattell,  acting,  i885-'86. 


Treasurers  of  State. — Morgan  Reno, 
i846-'5o;  Israel  Kister,  i85o-'52  ;  ALirtin  L. 
Morris,  i852-'59;  John  W.  Jones,  i859-'63  ; 
William  H.  Holmes,  i863-'67;  Samuel  E. 
Rankin,  i867-'73 ;  William  Christy,  1873- 
'77  ;  George  W.  Bemis,  i877-'8i  ;  Edwin 
H.  Conger,  i88i-'85  ;  Voltaire  Twombly, 
1885. 

Attorney-Generals.  —  David  C.  Cloud, 
iS53-'56;  Samuel  A.  Rice,  i856-'6o;  Charles 
C.  Nourse,  i86o-'64;  Isaac  L.  Allen,  1865- 
'66;  Frederick  E.  Bissell,  i866-'67;  Henry 
O'Connor,  i867-'72;  Marcena  E.  Cutts, 
i872-'76;  John  F.  Mcjunkin,  i877-'8i  ; 
Smith  McPherson,  iS8i-'85  ;  A.  J.  Baker, 
1885. 

Adjutant-Generals. — Daniel  S.  Lee,  1851- 
'55;  George  W.  McCleary,  i855-'57;  Eli- 
jah Sells,  1857;  Jesse  Bowen,  i857-'6i  ;  Na- 
thaniel Baker,  i86i-'77;  John  H.  Looby, 
1877-78;  W.  L,  Alexander,  i878-'84. 

Registers  of  t lie  State  Land-Office. — Anson 
Hart,  1855-57  ;  Theodore  S.  Parvin,  1857- 
'59;  Amos  B.  Miller,  i859-'62  ;  Edwin 
Mitchell,  i862-'63;  Josiah  A.  Harvey, 
i863-'67  ;  Cyrus  C.  Carpenter,  i867-'7i ; 
Aaron  Brown,  i87i-'75 ;  David  Secor, 
i875-'79  ;  J.  K.  Powers,   i879-'82.* 

Superintendents  of  Public  Instruction. — 
James  Harlan,  i847-'48;  Thos.  H.  Benton, 
Jr.,  i848-'54;  James  D.  Fads,  i854-'57, 
Joseph  C.  Stone,  1857;  Maturin  L.  Fisher, 
i857-'58;  Oran  Faville,  iS64-'67;  D.Frank- 
lin Wells,  i867-'68  ;  A.  S.  Kissell,  i868-'72; 
Alonzo  Abernethy,  i872-'76;  Carl  W. 
Van  Coelen,  i876-'82;  John  W.  Akers, 
1882-84. 

This  office  was  created  in  1S47  and  abol- 
ished in  1858,  and  the  duties  then  devolved 
upon  the  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion; it  was  re-created  March  23,  1S64. 

State  Printers. — Garrett  D.  Palmer  and 
George  Paul,  i849-'5i  ;  William  H.  Merritt, 
i85i-'53;  William  A.  Hornish,   1853  ;  Den- 

*OlHcL-  abolished  January  i,  1SS3,  and  duties  devolved 
on  the  Secretary  of  State 


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HISTORY    OF    IOWA. 


nis  A.  Mahoney  and  Joseph  B.  Dorr,  1853- 
'55;  Peter  Moriarty,  i855-'57  ;  John  Tees- 
dale,  i857-'6i  ;  Francis  W.  Pahner,  1861- 
'69;  Frank  M.  Mills,  i869-'7i  ;  G.  W.  Ed- 
wards, 1 87 1 -'73  :  Rich.  P.  Clarkson,  1873- 
'79;  Frank  M.  Mills,  i879-'Si  ;  Geo.  E. 
Roberts,  1S81. 

State  Binders. — William  M.  Coles,  1855- 
'58;  Frank  M.  Mills,  i858-'67  ;  James  S. 
Carter,  i867-'7i  ;  J.J.  Smart,  iS7i-'75  ;  H. 
A.  Perkins,  1875-79  ;  Matt.  Parrott,  1879- 
'85;  L.  S.  Merchant,  18S5. 

Secretaries  of  Board  of  Education. — T. 
H.  Benton,  Jr.,  i859-'63 ;  Oran  Faville, 
i863-'64. 

This  office  was  abolished  March  23,  1864. 

Presidents  of  the  Senate. — Thomas  Baker, 
i846-'47;  Thomas  Hnghes,  1847-48;  John  J. 
Selman,  1848-49;  Enos  Lowe,  i849-'5i  ; 
Wm.  E.  Leffingwell,  i85i-'53;  Maturn  L. 
Fisher,  i853-'55  ;  Wm.  \V.  Hamilton,    1855- 

'57. 

Under  the  new  Constitution  the  Lieuten- 
ant-Governor is  President  of  the  Senate. 

Speakers  of  the  House. — Jesse  B.  Brown, 
i846-'48;  Smilc}^  H.  Bonham,  i848-'50; 
George  Temple,  i850-'52 ;  James  Grant, 
i852-'54;  Reuben  Noble,  1854-56;  Samuel 
McFarland,  1856-57;  Stephen  B.  Sheledy, 
i857-'59;  John  Edwards,  i859-'6i  ;  Rush 
Clark,  1861-63;  Jacob  Butler,  1863-65;  Ed. 
Wright,  i865-'67;  John  Russell,  i867-"69; 
Aylett  R.  Cotton,  1 869-7 1  ;  James  Wilson, 
i87i-'73;  John  H.  Geer,  1873-77  ;  John  Y. 
Stone,  1877-79;  Lore  Alford,  i88o-'8i  ;  G. 
R.  Struble,  i882-'83 ;  Wm.  P.  Wolf,  1884; 
Albert  Head,  1886. 

Chief  justices  of  the  Supreme  Court. — 
Charles  ^L^son,  1847;  Joseph  Williams, 
1847-48;  S.  Clinton  Hastings,  1848-49; 
Joseph  Williams,  1849-55  ;  George  G. 
Wright,  i855-'6o;  I^alph  P.  Lowe,  i86o-'62; 
Caleb  Baldwin,  i862-'64;  George  G. 
Wright,  i864-'66;  Ralph  P.  Lowe,  1866- 
'68;   John  F.   Dillon,  1868-70 ;  Chester  C. 


Cole,  1870-71;  James  G.  Day,  1871-72; 
Joseph  M.  Beck,  1872-74;  W.  E  Miller, 
1874-76;  Chester  C.  Cole,  1876;  Wm.  H. 
See  vers,  1876-77  ;  James  G.  Day,  1877-78; 
James  H.  Rothrock,  1878-83  and  '84; 
Joseph  M.  Beck,  i879-'8o  and  '85  ;  Austin 
Adams,  i8So-'8i  and  '86;  Wm.  H.  Seevers, 
1882. 

Associate  Justices. — Joseph  Williams,  held 
over  from  territorial  government  until  a 
successor  was  appointed  ;  Thomas  S.  Wil- 
son, 1847;  John  F.  Kinney,  iS47-'54;  George 
Greene,  iS47-'55;  Jonathan  C.  Hall,  1854- 
'55;  William  G.Woodward,  1855  ;  Norman 
W.  Isbell,  i855-'56;  Lacon  D.  Stockton, 
1856-60;  Caleb  Baldwin,  1860-64;  Ralph 
P.  Lowe,  i860;  George  G.  Wright,  i860; 
John  F.  Dillon,  i864-'7o;  Chester  C.  Cole, 
1864-77;  Joseph  M.  Beck,  1868;  W.  E. 
Miller,  1870;  James  G.  Day,  1870. 

United  States  Senators.  —  Augustus  C. 
Dodge,  1 848-' 5  5  ;  George  W.  Jones,  1848- 
'59;  James  Harlan,  i855-'65  ;  James  W. 
Grimes,  i859-'69;  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood, 
1866;  James  Harlan,  i867-'73;  James  B. 
Howell,  1870;  George  G.  Wright,  1S71- 
'jj;  William  B.  Allison,  1873-79;  Samuel 
J.  Kirkwood,  1877-81;  Wm.  B.  Allison, 
i879-'85;  James  W.  McDill,  1881  ;  James 
F.  Wilson,  1883. 

Present  State  Officers  (1886). — Governor, 
William  Larrabee  ;  Secretary  of  State, 
Frank  D.  Jackson ;  Auditor  of  State,  J.  W. 
Cattell,  acting ;  Treasurer,  Voltaire  Twom- 
bly ;  Superintendent  Public  Instruction, 
John  W.  Akers ;  Printer,  George  E.  Rob- 
erts ;  Binder,  L.  S.  Merchant ;  Adjutant- 
General,  W.  L.  Alexander-  Librarian,  Mrs. 
S.  B.  Maxwell. 

Supreme  Court.  —  William  H.  Seevers, 
Chief  Justice,  Oskaloosa ;  James  G.  Day, 
Sidney,  James  H.  Rothrock,  Tijjton,  Joseph 
M.  Beck,  Fort  ^Ladison,  Austin  Adams, 
Dubuque,  Judges;  A.  J.  Baker,  .Hforney- 
General. 


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ROBERT    LUCAS. 


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OBERT  LUCAS,  the  first 
Governor  of  Iowa  Tcr- 
m,  ritory,  was  the  fourth 
'"|%*  son  and  ninth  child  of 
William  and  Susan. 
ri^:^\ HCj-^A '^Wk'  i  nah  Lucas,  and  was 
%!',;"«'/' "^^'^^-J^^^-'  born  April  i,  1781, 
in  Jefferson  Valley, 
at  Shepherdstown,  Jefferson 
County,  Virginia,  a  few  miles 
from  Harper's  Ferry,  where  his 
ancestors  settled  before  the  Rev- 
olution. His  father,  who  was 
descended  from  William  Penn, 
was  born  January  iS,  1743,  and 
his  mother,  of  Scotch  extrac- 
tion, was  born  October  S,  1745. 
They  were  married  about  the 
year  1760,  and  reared  a  faniil)'  of  six  sons 
and  six  daughters.  His  father,  who  had 
served  as  a  Captain  in  the  Continental  army 
during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  had 
distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Bloody 
Run,  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Scioto 
County,  Ohio,  early  in  the  present  century. 
At  the  time  of  this  removal  Robert  was 
a  young  man.  He  had  obtained  his  educa- 
tion chieffv  in  Virginia,  from  an  old  Scotch 
schoolmaster  named  McMuUen,  who  taught 
him  mathematics  and  surveying.  The  latter 
afforded  him  remunerative  employment  im- 
mediately upon  his  entrance  into  Ohio. 

He  was  married  at  Portsmouth,  Ohio, 
April  3,  1810,  to  Elizabeth  Brown,  who  died 
October  18, 18 1 2,  leaving  an  infant   daugh- 


ter, who  afterward  became  Mrs.  Minerva 
E.  B.  Sumner.  March  7,  1816,  he  formed 
a  second  matrimonial  connection  ;  this  time 
with  Friendly  A.  Sumner,  who  bore  to  him 
four  sons  and  three   daughters. 

The  first  public  office  held  by  Robert 
Lucas  was  that  of  County  Surveyor  of  Sci- 
oto Countv,  the  commission  from  Governor 
Edward  Tiffin,  of  Ohio,  appointing  him  such 
being  dated  December  26,  1803.  Decem- 
ber 16,  1805,  he  was  commissioned  by 
Governor  Tiffin  justice  of  the  peace  for 
three  years.  His  first  military  appointment 
was  that  of  Lieutenant  of  militia,  by  virtue 
of  which  he  was  authorized  to  raise  twenty 
men  to  assist  in  filling  Ohio's  quota  of  500 
volunteers  called  for  by  the  President  in 
view  of  possible  difficulties  with  the  Spanish. 
He  was  subsequently  promoted  through 
all  the  military  grades  to  Major  Gen- 
eral of  Ohio  militia,  which  latter  rank  was 
conferred  upon  him  in  1818. 

He  was  a  Brigadier-General  on  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  of  1S12,  and  had 
much  to  do  with  raising  troops.  He  was 
appointed  a  Captain  in  the  regular  army, 
but  before  his  commission  reached  him  he 
was  already  in  active  service,  scouting, 
spying,  carrying  a  musket  in  the  ranks  and 
in  other  useful  capacities.  After  Hull's 
surrender  he  was  paroled  and  returned  to 
Ohio.  He  was  in  the  course  of  time  made 
a  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  then  a  Colonel, 
from  which  position  he  resigned. 

He  served  in  numerous  civil  offices   in 


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GOVERNOIiS     OF    IOWA. 


Ohio,  and  at  the  time  of  his  second  marriage, 
ill  1816,  he  was  and  had  been  for  some  time 
a  member  of  the  Ohio  Legislature,  serving 
successively  for  nineteen  years  in  one  or  the 
other  branch,  and  in  the  course  of  his  leg- 
islative career  presiding  over  first  one 
and  then  the  other  branch.  In  1820  and 
again  in  1828,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the 
Presidential  electors  of  Ohio.  In  May, 
1832,  at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  he  presided 
over  the  first  Democratic  National  Con- 
vention— that  which  nominated  Andrew 
Jackson  for  his  second  term  as  President, 
and  Martin  Van  Buren  for  Vice  Presi- 
dent. In  1832  he  was  elected  Governor 
of  Ohio,  and  re-elected  in  1S34.  He  declined 
a  third  nomination  for  the  same  office. 

Under  the  act  of  Congress  to  divide  tne 
Territory  of  Wisconsin  and  to  establish  the 
territorial  government  of  Iowa,  approved 
June  12,  1838,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
appointed  Governor  of  the  new  Territory, 
and  he  immediately  accepted  the  responsi- 
bility. A  journe}'  from  the  interior  of  Ohio 
to  the  banks  of  the  Upper  Mississippi  was 
then  a  matter  of  weeks ;  so  that,  although 
Governor  Lucas  set  out  from  his  home  on 
the  25th  of  July,  delaying  on  his  route 
a  few  days  at  Cincinnati,  to  arrange  for  the 
selection  of  the  books  for  a  territorial 
library,  it  was  not  till  nearly  the  middle  of 
August  that  he  reached  Burlington,  then 
the  temporary  seat  of  government. 

The  first  official  act  of  Lucas  as  Gov- 
ernor of  Iowa  was  to  issue  a  proclamation 
dated  August  13,  1838,  dividing  the  Terri- 
tor)'  into  eight  representative  districts,  ap- 
portioning the  members  of  the  Council  and 
House  of  Representatives  among  the  nine- 
teen counties  then  composing  the  Terri- 
tory, and  appointing  the  second  Monday 
in  September  ensuing  for  the  election  of 
members  of  the  Legislative  Assembly  and 
a  delegate  to  Congress.  His  first  message 
to  the  Legislature,  after  its  organization, 
was  dated  November  12,  1838,  and  related 


chiefly  to  a  code  of  laws  for  tiie  new  com- 
monwealth. He  opposed  imprisonment  for 
debt,  favored  the  death  penalty  for  murder 
(executions  to  be  in  the  presence  of  only 
the  Sheriff  and  a  suitable  number  of  wit- 
nesses), and  strenuously  urged  the  organi- 
zation of  a  liberal  system  of  common 
schools.  The  organization  of  the  militia 
was  also  one  of  his  pet  measures.  There 
was  a  broad  difference  between  the  views 
of  a  majority  of  this  Legislative  Assembly 
and  the  Governor,  on  many  questions  of 
public  policy,  as  well  as  points  of  authority. 
This  resulted  in  the  sending  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  a  memorial,  dated  January  12,  1839, 
signed  by  eight  of  the  council  and  seven 
of  the  Representatives,  praying  the  re- 
moval of  Governor  Lucas.  In  addition  to 
this,  a  memorial  for  the  Governor's  re- 
moval was  passed  by  both  Houses,  signed 
in  due  form  by  their  presiding  officers,  and 
transmitted  to  the  President.  The  charges 
made  were  met  by  a  protest  signed  by 
eight  Representatives,  and  as  a  result  Gov- 
ernor Lucas  was  allowed  to  remain  in  office 
until  the  next  change  of  administration. 

In  1839  and  '40  occurred  the  well-known 
boundary  dispute  with  Missouri,  which 
was  finally  settled  in  favor  of  Iowa,  by  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  No- 
vember 5,  1839,  Governor  Lucas  announced 
that  the  Territory  had  advanced  in  improve- 
ment, wealth  and  population  (which  latter 
was  estimated  at  50,000)  without  a  parallel 
in  history,  and  recommended  the  necessary 
legislation  preparatory  to  the  formation  of 
a  State  government.  This  was  overruled 
by  the  people,  however.  Among  the  latest 
of  Governor  Lucas's  acts  was  a  proclama- 
tion dated  April  30,  1841,  calling  the  Leg- 
islature to  assemble,  for  the  first  time,  at 
Iowa  Cit}',  the  new  capitol. 

March  25,  1841,  he  was  succeeded  by 
John  Chambers.  He  lived  a  private  life 
near  Iowa  City  until  his  death,  February 
7,  1853,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 


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JOHN    CHAMBERS 


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OHN 

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CHAMBERS  was 
second  Governor  of 
Iowa  Territory.  He  was 
born  October  6,  1780,  at 
Bromley  Bridge,  Somer- 
set County,  New  Jersey. 
His  father,  Rowland  Cham- 
bers, was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, of  Irish  parentage. 
According  to  a  tradition  in 
the  family,  their  remote 
ancestors  were  Scotch,  and 
belonged  to  the  clan  Cam- 
eron. Having  refused  to 
join  in  the  rebellion  of  1645, 
they  migrated  to  Ireland, 
an  act  of  Parliament,  on  their 
own  petition,  they  took  the  name  of  Cham- 
bers. Rowland  Chambers  espoused  with 
enthusiasm  the  cause  of  American  inde- 
pendence, and  was  commissioned  a  Colonel 
of  New  Jersey  militia.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  reduced  in  circumstances,  he  immi- 
grated to  Kentucky  and  settled  in  Wash- 
ington, then  the  seat  of  Mason  County. 
John,  the  youngest  of  seven  children,  was 
then  fourteen  years  old.  A  few  days  after 
the  fami'y  settled  in  their  new  home  he 
found  employment  in  a  dry-goods  store, 
and  the  following  spring  was  sent  to 
Transylvania  Seminary,  at  Lexington.  He 
returned  home  in  less  than  a  year.     In  1797 

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he  became  deputy  under  Francis  Taylor, 
Clerk  of  the  District  Court.  His  duties 
being  light,  he  applied  himself  to  the  study 
of  law.  In  the  spring  of  1800  he  assumed 
all  the  duties  of  the  office  in  which  he  had 
been  employed,  and  in  November  following 
he  was  licensed  to  practice  law. 

In  1803  Ml"-  Chambers,  who  had  now 
entered  upon  a  career  of  uninterrupted 
professional  prosperit}-,  was  married  to  Miss 
Margaret  Taylor,  of  Hagerstown,  Mary-  jiT 
land.  She  lived  but  about  three  years,  and 
in  1807  he  married  Miss  Hannah  Taylor,  a 
sister  of  his  first  wife.  Not  long  after  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  bale  rope 
and  bagging  for  the  Southern  market.  In 
this  he  incurred  heavy  losses. 

In  the  campaign  of  18 12  he  served  as 
aid-de-camp  to  General  Harrison,  with  the 
rank  of  Major.  In  181 5  Mr.  Chambers  was 
sent  to  the  Legislature,  and  in  1828  he  went 
to  Congress  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of 
General  Thomas  Metcalfe.  In  1830  and 
1 83 1  he  was  again  in  the  State  Legislature. 
In  1832  he  lost  his  wife.  She  was  a  lady  of 
cultivated  mind  and  elegant  manners,  and 
had  made  his  home  a  happy  and  attractive 
one.  The  same  year  he  was  offered  a  seat 
on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Kentucky,  but  this  he  decHned.  The  same 
office  was  tendered  him  in  1835,  but  before 
the  time  for  taking  his  seat,  he  was  obliged 


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GOVERNORS    OF    IOWA. 


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to  resign,  out  of  consideration  for  his  health. 
From  1835  to  1839  he  was  in  Congress, 
making  for  himself  a  high  reputation. 

Between  18 15  and  1828  Mr.  Chambers 
was,  for  several  years,  the  commonwealth's 
attorney  for  the  judicial  district  in  which 
he  lived.  He  was  during  that  period  at  the 
zenith  of  his  reputation  as  a  lawyer  and  ad- 
vocate. He  met  the  giants  of  the  Ken- 
tucky bar  in  important  civil  and  criminal 
trials.  His  well-known  high  sense  of  honor, 
and  his  contempt  for  professional  chicanery, 
commanded  the  respect  of  his  legal  com- 
peers. His  appearance  and  manner  were 
dignified,  his  tone  calm  and  impressive, 
and  his  language  singularly  direct  and 
vigorous. 

He  closed  his  congressional  career  in 
1839  with  the  purpose  of  resuming  the 
practice  of  law,  but  his  old  friend  General 
Harrison  was  nominated  for  the  Presi- 
dency and  induced  him  to  aid  in  the 
personal  canvass  General  Harrison  made 
through  the  country.  He  was  urged  by 
President  Harrison  to  accept  some  ofBce 
requiring  his  residence  in  Washington,  but 
this  he  declined,  though  he  afterward  ac- 
cepted the  appointment  of  Governor  of 
Iowa.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  this 
office  May  13,  1841.  His  success  in  his 
administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  Territory 
was  well  attested  by  the  approbation  of  the 
people,  and  by  the  hearty  commendation 
of  those  in  authority  at  Washington,  espe- 
cially for  his  management  of  Indian  affairs. 
During  his  term  of  office  he  found  it  neces- 
sary on  several  occasions  to  suppress  the 
feuds  of  the  red  men,  which  he  did  with 
such  firmness  and  decision  that  quiet  was 
promptly  restored  where  war  seemed  im- 
minent. Governor  Chambers  was  repeat- 
edly called  on  to  treat  with  the  Indian  tribes 


for  the  purchase  of  their  lands.  In  October, 
1 84 1,  he  was  commissioned  jointly  with 
Hon.  T.  H.  Crawford,  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  and  Governor  Doty,  of  Wis- 
consin, to  hold  a  treaty  with  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes,  which,  however,  did  not  result  in- a 
purchase.  In  September,  1842,  being  ap- 
pointed sole  Commissioner  for  the  same 
purpose,  he  succeeded  fully  in  carrying  out 
the  wishes  of  the  Government.  In  1843  he 
held  a  treaty  with  the  Winnebagoes,  but  in 
this  instance  no  result  was  reached. 

In  1844,  his  term  of  office  having  expired, 
he  was  re-appointed  by  President  Tyler, 
but  was  removed  in  1845  by  President 
Polk.  Shortly  afterward,  with  greatly  im- 
paired health,  he  returned  to  Kentucky, 
where,  with  skillful  medical  treatment  and 
entire  relief  from  official  cares,  he  partially 
recovered.  During  the  few  remaining  years 
of  his  life  Governor  Chambers's  recollec- 
tions of  Iowa  were  of  the  most  agreeable 
character.  He  spoke  gratefully  of  the  re- 
ception extended  to  him  by  her  people,  and 
often  referred  with  great  kindness  to  his 
neighbors  in  Des  Moines  County. 

His  infirm  health  forbade  his  engagins:  in 
any  regular  employment  after  his  return  to 
Kentucky,  but  in  1849,  at  the  solicitation  of 
the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  he  ne- 
gotiated jointly  with  Governor  Ramsey,  of 
Minnesota,  a  successful  treaty  with  the 
Sioux  Indians  for  the  purchase  of  lands. 
The  latter  years  of  Governor  Chambers's 
life  were  spent  mostly  witli  his  children, 
whose  affection  and  respect  were  the  chief 
conditions  of  his  happiness.  During  a  visit 
to  his  daughter  in  Paris,  Kentucky,  he  was 
taken  sick  at  the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  C. 
S.  Brent,  and  after  a  few  weeks  breathed 
his  last,  September  21,  1852,  in  his  seventy- 
second  year. 


[HE  third  and  last  Ter- 
ritorial Governor 
was  James  Clarke. 
Sometime  in  the 
autumn  of  the  year 
1837,  when  the  trees 
were  in  the  "  sear 
and  yellow  leaf,"  a  printer 
boy  of  slender  form  and 
gentle  appearance  might 
have  been  seen  crossing 
the  laurel  hills  of  his  own 
State.  Behind  him  rolled 
the  waters  of  the  "  Blue 
Juniata,"  on  the  banks  of 
which  he  had  spent,  in 
merry  glee,  his  youthful 
days.  He  had  heard  and  read  of  strange 
countries  that  lay  far  off  toward  the  setting 
sun,  through  which  broad  rivers  run,  and 
spreading  landscapes  unfolded  to  human 
eyes  the  most  rare  and  magnificent  beauty. 
With  his  youthful  gaze  fixed  upon  that  star 
which  never  sets,  he  set  forth  into  the  wilds 
of  Wisconsin,  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land, 
an  adventurer  seeking  his  own  fortune,  de- 
pending upon  his  own  exertions,  with  no 
recommendation  save  an  honest  face  and 
genteel  deportment.  This  young  man  was 
James  Clarke,  who  afterward  became  the 
able,  talented  and  popular  Governor  of 
Iowa. 

He  remained  in  Wisconsin,  working  at 
his  trade  as  a  printer,  until  after  the  organi- 


zation of  the  Territory  of  Iowa,  when  he 
removed  to  Burlington,  where  the  first 
Legislature  of  Iowa  assembled.  After  the 
death  of  Mr.  Conway  he  was  appointed  by 
President  Van  Buren,  Secretary  of  the  Ter- 
ritory, which  office  he  filled  with  great 
credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  the 
people.  During  the  time  he  held  this  office 
he  contributed  by  his  kind,  gentle  and 
amiable  manner  to  soften  the  feelings  of 
hatred  and  distrust  which  at  one  time  ex- 
isted between  leading  men  of  the  Territory. 
Whoever  had  business  at  his  office  found 
him  a  kind,  gentle,  quiet,  amiable  man,  al- 
ways read}'  and  willing  to  do  whatever  was 
desired  of  him,  regretting,  at  the  same  time, 
that  he  could  do  no  more.  During  the 
time  he  was  Secretary  he  performed  a  vast 
amount  of  labor,  but  notwithstanding  the 
large  amount  of  business  he  transacted,  he 
still  found  time  to  write  for  the  press,  and 
contributed  many  valuable  articles  touch- 
ing the  future  greatness  of  Iowa. 

After  he  retired  from  the  office  of  Secre- 
tary he  again  returned  to  the  printing  trade, 
and  became  the  leading  editor  of  the  Bur- 
lington Gazette.  To  the  columns  of  this 
paper  he  devoted  his  whole  energies,  and 
by  so  doing  made  it  the  leading  Democratic 
paper  of  the  Territory.  In  the  early  sum- 
mer of  1845  President  Polk  removed  Mr. 
Chambers,  and  appointed  Mr.  Clarke  to  suc- 
ceed him  as  Governor  of  Iowa.  Previous 
to  his  appointment  he  had  been  elected  by 


GOVERNOJiS     OF    IOWA. 


i  the  people  of  his  county  a  delegate  to  the 

t  first  convention  which  assembled  to  form  a 

)  Constitution  for  the  State  of  Iowa.    In  this 

i  convention  he  distinguished   himself  both 

\  for  his  talent  and  personal  demeanor,  and 

J  contributed  to  the  pages  of  that  Constitu- 

i  tion  some  of  the  great  elementary  principles 

{  which  lie  at  the  foundation  of  human  rights. 

1  And  although  that  Constitution  was  de- 
^  feated,  he  still  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
j  their  spirit  and  meaning  transferred  to 
(  another,  and  still  continued  as  the  funda- 
\  mental  law  of  our  State. 

i  The  first  Legislature  after  he    received 

f  his  appointment  assembled  at  Iowa  City, 

i  on  the  first   Monday    of    December,   1845. 

)  His  message  to  the  Legislature  after  its  or- 

J  ganization  is  a  model  of  style  and  clearness. 

t  He  set  forth  the  importance  of  an  early  ex- 

5  tinguishment  of  the  Indian  title  to  all  the 

t  lands  within  the  limits  of  Iowa,  and  urged 

\  the  Legislature  to  memorialize  Congress  to 

j  purchase  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Upper  Mis- 

t  sissippi  for  a  future  home  for  the  Winne- 

J  bagocs,  and  thus  induce  them  to  part  with 

i  their  title  to  a  large  tract  of  country  known 

\  as  the  "  neutral  ground,"  a  recommendation 

i  which  the  General  Government  soon  after 

j  acted  upon  and  carried  out. 

J  Jaiuiary  16,  1846,  the  Legislature  passed 

5  once  more  an  act  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 

{  ing  delegates  to  frame  a  Constitution  for 

i  the  State  of  Iowa.     This  time  the  friends  of 

2  a  State  government  took  it  for  granted 
t  that  the  people  of  the  Territory  wanted  a 
;  Constitution,  so  the  Legislature  provided 
J  that  at  the  April  election  following  the 
(  passage  of  this  act,  the  people  of  the  Ter- 
{  ritory  should  elect  delegates  to  a  conven- 
tion. Accordingly,  at  the  April  election 
delegates  were  elected,  and  the  convention, 
agreeable  to  said  act,  consisting  of  thirty- 
two  members  instead  of  seventy  as  in  the 
previous  convention,  met  at  Iowa  City,  on 
the  first  Monday  of  May,  1846,  and  after  a 


session  of  eighteen  days  produced  a  Con- 
stitution which  was  immediately  submitted, 
adopted,  and  made  the  organic  law  of  the 
State  of  Iowa.  After  the  result  was  known 
the  Governor  issued  his  proclamation  for  a 
general  election  to  be  held  in  November 
following,  atwhich  Ansel  Briggs,  of  Jack- 
son County,  was  elected  Governor  of  the 
State. 

This  proclamation  was  the  last  public  act 
of  James  Clarke,  for  as  soon  as  the  new 
Governor  was  qualified,  he  turned  over  to 
him  all  the  archives  of  his  office,  and  re- 
turned once  more  to  the  printing  office. 
Again  he  scattered  through  Iowa  his  beau- 
tiful editorials  through  the  columns  of  the 
Burlington  Gazette,  until  the  name  and 
fame  of  Iowa  became  known  throughout 
the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  He 
appeared  at  the  capitol  at  the  first  session 
of  the  State  Legislature  under  the  new  Con- 
stitution, delivered  to  that  body  an  affecting 
and  interesting  farewell  address,  then  stood 
back  quietly  during  the  whole  of  the  ses- 
sion, and  gazed  with  indignation  upon  his 
countenance  at  the  dreadful  strife,  storms 
and  bitterness  which  was  manifested  during 
the  entire  session. 

This  was  the  last  time  that  Mr.  Clarke 
ever  appeared  at  the  Legislature.  He  died 
soon  after,  at  Burlington,  of  the  cholera. 
Thus  closed  the  earthly  career  of  a  just  and 
noble  man,  cut  off  in  the  prime  of  life  and 
in  the  midst  of  an  useful  career.  He  was 
married  to  a  sister  of  General  Dodge,  and 
this  fact  being  known  at  the  time  of  his  ap- 
pointment as  Governor,  drew  upon  the 
Dodges  the  title  of  the  "  royal  family."  But 
whatever  might  be  said  in  this  respect,  the 
appointment  could  not  have  been  bestowed 
upon  a  better  man,  or  one  more  competent 
to  fill  it.  His  history  is  without  a  stain  or 
reproach,  and  throughout  his  whole  life  no 
man  ever  imputed  aught  against  his  char- 
acter as  a  man  and  a  citizen. 


f^^^^^^^s^ 


,S.o^^K^s; 


-  / 


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■-■-■■■-■-■■iW-i»«WSIII«M-M,W,M_»_W_M_»«IB«M-W»M»M«W«M«M«M«»«W«W«W«»«»««^««»r 


ANSEL    BR/CGS. 


179 


I 


2SE; 


ii4fr"^)«Sj)SiSj^-yS>t?'Jj,#'!^^'Si^'!Ai^-S4>j?!^^^ 


«iiaiii«s,iig 


''i^HE  first  Governor  of 
Iowa  under  its  State 
organization,  was 
Ansel  Briggs,  who, 
like  his  two  imme- 
diate successors,  was 
^1^1 1.  ^^    son   of    that  won- 

(..^•"iil,  IP  derful  nursery  of  progress. 

New  England.  He  was 
the  son  of  Benjamin  Ingley 
Briggs  and  Electa  his  wife, 
and  was  born  in  Vermont, 
February  3,  1806.  His 
boyhood  was  spent  in  his 
native  State,  where,  in  the 
common  schools,  he  re- 
ceived a  fair  education, 
improved  by  a  term  spent  at  the  academy 
of  Norwich.  In  his  youth,  about  the  year 
1830,  with  his  parents,  he  removed  to 
Cambridge,  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  work  of  establishing 
stage  lines,  and  where,  as  a  Whig,  he  com- 
peted with  John  Ferguson,  a  Jackson 
Democrat,  for  the  ofifice  of  county  audi- 
tor and  was  defeated.  In  his  twenty- 
fourth  year  he  married  a  wife,  born  the 
same  day  and  year  as  himself,  of  whom  he 
was  soon  bereft.  Before  leaving  Ohio  he 
married  his  second  wife,  Nancy  M.,  daugh- 
ter of  Major  Dunlap,  an  officer  of  the  war 
of  181 2. 


In  1836,  removing  from  Ohio,  he  joined 
that  hardy  band,  so  honored  here  to-day, 
the  pioneers  of  Iowa,  and  settled  with  his 
family  at  Andrew,  in  Jackson  County. 
Here  he  resumed  his  former  business  of 
opening  stage  lines,  sometimes  driving  the 
stage  himself,  and  entering  into  contracts 
with  the  postoffice  department  for  carrying 
the  United  States  mails  weekly  between 
Dubuque  and  Davenport,  Dubuque  and 
Iowa  City,  and  other  routes. 

On  coming  to  Iowa  he  affiliated  with  the 
Democrats,  and  on  their  ticket,  in  1842, 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Territorial 
House  of  Representatives  from  Jackson 
County,  and  subsequently  sheriff  of  the 
same  county.  On  the  formation  of  the 
State  government,  he  at  once  became  a 
prominent  candidate  for  Governor.  His 
competitors  for  the  Democratic  nomination 
were  Judge  Jesse  Williams  and  William 
Thompson.  The  question  above  all  otheis 
dividing  the  parties  in  Iowa  in  that  day  was 
that  of  banks,  favored  by  the  Whigs,  and  op- 
posed by  the  Dem.ocrats.  A  short  time  be- 
fore the  nominating  convention  met,  Briggs, 
at  a  banquet,  struck  a  responsive  chord  in 
the  popular  heart  by  offering  the  toast,  "  No 
bailks  but  earth,  and  they  well  tilled,"  a 
sententious  appeal  to  the  pride  of  the  pro- 
ducer and  the  prejudice  of  the  partisan, 
which  was  at  once  caught    up    as  a    party 


IM 


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^^"'■■■■■»c.:;j»ig»ig»iiS«r_-»ii«_w_»»ii»s»iii»iaM 


i8o 


GOVBIiNORS     OF    /OWA. 


cr}',  and  did  more  to  secure  its  author  tiie 
nomination  for  Governor  than  all  else. 

The  convention  was  held  at  Iowa  City 
on  Tliuisday,  September  24,  1846,  and  as- 
sembled to  nominate  State  officers  and  two 
Congressmen.  It  was  called  to  order  by 
F.  D.  Mills,  of  Des  Moines  County.  Will- 
iam Thompson,  of  Henry  County,  presided, 
and  J.  T.  Fales,  of  Dubuque,  was  Secretary. 
The  vote  for  Governor  in  the  convention 
stood :  Briggs,  sixty-two  ;  Jesse  Williams, 
thirty-two;  and  William  Thompson,  thirty- 
one.  The  two  latter  withdrew,  and  Briggs 
was  then  chosen  by  acclamation.  Elisha 
Cutler,  Jr.,  of  Van  Buren  County,  was 
nominated  for  Secretary  of  State;  Joseph 
T.  Fales,  of  Linn,  for  Auditor,  and  Morgan 
Reno,  of  Johnson,  for  Treasurer.  S.  C. 
Hastings  and  Shepherd  Leffler  were  nomi- 
nated for  Congress.  The  election  was  held 
October  28,  1846,  the  entire  Democratic 
ticket  being  successful.  Briggs  received 
7,626  votes,  and  his  competitor,  Thomas 
McKnight,  the  Whig  candidate,  7,379,  giv- 
ing Briggs  a  majority  of  247. 

The  administration  of  Governor  Brietrs 
was  generally  placid.  Although  avoiding 
excitement  and  desirous  of  being  in  har- 
monious accord  with  his  party,  when  oc- 
casion requii-ed  he  exhibited  an  independent 
firmness  not  easily  shaken.  One  perplex- 
ing controvers}'  bequeathed  him  by  his 
predecessors  was  the  Missouri  boundary 
question,  which  had  produced  much  dis- 
quiet, and  even  a  resort  to  arms  on  the  part 
of  both  Iowa  and  Missouri. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  four-years 
term.  Governor  Briggs  continued  his  resi- 
dence in  Jackson  County,  where  he  engaged 
in  commercial  business,  having  sold  out  his 
mail  contracts  when  he  became  Governor. 

B}'  his  second  marriage  he  had  eight 
children,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy  save 
two,  and  of  these  latter  Ansel,  Jr.,  died 
May  15,  1867,  aged  twenty-five  years. 
John    S.    Briggs,    the  only  survivor  of  the 


family,  is  the  editor  of  the  Idaho  Herald, 
published  at  Blackfoot,  Idaho  Territor}'. 
Mrs.  Briggs  died  December  30,  1847,  dur- 
ing her  husband's  term  as  Governor.  She 
was  an  ardent  Christian  woman,  adhering 
to  the  Presbyterian  faith,  and  ver}'  domestic 
in  her  tastes.  She  was  well  educated  and 
endowed  by  nature  with  such  womanly 
tact  and  grace  as  to  enable  her  to  adorn  the 
high  estate  her  husband  had  attained.  She 
dispensed  (albeit  in  a  log  house,  a  form  of 
architecture  in  vogue  in  Iowa  in  that  day, 
as  the  mansion  of  the  rich  or  the  cabin  of 
the  poor)  a  bounteous  hospitality  to  the 
stranger  and  a  generous  charity  to  the  poor, 
in  which  gracious  ministrations  she  was  al- 
ways seconded  by  her  benevolent  husband. 

In  1870  Governor  Briggs  removed  from 
Andrew  to  Council  Bluffs.  He  had  visited 
the  western  part  of  the  State  before  rail- 
roads had  penetrated  there,  and  made  the 
trip  by  carriage.  On  that  occasion  he  en- 
rolled himself  as  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
town  of  Florence,  on  the  Nebraska  side  of 
the  Missouri  River,  six  miles  above  Coun- 
cil Bluffs,  and  which,  for  a  time,  disputed 
with  Omaha  the  honor  of  being  the  chief 
town  of  Nebraska. 

He  made  a  trip  to  Colorado  during  the 
mining  excitement  in  i860.  After  return- 
ing and  spending  some  time  at  home,  he 
went  to  Montana  in  1S63,  v/ith  his  son  John, 
and  a  large  party,  remaining  until  1865, 
when  he  came  back. 

His  last  illness,  ulceration  of  the  stomach, 
was  only  five  weeks  in  duration.  He  was 
able  to  be  out  three  days  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  the  residence  of  his  son, 
John  S.  Briggs,  in  Omaha,  May  5,  1881,  at 
half  past  three  in  the  morning.  Governor 
Gear  issued  a  proclamation  the  next  day, 
reciting  his  services  to  tiie  State,  ordering 
half-hour  guns  to  be  fired  and  llic  national 
flag  on  the  State  capitol  to  be  half-masted, 
during  the  da\-  of  the  funeral.  He  was 
buried  on  Sundav  succeeding  liis  death. 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR.   LENOX  AND 
TILDEN   FOUNDATIONS. 


^  ^ 


/->.  Y-^iis^-Si^  N>^ 


■»liy«M-M-»=«OTBSMg.T»5fiim,W«W,W.W»«_M»»»M_*«M„««W«1«»»»«llMl 


STEPHEN    HEMPSTEAD. 


183 


M;-!gl 1:,- .:::.:.. ^.^^ ■g^^.S .7;^ ^'M- 


'4— 


until 

when 

came 


HIS  gentleman,  the 
second  Governor  of 
the  State,  was  born 
at  New  London, 
Connecticut,  Octo- 
ber I,  1 81 2,  and 
lived  in  that  State 
the  spring  of  1828, 
his  father's  family 
West  and  settled  on 
a  farm  a  few  miles  from 
St.  Louis,  Missouri.  Here 
he  remained  until  1830, 
when  he  entered  as  clerk 
in  a  commission  house  in 
Galena,  Illinois,  and  dur- 
ing the  Black  Hawk  war  he 
was  an  officer  in  an  artillery  company  or- 
ganized for  the  protection  of  that  place. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  entered  as  a 
student  of  the  Illinois  College  at  Jackson- 
ville, Illinois,  remaining  about  two  years, 
leaving  to  commence  the  study  of  law 
which  he  finished  under  Charles  S.  Hemp- 
stead, Esq.,  then  a  prominent  lawyer  at 
Galena.  In  T836  he  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice his  profession  in  the  courts  of  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Wisconsin,  then  embracing  Iowa, 
and  in  the  same  year  located  in  Dubuque, 
being  the  first  lawyer  who  practiced  in 
that  place.      At   the   organization   of   the 


Territorial  Legislature  in  1838  he  was 
elected  to  represent  the  northern  portion 
of  the  Territory  in  the  Legislative  Council, 
of  which  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  judiciary,  one  of  the  important  com- 
mittees of  the  Council.  At  the  second 
session  of  that  body  he  was  elected  presi- 
dent thereof,  was  again  elected  a  member 
of  the  Council  in  1845,  which  was  held  in 
Iowa  City,  and  was  again  president  of  the 
same.  In  1844  he  was  elected  one  of  the 
delegates  to  the  first  constitutional  conven- 
tion of  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  was  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  incorporations. 
In  1848,  in  connection  with  Hon.  Charles 
Mason  and  W.  G.  Woodward,  he  was  ap- 
pointed commissioner  by  the  Legislature  to 
revise  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Iowa,  and 
which  revision,  with  a  few  amendments, 
was  adopted  as  the  code  of  Iowa  in  185 1. 
In  1850  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Iowa,  receiving  13,486  votes, 
against  11,403  for  James  L.  Thompson,  575 
for  William  P.  Clarke,  and  1 1  scattering. 

The  vote  was  canvassed  on  the  4th  of 
December,  and  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  inform  the  Governor  elect  that  the  two 
Houses  of  the  Legislature  were  ready  to  re- 
ceive him  in  joint  convention,  in  order  that 
he  might  receive  the  oath  prescribed  by 
the  Constitution.     After  receiving  formal 


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GOVERNORS     OF    IOWA. 


notification,  Governor  Hempstead,  accom- 
panied by  Governor  Briggs,  the  judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court  and  the  officers  of 
"State,  entered  the  hall  of  the  House,  and 
having  been  duly  announced,  the  Governor 
elect  delivered  his  inaugural  message,  after 
which  the  oath  was  administered  by  the 
chief  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

This  session  of  the  Legislature  passed  a 
number  of  important  acts  which  were 
approved  by  Govern'or  Hempstead,  and 
formed  fifty-two  new  counties,  most  of 
them  having  the  same  names  and  bound- 
aries to-day.  These  new  counties  were : 
Adair,  Union,  Adams,  Cass,  Montgomery, 
Mills,  Pottawattomie,  Bremer,  Butler, 
Grundy,  Hardin,  Franklin,  Wright,  Risley, 
Yell,  Greene,  Guthrie,  Carroll,  Fox,  Sac, 
Crawford,  Shelby,  Harrison,  Monona,  Ida, 
Waukau,  Humboldt,  Pocahontas,  Buena 
Vista,  Fayette,  Cherokee,  Plymouth,  Alla- 
makee, Chickasaw,  Floyd,  Cerro  Gordo, 
Hancock,  Kossuth,  Palo  Alto,  Clay,  O'- 
Brien, Sioux,  Howard,  Mitchell,  Worth, 
Winnebago,  Winneshiek,  Bancroft,  Em- 
mett,  Dickinson,  Osceola  and  Buncombe. 
The  last-named  county  was  so  called  under 
peculiar  circumstances.  The  Legislature 
was  composed  of  a  large  majority  favoring 
stringent  corporation  laws,  and  the  liability 
of  individual  stockholders  for  corporate 
debts.  This  sentiment,  on  account  of  the 
agitation  of  railroad  enterprises  then  begin- 
ning, brought  a  large  number  of  prominent 
men  to  the  capital.  To  have  an  effect  upon 
the  Legislature,  they  organized  a  "  lobby 
legislature,"  in  which  these  questions  were 
ably  discussed.  They  elected  as  Governor 
Verplank  Van  Antwerp,  who  delivered  to 
this  self-constituted  body  a  lengthy  mes- 
sage, in  which  he  sharply  criticised  the 
regular  general  assembly.  Some  of  the 
members  of  the  latter  were  in  the  habit  of 
making  long  and  useless  speeches,  much  to 
the  hindrance  of  business.  To  these  he 
especially    referred,    charging    them    with 


speaking  "for  buncombe,"  and  recom- 
mended that  as  their  lasting  memorial,  a 
county  should  be  called  by  that  name. 
This  suggestion  was  readily  seized  upon 
by  the  Legislature,  and  the  county  of  "  Bun- 
combe" was  created  with  few  dissenting 
voices.  By  act  of  the  General  Assembly 
approved  September  ii,  1862,  the  name 
was  changed  to  "  Lyon,"  in  honor  of  Gen- 
eral Nathaniel  Lyon,  who  was  killed  in  the 
civil  war. 

Governor  Hempstead's  message  to  the 
fourth  General  Assemblv,  December,  1852, 
stated,  among  other  things,  that  the  popu- 
lation of  the  State  was  by  the  federal  cen- 
sus 192,214,  and  that  the  State  census 
showed  an  increase  for  one  year  of  37,786. 
He  also  stated  that  the  resources  of  the 
State  for  the  coming  two  yeai-s  would  be 
sufficient  to  cancel  all  that  part  of  the  funded 
debt  which  was  payable  at  its  option. 

By  1854  the  State  had  fully  recovered 
from  the  depression  produced  by  the  bad 
season  of  1851,  and  in  1854  and  1855  the 
immigration  from  the  East  was  unprece- 
dented. For  miles  and  miles,  day  after  day, 
the  prairies  of  Illinois  were  lined  with  cattle 
and  wagons,  pushing  on  toward  Iowa.  At 
Peoria,  one  gentleman  said  that  during  a 
single  month  1,743  wagons  passed  through 
that  place,  all  for  Iowa.  The  Burlington 
Ti'lcg7-aph  said  :  "  Twent)'  thousand  immi- 
grants have  passed  through  the  city  within 
the  last  thirty  da3-s,  and  they  are  still  cross- 
ing the  Mississippi  at  the  rate  of  600  a  day." 

Governor  Hempstead's  term  expired  in 
the  latter  part  of  1854,  and  he  returned  to 
Dubuque,  where  the  following  3ear  he  was 
elected  county  judge.  This  position  he 
held  twelve  years,  and  in  1867  he  retired  on 
account  of  impaired  health.  He  lived,  how- 
ever, till  February  16,  1883,  when  at  his 
home  in  Dubuque  he  closed  his  record  on 
earth.  He  was  a  useful  and  active  man, 
and  deserves  a  prominent  place  in  the 
esteem  of  lowans. 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PllBLiC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,   LENOX  AND 
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*'ifl  IE  tliird  to  fill  the  of- 
fice of  Governor  of 
Iowa,  and  whose 
name  deserves  a 
fore  m  ( )  s  t  rank 
among  the  m  e  n 
whose  personal  his- 
tory is  interwoven  insepar- 
ably with  that  of  the  State, 
was  James  Wilson  Grimes. 
He  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Deering,  Hillsborough 
County,  New  Hampshire, 
October  20,  18 16.  His 
parents — John  Grimes, 
born  August  11,  1772,  and 
Elizabeth  Wilson,  born 
March  19,  1773 — were  natives  of  the  same 
town.  Of  a  family  of  eight  children  born 
lo  them,  Janies  was  the  youngest.  In 
early  childhood  he  evinced  a  taste  for 
learning,  attending  the  district  school  and 
also  studying  Latin  and  Greek  under  the 
instruction  of  the  village  pastoi".  He 
completed  his  preparation  for  college 
at  Hampton  Academy,  and  entered  Dart- 
mouth College  in  August,  1832,  in  the 
sixteenth  year  of  his  age.  Upon  leaving 
college  in  February,  1835,  he  commenced 
reading  law  with  James  Walker,  Esq.,  in 
Petersburgh,  New  Hampshire. 

Being  young  and  adventurous,  and  wish- 
ing to  carve  a  fortune  for  himself,  die    left 

17 


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his  native  home  in  1836  for  the  far  West, 
landing  in  Burlington,  then  a  new  town  in 
what  was  known  as  the  "  Black  Hawk 
Purchase."  Here  he  opened  an  office  and 
soon  established  a  reputation  as  a  rising 
lawyer.  In  April,  1837,  he  was  appointed 
city  solicitor  ;  and  entering  upon  the  duties 
of  that  office  he  assisted  in  drawing  up  the 
first  police  laws  of  that  town.  In  1838  he 
was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace,  and  be- 
came a  law  partner  of  William  W.  Chap- 
man, United  States  District  Attorney  for 
Wisconsin  Territory.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  year  1841  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Henry  W.  Starr,  Esq.,  which  continued 
twelve  years.  This  firm  stood  at  the  head 
of  the  legal  profession  in  Iowa.  Mr.  Grimes 
was  widely  known  as  a  counselor  of  supe- 
rior knowledge  of  the  law,  and  with  a  clear 
sense  of  truth  and  justice.  He  was  chosen 
one  of  the  representatives  of  Dcs  Moines 
County  in  the  first  Legislative  Assembly 
of  the  Territory  of  Iowa,  which  convened 
at  Burlington,  November  12,  183S;  in  the 
sixth,  at  Iowa  Cit}-,  December  4,  1843  '•  ''^"d 
in  the  fourth  General  Assembly'  of  the 
State,  at  Iowa  City,  December  6,  1S52. 
He  early  took  front  rank  among  the  pub- 
lic men  of  Iowa.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
judiciary  committee  in  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  first  Legislative  As- 
sembly of  the  Territory,  and  all  laws  for  the 
new  Territory  passed  through  his  hands. 


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He  was  married  at  Burlington,  Novem- 
ber 9,  1846,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sarah  Neally. 

In  February,  1854,  Mr.  Grimes  was  nom- 
inated by  a  convention  of  the  Whig  party 
for  Governor  of  the  State.  It  was  the 
largest  convention  of  that  partv  ever  held 
in  Iowa,  and  the  last.  He  was  elected,  and 
assumed  the  duties  of  the  office  in  Decem- 
ber, 1854.  Soon  after  his  election  it  was 
proposed  that  he  should  be  sent  to  the 
United  States  Senate,  but  he  made  it  under- 
stood that  he  should  fill  the  term  of  office 
for  which  he  had  been  chosen,  and  he 
served  his  full  term  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion and  acceptance  of  all  parties.  He  was 
a  faithful  leader  in  the  political  regenera- 
tion of  the  State.  He  introduced  liberal 
measures  to  develop  the  resources  of 
the  State,  and  to  promote  the  interests 
of  all  educational  and  humane  establish- 
ments. Up  to  the  time  of  his  election 
as  Governor,  Democracy  reigned  supreme 
in  the  Territory.  The  representatives  in 
Congress  were  allies  of  the  slave  power. 
He,  after  being  elected,  gave  his  whole 
soul  to  the  work,  and  it  may  truly  be  said 
that  Governor  Grimes  made  I(3wa  Repub- 
lican and  allied  it  with  the  loyal  States. 

January  14,  1S58,  he  laid  down  his  office, 
only  to  be  placed  in  another  and  greater 
one;  for  on  the  25th  he  was  nominated 
by  the  Republican  caucus  for  United 
States  Senator.  He  took  his  seat  in  the 
Senate  March  4,  1859,  and  was  placed  upon 
the  committee  on  naval  affairs  January  24, 
1861,  on  which  he  remained  during  the 
remainder  of  his  senatorial  career,  serving 
as  chairman  from  December,  i86_|. 

Mr.  Grimes  voted  for  the  Pacific  Rail- 
road bill  on  June  20,  1S62,  and  for  estab- 
lishing the  gauge  of  the  road  from  the  Mis- 
souri I^iver  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  at  four 
feet  eight  and  a  half  inches,  February  18, 
1863. 

January  16,  1864,  Mr.  Grimes  was  again 
chosen   United   .States  Senator  from    Iowa 


for  six  3'ears  from  March  4,  1865,  receiving 
the  votes  of  all  but  six  of  the  members  of 
the  General  Assemblv  in  joint  convention; 
128  out  of  134.  His  council  was  often 
sought  in  matters  of  great  moment,  and  in 
cases  of  peculiar  difficulty.  Always  ready 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  State,  he 
gave,  unsolicited,  land  worth  $6,000  to  the 
Congregational  college  at  Grinnell.  It 
constitutes  the  "Grimes  foundation,"  and 
"  is  to  be  applied  to  the  establishment  and 
maintenance  in  Iowa  College,  forever,  of 
four  scholarships,  to  be  awar.ded  b}'  the 
trustees,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  fac- 
ulty, to  the  best  scholars,  and  the  most 
promising,  in  anj'  department,  who  may 
need  and  seek  such  aid,  and  without  any 
regard  to  the  religious  tenets  or  opinions 
entertained  by  any  person  seeking  either 
of  said  scholarships."  These  terms  were 
imposed  by  Mr.  Grimes  and  assumed  July 
20,  1S65,  by  the  trustees.  He  received 
the  honorary  degree  of  LL.D.  in  1865 
from  Dartmouth  College,  and  also  from 
Iowa  College.  He  also  aided  in  founding 
a  public  librar\'  in  Burlington,  donating 
$5,000,  which  was  expended  in  the  purchase 
of  costly  books,  and  subsequently  sent  from 
Europe  256  volumes  in  the  German  lan- 
sruasre,  antl  also  contributed  600  volumes  of 
public  documents. 

In  January,  i86g,  he  made  a  donation  of 
$5,000  to  Dartmouth  College,  and  $1,000 
to  the  "  Social  Friend,"  a  literary  society  of 
which  he  was  a  member  when  in  college. 

His  health  failing,  Mr.  Grimes  sailed  for 
Europe  April  14,  1S69,  remaining  abroad 
two  years,  reaching  home  September  22, 
1871,  apparently  in  improved  health  and 
spirits.  In  November  he  celebrated  his 
silver  wedding,  and  spent  the  closing 
months  of  his  life  with  his  family.  He  voted 
at  the  city  election  February  5,  1872,  was 
suddenly  attacked  with  severe  pains  in  the 
region  of  the  heart,  and  died  after  a  few 
short    hours  of  intense  suffering. 


■-■^■-■-■'■■■■■■-■s»ii»iii-'T--»-«.:»r.i»--wji 


/I  t:t^^ 


RALPH    P.    LOWE. 


191 


,t'?\ME  fourth  Governor 
of  the  State,  and 
the  seventh  of  Iowa 
without  refei^ence  to 
the  form  of  govern- 
ment, was  Ralph  P. 
Lowe.  He  was  born 
in  Ohio  in  180S,  and  lived 
just  three-fourths  of  a  cent- 
ury. He  came  to  the 
Territory  of  Iowa  in  1839 
or  1840,  when  he  was  a 
little  over  thirty  years  old. 
He  settled  in  Muscatine, 
where  in  a  short  time  he 
became  prominent  in  local 
affairs  and  of  recognized 
ability  in  questions  of  public  polic}'.  While 
yet  residing  in  that  city,  he  represented 
the  county  of  Muscatine  in  the  constitu- 
tional convention  of  1844  that  framed  the 
rejected  Constitution. 

After  this  constitutional  convention,  Mr. 
Lowe  took  no  further  part  in  public  mat- 
ters for  a  number  of  years.  He  removed 
*.o  Lee  County  about  1849  or  '50,  where 
he  became  district  judge  as  a  successor  to 
*jcorge  H.  Williams,  who  was  afterward 
famous  as  President  Grant's  Attorney  Gen- 
eral. He  was  district  judge  five  years, 
from  1852  to  1857,  being  succeeded  by 
Judge  Claggett.     In  the   summer  '01    1857 


he  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans  for 
Governor  of  Iowa,  with  Oran  Faville  for 
Lieutenant-Governor.  The  Democracy 
put  in  the  field  Benjamin  M.  Samuels  for 
Governor  and  George  Gillaspy  for  Lieu- 
tenant Governor.  There  was  a  third  ticket 
in  the  field,  supported  by  the  American  or 
"  Know  Nothing  "  party,  and  bearing  the 
names  of  T.  F.  Henry  and  Easton  Morris. 
The  election  was  held  in  October,  1857,  and 
gave  Mr.  Lowe  38,498  votes,  against  36,088 
for  Mr.  Samuels,  and  1,006  for  Mr.  Henry. 

Hitherto  the  term  of  oflice  had  been  four 
years,  but  by  an  amendment  to  the  Consti- 
tution this  was  now  reduced  to  two.  Gov- 
ernor Lowe  was  inaugurated  January  14, 
1858,  and  at  once  sent  his  first  message  to 
the  Legislature.  Among  the  measures 
passed  by  this  Legislature  were  bills  to  in- 
corporate the  State  Bank  of  Iowa  ;  to  pro- 
vide for  an  agricultural  college  ;  to  author- 
ize the  business  of  banking ;  disposing  of 
the  land  grant  made  by  Congress  to  the 
Des  Moines  Valley  Railroad ;  to  provide 
for  the  erection  of  an  institution  for  the 
education  of  the  blind  ;  and  to  provide  for 
taking  a  State  census. 

No  events  of  importance  occurred  dur- 
ing the  administration  of  Governor  Lowe, 
but  it  was  not  a  period  of  uninterrupted 
prosperity.  The  Governor  said  in  his 
biennial  message  of  January    10,    i860,  re- 


192 


GOVERNORS    OF    IOWA. 


viewing  the  preceding  two  years:  "  The 
period  that  has  elapsed  since  the  last 
biennial  session  has  been  one  of  great  dis- 
turbing causes,  and  of  anxious  solicitude  to 
all  classes  of  our  fellow  citizens.  The  first 
3-ear  of  this  period  was  visited  with  heavy 
and  continuous  rains,  which  reduced  the 
measure  of  our  field  crops  below  one-half 
of  the  usual  product,  whilst  the  financial 
revulsion  which  commenced  upon  the  At- 
lantic coast  in  the  autumn  of  1857  did  not 
reach  its  climax  for  evil  in  our  borders  until 
the  year  just  past." 

He  referred  at  length  to  the  claim  of  the 
State  against  the  Federal  Government, 
and  said  that  he  had  appealed  in  vain  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  5  per  cent,  upon  the  military 
land  warrants  that  the  State  is  justly  en- 
titled to,  which  then  approximated  to  a 
million  of  dollars.  The  payment  of  this 
fund,  he  said,  "  is  not  a  mere  favor  which 
is  asked  of  the  General  Government,  but  a 
subsisting  right  which  could  be  enforced  in 
a  court  of  justice,  was  there  a  tribunal  of 
this  kind  clothed  with  the  requisite  juris- 
diction." 

The  subject  of  the  Des  Moines  River 
grant  received  from  the  Governor  special 
attention,  and  he  gave  a  history  of  the 
operations  of  the  State  authorities  in  i-ef- 
erence  to  obtaining  the  residue  of  the  lands 
to  which  the  State  was  entitled,  and  other 
information  as  to  the  progress  of  the  work. 
He  also  remarked  "  that  under  the  act 
authorizing  the  Governor  to  raise  a  com- 
pany of  mounted  men  for  defense  and  pro- 
tection of  our  frontier,  approved  February 
9,  1858,  a  company  of  thirty  such  men, 
known  as  the  Frontier  Guards,  armed  and 
equipj)ed  as  required,  were  organized  and 
mustered  into  service  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Henry  B.  Martin,  of  Webster 
City,  about  the  first  of  March  then  follow- 
ing, and  were  divided  into  two  companies, 
one  stationed   on  the   Little  Sioux  River, 


the  other  at  Spirit  Lake.  Their  presence 
afforded  security  and  gave  quiet  to  the 
settlements  in  that  region,  and  after  a  ser- 
vice of  four  months  they  were  duly  dis- 
banded. 

"  Late  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  however, 
great  alarm  and  consternation  was  again 
felt  in  the  region  of  Spirit  Lake  and  Sioux 
River  settlements,  produced  by  the  appear- 
ance of  large  numbers  of  Indians  on  the 
border,  whose  bearing  was  insolent  and 
menacing,  and  who  were  charged  with 
clandestinely  running  off  the  stock  of  the 
settlers.  The  most  urgent  appeals  came 
from  these  settlers,  invoking  again  the 
protection  of  the  State.  From  the  repre- 
sentations made  of  the  imminence  of  their 
danger  and  the  losses  already  sustained, 
the  Governor  summoned  into  the  field  once 
more  the  frontier  guards.  After  a  service 
of  four  or  five  months  they  were  again 
discharged,  and  paid  in  tiie  manner 
prescribed  in  the  act  imder  which  they 
were  called  out." 

Governor  Lowe  was  beaten  for  the 
renoniination  by  Honorable  S.  J.  Kirkwood, 
who  was  considered  much  the  stronger 
man.  To  compensate  him  for  his  defeat 
for  the  second  term,  Governor  Lowe  was 
appointed  one  of  the  three  judges  under 
the  new  Constitution.  He  drew  the  short 
term,  which  expired  in  1861,  but  was 
returned  and  served,  all  told,  eight  years. 
He  then  returned  to  the  practice  of 
law,  gradually  working  into  a  claim  busi- 
ness at  Washington,  to  which  city  he  re- 
moved about  1874.  In  that  city  he  died,  on 
Saturday,  December  22,  1S83.  He  had  a 
large  family.  Carleton,  one  of  his  sons, 
was  an  officer  in  the  Third  I(^wa  Cavalr}' 
during  the  war. 

Governor  Lowe  was  a  man  of  detail, 
accurate  and  industrious.  In  private  and 
public  life  he  was  pure,  upright  and  honest. 
In  religious  faith  he  was  inclined  to  be  a 
Spiritualist. 


'  1^ 


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<:«^>>t-«.c-c-^ 


SAMUEL     y.     KIRK  WOOD. 


195 


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-^  (^,<^SAMUBIi   (^.    I^II^I^WOOD. 


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W 


mAMUEL  JORDAN 
''' '  KIRK  WOOD,  the 
fifth  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Iowa,  was  born 
December  20,  181 3,  in 
Harford  County,  Mary- 
^*  land,  on  his  father's 
farm.  His  father  was  twice 
married,  first  to  a  lady  named 
CoLilson,  by  whom  he  had 
two  sons,  and,  after  her 
death,  to  Mary  Alexander,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children, 
all  sons,  the  youngest  of  whom 
is  the  subject  of  these  notes.  The 
father  of  Governor  Kirkwood  was 
a  native  of  Maryland,  his  ancestors 
having  settled  there  previous  to  the  Revo- 
lution ;  his  mother  was  born  in  Scotland, 
and  both  parents  were  strict  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church. 

When  ten  years  old  young  Kirkwood  was 
sent  to  Washington  City  to  attend  a  school 
taught  by  a  relative  named  John  McLeod. 
He  remained  at  school  four  years,  when  he 
entered  a  drug  store  at  Washington  as 
clerk,  in  which  occupation  he  continued  till 
after  attaining  his  majority,  with  the  e.xcep- 
tion  of  about  eighteen  months  spent  in 
teaching  in  York  County,  Pennsylvania. 
In  1835  Samuel  left  Washington  and  set- 
tled in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
assisted  his  father  and  brother  (who  had  re- 


moved  from  Maryland  there)  in  clearing  a 
farm.  In  1841  he  entered,  as  a  student,  the 
law  office  of  Thomas  W.  Bartley,  afterward 
Governor  of  Ohio,  and  in  1843  ^^'■^^  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  by  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Ohio.  He  then  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law  with  his  former  preceptor,  Mr. 
Bartley,  forming  an  association  which  con- 
tinued for  eight  years. 

From  1845  to  1849  ^^  served  as  prose- 
cuting attorney  of  his  county.  In  1849  ^^ 
was  elected  as  a  Democrat  to  represent  his 
county  and  district  in  the  constitutional 
convention.  In  185 1  Mr.  Bartley,  his  part- 
ner, having  been  elected  to  the  supreme 
judiciary  of  the  State,  Kirkwood  formed  a 
partnership  with  Barnabas  Barns,  with 
whom  he  continued  to  practice  until  the 
spring  of  1855,  when  he  removed  to  the 
West. 

Up  to  1854  Mr.  Kirkwood  had  acted  with 
the  Democratic  part}'.  But  the  measures 
proposed  and  sustained  that  year  b}'  the 
Democracy  in  Congress,  concentrated  in 
what  was  known  as  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
act,  drove  him  with  hosts  of  anti-slavery 
Democrats  out  of  the  party.  He  was  be- 
sought by  the  opposition  in  the  "  Richland 
district"  to  become  their  candidate  for 
Congress,  but  declined.  In  1855  he  came 
to  Iowa  and  settled  two  miles  northwest  of 
Iowa  City,  entering  into  a  partnership  with 
his   brother-in-law,    Ezekiel   Clark,    in  the 


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GOVERNORS    OF    IOWA. 


milling  business,  and  kept  aloof  from  pub- 
lic affairs.  He  could  not  long  conceal  his 
record  and  abilities  from  his  neighbors, 
however,  and  in  1856  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate  from  the  district  composed  of 
the  counties  of  Iowa  and  Johnson,  and 
served  through  the  last  session  of  the 
Legislature  held  at  Iowa  City  and  the  first 
one  held  at  Des  Moines. 

In  1859  ^^i"-  Kirk  wood  was  made  the 
standard-bearer  of  the  Republicans  of  Iowa, 
and  though  he  had  as  able  and  popular  a 
competitor  as  General  A.  C.  Dodge,  he  was 
elected  Governor  of  Iowa  by  a  majority  of 
over  3,000.  He  was  inaugurated  January 
II,  i860.  Before  the  expiration  of  his  first 
term  came  the  great  civil  war.  As  Gov- 
ernor, during  the  darkest  days  of  the  Rebell- 
ion, he  performed  an  exceedingly  impor- 
tant duty.  He  secured  a  prompt  response 
by  volunteers  to  all  requisitions  by  the 
federal  Government  on  the  State  for  troops, 
so  that  during  his  Governorship  no  "  draft " 
took  place  in  Iowa,  and  no  regiment,  except 
the  first,  enlisted  for  less  than  three  years. 
At  the  same  time  he  maintained  the  State's 
financial  credit.  The  Legislature,  at  its  ex- 
tra session  in  1861,  authorized  the  sale  of 
$800,000  in  bonds,  to  assist  m  arming  and 
equipping  troops.  So  frugally  was  this 
work  done,  that  but  $300,000  of  the  bonds 
were  sold,  and  the  remaining  $500,000  not 
having  been  required,  the  bonds  represent- 
ing this  amount  were  destroyed  by  order 
of  the  succeeding  Legislature. 

In  October,  1861,  Governor  Kirkwood 
was,  with  comparatively  little  opposition, 
re-elected — an  honor  accorded  for  the  first 
time  in  the  history  of  the  State.  His  ma- 
jority was  about  18,000.  During  his  second 
term  he  was  appointed  by  President  Lin- 
coln to  be  Minister  to  Denmark;  but  he 
declined  to  enter  upon  his  diplomatic  duties 
until  the  expiration  of  his  term  as  Governor. 
The  position  was  kept  open  for  him  until 
that  time,  but,  when  it  came,  pressing  pri- 


vate  business  compelled   a  declination  of 
the  ofifice  altogether. 

In  January,  1866,  he  was  a  prominent 
candidate  before  the  Legislature  for  United 
States  Senator.  Senator  Harlan  had  re- 
signed the  senatorship  upon  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the 
Interior  by  President  Lincoln,  just  before 
his  death,  but  had  withdrawn  from  the 
cabinet  soon  after  the  accession  of  Mr. 
Johnson  to  the  Presidency.  In  this  way 
it  happened  that  the  Legislature  had  two 
terms  of  United  States  Senator  to  fill,  a 
short  term  of  two  years,  to  fill  Harlan's 
unexpired  term,  and  a  long  term  of  six 
years,  to  immediately  succeed  this ;  and 
Harlan  had  now  become  a  candidate  for 
his  own  successorship,  to  which  Kirkwood 
also  aspired.  Ultimately,  Kirkwood  was 
elected  for  the  first  and  Harlan  for  the 
second  term.  During  his  brief  senatorial 
service,  Kirkwood  did  not  hesitate  to  meas- 
ure swords  with  Senator  Sumner,  whose 
natural  egotism  had  begotten  in  him  an 
arrogant  and  dictatorial  manner,  borne  with 
humbly  until  then  by  his  colleagues,  in 
deference  to  his  long  experience  and  emi- 
nent ability,  but  unpalatable  to  an  inde- 
pendent Western  Senator  like  Kirkwood. 

At  the  close  of  his  senatorial  term,  March 
4,  1867,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law, 
which  a  few  years  later  he  relinquished  to 
accept  the  presidency  of  the  Iowa  City 
Savings  Bank.  In  1875  he  was  again  elected 
Governor,  and  was  inaugurated  Januar}-  13, 
1S76.  He  served  but  little  over  a  year,  as 
early  in  1877  he  was  chosen  United  States 
Senator.  He  filled  this  position  four  years, 
resigning  to  become  Secretary  of  the  In- 
terior in  President  Garfield's  cabinet.  In 
this  ofifice  he  was  succeeded,  April  17,  1882, 
by  Henry  M.  Teller,  of  Colorado. 

Governor  Kirkwood  returned  to  Iowa 
City,  his  home,  where  he  still  resides,  being 
now  advanced  in  years.  He  was  married 
in  1843  to  Miss  JaneClark,  a  native  of  Ohio. 


iaJiiai 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PURLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR.  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN   FOUNOATIONS. 


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WILLI  AM    M.    STONE. 


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jHE  subject  of  this  brief 
sketch  was  the  ninth 
to  hold  the  position 
of  Governor  of  Iowa, 
and  the  sixth  to  fill 
the  office  under  the 
State  organization. 
le  held  the  office  four 
years,  from  1864  to  1868. 

William  Milo  Stone  was 
born  October  14,  1827, 
a  son  of  Truman  and  La- 
vina  (North)  Stone.  His 
erreat-srandfather  on  both 
sides  of  the  family  was  in 
the  seven  years'  struggle 
for  independence.  His 
grandfather,  Aaron  Stone,  was  in  the  second 
war  with  England.  Truman  Stone  moved 
to  Lewis  County,  New  York,  when  the  son 
was  a  year  old,  and  six  3'ears  later  to  Co- 
shocton County,  Ohio. 

Like  many  other  self-made  men,  William 
M.  had  few  advantages.  He  never  attended 
a  school  of  any  kind  more  than  twelve 
months.  In  boyhood  he  was  for  two  seasons 
a  team-driver  on  the  Ohio  Canal.  At  seven- 
teen he  was  apprenticed  to  the  chairmaker's 
trade,  and  he  followed  that  business  until 
twenty-three    years   of    age,    reading   law 


meantime  during  his  spare  hours,  wher- 
ever he  happened  to  be.  He  commenced 
at  Coshocton,  with  James  Mathews,  who 
afterward  became  his  father-in-law;  con- 
tinued his  readings  with  General  Lucius  V. 
Pierce,  of  Akron,  and  finished  with  Ezra  B. 
Taylor,  of  Ravenna.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  August,  1851,  by  Peter  Hitch- 
cock and  Rufus  P.  Ranney,  supreme  judges, 
holding  a  term  of  court  at  Ravenna. 

After  practicing  three  years  at  Coshocton 
with  his  old  preceptor,  James  Mathews,  he, 
in  November,  1854,  settled  in  Knoxville, 
which  has  remained  his  home  since.  The 
year  after  locating  here  Mr.  Stone  pur- 
chased the  Knoxville  yi9«r«^r/,  and  was  one 
of  the  prime  movers  in  forming  the  Repub- 
lican party  in  Iowa,  being  the  first  editor  to 
suofsfest  a  State  convention,  which  met 
February  22,  1856,  and  completed  the  or- 
ganization. In  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year  he  was  a  Presidential  elector  on  the 
Republican  ticket. 

In  April,  1857,  Mr.  Stone  was  chosen 
Judge  of  the  Eleventh  Judicial  District. 
He  was  elected  judge  of  the  Sixth  Judicial 
District  when  the  new  Constitution  went 
into  operation  in  1858,  and  was  serving  on 
the  bench  when  the  American  flag  was 
stricken  down  at   Fort    Sumter.     At   that 


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GOVERNORS     OF    JOWA. 


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time,  April,  1861,  he  was  holding  court  in 
Fairfield,  Jefferson  County,  and  when  the 
news  came  of  the  insult  to  the  old  flag  he 
immediately  adjourned  court  and  prepared 
for  what  he  believed  to  be  more  important 
duties — duties  to  his  country. 

In  May  he  enlisted  as  a  private;  was 
made  Captain  of  Company  B,  Third  Iowa 
Infantry,  and  was  subsequently  promoted 
to  Major.  With  that  regiment  he  was  at 
the  battle  of  Blue  Mills,  Missouri,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1861,  where  he  was  wounded.  At 
Shiloh,  the  following  spring,  he  commanded 
the  regiment  and  was  taken  prisoner.  By 
order  of  Jefferson  Davis  he  was  paroled  for 
the  time  of  forty  days,  with  orders  to  re- 
pair to  Washington,  and  if  possible  secure 
an  agreement  for  a  cartel  for  a  general  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  and  to  return  as  a 
prisoner  if  he  did  not  succeed.  Failing  to 
secure  that  result  within  the  period  speci- 
fied he  returned  to  Richmond  and  had 
his  parol  extended  fifteen  days  ;  repairing 
again  to  Washington,  he  effected  his  pur- 
pose and  was  exchanged. 

In  August,  1862,  he  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Kirkwood  Colonel  of  the  Twen- 
ty-second Iowa  Infantry,  which  rendez- 
voused and  organized  at  Camp  Pope,  Iowa 
City,  in  August,  1862.  The  regiment  was 
occupied  for  several  months  in  guarding 
supply  stores  and  the  railroad,  and  escorting 
supply  trains  to  the  Army  of  the  Southeast 
Missouri  until  January  27,  1863,  when  it  re- 
ceived orders  to  join  the  army  under  Gen- 
eral Davidson,  at  West  Plains,  Missouri. 
After  a  march  of  five  days  it  reached  its 
destination,  and  was  brigaded  with  the 
Twenty-first  and  Twenty-third  Iowa  regi 
ments.  Colonel  Stone  commanding,  and  was 
designated  the  First  Brigade,  First  Divis- 
ion, Arm}^  of  Southeast  Missouri.  April  i 
found  Colonel  Stone  at  Milliken's  Bend, 
Louisiana,  to  assist  Grant  in  the  capture  of 
Vicksburg.  He  was  now  in  immediate 
command  of  his  regiment,  which   formed  a 


part  of  a  brigade  under  Colonel  C.  L. 
Harris,  of  the  Eleventh  Wisconsin.  In  the 
advance  upon  Port  Gibson  Colonel  Harris 
was  taken  sick,  and  Colonel  Stone  was 
again  in  charge  of  a  brigade.  In  the  battle 
of  Port  Gibson  the  Colonel  and  his  com- 
mand distinguished  themselves,  and  were 
successful.  The  brigade  was  in  the  reserve 
at  Champion  Hills,  and  in  active  skirmish 
at  Black  River. 

On  the  evening  of  May  21  Colonel  Stone 
received  General  Grant's  order  for  a  gen- 
eral assault  on  the  enemy's  lines  at  10  A.  M. 
on  the  22d.  In  this  charge,  which  was 
unsuccessful.  Colonel  Stone  was  again 
wounded,  receiving  a  gunshot  in  his  left 
forearm.  Colonel  Stone  commanded  a 
brigfade  until  the  last  of  August,  when, 
being  ordered  to  the  Gulf  department,  he 
resigned.  He  had  become  very  popular 
with  the  people  of  Iowa,  and  they  were 
determined  to  make  him  Governor. 

He  was  nominated  in  a  Republican  con- 
vention held  at  Des  Moines  in  June,  1863, 
and  was  elected  by  a  large  majority.  He 
was  bre vetted  Brigadier-General  in  1864, 
during  his  first  year  as  Governor.  He  was 
inaugurated  January  14,  1864,  and  was  re- 
elected in  1865,  his  four  years  in  office 
closing  January  16,  1868.  His  majority  in 
1863  was  nearly  30,000,  and  in  1865  about 
16,500.  His  diminished  vote  in  1865  was 
due  to  the  fact  that  he  was  very  strongly 
committed  in  favor  of  negro  suffrage. 

Governor  Stone  made  a  ver}'  energetic 
and  efficient  executive.  Since  the  expira- 
tion of  his  gubernatorial  term  he  has  sought 
to  escape  the  public  notice,  and  has  given 
his  time  largely  to  his  private  business  in- 
terests. He  is  in  partnership  with  Hon.  O. 
B.  Ayres,  of  Knoxville,  in  legal  practice. 

He  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly 
in  1877,  'i"^  served  one  term. 

In  May,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Carloaet 
Mathews,  a  native  of  Ohio,  then  residing  in 
Knoxville.  They  have  one  son — William  A. 


fHE  NEW  YORK! 
PUBUC  LIBRARY' 


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SAMUEL    MERRILL. 


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OLONEL  SAM- 
UEL MERRILL,  the 
seventh  Governor  of 
the  State  of  Iowa,  the 
successor  of  Governor 
Stone,  is  among  the 
men  of  the  West  who 
have  been  called  from 
private  life  to  places  of  trust  on 
account  of  their  peculiar  fitness 
for  office,  tie  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Turner,  Oxford  County, 
Maine,  August  7,  1S22.  He  is 
of  English  ancestry,  being  a 
descendant  on  his  mother's  side 
of  Peter  Hill,  who  came  from 
the  West  of  England  and  set- 
tled in  Saco,  Maine  (now  known  as  Bidde- 
ford),  in  1653.  From  this  ancestry  have 
sprung  the  most  of  the  Hills  of  America. 
On  his  father's  side  he  is  a  descendant  of 
Nathaniel  Merrill,  who,  with  his  brother 
John,  came  from  Salisbury,  England,  and 
settled  in  Newburg,  Massachusetts,  in  1636. 
Abel  Merrill  married  Abigail  Hill,  June 
25,  1809,  in  Buxton,  Maine.  They  soon 
moved  to  Turner,  where  they  became  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  Samuel,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  being  next  the  youngest, 
the  fourth  and  youngest  son  in  the  family, 
and  in  the  eighth  generation  from  his  Pil- 
grim fathers. 

IS 


Samuel  was  married  first  to  Catherine 
Thoms,  who  died  m  1847,  but  fourteen 
months  after  their  marriage.  In  January, 
1 85 1,  he  was  again  married,  his  second  wife 
being  a  Miss  Hill,  of  Buxton,  Maine.  To 
this  union  there  have  been  born  four  chil- 
dren, three  of  whom  died  young,  the  eldest 
living  to  be  only  two  and  a  half  years  old. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Buxton,  where  his  time  was 
mostly  engaged  by  turns  in  teaching  and 
in  attending  school  until  he  attained  his 
majority.  Having  determined  to  make 
teaching  a  profession,  he  set  out  for  that 
purpose  toward  the  sunny  South,  but,  as 
he  says,  he  was  "  born  too  far  north  "  for 
his  political  comfort.  Suspicion  having 
been  aroused  as  to  his  abolitionist  pro- 
clivities, and  finding  the  elements  not  al- 
together congenial,  he  soon  abandoned  the 
land  of  chivalry  for  the  old  Granite  State, 
where  he  engaged  for  several  years  in 
farming. 

In  1847  he  removed  to  Tamworth,  New 
Hampshire,  where  he  embarked  in  mer- 
cantile business  in  company  with  a  brother. 
In  this,  as  in  all  his  business  enterprises,  he 
was  quite  successful.  Not  being  satisfied 
with  the  limited  resources  of  Northern 
New  England,  he  determined  to  try  his 
good  fortune  on  the  broad  prairies  of  the 
new  and  more  fertile  West.     Accordingly, 


M 


204 


GOVEItNOIiS    OF    IOWA. 


in  1856,  he  turned  his  face  toward  the  set- 
ting sun.  He  made  a  final  settlement  at 
McGregor,  Iowa,  where  he  established  a 
branch  house  of  the  old  firm. 

During  all  these  years  of  business  Mr. 
Merrill  took  an  active  but  not  a  noisy  part 
in  politics.  In  1854  he  was  elected  as  an 
Abolitionist  to  the  New  Hampshire  Legis- 
lature, at  the  same  time  General  N.  B. 
Baker,  ex-Adjutant  General  of  Iowa,  was 
Governor  of  the  same  State.  In  1855  he 
was  returned  for  a  second  term  to  the  Leg- 
islature. In  Iowa  he  was  equally  fortunate 
in  securing  the  good  will  of  those  who 
knew  him.  His  neighbors  and  those  who 
had  dealings  with  him  found  a  man  who 
was  honest  in  his  busuiess,  fair  in  his  deal- 
ings, social  in  his  relations,  and  benevolent 
in  his  disposition.  He  took  an  active  in- 
terest in  the  prosperity  of  the  town  and 
ever  held  an  open  hand  to  all  needed  chari- 
ties. These  traits  of  character  had  drawn 
around  him,  though  not  realized  or  intended 
by  himself,  a  host  of  personal  admirers. 
This  good  will  resulted  in  his  being  nomi- 
nated for  a  seat  in  the  State  Legislature, 
and  he  was  the  only  one  on  his  ticket  that 
was  elected.  The  Legislature  met  in  extra 
session  in  1861  to  provide  for  the  exigencies 
of  the  Rebellion,  and  in  its  deliberations  Mr. 
Merrill  rendered  effective  and  unselfish 
service. 

He  continued  in  business  at  McGregor 
until  the  summer  of  1862,  when  he  was 
commissioned  as  Colonel  of  the  Twenty- 
first  Iowa  Infantry,  proceeding  immediately 
to  Missouri,  where  active  service  awaited 
him.  Marmaduke  was  menacing  the  Union 
forces  in  Central  Missouri,  which  called  for 
prompt  action  on  the  part  of  the  Union 
Generals.  Colonel  Merrill  was  placed  in 
command  of  a  detachment  of  the  Twenty- 
first  Iowa,  a  detachment  of  the  Ninety-ninth 
Illinois,  a  portion  of  the  Third  Iowa  Cavalry 
and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  with  orders  to 
make  a  forced  march  to  Springfield,  he  be- 


ing at  Houston,  eighty  miles  distant.  On 
the  morning  of  the  nth  of  January,  1863, 
they  having  come  across  a  body  of  rebels, 
found  them  advancing  in  heavy  force. 
Colonel  Merrill  immediately  made  dis- 
position for  battle,  and  brisk  firing  was 
kept  up  for  an  hour,  when  the  enemy  fell 
back.  Colonel  Merrill  now  moved  in  the 
direction  of  Hartville,  where  he  found  the 
rebels  in  force  under  Marmaduke,  and  from 
six  to  eight  thousand  strong,  with  six  pieces 
of  artillery,  while  Colonel  Merrill  had  but 
800  men  and  two  pieces  of  artillery. 

In  this  engagement  the  rebels  lost  several 
officers  and  not  less  than  300  men  in  killed 
and  wounded.  The  Union  loss  was  seven 
killed  and  sixty-four  wounded,  five  captured 
and  two  missing.  The  regiment  performed 
severe  marches  and  suffered  much  in  sick- 
ness during  the  winter.  It  was  assigned  to 
the  Thirteenth  Corps,  General  John  A.  Mc- 
Clernand  ;  fought  gallantly  at  the  battle  of 
Port  Gibson;  and  while  the  impetuous 
charge  of  Black  River  bridge  was  being 
made  Colonel  Merrill  was  scvcrel)-,  and  re- 
ported fatally, wounded.  The  battle  of  Black 
River  bridge,  the  last  of  the  scries  of  engage- 
ments during  the  campaign  of  \^icksburg  in 
which  the  rebels  fought  without  their  fortifi- 
cations, was  a  short  but  bloody  combat. 
While  Colonel  Merrill  was  leading  his  regi- 
ment in  this  deadly  charge  he  was  wounded 
through  the  hips.  This  brought  his  mili- 
tary career  to  a  close.  Suffering  from  his 
wounds,  he  resigned  his  commission  and  re- 
turned to  McGregor,  but  was  unable  to  at- 
tend to  his  private  affairs  for  many  months. 

In  1867  he  was  chosen  Governor  to  suc- 
ceed William  M.  Stone.  He  was  inaugu- 
rated January  16,  1868,  and  served  till 
January  11,  1872,  being  re-elected  in  1869. 
After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office 
he  returned  to  McGregor,  but  as  soon  as 
he  could  adjust  his  business  interests  he  lo- 
cated in  Des  Moines,  where  he  is  now 
President  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank. 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR.   LENOX  AND 
TILDEN   FOUNDATIONS. 


i^mSi 


.■^■laB. 


CrJiUS     C.     CARPENTER. 


207 


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ROM  his  numerous  offi- 
cial positions,  and 
the  ability  with 
which  the}'  have 
been  filled,  Cyrus 
C.  Carpenter,  the 
eighth  Governor  of 
the  State  of  Iowa, 
deserves  to  be  remembered 
as  one  of  Iowa's  foremost 
men.  He  is  a  native  of  Sus- 
quehanna County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  born  Novem- 
ber 24,  1829.  His  parents 
were  Asahel  and  Amanda  M. 
(Thayer)  Carpenter,  both  of  whom  died  be- 
fore he  was  twelve  years  old.  His  grand- 
father, John  Carpenter,  was  one  of  nine 
young  men  who,  in  1789,  left  Attleborough, 
Massachusetts,  for  the  purpose  of  finding  a 
home  in  the  "  new  country."  After  various 
vicissitudes  they  located  upon  the  spot 
which  they  called  Harford,  in  Northeastern 
Pennsylvania,  the  township  in  which  Cyrus 
was  born.  This  location  at  that  time  was 
far  from  any  other  settlement,  Wilkesbarre, 
in  Wyoming  Valley,  near  the  scene  of  the 
celebrated  Indian  massacre,  being  among 
the  nearest,  though  fifty  miles  away. 

Cyrus  attended  a  common  school  three 
or  tour  months  in  a  year  until  1846,  then 


taught  winters  and  worked  on  a  farm  sum- 
mers for  three  or  four  years,  and  with  the 
money  thus  raised  paid  his  expenses  for 
several  months  at  the  academy  which  had 
been  established  in  his  native  town.  After 
leaving  this  institution,  in  1852,  he  started 
westward ;  halted  at  Johnstown,  Licking 
County,  Ohio ;  taught  there  a  year  and  a 
half,  and  with  his  funds  thus  replenished  he 
came  to  Iowa,  loitering  some  on  the  wav, 
and  reaching  Des  Moines  in  June,  1854.  A 
few  days  later  he  started  on  foot  up  the 
Des  Moines  Valle}^  and  found  his  way  to 
Fort  Dodge,  eighty  miles  northwest  of  Des 
Moines,  from  which  place  the  soldiers  had 
moved  the  previous  spring  to  Fort  Ridgely, 
Minnesota. 

He  now  had  but  a  single  half  dollar  m 
his  pocket.  He  frankly  told  the  landlord 
of  his  straightened  circumstances,  offering 
to  do  any  kind  of  labor  until  something 
should  "  turn  up."  On  the  evening  of  his 
arrival  he  heard  a  Government  contractor 
state  that  his  chief  surveyor  had  left  him 
and  that  he  was  going  out  to  find  another. 
Young  Carpenter  at  once  offered  his  ser- 
vices. To  the  inquiry  whether  he  was  a 
surveyor,  he  answered  that  he  understood 
the  theory  of  surveying,  but  had  had  no 
experience  in  the  field.  His  services  were 
promptly  accepted,  with  a  promise  of  steady 


20S 


GOVERNORS    OF    IOWA. 


employment  if  he  were  found  competent. 
The  next  mornini;;  he  met  the  party  and 
took  command.  When  the  first  week's 
work  was  done  he  went  to  Fort  Dodge  to 
replenish  his  wardrobe.  As  he  left,  some 
of  the  men  remarked  that  that  was  the  last 
that  would  be  seen  of  him.  He  was  then 
of  a  slight  build,  jaded  and  torn  by  hard 
work,  and,  when  he  left  the  camp,  so  utterly 
tired  out  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  men 
who  were  inured  to  out-door  life  thought 
him  completel}'  used  up.  But  they  did  not 
know  their  man.  With  the  few  dollars 
which  he  had  earned,  he  supplied  himself 
with  comfortable  clothing,  went  back  to 
his  work  on  Monday  morning  and  con- 
tinued it  till  the  contract  was  completed. 

The  next  winter  he  taught  the  first  school 
opened  in  Fort  Dodge,  and  from  that  date 
his  general  success  was  assured.  For  the 
first  two  years  he  was  employed  much  of 
the  time  by  persons  having  contracts  for 
surveying  Government  lands.  He  was  thus 
naturally  led  into  the  land  business,  and 
from  the  autumn  of  1855,  when  the  Land 
Office  was  established  at  Fort  Dodge,  much 
of  his  time  was  devoted  to  surveying,  select- 
ing lands  for  buyers,  tax-paying  for  foreign 
owners,  and  in  short  a  general  land  agency. 
During  this  period  he  devoted  such  time  as 
he  could  spare  to  reading  law,  with  the 
view  of  eventually  entering  the  profession. 

Soon  after  the  civil  war  commenced  he 
entered  the  army,  and  before  going  into  the 
field  was  commissioned  as  Captain  in  the 
staff  department,  and  served  over  three 
years,  attaining  the  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  and  being  mustered  out  as  brevet 
Colonel. 

He  has  served  his  State  in  numerous 
civil  capacities.  He  was  elected  Surveyor 
of  Webster  County  in  the  spring  of  1856, 
and  the  next  year  was  elected  a  Represen- 
tative to  the  General  Assembly,  and  served 
in  tiie  first  session  of  that  body  held  at  Des 
Moines.     He  was  elected  Register  of  the 


State  Land  Ofifice  in  1S66,  re-elected  in 
1868,  and  held  the  office  four  years,  declin- 
ing to  be  a  candidate  for  renomination. 

He  was  elected  Governor  of  Iowa  in 
1 87 1,  and  was  inaugurated  January  1 1, 1872. 
He  was  re-elected  two  years  later,  and 
served  until  January  13,  1874.  He  made 
an  able  and  popular  executive.  In  his  first 
inaugural  address,  delivered  January  11, 
1S72,  he  made  a  strong  plea  for  the  State 
University,  and  especially  its  normal  de- 
partment, for  the  agricultural  college,  and 
for  whatever  would  advance  the  material 
progress  and  prosperity  of  the  people,  urg- 
ing in  particular  the  introduction  of  more 
manufactories. 

At  the  expiration  of  his  second  term  as 
Governor  Mr.  Carpenter  was  appointed, 
without  his  previous  knowledge.  Second 
Comptroller  of  the  United  States  Treasury, 
and  resigned  after  holding  that  office  about 
fifteen  months.  He  was  influenced  to  take 
this  step  at  that  ti me  because  another  bureau 
officer  was  to  be  dismissed,  as  the  head  of 
the  department  held  that  Iowa  had  more 
heads  of  bureaus  than  she  was  entitled  to, 
and  his  resigning  an  office  of  a  higher  grade 
saved  a  man  who  deserved  to  remain  in 
Government  employ. 

He  was  in  the  forty-seventh  Congress 
from  1 88 1  to  1883,  and  represented  Web- 
ster County  in  the  twentieth  General  As- 
sembl}'.  He  is  now  leading  the  life  of  a 
private  citizen  at  Fort  Dodge,  his  chief 
employment  being  the  carrying  on  of  a 
farm.  He  is  not  rich,  which  is  a  striking 
commentary  on  his  long  official  service. 
He  has  led  a  pure  and  upright  life. 

He  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  or- 
ganization of  that  party.  In  religious  mat- 
ters he  is  orthodox. 

He  was  married  in  March,  1864,  to  Miss 
Susan  C.  Burkholder,  of  Fort  Dodge.  They 
have  no  children,  but  have  reared  from 
childhood  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Carpenter,  Miss 
Fannie  Burkholder. 


TH  F 

PUBLIC  L. 


ASTOR,   LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


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"OSHUA  G.  NEWBOLD 
was  the  tenth  Governor 
of  the  State,  and  the 
thirteenth  of  Iowa,  niim- 
bering  from  the  first 
Territorial  Governor. 
He  is  yet  living  at  Mount 
Pleasant.  He  is  a  native  of 
Pennsj'lvania,  and  his  an- 
cestors in  this  country  were 
among  the  very  early  set- 
tlers in  New  Jersey.  They 
were  Friends,  and  conse- 
quently none  of  them 
figured  in  the  struggle  for 
the  independence  of  the  colo- 
nies. Governor  Newbold  is  the  son  of 
Barzilla  and  Catherine  (Houseman)  New- 
bold.  He  was  born  in  Fa3'ette  County, 
Pennsylvania,  May  12,  1830,  and  reared  as 
a  farmer.  When  he  was  eight  years  of  age 
the  family  moved  to  Westmoreland  County, 
same  State,  where  he  was  educated  in  the 
common  school,  and  also  in  a  select  school 
or  academy,  the  latter  taught  by  Dr.  John 
Lewis,  since  of  Grinnell,  Iowa.  At  sixteen 
he  returned  with  the  family  to  Fayette 
County,  where  he  remained  eight  3-ears, 
assisting  his  father  in  running  a  flouring 
mill,  when  not  teaching.  When  about  nine- 
teen he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  read- 
ing a  year  or  more  while  teaching,  and  then 
abandoning  the  notion  of  being  a  physician. 


In  the  month  of  March,  1854,  Mr.  New- 
bold  removed  to  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm, 
now  partly  in  the  corporation  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  Henry  Countv.  At  the  end  of 
one  year  he  removed  to  Cedar  Township, 
Van  Buren  Count}',  there  merchandising 
and  farming  till  about  i860,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Hillsboro,  Henry  Count}'-  and 
pursued  the  same  callings. 

In  1862,  when  the  call  was  made  for  600,- 
000  men  to  finish  the  work  of  crushing  the 
Rebellion,  Mr.  Newbold  left  his  farm  in  the 
hands  of  his  family  and  his  store  in  charge 
of  his  partner,  and  went  into  the  army  as 
Captain  of  Company  C,  Twenty-fifth  Regi- 
ment Iowa  Infantry.  He  served  nearly 
three  years,  resigning  just  before  the  war 
closed,  on  account  of  disability.  During 
the  last  two  or  three  months  he  served  at 
the  South  he  filled  the  position  of  Judge 
Advocate,  with  headquarters  at  Woodville, 
Alabama. 

His  regiment  was  one  of  those  that  made 
Iowa  troops  famous.  It  arrived  at  Helena, 
Arkansas,  in  November,  1862,  and  sailed  in 
December  following  on  the  expedition 
against  Vicksburg  by  way  of  Chickasaw 
Bayou.  At  the  latter  place  was  its  first  en- 
e:ae:ement.  Its  second  was  at  Arkansas 
Post,  and  there  it  suffered  severely,  losing 
in  killed  and  wounded  more  than  sixty. 

Alter  Lookout  Mountain  it  joined  in  the 
pursuit  of  Bragg's  flying  forces  to  Ring- 


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gfold,  where  il  engfaged  the  enemv  in  their 
strong  works,  November  27  losing  twenty- 
nine  wonnded.  The  following  year  it  joined 
Sherman  in  his  Atlanta  campaign,  then  on 
the  famous  march  to  the  sea  and  through 
the  Carolinas. 

On  returning  to  Iowa  he  continued  in 
the  mercantile  trade  at  Hillsboro  for  three 
or  four  years,  and  then  sold  out,  giving 
thereafter  his  whole  attention  to  agricult- 
ure, stock-raising  and  stock-dealing,  mak- 
ing the  stock  department  an  important 
factor  in  his  business  for  several  years.  Mr. 
Newbold  was  a  member  of  the  thirteenth, 
fourteenth  and  fifteenth  Grcncral  Assem- 
blies, representing  Henry  Count}',  and  was 
chairman  of  the  school  ccjmmittee  in  the 
fourteenth,  and  (jf  the  committee  on  appro- 
priations in  the  fifteenth  General  Assembly. 
In  the  fifteenth  (1874)  he  was  temporary 
Speaker  during  the  deadlock  in  organizing 
the  House.  In  1875  he  was  elected  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  on  the  Republican  ticket 
with  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood. 

His  Democratic  competitor  was  E.  B. 
Woodward,  who  received  93,060  votes.  Mr. 
Newbold  received  134,166,  or  a  majority  of 
31,106.  Governor  Kirkwood  being  elected 
United  States  Senator  during  that  session, 
Mr.  Newbold  became  Governor,  taking  the 
chair  February  i,  1S77,  ^"d  vacating  it  for 
Governor  Gear  in  Januar}-,  1878. 

Governor  Newbold's  message  to  the  Leg- 
islature in  187S  shows  painstaking  care 
and  a  clear  business-like  view  of  the  in- 
terests of  the  State.  His  recommendations 
were  carefully  considered  and  largel}^ 
adopted.  The  State's  finances  were  then 
in  a  less  creditable  condition  than  ever  be- 
fore or  since,  as  there  was  an  increasing 
floating  debt,  then  amounting  to  $340,- 
826.56,  more  than  $90,000  in  excess  of  the 
Constitutional  limitation.  Said  Governor 
Newbold  in  his  message:  "The  common- 
wealth ought  not  to  set  an  example  of  dila- 


toriness  in  meeting  its  obligations.  Of  all 
forms  of  indebtedness,  that  of  a  floating 
character  is  the  most  objectionable.  The 
uncertainty  as  to  its  amount  will  invariably 
enter  into  any  computation  made  by  persons 
contracting  with  the  State  for  supplies,  ma- 
terial or  labor.  To  remove  the  present 
difficulty,  and  to  avert  its  recurrence,  I 
look  upon  as  the  most  important  work  that 
will  demand  your  attention." 

One  of  the  greatest  problems  before 
statesmen  is  that  of  equal  and  just  taxation. 
The  following  recommendation  shows  that 
Governor  Newbold  was  abreast  with  fore- 
most thinkers,  for  it  proposes  a  step  which 
yearly  finds  more  favor  with  the  people: 
"The  inetiualities  of  the  personal-property 
valuations  of  the  several  counties  suggest 
to  my  mind  the  propriety  of  so  adjusting 
the  State's  levy  as  to  require  the  counties 
to  pay  into  the  State  treasury  only  the  tax 
on  realty,  leaving  the  corresponding  tax  on 
personalty  in  the  county  treasury.  This 
would  rest  with  each  count}'  the  adjust- 
ment of  its  personal  property  valuations, 
without  fear  that  they  might  be  so  high  as 
to  work  injustice  to  itself  in  comparison 
with  other  counties." 

Governor  Newbold  has  always  affiliated 
with  the  Republican  party,  and  holds  to  its 
great  cardinal  doctrines,  having  once  em- 
braced them,  with  the  same  sincerity  and 
honesty  that  he  cherishes  his  religious  senti- 
ments. He  has  been  a  Christian  for  some- 
thing like  twenty-five  years,  his  connection 
being  with  the  Free-Will  Baptist  church. 
He  found  his  wife,  Rachel  Farquhar,  in 
Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania,  their  union 
taking  place  on  the  2d  of  May,  1850.  They 
have  had  five  children,  and  lost  two.  The 
names  of  the  living  are — Mary  Allene, 
Emma  Irene  and  George  C. 

The  Governor  is  not  yet  an  old  man,  and 
may  serve  his  State  or  county  in  other 
capacities  in  the  coming  years. 


1 1 

Si 


THENEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,   LENOX  AND 
TILDEN   FOUNDATIONS. 


yoiIN    II.    GEAR. 


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;  H  E  eleventh  to  hold  the 
highest  official  posi- 
tion in  the  State  of 
Iowa  was  John  H. 
Gear,  of  Burlington. 
Me  is  3'et  living  in 
that  city-  He  was 
born  in  Ithaca,  New  York, 
April  7,  1825.  His  father 
was  Rev.  E.  G.  Gear,  a  cler- 
gy man  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church,  who 
was  born  in  New  London, 
Connecticut,  in  1792. 
When  he  was  quite  young 
h  i  s  family  removed  to 
Pittsfteld,  Berkshire  County, 
Massachusetts;  in  1816,  after  being  or- 
dained, he  emigrated  to  New  York  and 
settled  at  Onondaga  Hill,  near  which  is  now 
the  thriving  city  of  Syracuse.  Soon  after 
locating  there  he  was  married  to  Miranda  E. 
Cook.  He  was  engaged  in  the  ministry  in 
various  places  in  Western  New  York  until 
1836,  when  he  removed  to  Galena,  Illinois. 
There  he  remained  until  1838,  when  he  was 
appointed  Chaplain  in  the  United  States 
Army  at  Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota.  He 
died  in  1874,  aged  eighty-two  years. 

John  H.,  his  onl}'  son,  in  1843,  came  to 
Burlington,  where  he  has  since  continued 
to  reside.     On  his  arrival    he  commenced 


his  mercantile  career  by  engaging  as  clerk 
with  the  firm  of  Bridgeman  &  Bros.  After 
being  with  this  firm  for  a  little  over  a  year 
he  entered  the  employ  of  W.  F.  Coolbaugh 
(since  president  of  the  Union  National 
Bank,  of  Chicago),  who  was  even  at  that 
early  date  the  leading  merchant  of  Eastern 
Iowa.  He  was  clerk  for  Mr.  Coolbaugh 
for  about  five  years,  and  was  then  taken 
into  partnership.  The  firm  of  W.  F.  Cool- 
baugh &  Co.  continued  in  business  for 
nearl}'  five  years,  when  Mr.  Gear  suc- 
ceeded to  the  business  by  purchase,  and 
carried  it  on  until  he  became  known  as  the 
oldest  wholesale  grocer  in  the  State.  He 
is  now  president  of  a  large  rolling  mill 
company  at  Burlington. 

Mr.  Gear  has  been  honored  by  his  fell(;w- 
citizens  with  many  positions  of  trust.  In 
1852  he  was  elected  alderman  ;  in  1863  was 
elected  mayor  over  A.  W.  Carpenter,  be- 
ing the  first  Republican  up  to  that  time 
who  had  been  elected  in  Burlington  on  a 
party  issue.  In  1867  the  Burlington,  Cedar 
Rapids  &  Minnesota  Railroad  Company 
was  organized,  and  he  was  chosen  as  its 
president.  His  efforts  highly  contributed 
to  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  which  did 
much  for  Burlington.  He  was  also  active 
in  promoting  the  Burlington  &  Southwest- 
crri  Railway,  as  well  as  the  Burlington  & 
Northwestern  narrow-gauge  road, 


2l6 


GOVERNOJiS    OF    IOWA. 


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He  has  always  acted  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  in  1871  was  nominated  and 
elected  a  member  of  tiie  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  Fouitcenth  General  As- 
sembly. In  1S73  he  was  elected  to  the 
Fifteenth  General  Assembly.  The  Repub- 
lican caucus  of  the  House  nominated  him 
lor  Speaker  by  acclamation,  and  after  a 
contest  of  two  weeks  he  was  chosen  over 
his  opponent,  J.  W.  Di.xon.  He  filled  the 
position  of  Speaker  very  acceptably,  and 
at  the  close  of  the  session  all  the  members 
of  the  House,  independent  of  party  affili- 
ations, joined  in  sii^ning  their  names  to  a 
resolution  of  thanks,  which  was  engraved 
and  presented  to  him.  In  1875  he  was  the 
third  time  nominated  to  the  Assembly  by 
the  Republican  part}',  and  while  his  county 
^ave  a  large  Democratic  vote  he  was  again 
elected.  He  was  also  again  nominated  for 
Speaker,  by  the  Republican  caucus,  and 
was  elected  by  a  handsome  majority  over 
his  competitor,  Hon.  John  Y.  Stone.  He 
is  the  only  man  in  the  State  who  ever  had 
the  honor  of  being  chosen  to  this  high  posi- 
tion a  second  time.  He  enjoys  the  reputa- 
tion of  being  an  able  parliamentarian,  his 
rulings  never  having  been  appealed  from. 
\t  the  close  of  the  session  he  again  received 
the  luianimous  thanks  of  the  House  for  his 
courtesy  and  impartialit}-. 

In  1877  he  was  nominated  for  Governor 
by  the  Republican  convention  which  met 
at  Des  Moines,  June  28,  and  at  the  election 
held  the  following  October  he  received 
121,546  votes,  against  79,353  for  John  P. 
Irish,  10,639  for  Eliasjessup,  and  38,228  for 
D.  P.  Stubbs.  His  plurality  over  Irish  was 
42,193.  He  was  inaugurated  January  17, 
1 878,  and  served  four  years,  being  re-elected 
in  1879,  by  the  following  handsome  vote  : 
Gear,  157,571  ;  Trimble,  85,056;  Campbell, 
45,439;  Dungan,  3,258;  Gear's  majority 
over  all  competitors,  23,828.  His  second 
inauguration  was  in  January,  1880. 

Governor  Gear's  business  habits  enabled 


him  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office 
with  marked  ability.  He  found  the  finan- 
cial condition  of  the  State  in  a  low  ebb,  but 
raised  Iowa's  credit  to  that  of  the  best  of 
our  States.  In  his  last  biennial  message  he 
was  able  to  report:  "The  warrants  out- 
standing, but  not  bearing  interest,  Septem- 
ber 30,  1 88 1,  amounted  to  $22,093.74,  and 
there  are  now  in  the  treasurv  ample  funds 
to  meet  the  current  expenses  of  the  State. 
The  war  and  defense  debt  has  been  paid, 
except  the  warrants  for  $125,000  negotiated 
by  the  executive,  autlitor  and  treasurer, 
under  the  law  of  the  Eighteenth  General 
Assembly,  and  $2,500  of  the  original  bonds 
not  yet  presented  for  pa^'ment.  The  only 
other  debt  owing  by  the  State  amounts  to 
$245,435.19,  due  to  the  permanent  school 
fund,  a  portion  of  which  is  made  irredeem- 
able by  the  Constitution.  These  facts  place 
Iowa  practically  among  the  States  which 
have  no  debt,  a  consideration  which  must 
add  much  to  her  reputation.  The  expenses 
of  the  State  for  the  last  two  years  are  less 
than  those  of  any  other  period  since  1869, 
and  this  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the 
State  is  to-day  sustaining  several  institU' 
tions  not  then  in  existence ;  namely,  the 
hospital  at  Independence,  the  additional 
penitentiary,  the  normal  school,  and  the 
asylum  for  the  feeble-minded  children,  be- 
sides the  girl's  department  of  the  reform 
school.  The  State  also,  at  present,  makes 
provision  for  fish  culture,  for  a  useful 
weather  service,  for  sanitary  supervision 
by  a  board  of  health,  for  encouraging  im- 
migration to  the  State,  for  the  inspection  of 
coal  mines  by  a  State  inspector,  and  liberall)' 
for  the  military  arm  of  the  Government." 

Governor  Gear  is  now  in  the  sixty-first 
year  of  his  age,  and  is  in  the  full  vigor  of 
both  his  mental  and  physical  faculties.  He 
was  married  in  1852  to  Harriet  S.  Foot, 
formerly  of  Middlebury,  Vermont,  by  whom 
he  has  had  lour  children,  two  of  whom  are 
livinsr 


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isHE    twelfth    Governor 
of   the    State    was 
Burcn  R.  Sherman, 
wlio  held  office  two 
terms,  from   1882  to 
1886.     He  was  born 
in    Phelps,    Ontario 
County,  New  York,  May 
28,  1836,  and  is  the  third 
son  of  Phineas  L.  and  Eve- 
line (Robinson)  Sherman, 
both  of  whom  were  natives 
)f  the  Empire  State. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch 
received  his   early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools 
)f  his  native  place,  and  con- 
cluded  his   studies  at  Elmira,  New  York, 
acquiring    a    thorough    knowledge   of    the 
English    branches.      At    the    close   of   his 
studies,  acting  on  the  advice  of  his  father, 
who  was  a  mechanic  (an  ax  maker),  he  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  Mr.  S.  Ayres,  of  El- 
mira, to  learn  the  watchmaker's  trade.     In 
1855,  with  his  family,  he  removed  to  Iowa 
and   settled   upon   an  unbroken  prairie,  in 
what    is    now    Geneseo    Township,    Tama 
County,   where    his   father   had  purchased 
lands  from  the  Government.    There  young 
Sherman  labored  on  his  father's  farm,  em- 
ploying  his   leisure  hours  in   the  study  t)f 
law,  which   he  had  begun  at  Elmira.     He 
also  engaged  as  bookkeeper  in  a  neighbor- 
ly 


ing  town,  and  with  his  wages  assisted  his 
parents  in  improving  their  farm.  In  the 
summer  of  1859  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  the  following  spring  removed  to  Vin- 
ton, and  began  the  practice  of  law  with 
Hon.  William  Smj'th,  formerly  District 
Judge,  and  J.  C.  Traer,  conducting  the 
business  under  the  firm  name  of  Smyth, 
Traer  &  Sherman. 

They  built  up  a  flourishing  practice  and 
wei^e  prospering  when,  upon  the  opening 
(jf  the  war,  in  1861,  Mr.  Sherman  enlisted  in 
Company  G,  Thirteenth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  immediately  went  to  the 
front.  He  entered  the  service  as  Second 
Sergeant,  and  in  February,  1S62,  was  made 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  E.  On  the 
6th  of  April  following  he  was  very  severely 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing, 
and  while  in  the  hospital  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  Captain.  He  returned  to  his 
company  while  yet  obliged  to  use  crutches, 
and  remained  on  duty  till  the  summer  of 
1863,  when,  b}'  reason  of  his  wound,  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  and  return  home.  Soon 
after  returning  from  the  ami)-  he  was 
elected  County  Judge  of  Benton  County, 
and  re-elected  without  opposition  in  1865. 
In  the  autumn  of  1866  he  resigned  his  judge- 
ship and  accepted  the  office  of  clerk  of  the 
District  Court,  to  which  he  was  re-elected 
in  186S,  1870  and  1872,  and  in  December, 
1874,  resigned  in  order  to  accept  the  office 


£^i^_fi  3 


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GOVERNORS    OF    IOWA 


of  Auditor  of  State,  to  which  he  had  been 
elected  by  a  majority  of  28,425  over  J.  M. 
King,  the  "  anti-monopoly"  candidate.  In 
1876  he  was  re-nominated  and  received  50,- 
272  more  votes  than  W.  Growneweg(Demo- 
crat)  and  Leonard  Brown  (Greenback)  to- 
gether. In  1878  he  was  again  chosen  to 
represent  the  Republican  party  in  that  office, 
and  Ibis  time  received  a  majority  of  7,164 
over  the  combined  votes  of  Colonel  Eiboeck 
(Democrat)  and  G.  V.  Swearenger  (Green- 
back). In  the  six  years  that  he  held  this 
office,  he  was  untiring  in  his  faithful  appli- 
cation to  routine  work  and  devotion  to  his 
especial  share  of  the  State's  business.  He 
retired  with  such  an  enviable  record  that  it 
was  with  no  surprise  the  people  learned, 
June  27,  1 88 1,  that  he  was  the  nominee  of  the 
Republican  parly  for  Governor 

The  campaign  was  an  exciting  one.  The 
General  Assembly  had  submitted  to  the 
people  the  prohibitory  amendment  to  the 
Constitution.  This,  while  not  a  partisan 
question,  became  uppermost  in  the  mind 
of  the  public.  Mr.  Sherman  received  133,- 
330  votes,  against  83,244  for  Kinne  and  28,- 
1 12  for  D.  M.  Clark,  or  a  plurality  of  50,086 
and  a  majority  of  21,974.  In  18S3  he  was 
re-nominated  by  the  Republicans,  as  was  L. 
G.  Kinne  by  the  Democrats.  The  National 
party  offered  J.  B.  Weaver.  During  the 
campaign  these  candidates  held  a  number 
of  joint  discussions  at  different  points  in  the 
State.  At  the  election  the  vote  was:  Sher- 
man, 164,182;  Kinne,  139,093  ;  Weaver,  23,- 
089;  Sherman's  ])lurality,  25,089  ;  majority, 
2,000.  In  his  second  inaugural  Governor 
Sherman  said : 

"  In  assuming,  for  the  second  time,  the 
office  of  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  State,  I 
fully  realize  my  grateful  obligations  to  the 
people  of  Iowa,  through  whose  generous 
confidence  I  am  here.  I  am  aware  of  the 
duties  and  grave  responsibilities  of  this  ex- 
alted position,  and  as  well  what  is  expected 
of  lue  therein.     As  in  the  past  I  have  given 


my  undivided  time  and  serious  attention 
thereto,  so  in  the  future  I  promise  the  most 
earnest  devotion  and  untiring  effort  in  the 
faithful  performance  of  my  official  require- 
ments. I  have  seen  the  State  grow  from 
infancy  to  mature  manhood,  and  each  year 
one  of  substantial  betterment  of  its  previous 
position. 

"  With  more  railroads  than  any  other 
State,  save  two ;  with  a  school  interest  the 
grandest  and  strongest,  which  commands 
the  support  and  confidence  of  all  the  peo- 
ple, and  a  population,  which  in  its  entirety 
is  superior  to  any  other  in  the  sisterhood, 
it  is  not  strange  the  pride  which  attaches  to 
our  people.  When  we  remember  that  the 
results  of  our  efforts  in  the  direction  of  good 
government  have  been  crowned  with  such 
magnificent  success,  and  to-day  we  have  a 
State  in  most  perfect  physical  and  financial 
condition,  no  wonder  our  hearts  swell  in 
honest  pride  as  we  contemplate  the  past 
and  so  confidently  hope  for  the  future. 
What  we  may  become  depends  on  our  own 
efforts,  and  to  that  future  I  look  with  earnest 
and  abiding  confidence." 

Governor  Sherman's  term  of  office  con- 
tinued until  January  14,  1886,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  William  Larrabee,  and  he  is 
now,  temporarily,  perhaps,  enjoying  a  well- 
earned  rest.  He  has  been  a  Republican 
since  the  organization  of  that  party,  and  his 
services  as  a  campaign  speaker  have  been 
for  man}'  years  in  great  demand.  As  an 
officer  he  has  been  able  to  make  an  enviable 
record.  Himself  honorable  and  thorough, 
his  management  of  public  business  has  been 
of  the  same  character,  and  such  as  has  com- 
mended him  to  the  hearty  approval  of  the 
citizens  of  the  State. 

He  was  married  August  20,  1862,  to  Miss 
Lena  Kendall,  of  Vinton,  Iowa,  a  young 
lady  of  rare  accomplishments  and  strength 
of  character.  The  union  has  been  happy 
in  every  respect.  They  have  two  children 
— Lena  Kendall  an<l  Oscar  Eugene. 


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WILL/AM    I.ARRABEE. 


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LIAMLARRABEE 

is  the  thirteenth 
Governor  of  this 
State,  and  the  six- 
teenth Governor 
of  Iowa,  counting 
from  the  Tcnito- 
rial  organization.  His  ancestors 
bore  the  name  of  d'Larrabee,  and 
were  among  the  French  Hugue- 
nots who  came  to  America  early 
in  the  seventeenth  century,  set- 
tling in  Connecticut.  Adam 
Larrabce  was  born  March  14, 
17S7,  and  was  one  of  the  early 
graduates  of  West  Point  Military  Academy. 
He  served  with  distinction  in  tlie  war  of 
1812,  having  been  made  a  Second  Lieuten- 
ant March  i,  181 1.  He  was  promoted  to  be 
Captain  February  i,  1S14,  and  was  soon 
after,  March  30,  of  the  same  year,  severely 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Lacole  Mills,  dur- 
ing General  Wilkinson's  campaign  on  the 
St.  Lawrence.  He  recovered  from  this 
wound,  which  was  in  the  lung,  and  was 
afterward  married  to  Hannah  Gallup  Lester, 
who  was  born  June  S,  179S,  and  died  March 
15,  1837.  Captain  Larrabee  died  in  1869, 
aged  eighty-two. 

The  subject  of   this  sketch  was  born  at 


Ledyard,  Connecticut,  January  20,  1S32, 
and  was  the  seventh  of  nine  children.  He 
passed  his  early  life  on  a  rugged  New  Eng- 
land farm,  and  received  only  moderate 
school  advantages.  He  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  winters  until  nineteen  years  of 
age,  and  then  taught  school  for  two  wintei"s. 

He  was  now  of  an  age  when  it  became 
necessary  to  form  some  plans  for  the  future. 
In  this,  however,  he  ^vas  embarrassed  by  a 
misfortune  which  befcl  him  at  the  age  of 
fourteen.  In  being  trained  to  the  use  of 
fire-arms  under  his  father's  direction,  an  ac- 
cidental discharge  resulted  in  the  loss  of 
sight  in  the  right  eye.  This  unfitted  him 
for  many  employments  usually  sought  by- 
ambitious  youths.  The  family  lived  two 
miles  from  the  sea,  and  in  that  locality  it 
was  the  custom  for  at  least  one  son  in  each 
family  to  become  a  sailor.  William's  two 
eldest  brothers  chose  this  occupation,  and 
the  third  remained  in  charge  of  the  home 
farm. 

Thus  made  free  to  choose  for  himself 
William  decided  to  emigrate  West.  In 
1853,  accordingly,  he  came  to  Iowa.  His 
elder  sister,  Hannah,  wife  of  E.  H.  Williams, 
was  then  living  at  Garnavillo,  Clayton 
County,  and  there  he  went  first.  In  that 
way    he   selected    Northeast    Iowa   as    his 


GOVERNORS    OF    IOWA. 


% 


After  teaching  one  winter  at 


future  home. 
Hardin,  he  was  for  three  years  employed  as 
a  sort  of  foreman  on  the  Grand  Meadow 
farm  of  his  brother-in-law,  Judge  Williams. 

In  1857  he  bought  a  one-third  interest  in 
the  Clermont  Mills,  and  located  at  Cler- 
mont, Fayette  Count}-.  He  soon  was  able 
to  buy  the  other  two-thirds,  and  within  a 
year  found  himself  sole  owner.  He  oper- 
ated this  mill  until  1874,  when  he  sold  to  S. 
M.  Leach.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
he  offered  to  enlist,  but  was  rejected  on  ac- 
count of  the  loss  of  his  right  eye.  Being 
informed  he  might  possibly  be  admitted  as 
a  commissioned  ofificer  he  raised  a  company 
and  received  a  commission  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant, but  was  again  rejected  for  the  same 
disability. 

After  selling  the  mill  Mr.  Larrabee  de- 
voted himself  to  farming,  and  started  a 
private  bank  at  Clermont.  He  also,  ex- 
perimentally, started  a  large  nursery,  but 
this  resulted  only  in  confirming  the  belief 
that  Northern  Iowa  has  too  rigorous  a  cli- 
mate for  fruit-raising. 

Mr.  Larrabee  did  not  begin  his  political 
career  until  1867.  He  was  reared  as  a 
Whig,  and  became  a  Republican  on  the  or- 
ganization of  that  party.  While  interested 
in  politics  he  generally  refused  local  offices, 
serving  only  as  treasurer  of  the  School 
Board  prior  to  1867.  In  the  autumn  of  that 
year,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  he  was 
elected  to  represent  his  county  in  the  State 
Senate.  To  this  high  position  he  was  re- 
elected from  time  to  time,  so  that  he  served 
as  Senator  continuously  for  eighteen  3'ears 
before  being  ]in)motcd  to  the  highest  office 
in  the  State.  He  was  so  popular  at  home 
that  he  was  generally  re-nominated  by  ac- 
clamation, and  for  some  years  tiie  Demo- 
crats did  not  even  make  nominations. 
During  the  whole  eighteen  years  Senator 
Larrabee  was  a  member  of  the  principal 
committee,  that  on  Ways  and  Means,  of 
which  he  was  generally  rhairmaii,  and  was 


also  a  member  of  other  committees.  In  the 
pursuit  of  the  duties  thus  devolving  u[)on 
him  he  was  indefatigable.  It  is  said  that 
he  never  missed  a  committee  meeting.  Not 
alone  in  this,  but  in  private  and  public 
business  of  all  kinds  his  uniform  habit  is 
that  of  close  application  to  work.  Many 
of  the  important  measures  passed  by  the 
Legislature  owe  their  existence  or  present 
form  to  him. 

He  was  a  candidate  for  the  gubernatorial 
nomination  in  1881,  but  entered  the  contest 
too  late,  as  Governor  Sherman's  following 
had  been  successfully  organized.  In  1885 
it  was  generally  conceded  before  the  meet- 
ing of  the  convention  that  he  would  be 
nominated,  which  he  was,  and  his  election 
followed  as  a  matter  of  course.  He  was 
inaugurated  January  14,  1886,  and  so  far 
has  made  an  excellent  Governor.  His 
position  in  regard  to  the  liquor  question, 
that  on  which  political  fortunes  are  made 
and  lost  in  Iowa,  is  that  the  majority  should 
rule.  He  was  personally  in  favor  of  high 
license,  but  having  been  elected  Governor, 
and  sworn  to  uphold  the  Constitution  and 
execute  the  laws,  he  proposes  to  do  so. 

A  Senator  who  sat  beside  him  in  the 
Senate  declares  him  to  be  "  a  man  of  the 
broadest  comprehension  and  informatioii, 
an  extraordinarily  clear  reasoner,  fair  and 
conscientious  in  his  conclusions,  and  of 
Spartan  firmness  in  his  matured  judg- 
ment," and  says  that  "he  brings  the  prac- 
tical facts  and  philosophy  of  human  nature, 
the  science  and  history  of  law,  to  aid  in  his 
decisions,  and  adiicrcs  with  the  earnestness 
of  Jefferson  and  Sumnci'  to  the  fundamental 
principles  of  the  people's  rights  in  govern- 
ment and  law." 

Governor  Larrabee  was  married  Sep- 
tember 12,  1 861,  at  Clermont,  to  Anna  M. 
Appelman,  daughter  of  Captain  G.  A. 
Ai)pelman.  Governor  Larrabee  has  seven 
children — Charles,  Augusta,  Julia,  Anna, 
William,  Frederic  and  Helen. 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


329 


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JTSOM  TOLIVER,  one  of  Greene  Coimty's 
^n  worthy  fanners,  resides  on  section  33, 
T?  Bristol  Township.  lie  came  to  theconnty 
April  16,  185-i,  locating  first  on  section  11, 
Franklin  Township,  at  the  south  end  of  the 
Raccoon  Valley,  where  ho  bought  240  acres 
of  Government  land,  liis  being  one  of  the 
very  first  entries  made  in  the  county.  At 
that  time  the  nearest  mill  was  at  Panora, 
Guthrie  County,  and  their  trading  was  done 
at  Des  Moines.  Mr.  Toliver  lived  on  his 
farm  in  Franklin  Township  until  1869,  when 
he  moved  to  Bristol  Township,  buying  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives,  which  contains  180 
acres  of  choice  land.  From  a  small  capital 
of  $400  brought  to  Greene  County,  he  has 
accumulated  a  large  and  valuable  estate.  Mr. 
Toliver  was  born  on  the  top  of  Big  Bald 
Mountain,  in  Ashe  County,  North  Carolina, 
July  29,  1814,  a  son  of  John  and  Anna 
Toliver.  His  grandtather,  Jesse  Toliver,  was 
a  man  of  great  force  of  cliaracter  and  ability, 
and  served  seven  years  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  five  years  as  a  Captain  of  the 
line.  His  father,  John  Toliver,  died  in 
North  Carolina,  and  in  1884  the  mother  with 
her  family  moved  to  Owen  County,  Indiana. 

20 


Isom  was  the  second  of  twelve  children.  He 
was  married  in  Owen  County  in  1836  to 
Matilda  Reynolds,  a  native  of  North  Cai-olina, 
born  in  1819.  Her  mother  was  Sally  Greene, 
a  granddaughter  of  General  Greene,  the 
friend  of  General  Washington.  In  1847 
Mr.  Toliver  moved  from  Indiana  to  Richland 
County,  Illinois, and  thence  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  in  1854.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Toliver  have 
had  eleven  children,  nine  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Four  sons  and  one  daughter 
died  before  coming  to  their  majority.  The 
following  are  the  names  and  order  of  birth 
of  those  who  lived  to  maturity:  John  H., 
Gillum  S.,  Jacob  M.,  James  C,  Doctor  R., 
Tarry  J.  and  Isom  M.  Four  of  the  brothers 
served  their  country  during  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion.  John  H.  was  a  member  of  Com- 
pany E,  Thirty-ninth  Iowa  Infantry  Volun- 
teers, and  Fife-Major  of  his  regiment.  He 
died  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  soon  after  enlisting. 
Jacob  M.  M'as  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  same 
company.  He  has  served  eight  years  as  Dis- 
trict Attorney  in  Northwestern  Iowa,  and 
is  now  practicing  law  at  Lake  City,  Iowa. 
Gillum  S.  was  a  member  of  Company  H, 
Tentii    Iowa   Infantry  Volunteers.     He  was 


1 1 


^. ii 


230 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


three  years  countv  surveyor,  two  years  county 
treasurer,  and  a  mombcr  of  tlie  Thirteenth 
General  Assembly  of  Iowa,  but  his  true 
sphere  was  ratlier  that  of  a  lawyer  than  of  a 
politician.  In  the  spring  of  1870  he  formed 
a  law  partnership  with  the  Hon.  John  J. 
Russell,  at  JcS'erson,  Iowa,  under  the  Urin 
name  of  Ilussell  and  Toliver.  The  firm  soon 
built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  which 
they  have  ever  since  maintained.  James  C 
was  a  member  of  Company  II,  Tenth  Iowa 
Infantry  Volunteers.  lie  was  two  years 
deputy  sheriff,  and  four  years  county  recorder 
of  (Treene  County,  Iowa.  After  that  he  was 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  abstract  busi- 
ness at  Rockwell  City,  Iowa,  and  is  now  a 
real  estate  dealer  at  Ainsworth,  Nebraska. 
Doctor  R.,  the  seventh  son,  is  a  substantial 
farmer,  tiow  living  in  Bristol  Township, 
Greene  County,  Iowa.  Tarry  J.  and  Isom 
M.,  the  two  younger  children,  are  living  at 
home,  unmarried.  Isom  Toliver  loved  a  new 
country,  and  always  kept  his  family  on  the 
border,  if  not  sometimes  beyond,  of  what  may 
be  called  the  limits  of  civilization,  so  that 
his  older  sons  possessed  few  educational 
advantages,  but  became  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  arts  and  hardships  of  pioneer  life. 
They  are  all  self-made  men. 


K*„+|,.^J.,|+,_ 


tMOS  JOHNSON,  an  active  and  public- 
spirited  citizen  of  Ilardin  Township,  is 
^i:^  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  February  23, 
1842,  son  of  Adam  and  Sarah  Johnson, 
natives  of  Virginia,  who,  more  than  a  half 
century  ago,  witli  tlieir  first  born,— a  daugh- 
ter not  quite  a  year  old, — in  company  with 
other  relatives,  emigrated  from  the  moun- 
tainous regions  of  Virginia  to  Delaware 
County,  Oliio,  at  that  time  a  dense  forest. 
Here   our  pioneers  entered  100  acres  upon 


which  a  comfortable  log  house  was  built,  and 
within  a  few  years  a  number  of  acres  had 
been  cleared,  upon  which  the  necessaries  of 
life,  sufficient  for  health  and  happiness,  were 
produced.  This  homestead  remained  in  pos- 
session of  the  family  until  the  entire  tract, 
with  tiie  exccjition  of  a  few  acres  reserved  for 
timljer  purposes,  was  reduced  to  tillage,  and 
also  until  these  worthy  pioneers  were  blessed 
with  eleven  children,  eight  sons  and  three 
daughters,  ten  of  whom  were  born  within  tlie 
original  pioneer  log  house.  The  eldest 
daughter  is  now  the  wife  of  Joseph  Ililey,  of 
Morrow  County,  Ohio.  Elizabeth,  another 
daughter,  is  yet  a  resident  of  the  Buckeye 
State,  and  is  the  wife  of  Sewell  Brookins,  of 
Delaware  County.  Cordelia,  the  youngest 
daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Wagoner, 
residing  near  Fort  Scott,  Kansas.  The  par- 
ents, with  thej'oungcr  members  of  the  family, 
during  the  fall  of  1862,  removed  to  Jones 
County,  Iowa,  remaining  there  till  1879,  when 
the  mother  died,  since  which  time  the  father 
has  made  his  home  with  different  members  of 
the  family,  chiefly  with  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Joseph  Wagoner.  Three  of  the  sons,  Jesse, 
Thomas  and  Amos,  were  volunteers  in  defense 
of  the  Union  during  the  late  civil  war,  and 
though  serving  under  the  same  flag,  they 
were  widely  separated  from  each  other. 
Jesse,  the  eldest  son,  was  a  member  of  the 
Fifty-first  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  in  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Amos,  the  third 
son  and  fifth  child,  enlisted  in  June,  1861,  in 
Company  I,  Fourth  [Ohio  Infantry,  and  was 
with  Shield's  division  in  the  Shenandoali 
Valley  in  18G2.  He  participateil  in  several 
severe  engagements,  serving  faithfully  until  he 
was  discharged  on  account  of  disability.  He 
was  in  the  AVest  Virginia  campaigns  of  1861 
and  '62,  and  afterward  with  tlic  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  It  is  a  notable  fact  that,  witli  his 
regiment,  Amos  traversed  much  of  the  coun- 


BIOGRAPHJGAL    SKETCHES. 


231 


try  in  which  his  parents  were  reared  and 
married,  and  also  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Tiich  Mountain,  near  the  home  of  their  child- 
hood, a  beardless  youth,  yet  in  his  teens, 
whipping  his  parents'  former  playmates  back 
into  loyalty  to  the  old  flag.  He  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  January 
29,  1863.  Thomas,  the  sixth  child  in  the 
family,  served  in  the  Ninety-sixth  Ohio 
Infantry,  and  was  in  the  Army  of  the  Gulf. 
The  three  brothers  already  mentioned,  with 
three  of  the  younger  brothers,  Emerson, 
William  and  Elmore,  are  now  residents  of 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  all  are  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  liobert,  the  second 
son,  lives  in  Jones  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
has  made  his  home  for  twenty-five  years, 
while  Newton,  the  ninth  child  in  the  family, 
is  at  present  a  resident  of  Sac  County,  Iowa. 
Amos  Johnson,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch, 
remained  in  liis  native  State  i;ntil  attaining 
the  age  of  nineteen  years,  and  was  educated 
principally  at  the  Olive  Green  Academy  in 
Delaware  Count}',  Ohio.  After  his  return 
from  the  service,  having  been  discharged  in 
January,  1863,  he  returned  to  Ohio,  remain- 
ing there  about  five  months,  when,  hoping  to 
improve  his  shattered  health,  he  immigrated 
to  Cedar  County,  Iowa.  He  resided  in  Cedar 
County  about  five  years,  and  during  this  time 
taught  several  terms  of  school.  In  1868  he 
came  to  Greene  County,  locating  on  section 
21,  Hardin  Township,  where  he  has  since 
devoted  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  his  farm  containing  eighty  acres  of 
choice  land.  He  has  been  twice  married, 
taking  for  his  first  wife  Miss  Hattie  Elliott, 
a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Kebecca  Elliott, 
who  died  in  January,  1874,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren— Addie  V.  and  Rodney  E.  For  his 
second  wife  Mr.  Johnson  married  Miss  Rachel 
McBurney,  who  was  born  in  Canada  in  Octo- 
ber,   1849,    her  parents,    George   and   Jane 


McBurney,  being  natives  of  Ireland.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union — 
George  and  May  (twins)  and  Eura  ,1.  In 
politics  Mr.  Johnson  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party.  Since  becoming  a  resi- 
dent of  Greene  County  he  has  served  his 
township  eflSciently  as  clerk,  assessor  and 
trustee.  He  is  a  comrade  of  the  (irand  Army 
post  at  Jefferson,  Iowa. 


►>4^.|^.-K. 


PW'  LRERT  H.  FEY,  one  of  Scranton  Town- 
.k\  .-hip's  enterprising  farmers,  residing  on 
'^^  section  9,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania,  September  23,  1842,  a  son  of 
AVilliam  and  Esther  Fey,  Pennsylvanians  by 
birth,  and  of  German  extraction.  In  1853 
the  family  removed  to  Du  Page  County, 
Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Naperville 
Township,  where  the  parents  still  reside.  Of 
their  eleven  children  our  subject  was  the 
eldest.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Du  Page 
County,  remaining  on  the  home  farm  till  he 
enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in  Au- 
gust, 1862,  and  was  assigned  to  Company  B, 
One  Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  Infantry. 
His  regiment  was  first  engaged  at  Resaca, 
and  in  Sherman's  campaign  against  Johnston's 
army,  which  culminated  in  the  capture  of 
Atlanta.  Mr.  Fey  also  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  at  flie  battle 
of  Atlanta  July  21  and  22,  and  in  the  en- 
gagements at  Averyville  and  Bentonville, 
and  with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea. 
He  participated  in  the  grand  review  of  Sher- 
man's army  at  Washington  in  June,  1865, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  the  same  month 
at  Chicago,  Illinois.  During  his  entire  term 
of  service  he  was  never  out  of  the  line  of 
duty,  was  never  sick,  and  passed  through  all 
of  war's  perils  unscathed,  proving  himself  to 
be   a    brave  and  gallant  soldier.     After  his 


.- jfii 


■\^-%^^^^,m-\j^ 


»j«i»«a»«i»M« 


232 


BISTORT    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


discharge  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Du 
Page  County,  and  December  19,  1866,  lie 
was  married  to  Miss  Violet  Dreher,  who  was 
born  in  Schuylkill  County,  Pennsylvania, 
November  27,  18-17,  a  daughter  of  Israel  and 
Hannah  Dreher,  of  whom  her  father  is 
deceased.  Her  mother  is  now  living  in 
Scranton  City,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  INIrs.  Fey  are 
the  parents  of  six  children — AVillard  8., 
Elmer  E.,  Mabel  E.,  Oscar  I.,  Blanche  A. 
and  Albert  D.  Mr.  Fey  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  in  Du  Page  County  until  March, 
1881,  when  he  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
and  bought  160  acres  of  his  present  farm, 
which  had  l)een  partially  improved  by  the 
former  owner,  Frank  Irons.  Mr.  Fey  has 
added  to  his  original  ]>urchase  until  his  farm 
now  contains  320  acres,  the  north  half  of 
section  9,  and  has  added  largely  to  his  build- 
ing improvements,  and  by  his  enterprising 
spirit  and  industrious  habits  he  has  gained 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fey  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Politically  he  is  a  Re]niblican,  having  voted 
that  ticket  since  the  second  election  of 
Abraham  Lincoln  for  President  in  1864.  He 
is  a  comrade  of  N.  H.  Powers  Post,  No.  Ill, 
G.  A.  E.,  of  Scranton  City. 


^^^DiMOND  C.  CLAPtJv,  attorney  at  law, 
'\My,  Grand  Junction,  is  a  native  of  Broome 
"^'"i  County,  New  York,  born  at  Binghamton 
June  17, 1841,  a  son  of  Jesse  Clark,  deceased, 
who  was  born  in  Schenectady,  New  York. 
The  father  being  a  contractor  and  builder, 
our  subject  early  in  life  learned  the  use  of 
tools.  He  received  good  educational  advan- 
tages, attending  the  schools  of  New  York 
City  and  the  .Methodist  Episcopal  Seminary 
at  Binghamton.      He  began  life    for  himself 


as  a  farm  laborer,  and  was  thus  engaged  two 
years,  and  for  one  summer  drove  horses  on 
the  canal.      During  the  early  part  of  the  late 
war  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in   Company  E, 
Thirty-second  New  York  Infantry,  in  which 
he  served   two  years,  taking  part  in  the  en- 
gagements  at   West    Point,    Gaines    Mills, 
Malvern  Hill,  Fredericksburg, lirst  and  second 
battles  of  Bull   Run,  and  others    of  minor 
importance.     He    was  discharged    with    the 
rank  of   First  Sergeant  in    June,  1863.      In 
December,  1863,  he  re-enlisted  in  Company 
H,  Sixth  New  York  Cavalry.     He  was  de- 
tached by  special  order  of  the  War  Depart- 
me"nt,  and  placed  in  command  of  Company 
B,  Second  Battalion,  at  the  New  York  State 
rendezvous,  doing  garrison    duty  at   Albany 
and  Flart  Island,  New  York  harbor,  for  six 
months.     He  then  returned  to  his  regiment, 
and  was  again  detached  on  scouting  duty  in 
Maryland,  continuing  in   that  capacity  until 
the  campaign  of  1865,  when  he  rejoined  his 
regiment.     He  remained  in  the  service  until 
four  months  after  the  close  of  the  war,  during 
which  time  he  was  chief  clerk  in  Petersburg 
Post  Hospital.     He   received   an    honorable 
discharge  in  September,  1865.     He  was  mar- 
ried January  2,  1864,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter 
of    William    Bown,  of    Connecticut.     They 
have    one   child — Gail    B.     After  returning 
from  the  war  Mr.   Clark    followed    farming 
until  1870,  after  which  he  was  a  member  of 
the  police  force  of  New  York  City  for  one 
year.     Was  variously  employed  for  two  years, 
during  which   time  he  also  perfected  a  law- 
course  which  he  had  begun  some  time  before. 
In    the  winter  of  1872-'73  he  entered  the 
employ  of  Borden's    Condensed  Milk   Com- 
pany, of  New  York,  and  was  sent  to  Texas, 
where  he   was    engaged    in  condensing  beef 
for  that  company  till  the  spring  of  1873.    In 
1880  he  came  to  Jefferson,  Greene  County, 
where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  for 


jBIOORAPBIOAL    SKET0BE8. 


m 


four  years  practiced  law  at  that  place.  In 
the  spring  of  1884  he  came  to  Grand  Junc- 
tion, where  lie  has  since  done  a  general 
law  practice,  and  has  become  recognized  as  a 
leading  lawyer  of  Greene  County.  Mr. 
Clark  is  a  writer  of  some  merit,  and  has 
contributed  many  poems  to  the  New  York 
Ledger  and  other  papers,  and  now  has  a  large 
volume  of  poctrj'  in  manuscript  which  has 
never  yet  been  publisiied,  among  which  is 
thefamous  "  Address  to  the  Flag,"  an  acrostic, 
displaying  great  poetical  genius. 

— — 1^«^^•— 

JP^^ENKY  D.  IlOGEliS,  one  of  the  success- 
Cflf)  '■'■^^  agriculturists  of  Greene  County, 
tS'II  residing  in  Highland  Township,  is  a 
son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Fitz)  Rogers, 
and  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  date  of  liis 
birth  being  June  7,  1824.  He  was  reared  to 
the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he  has  made 
his  life  work.  When  but  live  years  of  age 
he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Ohio,  and  from 
there  went  to  Hlinois,  where  the  family  lived 
about  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1831  he 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Linn  County, 
Iowa,  they  being  among  the  pioneers  of  that 
county.  Henry  D.  entered  160  acres  of  land 
in  that  county  and  engaged  in  farminii-  on  his 
own  account.  After  improving  his  land  he 
sold  it,  and  bought  a  farm  near  Mt.  Vernon, 
Linn  County,  Iowa,  which  he  sold  and  then 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
bought  320  acres  of  land  for  himself,  and  320 
acres  for  others.  He  first  settled  in  what  is 
now  Cedar  Township,  a  part  of  said  township 
afterward  being  called  Highland  Township. 
There  were  only  two  log  cabins  in  the  town- 
ship when  Mr.  Rogers  settled  here,  only  one 
house  being  between  his  and  Jefferson.  He 
was  married  to  Lueinda  K.  McRoberts,  a 
daughter  of  Miciiael  and  Mary   McLloberts. 


They  have  no  children  of  their  own,  but  have 
an  adopted  danghter,  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
W.  ().  kStotts,  and  lives  south  of  the  home 
farm.  Mr.  Henry  Rogers  has  ])rospered  in 
his  agricultural  pursuits  since  coming  to 
Greene  County,  his  home  farm  containing 
IGO  acres  of  good  land  well  improved  and 
under  cultivation.  Resides  his  homestead  he 
owns  property  in  the  village  of  Cliurdan.  He 
also  bouglit  157^  acres  of  land  soutii  of  his 
firm,  which  he  gave  to  his  adopted  daughter. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Free  Methodist  church. 
Politically  he  casts  his  suffrage  with  the 
Republican  party. 


i^i^^i  W.  KIONS,  fanner,  section  4, 
/■/I  Kendrick  Township,  is  one  of  the 
'^.:;  ~*  leading  agriculturists  of  the  town- 
ship, and  has  been  identified  with  the  county 
for  twenty  years.  He  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery Count}',  Indiana,  May  23,  1835,  son 
of  Nathan  and  Martha  (Wilson)  Kions,  who 
were  the  parents  of  three  children — AVilson, 
Adam,  and  M.  W.  Our  subject  lived  in 
Montgomery  County  until  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age,  spending  his  time  at  farm  work 
and  in  attending  the  subscription  school.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  went  to  Piatt  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  worked  by  the  month  one 
season,  and  then  returned  to  Indiana.  The 
year  following  he  went  back  to  Illinois,  and 
in  September,  1857,  came  to  Iowa  and  located 
on  land  adjoining  the  place  where  Humiston 
now  stands.  Here  he  resided  seven  years, 
then  sold  out  and  removed  to  Fulton  County, 
Illinois,  and  in  1866  came  to  Greene  County, 
and  settled  upon  his  present  farm,  wiiich  was 
then  in  its  wild  state.  He  owns  380  acres  of 
land,  and  it  is  known  as  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  t!ie~  county.  He  inis  a  good  house,  sur- 
ri.iuiidcd  witli  shade  trees,  one  barn  30x40  feet, 


>  <^.r^>-^,/--^/-*>  ilk.j^m^'-^J-^J  *•■>  ■^^'^.I'^J-^.*'*!-^  >~m,r^>^  >-^  ATfc/'i*.J-*t>-%r<fc/-ifc<-A/-^/-%.f-»>-*.y*»<-*  r^fc'- 


334 


BISTORT    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


;uid  aiiotlier  36x40  feet,  and  still  another,  16x32 
feet.  lie  has  seed  lots,  a  native  grove  and  a 
line  orchard,  lie  is  engaged  in  stock-raising 
and  feeding,  lie  lias  three  children — Jose- 
])liine  !).,  Silas  CI.  and  Adam  Lewis.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Itepublican. 


.^^j^OBERT  CAIN,  farmer,  section  1,  Wil- 
^  low  Township,  postoffice  Scranton,  is 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  townsliip, 
and  is  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Man,  horn  April 
18,  1844,  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Eads)  Cain, 
who  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  Kobert 
])cing  tlie  fifth  child.  When  he  was  fonrteen 
years  of  age  he  went  to  London,  England, 
wlicre  lie  worked  about  ciglit  years.  lie  was 
nnited  in  marriage  January  31, 1807,  to  Miss 
Lottie  Redgrave,  who  was  born  in  Essex 
County,  England,  December  4,  1843,  daugh- 
ter of  Reuben  and  Mary  (Reeve)  Redgrave. 
Her  parents  liad  seven  children,  si.\  of  whom 
are  living — Jemima,  George,  Lottie,  Ann  R., 
Eli/.nbcth,  John,  and  James,  deceased.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Cain  came  to  America  soon  after 
their  marriage,  and  settled  in  AVarren  County, 
Illinois,  where  they  resided  until  1881, 
engaged  in  farming.  He  then  came  to 
(Jreene  County,  and  settled  in  Willow  Town- 
sliip, where  lie  has  since  resided.  Ilis  first 
jiurchase  was  175  acres  of  partly  improved 
land.  He  has  since  added  to  that  amount 
until  he  now  owns  335  acres  of  as  fine  land 
as  can  be  found  in  (Ti'eeiie  County,  and  it  is 
well  cultivated  and  imj)roved.  lie  has  a 
comfortable  resideiic(>,  with  ijiiod  buildines 
for  stock  and  grain,  and  an  (H'chard  consisting 
of  three  acres.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cain  are  the 
parents  of  five  sons — Roljort  Ernest,  Herbert 
11.  .1.,  Frank  Ceorge,  Alfred  R.  anil  Chester 
(i.  Mr.  Cain  is  a  Republican  in  ]ii)litics, 
and  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  I'raternitv, 


being  a  member  of  Golden  Gate  Lodge,  No. 
402,  at  Scranton.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cain  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  Mr.  Cain  has  served  as  Steward 
and  Sunday-school  superintendent.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  part  in  educational 
and  religious  matters,  and  is  a  lilieral  sup- 
porter of  both. 


tD.  HOWARD,  one  of  the  older  members 
of  the  bar  of  Greene  County,  is  at  pres- 
■^®  ent  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Howard  &  Rose.  He  has  been  a  resident 
of  Jefferson  since  about  1860,  and  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  1809.  During 
the  early  part  of  his  residence  here  he  was 
engaged  in  teaching.  Afterward  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  district 
court,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  a 
period  of  eight  years.  During  the  first  four 
years  of  his  otticial  life,  the  office  included  the 
duties  of  the  present  county  auditor,  as  clerk 
of  the  boai'd  of  supervisors.  He  commenced 
the  practice  of  law  about  a  year  previous  to 
the  close  of  his  term  of  office.  Ilis  first 
partner  was  ]\fr.  .las.  A.  Henderson,  with 
whom  he  continued  about  four  years.  Ho 
was  then  associated  with  I.  J.  McDuliie  for 
ten  3'ears.  The  present  partnersliip  was 
formed  in  1880.  Mr.  Howard  was  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Massachusetts,  Jul}'  10, 
1834.  His  mother  died  while  he  was  still 
(jnite  young.  AYhen  seventeen  years  of  age, 
he  removed  with  his  father  to  Ohio,  where  he 
lived  until  he  attained  his  majority.  He 
came  to  Iowa  in  1853,  and  has  been  a  resident 
of  Greene  County  since  1800.  He  was  reared 
to  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  followed 
the  occupation  of  teaching  for  ten  years,  the 
last  four  years  being  in  Iowa.  I'olitii'ally 
he  is  a  IJepublican,  and  has  ever  been  a  strong 


BiOORAPHtOAL    SRBTCnES. 


235 


adherent  to  the  principles  of  tliat  great  politi- 
cal organization,  lie  cast  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  John  C  Fremont  in  185(3. 
He  is  a  self-made  man,  and  lias  always  been 
a  hard  workei-.  lie  studied  law  and  prepared 
himself  for  admission  to  the  bar  while  clerk 
of  the  courts.  His  success,  and  his  ability  as 
a  lawj'er  is  universally  recognized,  lie  was 
married  in  IJoone  County,  this  State,  to  Eliza 
J.  Kenney,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 


tBEAM  CAIN,  farmer,  section  35, 
Greenbrier  Township,  is  among  the 
^^;^  leading  citizens  of  Greene  County,  and 
was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man,  May  30,  1840. 
His  parents  were  Jehu  and  Jane  (Eads) 
Cain,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren —  Sarah  A.,  John,  Abram,  Edward, 
Robert,  Jane,  Elizabeth,  Matilda  (deceased), 
William  and  Morris  E.  Aliram  resided  in  his 
native  country  until  he  was  twenty-live  years 
of  age,  having  been  reared  in  tlie  village  of 
Balla  Salla,  where  he  received  his  education. 
He  worked  at  blacksmithing  for  three  and  a 
half  years,  then  came  to  America  and  settled 
in  Warren  County,  Illinois,  where  he  lived 
over  four  years,  and  then  went  to  England. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  October  10,  1809, 
to  Miss  Ellen  J.  K.  Kermode,  wlio  was  born 
on  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  a  daughter  of  Jehu 
and  Ellen  (Cubbon)  Kermode.  After  his 
marriage  Mr.  Cain  returned  to  America,  and 
resided  in  Warren  County,  Illinois,  until 
1876,  when  he  came  to  Greene  County'  and 
settled  on  section  35,  Greenbrier  Township. 
He  came  to  his  present  farm  in  1879,  which 
was  then  in  a  wild  state.  He  has  cultivated 
and  improved  it  until  it  is  now  one  of  the 
best  farms  in  Greene  County.  It  is  situated 
one  mile  north  of  Bagley.  lie  has  a  good 
one  and  ahalf  storv  residence,  built  in  modern 


style  and  well  furnished,  and  a  commodious 
barn  and  sheds  for  cattle.  He  is  extensively 
engaged  in  stock-raising,  stock-feeding,  and 
dealing  in  stock  to  some  extent.  A  wind- 
mill furnishes  a  power  for  a  water  supply. 
The  farm  is  all  seeded  to  grass,  and  everything 
about  tlie  premises  indicates  the  industry  and 
thrift  of  the  owner.  Mr.  and  Mi"s.  Cain  have 
four  children — Ella  Jane,  AV'illiam  Ed.,  Emma, 
and  Harry  K.  Charles  E.,  Ben  F.  and  Arthur 
G.  are  deceased.  Politically  Mr.  Cain  is  a 
Tlepublican.  lie  is  a  worthy  member  of  tlie 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a  local 
preacher  of  that  church,  lie  is  numbered 
among  the  liest  citizens  of  the  countv. 


||EOUGE  W.  GlLliOY,  one  of  Greene 
County's  pioneers,  and  an  active  and 
enterprising  citizen  of  Franklin  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  the 
date  of  his  birth  being  November  2,  1842. 
His  parents,  James  and  Anna  (Crawford) 
Gilroy,  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  Ohio 
respectively.  In  1855  they  immigrated  with 
their  family  to  Greene  County,  where  they 
made  their  home  for  many  years,  witnessing 
the  country  change  from  a  wild  state  into 
well-cultivated  farms  and  thriving  towns  and 
villages.  The  father  died  in  Greene  County 
February  25,  1885.  The  mother  is  now 
living  in  Saline  County,  Nebraska.  The 
father  being  a  farmer,  George  AY.  was  reared 
to  the  same  occupation,  and  his  youth  was 
spent  in  assisting  his  father  clear  and  culti- 
vate the  home  tarm.  Febi-uary  10,  18(12,  he 
enlisted  in  the  late  war  at  Des  Moines  in 
Company  II,  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry,  serving 
in  Hamilton's  division,  Sullivan's  brigade. 
He  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth  and 
battle  of  luka,  and  was  wounded  at  the 
second  battle  of  Corinth  October  4,  18(J2,  the 


)}. 


i:mZi^lm::!^^m^m2'm;ji^m.m.mj.m^^ 


^36 


tllStORY    O'F    aUEiSNE    COtfifT'i'. 


ball  passing  through  his  right  elbow.  He 
then  lay  in  the  liospital  at  Corinth  three  weeks, 
when  he  was  removed  to  Keokuk,  Iowa, 
remaining  there  until  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged February  28, 1863.  He  then  returned 
t(i  ills  luim(>  in  Greene  County,  and  spent 
four  months  attending  school.  After  leaving 
sciiool  he  licgan  clerking  in  Isaac  Tucker's 
store,  where  he  served  to  the  best  interest  of 
his  employer  for  one  year.  He  then  clerked 
in  the  store  of  J.  Orr,  of  Boonesborough, 
Boone  County,  Iowa,  for  one  year,  when  he 
returned  tu  JeHerson,  Iowa,  and  became 
associated  witli  Thomas  lieese,  this  jiartner- 
ship  lasting  two  years.  He  then,  in  18G7, 
formed  a  partnership  with  Anderson  &  Too- 
good  in  the  stock  business,  which  they  fol- 
lowed together  about  one  year,  when  the 
partnership  was  dissolved  by  mutual  consent. 
Mr.  Gili'oy  tlien  went  on  a  prospecting  tour 
to  Kansas,  but  becoming  dissatisfied  with  the 
country  he  came  to  Appanoose  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years. 
He  then  returned  to  Greene  County,  and  has 
since  followed  farming  on  the  old  home  place 
in  Franklin  Township.  He  was  nuuricd  in 
Greene  County  November  10,  18G7,  to  Miss 
Nancy  A.  Tucker,  a  native  of  Boone  County, 
Indiana,  I>orn  Septendjer  15,  1832,  daughter 
of  Inskij)  and  Dicey  Tucker,  tlie  father  being 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  nintliei'  of 
Indiana.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three 
children — Victor  W.,  .Vda  A.  and  Floy  W. 
Mr.  (iilroy's  residence  is  located  on  section 
12,  Franklin  Townshij),  where  he  has  sixty- 
seven  acres  of  well-cultivated  land.  Beside 
his  home  farm  he  owns  forty-seven  acres  on 
section  35  of  (irant  Township.  He  has 
served  ids  township  elliciently  as  clerk,  and 
for  ten  years  was  secretary  of  tlie  Scliool 
Board,  lie  is  a  charter  member  of  the 
Masoidc  lodge  at  Jetl'erson,  Iowa.  In  poli- 
tics he  casts  his  suilVagc  with  the  IJepublican 


party.  Mrs.  Gilroy  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  churcli.  Tlieir  postoffice  is 
Cooper,  Iowa. 


•€-^^ 


AIITIN  PETERSON,  residing  on 
section  20,  is  one  of  Scranton  Towu- 
-^^ii^f^  ship  s  most  enterprising  tanners. 
When  he  came  to  his  present  farm,  in  the 
spring  of  1877,  his  line  homestead  was  raw 
prairie,  but  by  persevering  industry  he  made 
it  one  of  tlie  best  farms  in  his  neighborhood, 
and  it  now  consists  of  200  acres  of  well-im- 
proved land,  120  acres  being  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  his  l>uilding  improvements  are 
noticeably  good.  Mr.  Peterson  is  a  native  of 
Denmark,  born  January  28.  1840,  the  second 
in  a  family  of  six  children  of  Peter  and  Karie 
Peterson.  Both  of  his  parents  died  in  their 
native  country.  His  brothers  and  sisters  are 
now  living  in  AVisconsin.  He  was  tlie  first 
of  his  father's  family  to  come  to  America, 
landing  at  Quebec  June  6,  1862,  going  thence 
directly  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin.  He  began 
life  in  America  as  a  farm  laborer,  which  he 
followed  near  Milwaukee  nearly  two  years. 
He  was  then  engaged  in  the  pineries  in 
Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  Green 
Bay  district,  until  1866.  In  the  fall  of  1864 
he  was  mari'ied  to  Miss  Hannah  Peterson, 
who  was  also  a  native  of  Denmark,  born 
I^Iarch  2,  1840,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Peterson. 
Of  the  eight  chikiren  born  to  this  uuiun  onl}' 
two  are  living — Charles,  born  in  February, 
1869,  and  Albert,  born  in  August,  1878. 
Tiiey  lost  three  children  in  the  spring  of 
1875;  their  two  eldest,  Peter  and  Mary,  died 
aged  ten  and  eight  years  respectively,  and 
Eleanora  aged  two  years.  Nora  died  in  1877, 
aged  one  year  and  two  months;  Edwin  at  the 
age  of  four  years  and  live  months,  and  San- 
ford    atjed    two    years  and  seven   months,  in 


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BlOOttAPlilCAL    SkETCHMS. 


23^ 


1885.  In  1806  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  set- 
tled in  Columbia  County,  AYisconsin,  and 
there  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until 
coming  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  1S72. 
They  then  located  on  theii'  own  land,  on  sec- 
tion 27  of  Scranton  Township,  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  iniprtivcd  by  themselves,  and 
there  lived  till  they  settled  in  their  present 
home  on  section  20.  Mr.  Peterson  came  to 
America  a  poor  man,  but  possessed  of  sti'ong- 
hands  and  a  stout  heart,  and  by  his  perse- 
vering energw  and  industry,  combined  with 
strict  economy,  he  has  succeeded  well  in  his 
farming  operations,  and  acquired  a  good 
property,  and  gained  the  confidence  and  re- 
spect of  the  entire  community.  In  politics 
he  has  always  aftiliated  with  the  Republican 
]iarty.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  United  Bi'ethren  church. 


-»o#^i-t  "i-£M}-t'—  -M- 


/^[DCtAR  W.  JONES,  residing  on  section 
1lP/i  "'"^'  J""^'^ion  Township,  Greene  County, 
!^  was  born  in  Cass  County,  Michigan, 
May  10,  1848,  a  son  of  Oscar  and  Caroline 
O.  (Wheeler)  Jones,  the  father  born  in  Kens- 
selaer  County,  New  York,  June  14,  1817. 
They  were  married  July  3, 1841,  and  to  them 
were  born  five  children,  of  whom  only  two 
are  living — Edgar  W.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  Mrs.  I'hoebe  Melissa  Smith,  who 
was  born  August  15, 1843,  and  is  now  residing 
in  Cass  County,  Michigan.  Edgar  W.  Jones 
was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  at  a  select  school  at  Niles,  Michi- 
gan, which  he  attended  two  terms.  He 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  the  fall  of 
1867,  locating  at  Jefferson,  where  he  ran  a 
meat  market  from  1868  until  1869,  since 
wiiicli  time  he  has  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits.    He    was    married    May    19,  1869,  to 


Florenda  A.  Witherell,  who  was  born  Decem- 
ber 19,  1848,  a  daughter  of  Theodore  and 
Adeline  (Flanders)  Witherell,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased.  They  are  the  ])arents  of  four 
children — Lena  D.,  Fred  M.,  Myrtie  L.  and 
Clyde  L.  Mr  .lones  settled  on  his  farm  in 
Junctiiju  Township  in  the  fall  of  1870,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising, 
making  a  specialty  of  graded  stock.  His 
farm  contains  eiglity  acres  of  land,  well  im- 
proved and  under  cultivation.  Since  becom- 
ing a  resident  of  Junction  Townshiji  Mr. 
Jones  has  served  as  constable,  school  director, 
and  was  secretary  of  the  School  Board  some 
four  or  five  years. 


fOSEPII  II.  PJDLE,  section  10,  Wash- 
ington Township,  was  born  in  Meadville, 
Crawford  County,  Pennsylvania,  July  7, 
1814,  a  son  of  Peter  Ridle,  also  a  native  of 
the  Keystone  State.  His  eai-ly  life  was  spent 
on  the  home  farm,  and  when  eighteen  years 
of  age  he  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  car- 
penter and  joiner,  being  at  that  age  thrown 
on  his  own  resources.  In  1840  he  came  West 
and  lived  in  Fulton  County,  Illinois,  a  few 
years,  subsequently  moving  to  Stark  County, 
where  he  lived  until  1870,  and  while  there 
was  engaged  in  contracting  and  building.  In 
1S70  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  settled  in  Greene 
CouTity,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives. 
He  has  been  successful  and  now  owns  160 
acres  of  good  land,  well  improved,  and  a 
comfortable  residence  and  farm  buildings. 
Mr.  Ridle  was  married  April  8, 1841,  in  Ful- 
ton County,  Illinois,  to  Angeline  Buck, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Buck.  To  them  were 
born  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living 
— Harriet,  Charles  M.,  Henrietta,  Miles  D. 
and  -Joseph  A.  Their  eldest  son,  Aaron,  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee, 


HISTORY    Of    GREENE    COtJNff. 


while  fighting  for  his  country  in  the  war  of 
the  Kebellion.  Mrs.  liidle  died  March  30, 
1857,  and  October  2, 1858,  Mr.  Kidle  married 
Mary,  daii<rhter  of  Jeremiah  Bennett.  Two 
of  their  tliree  ciiildren  are  living — Olive  and 
Mary.  Mr.  liidle  has  held  the  otiiees  of 
township  trustee  and  school  director.  lie 
was  once  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  but  re- 
fused to  serve.  lie  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


fOim  F.  JOHNSON,  a  member  of  the 
general  mercantile  lirm  of  Erickson  & 
-re  Johnson,  was  horn  in  "Winnebago  County, 
Illinois,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  Septem- 
ber 5,  1852.  His  father,  Peter  Johnson,  was 
born  in  Norway,  coming  to  America  about 
1843  or  1844.  He  settled  in  Illinois  in  an 
early  day,  and  is  still  making  his  home  in 
Winnebago  County.  J  ohn  F.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a 
farmer,  and  i-eceived  his  education  in  the 
common  and  graded  schools  of  Durand  in  his 
native  county.  He  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  about  the  year  1884.  In  1875  he 
came  to  Gi-eene  County,  Iowa,  and  purchased 
a  tract  of  wild  land,  on  which  he  settled  in 
187t),  which  he  improved  and  put  under  cul- 
tivation, and  partially  improved  another  i'arm. 
He  sold  his  farm  in  August,  1883,  and  began 
dealing  in  farm  implements,  in  company  witli 
his  present  pai-tner,  in  March,  1884,  to  which 
he  added  his  present  business  in  March,  1885. 
In  March,  188(5,  they  traded  their  implement 
business  for  land,  ami  have  since  devoted  their 
attention  to  the  mercantile  business.  The 
firm  of  Ki-ickson  A:  Johnson  carries  a  capital 
stock  of  $4,4(JU,  and  both  being  active  and 
enterprising  business  men,  have  succeeded  in 
building  up  a  good  trade.  Mr.  Johnson  was 
marri(>d    November  29,  1877,  to   Miss  Katie 


Wise,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca 
Wise,  her  mother  living  in  Paton,  and  her 
father  deceased.  One  child,  named  Samuel 
F.,  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and  ]\[rs.  Johnson. 
Mr.  Johnson  is  one  of  the  active  aiul  public- 
spirited  citizens  of  Paton. 


■i^HARLES  II.  JACKSON,  attorney  at 
\Cte  law,  United  States  Commissioner  and 
tiffi  notary  public,  has  been  in  practice  at 
Jeflerson  since  1870.  He  at  first  formed  a 
partnership  with  Judge  Harvey  Potter,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Jackson  tt  Potter.  This 
partnership  continued  several  years.  Mr. 
Jackson  then  became  associated  with  Captain 
Albert  Head,  which  was  also  continued  several 
years.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  alone. 
He  was  l>orn  in  Chittenden  County,  Vermont, 
December  14,  1832.  In  1848  his  father, 
Abram  Jackson,  removed  with  his  family  to 
Henderson,  Kno.x  County,  Illinois.  In  Au- 
gust, 1862,  Mr.  Jacks(3n  enlisted  in  Company 
F,  One  Hundred  and  Seccuul  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  served  until  July  11,  1S64,  when  he  was 
discharged  at  the  officer's  hospital  at  Nash- 
ville for  disability.  His  first  service  was  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  thence  to  Frankfort, 
thence  to  Bowling  Green,  thence  to  Nashville, 
Tennessee;  theiu-e  to  Chattanooga,  where  his 
regiment  became  attached  to  the  Twentieth 
Army  Corps.  He  participated  in  the  severe 
battle  of  liesaca  and  Burnt  Hickor}-,  but  was 
soon  after  compelled  to  enter  the  hospital, 
and  resigned  July  9,  1864.  Upon  the 
organization  of  his  company  he  was  elected 
its  Captain.  He  conimandcil  the  company 
until  October,  18G3,  and  on  the  20th  of  that 
month  he  was  appointed  Major  by  Governor 
Yates,  of  Illinois.  November  10  following, 
he  was  mustered  into  the  service  as  Major  of 
his  regiment,  and    i-eniaiiied  in  that  capacity 


■^■^^'■■■^■^■■■^■■■ri;^,! 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SkSTCS^.i. 


r^9 


during  liis  army  service.  ITe  has  never 
recovered  his  former  vigor  since  his  army 
experience.  He  began  the  stndy  of  law  in 
1859,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Madison, 
Wisconsin,  in  October,  1859.  September 
18.  1865,  he  was  mari-ied  to  Miss  Annie  E. 
Chaffee,  a  native  of  Ohio.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  four  cliildren — E.  11.,  Nellie, 
Frances  and  Maud  May.  Mr.  Jackson  was 
a  Democrat  for  many  years,  but  recently  has 
been  a  Greenbacker.  He  belongs  to  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Jefferson, 
and  is  also  a  member  of  the  ^Masonic  fraternity, 
belonging  to  the  Blue  Lodge,  Chapter  and 
Commandei'y. 


-'■^-^•-^•1^'- 


E.  UOEBINS,  sujierintendent  of  the 
Jefferson  Brick  and  Tile  Works,  was 
3''^  born  in  Oswego  County,  New  York, 
in  1842.  When  he  was  twelve  years  of  age 
he  went  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  two  years 
later  engaged  to  work  in  a  brick-yard  at  that 
place.  lie  has  been  engaged  in  that  branch 
of  the  business  ever  since.  His  father, 
Phillip  Bobbins,  is  still  a  resident  of  Oswego 
County,  New  York.  F.  E.  Robbins  was 
married  to  Miss  Anna  B.  Butler,  a  native  of 
Maryland,  and  they  have  four  children — 
Minnie,  Florence,  Frank  and  Anna.  Olive 
D.  died  in  infancy.  The  Jefferson  Brick  and 
Tile  Works,  one  of  the  most  important 
industries  of  Greene  County,  is  located  in  the 
south  part  of  the  corporation  of  Jefferson. 
Originally  bi-ick  alone  was  manufactured,  the 
business  being  started  by  Ira  Hammer  in  the 
spring  of  1808,  although  a  man  named  New- 
man had  made  a  few  brick  previous  to  that 
time.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  i\[r.  F.  E. 
Bobbins  bought  out  Mr.  Hammer,  and  has 
been  connected  with  the  business  as  owner, 
part  owner    and    superintendent    since    that 


time.  May  IS,  1882,  a  stock  company  was 
organized,  called  the  Jefferson  Brick  and  Tile 
Company.  This  company  was  comjjosed  of 
F.  E.  Bobbins,  D.  B.  McCully,  Albert  Head, 
Mahlon  Head  and  William  Fnright.  The  offi- 
cers chosen  were:  D.  I!.  Mcthdly,  President; 
Mahlon  Head,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and 
F.  E.  Robbins,  Superintendent.  The  only 
change  that  has  been  made  in  stockholders 
and  otiicers  is  the  substitution  of  President 
Charles  Bolinch  for  Presi<lent  McCully,  the 
former  having  jnirchased  the  stock  of  the 
latter.  The  works  are  operated  by  an  engine 
of  forty-horse  power.  The  engine  and 
machinery'  room  is  26  x  80  feet,  the  lirick 
shed  30  X  70  feet,  and  the  tile  shed  26  x  100 
feet.  The  business  is  extensive  and  constantly 
improving,  the  latest  im]iroved  machinery 
being  in  use.  The  clav  of  which  the  brick 
and  tile  are  made  is  of  the  best  quality,  ilr. 
Robbins  is  one  of  the  ]n'ogressive  business 
men  of  Greene  County.  His  long  experience 
in  his  business  qualities  him  most  thoroughl}' 
for  the  position  he  now  occupies.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 


— -f->»5^— 

^^  ASON  LINN,  farmer,  section  3,  Ken- 
drick  Township,  was  born  in  Butler 
"^■"■^  County,  Ohio,  November  26,  1N26, 
son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Watson)  Linn, 
who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  Mason  being  the 
sixth  child.  AYhen  he  was  a  babe  his  parents 
removed  to  LaFaj-ette  County,  Indiana,  where 
they  resided  about  ten  years;  thence  to  Por- 
ter County  for  four  years;  thence  to  Hender- 
son Count}',  Illinois,  for  a  short  time;  thence 
to  Kankakee  County,  where  they  lived  four 
years.  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  In  November,  1848, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Kyle,  a   na- 


^40 


Mis'roRr  of  ore  en  e  count  f. 


tive  of  Knox  Comity,  Ohio,  and  a  dangliter 
ot'  Henry  and  iSancy  (llaskins)  Kyle.  They 
resided  in  Kankakee  Connty  until  1854, 
when,  witii  ox  teams  and  wagons,  they  came 
to  Greene  Connty,  this  State,  and  settled 
upon  the  farm  he  now  occupies.  At  that 
time  there  were  but  six  or  eight  familes  in 
the  township.  llis  milling  was  done  at 
Panora,  and  his  postotHce  was  at  Desiloines. 
His  first  residence  was  a  log  cahin,  about 
IG  X  18,  which  served  for  kitchen  and  parlor, 
and  wliere  hospitality  was  extended  to  the 
traveler  or  to  a  neighbor  of  the  settlement, 
lie  now  owns  179  acres  of  excellent  land, 
which  is  well  improved  and  well  cultivated. 
lie  has  a  good  house,  a  commodious  barn, 
30  x  44  feet,  for  stock  and  grain,  and  a  line 
orchard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Linn  have  had  three 
children — Mansfield,  William  Wesley,  who 
tiled  at  the  age  of  nine  months,  and  Nancy 
Ellen.  Mrs.  Linn  died  May  7, 188G,  lament- 
ed by  all  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to  make 
her  acquaintance.  She  was  an  affectionate 
wife,  a  kind  mother  and  a  good  neighbor. 
Politically  Mr.  Linn  is  a  Kepublican.  He  is 
a  member  of  Zerrubabbel  Lodge  of  Lake  City, 
No.  240,  A.  ¥.  &  A.  M. 


li  D.  JAQUES,  farmer,  sectign  2,  Willow 
Township,  is  one  of  the  loading  citi- 
"^ili  *  zens  of  (ireene  County,  and  the  first 
settler  of  Willow  Township,  lie  turned  the 
first  furrow,  set  the  first  post,  ami  built  the 
first  cabin  on  the  wild  prairie  of  that  town- 
ship, lie  was  born  in  Canada,  near  Ilam- 
ilt(Mi,  .luly  17,  1842,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Margaret  Jai[ues.  Wlicn  .'ibnut  eight  years 
of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Middlesex 
(^(iinty,  wliere  he  lived  ten  years,  lie  was 
reared  a  farmer,  receiving  his  edneation  in 
the  common  scliuols  of  Canada.      At  the  age 


of  eighteen  years  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  for  seven  3'ears  was  engaged  in 
various  kinds  of  work  and  in  different  States, 
until  1865,  when  he  returned  to  his  father's 
house  for  a  visit.  He  then  bade  farewell  to 
all  the  family  and  started  for  the  Golden 
State  of  California,  starting  from  New  York 
via  the  Isthmus  of  Panama.  He  remained 
in  California  and  vicinity  four  years.  In 
18G9  he  retui'ued  to  New  York,  thence  to 
the  home  of  his  parents,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1870  came  to  Greene  County  and  located  in 
Willow  Township  all  alone.  His  first  loca- 
tion was  at  the  place  where  his  father  and 
brother  Ijcnjamin  now  reside.  For  several 
years  he  bought  farms,  partially  improved 
them  and  then  sold  to  persons  wishing  to  buy 
such  farms.  He  came  to  his  present  farm  a 
few  years  ago.  It  consists  of  360  acres  of 
choice  land,  and  it  is  one  of  the  best  stock 
farms  in  Greene  Connty.  He  has  a  fine  two- 
story  residence,  built  in  modern  st^de  and 
well  furnished.  He  has  a  large,  commodious 
barn  for  stock  and  hay,  74  x  112  feet,  feed- 
lots  and  stock-scales.  He  is  a  member  of 
Golden  Gate  Lodge,  No.  402,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
at  Sci'anton.  He  started  in  life  without 
means,  but  by  hard  work  and  good  man- 
agement he  has  acquired  a  fine  property. 
He  takes  an  active  interest  in  educational 
and  religions  matters,  and  is  a  liberal  con- 
tril)utor   to  liotli. 


^^LBERT  F.  RAVEIl,  postotHce  Jefter- 
llifiAk  son,  is  a  native  of  Ciermanv,  born  Feb- 
•i;'^-  ruary  15, 1838,  remaining  in  his  native 
country  until  til'teen  \x'ars  of  age.  He  then 
immigrated  with  his  jiarents  to  America, 
sailing  from  Hamburg  June  9,  1853.  He 
landed  at  New  York,  where  he  remained 
about    eiirhteen     months,    when    he   went  to 


-— ! 


■ii»ii«J 


BIUQBAPHIGAL    SKETCHES. 


241 


Canada.  After  residing  in  Canada  for  ten 
years  he  returned  to  tlie  United  States  and 
settled  in  Illinois,  in  which  State  he  made 
his  home  aliout  fifteen  years,  following  the 
tailor's  trade  the  tirst  six  years  of  his  resi- 
dence there.  lie  settled  in  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  in  1S83,  and  since  coming  here  he  has 
met  with  excellent  success  in  his  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  is  now  engaged  in  general 
farming  on  section  83,  Hardin  Township, 
where  he  has  a  well-cultivated  farm  contain- 
ing 160  acres  of  valuable  land.  Mr.  Haver 
has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Lydia  Ayres,  daughter  of  Charles  Ayres. 
She  was  born  in  England  February  25,  1839, 
her  parents  being  natives  of  the  same  country. 
She  died  in  1875,  leaving  four  children,  as 
follows  —  Cliarlie,  May,  Lydia  and  liartie. 
For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Raver  married  Miss 
Bessie  Wilson,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
England,  born  in  August,  1847,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  two  children,  named 
Violet  and  Claude.  I5oth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raver 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  In  his  political  views  he  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  ]jarty. 


►>^^. 


tARVEY  POTTER,  attorney  at  law,  has 
been  a  resident  of  Jefferson  since  May, 
1865.  He  was  the  second  attorney 
that  settled  in  that  city,  the  first  being  Dan 
Mills,  who  is  still  living  in  Jeflerson,  but  is 
retired.  Mr.  Potter  was  l)orn  at  Turin,  Lewis 
County,  New  York,  .Inly  17,  1834.  His 
father,  Chester  Potter,  was  a  stone  mason  in 
early  life,  and  a  farmer  in  later  years.  His 
mother,  Dinah  (Miller)  Potter,  was  of  Eng- 
lish and  Irish  parentage.  The  Potters  were 
wholly  English.  Harvey's  paternal  grand- 
father was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  his  father  was  in  the  war  of  1&12.  When 


he  was  three  years  of  age  his  father  removed 
with  his  family  to  Illinois,  settling  near 
Somonauk,  DeKalb  County.  Our  subject 
renuiined  at  home  until  twenty  years  of  age, 
then  went  to  Wheaton,  twenty-five  miles  west 
of  Chicago,  where  he  spent  six  years  in  the 
preparatory  and  college  course,  graduating 
July  4,  1860.  He  attended  the  law  depart- 
ment of  Chicago  University  and  graduated  in 
1862,  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  In  1864 
he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  his  Alma 
Mater.  At  the  time  of  his  graduation  from 
the  law  dejjartment,  the  civil  war  was  at  its 
height,  and  he  felt  that  he  owed  his  first 
duty  to  his  country.  Before  entering 
upon  his  profession,  he  enlisted,  in  August, 

1862,  as  a  private  in  Company  H,  One 
Hundred  and  Fifth  Illinois  Infantry.  lie 
was    promoted    from    time    to    time,    until 

1863,  when  he  was  made  First  Lieuten- 
ant of  his  company.  He  commanded  Com- 
pany F,  of  his  regiment,  during  part  of  his 
Atlanta  campaign,  that  being  the  company 
that  captured  the  colors  of  the  Twelfth  Louisi- 
ana in  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek.  He 
was  struck  by  a  fragment  of  a  shell,  at  Kesaca, 
but  was  not  much  injured.  He  participated 
in  several  other  important  events  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  resigned  in  August, 

1864,  on  account  of  the  illness  of  his  wife. 
He  returned  from  the  army  and  the  following 
winter  taught  school.  In  May,  1865,  he 
settled  in  Jefferson,  and  at  once  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  served  as 
United  States  Assistant  Assessor  of  Greene, 
Calhoun  and  Sac  counties,  in  1866~'67,  and 
was  the  last  county  judge  of  Greene  County, 
serving  in  that  capacity  in  l868-'69.  Politi- 
cally he  has  always  affiliated  with  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  his  first  vote  was  cast  for 
John  C.  Fremont  in  1856.  He  is  a  man  of 
culture,  having  received  a  thorough  literary 
and  leiral  education.     lie  has  been  admitted 


242 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


to  practice  in  tiie  United  States  Courts,  the 
Supreme  Court  ol'  the  State  of  Illinois,  and 
tlie  Circuit,  District  and  Supreme  Courts  of 
Iowa.  He  jiosscsses  tlie  Jcffersonian  (pialiti- 
cation  of  iionesty,  integrity  and  al)ility. 
.ludj^e  lli'iiry  i'-ootli.  dean  and  leading  pro- 
fessor \\\  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Chicago,  paid  him  the  following  tribute: 
"  Among  all  the  students  of  my  school,  from 
twenty  popular  colleges,  not  one  was  superior 
to  Harvey  Potter."  August  24,  1S62,  lie 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  L.  Price,  a  native 
of  Illinois.  She  is  a  woman  of  education  and 
rehnement.  Religiously  Mr.  Potter  and 
wife  are  devoted  and  consistent  mendjers  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  both  are 
devoted  to  the  Sunday-school  and  other 
religious  work.  They  graduated  at  the 
Chautauqua  Sunda3'-school  Assembly  at  Clear 
Lake,  Iowa,  in  the  summer  of  1877.  I'oth 
have  long  been  active,  earnest  workers  in  the 
cause  of  tempei-ance  and  proliibition,  Mrs. 
Potter  for  some  time  being  State  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union  and  having  charge  of  the  work  of  that 
organization  in  the  entire  Eleventh  Con- 
gressional District  of  Iowa. 


1 LLIAM  LEE,  one  of  the  old  settlers 
fc.ypj  of  Washington  Township,  residing 
I'-Ei^l  on  section  0,  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
burn  in  llari-i>(in  County  May  11,  181G,  a 
son  of  John  Lee,  who  was  born  near  llich- 
niond,  Virginia.  William  Lee,  our  subject, 
was  reared  to  tlie  avocation  of  a  fanner,  liis 
educatifiii  being  obtained  in  the  rude  hxr 
cabin  subscri])tion  schools.  He  was  married 
in  184'J  to  Miss  Martha  McLain,  a  daugliter 
of  xilauson  McLain,  and  of  the  eiirht  chil- 
dren  born  to  tliis  union,  five  are  livincr — 
Henry,  John,  Emma,  Daniel  and  Dclbert  D. 


One  son,  William,  died  in  1885  at  the  age  ot 
twenty-two  3'ears.  In  the  fall  of  1851  he 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  settling  on 
the  farm  where  he  has  since  resided.  His 
first  dwelling  was  a  sjjI it-log  cabin  consisting 
of  one  room  16  .\  18  feet  in  size.  Elk, 
wolves,  deer  and  other  wild  animals  were 
then  in  abundance,  the  surrounding  country 
being  in  a  state  of  nature.  Here  the  family 
experienced  many  of  tlie  hardships  and  pri- 
vations of  pioneer  life.  Their  nearest  milling 
and  trading  point  was  Des  Moines.  lie  has 
met  with  fair  success  in  his  farming  o])era- 
tions,  and  by  years  of  toil  and  industry  has 
acquired  his  present  fine  farm  of  eighty-two 
acres,  all  of  which  is  under  good  cultivation. 


\ 

|[EOEGE  M.  (4ILLILAND,  of  Paton,  a  \ 
member  of  the  firm  of  Gilliland  Broth- 
ers, contractors  and  builders,  is  a  son  of 
Archibald  and  Mary  (Henderson)  Gilliland, 
natives  of  Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania,  the 
father  born  in  1800,  now  deceased,  and  the 
mother  in  1818.  George  M.  Gilliland,  the 
sul)ject  of  this  sketcli,  is  a  native  of  Boone 
County,  Iowa,  the  date  of  iiis  birth  being 
September  14,  1859.  His  educational  advant- 
ages were  some  what  limited,  he  attending 
the  district  schools  of  his  native  county  in  his 
boyhood.  At  the  age  of  tifteen  years  he 
began  learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  his 
ancestors  being  workers  or  carvers  in  wood  for 
many  years.  His  grandfather,  John  Gilli- 
land, was  a  soldier  in  the  Kevolutionary  war 
and  in  the  war  of  1812,  beinnr  aennner  in  the 
latter  war,  and  was  transferred  from  the  land 
foi'ces  to  the  hikes.  Mr.  Gilliland  has  fol- 
lowed the  trade  learned  in  his  youth  tlirough 
life,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  finest  work- 
men in  his  part  of  Greene  County.  In  the 
fall  of    1873  he  went    to   Oregon,  where  he 


'■ii™'a»«™«* 


BWGRA  rillGAL    .'^KETCHES. 


243 


remained  till  the  spring  of  1877.  The  same 
spring  he  went  to  Warren  County,  Iowa,  and 
returned  to  his  home  in  Boone  County,  in 
the  fall  of  1878.  In  the  spring  of  1881  he 
came  to  Paton,  Greene  Connty,  when  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  his  lirother,  A.  II. 
Gilliland,  and  has  since  followed  contractini,' 
and  buildintf  and  during  their  comparatively 
short  residence  here  have  erected  over  ninety 
buildings.  Mr.  Gilliland  has  never  married, 
l)nt  makes  his  home  with  his  mother,  who  is 
now  livincc  in  Paton.  He  never  seeks  official 
honors,  preferring  to  devote  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  his  business.  lie  is  a  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows'  order. 


i-5^-^^ 


5;MMERSON  JOHNSON,  an  enterprising 


'iW^/   farmer    and     stock-raiser     of     Hardin 


I 


Township,  residing  on  section  5,  was 
born  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  August  11, 
1845,  a  son  of  Adam  and  Sarali  Johnson, 
who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  early 
settlers  of  Ohio.  The  motlicr  died  in  1878, 
and  the  father  has  since  miide  his  home  with 
his  children;  at  present  is  living  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  "Wagoner,  in  Kansas.  The 
father  being  a  farmer,  Emmerson  was  reared 
to  the  same  avocation,  which  he  has  followed 
through  life.  At  the  age  of  twenty-eight 
years  lie  rented  a  farm  iu  Jones  County, 
Iowa,  wliich  he  farmed  for  two  years.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  in  1873  to  Miss 
Cenith  Jones,  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  Oc- 
tober 5,  1848,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Jane  (Tatun)  Jones,  the  father  born  in  Mon- 
roe County,  Indiana,  November  29,  1819, 
and  the  mother  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
born  March  25,  1825.  Tiie  father  settled 
with  his  family  in  Jones  County,  Iowa,  in 
1863,  where  lie  followed  farming  till  his 
death,  which    occurred    May    3,  1880.     His 


widow,  Mrs.  Jones,  is  still  living  at  Grand 
Junction,  Iowa.  Nine  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones,  two  sons  and  seven 
daughters,  Mrs.  Johnson  being  the  fourth 
child.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  are  keeping 
two  of  their  brother  Newton  Johnson's  chil- 
dren, their  mother  being  deceased.  They  are 
—  Myrtle  P..,  born  August  31,  1872,  and 
AltaM.,  born  July  7,  1880.  About  the  year 
iMiU  Mr.  Johnson  took  a  trip  to  the  north- 
western part  of  Iowa  to  determine  a  location, 
and  linally  settled  on  his  present  farm  in 
Hardin  Township.  He  is  one  of  the  self- 
made  men  of  Greene  County,  having  by  fair 
dealing  and  hard  work  acrpiired  his  present 
fine  property.  He  has  his  land  now  well 
improved,  and  it  is  considered  one  of  the 
finest  stock  farms  in  Greene  County.  He 
devotes  considerable  attention  to  tlie  raising 
of  stock,  and  is  making  a  specialty  of  Jersey 
hogs,  short-horn  cattle  and  a  fine  grade  of 
Norman  horses.  In  politics  Mr.  Johnson 
affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party.  Mrs. 
Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 


"'■'ts»5nS" 


;j».SjILO  B.  WESTERVELT.  farmer,  re- 
'mmM  sides  on  section  3,  Bristol  Township, 
"■^^Mf^  where  he  owns  400  acres  of  excellent 
land  on  sections  2  and  3.  He  was  l)orn  in 
Franklin  County,  Ohio,  December  8,  1856, 
the  only  son  of  James  and  Kate  (Knox) 
AVestervelt,  now  deceased.  He  was  reared  a 
farmer,  and  olitained  a  good  education, 
becomincc  a  teacher  before  reaching  his 
mai'ority.  When  twenty-one  years  ot  age  he 
entered  into  a  partnershi]i  with  his  uncle, 
John  Kno.x,  in  farming  and  stock-raising, 
which  continued  until  1878,  when  he  formed 
anotlier  ]-iartnership  iu  the  cattle  and  sheep 
trade,  shipping    to    Pittsburg.  Pennsylvania. 


In  1879  ho  visited  Greene  County,  stopping 
only  two  weeks,  then  went  to  California, 
where  he  led  an  active  business  lite  for  the 
next  two  years.  Jle  then  returned  to  Greene 
Cuiinty,  where  lie  spent  several  months  in 
the  abstract  and  recorder's  office,  under 
Recorder  Head.  In  1883  ho  settled  npon  his 
farm,  and  is  now  engaged  in  improving  and 
stocking  the  same.  September  12,  1883,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Rose, 
dautrhtei'  of  -lulin  and  Sarah  Uiemer,  of 
Wayne  County,  this  State.  Mrs.  Westervelt 
was  born  in  that  county  September  12,  1860. 
They  have  two  sons — Alanson  K.,  born  July 
7, 1884,  and  Milo  B.,  born  December  2, 1885. 
Politically  Mr.  Westervelt  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party. 


G.  LAWRENCE,  of  the  lirm  of  Law- 
rence &  Ilaag,  the  principal  real  estate 
.1-®  dealers  and  abstractors  in  Jefferson, 
engaged  in  his  present  business  in  January, 
1876,  at  which  time  he  bought  a  half  interest 
in  the  Greene  County  Abstract  and  Real  Es- 
tate Agency.  This  business  was  established 
in  1867  by  W.  15.  Mayes.  IMr.  Lawrence 
possesses  the  only  complete  set  of  abstract 
books  in  the  county.  lie  has  been  a  resident 
of  Jefferson  since  1867,  and  for  six  years  he 
was  engaged  in  the  bank  of  Head  Brothers. 
For  four  years  he  served  as  auditor  of  Greene 
County.  He  was  born_  in  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
in  1844,  and  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents 
in  1854,  the  family  settling  in  Boweshiok 
County.  In  1861  he  eidisted  in  Com])any 
F,  Tenth  lnwa  Infantry,  and  served  in  Gen- 
eral Sherman's  army  until  1865,  participating 
in  many  of  the  important  events  of  the  war, 
including  the  Atlanta  canijiaigu  and  inarch 
to  tlie  sea,  and  tixik  iiarl  in  the  irraiid  re- 
view    at    Washington.     After    the    war   Mr. 


Lawrence  was  engaged  in  farming  one  year, 
and  was  then  employed  in  Mickle  &  Head's 
baidc  at  Montezuma  for  a  short  time.  After- 
ward lie  attended  school  at  Davenport,  from 
which  place  he  came  to  Jefferson.  Politi- 
cally he   affiliates  with  the  Rejiublican  party. 


;ji.|LYSSES  B.  KINSEY,  section  10,  Junc- 
Jtll  tion  Township,  Greene  County,  was 
born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  13,  1822,  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
Susannah  (Beam)  Kinsey,  who  were  natives 
of  the  same  State,  the  father  born  in  Lancas- 
ter County  and  the  mother  in  Chester  County. 
The  father  is  deceased,  the  mother  still  living 
in  Junction  Township  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-six  years.  Our  subject  was  taken  by 
his  parents  to  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  in 
1827,  they  settling  on  a  farm  in  the  then 
new  country.  He  ol)tained  such  education 
as  the  rude  log  cabin  schools  of  that  early 
day  afforded,  his  early  life  being  spent  iij  at- 
tending these  schools  and  in  assisting  with 
the  work  of  the  farm.  He  was  married 
February  1,  1844,  to  Matilda  Draper,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Draper, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  five  chil- 
dren—  Leander  B.,  Sarah  J.,  Mary  I.,  .lames 
L^.  and  Edgar  L.,  all  of  whom  are  married 
and  living  in  Junction  Township.  Mr.  Kin- 
sey was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, 
eidisting  in  Company  I,  Fifty-first  Ohio  In- 
fantry, as  First  Sergeant.  He  was  shortly 
afterward  promoted  to  Quartermaster-Ser- 
geant, serving  as  such  till  December  11, 1864, 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River 
and  a  number  of  skirmishes.  He  came  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  October,  1869,  set- 
tling where  ho  now  lives  in  Junction  Town- 
ship. He  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  which 
he  rents    to  tenants,   he  workinii;  at  the  car- 


'A' 


t 


BIOORAPEICAL    SKETCHES. 


245 


penter's  trade,  M'liicli  lie  lias  followed  for 
many  years.  He  began  life  entirely  without 
capital,  and  while  living  in  ()\\\o  lie  failed  in 
business.  He  came  to  Iowa  without  means, 
but  a  stout  heart  and  a  pair  of  willing  hands. 
Began  here  on  wild  land,  which  he  cleared 
and  improved,  and  he  experienced  many  of  the 
hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life.  Tie 
was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Junction 
Township,  locating  on  his  present  farm  when 
there  was  scarcely  a  house  in  the  township. 
The  first  two  winters  he  trapped  muskrats, 
from  the  sale  of  which  he  Ijuilt  his  house 
and  helped  to  pay  for  his  land,  at  one  time 
taking  as  many  as  2,200  skins  to  Grand 
Junction.  He  never  seeks  official  honors, 
but  has  been  induced  to  accept  the  office  of 
township  trustee,  which  he  has  iilled  accept- 
ably for  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  also  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army.  He  and  his  wife  and  their 
daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  Coburn,  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


.>>^^. 


I^JIAELES  A.  AVOODS,  engaged  in  tarm- 
i\lE  '"§  ^""-^  stock  raising  on  section  22  of 
^T.  Franklin  Township,  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  August  18,  1843,  his  parents,  Thomas 
and  Mary  A.  (Latta)  Woods,  being  natives 
of  Ireland,  the  father  being  a  farmer  b}'  oc- 
cupation. At  the  early  age  of  aiine  years 
Charles  A.,  our  subject,  began  working  in  a 
rolling-mill  nail  factory,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed for  twenty  years.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  in  May,  1863,  to  Miss  Mary  H. 
Potts,  who  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  3, 1846,  and  died  in  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  July  4,  1882.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  David  and  Mary  (Patterson) 
Potts.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woods  were  born 
seven  children,  their  names  being;  as  follows 

21 


— Minnie,  Charles,  John,  Harry,  Cora,  Maud 
and  Ethel.  In  February,  1875,  Mr.  Woods 
came  with  his  family  to  Greene  County, 
when  he  settled  on  liis  farm  on  section  22, 
Franklin  Township,  where  he  now  has  a  good 
farm,  well  improved,  consisting  of  160  acres. 
He  has  on  his  land  a  fine  maple  grove  which 
covers  two  acres,  from  which  the  name  of 
his  homestead,  "Maple  Grove  I'^arni,"  is  de- 
rived. He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  his  wife  having  been  a 
member  of  the  same  church.  In  politics  he 
affiliates  with  the  Republican  ])arty.  Post- 
office,  Cooper,  Iowa. 


fOHN  McCarthy,  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Jefferson,  is  one  of  the  prominent  busi- 
-;•<,  ness  men  of  that  town,  though  not  one  of 
its  oldest  residents.  In  December,  1880,  he 
purchased  200  acres  of  land  in  Hardin  Town- 
ship, and  erected  buildings  thereon  and 
improved  and  cultivated  the  farm.  He  pur- 
chased other  land  adjoining,  until  he  now  has 
540  acres.  The  land  lies  near  town  and  is 
very  valuable;  he  also  owns  real  estate 
elsewhere.  The  total  amount  of  his  land  in 
Greene  County  is  1,040  acres.  To  Mr.  Mc- 
Carthy, more  than  to  any  other  man,  is  due 
tlie  investigation  which  led  to  the  production 
of  the  numerous  artesian  wells  which  now 
exist  in  this  vicinity.  In  1881  he  produced 
one  of  these  wells  on  his  farm  near  town,  and 
from  this  well  flows  an  abundance  of  excellent 
mineral  water.  A  specimen  of  the  water  was 
analyzed  by  Professor  Hunt  of  the  Agricul- 
tural College,  the  formula  of  which  shows 
that  it  possesses  valuable  medicinal  proper- 
ties. The  benefit  of  this  well  to  the  fine 
stock  farm  of  Mr.  McCarthy  can  hardly  be 
estimated.  The  owner  is  extensively  engaged 
in  raising  and  feeding  and  buying  and  selling 


**^.  *-*^^*  **  1 


-1— m— M-M- 


if. 


346 


HISTORF    OF    (IBEENE    COUNTY. 


stock.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the  boot  and 
shoe  business  at  Jefferson.  Mr.  McCarthy 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Kochester,  State  of 
New  York,  in  1843.  Three  years  later  his 
father,  .lereniiali  McCarthy,  removed  with  his 
family  In  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  settled  in 
what  is  now  Prairie  Center,  LaSallc  County. 
Here  our  subject  was  reared  to  the  occupation 
of  fariiiiny  and  stock-raising.  The  father 
remained  in  LaSalle  County  until  his  decease. 
Mr.  McCarthy  was  married  in  Illinois  to 
Miss  M.  F.  Blackwell.  Politically  Mr.  Mc- 
Carthy is  a  Democrat.  His  popularity  is 
indicated  l»y  the  fact  that  in  a  strong  Repub- 
lican town  he  was  elected  mayor  by  a  major- 
ity of  eightj'-one  votes.  They  have  an  adopted 
son,  Fred,  born  in  1863. 


■a, 


VMES  AV.  SillTIi  resides  on  section  35, 
Grant  Township,  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
where  his  father,  Pleasant  Smith,  settled 
in  July,  1855,  having  purchased  210  acres  of 
land  of  Winson  Crouse.  The  father,  liowever, 
lived  but  about  three  years  after  making  his 
settlement  here,  dying  in  1858.  lie  caught 
a  severe  cold  while  hunting  elk  the  winter 
following  his  settlement  here  and  an  illness 
followed  M'hich  resulted  in  iiis  death.  He 
left  a  wife  and  t'ight  children,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters,  the  wife  dying  in  I)eceml)er, 
1868.  Only  three  of  the  children  are  now 
living.  James  W.  and  Sarah  live  on  the  old 
liomestead.  Jackson  resides  in  AVashington 
Township.  Pleasant  Smith  was  b<jrn  in  Ten- 
nessee in  December,  1799.  Jle  married  Jane 
Upton  in  ISliJ,  removing  to  Illinois  in  1828, 
thence  to  Iowa  in  1855.  Two  of  his  sons 
served  in  the  Union  army  during  the  liebell- 
ion.  Robert  T.  was  a  member  of  Company  IT, 
Tenth  Iowa  Infantry.  He  was  ca))tu red  near 
Missionary  Ridge  in  1S63,  and  imprisoned  at 


Andersonville,  where  he  died  June  24,  1864. 
Jannes  AV.  owns  and  occupies  the  homestead 
farm.  He  was  born  in  DeA¥itt  County, 
Illinois,  November  14,  1839.  August  15, 
1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thirty- 
ninth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  battle  of 
Parker's  Cross  Roads,  Tennessee,  December 
31,  18G2,  and  also  in  the  battles  of  Snake 
Creek,  Georgia,  May  9,  1864;  Horse-shoe 
Rend,  May  16,  1864,  and  the  terrible  battle 
of  Allatoona  Pass,  Georgia,  October  5,  1864. 
At  the  last  mentioned  battle  he  was  twice 
wounded,  the  first  time,  while  occupying 
the  ditch  in  front  of  the  fort,  receiving  a 
gun-shot  wound  in  the  head.  After  the  army 
had  been  driven  back  to  the  fort,  after  the 
third  charge,  he  was  shot  through  the  elbow 
joint  of  the  right  arm,  which  resulted  in 
amputation  on  the  31st  of  October.  Being 
disabled  by  these  severe  wounds  he  was  sent 
to  army  hospitals  for  treatment  as  follows: 
First  to  Rome,  Georgia,  and  remained  there 
until  November,  1864,  just  before  Sherman's 
"  march  to  the  sea;"  thence  to  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee;  thence  to  Nashville,  Tennessee; 
thence  to  Jeffersonville,  Indiana;  thence  to  Jef- 
ferson Barracks,  Missouri ;  thence  to  Keokuk, 
Iowa,  where  he  was  discharged  May  24, 1865, 
being  in  the  active  service  two  years  and 
nearly  ten  months.  Notwithstanding  his 
terrible  experience  in  the  army  his  health  is 
good.  He  was  married  to  Susan  A.  Bell, 
daughter  of  Rev.  AVatson  A.  Bell,  May  30, 
1865,  at  Sigourney,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Susan  A. 
(Bell)  Smith  was  born  in  AVestmoreland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1843.  They  have 
nine  children,  seven  sons  and  two  daughters. 
In  1868  while  driving  a  pair  of  young  horses 
he  was  thrown  from  his  wagon,  receiving 
great  injuries.  AA^hile  trying  to  escape  from 
the  run-away  team  he  fell  under  the  wagon, 
the  wagon  passing  over  him  and  breaking 
his  lower  jaw  in  two  places,  and  his  left  leg 


ii^-"-"-"-"-"'^"!^^^^^^-^) 


below  the  knee.  After  lying  at  the  point  of 
death  for  several  weeks  he  was  restored  to 
health  by  the  kind  nursing  of  his  faithful 
wife,  materially  assisted  by  his  strong  consti- 
tution and  his  indomitable  will.  lie  fully 
recovered  from  these  injuries  and  enjoys  the 
blessing  of  a  sound  constitution,  carrying 
the  marks  of  no  affliction  other  than  the 
bullet  wounds  he  received  in  the  service  of 
his  country  as  relatetl  above.  Politically  Mr. 
Smith  affiliates  with  Ilepiiblican  party. 


,,.■?,.  ?l|T,.,'?M, 


J^[EOEGE  C.  DILLAVOU,  farmer,  sec- 
flteT?  tiou  17,  Kendrick  Township,  was  born 
w'-  in  Randolph  County,  Indiana,  August 
29,  1850,  son  of  James  Dillavou,  a  prominent 
pioneer  of  this  county.  lie  was  five  years 
of  age  when  his  father  came  to  Iowa  and 
settled  amid  the  wild  surroundings  of  pio- 
neer life.  His  youth  was  spent  in  assist- 
ing his  father  on  the  farm,  and  in  attending 
the  common  schools  of  Greene  County.  He 
was  married  March  1.3,  1879,  to  Miss  Lotta 
Chase,  who  was  a  native  of  Canada,  and  a 
daughter  of  Kev.  John  W.  Chase,  a  promi- 
nent minister  in  the  United  Brethren  church, 
and  the  founder  of  the  first  church  of  that 
denomination  in  Greene  County.  He  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  and  married  Miss 
Susan  Crawford,  who  was  a  native  of  Canada. 
They  lived  in  Canada  several  years,  and  in 
1855  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Clayton 
County,  where  they  lived  until  1868,  then 
came  to  Greene  County  and  settled  in  Cedar 
Township.  Mr.  Dillavou  came  to  his  present 
farm  in  the  spring  of  1879,  which  he  pur- 
chased some  time  previous.  He  owns  200 
acres  of  excellent  land,  and  his  farm  is  known 
as  one  of  the  best  in  his  township.  He  has 
a  good  two-story  residence  built  in  modern 
style,  with    bay    window    and    piazzas,   and 


surrounded  with  shade  trees,  and  his  farm 
buildings  are  commodious  and  comfortable. 
He  is  (piite  extensively  engaged  in  stock- 
raising  and  feeding.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dillavoxi 
have  had  four  children — Mahlon  J.,  Statten 
G. ;  Ross  L.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years, 
ten  months  and  fifteen  days,  and  Maud. 
Politically  Mr.  Dillavou  is  a  Republican.  He 
served  as  township  clerk  when  only  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  School  Board  and  township  assessor 
with  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  He 
well  remembers  seeing  the  deer  and  elk  run 
lip  and  down  the  creek  on  the  farm  of  his 
father;  seeing  and  hearing  the  prairie  wolves 
howl  when  onl}^  a  little  boy,  and  at  one  time 
getting  scared  by  the  wolves,  and  in  the 
place  of  seeing  carpet-baggers  and  plug  hats, 
hoops  and  bustles,  or  banged  hair,  he  saw  the 
hunter  with  his  coon-skin  cap  and  long  rifle 
on  his  shoulder,  and  women  dressed  plain 
with  lono-  hair. 


-5«-»^ 


^AMES  M.  HOSHAAV,  farmer,  section  36, 
M  Hardin  Township,  is  a  native  of  Siielby 
^  County,  Ohio,  born  March  27,  1833,  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Shigley)  Iloshaw, 
who  were  both  natives  of  Shenandoah  County, 
Virginia.  Tliey  left  their  native  State  in 
1811,  in  which  year  they  settled  in  Ohio. 
Both  are  now  deceased.  James  M.  was 
reared  on  the  home  farm  till  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  when  he  l)egan  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade,  serving  an  apprenticeship 
of  three  years.  After  twelve  years  hard 
work  he  had  saved  enough  money  to  purchase 
a  farm  of  forty  acres  of  improved  land  in 
Marion  County,  Iowa,  on  which  he  located 
in  1856,  at  that  time  not  a  railroad  being  in 
the    State.     He  was    united    in   marriage  in 


Shelby  County,  Ohio,  Januai-y  2,  1857,  and         ( 


248 


BISTORT    OF    GBEENK    COUNTY. 


to  this  union  were  liorn  four  daugliters — 
America,  Araminta,  Matilda  and  Martlia. 
AVliile  a  resident  of  Marion  County,  Iowa, 
his  wife  returned  to  Oliio,  where  she  died. 
He  was  a  resident  of  Marion  County  about 
sixteen  years,  but  after  the  deatli  of  his  wife 
he  moved  to  l)e  Witt  County,  Illinois,  where 
he  lived  about  eight  years.  lie  was  married 
a  second  time  in  March,  1868,  to  Miss  Evaline 
Warrenburg,  who  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  in  November,  1840,  lierpai'ents,  George 
and  Mary  Warrenburg,  being  natives  of  the 
State  of  A'irginia;  One  child  has  Ijcen 
born  to  this  union  —  James  Henry,  buni 
June  10,  1869.  Mr.  Hoshaw  came  with  his 
family  to  Greene  County  in  the  spring  of 
1874,  when  he  settled  in  Hardin  Township, 
on  the  farm  where  he  still  resides.  He  is 
an  industrious  and  enteri)rising  farmer,  and 
his  present  fine  farm  of  120  acres  has  been 
acquired  by  years  of  toil.  His  land  is  now 
under  a  fair  state  of  cultivation,  and  well  im- 
proved. Eotli  he  and  his  wife  are  membei's 
of  the  Christian  church,  and  are  classed 
among  the  respected  citizens  of  Green  County. 


fOSlHJA  BURK,  one  of  the  self-made 
men  of  Greene  County,  and  an  old  pio- 
,^  neer  of  Wasliington  Township,  was  born 
in  Oswego  County,  Kew  York,  March  31, 
1833,  a  son  of  Amos  S.  IJurk,  who  was  a 
native  of  the  same  State.  The  father  removed 
with  his  family  to  Carroll  County,  Missouri, 
in  1844,  and  to  McDonough  County,  Illinois, 
in  1846,  where  he  lived  till  his  death.  Joshua 
Hurk,  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch,  went  to  Cass 
County,  Illinois,  in  1852,  where  he  worked 
as  a  farm  hand  for  one  man  for  four  years. 
He  was  married  in  the  spring  of  1856  to 
Amanda  C.  Hall,  a  native  of  A'ircinia,  and  a 
daughter  of  .lolm  1 1  all,  deceased.  They  are 
the    parents    of    eleven    children — Viola    E., 


married  Tupper  Kirby,  of  Grand  Junction, 
and  has  two  children,  named  Osa  Viola  and 
Edgar  P.;  Catherine,  wife  of  Frank  Taylor, 
of  "Washington  Townshij);  Banj-er,  married 
Emma  John,  and  lives  in  "Washington  Town- 
ship; John  and  Amos,  twins,  living  in  "Wash- 
ington Township,  the  latter  married  to  Cora 
White;  Nicholas  P.,  Hannah,  Eliza,  Lilian, 
Andrew  J.  and  Isaac  J.  Mr.  Burk  came  to 
Iowa  with  his  young  wife  the  same  year  of 
their  marriage,  making  the  journey  with  an 
ox  team  in  about  three  weeks,  when  they  set- 
tled on  the  fsirm  which  lias  since  been  their 
home.  His  first  land  purchased  here  was 
forty  acres,  for  which  he  paid  .$100  in  work 
at  forty  or  fifty  cents  per  day,  and  a  note  for 
$54.  His  first  house  was  built  of  roujrh  oak 
boards,  and  consisted  of  one  room  14  x  16 
feet  in  size.  He  hauled  lumber  to  the  mill 
for  a  party,  and  for  his  services  received  a 
quarter  of  the  lumber,  and  with  this  he  built 
his  house.  This  house  is  still  standing  in  the 
rear  of  his  present  residence.  When  they 
first  settled  in  Washington  Township  the 
surrounding  country  was  in  a  wild  state, 
Indians  and  wild  animals  being  the  principal 
inhabitants,  and  for  several  years  they  were 
well  supplied  with  wild  game.  Pork  was 
scarce,  selling  at  25  cents  a  pound,  and  the 
price  of  flour  in  1857  Avas  §8.25  per  hundred 
weight.  Their  trading  and  milling  was  done 
at  Des  Moines.  Mr.  Burk  began  life  in  Iowa 
without  means,  but  by  hard  work  and  strict 
economy,  assisted  by  the  good  management 
of  his  wife,  he  has  become  one  of  the  pros- 
perous citizens  of  Greene  County.  He  made 
his  first  money  on  buckwheat  wliich  he  raised 
in  1857,  taking  101  bushels  to  I)es  Moines, 
and  after  getting  it  ground  at  Walnut  Creek 
Mills,  sold  it  for  $3.25  a  hundred  weight. 
Mr.  Burk  is  now  the  owner  of  401  acres  of 
valuable  land,  aiid  has  given  to  his  children 
240  acres.     Mr.  Burk  was  a  soldier  in   the 


BIOORAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


249 


war  of  the  Rebellion,  sei-viiig  in  Company  IT, 
Tenth  Iowa  Infantry,  almost  three  years,  lie 
participated  in  the  battles  of  luka,  Corinth, 
Missionary  liidge,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jack- 
son, Mississippi,  and  others  of  minor  im- 
portance, and  was  wounded  in  the  battles  of 
Corinth  and  Missionaiy  Kidge. 


^,4^^^i.^ 


jm  W.  JACKSON,  farmer,  section  14, 
^''-  Greenbrier  Township,  was  born  in 
I.®  Crawford  County,  Pennsylvania,  March 
13,  1843,  son  of  Waterman  and  Sojjhia 
(Gnim)  Jackson,  the  father  a  native  of  New 
Yoi-k,  and  the  mother  of  Massachusetts. 
They  were  married  in  New  York,  and  reared 
a  family  of  eight  children — Jane,  Augusta, 
Ilirani,  Zylpha,  Helen  M.,  G.  W.,  Andrew 
and  Asa.  The  latter,  a  twin  brother  of  An- 
drew, is  deceased.  When  our  subject  was 
two  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to 
Portage  County,  Ohio,  where  they  lived 
eleven  years,  then  removed  to  Porter  C'ounty, 
Indiana.  G.  W.  was  reared  a  farmer  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools.  September 
5,  18G1,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Battery, 
Indiana  Volunteers,  Captain  A.  K.  Bush 
commanding.  He  participateil  in  the  battles 
of  Perryville,  Stone  liiver  and  Chickamauga, 
and  other  minor  engagements.  At  the  latter 
place  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  thigh,  and 
conlined  in  the  hiispital  six  months.  lie  re- 
turned to  the  service  and  remained  until  the 
term  of  his  enlistment  expired,  which  was 
three  years,  and  November  2,  1864,  he  re- 
enlisted  in  the  same  battery,  and  was  pro- 
moted to  Second  Lieutenant.  He  served  in 
that  capacity  until  Angnst  1,  1865,  when  he 
was  honorably  discharged  at  Indianapolis,  In- 
diana, and  returned  to  his  home.  He  was 
married  April  6,  186!J,  to  Miss  Alice  E. 
Marine,  a  natis-e  of  St.  Joseph  County,  Indi- 


ana, and  daughter  of  Ed.  C.  and  Parthena 
(McClean)  Marine.  In  1874  our  subject  re- 
moved to  Dallas  County,  Iowa,  near  Redfield, 
where  he  lived  four  years,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. In  March,  1878,  he  removed  to  Green- 
brier Township,  this  county,  and  settled  upon 
his  present  farm.  His  first  purchase  was 
eighty  acres;  he  has  since  added  to  that  until 
he  now  owns  240  acres  of  (^reene  County's 
best  soil.  He  has  a  comfortable  house,  and 
out-buildings  for  stock  and  grain,  and  is 
engaged  in  general  farming,  stock-raising 
and  feeding.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson  arc  the 
parents  of  ten  children — Archie  A.,  Sybil  Es- 
telle,  Clyde  L.,  George  1\I.,  O.  P.  Morton, 
lialph,  ilerle,  Percy  M.,  Helen  E.  and  Zylpha. 
Mr.  Jackson  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
is  now  serving  as  township  treasurer  and 
member  of  the  school  board.  lie  is  senior 
\ice-conunander  of  May's  Post,  No.  264, 
(i.  A.  R.  He  started  in  life  without  a  dollar, 
but  liy  good  management,  industry  and  ecou 
omy  he  has  acquired  a  tine  property.  His 
postofhce  is    Bagley,  Guthrie  County. 


f 


"!<, 


OIIN  DINAN,  one  of  the  self-made 
f  men  of  Greene  County,  and  an  enter- 
prising farmer  of  Scranton  Township, 
where  he  resides  on  section  19,  is  a  native  of 
Ireland,  born  in  County  Limerick  in  1840. 
His  parents,  Thomas  and  Kate  Dinan,  never 
left  their  native  country.  They  had  a  family 
of  seven  children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth 
child,  and  the  only  one  who  came  to  America. 
He  left  Ireland  during  the  war  of  the  Rebell- 
ion, and  landed  at  New  York  City  in  very 
limited  cii-cumstances,  but  possessed  of  a 
stout  heart  and  a  determination  to  succeed 
in  life.  He  lived  at  New  Haven,  Connecti- 
cut, several  years,  and  was  there  married  to 
IVIis^s-Letitia  Lynch,  who  was  born  in  County 
Derry,    Ireland.      Four    children    have    been 


r:^»-c»a»»««aiag»Mai»«M»ai»w«ii-»-i»«-ai«»Si»faM«»-»«»aB«aj»Q?gi^ 


250 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


m 


born  to  them,  three  of  whom  are  living,  all 
natives  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut — Thomas, 
born  December  4,  1864;  John,  born  May  24, 
1867,  and  Albert,  born  September  24,  1871. 
Their  son  Robert  was  born  in  Benton  County, 
Iowa,  May  5,  1874,  and  died  in  the  same 
county  January  25.  1878.  Mr.  Dinan  came 
with  his  family  to  Iowa  in  1871,  and  lived 
in  Benton  County  several  years.  They  after- 
ward resided  in  Story  County,  and  from 
there  came  to  Greene  County,  settling  on 
his  present  farm  in  the  spring  of  1880.  His 
farm  of  160  acres  is  one  of  the  best  in  his 
neighborhood,  and  almost  entirely  under 
cultivation,  and  is  located  half  on  section  19, 
Scranton  Township,  and  half  on  section  25, 
of  Ricliland  Township,  in  Carroll  County, 
whicli  he  has  acipiired  by  persevering  toil 
and  energy, combined  with  good  management, 
and  by  liis  fair  and  honorable  dealings  he 
has  won  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who 
Ivuow  him.  Politically  Mr.  Dinan  affiliates 
witli  the  Democratic  party.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Iloman  Catliolic  church. 


flllARLES  WALTON,  one  of  tlie  enter- 
,  prising  citizens  of  Baton,  cuii-aged  in 
>#i,-i  conti'actiiiir  and  biiildinir  and  dealinir 
i)i  I'liniiture,  was  born  in  Toronto,  Canada, 
tlie  ihite  of  Ills  birth  being  February  6,  1859. 
His  father,  John  Walton,  is  now  a  resident 
uf  Scott  County,  Iowa,  having  settled  there 
M-itli  liis  family  in  1861.  Our  subject  lived 
(111  liis  fatlier's  farm  in  Scott  County  till  nine 
years  of  age,  after  which  lie  attended  scliool 
at  Davenport,  Iowa,  till  1880,  He  then 
came  to  Baton,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and 
engaged  in  contracting  and  building,  which 


lie  still  follows,  and  in  1.S81  he  engaged  in 
the  riirniluiT  business,  and  is  dniiig  a  goixl 
business.      Mr.  Walton  was  married   October 


7,  1883,  to  Miss  Anna  L.  Marker,  a  daughter 
of  Martin  V.  Marker.  Their  only  child, 
Irene  Blanche,  was  choked  to  death  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  months.  Since  coming  to 
Baton  Mr.  Walton  has  held  the  office  of  con- 
stable for  two  years.  He  is  the  proprietor 
of  Walton's  Hall,  which  is  used  for  traveling 
theatrical  troupes,  and  for  balls,  etc. 


^-5m^>- 


that  office  January  1,  1882.  He  settled  in 
the  county  in  1868.  He  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Cadiz,  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  in 
1839,  and  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  He  served  his  country  in  the  war 
of  the  Bebellion  as  a  member  of  Company 
C,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth  Ohio 
Infantry.  He  enlisted  in  1862,  and  served 
in  the  Army  of  the  Botoinac  until  March, 
1865.  His  regiment  belonged  to  Sedgwick's 
corps — the  noted  Sixth.  He  was  captured 
at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  May  6, 1864, 
and  was  confined  at  Andersonville  for  eight 
months,  when  he  was  e.xclianged.  He  lias 
never  fully  recovered  from  the  effects  of  that 
terrible  experience.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Martinsbnrg,  West  Virginia,  June 
14,  1863,  and  the  battle  of  Mapping  Height, 
July  23,  in  the  same  year.  On  the  6th  day 
of  August,  1863,  the  brigade  to  which  his 
regiment  belonged  was  ordered  to  New  York 
to  assist  in  enforcing  the  draft.  They  re- 
joined their  corps  at  Box's  Ford,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Culpeper  Court-House, 
September  15;  October  14,  battle  of  Bristol 
Station;  October  24,  battle  of  Beal  ten  Station 
November  7,  battle  of  Kelly's  Ford;  Novem- 
ber 8,  Brandy  Station ;  Novemlier  26,  Locnst 
Grove;  November  28,  Mine  Run;    .May  4,  5, 


G.  EAGLESON  is  now  serving  his 
third  term  as  sheriff  of  Greene  County, 
having   first   assumed    the   duties   of        j 


JilOaRAl'UWAL    SKETCHES. 


351 


?^' 


6,  1864,  Imttle  of  the  AVildeniess,  being  cap- 
tured on  tlie  Cth,  and  sent  to  AudersuTiville 
as  previously  stated.  He  was  discharged  for 
disability  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  March,  1865. 
He  remained  in  Ohio  until  lie  came  to  Orcene 
County,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  until 
elected  to  his  present  position.  Politically 
Mr.  Eagleson  is  a  Kepublican.  While  he 
was  in  Ohio  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Jane  Taggart,  a  native  of  that  State,  and 
they  have  three  children — Nettie,  Uelle  and 
Clyde. 


fUSTUS  M.  EIIOADS,  agent  of  the  United 
States  Express  Company,  at  Jefferson, 
dealer  in  musical  instruments,  sewing 
machines,  stationery,  cigars,  etc.,  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  interests  of 
Jefferson  since  December,  1871,  at  whicli 
time  he  became  a  resident  of  the  town.  At 
that  time  he  bought  a  half  interest  in  the 
Jefferson  Jiec.  and  in  ]\[ay,  1874,  he  became 
sole  proprietor  and  editor  of  that  paper.  In 
October,  1877,  he  sold  a  half  interest  to  O. 
Tt.  Gra}'.  In  1883  he  again  became  sole  pro- 
prietor, and  In  1884  sold  to  the  present 
owner,  Mr.  E.  15.  StillmaTi.  Mr.  Rhoads  was 
postmaster  at  Jefferson  from  July  8,  1873, 
until  November  1,  1885,  a  period  of  more 
tlian  twelve  years.  In  1881-'82  he  was 
mayor  of  Jeiferson,  and  is  at  present  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  and  common  council 
of  the  town.  Mr.  Khoads  was  born  in  Pier- 
pont,  Ashtabula  County,  Ohio,  April  8, 1845. 
In  1856  liis  father,  F.  W.  Rhoads,  removed 
with  his  family  to  Story  County,  this  State, 
where  he  died  in  1867.  In  1861  onr  suliject 
went  to  Des  Moines  an<l  engaged  in  printing, 
having  previously  worked  two  years  in  a 
printing  office  at  Nevada.  In  the  spring  of 
1864  he  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company 
E,  Forty-seventh  Iowa.     He  remained  in  the 


army  four  months,  and  in  December,  1864, 
went  to  Ohio  and  again  entered  the  army  as 
a  member  of  the  Eighteenth  Ohio,  serving 
until  July,  1865.  After  the  war  closed  he 
returned  to  Des  Moines  and  was  foreman  of 
tlie  Rajhter  from  1867  until  1871.  In  1863 
he  crossed  the  plains  with  a  team  to  Colo- 
rado, retni-ning  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year. 
In  1871  he  repeated  the  journey  for  the  ben- 
efit of  his  health,  and  was  for  a  time  in  the 
printing  business  in  Central  Citj',  in  that 
State.  February  3,  1867,  TVIr.  Ilhoads  was 
married  in  Des  iloines  to  Miss  Augusta  E. 
Hemingway,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
for  some  time  a  resident  of  Livinfjston  Coun- 
ty.  New  York,  being  educated  at  the  Nunda 
Literary  Institute  in  that  county.  Her  father 
was  Nathan  Hemingway,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Des  Moines.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhoads  have 
five  children — Fred  II.,  Charles  C,  Jennie 
M.,  Frank  P.,  and  Justus  A.  The  two  eldest 
were  born  in  Des  Moines,  Jennie  in  Coloi-ado, 
and  the  other  two  in  Jefferson. 


^^AMES   DILLAVOU,  farmer,  section  17, 

fKendrick  Township,  is  one  of  the  prom- 
inent pioneers  of  that  township,  and  was 
born  ih  Greene  County,  Ohio,  May  15,  1825, 
son  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Roberts)  Dillavou, 
natives  of  New  Jersey,  who  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was 
the  youngest.  AYhen  he  was  about  twelve 
3'ears  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Raudolp)h 
County,  Indiana,  where  he  lived  until  twenty- 
five  years  of  age.  He  was  reared  a  farmer 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  married  May  21,  1848,  to 
Miss  Margaret  Coon,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  Coon,  a  native  of  Delaware.  In  185U 
ilr.  Dillavou  removed  to  McLean  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  resided  five  years,  and  No- 


'■Jl 


»"'"'"™™™' 


.•^r^*  my«k*m'-^f  ^1.'^*  %j«%*^b/-^*-'*J^>^^/-'*>-^A^^'*.'^/-^J'< 


253 


niSTOUY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


vcitihcr  9,  1855,  lie  came  to  Greene  County, 
locatinop  on  liis  present  ftirin  in  Kendrick 
Ti-wiisliip.  Tliere  were  alwut  twenty-iive 
t'aniilies  living  in  the  township  at  that  time. 
He  iirst  lived  in  a  tent  for  some  time,  and 
his  stock  was  sheltered  in  tlii^  brush.  After 
ii  time  he  built  a  log  cabin.  He  had  to  go 
forty  miles  to  mill,  and  his  postoffice  was  at 
De.s  Moines;  the  mail  was  fre(^uently  brought 
to  Jefferson  with  an  ox  team.  Elk  were  fre- 
(juently  found  liere  at  that  time.  Mr.  Dilla- 
vou  owns  460  acres  of  well-cidtivated  land, 
witli  good  improvements,  lie  has  a  com- 
fortable liouse,  a  commodious  barn  and  out- 
buildincrs  for  stock  and  grain.  Mrs.  Dillavou 
died  iVlay  25,  1802,  leaving  six  children — 
George,  Elza,  Rebecca,  Jolm,  Mary  and  a 
babe;  two  are  deceased.  October  14,  1866, 
Mr.  Dillavou  was  married  to  Mrs.  Nancy 
Morelan,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Indi- 
ana, an<l  daughter  of  William  and  Susan 
Iteclc.  Mrs.  Dillavou  was  the  widow  of 
Jacksun  ]\[orelan  and  the  mother  of  three 
children— -Evan,  AVilliam  and  Jackson.  V^y 
the  second  nnirriage  there  were  eight  children 
— Martha,  Samuel,  Henry,  Ira,  Amos,  Aiiice, 
Stacy  and  Margaret,  deceased.  Politically 
Ml'.  Dillavou  is  a  Republican,  casting  his 
iirst  vote  for  General  Ereiiiont.  lie  has 
served  in  most  of  the  township  offices,  ^id  has 
served  twice  as  county  supervisor.  lie 
donated  the  ground  for  the  Dillavou  ceme- 
tery, and  is  a  liberal  supporter  df  all  worthy 
enterprises. 


^MmEIA'lLLK  11.  U10IIARDSON,farm- 
ir,  resides  on  section  22,  Jackson 
Tdwnship,  where  he  owns  eighty 
acres  of  excellent  land,  in  a  good  state  of 
(•nlti\  aliiii!.  He  ha.-;  been  a  resident  of  (ireene 
County  since  1869,  and  has  lived  in  his  pres- 


ent home  about  ten  years,  his  residence  being 
on  section  2  of  the  same  township.  Mr. 
Richardson  came  from  St.  Lawrence  County, 
New  York,  wdiere  he  was  born  September  4. 
1834,  son  of  Anson  and  Polly  (Southworth) 
Richardson,  the  father  a  native  of  Bennington 
County.  Vermont,  and  the  mother  of  Con- 
necticut. Their  early  life  was  passed  in 
Bennington  Count}',  and  the  father  located 
in  St.  Lawrence  County  when  only  seventeen 
years  of  age,  in  the  year  1806.  He  settled 
near  where  Canton,  the  county-seat,  now  is. 
lie  made  a  home  in  the  wilderness  and  lived 
there  the  rest  of  his  days,  passing  away  in 
1850,'aged  sixty-one  years.  He  was  Orderly 
Serireant  in  the  New  York  militia  durine: 
the  war  of  1812,  being  twice  called  into  the 
service.  His  wife  survived  until  1866.  being 
seventy-two  years  old  at  death.  Anson 
Richardson  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  ^the 
building  of  the  first  Methodist  church  in  St. 
]>awrence  County.  During  the  late  war  that 
building  was  replaced  by  a  more  pretentious 
structure.  The  father  was  a  class-leader 
twenty-four  years.  He  raised  three  children 
— Lucius,  now  seventy  years  of  age,  living 
near  where  he  was  born;  Arvilla,  who  married 
Ira  Starks,  inherited  the  old  homestead,  and 
Melville  II.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who 
was  reared  on  the  old  homestead,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  scliools  which  the  limited 
resources  of  his  native  county  afforded.  In 
October,  1859,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy 
Pitt,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  Pitt,  who 
was  born  October  27, 1834,  also  in  St.  Lawrence 
County.  They  were  ]>lay  mates  and  school  mates. 
Mr.  Richardson  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One 
Hundred  and  Forty-second  New  York  Infan- 
try, August  27, 1862.  His  regiment  was  as- 
signed to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  took 
])art  in  some  of  the  early  ]iistoricl)attles,buthis 
liealtli  failing,  he  was  placed  on  detached  and 
lighter   duties.     He  served   his  full    term  of 


^"■-■•■^"■■■■■■■■■■■■■■^^■■-■■■■■^■■■■■■■wgi 


■■■-■■■■i»-W»Mi 


.>iiiBW-B-»-a»tea*i-ii»»»»-M-Tiir«iSi»ii---»»w»w»«JBCWliiia_-wjiri 


.■M»i.Wa.si.aMaiMW-t3aM»,uii»a. 


hlOORAPHWAL    SKETORES. 


2bS 


enlistment  aTid  returned  to  liis  home  in  St. 
Lawrence  County,  where  his  wife  died  Febru- 
ary 17,  1872,  whither  she  had  gone  in  hopes 
of  restoring  her  failing  health.  She  left  one 
child^Adell,  born  June  21,  1862.  For  his 
second  wife,  Mr.  Richardson  married,  May 
2,  1878,  Miss  Sally  Eister,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Eister,  who  was  born 
in  Northumberland  County,  Pennsylvania, 
August  8,  1841.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Iiichardson 
have  no  children,  but  they  have  an  adopted 
daughter,  Lona,  daughter  of  Aaron  Hanson. 
Mr.  Richardson's  daughter,  Adell,  married 
W.  A.  Young,  and  they  have  three  children — 
Ross  W.,  Lydia  A.  and  Harl.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Richardson  is  an  ardent  Republican, 
casting  his  first  liopablican  vote  for  John  C. 
Fremont.  He  is  a  member  of  Morning  Star 
Lodge,  No.  159,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


►>,j.4..-^ 


fAMES  L.  HUNT,  engaged  in  wagon  and 
carriage  making,  and  painting  and  re- 
"Ri  pairing,  Paton,  is  a  native  of  Illinois, 
born  in  Winslow,  Stephenson  County,  May  22, 
1851,  his  father,  Elias  II.,  being  a  native  of 
the  State  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  brought 
up  in  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop,  his 
father  and  grandfather  following  the  same 
avocation.  Mr.  Hunt  was  united  in  marriage 
July  26,  1872,  to  Miss  Martha  Pratt,  who 
was  born  at  Edwardsbui-g,  Michigan,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1852,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  I.  S.  Pratt.  To  tliis  union  were 
born  two  children,  who  are  named  Abbie  R. 
and  Bertha  P.  In  November,  1879,  Mr. 
Hunt  brought  his  lamily  to  Paton,  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  has  hj  his  reason- 
able prices  and  accommodating  manners,  es- 
tablished a  good  business,  and  has  gained  the 
respect  of  all  who  have  business  with  him, 
by  his  fair   and   honorable    dealings.     Since 


coming  to  Paton  he  has  served  as  president 
of  the  school  board  for  one  term.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  order.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Mrs.  Hunt  dieil  June  11,  1886,  her  death  be- 
ing a  source  of  universal  regret  throughout 
the  community  in  which  she  resided.  She 
was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  an  active  Sabbath- 
school   worker. 


.^^>^ 


fEBULON  FERRIX,  one  of  Greene 
C'ounty's  wealthiest  agriculturists,  re- 
■^15^^  sides  upon  and  owns  the  entire  section 
27,  of  Bristol  Township.  He  settled  in  liis 
present  home  in  tiie  autumn  of  1870,  and 
the  improvements  upon  his  640  acres  have 
all  been  made  by  himself.  His  residence  is 
situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  sec- 
tion and  commands  a  view  of  the  whole.  He 
devotes  his  farm  entirely  to  stock-raising  and 
feeding,  in  which  lie  has  been  successful. 
1\H-.  Ferrin  was  born  in  Livingston  County, 
New  York,  May  10,  1829.  His  father,  Zeb- 
ulon  Ferrin,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire, 
and  his  mother,  Lucy  Belle  Wilson,  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in 
Livingston  County,  it  being  the  second  mar- 
riage of  each,  and  each  having  a  family  by 
the  former  marriage.  At  the  age  of  ten 
years  our  subject  was  orphaned  by  the  death 
of  his  parents,  and  he  was  left  a  poor  boy  to 
fio-lit  the  battles  of  life  in  his  own  behalf 
Thrown  entirely  upon  his  own  resources, 
those  sterling  cpialities  necessary  to  the  high- 
est degree  of  manhood  were  developed  in 
him;  but  the  lessons  of  life  thus  earl)' 
learned  were  hard  ones.  Tliey  were  well 
learned,  however,  and  never  forgotten.  From 
the  day  which  left  him  an  orphan,  to  this 
day  of  prosperity,  he   has   never  had  a  dollar 


•■i"Mi"l*'  — ""»  —  "■"  — "'■»*'""■ 


»^»»M»Mu»M* 


S54 


ntSTOkr    OF    GREENE    COtJNTT. 


tliat  was  not  earned  by  himself,  the  legiti- 
mate reward  of  his  own  industry.  When 
twenty  years  of  age  lie  left  his  native  county 
and  settled  in  Du  Page  County,  Illinois, 
where  lie  lived  several  years,  then  removed 
lo  Ijureau  Coimty,  same  State,  in  1863. 
What  means  he  had  earned  he  used  in  col- 
lecting a  drove  of  horses,  which  he  took  to 
California,  crossing  the  plains  and  moun- 
tains. His  venture  was  a  xery  successful 
one  and  netted  him  a  handsome  profit.  Re- 
turning home  via  the  Isthmus  and  New 
York  City,  he  stopped  in  Ashtabula  County, 
( )liio,  where  he  bought  a  farm,  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Illinois.  At  the  Adams  House  in 
Chicago,  December  29,  1864,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  ^VEiss  Martha  S.,  daughter 
of  Frederick  and  Yesta  (Remmick)  Boydan, 
who  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  August 
11,  1838,  and  was  also  orphaned  when  quite 
young.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Ferrin  commenced 
house-keeping  on  the  Ohio  fiirm,  and  later 
removed  to  IJureau  County,  Illinois,  where 
they  lived  until  they  came  to  Greene  County. 
Their  three  children  are  all  deceased.  Viria 
Belle  died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  Charles 
Z.  died  at  the  age  of  one  year,  and  Wilbur  R. 
died  at  the  age  of  live  months.  Politically 
Mr.  Ferrin  belongs  to  the  (Ireenback  party, 
and  has  served  as  township  trustee.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Ancient  and  Progressive  or- 
der of  Free  Masons,  .Morning  Star  Lodge, 
No.  159,  Jefferson. 


;T-*rTlLLlA.M  II.  ADAMS  resides  on  sec- 
,  \  A/  tion  27,  Grant  Township,  where  he 
{"T^il^  settled  in  1880,  having  purchased 
land  of  the  AYalter  Rhoads  estate.  The  land 
was  entered  by  Thomas  Roberts,  but  was  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Ulioads  in  1856.  Mr.  Adams 
came  to  (ireene   (Dunty    in  the   tall  of  1855 


and  settled  in  Washington  Township.  His 
fatliei',  ^Villiam  Adams,  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  in  Dallas  Township,  Dallas  County,  in 
1855,  and  also  purchased  a  tract  in  AYashing- 
ton  Township,  Geeene  County.  He  now 
lives  in  Dallas  County.  William  H.  settled 
upon  the  land  which  his  father  purchased  in 
AVashington  Township,  which  he  improved, 
and  lived  there  until  he  came  to  his  present 
home.  He  was  born  in  Jackson  County, 
Ohio,  in  1832,  and  when  he  was  two  and  a 
half  years  of  age,  his  parents  removed  to 
Champaign  County,  Illinois.  In  1855  he 
came  to  Iowa,  sto]>ping  a  few  days  with  Mr. 
John  Ganoe,  in  Dallas  (!ounty.  In  the 
spring  of  1855  his  father  came  and  made  the 
purchase,  before  mentioned,  and  our  subject 
has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  since  that 
time.  He  has  460  acres  in  his  homestead 
farm,  and  also  owns  land  in  AYashington 
Township,  owning  over  800  acres  in  all.  His 
parents  were  natives  of  Ohio,  and  had  twelve 
children.  Four  sons  and  three  daughters  are 
now  living.  Charles  and  George  AV^.  live  in 
AYashington  Township.  Our  subject  was 
married  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  AYal- 
ter and  Mary  Rhoads,  who  were  natives  of 
Maryland,  and  removed  to  Greene  County, 
Ohio,  when  the}'  were  young,  where  they 
lived  until  their  marriage,  then  removed  to 
Champaign  County,  Illinois,  about  1830.  In 
1855  they  came  to  Greene  County,  this  State, 
and  settled  where  Mr.  Adams  now  lives,  re- 
maining until  their  decease,  the  father  dying 
in  September.  1861,  and  the  niother  in  1871. 
They  had  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
still  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  have  nine 
children — AYilliam  W.,  Jolin  W.,  Lewis  A., 
AYarren,  Mary  A.,  Frances  E.,  Minnie,  A'iana 
and  Jemima.  Laura,  the  eldest  daughter, 
tlied  at  the  acre  of  five  vears.  Mr.  Adams  is 
a  Ucpnblicaii  in  jiolitics,  an<l  cast  bis  tii-st 
i  Presidential    \ote   for  John   C.    l-'iemoiit,    in 


if 


»aM„»i«i«« 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


2!55 


1856.  Ilis  next  vote  was  cast  for  Alii'aliam 
Lincoln.  Iliiiiself  and  wife  are  inenil)crs  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


T  'f  fILLIAM  S.  PAUL,  farmer,  residing 
Wfmm}  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section 

It^^I  15,  Scranton  Township,  was  born  in 
\Anxi  County,  Iowa,  July  26,  1843,  a  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Dorcas  Paul.  His  parents  caine 
from  Greene  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  Linn 
County,  Iowa,  in  a  very  early  day,  heing 
among  the  first  settlers  of  that  county.  They 
settled  in  Brown  Township,  that  county,  a 
few  months  before  the  birth  of  our  subject. 
They  are  still  living  in  Linn  County,  well 
advanced  in  years.  They  are  the  parents  of 
seven  children — Mrs.  iTargaret  Kramer,  of 
Linn  County;  William  S.,  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch;  George,  of  Linn  County;  Wilson, 
of  Greene  County,  Pennsylvania;  Mrs.  Rachel 
M.  Dean,  of  Linn  County;  Alexander  II., 
still  unmarried,  living  with  his  parents,  and 
Jonathan  T.,  also  a  resident  of  Linn  County. 
AVilliam  S.  l^aul  canie  to  Scranton  Township 
in  1876,  and  in  the  spring  of  1877  settled  on 
his  present  farm,  his  residence  being  one 
mile  southwest  of  Scranton  City.  His  land 
when  he  settled  on  it  was  almost  entirely  un- 
improved, and  he  has  improved  and  brought 
his  farm  under  good  cultivation,  and  the 
building  improvements  are  his  work,  lie 
was  married  in  Scranton  Township,  Decem- 
ber 20,  1877,  to  Miss  Susan  Campbell,  who 
was  born  in  Linn  County,  Iowa,  December 
20,  1849.  They  have  two  children  living — 
Rachel  D.  and  Thomas  T.  Their  first  born, 
Myrtie  E.,  died  aged  five  years  and  five 
months.  Mrs.  Paul  is  a  member  of  the  Sec- 
ond Advent  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Paul  is 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  Scranton  Lodge,  No..  357,  I.  O. 


[  0.  F.,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen  at  Scranton.  As  a  citi- 
zen and  neighbor  Mr.  Paul  ranks  high  with 
all  who  know  him,  having  by  his  fair  and 
honoral)le  dealings  gained  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  the  entire  community. 


S.  SCIIERMERIIORN,  M.  D.,  has 
w/\\p  ^'cen  a  member  of  the  medical  fra- 
iTSjjfeS  ®  ternity  of  Greene  County  since  July, 
1870,  at  which  time  he  located  at  Jefi'erson. 
He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Deerfield,  Oneida 
County,  New  York,  in  1833.  He  began  the 
study  of  medicine  in  1850,  at  Frankfort,  Her- 
kimer County,  and  graduated  at  the  Albany' 
Medical  College  in  1853.  The  following  year 
he  settled  in  Lodi,  Columbia  County,  Wis- 
consin, where  he  was  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession  for  a  period  of  twelve  years, 
save  the  time  spent  in  tlie  army.  In  the  fall 
of  1864  he  was  commissioned  as  Assistant 
Surgeon  of  the  Sixteenth  Wisconsin,  and 
served  through  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  in 
the  march  to  the  sea.  In  the  fall  of  1867  he 
went  to  Portage  City  and  engaged  in  the 
revenue  service  as  assistant  assessor  and  col- 
lector under  General  Hammond,  resigning  in 
July,  1870.  Politically  the  doctor  has  always 
aliiliated  witli  the  Republican  party,  and  while 
a  resident  of  Wisconsin  was  an  ardent  worker 
in  the  interests  of  that  party,  and  in  1866 
represented  his  district  in  the  Legislature. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Iowa  State  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. He  is  a  prominent  Mason  and 
a  Knight  Templar,  a  member  of  the  Em- 
mans  Commandery  at  Jefi'erson.  He  was 
married  in  the  State  of  New  York  to  Jane 
Looinis,  who  was  born  in  Frankfm-t,  Herki- 
mer County.  They  liave  foui'  children — 
llattie,  wife  of  L.  L.   Smullin,  agent  of  the 


•■■■■■■■gjia 


■-■-■■■■■-■^■-■^^■-■^■-■^'^-^■■^■-^j^-"-^^ 


■■-■■■'»-"^»'-'^-' 


-  •***fc^*-**- 


'^ri^^:^'  ^'  t:^  <«  ^  » 


^56 


IltSTORT    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Northwestern  Railroad  Company  at  Jeffer- 
son; George,  now  a  student  at  the  Agricult- 
ural College  at  Aines,  and  two  younger 
daughters,  (irace  and  Mary.  The  two  eldest 
were  born  in  Wisconsin,  and  the  two  youngest 
in  Jefferson.  Tiie  doctor  and  his  wife  are 
Hienibers  of  the  l'resl)yterian  church,  of  which 
he  has  been  an  elder  for  thirty  3'ears.  Dr. 
Schermerhorn's  parents,  Evart  L.  and  Marga- 
ret (Smith)  Schermerhorn,  were  natives  of 
New  Vork.  lie  was  only  three  years  old 
when  his  father  died,  and  his  mother  died 
when  he  was  thirteen  years  old.  lie  was 
thus  left  an  orphan  in  early  life.  He  acquired 
sufficient  education  to  enable  him  to  teach, 
and  in  that  way  he  defrayed  the  expenses  of 
his  medical  education. 


I  McFarlin,  of  Clinton  County,  Iowa.  Of  tlie" 
j  three  children  born  to  this  union  only  two 
'  are  liviiio',  nameil  Ethel  anil  Mabel. 


"^•"•f""-^"^" 


f'KANCIS  J.  HUGHES,  one  of  the  well- 
to-do  farmers  of  Greene  County,  resid- 
ing on  section  12,  Junction  Township, 
was  born  in  Lanark  County,  Upper  Canada, 
March  1,  1S54,  a  son  of  Francis  Hughes, 
who  is  now  a  resident  of  Junction  Township. 
Francis  J.,  our  suljject,  was  reared  a  farmer, 
and  has  always  followed  that  avocation,  and 
in  his  boyhood  received  the  benefits  of  the 
common  school.  He  caine  with  his  parents 
to  the  United  States  in  1865,  locating  in 
Kane  County,  Illinois,  and  in  ^Farch,  1869, 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  working  on  the  Des  Moines  &  Eort 
Dodge  llailroad  part  of  two  summei's  during 
the  construction  of  that  line.  He  now 
devotes  his  entire  attention  to  farmiuir  and 
stock-raising,  and  liy  his  persevering  industry 
and  good  management  he  has  accumulated  a 
line  property,  his  farm  containing  200  acres 
of  choice  land.  Mr.  Hughes  was  united  in 
marriage  September  9,  1880,  to  Miss  Nettie 
I!.     Mrl'arlin.  a    daughter    of    .\braliam    Y. 


.;mS. ?■»•>> 


■^■OllERT  WOOD  settled  in  Greene  County 
|r|j  in  1868,  first  locating  in  Jackson  Town- 
'"^lill  ship,  where  he  bought  125  acres  of  land 
upon  which  some  improvements  had  been 
made.  A  little  breaking  had  been  done  and 
a  shanty  had  been  built.  He  removed  to  his 
present  home  on  section  33,  Bristol  Township, 
where  he  has  a  good  farm  and  a  comfortable 
house.  Mr.  Wood  was  born  in  Rutland 
County,  Vermont,  June  20,  1830,  son  of 
Samuel  S.  and  Eliza  (Niles)  AVood,  who  were 
also  natives  of  Vermont.  He  was  reared  in 
St.  Lawrence  County,  New  York,  where  his 
father  died.  His  mother  afterward  lived 
with  a  married  daughter,  and  died  in  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Wood  was 
married  to  Miss  Samantha  J.  Rriggs, 
dauo-hter  of  Caleb  and  Alsina  Briiwg  who 
was  born  in  Vermont,  June  30,  1831.  Her 
parents  removed  to  Franklin  County,  New 
York,  in  1834.  In  August,  1862,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wood  came  West,  and  made  a  home  in 
the  township  of  Dane,  Dane  County,  Wis- 
consin, remaining  there  until  they  came  to 
Greene  Count}-,  where  they  have  lived  over 
nineteen  years.  They  have  live  children — 
Edmund  S.  and  Elmer  A.  are  general  mer- 
chants at  Jefferson,  under  the  tirm  name  of 
E.  S.  Wood;  Fidelia  D.  is  the  wife  of  II.  C. 
Parker,  of  Howard  County,  Nebraska;  Elias 
R.  is  a  general  merchant  at  Lohrvillc,  Cal- 
houn Count}',  this  State;  Lillie  May  married 
William  Kinsman,  of  Bristol  Township.  Mr. 
Wood  has  served  as  trustee,  road  supervisor, 
and  as  school  direcor.  Few  men  have  taken 
a  more  active  part  in  jiromotiiig  the  efticicncy 
of  the  common   schools.      His  own   childit'ii 


»i2SM5aHSHHi 


•Jii^imMmSmmmmmMmSM 


^aSii^mS 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


a57 


have  had  excellent  educational  advantages, 
and  all  except  Elmer  have  been  teachers. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wood  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  are  practical  Christians. 
Mr.  Wood  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Garfield  Lodge,  No.  62,  at  Jefferson. 


to    '    »    e) 


HOWARD  P.  FRENCH  was  born  in 
Onondaga  County,  New  York,  Septem- 
"^i  ber  9,  1838,  a  son  of  E.  Y.  P.  French. 
lie  received  a  good  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  county.  He  came  West  in 
1855,  and  lived  in  Grundy  County,  Illinois, 
eleven  years,  coming  to  Iowa  in  1866.  He 
lived  in  Muscatine  County  until  1880,  when 
he  removed  to  Greene  County  and  located  on 
section  30,  Paton  Township,  where  he  owns 
a  small  farm.  He  has  been  employed  as 
teacher  in  public  schools  much  of  the  time 
since  1856;  was  principal  of  tlie  public 
schools  of  West  Liberty,  Muscatine  County, 
from  1868  to  1872,  and  is  now  (1887)  teach- 
ing at  Paton.  Mr.  French  was  married  .lune 
26,  1861,  to  Eleanor  Iv.  McFarlane,  a  native 
of  Trumbull  County,  Ohio.  They  have  had 
five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — 
Eugenie,  Hettie,  Clark  and  Mary.  Mr. 
French  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  is  now  worshipful  master  of  Gem 
Lodge,  No.  429,  Paton. 


fRANCIS  HUGHES,  one  of  the  old  pio- 
neers  of    Greene    County,   residing  on 


section  12,  Junction  Township,  is  a 
native  of  Ontario,  Canada,  born  in  Lanark 
County,  December  25,  1825.  His  father, 
Owen  Hughes,  was  born  in  County  Cavan, 
Ireland,  coming  to  America  when  quite 
young,  and   lived   in   Canada  till   his  death. 


Francis  Hughes  received  such  education  as 
the  log  cabin  subscription  schools  of  a  new 
country  afforded.  He  was  mai-ried  July  24, 
1848,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Avery,  a  daugliter  of 
Captain  Benjamin  Avery.  Of  the  thirteen 
children  born  to  this  union,  eight  are  still 
living— John,  Mary,  Frank,  Joseph,  Rebecca, 
Carrie,  Rose  and  Ella.  Mr.  Hughes  came  to 
Augustus,  Iowa,  in  1859,  and  in  1860  re- 
turned to  Canada.  In  1865  he  settled  in 
Kane  County,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  till 
1869,  when  he  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
and  for  a  time  was  employed  on  the  Des 
Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  Railroad.  He  settled 
on  his  present  farm  in  the  spring  of  1871, 
then  a  tract  of  wild  prairie,  but  by  industry 
and  persevering  energy  he  has  made  good 
improvements  on  his  farm,  which  now  con- 
tains 160  acres  of  well-cultivated  land.  In 
his  religious  faith  Mr.  Hughes  is  a  Catholic. 


^^EV.  S.  E.  JENKS  resides  on  sec- 
%  tion  29,  Kendrick  Township,  and  has 
"v^\  been  identified  witli  the  interests  of 
Greene  County  for  many  years.  He  was 
born  in  Caiiandaigua,  New  York,  Se]itember 
5,  1818,  son  of  Clark  and  Elizabeth  Jenks, 
who  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  our 
subject  being  the  lifth  child.  When  he  was 
three  years  of  age  his  lather  removed  to 
Geauga  County,  Ohio,  where  they  lived  four 
years,  thence  to  Cuyahoga  County,  where  he 
resided  seventeen  years.  He  was  reared  a 
farmer  and  received  a  common-school  educa- 
tion, also  studied  at  home.  When  twenty 
years  of  age  he  removed  to  Stephenson 
County,  Illinois,  and  lived  there  four  years. 
He  was  married  May  31, 1845,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Ann  Carney,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Martha  Carney. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to  Greene 


■^■'"■"■"■"'"''■"■■^»"''»'*=^'*ii 


258 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


County, Wisconsin, where  he  lived  until  1868, 
thence  to  Benton  County,  Iowa,  for  one  year, 
thence  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided. He  purchased  IGO  acres  of  wild  land 
witli  nil  iiii{)rovenicnts  except  a  rude  board 
sliantv.  The  -icnks  fai'in  is  now  known  as 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township,  lie 
has  a  good  story-and-a-half  residence,  sur- 
rounded with  shade  trees,  a  native  grove, 
(jrchard,  and  comfortable  farm  buildings  for 
stock  and  grain.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenks  have 
nine  children — Sarah  Jane,  Daniel  Jefferson, 
Albert  Ensign,  Andrew  Clark,  Edmond  Riley, 
Martha  Zuba,  Emery  Lincoln,  Harriet  Au- 
gusta and  Lillian  Josephine.  Mr.  Jenks  cast 
his  first  vote  for  General  Harrison,  and  has 
since  voted  on  that  line  of  politics.  He  is  a 
consistent  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
church,  and  served  as  an  ordained  minister 
for  twenty-five  years.  He  has  always  been 
an  earnest  worker  in  the  cause  of  his  Master. 


ir?vENHY  INFIELD,  farmer,   section   10, 

at-,'  ^  _      ' 

c'iW])]  Junction  Township,  Greene  Coutity, 
"^M  was  burn  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio, 
November  24,  1840,  a  son  of  John  Infield,  of 
Owen  County,  Indiana,  who  was  a  native  of 
Bcfiford  County,  Penns^'lvania.  Our  subject 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  in  his 
youth  the  benefits  of  the  common  schools, 
where  he  obtained  a  fair  education.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  serviuir 
in  Company  I,  Ninety-seventh  Ohio  Infantry, 
almost  tlu-ee  years.  He  participated  in  the 
battles  of  I'erryville,  Stone  River,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Charleston,  Tennessee,  Rocky  Face 
Jiidge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  ivenesaw 
Mountain,  Peachtree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jones- 
boro,  Luvejoy  Station,  Franklin  and  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee,  receiving  his  discharge  at 
Nashville,  June  10,  18C5.     During  the   war 


his  regiment  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  534 
men.  In  the  fall  of  1865  Mr.  Intield  settled 
in  McLean  County,  Illinois,  where  he  worked 
as  a  farm  laborer  till  April,  1870,  when  he 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  purchased 
land.  He  located  in  Greene  County  perma- 
nently June  1,  1871,  since  which  he  has 
lived  on  his  present  farm,  where  he  owns 
eighty  acres  of  well  cultivated  land.  Decem- 
ber 1, 1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Josephine 
Kinsey,  a  daughter  of  Ulysses  B.  Kinsey,  of 
Junction  Township.  They  are  the  parents  of 
two  children  whose  names  are  Minnie  and 
Ida.  In  politics  Mr.  Infield  casts  his  suffrage 
with  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  of 
the  Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  the  latter  order 
for  eighteen  years. 


.^^V-LFRED    ALLISON,    one    of    Greene 
County's    pioneers,  resides  on    section 


1 


'^^  15,  Cedar  Township,  where  he  owns 
280  acres  of  valuable  land.  He  was  born  in 
Yorkshire,  England,  in  September,  1829,  the 
eldest  of  five  children  of  Job  and  Anna 
(Coates)  Allison.  His  parents  left  England 
in  1830,  sailing  from  Liverpool  and  landing  in 
Quebec  in  May.  In  1832  they  returned  to 
England.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  coun- 
try, and  was  there  married  October  22,  1850, 
to  Miss  Ann  Arnett,  who  was  born  in  York- 
shire, in  May,  1827,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Hester  Arnett.  They  started  immedi- 
ately for  America,  sailing  from  Liverpool, 
October  25,  1850.  They  landed  at  New 
Orleans,  December  16,  and  from  there  went 
to  Mobile,  Alabama,  where  they  lived  until 
June,  1851,  when  they  moved  to  Rock  Coun- 
ty, Wisconsin,  where  they  lived  fourteen 
years.  In  1854  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land,    wliich    he    improved.      In    September, 


1865,  they  moved  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
and  settled  near  where  they  now  live  on  a 
tract  of  unimproved  land.  His  tirst  home  in 
the  county  was  a  log  cabin,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  settlement  there  were  but  six  families 
in  the  township.  He  now  has  a  good  house, 
and  other  farm  buildings,  an  orchard  of  bear- 
ing trees,  and  all  his  surroundings  betoken 
the  thrifty  and  energetic  fanner.  From 
1877  until  1882  he  was  postmaster  at  Cedar 
Creek,  the  postoffice  being  at  his  house.  In 
politics  Mr.  Allison  is  a  Republican.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  tlie  Episcopal  church. 
They  have  three  children — John  AV.;  Eliza 
A.,  wife  of  (t.  II.  Waters,  and  Mary  J .,  wife  of 
William  J.  Bryant. 


J^EROY  BURK,  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
Wffi  residing  on  section  32,  Washington 
^^  Township,  Greene  County,  and  a  teacher 
in  district  Ko.  4  of  the  same  township,  was 
born  in  McDonough  County,  Illinois,  Febru- 
ary 22,  1855,  his  parents,  Amos  S.  and  Catha- 
rine A.  Allen,  being  natives  of  the  State  of 
New  York.  They  had  a  family  of  fourteen 
children,  seven  sons  and  seven  daughters, 
nine  still  living — James  A..  Joshua,  Archi- 
bald, Albro  A.,  Emeline,  Fernando  C,  Leroy, 
Sarah  J.  and  Samantha.  Selina,  Goldsbrow 
B.,  Caroline,  Mary  L.  and  Celestia  P.  are  de- 
ceased. The  father  is  deceased,  and  the 
mother  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Washington  Township  with  our  subject,  aged 
seventy-two  years.  Leroy  Burk,  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch,  was  brought  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  in  1856,  in  which  year  his 
parents  settled  on  the  farm  which  is  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  him,  and  here  he  grew 
to  manhood,  being  reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. He  received  fair  educational  advantages, 
attendiuir  the  Normal  schools  of  Greene  Coun- 


ty, and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  began  his 
career  as  a  teacher,  and  since  that  time  has 
made  teaching  his  principal  occupation,  be- 
coming well  and  favorably  known  as  a 
popular  instructor.  He  is  quite  a  successful 
agriculturist,  and  owns  eighty  acres  of  choice 
land  where  he  resides.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


■^%'>^r 


§EORGE  ROBINSON,  one  of  Greene 
County's  pioneers,  and  an  enterprising 
■^sV'-  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Franklin 
Township,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  born 
April  26,  1840,  his  parents,  Ezekiel  and 
Catherine  (Bushman)  Robinson,  being  natives 
of  the  same  State.  They  subsequently  be- 
came residents  of  Carroll  County,  Illinois. 
George  Robinson  was  reared  to  the  avocation 
of  a  farmer,  remaining  with  his  parents  till 
attaining  the  age  of  twentj'-six  years.  Jan- 
uary 1, 1866,  he  Avas  married  to  Miss  Almira, 
daughter  of  E.  and  Julia  (Jones)  Townsend, 
natives  of  New  York,  of  whom  the  mother  is 
deceased.  Mr.  Townsend  is  now  living  in 
Michigan.  Mrs.  Robinson  is  a  native  of 
New  York,  the  date  of  her  birth  being  Feb- 
ruary 21,  1841.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson — Agnes, 
born  in  New  York,  February  23, 1867;  Edith, 
born  in  Greene  County,  Iowa,  January  3, 
1871;  iJelbert  J.,  born  in  Greene  County, 
July  8,  1875,  and  died  January  1,  1876,  and 
Herbert  AV.,  also  a  native  of  Greene  County, 
born  AEarch  8,  1878.  Mr.  Robinson  came 
to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  March  14, 1866,  and 
has  since  followed  agricultural  jjursuits  on 
his  farm  on  section  10,  Franklin  Township, 
where  he  has  forty  acres  of  well  improved 
and  highly  cultivated  land.  Beside  his  home 
farm  he  also  owns  forty  acres  on  section  11  of 
the  same  township,  his  property  having  been 


J 


■-■■■-■-■-■-■-■-'■-■■-■-■-■'-.■■-■■■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■=^g»=« 


260 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


acquired  by  persevering  industry  and  good 
management.  In  politics  Sir.  Ilobinson 
casts  liis  sufiVagc  with  tlie  Jiepublican  party. 
lie  is  a  member  of  the  Kiiiglits  of  I'ythias, 
beluiiiriii"-  to  (4artield  Lodge,  Jefferson.    Post- 


office,  Co< 


>1KM-, 


Iowa. 


▼WIIKKON  A.  MILLETT  resides  on  sec- 
i^ijl  ,H-  tion  17,  Grant  Townsliij).  The  land 
^  was  purchased  by  his  lather,  Alexander 
JMillett,  Aijril  1,  1886,  of  whom  he  Ijought 
it  the  following  ()ctol)er.  Jle  was  born  in 
Jjcnawee  County,  Michigan,  in  1814r,  and  was 
reared  to  the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  He 
was  married  in  Michigan,  in  1870,  to  Miss 
Mary  A-  Simmonds,  also  a  native  of  that 
State.  He  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
and  settled  four  miles  froiti,  Jefferson,  in 
Grant  Township,  where  he  lived  until  1885. 
He  then  removed  to  his  present  home.  He 
has  eighty  acres  of  land  in  his  home  farm, 
and  also  twenty  acres  of  timber  land  else- 
where in  the  township.  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Mil- 
lett  have  four  children — Erwin,  Alma.  Her- 
bert and  .\niy.  ilrs.  Millett  was  born  in 
Lenawee  County,  Michigan,  in  December, 
1849.  Her  parents  were  Ste])hen  and  Ann 
iSininionds,  natives  of  England.  Her  father 
died  in  Lenawee  County,  in  1886,  and  her 
mother  is  still  living.  Her  parents  had  seven 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living,  but  none 
are  resident-s  of  Iowa  except  herself.  Mr. 
Millett  is  the  only  one  of  his  father's  family 
residing  in  Greene  County.  The  following 
is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  life  and  death  of 
Alexandci-  Millett.  the  father  of  our  subject: 
Mr.  Alexander  .Millett  died  at  his  residence, 
near  Jefferson,  April  7,  188(),  at  the  ripe  age 
of  seventy-three  years,  eight  months  and  ten 
day.s.  He  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  New 
York,  and  remained  there  until  the  year  1838, 


when  he  came  to  Michigan,  purchased  a 
farm,  built  a  residence,  then  returned  to  his 
native  town  and  married  Miss  Jlannah  lloag 
and  settled  upon  his  fai-m  in  Michigan.  In 
1870  he  came  to  Greene  County,  and  located 
upon  a  farm  four  miles  south  of  Jefferson. 
His  wife  died  June  8,  1872,  leaving  five  boys 
and  one  girl — Theron  A.,  Jonathan  H.,  Ed- 
mund P.,  who  died  October  11,  1873,  Mar- 
tin H.,  Ilosetta  V.,  wife  of  Robert  Clopton, 
of  Adrian,  Nebraska,  and  Erank.  In  1874 
Mr.  Millett  was  married  to  Mary  Blyler,  who 
was  a  very  kind  and  affectionate  wife.  She 
died  Eebrnai'y  15,  1878.  In  1879  he  mar- 
ried Lillie  E.  Hall,  who  has  been  a  kind  wife 
and  an  indulgent  mother,  doing  everything 
to  make  his  last  days  pleasant  and  tree  from 
care.  Two  small  children  were  left  with  the 
mother,  to  whom  the  prudent  plannings  of 
the  deceased  secured  an  ample  competency. 
For  sixteen  years  he  was  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  Greene  County,  and  he  died  re- 
spected by  all  who  knew  him.  As  a  business 
num,  he  was  upright  aiul  honest  in  his  deal- 
ings ;  as  a  friend  and  neighbor  he  was  thought- 
ful and  accommodating,  and  as  a  citizen,  he 
enjoyed  the  highest  respect  of  the  whole 
community.  As  a  husband  and  father  he 
was  kind  and  affectionate,  and  as  a  business 
man,  was  very  successful. 


:-wf*^v- 


-►«g*vi 


^^ALVIX  GOOI)lUCII,a  successful  ag- 
"ij|ic.  riculturist  of  Scranton  Township,  re- 
tji, 'i  siding  on  section  17,  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  New  York,  the  date  of  his 
birth  being  October  18, 1847.  He  is  a  son  of 
Ebenezerand  Elizabeth  (Toodrich,  and  brother 
of  Washington  Goodrich,  of  Scranton  Town- 
ship. He  was  reared  in  his  native  county, 
remaining  there  till  nineteen  years  -of  age, 
when    he   went    with    his    fathei'"s    family   to 


,„.J 


■■"■■■■ 


r 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


Barry  County,  Michigan,  living  there  two 
years.  On  attaining  his  majority  he  went  to 
Kendall  County,  Illinois,  and  made  his  home 
in  Kendall  and  Lee  Counties,  that  State,  un- 
til he  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  1881, 
when  he  settled  on  his  pi'esent  farm.  While 
living  in  Lee  County  he  returned  to  Barry 
County,  Michigan,  for  his  bride.  Miss  Grace 
E.  Chapman,  a  daughter  of  Buluff  Chapman, 
whom  he  married  September  8,  1872.  After 
their  marriage  they  made  their  home  in  Ken- 
dall County,  Illinois,  for  a  time.  They  are 
the  parents  of  six  children;  their  names 
given  in  order  of  their  birth  being  as  follows 
—Floyd  C,  Zaidie  V.,  Orlow  L.,Verdie  li., 
Harris  V.  and  Ivan  P.  His  farm  consists  of 
120  acres  of  choice  land,  eighty  acres  of 
which  had  been  broken  by  the  former  owner. 
The  present  residence  and  commodious  farm 
buildings  have  been  erected  by  Mr.  Good- 
rich, and  he  has  brought  his  land  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  In  his  political  views 
Mr.  Goodrich  is  independent,  voting  for  men, 
not  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Farmers' 
Alliance,  and  believes  that  farmers  should  be 
prepared  to  act  together,  and  to  act  more  in- 
telligently, in  order  to  protect  their  own  in- 
terests, the  greatest  in  the  Nation.  He  also 
believes  that  until  they  make  themselves  felt 
as  a  political  power  against  monopolists  in 
land  and  other  large  capitalized  interests  that 
the  evils  now  endured  cannot  be  remedied. 


;;^ LIVER  J.  WHITE,  one  of  the  pioneers 
liTif]  of  Greene  County,  was  born  in  the 
••i-^^-  town  of  Sandisfield,  Berkshire  County, 
Massachusetts,  in  1830.  At  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen years  he  ran  away  from  home  and 
went  to  New  York,  where  he  tried  to  enlist 
for  the  Mexican  war,  but  being  too  young 
and  too  small  was  rejected,  and   therefore  he 

32 


shipped  aboard  of  the  whaling  vessel  Mary 
at  the  port  of  Nantucket,  Massachusetts. 
The  first  landing  the  vessel  made  was  at  the 
Island  of  Juan  Fernandez,  in  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  an  island  made  famous  by  being  the 
residence  of  Alexander  Selkirk.  The  vessel 
was  five  and  a  half  months  in  reaching  that 
island.  The  second  landing  made  was  at 
Callao,  near  Lima,  Peru.  At  Peru  he  ran 
away  from  the  vessel,  but  remained  at  Callao 
about  three  months.  He  worked  at  shoe- 
making  a  part  of  the  time,  a  trade  he  had 
already  worked  at  for  some  time  previous, 
and  a  portion  of  the  time  he  was  in  the  em- 
ployment of  vessels  in  the  harbor.  When 
he  left  Callao  he  shipped  aboard  an  Ameri- 
can whaler  called  The  Leonidas.  With 
this  vessel  he  cruised  around  tiie  coast  ot 
South  America,  spending  about  tliree  weeks 
on  Albemarle  Island,  one  of  the  Galapa- 
gos cluster,  then  cruised  oft'  the  coast  ot 
California,  and  down  the  coast  of  Peru,  and 
put  into  Arica.  Here  the  crew  mutinied. 
After  the  difficulty  was  settled  the  vessel 
resumed  its  cruising,  visiting  Easter  Island, 
at  that  time  inhabited  by  cannibals;  thence 
to  Juan  Fernandez  and  other  islands;  thence 
to  Valparaiso,  Chili,  where  he  again  ran 
away,  remaining  at  the  latter  place  about 
three  weeks.  He  left  the  vessel  because  he 
felt  that  he  had  seen  enough  of  the  world  for 
one  trip,  and  resolved  to  leave  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. The  whaling  vessel  Uncas  lay  in 
the  harbor  about  to  return  to  New  Bedford, 
but  the  crew  being  full  he  could  not  ship  as 
a  hand,  and  had  no  money  to  pay  his  passage 
home.  So  he  stowed  himself  away  in  the 
''hold,"  only  one  sailor  being  cognizant  of 
his  presence  on  board.  When  he  made  his 
appearance  on  deck,  after  the  vessel  was  well 
under  way,  the  captain  was  very  angry,  or  at 
least  pretended  to  be,  and  threatened  to  put 
him   aboard   the   first   vessel    thev    niet    and 


«*.r^'^r»/ 


264 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


send  him  back,  or  else  put  him  oft'  on  some 
island;   hut  Mr.  AVliite  soon  gained  bis  favor 
by  taking  a  band  at  the  watch,  and  in  time 
be  rciicbed   JS'ew  Bedford.     lie  remained  at 
bonie  about  two  rears,  then  took  passage  on 
board  a  merchant  vessel  bouud  for  Australia, 
and  was  154  days  in  reaching  his  destination, 
stopjiing    at    Pernambuco,    in    Brazil.      His 
next    landing    was    at    Cape    Town,   on    the 
southern    extremity   of  the   coast   of  Africa, 
where  the  vessel  remained  three  weeks  taking 
on    supplies.      Their    next   landing   was    at 
Melbourne,   Australia.     Soon  after  reaching 
that  point  Mr.  AYliite  joined  a  party  for  the 
mines,  125  miles  in  the  country.     The  cost 
of  living  at  Bendigo,  the  mining  town,  was 
too  great  for  his  resources,  and  he  returned 
to  Melbourne  and  commenced  workinjr  at  his 
trade,      lie  is  said  to  be  the  first  journeyman 
}>eg  shoemaker  tiiat  ever  worked  in  Australia. 
He  worked  there  about  eight   months,  then 
returned   to   the    mines,  where   he   remained 
two    years,  then    went    back    to    Melbourne. 
At  this  time  the  excitement  attending  the 
finding   of  gold   in   large  quantities  in  the 
Amazon  regions  of  South  xYmerica  reached 
Australia,  and  Mr.  White  decided  to  join  the 
"  rush  "   for   that   country.     He  accordingly 
shipped  aboard  a  merchant  vessel  for  (.'allao. 
On  the  voyage  from  Australia  to  Callao  he 
was  robbed  of  all  he  had  made  in  xVustralia, 
which   was   no   small    sum.     This    left    him 
poor,  Imt  did  not  discourage  him  from  tryino- 
to    make    more.      lie    found    that    the    gold 
re])ort   was  gotten    up   by   vessel   owners   to 
catch  the  passenger  traffic  across  the  ocean, 
and    consequently   he   was   again   obliged  to 
resort  to  his  trade  as   a   means   of  supjiort. 
He  was  soon  attacked  with  that  dread  scourge, 
yellow  fever.      He  became  reduced  very  low, 
but  finally  recovered,  and  soon  afterward  took  ' 
pas-age  on  board  a   British  steamer,  went  to 
I'anama,  crossed  the  isthmus;  thence  to  New  ' 


York,  and  again  safe  at  home.     His  intention 
was  to  return   to  Peru,  but  his  friends  pre- 
vailed u])on  him  to  abandon  the  project,  and 
he  accordingly  went  to  work  at  his  trade  in 
North    Adams,  Massachusetts.      Two   years 
later,  in  1856,  he  came  to  Linn  County,  Iowa, 
having    a    sister    living    in    Marion    in    that 
county.     In  the  fall  of  1857  he  came  to  Jef- 
ferson, where  he  has  worked  at  bis  trade  most 
of  the   time  since.     He  was  the   first  shoe- 
maker, and  the  first  boot  and  shoe  merchant 
in  Jefl:erson.     lu  1860  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Hardin  Township,  and  later 
added  a  fractional  eighty  to  his  first  purchase, 
which  he  improved  and  still  owns.     He  has 
devoted    much   attention     to     fruit-growing, 
making  a  specialty  of  apples.     He  has  about 
eighty  varieties  of  crab  apples,  and  has  made 
a  great  success,  and  has  also  been  successful 
in  getting  a  fine  flowing  artesian  well   in   his 
orchard.     lie   was   married    in    Jeft'erson    in 
ISGl  to  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Stiles,  a  native  of 
Greene   County,  Ohio.     She  came    to  Iowa 
with  her  father.  Job  Stiles,  now  a  resident  of 
Jeft'erson.     Mr.  and   Mrs.  AVhite   have   five 
children    now    living — Ed.   Gi'ant,    Fred    C, 
Elsie  E.,  Osa  11.  and  Ilarley  A.     Their  first 
child,  Volney,  died    at    the    age    of   thirteen 
months.   Mr.  White's  father,  Jedediah  White, 
was  a  native  of  Litchfield,  Connecticut.     He 
is  a  direct  descendant  of  Peregrine  White, 
the  first  child  born  in  the  Plymouth  Colony. 
O.  J.  White's  early  education  was  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Calvinistic  dogmas,  his  father 
belonging  to  the  Baptist  school  (close  com- 
munion), and  very  devoted  to  the  observance 
of  the  rules  and  rites  of  the  church,  and  as  a 
matter    of   duty    the    father    endeavored    to 
impress   on   the  mind  of  his  son    the  strict 
observance  of  the  same.     But  the  develop- 
ment of  the  brain  in  the  i-egion  of  veneration 
and  surrounding  faculties  created  in  the  child 
a  spirit  of  inquiry,  which  led  him  gradually 


into  the  belief  that  man  was  a  creature  gov- 
erned by  natural  law,  came  into  the  world  by 
the  laws  of  nature,  and  goes  out  of  the  world 
in  the  same  manner.  And  all  the  allegiance 
he  owes  to  a  Supreme  Being  is  to  obey  as 
near  as  possible  the  laws  of  nature,  ignoring 
entirely  the  idea  of  a  personal  God.  Taking 
the  broad  ground  of  Pantheism,  believing 
that  religion  is  true  reverence  of  nature,  and 
worship  is  obedience  to  or  of  natural  law. 


-4-^^'>- 


l^jmAESHALL  B.  McDUFFIE,  one  of 
I  /  \  '^'"^  leading  business  men  of  Jeffer- 
■^tt-, .-~  son,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  town 
since  1865.  He  was  born  in  Schoharie 
County,  NewYork,  in  1842,  and  removed  when 
a  child  to  St.  Helena,  Wyoming  County.  He 
was  educated  at  the  Kunda  Literary  Institute 
in  Livingston  County,  and  soon  after  engaged 
in  teaching.  In  1865  he  settled  in  Jefferson, 
and  was  for  a  time  principal  of  a  school  at 
this  place;  but  receiving  the  appointment  of 
postmaster,  he  resigned  before  the  close  of 
his  first  term  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
his  ofhce.  He  held  the  office  of  postmaster 
two  years,  and  during  that  time  served  as 
county  superintendent  of  schools.  He  was 
county  auditor  two  terms,  or  four  years,  and 
was  afterward  engaged  in  the  druir  business 
until  the  organization  of  the  City  Bank  of 
Jefterson  in  1876,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  founders.  He  was  cashier  of  this  bank 
until  1886,  when  he  resigned  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Mr.  Hughes.  Tiie  success  to 
which  this  institution  has  attained  is  due  in 
a  large  degree  to  the  business  ability  of  Mr. 
McDuffie.  He  is  a  brother  of  I.  J.  McDuffie, 
who  was  long  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Greene  County  bar,  but  is  now  a  resident  of 
Le  Mars,  Iowa.  In  1876  Mr.  McDuffie  re- 
turned to  Nunda,  New  York,  and  was  united 


in  marriage  with  Miss  Sophia  B.  Warner,  a 
daughter  of  L.  B.  Warner,  a  prominent  mer- 
chant of  that  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDuffie 
have  five  sons — Duncan,  Lewis,  Ilobert, 
Charles  and  William. 


ENRY  W.  DICKINSON  is  the  h 


Ijljl  opathic     physician      and     s 
%iJ(|  Jefferson.      He   was    born 


iioma;- 
irgeon      of 

o 

in     Ithica, 

Tompkins  County,  New  York.  In  1857, 
while  an  infant,  his  parents  removed  to 
Schenectady  County,  New  York.  He  re- 
ceived his  literary  education  at  Union  Col- 
lege, where  he  was  a  student  for  two  years. 
When  he  was  quite  young  his  father  died, 
and  his  mother  died  when  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years 
he  went  to  Chicago,  and  was  for  one  year 
assistant  editor  of  the  Railway  Reviev),  pub- 
lished in  that  city.  He  began  the  study  of 
medicine  in  the  fall  of  1878,  with  Dr.  Har- 
1am  P.  Cole,  professor  of  anatomy  in  the 
Hahnemann  Medical  College,  of  that  city, 
and  graduated  at  that  institution  in  1881. 
During  the  last  two  years  of  his  college 
course  he  was  demonstrator  of  anatomy. 
Pie  began  practice  at  Clarksville,  Butler 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  was  local  surgeon 
for  the  Burlington,  Cedar  Kapids  &  North- 
ern Railroad  for  two  years,  and  was  also 
county  phj'sician  of  Butler  County  one 
year.  While  at  Clarksville  he  was  associated 
with  A.  F.  Tichenor,  but  owing  to  ill  health 
he  sold  out  his  practice  to  his  partner,  with  a 
view  of  going  to  California.  Having  occasion 
to  stop  in  northern  Missouri,  he  found  him- 
self improving  in  health,  and  believing  tiiat 
Jefferson  afforded  a  good  location  for  a 
homoeopathic  physician,  he  decided  to  locate 
here.  He  is  a  thoroughly  educated  physi- 
cian, and  has  a  large  and   lucrative  practice. 


.-Ji 


rsm^m^m^m^mramitimninriiwismii* 


•."m^^* 


2rt6 


HISTOItr    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


lie  has  an  enviable  reputation  both  as  a 
pliysician  and  a  citizen.  Dr.  Dickinson  was 
niarried  in  Clarksville  to  Miss  Anna  Kilts,  a 
(laiigliter  of  Christopher  Kilts,  of  that  town. 


^  E.  J]EKliY,  farmer,  section  27,  Green- 
''M\  brier  Township,  was  born  in  Davis 
^'®  Count}',  Iowa,  April  23,  1846,  son  of 
James  and  Nancy  (McGonnell)  Berry,  who 
reared  a  family  of  eight  children — Thomas, 
J.  E.,  John,  Samuel,  Ephraim,  Margaret, 
William  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Berry  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
and  has  followed  it  many  years.  He  was 
married  March  9, 1873,  to  Lucinda  Breeding, 
daughter  of  Alexander  Breeding,  a  promi- 
nent pioncei-  of  Davis  County.  In  1879  he 
came  to  this  county,  locating  upon  his 
present  farm,  M'hich  was  then  in  its  wild 
state.  lie  has  since  made  good  improve- 
ments, has  a  comfortable  house  and  a  good 
barn  and  orchard.  His  farm  consists  of  120 
acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in 
Greene  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berry  have 
two  sons — William  Guy,  born  May  1,  1876, 
antl  Thomas  G.,  born  June  20, 1881.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Berry  is  a  Kepublican.  He  takes 
an  active  interest  in  educational  matters,  and 
in  the  improvement  of  Greene  County. 

«<^>i|»;h;»|m"^ 


ig 


ship,  is  a  native  of  Allegany  County,  New 
^'ork,  born  May  17,  1837,  a  son  of  Zial  and 
Caroline  (Van  ]>uren)  AVight,  his  maternal 
irrandfatlier  beinjf  a  cousin  of  President  A'an 
Ibiren.      His   parents   hail    a  fan iil_y  of  eight 


children,  he  being  the  seventh  child.  When 
four  years  of  age  he  was  taken  by  his  parents 
to  Chautauqua  County,  New  York,  where  he 
remained  till  twenty  years  old,  his  early  life 
Ijcing  spent  in  assisting  with  the  work  of  the 
farm  and  attending  the  common  schools.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  removed  to  Genesee 
County,  New  York,  where  he  resided  two 
years.  At  the  age  of  twenty- two  years  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Clara  White,  a  daughter 
of  Stephen  and  Hannah  (Felt)  White,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children — 
Louisa,  Samuel  and  Mary.  In  1860  Mr. 
AVight  settled  in  Carroll  County,  Illinois,  and 
in  1865  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  when 
he  located  in  Franklin  Township,  settling  on 
his  present  farm  in  1881,  which  was  then  in 
its  natural  state.  He  has  in  his  farm  eighty 
acres  which  he  has  improved  and  brought 
under  cultivation,  making  it  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  the  township.  In  his  political 
views  Mr.  AVight  is  a  Democrat.  He  has 
l)een  a  member  of  the  school  board,  has 
sei'ved  as  township  trustee  and  assessor,  hold- 
ing the  latter  ofhce  six  terms,  serving  in  all 
with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  best  in- 
terests of  his  township. 


|^[AMUEL  AVIIITESIDE,  farmer  and 
f^\^;  stock  raiser,  section  18,  Junction  Town- 
^W'  ship,  Greene  County,  is  a  native  of 
Toronto,  Canada,  born  October  80,  1840,  a 
son  of  AVilliam  AA^hiteside,  who  was  also  born 
in  Canada,  now  deceased.  The  grandfather 
AVhiteside,was  at  one  time  very  wealthy,  and 
owned  the  greater  part  of  the  heart  of  the 
city  of  Toronto.  Our  subject  was  brought  to 
Galena,  Illinois,  when  a  child,  and  in  1847 
•to  Burlington,  Iowa,  where  he  lived  with  his 
parents  till  i860.  He  then  went  to  Pike's 
Peak,  where  he  owned  an   interest  in  a  saw- 


rM»Ba„iBaWnlBialll,aMBIn.i:.!J»JinB»S»ii1«iW«»ni1»»-»»«Ug£;»a 


BtOORAPHICAL    SKETGBES. 


267 


mill  in  wliich  he  worked  tor  one  year.  He 
remained  at  Pike's  Peak  till  he  enlisted  in 
the  late  war,  September  27,  1S61,  when  he 
was  assigned  to  Company  L,  First  Colorado 
Cavalry,  and  for  a  time  was  fighting  against 
the  Indians,  and  participated  in  the  l)att!es 
of  Smoky  Hill,  Sand  Creek,  Apachee  Can- 
3'on,  and  others  of  minor  importance.  At 
Apaclicc  Canyon,  twenty-live  miles  east  of 
Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  they  were  met  by 
tlie  Texans,  and,  after  a  bloody  battle,  drove 
them  back  into  Texas,  thereby  saving  Fort 
Union,  where  tliere  was  a  large  amonnt  of 
militarv  stores.  His  regiment  was  on  guard 
duty  most  of  tiie  time  in  the  Soutliwest.  He 
was  discharged  November  IS,  18G5.  After 
the  war  Mr.  Whiteside  located  in  DesMoines 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  till  1880. 
He  was  married  October  7,  1873,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Follett,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Follett, 
of  Marion  County,  Iowa,  and  to  theni  liave 
been  born  five  children — George,  William, 
Samuel,  Clarence  and  Kate.  In  1880  Mr. 
Whiteside  removed  with  his  family  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  when  he  settled  on  his  present 
farm  in  Junction  Township,  where  he  owns 
160  acres  of  well-cultivated  land,  and  during 
his  short  residence  in  the  county  has  gained 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know 
liim. 


~^'V"'^*^'^'"'~ 

|m|UGUST  F.  KRAUSE,postoftice  Bayard. 
1?^^  Iowa,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
^p^  raising  on  section  28,  Willow  Township, 
was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  September 
29,  1852,  a  son  of  Carl  and  Wilhelmine  (Mar- 
tain)  Krause,  who  were  also  natives  of  Ger- 
many. Tiiey  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  our  subject  being  the  fifth  child. 
When  but  a  child  he  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  the  United  States,  they  first  locat- 
ing   in    Dane    County,   Wisconsin,   in   July, 


1856,  where  the  father  died  in  Octol)er,  1865. 
August  F.  was  reai-ed  to  agi-icultural  pursuits, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  country  school 
of  his  neigliborhood.  He  remained  on  the 
home  farm  in  Dane  County  until  1876, 
helping  to  support  his  mother  and  her  family. 
He  then  immigrated  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
when  he  settled  on  part  of  his  present  farm 
in  Willow  Township.  His  first  purchase 
here  was  forty  acres  of  wild  prairie  land, 
which  lie  cleared  and  improved,  and  by  his 
persevering  industry  and  excellent  manage- 
ment he  has  succeeded  well  in  his  farming 
operations,  and  has  been  enabled  to  add  to 
his  original  purchase  till  lie  now  has  200 
acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in 
Greene  County.  He  makes  a  specialtj"  of 
raising  graded  Clydesdale  horses  and  Hol- 
stein  cattle.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
November  15,  1878,  to  Miss  Mary  I  lagan, 
who  was  born  in  Warren  Countj',  Iowa, 
August  12,  1862.  To  this  union  was  born 
one  daughter — Lena  R.,  August  19,  1879, 
who  died  August  23  following.  Tlie  motlier 
died  August  30,  1879,  and  February  26, 
1882,  Mr.  Krause  was  mai'ried  to  Miss  lielle 
Shaw,  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  August  29, 
1864,  a  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Amanda 
(Siiarts)  Shaw,  who  were  natives  of  Indiana. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  sons — Earle 
A.,  born  September  1,  1883;  John  Clarence, 
born  in  October,  1885;  and  an  infant  yet 
unnamed.  Botli  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krause  are 
members  of  the  English  Evangelical  Asso- 
ciation. In  politics  lie  alfiliates  witli  the 
Ke[>uiilican  jiarty. 

-^'^^^i^*^^ 


W.  NEARV,  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising  on    section    34,  Hardin 
*"\|o>  Township,  where  he  owns  160  acres  of 
highly  cultivated  land,  is   a  native  of  Nova 


208 


■■-■-'■-■-■-■-■-■sp*STM««n-wi.-»ji».-j«.-j< 


BISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNT t. 


Scotia,  born  February  14,  1840,  and  is  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Mary  Neary.     He  was  reared 

to  ai;ririiltunil  jnirsuits,  which  occupation  he 
lias  folh)\ved  through  lit'c  with  the  exception 
of  tln-ee  years  wlien  he  was  engaged  in  driv- 
ing a  stage  from  Jefferson,  Iowa,  to  Panora, 
Iowa.  lie  remained  in  Nova  Scotia  until 
1N(J8,  wlien  lie  sailed  for  Boston,  remaining 
in  tliat  city  about  three  years  when  he  immi- 
grated to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  settled 
nil  the  farm  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  Mr.  Neary  was  united  in  marriage 
April  26,  1870,  to  Miss  Anna  Bishop,  who 
was  born  in  Nova  Scotia  in  1848,  her  parents, 
Allen  and  llebecca  Bishop,  also  being  natives 
of  Nova  Scotia.  Two  children  have  been 
Ixirn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neary — George  W., 
born  March  26,  1872,  and  Ervin  E.,  born 
October  16,  1875.  In  politics  Mr.  Neary 
casts  his  snftrage  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  an^active  and  public-spirited  citizen, 
and  since  coining  to  Hardin  To\vnsliip  has 
served  as  trustee  and  assessor,  holding  the 
latter  office  one  year,  and  has  also  served  five 
years  as  school  director,  to  the  satisfaction  of 
ills  constituents. 


II.  .lOHNSON,  farmer,  section  21, 
Kondrick  Townsliip,  has  been  identified 
^*  with  the  interests  of  Greene  County  for 
twenty-one  j^ears.  He  was  born  in  Cham- 
l)aign  County,  Ohio,  June  24,  1836,  son  of 
Isaac  Johnson,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and 
Sarah  Johnson,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island. 
They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children. 
Mr.  Johnson  resided  in  his  native  place  until 
sixteen  years  of  age.  He  was  reared  a  fanner 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  In 
I85o  his  father  removed  to  DeKalb  County. 
mill. lis,  where  they  lived  two  years,  then 
came    to   Cedar  CVninty,    Iowa.     August   14, 


1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Twenty- 
sixth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Chickasaw  Bayou,  Arkansas  Post, 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Mississippi, 
Black  River  Bridge,  Fourteen  Mile  Creek, 
Ramon,  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Vet- 
eran Reserve  Corps,  Seventeenth  Regiment, 
Company  E,  and  was  stationed  at  Indianapo- 
lis, Indiana.  He  was  honorably  discharged 
as  Corporal,  July  24,  1865,  and  returned  to 
his  home.  August  20,  1865,  he  came  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  settled  upon  his 
present  farm,  which  was  then  in  its  wild 
state,  and  was  one  of  the  first  improved  farms 
in  tlie  neighborhood.  He  owns  ninety-four 
acres  of  excellent  land,  a  well  furnished 
residence,  built  in  modern  style,  a  commodious 
barn  for  stock  and  grain.  Novenibei-  30, 
1860,  he  was  united  in  marriage  at  DeWitt, 
Clinton  County,  Iowa,  with  Miss  Mary  Kim- 
ball, daughter  of  Horace  and  Rachel  Kimball, 
born  in  Cedar  County,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  have  three  children — Ella  Rosella, 
John  Jasper,  and  Mary  Viola.  Two  children, 
William  P.  and  Elmer,  are  deceased.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican,  and  has 
creditably  served  in  several  townshij)  offices. 
He  is  a  member  of  Post  111,  G.  A.  R.,  at 
Scranton.  By  his  genial  manner,  and  hon- 
est dealings,  he  secured  the  confidence  of  all 
his  acquaintances.  His  grandfather  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  and  his 
fatlier  in  the  Mexican  war. 


„.t^;Mf^'+.-KH 


fD.  CASS,  iihysician  and  surgeon  of 
Churdan,  Iowa,  is  a  native  of  the  State 
t^c  ®  of  Illinois,  born  December  6,  1882,  a 
son  of  James  and  Ann  Cass,  who  wei-e 
natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia  respectively. 
Both  parents  are  deceased,  the  mother  dying 
May  30.  1837,  and  his  father  in  Ajiril.  1863. 


Hi? 
»• 
I 

tif 
■« 
t, 

ii 


''g^■■■^■■■'^■■^■■>1'■■■■■■l■■nl■■^''^■■■■■■-*-^^n-". 


■^'^^^'■'■'■■-■-■-'■-■-■■■-■'-■-■^'-■-■-■-i"-* 


■■■■■-■-■-■«i«-m»=»f; 


STOORAPmCAL    SKBTCItES. 


2f!!) 


Dr.  Cass  lived  with  liis  father  till  attaining 

o 

the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  In  1855  he 
hegan  the  study  of  medicine,  taking  his  first 
course  of  lectures  at  the  Miami  IMedical 
College  in  1856,  reinaining  in  that  institu- 
tion one  year.  In  1857  he  began  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine,  wliich  he  followed  until 
1863,  when  he  entered  Hush  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Cliicago,  Illinois,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1864.  After  his  graduation  lie 
settled  in  Logan  County,  Illinois,  whei-e  he 
built  up  a  lucrative  practic,  renuiining  in 
that  county  until  1875.  lie  then  returned  to 
Miami  College,  o-raduatriny  from  tiuit  insti- 
tution  in  1876.  He  then  resumed  his  prac- 
tice is  Logan  County.  In  1882  he  came  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  after  spending  a 
short  time  iu  Jefferson  he  removed  to  Chur- 
dan,  locating  at  that  place  August  31,  1882, 
and  has  since  been  successfully  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  jirofession.  In 
July,  1885,  he  purchased  a  stock  of  drugs. 
lie  has  recently  built  a  new  store,  and  in 
connection  with  his  medical  practice  he  deals 
in  drugs,  all  kinds  of  stationery  a)id  school 
books.  Dr.  Cass  was  united  in  marriage  in 
1858  to  Miss  Sarah  G.  Landis,  a  daughter  of 
P.  K.  and  Eliza  P.  Landis,  natives  of  Ohio. 
They  are  the  parents  of  one  son — Edward  K., 
born  December  17,  1859,  who  is  now  en- 
gaged in  tlie  insurance  business  in  Chicago, 
Illinois.  In  politics  the  doctor  is  a  stautich 
Itepublican.  lie  was  appointed  First  Assis- 
tant Surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
first  Regiment,  Illinois  Yolunteer  Infantry, 
Feliruary  12,  1865,  and  served  til!  tlic  close 
of  the  war. 


fAMES  M.  STEELE,  residing  on  section 
13,  Bristol  Township,  is  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  this  portion  of  Greene  County. 


ITe  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, June  21,  1834,  son  of  Solomon  and 
Fanny  (Metzgar)  Steele,  also  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  father  was  of  Swiss  ancestry, 
and  is  now  deceasetl.  The  mother  is  of 
(rerman  descent,  and  is  still  livincj  in  Penu- 
sylvania.  Of  their  nine  children,  James  ]\I. 
was  the  tliird  child  and  eldest  son.  One  son, 
David  Frank,  a  member  of  the  Thirty-third 
Pennsylvania  Infantry,  was  killed  at  liurn- 
side's  battles  of  Fredricksburg.  He  was  a 
member  of  "General  Hookei-'s  corps.  Four 
other  sons,  Thomas,  John,  Levi  and  Edward, 
served  in  the  iVrmy  of  the  Potomac,  antl  are 
all  living.  The  two  sisters  are  Mrs.  Sophia 
Ake  and  Mrs.  Eliza  Ilerscliberger,  a  widow, 
with  whom  the  mother  lives.  All  are  living 
in  Pennsjdvania  except  Edward,  who  lives  in 
Virginia.  James  was  reared  a  farmer,  and 
lias  always  followed  farming  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  years  spent  at  cai'penter  woi'k 
at  Muscatine,  Iowa.  He  settled  in  Muscatine 
in  1858,  where  he  married  Miss  Hannah 
Maria  Lower,  daughter  of  Henry  Lower,  who 
died  at  tiie  home  of  Mr.  Steele  in  1873.  The 
mother,  Mrs.  Hannah  (Steele)  Lower,  now  in 
her  ninety-second  year,  is  cared  for  by  her 
daughter  and  son-in-law.  Mrs.  Steele  is 
also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born 
in  Huntingdon  County,  February  1,  1836. 
She  came  with  her  parents  to  Muscatine  in 
1850.  Mr.  Steele  removed  to  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri,  in  1859,  wliere  he  lived  two  years, 
then  returned  to  Muscatine  and  lived  there 
until  1866,  then,  with  his  family,  went  back 
to  his  native  State.  In  1872  he  returned  to 
Iowa  and  settled  in  his  present  home.  He 
first  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  incurrring 
an  indebtedness  for  the  purchase  money.  lie 
has  cleared  that  indel:>tedness,  and  added 
forty  acres  to  the  original  purchase,  so  that 
jfe  has  a  competency  for  his  declining  years. 
^Ir.   ami    Mrs.    Steele  have    four  children— 


ia»5^ia»j»ipa««^«,»r»iI^'^«-»«««g«w_»a»-« 


270 


HISTORY    OF    ORHENE    GOUtTTf. 


Marion  L.,  a  young  man  of  excellent  business 
(jualifications,  is  cashier  of  Greene  County 
l)ank.  at  Jefferson;  Fanny,  a  very  successful 
teaclier,  now  at  home;  Harriet  S.,  attending 
school  at  Davenport;  and  Charley,  living  at 
home.  The  parents  are  consistent  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically 
Mr.  Steele  is  a  liepublican.  He  is  now  serv- 
ing as  townsliip  trustee  atid  school  director. 


fOIIN  OSBORNE,  dealer  in  grain,  lum- 
ber and  coal  and  one  of  the  prominent 
men  of  Scranton,  is  a  native  of  Cornwalh 
England,  boru  in  the  year  1844,  a  son  of 
liobert  Osborne.  The  father  immigrated  to 
America  when  our  subject  was  a  child, 
settling  in  Iowa  County,  AVisconsin,  where 
he  resided  till  his  death  in  May,  1878.  The 
father  was  a  miner,  and  followed  that  occu- 
pation from  the  time  he  came  to  America  in 
184s  until  1855  when  he  engaged  in  farm- 
incr,  which  he  t\)llowod  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  His  family  consisted  of  six  children, 
three  sons  and  three  daughters.  John,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Robert  living  in  Iowa 
Coimty,"\Visconsin ;  Joseph,  of  Carroll  County, 
Illinois;  Emma,  wife  of  Fairfield  Sylvester,  of 
( )gden,  Iowa;  Ellen,  wife  of  W.  J.  Burns,  of 
I'onca,  Nebraska,  and  I\[argaret  J.,  wife  of  J. 
W.  Taylor,  of  Iowa  County,  AVisconsin. 
.lohn  Osborne,  our  subject  grew  to  manhood 
in  Iowa  County,  being  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  remained  with  his  parents  till 
IStjn,  but  remained  near  his  home  till  1872, 
when  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  located  at  Ogden, 
lioone  County,  wliere  he  was  engaged  in 
dealing  in  live  stock  and  farm  implements 
until  1877,  when  he  came  to  Scranton, 
(Treenc  ('ounty.  Tlie  year  before  leaviiiir 
Ogden  he  began  dealing  in  grain  in  connec- 
tion with  his   (itluT  business.      In   1S7(J    Mr. 


Osborne  formed  a  partnership  with  Sylvester 
&  Huntley,  they  succeeding  A.  S.  Omro  in 
his  grain  trade,  and  the  same  year  this  firm 
built  the  west  elevator.  Mr.  Osborne  bought 
out  Sylvester  and  Huntley's  interest  in  1882 
and  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone, 
becoming  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 
Scranton.  His  elevator  has  a  capacity  of 
about  14,000  bushels.  In  the  spring  of  1885 
he  added  the  lumber  trade  to  his  business,  in 
which  he  is  meeting  with  good  success.  Mr. 
Osborne  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  A.  Baker,  a  daughter  of  John  IT. 
Baker,  of  Iowa  County,  AVisconsin.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Osborne  affiliates  with  the  Republi- 
can party. 


^>+^^-.,^ 


iy^  1|  1 LTON  C.  SAYERS,  farmer,  section 
'^MjviM  -^5'  Jackson  Township,  owns  one  of 
'^icp^  the  best  farms  in  tliat  part  of  Greene 
County.  It  consists  of  240  .acres  of  land,  160 
acres  l)eing  on  section  25,  80  on  section  26, 
all  being  connected  and  constituting  one  farm. 
He  came  here  from  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  in 
March,  1871,  and  settled  in  his  present  home 
the  following  year.  He  was  born  in  Miami 
County,  <  )hio,  January  7, 1844,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Margaret  (Frencli)  Sayers;  tlie  father  died 
in  Ohio,  the  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old 
homestead.  Mr.  Sayers  served  one  year  dur- 
ing the  late  war  in  tlie  Mississippi  squadron 
under  Admiral  Porter,  entering  the  service 
in  December,  1863.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he 
became  a  resident  of  Bureau  County,  Illinois, 
where  lie  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  at 
AVahiut.  September  22, 1867,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Henrietta  Jones, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  ^^iriam  Jones,  and 
sister  of  Josiah  Jones,  of  Jackson  Township. 
She  was  burn  in  Princotdii,  P>ureau  County, 
Illinois,  Octdber  15,1845.     They   have  two 


\ 

i 


MOORAPHICAL    SKETCH  MS. 


2^1 


cliildren — Milton  C.  and  Samuel  J.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Sayers  are  worthy,  honest  and  up- 
right people,  and  have  won  many  friends  in 
the  community  where  they  have  so  long  re- 
sided. They  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Sayers  is 
a  radical  llepublican.  Thomas  J.  Sayers,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  the  State 
of  Ohio  and  the  mother  in  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. They  were  married  in  Ohio.  Mil- 
ton C.  was  the  youngest  of  seven  children, 
and  the  only  one  residing  in  Greene  County. 
His  brother  Enos  lives  in  Atlantic,  Cass 
County,  this  State,  Ezekiel  lives  in  Ohio, 
John  in  Kansas,  Harrison  in  Bureau  County, 
Illinois,  Judson  at  Farmer's  Valley,  Illinois, 
and  Mrs.  Sarah  Class  in  Miami  C'ounty,  Ohio. 


ILLARD  MACK,  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  section  1,  Junction  Township, 
l^Sjil^]  was  born  in  Stanstead,  Canada,  April 
21,  1826.  His  father,  Sebie  Mack,  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  but  went  to  Canada 
with  his  parents  when  a  boy,  and  trom  there 
to  Niagara  Falls,  Xew  York,  in  1S27.  In 
1828  he  went  to  Upper  Canada,  and  in  1844 
to  Boone  County,  Illinois.  AVillard  Mack 
remained  in  Illinois  until  April,  1876,  when 
he  came  to  Iowa  and  settled  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives.  He  owns  160  acres  of 
valuable  land,  and  his  building  improvements 
are  among  the  best  in  the  township.  Mr. 
Mack  was  married  ( )ctober  15,  1850,  to  Laura 
Smith,  a  daughter  of  Frederick  Smith.  To 
them  were  born  eight  children — Sophronia 
J.,  Mary  A.,  Alice  F.,  Artemus  J.,  Elizabeth 
L.  (deceased),  Ella  N.,  Lovilla  L.  and  Emma 
L.  Mrs.  Mack  died  June  20,  1872,  and 
Thanksgiving  day,  1873,  Mr.  Mack  married 
Hattie,  daughter  of  Thomas  Munn,  of  To- 
peka,    Kansas.     December    10(    1875,    Mrs. 


Mack  died,  leaving  two  children — Edgar  PI. 
and  Daniel  C.  September  27,  1881,  Mr. 
Mack  married  Jennie  Peake,  a  native  of 
Rockford,  Illinois,  daughter  of  Loami  Peake, 
and  a  lineal  descendant  of  Roger  Williams 
and  John  Rogers.  To  them  have  been  born 
two  children — Lucy  E.  and  John  W.  JMr. 
and  IVIrs.  Mack  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church. 


qm 


OHN  M.  CULLEY,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Greene  County,  came  to  Jefl'erson 
January  26,  1856,  when  that  city  had 
but  two  log  houses  and  one  frame  house.  In 
one  of  the  log  houses  George  S.  Walton  kept 
a  hotel  and  store.  Dr.  Lewis  lived  in  the 
other  log  house,  and  Robei't  M.  Rippey  lived 
in  the  frame  house;  he  was  a  lawyer  and  land 
agent.  Neither  of  them  now  live  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Culley,  Roliert  Rippey  and  Dr. 
W.  S.  McBride  erected  a  steam  saw-mill  at 
Jeft'erson  in  1856,  which  was  operated  by  Mr. 
Culley  about  three  years.  He  then  followed 
tarming  one  year,  and  in  1860,  was  appointed 
clerk  of  the  court,  which  at  that  time  included 
the  duties  now  performed  by  the  auditor. 
He  served  two  years,  and  then  became  a  con- 
tractor for  furnishing  railroad  ties  in  Boone 
County,  for  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
Railroad.  In  1866  he  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware and  farm  implement  trade,  which  he 
continued  until  1877,  since  which  time  he 
has  been  interested  in  milling  and  farming. 
He  was  eneaged  in  milling  at  Grand  June- 
tion  four  years,  and  now  resides  on  section 
10,  Jackson  Township,  where  he  settled  in 
May,  1884.  Mr.  Culley  has  witnessed  the 
changes  in  the  county,  from  its  earliest  his- 
tory, when  his  postothce  was  at  Des  Moines, 
where  his  milling  was  also  done.  His  son 
Chai'les,  now  a  business  man  at  Jefferson,  was 
the  first  white  male  child  born   in  Jefferson. 


«i.»ImW„»m« 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■I 


3l?3 


illStORT    OF    ORBENE    GOUNTT. 


~My.  Ciilley  was  born  at  Milan,  Huron  County, 
Oliio,  October  20,  1830,  a  son  of  M.  D.  Cul- 
ley.  When  be  was  ten  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Aslitabula  County,  where  be  grew 
to  inanliood.  Wlien  a  young  man  lie  learned 
the  tinner's  and  coppersmith's  trades  which 
he  fi)llowed  until  be  came  to  Iowa.  At  Lancas- 
ter, New  York,  be  married  Miss  Sarah  Ann 
Hamilton,  in  June,  1852.  Mrs.  Culley  died 
at  Jefferson  December  11,  1862,  aged  twenty- 
nine  years.  She  left  two  children — Charley 
and  AVill  D.,  who  are  now  the  firm  of  Culley 
Brotliers,  engaged  in  a  restaurant  and  l)akery 
at  Jefferson.  For  a  second  wife  Mr.  Cnlley 
married  April  1,  1864,  Miss  Ilattie  E.  Beers, 
daughter  of  Jesse  Beers,  of  Delaware  Count}', 
New  York,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four 
children,  all  of  whom  died  young.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Culley  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  Mr.  Culley  is  one  of  the  charter 
members  of  Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  159, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Jefferson,  and  is  the  only 
one  of  the  charter  members  now  living  in 
Greene  County.  lie  has  held  the  ofhce  of 
senior  and  junior  warden,  and  has  lield  many 
offices  of  trust  in  the  township.  Politically, 
be  is  a  Republican. 


WESLEY  JOHNSON,  of  the  firm  of 
S.  AV.  Johnson  &  Bro.,  dealers  in 
^^®  hardware,  stoves,  tinware,  kitchen  fur- 
niture, farm  implements,  shelf  and  heavy 
hardware,  at  Rippey,  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  November  25,  1852,  son  of 
l^phraim  Johnson,  of  this  county,  who  re- 
moved to  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  in  1865. 
lie  passed  bis  early  life  on  a  farm,  and  was 
educated  in  the  common  district  schools.  He 
came  to  Rippey  in  1882  and  engaged  in  the 
hardware  business  with  ^.  1*.  i.aw,  under  the 
tirm  nairif  iif  Law  «S;  Johnson.    This  jiartner- 


sbip  continued  three  years,  when  Mr.  John- 
son purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  sold 
a  third  interest  to  his  brother,  AVilliam  A. 
Johnson.  He  was  married  January  10, 1878, 
to  Harriet  Parrish,  daugiiter  of  Watson  Par- 
rish,  now  deceased.  They  have  bad  four 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — Nellie 
C.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  fraternity.  AVilliam  A.  Johnson 
was  born  April  10,  1860,  in  Perry  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  school 
of  Whiteside  County,  Illinois.  He  came  to 
Iowa  in  1882,  spending  his  summers  in  Da- 
kota Territory  for  three  years,  and  passed  the 
winters  in  this  county.  He  located  perma- 
nently at  Rippey  in  1885.  He  is  a  membei- 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  chui-ch;  also  of 
the  Rippey  Cornet  ISand. 


l^EV.  WILLIAM  ROBERTS,  one  of 
;;|W|i  Greene  County's  prominent  men,  re- 
■^4^|  siding  in  Dawson  Township,  wliei-e  he 
owns  a  farm  of  240  acres  on  section  23,  and 
forty  acres  on  section  26,.is  a  native  of  Wayne 
County,  Indiana,  born  November  9,  1832,  a 
son  of  Thomas  Roberts.  His  parents  were 
both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The}'  were 
the  parents  of  two  children — William  and  a 
daughter  now  deceased.  Tlie  motlier  died 
November  11,  1832,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years,  the  father  surviving  her  till  September 
21,  1839.  William  Roberts  was  thus  left  an 
orphan  at  the  tender  age  of  six  years,  lie 
was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  his 
bo^'bood  being  spent  in  assisting  on  the  farm 
of  Levi  Jessup.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  he  began  working  for  himself,  chopping 
wood,  etc.,  for  which  he  received  25  cents  a 
cord.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the 
country  scluiol-houses  of  his  neighborhood, 
and    at    tjie    Ki'iends'    Boardin^r   School,   now 


.~j 


Earlhain  Colles^e,  at.  Kichinond,  Imliana, 
whicli  he  attended  during  the  winters  of  '51 
and  '52.  lie  then  retxirned  to  the  old  home 
where  he  was  reared,  where  he  worked  on  the 
farm  during  the  summers,  and  in  the  winters 
tanglit  scliool,  being  thus  emphjyed  about 
six  years.  During  tliis  time  lie  purcliased  a 
small  farm  near  Richmond,  Indiana,  on  which 
lie  settled  in  1853.  August  31,  1853,  he 
was  mai'ried  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Rue,  who  was 
born  in  Wayne  County,  Indiana,  August  25, 
1887,  the  youngest  of  eight  children  of 
Henry  and  Rebecca (Tallbert)  Rue.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Roberts  are  the  parents  of  six  children, 
and  all  are  living  but  one,  and  settled  near 
their  home — Lindley  II.,  married  Alice  Ed- 
gerton;  Albert  B.,  married  Lizzie  Johnson; 
John  IL,  married  Clara  Swearingen;  Aunie 
M.,  married  Charles  AValker,  and  Emma  L., 
married  William  Edsertoii.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-eiglit  Mr.  Roberts  united  with  the 
Friends  society,  and  at  thirty  began  preaching 
at  the  Orange  Church,  Richmond,  Indiana, 
Mdiicli  he  followed  there  at  intervals  for  tM'enty 
years,  lie  residing  on  his  tarm  near  Richmond 
until  1880.  lie  was  ordained  a  minister  at 
the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  at  Richmond. 
lie  preached  for  fifteen  years  at  Orange 
Church,  with  frequent  leave  of  absence  to 
perform  other  Christian  work,  traveled  over 
a  large  portion  of  Michigan,  preached  in  all 
the  meeting-houses  of  his  own  church  and 
many  others,  visited  the  luml)ering  districts 
where  ho  distributed  over  100,000  tracts,  and 
preached  in  the  school-houses  and  at  farm 
houses,  walking  most  of  the  time,  and  at  all 
times  bearing  his  own  expenses.  He  was 
there  for  part  of  two  years,  doing  most  of  his 
work  in  the  winter  time.  lie  visited  nearly 
all  the  churches  of  his  denomination  in  Indi- 
ana, Kansas  and  Ohio.  After  the  close  of 
the  late  war  he  was  sent  South  to  Helena, 
Arkansas.      He  offered  tiie  first -church  mem- 


bership to  the  colored  people  south  of  Mason 
and  Dixon's  line.  Two  years  later  he  was 
sent  to  Blount  County,  Tennessee,  traveling 
over  mountains,  walking  most  of  the  time, 
and  visiting  all  the  churches  in  the  valleys. 
Pie  was  there  engaged  in  missionary  work 
for  some  time,  his  labors  for  the  Master  beino- 
well  rewarded.  In  1880  he  came  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  and  since  then  has  been 
engaged  in  church  work  in  Dawson  Town- 
ship, he  being  the  first  and  only  ordained 
minister  tliere.  His  postoffice  is  Baton,  Iowa. 
He  is  now  pastt>r  of  tlie  Friends  church, 
near  Baton. 


^mMON  F.  SHANNON,  farmer  and  stock- 
-'fffl-  raiser  of  Cedar  Township,  residino-  on 
;^;';o—  section  11,  was  born  in  Seneca  County, 
Ohio,  October  18,  1848,  and  is  of  Irish  and 
Holland  ancestry.  He  is  a  son  of  James  and 
Amanda  (Fairchild)  Shannon,  his  father  being 
a  native  of  Bennsylvania,  and  his  mother  of 
Virginia,  and  is  a  descendant  of  Isaac  Fair- 
child,  who  collected  the  first  taxes  in  Holmes 
County,  Ohio.  In  a  family  of  two  sons  and 
one  daughter  our  subject  was  the  youngest 
child.  He  lived  in  his  native  State  till  ten 
years  of  age,  when  he  went  with  his  parents 
in  1858  to  Jo  Daviess  County,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  helping  to  support  his  parents 
for  several  years.  In  October,  18(35,  he  re- 
moved to  Jones  County,  Iowa,  remaining 
there  three  years.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
October  18,  1868,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Barrett, 
who  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  in 
February,  1845,  her  parents,  Benjamin  and 
Viola  Barrett,  being  natives  of  the  same 
State.  The}'  are  the  parents  of  two  daughters 
— Mary,  born  December  1,  18fi9,  and  Ada, 
born  January  20,  1882.  Mr.  Shannon  came 
to  Greene  County,   Iowa,   in   18()8,   when    he 


S74 


it t STORY    OF    GREENE    COUiftf. 


located  on  the  land  which  he  has  since  con- 
verted tViiin  tiiu  raw  prairie  into  a  well-im- 
proved and  tinelv-cnltivated  farm  consisting 
of  100  acres.  Since  coming  to  the  township 
lie  has  met  with  excellent  success  in  his  farm- 
ing operations,  and  is  now  classed  among 
Cedar  Township's  well-to-do  and  respected 
citizens.  Politicall}'  he  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  Ji^ftj- 


(SfcOBERT  P.  MORDEN,  a  retired  former, 
\  residing  on  sections  14  and  22,  Franklin 
Township,  was  born  in  London,  Canada, 
May  10,  1841,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  A. 
(Parkinson)  Morden,  who  were  all  born  in 
Canada,  the  mother  still  residing  there.  The 
father  is  deceased.  They  were  the  parents 
of  nine  children,  two  sons  and  seven  daughters, 
our  subject  being  the  youngest  child.  The 
father  being  a  farmer,  Robert  was  reared  to 
the  same  occupation,  and  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen years  he  began  farming  his  father's  farm, 
which  he  followed  for  three  years.  In  1869 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  located  in 
La  Fayette  Count}',  Indiana,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  insurance  business,  following 
that  pursuit  until  December  8,  1802.  Dur- 
ing the  late  war  he  was  employed  as  wagon- 
master  for  three  j'ears.  In  1865  he  went  to 
Livingston  County,  Michigan,  where  he  was 
married  December  4  of  the  same  3'ear  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Dier,  who  was  born  in  Liv- 
ingston County  Janiiary  17,  1843,  a  daughter 
of  Philip  and  Anna  (Shotwell)  Dier,  who 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  both  being 
now  decease<l.  After  remaining  a  short  time 
in  ^^i(•higan,  they  went  to  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  so  that  Mrs.  IMorden  (who  had 
previously  studied  medicine)  might  attend 
her  last  term  at  the  Women's  Medical  Col- 
lege, where  she  received  her  diploma  in  1800. 


They  then  returned  to  Michigan,  remaining 
there  two  years.  In  1868  they  came  to 
Greene  County,  and  after  living  a  short  time 
at  Jefferson,  they  removed  to  Coon  Rapids, 
Carroll  County,  where  Mrs.  Morden  practiced 
her  profession.  In  1872  they  left  Coon 
Rapids,  returning  to  Jefferson,  where  Mr. 
Morden  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business, 
which  he  followed  about  a  year.  He  then 
exchanged  his  store  for  his  present  farm  in 
Franklin  Township,  where  he  has  GOO  acres 
of  good  land.  He  takes  an  active  interest 
in  stock-raising,  and  is  at  present  engaged 
in  raising  short-horn  cattle  and  a  fine  grade 
of  horses,  ilrs.  Morden  is  still  practicing 
medicine,  in  which  she  is  very  successful. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  .Morden,  of  whom  four  are  living — 
Byron,  'Lena,  Orrie  and  Roy.  Bertie  is 
deceased.  In  politics  Mr.  Morden  is  a  staunch 
Republican.  Since  becoming  a  resident  of 
Franklin  Township  he  has  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace,  holding  that  office  with  credit 
to  himself  and  satisfaetion  to  his  constituents. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order, 
belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Jefferson.  I'oth 
Mr.  and  IMrs.  Morden  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Ejiiscopal  church.  Their  post- 
office  is  Cooper,  Iowa. 


»^„JS^nt.,^,.-^>. 


ii^iDWARD  CAIN,  farmer,  section  35 
"^A.  Greenbrier  Township,  is  a  native  of  the 
bpl  Isle  of  Man,  born  September  4,  1842, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Eads)  Cain, 
the  former  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Man,  and 
the  mother  of  England.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children-  Sai'ah,  John,  Abra- 
ham, Edward,  Robert,  Jane,  Elizabeth,  T\[a- 
tilda,  William  and  Morris.  Edward  passed 
liis  youth  at  farm  work,  and  attending  the 
schools  of  his  native  island.     At  the  age  of 


Ji 


'■i"ia»M; 


■■■^■■''■ia»-".«"M"irJrj>iJ»^wswswaw;j»j»-j»_»„«,».M.»^ 


BIOGRAPniOAL    SKETCHES. 


eighteen  years  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  locating  in  Warren  County,  Illinois, 
wliere  he  lived  tliree  years.  lie  then  re- 
moved to  Knox  County,  same  State,  living 
there  two  years,  then  returned  to  Warren 
County  and  lived  until  1879.  He  then  came 
to  Greene  County,  this  State,  and  located 
upon  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  His  farm  contains  680  acres,  400 
acres  being  in  Greene  Countv,  and  280  in 
Guthrie  County.  It  is  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation  and  well  improved.  He  has  a 
line  one  and  a  half  story  residence,  built  in 
modern  style,  and  surrounded  with  shade  and 
ornamental  trees.  He  has  a  large  and  com- 
modious barn,  and  out-l)uildings  for  stock 
and  grain,  and  is  extensively  engaged  in 
stock-raising,  usually  keeping  from  200  to 
225  head  of  cattle,  and  buying  from  10,000 
to'12,000  bushels  of  corn  a  year.  Mr.  Cain 
was  united  in  marriage  March  4,  1868,  to 
Miss  Jane  Gaunt,  daughter  of  David  and 
Ann  (Charlesworth)  Gaunt,  of  England. 
They  have  five  children — Anna  Jane,  Ada 
M.,  (Jscar  E.,  Charles  W.  and  Alice  E.  Po- 
litically Mr.  Cain  is  a  Republican,  and  he  is 
a  worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  cliuroh.  He  started  in 
life  without  means,  but  by  industry  and  good 
management  he  has  aci^uired  a  fine  property, 
and  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  Greene 
County. 


|EORGE  W.  KUDEIl,  one  of  the  old  and 
honored  pioneers  of  Greene  County,  who 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
on  section  21,  AVillow  Township,  is  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Columbia  County, 
June  15,  1832,  his  parents,  George  and  Sarah 
(Morris)  Kuder,  being  natives  of  the  same 
State.  He  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a 
farmer,    his    early    boyhood    being    spent  in 


assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm.  In 
1844  he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Cham- 
paign County,  Illinois,  wliere  his  father 
entered  land  at  $1.25  per  acre,  the  city  of 
Champaign  being  now  located  on  part  of  the 
land  owned  by  the  father.  The  father  died 
there  September  17,  1845,  the  mother  sur- 
viving her  husband  until  August  1,  1874. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  our 
subject  being  the  fifth  child.  He  came  to 
Crreene  County,  Iowa,  in  1854,  and  settled  at 
Jefferson  when  that  now  thriving  town  con- 
tained but  one  house.  The  following  spring 
he  went  to  Minnesota,  retnaining  there  one 
year,  when  he  returned  to  Greene  County  and 
entered  eighty  acres  of  land  on  North  Coon, 
nine  miles  north  of  Jefferson,  Avhere  he 
erected  a  log  cabin,  remaining  there  till  1859. 
Here  he  was  engaged  in  trapjjing  and  hunt- 
ing during  the  winter  seasons  and  during  the 
summers  woi'ked  on  his  farm.  He  experienced 
many  hardships  and  pi-ivations  in  his  pioneer 
home.  His  nearest  milling  place  was  Des 
Moines,  then  a  small  place  containing  about 
a  dozen  houses,  and  his  provisions  were 
obtained  at  Keokuk,  125  miles  distant,  he 
making  the  trip  with  ox  teams,  and  takino- 
two  weeks  or  more  to  make  the  journey.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  February  18, 1851,  to 
Miss  Isabelle  lirock,  born  in  Boone  County, 
Indiana,  June  13,  1840,  a  daughter  of  Alien 
and  Lavina  (Cocks)  Brock,  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee. To  this  union  have  been  born  five 
children — Madison  M.,  Arabelle,  Jennette  G., 
Melissa  and  George  Franklin.  In  1859  Mr. 
Kuder  went  to  Pikes  Peak,  remaining  tjiere 
one  year,  when  he  returned  to  Greene  (!ouiity, 
and  a  siiort  time  later  returned  to  his  oM 
home  in  Illinois,  where  he  remained  till  after 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  again  returned  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  the  fall  of  1866,  and 
iji  1881  settled  on  his  present  farm.  To  his 
original  purchase  he  has  added  till   he   now 


1«J? 


276 


HISTOBT    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


has  240  acres  located  on  sections  16  and  21 

of  Williiw  Townsliip.  his  hnid  being  well 
improved  iind  well  cultivated  with  the  excep- 
tion of  about  nine  acres.  He  has  a  good 
(U-i'liard  ami  a  cunifortable  and  commodious 
residence  surroumlcd  by  tine  groves,  and 
good  out  buildings  for  his  stock.  Mr.  Kuder 
began  life  a  poor  boy  but  by  years  of  pei'- 
severing  toil  and  t;ood  management  he  has 
prospered  in  his  farming  operations,  and 
become  the  owner  of  his  present  fine  prop- 
erty, and  is  now  identified  with  (Treene 
County's  best  farmers.  lie  has  done  his 
share  toward  improving  the  county,  having 
improved  si.x  different  farms.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kuder  are  worthy  members  of  the  Church  of 
God,  and  are  among  the  most  respected 
citizens  of  (ireene  County. 


\EXRY  W.  KELLOGG,  county  audi- 
'  r  j  tor  of  (jreene  County,  is  now  serving 
■^(1  his  second  term  in  that  capacity,  having 
Ijeen  first  elected  in  the  fall  of  1883,  and  re 
elected  in  1885.  He  succeeded  Andrew  A. 
Watts,  who  had  served  six  years,  and  the  latter 
succeeded  G.  G.  Lawrence,  who  had  served  four 
years.  Mr.  Kellogg  settled  in  GrantTownship 
this  county,  in  18(59,  where  he  purchased  anil 
improveil  a  ])rairic  I'arm  which  he  still  owns, 
and  which  he  occupied  until  elected  to  his 
present  office,  lie  was  born  in  Sycamore,  De 
Kalb  County,  Illinois,  January  14,  1840,  and 
was  reared  in  his  native  county.  His  father, 
.lesse  C.  Kellogg,  died  in  Sycamore  in  1874. 
He  was  l)orn  in  Connecticut,  and  removed  to 
Lamoille  County,  A'ermont,  when  quite 
young.  lie  settled  in  Sycamore  in  1880. 
He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county, 
and  was  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  for  many 
years.  August  9.  1862,  H.  W.  Kellogg  en- 
listed    in     ComjJany    A,   One   Hundred    and 


Fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  until  June 
14,  1865.  His  regiment  was  attached  to  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Upon  the  con- 
solidation of  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps, 
the  brigade  to  which  he  belonged  became  the 
Twentieth.  Previous  to  that  time  his  regi- 
ment was  not  attached  to  any  corps.  Mr. 
Kellogg  participated  in  many  important  bat- 
tles and  campaigns,  including  Resaca,  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  siege  of  Atlanta,  and  Sher- 
man's marcli  to  the  sea.  He  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Bentonville,  and  marched  to 
Washington  after  the  surrender  of  Johnston 
and  took  part  in  the  grand  review  in  that 
city.  His  exposures,  as  a  soldier,  induced 
the  asthma,  and  it  was  to  find  relief  from  that 
trouble  that  decided  him  to  conie  to  Iowa. 
He  was  for  many  years  engaged  as  mercan- 
tile clerk.  In  1865  he  married  Miss  Maggie 
Countryman,  who  died  January  29,  1873. 
His  present  wife  was  formerly  MissSamantha 
Kingsley.  By  his  first  marriage  were  two 
children — Jessie  and  Hiram,  and  a  son  and 
daughter  by  his  present  marriage,  Bertha  and 
Henry.  Bertha  died  when  five  months  old. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  ])olitics,  casting  his 
first  presidential  vote  for  General  Grant.  He 
was  a  voter  when  Lincoln  was  elected  the 
second  time,  but  being  in  the  army  he  could 
not  exercise  his  right.  Mr.  Kellogg  is  a  popu- 
lar and  efficient  officer,  and  one  of  the  highly 
respiected  and  progressive  citizens  of  Greene 
County. 


ILLIAM  A.  THOMPSON,  farmer. 
Grant  Township,  resides  on  section 
^iP^\  22,  where  he  owns  200  acres  of  land 
on  sections  22  and  23.  This  farm  was  en- 
tered b}'  Mr.  Reece,  who  made  the  first  im- 
provements. Mr.  Thompson  purchased  the 
place  in  1875.  It  is  one  of  the  most  desir- 
able farms  in   the  township,  KiO  acres  being 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


i77 


in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation  and  the  remain- 
der well  timbered.  Mr.  Thompson  has  been 
a  resident  of  (jreene  Ciamty  since  1867, 
wlien  lie  settled  in  what  was  then  Junction 
Township,  on  an  unimjjroved  farm.  Jlc  still 
owns  the  farm  and  has  made  many  improve- 
ments. He  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State, 
having  been  born  in  Richland  County,  Ohio, 
in  1837,  where  he  lived  until  nine  years  of 
age,  when  his  parents  removed  to  Cedar 
County,  Iowa.  His  father,  John  Thompson, 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  county,  hav- 
ing settled  there  in  1846.  He  removed  to 
Junction  Township,  this  county,  in  1874, 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days, 
surviving  his  wife  two  years.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  cliildren,  five  sons  and  five 
daughters;  one  son  and  one  daughter  are  de- 
ceased. When  William  A.  started  out  for 
himself  he  located  in  Keokuk  County,  where 
he  improved  a  farm  and  resided  until  he  came 
to  Greene  County.  He  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried. His  first  wife  was  JVIartha  J.  Wright, 
a  native  of  Lee  County,  Iowa,  who  died  in 
this  county,  August  11,  1879.  His  present 
wife  was  formerly  Mrs.  Matilda  Richardson, 
nee  Nuterfee,  who  came  to  Washington 
County  with  her  parents  in  1842.  Her 
father,  Colston  S.  Nuterfee,  is  now  deceased. 
By  his  first  marriage,  Mr.  Thompson  had  four 
children — August  C,  Mary  I.,  William  II., 
and  Bessie  Centennial.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  cast  his  first  presidential 
vote  for  Aljraham  Lincoln  in  1860.  In  1886 
he  was  assessor  of  Grant  Township. 


P.ILLBURN     ZEITLER,    a    prosperous 

W\  farmer    and     stock-raiser    of     Hardin 

'5^(1   Township,  residing  on   section  20,  was 

born    in    Pennsylvania,   June   13,   1837,   his 

parents,  John  and  Mary  (Schloneker)  Zeitler, 


being  natives  of  the  same  State.  He  re- 
mained in  his  native  State  till  sixteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Cedar  County,  Iowa.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  began  working  out  by  the  montli, 
which  he  followed  till  twenty-tiiree  years  of 
age.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
and  was  assigned  to  Company  A,  Fifth  Iowa 
Infantry,  his  regiment  being  mustered  into 
service  shortly  after.  He  participated  in  the 
battles  of  luka,  Vicksburg  and  ( 'hattanooga, 
and  other  engagements  of  minor  importance. 
He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  Chat- 
tanooga, and  received  his  final  discharge  at 
Davenport,  Iowa,  in  August,  1864.  He  was 
married  February  16,1865,  to  Miss  Catherine 
Brown,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  August  30, 
1840,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Susan 
(Ellis)  Brown,  who  were  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Zeitler  is  in  eveiy  re- 
spect a  self-made  man;  commencing  as  a  pio- 
neer in  Greene  County  on  comparatively 
nothing,  he  has  by  his  persevering  industry 
and  good  management  acquired  a  good  prop- 
erty, having  a  fine  farm  of  240  acres  under 
good  cultivation.  In  connection  with  his 
general  farming  he  pays  some  attention  to 
stock-raising,  keeping  a  good  grade  of  stock. 
In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party.     Postoffice,  JeH'erson,  Iowa. 


fB.  GARLAND,  farmer,  section  1(5, 
Kendrick  Township,  was  born  in 
,^  ®  Boone  County,  Kentucky,  November 
25,  1840,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Eliza  (Iloshall) 
Garland,  who  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, J.  B.  being  the  eldest.  When  he  was 
a  babe  his  parents  removed  to  the  Territory 
of  Iowa,  settling  in  Jackson  County,  where 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  that  county.      He  engaged 


2~S 


HISTORY    OF    GliEENE    COUNTY. 


ill  teaching  at  an  early  age,  and  taught 
several  terms  in  Jackson  and  Greene  coun- 
ties. Upon  arriving  at  the  age  of  manhood, 
he  was  united  in  marriage,  March  28, 
1860,  witli  Miss  Emma  Hawkins,  born  in 
Mercer  Coimtv,  Pennsylvania,  and  daughter 
of  John  15.  and  Hetty  (Smith)  Hawkins,  who 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  ]\Irs.  Gar- 
land being  the  eighth.  Mr.  Garland  resided 
in  Jackson  County,  until  1869,. then  came  to 
(ireene  County  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land,  which  is  his  present  home.  He 
has  since  added  to  his  original  purchase  until 
he  now  owns  370  acres  of  excellent  land, 
which  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and 
well  improved.  He  has  a  very  pleasant 
residence,  surrounded  with  shade  trees,  a 
native  grove  of  two  acres,  and  orchard,  barn, 
and  out  buildings  for  stock,  and  a  wind-mill 
which  furnishes  power  for  water  supply  for 
stock.  He  keeps  from  eighty  to  100  head  of 
cattle,  and  about  100  to  150  hogs,  besides 
considerable  other  stock.  Mr.  Garland  is  a  Ke- 
p\iblican  in  politics,  and  a  strong  adherent  of 
the  principles  of  that  party.  He  has  served 
as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  township 
assessor,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  is  at  present 
serving  as  member  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors. He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge, 
(iolden  Gate,  at  Scranton,  and  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  (Jrder  of  United  Workmen. 


pi  11  AllDING,  one  of  Churdan's  promi- 
'  F,!-,     nent  men,  and   mayor  of  the  village, 

ip'*  was  born  in  Salem  County,  New  Jer- 
sey, October  1,  1820,  a  son  of  Thomas  and 
Lydia  Harding,  M'ho  were  also  natives  of  the 
State  of  Is'ew  .lersey.  He  was  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer  in  his  native  State,  re- 
maining on  tlie  home  farm  with  his  parents 
till  attaining  the  age   of   twenty-one   years. 


He  then  went  to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
and  engaged  in  tlie  drug  business,  remaining 
there  till  1856.      He  was  united   in  marriage 
in  the  spring  of  1841,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  N. 
Zane,  a  daughter  of  Redman  and  Lydia  Zane, 
who   were    natives  of    New   Jersey.     Three 
children   were   born  to  this  union,  all  <lying 
in  infancy,     ilrs.  Harding  died   in  Philadel- 
phia in  1851.     In  1852  Mr.  Harding  married 
Miss  A.  C.  Zane,  a  sister  of   his  first  wife, 
and  this  union  was  blessed  with  six   children 
—  Harry,  Charles   F.,  Ella  K.,  Clarence  A., 
Lillian  M.  and  Orville  A.     Harry,  a  prosper- 
ous farmer  living  near  Churdan,  was  born  in 
1853;    was    married    in    IsT-t    to    Elizabeth 
Bardsley,  a  daughter  of  William  and   Betsy 
Eardslev.     Charles  F.,  born   in  1855,  sradu- 
ated  from  the  law  department  of   the    State 
University  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  is  now 
practicing  his  profession  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 
He  was   married    July   10,   1885,   to   Hattie 
Hoover,    her    parents,    William    and    Agues 
Hoover,  being  residents  of  Wisconsin.     Ella 
K.  was  born   in  1856,  and   in  1879  was  mar- 
ried to  James  W.  Huntington,  and  now  lives 
at   Council    Bluffs,   Iowa.     Clarence  A.  was 
l)orn  in  1860.     He  is  now  living  at  Fonda, 
Iowa.     Lillian,  born   in  1866,  is  still  living 
with    her    parents.     Orville,    the    youngest, 
lives   with   his  parents,  and    is  engaged    in 
Churdan.     In    1856    Mr.  Harding  removed 
with  his  family  to   Dane  County,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  bought  a  farm,  and   there  followed 
agricultural   pursuits   until   1881.     He  then 
resided  in  Excelsior,  Richland  County,  Wis- 
consin,  eighteen    months,  and    in    1883    he 
came    to   (Trcene   County,   Iowa,   locating   at 
Churdan,   subsequently  engaging   in   the    in- 
surance, collecting  and  othcial  business.      In 
1885  he  was  elected  to   his   present  position 
of  mayor,  and  in  March,  1886,  was  re-elected, 
and   re-elected    in    1887.     Mr.  Harding   has 
been  a  meml>cr  of  the  Methodist   Episcopal 


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'BlOORAPHICAL    Sl^ETCSSS. 


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church  since  1841,  and  since  1857  has  been 
connected  with  the  ministry,  traveling  part 
of  the  time  as  an  ordained  minister.  In  poli- 
tics he  was  formerly  a  Whig,  hut  is  now  a 
staunch  Republican.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  both  the  Masonic  and  Odd  P'ellows  orders. 


..^j.^,. 


ROBERT  EASON,  president  of  the  bank 
M  of  Scranton,  has  been  a  resident  of 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  since  October, 
1872,  at  which  time  lie  settled  on  a  farm  of 
560  acres  in  Jackson  Township.  Here  he 
resided  till  February,  1885,  when  he  removed 
to  Scranton,  and  till  the  following  November 
operated  the  tile  factory  at  this  place.  He 
then  bouglit  the  bank  of  Scranton,  where  he 
lias  since  carried  on  a  general  banking  busi- 
ness,  his  son,  W.  M.  Eason,  being  cashier  of 
the  bank.  This  is  the  only  bank  in  Scranton, 
and  was  established  in  the  fall  of  1877  by 
T.  P.  Larue,  he  having  erected  the  present 
substantial  brick  building  at  a  cost  of  $4,800. 
Mr.  Eason  still  owns  liis  valuable  farm  in 
Jackson  Township,  which  is  well -improved 
and  well  stocked,  and  is  carried  on  by  his  son 
Frank  A.  Mr.  Eason  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  in  AVooster,  Wayne  County,  in  1838, 
where  he  was  reared  till  his  sixteenth  year, 
and  in  1854  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Iowa  City,  Iowa.  He  was  married  in  John- 
son County,  Iowa,  to  Miss  Ellen  Burke,  a 
native  of  the  State  of  New  York.  They  are 
the  parents  of  three  children — Frank  A., 
Willis  M.  and  Martha.  In  October,  1861, 
Mr.  Eason  enlisted  in  t)ompany  B,  Fourteenth 
Iowa  Infantry.  Immediatelay  after  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  he  was  transferred  to  the  Forty- 
first  Iowa  Infantry,  and  sent  to  tlie  frontier 
in  Dakota,  and  nine  months  later  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Seventh  Iowa  Cavalry,  with 
which  he  served  seven  months.     He  was  then 

23 


assigned  as  Quartermaster  of  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-second  United  States  Colored 
Infantry,  with  headquarters  at  Lexington, 
Kentucky,  and  was  afterward  stationed  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia,  where  he  received 
his  discharge  in  March,  1865.  He  was  in 
active  service  during  the  whole  term  of  iiis 
enlistment.  Though  never  severely  wounded 
in  battle,  the  exposure  and  hai-dships  whicli 
he  endured  while  in  the  service  have  left 
their  permanent  effects  on  his  constitution. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Johnson  County, 
Iowa,  where  he  remained  till  settling  in 
Jackson  Township,  Greene  County,  in  the 
fall  of  1872.  In  politics  Mr.  Eason  is  a 
Republican,  casting  his  first  vote  while  in  the 
army  in  1864  for  President  Lincoln.  Alex- 
ander G.  Eason,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  removing  with 
his  parents  to  Wooster,  Ohio,  in  1810,  when 
fourteen  years  of  age.  In  1854  he  came 
with  his  family  to  Iowa  City,  where  he  resided 
till  his  death  in  1876.  His  wife,  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  died  two  years  later.  They 
were  tiie  parents  of  ten  children,  nine  yet 
living,  one  having  died  since  the  death  of 
the  parents.  Three  of  them  live  in  (ireene 
County — Samuel,  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness at  Scranton,  Mrs.  Sarah  Burke,  living  in 
Kendrick  Township,  and  Robert,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 


^IPJIARLES  BOFINK  is  one  ot  the  lead- 
jU-Im  ^"&  business  men  of  Jeflersoii.  His 
^1  business  includes  the  sale  of  general 
hardware,  farm  implements,  banking,  dealing 
in  live  stock,  etc.  He  came  to  Jefl'erson 
Auo-ust  3,  1866.  At  that  time  he  was 
engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  and  shipped 
the  first  car-load  of  lumber  to  this  town. 
This  was  in  the  fall  of  1866.  when  Jefi:erson 


\(  


u^aam„m^m^vimmmmm^m>i^ 


280 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


was  the  terminus  of  the  Northwestern  Eail- 
i-oail.  In  1867  he  sold  out  to  his  competitors 
ill  trade,  and  went  to  Carroll  City,  where  he 
also  started  the  first  lumber  yard  in  that  city. 
He  remained  in  Carroll  about  one  year,  then 
sold  out  and  went  to  Dunlap,  and  there,  with 
L.  T.  Coldren,  opened  the  first  lumber  yard, 
Mr.  Coldren  taking  charge  at  Dunlap,  and 
Air.  Bolink  at  Carroll.  In  1868  he  bought 
the  business  and  furniture  store  of  Franklin, 
Haiglit,  Bowman  &  Bingman,  and  continued 
in  the  furniture  business  two  or  three  j'ears, 
then  engaged  in  the  hardware  busmess.  He 
has  for  many  years  been  the  leading  dealer 
in  hardware  and  agricultural  implements  in 
(ireene  County.  No  man  has  done  more 
toward  building  up  the  town  of  Jefferson 
than  Mr.  Bofink.  In  1876,  with  several 
other  gentlemen,  he  built  the  Centennial 
Block,  and  with  these  same  gentlemen  started 
the  City  Bank,  of  which  Mr.  Bofink  has  been 
president  since  its  organization.  He  erected 
his  elegant  brick  store  in  1885.  His  resi- 
dence is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city.  The 
family  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  removing 
thence  to  Michigan,  where  the  parents  still 
reside.  Our  subject  came  to  Story  County, 
this  State,  in  1864,  and  was  engaged  for 
about  a  year  on  the  Northwestern  Railroad 
as  a  newsboy.  From  this  lieginning  he  has 
worked  his  way  to  his  present  financial  con- 
dition. Mrs.  Bofink  was  formerly  Miss  Eliza 
iv  Xortliway,  a  native  of  the  State  of  New 
York. 

^'■^|«-S*-^+'-*- — 

;ir-rTILSOX  D.  ZAVITZ,  farmer  and 
Wm'il  stock-raiser,  section  1,  Junction 
l-&prj  Township,  was  born  near  theWelland 
Canal,  in  Ontario,  Canada,  September  13, 
1816,  a  son  of  George  and  Jeanette  (Haun) 
Zavitz.  His  father  was  also  a  native  of  On- 
tario.    His  ancestoi-e  were  of  German  birth, 


his  great-grandfather,  Henry  Zavitz,  coming 
to  this  country  and  locating  in  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  where  his  grandfather,  Chris- 
tian Zavitz,  was  born.  The  latter  moved 
from  his  native  State  to  Canada  in  1788, 
where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  dying  at 
the  age  of  ninety-four  years.  Wilson  D. 
Zavitz  was  reared  in  his  native  country,  and 
there  received  a  common-school  education. 
His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  and  he 
has  always  devoted  his  attention  to  agricult- 
ure. He  came  to  Iowa  in  the  spring  of 
1876,  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Greene  County,  settling  on  it  in  the  spring 
of  1877,  where,  with  the  exception  of  the 
year  1882,  he  has  since  lived.  That  year  he 
spent  on  the  old  homestead  in  Canada.  Mr. 
Zavitz  has  never  married,  his  sister,  Frances 
D.,  being  his  housekeeper.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Grand  Junction 
Lodge.  He  has  one  brother,  Adolphus  Za- 
vitz, of  Canada,  and  two  sisters,  Georgiana 
McCain,  of  Fort  Gratiot,  Michigan,  and 
Frances  D.  Zavitz,  of  Iowa. 

••*"'■%*  i'  'i "'  ^"^*" 

fJIARLES  H.  SUYDAM,  retired  mer- 
chant, of  Rippey,  Iowa,  is  a  native  of 
"W^  Butler  County,  Ohio,  born  January  13, 
1837.  His  father,  ^lathew  Suydain,  was  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  and  in  his  youth  went 
to  Ohio,  settling  on  a  farm  near  good  water- 
power,  and  being  by  trade  a  miller,  built  a 
mill,  and  carried  it  on  in  connection  with 
farming.  Thus  in  his  early  life  our  subject 
learned  the  practical  part  of  both  milling  and 
farming.  He  received  a  fair  English  educa- 
tion, attending  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  county  and  of  Kno.x  Count}',  Illinois, 
where  his  parents  moved  in  1849.  In  1862 
he  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  his  country  and 
was  assigned  to  Company   E,    One  Hundred 


,1-" ' 


"\  ^V-'X^  v*x^  ^ 


'"■^M  —  gJ* 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


■281 


\ 

\l 

It 

I 

I 


and  Third  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  about 
three  years.  He  participated  in  nineteen 
battles,  among  the  more,  important  being 
Black  River  Bridge,  Mission  Ridge,  Keiie- 
saw  Mountain,  Dalton,  Rome,  Atlanta,  JMa- 
con,  Savannah,  Buzzard  Roost,  Kingston  and 
JSIew  Hope  Church.  He  enlisted  as  a  private 
but  was  promoted  to  Second  and  finally  to 
First  Lieutenant,  and  was  in  command  of  his 
company  about  two  years.  A  short  time  after 
the  war  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  has  since  lived 
in  Rippey.  He  established  the  first  store  in 
the  place  and  has  been  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  difl'erent  times  about  fifteen  years. 
He  has  a  fine  farm  adjoining  Rippey,  of  240 
acres,  well  improved,  also  a  residence  and 
store  building  in  Rippey  where  he  resides. 
For  three  years  Mr.  Suydam  served  as  post- 
master at  Rippey.  He  is  a  public-spirited, 
enterprising  citizen,  but  never  seeks  ofhcial 
honors,  preferring  to  leave  the  cares  of  office 
to  others  and  give  his  attention  to  the  more 
(juiet  pursuits  of  life.  He  was  married  Janu- 
ary 20, 1864,  to  Charlotte  L.  Cochrane,  a  resi- 
dent of  Canton,  Fulton  County,  Illinois, 
daughter  of -Tohn  Cochrane. 


l^jflLLIAM    A.    FRANKLIN,   one   of 

l^vifMl  ''''^  °'^  ^""^^  honored  pioneers  of 
1^=^^]  Greene  County,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  December  1,  1808,  a  son  of  John 
E.  and  Marian  (Ashburn)  Franklin,  the  father 
being  a  son  of  James  and  Ruth  (Lewis) 
Franklin,  of  England,  and  the  mother  a 
daughter  of  Denison  Ashburn.  Air.  Frank- 
lin, the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  jVIargaret  Brown,  a  native 
of  Tennessee,  born  in  May,  1811,  a  daughter 
of  William  L.  and  Clara  (Williams)  Brown, 
her  father  being  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
her  mother  born  in  North  Carolina,  a  daugh- 


ter of  William  and  Margaret  (Peterson) 
Williams.  Mr.  Franklin  came  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  in  an  early  day,  and  entered 
and  bought  800  acres  of  land.  The  first 
building  he  erected  here  was  a  plank  shanty, 
the  boards  of  which  were  liauled  from  Adell, 
Dallas  County,  Iowa.  This  shanty  was  sub- 
sequently replaced  by  a  log  house.  Here  he 
and  his  family  experienced  all  the  privations 
and  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life.  Their 
first  milling  was  done  on  Coon  River,  south 
of  Adell,  they  making  the  trip  with  an  ox 
team,  and  Des  Moines  was  their  nearest  mar- 
ket place.  Wild  game,  such  as  turkey,  elk 
and  deer,  was  abundant,  and  fish  were  also 
plentiful.  Mr.  Franklin  always  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  growth  and  development  of 
his  adopted  county,  and  became  one  of  its 
well-to-do  farmers,  as  well  as  a  most  respected 
citizen. 

^mRCHIBALD  H.  GILLILAND,  of  the 

,;kV  firm  of  Gilliland  Brothers,  contractors 
^^^  and  builders,  and  a  first-class  architect, 
residing  in  Paton,  Greene  County,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Iowa,  born  in  Boone  County,  October 
5,  1854.  His  father,  Archibald  Gilliland. 
was  a  native  of  Beaver  County,  Pennsylva- 
nia, the  date  of  his  birth  being  May  28, 1800. 
He  spent  two  or  three  years  in  Ohio,  where 
Indians  and  wild  animals  were  the  principal 
inhabitants,  and  in  1833  settled  near  Nau- 
voo,  Illinois.  In  the  winter  of  1S3(U'37  he 
crossed  the  Mississippi  River  where  Keokuk 
now  stands.  In  1852  he  entered  land  in 
Boone  County,  Iowa,  on  which  he  settled  in 
1853,  where  he  experienced  many  of  the 
hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life, 
making  his  home  in  Boone  County  till  his 
death.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the 
I  pioneer  farm,  and  his  younger  days  were  spent 
in  assisting  his  father  with  the  duties  of  tlie 


^^■•"•l.  ■■^.»-^>-»J* « 


282 


BISTORY    op    GREENE    COtlNTf. 


J I 

) 

t 

i  I 

i 

i 

) 

) 

i 


farm,  Ininting,  playing  witli  Indian  bojs,  and 
attending  the  log  cabin  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borliood  where  he  received  the  rudiments  of 
an  education.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years 
he  began  learning  wood-turning.  After  leav- 
inir  school  he  tauaht  for  two  terms  as  assist- 
ant  teacher.  In  1871  he  began  working  at 
the  carpenter's  trade  which  he  followed  most 
of  tlie  time  till  1S77.  In  1873  he  went  to 
Alliany.  Oregon,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in 
the  Willamette  Valley  until  February  7, 
1877,  when  he  went  to  California,  returning 
in  ten  days  to  Boone  County,  where  he  ar- 
rived March  23.  lie  then  engaged  in  con- 
tracting and  building,  which  he  has  made  his 
principal  work  to  the  present  time.  During 
this  time  he  has  farmed  in  Warren  County, 
Iowa,  for  three  years,  and  at  the  same  time 
worked  at  his  trade.  April  11,  1877,  he  was 
married  to  Martha  E.  Erown,  of  Boone 
County,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  S.  Brown,  de- 
ceased. Five  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union—Thomas  W.,  Kosa  ^lay,  Mary  B., 
( )liver  G.  and  Charles  II.  In  May,  1881, 
Mr.  Giiliiand  canae  with  his  family  to  Baton 
Greene  County,  where  he  has  since  followed 
contracting  and  building,  and  also  pays  con- 
siderable attention  to  architecture.  The  firm 
of  whicii  lie  is  a  member  has  erected  about 
ninety  buildings  since  coming  to  Baton,  and 
the  t\\i)  churches  of  Baton  were  also  built  b}- 
them.  Mr.  (Jilliland  has  served  efficiently  as 
trustee  of  Baton  for  four  years.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  iiicmbcrs  of  the  Prci^bytcrian 
church. 


-"^'•^I'Si't"^"^ 


fAMES  II.  WFATIIEB8GN,  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  section  ID,  Junction  Town- 
•'Ac  ship,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  is  a  native 
of  tlie  llawkcye  State,  liorn  in  Jackson 
Cdunty  March  3,  1858,  a  son  of  Luke  and 
Mancy    (Iligley)    Weatiierson,  and   grandson 


of  James  Weatherson  and  Isaac  Iligley,  his 
paternal  grandfather  living  and  dying  in  his 
native  country,  Scotland.  His  parents  now 
live  in  Jones  Count}-,  Iowa,  where  they 
moved  when  he  was  a  mere  boy,  and  where 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  Ilis  early  life 
was  passed  on  a  farm,  and  he  has  made  good 
use  of  the  lessons  he  learned  in  his  youtli, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  prosjierous  farmers  of 
Greene  County.  lie  came  to  tliis  county  in 
1881,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives.  He  owns  120  acres  of  valuable  land 
well  imjiroved,  with  good  residence  and  farm 
buildings.  He  was  married  March  8,  1880, 
to  Bettie  J.  Colby,  a  daughter  of  Charles 
Colby,  who  gave  his  life  for  his  country  dur- 
ing the  war  of  the  Bebellion.  They  have 
had  four  children,  but  three  are  living — 
Charles  A.,  Delia  B.  and  Lnvia  M. 


fOHN  N.  GALLUB,  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  section  30,  Hardin  Township, 
was  born  in  Kent  County,  Ilhode  Island, 
September  1, 1829,  a  son  of  Nelson  and  Betsy 
(Farmer)  Gallup,  who  were  also  natives  of 
Khode  Island.  The  father  was  a  farmer, 
though  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton 
goods  at  ditierent  jieriods.  Our  subject  was 
reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he 
has  followed  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He 
was  married  in  1849  to  Miss  llapj)y  K. 
Church,  who  was  born  in  Griswell,  Connecti- 
cut, April  23,  1829,  her  parents  being  natives 
of  the  same  State.  Seven  children  were  born 
to  this  nniou — Francis  Ebrel,  born  April  4, 
1850,  died  jS^ovember  14,  1850;  Edgar  E., 
born  December  14,  1853;  Ilattie  E.,  liorn 
October  18,  1854,  died  August  18,  1863; 
Josephus  F.,  born  April  7, 1861;  George  II. , 
born  June  10, 1864;  Horace  W.  and  John  S. 
(twins),  born    February  12,  1868,  the  former 


J 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


383 


i 

nu 
i 

LI' 


dying  July  3, 1868,  and  the  latter  September 
2,  1884.  At  the  age  of  twenty  Mr.  Gallup 
commenced  farming  on  his  own  account  in 
Connecticut,  which  he  followed  in  that  State 
for  four  years.  He  then  immigrated  to  Illi- 
nois, and  made  his  home  in  La  Salle  County 
from  1854  until  1878.  In  the  latter  year  he 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  locating  on 
his  present  farm  in  Hardin  Township,  where 
he  has  160  acres  of  choice  land  under  fine 
cultivation,  and  on  his  land  he  has  a  fine 
artesian  well  just  north  of  his  house.  He 
also  pays  some  attention  to  stock-raising, 
nniking  a  specialty  of  a  good  grade  of  cattle. 
Mr.  Gallup  served  in  the  defense  of  his 
country  from  September,  1864,  to  -July,  1865. 
He  was  a  member  of  Company  E,  Thirty-first 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tle at  Bentonville  and  several  skirmishes  of 
minor  importance.  He  was  mustered  out  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  receiving  his  final  dis- 
charge at  Springfield,  Illinois,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  home.  lie  is  now  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Jefferson,  Iowa. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he 
is  a  staunch  Republican. 


IHARLES  W.  WAY  resides  at  Eureka, 
Jackson  Township.  His  farm,  which 
#^1  is  on  section  11,  contains  105  acres  of 
very  choice  land,  improved  almost  entirely 
l)y  himself.  Pie  was  the  first  settler  in  what 
is  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  best  neighbor- 
hoods in  Greene  County.  He  was  born  in 
New  London  County,  Connecticut,  May  14, 
1822,  son  of  Daniel  M.  and  Catherine  (Wood- 
worth)  Way,  of  English  ancestry.  The  par- 
ents passed  all  their  days  in  Connecticut,  and 
have  been  deceased  many  years.  He  left  the 
parental  roof  when  twenty  years  of  age,  and 


became  a  resident  of  Lamoille  County,  Ver- 
mont, where  he  nuirried,  ILirch  13,  1849, 
Miss  Chastine  Clemens,  daughter  of  Lewis 
and  Lucy  Clemens,  who  was  born  in  that 
county  July  21,  1823.  They  remained  in 
their  native  county  for  some  years,  where 
Mr.  Way  followed  farming.  They  were  pro- 
prietors of  the  Mohigan  House  at  Lake 
George,  New  York,  two  seasons,  it  being  a 
favorite  summer  resort  for  guests  seeking 
quiet  and  rest.  In  1868  they  came  to  this 
county,  living  the  first  year  in  Jefferson. 
Mr.  Way  then  purchased  his  present  home. 
They  have  two  daughters — Nellie,  wife  of  E. 
M.  McClure,  and  Nettie  M.,  a  school-teacher. 
Their  first  child  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Way  are  very  highly  esteemed  for  their 
many  noble  qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  and 
for  their  many  acts  of  neighborly  kiiulness. 
Politically  Mr.  Way  is  an  ardent  Republican. 


^OHN  W.  VADER,  son  of  Daniel  Vader 
"^^•f  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Illinois,  in 
-fi  1859,  where  he  lived  till  about  nine  years 
of  age.  His  father  then  removed  with  his 
family  to  Greene  County,  locating  in  Kendrick 
Townsliip  in  1868.  One  year  later  the 
family  removed  to  Scranton,  where  the  father 
died  November  13,  1872.  The  mother  died 
December  14,  1886,  at  Scranton.  John  AV., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  grew  to  manhood 
in  Scranton,  and  was  united  in  marriage  in 
Jackson  Township,  Greene  County,  on  Jan- 
uary 15,  1880,  to  Miss  Cynthia  A.  Clopton, 
who  was  born  in  Greene  County  in  1855,  a 
daughter  of  Isaac  Clo2)ton,  of  Jackson  Town- 
sliip. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vader  have  been 
born  two  children — Leo  C.  and  Clara  B.  Mr. 
A^ader  followed  agricultural  pursuits  till  1876, 
wjien  he  entered  the  postoffice  at  Scranton  as 
clerk    under    H.  C.   Smith,   postmaster.     In 


.J 


284 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


A 


June,  1880,  his  wife  was  appointed  post- 
mistress, as  lie  liad  not  then  attained  liis 
iiiajority.  He  soon  after,  however,  assumed 
tliu  duties  of  postmaster,  holding  that  posi- 
tion until  February,  1886,  wlien  the  present 
incumbent  was  appointed.  At  the  general 
election  in  iS'ovember,  1886,  he  was  elected 
county  recorder  to  succeed  Thomas  Bigger, 
and  received  a  majority  of  341  votes  over 
Ed.  ('aughlin  the  Democratic  candidate.  In 
politics  Mr.  Vader  is  a  staunch  Republican. 


^^EANCIS  IIOSA,  farmer,  section  15, 
fcl  Kendrick  Township,  was  born  in  Cayu- 
^^  ga  County,  New  York,  near  Auburn, 
August  22,  1822,  son  of  Henry  and  Mary 
(Hawkins)  Rosa,  who  were  natives  of  New 
York,  and  the  parents  of  live  children — James, 
Francis,  Fi'iscilla,  Laura  Ann  and  one  de- 
ceased. When  Francis  was  ten  years  of  age 
his  parents  removed  to  Lorain  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  lived  twelve  years.  His  youth  was 
spent  on  a  farm  and  in  attending  the  com- 
mon schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years  he  removed  to  La  Porte  Coiinty,  Indi- 
ana, where  lie  learned  the  trade  of  miller, 
which  he  followed  many  years.  In  1857  he 
removed  to  Cedar  Itapids,  Iowa,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  milling.  In  1859  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Fitts,  a 
native  of  Linn  County,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter 
of  Tiiomas  and  Cliarlotte  (Bruner)  Fitts. 
During  tlie  late  civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Au- 
gust, 1862,  in  Company  G,  Twenty-fourth 
Iowa  Infantry.  At  the  battle  of  Cliampion 
Hills  lie  was  wounded  by  a  niinie  l)all  in  the 
riglit  wrist,  and  his  arm  was  amputated  a 
inoiilh  later.  Some  time  afterward  a  second 
ani])iitatioii  was  Ibund  necessary,  and  it  was 
nine  montlis  before  it  healed.  He  was  con- 
tiiied  in  hospital  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  for 


some  time,  and  was  then  granted  a  furlough 
and  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio.  He  was 
lionorably  discharged  in  October,  1863.  Mr. 
Kosa  resided  in  Ohio  until  the  spring  of  1864, 
then  returned  to  Cedar  llapids,  and  in  1869 
came  to  Greene  County,  settling  upon  his 
present  farm  which  was  then  wild  land.  He 
owns  180  acres  of  excellent  land,  a  good 
house,  surrounded  with  shade  trees,  a  large 
and  commodious  barn  with  stone  basement, 
and  it  is  considered  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rosa  have  two 
children — Loren  C.  and  Oliver  M.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Rosa  aftiliates  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  is  a  strong  adherent  of  the  princi- 
ples he  fought  to  preserve.  He  belongs  to 
N.  li.  Powers  Post,  No.  Ill,  G.  A.  R,  at 
Scran ton. 


'■^t^f-' 


fAMES  W.  FITZ,  treasurer  of  Greene 
County,  has  been  a  resident  here  since 
1868.  He  was  born  in  Muskingum 
County,  Ohio,  in  1841,  and  when  he  was 
twelve  years  old  his  parents  immigrated  to 
Iowa  and  settled  in  Linn  County.  Here  his 
father  improved  a  farm  and  lived  upon  it  un- 
til he  came  to  Jefferson  with  his  son  in  1868. 
He  now  resides  in  New  Jersey.  James  was 
reared  in  Linn  County  to  the  occupation  of 
farming.  In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Companj-  A,  Thirteenth  Iowa  Infantry, 
and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  July  21, 
1865.  He  served  in  the  Seventeenth  Army 
Corps,  and  was  in  active  service  during  the 
entire  term  of  his  enlistment,  carrying  a 
musket  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  He  en- 
listed as  ;i  private,  and  was  promoted  Orderly 
Sergeant.  About  the  close  of  the  M'ar  he 
was  made  Second  Lieutenant  of  his  comjiany. 
He  took  part  in  all  the  battles  and  expedi- 
tions of  his  regiment;  was  engaged  in  buth 
days'  tight  at  Shiloli,   the    second  battle  of 


^■'■■■■■«"-»"a"M"ji 


Corinth,  and  siege  of  Vicksburg.  January  1, 
IfSG-i,  lie  re-enlisted  and  came  home  on  a 
furk)ngh.  On  his  return  to  the  service  he 
took  part  in  the  Atlanta  camjjaign,  and 
marched  with  Slierman  to  the  sea.  At  the 
capture  of  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  his 
regiment  was  the  hrst  to  enter  the  town. 
They  captured  the  State-house  and  placed 
the  Union  tlag  thereon.  Ujion  his  return 
from  the  army  Mr.  Fitz  resumed  farming, 
coming  to  this  county  in  1868,  as  before 
stated,  and  purchasing  a  farm  in  Bristol 
Township.  lie  was  elected  recorder  of 
Greene  County  in  1872,  serving  four  years. 
lie  was  elected  to  his  present  office  in  the 
fall  of  1883,  to  succeed  A.  S.  Gilliland,  who 
had  served  three  terms  of  two  years  each,  and 
re-elected  in  1885.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss 
Ann  E.  LeGore,  a  native  of  Indiana.  To 
this  union  have  been  born  four  children — 
Leone  L.,  Ella  J.,  Minnie  B.  and  Irma. 


iPHPvAIM  JOHNSON,  who  resides  on 
section     27,    Washington     Township, 


Greene  County,  is  a  native  of  Wash- 
ington County,  Pennsylvania,  born  March 
15,  1826,  a  son  of  Hon.  Aaron  Johnson,  now- 
deceased,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Washing- 
ton Count}'.  The  father  followed  the  avoca- 
tion of  a  shepherd.  He  came  with  his  family 
to  Perry  County,  Ohio,  in  1836,  settling 
three  miles  east  of  Somerset,  and  there  our 
subject  grew  to  manhood  and  received  a 
common-school  education.  Ho  was  reared  a 
farmer,  and  has  always  followed  agricultui'al 
pursuits.  He  was  married  May  15,  1851,  to 
Miss  Martha  Curran,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  five  children^S.  Wesley;  Sarah 
E.,  wife  of  J.  P.  Law,  of  Rippey;  William 
A.,  Edgar  A.   and    Lillie    L.      Mr.  Johnson 


located  in  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  in 
1861,  where  he  made  his  home  till  ilarch, 
1883,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  farm, 
which  contains  160  acres  of  choice  land,  and 
has  since  devoted  his  attention  to  farming 
and  stock-raising.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Rippey. 


"^'V'"^^"*""*" — 

.^AMES  A.  ROWLES,  general  merchant, 

fPaton,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in 
Meigs  County  March  20,  1850,  a  son 
of  Hezekiah  Rowles,  a  native  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  now  living  in  Knox  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  has  lived  on  a  farm  since 
the  fall  of  1856.  James  A.  grew  to  manhood 
in  Knox  County,  being  reared  on  his  father's 
farm,  and  receiving  his  education  at  Knox 
College,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois.  December 
25,  1871,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  ikQuincj'  Railroad  Company, 
acting  as  agent  and  operator  for  them  at  New 
Windsor,  Illinois;  Ohio.  Illinois,  and  at 
Prophetstown,  Illinois,  until  1880.  He  then 
came  to  Paton,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  for 
a  year  and  a  half  was  engaged  in  dealing  in 
grain  and  lumber,  since  which  he  has  followed 
mercantile  pursuits.  He  carries  a  full  line 
of  everything  usually  found  in  a  well  kept 
general  store,  and  has  the  largest  business  ot 
its  kind  in  Paton.  He  carries  a  capital  stock 
of  $5,000,  his  annual  sales  amounting  to 
about  $20,000.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
April  8,  1875,  to  Miss  Nellie  E.  Elkins,  and 
to  this  union  have  been  born  three  children — 
Edna  I.,  deceased;  Jessie  E.  and  Mary  L. 
Mr.  Rowles  is  at  present  serving  as  treasurer 
of  Paton  and  of  the  school  district.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  mayor,  serving  as  such 
with  credit  to  himself,  and  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  town.     He  was  also  elected  to  the 


"W-M-I 


.w,»_ta_iiii»»i_»_m»».»,».».aB»,w,»^iB„»-_-«C 


286 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


office  of  justice  of  tlie  peace,  but  refused  to 
qualify.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
<  )rder  of  Good  Templars,  and  is  deputy  of 
his  lodge.  He  is  the  chorister  in  the  Metii- 
odist  Episcopal  church  of  Paton. 


-s<-»J*|*'-« 


f  HOMAS  B.  REECE,  deceased,  of  i&i- 
flim.  ferson,  was  a  member  of  one  of  the 
^J  representative  pioneers  of  Greene 
County.  His  father,  George  W.  Reece,  set- 
tled on  section  82,  Grant  Township,  in  April, 
1854.  He  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and 
reared  in  Pennsylvania.  When  a  young  man 
lie  went  to  Miami  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Deeter,  of  Pennsylvania. 
When  the  family  removed  to  Iowa  it  con- 
sisted of  tlie  parents  and  eight  children. 
They  resided  one  year  in  Iowa  County  before 
coming  to  this  county.  There  M^ere  but  few 
families  living  in  what  is  now  Grant  Town- 
ship when  Mr.  Reece  and  his  family  settled 
there;  the  number  did  not  exceed  half  a 
dozen.  The  country  was  in  its  original  state 
of  wildness,  and  game  was  abundant,  espe- 
cially deer  and  elk.  Mr.  Reece  remembers 
of  seeing  a  buffalo  cross  his  father's  farm 
soon  after  they  came  here — -.though  this  was 
probably  a  stray  animal,  as  buffaloes  had 
generally  disappeared  before  this  time.  Mr. 
Recce's  fiither  was  a  great  hunter  and  an  ex- 
cellent shot  with  the  rifle,  and  he  found  no 
trouble  in  supplyingthe  family  with  an  abund- 
ance of  choice  game.  Thomas  lost  his 
mother  by  death  in  1855,  her  death  being 
the  first  in  the  township  of  Grant.  In  1860 
his  father  remarried,  taking  for  his  second 
wife  J\Irs.  INFary  Smith,  widow  of  John  Smith, 
and  daughter  of  George  May,  a  well-known 
pioneer  of  Greene  County.  George  W. 
lieece  remo\ed  to  Oregon,  where  he  died, 
March   13,  1876.     He  was  a  man  of  high 


moral  character,  a  generous  and  worthy  citi- 
zen, a  man  of  strong  temperance  principles, 
and  withal  a  worthy  representative  of  that 
grand  old  pioneer  element  that  is  fast  passing 
away.  Politically  he  was  an  anti-slavery 
Whig,  and  in  religion,  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Baptist  church.  Of  the  eight  children 
who  came  to  Iowa  with  their  parents,  but 
four  are  living — Michael  resides  in  Missouri; 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Williams,  in  Kan- 
sas; Marion,  a  minister  of  the  Christian 
church,  lives  also  in  Kansas;  Miller,  also  in 
Kansas.  The  deceased  are  Susan  V.,  Mary 
A.,  Barbara  A.,  and  Thomas  B.  Thomas  B. 
was  the  only  one  who  located  in  Greene 
Township.  He  was  born  in  JNIiami  County, 
( )hio,  in  1838,  and  was  sixteen  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents.  He 
married  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William 
Ingling,  of  Grant  Township.  They  had  six 
children — George  W.,  Emma,  Lewis,  Sankey, 
Florence  and  Moody.  Mr.  Reece  was  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business  the  greater  part 
of  his  life,  and  for  many  years  was  one  of  the 
principal  business  men  of  Jefferson.  He 
died  February  2,  1887. 

— f*4M^r^-^.^«^ 

IfSAAC  CLOPTON,  a  highly  esteemed  pio- 
Jij  j  neer  of  Greene  County,  settled  in  Jackson 
'S'  Township  in  the  spring  of  1851.  He  has 
witnessed  the  growth  and  development  of  the 
county  from  its  earliest  infancy,  being  one  of 
the  twelve  or  fourteen  families  who  first 
settled  in  the  county.  Few  men  have  done 
more  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  county 
than  has  Mr.  Clopton,  and  few  have  made 
more  friends.  He  was  born  in  Cass  County, 
Illinois,  May  15,  1829.  His  parents  were 
David  and  Lavinia  Clopton,  the  father  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  the  mother  of  Ten- 
nessee.    They    were    married    in    Kentucky 


i 

i 

i 


'■■■■■■■■^■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■'■■■■■■■j*iir»sw»-»^-»-,«.a_». 


BIOGBAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


2H7 


and  were  among  tlie  first  settlers  of  Cass 
County,  Illinois.  In  1841  the  family 
removed  to  Harrison  County,  Missouri, 
where,  November  29,  1850,  Mr.  Clopton  was 
married  to  Miss  Nancy  Ann  Salmon,  daugh- 
tei'  of  William  and  Mary  Salmon,  who  was 
born  in  Hardin  County,  Ohio,  March  22, 
1829,  and  lived  there  until  eighteen  years  of 
age,  then,  with  her  parents,  went  to  Harrison 
County.  Later,  her  parents  removed  to 
Davis  County,  Missouri,  whei'e  they  remained 
until  their  decease.  Mr.  Clopton's  parents 
had  ten  children,  two  of  whom  died  young — 
John,  who  resides  in  Jackson  Township, 
where  he  settled  in  October,  1853;  Robert, 
who  settled  in  ]\[adison  County,  this  State,  in 
an  early  day,  entered  the  Union  service  dur- 
ing the  late  war  and  died  at  Cairo,  Illinois, 
while  iu  the  army;  Isaac,  our  subject;  Will- 
iam, who  came  to  this  county  when  j^oung 
and  now  lives  in  Greenbrier  Township;  David, 
who  settled  in  Kansas;  Mrs.  Cynthia  Duncan, 
who  remained  in  Illinois;  Mrs.  Martha  Har- 
din, of  Davis  County,  Missouri,  and  Mrs. 
Lucy  Ellis,  who  died  in  Dallas  County.  The 
parents  came  to  Greene  County  about  the 
same  time  their  son  Isaac  came,  and  made 
their  home  on  section  10,  Jackson  Township, 
about  four  years,  then  returned  to  Missouri 
and  settled  in  Gentry  Count}-,  where  the 
father  died  soon  after  the  war.  The  mother 
survived  several  years,  and  died  at  the  resi- 
dence of  her  son  John,  in  Jackson  Township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clopton  commenced  their  life 
in  Greene  County  with  no  capital  except 
strong  and  willing  hands  and  a  determination 
to  deserve  success  by  honest  industi-y  and 
frugality.  The  first  few  years  were  a  con- 
stant struggle  for  the  most  common  necessi- 
ties of  life.  But  the  reward  came,  and  they 
are  now  possessed  of  ample  means  to  support 
them  in  their  declining  years;  and  in  the 
affections  of  their  children,  and  in  the  resjject 


and  confidence  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  the}- 
are  rich  indeed.  Mr.  Clopton  owns  400  acres 
of  excellent  land,  witii  two  good  dwelling 
houses.  His  residence  is  on  section  13.  His 
land  is  well  adapted  to  stock-raising  and  he 
devotes  his-  attention  to  that  industry.  He 
has  meadow,  upland  and  timber,  well  watered 
by  the  North  Coon  Iliver,  making  it  one  of 
the  best  farms  in  the  county.  Mr.  and  .Mrs. 
Clopton  have  had  twelve  children,  who  lived 
to  be  men  and  women,  except  one.  Clara  died 
at  nine  months,  and  all  but  two  are  now 
living.  Their  names  are — Eobert  and  David 
A.,  now  residents  of  Nebraska;  AVilliam, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years; 
Mrs.  Mary  J.  Millet,  of  Nebraska;  ]\Ira. 
Cynthia  A.  Vader,  of  Scrantou  City;  Mrs. 
Martha  E.  Lyon,  of  Jackson  Township;  Mrs. 
Sabra  Tyrall  and  Mrs.  Minnie  Stevens,  also 
of  Jackson  Township;  Isaac,  Marshall  and 
Edmond  1).,  are  at  home. 


|HOMAS  B.  MARTIN,  farmer  and 
'^jljis:  stock-raiser,  section  S,  Junction  Town- 
V^  ship,  was  born  in  St.  Maiy's  County, 
Maryland,  March  12,  1825,  his  father,  Thomas 
Martin,  who  is  now  deceased,  having  been 
born  in  the  same  county.  Our  subject  was 
reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  his  father 
being  a  farmer.  His  education  was  received 
in  the  common  schools  of  Muskingum  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  to  which  county  the  parents  had 
removed  about  the  year  1829,  the  father 
dying  tiiere  about  1838.  Mr.  Martin  was 
married  December  3,  1846,  to  Miss  Susan 
Storer,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  Storer.  Of  the  seven  children 
born  to  this  union  five  are  yet  living — Iiobei-t 
G.,  Mary  J.,  Samuel  S.,  Haimah  and  Sarah 
I.  Mr.  Martin  removed  to  Athens  County, 
Ohio,   in   1847,  remaining    there  two  years. 


■■■-■-■S»J 


'"™™"g'* 


'-■-■-■-■-■■■-■-■-■-"'-■-■-"■.■^■-l. 


^ 


288 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


if 


He  then  removed  to  Perry  County,  Ohio, 
niakiii;;'  tliat  his  lioine  from  1849  until  1866. 
lie  served  two  yeans  and  tour  months  as  a 
soUlicr  in  the  wai-  of  tlie  llebellion,  enlisting 
ill  Cuiiij)aMy  C  Thirty-nintii  Oliio  Infantry. 
lie  jiarticipated  in  the  battles  of  New  Madi'id 
and  luka,  and  at  botli  engagements  at 
Corintli,  wlien  he  was  taken  sick  and  trans- 
ferred to  tlie  invalid  corps.  He  was  dis- 
charged at  Jetl'erson  Barracks,  Missonri,  on 
account  of  disability  in  November,  1863. 
Mr.  Martin  came  to  Iowa  in  1866,  and  lived 
in  Linu  County  until  the  spring  of  1870, 
since  which  he  has  resided  on  his  farm  on 
section  8,  of  Junction  Township,  where  he  has 
160  acres  of  land.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
tin are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
at  Dana,  and  among  the  respected  citizens  of 
Junction  Township. 


►^»-»^^i".»' 


fOSEPH  W.  xVNDERSOX  resides  on  the 
southwest  (juarter  of  section  22,  Grant 
Townsliip,  where  he  located  in  1867. 
The  first  improvements  on  the  place  M'ere 
made  \)y  .1.  A.  Snodgrass.  Mr.  Anderson 
owns  200  acres  of  excellent  land,  the  most  of 
whicli  is  improved,  and  lie  is  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock-raising.  Mr.  Snod- 
grass erected  a  frame  building  in  1858,  made 
of  native  timber  and  mostly'  of  black-walnut 
tinisli.  In  1N86  Mr.  Anderson  removed  the 
biiiWingand  erected  his  present  fine  residence 
atacost  of  !i>l,0()0.  He  also  lias  good  comforta- 
ble farm  buildings,  all  of  which  he  built 
himself  The  farm  is  well  fenced,  and  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Anderson  is 
conceded  to  be  among  the  best  farmers  and 
stock-raisers  in  his  township.  lie  is  a  son  of 
\\'illiam  Anderson,  who  settled  with  liis 
fauiily  in  (Jrant  Township,  JS'ovember  23, 
1SG6.     The  father  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born 


August  5,  1810,  where  he  was  reared,  and 
where  he  married  Amarilla  Dinesmore,  who 
died  in  Ohio,  September,  1846.  I)eceml)er 
6,  1848,  the  father  married  Lydia  Homey. 
On  the  7th  day  of  October,  1856,  the  family 
started  for  Greene  County,  Iowa,  the  father 
having  been  here  the  previous  fall  and  made 
his  location.  The  family  consisted  of  the 
parents  and  nine  children,  all  of  whom  came 
at  the  same  time.  An  older  son,  J.  P.,  was 
then  in  California.  He  also  came  to  Greene 
County,  married,  and  settled  in  Jefferson, 
where  he  lived  until  his  decease.  One  of  the 
daughters,  Sarah,  was  married  at  that  time, 
and  also  came,  with  her  husband,  John  A. 
Snodgrass.  John  Betebenner  and  wife  came 
with  the  Anderson  family  and  settled  in  Grant 
Township,  but  now  live  in  Guthrie  County. 
They  came  through  with  teams  and  wagons, 
the  journey  consuming  about  six  weeks. 
This  country  was  all  new  at  tliat  time,  Des 
Moines  being  their  market  and  their  post- 
office.  Settlers  were  scarce,  but  what  there 
were  rendered  mutual  assistance,  and  a 
friendly  feeling  existed  in  the  hearts  of  all. 
A  desire  to  help  one  another  existed  to  a  de- 
gree not  often  seen  in  older  communities. 
William  Anderson  is  still  a  resident  of  Greene 
County.  Uncle  Billy,  as  he  is  familiarly 
called,  September  15,  1886,  sold  tlie  old 
homestead  to  David  ]\Iiner,  of  Illinois,  for 
§13,000,  and  then  bought  120  acres  of  fine 
land  a  mile  and  a  lialf  north,  of  M.  B.  Mc- 
Duffie,  ]iaying  fov  it  $25  an  acre.  On  this 
farm  is  a  good  frame  house  and  artesian  well. 
All  the  children  that  came  with  their  parents 
are  still  living  except  one  daughter,  .\nn. 
She  was  a  child  of  the  first  marriage.  Slie 
became  the  wife  of  Pleasant  Keed,  in  1861, 
who  died  in  February,  1S62,  his  wife  surviv- 
ing him  but  a  few  months.  There  were  seven 
children  bdrn  to  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  William  An- 
derson alter  they  came  to  this  county,  six  of 


,Ji 


■-■-■-■■■-■-■-»i 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


289 


whom  are  living.  Mr.  Anderson,  Sr.,  is  the  \  substantial  farmers  of  his  townshij).  For 
father  of  seventeen  children,  fourteen  of  whom  the  past  live  years  he,  in  addition  to  attending 
were  living  in  1886.   Ilehasthirtj-fonrgrand-     to  his  farm,  has  been  engaged  in  prospecting, 


children,  and  live  great-grandchildren.  Jo- 
seph W.  ^Vnderson,  the  subject  of  this  notice, 
was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  January 
14,  1844.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  II,  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  served 
three  years.  lie  was  in  the  battles  of  Inka, 
Corinth,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Chattanooga, 
Missionary  Kidge,  andsomeothersof  less  note. 
lie  was  discharged  at  Kingston,  Georgia,  his 
term  of  enlistment  having  expired  in  Sep- 
tembei-,  1864.  In  1862  he  received  a  gun- 
shot wound  at  Corinth,  from  the  effects  of 
which  he  has  never  fully  recovered.  He  was 
mari'ied  March  15,  1866,  to  Nancy  J.  Coch- 
ran, daughter  of  George  and  Phebe  Ann 
Cochran.  She  was  born  in  Logan  County, 
Ohio,  in  1848,  and  when  she  was  a  small 
child  the  family  removed  to  Indiana,  where 
the  mother  died  when  she  M'as  three  years 
old.  The  father  then  returned  to  Ohio  with 
his  daughter,  who  was  his  only  child.  Mr. 
Cochran  came  to  Iowa,  leaving  his  daughter 
in  Ohio,  and  she  came  to  Greene  County  in 
1862.  Her  father  now  lives  in  Jeli'erson. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  no  children. 
Politically  he  is  a  Pepublican. 


I^AMUEL  S.  MARTIN,  farmer,  section 
°^1^1  ^'  'Junction  Township,  was  born  in 
'"W  Perry  County,  Oliio,  November  24, 
1853,  a  son  of  Thomas  B.  Martin,  a  resident 
of  Junction  Township,  lie  was  reared  and 
educated  in  his  native  county,  living  there 
until  seventeen  years  old,  and  in  1870  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  Greene  County,  Iowa. 
His  life  lias  been  spent  on  a  farm,  and  the 
lessons  learned  in  his  youtli  have  been  the 
means  of  making  him  one  of  the  enterprising,  |  in  deptJi  and    two   stories    in    height,  whic 


erecting  wind-mills  and  pumps,  and  boring- 
wells.  Mr.  Martin  is  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  township,  and  has 
served  as  road  supervisor  and  school  director. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  cliurch 
at  Dana.  He  was  married  Novenujer  7, 
1875,  to  Annie  White,  a  native  of  Wisconsin, 
daughter  of  John  White.  They  have  four 
children — John  W.,  Olive  M.,  Edith  I),  and 
Samuel. 


RICHARD  OLIVE,  M.  I).,  one  of  the 
;  prominent  citizens  of  Scranton,  where 
"^^iiV  he  has  resided  since  January,  1873,  was 
born  in  Manchester,  England,  where  he  was 
reared  and  educated.  At  the  age  of  fourteen 
years  he  entered  a  drug  store  as  a  clerk,  and 
subsequently  began  the  study  of  medicine. 
He  was  married  in  his  native  country  to 
Miss  Elizabetli  Kenney,  who  was  also  a  native 
of  Manchester,  England,  and  to  this  union 
have  been  born  eleven  children,  of  whom  two 
sons  are  deceased.  Three  sous  and  six  daugii- 
ters  are  still  living.  Doctor  Olive  came  to 
America  with  his  family  in  1849,  locating 
first  in  Marquette  County,  Wisconsin,  and 
later  removed  to  Arlington,  Wisconsin,  where 
he  practiced  medicine  and  also  owned  a  drug 
store.  In  1868  he  bought  a  farm  in  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  located  in  Scranton  Township, 
one  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Scranton,  and 
has  since  been  a  resident  of  this  county.  In 
1878  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Scranton 
and  purchased  the  drug  store  of  Charles 
Dowd,  which  he  still  carries  on,  and  which  is 
the  fourth  drug  store  he  has  owned.  He  has 
an  elegant  brick  store  in   Scranton,  100  feet 


290 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


was  completed  in  1879.  JSo  man  in  the 
State  of  Iowa  has  had  a  longer  experience  in 
the  drug  business  than  he,  which  extends 
through  a  ]ieriod  oi  forty-l'onr  years.  The 
success  to  wliifh  the  doctor  has  attained  is 
due  solely  to  his  own  industry  and  enterprise, 
having  landed  in  America  in  limited  circum- 
stances, and  is  now  classed  among  the  well- 
to-do  citizens  of  liis  county.  Beside  his  drug 
store  he  owns  a  pleasant  liome  in  Scranton, 
and  a  tine  farm  of  240  acres,  well  stocked  and 
improved,  near  the  town.  Although  he  was 
educated  in  the  medical  profession  in  England, 
he  has  availed  himself  of  opportunities  for 
further  extending  his  medical  knowledge  in 
this  country,  liaving  attended  medical  lectures 
at  the  Iowa  State  University  at  Keokuk 
several  terms.  In  1868  he  was  senior  prac- 
titioner in  Mercy  Hospital  under  Professor 
Davis.  He  has  now  retired  from  the  active 
practice  of  his  profession,  yet  at  times  is  com- 
pelled to  respond  to  calls  for  consultation  in 
nreent  cases.  He  was  considered  one  of  the 
most  skillful  practitioners  in  the  county,  and 
few  men  are  better  or  more  favorably  known 
throughout  the  county  than  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  His  parents,  John  and  Margaret 
Olive,  immigrated  to  America  with  liim.and 
lirst  settled  in  Wisconsin.  Later  the  father 
removed  to  Minnesota, where  he  lived  till  his 
death.     Tlic  mother  is  also  deceased. 


►|«-»j*|». 


Vp;LHANAN  RINEHAET,  farmer  and 
W3li  stock-raiser,  residing  on  section  17, 
'j^  Washington  Township,  and  an  early 
pioneer  of  (4reene  County,  was  bcirn  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Pennsylvania,  February  10, 
ISl-'j.  His  fatlier,  JMathias  Kinehart,  who  is 
now  deceased,  was  born  in  Chester  County, 
Pennsylvania,  of  German  parentage.  In 
1816  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Greene 


County,  Ohio,  coming  down  the  river  on  a 
tlat  boat,  where  the  family  experienced  many 
of  the  hardships  and  privations  of  jiionecr  life. 
In  1829  they  removed  to  A'ermillion,  now 
Champaign  Count}',  Illinois,  which  was  also 
in  a  state  of  nature,  Indians  and  wild  animals, 
sucli  as  wolves  and  deer,  being  the  principal 
inhabitants.  Their  nearest  trading  point  and 
postoffice  was  at  Danville,  a  distance  of 
thirty  miles.  Our  subject  has  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  on  the  frontier,  having 
settled  in  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  dune, 
1855,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  his 
present  home,  and  here  he  again  passed 
through  all  the  different  phases  of  pioneer 
life.  His  neighbors  were  few  and  lived  at 
long  distances,  few  settlers  having  preceded 
him.  His  nearest  mill  and  postoffice  was  at 
Panora,  twenty  miles  away,  but  most  of  his 
tradintr  was  done  at  Des  Moines.  In  tliose 
early  days  he  paid  §7  for  a  two  bushel  bag  of 
salt,  and  everything  was  proportionately  high. 
Indians  were  numerous,  and  for  several 
winters  camped  near  his  house.  ]\Ir.  Pine- 
hart  has  cleared  and  improved  his  farm,  which 
now  contains  155  acres  of  well  cultivated 
land,  and  is  now  enjoying  the  rest  which  is 
the  reward  of  a  well  spent  life,  and  is  now 
surrounded  by  all  the  necessary  comfoi'ts  of 
life.  January  16,  1840,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  Correy,  a  native 
of  Scioto  County,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Correy,  who  is  now  deceased,  who  settled 
with  his  family  in  A'ermillion  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  1828.  Of  the  seven  children  born 
to  this  union  four  are  living — Angeline, 
Matilda,  Louisa  and  William  A.  Angeline 
married  Mark  York,  by  whom  she  had  four 
children,  of  whom  only  one,  named  Irene,  is 
living.  Mr.  York  died  while  serving  in  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  liis  widow  subse- 
quently married  William  C.  Elder,  of  Lincoln 
County,   Nebraska,  and   to  them  have  been 


hit 


,..,Ji 


!-!*«■-■-■-■»■■« 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKSTGQBS. 


291 


"-^1 


born  fonr  children — Rosa,  Ora,  Nona  and 
Nina.  Louisa  is  tlie  wife  of  Alvin  S.  Gilli- 
land,  of  (Trecne  County,  Iowa.  Amanda, 
anotlier  dancjliter,  wlio  is  deceased,  married 
James  II.  Carter,  of  Daviess  County, Missouri, 
and  had  four  c!iildren,of  wliom  three  survive 
her — Ciiarity,  Lawrence  and  Frank.  When 
Mr.  llinehart  was  a  young  man  lie  learned 
the  printer's  trade,  serving  his  apprenticeshij) 
in  Danville  and  Paris,  Illinois.  Since  becom- 
ing a  resident  of  Greene  County  he  has  held 
tlie  office  of  count}'  supervisor,  justice  of  the 
peace,  school  treasurer,  beside  filling  other 
local  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility,  and 
in  all  of  these  positions  served  with  credit  to 
iiiraself,  and  to  the  best  interest  of  his  county. 


(£>    ^     *•    a) 

fAMES  SIIREVE,  fanner,  section  15, 
Kendrick  Township,  was  born  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  October  12,  1819,  son  of 
Caleb  and  Anna  (Slack)  Shreve,  the  former  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  Maryland. 
They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children, 
James  being  the  tenth  child.  lie  lived  in 
Brown  Count\'  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of 
age.  His  youth  was  spent  in  assisting  at 
farm  work,  and  in  attending  the  subscrij)tion 
schools  of  that  day.  In  1834  his  parents 
removed  to  Fountain  County,  Indiana,  where 
they  lived  one  year,  then  removed  to  Cham- 
paign County,  Illinois,  his  father  being  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  His  father 
died  in  the  fall  of  18.35,  leaving  him  to 
control  and  manage  the  farm  and  other 
business.  April  8,  1841,  lie  was  married 
to  Hester  Ann  Shutter,  formerly  Hester 
Ann  Argo,  who  was  born  in  Pickaway  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Esther  Argo.  ]\Ir.  Shreve  remained  in 
Champaign  County  until  1858,  when  he 
moved    to    Appanoose    County,    this    State, 


residing  there  six  inontlis,  then  came  to 
Greene  County  and  purchased  some  wild 
land  of  a  Mr.  Musselman,  which  is  his  present 
farm.  For  many  years  his  house  was  a  home 
for  travelers  who  were  coming  to  this  new 
countiy.  He  has  improved  his  farm,  and  has 
a  good  house,  a  commodious  barn  for  stock 
and  grain,  a  line  orchard  and  a  native  grove 
of  trees.  He  owns  140  acres  of  excellent 
land.  When  he  first  came  here  he  had  to  go 
to  Panora  to  mill.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shreve  had 
six  children  Ijorn  to  them — "William  H.  IL, 
Caleb  Alexander,  Nancy  Armilda,  Hannah 
Mary,  Sarah  Catherine,  and  Julia  Ann.  Mrs. 
Shreve  died  July  15,  1885,  aged  sixty-seven 
3'ears.  Slie  was  a  worthy  and  consistent 
member  of  the  Christian  church,  an  aftec- 
tionate  wife  and  mother,  and  a  kind  neighbor. 
Politically  Mr.  Shreve  is  a  Republican.  He 
has  served  as  township  trustee,  mem])er  of 
school  board,  and  road  supervisor. 

■  II   .i?.i'i  I'l'^r.   I- 


fOHN  P.  WHERRY,  a  successful  and 
enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of 
=^  Cedar  Township,  Greene  County,  re- 
siding on  section  3,  was  born  in  (Tuernsey 
County,  Ohio,  February  23,  1835.  His  par- 
ents, John  and  Catherine  (Bonnell)  Wherry, 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 
respectively.  They  immigrated  to  Jones 
County,  Iowa,  with  their  family  in  1853, 
being  among  the  pioneers  of  that  county. 
Both  are  now  deceased.  John  P.  Wherrv, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared  in  his 
native  county,  his  boyhood  days  being  passed 
in  assisting  on  his  father's  farm  and  attend- 
ing the  district  schools.  He  was  about 
eighteen  years  old  when  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Jones  County,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five  years  he  began  farming  on  his 
own  account  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which 


■■.■■■■■-■jmi 


■■-■-■-■-■»-■■ 


'■"■■■■■■■■a 


■■■■■■■■■■■■"^■■■■■■'■■■■^■■■■iig 


292 


HISTORY    OF'    GREENE    COUNTY. 


had  been  given  him  by  his  father.  He  re- 
ni.-iiiicd  in  .loiies  County  on  liis  farm  until 
the  fall  of  1880,  when  he  removed  to  his 
present  farm  in  Cedar  Township,  Greene 
County,  wliere  he  has  240  acres  of  well- 
watered  land,  besides  fifty  acres  of  timber 
land.  His  residence  is  comfortable  and  com- 
modious, and  his  farm  is  among  the  best  in 
Greene  County,  and  although  he  has  lived  in 
the  county  but  a  short  time,  he  has  made 
many  friends  and  gained  the  respect  of  all 
who  know  him.  Mr.  Wherry-  was  married  in 
Jones  County,  December  24,  1802,  to  Miss 
Lucinda  E.  Coon,  who  was  born  July  1, 1844, 
a  daughter  of  S.  and  M.  Coon.  They  are  the 
parents  of  five  children — Dora  A.,  Elmer  E., 
Ellen  J.,  Ida  IT.  and  Emma  A.  Both  Mr. 
and  XErs.  AVherry  are  members  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  church.  In  politics  he  affili- 
ates with  the  Ilepublican  party. 


--*|*^>^>-- 

:ir-^TILLIA:\I  DUNTERMAN,  postoffice, 
'Wiv/wl  Bayard,  Iowa,  engaged  in  farming 
1— sJ^J  and  stock-raising  in  Willow  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Cook  County,  Illinois,  No- 
vember 15,  1849,  his  parents,  C.  and  M. 
(Erlman)  Dunterman,  being  natives  of  Ger- 
many. He  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a 
farmer,  his  boyiiood  being  spent  in  assisting 
his  father  on  the  farm  and  attending:  the  dis- 
trict  school  of  his  neighborhood.     On  attain- 

o 

ing  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he  began 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed about  six  years,  and  from  his  earnings 
saved  enough  money  to  purchase  his  Greene 
County  property,  settling  where  he  now  re- 
sides, on  section  20,  Willow  Township,  in 
1878.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
^linnic  Nurnbcrg,  a  daughter  of  Charles 
Xurtdierg,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born 
four  ciiildren,  as  follows—Herman  F.,  Henry 


W.,  Ida  L.  and  Alcena  L.  Since  coming  to 
Greene  County  Mr.  Dunterman  has  followed 
farming  with  success.  His  land  when  he 
settled  on  it  was  in  a  state  of  nature,  but  by 
hard  work  and  persevering  energy  he  has 
converted  it  into  a  well-improved  farm,  and 
has  erected  a  comfortable  and  commodious 
residence,  and  good  barn  and  other  farm 
buildings,  the  entire  surroundings  showing 
the  owner  to  be  a  thorough,  ]iractical  farmer. 
By  industry  and  good  management  he  has 
acquired  his  present  fine  property,  which 
consists  of  eighty  acres  on  section  20  ami 
forty  acres  on  section  8,  Willow  Township. 
Mr.  Dunterman  has  lield  the  office  of  road 
supervisor  of  Willow  Township,  and  has  also 
served  as  school  director.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 


M.  FITZ  PATRICK,  farmer  and 
yirp  stock-raiser  section  22,  Cedar  Town- 
j\,  ®  ship,  is  a  son  of  Miles  and  Julia  Fitz 
Patrick,  who  came  from  Ireland  to  America 
in  1845.  They  first  settled  in  Illinois,  living 
there  ten  years,  and  in  1855  came  to  Iowa, 
and  were  the  first  settlers  of  Cedar  Township, 
Greene  ( 'ounty.  Our  subject  was  the  sev- 
enth of  nine  children.  He  was  born  in 
Ireland,  March  10,  1844,  and  was  therefore 
but  one  year  old  when  his  parents  came  to 
America.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  twenty-six  j'ears  of  age,  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1870,  he  settled  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  lives.  He  first  bought  eighty  acres,  but 
to  this  he  has  added  and  has  improved  it 
until  he  now  owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
Greene  County.  II is  first  trading  point  was 
Des  Moines,  which  was  also  his  postoffice. 
As  there  were  no  bridges  and  all  the  streams 
had  to  be  forded,  the  trip  was  a  hard  and 
long    one.      ^Ir.    Fitz    Patrick    was    married 


Ml 


'4 


^    m/"^^k/Jlk>'«./^».*'*J««k./^ifc./'*./'»ti^fcy'»,*^'fcj'«ky-*^'* 


-JK^-^JK^-^JH^^JIL— 


'■■"™"M"M' 


BIOGRAPEICAL    SKETGHlSa. 


293 


January  9,  1S70,  to  Josephine  Rhoads,  a 
nature  of  Oliio,  daugliter  of  Sauiuel  Klioads, 
who  came  to  Iowa  in  1850,  and  settled  in 
AVashington  Township  in  1855,  where  lie 
still  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fitz  Patrick  have 
six  children — Mattie,  Nellie,  Mary  and  Miles 
(twins),  Charles  and  Carl.  Mr.  Fitz  Patrick 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  Although  beginning  life  a  poor 
Mian,  Mr.  Fitz  Patrick  has  by  hard  work  and 
economy  acquired  a  valuable  property,  llis 
farm  contains  260  acres  of  choice  land,  all 
well  improved,  and  his  home  is  a  model  of 
Ijeauty  and  convenience,  lie  is  one  of  the 
influential  men  of  the  townsliip  and  has  held 
most  of  the  important  offices,  serving  in 
each  with  efficiency  and  to  tlie  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  his  constituents. 


-V^+*^i^— 


lORMAN  F.  RUSSELL,  one  of  the 
active  and  enterprising  farmers  of 
%  Junction  Township,  where  he  has  a 
fine  farm  of  160  acres  on  section  9,  is  a 
native  of  Boone  County,  Illinois,  the  date  of 
his  birth  being  August  9,  1844.  His  father, 
Caleb  Russell,  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ver- 
mont, and  in  1833  immigrated  to  Illinois. 
In  1849  he  went  to  California  with  his  family, 
by  the  overland  route,  their  wagons  in  wliich 
they  made  the  journey  being  drawn  by  oxen 
and  mules.  The  father  returned  with  his 
family  to  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  in  1852, 
and  in  the  fall  of  1855  came  to  Iowa,  locating 
first  in  Cedar  County.  He  is  now  a  resident 
of  Greene  County,  making  his  home  in  Paton 
Township.  Norman  F.  Russell,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents 
in  the  year  1855.  He  was  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  wliich  he  has  always 
followed,  with  the  exception  of  three  years 
spent  in  the  late  war,  and  his  education  was 


obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood.  lie  was  a  member  of  Company  I, 
Twenty-sixth  .Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  in  the 
battles  of  Arkansas  Post,  Vicksburg,  Lookout 
Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  Keiiesaw 
Mountain,  Marietta,  Georgia,  Atlanta,  Jones- 
boro,  Lovejoy  Station,  Goldsboro,  and  others 
of  minor  importance.  He  was  wounded 
three  times  at  Ringgold,  all  shots  taking 
effect  tlie  same  instant.  In  that  conflict,  out  of 
thirteen  of  his  company,  three  were  killed  and 
six  wounded.  May  18,  1867,  lie  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  Pike,  a  daughter 
of  Abram  Pike,  and  to  this  union  liave  been 
born  three  children — Nellie  F.,  Nelson  L. 
and  Clarence  R.  Clarence  R.  Grubbs,  a  son 
of  Mrs.  Russell's  deceased  sister,  is  also  being 
reared  by  them.  Mr.  Russell  came  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  in  1876  and  lived  in  Paton 
Township  until  the  spring  of  1885,  when  he 
settled  on  iiis  present  farm  in  .lunction 
Township.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  road 
supervisor,  township  trustee  and  school  direc- 
tor, since  being  a  resident  of  Greene  County. 
Mr.  Russell  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  being  baptized  in  Coon  River,  joining 
Calamus  Creek  Church,  in  Carroll  Countv. 


fAMES  A.  HENDERSON,  clerk  of  the 
courts  of  Greene  County,  was  elected  to 
"T^  his  present  office  in  the  tall  of  1884,  and 
was  re-elected  in  the  fall  of  1886,  suc- 
ceeding his  father,  who  had  served  three 
terms  or  six  years.  Mr.  Henderson  was  born 
in  Johnson  County,  Iowa,  near  Iowa  City,  in 
1862.  In  early  life  he  attended  the  common 
schools,  and  for  a  time  was  a  student  at  the 
academy  in  Jefterson.  He  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  during  the  latter's  admin- 
istration of  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  courts, 
he   was   employed   as   clerk,   thus    becoming 


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well  qualified  to  succeed  his  father  in  office, 
lie  cuine  to  this  coniit\-  with  his  father  in 
February,  1873.  Politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. Mrs.  Henderson  was  formerly  Eliza 
J.  Fet/.er,  a  native  of  Indiana. 


^rOSEPH  CIIUKDAN,  Sr.,  is  one  of  the 
Sii !  oldest  and  most  prominent  pioneers  of 
^  Highland  Township,  coming  here  when 
there  were  only  two  log  buildings  in  the 
township,  the  date  of  his  arrival  being  ilay 
24,  186S.  lie  is  an  Englishman  by  birth, 
born  in  Cuniliei-land  County,  April  25,  1824. 
Ilis  parents,  John  and  Ann  Cliurdan,  were 
both  born  in  England,  and  lived  in  their 
native  country  till  their  death,  the  motlier 
dying  eighteen  years  ago.  Josepli  Cluirdan, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  remaining  in  his 
native  country  till  twenty-six  years  of  age. 
He  left  England  March  20,  1850,  landing  at 
New  York  May  20,  and  first  located  in  Sara- 
toga. New  York,  where  he  was  engaged  as 
overseer  of  a  railroad  tunnel  l)eing  erected  at 
the  head  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  also  of  the 
laying  of  the  Troy  &  Plattsburg  Railroad, 
the  work  being  completed  in  eighteen 
months.  He  then  went  to  Canada,  luit  in 
February.  1852,  returned  to  the  United 
States,  settling  in  Indiana,  when  he  again 
entered  the  railroad  employ.  He  started  for 
Iowa  in  November,  1852,  his  route  being 
from  Madison,  Indiana,  down  the  Ohio  River 
to  Cairo,  Illinois,  thence  up  the  Mississippi 
River  to  Muscatine,  Iowa.  No  railroad  being 
in  the  State  at  that  time,  he  proceeded  by 
teams  to  Cedar  Rapids.  He  settled  in  Linn 
County,  and  for  sixteen  years  followed  farm- 
ing in  that  count}-.  In  the  spring  of  1868 
he  sold  his  farm  in  Linn  County,  and  bought 
eighty  acres  of  his  present  farm  in  Highland 


Township,  Greene  County,  and  to  his  original 
purchase  he  has  added  from  time  to  time  till 
he  now  has  170  acres  of  fine  land,  well 
stocked.  Mr.  Churdan  was  united  in  mar- 
riage February  13,  1851,  to  Miss  Eliza  Ken- 
nedy, who  was  born  in  England,  her  parents 
living  in  their  native  country  (England)  till 
their  death.  Of  the  seven  children  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Churdan,  six  are  living — 
Joseph,  Jr.,  born  December  26,  1852;  Anna 
Fonts,  living  in  Cedar  Township,  Greene 
County,  was  born  in  Canada,  November  6, 
1851;  John,  born  April  25,  1857;  Jennie 
Eliza  Wilson,  born  INIarch  IG,  1854;  Rosa 
Ellen  Robinson,  born  January  16,  1866,  and 
Alfred  Addison,  born  July  11, 1870.  Robert 
Amos  died  June  16,  1856.  Mr.  Churdan 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  growth  and 
advancement  of  the  village  which  was  named 
Churdan  in  honor  of  him.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  school  treasurer  for  several  years, 
serving  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  en- 
tire satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  In  poli- 
tics he  has  affiliated  with  the  Republican 
party  since  its  organization.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Churdan  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  having  united  with  that 
religious  denomination  in  1860. 

rW^.^ILLIAM  L.  FRANKLIN,  one  of  the 
'\:\    \\     early  settlers  of  Greene  County,  re- 

l"^^  siding  on  section  13,  Franklin  Town- 
ship, where  he  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising,  is  a  native  of  Owen  County, 
Indiana,  born  March  1,  1839,  a  son  of  AVill- 
iam  A.  and  Margaret  (Brown)  Franklin. 
The  father  being  a  farmer,  our  subject  was 
reared  to  the  same  occupation.  In  1844  he 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  JSIuscatine 
County,  Iowa,  and  in  1855  he  accompanied 
them  to   Greene  County,  they  settling  wliere 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHED. 


297 


he  now  resides.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
yearshe  wentin  company  with  G.  B.  Burlcaiid 
several  otliers  to  Pike's  Peak,  starting  across 
the  plains  in  1S60.  They  remained  about 
two  weeks  at  Council  Bluft's,  Iowa,  waiting 
for  more  company  before  going  farther,  then 
reached  their  destination  about  six  weeks 
later,  crossing  the  plains  with  cattle.  Mr. 
Franklin  then  engaged  in  mining  with  Mr. 
Burk,  remaining  there  but  a  short  time,  when 
he  returned  to  Greene  County,  Iowa.  In  1862 
he  enlisted  in  defense  of  his  country,  and  was 
assigned  to  Company  E,  Tliirty-ninth  Iowa 
Infantry.  He  was  present  at  the  battle  of 
Cross-Koads,  and  was  engaged  in  several 
skirmishes.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Allatoona,  Georgia,  where  he  was 
contined  about  six  months,  when  he  escaped. 
The  prisoners  at  that  time  were  being  moved 
from  one  place  to  another  when  he  made  his 
escape  by  jumping  from  the  train,  but  in 
doing  so  was  wounded.  He  then  returned  to 
the  Union  lines,  traveling  by  night  for  six- 
teen nights,  and  during  the  day-time  hid  in 
swamps  andforfour  days  was  witiiont  anything 
to  eat.  He  also  passed  on  this  perilous  jour- 
ney several  rebel  pickets.  He  finally  reached 
the  Union  lines  near  Newburn,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at 
Washington,  but  not  being  present  he  re- 
ceived his  papers  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  in  June, 
1865.  He  then  returned  to  Greene  County 
where  he  began  farming  on  his  own  land,  and 
by  hard  work  and  good  management  he  has 
now  a  tine  farm  containing  185  acres  under  a 
good  slate  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Franklin  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Consignee  T. 
Roberts,  wiio  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Febru- 
ary 20,  1852,  her  parents,  George  and  Nancy 
Roberts,  being  natives  of  Tennessee.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Franklin  are  the  parents  of  three 
children — Lillie  E.,  George  W.  and  Halsie  A. 
Although  not  an   office   seeker,  Mr.  Franklin 


was  elected  a  trustee  of  Franklin  Township, 
which  position  he  fills  at  present  to  tlie  en- 
tire satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  belong- 
ing to  Lodge  No.  466.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Mrs. 
Franklin  was  the  fourth  in  a  family  of 
twelve  children.  Her  parents  are  both  living 
and  are  residents  of  Jefferson,  Iowa. 


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fHOMAS  J.  ARMSTRONG,  general 
merchant,  and  postmaster  at  Surry, 
^■'  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  In- 
diana, July  25,  1838.  His  fatlier,  Henry 
Armstrong,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and 
settled  in  Indiana  in  1832,  surrounded  with  I 
woods  and  wild  animals.  He  cleared  ground 
for  a  log  cabin,  in  which  our  subject  lived 
until  1856.  He  removed  to  Blue  Earth 
County,  Minnesota,  in  1878,  and  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  the  year  following.  He  con- 
ducted the  Armstrong  bank  one  winter.  In 
the  summer  of  1880  he  removed  to  Gowrie 
and  established  a  coal  yard,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  March,  1883,  then  came  to 
Surry  and  built  a  store  building,  and  put  in 
a  stock  of  general  merchandise.  He  carries 
a  capital  stock  of  $1,000,  and  does  an  annual 
business  of  $6,000.  He  was  married  No- 
vember 22,  1866,  to  Sarah  Cole,  daughter  of 
Joshua  Cole,  deceased,  a  native  of  Virginia. 
Mrs.  Armstrong  was  also  born  in  Virginia. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  had  one  child,  who 
was  burned  to  death  by  his  clothes  taking  fire 
from  a  grate,  when  in  his  fourth  year.  Mr. 
Armstrong  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war, 
being  a  member  of  Company  G,  Eleventh 
Indiana  Infanti-y,  enlisting  lor  three  months 
at  the  first  call  for  troops.  In  1863  he 
enlisted  for  three  months  in  Company  E, 
Seventy-eighth    Indiana  Infantry.     He   is   a 


24 


J 


298 


HIHTUHY    OJi'    URKMNE    COUNTY. 


member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity,  of 
the  Knights  of  Labor,  and  of  the  Christian 
church.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  in 
May,  1884.  In  politics  he  is  a  Greenbacker. 
Mrs.  Armstronfjf  is  also  a  menilier  of  the 
Cliristian  churcli. 

iii-.i.iy  i»3i  i;»giii>-<o» 


fAMES  ZELLER,  farmer,  section  36, 
Greenbrier  Township,  is  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  Greene  County,  and  was  born 
in  Montgomery  County,  Xew  York,  Decem- 
ber 23,  1822.  His  father,  Nicholas  Zeller, 
was  a  native  of  Oppenheim,  Montgomery 
County,  New  York,  and  his  mother,  Cathe- 
rine (Reed)  Zeller,  was  a  native  of  Albany 
County,  same  State.  They  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children — Eliza,  James,  AVilliam, 
Nancy,  George  H.,  Alexander,  Joel,  Harri- 
son, and  two  that  died  in  infancy.  James 
resided  in  Montgomery  County  until  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  when  his  father  removed  to 
St.  Lawrence  County,  where  he  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
March  6, 1845,  to  Miss  Sally  Ann  Dillinbeck, 
a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  New  York, 
and  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Eva  (Wallrod) 
Dillenbeck.  In  1854  Mr.  Zeller,  with  his 
wife  and  four  children,  removed  to  Wiscon- 
sin, and  located  in  the  town  of  Lynn,  Wal- 
worth County,  where  he  resided  until  1869, 
when  he  came  to  Greene  County  and  settled 
upon  his  present  farm,  in  Greenbrier  Town- 
ship, which  was  then  wild  and  uncultivated. 
There  were  then  only  live  families  in  the 
township.  He  has  resided  here  ever  since, 
and  now  has  one  of  the  best  improved  farms 
in  the  township.  He  has  a  good  two-story 
residence,  built  in  modern  style,  and  well 
furnished,  surrounded  with  shade  trees.  He 
has  also  a  good,  commodious  barn,  and  build- 


ings for  stock  and  grain,  and  a  modern  wind- 
mill, furnishing  power  for  a  sup])ly  of  pure 
water  for  his  stock  and  for  the  farm.  He  is 
principally  engaged  in  stock-raising  and  feed- 
ing. His  farm  contains  320  acres  of  some  of 
the  best  land  in  Greene  County;  his  sons  own 
the  remainder  of  the  section.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Zeller  have  had  seven  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living — Oscar,  Lafayette  and  Llomer  A. 
The  deceased  are — Nancy  A.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  twenty-three  years;  Mary  C,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  three  years;  James  Iler.ry, 
who  died  at  thirteen  m(jntlis,  and  John  A., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  tifteen  months.  Mr. 
Zeller  is  a  Rejinbiican  in  politics,  and  has 
served  in  most  of  the  township  offices,  and  as 
county  supervisor.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  churcii,  and  by  fair  and 
honorable  dealings,  lias  secured  the  conti- 
dence  of  all  who  know  him. 


«-5»-»5-« 


sfASHINGTON  GOODRICH,  an   en- 


?->.|7p||  terprising  farmer  of  Scranton  T(.i\vi 


I  {^^'^\  ship,  residing  on  section  6,  was  born 
in  Allegany  County,  New  York,  April  16, 
1838,  a  son  of  Ebenezerand  Elizabeth  (Reury) 
Goodrich.  In  1840  he  was  taken  by  his 
parents  to  Montgomery  County,  New  1  ork, 
his  mother  dying  in  that  county.  His  fatlier 
made  his  home  in  Montgomeiy  County  until 
1866.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Barry 
County,  Michigan,  where  he  died.  Six  of 
his  children  are  living — Mrs.  Manzer,  in 
Barry  County,  Michigan;  Lewis  A.,  in  White 
County,  Indiana;  James  W.,  in  Re])nblic 
County,  Kansas;  Washington  and  (,'alvin, 
living  in  Scranton  Township,  Greene  County; 
Mrs.  Emma  Fuller,  residing  at  Atlantic,  Cass 
County,  Iowa.  In  1855  Washington  Good- 
rich, the  subject  of  this  sketcii,  left  his 
father's    home  in    Montgomery    County    for 


>^Tg^»".g»»B»B"a"oii"5nnr»rifi'"a»iiiw«»kiWiir»i»-wjn»«««M».M«»..i»»»-p«w«»«w«g 


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'■■■"-■d;»;i?»j«n^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


299 


Kendall  County,  Illinois,  and  from  that  time 
has  acted  for  himself.  November  10,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and 
was  assigned  to  Company  II,  Thirteenth  Illi- 
nois Cavalry,  being  engaged  principally  in 
guarding  lines  of  commissary  trains,  and 
keeping  the  country  clear  of  bushwhackers 
in  the  States  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas.  Pie 
served  until  August  18,  1865,  when  he  re- 
ceived his  discharge.  June  14,  1864,  while 
home  on  a  furlough,  he  was  married  in  Ken- 
dall County,  Illinois,  to  Miss  Sarah  Hedges, 
who  was  born  in  Orange,  Vermont,  June  29, 
1843.  Her  parents,  Erastus  and  Sarah  M. 
(Noble)  Hedges,  died  at  Piano,  Illinois.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Goodrich  are  the  parents  of  two 
children — Francis,  born  October  25,  1873, 
and  Nellie,  born  December  29,  1881.  Mr. 
Goodrich  came  with  his  family  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  and  settled  on  his  present 
farm  in  Scranton  Township  in  1876,  he  hav- 
ing purchased  his  land  here  in  1874.  He 
now  has  a  fine  well  cultivated  farm  of  160 
acres  which  he  has  improved  from  the  raw 
prairie,  erecting  a  good  residence  and  farm 
buildings.  Mr.  Goodrich  is  a  comi'adeof  N. 
H.  Powers  Post,  No.  Ill,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Scran- 
ton, Iowa.  In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party,  casting  his  first  presiden- 
tial vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  his  last 
for  James  G.  Blaine. 


►^w^ 


fACOB  HEATER,  an  old  and  honored 
jjioneer  of  Greene  County,  Iowa,  who  is 
now  deceased,  was  born  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  June  11,  1809,  his  father, 
Jacob  Pleater,  being  a  native  of  the  same 
county.  He  received  but  limited  educational 
advantages,  attending  the  log  cabin  subscrip- 
tion schools  of  that  early  day.  When  he 
was  quite  young  his  father  died,  and  he  was 


obliged  to  assist  in  the  maintenance  of  his 
widowed  mother  and  family  until  her  death. 
He  located  in  Vermillion  County,  Illinois, 
in  1824,  among  Indians  and  wild  animals, 
where  he  experienced  many  of  the  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  servinw- 
eleven  months,  and  helped  Black  Hawk 
across  the  Mississippi  River  at  Prairie  Du 
Chien.  For  his  services  in  this  war  he  re- 
ceived a  grant  for  forty  acres  of  land,  this 
being  the  first  land  owned  by  iiim.  He  was 
twice  married,  taking  for  his  first  wife  Miss 
Catherine  Ganoe,  and  of  the  ten  children 
born  to  this  union  five  are  living — Mary  J., 
Elizabeth,  Martha,  Jacob  and  William.  Mrs. 
Heater  died  in  September,  1S52,  and  April 
20,  1853,  Mr.  Heater  married  Sarah  A.  Mc- 
Elroy,  who  was  born  in  Lewis  County,  Ken- 
tucky, March  20,  1819,  a  daughter  of  David 
and  Mary  McElroy.  They  have  four  children 
— Mahala  C,  George  W.,  Ilettie  A.  and 
Eliza.  Mrs.  Heater  was  taken  by  her  parents 
to  Adams  County,  Ohio,  when  one  year  old, 
where  she  lived  till  1847.  She  then  lived  in 
Champaign  County,  Illinois,  until  coming  to 
Greene  County  with  Mr.  Heater  in  1855. 
Her  first  husband  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
born  in  Harrison  County,  April  20, 1819,  and 
died  in  Illinois.  They  had  one  daughter, 
Mary  C,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-six 
years.  She  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Young, 
and  to  them  were  born  four  children,  only 
two  now  living,  named  Rosa  M.  and  George 
M.  Mr.  Heater  came  with  his  family  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  October,  1855,  set- 
tling on  section  17  of  Washington  Township, 
the  farm  being  still  occupied  by  his  widow. 
He  was  very  successful  in  all  his  undertak- 
ings, and  rapidly  accumulated  property,  own- 
ing at  one  time  1,400  acres  of  land,  and  at 
the, time  of  his  death  was  worth  over  $40,- 
000.     He  died  of  smallpox  after  a  few  days 


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HItiTOUY    OF    OHEENE    COUNTY. 


illness,  his  death  taking  place  June  18, 1864. 
He  was  an  earnest  Christian,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
for  forty  years.  He  was  a  good  friend  to  the 
poor,  and  gave  liberally  of  his  means  toward 
the  support  of  charitable  institutions,  and 
was  a  man  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him. 


— «-.|*>^H^— — 

fOHN  B.  JOHN,  a  successful  agricult- 
urist of  Washington  Township,  Greene 
County,  residing  on  section  5,  is  a  native 
of  West  Virginia,  born  in  Tyler  County, 
November  24,  1839.  He  is  a  son  of  David 
John,  who  lives  in  Davis  County,  Missouri. 
He  was  born  January  13,  1803,  in  Greene 
County,  Pennsj'lvania,  a  son  of  James  John, 
who  is  now  deceased.  John  B.  John,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  received  his  education 
in  the  rude  log  cabin  subscription  schools, 
which  were  built  in  the  most  primitive  style. 
He  came  with  his  parents  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  in  the  fall  of  1856,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  enlisted  in  the  late  war 
in  Company  H,  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry,  in  Au- 
,gust,  1861,  serving  until  December  10, 1862, 
when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  disa- 
bility. He  was  married  October  9,  1864,  to 
Mrs.  Asenath  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Isaac 
Crumley,  of  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children — 
Isaac  (deceased),  Eva  Alma  and  William  B. 
By  her  marriage  with  Isaac  H.  Brown,  Mrs. 
John  had  four  children,  of  whom  only  one  is 
living,  a  daughter  named  Hannah  A.  Mr. 
Brown  was  a  native  of  East  Tennessee,  born 
November  10,  1828.  He  was  a  Second  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  H,  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry, 
during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills.  Mr. 
John  has  made  farming  the  principal  avoca- 


tion of  his  life,  and  by  his  persevering  in- 
dustry and  good  management  he  has  met 
with  excellent  success,  being  now  the  owner 
of  194  acres  of  valuable  land  where  he  re- 
sides. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John,  and  their 
daughters,  Hannah  and  Alma,  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


;^[EORGE  HANKS,  one  of  the  first  set- 
•wW  tiers  of  Scranton  Township,  has  lived 
'W^  on  section  15  since  the  autumn  of  1870, 
his  homestead  at  that  time  being  in  a  state 
of  nature.  Mr.  Hanks  is  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, born  in  Yorkshire  October  18,  1831,  a 
son  of  George  and  Jane  Hanks,  both  of  whom 
died  in  their  native  country.  He  was  reared 
in  the  city  of  York,  and  when  eighteen  _years 
of  age  entered  the  English  army,  and  served 
three  years  a  member  of  the  Twentieth  In- 
fantry, his  service  being  on  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
Bermuda  and  Canada.  After  leaving  the 
service  of  the  Queen  he  lived  at  Ogdensburg, 
St.  Lawrence  County,  New  York,  and  at 
Gouverneur  until  1859,  and  then  went  to 
Bennington  County,  Vermont,  where  he  lived 
until  the  autumn  of  1863,  when  he  came 
West  as  far  as  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  where 
he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1870, 
and  then  came  to  Iowa  and  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives.  Mr.  Hanks  was 
married  at  Montreal,  Canada,  July  20,  1852, 
to  Miss  Catharine  Kane,  a  native  of  County 
Cavan,  Ireland,  daughter  of  Patrick  and 
Honore  (McManus)  Kane.  Her  father  died 
in  Durham,  Canada,  in  1857,  and  her  mother 
now  lives  in  Scranton  Townshi]i  with  her  son 
Charles  Kane.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanks 
have  been  born  ten  children,  of  whom  but 
six  are  living — the  eldest  died  in  infancy; 
George  H.  is  a  resident  of  Antelope  County, 
Nebraska;  John  L.  lives  in   Dodge  County, 


L'!'.^!s!!!s!!'^,g!!;^j^*°f!?j;!f,'^'!^" 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


1 


301 


Nebraska;  William  E.  died  in  1873,  aged 
sixteen  years  and  four  months;  Francis  D. 
lives  in  Scran  ton  City;  Sarah  J.  is  the  wife 
of  William  O.  Maley;  Susan  died  in  Illinois, 
aged  six  years  and  four  months;  Martha 
died  in  Illinois,  aged  eighteen  months; 
Martha  E.  and  Elizabeth  are  at  home.  In 
politics  Mr.  Hanks  is  identified  with  the 
Labor  Reform  Greenback  party.  He  is  one 
of  the  representative  men  of  his  township, 
and  an  upright,  influential  citizen. 

— .^-^f^-- 


ALA  A.  CHURCH,  the  present  attor- 
ney of  Greene  County,  has  been  a  mem- 
tiv  ber  of  the  bar  of  this  county  since  May 
14,  1878.  In  iiis  earliest  practice  at  Jeffer- 
son he  funned  a  partnership  with  Harvey 
Potter,  Esq.,  wliich  continued  about  eighteen 
months.  He  was  then  associated  with  A.  M. 
Head,  the  firm  name  being  Head  &  Church. 
This  partnersliip  lasted  until  July,  1881, 
since  wliich  time  Mr.  Church  has  been  alone 
in  practice.  He  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  from  1880  until  1885,  and  in  1884  was 
elected  Mayor  of  Jefferson.  After  serving 
one  year  he  was  elected  county  attorney. 
Mr.  Church  was  born  in  the  town  of  Dayton, 
Green  County,  Wisconsin,  May  28,  1852. 
He  received  his  literary  education  at  Evans- 
ville,  AVisconsin,  and  in  the  collegiate  depart- 
ment of  the  Wisconsin  State  University,  and 
graduated  in  the  law  department  of  the  Wis- 
consin State  University  at  Madison,  June  20, 
1876.  After  graduation  he  was  engaged  for 
two  years  in  teaching.  He  was  married  at 
Jefferson,  May  4,  1881,  to  Miss  MayMcCully, 
daughtei-  of  I).  B.  McCully,  deceased.  They 
have  one  child,  a  daughter — Iza  L.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Church  is  a  Republican.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity,  being 
a  member  both  of  the  subordinate  lodge  and 


the  encampment.  Also  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, being  a  member  of  Blue  Lodge,  chap- 
ter and  commandery,  and  is  high  priest  of  the 
chapter  at  present  writing. 


►^w^ 


_J#|fILLIAM  STEVENS,  residing  on  sec- 
iMiiW]!  tion  35,  Jackson  Township,  has  been 
l^^  identified  with  Greene  County  since 
1869,  coming  from  Boone  County,  where  he 
spent  his  first  winter  in  Iowa.  He  was  born 
in  Oswego  County,  New  York,  in  the  town 
of  Oswego,  February  12,  1823,  son  of  Joel 
and  Margaret  (Tannery)  Stevens,  natives  of 
Orange  County,  New  York,  both  of  whom 
died  in  Oswego  County.  William  was  reared 
to  a  farm  life,  and  early  inured  to  hard  labor. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  reached 
manhood,  then  learned  the  cooper's  trade, 
which  he  followed  about  ten  years  in  his 
native  county.  In  January,  1844,  he  wedded 
Miss  Mary  E.  Carnrite,  who  was  born  January 
7,  1823,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Annie  E. 
Carnrite,  of  Herkimer  County.  Her  parents 
removed  to  Oswego  County  when  she  was  a 
child.  They  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  each 
at  death  being  seventy-eight  years  old.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Stevens  removed  to  New  Chester, 
Adams  County,  AViscousin,  in  1857;  thence 
to  Columbia  County,  where  they  lived  two 
years;  thence  to  Iowa,  as  before  stated.  Mr. 
Stevens  owns  a  fine  farm  of  200  acres,  all  on 
section  35.  They  have  seven  children  living 
— Letta  A.  M.,  wife  of  George  Gymer; 
Lillie  O.,  wife  of  John  E.  Dodge;  Mariette 
A.,  wife  of  Jay  Barker;  Williard  S.;  Cora 
A.,  wife  of  Miner  Steele;  AVilliam  H.  and 
Carrie  E.  Laura  A.,  wife  of  Hugh  D.  Mc- 
Geary,  died  August  23,  1886,  aged  thirty 
years.  She  left  four  children — Agnes  A., 
Mary  Pearl,  Laura  Bertha  and  Carrie  Eliza- 
beth.    Effie  M.  died  June  2,  1874,  at  the  age 


ig"B««"«"a»«»iii»iiiw«w»w»»-w»»-»«»»i«',»«w«»ii,»^w.«_a_M»»_li»o_i*«a_w^ 


y'*>.'«k'**A-^-'- 


.'-••«<-'*."  ■•.^^ 


»-•*.■»,■•*-■"» /'^ /.  m  »■ 


303 


HISTORY    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


of  seven  years;  Caroline  E.  died  in  New 
York  September  9,  1848,  aged  two  years; 
Ernest  E.  died  in  Wisconsin  April  28,  1864, 
aged  eleven  days.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens 
have  been  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  for  many  years.  Politically 
Mr.  Stevens  is  a  member  of  the  Greenback 
party. 


|EOEGE  C.  HILLMAN,  general  mer- 
chant at  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in 
East  Charlemont,  Franklin  County, 
Massachusetts,  January  28,  1847.  His  par- 
ents, George  and  Alcuta  (Coy)  Hillman, 
were  natives  of  Colerain,  Franklin  County. 
His  early  life  was  passed  on  a  farm,  and  his 
education  was  obtained  at  Shelburne  Falls 
Academy  in  his  native  county.  After  leav- 
ing school  he  commenced  clerking  in  a  store, 
continuing  in  that  employment  until  1869, 
when  he  came  to  Tama  City  this  State,  and 
three  or  four  months  later  came  to  Grand 
Junction  and  engaged  in  his  present  business. 
He  began  on  a  capital  stock  of  s2,000.  His 
first  store  was  thirty  feet  long.  He  now 
carries  a  capital  stock  of  from  $5,000  to 
$6,000,  and  does  an  annual  business  of 
$25,000.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  the 
mercantile  business,  and  his  patronage  is 
constantly  increasing.  His  genial  manner, 
and  his  kind  and  amiable  disposition  have 
won  for  him  hosts  of  friends,  and  secured  for 
him  the  confidence  of  the  whole  community. 
He  owns  235  acres  of  land  adjoining  Grand 
Junction,  besides  some  timber  land.  A  part 
of  his  farm  is  leased,  and  a  part  is  worked  by 
his  employes.  He  was  married  October  7, 
1869,  to  Miss  Dora  T.  Covell,  daughter  of 
Lewis  Covell,  of  Franklin  County,  Massachu- 
setts. To  this  union  have  been  born  three 
children  —  L.    Alice,    Covell    and    Edith    C. 


Mr.  Hillman  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
four  years,  treasurer  of  the  school  board  four 
years,  and  in  1886  was  elected  county  super- 
visor. These  positions  he  has  filled  with 
great  credit  to  himself  and  perfect  satisfac- 
tion to  his  constituents.  He  and  his  excel- 
lent wife  are  worthy  and  consistent  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  Mr.  Hillman 
is  a  member  of  the  society  of  Odd  Fellows. 
He  is  very  highly  respected  in  the  com- 
munity where  he  has  been  so  long  and  well 
known,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  solid 
men  of  the  county. 

"^'S'Si'i'S""^ 


T-fTILLIAM  DICKINSON,  a  prominent 
\/\r  farmer  of  Highland  Township,  resid- 
~  ~"j  ing  on  section  32,  is  a  native  of 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  born  June  7, 1820, 
a  son  of  Eli  and  Edith  (Gitbert)  Dickinson. 
His  parents  were  pioneers  of  Ohio,  locating 
in  Muskingum  County  when  there  was  but 
one  house  at  the  count}'  seat.  William 
grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm  in  his  native 
county,  being  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  was  married  April  28,  1848,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  AVine,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  in 
1822,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Vincil)  Wine,  also  natives  of  Virginia.  Six 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dickinson,  three  of  whom  are  living — Solo- 
mon S.,  born  August  31,  1855,  living  in 
Kansas;  Ellen  V.,  born  October  17,  1857, 
also  a  resident  of  Kansas;  and  Anna  Laura, 
born  November  22,  1864,  was  married  in 
1880  to  Edward  Wine.  Of  the  children 
deceased — Harvey  C.  was  born  .lanuary  26, 
1850,  died  October  12,  1852;  Caroline  E. 
was  born  July  7,  1852,  died  September  28, 
1854,  and  Howard  D.,  born  January  22, 
1860,  died  in  Ohio,  July  2,  1886.  leaving  a 
wife  and    one    child.     Mr.    Dickinson    com- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


303 


menced  farming  for  himself  in  Ohio,  on  a 
farm  of  220  acres.  He  subsequently  sokl  his 
Ohio  farm  and  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
in  1882,  when  he  settled  on  the  farm  where 
he  has  since  followed  agricultural  pursuits, 
having  now  240  acres  of  as  good  land  as  the 
township  att'ords. 

"^-^g'S'T'g 


|HARLES  M.  DODGE,  dealer  in  notions, 
jt,,  second-hand  goods,  etc.,  succeeded  Oli- 
ver and  Turrill  Turner,  who  established 
the  business.  Mr.  Dodge  has  the  only  store 
of  this  kind  in  the  county.  He  was  born  in 
Lamoille  County,  Vermont,  in  November, 
1848,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age,  his 
father,  Charles  Dodge,  removed  with  his  fam- 
ily to  McHenry  County,  Illinois.  The  fam- 
ily came  to  Greene  County  in  the  spring  of 
1870,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  Jackson  Town- 
ship, where  the  father  still  lives.  Charles  M. 
was  reared  on  a  farm.  In  1882  he  came  to 
Jeiferson  and  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
and  in  tlie  fall  of  1883  he  sold  his  interest  to 
his  partner,  Mr.  Roland  Roberts.  Mr.  Dodge 
married  Miss  Ada  A.  Heward,  daughter  of 
Charles  Heward,  who  came  to  Greene  County 
with  her  parents  in  the  fall  of  1870.  Her 
father  died  in  JetFerson  in  the  spring  of 
1886,  and  her  mother  still  lives  at  Jefferson. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dodge  have  two  daughter? — 
Nina  E.  and  Clara  B.,  born  in  Jackson  Town- 
ship. 

-Hi    I.  I*?  II.  ?l    1^   iM?til.    jg. 


fOHN  D.  WILLIAMS,  proprietor  of 
livery  stable  at  Angus,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  in  Mahoning  County  March 
1,  1853,  a  son  of  David  Williams,  of  Lyon 
County,  Kansas.  The  father  is  a  native  of 
Wales,  and  was  in  former  years  a  miner,  our 


subject  being  reared  principally  among  the 
coal  mines  of  Illinois,  his  parents  having 
located  in  Madison  County,  that  State,  in 
1856.  John  D.  Williams  has  followed  mining 
mostly  till  witliin  the  past  five  years.  He 
went  to  Kansas  in  1872,  where  he  followed 
farming  for  one  year,  then  went  to  Missouri, 
wliere  he  worked  in  the  mines.  He  came  to 
Iowa  in  1874,  locating  at  Panora,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1878  came  to  Angus,  being  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  the  town.  He  established 
his  livery  business  in  the  fall  of  1881,  and 
in  connection  with  it  he  runs  a  transfer  and 
bus  line.  September  11,  1875,  Mr.  Williams 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Powell, 
a  daughter  of  James  R.  Powell,  of  Panora, 
Iowa.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union,  M'hose  names  are  as  follows — Clyde, 
Jennie,  Harry  and  Eva  M.  Mr.  Williams  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  P^ellows 
orders. 


fOHN  R.  MATHEWS,  a  resident  of 
Bristol  Township,  was  born  in  Linn 
County,  this  State,  September  13,  1853, 
son  of  William  and  Rosanna  Mathews,  who 
were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Rapids 
Township,  that  county.  They  were  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in  Linn  County 
Iti  1849.  The  father  died  at  their  pioneer 
home  in  1855,  and  the  mother  in  1885.  Of 
their  five  children,  John  R.  was  the  youngest. 
One  sister,  Mary,  is  the  deceased  wife  of 
William  C.  Stream,  of  Bristol  Township. 
The  eldest  brother,  James  A.,  now  in  the  In- 
dian Territory,  served  in  the  late  war.  An- 
other brother,  George  A.,  lives  at  the  old 
home  in  Linn  County.  Robert  is  deceased. 
John  R.  Mathews  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Lichte- 
barger,  daughter  of  John  and  Maria  Lichte- 
barger,   of    Linn    County,    were    united     in 


iri»ii»,Wa»„w,,Wia,",»M««M'M»5aHB 


»*^  ■■'»>  ■^■"' 


■-■■■'■■■-■■■■■■■^■-'■^■-■■■■■■■-■--»=»-, 


304 


BI8T0RY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


marriage  March  14,  1876.  She  was  born  in 
Linn  County,  February  12, 1S51.  Her  mother 
resides  in  that  county,  and  her  father  is  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mathews  came  to 
Greene  County  in  1877.  They  reside  on 
section  21,  wliere  they  own  a  fine  property  of 
160  acres,  eighty  acres  being  under  good  im- 
provement. Tlieir  cliildren  are — Lillie,  Edith 
and  Nellie.  In  politics  Mi'.  Mathews  is  a 
Hepublican.  Mrs.  Mathews'  parents  settled 
in  Linn  County  during  the  Territorial  days 
of  Iowa,  on  a  farm,  the  present  site  of  West 
Cedar  Rapids. 


fONATHAN  ROBINSON,  postoffice 
Cooper,  engaged  in  farming  on  section 
11,  Franklin  Township,  was  born  in 
Cayuga  County,  New  York,  September  3, 
1842,  a  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Catherine  Robin- 
son. They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, our  subject  being  the  youngest  child. 
They  subseipieiitly  removed  with  their  family 
to  Carroll  County,  Illinois,  where  their  mother 
still  lives.  Their  father  died  in  1883.  Jona- 
than Robinson  grew  to  manhood  in  Carroll 
County,  being  reared  on  a  farm,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools.  Fie  enlisted 
in  defense  of  his  country  April  22,  1861,  and 
was  mustered  in  May  24  among  the  first 
Illinois  troops,  and  was  assigned  to  Company 
K,  Fifteenth  Infantry.  He  particijmted  in 
the  battles  at  Pittsburgh  Landing,  siege  of 
Corinth  and  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  June 
17, 1864,  was  Jionorably  discharged  at  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  when  he  returned  to  Carroll 
County.  March  6,  1865,  he  re-enlisted  for 
one  year  in  (.'onipany  G,  Fourth  United  States 
Army  Corps,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service  was  again  honorably  dis- 
charged at  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  was  married 
December  14,  1865,  to  Miss  Uranee  AVight, 


a  native  of  the  State  of  New  York,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen  AYight.  Mrs.  Robinson  died 
November  9,  1875,  leaving  three  children — 
Ellsworth,  Delia  May,  and  Frank.  July  4, 
1876,  Mr.  Robinson  was  again  married,  to 
Miss  Harriet  S.  Lawton,  adaughter  of  Philip 
and  Janet  (Gait)  Lawton.  To  this  union  have 
been  born  two  children — Orrie  and  Arthur. 
Mr.  Robinson  resided  in  Carroll  County, 
Illinois,  until  1869,  when  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  set- 
tled in  Washington  Township  where  he  re- 
sided for  twelve  yeai's,  and  opened  up  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres  on  section  30.  In  1881  he 
purchased  his  present  farm  which  contains 
eighty  acres  of  well  improved  land  under  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation,  a  good  residence  and 
farm  buildings.  Mr.  Robinson  is  a  member 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  belong- 
ing to  George  H.  Thomas  Post,  No.  23,  at 
Jefferson.  In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  Re- 
publican. 


►^M^ 


^REEDOM  P.  COOPER,  proprietor  of 
3,T||  the  livery  and  feed  stable  at  Rippey, 
'"^^  Greene  County,  was  born  in  Niagara, 
Canada,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  June  14, 
1847,  his  father,  Freedom  Cooper,  being  now 
a  resident  of  Ogden,  Iowa.  In  1853  our  sub- 
ject was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Clarke 
County,  Missouri,  and  in  September,  1859, 
to  Boone  County,  Iowa,  where  the  father  has 
since  made  his  home.  Freedom  P.  Cooper 
was  i-eared  to  the  avocation  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and  in  his 
youth  he  attended  the  schools  of  his  neigh- 
borhood, where  he  obtained  a  fair  common 
school  education.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage January  8,  1875,  to  Miss  Margaret 
Ramsey,  a  daughter  of  John  Ramsey,  of 
Boone  County,   Iowa.     Four   children  have 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


305 


been  born  to  this  union  of  whom  only  two 
are  living — Charles  and  Martha.  Mr.  Cooper 
followed  farming  until  1.884.  In  March, 
1886,  he  came  to  Rippey,  when  he  opened 
his  present  stable,  and  by  his  gentlemanly 
and  accommodating  manners,  and  strict  at- 
tention to  the  wants  of  his  customers  he  has 
succeeded  in  building  up  a  good  business 
which  is  steadily  increasing. 


fOSEPH  COCHRAN,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Greene  County,  resides  on  section  4, 
Kendrick  Township,  P.  O.,  Scranton. 
He  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  October 
20,  1823,  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Myers) 
Cochran,  who  where  the  parents  of  nine  chil- 
dren, our  subject  being  the  sixth  child.  He 
resided  in  his  native  county  until  1863, 
where  he  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools,  which 
were  held  in  log  school-houses.  March  5, 
1846,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Margaret  Camelin,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
Ross  County,  Ohio.  In  1863  Mr.  Cocliran, 
with  his  family,  came  to  Greene  County  and 
settled  upon  his  present  farm,  which  was 
then  in  its  primitive  state.  He  built  a  log 
house,  16.\18  feet,  which  answered  for  kitch- 
en, sleeping-room  and  parlor,  and  all  visitors 
to  this  hospitable  mansion  were  sure  of  a 
warm  reception.  Mr.  Cochran  owns  156 
acres  of  excellent  land,  has  a  good  house,  and 
his  farm  buildings  are  commodious  and  com- 
fortable. Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and 
is  a  worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cochran  have  had  seven  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living — Elizabeth  Jane  Stephen- 
son, who  resides  in  Cedar  Township;  Hugh 
Allen,  who  resides  in  C'hurdan  engaged  in  the 
hardware  business;    Lafayette,   a  farmer  re- 


siding in  Cedar  Township;  Charles,  born 
January  25,  1864,  lives  at  home  and  assists 
in  the  management  and  care  of  the  farm. 
Rhoda  Ann  Powers  died  in  May,  1877,  and 
two  died  in  infancy. 


*^n^ 


/^[HARLES  A.  ENGLISH,  one  of  the 
llE  prominent  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of 
^i  Highland  Township,  residing  on  section 
3,  was  born  in  Clarion  County,  Pennsylvania, 
August  1,  1836,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Esther 
(Henry)  English.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  State,  being  reared  to  the  avocation 
of  a  farmer.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he 
immigrated  to  Scott  County,  Iowa,  where  lie 
commenced  farming  for  himself,  remaining 
there  till  the  fall  of  1S59,  when  he  removed 
to  Clinton  County,  Iowa.  He  was  married 
in  De  Witt,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  August 
27,  1863,  to  Mary  A.  AVilliams,  who  was 
born  at  St.  Charles,  Missouri,  May  1,  1841, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Williams, 
who  were  also  natives  of  the  State  of  Mis- 
souri. They  are  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren— Edward  N.,  born  December  14,  1864; 
Lulu  T.,  October  7,  1866;  Sarah  G.,  October 
1,  1869;  Thomas  M.,  August  12,  1872; 
Bruce  H.,  May  11,  1875;  Clyde  A.,  Septem- 
ber 8,  1877,  and  Elizabeth,  March  3,  1880. 
Mr.  English  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
with  his  family  in  the  spring  of  1881,  and 
has  since  made  his  home  on  section  3,  High- 
land Township.  When  he  first  came  to  the 
township,  the  creek  which  flows  in  front  of 
his  house  was  so  high  that  he  had  to  float  the 
lumber  over  for  his  buildings.  In  connection 
with  liis  general  farming,  Mr.  English  devotes 
considerable  attention  to  stock-raising,  his 
land  being  well  adapted  for  that  purpose. 
He  is  a  thorough,  practical  tarmer,  and  in  his 
agricultural  pursuits  has  met  with  excellent 


306 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


success,  his  lann  containing  160  acres  of 
valuable  land,  well  stocked.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  English  are  active  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
English  is  a  staunch  Republican. 


lEOEGE  F.  HANSON,  deceased,  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Maine,  February  8, 
1826,  a  son  of  Silas  and  Hulda  Hanson, 
who  were  among  Iowa's  pioneers,  making 
their  home  in  Muscatine  County  as  early  as 
1839.  His  father  died  in  that  county  the 
same  year,  his  mother  surviving  her  husband 
for  twenty-two  years,  her  death  taking  place 
in  1861.  George  F.  Hanson,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  married  in  Jones  County, 
Iowa,  November  23,  1848,  to  Miss  Hannah 
Sherman,  a  native  of  Chautauqua  County, 
New  York,  Ijorn  February  14,  1830,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Joshua  and  Mary  Ann  Sherman.  Her 
parents  were  pioneers  of  Jones  County,  set- 
tling there  in  1843,  where  they  died  many 
years  ago  on  their  old  homestead.  After 
their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  made 
their  home  on  a  farm  in  Muscatine  County, 
and  there  their  six  children  were  born — 
Silas,  living  at  home  with  his  mother;  Hul- 
dah,  wife  of  R.  S.  Ervin,  an  attorney  at  law, 
residing  at  Fort  Dodge;  Avis,  teaching  school 
at  Flirt  Dodge;  Ella,  teaching  school  at  Paton, 
Greene  County,  and  Sherman  and  Paul,  living 
at  home.  In  1872  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson,  in 
order  to  give  their  children  the  opportunity 
of  attending  the  State  University,  removed 
to  Iowa  City,  where  they  remained  tw'o  years, 
removing  thence  to  Scranton  City,  Greene 
County, where  Mr.  Hanson  was  engaged  in  gen- 
eral mercantile  pursuits  until  1880.  In  that 
year  he  sold  his  stock  of  goods  and  removed  to 
section  12,  Scranton  Township,  intending  to 
give  his  entire  attention  to  his  farm.     He 


improved  his  land  from  the  naked  prairie, 
and  left  at  his  death  a  fine  estate  consisting 
of  720  acres.  He  died  February  1,  18S4, 
and  though  left,  in  comfortable  circumstances, 
his  family  met  witli  an  irretrievable  loss.  He 
was  an  active,  progressive  business  man,  and 
gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him,  his  death  causing  universal  regret. 
He  always  took  a  deep  interest  in  public 
affairs,  and  was  active  in  promoting  the  in- 
terests of  his  county,  township,  or  neighbor- 
hood. In  politics  he  was  formerly  a  Whig, 
but  was  a  Republican  from  the  organization 
of  that  party. 


||R.  BENJAMIN  F.  WEST,  postmaster 
IIO  and  druggist  at  Angus,  was  born  in 
Crawfordsville,  Indiana,  April  22, 1858, 
son  of  Thomas  J.  West,  a  native  of  the  same 
place.  The  grandfather,  Jeremiah  West, 
came  from  Ohio  to  Crawfordsville  in  an  early 
day,  settling  among  the  Indians  and  wild  ani- 
mals. He  lived  in  a  log  cabin.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm  near  his  native  town, 
and  educated  at  AVabash  College,  Crawfords- 
ville, graduating  at  Miami  Medical  College, 
Cincinnati,  March  1,  1881.  He  then  re- 
turned to  his  native  place  and  practiced  his 
profession  until  January,  1882,  then  came  to 
Angus,  where  he  has  since  lived.  In  August, 
1886,  he  was  made  postmaster,  and  confined 
his  practice  to  ofhce  practice.  He  also  be- 
came a  partner  with  Daniel  J.  Morris  in  the 
drug  store.  The  postofiice  is  kept  in  the 
same  place.  He  w-as  married  September  12, 
1881,  to  Mary  Graham,  daughter  of  Nathan 
Graham,  now  deceased.  They  have  had  two 
children,  only  one  living — Harold.  Wilson 
W.  died  from  the  efiects  of  a  burn  received 
by  his  clothes  taking  fire  from  the  stove.  Dr. 
West  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 


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He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  society 
and  encampment,  the  Knights  of  Honor, 
Good  Templars,  and  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
town  council  and  of  the  school  board. 


|EOKGE  B.  McCULLT.— The  mercan- 
i|:  tile  firm  of  McCully  &  Co.,  at  Jefferson, 
is  composed  of  George  B.  and  Elizabeth 
McCully.  The  business  was  established  by 
G.  and  D.  B.  McCully  in  1874.  This  part- 
nership continued  about  four  years,  when  the 
latter  became  sole  proprietor.  In  18S2  the 
partnership  of  D.  B.  McCully  &  Son  was 
formed.  The  former  died  October  4,  1884, 
since  which  time  the  business  has  been  con- 
ducted by  the  present  firm.  They  are 
located  on  the  east  side  of  the  square,  their 
building  being  a  fine  frame  structure  132  x 
22  feet.  It  was  erected  by  D.  B.  McCully  in 
1884.  Daniel  B.  McCully,  one  of  the  found- 
ers of  this  enterprise,  was  a  native  of  Ohio, 
where  he  was  born  in  1832.  He  was  i-eared 
in  his  native  State,  and  came  to  Scott  County, 
Iowa,  when  a  young  man,  where  he  married 
Elizabeth  Smith,  also  a  native  of  Ohio.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  but  for  several  years 
after  his  marriage  followed  the  mercantile 
business  in  Wheatland,  Clinton  County, 
where  he  continued  until  he  came  here  in 
1874.  He  was  a  successful  business  man, 
and  built  up  a  fine  trade.  His  wife  and  son 
succeeded  him  at  his  death.  Politically  he 
was  a  Republican,  but  took  very  little  inter- 
est in  political  matters.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  this  county  for 
four  years.  Previous  to  coming  here,  he  had 
for  many  years  been  identified  with  the  Chris- 
tian church.  There  being  no  relicfious  or- 
ganization  of  that  church  here,  he  united 
with  the  Baptist  church  at  Jefferson,  of  which 


he  remained  a  consistent  and  faithful  member 
until  death.  He  left  a  wife  and  four  chil- 
dren— Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Warner,  a  resident  of 
Cheyenne,  AVyoming  Territory,  Mrs.  Mary 
Church,  of  Jeft'erson;  George  B.  and  Willie 
S.  George  B.,  the  oldest  son,  was  born  in 
Scott  County,  this  State,  in  1859.  He  was 
educated  at  Jeflerson  Academy,  and  when 
eighteen  years  old  was  engaged  as  clerk  in 
his  father's  store.  He  married  Miss  Ida  V. 
Hozad,  who  was  born  at  Newton,  Jasper 
County.  They  have  one  child,  Daniel  C. 
Willie  S.  McCully,  the  younger  son,  was  born 
in  Scott  County,  in  September,  1866. 


Wa  I.  RITCHIE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
jniv?  section  35,  Cedar  Townsliip,  lias  a  good 
■^^®  farm  of  250  acres,  and  is  one  of  Cedar 
Township's  representative  citizens.  His 
parents,  George  and  Margaret  Ritchie,  were 
natives  of  Maryland,  and  settled  in  Ohio  in 
an  early  day,  and  in  that  State  lie  was  born 
September  22,  1824.  He  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  in  his  youth,  at  which  he 
worked  in  Ohio  and  Indiana.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  the  latter  State  April  14,  1858,  to 
Miss  Margaret  Ann  Stephenson,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  born  August  4,  1833,  daugiiter  of 
James  and  Marj'  Stephenson,  natives  of  Oiiio, 
but  early  settlers  of  Indiana,  wiiere  they  were 
married.  In  1856  Mr.  Ritchie  moved  to 
Greene  Cou!ity,  Iowa,  and  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives.  His  first  purchase 
was  eighty  acres  of  raw  prairie  land,  and  has 
improved  it  until  he  now  has  it  under  culti- 
vation, and  has  added  to  it  from  time  to 
time  as  he  was  able.  During  a  residence  of 
thirty  years  Mr.  Ritchie  has  witnessed  all 
the  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  trans- 
forming Greene  County  from  a  barren  prairie 
to  a    fine    farming    community    interspersed 


IL .. 


.■■■-■-■^■■''■■^"-■■■■■■' 


"-■'■■■-'■ 


308 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


with  thriving  villages.  He  came  West  with 
but  little  capital,  but  his  undaunted  pluck 
and  energy  have  resulted  successfully.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ritchie  have  had  eight  children — 
Mary  E.,  born  April  6,  1854;  William,  born 
March  27, 1856;  Margaret  E.,  born  April  16, 
1858;  Adeliza,  born  October  29,  1860;  Eo- 
setta  and  Rosaima,  born  June  27,  1863; 
Eosetta  died  July  24,  1874;  Ever  A.,  born 
August  5,  1868,  died  July  25,  1873;  R. 
Pearl,  born  November  19,  1877.  In  politics 
Mr.  Ritchie  is  a  Eepublican. 


[YDNEY  J.    COUNCILMAN,  one    of 

?i^|  the  prominent  farmers  of  Grant  Town- 
ship, resides  on  section  34,  his  farm  of 
320  acres  lying  on  sections  34  and  33. 
He  paid  $11  per  acre  for  this  farm, 
which  was  wholly  unimproved,  but  is  now  in 
a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  born  in 
Broome  County,  New  York,  July  18,  1838. 
His  father,  Frederick  Councilman,  removed 
from  the  State  of  New  York  to  Cook  County, 
Illinois,  thence  to  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  in 
1853,  where  he  died  in  1884.  Sydney  J. 
lived  near  De  Witt,  Clinton  County,  until  he 
came  to  Greene  County  in  1878.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Aiigeline  Winchell,  of  Cascade, 
Dubuque  County,  and  they  have  six  children, 
one  son  aiid  five  daughters.  Mr.  Council- 
man has  one  of  the  most  desirable  farms  in 
the  township.  He  has  given  much  attention 
to  fruit-raising,  and  has  a  fine  orchard  which 
he  set  out  in  1879.  Of  the  300  trees  which 
he  set  out  at  that  time  only  twenty  have 
died.  The  orchard  now  contains  about  600 
trees.  He  raises  apples  and  very  fine  small 
fruits,  including  strawberries  of  an  excellent 
quality.  He  has  a  taste  for  horticulture,  and 
has  given  consideraVjle  attention  to  that  sub- 
ject.    In  early  life  he  received  a  good  educa- 


tion, and  taught  eight  terms  of  winter  school 
in  Clinton  County. 


-I^^Mf. 


EOEGE  W.  MUNN,  section  21,  Jack- 
son Township,  settled  on  his  farm  June 
1,  1873,  it  being  at  that  time  wild 
prairie  land,  and  but  two  families  were  living 
in  sight  of  his  residence.  The  developments 
of  Greene  County  in  the  past  thirteen  years 
has  nowhere  been  more  noticeable  than  in 
his  portion  of  Jackson  Township.  Mr. 
Munn's  farm  contains  160  acres  of  choice 
land,  all  available  and  productive,  and  shows 
the  care  of  a  thrifty  owner.  Mr.  Munn  was 
born  in  Oneida  County,  New  York,  June  1, 
1849,  a  son  of  George  and  Jane  (Gibbs) 
Munn.  When  he  was  about  a  year  old  his 
parents  moved  to  Boone  County,  Illinois,  and 
there  he  was  reared.  His  father  died  No- 
vember 17,  1860,  leaving  his  widow  with  a 
family  of  nine  children,  five  sons  and  four 
daughters.  Albert  E.,  the  eldest,  is  now  a 
resident  of  Boone,  Iowa,  as  is  also  a  daughter, 
Mrs.  Jane  Olmsted;  Mrs.  Sarah  Lemmon 
lives  in  O'Brien  County,  Iowa;  the  fourth 
child  was  George  W. ;  Gardner  lives  near 
the  old  homestead  in  Illinois;  Mrs.  Martha 
Hall  lives  in  the  Black  Hills  district  of 
Dakota;  James  lives  with  his  mother  on  the 
old  homestead;  Mrs.  Ruth  Silvins  lives  in 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois;  Rufus,  twin 
brother  of  Ruth,  died,  aged  three  years. 
George  W.  Munn  has  always  followed  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  commencing  as  a  boy  on 
his  father's  farm.  He  was  married  October 
13,  1870,  to  Miss  Maria  S.  Chamberlin,  a 
native  of  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  born 
October  13,  1847,  a  daughter  of  Griftin  and 
Maria  (Sheldon)  Chamberlin.  Her  mother 
died  in  Massachusetts,  and  in  1853  her  father 
moved    to   Boone  County,  Illinois,  and  died 


'I 


I 


mf-m-wi. 


■■■■■ 


■■■■■■■ij 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


309 


in  New  York  December  12,  1871.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mnnn  have  one  daughter — Liiella,  born 
April  10,  1877.  In  politics  Mr.  Munn  is  a 
Republican. 

— — 4♦^«^">-^ — 


?¥^"TTLLIAM  A.  McALLISTER  resides 
'    '/  V     '^"  section  29,  Grant  Township,  where 

l*-^jfe=|  he  owns  140  acres  of  land.  He  was 
born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  in  1845.  In 
the  spring  of  1864  his  father,  James  II. 
McAllister,  emigrated  with  his  family  to 
Iowa,  settling  in  Iowa  County.  In  the  fall 
of  1870  the  pai-ents  went  to  Storm  Lake, 
expecting  to  make  a  home  there,  but  the 
country  proved  too  new  for  them  at  their 
age  in  life,  and  they  decided  to  settle  in 
Greene  County.  The  father  accordingly 
purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Grant 
Township,  adjoining  the  farm  now  owned  by 
his  son  William.  But  little  improvement 
had  been  made.  He  erected  a  line  house 
and  barn  and  other  buildings,  and  thei'e  died 
July  20,  1S85.  His  wife,  Susanna  ircAllis- 
ter,  was  killed  by  lightning  September  2, 
1875,  during  one  of  the  most  severe  rain 
storms  ever  known  in  this  country.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McAllister  were  stationed  just  beneath 
the  chimney  on  the  second  floor  of  the  house 
endeavoring  to  catch  in  a  tin  vessel  the  water 
which  came  down  the  chimney  in  large 
quantities,  thi-eatening  to  flood  the  room. 
The  electric  tiend  struck  the  chimney,  in- 
stantly killing  Mrs.  McAllister.  Her  hus- 
band was  rendered  senseless  by  the  shock, 
and  was  made  deaf  to  quite  an  extent.  A 
very  remarkable  fact  is  that  he  remained  deaf 
until  about  two  weeks  before  his  death,  when 
his  hearing  returned,  and  he  could  hear  as 
distinctly  as  he  ever  did.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McAllister  were  natives  of  Greene  County, 
Ohio,  the   father  of   Scotch    origin,  and   the 


mother  of  Irish.  They  had  four  children, 
two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  others 
are — William  A.  and  a  younger  sister,  Mrs. 
Edith  Alice  Scott,  of  Bristol  Township. 
William  A.  McAllister  enlisted  October  15, 
1864,  in  Company  G,  Sixteenth  Iowa,  and 
took  part  in  the  closing  scenes  of  the  war, 
marching  with  General  Sherman  to  the  sea. 
He  was  taken  sick  at  Raleigh,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  transferred  to  Beaufort;  thence  to 
Long  Island,  and  was  discharged  in  New 
York  City  May  28,  1865.  He  was  married 
in  Iowa  County  to  Mary  Ann  AYagner,  who 
was  born  in  Ohio,  and  removed  with  her 
parents  to  Iowa  when  but  seven  years  of  age. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McAllister  have  one  child — 
Alice,  born  in  Iowa  County  in  January,  1867. 
Mr.  McAllister  is  a  Republican  politically, 
as  was  his  father.  He  is  quite  largely  en- 
gaged in  stock-raising,  and  he  also  makes  a 
specialty  of  Canadian-French  horses. 

k>^i+|*Jm3*|<-.-~ 

I^WAN  NELSON,  general  merchant  at 
°|'^^~|  Angus,  was  born  in  Christianstadt, 
^^  Sweden,  October  29,  1861,  son  of  John 
Anderson,  deceased.  The  customs  of  that 
country  are  such  that  if  the  father  was  living 
Mr.  Nelson's  name  would  be  Johnson.  His 
mother  married  a  Mr.  Nelson,  and  he  took 
his  stepfather's  name.  He  went  to  Chicago 
with  his  mother  in  1868,  where  he  lived  until 
1879,  then  came  to  Angus,  wliich  was  then 
in  its  embrj'o.  He  clerked  for  Blair  & 
Johnson,  proprietors  of  the  first  store  estab- 
lished in  Angus.  He  remained  with  them 
until  1882,  then  clerked  for  Webster  & 
Lunt  six  months,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Chicago  and  engaged  as  department  clerk  in 
the  domestic  department  of  Cleveland,  Cum- 
mings  &  Woodrufl^s  wholesale  dry  goods 
house,    where    he    remained    seven    months. 


^ 


310 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


and  then  the  house  failed.  He  was  floor 
walker  in  E.  J.  Lehmann's  celebrated  fair 
during  the  holidays  of  1883-'84,  then  returned 
to  Angus,  and  in  February  of  that  year 
bought  out  the  dry  goods  stock  of  Webster 
&  Lunt,  to  which  he  added  a  full  line  of 
groceries  and  provisions.  He  also  keeps 
gents'  furnishing  goods,  boots  and  shoes,  and 
everytliing  usually  found  in  a  general  store. 
He  carries  a  capital  stock  of  $1,400,  with 
annual  sales  of  $7,000.  March  25,  1885,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Anderson,  daugh- 
ter of  Anders  Erickson,  of  Sweden.  To  this 
union  one  child  lias  been  born — Elver,  born 
February  1,  1886.  While  in  Chicago  Mr. 
Nelson  became  a  member  of  Moody's  church. 


[ILLIAM  J.  SEMMONS,  general  mer- 
II  chant  at  Angus,  was  born  in  County 
l*-f^I  Cornwall,  England,  October  4.  1860. 
His  father  is  AVilliam  Semmons,  of  Shaniokin, 
Pennsylvania,  who  brought  his  family  to 
America  in  1870.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  Shamokin,  and  in  July, 
1880,  came  to  Braidwood,  Illinois,  thence  to 
Ottumwa,  Iowa,  a  month  later,  and  thence,  in 
a  few  weeks,  to  Excelsior.  In  the  spring  of 
1881  he  went  East,  and  returned  to  E.\celsior 
the  following  fall,  thence  to  Angus  in  Octo- 
ber, 1882.  He  worked  in  AVebster  &  Lunt's 
store  for  two  years,  and  went  into  business 
for  himself  on  the  14th  day  of  February, 
1885.  He  carries  a  capital  stock  of  $3,500, 
and  does  an  annual  business  of  $10,000.  He 
keeps  clothing,  boots  and  shoes,  gents'  furnish- 
ing goods,  hats  and  caps,  groceries,  provisions 
and  notions.  He  has  a  good  trade  and  it  is 
constantl}'  increasing.  He  was  married 
October  1,  1885,  to  Jennie  Clayton,  daughter 
of  James  I).  Clayton,  of  Van  Meter,  Iowa. 
They  have   one   child,  Harrv  G.     Mr.   Sem- 


mons is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at 
Angus;  also  member  of  Palmyra  Chapter,  No. 
86,  R.  A.  M.,  Perry,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Semmons 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church. 

^^^^„%.„__ 

l^^EOFESSOR  HARRISON  M.  HAM,  a 
|[^  son  of  Kingman  Ham,  is  a  native  of 
"~3C  Maine,  born  in  Somerset  County  April 
19,  1845.  His  father  being  a  farmer  he  was 
reared  to  the  same  occupation,  remaining  on 
the  home  farm  till  iifteen  years  of  age.  He 
then  entered  Vassalboro  College,  Maine, 
which  he  attended  for  live  years.  He  began 
his  career  as  a  teacher  while  attending  college 
at  the  age  of  seventeen,  keeping  up  with  his 
classes  while  teaching.  He  taught  two  terms 
in  his  native  State  while  attending  college. 
In  1865  he  accompauied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  to  Illinois  as  far  as  New  Martins- 
burgh,  Ohio,  where  he  taught  four  months 
at  $45  per  month.  He  then  joined  his  par- 
ents in  McLean  County,  Illinois,  in  the 
spring  of  1866,  and  settled  on  the  farm  with 
them.  Here  he  taught  school  two  winters, 
workinff  on  the  farm  in  summer.  Professor 
Ham  was  married  in  April,  1869,  to  Miss 
Mary  Merwin,  who  was  born  in  Columbia 
County,  New  York,  October  4,  1850,  a 
daughter  of  Asher  and  Elizabeth  (Ham) 
Merwin,  who  were  natives  of  the  same  State. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  children — 
Llewellyn,  born  March  12,  1870;  Ida  May, 
born  January  5,  1881,  died  March  8,  1881; 
Mahlon  K.,  born  May  28,  1883.  In  the  fall 
of  1870  Professor  Ham  went  to  Blooming- 
ton,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits  about  live  years,  being 
encao'cd  most  of  that  time  as  a  commercial 
traveler.  He  was  then  appointed  a  professor 
in  the  schools  of  that  place,  which  position 
he   fllled   acceptably  from   1875    until   1881. 


.i\ 


[1^ 

L'', 
i 

( 
i 


"I 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHEH. 


an 


He  tlien  oatne  to  fTi-t'ene  Coiirty,  Iowa,  and 
Sfltied  on  section  24,  Fi-auklin  Townsliip, 
wliere  he  lias  sincL-  resiMed,  a  .d  is  now  devot- 
ihjr  hi.-,  ai  .ention  to  i'arminu'  and  stock-rai^inir. 
He  lias  met  witli  success  in  his  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  now  owns  eighty  acres  on  sec- 
tion 25,  Franklin  Township,  besides  his  home 
farm,  which  also  contains  eighty  acres  of 
well-cultivated  land.  His  residence  is  com- 
fortable and  commodious,  and  his  farm  build- 
ings are  ''n  good  condition,  and  he  is  classed 
III':'  L'litt'rprising  and  [iro.-perous 
ij......  ..i  of  Franklin  Township.  His  post- 
office  is  I3ox  9  i,  Jamaica,  Guthrie  County, 
Iowa.  Professor  Ham  has  always  been  a 
staunch  Tfepnblicaii  in  politics,  and  always 
voted  the  Republican  ticket,  and  believes  in 
the  triumph  of  that  party  in  the  near  future. 
He  has  taken  great  interest  in  politics  in  late 
years,  being  an  effective  speaker  upon  political 
subjects.  Professor  Ham  is  considered  a 
fine  public  sjieaker  and  orator  upon  subjects 
to  whicli  he  has  (jiven  his  earnest  attention. 


vVIL)  COX  ANT,  firmer,  resides  on 
sectitiu  16,  Bristol  Township,  where  he 
owns  160  acres  of  land.  He  settled 
upon  his  firm  in  18G9,  coming  from  Dane 
County,  Wisconsin.  In  Septeuilier,  1861,  he 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  Company  G,  First 
Wisconsin  Cavalry,  under  Colonel  Daniels. 
Although  lii.>  regiment  did  very  hard  work 
in  guarding  ])roperty,  keeping  open  lines  of 
communication,  lighting  guerrillas  and  bush- 
whackers, and  passed  through  many  dangers, 
it  never  had  the  fortune  to  be  engaged  in  any 
historic  battle.  Mr.  Conant  suffered  much 
while  in  tlie  service  and  contracted  a  disability 
from  which  he  has  never  recovered.  He  was 
honorablj'  discharged  at  Calhoun,  Geoi'gia. 
Keturuing   to   Dane    County,   Wisconsin,  he 


wedded  Miss  Alice  M.  Wilson,  daughter  of 
William  and  Alniira  Wilson,  now  residents 
of  Jetl'erson,  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Conant  have  seven  children — Cliarles  A., 
Almira  L.,  Samuel  E.,  Matthew  A.,  Sarah 
May,  Olive  Myrtle  and  Kate  B.  Mr.  Conant 
was  born  in  Lamoille  County,  Vermont, 
April  6,  1839,  son  of  James  A.  and  Louisa 
(Cartel-)  Conant.  The  mother  died  in  Ver- 
mont in  1845,  and  the  father  died  in  the 
State  of  New  York  since  the  war.  After  his 
mother's  death,  our  subject  was  taken  into 
the  family  ot  George  W.  Swaiiu,  w.  o  reared 
him.     Mr.  Swaim  now  lives  in  Dakota. 


fOHN  J.  DEERY,  farmer,  section  5, 
Wasliington  Townsliip,  was  born  in 
Athens  County,  Ohio,  March  22,  1848, 
son  of  John  R.  Derry,  of  Douglas  County, 
Missouri,  and  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He 
spent  his  early  life  on  a  tarm  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools.  He  lived  mostly 
in  Pomeroy,  Oliio,  until  eight  years  of  age, 
then  came  to  Greene  County  in  1865,  set- 
tling upon  the  tarm  he  now  owns.  There 
were  twenty  acres  broken  and  one  acre  fenced. 
There  was  also  a  simdl  log  cabin  on  the  j)laee, 
which  had  one  room,  a  clap-board  roof  and 
all  the  surroundings  of  a  primitive  dwelling, 
and  also  a  very  good  frame  iiouse.  Mr. 
Derry  endured  the  hardships  and  privations 
of  pioneer  life,  but  is  now  reaping  the  fruits 
of  his  hard  labor.  In  November,  1885,  J.  R. 
Derry  removed  to  Missouri.  May  7,  1874, 
J.  J.  Derry  was  married  to  Miss  LLinnah  A. 
Brown,  daughter  of  Isaac  H.  Brown,  wlio 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills 
while  fio-htina;  for  the  Union.  He  was  First 
Lieutenant  and  acting  as  Captain  when  killed. 
Mrs.  Derry  was  born  in  Jefferson,  now  Grant 
Township,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  November 


1 


312 


HISTORY    OF    QREEl^E    COUNTY. 


30,  1850,  her  father  having  settled  there  in 
tlie  spring  of  1856.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Derry 
are  the  parents  of  three  children — Nelly  M., 
Rena  B.  and  Charles  W.  Mr.  Derry  owns 
175  acres  of  excellent  land,  and  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising.  Politi- 
cally he  afhliates  with  the  Republican  party; 
religiously  he  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  chnrch. 


-■^^-^^^ 


H.  CARTER,  a  prominent  merchant 
^  pL  of  Jefferson,  is  located  on  the  east  side 
i^^®  of  the  square.  In  1875  he  purchased 
an  interest  in  the  store  of  John  D.  Hall. 
Nearly  two  years  later  he  sold  out  to  Hall 
and  opened  a  store  on  the  west  side  of  the 
square.  In  1884  he  erected  his  present  fine 
bi-ick  building,  which  is  22x100  feet,  two 
stories  in  height,  with  basement.  He  has 
met  with  marked  success  in  his  bnsiness. 
From  a  small  beginning  he  has  built  up  iiis 
present  lucrative  business.  Mr.  Carter  was 
born  in  Vermont  in  1852,  and  is  a  son  of 
Abel  Carter,  of  Jackson  Townsiiip,  who 
emigrated  with  his  family  to  Illinois  in  1867, 
thence  to  Greene  County  the  following  year. 
Our  subject  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of 
a  farmer.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he  went  to 
Ringwood,  near  Chicago,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  clerking  one  year.  He  then 
went  to  Clifton,  Iroquois  County,  where  he 
was  also  engaged  in  clerkino-.  In  1875  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Ladd,  daughter 
of  Wesley  Ladd,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
of  Mcllenry  County,  Illinois.  They  have 
one  daughter,  Marie,  born  in  1885.  Abel 
Carter,  father  of  our  subject,  and  one  of  the 
representative  citizens  of  Jackson  Township, 
resides  on  section  11,  where  he  established 
himself  in  1869.  His  farm  contains  eighty- 
one  acres  of  choice  land,  in  the  valley   of  the 


North  Coon  River.  His  land  is  well  drained 
and  easily  worked,  and  is  well  adapted  to  all 
crops  as  well  as  for  stock-raising.  Mr. 
Carter  also  owns  eighty  acres  on  section  1, 
Jackson  Township,  used  for  pasturing  and 
for  the  production  of  hay.  He  was  born  in 
Caledonia  County,  Vermont,  June  9,  1829, 
son  of  Philip  and  Nancy  (Swain)  Carter,  both 
of  whom  were  born,  reared  and  married  in 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  The  mother 
died  of  consumption  in  1839,  at  the  old 
homestead,  where  the  children  were  all 
reared  and  where  the  father  lived  over  fifty 
years.  He  died  in  1864,  aged  seventy-three 
years.  Of  their  eight  children,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  the  youngest,  and  the 
only  one  now  living.  The  others  were — Ira, 
Jeremiah  S.,  Philip,  Moses,  Sally,  Louisa  and 
Huldah.  Five  of  the  family  died  of  con- 
sumption. Abel  Carter  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  has  always  followed  that  avocation. 
March  23,  1851,  he  wedded  Miss  Lucy  D. 
Clemens,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Lucy  (Wells) 
Clemens,  natives  of  Vermont.  Her  father 
was  killed  while  attempting  to  board  a  rail- 
road train  at  Burlington,  in  1855.  He  was 
returning  home  after  two  years'  absence  in 
California,  and  was  within  fifty  miles  of  his 
home  when  he  met  with  his  untimely  fate. 
His  age  was  sixty-three  years.  His  widow 
survived  him  about  three  years.  Mrs.  Carter 
was  born  in  Hyde  Park,  Vermont,  August 
21,  1839;  has  three  sisters  living  near  her — 
Mrs.  Pharisina  Carter,  widow  of  Jeremiah  S. 
Carter,  Mrs.  Pauline  Dodge,  and  Chastina 
E.  Way.  One  brother.  Rev.  Sylvester 
Clemens,  was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist 
church,  of  Troy  Conference,  with  a  charge  at 
Ilagerman's  Mills;  died  March  8, 1887.  One 
brother,  Lucius  Clemens,  lives  at  Sacramento 
City,  California.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carter  have 
three  children — Edsrar  II.,  Mrs.  Ella  J.  i 
Wood,  and  Mrs.  Etha  A.   \  oung,  all  living         j 


■-■-■-""■'-"■■■-'■-■"■■-■-■'-■g 


BIOORAPHIGAL    HKETOUES. 


in  Jefierson.  Mrs.  Carter  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church  torty-two  years. 
Politically  Mr.  Carter  is  a  Republican,  of 
Whig  ancestry.  lie  has  served  as  secretary 
of  the  school    board  and  as  township  trustee. 


.«„.;^4^►2^^ 


B.  ANDERSON,  farmer,  section  9, 
Kendrick  Township,  postoffice  Scrau- 
ton,  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Greene 
County,  and  was  born  in  Kno.x  County,  Ohio, 
February  24,  1841,  son  of  J.  Y.  and  Mahala 
(Cain)  Anderson,  tlie  former  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  latter  of  Putnam  County, 
Virginia.  They  were  married  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  and  reared  a  family  of  six 
children— J.  A.,  A.  B.,  D.  B.,  S.  B.,  W.  H., 
and  Miranda  D.  The  family  came  to  Iowa 
in  1854,  with  teams  and  wagons.  The  father 
tirst  settled  in  Carroll  County,  tive  miles 
northeast  of  Glidden.  The  family  spent  the 
lirst  winter  south  of  Jefferson,  while  the 
father  and  older  sons  camped  out  and  pre- 
pared logs  for  a  house.  In  tlie  spring  they 
built  ahewed-loghouse,  which  was  one  of  the 
best  within  a  radius  of  thirty  miles.  Our 
subject  was  the  hunter  of  the  family,  and 
supplied  them  with  game.  He  had  some 
very  exciting  experiences.  At  one  time  he 
found  a  large  elk,  and  having  only  live  bul- 
lets, which  failed  to  bring  the  stag  down,  he 
dug  a  bullet  out  of  a  tree,  which  he  had  pre- 
viously used  in  shooting  at  a  mark,  and  that, 
with  the  assistance  of  his  trusty  dog,  brought 
the  animal  down.  Mr.  Anderson  was  mar- 
ried July  1,  1858,  to  Miss  Eliza  Miller, 
daughter  of  J.  P.  Miller,  a  prominent  pioneer 
and  physician  of  this  county,  who  used  fre- 
quently to  ride  fifty  miles  to  visit  his  patients. 
Mr.  Anderson  located  upon  his  present  farm 


During 


in  1865,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

the  late  civil    war,   he  enlisted   August    15, 

26 


1862,  in  Company  E,  Thirty-ninth  Iowa  In- 
fantry, and  was  in  General  Sherman's  grand 
marcli  to  the  sea  and  several  other  engage- 
ments. He  was  honorably  discharged  June 
5,  1865,  and  returned  to  his  home.  His  farm 
contains  173  acres  of  excellent  land,  with 
good  buildings.  Mrs.  Anderson  died  Janu- 
ary 9,  1879,  and  April  13,  1879,  Mr.  Ander- 
son was  married  to  Mrs.  Anna  Nesbit,  widow 
of  John  Nesbit,  and  the  mother  of  tive  chil- 
dren— M.  L.,  Etta  L.,  Alice  M.,  Alva  U.  and 
Anna  B.  By  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Ander- 
son had  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living 
— Alice,  Sylvester,  Freddie,  Hattie,  Myra  and 
David.  To  his  second  marriage  were  born 
three  children — Eliza  Pearl,  Myrtie  E.  and 
Levi  Robs.  Politically  Mr.  Anderson  is  a 
Republican,  and  served  as  township  clerk  for 
twelve  years.  He  has  aiso  served  as  con- 
stable and  as  secretary  of  the  school  board. 
He  is  a  member  of  N.  H.  Powers  Post,  No. 
Ill,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Scranton ;  he  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men. 


.n.a5.»,»j 


jT^INGMAN  HAM,  a  retired  farmer, 
W^_  living  on  section  24,  Franklin  Town- 
-^F*  ship,  was  born  in  Somerset  County, 
Maine,  August  37,  1812,  his  parents,  Daniel 
and  Hannah  (Starbird)  Ham,  being  natives  of 
New  Hampshire.  He  was  the  youngest  in  a 
family  of  four  children,  and  the  only  one  now 
living.  He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm, 
remaining  at  home  till  attaining  the  age  of 
twenty-two  years,  when  he  went  to  work  in  a 
pinery  in  the  winter  and  during  the  summer 
worked  in  a  mill,  being  thus  employed  for 
three  years.  In  1838  he  bought  a  tarni  of 
100  acres  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  shortly 
afterward  gave  this  farm  and  §500  for  a  tract 
of  land  containing  400  acres,  on  which    he 

.^,^..^.^.^..--.,-,.^.^.^-^---.Jt 


.■-■-■-.■-■-■■■^■-■-■-■■■-■-■-■'^"'^"-■-■-■'■■-■■■-■-■-'■-''-■-■-■-"-■-■-■s^^ 


:;i4 


UIsrOHY    OF    GHKENE    COUNTY. 


lived  till  1866.  April  30,  1840,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Magoon,  wlio  was  born 
in  Maine,  February  1,  1817,  the  third  in  a 
family  of  four  children  of  Benjamin  and 
Charlotte  (Batty)  Magoon,  who  were  also 
natives  of  Maine.  Three  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ham — Edwin,  Harrison  and 
Caroline.  In  1866  Mr.  Ham  removed  with 
his  family  to  McLean  County,  Illinois,  set- 
tling on  a  farm  which  he  afterward  sold,  and 
in  1876  went  to  Michigan,  where  he  made  his 
home  abont  seven  years.  In  1882  he  came 
to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  settled  in  Frank- 
lin Township,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and 
ranks  among  the  best  citizens.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  Postoffice,  Jamaica,  Iowa. 


^ARVY  W.  GRAHAM,  one  of  the  sue 
jjpfl  cessful  farmers  and  business  men  of 
■^tl  Bristol  Townsliip,  has  been  identilied 
with  the  interests  of  Greene  County  since 
1871,  during  which  year  he  came  from  Noble 
County,  Indiana.  The  four  succeeding  years 
he  resided  in  Cedar  Township,  where  he 
owned  a  farm  on  section  20.  In  January, 
1876,  he  sold  that  property  and  bought  an 
interest  in  the  Hawkeye  Mills  in  Bristol 
Township,  with  Edward  Hobden  and  W.  J. 
Kinnett  as  partners,  under  the  firm  name  of 
AV.  J.  Kinnett  &  Co.  About  two  years  later 
Mr.  Gi-aham  and  Mr.  Kinnett  purchased  the 
interest  of  Mr.  Hobden,  and  continued  the 
business  under  the  name  of  Kinnett  &  Gra- 
ham until  1882,  when  Mr.  Graham  sold  out 
to  Mr.  Kinnett  and  purchased  the  fine  farm 
property  of  160  acres  he  now  owns  and 
occupies.  He  has  added  largely  to  the  build- 
ing improvements,  and  lias  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  this  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Gra- 
ham was  born  in  Athens  County,  Ohio, 
December    19,  1840,   son    of   William    and 


Elizabeth  (Camp)  Graham.  The  father  died 
when  Ilarvy  W.  was  five  years  of  age,  leaving 
a  wife  and  a  younger  child,  Iv}',  now  the  wife 
of  William  Walker,  of  Eaton  County,  Michi- 
gan. For  her  second  husband  the  mother 
married  Mr.  Francis  Porter,  who  died  in 
1881.  The  mother  died  in  Noble  County, 
Indiana,  in  1884.  Mr.  Graham  removed  to 
Noble  County  with  his  mother  and  step- 
father. He  was  married  in  Adams  County, 
Indiana,  to  Miss  Isabel  Van  Buskirk,  May 
21,  1861.  They  remained  in  Noble  County 
until  they  came  to  this  county.  They  have 
five  children,  all  of  whom  are  under  the 
parental  roof — Wilbert  D.,  Annie,  Lora  B., 
Ella  F.  and  Bertha  E.  Elizabeth  O.,  the 
third  child,  died  at  the  age  of  three  years  and 
six  months.  In  politics  Mr.  Graham  is  a 
Republican,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of 
Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  159,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


--♦l-s^-^^^-- 


^^ENRY  H.  ADKINS,  farmer,  section  6, 
liW)'  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
■^'jj  Champaign  County,  Illinois,  November 
2,  1846.  His  father,  Lewis  Adkins,  de- 
ceased, was  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1816, 
and  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  an  early  day. 
His  mother,  Mary  A.  (Phillippee)  Adkins,  is 
living:  with  her  son,  and  is  aged  seventv-two 
years.  The  parents  had  ten  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living — Angeline,  Henry,  Nelson 
and  Fannie.  They  removed  to  Dallas  County, 
Iowa,  in  1856,  and  to  this  county  in  the  fail 
of  1857,  settling  where  Henry  now  lives. 
The  countr}'  was  very  new  and  wild,  and 
abounded  in  deer,  elk,  wolves,  etc.  The 
father  died  in  December,  18S2.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  The  first  school  he  attended 
was  taught  by  A.  R.  Mills,  in  a  small  phmk 
house.     Mr.  Adkins  owns  120  acres  of  excel- 


BIOOHAfHIt'AL    SKETCHES. 


;;i.i 


lent  land,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  lie  was  married  July  18, 
1869,  to  Maiy  E.  Hoover,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Sarah  Hoover,  pioneers  of  Washing- 
ton Township,  having  settled  there  in  1855. 
The  father  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ad- 
kins  have  had  six  children,  three  of  whom  are 
livino-— t^iarles  W.,  Effie  E.  and  Mabel  M. 
In  ]io]ities  Mr.  Adkins  is  a  Republican,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  Mrs.  Hoover's  father  was  born  in 
Ohio,  March  10,  1823;  her  mother  is  a  native 
of  Virginia. 


1[  SAAC  M.  BAENES,  living  on  section  10, 
t\  Highland  Township,  is  one  of  the  active 
^  fartners  and  stock-raisers  of  Greene  Coun- 
ty. He  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
June  25,  1841,  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Mary 
Barnes,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  Penn- 
sylvania respectively,  both  now  deceased. 
When  he  was  ten  years  of  age  he  was  taken 
by  his  parents  to  Clinton,  Iowa,  remaining 
with  them  till  about  twenty  years  of  age. 
He  then  went  to  Illinois,  and  enlisted  in  the 
defense  of  his  country,  in  Company  F, 
Eighty-third  Illinois  Infantry.  He  went 
with  his  reo-iment  to  Fort  Donelson,  whei-e 
he  was  wounded  January  29,  1863,  remaining 
in  hospital  six  weeks,  when  he  received  an 
honorable  discharge  and  was  sent  home.  Mr. 
Barnes,  like  many  others,  has  never  fully 
recovered  from  the  efi'ects  of  his  army  experi- 
ence. Besides  the  loss  of  a  limb  he  con- 
tracted heart  disease,  and  now  receives  a 
pension.  His  brother  James  was  a  member 
of  Company  H,  Twenty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry, 
and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Arkansas,  and 
buried  at  St.  Louis.  Another  brother,  Nathan 
Barnes,  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eighty-thii'd 
Illinois    Infantry,    returning    home    with    a 


broken  limb.  After  the  war  Isaac  M.  Barnes 
settled  in  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
made  his  home  till  1879.  He  was  married 
September  29,  1870,  to  Miss  Laura  Nowles, 
wlio  was  born  in  Ohio,  December  9,  1849, 
her  parents,  G.  li.  and  Emily  Nowles,  also 
being  natives  of  Ohio.  They  came  to  Iowa 
in  1850,  being  pioneers  of  Scott  County, 
where  Mrs.  Barnes  was  reared.  Her  parents 
still  reside  in  Scott  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Barnes  are  the  parents  of  seven  children — 
Mary  Tacy,  born  August  7, 1871;  Albert  M.,' 
born  September  2,  1872;  Mabel,  born  Sep- 
tember 2,  1875;  Alice,  born  June  6,  1877; 
Laura,  born  March  6,  1879;  Icyda,  born  Jan- 
uary 22,  1882,  and  Lester,  born  March  16, 
1885.  Mr.  Barnes  is  a  member  of  tlie  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  belonging  to  the  post 
at  Scranton  City,  Iowa.  In  politics  he  is  a 
straight  Republican.  Postoffice  Churdan, 
Iowa. 


fK.  OLDS,  merchant,  Angus,  ^vas  born 
in  Morgan  County,  Indiana,  September 
®  12,  1854.  His  father,  Jared  Olds,  of 
Minburn,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and 
settled  in  Morgan  County  in  1832,  removing 
to  Dallas  County,  this  State,  in  1872.  He 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  educated  at  Moores- 
ville,  Indiana.  He  was  engaged  in  farming 
two  years,  then  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Minburn.  In  March,  1886,  he 
disposed  of  his  stock,  and  came  to  Angus  the 
following  September,  and  purchased  the  Utter 
stock  of  goods,  to  which  he  added  a  large 
stock.  He  also  has  a  store  in  the  Standard 
addition  to  Angus,  and  carries  a  capital  stock 
of  S4,000,  with  annual  sales  amounting  to 
$40,000.  He  has  an  extensive  trade,  and  is 
well  liked  as  a  business  man.  He  was  mar- 
ried   September    12,    1877,    to    Minerva    A. 


■-■-■'--■■ 


:!!(> 


HISTORY    OF    GRUENH    COUNTY. 


West,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  West,  a  pio- 
neer of  Dallas  County.  They  have  three 
children — Jennie  B.,  Myrtle  M.  and  Eva  M. 
He  has  never  sought  official  positions.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  has 
filled  all  the  offices  except  worshipful  master, 
and  would  have  held  that  office,  but  moved 
away  just  on  the  eve  of  the  election.  He  and 
his  wife  are  Methodists. 


^..^ 


-mEARLES  L.  CLEVELAND,  one  of  the 
WP,  leading  agriculturists  of  Jackson  Town, 
'^~^  ship,  resides  on  section  18,  his  home- 
stead containing  200  acres  of  choice  prairie 
land,  all  well  improved,  and  his  residence 
and  other  buildings  are  all  noticeably  good. 
He  also  owns  forty  acres  of  timber  land  on 
section  32,  Bristol  Township.  Mr.  Cleveland 
was  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  New  York, 
February  23,  1S42,  the  only  child  of  Nathan 
and  Enieline  (Eaveline)  Cleveland,  his  father 
a  native  of  New  York,  and  his  mother  of 
Vermont.  His  father  died  in  1844,  and  in 
1845  his  mother  moved  to  Kane  County, 
Illinois,  and  was  there  married  in  1847  to 
Eben  Foss.  She  lived  in  Kane  County  until 
her  death,  which  occurred  in  November,  1885, 
aged  sixty -seven  years.  Charles  L.  Cleveland 
was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Kane  County,  living 
there  until  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
of  the  Hebellion.  In  August,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  one  Hundred  and 
Twenty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was 
with  his  regiment  at  the  engagements  at  Fort 
Gibson,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion  Hills, 
Black  Kiver  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and 
at  the  storming  of  Fort  Hill  (at  Vicksburg) 
after  it  was  blown  up.  Through  this  cam- 
paign he  was  under  the  gallant  John  A. 
Logan.  After  the  latter  campaign  they  were 
sent  to  the  Gulf  Department,  and  under  the 


gallant  General  A.  J.  Smith  did  meritorious 
service  in  the  relief  of  General  Banks  on  his 
retreat  from  the  disastrous  Red  River  expe- 
dition. Later,  under  General  Smith,  the 
regiment  participated  in  the  assault  on  Spanish 
Fort,  at  Mobile,  which  was  their  last  cam- 
paign. Mr.  Cleveland  was  discharged  June 
10,  1865,  and  returned  to  Kane  County, 
Illinois,  and  lived  in  Kane  and  De  Kalb 
counties  until  1872,  when  he  came  to  Iowa 
and  located  in  Greene  County.  As  an  agri- 
culturist Mr.  Cleveland  is  excelled  by  none 
in  the  county.  Understanding  fully  the 
needs  of  the  times,  his  methods  are  those 
adapted  to  the  progressive  age.  He  com- 
menced in  Greene  County  on  a  small  capital, 
although  he  had  enough  to  pay  for  the  ti'act 
of  prairie  which  is  now  his  line  farm.  He 
has  prospered  beyond  his  expectations.  He 
early  turned  his  attention  to  stock-raising, 
and  has  found  in  this  industry  the  road  to 
independence.  Mr.  ('leveland  was  married 
in  Kane  County,  Illinois,  January  2,  1866, 
to  Miss  Wealthy  A.  Allen,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  October  25,  1841,  a  daughter  of  Levi 
Allen.  They  have  two  sons — Fred  and  Frank, 
aged  respectively  seventeen  and  thirteen  years. 
Three  children,  Alta,  .Nellie  and  Arthur,  died 
in  childhood.  In  politics  Mr.  Cleveland  is 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  is 
a  member  of  N.  H.  Powers  Post,  No.  Ill, 
G.  A.  R.,  and  of  Blackberry  Lodge,  No.  359, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


q/XJ= 


►^n:-. 


H^IIILLIAM  M.  CROW,  druggist.  Grand 
Junction,  was  born  in  Warren  Coun- 
ty, Indiana,  February  20,  1844.  His 
father,  John  Crow,  is  a  native  of  Dansville, 
Kentucky,  and  now  resides  in  Polk  County, 
this  State.  AVilliam  j\[.  was  reared  a  fanner, 
and  was  educated  in  the  high  school  at  Des 


%-*t'r*j'«h*'«fej^.*-a.*"  • 


'^■-■■■■■■■■■■*«'«iS«'»»-"-"l-*-*»»-»*-M»M-tt»aaM-»»*i»Mr»*-»-W«»»».»-»»M»M,'B,»S« 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


nn 


Moines,  and  also  at  Worthington  and  War- 
ner's ( 'ommercial  College  of  the  same  cit^'. 
lie  came  with  his  parents  to  Des  Moines  in 
1850.  In  many  respects  he  is  a  self-made 
man,  having  taught  school  sixteen  years.  He 
taught  in  Polk,  Jasper,  Dallas  and  Greene 
counties;  he  also  taught  in  Kansas.  His 
mother  was  formerly  Medina  Mace,  a  sister 
of  Hon.  Daniel  Mace,  who  represented  the 
La  Fayette,  Indiana,  district  from  1852  to 
1856,  and  it  was  he  who  presented  the  name 
of  Andrew  Johnson  for  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States.  He  was  a  celebrated  lawyer, 
and  was  the  attorney  of  the  famous  criminal, 
Bowles.  Afterward,  while  talking  with  Presi- 
dent Johnson,  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis, 
from  which  he  never  recovered.  Mr.  Crow 
came  to  Grand  Junction  in  1878,  and  engaged 
in  his  present  business.  He  carries  a  capital 
stock  of  $2,500,  consisting  of  di-ugs,  medi- 
cines, paiiits,  oils,  books,  stationery,  school 
books,  notions,  and  everything  usually  kept 
in  a  first-class  drug  store.  He  does  an  annual 
business  of  $8,000.  He  was  married  Sep- 
tember 1,  1874,  to  Mary  E.  Jenks,  daughter 
of  William  C.  Jenks,  deceased,  and  they  have 
three  children^R.  Ernest,  Arthur  M.  and 
Hazel.  The  latter  was  named  for  the  heroine 
of  the  beautiful  drama,  Hazel  Kirk.  Mr. 
Crow  is  serving  as  president  of  the  school 
board.  Mrs.  Crow  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church. 


R.  STEVENS  settled  on  section 
I  30,  Grant  Township,  in  1885.  He 
\~d)i^  ®  has  -357  acres  of  land,  and  is  largely 
engaged  in  stock-raising.  He  has  a  fine  brick 
residence,  built  by  Alexander  Millett,  who 
formerly  owned  the  place.  Mr.  Stevens  has 
one  of  the  best  barns  in  Greene  County, 
which   he  built  in   1886,  at  a  cost  of  about 


$1,600.  He  is  a  native  of  Massachusetts, 
and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1860.  In  1862  he 
went  to  Ohio,  and  in  January,  1864,  enlisted 
in  the  Thirty-eighth  Ohio,  and  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  His  regiment  was  at- 
tached to  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  in  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee  and  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  being  in  active  service  all  the 
time.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Ohio, 
and  in  1872  went  to  Clay  County,  Nebraska, 
where  he  took  up  land  and  improved  a  farm. 
He  had  345  acres,  and  sold  out  at  $30  an 
acre.  He  was  married  in  Illinois  to  Editha 
Lord,  a  native  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Stevens  has 
an  excellent  farm,  well  adapted  to  stock- 
raising  as  well  as  to  general  farming.  His 
improvements  are  of  the  best  quality,  and  his 
location  is  a  very  desirable  one.  They  have 
an  adopted  son. 


fESSE  JOHNSON,  of  Jefferson,  settled 
in  Bristol  Township,  May  19.  1868,  and 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  part 
of  the  township.  He  located  upon  160  acres 
of  land  that  was  entirely  wild.  He  now 
owns  a  half  section,  besides  a  half  section  in 
Highland  Township.  Upon  coming  to  this 
county  he  immediately  engaged  in  the  dairy 
business.  He  brought  with  him  seventy 
head  of  cattle,  about  thirty  of  which  were 
cows.  He  at  once  procured  a  fine  apparatus 
for  manufacturing  cheese  and  butter,  obtain- 
ing a  ''Roe  Western  Reserve  Vat  and  Cheese 
Press"  of  the  best  manufacture,  and  pre- 
pared himself  for  doing  an  extensive  busi- 
ness. He  was  the  first  manufacturer  of  butter 
and  cheese  on  a  large  scale  in  Greene  County. 
He  continued  that  business  until  1883,  then 
sold  his  stock,  rented  his  land  and  removed 
to  Jefferson.  Mr.  Johnson  was  born  in  Dela- 
ware County,  Ohio,  in  January,  1835,  where 


A 


318 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


he  was  reared  to  manhood.  He  came  to 
Jones  County,  this  State,  in  1858,  and  engaged 
in  farming  with  his  brother  Robert.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1861,  he  went  to  Ciiicago  with  a  car- 
load of  cattle.  He  had  alread}'  contemplated 
going  into  the  army,  but  expected  to  return 
to  Ohio  and  enlist  in  an  Ohio  regiment;  but 
upon  reaching  Chicago  he  found  the  war 
fever  running  pretty  high,  and  yielded  to  the 
temptation  there  ofl'ered,  enlisting  at  Camp 
Chase,  October  20,  1861,  in  Company  A, 
Fifty-first  Illinois  Infantry,  and  serving  over 
four  years.  He  participated  in  many  of  the 
most  important  battles  of  the  war,  including 
Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge, 
Resaca  and  New  Hope  Church.  At  the  bat- 
tle of  Stone  River  he  served  as  Fourth 
Sergeant.  The  Second  Lieutenant,  Jackson 
Keith,  was  killed,  and  our  subject  was  pro- 
moted over  the  Orderly  Sergeant  to  the 
Lieutenant's  place.  At  the  battle  of  New 
Hope  Church  he  received  a  gun-shot  wound 
in  the  right  leg,  below  the  knee.  It  was  a 
severe  wound,  and  the  ball  remained  in  his 
leg  until  1871,  when  it  was  removed  by  Dr. 
Enfield,  of  Jefierson.  He  was  sent  to  tlie 
hospital  at  Nashville  for  about  a  month,  then 
went  home  on  furlough.  He  rejoined  his 
regiment  at  Atlanta,  thence  to  Chattanooga. 
While  CTcneral  Sherman  was  nuvrching  to 
the  sea,  Mr.  Johnson's  regiment,  under 
Thomas,  was  in  the  battle  of  Franklin;  thence 
to  Nashville,  and  took  part  in  the  fight  at 
that  place.  After  General  Hood  had  been 
eflTectively  disposed  of,  his  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Texas.  AVhile  at  New  Orleans, 
en  route  for  Texas,  he  received  the  commis- 
sion of  ('aptain,  but  had  commanded  his 
comjtany  all  the  time  after  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga.  He  was  discharged  with  his 
regiment  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  September 
25,  1865,  and  returned  to  Ohio.  He  soon 
after    came    to    Jones   County,   Iowa,  again. 


where  he  lived  until  he  came  to  this  county. 
Mr.  Johnson  was  married  February  25, 1864, 
while  at  home  on  veteran  furlough,  to  Mary 
A.  Denny,  a  native  of  Delaware  County, 
Ohio,  born  March  8,  1843.  Her  parents, 
John  and  Sarah  Denny,  were  early  settlers 
of  that  county;  they  now  live  in  Chicago. 
Mr.  Johnson's  parents  were  Adam  and  Sarah 
Johnson.  They  removed  to  Jones  County  in 
1862.  The  father  is  now  living  at  Fort 
Scott,  Kansas,  and  the  mother  is  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  had  five  children 
— Elfa  S.,  Clara,  Jessie  F.,  Emma  and  Har- 
old. Clara,  the  second  child,  died  at  the  age 
of  twelve  years. 


l^OBERT  A.  LOWRY,  editor  and  pro- 
|rM  prietor  of  the  Angus  Black  Diamond, 
"^^  is  a  native  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  born 
in  Oswego  September  24,  1859,  a  son  of 
Hiram  S.  Lowry,  who  was  born  near  Parkers- 
burs:,  West  A-^irginia,  in  1834.  During  the 
late  war  he  was  Sergeant  in  Company  I, 
Thirty-first  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
was  killed  at  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  while 
fighting  for  the  Union,  August  27,  1863. 
Robert  A.  Lowry,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch,  spent  the  first  nine  years  of  his  life 
in  his  native  town,  when  he  accompanied  his 
mother  and  step-father  to  Polk  County,  Iowa, 
living  there  from  1868  until  1876.  He  then 
spent  two  years  in  attendance  at  the  Agri- 
cultui-al  College  at  Ames,  Iowa,  after  which 
he  engaged  in  teaching  school,  following  that 
avocation  in  Pottawatomie  and  Cass  counties, 
Iowa,  until  the  fall  of  1880.  He  then  en- 
tered the  law  department  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity of  Iowa,  at  Iowa  City,  and  graduated 
with  honors  from  that  institution  in  June, 
1881,  and  the  same  year  began  the  practice 
of  law  at  Stratford,  Iowa.    In  1882  he  bought 


■»■■■»»■■»— imMmm—mMmMiMmMmMmMm—m—b 


'■™™™»™^™™" 


[.■■■«gan«»-w«»«.jiMM»Bj»a»gBr«ws»i.«i,»,M,»affyjBSMa»«w_M»iii_«»i 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


'■■'■■■—■—■■——*=' 


31!) 


the  Stratford  Register,  which  he  carried  on 
in  connection  witli  liis  law  practice  until  1883. 
In  July  of  the  same  j^ear  he  came  to  ^Vngus, 
Iowa,  and  with  C.  M.  Carr  established  the 
Angus  Black  Diamond.  In  1884  he  bought 
tlie  interest  of  C.  JVI.  Carr,  and  has  since 
devoted  his  time  to  the  editing  of  his  paper 
and  to  his  law  practice,  in  which  he  is  meet- 
ing with  success.  Mr.  Lowry  was  united  in 
marriage  September  2-i,  1883,  to  Miss  Anna 
A.  Keeler,  a  daughter  of  James  F.  Keeler, 
of  Chicago,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Lowry  was  born 
in  Lena,  Steplienson  County,  Illinois,  but 
afterward  moved  to  Chicago  with  her  parents, 
where  she  lived  till  her  marriage.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lowry  are  the  jiarents  of  two  children 
—Chester  H.  and  Orlo  C. 


«»-->5*>«-^">- 

tEWIS  B.  CRANDALL,  residing  on  sec- 
tion 9,  Washington  Township,  was  born 
ill  tilt'  town  of  Horseheads,  Chemung 
County,  State  of  New  York,  August  81, 
1835.  His  father,  Archibald  Crandall,  was 
born  near  Seneca  Lake,  New  York,  and  his 
mother,  Betsey  A.  (Strait)  Crandall,  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Horseheads.  He  was  brought 
up  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  county. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1867, 
settling  upon  his  present  farm,  which  was 
then  entirely  unfenced.  A  shanty  had  been 
built,  and  there  was  also  a  small  stable  on  the 
place.  Mr.  Crandall  lias  planted  trees,  groves 
and  hedges,  and  has  tiic  farm  well  improved. 
He  owns  199  acres,  and  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married 
in  the  State  of  New  York  March  18,  1861, 
to  Alena  A.  Boyer,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  (Griffith)  Boyer,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  They  have  had  ten  children,  five 
of    whom   are   living — James    K.,  Lewis  B., 


Mabel  L.,  Nettie  E.  and  George  "W.  Mr. 
Crandall  held  the  office  of  township  trustee 
one   term,  but  lie  never  seeks  official  honors. 


W.  MILLER,  farmer,  is  one  of  the 
wX  pioneers  of  Greene  County,  and  resides 
-^^^  on  section  21,  Franklin  Township, 
where  he  owns  200  acres  of  excellent  land. 
He  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ohio, 
February  15,  1837,  son  of  J.  C.  and  Margaret 
(McKinstry)  Miller,  the  father  a  native  of 
Mifflin  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother 
of  Cumberland  County,  same  State.  They 
were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  seven  of 
whom  lived  to  maturity — Ross  W.,  Hoover, 
Margaret,  Elizabeth,  Thomas,  Mary  E.  and 
Jehu.  Five  of  tliese  children  are  still  livins:. 
R.  W.  was  the  oldest  of  the  family,  and  when 
he  was  seven  years  of  age,  his  parents 
removed  to  the  Territory  of  Iowa,  locating  at 
Walnut  Grove,  Scott  County,  sixteen  miles 
north  of  Davenport,  on  Government  land,  and 
were  among  the  first  settlers  of  that  county. 
Davenport  was  but  a  small  village,  and  there 
was  no  railroad  west  of  the  Mississippi  River. 
Mr.  Miller  saw  the.  first  railroad  coach  that 
came  to  Rock  Island.  He  was  reared  a  farmer 
and  received  a  limited  education  in  the  pio- 
neer log  school-house.  Arriving  at  the  age 
of  manhood,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
November  4,  1857,  with  Miss  Anna  Eliza 
Mooney,  a  native  of  Cumberland  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  daughter  of  Frederick  and 
Margaret  (MeWilliams)  Mooney,  who  were 
the  parents  of  six  children — William,  Jane, 
Hannah,  Anna  Eliza,  John  and  George.  Mr. 
Miller  resided  in  Scott  County  until  1871, 
when,  with  wife  and  three  children,  he  came 
to  this  county  and  settled  upon  his  present 
farm.  He  has  a  good  house,  and  comfortable 
buildings  for  stock  and  grain.      Mr.  and  Mrs. 


.■-■-■-■■■■-■-■-■'-■■■'^■■■-■-■-''-"^■-■-■-■'-"'-■■^■■■■■-■-■■^■^tWlHl"! 


320 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Miller  are  the  parents  of  three  children — 
Clarence  E.,  Ida  M.  and  Ada  M.  He  has 
given  them  good  educational  advantages,  and 
all  are  well  fitted  for  teachers  and  to  take 
responsible  positions  in  life.  Politically  Mr. 
Miller  is  a  Kepublican,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


ILLIAM  F.  ZELLHOEFER,  dealer 
II  in  hardware,  stoves,  tinware,  shelf 
1  and  heavy  hardware,  Gi'and  Juuction, 
was  born  in  Rome,  Jefferson  County,  Wis- 
consin, September  22,  1851,  son  of  George 
and  Frederica  (Tartsch)  Zellhoefer,  natives  of 
Germany,  the  former  ot  whom  is  deceased. 
He  went  to  Foreston,  Illinois,  in  1869;  thence 
to  Boone  County  in  1870,  and  to  Grand 
Junction  a  year  later,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Pie  was  engaged  in  the  harness 
trade  one  year,  having  previously  worked 
seven  years  at  that  trade.  He  engaged  in 
his  present  business  in  May,  1879,  and  carries 
a  capital  stock  of  83,000.  He  does  an  annual 
business  of  $15,000.  He  was  mari-ied  De- 
cember 26,  1875,  to  Ellen  A.  Thompson, 
daughter  of  John  Thompson,  who  is  deceased. 
They  have  three  children — Guy  W.,  Bertha 
and  Forrest.  Mr.  Zellhoefer  is  a  member  of 
the  Evangelical  Association,  and  his  wife  is 
a  Methodist.  He  served  as  town  assessor 
two  terms,  and  as  treasurer  several  terms. 
He  is  now  a  member  of  the  school  board. 


„.^*^j^,. 


,:ANIEL  EMBREE,  lumber  and  coal 
dealer  at  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in 
Vermillion  County,  Illinois,  October 
14,  1839,  son  of  .roseph  Embree,  a  native  of 
Georgia,  who  is  now  deceased.  He  lived  on 
a  farm  until   twelve  years  of  age,  when  the 


family  removed  to  town.  He  carne  with  his 
parents  to  "Warren  County,  Iowa,  in  1850. 
During  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
G,  Fifteenth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  served  over 
three  years.  He  enlisted  as  a  private,  and 
was  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Corinth, 
luka,  Vicksburg,  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
march  to  the  sea,  and  through  to  Washing- 
ton. He  came  to  Des  Moines  in  1865,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  until 
1869,  when  he  came  to  Grand  Junction  and 
clerked  for  the  railroad  companies  at  that  place 
and  was  proprietor  of  the  railroad  eating  house 
at  Grand  Junction  for  five  years.  In  1879  he 
embarked  in  the  lumber  and  coal  trade,  and 
carries  a  capital  stock  of  $5,000.  He  has  a 
good  trade,  and  it  is  constantly  increasing. 
He  was  married  August  6,  1868,  to  Aggie  J. 
Johnston.  They  have  one  daughter.  Bertha, 
thirteen  years  old.  Mr.  Embree  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  Odd  Fellows, 
and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 
Mrs.  Embree  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church. 


4^^^ 


^SPOEL  SHAW,  a  successful  farmer  and 
jSn  stock-raiser  of  Greene  County,  residing 
^^  on  section  13,  Dawson  Township,  whei-e 
he  has  160  acres  of  choice  land,  is  a  son  of 
Joel  and  Mariam  Shaw,  natives  of  England. 
They  were  the  parents  of  six  sons  and  six 
daughters,  our  subject  being  the  fifth  child. 
He  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  the 
date  of  his  Ijirth  being  September  27,  1838. 
He  lived  on  the  home  farm  till  eight  years 
old,  when  he  began  working  in  a  woolen  fac- 
tor}', where  he  was  employed  for  three  years. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-three  years  he  enlisted 
in  defense  of  his  country  in  Company  H, 
Seventy-sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  later 


'it. 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


321 


transferred  to  Company  H,  Fourth  Regiment, 
Veteran  Reserves.  He  was  sent  north  and 
served  on  garrison  duty  at  Rock  Island, 
Illinois,  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin.  He  received  his  discharge  at 
Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  June  25,  1865,  when 
he  returned  to  Illinois,  and  for  the  two  years 
following  made  his  home  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  N.  Drayer.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage September  25,  1867,  to  Miss  Livia 
Griffin,  a  daughter  of  Asa  and  Margaret 
(Schultz)  Griffin,  natives  of  New  York  State. 
They  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  three 
daughters,  Mrs.  Shaw  being  the  fifth  child. 
She  was  born  January  31,  1847,  at  C'loves- 
ville,  Delaware  County,  New  York.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Shaw  have  been  born  five  children, 
as  follows — Charles  J.,  Hester  L,  Mary  A., 
Medford  A.  and  Edith  M.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Shaw  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  cliurch.  Politicall}'  he  affiliates 
with  tlie  Republican  party.  Postoffice  Paton, 
Iowa. 


iP^ORACE  WALRAD,  farmer,  section  11, 
Kendrick  Township,  postoffice  Scranton, 
is  a  native  of  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois, 
born  September  10,  1844,  and  son  of  Daniel 
and  Ann  (Mullen)  Walrad,  the  former  a 
native  of  New  York.  They  were  the  parents 
of  three  children — Horace,  Arvilla  B.  and 
Watson.  Horace  was  reared  a  farmer,  his 
father  being  a  farmer  and  a  local  preacher. 
In  June,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Fifty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  Captain  Fox 
commanding.  He  was  wounded  at  Shiloh, 
above  the  elbow,  by  a  musket  ball,  and  his 
arm  had  to  be  amputated.  He  was  confined 
in  the  hospital  at  Keokuk  for  a  long  time, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  August  22, 
1862.  at  Chicago,  Illinois.     He  was  married 


June  4,  1874,  to  Mary  Marinda  Jane  Mowry, 
who  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  P. 
W.  and  Miranda  (Morgan)  Mowry.  Mr. 
Walrad  resided  in  De  Kalb  County  until 
1870,  when  he  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa. 
He  settled  upon  his  present  farm  in  1874, 
which  was  then  in  its  primitive  condition, 
and  there  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
AValrad  have  two  children — Daniel  Irven  and 
Walter  M.  Waland.  Politically  Mr.  Walrad 
is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  of  N.  H. 
Powers  Post,  No.  Ill,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Scranton. 
His  father  was  twice  married.  To  the  second 
marriage  were  born  three  children — Julia 
Ann,  Sarah  Jane  and  D.  E.  Sarah  Jane 
lives  in  Arkansas,  and  the  others  in  Kansas. 


"^.-f^.-S^.>>- 


^fOHN  P.  BONTZ,  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
"||n  residing  on  section  18,  Hardin  Township, 
^^  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  born 
June  25,  1837,  his  parents.  Jacob  and  Eve 
Bontz,  also  being  natives  of  Bavaria.  He 
was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer.  He 
left  his  native  country  when  about  twelve 
years  of  age,  sailing  from  Marseilles,  France, 
in  1849,  and  landing  at  New  Orleans.  He 
immediately  located  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  where 
he  resided  until  1862,  in  which  year  he  went 
to  Boulder  County,  Colorado, where  he  worked 
by  the  day  in  the  gold  and  silver  mines.  In 
1864  he  went  to  Montana  and  commenced 
mining  for  himself,  remaining  there  till  1866, 
when  he  returned  to  Coloi'ado  and  engaged  in 
farming,  which  he  followed  until  1869.  He 
then  came  to  Iowa,  and  was  engaged  in  work- 
ing in  the  coal  mines  in  Boone  County  until 
1872.  He  then  removed  to  Greene  County, 
and  has  since  resided  on  his  farm  on  section 
18,  Hai'din  Township.  He  was  married  in 
Greene  County  in  February,  1875,  to  Miss 
Anna  Shaw,  who  was  born  in  Illinois  in  June, 


»^«JJ»ii»^»-"M"M"ii»g»iini«irigJ»Sw;iig^nr„»»giP 


;nganiniPii?MWiitigii«a?iiwawiin'a« 


322 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


1856,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Harriet  Shaw, 
natives  of  Canada.  Three  cliildren  have  been 
born  to  this  union — A^iola,  Fred  and  Joseph. 
Mr.  Bontz  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of 
Greene  County.  He  came  to  America  a  poor 
boy,  but  by  hard  work  and  careful  manage- 
ment he  has  met  with  good  success,  and  is 
now  classed  among  the  best  farmers  of  Har- 
din Township,  where  he  owns  268  acres  of 
choice  land,  160  acres  located  on  section  18, 
and  the  remainder  on  section  6.  His  farm 
is  well  improved  and  under  good  cultivation, 
and  his  residence  and  farm  buildings  are 
comfortable  and  commodious. 


^EV.  GEOKGE  ZELLHOEFEE,  de- 
^  ceased,  late  of  Grand  Junction,  was  born 
'^Si  in  Byren,  Germany,  April  1,  1818. 
He  came  to  America  in  1850,  settling  in  Jef- 
ferson County,  Wisconsin.  He  was  a  minis- 
ter in  the  Evangelical  Association  over 
twenty-five  years;  preached  mostly  in  Wis- 
consin and  Iowa.  He  came  to  Grand  Junc- 
tion in  1871,  where  he  preached  and  worked 
on  a  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  17,  1885.  He  was  married  October, 
1848,  to  FredericaTartsch.  daughter  of  Gott- 
lieb Tartsch,  deceased.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  ele\en  children,  ten  living — Chris- 
tina, William,  John,  George,  August,  Mary, 
Emma,  Caroline,  Edward  and  Sarah.  The 
heirs  still  own  the  farm. 


~«-'^^->»J-^-— 

ILLIAM  H.  PERKINS,  dealer  in 
,..r/  II,  tiroceries,  boots  and  shoes  at  Ansrus, 
l-cij^i  was  born  in  Wales,  February  17, 1852, 
son  of  John  Perkins,  also  a  native  of  Wales. 
He  left  his  native  country  in  September, 
1869,  coming  to  LaSalle.  Illinois,   and    the 


following  spring,  to  Emporia,  Kansas,  living 
there  and  in  Osage  City  and  Leavenworth 
until  1874.  He  spent  one  winter,  in  the 
meantime,  in  Bloomington,  Illinois.  In 
1874  he  went  to  Covington,  Indiana,  and  the 
following  year,  visited  his  native  country, 
returning  in  the  spring  of  1876,  and  in  1880 
made  a  second  visit  to  Wales,  and  visited  Cali- 
fornia the  same  year,  returning  in  the. fall  of 
1880.  While  in  Indiana,  he  kept  a  grocery 
store  at  Coal  Creek,  near  Covington.  He 
came  to  Angus  in  1882,  and  engaged  in  his 
present  business  the  following  April.  He 
keeps  a  full  line  of  groceries,  provisions, 
boots,  shoes  and  notions.  He  was  married  in 
September,  1881,  to  Jane  Morgan,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Morgan,  deceased.  Their  children 
are — Janett,  John  and  Edith.  Mr.  Perkins 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  is 
town  treasurer,  in  1886,  and  re-elected  for  town 
treasurer  for  1887 — and  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  town  council. 


.^Mf-. 


|R.  SAMUEL  E.  WARNER,  the  lead- 
ing dentist  of  Greene  County,  has  been 
"^  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion at  Jefl'erson  since  January  1,  1879.  He 
is  located  in  McNeal's  Block,  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  square.  Dr.  Warner  was 
born  in  Erie  County,  New  York,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood.  He  began  the  study  of 
dentistry  at  Springville,  in  his  native  county, 
■when  about  twenty  years  of  age.  In  1877 
he  came  west,  spending  one  year  in  Michigan 
and  Illinois.  His  skill  in  his  profession  is 
everywhere  recognized  as  is  indicated  by  his 
e.xtensive  practice.  His  education  has  been 
thorough,  and  he  is  well  informed  on  all 
matters  pertaining  to  his  business,  adopting 
all  improvements  as  soon  as  they  are  shown 
to    be    such.     His    office    is  completely  fur- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


323 


nished  with  the  latest  instruments  pertaining 
to  his  profession,  a  recent  addition  being  a 
AVilkerson  chair.  The  doctor  is  the  only  one 
of  his  father's  family  residing  in  Iowa. 

-^'^-^^^^-^ 


,mEN.  F.  ANDERSON  resides  on  section 
|rp|  16,  Grant  Township,  where  his  father, 
'^^  Preston  Anderson,  settled  in  1866.  The 
latter  was  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Eliza 
Jones.  He  emigrated  with  his  family  to 
Iowa,  settling  near  Polk  City,  Polk  County. 
The  father  bought  the  farm,  now  owned  by 
his  son,  of  Frank  Robinson,  who  had  made  a 
few  improvements,  but  the  most  of  the  im- 
provements have  been  made  by  Mr.  Anderson, 
who  died  June  22,  1885.  His  wife  is  still 
living.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren —  William,  who  lives  in  Muscatine 
County;  Julia,  wife  of  Caleb  Head,  and  Ben. 
The  latter  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
married  Isadore  Humphrey,  and  they  have 
one  child — Robert  L. 


JP|R.  JAMES  C.  LOVEJOY  resides  on 
flinj  section  17,  Washington  Township, 
■^F  where  Old  Rippey  formerly  stood.  He 
was  born  in  Orange  County,  Vermont,  Jnne 
24,  1819.  His  mother,  Jemima  (Kingsbury) 
Lovejoy,  was  born  in  Orange  County,  July 
10,  1797.  She  resides  alone,  at  Old  Rippey, 
at  the  age  of  ninety  years;  is  stout  and  well. 
His  parents  had  eight  children,  he  being  the 
only  one  living.  His  father's  family  emi- 
grated to  Connorsville,  Faj'ette  County,  Indi- 
ana, in  1820,  thence  to  La  Fayette,  Tippeca- 
noe County,  in  1829,  living  there  and  in  the 
vicinity  for  twenty  years,  his  father  dying 
on   a  farm,  eight  miles  from   La  Fayette,  in 


1838.  Our  subject  was  educated  at  Wabash 
College,  Crawfordsville,  Indiana.  He  taught 
school  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and 
twenty-two  years,  reading  medicine  in  the 
meantime.  He  practiced  a  few  years,  then 
graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College,  of  Chi- 
cago, in  February,  1848.  He  then  returned 
to  Indiana  and  practiced  in  Warren  and 
White  counties  until  1854,  tlie  ncame  to  Des 
Moines,  this  State,  where  he  carried  on  the 
mercantile  trade  in  connection  with  his  prac- 
tice. In  1859  he  came  to  this  county,  and 
settled  at  Old  Rippey,  where  he  has  prac- 
ticed ever  since.  He  established  a  store  at 
Old  Rippey  in  1859,  and  closed  it  out  in  1872. 
He  was  married  July  4,  1847,  to  Miss  Eme- 
line  Bunnell,  daughter  of  Isaac  Bunnell,  now 
deceased.  The  doctor  and  Mrs.  Lovejoy  have 
had  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living 
— Arthur  C,  Walter,  Halsey  E.,  Owen,  Al- 
bert, James,  Frederick,  Victor  and  Lillie  E. 
Dr.  Lovejoy  is  one  of  the  oldest  Odd  Fellows 
in  Greene  County,  having  been  a  member  of 
that  order  nearl}'  forty  years.  He  was  post- 
master from  1859  until  1872,  at  Rippey;  has 
also  served  as  county  supervisor  and  one  term 
as  county  superintendent  of  schools  and 
county  coroner.  He  has  been  secretai'y  of 
the  school  board  for  a  number  of  years.  In 
religion,  he  is  liberal,  and  believes  in  the 
Golden  Rule.  In  politics  a  Republican  with 
a  big  R.,  believing  in  the  final  restoration  and 
eternal  salvation  of  every  mother's  son,  who 
have  or  who  in  the  near  future  embraces  that 
political  faith. 


— 4'^>^'^- 


||^[LARENCE  L.  JEFFRIES,  ornamental 
mPii  ^"^  ^^""^  painter,  at  Grand  Junction, 
^l  was  born  in  Jones  County,  Iowa,  Feb- 
ruary 29,  1856.  His  father,  Martin  Jeffries, 
was  a  native  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and   a  son 


1 


^ajt»,«,« 


■■■■■■■■-■■■-■-■-»»»»*w»aii»a»B»0^ 


0-54 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


of  William  JeiFries,  who  was  the  third  settler 
in  Jones  County,  having  located  there  among 
the  Indians  and  wild  animals.  Onr  subject 
was  reared  ou  a  farm.  In  1878  he  went  to 
learn  his  trade,  then  taught  school  during  the 
winter  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  sum- 
mer, lie  now  does  sign  and  ornamental 
painting  during  the  summer,  and  carriage 
painting  during  the  winter.  He  was  mar- 
ried April  22,  1884r,  to  Emma  Howe,  daugh- 
ter of  Eev.  William  R.  Howe,  now  deceased. 
They  have  one  child — Blondel.  Mr.  Jeffries 
came  to  Grand  Junction  in  March,  1884, 
where  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  society  of  Good  Templars. 


-'■^*>^r^'-^ 


fRANCIS  M.  FEANKLIN  is  the  lead- 
ing  furniture  dealer  of  Jefferson,  his 
^  business  being  located  on  the  northeast 
side  of  the  square.  He  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent business  June  28,  1875,  succeeding 
Henry  Bowman.  It  was  the  first  establish- 
ment of  the  kind  in  Jefferson.  He  has  both 
a  jobbing  and  a  wholesale  trade.  Mr.  Frank- 
lin is  a  son  of  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Greene 
County.  His  father,  AVilliam  A.  Franklin, 
settled  on  section  13,  in  what  is  now  Frank- 
lin Township,  in  1855.  He  was  the  third 
settler  in  the  township,  which  was  named  in 
honor  of  himself.  He  was  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  and  when  a  boy  removed  with  his 
parents  to  South  Carolina,  thence  to  the 
State  of  Indiana,  where  he  married  Margaret 
Brown.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  about  1844, 
he  removed  to  Muscatine  County,  this  State, 
w'here  he  entered  several  hundred  acres  of 
land,  and  resided  there  until  he  came  to 
Greene  County,  April  28,  1855.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  AVilliam  A.  Franklin  had  eight  children, 
three  of  whom  died  young.  Mrs.  Serilda 
Robinson   died,  leaving  a  family.     The  sur- 


viving children  are — James  B.,  a  farmer  of 
Franklin  Township;  AVillliam  L.,wlio  resides 
on  the  homestead  where  the  mother  still 
lives;  Francis  M.  and  Sarah  V.  The  latter 
is  the  wife  of  F.  L.  Robertson  and  lives  in 
Oregon.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Muscatine, 
Iowa,  1846.  He  married  Anise  Scott,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Scott,  who 
was  born  in  Indiana,  where  her  father  died. 
Her  mother,  with  two  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, came  to  Iowa  when  Mrs.  Franklin  was 
a  child.  The  eldest  daughter,  Nancey,  was 
killed  by  the  kick  of  a  horse  while  the  family 
were  en  route  to  Iowa.  Mrs.  Franklin  is  the 
only  child  left  in  Greene  County.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Franklin  have  two  sons — William  I. 
and  Vincent  V.  Eddie  W.  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Franklin's  parents  were  very  highly  es- 
teemed in  their  community,  and  though  the 
father  long  since  passed  away,  the  remem- 
brance of  him  still  survives.  His  aged  wife 
ia  still  left,  a  worthy  representative  of  that 
grand  old  pioneer  element  that  is  fast  pass- 
ing away. 


ZELLER,  farmer,  section  31,  Franklin 
ijff.-k  Township,  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
^=4^®  Greene  County,  having  been  identified 
with  its  interests  since  1872.  He  was  born 
in  Montgomery  County,  New  York,  Novem- 
ber 13,  1835,  son  of  Nicholas  Zeller.  He 
was  the  fifth  of  seven  children,  and  when  six 
months  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  St. 
Lawrence  County,  where  they  lived  nine 
years,  then  removed  to  Jefferson  County, 
where  our  subject  resided  until  1854.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  his  native  State.  In  1854  he  removed 
to  Racine  County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  re- 
sided until  1861,  then  returned  to  New  York. 
He   was    married    April    17,   1867,   to    Miss 


;• 


ill 


,.,.JI 


■-'■»"'»■■■■ 


T,g»;i^-^WJ.r.^.-a--,i^„7cr,»,»,a,»..»,», ■,■.■.■,■.■,■ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


335 


•; 


\\ 


Fidelia  Lathrop,  of  Theresa,  Jeiferson  County, 
New  York,  daughter  of  Carlos  and  Tamer- 
son  (Kilbourn)  Lathrop,  who  were  the  parents 
of  three  children,  Mrs.  Zeller  being  the 
youngest.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zeller  resided  in 
Jefferson  County  until  1872,  when  he  came 
to  this  county  and  located  upon  his  present 
farm,  which  was  then  in  a  wild  state.  He 
first  bouffht  160  acres,  and  has  since  added  to 
that  amount  until  he  now  has  480  acres  of 
excellent  land.  He  has  a  very  pleasant  home, 
surrounded  with  shade  trees,  a  commodious 
barn  for  stock  and  grain,  a  fine  orchard,  and 
a  native  grove  of  six  acres.  His  farm  is  one 
of  the  best  in  the  township.  Mr.  Zeller  is  a 
staunch  Republican, and  has  served  as  trustee 
four  terms,  and  justice  of  the  peace  two 
terms,  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Zeller  have  two  sons — Willard  and 
Wilbur,  twins,  born  February  20, 1871.  Both 
parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  and  are  exemplary  citizens, 
always  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  that 
pertains  to  education  and  religion. 


^5«^^- 


TLLIAM  Ft.  GROVES,  residing  on 
section  14,  Highland  Townsliip, 
'egm^\  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising,  is  a  native  of  England,  the  date 
of  his  birth  being  September  30,  1845.  In 
1850  he  was  brought  to  America  by  his  par- 
ents, Samuel  and  Rebecca  Groves,  they 
settling  in  Dane  County,  Wisconsin.  The 
mother  died  while  a  resident  of  Wisconsin,  in 
the  year  1870,  and  about  the  year  1882  the 
father  came  to  Greene  County,  where  his 
death  occurred  a  year  later.  William  R. 
Groves,  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch,  passed  his 
youth  in  Dane  County,  AVisconsin.  He  was 
married  May  29,  1876,  to  Miss  Marion  Tow- 
ers, who    was    born    in    Wisconsin,  June  29, 


1861,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret 
Towers.  Her  parents  are  natives  of  Scot- 
land, and  are  now  living  on  section  14,  High- 
land Township,  Greene  County.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Groves  are  the  parents  of  four  children 
— Ransom  W.,  born  February  3, 1878;  Daisy 
R.,  born  September  6,  1880;  Maggie  May, 
born  September  15,  1882,  and  Susan  D., 
born  December  11,  1884.  Mr.  Groves  came 
to  Greene  County  a  poor  man,  but  being  in- 
dustrious lie  has  by  his  persevering  energy 
met  witii  success,  and  is  now  the  owner  of 
a  good  farm  well  stocked.  He  is  in  his  po- 
litical views  an  ardent  Republican,  having 
alTiliated  witli  that  part}'  for  many  years.  He 
has  been  trustee  of  Highland  Township  eight 
years,  and  has  also  served  as  school  director. 
Fostoffice,  Churdan. 


^fAMES  H.  TALLMAN,  farmer,  section 
%\\  20,  Faton  Township,  was  born  at  Canal 
^^  Winchester,  Ohio.  His  father,  John 
Tallman,  of  Jones  County,  Iowa,  came  west 
in  the  fall  of  1845,  all  the  way  by  wagon, 
and  settled  on  Government  land,  which  was 
then  in  its  wild  state,  where  our  subject  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  an  elementary 
education  in  the  common  school.  During 
the  late  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
Thirty-first  Iowa  Infantry,  for  three  years. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickasaw 
Bayou,  Arkansas  Fost,  Vicksburg,  second 
battle  at  Jackson,  Canton,  Cherokee  Station, 
Tuscumbia,  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission 
Ridge,  Ringgold,  Resaca,  Dallas,  Big  and 
Little  Kenesaw,  Atlanta,  capture  of  Atlanta, 
Jonesboro,  Lovejoy  Station,  Savannali,  Con- 
garee  Creek,  Columbia  and  Bentonville. 
After  the  war  he  attended  school  at  Mt.  Ver- 
non, Iowa,  and  taught  school  for  three  years. 
December    31,    1868,    he    was    married    to 


a2« 


HISTORY    OF    QUEEN E    COUNTY. 


Landora  J.  Eistine,  daughter  of  John  Ris- 
tine,  now  deceased.  Their  children  are — 
Wilbur  M.,  Gertie  P.  and  James  O.  Mr. 
Tallman  came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of 
1874.  He  owns  110  acres  of  good  land,  and 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  In 
the  spring  of  1868  he  went  to  Denver,  Colo- 
rado, and  taught  school  near  there  for  a  time, 
then  traveled  among  the  mines  in  the  mount- 
ains, returning  in  the  fall  of  that  same  year. 
He  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  having 
the  political  township  of  Paton  set  oif,  and 
was  appointed  by  the  county  officers  to  call 
the  first  election  in  the  township.  The 
original  portion  of  Paton  village  is  situated 
on  his  land.  He  served  as  township  trustee 
two  3'ears.  He  was  not  wounded  during  his 
service  in  the  army,  except  receiving  a  small 
scratch  on  the  thumb  by  a  rifle  ball.  lie 
had  tlie  measles  and  afterward  was  very  sick, 
with  but  little  hope  of  recovery.  His  iron 
will  carried  him  through. 


--4-'-5"^^-^"* 


?AMES  PARKER,  farmer,  section  12, 
Willow  Township,  P.  O.  Scranton,  is  one 
of  the  enterprising  citizens  of  the  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England, 
nine  miles  from  the  city  of  Lincoln,  that  is 
noted  for  having  one  of  the  largest  bells  in 
Europe.  He  was  born  October  4,  1829,  and 
was  a  son  of  AVilliam  and  Martha  (Bernard) 
Parker,  who  were  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
James  being  the  seventh  son.  His  youth  was 
passed  in  both  town  and  country,  and  his  first 
manual  labor  was  at  farm  work.  The  only 
education  he  received  was  by  study  at  home. 
He  has  a  good  practical  education,  and  is  well 
posted  in  matters  pertaining  to  business.  In 
1S52  he  emigrated  to  Canada,  and  was  there 
united  in  marriage,  April  2,  1855,  with  Miss 
Plioebe  Ann  Hern,  who  was  born  in  Barn- 


stable, Devonshire,  England,  January  28, 
1838,  daughter  of  John  and  Phoebe  (Bowers) 
Hern.  In  March,  1865,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker 
removed  to  Marshall  County,  Illinois,  where 
they  lived  three  years,  then  removed  to 
Peoria  County  where  they  resided  about 
eight  years.  In  the  spring  of  1876  they 
came  to  Greene  County,  this  State,  and 
settled  upon  their  present  farm,  which  was 
then  wild  land,  and  was  one  of  tlie  first 
improved  farms  in  the  neighborhood.  He 
has  a  comfortable  residence,  good  barn  and 
buildings  for  grain  and  stock,  and  an  orchard 
of  his  own  planting.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker 
are  the  parents  of  two  sons — Alfred,  who 
reside  on  section  1,  Willow  Township,  and 
is  a  promising  young  farmer;  and  George  H., 
who  resides  at  Council  Blufi's,  Iowa.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Parker  is  an  Independent.  He  was 
for  many  years  a  zealous  and  active  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ciiurch,  and  has 
always  been  interested  in  educational  and 
religious  n:iatters.  He  is  one  of  Willow 
Township's  most  worthy  citizens. 


-|->-^>" 


|R.  JOHN  B.  HALL,  veterinary  surgeon, 
also  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  section  10, 
Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
Rockingham  County,  Virginia,  March  13, 
1848.  His  father,  John  Hall,  was  a  native 
of  the  same  county,  and  in  1853  brought  his 
family  to  Cass  County,  Illinois,  and  to  this 
county  in  1859.  He  lived  here  until  the  fall 
of  1883,  and  died  aged  eighty-nine  years. 
They  settled  here  when  the  country  was  wild 
and  infested  with  wolves.  Their  trading  and 
milling  were  done  at  Des  Moines.  Our  sub- 
ject was  raised  on  the  homestead  on  section 
29,  in  the  north  part  of  Washington  Town- 
ship, and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  commenced  the  study   of   veterinary  sur- 


»mPm<»m^9MSmSmmi^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


gery  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  has 
been  practicing  for  the  past  eleven  years.  He 
has  liad  several  very  complicated  cases,  and  is 
becoming  noted  for  his  skill  in  surgical  work. 
His  practice  comprises  an  area  of  twenty 
miles.  In  1886  he  lost  less  than  nine  per 
cent,  of  his  cases.  His  success  is  due  to  his 
close  attention  to  ail  c^ses  in  their  acute 
form.  He  settled  upon  his  present  farm  in 
March,  1876,  where  he  owns  eighty  acres  of 
good  land.  He  was  married  November  28, 
1869,  to  Minerva  A.  Smith,  daughter  of 
Thomas  J.  Smith,  deceased,  who  came  from 
Piatt  County,  Illinois,  to  Dallas  County, 
Iowa,  in  1853,  and  to  this  county  in  1858. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  have  six  children — Ada 
A.,  Ida  I.,  John  T.  ^\.,  Charles  M.,  Frank 
and  AVinnifred  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  are 
worthy  and  consistent  members  of  the  Meth. 
odist  Episcopal  churcli. 


tALEB  EUfSELL,  farmer,  section  23, 
Paton  Township,  was  born  in  Caledonia 
County,  Vermont,  April  9,  1822,  son 
of  David  Russell,  deceased.  lie  was  reared 
a  farmer,  and  received  a  limited  education  in 
the  subscription  schools,  three  miles  distant. 
His  parents  were  poor,  and  he  had  to  work 
very  hard.  In  the  fall  of  1834  they  emi- 
grated,to  La  Porte  County,  Indiana;  thence 
to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  the  following 
spring.  In  the  spring  of  1849  he  went  to 
California,  starting  May  14,  and  reaching 
Placerville  September  10.  He  went  the 
overland  route,  driving  an  ox  team  all  the 
way.  His  wife  and  three  children  accom- 
panied him.  He  remained  there  two  years, 
working  in  the  gold  mines.  He  returned  to 
Illinois,  then  removed  to  Cedar  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  followed  farming;  until  1874,  then 
came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  his  present 


home,  where  he  owns  240  acres  of  land.  He 
was  married  in  September,  1842,  to  Orendoro 
Corey,  daughter  of  Samuel  Corey.  Seven  of 
their  nine  children  are  living — Nelson  S., 
Normand,  Orendoro  M.,  Mariette,  Elizabeth, 
Jasper  and  Jennie.  Mrs.  llussell  died  May 
6,  1883.  Mr.  Russell  was  again  married  May 
10,  1885,  to  Mrs.  Ann  Pike,  who  had  nine 
children  by  a  former  marriage — Hattie, 
Philena,  Alvira,  Lucy,  John,  James,  Elnora 
and  Isolia.  Betsey  J.  died  in  her  thirty- 
fourth  year.  Mr.  Russell  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church. 


I^ARLAN  N.  LIVERMORE,  an  active 
i{!r|\;  and  energetic  agriculturist  of  Dawson 
"%4  Township,  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising  on  section  32,  was  born  in  the 
State,  of  Vermont  July  26,  1850,  the  only 
son  of  N.  and  Mary  (Chapin)  Livermore, 
who  were  natives  of  the  same  State.  His 
mother  died  in  his  infancy,  and  in  1852  his 
father  married  Sai-ah  F.  Thayer,  and  to  them 
were  born  one  son  and  three  daughters.  His 
father  being  a  farmer,  he  was  reared  to  the 
same  avocation.  In  1855  he  was  taken  by 
his  parents  to  Waupaca  County,  Wisconsin, 
and  there  he  grew  to  manhood,  remaining 
there  till  1873.  He  received  a  fair  education 
in  his  youth,  and  subsequently  engaged  in 
teaching  school  for  a  short  time.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  September  23,  1872,  to 
Miss  Julia  E.  Dunham,  a  native  of  Maine, 
born  June  17,  1849,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Tempa  Dunham,  who  were  also  born  in  the 
State  of  Maine.  In  1873  Mr.  Livermore 
opened  a  railroad  restaurant  at  Amherst 
Junction,  Wisconsin,  which  he  carried  on  till 
1879,  when  his  buildings  were  destroyed  by 
tire.  Shortly  after  he  came  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  settling  in   Dawson    Township,  where 


!»■"■■■"■■■■ 


:!38 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


'I 


in  1882  he  erected  his  present  line  residence 
and  other  farm  buildings  to  correspond.  In 
connection  with  liis  general  farming  he  is 
engaged  in  raising  thoroughbred  short-horn 
cattle,  Poland-China  and  Duroc-Jersey  liogs, 
mammoth  bronze  turkej-s  and  Plymouth 
Rock  and  Wyandotte  chickens,  all  stock  of 
the  purest  and  best  strains.  Mr.  Livermore 
is  a  member  in  j^ood  standing  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge  at  Paton,  and  also  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
Lodge  at  Jefferson,  Iowa.  Politically  he  is 
a  staunch  Republican.  Postoffice  Jefferson, 
Iowa. 


^,^,^^ 


J[EORGE  A.  HUFFMAN,  foreman  of 
'"'—  Grand  Junction  7/<.'«(i//pr/i!;;,  and  assistant 
postmaster,  was  born  in  Medina,  Medina 
County,  Ohio,  April  17,  1861.  His  father, 
Jacob  F.  Huffman,  of  Ithaca,  Michigan,  is  a 
native  of  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania,  and 
removed  to  Michigan  in  1867,  and  engaged 
in  contracting  and  building,  a  business  he 
still  follows.  His  mother,  Lydia  (Vaughn) 
Huffman,  died  in  1867.  He  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  Ithaca,  and  In  1876  entered 
the  Gratiot  County  Journal  office  as  com- 
positor, having  worked  in  that  capacity  morn- 
ings, evenings  and  Saturdays  while  in  school. 
He  remained  in  that  office  until  the  fall  of 
1880,  then  went  to  Wellington,  Kansas,  and 
entered  the  office  of  the  Sumner  County 
Democrat  as  compositor.  Three  months 
later  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Welling- 
tvnliin,  and  Mr.  Huffman  was  made  solicitor. 
He  remained  three  months  longer,  then  took 
a  trip  through  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Missis- 
sippi, Indian  Territory  and  Texas,  then  back 
to  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  through  Iowa  and 
buck  to  Michigan.  In  October,  1882,  he 
entered  the./oM/VK/Zollice  again  as  compositor, 
and   soon   was  promoted   to   foreman,  which 


position  he  held  until  April,  1884,  when  he 
went  to  Duluth,  Minnesota,  and  worked  on 
the  morning  Daily  Tribune.  He  remained 
there  two  months,  then  went  to  Port  Arthur, 
Canada,  working  three  months  on  the  Daily 
Sentinel;  thence  back  to  Duluth;  thence  on 
an  excursion  to  Glendive,  Montana  Territory, 
stopping  at  the  principal  towns  along  the 
route.  Returning  to  St.  Paul  he  started  for 
Omaha.  Being  delayed  two  hours  at  Grand 
Junction  he  entered  the  Headlight  office, 
found  the  editor  sick,  and  accepted  the  situa- 
tion of  foreman  of  the  office.  This  was 
October  1,  1884,  and  Mr.  Huffman  still  re- 
mains in  the  Headlight  office.  When  the 
editor,  S.  C.  Maynard,  was  appointed  post- 
master he  was  made  assistant,  and  still  holds 
that  position.  He  is  a  member  of  the  society 
of  Odd  Fellows,  and  of  the  Printer's  Union 
at  East  Saginaw,  Michigan.  He  was  married 
December  16, 1886,  to  Miss  Lettie  G.  Miller, 
daughter  of  Philo  AV.  Miller,  of  Grand  Junc- 
tion. 


~^'^'-5«f''^-- 

mi[HARLEY  C.  METZGER,  proprietor  of 

£  the  meat  market  at  Grand  Junction, 
was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  Novem- 
ber 1, 1836.  His  father,  Jacob  Metzger,  also 
a  native  of  Germany,  came  to  the  United 
States  January  7,  1855,  and  lived  tw9  years 
in  Crawford  County,  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of 
1856  the  family  came  to  Cedar  County,  Iowa, 
where  our  subject  lived  until  1870,  then 
came  to  Grand  Junction  and  engaged  in  his 
present  business.  He  is  the  pioneer  batcher 
of  Greene  County.  He  was  married  Novem- 
ber 19,  1872,  to  Miss  Carrie  J.  Richter, 
daughter  of  Charles  Richter,  of  this  place. 
They  have  six  children — William  F.,  Charley 
E.,  Sarah  T.,  Frank  E..  Theresa  M.  and  Guy 
A.     Mr.  Metzger  served  as  township  trustee 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


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six  years,  and  has  also  been  a  member  of  the 
town  council.  He  belongs  to  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  himself  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


-2w5- 


fOHN  P.  GULICK,  farmer,  Grand  Junc- 
tion, was  born  in  Northumberland  Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania,  September  18,  1810, 
son  of  Abrara  Gulick,  born  in  Sussex  County, 
New  Jersey,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  now  deceased.  lie  was  reared  on 
a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  subscription 
school,  in  a  small  frame  house  covered  with 
slabs,  slab  benches,  and  a  board  fastened  to 
the  wall  for  a  desk;  a  huge  fire-place  in  one 
end,  a  long  window  on  one  side,  two  rows  of 
lights,  and  a  four-light  window  for  the  teacher. 
In  1843  he  removed  to  Three  Rivers,  Michi- 
gan, being  in  search  of  a  fair  3'oung  damsel 
whom  he  had  met  in  Pennsylvania.  He 
traveled  through  Illinois  to  Iowa,  and  back 
to  White  Pigeon,  Michigan,  and  found  her  in 
the  person  of  Mary  D.  Kownover,  whom  he 
married  October  29, 1844.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  L.  Kownover,  of  New  Jersey, 
and  was  born  in  Northumberland  County, 
Pennsylvania.  July  4,  1844,  our  subject 
drove  a  reaper  and  thresher  combined,  on 
prairie  round,  drawn  by  fourteen  horses. 
The  machine  had  on  it  a  liberty  pole,  bearing 
the  names  of  "Polk  and  Dallas."  That  day 
they  cut  and  sacked  twenty-eight  acres  of 
wheat  with  that  machine.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gulick  have  had  eight  children,  six  of  whom 
are  living — William  B.,  Emma  J.,  Charley 
M.,  Kate,  Margaret  M.  and  Addie  L.  They 
have  an  adopted  child — Maude.  In  1846 
they  returned  to  Luzerne  County,  Pennsylva- 
nia, thence  to  Northumberland  County,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1852,  and  returned  to  Pennsylvania 
in  1862.     They   spent    about   four    years    in 

26 


Washington,  D.  C,  Mr.  Gulick  being  in  the 
employ  of  the  United  States  four  years.  He 
was  Captain  of  a  squad  of  the  Sixteenth  New 
York,  under  Colonel  Nickelson,  sent  by  Gen- 
eral Auger  to  capture  Booth,  the  assassinator 
of  Lincoln.  He  rendered  valuable  service  to 
the  Government  during  the  war;  being  a 
sailor,  he  gave  information  which  led  to  the 
capture  of  many  rebel  vessels.  In  1866  he 
removed  to  St.  Josepli  County,  Indiana, 
thence  to  this  count}'  in  1873,  where  he  has 
since  lived.  He  conducted  the  xVshley  House 
over  three  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
and  Odd  Fellows  societies,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  family  are 
Baptists. 


years 


milLLIAM  G.  CROWDER,  farmer, 
1'  1/  V  -ection  4,  Paton  Township,  was  born 
I'^T^^JT)  in  Canada,  forty  miles  above  Corn- 
wall, November  18,  1841.  His  father,  Paul 
Crowder,  now  a  resident  of  Winnebago 
County,  Illinois,  is  also  a  native  of  Canada, 
and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1852.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  June,  1876,  settling  on  his 
present  farm  the  following  fall.  At  the  time 
of  his  settlement  here  there  were  but  two  or 
three  houses  in  sight,  but  twenty-eight  were 
built  that  season.  He  has  operated  or  helped 
to  operate  a  threshing  machine  every  season 
since  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  He  was 
married  January  10,  1860,  to  Miss  Eliza  C. 
Otto,  daughter  of  Peter  Otto,  now  deceased. 
She  is  also  a  native  of  Canada.  Seven  of 
their  eight  children  are  living — Frank  AV"., 
George  W.,  Sherman  A.  and  Sheridan  H. 
(twins),  Louisa  A.,  Fannie  M.  and  Ralph  D. 
Ross  F.  died  in  his  third  year.  Mr.  Crowder 
owns  120  acres  of  land,  and  devotes  his  time 
to  farming  and  stock-raising,  giving  consider- 
able attention  to  graded  stock.     He  has  held 


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HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


"nii 


a  few  local  offices,  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  order,  the  Good  Templars,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Methodist  church.  His  son 
Slieridan  is  a  prominent  teacher  in  this 
country.  Fannie  is  also  a  teacher.  In  April, 
1S82,  a  cyclone  tore  his  honse  to  pieces,  de- 
stroying nearly  all  its  contents.  There  were 
five  persons  in  the  house  at  the  time,  but  no 
one  was  seriously  injured.  Sheridan  was  the 
only  one  that  could  extricate  himself,  and  he 
assisted  the  others.    The  loss  was  about  $600. 


IgflLLIAM  RENNER,  section  2,  Junc- 
I  tion  Township,  was  born  in  Baden, 
l^=fe^!  Germany,  June  28,  1829,  a  son  of 
Casper  Renner.  In  1848  he  accompanied  his 
father  to  the  United  States,  and  lived  nearly 
two  years  in  Rochester,  New  York,  and  from 
there  removed  to  Racine,  Wisconsin,  where 
they  lived  two  years.  In  1852  they  went  to 
Walworth  County,  where  the  father  still 
lives.  In  1855  our  subject  went  to  Jefferson 
County,Wisconsin,  where  he  lived  until  1875, 
when  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  settled  on  the 
farm  in  Greene  County,  where  he  still  lives. 
Mr.  Renner  was  married  November  22, 1854, 
to  Jane  Rickemann,  daughter  of  Charles  L. 
Rickemann.  They  have  four  children — Sarah 
J.,  George  W.,  William  H.  and  Charles  L. 
Mr.  Renner  owns  a  fine  farm  of  300  acres, 
making  a  specialty  of  stock-raising.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Association. 


pjEV.  JOSEPH  MANNING,  of  Jefferson, 
has  resided  in  that  city  since  October, 
1866.  He  laid  out  an  addition  to  the 
northeast  part  of  the  town,  which  bears  his 
name.     He   is  a  minister  of  the  Methodist 


Episcopal  church,  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
this  part  of  the  State.  He  was  born  in  Abing- 
ton,  Wayne  County,  Indiana,  April  7,  1824, 
where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  His  father, 
Thomas  Manning,  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wayne 
County,  Indiana,  where  he  lived  until  his  de- 
cease. Mr.  Manning  entered  the  itineracy 
of  the  United  Brethren  church  when  only 
twenty  years  of  age,  his  field  of  labor  being 
in  the  White  River  Conference.  Later,  he 
was  transferred  to  the  Wabash  Conference, 
where  he  remained  five  years,  thence  to  the 
Iowa  Conference,  his  field  of  labor  being  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  State.  He  traveled 
five  years  in  the  Iowa  Conference,  in  the  in- 
terests of  the  Western  College,  and  two  years 
as  presiding  elder  and  one  year  as  station 
preacher  at  Lisbon.  When  he  came  to  Jef- 
ferson there  was  no  United  Brethren  society 
in  the  place,  and  he  decided  to  unite  with  the 
Methodists.  In  the  fall  of  1868  he  joined 
the  conference  at  Council  Blufis  and  engaged 
in  itinerant  work  of  the  Methodist  church. 
He  organized  a  church  at  Carroll  in  1869,  and 
at  Glidden  the  same  year.  In  1870  he  or- 
ganized the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  Grand  Junction.  This  is  but  a  small  por- 
tion of  the  work  accomplished  by  Mr.  Man- 
ning; he  has  devoted  time  and  energies  to 
ministerial  work  for  many  years.  He  was 
married  in  1846,  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  to 
Miss  Jane  Bonebrake,  of  that  county,  born  in 
1828.  Her  father,  George  Bonebrake,  was  a 
minister  of  the  United  Brethren  (^hurch.  He 
came  to  Iowa  from  Indiana,  and  many  years 
later  went  to  Topeka,  Kansas,  where  he  died 
in  1865.  The  mother,  Eliza  (Adams)  Bone- 
brake, died  in  Indiana  before  her  husband 
came  to  this  State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Manning 
have  four  children.  The  eldest  son,  Orlando 
H.,  is  a  man  of  much  distinction.  He  ob- 
tained his  education   at  Western  and  Cornell 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    ,'^  KETCHES. 


■"■"■"■"»™««*— —^Tw^T,;^ 


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Colleges,  Iowa;  studied  law  with  Head  & 
Knssell,  at  Jefferson ;  later,  located  at  Carroll, 
where  he  practiced  law  until  the  fell  of  1881, 
when  he  removed  to  Council  Bluff's,  and 
later  settled  in  Topeka,  Kansas.  He  served 
two  terms  in  the  Iowa  Legislature,  from  Car- 
roll and  Greene  Counties;  was  elected  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of  Iowa  in  1881,  and  re- 
elected in  1883.  He  is  at  present  attorney 
for  the  Central  National  Bank,  of  Topeka,  and 
also  for  the  Loan  Investment  Company;  he 
is  a  man  of  marked  ability.  Their  second 
child,  Jennie,  is  the  wife  of  Alfred  A.  Kear- 
ney, of  Stanton,  Nebraska,  an  attorney  of  that 
place.  Their  third  child,  George  B.,  is  with 
his  brother  in  Topeka;  and  May  L.  is  en- 
gaged in  teaching.  Mr.  Manning  has  spent 
the  best  portion  of  his  life  in  the  ministry, 
and  has  been  an  advocate  of  all  principles 
tending  to  the  advancement  of  religion  and 
the  moral  interests  of  mankind. 

— — 4*>^f^- — 


fONATIIAN  HUTCHINSON,  deceased, 
late  of  Washington  Township,  was  born 
near  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  in  1815.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1853,  settling  in 
Wasiiington  Township,  and  was  among  the 
first  settlers  in  the  township.  The  country 
was  then  in  its  primitive  condition,  and 
abounded  in  deer,  elk,  wolves,  wildcats,  and 
other  wild  animals.  Mr.  Hutchinson  was  a 
skillful  hunter  and  killed  great  quantities  of 
wild  game.  He  suff"ered  all  the  hardships 
and  privations  of  pioneer  life,  but  was  brave 
and  persevering  amid  all  his  trials.  He  was 
married  in  December,  1889,  to  Miss  Dorothy 
Burgess,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Burgess,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  five  children,  only  three 
of  whom  are  living — Barzilla  B.,  Joseph  W. 
and  Sabra  J.  Two  sons.  Smith  and  Madison 
N.,  lost  their  lives  while  righting  in  defense 


of  the  Union.  Mr.  Hutchinson  died  in  1861. 
He  was  a  man  that  was  greatly  respected  by 
all  tliat  knew  him,  and  his  death  cast  a  gloom 
over  the  whole  comuiunity.  He  was  a  kind 
and  affectionate  husband,  a  tender  parent  and 
an  obliging  neighbor.  In  his  death  the 
countv  lost  a  valual)le  citizen. 


SR%  ^'  BARKER,  senior  member  of  the 
ImI  ^''"'  ''*'  ^'^'■^^''  ^  Sons,  proprietors  of 
^i^®  the  Valley  Farm,  and  dealers  in  and 
breeders  of  thorongh-bred  stock,  established 
their  business  in  1880,  and  it  is  one  of  the 
leading  firms  in  Greene  County  engaged  in 
the  rearing  of  Hereford  cattle.  Mr.  Barker 
was  born  in  Oneida  County,  New  York,  De- 
cember 18,  1823,  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated.  In  1844  he  removed  to  Illinois, 
where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
about  four  years  in  Chicago  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  that  city,  and  in  1847  returned  to 
his  native  State.  In  1850  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  E.  A.  Stantial,  a  native 
of  New  York,  and  soon  after  settled  in  Will 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
contracting  and  building  until  1862,  then 
engaged  in  agriculture.  In  1872  he  em- 
barked in  the  drug  and  grocery  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  A.  B.  Barker  &  Son. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barker  have  three  children — 
H.  S.,  II.  F.  and  Mattie  E.  II.  F.  Barker, 
the  junior  member  of  the  firm,  was  reared  in 
Will  County,  Illinois,  where  he  received  his 
education.  He  was  married  in  1880  to  Miss 
Annie  McGlashan,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  three  children — Corlis,  Vera  and 
Willie.  The  Barker  residence  is  a  fine  two- 
story  building,  and  everything  about  the  farm 
indicates  thrift  and  enterprise.  Their  herds 
are  Nos.  10,807  and  15,143,  and  are  second 
to  none  in  central  Iowa.     The  firm  owns  240 


:!:i4 


F»Si>»"iJ»^'«'-»J' 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


acres  of  well-improved  land,  and  is  one  of 
the  largest  farms  in  the  county.  The  barn 
is  60  X  96  feet,  and  will  hold  100  head  of  cat- 
tle and  150  tons  of  haj.  They  have  all 
the  modern  conveniences  for  the  care  and 
handling  of  stock.  They  are  devoting  all 
their  time  and  a  great  deal  of  money  in  the 
rearing  of  Herefords. 


1^1  AMUEL  RHOAD,  farmer,  section  28, 
"^^^  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
^^  Highland  County,  Ohio,  June  27,  1806. 
His  father,  Phillip  Hhoad,  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  taken  by  his  father,  Jacob 
Rhoad.  to  Shenandoah  Connty,  Virginia,  in 
infancy,  where  he  was  reared,  and  removed  to 
Highland  County,  Ohio,  in  1805.  His 
mother's  mai-den  name  was  Elizabeth  Stols. 
Samuel  Rboad's  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Magdalene  Wendel.  He  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  received  a  limited  education  in 
the  subscription  schools,  which  were  held  in 
the  old  pioneer  log  cabin.  The  cabins  had 
split  logs  for  seats,  paper  windows,  puncheon 
floors,  huge  tire  places  and  l)oard  roofs.  He 
and  General  Jacob  Amman,  who  was  a  cadet 
at  West  Point,  were  schoolmates,  attending 
school  in  an  old  still-house,  with  curtains  to 
separate  the  school-room  from  the  engine  and 
boiler.  He  was  born  and  reared  on  the  old 
homestead,  married  and  lived  there  until  he 
had  six  children.  In  1850  he  came  to 
Wapello  County,  Iowa,  thence  to  Greene 
County,  in  1855,  settling  upon  his  present 
farm,  which  was  then  wild  land.  There  was 
but  one  log  cabin  in  sight.  There  were 
many  wolves,  deer,  wildcats  and  a  few  elk. 
He  went  to  Panora  and  Elk  Rapids  to  mill, 
a  distance  of  twenty  miles  or  more,  and  fre- 
quently went  to  Des  Moines  to  trade.  Corn 
bread  was  then  the  "  stati"  of  life,"  and  corn- 


'■"■■■°i'''k"d»''.. 


I': 

it 


meal  was  legal  tender.  Mr.  Rhoad  was 
married  July  5,  1835,  to  Miss  Martha  Mc- 
Curdy,  daughter  of  Hugh  McCurdy,  now 
deceased.  She  was  born  in  Beaver  County, 
Pennsylvania.  Her  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Martha  McAllister.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rhoad  had  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are 
living — Andrew,  Josephine,  wife  of  P.  M. 
Fitz  Patrick,  of  this  county;  Hannah,  wife  of 
J.  C.  Beaman,  of  Washington  Township,  and 
Martha  J.,  who  lives  at  home.  Mrs.  Rhoad 
died  August  19,  1871.  She  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  was 
aged  fifty-eight  years,  having  been  born 
March  25,  1813.  Mr.  Rhoad  owns  240  acres 
of  land,  whicii  is  worked  by  a  tenant.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


EO  FREUND,  one  of  the  early  and  re- 
spected citizens  of  Jefferson,  located  in 
that  city  in  January,  1871.  He  at  that 
time  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars, 
having  the  first  and  only  cigar  factory  in  the 
town.  In  1873  he  bought  five  acres  of  tim- 
ber land  on  the  Jefferson  Mill  road,  which  he 
cleared  and  then  put  out  a  grapery.  He  also 
erected  a  residence,  kept  a  saloon,  and  manu- 
factured wine.  About  1880  he  returned  to 
the  city  and  engaged  in  the  saloon  business. 
He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1846,  and  came 
to  America  in  1863.  He  lived  in  Venango 
County,  Pennsylvania,  for  some  time,  then 
removed  to  Pittsburg  in  1869,  traveling  con- 
siderably in  the  meantime.  In  the  winter  of 
1870-'71  he  started  westward,  intending  to 
go  to  California,  but  being  pleased  with  Jef- 
ferson, decided  to  locate  there.  Mr.  Freund 
is  one  of  the  highly-respected  citizens  of  Jef- 
ferson. If  all  who  follow  the  same  business 
that  he  has  pursued  for  many  years  were 
equally  conscientious  and  careful  in  conduct- 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SEETCUES. 


335 


ing  the  same,  the  prohibitory  law  of  Iowa 
would  be  nil  necessary.  No  arrests  were  ever 
made  in  his  house,  he  was  never  before  the 
grand  jury,  and  never  cost  the  county  a  dol- 
lar as  the  result  of  his  business. 


LLIAM  H.  EENNEK,  manufacturer 
W/li  o^'  harness  and  dealer  in  trunks, 
y^  valises,  etc.,  at  Grand  Junction,  was 
born  in  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  March 
16,  1861,  son  of  William  Renner,  of  Junc- 
tion Township.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm 
until  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  came  with 
his  parents  to  this  county,  settling  in  Junc- 
tion Township,  and  served  an  apprenticeship 
of  two  years  with  A.  Marquart,  in  Grand 
Junction,  then  went  to  Chicago  and  worked 
at  his  trade  iive  years.  He  then  returned  to 
his  home,  and  in  January,  1886,  bought  Mr. 
Marquart's  stock  of  goods  and  built  his 
present  shop.  He  manufactures  all  kinds  of 
light  and  heavy  harness,  and  carries  a  capital 
stock  of  $1,500.  He  is  doing  a  good  busi- 
ness and  is  well  worthy  ot  patronage.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Koyal  Arcanum,  of  Chicago 
(the  H.  W.  Longfellow  Council),  and  belongs 
to  the  German  Evangelical  Association  of 
Grand  Junction. 


|P[EOEGE  ^Y.  DAY,  of  Jefferson,  ijecarae 
Avisir  ^  resident  of  that  city  in  January,  1878, 
^i  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Greene 
County  since  1870.  At  that  time  he  bought 
a  farm  on  section  16,  upon  which  he  lived 
until  he  settled  in  Jefferson.  In  1880  he 
organized  a  detective  association,  of  which  he 
was  manager  for  five  years.  He  achieved  a 
high  reputation  as  a  detective,  being  success- 
fully  employed  in    a   number    of  important 


eases.  He  was  also  deputy  sheriff'  for  four 
years.  At  present  he  represents  the  Pitts 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  Marseilles,  Illi- 
nois, being  emploj'ed  as  a  traveling  salesman. 
Mr.  Day  was  born  in  Troy,  New  York,  in 
1844.  His  parents,  Joseph  and  Eliza  Day, 
died  when  lie  was  an  infant.  In  1847,  when 
but  three  years  old,  he  was  taken  to  Dane 
County,  Wisconsin,  by  a  man  named  Os- 
trander,  who  died  wlien  George  was  nine 
years  of  age,  and  from  that  time  he  was 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  working  his 
way  without  assistance.  He  entered  the 
military  State  service  of  Wisconsin  in  July, 
1861,  at  Madison.  In  November  of  that 
year  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  I,  Twelfth 
Wisconsin  Infantry.  December  23,  1803, 
he  again  re-enlisted  at  Natchez,  Mississippi, 
and  was  discharged  July  16,  1865,  at  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky.  He  participated  in  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  siege  of  Jackson,  Miss- 
issippi, battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  capture  of 
Fort  Alexander,  in  Louisiana,  and  the  Mer- 
iden  expedition.  He  came  home  on  fur- 
lough in  March,  1864.  Returning  by  way 
of  Cairo,  with  the  Seventeenth  Corps,  he 
joined  General  Sherman,  and  was  captured 
near  Kenesaw  Mountain  while  on  picket 
duty.  He  was  kept  a  prisoner  until  May  5, 
1865,  and  was  first  confined  in  a  Confederate 
prison  at  Talladega,  Alabama,  thence  to  Sel- 
ma,  where  he  succeeded  in  escaping  from  his 
guard,  in  company  with  three  others,  but  was 
recaptured  after  twelve  hours  and  returned 
to  prison.  About  the  20th  of  December  he 
was  taken  to  the  prison  at  Meridian,  Miss- 
issippi. After  a  confinement  of  a  few  weeks 
at  this  point  he,  with  two  others,  Charles 
Lewis,  Thirteenth  Illinois,  and  Charles  Broz- 
ier,  Sixty-fourth  Illinois,  succeeded  in  com- 
pleting a  tunnel  and  made  their  escape. 
They  eluded  their  pursuers  for  six  days,  and 
were  then  recaptured  and  returned  to  prison. 


'L 


'■-■i-W''Mi'"H'^='g'°.a!"jiai5 


■"-■-■»"g»g»'i^'»g"="'g»-iSMaw,«,»i,»,iW5« 


336 


HISTORY    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


They  were  barefoot  and  nearly  naked.  The 
season  was  midwinter,  and  traveling  through 
the  swamps  was  almost  impossible,  even  un- 
der the  most  favorable  circumstances.  The 
water  being  frozen  hard  enough  to  bear  tlieir 
weight,  and  again  breaking  through  by  the 
force  of  their  weiglit,  their  bare  feet  and  al- 
most naked  bodies  suffered  almost  beyond 
endurance.  They  were  followed  by  hounds, 
and  a  recapture  was  the  result,  as  before 
stated.  Their  food  during  the  six  days  of 
their  terrible  experience  was  corn  and  pump- 
kins, which  they  found  in  the  fields,  and  ate 
raw.  A  severe  illness  followed,  and  Mr.  Day 
continued  sick  during  the  remainder  of  his 
imprisonment.  Imagination  can  not  depict 
the  hoi'rors  of  that  awful  experience  in  a 
Southern  prison,  and  words  are  inadequate  to 
describe  it.  After  a  time  he  was  returned  to 
Cahaba  and  thence  to  Selma.  At  the  latter 
place  he  was  paroled,  and  conducted  to  the 
Union  lines  near  Vicksburg,  then  transferred 
by  steamer  to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  his  home, 
arriving  there  May  11,  1865.  His  discharge 
followed  in  July.  Mr.  Day  has  never  re- 
covered from  the  effects  of  his  prison  life. 
After  the  war  he  enwajjed  in  farmin<r  in  Wis- 
consin,  where  he  remained  until  he  came  to 
Iowa.  He  was  married  in  Wisconsin  to 
Miss  Addie  J.  Wilson,  daughter  of  William 
AVilson.  They  have  four  children — Willie 
C,  Nellie  E.,  Rufus  A.  and  Archie  L. 

*o*"H-y  *  ?t  il  *  V|.i^.»<,« 


|ANIEL  WESSLING,  farmer,  section  25, 
Paton  Township,  was  born  in  North- 
tield.  Cook  County,  Illinois,  November 
17,  1855.  His  father,  Henry  Wessling, 
deceased,  was  a  native  of  Hanover,  Germany, 
and  came  to  America  in  1838,  settling  in 
Cook  County.  Daniel  was  reared  a  farmer, 
and  received  his  elementary  education  in  the 


common  schools,  and  later,  attended  school 
at  Naperville,  Illinois.  He  came  to  this 
county  in  February,  188-1:,  and  settled  where 
he  now  resides.  He  was  married  -Fune  3, 
1880,  to  Julia  A.  Roekenbach,  daughter  of 
Philip  Roekenbach,  of  Lake  County,  Illinois, 
and  they  have  four  children — Clarence  L., 
Delia  I.,  Mamie  M.  and  D.  Raymond.  Mr. 
Wessling:  owns  240  acres  of  land.  He  is 
school  director,  and  road  supervisor.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Association,  and  he  has  been  Sunday-school 
superintendent  two  years;  was  also  secretary 
of  the  Farmer's  Alliance. 


?AMES  BURKE,  of  Kendrick  Township, 
was  born  in  Ireland,  October  10,  1834, 
son  of  Miles  and  Ellen  Burke.  When 
he  was  twelve  years  of  age  his  parents  emi- 
grated to  America,  locating  in  Cayuga  Coun- 
ty, New  York.  In  1855  he  removed  to 
Clark  County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  resided 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  when 
he  enlisted,  August  23,  1861,  in  the  First 
Wisconsin  Battery  Light  Artillery,  Colonel 
Jacob  T.  Foster  commanding.     December  23, 

1864,  he  re-enlisted,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  took  an  active  part  in 
many  of  the  historical  battles  of  the  war,  and 
was  in  General  Banks'  Red  River  Expedi- 
tion.    He  was  honorably  discharged  July  18, 

1865,  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  returned 
to  his  home  in  Clark  County,  where  he 
remained  three  months.  He  then  removed 
to  Hancock  County,  Mississippi,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  lumbering  and  in  railroad 
work  for  live  years.  In  1870  he  removed  to 
Johnson  County,  Iowa,  living  there  one  year. 
March  23,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  Eason  of  that  county,  who  was  born  in 
Wayne  County,  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  Alexan- 


■■■■■■■■'■■■■-■-'"»■-■-■-■-■■»■-■-■"■-■■■' ■a"-"a="'-"-"M"g»g»g'"a 


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BIOGRAPHIGAL    SKETCHES. 


337 


der  and  Mary  Eason.  During  that  same 
year  he  came  to  Greene  County,  locating 
near  the  Garland  school-house  in  Keudrick 
Township,  where  he  lived  until  1879,  then 
settled  upon  the  farm  where  he  now  resides. 
His  farm  contains  tifty  acres  of  as  good  land 
as  can  be  found  in  Greene  County,  and  it  is 
in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  one- 
aud-a-half-story  modern  residence,  well  fur- 
nished and  surrounded  with  shade  trees.  He 
has  a  large  and  commodious  barn  for  stock 
and  grain,  a  fine  orchard  and  a  native  grove. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burke  have  one  daughter,  Ada 
May,  born  January  11, 1872.  Politically  Mr. 
Burke  aftiiliates  with  the  Republican  party, 
and  he  is  a  member  of  the  N.  H.  Powers 
Post,  No.  Ill,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Scranton. 

~^'■^►>^^^-~ 


iUPtCH  G.  WOODS,  a  merchant,  at 
Surry,  was  born  in  Adams  County, 
Ohio,  July  27,  1859,  son  of  Isaac 
Woods,  of  Perry,  Iowa,  a  native  of  the  same 
place.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  Boone  County,  his  parents  re- 
moving to  that  county  in  the  spring  of  1872. 
He  taught  school  ten  years  in  one  school- 
house;  and  as  an  appreciation  of  his  services, 
liis  patrons  gave  him  from  $10  to  $15  a 
month  more  than  the  district  paid  him  in 
public  money.  He  clerked  in  the  iirst  store 
that  was  established  at  Angus,  which  was  in 
18S2,  and  he  opened  the  first  bill  of  goods; 
was  also  postmaster  there  for  awhile,  and 
carried  the  mail  in  his  pocket.  He  came  to 
Surry  in  the  spring  of  1885,  where  he  car- 
ries a  general  stock  of  goods,  and  has  a  good 
patronage.  His  success  is  due  to  his  selling 
for  small  profits,  and  the  gentlemanly  cour- 
tesy he  extends  to  his  customers.  He  was 
married  February  8,  1883,  tu  Eliza  Mansell, 


daughter  of  John  Mansell,  an  engineer  of  the 
Standard  coal  mine  at  Angus.  They  have 
two  children — Clara  and  Lucy.  Mr.  Woods 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity  at 
Angus,  No.  461. 


^UNCAN  M.  LILLEY,  an  engineer  at 
Surry,  was  born  in  Lanarkshire,  Scot- 
land, in  Motherwell,  July  4,  1844,  son 
of  Robert  Lilley,  deceased,  a  native  of  the 
same  country.  He  learned  the  business  of 
"  engineer  "  and  ran  an  engine  eight  years  in 
his  native  country.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1871,  and  settled  at  McKeesport, 
Pennsylvania,  thence  to  Blossburgh,  in  the 
Allegheny  Mountains,  in  1872,  thence  to 
Ohio,  one  year  later,  thence  to  Boone  County, 
Iowa,  the  same  fall,  and  to  this  county  in  the 
fall  of  1876,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and 
has  run  an  engine  most  of  the  time  since  his 
settlement  here.  He  ran  the  engine  at  the 
Armstrong  Bank  for  awhile,  but  condemned 
the  engine  and  refused  to  work  there  longer. 
Only  a  short  time  afterward  it  exploded,  car- 
rying death  and  destruction  in  its  wake.  He 
was  married  June  11,  1875,  to  Nancy  J. 
Sweney,  daughter  of  James  Sweney,  of  Wis- 
consin, and  they  have  five  children — Martha 
R.,  Ellen,  James  M.,  William  D.  and  George 
L.  Mr.  Lilley  is  a  member  of  the  society  of 
Odd  Fellows,  also  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


|OLAND  ROBERTS,  proprietor  of  the 
£  Washington  street  livery  stable,  at  Jef- 
45)1  ferson,  has  been  a  resident  of  Greene 
County  since  1870,  at  which  time  he  set- 
tled on  a  farm  in  Grant  Township.  He  im- 
proved this  farm,  and  sold  it  to  D.  P.  Root, 
who  formerly  owned  the  livery  stable.     The 


U^ 


iM..»^»»«W»-5T»ii»raT»»»l«,»,IUJiSBr.fC-J!Iia- 


'■■■■■jas 


338 


EIST0B7    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Ml 


fii'iii  -was  at  one  time  Tioot  &  Roberts,  being 
established  as  such  in  1879.  This  firm  was 
succeeded  by  Roberts  &  Williams,  Mr. 
Roberts  becoming  sole  projmetor  in  1883. 
He  is  a  native  of  Wales,  born  in  1840,  and 
came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  when 
six  years  of  age.  His  father,  J.  H.  Roberts, 
settled  near  Mazomanie,  Dane  County,  Wis- 
consin, and  died  when  Roland  was  eleven 
years  old.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Dane 
County,  and  married  Miss  C.  M.  Ballard. 
They  have  three  children — Hugh  B.,  Bessie 
C.  and  Gertie.  The  two  oldest  were  born  in 
Wisconsin.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Roberts  had 
ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — three 
sons  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Roberts  is  a 
successful  business  man,  and  receives  the 
liberal  patronage  of  the  traveling  public. 


» SuS » 


^jOBERT  GOODWIN,  of  the  firm  of  Dale 

'^  &  Goodwin,  proprietors  of  the  Grand 
^\  Junction  pipe  and  tile  works,  was  born 
near  Lith,  Scotland,  February  23,  1847,  son 
of  Robert  Goodwin,  now  deceased.  He  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
place.  He  came  to  America  in  May,  1865, 
and  lived  five  years  in  Mercer  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, spending  a  portion  of  that  time  in 
the  oil  regions,  and  also  mining  coal  and 
prospecting  generally.  He  came  to  Trum- 
bull County,  Ohio,  in  1870,  and  worked  in 
the  mines  most  of  the  time  until  1877,  then 
came  to  Grand  Junction  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing until  1882,  when  he  helped  to  build  the 
present  manufactories.  He  still  manages  a 
farm  of  200  acres.  The  factory  is  large,  run 
by  a  forty-five  horse-power  steam  engine,  with 
a  capacity  from  one  to  two  cars  of  tile  or 
lirick  everyday.  They  use  the  Tracer  crusher, 
also  own  and  operate  a  coal  shaft  in  connec- 
tion with  the  factory,  all  run  by  the  same  en- 


gine. They  mine  their  own  coal  and  sell  to 
local  trade,  using  the  clay  from  under  the 
coal  vein  to  make  tile  and  brick.  They  do 
an  extensive  business,  and  it  is  constantly  in- 
creasing. Mr.  Goodwin  was  married  Decem- 
ber 25,  1868,  to  Margaret  Maxwell,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Maxwell,  deceased.  8he  is  a  na- 
tive of  Scotland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goodwin  are 
the  parents  of  seven  children — Tliomas,  Rob- 
ert, William  J.,  Daniel,  Mary,  Maggie  and 
Katie;  all  are  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Good- 
win are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


'J: 


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^'^■^^■■wi^Byjji^ 


]p^,ENRY  M.  BLAKE,  who  is  numbered 
IW))  ^'i^o^g  the  enterprising  and  public- 
*^(i  spirited  agriculturists  of  Highland 
Township,  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  his  parents, 
Henry  and  Margaret  (Magner)  Blake,  also 
being  natives  of  the  Emerald  Isle.  He  was 
the  fourth  in  a  family  of  five  children,  and 
was  born  in  County  Clare,  Ireland,  the  date 
of  his  birth  being  May  20, 1839.  He  immi- 
grated to  America  in  the  year  1851,  settling 
near  Ottawa.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he 
commenced  working  on  a  farm  for  his  board 
and  clothes,  which  he  followed  till  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in  1861. 
He  then  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  the  Union, 
and  was  assigned  to  Company  A,  Eleventh 
Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  re-enlisted  as  a  vet- 
eran in  Texas.  He  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Vicksl)urg,  Chamjjion  Hill,  Fort  Blakcly, 
Magnolia  Hill,  Big  Black  River,  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  and  others  of  minor  importance. 
He  was  discharged  at  Mobile,  Alabama,  in 
18G5,  having  been  in  the  service  four  years. 
October  24,  1866.  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Margaret  Murphy,  a  native  of  Canada,  born 
May  10,  1844.  The  names  of  the  children 
born  to  this  union  in  order  of  their  birth  are 
as    follows — Mary    E.,  Annie   T.,  Margaret, 


'*"*■■  — '^"''■'"»"»""™'M''»'*iM™M^Mi™t™H»™«»" 


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BIOGMAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


339 


James  H.,  Sarah  B.,  Elizabeth,  Lucy,  John 
S.,  Alice  and  George  S.,  ten  in  all.  After 
the  war  Mr.  Blake  resumed  farming  in  Wis- 
consin, remaining  in  that  State  until  1869. 
In  November  of  that  year  he  came  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  when  he  settled  on  his  present 
farm  in  Highland  Township,  which  is  located 
on  section  35.  He  has  met  with  success 
since  coming  to  Greene  County,  owing  to  his 
industrious  habits  and  good  management, 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  well-cultivated 
farm  of  160  acres,  and  during  his  residence 
in  Highland  Township  has  gained  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  In 
his  political  views  he  is  independent,  voting 
for  men,  not  party.  Mr.  Blake  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Koman  Catholic 
church. 


.^[MANUEL  MAKKEK,  an  active  and 
°W/i  ^"terprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of 
^y'l  Greene  County,  residing  on  section  11, 
Hardin  Township,  is  a  son  of  Martin  and  Mar- 
garet Marker,  natives  of  Maryland.  They  sub- 
sequently settled  in  Darke  County,  and  later, 
in  1862,  came  to  the  State  of  Iowa,  locating 
iirst  in  Cedar  County  where  they  spent  two 
years.  Emanuel  Marker,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  the 
date  of  his  birth  being  September  12,  1845. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county, 
being  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer. 
After  attaining  the  age  of  twenty-one  years 
he  went  to  Versailles,  Darke  County,  and  be- 
gan working  at  the  harness  maker's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  seven  years.  With  the 
money  he  saved  while  working  at  his  trade 
he  purchased  a  farm,  and  in  1875  engaged  in 
farming,  he  having  immigrated  to  Greene 
County  in  1873  and  located  north  of  Paton. 
In  November,  1872,  he  was  united  in  mar- 


riage to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Meller,  who  was  born 
in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  October  8,  1851,  her 
parents,  John  J.  and  Nancy  Meller,  being 
natives  of  the  same  State.  Four  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union  as  follows — 
Harvey  M.,  born  August  26,  1875 ;  Crawford 
E.,  born  February  14,  1877;  Dennis  L.,  born 
June  25,  1880,  died  November  25,  1885,  and 
Florence  A.,  born  June  20,  1884,  died  Janu- 
ary 81,  1886.  In  November,  1877,  Mr. 
Marker  removed  to  his  present  farm  on  sec- 
tion 11,  Hardin  Township,  where  he  has  160 
acres  under  good  cultivation,  with  good  resi- 
dence and  farm  buildings.  Besides  his  home 
farm  he  owns  eighty  acres  on  section  2,  and 
forty  acres  on  section  12,  Hardin  Township, 
and  seventy-five  and  a  half  acres  on  section 
19,  Paton  Township,  and  all  of  which  he  has 
acquired  by  hard  work  and  good  manage- 
ment. He  takes  an  active  interest  in  the 
afi'airs  of  his  township,  and  since  making  his 
home  here  has  served  as  school  treasurer  and 
pathmaster.  In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the 
Democratic  party.  Postoffice,  Dana,  Iowa. 
His  father,  Martin  Marker,  was  born  in  Fred- 
erick County,  Maryland,  June  15,  1815,  and 
was  a  son  of  George  Marker  who  was  also 
born  in  Frederick  County,  June  19,  1782. 
AVhen  about  seven  years  old,  in  1823,  Martin 
Marker  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Mont- 
gomery County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared 
to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  educated  in  the 
subscription  schools.  His  father  resided  in 
Montgomery  County  till  his  death,  Novem- 
ber 29,  1850.  His  mother,  Margaret  Mar- 
ker, died  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Martin 
Marker  was  married  in  Montgomery  County, 
May  30,  1837,  to  Miss  Margaret  Weaver,  a 
native  of  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  born 
January  18,  1818.  Of  eleven  children  born 
to  this  union  nine  yet  survive — Lovina  S., 
Martin    V.,    Mary,    Emanuel    (whose    name 


■■"ti-M— ■■W' 


t^m^Wlaia^^^Ulm^iim^Sflfa* 


340 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


heads  this  sketch),  Martha  J.,  Lucinda  and 
Melinda  (twins),  Josiah  and  Amanda.  The 
father  lived  on  rented  land  for  abont  two 
years  after  his  marriage,  then  leased  a  tract 
of  land  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  being  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  that  county.  Six  months 
later  he  removed  to  a  tract  of  ninety-four 
acres  in  York  Township,  Darke  County, 
which  his  father-in-law  had  given  him  for 
$100.  Here  he  erected  his  pioneer  cabin,  and 
began  the  laborious  task  of  opening  up  a 
farm.  He  cleared  and  pnt  nnder  cultivation 
about  forty  acres,  when  he  traded  his  farm  for 
a  saw  and  flouring  mill,  which  he  operated 
about  ten  years,  when  he  was  forced  into  a 
lawsuit  by  which  he  lost  almost  his  entire 
property.  He  then  bought  seventy  acres  for 
$600,  paying  $10  down,  which  at  that  time 
was  all  that  he  had,  but  at  the  expiration  of 
three  years  he  had  his  land  paid  for.  In 
1850  he  bought  eighty  acres  which  he  sold 
to  his  brother  Raymond  for  $1,700.  He  then 
purchased  164  acres  of  land  where  he  now 
resides  in  Darke  County,  near  Versailles, 
which  he  sold  in  1863  and  purchased  240 
acres  in  Cedar  County,  Iowa.  He  then  re- 
moved to  his  Cedar  County  property,  to  which 
he  shortly  afterward  added  280  acres,  making 
in  all  a  tract  of  520  acres,  120  of  which  was 
timber  land.  In  1866  he  sold  this  land  at  a 
gain  of  nearly  $6,000,  when  he  returned  to 
his  old  farm  in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  the 
party  to  whom  he  had  sold  it  having  failed 
to  pay  for  it.  Here  he  has  since  made  his 
home,  devoting  his  attention  to  farming  and 
stock-raising.  His  farm  contains  164  acres 
of  choice  land  valued  at  $16,000.  His  tine 
two-story  residence  is  both  comfortable  and 
commodious,  and  his  farm  buildings  are  no- 
ticeably good,  his  large  barn,  40  x  70  feet, 
costing  $2,500.  By  hard  labor  and  persever- 
ing energy,  assisted  by  his  noble  wife,  Mr. 
Marker  has  from  a  small  beginning  accumu- 


lated a  valuable  property,  and  is  now  classed 
among  the  prosperous  citizens  of  Darke 
County.  Together  this  old  couple  shared  the 
vicissitudes  of  pioneer  life,  passing  through 
many  trials  and  struggles  but  have  lived  to 
attain  prosperity,  and  to  see  their  children 
become  respected  and  useful  members  of 
society.  Mr.  Marker  has  given  to  his  chil- 
dren in  lands  and  money  about  $11,000.  His 
farm  is  one  of  the  best  in  his  neighborhood, 
and  has  on  it  a  very  fine  orchard,  consisting 
of  about  300  bearing  trees.  He  has  served 
efficiently  in  many  of  the  townshiji  offices 
during  his  residence  in  Darke  County,  and  in 
1851  was  elected  district  assessor.  He 
platted  and  appraised  the  land  in  five  town- 
ships in  102  days,  receiving  for  his  work  $204, 
and  in  this  gave  entire  satisfaction.  He  is 
known  as  the  best  and  most  successful  auc- 
tioneer in  his  county.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
have  been  members  of  the  Lutheran  church 
for  almost  forty-five  years. 


^n^. 


jlfSAAC  W.  FORD,  farmer,  section  33, 
f]  Junction  Township,  was  born  in  St.  Law- 
^  rence  County,  New  York,  October  27, 
1838.  His  father,  Rollin  Ford,  deceased, 
was  a  native  of  Rutland  County,  Vermont, 
and  settled  in  New  York  in  early  life.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  of 
Ohio,  where  his  parents  settled  in  1847. 
They  soon  after  removed  to  Fulton  County, 
same  State.  The  mother  was  Almira 
(Hogans)  Ford,  and  lived  with  her  son  after 
the  death  of  her  husband.  They  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children — Sarah  J.,  Rollin 
E.,  Esther  A.,  Isaac  H.,  Mary  S.,  Henry  M., 
Danna  J.  Our  subject  came  to  Jones  Coun- 
ty, this  State,  in  1860.  During  the  late  war, 
in  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 


It 

i! 

ii 

il 

!■: 

is 

■\ 

!l 
I  I 
i  I 


'g1i»«"'M"M"«'1i1tf"i»»-a'-J-»--»-'»---»y 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


341 


Second  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  served  until  Sep- 
tember, 1865.  He  participated  in  both 
battles  of  Corinth,  lui^a,  Holly  Springs, 
Mempliis,  Colliersville,  Coffinsville,  Water 
Valley,  Tupelo,  Franklin,  Nashville,  Eastport, 
and  several  others,  lie  enlisted  as  a  private 
and  was  discharged  as  a  Sergeant.  He  came 
to  Greene  County  in  March,  1869,  settling  in 
Junction  Township,  which  has  since  been  his 
home.  He  has  held  the  office  of  school 
director,  road  commissioner,  and  is  at  present 
serving  as  township  trustee.  He  was  married 
September  22,  1861,  to  Mary  Reese,  daughter 
of  Conrad  Reese,  deceased,  born  in  the 
Mohawk  Valley,  New  York.  They  have  two 
children — Charles  O.  and  Carrie  E.  Mr. 
Ford  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
church. 


-5+^ 


fRANK  M.  FERGUSON,  farmer,  section 
29,  Patoii  Township,  was  born  in  Ken- 
-j^  dall  County,  Illinois,  September  8, 1839, 
son  of  Elijah  and  Lucinda  (Sutton)  Ferguson, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased.  When  he  was 
fifteen  years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Cedar 
County,  Iowa.  He  came  to  this  county  in 
the  fall  of  1870,  lived  one  year  in  Grand 
Junction,  and  worked  at  farming  on  Herron's 
place.  The  next  eight  years  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  three  miles  north  of  Grand  Junc- 
tion, and  came  to  his  present  home  in  August, 
1880,  wliere  he  has  since  resided,  and  where 
he  owns  110  acres  of  land.  He  was  married 
September  1, 1861,  to  Mary  F.  Weeks,  daugh- 
ter of  Gilbert  Weeks,  of  Paton  Township. 
Of  their  eight  children,  only  six  are  living — 
Charles  D.,  Edwin  J.,  Frank  L.,  Minnie  M., 
James  A.  and  Myrtle  A.  Mr.  Ferguson  held 
the  office  of  road  supervisor  several  years, 
and    was    also    school    director   in  Junction 


IL 


Township.  He  and  his  wife  and  Charles  and 
Minnie  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Dana. 


4-5»-f4- 


fB.  WILLIAMSON,  farmer,  section  32, 
Kendrick  Township,  postoffice  Scran- 
®  ton,  was  born  in  Jones  County,  Iowa, 
July  17,  1846,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Boyd) 
Williamson,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  They  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  J.  B.  being  the 
sixth  child.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
January  2,  1877,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Josie  Clark,  who  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  a  daughter  of  William  Clark.  She 
died  June  22,  1881,  leaving  two  children — 
Miranda  E.  and  Herbert  H.  Mr.  Williamson 
came  to  Greene  County  in  1871,  and  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  wild  land,  which  he  has 
since  improved  and  cultivated.  He  has  a 
good  residence,  good  farm  buildings  and  a 
line  orchard.  September  12,  1883,  he  was 
married  to  Mary  S.  Anderson. 


->45-. 


jTaEVI  STOCKWELL,  general  farmer  and 
f  Cw  stock-breeder,  residing  on  section  5, 
'^^  Hardin  Township,  was  born  in  Hadley, 
Massachusetts,  January  20,  1826,  a  son  of 
Daniel  and  Mary  (Gale)  Stockwell,  who  were 
natives  of  the  same  State.  He  was  reared  to 
the  avocation  of  a  farmer  which  he  followed 
in  the  summer,  and  during  the  winter  seasons 
worked  in  his  father's  broom  factory.  On 
attaining  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he 
commenced  farming  for  himself,  raising 
broom  corn  tiie  first  season,  wliich  he  made 
into  brooms  in  the  winter,  and  for  his  season's 
work    he    realized    $400    clear   profit.     He 


I'i^:;:!^^!^;^^^:!^!^^::!!^:^!!!^^^!!!^^^^ 


'a"«"i 


342 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


;  I 
r  I 


made  on  an  average  fifty  brooms  a  day.  April 
15,  1851,  be  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lydia  Judd,  wbo  was  born  in  South  Hadley, 
Hampsliire  County,  Massachusetts,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Simeon  and  Lydia  (Day)  Judd,  tlie 
father  a  son  of  Thomas  Judd  of  South  Had- 
ley, and  the  mother  a  daughter  of  Eli  Day  of 
Northampton.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Stock  well 
died  July  1,  1852,  and  her  father  May  3, 
1869.  They  had  a  family  of  three  children — 
Alethea  Day,  born  September  30,  1823,  wife 
of  Elam  Hitchcock,  died  February  13,  1855; 
Andrew  Thomas  was  born  Februarj'  9,  1826, 
married  Sarah  H.  Day,  June  26,  1857,  and 
has  three  children;  Lydia,  born  Julj^  24, 
1828,  is  the  wife  of  Levi  Stockwell,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children — 
Mary  A.,  born  in  Tipton,  Cedar  County,  Iowa, 
July  8,  1862,  is  assistant  principal  of  the 
Jefferson  high  school,  where  she  has  taught 
successfully  for  three  y^ars;  Harriet  B.,  also 
born  in  Tipton,  January  16,  1864,  is  living 
at  home,  and  William  Judd,  born  in  Tipton, 
October  2,  1867.  Mr.  Stockwell  left  Massa- 
chusetts in  1851  after  disposing  of  his  farm, 
when  he  located  at  East  Windsor,  Connecti- 
cut. He  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  when  on 
account  of  ill  health  his  physician  advised 
him  to  come  West.  He  came  to  Iowa  in 
1857  and  located  in  Cedar  County,  wliere  lie 
resided  till  1870,  when  lie  located  on  his 
present  farm  in  Hardin  Township,  where  he 
has  320  acres  of  well  cultivated  land,  and  is 
now  numbered  among  Greene  County's  best 
farmers.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
county,  a  good  and  substantial  residence,  and 
commodious  farm  buildings  for  his  stock. 
He  devotes  considerable  attention  to  stock- 
raising,  and  takes  much  pride  in  his  fine  herd. 
In  his  political  views  he  is  a  firm  Republican. 
He  is  at  present  serving  as  count}' supervisor, 
wliich  ofiice  he  fills  with  honor  to  himself  and 


to  the  best  interests  of  his  county.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Jefferson. 


— — ^.^^H,^.-- — 

f'^^OHN  McKAY,  superintendent  of  the 
Standard  and  Keystone  mines  at  Angus 
and  Surry,  was  born  in  the  north  of 
Scotland,  January  13,  1843,  a  son  of  AValter 
McKay,  who  was  born  in  the  same  country. 
When  our  subject  was  a  small  boy  he  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Lanarkshire,  Scot- 
land, and  when  but  eight  j'ears  old  began 
working  in  the  mines,  and  has  spent  his  life 
since  then  in  or  around  mines.  His  first 
work  in  the  mines  M'as  called  trapping,  that 
is  opening  and  shutting  the  doors  at  the 
entries  to  keep  the  air  in  its  proper  channels. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  January  2,  1864, 
to  Miss  Mary  Gold,  and  to  them  have  been 
born  eight  children,  of  whom  only  four  are 
living — Katie,  Mary,  John  and  Andrew.  Mr. 
McKay  came  to  the  United  States  in  1864, 
and  was  engaged  in  mining  coal  in  Trumbull 
and  Mahoning  counties,  Ohio,  until  1872. 
He  then  came  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he 
mined  coal  for  J.  F.  Duncombe  about  one 
and  a  half  years.  He  then  began  prospect- 
ing for  coal  for  Duncombe  and  others  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  present  site  of  Angus 
and  Surrj',  being  thus  engaged  two  years, 
and  was  pit  boss  in  the  Duncombe,  now 
known  as  Climax  No.  1,  on  section  31  of 
Union  Township,  Boone  County.  This  shaft 
was  sunk  in  1878,  and  was  the  first  sunk 
where  the  town  of  Angus  now  stands.  Mr. 
McKay  was  also  pit  boss  at  No.  2  Climax 
shaft  during  its  sinking.  In  1881  he  went 
to  Webster  County,  Iowa,  and  took  charge  of 
the  Little  Standard  mine  for  the  Minneapolis 
&  St.  Louis  Railway  Company,  which  position 
he  filled  from  January,  1881,  until  February, 


t 

( 

> 

i 

i 


'■■■■M"B»5^^»ii''^«ga3!ggBsa 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


'^"'■"■'■■■■'^li 


343 


1882.  He  then  took  charge  of  the  Standard 
mines  of  Angus,  and  in  June,  1885,  took 
charge  of  the  Keystone  mines  at  Surrey,  and 
is  now  superintendent  of  both.  Mr.  McKay 
is  a  member  of  both  the  Masonic  and  Odd 
Fellows  orders. 

'^"'|"S"S'|""«" 


tOBERT  CONNELL,  of  Surry,  was  born 
in  County  Northumberland,  England, 
September  24,  1834,  son  of  John  Con- 
nell,  deceased,  a  native  of  the  same  place. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1865, 
settlina;  on  the  Monongahela  Kiver,  where  he 
worked  in  the  mines  two  years.  He  then 
came  to  Hubbard,  Ohio,  and  mined  there 
until  1879,  thence  to  Boonesboro,  this  State, 
and  mined  until  1880,  then  came  to  Greene 
County  and  has  since  lived  in  Surry.  He 
worked  in  the  Armstrong  mine  until  the  late 
sad  explosion,  and  is  now  in  the  Buckeye 
mine.  He  was  married  August  3,  1861,  to 
Miss  Mary  Black,  daughter  of  James  Black, 
deceased.  They  have  two  children — Elizabeth 
and  Sarah;  the  former  married  Charles  Dorr, 
of  Surry,  and  they  have  live  children — 
Charles,  Maggie,  Robert,  "William  and  Mary. 
Mr.  Council  owns  his  home  in  Surry.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  society  of  Odd  Fellows,  uf 
Perry,  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  of 
Anojus. 


IS    '     -    a 


«HARLES  KELLEY,  farmer,  Grand 
Junction,  was  born  in  Canada  East, 
near  Huntington,  May  25,  1833,  son  of 
James  Kelley,  a  native  of  Ireland,  now  de- 
ceased. He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  edu- 
cated in  the  subscription  schools  of  his  native 
place.  In  1855  he  removed  to  Manitowoc 
County,  Wisconsin,  thence   to  Lake  Superior 


in  1857,  where  the  people  were  so  rough  and 
uncultivated  that  he  left  in  three  weeks,  and 
went  to  Kane  County,  Illinois,  and  remained 
two  years.  During  the  late  war  he  enlisted 
in  Company  A,  Fifty-second  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  served  over  three  years.  He  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  all  the  battles  in 
which  the  First  Brigade,  Sixteenth  Army 
Corps  was  engaged.  In  1864  he  came  to 
Tipton,  Iowa,  and  worked  there  and  at  Clar- 
ence at  the  mason's  trade  three  years.  He 
then  came  to  Greene  County,  which  has  since 
been  his  home.  He  has  been  engaged  in 
farming  most  of  the  time,  and  owns  160 
acres  of  land  in  Hardin  Townshij),  section 
35.  He  was  married  March  19,  1S67,  to 
Mai'ia  Weeks,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Weeks,  of 
Paton  Township.  They  have  six  children — 
Charles  J.,  James  R.,  Lettie  E.,  Ehna  D.,  Bes- 
sie L.  and  Mary  F.  Mr.  Kelley  is  a  meml)er 
of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  and  fully  endorses 
the  United  Labor  party. 


'■>^ 


J^[DWARD  H.  RILEY,  farmer,  section 
°ijML  25,  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
^^  New  York  City  January  1,  1846.  His 
father,  Patrick  Riley,  was  born  in  Count}' 
Cork,  Ireland,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
about  the  year  1830.  He  formerly  woi-ked 
on  public  works,  but  in  later  life  was  a  farm- 
er; he  is  now  deceased.  Our  subject  was 
reai'ed  a  farmer  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Henry  and  Whiteside  counties,  in 
Illinois,  his  parents  having  removed  to  Henry 
County  in  December,  1856.  He  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  late  war,  being  a  member  of 
Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Illi- 
nois Infantry.  He  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Franklin  and  Clinton,  Tennessee,  Fort 
Anderson,  Town  Creek,  Wilmington  and 
Kingston,  North    Carolina.     He    was   trans- 


»<■■■■"■■ 


344 


HISTORY    OF    ORE  EN E    COUNTY. 


ferred  and  served  a  short  time  in  the  Sixty- 
fifth  Illinois.  He  came  to  Greene  County  in 
March,  1869,  settling  in  his  present  home. 
The  country  was  then  quite  new,  there  being 
but  three  or  four  improved  farms  within 
sight  of  his  place.  He  owns  280  acres  of 
land  and  devotes  his  lime  to  farming  and 
stock-raising,  giving  some  time  to  graded 
stock.  lie  was  married  October  4,  1864,  to 
Catherine  Beers,  daughter  of  Ephraim  Beers, 
deceased.  Of  their  nine  children  seven  are 
living — Hazel  E.,  Burdette,  Jessamine,  Ed- 
ward P.,  Myrtle  I.,  Harry  Claude  and  Max. 
Politically  Mr.  Riley  is  a  Republican,  but  he 
never  seeks  political  distinction. 


fRANK  BRADSHAW,  farmer,  section 
21,  Paton  Township,  was  born  in  Wells- 
^  burg,  Brooke  County,  West  Virginia, 
(the  center  of  the  Pan  Handle)  May  3,  1841. 
His  father,  John  Bradshaw,  was  a  native  of 
Lancashire,  England,  and  came  to  Philadel- 
phia in  1818,  where  he  operated  a  woolen 
factory  for  several  years.  He  then  removed  to 
"Wellsburg,  and  was  running  a  woolen  factory 
there  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  his  son 
Erank.  In  1842  he  removed  his  family  to 
Daj'ton,  La  Salle  County,  Illinois,  and  run 
a  factory  there  three  years,  then  removed  to 
Freedom  Township,  where  he  died  August 
28,  1856,  from  the  effects  of  injuries  sus- 
tained by  a  railroad  train  striking  his  wagon 
while  crossing  the  track  at  Ottawa.  Mr. 
Bradshaw's  mother  was  formerly  Rebecca  J. 
Dodd.  The  parents  had  eight  boys  and  two 
girls,  all  living  except  two  boys.  Our  sub- 
ject came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of 
1876,  settling  in  Dawson  Township.  He 
located  upon  his  present  farm  in  1881,  where 
he  owns  160  acres  of  good  land,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming,  also  pays  consider- 


able attention  to  graded  stock.  February  21, 
1867,  he  was  married  to  Aner  E.  Smith, 
daughter  of  Alfred  and  Alinira  Smith,  the 
former  being  deceased  and  the  latter  living 
in  Dawson  Township.  Eight  of  their  nine 
children  are  living — Fannie  M.,  Frank  W., 
Ida  A.,  Emma  M.,  Mary  M.,  Charles  W.  and 
Cassie  C,  twins,  and  John  A.  Mr.  Brad- 
shaw enlisted  in  the  late  war  as  a  member  of 
Company  D,  Second  Illinois  Light  Artillery, 
and  served  over  three  years.  He  was  engaged 
in  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  Fort  Henry, 
Shiloh,  siege  of  Corinth,  and  several  others. 
He  served  as  Corporal  most  of  the  time.  He 
has  held  several  township  offices,  justice  of 
the  peace,  township  trustee,  and  is  serving 
his  third  year  as  assessor,  having  been  re- 
elected without  a  dissenting  vote.  He  was 
census  taker  in  1884.  lie  is  a  member  of 
Gem  Lodge,  No.  429,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at 
Paton.  Mrs.  Bradshaw  and  her  daughter 
Fannie  are  members  of  the  Evangelical  As- 
'sociation. 


fAMES  TOWERS,  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising  on  section  14,  High- 
land Township,  is  a  son  of  Walter  and 
Jane  (Watson)  Towers,  natives  of  Scotland. 
James  was  born  in  that  country  May  3,  1839, 
remaining  there  till  thirteen  years  of  age. 
He  sailed  with  his  parents  from  Greenock  in 
May,  1852,  and  landing  at  New  York  the 
following  June.  His  parents  settled  in  Colum- 
bia County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  lived  with 
them  till  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years.  He  then  began  working  by  the  month 
on  a  farm,  which  he  followed  until  1870, 
when  he  came  to  Greene  County.  He  was 
married  in  the  spring  of  1862,  in  Wisconsin, 
to  Margaret  Wilson,  who  was  born  in  Scot- 
land, July  20,  1840,  coming  to  America  with 


g»i"»''i."ii"»'"« 


&Ly»"«"a"ml!«"jB. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


:J45 


her  parents,  John  and  Marion  Wilson,  in 
April,  1850.  Eight  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union,  their  names  in  order  of  their 
birth  being  as  follows — Marion  Blanch,  John, 
James  R.,  Walter,  David  W.,  Francis  Harvey 
(died  March  18,  1874),  Lewis  Watson  and 
Margaret  Jane.  Mr.  Towers  came  to  Greene 
County  in  limited  circumstances.  He  has 
e.xperienced  many  of  the  hardships  and  priva- 
tions incident  to  life  in  a  new  country,  but  is 
now  comfortably  situated  in  life,  having  by 
his  own  industry  and  persevering  energy 
acquired  his  land,  his  farm  being  well  watered 
by  Hardin  Creek.  He  improved  his  land 
from  a  state  of  nature,  making  it  one  of  the 
finest  in  Highland  Township.  He  has  a  com- 
modious two-story  residence,  a  good  barn  and 
other  farm  buildings,  and  a  maple  grove  of 
about  three  acres.  In  politics  Mr.  Towers  is 
a  staunch  Republican.  Mrs.  Towers  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church.  They  are 
classed  among  the  well-to-do  citizens  of 
Highland  Township,  where  they  are  held  in 
high  esteem  by  all  who  know  them. 


(«1      •       •      (I 


fRW'}  WILLIAMS,  farmer,  section  26, 
"MVYlcUt  Greenbrier  Township,  was  born  in 
^#^®  Washington  County,  New  York, 
March  12,  1838,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Ann 
(Hopkins)  Williams,  who  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children.  He  was  reared  in  his  native 
county,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
His  early  life  was  spent  in  assisting  in  the 
labors  of  the  farm.  January  29,  1861,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  McMurray,  a 
native  of  Washington  County,  New  York, 
and  daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Mc- 
Fadden)  McMurray.  In  the  spring  of  1867 
Mr.  Williams  came  to  Iowa  and  settled  in 
Boone  County,  where  he  lived  four  years, 
then  came  to  Greene  County  and  located  in 


Greenbrier  Township.  He  first  bought  160 
acres  of  wild  land,  and  afterward  added  160 
acres,  and  now  has  320  acres  of  excellent 
land,  well  improved,  and  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation.  He  has  a  good  house,  surrounded 
with  shade  trees,  good  buildings  for  stock 
and  grain,  wind  power  for  pumping  water  for 
his  stock,  an  orchard,  a  native  grove,  and 
everything  to  denote  the  energy  and  enter- 
prise of  the  owner.  He  usually  keeps  about 
150  head  of  cattle.  Mr.  and  Mrs  Williams 
have  two  sons — Chester  M.,  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  New  Yoi'k,  in  1864,  and  R. 
B.,  born  in  Boone  County  in  1870.  Mr. 
AVilliams  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  in 
nearly  all  the  township  offices  with  credit. 

~-H«f*>+j.A-.-*- 


^^^g^ILLIAM  YATES,  a  resident  of  Ken- 
\  \\  drick  Township,  is  one  of  the  pio- 
C^fi^i  neers  of  Greene  County,  and  was 
born  in  Stokes  County,  North  Carolina,  De- 
cember 24,  1818,  son  of  AVilliam  and  Martha 
(Durham)  Yates,  who  reared  a  family  of 
eight  children — Jane,  Annie,  James,  Lettie, 
Paulina,  AYilliam,  Martha  and  George.  When 
William  was  thirteen  years  of  age  the  family 
removed  to  Rush  County,  Indiana,  and  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  that  county. 
When  he  was  eighteen  years  old  they  removed 
to  Boone  County,  where  AYilliam  lived  about 
seventeen  years.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
June  6,  1844,  with  Miss  Louisa  Brock,  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  and  a  daughter  of  Allen 
and  Sarah  (Johnson)  Brock,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  were  the  parents  of  ten  children — 
Jahue,  Nancy,  Lydia,  Allen,  Sarah,  Rhoda, 
Hiram,  Prier,  Louisa  and  Campbell.  All 
were  reared  to  maturity  and  married  before 
a  phvsician  was  ever  called  to  the  family. 
Mr.  Yates  resided  in  Boone  County  until  the 
fall  of  1854,  when  he  removed  to  Iowa,  trav- 


346 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


1 


eling  with  two  horse  teams.  Mr.  Yates  drove 
one  team,  and  Mrs.  Yates  the  other  one.  lie 
first  entered  eiglity  acres  of  Government 
land,  and  built  a  log  cabiu  17x17  feet,  which 
served  tor  kitchen,  dining-room,  sleeping- 
room  and  parlor.  Mr.  Yates  owns  160  acres 
of  farm  land,  and  thirty  acres  of  timber  land. 
The  log  cabin  has  been  removed,  and  in  its 
place  stands  a  good  one-and-a-half-story  resi- 
dence, built  in  modern  style  and  well  fur- 
nished. He  has  a  fine  orchard,  a  native 
grove,  and  his  farm  buildings  are  comfortable 
and  commodious.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yates  have 
had  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — 
Sarah  L.,  Nancy  E.,  Lydia  A.  and  Clara  A. 
The  deceased  are — Mary  E.,  Laura  E.,  Martha 
Jane,  Clarinda,  and  a  babe  unnamed.  Mr. 
and  ]\[rs.  Yates  are  zealous  and  worthy  mem- 
bers of  the  Free  Methodist  church. 


tHILIP  MEYER,  farmer,  section  33, 
Junction  Township,  in  Grand  Junction 
*^  corporation,  was  born  in  Alsace,  France, 
(now  Germany),  November  26,  1887.  His 
father,  Andrew  Meyer,  of  Henry  County, 
Illinois,  is  a  native  of  the  same  place.  He 
brought  his  family  to  America  in  the  spring 
of  1839,  settling  in  Lake  County,  Illinois, 
where  our  subject  was  reared  and  educated. 
He  came  to  Boone  County,  Iowa,  in  1875, 
where  he  improved  a  farm  and  engaged  in  the 
grocery  trade  one  and  a  half  years  at  Ogden, 
that  county.  He  came  to  Grand  Junction  in 
March,  18S2,  and  clerked  one  year  in  Zell- 
hoefer's  hardware  store,  then  began  farming. 
He  owns  twenty  acres  of  land  and  twenty 
town  lots  in  Grand  Junction,  and  160  acres 
three  miles  soutlieast  of  the  villacce,  which  is 
leased  to  tenants.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
late  war,  being  a  member  of  Company  A, 
One  Hundred  and   Twelfth  Illinois  Infantrv. 


He  was  married  June  20,  1860,  to  Sarah 
Luther,  daughter  of  Peter  Luther  of  Henry 
County,  Illinois.  She  was  born  near  Chicago, 
in  Lake  County,  Illinois.  They  have  had 
three  ciiildren — Clara  J.,  deceased,  Edward 
P.  and  Luther  G.,  both  at  home;  the  former 
is  twenty-four  years  old  and  the  later  four 
years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meyer  and  their 
son  Edward  are  members  of  the  Evangelical 
Association. 


^,ATHANIEL  G.    NO  YES,  farmer   and 


Hardin  Township,  is  a  native  of  Hamp- 
shire, England,  born  May  3,  1849.  His 
parents  were  also  natives  of  England,  sailing 
from  London  in  1851,  and  landing  at  New 
York.  They  first  settled  in  Janesville,  Rock 
County,  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  followed 
his  avocation,  that  of  a  miller,  until  1876. 
He  then  immigrated  with  his  family  to 
Greene  County,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Hardin 
Township  where  he  remained  until  1882,  since 
which  time  he  has  made  his  home  in  Jeffer- 
son. Nathaniel  G.  Noyes,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  Imt  two  years  old  when  he 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United 
States.  He  lived  with  his  parents  in  AVis- 
consin  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
went  to  Rockton,  Illinois,  and  for  three  years 
woi-ked  in  HoUister  &  Carlton's  grain  mill. 
He  then  returned  to  Wisconsin,  and  three 
years  later  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
when  he  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides,  his  farm  containing  120  acres  of  fine 
land  under  good  cultivation.  Mr.  Noyes 
was  united  in  marriage  July  26,  1871,  to 
Anna  Harker,  a  native  of  LaFayette  County, 
Wisconsin,  born  October  22,  1851,  her 
parents,  Simon  and  Jane  Harker,  being 
natives  of  England.     They  are  the  parents  of 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


o47  J 


one  child  living,  Mark,  born  June  2,  1876. 
Since  becoming  a  resident  of  Hardin  Town- 
ship Mr.  Nojes  has  held  several  school 
offices,  and  is  at  present  treasurer  of  the 
school  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 
Postoffice,  Jefferson,  Iowa. 


/^[DWAED  P.  FORBES,  deceased,  was 
1CP/i  formerly  a  resident  on  section  31,  Paton 
^l'  Township.  He  M'as  born  in  Lime,  New 
Hampshire,  July  5,  1836,  son  of  Cyrus  P. 
Forbes,  a  native  of  the  same  county.  He 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  He  came  with  his  parents 
to  Lee  County,  Illinois,  in  1855,  and  to  La 
Salle  County  in  1860.  He  taught  school  for 
a  short  time.  He  was  married  December  2, 
1868,  to  Eleanor  J.  French,  daughter  of  Ebe- 
nezer  P.  French,  now  deceased.  They  have 
three  children — Calvin  J.,  Eugene  L.  and 
Bruce  R.,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Forbes  came  to 
this  county  in  March,  1878,  and  settled  in 
the  home  where  his  family  now  reside.  He 
owned  160  acres  of  land  here,  and  160  acres 
in  Calhoun  County.  He  died  February  17, 
1879.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  as  is  also  his  wife. 


^i^^. 


^LANSON"  C.  HARRIS,  farmer,  section 
Hjv,\\5  30,  Paton  Township,  was  born  in  Gene- 
^isj^K-  see  County,  New  York,  October  12, 
1840.  His  parents,  Thomas  and  Fannie 
(Woodrufi")  Harris,  were  born  in  Tioga 
Count}',  New  York.  They  are  deceased.  Our 
suljject  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  a 
common-school  education.  In  1851  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  La  Salle  County, 
Illinois.     November  9,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 


Company  A,  Fifty-third  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  was  discharged  fur  disability  April  27, 
1862.  He  re-enlisted  October  8,  1864,  in 
Company  C,  Eleventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
was  transferred  to  Company  I,  Forty-si.xth 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  October 
8,  1865.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Spanish 
Fort  and  Fort  Blakely.  He  came  to  Greene 
County  in  March,  1878,  locating  in  his 
present  home,  which  was  then  in  a  wild 
state,  and  now  well  improved.  Mr.  Harris 
was  also  a  member  of  Company  C,  Tenth 
Illinois  Battalion,  and  before  removing  was 
Second  Lieutenant  of  the  same.  He  owns 
193  acres  of  land.  He  was  married  August 
5,  1868,  to  Olive  G.  Forbes,  a  daughter  of 
Cyrus  P.  Forbes,  deceased.  Three  of  their 
four  children  are  living — Carlos  F.,  Jessie  E. 
and  Nina  G.  George  W.  died  at  the  age  of 
two  years.  Mr.  Harris  has  held  the  office  of 
township  trustee,  school  director,  and  is  treas- 
urer of  the  township  of  Paton.  He  belongs 
to  Gem  Lodge,  No.  429,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


y^HARLES  H.  BASSETT,  deceased,  late 
mE  °^"  Gri'find  Junction,  was  born  in  New 
^^  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  December  24, 
1824.  He  was  brought  up  and  educated  in 
his  native  place.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years 
he  went  to  sea,  and  followed  it  several  years. 
On  his  last  trip  he  only  lacked  the  distance 
from  here  to  his  native  place  of  going  around 
the  world.  He  stopped  in  California  several 
years,  was  also  through  Oregon,  Washington 
Territory,  Sandwich  Islands,  etc.  It  was  he 
wiio  took  the  first  cargo  of  goods  to  San 
Francisco  County,  early  in  1849.  He  made 
a  long  voyage  of  three  years  on  the  whaling 
ship  Milo.  He  related  many  interesting  in- 
cidents of  this  voyage.  December  7,  1839, 
his  crew  secured  five  whales,  and  on  the  tif- 


:i4fS 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


teentli  of  the  same  month  they  secured  three 
more.  They  endured  many  hardships  and 
liad  many  narrow  escapes.  He  reached  Grand 
Junction  in  September,  1869.  Mr.  Bassett 
died  November  14,  1885,  after  an  illness  of 
seven  weeks,  leaving  a  wife  and  eiejlit  chil- 
dren to  mourn  his  loss. 


-^^«^->— 


fERRY  L.  LYON,  proprietor  of  the  Rip- 
pey  bakery  and  restaurant,  and  fancy 
-i^o  grocery,  was  born  near  Toulon,  Stark 
County,  Illinois,  September  8,  1856.  His 
father,  Laten  S.,  was  a  native  of  Northville, 
New  York,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1854, 
and  is  now  deceased.  He  lived  on  a  farm 
until  nine  years  old,  and  the  remainder  of 
lii.s  youth  was  spent  in  Toulon,  receiving  his 
education  at  Knox  College,  Galesburg,  Illi- 
nois. He  taught  school  eleven  years  in 
country  and  in  graded  schools.  He  came  to 
this  county  in  1880,  and  taught  three  years 
in  this  township,  in  one  place.  He  came  to 
Rippey  in  November,  1885,  and  engaged  in 
his  present  business.  He  was  elected  jiistice 
of  the  peace  November  2,  1886,  and  has  also 
served  as  township  clerk  two  years.  He  was 
married  November  24,  1880,  to  Flora  C. 
Gilmer,  daughter  of  Calvin  A.  Gilmer,  of 
Canton,  Illinois.  They  have  three  children 
— Laten  G.,  Onslow  and  Lena. 


frOHN  WILSON,  farmer,  section  9,  Frank- 
I  lin  Township,  was  born  in  Henry  County, 
Iowa,  July  29,  1848,  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Thomas)  Wilson,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
who  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  John 
being  the  ninth.  His  youth  was  spent  at 
farm  work  and  in  attending  the  common 
schools  of  Iowa.    He  was  married  November 


29,  1873,  to  Miss  Evaline  Hockett,  a  native 
of  Henry  County,  and  daughter  of  Nathan 
and  Elizabeth  (Cook)  Hockett.  In  February, 
1873,  jS[r.  Wilson  came  to  Greene  County, 
settling  upon  his  present  farm,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  It  was  then  in  its  wild  state, 
but  is  now  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in 
the  township.  It  contains  160  acres  of  rich 
soil,  and  he  has  a  comfortable  house,  and 
buildings  for  stock  and  grain,  an  orchard,  and 
a  native  grove  of  trees.  He  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wilson  have  four  children — John  Ralph, 
Nathan  Herbert,  Mary  Eva  and  Walter  Al- 
fred. Politically  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  strong 
Greenbacker,  and  a  zealous  supporter  of  that 
platform.  He  is  a  member  of  Greene  Lodge, 
No.  315,  I.  O.  O.  F. 


■^^^y^ 


26, 


l^lAMUEL  FREE,  farmer,  section 
'^S\\  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
'^P  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  June  9,  1815. 
His  father,  Adam  Free,  deceased,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by 
trade,  and  also  worked  at  gunsmithiiig  in 
Harper's  Ferry.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  fought  the  Indians  at  San- 
dusky, northwest  Ohio.  Mr.  Free's  mother, 
formerly'  Sarah  Moorhead,  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  He  began  to  work  on  a  farm  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  years,  and  has  always 
been  a  farmer  since.  He  came  to  Vermillion 
County,  Indiana,  in  1835,  and  to  Illinois  in 
January,  1846,  settling  in  Carroll  County. 
He  came  to  Boone  County,  this  State,  in  tlie 
spring  of  1869,  crossing  Des  Moines  River, 
near  Boone,  on  ice,  March  22,  and  the  follow- 
ing fall,  came  to  Greene  County.  lie  was 
married  July  21,  1836,  to  Catherine  Sa.xton, 
daugliter  of  George  Saxton,  deceased.  Of 
their    ten    children,  only  three  are  living — 


^Ji»J»iiiTga»^M»«-«-»i-»«»»»-»-».m»«»»"«"l"-PS»gl 


BIOGRAPHICAL    ISKETVUES. 


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u 


Francis  A.,  Samuel  Q.,  and  John  T.  When 
they  eniigrated  to  Illinois  they  had  to  drive 
a  wliole  day  to  get  from  one  honae  to  another, 
and  one  night  they  found  the  lady  of  the 
house  had  gone  visiting,  thirteen  miles  away, 
to  her  nearest  neighbors.  Mr.  Free  has 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  two  years,  and 
has  held  other  local  offices.  He  owns 
eighty  acres  of  land  near  Surry.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  since  1833.  His  wife  is  also  a 
member. 


fOHN  C.  HAUN,  cabinet-maker,  and 
farmer,  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in 
•^K,  Elgin  County,  Ontario,  Canada,  March 
14,  1839.  His  father,  John  Ilaun,  deceased, 
was  born  in  Bertie,  Niagara  District,  Canada. 
John  C.  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  served  an 
apprenticeship  of  three  years  in  Fingal,  in  his 
native  county,  at  the  cabinet-maker's  trade, 
and  followed  that  trade  until  1872.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1872,  settling  in  Junction 
Township,  and  engaged  in  farming  until 
February,  1885,  when  he  came  to  Grand 
Junction.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land 
besides  town  property.  He  was  married 
May  9,  1864,  to  Emma  G.  Mack,  daughter  of 
Sebra  Mack,  deceased.  Two  of  their  three 
children  are  living — Clarence  A.  and  Lura 
E.  Mr.  Haun  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


J^[EORGE  AV.  KEESE,  farmer,  section  3, 
'Ww  'l^""ction  Township,  was  born  in  Oswego 
wl-  County,  New  York,  March  1,  1840,  son 
of  Conrad  and  Persis  Reese.  He  removed  to 
Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  in  1844,  thence 
to   Fulton   County,    Ohio,    in    1852,    thence 


overland  to  California  in  1858,  working  in 
the  gold  mines  until  1863,  thence  through 
Washington  and  Oregon  Territories  on  horse- 
back to  Idaho,  where  he  worked  in  the  mines 
until  1869.  He  tlien  returned  to  Fayette 
Couiitv,  Illinois,  where  he  li\'ed  until  1876, 
then  came  to  this  county,  settling  upon  his 
present  farm.  It  was  then  in  its  wild  state, 
but  it  is  now  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  160  acres  of  land,  well  fenced,  a  tine 
residence,  and  his  farm  buildings  are  com- 
modious and  comfortable.  He  is  engaged  in 
general  tanning  and  stock-raising,  giving 
considerable  attention  to  thoroughbred  and 
graded  cattle  and  hogs.  December  14,  1870, 
Mr.  Keese  was  married  to  Caroline  S.  Boimi- 
uell,  daughter  of  Charles  Bonniuell,  of  Wis- 
consin. She  was  born  in  Ozaukee  Countj-, 
Wisconsin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eeese  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


|^[  W.  WIGGINS,  of  the  firm  of  Wiggins 
Brothers,  dealers  in  general  merchan- 
'  ®  disc,  at  Cooper,  is  a  native  of  Stephen- 
son County,  Illinois,  born  March  10,  1844, 
son  of  Levi  and  Betsey  (Morton)  AViggins, 
who  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  our 
subject  being  the  third.  When  he  was  ten 
3'ears  of  ago  his  parents  removed  to  Green 
County,  Wisconsin.  He  was  reared  a  farmer 
and  obtained  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  In  December,  1863,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  K,  Sixteenth  Wisconsin  Infantr}-. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Peach-Tree  Creek,  and  at  Atlanta, 
where  he  was  wounded  by  a  miuie-ball  in  his 
left  hand.  He  was  honorably  discharged 
May  30,  1865,  and  returned  to  his  home  in 
Wisconsin.  In  1869  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Frances  Cleveland,  and  to  tliis  union  were 
born  two  daughters — Edith  and  Ellen  Frances. 


3o0 


HISTORY    OF    OREENE    COUNTY. 


In  1881  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  O. 
Smith,  and  they  liave  three  children — Elsie, 
Walter  and  Ethel.  In  1871  Mr.  Wig^^ins 
removed  to  Hardin  County,  this  State,  where 
he  lived  two  years,  thence  to  Wright  County, 
living  there  until  1875,  when  he  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Franklin  Townsliip,  on 
section  20,  where  he  bought  sixty  acres  of 
wild  land.  In  1882  he  came  to  Cooper  and 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  which  he  has 
since  continued  with  good  success.  He  has 
an  extensive  trade,  and  is  always  ready  to 
serve  his  customers.  Politically,  he  affiliates 
with  the  Ilepublican  party.  He  was  post- 
master at  Cooper  from  1882  until  February, 
1886;  lias  also  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
for  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  JeiFer- 
son  Lodge,  No.  315,  I.  O.  O.  F. 


■►f*>^f^'-- 


fOSEPH  JOHNSON,  farmer,  section  20, 
Franklin  Township,  is  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  that  township,  and  was  born  in 
Lancashire,  England,  July  21,  1827,  son  of 
James  Johnson,  who  for  thirty  years  was 
superintendent  and  tax  collector  of  Preston, 
England.  His  mother  was  Helen  (Latus) 
Johnson,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children — Mary  Ann,  who  is  deceased;  the 
second  child  also  named  Mary  Ann;  James, 
who  lost  his  life  on  the  City  of  Boston  when 
that  vessel  was  blown  up;  Josepii,  Thomas, 
Francis  and  William.  Joseph  early  learned 
the  trade  of  engineer,  which  he  fully  under- 
stands in  all  its  details.  In  185-i  he  came  to 
America  and  settled  in  Buffalo,  New  York. 
In  1856  he  removed  to  Jo  Daviess  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  1864,  then  re- 
moved to  Clayton  Connty,  Iowa,  where  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  wild  land.  In 
1874  he  caine  to  this  county  and  settled  upon 
his  present  farm,  whicli  was  then  in  its  wild 


state.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  which  is 
well-improved,  and  he  now  has  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  the  county,  with  a  good  house  and 
comfortable  buildings  for  stock  and  grain; 
also  an  orchard  and  a  grove  of  native  trees. 
He  was  married  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years, 
to  Miss  Ann  Hodson,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  four  children — James,  Richard, 
Francis  and  Helen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson 
are  zealous  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 


.^^^ 


^^'TTLLIAM  C.  EARTH,  general    mer- 
■■[.  l/\/     chant   at   Dana,   was   born    in  Lewis 

(Hf^i  County,  New  York,  May  14,  1853, 
son  of  Andrew  Barth,  of  Humboldt  County, 
Iowa,  a  native  of  Germany;  he  came  to  the 
United  States  when  quite  young.  Our  sub- 
ject received  a  good  education  in  Carthage, 
Jefferson  County,  New  York,  and  came  to 
Humboldt  County  in  1870,  where  he  worked 
on  a  farm  for  five  years.  He  then  came  to 
Grand  Junction  and  worked  one  year  for 
Cliarles  Metzger,  of  that  place.  lie  also  at- 
tended school  one  year,  then  worked  on  the 
Des  Moines  &  Ft.  Dodge  Railroad.  Later, 
he  was  in  the  employ  of  Ed.  Carlton,  the 
stock-buyer,  until  1880,  then  worked  three 
years  in  Parmenter's  hardware  store.  In 
April,  1883,  he  came  to  his  present  home  and 
bought  the  stock  and  store-room  of  E.  E. 
Hutchins.  He  carries  a  capital  stock  of 
$5,000,  consisting  of  groceries,  dry  goods, 
boots  and  shoes,  notions,  hardware,  glass, 
queen'sware,  in  fact,  everything  usually  kept 
in  a  first-class  store.  He  does  an  annual 
business  of  $17,000  to  $18,000,  and  it  is  con- 
stantly increasing.  He  also  buys  grain  and 
deals  in  coal.  lie  takes  all  kinds  of  ]iroduce 
and  sells  very  cheap.  This  brings  him  a 
large  patronage  from  other  localities,  an 
ables    him  to    compete   wit) 


en- 
Jefferson   and 


.aimM,»»W„g»B!.«,W„a,»,»ia»a»aMm»»MMM-»iM-». 


BIOQUAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


351 


Grand  Junction.  He  is  a  wide-awake  busi- 
ness man,  and  a  benefit  to  the  community. 
He  was  married  May  30,  1880,  to  Pliebe  A. 
Ashmore,  daughter  of  Madison  Ashmore,  of 
Iowa  Count}',  AVisconsin.  She  is  a  telegraph 
operator  by  occupation,  and  worked  five  years 
for  tlie  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Rail- 
road Company,  Prairie  du  Chien  division. 
Mr.  P)arth  began  life  with  nothing,  but  by 
hard  work,  economy  and  good  management, 
he  has  secured  a  competency.  He  has  filled 
the  oflice  of  postmaster  for  .three  and  a  lialf 
years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. 


w    y^M 


ATTHEW  PJCIIARDSON,  one  of 
(xreene  County's  prosperous  agricult- 
urists, is  a  native  of  England,  born 
in  Westmoreland  County,  June  24, 1842.  In 
1846  he  sailed  from  Liverpool  with  his 
parents,  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Waters)  Rich- 
ardson, landing  at  New  York  City,  they 
locating  in  La  Fayette  County,  Wisconsin. 
In  1865  our  subject  went  to  Helena,  Montana, 
and  began  working  in  the  mines,  remaining 
in  Montana  until  1868.  In  March,  1870,  he 
was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Craig,  who  was 
born  in  Stanhope  Wardale,  Durhamshire, 
England,  February  17,  1849,  a  daughter  of 
Francis  and  Jane  Craig,  natives  of  England. 
In  the  fall  of  1870  he  and  his  wife  immi- 
grated to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  have 
since  made  their  home  on  section  13,  Hardin 
Township,  and  here  they  experienced  many 
of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to 
pioneer  life.  In  tlieir  pioneer  home  their 
seven  cliildren  were  born,  their  names  being  as 
follows — Joseph  F.,  Eiizalieth  J.,  Margaret  A., 
George  W.,  Charles  L.  (deceased).  Marietta 
and  Matthew  T.  Mr.  Richardson  has  by  hard 
work  and  the  good  management  of  himself  and 


wife  accumulated  a  good  property,  being  the 
owner  of  160  acres  on  section  13  and  eighty 
acres  on  section  14  of  Hardin  Township,  all  of 
which  is  under  a  fair  state  of  cultivation.  He 
has  a  fine  orchard  on  liis  land,  and  also  a 
native  grove,  also  good  residence  and  farm 
buildings.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson is  liberal,  voting  for  men,  not  party. 
Joseph  Richardson,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Breugh,  Westmoreland  County, 
England,  where  he  was  reared  and  married, 
and  was  a  brother  of  George  Richardson,  of 
Dubu(|ue,  Iowa,  a  wholesale  boot  and  shoe 
dealer.  After  coming  to  America  he  settled 
in  Wisconsin,  where  he  lived  till  his  death. 
He  worked  by  the  day  in  the  lead  mines  of 
Wisconsin  until  he  had  sufficient  money  to 
purchase  a  farm  and  team,  and  in  1849  he 
moved  on  the  farm  he  had  purchased,  located 
in  Benton  Township,  La  Fayette  County, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  followed  farming  and 
stock-raising  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
November  6,  1874,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven 
years.  His  death  caused  universal  regret 
among  the  early  settlers  throughout  the  lead 
regions,  who  knew  and  respected  the  deceased 
for  his  manly  worth  and  energy  of  character. 
Being  a  man  of  much  energy  and  enterprise, 
he  soon  accumulated  a  competency  which  in 
time  grew  to  a  fortune.  About  six  or  seven 
years  ])rio)-  to  his  death  he  became  associated 
witli  William  Gillette,  with  whom  he  operated 
a  cheese  factory  some  two  years.  He  subse- 
quently purchased  Mr.  Gillette's  interest  and 
carried  on  the  cheese  factory  alone  till  his 
death.  Beside  this  he  owned  about  1,000 
acres  of  land,  and  a  large  amount  of  personal 
property.  He  was  also  the  owner  of  a  grist- 
mill on  Fern  River,  known  as  the  Alderson 
&  Passmore  mill.  He  was  a  good  neighbor, 
and  was  always  ready  and  willing  to  give  of 
his  means  to  aid  any  worthy  enterprise.  He 
gave  the  right  of  way  to  the  Narrow  Gauge 


353 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


1 
i 


Railroad,  which  imns  a  long  distance  through 
his  land.  He  left  a  widow  and  thirteen  chil- 
dren to  mourn  the  death  of  a  kind  and 
affectionate  husband  and  father.  Mrs.  Rich- 
ardson's fatlier,  Francis  Craig,  was  born  in 
Durhamshire,  England,  November  17,  1821, 
and  in  1850  came  to  the  United  States  and 
located  at  New  Diggings,  AVisconsin,  where 
he  at  once  engaged  in  mining,  which  he  has 
since  followed.  In  1870  he  with  others  or- 
ganized the  Craig  Mining  Company.  His 
mining  interests  have  been  more  exciting 
than  any  others  in  the  locality  where  he  lives. 
He  owns  200  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  the 
grounds  about  his  house  ai"e  nicely  laid  out. 
He  has  held  the  greater  part  of  the  town 
offices,  and  has  been  chairman  of  the  town 
board.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Jane 
Coulthard,  who  was  born  in  Durhamshire, 
England,  in  1819,  and  died  in  1857,  leaving 
three  children — Mary  Ann,  Joseph  and 
Francis. 


^'i^*h' 


llEORGE  ATCHINSON,  farmer  and 
^—  stock-raiser,  section  32,  Franklin  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Fulton  County,  Illi- 
nois, November  8, 1838,  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Randall)  Atchinson,  the  former  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  and  the  latter  of  Deer  Island. 
They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  of 
whom  George  was  the  tenth.  He  commenced 
to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade  when  quite 
young,  and  has  worked  at  it  the  greater  part 
of  his  life.  He  was  married  in  1871  to 
Elizabeth  A.  Butler,  of  Fulton  County.  In 
1876  Mr.  Atchinson  removed  to  this  county 
and  settled  upon  his  present  farm,  which  he 
had  purchased  the  year  previous.  His  farm 
contains  160  acres  of  e.xcellent  land,  and  it  is 
well  cultivated.  He  has  a  good  residence, 
comfortable  out-linildings  for  stock  and  grain, 


an  orchard,  and  a  natural  grove.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Atchinson  have  four  sons — Alonzo, 
John,  Arthur  and  George.  Politically  Mr. 
Atchinson  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  served 
as  constable.  He  is  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Christian  ciiurcli,  and  is  respected  by  all  who 
know  him. 

"^"♦f-^wf-f^-"- 


fOHN  T.  COWAN,  grain  and  lumber 
merchant,  and  proprietor  of  the  Patou 
-*%  elevator,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
born  in  "Westmoreland  County,  May  22, 1842, 
a  son  of  Alex.  T.  Cowan,  who  was  born  in 
Allegheny  County,  Pennsylvania.  The  father 
removed  with  his  family  from  Pennsylvania 
to  Linn  County,  Iowa,  in  the  spring  of  1855, 
and  later  removed  to  Tama  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  still  resides.  John  T.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  educated  in  the  rude  log 
cabin  school-houses  of  his  neighborhood, 
made  with  puncheon  floor,  clapboard  roof, 
and  slab  seats.  He  was  reared  to  the  avoca- 
tion of  a  farmer,  working  on  tlie  farm  till  he 
enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  Company  K, 
Eleventh  Iowa  Infantry.  He  was  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country  four  years  and  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Pittsburgh  Landing,  Corinth, 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  siege  of  Atlanta,  and 
Averysborough.     At   the  battle  of  July  22, 

1864,  at  Atlanta,  he  was  wounded  in  the  head 
by  a  musket  ball.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he 
came  to  Tama  County,  Iowa,  where  he  was 
married  to  Ann  E.  Townsend  September  19, 

1865,  his  wife  dying  October  29  of  the  same 
year.  He  went  to  Black  Hawk  County, 
Iowa,  in  1867,  where  he  built  a  house,  and 
began  breaking  land  to  cultivate.  May  14, 
1868,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  Dodd,  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  Luther  Dodd  now  of  Fort 
Dodge,  and  to  this  union  have  been  lioni 
four  children — L.  Myrtle,  Herbert  A.,  Elmer 


tV^%^X '-^  «-«.>•«  «~«  ^-^«^  #- 


■■■■■■*'»■"■"'■■■'■■'■»  "'M«'«iMMB!^M».«»M^M»Ilia»miSMa;j||„M,M„1,M^1„a^,,a_,'^ 


L. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


303 


and  Donald.  After  liis  marriage  with  Miss 
Dodd,  Mr.  Cowan  returned  with  her  to  his 
farm  in  Black  Hawk  County,  where  he 
resided  till  1874.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
went  to  Linn  County,  Iowa,  and  the  following 
spring  moved  to  Jefferson,  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  where  lie  clerked  one  year  in  the  land 
and  abstract  office  of  W.  B.  Mayes.  In  the 
spring  of  1876  he  came  to  Baton  and  engaged 
in  the  hardware  and  lumber  business  in  part- 
nership with  J.  W.  Hill,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Hill  &  Cowan,  Mr.  Cowan  acting  as  man- 
ager. This  partnersliip  was  dissolved  in 
December,  1877,  when  Mr.  Cowan  began 
dealing  in  grain  and  lumber  on  his  own 
account,  and  at  the  same  time  he  carries  on  a 
loan  and  collecting  agency,  also  an  insurance 
business  and  notary  public,  and  since  coming 
to  Baton  most  of  the  conveyancing  of  the 
township  has  been  done  by  him.  He  served 
one  term  as  township  trustee,  and  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he 
resigned  after  filling  it  for  three  years.  He 
is  an  elder  in  the  Bresbyterian  church,  and  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Mrs.  Cowan 
and  tlieir  two  eldest  children  are  members  of 
the  same  church. 

*«*-.i.^-.i.-2M5-iJS+->-*« 


jSCAR  L.  HARMON,  of  the  firm  ot 
Harmon  Bros.,  blacksmiths,  at  Rippey, 
was  born  in  Bolk  County,  Iowa,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1855,  son  of  Lafayette  Harmon, 
of  Junction  Townsliip,  this  county.  He  was 
reared  in  Boonesboro,  Iowa,  where  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  in  the  fall  of  1858, 
and  was  educated  in  his  native  town.  He 
followed  farming,  teaming,  and  other  work, 
until  1878,whenhewent  to  learn  his  trade.  He 
came  to  Rippey  October  28,  1878,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  The  building  of  Harmon 
Bros.,  is  22  x  66  feet,  twelve  feet  story.    The 


main  building  is  frame  lined  with  brick.  Mr. 
Harmon  was  married  November  15, 1881,  to 
Sarah  R.  Marsli,  daughter  of  Lambertis 
Marsh,  of  Grand  Junction.  They  have  three 
children — Lura,  Harry  O.  and  Bertha.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harmon  are  members  of  the  Bres- 
byterian church.  Mr.  Harmon  belongs  to 
the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity. 


►>^^ 


!R.  OSCAR  W.  LOWERY,  physician 
\w}  ^^^  surgeon,  of  Grand  Junction, Greene 
County,  Iowa,  was  born  six  miles  north 
of  Fort  Madison,  Lee  County,  Iowa,  April  22, 
1845.  He  is  a  son  of  Fredrick  B.  Lowery,  of 
Bui-lington,  Iowa,  who  was  a  native  of  Western 
Virginia.  His  motlier,  Catharine  (Jolly)  Low- 
ery, was  a  native  of  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  and 
they  moved  to  the  wilds  of  Iowa  in  1839,  and 
are  both  still  living,  the  father  in  his  seventy- 
second  and  the  mother  in  her  seventieth  year. 
Dr.  O.  W.  Lowery  is  one  of  twelve  children, 
eight  boys  and  four  girls,  of  whom  three 
brothers  and  tliree  sisters  are  still  livinsr.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  birth  until 
1857,  wlien  his  father  moved  into  Des 
Moines  County  with  his  famil3^  He  ob- 
tained his  early  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  on  the  29th  day  of  December, 
1863,  he  left  the  school-room  and  entered  the 
army,  enlisting  in  Company  I,  Sixth  Iowa 
Infantry,  in  which  he  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  Second  Brigade, 
Fourtli  Division,  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  com- 
manded by  General  John  A.  Logan,  and  was 
in  all  the  battles  with  his  brigade  in  the  At- 
lanta campaign  and  General  W.  T.  Sherman's 
march  to  the  sea.  He  was  wounded  in  both 
shoulders,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  has 
never  recovered,  at  Griswoldvijle  near  Macon, 
Georgia,  November  22,  1864,  and  had  to  ritie 
to  the  sea  in  an  ambulance,  through  Georgia 


i.«aa(fiatiBgn*-.p?»BaniiTir»»-»-w«».sariswariwa^ 


■■■■■-■I, 


354 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


\\^i 


swamps  and  over  corduroy  roads.  Decem- 
ber 20,  1864,  lie  reached  Beaufort,  South 
Carolina,  and  was  sent  to  hospital  No.  11, 
where  he,  in  addition  to  his  wonnd,  suffered 
from  gangrene  and  erysipelas,  and  came  near 
dying.  He  recovered  sufficiently  to  re-join 
his  regiment  at  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  and 
marched  to  Washington,  D.  C,  participating 
in  the  grand  review  in  May,  1865,  and  was  dis- 
cliarged  from  the  army  in  July,  1865.  His 
brothers,  Austin  P.  and  Oliver  H.,  were  in 
the  same  company  and  regiment,  having  en- 
listed in  1861.  Austin  P.  was  wounded  in 
the  head,  losing  a  part  of  his  skull  and  brain, 
July  6,  1863,  near  Vicksburg,  Mississippi, 
and  two  days  after  its  surrender.  Oliver  H. 
was  wounded  in  the  leg  at  the  same  time  and 
died  February  8,  1887,  from  the  injuries  re- 
ceived in  the  army.  After  the  doctor's  dis- 
charge from  the  army  he  attended  school  at 
the  Denmark,  Iowa,  Academy,  also  at  Pro- 
fessor Ebersole's  School  at  Fort  Madison,  and 
ho  spent  two  years  at  the  Oskaloosa  College 
at  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  He  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  P.  Gruell,  of 
Oskaloosa,  and  graduated  at  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in 
1873.  He  attended  the  practitioners'  course 
at  the  Chicago  Medical  College,  in  1880,  and 
has  practiced  his  medical  profession  in  Grand 
Junction  since  1870.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Central  District  Medical  Association  and 
the  State  Medical  Society.  He  has  built  up 
an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice,  and  is 
the  leading  physician  of  the  town  and  one 
of  the  best  in  the  county.  He  has  been 
elected  to  positions  of  trust,  as  recorder, 
treasurer  and  mayor.  In  some  of  his  own 
law  cases  he  has  appeared  as  his  own  attor- 
ney, and  has  not  had  "  a  fool  for  a  client." 
He  is  a  Prohibitionist  and  a  Republican,  and 
has  always  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the 
politics  of  the  county.     He  was  married  at 


Olivet,  Iowa,  April  8,  1873,  to  Miss  Anne  E. 
Ross,  who  was  born  in  Mahaska  County, 
Iowa,  November  2, 1847.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Nimrod  Ross,  deceased.  They  have 
five  children — Fred  Ross,  Cordelia  Ingaba, 
John  Russell,  Catherine  Fox  and  William 
Oliver.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church,  and  also  a  member  of  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen. 


4'^^^-- 


i^RANCIS  A.  FREE,  a  farmer  and  stock- 
.  ri  raiser,  section  27,  Washington  Town- 
■^r  ship,  was  born  in  Parke  County,  Indi- 
ana, December  20,  1845,  a  son  of  Samuel 
Free,  of  this  State,  and  a  native  of  Ohio.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
passed  his  early  life  at  farm  work,  which 
occupation  he  always  followed.  He  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  late  war,  being  a  member  of  Com- 
pany I,  Ninety-second  Illinois  Mounted 
Infantry,  and  attached  to  General  Kilpatrick's 
Cavalry  Division.  He  served  about  twenty 
months,  and  participated  in  nearly  all  the 
battles  and  skirmishes  incident  to  the  Geor- 
gia and  North  and  South  Carolina  campaigns 
of  1864  and  1865,  prominent  among  which 
were  Resaca,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro,  Lovejoy 
Station,  Buck-head,  and  Powder  Springs, 
where  we  lost  heavily  in  an  advanced  skir- 
mish line,  where  some  of  our  dead  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Confederates.  They  made  a 
grand  raid  around  Atlanta,  while  that  strong- 
hold was  defended  by  Joe  Johnston  and  J. 
B.  Hood.  Principal  among  his  encounters 
was  Aiken,  South  Carolina,  where  the  Ninety- 
second  Illinois  and  the  Ninth  Ohio  Cavalry 
were  completely  surrounded  by  AV^ade  Hamp- 
ton's and  Joe  Wheeler's  Confederate  cavali-y, 
but  by  having  excellent  officers  and  superior 
repeating  rifles,  the}'  cut  their  way  through 
the  rebel  host.     Was  this  all?     No.     Alter 


tt ' 


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■■■■■"BlgJJL'gM; 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


355 


their  escape  they  reformed  in  good  order  and 
made  a  second  charge  and  recovered  their 
dead  and  wounded;  also  fonght  at  Averjs- 
boro,  and  Bentonville,  then  iinished  their 
warfare  and  last  battle  at  Swift  Creek,  near 
Ealeigh,  North  Carolina,  where  the  regiment 
lost  severely;  also  met  some  of  General  Lee's 
men  returning  to  their  homes  in  this  his  last 
battle.  Then  his  command  moved  to  Chapel 
Hill,  North  Carolina,  where  was  located  the 
State  University,  and  there  received  the  sad 
intelligence  of  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln.  Mr.  Free  enlisted  a  private  and 
was  mustered  out  First  Sergeant.  He  re- 
turned to  Carroll  Count}',  Illinois,  in  1865, 
where  he  had  settled  in  1846,  and  came  to 
this  State  in  the  spring  of  1869,  locating  in 
Greene  County  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year. 
He  was  married  December  23,  1872,  to  Mar- 
gery A.  Mclntyre,  of  Savanna,  Illinois.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Free  have  six  children — Francis  A., 
Hugh  S.,  Samuel  P.,  Alice  L.,  Mary  C.  and 
Grace.  Mr.  Free  owns  160  acres  of  well 
improved  land.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  order  and  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  He  never  seeks  official  distinction. 


►5«f^ 


WILLIAM  A.  J.  McNAUGHT,  one 
nffn  of  the  pioneers  of  Greene  County, 
-cjfcr-l  located  on  section  12,  Jackson  Town- 
ship, where  he  now  resides,  in  1854.  At 
that  time  the  county  had  been  organized  only 
about  one  month,  and  contained  only  about 
forty  voters.  Jackson  Township  could  poll 
only  six  votes.  At  first  Mr.  McNaught  lived 
in  a  log  cabin,  which  was  long  ago  replaced 
by  his  present  comfortable  residence.  All 
the  improvements  on  his  place  have  been 
made  by  himself.  He  owns  120  acres  of  land, 
well  watered  by  the  North  Coon  River,  and 
it  consists  of  upland,  meadow  and  timber. 


Mr.  McNaught  was  born  in  Owen  County, 
Indiana,  July  10,  1830,  son  of  John  and  Jane 
(McKnight)  McNaught.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  was  brought  to  Amer- 
ica by  his  parents  when  three  years  of  age. 
John  McNaught  served  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  the  land- warrant  that  was  granted  for  his 
services  was  used  by  his  sou  William  in 
locating  his  present  homestead.  The  parents 
both  died  in  Indiana.  Of  their  seven  chil- 
dren, our  subject  was  the  youngest;  only 
two  others  are  now  living — George  F.  re- 
sides in  McDonough  County,  Missouri,  and 
Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Abrell  lives  in  Christian 
County,  Illinois.  Mr.  McNaught's  father 
died  when  his  son  was  six  years  of  age,  and 
from  that  time  he  was  reared  in  Washington 
County,  Indiana,  where  his  mother  died  in 
1850.  When  he  was  three  years  old  the 
parents  removed  to  Vermillion  County,  Illi- 
nois, and  three  years  later  to  Parke  County, 
Indiana.  Our  subject  was  married  in  Owen 
Count}^  Indiana,  January  2,  1852,  to  Miss 
Nancy  M.  Abrell,  daughter  of  L.  C.  and  S. 
Abrell,  who  was  born  in  that  county  October 
16,  1830.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McNaught  lived  in 
Washington  County  until  the  autumn  of 
1853,  then  lived  one  year  in  Owen  County, 
and  tinally  became  pioneers  of  Greene  County, 
Iowa.  During  the  first  few  years  they  en- 
dured many  hardships  and  privations.  They 
came  with  no  means  except  the  land-warrant, 
a  team,  and  a  few  household  goods  and  sup- 
plies, and  $5  that  had  to  be  used  in  locating 
the  land.  Habits  of  industry  and  economy 
have  enabled  them  to  live,  and  build  for  them- 
selves and  children  a  good  home.  They  gave 
their  children  much  better  educational  ad- 
vantages than  they  had  been  able  to  obtain 
for  themselves.  They  have  had  twelve  chil- 
dren, seven  of  whom  are  now  living — Mrs. 
Aurelia  T.  Crocker,  a  resident  of  Jackson 
Township;  Mrs.  Julia  E.  Jones,  a  resident  of 


»"»t"«"w"M"«"«"r»»«"iii»ii»g»«ii"ni*w"«°'M' 


356 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Billings,  Montana;  Nannie  J.,  Connell,  Mant, 
Sarah  G.  and  Minnie  Maud  are  under  the 
parental  roof.  The  deceased  are — James  B., 
John  L.,  William  A.,  Marj  and  Connor.  The 
last  named  was  a  twin  brother  of  Connell. 
In  politics  Mr.  McNaught  has  always  been  a 
Democrat. 


-|->^f-|- 


jANIEL  I.  BLANSHAN,  one  of  the 
progressive  farmers  of  Junction  Town- 
ship, Greene  County,  was  born  in 
Onondaga  County,  New  York,  November  29, 
1850,  a  son  of  Matthew  and  Sarah  Blanshan. 
His  youth  was  spent  in  assisting  on  the  farm, 
his  father  being  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
attending  the  common  schools  of  Sheboygan 
County,  Wisconsin,  and  Grand  Junction, 
Iowa.  lie  has  lived  in  Junction  Township 
since  the  fall  of  1873,  and  has  always  fol- 
lowed the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  and  by  his 
persevering  industry  and  good  management 
he  has  acquired  his  present  tine  farm  on  sec- 
tion 2,  which  contains  120  acres  of  choice 
land.  In  connection  with  his  general  farm- 
ing he  devotes  some  attention  to  the  raising 
of  stock.  Mr.  Blanshan  is  a  member  of  the 
Odd  P'ellows  order.  He  was  married  January 
1,  1880,  to  Ella  N.  Mack,  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
lard  Mack,  of  Junction  Township.  They 
are  the  parents  of  four  children — Melvin, 
Sarah,  Merton  and  Laura.  Matthew  Blanshan, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  is  a  native  of  New 
York,  born  in  Ulster  County  January  19, 
1825,  his  father,  Daniel  Blanshan,  having 
been  born  in  the  same  county.  He  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  has  followed  that  avo- 
cation through  life.  He  grew  to  manhood 
in  Onondaga  County,  New  York,  where  his 
])arents  settled  when  he  was  but  three  months 
old,  and  there  he  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools.      He  was  married  January  1,  1850, 


to  Sarah  Decker,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Decker. 
Of  the  six  children  born  to  this  union,  three 
are  living — Daniel  I.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  James,  living  in  Junction  Township, 
and  William,  who  carries  on  his  father's 
farm  on  section  2,  of  Junction  Township. 
James  married  Mary  Zellhoefer,  and  has  two 
children — Calista  and  Victor.  William  is 
married  to  Lena  Davenport.  Matthew  Blan- 
shan enlisted  in  the  late  war  September  1, 
1864,  in  Company  F,  Twenty-seventh  Wis- 
consin Infantry.  He  took  part  in  the  battles 
of  Spanish  Fort  and  Fort  Blakely,  and  received 
his  discharge  in  August,  1865.  In  1873  he 
came  with  his  family  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
locating  in  Grand  Junction,  where  he  lived 
for  two  years.  In  November,  1875,  he  settled 
on  section  2,  Junction  Township,  where  he 
owns  forty  acres  of  land,  and  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home. 


~^-Vs*^'S^'-°^ 

SAAC  WILLIAM  FKYMIEE,  postmas- 
ter and  justice  of  the  peace  at  Rippey, 
^  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, November  6,  1851,  son  of  Isaac 
Frymier,  of  that  place,  and  a  native  of  Berks 
County,  that  State.  He  was  reared  in  New- 
ville  and  Philadelphia,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion at  the  latter  place.  Took  a  course  in 
Bryant  &  Stratton's  Commercial  College  in 
1868.  He  was  then  for  four  years  engaged 
in  bookkeeping  in  Philadelphia  with  S.  A.  J. 
Ooyle  &  Co.,  wholesale  dealers  in  wood  and 
willow  ware.  He  came  to  Carroll  County, 
Illinois,  in  1874,  and  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing six  years,  then  came  to  this  place,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  the  fall  of 
1885,  at  which  time  he  was  appointed  post- 
master at  Rippey.  He  served  as  assessor 
three  years,  and  took  the  census  of  the  town- 
ship in    1885.     He    was    married    May   26, 


ir»-»iin"a»ii-M«"«"»"«"-»iswjgs«iii»-i^'pra 


•3' 


■■■■■■»Bl"«»M»«W«W»P«»l.»«MM"«»«»BagaiS?gS»B«1=WS»li.««M-»»M_W»W»M,B,M_M,»,aa 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


357 


1875,  to  Cliristina  Mcliityre,  daughter  of 
Hugh  Mclntyre,  of  Carroll  County,  who  died 
in  December,  1886,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-five  years;  his  brother,  John  Mcln- 
tyre, died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four  years, 
from  the  effects  of  a  kick  from  a  horse.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Frymier  have  two  children — Harry 
E.  and  Catherine.  Mr.  Frymier  belongs  to 
the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity. 


-■^•-St-'J^' 


|AVID  B.  JOHN,  farmer,  section  5, 
Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
Tyler  County,  West  Virginia,  May  23, 
1842,  son  of  David  John,  of  Davis  County, 
Missoiiri.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  subscription  schools  of  pio- 
neer days.  The  schools  were  held  in  log 
cabins,  benches  made  of  split  logs,  and  a 
board  fastened  against  the  wall  for  a  desk. 
The  roof  was  made  of  hand-made  shingles, — 
a  great  contrast  to  the  large  commodious 
school-houses  of  the  present  day.  Mr.  John 
came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1856, 
locating  in  Washington  Township  on  section 
9.  The  country  was  then  in  its  primitive 
condition.  Not  a  sod  had  been  turned  on 
the  land,  but  a  small  log  cabin  had  been 
built.  They  went  to  Des  Moines  for  their 
milling,  also  for  their  mail.  He  was  married 
May  15,  1864,  to  Martha  J.  Smith,  daughter 
of  Thomas  J.  Smith,  deceased,  a  pioneer  of 
Dallas  and  Greene  counties.  They  have  had 
ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living — 
Hannah  E.,  Daily  E.,  Mary  L.,  William  L., 
Sarepta  A.,  Clara  A.,  Leonard  W.,  Stella  E., 
David  S.  and  Nettie  A.  Mr.  John  settled 
upon  his  pi'esent  farm  in  the  spring  of  1878, 
where  he  owns  160  acres  of  land.  Pie  gives 
his  entire  attention  to  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  He  and  his  wife,  and  his  eldest 
daughter,  Hannah,  are  members  of  the  Meth- 


odist Episcopal   church.     Hannah  is  married 
to  Peter  Burke,  of  Washington  Township. 

l^^JIILLIAM  McDonald,  section  5, 
"ffrfWll  Scranton  Township,  was  born  near 
l-^l^l  Inverness,  Scotland,  JVIay  6,  1832, 
a  son  of  Donald  and  Mary  (McPherson)  Mc- 
Donald. He  was  reared  in  the  Highlands  of 
Scotland,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  a 
stone  mason.  In  1857  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  seeking  to  make  for  himself  a  home 
and  procure  a  competence  for  his  old  age,  the 
New  AVorld  offering  better  inducements  for 
the  poor  man  than  Scotland.  He  plied  his 
trade  in  Ashland  and  other  counties  in  Ohio 
until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  and  settled  on  the  larm  where  he  now 
lives,  having  entered  the  lai^cl  several  years 
before.  His  homestead  contains  110  acres  of 
choice  land,  which  he  has  improved  from  a 
state  of  nature.  Since  his  residence  in  Greene 
County,  Mr.  McDonald  has  worked  at  his  trade 
a  portion  of  the  time.  The  habits  of  industry 
and  economy  common  to  the  people  of  his 
native  country  have  met  with  their  legitimate 
reward,  and  he  is  now  comfortably  situated 
financially.  In  1881  he  bought  120  acres  of 
land  in  Kendrick  Township,  which  he  has 
also  improved  and  now  has  it  under  good 
cultivation.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  by 
jiis  fellow  citizens,  having  gained  their  favor 
by  an  upright,  honorable  life,  and  fair,  honest 
dealing.  Mr.  McDonald's  parents  died  in 
Scotland,  his  father  aged  ninety-five  years, 
and  his  mother  aged  seventy.  He  has  one 
brother,  Dawson,  who  is  a  large  landowner 
in  Hyde  County,  Dakota.  Mr.  McDonald 
was  married  in  1870,  in  Ohio,  to  Miss  Katy 
Brady,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Brady.  They  have  six  children — 
John,  Ann  Eliza,  Daniel,  Ella  May,  William 


L,, 


y°ti*^a^a 


Si^ 


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358 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


and  Nelson.  Mr.  McDonald  became  an 
American  citizen  at  Wooster,  Ohio,  and  has 
since  affiliated  with  the  Republican  party, 
casting  his  iii'st  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  at 
his  second  election. 


(s    •'    *    a) 


T-r-piLLIAM  LAFAYETTE  ADDY,  an 
Ti'/'A'll  ^^^J^'6  ^'"^  enterprising  citizen  of 
l-^fe^l  Junction  Township,  proprietor  of  the 
Dana  Creamery,  is  a  native  of  Linn  County, 
Iowa,  born  April  23,  1856,  and  is  the  foster- 
Bon  of  Jacob  A.  Addy,  of  Junction  Town- 
ship, whose  name  he  of  his  own  accord 
adopted.  His  mother,  Mary  (Corbley)  For- 
dyce,  died  wheii  he  was  an  infant,  and  his 
father,  x\braham  Fordyce,  is  still  living  in 
Linn  County,  a  highly  respected  elder  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Wanbeck. 
William  L.  Addy  was  reared  in  Springville, 
Linn  County,  where  he  attended  school,  and 
also  attended  the  Western  College  of  Linn 
County.  He  has  taught  school  about  five 
years,  principally  during  the  winter  terms. 
He  made  farming  his  principal  avocation 
until  1883.  He  came  to  Greene  County  in 
1876.  August  22,  1878,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Carrie  Hughes,  a  daughter  of  Francis 
Hughes,  a  resident  of  Junction  Township. 
They  have  two  children,  named  Earl  Fordyce 
and  Frank  Corbley.  Since  1883  Mr.  Addy 
has  devoted  part  of  his  time  to  the  creamery 
business,  in  connection  with  which  he  has 
carried  on  his  farm  until  the  last  year,  when 
he  leased  it.  His  tarm  is  located  on  section 
3,  Junction  Township,  and  contains  175 
acres.  He  has  on  his  farm  graded  Holstein 
and  short-horn  cattle  and  Poland-China 
hogs,  and  also  owns  a  half  interest  in  a  fine 
Norman  stallion.  His  creamery  is  situated 
on  his  farm  near  his  residence,  and  was  built 
ill  1881  by  H.  Jordan,  who  operated  it  until 


1883,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Addy, 
the  present  proprietor.  The  main  building 
is  20  X  34  feet,  two  stories  in  height,  and  the 
engine-room  is  8  x  14  feet,  with  an  ice-house 
14  X  26  feet.  He  uses  Barnes  Brothers'  en- 
gine and  boiler,  of  Maquoketa,  Iowa,  the 
engine,  which  is  a  six-horse  power,  being 
used  in  churning  and  pumping,  the  boiler  in 
heating  the  building,  etc.  The  churn  is  rec- 
tangular in  shape,  and  has  a  capacity  of  400 
pounds.  The  churn  which  is  called  the 
Conqueror  Oil  Test  is  also  used,  and  is  the 
finest  process  for  testing  the  quality  of  the 
cream.  During  the  winter  seasons  Mr.  Addy 
handles  cream  and  unsalted  butter  only,  and 
in  the  summer  months  also  handles  milk. 
He  handles  from  2,000  to  7,000  pounds  of 
the  latter  daily,  and  makes  as  high  as  1,500 
pounds  of  butter  in  a  day.  During  the  busy 
season  of  1886  thirteen  men  were  employed. 
Mr.  Addy  ships  principally  to  Boston  and 
New  York,  and  has  dealt  with  the  same  com- 
missioners since  he  engaged  in  his  present 
business — Utley  &  Boynton,  of  Boston,  and 
McBride  &  Co.,  of  New  York.  He  usually 
puts  up  100  tons  of  ice  annually,  all  of  which 
he  uses  in  his  business.  Mr.  Addy  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging 
to  the  Junction  Lodge,  No.  357,  at  Grand 
Junction. 


~^-V>»5-"^"« 

fAMES  HIGGINS,  farmer,  section  27, 
Junction  Township,  was  born  in  La 
Salle  County,  Illinois,  March  18,  1845. 
His  father,  William  Higgins,  deceased,  was  a 
native  of  Latreum,  Ireland,  and  came  to 
America  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  He 
lived  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  until 
1833,  then  came  to  La  Salle  County,  Illinois, 
being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  He 
hauled   wheat    from    there  to  Chicago. 


iii: 


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■_i»MM^M»«_»_B.-E„m_Bi„awcar^o.M,M_M_».»--^,«,m^M^3P.^a._zr^td^m^B. ■_■_«_».■.■„■_»_, 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


359 


was  a  stonemason  by  trade,  and  was  foreman 
of  the  mason  work  in  constructingr  the  locks 
on  the  Illinois  River  Canal.  Our  subject 
was  reared  a  farmer.  During  the  late  war  he 
served  in  Company  G,  Thirty-ninth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Lookout 
Mountain,  Strawberry  Plains,  Shiloh,  where 
his  company  was  all  cut  to  pieces,  there  be- 
ing but  seven  left  that  were  able  to  muster 
the  next  morning.  They  were  then  trans- 
ferred to  the  Sixty-eighth  Illinois  under 
Colonel  Dickey.  July  3,  1872,  lie  was  mar- 
ried to  Jane  Durkin,  daughter  of  John  Dur- 
kin,  deceased.  They  have  had  six  children — 
Mary,  William  (deceased),  Ellen,  John,  Alice 
and  James.  Mr.  Higgins  came  here  in  1882. 
He  owns  280  acres  of  land  and  is  engaged  in 
jijeneral  farminn;  and  stock-raising.  He  o-ives 
much  attention  to  thoroughbred  and  graded 
stock.  He  has  the  finest  hogs  in  the  State; 
they  are  Poland-China. 


SERPtENCE  REYNOLDS,  retired  tarm- 
gi  [jifc  er.  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in  County 
W'  Monaghan,  Ireland,  October  17,  1823, 
son  of  Terrence  Reynolds,  a  native  of  the 
same  place,  now  deceased.  He  came  to 
America  in  1853,  locating  in  Cayuga  County, 
New  York,  thence  to  La  Salle  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  1854,  and  lived  on  a  farm  near 
Toniea  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1857 
he  came  to  Greene  County  and  settled  in 
Junction,  and  has  since  resided  in  this 
county.  His  place  was  near  Buttrick's  Creek. 
There  were  but  two  families  north  of  him  on 
that  creek  in  Greene  County.  His  milling 
was  done  at  Des  Moines,  and  he  did  most  of 
his  trading  there.  He  entered  his  land  in 
1855,  and  it  being  prairie  land  he  com- 
menced farming  immediately.  He  owns 
three  farms,  in   all  about  400  acres,  besides 


property  in  Grand  Junction.  He  was  mar- 
ried August  2,  1856,  to  Alice  Hughs.  Four 
of  their  five  children  are  living — Mary  J., 
Florence,  Margaret  A.  and  Charles  E.  Wal- 
ter died  at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years. 
Mrs.  Reynolds  was  also  born  in  County  Mon- 
aghan, Ireland,  where  she  was  reared  and 
educated.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, but  it  is  not  certain  what  portion  of 
the  country.  She  came  to  America  in  1847, 
and  lived  in  New  York  City  and  in  Trenton, 
New  Jersey,  over  six  years.  She  then  came 
to  La  Salle  County,  Illinois. 


-tTTLLIAM  R.  GREENE,  farmer,  sec- 
.  ,/  \|j,  tion  14,  Greenbrier  Township,  is  a 
l^iffe^  native  of  County  Down,  Ireland, 
born  December  19, 1832.  IHs  parents,  Rob- 
ert and  Mary  (Tweedie)  Greene,  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  second 
child.  When  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age 
his  parents  removed  to  Dundee,  Scotland, 
where  he  lived  six  years,  working  in  a  flax 
factory.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  came  to 
the  United  States  and  located  in  Whitley 
County,  Indiana,  where  he  lived  about  seven- 
teen years,  engaged  in  railroading.  In  1868 
he  came  to  this  county,  first  settling  three 
miles  south  of  Jefl'erson,  where  he  lived  eio-lit 
years,  having  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land. 
In  1876  he  came  to  Greenbrier  Township 
and  settled  upon  his  present  farm,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  first  bought  160 
acres,  and  has  since  added  to  his  original 
purchase  until  he  now  owns  240  acres  of  ex- 
cellent land,  well  improved  and  in  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  good  house, 
well  furnished,  and  comfortable  out-buildings 

for   stock   and  grain.     He  also  has  a  fine  or- 
es 

chard  and  a  native  grove  of  five  acres.     He 
is  engaged  in  general  farming,  stock-raising 


360 


HISTORY    OP    OBBENE    COUNTY. 


and  feeding.  He  was  married  in  December, 
1850,  to  Miss  Mary  Elliott,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mar- 
garet (Hill)  Elliott.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Greene 
have  eight  children  —  Robert,  George  G., 
Maggie,  IMary  Jane,  Elizabeth,  Samuel  E., 
William  H.  and  Rose  Alice.  Mrs.  Greene 
died  October  8,  1884.  Mr.  Greene  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  is  a  worthy  and  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
always  taking  an  active  interest  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  education  and  religion. 


~^'+(J*T+^-3^'-'°' 

fACOB  A.  ADDY,  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits  on  section  3,  Junction 
Township,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in 
Coshocton  County,  April  17,  1817,  a  son  of 
Robert  Addy,  who  was  a  native  of  Virginia. 
His  father  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
his  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Jacob  A.,  our  subject,  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  which  he  has 
followed  through  life  with  the  exception  of 
live  years,  from  1865  till  1870,  when  he  was 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Spring- 
ville,  Linn  County,  Iowa.  His  educational 
advantages  were  limited  to  the  los  cabin  sub- 
scription  schools  of  that  early  da}',  where  he 
was  taught  the  common  branches.  Novem- 
ber 15,  1836,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
A.  Rodney,  a  daughter  of  John  Rodney,  and 
of  the  live  children  born  to  this  union  only 
one  is  living — a  daughter,  Catherine.  She 
married  William  Sharp,  of  Tama  City,  Iowa, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  five  children — 
Gertrude,  Frank,  Matie,  Ruby  C.  and  Bur- 
rell.  The  ciiildren  deceased  are — Sarah  E., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  Rob- 
ert G.,  died  aged  seven  years;  Elizabeth  and 
Clark,  botii  died  at  about  the  age  of  fourteen 
months.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Addy  have  an  adopted 


son,  William  L.  Fordyce,  whom  they  have 
reared  from  infancy,  and  who  has  taken  the 
name  of  his  adopted  parents.  Mr.  Addy 
settled  in  Shelby  County,  Illinois,  in  1841, 
and  in  1849  removed  to  Linn  County,  Iowa, 
settling  on  wild  land  which  he  had  entered, 
and  there  he  endured  many  of  the  liardships 
and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life.  In- 
dians were  the  principal  inhabitants,  and 
wild  animals  M'ere  numerous.  Their  nearest 
milling  and  trading  place  was  Muscatine  or 
Des  Moines,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  ox 
teams  being  their  principal  mode  of  convey- 
ance. He  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in 
1876,  settling  where  he  has  since  lived.  He 
has  been  an  industrious,  hard-working  citi- 
zen, and  by  his  persevering  energy,  assisted 
by  his  excellent  helpmeet,  who  has  shared 
with  him  the  vicissitudes  of  life  for  iifty 
years,  he  has  acquired  a  competency  for  their 
declining  years.  Both  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Dana. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


|5^RS.  LETTITIE  J.  STEWARD,  of 
yWlM-  Gr''^'^'^  Junction,  is  a  native  of  Han- 
"^0$^  cock  County,  Ohio,  born  August  21, 
1842,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Rebecca 
(Keys)  Harrison.  In  1850  her  parents  moved 
to  Jones  County,  Iowa,  and  located  on  a 
farm.  She  was  reared  in  that  county,  receiv- 
ing a  common-school  education.  She  was 
married  in  Jones  County,  September  14, 
1862,  to  William  Steward,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  July  31,  1842,  a  son  of  Spencer  Steward. 
Mr.  Steward  enlisted  in  the  defense  of  ills 
country  March  9,  1864,  and  was  assigned  to 
Company  B,  Ninth  Iowa  Infantry.  He  par- 
ticipated in  a  number  of  severe  battles. 
From  the  eliects  of  exposure  and  hardship  he 
was  attacked  with   typhoid   fever,   and  died 


lii'- 

; 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    HKETOHEB. 


L^c""..— a  — »»■»»»,■- 


a6i 


July  5,  1864.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steward  was 
born  one  son — Benjamin  F.,  who  is  now 
employed  at  the  Grand  Junction  coal  shaft. 
Mrs.  Steward  removed  to  Greene  County  in 
the  spring  of  1869,  and  settled  in  Jefferson 
Township,  where  she  lived  until  March,  1877, 
when  she  moved  to  Grand  Junction.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

~-'^r^^-^'^'"- 


I^OEEET  GIBSON,  farmer,  section  25, 
^W\  AVashington  Township,  was  born  in 
~^^  Leicestershire,  England,  July  15,  1835, 
son  of  John  Gibson,  of  this  township,  a 
native  of  the  same  country.  He  came  to 
America  in  1860,  settling  in  Jackson,  Michi- 
gan, where  he  remained  three  years.  He 
then  returned  to  England,  and  came  back  to 
the  United  States  in  May,  1864,  stopping  in 
Tioga  County,  New  York,  six  months,  then 
went  to  Hancock  County,  Dlinois.  The  fol- 
lowing winter  he  came  to  Polk  County,  this 
State.  He  conducted  a  market  garden,  at 
Des  Moines,  a  few  years,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  March,  1872,  settling  upon  liis 
present  farm,  where  he  owns  120  acres  of 
good  land.  Mr.  Gibson  served  as  justice  of 
tiie  peace  here  over  two  years,  and  as  special 
deputy  sheriff  two  years;  also  insurance  agent 
for  AVestern  Home  and  Merchant  and  Bank- 
er's Company.  He  is  a  local  preacher  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  has  married 
many  couples,  conducted  many  funeral  ser- 
vices and  taken  a  great  many  into  the  church 
t       during    the   sixteen   years   he    has    lived    in 


Washington  Township,  and  has  always  taken 
an  active  part  in  Sunday-school  work.  He 
used  to  ride  to  Minburn  Sunday  mornings,  a 
distance  of  fifteen  miles,  to  preach,  then  four 
miles  south  of  Minburn  in  the  afternoon, 
preaching  at  Perry  in  the  evenings,  and  ride 
home    again    that    same    evening.     He    has 


done  more  than  any  other  man  in  punishing 
crime,  in  putting  down  saloons,  and  all  kinds 
of  evil.  He  is  a  public  benefactor,  though  it 
has  cost  him  hundreds  of  dollars.  For  a  long 
time  he  stood  entirely  alone;  but  he  proved 
himself  to  be  the  best  friend  to  those  who 
treated  him  the  most  shamefully,  ilrs. 
Gibson  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Her  father  settled  near 
Des  Moines  in  1856.  Mrs.  Gibson  was 
married  to  her  present  husband  September  1, 
1866.  She  has  always  taken  a  great  interest 
in  Sunday-schoul  work  and  has  made  her 
home  for  many  years  the  lioine  of  the  minis- 
tei-s  of  different  denominations.  All  found  a 
welcome  there,  her  greatest  delight  being  to 
make  others  happy  in  this  life,  and  get 
them  interested  in  the  life  to  come.  She  is 
greatly  respected  by  all  who  know  her,  espe- 
cially by  the  young,  for  whom  she  has  so 
faithfully  labored  these  many  years,  in  the 
community  where  she  lives. 


I^i  QUINN  FREE,  farmer,  section  26, 
ti^^"!  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
\j^' ®  the  town  of  Savanna,  Carroll  County, 
Illinois,  November  9,  1847,  a  son  of  Samuel 
Free.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  receiving  a 
common-school  education.  He  came  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  the  year  1869,  and 
settled  upon  his  present  farm.  September 
10,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  J. 
Gilliland,  daughter  of  Stephen  AY.  Gilli- 
land,  who  settled  in  Dallas  County,  Iowa,  in 
1857.  To  this  union  have  been  born  six 
children — Myron  E.,  Katie  E.,  Edna  M., 
Blanche  E.  and  James  AV.  Mr.  Free  owns 
eighty  acres  of  land,  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace  in  1881,  and  re-elected  in  1884  and 
1886,  and  now  has  his  office  in  the  town  of 
Surry.     He    has     also    served    as    township 


362 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


clerk,  trustee,  assessor,  and  has  been  president 
of  the  school  board  in  Washington  Township, 
and  is  still  a  member  of  the  board.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen. 


VALENTINE  S.  BABB,  farmer,  Grant 
Townsliip,  resides  on  section  36,  and  is 
the  oldest  settler  now  living  within 
the  limits  of  Greene  County,  the  date  of  his 
settlement  being  June  22, 1850.  There  were 
two  other  families  living  in  what  is  now 
Grant  Township  when  he  came,  viz.,  Enos 
Butterick  and  Richard  Hardin;  both  are  now 
deceased.  Truman  Davis  had  made  a  settle- 
ment in  what  is  now  Franklin  Township. 
He  died  many  j'ears  ago,  where  he  first 
settled.  These  men,  witli  their  families, 
constituted  the  population  of  Greene  County 
when  Mr.  Babb  came.  His  brother,  William 
K.  Babb,  came  with  him.  He  was  married, 
but  had  no  children.  He  made  a  settlement 
adjoining  his  brother,  where  he  lived  imtil 
his  death,  which  occurred  four  or  five  years 
later.  His  widow  is  now  Mrs.  Hannah 
Smith,  of  Jefferson.  He  left  two  children, 
both  of  whom  died  young.  Mr.  Babb  found 
the  whole  country  in  its  primitive  condition. 
The  Indians  had  been  removed,  but  the  re- 
mains of  their  wiirwams  were  still  to  be  seen. 


Wild  game,  including  elk  and  deer,  was 
abundant.  The  settlers  went  to  Fort  Des 
Moines  to  do  their  trading,  and  also  had  to 
go  very  near  there  to  get  their  corn  ground. 
Mr.  Babb  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ten- 
nessee, July  9,  1S20,  and  was  reared  in 
Hawkins  County.  His  parents  were  William 
and  Mercy  (Brown)  Babb,  the  former  a  native 
of  Tenneseee,  and  the  latter  of  Virginia. 
They  spent  the  most  of  their  lives  in  Ten- 
nessee, and  died    in    that    State.     They  had 


eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters; 
the  daughters  and  one  brother  are  deceased. 
Mr.  Babb  was  married  in  Tennessee  to  Lydia 
Crumley,  and  removed  to  Virginia  May  1, 
1850.  He,  with  his  family,  his  brother  and 
the  latter's  wife,  and  William  and  S.  G. 
Crumley,  started  for  Iowa  with  a  team  of 
five  horses  attached  to  a  wagon.  There  were 
seven  persons  in  tlie  company,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Babb  having  one  cliild.  They  stopped  a  few- 
days  in  Dallas  County,  but  Mr.  Babb  came 
almost  immediately  to  Greene  County  and 
made  his  settlement  as  before  stated,  and 
here  he  has  lived  more  than  thirty-six  years. 
His  first  house  was  a  log  cabin,  where  he 
lived  with  his  family  several  years.  He  was 
a  poor  man  when  he  came  here.  One  of  the 
horses  previously  mentioned  belonged  to  him, 
and  that  constituted  about  all  of  his  worldly 
possessions.  He  had  not  even  money  to 
enter  his  land,  and  was  obliged  to  pay  40  per 
cent,  interest  in  order  to  obtain  the  money. 
He  pre-empted  a  quarter  section,  and  about 
ten  years  ago  added  forty-five  acres.  He  now 
has  205  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  has  suffi- 
cient means  to  make  him  and  his  family 
comfortable  through  life.  His  wife,  who 
came  here  with  him,  died  February  19,  1857. 
His  second  wife  was  formerly  Abigail  Ben- 
nett, whom  he  married  August  9  of  the  same 
year.  She  died  January  13,  1874.  By  his 
first  marriage  Mr.  Babb  had  five  children, 
three  of  whom  died  young.  The  living  are — 
Emily,  who  came  with  her  parents  to  this 
county,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Luke  Turpen, 
and  Amanda  Jane,  wife  of  John  Atkins.  ]iy 
his  second  marriage  were  seven  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are 
— Mrs.  Mary  Roberts,  Oliver  V.,  Amelia  A., 
Alice  M.,  Mrs.  Belle  Jackson  and  Walter. 
Politically  Mr.  Babb  is  a  Democrat.  In  the 
early  days  Greene  County  was  organized  into 
one  civil  township,  called  Washington  Town- 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


363 


i\ 


\ 


( 
t 


ship.  Mr.  Babb  was  the  first  justice  of  the 
peace  in  the  county,  and  the  first  lawsuit  was 
tried  before  liim.  A.  J.  Cain  was  elected 
justice  at  the  same  time,  but  Mr.  Babb  was 
the  first  to  qualify,  and  performed  the  first 
duties. of  that  office.  He  served  one  term  as 
county  clerk,  and  was  assessor  for  many  years. 
William  K.  Babb,  the  brother  of  our  subject, 
was  several  years  younger  than  V.  S.  He 
was  quite  successful  in  life,  being  the  owner 
of  400  acres  of  land  and  considerable  per- 
sonal property.  He  was  taken  sick  from 
exposure,  and  died  of  pneumonia.  His  widow 
afterward  married  Thomas  J.  Smith,  who  is 
also  deceased.  Mr.  Babb  has  had  poor  health 
for  many  years.  About  the  year  1854  he 
caught  a  severe  cold  which  settled  upon  his 
lungs,  and  he  has  never  faliy  recovered.  In 
September,  1867,  a  horse  ran  away  with  him 
and  broke  his  leg.  This  is  also  a  source  of 
considerable  suflerintr. 


..I'^ii. -I  iT„,?i 


V^[UGENIO  K.  FEENCH,  deceased,  was 
*wil  ^''^''"  ^^  Onondaga  County,  New  York, 
"^r^  October  3,  1847,  and  removed  with  his 
parents  to  La  Salle  County,  Illinois,  in  1865. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  ran  away 
from  home  to  enlist  in  the  United  States 
service  during  the  late  war.  He  became  a 
member  of  Company  F,  Ninth  Illinois  Cav- 
alry, and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  married  December  29,  1870,  to  Aus- 
tis  M.  Bradt,  and  they  had  two  children — 
Ora  V.  and  Albert  J.  Mrs.  French  died 
December  10,  1876,  and  January  9,  1879, 
Mr.  French  married  Miss  Janette  Haveuhill, 
a  daughter  of  Oliver  Havenhill,  of  La  Salle 
County,  Illinois.  To  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children — Roscoe  E.,  Oliver  H. 
and  Eugenio  K.  Our  subject  came  to  this 
county  in  March,  1882,  settling  on  section  5, 

28 


Junction  Township.  He  owned  160  acres  of 
land,  which  his  heirs  now  occupy.  He  held 
the  office  of  tax  collector,  highway  commis- 
sioner, and  other  local  offices.  He  died  May 
12,  1884.  Mrs.  French  was  born  in  Big 
Grove  Township,  Kendall  County,  Illinois, 
and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  Her  husband  was 
also  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  eminently 
successful  as  a  farmer  and  stock- raiser. 


i»i^ 


»|jEESE  G.  SEAMAN,  of  the  firm  of 
^j  Sli  Seaman  &  Seaman,  proprietors  of  the 
■^^'^ll  Hawkeye  Mills,  on  section  30,  Bristol 
Township,  was  born  June  1,  1844,  in  Clin- 
ton County,  Ohio,  son  of  W.  I).  Seaman.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  remained  with  his 
father's  family  until  his  twenty-first  year, 
when,  in  January,  1865,  he  became  a  recruit 
of  Company  F,  Eighty-eighth  Ohio  Infantry. 
His  service  was  on  detached  duty  at  the  head- 
quarters of  General  P.  Richardson.  After 
the  war  he  became  a  resident  of  Adair  Coun- 
ty, Missouri,  where  he  lived  about  ten  years 
engaged  in  farming  and  in  operating  station- 
ary engines.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the 
marble  trade  four  years.  In  Adair  County, 
April  23,  1874,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Hattie  Capps,  daughter  of  Henry  Capps 
of  that  county.  In  1875  Mr.  Seaman  became 
identified  with  the  interests  of  Greene  County 
and  engaged  in  farming.  Later  he  owned  a 
farm  on  section  80,  Bristol  Township,  which 
he  sold,  and  then  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  mill  property  of  which  he  now  has  half 
of  the  charge.  The  building  is  30  x  40  feet, 
two  and  one-half  stories  in  height,  with  base- 
ment and  three  sets  of  burrs.  The  power 
comes  from  the  North  Coon  Eiver,  a  head  of 
seven  feet  giving  a  safe  and  reliable  power 
sufficient  for  all  uses.  They  contemplate 
niaking    many    improvements    in    the    near 


a«4 


UISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


future.  In  connection  with  the  mill  prop- 
erty the  company  owns  forty  acres  of  land 
upon  which  are  three  houses,  a  barn  and  car- 
penter's shop.  A  fair  valuation  of  the  entire 
property  would  not  vary  much  from  $12,000. 
Mr.  Seaman's  parents  lived  many  years  in 
Adair  County,  Missouri,  before  their  decease. 
The  father  was  born  in  Ohio  County  and  the 
mother  in  Rockbridge  County,  Virginia. 
They  were  married  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio. 
Of  their  nine  children  Reese  G.was  the  si.xth. 
The  eldest,  George,  lives  in  Carroll  County, 
Missouri;  James  V.  is  a  physician,  living  in 
Butler  County,  Kansas.  These  and  our  sub- 
ject are  all  that  are  living.  George,  Jonah 
V.  and  Reese  G.  served  in  Company  F, 
Eiglitj^-eighth  Ohio  Infantry.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Seaman  have  five  children — Henry  W.,  Jonah 
v.,  James  D.,  Nellie  and  Edith.  They  are 
members  of  the  Christian  church,  and  in 
politics  Mr.  Seaman  is  an  ardent  Republican. 
He  belongs  to  Golden  Gate  Lodge,  No. 
402,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Scranton,  and  N.  H. 
Powers  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  the  same  place. 


RTEMUS  J.  MACK,  an  active  and 
ffli^V  enterprising  agriculturist,  engaged  in 
^s^'  farming  and  stock-raising  on  section 
13,  Junction  Township,  Greene  County,  is  a 
native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Boone  County, 
July  12,  1856,  a  son  of  Willard  Mack,  who 
is  living  in  Junction  Township.  His  father 
being  a  farmer,  he  was  reared  to  the  same 
occupation,  his  youth  being  spent  in  assist- 
ing on  tlie  farm  and  in  attending  the  common 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  came  with 
his  father's  family  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
in  1876,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home, 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  in  Junc- 
tion Township  which  contains  eighty  acres 
of  well-cultivated   land,  he  being  numbered 


among  the  progressive  farmers  of  this  com- 
munity. Mr.  Mack  was  united  in  marriage 
March  2,  1880,  to  Miss  May  Smith,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Richard  Smith,  who  is  now  deceased. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union, 
whose  names  are  as  follows — Laura  B.,  Ger- 
trude J.,  Spencer  A.  and  Artemus  R. 


-^>-J*|- 


|AMUEL  M.  TAYLOR,  section  27, 
Grant  Township,  is  one  of  the  promi- 
nent pioneers  of  Greene  County.  His 
father,  Joshua  Taylor,  settled  in  this  county 
in  June,  1855,  buying  a  tract  of  wild  land 
on  which  a  log  cabin  had  been  built  and  one 
acre  had  been  cleared  and  planted  to  potatoes. 
Joshua  Taylor  was  born  in  Logan  County, 
Kentucky,  December  1,  1805,  and  September 
27,  1827,  married  Nancy  More,  also  a  native 
of  Logan  County,  Kentucky,  born  May  12, 
1809.  Several  years  later  they  moved  to 
Champaign  County,  Illinois,  and  thence  to 
Iowa.  Joshua  Taylor  was  a  man  highly  es- 
teemed by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
many  years,  and  in  politics  was  a  Jackson 
Democrat.  At  his  death  he  left  a  widow  and 
seven  children,  three  childi-en  having  pi-eceded 
him  to  the  other  world.  Those  living  at  the 
time  of  his  death  were — Mrs.  Martha  J.  Col- 
lins, Mary  N.,  James  H.,  Mrs.  Sarah  Win- 
kleman,  Samuel  M.,  Joshua  G.  and  Matilda 
Kooder.  Of  this  family  Samuel  M.  is  the 
only  one  living.  After  the  father's  death  the 
mother  married  Wilkins  Taylor  (not  a  rela- 
tive). He  also  died  and  she  then  married 
Job  C.  Stiles.  She  died  January  21,  1884, 
after  a  brief  illness.  Samuel  M.  Taylor  was 
born  in  Champaign  County,  Illinois,  March 
25,  1838.  He  has  been  twice  married.  II is 
first  wife  was  Mrs.  Frances  Correy,  daughter 
of  Joseph   Collins.     To  them  were  born  two 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


365 


.' 


^1  ' 


0 


t 

I 

4 

V- 


children — Eosettie  C.  and  Nancy  A.  His  pres- 
ent wife  was  Ann  Elizabeth  Tilton,  daughter 
of  David  Tilton.  She  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1851,  and  accompanied  her  parents  to  Illi- 
nois when  a  child,  where  her  father  died  in 
1865.  In  1870  she  and  her  mother  came  to 
Greene  County.  Her  mother  returned  to 
Illinois,  where  she  died  in  September,  1878. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  have  three  children — 
Samuel  M.,  "William  Arthur  and  Ariel  i\.dol- 
phus.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 


."igiEORGE  W.  WIANT,  farmer,  section  5, 
Wlf'  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
V-  I  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  December  2, 
184G.  His  father,  Andrew  Jesse  Wiant,  of 
Tuscarawas  County,  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  came  to  Ohio  when  a  young  man. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  has  always  followed  farming  for  his  occu- 
pation. He  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war, 
enlisting  February  28,  1865,  for  one  year,  or 
during  the  war,  and  was  assigned  to  Com- 
pany C,  One  Hundred  and  Eighty-ninth 
Ohio  Infantry,  and  was  mustered  out  Sep- 
tember 28,  1865.  In  February,  1866,  he  re- 
moved to  Peoria  County,  Illinois,  and  there 
attended  the  commercial  college  of  Worth- 
ington,  Warner  &  Cole,  during  the  winter  of 
1866-'67.  In  April,  1867,  he  came  to 
Greene  County,  and  bought  and  improved 
eighty  acres  on  section  16,  Washington  Town- 
ship. He  located  upon  his  present  farm  in 
the  fall  of  1872,  where  he  owns  240  acres 
of  land.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming, 
and  gives  considerable  attention  to  graded 
stock.  Mr.  AViant  was  married  February  26, 
1871,  to  Miss  Loiiisa  A.  Potts,   daughter  of 


Jesse  P.  Potts,  deceased,  who  was  born  in 
Cedar  County,  this  State.  They  have  had  three 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — Cora 
Enieline.  Mr.  Wiant  has  served  as  township 
clerk  and  township  assessor  several  years;  he 
is  now  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  is 
township  school  treasurer. 


HLVIN  M.  NEAL,  Angus,  is  a  native  of 
Iowa,  born  in  Wapello  County,  July  10, 
<;t^  1846,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth 
(Pierce)  Neal,  the  father  being  a  native  of 
Champaign  County,  ( )hio.  The  mother  was 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  Pierce,  a  distant  rela- 
tive of  President  Pierce,  and  was  a  colonel, 
and  afterward  acted  as  a  spy  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  He  was  a  pioneer  of  Warren 
County,  Illinois.  The  brother  of  our  subject, 
John  N.  Neal,  owns  the  gun  which  was  car- 
ried by  Mr.  Pierce  in  the  the  Revolution, 
which  he  prizes  very  highly.  Of  the  seven 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Neal, 
five  are  living — Eliza,  John  N.,  Daniel,  Will- 
iam and  Alvin  M.,  our  subject  being  the 
youngest  child.  His  youngest  sister,  Lu- 
cinda  J.,  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years. 
His  father  died  March  16,  1872,  and  his 
mother's  death  occurred  in  March,  1873. 
Alvin  M.  Neal  was  reared  to  the  avocation 
of  a  farmer,  receiving  in  his  youth  a  com- 
mon-school education.  He  was  brought  by 
his  parents  to  Marion  County,  Iowa,  in  the 
spring  of  1855,  and  there  he  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  home  farm.  He  enlisted  in  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
and  was  assigned  to  Company  F,  Fortieth 
Iowa  Inftintry,  serving  for  three  years,  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Little  Rock, 
Memphis,  Jenkins'  Ferry,  and  others  of  minor 
importance.  He  returned  to  his  home  with- 
out having  received  a  wound,  but  with  health 


3(i6 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


permanently  impaired  by   the  exposure  and 
hardships  he  had  endured  while  in  the  ser- 
vice.    He  was  married  Kovember  18,  1865, 
to  Miss  Catherine  Jones,  a  native  of  Wales, 
born  January  29,  1842,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
D.  and  Ann  (Davis)  Jones,  who  were  natives 
of  the    same  country.     Mr.    Jones  came    to 
America  with  his  family  in  1857  and  located 
at  Scranton,   Pennsylvania,   and   in  January, 
1858,  came  to  Knoxville,  Iowa.     The  parents 
are    still    living    in    Marion    County.     They 
were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  six  still 
living — Mrs.  Neal,  Seth  and  Owen,  natives  of 
Wales,  and  William,   Ulysses  G.  and  Ann, 
born    in    Iowa.     Seth   Jones   and  Mr.  Neal 
were  messmates  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 
Mr.   and    Mrs.    Neal  have  a  family  of  three 
children — William    T.,   born   September  15, 
1866;  Arthur  M.,    born    October   9,    1868; 
Francis    O.,    born    August    24,    1871.     Mr. 
Neal  made  his  home  in  Marion  County  until 
1871,    when    he   removed  with   his  family  to 
Otley,  Iowa.     In  the  spring  of  1881  he  came 
to  Greene  County,  where  he  followed  farm- 
ing i;ntil  the  spring  of  1884,   since  which 
time  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Angus.     He 
has  followed  farming  through  life  until  with- 
in the  past  three  years,  since  which   time  he 
has  been  running  a  bus  and  dray  line  at  An- 
gus, in  which  undertaking  he  is  meeting  with 
success.     He  now  owns  two  residences,  and  a 
business  house  at  Angus,  in  which  Mrs.  Neal 
is  running  a  millinery   store,  besides  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres  on  section  13  of  Washington 
Township.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic. 


|-5»-^^. 


^mRCHIBALD    BURK,    farmer,    section 

v\     19,  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 

"sii"   Otsego  County,  Kew  York,  April  23, 

1840.     His  father,  Amos  S.  Burk.  brought 


his  family  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of 
1855,  locating  on  the  old  Burk  homestead, 
section  32,  Washington  Township,  where  he 
died  several  years  ago.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  has  always  followed  the  occupa- 
tion of  a  farmer.  During  the  late  war  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Tenth  Iowa  In- 
fantry, and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Madrid,  the  first  and  second  battles  of  Cor- 
inth, luka,  Jackson,  Champion  Hills,  Yicks- 
burg  and  Missionary  Ridge.  For  these 
services  rendered  his  country  he  draws  a 
pension  of  $4  a  month.  He  was  married 
May  21,  1865,  to  Martha  Heater,  daughtei 
of  Jacob  Heater,  a  pioneer  of  this  county, 
and  now  deceased.  They  have  four  children 
— Jennie  A.,  James  A.,  George  E.  and  Xellie 
A.,  all  at  home.  Mr.  Burk  owns  160  acres 
of  land  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  When  the  family  first  came  to  this 
county  they  had  to  go  to  Des  Moines  t.j  trade 
and  also  to  do  their  milling,  a  distance  of 
fifty  miles.  Mr.  Burk  is  a  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows  fraternity. 


►>t5- 


lEORGE  A.  WEATHERSON,  a  suc- 
cessful agriculturist  of  Junction  Town- 
ship, Greene  County,  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising  on  section  18,  is  a 
native  of  Ohio,  born  August  18,  1854.  His 
father,  Luke  Weatherson,  was  born  in  Scot- 
land, and  came  to  America  in  1849.  He 
first  located  near  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  in 
1850  went  to  California.  In  1852  he  settled 
near  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  returning  to 
Ohio  in  1854.  He  is  now  a  resident  of 
Jones  County,  Iowa.  He  was  a  soldier  three 
years  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  serving 
until  its  close.  George  A.  AVeatherson, 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was  reared  to 


■■■-■-■■■■■-■■iia-i»»M-a-»->n^»i-air=»=» 


iJ 

M 


BIOOBAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


»ii»WM-,lll-B-,»„l 


307 


agricultural  pursuits  on  the  home  farm,  and 
has  always  followed  the  avocation  of  a  farmer. 
His  education  was  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  came  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  June,  1880,  settling 
on  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  160  acres 
of  valuable  land.  Mr.  Weatherson  was  united 
in  marriage  January  31,  1882,  to  Miss  Mary 
Gunn,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Gunii,  of  War- 
ren County,  Illinois.  One  child  was  born  to 
this  union,  a  daughter,  Huldah,  who  is  now 
deceased.  Mrs.  AVeatherson  is  also  deceased, 
her  death  taking  place  November  4,  1883. 
Mr.  Weatherson  never  seeks  official  honors, 
preferring  to  devote  his  entire  attention  to 
the  duties  of  his  farm. 


IHARLES  B.  MECUM,  section  36, 
Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
^l  Springlield,  Massachusetts,  August  25, 
1822,  a  son  of  James  and  Julia  (^  Dewey) 
Mecum,  the  father  a  native  of  Massachusetts, 
of  Irish  ancestry,  his  mother  being  of  French 
descent.  His  father  was  a  First  Lieutenant 
in  the  war  of  1812.  Charles  B.  Mecum  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  has  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  His 
education  was  obtained  at  Springfield,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  at  Suffield,  Connecticut.  lie  is 
one  of  the  few  remaining  "  forty-niners,"  who 
April  5,  1849,  with  oxen  and  wagons,  started 
from  Galesbnrg,  Illinois,  for  the  gold  fields 
of  California,  taking  the  name  of  "  Jay-Hawk- 
ers "  to  distinguish  their  party  from  the 
other  parties  who  went  the  same  year.  After 
leaving  Little  Salt  Lake  the  Jay-Hawkers 
took  directions  from  Indian  Walker,  and 
Ward,  an  old  mountaineer,  who  told  them 
they  could  save  500  miles  by  taking  the 
route  he  laid  out  for  them,  and  branched 
oflf"  from  the  main   body.     Finding  nothing 


as  represented  they  became  lost,  and  wandered 
about  for  months.  They  cut  up  their  wagons 
on  Silver  Mountain,  and  made  of  them  pack- 
saddles  for  their  cattle.  Here  thirteen  of 
their  number  branched  off  on  New  Year's 
day,  taking  what  jerked  beef  they  could  carry, 
and  started  due  west  over  the  mountains. 
This  the  main  party  could  not  do  on  account 
of  their  cattle,  but  when  they  came  to  a 
mountain  took  a  southerly  course  around  it. 
Of  the  thirteen  who  left  but  two  lived  to  get 
through,  and  these  were  found  by  ranch 
Indians  in  a  helpless  condition  and  brought 
in  and  cared  for.  They  had  cast  lots  and 
lived  on  each  other  until  but  two  remained. 
When  questioned  afterward  in  regard  to  their 
trip  they  burst  into  tears,  and  could  not  talk 
of  it.  The  main  body  of  the  Jay-Hawkers 
kept  their  cattle  (for  thej^  were  their  only 
hope),  and  on  these  they  lived.  The  cattl-e 
lived  on  the  bitter  sage  bush,  except  when 
they  occasionally  found  an  oasis  with  water 
and  a  little  srass  upon  it.  The  feet  of  the 
cattle  were  worn  down  until  blood  marked 
every  step,  and  the  boys  wrapped  their  feet 
in  raw  hides,  as  they  did  their  own.  Many 
died  from  exposure,  hunger  and  thirst,  and 
were  buried  in  the  drifting  sands,  while  those 
that  were  left  tottered  on  not  knowing  whose 
turn  would  be  next.  But  for  their  cattle  not 
a  man  could  have  survived  that  awful  journey. 
They  ate  the  hide,  the  blood,  tlie  refuse,  and 
picked  the  bones  in  camp,  making  jerked 
beef  of  the  balance  to  take  with  them.  After 
many  desert  wanderings  and  untold  sufferings, 
they  atlast  struck  Yahoon's  Pass,  and  emerged 
suddenly  into  Santa  Clara  Valley,  which  was 
covered  with  long  grass  and  wild  flowers, 
with  thousands  of  fat  cattle  feeding,  a  perfect 
paradise  to  those  famished  skeletons  of  men. 
There  were  thirty-six  of  the  party  who  lived 
^o  reach  the  valley,  and  every  one  shed  tears 
of  joy   at   the   sight   of   the  glorious   vision 


^^■■■■■.■-■■■.i 


■WMkVniWBnHrMWS^'B 


^^Jt^^^^^^^'^mmimmmmamm^mM'timiimsmm 


368 


HISTORY    OF    OREENE    COUNTY. 


spread  before  them  and  the  suddenness  of 
their  deliverance.  They  shot  five  head  of 
the  cattle  and  were  eating  the  raw  flesh,  when 
the  ranch  Indians,  hearing  the  firing,  came 
to  see  what  was  the  matter,  and  finding  them 
in  a  helpless  condition  reported  to  Francisco, 
the  Spaniard  who  owned  the  cattle  and  ranch. 
lie  came  down  and  invited  them  to  a  gi'ove 
near  his  home,  bade  them  welcome,  and  fur- 
nished them  with  meat,  milk,  grain  and  every- 
thing they  needed,  keeping  them  until  they 
were  recruited  and  able  to  go  on  their  way. 
They  reached  the  Santa  Clara  Valley  Feb- 
ruary 4, 1850,  and  on  that  day  each  year  they 
celebrate  their  deliverance  by  a  reunion, 
where  in  pleasant  companionship,  around  a 
festive  board,  they  recount  reminiscences  of 
the  past,  and  live  over  again  those  scenes, 
when  young  and  hopeful,  they  lived  and  suf- 
fiered  together.  There  are  but  fifteen  of  the 
party  alive  to-day,  and  these  are  widely 
scattered,  the  majority  being  on  the  Pacific 
Slope.  February  4,  1887,  the  reunion  took 
place  at  the  residence  of  C.  B.  Mecum,  of 
Rippey,  but  owing  to  the  severity  of  the 
weather  and  the  long  distance  intervening, 
but  few  survivors  were  able  to  be  present, 
although  all  sent  kind  words  of  greeting. 
Mr.  Mecum  engaged  in  mining  nearly  three 
years,  and  in  February,  1853,  left  California 
for  Knox  County,  Illinois,  where  he  resided 
until  1874,  when  in  March  of  that  year  he 
came  to  Iowa  and  settled  in  Washington 
Township,  Greene  County,  where  he  now 
lives.  He  owns  200  acres  of  choice  land, 
and  in  connection  with  general  farming  is 
engaged  in  stock-raising.  Mr.  Mecum  was 
married  November  22,  1854,  to  Frances  E. 
Richards,  a  native  of  Westminster,  Vermont, 
born  July  1,  1835,  a  daughter  of  Luther  A. 
and  Mary  (Page)  Richards,  both  of  whom  are 
now  deceased.  She  is  of  Puritan  descent, 
her   ancestor,  Thomas    Richards,  coming  to 


America  from  Dorsetshire,  England,  in  1630, 
and  locating  at  Dorchester,  Massachusetts. 
She  is  well  educated,  att^ding  school  at  her 
native  village,  Waterbury,  and  North  Haven, 
Connecticut,  and  Galesburg,  Illinois.  Of 
the  eight  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mecum,  five  are  living — William  F.,  Leroy 
II.,  Cora  A.,  Edwin  W.  and  Maude  F. 
William  is  a  justice  of  the  peace  at  Douglas, 
Wyoming  Territory.  Leroy  married  a  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  Youngman,  and  is  living  in 
Jefl'erson  Township.  He  is  at  present  serving 
as  deputy  sherift"  of  Greene  County.  Mrs. 
Mecum  and  William  and  Cora  are  nieml)ers 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr. 
Mecum  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


■>^ 


fpLUMBUS  RICE,  coal  miner  at  Buck- 
eye bank,  near  Surry,  was  born  in 
,^  I  Fountain  County,  Indiana,  June  8, 
1852,  son  of  Francis  Rice,  of  Washington 
Township.  He  was  brought  by  his  parents 
to  Dallas  County  in  1852,  who  settled  near 
Adel.  The  country  was  then  wild  and  un- 
settled. Indians  were  plenty,  and  the  whites 
often  had  skirmishes  with  them  to  save  life 
and  property.  The  whites  were  killing  the 
wild  game,  and  the  savages  wanted  to  drive 
them  back  by  making  raids  and  killing  the 
people.  Mr.  Rice  passed  his  early  life  at 
farm  work,  and  in  attending  the  common 
schools  of  his  father's  district.  He  is  nat- 
urally quite  a  student  and  a  great  lover  of 
history.  He  has  worked  on  a  farm  in  summer 
ever  since  he  was  nine  years  old,  and  aims  to 
work  summer  and  winter.  In  1857  he  took 
a  trip  with  his  fatiier  to  Kansas  and  Missouri, 
returning  in  1864  to  Iowa,  and  in  1873  he 
visited  his  native  place  in  Indiana.  He  now 
works  on  the  farm  during  the  summer,  and 
in  the  mines  durinsr  the  winter.      He  came 


«kiw»»»Meg!»B" 


f™— ■■™™"'"™™»''°™"1™g»l»'" 


t — 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


36U 


to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1857, 
settling  in  Franklin  Township.  He  located 
in  this  township  in  1871,  and  this  has  since 
been  his  home.  He  never  seeks  official 
honors. 


fAMES  THORNTON,  farmer,  of  Grant 
Township,  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Greene  (!ounty,  coming  in  June,  1857. 
He  settled  where  he  now  lives,  on  section  26, 
although  his  farm  of  240  acres  is  mostly  on 
section  23.  At  that  time  there  were  but  few 
families  in  what  is  now  Grant  Township,  and 
their  mill  and  postoffice  was  at  Fort  Des 
Moines.  Mr.  Thornton  has  witnessed  and 
materially  assisted  in  advancing  all  the 
enterprises  that  have  changed  Greene  County 
from  a  wilderness  to  its  present  prosperous 
condition.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1815, 
and  when  a  young  man  went  to  Cass  County, 
Michigan,  where  he  lived  until  his  removal 
to  Iowa.  He  was  married  in  Michigan  to 
Jane  Parker,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1825. 
They  have  had  seven  children — Jesse,  of 
Greenbrier  Township;  Mary  Ann,  wife  of 
Charles  Mattison,  died  and  left  two  cliildren; 
J.  Parker,  Lydia,  Nathan,  James  and  George. 


^LFRED  C.  WELLS,  farmer  and  stock- 
16  raiser,  section  27,  Dawson  Township, 
^f^  was  born  near  Davenport,  Scott  County, 
(  Iowa,  April  25,  1811.  His  boyhood  days 
were  spent  in  assisting  on  the  farm  in  Scott 
County,  and  in  attending  the  district  school. 
He  remained  at  home  until  seventeen  years 
old,  when,  August  15,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  defense  of  his  country  and  served  over 
four  yeare, being  mustered  out  November  15, 
1865.     After  his  discharge  he  returned  home 


and  lived  in  Scott  County  until  1868,  when 
he  moved  to  Greene  County  and  settled  where 
he  now  lives,  being  the  first  settler  in  Dawson 
Township.  He  owns  200  acres  of  choice 
land,  and  has  erected  good  buildings,  set  out 
a  fine  orchard  and  now  has  one  of  the  pleas- 
antest  homes  in  the  township.  Mr.  Wells 
was  married  April  11,  1868,  to  Eliza  Mc- 
Cully,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  July 
25,  1815,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane 
McCully,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Ireland.  They 
have  one  son — Charles  E.,  born  August  16, 
1880. 


►>»j« 


j^HOMAS  M.  TERRILL,  a  prosperous 
agriculturist  of  AVashington  Township, 
^^  residing  on  section  30,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio  County,  West  Virginia,  born  near 
AVheeling,  May  18,  1850,  his  father,  Daniel 
Terrill,  who  is  now  deceased,  being  born  in 
the  same  county.  The  father  brought  his 
family  to  Iowa  in  1853  when  he  settled  in 
Cedar  County,  dying  there  the  same  year. 
The  mother  of  our  subject,  Tabitha  (Hemp- 
hill) Terrill,  died  in  September,  1861.  After 
his  mother's  death  he  lived  with  a  Mr. 
Blaylock  si.x  years  and  a  half,  four  years 
of  this  time  in  Keokuk  County,  Iowa,  to 
which  Mr.  Blaylock  had  removed.  At  tlie 
age  of  eighteen  he  returned  to  his  father's 
old  liomestead  in  Cedar  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  lived  three  and  a  half  years 
with  Amos  Barnard,  who  had  bought  the 
place.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he  located  near 
State  Center,  in  Marshall  County,  where  he 
spent  two  and  a  half  months  and  the  same  fall 
came  to  Grand  Junction.  He  soon  after 
began  working  on  the  farm  of  James  Thomp- 
son, where  he  remained  almost  three  years. 
He  then  worked  one  year  for  S.  Gilliland  of 
Dallas    County,  and    in    the    spring    1876 


370 


EI8T0RT    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  he 
having  bought  a  farm  in  1872.  In  1879  he 
settled  on  his  farm  in  Washington  Township, 
which  contains  240  acres  of  choice  land, 
where  he  has  since  followed  farming  and 
stock-raising.  November  6,  1879,  Mr.  Ter- 
rill  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lydia  M. 
Hill,  a  daughter  of  the  late  John  Hill  of 
Iowa  County.  Four  children  have  been  born 
to  this  union — Katie  M.,  Otis  W.,  Geneva  I. 
and  William  D. 


iEUKY  P.  ANDERSON  was  born  in 
Greene  County,  Ohio,  September  3, 
1847,  a  son  of  William  and  Lydia  An- 
derson. In  1857  his  parents  moved  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  settled  in  Grant 
Township.  Drury  P.  Anderson  was  reared 
on  a  farm  in  Greene  County,  and  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  He  remained  at 
home  until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he 
commenced  life  for  himself.  In  1877  he 
bought  106  acres  of  land  on  section  11,  Jack- 
son Township.  To  this  he  has  added  eighty 
acres,  and  now  has  a  very  tine  property.  His 
residence  is  situated  on  a  knoll  overlooking 
the  farm,  and  is  but  three  miles  from  Jeffer- 
son and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  Eureka 
Mills.  Mr.  Anderson  was  married  December 
17,  1877,  to  Annie  McCuen,  daughter  of 
Nathan  and  Harriet  McCuen,  pioneers  of 
Grant  Township.  Mrs.  Anderson's  father 
gave  his  life  for  his  country  during  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion.  Her  mother  afterward 
married  James  Wilson,  and  again  was 
widowed.  She  now  lives  in  Grant  Township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  two  children 
— Lura  and  Sadie.  Their  second  child,  Ed- 
gar, died  in  infancy.  In  politics  Mr.  Ander- 
son is  a  Republican.  He  is  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  his  township,  which   he  is  serving  as 


trustee.    He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


g^ENRY  A.  DWINNELL  was  born  in 
ml  Worcester  County,  Massachusetts,  in 
''Wi  1829.  In  1837  his  father,  Solomon 
Dwinnell,  went  to  Wisconsin,  and  in  1838 
attended  the  first  land  sale  at  Milwaukee,  and 
bought  considerable  land  for  himself  and 
other  parties.  He  then  returned  to  Massa- 
chusetts, where  he  died  in  the  eighty-fourth 
year  of  his  age,  his  wife  surviving  him  a 
short  time,  dying  in  her  eighty-thii'd  year. 
They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  living.  All  save  one 
daughter  came  West.  Our  subject  left  Mas- 
sachusetts for  Wisconsin  in  1852,  and  lived 
in  Lodi  until  his  removal  to  Jefferson  in 
1870,  and  has  since  been  identified  with  the 
mercantile  interests  of  the  town.  He  was 
married  in  Lodi,  Wisconsin,  to  Theda  Hum- 
phrey, a  native  of  New  York,  daughter  of 
Jeffrey  and  Harriet  Humphrey,  who  have 
been  residents  of  Jefi'erson  since  the  fall  of 
1869. 


ilTEPHEN  ZIMMERMAN,  an  active 
and  enterprising  farmer  of  Scranton 
Township,  residing  on  section  17,  was 
born  in  Columbia  County,  Pennsylvania, 
the  date  of  his  birth  being  November  6, 
1847.  His  father,  Christian  Zimmerman, 
was  a  native  of  Germanj'',  born  in  1810,  and 
when  a  child  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 
the  United  States,  and  was  reared  to  man- 
hood in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  first  married 
to  Miss  Sarah  Gearhart,  who  was  Iwrn  and 
reared  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  She 
died    when  our  subject,  who   was   the  fifth 


l\ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


371 


child,  was  five  years  old,  leaving  a  family  of 
six  children — Peter  enlisted  in  the  three 
months  service,  and  re-enlisted  to  serve  three 
years,  then  re-enlisted  for  three  more  years, 
but  died  of  measles  shortly  after  his  third 
enlistment;  Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Robert 
May,  of  Kendrick  Townsliip;  Sarah  is  the 
wife  of  Henry  Stenberger,  of  Henry  County, 
Illinois;  Jacob  is  living  in  Manchester,  Mich- 
igan; Stephen,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Washington,  the  sixth  child,  is  living  in 
Kendrick  Township.  For  his  second  wife 
the  father  married  Miss  Sarah  Michel  in 
1854,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this 
union  four  children  were  born — Caroline, 
who  died  in  childhood;  Rebecca  S.,  now 
living  in  Greene  County,  Iowa;  Henry,  also 
living  in  Greene  County,  and  Enoch,  living 
in  Pennsylvania.  The  family  settled  in 
Henrj'  County,  Illinois,  and  there  Stephen 
grew  to  manhood.  The  year  he  attained  his 
majority  he  came  with  his  father  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
land  and  commenced  improvingthesarae.  The 
father  purchased  a  tract  of  400  acres  on  sec- 
tion 16,  Scranton  Township,  where  he  lived 
till  his  death,  June  8,  1872,  at  the  age  of 
sixtj'-two  years.  The  following  year  his 
widow  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and  died 
there  one  year  later.  Stephen  Zimmerman 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Wood,  of  Scranton  Township,  October  24, 
1872,  she  being  a  native  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  born  Febrnary  16,  1854.  Six  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zimmerman 
— Ethe  Helen,  Medora  V.  (died  aged  eighteen 
months),  Maud  Jessie,  Lee  Wood  (died  at  the 
age  of  five  years).  Homer  Warren,  and  an 
infant  son  yet  unnamed.  Mr.  Zimmerman 
made  his  home  on  section  16,  Scranton  Town- 
ship, until  the  spring  of  1881,  when  he  sold 
that  property  and  purchased  160  acres  of 
choice  land  on  section  17  of  the  same  town- 


ship, where  he  has  since  resided,  and  during 
his  residence  here  of  six  short  yeai's  he  lias 
converted  his  land  from  a  state  of  nature  into 
a  very  finely-improved  farm,  with  excellent 
building  improvements,  the  entire  surround- 
ings showing  care  and  thrift.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Zimmerman  are  consistent  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  church.  In  politics  he 
has  always  been  identified  with  the  Republi- 
can party. 


.4*-^^• 


B.  REMICK  was  born  in  Franklin 
Wll  County,  Maine,  in  1834.  When  twenty 
®  years  of  age  he  went  to  La  Salle 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  until  1874, 
when  he  came  to  Iowa  and  located  at  Jefier- 
son,  where  he  has  dealt  quite  extensively  in 
real  estate,  and  at  present  is  engaged  in  loan- 
ing money.  He  owns  280  acres  of  fine  land, 
160  acres  in  Paton  Township,  eighty  acres  in 
Junction  and  forty  acres  iu  Dawson  Town- 
ship. He  was  married  in  Illinois  to  Helen 
G.  Day,  a  native  of  Maine,  who  died,  leaving 
one  child  —  Georgiana.  He  subsequently 
married  Sophia  Mott,  a  native  of  New  York. 
They  have  three  daughters — Nellie,  Mary  S. 
and  Fay.  In  politics  Mr.  Remick  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


l-S+4f« 


V^lRVIN  WRIGHT,  a  pioneer  of  Greene 
\\P/i  t!ounty,  resides  on  section  3,  Jackson 
^i  Township.  He  was  born  in  Putnam 
County,  Indiana,  June  27,  1831.  His  par- 
ents, Elijah  and  Susannah  Wright,  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Putnam  County, 
removing  there  from  North  Carolina,  their 
native  State,  in  1821.  His  youth  was  spent 
at  farm  labor  and  in  attending   the  common 


I   wi».rm.<-^^ 


373 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


subscription  schools.  August  26,  1849,  be 
was  married  in  his  native  county  to  Miss 
Delilah  M.  Beck,  daughter  of  William  and 
Susannah  Beck,  who  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton County,  Indiana,  October  30, 1827.  Mr. 
Wright  came  to  the  Hawkeye  State  in  1853, 
coming  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  that  yeai'. 
During  the  winter  following  he  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Bristol  Township. 
He  lived  in  Dallas  County  two  years,  then 
settled  in  Bristol  Township.  When  in  his 
fifteenth  year  he  had  united  with  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  he  assisted  in  organizing  the 
first  Christian  society  in  Greene  County. 
Their  meetings  were  held  in  a  log  school- 
house  which  he  had  helped  to  build,  and 
which  was  the  first  in  Greene  County.  It 
was  on  section  28,  Bristol  Township,  and 
Rev.  Clayburn  Wright  was  the  first  pastor. 
Mr.  Wright,  our  subject,  was  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel,  and  several  years  later  was 
ordained  into  the  ministry.  He  has  had  a 
pastoral  charge  since  1860,  and  has  devoted 
his  time  to  the  up-building  of  the  Christian 
Church  of  God.  Mr.  Wright's  father  came 
to  Iowa  the  same  time  his  son  came,  and  pur- 
chased the  farm  the  latter  now  occupies.  He 
died  in  August,  1860,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven  years.  Ilis  wife  survived  him  about 
sixteen  years,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five.  Mr.  Wright  purchased  the  farm  of  the 
estate  in  March,  1863.  It  contains  108 
acres  and  has  first-class  improvements  both 
as  regards  soil  and  buildings.  He  has  an  in- 
terest with  his  sons  in  three  other  farms,  one 
of  eighty  acres,  one  of  fifty-five  acres  and  one 
of  forty  acres.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AV right  have 
six  children — William  S.,  John  II.,  Mrs. 
Louisa  J.  McClung,  Mrs.  Hester  Ann  Tom- 
son,  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Baaz  and  Ervin  O.  All 
are  living  in  this  county  and  all  are  married 
and  settled  except  Ervin,  who  remains  with 
his  parents.     The  deceased  are — Wilson  M., 


who  died  in  Indiana  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  months;  Nathan  M.,  who  died  at 
twenty-two  months;  Julia  E.  died  at  the 
age  of  three  months;  Rosetta  A.  died  at 
four  months,  and  three  children  died  in 
early  infancy.  Mr.  Wright  was  a  Democrat 
for  nu\ny  years,  but  is  now  a  Prohibitionist. 


y^DWARD  W.  FOY,  druggist,  Jefierson, 
Tpl  Iowa,  is  a  native  of  County  Galway, 
o^  Ireland,  born  in  1845.  He  had  good 
educational  advantages  in  his  native  country, 
and  after  coming  to  America  attended  the 
Philadelphia  High  School  some  time.  He 
came  to  the  United  States  in  Janiiary,  1862, 
and  first  lived  in  Philadelphia,  going  from 
there  the  same  year  to  New  York  City,  and 
from  there  to  Mt.  Morris,  New  York,  where 
he  lived  until  the  fall  of  1869,  when  he  came 
to  Iowa  and  clerked  for  James  Stanford  & 
Son,  of  Jefierson,  until  January,  1870,  when 
he  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  and  is 
now  the  oldest  druggist  in  the  place.  Mr. 
Foy  married  Addie  Young,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Young.    They  have  one  child — Nettie. 


fAMES  CRABB,  farmer,  section  81, 
AVashington  Township,  was  born  in  Pick- 
away County,  Ohio,  May  12,  1823,  son 
of  John  Crabb,  deceased.  He  was  reared  a 
farmer  and  educated  in  the  log  cabin  sub- 
scription schools,  in  Vermillion,  Illinois^ 
where  his  parents  removed  when  he  was  a 
child.  The  school-house  had  puncheon  fioors 
and  seats,  clapboard  roof,  a  huge  fire-pliice, 
and  a  hole  cut  in  the  logs  for  window's.  Mr. 
Crabb  came  to  Des  Moines  in  the  fall  of  1854, 
and  to  this  county  in  March  of  the  following 
year,   locating    on    his    present    farm    which 


.^~^^^^ 


"■■■■"■^■■■■'''■■■"-■■-■'-■^"■■■■-■■■-■■■Sl 


'■-■■'^"■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■«B«!Utg«Bi 


BIOOBAPRICAL    SKETCHES. 


37a 


abounded  in  wild  animals.  His  trading  and 
milling  were  done  at  Des  Moines,  and  he 
paid  one  dollar  a  bushel  for  corn.  He  owns 
237^  acres  of  land,  all  richly  earned  by  his 
hard  labor.  He  was  married  in  November, 
1841,  to  Phebe  Adkins,  daughter  of  Lewis 
Adkins,  deceased,  an  early  settler  of  Dallas 
Conntj.  Seven  of  their  twelve  children  are 
living — James  A.,  William  H.,  Jemima,  El- 
len, Grant,  Jeannette  and  Phillip.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Crabb  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  Mr.  Crabb  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics. 


fOHN  M.  FORBES,  of  Bristol  Town- 
ship, has  charge  of  the  county  poor  farm, 
which  consists  of  240  acres  of  land  lying 
on  sections  21  and  28.  The  farm  buildings 
are  situated  on  the  latter  section.  Mr. 
Forbes  took  possession  of  the  farm  in 
March,  1886.  He  has  been  a  resident 
of  the  county  since  1871,  engaged  in 
]  agricultural  pursuits  most  of  the  time. 
He  resided  in  Jefferson  three  years  previ- 
ous to  his  occupancy  of  the  county  farm, 
being  proprietor  of  the  American  House  the 
last  year  of  his  residence  in  that  city.  Mr. 
Forbes  was  born  in  Camden  County,  North 
Carolina,  April  5,  1826,  son  of  William  and 
Catherine  (Mandeville)  Forbes,  natives  also 
of  North  Carolina,  where  the  father  died 
March  5,  1854,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  John 
M.  was  the  fourth  of  six  children  who  were 
living  at  the  time  of  the  father's  death,  and 
four  are  now  living — Jared  lives  in  Kansas, 
Mary  resides  in  Dakota,  James  in  Audubon 
County,  this  State,  and  John  M.  in  Bristol 
Township.  The  mother,  with  her  two  oldest 
children,  left  North  Carolina  before  the  war, 
and  settled  in  Lee  County,  Illinois.  She 
died  in  Ogle  County,  that  State,  March  18, 


1871,  aged  eighty-one  years,  nine  months  and 
fourteen  days.  Mr.  Forbes  was  reared  to  a 
farm  life  in  his  native  State,  and  was  there 
married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Bell,  May  13, 
1852.  She  was  born  in  Camden  County 
August  1,  1833.  During  the  last  three  years 
of  the  war,  Mr.  Forbes  was  within  the  Union 
lines,  and  received  the  protection  of  the  Gov- 
ernment; and  though  he  lost  six  slaves  by 
the  emancipation  proclamation,  he  counted 
that  a  gain  rather  than  a  loss.  In  1868  he 
came  North  with  his  family  and  settled  in 
Ogle  County,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  three 
years,  then  came  to  Greene  County.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Forbes  have  four  children — Rufus, 
Mary  C,  William  and  Samuel.  Mr.  Forbes 
was  formerly  an  Old  Line  Whig,  but  since 
the  war,  has  voted  the  Republican  ticket. 
He  was  a  staunch  Union  man  during  the  war. 


«--£ 


■^^-i^ 


l^^JLLIAM  B.  LIVINGSTON,  Jr., 
•ffWjI'fll  was  born   in  Belmont  County,  Ohio, 

l-=^I  April  25,  1836.  In  1850  his  tather 
moved  to  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  where 
our  subject  lived  until  1866,  when  he  moved 
to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  and  two  years  later 
to  Greene  County.  He  bought  a  tract  of  wild 
land  which  he  improved,  getting  his  farm 
under  good  cultivation  and  erecting  a  com- 
modious residence  and  other  buildings.  He 
lived  on  this  farm  until  1881  when  he  moved 
to  Churdan,  whei-e  he  now  is  engaged  in  the 
general  mercantile  business.  He  was  mar- 
ried October  24,  1859,  to  Jennie  G.  Ganett, 
a  native  of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  born 
March  3, 1838,  a  daughter  of  J.  M.  and  Mary 
Ganett.  To  them  have  been  born  two  chil- 
dren—Eldora,  wife  of  R.  T.  West,  and  Wil- 
liam A.  In  May,  1864,  Mr.  Livingston  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and 
Sixteenth  Ohio  Infantry  and  served  until  the 


-t^f'^y^.r^^'^^^^^^^^u^^'^ 


374 


HISTORY    OF    OBEENE    COUNTY. 


following  October.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  cliurcb.  In  politics  be  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

fOHN  BISH,  one  of  the  old  pioneers  of 
Greene  County,  was  born  in  Highland 
County,  Ohio,  May  31,  1842,  a  son  of 
Jacob  Bisb,  who  was  born  in  Rockingham 
County,  West  Virginia.  The  father  brought  his 
family  to  Van  Buren  County,  Iowa,  in  the 
fall  of  1849,  and  in  the  spring  of  1850 
removed  to  Boone  County,  settling  on  Des 
Moines  River  near  the  present  site  of  Rapids 
Mills,  and  here  the  father  pre-empted  land 
which  he  improved.  Here  the  family  experi- 
enced many  of  the  hardships  and  privations 
of  pioneer  life,  being  in  limited  circumstances. 
Corn  was  then  $2  per  bushel,  the  father  pay- 
ing for  it  by  working  at  fifty  cents  a  day,  and 
at  that  time  there  were  nine  persons  in  the 
family.  Tlieir  nearest  mill  was  forty  miles 
distant.  The  country  was  then  principally 
inhabited  by  Indians  and  wild  animals,  and 
their  principal  meat  was  wild  game.  They 
came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  1854, 
settling  in  Washington  Township.  John 
Bish,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  attended  the 
rude  log  cabin  subscription  schools  in  his 
bo3'hood,  receiving  sucli  education  as  could 
be  obtained  in  the  schools  of  that  early  day. 
He  followed  farming  during  the  summers 
and  in  the  winters  followed  trapping  and 
hunting  until  1861.  August  10,  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  II,  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry, 
as  a  private,  and  was  discharged  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  August  14,  1865.  He  took  part 
in  the  battles  of  Chattanooga,  Corinth,  luka, 
Champion  Hills,  Mission  Ridge,  Vicksburg 
and  others,  and  was  wounded  at  the  battles 
of  Corinth  and  Mission  Ridge.  At  the  latter 
battle  he  was  struck  by  a  cannon  ball  and  was 


carried  off  the  field  for  dead.  He  M'as 
married  November  23,  1865,  to  Miss  Hattie 
E.  Clark,  a  daughter  of  George  Clark, 
deceased,  who  was  an  early  settler  of  Greene 
County,  having  settled  in  Franklin  Township 
in  the  spring  of  1855.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  "Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bish — Zuie  A., 
born  September  12, 1867;  Charles,  born  May 
13,  1875,  died  aged  eight  years,  and  Nora  B., 
born  April  16,  1878.  Mr.  Bish  followed 
farming  from  the  time  he  returned  from  the 
war  till  1880,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  at  Rippey  for  a  time. 
March  2,  1882,  he  was  appointed  postmaster 
of  Rippey,  resigning  that  ofiice  January  1, 
1886.  He  owns  land  in  Colorado.  Since 
becoming  a  resident  of  Greene  County  he  has 
held  several  ofiices  of  trust,  including  school 
director,  road  supervisor,  and  township  trus- 
tee. He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
order.     In  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Baptist. 


^-5Mf*|...M 


AMUEL  E.  WILSON  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Bristol  Township,  Greene 
County,  since  1869,  where  lie  has 
followed  the  avocation  of  farming.  He  was 
born  in  Grafton  County,  New  Hampshire, 
January  13,  1841,  son  of  William  and  Almira 
Wilson,  residents  of  Jefferson.  The  family 
removed  to  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  in  1854, 
thence  to  Dane  County  in  1856.  While 
living  in  the  last  named  place,  Samuel  E. 
Wilson  enlisted,  February  26,  1862,  as  a 
soldier  in  Company  H,  Second  AVisconsin 
Infantry,  and  served  for  three  years  in  that 
gallant  regiment,  which,  for  heroic  deeds  of 
valor,  earned,  on  many  a  bloody  battle-field, 
a  reputation  second  to  no  organization  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  Its  ranks  repleted 
again  and  again,  that  noble  State  sent  new 
men   to   take   the  places  of  the  slain.     The 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETOnEH. 


[J 


Second  Wisconsin  was  a  part  of  the  renowned 
"  Iron  Brigade,"  so  well  known  in  history. 
At  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Mr.  Wilson 
was  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  and  he  was 
again  wounded  at  Gettysburg.  A  portion  of 
his  service  was  in  an  ambulance  train  and  a 
portion  as  courier  and  ordei-ly.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  February  26, 1865,  and 
returned  to  Dane  County,  Wisconsin.  May 
23,  1867,  he  was  united  in  marriage  at  Rich- 
land County,  Wisconsin,  with  Mrs.  Amy 
Standish,  a  lady  who  was  orphaned  in  early 
youth.  Siie  was  born  in  Iowa  County,  Wis- 
consin, in  April  4,  1813.  Mr.  Wilson  came 
to  Greene  County  in  1869,  as  before  stated. 
Of  their  five  children,  only  two,  Harold  E. 
and  Elmer  L.  are  living.  The  deceased  are 
John,  Jessie  and  Abbie.  Politically,  Mr. 
Wilson  has  always  affiliated  with  the  Repub- 
lican party. 


]^,ENRY  BUCHER,  residing  on  section 
%W\  11,  Bristol  Township,  has  been  a  resi- 
^vii  dent  of  that  township  since  1871.  His 
farm  was  then  wild  j^rairie.  He  was  born  in 
Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania,  September 
16,  1841,  son  of  Martin  and  Mary  Bucher, 
also  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to 
Iowa  in  1841,  locating  at  Mount  Vernon, 
Linn  County,  where  the  father  worked  at  the 
blacksmith's  trade  several  years,  then  removed 
to  Cedar  County,  where  he  made  a  home  on 
a  farm  and  worked  at  his  trade  until  his  ad- 
vanced age  compelled  him  to  abandon  it. 
The  parents  now  live  in  Yates  County,  Ne- 
braska. Of  their  eleven  children  Henry  was 
the  third  and  the  oldest  now  living.  He  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age;  then,  in  the  fall  of  1864,  en- 
listed as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army.  He 
was  a  member  of  Company  A,  Sixteenth  Iowa 


Infantry.  He  joined  the  army  of  General 
Sherman  at  Atlanta,  and  was  in  the  glorious 
march  to  the  sea.  He  started  with  the  army 
on  its  campaign  through  the  Carolinas,  but 
while  in  South  Carolina  sickness  compelled 
him  to  go  to  the  hospital,  where  he  remained 
four  weeks.  He  was  cared  lor  at  Buford, 
and  was  then  sent  to  Long  Island,  where  he 
was  carried  from  the  steamer  to  the  hospital, 
on  a  stretcher,  and  for  nine  weeks  had  a  dear 
tight  for  life.  Later  he  was  sent  to  the  con- 
valescent camp  at  Keokuk,  this  State,  and 
discharged  at  that  place.  He  then  returned 
to  Cedar  County  and  lived  with  his  parents 
until  September,  1870,  when  he  raai-ried 
Miss  Lena  Ilerbst,  daughter  of  Henry 
Ilerbst,  a  native  of  that  county,  born  in 
1850.  They  remained  in  Cedar  County  until 
1874,  then  removed  to  their  present  home  in 
Greene  County,  where  they  have  a  well-im- 
proved farm  and  a  home  with  very  pleasant 
surroundings.  In  the  fall  of  1886  Mr. 
Bucher  bought  an  additional  forty  acres. 
They  have  four  children — Minnie,  Edward, 
Ebby  and  Bertie.  Willie,  Georgie,  Amelia 
and  an  infant  unnamed  are  deceased.  Polit- 
ically Mr.  Bucher  is  a  Democrat. 


<?.-2w^^- 


(B 

jENJAMIN  WINKELMAN,  farmer, 
I  Iji  resides  on  section  19,  Grant  Township, 
where  he  owns  245  acres  on  sections  19 
and  30.  He  settled  there  in  December,  1856. 
The  only  improvements  that  had  been  made 
were  about  twenty  acres  broken,  and  a  log 
cabin  16  x  18  liad  been  built.  There  were 
but  few  settlements  in  the  vicinity  when  he 
located  there.  On  that  farm  Mr.  Winkelman 
has  lived  for  thirty  years.  It  will  be  remem- 
bered that  the  winter  he  settled  here  was  the 
winter  of  the  famous  deep  snow  and  severe 
weather.    They  were  very  comfortable  during 


37(> 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


the  winter,  and  suffered  but  little  from  the 
severity  of  the  season.  He  first  purchased 
320  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  paid  $1,500. 
He  was  able  to  pay  for  it  all,  and  had  a  few 
hundred  dollars  remaining.  Their  nearest 
mill  was  at  Panora,  about  twenty  miles  dis- 
tant. On  one  occasion  Mr.  AVinkelman  sent 
his  hired  boj's  to  mill.  While  there  a  severe 
rain  storm  came  up,  and  Mr.  AVinkelman 
was  obliged  to  ferry  them  back  across  the 
stream.  Panora  was  also  their  nearest  post- 
office.  At  that  time  there  was  no  postoffice 
at  Jefferson.  The  next  year  arrangements 
were  made  so  that  all  Greene  County  mail 
was  left  at  Des  Moines,  and  when  one  of  the 
residents  of  the  county  would  go  there  he 
usually  called  at  the  postoffice  for  the  Greene 
County  mail,  which  would  be  left  at  some 
convenient  place  for  distribution,  usually'  at 
Jefferson.  Mr.  Winkelman  has  witnessed 
all  the  changes  in  this  county,  from  its  prim- 
itive wildness  to  its  present  flourishing 
condition.  He  was  born  at  Canton  Berne, 
Switzerland,  August  17,  1818.  He  came  to 
America  with  his  parents  in  1833,  the  family 
then  consisting  of  parents  and  four  children. 
The  parents  were  Benjamin  and  Catherine 
AVinkelman.  They  settled  at  Blue  Creek, 
Franklin  County,  Indiana,  on  a  farm,  and 
eight  years  later  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
thence  to  Champaign  County,  Illinois,  in 
1843,  where  the  mother  died  in  1854.  The 
father  died  in  Cincinnati  in  1863.  Three  of 
the  children  are  living — Annie,  a  resident  of 
Champaign  County,  Illinois;  Benjamin,  our 
subject,  and  Catherine,  who  married  Charles 
Stifel  in  Cincinnati.  She  lost  her  husband, 
then  removed  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  with 
her  children.  In  1880  she  came  to  Greene 
County  to  visit  her  brother,  whom  she  had 
not  seen  for  twenty-eight  years.  She  was 
taken  sick  the  day  after  her  arrival,  and  died 
two  weeks  later  at  the  house  of  her  brother. 


She  left  one  son  and  four  daughters  in  St. 
Louis.  John,  the  youngest  of  the  children, 
lives  in  California.  Benjamin  was  married 
in  Cincinnati  in  1843,  to  Miss  Margaret 
Phoner,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  died  in 
Illinois  in  1854.  In  1852  Mr.  AVinkelman 
went  the  overland  route  to  California  and 
engaged  in  mining,  returning  in  1855.  He 
was  in  California  at  the  time  of  his  wife's 
decease.  He  returned  via  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama,  on  the  first  passenger  train  that 
crossed  the  Isthmus.  In  February,  1855,  he 
married  his  present  wife,  Angeline  Bush,  of 
A^'ermillion  County,  Indiana,  born  in  March, 
1824.  Mr.  AVinkelman  remained  in  Illinois 
until  he  came  to  this  county.  He  has  three 
children  by  his  first  marriage — Catherine, 
John  and  Fred.  By  his  second  marriage  are 
four  children — James,  Susan,  Martha  and 
AVilliam  Sherman.  Mary,  the  oldest,  wife  of 
James  Ganoe,  is  deceased.  Ella  is  also  de- 
ceased, having  lost  her  life  under  the  follow- 
ing painful  circumstances:  On  the  evening 
of  the  9th  of  May,  1885,  Mrs.  AVinkelman 
and  her  daughter  Ella  were  returning  from 
Jefierson  in  a  small  spring  wagon,  James 
Ganoe  being  the  driver.  When  crossing  the 
Panora  bridge,  which  spans  Coon  River,  a 
span  of  the  bridge  gave  way  and  all  went 
down  a  distance  of  about  twenty  feet.  Ella 
was  so  sevei-ely  injured  that  she  died  the  10th 
day  of  June  following.  She  was  an  amiable, 
intelligent  and  worthy  young  lady,  beloved 
and  respected  by  all  who  knew  her.  Her 
untimely  death  saddened  the  whole  com- 
munity, and  was  a  terrible  affiiction  to  her 
immediate  family.  She  had  a  fine  education, 
and  had  taught  several  terms  of  school.  Mrs. 
AVinkelman  was  also  severely  injured,  and 
has  never  entirely  recovered.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
AVinkelman  are  worthy  members  of  the 
Methodist  church,  and  belong  to  that  sturdy, 
honest  pioneer  element  that  is  fast  passing 


r 


•iW-IB-f 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


377 


away.  Mr.  Winkelman  cast  his  first  vote  iu 
Iowa  for  James  Buchanan,  but  since  then  has 
voted  the  Republican  ticket.  He  was  per- 
sonally acquainted  with  President  Lincoln, 
and  voted  for  him  at  both  elections. 


PfHOMAS  JAQUES,  an  old  settler  of 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  residing  in  Wil- 
i^>  low  Township,  is  a  native  of  West- 
moreland, England,  born  January  30,  1816, 
a  son  of  John  and  Dorothy  (Dobson)  Jaques. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children — 
«  Nicholas  D.,  Mary,  Thomas,  Ann,  Dorothy, 
]  John,  Elizabeth,  Agnes  and  Anthony.  Thom- 
'  as  was  reared  in  his  native  countj-y  till  seven- 
i  teen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Canada 
J  and  settled  near  Hamilton.  He  was  married 
I  in  Canada  March  1,  1841,  to  Miss  Margaret 
\  Bird,  who  was  born  in  Cumberland  County, 
)  England,  November  29,  1816.  Her  parents, 
\  Robert  and  Ann  (Jackson)  Bird,  had  a  family 
t  of  ten  children — Elizabeth,  Margaret,  Esther, 
\  Samuel,  Thomas,  Mary,  Joseph,  William, 
t  Robert  and  Sarah.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jaques 
]  were  born  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
^  still  living — Nicholas,  Esther,  John,  Thomas, 
I  William,  Benjamin,  Agnes  and  Nettie.  A 
5  daughter,  Margaret,  is  deceased.  Five  of 
J  the  children  are  living  in  Iowa;  one  son  re- 
^  sides  in  Nebraska,  and  two  daughters  live 
)  in  Dakota.  Mr.  Jaques  lived  in  the  vicinity 
J  of  Hamilton  until  1854,  when  he  removed  to 
Middlesex  County,  Ontario,  remaining  there 
till  1869.  He  then  came  with  his  family  to 
Greene  County,  Iowa,  when  he  settled  on  the 
farm  in  Willow  Township,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  His  son,  Benjamin  F.,  is 
one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Willow  Town- 
ship, where  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  stock 
breeding  on  section  14.  He  was  born  in  Can- 
ada in  1854,  was  reared  a  farmer  and  educated 


in  the  common  schools.  He  came  to  Greene 
County  with  his  parents  in  1869,  and  has 
been  very  successful  in  his  agricultural  pur- 
suits. The  Jaques  farm  is  one  of  the  largest 
in  Willow  Township,  and  is  under  a  fine 
state  of  cultivation.  They  have  a  fine  two- 
story  residence,  built  in  modern  style,  and 
good  out-buildings  for  the  accommodation  of 
their  stock,  feed-lots  and  a  good  wind-mill. 
Thomas  Jaques,  the  father,  is  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
PostofKce,  Bayard,  Guthrie  County,  Iowa. 


^^^MJ.^.^~ 

l^EV.  JOHN  C.  CARTER,  pastor  of  the 
fl^j  Baptist  church  at  Grand  Junction,  is  a 
■^Cl  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Clinton  Coun- 
ty March  25,  1849,  a  son  of  Wiley  L.  Carter, 
now  deceased,  who  was  a  native  of  the 
same  county.  His  grandfather,  John  Car- 
ter, settled  in  Illinois  in  its  territorial 
days.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war.  Our  subject  was  reared  to  the  avoca- 
tion of  a  farmer.  He  was  educated  princi- 
pally in  Shurtlifi"  College,  of  Alton,  Illinois, 
arraduatinfffrom  that  institution  in  1881.  He 
also  attended  the  Agricultural  College  at 
Irvington,  Illinois,  for  one  year.  He  engaged 
in  the  ministry  before  finishing  his  college 
course,  having  been  ordained  at  Diamond 
Springs  church,  in  Clinton  County,  Illinois, 
in  January,  1876.  At  the  time  of  his  grad- 
uation he  was  preaching  in  Troy,  Illinois. 
In  January,  1882,  he  came  to  Iowa  and  had 
charge  of  the  church  at  Bowman's  Grove, 
Shelby  County,  until  May,  1883,  when  he 
went  to  Logan  f'ountj',  remaining  there  until 
the  latter  part  of  1885,  and  January  1,  1886, 
he  assumed  the  charge  of  the  church  at 
Grand  Junction.  May  11, 1876,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Lizzie  Marshall,  daugii- 
ter  of  Thomas  Marshall,  deceased.     Of  the 


378 


HISTORY    OP    OREENE    COUNTT. 


five  children  born  to  this  union  four  are  liv- 
ing— Grace  T.,  Alva  G.,  Gilman  K.  and  Eay. 
Mr.  Carter  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
order. 


^5^p||ILLIAM  P.  SEAMAN,  of  the  firm 
'.  1/ \K  o^"  Seaman  &  lioberts,  proprietors  of 
l*=9^]  the  Eureka  Mills  in  Jackson  Town- 
ship, has  been  a  resident  of  Greene  County 
since  1866.  He  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, December  23,  1839,  son  of  John  and 
Jane  (Broadwell)  Seaman,  the  former  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri, lie  remained  with  his  parents  until 
he  reached  his  majority.  Upon  the  breaking 
out  of  the  civil  war  he  volunteered  in  August, 
1861,  in  defense  of  his  country,  becoming  a 
member  of  Company  C,  Eleventh  Missouri 
Infentry.  At  that  time  the  quota  of  Illinois 
under  all  former  calls  had  been  filled,  and 
Illinois  men  who  felt  it  a  duty  to  enter  the 
service  organized  in  large  numbers  as  Mis- 
souri volunteers.  The  Eleventh  Missouri  was 
under  General  Pope,  and  participated  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth  and  in  the  succeeding  cam- 
paign at  the  same  place.  During  a  violent 
wind  storm  which  occurred  August  14,  1862, 
after  the  occupation  of  Corinth,  Mr.  Seaman 
was  injured  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  while 
standing  in  his  tent.  Both  of  his  legs  were 
broken,  and  it  became  necessary  to  amputate 
his  right  leg  below  the  knee.  Of  cour.-e 
this  ended  his  army  life.  lie  now  receives 
a  pension.  Returning  to  his  home  in  Illi- 
nois, he  remained  in  the  employ  of  his  father 
on  the  farm  in  Sangamon  County  until  1866. 
Soon  after  he  came  to  Greene  County,  and 
engaged  in  farming  in  Jackson  Township. 
In  August,  1877,  he  traded  his  farm  property 
fur  a  half  interest  in  the  Eureka  Mills,  since 
which  time  lie  has  given  his  entire  attention 


to  the   milling   business- 
es 


The  building  is 
30  X  40  feet,  two  stories  and  basement,  fitted 
with  three  sets  of  burrs  and  two  sets  of 
rollers.  The  mill  receives  its  power  from  the 
North  Coon  River,  and  it  is  considered  one 
of  the  best  mill  properties  in  this  part  of 
Iowa.  It  is  doing  an  extensive  business,  and 
satisfies  all  its  patrons.  In  1869  Mr.  Seaman 
was  married  to  Miss  Amanda,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Seaman,  who  died  about  two  years  later, 
leaving  one  child — Maggie  Stella.  For  his 
second  wife  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Capps, 
daughter  of  Henry  Capps,  and  they  have 
four  children — Florence,  Bertha,  Charles  and 
William.  Mr.  Seaman  owns  an  improved 
farm  on  section  36,  Bristol  Township.  Po- 
litically he  afiiliates  with  the  Republican 
party. 


ILLIAM  H.  BISTLINE,  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising  on  section 
[=^j>j:^J  17,  Junction  Township,  was  born  in 
Perry  County,  Pennsylvania,  June  23,  1850, 
a  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Bird)  Bist- 
line,  the  father  being  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Our  subject  was  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  his  father  being  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  his  education  was 
received  in  the  coinmon  schools  and  in 
Bloomfield  Academy  in  his  native  county. 
He  came  to  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  in  1871, 
where  he  was  united  in  marriage  January 
16,  1872,  to  Miss  Mary  Barrick,  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  Barrick,  a  resident  of  Ogle  County. 
Six  children  have  been  born  to  this  union — 
Elizabeth  E.,  Jennie  B.,  Grace,  Charles  (de- 
ceased), William  and  Ethel.  In  1876  Mr. 
Bistline  visited  his  old  home  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  also  visited  the  Centennial  Exiiibi- 
tion  at  Philadelphia.  The  same  3-ear  he 
came    to    Iowa,    locating   in   Tama   County, 


BIOORAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


where  he  made  his  home  till  March,  1881. 
He  then  came  to  Greene  County  and  has 
since  followed  farming  on  his  present  farm, 
which  contains  eighty  acres  of  well-cnltivated 
land.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier 
in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  serving  nine 
months  in  Company  E,  Two  Hundred  and 
Eighth  Pennsjdvania  Infantry,  participating 
in  the  battles  of  Nashville  and  Fredericks- 
burg. He  was  of  German  ancestry,  his  great- 
grandfather coming  from  that  country  and 
settling  in  Pennsylvania,  where  his  father 
was  born.  The  maternal  great-grandfather 
of  our  subject,  George  Miller,  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  was  also  of  German  ancestry, 
her  name  being  originally  Vogel,  the  name 
being  changed  to  P>ird  on  the  arrival  of  her 
ancestors  in  this  country.  Undoubtedly  Mrs. 
Bistline  would  have  fallen  heir  to  a  share  of 
a  large  amount  of  money  due  to  her  family 
had  the  name  not  been  changed.  Margaret 
Barrick,  the  grandmother  of  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Bistline,  died  in  1882,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
106  years.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  during  her  life  was  never  out  of  her 
native  State. 


►^-«f- 


tP.  CASTANUS  B.  PARK,  physician 
and  banker  at  Grand  Junction,  was  born 
in  Grafton,  Vermont,  December  14, 
1834,  son  of  Castanus  B.  Park,  a  native  of 
the  same  place,  once  a  prominent  merchant 
of  Grafton,  now  deceased.  He  was  educated 
at  Chester  Academy,  at  Chester,  Vermont, 
and  graduated  at  Albany  Medical  College, 
New  York,  June  10,  1856.  The  same  year 
he  came  to  Darlington,  "Wisconsin,  where  he 
practiced  one  year,  thence  to  St.  Ansgar, 
Mitchell  County,    Iowa,    in    1857,  practicing 


two  years,  then  returned  to  his  native  town, 
where  he  practiced  until  18G2.  He  was  then 
commissioned  Surgeon  of  the  Sixteenth  Ver- 
mont Infantry,  serving  nine  months,  when 
his  term  ex])ired.  Soon  after  this  his  regi- 
ment presented  him  witii  a  silver  tea-set,  as 
a  manifestation  of  their  appreciation  of  his 
services,  accompanied  by  aft'ectionate  remarks 
of  tribute.  He  was  again  commissioned  Sur- 
geon  of  the  First  Vermont  Heavy  Artillery, 
and  assigned  to  duty  in  the  Vermont  Heavy 
Artillery  October  3,  1863.  We  quote  the 
following  from  a  book  entitled  "  Vermont 
Brigade  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,"  written 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  F.  Walker:  "But 
among  all  the  faithful  soldiers  of  the  brigade, 
the  one  who  will  be  the  longest  remembered 
with  affection,  and  with  the  greatest  reason, 
is  Castanus  B.  Park,  of  the  Eleventh  Regi- 
ment, the  Brigade  Surgeon.  As  a  worker. 
Dr.  Park  was  indefatigable,  and  his  skill  was 
equal  to  the  requirements  of  his  position. 
Of  all  its  medical  staff  the  brigade  was  justly 
proud,  the  assistant  surgeons  as  well  as  the 
surgeons  being  always  found  at  their  posts, 
and  shrinking  from  no  labor  that  might  ben- 
efit the  men  on  their  march,  in  the  camp  or 
in  the  battle.  Their  duties  were  often  ex- 
tremely arduous.  In  case  of  an  engagement, 
their  work  was  but  just  begun  when  ours  was 
over.  After  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  Dr. 
Park  was  at  his  table  forty-eight  consecutive 
hours,  and  during  this  campaign  it  washisduty 
to  perform  all  the  capital  operations  required 
in  the  brigade.  The  number  of  amputa- 
tions which  he  performed  was  exceedingly 
laro-e:  but  he  traced  with  care  the  subsequent 
history  of  each  patient,  and  in  no  single  case 
did  one  fail  of  recovery.  This  fact  speaks 
equally  well  for  the  physique  of  the  men  and 
the  science  of  the  doctor."  Regarding  the 
present  mentioned,  the  following  is  quoted 
from  the  Bellows   Falls  (Vermont)  Timei<,  of 


:;,sii 


innTORY    OF    GKEENK    COUNTY. 


October  23,  1863:  "  Dr.  C.  B.  Park,  Dear  ] 
Sir:  Your  visible  connection  with  our  regi- 
ment as  its  Surgeon,  lias  ceased,  but  the  re- 
membrance of  your  fidelity,  energy  and 
unceasing  care,  will  live  long  in  the  hearts  of 
its  individual  members.  In  the  first  place,  you 
won  our  confidence  by  manifesting  a  skill  in 
the  art  of  healing  which  few  possess;  then 
by  untiring  diligence  and  continued  watch- 
fulness, you  almost  robbed  disease  of  its  ter- 
rors and  death  of  its  victims.  But  this  is  not 
all.  Your  whole  intercourse  with  us  was 
characterized  by  gentlemanly  deportment  and 
kindly  consideration.  Neither  the  annoy- 
ances of  dealing  with  unpleasant  subjects,  nor 
the  necessary  inconveniences  of  camp  life,  in- 
duced neglect  or  sourness.  In  order  to  mani- 
fest our  appreciation  of  your  services,  the 
accompanying  silver-ware  has  been  selected, 
and  I  have  the  honor  of  presenting  it  to  you 
in  behalf  of  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Sixteenth 
Vermont  Regiment.  Accept  it,  not  for  its 
intrinsic  value,  but  for  the  memories  which 
cluster  around  it.  Receive  it  as  an  expres- 
sion of  grateful  remembrance  from  hearts 
which  have  been  quickend  to  nobler  emotions 
by  devotion  to  the  principles  of  freedom  and 
humanity.      I  am  yours  respectfully, 

"LvMAN  E.  Knapp." 
The  doctor  came  to  Poweshiek  County, 
Iowa,  in  1867,  and  to  Grand  Junction  two 
years  later,  hoping  to  quit  his  practice  alto- 
gether; but  his  reputation  followed  him, 
almost  compelling  him  to  practice  a  portion 
of  the  time.  He  established  a  lumber  yard 
in  Grand  Junction,  it  being  the  first  in  the 
place.  He  also  built  a  warehouse,  bought 
grain  and  sold  implements.  He  also  bought 
considerable  real  estate,  and  sold  all  tlie  coal 
here  for  several  years.  He  introduced  the 
first  herd  of  short-horn  cattle  in  Greene 
County.  He  then  sold  out  all  his  other  busi- 
ness except  his  farm  and  stock,  and  in  1879 


built  and  started  the  banking  house  of  C.  B. 
Park,  at  Grand  Junction.  In  1882  he  sold 
his  farm  and  stock,  and  now  does  general 
banking  business.  He  was  married  July  3, 
1856,  to  Nancy  D.  Carlton,  daughter  of  Jo- 
seph Carlton,  now  deceased.  She  is  a  native 
of  Andover,  Vermont.  They  have  had  three 
children,  only  one  living — Jennie  M.,  who  is 
attending  Callanan  College  at  Des  Moines. 
One  child  died  in  infancy,  and  William  L. 
was  accidentally  shot,  June  15,  1S86.  He 
was  a  bright,  promising  young  man,  and  a 
graduate  of  the  State  University  of  Iowa 
City.  He  was  twenty-five  years  old.  All 
mourn  his  untimely  death  and  his  family  are 
grieved  beyond  measure.  The  doctor  is  a 
member  of  the  State  Medical  Society,  and  be- 
lono-s  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  county  supervisor  for  nine 
years. 


ILLIAM  SHEARMAN,  a  prominent 

imW^l  on  section  26  in  1870.  He  first 
bought  forty  acres  of  land  on  the  prairie, 
which  he  rapidly  improved  and  made  pro- 
ductive. By  honesty,  industry  and  economy 
he  has  increased  his  number  of  acres  to  160, 
and  now  owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in  Greene 
County.  Mr.  Shearman  was  born  in  England 
November  6,  1841.  in  Lincolnshire.  His 
parents,  Matthew  and  JMaria  Shearman,  are 
still  living  on  the  old  homestead.  He  was 
the  sixth  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  of 
whom  his  brothers,  James  and  Joseph,  are  in 
this  country.  None  of  the  others  have  ever 
left  England.  Our  subject  left  England  in 
May,  1S69,  with  a  capital  of  S>500,  hoping 
to  better  his  chances  in  life  in  this  broad 
country.  His  brother  James,  who  had  pre- 
ceded him  twelve  years  before,  was  living  iu 


BIOGEAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


Clinton  County,  Iowa.  He  lived  witli  his 
brother  for  a  time,  then  found  employment 
at  a  packing  and  raalt-honse  on  Rock  Island, 
and  a  portion  of  the  time  was  an  employe  of  a 
Government  contractor  of  arsenal  buildini^s. 
March  25,  1873,  he  was  married  at  Eock 
Island  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Holden,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Ilolden,  who  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  in  May,  1867. 
They  have  two  sons — William  and  Archie. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shearman  are  worthy  members 
of  the  Church  of  Eno:land. 


5»-^' 


!^EV.  LYMAN  STILSON  was  born  in 
¥^  Meredith,  Delaware  County,  New  York, 
-^^  January  29,  1805,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood.  He  engaged  in  teaching  at  the 
early  age  of  seventeen,  near  his  home,  a 
vocation  which  proved  pleasant  to  himself 
and  benelicial  to  others  during  many  years  of 
his  after  life.  He  engaged  in  the  business 
of  marble  cutting  in  the  intervals  of  teach- 
ing, but  linding  the  dust  injurious  to  his  lungs 
he  turned  his  attention  to  organ  building, 
and  settled  upon  that  as  his  life  work.  But 
God  had  something  better  awaiting  him.  He 
was  converted  and  united  with  West  Mere- 
dith Baptist  church  January  17,  1830,  Hev. 
W.  Kingsley,  pastor.  He  entered  Madison 
University  (then  called  Hamilton  Literary 
and  Theological  Institute)  in  1833,  one  year 
in  advance,  and  graduated  in  1836.  He 
remained  as  resident  graduate  some  months 
to  study  Hebrew  under  Dr.  Conant.  Incidents 
of  great  interest  were  transpiring  meanwhile. 
Air.  and  Mrs.  Wade,  with  two  natives  from 
Burmah,  were  there  seeking  helpers  in  the 
work  of  foreign  missions.  Four  students. 
Dean,  Comstoek,  Vinton  and  Howard  had 
given  themselves  to  the  work.  Mr.  S.  seeing 
his  duty  in  the  same  direction,  wa§  ordained 


to  the  gospel  ministry  in  July,  1837. 
was  soon  married  to  Miss  Lucretia  Brownson, 
a  lady  admirably  fitted,  as  her  after  record 
shows,  to  be  his  companion  in  toil  and  sacri- 
fice; and  on  the  28th  of  October  following, 
in  company  with  the  Kevs.  1).  L.  Brayton 
and  E.  A.  Stevens  and  their  wives,  all  of 
whom  are  still  living  and  laboring  there,  they 
sailed  for  Maulmain,  Burmah,  arriving  Feb- 
ruary 19,  1838.  Here  he  was  met  by  Jud- 
son,  Osgood,  Haswell,  Ingalls  and  Comstock, 
some  of  whom  had  been  driven  thither  by 
sickness  elsewhere.  Here  he  remained  one 
year  studying  the  language.  His  destination 
had  been  Ava,  the  capital;  but  owing  to  a 
revolution  there,  making  it  impossible  to  do 
mission  work  except  covertly,  he  went  to 
Arracan  with  Comstock,  where  he  remained 
seven  years.  During  this  time  occurred  the 
noted  visit  of  the  mountain  chief  from  Kemee 
Hills,  bcffffino;  the  missionnries  to  come  and 
teach  his  people,  promising  to  build  a  lK)use 
and  a  chapel.  Mr.  Kincaid  and  Mr.  Stilson 
visited  the  chief,  the  latter  removing  his 
family  and  remaining  long  enough  to  acquire 
and  reduce  their  language  to  writing,  in 
which  he  afterward  prepared  some  elementary 
books  and  a  catechism.  A  brief  notice  of 
the  Kemee  language  may  be  found  written 
by  him  in  the  Journal  of  the  Oriental  Society, 
Vol.  8,  No.  1.  Eev.  H.  E.  Knapp  and  wife 
were  sent  out  in  1849,  but  their  early  death 
buried  the  hopes  of  that  interesting  people 
in  the  dust,  and  rendered  useless  the  labors 
and  sacrifices  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stilson.  In 
February,  1843,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kincaid  came 
to  America  for  health.  Soon  Mrs.  Comstock 
and  two  children  died,  and  in  just  one  year 
Mr.  Comstock  followed  them,  dying  of 
cholera  in  Mr.  Stilson's  house.  During  his 
residence  in  Arracan  he  was  repeatedly  urged 
to  prepare  works  in  arithmetic,  geograph}' 
and  other  branches  for  tlie  use  of  schools,  as 


'X\ 


%\ 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


lie  was  admirably  adapted  to  such  work. 
Henceforth  his  time  was  divided  between 
preaching,  teaching  and  the  preparation  of 
books.  Illustrations  were  needed,  but  no 
engravers  were  at  hand.  His  mind  being 
fertile  in  resources,  he  soon  acquired  sufficient 
knowledge  of  the  art  to  overcome  all  ob- 
stacles in  that  line.  No  maps  had  been 
printed.  He  commenced  with  maps  illus- 
trating Scripture  history,  and  followed  witii 
others  as  needed.  There  being  no  press  in 
Arracan,  necessitated  his  removal  to  Maul- 
main,  where  he  prepared  other  books,  many 
of  which  are  still  in  use  in  the  schools  of  the 
mission.  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Maulraain 
he  was  called  to  the  office  of  mission  treasurer, 
which  he  held  till  his  health  wholly  failed. 
During  this  term  of  office,  while  sitting  alone 
in  his  study  on  the  evening  of  September  12, 
1847,  an  armed  band  of  ten  i-obbers  came  to 
his  house;  three  entered  and  demanded 
money.  He  resisted;  a  fearful  struggle  en- 
sued in  which  he  nearly  lost  his  life,  the 
scars  of  whicli  he  carried  to  his  grave.  In 
the  loss  of  blood  by  these  injuries  was  laid 
the  foundation  of  the  disease  that  necessitated 
his  leaving  Burmah.  The  extra  labor  required 
to  secure  means  to  send  the  venerable  Judson 
on  his  last  health-seeking  trip,  but  wliich 
was  rather  his  ocean  grave,  and  Dr.  Binney 
and  wife  on  their  return  to  America  was 
the  immediate  cause.  From  that  time  he 
never  knew  perfect  health.  In  August,  1851, 
his  devoted  companion  died  of  consumption, 
leaving  him  with  four  motherless  children, 
three  of  whom,  Mrs.  Turrill,  superintendent 
of  schools  of  Greene  County,  Iowa;  N.  P. 
Stilson,  surveyor  in  Montana,  and  Miss  Sarah 
L.,  teacher  in  the  Central  High  School  in 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  three  grandchildren 
are  his  only  descendants  now  living.  He 
left  Burmah  with  his  children  in  December, 
1851,  arriving  in  New  York  June  30,  1852. 


He  soon  after  settled  in  Nunda,  New  York, 
for  the  benefit  of  schools  for  his  children. 
In  December,  1853,  he  married  Miss  M.  A. 
Paine,  of  Nnnda,  who  died  March  30,  1857. 
His  eldest  son.  Miner  T.,  died  October  21, 
1856,  in  his  sixteenth  year,  a  remarkably 
promising  youth,  just  ready  to  enter  college, 
and  equally  ready  to  enter  the  higher  courts 
of  the  King  of  Kings.  On  July  15,  1858, 
he  was  married  by  his  old  friend,  Rev.  Will- 
iam Dean,  D.  D.,  to  Miss  H.  E.  T.  Wright, 
of  Rochester,  New  York,  who  still  survives 
him.  She  was  a  missionary,  teaching  in  the 
Karen  Normal  School  in  Maulmain,  in  charge 
of  Dr.  Binney,  and  returned  an  almost  help- 
less invalid.  The  issue  of  that  union  was 
two  sons,  born  in  Nunda,  New  York — Charlie 
Lyman,  who  died  in  Des  Moines  June  2, 
1883,  having  attained  an  enviable  reputation 
as  an  artist,  aged  twenty-three  years,  and 
Edwin  Parker,  equally  gifted  as  a  mathe- 
matician and  artisan,  who  died  in  Jeflerson 
August  28,  1879,  aged  eighteen  years.  The 
latter  was  converted  and  baptized  in  Nunda 
in  his  tenth  year,  the  former  in  Jetl'erson  in 
his  sixteenth  year.  The  peculiarly  afflictive 
circumstances  of  the  death  of  these  two 
promising  sons,  on  whom  he  had  hoped  to  lean 
as  he  passed  down  the  declivity  of  life,  were 
always  mourned,  but  resignedly.  The  blessing 
promised  to  those  who  can  see  tlie  Father's 
loving  hand  in  chastisement  was  his.  He 
was  a  resident  of  Jeflerson  the  last  fifteen 
years  of  his  life,  but  was  able  to  engage 
but  little  in  the  activities  of  life,  and  yet 
his  heart  was  ever  open  to  whatever  pro- 
moted the  glory  of  God  or  the  good  of 
humanity.  In  truth  and  integrity  he  was 
unswerving.  He  was  a  dutiful  son,  an  affec- 
tionate brother,  a  kind  husband,  an  indulgent 
father,  but,  best  of  all,  a  faitliful,  earnest 
Christian.  His  devotion  to  the  great  work 
to    which    he   consecrated   his   ripened   man- 


hood  was  evident  to  the  last.  His  mind  was 
clear,  and  his  patience  in  all  his  sufferings 
was  remarkal)le,  as  he  was  never  known  to 
utter  a  murmuring  word.  When  his  loving 
companion  bent  over  him,  expressing  a  wish 
that  she  might  bear  part  of  his  pain  for  him, 
he  said.  "  It  is  all  right,  it  is  all  right,  God 
knows  best."  He  more  than  once  expressed 
anxiety  for  the  comfort  of  those  who  were 
caring  for  him.  In  answer  to  questions  froin 
Rev.  Eells  and  others,  he  expressed  assurance 
of  the  Lord's  presence.  Among  other  mes- 
sages for  the  absent  he  said,  with  strong 
emphasis:  "  Gather  the  church  together  and 
tell  them  to  trust  only  in  Christ  for  salva- 
tion." His  daily  prayers  for  them  are  now 
ended.  He  rests  from  his  labors,  but  his 
works  follow  him. 


11^  M.  FERGUSON,  was  born  in  Har- 
wIPII  '''so"^  County,  Ohio,  July  29,  1857, 
l-^l^j®  the  youngest  son  of  Benjamin  M. 
and  Cynthia  (Ilaskins)  Ferguson.  He  went 
to  school  until  fifteen  years  old,  when,  with- 
out having  ever  been  under  instruction,  he 
took  up  the  "art  preservative"  in  company 
with  a  j-ounger  companion,  and  published  a 
small  paper.  In  two  years  he  left  home  and 
engaged  Iti  the  office  of  the  Cadiz  Sentinel, 
serving  a  three  years'  apprenticeship,  being 
however,  promoted  to  the  foremanship  after 
the  first  six  months.  He  next  went  to  New- 
comerstown,  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  there 
establishing  a  paper  called  the  Eye,  and 
successfully  managing  it  for  over  a  year, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  interest  and  i-etired 
for  a  short  time.  Next,  he  and  his  brother 
])urchased  an  office  in  Coshocton,  Ohio,  and 
January  1,  1880,  started  the  Coshocton 
Commomoealth,  which  met  with  gratifying 
success.     In  April,  1881,  he  came  to  Jeffer- 


son, this  county,  and  was  employed  on  the 
Bee  until  the  spring  of  1885,  being  for  one 
year  a  partner  in  the  proprietorship  of  that 
paper.  April  4,  1885,  as  above  stated,  he 
established  the  Souvenir,  to  which  he  has 
since  devoted  his  time  and  energies.  He  was 
married  May  14,  1884,  to  Miss  Anna  King, 
of  Panora,  this  State.  In  politics,  Mr.  Fer- 
guson is  a  Democrat. 

,^m  M.  HEAD  is  a  son  of  William  M. 
k\  and  Margaret  (Fernau)  Head,  natives 
^t^^'  of  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  respectively. 
They  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  came  to 
Iowa,  in  1855.  They  now  live  at  Jefferson, 
advanced  in  years.  Their  son,  A.  M.,  was 
born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  May  24, 
1855,  and  in  October  following  was  brought 
by  his  parents  to  Iowa.  He  lived  in  Powe- 
shiek County  until  1872,  and  then  came  to 
Greene  County.  For  six  years  he  was 
employed  in  the  Greene  County  Bank,  and 
then  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law, 
being  successively  a  member  of  the  firms  of 
A.  &  A.  M.  Head,  Head,  Henderson  &  Head, 
and  Head  &  Church.  In  1880  he  was  elected 
recorder  of  Greene  County,  and  that  position 
he  iield  during  1881  and  1882.  He  then 
became  cashier  of  the  Greene  County  Bank, 
and  remained  in  that  institution  until  Janu- 
ary 1,  1886.  Since  then  he  has  devoted  him- 
self to  I'eal  estate  loans,  and  to  the  Souvenir, 
in  which  he  bought  a  half  interest  in  Septem- 
ber, 1885.  He  was  married  October  5, 
1875,  to  Eva  F.  Child,  of  Jefferson.  Tliey 
have  been  given  four  children — Albert  E., 
Bessie  (deceased).  Pearl  and  Hazel.  Mr. 
Head  is  politically  a  Kepublican.  He  has 
been  actively  identified  with  the  Greene 
County  Agricultural  Society,  of  which  he  was 
treasurer  for  two  years  and  is  now  secretar}'. 


384 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Pie  is  a  mombei"  of  the  following  secret 
societies:  Einiiiaus  Cominandery,  No.  35,  K. 
T.;  Corner  Stone  Chapter,  No.  64,  E.  A.  M.; 
TMorning  Star  Lodge,  No.  103,  A.  F.  &  A. 
M. ;  Jett'erson  Encampment,  No.  108,  I.  O. 
O.  F.;  Greene  Lodge,  No.  315,  L  O.  O.  F.; 
and  Garfield  Lodge,  No.  62,  K.  P. 


►4^^ 


/f'OHN     WILKINSON,    hardware    mer- 

f  chant,  at  Jeflerson,  is  located  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  square.  He  and 
William  Brown  established  the  business  in 
1881,  and  continued  the  business  until  the 
following  February,  when  Mr.  Wilkinson  and 
George  Grisier  bought  the  interest  of  Mr. 
Brown,  and  conducted  the  business  together 
for  three  years.  Mr.  Wilkinson  then  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  his  partner,  and  has 
since  been  sole  proprietor.  He  has  been  a 
resident  of  Greene  County  since  1884,  at 
which  time  he  engaged  in  farming  on  section 
2,  Greenbrier  Township.  H.  L.  Henderson 
made  the  first  improvements  on  this  farm, 
putting  up  a  small  house  and  breaking  about 
thirty  acres  of  the  land.  Mr.  Wilkinson 
made  a  fine  farm  of  this  hind,  and  sold  it  to 
William  Weaver,  now  deceased.  Mr.  Wil- 
kfnson  was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  in 
1839.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1860,  locating 
near  Tipton,  in  Cedar  County,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  civil  war.  In  September,  1861,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  K,  Eleventh  Iowa  Infan- 
try, and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
service  he  re-enlisted,  and  was  finally  dis- 
charged July  26,  1865,  having  served  nearly 
four  years.  He  participated  in  the  terrible 
battle  of  Shiloh,  where  his  regiment  fought 
on  the  right,  and  was  engaged  both  days. 
On  the  first  day  he  was  wounded  four  times; 
only  the  last  wotmd,  however,  was  sufficient 


to  disable  him.  This  was  a  severe  wound  in 
the  left  breast,  three  of  his  ribs  being  broken. 
Even  then  he  M-ould  not  consent  to  go  to  the 
hospital,  though  he  was  off'  duty  for  several 
months.  His  regiment  lost  heavily  in  that 
battle.  It  was  his  first  engagement.  When 
he  was  able  to  do  duty,  he  entered  into  ac- 
tive service,  participating  in  the  capture  of 
Corinth,  and  took  part  in  other  events  at- 
tending this  siege.  He  was  at  Bolivar.  Ten- 
nessee, and  again  at  Corinth,  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  luka,  thence  to  Holly  Springs,  and 
was  in  Grant's  siege  of  Vicksbnrg,  thence  to 
Meridian,  Mississippi,  and  to  Monroe,  Loui- 
siana. At  Canton,  Mississippi,  his  regiment 
destroyed  twenty-one  locomotives  of  the  ene- 
my. They  then  went  to  Vicksburg  where 
they  veteranized,  and  went  home  on  furlough. 
On  his  return,  he  went  to  Cairo,  up  the  Ten- 
nessee River,  and  on  to  Nashville,  where  his 
regiment  joined  Sherman's  army.  He  was  in 
the  battle  of  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Eesaca,  and  other  battles  before  reach- 
ing Atlanta;  was  in  all  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paigns. At  Peach  Tree  Creek,  his  regiment 
lost  165  men;  it  was  in  the  severe  battle  of 
the  28th  of  July,  on  the  extreme  right  of 
Sherman's  army,  and  participated  in  the  grand 
march  to  the  sea.  He  was  wounded  at  Fay- 
ette, Georgia,  where  he  met  with  a  narrow 
escape,  a  musket  ball  grazing  the  right  side 
of  his  head.  He  participated  in  the  grand 
closing  event  of  the  war,  the  grand  review 
at  Washington.  He  was  mustered  out  at 
Davenport,  July  26,  1865,  Only  fifteen  who 
were  mustei'ed  into  the  service  with  him, 
were  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  only  five  had  escaped  without  wounds. 
Mr.  Wilkinson  returned  to  Cedar  Count}^ 
and  three  years  later,  went  to  Benton 
County  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was 
married  in  Cedar  County,  to  Margaret 
Neeley,  who  died  in  this  county  in  Septem-' 


ber,  1880.  His  present  wife  was  Mrs.  Viola 
Schnebly,  nee  Marquand.  By  his  first  mar- 
riage he  had  seven  children,  five  of  wiiom 
are  living.  He  is  one  of  the  past  command- 
ers of  tlie  a.  A.  R.  Post  at  Jefferson. 


<^i^^ 


j^HKISTlAN  WILL,  farmer,  section  15, 
lis  P^^'O'^  Township,  was  born  in  Berne, 
^1  Germany,  January  7,  1822.  His  father, 
Nicholas  Will,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
country,  and  brought  his  famil}'  to  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  in  the  fall  of  1S39,  thence  to  Mus- 
catine, Iowa,  in  April,  1830.  Here  our  sub- 
ject lived  until  1881,  when  lie  came  to  his 
present  farm.  In  1864  he  went  the  overland 
route  to  California,  with  mule  team,  return- 
ing in  186(1  He  has  followed  tarming  nearly 
all  liis  life.  He  was  married  June  7,  1854, 
to  Elizabeth  Terfier,  daughter  of  Adam  Ter- 
fler,  now  deceased.  They  have  seven  chil- 
dren— Nicholas,  George,  John,  John  B., 
Kate,  ChristiaTi  and  Emma.  He  owns  120 
acres  of  land,  and  devotes  his  attention 
to  farming  and  stock-raising.  Mr.  Will  and 
wife,  and  their  children  John  and  Kate,  are 
members  of  the  Evangelical  Association. 
Mr.  Will  has  held  the  offices  of  road  supervi- 
sor and  school  diiector. 


^*^^ 


fREMONT  H.  PARMENTER,  of  the 
firm  of  H.  A.  Parmenter  &  Son,  of  Grand 
^  Junction,  was  born  in  Weston,  Vermont, 
February  22,  185(5,  son  of  Horace  A.  and 
Lucinda  (Carlton)  Parmenter,  the  former  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  born  in  1821.  Fre- 
mont is  the  only  child.  He  was  educated  at 
the  Chester  Academy  in  iiis  native  State  and 
came  to  Grand  Junction  with  his  parents  in 
1872.  and    this  has   since  been    their  home. 


Our  subject  clerked  in  a  store  two  years  at 
Jefferson,  and  two  years  at  Grand  Junction, 
then  became  his  father's  partner  in  the  hard- 
ware business.  They  carry  a  full  line  of 
hardware,  stoves,  tinware,  kitchen  furniture, 
shelf  hardware,  farm  machinery,  wagons, 
buggies,  etc.  They  have  a  capital  stock  of 
$12,000  to  815,000,  and  do  an  annual  busi- 
ness of  $60,000.  Mr.  Parmenter  was  mar- 
ried February  19,  1882,  to  Miss  Hattie 
Hadley,  daugliter  of  George  Hadley,  now  de- 
ceased. She  was  born  in  Rockingham,  Wind- 
ham County,  Vermont.  Mr.  Parmenter 
served  as  mayor  of  Grand  Junction  two  years 
and  councilman  six  years;  he  is  now  treas- 
urer. He  served  two  years  as  chief  of  the 
fire  department;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  Mrs.  Parmenter  is  a  member  of 
the  Episcopal  church. 


-'-^-5M-^>|+ 


Iowa.     Newton,  the  youngest  child,  died  at 
the  age  of  two  years.      Mr.  English  followed 


Ri  ENGLISH,  an  active  and  euterpris-  t 
ing  business  man  of  Churdan,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  born  August  23, 
1826,  his  parents,  Robert  and  Hester  English, 
being  natives  of  tlie  same  State.  He  grew  to 
manhood  on  a  farm  in  his  native  State,  re- 
maining with  his  parents  until  attaining  tlie 
age  of  twenty-two  years,  when  he  began 
farming  for  liimself.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage November  15,  1849,  to  Miss  Jennie 
Ross,  a  daugliter  of  Stewart  and  J  ane  Ross, 
of  Jackson  County,  Pennsylvania.  They  have 
si.\  cliildren  living,  all  of  whom  are  married 
— Mrs.  Esther  Smith,  living  near  Calamus, 
Iowa;  R.  W.,  of  Forbes  Station,  Iowa;  Mrs. 
Alice  Van  Dusen,  living  in  Colorado;  Mrs. 
C.  A.  French,  a  resident  of  Neligh,  Nebraska; 
Mrs.  Anna  Carr,  of  Clinton  County,  Iowa, 
and    Mrs.    Ida    Souder,    living    at  Churdan, 


■-■■■■■ia»-«-«-»^»»»,»Jwaw»*,».i»_«-,»_IB,»_WnM,». 


farming  for  about  twelve  years  after  his  mar- 
riage, when  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
which  he  followed  to  some  extent,  and  sub- 
sequently engaged  in  the  furniture  business, 
which  he  still  follows.  On  coming  to  Iowa 
he  lirst  settled  near  Davenport,  and  there  fol- 
lowed farming  for  seven  years.  lie  then  re- 
moved to  Dixon,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business,  remaining  there  about 
three  years,  when  he  located  in  Wheatland. 
He  i-emained  in  Wheatland  about  five  years, 
when  he  removed  to  London,  working  at  his 
trade  at  that  place  about  three  years.  In 
1877  he  settled  in  Jeflerson,  Greene  County, 
and  five  years  later  removed  to  Ciiurdan, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  and  since 
coming  to  this  place  has  built  up  a  good 
trade  in  the  furniture  business.  Mr.  Eng- 
lish's family  are  all  musicians,  and  for  one 
year  they  traveled  through  the  country  giving 
concerts.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  English  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
In  politics  he  was  formerly  a  Whig,  but  now 
afiiliates  wdth  the  Republican  party.  His 
parents  are  both  deceased,  his  mother  dying 
in  Tama  County,  Iowa,  in  1872,  his  father's 
death  occurring  about  six  years  later. 


„^|^>+j_^^-^ 


i,ARON  SMITH,  farmer,  section  4, 
„,  Paton  Township,  was  born  in  Cook 
'MjfS^  County,  Illinois,  September  5,  1851. 
His  father,  Leonard  Smith,  was  born  in 
Wessen,  Qermany,  April  12,  1815,  and  came 
to  America  when  a  young  man.  His  mother 
was  Mary  Shockey,  daughter  of  George 
Shockey.  The  parents  had  seven  children, 
five  of  whom  ai'e  living — Aaron,  George, 
Hattie,  Julia  and  Alfred.  The  father  removed 
to  this  county  in  March,  1873,  settling  in 
Paton  Township,   where   he  died   April  29, 


1886.  He  was  a  Christian  man  and  aji 
earnest  worker  in  the  Evangelical  Associa- 
tion. Every  one  that  knew  hiin  respected 
and  loved  him.  He  was  an  affectionate  hus- 
band and  father,  and  a  kind  and  obliging 
neighbor.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1872,  the 
family  following  soon  after.  He  was  married 
April  29,  1885,  to  Miss  Kate  Will,  daughter 
of  Christian  Will,  of  Paton  Township.  They 
have  one  child,  Delia  E.  Mr.  Smith  owns 
171  aci-es  of  land,  and  gives  considerable 
attention  to  Poland-China  hogs,  short-horus, 
and  Clydesdale  horses,  besides  general  farm- 
ing. He  and  his  wife,  and  also  his  mother, 
are  members  of  the  Evangelical  Association. 
He  has  held  the  ofiice  of  township  trustee 
and  school  director. 


^te 


IILLIAM  C.  STPtEAM,  one  of  the 
Hfl  pioneers  of  Bristol  Township,  resides 
=^i  on  section  10.  He  visited  this 
county  in  June,  18(58,  and  purchased  160 
acres  of  land  on  section  9,  in  company  with 
J.  L.  Bosrors.  He  then  returned  to  his  home 
in  Linn  County,  this  State.  On  the  evening 
of  December  24,  1868,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Mathews,  and  after  purchasing 
his  land,  he  brought  his  wife  to  Greene 
County.  He  divided  his  purchase  with  Mr. 
Boggs,  and  bought  160  acres  on  section  10, 
upon  which  he  made  his  home,  and  where 
he  has  since  resided.  His  last  purchase  of 
land  constitutes  his  farm,  and  it  is  unques- 
tionably one  of  the  best  farms  in  Greene 
County.  Mr.  Stream  was  born  in  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  April  14,  1834,  son  of  Eli  and 
Mary  (Waters)  Stream,  both  of  whom  were 
born,  reared  and  married   in  Virginia.     Two 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


387 


weeks  after  their  marriage  they  left  their 
native  State  for  Ohio,  and  later,  removed  to 
Linn  County,  this  State,  both  dying  in  Put- 
nam Township,  that  county,  the  father  in 
February,  1863,  and  the  mother  in  June, 
1870.  They  were  of  German  descent.  Of 
their  fourteen  children,  William  C.  was  the 
second  child  and  eldest  son.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  thirty-five 
years  of  age,  with  the  exception  of  a  term  of 
service  in  the  war  for  the  Union.  March  9, 
1854,  he  came  to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  and 
in  the  fall  of  that  year,  his  parents  came  with 
the  remainder  of  the  family,  and  all  settled  in 
Putnam  Township.  After  renting  land  a 
short  time  the  father  purchased  an  improved 
farm,  where  he  and  his  wife  passed  the  remain- 
der of  their  days.  August  9, 1862,  Mr.  Stream 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty-fourth  Iowa 
Infantry,  Captain  W.  W.  Smith  commanding. 
The  regiment  was  in  General  Hovey's  division 
in  the  campaign  which  culminated  in  the 
capture  of  Vicksburg.  Onr  subject  was  tirst 
under  fire  at  Fort  Gibson,  was  in  the  battle  at 
Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  under 
General  Sherman  at  the  second  battle  of  Jack- 
son, and  later,  the  regiment  was  transferred 
to  the  gulf  dejjartment  and  became  a  part  of 
the  Nineteenth  Corps.  His  regiment  was  in 
the  disastrous  Red  River  campaign.  Com- 
pany G  losing  quite  heavily.  After  a  period 
of  inactivity,  in  August,  1864,  the  Nineteenth 
Corps  was  transferred  to  the  East  and  became 
a  part  of  General  Sheridan's  army,  and  was 
in  all  the  campaigns  of  that  army.  Mr. 
Stream  was  under  Sheridan  in  the  battles  at 
Winchester,  Woodstock,  and  the  famous 
battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  where  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  Sheridan  as  he  came  upon 
the  battle  field,  and  he  exchanged  greetings 
with  that  general.  The  corps  joined  General 
Sherman's  command  at  Savannah,  where  they 
were  left  by  that  general,  and   later,  sent  to 


Moorehead  City,  South  Carolina,  where, 
during  the  closing  scenes  of  the  war,  they 
were  guarding  lines  of  communication  with 
Sherman's  army,  and  other  duties.  Mr. 
Stream  was  discharged  as  Third  Sergeant,  at 
Savannah,  some  time  after  the  cessation  of 
hostilities,  and  reached  his  home  in  Linn 
County  three  years  to  a  day  from  the  date  of 
his  enlistment.  Mr.  Stream  is  as  loyal  a 
citizen  as  he  was  a  soldier,  and  his  record  is 
one  of  unimpeachable  honor.  His  wife  died 
October  5,  1880,  aged  thirty-six  years  and  six 
months.  The  youngest  child,  Willie,  died 
three  days  after  her  death,  aged  eight  days. 
The  other  children  are — Maggie,  Laura, 
Harvey,  Orrin  and  Cora.  All  are  living 
except  Laura,  who,  after  many  years  of 
uncomplaining  suffering,  was  called  to  the 
better  life  October  5,  1886,  the  anniversary 
of  her  mother's  deatli,  aged  fifteen  years, 
nine  months  and  twenty-five  days.  October 
3,  1881,  Mr.  Stream  married  Mrs.  Rebecca 
(DeLong)  Cairns,  widow  of  Alexander  Cairns, 
who  died  at  his  home  in  Bristol  Township, 
February  1,  1872,  under  very  distressing  cir- 
cumstances. In  some  unknown  manner  his 
dwelling  took  fire.  Mi".  Cairns,  his  family, 
his  brother  Henry  Cairns  and  his  family,  and 
Henry  DeLong,  were  inmates.  In  the 
attempt  to  rescue  their  families  Alexander 
and  Henry  Cairns  lost  their  lives,  and  two 
young  children  of  Henry  Cairns  also  perished. 
By  his  second  marriage  Mr.  Stream  has  one 
child — Maud  Luella.  Mrs.  Stream  had  four 
children  by  her  first  marriage,  only  one  of 
whom  is  living — Ernest  Cairns,  now  just 
twenty  years  of  age.  The  deceased  are — 
Nellie,  Mattie  and  Zonia.  Mr.  Stream's 
brothers  living  in  Bristol  Township  are — 
Perry,  Calvin,  Wilson  and  Charles  G.  One 
brother,  Fenton  M.,  lives  in  Jefferson.  A 
sister,  Mrs.  Diantha  Lawrence,  also  lives  in 
Jefferson.     Mrs.    Mary    Ann    Langdon     and 


388 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Mrs.  Eliza  Jane  Moorehead  live  in  Linn 
County,  this  State.  Mrs.  Virginia  Preston 
lives  in  Licking  County,  Ohio.  One  brother 
and  three  sisters  died  young  of  scarlet  fever, 
in  Licking  County,  before  the  family  left  that 
State.  Mr.  Stream  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  in  politics  is  an  ardent 
Republican. 


-If^e'f  ILSON  STREAM,  son  of  Elias  and 
.il/\o  Mary  Ann  Stream,  was  born  April 
l^'W'l  10,  1848,  in  Licking  County,  Ohio. 
Li  the  fall  of  1855  he  came  with  his  parents 
to  Linn  County,  this  State,  where  he  was 
reared  and  where  he  lived  until  coming  to 
Greene  County.  Tie  settled  on  section  10, 
Bristol  Township,  where  he  owns  a  tine  farm 
of  160  acres,  which  he  has  improved  and  cul- 
tivated from  a  state  of  nature.  He  came  to 
this  county  in  1874,  and  at  first  made  his 
home  with  his  brotliers,  William  C.  and  Cal- 
vin, until  liis  marriage  with  Miss  Ophelia 
West,  daughter  of  ilrs.  Rose  West,  of  Bristol 
Township.  This  marriage  took  place  January 
1,  1878.  Mr.  Stream  purchased  his  land  in 
1875,  and  had  made  many  improvements 
previous  to  his  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stream  have  three  children — Elsie  Bell,  Ida  E. 
and  Chauncey  E.  Politically  Mr.  Stream  is  a 
Republican. 


fp  E.  BERRY,  farmer,  section  27,  Green- 
I  brier  Township,  was  born  in  Davis 
®  County,  Iowa,  April  23,  1846,  son  of 
James  and  Nancy  (McConnell)  Berry,  who 
reared  a  family  of  eight  children — Thomas, 
J.  E.,  John,  Samuel,  Ephraim,  Margaret, 
William  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Berry  was  reared 
on    a    farm    and    educated    in    the    common 


schools.  He  learned  the  cooper's  trade,  and 
has  followed  it  many  years.  He  was  married 
March  9,  1873,  to  Lucinda  Breeding,  daugh- 
ter of  Alexander  Breeding,  a  prominent  pio- 
neer of  Davis  County.  In  1879  he  came  to 
this  county,  locating  upon  his  present  farm, 
which  was  then  in  its  wild  state.  He  has 
since  made  good  improvements,  has  a  com- 
fortable house,  and  good  barn  and  orchard. 
His  farm  consists  of  120  acres  of  as  good 
land  as  can  be  found  in  Greene  County.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Berry  have  two  sons — William  Guy, 
born  May  1, 1876,  and  Thomas  G.,  born  J  une 
20,  1881.  Politically  Mr.  Berry  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  served  four  years  creditably 
as  township  clerk.  He  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  educational  matters,  and  in  the  im- 
provement of  Greene  County. 


fOHN  E.  PETTIT,  real  estate  dealer  and 
loan  agent  at  Grand  Junction,  was  born 
in  Columbiana  County,  Ohio,  town  of 
Salem,  August  10,  1848,  a  son  of  Andrew 
Pettit,  also  a  native  of  Columbiana  County, 
born  July  2,  1813,  and  now  a  resident  of 
Grand  Junction.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Me- 
chanicsville,  Iowa,  where  his  parents  settled 
in  1854.  His  mother  was  formerly  Mary 
Elliott,  born  July  6,  1817,  in  Columbiana 
County.  The  parents  had  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living.  John  was  the 
fifth  child.  He  clerked  in  a  dry  goods  store 
in  Mechanicsville  for  seven  years,  coming  to 
Grand  Junction  in  1871.  He  was  engaged 
in  farming  for  one  year,  then  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  trade  for  a  time.  In  the 
meantime  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  temporarily  in  Osceola  in  1882, 
nearly  a  year  in  each  place,  but  Grand  Junc- 
tion   has   been    his    home   since    1871.     His 


Ji 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


■.m 


mother  is  a  direct  descendant  of  John  D. 
Elliott,  an  English  Quaker  who  came  to  the 
United  States  in  the  Mayflower.  He  was 
married  September  22,  1882,  to  Miss  Mary 
Peddicord,  daughter  of  John  Peddicord,  now 
deceased.  She  was  born  in  Winnebago 
County,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  have 
two  children  —  Estella  and  Charles.  Mr. 
Elliott  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  northeast 
of  Grand  Junction,  and  has  279  acres  in 
Nebraska.  He  served  as  mayor  over  a  year, 
but  resigned  after  the  second  election.  He 
belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Masonic  fra- 
ternities, and  also  to  the  Knights  of  Labor. 

^ON.  J.  J.  KUSSELL,  one  of  the  leading 
members  of  the  Greene  County  bar, 
has  been  a  resident  of  Jefferson  since 
1867,  and  has  been  constantly  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  since  that  time — a 
period  of  twenty  years.  Upon  entering  into 
practice  here,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Captain  Albert  Head,  which  continued,  how- 
ever, but  a  brief  period.  He  was  then  alone 
in  practice  for  a  short  interval,  then  formed 
a  partnership  with  G.  S.  Toliver,  with  whom 
he  has  since  been  associated.  Mr.  Pussellis 
a  native  of  the  "  Old  Bay  State,"  having  been 
born  in  Franklin  County,  Massachusetts,  in 
1839.  He  resided  in  his  native  county  until 
sixteen  years  of  age,  when,  becoming  pos- 
sessed with  the  spirit  of  Western  adventure, 
he  resolved  to  "go  West,"  and  one  bright 
morning  in  October,  took  the  stage  and 
started  westward.  He  came  as  far  as  White- 
side County,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  for 
some  time.  Pie  studied  law  with  Fred  Sack- 
ett,  Esq.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  by  the 
SupremeCourt  of  IIlinoi8,at  Ottawa,  April  14, 
1866.  He  was  a  law  student  at  the  time  the 
war  broke  out.  and  he  offered   his   services  to 


the  Government  in  the  first  call  for  volun- 
teers to  aid  in  the  suppression  of  the  Re- 
bellion. He  enlisted  for  three  months;  but 
at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  the  quota  was 
full,  and  he  went  into  camp  at  Di.xon,  await- 
ing another  call  for  troops.  He  then  en- 
listed in  Company  B,  Thirteenth  Illinois  In- 
fantry, for  three  years.  His  regiment  was 
commanded  by  Colonel  Wyman.  He  served 
as  a  private  for  a  time,  and  was  promoted  to 
Sergeant,  and  after  the  siege  of  Vicksburg 
he  was  made  Lieutenant  of  his  company. 
His  service  in  the  army  extended  over  a  pe- 
riod of  three  and  a  half  years.  He  partici- 
pated in  many  of  the  important  events  of 
the  war,  and  his  record  as  a  soldier  is  emi- 
nently honorable.  The  first  part  of  his  ser- 
vice was  in  Missouri.  He  was  with  General 
Sherman  in  the  first  attack  on  Vicksburg, 
where  Colonel  Wyman  was  killed,  and  the 
regiment  lost  117  men  in  killed  and  wounded 
within  the  space  of  a  few  minutes.  He 
participated  with  his  regiment  in  the  capture 
of  Arkansas  Post,  in  the  grand  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  and  in  the  memorable  battle  of 
Lookout  Mountain.  He  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  in  the  summer  of  186-i,  his 
term  of  enlistment  having  expired.  He  then 
resumed  the  study  of  law,  and  was  admitted, 
as  before  stated,  in  1866.  It  will  be  ob- 
served that  the  professional  life  of  Mr.  Rus- 
sell has  been  spent  in  Greene  County.  His 
time,  however,  has  not  been  entirely  spent  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1872  he 
was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  of  Iowa,  and 
the  ability  and  faithfulness  with  which  he 
discharged  his  duties  as  Senator,  is  indicated 
by  the  fact  that  he  served  in  that  capacity 
for  twelve  years.  He  is  the  present  attorney 
of  Greene  County,  and  has  served  in  that 
capacity  for  many  years.  In  1870  he  was 
sent  to  Washington  to  settle  with  the  Gov- 
ernment for  swamp  lands  of  the  State.     His 


mission  was  so  successful  that  a  settlement 
that  was  highly  satisfactory  was  secured.  In 
1860  he  was  one  of  tlie  five  commissioners 
appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  malve  a  treaty  with  the  Ute  Indians 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  reservation 
of  the  latter.  New  lands  were  selected,  and 
the  Indians  were  located  in  Utah.  Mr.  Rus- 
sell was  a  candidate  from  his  district  for  Con- 
gress, in  the  convention  of  1886,  and  came 
within  two  votes  of  the  nomination.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1876,  the  City  Bank  of  Jefferson  was 
organized  by  Charles  Botink,  J.  J.  Kussell 
and  M.  B.  McDuflie.  Mr.  Bofink  was  made 
president,  and  Mr.  McDuffie  cashier.  The 
former  is  still  president  of  the  bank,  and  in 
1886  E.  B.  Huglies  was  appointed  cashier. 
The  three  parties  just  mentioned  held  all  the 
stock  in  the  bank  until  1886,  when  Mr. 
Hughes  took  a  fourth  interest.  Mr.  Russell 
was  married  in  October,  1868,  to  Miss  Mary 
McDuffie,  a  native  of  western  New  York,  and 
they  have  one  daughter,  Helen,  born  in  1870. 
Mr.  Russell  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
has  been  connected  with  that  organization 
ever  since  he  attained  his  majority.  As  a 
lawyer,  he  sustains  an  excellent  reputation, 
and  an  equally  honorable  reputation  as  a  citi- 
zen. 


►>4f< 


fAMES  E.  MOSS,  farmer,  section  27, 
Kendrick  Township,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Champlain,  State  of  New  York, 
October  21,  1843.  His  father,  James  Moss, 
was  born  December  20,  1790,  and  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  mother  was 
Sarah  (Moore)  Moss.  They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children — James  E.,  Charles,  Sophia, 
Dexter,  Sarah,  Henrietta  and  Henry.  When 
James  E.  was  seven  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Cattaraugus  County,  wliere  they 


resided  about  four  years,  then  removed  to 
Kendall  County,  Illinois.  He  was  educated 
principally  at  Little  Rock,  Illinois.  August 
10,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thirty- 
sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  with  N.  Greusel  as 
Colonel,  Ed.  S.  Joslyn  as  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  A.  Barry,  Major.  He  participated  in 
the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Murfreesboro,Chick- 
amauga  and  Missionary  Ridge,  where  he  was 
wounded  by  a  minie-ball  in  the  left  leg, 
which  was  amputated  November  25,  1863. 
He  was  confined  in  the  hospital  at  Chatta- 
nooga, Tennessee,  for  two  months,  and  after- 
ward at  Marine  hospital,  Chicago,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  September  29,  1864. 
He  returned  to  his  Iiome,  and  the  same  year 
removed  to  Paw  Paw,  De  Kalb  Count3\  Illi- 
nois, where  he  resided  until  1879,  then  came 
to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  settled  upon  his 
present  farm.  He  bought  the  farm  of  Mrs. 
Frances  McDermott.  Mr.  Moss  owns  670 
acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in 
Greene  County.  He  has  a  fine  two-story 
residence,  well  furnished,  a  large,  commodi- 
ous barn,  and  numerous  other  out-buildings 
for  stock  and  grain,  a  grove  of  6,000  trees, 
an  orchard,  and  everything  about  the  prem- 
ises shows  the  thrift  and  energy  of  the  pro- 
prietor. He  is  president  of  the  Scranton 
Norman  Horse  Company,  who  own  some  of 
the  best  imported  horses  in  the  State.  He 
keeps  about  170  head  of  cattle,  besides  a 
large  number  of  other  stock  of  the  best 
breeds.  Mr.  Moss  was  married  October  25, 
1867,  to  Miss  Susan  A.  Powers,  daughter  of 
N.  H.  and  Catherine  (Hart)  Powers.  Her 
fatlier  was  a  member  of  the  Fourth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  and  was  wounded  at  Shiloh.  The 
G.  A.  R.  post  at  Scranton  was  named  in  his 
honor.  He  came  to  this  county  from  Paw 
Paw,  Illinois,  and  died  December  10,  1882. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moss  are  the  parents  of  three 
children — Frances  L.,  Laura  A.  and  Jennie  P_ 


■mUiEailM-Tai 


.B»i!ir„ai„B. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


391 


Politically  Mr.  Moss  is  a  Eepublican,  and  a 
strong  adlierent  of  the  principles  lie  fought 
to  preserve,  but  he  has  never  souglit  political 
notoriety.  He  is  commander  of  N.  H.  Pow- 
ers Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Scranton. 

«-4'-4f«^^...- 

mEWIS  B.  THOMAS,  general  merchant 
wk  and  proprietor  of  Tliomas'  Opera  House 
■^^  at  Angus,  was  born  in  Luzerne  County, 
Pennsylvania,  November  26,  1833.  His 
father,  Benjamin  D.  Thomas,  deceased,  was 
a  native  of  Wales,  and  came  to  America  in 
1833,  Suttling  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  a 
miner  by  occu2:)ation,  and  our  subject  was 
reared  in  the  mining  districts  of  Luzerne, 
Carbon  and  Schuylkill  counties,  receiving  a 
common  school  education.  In  the  fall  of 
1853  he  went  to  California  and  mined  gold 
until  1861,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  came 
to  Coal  Valley,  Rock  Island  County,  and 
followed  the  mercantile  trade  for  twenty 
years.  He  then  came  to  Angus  and  built 
his  present  store,  40  x  80  feet.  In  1884  he 
built  an  addition  of  eighty  feet,  making  it 
40  X  120  feet.  An  opera  hall  extends  over 
the  whole  building.  He  carries  a  capital 
stock  of  $15,000  to  $18,000,  consisting  of 
dry  goods,  clothing,  groceries,  hats  and  caps, 
boots  and  shoes,  queen's-ware,  glassware, 
woodenware,  miner's  supplies,  provisions, 
notions,  wall  paper,  trunks  and  valises,  and 
everything  usually  kept  inalirst-class  general 
store.  He  does  an  annual  business  of  $40,- 
000  to  $50,000.  Three  of  his  sons  assist  in 
the  store  besides  two  other  clerks.  He  was 
married  December  25,  1862,  to  ilary  M. 
Jones,  daughter  of  Thomas  T.  Jones,  of 
Montana.  Six  of  their  nine  children  are 
living — Harvey  L.,  Ira  B.,  Albert  E.,  Orville, 
Edna  M.  and  Lewis  J.  Marcli  11,  1885, 
Mrs.  Thomas  passed  away  to  the  life  beyond 


loved  and  lamented  by  all.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  ilethodist  church  and  a  good 
Christian.  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  chapter  and  commandery, 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Odd  Fellows  en- 
campment, and  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen.  His  sons,  Harvey  and  Ira,  are 
members  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Mr. 
Thomas  served  as  city  treasurer  one  term, 
and  is  now  treasurer  of  tlie  Masonic  lodge. 
Harvey  is  chancellor  commander  in  Knigiits 
of  Pythias.  Harvey,  Ira  and  Orville  are 
members  of  tlie  Angus  band. 

"»-""|''SnS"'l'""*~— 


ILLIAM  A.  ELMOIIE,  an  active  and 

,  enterprisingcitizen  of  Greene  County, 
sp?^]  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
on  section  14,  Dawson  Township,  is  a  native 
of  Indiana,  born  in  Union  County  November 
11,  1840,  he  being  the  eldest  of  four  children 
of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Beard)  Elmore, 
the  father  being  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and 
the  mother  of  North  Carolina,  both  now 
deceased.  William  A.  was  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  assisting  his  father  on 
the  home  farm  till  eighteen  years  of  age. 
He  then  began  working  by  tiie  month,  and 
was  so  engaged  about  four  years,  with  tlie 
exception  of  one  year  when  he  farmed  for 
himself.  April  11,  1863,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Kesiah  Grifibrd,  who  was  born  in  Preble, 
Oliio,  January  14, 1846,  a  daugliter  of  Andrew 
and  Sarah  (Edgerton)  Gritford,  who  were 
natives  of  Nortii  Carolina  and  New  Jersey 
respectively.  They  were  the  parents  of  four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Elmore  was  the  youngest.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Elmore  liave  six  children — Minnie 
J.,  born  October  1,  1S64,  is  now  the  wife  of 
Isaac  Benford,  of  Dakota;  Edgar  G.,  born 
^January  19,  1866,  married  Mary  Edgerton; 


pLi;^r»i«a_a»«,M, 


392 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Elvin  C,  born  June  6,  1868;  Charlie  B., 
born  June  1,  1870;  Sarah  E.,  born  July  11. 
1874,  and  Anna  P.,  born  April  17,  1879. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elmore  and  their  family  are 
members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  When 
Mr.  Elmore  bought  his  farm  in  Dawson 
Township,  but  little  improvement  liad  been 
made.  He  has  since  erected  a  commodious 
and  substantial  residence  and  other  farm 
buildings,  and  has  brought  his  land  under 
good  cultivation.  He  has  a  very  fine  orchard 
on  his  land,  also  a  maple  grove,  and  is  now 
classed  among  the  well-to-do  farmers  of  Wil- 
low Township.  In  politics  he  casts  his 
suffrage  with  the  Republican  party.  Postoffice, 
Paton,  Iowa. 


^~4c^»h^^ 


# 


*T  ARREN  E.  AMES,  farmer  and  stock- 


Wiwils  ™^®^'"'  section  10,  Junction  Townsiiip, 
[-^j^  is  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in 
Cicero,  Onondaga  County,  September  24, 
1828,  a  son  of  John  Ames,  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont. His  father  was  a  carpenter  and  join- 
er, and  in  his  j'outh  he  worked  at  the  same 
trade.  He  also  learned  the  cooper's  trade,  at 
M-hich  he  worked  a  number  of  years.  In  1847 
he  went  to  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  where  he 
worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  five  years, 
and  then  began  farming,  which  he  has  since 
followed.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1874,  and  in 
November  of  that  year  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Grand  Junction,  and  in  March,  1875,  settled 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  owns 
120  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  his  building 
improvements  are  comfortable  and  conven- 
ient. He  was  married  October  1,  1848,  to 
(ruitan  Vine,  and  to  them  were  born  seven 
children  —  George,  Henry,  Alva,  Mary,  Ella, 
Harriet  and  Minnie.  The  last  two  are  de- 
ceased. Mrs.  Ames  died,  and  September  21, 
1870,  Mr.  Ames  married  Margaret  Kannadv, 


daughter  of  John  Kannady.  They  liave  two 
children  —  Charles  W.  and  John  M.  Mr. 
Ames  has  an  adopted  son — Thomas  Early, 
now  twenty-three  years  old,  who  has  lived 
with  him  since  his  fifth  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ames  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 


fOHN  W.  RAY,  proprietor  of  the  Angus 
restaurant  and  boarding-house,  was  born 
in  County  Durham,  England,  March  25, 
1853,  son  of  Thomas  Ray,  of  Angus,  a  native 
of  Northumberland  County,  England,  who 
came  to  America  in  1854,  locating  in  Coal 
Valley,  Illinois.  His  family  followed  him  in 
1857,  and  in  1860  returned  to  England.  In 
1869  they  came  back  to  America,  settling  in 
Coal  Valley,  where  our  subject  lived  until 
1882,  when  he  came  to  Angus,  and  this  place 
has  since  been  his  home.  He  worked  in  the 
mines  until  April,  1883,  when  he  embarked 
in  his  present  business.  He  keeps  a  first- 
class  house  and  is  doing  a  good  business. 
He  was  married  May  22,  1880,  to  Mary  E. 
Irwin,  daughter  of  Robert  Irwin,  of  Cable, 
Illinois.  They  have  one  child  —  William 
Elmer.  Mr.  Ray  is  township  trustee  of 
Union  Township,  and  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  society. 

— -^^"f^^- 


Wa  INDEN  S.  THOMPSON,  one  of  tlie 
M-ff  early  settlers  of  Scranton  Township,  re- 
■^^  sides  on  section  1,  where  he  owns  106 
acres  of  the  northeast  quarter.  Mr.  Tliomp- 
son  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  July  20, 
1839,  a  son  of  Berry  and  Mary  Thompson. 
When  he  was  six  years  old  his  parents  moved 
to  Morgan  County,  Indiana,  where  the  father 
died.  In  1856  the  family  came  to  Iowa  and 
settled  in  Polk  Countv,  and  there  the  mother 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


393 


died.  In  July,  1862,  Mr.  Thompson  enlisted 
in  the  defense  of  his  country,  and  was  as- 
signed to  Company  C,  Twenty-third  Iowa 
Infantry,  but  owing  to  protracted  illness,  the 
result  of  typhoid  fever,  he  was  discharged 
the  following  October.  He  continued  to  re- 
side in  Polk  County  until  April  15,  1867, 
when  he  raoved  to  Greene  County  and  located 
on  his  present  farm.  Mr.  Thompson  was 
married  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  February  17, 
1859,  to  Miss  A.  (libson,  a  native  of  Dela- 
ware County,  Indiana,  born  August  9,  1842, 
a  daughter  of  Elisha  and  Betsey  Gibson,  early 
settlers  of  Greene  Count}'.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thompson  have  had  a  family  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  living — John  Wesley, 
Nathan  E.,  Betsey  A.,  William  E.,  Edith  A. 
and  Levi  W.  Calista  J.  and  Julia  Ann  died 
of  diphtheria,  the  former  aged  fourteen  and 
the  latter  seven  years.  Joseph  P.,  Sarnh  E. 
and  Mary  L.  died  in  early  childhood.  In 
politics  Mr.  Thompson  has  always  affiliated 
with  tlie  Republican  party. 

"^'■*(|^" !'  'S  *  ^'""'°* 

.^[DWIN  B.  STILLMAN  was  born  at 
ifpL   New  Haven,  Connecticut,  October  4, 

^^  1838,  and  in  1850  moved  to  Ohio. 
Four  years  later,  at  Akron,  Ohio,  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  the  printing  trade.  In  1856  he 
came  to  Iowa,  and  for  two  years  he  was  em- 
ployed by  the  Iowa  City  Repuhlican.  From 
1858  to  1865  he  was  connected  with  the 
Register  at  Des  Moines,  and  then  for  fifteen 
years  his  home  was  Chicago.  In  1880  he 
returned  to  Iowa,  where  he  has  since  made 
his  home.  He  was  married  in  1862  at  Royal- 
ton,  Vermont,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Bowman.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  them — Frank,  in 
1864;  Paul  E.,  in  1869;  Lulu,  in  1874 (died 
September  20,  1885).  Mr.  Stillman  came  to 
Jefferson    in  October,   1884,  and    has  since 


been  the  proprietor  of  the  Bee.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Jeffer- 
son.    In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


--f-^^-^- 


J.  GRAY,  farmer,  section  20,  Ken- 
drick  Township,  has  been  a  resident  of 
.-ij~'''  this  county  since  1856.  He  was  born 
in  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio,  April  4,  1828, 
son  of  William  and  Clarissa  (Porter)  Gray, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  lat- 
ter of  New  Hampshire.  The}'  were  the 
parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  seventh  child.  He  remained 
in  his  native  county  until  sixteen  years  of 
age,  when  in  company  with  a  brother  he  re- 
moved to  Owen  County,  Indiana,  where  he 
lived  eleven  years,  working  at  the  carpenter's 
trade.  He  followed  that  trade  the  greater 
part  of  his  life.  He  also  worked  at  saw  and 
grist  milling.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Delap,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  four  children,  onl}'  one 
living — George  AV.  Mr.  Gray  resided  in 
Owen  County  until  May,  1856,  then  came  to 
Greene  County  with  horse  team,  and  located 
on  section  21,  Kendrick  Township,  being  the 
first  settler  on  the  prairie  of  this  township. 
He  settled  upon  his  present  farm  in  1869, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  His  farm  con- 
sists of  7iinety  acres  of  good  land,  and  is  in 
a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  well- 
furnished  house,  and  good  buildings  for  stock 
and  grain,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising.  August  19,  1864,  he  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Emily  J.  Lewis,  nee  Coombs, 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Delilah  (Wright) 
Coombs,  and  to  this  union  seven  children 
have  been  born — Clarissa,  Curtis  E.,  Sarussa 
(deceased),  Joseph,  Sanford,  Albert  and  Em- 
ma. During  the  first  years  of  his  residence 
here  Mr.  Gray  spent  much  time  in  trapping. 


■■-■-■-■-■-■-» 


hns-«»»i»-"-"-»»»-»«"«'"«"«"M"»"«"g«g»ii»ar»s»ai^ 


and  sometimes  camped  out  for  weeks  on  the 
wild  prairie,  engaged  in  trapping,  in  whicli 
he  was  quite  successful,  although  he  endured 
many  hardships.  Politically  he  is  a  Green- 
backer. 


-'■^"J*-^-*-"- 


lEOEGE  W.  AVEIGI-IT,  a  resident  of 
section  4,  Bristol  Township,  has  been 
identilied  with  Greene  County  since  the 
spring  of  1882.  He  came  with  quite  a  capi- 
tal, and  the  experience  of  years  as  a  practical 
farmer  on  the  prairies  of  Illinois.  He  is 
improving  and  stocking  a  farm  of  over  300 
acres.  Mr.  Wright  was  born  in  Whitestown, 
Oneida  County,  New  York,  September  27, 
1827,  son  of  Aaron  and  Catharine  Wright. 
His  youth  was  spent  in  hard  farm  work,  and 
his  educational  advantages  were  very  limited; 
but  being  possessed  of  good  common  sense, 
he  became  a  practical,  active  man  of  business. 
In  1852  the  gold  fever  took  him  to  California, 
where  he  spent  four  years  in  mining,  and  in 
March,  1856,  returned  to  his  old  home.  In 
October  of  that  same  year,  he  located  in 
Putnam  County,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  live 
years,  thence  to  Mendota,  LaSalle  County, 
where  he  lived  two  years,  thence  to  Peru 
Township,  same  county,  where  Mr.  Wright 
improved  a  farm  and  erected  very  fine  build- 
ings. He  intended  this  for  his  permanent 
home;  but  sickness  in  his  family  made  it 
seem  necessary  to  leave  Illinois,  and  he  deci- 
ded upon  Greene  County  for  his  future  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright  have  six  children — 
Henry,  now  of  Jackson  Township;  Sarah 
Catherine,  wife  of  James  Marble  of  Bristol 
Township;  James  M.,  Martin  M.,  Lucy  C. 
and  Martha  Ann,  living  with  their  parents. 
Delos  B.  and  Charles  N.  died  young.  Mr. 
AVright's  father  died  in  1839,  at  the  old  home 
in  New  York,  and  his  mother  died  in  Febru- 


ary, 1881,  in  Illinois,  at  the  age  ninety-one 
years.  She  was  cared  for  by  her  son  after 
her  husband's  death.  Mrs.  Wright  was  a 
daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneers  of  La  Salle 
County,  Illinois,  of  whom  more  than  a  pass- 
ing mention  might  be  made.  Henry  De  Long 
was  born  in  Ohio,  and  about  1880  he  removed 
to  La  Salle  County.  During  the  Black  Hawk 
war  he  served  as  a  mounted  ranger  and  was 
one  of  the  first  who  reached  the  scene  of  the 
Indian  Creek  massacre,  the  bloody  opening 
of  the  war  on  the  settlers.  His  services 
throughout  the  campaign  were  honorable  and 
etiicient.  In  1836  he  wedded  Martha Matheny, 
daughter  of  J.  D.  Matheny,  a  pioneer  of 
1835.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children 
— Mrs.  Wright  being  the  oldest.  Sarah  A. 
married  James  Tullis,  of  Lincoln,  Illinois; 
Mary  died  young;  James  died  at  the  age  of 
nine  years;  Rebecca  married  AVilliam  C. 
Stream,  of  Bristol  Township,  this  covmty; 
Martha  married  William  Ewing,  and  Henry 
resides  in  California.  The  father  died  in 
La  Salle  County  in  1849;  the  mother  is  living 
in  Nebraska,  and  is  the  wife  of  Jacob  Lawson. 
Mrs.  Wright  was  born  February  3,  1837. 
Her  first  husband,  whom  she  married  in 
1852,  was  Jackson  Gass.  He  died  in  Cali- 
fornia in  1854,  whither  his  wife  had  accom- 
panied him.  She  returned  to  La  Salle  County 
in  1857  and  married  Mr.  Wright.  She  is  a 
woman  of  large  experience,  is  possessed  of  a 
well  stored  mind,  and  her  excellent  qualities 
of  mind  and  heart  have  made  for  her  many 
friends.  When  Mr.  AVright  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, he  embarked  on  the  sailing  vessel, 
North  America,  at  New  York  City,  April  1, 
1852,  as  second  cabin  passenger.  For  forty 
days  he  had  a  pleasant  passage.  When 
rounding  Cape  Horn  and  witliin  six  hours 
sail  of  the  latitude  where  all  is  considered 
safe,  the  vessel  encountered  a  fearful  storm 
and  was  dismasted  and  left  to  the  mercy  of 


m 


m 


■■■■'«»Ml«»l»« 


4i 
3 


it  S 


it 


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i 

i 
.  } 


■  ■■■-■■■■■■■■-|MaM.»,l»„aiB,ll.». 


BIOORA  PHICA  L    SKETCHES. 


39: 


the  elements,  helpless,  twenty  days.  They 
were  left  with  only  six  able-bodied  seaman  out 
of  thirty-six.  Four  honrs  more  of  storm 
would  have  locked  them  irretrievably  among 
icebergs.  Tlie  month  was  Jnne,  and  they 
were  so  far  south  that  they  had  only  four 
hours  of  sunlight  out  of  twenty-four.  They 
reached  Valparaiso  July  4,  in  time  to  tire  a 
salute  in  honor  of  the  day,  befoi-e  sunset. 
The}'  reached  Sail  Francisco  the  first  day  of 
September. 


X^jLIAS    S.   WAKD,   fanner,   section    21, 


\\\ 


'^frtjl  Gi-eenbrier  Township,  is  one  of  the 
'.3f't  pioneers  of  that  township,  and  was  born 
in  New  Jersey,  September  6,  1841.  His 
parents,  Benjamin  and  Harriet  Ward,  were 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  our  subject 
being  the  seventh.  When  he  was  two  years 
of  age  his  father  died,  and  he  went  to  live 
with  an  uncle,  and  later  he  was  taken  to 
Kane  County,  Illinois,  where  he  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  educated  in  tlie  common 
schools  of  that  county.  In  September,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-second  Illinois  In- 
fantry, Company  D,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth, 
Allatoona,  luka  and  Atlanta.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  October  31, 1864.  October 
31, 1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Phebe  Bed- 
ford, a  native  of  Michigan,  and  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Caroline  (Cole)  Bedford.  In  1868 
Mr.  Ward  removed  to  Greene  County,  this 
State,  and  settled  upon  his  present  farm  in 
Greenbrier  Township,  wliicli  was  then  in  a 
wild  state.  Ir  was  one  of  the  first  farms 
opened  in  that  neighborhood.  It  contains 
160  acres  of  excellent  land,  and  he  has  a 
comfortable  house,  and  out-buildings  for 
stock,  an  orchard  and  a  natural  grove.  Mr. 
and   Mrs.  Ward  have  four  living  children — 

30 


Fianta  J.,  Clayton  E.,  Cora  E.  and  Edna  M. 
Minnie  Etta  and  Nettie  May  are  deceased. 
They  have  an  adopted  child — Walter  A.  B. 
Mr.  Ward  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is 
a  worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

— — »o«-i^2,«-5j_tjHi3n-^o. 


fOHN  BOYDEN,  grocer.  Grand  Junc- 
tion, is  a  native  of  Jefferson  County, 
New  York,  born  September  6, 1828.  His 
father,  Samuel  Boyden,  was  a  native  of  Yer- 
mont  and  is  now  deceased.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  when  young,  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  He  followed  this  trade  for  twenty 
years.  In  1869  he  came  to  Grand  Junction, 
and  engaged  in  his  present  business  in  1S75. 
He  has  an  extensive  trade,  and  his  genial 
manners  and  accommodating  disposition  has 
won  for  him  hosts  of  friends.  He  sells  his 
goods  cheap,  and  can  compete  with  any  other 
establishment  of  the  kind  in  the  place.  Mr. 
Boyden  has  never  married,  but  is  very  happy 
and  contented  in  his  life  of  single  blessedness. 


r^jDWIN  O.  CARLTON,  stock-dealer  at 
IjfpL  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in  Windsor 
^^  County,  Vermont,  July  24,  1838,  son 
of  Joseph  and  Lettie  (Parker)  Carlton,  na- 
tives of  Andover,  Vermont,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  ed- 
ucated, principally,  in  the  common  schools. 
During  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  Sixteenth  Vermont  Infantry,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  terrible  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  1869,  settling 
where  Grand  Junction  now  stands.  In  1870 
he  removed  his  family  here,  where  he  has 
since  resided.     He  has  been  principally  en- 


3J^5tS 


■-■■■■-a»"-"-g«"iir"-g-"-i"-ai»«a'i.  ■«.■■■■"=» 


■.m 


UltiTUliY    OF    OREENK    fOUNTY. 


gaged  in  buying  cattle,  and  for  the  past  seven 
years  has  dealt  in  hogs.  He  was  married  in 
October,  1863,  to  Lura  J.  Mclntyre,  daugh- 
ter of  Leonard  Mclntyre,  of  Andover,  Ver-. 
inoiit.  Tliey  have  two  children — Eddie  and 
Clarence.  Mr.  Carlton  was  marshal  of  Grand 
Junction  three  years,  and  has  served  as  con- 
stable for  three  years  past.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
also  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


I^ENSSELAEE  ALLEN,  one  of  the 
j^,  prominent  citizens  of  Greene  County, 
^'■;\  and  an  active  and  enterprising  agri- 
culturist of  Franklin  Township,  was  born  in 
Cayuga  County,  New  York,  June  7,  1849, 
his  parents,  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Robinson) 
Allen,  being  natives  of  the  same  State.  They 
removed  from  New  York  State  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  in  1872,  where  they  have  since 
made  their  home.  Our  subject  greM- to  man- 
hood in  his  native  State,  being  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he  has  always 
followed  with  the  exception  of  the  time  spent 
in  the  late  war.  He  was  married  October 
17,  1866,  to  Miss  Ada  A.  Townsmen,  who 
was  born  in  Allegany  County,  New  York, 
February  24,  1850,  a  daughter  of  A.  and  Ju- 
lia (Jones)  Townsmen,  who  were  also  natives 
of  New  Y'ork  State,  Mrs.  Allen  being  the 
youngest  in  a  family  of  fifteen  children. 
Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Allen — George  A.,  born  August  4, 
1867,  is  an  enterprising  young  man  and  at 
present  is  engaged  in  working  tlie  home  farm ; 
Florence  was  born  June  16,  1869,  and  Mat- 
tie  J.  was  born  January  18,  1878.  Mr.  Allen 
was  a  soldier  during  the  late  war,  enlisting 
at  the  early  age  of  sixteen  years  in  Company 
F,  One  Hundred  and  Si.xty-fourth  New 
York  Infantry,  and  was  assigued  to  the  Army 


of  the  Potomac.  He  participated  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Bull  Run,  and  several  others  of  less 
note.  He  was  wounded  at  Petersburg  in 
June,  1864,  by  a  rainie-ball  passing  through 
the  right  side  of  his  face,  when  he  was  taken 
to  Davies  Island,  New  York.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  from  the  service  at  Mitch- 
ell Station,  Virginia.  Mr.  Allen  remained 
in  his  native  State  until  1875,  the  he  came 
with  his  family  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  since 
which  he  has  followed  farming  on  his  farm 
on  section  2,  Franklin  Township,  where  he 
has  eighty  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be 
found  in  the  county.  His  residence  is  com- 
fortable and  commodious,  and  his  farm 
buildinijs  are  amona:  the  best  in  the  countv. 
He  has  a  tine  grove  of  maple  trees,  with 
other  shade  and  ornamental  trees,  a  fine  lawn, 
and  the  entire  surroundings  prove  the  owner 
to  be  a  thorough,  practical  farmer.  He  is 
always  ready  and  willing  to  aid  in  any  en- 
terprise which  tends  toward  the  advancement 
of  his  township  or  county,  and  since  coming 
here  he  has  held  the  office  of  county  super- 
visor, serving  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
count}',  and  has  also  been  connected  with 
the  school  board  a  number  of  years.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Jetferson, 
and  is  a  comrade  of  the  Grand  Army  post. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Postoffice, 
Cooper,  Iowa. 


i-jMi-. 


IHARLES  ENFIELD  settled  in  Jefferson 
in  the  spring  of  1870,  shortly  after  receiv- 
"^i  inghis  medical degi-ee  from  theCollegeot 
Physicians  and  Surgeons,  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  Columbia  College,  New  York.  His 
preceptor  was  Dr.  Charles  Phelps,  the  present 
distinguished  surgeon  of  the  port  and  harbor 
of  the  city.  The  doctor  had  some  practical 
experience  in  his  profession  during  the  latter 


BIOGMAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


397 


years  of  the  war,  while  he  was  stationed  in 
New  Mexico.  At  the  opening  of  the  civil  war 
he  enlisted  in  the  First  New  York  Volunteers, 
serving  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  until 
the  retreat  to  Westover  landing,  after  which 
he  found  himself  in  Kichmond  with  a  number 
of  the  wounded  of  his  brigade.  Mrs.  Enfield 
was  formerly  Miss  Josephine  Eldon.  The 
doctor  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  National 
medical  societies. 


;  ^|LI  EGBERTS,  of  the  firm  of  Seaman  & 


"fpL  Roberts,  proprietors  of  the  Eureka 
^^  Mills,  was  one  of  the  lirst  children  born 
of  white  parentage  in  Greene  County.  His 
parents,  Thomas  and  Mary  Roberts,  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  the  county.  He 
was  born  in  what  is  now  Washington  Town- 
ship, January  22,  1852.  His  father  resides 
in  Jackson  Township,  and  his  mother  died  in 
that  township.  His  youth  was  passed  in  as- 
sisting on  his  father's  farm,  it  being  one  of 
the  largest  farms  in  the  county,  and  his  edu- 
cation was  obtained  in  the  district  schools. 
He  was  the  second  of  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren. He  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
thirty  years  of  age,  when  he  married  Miss 
Mary  E.  Henderson,  July  25,  1884.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  H.  L.  Henderson,  one  of  the 
most  substantial  citizens  of  Jackson  Town- 
ship, and  a  native  of  Wisconsin.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Roberts  have  one  son — Earl.  March  1, 
1885,  Mr.  Roberts  purchased  a  half  interest 
in  the  Eureka  Mills,  on  the  North  Coon 
Kiver,  and  is  now  giving  his  whole  attention 
to  the  milling  business,  having  his  residence 
near  by.  He  has  witnessed  the  growth  and 
development  of  Greene  County  from  its  early 
days,  and  is  to-day  one  of  its  most  active  and 
energetic  citizens.  Being  alive  to  all  its  j 
best  interests,  he  is  always  relied  upon  to  do  ! 


his  part  in  any  enterprise  looking  to  its  ad- 
vancement. He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  Lodge,  of  Jefl'erson,  and  also  of  Gar- 
field Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  the  same 
place.  Politically  he  atiiliates  with  the  Re- 
publican party. 


fACOB  J.  MISH.  of  the  firm  of  Mish  & 
Co.,  general  merchants,  at  Grand  Junc- 
tion, was  born  in  F'ranklin  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, June  26,  1834,  son  of  Jacob  Mish, 
who  died  when  his  son  was  an  infant.  Our 
subject  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  began  clerking  in  a  store  when  fifteen 
years  of  age;  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  ever  since.  He  went  to 
Wooster,  Ohio,  in  1853,  thence  to  Peoria, 
Illinois,  in  1854,  remaining  until  1871,  then 
came  to  Grand  Junction  and  eno-aged  in  the 
grocery  trade.  He  has  kejit  adding  to  his 
stock  until  he  now  carries  a  general  stock  of 
goods,  with  a  capital  of  $8,000  to  $15,000, 
and  does  an  annual  business  of  $20,000.  He 
was  married  in  October,  1854,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Morris,  daughter  of  Moses  Morris,  deceased. 

~«-^-*§'"S"S"|"'"'" 


^ACOB  A.   SMITTLE,  section   32,  Junc- 

ftion  Township,  and  foreman  of  section 
No.  9,  Des  Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  Rail- 
road, at  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Wisconsin,  July  6,  1850,  a 
son  of  Anton  Smittle,  of  Junction  Township. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin, 
and  wlien  he  was  large  enough  went  to  work 
in  the  pineries,  and  followed  lumbering  three 
and  a  half  years.  In  1870  he  went  to  Taze- 
well County.  Illinois,  where  he  worked  at 
terming  until  the  fall  of  1873.  In  the  spring 
of  1874  he  moved  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 


.M,M^»,»,l«.«,»,»M»„M_»,M_M»»«BI,B»«l«l,m„iai 


and  located  at  Grand  Junction.  He  engaged 
in  farming  two  years,  and  in  1876  went  to 
Jefferson,  Iowa,  and  was  foreman  of  a  section 
on  the  Kortliwestern  Kailroad  seven  years. 
In  1883  he  bought  the  farm  wliere  he  now 
lives,  and  in  JS'ovember,  1883,  was  appointed 
foreman  of  section  9.  Mr.  Smittle  was  mar- 
ried November  30,  1870,  to  Eve  Ileisel,  and 
to  them  have  been  born  five  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living — William  J.,  Jacob  M., 
Anton  and  Mary  M.  Mr.  Smittle's  farm 
contains  120  acres  of  good  land,  which  is 
carried  on  by  his  sons.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smittle 
are  niemliers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
chnreh. 


i**h- 


|EORGE  WATSON,  of  the  firm  of  Wat- 
3UM?  ''O'l  ^  ^o.,  general  merchants  at  Angus, 
was  born  in  County  Durham,  England, 
November  11,  1850,  son  of  Kobert  Watson, 
a  native  of  the  same  country,  and  now  de- 
ceased. He  was  brought  up  and  educated 
in  his  native  county,  at  Middleton,  and  set 
sail  for  the  United  States  June  6,  1871.  He 
lived  two  years  at  McKeesport,  Pennsylvania, 
then  came  to  Coal  Creek,  Iowa,  where  he 
mined  coal  until  1880.  He  then  went  to 
Brazil,  where  he  mined  coal  two  year.s,  and 
in  March,  1882,  he  removed  to  Angus,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  mined  coal  here 
one  3'ear,  then  clerked  until  July,  1886,  when 
he  engaged  in  his  present  business.  Watson 
&  Co.  carry  a  stock  of  $2,000,  and  have  a 
good  trade.  They  keep  dry  goods,  groceries, 
provisions,  boots  and  shoes,  hats  and  caps, 
trunks,  valises,  notions,  etc.,  etc.  Mr.  AVat- 
son  was  married  at  ilcKeesport  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1873  to  Miss  Fannie  Furness,  daughter 
of  John  Furness,  deceased.  Mrs.  Watson  is 
also  a  native  of  England.  They  have  had 
three  children — John,  Grace,  and  Amzi,  de- 


ceased. Mr.  Watson  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  also  of  the  town 
council.     Mrs.  "Watson  is  a  Methodist. 


S  N.  VADER,  farmer,  section  30,  Kendrick 
M  Township,  was  born  in  Bennington,  Geu- 
^®  esee  County,  New  York,  in  1822,  son  of 
Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Vader,  natives  of  Herk- 
imer County,  same  State,  who  were  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children,  our  subject  being  the 
third  son.  When  he  was  five  years  of  age 
his  parents  removed  to  Chautauqua  County, 
where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  He  was  married  in 
1842  to  Miss  Lodema  Eider,  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont, and  daughter  of  Benjamin  Rider.  To 
this  union  were  born  seven  children — Martin, 
Jacob,  Daniel,  Frank,  Palmer,  Elizabeth  and 
Sylvia.  Mrs.  Vader  died  April  12,  1882. 
During  the  late  civil  war  Mr.  Vader  enlisted 
September  11,  1862,  in  the  First  Battalion, 
New  York  Sharp-Shooters,  under  Captain 
George  Waith.  He  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  the  Wilderness,  Cold  Harbor,  Sufiblk, 
Virginia,  and  was  before  Petersburg  twenty- 
one  days.  He  served  in  the  Quartermaster's 
department  for  some  time.  He  was  honora- 
bly discharged  June  9,  1865,  at  Albany,  New 
York,  and  returned  to  his  home,  where  he 
resided  until  1869,  then  came  to  Greene 
County  and  settled  upon  his  present  farm, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  owns  eighty 
acres  of  well-cultivated  land,  a  comfortable, 
well  furnished  residence,  commodious  farm 
buildings,  and  a  maple  grove  of  his  own 
planting,  from  which  he  makes  sugar  and 
syrup.  Mr.  Vader  was  married  August  10, 
1882,  to  Mrs.  Maryette  Kingsbury,  nee  Rice, 
who  was  born  in  Carrollton,  Cattaraugus 
County,  New  York,  and  a  daughter  of  Ira 
and   Sarah  (Wickson)  Rice.     Politically  Mr. 


.■■■^■_l»i£-»S-iaiiiliBaill»W»«aSM«,Wa.M, 


\r 


\( 


BIOQBAFUICAL    ISKETVHEiS. 


399 


Vader  is  a  Hepublican,  and  a  strong  adherent 
of  the  principles  of  that  party  which  he  fought 
to  preserve.  He  is  a  member  of  tlie  Grand 
Army  Post,  No.  Ill,  at  Scranton. 


«>^'-^->*»|^- 


[YLYESTEE  B.  ANDERSOJS,  of  Jef- 
ferson, is  a  representative  of  one  of  the 
-2N-  early  settlers  of  Greene  County.  His 
father,  J.  G.  Anderson,  settled  in  what  is 
now  Grant  Township  in  November,  1854. 
The  farm  he  located  upon  is  now  owned  by 
Henry  Gilroy.  In  the  spring  of  1855  the 
family  removed  to  what  is  now  Jasper  Town- 
ship. The  father  had  entered  a  section  of 
land  in  that  township  in  the  fall  of  1854, 
when  he  hrst  came  to  the  county,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  stream  since  called  Purgatory, 
named  b)'  hunters  wlio  in  crossing  met  with 
much  difficulty,  sinking  deep  into  the  mud 
and  sand  which  prevails  in  the  bed  of  the 
river.  J.  G.  Anderson  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  in  1815,  where  he  was  reared 
to  the  occupation  of  a  farmer,  and  when  a 
young  man  he  learned  the  trade  of  harness- 
maker  and  shoemaker.  Mrs.  Anderson  was 
formerl}^  Mrs.  J.  Pore,  nee  Cain.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Anderson  had  iive  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter when  they  came  to  Iowa.  All  are  living 
except  one  son,  Alfred  B.,  who  died  in  1880. 
The  surviving  children  are  —  Joseph  A., 
living  near  Storm  Lake,  Iowa;  David  B.,  a 
farmer  of  Greene  County;  William  H.,  living 
in  Jefterson;  Miranda,  wife  of  A.  K.  Mills, 
of  Jefferson,  and  Sylvester  B.  Mrs.  Ander- 
son had  two  sons  by  her  former  marriage — 
Jerry  and  William,  residing  in  Ohio.  Mr. 
Anderson  took  an  active  part  in  the  events 
of  the  early  history  of  Carroll  County.  He 
held  the  offices  of  sheriff,  road  commissioner, 
assessor  and  surveyor,  two  terms  each,  hold- 
ing  all    these  offices  at   the  same  time.      He 


also  took  an  active  interest  in  the  political 
history  of  the  county  \\^  to  1860.  lie  was  a 
Democrat,  and  voted  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas 
that  year.  Immediately  after  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  he  changed  his  views  and  be- 
came a  Republican,  and  was  identified  with 
that  party  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
Religiously  he  was  a  Methodist.  In  March, 
1860,  he  removed  to  Jefferson  and  kept  the 
Cottage  House  for  four  years,  and  later 
worked  at  his  trade.  His  wife  survived  until 
1884.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1846,  being  about  eight  years  old  when  he 
came  to  Iowa  with  his  father.  He  taught 
school  several  terms  before  his  marriage,  and 
has  taught  several  terms  since  his  marriage. 
He  was  deputy  sheriff  from  1873  until  1879, 
and  served  as  constable  six  years.  Since 
1881  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business.  He  also  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  hinaself  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mrs.  An- 
derson was  formerly  Cornelia  Price,  daugh- 
ter of  Owen  Price,  an  early  settler  of  Marshall 
County,  having  located  there  in  1855.  He 
died  in  March,  1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ander- 
son have  five  children,  one  son  and  four 
daughters.  Their  names  are — Mary  W.,  Edith 
M.,  Josephine  E.,  Lovina  S.  and  Sylvester  B. 


(Si  tt  m  <S) 


[ROBERT  MUIR,  Jr.,  dealer  in  groceries 
M^  and  notions,  Angus,  was  born  in  Dum- 
^H  bartonshire,  Scotland,  in  the  town  of 
Cumbernauld,  April  1,  1858.  His  father, 
Robert  Muir,  of  Fall  Brook,  Tioga  County, 
Pennsylvania,  is  a  native  of  Glasgow,  Scot- 
land, and  brought  his  son  to  America  in 
June,  1870.  They  went  to  work  and  earned 
sufficient  money  to  bring  the  rest  of  the 
family,  who  came  about  three  months  later. 
In    1876    Mr.  Muir  came  to   Ohio,  taveling 


u-».J-tti»aj^aigTCii^^ 


400 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


•1 


among  the  mines  of  Oliio  and  Western  Penn- 
sylvania until  1880,  then  went  to  Carbondale, 
Kansas,  returning  to  Chicago  in  May  of  the 
following  year.  One  month  later  he  went 
to  La  Salle,  Illinois,  where  he  mined  coal  one 
year,  then  came  to  Angus  and  worked  in  the 
mines  about  eighteen  months,  when  he  was 
appointed  State  secretary  of  tlie  Miners' 
Amalgamation  Association.  This  was  in 
January.  1884,  and  he  resigned  the  position 
in  May  of  the  same  year  and  established  his 
present  business.  He  carries  a  full  line  of 
groceries,  provisions  and  notions,  and  has  a 
eood  trade.  In  1886  he  met  with  a  severe 
loss  in  the  burning  of  a  store  at  St.  John 
Center,  where  he  had  established  a  home- 
stead. It  was  the  first  store  in  the  place. 
He  was  obliged  to  sell  his  new  stock  of 
goods,  which  were  then  at  the  depot,  at  re- 
duced rates,  and  returned  home.  Mr.  Mnir 
was  married  August  1,  1881,  to  Margaret 
Welch,  daughter  of  John  Welch,  deceased, 
and  their  children  are — Maggie  D.,  Robert 
N.  and  John  W.  Mr.  Mnir  belongs  to  the 
order  of  Odd  Fellows,  has  served  as  constable 
and  as  member  of  the  town  council. 

>*H»igii.;ii;..^-»i^-w 


[AMUEL  R.  IIITTGERS,  farmer  and 
f.*^"^  stock-raiser,  section  24,  Washington 
Township,  was  born  in  Polk  County, 
Iowa,  April  20,  1857.  Ilis  father,  Jacob  B. 
Rittgers,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Shenan- 
doah Valley,  born  February  9,  1800,  and  set- 
tled in  Polk  County  in  an  early  day.  He 
was  raised  on  the  old  Rittgers  homestead 
in  Valley  Township,  eight  miles  northwest 
of  Des  Moines.  He  was  reared  to  the  occu- 
pation of  a  farmer  and  has  always  followed 
that  occupation.  lie  came  to  this  county  in 
January,  1880,  settling  in  Washington  Town- 
ship, which    has   since   been    his  liome.     He 


located  on  his  present  farm  in  1881.  He 
was  married  April  6,  1879,  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Fry,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fry,  of  Polk  County, 
and  they  have  two  children — Almeda  C. 
and  Burton  A.  Mr.  Rittgers  owns  240  acres 
of  land,  and  gives  considerable  attention  to 
graded  stock.  Mrs.  Rittgers  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Rippey. 

— 4->+J*l*--- 


^ 


ILLIAM  STROUD,  farmer,  section 
12,  Willow  Township,  was  born  in 
I'^'SJ^I  Newington,  O.xfordshire,  England, 
in  October,  1810,  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
(Harris)  Stroud,  who  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children — Fred,  Jane,  Lucy,  William, 
Thomas,  George,  Sarah,  and  two  that  died 
in  infancy.  The  father  was  a  horse-dealer, 
and  William's  first  business  was  buying  and 
selling  horses.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
January  17,  1833,  with  Miss  Mary  Gunn, 
born  in  August,  1810,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Charlotta  (Bolton)  Gunn,  who  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children — Richard,  William, 
Samuel,  Sarah,  Henry,  Mary,  Ann,  .Fane  and 
Hannah.  In  1847  William,  his  wife  and  six- 
children  removed  to  Canada,  locating  near 
Toronto,  where  they  lived  two  years,  and  in 
1849  removed  to  Niagara  County,  New  York, 
where  they  resided  ten  years;  thence  to 
Porter  County,  Indiana;  thence,  in  1869,  to 
Dallas  County,  Iowa;  thence,  in  1880,  to 
Greene  County,  settling  on  his  present  farm. 
He  rented  the  farm  three  years  before  he 
purchased  it.  It  consists  of  200  acres  of 
excellent  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  good  buildings,  and  an  orchard  of 
four  acres.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stroud  have  seven 
children — Thomas,  John,  Charlotta,  Lucy, 
Mary  Ann,  William  and  Jane.  Two  are 
deceased — Catherine,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five,  and  an  infant.      Mr.  Stroud  was 


I,... 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


401 


reared  under  the  rules  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  adheres  to  the  principles  of  that 
church.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.    Will- 
■  i  iam    G.,  the    youngest   son,  was   married    in 

it  March,  1870,  to  Miss  Emma  Painter,  and 
they  have  four  children — William  T.,  George 
T.,  John  J.  and  Mary.  He  resides  with  his 
parents,  and  assists  in  the  management  of 
the  farm. 


fOHN  DAVENPORT,  of  Jefferson,  came 
to  Greene  County  in  the  fall  of  1864, 
and  purchased  220  acres  of  land  on  Har- 
din Creek,  Grant  Township,  and  640  acres  on 
sections  13  and  24,  in  Hardin  Township.  The 
first  farm  mentioned  had  about  sixty  acres 
improved,  and  a  small  log  house  had  been 
built;  the  large  farm  in  Hardin  Township 
had  about  forty  acres  improved.  In  the 
spring  of  1865  Mr.  Davenport  settled  with 
his  family  on  the  farm  in  Grant  Township, 
where  he  lived  one  year,  then  removed  to  his 
farm  in  Hardin  Township,  renting  the  other 
farm  for  a  time,  then  sold  it.  He  imjjroved 
the  farm  in  Hardin  Township,  and  in  1866 
sold  200  acres  to  Mr.  James  Harker.  The  farm 
contained  two  very  fine  groves  of  sixry  acres 
each,  and  was  well  watered  by  the  Bnttricks 
Creek,  which  flowed  through  the  farm.  The 
land  which  he  sold  to  Mr.  Harker  contained 
one  of  these  groves.  At  that  time  Mr.  Da- 
venport had  no  near  neighbors,  the  nearest 
one  being  Terrence  Reynolds,  who  lived  two 
miles  south.  On  the  east  there  were  no 
neighbors  nearer  than  twenty  miles,  and  his 
next  neighbor  on  the  north  was  at  Fort 
Dodge,  forty  miles  away.  On  the  west  set- 
tlements had  been  made  on  Coon  River, 
about  ten  miles  distant.  His  other  neigh- 
bors were  at  Jefferson,  seven  miles  distant. 
The  reason  of  his  selling  a  portion  of  his  land 


to  Mr.  Harker  was  that  he  might  have  nearer 
neighbors.  In  1867  he  gave  to  his  son, 
William  H.,  120  acres  of  the  farm,  and  re- 
tained the  rest  until  1884,  when  he  sold  to 
Mr.  Bernard,  who  still  owns  and  resides  on 
the  place.  This  land  was  entered  by  George 
May,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  farms  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Davenport  was  born  in  Tomp- 
kins County,  New  York,  June  13,  1816, 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  His  par- 
ents were  Aaron  W.  and  Eleanor  (King) 
Davenport,  who  were  also  natives  of  Tomp- 
kins County.  In  1840  they  removed  to 
Michigan,  where  they  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  days.  They  had  eleven  children, 
nine  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  and  only 
four  are  now  living — two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  The  sulrject  of  this  notice  went 
to  Lenawee  County,  Michigan,  in  1835,  when 
he  was  but  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  was 
enu'ao'ed  in  the  mercantile  business  for  four 
years,  then  engaged  in  farming  and  hotel- 
keeping,  remaining  until  1865,  then  came  to 
this  county,  as  before  stated.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Michigan,  to  Lueretia  Valentine,  a 
native  of  the  State  of  New  York,  who  died 
in  1852,  leaving  five  children.  In  1854  Mr. 
Davenport  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Valen- 
tine, a  sister  of  his  former  wife,  who  died  in 
1863,  both  dying  in  the  same  house.  In 
1866  he  was  married,  in  Greene  County,  to 
Mrs.  Phebe  Ann  Ilaiglit,  who  died  Novem- 
ber 16,  1884,  while  on  a  visit  to  her  children 
in  Portland,  Oregon.  Mr.  Davenport  has 
two  living  children  of  his  first  marriage — 
William  H.,  who  lives  in  Hardin  Township, 
and  Eleanor  J.,  widow  of  J.  J.  Haight,  living 
at  Gainesville,  Cook  County,  Texas.  His 
third  wife  had  four  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living  in  Kansas,  and  two  in  Oregon — 
James  R.,  Ettie,  Emma  and  Luella.  J.  J. 
Haight  was  a  son  of  Mrs.  Davenport  by  her 
first  marriage.      He   died   in   Texas,   June  8, 


'S'ii^ifiBiiiigga^M^M^g^ai^wgagi 


.■»■»■, »„MjMM»MMMgMl 


qIImI 


402 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


1886,  leaving  a  wife  and  five  children.  In 
early  life  Mr.  Davenport  was  a  Whig,  but 
since  the  organization  of  the  Kepublican 
party  he  has  alwaj's  endorsed  tlie  principles 
of  that  party.  He  is  a  man  that  is  highly 
respected  in  the  community  where  he  resides. 


~-'V^^-^^•^*-< 

^,ICHAED  C.  MOOEE,  one  of  the  pros- 

t  parous  agriculturists  of  Scranton  Town- 
ship, residing  on  section  18,  is  a  native 
of  Ireland,  born  in  County  Mayo  in  1833,  a  son 
of  John  and  Marcella  Moore,  both  of  whom 
died  in  their  native  country.  Our  subject 
was  reared  in  his  native  country  till  attaining 
the  age  of  seventeen  years,  and  in  1850 
immigrated  to  America,  landing  at  New  York 
City,  going  thence  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio, 
residing  at  Cincinnati  until  1865,  with  the 
exception  of  the  time  in  the  employ  of  the 
Government  during  the  war.  For  three 
years  he  worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  a  black- 
smitli,  in  West  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  In 
1859  he  was  married  at  Cincinnati  to  Miss 
Rosanna  Casselle,  a  native  of  County  Armagh, 
Ireland,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four 
children,  as  follows — Edward,  Thomas,  Alice 
and  Mary.  In  1865  Mr.  Moore  came  with 
his  family  to  Iowa,  and  located  in  Polk 
County,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits. From  Polk  County  he  removed  to 
Warren  County  in  1873,  thence  to  Greene 
County  in  1877,  where  lie  has  since  been 
very  successful  in  his  farming  operations, 
now  owning  a  very  fine  property  in  real 
estate  and  stock,  which  he  has  accumulated 
by  industry,  frugality  and  good  business 
management.  He  lived  one  year  in  Wash- 
ington Township  after  coming  to  Greene 
County,  and  in  1878  settled  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides,  which  consists  of  280  acres 
of  well  improved  and  cultivated  land,  a  com- 


fortable residence,  and  good  farm  buildings 
for  the  accommodation  of  his  stock.  At 
national  elections  Mr.  Moore  votes  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  but  in  local  elections  is  inde- 
pendent of  party,  voting  for  the  man  whom 
he  deems  best  fitted  for  ofiice.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  respected  citizens  of  Scranton 
Township. 


»Sn;» 


fOHN  R.  THOMAS,  general  merchant, 
Angus,  Iowa,  is  a  native  of  Wales,  born 
April  7, 1849,  his  father,  John  T.  Thomas, 
who  is  now  deceased,  being  born  in  the  same 
country.  Our  subject  immigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1866,  locating  first  in 
Mahoning  City,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  mining  coal  till  1868.  He  then 
went  to  Audenried,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1869 
went  to  California.  In  1871  he  returned  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  attended  school  at  Charles- 
ton for  two  years.  In  the  spring  of  1873 
he  went  to  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
1871  went  to  Shawnee,  Ohio.  He  returned  to 
Audenried,  Pennsylvania,  in  1875,  where  he 
had  charge  of  the  outside  works  of  the  Pension 
mines  for  eighteen  months.  He  then  went 
to  Selma,  Alabama,  where  he  took  charge  of 
the  entire  works  of  the  Cahaba  mines,  remain- 
ing there  for  eighteen  months.  He  then 
resided  in  Rosedale,  Wisconsin,  for  eighteen 
months,  when  he  went  to  Bangor,  Wisconsin, 
and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business, 
which  he  had  followed  a  short  time  before 
leaving  Rosedale.  In  the  fall  of  1882  he 
came  to  Angus,  Boone  County,  Iowa,  and 
engaged  in  his  present  business,  carrying  a 
full  line  of  dry  goods,  flour,  feed,  glassware, 
etc.,  and  by  his  genial  and  accommodating 
manners  and  strict  attention  to  the  wants  of 
his    customers,    he    has   established    a   good 


•I 


■M— ■^a»MiMn>»— ■»■»— MMi|li—».Mia»»»MWMWinM«ii»MaMiM.mMMWM»M»i.Wna„W»W„W„Bi,»„B!„B„M,'M^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    8KETCEES. 


403 


trade,  and  trained  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  all  wliu  know  him.  He  is  at  present  fill- 
ing the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  Angus 
and  Union  Township,  serving  as  such  with 
credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his 
constituents.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  order,  belonging  to  both 
lodge  and  encampment  at  Angus. 


■-JuJ- 


lETER  B.  BREINER,  an  old  and  hon- 
ored pioneer  of  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
living  on  section  30,  Highland  Town- 
ship, where  he  has  eighty  acres  of  choice 
land,  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  May  3, 
1819,  a  son  of  Martin  and  Margarette  (Port) 
Breineif,  his  father  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
his  mother  a  native  of  France.  Both  parents 
are  deceased,  the  father  dying  September  13, 
1839,  and  the  mother  June  8,  1873.  Peter 
B.  Breiner  was  married  January  1,  1842,  to 
Mima  Smith,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  but 
reared  in  New  Jersey,  her  parents,  William 
and  Sarah  (Farven)  Smith,  settling  in  that 
State  when  she  was  a  child.  Mr.  Breiner 
was  reared  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  wliich  he 
followed  till  coming  to  Greene  County,  when 
he  engaged  in  farming.  Mrs.  Breiner  was  not 
permitted  to  spend  many  days  in  Greene 
County,  she  dying  January  10,  1861, 
leaving  at  her  death  four  children — John, 
who  was  born  October  19,  1842;  William  S., 
born  February  10,  1845;  Sarah,  born  June  7, 
1847,  and  Stewart,  born  July  8,  1852,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Breiner  was  buried 
on  the  home  farm  in  Highland  Township. 
Mr.  Breiner  was  married  a  second  time  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1876,  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
to  Mrs.  E.  A.  Snyder,  who  was  born  near 
Centerville,  Delaware,  September  29,  1825, 
her  parents.  Perry  and    Rachel  C'arr,  having 


been  born  in  Delaware.  Three  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  Breiner's  second  marriage  — 
Eleanor,  Jacob  S.  and  Andrew  Jackson,  all 
of  whom  are  living  in  the  East.  Mr.  Brein- 
er was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  and  was  the  first  settler  of 
Highland  Township,  and  here  he  has  en- 
dured all  the  hardships  incident  to  the  life 
of  a  pioneer.  He  was  the  only  settler  in 
Highland  Township  for  ten  years,  before 
other  settlers  began  to  arrive,  and  in  the  whole 
of  Greene  County  there  were  at  that  time  but 
eighty-two  voters.  Jeflerson  had  then  but 
four  houses.  His  trading  was  done  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa.  He  has  lived  to  witness  the 
many  wonderful  changes  that  have  occurred, 
changing  the  wilderness  into  thriving  towns 
and  well-cultivated  farms,  and  has  himself 
become  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens 
of  Highland  Township,  being  respected  by 
all  who  know  him.  In  politics  Mr.  Breiner 
is  a  Democrat.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  tlie  Baptist  church. 


A 


— •^-%^**t-~^*'-^ — 

■'SLEY  R.  PARK,  jeweler  and  tinner. 
Grand  Junction,  was  born  in  the 
.  town  of  Weston,  Windsor  County, 
Vermont,  September  28, 1832,  son  of  Thomas 
K.  Park,  a  native  of  Windham  County,  same 
State.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  He  came  to  Dane 
County,  Wisconsin,  in  1853,  where  he  worked 
at  various  things,  and  was  also  engaged  in 
farming;  to  some  extent.  He  was  married 
November  18,  1855,  to  Calista  D.  Hazeltine, 
daughter  of  Orrin  B.  Hazeltine,  of  Dane 
County,  who  settled  near  Milwaukee  in  1836. 
They  have  one  child — Agnes  M.,  who  married 
William  G.  Rugg,  of  this  township.  Mr. 
Park  came  to  JeflTerson,  this  county,  in  the 
spring   of    1869,  and   to  Grand   Junction   in 


404 


HISTORY    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


1873,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  worked 
in  a  hardware  store  and  at  his  trade  wliile  in 
Jeflerson.  He  bought  an  interest  in  the 
store,  and  conducted  it  three  years.  He 
embarked  in  his  present  business  in  1880, 
and  added  the  jewelry  department  in  1885. 
He  served  as  postmaster  of  Grand  Junction 
from  1882  to  November  15,  1885.  He  has 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  six  years  and 
still  holds  that  office.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  society  of  Good  Templars.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Republican.  He  attended  the  first 
Republican  convention  held  in  the  United 
States,  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  1854,  and 
was  one  of  its  organizers. 

~--|^^>^>-- 


HOMAS  ROBERTS,  one  of  the  first 
twelve  settlers  of  Greene  County,  is 
■^^  the  owner  of  the  largest  farm  property 
in  Jackson  Township.  Perhaps  no  one  of  the 
early  settlers  has  done  as  much  toward  the 
development  of  the  county  as  he.  His  first 
land  purchase  was  in  Grant  Township,  where 
he  settled  in  April,  1851.  He  then  bought 
300  acres,  seventy-five  of  which  he  improved, 
and  sold  the  same  to  Esquire  Rose,  whose 
heirs  still  own  and  occupy  the  place.  In 
1856  he  located  on  section  14,  Jackson  Town- 
ship, where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He 
owns  1,500  acres  of  land,  687  acres  consti- 
tuting the  home  farm.  Mr.  Roberts  was 
born  in  North  "Wales,  May  5,  1823,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Roberts,  and  the  second 
in  a  family  of  seven  children.  His  parents 
never  left  their  native  land.  April  15,  1845, 
Mr.  Roberts  embarked  at  Liverpool  for  New 
York  City,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  In  the  autumn  of  1847  he  visited 
Illinois  and  Iowa.  The  same  season  he  re- 
turned to  AVales  and  spent  the  following  win- 
ter witl)  his  father's  family.   He  then  returned 


to  the  United  States  and  established  himself 
in  the  tannery  business  at  Des  Moines.  He 
learned  the  trade  in  Wales,  and  followed  it 
in  Ohio.  He  closed  out  that  business  when 
he  came  to  this  county.  October  7,  1847, 
he  was  married  at  Des  Moines  to  Miss  Mary 
Myrick,  a  native  of  Ohio.  After  a  wedded 
life  of  forty-five  years  she  was  called  to  the 
better  life.  May  7,  1882.  She  was  an  exem- 
plary woman  in  all  her  relations  of  wife, 
mother  and  neighbor,  and  long  will  her 
memory  be  cherished,  not  only  by  her  family, 
but  by  all  who  knew  her.  She  was  the  mother 
of  ten  children — Benjamin  F.,  a  druggist  at 
Scranton  City;  Eli,  of  Jefferson;  Edward  N., 
deceased;  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Brackett,  a  widow, 
and  now  a  teacher  in  this  county;  Samuel, 
living  at  home;  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  died  in 
her  fourth  year;  L3'dia  C,  a  teacher  of  crayon 
work;  Martha  J.,  wife  of  Will.  Forbes,  a 
merchant  of  Audubon  Count}' ;  William  War- 
ren, a  resident  of  Ainesworth,  Nebraska,  and 
Carrie  Belle.  Mr.  Roberts  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church  many  years,  and 
politically  is  a  Republican. 


►^Mf. 


fRANCIS  LIBIS,  farmer,  resides  on  sec- 
tion 14,  Bristol  Township,  where  he 
^  settled  in  1871.  He  was  born  in  the 
State  of  Ohio,  December  15, 1835,  son  of  B. 
and  C.  Libis,  who  are  natives  of  Germany 
and  now  living  in  Ohio,  having  been  married 
over  fifty-two  years.  Mr.  Libis  came  from 
Cedar  County,  this  State,  to  Greene  County, 
and  soon  after  visited  Montana,  where  he  was 
for  some  time  profitably  employed  in  Virginia 
City.  Returning  to  Cedar  County,  May  15, 
1866,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Jennie  Bellinger,  daughter  of  David  and 
Catherine  Bellinger.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Libis 
have  one  daughter,  Orvada,   born   November 


■■■■■■■■■■■-■-■»«8_»mWmMb» 


■■■■■■■'^■"■-■'■■■■^■■■^■■■-■^■■■■■■■.■.■,M_M_»,a. 


BIOGBAPfflOAL    SKETCHES. 


405 


22, 1868.  Mr.  Libis  has  recently  added  forty 
acres  to  his  farm,  and  is  principally  devoting 
his  attention  to  stock-raising.  Politically  he 
is  identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 


^jAUL  C.  MANTZ,  farmer,  section  34, 
W  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
—I  Perry  County,  Ohio,  February  25,  1833. 
His  father,  Sebastian  Mantz,  deceased,  was 
born  in  Austria,  Germany,  March  29,  1803, 
and  came  to  America  when  quite  young. 
His  mother,  Mary  (Mohler)  Mantz,  was  a 
daughter  of  Plenry  Mohler,  a  native  of  Mar}'- 
land,  and  of  German  ancestry.  The  parents 
liad  eleven  children,  only  two  of  whom  are 
living — Paul  and  William,  of  Angus,  Boone 
County.  The  mother  lives  with  her  son 
Paul,  is  eighty-two  years  of  age,  and  is  hale 
and  hearty.  Paul  C.  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Fair- 
field County,  Ohio,  where  his  parents  re- 
moved when  he  was  seven  years  of  age.  He 
came  to  Polk  County,  Iowa,  in  1852,  and  en- 
tered some  land  in  Dallas  County,  three 
miles  east  of  Perry,  then  went  back  and  re- 
moved to  his  new  home  in  the  fall  of  1856. 
He  lived  one  year  in  Boone  County,  then  set- 
tled upon  his  own  land,  where  he  lived  until 
February,  1865,  then  removed  to  a  farm  that 
joins  his  present  farm,  just  across  from 
Dallas  County.  He  located  upon  his  present 
farm  in  the  spring  of  1880,  where  he  owns 
sixty  acres  of  good  farm  land,  all  underlaid 
with  a  rich  deposit  of  coal.  He  was  married 
July  12,  1857,  to  Mrs.  Margaret  Hamilton, 
widow  of  Joseph  Hamilton,  and  daughter  of 
Jacob  B.  Kittgers,  deceased.  Two  of  their 
five  children  are  living — Phillip  S.  and  Mary 
W.  Phillip  married  JRuth  Simons,  daughter 
of  William  Simons,  of  Washington  Town- 
ship, and  resides  in  that  township.     Mary  M. 


married  Oliver  B.  Armstrong,  of  Surry,  and 
has  two  children — Henry  and  Belva  A.  Mr. 
Mantz  is  secretary  of  the  pioneer  society  of 
Dallas,  Boone,  Greene  and  Guthrie  counties. 
He  served  as  postmaster  six  years  at  Linden, 
Dallas  County,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace 
there  three  years.  He  was  township  trustee 
one  year,  and  school  director  for  some  time. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mantz  are  both  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  By  her  first 
marriage  Mrs.  Mantz  had  three  children — 
Reuben,  deceased,  Catherine  and  Jacob. 
Catherine  married  Clark  Kester,  of  Nebraska, 
and  has  four  children — Daisy,  Florence,  Ed- 
win and  Cecil.  Mr.  Mantz  has  seen  much 
of  pioneer  life,  and  has  been  a  hard  worker. 
When  he  first  located  here  he  had  to  do  his 
milling  at  Des  Moines,  and  his  trading 
also.  There  were  many  elk,  deer,  wolves, 
beaver,  otter,  wild-cats  and  l.ynx.  Fish  were 
also  numerous,  so  much  so  that  the  mill  near 
him  had  to  be  stopped  to  clean  them  out  of 
the  wheel. 


9b 


HEODOPtE  LYONS,  proprietor  of  the 
Ashley  House  at  Grand  Junction,  was 
■^5  born  in  London,  England,  December 
24,  1830,  son  of  Thomas  Lyons,  a  native  of 
the  same  city,  now  deceased.  He  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  country,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1865,  traveling  over 
the  country  two  or  three  years.  He  then 
went  to  New  York  City  and  remained  about 
two  years,  and  after  that  made  five  trips  to 
Vera  Cruz,  New  Mexico.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  trade  at  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  for  a  short  time,  and  in  1871  came  to 
Douglas  County,  Illinois,  settling  in  Tuscola, 
where  he  clerked  in  the  Beech  House  nearly 
a  year.  He  then  went  to  Champaign  County, 
same  State,  and  was  engaged  in  farming  for 


400 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


a  few  years.  After  being  engaged  in  the 
lu)tel  business  at  Urbana  for  a  time,  he  came 
to  Angus,  this  State,  in  IMarch,  1885,  and  to 
Grand  Junction  May  5,  1886,  where  he  took 
charge  of  the  Ashley  House.  This  house 
has  been  re-fitted  and  re-furnished,  and  is 
strictly  a  first-class  house.  He  is  having  an 
extensive  patronage,  which  is  constantly  in- 
creasing. Mr.  Lyons  is  a  thorough  business 
man  and  understands  how  to  please  the 
traveling  public.  He  was  married  in  Dalston, 
England,  in  August,  1852,  to  Miss  Ellen  Mc- 
Donnell. Of  their  six  children  only  two 
are  living — Mary  and  Lillie.  Mary  married 
Henr^^  Baldwick,  of  Urbana,  Illinois,  and  has 
two  children — Timothy  and  Nellie.  Lillie 
married  Frank  M.  Parker,  of  Forrest,  Illi- 
nois, and  has  one  child — Robert.  Mr.  Lyons 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  society. 

>H~,,?>;,,;..?...-^ 

<&      ,        ^ 

fW.  KRAUSE,  farmer,  section  34, 
Willow  Township,  postoflBce  Bayard, 
^"®  is  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
township,  and  was  born  in  Prussia,  October 
27, 1849,  son  of  Carl  and  Wilhelmena  Krause. 
When  he  was  six  years  old  his  parents  emi- 
grated to  America,  and  located  in  Dane 
County,  Wisconsin.  His  youth  was  spent  in 
assisting  on  the  farm,  and  attending  school. 
He  was  married  September  22, 1864,  to  Miss 
Jennie  Wright,  of  Mount  Vernon,  Dane 
County,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Wright  of  that 
place.  They  remained  in  Dane  County  until 
1874,  when  they  removed  to  Guthrie  County, 
Iowa,  where  they  lived  one  year,  and  in  1876 
came  to  tlieir  present  home,  which  was  then 
wild  land.  It  was  one  of  the  first  farms 
im]iroved  in  the  township.  Mr.  Krause  owns 
eighty  acres  of  excellent  land,  with  good 
buildings  for  stock  and  grain,  as  well  as  a 
fine  residence.     It  is  situated  one  mile  north 


of  the  town  of  Bayard.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Krause  have  three  children — Arthur,  Grace 
and  Myrtle.  Willie  is  deceased.  Politically 
Mr.  Krauze  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served 
as  member  of  the  school  board,  and  takes  an 
interest  in  all  educational  matters,  and  in  all 
that  tends  to  the  advancement  of  his  county. 


i-:+4j-. 


i^S^  H.  CAREY  is  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
'M%  iiess  men  of  Scranton,  where  he  is  ex- 
^==5^  tensively  engaged  in  dealing  in  grain, 
lumber,  coal  and  general  merchandise.  He 
is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  early  fami- 
lies of  Iowa,  his  father,  James  Carey,  having 
settled  near  Bellevue,  Jackson  County,  in 
1855.  In  1865  the  family  removed  to  Jones 
County,  where  the  father  still  lives,  making 
his  home  at  Monticello.  A.  H.  Carey,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Dearborn 
County,  Indiana,  in  1846,  coming  to  Iowa 
with  his  parents  in  1855.  AVhen  about 
twenty  years  of  age  he  began  working  at  the 
carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  about 
eight  years.  He  was  then  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  at  Centre  Junction,  Iowa, 
for  five  years,  when,  in  1880,  he  came  to 
Scranton,  Greene  County.  He  then  succeed- 
ed S.  H.  Templeton  in  his  lumber  trade,  and 
in  April,  1883,  he  added  to  his  business  gen- 
eral merchandising.  The  same  year  he  began 
dealing  in  farm  implements,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1884,  engaged  in  the  grain  and  coal  busi- 
ness. In  his  farm  implement  and  hardware 
business  he  is  associated  with  Mr.  Fuller. 
Mr.  Carey  was  married  in  Jones  County, 
Iowa,  to  Miss  Fannie  Corbett,  a  native  of 
Penns\'lvania,  and  to  them  have  been  born 
four  children — Leon  L.,  Charles  J.,  Edith 
M.  and  Valentine.  Mr.  Carey  has  been  iden- 
tified with  the  early  history  of  Scranton, 
although  he  did  not  locate  here  permanently 


r 


^;;;gg«^^^|^»;^j;;^^"^«^^^;^r;'~^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


407 


until  1880.  He  visited  this  place  in  1871 
and  1872,  when  the  town  was  in  its  infancy, 
and  in  fact  purchased  the  third  lot  sold  on 
the  plat,  and  assisted  in  the  building  of  the 
second,  third  and  fourth  buildings  on  the 
plat,  and  no  man  has  done  more  to  promote 
the  interests  of  Scranton  than  he.  As  a  citi- 
zen he  is  highly  esteemed,  both  for  his  social 
qualities,  and  for  his  enterprising  and  pro- 
gressive spirit  as  a  business  man. 

,,,  .ii'?',.;,  ['■iii'^i,.,  .., 


J^OREN  W.  BOGGS,  residing  on  section 
'M/ft  ^'  •^'■'^'''^1  Township,  is  one  of  the  early 
■^^  settlers  of  his  neighborhood,  and  has 
been  one  of  its  most  active  citizens.  His 
home  farm  of  160  acres  has  been  improved 
from  tlie  naked  prairie,  and  his  buildings  are 
first-class,  comfortable  and  commodious,  lie 
commenced  building  and  improving  his  prop- 
erty in  the  spring  of  1869.  In  1880  lie 
bought  120  acres  of  land  on  section  10,  Bris- 
tol Township.  Besides  his  family  residence, 
Mr.  Boggs  owns  two  other  houses.  He  also 
owns  a  twelfth  interest  in  610  acres  adjoin- 
ing the  city  plat  of  Sioux  City.  He  was 
born  in  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  January  12, 
1830.  His  parents,  Moses  M.  and  Sarah 
(Skinner)  Boggs,  were  natives  of  Virginia 
and  i^sew  Jersey  respectively.  While  he  was 
yet  an  infant  his  parents  removed  to  Vermill- 
ion County,  Indiana,  where  a  portion  of  his 
youth  was  spent.  His  father  was  a  millwright 
and  house  carpenter  by  trade,  and  a  general 
workman  at  any  kind  of  wood-work.  He 
owned  a  farm  and  reared  his  children  to  farm 
life.  He  died  in  Warren  County,  Indiana, 
in  1842,  aged  forty-one  years.  When  sixteen 
years  of  age  our  subject  left  his  mother's 
home,  and  thus  early  in  life  encountered  the 
world  for  himself.  lie  has  made  his  own 
way    unaided,    never    having    a    dollar    not 


earned  by  himself.  From  1850  to  1854  he 
was  engaged  in  tiie  pineries  of  Michigan. 
In  April,  1854,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Jane  W.  Morris,  a  native  of  the  State  of 
New  York.  From  Micliigan  Mr.  Boggs  came 
to  Cedar  Bapids,  this  State,  where  he  lived 
until  1869,  excepting  the  time  he  served  in 
the  Union  army.  He  enlisted  August  13, 
1862,  in  Company  G,  Twenty -fourth  Iowa 
Infantry.  His  regiment  was  first  under  tire 
at  Fort  Gibson,  in  the  campaign  against 
Vicksburg.  In  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills, 
May  16,  1868,  the  regiment  and  Company  G 
met  with  very  heavy  loss.  In  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  and  the  second  battle  of  Jackson, 
after  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  and  in  all 
that  campaign  and  in  all  others  in  which 
his  regiment  participated,  Mr.  Boggs  did  a 
soldier's  duty  faithfully  and  well.  He  was 
never  excused  nor  asked  to  be  excused  from 
any  duty.  After  the  Jackson  campaign  the 
regiment  was  transferred  to  the  Gulf  depart- 
ment, and  embodied  in  the  Nineteenth  Corps, 
General  Emory  commanding.  The  Twenty- 
fourth  Iowa  was  also  engaged  in  the  ill-starred 
Red  River  campaign.  In  July,  1864,  the 
corps  went  east  and  defended  Washington 
against  General  Early,  thence  to  the  valley 
of  Virginia  under  General  Sheridan,  and 
was  in  the  hemic  battles  of  Winchester, 
Strasburg  and  Cedar  Creek.  At  the  last- 
named  battle  Mr.  Boggs  received  five  shots 
through  his  clothes.  In  January,  1865,  the 
corps  met  Sherman  at  Savannah,  Georgia. 
At  Goldsboro  the  I'egiment  was  present  at 
the  surrender  of  General  Johnston's  rebel 
army.  August  11  Mr.  Boggs  was  commis- 
sioned by  Governor  Stone  Second  Lieutenant 
of  his  company,  bearing  date  January  1, 
1865,  but  through  the  lack  of  mail  facilities 
the  commission  never  reached  the  proper 
authorities  early  enough  to  permit  of  his 
being  mustered  in.     As  Orderly  Sergeant  be 


lit 


was  practically  in  command  of  his  company 
the  last  nine  and  a  half  months  of  his  ser- 
vice. He  was  honorably  discharged  July  17, 
1865,  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  and  returned  to 
his  home  at  Cedar  Ilapids.  He  still  holds 
his  commission  as  Lieutenant.  Mrs.  Boggs 
died  December  25,  1883,  aged  sixty-nine 
years.  Only  one  child  survives — Henry  M., 
born  June  24,  1854.  He  has  never  married 
since  tlie  deatli  of  liis  wife.  In  1886  he  was 
improving  a  farm  in  Dakota.  He  has  been 
a  Republican  in  politics  since  1860,  though 
in  local  matters  he  is  independent. 

|HRISTOPHEE  J.  EDINBOROUGH, 
T',  boot  and  shoe  maker  at  Grand  Junction, 
"^l  was  born  in  London,  England,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1839.  His  father,  Christopher  Edin- 
borough,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
town  of  South  Morton.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1855,  and  settled  in  Allegany 
County,  New  York,  on  the  Genesee  River. 
Our  subject  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war, 
being  a  member  of  Company  C,  First  Long 
Island,  afterward  known  as  the  Sixty-seventh 
New  York  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  as 
the  Sixty-fifth  New  York  Veteran  Infantry. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Williams- 
burg, Fair  Oaks,  Malvern  Hill,  Antietam, 
Fredericksburg,  and  several  others.  He  came 
to  Wilton  Junction,  Muscatine  County,  Iowa, 
in  the  fall  of  1868,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade  until  January,  1882,  then  came  to  Des 
Moines,  and  later,  to  Grand  Junction,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married  April 
4,  1866,  to  Carrie  Lounsberry,  and  they  have 
had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — 
Artliur  W.,  Jessie  M.  and  Grant  S.  Mr. 
Ediiiborough  was  clerk  of  the  school  board 
tliree  years  wliile  in  Wiiton.  He  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  the  Ancient  Order  of 


United  Workmen,  and  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  Mrs.  Edinborough  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


B.  KENDALL,  restaurant  keeper  on 
the  east  side  of  the  square,  was  born 
in  Chautauqua  County,  New  York,  in 
1834.  When  a  boy  he  i-emoved  with  his 
parents  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1857,  to 
Kane  County,  Illinois.  His  father,  Elam 
Kendall,  died  in  Pennsylvania,  and  his  moth- 
er is  still  living  in  that  State.  There  were 
nine  children  in  the  family,  seven  sons  and 
two  daughters.  The  two  daughters  married, 
had  families,  and  died  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
seven  sons  are  all  living,  three  in  the  West 
and  four  in  their  native  State.  Mr.  Kendall 
came  to  Jefferson  in  1870.  During  the  late 
war  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
served  about  two  years,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged for  disability  and  returned  to  Illi- 
nois. He  was  married  in  that  State  to  Miss 
Annie  Keenan,  and  to  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children — Lawrence  B.,  Fred  C. 
and  Glenn  W.  Politically,  Mr.  Kendal!  is  a 
Democrat. 

^Mg.;i.;.%.^ 


fOHN  HEISEL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
section  30,  Junction  Township,  was  born 
in  Tazewell  County,  Illinois,  August  4, 
1847,  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  Ileisel, 
natives  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany.  His 
father  came  to  the  United  States  in  1841  and 
settled  in  Tazewell  County,  Illinois,  -where  he 
still  lives.  John  Heisel  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  receiving  a  good  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  county.  He  has  always  followed 
agricultural   pursuits,  and  in    1883  came  to 


'L<< 


Iowa,  thinking  this  broad  State  oifered 
superior  advantages  to  the  farmer.  He 
located  on  the  farm  wliere  ho  now  lives,  which 
contains  HO  acres  of  choice  land.  Mr. 
Ileisel  was  married  March  10, 1S70,  to  Cathe- 
rine Worner,  dangliter  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
Worner,  her  father  a  resident  of  Tazewell 
County,  Illinois,  and  her  mother  deceased. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  lieisel  have  been  born  five 
children,  of  wliom  four  are  living — Louis  L., 
Emina  M.,  Mary  A.  and  an  infant  son.  A 
daughter,  Clara  E.,  died  aged  three  and  a 
half  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heisel  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  church. 

~-h|..>^|...~ 

1^1  AMUEL  ELLISON,  farmer,  section  12, 
1'®1i  AVashington  Township,  was  born  in 
^^  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey,  April  4, 
1830.  His  father,  George  Ellison,  now  de- 
ceased, was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to 
America  when  young,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  He  removed  with  his  family 
to  Morgan  County,  Oliio,  in  1832,  thence  to 
Wasiiington  County  in  1837,  where  he  died 
in  1852.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer, 
and  always  followed  that  occupation.  He 
obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  came  to  Delaware  County,  Iowa,  in  1856, 
settling  on  wild  land.  He  came  to  Greene 
County  in  the  spring  of  1882,  locating  upon 
his  present  farm,  where  he  owns  160  acres  of 
land.  He  was  married  February  12,  1865, 
to  Sarah  E.  Holmes,  daughter  of  John  M. 
Holmes,  of  Montgomery  County,  Iowa.  They 
have  five  children  —  Estella  R.,  John  M., 
Mary,  Abigail  B.  and  Elizabeth;  she  is  usu- 
ally called  Bessie.  Mr.  Ellison  has  held  a 
few  local  offices,  but  never  seeks  official  posi- 
tions. He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  who 
died  August  19, 1882.     She  was  a  consistent 


Christian  and  a  lover  of  the  Sabbath.  In 
her  younger  days  she  was  a  Sunday-school 
worker.  Before  her  marriajre  she  was  a 
school  teacher. 


^l^iLI  L.  LLOYD,  a  merchant  at  Surry, 
Tf3L  was  born  in  La  Salle  County,  Illinois, 
^V^  May  24,  1858.  His  father,  Abraham 
Lloyd,  of  Rock  Island  County,  Illinois,  re- 
moved to  Boonesboro,  Iowa,  when  his  son 
was  ten  or  twelve  years  old.  In  1874  they 
returned  to  Rapids  City,  Rock  Island  County. 
Our  subject  came  to  Kalo,  Webster  County, 
this  State,  in  the  fall  of  1881,  and  to  Greene 
County  in  March,  1884,  where  he  has  since 
lived.  He  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  October,  1886,  and  has  an  extensive 
trade.  He  deals  in  groceries  and  provisions. 
He  was  formerly  a  miner,  having  always 
handled  the  pick  and  shovel.  He  was  mar- 
ried April  4,  1881,  to  Sarah  Williams, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Williams,  of  Coal  Val- 
ley, Rock  Island  County,  Illinois.  She  was 
born  in  Wales,  April  9,  1859.  Mr.  Lloyd's 
mother,  Margaret  Boyce,  was  a  native  of 
Ohio.  His  father  and  his  grandfather  Lloyd 
were  born  in  Wales.  Mrs.  Lloyd's  mother, 
Margaret  (Hall)  Williams,  was  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Williams,  a  native  of  Wales.  Her 
uncle,  John  Hall,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war,  and  died  in  the  service. 


->^f 


^UGUST  MARQUART,  grocer  at  Grand 
Junction,  was  born  in  Pi'ussia,  Ger- 
-S^  many.  May  17,  1846,  son  of  John  P. 
Marquart,  of  Dodge  County,  Wisconsin,  who 
is  a  native  of  Germany.  He  brought  his 
iamily  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  and  set- 
tled in  his  present  home.    August  was  reared 


410 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


on  a  tarin  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  commenced  learning  the  har- 
ness-maker's trade  at  the  age  of  ten  ^-ears, 
and  followed  that  trade  until  January,  1886. 
In  1868  he  went  to  Foreston,  Ogle  County, 
Illinois,  and  was  foreman  of  the  harness  and 
saddle  shop  of  L.  J.  Bower  one  year,  then 
came  to  Ridgeport,  Boone  County,  Iowa,  and 
in  1870  came  to  Grand  Junction  and  estab- 
lished the  first  harness  shop  in  the  place.  It 
is  still  the  only  one  here.  January  1,  1886, 
he  sold  to  William  H.  Eenner,  having  pur- 
chased a  store-room  and  established  a  grocery 
and  provision  store  in  March,  1885.  He 
now  gives  his  whole  attention  to  his  grocery. 
He  carries  a  capital  stock  of  $800,  and  does 
an  annual  business  of  .§5,000  to  $6,000.  His 
trade  is  constantly  increasing.  He  was  mar- 
ried August  17,  1868,  to  Christina  Zellhoef- 
er,  a  daughter  of  George  Zellhoefer,  now 
deceased.  They  have  six  children — William, 
Lizzie,  Jessie,  George,  John  and  Leola.  Mr. 
Marquart  served  as  school  director  one  term, 
and  as  councilman  two  terms.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Odd  Fellows  society,  and  himself 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church. 


►>^ 


.aPIEORGE  W.  FLECK,  a  worthy  pioneer 
'to?  ^^  Greene  County,  was  born  in  Frank- 
W^  lin  County,  Pennsylvania,  December  1, 
1820,  son  of  Peter  and  Anna  (Eberly)  Fleck, 
natives  of  the  same  State,  the  former  of 
Scotch  descent,  and  the  latter  of  German. 
He  was  reared  to  a  farm  life,  and  when  ten 
years  of  age,  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Richland  County,  Ohio,  where  a  home  was 
made  in  the  wilderness.  George  W.  being 
the  oldest  son,  and  the  only  one  old  enough 
to  render  assistance  to  his  father,  was  early 
inured  to  hard  labor  in  the  work  of  clearing 


a  new  farm  in  a  dense  forest.  The  country 
was  traversed  by  bridle  paths.  A  road  had 
to  be  hewed  out  to  enable  the  family  to  reach 
their  future  home.  The  parents  passed  the 
remainder  of  their  days  in  that  home. 
George  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  1854, 
when  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  visited  Greene 
County.  Here  he  entered  320  acres  of  land, 
mostly  in  Jackson  Township,  and  a  greater 
portion  of  that  purchase  he  still  owns.  In 
1856  he  went  back  to  Ohio,  and  then  re- 
turned to  this  countj'  and  built  a  log  cabin 
on  his  land  on  section  8,  and  commenced 
opening  a  farm  by  hiring  help,  residing  in 
Ohio  in  the  meantime  until  1858.  He  then 
with  his  family  made  Greene  County  his 
permanent  home,  and  still  occupies  the 
strong,  well  built,  hewed-log  house  which 
constituted  his  tirst  home.  In  1866  Mr. 
Fleck  bought  twenty  acres  of  land,  including 
a  line  water  power  on  the  North  Coon  River, 
and  in  1867  built  a  saw-mill,  which  he  re- 
placed by  a  line  flouring  and  grist-mill  in 
1876.  The  building  is  33  x  44  feet,  two 
stories  and  basement,  fitted  with  two  run  of 
burrs.  Mr.  Fleck  is  himself  operating  the 
mill.  He  owns  320  acres  of  land,  110  of 
which  is  valuable  timber.  He  has  bought  and 
sold  a  large  amount  of  real  estate,  owning  at 
one  time  1,000  acres.  In  1840  Mr.  pleck 
was  married,  in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Hedrick,  who  passed  through 
all  the  trials  and  privations  of  pioneer  life 
in  this  county,  lielping  to  build  a  home  which 
she  was  not  permitted  to  enjoy.  She  died 
June  24,  1860,  at  the  age  of  forty  years.  Mr. 
Fleck's  second  wife,  whom  he  married  in  1863, 
was  formerly  Miss  Lenora  Eamy,  a  native  of 
Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fleck  reared  ten 
children,  eight  sons  and  two  daughters,  all 
of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Those  living  are 
widely  separated.  John  resides  in  Oregon; 
William  lives  in  Jackson  Township;   Cordo- 


■r'^iRTj; 


»5iwsa<^rBr^»a„.e.„iB,ijaB^rajra;^T»i,».f»,M.^». 


,■^■^■^1 


,i«,»_». 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


411 


\\\ 


\v, 


via  in  Pottawatomie  County,  this  State; 
Peter  is  in  California;  Frank  in  Council 
Blufi's;  Cliarles  in  Coloi^do;  George  and 
Mary  Ellen  are  at  home;  Samuel  and  An- 
netta  are  deceased.  All  except  the  last  two 
named  are  married  and  well  settled  in  life, 
and  all  are  worthy  citizens.  George  and 
Mary  Ellen  are  cliildren  of  the  second  mar- 
riage. Politically  Mr.  Fleck  atfiliates  with 
the  Republican  party.  He  held  the  office  of 
postmaster  of  Kendrick  for  about  six  years. 
That  postoffice  is  now  abolished. 


■•^tf 


fj.  LINN  resides  on  section  28,  Kendrick 
Township,  and  is  a  member  of  the  firm 
®  of  Linn  Brothers.  He  was  born  in 
Perry  County,  Pennsylvania,  August  6,  1845, 
son  of  John  and  Jane  Linn.  His  youth  was 
passed  in  attending  the  common  schools,  and 
in  assisting  at  farm  work.  He  completed  his 
education  at  Mount  Morris  Seminary,  Illinois. 
Daring  tlie  late  war  he  enlisted  August  6, 
1862,  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and 
Tliirty-third  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  serving 
eleven  months.  He  also  served  in  the  Inde- 
pendent State  Cavalry  for  three  months,  and 
afterward  re-enlisted  in  Company  C,  Ninth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  General  Kilpatrick 
commanding.  He  participated  in  all  the 
battles  of  that  famous  commander,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  at  Newbern,  North 
Carolina,  and  in  June,  1865,  returned  to 
Perry  County,  Pennsylvania.  In  1866,  in 
company  with  his  brother,  AV.  S.,  he  removed 
to  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  residing  there  one 
year,  and  in  1867  removed  to  Jones  County, 
Iowa,  crossing  the  Mississippi  River  on  the 
ice.  In  1868  he  came  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  and  located  upon  his  present  farm.  He 
was  married  in  February,  1869,  to  Miss 
Margery  Dickey,  a  native  of  Jackson  County, 

31 


Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  David  and  Nancy 
Dickej^,  and 'to  this  union  have  been  born 
eight  children — Lura,  Jane,  Charles,  Clarence, 
Eva,  Mary,  Etta  and  Anna.  Politically  Mr. 
Linn  is  a  zealous  Republican,  and  has  served 
as  township  trustee  eleven  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  N.  II.  Powers  Post,  No.  Ill, 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Scranton.  Linn  Brothers  own 
250  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in 
Greene  County,  and  it  is  well  improved  and 
cultivated.  They  have  a  good  residence,  and 
their  farm  buildings  are  commodious  and 
comfortable.  They  also  have  good  feed  lots 
and  stock  scales,  and  are  extensively  engaged 
in  stock-raising  and  feeding,  and  have  some 
fine  grades  of  horses  and  swine.  The  broth- 
ers have,  l)y  their  cordial  manner  and  honor- 
able dealing,  secured  the  confidence  of  all 
who  know  them. 


.•4^-<^. 


§EORGE  Y.  FRENCH,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing agriculturists  of  Greene  County, 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
on  section  17,  Willow  Township,  was  born  in 
Livingston  County,  Now  York,  April  23, 
1833,  a  son  of  Harley  and  Mary  (Hall) 
French,  who  were  natives  of  Connecticut. 
When  a  young  man  he  served  an  apprentice- 
ship at  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed about  eight  years.  He  was  married 
in  May,  1864,  to  Miss  Christina  Sjoberg,  a 
native  of  Sweden,  born  October  24,  1841,  a 
daughter  of  Andes  and  Anna  Sjoberg.  They 
are  the  parents  of  five  children — Fred,  Mamie, 
Ella,  Jessie  and  Etta.  In  1867  Mr.  French 
settled  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he  followed 
his  trade  some  six  years.  He  then  opened  a 
meat  market,  which  he  carried  on  for  three 
years  in  partnership  with  Patrick  McDonald, 
^yhen  the  partnership  was  dissolved  by  mu- 
tual consent.     Mr.   French  then  engaged  in 


iV-^Ufar- 


=3=^ 


i(^T>^wi;»WMr,-M-iSP--g»Tg;^ 


»^«°'M=^Ul''lf.' 


H2 


HIHTOIiY    Oh'    GREENE    COUNTY. 


tlie  dairy  business,  which  he  carried  on  for 
fifteen  years.  In  1877  he  immigrated  with 
his  family  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  settling 
M'here  he  now  resides,  which  at  that  time  was 
raw  prairie  land.  His  farm  now  contains 
280  acres  of  well  improved  and  highly  culti- 
vated land,  which  has  been  acquired  by  years 
of  toil  and  industry.  Tlis  residence  is  com- 
fortable and  commodious,  and  his  barns  and 
other  farm  buildings  are  among  the  best  in 
the  county.  His  farm  is  well  watered  and  is 
admirably  adapted  to  stock-raising,  to  which 
he  devotes  some  attention.  Politically  Mr. 
French  is  a  staunch  Republican.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  township  trustee  for  three 
years,  and  has  also  served  acceptably  as 
school  director.  His  postoffice  is  Bayard. 
Iowa. 


"'"*"^"  2' '! "  ^"^ 


^[TEPHEN  C.  MAYNARD,  editor,  is 
'^St  also  postniaster  of  Grand  Junction.  He 
^^  was  born  in  Bradford  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, February  20,  1846,  a  son  of  William 
E  Maynard,  a  native  of  Washington  County, 
New  York,  and  now  deceased.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common 
English  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
county.  Most  of  his  knowledge,  however,  is 
of  the  practical  order,  and  has  been  acquired 
through  stern  experience.  Losing  his  father 
when  l)ut  thirteen  years  old,  he  went,  an  en- 
tire stranger,  to  Binghamton,  New  York,  to 
learn  the  printer's  trade.  After  four  years 
he  was  made  foreman  of  the  office  in  which 
he  was  employed.  Some  months  later  he  was 
made  local  editor.  In  1868  he  came  West 
and  worked  a  year  in  the  office  of  the  Des 
Moines  Bulletin.  Next  he  spent  a  year  at 
home,  after  which  he  was  with  the  State 
Register.  He  came  to  Grand  Junction  in 
August,  1871,  and  took  charge  of  the  Head- 


light^ which  he  bought  six  months  later.  He 
has  done  well  since,  though  suffering  a  total 
loss  by  fire  in  August,  1879.  He  has  a  com- 
fortable home.  His  political  service  was  re- 
cognized November  23,  1885,  by  his  ap- 
opintment  as  postmaster.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen, 
and  was  for  ten  years  secretary  of  the  school 
board.  Mr.  Maynard  was  married  June  25, 
1876,  to  Miss  Carrie  E.  Miller,  daughter  of 
Philo  W.  Miller,  of  Grand  Junction.  They 
have  two  children — Claudius  W.  and  Elsie  L. 


;^,ENRY  R.  MYERS  is  the  only  surviving 

yson  of  Berlin  Myers,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Greene  County.  The  father  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  when  a  child 
removed  with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood  and  was  married  in  Tus- 
carawas County  to  Miss  Mary  Ross.  In 
June,  1855,  he  emigrated  to  Iowa  with  his 
family,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  what  is  now 
Washington  Township,  where  he  entered  a 
quarter  section  of  land.  This  farm  he  im- 
proved, and  lived  upon  it  until  February, 
1865,  when  he  leased  his  farm  and  removed 
to  Jefferson,  where,  with  his  sons,  Joseph  R., 
John  W.  and  Henry  R.,  he  erected  a  saw-mill 
where  the  flouring-mill  of  Jefferson  now 
stands.  Two  or  three  years  later  he  put  up 
the  grist-mill,  which  has  since  been  known  as 
the  Jefferson  Mills.  In  February,  1872, 
Berlin  Myers  died,  but  previous  to  his  death 
he  had  purchased  the  interest  of  his  son,  John 
W.  Sometime  after  the  death  of  the  father, 
the  two  sons,  Joseph  and  Henry,  exchanged 
the  mill  property  for  a  farm  of  240  acres  in 
Grant  Township,  and  they  lived  upon  it 
several  years.  Joseph  died  in  1S80,  and 
John  died  in  January,  1883,  leaving  a  wife 
and  one  daughter.     Joseph  left  a  wife  and  six 


"■"■f  "m^m^m—m^m"" 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


413 


children.  Henry  R.  was  born  January  21, 
1839,in  Tuscarawas  County,01uo.  In  August, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Tenth  Iowa 
Infantry,  and  served  until  February,  1865. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  Champion  Hills, 
Inka,  Vicksburg,  Chattanooga,  Missionary 
Ridge,  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  Sherman's 
march  to  the  sea.  He  was  a  gallant  soldier 
and  served  his  country  faithfully.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Myers  was 
formerly  Mary  C.  Hall. 


B.  HATFIELD,  a  prosperous  agri- 
culturist of  Hardin  Township,  resid- 
?l-®  ing  on  section  16,  was  born  in  Ohio 
May  9,  1837,  his  parents,  S.  H.  and  Sarah 
(Benson)  Hatfield,  being  natives  of  the  same 
State.  Mr.  Hatfield  was  reared  in  his  native 
State,  and  in  his  youth  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade,  serving  an  apprenticeship  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  which  he  followed  for  ten 
years.  He  then,  in  1856,  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Benton  Count}',  Iowa,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming,  and  has  since  followed 
that  avocation  with  the  exception  of  two  years 
spent  in  the  defense  of  his  country.  He  was 
a  member  of  Company  A,  Twenty-eighth 
Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  in  several  important 
engagements,  including  the  battles  of  Vicks- 
burg and  Champion  Hills.  He  was  mustered 
out  of  the  service  at  Jefierson  Barracks  and 
received  his  final  discharge  when  he  returned 
to  his  home.  Mr.  Hatfield's  educational  ad- 
vantages were  somewhat  limited,  he  attending 
the  common  school,  which  was  held  in  a  log 
school-house,  three  miles  from  his  home. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  in  March,  1864, 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sherve,  who  was  born  in 
La  Fayette.  Indiana,  January  1,  1843, 
a  daughter  of  J.  M.  and  Eliza  (Mereckal) 
Sherve,    who    were    also  natives  of  Indiana. 


Five  children  have  heen  born  to  this  union,  of 
whom  four  are  yet  living — Scott,  born  Au- 
gust 3,  1862;  Milton  B.,  born  November  22, 
1868;  Demster  D.,  born  November  6,  1872, 
and  Rhoda,  born  January  20,  1879.  Jersey 
M.  M'as  born  December  15,  1864,  and  died 
December  17,  1877.  Mr.  Hatfield  has  met 
with  good  success  in  his  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  and  since  coming  to  Greene  County 
he  has  accumulated  his  present  fine  property, 
which  consists  of  320  acres  of  choice  land, 
eight  acres  of  which  is  forest,  the  remainder 
being  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  In  his 
political  views  Mr.  Hatfield  is  a  Democrat. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity since  1860,  an  organization  in  which 
he  takes  much  interest.  Postoffice,  Jeffer- 
son, Iowa. 


■ILLIAM  CLIPPERTON,  farmer  and 

-p;W'fty|i)i  stock-raiser,  residing  on  section  6, 
l"=5>fe=-J  Highland  Township,  is  a  native  of 
England,  born  September  15,  1819.  His  par- 
ents, Austin  and  Annie  Clipperton,  were 
also  natives  of  England.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  three  sons  and  six  daughters,  our 
subject  being  the  eldest  child.  They  immi- 
grated to  America  in  an  early  day,  settling  in 
Canada.  The  father  being  a  farmer,  William 
was  reared  to  the  same  occupation,  which  he 
has  made  his  life  work.  He  was  reared  in 
his  native  country  till  his  seventeenth  year 
when  he  sailed  with  his  parents  from  Yar- 
mouth harbor,  landing  at  Quebec  in  Au- 
gust, 1836.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
until  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-four  years, 
they  having  located  near  New  London,  Can- 
ada. He  then  bought  100  acres  of  timber 
land  which  he  cleared  and  farmed  for  a  time. 
He  came  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  March, 
1870,  and  bought  200  acres  of  prairie  land, 


^■^»i_i_«_a,»_B»»„i,»,»»w»»«"«««»«»«»«"»gj>! 


.M\ 


'■^■i™i"i»* 


'-■■■■■-■-■-■»»»»»"»a-"i 


i»Jb^yj»g»°ii*«"ii»«iJ!Ux«UiJ"M!!gl5g: 


414 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


for  which  he  paid  $3,400  in  gold.  For  his 
wife  he  married  Miss  Jane  Taylor,  who  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  September,  1830,  her  par- 
ents, John  and  JVIai-y  Taylor,  also  being  na- 
tives of  Ireland.  The  following  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clipperton — 
Eliza  A.,  Margaret  J.  (deceased),  John, 
Keoma,  Hannah,  William.  Margeret  J., 
Mary,  Tliomas,  Frank  and  Henry.  Mr.  Clip- 
perton is  a  tliorough,  practical  farmer,  and 
since  coming  to  Greene  Countj-  has  added  to 
his  original  purchase  till  his  farm  now  con- 
tains 640  acres  of  as  good  land  as  the  county 
alfords.  He  has  a  tine  orchard  containing 
400  trees,  and  his  improvements  are  among 
the  best  in  the  township  where  he  resides. 
In  politics  Mr.  Clipperton  casts  his  suffrage 
witli  tlie  Kepnblican  party. 


tiEERY  C.  STREAM,  residing  on  sec- 
tion 8,  Bristol  Township,  came  to 
— JC  Greene  County  in  1876.  In  that 
year  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land, 
whicli  now  constitutes  his  home  farm.  It 
was  partially  improved  and  a  small  house 
had  been  built.  He  has  since  added  eighty 
acres  more,  erected  a  good,  substantial  resi- 
dence and  other  farm  buildings,  and  put  the 
whole  property  under  first-class  improvement. 
Mr.  Stream  was  born  in  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  ^[arch  27,  1837.  In  1854  his  parents, 
Elias  and  Mary  Ann  Stream,  settled  in  Put- 
nam Township,  Linn  County,  this  State.  He 
is  a  brother  of  William  C,  Fenton,  Calvin, 
Wilson  and  Charles  Stream,  of  this  county. 
Perry  C.  Stream  and  Miss  Annie  Langdon, 
daughter  of  Luther  Langdon,  were  united  in 
marriage  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Linn  County,  De- 
cember 18,  1865.  They  lived  in  Putnam 
Township,  wliere  Mr.  Stream  owned  a  farm, 
until   1875.      After  that  they  lived  one  year 


in  Johnson  County,  just  previous  to  coming 
to  Greene  County.  They  have  five  children 
— Thomas,  Charles,  Perry,  Harry  and  Mattie. 
All  are  living  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stream 
are  members  of  the  ]\[ethodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  Mr.  Stream  votes  the  Republican 
ticket. 


-1*^-1-- 


Ik^^ILLIAM  H.  PIERCE,  liveryman,  at 
"fwwl  Grrand  Junction,  was   born    in   Dane 

l"^*T-l  County,  Wisconsin,  December  21, 
1847.  His  father,  Nelson  Pierce,  is  a  native 
of  Yates  County,  New  York,  and  was  a  pio- 
neer of  Dane  County,  where  he  still  resides. 
William  II.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1870,  and  to 
Grand  Junction  in  1877,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  has  been  in  his  present  business 
most  of  the  time  since  he  settled  here.  He 
keeps  a  large  livery,  feed  and  exchange  stable, 
his  building  being  100x36  feet.  He  was 
married  September  22,  1877,  to  Amelia  J. 
Burk,  daughter  of  Allen  Burk,  of  Angus, 
this  State.  They  have  one  child — Fred  A. 
Mr.  Pierce  proved  his  patriotism  during  the 
late  war  by  enlisting  three  times.  He  was 
each   time  refused  on   account  of   being  too 


young. 


— *^>+^>- 


A.  TURRILL,  of  Jefferson,  is  one  of 
j^T|  the  former  sujierintendents  of  the 
'^M'^  public  schools  of  Greene  County.  He 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Livonia,  Livingston 
County,  New  York,  in  1839.  In  1855  he 
removed  with  his  father,  J.  G.  Turrill,  to 
Nunda,  in  the  same  county.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  the  Literary  Institute  of  that  village, 
and  began  teaching  at  the  age  of  seventeen 


[l^ammm^m^Ummmm,smrsiesmsniimts=x=KS,mmmmmmmmin 


'■■-■-■-"-■-■-■'■■-■wiiymir..B,«»w.w_M 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


415 


year?.  Pie  continued  attending  and  teacliing 
school  until  1861.  In  April  of  that  year  he 
was  made  freiglit  and  ticket  agent  for  the 
Philadelphia  et  Erie  Railroad,  in  Warren 
County,  Pennsj'lvania.  In  September,  1864, 
lie  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Two  Hundred 
and  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  and  iiis 
regiment  became  a  part  of  the  Third  Division 
of  tlie  Ninth  Army  Corps.  He  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  discharged  in 
June,  1865.  He  participated  in  the  capture 
of  Fort  Stednian,  battle  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, taking  part  in  the  last  charge  made  on 
the  enemy's  works  at  that  place.  After  the 
war  he  returned  to  Nunda,  New  York,  and 
studied  law  with  George  Osgood,  Esq.,  for 
about  two  years,  but  resumed  teaching.  He 
came  to  Jefferson  in  October,  1867,  and  has 
been  connected  with  school  work  nearly  all 
the  time  since.  In  the  fall  of  1877  he  was 
elected  superintendent  of  schools  of  Greene 
Countj',  and  served  eight  years.  Under  liis 
supervision  the  schools  made  rapid  progress, 
and  approached  a  high  standard.  April  14, 
1868,  Mr.  Turrill  was  married,  at  Nunda, 
New  York,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Stilson,  of  that 
town,  who  was  born  in  Burmah,  Farther  India, 
in  1843.  Her  father,  Rev.  Lyman  Stilson,  was 
then  a  missionary  in  that  far  distant  land  and 
was  accompanied  by  liis  family.  In  1853 
when  Mrs.  Turrill  was  in  her  tenth  year,  the 
family  returned  to  America.  She  received 
excellent  educational  advantages,  and  began 
teaching  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years;  she 
has  devoted  much  of  her  life  to  that  profes- 
sion. In  the  autumn  of  1885  Mrs.  Turrill 
succeeded  her  husband  as  superintendent  of 
schools  of  Greene  County.  Her  long  experi- 
ence in  the  profession  renders  her  eminently 
qualified  for  this  position.  Previous  to  her 
marriage,  she  was  for  four  years  engaged  as 
bookkeeper  for  a  business  house  in  Phila- 
delphia.    Mr.   and    Mrs.   TurrilJ    have  three 


children — Gardner  L.,  born  in  1870;  Mary 
L.,  born  in  1872;  and  Willie,  born  in  1877. 
Their  third  child,  Boyd  D.,  died  in  infancy, 
in  1874.  Nathan  P.  Stilson,  a  brother  of  Mrs. 
Turrill,  was  born  in  Burmah  in  1845.  He 
was  educated  at  Nunda,  New  York,  and 
came  West  in  1849,  where  he  engaged  in 
teaching  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was 
county  surveyor  of  Greene  County  from  1873 
until  1877.  He  is  now  in  Union,  Oregon,  in 
the  employ  of  the  Government  as  civil 
engineer  and  surveyor. 


fOHN  O'CONNOR,  section  27,  Wash- 
ington Township,  is  a  native  of  County 
Clare,  Ireland,  born  about  the  year  1816. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  country, 
and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Margaret 
Eyras,  a  daughter  of  Lawrence  Eyras.  Ten 
children  were  born  to  them,  six  of  whom  are 
still  living — Mary,  Annie,  Michael,  John, 
Margaret  and  Eliza.  In  the  spring  of  1864 
Mr.  O'Connor  immigrated  with  his  family  to 
America,  settling  in  Limestone,  New  York, 
where  he  worked  in  a  tannery  thirteen 
months,  and  for  several  years  worked  at 
various  occupations.  In  1867  he  came  to 
Iowa,  locating  lirst  at  Le  Claire,  where  he 
spent  three  months.  The  same  year  he  went 
to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  as  a 
farm  laborer  for  one  year.  He  was  then  em- 
ployed on  the  Des  Moines  &  Fort  Dodge 
Railroad  for  two  years,  and  during  this  time 
lived  at  Fort  Dodge  one  year,  and  one  year 
at  Des  Moines.  In  1870  he  came  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  when  he  located  on  the  farm 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  in  his  part  of  the 
township,  there  being  but  one  house  between 
his  and  Grand  Junction.  His  land  was 
almost  entirely  unimproved,  and    his  nearest 


:»-■-■-■-■-■-"-'*-■-■-'■■■■■■■'■ 


416 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


trading  point  was  Perry,  ten  and  a  half  miles 
distant.  He  began  life  in  limited  circum- 
stances, but  by  hard  work,  strict  economy  and 
good  management  he  has  met  with  success  in 
his  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  200  acres  of  choice  land,  the  entire 
surroundings  of  his  place  proving  him  to  be 
a  thorough,  practical  farmer. 


»Si  'S' 


ffOHN  IN  BODY,  of  the  iirm  of  Inbody 
J    &  Covell,   Jefferson,   is  one  of  the  old 
residents    of   that    city,    having   located 
there   in  August,   1868.     He  is    the   oldest 
man  in  the  foundry  business  in  that  place. 
When  he  lirst  came  there  he  was  associated 
with  William  Price  in  blacksmithing.     The 
following   spring  he  bought  his  partner's  in- 
terest, but  was  associated  with  various  parlies 
at  different  times.     February    27,  1882,  he 
engaged   in    the   foundry   business  with    his 
present  partner,  M.  J.  Covell.     This  firm  are 
the  owners  and   proprietors  of  the  foundry 
and  machine  shops  of  Jefferson.    Mr.  Inbody 
was    born    in    Elkhart   County,    Indiana,    in 
1844.     His  parents  were   Jacob  and  Susan 
Inbody.     In  the  spring   of  1853   the   family 
removed  to  Iowa  and  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Linn  County,  near  Cedar  Rapids;  the  father 
still  resides  on  that  farm.     John  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  in  February,  1860,  he   began 
an  apprenticeship  in  the  blacksmithing  busi- 
ness at  Cedar  Ilapids,  where  he  worked  about 
three  years,  and  then  went  to  Goshen,  Elk- 
hart County,  Indiana,  where  he  worked  for 
some    time,  and    also   at   other   points.     He 
came  to  Jefferson  from   Linn  County,  where 
he  had  worked  the  two  preceding  years.     Mr. 
Inbody  was  bound  out  when  a  boy  and  began 
life  with  nothing.    On  the  16th  day  of  July, 
1877,  he  sustained  a  severe  loss  by  fire.     Al- 
though he  had  no  insurance  on  his  property, 


he  resumed  business  the  following  Novem- 
ber. Mrs.  Inbody  was  formerly  Miss  Mattie 
L.  Shorey,  daughter  of  Washington  Shorey. 
She  was  born  in  Oswego  County,  New  York. 
Their  two  children  are — Josie  E.  and  Nellie 
May.  Charles  E.,  their  second  child,  died  at 
the  age  of  ten  years;  the  oldest  son,  James 
W.  died  in  infancy;  two  others  also  died 
quite  young.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Inbody  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  church.  Politically 
Mr.  Inbody  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Blue  Lodge  of  Masons,  and  is  also  a 
Knight  Templar.  He  has  an  excellent  li- 
brary of  standard  works,  and  is  well  informed 
on  the  general  topics  of  the  day. 


v^^^-f^- 


R.  JOHN  M.  SHERMAN,  of  Paton, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Switzerland  County, 
Indiana,  May  8,  1851,  a  son  of  Haven 
Sherman,  of  Davis  County,  Iowa.  Haven 
Sherman  is  a  native  of  Jefferson  County,  In- 
diana, born  on  land  on  which  his  father  set- 
tled over  seventy  years  ago.  Our  subject 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Davis  County, 
Iowa,  in  1856,  they  being  among  the  early 
settlers,  and  there  he  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  living  there  till  reaching  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years.  He  received  good 
educational  advantages  in  his  youth,  attend- 
ing the  common  school,  and  later  the  Normal 
school  at  Troy,  Indiana.  He  comjJeted  his 
medical  studies  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  graduating 
from  that  institution  March  2,  1880.  He 
was  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  two  years, 
when  he  came  to  Paton,  locating  at  this  place 
in  June,  1875,  where  he  has  since  followed 
the  practice  of  medicine,  building  up  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice.  He  built  the  first 
business  house  at  Paton,  and  in  connection 
with  his   medical  practice   has  established   a 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


417 


first-class  drug  store,  where  lie  keeps  a  full 
line  of  drugs,  medicines,  wall  paper,  paints, 
oils,  watches,  clocks  and  jewelry,  books,  glass- 
ware and  notions,  and  by  his  strict  attention 
to  the  wants  of  his  customers,  and  reasonable 
prices,  he  has  made  his  business  a  success. 
Dr.  Sherman  was  married  September  19, 
1875,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Burdette,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  Burdette,  deceased.  They  are  the 
parents  of  three  children — Bertie  A.,  Leniont 
A.  and  Joseph  Guy.  The  doctor  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Central  District  Medical  Associa- 
tion, of  Iowa,  and  of  the  Iowa  State  Medical 
Society.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Baton. 


fHAKLES  LONG  was  born  in  Randolph 
County,  Illinois,  September  8,  1846, 
^  son  of  James  and  Sarah  Long.  When 
he  was  two  years  of  age  his  father  died,  and 
when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  his  mother 
also  died.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he 
began  to  learn  the  cooper's  trade,  which  he 
followed  twelve  years,  having  become  a  resi- 
dent of  Noble  County,  Indiana.  He  was 
married  there  November  16,  1868,  to  Miss 
Ellen  Ballah,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Ballah. 
Mrs.  Long  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  August  18,  1850.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Long  became  residents  of  Greene  County  in 
187-4.  Thej'  have  one  son — Orton  0.,  born 
Januai-y  2,  1873.  The  present  residence  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  is  on  section  17,  Bristol 
Township.  They  first  settled  in  Kendrick 
Township,  where  they  lived  six  years.  They 
then  took  charge  of  the  Greene  County  poor 
farm,  in  Bristol  Township,  which  they  man- 
aged successfully  five  years.  Upon  leaving 
that  institution  they  came  to  their  present 
home,  which  was  in  March,  1886.  Mr.  Long 
has  placed   his  fine  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  a 


good  state  of  cultivation.  His  residence  was 
built  in  1882,  which  for  a  time  was  occupied 
by  a  tenant.  Mr.  Long  is  a  Republican,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  Jeffer- 
son Lodee. 


►^wf. 


l^^OBERT  HANSON,  one  of  Scranton 
¥m^  Township's  enterprising  farmers,  resides 
"^^^  on  the  east  half  of  section  7,  where  he 
owns  a  good  farm  of  320  acres.  In  1880  his 
land  was  wild  and  naked  prairie,  but  now  it 
is  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township,  the 
result  of  hard  and  persistent  work  on  the 
part  of  Mr.  Hanson.  He  is  a  native  of  Den- 
mark, born  October  8,  1851,  a  son  of  Hans 
and  Botilde  Hanson.  His  father  is  deceased, 
and  his  mother  still  lives  in  her  native  coun- 
try. Robert  Hanson  came  to  the  United 
States  a  poor  boy,  being  obliged  to  borrow 
the  money  with  which  to  pay  his  passage; 
but  he  was  possessed  of  good  health  and  an 
ambition  to  succeed  in  the  accumulation  of 
this  world's  goods,  which  have  been  worth 
more  to  him  than  a  legacy.  He  reached 
Piano,  Illinois,  four  days  before  his  nineteenth 
birthday,  remaining  there  during  the  winter, 
and  in  March,  1871,  he  went  to  Montana  and 
engaged  in  mining.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he 
went  to  Utah,  and  from  there  in  the  spring 
of  1873,  to  California,  where  he  remained 
until  the  autumn  of  1877.  He  then  came 
east  to  Iowa,  having  acquired  considerable 
capital  in  California.  He  lived  in  Carroll 
County  three  years,  and  in  1880  established 
his  present  home.  He  remained  single  during 
his  wanderings,  but  March  12,  1884,  suc- 
cumbed to  the  little  god,  Cupid,  and  was 
married  to  Miss  Kirstone  Maria  Johnson, 
daughter  of  Hans  Johnson.  She  is  also  a 
native  of  Denmark,  born  in  1861,  and  in 
1872  accompanied    her  parents  to  America. 


I  ji 


'-■-—■■■ 


ra?inp«iiii«a»-"mgi»-"i»"-"«"«»ir"j»a»i;»5 


Ifl 


418 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanson  have  two  children — 
Eobert  R.  and  Botilde  J.  Mr.  Hanson  is 
quite  independent  in  politics,  but  in  national 
elections  votes  with  the  Republican  party. 
He  is  a  good  representative  of  the  self-made 
man,  so  many  of  whom  have  been  developed 
in  the  great  West. 


.-jMf 


^ENRY  BEEBE  has  been  a  resident  of 
Greene    County    since   1865.     At  that 
time  he  settled  upon  160  acres  of  land 
on    section    35,    Kendriek  Township,  which 
was    then    in    its   primitive  condition.      He 
sold  that  farm  and  removed  to  his  present 
home  in  Bristol  Township  in  18 — ,  which  is 
one  of  the  most  desirable  farms  in  that  part 
of  the  county.     It  comprises   270    acres  of 
land  in  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation.     It 
is  fenced  into  five  lields.     His  residence  and 
other  farm   buildings    are    noticeably  good. 
Mr.  Beebe  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  New 
York,  November  20,   1840,  son    of  Alonzo 
and  Elizabeth  Beebe.     He  was  the  eldest  of 
a   family   of  six    sons   and    three    daughters. 
When   he  was  (juite  young   his   parents  re- 
moved to  Kendall  County,  Illinois,  where  he 
grew    to    manhood.     August    21,    1861,    he 
volunteered  in  defense  of  his  country,  becom- 
ing  a  member  of  Company  A,  Thirty-sixth 
Illinois  Infantry,   at    Pea  Ridge,  Arkansas. 
He  received  his  baptism  of  lire  at  luka  and 
Corinth,  where   his    regiment    lost   heavily. 
He  was  again  in  the  line  of  battle  and  in  the 
campaign  leading  to  the  capture  of  Vicks- 
bnrg,  and  afterward,  with  his   regiment,  was 
transferred   to  the  Gulf   dej)artment,  and  in 
the  disastrous  Red  River  campaign.     After 
three   years'   service  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged and   went  home.     lie  again  entered 
the  service  as  an  employe  in  the  quartermas- 
ter's  department,  at  Vicksburg,  and  at  the 


close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Illinois,  and 
thence  to  this  county,  January  1,  1866.  He 
married  Miss  Mary  Wright,  daughter  of 
AVillis  Wright,  of  Jefferson.  She  was  born 
in  Putnam  County,  Indiana,  August  15, 
1850.  To  this  union  five  children  have  been 
born — Orville,  Willie  (deceased),  Myria,  Or- 
son and  Hazen.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Beebe 
moved  to  Chicago  in  1864,  where  they  now 
live  a  retired  life.  Their  son  John  also  lives 
in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Sarah  Kinsley  and  Or- 
semus  live  in  Bristol  Township,  near  neigh- 
bors to  Henry.  Orville  lives  in  Kendall 
County,  Illinois.  LeGrand  lives  in  Chicago. 
Mrs.  Jennie  Large,  Mrs.  Helen  Sherman  and 
Jerome  live  in  California.  Orsemus  served 
in  the  late  war  as  a  member  of  the  Eighth 
Illinois  Cavalry,  and  Orville  served  in  the 
United  States  Navy.  In  politics  Mr.  Beebe 
is  an  ardent  Republican. 

— ^4«J-^— 


M.  REEDER,  farmer,  section  6,  Frank- 
lin Township,  is  a  native  of  Missouri, 
born  May  5,  1839,  son  of  William  and 
Nancy  (Morris)  Reeder,  who  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children,  our  subject  being  the 
fourth.  When  he  was  a  babe  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
spent  his  youth  in  farm  work  and  attending 
the  common  schools.  At  thirteen  years  of 
age  he  came  to  Cedar  County,  Iowa.  June 
7,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Neeley,  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  and  a  wo- 
man of  superior  intelligence.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Margery  (IMofiitt) 
Neeley.  Mr.  Reeder  came  to  this  county  in 
1875,  where  he  purchased  200  acres  of  land, 
and  tlien  sold  it,  coming  to  his  present  farm 
in  18b  1.  He  owns  320  acres  of  excellent 
land,  lias  a  comfortable,  well-furnished  resi- 
dence, a  good    barn  and  other    valuable  im- 


■-■M«i-e,»»». 


?r?"~TJI***"!l^™***?J^*"^'?r!f!t!l'^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


419 


provements.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eeeder  are  the 
parents  of  seven  children  —  Edward,  Ella, 
Emma,  Ellis,  Hattie,  George  and  William. 
Mr.  Eeeder  is  politically  a  Eepublican,  and 
has  served  as  township  trustee.  He  is  a 
member  of  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  315, 
I.  O.  G.  T.  He  started  in  life  a  poor  man, 
bnt  has  gained  a  competence  by  his  own  ex- 
ertions. 


S.  LINN",  section  28,  Kendrick 
Township,  is  a  member  of  the  firm 
"s^isr-j  ^  of  Linn  Brothers,  and  was  born  in 
Perry  County,  Pennsylvania,  April  5,  1843, 
son  of  John  and  Jane  (McKinzie)  Linn,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania,  who  reared  a  family 
of  nine  children — Sarah  B.,  Nancy  K.,  Mar- 
tha, Margaret  E.,  Caroline,  W.  S.,  John  J., 
Daniel  M.  and  Elizabeth  D.  Five  of  these 
children  are  living.  Our  subjects  was  reared 
a  farmer  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
During  tiie  late  war  he  enlisted  August  6, 
1862,  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  One  Hun- 
dred and' Thirty-third  Pennsylvania  Infantry 
for  nine  months.  He  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville, 
being  slightly  wounded  in  the  arm  in  the 
first  named  battle.  He  served  eleven  months 
and  was  honorably  discharged.  He  re-en- 
listed in  August,  1864,  in  Company  C,  Ninth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  General  Kilpatrick 
commanding,  and  was  'n  all  the  engagements 
of  that  famous  cavalry  leader.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  in  May,  1865,  and  returned 
home  to  Peri'y  County,'  Pennsylvania.  In 
February,  1866,  he  removed  to  Ogle  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  lived  three  years,  and  in 
1869  came  to  Greene  County,  this  State,  and 
settled  on  his  present  farm  in  Kendrick 
Townshij),  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is 
a  member  of  Powers  Post,  No.  Jll,  G.  A.  E., 


at  Scranton,  and   politically  is  a  strong  Ee- 
publican. 


t^^[  p.  PHELPS,  one  of  the  representative 
"v'TOL  business  men  of  Scranton,  is  a  native 
.^^®  of  Ohio,  born  in  Lorain  County  in  the 
year  1849.  He  passed  his  boyhood  days  in 
his- native  county,  receiving  acommon  sdiool 
education.  Before  attaining  his  majority  he 
went  to  Westfield,  Massachnsetts,  whei-e  he. 
engaged  in  the  grain  business.  For  his  "wife 
he  married  Miss  L.  E.  Eininger,  a  native  of 
Seneca  County,  Ohio,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  four  children- — Mabel,  Edna,  Eay- 
mond  and  Homer,  the  eldest  born  in  West- 
field,  and  the  remainder  natives  of  Scranton, 
Iowa.  Mr.  Phelps  came  to  Scranton  from 
Massachusetts  with  his  family  in  the  spring 
of  1875,  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  the 
grain  and  lumber  business.  In  1878  he  sold 
out  his  business  to  his  father,  Henrj'  Phelps, 
whenhe]mrchased  the  floul'ing  mill  at  Scran- 
ton, which  he  owned  and  operated  for  five 
years.  In  1884  he  again  took  an  interest  in 
the  grain  business  with  his  father,  and  in 
August  of  the  same  year  he  purchased  his 
father's  interest  in  the  grain  business,  which 
he  has  since  conducted,  his  father  still  being 
engaged  in  the  lumber  and  hardware  business, 
and  both  are  meeting  with  good  success.  In 
his  political  views  Mr.  Phelps  aiSliates 
with  the  Eepublican  party. 


Ig^OEACE  L.  HENDEESON,.  farmer, 
IB)  residing  on  section  22,  Jackson  Town- 
*^(|  ship,  came  to  Greene  County  in  1873 
from  Eock  County,  AVisconsin,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  settled  upon  his  present  farm.  He 
owns   160  acres   in  his  liome  farm,  besides 


J 

} 


420 


r»B»aTii-»5»---wiii»^T^^"«»i»«"-"-ga»'»"-»-"«»«"-"-'"-"j»ai»ii«. 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


eight}'  acres  on  section  23,  which  is  also 
improved.  It  is  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
neighborhood  and  is  devoted  to  stock-raising. 
Mr.  Henderson  was  born  in  Oneida  County, 
New  York,  March  18,  1832,  son  of  F.  W. 
and  Ann  Henderson.  The  family  removed 
to  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  in  the  spring  of 
1850.  The  father  died  in  that  county  in 
1857.  Of  their  three  children  Horace  L. 
was  the  eldest  and  the  only  son.  The  daugh- 
ters, Mary  E.and  Elizabeth,  are  both  deceased. 
In  1858  Mr.  Henderson  was  married  to  Miss 
Margaret  M.  Morris,  daughter  of  William  E. 
and  Zabiah  Morris,  who  was  born  in  Ontario, 
Wayne  County,  New  York,  July  3,  1837. 
Her  youth  was  spent  at  Kochester.  Her 
family  removed  to  Rock  County,  Wisconsin, 
in  1850.  The  parents  now  reside  in  Beatrice, 
Gage  County,  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Henderson  followed  farming  in  Wisconsin 
until  they  came  to  this  county.  They  have 
eight  children — Mar^^  wife  of  Eli  Roberts, 
Frank,  Nettie,  Henry,  Reuben,. Jesse,  Earl  and 
Charles.  All  but  Mrs.  Roberts  are  still  under 
the  parental  roof.  Politically  Mr.  Henderson 
is  a  Republican.  He  is  one  of  the  representa- 
tive men  of  the  county. 


i-5»-tf« 


j,ATRICK  REYNOLDS,  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  section  19,  Junction  Town- 
^*St  ship,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  is  a  native 
of  Ireland,  born  in  County  Monahan,  a  son 
Terrence  Reynolds,  now  deceased.  He  re- 
mained in  his  native  country  until  manhood, 
and  in  the  winter  of  1851-'52  came  to  the 
United  States  and  located  first  in  Cayuga 
County,  New  York.  The  next  year  he  went 
to  Genesee  County,  and  in  the  fall  of  1853 
came  West  as  far  as  Illinois,  and  worked  in 
different  counties  of  that  State  as  a  farm  hand 
until   1857.    when  lie  came  to  Town   and   lias 


since  called  Greene  County  his  home,  although 
for  some  years  he  spent  apart  of  his  time  in  Illi- 
nois. When  he  first  came  to  Iowa  wild  animals 
were  numerous  and  the  streams  abounded  in 
fish,  Mr.  Reynolds  often  going  out  in  the 
morning  and  catching  enough  fish  for  break- 
fast. There  was  but  one  bridge  in  the 
county  when  he  came,  and  neither  school- 
house  nor  church.  There  were  but  fifteen 
houses  in  Jefterson  and  not  a  house  between 
Lizzard  Creek  and  Fort  Dodge.  The  most 
of  the  trading  was  done  at  Des  Moines.  Mr. 
Reynolds  has  been  successful  and  now  owns 
a  fine  farm  of  410  acres,  and  his  building  im- 
provements are  comfortable  and  commodious. 
He  makes  a  specialty  of  stock-raising,  having 
some  of  the  finest  grades  of  cattle  and  hogs. 
Mr.  Reynolds  was  married  October  17,  1876, 
to  Mary  A.  Kane,  a  native  of  Lower  Canada, 
daughter  of  Patrick  Kane. 


P.  ROOT,  one  of  tlie  prominent  business 
men  of  Jefferson,  has  been  identified 
W  ®  ^vith  the  interests  of  this  town  since 
April,  1875.  In  October,  1874,  Mr.  Root  came 
to  Greene  County  from  Northfield,  Rice  Coun- 
ty, Minnesota,  and  purchased  a  farm  of  Isaac 
Peterson  two  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of 
Jett'erson.  In  April  of  the  following  ^ear 
he  settled  upon  his  farm  with  his  family.  In 
February,  1878,  he  bought  a  livery  barn  in 
Jefl'erson  of  Mrs.  Lauahm,  which  he  con- 
ducted until  the  fall  of  1881,  then  sold  out. 
Alay  1,  1882,  he  bought  the  east  side  meat- 
market  of  Joseph  Hiddleson,  which  he  still 
owns.  He  was  born  in  Huron  County,  Ohio, 
in  March,  1845,  When  two  years  of  age  his 
parents  emigrated  to  Wisconsin,  locating  in 
the  town  of  Dartford,  then  Gi'een  Lake,  now 
Marquette  County.  In  1860  the  family  re- 
moved  to  Northfield,    Minnesota,    where  tiie 


r"""*"''*™— ■'^"'^■'""''•'""M"™'''™*''^ 


^D^^m^ljyfmarmiimm^iM^u^mmmmMmmmmisrsmimviim^iimr^-'miiiW^fm-.smsaii 


H 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


421 


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father,  John  L.  Root,  died  in  October,  1880. 
The  mother,  Maria  (Clinton)  Hoot,  came  to 
Greene  County  after  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band and  is  now  tlie  wife  of  AYilliam  Craw- 
ford. There  ai-e  three  surviving  children  of 
John  L.  Root  and  wife — Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Joseph  Sargent,  of  Minneapolis;  John  C,  a 
resident  of  Brownton,  McLeod  County,  Min- 
nesota, and  D.  P.  The  latter  was  married  at 
Northfield  to  Miss  Ella  F.  Wayne,  a  native  of 
Wisconsin.  Tiiey  have  four  daughters — 
Hattie  L.,  Margie,  Jessie  and  Mary.  Horace 
L.  and  an  infant  son  are  deceased. 


+^,- 


tENRY  KETTELL,  salesman  for  Misli 
&  Co.,  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in 
Buckinghamshire,  England,  August  21, 
1840,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Kettell, 
natives  of  the  same  place,  the  former  being 
deceased,  and  the  latter  living  in  England  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Our  subject 
came  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of 
1858,  settling  in  Tipton,  this  State,  where  he 
followed  brick-laying  and  plastering  until 
1863.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Twenty-fourth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Manstield,  Winches- 
ter, Fisher's  Hill,  Cedar  Creek,  and  several 
others.  He  removed  to  AYilton  Junction, 
Muscatine  County,  Iowa,  in  the  fall  of  1865, 
living  there  two  years,  then  went  to  Dur.int, 
Cedar  County,  and  lived  until  1869,  coming 
to  Grand  Junction  at  that  time,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  followed  his  trade 
most  of  the  time  until  1883,  when  he  accepted 
his  present  situation.  November  28,  1867, 
he  married  Josephine  M.  Deming,  daughter 
of  George  Deming,  of  Durant,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  three  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living — William  H.  and  Laura  E.  Mrs. 
Kettell  died  September  30,  1880,  and  in  De- 


cember, 1881,  Mr.  Kettell  was  married  to 
Diantha  C.  Peninger,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Peninger,  of  Grand  Junction.  They  have 
one  child — Edwin  Blaine.  Mr.  Kettell  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  society,  also  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 


fAMES  J.  WILLIAMSON,  engaged  in 
farming  on  section  31,  Washington 
Township,  where  he  owns  forty-two 
acres  of  choice  land,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born 
in  Madison  County,  January  31, 1843,  a  son 
of  James  Williamson,  who  is  now  deceased. 
His  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and 
in  1823,  when  twenty -one  years  old,  he  located 
in  Madison  County,  Ohio.  He  had  received 
no  education  up  to  that  time,  and  seeing  the 
young  men  of  the  north  so  much  in  advance 
of  those  of  the  south  he  determined  to  edu- 
cate himself,  and  by  private  study  and  close 
ol)servation,  he  became  sufficiently  educated 
to  engage  in  teachinff  school.  He  subse- 
quently  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business. 
He  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  a  militia 
regiment  under  Governor  Brough.  James 
A.  Williamson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  reai'ed  to  agricultural  pursuits,  which  he 
has  followed  through  life,  and  in  his  youth  he 
attended  the  common  schools,  where  he 
received  a  fair  education.  In  1852  he  was 
brought  by  his  parents  to  McLean  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  remained  till  1868.  Sep- 
tember 25,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Greene,  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
Greene,  of  Harrison  County,  Missouri.  Ten 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union, of  whom 
six  are  living — Lura,  Olive,  James  G.,  Martha, 
Ellen  and  Marshall.  Three  of  their  children 
died  of  diphtheria.  In  the  fall  of  1868  Mr. 
Williamson  removed  to  Harrison  County, 
Missouri,   and   the   following  year    came    to 


Des  Moines,  Iowa,  thence  to  Greene  County 
in  1870,  where  he  has  since  resided,  and  in 
March,  1881,  settled  on  his  present  farm  in 
AYashington  Township,  and  by  industry  and 
good  management  he  has  brought  his  farm 
under  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation. 


»SmSi 


llEORGE  W.  STATES,  farmer,  section 
22,  Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  April  17,  1850. 
His  father,  Emanuel  States,  of  La  Salle 
County,  Illinois,  emigrated  to  that  county  in 
1861.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  high-school  of  Ottawa,  Illinois. 
He  taujrht  school  durinof  the  winter  season 
for  twelve  years,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
during  the  summer.  While  in  Illinois  he 
held  the  office  of  township  assessor,  and  town- 
ship trustee.  He  came  to  this  county  in  the 
spring  of  1881,  locating  upon  his  present 
farm,  where  he  owns  160  acres  of  land.  He 
was  married  February  26,  1881,  to  Jennie 
Harman,  born  in  Upper  Canada  in  1860. 
They  have  one  child — Burton  J.  Mr.  States 
is  serving  as  assessor,  and  lias  been  road 
supervisor.     In  politics  he  is  a  Greenbacker. 

«*■.■!'?  «3n;»S"'-^ 


SEANCIS  T.  EICE,  farmer,  section  29, 
Washington  Township,  was  born  in 
Athens  County,  Oliio,  August  15, 1819, 
son  of  Henry  Rice,  deceased,  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  came  to  Ohio  when  young.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the 
subscription  schools  of  that  day.  The  schools 
were  taught  in  log  cabins,  with  slab  seats, 
and  boards  on  pins  for  desks.  There  were 
puncheon  floors,  clapboard  roofs,  huge  fire- 
places in  one  end  of  the  room,  with  mud 
and    stick    chimnevs    and    stone   back   walls. 


Our  subject  came  to  Fountain  County,  Indi- 
ana, when  nine  years  old,  and  to  Dallas 
County,  this  State,  in  1852,  where  he  entered 
320  acres  of  land  and  settled  among  Indians 
and  wild  animals.  He  came  to  Greene  County 
July  4,  1855,  thence  to  Leavenworth,  Kan- 
sas, in  March,  1858,  thence  to  Champaign 
County,  Illinois,  in  August  of  the  same  year, 
thence  back  to  Dallas  County,  Iowa,  in  1864, 
and  to  this  county  in  1873,  settling  in  Wash- 
ington Township,  which  has  since  been  his 
home.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He 
was  married  May  18, 1849,  to  Martha  J.  Kip- 
linger,  daughter  of  Jacob  Kiplinger,  now 
deceased.  They  ai'e  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren— Columbus,  Margaret,  Eveline,  Isabelle, 
Charles,  Aaron,  William  and  James.  While 
in  Kansas  he  helped  to  make  it  a  State,  and 
voted  under  musketry  and  cannon. 


fAMES  B.  JOHNSON,  proprietor  of  the 
marble  and  granite  works  at  Grand 
Junction,  was  born  in  Toronto,  Canada, 
January  21,  1844,  son  ot  Oliver  Johnson,  a 
native  of  Bucks  Coiinty,  Pennsylvania,  now 
deceased.  He  was  educated  in  his  native 
town,  and  graduated  from  Musgrove  & 
Wright's  College  of  that  place  in  February, 
1865.  A  few  weeks  later  he  came  to  the 
States  and  enlisted  in  the  Union  Army,  be- 
coming a  member  of  Company  G,  Forty- 
ninth  New  York  Infantry.  He  served  awhile 
as  private  clerk  for  the  Sergeant  of  the  bar- 
racks at  Hart's  Island,  New  York  harbor,  and 
was  then  commissioned  as  Captain's  clerk, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  until  discharged 
May  12,  1865.  After  the  war  he  went  to 
California,  via  Nicaraugua  route,  and  con- 
ducted a  meat  market  at  Jenny  Lind,  in  that 
State,  for  three  years.      In    1868  he  returned 


'■■■■l 


Ib^Qk^S^^!^^! 


iH5ain»iP^«5iMi*5!K!SLMS!aHilS3! 


BIOGRAPHICAL    HKETCHES. 


423 


to  Canada  then  went  back  to  California  and 
opened  a  meat  market  in  the  same  place  as 
when  there  before.  In  one  year  he  i-eturned 
to  Canada.  In  1870  lie  went  to  Wooster, 
Oiiio,  thence  to  Moberly,  Missouri,  thence 
back  to  AVooster,  and  in  the  fall  of  1879  came 
to  Grand  Junction,  bringing  his  family  the 
following  year,  where  they  have  since  resided, 
lie  was  married  October  6,  1874,  to  Ella  S. 
Siegenthaler,  daughter  of  ^Vlfred  J.  Siegen- 
thaler,  of  AVooster,  Ohio,  and  they  have  six 
children — JVIinnie,  Maude,  Georgia,  Annie, 
Gertie  and  Edward.  Mr.  Johnson  served  as 
assessor  of  Grand  Junction  two  years,  and 
schoul  director  one  term.  He  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  Legion  of  Honor,  An- 
cient order  of  United  Workmen  and  Knights 
of  Labor.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church.  He  is  one  of  the  solid  bus- 
iness men  of  Grand  Junction. 

IS    •*     "    e; 

y^OHN  GRAY,  an  early  resident  of  Jeffer- 
son,  and  one  of  the  well  known  business 
men  of  that  city,  is  engaged  in  the  har. 
ness  trade,  his  location  being  in  the  Opera- 
Honse  Block.  He  established  his  business 
in  January,  1868,  and  was  first  located  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  square,  where  he 
put  up  a  frame  Duilding  and  occupied  it 
about  three  years.  The  first  harness-maker 
of  Jeflerson  was  J.  F.  Anderson,  who  was  still 
here  when  Mr.  Gray  opened  the  business. 
About  1871  Mr.  Gray  and  Mr.  Anderson 
formed  a  partnership,  which  continued  about 
two  years.  He  was  then  alone  for  a  time. 
In  1874  he  sold  out  to  Philip  Rodocker  and 
settled  upon  a  farm  in  what  is  now  Grant 
Township,  and  engaged  in  fruit  culture,  with 
some  peach  and  pear  trees.  This  enterprise 
was  not  altogether  a  success,  the  climate 
proving  too  severe.     He  still  owns  the  fruit 


farm.  In  January,  1880,  he  re-engaged  in 
business.  Mr.  Gray  was  born  in  Tioga 
County,  Pennsylvania,  December  24,  1833. 
His  parents  were  Lester  W.  and  Diantha  P. 
Gray.  When  he  was  five  years  of  age  the 
family  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Galesburg.  In  1844  the  parents  removed  to 
Aurora,  same  State,  where  the  fatlicr  died  in 
the  fall  of  1881;  the  mother  is  still  living  at 
Aurora.  They  had  four  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity;  they  lost 
two  sons  in  early  life.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
our  subject  began  learning  his  trade  at  Aurora, 
and  after  completing  it  worked  a  part  of  the 
time  and  attended  school  a  part  of  the  time 
in  Henry,  Illinois,  and  also  at  other  points. 
In  1855  he  engaged  in  the  coal  trade  with 
his  father,  continuing  in  tliat  business  for 
two  or  three  years.  In  1858  he  resumed  liis 
trade  at  Wataga,  near  Galesburg,  remaining 
until  September,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
service  of  his  country.  He  became  a  member 
of  Company  K,  Forty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry, 
serving  three  years  and  three  months.  AVhen 
the  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service 
he  was  made  First  Lieutenant  of  his  company. 
He  participated  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Donel- 
son,  and  was  both  days  in  the  terrible  fight 
at  Shiloh.  The  first  day  of  that  battle  Cap- 
tain B.  T.  Holcomb,  of  his  company,  was 
disabled,  and  Mr.  Gray  commanded  the 
company  during  the  remainder  of  the  battle. 
His  regiment  lost  lieavily  in  this  struggle. 
Of  the  thirty-nine  men  who  went  into  the 
fight  only  thirteen  returned,  the  remainder 
beins  either  killed  or  wounded.  Lieutenant 
Gray  commanded  the  company  much  of  the 
time  during  the  remainder  of  his  term  of 
service;  taking  part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
thence  to  Jackson,  Tennessee.  In  the  H0II3' 
Springs  expedition  he  was  aid-de-camp  to 
General  T.  J.  McKean,  a  position  whicii  he 
occupied   until  mustered    out    of   service    in 


■■■»■-■-■-■■■ 


■-■-■-■-^i 


4^4 


HISTORY    OF    QBEENE    COUNTY. 


December,  1864,  his  term  of  enlistment 
having  expired.  He  tlien  returned  to  bis 
home  in  Knox  County,  Illinois.  He  reached 
bis  majoritj'  about  the  time  the  Republican 
party  was  organized,  and  cast  his  iirst  presi- 
dential -vote  for  John  C.  Fremont  in  1856. 
In  1867  he  represented  his  district  in  the 
Legislature  of  Illinois.  Mr.  Gray  has  been 
enejaged  a  part  of  the  time  in  the  real  estate 
business.  He  was  married  in  Illinois,  before 
the  war,  to  Lucretia  A.  Smith,  who  was  born 
in  Rochester.  Peoria  County,  that  State. 
They  have  three  children — Ward,  Wade  and 
Percy.  Lester  died  when  in  his  twentieth 
year.  Frank,  and  another  one  named  Percy, 
died  in  early  childhood. 


■  ILLIAM  G.  ROBY,  wagon  and  car- 
riage maker  at  Grand  Junction,  was 
l-d^i  born  in  Utica,  New  York,  February 
14.  1832.  His  father,  Silas  Roby,  now  ot 
Imlay  City,  Michigan,  is  a  native  of  Reeds 
Ferry,  Massachusetts,  on  the  Merrimac  River. 
He  settled  on  a  farm  in  Michigan  in  1842. 
Our  subject  left  home  when  thirteen  years  of 
age,  and  when  sixteen  years  old  went  to  learn 
his  trade  in  Romeo,  Michigan ;  he  also  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade  and  the  millwright  trade, 
which  he  followed  several  years.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1870  and  built  the  mill  ele- 
vator here,  and  also  put  up  many  scales.  His 
elevators  have  hopper  bottoms.  He  estab- 
lished his  present  business  hei'e  in  1870, 
which  he  has  continued  ever  since,  and  occa- 
sionally does  some  c;irpenter  work.  He  was 
married  March  4,  1856,  to  Elsie  Brockway, 
of  Clyde,  New  York,  daughter  of  Freeman 
Brockway,  who  is  now  deceased;  her  mother 
is  living  with  her,  and  is  seventy-three  years 
old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roby  have  had  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Charles, 


Nellie,  William,  Orville  and  Minnie.  Frank 
died  March  3,  1886,  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years.  Mr.  Roby  served  as  constable  eight 
years,  was  deputy  sheriff  one  term,  marshal 
three  terms,  and  road  supervisor  two  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  society  of  Good 
Templars. 


|mUGUSTUS  KOENIG  is  a  native  of 
list  Pi'ussia,  Germany,  born  in  the  province 
■^i^  of  Mecklenburg,  on  the  River  Elbe, 
March  15,  1828,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Sophie 
Koenig.  He  is  the  third  of  a  family  of  six 
children,  and  the  only  one  to  leave  the  father- 
land. His  parents  both  died  about  1881  and 
but  two  of  their  children  are  living — Augus- 
tus and  Theodore.  The  father  was  a  tanner 
and  Augustus  worked  with  him  in  his  youth. 
When  twenty  years  of  age  he  left  home  and 
embarked  for  the  United  States,  landing  at 
New  York  City  in  the  summer  of  1848. 
Proceeding  West  he  made  his  home  in  the 
then  small  village  which  is  now  the  capital  of 
Wisconsin,  living  there  until  1871,  when  he 
i  came  to  Iowa  and  located  on  section  19, 
Scranton  Township,  Greene  County,  being  the 
pioneer  settler  of  his  neighborhood.  His 
farm  contains  160  acres  of  choice  land,  all 
well  improved.  Mr.  Koenig  was  married  in 
Madison,  Wisconsin,  November  8,  1851,  to 
Miss  Sophia  Brockmiller,  a  native  of  Prussia, 
Germany,  born  May  25,  1834.  They  have 
had  thirteen  children — William,  born  Au- 
gust, 1853;  George,  born  September,  1854, 
died  in  infancy;  Charles,  born  February, 
1856;  Augustus,  born  March,  1857;  Otto, 
February, "l862;  Henry,  February,  1864; 
Emma,  September,  1865;  Louis,  August, 
1867;  Eida,  January,  1869;  Ella,  March, 
j  1871;  Mary,  December,  1873;  Albert,  May, 
I  1875;  Lilly,  July,  1878.     Mr.    Koenig  and 


L^JKI* 


BWOUAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


425 


t 

\ 

¥ 


his  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 
cluxrch.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  liebellion, 
going  out  under  Captain  Fairchild,  later 
Governor  of  Wisconsin,  and  now  comman- 
der-in-chief of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public. 


fOSIAII  JONES,  residing  on  section  23, 
Jackson  Township,  owns  one  of  the  finest 
quarter  sections  of  land  in  the  township. 
He  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire, 
November  19,  1833,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mir- 
iam Jones,  also  natives  of  New  Hampshire. 
The  family  emigrated  to  Bureau  County,  Hli- 
nois,  in  1837,  where  the  father  died  at  Prince- 
ton, May  11,  1880.  The  children  were — 
Joseph  F.,  Josiah,  Sarah  PI,  Mary  A.,  Enoch 
(deceased),  Mrs.  Henrietta  Sayers,  Mrs.  A. 
Phillips,  and  Anna  M.  (deceased).  Mr.  Jones, 
though  possessed  of  ample  means,  has  thus 
far  lived  a  single  life  and  refuses  to  become  a 
benedict.  His  sister  is  his  housekeeper.  He 
has  been  very  prosperous  since  coming  to 
Greene  County,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  the  county.  He  is  known  to  be 
an  honest  man  in  all  his  dealings  with  his 
fellow  man.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 


1 


pfVEKETT  T.  OXLEY,  farmer,  section 
5,  Junction  Township,  is  a  native  of 
Linn  County,  Iowa,  born  December  22, 
1852.  Llis  father,  James  M.  Oxley,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Indiana,  and  came  to  Iowa  when  a 
young  man,  being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Linn 
County.  Everett  T.  was  reared  a  farmer,  re- 
ceivinff  a  common-school  education  in  his 
native  county.  He  moved  to  Greene  Coun- 
ty in  March,  1876,   and    settled,  on  the  farm 


where  he  now  lives.  He  owns  eighty  acres 
of  good  land,  well  improved,  with  a  pleas- 
ant residence  and  good  farm  buildings.  He 
is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  Ins  town- 
ship, taking  an  active  interest  in  everything 
that  pertains  to  the  public  welfare.  ■  He  has 
served  as  road  supervisor  and  school  director, 
and  at  present  is  serving  as  constable.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  in  which 
he  is  much  interested.  Mr.  Oxley  was  mar- 
ried in  November,  1875,  to  Elizabeth  Cor- 
nell, daughter  of  James  D.  Cornell.  They 
have  five  children — Edgar  F.,  Nellie  L.,  Ma- 
bel A.,  Herman  and   Florence  R. 


^  J.  JONES,  farmer,  section  14,  Ken- 
f\i  drick  Township,  was  born  in  Qhautau- 
^(l  ®  qua  County,  New  York,  October  24, 
1836.  His  father,  Benjamin  Jones,  was  a 
native  of  Canada,  and  his  mother,  Sophia 
(Baker)  Jones,  was  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts. The  parents  were  married  in  New 
York,  and  reared  a  family  of  eight  childi'en — 
William,  Phillip,  Phebe,  Samuel,  Matthew, 
Allen,  Hiram  J.  and  Oshea.  Our  subject 
was  reared  a  farmer  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  re- 
moved to  Henry  County,  Illinois,  and  in 
1861  he  went  to  the  mining  regions  and 
spent  four  years  in  Idaho  and  Montana,  en- 
gaged in  mining,  and  met  with  fair  success. 
In  1864  he  returned  to  his  native  county, 
where  he  lived  three  years  engaged  in  the  oil 
business.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Greene 
County,  this  State.  July  3,  1870,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Mrs.  Angeline  Buck, 
who  was  the  mother  of  eight  children — Car- 
oline, Lovina,  Hiram,  Jennette,  Mary, 
xVllen,  Martha  and  Samuel.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jones    have    had    live  children  —  Benjamin, 


..■,a»o^a»«_i»»«»»M,« 


■■■-■..■■-■■■»M-«afgaiaaBiina-iii-»a»iir»>t«i«-.gi»a-itr 


4->ti 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Pleasant,  Charley,  Dora;  Ida  is  deceased. 
Mr.  Jones  owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
the  township.  It  contains  340  acres,  whicli 
is  well  improx'ed  and  well  cultivated.  He 
has  a  fine  two-story  residence,  bnilt  in  modern 
style,  well  furnished,  a  large  and  commodious 
barn  for  stock  and  grain,  and  everything 
about  the  farm  denotes  enterprise  and  thrift. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  are  worthy  and  zealous 
members  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  are 
liberal  supporters  of  the  gospel.  Politically 
Mr.  Jones  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party. 


J.  FITZPATRICK,  postoffice  Churdan, 
one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of 
Cedar  Township,  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising  on  section  23,  was  born  in 
Ireland  in  March,  1841,  a  son  of  Miles  and 
Julia  Fitzpatrick,  who  were  natives  of  the 
same  country.  They  were  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth 
child.  They  came  with  their  family  to 
America  in  1847,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Illi- 
nois. Our  subject  was  fourteen  years  old 
when  Ids  parents  left  Illinois  and  settled  on 
the  farm  in  Greene  County,  Iowa,  in  June, 
1855,  which  is  yet  his  home.  The  farm  was 
at  that  time  in  a  state  of  nature,  entirely  un- 
improved, and  consisted  of  forty  acres  of 
timber  and  120  acres  of  prairie  land,  to 
whicli  our  subject  has  since  added  160  acres. 
The  farm  is  now  well-improved  and  under  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation,  consisting  of  320 
acres,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  Greene  County.  Here  our  subject  was 
reared  on  the  frontier  farm,  experiencing 
many  of  the  hardships  and  privations  inci- 
dent to  pioneer  life.  His  first  postoffice  was 
at  Des  Moines,  and  his  milling  was  done  at 
Peoria  or   Des  Moiues.     He    beiran    life    on 


limited  means,  but  by  hard  work,  persevering 
energy  and  good  management  he  has  pros- 
pered in  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  become 
the  owner  of  his  present  fine  property.  He 
devotes  considerable  attention  to  stock-raising, 
having  handled  short-horn  cattle  for  twelve 
years,  and  is  now  making  a  specialtj^of  the 
Hereford  grade.  He  has  also  on  his  farm  a 
fine  imported  horse,  for  which  he  paid  about 
$2,033.  He  was  united  in  marriage,  January 
3,  1872,  to  Miss  Kate  Ragan,  a  daughter  of 
]\Iichael  and  Margaret  Ragan,  who  were 
natives  of  Ireland.  Mrs.  Fitzpatrick  was 
reared  in  Canada,  and  in  1870  came  with 
her  parents  to  Greene  County,  Iowa.  Five 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fitzpatrick — Joseph,  born  October  16,  1872; 
Charles,  born  March  11, 1874,  died  April  22, 
1874;  Mary,  born  in  July,  1882;  John,  born 
April  9,  1884,  died  June  9,  1884,  and  Lucy, 
born  April  22,  1886.  In  politics  Mr.  Fitz- 
patrick is  a  Democrat  and  an  anti-prohibi- 
tionist. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
Cedar  Township,  and  is  a  man  of  good  stand- 
ing and  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  the 
community  in  which  he  resides.  Pie  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Ronuin  Catholic 
church. 

.»^i.i?«;nC»St.i.^o. 


.||:^[EORGE  ANDREW,  residing  on  sec- 
i\U|V-  tion  6,  Bristol  Township,  is  one  of  the 
'W'-  most  estimable  citizens  of  Greene 
County,  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  his 
neighborhood.  He  was  born  in  Lincolnshire, 
England,  within  fourteen  miles  of  the  city  of 
Lincoln.  He  was  reared  to  a  farm  life  by 
his  parents,  George  and  Ann  Andrew.  He 
became  a  practical  engineer,  and  was  em- 
ployed eight  years  in  England  as  a  stationary 
and  locomotive  engineer.  His  wife  was  Miss 
Catherine  Hatter.    They  were  wedded  March 


i^^^^ 


BIOQRAPEIOAL    SKETCHES. 


427 


4,  1852.  Mrs.  Andrew  was  born  in  the  same 
shire  as  lier  liusband.  The  montli  foHowiiig 
their  marriage  tiiey  embarked  at  Liverpool 
for  New  York  City,  and  proceeded  thence  to 
Clayton  County,  this  State,  making  their 
liome  at  Famiersburg.  Mr.  Andrew  bought 
eighty  acres  of  land  there,  and  there  their 
children  were  all  born.  lie  was  bereaved  by 
the  death  of  his  wife  in  1867.  She  died 
after  a  sickness  of  long  duration  and  suffer- 
ing, at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years.  Mr.  An- 
drew came  to  Greene  County,  accompanied 
by  ids  six  children,  in  1871.  He  owns  a 
good  farm  and  is  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, and  is  possessed  of  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  His  cliil- 
dren  are — William,  Catherine,  Abbie,  Clay- 
ton, Ella  and  Charles.  Catherine  is  the  wife 
of  W.  C.  Stream,  who,  with  her  husband  and 
children,  Bert,  Clarence,  Ella  and  George, 
lives  with  Mr.  Andrew.  Abbie  is  the  wife 
of  James  Clifferton;  Ella  married  Alfred 
Flack;  Charles  lives  witli  his  father;  William 
and  Clayton  are  married  and  settled  by  them- 
selves. Mr.  Andrew  is  not  a  member  of  any 
chnrch,  but  he  lives  a  practical  Christian  life. 
His  wife  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  In  politics  he  is  an  ardent 
Republican. 


■St'S'l"-^ 


fAMES  SANDERS,  proprietor  of  Star 
Restaurant,  Grand  Junction,  was  born 
in  South  Wales  December  25,  1829. 
His  father,  James  Sanders,  was  a  native  of 
the  same  country,  and  removed  to  London, 
England,  with  his  family  when  his  son  was 
quite  young.  They  came  to  America  in  1864, 
and  lived  in  Chicago  one  year,  then  came  to 
Clinton  County,  Iowa;  thence  to  Jefferson, 
this  county,  in  1866,  and  ran  a  hotel  and 
restaurant,  also  a  billiard  hall  for  three  years. 

32 


The  father  is  deceased.  Mr.  Sanders  came 
to  Grand  Junction  in  April,  1871,  and  en- 
gaged in  keeping  a  restaurant  and  billiard 
hall.  He  spent  two  years  at  Rippey,  this 
county,  then  returned  to  Grand  Jimction. 
He  was  married  in  England  May  2,  1856,  to 
Miss  Ann  Downey,  daughter  of  John  Downey, 
deceased.  They  have  had  nine  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  living — AVilliam  T.,  James, 
Harry,  Annie,  Charley,  Lillie,  May  and  Rosa. 
James  married  Ida  Staley,  who  is  recently 
deceased,  and  has  one  child — William.  Annie 
married  Clem  Edson,  of  Sanborn,  tliis  State. 

~^'+|-'T*-^'^">- 


B.  HAIGHT,  a  farmer  of  Kendrick 
Township,  is  one  of  the  intelligent 
and  enterprising  citizens  of  Greene 
County,  and  was  born  in  Lenawee  County, 
Michigan,  December  8,  1831,  son  of  Benja- 
min and  Alma  (Beech)  Haight,  the  former  a 
native  of  New  York,  and  the  latter  of  Ver- 
mont. They  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, our  subject  being  the  third  child.  He 
was  reared  a  farmer  and  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  When  he  was  thirteen  years 
of  age  his  parents  removed  to  AYalworth 
County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  lived  seven 
years,  then  returned  to  his  native  State.  He 
was  united  in  marriage,  April  11,  1855,  with 
Miss  Harriet  A.  Wood,  who  was  born  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  reared  in  Michigan. 
Her  parents  were  Harry  and  Ann  (Cure) 
Wood.  Mr.  Haight  remained  in  Michigan, 
engaged  in  contracting  and  building,  until 
1859,  when  he  removed  to  Walworth  County, 
AVisconsin,  where  he  lived  until  1868,  then 
removed  to  Clinton,  Iowa,  i-emaining  in  that 
place  about  ten  years,  then  came  to  Greene 
County,  this  State.  He  settled  upon  his. 
present  farm  in  1882.  He  owns  240  acres 
of  excellent  land,    well    improved  and   in  a 


\l — 


42S 


UlSTOHY    OF    GREENE    VOUNTY. 


< 


'5 


good  state  of  cultivation.     He   has   a   good 

story-and-a-]i:ill'  residence,  surrounded  with 
shade  and  ornamental  trees,  a  iine  orchard 
and  a  large  native  grove.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ilaight  are  tlie  parents  of  three  children — 
Cynthia  May,  now  Mrs.  Hicks,  W.  N.  and 
Adelbert  M.  Mr.  Haight  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  belongs  to  Lodge 
No.  402,  and  is  master  of  tlie  same.  Politi- 
cally he  affiliates  with  the  Republican   party. 


— 1-^"^^'- 

§ANIEL  EDWARDS,  farmer,  section 
25,  Jackson  Township,  owns  120  acres 
■^^s:-  of  very  choice  land,  and  it  is  one  of  the 
most  productive  farms  in  the  county.  Mr. 
Edwards  was  born  in  Armstrong  County, 
Pennsylvania,  May  8,  1829.  His  parents, 
Daniel  and  Maiy  Edwards,  were  born,  reared 
and  married  in  AVales,  and  their  three  oldest 
children  were  born  in  that  country.  Daniel 
is  the  eighth  in  a  family  of  nine  children. 
His  parents  settled  in  Armstrong  County, 
where  the  father  died  in  1836,  leaving  180 
acres  of  land.  After  his  death  the  propert}' 
descended  to  Edward,  the  second  son,  who 
became  tlie  supporter  of  the  family.  Selling 
the  property,  he  settled  in  Mercer  County, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  is  still  living  on  the 
old  homestead  in  Armstrong  County,  upon 
which  is  one  of  the  heaviest  flowing  oil  wells 
in  that  State.  Tlie  mother  lived  with  Ed- 
ward until  her  deatli,  surviving  her  husband 
nearly  thirty  years.  Four  of  her  sons  and 
two  daughters  are  living — Edward,  William, 
Mrs.  Mary  Springer,  of  Pennsylvania;  Elias, 
of  Jasper  County,  this  State;  Mrs.  Amelia 
Hogeland,  of  Fayette  County,  and  Daniel. 
Mr.  Edwards  was  married  July  23,  1855,  in 
Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania,  to  Miss  ISTancy 
Jane  Tubbs,  -who  was  born  in  New  York 
July  29,   1838.      They    settled    in    McKean 


County,  where  they  lived  until  1867,  when 
Mr.  Edwards  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to 
Hillsdale  County,  Michigan.  One  year  later 
he  came  to  Jasper  County,  this  State,  where 
he  owned  at  dilFerent  times  three  good  farms. 
He  resided  there  until  1882,  then  became  a 
resident  of  Greene  County.  Here  he  has 
also  made  several  changes,  living  the  first 
year  on  a  farm  in  Grant  Township,  owned  by 
Captain  Head,  in  the  meantime  buying  prop- 
erty near  the  fair  grounds  at  Jefferson,  which 
he  sold  without  occupying.  In  1883  he 
bought  a  good  farm  of  160  acres  in  Bristol 
Township,  section  34,  and  moved  there  in 
Marcli,  1886.  He  exchanged  that  property 
with  Mr.  James  Averill  for  his  present  home, 
and  feels  perfectly  satisfied  to  make  a  per- 
manent home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwards  have 
ten  children — Mi'S.  Mary  Ann  Mitchell,  of 
Jasper  County,  this  State;  Timothy  D.,  a 
farmer  of  Jackson  Township;  H.  Orrisavilla, 
Etta  Ma}',  Frederick,  Eva,  Flora,  Jennie, 
Lulu  and  Eda.  Nellie  died  at  the  age  of 
five  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwards  have  been 
in  sympathy  with  the  Christian  church  for 
many  years.  Politically  he  is  an  ardent 
Republican. 


i,ENJAMm  BOLIN,  farmer  and  stock- 


I  raiser,  section  16,  Junction  Township, 
where  he  has  eighty  acres  of  choice  land, 
was  born  in  Owen  County,  Indiana,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1839,  his  father,  Benajah  Bolin,  who 
is  now  deceased,  having  been  born  in  the 
State  of  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  was 
reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he 
has  made  his  life-work,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  tlie  common  schools  of  his  native 
county.  He  served  as  a  soldier  for  three 
years  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  en- 
listing in   Company  H,  Fourteenth    Indiana 


I 

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Infantry,  and  participated  in  a  number  of 
battles,  including  the  battles  at  Winchester, 
Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg,  Spottsylvania,  Cold  Harbor, 
Petersburg,  battle  of  the  Wilderness  and  the 
seven  days'  fight  on  the  peninsula.  After 
the  war  he  returned  to  his  native  county,  and 
in  1871  removed  to  Christian  County,  Indi- 
ana, whei-e  he  remained  until  1875.  In  Feb- 
ruary of  that  year  be  came  to  Iowa,  and  lived 
in  Boone  County  until  1876,  since  wliich  he 
has  made  his  home  in  Greene  County,  Iowa. 
October  14,  1878,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Mrs.  Hilla  liao-ood,  a  dauo-hter  of 
Jesse  Harden,  deceased.  She  has  one  child 
by  her  first  husband,  a  son,  named  Charles 
E.  Hagood.  In  politics  Mr.  Bolin  casts  his 
suftVage  with  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a 
member  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
Quiet,  unassuming,  industrious  and  strictly 
honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  Mr.  Bolin  lias 
gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who 
know  him. 


fARDON  ALONZO  SMITH  is  a  son  of 
Pardon  and  Jane  (Maby)  Smith.  They 
were  natives  of  New  York,  came  to 
Ohio  in  1834,  to  Illinois  in  1839,  and  to 
Jowa  in  1856,  locating  in  Clinton  County, 
where  both  died.  Pardon  was  born  in  Ogle 
County,  Illinois,  September  1,  1840,  and 
lived  with  his  parents  till  nearly  twenty-one. 
He  enlisted  in  August,  1861,  in  the  Eighth 
Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  till 
September  28,  1864.  He  then  farmed  in 
Clinton  County  till  1868,  and  in  Greene 
County  till  1878.  He  was  then  in  Kansas 
for  two  years;  next  farmed  for  two  years 
more  in  Greene  County.  After  this  he  was 
for  two  years  marshal  and  street  commis- 
sioner of  Scranton.     In    February,  1884,  he 


bought  the  Journal,  to  which  he  has  since 
devoted  his  time.  He  was  married  Februar}' 
9,  1865,  to  Miss  R.  L.  Alger,  of  DeWitt, 
Clinton  County.  They  have  six  children — 
Lowrie  (foreman  in  the  Journal  office),  Ar- 
thur A.,  Clande  D.,  Edith  G.,  Mary  Pearl 
and  Orrin  Leo.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and,  with 
his  wife,  belongs  to  the  Adventist  church. 


{^^  W.  PARK,  stock  and  lumber  dealer 
luiw  *''  J^ft'erson,  has  been  a  resident  of 
•'■=1^'®  Greene  County,  since  May,  1869.  At 
that  time  he  settled  on  section  32,  Grant 
Township.  The  farm  was  wholly  unim- 
proved, and  the  township  iieio;hbors  were 
very  scarce,  the  principal  settlements  being 
along  the  streams.  Mr.  Park  improved  the 
place,  lived  upon  it  about  twelve  years,  then 
sold  it  to  Mrs.  Meath,  who  still  owns  it.  He 
removed  to  -letierson  in  the  spring  of  1880, 
and  in  1885  he  built  his  present  fine  resi- 
dence on  North  Main  street.  Mr.  Park  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  McCarty  ct  Park, 
extensive  stock-dealers.  It  is  one  of  the 
largest  firms  of  that  kind  in  Iowa,  having 
buyers  at  diflerent  stations  along  the  narrow 
gauge  railroad.  Mr.  Park  is  also  a  member 
of  the  lumber  firm  of  Best  &  Park.  He  is 
a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  born 
in  Windsor  County,  where  he  was  reared  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  In  1857  he  went  to 
Mazomanie,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  where 
he  settled  upon  a  new  tarm,  which  he  im- 
proved and  lived  upon  until  he  came  to 
Greene  County.  He  has  been  twice  married. 
His  first  wife,  whom  he  married  in  "Vermont, 
was  Lydia  Jane  Arnold,  who  died  in  Mazo- 
manie. His  present  wife  was  Mrs.  Lucia  M. 
Stone,  nee  Chamberlain,  who  was  born  in 
Stafford,  Orange  County,  Vermont,  in  1821, 


MJMjM'„l«iaMlBMW»aMB»WMMM"»|1niMi".l*M"M''M' 


'■"a"ia**M* 


|:tll 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


and  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Chamberlain,  who 
died  in  Vermont.  She  went  to  Mazomanie 
in  1866.  Mr.  Park's  parents,  Thomas  and 
Lncinda  Park,  both  died  at  that  place,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Park  have  three  children — Ada,  wife  of 
Edwin  Williams;  Ella  L.,  wife  of  William 
T.  Anderson,  and  Frank  L.,  who  is  in  Cali- 
fornia. Mrs.  Park  had  three  children  by  a 
former  marriage,  two  of  whom  are  living — 
Charles  H.,  Crawford  and  Genevieve  Stone. 

— .•4^->^.^.— 


f^jENRY  B.  HEATH,  one  of  the  progress- 
ive farmers  of  Greene  C'ounty,  residing 
on  section  8,  Hardin  Township,  is  a 
native  of  Ogle  County,  Hlinois,  born  August 
28,  1844:.  His  pai-ents,  Duna  and  Mermion 
(Webster)  Heath,  were  natives  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  from  whence  they  immigrated 
to  Black  Hawk  County,  Iowa,  where  the 
mother  still  lives  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years.  The  father  died  in  Iowa  County, 
Iowa,  in  the  year  1867.  The  father  being  a 
farmer,  Henry  B.,  our  subject,  was  reared  to 
the  same  avocation.  At  the  age  of  nineteen 
years  he  enlisted  in  the  late  war,  and  was 
assigned  to  Company  II.,  Sixth  Iowa  Cavalry. 
He  was  in  the  division  known  as  the  Army 
of  the  West,  under  General  Sulley,  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  White  Stone  Hill, 
Collins  Springs,  and  several  others  of  less 
note.  He  served  in  defense  of  his  country 
two  years  and  was  mustered  out  at  Sioux 
City,  Iowa,  receiving  his  final  discharge  at 
Davenport,  Iowa,  when  he  returned  to  his 
native  State  and  engaged  in  farming.  He 
left  his  native  State  with  his  parents  in  1855, 
immigrating  to  Black  Hawk  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  remained  five  years.  He  tiien  re- 
moved to  Linn  County,  Iowa,  remaining 
there  till  he  settled  on  his  present  farm  in 


Hardin  Township,  Greene  County,  in  1883. 
He  was  married  in  March,  1873,  to  Sarah 
Oliver,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
March,  1846,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  (Davey)  Oliver,  natives  of  England. 
They  are  the  parents  of  five  children — Annie, 
born  in  March,  1875;  Lura,  in  August,  1877; 
Henry  E.,  in  October,  1879;  James  O.,  in 
August,  1881,  and  Clarence  II.,  in  June, 
1885.  Mr.  Heath  is  one  of  the  active  and 
enterprising  citizens,  and  has  identified  him- 
self with  the  wealth  and  progress  of  Greene 
County,  and  is  numbered  among  its  best 
farmers.  In  politics  he  casts  his  sufirage 
with  the  Democratic  party.  Postotiice,  Jef- 
ferson, Iowa. 

^^.>^,^,„.,„ 


,7^[E0PtGE  W.  THOMPSON  resides  on 
the  southeast  quarter  ot  section  32, 
Grant  Township,  where  he  settled  in 
1883.  He  purchased  his  farm  of  160  acres 
of  O.  W.  Park,  who  made  the  first  improve- 
ments. Ml-.  Thompson  was  born  in  Jackson 
County,  Indiana,  in  1850.  His  parents 
were  James  H.  and  Ann  Thompson,  the 
father  dying  when  George  was  eleven  years 
of  age,  after  the  family  had  removed  to  Han- 
cock County,  Illinois.  The  family  remained 
in  that  county  until  1865,  when  they  removed 
to  La  Salle  County,  same  State.  In  1874 
George  W.  came  to  Greene  County  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Franklin  Township,  and  in 
1879  the  family  settled  upon  that  i'arni.  In 
1882  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  the 
following  year  the  family  settled  upon  it. 
James  H.  Thompson  and  wife  had  ten  chil- 
dren, only  two  of  whom  are  living — Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Giddons  and  our  subject.  The 
mother  died  March  14,  1886,  at  tiie  house  of 
her  son  George.  One  of  the  sons  was  a 
soldier   in    the   war  of  the  Rebellion,  being  a 


■-■-■-■^■-■■-■-■-■-•■-'■-■■■.■■-■i-w-i 


■■■■■■■■■^^-■■-■^-■^■■■■■■■■■^■-■■■■sii; 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


431 


member  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Nineteenth 
Illinois.  He  died  at  Memphis  in  the  spring 
of  1864.  Our  subject  wasmarried  in  Illinois 
to  Ella  Meath,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Anna  Meath.  The  father  died  in  Mendota 
November  1,  1879,  and  the  mother  resides 
in  Chicago.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Thompson  have 
six  children — Blanche,  May,  Albert,  Augusta, 
Anna  and  Ellen.  Harry,  the  eldest,  died  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  months,  and  Paul  died  at 
the  age  of  seven  years. 


►5m^ 


;T>-fTn^LIAM  WILSON,  of  Jefferson, 
'¥ivr  "^"'^^  "^  Bristol  Township  in  1869. 

l-<jf^J  He  purchased  105  acres  of  land  of 
William  Combs,  on  which  very  little  improve- 
ment had  been  made.  Several  years  later  he 
sold  forty  acres  of  his  original  purchase,  and 
bought  lifteen  acres  adjoining.  He  resided 
on  tins  place  until  1882,  when  he  sold  out  to 
Thaddeus  I'anks  and  removed  to  Jefferson. 
Mr.  Wilson  was  born  in  the  town  of  Fran- 
couia,  Grafton  County,  New  Hampshire,  in 
1813.  He  was  married  in  his  native  State 
to  Almira  Everett,  who  was  born  in  Hanover, 
that  State,  in  1814.  In  September,  1856, 
Mr.  AVilson  emigrated  with  his  family  to 
Janesville,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  where 
he  carried  on  the  dairy  business  one  year. 
In  1859  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Windsor, 
Dane  County,  where  he  worked  a  large  farm 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  January,  1864, 
he  enlisted  in  the  Third  Wisconsin  Cavalry, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Three 
of  his  sons  also  were  in  the  army,  and  all  in 
Wisconsin  regiments.  His  son  Samuel 
served  thi-ee  years  in  the  Second  Wisconsin 
Infantry,  which  was  a  part  of  the  celebrated 
Iron  Brigade;  he  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  left  foot  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July 
3,  1863.     He    is  now  a  resident   of   Bristol 


Township.  The  second  son,  Nathaniel  II., 
served  in  the  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  and 
is  a  resident  of  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin.  Dan- 
iel W.  served  in  the  Forty-first  Wisconsin, 
and  now  resides  in  AVebster  County,  this 
State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  have  four  other 
children — Sarah,  wife  of  M.  D.  Starrins; 
her  first  husband,  Thomas  Woodard,  was  a 
soldier  in  a  Wisconsin  regiment,  and  died 
soon  after  the  war;  Alice  is  the  wife  of 
Daniel  Conant;  Addie  is  the  wife  of  George 
W.  Day,  of  Jefferson;  Rufus  A.  is  the  young- 
est child.  Mr.  Wilson's  parents  were  Daniel 
and  Rebecca  Wilson,  natives  of  Grafton 
County.  New  Hampshire,  where  they  lived 
until  their  decease.  Mrs.  Wilson's  parents 
were  Samuel  and  Mina  Dell  Everett,  also 
natives  of  Grafton  County,  where  they  spent 
all  their  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AVilson  have 
been  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  for  thirty  years.  Politi- 
cally they  are  all  Republicans. 

— -x-iiy  «;i  tf«'?i.i-^». 


fAMES  C.  KINSMAN  came  to  this 
county  in  1873,  and  resides  on  the  south- 
east quarter  of  section  5,  Bristol  Township. 
He  came  from  Linn  County,  this  State,  ac- 
companied by  his  family  and  widowed  mother. 
The  latter  died  July  20,  1884,  aged  sixty- 
nine  years  and  two  months.  Mr.  Kinsman 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  Coiinty,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  14,  1849,  son  of  Asher  and 
Sarah  (McDowell)  Kinsman,  who  werenatives 
of  that  State.  In  1857  the  family  located  in 
what  is  now  West  Cedar  Rapids,  Linn 
County,  and  six  years  later  removed  to  a  farm 
twelve  miles  south  of  Cedar  Rapids,  where 
the  father  died  a  few  years  afterward.  Of 
their  seven  children,  five  are  living — Mrs. 
Mary  Bedell,  of  Jefferson ;  James  C,  Mrs. 
Hannah  C.  Gray,  of  Ohio;  Jacob,  a  resident 


iiMiM^a— —■■■■ii— MjWSl 


■mMMMc»MM» 


■■"■■■■«■ 


■awj^"-"-"-."-' 


■  '■■l»ln"»'»«l"Ml"-"-"»»-"»'*M"»".»»-"'-'g« 


433 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


oflndependence,  Iowa,  and  AVilliam,  of  Bristol 
Township.  February  10,  1873,  Mr.  Kins- 
man was  married  to  Miss  Hester  Listerbar- 
ger,  daughter  of  John  and  Maria  Listerbarger, 
formerly  of  Westmoreland  County.  Penn- 
sylvania. Her  parents  were  among  the  pio- 
neer settlers  of  Linn  County,  settling  where 
Cedar  Kapids  now  stands  in  1840.  The 
father  died  December  13,  1862,  aged  forty- 
nine  years.  Tlie  mother  still  survives  and 
resides  at  the  old  homestead,  six  miles  south 
of  Cedar  Rapids.  They  had  nine  children, 
six  of  whom  ai'e  living — Mrs.  Catherine  Mc- 
Dowell, of  Linn  County;  George,  also  of 
Linn  County,  Mrs.  Kinsman,  Mrs.  Mat- 
thews. Mrs.  Mary  Smithers,  of  Arkansas,  and 
Frank,  who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Linn  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kinsman  have 
lived  in  their  present  home  since  their  mar- 
riage. They  have  five  sons — Charles  G., 
Robert  E.,  Roy  S.,  John  Guy  and  George  W. 
Mr.  Kinsman  owns  200  acres  of  land,  all 
well  improved.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  has  held  several  positions  of  trust  in 
Bristol  Township.  Mrs.  Kinsman's  mother 
boarded  the  man  who  built  the  first  dam 
across  the  Cedar  River  at  Cedar  Rapids.  The 
Urst  store  opened  on  the  west  side,  at  that 
place,  was  in  her  father's  barn.  Her  mother's 
brother,  David  King,  operated  the  first  ferry 
at  Cedar  Rapids. 


SAAC  J.  MATTESOJN,  of  the  firm  of 
Matteson  Brothers,  carriage  manufactur- 
^  ers  at  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in  Kane 
County,  Illinois,  August  20,  1855.  His 
father,  now  deceased,  was  a  native  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  an  early  settler  of  Kane 
County,  and  came  to  Greene  County  in  1867. 
Isaac  J.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.     In  1869  he  went  to 


learn  the  trade  of  carriage  and  wagon  maker, 
and  in  1870  came  to  this  county,  living  in 
this  and  Carroll  counties  ever  since.  He 
came  to  Grand  Junction  in  1880,  and  built  a 
large  factory,  22  x  110  feet,  and  in  1882  took 
his  brother  William  as  partner.  They  make 
carriages,  buggies,  wagons,  road  carts,  sleighs, 
etc.,  and  are  doing  a  good  business.  They  do 
all  of  their  own  painting  and  finishing.  Mr. 
Matteson  was  married  September  10,  1874, 
to  Miss  Idell  Powell,  daughter  of  Henry 
Powell,  deceased.  They  have  two  children — 
Guy  and  Clarence. 

^.^.5>^j^.-.~— 

|EORGE  LUNNON,  farmer,  section  19, 
Franklin  Township,  is  a  native  of  Buck- 
inghamshire, England,  born  December 
25,  1843,  son  of  George  and  Ann  (Jenkins) 
Lunnon,  who  were  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren— Emma,  George,  Sarah,  Lizzie,  Rich- 
ard, William,  John  and  Martha.  When 
George  was  a  babe  his  parents  removed  to 
the  West  India  Islands,  where  they  lived  two 
and  a  half  years,  when  they  came  to  the 
United  States,  locating  in  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, where  they  lived  about  nine  years,  then 
came  to  Johnson  County,  this  State.  George 
was  reared  a  gardener,  and  obtained  his  edu- 
cation  by  studying  at  home.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Twenty- 
second  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  engaged  in 
the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills, 
Black  River,  siege  of  Vicksbui-g.  Raymond, 
Jackson,  Mississippi,  and  Winchester  City. 
During  the  last  mentioned  battle  our  subject 
lost  his  right  leg  in  an  attempt  to  capture  a 
i-ebel  flag.  He  w-as  confined  in  hospital  from 
September  19,  1864,  until  May  5,  1865,  first 
at  Baltimore,  and  later  at  Davenport,  where 
he  was  honorably  discharged.  Li  1807  Mr. 
Lunnon  removed  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  where 


BIOGliAPHlCAL    SKETCHES. 


43;5 


he  spent  six  months,  thence  to  Lincoln  for 
two  months,  tlience  to  Iowa  City  for  three 
months,  thence  to  Des  Moines.  He  was 
married  August  15,  1879,  to  Miss  Emily 
Smith,  who  was  born  in  Horieon,  Missouri, 
and  a  daughter  of  Abner  and  Sarah  Smith. 
Mr.  Lunnon  resided  in  Des  Moines  until 
1876,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  lo- 
cated upon  his  present  farm,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  Plis  farm  contains  100  acres 
of  well-tilled  land.  He  has  a  good  residence, 
and  comfortable  buildings  for  stock  and  grain. 
He  also  has  a  fine  orchard  and  a  native  grove, 
■which  gives  his  farm  a  fine  appearance.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  T^unnon  liad  three  children — Sarah 
Jane,  William  and  Laura  Ann.  Mrs.  Lunnon 
died  January  1,  1880.  Politically  Mr.  Lun- 
non athliates  witli  the  Republican  party. 


,^^ICHARD  L.  HOWARD,  an  enterpris- 
l  ing  agriculturist  of  Junction  Township, 
^^^  residing  on  section  2,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  in  Stark  County  December  12, 
1849,  a  son  of  Lucius  and  Rose  (Farwell) 
Howard,  who  were  born  in  Vermont  and 
New  Hampshire  respectively,  the  father  now 
deceased.  Our  subject  was  reared  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  has  made  that  the 
principal  avocation  of  his  life,  in  which  he 
has  met  with  excellent  success.  Lie  received 
a  fair  common-school  education  in  his  youth, 
attending  the  schools  at  Keene,  Coshocton 
County,  Ohio.  Lie  came  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  in  1870,  settling  where  he  now  lives  in 
Junction  Township,  where  he  has  a  valuable 
farm  of  265  acres.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage November  30,  1871,  to  Miss  Nettie 
Cooper,  a  daughter  of  Ludlow  Cooper,  who 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  died 
at  an  advanced  age  in  the  spring  of  1884. 
Of  the  tliree  children  born   to  Mr.  and   Mrs. 


Howard,  two  are  living — William  and  War- 
ner. A  daughter,  Carrie,  died  at  the  age  of 
eight  years.  In  connection  with  his  general 
farming  Mr.  Howard  is  engaged  in  raising 
stock,  making  a  specialty  of  Poland-China 
hogs.  He  has  held  the  othce  of  township 
clerk  for  tlie  past  seven  years,  serving  with 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  best  interests  of 
his  township.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Grand 
Junction.  In  her  religious  faith  Mrs.  Howard 
is  a  Presbyterian. 


„.^,^M^,^.,. 


|m»^RS.  REBECCA  A.  ALLEN,  proprie- 
jfl-MM  tor  of  a  boarding-house  at  Grand 
^=?#t^  Junction,  was  born  in  Oswego  County, 
New  York,  August  20,  1832,  daughter  of 
Amos  Burrows,  deceased.  January  28, 1850, 
she  was  married  to  John  Allen,  and  has  had 
six  children,  two  of  whoin  are  living — 
Amelia  J.  and  Austin  D.  Charley  Frank 
died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  Amelia  mar- 
ried G.  B.  Burk,  and  has  two  living  children 
— Ida  B.  and  Fannie  T.  Mr.  Burk  died,  and 
Mrs.  Burk  married  William  Pierce  of  this 
place.  They  have  one  child — Fred  A.  Austin 
married  Mary  Steberg,  living  in  Angus,  this 
State,  and  they  have  two  children — Lena  A. 
and  Harry  D.  Mrs.  Allen  removed  with  her 
husband  to  McDonough  County,  Illinois,  in 
1853,  and  to  this  county  one  j-ear  later,  set- 
tling in  Washington  Township,  then  a  wild 
country.  They  entered  their  land  at  Des 
Moines,  which  was  then  a  small  place,  about 
the  size  of  Grand  Junction.  They  did  most 
of  their  trading  at  Des  Moines,  about  fifty 
miles  distant;  also  had  to  go  there  or  to 
Boone  County  to  get  their  corn  ground. 
The  terrible  severe  weather  killed  their  cow. 
Mrs.  Allen  saw  droves  of  elk,  deer,  etc.,  in 
great   numbers;    also   saw    lynx.     She    has 


^'"!^!j!!^^'^!!SS!lT!:!S!::J!!^!?^!^^^ 


434 


HISTORY    OF    OBEENE    COUNTT. 


endured  all  the  hardships  and  privations  of 
pioneer  life,  having  grubbed  land  herself  to 
make  her  garden.  There  was  but  one  house 
where  Jefferson  now  stands  when  Mr.  and 
and  Mrs.  Allen  settled  in  the  county, 
that  was  a  log  house.  She  sold  produce  up 
and  down  the  railroad  for  some  time.  She 
came  to  Grand  Junction  in  1872,  and  kept 
the  St.  Louis  House  two  years,  then  kept  the 
Allen  House  nine  years.  She  is  now  keeping 
a  first-class  boarding  house,  and  is  having  a 
good  patronage,  which  she  richly  deserves. 


-jMf^ 


'TLLIAM  H.  PERKINS,  of  Scranton, 
Greene  County,  was  born  in  Adams, 
ji^I  Berkshire  County,  Massachusetts,  the 
date  of  his  birth  being  October  30,  1838,  a 
son  of  William  and  Eliza  (Hathaway)  Perkins. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  and  died  when  he  was  a  child. 
The  mother  subsequently  married  again,  and 
by  her  second  marriage  had  several  children. 
She  died  in  Massachusetts  in  1882.  William 
H.  was  the  only  child  of  her  first  marriage. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State, 
being  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer.  In 
April,  1861,  soon  after  the  firing  on  Fort 
Sumter  Mr.  Perkins  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  Tenth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  the  brigade 
to  which  he  belonged  consisting  of  the  Tenth 
and  Seventh  Massachusetts,  the  Second  Rhode 
Island,  and  the  Thirty-si.xth  New  York  regi- 
\  ments.  In  the  winter  of  1861  the  brieade 
i  was  engaged  in  building  forts  Massachusetts 
and  Slocum,  which  constituted  a  part  of  the 
defenses  of  Washington.  In  1862  it  took 
part  in  McClelland's  Peninsular  campaign, 
participating  in  all  of  the  principal  battles  of 
that  campaign.  Soon  after  the  evacuation  of 
Harrison's  landing,  Mr.  Perkins  was  taken 
sick,  when  he  was  sent  to  a  hospital  at  Phila- 


delphia. When  he  had  partially  recovered 
he  was  sent  to  the  camp  of  distribution  at 
Alexandria,  but  getting  worse,  he  was  dis- 
charged January  10,  1863,  when  he  returned 
to  Massachusetts.  His  health  having  suffi- 
ciently recovered  he  re-enlisted  in  the  First 
New  York  Light  Artillery,  Battery  A,  which 
was  first  stationed  at  Allegheny  City,  Penn- 
sylvania, then  at  Harrisburg,  and  finally  at 
Chambersburg,  where  our  subject  remained 
till  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned 
home  without  wounds  but  with  health  per- 
manently impaired.  After  the  war  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Alice  E.  Burt,  a  native  of 
Berkshire  County,  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Per- 
kins left  Massachusetts  with  his  family  in 
1872,  when  he  settled  in  Rochelle,  Ogle 
County,  Illinois,  coming  thence  to  Scranton 
March  5,  1879,  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  Politically  Mr.  Perkins  is  a  Republi- 
can, casting  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860. 


•°^'"(i,'3nS>^-<- 

y-^W  ICHAEL  JOSEPH  QUIRK,  pastor 
^LViil^  of  Grand  Junction  Catholic  church, 
■=?#^  was  born  in  Yicksburg,  Mississippi, 
November  29,  1838,  son  of  Edwin  Quirk,  of 
Delaware  County,  Iowa,  who  was  born  in  Cork, 
Ireland,  and  is  over  one  hundred  years  old. 
He  is  still  hale  and  vigorous.  Hismotherwas 
Joanna  Shane,  a  native  of  Quebec,  Canada. 
The  father  was  in  Chicago  when  there  was 
nothing  to  indicate  the  future  great  city 
except  the  barracks  and  a  tavern.  Our  sub- 
ject was  educated  at  St.  Mary's  Seminary  in 
Perry  County,  Missouri,  and  at  St.  Yincent's 
College  at  Cape  Girardeau,  and  in  St.  Thomas' 
Seminary  at  Bardstown,  Kentucky.  He 
received  his  theological  education  at  St. 
Frances'  Theological  College  of  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin,    graduating  there  in   1870.     He 


■^■^■■■^■-■.■■-■■^^-■^■■■■■■»».nyaM«.Wn.». 


BIOORAPHIGAL    SKETCHES. 


435 


\f 


« 


was  ordained  at  Dubuque  in  November, 
1870,  by  Bishop  Hentiessy.  After  his  ordina- 
tion he  went  to  Clayton  County  and  took 
charge  of  mission  work  in  that  and  adjoining 
counties  until  the  fall  of  1875,  when  he 
went  to  Rickersville,  this  State,  and  built  a 
house  of  worship,  being  the  first  resident 
priest  in  that  place.  In  the  spring  of  1877 
he  went  to  St.  Rose's,  in  Fayette  County, 
where  he  had  much  hard  work  to  do.  He 
finished  the  church  and  organized  other 
churches,  besides  establishing  a  parochial 
school  there.  He  came  to  Grand  Junctio;i 
in  September,  1879,  and  has  built  up  a  good 
congregation.  He  is  building  a  fine  brick 
church,  and  has  six  other  appointments 
besides  the  one  in  Grand  Junction.  He  is  a 
very  hard  worker  in  the  cause  of  Christianity, 
sparing  neither  time  nor  jneans  to  further  its 
interests. 


►9^-^^• 


fOHN  H.  SWARTZENDRUVER,  de- 
ceased, was  born  in  the  State  of  Mary- 
land, May  13,  1827,  a  son  of  Christian 
Swartzendruver,  who  was  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. He  came  to  America  when  a  young 
man,  settling  in  Maryland,  and  when  our 
subject  was  a  lad  removed  to  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio.  John  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  reared  to  manhood  in  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  there  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  He  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in 
early  manhood,  which  occupation  he  followed 
several  years.  In  1856  he  went  to  Peoria, 
Illinois,  and  in  the  spring  of  1858  removed 
to  Jackson  County,  Iowa,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried, November  10  of  the  same  year,  to  Miss 
Mary  Hurst,  a  daughter  of  John  Hurst,  who 
was  a  pioneer  of  Jackson  County,  Iowa, 
having  settled  there  in  1854.  He  is  still 
living   in    Maquoketa,  Jackson  County.     To 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swartzendruver  were  born 
eight  children — Almeda,  now  the  wife  of  Pro- 
fessor James  M.  Scott,  of  Fairbury, Nebraska; 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Harry  Ebbles,  of  Hugo, 
Colorado;  John  A.,  Amos  M.,  Anna  M., 
Albert  H.,  Emma  F.  and  Charles  A.  In 
May,  1871,  Mr.  Swartzendruver  removed 
from  Jackson  County  to  Greene  County, 
when  he  settled  with  his  family  on  section  25, 
Washington  To~"wnship,  where  his  widow  still 
resides.  His  farm,  when  he  settled  on  it, 
was  raw  prairie  land,  but  by  hard  work  and 
persevering  energy  he  made  the  improve- 
ments on  his  land  and  brought  it  under  fine 
cultivation.  He  was  a  good  mechanic,  and 
the  house  whicli  is  still  occupied  by  his  family 
was  built  by  him.  He  began  life  without 
means,  but  by  years  of  industry  and  strict 
economy  he  was  enabled  to  leave  his  family 
in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  died  Au- 
gust 7,  1881,  respected  and  esteemed  by  all 
who  knew  him.  He  was  a  kind  husband  and 
an  afi'ectionate  father,  and  was  a  consistent 
Christian.  Flis  mother  still  lives  in  Davis 
County,  Iowa,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three  years. 


ARREN  R.  GARRETT,  general 
merchant  and  postmaster  of  Paton, 
1"-^^^  and  an  active  and  enterprising  citi- 
zen, was  born  in  Ellen ville,  Ulster  County, 
New  York,  September  8,  1852,  a  son  of 
Marvin  Garrett,  who  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Ellenville.  Warren 
R.  remained  with  his  mother  till  fifteen 
years  of  age,  his  father  having  died  when  he 
was  five  years  old.  On  leaving  his  home  lie 
went  to  Wilcox,  Elk  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  employed  as  a  shipping  clerk 
for  a  lumber  company,  after  which  he  clerked 
in  the  store  of  the  lumber  and  tanning  com- 


.a^ia»».ib»g,M,Mi,-B.-iia[i 


436 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


panj  for  some  time,  when  his  health  failed 
him,  and  for  two  years  he  was  unable  to 
accomplish  much.  February  14,  1875,  he 
■was  married  to  Miss  Inez  C.  Griffin,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Asa  Griffin,  of  Grant  Park,  Illinois, 
and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  chil- 
dren— Mabel  and  Ethel.  In  April,  1876, 
Mr.  Garrett  located  in  Grant  Park,  Illinois, 
where  he  made  his  home  till  1880.  In  No- 
vember of  that  year  he  came  to  Greene 
County,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business,  and  has  since  largely  increased  his 
stock,  and  now  carries  a  full  line  of  groceries 
and  provisions,  hats  and  caps,  boots  and 
shoes,  etc.  He  carries  a  capital  stock  of 
$4,500,  his  annual  sales  amounting  to  abont 
$20,000.  In  March,  1884,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Paton,  under  President  Arthur, 
which  office  he  has  since  held.  He  is  also  a 
notary  public,  besides  being  agent  for  the 
North  British  and  Mercantile,  Hawkeye  and 
Des  Moines  Insurance  companies,  and  is 
doing  a  good  business  in  this  line.  Although 
not  members  of  any  religious  denomination, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garrett  do  their  part  in  sup- 
porting churches  and  benevolent  institutions. 
Mr.  Garrett  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, belonging  to  the  lodge  and  com- 
mandery  at  Paton. 


•^wf- 


fOSEPH  COOMBS,  one  of  Greene  Coun- 
ty's worthy  pioneers,  came  to  this  county 
with  his  family  in  April,  1855,  making 
his  first  home  on  section  34,  Bristol  Town- 
ship. He  made  the  trip  from  Champaign 
County,  Illinois,  in  a  covered  wagon,  camp- 
ing by  the  wayside  every  night  for  five 
nights.  They  lived  a  camp  life  until  August 
after  reaching  the  county,  then  occupied  a 
log  house  erected  on  Mr.  Coombs'  land  in 
October,   1856.     Mr.  Coombs  settled    in   his 


present  home  on  section  32,  same  township. 
The  lumber  with  which  he  built  his  first 
small  house  he  hauled  across  the  prairie 
forty  miles.  His  farm  contains  326  acres, 
part  upland  meadow  and  part  timber.  It  is 
watered  by  the  North  Coon  River,  making 
it  one  of  the  best  stock  farms  in  the  county. 
He  has  erected  large,  substantial  farm  build- 
ings of  all  kinds.  A  remarkable  discovery  of 
human  remains,  supposed  to  be  those  of  In- 
dians, occurred  in  excavating  for  the  cellar  of 
his  residence.  Nine  skeletons,  or  parts  of 
skeletons,  were  unearthed,  and  all  were  of 
unusually  large  proportions.  Scientists  be- 
lieved the  remains  to  belong  to  a  race  of 
giants  about  nine  feet  in  height.  Mr.  Coombs 
was  born  in  Clark  County,  Indiana,  March 
20,  1820,  son  of  Joseph  and  Rachel  Coombs, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
latter  of  Kentucky.  They  were  married  in 
Kentucky,  and  removed  to  Indiana  in  the 
pioneer  days  with  their  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren. Two  were  born  in  Indiana.  The 
parents  died  in  Indiana  many  years  ago. 
Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  has 
made  that  occupation  his  life-work.  For  his 
first  wife  he  married  Delilah  Wright,  and  to 
this  union  four  children  were  born — ^Mrs. 
Emily  J.  Gray,  of  this  county;  William  M., 
of  Cherokee  County;  Mrs.  Netty  Tyler,  of 
Mills  County,  this  State;  Mrs.  Martha  Flicks, 
who  died  in  this  county.  Mrs.  Coombs  died 
in  September,  1847,  and  after  her  death  Mr. 
Coombs  returned  to  Indiana  and  lived  in 
Putnam  County  until  he  came  to  Greene 
County.  In  1849  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Ainiinda  AVright,  daughter  of  Isham  Wright, 
and  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife.  She  was  born 
in  that  county  January  16,  1827.  To  this 
union  nine  children  were  born — Delilah  died 
at  the  age  of  seven  years;  David  H.  resides 
in  Jackson  Township;  Mrs.  Malinda  All- 
stott,  of    Bristol   Township;   Joseph  A.   died 


j^< 


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ifi 


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t 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


437 


young;  Sarah  Frances,  Oliver  II.,  Willis  S. 
are  also  deceased;  Clinton  W.  and  George  E. 
are  at  home.  Mr.  Coombs  was  formerly  a 
Democrat,  but  is  now  identified  with  the 
Greenback  party. 


►^M^. 


fAMES  E.  FORBES,  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  section  32,  Hardin  Township, 
was  born  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylva- 
nia, April  12,  1840,  his  parents,  John  and 
Anna  (Robinson)  Forbes,  being  natives  of 
the  same  county.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days 
at  home  on  his  father's  farm,  and  in  1860  he 
rented  the  farm  and  began  farming  for  him- 
self, which  he  followed  for  one  year.  He 
then  hired  out  as  a  farm  hand,  working  by 
the  month  for  two  years,  after  which  he  was 
engaged  in  driving  a  butcher's  wagon  for  two 
years.  He  then  joined  a  construction  corps, 
with  which  he  was  engaged  four  months,  and 
during  the  war  he  followed  Sherman  from 
Chattanooga  to  Atlanta.  Returning  to  his 
native  home  he  remained  two  months,  when 
he  came  to  Hlinois  looking  for  a  location.  He 
again  returned  to  his  home  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  in  1866  he  located  in  Whiteside  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  remained  four  years,  work- 
ing in  a  mill  and  at  carpentering.  Mr. 
Forbes  was  united  in  marriage  in  January, 
1866,  to  Miss  Catherine  Wilkinson,  who  was 
born  February  14,  1839,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Anthony  and  Anna  Wilkinson,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  Of  the  four  children  born  to 
this  union,  three  are  living — Lewis  W.,  born 
October  3,  1871;  Edith  R.,  born  July  21, 
1876,  and  Charles  A.,  born  September  1, 
1880.  Anna  E.  was  born  August  23,  1868, 
and  died  October  25  of  the  same  year.  After 
living  in  Illinois  for  four  years  Mr.  Forbes 
engaged  in  farming,  which  he  followed  in  that 
State   for  eight    years.     He    then  moved   to 


Calhoun  County,  Iowa,  in  1878,  and  from 
there  in  1879  he  removed  to  Greene  Count}', 
Iowa,  locating  on  the  farm  where  he  now  re- 
sides. Two  years  later  he  returned  to  Cal- 
houn County,  Illinois,  and  finally  returned  to 
his  home  in  Hardin  Township,  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  Mr.  F'orbes  com- 
menced life  a  poor  boy,  but  by  hard  work 
and  careful  management  he  has  been  pros- 
perous in  his  agricultural  pursuits,  his  home 
farm  containing  120  acres  of  valuable  land, 
and  he  is  now  numbered  among  the  best 
farmers  of  Hardin  Township.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Odd  Fellows  order.  Postoffice, 
Jefferson,   Iowa. 


^Kh  ^-  KELLER,  general  merchant  at  Rip- 
)/Writ  pey,  formerly  of  the  firm  of  Bullock  & 
^==|ss^®  Keller,  was  born  in  Oswego  County, 
New  York,  April  20, 1847,  son  of  Dermis  Kel- 
ler, a  native  also  of  that  State.  He  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  graded  schools 
of  Fulton,  New  York.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and 
joiner,  a  trade  he  followed  until  1875.  In 
1869  he  came  to  Dallas  County,  this  State, 
where  he  built  a  great  many  dwellings, school- 
houses,  business  houses,  chui-ches,  etc.  In 
1875  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
at  Waukee,  Dallas  County,  and  in  1876  came 
to  this  place  and  built  a  store  with  Mr. 
Bullock,  with  whom  he  continued  until  April, 
1886,  when  he  sold  out  and  Mr.  Keller  bought 
it  back  soon  after.  He  carries  a  capital 
stock  of  $8,000  to  $10,000,  and  does  an  an- 
nual business  of  $35,000.  He  keeps  dry 
goods,  boots  and  shoes,  hats  and  caps,  cloth- 
incr,  notions,  groceries  and  provisions.  He 
was  married  December  29,  1867,  to  Miss 
Plora  Fuller,  daughter  of  Timothy  Fuller,  de- 
ceased.    They  have  had    two  children,  only 


one  living — Bertha.  Mr.  Keller  has  never 
accepted  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
society  of  Odd  Fellows. 


W.  THOMPSON,  farmer,  section  28, 
HjK.  Kendrick  Township,  is  one  of  the 
I®  enterprising  and  intelligent  citizens 
of  Greene  County.  He  was  born  in  West- 
moreland County,  Pennsylvania,  April  26, 
1840,  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Park)  Thomp- 
son, who  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
our  subject  being  the  fourth  child.  When 
he  was  eleven  years  of  age  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Linn  County,  this  State,  where  he 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  his  pre- 
liininary  education  in  the  common  schools. 
Later  he  attended  Cornell  College  at  Mount 
Vernon,  Iowa.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
civil  war  Mr.  Thompson  took  up  arms  in 
defense  of  union  and  liberty.  He  enlisted 
October  11,  1861,  in  Company  A,  Thirteenth 
Iowa  Infantry,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
several  important  battles.  He  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
in  Sherman's  march  to  tlie  sea.  His  regi- 
ment  was  in  iifty  engagements.  He  was 
honoral)ly  discharged  July  21,  1865,  at  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky,  and  received  his  final  dis- 
charge, together  with  his  pay,  at  Davenport, 
Iowa,  and  returned  to  Linn  County.  In 
1866  he  came  to  Greene  County,  his  first 
location  being  in  Kendrick  Township.  He 
came  to  his  present  farm  in  1868,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  August  12,  1866,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Matilda  Latimer, 
a  native  of  Indiana.  To  this  union  six  chil- 
dren have  been  born — Maggie  Belle,  Josie  A., 
Charlie  W.,  Pleasie,  Henry  S.,  Lizzie,  and  an 
infant  son  unnamed.  Mr.  Thompson  owns 
250  acres  of  excellent  land,  which  is  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation,  commodious  build- 


ings, a  fine  orchard,  and  everything  that 
tends  to  make  a  comfortable  and  pleasant 
home.  Politically  he  affiliates  with  the  Re- 
publican party.  He  is  a  zealous  member  of 
the  Free  Methodist  church,  and  is  considered 
one  of  Greene  County's  most  worthy  citizens. 


JIl^l^ILLIAM  H.  VEST,  restaurant  keeper 
Wf^M  ^"d  proprietor  of  the  hotel  at  Dana, 
l-^J^j  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
xVugnst  21,  1851,  son  of  Peter  M.  Vest,  of 
Jefferson,  this  county,  who  superintends  the 
extensive  grain,  coal  and  lumber  business  of 
McFarland  ik  Iliger.  William  II.  was  reared 
a  farmer,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Cedar  County,  this  State,  where  his  par- 
ents removed  in  1857.  He  completed  his 
education  at  Tipton  College,  in  the  same 
county.  In  1873  he  went  to  Seward  County, 
Nebraska,  returning  to  Jefferson,  this  county, 
in  1880.  In  the  fall  of  1886  he  removed  to 
Dana  and  built  his  hotel.  It  is  well  furnished 
and  he  is  prepared  to  accommodate  the  trav- 
eling public.  July  3,  1873,  he  was  married 
to  Isabel  Garey,  daughter  of  Tipton  Garey, 
who  is  deceased.  They  have  had  six  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living — Virginia,  Peter, 
Edith  and  Theodore. 


--f*^«5^-- 

igijOEACE  L.  CHILDS,  proprietor  of  Eagle 
plow  and  machine  shop  at  Grand  Junc- 
tion, was  born  in  Vermont  December 
11,  1826,  son  of  Lyman  Childs,  a  native  of 
the  same  State,  and  now  deceased.  He  early 
learned  the  use  of  tools,  and  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship at  blacksmithing  in  Montpelier. 
He  has  been  in  manufacturing  and  machine 
shops  ever  since.  In  1849  he  came  to  Mc- 
Henry  County,  Illinois,    and    the    following 


'■l 


iaa 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  439 


spring  removed  to  Putnam  County,  same 
State,  where  he  worked  at  blacksmithing  un- 
til 1  855.  He  then  came  to  Muscatine,  this 
State,  thence  to  Washington,  in  1850,  wliere 
he  operated  a  job  shop  and  manufactured 
farm  implements  until  1864,  when  he  went 
to  Des  Moines  and  remained  one  year.  In 
1865  he  came  to  Greene  County,  settling  near 
flippey,  and  in  the  fall  of  1880  came  to  Grand 
Junction  and  built  his  present  shop.  He  has 
since  added  the  plow  department,  uses  steam 
power  and  the  Monarch  engine  (eight-horse 
power).  He  manufactures  cultivators,  does 
all  kinds  of  repairing,  and  is  well  iixed  in 
business.  He  was  married  in  August,  1854, 
to  Miss  Samantha  Gilliland,  a  daughter  of 
Willis  Gilliland,  now  deceased,  and  they  have 
had  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — 
Frank,  Elmer,  Emma,  Lillie  and  Fred.  Mr. 
Childs  served  as  mayor  of  Grand  Junction 
one  term.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  for  the  past  thirty  years; 
has  been  a  Eoyal  Arch  Mason  nearly  that 
length  of  time.  He  has  been  successful  in 
business,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  solid 
men  of  Grand  Junction. 


T-vJILLIAM   L.   McCKOEY,  a  lumber- 

Wiwll  "'^"  ^''  ■'^'PP^.^'  ^'^®  born  in  Wash- 
l^^fe^l  ington  County,  Ohio,  October  21, 
1843,  son  of  James  McCrory,  a  native  of 
Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  who  re- 
moved to  Ohio  in  1840.  He  is  now  deceased. 
William  L.  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  educated 
in  Aledo  Academy,  in  Mercer  County,  Illi- 
nois, where  the  family  removed  in  1863.  He 
graduated  at  that  institution  in  1866,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  1876,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming  until  1883.  He  then  came  to 
Rippey,  and  engaged  in  his  present  business. 
He  deals  in  all  kinds  of  building  materials, 


dressed  and  rough  lumber,  and  carries  on 
quite  an  extensive  business.  He  was  married 
March  20,  1873,  to  Mary  M.  Holmes,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Holmes,  of  Mercer  County,  Illi- 
nois. They  have  six  children — Edna,  Delia, 
John  J.,  Anna,  Alice  and  Clara.  Mr.  Mc- 
Crory owns  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  lets 
to  tenants.  He  belongs  to  the  order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  Mrs.  McCrory  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  church. 

..■-.p||ai;ilS..||..-w. 


f  ILLIAM  ALLAN,  farmer,  section  35, 
fJiWi)  Jackson  Township,  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing agriculturists  of  Greene  County, 
and  pays  taxes  on  more  real  estate  than  any 
other  man  in  the  township.  His  home  farm 
contains  280  acres,  devoted  to  stock-raising. 
He  owns  160  acres  on  section  84,  and  160 
acres  on  section  31,  Grant  Township.  Mr. 
Allan  was  born  in  Aberdeenshire,  Scot- 
land, December  22,  1850,  son  of  William  and 
Catherine  (Walker)  Allan,  now  deceased.  Mr. 
Allan  was  reared  to  a  farm  life  in  Scotland. 
His  parents  never  left  their  native  soil.  His 
mother  died  before  he  came  to  America,  and 
his  father  afterward.  He  embarked  at  Glas- 
gow in  June,  1870,  for  New  York  City, 
where  he  landed,  then  came  directly  to  Iowa, 
and  made  his  home  in  Cedar  County  six 
years.  He  then  came  to  this  county,  bring- 
ing a  cash  capital  of  $3,000,  made  almost 
entirely  by  industry  and  good  management. 
He  has  been  very  successful  since  coming  to 
Greene  County.  March  3,  1875,  in  Cedar 
County,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lucinda 
Eorick,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  of  Dutch 
descent.  Their  five  children  are  —  Mary, 
Isabel  R.,  George  R.,  Gracie  and  Edith. 
Mi-s.  Allan  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.     Mr.  Allan,  though  not  a 


church  member,  was  i-eared  under  the  minis- 
trations of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  church. 
Politically  he  is  identified  with  the  Republi- 
can party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows lodge  at  Jefferson.  He  has  a  brother, 
John  Allan,  who  owns  160  acres  of  land  on 
section  24.  Jackson  Township,  and  one  sister, 
Isabel,  wife  of  John  Perry,  of  Washington 
Township,  this  county. 

— ^'-^^>-~ 


fAMUEL  JAY,  of  Jefferson,  has  been  a 
resident  of  that  city  since  1868.  He 
was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  in 
1827,  where  he  was  reared  to  the  occupation 
of  farming.  His  parents  were  Alexander 
and  Nancy  (Spears)  Jay.  the  latter  dying 
when  he  was  an  infant,  and  the  former  when 
he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  He  was  married 
in  Gi'eene  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Mendenhall,  who  was  born  in  that  county  in 
the  spring  of  1855.  Mr.  Jay  moved  with  his 
family  to  Polk  County,  this  State;  thence  to 
Dallas  County;  thence  to  Boone  County; 
thence  to  this  county.  He  purchased  town 
lots  and  built  his  present  residence  two  years 
later.  He  was  for  some  time  engaged  in  the 
grocery  trade,  and  later  in  the  lumber  and 
grain  business.  He  served  as  county  treas- 
urer from  January  1,  1S72,  to  December  31, 
1878.  He  succeeded  James  Stanford,  who 
also  served  three  terms.  After  he  retired 
from  the  office  of  treasurer  he  was  enffasred 
in  the  abstract  business  with  J.  F.  Head  for 
a  period  of  three  years,  when  the  firm  became 
Jay  et  Lawrence.  In  1884  Mr.  Jay  sold  out 
to  his  partner  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
farming.  He  owns  a  fine  farm  on  section  5, 
Grant  Township,  near  Jefferson.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jay  have  one  son  and  five  daughters. 
Politically  he  has  been  identified  with  the 
Republican  party  since  its  organization.    Mr. 


Jay's  father  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina, 
and  in  early  life  removed  to  Indiana  witli  his 
parents,  where  he  was  married  and  lived 
until  his  decease.  After  the  death  of  his 
parents,  the  grandparents  of  our  subject, 
James  and  Jemima  Jay,  immigrated  to  Iowa, 
where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their 
lives. 

fROF.  JOHN  F.  CURRAN,  principal  of 
the  Angus  schools,  is  a  native  of  Dub- 
^^C  liii,  Ireland,  born  September  9,  1841,  a 
son  of  Timothy  Curran.  who  was  born  in 
Kings  County,  Ireland.  His  father  immi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1850,  and  died 
in  New  Orleans  of  yellow  fever  in  1S53. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in 
his  native  country,  and  graduated  from  the 
Dublin  model  schools.  August  2,  1860,  he 
was  appointed  tutor  of  a  special  class,  which 
position  he  held  from  September,  1860,  until 
March,  1862,  when  he  came  to  America,  and 
for  almost  three  years  was  employed  as 
shipping  clerk  for  the  wholesale  boot  and  shoe 
house  of  Simpson  &  Co.  August  2,  1867, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Cook,  who 
was  born  in  Cookstown,  now  Fayette  City, 
Pennsylvania,  near  the  birthplace  of  James 
G.  Blaine,  she  being  a  daughter  of  George  B. 
Cook  and  a  great-granddaughter  of  Colonel 
Cook,  the  founder  of  Cookstown,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Curran,  whose  names  are  Walter 
W.  and  J.  Tyndall.  Professor  Curran  came 
to  Iowa  in  the  fall  of  1869  and  accepted  the 
principalsliip  of  the  schools  at  Moingona, 
remaining  there  until  March,  1878.  He  then 
took  charge  of  the  Van  Meter  schools  until 
1880,  and  in  September  of  the  same  year  he 
became  principal  of  the  schools  at  Dallas 
Centre,  which  position  he  filled  until  1SS3, 
when  he  came  to  Angus,  where  he  has  since 


ft. 


■ 


^1 


'i 


(fi 

I 

J 


had  charge  of  tlie  schools,  teaching  the  first 
school  in  the  independent  district  of  Angus. 
Professor  Cnrran  is  a  popular  instructor  and 
successful  disciplinarian,  and  keeps  abreast 
with  the  educational  interests  of  the  day, 
using  the  best  and  most  aj^proved  methods  in 
his  school,  and  wherever  he  has  been  called 
to  teach  has  filled  his  position  with  entire 
satisfaction.  He  is  a  noted  etymologist,  of 
which  subject  lie  makes  a  specialty  in  the 
high  school.  The  professor  is  also  well  known 
in  conducting  normal  institutes.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Masonic 
orders,  and  holds  the  office  of  secretary  in  the 
Masonic  lodge. 


fOllN  RICE,  proprietor  of  the  Paton 
House,  and  stock-buyer  of  Paton,  was 
born  in  Schuyler  County,  Illinois,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1833,  a  son  of  Jefferson  Rice, 
who  was  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  Isew 
York,  and  is  now  deceased.  Our  subject 
received  bnt  limited  educational  advantages, 
the  country  being  new  and  the  schools  very 
poor,  and  from  an  early  age  he  was  obliged 
to  assist  his  father  on  the  farm.  Since  arriv- 
ing at  manhood  he  has  been  principally 
engaged  in  fiirming  and  buying  stock,  in 
which  he  has  met  with  good  success.  May 
17,  1863,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mi-s.  Martha  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Guinn,  and  widow  of  Wade  Brown.  Of  the 
six  children  born  to  this  union  four  are  yet 
living — Agnes,  Minnie,  Lester  and  John. 
By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Rice  had  three 
children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased.  In  1875 
Mr.  Rice  brought  his  family  to  Hancock 
County,  Illinois,  and  in  1876  came  with 
them  to  Paton,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business  at  this  place  in  April,  1888, 


his  fine  two-story  hotel  being  destroyed  by 
fire  November  12,  1884.  He  immediately 
rebuilt,  and  has  since  cai'ried  on  a  good  busi- 
ness, his  hotel  being  a  favoi'ite  stopping  place 
for  travelers. 


fRANKLIN  HARMON,  of  the  firm  of 
Harmon  Bros.,  blacksmiths  at  Ripnev, 
~j^  was  born  in  Hardin  County,  this  State, 
June  5,  1853,  son  of  Lafayette  Harmon,  of 
Junction  Township,  this  county,  and  a  native 
of  Lorain  County,  Ohio.  The  father  removed 
to  Polk  County,  this  State,  in  1864,  thence  to 
Boone  County  in  1856,  thence  to  Boonesboro 
one  year  later,  where  Franklin  was  brought 
up  and  educated.  He  followed  teaming  for 
seven  years,  then  went  to  the  blacksmith's 
trade,  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  and  has 
since  followed  that  occupation.  He  located 
at  Rippey  in  1876.  The  firm  does  general 
blacksinithing,  repairing,  ironing  new  car- 
riages, etc.  Mr.  Harmon  was  married  Sep- 
tember 2,  1878,  to  Dora  S.  Hoover,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Hoover,  who  is  deceased.  They 
have  three  children — Arthur,  Edna  and 
Ralph.  Mr.  Harmon  is  serving  his  second 
term  as  township  trustee,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity. 


IpiAFAYETTE  HARMON,  farmer  and 
wk  stock-raiser,  section  23,  Junction  Town- 
;?5?^  ship,  was  born  in  Richland  County, 
Ohio,  July  21,  1827,  a  son  of  Horatio  Har- 
mon, a  native  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  a  good 
education,  attending  both  the  common  schools 
and  Oberlin    (Ohio)  College.      He    came    to 


■"■—fa* 


442 


IIISrOMr    OF    OREENE    COUNTY. 


Iowa  in  1854,  and  lived  in  Polk  County  two 
years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1856  moved  to 
Eoonesboro,  wliere  he  lived  until  18S0,  wlien 
he  came  to  Greene  County  and  settled  on  the 
farm  where  he  now  lives,  which  contains 
eighty  acres  of  good  land,  well  improved  and 
with  good  buildings.  lie  was  married  June 
5,  1852,  to  Catherine  Barnes,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Barnes.  They  have  had  seven  children 
— Franklin  E.,  Oscar  L.,  Iva  J.,  Delia, 
Charles,  Eugene  and  Belle.  Frank  and  Oscar 
are  residents  of  Rippey,  and  Iva  and  Delia 
are  prominent  teachers  of  Greene  County. 
While  in  Boone  County  Mr.  Harmon  held 
the  offices  of  county  supervisor,  city  marshal 
and  street  commissioner. 


ffOHN  G.  ALLSTOTT,  one  of  the  prac- 
tical, energetic  young  farmers  of  Bristol 
Township,  resides  on  section  28.  His 
farm  is  in  excellent  condition,  and  liis  build- 
ings are  comfortable  and  convenient.  Mr. 
Allstott  was  born  in  Dubuque  County,  this 
State,  in  February,  1862.  His  parents, 
Edward  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Allstott,  were 
born,  reared  and  married  in  Indiana.  They 
settled  in  Dubuque  Cdunty  soon  after  their 
marriage.  John  G.  was  their  fourth  child, 
the  others  being — Mrs.  Minerva  Jane  Smith, 
of  Mills  County,  this  State;  William  K.,  of 
Shelby  County;  James  F.,  of  Webster  County; 
Ambrose,  of  Bristol  Township,  Greene  Coun- 
ty, and  Mrs.  Mary  M.  Wright,  of  Jackson 
Township.  The  mother  died  in  Dubuque 
County  in  1860.  The  fether  again  married, 
his  second  wife  being  Miss  Mary  D.  Doty. 
In  1864  they  removed  to  Marion  County, 
thence  to  this  county  in  September,  1869, 
making  their  home  on  a  farm  in  Bristol 
Township,  where  the  father  died  in  1880. 
His  widow  has  since  married  Levi  Thompson. 


Our  subject  has  always  followed  agriculture. 
October  28,  1872,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Malinda  Coombs,  who  was  born  in 
Champaign  County,  Illinois,  September  10, 
1854.  Her  parents  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Greene  County.  After  marriage 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allstott  lived  one  year  with 
her  father,  working  a  portion  of  his  large 
farm,  and  the  following  year  he  rented  and 
woi'ked  the  farm  owned  by  Jesse  Johnson. 
After  this  they  owned  and  occupied  their 
own  home.  Their  home  farm  contains 
eighty  acres  of  land.  He  also  owns  sixty- 
seven  acres  of  prairie  on  section  29,  and  ten 
acres  of  timber.  They  have  four  children — 
Jesse  O.,  Charles  E.,  Dora  F.  and  Hattie. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allstott  are  consistent  members 
of  the  Christian  church. 


■^. 


Mf-.^.— 


f/HOMAS  W.  MARTIN,  engineer  on  the 


jjfc  Des  Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  Railroad, 
^J  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in  Birming- 
ham, England,  September  27,  1850,  son  of 
Frederick  Martin,  a  native  of  England,  and 
now  deceased.  He  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Bristol,  England,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1868,  settling  in  Fulton  County, 
Illinois,  until  the  spring  of  1869.  He  then 
came  to  Toronto,  Clinton  County,  this  State; 
thence  to  Grand  Junction  the  same  year, 
remaining  till  1870.  He  then  returned  to 
Clinton  County,  remaining  two  yeai-s,  then 
came  back  to  Grand  Junction,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  began  firing  on  the  Des 
Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  Railroad  in  1879,  and 
was  promoted  to  engineer  three  or  four  years 
later.  He  has  had  an  engine  ever  since.  He 
was  married  December  18,  1877,  to  Carrie 
Petrie,  daughter  of  Jacob  Petrie,  of  Sac 
County,  Iowa.  They  have  three  children — 
Thomas   F.,  Fannie    M.    and    Myrtle.      Mr 


i  I 
/ 1 


) 

it 


f 

y 


Martin  is  a  member  of  the  society  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  of  the  Brotherliood  of  Locomo- 
tive Engineers.  He  has  run  every  engine  on 
the  road,  and  has  been  on  every  '•  run  "  on 
the  road,  and  has  never  met  with  an  accident. 


-:m^. 


}     a-A 


us.  ELIZABETH  H.  MERRILL,  of 

/  \  (xrand  Junction,  is  a  native  of  Somer- 
setshire, England,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1855,  settling  in  Oswego, 
Illinois,  and  removing  to  Gardner,  Grundy 
County,  same  State,  in  1857.  In  the  spring 
of  1871  she  settled  in  Grand  Junction,  and 
this  place  has  since  been  her  home.  She 
was  married  in  England  in  1843,  to  Jam^es 
Symes,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  chil- 
dren, five  of  whom  are  living — Georgina,  Al- 
fred W.,  Harris  J.,  Henrietta  and  Albert  B. 
One  son.  Grant,  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years.  Mr.  Symes  died  in  1876,  and  in  1881 
Mrs.  Symes  was  married  to  Robert  Merrill, 
her  present  husband,  who  is  now  superin- 
tendent of  the  bridge  carpenters  on  the  Des 
Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  Railroad.  Mrs.  Mer- 
rill is  an  Episcopalian  in  religious  belief. 
She  owns  160  acres  of  land,  four  stores, 
several  offices,  milliner  shop,  and  two  dwell- 
ing houses  besides  the  one  she  occupies.  She 
also  owns  the  postoffice  building,  a  furniture 
store,  and  other  buildings.  She  is  very  chari- 
table, and  contributes  liberally  to  all  worthy 
enterprises. 


fOHN  NUGENT,  section  11,  Junction 
Township,  Greene  County,  is  a  native  of 
Ireland,  born  in  County  Kilkenny,  April 
24,  1832,  a  son  of  Garrett  Nugent,  deceased, 
who  was  a  native  of  the  same  country.  John 
Nugent  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852, 

33 


and  after  living  one  year  in  Dutchess  County, 
New  York,  he  went  to  Orleans  County,  New 
York,  where  he  lived  six  years.  In  1858  he 
located  in  Will  County,  Illinois,  where  he 
resided  till  coming  to  Greene  County,  Iowa, 
in  1876,  when  he  settled  on  his  present  farm 
in  Junction  Township.  April  9,  1861,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hannah  Bar- 
rett, a  daughter  of  John  Barrett,  a  resident 
of  Will  County,  Illinois.  Eleven  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union — Garrett,  Julia, 
Margaret,  Catherine,  John,  Richard,  Mary, 
Ellen,  William,  Edward,  and  one  who  is  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Nugent  is  one  of  the  self-made 
men  of  Greene  County.  He  began  life  in 
America  entirely  without  means,  and  for 
eleven  years  worked  by  the  month  as  a  farm 
laborer,  part  of  the  time  receiving  only  his 
board  for  his  services,  His  highest  wages 
during  this  time  was  $15  per  month,  re- 
ceiving this  amount  for  two  months  during 
harvest  time,  By  years  of  persevering  in- 
dustry, strict  economy  and  good  management 
he  has  become  one  of  the  prosperous  agri- 
culturists of  Junction  Township,  where  he 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  320  acres.  He  devotes 
his  entire  attention  to  farming  and  raising 
stock,  making  a  specialty  of  graded  stock. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church. 


•°^'V"'*^""'" — 

fOIIN  H.  ALBERT,  section  22,  Jackson 
Township,  was  born  in  Lancaster  County, 
Pennsylvania,  December  6,  1848,  a  son 
of  Emanuel  and  Mary  (Will)  Albert,  also 
natives  of  the  Keystone  State.  He  was  the 
second  in  a  family  of  ten  children.  In  1866 
the  family  came  West  as  far  as  Indiana,  and 
settled  in  Whitley  County,  where  John  H. 
completed  the  years  of  his  minority.  In 
1869  he  commenced   life  for  himself  in  La 


144 


JI/.STUJO'     UF    (IHKEA'E    COUNTY. 


Salle  County,  Illinois,  working  that  year  on 
a  farm.  In  1870  he  came  to  Iowa  and  found 
employment  in  Cedar  County,  where  he  re- 
mained two  yeai'S,  and  was  there  married. 
After  his  marriage  he  returned  to  Whitle}' 
County,  Indiana,  where  he  remained  three 
years,  and  then  came  again  to  Iowa  and  lived 
in  Cedar  County  until  February,  1877,  when 
he  located  in  Greene  County,  Ijuying  and 
occupying  his  present  homestead  in  that  year. 
Plis  farm  contains  eighty  acres  of  choice  land, 
well  improved  and  under  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation. Mr.  Albert  was  married  February 
15,  1872,  to  Miss  Ursula  Reynolds,  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  born  December  2,  1854. 
She  was  left  an  orphan  in  lier  early  child- 
hood, and  was  reared  by  her  grandfather, 
Daniel  Whitman,  who  is  now  cared  for  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert.  They  have  seven  chil- 
dren— John  Franklin,  Charles  C,  Maud  M., 
Martha  M.,  Isaac  N.,  David  O.  and  an  infant 
daughter.  One  daughter  died  in  infancy. 
In  politics  Mr.  Albert  is  a  Democrat,  and  is 
one  of  the  leading  members  of  his  party  in 
Jackson  Township.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellows  order.  As  a  citizen  he  ranks 
among  the  foremost  in  promoting  any  and 
all  enterprises  tending  toward  the  public 
welfare. 

-^^^Iri^^i^^r^ 


|EOEGE  M.  ODELL,  proprietor  of  the 
meat  market,  Paton,  Iowa,  was  born  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  September  9, 
1848,  a  son  of  James  S.  Odell.  When  our 
subject  was  quite  small  his  parents  moved  to 
New  York  City,  and  there  he  was  reared  and 
educated.  In  December,  1864,  they  moved 
to  Kankakee  County,  Illinois,  and  located  on 
a  farm,  where  he  lived  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits  until  the  spring  of  1882,  when 
he  came  to  Greene  County,   Iowa,  and  for 


three  years  engaged  in  farming  in  Dawson 
Township.  In  1885  he  moved  to  Paton  and 
opened  a  market,  where  he  keeps  a  good  sup- 
ply of  fresh  and  cured  meats,  lard,  tallow 
and  other  things  in  his  line.  He  has  by  his 
fair  dealing  and  business  integrity  made  many 
friends  and  built  up  a  good  trade.  He  was 
married  in  1868  to  Mrs.  Adaliue  Walden,  and 
to  them  have  been  born  two  children — Clara 
and  Nellie.  Mrs.  Odell  has  one  son  by  her 
former  marriage  —  Haimibal  AYalden.  Mr. 
Odell  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


-1-^^-^- 


TEPIIEN  W.  HEREON,  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  section  4,  Grand  Junction, 
'^^  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
October  15,  1830,  son  of  Samuel  D.  Herron, 
a  native  of  Fi-anklin  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  now  deceased,  who  crossed  the  mount- 
ains in  1820,  and,  with  his  father,  James 
Herron,  landed  by  wagon  the  boiler  and  en- 
gine from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg,  then 
a  small  village  over  three  hundred  miles, 
the  first  in  Pittsburg.  They  built  and 
owned  the  first  steam  saw  and  grist-mill 
in  Pittsburg,  buying  their  logs  from  the 
Corn-Planter  tribe  of  Indians,  up  the  Al- 
leghany River.  This  tribe  is  still  in  ex- 
istence and  engaged  in  farming  and  rafting. 
The  grandfather  was  a  Colonel  in  the  war 
of  1812.  Our  subject  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Pittsburg,  and  entered  the  land 
he  noM-  occupies  in  1855.  He  owns  320 
acres  besides  several  town  lots  and  a  dwell- 
ing-house in  Grand  Junction.  He  was 
married  in  May,  1866,  to  Rebecca  Kelly, 
daughter  of  James  D.  Kelly,  now  deceased. 
They  have  had  four  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living — Sallie  B.,  Eiiie  D.  and  William 
T.     One  son,  James  D.,  died   at  the  age  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


445 


five  years.  Mr.  Herron  removed  to  his  pres- 
ent home  in  April,  1869,  wiiere  lie  has  since 
resided.  He  is  giving  ir.  iicli  attention  to 
graded  stock.  Himself  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  chnrch. 

to     *      ^     pj 


If^EV.  GEORGE  N.  LUCCOCK,  pastor 
¥M^  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Grand 
■°=|)|  Junction,  was  born  in  Guernsey  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  March  31,  1857,  son  of  Samuel  W. 
Luccock,  a  native  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio, 
and  now  a  resident  of  Guernsey  County.  He 
was  reared  in  the  village  of  Kimbolton,  and 
educated  in  the  University  of  Wooster,  and 
at  the  Western  Theological  Seminary  of  Al- 
legheny, Pennsylvania,  graduating  at  the 
former  institution  in  June,  1878,  and  at  the 
latter  in  April,  1881,  coming  to  Emmet 
County,  Iowa,  the  same  year.  He  labored  as 
home  missionary  in  that  county  and  in  Kos- 
suth and  Dickinson  counties  for  three  years. 
In  May,  1884,  he  accepted  a  call  to  supply 
the  church  at  Grand  Junction,  and  in  May, 
1885,  was  installed  as  regular  pastor  of  the 
church.  He  was  married  September  3, 
18S2,  to  Miss  Emma  Bingham,  daughter 
of  Lemuel  R.  Bingham,  of  Swan  Lake, 
Emmet  County.  They  have  two  children — 
Tracy  D.  and  Jane  T.  Mr.  Luccock  is  a 
member  of  the  society  of  Good  Templars. 


fOIIN  COPELAND,  coal  merchant  and 
gardener.  Grand  Junction,  was  born  in 
-,^  Upper  Canada  on  the  Rider  River, 
thirty  miles  north  of  Ogdensburg,  July  6, 
1832,  son  of  James  Copeland,  a  native  of 
Ireland,  who  came  to  Canada  when  a  young 
man  and  is  now  deceased.  He  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common   schools 


of  his  native  place.  In  1851  he  came  to 
Oswego  County,  New  York,  where  he  lived 
until  1864,  chopping  wood,  logging  and 
working  as  boatman  on  the  Erie  Canal  nine 
years.  In  1864  he  came  to  Tama  County, 
this  State,  where  he  worked  in  a  saw-mill  sev- 
enteen years  then  came  to  Greene  County, 
settling  in  Washington  Township.  Here  he 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  1S80,  then  re- 
moved to  Grand  Junction,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  purchased  six  acres  of  land  and 
built  a  house.  April  8, 1858,  he  was  married 
to  Myrtilla  Bridgeford,  daughter  of  Joshua 
Bridgeford,  now  deceased.  They  have  had 
four  children,  three  living — John  E.,  Emory 
C.  and  Anna  M.  Gu}',  the  3'oungest,  died  at 
the  age  of  si.x  years.  Mr.  Copeland  is  a 
member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen,  and  though  not  a  church  member, 
he  is  a  regular  attendant  at  church. 

AVID  E.  JOHNSON,  Rippey,  Iowa,  is 
a  native  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  New 
York,  born  March  7,  1839,  a  son  of 
Thomas  Johnson,  a  native  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  grandson  of  Eden  Johnson,  a 
native  of  Scotland.  When  he  was  six  years 
old,  in  1845,  his  parents  moved  to  McHenry 
County,  Illinois,  and  from  there  in  1855  to 
Champaign  County,  where  they  were  living 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion.  In 
1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Twenty- 
fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  three  years. 
He  participated  in  many  severe  battles, 
among  the  more  important  being  Pea  Ridge 
(fought  on  his  birthday,  March  7,  1862), 
Pittsl(urg  Landing,  Perryville,  Miirfreesboro, 
Chickamauga  and  the  Atlanta  campaign.  \t 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  20, 
1863,  he  was  wounded.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  his  regiment  was  sent  to  Springfield  and 


.p-g^ 


■g".l"^M^»J»-.-gl^TBJgii.Ta.iT«P>'.n»J' 


4-iti 


HISTORY    Uh'    GHEHNE    COUNTY. 


mustered  out.  He  returned  to  Champaign 
County,  remaining  there  until  1869,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wash- 
ington Township.  In  1875  he  went  to  Cali- 
Ibrnia,  remaining  there  about  four  years,  and 
in  1879  returned  to  Iowa,  and  in  1880  moved 
to  Rippey,  where  he  has  since  lived.  Mr. 
Johnson  was  married  October  31,  1863,  to 
Sarah  Ann  Mercer,  a  native  of  Spring  Green, 
Wisconsin.  They  have  had  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  living — John  B.  and  Robert 
K.  A  daugiiter,  Cora  Belle,  died  when  tiiree 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Johnson  lias  served  as 
constable  of  Washington  Township  four  years. 


®;, 


'*--%^i-<i^^ 


PHOMAS  W.   VANCE,  one  of  the  lead- 


!!«  ing  farmers  of  Bristol  Township,  re- 
sides on  section  31.  He  has  been 
identified  with  Greene  County  since  the 
spring  of  1876.  He  was  born  in  Adams 
CJounty,  Ohio,  February  14,  1837,  son  of 
Wilson  and  Sarah  Ann  (Kincade)  Vance,  both 
of  whom  were  born  and  reared  in  that  county, 
and  they  also  spent  their  lives  there,  the 
father  dying  October  7,  1845,  and  the 
mother  in  December,  1864.  Thomas  W. 
was  the  third  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
are  boys,  and  all  reached  maturity.  He  was 
reared  to  a  farm  life,  but  after  commencing 
for  himself  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
which  lie  followed  until  he  enlisted  in  defense 
of  the  Union,  February  26, 1864,  in  Company 
I,  Ninety-iirst  Ohio  Infantry.  The  regiment 
was  assigned  to  duty  in  the  Valley  of  Vir- 
ginia, under  General  Sheridan,  in  the  brigade 
commanded  by  General  George  A.  Crook, 
and  later  it  was  commanded  by  Rutherford 
B.  Hayes.  Mr.  Vance  participated  in  twelve 
regular  battles,  among  which  were  the  his- 
torical battles  of  Winchester,  Cedar  Creek, 
and  the   two  days'   battle  at  Lynchburg  and 


Cloyd  Mountain.  He  passed  through  them 
all  unhurt,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
June  24,  1865,  at  Cumberland  City,  Mary- 
land. Returning  to  Adams  County,  Ohio, 
he  resumed  the  work  of  carpentering  and  un- 
dertaking, which  he  followed  steadily  until 
1875.  Soon  after  coming  to  Greene  County 
he  commenced  farming  upon  his  own  land, 
on  the  same  section  where  he  now  lives.  He 
purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  the  southwest 
portion  of  the  section,  where  he  li\ed  until 
March,  1883,  when  he  traded  for  the  property 
he  now  owns  in  the  northeast  portion  of  the 
same  section.  The  farm  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
the  county.  It  had  been  the  home  of  the  pio- 
neer, Elisha  Gibson,  at  one  time,  but  re- 
cently it  had  been  neglected,  and  many 
repairs  and  improvements  were  needed.  Mr. 
Vance  lias  materially  changed  the  appear- 
ance of  the  farm  in  every  respect.  He  has 
enlarged  the  residence,  erected  a  new  barn  and 
farm  buildings,  and  built  new  fences.  It  is 
now  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  that  part  of 
the  county.  It  contains  190  acres,  with 
plenty  of  timber,  and  watered  by  the  North 
Coon  River.  It  is  devoted  principally  to 
stock-raising.  Mr.  Vance  also  owns  an  im- 
proved piece  of  land  on  section  36,  Kendrick 
Township.  He  was  married  February  26, 
1860,  to  Miss  Arabel  Jarvis,  who  was  born  in 
Adams  County,  Ohio,  January  13,  1841. 
Her  parents  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Vance  have  had  six  children — Martha  W., 
who  married  H.  E.  Jones,  and  died  in  Bristol 
Township  in  March,  1880;  Mary  Emma, 
James  E.,  Charles  AV.,  John  R.  and  Thomas 
K.  All  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  Mr. 
Vance  is  a  member  of  Winchester  Lodge, 
No.  236,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  Adams  County, 
Ohio,  and  of  N.  H.  Powers  Post,  No.  Ill, 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Scranton.  Mrs.  Vance  is  a 
member  of  tiie  Relief  Corps.  Pulitically 
Mr.  Vance  is  an    ardent   Republican.     John 


■M»_gi»TMjgagi«»«wj»swiiWiai 


SBHS^mTM^Mii 


BIOGRAPHICAL    8KETCHES. 


447 


Jarvis  was  of  English  birth,  and  also  his  wife, 
Margaretta  Heath.  Both  came  to  the  United 
States  in  j'outh,  and  lived  in  Delaware;  later 
they  lived  in  Virginia.  Mr.  Jarvis  enlisted 
in  the  war  of  1812,  from  Kentucky,  and 
served  during  that  eventful  war  under  Colo- 
nel Richard  M.  Johnson,  the  slaj'er  of  the 
Indian  Chief,  Tecumseh.  Both  himself  and 
wife  died  in  Adams  County,  Ohio,  and  both 
lived  to  an  advanced  age.  The  father  died 
in  1882,  aged  nearly  100  years,  and  the 
mother  died  two  years  previous,  over  ninety 
years  old.  Tiiey  reared  fourteen  children, 
Mrs.  Vance  being  the  twelfth  child.  Two  of 
her  brothers,  John  11.  and  Albert  G.,  were 
soldiers  in  the  late  war.  John  H.  was  an 
oiiicer  in  an  Iowa  regiment,  and  was  killed  at 
Pittsburg  Landing.  Albert  G.,  a  member  of 
the  Seventh  Ohio  Cavalry,  died  in  the  service. 
Mr.  Vance  had  four  brothers  in  the  army — 
James  M.  served  in  the  Sixteenth  Ohio  In- 
fantry, and  later  in  the  Second  Ohio  Heavy 
Artillery;  he  now  lives  in  Nebraska;  Robert 
N.  was  in  Battery  F,  Ohio  Light  Artillery; 
he  died  at  Paducah,  Kentucky,  while  in  the 
service;  Baxter  V.  served  in  the  Seventh 
Ohio  Cavalry,  and  now  lives  in  Clinton 
County,  Ohio.  Theodore  served  in  the  Sec- 
ond Ohio  Heavy  Artillery.  He  died  in  Ne- 
braska in  1882. 


fLI  B.  BERRIEN,  the  present  efficient 
mayor  of  Angus,  and  also  a  contractor 
and  builder,  is  a  native  of  New  York 
City,  born  May  12,  1857.  His  father,  Cor- 
nelius Berrien,  brought  his  family  to  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  in  1858;  thence  to  Clinton,  Iowa, 
in  1859,  and  there  our  subject  was  reared 
and  educated,  attending  the  high  school.  In 
October,  1877,  he  went  to  Rapids  City,  Illi- 
nois, and  in  December,  1882,  came  to  Angus, 


Greene  County,  Iowa,  where  he  has  since 
resided,  becoming  one  of  its  most  prominent 
and  popular  citizens,  and  has  erected  during 
his  residence  at  Angus  many  of  the  best  and 
largest  buildings  of  the  place.  November  7, 
1878,  he  was  united  iu  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  H.  Halpine,  a  daughter  of  Matthew 
Halpine,  of  La  Salle,  Illinois.  They  have 
had  four  children  born  to  them,  of  whom  one 
is  deceased.  The  names  of  those  yet  living 
are — Nellie  H.,  Orval  B.  and  Leonard  B. 
Mr.  Berrien  was  elected  mayor  of  Angus  in 
March,  1886.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  lodge  and  encampment,  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen,  and  belongs  to 
the  North  Legion  of  Select  Knights. 


SrSAAC  E.  ROBINSON,  farmer,  section  11, 
Irlj  Franklin  Township,  was  born  in  Cayuga 
T?  County,  New  York,  October  11,  1836, 
son  of  Ezekiel  and  Catherine  (Bushman) 
Robinson,  who  were  the  parents  of  thirteen 
childi'en,  our  subject  being  the  seventh. 
AVhen  he  was  twelve  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Carroll  County,  Illinois,  where 
his  father  entered  Government  land,  and 
where  he  died  in  1884.  The  mother  is  still 
living  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Of 
the  thirteen  children,  seven  are  living — five 
in  Iowa,  one  in  Missouri,  and  one  li\-es  on 
the  old  farm  in  Illinois.  Isaac  was  reared  a 
farmer,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  by  study  at  home.  In 
September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  participated  in 
the  battles  of  New  Madrid,  siege  of  Corinth 
and  Guntown,  after  which  he  was  employed 
as  a  spy,  and  wore  gray  uniform,  ate  and 
slept  with  the  rebels,  and  was  taken  prisoner, 
but  escaped  in  a  few  hours.  After  serving 
three  years  he  re-enlisted,  and    entered   the 


nii.itg»a»CT»ir:'«:iiwa»=wsn«=»=afigy_»-w-»..«««-M-w«»«»iJi>^ 


■-■-■-■-■-■■«■■■■■■■'' tii^ 


448 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Government  service  as  a  spy.  By  his  bravery 
and  coolness  he  was  able  to  gain  much  val- 
uable information  for  our  troops.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  returned  to  his  home  in  Carroll  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  the  spring  of 
1885,  then  came  to  Greene  County  and  settled 
upon  his  present  farm,  where  he  owns  120 
acres  of  excellent  land,  which  is  well  culti- 
vated and  well  improved.  Mrs.  Eobinson 
was  formerly  Miss  Flora  Davis,  a  native  of 
Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of 
Isaac  and  Catherine  Davis.  They  have  seven 
children — Ira,  Ella,  Pearl,  Leonard,  Alphonso, 
Lillie  and  Almira.  Mr.  Eobinson  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Post  34,  G.  A.  K.,  and  also  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Politically  he 
affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


fH.  DAWSON,  one  of  the  old  and 
honored  pioneers  of  Greene  County, 
®  Iowa,  and  the  first  settler  of  Dawson 
Township,  which  was  named  in  honor  of 
him,  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  born  near 
Wheeling.  In  his  boyhood  his  parents 
moved  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  subse- 
quently became  a  teamster,  hauling  tobacco 
over  the  Alleghany  Mountains.  He  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Zanesville,  Ohio,  where 
he  followed  the  life  of  a  farmer  a  few  years. 
He  was  married  there  January  23,  1849,  to 
Martha  IJurdette,  and  in  1850  they  moved  to 
Farmington,  VanBuren  County,  Iowa,  where 
he  was  employed  by  the  Des  Moines  River 
Land  Company  to  snag  the  river  and  make 
it  navigable  for  steamboats,  and  later  engaged 
in  flat-boating.  After  completing  his  con- 
tract as  a  flat-boatman  he  went  to  the  village 
of  Red  Rock,  in  Marion  County,  on  the  Des 
Moines  River,  and  in  the  spring  of  1855  we 
find  him  crossing  the  Des  Moines  River  with 


his  wife  and  three  children,  and  with  but 
25  cents  in  money.  He  soon,  however, 
found  employment  as  head  sawyer  in  a 
saw-mill,  receiving  good  wages.  The  settlers 
were  jubilant  over  the  prospect  of  the  county 
seat  being  located  here,  and  lots  were  laid 
out  and  a  boom  started.  Speculation  was  rife, 
and  in  the  two  or  three  years  following  our 
suliject  accumulated  a  competence,  but  the 
spirit  of  adventure  again  took  possession  of 
him,  and  with  a  partner  he  went  to  Zanes- 
ville, Ohio,  and  purchased  a  steamboat, 
paying  for  the  same  $4,000  down,  and  mort- 
gaging his  land.  This  proved  an  unprofit- 
able venture  and  in  the  end  absorbed  all  he 
possessed,  and  in  1859  he  went  to  Pike's 
Peak,  Colorado,  where  he  made  but  a  short 
stay.  He  then  returned  and  worked  in  a 
saw-mill  for  a  year.  He  then  engaged  in 
farming,  when  he  must  again  abandon  all  to 
enlist  in  August,  1862,  in  the  war  of  the  Re- 
bellion. He  was  severely  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Saline  River,  when  he  returned  to 
his  home.  After  recovering  from  his  wound 
he  returned  to  his  regiment,  remaining  in 
the  service  until  he  was  honorably  discharged 
at  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  again  com- 
menced his  farming  operations.  In  March, 
1869,  he  came  with  his  family  to  Greene 
County,  residing  on  the  John  Harker  farm 
that  year,  when  he  located  in  what  is  now 
Dawson  Township,  then  a  barren  waste  ot 
prairie  land,  and  here  they  experienced  many 
of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to 
pioneer  life,  the  Dawson  family  being  the 
only  occupants  of  the  township  for  some  time. 
The  township  was  without  roads,  churches 
and  school-houses,  or  any  sign  of  civilization. 
The  settlers  who  first  located  in  the  township 
were  men  of  enterprise,  and  after  much  per- 
severance, in  September,  1872,  they  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  new  civil  township  set 
off.     At  this  time   there    were    not    enough 


BIOGBAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


citizens  to  hold  the  township  offices,  but  by 
giving  two  offices  to  one  man  tliey  managed 
all  right,  and  the  township  was  organized 
with  the  following  officers:  township  clerk, 
A.  C.  Wells;  assessor,  George  F.  Dawson; 
justice  of  the  peace,  J.  H.  Dawson;  trustees, 
A.  C.  Wells,  A.  B.  Crow  and  A.  Petitt.  After 
seeing  his  township  become  changed  from  a 
wilderness  into  well-cultivated  fields  and 
thriving  villages,  and  well  dotted  over  with 
churclies  and  school-houses,  Mr.  Dawson,  in 
the  year  1878,  moved  with  part  of  his  family 
to  Bon  Homme  County,  Dakota,  where  he 
still  lives,  enjoying  that  rest  which  is  the 
sure  reward  of  a  well-spent  life.  Mrs.  Daw- 
son is  deceased,  her  death  taking  place  in 
January,  1882. 


SENRY  A.  YOUNGM AN, farmer.  Grand 
f^i  Junction,  was  born  in  Union  County, 
'^mi  Pennsylvania,  October  28,  1820,  son  of 
Elias  P.  Youngman,  deceased,  a  native  of  the 
same  place,  and  of  German  ancestry.  He 
was  reared  in  Youngmanstown  (now  Mifflins- 
burg)  in  his  native  county,  until  twelve  je&VB 
of  age,  then  went  to  Lycoming  County.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  learned  the  tanner's 
trade,  which  he  followed  seven  years,  also 
carried  on  lumbering  at  the  same  time.  In 
1853  he  came  to  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  and 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  1877,  except 
eight  years  while  living  at  Mount  Morris. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  1877,  and  opened 
up  and  improved  five  quarter  sections  of 
land.  He  now  owns  800  acres.  He  carries 
on  general  farming,  and  pays  attention  to 
graded  stock.  He  was  married  October  12, 
1843,  to  Sarah  Oakes,  born  in  Lycoming 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  Oakes,  now  deceased.  They  have  had 
eight   childi-en,   four  of   whom   are  living- 


Elias  P.,  Joseph  O.,  Mary  A.  and  Elmira. 
Mr.  Youngman  has  never  sought  official 
honors.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church. 

"'^'•^"'S*''2^-»"-'" 

J|t()N.  DAVID  J.  MORKIS,  shoemaker, 
I'PH  and  a  prominent  citizen  of  Angus,  was 
■^«  born  in  Niles,  Trumbull  County,  Ohio, 
October  S,  1851,  a  son  of  David  D.  Morris, 
who  is  now  deceased.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Wales,  coming  to  the  United  States 
in  1851.  He  made  the  voyage  in  a  sailing 
vessel,  being  thirteen  weeks  on  the  ocean. 
David  J.,  tlie  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
reared  in  his  native  county,  living  in  Niles 
and  Mineral  Ridge.  In  June,  1873,  he  went 
to  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  worked  at  the 
shoemaker's  trade  for  one  year,  having  learned 
his  trade  in  his  boj'hood.  In  1874  he  went 
to  Central  City,  Colorado,  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  where  he  was  employed  as  book- 
keeper in  a  wholesale  boot  and  shoe  store  for 
almost  a  year.  In  1875  he  located  in  La 
Salle,  Illinois,  and  the  same  year  returned  to 
Trumbull  County, Ohio,  where  he  was  married 
December  30,  1875,  to  Miss  Martha  A. 
Evans,  a  daughter  of  Evan  T.  Evans,  and  a 
sister  of  Professor  G.  G.  Evans  of  Chariton. 
Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Morris,  of  whom  only  two  are  living — Hayden 
and  Thaddeus.  In  January,  1876,  Mr.  Morris 
removed  to  Rapids  City,  Rock  Island  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  lived  till  October,  1880. 
He  then  went  to  McAllister,  Indian  Territory, 
where  he  was  engaged  as  coal  weigher  for  the 
Osage  Coal  Company  for  seven  months. 
From  McAllister  he  went  to  Bevier,  Missouri, 
and  February  28,  1883,  he  came  with  his 
family  to  Angus,  Iowa,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  Since  becoming  a  resident 
of  Anffus  he  has  held  the  office  of  mavor  for 


!  i 


■-—■—■ 


.»e.« 


450 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


two  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1883  he  was  tlie 
nominee  of  the  Democratic  Fusion  ticket  for 
State  Senator.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  and  iias  preached  at  various  times, 
and  has  also  become  well  known  throughout 
the  country  as  a  lecturer.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Odd  Fellows  order  and  also  belongs  to 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Iowa  Knights  of 
Honor  and. the  Knights  of  Labor. 


►4^^ 


fAMES  F.  M.  BKADLEY,  proprietor  of 
the  Rippey  meat  market,  was  born  in 
Howard  County,  Missouri,  April  18, 
1831,  a  son  of  Thomas  Bradley,  a  native  of 
Madison  County,  Kentucky.  His  father  was 
a  farmer  and  saddler,  working  at  his  trade 
when  his  farm  did  not  reqnire  his  attention. 
Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  as  the 
schools  of  that  day  in  Missouri  were  few  and 
poor,  the  inost  of  his  youth  was  spent  in 
assisting  at  home.  During  the  war  of  the 
Eebellion  he  was  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States  a  short  time  as  a  member  of  the  Mis- 
souri State  Militia.  From  1861  until  1868, 
with  the  exception  of  the  time  he  was  in  the 
army,  he  was  engaged  in  butchering  and 
dealing  in  stock.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he 
came  to  Iowa  and  lived  in  Dallas  County 
two  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1877  moved 
to  Greene  County,  where  he  lived  until  the 
fall  of  1879,  when  he  went  to  Ames,  but  in 
June,  1884,  returned  to  Carroll  County  and 
opened  his  market  in  Rippey,  where  he  now 
has  a  good  and  increasing  ti-ade.  Mr.  Brad- 
ley is  a  good  business  man,  and  is  one  of  the 
representative  citizens  of  the  town.  He  takes 
an  interest  in  everything  that  pertains  to  the 
public  welfare  of  the  town  or  county,  but 
never  seeks  or  desires  ofhcial  honors.  He 
was  married  December  1,  1853,  to  Juda  A. 
Burnett,  daughter  of  Isom  Burnett.     Of  the 


eight  children  born  to  them,  but  six  are 
living — Elizabeth  M.,  Melvin  B.,  William  G., 
Joseph  L.,  Benjamin  F.  and  Maude. 


f[OHN  D.  ARCH,  one  of  the  representa- 
I  tive  farmers  and  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Jackson  Township,  Greene  County,  is  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  born  in  Morris  Count}', 
June  11,  1822,  his  parents,  Thomas  and 
Betsy  Ann  Arch,  being  natives  of  the  same 
State,  where  they  resided  till  their  death. 
John  D.  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  has  never 
pursued  any  other  avocation.  His  education 
was  such  as  was  common  to  the  farmer  boys 
in  his  native  State,  and  he  made  the  most  of 
his  opportunities,  becoming  quite  well  edu- 
cated. He  was  married  in  New  Jersey  in 
1843  to  Miss  Catherine  Col  well,  a  daughter 
of  Joshua  and  Ann  Colwell,  who  afterward 
settled  in  Bureau  County,  Illinois, among  the 
early  settlers.  In  1850,  with  his  wife  and 
three  children,  Mr.  Arch  came  west,  locating 
in  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  where  he  im- 
proved a  small  farm,  making  that  his  home 
for  nearly  twenty-five  years,  when  he  came 
with  his  family  to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and 
in  November,  1874,  settled  on  section  31, 
Jackson  Township.  He  has  made  almost  all 
the  improvements  on  his  fine  farm  of  240 
acres,  although  before  his  occupancy  a  few 
acres  had  been  broken  and  a  log  cabin  erected 
by  the  former  owner,  John  C.  Frazee.  Nine 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  l\[rs. 
Arch — George,  a  resident  of  Greene  County; 
William  A.,  living  at  Scranton  City,  Greene 
County;  Ransom,  Mrs.  Anna  Jaquies,  Mrs. 
Emma  Gouger,  John  and  Eddie.  Two  sons, 
Walter  S.  and  Frank,  died  in  early  childhood. 
Mr.  Arcli  is  an  active  and  public-spirited 
citizen,  and  gives  liberally  of  his  means 
toward  any  enterprise  for  the  good    of  his 


iter 


'■■■■■"■■■■"■■'■■■■-■-■'-■■■■-■-■-■-■-■■■'■■W-M-W. 


»i*»g»Jl»B»gBSBggMPi«"«"-«i»»«w-« 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


451 


township  or  county,  and  is  highly  respected 
by  all  who  know  him.  In  his  political  views 
he    is    very    independent,    men,  not    parties, 


being  his  motto. 


•I*  'S'.v"-^ 


fOHN  C.  GEEIF,  engaged  in  blacksmith- 
ing  at  Dana,  Greene  County,  was  born 
in  Hesse,  Prussia,  a  son  of  George  Greif, 
who  was  a  native  of  the  same  country',  and  is 
now  deceased.  John  C.  was  born  December 
5,  1862,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his 
native  country,  remaining  there  till  seventeen 
years  of  age.  He  immigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  tiie  fall  of  1879,  when  he  came  to 
Iowa,  locating  in  Dallas  County,  where  he 
was  employed  on  a  farm  almost  two  years. 
He  then  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
which  he  has  since  followed.  He  resided  in 
Dallas  County  until  1885,  and  in  April  of 
that  year  went  to  Calhoun  County,  Iowa.  In 
March,  1886,  he  came  to  Greene  County, 
Iowa,  and  bought  the  shop  of  William  C. 
Earth,  where  he  has  since  done  general 
blacksmithing  and  repairing,  and  being  a 
skillful  workman  he  has  succeeded  in  build- 
ing up  a  good  trade.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Lutheran   churcii. 


i->4f<.' 


K.  BUKKHOLDER,  farmer,  section 
ltt/1  ^^•i  Greenbrier  Township,  Greene 
i®  County,  postoffice  Bagley,  Guthrie 
County,  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  26,  1833,  son  of  Samuel  L. 
and  Anna  (Knopp)  Burkholder,  who  are  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  four  boys  and 
three  girls,  all  of  whom  are  living — Jacob, 
of  Leipsic,  Putnam  County,  Ohio,  married 
Malvina  Elsworth,  formerly  of  New  York; 
Abram,  residing  near  York  Sulphur  Springs. 


Adams  County,  married  Lizzie  RaiFensbarger, 
of  York  County,  Pennsylvania;  Henery,  re- 
siding near  New  Basel,  Dickenson  County, 
Kansas,  married  Susanna  Harbolt,  of  Adams 
County,  Pennsylvania;  Hannah,  single,  lives 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Adams  County  with 
her  widowed  mother;  Mary,  residing  near 
East  Berlin,  Adams  County,  married  Cor- 
nelius Mummert;  Anna  Maria,  residing 
near  East  Berlin,  Adams  County,  married 
John  B.  Ziglar.  Cornelius  K.  Burkholder 
passed  his  youth  on  his  father's  farm,  assist- 
ing his  parents  in  agricultural  pursuits  and 
attending  public  school  in  the  same  district. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  engaged  in 
the  saddle  and  harness-making  business  as  an 
apprentice,  and  worked  at  tliat  trade  for  a 
number  of  years.  In  1854  he  went  to  Leip- 
sic, Putnam  County,  Ohio,  on  a  visit  to  his 
brother  Jacob,  and  while  there  he  concluded 
to  engage  in  the  saddle  and  harness  business, 
which  he  continued  for  several  years;  then 
returned  to  Adams  County, located  in  Abbotts- 
town,  at  which  place  he  remained  two  years, 
and  then  went  to  York  Sulphur  Springs, 
where  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1868; 
thence  to  Mechanicsburg,  Cumberland  Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania.  In  October,  1869,  he  em- 
barked in  the  saddle,  harness  and  wholesale 
fly-net  business,  and  in  April,  1871,  John  A. 
Eberly  became  associated  with  him,  forming 
the  iirm  of  Burkholder  &  Eberly.  They 
manufacture  fly-nets,  collars  and  winkers  ex- 
tensively for  the  wholesale  trade,  in  addition 
to  attending  to  their  retail  trade  of  saddles 
and  harness.  Mr.  Burkholder  is  the  inventor 
and  patentee  of  some  important  machinery 
belonging  to  the  fly-net  business.  In  1874 
they  dissolved  partnership  and  Mr.  Burk- 
holder and  family  moved  to  Ogle  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  gave  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing. He  bought  160  acres  of  raw  prairie  in 
Greenbrier  Township,  Greene  County,  Iowa. 


.■-■■■■■--^■-.■-■-■-■■.■-■■■■■-■-■-■-"■■■■■■■•■g'a^ii:'? 


gnj-p^Tiji 


.  «^«hl<»y^-r^'^./«-''^-'^>-'^ 


J^'m^'-^j'^^'^y^Lj^ 


452 


HISTORY    OP    OREENE    COUNTY. 


and  moved  on  it  in  1876.  He  has  iiuproved 
and  cultivated  it  until  it  is  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  the  township.  He  has  a  good  house 
surrounded  with  shade  and  ornamental  trees, 
a  fine  native  grove,  a  large  orchard  and  fruit 
garden  and  a  commodious  barn,  and  is  quite 
extensively  engaged  in  raising  fine  cattle. 
Mr.  Burkholder  was  married  in  January, 
1866,  to  Anna  Lizzie  Mohler,  who  was  born 
April  12,  1840,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Maria  (Hurst)  Mohler.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Burkholder  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
one  now  living — Anna  M.,  who  was  born 
October  14,  1866,  in  Adams  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  married  in  November, 
18S6,  to  David  M.  Austin,  of  Greenbrier 
Township,  formerly  of  Richland  County ,Wis- 
consin.  Emma  Clara  was  born  August  10, 
1872,  in  Mechanicsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and 
died  August  29,  1879,  of  diphtheria  croup. 
Mr.  Burkholder,  wife  and  daughter  belong  to 
the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  sometimes  known 
by  the  name  of  German  Baptist,  erroneously 
called  Dunkards,  originating  from  the  Ger- 
man. They  believe  in  the  whole  plan  of 
salvation  as  taught  by  Christ  and  practiced  by 
the  apostles.  Mr.  Burkholder  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  his  township  schools,  and  is  a 
strong  advocate  of  temperance  and  anti-tobacco 
principles,  and  politically  he  attiliates  with 
the  Republican  party. 


schools.  In  1871  he  came  to  Junction  Town- 
ship. Greene  County,  Iowa,  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  His  farm  contains 
160  acres  of  tine  land,  well  adapted  to  stock- 
raising.  He  is  making  a  specialty  of  graded 
stock,  and  has  on  his  farm  some  very  large 
hogs.  He  is  also  engaged  in  blacksmithing, 
and  the  blacksmith  shop  at  Dana  was  built 
by  him.  May  28,  1875,  Mr.  Jewett  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rebecca  Hughes, 
a  daughter  of  Francis  Hughes,  who  is  living 
in  Junction  Township,  Greene  County.  Two 
children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jewett — Lottie  and  Alvin,  aged  respectively 
ten  and  eight  years.  Mr.  Jewett  began  life 
without  capital,  but  with  a  stout  heart  and  a 
determination  to  succeed,  and  by  his  own 
persevering  industry  and  good  management 
he  has  acquired  his  pi-esent  fine  farm  of  160 
acres,  and  by  his  upright  and  honorable 
dealings  he  has  gained  the  respect  of  all  who 
know  him. 


»3i  I?' ji"-*- 


an    enter- 


HtlflLLIAM  F.  JEWETT 
V  M'l  P'"^si"S  ^"^  progi'essive  farmer  of 
l^^PTj  Greene  County,  residing  on  section 
2,  Junction  Township,  is  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts, born  August  7,  1855,  his  father, 
James  Jewett,  being  a  native  of  the  same 
State.  His  parents  settled  in  Gridley,  Illi- 
nois, when  he  was  but  a  child,  and  thei-e  he 
was    reared    and    educated     in    the    common 


■^"^'■SuS'"^'-"*- 

fACOB  F.  BEATY,  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser.  Junction  Township,  was  born  in 
Preston  County,  "West  Virginia,  October 
12,  1831.  Hisfather,  James  Beaty,  deceased, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  place;  his  brothers, 
Robert  and  Steven,  were  soldiers  in  the  war 
of  1812.  Our  subject's  grandfathers,  Robert 
Beaty  and  Jacob  Feather,  were  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  log  cabin  subscription 
schools.  The  cabins  had  slabs  for  seats,  and 
boards  fastened  on  walls  for  desks,  clapboard 
roof.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1853,  settling  in 
Washington  County.  The  next  year  he  went 
to  Stoi-y  County,  and  in  1864  to  Keokuk 
County.  He  came  here  in  the  fall  of  1881. 
He  owns  240  acres  of  land  here  and  160 
acres   in   Knox  County,  Nebraska.     He  was 


■■-■-■■^-T-"-"-' 


■■-■-■-■-■-■-' 


'■■■■'■■■jr»s»a-»J"i«i«»inM-w-i»M« 


■  '"■'"'■^■"■™M^"5 


BIOOBAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


453 


married  in  December,  1859,  to  Elizabeth 
Blick,  daughter  of  Joseph  Blick,  deceased. 
They  have  five  children — Marcellns  E.,  Henry 
W.,  Huldah  A.,  Elma  E.,  and  Margery  A. 
Mr.  Beaty  has  held  several  local  offices  here 
and  also  in  other  places.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  society,  and  in  religion  is  a 
Methodist.  His  wife  and  two  daughters  are 
also  Methodists.  His  imcle,  John  Feather, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  received 
a  bullet  in  his  leg  which  remained  until  his 
death. 


^NTON  SMITTLE,  farmer,  section  32, 
Junction  Township,  was  born  in  Nas- 
"sis"  sau,  Germany  (now  Prussia),  March  29, 
1825,  son  of  Anton  Smittle,  deceased,  a  native 
of  the  same  country.  He  came  to  America 
in  1847,  settled  in  Wisconsin,  forty  miles 
north  of  Milwaukee,  where  he  was  ensaged 
in  farming  until  1873,  when  he  came  to  his 
present  farm.  He  was  married  November 
14,  1847,  in  Milwaukee,  to  Philipena  Reichel, 
daughter  of  John  Reichel,  deceased.  They 
have  eight  children — Charley,  Pouise,  Jacob, 
Catherine,  Bina,  Elizabeth,  Mary  and  Anton. 
Mr.  Smittle  owns  eighty  acres  of  excellent 
land,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  He  is  a  stonemason  Ijy  trade,  at 
which  he  works  in  summer.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  church. 


►4*«- 


IgSORACE  SHIPMAN,  fur  dealer,  has 
^m\  been  engaged  in  his  present  business  at 
^Bi  Jefferson  since  1866.  He  deals  in 
hides,  pelts,  wool,  and  raw  furs  of  all  kinds. 
He  spends  much  of  his  time  on  the  road 
during  the  winter  season  in  the  interest  of 
his  business,  and    employs  several   salesmen. 


The  territory  in  which  he  operates  includes 
Wisconsin,  Minnesota  and  Nebraska,  and  his 
goods  are  shipped  directly  to  New  York.  J. 
L.  Prouty,  of  that  city,  has  handled  his 
goods  for  the  past  seventeen  years.  Mr. 
Shipman  is  a  genuine  Yankee  by  birth,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  in 
March,  1828.  His  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  but  our  subject,  when  a  young 
man,  engaged  in  driving  stage  and  in  the 
livery  business.  He  came  to  Sioux  City, 
this  State,  about  the  year  1854,  when  that 
city  was  in  its  embryo.  Mr.  Shipman  lived 
there  and  in  that  vicinity  about  nine  years, 
and  it  was  there  that  he  had  his  first  expe- 
rience in  the  fur  business.  He  was  married 
in  Connecticut  to  Susan  Warren,  a  native  of 
Marlborough,  Plartford  County,  that  State. 
Much  of  his  success  in  a  business  point  of 
view  has  been  due  to  the  valuable  assistance 
of  Jiis  excellent  wife,  who  possesses  good 
business  qualifications. 


►>»f. 


I^AMUEL  S.  PUTTER  was  born  in  Lan- 
II®!  "^^^t®''  County,  Pennsylvania,  March  5, 
^^  1852,  son  of  Jonathan  Rutter,  of  that 
place.  He  received  his  elementary  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  later  attended 
the  high  school  at  Suiithville,  Ohio.  He 
taught  four  terms  of  school  in  Pennsylvania, 
four  in  Ohio  and  two  in  Illinois.  Ho  came 
to  Wayne  County,  Oiiio,  in  March,  1876, 
thence  to  Piatt  County  in  1879,  and  to  this 
county  in  1881,  and  lived  in  Paton  Town- 
ship until  August,  1886,  when  he  catne  to 
Dana  and  entered  the  employ  of  William  C. 
Earth,  a  merchant  of  that  place.  He  was 
married  January  4,  1883,  to  Altha  Chipman, 
daughter  of  Ansel  Chipman,  of  Kankakee 
County,  Illinois.  They  have  two  children — 
Fred  C.    and  Gilbert  E.     He  served  as  re- 


454 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


corder  of  Faton  Townsliip  two  terms.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  fraternity  of  Good  Temp- 
lars. 


'»«-'j,-SnS-g*-^ 

F.  OSBORN,  of  Rippey,  was  born  in 
Westville,  Indiana,  July  17,  1854,  son 
®  of  William  Osborn,  a  native  of  that 
State.  He  removed  to  Iowa  in  1870.  He 
was  educated  at  Des  Moines  University,  grad- 
uating with  the  degree  of  A.  M.  in  1876. 
He  then  engaged  for  one  year  in  the  grain 
and  stock  business  in  Ferry,  Iowa,  and  has 
since  been  connected  with  the  drug  business. 
He  came  to  Rippey  in  the  spring  of  1878, 
and  established  the  first  drng  store  in  the 
village.  He  has  one  of  the  largest  private 
collections  of  geological  specimens  in  the 
State.  He  was  married  May  17,  1876,  to 
Miss  Mittie  Shelton,  daughter  of  George  P. 
Shelton.  They  have  three  children — Will- 
iam S.,  Winnie  and  Wayne.  He  is  serving 
his  second  term  as  county  supervisor. 

— ~^■♦f»>•^»|«"«- — 


PDWARD  S.  BUCHMILLER,  an  active, 

\#A  public-spirited  agriculturist  of  Bristol 
Townsliip,  resides  on  section  9.  His 
farm  of  120  acres  is  well  cultivated,  and  his 
residence  is  one  of  the  best  in  this  part  of 
the  county.  He  settled  in  his  present  home 
in  1876.  Mr.  Buchmiller  was  born  in  Henry 
County,  Illinois,  Januray  10,  1853,  son  of 
John  D.  and  Frances  Buchmiller,  who  were 
natives  of  the  province  of  Baden,  Germany. 
The  father  was  born  October  11,  1812,  and 
the  mother  March  29,  1822.  They  established 
their  home  in  Henry  County  soon  after  com- 
ing to  the  United  States.  Their  children  are 
—Edward  S.;  Bertha,  wife  of  A.  F.  Knap- 
])en:  Joseph,  a  resident  of  Bristol  Township; 


Mary  A.,  wife  of  M.  W.  Resser;  John  D., 
Herman,  Frank  and  Elizabeth.  The  last 
three  are  living  at  the  old  homestead  in 
Henry  County,  Illinois.  Edward  S.  and 
Valaria  M.  Young  were  united  in  marriage 
in  Henry  County  in  1873.  Mrs.  Buchmiller's 
parents,  Felix  W.  and  Catherine  (Briton) 
Young,  are  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  are 
living  in  Bristol  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Buchmiller  have  five  children — Odelia  M., 
John  E.,  Richard  M.,  Ethel  R.  and  Roxy  B. 
Politically  Mr.  Buchmiller  is  prominently 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  has 
served  many  years  as  chairman  of  the  town- 
ship Democratic  committee.  He  has  held 
several  offices  of  public  trust,  and  has  served 
creditably. 


"4*S"S"; 


KNOWLES,  farmer,  section  16,  Green- 

|.Y.|  brier  Township,  is  one  of  the  pioneers 
-^^^"^  of  the  township,  having  been  identi- 
fied with  its  interests  since  1869.  He  is  a 
native  of  Gibson  County,  Indiana,  born  June 
8,  1814,  son  of  James  and  Anna  (Reed) 
Knowles.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Dela- 
ware, and  was  reared  in  Georgia.  The  mother 
was  a  native  of  North  Carolina.  The  parents 
were  married  in  Georgia,  and  came  to  Indiana 
in  1811,  when  it  was  a  Territory.  They  reared 
a  family  of  nine  children — Reecy,  Nancy  and 
Patience,  born  in  Georgia,  and  Albery,  Sarah 
R.,  Comfort,  Kitty,  Marticia  and  William  B., 
born  in  Indiana.  Albery,  our  subject,  spent 
his  early  life  in  assisting  at  farm  work  and 
attending  the  common  schools.  He  learned 
the  cooper's  trade  of  his  father,  and  worked 
with  him  for  some  time.  February  17,  1886, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  R.  Smith,  who 
was  born  in  Adair  County,  Kentucky,  Octo- 
ber 26,  1819,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Ezna    Smith.     Mr.    Knowles    resided   in    In- 


i 


-»'«^'m^  I 


iij, 


SaSS!^!^iiS^!?SSS:^SS!SiSmSSSSSEmSSSfSSmSS 


i^gpj 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


455 


diana  until  the  fall  of  1869,  when  he  caiue 
to  Greene  County,  Iowa,  locating  in  Jeiferson, 
and  February  18,  1870,  moved  to  his  present 
farm,  which  was  partly  improved.  This  was 
one  of  the  first  improved  farms  in  the  town- 
ship. There  was  a  wagon  trail  from  his  place 
to  Jefterson,  and  posts  were  set  to  guide  the 
traveler  to  that  small  city.  Mr.  Knowles 
has  cultivated  and  improved  his  farm  until 
it  is  known  as  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the 
township.  It  contains  360  acres  of  as  good 
land  as  can  be  found  in  the  county.  He  has 
a  good  farm  residence,  a  fine  building  for 
grain  and  tools,  a  building  for  corn,  an  orchard, 
and  everything  about  the  premises  indicates 
the  enterprise  and  thrift  of  the  owner.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Knowles  have  had  fourteen  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living — Martha  Ann, 
Ezna,  Margaret  E.,  Mary  F.,  David  E.,  Will- 
iam L.  and  Morton.  The  deceased  are — 
Hiram  H.,  Nancy  J.,  Augusta  C,  Thomas  B., 
James  F.,  Delaney  J.,  and  one  unnamed. 
James  F.  was  a  soldier  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  and  died  at  Glasgow,  Kentucky,  in 
1863.  Mrs.  Knowles  died  August  6,  1878, 
lamented  by  all  who  knew  her.  She  was  a 
kind  and  affectionate  wife  and  mother,  and  a 
consistent  Christian.  Mr.  Knowles  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  has  served  as  ruling  elder  for  many  years. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


"  I*  *l  "1 


tELIX  W.  YOUNG,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, was  born  in  1823.  Early  in  life 
he  became  a  pioneer  in  Southern  Illinois, 
and  nearly  all  of  his  active  life  has  been  spent 
in  that  State.  He  came  to  Greene  County 
in  1873,  and  owned  and  resided  for  a  short 
time  upon  a  tarm  in  Bristol  Township.  He 
returned  to  Henry  County  and  lived  there 
until  1882,  and  in    that    year    came  back  to 


Greene  County,  where  he  bought  an  improved 
farm  of  180  acres  on  section  11,  Bristol 
Township,  where  he  now  lives.  Mr.  Young 
is  the  father-in-law  of  Mr.  Edward  S.  Buch- 
miller. 


>^OHN  QUAYLE,  farmer,  section  30, 
M  Franklin  Township,  is  a  native  of  the 
^  Isle  of  Man,  born  January  7,  1840,  son 
of  William  and  Mary  (Christian)  Quayle, 
who  were  the  parents  of  five  children — Maria, 
Catherine,  Ann,  William  and  John.  Our 
subject  was  the  youngest  of  the  family,  and 
his  youth  was  spent  at  farm  work,  obtaining 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
island.  His  father  died  when  he  was  a  child, 
and  his  mother  died  in  1863.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen  years  he  came  to  America, 
locating  in  Warren  Count}',  Illinois.  In 
November,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
Eleventh  Illinois  Cavalry,  with  Colonel 
Robert  G.  Ingersoll  as  commander.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  in  all 
the  battles  in  which  this  famous  regiment 
was  engaged,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
in  September,  1865,  at  Memphis,  and  re- 
ceived his  final  discharge  at  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, September  30,  1865.  He  was  married 
March  6,  1869,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Cain,  a 
native  of  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  daughter  of 
John  and  Jane  Cain.  Mr.  Quayle  remained 
in  Warren  County  until  1869,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Henry  County,  Illinois,  and  lived 
until  1874,  then  came  to  this  county  and 
settled  upon  his  present  farm.  He  first 
bought  160  acres  of  wild  land,  and  has  since 
added  to  that  amount  until  he  now  has  400 
acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in  the 
county,  and  it  is  one  of  the  best-improved 
farms  in  Franklin  Township.  lie  has  a 
good,  well-furnished  residence,  barn  and  out- 


buildings  for  stock,  and  is  engaged  in  stock- 
raising  and  stock-feeding.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Quayle  are  the  parents  of  five  children — 
Mary  Jane,  Fanny  Bell,  Walter  Ed.,  Cora  A. 
and  Fred  A.  Mr.  Qnayle  is  independent  in 
politics,  and  is  pledged  to  support  no  party. 
He  started  in  life  without  means,  but  by  in- 
dustry and  good  management  has  acquired  a 
fine  property. 


©    •     "    a) 


^ENRY  C.  RITTGERS,  teacher,  resides 
^m^  ^■t  Surry,  Iowa.  He  was  born  in  Fair- 
Wi  field  County,  Ohio,  May  6,  1849.  His 
father,  Jacob  B.  Rittgers,  now  deceased,  was 
a  native  of  Virginia,  born  February  9,  1800. 
His  mother,  Esther  (Patterson)  Rittgers,  was 
also  a  native  of  Virginia.  His  parents  had 
twelve  children — Samuel  S.,  Isabella,  John 
A.,  Israel  P.,  Margarett,  Jacob  R.,  Eli  D., 
Perry  C,  Sarah,  Peter  M.,  Esther,  and  Henry 
C,  our  subject.  His  father  was  a  soldier 
under  "Winfield  Scott,  in  the  war  of  1846, 
and  received  an  honorable  discharge.  Re- 
moved from  Ohio  to  Polk  County,  Iowa,  in 
1852,  and  located  in  Valley  Township,  where 
he  purchased  a  large  farm.  In  1855  his  wife 
departed  this  life,  and  in  1857  he  married 
again  and  had  nine  children  by  his  second 
wife — Daniel  R.,  Kate,  Salena,  Benjamin  F., 
Priscilla,  George  M.,  Andrew  J.,  Lilly  and 
Mary.  In  1878  he  departed  this  life,  and 
was  interred  in  the  cemetery  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Polk  County.  H.  C.  Rittgers,  the 
subject  of  our  sketch,  attended  the  common 
school  on  old  Beaver  Prairie,  and  in  1868  he 
attended  school  at  Western  College,  Linn 
County,  one  year;  then  taught  in  the  public 
schools  in  Greene  County,  and  attended  the 
academy  at  Jefierson,  Greene  County,  under 
Professors  Grumbling  and  Huntington.     In 


1871  he  attended  the  Baptist  University  of 
Des  Moines,  in  which  institution  he  taught 
penmanship,  paying  his  tuition,  board  and 
room  rent  by  the  same.  He  was  married 
December  25,  1872,  to  Louesa  J.,  daughter 
of  James  and  Emma  Edwards,  of  Washing- 
ton Township,  both  natives  of  England.  In 
1875  he  and  his  wife  went  to  California,  and 
he  taught  school  there  one  year.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  three  years,  and  was  engineer 
in  a  gold  quartz-crusher  for  three  years;  then 
sei'ved  in  the  several  capacities  of  principal 
amalgamator  in  a  five-stamp  quartz-crusher 
(capacity  eight  tons  per  day),  general  clerk, 
book-keeper,  and  chief  engineer.  Mr.  Ritt- 
gers is  now  what  might  be  called  an  old 
school-teacher,  having  taught  in  his  life-time 
seventy-eight  months.  Politically  he  is  a 
staunch  Republican.  He  was  the  unsuccess- 
ful candidate  in  1878  for  the  office  of  county 
clerk  in  Inyo  County,  California,  it  being  a 
strong  Democratic  county.  He  was  beaten 
by  only  sixty-two  votes,  however.  Of  late 
he  has  been  working  on  the  force  of  the 
Lewis  Publishing  Company,  in  compiling 
biographical  and  historical  county  records. 
Five  of  the  seven  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rittgers  are  living — William  H.,  born  No- 
vember 30,  1873;  Emma  Irene,  born  Sep- 
tember 16,  1875;  John  A.,  born  February  4, 
1877;  Lilly  Madaline,  born  April  5,  1881; 
Harry  E.,  born  January  13,  1888;  Perry  and 
Percy,  twins  (deceased),  born  March  30, 
1886.  Mrs.  Rittgers  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


is     '      "     <!1 


"f^    W.  GAYLORD,  general  superintend- 
^1       ent    of    the    Standard     Coal     Works, 
'^^®  Angus,  is  a  resident  of  Minneapolis, 
Minnesota. 


SBSSSSMmSm* 


'■"■■■"■"■■■■■*5 


'^■-■■ti»ii»-»-»-« 


ti 


EE;miREt! 


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MfS'T^Qflif': 


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^^^-^'^'^"^^'^^ 


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tNTRODUCTOHY. 


agg^gsE 


SB;.^te:BB^05P!!g^^gigp^yp:P3ir 


f   -^>?  INTRODUCTORY. -^^^ 


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^^<Si^<^<^^i^(S^^^i^-^(^f^^^^^i*ii'A'^s^^^m*^A^mifm'^^ 


459 


IX  one  liriet'  gene- 
lafiiiii  tlie  wild  soli- 
tude of  the  prairie 
has  heeii  transformed 
into  a  cultivated  re- 
gion of  thrift  and 
rosperity,  hy  the  im- 
and  energy  of  an  enter- 
)le.  The  trails  of  luint- 
pers  have  given  place  to 
d  tlioroughfares  ibr  ve- 
ry desci'iption;  the  cabin 
patches  of  the  pioneers 
icceeded  l)y  coinfortalile 
houses  and  broad  tields  of  waving  grain,  with 
school-houses,  churches,  mills,  postoffices  and 
other  institutions  of  convenience  for  each 
community.  Add  to  these  numerous  thriv- 
ing villages,  with  extensive  business  and 
manufacturing  interests,  and  the  result  is  a 
work  of  which  all  concerned  may  well  be 
proud. 

The  record  of  this  marvelous  change  is 
history,  and  the  most  important  that  can  be 
written.  For  more  than  thirty  years  the 
people  of  Clreene  County  have  been  making 
a  history  that  for  absorbing  interest,  grand 
practical    I'esults,  and    lessons    t)iat    mav  be 

34 


perused[|With  profit  by  citizens  of  other  re- 
gions, will  compare  favorably  with  the  narra- 
tive of  the  history  of  any  county  in  the  great 
Northwest;  and,  considering  the  extent  of 
territory  involved,  it  is  as  worthy  of  the  pen 
of  a  Bancroft  as  even  the  story  of  our  glorious 
TJepublic. 

While  our  venerable   ancestors  may  have 
said  and  believed 

"  No  pent  up  Utica  cnntriicts  our  powers, 
For  the  whole  boundless  continent  isouis," 

they  were  nevertheless  for  a  long  time  con- 
tent to  occupy  and  possess  a  very  small  corner 
of  it;  and  the  great  West  was  not  opened  to 
industry  and  civilization  until  a  variety  of 
causes  had  combined  to  form,  as  it  were,  a 
great  heart,  whose  animating  ]irinciple  was 
improvement,  ■whose  impulses  annually  sent 
forward  armies  of  noble  men  and  women,  and 
whose  pulse  is  now  felt  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  best  country  the  sun  ever 
shown  upon — from  tlie  jiineries  of  ]\[aine  to 
the  vineyards  of  California,  and  from  the 
sugar-canes  of  Louisiana  to  the  wheat  fields 
ol'  Minnesota.  Long  may  his  heart  beat  and 
push  forward  its  arteries  and  veins  of  com- 
merce. 

Not  more  from  choice  than  from  enforced 


MiaTORY    Of    OREBNK    COUNTy. 


necessity  cliil  tlie  old  pioneers  liid  farewell  to 
the  play-ground  of  their  childhood  and  the 


graves  of  their  fathers. 


One  generation  after 


another  had  worn  themselves  out  in  the  serv- 
ice of  their  avaricious  landlords.  From  the 
iirst  flashes  of  daylight  in  the  morning  until 
the  last  glimmer  of  the  setting  sun,  they  had 
toiled  unceasingly  on,  from  father  to  son, 
carrying  home  each  day  upon  their  aching 
shoulders  the  precious  proceeds  of  their  daily 
labor.  Money  and  pride  and  power  were 
handed  down  in  the  line  of  succession  from 
the  rich  father  to  his  son,  while  unceasing 
work  and  continuous  poverty  and  everlasting 
obscurity  were  the  heritage  of  the  working 
man  and  his  children. 

Their  society  was  graded  and  degraded. 
It  was  not  manners,  nor  industry,  nor  educa- 
tion, nor  (jualities  of  the  head  and  heart  that 
established  the  grade.  It  was  money  and 
jewels,  and  silk  and  satin,  and  broadcloth  and 
imperious  pride  that  triumphed  over  honest 
poverty  and  trampled  tiie  poor  man  and  his 
children  under  the  iron  heel.  The  children 
of  the  rich  and  poor  were  not  pei'mitted  to 
mingle  with  and  to  love  each  other.  CJourt- 
ship  was  more  the  work  of  parents  than  of 
the  sons  and  daughters.  The  golden  calf 
was  the  key  to  matrimony.  To  perpetuate  a 
self-constituted  aristocracy,  without  power  of 
brain,  or  the  rich  blood  of  royalty,  purse  was 
united  to  purse,  and  cousin  with  cousin,  in 
bonds  of  matrimony,  until  the  virus  boiling 
in  their  blood  was  transmitted  by  the  law  of 
inheritance  from  one  generation  to  another, 
and  until  nerves  powerless  and  manhood 
dwarfed  were  on  exhibition  everywhere,  and 
everywhere  abhorred.  For  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  the  poor  man  to  remain  there 
was  to  forever  follow  as  our  fathers  had  fol- 
lowed, and  never  to  lead;  to  submit,  but 
never  to  rule;  to  obey,  but  never  to  com- 
mand. 


Without  money,  or  prestige,  or  influential 
friends,  the  old  pioneers  drifted  along  one  by 
one,  from  State  to  State,  until  in  Iowa — the 
garden  of  the  Union — they  have  found  invit- 
ing homes  for  each,  and  room  for  all.  To 
secure  and  adorn  these  homes  more  than 
ordinary  ambition  was  required,  greater  than 
ordinary  endurance  demanded,  and  unflinch- 
ing determination  was,  by  the  force  of  ne- 
cessity, written  over  every  brow.  It  was  not 
pomp,  or  parade,  or  glittering  show  that  the 
pioneers  were  after.  They  sought  for  homes 
which  they  could  call  their  own,  homes  for 
themselves  and  liomes  for  their  children. 
How  well  they  have  succeeded  after  a  strug- 
gle of  many  years  against  the  adverse  tides 
let  the  records,  and  tax-gatherers  testify;  let 
the  broad  cultivated  fields  and  fruit-bearing 
orcliards,  the  flocks  and  the  herds,  tlie  palatial 
residences,  the  places  of  business,  the  spa- 
cious halls,  tlie  clattering  car-wheels  and 
ponderous  engines  all  testify. 

There  was  a  time  when  pioneers  waded 
through  deep  snows,  across  bridgeless  rivers, 
and  througli  bottomless  sloughs,  a  score  of 
miles  to  mill  or  market,  and  when  more  time 
was  required  to  reach  and  return  from  mar- 
ket than  is  now  required  to  cross  the  conti- 
nent, or  traverse  the  .Vtlantie.  These  were 
the  times  when  our  palaces  were  constnu-tcd 
of  logs  and  covered  with  ''shakes"  riven 
from  tlie  i'orest  trees.  These  were  the  times 
wlien  our  children  were  stowed  away  for  the 
night  in  tlie  low,  dark  attics,  among  the  horns 
of  the  elk  and  the  deer,  and  where  through 
the  chinks  in  the  "  shakes  "  they  could  count 
the  twinkling  stars.  These  were  the  times 
when  our  chairs  and  our  bedsteads  were  hewn 
from  the  forest  trees,  and  tables  and  bureaus 
constructed  from  the  bo.xes  in  which  their 
goods  were  brought.  These  were  the  times 
when  the  workingman  labored  six  and  some- 
times seven  days    in  the  week,  and  all   the 


y^j^f^Lj'^^j'^^/^*^- 


INTRODUCTORY. 


461 


"7 


honrs  there  were  in  the  day  tVoin  suni'isf  to 
sunset. 

Whether  all  succeeded  in  wliat  they  nnder- 
took  is  not  a  question  to  be  asked  now.  The 
proof  tliat  as  a  Ijody  tliey  did  succeed  is  all 
around  us.  Many  individuals  were  perliaps 
disappointed.  Fortunes  and  misfortunes  be- 
long to  the  human  race.  Not  every  man  can 
have  a  school-house  on  the  corner  of  his  farm ; 
not  every  man  can  have  a  bridge  over  the 
stream  that  Hows  by  his  dwelling;  not  every 
man  can  have  a  railroad  depot  on  the  border 
of  his  plantation,  or  a  city  in  its  center;  and 
while  these  things  are  desirable  in  some  re- 
spects, their  advantages  are  oftentimes  out- 
weighed by  the  almost  perpetual  presence  of 
the  foreign  beggar,  the  dreaded  tramp,  the 
fear  of  tire  and  conHagratlon,  and  the  inse- 
curity from  the  presence  of  the  midnight 
burglar,  and  the  bold,  bad  men  aiul  women 
who  lurk  in  ambush  and  infest  the  villages. 
The  good  things  of  tliis  earth  are  not  all  to 
1)6  found  in  any  one  place;  but  if  more  is  to 
be  found  in  one  than  another,  that  place  is  in 
our  rural  retreats,  our  quiet  homes  outside 
of  the  clamor  and  turmoil  of  city  life. 

In  viewing  the  blessings  which  surround 
us,  then,  we  should  i-everence  those  who  have 
made  them  possible,  and  ever  fondly  cherish 
in  memory  the  sturdy  old  pioneer  and  his 
log-cabin. 

Let  us  turn  our  eyes  and  thoughts  back  to 
the  log-cabin  days  of  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago,  and  contrast  those  homes  with  com- 
fortable dwellings  of  to-day.  Before  ns  stands 
tlie  old  loo-  cabin.  Let  us  enter.  Instinct- 
ively  the  head  is  uncovered  in  token  of  rever- 
ence to  this  relic  of  ancestral  beginnings, 
early  struggles  and  final  triumphs.  To  the 
left  is  the  deep,  wide  fire-place,  in  whose 
commodious  space  a  group  of  children  may 
sit  by  the  fire,  and  up  through  the  chimney 
may  count   the  stars,  while  ghostly  stories  of 


witches  and  giants,  and  still  more  thrilling 
stories  of  Indians  and  wild  lieasts,  are  whis- 
peringly  told  and  shudderingly  heard.  On 
the  great  crane  hang  the  old  tea-kettle  and 
the  great  iron  pot.  The  huge  shovel  and 
tongs  stand  sentinel  in  either  corner,  while 
the  great  andirons  patiently  wait  for  the  huge 
back-log.  Over  the  lire-place  hangs  the 
trusty  rifle.  To  the  right  of  the  fire-place 
stands  the  spinning  wheel,  while  in  the 
further  end  of  the  room  is  seen  the  old-fash- 
ioned loom.  Strings  of  drying  apples  and 
poles  of  drying  pumpkins  are  overhead. 
Opposite  the  door  in  which  yon  enter  stands 
a  huge  deal  table;  by  its  side  the  dresser, 
whose  pewter  plates  and  "shining  delf  "  catch 
and  reflect  the  fire-place  flames  as  shields  of 
armies  do  the  sunshine.  From  the  corner  of 
its  shelves  coyly  peep  out  the  relics  of  former 
china.  In  a  curtained  corner  and  hid  from 
casual  sight  we  find  the  mother's  bed,  and 
under  it  the  trnndle-bed,  while  near  them  a 
ladder  indicates  the  loft  where  the  older  chil- 
dren sleep.  To  the  left  of  the  fire-place  and 
in  the  corner  opposite  the  spinning  wheel  is 
the  mother's  work-stand.  Upon  it  lies  the 
Bible,  evidently  much  used,  its  family  record 
telling  of  parents  and  friends  a  long  way  off, 
and  telling,  too,  of  children 

"  Scattered  like  roses  in  bloom, 
Some  at  the  bridal,  some  at  the  tomb." 

Iler  spectacles,  as  if  but  just  used,  are  in- 
serted between  the  leaves  of  her  Bible,  and 
tell  of  her  purpose  to  return  to  its  comforts 
when  cares  permit  and  duty  is  done.  A 
stool,  a  bench,  well  notched  and  whittled  and 
carved,  and  a  few  chairs  complete  the  furni- 
ture of  the  room,  and  all  stand  on  a  coarse 
l>ut  well-scoured  floor. 

Let  us  for  a  moment  watch  the  city  visitors 
to  this  humble  cabin.  The  city  bride,  inno- 
cent but  thoughtless,  and  ignorant  of  labor 
and  care,  asks  her  city-bred  husband.  "  Pray, 


1l*WW"Wii»"WW 


'''"™'«™»'"" 


'»""™"™"™''™™' 


''■'"»™««™—M»»™rM» 


403 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


\vli:it  savaj^es  set  tliis  up?"  Honestly  con- 
fessing liis  ignorance,  he  replies,  "  1  do  not 
know."  Ihit  see  the  pair  upon  whom  age 
sits  "frosty,  Imt  kindly."  First,  as  they 
enter,  they  give  a  rapid  glance  about  the 
cabin  home,  and  then  a  mutual  glance  of  eye 
to  eye.  Why  do  tears  start  and  till  their 
eyes?  Why  do  lips  quiver?  There  are  many 
who  know  why ;  but  who  that  has  not  learned 
in  the  school  of  experience  the  full  meaning 
of  all  these  symbols  of  trials  and  privations, 
of  loneliness  and  danger,  can  comprehend 
the  story  that  they  tell  to  the  pioneer?  With- 
in this  chinked  and  mud-daubed  cabin  we 
read  the  first  pages  of  our  history,  and  as  we 
retire  through  its  low  door- way,  and  note  the 
heavy  battened  door,  its  wooden  hinges  and 
its  welcoming  latch-string,  is  it  strange  that 
the  scenes  without  should  seem  to  be  but  a 
dream?  i>ut  the  cabin  and  the  palace,  stand- 
ino"  side  bv  side  in  a  vivid  contrast,  tell  their 
own  story  of  this  people's  ])rogress.  They 
are  a  history  and  a  prophecy  in  one. 

GKOORAIMIV  AND  TOPOGRAPHY. 

Greene  County  is  in  the  central  ]iortion  of 
western  Iowa,  the  fourth  county  east  from 
the  Missouri  Kiver.  It  is  crossed  by  .the 
forty-second  parallel  of  latitude — about  that 
of  Chicago  and  I'oston,  in  the  United  States, 
and  Rome,  in  Europe.  It  is  a  little  more  than 
ninety-ibur  degrees  west  of  Crreenwich.  It 
is  bdumlccl  on  the  north  by  Calhoun  and 
Webster  ('(inntifs,  nn  the  east  by  I>oone,  on 
the  South  by  Dallas  and  (luthrie,  and  on  the 
west  by  Carroli.  It  is  twenty-four  miles 
square,  and  contains  sixteen  congressional 
townships,  or  57(5  sc^uare  miles. 

The  North  Raccoon  River,  commonly  called 
the  "Coon,"  which  flows  diagonally  across 
the  country  from  the  northwest  to  the  south- 
cast,  with  it-  aliliicnts,  waters  and  di'ains  the 
greater  pui-lioii  ul'  the   surfac(!,  except  in   the 


extreme  southwest,  which  is  drained  l)y  tlie 
iMos(juito  and  Willow  Creeks,  tributaries  of 
the  Middle  Raccoon.  The  principal  tributa- 
ries of  the  North  Raccoon  enter  that  stream 
from  the  north,  and  are  Buttrick,  Hardin  and 
Cedar  Creeks,  while  the  (Ireenbrier  Creek 
rises  in  the  southern  tier  of  townships  and 
joins  the  main  river  just  below  the  southern 
boundary  of  Dallas  County.  Good  springs 
of  pure  cold  water  are  of  frecpient  occurrence, 
and  are  found  issuing  from  the  gravel  depos- 
its which  overlie  the  drift  clays  in  the  steep 
slopes  bordering  the  streams.  There  is  no 
difficulty  in  obtaining  wells  at  all  points, 
particularly  upon  the  uplands,  where  the  im- 
pervious glacial  clays  lie  at  a  much  less  depth 
from  the  surface  than  is  the  case  on  the  mar- 
gins of  the  uplands  and  in  the  benches,  or 
second  bottoms.  The  streams  enumerated, 
with  numerous  small  spring  branches  and 
brooks,  most  of  which  are  supported  by  living 
springs,  afford  an  abundant  supply  of  water 
for  stock  and  other  purposes.  The  North 
Raccoon  is  the  only  stream  that  furnishes 
sufficient  water  to  run  machinery  at  all  sea- 
sons of  the  year,  and  has  some  excellent  mill 
powers,  only  a  few  of  which  have  as  yet  been 
improved. 

One  important  enterprise  developed  in  the 
year  1886  is  that  of  artesian  wells,  of  which 
there  are  now  about  forty  in  the  county. 
These  were  especial  blessings  during  the 
phenomenally  dry  season  of  188(5,  when  the 
people  of  Jefferson  depended  almost  entirely 
on  artesian  water  for  culinary  and  di-inking 
purposes,  ordinary  wells  having  run  so  low 
that  the  water  was  i>ron()unced  unwholesome. 
Tiie  only  artesian  well  before  this  season  was 
that  of  John  McCarthy,  in  Hardin  Township, 
bored  in  1882. 

The  surface  configuration  of  this  county 
is  more  hn'el  and  iilaiii-likc  than  that  of  most 
poi'tions    of  Central     Iowa,    the     undulations 


■■-■"■■-■'■■-■-■'»awiifrgmii.M„M_»,fisi«s»riiwis»mw^»i.i>i-ii. 


i — 


SMssssssssa 


i 


INTRODUCTORY. 


'■■■■■■■■■■■■; 


463 


being  BO  slight  as  to  scarcely  relieve  tlie  iiioiiot- 
onous  sameness  of  the  almost  boundless  prai- 
rie landscape.  The  waters  of  the  Coon  have 
cut  a  channel  into  the  detrital  material  of  the 
drift  to  a  depth  of  from  fifty  to  one  hundred 
feet,  so  that  it  is  bordered  by  al)ru])t  acclivi- 
ties, which  give  to  the  valley  the  peculiar 
canal-like  appearance  common  to  all  the  larger 
streams  in  the  central  portiou  of  Northern 
Iowa.  The  valleys  of  the  smaller  water 
courses  are,  however,  generally  shallow,  their 
beds  being  Ijut  little  below  the  general  level 
of  the  prairie. 

The  soil  is  a  dark  "ravellv  loam,  is  uni- 
forinly  distributed  over  the  uplands,  and  is 
composed  of  vegetable  deposit,  from  two  to 
eight  feet  in  depth,  with  clay  sub-soil.  Per- 
haps no  county  in  the  Union  gives  the  farmer 
greater  rewards  fur  his  labor  tlian  this.  For 
ages  the  annual  crops  of  grass,  untouched  bv 
scythe,  and  but  partially  kej)t  down  by  her- 
biverous  animals,  have  accumulated  organic 
matter  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  to  such  an 
extent  that  a  long  succession  even  of  exhaust- 
ing crops  will  not  materially  impoverish  the 
land.  It  produces  wheat,  corn,  oats,  rye, 
barley,  buckwheat,  sorghum,  potatoes,  flax, 
and  in  fact  all  the  grains  and  vegetal >les  com- 
mon to  the  Is'orthern  States,  in  great  abun- 
dance. There  is  some  low,  wet  land,  that 
intersects  the  uplands  in  the  form  of  swales 
or  sloughs,  which  can  easily  be  drained  and 
converted  into  the  finest  meadow  and  arable 
lands. 

The  forests  are  wholly  confined  to  the 
valleys  and  their  immediate  vicinity,  being 
largely  along  the  line  of  the  Coon  and  its 
branches.  Although  the  supply  of  fuel  from 
this  source  has  been  ample  in  the  past,  yet 
with  a  rapid  settlement  of  the  county  these 
native  forests  will  scarcely  prove  adequate  for 
the  increased  consumption  of  timber  for  fuel 
and  building  purposes,    and  it  is   fortunate 


that  coal  is  being  mined  near  at  liatid,  and  is 
furnished  at  reasonable  rates. 

GEOLOGICAL. 

Coal  has  been  mined  to  sume  extent,  yet 
so  far  as  it  has  been  investigated  it  is  lujt 
widely  distributed  over  the  county.  Tlie  beds 
that  lia\e  been  discovered  at  the  surface  are 
thin,  and  not  of  as  good  quality  as  most  Iowa 
coal.  Within  the  past  two  or  three  years 
several  shafts  have  been  sunk,  and  coal  is  now 
regularly  mined  at  and  near  Ripjjey,  in  the 
southeast  part  of  the  county.  In'  the  Key- 
stone Coal  Company  No.  1,  Ke^'stone  Coal 
Company  No.  2,  the  Moingona  Coal  Com- 
pany and  the  Standard  Coal  Company.  Coal 
has  also  been  mined  successfully  at  Grand 
Junction.  I*eat  is  known  to  exist  in  some 
of  the  swales  in  the  uplands,  but  the  deposits 
are  so  shallow,  and  it  is  intermixed  with  so 
much  band,  washed  from  the  adjacent  drift 
deposits,  that  it  is  valueless  for  fuel. 

Building  stone  is  scarce,  there  being  com- 
paratively little  good  quarry  rock  in  the 
county,  the  sandstone  usually  being  too  fria- 
ble to  answer  even  for  the  ordinary  purposes 
of  masonry.  Clay  for  the  manufacture  of 
good  common  brick  is  abundant,  and  from 
this  source  the  main  supply  of  local  building 
material  must  be  drawn. 

In  the  bottom,  upon  the  west  side  of  the 
Coon,  about  seven  miles  above  Jefferson, 
there  are  several  symmetrical  mounds  which 
have  every  appearance  of  being  of  artiflcial 
construction.  The  largest  one  is  some 
twelve  feet  high  and  seventy-five  feet  in 
diameter,  and  is  composed  of  the  gravelly 
soil  found  in  the  bottoms  upon  which  it 
rests.  Several  of  the  smaller  ones  have  been 
leveled  by  the  plow,  while  on  the  bluff  oppo- 
site other  mounds  are  found,  which  are  said 
to  have  contained  human  remains. 


i»»g.^M»ajBjl^»Mj«..»MWM»MMl»»"M"«ii'»M«a.g.i"i. 


4G4 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  the  county  is  not  peculiar, 
but  like  that  of  the  Northwest  generally. 
"While  there  are  very  cold  days  in  winter,  the 
dry,  healthful  air  prevents  any  disagreeable 
consequences.  The  rainfall  of  the  county, 
from  its  amount  of  timbered  surface,  streams, 


lakelets  and  coal  basin,  is  equal  to,  if  not  in 
excess  of,  that  of  any  adjacent  county. 
This  fine  feature  of  an  abundant  rainfall  gives 
this  county  a  superiority  during  dry  years 
that  has  made  this  portion  of  the  Coon 
valley  the  granary  of  the  region  about  while 
the  new  settlers  were  opening  new  farms. 


EARLY    HISTORY. 


466 


/ 


4 
i 
\ 
) 

'11' 

I 


•i 


li 


.'^ 


■  ■    ■■    Ki    Ti    gi    n- 


[  ~n  -rt   rw—rt  - 


^^  '!!«iri<»SKIHK»'»<M)  il" ?■!  ; 


Early  History. 


"'^^'^'T^i.-'^^^'^'^"^"'"^'^*''^'*'^"''^'^ 


<S<-t» 


'I : 


li 


;-»i' 


13? 


'HE  rci^iou  in  which 
(Ti-ceiKJ  County  is  sit- 
uiited  is  a  part  of  the 
great  •>  Louisiana  pur- 
cliasc,''  secured  from 
France  in  1803,  during 
President  Jefferson's  adminis- 
tration. The  State  of  Missouri 
was  admitted  into  the  Union 
in  1820.  but  not  a  single  white 
person  was  legally  a  resident  of 
^^^^^'  \-^  w'hat  is  now  Iowa  until  after 
the  Black  Ilawk  war.  By  the 
terms  of  the  treaty  concluded  at 
the  end  of  this  contest,  a  strip  of 
land  extending  west  from  the 
Mississippi  fiftyjmiles  was  opened  to  settlement 
after  the  1st  of  May,  1833.  By  successive 
purchases  all  of  Iowa  was  subsequently  made 
available  for  settlement.  In  many  instances, 
however,  the  Indians  remained  on  the  lands 
they  had  sold  until  the  pressure  of  actual 
contact  drove  them  westward. 

The  county  of  Benton  was  constituted 
December  21,  1837,  and  made  to  include  all 
the  territory  between  its  present  northern 
and  southern  lines  extending  to  the  Missouri 


River,  and  was  teni|)orariiy  attached  to  the 
county  of  .lackstm.  iS'ovemlier  30,  1840,  it 
was  similarly  attached  to  Linn  County. 
These  acts  possess  but  slight  interest  for  the 
citizens  of  Greene  County,  for  until  1849  the 
county  was  wholly  in  tlic  possession  of  the 
red  men. 

In  that  year  Truman  Davis,  the  first  white 
settler  of  the  county,  located  near  where  the 
village  of  Jiippey  now  stands.  The  same  year 
Enos  Buttrick  settled  at  the  mouth  of  what  is 
now  known  as  Buttrick's  Creek,  while  Richard 
Hardin  located  near  the  mouth  of  the  stream 
which  has  since  l)oriie  his  name.  JSIessrs. 
Wood,  Valentine  and  William  R.  Babb  came 
in  1850  and  located  along  the  Coon  River, 
while  Josiah  Bluncett,  Thomas  Creenup  and 
John  Barr  settled  farther  up  the  river  in 
1850-'51. 

PIONEER    LIFE. 

These  hardy  pioneers  were  subject  to  many 
inconveniences,  their  nearest  postoffice  being 
at  Ft.  Des  Moines,  tifty  miles  distant,  their 
mills  being  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  miles 
away,  and  they  were  compelled  to  go  to 
Warren.  Marion  and   Mahaska    counties    to 


4G6 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


obtain  tlieir  supply  of  provisions  and  other 
necessities,  with  no  roads  to  mark  their  course 
or  bridges  to  cross  the  streams.  Many  are 
the  liardships  related  of  the  early  settlers.  It 
is  stated  that  one  of  the  settlers  left  his  fam- 
ily with  a  scanty  supply  of  food,  and  went 
down,  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  below  Des 
Moines  for  a  fresh  supply  of  provisions. 
AVhile  he  was  gone  the  streams  all  raised  so 
it  was  impossible  for  him  to  return  for 
several  days.  The  scanty  provisions  of  the 
family  gave  out,  and  they  were  reduced  to 
the  extreme  necessity  of  living  on  soap  grease 
for  a  number  of  days.  Another  instance  is 
related,  by  one  of  the  citizens  of  the  county, 
of  a  settler  who  left  his  family  to  go  in  quest 
of  provisions.  The  high  waters  detained 
him,  the  provisions  of  his  family  gave  out 
and  they  were  on  the  verge  of  starvation. 
An  Indian  came  to  the  house  one  day  and 
asked  for  food.  The  lady  of  the  house  took 
him  to  the  cupboard  and  the  meal  chest,  and 
showed  him  that  they  were  without  a  morsel 
of  food.  The  Indian  asked  for  the  gun — it 
was  given  him — he  left  with  it,  and  in  a  few 
hours  returned  with  a  couple  of  deer  and 
gave  them  to  the  stai'ving  family.  In  a  few 
days  he  returned  again,  and  found  to  the  joy 
of  the  family  that  the  settler  had  returned 
with  a  bountiful  supply  of  provisions,  over 
which  he  seemed  to  rejoice  greatly. 

GamC;  such  as  deer  and  elk,  was  in  great 
abundance  until  the  winter  of  1855-'56.  The 
snows  of  that  winter  were  so  deep  that  it  was 
impossible  for  them  to  escape  the  ])ursuit  ol 
men  and  dogs,  and  the  number  destroyed 
seems  almost  incredible.  It  is  said  that  they 
were  overtaken  by  men,  boys,  and  even  w'omen, 
in  the  deep  snows,  and  beat  to  death  with 
clubs.  Since  then  there  has  scarcel}'  been  an 
elk  or  deer  seen  within  the  county.  Their 
rapid  and  .-iiddcii  ili.-.i]i])i'aran('e  astonished 
every  one. 


OKdANIZATION. 


(ireene  County  was  established,  with  limits 
the  same  as  now,  in  1851,  and  named  in 
honor  of  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  of  the 
Ilevolutionary  army.  It  was  attached  to 
Dallas  County  January  22,  1853,  up  to 
which  time  it  had  been  attached  to  the  county 
of  Polk  for  temporary  purposes.  [See  Acts 
Third  General  Assembly,  Chapter  9;  Fourth 
General  Assembly,  Chapter  12;  Seventh 
General  Assembly,  Second  Session,  Chapter 
101.]  In  1854  there  was  a  poi)ulation  of 
about  150,  and  the  county  was  deemed  popu- 
lous enough  to  entitle  it  to  regular  oi'ganiza- 
tion.  August  12, 1851,  accordingly,  "William 
riiillips  was  commissioned  county  judge, 
William  I'rock,  clerk  of  the  district  court, 
and  Isaac  D.  Crumley,  sherifi'.  The  lirst 
otiicial  record  of  any  description  is  dated 
Autfust  25,  1854,  and  reads  as  follows: 

"  An  order  was  this  day  made  that  Greene 
County  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  divided 
into  two  electoral  precincts  by  the  lines 
dividing  ranges  number  thirty  and  thirty-one 
west  of  the  fifth  principal  meridian,  Iowa. 
And  that  all  that  ])art  or  portion  of  Greene 
Cuunty  contained  in  ranges  twenty-nine  and 
thirty  west  is  hereby  known  and  designated 
as  AV^ashington  Township  or  Electoral  Pre- 
cinct; and  all  that  part  or  portion  of  said 
county  as  is  contained  in  ranges  number 
thirty-one  and  thirty-two  west  of  the  iifth 
principal  meridian,  is  hereby  known  and 
designated  as  .Fackson  Township  or  Electoral 
Precinct. 

'•  William  Phillii's,  County  Judgoy 

The  court  directed  that  an  election  be  held 
in  Washington  Precinct  on  Tuesday,  the  12th 
day  of  Se})tember,  1854,  for  the  election  of 
three  township  trustees,  one  township  clerk, 
two  justices  of  the  peace,  two  constables  and 
one  township   supervisor.     An  election  was 


■■-■-■-■iii^°iing^g^-"-"-"-^-'' ..''-«'»« 


'^"■'"■^ 


«i,fc-.tt^a.-^ 


EMu.r  uit^Tunr 


467 


also  appointed  for  the  same  date  in  Jackson 
Township  for  the  choice  of  like  officials. 

The  bonds  of  the  justices  anil  constables 
elected  were  lixed  at  $500  each.  Elijah 
Norman  and  (.ieorge  8.  AV'^altun  were  elected 
justices  in  AVashington  Township,  and  Syl- 
vauus  G.  Crumley  and  Leonard  Chance,  con- 
stables. The  election  in  Jackson  Townsliip 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Allen  I).  IJrock,  but 
the  returns  were  rejected  by  the  judge  on 
account  of  the  judges  and  clerks  of  election 
not  having  attached  their  signatures.  To 
till  the  offices  in  Jackson  Township  Judge 
Phillips  appointed  Thomas  W.  (ireenup  and 
Lewis  Wriglit  as  justices,  and  Jacob  Detrow 
and  Lewis  AYright  as  constables,  September 
22,  1854.  These  men,  however,  declined  to 
qualify. 

Benjamin  V.  liobinson  was  appointed 
county  clerk  Koxember  20,  1854,  to  succeed 
Iliram  Brock,  resigned. 

LOCATn)N  OF    (OL'NTY  SE.VT. 

To  select  a  site  for  the  county  seat  the  dis- 
trict judge,  C.  J.  ]\[cFarland,  appointed  the 
following  cojnniissioners:  Cornelius  Beal, 
of  Boone  County;  Henry  J.  OMen,  of  Dallas 
County,  and  O.  J.  Niles.  of  Carroll  County. 
These  commissioners  apjieared  before  Judge 
Phillips  on  the  27th  of  September.  1854,  and 
tiled  a  report  of  their  doings,  "from  wliich 
report  it  appears  they  have  selected  the 
north  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  and  the 
south  half  of  the  northwest  (pnirter  of  sec- 
tion 8,  in  township  83  north,  of  range  30 
west  of  the  iifth  principal  meridian,  Iowa, 
for  the  county  seat  of  said  county,  which 
said  lands  lielong  to  the  Pnited  States  and 
are  subject  to  entry."  The  commissioners 
were  awarded  the  following  sums  for  services 
and  expenses:  Cornelius  Beal,  $3b;  O.  J. 
Niles,  $20,  and  Hem-y  J.  Owen,  $15.  They 
were  giyen  warrants,  payable  out  of  the  jiro- 


ceetls  of  lots.     For    *•  extra   services  "    they 
were  allowed  $1  each  additional. 

FIIM  lllil;    I'KorKKUlNGS. 

The  tirbt  marriage  license  issued  in  this 
county  is  as  follows,  and  is  signed  by  Judge 
AVilliam  Phillips: 

"This  court  has  this  4th  day  of  Se])tember, 
A.  D.  1854,  granted  license  for  the  marriage 
of  Moses  Bowers  and  Maliala  Aoiing,  and 
not  being ac(juainted  with  the  parties, (iharles 
Hathaway  was  sworn,  who  declared  them 
both  of  age  and  of  sound  mind:  whereupon 
this  court  issued  license  for  the  marriage  ot 
the  jdjove  parties." 

The  second  license  was  to  l>a\i<.l  Kodgers 
and  Margaret  Young,  Uctt>ber  19.  1^54. 
Judge  Philli])S  solemnized  the  marriage. 

Under  date  of  October  7,  1854.  appears 
the  following  entry,  with  reference  to  the 
entry  of  the  town  site: 

"  This  court  has  this  7th  day  <if  Octoiier. 
1854,  borrowed  of  lloyt  Sherman,  banker  ot 
Fort  J)es  Moines,  the  snni  of  *200,  with 
which  money  it  has  caused  the  following  real 
estate  to  be  entered  in  the  name  and  for  the 
use  of  f-rreene  County  in  the  State  of  Iowa, 
to-wit:  the  north  half  of  the  southwest  quar- 
tei'  and  the  south  half  of  the  northwest  quar- 
ter of  section  8,  in  township  83  north,  of 
range  30  west  of  the  fifth  princij)al  meridian, 
Iowa,  containing  160  acres." 

The  assessment  roll  was  received  froni 
Dallas  County  November  (3,  1854,  and  the 
following  levy  of  taxes  made:  State  tax, 
three  mills;  county  tax,  six  mills;  school  tax, 
one  and  one-half  mills:  road  tax,  three  mills. 
The  poll  tax  was  fixed  at  50  cents. 

On  the  (3th  of  Novendier  Judge  Phillips 
borrowed  of  AVilliam  P.  Crumley  f203  to 
repay  Hoyt  Sherman,  and  gave  liim  a  warrant 
xdrawing  10  per  cent,  interest,  and  payable 
out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  lots. 


Robert  M.  Rippey,  surveyor,  whs  on  the 
20th  of  November  allowed  ^135  ''  out  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  lots  in  the  town  of 
Jefl'erson  for  the  surveying  of  said  town, 
furnishing  chain  carriers,  axnien,  stakes,  etc., 
and  making  i)lat  of  the  same."  Pleasant  Keed 
and  Jonathan  Jones  were  each  allowed  $1  for 
services  as  chain  carriers.  Kathan  W.  Brock 
was  paid  $18  for  assessing  the  county  in  1854. 

A  marriage  license  was  issued  to  Usal  C. 
Black  iiud  Martha  vStiU  December  80,  1854. 

January  1,  1855,  Thomas  Phillips  was 
allowed  $1  for  candles  furnished  Greene 
County.  A  few  days  later  Hiram  Brock  was 
allowed  !?10.72  as  full  compensation  for  ser- 
vices as  clerk  from  Angust  24  to  IN'oveniber 
13,  1854.  This  was  at  the  rate  of  $50  per 
annum. 

Moses  Bates  ap[)ears  to  have  been  the  lirst 
person  that  died  in  the  county  whose  estate 
was  administered  upon.  Charlie  W.  John- 
son and  Benjamin  F.  Robinson  were  the 
administrators  appointed.  Jacob  Young 
made  the  lirst  will,  and  Ilezin  McDaniels  the 
second. 

At  the  April  election,  1855,  S.  G.  Crumley 
was  elected  clerk.  For  the  office  of  drainage 
commissioner  11.  M.  Kippey  and  Lauftus 
(rray  each  received  eighteen  votes.  By  the 
direction  of  Judge  Phillips  they  drew  lots 
for  the  office.  Gray  was  successful,  but,  fail- 
ing to  (jualify,  Rippey  was  appointed  to  the 
office.  The  election  in  Washington  Town- 
ship was  held  at  the  house  of  Truman  Davis, 
and  W.  K.  Allen  and  L.  Chance  were  elected 
constables,  and  Norman  S.  Daniels  township 
clerk.  The  judges  and  clerks  of  this  election 
selected  the  following  as  grand  jurors,  the 
iirst  chosen  in  the  county:  Isaac  Glopton, 
Lewis  Wi'ight,  Moses  Blancett,  Archelus 
Gibson,  Elam  Robins,  Winston  Grouse, 
Ciiarles  W.  King,  AVilliam  P.  Crumley,  Will- 
iam Zornee,  G,  W.  Reese,  Thomas  Roberts, 


Hiram  Toliver,  Valentine   S.  Babb,  Charles 
L.  Davis  and  John  Clopton. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  1855,  Judge  Phillips 
ordered  that  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  town 
lots  in  the  county  seat  form  a  separate  fund 
in  the  county  treasury,  dedicated  to  the  future 
erection  of  public  buildings. 

April  24,  1855,  a  license  to  marry  was 
issued  to  Alexander  Morgan  and  Sophronia 
Rhoads. 

The  iirst  district  court  held  in  Greene 
County  was  by  Hon.  C.  J.  McFarland,  Mon- 
day, May  19,  1856.  There  were  three  State 
cases  and  eight  civil  cases  on  docket.  The 
court  was  held  in  a  new  building  that  had 
neither  doors  nor  windows.  The  grand  jury 
held  their  session  out  on  the  prairie.  The 
State  cases  were  against  three  young  women 
for  assault  and  battery.  It  seems  that  the 
girls  got  to  disputing  about  something,  per- 
haps some  nice  young  man.  At  last  one 
irave  the  other  a  saucv  word  or  two,  and  she 
returned  the  insult  by  throwing  an  eg^.  The 
affiiir  then  commenced  in  earnest;  a  basket 
of  eggs  was  soon  used  up,  when  they  went  at 
each  other  with  list  and  muscle.  The  com- 
batants were  parted,  and  it  is  agreed  on  all 
sides  that  it  was  one  of  the  most  fierce  and 
terrible  battles  that  has  ever  been  fought  on 
the  Coon  River  in  the  shape  of  a  tist  tight. 

Previous  to  their  organization  Calhoun  and 
Sac  counties  were  attached  to  Greene  for 
administrative  purposes.  July  3.  1853,  a 
petition  was  presented  to  Judge  Phillips,  of 
Greene  County,  praying  for  the  organization 
of  Calhoun  County,  and  the  Judge  accord- 
ingly issued  notices  of  an  election  to  be  held 
at  the  house  of  Christopher  Smith,  on  Monday, 
the  6th  day  of  August,  1855,  for  the  selec- 
tion of  a  county  judge,  county  clerk,  sheriff, 
recorder  and  treasurer,  prosecuting  attorney, 
surveyor  and  coroner.  At  the  election  but 
nine  votes  were  cast.     A  "  slate  "  had  been 


I 


i 

\ 

,1* 
t 


EAltLY    niSTORT. 


4«9 


1^ 

I 


made  up;  almost  every  voter  received  an 
office,  and  the  vote  was  unanimous  for 
each. 

The  general  election  in  (Tveene  County 
occurred  the  same  date,  and  the  followinir 
officers  were  chosen :  William  Phillips,  County 
Judge;  S.  G.  Crumley,  County  Clerk;  James 
ir.  Phillips,  Treasurer  and  Recorder;  Isaac 
D.  Crumley,  Sheriff";  Norman  S.  Daniels, 
Prosecuting  Attorney;  Allen  J.  Currence, 
Surveyor;  John  P)arr,  Coroner.  The  honds 
of  the  treasurer  and  sheriff  were  fixed  at 
$5,000  in  each  case. 

Lawrence  P.  Rhodes  and  James  Ward 
were  appointed  deputy  sheriffs,  and  Robert 
M.  Rippey,  deputy  surveyor. 

July  5,  1855,  Lewis  Morley  and  Lydia 
Ayers  were  licensed  to  marry.  One  week 
later  a  license  was  issued  to  James  P.  Tucker 
and  Sarah  J.  Tucker. 

Allen  J.  Currence  was  allowed  $21  for 
assessing  Jackson  Township  in  1855,  and 
Valentine  S.  Habb  $26  for  assessing  Wash- 
ington Township.  The  tax  levy  for  1855 
was  fixed  as  follows:  State  tax,  one  and  one- 
fourth  mills;  county  tax,  four  mills;  school 
tax,  one-half  mill;  road  tax,  one  mill;  road 
poll  tax,  $2;  count}'  poll  tax,  50  cents. 

The  marriage  licenses  issued  during  the 
remainder  of  1855  were:  .lames  C.  Eeeman 
and  Mary  A.  Chance,  August  18;  Jesse  Per- 
kins and  Nancy  C.  Tucker,  August  25;  Rich- 
ard Morlan  and  Sarah  Lewis,  September  11; 
Elijah  Thurman  and  Rebecca  Morgan,  Sep- 
tember 18;  John  Piles  and  Mary  F.  Miller, 
September  26;  I.  H.  Roberts  and  Margaret 
McKean,  October  3;  Wales  IJ.  Sanford  and 
Elizabeth  J.  May,  December  3. 

(October  1,  1855,  John  F.  Lewis  was  ap- 
pointed an  agent  to  procure  and  sell  spiritu- 
ous liquors  in  accordance  with  and  jrarsuant 
to  an  act  passed  by  the  General  Assembly, 
styled  "An  act  for  the  suppression  of  intem- 


perance," Chapter  45  in  the  Acts  of  1854 
and  1855. 

J)uring  this  first  year  or  more  of  the 
county's  organic  existence  the  county  offices 
were  located  in  a  buildinji'  belonirina-  to 
Thomas  Phillips.  The  rent  was  $3  a 
month.  In  November,  1855,  he  was  paid 
$45  for  the  fifteen  months'  rent  then  due. 
In  this  same  month  William  Lee,  of  Iowa 
City,  was  allowed  $150  for  record  books  fur- 
nished the  county.  These  are  the  books  on 
which  the  first  records  of  tJie  different  offices 
are  written. 

Judge  Phillips  resigned  November  29, 
1855,  and  Norman  8.  Daniels,  prosecuting 
attorney,  acted  as  county  judge  until  the  next 
spring.  Judge  Daniels  was  allowed  $25  for 
his  service  of  a  year  and  a  quarter  as  prose- 
cuting attorney,  or  at  the  rate  of  $20  per  an- 
num. Isaiah  Deemer  was  allowed  $20.25 
for  one  writing  table,  desk  and  book-case 
furnished  the  county.  James  A.  Lock  was 
i  paid  $8,  or  $1  a  cord,  for  eight  cords  of  wood 
I  hauled  and  delivered  at  the  county  offices. 

The  trustees  of  .fackson  Township,  Thomas 
j  W.  Greenup  and  Mason  Linn,  reported  De- 
cember 31,  1855,  to  Judge  Daniels: 

"We,  the  trustees  of  Jackson  Township, 
Greene  County,  have  this  day  been  called  on 
by  Dulanah  Johnson,  as  applicant  for  Thomas 
W.  Neblock,  who  has  fallen  into  the  care  of 
said  Johnson,  on  account  of  being  so  badly 
frozen  that  he  could  not  travel  farther,  and 
we  therefore  find  by  examination  on  the  28th 
day  of  December,  1855,  that  the  said  Neb- 
lock, who  had  then  been  in  the  care  of  the 
said  Johnson  from  the  22d  day  of  December, 
to  be  destitute  of  money,  but  having  one  car- 
pet satchel,  four  pair  of  Indian  moccasins, 
one  pair  of  gloves,  one  coat,  one  cape  line, 
one  cap  and  three  handkerchiefs,  which  are 
appraised  at  $8.35.  And  we  also  find  that 
the  former  residence  of  the  said  Neblock  is 


in  Polk  County,  Iowa,  and  wc,  the  uuder- 
sicned  trustees,  uiiree  that  tlic  said  Dulanah 
Johnson  be  allowed  five  dollars  per  day  for 
keeping  the  said  Neblouk,  as  we  l)eliove  him 
to  he  at  the  eharije  of  (Treene  County  for  the 
linu!  hi'iiii;-  and  until  I'lirtiier  arrangements 
can  he  made,  and  also  that  tlie  residenee  of  ! 
the  said  Kebloek  is  at  or  near  Bennett's,  on 
AV^dnut  Creek." 

Samuel  Khoads  was  aj)pointed  justice  of 
the  peace  in  Washington  Township,  in  jilaec 
of  Elijah  JS'ornuin,  who  resigned  Ueeember 
3,  1855.  February  14,  following.  Judge 
Daniels  declared  the  sheriff's  office  vacant,  in 
eonse(|uence  of  the  absence  of  the  sheritf 
elect  and  the  resignation  and  disability  of 
the  deputies,  and  appointed  Elislia  McCoy 
sheriff  to  till  the  vacancy.  County  (ylerk 
Crumley  resigned  .Mai'ch  Ji.  l'^5().  On  the 
same  date  a  warrant  was  issued,  based  on  the 
usual  petition,  for  the  organization  of  Sac 
('ounty  on  the  7th  of  April  following.  This 
was  duly  carried  into  effect  by  the  election 
of  a  full  list  of  county  officers,  and  fruni  this 
on  (-ireene  County's  officials  had  but  une 
county  to  look  after. 

On  this  same  date  Greene  County,  having 
received  a  gratifying  influx  of  settlers,  was 
deemed  jjopulous  enough  to  form  three  elec- 
tural  precincts  instead  of  two,  and  it  was  ac- 
cordingly ordciTcl  that  all  that  portion  of 
Greene  County  contained  in  range  29,  and 
the  east  tier  of  sections  in  range  30,  "  is 
hereby  known  and  designated  as  AYashington 
Townsiiip  or  Precinct."  The  renuuuder  of 
range  30  and  the  lour  east  tiers  of  sections  in 
range  31  was  maih'  Jefferson  Township,  while 
the  remainder  of  range  31  and  all  of  range 
32  was  named  Kendrick  Township.  AVar- 
rants  for  elections  were  issued  to  L.  C. 
Aln-ell,  of  AV^ishington,  Elisha  McCoy,  of 
Jefferson,  and  1).  S.  llaiiiilton.  of  Kendrick. 
Tiie  electioii>  were  held  on  the   7th   of  April 


following,  and  in  each  township  there  were 
chosen  three  trustees,  one  clerk,  two  justices, 
two  constables,  one  township  assessor  and 
one  supervisor. 

In  Jefferson  Township  S.  G.  Crunjley  and 
Evan  Morlan  were  elected  justices,  Sandford 
Amy  and  D.  M.  ('.  Peek,  constables,  and 
Elisha  JNlcCoy,  clerk.  In  AVashington  Town- 
ship Samuel  Rhodes  and  A.  L.  McLain  were 
chosen  justices,  S.  11.  McLain  and  Thomas 
Young,  constables,  and  Joel  Thornburg, 
clerk.  In  Kendrick  Township,  Allen  D.  I3rock 
and  David  S.  Hamilton  were  elected  jus- 
tices, and  llirani  l!rock  and  Moses  Ijjancett, 
constables. 

The  Thonnis  W.  deblock  above  referred 
to  as  frozen  severely,  and  cared  IVu-  liy 
Uulanah  Johnson,  died  after  twelve  days, 
and  Mr.  Johnson  was  paid  ^2-1  by  the 
county. 

Robert  M.  Rippey  was  elected  county  judge 
at  the  spring  election,  1856,  and  one  of  his 
first  acts  w'as  an  important  one  looking  to  the 
erection  of  a  court-house,  as  follows: 

"This  court  has  this  4th  of  May,  1856, 
appropriated  !t^2,000  for  the  erection  of  a 
county  house,  and  to  purchase  site  or  lot 
for  buildinjr  said  house,  and  notices  have 
been  posted  that  bids  would  be  received  for 
the  building  and  completion  of  said  build- 
intf  until  the  second  day  of  June,  1856,  at 
which  time  this  court  will  determine  who 
shall  erect  said  building;  and  if  no  bids  shall 
be  handed  in  by  that  time,  or  if  in  the  opin- 
ion of  the  court  it  is  thought  expedient  to  ex- 
tend the  time  of  receiving  said  bids  by  again 
posting  notices  of  the  same.  I'ids  to  be 
awarded  within  one  week  after  the  time  of 
receiving  the  same  closes.'' 

The  contract  was  awarded  June  2,  l'^56,  to 
James  Stanford,  for  §;1,825,  and  he  built  the 
same  season  the  frame  court-house  on  tlu' 
west  side  of  the    si^uare,      It    was  afterward 


■■■■■■^■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■-■-■^■■.■■.■-■■■-■■■. 


EARLY    HISTORY. 


m 


moved  into  the  square,  aiul  uscl   until  the 
erection  of  the  present  huildinsj. 

Tiie  early  officials  were  not  as  well  eilu- 
cated  as  those  of  later  years,  and  some  of  the 
records  sliow  an  amnsinof  disregard  of  for- 
niality  and  accuracy,  esiiecially  in  the  minor 
]iarticuhirs  of  spelliufj;-,  punctuation,  etc.  As 
an  example,  the  following  minute  of  County 
Judge  Rippey  is  reproduced: 

"CODRT  SrSSTON    JULY  A  11  1S56 

"  The  Township  assessors  of  Washington 
&  Jefferson  Townships  appeared  The  as- 
sessor of  Jefferson  appeare  and  tiled  his 
assessment  pajiers  with  the  Sincus  role  and 
tlie  assesor  of  AVaslnngton  Township  ap- 
eared  and  having  missed  some  The  Court  or- 
dered liim  to  Compleat  the  Same  and  return 
them  at  the  Shortest  posable  time  The 
assessor  of  Kindrict  Township  Sent  Ids  asscs- 
ment  role  to  the  Court  whicii  was  Incom- 
])leat." 

In  September,  18f)3,  tiie  county  conveyed 
its  right  to  all  swamp  and  overHow  lands  in 
the  county,  aggregating  between  (J0,000  and 
70,000  iicres,  to  the  American  Emigrant 
Company,  for  $9,500.  This  sale  lias  given 
rise  to  much  trouble  ami  litigation,  which 
has  continued  to  tliis  year.  It  is  said  tiiat 
much  of  the  land  disposed  of  should  never 
have  been  rated  as  swamp  laud.  Conflicting 
claims  have  arisen,  many  of  them  involving 
the  railroads,  tmt  the  story  cannot  be  told  in 
a  manner  to  be  of  o-eneral  interest,  as  the 
profoundest   legal  questions  are  in\nlveil. 

PIONEERS. 

Besides  the  first  settlers  already  named, 
following  is  a  list  of  the  citizens  of  the  county 
in  1856,  when  the  county  was  divided  into 
three  townships,  as  before  mentioned: 

Washington  Tmnnship.  —  Moses  Cowers. 
Elijah    Norman,  Reuben    Stevens.   Jonathan 


Hutchison,  Charles  W.  King,  Elom  Robbins, 
L.  D.  Robertson,  Jacob  Bish,  James  Crabb, 
Joshua  Kinbey,  Alexander  Morgan,  Isaac 
Rhoads,  E.  Rinehart,  Isaiah  W.  Deemer, 
Adam  Shroyer,  Rensselaer  Van  Horn.  Will- 
iam Fnmklin.  Hiram  Toliver, Wesley  Holler, 
Isom  Toliver,  Thomas  King,  Joel  N.  Thorn- 
burg,  Ti-uman  Davis,  Charles  \j.  JJavis,  Isaac 
Brand,  John  lirand,  AYilliam  W.  Robertson, 
Ceorge  Wood,  Clayton  S.  Abrell,  Inskip 
Tucker,  George  Tucker,  Samuel  Hoover, 
William  Tucker,  David  S.  Vancleave,  Will- 
iam Lee,  William  \j.  Evans,  William  A.  J. 
McXaught,  A\'illiani  F.  Crumley,  Alexander 
T.  Trimm,  Washington  Iv.  Allen,  Gustavus 
Peek,  Thomas  Elwell.  John  Tyler,  Joshua 
Layton,  James  Willson,  John  McWilliams, 
John  Roberts,  Robert  Tuckens,  Socrates 
IVloore,  Abner  Moore,  Nathan  Worley,  John 
Worley,  Jr.,  Harris  G.  Golden,  Mark  York, 
Jarvis  Decker,  Archibald  Allen,  Robert 
Allen,  Jesse  Perkins,  Sr.,  and  Isaac  Spencer. 

Jef'erson  Township. — James  II.  Phillips, 
Irvin  Wright,  John  W.  Wright,  Benjamin 
Morman,  James  King,  Michael  Reece,  Joseph 
Coomes,  Bennett  Dorherty,  Thomas  i'hillips, 
Isaac  Welker,  William  Phillips,  Samuel 
Peek,  John  S.  Morlan,  James  Tucker,  George 
Ranbarger,  Isaac  Tucker,  I),  il.  C.  Peek, 
Christopher  Peek,  K.  .\tkins,  Benjamin  I'ord, 
Jackson  Morlan,  Silas  A.  Jleeker,  Joshua 
llickford,  Evan  Morlan,  Benjamin  F.  Stokes, 
Jonathan  Jones,  A.  .1.  iluisington.  Pleasant 
Reed,  Samuel  O'Neal,  lienedict  O'Neal, 
George  Hell,  I..  I*.  Rhodes,  Sauford  Amey, 
W.  S.  McBride,  Alexander  Evans,  Joseph 
Jones,  Alfred  Peek,  Augustus  Yergen,  Will- 
iam Wilson,  V.  Amey,  Benjamin  CJhurchill, 
Thomas  Hamlet,  John  M.  Cully,  George  S. 
Walton,  Lewis  Wright,  Silas  Wright.  iJenja- 
min  F.  Robinson  and  George  May. 

Kcixlri'^k  Tonmih ij). — Archel n s  ( i i bson , 
John  Morlan,  William  L.  Cullev,  Siieldon  B. 


Davis,  Joseph  Taylor,  Joseph  Kesler,  Chris- 
topher I'orders,  Absalom  Morlan,  Josiali 
Blancett,  Moses  Blancett,  Tlioinas  Morgan, 
William  Whitsort,  11.  W.  Chambers,  E.  F. 
Davenport,  George  IJ.  Ueck,  John  C.  Beck, 
Delanah  Johnson,  John  D.  Rivers,  Jones 
Rivers,  Eli  II.  Rivers,  William  Yates,  Iliram 
Brock,  E.  B.  Rogers,  Horatio  Ilastey,  Willis 
Wright,  Nathaniel  Dehart,  A.  II.  Thompson, 
Samuel  P.  Borders,  Joseph  A.  Stickney, 
Beter  Fox,  A.  I).  Brock,  Allen  J.  Cnrrence, 
Isaac  Waldron,  John  Waldron,  Edmoiid 
Carney,  Isaac  Seaman,  Mason  Linn  and 
Thomas  A.  Greenup. 

KND  OF  THE  MONARCHIC  SVSTEM. 

Under  the  old  regime  the  county  judge 
was  possessed  of  very  large  powers — more  so, 
proportionately,  than  a  king  has  over  his 
subjects.  At  the  close  of  1860  an  important 
change  was  made,  by  which  the  county  judge 
retained  only  charge  of  probate  matters,  and 
the  general  government  of  the  county  vested 
in  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  which  first  met 
in  January,  1861.  The  board  consisted  at 
first  of  three,  but  in  1873  was  increased  by  a 
vote  of  the  people  to  five  members,  the  pres- 
ent number. 

TOWNSHIPS. 

The  number  of  civil  townships  has  in- 
creased to  sixteen,  most  of  them  l)eing  just  a 
congressional  township  in  size.  Washing- 
ton, which  at  first  included  the  east  half  of 
the  county,  has  been  gradually  cut  down  till  it 
now  contains  township  82  and  the  south  third 
of  township  83,  range  29,  or  forty-eight 
square  miles.  Jefferson  Township  has  been 
reduced  to  the  size  of  the  incorporated  town 
of  Jefferson,  or  a  square  two  and  a  half  miles 
on  a  side,  occupying  the  northwest  corner  of 
township  83,  range  30.  Kendrick  comprises 
township  84,  range  32. 


Cedar  Township  was  organized  in  1867, 
and  comprises  township  85,  range  32. 

Hardin  was  organized  in  1869,  and  com- 
prises township  84,  range  30. 

Franklin  was  organized  in  1870,  and  com- 
prises township  82,  range  30. 

Junction  was  organized  in  1870,  and  com- 
prises township  84  and  the  nortli  two-thirds 
of  township  83,  range  29,  thus  being  sixty 
sections  in  size,  and  the  largest  civil  town- 
ship in  the  county. 

Scraiiton  was  organized  in  1870,  and  com- 
prises township  83,  range  32. 

Bristol  was  organized  in  1871,  and  com- 
prises township  84,  range  31. 

Jackson  was  organized  in  1871,  and  com- 
prises township  83,  range  31. 

Dawson  was  organized  in  1872,  and  com- 
prises township  85,  range  30. 

Highland  was  organized  in  1872,  aiul  com- 
prises township  85,  range  31. 

Willow  was  oi-ganized  in  1874,  and  com- 
prises township  82,  range  32. 

Baton  was  organized  in  1875,  and  com- 
prises township  85,  range  29. 

Grant  was  organized  in  1877,  and  com- 
prises all  of  township  83,  range  30,  except 
the  six  and  one-fourth  square  miles  in  the 
northwest  corner  (^which  make  up  Jefferson 
Township),  and  includes  twenty-nine  and 
three-fourths  square  miles. 

Greenbrier  is  one  of  the  youngest  townships, 
and  comprises  township  82,  range  31. 


GOLD  EXCITEMENT. 


In  1858  a  report  came  to  New  Jefferson 
that  gold  had  been  discovered  in  a  run  on 
Uncle  Johnny  Barr's  farm,  twelve  miles 
west  of  town.  The  merchant  threw  down 
his  yard-stick  and  locked  his  store,  the  phy- 
sician his  pill  bags,  the  lawyer  his  Blackstone, 
the  farmer  left  his  plow,  and  all  seized  picks, 
shovels  and  tin  pans,  rushed  to  the  new  Eldo- 


■■■-■■^■'■-■-■-■-■-.■-iM-*JrM-"-"-*»"g"™"«"-"»' 


mi 


it 


\!( 


MARLY    IltSTORf. 


4'>3 


rado,  expecting  soon  to  dig  out  fortunes  and 
return  millionaires.  After  digging  and  wash- 
ing a  few  days — some  say  tliey  got  the  color, 
others  say  they  found  small  particles  of  gold 


— they  all  concluded  to  return  to  their  former 
occupations,  thinking  that  they  were  more 
profitable  than  digging  for  nuggets  in  Greene 
County. 


% 


IS 


u-^iy^^^iy  ^L>~^j^ 


.  r^' 


il4 


tilSTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNT Y. 


*dr  OFFICIAL  REGISTER.  1 

y.     „ j^i 


EI.OW  are  given  the  names 
and  years  of  service  of 
the  incumbents  of  tlie 
several  comity  othces 
I'niui  tlie  organization  of 
(ireene  County  in  1854 
to  the  close  of  188(i. 
Before  the  adoption  of 
the  present  Constitution 
of  Iowa,  tlie  county 
olKcers  were  chosen  either 
in  Aju'il  or  .Vugust,  and 
took  their  positions  im- 
mediately after  election. 
Since  January  1,  1858, 
the  terms  of  office  begin 
on  January    1   follriwing  each  election. 

cor  NT  V   .irliGKS. 

William  Phillips.  1854-'55;  Robert  M. 
llippey,  185fJ-'57;  Norman  S.  Daniels, 
18y7-'G0;  (Jeorge  S.  Walton,  1800  '01; 
Isaac  D.  Crumley.  18(;i-T)2;  Robert  M.  Rip- 
pey.  1802;  Dan  Mills,  1862-'63;  Albert 
Stone,  18(54;  Dan  Mills,  1864-'(;5;  Abijah 
Anderson,  180(i  '07;  Harvey  Rotter,  1808 
'09.  Office  abolished  and  duties  divided 
between  circuit  court  and  auditor. 


DRAINAGE  COMMISSIONERS. 

Robert  M.  Rippey,  1854-'56;  Allen  J. 
Currence,  1856-'59;  Mason  Linn,  1859-'60; 
R.  Van  Horn,  18fi0-'63;  William  C.  Oungst, 
1804;  .1.  C.  Lovejoy,  1805.     Office  abolished. 

PROSECUTING     ATTORNEYS. 

Norman  S.  Daniels,  1855-'56;  Joseph  A. 
Stickney,  185G-'57;  O.  R.  Jones,  1857. 
Office  abolished. 

CLERKS    OF    COURTS. 

Hiram  Rrock,  1854;  I'enjamin  F.  Robin- 
son, l854-'55;  Benjamin  I'.  Stokes,  1850; 
Y.  S.  Babb,  1850  -'57;  Oeorge  W.  Cochran, 
1857-00;  Willis  Wright,  1801;  John  M. 
Culley,  1861-'62;  S.  G.  Crumley,  1803-'O4; 
I.  1).  Howard,  1865-'72;  James  F.  Anderson, 
1873-'78;  Daniel  W.  Tlenderson,  1879-'84; 
James  .\.  Henderson,   1885. 

TREASURERS    AND    RECORDERS. 

.lames  II.  Phillips,  1855-'56;  S.  G.  Crum- 
ley, l850-'59;  J.  M.  ('line,  1860-'63;  James 
Stanford,  1804.     Offices  then  separated. 

TREASURERS. 

dames  Stanford,  1805-07;  G.  S.  Toliver, 
1868 -'71;  Samuel  Jay,  1872-'77:  .\.  S. 
Gilliland,  1878-'83;  J. 'w .  Kitz,  1884. 


£!^5551 


OFFICIAL    RBOISTEIi. 


475 


EECOEDEES. 


T.  G.  Stiles,  1865-'68;  John  II.  Clark, 
18(39-'72;  J.  W.  Fitz,  1873-'76;  J.  C.  Toliver, 
1877-'80;  A.  M.  Head,  1881-'82;  Z.  A. 
Church,  1882;  Thomas  C.  Bigger,  18S3-'86. 


AUDITORS. 


Marshal  B.  McDuffie,  1870-'73-,  George 
G.  Lawrence,  1874-'77;  Andrew  Watts, 
1878-'83;  Henry  W.  Kellogg,  1884. 

SHERIFFS. 

Isaac  D.  Crumley,  1854-'56;  Elisha  McCoy, 
1856;  George  8.  Walton,  1856-'57;  Isaac  D. 
Crumley,  1858-'61;  James  Stanford,  1862- 
'63;  John  Betebenner,  1864-'67;  Clinton 
DeWitt,  1868-'71;  Andrew  Watts,  1872-'75; 
John  Ayers,1876-'77;  Thomas  Fowler,  1878- 
'81;  George  E.  Eagleson,  1882. 

SCHOOL     FUND     COMMISSIONER. 

Albert  J.  Hoisington,  18o6-'57.  OfKce 
abolished. 

COUMTY  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  SCHOOLS. 

Jackson  Orr,  1858-'59;  George  S.  Walton, 
1860-'61;  David  Mallory,  1862-'63;  W.  S. 
McBride,  1864-'65;  J.  C.  Lovejoy,  1866;  A. 
W.  Kussell,  1867;  H.  C.  Rippey,  1867;  Mar- 
shall B.  McDuffie,  1868-'69;  I.  L.  Kephart, 
1870-'71;  A.  E.  Mills,  1872-'78;  J.  W. 
Huntington,  1874-'75;  David  Heagle.  1876- 
'77;  H.  A.  Turrill,  1878-'85;  Mary  E. 
Turrill,  1886. 

SUETEYORS. 

Allen  J.  Currence,  1855-'56;  John  Cooney, 
1856-'57;  Robert  M.  Rippey,  1858-'62;  C. 
W.  Barr,  1862-'63;  John  Cooney,  1864;  G. 
S.  Toliver,  1864-'67;  James  L.  Perry,  1868- 
'69;  Jacob  M.  Toliver,  1870;  M.  E.  Hall, 
1870-'78;  N.  P.  Stilson,  1874-'77;  L.  D. 
Toliver,  1878;  Joseph  D.  Nichols,  1878-'80; 
Joseph  W.  Whipple,  1880-'85;  II.  W.  Bean, 
1886. 

85 


CORONERS. 

John  Barr,  1855-'61;  J.  J.  Anderson, 
1862-'63;  0.  J.  White,  1864;  Silas  AVright, 
1864-'65;  James  Thornton,  1866-'69;  D.  J. 
Bowman,  1870;  O.  S.  Underbill,  1870-'71; 
S.  B.  Cooper,  1872-'73;  I.  J.  McDuffie, 
1874-'75;  William  Allinson,  1876-'77;  S.  B. 
Cooper,  1878-'79;  J.  C.  Lovejoy,  1880-'81; 
H.  O.  Beatty,  1882;  John  Inbody,  1882-'83; 

D.  J.  Bf.wman,  1884. 

SUPERVISORS. 

A.  R.  Mills  (chairman),  A.  W.  Hawk  and 
William  H.  Adams,  18f51;  A.  R.  Mills  (chair- 
man), E.  Rinehart  and  AVillis  Wright,  1862; 
Willis  Wright  (chairman),  E.  Rinehart  and 
Isaac  Tucker,  1863;  Isaac  Tucker  (chairman), 

E.  A.  Orman  and  H.  W.  Chambers,  1864; 
George  S.  Walton  (chairman),  E.  A.  Orman 
and  H.  W.  Chambers,  1865;  George  S.  Wal- 
ton (chairman),  H.  W.  Chambers  and  Joshua 
Lock,  1860;  George  S.  Walton  (chairman), 
J.  C.  Lovejoy  and  H.  W.  Chambers,  1867; 
George  S.  Walton  (chairman),  H.  W.  Cham- 
bers, Joseph  Deemer  and  Alfred  Allison, 
1868;  I.  E.  Adams  (chairman),  H.  W.  Cham- 
bers, Joseph  Deemer  and  M.  S.  J.  Newcomb, 
1869;  M.  S.  J.  Newcomb  (chairman),  J.  C. 
Hasker,  George  M.  Elliott  and  George  Dilla- 
vou,  1870;  William  Allinson  (chairman),  J. 
C.  Lovejoy,  C.  J.  Quinn  and  C.  M.  Gilbert, 
1871;  S.  P.  Chamberlain  (chairman),  William 
Allinson,  C.  B.  Park  and  C.  M.  Gilbert,  1872; 

C.  B.  Park  (chairman),  William  Allinson  and 
R.  E.  Witt,  1873;  C.  B.  Park  (chairman), 
R.  E.  Witt,   R.  Allen,  James   Dillavou   and 

D.  G.  Cromwell,  1874;  C.  B.  Park  (chairman), 
R.  E.  Witt,  R.  Allen,  James  Dillavou  and  D. 
G.  Cromwell,  1875;  C.  B.  Park  (chairman), 
R.  Allen,  D.  G.  Cromwell,  W.  B.  Livingston 
and  H.  B.  Kees,  1876;  C.  B.  Park  (chainnan\ 
W.  B.  Livingston,  II.  B.  Kees,  D.  B.  McCully 
and    Harmon  Anderson,   1877;    C.  B.  Park 


-nti 


UltiTOnr    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


(chairman),  W.  B.  Livingston,  H.  B.  Kees, 
D.  B.  McCiillj  and  Harmon  Anderson,  1878; 
C.  B.  Park  (chairman),  Harmon  Anderson,  D. 
B.  McCully,  W.  B.  Livingston  and  I.  H. 
Adams,  1879;  C.  B.  Park  (chairman),  W.  B. 
Livingston,  I.  IL  Adams,  C.  P.  Hanger  and 
J.  H.  Peabody,  1880;  W.  B.  Livingston 
(chairman),  I.  H.  Adams,  C.  P.  Hanger,  J. 
H.  Peabody  and  James  Zeller,  1881;  W.  B. 
Livingston  (chairman),  C.  P.  Hanger,  James 
Zeller,  J.  H.  Peabody  and  Malilon  Head, 
1882;  AV.  B.  Livingston  (chairman),  James 
Zeller,  Mahlon  Head,  L.  Stockwell  and  B.  F. 
Osborne,  1883;  W.  B.  Livingston  (chairman), 
Mahlon  Head,  L.  Stockwell,  B.  F.  Osborne 
and  H.  W.  Rawson,  1884;  Mahlon  Head 
(chairman),  L.  Stockwell,  B.  F.  Osborne,  H. 
W.  Rawson  and  John  B.  Garland,  1885; 
Mahlon  Head  (chairman),  H.  W.  Rawson, 
John  B.  Garland,  L.  Stockwell  and  B.  F. 
Osborne,  1886. 

EEPEESENTATIVES. 

Cornelius  Beal,  1858-'59;  J.  W.  Denison, 
1860-'61;  George  S.  AValton,  1862-'63; 
Samuel  B.  McCall,  1864-'65;  Azor  R.  Mills, 
1866-'67;  Henry  C.  Rippey,  1868-'69;  G.  S. 
Toliver,  1870-'71;  William  Maxwell,  1872- 
'73;  JamesK  Miller,  1874-'75;  Orlando  H. 
Manning,  1876-'79;  S.  T.  Hutchinson,  1880- 
'81;  L.  F.  Danforth,  1882-'83;  Albert  Head, 
1884. 

SENATORS. 

Aaron    Brown,  1858-'59;    John  F.  Dun- 


combe,  1860-'61;  Edwin  B.  Potter,  1862-'63; 
Henry  C.  Henderson,  1864-'65;  Addison 
Oliver,  1860-'67;  Isaac  J.  Mitchell,  1868- 
'69;  Tiieodore  Hawley,  1870-'71;  John  J. 
Russell,  1872-'75;  Samuel  D.  Nichols,  1876- 
'77;  John  J.  Russell,  1878-'85;  John  K. 
Deal,  1886. 

CONGRESSMEN. 

Timothy  Davis,  1857-'59;  William  Van- 
dever,  1859-'68;  Azahel  W.  Hubbard,  1803- 
'69;  Charles  Pomeroy,  1869-'71;  Jackson 
Orr,  1871-'75;  Addison  Oliver,  1875-'79; 
Cyrus  C.  Carpenter,  1879-'88;  A.  J.  Holmes, 
1883. 

DISTEICTS. 

Previous  to  1863  the  whule  State  of  Iowa 
formed  but  two  congressional  districts,  of 
which  Greene  County  was  in  the  second. 
Then  the  increase  of  pojjulation  entitled 
Iowa  to  six  Representatives,  and  in  the  re- 
arrangement Greene  County  was  placed  for 
the  next  ten  years  in  the  Sixth  District.  Then 
for  another  decade  there  were  nine  districts, 
and  Greene  was  one  of  those  placed  in  the 
Ninth  District.  Since  1883  there  have  been 
eleven  districts,  and  this  county  is  in  the 
Tenth. 

For  representation  in  the  two  branches  of 
the  General  Assembly,  Greene  County  has 
been  associated  with  one  or  more  adjoining 
counties,  no  arrangement  being  permitted  to 
stand  more  than  four  years,  and  usually  but 
two.  Since  1883  the  county  has  been  entitled 
to  a  Representative  by  itself. 


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POLITICAL    HI  STORY. 


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ARTY  government  is  the 

sf^  present,    and     possibly 

the  future,   thougli   not 

the  ideal,  feature  of  our 

so-called    republic;   and 

men   have  in  America 


■<  been  divided  into  po- 
?>  '  litical  parties  for  120  years. 
Upon  the  passage  of  the  Stamp 
Act,  in  1765,  parties  for  the  first 
time  began  to  take  definite  shape 
and  manifest  open  antagonisms, 
and  the  words  Whig  and  Tory 
then  had  a  plainer  meaning  in 
America  than  in  England.  The 
Stamp  Act  was  denounced  by  the 
Whigs  as  direct  taxation,  and  so  general  were 
the  protests  that  for  a  time  it  seemed  that 
only  those  who  owed  their  livings  to  the 
Crown,  or  expected  aid  and  comfort  from  it, 
remained  with  the  Tories. 
the  patriots. 

After  independence  was  achieved,  of  course 
all  Americans  were  Whigs.  In  the  first  years 
of  the  United  States  as  a  federal  union,  under 
President  Washington,  there  came  about  a 
division  into  "  Particularist "  aud  "Strong 
Government "  Whigs,  these  soon  adopting 
the  more  euphonious  designations   of  Anti- 


The  Whigs  were 


Federals  and  Federals.  The  former,  under 
Jefierson's  lead,  afterward  became  known  as 
Republicans,  which  name  was  in  the  early 
part  of  1800  dropped  for  that  of  Democrats. 
Hence  Jefferson  is  often  referred  to  as  the 
founder  of  the  Democratic  party.  If,  how- 
ever, this  distinction  can  be  claimed  for  any 
one  man,  the  friends  of  Andrew  Jackson 
have  perhaps  a  stronger  case. 

The  Democrats  were  in  power  in  this  coun- 
try from  1801  to  1825,  when  John  Quincy 
Adams,  "  the  last  of  the  Federalists,"  was 
chosen  by  Congress  to  fill  the  office  of  Presi- 
dent, the  people  having  failed  to  elect.  Gen- 
eral Jackson,  however,  had  received  a  plural- 
ity of  the  popular  vote,  and  the  remembrance 
of  this  fact  was  one  of  the  chief  causes  of 
Jackson's  subsequent  election  in  1828.  The 
elevation  of  General  Jackson  to  the  presi- 
dency was  a  triumph  over  the  high  protective 
policy,  the  federal  international  improvement 
policy,  and  the  latitudinous  construction  of 
the  Constitution,  as  well  as  of  the  Democracy 
over  the  Federals,  then  known  as  National 
Republicans.  This  election  was  also  the  per- 
manent re-establishment  of  parties  on  prin- 
ciple, according  to  the  landmarks  of  the  early 
years  of  the  Government.  For  although  Mr. 
Adams    had    received    confidence   and    office 


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HI  STORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


from  Mr.  Madison  and  Mr.  Monroe,  and  had 
classed  with  the  Democratic  party  during  the 
"  era  of  good  feeling,"  yet  he  had  previously 
been  a  Federal;  and  on  tlie  re-establishment 
of  old  party  lines  which  began  t(j  take  place 
after  the  election  of  Mr.  Adams  in  the  House 
of  Hepresentatives,  his  affinities  and  policy 
became  those  of  his  former  party;  and  as  a 
party,  with  many  individual  exceptions,  they 
became  his  supporters  and  his  strength. 

The  Democrats  re-nominated  Jackson  in 
1832,  while  in  December  preceding  the  Na- 
tional Republicans  nominated  Henry  Clay. 
The  hero  of  JSTew  Orleans  was  elected  a  sec- 
ond term  by  a  goodly  majority. 

The  Democracy  being  in  power,  the  fol- 
lowers of  Olay  gradually  adopted  tiie  name 
of  Whigs,  which  was  suggested  by  the  fact 
that  in  England  the  opposition  to  the  Gov- 
ernment was'  known  by  that  appellation. 
Hence,  more  than  any  one  man,  Henry  Clay 
is  looked  upon  as  tiie  founder  of  the  Whig 
party,  which  played  an  important  part  in 
American  politics  for  some  twenty  years.  In 
1836  they  nominated  General  William  Henry 
Harrison,  who  was  defeated  by  Martin  Van 
Buren,  the  choice  of  the  Democratic  party. 
In  the  closing  year  of  Jackson's  administra- 
tion, however,  a  step  had  been  taken  which 
ultimatel}'  brought  about  the  temporary  down- 
fall of  his  party.  This  step  was  the  distribu- 
tion of  revenue  among  the  States  in  1837, 
which  was  designed  to  enhance  the  value  of 
the  State  stocks  held  by  the  United  S  ates 
Bank.  The  result  was  far  different,  however, 
and  thousands  are  still  living  who  can  tell  of 
the  financial  crisis  of  1837  and  the  general 
stringency  following. 

It  is  natnral  for  the  people  to  charge  finan- 
cial   and   other  tronbies,  from  war  down  to 
crop  failures,  upon  the  party  in  power.     So 
it  was  in  those  times,  and    the  result  was  the  i 
ascendency  of  the  Whigs  after  the  next  elec-  I 


tion,  in  1840.  On  the  Whig  ticket.  General 
Harrison,  of  Ohio,  was  the  candidate  for 
President,  and  John  Tyler,  of  Virginia,  for 
Vice-President.  Mr.  Clay,  the  most  promi- 
nent Whig  in  the  country,  was  not  deemed 
available,  and  the  leading  men  in  the  party 
were  again  ])ut  aside  to  make  room  for  a 
military  man,  a  step  prompted  by  the  ex- 
ample previously  set  by  the  Democrats  in 
the  case  of  General  Jackson.  The  men  wlio 
managed  presidential  elections  believed  then 
as  now  that  military  renown  was  a  passport 
to  popularity  and  rendered  a  candidate  more 
sure  of  election.  The  contest  before  the  peo- 
ple was  a  long  and  bitter  one,  the  severest 
ever  known  in  the  country  up  to  that  time, 
and  scarcely  equaled  since.  The  whole  Whig 
party  and  the  large  league  of  suspended 
banks,  headed  by  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States,  making  its  last  struggle  for  a  new 
national  charter  in  the  effort  to  elect  a  Presi- 
dent friendly  to  it,  were  arrayed  against  the 
Democrats,  whose  hard-money  policy  and  in- 
dependent treasury  schemes  were  met  with 
little  favor  in  the  then  depressed  condition  of 
the  treasury.  The  Democrats  worked  for  the 
re-election  of  President  Van  Buren,  with 
Richard  M.  Johnson,  of  Kentucky,  as  Vice- 
President,  but  the  Whigs  were  ultimately 
successful. 

The  question  of  extending  slave  territory 
by  the  annexation  of  Texas  was  the  principal 
one  in  the  campaign  of  1844,  and  avowedly 
so  in  the  platforms.  The  Democracy  nomi- 
nated James  K.  Polk  for  President  and 
George  M.  Dallas  for  Vice-President.  Tiie 
AVhigs  nominated  their  great  leader,  Henry 
Clay,  with  Theodore  Frelinghuysen  for  Vice- 
President.  Owing  largely  to  the  influence 
of  a  third  party,  the  Free-Soilers,  Clay  was 
defeated  in  one  of  the  closest  elections  ever 
held. 

Another  presidential  year  brought  forward 


new  men  and  new  issues.  Tlie  Democrats 
nominated  General  Lewis  Cass  for  President, 
and  General  William  (3.  Butler  for  A^ice- 
President.  The  Whigs  took  advantage  of 
the  popularity  of  General  Zacbary  Taylor, 
for  his  military  achievements  in  the  Mexican 
war,  just  ended,  and  his  consequent  "availa- 
bility," nominated  him  for  the  presidency 
over  Clay,  Webster  and  Scott,  who  were  his 
competitors  before  the  convention.  The  party 
whicli  had  been  made  bv  the  greatness  of  the 
latter  won  an  easy  victory. 

The  presidential  election  of  1852  was  the 
last  campaign  in  which  the  Whig  party  ap- 
peared in  national  politics.  It  nominated  a 
ticket  with  General  Winfield  Scott  as  its 
candidate  for  President.  His  opponent  on 
the  Democratic  ticket  was  General  Franklin 
Pierce.  A  third  ticket  was  placed  in  the 
field  by  the  Abolition  party,  with  John  P. 
Hale  as  its  candidate  for  President.  TJie 
political  see-saw  now  brought  the  Democrats 
in  power  again. 

Thus  at  the  beginning  of  the  civil  history 
of  Greene  County  the  Democrats  were  in  con- 
trol, with  Franklin  Pierce  as  President,  and 
the  Whig  party  was  disintegrating  as  a  na- 
tional organization.  The  citizens  of  Greene 
County  having  come  from  those  Eastern 
States  where  the  Democrats  were  in  the 
ascendancy,  retained  their  politics  after  set- 
tling here,  so  that  this  was  a  Democratic 
county  during  its  infancy.  The  Whigs,  how- 
ever, never  had  a  fair  test  of  strength  in  this 
county,  for  in  local  elections  personal  popu- 
larity went  much  farther  than  partisanship, 
and  before  the  county's  politics  was  settled 
by  a  presidential  election,  the  death  of  the 
Whig  party  was  an  accomplished  fact,  and  a 
new  organization,  the  Republican  party,  arose 
from  its  ashes.  Henceforth  the  giant  parties 
were  Democrats  and  Republicans,  the  latter 
absoi-binu-    all    the    elements     then     existing 


opposed  to  the  further  extension  of  slavery. 
The  new  party  was  born  in  a  number  of  places 
almost  simultaneously,  but  in  each  case  with 
the  same  motives  and  with  similar  constit- 
uent elements.  The  movement  assumed 
definite  shape  in  the  summer  of  1854,  when 
for  Governor  of  this  State  James  W.  Grimes 
was  nominated  by  the  Republicans,  to  oppose 
Curtis  Bates,  the  choice  of  the  Democracy. 
Iowa  had  hitherto  been  under  the  control  of 
the  latter  party,  but  the  Republicans  now 
carried  it,  in  their  first  campaign,  and  it  has 
since  remained  in  the  ranks  of  Republicanism 
by  majorities  sometimes  running  as  high  as 
80,000.  Mr.  Grimes's  personal  ability  had 
much  to  do  with  the  successful  organization 
of  the  Republicans  in  Iowa.  In  this  county 
the  first  Democratic  convention  was  held  on 
the  banks  of  Hardin's  Creek,  in  the  woods 
back  of  Phillips'  house,  three  miles  below 
New  Jefl:erson,  to  nominate  candidates  for 
county  offices,  to  be  tilled  at  the  August  elec- 
tion in  1855.  Every  person  present  was 
nominated  for  some  one  of  the  county  oflices. 
The  following  is  the  ticket  put  in  nomination: 
County  Judge,  William  Phillips;  Clerk,  S. 
G.  Crumley;  Treasurer  and  Recorder,  James 
H.  Phillips;  SheriflT,  Isaac  D.  Crumley; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  Norman  S.  Daniels; 
County  Surveyor,  Allen  J.  Currence;  Coroner, 
John  Barr.  The  ticket  was  successful  by 
varying  but  decisive  majorities.  At  the 
general  election  of  August,  1856,  there  were 
but  two  votes  in  the  county  for  the  Republi- 
can State  ticket,  to  106  for  the  Democratic 
ticket. 

The  first  national  convention  of  the  Re- 
publican party  nominated  John  C.  Fremont 
for  President,  and  William  L.  Dayton  for 
Vice-President.  Its  platform  consisted  of 
a  series  of  resolutions,  of  wMcli  the  most 
important  was  the  following: 

"That  we  deny  the  authority  of  Congress, 


iawa'«aioffgi»iiiaaiiniii»»«-M«»ii-wiir»-»«»giiii»B»g»s»BWiEW5^ 


of  a  Territorial  Legislature,  of  any  individual 
or  association  of  individuals,  to  give  legal 
existence  to  slavery  in  any  Territory  of  the 
United  States  while  the  present  Constitution 
shall  be  maintained." 

The  Democratic  convention  nfiniinated 
James  Buchanan  for  President,  and  John  C. 
Breckinridge  for  Vice-President.  It  adopted 
a  platform  which  contained  the  material  por- 
tions of  all  its  previous  platforms,  and  also 
defined  its  position  in  regard  to  the  new 
issues  of  the  day,  and  declared  (1)  that  the 
revenue  to  be  raised  should  not  exceed  the 
actual  necessary  expenses  of  the  Government, 
and  for  the  gradual  extinction  of  the  public 
debt;  (2)  that  the  Constitution  does  not  con- 
fer upon  the  General  Government  the  power 
to  commence,  and  carry  on  a  general  system 
of  internal  improvements;  (3)  for  a  strict 
construction  of  the  powers  granted  by  the 
Constitution  to  the  Federal  Government;  (4) 
that  Congress  lias  no  power  to  charter  a 
national  bank;  (5)  that  Congress  has  no  power 
to  interfere  with  slavery  in  the  States  and 
Territories,  the  people  of  which  have  the 
exclusive  right  and  power  to  settle  that  ques- 
tion for  themselves;  (6)  opposition  to  Ameri- 
canism. 

Buchanan  was  easily  elected,  and  to  this 
result  Greene  County  contributed  by  a  vote 
of  117  to  74;  majority,  43.  The  county  re- 
mained Democratic  until  1863,  when  war 
issues  produced  a  change.  At  the  general 
election  of  1857  local  issues  predominated. 
The  Democratic  majorities  ranged  from  7  to 
51.  The  new  Constitution,  submitted  to 
electors  at  this  time,  received  112  votes  to  73 
against  it.  This  is  the  organic  instrument 
still  in  eifect  in  Iowa.  The  people  having 
suffered  from  too  many  elections,  one  of  the 
provisions  of  the  new  Constitution  was  to  the 
effect  that  hut  one  general  election  be  held 
each  year  in  October  three  years  out  of  four. 


and  in  November  in  presidential  years.  This 
rule  was  followed  for  the  next  twenty-five 
years.  The  Democratic  majority  at  the  Octo- 
ber election  was  68  in  a  total  vote  of  170, 
and  in  October  of  the  following  year  22  in  a 
total  vote  of  230.  This  was  the  closest  elec- 
tion yet  held  in  the  county,  but  the  margin 
in  1859  was  yet  smaller.  Samuel  J.  Kirk- 
wood  and  Augustus  C.  Dodge  were  the  can- 
didates for  Governor  on  the  Republican  and 
Democratic  tickets  respectively,  and  a  warm 
canvass  was  followed  by  a  very  full  vote  at 
the  polls.  Out  of  272  votes  in  Greene  County, 
Dodge's  majority  was  20.  The  majorities 
for  the  county  offices  were  oven  less:  judge, 
15;  treasurer  and  recorder,  3;  sheriff,  2; 
drainage  commissioner,  8;  superintendent,  9; 
surveyor,  9;  coroner.  17. 

The  four  years  of  Buchanan's  administra- 
tion were  rife  with  political  discussions  on 
the  slavery  question,  the  status  of  the  negro, 
and  the  trouliles  in  Kansas.  The  Southern 
Democrats,  true  to  the  supposed  interests  of 
their  section,  became  more  aggressive  in 
their  demands  in  behalf  of  slavery,  while 
their  brethren  in  the  North  followed  the  lead 
of  Douglas  in  endeavoring  to  compromise 
the  slavery  question.  The  two  wings  differed 
more  and  more  widely  as  the  months  went 
by,  and  in  their  national  convention  at  Charles- 
ton were  unable  to  agree  upon  a  platform  or 
a  candidate,  so  that  the  Southern  Democrats 
Avithdrew  in  a  body.  The  convention  re-as- 
sembled at  Baltimore,  and  after  a  protracted 
struggle  nominated  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and 
Herschel  V.  Johnson.  Their  platform  de- 
clared that  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme 
Court  respecting  the  status  of  slavery  in  the 
Territories  should  be  respected.  The  South- 
ern Democrats,  however,  held  another  con- 
vention and  nominated  John  C.  Breckinridge 
and  Joseph  Lane.  The  platform  adopted 
contained,  in  regard  to  the  main  question   at 


POLITICAL    HISTORY 


issue,  the  statement  that  slaves  in  the  Terri- 
tories should  be  i-ecognized  by  the  Govern- 
ment as  property. 

The  Republicans  nominated  Abi-aham  Lin- 
coln and  Hannibal  Hamlin,  and  resolved  that 
Kansas  should  be  admitted  as  a  free  State, 
and  that  the  Government  should  effectually 
prohibit  slavery  in  the  Territories.  A  so- 
called  Constitutional  Union  Convention  was 
also  held,  which  nominated  John  Bell  and 
Edward  Everett. 

The  conclusion  of  this  many-sided  politi- 
cal light  was  the  election  of  Lincoln,  who  re- 
ceived, however,  but  two-tifths  of  the  popular 
vote. 

In  this  county  the  canvass  was  exceed- 
ingly warm,  and  267  votes  were  cast,  Doug- 
las receiving  a  majority  of  twenty-five  over 
Lincoln.  Neither  Breckinridge  nor  Bell  re- 
ceived any  votes  in  Greene  County.  The 
majorities  averaged  about  the  same  all  the 
way  down  the  State  and  local  ticket. 

In  the  State  and  county  election  of  1861 
less  than  half  the  vote  was  drawn  out,  and 
there  was  a  vast  amount  of  ''  ticket  scratch- 
ing," and  scarcely  any  two  received  like 
majorities,  these  ranging  from  one  up,  in  a 
total  vote  of  120.  For  Governor,  Merritt's 
majority  over  Kirkwood  was  thirty-four.  In 
1862  the  majority  on  the  State  ticket  was 
fifteen ;  on  county  ticket,  considerably  larger. 
The  civil  war  strengthened  the  Republicans 
in  this  State  so  that  it  was  almost  perfunc- 
tory that  any  other  party  made  nominations. 
Colonel  William  M.  Stone  had  made  himself 
so  popular  by  his  services  in  the  field  that  in 
the  summer  of  1863  he  was  nominated  for 
Governor  against  James  M.  Tuttle.  A  large 
vote  was  polled  in  this  county,  which  was 
swept,  for  tiie  the  first  time,  by  the  Republi- 
cans. Stone's  majority  in  Greene  County 
was  29,  and  tlie  county  ticket  was  even  more 
successful.     The  countv  has  remained  in   the 


Republican  column  since,  nearly  a  quarter  of 
a  century. 

In  1864  the  war  was  being  waged  on  a 
scale  never  before  seen  in  history,  at  vast  ex- 
pense, and  it  was  uncertain  how  long  the 
Confederacy  could  maintain  armed  resistance. 
The  Republicans  were  generally  unanimous 
in  supporting  the  coercive  policy  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, while  the  Democrats,  on  the  other 
hand,  were  in  favor  of  a  change  of  policy, 
and  of  peace  on  any  terms  that  would  save 
the  Union.  The  Republican  convention  of 
1864  therefore  renominated  Abraham  Lin- 
coln by  a  unanimous  vote,  save  Missouri, 
whose  delegation  voted  for  Ulysses  S.  Grant. 
Andrew  Johnson  was  nominated  for  Vice- 
President.  The  jjlatform  approved  the  eman- 
cipation proclamation,  declared  slavery  dead, 
pledged  support  for  the  further  prosecution 
of  the  war,  and  demanded  the  unconditional 
surrender  of  the  rebellious  States.  The 
Democratic  convention  nominated  George  B. 
McClellan  and  George  H.  Pendleton,  and 
adopted  a  platform  criticising  the  methods  of 
the  administration.  Lincoln  received  212 
electoral  votes  to  McClellan's  twenty-one, 
the  people  indorsing  the  old  maxim  "  that  it 
is  dangerous  to  swap  horses  while  crossing 
a  stream."  Tiie  Lincoln  ticket  received  a 
majority  of  50  in  Greene  (  ounty,  and  the  Re- 
publican county  ticket's  vote  was  slightly 
larger  than  that  for  President. 

In  1865  the  Republican  majority  was  larger 
than  the  Democratic  vote,  being  over  100  in 
a  total  vote  of  nearly  300.  In  1866  the  total 
vote  was  increased  by  70,  and  the  Republi- 
can majority  by  about  60.  These  were  dis- 
couraging times  for  the  Greene  County  Dem- 
ocracj',  but  they  put  up  their  full  ticket  every 
year,  and  in  1867  were  gratified  by  the  par- 
tial success  of  cutting  down  the  Republican 
majority  to  86,  in  a  total  vote  of  over  500. 
The  population  of  the  county  was  now  stead- 


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ily  increasing,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  regu- 
larly swelling  total  vote.  The  forces  of  the 
two  parties  were  well  trained  in  these  years, 
and  generally  voted  straight.  "  Ticket 
scratching  "  was  discountenanced. 

Both  parties  desired  to  nominate  General 
Grant  in  1868,  but  the  Republicans  stole  a 
march  on  their  opponents  by  holding  their 
convention  hrst.  Schuyler  Colfax  was  named 
for  Vice-President.  The  Democratic  con- 
vention was  for  a  long  time  unable  to  decide 
between  Pendleton,  Hancock,  Hendricks  and 
others;  but  on  the  twenty-second  ballot  Ho- 
ratio Seymour,  whose  name  had  been  scarcely 
mentioned  before,  was  unanimous!}'  nomi- 
nated, together  with  Francis  P.  Blair  for 
Vice-President.  An  active  canvass  followed, 
in  whicli  the  brief  expression,  "  Let  us  have 
peace,"  in  Grant's  letter  of  acceptance,  was 
liberally  employed  by  Republican  journals 
and  orators  to  tone  down  what  vifere  regarded 
as  rapidly  growing  race  and  sectional  differ- 
ences, and  witii  such  effect  that  Grant  carried 
all  of  the  States  save  eight,  receiving  an 
electoral  vote  of  214:  against  80.  His  major- 
ity in  this  county  was  190,  the  largeat  ever 
given  in  the  county  up  to'  this  time.  The 
total   vote  was   less  than  the  previous  year. 

In  1869  the  Republican  majority  leaped  to 
over  250,  or  more  than  the  Democratic  vote. 
The  latter  was  less  than  one-third  the  total 
vote,  which  was  nearly  700.  The  Democrats 
made  no  nominations  in  this  county  except 
for  auditor  and  treasurer,  but  the  vote  was 
very  close  on  those  two  offices,  the  majorities 
being  42  and  31  respectively.  In  1870 
there  was  but  one  ticket  in  the  field,  the  Re- 
publican nominees  having  a  "  walk-over." 
In  1871  there  were  two  tickets,  but  the 
majority  for  the  controlling  party  was  in- 
creased without  effort  to  350. 

An  issue  raised  in  Missouri  gave  immedi- 
ate  rise    to    the    Liberal    Republican   part}'. 


though  the  course  of  Horace  Greeley  had 
long  pointed  toward  the  organization  of 
something  of  the  kind,  and  with  equal  plain- 
ness it  pointed  to  his  desire  to  be  its  cham- 
pion and  candidate  for  the  presidency.  In 
1870  the  Republican  party  in  Missouri,  then 
in  control  of  the  Legislature,  split  on  the 
question  of  the  removal  of  the  disqualifica- 
tions imposed  upon  the  rebels  by  the  State 
Constitution  during  the  war.  Those  favor- 
ing the  removal  of  disabilities  were  headed 
by  B.  Gratz  Brown  and  Carl  Schurz,  and 
they  called  themselves  Liberal  Republicans. 
Those  opposed  were  called  and  accepted 
the  name  of  Radical  Republicans.  The 
former  quickly  allied  themselves  with  the 
Democrats,  and  thus  carried  the  State, 
though  Grant's  administration  "stood  in" 
with  the  Radicals.  The  liberal  movement 
rapidly  spread,  and  its  leaders  at  once  began 
to  lay  plans  to  carry  the  next  presidential 
election,  Horace  Greeley  was  nominated  for 
President  and  B.  Gratz  Brown  for  Vice- 
President.  The  Democratic  convention  in- 
dorsed these  nominations,  but  a  few  d issatished 
Democrats  named  Charles  O'Conor  and  John 
Quincy  Adams.  The  Republicans  re-nomi- 
nated General  Grant,  with  Henry  Wilson  for 
Vice-President.  The  Republicans  were  over- 
whelmingly successful,  not  so  much  from  the 
popularity  of  Grant  as  from  the  unpopular- 
ity of  Greeley.  In  this  county  the  vote  was: 
Grant,  743;  Greeley,  117;  O'Conor,  113;  a 
plurality  of  626  in  a  total  of  nearly  1,000 
votes.  This  majority  has  been  won  by  the 
Republicans  two  or  three  times  since.  The  ma 
jorities  on  county  ticket  were  from  414  to  812. 
In  1873  the  majority  on  State  ticket  was 
200;  on  county  ticket,  somewhat  more.  In 
1874  the  majorities  ranged  from  340  to  500, 
and  in  1875  they  were  as  high  on  State  ticket, 
but  fell  to  less  than  100  on  all  tlie  county 
offices  except  auditor. 


*m»m^_s>»a»m'»m»mmmm»mmm^£msm]SmiimiimiiatiiimMmii-ttmmismfms:m^m-i 


J'J< 


■  ii, 


POLITICAL    HISTORY. 


483 


\l^t 


The  troubles  in  the  South  and  the  almost 
general  overthrow  of  the  "  carpet  bag  "'  gov- 
ernments impressed  all  with  the  fact  that  the 
presidential  election  of  1876  would  be  ex- 
ceedingly close,  and  the  result  confirmed  this 
belief.  The  Eepublicans  nominated  Ruther- 
ford B.  Hayes  and  William  A.  Wheeler,  and 
the  Democrats,  Samuel  J.  TiJden  and  Thomas 
A.  Hendricks.  A  third  party  had  sprung  into 
existence,  called  at  first  "  Greenbackers,"  but 
latterly  "  National  Greenbackers,"  who  de- 
sired to  relieve  the  financial  crisis  of  1873 
and  the  hard  times  following  by  a  large  issue 
of  irredeemable  paper  money.  They  nomi- 
nated Peter  Cooper  and  Samuel  F.  Gary. 
After  a  contest  for  months  over  the  returns 
of  the  election,  Hayes  was  declared  elected. 
The  vote  in  this  county  was:  Hayes,  1,310; 
Tilden,  480;  Cooper,  184.  The  majority  of 
830  marks  the  highest  point  of  the  Rejiubli- 
can  wave  in  this  county. 

In  1887  Gear's  plurality  for  Governor  was 
480;  the  majorities  for  county  offices  rang- 
ing from  149  to  313.  The  average  Repub- 
lican majority  was  over  200,  and  in  1879 
over  700.  The  difference  was  caused  by 
"  fusion  "  in  1878  between  Democrats  and 
Greenbackers,  while  in  1879  separate  tickets 
were  run.  There  was  a  contested  election  in 
1878.  For  recorder,  M.  O.  Robertson  re- 
ceived 1,015  votes  to  1,005  for  James  C. 
Toliver;  but  on  a  re-count,  and  deducting 
certain  votes  decided  to  be  illegal,  Toliver 
was  seated  by  a  majority  of  two.  The  total 
vote  in  the  county  was  now  over  2,000. 

The  year  1880  brought  with  it  another 
presidential  election.  The  nominees  were: 
Republican,  James  A.  Garfield  and  Chester 
A.  Arthur;  Democratic,  Winfield  S.Hancock 
and  William  H.  English;  National  Green- 
back, James  B.  Weaver.  The  Republicans 
won,  largely  owing  to  the  issue  of  a  protect- 
fve  tariff.     The  vote  in  Greene  County  was: 


Garfield,  1,645;  Hancock,  457;  Weaver,  398; 
Garfield's  plurality,  1,188.  The  majority  for 
clerk  of  courts  was  922;  plurality  for  recorder, 
485.  The  average  plurality  in  1881  was  900, 
there  being  no  fusion.  At  the  special  elec- 
tion of  June,  1882,  2,345  votes  were  cast,  and 
the  majority  for  tlie  prohibition  amendment 
was  799.  In  November,  1882,  the  Repub- 
lican majorities  were  nearly  all  over  800. 
Thomas  C  Bigger  was  chosen  recorder, 
however,  by  the  narrow  margin  of  47.  In 
the  autumn  of  1883  occurred  the  memorable 
joint  canvass  of  the  three  candidates  for 
Governor,  Sherman,  Kinne  and  Weaver. 
Nearly  2,700  votes  were  cast  in  Greene 
County,  Sherman's  plurality  being  595. 

For  1884  the  nominations  for  President 
and  Vice-President  were:  Democratic,  Grover 
Cleveland  and  Thomas  A.  Hendricks;  Repub- 
lican, James  G.  Blaine  and  John  A.  Logan; 
National,  Benjamin  F.  Butler;  Prohibition, 
John  P.  St.  John.  The  campaign  was  a  verj' 
bitter  and  disagreeable  one,  and  will  be 
remembered  with  little  pride.  The  issue  was 
partly  personal,  but  Cleveland  was  elected 
principally  on  the  demand  for  civil-service 
reform.  Blaine  has  always  been  very  popu- 
lar with  the  Republican  party,  and  they  were 
confident  of  winning  with  him  as  their  can- 
didate. The  election  was  a  very  close  one, 
Cleveland's  plurality  in  New  York,  the 
pivotal  State,  being  but  about  1,100.  One 
of  the  incidents  of  this  contest  was  the  fact 
that  many  Republicans  stoutly  maintained 
that  Blaine  was  elected,  for  weeks  after  the 
day  the  ballots  were  cast.  The  vote  in  Greene 
County  was:  Blaine,  1,924;  Cleveland  1,525; 
Blaine's  plurality,  399.  This  reduced  figure 
was  due  to  fusion  on  the  part  of  the  Demo- 
crats and  Greenbackers. 

In  1885  Governor  Larrabee's  plurality  was 
404,  the  same  figures  obtaining  siibstantially 
on  the  whole  Republican  ticket. 


484 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    VOUNTT. 


^ 


i 


■Rxr.r-.  n-rrtf  nrrt:  iTi'  •.  i ' 


il  ^The  Civil  War.  j^ 


01 


"'''■''i"'''''i"''" 


^^^■^^^.^^^^^^^^,^ 


.^<^ 


'"''*^'^5I(^^t^lI5^^^^~* 


OUT   daj-break   on   the 

12th  of  April,  1861,  the 

stiUness    of    Charleston 

Bay    was    disturbed  by 

^        the  firing  of  a  large  mor- 

k^^     tar  and  the  shriek  of 

a  shell    as    it  rnshed 


Mja  through  the  air.  The  shell  burst 
over  Fort  Sumter,  and  the  war  of 
the  great  Rebellion  was  begun. 
In  the  North  the  hope  had  been 
tenaciously  clung  to  that  the 
peace  of  the  country  was  not  to 
be  disturbed.  This  dream  was 
rudely  broken  by  the  siege  of 
Fort  Sumter.  The  North  awakened  suddenly 
to  the  awful  certainty  that  civil  war  was 
begun.  There  was  a  deep  feeling  of  indigna- 
tion at  the  traitors  who  were  willing  to  ruin 
their  country  that  slavery  might  be  secure. 
There  was  a  full  appreciation  of  the  danger, 
and  an  instant  universal  determination  that, 
at  whatever  cost,  the  national  life  must  be 
preserved.  Personal  sacrifice  was  uncon- 
sidered; individual  interests  were  merged  in 
the  general  good.     Political  differences,  ordi- 


narily so  bitter,  were  for  the  time  almost 
efi'aced.  Nothing  was  of  interest  but  the 
question  how  the  audacious  rebellion  was  to 
be  suppressed  and  the  American  nation 
upheld  in  the  great  place  which  it  claimed 
among  men. 

Two  days  after  the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter  Mr. 
Lincoln  intimated  by  proclamation  the  dis- 
honor done  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
and  called  out  the  militia  to  the  extent  of 
75,000  men.  The  free  States  responded 
enthusiastically  to  the  call.  So  prompt  was 
their  action  that  on  the  very  next  day  several 
companies  arrived  in  Washington.  Flushed 
by  their  easily  won  victory,  the  Southerners 
talked  boastfully  of  seizing  the  capital.  In  a 
very  short  time  there  were  50,000  loyal  men 
ready  to  prevent  that,  and  the  safety  of  Wash- 
ington was  secured. 

The  North  pushed  forward  with  boundless 
energy  her  warlike  preparations.  Rich  men 
ofi"ered  money  with  so  much  liberality  that 
in  a  few  days  nearly  §25,000,000  had  been 
contributed.  The  school-teachers  of  Boston 
dedicated  fixed  proportions  of  their  incomes 
to  the  support  of  the  Government  while   the 


THE    CIVIL     WAR. 


485 


war  should  last.  All  over  the  country  the 
excited  people  gathered  themselves  into 
crowded  meetings  and  breathed  forth  in 
fervid  resolutions  their  determination  to 
spend  fortune  and  life  in  defense  of  the 
Union.  Volunteer  companies  were  rapidly- 
formed.  In  the  cities  ladies  began  to  organize 
themselves  for  the  relief  of  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers.  It  had  been  fabled  that  the  North 
would  not  fight.  With  a  fiery  promptitude, 
unknown  before  in  modern  history,  the 
people  sprang  to  arms. 

Greene  County  had  at  this  time  less  than 
1,400  inhabitants.  With  a  population  mainly 
devoted  to  agriculture,  who  knew  nothing  of 
war  except  by  history  or  tradition,  it  could 
hardly  be  expected  that  a  warlike  spirit  would 
soon  disturb  the  peaceful  population.  But 
we  know  little  of  the  fire  that  slumbers  in 
quiet  breasts  until  occasion  calls  it  forth. 

The  stars  and  stripes  were  unfurled  in  all 
the  principal  public  and  business  places  in 
Jefferson,  and  meetings  were  held  all  over 
the  county  to  express  the  loyal  sentiment  of 
the  people.  The  promptness  and  unanimity 
with  which  Greene  County's  citizens  set 
about  contributing  their  quota  for  the  Union 
army  will  ever  be  a  source  of  pride  and  won- 
der. At  this  date  it  seems  almost  incon- 
ceivable tliat  the  young  farmers,  meclianics, 
clerks  and  professional  men  could  so  soon 
drop  their  respective  avocations  and  arrange 
themselves  by  companies  and  regiments  to 
march  at  the  word  of  command.  Political 
and  other  differences  seemed  completely 
forgotten. 

Under  the  first  call  of  President  Lincoln 
the  quota  of  Iowa  was  fixed  atone  regiment, 
and  this  was  filled  up  so  promptly  by  those 
counties  connected  by  railroads  with  the  cap- 
ital and  other  rendezvous  points  that  the  re- 
mote counties,  like  Greene,  stood  no  show 
until    late    in    the   summer   af   1861.   when, 


among  other  regiments,  the  Tenth  was  organ- 
ized. C-'Ompany  H,  in  this  regiment,  was 
enrolled  in  the  counties  of  Greene,  Carroll, 
Calhoun  and  Johnson  counties,  about  two- 
thirds  of  the  men  being  from  Greene  County. 
The  Greene  County  boys  in  this  regiment, 
together  witli  such  facts  as  can  be  obtained 
from  the  official  reports  are  here  given: 

Jackson  Orr,  mustered  in  September  7, 
1861  (the  whole  company  was  mustered  in 
on  this  date),  commissioned  Captain  Septem- 
ber 24,  1861,  resigned  August  8,  1863. 

John  ri.  Clark,  promoted  to  First  Ser- 
geant, wounded  in  the  shoulder  and  head  at 
Champion  Hills,  Mississippi,  May  16,  1863; 
commissioned  Captain  August  11,  1863; 
mustered  November  17,  1863,  veteran;  mus- 
tered,out  January  13,  1865. 

William  G.  Oungst,  promoted  from  First 
Sergeant  to  Second  Lieutenant  February  7, 
1862;  First  Lieutenant  March  3,  1862;  re- 
signed October  7,  1862. 

Matthew  Custer,  promoted  to  Second  Ser- 
geant, veteran,  then  First  Lieutenant,  Janu- 
ary 4,  1865. 

Andrew  Perteuch,  commissioned  Septem- 
ber 24,  1861,  as  Second  Lieutenant;  resigned 
February  6,  1862. 

Isaac  H.  Brown,  promoted  from  Second 
Sergeant  to  Second  Lieutenant  March  3, 1862; 
killed  at  Champion  Hills,  Mississippi,  May 
16,  1863. 

John  Bish,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant 
August  7,  1865,  but  mustered  out  as  Second 
Sergeant;  wounded  October  4,  1862,  at  Cor- 
inth, Mississippi,  and  November  25,  1863,  at 
Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  slightly,  in  the  hip; 
veteran. 

Hubbard  W.  Bunker,  promoted  from  Fifth 
Sergeant  to  First  Lieutenant  October  8,  1862, 
veteran;  discharged  October  11,  1864. 
,  Isaiah  AY.  Deeraer,  Third  Sergeant. 

Goldsborow    B.    Burk,    Fourth     Sergeant, 


wounded  slightly  in  the  head  at  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  November  25,  1863;  re-enlisted 
February  1,  1864. 

Sanford  M.  Amy,  First  Corporal,  wounded 
severely  in  the  left  tliigh  at  Champion  Hills, 
Mississippi,  May  16,  1863. 

Robert  T.  Smith,  Second  Corporal,  cap- 
tured at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  November 
25,  1863,  and  died  of  diarrhoea  at  Anderson- 
ville,  Georgia,  in  prison,  July  1,  1865. 

Joshua  Burk,  Seventh  Corporal,  promoted 
to  Sergeant;  wounded  severely  in  the  right 
arm  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  November 
25,  1863;  discharged  at  Davenport,  Iowa, 
July  4,  1864,  for  wounds. 

Albert  Crumley,  Third  Corporal,  dis- 
charged for  inguinal  hernia  at  Bird's  Point, 
February  1,  1862. 

Henry  Myers,  Fourth  Corporal,  re-enlisted 
February  1,  1864. 

John  L.  Kinney,  Fifth  Corporal,  trans- 
ferred August  17,  1863,  at  Vicksburg,  Mis- 
sissippi, to  the  Twelfth  Louisiana  Volunteers. 

Archibald  Burk,  Eighth  Corporal,  wounded 
slightly  in  the  head  at  Champion  Hills,  Mis- 
sissippi, May  16,  1863,  severely  in  the  leg  at 
Chattanooga,  Teimessee,  November  25, 1863; 
discharged  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  July  15, 
1864,  for  wounds. 

Coleman  P.  Wright,  promoted  Corporal, 
died  at  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  February 
19,  1865. 

George  W.  Short,  promoted  Corporal, 
wounded  severely  in  the  right  leg  at  Cham- 
pion Hills,  Mississippi,  May  16,  1863,  dis- 
charged at  Davenport  August  11,  1863,  for 
disability. 

Xavier  Carlin,  promoted  Corporal,  re-en- 
listed January  1,  1864;  wounded  slightly  in 
the  foot  at  Cox's  Bridge,  North  Carolina, 
March  20,  1865. 

Joseph  Deeraer,  musician. 

John    Roberts,    musician,    discharged     at 


Milliken's  Bend,  Louisiana,  April  17,  1863. 

Jacob  Young,  wagoner,  re-enlisted  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1864. 

William  Anderson,  private,  discharged  at 
Milliken's  Bend,  Louisiana,   March  6,  1862. 

Joseph  A.  Anderson,  private,  wounded  in 
the  left  leg  at  Corinth,  Mississippi,  October 
3,  1862;  re-enlisted  February  1,  1864. 

Daniel  H.  Anderson,  private,  re-enlisted 
March  12,  1864. 

William  L.  Adkins,  private,  wounded 
slightly  in  the  left  arm  at  Champion  Hills, 
Mississippi,  May  16,  1863;  re-enlisted  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1864. 

John  W.  Adkins,  private,  died,  date  and 
place  unknown. 

Archibald  L.  Allen,  private,  discharged 
March  6,  1862,  at  Bird's  Point,  Missouri. 

Henry  L.  Athey,  private,  discharged  at 
Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  March  6,  1862. 

Thomas  Athey,  private,  re-enlisted  January 
1,  1864. 

John  Bennett,  private,  died  of  measles  at 
Cape  Girai-deau,  Missouri,  November  9, 
1861. 

James  M.  Brewer,  private,  wounded  slightly 
in  the  back  at  Champion  Hills,  Missouri, 
May  16,  1863;  re-enlisted  January  1,  1864. 

James  R.  Carter,  private,  died  of  measles 
at  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  November  21, 
1861. 

John  ChafRn,  private,  died  of  measles  at 
Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  November  19, 1861. 

Philip  Cline,  private. 

Jonathan  Crumley,  private,  died  at  Mound 
City,  Illinois,  September  15,  1862. 

Edward  Davenport,  private,  discharged  at 
Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  February  10,  1862. 

William  Greek,  private. 

Amos  Gilliland,  private,  wounded  severely 
in  the  side  at  Champion  Hills,  Mississippi, 
May  16,  1863. 

William    N.   Hall,  private,   kille<l    in    the 


THE    CIVIL     WAM. 


487 


battle  of  Champion  Hills,  Mississippi,  May 
16,  1863. 

Jolni  B.  John,  private,  discharged  at  Keo- 
tuk  December  10,  1862,  for  disability. 

Thomas  M.  Lee,  private,  wounded  severely 
in  the  neck  at  Champion  Hills,  Mississippi, 
May  16,  1863,  and  severely  in  the  arm  at 
Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  November  25,  1863. 

Joseph  R.  Lock,  private,  transferred  April 
22,  1863,  to  the  Eleventh  Louisiana  Volun- 
teers. 

Giles  Jeff  McMoy,  private. 

John  C.  McLain,  private,  re-enlisted  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1864. 

Daniel  Miller,  private,  died  at  Bird's  Point, 
Missouri,  of  diarrhoea,  February  4,  1862. 

Jacob  Miller,  private,  accidentally  killed  at 
Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  October  19,  1861. 

Oliver  O.  Mosier,  private,  promoted  Com- 
missary Sergeant  October  19,  1861;  died  at 
Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  February  6,  1862. 

Addison  Monroe,  private. 

William  Khoads,  private,  wounded  in  the 
thigh  at  Champion  Hills,  Mississippi,  May 
16,  1863,  and  in  consequence  died  at  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee,  Jnly  16,  following. 

Abraham  Scott,  private,  transferred  Feb- 
rnary  15,  1864,  to  invalid  corps. 

Alonzo  C.  Stevens,  private. 

Hiram  Scott,  private. 

Jerome  W.  Teitsort,  private,  re-enlisted 
January  1,  1864. 

Thomas  B.  Tarpin,  private,  died  of  measles 
at  Mound  City,  Illinois,  December  25,  1861. 

John  E.  Van  Horn,  private. 

John  F.  Wilson,  private,  re-enlisted  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1864. 

Lewis  Wright,  private. 

William  H.  B.  Wynkoop,  discharged  at 
Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  February  1, 1862,  for 
scrofula  and  consumption. 

John  David,  Lewis  Adkins,  William  Mc- 
Coy,  Marion   Keece,  Addison    Monroe    and 


Charles  J.  Wynkoop  enlisted  at  the  same 
time,  but  were  rejected  by  the  mustering 
officer.  The  company  was  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States  at  Iowa  City 
September  7,  1861.  On  the  same  day  Smith 
S.  Hutchinson  was  added  to  the  roll.  lie 
was  killed  in  the  battle  at  Champion  Hills, 
Mississippi,  May  16,  1863.  Daily  V>.  Johns 
and  Gillum  S.  Toliver  joined  Company  K  of 
the  same  regiment,  but  on  the  28th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1861,  they  were  transferred  to  Com- 
pany H,  to  be  with  the  rest  of  the  Greene 
County  boys.  Toliver  was  discharged  at 
Hamburg,  Tennessee,  May  7,  1862,  for  dis- 
ability, and  Johns  died  on  the  same  date  at 
Mound  City,  Illinois. 

Among  the  subsequent  enlistments  in  this 
company  from  Greene  County  were  Harrison 
Bruner,  February  25,  1864;  Reuben  B. 
Greek,  February  26,  1864;  John  W.  Myers, 
February  25,  1864:  Henry  Rambarger, 
March  16, 1864;  James  C.  Toliver,  February 
25,  1864,  and  James  S.  Wilson,  February  19, 
1864. 

The  Tenth  Regiment  was  in  the  service 
neary  four  years,  and  was  mustered  out  at 
Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  August  15,  1865. 

The  Thirty-ninth  Infantry,  Company  E, 
contained  perhaps  two  score  men  from  Greene 
County.  Robert  M.  Rippey  was  commis- 
sioned Captain  November  24,  1862.  He 
died  at  Corinth,  Mississippi,  October  30, 
1863.  He  had  been  county  judge  of  Greene 
County,  and  was  a  popular,  valuable  citizen. 
John  N.  Coulter  was  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant  November  24,  1862,  Captain  Oc- 
tober 31,  1863,  and  resigned  January  6, 1865. 
Newton  P.  Wright  was  promoted  from  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  to  First  Lieutenant  October 
81,  1863,  and  was  killed  at  Allatoona  Octo- 
ber 5,  1864.  Jacob  M.  Toliver  was  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  November  24, 1862, 
and    resigned    March  4,  1863.     Among  the 


488 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


rank  and  file  were  Albert  M.  Bills,  John  Car- 
son, David  Heed,  Oliver  M.  Smith, ^  Jacob 
Worley,  Mark  York,  Theodore  B.  Powers, 
Caleb  A.  Slireve,  Luther  Short,  Charles  H. 
Tietsort  and  William  F.  AYaldon.  Shreve, 
Heed,  Bills  and  Tietsort  were  captured  at 
Allatoona  October  5,  1864.  Carson  and 
Waldon  were  wounded  in  that  famous  battle. 
Mark  York  died  at  Resaca,  Georgia,  May  22, 
1864. 

There  were  a  few  Greene  County  men  in 
other  regiments,  and  some  of  these  were: 

John    W.   Myers  enlisted    in    the   Ninth, 
February  26,  1864. 
'  David  John  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-third, 
Company  E,  August  16,  1862. 

Robert  Gilroy,  John  H.  Sims,  George  W. 
Mason  and  William  E.  McCoy  enlisted  May 
11,  1864,  in  the  Forty-fourth  (100-days), 
Company  H.   . 


John  Ladlie  enlisted  May  23,  1864,  in  the 
Forty-sixth  (100-days),  Company  C. 

Altogether,  Greene  County,  which  had  but 
1,374  inhabitants  in  1860,  furnished  about 
150  men  for  the  army  of  the  Union.  Of 
these  scarce  a  score  are  now  living.  The 
present  population  being  largely  made  up  of 
immigrants  from  Eastern  States,  there  are  in 
the  county  many  old  soldiers  who  enlisted 
from  other  States,  or  from  other  counties  in 
this  State.  Altogether,  it  is  estimated  that 
not  less  than  250  ex-soldiers  reside  in  Greene 
County,  representing  more  than  sixty  differ- 
ent regimental  organizations. 

The  Tenth  General  Assembly  passed  a  law 
organizing  the  militia  of  the  State,  in  accord- 
ance with  which  917  militia  companies  were 
formed,  including  two  from  Greene  County. 
But  little  was  done,  however,  in  the  way  of 
drilling. 


%^^^ 


THE    FEEaa. 


489 


:.!glO<G^giOg®_. 


I) 


it 


I 


fa,  HAT  "the  pen  is  mightier 
than  the  sword"  is  a  say- 
ing so  trite  that  one  is 
almost  ashamed  to  quote 
it,  yet  it  is  wortli 
ij^  urging  upon  the  at- 
tention of  unobservant  people 
tliat  the  rapid  material  progress 
of  humanity  in  the  nineteenth 
century  is  due,  more  than  to  any 
other  one  agency,  to  improved 
facilities  of  travel  and  communi- 
cation. Eailroads,  mails  and 
newspapers  have  become  necessi- 
ties to  mankind,  though  many 
are  now  living  who  are  older  than  the  oldest 
railroad,  and  to  whom  a  daily  paper  once 
seemed  a  iiseless  extravagance.  Even  now 
changes  are  made  yearly,  and  improvements 
discovered  of  sucli  moment  that  the  future 
value  and  function  of  the  newspaper  cannot 
yet  be  estimated. 

Types  were  first  used  to  reproduce  only 
the  Bible  and  such  books  as  were  demanded 
in  large  numbers.     Then  came  the  periodical 


and  pamphlet.  The  reviews  and  magazines 
increased  in  number  and  frequency  of  publi- 
cation, and  then  the  weekly  newspaper  was 
established,  to  be  supplemented  in  time  by 
the  daily  journals.  At  ilrst  only  large  cities 
could  support  papers;  now  it  is  a  poor  village 
that  cannot  have  one  or  more,  and  a  small 
county  that  has  not  its  half  dozen.  One  of 
the  most  important  clianges  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  country  newspaper  occurred  from 
1860  to  1870.  Before  the  former  date,  home 
news,  locals  and  correspondence  were  not 
considered  worth  printing,  but  the  I'eading 
matter  was  composed  of  reprints  from  the 
great  journals,  news  from  Europe,  proceed- 
ings of  Congress,  and  heavy  editorials  on 
national  politics.  Now  these  are  supplied 
by  the  large  city  papers,  which  are  brought 
to  every  village  by  those  annihilators  of  dis- 
tance, the  railroads,  and  the  home  paper  is 
largely  iilled  with  home  news.  The  best 
county  paper  now  is  the  one  which  gives  the 
most  space  to  town  and  county  news,  cor- 
respondence from  every  postoffice,  and  the 
proceedings  of  local  organizations. 


"■"■"ra—M^i—M^i* 


490 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


»""■■■■;] 


In  Greene  County  to-day  are  published 
five  newspapers,  while  halt'  a  dozen  more 
have  been  issued  that  are  now  defunct  by 
chang;e  of  name  or  suspension.  Generally 
speaking,  the  editors  have  been  men  of  in- 
telligence and  enterprise,  while  to-day  they 
are  among  the  leading  citizens  of  the  county, 
and  their  opinions  are  of  influence  among  the 
journalistic  profession  in  Northwestern  Iowa. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Greene 
County  was  the 

•lEFFERSON    STAR, 

established  in  1859  or  1860,  by  V.  B.  Crooks. 
This  was  merged,  in  1863,  into  the 

JEFFERSON    RECORD, 

which  was  published  by  W^'nkoop  it  Upton 
first,  and  afterward  by  Wynkoop  &  McBride. 
When  the  Record  suspended,  the  community 
were  without  a  local  paper  for  a  year  or  two. 
In  1866  the 

JEFFERSON    ERA 

was  established  by  M.  H.  &  M.  L.  Money. 
In  1871  the  name  was  changed  to  that  it 
bears  at  present,  the 

JEFFERSON    BEE. 

Al.  Swalm  was  pi-oprietor  of  this  for  a  time, 
and  then  J.  M.  lihoads  was  admitted  as  a 
partner,  and  the  firm  name  was  made  Swalm 
&  Ehoads.  In  1874  Ehoads  &  Alexander 
succeeded  Swalm  &  Ehoads.  Two  years  later 
J.  M.  Ehoads  became  sole  proprietor.  The 
following  year,  1877,  Ehoads  &  Gray  became 
the  [.Hiblishers.  This  partnership  existed  for 
six  years,  when  Mr.  Eiioads  was  again  left 
alone.  In  October,  1884,  he  sold  to  E.  B. 
Stilhnan,  the  present  editor  and  proprietor. 
Under  his  management  the  Bee  has  con- 
tinued to  improve  in  quality  and  increase  in 
circulation,  and  is  now  one  of  the  leading 
Republican   journals  of   this    region.      It    is 


issued  on  Thursdays,  at  $2  a  year,  and  is  in 
size  a  seven-column  quarto. 

GREENE  COUNTY  GAZETTE. 

The  Gi'eene  County  Gazette  was  started  in 
1879,  by  Jackson  &  McLaury,  as  a  Greenback 
paper.  This  firm  was  succeeded  by  Thorn- 
burg  &  McLaury,  and  they  by  C.  H.  Jackson. 
Isaac  S.  Eussell  leased  the  otiSce  and  material 
from  Mr.  Jackson  and  gave  to  the  waiting 
world  the 

JEFFERSON    CITIZEN, 

which  suspended  in  the  spring  of  1883.  C. 
G.  Eeynolds  soon  after  started  the 

JEFFERSON  DEMOCRAT, 

and  ran  it  a  few  months  until  it  was  deemed 
unprofitable,  after  which,  in  connection  with 
the  famous  Will  S.  Kernan,  of  Okolona 
(Mississippi)  States  fame,  he  issued  one 
number  of  the 

IOWA    ADVOCATE. 

This  did  not  meet  with  a  particularly  cordial 
reception,  and  its  projectors  did  not  push  it. 
The 

IOWA  ARGUS 

was  published  at  Jefierson  from  the  spring  of 
1884  to  January,  1885,  as  a  Greenback  and 
Labor  paper,  by  J.  E.  Sovereign,  now  of  the 
Atlantic  Peoples'  Advocate. 

THE    SOUVENIR 

was  established  at  Jefierson  April  4,  1885, 
by  W.  M.  Ferguson,  as  a  society  paper,  four- 
column  quarto  in  size.  It  was  published  in 
that  style  until  the  middle  of  September  fol- 
lowing, when  A.  M.  Head  became  a  partner, 
and  the  firm  has  since  been  Ferguson  »& 
Head.  The  paper  was  then  enlarged  to  a 
six-column  quarto  in  size.  It  is  independent 
in  politics,  and  is  published  on  Saturdays,  at 
$1  per  year. 


THE    PRESS. 


!!!^*'^^'?■'*^*'■''.*''*"^"^"'*^"''-^-''-■-^-^■-■' 


{it 


491 


GKAND    .lUNCTION    HEADLIGII'I'. 

Ill  the  aiitiiiini  of  1809,  as  soon  as  (iraiid 
Junction  was  laid  out  and  oiiiidinu-  liaJ  he- 
gun,  the  town  proprietors  arranged  with 
Mills  A:  Co.,  of  Des  Moines,  to  publish  a 
newspaj^er  at  this  place.  Mills  &  Co.  were 
then  State  ])rinters,  and  also  publishers  of 
the  State  Iteyliter.  They  equi])ped  a  small 
office  at  Grand  Junction,  and  with  tlie  new 
year,  1870,  caine  before  tlie  expectant  citi- 
zens the  first  number  of  the  Hi-aillUjIit.  Two 
years  later  S.  C.  Maynard,  who  had  been  for 
a  time  manager  of  the  office,  purcliased  the 
same  from  Mills  &  Co.  He  has  been  pro- 
prietor and  editor  since.  The  ITeadliyht  is 
in  size  a  seven-colmnn  (juarto  (double  that  it 
originally  had),  and  is  ])iiblished  on  Thurs- 
days, at  .'J2  per  year.  It  is  the  only  Demo- 
cratic paper  in  (4i'eene  County,  and  has  an 
extensive  circulation  in  Greene  and  Boone 
counties. 

SCRANTON  GAZETTE. 

The  Vasette  was  established  in  January, 
1875,  by  W.  W.  Yarmau.  In  about  three 
years  he  sold  to  one  Brown,  who  made  it  a 
Greenljack  paper,  liut  failed  a  year  later.  It 
was  a  six-column  folio.     The 

SCRANTON   .KlURNAL 

was   started    in    1879,  by    H.  O.  Beatty.      In 


October,  1882,  he  sold  to  II.  G.  McCuIloch 
&  Son,  and  in  1883  F.  II.  McCulloch  became 
sole  proprietor.  February  8,  1884,  he  sold 
to  F.  A.  Smith.  The  Jowrnal  has  been  from 
the  start  a  Repul)lican  paper,  in  size  a  five- 
coluimi  (juarto.  It  is  issued  on  Thursdays, 
at  $1.50  a  year,  and  circulates  principally  in 
Greene  and  Carroll  counties. 

SCRANTON  FREE  PRESS. 

This  paper  was  started  September  1,  1S86, 
by  M.  M.  Malioney,  and  is  a  six-coluinn 
quarto,  independent  in  ]iolitics.  It  is  pub- 
lished on  Wednesdays,  at  %\  a  year. 

M.  M.  Mahoney  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and 
Sarah  Mahoney,  and  is  a  native  of  Canada, 
where  he  was  liDrn  in  1859.  He  has  fol- 
lowed the  "  art  preservative "  in  various 
places  since  he  was  ten  years  old.  He  was 
married  October  15,  1885,  to  Miss  Delia 
Warner.  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church. 

CnURT)AN    I'AFERS. 

The  Greene  Conntij  Uhirion.  was  a  Demo- 
cratic paper,  started  in  July,  1885,  and  pub- 
lished for  nearly  a  year  by  S.  W.  Groves. 
He  sold  to  E.  N.  Pense  and  E.  Downs  July 
7,  1886.  They  changed  the  name  to  the 
Churdan  Belle,  and  published  it  a  few 
months,  when  they  suspended. 


86 


j^JSSgSmSjmSSBSSilSa 


4i)3 


HISTORY    UF    OREENB    COUNVy. 


THE  BAR. 


x\  the 


l'^^M%W^  '^   ^"^  I'lograpliical  por 
+^^'^vlM^«^l      '■'°"    *^'*'  '"''''^   work    ar 


£1 


^te>ifjiveii     biographies    of 

tiie    present     bar,    but 

^%i_     thei'B  are  a  number  who 


Y^^*/^'/*;-*-'*'-A^*  l)elong  to  tlie  past — 
^.'^JF  ''  who  have  come  and  gone,  or 
die<i  in  the  eunnt_y — and  these  de- 
serve mention.  In  their  proper 
order  we  will  allude  to  the  pres- 
ent as  well  as  the  ])ast  attorneys. 
^^P^  Most  of  these,  of  course,  wei'e 
residents  of  Jetierson. 

The  lirst  resident  attorney  was 
Jackson  Orr.  He  came  to  Jeffer- 
son in  1855,  tlie  first  year  of  the 
village's  history,  and  practiced  law  and  dealt 
in  i-eal  estate  here  for  six  years.  In  1861  lie 
went  into  the  service  of  "  Uncle  Sam  "  as 
Ca]itain  of  Conqiany  II,  Tenth  Iowa  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  He  resigned  after  two  years 
service,  and  on  his  return  located  at  Boone 
and  engaged  in  mercantile  Inisiness.  lie 
served  two  terms  in  tlie  National  House  of 
Representatives,  and  one  term  in  the  State 
Senate.  He  is  now  in  Sihertnn.  CnlurMilo. 
In  politics  he  has  always  been  an  active   Ue- 


publican.  He  was  an  able  man,  and  well 
known  in  the  early  history  of  this  county. 

William  Phillips  and  Robert  j\I.  Rippey, 
both  (if  wlidiii  belli  the  ofiice  of  county  judge 
befoi'e  the  war,  were  never  exactly  practicing 
members  of  the  bar,  but  were  prominent 
men,  and,  of  course,  connected  more  or  less 
with  legal  circles. 

Dan.  Mills  came  to  the  county  just  after 
Jackson  Orr,  from  Elkhart,  Indiana.  He 
practiced  continuously  till  during  the  war, 
when  he  was  appointed  to  a  clerkslii]i  in 
Washington.  He  was  satisfied  with  this  l)ut 
a  few  months,  and  then  returned  to  Jeffersmi, 
where  he  was  appointed  county  judge,  to 
which  ofiice  he  had  been  elected  before  going 
to  W^ashington.  After  the  ex}>iration  of  his 
term  as  county  judge,  he  practiced  law  until 
his  health  failed.  He  is  ^-et  living  at  Jeffer- 
son, but  old  and  infirm.  In  politics  he  has 
been  a  Republican. 

O.  R.  Jones  practiced  law  three  or  four 
years  before  the  war;  was  then  in  mercantile 
business  .';everal  years,  also  farming  to  some 
extent.  He  went  South,  and  two  or  three 
years  ago  died  in  Imliaii  Tiri-itory.  He  was 
an  active  Hepnblican  pnlitician. 


V^.  B.  Crooks  was  a  successful  lawyer  of 
more  tliaii  average  ability,  and  died  iiere, 
before  the  wai',  while  in  his  prime.  He  was 
politically  a  Democrat. 

H.  ('.  liippEY,  a  Cousin  of  Judge  Itippey, 
was  from  Elkhart,  Indiana.  He  was  in  prac- 
tice for  a  number  of  years,  and  then  removed 
to  Florida.  He  has  been  a  Democrat  usually, 
but  during  the  war  acted  with  tlie  Republi- 
cans. He  served  one  term  as  Representative 
in  the  General  Assembly. 

G.  S.  TnLivKK  commenced  practice  soon 
after  the  war,  and  has  continued  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  He  is  a  Republican,  has  served 
one  term  as  Representative  in  the  (General 
Assembly,  and  two  terms  as  county  treasurer. 

Albert  Hp:An  came  about  the  same  time, 
practiced  law  several  years,  and  then  devoted 
himself  to  banking.  He  has  served  two 
terms  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  General 
Assembly,  and  was  Speaker  the  last  time. 
He  is  a  Republican. 

J.  J.  Russell  has  been  here  neai'ly  as  long. 
He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  a  term 
in  the  State  Senate. 

Oklanuo  H.  Manning  read  law  with  Rus- 
sell &  Head,  and  practiced  law  at  Jefferson 
for  a  time,  then  removed  to  Carroll.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  Representative  to  the 
General  Assembly,  and  Lieutenant-Governor 
of  the  State.  The  town  of  Manning,  in 
Carroll  County,  is  named  in  his  honor.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  is  now  in 
business  at  Topeka,  Kansas. 

Harvey  Potter  has  been  here  since  1865 
as  a  lawyer  and  insurance  agent.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  was  the  last  count}'  judge  of 
Greene  County,  being  elected  in  the  autumn 
of  1867.  During  1869,  the  second  year  of 
his  term,  he  was  ex-otficio  county  auditor. 

C  H.  Jackson  came  to  Jeti'erson  in  1870. 
He  has  been  in  practice  ever  since,  and  has 
also  been  prominent  in  politics.   He  was  tirst 


a  Democrat,  but  of  late  years  has  been  a 
Green  backer.  He  edited  for  several  years 
the  Greene  County  Gazette,  a  Greenback 
paper  not  now  pulilished.  In  1882  he  was 
the  Greenback  candidate  for  Attorney-Gen- 
eral of  the  State,  and  two  years  later  he  was 
the  fusion  candidate  for  circuit  judge  in  this 
disti-ict. 

I.  D.  Howard,  who  was  for  eight  years 
county  clerk,  was  admitted  to  the  bai-  during 
that  time  and  has  practiced  ctiutiniiously  since 
1869.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  bus  been  one 
of  the  leading  politicians  of  Greene  County. 
In  1874  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant 
Register  of  the  Laud  (Jffice  for  the  Del  Norte 
District,  comprising  the  southern  half  of 
Colorado;  but  tinding  that  desolate  region 
too  unpleasant  to  think  of  asking  his  family 
to  live  there,  he  resigned  in  a  few  weeks.  He 
has  been  mayor  of  Jetierson,  and  is  now  jus- 
tice of  the  peace. 

I.  J.  McDuFP'iE  came  here  about  187U,  and 
after  practicing  alone  for  a  time,  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  M.  E. 
Hall,  who  came  two  or  three  years  after  Mr. 
McDuthe.  Mr.  Hall  went  east,  to  Vei'mont, 
but  two  or  three  years  later  returned,  and  is 
now  a  resident  of  Jeti'erson,  though  not  prac- 
ticing. Mr.  McDntKe  practiced  two  years 
alone,  after  Mr.  Hall  went  East,  then  formed 
a  partnership  with  I.  D.  Howard,  which  was 
maintained  for  ten  years,  and  in  July,  1886, 
removed  to  Le  Mars,  Plymouth  County.  He 
was  a  Republican  until  1883.  since  when  he 
has  put  his  faith  in  Democracy.  In  1886  he 
was  defeated  for  county  attorney  in  Plymouth 
County. 

James  A.  Henderson  came  to  Jett'erson  in 
1873,  from  Mai'shalltown,  and  was  for  two 
years  in  partnership  with  I.  D.  Howard.  He 
was  then  alone  one  year,  after  which  he  re- 
moved to  Illinois,  where  he  died.  He  was  a 
brother   of  Judge  H.  C.   Henderson,    Hon. 


„»»«a_a_»_MajBaM«hi«i»-M_w-i»S«r«»«i»»i-w«»-MSiia»gTg«W«w«n«-ii 


494 


HISTORY    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Tlioiiias  J.  Henderson,  ox-Conjjrcssmaii  from 
the  Princeton  (Illinois)  district,  John  W. 
Henderson,  State  Senator  from  Cedar  Rapids 
and  president  of  tlie  Farmers'  Iiisui'ance  Com- 
pany, and  Daniel  W.  Henderson,  ex-county 
clerk  of  Greene  County — all  are  Eepublicans. 

L.  W.  Reynolds  was  here  for  three  years, 
and  is  now  practicing  at  Boone. 

Z.  A.  Church  has  been  a  resident  attoi'- 
ney  for  seven  years,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
1886  was  elected  county  attoi-ney  on  the  Re- 
publican ticket. 

W.  W.  Andrews  and  E.  E.  Clark  came 
liere  a  few  years  ago  and  formed  a  partner- 
ship. They  have  both  left,  the  former  for 
Dakota,  while  Clark  is  now  at  Crand  Junc- 
tion, this  county. 

Perky  D.  Rose  was  admitted  to  the  l)ar  in 
1882,  and  located  at  Scranton.  In  June,  1886, 
lie  removed  to  Jetterson  and  formed  a  part- 
nership with  I.  D.  Howard. 

At  (4rand  Jtinctioii,  Thomas  H.  Gi'ove,  of 
llagerstown,  Maryland,  located  in  1870.  He 
remained  nine  3'ears,  and  then  went  to  Colo- 
rado. L.  K.  Alder  was  at  this  jmint  from 
1881  to  1884,  and  did  well  here.  IK-  is  now 
in  Ainsworth,  Nebi'aska.  Messrs.  Clark  and 
Turner,  the  present  lawyers  of  the  place,  are 
comparatively  recent  arrivals. 

The  first  lawyer  at  Scrauton  was  William 
M.  Langley.  He  came  in  1873,  and  several 
years  later  removed  to  Nebraska.  Lucius 
Barnes  was  in  practice  here  two  years,  and 
died  in  1880.  Perry  D.  Rose  came  herefrom 
Jetterson  in  1883,  practiced  three  years,  and 
in  June,  1886,  returned  to  Jefferson,  where 
he  is  now  a  partner  of  I.  1).  Howard.  T.  B. 
Moore  located  at  Scranton  in  the  spring  of 
1886,  as  an  emigrant  from  Carroll,  and  now 
has  the  field  to  himself. 

THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION. 

The  pioneer  physician  of  Greene  County 
was  Dr.  James  Miller,  who  lived  north  of  the 


present  site  of  Scranton,  and  practiced  over 
a  wide  extent  of  country  for  many  years. 

The  first  physician  of  Jetterson  was  a  Dr. 
Lewis.  He  lived  but  a  short  time,  and  was 
the  first  death  at  Jetterson.  W.  S.  Mcliride, 
who  came  from  Indiana,  located  at  the  county 
seat,  just  established,  in  1855.  Early  in  the 
war  he  opened  a  drug  sture,  which  he  con- 
ducted ill  Connection  with  the  practice  of 
medicine  until  1870,  when  he  removed  to 
Marshalltown.  He  is  still  conducting  a  drug 
store,  and  is  well  ott'.  He  is  spoken  of  as  a 
good  physician. 

G.  II.  Grimmell  came  in  1865,  and  has 
been  continuously  in  practice  since. 

D.  J.  liowiiAN,  an  eclectic,  has  been  in 
practice  most  ot  tlie  time  for  sixteen  years, 
and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  county 
coroner. 

W.  S.  ScHERMEKHoRN,  in  partnership  with 
Messrs.  Loomis  and  King,  purchased  Mc- 
Bride's  drug  store  on  the  removal  of  the  lat- 
ter to  Marshalltown,  and  Scherinerhorn  has 
been  in  practice  since. 

C.  J.  Cowan  came  from  Goshen,  Indiana, 
to  Jetterson  in  1867,  and  after  three  years 
returned  to  his  former  location. 

C.  J.  AVvNKuoi'  was  here  about  two  years, 
and  is  now  in  mercantile  business  in  Kansas. 

Charles  Enfield  has  now  been  in  practice 
about  fifteen  years. 

Ira  H.  Fry,  a  hoinceopathist,  located  here 
in  1879,  and  in  1884  moved  to  Clarinda, 
Page  County. 

De.  Ceato  came  in  1880  from  Ki])pey,  and 
after  two  or  three  years  at  Jetterson  removed 
to  Lohrville,  north  of  this  county. 

F.  D.  Cass  came  here  from  Illinois  in 
1882,  and  one  year  later  located  at  (!hurdan, 
this  county,  where  he  has  a  drug  store. 

II.  AV^.  Dickinson,  a  homteopathist,  located 
here  in  1884,  and  is  now  in  practice. 

The  first  physician  at  Grand  Junction  was 


PROFESSIONAL— THE    MEDWAL    PROFESSION. 


4»S 


O.  W.  Lowry,  who  is  still  in  practice.  Drs. 
Kirby  and  Scarborough  are  also  in  practice 
there.  Dr.  Park  has  been  an  etuinont  jirac- 
titioner,  but  has  never  entered  upon  general 
practice  in  Grand  Junction. 

Dr.  James  Pressnell  located  at  Scrantou  in 
1868,  and  died  in  1883.     Dr.  R.  Olive  has 


been  in  practice  for  twenty  years,  and  has 
kept  a  drug  store  since  1872.  Dr.  W.  C. 
Davis  was  here  two  years,  and  went  to  Geor- 
gia. Dr.  B.  11.  Hoover  was  here  two  years, 
and  in  1881  went  to  Audulion  County.  Dr. 
E.  A,.  Gleason  was  here  a  year  and  a  half, 
and  in  1885  went  West. 


j^^^^ 


496 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


i   MISCELLANEOUS.   | 


5^^*^^ ,._.  /^rJjJjJr^rL-^-^'^'^-'-'-'-'^'^^^^^^^^-^^^^'-'^^-^'^^ 


'%' 


EDUCATIONAL. 


'HERE  is  no  subject 
ctiiiiiected  with  our 
progress  and  civiliza- 
t  ion  i  n  w  h  i  c  h  o  u  r 
people  have  taken  a 
deeper  interest  than 
in  that  of  education, 
our  public  schools, 
wliicli  constitute  the  basis  of 
our  progress  and  intelligence, 
have  especially  engaged  the 
attention  of  our  most  enter- 
prising citizens  and  legislators, 
'yk^  they  have  also  liberally  en- 
couraged the  higher  institu- 
'^  tions  of  learning,  as  is  shown 
by  our  numerous  seminaries,  colleges  and 
universities.  Iowa  has  education  for  her 
corner-stone,  upon  which  she  has  reared  an 
enduring  superstructure.  Education  is  the 
secret  of  the  great  prosperity  of  our  State 
and  the  safeguard  of  our  institutions.  There 
is  no  e.xcuse  whatever  for  a  person  being  un- 
educated in  Iowa,  for  her  counties  are  dotted 


over  with  numerous  and  excellent  school- 
houses,  while  the  scliool  buildings  in  the 
cities  are  models  of  elegance  and  convenience, 
and  these  public  schools  are  free  to  all,  rich 
and  poor,  irrespective  of  race,  color  or  re- 
ligion. There  has  been  manifested  a  constant 
and  very  general  determination  to  bring  the 
schools  of  the  State  to  the  highest  degree  of 
excellence,  consonant  with  sound  policy  and 
the  development  of  its  material  resoTirces. 

The  tindiuffs  of  the  last  census  in  educa- 
tional  matters,  although  hardly  a  revolution 
to  our  people,  are  yet  not  a  little  gratifying, 
as  they  enable  the  people  elsewhere  to  realize 
something  of  the  work  being  done  in  Iowa 
in  educational  matters.  In  respect  to  the 
number  of  school-houses  Iowa  is  seen  to  be 
fifth,  Xew  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and 
Illinois  oidy  having  more.  The  same  States 
have  eacli  more  teachers  than  Iowa.  Six 
States  only  surpass  Iowa  in  respect  of  sit- 
tings in  schools,  of  value  of  school  property, 
of  outlay  for  school  purposes,  and  of  number 
of  pupils  attending  school.    In  respect  of  the 


i»M«B«a», 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


497 


I 


If 


I 


extent  of  illiteracy,  no  less  than  twenty-five 
States  have  more  persons  over  ten  years  of 
age  unable  to  read  and  write. 

The  first  schools  taught  in  Greene  County 
were  private  or  subscription  schools.  Their 
accommodations,  as  may  be  readily  supposed, 
w-ere  not  good.  Sometimes  they  were  taught 
in  small  log  houses  erected  for  the  purpose. 
Stoves  and  such  heating  apparatus  as  are  in 
use  now  were  unknown.  A  inud  and  stick 
chimney  in  one  end  of  the  building,  with 
earthen  hearth,  with  fire-place  wide  enough 
and  deep  enough  to  take  in  a  four-foot  back- 
log, and  smaller  wood  to  match,  served  for 
warming  purposes  in  winter  and  a  kind  of 
conservatory  in  summer.  For  windows,  part 
of  a  Idg  was  cut  out  in  either  side,  and 
maybe  a  few  panes  of  8  x  10  glass  set  in; 
or,  just  as  likely  as  not,  the  aperture  would 
be  covered  over  with  greased  paper.  Writ- 
ing lienches  were  made  of  wide  planks,  or, 
maybe,  puncheons  resting  on  pins  or  arms 
driven  into  two-inch  auger  holes  bored  into 
the  logs  beneath  the  windows.  Seats  were 
made  out  of  thick  planks  or  puncheons; 
flooring  was  made  of  the  same  kind  of  stuff. 
Everything  was  rude  and  plain,  but  many  of 
America's  greatest  men  have  gone  out  from 
just  such  school-houses  to  grapple  with  the 
world  and  make  a  name  for  themselves,  and 
names  that  came  to  be  an  honor  to  their 
country.  In  other  cases  private  rooms  and 
parts  of  private  houses  were  utilized  as 
school-houses,  but  the  furniture  was  just  as 
plain. 

But  all  these  things  are  changed  now.  A 
log  school-house  in  Iowa  is  a  rarity.  Their 
places  are  filled  with  handsome  frame  or 
brick  structures.  The  rude  furnitui'e  has 
also  given  way,  and  the  old  school-books, 
the  "  Popular  Reader,"  the  "  English  Read- 
er '"  (the  finest  literary  compilation  ever 
known    in   American    schools),    and  "  Web- 


ster'.s  Elementary  Spelling  Book,"  are  super- 
ceded by  others  of  greater  pretensions. 
The  old  spelling  classes  ami  spelling  matches 
have  followed  the  old  school-houses  until 
they  are  remembered  only  in  name.  The 
school-houses  and  their  furnishings  are  in 
full  keeping  with  the  spii'it  of  the  law  that 
provides  for  their  maintenance  and  support. 
The  teachers  rank  high  among  the  other 
thousands  of  teachers  in  the  State;  and  the 
several  county  superintendents,  since  the 
office  of  superintendent  was  made  a  part  of 
the  school  system,  have  been  chosen  with  es- 
pecial reference  to  their  fitness  for  their 
position. 

It  is  impossil)le  to  find  any  reports  of 
educational  matters  in  this  county  prior  to 
1858,  when  the  Seventh  General  Assembly 
passed  "  An  act  for  the  public  instruction 
for  the  State  of  Iowa,"  and  organized  the 
present  school  system.  By  this  act,  which 
went  into  force  March  20,  1858,  each  civil 
township  was  made  a  school  district,  and 
the  numlier  of  districts  and  district  officers 
were  thus  greatly  reduced.  By  the  same  act 
the  office  of  county  superintendent  of  schools 
was  created,  and  appropriations  made  in  aid 
of  teachers'  institutes. 

From  that  time  to  this  the  record  has  been 
one  of  almost  continuous  iniprovement. 
The  present  condition  of  school  matters  is  best 
shown  by  the  following  statistics,  selected 
from  the  last  printed  report  of  the  State 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction: 

Number  of  district  townships,  14;  inde- 
pendent districts,  16;  sub-districts,  145;  un- 
graded schools,  141;  rooms  in  graded  schools, 
21;  average  duration,  in  months,  7.5;  male 
teachers  employed,  7H ;  average  monthly  com- 
pensation, $37.22;  female  teachers  employed, 
242;  average  monthly  compensation,  $29. 

The  number  of  males  in  the  county  between 
five  and  twenty-one  years  of  age  was  2,936; 


'!I«-i^..iit.»i»-»»>M^»sr»iiws™i.  ■■-■■■»"-■«"»'»  J»ii;g'»"^'|»»"«"«"-»-^^ 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


females,  2,886;  total  enrollment  in  public 
schools,  5,179;  average  attendance,  3,081; 
average  cost  of  tuition  per  month,  per  pupil, 
$2.10. 

Two  of  the  1B8  school-houses  in  the  county 
are  brick,  the  others  frame.  Their  total 
value  is  $92,870;  value  of  a])paratus,  $3,091; 
number  of  volumes  in  libraries,  882. 

During  the  year  there  was  paid  for  school- 
houses  and  sites,  $7,339.73;  on  bonds  and  in 
interest,  $2,143.35;  for  other  purposes,  from 
school-house  fund,  $4,089.42;  for  rent  and 
repair  of  school-houses,  $3,375.44;  for  fuel, 
$3,564.30;  for  secretaries  and  treasurers, 
$1,226.26;  for  records,  dictionaries  and  a])pa- 
ratus,  $439.26;  for  insurance  and  janitors, 
$1,023.50;  for  supplies,  broom,  chalk,  etc., 
$1,653.30;  for  other  purposes,  out  of  contin- 
gent fund,  $4,785.05 ;  for  teachers,  $40,360.93. 

A  normal  school,  or  institute,  is  held  every 
summer  during  the  long  vacation  at  Jeffer- 
son. Professional  conductors  are  employed 
for  these,  and  much  good  has  been  accom- 
plished by  the  better  training  of  teachers. 

The  permanent  school  fund  in  charge  of 
Greene  (bounty  amounts  now  to  $41,024.58|, 
all  of  which  is  loaned  to  farmers  at  8  per 
cent.  The  fund  has  suffered  no  losses  from 
bad  loans.  The  county  owns  now  but  eighty 
acres  of  land  (in  Willow  Township),  and  this 
will  soon  be  sold  and  proceeds  added  to  the 
permanent  school  fund. 

AGRICDLTUKAL. 

The  surface  of  Greene  County  is  gently 
undulating,  consisting  largely  of  prairie  in- 
terspersed with  groves,  and  with  belts  of 
timber  along  the  streams.  The  soil  is  a 
loose,  black  loam  of  great  fertility,  generally 
from  two  to  four  feet  in  depth,  lying  above  a 
yellow  clay.  The  northern  portion  is  higli 
and  rolling,  forming  a  broad  and  beautiful 
terrace,  from  which,  by  the   generally    level 


surface  common  to  prairies,  the  eye  can  range 
north  and  south  a  distance  each  way  from 
twenty  to  twenty-live  miles,  and  affording 
locations  where  beauty  of  landscape  and 
grandeur  of  scene  will  enrapt  the  artistic 
eye.  This  terrace  at  a  former  geological  age 
formed  an  ancient  sea-beach,  coinciding  with 
the  eskers  and  asers  of  Europe,  but  subse- 
(juently  was  overlaid  with  the  tluvio-marine 
deposit  now  constituting  the  black  prairie 
surface  soil  so  rich  in  fertility.  While  beyond 
the  Missoui'i  the  solid  rock  is  reached  at 
twelve  to  sixteen  feet,  here,  in  the  borings 
for  coal,  the  "  drift "  is  found  to  be  nearly 
eighty  feet  in  depth. 

The  agricultural  products  arc  numerous, 
comprising  all  cereals,  fruits  and  vegetables 
common  to  the  north  temperate  latitude. 
The  great  staples  are  corn,  wheat,  oats,  barley, 
fla.K  and  rye,  with  potatoes  and  the  other 
usual  vegetables  of  the  garden. 

The  fruits  do  well.  There  are  large  and 
productive  orchards  of  the  apple,  pear,  cherry 
and  plum.  Though  the  great  fertility  of  the 
prairie  soil  makes  it  unfavorable  for  those 
kind  of  trees  that  grow  very  rapidly,  their 
too  great  and  succulent  growth  making  them 
liable  to  winter-kill,  yet,  by  growing  those 
kinds  whose  growth,  though  slower,  is  ra]5id 
and  form  a  Urm  wood  called  from  this  feature 
"  iron  clads,"  farmers  are  able  to  have  large 
orchards  of  very  valuable  and  luscious  fruits. 
Of  small  fruits  the  strawberry,  gooseberry, 
blackberry,  rasjjberry,  grape,  etc.,  are  grown 
in  profusion. 

Cattle  are  grown  at  a  great  profit,  and  the 
industry  is  rapidly  attracting  more  attention. 
The  dairy  industry,  too,  has  during  the  last 
few  years  assumed  great  importance. 

The  following  are  the  most  important 
agricultural  statistics  given  in  the  State  cen- 
sus for  1885,  pertaining  to  Greene  County: 

Average  size  of  farm,  139  acres;  number 


gg«k:MfMi"'ia'gKi*'na''>m'Wiai»mtBB 


i=r~^^w^m-. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


499 


of  acres  of  improved  land,  189,214;  acres  in 
cultivation,  132,192;  acres  of  unimproved 
land,  109,757;  acres  in  pasUire,  38,514;  rods 
of  hedge  fence,  36,470;  rods  of  barbed  wire 
fence,  884,887;  rods  of  other  fence,  102,735; 
farms  managed  by  owner,  1,456;  hy  man- 
ager, 25;  by  tenant  for  money  rent,  147;  liy 
tenant  for  crop  rent,  331. 

Acres  of  Indian  corn,  88,945;  buslieis 
harvested,  8,145,497;  acres  of  wheat,  7,644; 
bushels  harvested,  112,821;  acres  of  oats, 
30,030;  bushels  harvested,  944,274;  tons  of 
straw,  16,582;  acres  of  rye,  1,796;  bushels 
harvested,  21,011;  tons  of  straw,  1,260; 
acres  of  barley,  200;  Inishels  har\'ested,  4,126; 
acres  of  l)uckwheat,  305;  bushels  harvested, 
2,926;  acres  of  broom  corn,  23;  tons 
of  product,  7;  acres  in  sorghum,  303;  gal- 
lons of  sorghum  syrup,  23,321;  acres  of  pota- 
toes, 1,170;  bushels  raised,  83,027;  acres  of 
onions,  7;  bushels  raised,  2,893;  bushels 
of  beets,  2,093;  bushels  of  turnips,  8,843; 
bushels  of  peas  and  I>eans,  1,497;  acres  of 
tobacco,  108;  pounds  of  product,  563. 

Acres  of  planted  timber,  996;  acres  in 
natural  timber,  9,075;  cords  of  wood  cut  in 
year,  3,284;  number  of  bearing  apple  trees, 
31,815;  bushels  of  fruit,  19,401;  bearing 
plum  trees,  2,082;  Ijushels  of  fruit,  776; 
bearing  cherry  trees,  3,128;  bushels  of  fruit, 
520;  other  trees  in  bearing,  790;  trees  not 
in  bearing,  63,245;  acres  in  vineyard,  60; 
pounds  of  grapes  gathered,  5,703;  vines  not 
in  vineyard,  15,820;  pounds  of  grapes,  50,- 
180;  stands  of  bees,  615;  pounds  of  honey, 
7,165. 

Acres  of  clover,  338;  tons  of  hay,  177; 
bushels  of  seed,  32;  acres  of  Hungarian 
seed,  42;  tons  of  hay,  98;  bushels  of  seed, 
14;  acres  of  millet,  2,051;  tons  of  hay,  3,143; 
bushels  of  seed,  41;  acres  of  timothy, 
14,268;  tons  of  hay,  11,061;  bushels  of 
seed,  3,070;    tons  of  hay  froni   wild  grass, 


53,173;  acres  of  flax,  t)59;  busliels  (;f  seed, 
4,193. 

Gallons  of  milk  sold  or  sent  to  factory, 
41,946;  gallons  of  cream  sold  or  sent  to  fac- 
tory, 134,328;  pounds  of  butter  made,  not 
at  factory,  538,433;  pounds  of  cheese  made, 
not  at  factory,  2,464. 

Thoroughbred  cattle,  168;  grades,  1,917; 
work  oxen,  2;  milch  cows,  10,870;  all  other 
cattle,  20,263;  cattle  slaughtered  or  sold  for 
slaughter,  4,355;  total  horses,  7,961;  sold 
for  export.  183;  mules  and  asses,  227;  sold 
for  export,  11;  Poland-C'hina  hogs,  16,940; 
Berkshires,  5,814;  Chester  Whites,  1,029; 
Duroc-Jerseys,  147;  Essexes,  53;  other  im- 
proved breeds,  1,079;  total  hogs,  49,406; 
slaughtered  or  sold  for  slaughter,  27,713; 
Merino  sheep,  121;  Gotswolds,  581;  Leices- 
ters,  36;  South-Downs,  111;  total,  2,286; 
slaughtered  or  sold  for  slaughter,  279;  num- 
ber of  fleeces,  2,141;  pounds  of  wool,  12,- 
026;  common  chickens,  105,395;  improved 
breeds,  10,291;  other  domestic  fowl,  17,750; 
dozens  of  eggs,  332,316. 

GREENE    COUNTY    AOEICULTUEAL  SOCIETY. 

The  Greene  County  Agricultural  Society 
was  organized  and  incorporated  in  1869. 
The  incorporation  began  May  22  of  that  year, 
and  is  to  continue  100  years.  It  is  a  stock 
company,  capitalized  at  $100,000,  though  of 
course  but  a  small  portion  of  this  was  ever 
paid  up — no  more,  in  fact,  than  necessary  to 
purchase  and  fit  up  grounds.  The  latter  in- 
clude forty  acres,  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
section  7,  township  83  north,  range  30  west, 
and  are  located  about  one  mile  northwest  of 
the  public  S(|uare  at  Jefferson.  Any  person 
owning  one  or  more  shares  is  a  member  of 
the  incorporation,  and  entitled  to  one  vote  for 
each  share. 

The  officers  of  the  association  include  six- 
teen directors,  elected  annually  on  the  first 


J — 


500 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Siiturday  in  January,  in  each  year,  and  a 
president,  vice-president,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer cliusen   i'ruMi  the  1i(iard  of  directors. 

Fairs  are  heki  every  year,  eitlier  in  Sep- 
tember or  October.  The  grounds  are  vahied 
at  .SB,^)!^.  and  have  on  tliein  very  good  build- 
ings and  an   excellent  halt'-inilc  track. 

The  directors  for  1870  were:  Jj.  V.  llobin- 
son  (president),  W.  8.  Mcltride  (secretary), 
J.  N.  Harrington  (assistant  secretary),  Albert 
Head  (treasurer),  Tlioinas  lioberts,  William 
Anderson,  J.  N.  Coulter,  G.  V.  Roberts,  Jo- 
seph Coombs,  Q.  ]>.  Kephart,  A.  C.  King,  A. 
King,  James  Harker,  Samuel  Khoads,  R.  E. 
Witt  and  Daniel  Vader.  The  fair  was  held 
in  (October  that  year. 

For  1871  the  principal  othcerswere:  Pres- 
ident, Alpheus  King;  Vice-President,  R.  E. 
Witt;  Treasurer,  Mahlon  Head;  Secretary, 
G.  B.  Dean.  The  fair  was  held  September 
26,  27  and  28,  and  the  total  receipts  were 
$728. 

Officers  for  1872:  President,  A.  King; 
Vice-President,  Dr.  G.  H.  Grimmell;  Treas- 
urer, Mahlon  Head;  Secretary,  G.  B.  Dean. 
The  fair  was  held  September  4,  5  and  6,  and 
the  total  receipts  were  $486.  A  "  horse  fair 
and  stock  sale "  was  held  on  the  grounds 
June  20  and  21,  under  control  of  the  officers 
of  the  society. 

Officers  for  1873:  President,  A.  King; 
Vice-President,  (t.  H.  Grimmell;  Treasurer, 
Mahlon  Head;  Secretary,  G.  B.  Dean.  The 
fair  was  held  Octobei'  2,  3  and  4,  and  the  to- 
tal receipts  were  $475.  The  premiums 
awarded  amounted  to  $545. 

Officers  for  1874:  President,  A.  King; 
Vice-President,  R.  E.  Witt;  Treasurer,  Mah- 
lon Head;  Secretary,  (;.  B.  I)ean;  Marshal, 
M.  E.  Manpiis.  The  fair  was  held  Septem- 
ber 30  and  October  1  and  2;  the  total  re- 
ceipts were  $524,  and  the  premiums  awarded, 
$448. 


Officers  for  1875:  President,  Albert  Head; 
Vice-President,  Richard  H  Witt;  Treasurer, 
Mahlon  Head;  Secretary,  G.  B.  Dean;  Mar- 
shal, Miles  E.  Marijuis;  Assistant  Marshal. 
John  H.  Dawson.  The  fair  was  held  October 
18,  14,  15  and  16;  receipts  were  $432.98; 
cash  premiums,  $265.10. 

Officers  for  1876:  President,  Richai-d  E. 
Witt;  Vice-President,  Alpheus  King;  Sec- 
retary, (t.  B.  Dean;  Treasurer,  Afahlon  Head; 
Marshal,  M.  E.  Marcjuis;  Assistant  Marshal, 
John  H.  Dawson.  The  fair  was  held  Octo- 
ber 12,  13  and  14.  Receipts,  $489.05;  j)re- 
miums  awarded,  $355.15. 

Officers  for  1877:  President,  Richard  E. 
AV^itt;  Vice-President,  Alpheus  King;  Secre- 
tary, G.  B.  Dean;  Treasnrer,  Malilon  Head; 
Marshal,  J.  II.  Dawson;  Assistant  Marshal, 
M.  E.  Marquis.  The  fair  was  held  Septem- 
ber 13,  14  and  15.  Receipts,  $390.70;  pre- 
miums, $326. 

Officers  for  1878:  President,  John  Gray; 
Vice-Pi'esident,  G.  A.  Cady;  Secretary,  Al- 
pheus King;  Treasurer,  G.  B.  Dean;  Mar- 
shal, Harvey  Partridge.  The  receipts  of  the 
fair  were  $448.25.  The  premiums  were 
scaled  50  per  cent. 

Officers  for  1879:  President,  Richard  E. 
Witt;  Vice-President,  G.  A.  Cady;  Secre- 
tary, A.  King;  Treasurer,  (t.  B.  Dean;  Mar- 
shal, Harvey  Partridge.  The  receipts  of  the 
fair  were  $718.50;  premiums  awarded, 
$407.50. 

Officers  for  1880:  President,  A.  Head; 
Vice-President,  G.  A.  Cady;  Secretary,  Al- 
pheus King;  Treasurer,  G.  B.  Dean;  Mar- 
shal, Harvey  Partridge.  The  fair  was  held 
Septemljer  15,  16  and  17,  and  was  favored 
with  a  large  attendance.  The  premiums 
amounted  to  $338.25,  and  the  receipts  to 
594.77.  The  premiums  and  all  other  obliga- 
tions were  paid  in  full. 

Officers  for  1881:  Same  as  previous  year. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


The  fair  was  held  September  14,  15  ;iiid  16, 
and  was  financially  nnfortniiate. 

Officers  for  1882:  President,  G.  H.  Grim- 
mell;  Vice-President,  O.  W.  Park;  Secre- 
tary, G.  B.  Dean;  Treasnrer,  John  Gray, 
Marshal,  William  Wilson.  The  fair  was  held 
August  29,  30  and  31. 

Officers  for  1883:  President,  G.  H.  Grim- 
mell;  Vice-President,  William  Wilson; 
Treasnrer,  John  (iray;  Secretary,  G.  B. 
Dean;  Marshal,  Samuel  Beard.  The  fair 
was  held  September  20,  21  and  22. 

Officers  for  1884:  l^resident,  J.  II.  (4riui- 
mell;  Vice-President,  William  Wilson;  Sec- 
retary, Samuel  Jay;  Treasurer,  John  Gray; 
Marshal,  Samuel  Beard. 

Officers  for  1885:  President,  G.  11.  Grim- 
inell;  Vice-President,  William  Wilson;  Sec- 
retary, J.  M.  Rlioads;  Treasurer,  A.  M.  Head. 

Officers  for  188(3:  President,  G.  II.  Grim- 
mell;  Vice-President,  Samuel  Jay ;  Secretary, 
A.  M.  Head;  Treasurer,  Z.  A.  Church.  The 
fair  was  held  September  17,  18  and  19. 

The  society  receives  annually  $200  from 
the  State.  This  amount  is  of  great  assistance 
in  making  the  fairs  tiiuuicially  successful. 

KAILROADS. 

The  Cedar  Rapids  cfc  Missouri  Rirer 
Railroad  Company,  organized  to  build  a 
railroad  across  the  State  of  Iowa,  laid  its 
track  as  far  as  Boone  in  the  autumn  of  1868, 
and  the  next  season  the  line  was  completed 
to  the  Missouri  Iliver.  Jefferson  and  vicin- 
ity contributed  several  thousand  dollars,  and 
eighty  acres  of  land,  to  secure  railroad  con- 
nection with  the  rest  of  the  world.  John  I. 
Blair,  of  JS'ew  Jersey,  was  the  president  of 
the  company.  The  whole  line,  354  miles  in 
length,  was  leased  as  soon  as  completed  to 
the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railroad  Com- 
pany, for  ninety-nine  years,  at  a  certain  per 
cent,  of  the  earnino-s. 


The  road  has  24.52  miles  in  Greene  Coun- 
ty, assessed  at  $10,000  per  mile,  or  s247,- 
551.05.  The  townships  crossed,  and  the 
mileage  in  each,  are:  Junction,  5.93;  Grant, 
3.49;  Jefferson,  2.62;  Jackson,  6.29;  Scran- 
ton,  5.39;  Kendrick,  .80.  The  stations  are 
Grand  Junction,  Jefferson  and  Scranton. 
The  first  is  seven  miles  east  of  Jefferso)i,  and 
the  last  is  eight  miles  west.  Jefferson  is  369 
miles  from  Chicago,  231  miles  from  Clinton, 
150  miles  from  Cedar  Ilapids,  98  miles  from 
Missouri  Valley,  and  119  miles  from  Council 
Bluffs. 

The  Keokuk,  Des  Moines  tjb  Fort  Dodge 
Railroad  was  built  in  1869  as  far  north  as 
Fort  Dodge,  and  received  no  tax  or  bonus  in 
this  county.  That  portion  of  the  road  below 
Des  Moines  was  afterward  sold  to  the  Rock 
Island  Company,  and  the  remainder  became 
the  Des  Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  Railroad. 
This  has  since  been  extended  north  to  the 
Minnesota  State  line.  The  townships  crossed 
in  this  county,  and  mileage  in  each,  are: 
Washington,  6.646;  Junction,  9.740;  Paton, 
6.608;  total,  22.99  miles,  assessed  at  $4,000 
per  mile,  or  $91,960.  The  stations  are  Ilip- 
pey.  Grand  Junction,  Dana  and  Paton. 

Tlie  Des  Moines  dc  Northwestern  Railroad 
was  Iniilt  in  1880,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad  (Com- 
pany, which  has  since  operated  it.  It  is  a 
narrow-gauge  road,  and  extends  from  Des 
Moines  to  Fonda,  114.9  miles.  In  aid  of 
this  road  Jefferson  Township  voted  a  5  per 
cent,  tax.  Grant  2  jier  cent.,  Franklin  5 
per  cent,  and  Hardin  5  per  cent.  The 
total  mileage  in  this  county  is  27.6,  assessed 
at  $1,200  per  mile,  or  $33,120.  The  town- 
ships crossed,  and  mileage  in  each,  are: 
Franklin,  6.1;  Grant,  4.3;  Jefferson,  2.7; 
Hardin,  1.2;  Bristol,  7;  Highland,  6.3.  The 
sfoitions  are  Cooper,  Jefferson  and  Cluir- 
dan. 


502 


niSrORT    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


The  total  railroad  mileage  in  the  county  is 
75.11;  assessment,  $372,511.05. 

PUBLIC  BUILDIN(iS. 

Tiie  first  court-house  was  used  until  1870, 
when  the  present  building  was  erected.  It 
is  a  two-story  l>rick,  and  cost  .'iN37,OO0,  and 
is  a  very  ci'editalile  court-liouse — one  of  the 
best  in  Nortliwestei'n  Iowa.  Aljove  are  the 
court  room  and  the  offices  of  the  county 
superintendent  and  surveyor  and  below  the 
offices  of  the  clerk,  sherifl',  auditor,  treasurer 
and  recorder. 

Tlie  "  calaboose  "  now  used  by  the  town  of 
Jeli'erson,  in  the  western  part  of  town,  is  the 
first  county  jail.  This  wooden  structure, 
which  much  resembles  a  freight-car  in  ap- 
pearance, and  a  bridge  across  the  Coon  liiver, 
are  all  that  the  county  received  twenty-five 
years  ago  from  the  American  Emigrant  Com- 
pany in  excliange  for  all  its  thousands  of 
acres  of  "  swamp  "  land,  large  areas  of  which 


never  was  swamp,  but  the  most  fertile  prai- 
rie. The  present  jail,  built  of  Ijrick,  and 
containing  cells  of  iron,  was  built  in  1878. 
The  contract  was  let  to  C.  L.  Wood  &  Co., 
for  $3,600.  The  jail  is  two  blocks  south  of 
the  public  square. 

The  covmty  infirmary  is  on  the  poor-farm, 
which  comprises  240  acres — the  southeast 
f[uarter  of  section  21,  and  the  nortii  half  of 
the  northeast  quarter  of  section  28,  Bristol 
Township.  The  infirmary  and  farm  are  under 
charge  of  John  M.  Forl)es,  and  the  usual 
number  of  inmates  is  not  far  from  twenty. 

.  STATISTICS  OF  1'01'ULATION. 

The  population  of  Greene  Count}'  was 
1,089  in  1856,  1,421  in  1859,  1,874  in  1860, 
1,416  in  1863,  2,036  in  1865,  2,353  in  1867, 
3,494  in  1869,  4,627  in  1870,  5,755  in  1873, 
7,037  in  1875,  12,727  in  1880,  15,923  in 
1885. 


JEFFERSON. 


503 


»W;^«iSKiWi#«tt'KSi»iti««KiSfflSSjH' 


KP'EKSON,  tlio  crninty  seat 
of  (Ti'eeiie  Cdunty,  is  beau- 
tifully located  on  high  table 
land,  between  the  North 
Raccoon  River  and  Ilanliii 
reek,  being  alxmt  half  a 
lile  east  of  the  former  and 
\'(>  miles  west  of  the  latter, 
and  near  the  geotrraphieal 
center  of  tlie  county.  The 
town  site  has  an  elevation  of 
ime  seventy-five  feet  above 
le  level  of  the  river.  It  was 
laid  out  in  1854,  at  a  time 
when  the  tinancial  condition  of  the  county 
was  such  that  it  was  necessary  to  effect  a  loan 
of  $200  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  the 
site.  That  amount  was  borrowed  of  Hoyt 
Sherman,  of  Des  Moines.  At  the  first  sale 
of  lots  those  around  the  sijuare  brought  from 
$10  up,  while  those  not  so  advantageously' 
located  were  sold  at  from  $3  to  $5  a  lot.  The 
lai'gest  amount,  $60,  was  paid  for  the  lot  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  square,  just  east 
of  the  Head  House.  It  is  said  that,  after 
the  survey  of   the    lots,   Judge  Phillips  and 


B.  F.  llobinson  wrestled  to  see  who  shoidd 
have  the  first  choice,  and  that  riiillips  threw 
Roliinson,  and  had  tiie  honor  of  ]:)nrehasing 
the  first  lot  in  Jefferson.  The  first  buildinu- 
erected  on  the  town  plat  was  a  hewed  log 
house,  built  by  (ieoi'ge  S.  AV^alton  in  the 
autumn  of  1854,  for  a  dwelling.  Tiie  follow- 
ing year  he  put  in  a  small  stock  of  mer- 
chandise. Tiic  bnildine  is  still  standino-  near 
the  Head   House,  where  it  was  first  erected. 

The  town  was  named  in  honor  of  Thomas 
Jefferson,  by  the  commissioners  who  selected 
the  site;  but  in  conse(juence  of  there  being 
an  old  town  of  that  name  in  UubiKjuc 
County,  the  Postotfice  Department  refused  to 
grant  another  office  of  the  same  name  in 
the  State,  and  suggested  that  the  name  be 
changed.  Captain  Rippey  then  gave  it  the 
name  f)f  New  Jefferson,  and  the  Department 
granted  a  postottice  under  that  name.  The 
prefix  "New"  has  since  been  dropped,  and  it 
is  now  known  as  Jefferson,  as  was  at  lii-st  in- 
tended. 

The  first  house  within  the  present  incor- 
poration was  not  that  of  Walton,  but  "was 
built   bv  B.  F.  Robinsoii  in  1854.     It  was 


504 


BlSTOBT    OF    ORRENE    COUNTY. 


[\ 


outside  the  original  town  plat,  but  still  de- 
serves a  place  in  the  early  history  of  Jeffer- 
son. Mr.  liohinson,  who  is  yet  living  at 
Jefferson,  sold  goods  there  tlie  following  year. 
In  the  sununer  of  1855  Kobert  M.  Uippey 
built  the  second  house  on  the  town  site.  It 
was  used  as  a  residence  and  office,  and  was 
the  lirst  frame  structure  in  Jefferson.  The 
third  house  was  erected  by  Dr.  Lewis,  who 
was  the  Urst  })liysician  of  the  place.  lie  died 
the  following  winter,  and  this  was  the  first 
death  in  Jefferson.  The  first  birth  was  in 
the  family  of  Columbus  Peek,  who  soon  after 
moved  away,  and  the  second  was  Charles 
Culley,  the  same  winter. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  a  saw-mill  was  built 
by  Rippey,  McBride  &  Culley,  and  this  was 
of  material  assistance  to  those  desirous  of 
building.  Among  those  who  put  up  houses 
in  iSSn  were  Dr.  William  S.  McEride,  James 
Orange,  Sam.  Cowan,  and  one  Rivers.  The 
first  court-house  was  also  built  this  year,  and 
was  the  first  building  fronting  on  the  S(juare. 
All  the  other  buildings  were  southeast  of  the 
square.  Soon  after  the  first  settlement  of  the 
county  the  major  portion  of  the  land  was 
acquired  by  speculators,  and  this  fact  retarded 
the  fui'ther  settlement  of  the  county,  and  also 
the  growth  of  Jefierson.  PVom  1862  to  1865 
not  one  building  was  put  up.  The  popula- 
tion at  tins  time  was  about  200.  The  first 
mail  route  through  this  I'egion  was  estab- 
lished in  1857,  from  Adel  to  New  Jefierson, 
once  a  week. 

After  the  war,  when  nearly  a  million 
Northern  soldiers  were  returned  to  civil  life, 
there  began  a  steady  immigration  of  home- 
seekers.  In  1866  the  Cedar  Rapids  &  Mis- 
souri River  Railroad  (now  Northwestern), 
which  had  been  surveyed  as  early  as  1856  by 
the  Chicago,  Iowa  A:  Nebraska  Railroad  Com- 
pan5',  was  built  through  the  county,  and  this 
gave  Jefierson  a   substantial   start.      During 


the  ne.xt  four  years  the  growth  of  the  place 
was  rapid,  and  the  census  of  1870  showed 
Jeft'erson  to  have  779  inhabitants.  By  this 
time  store  buildings  sought  the  hitherto 
neglected  sfpiare.  In  1865  the  only  build- 
ings on  the  square  were  the  court-house  and 
().  J.  White's  shoe  shop. 

From  this  time  Jefferson  carried  the  air  of 
a  respectable  and  prosperous  county  seat. 
Tiie  population  increased  by  1878  to  906; 
by  1875  to  895;  by  1880  to  1,444,  and  by 
1885  to  1,730.  The  Wabash  Railroad  arrived 
liere  in  1880,  and  gave  tlie  town  a  north  and 
south  railroad. 

The  original  town  ])lat  of  Jeft'erson  in- 
cluded eighty  acres,  but  there  have  l)een 
added  since  Manning's,  Blair's,  Callagher's 
(two),  J.  F.  Head's  and  Albert  Head's  addi- 
tions, so  that  the  area  subdivided  into  lots  is 
now  nearly  three  times  what  it  was  thirty 
years  ago.  The  incorporation  of  Jefierson  is 
a  square  two  and  one-half  miles  on  a  side,  or 
si.K  and  one-fourth  square  miles,  in  the  north- 
western part  of  township  83  north,  range  30 
west.  The  east  and  west  streets  of  Jefferson 
are:  Fair,  Stanford,  Central,  Head,  Liiu-oln, 
Perry,  Wall,  Adams,  Clark,  Reed,  Adams 
(two  streets  by  this  name),  Washington,  State, 
Main,  Harrison,  Moni-oe,  Madison  and  South. 
The  north  and  south  streets  are:  Willow, 
Pinet,  Maple,  Oak,  Elm,  Vine,  Cherry,  Chest- 
nut, Locust,  Olive,  Pine  and  Mulberry. 

The  square  is  Ijounded  on  the  north  l)y 
State  street,  on  the  east  by  Chestnut,  on  the 
south   bj'  Main,  and   on    the  west  liy  Cherry. 

INCORPORATION. 

Jeft'erson  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in 
January,  1872,  the  first  meeting  of  the 
council  liaving  been  held  on  the  29th  of  tiiat 
month.  Mahlon  Head  was  mayor,  and  the 
council  was  composed  of  William  P.  Hender- 
son, George  McCulley.  James  Stanford   and 


i — 


■ireriS»»w-M»iB»».w,M»M,Bi.^M_a«ni»». 


■'"■i"l»i"''™"'M»1»M»M« 


11^ 


'I: 


JSFPiiHSON. 


rm 


McCuUey  and  G.  B.  Dean;  Assessor,  (reorge 
G.Lawrence;  Marshal,  F.  N.  Cooper;  Treas- 
urer, I.  F.  Anderson;  Street  Commissioner, 
Wrififlit  Gray. 

1873. — Mayor,  S.  S.  Wilkinson;  Recorder, 
J.  M.  Rhoads;  Ti-nstees,  (Teorge  G.  Eagleson, 
John  M.  Culle}',  John  Inbody,  James  L. 
Ferry  and  Abijah  Anderson;  Assessor,  I.  L. 
Hammer;  Treasnrer,  George  G.  Lawrence; 
Street  Commissioner,  Wright  Gra}-;  Marshal, 

A.  Child. 

1874. — Mayor,  O.  W.  Negns;  Recorder, 
J.   L.   Ferry;  Trustees,  J.   F.  Anderson,  W. 

B.  Mayes,  E.  M.  Troxell,  D.  JMorthway  and 
W.  A.  Holtsclaw;  Assessor,  T.  B.  Reece; 
Street  Commissioner,  T.  L.  Chambers;  Treas- 
urer, George  G.  Lawrence;  Marshal,  John 
Inbody. 

1875.— Mayor,  W.  D.  Chandler;  Recorder, 
James  L.  Perry;  Trustees,  John  D.  Hall, 
George  G.  Lawrence,  G.  S.  Toliver,  David 
Milligan  and  John  A.  Hassett;  Assessor, 
B.  F.  Robinson;  Treasurer,  George  G.  Law- 
I'ence;  Street  Commissioner,  John  McNeil; 
Marshal,  Lewis  Ehrhardt. 

1876.— Mayor,  W.  D.  Chandler;  Recorder, 
James  L.  Perry;  Trustees,  G.  S.  Toliver, 
Andrew  Watts,  L.  B.  Remick,  David  Milli- 
gan and  D.  B.  McCulley;  Assessor,  J.  Dick; 
Treasurer,  A.  Watts;  Marshal,  Clinton  De 
Witt;   Street  Commissioner,  John  McNeil. 

1877. — Mayor,    Albert     Head;    Recorder, 


H.  B.  Wynkoop.  JL  C.  Rippey  was  chosen  |  James  L.  Perry;  Trustees,  L.  B.  Remick,  D. 
recorder,  the  recorder-elect  having  failed  tu  Milligan,  D.  B.  McCulley,  Samuel  Jay  and 
quality;  Samuel  Beard  was  chosen  marshal,  W.  I).  Chandler;  Assessor,  G.  B.  Dean; 
D.  Northway,  treasurer,  and  Wright  Gray,  Street  Commissioner,('linton  De  Witt;  Treas- 
street  commissioner.  These  officers  held  only  I  urer,  A.  Watts;  Attorney,  James  A.  Hender- 
till  the  regular  election  in   March   following.  |  son. 

The  otlicers  chosen  for  that  and  subsequent  '  1878. — Mayor,  M.  !J.  McDufiie;  Recorder, 
years  have  been:  i  C.    H.    Crawford;  Trustees,  D.    M.   Bossart, 

1872. — Mayor,  Mahlon  Head;  Recorder,  i  John  Skirving,  J.  M.  Rhoads,  John  Libody 
H.  C.  Rippey;  Trustees,  William  P.  Hender-  and  W.  D.  Chandler;  Assessor,  E.  L.  Shir- 
son,  James  Stanford,  H.  B.  Wynkoop,  George     clitf;  Treasui'er,  Geoi-ge  G.  Lawrence;  Street 

Commissioner,  A.  King;  Marshal,  A.  Lindell. 
1879.— Mayor,  M.  B.  McDuffie;  Recorder, 
William  S.  Livingston;  Trustees,  S.  H. 
Mathews,  James  L.  Perry,  Ed.  M.  Troxell, 
J.  F.  Anderson,  Henry  Fluke  and  B.  F.  Rob- 
inson; Assessor,  J.  W.  Fitz;  Treasurer, 
George  G.  Lawrence;   Street  Commissioner, 

A.  King;   Marslial,  S.  B.  Coopei'. 
1880.— Mayor,   J.    H.  Gallaher;  Trustees, 

M.  B.  McDuthe,  Charles  Botink,  Henry 
Fluke,  E.  M.  Troxell,  J.  A.  Hassett  and  E. 
L.  Sliirclitl';  Recorder,  C.  H.  Ci-awford;  As- 
sessor, George  G.  Lawrence;  Treasurer. 
George   G.   Lawrence;   Marshal,  A.   Lindell. 

1881. — Mayor,  J.  M.  Rhoads;  Recorder, 
C.  H.  Crawford;  Trustees,  H.  B.  Wynkoop, 
E.  M.  Troxell,  J.  A.  Hassett,  E.  L.  Shircliff, 
Charles  B(jiink  and  M.  B.  McDuffie;  Assess- 
or, Samuel  Beard;  Treasurer,  George  G. 
Lawrence;  Street  Commissioner,  A.  King; 
Marshal,  Samuel  W^ise. 

1882. — Mayor,  J.  M.  Rhoads;    Recorder, 

C.  H.    Crawford;  Trustees,   A.   S.  Gilliland, 

D.  M.  Bossert,  A.  Moorhouse,  H.  B.  Wyn- 
koop, E.  M.  Troxell  and  M.  B.  McDutKe; 
Assessor,  John  Dick;  Treasurer,  George  G. 
Lawrence;  Street  Commissioner  and  Mar- 
shal, Samuel  Wise. 

1883.— Mayor,  1.  D.  Howard;  Bec.rdor, 
O.  R.  Gray;  Trustees,  M.  B.  McDuffie,  A. 
Moorhouse,  D.  M.  Bossert,  E.  M.  Troxell,  H. 

B.  Wynkoop   and   A.  S.  Gilliland;   Assessor, 


50G 


BTSTORY    OP    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Samuel  Beard;  Treasurer,  George  G.  Law- 
rence; Street  Coinmissioner  and  Marshal, 
Samuel  Wise. 

1884. — Mayor,  Z.  A.  Church;  Uecorder, 
W.  E.  Whitney;  Trustees,  J.  W.  Fitz,  H.  B. 
Wynkoop,  A.  S.  Gilliland,  A.  Moorhouse,  D. 
M.  Bossert  and  E.  M.Truxell;  Asessor,  Sam- 
uel Beard;  Street  Commissioner  and  Mar- 
siial,  Samuel  Wise;  Treasurer,  George  G. 
Lawrence. 

1885. — Mayor,  Mahlon  Head;  Uecorder, 
E.  C.  Freeman;  Trustees,  P.  M.  Vest,  F.  L. 
AVitt,  J.  W.  Fitz,  IL  B.  Wynkoop,  A.  Moor- 
house and  M.  B.  McDuffie;  Treasurer,  George 
G.  Lawrence;  Street  Commissioner  and  Mar- 
shal, Abijah  Anderson. 

1886. — Mayor,  John  McCarthy;  Uecorder, 
E.  C.  Freeman;  Trustees,  J.  H.  Gallaher,  J. 
M.  Rhoads,  J.  W.  Fitz,  P.  M.  Vest,  F.  L. 
Witt  and  II.  B.  Wynkoop;  Assessor,  Samuel 
Beard;  Treasurer,  (ieorge  G.  Lawrence; 
Street  Coinmissioner  and  Marshal,  Samuel 
Wise. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 

In  November,  1SS(3,  the  business  firms  of 
Jefferson  were  as  follows: 

J.  L.  Adams,  creamery;  Barrett  A:  Tew, 
painters;  Charles  Blake,  restaurant  and  com- 
mercial house;  George  Blakney,  saloon; 
Charles  Bofink,  hardware;  U.  M.  Bossert, 
postoffice;  A.  i).  linllock,  general  merciian- 
dise;  John  Byerley,  tailor;  E.  II.  Carter,  dry 
goods  and  groceries;  City  Bank;  Ciuirch 
&  Ellis,  groceries;  Ciilley  Brothers,  restaur- 
ant; C.  E.  Dean,  Head  House;  J.  Will  Dick, 
clotiiing;  O.  J>.  Dick,  books  and  news;  C. 
M.  Dodge,  second-liand  store;  II.  A.  Dwin- 
nell,  clothing;  Ferguson  &  Head,  publisliei's, 
Sowoen-ir;  B.  W.  Foy,  drugs;  F.  M.  Frank- 
lin, furniture;  Leopold  Freund,  restaurant; 
J.  A.  Gallaiier,  opera  Ixouse;  Gallup  A;  Mar- 
quis, groceries;  John  Gray,  harness;  Greene 


County  Bank;  P.  E.  Greene,  restau- 
rant; J.  D.  Hall,  dry  goods  and  groceries; 
John  Hancock,  billiards;  Harrington.  Moor- 
house ik:  Milligan,  Jefferson  rolling  mills;  J. 

A.  Hassett,  hardware;  A.  M.  Head,  abstracts 
and  loans;  Head  Brothers,  opera  house;  V. 
Iliddleson,  meat  market;  S.  B.  Ilotchkiss, 
Revere  House;  Inbody  A:  Covell,  blacksmiths 
and  foundry;  G.  !!.  Kendall,  restaurant; 
Kinney  &  Freeman,  drugs;  Legore  iS;  Co., 
clothing,  boots  and  shoes;  Lindell  &  Sutton, 
wagon  shop;  Mahanay  &,  Morris,  blacksmitlis; 
George  Mann,  Ijarber;  McCarthy  &  Young, 
boots  and  shoes;  G.  B.  McCulley  &  Co.,  gen- 
eral store;  Mrs.  McKinnell,  millinery;  Frank 
Mott,  millinery;  ,1.  II.  Niiioff,  shoes;  T.  P. 
Nugan,  restaurant;  J.  B.  O'Donahue,  pho- 
tographer; S.  J.  Piersoll,  coopering  and  feed 
store;  J.  M.  Rhoads,  sewing  machines  and 
organs;  F.  M.  A:  A.  G.  Riley,  drugs  and 
jewelry;  Roland  Roberts,  li\ery;  David  P. 
Root,  meat  market;  J.  E.  Smith,  groceries; 
J.  W.  Smith,  feed  store;  R.  J.  W.  Speers, 
dry  goods  and  groceries;  C.  M.  and  M.  I). 
Starring,  shirt  factory;  E.  B.  Stillman,  pro- 
prietor of  the  Bee;  P.  F.  Valiant,  barber; 
O.  .I.White,  shoemaker;  A\'.  E.  Whitnej', 
jeweler;  John  AYilkinson,  hardware;  Henry 
Willard,  livery;  E.  S.  Wood,  genei'al  mer- 
chandise; Wright  &  Witt,  furniture;  W.  H. 

B.  AVynkoop,  dry  goods  and  groceries. 

PROFESSIONAL. 

Two  newspapers  are  published  at  Jefferson 
— the  Bee  and  the  ISoirvenir.  The  practicing 
lawyers  are:  Russell  &  Toliver,  Howard  «fc 
Rose,  Z.  A.  Church,  J.  A.  Gallaher,  Harvey 
Potter  and  C.  II.  Jackson.  The  physicians 
are:  Drs.  Charles  Entield,  J.  II.  Grimmell, 
W.  S.  Schermerhorn,  I).  .1.  liownum  and  II. 
AV.  Dickinson.  There  are  two  dentists — S. 
E.  Warner  and  L.  D.  Allen. 


■■■■-■-■'-■-■-■-■-.■-■-■-M-W_»,».». 


JEFFERSON. 


.-)0( 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

Tlie  town  ul'  Jetfei-soii  bought  a  liook-aiul- 
ladder  truck  in  1882,  anil  iii  February,  1884, 
the  Jerterson  P^ire  Department  was  formally 
organized,  with  Malilon  Head  as  chief,  which 
position  he  has  held  since.  Soon  after,  a  hand- 
engine  and  hose-cart  were  bonght,  the  whole 
outfit  costing  about  $4:,()0U.  The  headquar- 
ters of  the  company  are  in  the  lower  pai-t  of 
the  linilding  known  as  the  City  Hall.  Tiie 
town  council  meets  above.  Tiie  building  was 
]nit  up  in  188-4  and  rented  to  the  town  by  A. 
Head.  In  1885  a  fine  bell,  weighing  1,600 
pounds,  was  bought  at  a  cost  of  $425.  The 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company  has  twenty-nine 
members,  with  W.  I).  Chandler  as  foreman. 
The  Hose  Company  has  twenty-two  mem- 
bers, and  Z.  A.  Church  is  foreman.  The 
Engine  Company  has  twenty-two  members, 
and  M.  J.  Covell  is  foreman.  A  cistern  has 
been  placed  at  each  of  the  three  corners  of 
the  square,  and  the  water  thiit  falls  on  the 
roof  of  the  court-house  Hows  into  these,  keep- 
ing a  good  supply  on  hand.  Tiie  council 
has  appropriated  so  much  of  $5,000  as  may 
be  necessary  to  bore  an  artesian  well  on  or 
near  the  court-house  square. 

BANKS. 

The  two  1)anking  institutions  now  in  Jef- 
ferson are  the  only  ones  that  have  ever  done 
business  here,  and  are  both  very  snljstantial 
concerns. 

Head  Brothers  commenced  business  in 
1866,  on  the  site  of  the  present  (lallaher 
Opera  House.  In  1871  they  built  their  pres- 
ent banking  building  at  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  square.  M.  \j.  Steele  is  cashiei'.  The 
City  Bank  was  started  in  1876,  by  K.  M.  Mc- 
Gee  &  Co.  They  were  succeeded  by  M.  B. 
McDnfKe,  J.  J.  Russell  and  Charles  Bofink. 
July  1,  1886,  E.  E.  Hughes  became  a  part- 
ner.    At  present  Charles  Bofink  is  president, 

37 


M.  B.  McDufiie,  vice-president,  and  E.  E. 
Hughes,  cashier.  The  capital  of  the  Itank  is 
$100,000. 

SCHOOLS. 

Previous  to  1872  the  building  now  used  as 
a  house  of  worship  by  the  Presbyterians  was 
the  grammar  scliool,  and  the  primary  school 
was  conducted  in  the  upper  story  of  what  is 
now  the  beer  saloon.  In  the  year  mentioned 
the  present  brick  school-house  was  erected, 
on  the  third  block  north  of  the  northwest 
corner  ol  the  square.  It  occupies  the  whole 
square,  thus  providing  ample  j)lay-grounds. 
There  are  147  shade  ti-ees  on  the  latter.  The 
cost  was  not  far  from  $17,000.  The  build- 
ing is  two  stories  in  height,  contains  six 
rooms,  and  is  heated  by  Euttan  furnaces.  A 
kindergarten  school  is  also  conducted  in  a 
small  frame  building  west  of  (iallaher's 
Opera  House.  A  course  of  study  was 
adopted  in  1885,  on  completion  of  which  pu- 
pils are  admitted  to  the  State  University 
without  examination.  The  class  of  1886,  two 
in  number,  was  the  first  graduate  \inder  this 
arrangement,  and  one  of  those  two  is  now  in 
the  University.  Diplomas,  however,  have 
been  given  here  for  the  past  five  years.  The 
school  has  had  five  principals — Professor 
Grumbling  (now  of  Iowa  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity, at  Mount  Pleasant),  Professor  Eldon, 
Dr.  A.  G.  Riley,  II.  E.  Hammond  and  S.  A. 
Kendall.  The  last  named,  the  present  in- 
cnml)ent,  began  his  duties  as  principal  in 
1885.  There  are  eight  other  teachers  for  the 
year  1886~'87,  as  follows:  Mary  Stock  well, 
assistant  jH-incipal;  Clara  Gyer,  principal  of 
grammar  department;  Ida  Squires,  assistant 
in  same;  Delia  King,  intermediate;  Nettie 
rlohnson,  third  jiriinary;  Belle  Smith,  second 
primary;  Cora  Taylor,  first  primary;  Anna 
Potts,  kindergarten.  Tlie  average  salary  of 
all  tlie  teachers  is  $49  per  month;  exclusive 
of  the  principal,  whose  salary   is   $1,000  per 


i*«"Mgatgg'"iB"nB°B»w"'w"M"ji!!aiHi 


^1 


■"■■■-■-^ 


508 


HISTORY    OF    OBBBNE    COUNTY. 


yaw,  the  average  is  S41  per  iiiontli.  Tlie 
total  enrollment  dnring  the  year  1885-'86 
was  553;  average  attendance,  342.  Teachers 
were  paid  $4,284,  and  the  total  expenditures 
were  over  $5,0U().  A  surplus  having  accu- 
mulated, the  levy  fnr  188G  is  hut  $2,000. 
There  is  yet  owing  on  account  of  tiie  school- 
house  $3,000.  The  school  lihrary  has  600 
well  chosen  volumes,  for  use  of  pupils  and 
teachers,  and  the  apparatus  is  valued  at  $500. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — As  is  usual 
in  the  West,  this  denomination  is  the  pioneer 
at  Jefferson.  The  first  preacher  mentioned 
as  visiting  this  place  was  Ilev.  Daniel  Lainont 
in  1862.  Those  returned  eacli  year  since 
have  been:  Rev.  John  Hestwood,  1863;  Ilev. 
Joseph  Neigh,  1864-'65;  Kev.  J.  W.  Snod- 
grass,  1866-'(!7;  Kev.  M.  J).  Collins,  1868- 
'69;  Rev.  S.  E.  Willing,  1870-'71;  Rev. 
Samuel  Jones,  1872-'73;  Rev.  J.  C.  Eckles, 
1874-"75;  Rev.  L.  H.  Woodward,  1876-'77; 
Rev.  J.  A.  Wilson,  1878-'79;  Rev.  J.  AV. 
Eckles,  1880;  Rvev.  E.  W.  Sage,  1881-'82; 
Rev.  W.  W.  McGuire,  1883;  Rev.  W.  F. 
Harned,  1884-'86.  Tiie  church,  which  stands 
one  block  east  of  the  northeast  corner  <if  tlie 
square,  was  built  during  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
M.  I).  Collins,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  It  will 
comfoi-talily  seat  450.  The  tall  steeple  con- 
tains a  tine  bell,  the  first  brought  into  Jeffer- 
son. 

The  menii)ership  of  the  church  is  210. 
Following  are  the  official  members:  Local 
Preachers,  Joseph  Manning,  M.  II.  McDuftie 
and  \V.  1).  Henderson;  Trustees,  Mahlon 
Head,  C.  11.  Carter,  John  W.  Wilkinson, 
S.  J.  Counsehnan,  Vet.  Anderson,  Ed.  Gal- 
lup and  James  Henderson;  Stewards,  Ira 
JMcLanghlin,  Mrs.  A.  II.  Oliver,  Harvey 
Rotter,  Mrs.  Harvey  Rotter,  J.  1).  Hall,  L. 
1).  Remick,  J.  W.   lIuntinu:ton,  W.   .S.   Liv- 


ingston and  F.  M.  Franklin.  James  Hen- 
derson is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school, 
which  has  about  200  pupils,  divided  into  fif- 
teen classes. 

The  First  Baj)tist  Churcli  of  Jefferson 
was  organized  June  19,  1859.  Rev.  W.  J. 
Sparks  was  moderatoi',  and  Dan.  Mills  clerk 
of  the  council.  Delegates  were  present  from 
the  following  Baptist  churches:  Des  Moines, 
Adel,  North  Union  and  Buffalo  Grove.  The 
organization  was  effected  with  nine  members: 
Thomas  Roberts,  Elizabeth  McC!oy,  Mary 
Oungst,  Dan.  Mills,  Jeannette  Mills,  Joel 
Ilouver,  B.  T.  Houver,  Catherine  Houver 
and  Lydia  Ilouver.  From  the  organization 
until  May,  1864,  the  church  had  no  regular 
pastor.  Revs.  Yarnell,  Russell,  Oldfield  and 
Robinson  supplied  the  pulpit  a  ]>art  of  the 
time.  Thomas  Roberts  and  Isaac  Clopton 
were  elected  and  installed  deacons.  Of  these 
Deacon  Roberts  still  remains,  having  been  a 
faithful  and  efficient  officer  and  membei-  dur- 
ing the  whole  term   of  the  church's  history. 

In  May,  1864,  the  church  extended  a  call 
to  Rev.  A.  W.  Russell  to  become  pastor. 
He  accepted,  and  continued  pastor  until  the 
autumn  of  1867,  when  he  resigned.  Dnring 
this  time  valuable  lots,  centrally  located,  were 
purchased,  and  a  building  30  .x  40  feet  erected 
and  dedicated,  free  of  debt.  Rev.  W.  M. 
Simons  was  pastor  from  November,  1867,  to 
Decemlwr,  1869;  Rev.  Amos  Robinson  from 
April,  1870,  to  November,  1871:  Rev.  A.  J. 
Delano  from  December,  1871,  until  Novem- 
ber, 1873;  Rev.  D.  Heagle  from  July,  1874, 
to  January,  1877;  Rev.  J.  H.  Delano  from 
March,  1877,  to  January,  1883;  Rev.  F.  N. 
Eldridge,  then  for  a  year  and  a  half;  Rev.  J. 
C.  Hart  for  two  years,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
1886  Rev.  William  E.  Randall  began  his 
labors  here.  The  membership  of  the  church 
is  now  214.  The  value  of  the  cliuicli  property 
is  $3,500. 


JEFFERSON. 


50!» 


The  Preshyterian  Chiirch  of  Jefferson  wae* 
organized  February,  IG,  18()7,  witli  these 
eight  members:  William  Potter  and  wife 
Amanda,  William  R.  McNeil  and  wife  Sarah 
Ann,  Daniel  Leasnre  and  wife  Rebecca,  Sam- 
uel D.  Potter  and  wife  Eliza.  Of  these 
William  R.  McNeil  and  S.  1).  Potter  and 
M'ife  are  yet  living  and  members  of  the 
church.  There  have  been  four  pastors:  Revs. 
John  S.  Dnnning,  W.  G.  Ilillman,  A.  R. 
Mathes  and  II.  G.  Rice.  The  last  named  has 
filled  the  pulpit  since  October,  1880.  Regu- 
lar worship  was  not  begun  until  1870.  For 
a  year  or  so  meetings  were  held  in  the  school- 
house,  and  in  the  spring  of  1872  the  society 
purchased  the  building  and  remodeled  it. 
The  membership  is  now  about  165.  The 
official  members  are:  Elders,  A.  G.  Riley, 
Levi  Stockwell,  George  McBirney,  E.  B. 
Stillman,  J.  D.  Starring,  II.  W.  Kellogg  and 
Dr.  W.  S.  Schermerhorn;  Trustees,  M.  R. 
McDuttie,  A.  Moorhouse  and  II.  W.  Kellogg. 
The  Sunday-school  has  an  attendance  of  aliont 
100.  H.  W.  Kellogg  is  superintendent. 
The  church  contemplates  building  a  new 
house  of  worship  at  an  early  day. 

Catholic  Vhvrch. — About  1875  the  Catho- 
lics of  this  vicinity  bought  a  church  three 
blocks  nortliwest  of  the  square,  that  had  been 
built,  but  never  used,  by  the  Congregational- 
ists,  and  services  have  been  held  since  ever}' 
two  weeks.  The  priest  in  charge  is  Father 
Quirck,  of  (-irand  Junction.  The  member- 
ship is  about  150,  mostly  in  the  country. 

The  Chrhtian  Church,  or  Disciples,  was 
organized  in  the  autumn  of  1880,  with  about 
thirty  members.  A  frame  church  was  com- 
pleted about  April  1,  1887,  at  a  cost  of  $5.- 
000,  and  donated  to  the  society  by  (".  F. 
McCarthy.  The  auditorium  is  30x54  feet; 
class-room  27  x  28,  and  ante-room  9  x  20. 

SOCIETIES. 

Morniny  Star  Lodge,  No.  159,  A.  F.  dc 


A.  M.,  was  instituted  January  5,  1860,  and 
chartered  June  6,  1861.  The  present  officers 
are:  L.  L.  Smullin,  Worshipful  Master;  J. 
M.  Rhoads,  Senior  Warden;  J.  AVill.  Dick, 
Junior  Warden;  (t.  Ci.  Lawrence,  Treasurer; 
II.  AV.  Kellogg,  Secretary;  M.  E.  Marquis, 
Senior  Deacon;  E.  M.  Troxell,  Junior  Dea- 
con; A.  Lindell,  Tyler.  The  lodge  has 
ninety-six  members,  and  uieets  on  Saturday, 
on  or  before  each  full  moon.  It  owns  the 
upper  story  of  the  opera  house  building, 
known  as  Masonic  Temple,  and  valued  at 
$6,000. 

Comer  Stone  Chapter,  JVo.  G4,  R.  A.  M., 
was  constituted  November  20,  1871.  The 
tirst    officers    were:     C.    II.    Jackson,    Uis'h 

o 

Priest;  J.  S.  Dunning,  King;  A.  Yerger, 
Scribe;  J.  N.  Harrington,  Treasurer;  R. 
Ellis,  Secretary.  The  officers  for  1886  are: 
Z.  A.  Church,  High  Priest;  G.  G.  Lawrence, 
King;  John  McCarthy,  Scribe;  M.  Head, 
Treasurer;  J.  AVill.  Dick,  Secretary.  The 
chapter  has  a  membership  of  sixty,  and 
meets  on  Monday  on  or  before  each  full 
moon,  at  Masonic  Temple. 

Einrrums  Command ertj,  No.  35,  K.  T., 
was  constituted  December  8,  1879,  with 
these  officers:  C.  H.  ( !rawford.  Eminent 
Commander;  D.  Milligan,  Generalissimo; 
J.  M.  Rhoads,  Captain  General;  J.  S.  Dun- 
nine,  Prelate;  A.  S.  Gilliland,  Senior  AVar- 
den;  A.  A.  Watts,  Junior  Warden;  Henry 
Fluke,  Treasurer;  A.  M.  Head,  Recorder; 
AV.  AV.  Loomis,  Standard  Bearer;  AV.  D. 
Chandler,  Sword  Bearer;  A.  Moorhouse, 
Warder;  C.  B.  Thorp,  Sentinel.  The  offi- 
cers for  1886  are:  Dr.  AV.  S.  Schennerhoru, 
Eminent  Commander;  G.  G.  Lawrence,  Gen- 
eralissimo; M.  Head,  Captain  General;  L.  L. 
Smullin,  Prelate;  J.  AV.  Fitz,  Senior  AV^arden; 
A.  Moorhouse,  Junior  AVarden;  A.  S.  Gilli- 
land, Treasurer;  J.  Will.  Dick,  Recorder; 
J.  L.  Gore,  Standard  Bearer;  M.  E.  Marquis, 


SslSiB! 


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»—■"!■' 


510 


BISTORT    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Swnrd  Eearer;  diaries  Bofink,  Warder;  A. 
Lindell,  Sentinel.  The  inembersliip  is  now 
sixty-four.  Meetings  are  held  on  Monday 
followinor  each  full  moon,  at  Masonic  Tem- 
ple. 

Greene  Lodge,  No.  olG,  J.  0.  O.  F.,  was 
chartered  October  21,  1875,  by  Grand  Mas- 
ter Ben.  Newman,  with  these  members:  G. 
McCnlley,  A.  J.  Eiteman,  S.  S.  "Wilkinson, 
William  Elden,  R.  M.  Yaux  and  George 
Elaknev.  At  present  writing  Isaac  Norris 
is  Noble  Grand;  G.  M.  Potter,  Vice-Grand, 
and  William  McKinnell,  Secretary.  The 
meetings  are  held  every  Friday  at  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Hall,  which  is  owned  by  the  lodge.  It 
is  valued  at  81.000.  The  furnishings  are 
worth  $500,  and  tlie  lodge  also  has  $1,000 
loaned  at  interest.  Membership,  about 
100. 

Ji'ffei'iton  Kncinn2)mcnt,  No.  103,  J.  0.  0. 
F.,  was  chartered  October  19, 1880,  by  Grand 
Patriarch  J.  K.  Powers,  with  these  members: 
O.  P.  (^ray,  Alliert  Head,  D.  P.  Root,  G.  B. 
Dean,  R.  Townsend,  John  Dick,  Charles  F. 
Peck,  .1.  C.  Toliver,  Frank  Uassett.  (4.  W. 
Blakney,  J.  A.  Shank,  E.  A.  McCoy,  A.  J. 
Eiteman,  O.  O.  Jay,  L.  C.  Schultz,  E.  U. 
Daly,  Joseph  Shaw,  A.  M.  Head,  H.  L. 
Dresser.  A.  S.  (iilliland,  S.  TVI.  Heck,  P.  (). 
Vest,  Z.  A.  Church,  F.  ]\[.  Franklin,  John 
AVilkinson,  Sol.  Kuh,  ,1.  E.  Smith,  T.  J. 
Locker,  John  F.  Gesner,  J.  S.  Eiteman  and 
Isaac  Millspaugh.  The  present  officers  are: 
TI.  C.  Sayre,  C.  P.;  John  Hassett,  H.  P.; 
G.  B.  McCuUey,  Senior  Warden;  J.  S.  Smitli, 
Guard;  A.  J.  Eiteman,  Junior  Warden;  R. 
Townsend,  Inside  Sentinel;  C.  Brown,  Out- 
side Sentinel;  D.  Vest,  F.  G.  T.;  M.  Shane, 
S.  G.  T.;  G.  W.  Thompson,  Treasurer;  Will- 
iam McKinnell,  Scribe.  The  membership  is 
iittv,  and  meetings  are  held  the  first  and  third 


Tuesdays  of  each  month,  at  Odd  Fellows  Hall. 

George  H.  Thomas  Post,  No.  23,  G.  A.  R., 
was  mustered  January  21, 1880,  with  fourteen 
comrades,  and  Albert  Head  was  the  first 
commander.  The  officers  for  1886  are:  W. 
S.  Schermei'horn,  Commander;  Mahlon  Head, 
Senior  Vice-Commander;  J.  J.  Shannon, 
Junior  Vice-Commander;  A.  R.  Mills,|_Chap- 
lain;  H.  W.  Kellogg,  Adjutant;  J.  W.  Fitz, 
Quartermaster;  C.  M.  Starring,  Officer  of  the 
Day.  The  membership  is  now  sixty-eight, 
and  meetings  arc  held  the  second  ami  fourth 
Thursdays  of  each  month. 

Garjield  Lodge,  No.  GS,  K.  P.,  was  organ- 
ized November  y,  1881,  and  the  list  of  charter 
members  numbers  seventy-one.  The  officers 
at  preseTit  writing  are:  Ed.  M.  McCatlrey, 
C'hanceller  Commander;  John  Dodge,  Vice- 
Chancellor;  Harvey  Potter,  Past  Chancellor; 
George  Colvig,  Keeper  of  Records  and  Seals; 
D.  R.  Edwards,  Prelate;  M.  D.  Starring, 
Master  of  Finance;  ( '.  Sturtevant,  Master  of 
Exchequer;  I.  F.  llotchkiss,  Master  at  Arms; 
Stillman  Aldrich,  Inner  Guard;  Samuel  Mc- 
Clellan,  ()uter  Guard.  The  membership  is 
about  forty.  ]\[eetings  are  held  every  Tues- 
day evening  at  Castle  Hall. 

The  Yoiing  Men's  Christian  Association 
was  organized  in  1883,  and  meets  at  Head's 
Hall  every  Sunday  afternoon  at  3:30.  The 
young  men  hold  meetings  also  on  Wednesday 
evenings,  at  8:30.  Professor  S.  A.  Kendall 
is  President;  Elmer  E.  .lohnson.  Secretary. 
Literary  meetings  are  held  on  alternate 
Friday  evenings,  the  programs  embracing 
debates,  readings,  declamations,  music,  etc. 

The  other  societies  which  have  been  organ 
ized  here,  but  are  now  dead  or  inactive,  are: 
Independent      Order     of     Good     Templars, 
Ancient  Order  of  Hnited   A\^orkmen,  Legion 
of  Honor  and  "  V.  A.  S.  Fraternitv." 


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TOWNS    AJSD     VILLAGES. 


511 


#  TOWNS    AND    VILLAGES. 


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ItEEXK   COUNTY   lias 
several  villages  and  trad- 
ing points,   for  the  uc;- 
cu  ni  111  odat  iun  of  tlie 
farmers,   and    there   are 
nine    postoffices    within 
its  1  (orders,  viz.:   Cluir- 
dan,  ( 'ooper,  Dana,  (Irand  Junc- 
tion, Jefferson,  Patoii,   llippey, 
sr'^il^Ji.      Scranton  C'ity  and  Surry.     Aii- 
TciWf^'S      »'■'■"''  '^  \"ill''ge  in  Booue  County 
4^ji)f^        on  the  border  of  Greene,  is  the 
!iSr2?—      postortice  of  many  of  its  citizens 
and    is    closely   connected   with 
the  history  of  the  county.     The 
most   important  town  aside  from  the  county 
seat  is 

GRAND  JUNCTION. 
Two  years  after  the  Cedar  Rapids  iS:  Mis- 
souri Jiiver  Railroad  (now  Chicago  &  North- 
western) came  through  this  county,  a  north 
and  south  railroad  was  built  from  Keokuk  to 
Fort  Dodge,  via  Des  Moines.  At  the  cross- 
ing of  the  two  roads  it  was  evident  there  was 
a  desirable  location  for  a  town.  Previous  to 
that  time  the  land  was  almu.st  valueless. 
There  was  eager  competition  among  the  sev- 


eral owners  of  the  land  adjoining  the  two 
railroads.  "  Central  (Ti-and  Junction  "  was 
laid  out  by  llager  A:  Sons,  and  Percival  tt 
Hattoii,  of  Des  Moines.  Howe,  division 
superintendent,  and  Estabrook,  roadmaster, 
laid  out  "  Grand  Junction;"  Plerron  t'c  Kelly, 
of  J'ittsl>urgh,  Pennsylvania,  laid  out  "  South 
Grand  Junction;"  and  Seward  Smith,  of  Des 
Moines,  followed  with  -'West  Grand  Junc- 
tion." .\s  laid  out,  the  town  includes  parts 
of  sections  32  and  33,  township  84,  and  sec- 
tions 4  and  o,  township  83.  llager  &  Sons 
gave  the  railroad  company  twenty  acres  of 
land,  on  condition  that  the  shops  be  hjcated 
here. 

Dr.  C.  P.  Park  and  O.  i3.  Miller  imported 
lumber  and  placed  it  on  sale,  about  the  same 
time.  Among  the  first  buildings  erected 
were  Dr.  Park's  I'esidence,  a  store  by  G.  C. 
Ilillman,  a  hardware  store  Iiy  Dr.  Park  (now^ 
occupied  by  Parmcnter  it  Son)  and  a  Ijank 
and  several  other  Innldings  by  Hagcr  it  Sons. 
The  [feadllght,  started  January  1,  1870,  did 
much  to  encouray-e  immig-ration  and  the 
growth  of  the  town,  and  the  year  1870  was 
a  very  prosperous  one  tor  the  new  place. 
The  census  of  that  vear  gave  Grand  Junction 


■■■"■■■■■i»«*»"iii«»i;"ii»g:«ri 


512 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


444  inhabitants.  Since  then  the  growth  has 
been  more  gradual  and  stable.  The  popula- 
tion in  1875  was  479;  in  1880,  752;  and  in 
1885,  949.  About  300  of  the  population 
are  dependent  upon  the  JJes  Moines  &  Fort 
Dodge  Railroad  Company.  The  road  lias 
been  leased  to  the  Chicago,  Hock  Island  «fe 
Pacilic  Railroad  Company,  but  possession 
has  not  yet  been  given.  It  is  hoped  that  a 
branch  will  be  built  by  the  Rock  Island  from 
Sioux  City  to  this  place,  in  which  event  the 
shops  will  give  employment  to  many  more 
men,  and  Grand  Junction's  importance  great- 
ly increased. 

INCOKPORATION. 

The  town  was  incorporated  early  in  1873, 
the  first  meeting  of  the  council  being  held 
March  13  of  that  year.  The  officers  for  that 
and  subsequent  years  have  been: 

1873. —  Mayor,  S.  A.  Eckerson;  Trustees, 
E.  J.  Penrose,  Daniel  Albert,  I.  N.  Ford,  Z. 
T.  Funk  and  E.  O.  Carleton ;  Recorder,  W. 
M.  Baker. 

1874. — Mayor,  James  Park;  Trustees,  P. 
W.  Miller,  E.  O.  Carleton,  W.  R.  Park,  C.  C. 
Metzger,  J.  W.  Harvey  and  F.  F.  Ford ;  Re- 
corder, P.  W.  Miller;  Marshal,  John  Adams. 

1875. — Mayor,  J.  W.  Harvey;  Trustees, 
J.  A.  Sheffer,  A.  ]\[arquart,  R.  Townsend 
and  S.  Thompson;  Recorder,  O.  W.  Lowry; 
Treasurer,  P.  Parker;  Assessor,  G.  J.  Kim- 
ball. 

1876.— Mayor,  A.  M.  BrinkerhofF;  Trus- 
tees, E.  O.  Carleton,  J.  A.  Sheffer,  Andrew 
Pettit,  G.  J.  Kimball  and  Thomas  Lynch; 
Recorder,  Henry  Hasf^uin;  Treasurer,  P. 
Parker. 

1877.— Mayor,  J.  W.  Brown;  Trustees, 
John  McGrayel,  N.  N.  Friend,  C.  C.  Metz- 
ger, Z.  T.  Funk  and  Thomas  Swift;  Recorder, 
O.  W.  Lowry;  Treiisurer.  P.  Parker;  Marshal 
and  Street  Commissioner,  Henry  Infield, 


1878. — Mayor,  S.  A.  Eckerson;  Trustees, 
John  McGi'ayel,  Robert  McEachran,  E.  X. 
Lapenotiere,  Daniel  Embree,  and  P.  W.  Mil- 
ler; Recorder,  F.  H.  Parmenter;  Assessor, 
John  D.  Getz;  Treasurer,  P.  Parker;  Street 
Commissioner,  A.  Hutson;  Marshal,  Warren 
Beard. 

1879. — Mayor,  John  D.  Getz;  Trustees,  Z. 
T.  Funk,  C.  C.  Metzger,  Charles  Smittle,  S. 
T.  Butner,  A.  Marquart  and  S.  W.  Eckerson ; 
Recorder,  R.  B.  Hazletine;  Treasurer,  P.  Par- - 
ker;  Assessoi',  William  Zellhoefer;  Marshal 
and  Street  Commissioner,  Pat.  Casey. 

1880. — Mayor,  John  D.  Getz;  Trustees, 
C.  C.  Metzger,  £.  O.  Carleton,  Z.  T.  Funk, 
S.  A.  Eckerson,  Charles  Smittle  and  A.  Mar- 
quart;  Recorder,  R.  B.  Hazeltine;  Treasurer, 
P.  Parker;  Assessor,  W.  F.  Zellhoefer;  Mar- 
shal and  Street  Commissioner,  Pat.  Case}'. 

1881. — Mayor,  John  M.  CuUey;  Trustees, 
J.  H.  Powers,  Charles  Boweu,  S.  A.  Ecker- 
son, (^harles  Smittle,  Z.  T.  Funk  and  C.  C. 
Metzger;  Recorder,  R.  B.  Hazeltine;  Treas- 
urer, P.  Powers:  Assessor,  W.  R.  Park; 
Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner,  R.  B. 
Lockwood. 

1882.— Mayor,  H.  L.  Childs;  Trustees,  C. 
C.  Metzger,  Thomas  Swift,  John  D.  Getz,  J. 
H.  Powers,  Charles  Bowen  and  E.  O.  Carle- 
ton; Recorder,  R.  B.  Hazeltine;  Treasurer, 
P.  Powers;  Marshal,  E.  O.  Carleton. 

1883. — Mayor,  E.  A.  Avery;  Trustees,  F. 
H.  Parmenter,  Thomas  Swift,  John  D.  Getz, 
Charles  Bowen,  J.  H.  Powers  and  J.  P. 
Baker;  Recorder,  W.  S.  Wood;  Treasurer, 
W.  F.  Zellhoefer;  Assessor,  J.  B.  Johnson; 
Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner,  E.  O. 
Carleton. 

1884. — Mayor,  E.  A.  Avery;  Trustees,  J. 
H.  Powers,  F.  H.  Parmenter,  Thomas  Swift, 
Charles  Smittle,  J.  P.  Baker  and  John  D. 
Getz;  Recorder,  W.  S.  Wood;  Treasurer,  W. 
F.  Zellhoefer;  Assessor,  J.  B.  Johuson;  Mar- 


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■■■■■-■-■-"-■-"=< 


TOWNS    AND     VTLLAGE8. 


613 


shal  and  Street  Coimnissioner,  E.  O.  Carletoii. 

1885.— Major,  J.  E.  Pettit;  Trustees,  J. 
P.  Baker,  J.  II.  Powers,  Charles  Sinittle,  F. 
Jl.  Parineiiter,  J.  11.  Perry  and  Joliu  Cam- 
eron; Recorder,  F.  F.  Luther;  Treasurer,  W. 
F.  Zellhoet'er;  Assessor,  John  D.  Getz; 
Miirslial  and  Street  Commissioner,  E.  O. 
Carleton. 

1886.— Mayor,  J.  £.  I'ettit;  Trustees,  .1. 
H.  Perry,  II.  M.  Smith,  F.  W.  Pinyer,  John 
Cameron,  J.  II.  Powers  and  J.  P.  IJaker;  Re- 
corder, F.  F.  Luther;  Assessor,  J.  P.  Davis; 
Marshal,  D.  I.  Pettit;  Street  Commissioner, 
E.  O.   Carleton;  Treasurer,  F.  II.  Parineiiter. 

FIKK    UEPARTMENT. 

The  town  bought  a  thirty-man  power  en- 
gine in  18S8,  whicli,  with  650  feet  of  hose, 
cost  .•?1,10().  The  volunteer  company  to 
which  is  entrusted  the  use  of  this  apparatus 
has  forty  memiiers.  Thomas  Pierce  is  chief; 
John  Cameron,  assistant  chief.  Meetings  are 
held  the  tirst  Tuesday  evening  in  each  month. 
Grand  .1  unction  has  had  few  tires,  the  most 
serious  being  one  on  Main  street  several 
years  ago,  when  tliree  or  four  buildings  were 
burned. 

The  Jleadlight  was  established  January  1, 
1870,  by  Mills  *fc  Co.,  of  Des  Moines, 
and  since  January  1,  1872,  has  been  the 
property  of  S.  C.  Maynard,  the  present  post- 
master of  Grand  Junction. 

The  first  attorney  at  this  place  was  Thomas 
H.  Grove,  of  Ilagerstown,  Maryland.  He 
came  here  in  1870,  and  nine  years  later 
moved  to  Colorado.  L.  K.  Alder  was  here 
from  1881  to  1884,  and  then  moved  to  Ains- 
worth,  Nebraska.  He  is  an  able  young  man, 
and  did  well  at  Grand  Junction.  W.  W". 
Turner  and  E.  C.  Clark  are  the  present  attor- 
neys of  this  place. 

The  first  practicing  physician  here  was  O. 
W.  Lowry,  a  graduate  of  the  irjedical  college 


at  Keokuk.  He  is  still  here.  C.  P).  Park 
was  also  here  at  tiie  l)eginning  of  the  town's 
history,  but  lias  not  practiced  much  here.  He 
has  been  an  eminent  jihysician,  being  a  brig- 
ade surgeon  during  tlie  war  and  winning 
merited  recognition  from  the  autiiorities  in 
Washington.  J.  D.  Xirby,  the  second  physi- 
cian here,  came  but  little  later  than  Dr. 
Lowry,  and  is  here  yet.  L.  D.  Scarborough 
was  the  third  pliysician,  and  is  still  in  prac- 
tice at  Grand  Junction. 

Loclirey  Brothers  prospected  and  found 
coal  in  1878.  They  leased  the  coal  right  on 
a  (piantity  of  land  and  sold  the  same  to  Hon. 
John  F.  Duncoinbe,  of  Fort  Dodge,  who 
worked  the  vein  fur  a  time.  It  is  excellent 
coal,  but  the  vein  is  not  very  thick,  varying 
from  twenty  to  thirty  inches.  Mr.  Dun- 
coinbe suspended  operations  and  removed  his 
machinery  to  Angus.  After  several  years  a 
citizens'  company  was  formed,  a  new  shaft 
sunk,  and  in  1S83  the  same  was  leased  to 
Dale,  Goodwin  et  Co.  Underneath  the 
coal  lies  eight  or  nine  feet  of  excellent  pot- 
ter's clay,  whicli  is  utilized  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  tile  and  fire-brick.  The  business  is 
said  to  be  a  ver^'  profitable  one. 

R.  P.  Brown  has  the  largest  egg  and  butter 
establishment  in  the  United  States.  The 
eggs  are  preserved  for  winter  use  by  a  pri- 
vate process  and  shipped  East.  Many  are 
sent  to  England. 

Three  banks  have  been  conducted,  in  suc- 
cession, at  Grand  Junction,  llager  &  Sons, 
the  town  proprietors,  started  the  first,  where 
Park  A:  Co.'s  jewelry  store  is  now.  It  sus- 
pended, liabilities  being  paid  in  full.  Daniel 
Strite,  the  cashier  of  this  bank,  then  began 
business  under  the  name  of  Strite  &  Co. 
He  committed  suicide,  and  his  bank  was 
found  to  be  a  paper  concern.  The  school  dis- 
trict suffered  (piite  a  loss.  Dr.  C.  B.  Park 
then    began    banking,    and    for   seven  yeart 


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■-■-■J»ii■-■■■-■-■-■■■^■■■■■-■-■-■-■■■■■-■^^-^J»=l 


314 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


Grand  J  uuctiou   has   had  a  stable  linaucial 
institution. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTOKY. 

The  following  are  the  business  tirms  of 
Grand  Junction  in  November,  1886: 

Daniel  Albert,  lumber;  Iliram  Allen,  bar- 
ber; M.  M.  Baker,  groceries;  H.  M.  Benson, 
hotel;  John  Boyden,  groceries;  R.  P.  Brown, 
butter  and  eggs;  H.  L.  Childs,  plow  factory; 
E.  ('.  Clark,  attorney;  Comley  &  Tazewell, 
millinery;  Lewis  Coon,  furniture  and  under- 
taking; W.  M.  Crow,  drugs;  Dale,  Goodwin  & 
Co.,  coal,  tile  and  fire  brick;  Thomas  DobhiTi, 
meat  market;  J.  C.  Edinborough,  shoe- 
maker; Daniel  Embree,  lumber  and  coal;  J. 
C.  Marker,  general  store;  J.  C.  Marker, 
foundry  and  machine  shop;  J.  W.  Marvey, 
opera  house;  P.  C.  Hillman,  general  store; 
Johnson  A:  Co.,  marble;  J.  D.  Kirby,  physi- 
cian; Sol.  Kuh,  broom-maker;  E.  M.  Lapen- 
otiere,  drugs;  T.  Leisure,  barber;  O.  W. 
Lowry,  physician;  Theodore  Lyons,  Ashley 
House;  S.  C.  Maynard,  editor  Headlight; 
R.  A.  McEachran,  feed  and  grain;  S.  S. 
McFadden,  hotel;  C.  C.  Metzger,  meat;  Mrs. 
P.W.  Miller,  millinery;  Mish  &  Co.,  general 
store;  Park  &  Co.,  jewelers;  C.  B.  Park, 
bank;  W.  R.  Park,  tinner;  Parmenter  ik 
Son,  hardware;  J.  E.  Pettit,  real  estate,  in- 
surance and  collections;  W.  H.  Pierce,  livery 
and  sale  stable;  J.  M.  Powers,  general  store; 
William  Reineman,  hotel ;  William  Reineman, 
shoe  shop;  W.  (-<.  Roby,  wagon  shop;  J. 
Sanders,  restaurant;  L.  D.  Scarborough,  phy- 
sician; E.  A.  Sherman,  jewelry;  Miss  L.  M. 
Simmons,  dress-making;  C.  W.  Smittle, 
grain;  W.  W.  Turner,  attorney;  W.  B. 
Waite,   marble;  W.  F.  Zellhoefer,  hardware. 

SCHOOL. 

In  1870  a  brick  school-house,  40  x  60,  con- 
taining four  rooms,  was  built  at  a  cost  of 
s7,000.     in  1883  an   addition,  34  x  36,  was 


built  at  an  expense  of  $3,500.  The  building 
is  centrally  located,  and  has  six  well-filled 
rooms.  Commencement  exercises  were  first 
held  in  1885,  five  taking  diplomas  that  year. 
Three  more  finished  the  course  in  1886. 
Latin  is  a  part  of  the  high-school  course.  A 
new  course  of  study  is  in  preparation. 

Six  teachers  arc  employed.  The  corps  for 
1886-'87  includes  Professor  C.  E.  Moore, 
Principal;  Gates  Albert,  Grammar  Depart- 
ment; Cora  Weatherington,  First  Intermedi- 
ate; Emma  Bard,  Second  Intermediate;  (^arrie 
Fessler,  First  Primary;  Florence  Reynolds, 
Second  Primary.  The  annual  expenditures 
for  school  purposes  amount  to  about  $2,600. 
The  district  has  a  bonded  debt  of  $1,500. 
The  board  for  the  current  year  is:  W.  M. 
Crow  (President),  E.  A.  Avery,  M.  Baker, 
W.  F.  Zellhoefer,  Thomas  McMahon  and 
Daniel  Embree.  T.  J.  Harned  is  Secretary; 
O.  AV.  Lowry,  Treasurer. 

CHURCHES. 

Muthodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  first 
class  at  Grand  Junction  was  organized  in 
1870  by  Rev.  J.  Manning.  In  1871  Rev. 
W.  C.  Martin  was  assigned  to  this  charge; 
in  1872,  Rev.  Sherin;  in  1873,  Rev.  D.  U. 
Mallory;  in  1874,  Rev.  W.  B.  Bennett.  At 
that  time  there  were  twelve  members.  Dur- 
ing Mr.  Bennett's  time,  in  1875,  the  church 
was  built,  at  a  cost,  including  lot,  etc.,  of 
$3,100.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  two  blocks 
south  and  two  east  from  the  station.  The 
pastors  since  have  been:  1875-'76,  Rev. 
Charles  Leach;  1876-77,  Rev.  B.  F.  Shet- 
terly;  1877-78,  Rev.  C.  II.  Newell;  1879- 
'80,  Rev.  A.  B.  Shipman;  1880-'81,  Rev. 
Martin;  1881-83,  Rev.  L.  W.  Archer;  1883- 
'85,  Rev.  E.  Kendall;  1885-'86,  Rev.  .1.  D. 
Moore;  1886-'87.  Rev.  R.  R.  C.  Grantham. 

The  membership  is  now  about  seventy. 
The  trustees  are:  Dr.  D.  L.  Scarborough,  J. 


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TOWNS    Ay^D     VILLAGES. 


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515 


G.  Haun,  J.  P.  Davis,  Sam.  Thompson  and  \ 
Lewis  Coon;  Stewards,  1).  L.  Scarborough, 
Mrs.   Scarborough,  Mrs.    A.   Marquart   and  j 
J.  C.  Haun.     Mr.  Ilaun  is  superintendent  of  ' 
the     Sunday-school.       Attendance,    seventy- 
live. 

The  Bnptlst  Church  was  organized  in  the 
Presbyterian  liouse  of  worsliip  June  8, 1878, 
witli  Rev.  F.  W.  Jasinslvy  as  moderator,  and 
Rev.  E.  G.  O.  Groat  as  clerk.  The  constit- 
uent members  were:  E.  G.  O.  (iroat,  F.  W. 
Jasinsky,  Isaac  W.  Ford,  W.  E.  Ames,  W. 
Mack,  Delia  Grant,  Elizabeth  Jasinsky,  A. 
M.  Ford  and  Alice  F.  Mack.  The  first  pas- 
tor was  Mr.  Groat,  who  reiiuiined  until  April, 
1S80.  Rev.  J.  F.  Childs  preached  as  supply 
until  September  25,  1880,  when  he  was 
called  as  the  pastor,  serving  until  November, 
1882.  Rev.  F.  Hill  was  then  pastor  until 
April,  1884;  then  Rev.  D.  L.  Clouse  until 
January,  1885,  but  preached  until  March. 
The  present  pastor.  Rev.  .lohn  C.  ('arter, 
accepted  the  charge  in  January,  1886.  Ser- 
vices were  held  in  jirivate  houses  and  in  the 
Presbyterian  cluirch  for  a  time,  then  in 
Gulick's  Hall,  and  in  ISNO  and  1881  the 
society  built  a  house  of  its  own. 

Eheiiezer  Ch.urch  of  the  Evangelical  As- 
sociation was  organized  September  7,  1874, 
by  Rev.  George  Zellhoefer,  with  sixteen 
charter  members.  The  pastors  and  time  of 
service  have  been  as  follows:     George   Zell- 

hoefer,    three   years;   Methfessel,    one 

year;  L.  Scheurer,  two  years;  J.  J.  Miller, 
two  years;  F.  Erase,  two  years;  P.  Belzer, 
two  years,  and  still  serving.  The  church 
was  built  in  1880,  at  a  cost  of  .$1,700.  Ser- 
vices are  held  every  Sunday  morning  and 
every  alternate  Sunday  evening,  and  prayer- 
meeting  Wednesday  evening.  The  sei'vices 
and  Sunday-school  are  conducted  in  the  Ger- 
man language.  The  membership  now  num- 
liers  twenty-six.     The  society  is  on  a  sound 


financial   basis,  their    church  and  parsonage 
being  entirely  free  of  debt. 

SOCIETIES. 

J  unction  Lodge,  No.  357,  A.  F.  iX'  A.  J/., 
was  instituted  August  12,  1875,  and  char- 
tered June  '),  1876.  The  officers  for  lS8(i 
are:  J.  11.  IJerry,  Worshipful  Master;  .lohn 
Eaton,  Senior  Warden;  L.  D.  Brown,  J  unior 
Warden;  D.  L.  Scarborough,  Secretary; 
Daniel  Emljree,  Treasurer.  The  membership 
is  forty-two.  Meetings  are  held  Tuesday 
evening  on  or  before  each  full  moon. 

Grand  Junction  Lodge,  No.  -WS,  I.  0.  (). 
F.,  was  organized  in  1872.  The  officers  at 
this  writing  are:  Frank  Congdon,  Noble 
Grand;  B.  F.  Steward,  Vice  (4 rand;  W.  B. 
Waite,  Recording  Secretary;  R.  M.  Oongdon, 
Permanent  Secretary;  August  Marquart, 
Treasurer.  The  lodge  has  thirty-eight  mem- 
bers, and  meets  every  Monday  evening  in  its 
own  hall,  which  is  in  the  upper  story  of  a 
frame  building.  It  is  valued  at  .$2,000.  The 
lower  story  is  rented  out  as  a  dwelling. 

Rehekuh  Degree  Doiii  Ijodge,  No.  01,  1 . 
0.  0.  F.,  meets  the  first  and  third  Wednes- 
day of  each  month  at  Odd  Fellows  Hall. 
David  Blanshan  is  Noble  Grand;  Mrs.  Stew- 
ard, Vice-Grand;  Mrs.  T.  Shuler,  Secretary; 
Mrs.  Wert}',  Financial  Secretary;  Mrs.  Jacol) 
Boos,  Treasurer. 

Grand  Junction  f^odge.  No.  2.3''),  A.  0.  U. 
W.,  was  organized  February  10,  1883,  with 
twenty-two  members,  which  number  has  been 
since  increased  to  thirty-seven.  The  present 
officers  are:  ('.  J.  Edinborough,  Master  Work- 
man; B.  F.  Steward,  Foreman;  W.  J.  Fitch, 
Overseer;  C.  E.  Francisco,  Recorder;  .1.  P. 
Baker,  Financier;  L.  D.  Brown,  Receiver; 
John  Copeland,  Guide;  O.  V.  Blaylock,  In- 
side Wai'den;  Reuben  Smith,  Outside  War- 
(len.  The  lodge  meets  every  Tuesday  evening 
at  Odd  Fellows'  Ilidl. 


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Grand  Junction  Lodge,  jSo.  87,  J.  0.  G.  T., 
was  organized  in  1886,  with  over  lifty  mem- 
bers. The  uieiubersliip  is  now  forty-live. 
The  lodge  meets  every  Friday  evening  at 
Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  The  officers  for  tlie  last 
quarter  of  188f5  are:  11.  15.  Ilazeltine,  (!iiief 
Templar;  Mrs.  U.  W.  Lowry,  Vice  Templar; 
Mrs.  Scarborougli,  Secretary;  .1.  II.  Berry, 
Financial  Secretary;  Mrs.  R.  15.  Ilazeltine, 
Treasurer;   lie  v.  J.  C.  Carter,  Chaplain. 

H.  0.  Johnaon  Post,  No.  152,  G.  A.  li., 
has  in  good  standing  thirty-live  members. 
Sixty-four  altogether  have  l)een  enrolled.  It 
meets  the  lirst  and  tliinl  Saturdays  of  each 
month  at  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  The  officers 
for  1886  are:  11.  C.  Joy,  Commander; 
.lohn  Berry,  Senior  Vice-Commander;  John 
Peterson,  Junior  Vice-Commander;  C.  J. 
Edinijorough,  Adjutant;  Sam.  Shadle,  Qii^i'"- 
termaster;  L.  D.  Marsh,  Surgeon;  I.  JS'. 
Ford,  Chaplain;  L.  1).  Brown,  Officer  of  the 
Day;  John  Newberry,  Officer  of  the  Guard; 
Daniel  Gray,  Sergeant-Major;  H.  W.  Smith,  j 
Quartermaster-Sergeant.  j 

Local  Assembly,  No.  '2,2Ji.J4,  K.  of  L.,  was  i 
organized    November   28,   1882,  with   about  \ 
forty  members.     It  has  now  fifty,  and  meets  i 
Thursday  evenings  at   Gulick's    Hall.     The 
officers  are:    F.  P.  White,  Master  Workman; 
C.  E.   Francisco,  Foreman;    T.  F.  Callalian, 
Ilecording  Secretary;   T.  J.  Morrison,  Finan- 
cial Secretary;  A.  Green,  Treasurer;    11.  A\'. 
Smith,  V.  S.;   C.  M.  Lentz,  U.  X.;    C.  W.  j 
Welcli,  Ins.;  F.  F.Luther,  Stat;  Peter  Som-  { 
burg,  1.  E.;  G.  W.  Welch,  O.  E. 

SCRANTON- 

During  1866  the  Chicago  &  Nurtiiwestern 
iJaiiroad  (liuiit  as  the  ('e(hir  Rapids  A:  Mis- 
souri iviver  Railroad)  was  comj)leted  through 
tiiis  county  westward,  and  in  January,  1867, 
tiie  first  train  reached  the  site  ot  wliat  is  now 
Scrantoii,  in  Scranton  Town>hip.  nine  miles 


west  of  Jetfer&on.  The  station-house  w^as 
built  in  the  eai'ly  part  of  1868.  The  town 
was  platted  in  the  sumniei'  of  1869  by  tlie 
Blair  Town  Lot  Company,  and  named  in 
honor  of  Mr.  Scranton,  the  proprietor  of  ex- 
tensive iron-works  and  rolling-mills  at  Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania,  who  furnished  the  iron 
rails  for  a  large  portion  of  the  Ciiicago  & 
Northwestern  liailroad.  The  first  lot  was 
sold  January  31,  1870,  to  Charles  11.  Dowd, 
upon  wliich  lie  and  11.  C.  Smith  built  a 
store.  R.  P.  and  D.  P.  .Vnisden  built  a 
dwelling,  and  then  C.  J.  (.juinn  and  1).  J. 
Sheldon  built  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street, 
and  soon  after  started  a  lumber  yard.  The 
first  freight  received  at  the  station  was  in 
March,  1868.  The  postoffice  was  established 
in  the  summer  of  the  same  year,  with  M.  O. 
Robertson  as  postmaster.  In  1870,  also,  a 
boarding-house  and  hotel  by  Daniel  and 
Lydia  Vader,  a  blacksmith-shop  by  John 
Shimer,  and  a  school-house,  were  built. 
About  tiie  first  residents  of  the  town  may  be 
said  to  have  been  John  Bolan,  M.  O.  Robert- 
son, C.  H.  Dowd,  H.  C.  Smith,  the  Amsdens, 
A'aders,  C.  J.  Quinn,  D.  J.  Sheldon  and  Dr. 
James  Pressnell,  up  to  the  beginning  of 
1871.  In  the  autumn  of  1869  I.  II.  Adams 
built  a  grain  warehouse,  and  shipped  the  first 
cfrain  broutrht  to  this  market. 

I'ntil  1874  Scranton  grew  very  slowly, 
when  the  outside  world  suddenly  discovered 
the  merits  of  its  location,  and  new  enter- 
prises sprang  into  existence.  In  the  year 
mentioned  the  United  Brethren  church,  the 
Hunter  House,  two  or  three  stores  and  several 
dwellings  were  built,  and  a  newspaper  and 
printing  office  yGazMt)  established.  During 
1875  the  town  progressed  rapidly,  and  some 
forty  l)uildings  were  erected  at  an  aggregate 
cost  of  not  less  than  $40,000.  The  two 
elevators,  school-house,  four  large  stores  and 
a  large  livery  barn   were  among   those  built 


this  year.  The  population  of  Scrantoii  in 
June,  1875,  was  234.  The  State  census  of 
1885  shows  the  population  to  be  714,  an  in- 
crease in  ten  years  of  more  than  200  })er 
cent.  Few  towns  of  its  size  have  liner  pros- 
pects than  Scranton. 

INCOKPORATION. 

Scranton  was  incorporated  as  a  town  early 
in  July,  1880,  the  first  meeting  of  the  coun- 
cil being  held  July  6.  The  othcers  elected 
each  year  have  been : 

1880. — Mayor,  Henry  Plielps;  Trustees, 
I.  II.  Adains,  James  Park,  H.  Coleman,  E. 
P.  Phelps,  J.  J.  Allen  and  .lohn  Osborne; 
Recorder,  M.  L.  Lewis;  Treasurer,  i!.  F. 
Roberts ;  Marshal,  Frank  Gibson  ;  Street 
Commissioner,  George  Allen. 

1881. — Mayor,  Henry  Phelps;  Trustees, 
I.  H.  Adams,  James  Park,  J.  J.  Allen,  E. 
P.  Phelps,  H.  Coleman  and  John  (Jsborne; 
Recorder,  M.  L.  Lewir^;  'J'reasurer,  B.  F. 
Roberts;  Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner, 
George  Allen. 

1882.— Mayor,  F.  Ball;  Trustees,  James 
Pressnell.  J.  J.  Allen,  John  Osborne.  James 
Park,  I.  H.  Adams  and  ]I.  Coleman;  Record- 
er, T.  J.  "W'illiite;  Assessor,  T.  Andrews; 
Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner,  George 
Allen. 

1883.  —  Mayor,  F.  Pall;  Trustees,  John 
Osborne,  H.  Anderson,  P.  F.  Willoughby,  J. 
J.  Allen,  I.  H.  Adams  and  James  Park; 
Recorder,  J.  AV.  Vader;  Treasurer,  B.  F. 
Roberts;  Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner. 
George  Allen. 

1884. — Mayor,  Perry  1).  Rose;  Trustees, 
A.  L.  Syphers,  T.  P.  LaRue,  H.  Anderson, 
James  Park,  I.  H.  Adams  and  John  Osborne; 
Recorder,  J.  W.  Vader;  Treasurer,  F.  E. 
Fuller;  Marshal,  P.  A.  Smith;  Street  Com- 
missioner, B.  Brader. 

1885.— Mayor,  F.  E.  Fuller;  Trustees,   P. 


F.  WiUonghby,  S.  E.  Shaw.  John  Osborne, 
A.  L.  Sy[>hers,  H.  Anderson  and  T.  P.  La 
Rue;  Recorder,  J.  W.  Vader;  Assessor, 
Scott  Barber;  Treasurer,  F.  E.  P'uller;  Mar- 
shal, P.  A.  Smith;  Street  Commissioner,  R. 
Brader. 

1886.— Mayor,  E.  P.  Phelps;  Trustees,  I!. 
F.  Ptoberts,  A.  T.  Cox,  A.  F.  Voung,  P.  F. 
Willoughby,  Allen  Glenn  and  S.  fl  Shaw; 
Recorder,  J.  W.  Vader;  Treasurer,  Charles 
Ensign;  Marshal,  W.  W.  Richards;  Street 
Commissioner,  R.  Brader. 

POSTMASTERS. 

As  before  stated,  M.  O.  Robertson  was  the 
first  postmaster  of  Scranton.  He  carried  the 
office — or  at  least  the  mail — in  his  pocket, 
and  would  be  stopj)ed  on  the  street  by  those 
wanting  their  letters.  He  was  succeeded  by 
H.  C.  Smith;  he  by  Miss  C.  A.  Vader,  and 
the  present  incumbent  is  1.  H.  Jones. 

FIRE    rROTECTION. 

Scranton  has  no  organized  lire  company, 
but  owns  a  force  pump,  hooks  and  ladders, 
hose  cart  and  350  feet  of  hose.  This  aj)- 
paratus  was  mostly  purchased  in  18>^3.  The 
town  has  had  liut  one  serious  lire.  It  oc- 
curred April  3,  1884,  when  the  Scranton 
House,  a  furniture  store,  drug  store  and  two 
unoccupied  buildings  were  destroj'ed.  The 
total  damage  was  $10,000,  partially  covered 
by  .$3,900  insurance. 

PAPERS. 

The  Scranton  Gazette  was  started  in  Janu- 
ary, 1875,  by  W.  W.  Yarman.  It  was  a  six- 
column  folit).  It  passed  into  the  hands  of 
one  Brown,  who  made  it  a  Greenback  organ. 
After  four  years  in  all  of  continuous  publica- 
tion, it  suspended.  The  Journal  was  estab- 
lished in  1879,  by  H.  O.  Beatty,  who  sold  in 
October,  1882,   to  H.  G.  McCuUoch  A:  Son. 


1 


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518 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


In  the  autumn  of  1883  F.  II.  McCuUoch 
bouglit  his  father's  interest,  and  February  8, 
1884,  the  paper  became  the  property  of  P. 
A.  Smitli,  who  has  since  conducted  it.  It 
has  been  from  the  start  a  llepubiican  live- 
column  quarto.  It  is  issued  on  Tlinrsdays, 
at  §1.50  per  year,  and  circulates  principally 
in  Greene  anil  Carroll  counties.  Tlie  I''ree 
Press  was  started  September  1,  1886,  by  M. 
M.  Mahoney.  It  is  a  six-column  quarto, 
independent  in  politics.  It  is  issued  on 
Wednesdays,  at  $1  per  year. 

PKOJESSIONAL. 

The  only  lawyer  now  here  is  T.  B.  Moore. 
In  the  past  tliere  have  been  William  M. 
Langley,  Lucius  Barnes  and    Perry  D.  Rose. 

The  iirst  physician  here  was  Dr.  James 
Pressnell.  W.  C.  Davis,  B.  II.  Hoover  and 
E.  A.  Gleason  were  here  varying  periods. 
Dr.  R.  Olive  has  been  in  practice  twenty 
years  here,  and  has  kept  a  drug  store  since 
1872. 

BUSINESS. 

The  Bank  of  Scranton  was  established  in 
1877,  by  T.  P.  La  Rue.  He  sold  in  IS'^ovem- 
ber,  1885,  to  Robert  Easoii,  who  is  now  pres- 
ident. W.  M.  Eason  is  cashier.  The  adver- 
tised capital  is  $40,000. 

The  Scranton  Tile,  Brick  and  Stoneware 
Company  commenced  business  in  1885,  and 
makes  tile  and  brick,  southeast  of  tlie  station. 
The  stock  is  S6,000,  all  owned  by  seven  resi- 
dents of  Scranton.  From  six  to  ten  men  are 
employed  tlie  year  round.  S.  L.  Eason  is 
president;  B.  F.  Roberts,  secretary;  A.  II. 
Carey,  treasurer;  W.  J.  Ivinnett,  foreman. 

The  Scianton  Norman  Horse  Company 
was  incorporated  December  24,  1883,  with 
sixteen  mendjers  and  stockholders.  The 
stock,  s4,O00,  is  all  paid  up.  J.  A.  Moss  is 
president:  .lohn  Osborne,  treasui'er;  aiul  B. 
1".   lloberts,  secretary.     Tin-   purpuse  of  the 


company  is  to  breed    superior  animals    for 
farm  work.     They  own  three  horses  now  and 

I  expect  to  enlarge  their  business  in  time. 

The  business  firms  of  Scranton  in  Novem- 

[  ber,  1886,  were: 

Adams  &  Saunders,  millinery;  J.  J.  Allen, 
harness;  A.  Arkwright,  restaurant;  Mrs.  O. 
S.  Baldwin,  millinery;  .J.    Brader,  carpenter 

t  and  house  buildt-r;  11.  U.  Brock,  billiard 
hall;  M.  Butler,  shoe  shop;  A.  11.  Carey, 
general  merchandise,  grain,  lumber,  coal  and 
lime;  Arthur  Carney,  restaurant;  H.  Cole- 
man, livery:  C.  W.  Cressler  &  Co.,  gen- 
eral merchandise;  D.  G.  Cromwell,  notary 
])ul)lic  and  insurance;  J.  Dorcas,  musical 
instruments  and  sewing  machines;  J.  Dow- 
ling,  general  merchandise;  F.  D.  Duid)ar, 
livery;  D.  D.  Dumiiug,  carpenter  and 
house  builder;  R.  Eason,  Bank  of  Scranton; 
T.  W.  Egbert,  painter;  Charles  Ensign, 
drugs;  Fuller  <k  Carey,  hardware;  E.  Han- 
sel, jeweler;  M.  .lohnson,  jeweler;  II.  P. 
Jones,  carpenter  and  house  builder;  1.  11. 
Jones,  postmaster;  Lewis,  Stiegerwalt  ct  Co., 
general  merchandise;  Lewis,  Theodore  &  Co., 
hardware;  J.  Lucraft,  Scranton  House;  M. 
I\L  Mahoney,  editor  J^'ree  Press;  R.  Mc- 
Neil, billiard  hall;  T.  H.  Moore,  attorney; 
K.  (Jlive,  druggist  and  physician;  John  Os- 
borne, grain,  lumber,  coal  and  lime;  M.  S. 
Patten,  carpenter  and  house  builder;  Park  & 
Dawson,  agricultural  implements;  Henry 
Phelps,  grain,  lumber  and  hardware;  S.  Ran- 
dall, carpenter  and  house  builder;  W.  W . 
Richards,  wagon  maker;  I>.  F.  Roberts, 
drugs/  Schoonover  tt  Frost,  blacksmiths;  S. 
Sease,  meat  market;  W.  L.  Sexton,  black- 
smith; P.  A.  Smith,  editor  Joimtal;  J. 
Stribling,  painter;  A.  L.  Syphers,  meat  mar- 
ket; Vroman  ct  Willoughby,  furniture;  W. 
M.  Warner,  general  merchandise;  T.  J.  Wil- 
hite,  barber;  A.  J.  Wood,  general  merchan- 
dise. 


TOWN'S    AND     VILLAGES. 


519 


SCHOOL. 

Previous  to  1885  an  ungraded  scliool  was 
all  that  was  open  to  the  children  of  Scranton. 
In  that  yeai-  a  two-story  frame  school-house 
M-as  built,  at  a  cost  of  $8,000.  It  contains 
four  rooms.  Four  teachers  are  employed, 
the  corps  for  188C-'87  being:  E.  S.  liell, 
principal  (second  year);  Miss  Mamie  Cole- 
man, grammar;  Mrs.  Josie  McCowin,  inter- 
mediate; and  Miss  Elsie  Lucraft,  primary. 
School  is  taught  for  nine  months.  Tiie  en- 
rollment reaches  200  annually,  and  the 
average  attendance  180.  Tlie  present  school 
board  includes  E.  P.  Phelps  (president),  A. 
F.  Young.  L.  II.  Yroman,  Samuel  Sease,  C. 
W.  Cressler  and  Jacob  Pradei'.  A.  Strona  is 
secretary  and  Kol)ert  Eason,  ti'easnrer. 

CHURCHES. 

T/,e  United  Brethren  V  hvr  <■],.  — 1\\% 
tirst  religious  society  organized  in  Scran- 
ton was  the  United  Brethren,  by  llev. 
John  Chase,  in  1871.  This  society,  assisted 
by  others,  built  the  first  church  in  town  in 
1874,  dedicating  it  December  27,  of  that 
year.  It  is  a  neat  and  substantial  house, 
26x44  feet,  and  cost  $1,700.  Among  the 
pastors  have  been  Pevs.  Roberts,  Bufkin, 
Crawford,  Buxton,  Young,  Curtis,  Snyder, 
Cronk  and  Talbott.  The  membership  is 
about  lifty.  Samuel  Frantz  is  class-leader 
and  I.  K.  Frost,  Steward.  The  Sunday-school 
has  about  one  hundred  pupils,  in  charge  of 
Alonzo  Dixon. 

Methodist  Ejnscojxd  Church. —  In  April, 
1871,  the  Scranton  Circuit  was  set  off.  The 
pastors  of  the  charge  since  have  been:  1871- 
'72,  Rev.  L.  Boran;  1872-'73,  Rev.  L.  McK. 
Campbell;  1873-'74,  Rev.  G.  W.  Selby; 
1874-'75,  Rev.  E.  P.  Yail;  1875-77,  Rev. 
B.  T.  Durfee;  1877-'78,  Rev.  W.  C.  Smith; 
1878-'80,  Rev.  J.  D.  Moore;  1881-'82,  Rev. 
A.  B.  Shipman;  1881-'83.  Rev.  A.  G.  Fore- 


man; 1883-'85,  Rev.  D.  O.Stewart;  1885-'87, 
Rev.  W.  Abraham.  The  church  was  Ituilt  in 
1878.  during  Rev.  J.  D.  Moore's  time,  at  a 
cost  of  $2,400.  The  ])arsonage  was  built 
earlier,  in  Mr.  YaiPs  time,  and  cost  $000. 
The  stewards  of  the  church  are:  John  Osborne, 
Mrs.  Osborne,  S.  E.  Shaw,  N.  P..  Sheldon, 
J.  E.  Moss,  Mrs.  Moss,  liol)ert  Cain,  A. 
Hagey,  William  Dunning,  Mrs.  Jaques  and 
Mrs.  Gaunt.  The  trustees  are:  John  Osborne, 
N.  B.  Sheldon,  J.  E.  Moss,  William  M. 
Ivimmey,  L.  Sease,  T.  Davis  and  Dexter 
Moss.  There  are  under  one  hundred  pupils 
in  the  Sunday-school,  which  is  in  charge  of 
William  M.  Ivimmey. 

The  Clirl.itian  Church  was  organized  in 
the  s])ring  of  1880,  with  twenty-seven  mem- 
bers. Tliere  are  now  127.  They  bought  for 
$1,250  a  church  which  had  been  built,  but 
not  long  used,  by  the  Presbyterians  in  1879, 
at  an  expenditure  of  $2,500.  Rev.  John  A. 
Lindeer,  from  Coon  Rapids,  was  invited  to 
become  pastor.  The  elders  are:  W.  J.  Kinnett, 
Gordon  McDonald  and  Benjamin  Loomis; 
Deacons,  A.  T.  Cox,  Cieorge  McCoy  and  S.  E. 
Loomis;  Trustees,  W.  J.  Kinnett,  Benjamin 
Loomis  and  A.  T.  Cox.  S.  E.  Loomis  is 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  which 
has  about  one  hundred  on   its  rolls. 

SOCIETIKS. 

Golden  Gate  Lodcfe,  No.  )fi)i,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  was  instituted  June  18,  1880,  and 
chartered  June  7,  1881.  The  officers  for 
1886  are:  D.  B.  Ilaight,  Worshipful  Mas- 
ter; P.  D.  Rose,  Senior  Warden;  A.  Strong, 
Junior  Warden;  Robert  Eason,  Treasurer; 
I.  II.  Adams,  Secretary.  Tiie  lodge  has 
about  forty  meml)ers,  and  meets  on  Monday 
evening,  on  or  before  each  full  moon,  at 
Masonic  Hall. 

Scranton  Lode/e,  No.  357,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  was 
chartered  September  30,  1876.     The  ofKcers 


5130 


BISTORT    OF    GREENlt:    COUNTY. 


at  this  writing  are:  R.  Olive,  Noble  Grand; 
W.  S.  Allen,  Vice-Cirand ;  P..  F.  Roberts,  Secre- 
tary. The  lodge  has  thirty-iive  members,  and 
meets  every  Wednesday  evening  at  its  own 
hall.  This  is  also  nsed  as  an  (jpera  hall.  It  is 
30x74  feet,  and  cost  $3,000. 

Scranton  Lodge,  No.  207,  A.  O.  V.  TF., 
was  organized  in  December,  1879,  and  char- 
tered in  January  following.  At  this  writing 
Henry  Hensen  is  Master  Workman;  1.  II. 
Adams,  Recorder;  Scott  Barber,  Financier, 
and  D.  R.  Amsden,  Receiver.  The  lodge  has 
twe!ity-one  members,  and  meets  every  Thurs- 
day evening  at  ITensen's  Hall. 

N.  IT.  Poirem  Post,  No.  Ill,  G.  A.  I?., 
was  organized  November  16,  1882.  The 
officers  for  the  current  year  are:  .1.  E.  Moss, 
Commander;  W.  H.  Garland,  Senior  Vice- 
Commander;  G.  W.  Brader.  Junior  Vice- 
Commander;  J.  W".  Fletcher,  Adjutant;  P.  A. 
Smith,  Quartermaster;  Ed.  Hall,  Officer  of 
the  Day;  Joseph  Frease,  Officer  of  the  Guard; 
Hugh  Pound,  Chaplain;  J.  L.  Lukens,  Sur- 
geon; W.  H.  Perkins,  Sergeant-Major;  AV.  L. 
Fry,  Quartermaster-Sergeant.  The  post  has 
eighty-one  members  and  meets  the  first  and 
third  Saturdays  of  each  month  at  Union  Hall. 

Wonian^s  Relief  Corjjs,  No.  50,  auxiliary 
to  the  jjost,  was  organized  in  Februar}',  1886, 
with  thirty-six  ciiarter  members.  There  are 
now  thirty-eight  memliers,  and  meetings  are 
lield  the  first  and  third  Saturdays  of  each 
month  at  Hensen's  Hall.  At  this  writing 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Brown  is  President;  Mrs.  Susan 
Moss,  Senior  Vice-President;  Mrs.  Eveline 
Fletcher,  Junior  Vice-President;  ]\Irs.  Me- 
lissa Garland,  Treasurer;  Mrs.  Helen  Moss, 
Secretary;  Mrs.  Alice  Perkins,  Conductress; 
Mrs.  Margaret  Anderson,  Guard. 

CHURDAN. 

The  village  of  Churdan  is  situated  in 
Highland   Township,  on   the    Dps  Moines  A: 


Fonda  branch  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  vt 
Pacific  Railroad,  twelve  miles  north  of  Jef- 
ferson, and  seventy-eight  miles  northwest  of 
Des  Moines.  The  present  population  is  esti- 
mated at  278.  The  railroad  was  completed 
in  1882,  and  March  1  of  that  year  J.  II. 
Hunter  opened  the  first  store  in  Churdan. 
This  store  was  conducted  for  six  months  by 
J.  H.  Hunter  &,  W.  S.  Livingston,  and  then 
the  firm  became  Iluntei',  Livingston  &  Liv- 
ingston, the  junior  partner  being  W.  1!.  Liv- 
ingston. The  second  building  was  erected 
by  A.  J.  Dudley,  for  a  hardware  and  agri- 
cultural implement  house,  and  the  next  by 
A.  B.  Capps,  for  general  merchandise.  J.  M. 
Fitz  next  erected  a  drug  store.  At  present 
writing  Churdan  has  two  general  stores,  one 
hardware  store,  postoffice  [F.  D.  Odell,  post- 
master), one  agricultural  implement  store 
(of  J.  C.  Hill),  two  notion  stores,  one  drug 
store  (owned  by  Dr.  V.  D.  Carr),  one  furni- 
ture store  (owned  by  J.  R.  English),  two 
millinery  shops,  three  dress-making  estab- 
lishments, one  restaurant,  one  hotel  (kept  by 
F.  11.  llutchins),  one  flouring  and  feed  mill, 
two  grain  firms,  three  coal  firms,  one  lumber 
yard,  one  harness  shop,  one  boot  and  shoe 
store,  one  blacksmith  shop,  two  wagon  shops, 
one  livery  stable  and  one  barber  shop.  There 
are  two  physicians  residing  here  — Drs.  Mor- 
gan and  Carr. 

The  one  church  building  is  owned  by  the 
Presbyterians,  but  is  iiseil  by  both  tliem  and 
tiie  JSfetliodists.  It  was  built  during  the 
summer  of  1885,  and  dedicated  Angust  31. 
The  trustees  were  James  White,  II.  G.  Mc- 
Birney  and  R.  A.  White,  for  the  Presby- 
terians, and  E.  W.  Bates,  W.  S.  Livingston, 
F.  D.  Carr,  A.  S.  Fonts  and  C.  A.  English, 
for  the  Methodists.  There  is  also  a  Free 
Methodist  society,  led  by  H.  D.  Rogers. 

A  large  and  commodious  school-house  was 
built  durino:  the  season  of  1885.     The  direc- 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


531 


tors  are:  C.  E.  Woodwortli,  William  liillis 
and  J.  M.  Fitz.  The  first  postmaster  was 
Joseph  Churdaii,  Sr.,  and  the  present  incum- 
bent is  Frank  D.  Odell. 

The  town  site  was  first  bought  by  the 
Union  Town  Company,  of  Ues  Moines.  They 
first  purchased  IfiO  acres,  laying  out  forty 
into  town  lots.  About  eighteen  months  later 
seven  more  blocks  were  laid  out,  as  Captain 
Head's  addition. 

Churdan  was  incorporated  April  29,  1884, 
the  first  council  comprising  J.  C.  Hill,  E.  IVF. 
Fowler,  J.  H.  Hunter,  E.  Harding  and  F.  M. 
Stotts.  The  first  mayor  was  E.  M.  AVest- 
brook;  recorder,  W.  E.  Dickinson.  The 
present  mayor  is   E.  Harding. 

RIPPEY. 

The  village  of  Rippey  was  laid  out  in 
June,  1870,  on  section  11,  township  82  north, 
range  29  west.  It  is  in  Washington  Town- 
ship, and  is  a  station  on  the  Des  Moines  A; 
Fort  Dodge  Railroad,  the  l)uilding  of  which, 
indeed,  suggested  the  starting  of  a  village  at 
this  point.  The  first  building  was  erected 
by  John  llampenstall.  It  was  a  oue-story 
frame,  and  was  moved  from  "Old  Rippey," 
to  be  used  as  a  dwelling  by  Mr.  llampenstall. 
The  first  store  was  established  by  C.  H.  Suy- 
dam,  and  the  first  blacksmith  shop  was  built 
and  run  by  Dwight  Thorp.  A  wagon  and 
blacksmith  shop  was  started  about  the  same 
time,  by  Isaac  Worthington.  This  was  in 
1871. 

There  was  but  one  store  in  the  place  until 
1876,  in  which  year  Rippey  began  to  im- 
prove. At  one  time  since  then  there  were 
four  general  stores  and  several  other  business 
establishments.  It  now  contains  two  general 
stores,  two  groceries,  three  restaurants,  one 
bakery,  one  drug  store,  one  hardware  store, 
one  harness  shop,  one  hotel,  two  doctoi'S,  one 
insurance  and   loan  agent,  one  elevator,  three 


blacksmith  shops,  three  wagon  shops,  one 
meat  market,  one  livery  stable,  one  millinery 
shop,  and  a  coal  mine.  The  coal  shaft  was 
sunk  in  1884  hy  \\ .  X.  C'artwright,  pros- 
pecting having  been  first  begun  in  1874. 
Coal  was  first  found  in  1883  by  the  liippey 
Coal  Milling  Association.  The  shaft  extends 
downward  120  feet,  and  the  \ein  is  four  feet 
thick.  A  hunilrcd  miners  can  be  em]iloyed 
at  one  time. 

Ri^>peij  Lodge.,  A'o.  46'6',  /.  U.  O.  7''.,  was 
organized  June  2G,  1883,  with  these  eight 
charter  members:  J.  Bullock,  E.  L.  Frizelle, 
G.  J.  Griftith,  G.  N.  Phillips,  K.  1!.  Cook,  J. 
P.  Law,  F.  E.  Harmon  and  8.  Q.  Free.  The 
first  officers  were:  F.  E.  Harmon,  Noble 
Grand;  \l.  li.  Cook,  Vice-Grand:  S.  (^.  Free, 
Secretary;  J.  Bullock,  Permanent  Secretary. 
The  lodge  owns  its  hall,  which  is  in  a  two- 
story  frame  building  22  x  50  feet  in  size. 
It  was  built  in  1884.  The  lodge  has  forty- 
two  members  in  good  standing,  and  is  in 
excellent  condition.  The  officers  at  this 
writing  are:  D.  A.  Bennett,  Noble  Grand; 
I.  W.  Frymeier,  Vice-Grand;  J.  W.  Cree, 
Secretary;  J.  S.  Jones,  Permanent  Secretai-y; 
W.  L.  McCrary,  Treasurer. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Iiipj^ey  Methmlist  Episcoixd  Chnvfh 
was  first  organized  at  what  is  now  called 
"  Old  Rippey,"  four  miles  west  of  Rippey, 
by  Rev.  John  Anderson,  in  1855,  and  added 
to  the  Panora  Circuit.  The  Rippey  Circuit 
was  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1873,  and 
Rev.  D.  M.  Mallory  appointed  to  preach. 
The  pastors  since  then  have  been:  187(5-'77, 
Rev.  C.  Hover;  1877-'78,  Rev.  B.  F.  Shut- 
terly;  l878-'79,  Rev.  S.  W.  Milligan;  1879- 
"80,  Rev.  C.  W.  Stewart;  1880-'82,  Rev.  G. 
W.  Hall;  1882-'83,  Rev.  A.  W.  Armstrong, 
1883-85,  Rev.  William  Abraham ;  l885-'87, 
Rev.   John    Elliott.     The   house   of  worship 


532 


St  STORY    OF    GRSENE    COnNTY. 


was    built    in    the    summer   of    1881.     The 
present  membership  is  sixty-five. 

The  Preshyterkm  Church  was  organized 
Alay  18,  1880,  by  tlie  following  committee, 
appointed  by  the  Pi-esbytery  of  Fort  Dodge: 
Kev.  W.  G.  Hillman,  Kev.  A.  K.  Baird  and 
Elder  C  Metzger.  The  original  members 
were  Samuel  Khodes,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Lovejoy, 
Mrs.  Hannah  Keller,  Mrs.  Margaret  llolines, 
W.  A.  Shormley  and  wife,  E.  A.  Porter  and 
wife,  Bobei't  Fleming  and  wife,  J.  R.  Derry, 
Miss  Mary  Aylet,  George  H.  Bennett  and 
wife.  The  following  have  served  as  ruling 
elders,  the  last  three  being  at  present  active: 
Robert  Fleming,  E.  A.  Porter,  W.  A.  Shorm- 
ley, C.  A.  Garvin,  A.  L.  Grow.  A.  C.  Love- 
joy  and  William  McCrary.  This  church  has 
never  had  a  regular  pastor,  its  pulpit  being 
supplied  by  the  pastor  of  the  Grand  Junction 
chui-ch.  The  present  membership  is  thirty. 
Rev.  W.  G.  Hillman  served  the  church  as 
stated  supply  from  its  organization  until  his 
death  in  1883.  During  his  ministi-y  the 
house  of  worship  was  built.  Rev.  S.  W. 
Pollock  was  their  supply  from  June,  1883,  to 
April,  1884.  Since  then  Rev.  G.  N.  Luc- 
cock  has  been  serving  them. 

PATON. 

The  village  of  Paton  was  laid  out  in  the 
autumn  of  1874  by  J.  XL  Tallman,  who 
built  the  first  house  here  ])rior  to  the  laying 
out  of  the  little  town.  The  first  store  was 
built  by  Griffith  &  Tliompson  in  the  spring 
of  1875.  They  kept  a  general  stock  for  one 
year,  and  then  failed.  J.  A.  Rowles  now 
sells  all  kinds  of  merchandise  in  the  same 
building.  The  second  business  house  was 
liuilt  by  Dr.  J.  M.  Sherman  in  the  summer 
of  1875.  He  has  conducted  a  drug  business 
ever  since.  Paton  had  eighty-four  inhabi- 
tants  in    1880,  and    by  the  census    in   1885, 


236.     It    was    incorporated    in    1883.      The 
officers  for  each  year  have  been : 

1883. — Mayor,  J.  A.  Rowles;  Trustees, 
H.  H.  Smith,"  A.  W.  Kelsey,  W.  R.  Garritt, 
H.  A.  Gilliland,  J.  W.  Hill  and  Oscar  White; 
Recorder,  C.  H.  Townsend;  Marshal,  A.  C. 
Curtis. 

1884.— Mayor,  T.  M.  Hall;  Trustees,  H. 
H.  Smith,  O.  W.  AVhite,  W.  R.  Garritt,  J. 
W.  Hill,  A.  W.  Kelsey  and  A.  W.  Gilliland; 
Recorder,  C.  H.  Townsend;  Treasurer,  J.  A. 
Rowles;  Marshal,  A.  V.  Curtis. 

1885.— Mayor,  T.  M.  Hall ;  Trustees,  W.  R. 
Garritt,  George  Herwig,  J.  M.  Sherman,  H. 
H.  Smith,  A.  W.  Kelsey  and  A.  H.  (Jilliland; 
Recorder,  S.  S:  Rutter;  Treasurer,  J.  A. 
Rowles;  Marshal,  A.  C.  Curtis. 

1886.— Mayor,  T.  M.  Hall;  Trustees,  A. 
H.  Gilliland,  A.  W.  Kelse}',  George  Herwig, 
W.  R.  Garritt,  II.  H.  Smith  and  J.  M.  Sher- 
man; Recorder,  S.  S.  Rutter;  Treasurer,  ,1. 
A.  Rowles;  Marshal,  .1.  P.  Meredith. 

Paton  now  has  three  general  stores,  one 
di'ug  store,  one  hardware  store,  two  millinery 
shops,  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  agricultural 
implement  store,  one  hotel,  one  tin  shop,  one 
lumber  and  grain  office,  one  barber  shop,  one 
creamery,  one  elevator,  one  harness  shop,  one 
meat  market,  one  wagon  shop,  one  boot  and 
shoe  store  and  one  furniture  store. 

Gem  Lodge,  No.  429,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  was 
organized  June  24,  1882,  and  chartered  June 
6,  1883,  with  six  meml)ers.  T.  M.  Hall  was 
the  first  master.  The  present  officers  are: 
E.  P.  French,  W.  M.;  \.  C.  Harris,  S.  W.; 
A.  C.  Curtis,  J.  W.;  T.  M.  Hall,  Treasurer; 
L.  L.  Palmer,  Sec.  The  lodge  has  twenty- 
three  meml)ers,  and  meets  Thursday  evening 
on  or  before  eacii  full  moon. 

The  first  Methodist  preaching  in  Paton 
was  by  Rev.  (Charles  Leach  in  January,  1875. 
Tlie  church  has  always  been  connected  with 
the    (Jrand    , I  unction    charge.      The    pastors 


■■.■-»».-■«»»-.■-■■ 


TUWNti    AND     VILL.U/h'S. 


'S»S*iia!iiigig 


■  « 


it 


<^: 


4 


I 

If 


have  been:  1876-'77,  Rev.  B.  F.  Slietterley; 
1877-'78,  Eev.  C.  H.  Newell;  1878-'80,  IlJv. 
A.  B.  Shipmaii;  1880-'81,  Eev.  C.  V.  Mar- 
tin; 1881-'83,  Rev.  L.W.  Archer;  1883-'85, 
Rev.  E.  Kendall;  1885-'8G,  Rev.  J.  D.  Moore; 
18S6-'87,  Rev.  R.  R.  Grantham.  The  class 
at  Paton  was  organized  in  187(3  and  consisted 
of  eleven  members.  It  now  nninbcrs  fifty 
members.  Tiie  church  building  was  begun 
in  1881  and  completed  in  1882,  tlie  total 
expenditure  being  $2,000.  Albert  Jester  is 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  which 
is  in  a  tlourishiiig  condition.  The  officers  of 
the  church  are:  Local  Preacher,  Joshua  Jester; 
Class  Leader,  J.  L.  Hunt;  Stewards,  J.  L. 
Hunt  and  Albert  Jester;  Trustees,  J.  A. 
Rowles,  George  F.  Rider,  J.  M.  Sherman,  J. 
L.  Hunt,  J.  Jester,  J.  H.  Tallman,  H.  H. 
Smith,  A.  Jester  and  J.  P.  Meredith. 

There  is  a  Friends  church  near  Paton  de- 
serving particular  attention.  In  the  spring 
of  1879  the  lirst  family  of  Friends  settled 
here.  It  consisted  of  Clayton  and  Phebe  R. 
Brown  and  their  four  children.  In  August, 
1880,  Rev.  William  Roberts  and  Elizabeth, 
his  wife,  with  two  married  sons  and  tlieir 
wives,  and  three  minor  children,  arrived  here. 
About  the  1st  of  October  in  that  year  the 
school-house  (No.  6)  was  completed.  The 
second  Sabbath  thereafter  the  lirst  Friends' 
meeting  was  held  in  it,  being  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  society  ever  held  in  the  county. 
Services  have  been  maintained  regularly' 
since,  except  when  severe  storms  prevented. 
Other  members  soon  after  joined  the  little 
community,  and  early  in  1882  the  Friends 
were  numerous  enough  to  establish  a  monthly 
meeting.  The  first  one  was  held  March  25, 
1882,  and  meetings  have  since  occurred  on 
the  last  Seventh  Day  of  each  month. 

DANA. 

This  little  village  was  laid  out  in  1881,  by 

38 


Mr.  Eckstein,  on  section  9,  township  81 
north,  range  29  west.  It  is  in  Junction 
Township,  and  is  a  station  on  the  Des  Moines 
&  Fort  Dodge  Railroad.  The  first  house 
was  built  in  the  spring  of  1882,  by  Mr.  Gar- 
rett, and  used  by  him  for  a  dwelling.  The 
first  store  was  built  by  Ed.  Hutchins  in  1882. 
He  kept  a  general  stock  of  merchandise,  and 
was  the  first  postmaster.  He  sold  in 
1883  to  "William  C.  Earth,  who  still  owns 
it. 

The  village  now  comprises  two  general 
stores,  a  postofiice,  a  harness  shop,  a  black- 
smith shop,  hotel  and  restaurant,  and  a  grain 
and  stock  buyer.  The  population  is  abtnit 
fifty.  The  prosperity  of  the  place  is  largely 
due  to  the  enterprise  of  William  C.  Earth, 
the  leading  business  man  of  the  place.  Much 
credit  is  also  due  William  H.  Vest,  the  jn-o- 
prietor  of  the  hotel. 

The  Presbyterian  church  of  Dana  was  or- 
ganized at  the  Oxley  school-house  August  16, 
1885,  by  Rev.  G.  N.  Luccock  and  Elder  H. 
A.  Parmenter,  members  of  the  Presbytery  at 
Fort  Dodge.  The  original  membership  was 
thirty.  R.  Paterson,  T.  B.  Martin  and  J.  A. 
Addy  were  elected  elders,  and  are  now  serv- 
ing: in  that  relation.  Their  new  house  of 
worship  was  dedicated  the  6th  of  December, 
1885.  A  very  successful  revival  in  the  winter 
following  resulted  in  a  large  increase  of  mem- 
bership, which  is  now  seventy-one.  The 
pulpit  is  supplied  by  Rev.  G.  N.  Luccock, 
pastor  at  Grand  Junction. 

COOPER. 

The  village  of  Cooper  is  in  Franklin  Tdwn- 
ship,  and  is  a  station  on  the  narrow-gauge 
railroad.  The  principal  merchant  is  S.  W. 
Higgius.  There  are  two  stores,  a  grain  ele- 
vator, blacksmith  shoji,  and  perhaps  seventy- 
five  people. 


;■■■■■-■■ 


534 


HISTORY    OF    OREENE    COUNTY. 


ANGUS. 

Although  this  village  is  situated  mostly  in 
Boone  County,  so  much  of  it  lies  in  Greene 
that  we  are  justified  in  giving  it  a  description 
proportionately  as  full  as  that  of  any  other 
village.  It  is  situated  mainly  on  section  31, 
Union  Township,  Boone  County,  and  partly 
on  section  36,  Washington  Township,  Greene 
County.  It  has  but  recently  sprung  into 
existence,  like  a  mushroom.  Up  to  1881  it 
was  known  as  "  Coal  Town,"  containing 
scarcely  more  than  a  coal  shaft  and  a  few 
shanties. 

Here  coal  was  first  discovered  by  Henry 
Utler  on  section  35,  Washington  Township, 
in  1866.  The  following  year  he  oi^ened  a 
mine  on  his  own  farm,  on  section  36.  In 
1870  a  Mr.  Carpenter  opened  a  bank  on  Snake 
Creek,  two  miles  west  of  Angus,  where 
Surry  now  is,  and  in  1877  Timmons  &  Loch- 
ray  opened  a  mine  on  section  31.  The  first 
steam  shaft  was  erected  by  John  F.  Duncomb, 
of  Fort  Dodge,  in  1878,  after  having  pur- 
chased the  mine  of  Timmons  &  Lochray,  and 
the  temporary  residences  erected  around  it 
by  employes  formed  the  nucleus  of  Angus. 

In  1880  the  Climax  Coal  Company  pur- 
chased the  property  of  Mr.  Duncomb,  and 
laid  out  the  original  plat  of  the  village  in 
1881.  The  year  previous  the  Standard  Coal 
Company  added  a  plat  to  the  original,  and 
since  then  no  less  than  eight  additions  have 
been  made.  The  village  is  pleasantly  located, 
on  a  fine  undulating  prairie,  in  a  prosperous 
community  of  farmers.  The  Climax  Com- 
pany own  960  acres  of  coal  land,  and  have 
under  lease  280  acres  more,  and  operate  two 
large  steam  shafts,  the  total  capacity  of  which 
is  the  elevation  of  l,-400  tons  daily.  In  1885 
the  company  mined  200,000  tons.  They  now 
employ  400  to  500  miners.  The  Eagle  Coal 
Company,  belonging  to  tiie  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee (fc  St.  Faul  Company,  own  and  ope- 


rate one  steam  shaft,  employ  100  miners,  and 
bring  up  250  tons  daily.  They  own  550 
acres  of  coal  land.  The  Keystone  Company 
put  in  their  first  shaft  on  section  36  in  the 
fall  of  1881,  and  in  September,  1882,  sold  to 
the  Standard  Coal  Company,  the  present  pro- 
prietors. The  latter  erected  a  steam  hoisting 
apparatus,  laid  a  switch,  and  began  hoisting 
coal  November  15  following.  They  now  own 
about  500  acres  of  coal  land,  and  elevate  on 
an  average  about  50,000  tons  annually,  em- 
ploying from  250  to  300  men  altogether.  E. 
W.  Gaylord,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  is 
superintendent,  and  John  McKay  mine  super- 
intendent. Besides  the  above  there  are  a 
number  of  smaller  shafts,  having  a  large 
local  patronage,  among  which  are  the  Bell  & 
Dalley  shafts,  tiie  Buckeye,  Simons  &  Co.'s, 
and  the  Dawson  Company's. 

The  business  houses  of  Angus  are:  L.  B. 
Thomas,  W.  J.  Semmons,  Swan  Nelson,  S. 
G.  Johnson,  W.  H.  Perkins,  M.  A.  Olds, 
Watson  &  Co.,  Eobert  ]Muir,  AV.  C.  Shepard 
and  J.  R.  Thomas,  general  merchandise; 
Swiler  Bros,  and  Richard  Stevens,  hardware; 
T.  II.  Warner  and  Morris  &  AVest,  drugs; 
John  M.  W.  Ray,  Henry  McNair  and  James 
Mills,  restaurants;  W.  L.  Chauvet,  flour  and 
feed ;  Mr.  Williamson  and  D.  J.  Morris,  boots 
and  shoes;  J.  A.  Gwinn,  L.  S.  McKee,  jewelry, 
etc.;  John  Martin  Lumber  Co.,  lumber  and 
brick;  J.  D.  Williams  and  David  Spencer, 
livery;  Bradley  &  Peterson,  Wm.  Utter  and 
Nelson  Phinney,  meat  market;  Huldah  Peter- 
sen, Mrs.  A.  M.  Neal  and  M.  A.  AVilliamson, 
millinery;  Lewis  Linquist,  blacksmith;  Miss 
Coomins, dressmaking;  Levi  McKean, photog- 
rapher; ]\[att  Johns,  pool  and  billiard  hall; 
R.  A.  Lowry  and  J.  C.  Meredith,  attorneys; 
C.  E.  Paige,  J.  B.  Muir,  T.  S.  Kirby,  and 
W.  P.  Mower,  physicians;  Philip  Riley,  the 
St.  Nicholas  Hotel;  J.  R.  McXaughton,  the 
Angus  House;  A.  Powell,  second-hand  store; 


i 


1"' 
.'J 


r    t* 


i 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


and  Robert  A.  Lowry,  editor  of  the  Black 
Diamond;  A.  T.  Pearson,  banker;  and  E.  B. 
Berrien,  contractor  and  builder. 

In  the  village  of  Angus  are  also  a  fine  opera 
house,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  800;  a 
school-house,  fratne,  two  stories,  four  rooms, 
seating-  capacity  350,  situated  on  section  33, 
and  was  built  in  1882-''83,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000; 
besides  several  churches,  described  further 
on. 

The  present  population  of  Angus  is  about 
2,700. 

Official  l.)oard:  1883— Mayor,  David  J. 
Morris;  Recorder,  T.  A.  Ray;  Treasurer,  A. 
T.  Pearson;  Marshal,  E.  Lewis;  Councilnien, 
B.  F.  West,  Tiios.  Pratt,  W.  A.  Swiler,  J.  H. 
Sherry  and  Wm.  J.  Davis.  1884 — Mayor, 
D.  J.  Morris;  Recorder,  W.  IL  Thomas; 
Treasurer,  J.  W.  Webster;  Marshal,  E.  Lewis; 
Councilmen,  B.  L.  AVest,  T.  Pratt,  John  A. 
Allen,  George  Vandewalker,  M.  IL  King  and 
W.  II.  Perkins.  1885— Mayor,  C.  P.  Lud- 
den;  Recorder,  W.  II.  Thomas;  Treasurer, 
L.  B.  Thomas;  Marshal,  E.  Lewis;  Council- 
men,  James  Sherry,  John  Sampson,  George 
Watson,  B.  L.  West  and  Thomas  Pratt. 
1886 — Mayor,  E.  B.  Berrien;  Recorder, 
Thomas  Pratt;  Treasurer,  W.  H.  Perkins; 
Marshal,  E.  Lewis;  Councilmen,  Geo.  Cook, 
Jon.  Sampson,  W.  li.  Thomas,  George  Wat- 
son, Robert  Muir  and  Ralph  Johnson,  Sr. 

ANGUS    BLACK    DIAMOND. 

This  is  a  spicy  six-column  quarto,  owned 
and  edited  by  Robert  A.  Lowry.  It  was 
established  in  1883,  by  Mr.  Lowry  and  C.  M. 
Carr,  and  in  1884  Mr.  Lowry  purchased  Mr. 
Carr's  interest.  It  is  devoted  to  mining  and 
local  news  and  general  literature.  In  politics 
it  is  neutral.     Circulation,  about  1,000. 

THE  ANGUS  TENDEK-FOOT 

was  established  in  May,  1884,  by  Brocket  & 


Clark,  but,  for  want  of  patronage,  it  was  dis- 
continued at  the  end  of  a  year. 

PUBLIC     SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  taught  in  the  independent 
district  of  Angus  was  conducted  by  John  L. 
Curran,  commencing  in  June,  1883,  assisted 
by  Miss  Maria  Sickle,  of  Ogden,  and  Mr. 
Curran  has  had  charge  of  the  schools  here 
ever  since  then.     He  now  has  four  assistants 


and  358 


pup 


ils.     The   main  or  high-school 


building  is  situated  on  section  36,  Washing- 
ton Township,  Greene  County. 

CnUKCHES. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcoj)al  Clmreh 
was  organized  at  Maple  Grove,  several  years 
ago,  about  a  half  mile  west  of  the  county 
line,  on  section  36,  Washington  Township. 
A  new  edifice  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1884,  in 
Angus,  to  which  the  society  moved  the  next 
spring,  when  they  re-organized  under  their 
present  name,  their  former  name  being  the 
Maple  Grove  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Rev.  Abraham  was  then  pastor,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Elliott,  the  present 
incumbent. 

Their  house  of  worship,  which  was  a  frame 
40x60  feet,  and  twenty  feet  from  floor  to 
ceiling,  cost  about  $1,800.  It  was  burned 
down  in  May,  1886,  by  the  "  whisky  element," 
and  the  society  now  worship  in  the  Welch 
church.  Services  every  Sunday  morning  and 
evening;  prayer-meeting  each  Thursday  even- 
ing, and  class-meeting  Tuesday,  Wednesday 
and  Friday  evenings. 

The  Primitive  Methodist  Church  of  Angus 
held  a  long  series  of  protracted  meetings  in 
the  Welch  church,  in  January  and  February, 
1887,  during  which  time  they  organized  with 
about  ninety  members.  These  meetings  were 
conducted  by  Rev.  Mrs.  Watson,  assisted  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Baker. 

The    Welsh    Congregational    Church  was 


52G 


HISTORY    OF    GREENE    COUNTY. 


oi-i^anized  in  18R3,  ]>y  Rev.  T.  D.  Thomas, 
with  twenty  members.  liev.  B.  1.  Evans 
was  pastor  from  the  spring  of  1884  to  the 
fall  of  1885,  when  an  attack  of  paralysis  dis- 
abled him,  since  which  time  the  society  has 
had  no  regular  pastor.  They  have  services 
every  Sunday  morning  and  evening,  Sunday- 
school  at  2  p.  II.  Sunday,  and  ])rayer-meeting 
each  AVednesday  evening.  The  church  build- 
ing is  30x10  feet  in  dimensions,  besides  a 
vestry  8x18  feet.  Number  of  communicants 
about  fifteen. 

The  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  was  organ- 
ized as  a  mission  as  early  as  the  spring  of 
1882.  They  built  their  house  in  1883;  it  is 
a  frame.  There  are  but  few  communicants; 
have  no  settled  pastor,  but  hold  religious 
services  every  Sunday  and  prayer-meeting 
every  Thursday  and  Saturday  evenings. 

SOCIETIES. 

Elmo  Lodge,  JSfo.  ^65,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.— 
In  the  latter  part  of  September,  1884,  steps 
were  taken  to  organize  a  Masonic  lodge  in 
Aligns.  On  the  23d  of  October,  1884,  a 
dispensation  was  granted  to  L.  B.  Thomas, 
(Tcorge  C.  Lunt,  Bobert  Spence,  John  F. 
Curran,  J.  H.  Webster,  A.  Y.  Swayne,  W.  J. 
Semmons,  Robert  Timmons,  George  Vaiider- 
walker,  A.  L.  Grossman,  David  Zeigler,  Mor- 
gan Jenkins,  Henry  ]\[cIntosli,  John  A.Guinn 
and  Seth  Stiles.  The  lodge  was  stjded  Elmo 
Lodce,  No.  465.  The  first  ofhcers  of  the 
loclire  were  as  follows:  L.  B.  Thomas,  Wor- 
shipful  Master;  George  C.  Lunt,  Senior  "War- 
den; Robert  Spence,  Junior  Warden ;  J.  11. 
AVebster,  Treasurer;  O.  E.  Blackwell,  Secre- 
tary; AV.  J.  Semmons,  Senior  Deacon;  Robert 
Timmons,  Junior  Deacon,  and  A.  Y.  Swayne, 
Tyler.  The  first  regular  meeting  was  held 
December  31,  1884.  At  a  regular  meeting 
held  February  25,  1885,  John  F.  Curran  was 
elected  secretary,  which  position  he  has  held 


to  the  present  time,  March  1,  1887.  At  the 
Grand  Lodge  session  in  June,  1885,  a  charter 
was  issued  to  Elmo  Lodge,  wp  to  which  time 
the  lodge  had  been  working  under  a  dispensa- 
tion. When  we  take  into  consideration  that 
the  business  prosperity  of  Angus  depends 
principally  on  the  development  of  its  coal 
interests,  which  are  liable  to  depression  and 
consequent  fluctuation  of  population,  we  feel 
justified  in  stating  that  Elmo  Lodge  has  been 
comparatively  prosperous,  as  several  new 
members  have  been  added  by  initiatioii  and 
affiliation.  Perhaps  at  no  time  since  the 
organization  of  the  lodge  have  the  prospects 
been  more  flattering  than  at  present;  and 
with  faith  in  the  return,  in  the  near  future, 
of  the  former  excellent  business  status  of  the 
town,  they  expect  to  build  up  a  membership 
that  will  not  only  be  a  power  in  promulgating 
the  principles  of  Masonry,  but  will  reflect 
much  credit  on  the  labors  of  those  who  were 
instrumental  in  organizing  a  lodge  in  Angus. 
The  present  officers  of  the  lodge  are:  L.  B. 
Thomas,  AVorshipful  Master;  Robert  Spence, 
Senior  AVarden;  AV.  J.  Semmons,  Junior 
AVarden;  John  A.  Guinu,  Treasurer;  John 
F.  Curran,  Secretary;  James  Dalby,  Senior 
Deacon;  J.  D.Williams,  Junior  Deacon,  and 
James  Orman,  Tyler. 

Angus  Lodge,  No.  461,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  was 
organized  January  26,  1883,  with  about 
thirty  charter  members.  There  are  now 
sixty  members,  and  the  lodge  is  in  a  pros- 
perous condition.  The  present  ofhcers  are: 
Thomas  Pratt,  Noble  Grand;  Charles  Dore, 
Vice-Grand;  AV".  IL  Thomas,  Secretary; 
Edward  Stone,  Treasurer;  T.  A.Ray,  George 
Cook  and  Thomas  Ray,  Trustees. 

Pmlrie  Lodge,  No.  123,  K.  of  P.,  was 
organized  February  12,  1884,  with  forty- 
three  charter  members.  They  now  have 
fifty-nine  members,  and  the  officers  are: 
Enoch  Lewis,  PastOhaucellor;  II.  L.  Thomas, 


■■■■■■"■'■-■-■-■■'"-""'■-■-■■-■"■-■'-■.-■-■-■-■'■-■-W-«..«-5 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


527 


Chancellor  Commander ;  Richard  Berry,  Yice- 
Chancellor;  John  Berry,  Prelate;  L.  B. 
Thomas,  Master  of  the  Exchequer;  Samuel 
Grylls,  Mastei'  of  Finance;  I.  B.  Thomas, 
Keeper  of  llecord  and  Seals;  Ralph  Johnson, 
Master  at  Arms;  David  McBurnie,  Inner 
Guard;  Richard  Cooper,  Outer  Guard. 

Hawlieye  Lodge,  No.  30,  K.  of  II.,  was 
organized  July  30,  1884,  with  twenty-three 
charter  memhers.  There  are  now  btit  thir- 
teen members  in  good  standing.  The  officers 
are:  D.  J.  Morris,  Past  D.;  II.  V.  Griffin, 
W.  D.;  Thomas  Pratt,  Vice  D.;  E.  M.  Mc- 
Dowell, Chaplain;  J.  W.  Davis,  Reporter; 
B.  F.  West,  Financial  Reporter;  David 
Bryant,  Treasurer. 


Angus  Assemhly,  No.  L596,  K.  of  L., 
organized  in  1880,  is  a  strong  oi'der  of  about 
250  members. 

OUre  Branch  Lodge,  No.  8Jf,  I.  0.  G.  T., 
was  organized  in  December,  1880,  with  about 
twenty-five  members.  It  was  prosperous  for 
about  two  years,  and  at  one  time  was  the 
banner  lodge  of  the  State.  At  the  time  of 
the  strikes  in  the  fall  of  1885,  interest  began 
to  die  out,  and  finally  in  February,  1887,  its 
charter  was  surrendered. 

Hope  Lodge,  No.  236,  A.  ().  U.  W.,  was 
instituted  May  12,  1883,  with  twenty  charter 
members.  There  are  now  fifteen  members, 
and  the  meetings  are  kept  up  with  unabating 
interest. 


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BtOORAPHIGAL    SKETCBBS. 


583 


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BIOGRAPHICAL  SREI 


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|APTA1N  J.  N.  COULTER,  wlio  resides 
l«A-,"  (in  section  25  of  Grant  Townsliip,  is  one 
^n  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Greene  County, 
and  a  prominent  citizen  of  both  Greene  and 
Carroll  Counties.  He  was  born  in  Richland, 
now  Ashland  County,  Ohio.  May  19.  1830, 
and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  removed  witli 
his  father  to  Washington  Township,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood,  being  reared  to  the  avoca- 
tion of  a  farmer.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
October  24,  1848,  to  Elcy  Ann  Pollock,  Avho 
died  January  19,  1853.  Of  the  three  chil- 
dren born  to  this  union  only  one  survives, 
the  youngest  child,  Mrs.  Julia  E.  Wright, 
who  now  resides  in  Montrose  County,  Colo- 
rado. The  eldest  child,  Elizabeth  M.,  died 
in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  in  1850,  aged  one 
year,  and  the  second  child,  Flora  L.,  was 
killed  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  gun  in 
October,  1866.  In  the  fall  of  1854  Mr. 
Coiilter  came  West  in  company  with  George 
W.  Fleck  and  Simon  P.  Armstrong.  Before 
starting  on  their  journey  they  had  purchased 
a  threshing  machine.  They  arrived  at  Miis- 
catinethe  following I)ecember,haviiig  stopped 
at  various  points  en  route  to  thresh.  At 
Muscatine  they  sold  their  machine,  aiul   con- 


tinued their  journey  as  far  as  Copeland's 
Grove,  near  wiiere  Carrollton  now  is,  in  Car- 
roll County.  They  all  purchased  land  in 
Greene  County,  Mr.  Coulter  buying  120 
acres  in  Kendrick  Township.  The  following 
January  they  returned  to  Ohio.  Mr.  Arm- 
strong never  returned  to  Iowa  to  reside,  but 
has  been  a  resident  of  Stevenson  Count}', 
Kansas,  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Fleck  is 
now  a  resident  of  Jackson  Township,  Greene 
County,  living  on  the  land  which  he  pur- 
chased in  1854.  In  May,  1855,  Mr.  Coulter 
came  back  to  Iowa,  and  stopped  at  Monti- 
cello,  in  Jones  County,  until  August  of  that 
year,  when  he  came  to  Greene  County  and 
sold  eighty  acres  of  his  land  to  the  Kendrick 
Land  Company,  when  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  section  11  of  Scranton 
Township.  In  January,  1856,  he  again  i-e- 
turned  to  Ohio,  but  the  following  March  re- 
turned to  Monticello,  Iowa,  M'here  he  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  A.  Skelly.  whom  he 
had  met  while  there  in  1855.  She  is  a 
native  of  Marion  County,  Indiana,  her  father 
being  a  native  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and 
lier  mother  was  a  descendant  of  President 
Adams.     Mr.     Coulter    had    made    up    his 


l         S34 


■^■jMM«rMi 


BtSTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


mind  to  settle  permanently  in  Greene  County, 
but  circumstances  again  called  liim  to  Ohio. 
In  September,  1858,  Mr.  Coulter  with  his 
family,  accompanied  by  ]\[r.  Fleck  and  fam- 
ily, left  Mansfield,  Ohio,  with  teams  and 
wagons;  after  a  journey  of  about  seven  weeks 
arrived  at  Mr.  Fleck's  settlement,  on  the  17th 
or  18th  of  November.  Mr.  Coulter  moved 
into  a  log  cabin  which  had  been  built  by  Na- 
thaniel De  Hart  about  1853  or  '54,  and  occu- 
pied by  various  families  of  early  settlers  until 
they  could  build  houses  of  their  own,  the 
house  becoming  known  as  the  House  of 
Refuge.  While  living  in  the  House  of 
Refuge  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coulter  had  born  to 
them  their  second  child,  March  11,  1859, 
whom  they  named  Lorenzo  Dow.  In  1859 
Mr.  Coulter  built  a  cabin  on  his  land  in 
Scranton  Township,  and  the  same  year  he 
broke  a  part  of  his  land,  which  was  the  first 
breaking  done  in  the  township.  He  contin- 
ued to  reside  on  and  improve  his  land  until 
1862,  when  in  August  of  that  year  he  re- 
solved to  respond  to  the  call  of  President 
Lincoln  for  000,000  men.  The  same  month 
he,  in  company  with  N.  P.  AVright,  raised  a 
company,  and  on  its  organization  Mr.  Coul- 
ter was  ajapointed  First  Lieutenant.  This 
company  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  November  25  following  as  Company 
E,  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Iowa  Infantry.  Mr. 
Coulter  served  as  Lieutenant  until  October 
31,  1803,  when  he  was  promoted  to  Captain 
on  account  of  the  death  of  Captain  R.  M. 
Rippey.  Captain  Coulter  commanded  his 
company  nntil  January  G,  1865,  when  he  re- 
signed at  Savannah,  Georgia.  He  was  with 
his  company  during  his  term  of  service  with 
the  exception  of  two  intervals  of  a  few 
months,  being  for  a  time  (Quartermaster  of 
liis  regiment,  and  for  a  time  was  Adjutant 
of  a  detachment  of  the  Third  Division  of  the 
Sixteenth  Army  Corps.     Tlie    Thirty-ninth 


Regiment  was  a  part  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps 
until  the  fall  of  1861,  when  it  became  a  part 
of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  aiid  with  the  latter 
marched  with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  On 
leaving  the  service  Captain  Coulter  returned 
to  his  farm  near  Scranton.  For  his  services 
in  the  army  he  received  half  of  a  First  Lieu- 
tenant's pension.  From  August,  1868,  un- 
til February,  1869,  Mr.  Coulter  kept  the 
hotel  known  as  the  Western  House,  at  Jeffer- 
son, when  he  exchanged  his  hotel  for  a  farm 
in  Kendrick  Township,  Greene  County,  to 
which  lie  removed,  living  there  until  1875. 
He  then  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Glid- 
den,  and  in  the  summer  of  1876  began  deal- 
ing in  real  estate.  In  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
at  Glidden,  which  he  continued  for  a  time. 
He  was  in  Colorado  in  1878-'79  and  '80  en- 
gaged in  mining  and  prospecting.  From 
1881  until  1884  he  conducted  a  creamery  for 
A.  J.  Heaton.  In  1883  he  bought  his  pres- 
ent farm  of  fifty  acres.  Captain  Coulter  cast 
his  first  presidential  vote  for  FraTiklin  Pierce 
in  1852,  but  since  1856  has  cast  his  sufl;rage 
with  the  Republican  party.  By  his  second 
marriage  he  has  had  four  children — Olive 
Viola,  who  died  in  1862,  in  her  sixth  year; 
Lorenzo  Dow,  living  at  Ouray,  Colorado,  en- 
gaged in  mining;  Mrs.  Rosella  Rice  Wal- 
dren,whowas  the  first  child  born  in  Scranton 
Township,  the  date  of  her  birth  being  Janu- 
ary 2,  1862,  and  George  B.  E.,  who  was  born 
July  3,  1876.  Captain  Coulter  is  a  member 
of  N.  P.  Wright  Post  at  Glidden.  Roth  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church.  Captain  Coulter  is  a  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Rice)  Coulter,  the 
father  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, born  September  13,  1790,  and  the 
mother  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  born  Jan- 
uary 27,  1797.  In  1810,  when  but  twenty 
years  of  age,  the  father  immigrated  to  Rich- 


"•3 


SDSX^ii? 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


535 


land  County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  till  reach- 
ing the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  dying  in 
1873  near  the  place  where  he  liad  settled 
sixty-three  years  before.  In  liis  old  age  he 
could  stand  at  his  door  and  look  off  on  the 
hillside  that  he  had  cleared  of  timber  more 
than  sixty  years  before.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  was  taken  by  her  parents  when  quite 
young  to  Montpelier,  Vermont,  where  she 
received  her  education.  From  Montpelier 
her  family  removed  to  New  York  State,  and 
thence  to  Richland,  now  Ashland  County, 
Ohio,  in  1811.  She  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
teachers  of  that  county,  teaching  tlie  first 
school  in  Greene  Township  in  that  county. 
She  died  December  14,  1884.  Jolin  and 
Elizabeth  Coulter  were  the  parents  of  five 
sons  and  five  daughters,  our  subject  being 
the  fourth  son  and  sixth  child,  and  the  only 
member  of  the  family  who  settled  in  Iowa. 
Only  four  of  the  children  are  living  at  the 
present  time,  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 
One  son,  Martin  V.  B.,  died  at  Milliken's 
Bend,  Louisiana,  while  serving  his  country 
during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 


lg,^ETER  BEEGER,  treasurer  of  Carroll 
County,  was  appointed  to  this  position 
*^;t  July  6,  1884,  successor  to  AVilliam 
Ruggles.  This  term  expired  January  1, 
1884,  and  at  tlie  fall  election,  that  year,  he 
was  elected  to  till  a  vacancy  over  his  Repub- 
lican competitor  by  800  majority,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1885  was  i-e-elected  for  the  full  term 
without  opposition.  Mr.  Berger  has  been  a 
resident  of  Carroll  County  since  the  spring 
of  1869.  At  that  time  he  settled  upon  a 
farm  in  Kniest  Township,  now  owned  by 
Phillip  Ileimann.  lie  was  born  in  Bavaria, 
Germany,  in  1844,  and  in  the  spring  of  1853 
his    father,    Adam     Berger,  immigrated     to 


America  and  settled  in  Lehigh  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  1855  the  family  removed  to 
Stephenson  County,  Illinois;  thence  to  Black 
Hawk  County,  this  State,  in  1856.  Both 
parents  died  in  Kniest  Township,  the  father 
in  March,  1883,  and  the  motlier  December 
25,  1882.  They  had  five  children.  One 
sister  died  in  Black  Hawk  County,  and  the 
rest  are  all  living  in  Carroll  County.  Mr. 
Berger  was  married  in  Black  Hawk  Count}' 
to  Catharine  Beierschmitt,  a  native  of  Potts- 
ville,  Pennsylvania.  They  have  seven  chil- 
dren— Mary,  Lizzie,  Frank,  Theresa,  Lena, 
Veronica  and  Willie.  Two  children,  John 
and  Nicholas,  died  at  Mount  Carmel,  Kniest 
Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berger  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Berger  is 
a  popular  official,  and  a  highly  esteemed 
citizen. 


fEORGE  WETTER,  one  of  Carroll 
County's  best  farmers  and  stock-raisers, 
residing  on  section  20,  Jasper  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  Septem- 
ber 17,  1829,  a  son  of  George  and  Flora 
Wetter,  who  were  natives  of  the  same  coun- 
try. They  came  to  America  in  1845,  settling 
in  Dubuque  County,  Iowa,  where  the  father 
died  January  26,  1864.  Tlie  mother  died  in 
Carroll  County,  July  4,  1884.  Our  subject 
was  reared  in  his  native  country  till  sixteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  witli  his  parents 
to  Dubuque  County,  Iowa,  in  1845,  remain- 
ing there  until  the  spring  of  1861.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  in  1852  to  Miss  Sophia 
Miller,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Catherine 
Miller,  natives  of  Germany.  Mrs.  AVetter 
was  born  in  Germany,  October  27,  1833,  and 
came  witli  her  parents  to  ^Vmerica  in  1849, 
and  was  married  in  Dubuque  County.  The 
following  children  have  l)een  born  to  Mr.  and 


r^-»»"-"-i"-"»^ 


.■.■„■,■»»,■.■,■,■«■,« 


536 


HISTORY    OF    CAHnoLL    COUNTY. 


Mrs.  AYetter — George,  Jr.,  living  in  Carroll 
County;  Louisa,  Sophia  K.,  Flora,  Henry, 
Caroline  (died  October  8,  1882),  Gustave 
A.,  Emma,  Pauline  and  Adaline.  Mr.  Wet- 
ter left  Dubuque  County  for  Clinton  County, 
Iowa,  where  he  made  his  home  about  fifteen 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  came  with  his 
family  to  Carroll  County,  settling  on  the 
farm  where  he  has  since  resided,  which  con- 
tains 160  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be 
fouud  in  Carroll  County.  It  is  also  well 
adapted  to  stock-raising,  to  which  he  is  de- 
voting some  attention.  He  is  one  of  the 
self-made  men  of  the  county,  having  landed 
in  America  a  poor  boy,  but  by  persevering 
industry  and  good  management  he  has  suc- 
ceeded in  his  fai'ining  operations.  In  politics 
he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 
Postoffice,  Glidden,  Iowa. 


i-jM-^i 


:KESTUS  S.  HEFFELFINGEK,  the 
III  pioneer  jeweler  of  Manning,  Iowa,  es- 
^  tablished  his  residence  and  business  in 
the  place  in  ISejjtember,  1881,  being  one  of 
the  first  business  men  in  the  place.  He  was 
born  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  March  17, 
1851,  a  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Heffel- 
finger,  natives  of  Ohio,  of  Holland-Dutch 
descent.  AVhen  he  was  seven  years  of  age 
bis  parents  moved  to  Henry  County,  Illinois, 
where  he  spent  the  years  of  his  minority.  In 
1872  he  went  to  Nebraska,  and  remained  two 
years  in  Hall  and  Merrick  counties,  and  tlien 
made  bis  home  in  Stuart,  diuthrie  County, 
Iowa,  where  he  learned  the  jeweler's  trade, 
and  in  1881  moved  to  Manning.  He  has 
been  a  successful  business  man,  and  now  owns 
his  residence  and  business  house  in  Manning, 
and  forty-eight  acres  of  improved  land  in 
Sac  County,  Iowa.  He  was  married  at  At- 
lantic, Cass  County,  Iowa,  June  24,  1875,  to 


Miss  Calista  Carrier,  a  native  of  Clayton 
County,  Iowa,  born  November  24,  1857. 
They  have  had  three  children — Ira  (died, 
aged  six  years),  Clemmie  and  Winnie.  Mr. 
Heffelfinger  is  a  member  of  Manning  Lodge, 
No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 


IQjOBErvT  DICKSON,  of  Glidden  Town- 
|rM\  ship,  has  been  a  resident  of  Carroll 
"^=it>|  County  since  February  9,  1855.  He 
was  born  in  Vermillion  County,  Illinois, 
April  7,  1830,  son  of  Amos  Dickson,  a  native 
of  Mason  County,  Kentucky,  who  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  left  his  native  State  in  company 
with  his  father,  and  located  in  Vermillion 
County.  His  wife.  Miss  Rachel  Pettis,  was 
born  in  Murray  County,  Tennessee.  Her 
father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
The  Pettis  family  were  residents  of  Vei'uiil- 
lion  County  for  some  time  previous  to  the 
marriage  of  the  daughter.  The  parents 
reared  a  family  of  nine  children,  Robert 
being  the  oldest.  AVhen  he  was  twelve  years 
of  age  the  family  removed  to  Champaign 
County,  same  State.  His  early  life  was 
passed  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  State.  June 
4,  1854,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  L. 
McGinnis,  who  was  born  in  Ripley  County, 
Indiana,  and  a  daughter  of  Ed.  B.  and  Nancy 
(Allen)  McGinnis,  the  former  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Logan  County, 
Kentucky.  In  September,  1854,  Mr.  Dick- 
son and  his  wife  started  for  Iowa  with  horse 
team.  The  fall  and  a  portion  of  the  follow- 
ing winter  were  spent  in  Guthrie  County, 
near  Lonsdale  woolen  mills.  January  12, 
1855,  he  pre-empted  160  acres  where  he  now 
resides — eighty  acres  of  timber  and  eighty  of 
prairie.     One  year  later  he  went  and  proved 


iHMsasa 


(I 


'■"■''■■■■■■^''■■■■-■-■-■■.■-"-■-■-■-■Tj'ii 


r 


BIOOBAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


"—"""''- 


537 


up  the  same.  Ilis  first  liouse  was  a  rude 
log  cabin  10  X  12  feet,  covered  witli  lumber 
brought  from  Gutlirie  Comity.  The  iioor 
was  laid  loose  ou  ice.  lu  1867  he  erected 
his  present  residence,  which  is  21  x  32  feet 
in  size,  and  is  well  furnished.  The  farm 
contains  640  acres  of  land,  and  it  is  one  of 
the  finest  farms  in  Glidden  Township.  Mr. 
Dickson  owns  24:0  acres  of  improved  land  in 
Russell  County,  Kansas.  He  was  appointed 
to  the  ofhce  of  county  treasurer  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term  of  James  AYhite;  has  served 
many  years  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  in 
1869  was  elected  county  supervisor.  Politi- 
cally he  was  formerly  a  Democrat,  but  has 
been  a  Republican  since  i860.  He  is  a 
strong  believer  in  the  rights  of  the  colored 
man,  and  voted  to  give  him  the  right  of 
suffrage.  He  is  a  member  of  tlie  Masonic 
order  and  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  and 
his  son  are  extensively  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  has  a  grove  of  trees, 
of  his  planting,  ten  acres,  and  an  orchard  of 
fifteen  acres.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dickson  have 
four  children — David,  who  lives  in  Kansas; 
Anna  E.  Corcoran,  of  Colorado;  Luella  R. 
Merritt,  of  Carroll  County,  and  Robert  Y., 
who  was  born  December  4,  1862,  on  the  old 
homestead  where  he  was  reared. 


[ALEXANDER  ARMSTR0NC4,  one  of 
the  most  extensive  farmers  and  stock- 
'^^  raisers  of  Carroll  County,  and  a  promi- 
nent and  influential  citizen  of  Pleasant 
Valley  Township,  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born 
in  County  Fermanagh,  April  16,  1838.  His 
father,  Robert  Armstrong,  a  Scotch-Irishman 
of  the  North  of  Ireland,  died  in  his  native 
country  a  few  years  since.  Alexander  Arm- 
strong, the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared 
to  agricultural  pursuits,   remaining  at  home 


with  his  parents  till  his  twentieth  year.  He 
then  immigrated  to  America,  going  to  Will 
County,  Illinois,  where  a  brother,  Henry 
Armstrong,  had  preceded  him.  He  came  to 
America  a  poor  boy,  and  is  a  fair  example  of 
what  may  be  accomplished  in  this  country 
by  young  men  who  will  improve  the  oppor- 
tunities offered  to  them.  For  five  years  Mr. 
Armstrong  worked  as  a  farm  laborer,  and 
with  the  money  thus  earned  lie  purchased 
his  first  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  by  good 
judgment  in  later  investments  he  added  to 
his  original  purchase  until  he  owned  880 
acres  of  Illinois'  best  land,  and  for  many 
years  he  ranked  among  the  prosperous  and 
prominent  farmers  of  Will  County.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  in  Will  County  to  Miss 
Sarah  Rauworth,  who  was  born  in  York- 
shire, England,  but  reared  in  Sheffield, 
England,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Rauworth.  She  came  to  America  with  her 
father's  family,  settling  in  Will  County,  Illi- 
nois. In  1863  he  returned  to  England  to 
attend  to  the  settling  of  an  estate,  and  while 
there  was  taken  sick  and  died.  The  mother 
of  Mrs.  Armstrong  is  also  deceased,  but 
other  members  of  the  family  are  prominent 
citizens  of  Will  County.  Mr.  and  ilrs. 
Armstrong  are  the  parents  of  seven  cliildren 
— Alice  A.,  Henry,  Jane  E.,  Robert  B., 
Martha  Jane,  Mary  Jane  and  William  R., 
the  three  eldest  being  students  of  Wheaton 
College,  Illinois.  Mr.  Armstrong  left  Will 
County  for  Guthrie  County,  Iowa,  with  a 
view  to  investing  iii  real  estate,  but  before 
purchasing  there  he  was  induced  to  come  to 
Carroll  County,  when  his  present  property 
being  for  sale,  and  being  pleased  with  the 
country,  he  decided  to  locate  here,  and  at 
once  bought  1,280  acres,  paying  for  the  same 
!?20  per  acre.  He  has  made  many  improve- 
ments on  his  land,  including  tlie  erection  of 
his  splendid  residence  on  section  3,  at  a  cost 


538 


UISTOBY    OF    CAniiOLL    COUNTY. 


of  about  $7,000,  wliiuli  is  without  doubt  the 
finest  fiinn  residence  in  the  county.  His 
farm  now  comprises  2,960  acres,  and  cost 
about  $3,000,  and  tlie  entire  surroundinj^s  in- 
dicate the  culture  and  refinement  of  the 
owner.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armstrong  are 
memljers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party. 


|E.  DANIEL  E.  SHIRK,  one  of  Carroll 
County's  pioneers,  and  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Carroll  Township,  where  he  re- 
sides on  section  18,  was  born  in  Lancaster 
County,  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1820. 
He  traces  his  ancestors  back  to  the  fifth  gen- 
eration, being  a  descendant  of  Ulrich  Siiirk, 
who  was  born  in  Switzerland  about  1675, 
who  came  to  America  about  1735.  His  son, 
Ulrich  Shirk,  was  born  in  Switzerland  Aug- 
ust 20,  1704,  and  married  a  lady  named 
Swarr,  and  these  were  the  great-grandparents 
of  our  subject.  They  came  to  America  aliout 
1735.  Their  son,  Ulrich  Shirk,  was  Itorn  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1751,  and  was  united  in 
marriage  to  a  lady  named  Eberly,  the  grand- 
mother of  our  subject.  Our  subject's  par- 
ents were  Jacob  and  Catharine  Erb,  the  father 
being  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1796. 
The  original  Shirk  family  were  Mennonites 
in  their  religious  faith,  and  being  peaceably 
disposed  it  is  not  probable  that  any  of  them 
took  part  in  tlie  Hevolutionary  war.  D.  E. 
Shirk,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Pennsylvania,  receiv- 
ing Imt  limited  educational  advantages  in  his 
youth.  He  was  in  poor  health,  and  not  being 
strong  enough  for  farm  labor  he  decided  to 
study  medicine,  which  lie  began  under  tlie 
preceptorship  of  Dr.  George  B.  Kerfoot  at 
Lancaster  City,  Pennsylvania.     By  imjjrov- 


ing  his  leisure  hours  lie  learned  to  read  the 
Greek  language  fluently,  and  also  became 
familiar  with  the  German  and  French  lan- 
guages. He  began  the  practice  of  medicine 
when  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  which 
he  followed  in  his  native  county  until  1870. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  in  1842  to  Miss 
Amelia  E.  Wilson,  a  daughter  of  John  E. 
Wilson,  of  Lancaster  County.  Eight  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union — Iliester, 
Wilson,  Oliver  (deceased),  Daniel,  Jacob, 
Amelia,  Catherine  and  Lizzie.  The  doctor 
came  with  his  family  to  Iowa  in  1876, 
and  has  since  carried  out  his  determination 
formed  before  coming  to  tliis  State,  not  to 
practice  medicine  except  in  special  and  ur- 
gent cases,  as  obstetrics,  etc.,  when  he  could 
not  well  refuse.  His  main  object  in  coming 
West  was  to  locate  his  sons  on  farms.  He 
has  lived  in  Carroll  Township,  Carroll  Coun- 
ty, since  coming  to  Iowa,  and  has  been  en- 
gaged principally  in  farming,  in  which  he  has 
met  with  excellent  success.  He  settled  on 
his  present  farm  on  section  18  in  the  spring 
of  1876,  which  at  that  time  was  entirely 
unimproved.  It  is  now  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  his  neighborhood,  and  contains  240 
acres  of  choice  land.  The  doctor  is  an 
extensive  and  varied  reader.  He  has  an  ex- 
cellent memory,  and  having  always  been  a 
student,  possesses  a  mind  well  stored  with 
knowledge.  In  religion  lie  is  a  German  Bap- 
tist, he  and  his  wife  having  been  members 
of  that  denomination  for  many  years. 


+§-'"2v+J*|*-'"^ 


■fPli  ^^'  MOORE,  dealer  in  boots,  shoes, 
■jiKI     trunks,    valises,    etc.,    south    side    of 

•^^^**  Fifth  street,  Carroll,  Iowa,  carries  a 
complete  stock  of  everything  in  his  line, 
valued  at  about  $4,000,  his  annual  sales 
amounting    to    about  $12,000.     He  became 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  539 


■-■-"-■■""ii*! 


i\ 


4 


I 

la' 


established  in  his  present  business  in  18S3,  and 
lias  by  his  fair  dealing  and  accommodating 
manner  built  up  a  good  trade.  Mr.  Moore 
v.'as  born  in  Owen  Count}',  Indiana,  in  1856, 
a  son  of  William  and  Henrietta  (Worth) 
Aloore,  his  father  a  native  of  Indiana  and  his 
mother  of  Nantucket's  Island.  His  fatlier 
died  in  18G7,  leaving  him  when  eleven  years 
old  the  oldest  of  four  children,  and  the  family 
beintr  in  limited  circumstances  he  was  oblicred 
to  assist  in  its  support.  He  has  been  indus- 
trious and  energetic,  and  in  addition  to  cai'ing 
for  the  family  has  been  prospered  and  now  is 
one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  Carroll. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and 
Knights  of  Pythias  orders,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Republican. 


.^«-^ 


j^(IIARLES  NEXT,  proprietor  of  the  Pio- 
IvlK  "^^'"  I^i^i^o''  Store  at  Carroll,  keeps  in 
^^  stock  a  large  assortment  of  the  best 
liquors,  sour  mash  whisky,  and  Philip  Best's 
beer.  This  business  was  established  by  the 
present  proprietor  June  27,  1883.  Mr.  Neu 
is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  June  27,  1848, 
son  of  Phillip  and  Catherine  (Rodesh)  Neu. 
He  resided  in  his  native  country  until  he 
arrived  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  then 
immigrated  to  America,  locating  in  La  Salle 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  some  iive 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Lake  Superior, 
Michigan,  living  there  about  two  years,  then 
went  to  Colorado,  where  he  was  engaged 
some  two  years  in  the  mines.  He  returned 
to  Germany,  remaining  about  three  mouths, 
then  came  back  to  La  Salle  County,  Illinois. 
In  1881  he  came  to  Carroll,  wliere  he  has 
since  resided.  March  6,  1881,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mary  Adelhelm,  of  La  Salle 
County,  and  by  this  marriage  there  are  three 
children — Phillip      Charles,     Caroline      and 


Hilda.  Freddy'  is  deceased.  Politically  Mr. 
Neu  was  formerly  a  Republican,  but  is  now 
a  Democrat. 


'•>-tC- 


jS.'^ON.  JACOB  KUIIN,  a  prominent  cit 
j^]  izen  of  Carroll  County,  and  senior  mem 
■^ii  ber  of  the  firm  of  Kuhn  &  Roush,  oi 
Manning,  proprietors  of  the  Manning  Roller 
Flour  Mills,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  Allegheny  County,  August  31,  1844.  His 
parents,  A.  and  M.  C.  Kuhn,  were  both  na- 
tives of  the  same  State,  and  are  yet  residents 
of  Allegheny  County.  Of  the  ten  children 
born  to  them,  five  sons  and  five  daughters, 
our  subject  was  the  fifth  child  and  third  son. 
He  was  early  in  life  inured  to  the  hard  labor 
of  farm  life  in  Pennsylvania,  varied  only  by 
attending  school,  where  he  made  the  most  of 
his  limited  advantages.  He  rem;iined  at  home 
until  he  enlisted  in  defense  of  the  Union, 
February  13,  1864,  in  Battery  H,  Third 
Pennsylvania  Light  Artillery.  His  battery 
was  attached  to  the  Eighth  Corps  and  oper- 
ated in  the  Valley  of  Virginia.  The  service 
of  Mr.  Kuhn  ended  with  the  close  of  the  war, 
when  he  returned  to  liis  home  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, remaining  in  his  native  count}'  till  1868. 
In  that  year  he  came  to  Iowa,  where  he  made 
his  home  at  Grove  City,  Cass  County,  about 
two  years,  engaged  in  carpentering.  He  was 
married  at  Atlantic  City,  Cass  County,  May 
20,  1870,  to  Miss  Minnie  C.  Taylor,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  born  September  20,  1851,  and  they 
are  the  parents  of  three  children — Eva  M., 
Mary  A.  and  Ethel.  Soon  after  his  marriage 
Mr.  Kuhn  removed  to  Anita,  Cass  County, 
where  he  engaged  in  contracting  and  build- 
ing. In  1877  he  erected  a  steam  flouring 
mill  for  his  own  use,  which  he  operated  sev- 
eral years.  In  1882  he  formed  his  present 
business  relations  with  Mr.  Roush,  and  that 


^MJZ.  ar^g^T'Z-.-^^-^-^Tirr^^Tv;^  v^r,^. 


■■a    .^j  Jmr^'Tc^^i^u- 


,10 


HISTORY    OF    CAUliULL    COUNTY. 


same  year  erected  the  Maiinin_^  Eoller  Mills, 
although  he  did  not  establish  his  residence  at 
that  place  until  1884.  He  now  owns  and  oc- 
cupies one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  city. 
The  mill  building  is  42  x  46  feet  in  size, 
three  stories  in  height,  and  to  this  main 
building  a  room  has  been  added  16  x  32  feet, 
and  is  supplied  with  a  fifty  horse-power  en- 
gine. The  mills  have  nine  sets  of  rollers  and 
two  of  burrs.  The  exchange  business  con- 
ducted here,  that  is  giving  flour  for  wheat,  is 
the  largest  in  Northwestern  Iowa.  Both 
members  of  the  firm  are  live,  energetic  busi- 
ness men,  and  by  their  united  eflbrts  have 
made  a  success  of  this  enterprise  and  estab- 
lished a  good  business.  Mr.  Kuhn  has  cpiite 
large  interests  outside  his  mill  property.  He 
is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank,  the  only  national  bank  in  Car- 
roll County.  He  was  one  of  the  leading 
Republicans  in  Cass  County,  and  in  October, 
1883,  he  was  elected  to  the  Twentieth  Iowa 
General  Assembly  from  Cass  County.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic, and  is  commander  of  McPherson  Post, 
No.  38,  of  Manning. 


i-5»-^ 


1847.  When  he  was  six  years  of  age,  his 
father,  John  Parsons,  removed  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Coldwater,  Michigan,  where  our  sub- 
ject was  reared  to  manhood  in  the  nursery 
business,  that  being  the  occupation  of  his 
father.  When  nineteen  years  old  he  went  to 
Ogle  County,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  the 
grain  business,  at  Creston,  for  an  uncle,  and 
later  he  purchased  the  elevator  at  that  place 
and  went  into  business  for  himself.  He  re- 
mained at  Creston  until  he  came  to  Carroll. 
Mr.  Parsons  is  also  engaged  in  the  live-stock 
business.  The  parents  of  our  subject  had 
three  children,  two  sons  and  a  daughter. 
The  latter,  Mrs.  Nellie  Hunter,  resided  in 
Carroll.  The  father  died  in  Michigan  and 
the  mother  resides  in  Carroll.  Mr.  Parsons 
was  married  at  Creston,  Illinois,  to  Miss 
Emma  Chamberlain,  a  daughter  of  Porter  E. 
Chamberlain,  of  Rockford,  Illinois.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Parsons  have  two  children — Charles  and 
Willis,  the  former  born  in  Creston  and  the 
latter  in  Carroll.  Politically  Mr.  Parsons  is 
a  Republican. 


M.  PARSONS,  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Carroll,  and  the  leading  grain  mer- 
.^-^^  chant  of  the  town,  was  elected  to  his 
present  ofhce  in  1886,  succeeding  Thomas  F. 
Barbee.  He  is  one  of  the  early  business  men 
of  Carroll,  having  located  here  in  the  spring 
of  1875.  At  that  time  he  took  a  half  inter- 
est in  a  grain  business  with  J.  E.  Jones;  this 
partnership  continued  until  the  death  of  Mr. 
Jones  in  October,  1884,  since  which  time 
Mr.  Parsons  has  conducted  the  business  alone. 
The  elevator  now  owned  by  him  was  erected 
by  Mr.  Jones  in  1874.  Mr.  Parsons  was  born 
in  New  York,  near  the  city  of  Rochester,  in 


-l-^-f-l— 


jl^lHARLES  W.  BABCOCK,  a  successful 
wet  agriculturist  of  Carroll  County,  engaged 
^*$?i  in  farming  and  stock-raising  in  Warren 
Township,  was  born  in  Kane  County,  Illinois, 
August  6,  1853,  a  son  of  Chester  and  Sarah 
(Profert)  Babcock.  His  parents  were  natives 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  coming  to  Carroll 
County,  Iowa,  in  1884,  where  they  still 
reside.  They  had  a  family  of  four  sons,  of 
whom  Charles  W.  was  the  second.  He  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native 
county,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  was  reared 
a  f^xrmer  and  has  made  tliat  tlie  principal 
avocation  of  his  life.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years  he  began  farming  his  father's  farm. 


■■■■■l-»"B' 


■nswa»a?M^««»_»ifr,j»jM-»«"»«i-"-a. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


541 


iS: 


wliifli  he  fontimied  one  year.  In  1860  liis 
father  moved  to  Clinton  Connt_y,  where  he 
resided  till  he  came  to  Carroll  County. 
Charles  W.  Babcock  was  married  April  12, 
1877,  to  Miss  Margaret  V.  Smith,  a  native  of 
Iowa,  born  in  Jackson  County  March  31, 
1853,  a  daughter  of  J.  G.  and  Lucy  Smith, 
who  were  born  in  the  State  of  Kentucky,  but 
are  now  residents  of  Iowa.  They  are  the 
parents  of  four  children — Arthur  L.,  born 
August  6,  1878;  Sadie  M.,  March  1,  1880; 
Ernest  S.,  October  12,  1882,  and  Clarence, 
Angust  25,  1885.  Mr.  Babcock  has  been 
successful  in  his  farming  and  stock-raising 
and  is  now  making  a  specialty  of  raising 
short-horn  cattle.  He  has  a  large  and  sub- 
stantial residence  on  section  20,  "VVarren 
Township,  and  excellent  farm  buildings,  his 
residence  being  within  a  mile  of  Manning. 
He  is  the  owner  of  320  acres,  160  on  sections 
19,  20,  29  and  30,  Warren  Township,  and  the 
remainder  in  Audubon  County,  Lincoln 
Township.  In  politics  he  votes  the  Hepub- 
lican  ticket. 


^^'  FOBES,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec- 
tion 32,  Jasper  Township,  where  he 
'^®  has  a  splendid  farm  of  160  acres,  is 
one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Carroll 
County,  as  well  as  a  prosperous  agriculturist. 
Besides  the  farm  above  mentioned  he  owns 
160  acres  on  section  29  and  eighty  acres  on 
section  33.  He  is  a  son  of  A.  K.  and  Caro- 
line Fobes,  who  were  natives  of  Massachu- 
setts, but  pioneers  of  Ohio.  They  were  the 
parents    of    fourteen    children,    our    subject 

beintj  the  tenth  child.      His  maternal  grand- 
s' ~ 

father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
died  while  in  the  service  of  his  country.  E. 
Fobes  was  born  in  Ohio,  the  date  of  his  birth 
lieing  December  25,  1845,  and  Uiere  he  lived 


till  ten  years  of  age.  He  then  immigi-ated 
with  his  parents  to  Clayton  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1864.  He 
was  married  November  19,  1865,  to  Miss 
Anna  E.  Hoon,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  De- 
cember 7,  1847,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Hannah  Hoon,  early  settlers  of  Ohio,  and 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  England  re- 
spectively. They  removed  from  Ohio  to  Iowa 
and  settled  in  Jones  County  when  Mrs.  Fobes 
was  seven  years  of  age.  Six  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fobes — Walter, 
born  January  1,  1867;  Nellie  C,  born  De- 
cember 30,  1S70;  Charles  W.,  born  May 
6,  1875,  died  July  6,  1875;  Milton,  born 
March  6,  1879,  died  in  infancy;  Ida  May, 
born  June  30,  1883,  and  Gilbert,  born 
March  11,  1885,  died  April  14,  1885.  Mr. 
Fobes  lived  in  Jones  County  from  1864 
until  1876,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  latter  year 
he  came  with  his  family  to  Carroll  County, 
where  he  made  his  first  purchase  of  land, 
consisting  of  160  acres  of  raw  prairie  land. 
He  has  now  one  of  the  best  improved  farms 
in  the  county,  with  good  residence  and  com- 
modious farm  buildings.  He  has  a  line  barn, 
octagon  in  shape,  sixty-eight  feet  in  diameter 
and  224  feet  in  circumference,  his  barn  being 
one  of  the  tinest  in  his  townshij),  and  cost 
about  $2,100.  He  came  to  the  county  in 
limited  circumstances,  and  experienced  many 
of  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to 
life  in  a  newly  settled  country,  but  owing  to 
his  persevering  industry  and  indomitable 
will  he  has  succeeded  well  in  his  farming 
operations,  being  now  classed  among  the 
prosperous  citizens  of  Jasper  Township.  In 
connection  with  his  general  farming  he  de- 
votes considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of 
stock,  and  is  making  a  specialty  of  short-horn 
cattle.  Mr.  Fobes  since  coming  to  Carroll 
County  has  held  the  offices  of  township  trustee, 
road  supervisor  and  school  director.     In  poli- 


ESaS^SHSHiiHSSS^iE! 


'-■-■-"ii^gXiir«'^» 


^ 


543 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


tics  he  is  an  ardent  Eepublican.  Both  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
chnrch. 


►>^ 


kLFRED  BEDFOED,  son  of  Charles 
and  Elizabeth  (Knowles)  Bedford,  and 
-^^  a  member  of  one  of  the  representative 
families  of  Pleasant  Valley  Township,  was 
born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  December  10, 
1851.  He  was  married  August  17,  1876, 
to  Miss  Charlotte  J.  Willey,  daughter  of 
Josiah  Willey,  of  Pleasant  Valley  Township, 
formerly  of  Grant  County,  Wisconsin.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bedford  have  four  children — Josiah 
Charles,  William  Alfred,  Thomas  Melvin  and 
John  A.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  cliurch. 


^;HAELES  BEDFOED,  section  15, 
Pleasant  Valley  Township,  is  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  Carroll  County. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  city  of  York,  Yorkshire, 
England,  born  November  24,  1817,  a  son  of 
William  and  Hannah  (Todd)  Bedford.  He 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  also  at  an  early  age 
learned  the  trade  of  a  bricklayer.  He  lived 
in  England  until  1870,  when,  with  his  wife 
and  live  children  he  came  to  tlie  United 
States.  He  left  his  family  in  Dlinois  while 
he  went  on  a  prospecting  tour  through  Mis- 
souri, Kansas  and  Iowa.  Deciding  to  locate 
in  Carroll  County,  he  bought  160  acres  of 
wild  land,  to  which,  with  the  help  of  his  sons, 
he  has  added  until  they  now  own  a  fine  tract 
of  720  acres,  all  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation, with  good  building  improvements. 
Mr.  Bedford  was  married  August  4, 1843,  to 
Elizabeth  Knowles,  a  native  of  Yorkshire, 
England,    daughter   of  John    and    Elizabeth 


(Colson)  Knowles.  Four  of  their  cliildren 
are  living — William,  Alfred,  Mary  Jane  and 
Thomas.  A  son,  Charles,  died  in  Carroll 
County,  aged  thirty  years.  Mr.  Bedford  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  since  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  wlien 
a  young  man  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  lias 
been  an  active  and  zealous  worker  in  his 
church.  He  has  always  taken  an  interest  in 
and  has  been  a  liberal  supporter  of  both  the 
cause  of  religion  and  that  of  education. 


»>4f« 


I^NDEEW  PAEK,  proprietor  of  livery, 
VM-   feed  and  sale  stable,  Carroll,  is  located 


-^•;?^  on  Fourth  street,  one  block  east  of  the 
Lynch  House.  He  keeps  in  stock  good 
driving  horses,  and  tine  carriages  and  saddle 
horses.  Horses  are  bought  and  sold,  or  ex- 
changed, rates  reasonable,  and  satisfaction 
guaranteed.  The  genial  proprietor  was  born 
in  Scotland,  August  3,  1852,  son  of  Andrew 
and  Sophia  (Milligan)  Park.  When  he  was 
five  years  of  age  his  parents  immigrated  to 
America  and  located  in  Delaware  County, 
.New  York,  where  lie  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated. In  1869  he  removed  to  Iowa,  Linn 
County,  where  he  resided  until  1871,  then 
removed  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  smelting  business  until  1877. 
At  that  time  he  removed  to  Wyoming,  where 
for  four  years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Union  Pacific  Eailroad  Company,  and  assisted 
in  laying  the  rails  from  Laramie,  Wyoming, 
to  North  Platte,  Nebraska,  and  on  the  Jules- 
burg  extension  from  Denver  Junction  to  La 
Salle,  Colorado.  In  1880  he  removed  to 
Fort  Collins,  Colorado,  where  he  assisted  in 
building  railroads  for  some  time.  In  1881 
he  located  at  Carroll,  and  engaged  in  the 
business  of  agriculture  with  his  brotlier,  D. 
H.  Park,  which  he  continued   until  January, 


'■■■''■"■'■■■■■"■■■-■^■-■-■-■-■-■■■-■-■-■-.■■■-■■■-■■■Jl»W»»-M«n.M.M»ia,B,M»W 


BIOOHAPHIOAL    SKETCUEiS. 


543 


1886,  when  he  was  employed  as  traveling 
salesman  for  Aultman,  Miller  &  Co.,  of  Ohio. 
In  August  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
which  he  has  since  followed,  and  with  good 
success.  Mr.  Park  is  a  member  of  Signet 
Lodge,  No.  264,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of 
the  Knights  of  Labor.  By  his  courteous 
manners  and  honest  dealings  he  has  made 
many  friends,  and  is  receiving  the  liberal 
patronage  he  so  richly  deserves. 


jEV.  II.  J.  IIEMESATH  is  the  second 
t  resident  priest  in  charge  of  St.  John's 
^S^  Catholic  Church  at  Arcadia.  Rev.  John 
B.  Fendrick  was  the  first,  the  church  prior  to 
his  coming  being  in  charge  of  Fathers  J. 
Ivempker,  W.  Pape,  J.  Urbany,  J.  B.  Fend- 
rick and  M.  C.  Lenihan.  Father  Heniesatli 
took  charge  of  the  church  December  21, 
1886,  this  being  his  first  parish.  E[e  was 
born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1857,  and  when 
a  boy  accompanied  his  parents  to  Iowa,  they 
locating  near  Ossian,  Winneshiek  County. 
He  was  educated  at  St.  Francis  Seminary, 
Mihvaukee,  Wisconsin,  St.  Josejjh's  College, 
Dubuque,  and  the  Grand  Seminary  at  Mon- 
treal, Canada,  where  he  graduated.  He  was 
ordained  at  Dubuque,  December  8,  1S86. 
He  is  a  good  speaker,  a  hard  worker,  and  has 
the  prospect  of  a  bright  and  useful  career. 


m' 


ILLIAM  TROWBRIDGE,  the  lead- 
ing hardware  merchant  of  Carroll,  is 
■^j  located  on  the  corner  of  Main  and 
Fifth  streets.  He  established  the  business 
in  1878,  under  the  firm  name  of  Russell 
&  Trowbridge.  This  partnership  continued 
about  three  months,  when  the  illness  of  Mr. 
Russell    compelled    him    to   retjre  from    the 


ja_M-.aa*iawaia»,-aiaMraiMiiii«ani 


business.  Mr.  Trowbridge  then  conducted 
it  alone  for  a  considerable  length  of  time,  but 
the  business  increased  so  rajjidiy  that  he  felt 
the  need  of  assistance,  and  consequently  sold 
a  lialf  interest  to  Mr.  I.  M.  Gilley,  who  re- 
tired from  the  firm  in  1885.  Since  that  time 
Mr.  Trowbridge  has  been  alone.  His  store 
is  a  fine  brick  structure,  27  x  66  feet,  two 
stories  in  height,  with  basement.  It  is  a 
part  o±  tlie  Gilley  block.  Mr.  Trowbridge  is 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Carroll,  with 
whose  interests  he  has  beeji  identified  since 
1873.  He  was  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness about  one  year,  and  was  then  employed 
as  clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of  M.  A.  Hoyt 
for  two  years.  He  clerked  for  Wetherell 
Bros,  until  he  went  into  business  for  himself. 
He  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  New 
York,  in  1847.  His  father.  Prosper  Trow- 
bridge, died  when  he  was  about  five  years  of 
age.  Tiie  mother  remarried,  and  the  family 
emigrated  to  Black  Hawk  County,  Iowa,  in 
1856.  There  was  a  large  family  of  children, 
and  they  were  in  limited  circumstances. 
William  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources 
at  the  age  of  eleven  years,  leaving  home  at 
that  time.  By  his  own  efforts  he  succeeded 
in  providing  for  himself  and  in  securing  a 
good  English  education.  In  1862,  when  the 
war  of  tiie  Rebellion  had  been  in  progress 
one  year,  he  determined  to  enlist,  but  was 
refused  on  account  of  his  youth;  but  when 
Company  C  of  the  Thirty-second  Iowa  was 
organized  at  Waterloo,  although  he  was  not 
accepted  as  an  enlisted  soldier,  he  succeeded 
in  engaging  as  cook  for  the  company.  He 
remained  with  this  company  for  several 
months,  accompanying  them  as  far  as  Fort 
Pillow.  In  1863  he  returned  and  hired  out 
as  a  farm  hand,  and  the  following  winter 
attended  school,  working  for  iiis  board.  On 
the  24th  of  February,  1864,  he  succeeded  in 
enlisting  by  misrepresenting  his  age.     Soon 


m^mr'tr'm'' 


■-■..■■■■-■...■-■..■■■-".-■■■■■"■■'■■■■jgoagi 


544 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


i5IjJ 

t 


after  enlisting  he  was  sent  to  Davenport  to 
be    assigned    to    a    regiment.     Being    quite 
small  of    his    age,    it    was    still    a   question 
whether  he  would  be  formally  accepted.    But 
there  were  a   large    number  of   soldiers  at 
Davenport  to  be  disposed  of,  and  as  the  war 
advanced    the   authorities    had    become    less 
particular  as  to  the  age  aTid  size  of  enlisted 
men,    and    he   got    through    without    much 
trouble.     Having  the  privilege  of  selecting 
his  own  regiment,  he  preferred  the  one  he 
had  formerly  served  with,  and  rejoined  the 
Thirty-second  at  the  mouth  of  the  Red  River, 
on  its   return  from  the  disastrous  Red  River 
campaign,  under  Banks.     His  old  comrades 
were  rejoiced   to  see  him,  and  there  was  a 
glad  reunion.     The  Thirty-second  was  a  part 
of  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  commanded  by 
General    A.    J.    Smith.     They    iminediately 
proceeded  up  the  Mississippi  River,  and  were 
soon  under  lire  from  the  Confederate  batteries 
along    the    river's    bank.     The    division    to 
which  he  belonged  was  landed  on  the  Arkan- 
sas side    of    the    river,    and    they    engaged 
the  enemy,  doing  considerable  lighting  and 
skirmishing.     Tiiis  was  the  first  experience 
of  Mr.  Trowbridge  in  actual  war,  and  it  was 
a  severe  one.     He  had   been  anxious  to  meet 
the  enemy,  and  he  received  ample  evidence 
of  their  fighting  qualities.     His  brigade  was 
ordered  to  charge  a  reljel  battery.     A   bayou 
was  between  the  opposing  forces,  which  was 
not   seen   by  the  Union   troops   till  they  ap- 
proached   very   near    to    it.     The    command 
thus   being  unable  to   approach  the  enemy's 
battery,    threw    themselves    flat    upon    the 
ground  and  fought  the  best  they  could,  but 
suffered    severe   loss.     Mr.  Trowbridge    was 
armed   with  an   old   musket  which  he  suc- 
ceeded in  discharging  several  times,  but  soon 
found  a  better  weapon,  taking  a  gun  from   a 
comrade    that    was    killed     near    him.     He 
served  until  the  close  of  the  w^ar.     He  took 


part  in   tlie   battles  of  Tupelo  and  Oldtown 
Creek,    against    Forrest,    and    at    the    latter 
engagement,    in    July,   1864,   had    a  narrow 
escape,  but  was  uninjured,  and  soon  after  re- 
turned to  Memphis,  Tennessee.    At  this  time 
St.  Louis  was  threatened  by  General  Sterling 
Price,  and  the  Sixteenth  Corps  was  sent  to 
intercept  him.     They  followed  Price  to  Stone 
River,  undergoing  heavy  marching,  and  con- 
tinued to  follow  him  until  they  broke  up  his 
army.    The  corps  then  returned  to  St.  Louis. 
At  this  time  the  election  of  1864  took  place, 
and    the    command    stopped     to    vote.     Mr. 
Trowbridge  was  not  old  enough  to  exercise 
the  right  of  franchise,  and  while  the  voting 
was  going  on  took  the  opportunity  to  go  out 
foraging,  accompanied  by  another  boy  about 
his  own  age.    They  had  a  very  narrow  escape 
from  capture    by  the  enemy.     They  secured 
some  sweet  potatoes  and  a  pair  of  socks  from 
an  old  lady  whom  they  interviewed.    On  their 
return    they    captured    a    hog,    which    they 
slaughtered,    and    loaded    down    with    their 
plunder  were  captured  by  the  patrol  guard 
of  our  army,  and  taken  before  General  Girard. 
They  escaped    with    nothing    more    than    a 
reprimand.     At  St.  Louis  they  received  new 
clothing  and  were  refreshed.     In  December, 
1864,  they  were  sent  to  Nashville,  joining 
the  army  of  General  Thomas,  and  taking  an 
active   part   in    the    destruction    of    Hood's 
army.    They  then  returned  to  Eastport,  Mis- 
sissippi, thence  to  Mobile  and  New  Orleans, 
where  they  embarked  on  ship  for  Dauphin's 
Island,  near  Mobile.    The  Sixteenth  was  here 
pitted  against   Fort  Blakely,  and  our  subject 
participated   in  the  charge  that  resulted  in 
the  capture  of  that  fort.     The  war  was  now 
about  coming  to  a  close.     From   Fort  Blake- 
ly  the  Sixteenth  marched  to    Montgomery, 
Alabama.     Soon   after  they  started    on    this 
march  they  received  the  news  of  the  assassi- 
nation  of  President  Lincoln.     The  time  of 


.^if 


ii;iiiST»a?n«i,»«iii,Mr^M.M„a^ia_M„«^M^«r^i«irMswi£ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


015 


liis  regiment  had  expired,  but  Mr.  Trow- 
bridge having  enlisted  as  a  recruit,  had  yet 
considerable  time  to  serve,  and  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Eighth  Iowa  Veterans.  In  view 
of  his  gallantry  as  a  soldier,  the  men  of  his 
company,  before  the  transfer,  had  elected  him 
Coi'poral.  There  was  but  one  vacancy  of 
that  office  in  the  new  regiment  to  which  he 
was  transferred,  and  candidates  that  were 
equally  entitled  to  the  place  drew  cuts  to  de- 
termine who  should  go  home.  That  fortune 
fell  upon  Corporal  Trowbridge,  and  he  was 
soon  after  discharged.  He  returned  to  Black 
Hawk  County  and  engaged  in  farming,  follow- 
ing that  occupation  until  he  came  to  Carroll. 
He  was  married  at  Carroll  to  Miss  Ida  S. 
Gilley,  daughter  of  "William  Gilley,  and  they 
have  two  children — Blanche  and  Emma.  Mr. 
Trowbridge  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member 
of  the  JefF.  C.  Davis  Post,  G.  A.  E.,  at  Car- 
roll. 


(3  •   « 


^ON.  JOHN  K.  DEAL,  of  Carroll,  the 
present  State  Senator  from  the  Forty- 
Tw^d  eighth  District,  was  elected  to  his  posi- 
tion in  the  fall  of  1886.  He  is  one  of  the 
few  who  came  to  Carroll  when  the  town  first 
started.  When  the  county  records  were 
removed  from  the  old  county  seat,  Carrollton, 
in  1868,  Mr.  Deal  was  county  superintendent 
of  schools,  and  changed  his  location  with  the 
change  of  county  seat.  He  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Groveland,  Livingston  County,  New 
York,  in  1813.  His  father,  George  Deal, 
removed  with  his  family  to  Allen  County, 
Indiana,  settling  on  a  farm,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  Oar  subject 
served  about  two  years  in  the  army  during 
the  great  Rebellion,  enlisting  in  July,  1862, 
as  a  member  of  Compan}-  C,  Eighty-eighth 
Indiana  Infantry,  and    making  -an  honorable 


record  as  a  soldier.  Soon  after  the  close  of 
his  service  he  entered  Fort  Wayne  College, 
and  attended  and  taught  school  for  sevei'al 
years.  He  came  to  Carroll  County  in  the 
spring  of  1867,  and  engaged  in  teaching  the 
school  at  Carrollton.  In  the  fall  of  that  year, 
he  was  elected  county  superintendent  ot 
schools,  and  served  in  that  capacity,  very 
satisfactorily,  two  years.  While  holding  that 
office  he  conducted  the  first  teachers'  institute 
ever  held  in  Carroll  Count}'.  In  the  fall  of 
1868  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  courts,  and 
served  four  years.  He  then  engaged  in  a 
general  law,  banking  and  real  estate  business, 
in  the  firm  name  of  Griffith  &  Deal.  After 
the  fire  in  1879  he  sold  out  liis  banking 
interest,  but  continued  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness. He  was  elected  State  Senator  by  the 
Republican  party,  and  his  popularity  is  evi- 
denced by  the  fact  that  he  ran  500  votes 
ahead  of  his  ticket  in  Carroll  County.  Mr. 
Deal  cast  his  first  presidental  vote  for  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  in  1864.  He  has  always 
affiliated  with  the  Republican  party.  He 
was  married  in  Medina  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss 
Julia  Gilley,  a  sister  of  William  Gilley,  of 
Carroll.  They  have  two  children — Lauren 
K.  and  Winniefred,  both  born  in  Carroll. 


fxVCOB  BRAND,  of  Glidden  Township,  is 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Carroll  County, 
having  settled  here  in  1869.  He  was 
born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  September 
ID,  1833,  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  Brand, 
natives  of  Germany.  He  resided  in  Ohio 
until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  removed 
to  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  with  Walker  «fe 
Co.  to  drive  stage.  He  afterward  drove 
stage  for  a  Western  stage  company  in  North- 
western Iowa  tor  many  years.  He  was  reared 
on    a    farm   and    educated     in     the  common 


jfLcHi 


ai^ii^SaSSSlam 


rd5Wjg»»i,^aii.w_^^ifJ«»JM«a»it^w,»sn»s»A-Wiiiiifa»«i»^ 


schools.  May  30,  1858,  lie  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Moore,  who  was 
born  in  Ireland,  a  daughter  of  Patrick  and 
Mary  (Hickson)  Moore,  who  came  to  America 
when  Mrs.  Brand  was  a  babe.  In  1859  Mr. 
Brand  engaged  in  driving  stage  at  Denver, 
Colorado,  and  in  1860  he  located  in  Dallas 
County,  this  State,  and  drove  stage  two  years, 
and  then  went  to  Black  Plawk  County,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  fanning  until  1869,  when 
he  came  to  Carroll  County.  He  first  bought 
eighty  acres  of  wild  land.  He  now  owns 
230  acres  of  good  land,  which  is  in  a  good 
state  of  cultivation,  and  well  improved.  He 
has  a  comfortable  house,  surrounded  with 
shade  trees,  commodious  buildings  for  stock, 
a  fine  orchard  and  a  large  variety  of  small 
fruits.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brand  are  the  parents 
of  ten  children — Frederick,  John,  Anna  Sny- 
der, Mary,  Ella,  Etta  and  Henry  (twins), 
Edward,  Salina  and  Jacob.  Mr.  Brand  is  a 
Kepublican  in  politics,  and  a  strong  believer 
in  the  principles  of  that  party.  He  has 
served  as  member  of  the  school  board,  and  is 
interested  in  all  educational  matters.  He  is 
very  highly  esteemed  in  the  community 
where  he  resides. 


*°*""*f*^'"*^^'"*~ 

fERDINAND  MOEESHELL,  junior 
member  of  the  general  mercantile  firm 
of  Moershell  Brothers,  of  Manning,  and 
of  Walnut,  Pottawattamie  County,  was  born 
in  Erie  County,  New  York,  the  date  of  his 
birth  being  August  4,  1845.  His  parents, 
Conrad  and  Catharine  Moershell,  were  of 
German  birth,  coming  to  America  after  their 
marriage.  They  are  now  living  at  Home- 
stead, Iowa,  where  they  located  in  1861. 
Ferdinand  is  the  youngest  of  their  three 
children.  The  eldest  child,  Henrietta,  is  the 
wife  of  Philip  Gefaller,  of  Homestead,  Iowa, 


and  William  F.  is  the  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Moershell  Brothers.  The  family  are 
all  members  of  the  Amana  Society.  Ferdi- 
nand Moershell,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch, 
was  in  the  employ  of  Field,  Leiter  &  Co., 
wholesale  merchants,  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  as 
salesman,  during  1872-73  and  1874,  and 
later  was  engaged  in  business  at  Indianapolis, 
Indiana,  for  two  years.  October  25,  1876, 
he  was  married  at  Indianapolis  to  Miss  Annie 
Beard,  a  daughter  of  Solomon  Beard,  of  that 
city.  She  was  born  at  Richmond,  Indiana, 
but  reared  principally  at  Indianapolis.  They 
are  the  parents  of  two  children — Robert 
Arthur  and  Floyd.  In  1876  Mr.  Moershell 
engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  trade  at 
Walnut,  Iowa,  and  in  1878  he  became  asso- 
ciated with  his  brother,  William  F.,  thus 
forming  the  present  firm  of  Moershell 
Brothers,  the  business  at  Walnut  being  still 
conducted  under  the  management  of  his 
brother,  where  they  carry  stock  amounting 
to  about  $10,000.  Their  business  at  Man- 
ning was  established  in  1882,  and  has  been  a 
very  successful  venture.  The  firm  occupy  a 
fine  brick  business  house,  and  carry  a  stock 
of  about  $8,000,  including  almost  everything 
found  in  a  well-kept  general  store,  the  busi- 
ness at  this  point  being  under  the  supervision 
of  Ferdinand  Moershell,  who  is  deservedly 
popular  as  a  merchant  and  citizen.  Mr. 
Moershell  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
Manning  Lodge,  No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is 
its  present  secretary. 

~'^^^^— 


|EV.  JOHN  P.  HOFFMANN  is  a  native 
^?  of  Luxemburg,  Germany,  born  in  the 
''  year  1855.  He  was  reared  in  his  native 
country  until  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  when, 
in  1871,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 
America.     In  January,  1878,  he  entered  St. 


"*"?r?j^;!?j^*""^^*"i^!^""""*3'^"'"°*"^^ 


u 


BIOOMAPHIOAL    SKETCHES. 


547 


Francis  College,  near  Milwaukee,  where  he 
remained  two  years.  About  one  month  after 
entering  this  institution  his  father  died. 
After  leaving  St.  Francis  College  he  attended 
St.  Lawrence  College,  Mount  Calvary,  Fond 
du  Lac  County,  "Wisconsin,  for  a  period  of 
three  years.  Father  Hoffman  began  his  theo- 
logical studies  at  the  Grand  Seminary  at 
Montreal,  Canada,  completing  his  course  in 
June,  1886.  and  was  ordained  into  the  priest- 
hood by  Bishop  John  Plennessy,  of  Dubuque, 
Iowa.  He  is  now  in  charge  of  the  Church 
of  the  Lnmaculate  Conception,  of  Pleasant 
Yalley  Township,  he  being  the  first  i-esident 
priest  of  this  church.  The  church  edifice 
was  erected  in  1883,  Kev.  Theodore  Weg- 
niann  attending  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
congregation  before  Father  Hoffman  was  ap- 
pointed to  this  church. 


ra    ,    , 

-'■^r'^-^^:- 


M. 


I^s|,  ^,^.  GUTHRIE,  of  Carroll,  is  a  raera- 
it^  ber  of  the  well-known  firm  of  Gutli- 
®  rie  &  Bowman,  general  agents  for  the 
Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company.  The  firm  was 
established  in  1871,  the  gentlemen  coming 
from  Dubuque,  this  State.  Mr.  Gutlirie  lias 
been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  1853,  at  which 
time  he  settled  in  Dubuque,  and  was  one  of 
the  prominent  residents  of  that  city.  He 
was  born  in  Clare  County,  Ireland,  in  1830, 
and  came  to  America  in  1848.  His  parents, 
Matthew  and  Sabina  Guthrie,  came  to  this 
country  in  1852.  The  father  died  in  Du- 
buque in  1857,  and  the  mother  is  still  living, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  Mr.  Guth- 
rie was  but  eighteen  years  old  when  he  came 
to  America.  In  1846-'47  he  was  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  British  Government.  During 
the  troubles  in  Ireland  he  was  imprisoned 
for  several  weeks  for  having  taken  his  fath- 
{         er's  gun   to  shoot  some  hares.  ■  It  was  soon 


after  this  event  tliat  lie  came  to  America. 
Upon  his  arrival  here  he  engaged  as  clerk  for 
a  firm  in  Wisconsin  for  six  months,  and  was 
then  employed  as  foreman  on  the  Michigan 
Southern  Railroad  while  that  road  was  being 
built.  He  was  engaged  in  that  capacity  when 
that  road  entered  Chicago,  and  it  was  the 
first  railroad  that  entered  that  city  from  the 
East.  Mr.  Guthrie  was  also  a  contractor  in 
the  construction  of  the  Rock  Island  and  Illi- 
nois Central  roads.  He  contracted  for  and 
built  some  of  the  principal  structures  of  Du- 
buque, including  the  city  hall,  and  was  also 
a  contractor  for  improving  tlie  streets  of  that 
city.  He  was  treasurer  of  Dubuque  from 
1862  to  1867.  He  was  one  of  the  contract- 
ors in  the  construction  of  the  Dubuque  & 
Southwestern  Road,  between  Farley  and  Cedar 
Ra])ids.  The  immediate  cause  of  Mr.  Guth- 
rie's making  his  home  in  Carroll  was  the 
fact  that  he  and  Mr.  Bowman  had  bought  of 
the  Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company  a  tract  of 
land  which  now  constitutes  the  township  of 
Wheatland,  in  this  county.  They  at  one 
time  owned  the  whole  of  that  township,  and 
had  been  here  but  a  year  when  they  were 
appointed  the  general  land  agents  of  that 
company.  They  have  also  an  office  in  La 
Mars,  in  this  State,  of  wliich  Mr.  Bowman 
has  charge.  Mr.  Guthrie  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  has  long  been  influential  in  the 
councils  of  his  party.  During  the  adminis- 
tration of  President  Buchanan,  he,  witli  W. 
H.  Heath,  published  at  Dubuque,  the  North- 
west, a  journal  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the 
Democratic  party.  Mr.  Guthrie  and  Mr. 
Bowman  established  Der  Demokrat,  the  pres- 
ent German  Democratic  paper  of  Carroll. 
He  is  still  president  of  the  company  and 
owns  much  of  the  stock.  The  firm  of  Guth- 
rie &  Bowman  do  a  very  extensive  business. 
They  have  sold  all  the  lands  belonging  to  the 
railroad  in  Carroll  County,  and  much  in  Sac 


'-"-■^''-■-■-■-■-■-''-giiJ"-"»"'-i"-i"-'°«r°ti 


548 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


and  Calhoun  counties:  also  considerable  town 
property.  Mr.  Bowman  is  general  agent  for 
the  Iowa  Falls  &  Sioux  City  Kailroad.  Our 
subject  was  married  in  Galena,  Illinois,  to 
Miss  Emma  Maher,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  have  four  children — John  W.,  born 
in  Dubuque  in  1866,  now  a  law  student; 
Thomas,  Fred  and  Mary. 


^^►4m^ 


f"W.  MORLAN,  residing  on  section  3, 
Jasper  Township,  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
®  born  in  Hancock  County  May  17, 1827, 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Poe)  Morlan,  his 
father  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  his  mother 
of  Hancock  County,  Ohio.  He  was  reared 
in  Michigan,  his  parents  removing  to  that 
State  in  1828,  his  boyhood  days  being  spent 
on  his  father's  farm  and  in  attending  the 
district  school.  He  was  married  in  Cass 
County,  Michigan,  to  Miss  Murphy,  who 
was  born  in  Indiana,  but  reared  in  Michigan. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  children — 
Emma  and  Lorana,  born  in  Michigan,  and 
Daniel,  a  native  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Morlan  left 
Michigan  in  the  spring  of  1860,  going  thence 
to  Kansas.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Home 
Guards,  and  was  located  near  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  at  the  time  of  the  burning  of  that 
town  by  Quantrell's  band.  He  then  i-eturned 
to  Michigan,  where  he  remained  about  two 
years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1865  came  to  Car- 
roll County,  when  he  settled  on  section  21  of 
Jasper  Township,  at  that  time  there  being 
but  nineteen  families  in  the  township.  Mr. 
Morlan  was  reared  amid  pioneer  scenes,  his 
father  settling  in  Michigan  at  an  early  day, 
and  on  coming  to  Carroll  County  he  again 
experienced  all  the  hardships  and  privations 
of  pioneer  life,  but  has  lived  to  enjoy  the 
fruits  of  his  years  of  toil,  and  has  become 
one  of  the  prominent  as  well  as  much   re- 


spected men  of  his  township.  He  was  the 
second  clerk  of  Jasper  Township,  and  tilled 
that  office  acceptably  for  six  years.  He  has 
also  served  as  secretary  of  the  school  board, 
school  director,  treasurer  and  road  supervisor. 
He  has  met  with  good  success  in  his  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  is  now  the  owner  of 
160  acres  on  section  3,  and  160  acres  on 
section  10,  of  Jasper  Township.  In  politics 
he  has  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party 
for  many  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  an  organization  in  which 
he  takes  much  interest,  and  has  been  instru- 
mental in  organizing  four  lodges  in  Iowa, 
located  at  Lake  City,  Carrollton,  Carroll  and 
Glidden,  he  being  a  member  of  the  lodge  at 
Glidden. 


— h|*^«H 


lILBERT  M.  WINNETT,  farmer  and 
broom  manufacturer,  residing  on  section 

I-  30,  Newton  Township,  near  Dedham,  is 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Washing- 
ton County,  March  13,  1836,  a  son  of  Nathan 
and  Sarah  (Wallace)  Winnett.  His  parents 
were  also  natives  of  the  State  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, where  they  were  reared  and  married,  and 
to  them  were  born  eight  children,  our  sub- 
ject being  the  fifth  child.  He  was  reared  to 
the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  and  in  his  youth 
received  good  educational  advantages,  attend- 
ing Barnesville  Classical  Institute,  in  Bel- 
mont County,  Ohio,  his  father  having 
removed  with  his  family  from  Pennsylvania 
to  Ohio  in  1843,  remaining  there  till  1875. 
He  then  removed  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa, 
returning  shortly  afterward  to  Ohio,  M'here  he 
remained  till  1879,  in  which  year  he  re- 
turned to  Carroll  County,  Iowa.  Gilbert  M. 
Winnett,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  after 
completing  his  education,  engaged  in  teach- 
ing school  in  Noble  County,  Ohio,  and  since 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


549 


* 

I 


then  has  taught  in  all  about  forty  terms.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  April  2,  1866,  to 
Miss  Ilosanna  Moyena,  who  was  born  in 
Monroe  County,  Ohio,  August  29,  1845,  a 
daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Nancy  A.  Moy- 
ena, who  were  also  natives  of  the  same  State. 
Six  children  have  been  born  to  this  union — 
Sarah  A.,  Nancy  A.,  Rebecca  A.,  Augusta 
M.,  Myrtle  V.  and  a  son,  their  fourth  child, 
who  died  in  infancy.  On  coming  to  Carroll 
County  Mr.  Winnett  settled  on  raw  prairie 
land,  his  first  purcliase  being  eighty  acres, 
which  he  has  since  improved,  and  to  his 
original  purchase  he  has  since  added  till  he 
is  now  the  owner  of  445  acres  of  valuable 
land,  the  result  of  persevering  energy  and 
eood  management.  Mr.  Winnett  was  a  sol- 
dier  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisting  in 
Company  C,  Ninth  Ohio  Cavalry,  under 
Captain  W.  S.  Winnett,  and  was  with  Sher- 
man on  his  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  in  August, 
1865,  receiving  his  final  discharge  in  Sep- 
tember, 1865.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winnett 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  In  politics  he  afliliates  with  the  Re- 
publican party. 


f  [RATON  C.  COLCLO,  postmaster  at 
Carroll,  was  appointed  to  that  position 
1  by  President  Cleveland,  June  11,  1885, 
during  the  recess  of  the  Senate.  His  appoint- 
ment was  confirmed  by  that  body  February 
12,  1886.  He  succeeded  Eugene  R.  Hast- 
ings. Mr.  Colclo  is  a  representative  of  one 
of  the  early  pioneer  families  of  Carroll  Coun- 
ty. His  father,  James  H.  Colclo,  one  of  the 
well-known  pioneers  of  the  county,  settled  in 
what  is  now  Union  Township  in  1856,  locat- 
ing upon  a  farm,  where  he  resided  until  1865, 
when   the  family    removed   to  Carroll.     The 


father  erected  the  first  hotel  in  that  city. 
Previous  to  the  advent  of  the  railroads  he 
was  for  some  time  engaged  in  carrying  the 
mail  between  Pauora  and  Sioux  City,  and 
also  carrying  passengers.  In  1870  he  was 
elected  sheriff"  of  Carroll  County,  and  was 
identified  with  the  interests  of  the  county 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  January, 
1884.  He  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  His  wife, 
who  survives  him,  was  formerly  Miss  Han- 
nah J.  Cretsinger,  a  native  of  Virginia. 
There  are  five  surviving  children,  our  subject 
being  the  eldest.  The  others  are  Mrs.  Anna 
Sleigerwalt,  Mrs.  Alice  E.  Engleman,  Jennie 
and  Flora,  the  two  latter  being  teachers  in 
the  public  schools  at  Carroll.  C.  C.  Colclo 
was  born  in  Ohio  in  1852,  and  when  he  was 
one  and  a  half  years  of  age  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Madison  County,  Iowa,  and  two 
years  later  to  this  county.  In  1870  he 
graduated  at  the  Iowa  State  Agricultural 
College,  and  his  sister  Jennie  graduated  at  the 
same  institution  in  1880.  After  his  gradu- 
ation Mr.  Colclo  followed  teaching  until  the 
fall  of  1881,  when  lie  was  elected  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  and  re-elected  in 
the  fall  of  1883.  He  resigned  that  position 
in  1885  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  postmas- 
ter. Mr.  Colclo  was  a  successful  teacher,  an 
efficient  superintendent,  and  is  discharging 
his  present  duties  in  an  acceptable  manner. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 


f  [MANUEL  M.  FUNK,  postmaster.  Man- 
ning, Iowa,  has  been  identified  with  the 
i  city  since  its  birth.  He  erected  one  of 
the  first  business  buildings,  and  opened  a 
stock  of  clothing  and  furnishing  goods  Oc- 
tober 1,  1881,  continuing  the  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  E.  M.  Funk  &  Co.  until 
September  1,  1885,  when  he  was  conimis- 


.■»«^M-M..»»l>.i^-."-"«' 


■■■■■■■■-■-■■.■-■■■-■^■■■i 


550 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


sioned  postmaster,  assuming  his  duties  Octo- 
ber 1,  following.  Mr.  Funk  was  born  in 
Ogle  County,  Illinois,  July  20,  1851,  a  son 
of  Michael  and  Adeline  (Newcomber)  Funk, 
his  father  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  his 
mother  of  Virginia.  His  parents  now  live 
in  the  village  of  Deep  River,  Poweshiek 
County,  Iowa,  where  they  were  among  the 
first  settlers.  "When  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age  lie  began  teaching  school,  following  that 
vocation  two  years,  when  he  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising at  Dresden,  Iowa,  leaving  there 
in  1878  to  become  a  pioneer  merchant 
of  Audubon,  Iowa,  coming  thence  to 
Manning.  He  was  married  at  Dresden 
March  16,  1876,  to  Add  is  L.  Walters,  a  na- 
tive of  Scott  County,  Iowa,  born  June  4, 
1856,  daughter  of  Philip  Walters.  They 
have  three  children — Charles  Erwin,  Minnie 
C.  and  Grace  A.  Mr.  Funk  is  a  member  of 
Manning  Lodge,  No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served 
three  years  as  a  member  of  the  city  council 
and  three  years  on  the  school  board. 


IfSAAC  MOHLEIl  is  the  oldest  settler  of 
|n  Grant  Township,  where  he  still  resides  on 
^  section  16,  the  date  of  his  settlement 
being  April,  1869.  He  purchased  his  land, 
half  of  section  16,  in  1867,  which  was  of 
course  entirely'  unimproved,  and  at  that  time 
Carroll  had  only  commencfd  to  be  settled. 
When  he  settled  on  his  land  in  1869,  his 
nearest  neighbors  were  at  Carroll,  and  in  his 
pioneer  home  he  experienced  many  of  the 
privations  and  hardships  which  usually  fall 
to  the  lot  of  early  settlers  in  a  new  country. 
Mr.  Mohler  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  Cumberland  County  in  1827.  When  quite 
young  he  was  taken  l>y  his  parents,  John  and 


Susan  Mohler,  to  Ohio,  they  locating  in 
Wayne  County  among  the  early  settlers,  set- 
tling on  a  partially  improved  farm,  and  later 
removed  with  their  family  to  Medina  County, 
Ohio,  where  his  father  died  in  May,  I860-. 
The  mother  is  still  living  in  Medina  County. 
Six  sons  and  six  daughters  were  born  to  the 
parents,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest 
son  and  second  child.  He  remained  under 
the  home  roof  until  attaining  his  majority, 
when  he  worked  for  a  time  at  carpentering  and 
farming.  In  June,  1854,  he  engaged  to  drive 
a  team  to  Iowa  for  a  man  named  John  Hurst. 
He  came  with  Mr.  Hurst  as  far  as  Lisbon,  in 
Linn  County, where  he  stopped  for  awhile  work- 
ing at  his  trade.  In  December  of  the  same 
year  he  returned  to  Ohio,  coming  again  to 
Iowa  the  following  spring.  May  15,  1855, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza 
Jane  Barclay,  who  was  born  in  Franklin 
County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1836,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Eleanor  Barclay.  When  she 
was  eight  years  old  her  mother  died,  and 
soon  after,  in  September,  1845,  the  father 
emigrated  to  Ohio  with  five  of  his  six  chil- 
dren, the  youngest,  a  babe,  being  left  in  the 
care  of  its  maternal  grandfather.  Mrs.  Moh- 
ler was  the  second  child,  the  eldest,  a  son, 
being  eleven  years  old  when  they  removed 
to  Ohio.  The  Barclay  family  lived  in  Ohio 
eight  years,  when,  in  1853,  they  came  to  Linn 
County,  Iowa,  and  three  years  later  located 
in  Cedar  County,  where  the  father  still  lives 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  His 
children  are  all  yet  living  with  the  exception 
of  the  second  son,  who  lost  his  life  in  the 
army  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  Mr. 
Barclay  was  married  a  second  time  while 
living  in  Ohio,  and  had  several  children  by 
his  second  wife.  Of  the  seven  children  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mohler  five  are  living — 
Mary  E.,  wife  of  Philip  Beechel;  John  B. ; 
Cyrus   Millard;  Jessie,  wife  of  John   Was- 


i»»B»aai,M„M.M„B,W.«,». 


s. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


n5i 


Hi 


mund,  and  Charles  K.  Two  daughters,  Fan- 
nie E.  and  Eugenia  E.,  died  of  diplitheria  in 
JSIovember,  1880,  aged  respectively  eight  and 
six  years.  Mrs.  Mohler  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Politically  Mr. 
Mohler  is  a  Ilepublican,  having  been  identi- 
fied with  that  party  since  its  organization. 
No  man  has  been  more  pi-ominently  identi- 
fied with  the  history  of  Grant  Township  than 
Mr.  jMohler.  He  organized  the  township  and 
gave  it  the  name  it  still  bears,  in  iionor  of 
tlie  illustrious  General.  He  has  held  most  of 
the  township  offices,  and  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  any  enterprise  of  public 
benefit. 


-^>*^^-~ 


^^UGUST  STAAK,  proprietor  of  Staak's 
)ltm\  wholesale  liquor  store,  at  Carroll,  and 
^>^  local  agent  of  the  German  Insurance 
Company,  of  Freeport,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Euelkow,  Mecklenburg,  Schwerein,  Germany, 
April  4,  1844,  fiftii  son  of  William  Staak. 
He  immigrated  to  America  in  1861,  starting 
the  IStli  daj^  of  April.  Ilis  first  location  was 
at  Nortlifield,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  where 
he  lived  four  and  a  half  months,  then  enlisted, 
October  23,  1861,  in  Company  G,  Fifty- 
seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  his  regiment  being 
attached  to  the  Second  Division  of  the  Six- 
teenth Army  Corps.  He  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  siege  of 
Corinth,  battle  of  Corinth,  Town  Creek, 
Resaca,  Kingston,  Rome,  Allatoona  Pass, 
Atlanta  (then  was  transferred  to  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps  and  the  Fourth  Division),  Savan- 
nah and  Bentonville,andin  all  the  engagements 
of  General  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea. 
He  was  honorably  mustered  out  July  7, 
1865,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  received 
his  final  discharge  and  pay  at  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, July   14,  1865.     He    then    settled   in 


Utica,  La  Salle  County,  Illinois,  where  he 
lived  two  years.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  lost 
his  right  leg  while  working  with  a  thresliing 
machine.  In  1867  he  located  in  Iroquois 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  liquor  trade  for  several  years,  and  in  1875 
came  to  Carroll,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  was  for  some  time  engaged  in  the  insur- 
aTice  and  collection  business,  and  in  1883 
opened  a  meat  market,  which  he  sold  in  May, 
1884.  In  the  fall  of  1886  he  embarked  in 
Ills  present  business.  Politically  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  State 
Convention  in  1882.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Repulilic,  having  joined 
that  organization  in  1867,  and  has  served  in 
most  of  the  offices  of  the  post;  was  quarter- 
master for  three  years,  and  is  its  present 
commander.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  State 
Encampments,  at  Des  Moines,  in  1883; 
Marshalltown,  1884,  and  at  Sioux  City,  1886. 
He  was  married  December  28,  1867,  to  Miss 
Mary  C.  CoUison,  of  La  Salle  County,  Illinois, 
and  they  have  had  eleven  cldldren,  six  of 
whom  are  living — William,  Clara,  Sarah, 
Fraid';,  John  and  Joseph. 


.-jMf^ 


.^lEORGE  STOKES,  although  not  one  of 
WWf  ^'^^  '-'''-^  settlers,  is  classed  among  her 
'JE'^  prominent  and  influential  citizens,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  any  enterprise 
which  tends  toward  the  advancement  of 
Carroll  County.  Mr.  Stokes  is  a  native  of 
England,  born  September  5,  1844,  and  there 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  He  was  married 
in  England,  to  Miss  Jane  Bugg,  a  native  of 
England,  and  a  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Martha  Bugg,  her  marriage  taking  place 
November  7,  1866.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stokes 
are  the  parents  of  seven  children — Charles, 
Ada,   William,  George,  Agnes,   Minnie  and 


K-'^kr^k'TV^y-V      I 


■■"—"■■ 


552 


.■^■»M,«^M,M_»,Wa»«»a»n"M"«« 


HISTORY    OF    CAMROLL    COUNTY. 


Walter.  Mr.  Stokes  immigrated  to  America 
witli  liis  family  in  March,  1S74,  locating  first 
in  Illinois,  where  he  resided  about  three  years. 
He  then  came  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa, 
settling  in  Carroll  Township,  thence  to  Jasper 
Township,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
Mr.  Stokes  came  to  America  in  limited  cir- 
cumstances, and  in  spite  of  reverses  he  has, 
by  his  persevering  energy  and  indomitable 
will,  acquired  a  good  property,  and  is  now 
living  surrounded  by  all  the  necessary  comforts 
of  life.  Beside  his  home  on  section  4,  he 
also  owns  eighty  acres  of  Carroll  County's 
best  land,  located  on  section  9,  Jasper  Town- 
ship. He  devotes  some  attention  to  stock- 
raising,  in  which  enterprise  he  is  meeting 
with  success. 


)|p^  J-  GABEL,  superintendent  of  schools 
of  Carroll  County,  is  a  native  of  Scott 
\  '^  County,  Iowa,  born  in  Le  Claire  in 
1859,  a  son  of  Joseph  Gabel,  who  settled  in 
that  county  in  the  year  1849.  H.  J.  Gabel  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  Le  Claire,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1876  began  teaching.  In  the 
spring  of  1880  he  entered  the  Iowa  State 
Agricultural  College,  and  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1882,  completing  the  full  course  in 
three  j'ears.  In  March,  1883,  he  took  charge 
of  the  schools  of  Arcadia  as  principal,  and 
continued  in  that  position  until  the  summer 
of  1884,  when  he  resigned  and  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  business,  becoming  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Hoch  &  Gabel,  one  of  the 
leading  business  firms  of  Arcadia.  They 
keep  a  full  general  stock  of  goods,  and  also 
deal  extensively  in  grain, owning  two  elevators. 
In  the  fall  of  1885  Mr.  Gabel  was  elected,  on 
the  Republican  ticket,  county  superintendent 
of  schools,  defeating  his  opponent,  M.  J. 
Heires,  by  499  votes.     He  is  a   thoroughly 


educated  gentleman,  and  was  a  successful 
instructor,  and  now  makes  a  valuable  super- 
intendent, serving  his  county  faithfully.  He 
married  Miss  H.  Hainer,  daughter  of  Ignace 
Hainer,  a  prominent  Hungarian  settler  of 
New  Buda  Township,  Decatur  County,  Iowa. 


fOE.  J.  FUERTH,  wholesale  dealer  in 
wines,  liquors  and  beer,  at  Carroll  City, 
was  born  in  Austria  October  28,  1856. 
He  came  to  America  in  1877,  first  locating 
in  New  York  City,  where  he  resided  four 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Rock  Island, 
Illinois,  and  traveled  three  years  for  a  promi- 
nent firm  of  that  city  as  a  salesman.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1886,  he  located  at  Carroll,  and  has  one 
of  the  leading  houses  in  Western  Iowa, 
carrying  a  large  variety  of  the  choicest 
liquors.  He  employs  two  traveling  salesmen, 
and  does  an  extensive  business.  Mr.  Fuerth 
is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order,  also 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


.,4^^ 


fULIUS  W.  GARDNER,  the  first  perma- 
nent  settler  of  Warren  Township,  Car- 
roll County,  resides  on  section  16.  He 
came  to  Carroll  County  in  the  autumn  of 
1874  from  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  accompanied 
by  his  brother  John  H.  His  brother  bought 
the  northwest  quarter  of  the  same  section,  on 
which  he  lived  about  four  years,  when  he 
moved  to  Arcadia,  and  from  there  a  year 
later  to  Audubon.  In  1884  he  moved  to 
Southwestern  Dakota,  where  he  now  lives. 
Julius  W.Gardner  was  born  in  Kane  County, 
Illinois,  September  1,  1842,  a  son  of  William 
P.  and  Amanda  Gardner,  his  father  a  native 
of  New  York,  and  his  mother  of  Pennsyl- 
vania.    His  father  was  a  pioneer  of   Kane 


jTrjl|TP^  Bl  ^r^B 


■  'i^ia  — i'"m»ik»M»»»'M" 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETUHEti. 


558 


ii 
I 

\i 
I 


[-5 

t 


County,  Illinois,  and  in  1846  went  from  there 
to  Fort  Winnebago,  on  the  Upper  Wisconsin 
River,  near  the  present  site  of  Portage  City. 
He  and  his  family  followed  an  Indian  trail 
to  Big  Bull  Falls,  about  125  miles,  thi'ouo'h  a 
wilderness.  He  lived  there  about  two  years 
and  then  moved  to  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin, 
and  a  short  time  later  returned  to  Kane 
County.  In  1850  he  became  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Linn  County,  Iowa,  and  improved 
a  farm  near  Cedar  Ilapids,  where  he  lived 
until  1881,  when  he  located  in  Manning. 
Although  seventy  years  of  age,  and  notwith- 
standing the  hardships  and  trials  of  pioneer 
life  in  three  States,  he  is  still  an  active  busi- 
ness man.  In  July,  1861,  Julius  W.  Gard- 
ner enlisted  in  the  defense  of  the  Union,  and 
was  assigned  to  Company  D,  Eighth  Iowa 
Infantry.  His  baptism  of  fire  was  received 
at  Shiloh,  where  he  was  a  member  of  General 
Prentiss'  division.  He  was  wounded  three 
times  in  that  battle,  in  the  right  wrist,  the 
left  arm  and  right  knee.  He  was  captured, 
but  being  wounded  was  left  on  the  ground 
by  the  rebels  and  recovered  the  next  day. 
After  a  short  hospital  experience  he  was  sent 
home,  and  the  following  August  had  recov- 
ered sufficiently  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  then 
stationed  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  On  account 
of  his  wounds  he  was  unfitted  for  field  duty, 
and  was  detailed  on  guard  and  recruiting 
duty,  and  served  until  January,  1863,  when 
he  was  honorably  discharged  and  placed  on 
the  pension  roll.  The  year  following  he 
spent  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  attending  school, 
still  unable  to  walk  without  crutches.  He 
was  married  at  Cedar  Rapids  September  13, 
1804,  to  Miss  Jennie  Ross,  daughter  of 
Hiram  and  Mary  Ross,  who  settled  in  Linn 
County  in  1863,  coming  from  Bradford 
County,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mrs.  Gardner 
was  born  December  6,  1844.  Her  father  is 
deceased,  and  her  mother  now  Ijves  in  Sioux 


County,  Iowa,  with  her  son  George.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gardner  have  five  children — Flora 
E.,  Fred  H.,  Mary  A.,  Ross  J.  and  Bert  R. 
Mr.  Gardner  is  proprietor  of  four  dift'erent 
"  Gardner  Additions  "  to  Manning.  He  lias 
platted  these,  ninety-five  acres  in  all.  His 
homestead,  adjoining  the  city  plat  on  the 
east,  is  200  acres.  In  addition  to  his  Man- 
ning property  he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  200 
acres  in  Audubon  County.  Mr.  Gardner 
is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  his 
township,  and  an  influential,  public-spir- 
ited man.  He  is  a  member  of  McPherson 
Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Manning.  In  politics  he 
affiliates  with  tlie  Republican  party 


:^^T;  G.  TREGLOAN,  section  32,  Carroll 
'wlvb     Township,  is  a  native  of  England, 

l^fei  ®  and  was  brought  to  America  by  his 
parents  when  an  infant.  His  father,  James 
D.  Tregloan,  was  a  pioneer  of  Jo  Daviess 
County,  Illinois,  and  was  engaged  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  in  smelting  near  Galena,  where 
he  was  living  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Our 
subject  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living.  He  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  also  when  a  boy  with  his 
brothers  assisted  his  father  at  the  smelting 
works.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the 
defense  of  the  Union  in  the  First  Missouri 
Cavalry,  and  served  three  years  in  Missouri 
and  Arkansas.  He  participated  in  the  liattles 
at  Springfield  and  Pea  Ridge,  and  took  part 
in  the  pursuit  after  General  Price,  and  the 
battles  attending  that  pursuit.  His  regiment 
did  good  scouting  duty,  and  took  part  in 
many  severe  battles  and  skirmishes,  and  dis- 
tinguished themselves  by  capturing  the  rebel 
General  Jefi".  Thompson.  After  the  expira- 
ti-on  of  his  terra  of  service  he  returned  home, 
and    in   the  spring  of  1865   enlisted    in   the 


554 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


Seventli  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  appointed 
Corporal.  His  entire  service  extended  over 
a  period  of  four  years,  and  he  was  never 
wounded,  altliougli  as  a  result  of  exposure 
and  hardship  his  health  became  seriously 
impaired.  Mr.  Tregloan  was  married  in 
Hazel  Green,  Wisconsin,  to  Sarah  Williams, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Mary  Williams, 
natives  of  England,  but  early  settlers  of 
Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  where  they  still 
live.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tregloan  have  five  chil- 
dren— Llewellyn  L.,  William  W.,  Hannah 
Maud,  Niciiolas  and  James  P.  In  1869  Mr. 
Tregloan  came  to  Iowa  and  bought  the  north- 
east quarter  of  section  32,  Carroll  Township, 
of  J.  Work,  and  in  1872  built  a  frame  house 
and  inoved  his  family  to  their  new  home. 
When  he  bought  his  land  it  was  unimproved, 
but  now  he  has  a  fine  farm  of  360  acres,  and 
in  1886  built  a  new  residence.  In  politics 
Mr.  Tregloan  is  a  Kepublican.  He  is  a 
member  of  Jetf.  C.  Davis  Post,  G.  A.  R. 


■*r->^- 


.v:^|r:IClIAEL  SCHMICH,  a  prominent 
i  |(  /  I-  lsJ'i'161'  of  Carroll  Township,  residing 
'^i0e^  on  section  1,  is  a  native  of  Erie 
County,  New  York,  born  in  1841,  of  German 
descent.  In  1852  his  father  removed  with 
his  family  to  Stephenson  County,  Illinois, 
settling  about  four  miles  from  the  city  of 
Freeport.  Here  our  subject  was  reared  on 
his  father's  farm,  and  has  always  followed  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he  learned  in  his 
youth.  His  father,  John  Schmich,  was  born 
in  Alsace,  now  a  province  of  Germany, 
where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  married 
to  Anna  Maria  Bauer.  They  came  to  Amer- 
ica about  the  year  1839,  locating  in  Erie 
County,  New  York,  where  the}-  made  their 
home  till  coming  to  Illinois.  The  father  re- 
tired from  farming  about  1877,  and  is  now 


living  in  Freeport,  Illinois.  They  Avere  the 
parents  of  eleven  children,  the  eldest  child 
being  a  native  of  Germany,  and  dying  after 
coming  to  America,  in  childhood.  Five  sons 
and  five  daughters  were  born  in  America, 
and  of  these  our  subject  was  the  eldest  child. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  in  Stephenson 
County,  Illinois,  in  1866,  to  Miss  Louisa 
Dabel,  a  native  of  Germany.  Five  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union — George  A., 
Charles  L.,  Maria  M.,  Frank  J.  and  Edward 
M.  Mrs.  Schmich  was  born  in  Prussia,  Jan- 
uary 30,  1847,  her  father  dying  of  cholera 
when  she  was  a  child.  When  about  twelve 
years  old  she  was  brought  by  her  mother  to 
America,  when  they  settled  in  Freeport,  Illi- 
nois. The  mother  now  makes  her  home  in 
Grundy  County,  Iowa.  She  has  been  twice 
married,  and  by  her  first  marriage  had  three 
children,  of  whom  only  one  survives,  a  daugh- 
ter, living  in  Grundy  County.  Mrs.  Schmich 
is  the  only  child  of  her  second  marriage.  In 
1869,  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  first 
came  to  Iowa  and  purchased  land,  he  was 
accompanied  b^'  his  father,  who  bought  the 
northeast  quarter  of  suction  1,  in  Carroll 
Township,  adjoining  the  land  of  his  son  on 
the  north,  and  in  1875  the  improvement 
of  this  place  was  commenced  by  George 
Schmich,  a  younger  brother  of  our  subject. 
George  Schmich  lived  here  about  three  years, 
when  he  returned  to  Illinois.  Michael 
Schmich  is  now  the  only  member  of  his 
father's  family  residing  in  Carroll  County. 
He  settled  on  the  farm  purchased  in  1869, 
in  March,  1877,  which  he  had  begun  to  im- 
prove the  year  before.  The  land  was  entirely 
unimproved  when  purchased  by  Mr.  Schmich, 
but  by  his  persevering  industry  he  has 
brought  it  under  good  cultivation.  His  farm 
consists  of  160  acres  of  land,  and  com- 
prises the  southeast  quarter  of  section  1. 
His    buildinss    are  commodious    as  well  as 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


snbstaiitial,  lie  liavino-  expended  about  $1,200 
in  erecting  his  commodious  residence,  burns 
and  other  farm  buildings,  and  he  is  recognized 
as  one  of  Carrol)  Township's  progressive  and 
enterprising  agriculturists.  In  politics  Mr. 
Schmich  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party. 

— 'V^+^-^^-~ 

fAMUEL  BINGHAM,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Carroll  County,  and  prosperous 
-.<,-  agriculturist  of  Warren  Township, 
wiiere  he  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
feeding,  is  a  native  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  born 
June  15, 1832.  His  parents,  John  and  Mar- 
garet Bingham,  were  natives  of  the  same 
country,  where  they  were  reared  and  married, 
and  to  them  were  born  nine  children,  Samuel 
being  the  youngest  child.  At  the  age  of 
fourteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  car- 
penter's trade.  He  sailed  for  America  from 
Liverpool,  England,  in  1849,  landing  at  New 
York  City  June  24.  He  remained  in  that 
city  till  attaining  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years,  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade  as  a 
journeyman.  From  New  York  he  went  to 
Illinois,  settling  at  Avon,  Fulton  County, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  till  1874.  He 
then  came  to  Iowa,  and  after  residing  in 
Madison  County  for  one  year  he  came  to  Car- 
roll County,  settling  on  his  present  farm, 
which  he  has  changed  from  raw  prairie  into 
one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in  the  county. 
His  large,  substantial  residence  is  built  in 
modern  style,  and  his  farm  buildings  are 
noticeably  good,  and  on  his  land  is  a  fine  na- 


tive errove  of  eleven  acres. 


Mr.  Bingham  is 


a  thorough,  practical  man,  and  by  his  industry 
and  excellent  management  he  has  acquired 
his  present  tine  property,  being  now  the 
owner  of  204  acres  on  section  30,  240  acres 
on  section  32,  and  120  acres  on  section  29  of 
AYarren  Township.  Carroll  County,  besides  a 

40 


farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Audubon  County, 
making  a  total  of  644  acres.  Mr.  Bingham 
was  married  November  7,  1859,  to  Miss  Jane 
A.  Callison,  a  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Ver- 
million County,  July  9,  1841,  lier  parents, 
Isaac  and  Huldah  Callison,  being  natives  of 
Virginia.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bingham  have 
been  born  eleven  children — George  H.,  Isaac 
O.,  Anna  B.,  Pluldah  J.,  Mary  F.,  Maggie 
M.,  Samuel  C,  John  E.,  David  H.,  Oliver 
C.  and  Maud  S.  In  connection  with  his 
general  farming  Mr.  Bingham  is  making  a 
specialty  of  raising  Hereford  cattle,  in  which 
lie  is  meeting  with  success.  Politically  he 
affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


^'Wf'  L.  HOFF,  proprietor  of  Hoff's  Art 
'   \/\]       Studios,  of  Carroll  City,   was  born 

i^=€}^i*  in  Ashland  County,  Ohio,  July  11, 
1854.  His  parents,  George  and  Mary  (Berg) 
Hoff,  reared  a  family  of  five  children,  our 
subject  being  the  second  child.  AYhen  three 
months  old  his  parents  removed  to  Lagrange 
County,  Indiana,  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated.  In  1872  he  began  the  study  of  the 
art  of  photography,  which  profession  he  fol- 
lowed in  Lagrange  until  1887,  when  he 
removed  to  Angola,  Steuben  County,  remain- 
ing there  two  years;  then  sold  out  to  his 
brother,  John  B.,  and  came  to  Iowa  in  1879, 
locating  in  Dunlap,  Harrison  County,  where 
he  conducted  a  very  successful  business  until 
1885,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Carroll 
County,  locating  in  Carroll  City,  where  he  has 
a  tine  establishment,  on  Fifth  street,  and  his 
work  is  considered  by  all  competent  judges 
to  be  the  best  made  in  Northwest  Iowa.  He 
was  married  October  22,  1875,  to  Miss  Flora 
E.  Waitly,  of  Mongo,  Indiana,  eldest  daugh- 
ter of  C.  H.  and  Eosella  Waitly.  To  this 
union  four  children  have  been  born — Archie 


550 


HISTORY    OP    VAKROLL    COUNTY. 


C,  Edwin  C,  Ira  G.  and  Herbert  W.  (de- 
ceased). Mr.  Iloff'  has  always  been  an  earn- 
est worker  and  a  close  student  in  liis  business 
and  stands  at  the  Lead  of  his  profession,  and 
by  honest  dealing  has  secured  the  confidence 
of  all. 


>in^ 


P^  F.  SOAT,  the  junior  partner  of  the 
firm  of  Ricke  &  Soat,  was  born  in  Jo 
®  Daviess  County,  Illinois,  July  2G, 
1863,  son  of  Bernard  and  Catherine  Soat. 
He  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and 
graduated  at  Bayliss  College,  September  17, 
1885,  and  came  to  Breda  that  same  year. 
The  firm  of  llicke  &  Soat,  dealers  in  hard- 
ware and  agricultural  implements  at  Breda, 
is  one  of  the  leading  business  firms  in  that 
town.  They  carry  a  stock  of  about  $5,000, 
with  annual  sales  amounting  to  $12,000. 
This  business  firm  was  established  in  Octo- 
ber, 1885,  succeeding  II.  Olerich,  Sr.,  who 
had  been  in  business  here  for  several  years. 
It  was  first  established  by  Kichard  llicke 
and  H.  Olerich,  and  was  the  first  hardware 
store  in  Breda. 

fF.  COUCH,  an  enterprising  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Jasper  Township,  re- 
®  siding  on  section  19,  is  a  native  of 
Illinois,  born  November  7,  1855,  a  son  of  B. 
C.  and  Martha  Couch,  who  were  natives  of 
New  Hampshire.  C.  F.  Couch,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  lived  with  his  parents  till 
seven  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  live  witli 
an  uncle,  remaining  with  him  till  attaining 
the  age  ot  twenty  years.  He  then  began 
farming  on  his  own  account,  which  he  fol- 
lowed in  Illinois  until  coming  to  Carroll 
County  in  January,  1882.     He  was  married 


in  Illinois  to  Miss  Jennie  Shreves,  a  daugh- 
ter of  G.  W.  and  Isabell  Shreves,  who  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  but  early  settlers  in 
Illinois.  Mrs.  Couch  was  born  in  the  State 
of  Illinois,  May  1,  1857.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Couch  has  been  born  one  child,  Herbert  B., 
the  date  of  his  birth  being  February  5,  1885. 
"When  he  came  to  Carroll  County  Mr.  Couch 
purchased  160  acres  of  raw  prairie  land, 
which  he  has  since  improved  and  cultivated, 
making  it  one  of  the  best  farms  in  Carroll 
County.  Mr.  Couch  has  met  with  e.xcelleut 
success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits,  and  now 
owns  besides  his  home  farm  of  160  acres  eighty 
acres  on  section  20  and  forty  acres  on  section 
17  of  Jasper  Township.  In  politics  Mr. 
Couch   affiliates   with   the  Republican  party. 


-im 


„,,H^D.  F.  RICHMANN,  proprietor  of  Car- 
%^^  roll's  Cigar  Factory,  No.  194,  Third  Dis- 
trict of  Iowa,  is  a  native  of  Schleswig, 
Germany,  born  December  23,  1861,  a  son  of 
Frederick  and  Lena  (Speck)  Richmann.  Tiie 
family  immigrated  to  America  in  1868,  and 
settled  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  there  our 
subject  was  reared  and  educated.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  he  began  serving  an  appren- 
ticeship in  a  cigar  factory,  where  he  learned 
all  the  details  of  the  business.  In  May, 
1884,  he  started  a  cigar  factory  at  Ida  Grove, 
Iowa,  No.  178,  Third  District  of  Iowa,  in 
company  witli  Frank  Degen,  with  whom  lie 
was  associated  until  July,  1885,  when  he  sold 
his  interests  in  the  business.  He  then  came 
to  Carroll,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year 
he  established  his  present  business,  which  is 
located  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Maine 
streets.  He  does  quite  an  extensive  business, 
and  manufactures  200,000  cigars  per  annum. 
Three  men  are  constantly  employed,  Islv. 
Richmann  attending  to  the  office  work  and 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


557 


|i 


fl) 

% 


w. 


it' 


ii 

1 1.' 

II" 

'&' 

IV 

■»r 

'  V- 


acting  as  traveling  salesman  for  the  establish- 
ment. He  is  an  active  and  enterprising 
business  man,  and  under  his  skillful  manage- 
ment the  factory  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 
January  20,  18S7,  be  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  xlugusta  Molkenthin,  of  Carroll  Coun- 
ty, Iowa. 


IpSAAC  N.  GKIFFITH,  retired  merchant,  is 
in  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Carroll,  and  has 
^  been  identified  with  the  interests  of  the 
town  since  1869.  He  was  born  in  West 
Virginia  March  3,  1813.  His  father,  John 
Griffith,  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  of 
Welsh  ancestry;  he  served  in  the  war  of 
1812.  His  mother,  Hannah  (Thornburg) 
Griffith,  was  reared  a  Quaker  near  Winches- 
ter, Virginia.  The  parents  reared  eight  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Isaac 
was  the  seventh  child  and  youngest  son.  His 
father  died  when  he  was  two  years  old.  He 
remained  at  home  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age,  at  which  time  the  mother 
and  children  removed  to  Greene  County, 
Ohio,  and  our  subject  went  to  learn  the  trade 
of  tanner  and  currier  and  shoemaking,  which 
he  followed  many  years.  He  married  Miss 
Paulina  Jolmston,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who 
had  been  reared  a  Quaker.  Her  parents  were 
Pleasant  and  Nancy  Johnston.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Griffith  have  had  six  children — Han- 
nah Ann,  Benjamin  T.,  John  H.,  J.  E.,  Eli 
P.  and  Helen  E.  Mr.  Griffith  remained  in 
Greene  County  until  he  came  to  Iowa.  He 
first  located  in  Henry  County,  near  Mount 
Pleasant,  where  he  lived  until  1849,  then  re- 
moved to  Mahaska  County,  where  he  im- 
proved a  farm  of  160  acres.  Mrs.  Griffith 
died  December  30,  1850.  For  his  second 
wife  Mr.  Griffitii  married  Miss  Cordelia  Law- 
rence, a  native  of  Chautauqua  County,  New 


York,  and  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Charity 
(Hathaway)  Lawrence,  natives  of  Massachu- 
setts. In  1852  Mr.  Griffith  removed  to 
Marshall  County,  this  State,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  saw  and  grist-mill.  While  here  his 
wife  made  the  first  bolt  of  cloth  used  in  a 
mill  in  Marshall  County.  After  operating 
the  mill  two  or  three  years,  he  removed  to 
Poweshiek  County,  where  he  followed  the 
mercantile  trade  until  1869,  when  he  came  to 
Carroll,  as  previously  stated.  He  sold  the 
first  dry  goods  that  were  sold  in  the  town. 
He  had  a  large  trade,  his  customers  coming 
from  Carroll,  Sac,  Crawford  and  Calhoun 
counties.  He  bought  large  quantities  of  furs 
one  season,  about  §10,000  worth.  In  1SS3 
he  retired  from  active  business.  He  says 
language  would  fail  to  depict  the  trials,  hard- 
ships and  good  times  the  early  settlers  had. 
To  his  second  marriage  have  been  born  two 
children — Ella  and  Isaac  N.  Politically  he 
is  a  Democrat  and  a  strong  Prohibitionist. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
Signet  Lodge,  No.  264. 


H.  RICKE,  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Ricke  &  Soat,  is  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, where  he  was  born  in  1854, 
son  of  John  B.  and  Mary  Ricke.  When  he 
was  three  years  of  age  his  parents  came  to 
the  United  States,  locating  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated.  In  1870  he  came  to  Carroll  Coun- 
ty, and  lived  with  his  brother  Richard  until 
1877,  when  he  went  to  California  and  lived 
there  about  si.\  years.  While  in  that  State 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  about  two  years, 
and  for  four  years  was  employed  as  conductor 
on  a  street  car  in  San  Francisco.  In  1883 
he  came  back  to  Carroll  County  for  a  short 
time,   then  returned    to  Jo  Daviess   County 


■-■-■■-■■■■.■■I. 


HISTOMY    OF    (JAItliOLL    UOUNTY. 


and  remained  two  years.  May  19,  1S85,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  ]\[ary  Ann 
Soat,  of  that  county,  and  again  returned  to 
this  county.  He  first  went  into  the  grain 
business  with  liis  brother  Kichard,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  business  until  he  engaged  in 
his  present  business. 


(ONRAD  GEISELHAET,  of  Union 
Township,  is  one  of  the  early  pioneers 
"^'i  of  Carroll  County,  he  having  settled 
here  in  the  woods  in  1855.  He  is  a  native 
of  Germany,  born  November  10,  1822,  a  son 
of  Joseph  and  Julia  Geiselhart.  He  was 
reared  in  his  native  country,  where  he  at- 
tended school  until  fourteen  years  of  age. 
He  then  worked  at  the  stonemason  and  plas- 
terer's trade  for  four  years.  In  1841  he 
came  to  America,  first  locating  at  Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade, 
and  some  time  later  removed  to  Lisbon,  Co- 
lumbiana County,  Ohio.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  in  1846  to  Miss  Nancy  Butts,  a  na- 
tive of  Columbiana  County,  who  died  March 
15,  1884,  leaving  at  her  death  six  children — 
John,  Maggie,  Ella,  Ida,  Frank  and  Ira.  In 
1851  Mr.  Geiselhart  returned  with  his  family 
to  Pennsylvania,  locating  in  Mercer  County, 
and  one  year  later  located  at  Pittsburg, 
where  he  remained  until  1855.  He  then 
came  West  via  the  Ohio  River,  then  up  the 
Mississippi  River,  thence  to  Keokuk,  and 
from  there  to  l)es  Moines,  Iowa.  His  first 
location  in  Iowa  was  where  Coon  Rapids  is 
now  situated,  and  some  time  later  he  removed 
about  six  miles  to  the  west,  on  Brushy  Creek. 
In  1858  he  located  on  his  present  farm, 
where  he  first  built  a  log  cabin,  14  x  18  feet, 
and  here  he  experienced  many  of  the  hard- 
ships and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life. 
He  lias   improved   his  farm   from  a  state  of 


nature  and  brought  it  under  a  fine  state  of 
cultivation,  and  his  log  cabin  of  pioneer  days 
has  given  place  to  his  present  good  frame 
residence,  and  the  rude  sheds  to  a  fine  barn 
and  other  comfortable  out-buildings.  He  is 
a  thorough,  practical  farmer,  as  the  surround- 
ings of  his  farm  well  indicate.  His  farm 
contains  170  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be 
found  in  the  county,  and  is  located  one  and  a 
half  miles  from  Coon  Rapids.  He  has  also  a 
fine  orchard  which  covers  two  acres.  In  his 
political  views  Mr.  Geiselhart  affiliates  with 
the  Democratic  party.  Since  becoming  a 
resident  of  Carroll  County  he  has  filled  most 
of  the  township  offices,  serving  with  credit 
to  himself  and  to  the  best  interests  of  his 
township. 


„R.  THOMAS  ELWOOD,  one  of  the 
.  most  prominent  men  of  Glidden,  and 
an  old  pioneer  physician  of  Carroll 
County,  is  a  native  of  New  York  City,  born 
in  September,  1834.  In  August,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  C,  Thirty-ninth  Iowa 
Infantry,  and  was  appointed  hospital  steward. 
He  was  in  the  army  until  August,  1865, 
when  he  received  an  honorable  discharge. 
The  same  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  N.  J. 
Beal,  of  Dallas  County,  Iowa,  and  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union — Laura 
and  Ephai.  Dr.  Elwood  came  to  Carroll 
County.  Iowa,  in  1865,  when  he  located  at 
old  Carrolltown,  and  here  lie  experienced 
many  of  the  hardships  and  privations  inci- 
dent to  pioneer  life.  He  would  frequently 
ride  on  horseback,  thirty  or  forty  miles,  to 
visit  patients,  and  in  the  early  days  his  prac- 
tice extended  into  Greene,  Calhoun,  Guthrie, 
Sac  and  Carroll  counties.  The  doctor  came 
to  Glidden  in  1873,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided, and  has  established  a  large  practice, 


b-f^y^i'^t.r^y 


■^■■^■l«SM^«l«l>llP»-W«Wa.lil»W,ia,«M«,M,M,a»M_M,WMM»W,W»W»M»M_W,M_B_»,M_»»ll,»,M_B_Mpj 


BIOORAPHIGAL    SKETGUES. 


559 


and  has  gained  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
all  who  know  hiui.  He  is  a  public  spirited 
and  enterprising  citizen,  and  has  held  the 
office  of  county  judge,  and  for  one  term  held 
the  office  of  county  auditor,  serving  with 
credit  to  himself  and  to  the  best  interests  of 
his  county.  In  politics  he  casts  his  suti'rage 
with  the  Kepublican  party.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  lodge  and  chapter  at  Glidden. 


fLERY  L.  PATTON,  the  leading  grain 
dealer  of  Manning,  established  his 
residence  and  business  at  this  place  in 
1882,  taking  in  his  first  load  of  grain  Septem- 
ber 1  of  that  year.  He  now  owns  and  oper- 
ates a  steam  elevator  which  has  a  capacity  of 
20,000  bushels.  He  is  handling  on  an  average 
about  300  cars  of  grain  per  annum.  He  is 
also  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business.  Mr. 
Patton  dates  his  birth  March  24,  1836,  in 
Wayne  County,  Indiana,  his  parents,  George 
and  Magdalena  Patton,  being  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Pennsylvania  respectively.  lie  was 
reared  principally  in  Carroll  County,  Indiana, 
coming  thence  to  Iowa  in  1855,  locating 
with  his  parents  in  Marshall  County,  who 
were  pioneers  of  that  county.  In  1869  he 
began  dealing  in  lumber  and  live-stock  in 
Albion,  that  county,  and  later  engaged  in  the 
grain  trade,  which  he  followed  at  Albion  till 
he  came  to  Carroll  County.  He  also  owns  a 
fine  farm,  loca  ed  two  and  a  half  miles  from 
Albion,  which  he  occupied  until  the  opening 
of  the  Iowa  Central  Railroad  led  him  to 
engage  in  more  active  business  at  Albion. 
The  engine  and  elevator  now  used  by  him 
was  brought  from  that  point.  November  29, 
1860,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Zilpha  Elmira 
Rosseau,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  Indi- 
ana in  1840.  Of  their  children,  the  first 
born,    Reuben,  died   aged   one    year;   Clara 


Belle  is  the  wife  of  II.  W.  Reed,  and  Dwight, 
W.,  Blanche  and  Lulu  are  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Patton  is  one  of  Manning's  leading  men, 
public  spirited,  and  liberal  toward  any  enter- 
prise which  he  deems  for  the  advancement  of 
his  town  or  county.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  council  since  the  first  city  election,  and 
since  the  organization  of  the  Union  Fair  and 
Driving  Park  Association  he  has  held  the 
position  of  president,  and  to  his  individual 
eflbrts  the  success  of  that  enterprise  can  be 
largely  attributed.  He  is  a  prominent  and 
influential  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
belonging  to  Manual  Lodge,  No.  450,  of 
which  he  was  a  charter  member,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  Signet  Chapter,  No.  34,  and  St. 
Aldemar  Commandery,  No.  30,  at  Marshall- 
town,  Iowa.  He  has  always  voted  the 
Republican  ticket  since  casting  his  first  vote 
for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860.  He  owns  and 
occupies  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the 
city,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Second  and  Ann 
streets. 

.^..^..juj^,....^ 


fOHN  BOYCE  resides  on  section  5, 
Pleasant  Valley  Township,  where  he 
owns  210  acres  of  land,  130  acres  being 
on  section  5  and  eighty  acres  on  section  4. 
The  130  acres  were  purchased  of  the  Iowa 
Railroad  Land  Company  by  Mr.  Quint,  who 
began  to  improve  the  place.  Mr.  Boyce  was 
born  in  Berrien  County,  Michigan,  April  27, 
1863.  His  parents  were  John  H.  and  Lydia 
(Pennell)  Boyce,  the  former  a  native  of  New 
Jersey  and  the  latter  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  They  removed  to  Michigan  early  in 
life,  where  they  were  married,  and  where  the 
father  died  when  his  son  was  seven  years  of 
age.  April  6,  1873,  the  mother  married 
Bryce  M.  Quint,  and  in  October,  1875,  the 
family  came  to  Carroll  County.     Mr.  Quint 


660 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


purchased  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  Boyce, 
as  before  stated.  Later,  Mr.  Quint  removed 
to  Carroll  City,  where  he  died  July  28,  1883. 
December  22,  1886,  Mrs.  Quint  married  Mr. 
Josiah  Willey,  of  this  township.  The  parents 
of  our  subject  had  five  children,  four  of 
whom  died  when  quite  young,  Mr.  Boyce 
being  the  only  one  living.  He  was  married 
December  22, 1886,  to  Lulu  Willey,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Willey,  of  Pleasant  Valley  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Boyce  is  one  of  the  intelligent 
and  enterprising  young  men  of  his  township. 


>^J 


^=^ 


fH.  BRUNING,  the  present  recorder  of 
Carroll  County,  was  elected  to  that 
®  position  in  the  fall  of  1886,  to  succeed 
John  P.  Hess.  He  was  elected  by  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  with  which  he  affiliates.  The 
opposing  candidate  was  Charles  Heitz,  Mr. 
Bruning  receiving  a  majority  of  129  votes. 
Mr.  Bruning  was  born  in  Grant  County, 
Wisconsin,  in  1858,  son  of  C.  Bruning,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Breda.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  sciiools  of  Jo  Daviess  County, 
Illinois,  and  reared  a  farmer.  Previous  to 
his  election  he  was  engaged  in  business  at 
Breda.  He  married  Miss  Amelia  Guam, 
daughter  of  A.  L.  Guam,  a  native  of  Illinois. 
He  was  mayor  of  Breda,  Carroll  County, 
Iowa,  in  1886. 


'SmS'I" 


fAMES  W.  IIOBBS,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Carroll  County,  and  a  prosperous 
"/"i  agriculturist  of  Jasper  Township,  was 
born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  November  2, 
1837,  a  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Chalk) 
Hobbs,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia  and 
Ohio  respectively.  They  were  the  parents 
of    twelve    children,   seven    sons    and    five 


daughters,  our  subject  being  the  ninth  child. 
In  early  life  he  learned  habits  of  industiy 
and  self-reliance,  which  have  been  of  lasting 
benefit  to  him.  When  quite  young  he  was 
obliged  to  maintain  himself,  and  left  his 
home  for  the  home  of  a  Mr.  Thornburg,  with 
whom  he  lived  for  four  years.  At  the  age 
of  nineteen  years  he  began  working  by  the 
month,  which  he  followed  five  years.  Mr. 
Hobbs  has  been  three  times  married,  the 
maiden  name  of  his  first  wife  being  Matilda 
Smith,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married 
Nancy  J.  Pucket.  For  his  third  wife  he 
married  Miss  Sarah  English,  and  to  this  union, 
have  been  born  two  children — Charles  Blaine 
and  John  William.  By  his  first  marriage  he 
had  two  children — Oscar,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  Erastus  L.,  living  in  AVestern  Nebraska 
on  a  farm  of  his  own.  By  his  second  mar- 
riage he  had  four  children — Ada  J.,  Elias 
Grant,  Clara  Bell  and  James  F.  In  1864 
Mr.  Hobbs  immigrated  to  Carroll  County, 
Iowa,  when  he  settled  on  the  farm  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home,  then  being  in  a 
state  of  nature.  The  first  years  spent  in 
Carroll  County  he  was  engaged  in  farming, 
clearing  and  improving  his  land  during  the 
summer  months,  and  in  the  winter  seasons 
trapping  and  hunting.  His  milling  was 
done  at  Oxenford's  mill,  in  Calhoun  County, 
and  his  trading  was  done  principally  at  Boone. 
By  industry  and  good  management  he  has 
met  with  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  accumulated  his  present  fine  property, 
which  consists  of  572  acres  of  rich  bottom 
land  well  watered  by  Coon  River,  240  acres 
being  on  section  8,  Jasper  Township.  In 
connection  with  his  general  farming  he  is 
engaged  in  stock-raising,  and  is  making  a 
specialty  of  short-horn  cattle.  He  has  a 
good  substantial  residence,  and  one  of  the 
largest  barns  in  Carroll  County,  being  72.\108 
feet  in  size,  and  other  out-buildings  in  good 


!,-... 


I' 

i 

i'l 


'8' 


condition.  Mr.  Hobbs  is  an  Odd  Fellow, 
and  a  member  in  good  standing  of  Lake  City 
Lodge,  No.  330.  In  politics  he  affiliates 
witli  the  Republican  party,  and  received  tlie 
nomination  for  Representative  to  the  General 
Assembly  in  the  fall  of  1883,  but  the  oppos- 
ing part}'  being  largely  in  the  majority  he 
was  defeated,  although  he  ran  far  ahead  of 
his  ticket.  He  is  really  a  self-made  man, 
having  had  very  limited  facilities  for  acquir- 
ing an  education  when  young.  Few  men 
are  as  well  posted  on  the  leading  topics  of 
the  day.  Jasper  Township  has  no  better 
man  to  represent  it  than  Mr.  J.  W.  Hobbs. 


■  sn;* 


^ENRY  CARPENTER,  hardware  dealer, 

/^Ml  Arcadia,  Iowa,  is  the  oldest  business 
TgitS  man  of  the  place.  He  located  in  the 
village  June  8,  1872,  and  ei-ected  a  business 
house,  the  first  one  in  the  town,  that  season, 
and  engaged  in  general  merchandising.  He 
continued  in  business  until  1875,  wlien  he 
sold  out  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
buying.  From  September  18,  1881,  until 
October,  1885,  he  was  postmaster  at  Arcadia, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  in  the  hardware 
business.  He  has  been  a  notary  public  since 
1872,  school  treasurer  a  number  of  years, 
and  also  township  trustee.  In  politics  lie  is 
a  Republican.  In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  the  defense  of  his  country',  and  was  assigned 
to  Company  H,  One  Hundred  and  Fifth 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  three  years, 
engaged  the  most  of  the  time  in  guerrilla 
)  fighting.  His  regiment  was  with  Sherman 
to  the  sea,  but  at  that  time  Mr.  Carpenter 
was  on  detached  duty  at  Nasliville  with  Gen- 
eral Thomas  when  he  destroyed  Hood's  army. 
He  contracted  disease  while  in  the  service, 
from  which  ho  will  probably  never  recover. 
After  the  war  closed  he  returned  to  Sandwich,  i 


Illinois,  where  he  worked  for  the  Sandwich 
Manufacturing  Company  until  lie  came  to 
Iowa  in  1872.  Mr.  Carpenter  was  born  in 
Onondaga  County,  New  York,  in  1834,  a 
son  of  Henry  and  Roxanna  M.  (Fay)  Car- 
penter, natives  of  Vermont  and  New  York. 
In  1836  his  father  moved  to  Ottawa,  Illinois, 
where  he  soon  after  died,  and  his  mother 
afterward  pre-empted  land  in  De  Kalb  County, 
where  the  family  were  among  the  first  set- 
tlers. He  was  married  in  De  Kalb  County 
to  Mary  E.  Ilasbrook,  a  native  of  Dutchess 
County,  New  York.  They  have  two  children 
— Lillian  H.,  wife  of  Byron  Yant,  of  Mercer 
County,  Oliio,  and  Wallace  F.,  at  home. 
One  daughter  died  at  Arcadia  in  December, 
1881,  aged  twenty-eight  years,  and  two  chil- 
dren, Frank  and  Hattie,  died  in  early  child- 
hood. 


.iy^^ 


'ILLIAM  BANNISTER,  tanner,  sec- 
,  fe  tion  15,  Carroll  Township,  was  born 
(^^"sfirio-]  in  Willsliire,  England,  in  1815,  son 
of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Bannister, 
who  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  second  child  and 
the  eldest  son.  He  remained  at  home  until 
sixteen  years  of  age,  and  was  then  employed 
on  the  railroad  for  several  years,  working 
three  years  at  boiler-making.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1840  to  Miss  Priscilla  Parker,  who 
was  born  in  Somerset,  England,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Parker. 
Her  parents  had  eleven  children,  Mrs.  Ban- 
nister being  the  fifth  child.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bannister  resided  in  England  until  1856, 
when  they  came  to  America,  first  settling  in 
Gilbert,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  where  they 
lived  six  months,  then  removed  to  Cook 
County,  same  State,  where  they  lived  about 
seven   years.     They   then  went  to  Huntley, 


a»iia7g»ai«aiariiMginiM_i»_«,»,a»>i[,»^B_Mi,ia,M_iB,M,MM>,_»,«_B,»_w»^agi 


563 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


McHeiiry  County,  remaining  two  years,  thence 
to  Carroll  County  in  1865,  locating  on  the 
laud  where  he  now  resides,  which  was  in 
its  primitive  condition.  He  held  the  posi- 
tion of  section  boss  on  the  railroad  for  ten 
years.  His  farm  contains  160  acres  of  good 
land,  which  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  a  good,  well-furnished  residence,  with 
buildings  for  stock.  Mr.  and  Mi-e.  Bannister 
are  the  parents  of  nineteen  children,  live  of 
whom  are  living — Sophia,  Frances,  Frederick, 
Addie  and  Rosie.  In  politics  Mr.  Bannister 
is  a  Republican.  He  has  by  fair  and  honest 
dealing  secured  the  confidence  of  all  who 
know  him. 


|EORGE  JEFFRIES,  farmer,  section  10, 
Grant  Township,  was  born  in  South 
Wales,  England,  November  15,  1851, 
son  of  George  and  Esther  Jeffries.  When 
he  was  sixteen  months  old  his  parents  came 
to  America,  and  settled  in  Alleghany  County, 
Maryland,  in  1853.  Here  he  was  reared  to 
manhood  and  received  his  education.  His 
youth  was  spent  in  farming  and  working  in 
the  coal  mines.  He  came  to  this  county  in 
1874  and  bought  160  acres  of  wild  land  of 
the  Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company.  The  iirst 
year   he   broke  forty-five  acres.     For   several 


years 


he  worked  at  farm  work  durinir  the 


summer,  and  in  the  coal  mines  during  the 
winter.  He  was  married  March  17,  1880,  to 
Miss  Clara  Sherman,  a  native  of  Keokuk 
County,  and  a  daughter  of  Wilbur  Sherman, 
who  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  Mary 
(Fulton)  Sherman.  Since  1880  he  has  re- 
sided on  his  farm,  and  has  it  in  a  good  state 
of  cultivation.  He  has  a  good  house,  and 
comfortable  farm  buildings  for  stock  and 
grain.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jeffries  have  two  sons 
—  Alfred  Sherman  and  James  Blaine.    Politi- 


cally Mr.  Jeffries  is  a  Republican.  He  has 
served  creditably  as  member  of  the  school 
board  and  as  assessor.  Himself  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Glidden. 


-4-^>-J-l- 


I^ENRY  GEORGE,  of  Union  Township, 
||M\  has  been  identified  with  the  interests  of 
*^l|  Carroll  County  since  1872.  He  was 
born  in  Racine  County,  Wisconsin,  August 
17,  1848,  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Moyle) 
George,  natives  of  Entrland.  His  vouth  was 
spent  in  assisting  at  farm  work,  and  his  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  conmion  schools  of 
his  native  State.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 
years  he  came  West  and  located  in  Dallas 
County,  this  State,  where  he  lived  one  year, 
and  in  April,  1872,  he  came  to  Carroll 
County,  settling  on  section  35,  Union  Town- 
ship. He  and  his  brother, Theophilus  George, 
purchased  a  farm,  which  was  then  in  its  wild 
state.  They  improved  it,  and  Mr.  George 
lived  upon  it  until  November,  1881,  when  he 
came  to  his  present  farm.  This  farm  was 
also  in  its  wild  condition.  He  first  bought 
eighty  acres,  but  has  since  added  to  the 
original  purchase  until  he  now  has  200  acres 
of  as  good  soil  as  can  be  found  in  Carroll 
County.  The  farm  is  in  a  good  state  of  cul- 
tivation and  well  improved.  He  has  a  good 
story-and-a-half  residence,  a  commodious  barn 
for  stock  and  grain,  a  granary  16  x  20  feet, 
and  a  wind-mill  that  furnishes  the  power  for 
supplying  the  stock  with  pure  water.  Every- 
thing about  the  place  indicates  thrift  and 
energy.  Mr.  George  was  married  April  2, 
1876,  to  Miss  Cyrinthia  Chevalier,  who  was 
born  and  reared  in  Mahaska  County,  this 
State,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Hetzer)  Chevalier.  To  this  union  have  been 
born  five  children — Elizabeth   Jane,  Thomas 


^.l\ 


»■„.««,■ 


BIOOBAPUIGAL    SKETCHES. 


563 


Franklin,  John,  Armilda  and  Henry  Ells- 
worth. Politically  Mr.  George  affiliates  with 
the  Eepublican  party.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order.  No.  197,  and  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  Plantagenet  Lodge,  No.  108,  K.  of  P., 
Coon  Eapids,  Iowa. 


.:;^W-;()SES  ROBERTS,  farmer  and  stock- 
''■  /  V  V   raiser,  residing  on   section  15,  Eden 
^^0^  Township,  Carroll  County,  was  born 
in  Marshall  County,  West   Virginia,  October 
6,  1819.     Plis  parents,  John   and  Elizabeth 
Roberts,  were  natives  of  Maryland,  and  were 
among  the  pioneers  of  Des  Moines  County, 
settling    in    that    county    as  early    as    1839. 
Moses  Roberts,  our  subject,  was  reared  to  the 
occupation   of  a  fanner,  liis  boyhood   being 
passed   in  assisting    his  father  on  the    farm 
during  the  summers,  and  part  of  the  winter 
seasons  attending  the  district  schools,  where 
he  obtained    sucli    education    as    could    be 
obtained  at  that  early  day,  walking  to  school 
a  distance  of   from  three  to  five  miles.     He 
came  with  his  parents  to  Des  Moines  County, 
Iowa,  in  1839,  where  he  assisted  in  the  main- 
tenance of  his  father's  family,  the  father  being 
disabled.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the    war  of 
1812,  where  his   health  became   greatly  im- 
paired.    He  died  in  Des  Moines  County,  the 
mother  having  died  some  years  previous  in 
West  Virginia.     Moses  Roberts  was  married 
in  Des  Moines  County,  August  10,  1851,  to 
Miss  Barbara  Roseuberger,  who  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,    May    9,    1830,    her    parents, 
Henry    and    Deborah    Rosenberger,    being 
natives  of  the  same    State.     They  came  to 
Iowa   in   1850  and    settled    in    Des  Moines 
County,  and  later  removed  to  Tama  County, 
where  they  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.     Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Roberts  have  had  born  to  them  two 
children,  one  of  whom  is  living,  a  daughter. 


Mrs.  Josephine  Miller,  who  lives  in  Carroll 
County.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  who  was  also 
married,  died  in  Carroll  County,  Iowa.  In 
1878  Mr.  Roberts  settled  with  his  family  in 
Tama  County,  where  he  made  his  home  till 
1875.  He  tlien  came  to  Carroll  County, 
Iowa,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  still 
resides,  which  contains  sixty  acres  of  valuable 
land.  Coming  with  limited  means,  he  has  by 
hard  work  and  indomitable  perseverance 
acquired  his  present  property,  and  during  his 
residence  in  Eden  Townsliip  has  gained  the 
respect  of  all  who  know  him.  He  has 
improved  his  farm  from  a  state  of  nature,  and 
has  brought  it  under  fine  cultivation.  He 
has  on  his  land  a  fine  grove  of  three  acres 
which  was  raised  from  cuttings.  He  has 
held  the  othce  of  supervisor  since  becoming  a 
resident  of  the  county.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Church  of  God.  Politically  he  is  a 
Democrat. 


|EORGE  CONNER,  of  Richland  Town- 
ship, is  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Carroll  County,  having  been  a  resident 
here  since  1863.  He  was  born  in  Monroe 
County,  Ohio,  January  24,  1830,  son  of  Adam 
and  Betsey  (Sigler)  Conner,  who  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  George  being  the 
fourth  child.  His  youth  was  passed  in 
assisting  on  the  farm.  In  1851  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Melissa  Sigler,  also  a  native 
of  Monroe  County,  Ohio.  Soon  after  marriage 
they  removed  to  Lee  County,  this  State,  where 
they  resided  until  1863,  when  they  came  to 
Carroll  County  and  located  in  their  present 
home.  This  was  one  of  the  first  settlements 
made  in  the  prairie.  He  first  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land.  His  house  was  made  of  logs, 
witli  clapboard  roof  and  no  window.  He  has 
since  added  to  his  first  purchase  until  he  now 


564 


HI8T0RT    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


SI 


owns  over  600  acres  of  land.  He  has  one  of 
the  best  residences  in  the  township,  and  his 
farm  is  well  cultivated.  His  house  was  built 
in  1883.  It  is  modern  style  and  well  fur- 
nished. He  has  a  good  barn,  36x44  feet,  a 
native  grove,  and  an  orchard  of  five  acres. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conner  are  the  parents  of  ten 
children — Emanuel,  Luther,  John,  Buchanan, 
Clarinda,  Frank,  Azariah,  Narcissus,  Oliver 
and  Lolie.  Politically  Mr.  Conner  is  a 
Democrat. 


I'St'S'l''"*" 

fOSEPH  M.  DREES,  attorney  at  law,  Car- 
roll City,  Iowa,  is  a  native  of  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  born  October  8,  1848,  a 
son  of  Andrew  A.  and  Clara  (Deters)  Drees, 
natives  of  Germany.  His  father  died  in  Du- 
buque, Iowa,  in  1867,  and  his  mother  is 
living  in  Carroll  County,  aged  seventy-two 
years.  He  is  the  fifth  of  their  ten  children. 
When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  began  clerking 
in  a  clothing  house,  which  he  continued  about 
four  years.  In  1867  he  enlisted  in  the  regu- 
lar army,  and  was  assigned  to  Company  E, 
Third  United  States  Cavalry.  His  service 
was  on  the  plains  of  Texas,  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico,  under  Generals  Crook,  Rey- 
nolds and  Custer.  He  was  mustered  out 
January  24,  1873,  at  Fort  Sanders,  "Wyoming 
Territory.  For  a  time  he  served  as  Hospital 
Steward  and  was  discharged  as  First  Duty 
Sergeant.  After  his  return  home  he  served 
some  time  as  deputy  postmaster,  his  mother 
holding  the  office  of  postmistress  from  1870 
until  1878.  He  began  the  study  of  law 
with  Lieutenant-Governor  Manning,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1879,  the  first  law  stu- 
dent in  Carroll  County  that  passed  an  exami- 
nation in  open  court.  In  addition  to  his  law 
practice  he  is  acting  as  agent  for  several  in- 
surance companies,  viz.:  yEtna,  of  Hartford; 


Connecticut,  of  Hartford;  and  Phoenix,  of 
Connecticut;  Union,  of  San  Francisco;  Royal, 
of  London,  and  Capital,  of  Des  Moines.  He 
is  also  agent  for  the  North  German  Lloyd 
Steamship  Company,  New  York  and  Balti- 
more lines,  and  the  Red  Star  Line  Packet 
Company,  and  the  Roj^al  Netherland  Steam- 
ship Company.  He  is  United  States  Com- 
missioner for  the  South  District,  Western 
Division,  buying  and  selling  railroad  and 
school  land.  He  is  one  of  the  stockholders 
of  the  Carroll  County  Democrat.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  classed  among 
the  clearest  headed  business  men  of  Carroll 
County.  He  owns  his  office  building,  and 
one- half  of  lot  8,  block  21,  also  lots  4  and  5, 
with  his  dwelling-house,  which  cost  about 
$2,500.  Mr.  Drees  was  married  April  6, 
1875,  to  Hannah  Kniest,  a  native  of  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  born  in  1850,  daughter  of 
Lambert  and  Maria  Kniest.  They  have  had 
six  children — Clara,  Joseph  T.,  Lambert, 
John,  Mary  (deceased)  and  Frank  G. 


iWSAAC  HARRIS,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
fH  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  lives  on  section 
^  21,  Union  Township,  where  he  owns  360 
acres  of  good  land.  Mr.  Harris  was  born  in 
Licking  County,  Ohio,  in  1824,  the  sixth  of 
fourteen  children  of  John  and  Cassandra 
(Hughes)  Harris.  He  was  reared  in  his 
native  State,  and  there  married  Lydia  Ann 
Cretsinger,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1831, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Magdalene 
Cretsinger.  April  18,  1856,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Harris  started  from  Ohio  for  their  Western 
home,  aud  after  a  journey  of  thirty-one  and  a 
half  days,  landed  in  Dallas  County,  Iowa,  and 
the  following  January  moved  to  Carroll 
County  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  they 
now  live.     They  are  among  the  few  of  the 


J 


4 

y 
it 
'i 

:  : 


ill 


BIOGRAPEIGAL    SKETCHES. 


565 


!i 


I,' 


w 


pioneers  of  the  county  who  are  left  to  recount 
the  trials  and  privations  of  the  early  day. 
They  have  had  nine  children.  Two  died  in 
infancy  and  one  after  reaching  maturity. 
Those  living  are — Samuel,  Lyman,  Arista, 
Lincoln,  Frank  and  Oliver.  In  politics  Mr. 
Harris  is  a  Republican. 


\  ■  ' 


^RISTA  HARRIS,  of  the  loan,  real  es- 
tate and  insurance  tirm  of  Holiday  & 
^  Harris,  at  Coon  Rapids,  was  born  in 
Union  Township,  tliis  county,  in  1858,  and 
is  a  son  of  Isaac  Harris,  who  came  to  the 
county  in  1856,  and  still  resides  on  section 
21,  Union  Township.  He  was  educated  at 
the  State  Agricultural  College,  at  Ames,  and 
followed  teaching  four  years.  He  married 
Lnlu  E.  Millard,  a  native  of  Illinois.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Harris  is  a  Republican.  The  firm 
of  Holiday  &  Harris  was  established  in  Jan- 
uary, 1883,  though  each  member  had  been 
in  the  business  several  years  before  the  part- 
nership was  formed.  The  firm  is  doing  a 
good  business. 

V^^^^^'^- 

|EORGE  HESSLINGH,  farmer,  section 
7,  Grant  Township,  was  born  in  Han- 
over, Germany,  February  1,  1831,  son 
of  George  and  Catherine  (Okken)  Hesslingh, 
who  reared  a  family  of  three  children — 
George,  Gebhardine,  wife  of  W.  L.  Becker, 
of  Grant  Township,  and  Herman.  The  father 
died  in  1859.  George  and  his  brother  came 
to  America  in  1864,  and  located  in  Stephenson 
County,  Illinois,  where  they  worked  on  a 
farm  two  years.  The  mother  and  daughter 
then  came  to  Illinois,  and  the  family  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  land  in  Ogle  County, 
where    they    lived    until    187S.     That   year 


George  came  to  Carroll  County,  locating  on 
his  present  farm  of  160  acres,  which  he 
bought  of  the  Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company, 
where  he  has  since  resided  and  improved  his 
farm.  His  residence  and  farm  buildings  are 
o-ood  and  comfortable.  He  has  a  grove  of 
forest  trees,  and  an  orchard  of  both  large  and 
small  fruits.  Besides  his  home  farm  he 
owns  forty  acres  on  section  8.  Mr.  G.  Hess- 
lingh has  held  the  office  of  township  assessor 
two  terms,  justice  of  the  peace  two  terms, 
and  township  treasurer  eleven  years.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Democrat.  Religiously  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  He 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  any 
enterprise  by  which  the  community  will  be 
benetited. 

.<,^^,_5nt.,.5+,..„» 


/^[EORGE  W.  McCORMACK,  an  active 
irl'%-  and  enterprisinir  accriculturist  of  War- 
^'-  ren  Township,  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising  on  section  22,  was  born  in 
Decatur  County,  Indiana,  November  10, 
1846,  a  son  of  William  and  Hester  McCor- 
mack,  who  were  natives  of  the  same  State. 
They  were  tlie  parents  of  seven  children,  of 
wliom  only  three  now  survive,  our  subject 
being  the  eldest  cliild.  They  were  among 
the  pioneers  of  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  locat- 
ing there  in  the  year  1851,  where  they  pre- 
empted 240  acres  of  land,  building  a  log 
house  and  making  improvements.  The  father 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  en- 
listing in  the  Second  Iowa  Cavalry,  serving 
one  year,  when  he  was  killed  by  a  minie 
ball  at  Nashville,  Tennessee.  George  W., 
our  subject,  was  reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, which  he  has  made  the  principal  avo- 
cation of  his  life.  After  his  father's  deatii 
he  began  farming  the  old  homestead,  his 
father  leaving  him   forty  acres,  on  which  he 


566 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


resided  about  eight  years.  He  then  immi- 
grated to  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  remaining 
there  only  one  year,  when  he  returned  to 
Marshall  County.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage January  1,  1871,  to  Miss  Maria  Mc- 
Daniel,  who  was  born  in  Bedford  County, 
Pennsylvania,  December  12, 1853,  a  daughter 
of  E.  and  Harriet  McDaniel,  also  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  They  are  the  parents  of  six 
children,  of  whom  four  now  survive — George 
S.,  Kussell  D.,  Homer  F.  and  Kuth  A.  Mr. 
McCormack  sold  his  Marshall  County  prop- 
erty in  November,  1876,  then  came  to  Car- 
roll County,  when  he  settled  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides.  He  has  been  successful  in 
his  farming  operations,  and  has  now  a  well- 
cultivated  farm  of  160  acres,  which  he  has 
improved  from  a  state  of  nature,  making  it 
one  of  the  best  in  his  neighborhood.  In 
politics  Mr.  McCormack  affiliates  with  the 
Democratic  party. 


"Si'I'l"""' 


HHOMAS  RODERICK,  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  section   20,  Dedham  Township, 

?pj  is  a  native  of  South  Wales,  born  De- 
cember 26,  1828,  a  son  of  Roderick  and 
Margaret  Roderick.  He  learned  the  plas- 
terer's trade  in  his  youth,  at  which  he  worked 
in  connection  with  farming.  In  1846  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  lived  twelve  years,  and  in 
1858  came  to  Iowa  and  located  in  Linn 
County,  where  he  made  his  home  about  ten 
years.  In  the  meantime,  during  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Thirty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served 
ten  months,  when.  May  15,  1862,  he  was 
discharged  on  account  of  disability.  Return- 
ing home  he  remained  until  the  following 
August,  when  he  again  enlisted  and  was 
assigned  to  Company  F,  Twenty-fourtli  Iowa 


Infantry,  and  served  three  years.  He  par- 
ticipated in  many  severe  battles,  including 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson  and  Bank's 
Red  River  expedition.  After  his  discharge 
in  Jnne,  1865,  he  returned  to  Linn  County, 
and  in  March,  1868,  removed  to  Carroll 
County,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  was 
married  September  11,  1868,  to  Barbary 
A.,  daughter  of  George  and  Barbary  Pfei- 
fer.  They  have  seven  children — George  W., 
Margaret,  John  L.,  Gertrude,  Emma  L., 
Roderick  and  Mary  B.  Mr.  Roderick  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Metliodist  Episcopal 
church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


""^  *'to*  ^'  *^  *  'l'*  *°' 


.WflTiALENTINE  ROUSH,  junior  mem- 
1|f|'||-  ber  of  the  firm  of  Kuhn  &  Roush, 
>^  proprietors  of  the  Manning  Roller 
Mills,  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
February  2, 1848,  a  son  of  John  and  Rebecca 
Roush,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania 
respectively.  In  1855  the  family  came  to 
Iowa,  locating  in  Marion  County,  and  there 
the  parents  still  reside,  the  father  aged  eighty- 
six  3'ears,  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of 
eighty-three  years.  They  reared  a  family  of 
fifteen  children,  of  whom  twelve,  six  sons 
and  six  daughters,  are  still  living,  our  subject 
beiug  the  youngest  child.  He  remained 
under  the  home  roof  until  attaining  the  age 
of  nineteen  years,  when,  in  1867,  he  went  to 
Pottawattamie  County,  and  from  there  went 
to  Cass  County  two  years  later.  He  subse- 
quently went  to  Adair  County,  where  he 
lived  the  year  previous  to  coming  to  Carroll 
County.  In  1882  the  firm  of  Kuhn  &  Roush 
was  formed,  and  the  same  year  the  mills  were 
erected,  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Roush, 
at  a  cost  of  $12,000,  with  nine  sets  of  rollers 


ill 


'--■^■'--^^.■■■■■-■-■-■■■■■■wa-ii;^,^! 


'ig"-"-"-»-"»"«"-*-'"- 


BWORAPHICAL    ISKETCHES.  507 


and  two  burrs,  driven  by  a  fifty  horse-power 
engine,  this  being  one  of  the  best  mills  in 
Northwestern  Iowa.  Mr.  Roush  was  reared 
to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  commencing 
his  present  occupation,  milling,  in  Cass 
County  in  1870.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
in  that  county  in  1870,  to  Miss  S.  S.  Heath- 
mann,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  three 
children — Jairus  C,  Harlow  P.  and  Blanche. 
Politically  Mr.  Roush  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  party,  and  in  1885  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  county  board 
of  supervisors,  and  in  1887  was  elected 
chairman  of  the  board.  He  is  genial  and 
courteous  as  a  business  man  and  citizen,  and 
is  a  general  favorite.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  junior  warden  of 
Manual  Lodge,  No.  450,  at  Manning.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  xincient  Order  of 
United  Workmen,  belonging  to  Lodge  No. 
262,  at  ]\L'innino:. 


-~^'+(5-'^t-fj-. 


fOSEPH  WIEDEMEIER,  farmer.  Grant 
Township,  was  born  in  Westpfahlen, 
Germany,  in  September,  1844.  He  was 
reared  to  farm  work,  and  when  twenty-five 
years  of  age  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Veronika  Tiiieleke.  In  1870  they  came 
to  America,  and  lirst  located  in  Carroll  City, 
where  they  resided  one  year.  Mr.  Wiede- 
meier  worked  on  the  railroad  the  first  year. 
He  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  of  the  Iowa 
Railroad  Land  Company,  and  in  1871  settled 
upon  the  same.  He  has  added  to  his  first 
purchase  until  he  now  owns  284  acres  of 
as  good  land  as  can  be  found  in  Carroll 
County.  It  is  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion and  well  improved.  He  lias  a  good 
house,  a  commodious  barn  for  grain  and 
stock,  and  a  native  grove  of  two  and  a  half 
acres.     Mr.    and    Mrs.   Wiedemeier    are    the 


parents  of  six  children  —  Joseph,  Anton, 
Mary,  Matilda,  Josephine  and  Veronike.  In 
politics  Mr.  Wiedemeier  is  a  Democrat.  Re 
ligiously,  he  belongs  to  the  Catholic  church. 
In  1881  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiedemeier  visited 
Germany  and  spent  three  months  in  their 
native  land. 


•-IH. 


m. 


F.  WALDRON,  wagon -maker  and 
blacksmith  at  Glidden,  is  a  native 
_^~j  *  of  Cass  County,  Michigan,  born 
December  27, 1846,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Eliza 
(Mott)  Waldron,  who  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children.  When  our  subject  was  eight 
years  old  his  parents  settled  in  Kendrick 
Tovvnship,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  there 
he  was  reared,  his  youth  being  spent  in  as- 
sisting with  the  work  of  the  farm,  and  in 
attending  school,  where  he  received  a  fair 
common  school  education.  In  February, 
1868,  he  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
and  was  assigned  to  Company  E,  Thirty-ninth 
Iowa  Infantry.  After  taking  part  in  several 
engagements  he  received  a  wound  which  con- 
fined him  to  the  hospital  some  five  months. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  from  the  army, 
when  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Greene 
County.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in  May, 
1866,  to  Miss  Hannah  Mary  Shreves,  a 
daughter  of  James  Shreves,  a  pioneer  of 
Kendrick  Township,  Greene  County.  Five 
children  have  been  born  to  this  union — Lois 
E.,  Henry,  Nellie,  James  and  Floy  Pearl. 
Mr.  Waldron  established  his  present  business 
at  Glidden  in  1S74,  and  in  connection  with 
his  wagon  and  blacksmith  shop  he  runs  a  re- 
pair shop.  He  has,  by  good  management, 
reasonable  prices  and  strict  attention  to  the 
wants  of  his  customers,  built  up  a  good  trade 
and  gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all 
wlio   have  business  relations  with  him.     He 


568 


HISTORT    OP    GAMROLL    COUNTY. 


owns  his  shops  at  Glidden,  and  also  the 
house  in  which  he  resides.  In  liis  political 
views  Mr.  Waldroii  is  a  Republican.  He  is 
a  comrade  of  tlie  Grand  Army  of  tiie  Repub- 
lic, and  is  senior  vice-commander  of  Post 
No.  291,  at  Glidden,  and  also  belongs  to  Lodge 
No.  291,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  at  Glidden. 

-  ^^:^-^^ — 

^ARVEY  BELL  is  recognized  as  the 
pioneer  business  man  of  Manning, 
T^d  where  he  opened  a  grain  warehouse  in 
August,  1881,  the  tirst  business  house  of  any 
kind  opened  at  Manning.  Mr.  Bell  was  born 
in  Indiana  County,  Pennsylvania,  April  22, 
1832.  He  was  reared  principally  in  Alle- 
gheny County,  Pennsj'lvania,  till  reaching 
the  age  of  seventeen  years,  when  he  left  the 
home  roof  to  begin  life  on  his  own  account. 
AVitli  an  elder  brother,  Edmund,  he  came  to 
Iowa,  and  spent  the  winter  of  184:9-'50  in 
Allamakee  County.  The  following  spring 
they  platted  a  town  near  the  present  site  of 
Waukon,  naming  it  Bunker  Hill.  Before  tlie 
season  closed  they  had  sold  their  land  at  a 
handsome  proiit,  and  hunting  for  a  new  loca- 
tion visited  Fillmore  County,  Minnesota, 
where  they  purchased  land,  becoming  pio- 
neers of  Newburg  Township,  that  county. 
The  neighborhood  where  they  settled  has  ever 
since  been  called  Bellville.  July  14, 1857,while 
returning  from  a  visit  to  his  old  home  in  Penn- 
sylvania, he  was  united  in  marriage  at  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  to  Miss  A.  A.  Benton,  a  former 
schoolmate.  But  six  of  the  children  born  to 
Mr  .and  Mrs.  Bell  are  living — Allie,  wife  of 
Paul  Winter  of  Manning;  Eliie,  wife  of  W. 
N.  Day,  of  Carroll  City,  and  Gertrude,  Sadie, 
Maudie  and  Gracie,  students  in  the  Manning 
schools,  fitting  themselves  for  teacliers.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bell  lived  many  years  at  Bellville, 
their  home  being  one  of  the  finest  farm  prop- 


erties in  that  locality,  and  the  abode  of  hos- 
pitality. Mr.  Bell  was  associated  with  his 
brother  in  the  general  mercantile  business  at 
Bellville  for  several  years,  under  the  firm 
name  of  E.  &  H.  Bell,  and  in  merchandising 
as  well  as  farming  he  was  very  successful. 
In  1868  he  removed  to  Houston  County, 
Minnesota,  and  located  at  Brownsville,  on  the 
Mississippi  River,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
dealing  in  grain  for  several  years,  and  was 
oneof  the  leadinggrain  operators  on  the  Upper 
Mississippi  River,  and  during  these  years  he 
also  acted  as  agent  for  all  the  steamboat  and 
express  companies.  Reverses  incident  to 
most  business  men  during  those  years  of  de- 
clining values  overtook  him  and  nearly  im- 
poverished him,  but  although  greatly 
depressed  by  his  losses  Mr.  Bell  held  out 
bravely.  He  left  Minnesota  in  the  spring  of 
1871  and  located  at  Arcadia,  in  Carroll 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
grain  and  produce  trade  till  coming  to  Man- 
ning. Since  becoming  a  resident  of  Man- 
ning he  has  become  prominently  associated 
with  the  religious  as  well  as  business  inter- 
ests of  the  place.  He  is  a  member  of  Man- 
ual Lodge,  No.  450,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at 
Manning.  In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party,  his  first  presidential  vote 
being  cast  for  John  C.  Fremont.  Wherever 
Mr.  Bell  has  lived  he  has  established  a  repu- 
tation for  strict  integrity,  and  by  his  fair  and 
honorable  dealings  he  has  gained  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


fOHN  NESTLE,  proprietor  of  bakery  and 
restaurant  at  Carroll,  is  a  native  of  Wit- 
'  r<.  tenberg,  Germany,  the  date  of  his  birth 
being  July  18,  1830.  He  attended  school  in 
his  native  country  till  fourteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  weaver,  which 


""■^^M  ?  J 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


569 


t 

I 
t 

) 

\ 

i 
* 

It 


he  followed  four  years.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  came  to  America,  first  locat- 
ing at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  wliere  he 
remained  eighteen  months.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Germantown,  Kentucky,  and  in 
1854  went  to  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  where  he 
lived  neighbor  to  the  notorious  Jim  Lane, 
and  during  the  John  Brown  troubles  in  that 
State  Mr.  Nestle  participated  in  several 
skirmishes  with  him.  Mr.  Nestle  was 
united  in  marriage  in  the  year  1858,  and 
by  his  marriage  has  had  six  children.  In 
1860  he  removed  to  Marshalltown,  where  he 
resided  until  he  came  to  Carroll  County, 
Iowa,  in  1882,  since  which  time  he  has  made 
his  home  at  Carroll.  He  now  owns  the  busi- 
ness house  in  which  lie  is  located,  which  is  a 
good  two-story  brick  building,  22x80  feet,  and 
is  among  the  best  in  the  to%vn.  He  also  owns 
another  good  business  house  in  the  same 
city.  By  his  genial  and  accommodating 
manners  and  strict  attention  to  the  wants  of 
his  customers  he  has  built  up  a  good  busi- 
ness, and  has  gained  the  coniidence  and  re- 
spect of  the  entire  community  by  his  fair  and 
honorable  dealings.  Mr.  Nestle  is  a  member 
of  both  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  orders. 


g^ENRY  POWELL,  proprietor  of  the  Car- 
Pyi  roll  Dairy,  which  was  established  in 
""S'd  1882,  is  a  native  of  Shropshire,  Eng- 
land, the  date  of  his  birth  being  December 
5,  1836.  His  parents,  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
Powell,  had  a  family  of  three  children — 
Henry,  George  and  Ann  Elizabeth.  The 
father  was  a  son  of  Sir  George  Powell,  the 
Powell  family  tracing  tlieir  ancestry  back  to 
the  time  of  AYilliam  the  Conqueror,  and  tlie 
mother  of  our  subject  was  the  daughter  of  a 
landed  proprietor.  Henry  Powell,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  made  his  home  in  England 


until  attaining  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years. 
When  fourteen  years  old  he  went  to  sea  and 
for  years  followed  a  sailor's  life.  On  com- 
ing to  America,  about  the  year  1864,  he 
located  in  New  Jersey,  where  he  resided  un- 
til 1867.  He  then  came  to  Iowa,  locating 
in  Sac  County  near  the  Carroll  County  line, 
twelve  miles  north  of  Carroll,  where  he  re- 
sided some  two  years.  March  29,  1868,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Frances  Elizabeth  Ban- 
nister, who  was  born  at  Mandley,  in  Stafford- 
shire, England,  but  at  tiie  time  of  iier 
marriage  was  living  in  Carroll,  Iowa. 
They  are  the  parents  of  five  children — W. 
Henry,  born  in  Sac  County,  March  26,  1869; 
Annie  Elizabeth,  born  May  5,  1871;  Freder- 
ick J.,  born  October  1,  1873;  Clara  May, 
March  19, 1876,  and  Alice  Louisa,  born  March 
1,  1878.  Mr.  Powell  has  been  a  resident  of 
Carroll  County  since  1869.  He  is  the  owner 
of  106  acres  of  choice  land,  all  well  improved 
and  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  a  good, 
commodious  residence,  and  fine  out-buildiiiirs 
for  the  accommodation  of  his  stock.  In  pol- 
itics Mr.  Powell  affiliates  with  the  Republi- 
can party.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  worthy 
and  earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church. 


^Mi)  A.  TALBOTT,  farmer,  section  31, 
jjfM\^  Grant  Township,  has  been  a  resident 
^^®  of  Carroll  County  since  1876.  He 
was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Indiana,  Febru- 
ary 21,  1826,  son  of  Edward  and  Mary 
(Lanning)  Talbott,  who  were  the  parents  of 
ten  children,  our  subject  being  the  fifth  child. 
When  he  was  about  four  years  of  age  his 
parents  removed  to  Jackson  County,  Indiana, 
where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  His  early 
life  was  spent  at  farm  work,  and  his  education 
was   obtained   in    the   common  schools.     In 


570 


UISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


1850  lie  came  to  Iowa,  first  locating  in  Iowa 
County,  three  miles  west  of  Marengo,  where 
he  improved  a  farm.  November  2,  1854,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nancy  A. 
Greenlee,  a  native  of  Miami  County,  Ohio, 
and  a  daughter  of  AVilliam  and  Esther  (Furas) 
Greenlee,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and 
the  latter  of  Ohio.  They  were  the  parents 
of  thirteen  children,  Mrs.  Talbott  being  the 
oldest.  They  came  to  Iowa  in  1846,  settling 
near  Iowa  City.  Our  subject  resided  in  Iowa 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war,  when 
he  enlisted,  August  13,  1862,  in  Company 
G,  Twenty-eighth  Infantry,  and  served  about 
three  years  in  the  Gulf  Department,  and  was 
afterward  transferred  to  the  Department  of  the 
Potomac.  He  was  honorably  discharged  and 
returned  to  his  home  in  Iowa.  He  removed 
to  his  present  farm  in  Carroll  County  in 
1876,  having  purchased  the  same  the  year 
previous,  of  the  Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company. 
His  farm  contains  127  acres,  which  is  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation  and  well  improved. 
He  has  a  good  residence  and  comfortable 
buildings  for  stock.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Talbott 
have  seven  children — W.  W.,  John  F.,  Naomi 
B.,  Charles  E.,  Robert  L.,  Mina  G.  and 
Jessie  S.  Mr.  Talbott  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  also  of  the  Grand  Army  post. 
He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 


"^"(ti'Si'S'iJ'"-^ 

r^SCAR  J.  SO.PER,  one  of  Carroll 
County's  pioneers,  and  the  present 
efficient  postmaster  of  Browning,  was 
born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  New  York, 
October  19,  1832,  a  son  of  Briggs  and  Sadie 
(Woodard)  Soper,  natives  of  New  York  and 
New  Hampshire  respectively.  They  were 
the  parents  of  three  sous  and  three  daughters, 
our  subject  being  the  third  child.     He  was 


reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  his  early 
boyhood  days  being  sjient  in  assisting  on  the 
farm  and  attending  the  district  schools.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  began  working 
in  a  saw-mill  at  Livingston,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  was  employed  about  one  year.  He 
then  spent  three  years  in  New  Hampshire, 
working  out  by  the  month,  when  he  returned 
to  the  old  homestead.  In  1855  he  immi- 
grated to  Jones  County,  Iowa,  and  began 
working  ou  the  Minneapolis,  St.  Louis  & 
St.  Paul  Railroad,  where  he  found  employ- 
ment until  the  winter  of  1859.  He  was 
married  in  Jones  County,  December  23, 
1859,  to  Miss  Cora  Kanolt,  born  in  Albaiiy, 
New  York,  November  24, 1842,  the  eldest  of 
si.x  children  of  John  and  Catherine  Kanolt, 
who  were  natives  of  Germany.  To  this 
union  have  been  born  two  children — Jessie 
M.,  wife  of  Walter  Rutlidge,  of  Sac  Count}', 
Iowa,  and  Ira  I).  In  the  spring  of  1860 
Mr.  Soper  started  for  Pike's  Peak,  traveling 
across  the  plains  from  Omaha.  In  1863  he 
went  from  Denver  to  Salt  Lake  City,  thence- 
to  Montana,  where  he  remained  till  1866. 
He  then  returned  to  Jones  County,  Iowa,  and 
in  1868  came  to  Carroll  County,  when  he 
settled  on  section  13,  Sheridan  Township,  on 
raw  prairie  land.  He  subsequently  sold  his 
farm  on  section  13,  and  removed  to  section  1, 
Sheridan  Township,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided, and  which  he  has  improved  from  a 
wild  state  and  brought  under  good  cultiva- 
tion.  His  first  trading  was  done  at  Glidden, 
and  his  milling  was  first  done  at  Jefferson, 
now  the  county  seat  of  Greene  County.  He 
has  been  very  successful  in  his  farming 
operations,  and  by  his  industry,  combined 
with  good  management,  has  acquired  his 
present  fine  property,  which  consists  of  356 
acres  on  section  1,  and  eighty  acres  on  section 
2,  Sheridan  Township.  Politically  Mr.  Soper 
is  a  Republican.     He  has  served  his  county 


THr  NEV/  ^.^"lRK■ 

pr   ;  ■ :.:!  ;'ARY 


#11 


f\ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  nTS 


as  supervisor  two  terms,  and  in  1872  was  ap- 
pointed to  his  position  of  postmaster  at 
Browning. 


JfsJ^ILLIAM  GILLEY,  a  prominent  pio- 
^rwll  ^^^^  °^  Carroll  County,  came  here 
1-^^]  in  April,  1856.  He  entered  a  quarter 
section  of  land  in  what  is  now  Pleasant 
Valley  Township,  and  settled  upon  it  the 
foll(_)wing  year.  At  the  time  he  made  his 
settlement  there  were  but  twentj^-eight  voters 
in  the  county.  Tlie  settlements  were  in 
Newton  and  Jasper  townships.  The  people 
were  all  from  the  East,  and  none  of  foreign 
birth.  Of  these  twenty-eight  voters  about 
ten  remain,  the  others  having  removed  or 
died.  Mr.  Gilley  is  the  oldest  resident  of 
tlie  county  living  in  Carroll  City.  When  he 
settled  here  all  was  in  its  primitive  condition. 
Hoving  tribes  of  Indians  were  frequently 
seen  jjursuing  the  elk  and  the  deer,  which 
were  then  abundant.  It  is  difficult  to  con- 
ceive a  correct  idea  of  the  changes  that 
have  taken  place  since  that  time.  They 
were  very  slow  for  many  yeai'S,  but  since  the 
advent  of  the  railroad  the  development  and 
growth  of  the  counti-y  has  been  rapid.  Mr. 
Gilley  settled  upon  the  land  he  entered, 
which  he  improved,  and  upon  which  he 
resided  until  he  removed  to  Carroll  in  1868. 
The  town  had  scarcely  an  existence  at  that 
time,  there  being  but  three  or  four  houses 
within  the  corporation.  When  there  were 
twenty-eight  voters  the  total  number  of 
inhabitants  did  not  exceed  seventy-five  in 
the  county.  Their  nearest  mill  was  at 
Panora,  about  thirty  miles  distant,  taking 
two  days  to  make  the  trip.  Panora  was  a 
small  town,  but  it  was  a  point  of  trade, 
although  tlie  settlers  frequently  went  to  Des 
Moines  to  do  their  trading.     Panora  was  also 

41 


their  postoffice.  But  in  those  early  days  all 
were  friendly  and  dependent  upon  one 
another,  and  they  led  a  comparatively  happj' 
and  contented  life.  But  little  was  done  in 
the  way  of  improvements  until  about  1865. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  all  who  were 
of  legal  age  entered  the  army  to  do  battle  for 
the  Union,  and  it  was  not  until  the  close  of 
the  struggle  that  any  material  advancement 
was  made.  Mr.  Gilley  was  born  in  Alle- 
gheny County,  Pennsylvania,  in  March,  1S30. 
When  he  was  three  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Mediiui  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood,  and  where  he  married 
Leah  M.  Mohler,  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
Ohio.  She  was  taken  by  her  parents  to 
Medina  County  when  only  six  years  old. 
Mr,  and  Mrs.  Gilley  were  married  in  1854, 
and  came  to  Iowa  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year.  Their  first  location  was  near  Iowa 
City,  where  Mr.  Gilley  purchased  a  farm, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1856  he  sold  out  and 
came  to  Carroll  County.  He  made  the 
change  on  account  of  the  cheap  land  and  the 
prospective  railroad,  which,  however,  was  not 
built  until  ten  years  later.  In  1868  Mr. 
Gilley  was  elected  county  treasurer,  and  re- 
moved to  Carroll,  but  continued  to  own  his 
land  until  1869.  He  served  two  terms  as 
treasurer,  and  during  that  time  he  also  con- 
ducted a  real  estate  agency.  He  invested 
the  money  he  obtained  from  his  farm  in 
town  property,  and  purchased  a  half  section 
of  land  near  the  corporation.  He  has  since 
added  eighty  acres  to  that,  all  of  which  he 
still  owns.  In  1871  he  engaged  in  the  coal 
and  lumber  trade  at  Carroll,  which  he  oper- 
ated until  1875,  since  which  time  he  has 
devoted  much  of  his  time  to  the  improve- 
ment of  his  farm.  Like  most  of  the  pioneers 
Mr.  Gilley  came  to  the  county  poor,  but  by 
industry  and  good  management  has  acquired 
a  competence.     He  has  done  much   toward 


■-■-■-''■■■^■-■n 


} 


574 


■«g»S'jagaHgHBHBg'*ii  ''gBW>^in=«g'gJ 


HISTORY    OF    CARUOLL    COUNTY 


the  improvement  of  the  town  in  the  way  of 
erecting  business  blocks.  He  is  a  Republi- 
can in  politics,  and  cast  his  first  presidential 
vote  for  General  Scott  in  1852,  and  his  first 
in  Iowa  for  Fremont  in  1856.  He  has  not 
only  served  the  county  as  treasurer,  but  has 
held  the  oflices  of  sheriff  and  clerk  of  the 
court.  He  was  mayor  of  Carroll  during  the 
years  1878-'80.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gilley  have 
had  four  children.  Their  oldest  son,  Willard 
B.,  was  drowned  in  Middle  Coon  Eiver,  near 
Old  Carrollton,  in  1808,  when  twelve  years 
of  age.  Their  surviving  children  are — Ira 
M.,  Ida  S.,  wife  of  William  Trowbridge,  of 
Carroll,  and  Emma  Iowa,  living  at  home. 
The  parents  of  Mr.  Gilley  were  Andrew  and 
Catherine  (Van  Demark)  Gilley,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  reared  and 
married.  They  removed  to  Ohio  when  Will- 
iam was  three  years  of  age.  The  mother 
died  in  Ohio,  and  the  father  aftei'ward  came 
to  Carroll,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  days.  Mrs.  Gilley's  parents  were  John 
and  Susan  Mohler,  natives  of  Cumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  removing  to  Ohio 
after  marriage.  The  father  died  in  Ohio, 
and  the  mother  is  still  living  in  that  State  at 
the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 


\^  M.  CULVER,  farmer,  section  30, 
Glidden  Township,  has  been  a  resi- 

"'^  dent  of  Carroll  County  since  1876. 
lie  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  Canada, 
August  15,  1835,  son  of  Moses  and  Sarah 
(Merritt)  Culver.  He  lived  in  Canada  until 
he  was  about  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
removed  to  Ogle  ("ounty,  Illinois,  completing 
his  education  at  Mount  Morris,  in  that 
county.  After  this  he  was  engaged  in  teach- 
ing for  many  years.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
five  he  was   united    in    marriage  with   Miss 


Catherine  Lawrence,  of  Polo,  Illinois.  In 
1867  he  removed  to  Nebraska,  locating  near 
Lincoln,  where  he  resided  until  1875,  when 
he  removed  to  Colorado,  spending  one  year 
there,  and  in  1876  located  upon  his  present 
farm,  which  was  then  in  its  wild  state.  He 
has  since  made  improvements,  until  the  Cul- 
ver farm  is  known  as  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
the  township.  It  is  situated  only  one-half 
mile  west  of  Glidden.  He  has  a  good  resi- 
dence, barn,  and  other  farm  buildings,  an 
orchard,  and  a  large  variety  of  snjall  fruits. 
Besides  farming  and  stock-raising,  he  is  oper- 
ating a  ha}'  press,  shipping  about  200  tons  of 
pressed  hay  annually.  Politically  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. Mrs.  Culver  died  at  Lincoln,  Ne- 
braska, in  1868,  leaving  three  children — 
Estella  A.,  John  M.  and  Grant  D.  In  1870 
Mr.  Culver  was  married  to  Miss  Rachel 
Payne,  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa.  By  fiir 
and  honest  dealing  Mr.  Culver  has  M'on  the 
confidence  of  all   his   neighbors  and  friends. 


SHULZE  &  SON,  proprietors  of  the 
City  Meat  Market  of  Glidden,  estab- 
lished their  present  business  in  1882, 
this  being  the  pioneer  meat  market  of  the 
town.  They  keep  in  stock  the  best  quality 
of  meat,  both  fresh  and  salted,  and  a  fine  as- 
sortment of  fowls,  and  also  deal  in  fish,  and 
by  their  strict  attention  to  customers,  and 
reasonable  prices,  they  have  succeeded  well 
and  built  up  a  large  trade.  This  firm  owns 
the  line  business  house  where  they  are  located, 
which  is  a  two-story  building,  centrally 
located  on  Main  street.  D.  Shulze,  the  sen- 
ior member  of  the  firm,  is  a  native  of  Ger- 
many. He  came  to  America  in  1848, 
locating  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  re- 
sided until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when 
he  enlisted   and   served   in   the  army  for  one 


■■■■"■^itj 


BIOORAPUICAL    SKETCHES. 


575 


year.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Clayton 
County,  Iowa,  remaining  there  until  he  came 
to  Carroll  County  in  1882,  since  which  time 
lie  has  made  his  home  at  Glidden.  He  was 
married  in  his  native  country  to  Miss  Louisa 
Hine,  and  to  this  union  were  horn  eight 
children.  Mr.  Shulze  is  a  member  of  Post 
No.  291,  G.  A.  K,  at  Glidden.  II.  F. 
Shulze,  the  eldest  child,  is  the  junior  member 
of  the  firm  of  D.  Shulze  &  Son.  He  was  born 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  November  14,  1849, 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  In  his  youth  he  was  vari- 
ously employed.  He  came  to  Iowa  with  liis 
father,  and  located  in  Glidden  in  1882.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  in  1874  to  Miss  Han- 
nah Backhouse,  and  to  this  union  four  chil- 
dren have  been  l)orn — John,  Henry,  Louisa 
and  an  infant  daughter  yet  unnamed. 


i-^Mf-i 


H.  WESTBROOK,  postmaster  at  Ar- 
cadia, was  appointed  to  his  position  in 
'i®  September,  1885,  and  took  charge  of 
the  office  October  13  following.  He  suc- 
ceeded Henry  Carpenter.  Mr.  Westbrook 
came  to  Arcadia  May  15,  1879,  and  engaged 
in  the  drug  business,  which  he  has  since  fol- 
lowed. He  succeeded  Mr.  John  R.  Benson, 
and  the  latter  succeeded  L.  S.  Stoll,  who  was 
the  first  druggist  of  the  town.  In  1883  Mr. 
Michael  Lovely  became  a  partner  in  the  busi- 
ness, and  the  tirra  of  Westbrook  &  Lovely 
added  a  stock  of  groceries.  This  partnersliip 
lasted  two  years,  when  Mr.  Westbrook  bought 
out  his  partner's  interest,  and  closed  out  the 
grocery  business.  He  was  born  at  Sabula, 
Jackson  County,  this  State,  June  4,  1849. 
His  father,  Dr.  E.  M.  Westbrook,  was  well 
known  as  one  of  the  early  successful  physi- 
cians of  Iowa.  Lie  was  born  in  the  State  of 
New    York,    and    educated    at.   McDowelFs 


Medical  College,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  Lie 
located  in  Jackson  County,  Iowa,  when  a 
3'oung  man,  and  in  1868  removed  to  Lyons, 
where  he  continued  his  practice  until  death. 
He  had  one  brother  a  chemist,  and  two 
nephews  who  were  noted  physicians.  Dr.  E. 
M.  Westbrook  and  wife  had  live  children,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  third  child. 
His  brother,  M.  E.  Westbrook,  is  the  present 
postmaster  at  Lyons,  and  a  prominent  citizen 
of  that  town.  His  eldest  sister,  Sarah  Amelia, 
is  the  wife  of  V.  Lund,  treasurer  of  Clinton 
County,  this  State;  Mary  Ellen  is  the  wife 
of  Charles  Leffingwell,  of  Clinton  County; 
Edwin  M.  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
in  Yale,  Crawford  County.  Our  subject 
went  to  Clinton  County  in  1869,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  that  place. 
He  was  married  in  Cllinton  County  to  Miss 
Maria  E.  Ashton,  daughter  of  William  Ash- 
ton,  and  they  have  two  children — Jessie  May 
and  Harry.  Their  oldest  daughter  is  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Westbrook  and  all  his  father's 
family  are  Democrats.  In  1883  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  member  of  the  county  board  of 
supervisors,  to  serve  out  the  unexpired  term 
of  George  E.  Russell,  and  at  the  fall  election 
that  year  he  was  elected  for  a  full  term. 
During  the  last  year  he  has  been  chairman 
of  the  board.  He  has  served  on  the  town 
board  a  greater  part  of  the  time  since  its  in- 
corporation. He  is  a  member  of  the  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  also  of  the  Legion  of 
Honor  and  other  civic  societies. 


►>+^ 


jg^jETH  SMITH,  one  of  Iowa's  pioneers, 
and  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen 
of  Carroll  County,  was  born  in  Colum- 
biana County,  Ohio,  the  date  of  his  birth 
being  December  19,  1830.  His  parents, 
John    and     Esther    (Metcalf)    Smith,    were 


570 


UIHTOUY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


natives  of  Virginia  and  New  Jersey  respect- 
ively, tlie  father  born  Jnne  3,  179i,  and  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  mother 
born  April  29,  1802.  Eleven  children  were 
born  to  thein,  eight  sons  and  three  daughters, 
and  with  the  exception  of  one  son,  John,  who 
fell  in  battle  at  Malrino  del  Key,  during  the 
Mexican  war,  all  are  yet  living.  The  mother 
died  in  Owen  County,  Indiana,  in  September, 
1849,  and  the  father's  death  occurred  in  JVIar- 
sball  County,  Iowa,  December  5, 1871.  Seth 
Smith,  our  subject,  lived  in  his  native  State 
till  nine  years  of  age,  when  he  was  taken  by 
his  parents  to  Owen  County,  Indiana,  where 
he  lived  till  1849,  removing  thence  with  his 
father's  family  to  Iowa.  He  was  married  in 
Aliirshall  County  in  1854,  to  Miss  Martha  C. 
Cooper,  who  died  April  11,  1864,  leaving 
live  children — James  A.,  a  resident  of  Mar- 
shall County;  Joseph  F.,  living  in  the  same 
county;  Emma  E.,  deceased;  Marcus  E.,  of 
Manning,  and  Addie,  deceased.  For  his 
second  wife  Mr.  Smith  married  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth (Eeed)  Nettle,  widow  of  John  M. 
Nettle,  a  member  of  the  Thirteenth  Iowa 
Infantry,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  At- 
lanta, J  uly  22,  1864.  Of  the  four  children 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  three  are  livins 
— Adora,  Ala  and  Charlie.  John  B.  died  at 
the  age  of  seven  years.  In  1878  Mr.  Smith 
came  with  his  family  to  Carroll  County  and 
purchased  102  acres  on  section  6  of  "Warren 
Township,  which  he  improved  and  brought 
under  a  tine  state  of  cultivation,  residing  on 
that  farm  until  coming  to  Manning  in  1881. 
Until  within  the  last  few  years  he  has  been 
actively  engaged  in  farming,  an  avocation  to 
which  he  was  reared.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Manning,  and  owns  one  of 
the  finest  residences  in  the  place,  which  he 
now  occupies.  When  the  Manning  postoffice 
was  established,  in  November,  1881,  Mr. 
Smitli    was    commissioned    its    postmaster. 


holding  that  office  until  the  change  of  admin- 
istration,  when  he  resigned,  September  30, 
1885.  Beside  his  farm  on  sectlftn  6,  Warren 
Township,  he  owns  eighty  acres  on  section  7 
and  forty  acres  on  section  17,  of  the  same 
township.  Mrs.  Smith  is  conducting  a  suc- 
cessful business  at  Manning,  in  the  millinery 
and  dressmaking  line.  In  the  religious  as 
well  as  the  social  interests  of  Manning,  Mr. 
Smitli  takes  an  active  part.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  chnrch.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  order,  belonging  to  Man- 
ning Lodge,  No.  122,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  which 
he  has  filled  all  the  highest  offices.  In  poli- 
tics he  has  been  an  active  Republican  since 
the  organization  of  that  party. 


■V"' 


■r^^ 


5j[||fRIAH  C.  JONES,  M.  D.,  one  of  the 
*™  leading  physicians  of  Carroll  County, 
and  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of 
Breda,  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Indi- 
ana, in  the  year  1842.  In  1852  he  removed 
to  Poweshiek,  County,  Iowa,  with  his  father, 
who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that 
county,  where  he  still  lives.  The  father  be- 
ing a  mechanic  our  subject  was  reared  to 
mechanical  pursuits.  From  boyhood  he  had 
in  view  the  profession  of  medicine,  and  in 
early  life  pursued  such  studies  as  would  best 
lay  the  foundation  of  that  profession.  He 
began  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  pre- 
ceptorship  of  his  brother.  Dr.  N.  Jasper 
Jones,  and  attended  his  first  course  of  lec- 
tures at  the  medical  department  of  the  Iowa 
State  University,  at  Iowa  City.  Later  he 
attended  the  Iowa  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons  at  Des  Moines,  from  which  insti- 
tution he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1885. 
For  his  wife  the  doctor  married  Miss  Emma 


Holmes,    a   daughter 
Poweshiek   County. 


of   John    Holmes,    of 
They    are    the  parents 


'■■»■-■-■ 


(I 


i 


i 

_    t. 

a 


it 

i 


1^ 


1^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


577 


of  six  children — Ida  and  Bell  (twins),  Laura, 
Charles,  Lottie  and  Ray.  Dr.  Jones  located 
at  Breda,  Carroll  County,  in  the  spring  of 
1881,  and  is  at  present  the  only  physician 
of  the  place,  although  several  others  have 
practiced  here  for  a  short  time.  He  is 
thoroughly  educated  in  his  profession,  for 
which  he  seems  to  possess  a  natural  adapta- 
tion, and  during  his  residence  at  Breda  has 
built  up  an  extensive  practice.  He  now 
holds  the  position  of  president  of  the  board 
of  examining  surgeons  for  pensions.  The 
doctor  has  a  pleasant  home  at  Breda,  where 
good  taste  and  refinement  are  everywhere 
indicated. 


►^♦-^li^**.*!*- 


fAMES  E.  GRIFFITH,  one  of  the  few 
who  have  been  identified  with  the  in- 
terests of  Carroll  County  since  its  earliest 
liistory,  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
in  1843.  His  father,  Isaac  N.  Griflith,  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Iowa  when  James 
E.  was  about  one  year  old.  They  resided  in 
Henry  County  for  some  time,  then  removed 
to  Mahaska  County,  where  the  father  settled 
on  Government  land  which  he  had  previously 
located.  He  had  some  trouble  in  holding  his 
claim,  and  it  was  "jumped"  during  his  ab- 
sence, but  he  succeeded  in  establishing  his 
rio-ht  to  the  land.  About  1856  the  father 
removed  with  his  family  to  Montezuma, 
Poweshiek  County,  where  he  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  trade.  In  1869  he  came  to 
Carroll,  where  he  still  resides.  Our  subject 
was  reared  in  Poweshiek  County,  and  edu- 
cated at  Grinnell  College.  In  1864  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  at  Iowa  City,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Montezuma  in 
1866,  where  he  practiced  until  he  came  to 
Carroll  in  the  spring  of  1867.  He  was  the 
first  attorney  in  Carroll  County;  and  has  been 


M'ell  known  as  one  of  the  most  successful 
business  men  for  nearly  twenty  years.  For 
ten  years  he  was  associated  with  the  Hon. 
John  K.  Deal,  the  present  State  Senator  ot 
this  district.  The  firm  of  Griffith  &  Deal 
did  a  general  law,  banking  and  real  estate 
business.  Mr.  Griffith's  business  house  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1884.  In  1886  he  re- 
built, and  his  brick  building  is  one  of  the 
finest  structures  in  the  county.  It  is  30  x  100 
feet,  two  stories  in  height,  with  basement. 
The  cost  was  about  $10,000,  and  it  is  located 
on  lot  11,  block  28.  Mr.  Griffith  has  practi- 
cally retired  from  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  devotes  his  attention  mainly  to 
loaning  money,  and  insurance.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  his  political  views,  having  cast 
his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1864. 
In  1869  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Hortense  Tuttle,  a  daughter  of  John  F.  Tut- 
tle,  formerly  a  resident  of  Carroll,  where  he 
lived  until  his  decease.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grif- 
fith have  two  children — Ed.  and  Ola.  They 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Carroll. 


'°^"S'S"!'|"'"^ 


|ETER   LAMONT,    farmer,    section  22, 
Pleasant  Valley  Township,  is  one  of  the 


I 

—^  successful  and  enterprising  citizens  of 
Carroll  County.  He  is  a  native  of  Argyle- 
shire,  Scotland,  born  February  11,  1844,  son 
of  Peter  and  Nancy  (McKeller)  Lamont,who 
were  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom 
our  subject  was  the  fourth  child.  "When  he 
was  about  three  months  old  his  parents  came 
to  America  and  located  in  Cortland  County, 
State  of  New  York,  where  he  was  reared 
and  educated  in  the  schools  of  that  State. 
Arriving  at  the  age  of  manhood,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  February  14,  1872,  with 
Miss  Mary  White,    a    native    of  Tompkins 


■""»"■■'"■■'»'■■■— ^'■'—^■"™»»»* 


■■■-■-■«■■;■■■■-■■»■-■-■-■•: 


578 


HISTORY    OF    OAMROLL    COUNTY. 


County,  New  York,  and  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  James  White.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamont 
removed  to  Iowa  the  same  year,  settling  upon 
his  present  farm  in  Pleasant  Valley  Town- 
ship, this  county.  He  first  purchased  160 
acres  of  land  which  was  then  in  its  primitive 
state.  He  has  since  added  to  his  original 
purchase  until  he  now  owns  320  acres  of  as 
good  land  as  can  be  found  in  Carroll  County. 
It  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  has 
been  well-improved.  He  has  a  comfortable 
house  and  good,  commodious  out-bnildings 
for  stock.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising  and  feeding.  Mrs. 
Lamont  died  August  20,  1877,  leaving  one 
son — George  A.  October  22,  1878,  Mr.  La- 
mont was  united  in  marriage  with  Filena 
Owens,  who  was  born  in  Huron  County, 
Ohio,  and  reared  in  Johnson  County,  Iowa. 
Her  parents  were  John  and  Caroline  (Tan- 
ner) Owens.  Mr.  Lamont  is  a  Republican  in 
politics  and  a  strong  advocate  of  the  princi- 
ples of  that  party.  Pie  served  as  township 
clerk  five  years,  has  also  served  as  member 
of  the  school  board,  and  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


.^^►1- 


k  ICliOLAS  BEITER,  proprietor  of  Beit- 
4lV/i  ^'^'^  meat  market,  Carroll  City,  Iowa,  is 
^^  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  born 
March  21,  1847,  a  son  of  Francis  and  Kate 
Beiter.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1866,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Allentown, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  lived  three  years. 
From  there  he  came  West  and  lived  in  Chi- 
cago eight  months,  and  in  1870  came  to 
Iowa  and  lived  in  Clarence,  Cedar  County, 
four  years,  and  in  1874  came  to  Carroll 
County  and  bought  forty  acres  of  land  in 
Grant  Township.  He  also  owns  a  house  and 
lot  in  Carroll,  where  he  lives,  and  the  build- 


ing where  he  is  engaged  in  business.  He  is 
one  of  the  pi'ospei'ons  and  influential  citizens 
of  Carroll  City,  and  is  highly  respected  in 
business  circles.  He  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  city  council  six  years,  as  school 
director  six  years.  He  was  married  in  Cedar 
County,  Iowa,  in  1872,  to  Nancy  J.  Brigham, 
a  native  of  Vermont,  born  in  1849.  She 
died  in  1881,  leaving  four  children — Frank, 
John,  Helen  and  Joseph  N.  In  1884  Mr. 
Beiter  married  May  Heath,  who  was  born  in 
Illinois  in  1866.  They  have  one  child — 
Grover  C.  Mr.  Beiter  is  a  member  of  Secret 
Lodge,  No.  264,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Democrat. 


^AMUEL  BOWMAN,  one  of  the  county 
"^^  supervisors  of  Union  Township,  resides 
<*/-•  on  section  13.  His  farm  comprises  the 
south  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  the 
section,  where  he  settled  in  the  spring  of 
1880.  He  purchased  his  farm  of  James 
Callinan,  by  William  Culbertson,  of  Carroll. 
It  was  wholly  unimproved,  but  is  now  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  His  buildings, 
which  are  substantial  and  comparatively  new, 
cost  about  $1,500.  Mr.  Bowman  was  born 
in  Switzei'land,  December  20,  1845.  His 
father,  Samuel  Bowman,  immigrated  with  his 
family  to  America  in  1846,  and  settled  in 
Philadelphia.  The  father  was  a  weaver  by 
trade,  and  pursued  this  occupation  in  the 
factories  of  the  Quaker  City  during  his  resi- 
dence there,  which  was  about  nine  years.  In 
1855  the  family  removed  to  Muscatine,  Iowa, 
and  after  a  residence  of  two  years  in  that  city 
they  located  on  a  farm.  The  mother  died  in 
1882,  and  the  father  still  lives  in  Muscatine 
County.  The^'  had  eight  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, all  of  whom  are  residents  of  Iowa.  Our 
subject    is    the    only    one  living    in   Carroll 


kJ>»J"*J-^fc^  '■^J-'^.  '-■ 


i5»M)iifiiiPSW«WtM»W»M«W-W»W»»»»»W»Wi,W_»_Mn»S»5WSWS;«,W,1«Mmi 


BIOGBAPniCAL    SKETGUES. 


■SBSBSBSSa 


571) 


County.  He  was  reared  to  farm  life  in 
Muscatine  County,  and  married  Miss  Sophia 
Brunner,  daughter  of  George  Brunner,  a 
pioneer  of  Muscatine  County,  where  he  still 
lives.  Mrs.  Bowman  was  born  in  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  in  1850.  Mr.  Bowman  purchased 
his  farm  in  1879,  and  lived  about  a  year  in 
Greene  County,  not  far  from  his  present 
home.  He  now  owns  120  acres  of  land  in 
"Willow  Township,  that  county.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bowman  have  seven  children — Nellie 
May,  Clara  D.,  Dennis  E.,  Mary,  Verena  R., 
Minnie  and  Estella.  Arthur  is  deceased. 
Politically  Mr.  Bowman  is  a  Democrat.  He 
is  a  member  of  Coon  Rapids  Lodge,  K.  of  P., 
and  is  the  present  school  director  of  his 
district. 

■ ^ot  *v-*S*  *£  *  s*'"  *°* 


iR.  L.  S.  STOLL,  physician  and  surgeon 
||n)  at  Arcadia,  and  special  agent  of  the 
--^  German  Insurance  Company,  of  Free- 
port,  Illinois,  also  notary  public,  is  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Carroll  County,  having  been  a 
resident  here  since  February,  1874.  He  was 
born  in  France  April  15,  1845,  son  of  An- 
thony and  Elizabeth  Stoll,  who  came  to 
America  when  our  subject  was  eight  years 
old,  locating  in  St.  Clair  County,  Illinois, 
thence  to  Dubuque  County,  Iowa,  in  1855,  and 
were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  county. 
The  doctor  passed  his  youth  in  assisting  at 
farm  work  until  he  was  about  thirteen  years 
old,  when  he  engaged  in  carriage  making,  at 
which  he  worked  three  years,  and  was  then 
employed  as  clerk  in  a  drug  store  at  Dyers- 
ville,  this  State.  He  afterward  became  pro- 
prietor of  tlie  business,  and  continued  it 
until  1874.  In  the  meantime  he  read  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  James  S.  Rundall,  of  that 
place,  who  was  a  prominent  physician  and 
examining  surgeon.      In  1874  he  removed  to 


Arcadia,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  and  also  opened  up  the  first 
drug  store  in  that  lively  and  prosperous  little 
town,  being  one  of  the  early  physicians  of 
the  county.  He  has  been  in  the  employ  of 
the  German  Insurance  Company  for  many 
years,  having  acted  as  local  agent  at  Dyers- 
ville  for  some  time,  and  has  faithfully  worked 
for  that  company  as  special  agent  since  1874. 
November  19, 18r57,  the  doctor  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarali  E.  Trentor,  of 
Dubuque  County,  Iowa,  and  they  have  one 
son — W.  W.,  now  engaged  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness at  Manning.  He  is  eighteen  years  of 
age  and  a  bright,  intelligent  young  man. 
Politically  the  doctor  is  a  Democrat.  He 
has  served  as  coroner  two  years,  also  as 
councilman  of  Arcadia  several  terms.  Mrs. 
Stoll  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Trentor.  Her  great-grandmother 
was  the  first  white  woman  that  crossed  the 
Mississippi  River,  at  Dubuque.  She  died  at 
Atlantic,  Iowa,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and 
ten  years,  in  1886. 


F.  EVERTS,  farmer,  section  29,  Rich- 
land Township,  was  born  in  Cattarau- 
gus County,  New  York,  September 
25,  1846,  son  of  Charles  and  Angeline 
(Kemory)  Everts,  wlio  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children.  When  he  was  eighteen  years 
old  his  parents  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in 
Liberty  Township,  Scott  County,  where  he 
worked  out  by  the  day,  mouth  and  year  from 
farm  to  farm  until  December  14,  1873,  when 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Edith 
Hickson,  daughter  of  John  and  Edith  Ann 
(Shemard)  Hickson,  who  settled  in  Scott 
County  in  1839,  being  early  pioneers  of  that 
county.  In  January,  1874,  Mr.  Everts  came 
to  Carroll  County  and  purchased  160  acres 


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of  land,  forty  of  which  were  broken.  He 
has  added  to  his  first  purchase  until  his 
farm  now  contains  240  acres  of  well-improved 
land.  He  lias  a  good  residence,  a  fine  barn, 
34  X  40  feet,  and  other  good  farm  buildings 
for  stock,  hay  and  grain.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Everts  are  theparents  of  four  children — Hattie 
E.,  Hannah  L.,  Thomas  W.  and  Edith  Ann. 
Pulitically  Mr.  Everts  is  a  Republican.  He 
started  in  life  without  means,  but  by  indus- 
dry  and  good  management  he  has  acquired 
a  fine  property,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  township. 


^SBUN  C.  INGLEDUE,  one  of  the 
active  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of 
f^  Warren  Township,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock-raising  on  section  22,  is 
a  son  of  William  and  Phoebe  (King)  Ingle- 
due,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio,  and  among 
the  pioneers  of  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  where 
the}'  settled  in  July,  1856.  Of  the  seven 
children  born  to  them  our  subject  was  the 
second  child,  and  was  born  in  Columbiana 
County,  Ohio,  October  10,  1852.  He  was 
but  a  child  when  he  was  brought  by  his  par- 
ents to  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  and  there  he 
was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years  he  came  to  Carroll 
County,  locating  where  he  now  resides  in 
Warren  Township,  where  he  has  since  fol- 
lowed hischosenavocation, converting  his  land 
from  a  state  of  nature  into  a  well-improved 
farm,  which  contains  160  acres  of  valuable 
land,  and  he  is  now  classed  among  the  well- 
to-do  farmers  of  Warren  Township.  October 
26,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  McDaniel,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
born  March  3,  1857,  her  parents,  E.  and  Har- 
riet McDaniel,  being  natives  of  the  same 
State.     They  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 


dren—Ethel J.,  born  October  26,  1877;  Har- 
ry E..  l)orn  September  12,  1879,  and  Robert 
C,  born  October  22,  1883.  Politically  Mr. 
Ingledue  afliliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


fR.  EDMUND  B.  TOUNE,  residing  on 
section  18,  Newton  Township,  was  born 
in  Hudson,  Summit  County,  Ohio, 
June  6,  1828,  the  eldest  of  five  children  born 
to  Rial  K.  and  Clara  (Thompson)  Toune,  his 
parents  being  natives  of  Connecticut.  He 
was  educated  principally  in  the  Western  Re- 
serve College,  of  Hudson,  Ohio,  and  in  his 
youth  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and 
joiner.  In  1846  he  began  the  study  of  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  I.  Toune.  In  1848  his  father 
removed  with  his  family  to  Winnebago 
County,  Illinois,  when  E.  B.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  pursued  his  studies  under  the  pre- 
ceptorship  of  his  uncle.  Dr.  D.  K.  Toune, 
with  whom  he  read  medicine  one  and  a  half 
years.  He  attended  Rush  Medical  College 
in  1849  and  1850,  since  which  he  has  been 
principally  engnged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  In  1850  he  settled  in  Danville, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  one  year,  go- 
ing thence  to  Bellevue,  Jackson  County, 
Iowa,  and  a  year  and  a  half  later  located  in 
Sabula,  of  the  same  county,  where  he  prac- 
ticed medicine  for  six  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Cedar  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
made  his  home  for  many  years,  and  there 
built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He 
came  to  Carroll  County  from  Cedar  County, 
locating  in  Carrollton,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  for  a  time,  and  during 
his  residence  at  that  place  he  held  the  office 
of  postmaster  for  two  years.  He  subse- 
quently returned  with  his  family  to  Cedar 
County,  and  in  1876  came  again  to  Carroll 
County,  locating  where  he  now  resides,  and 


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BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


581 


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has  since  devoted  some  attention  to  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  has  been  prosperous 
tlirough  life,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  420 
acres,  sixty  acres  located  on  section  13  and 
360  on  section  14  of  Newton  Township.  Dr. 
Tonne  has  been  twice  married.  August  8, 
1853,  he  married  Martha  A.  "Wood,  who  was 
born  in  Newport,  New  York,  April  19,  1829, 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Melinda  Wood. 
Seven  children  were  born  to  this  union,  as 
follows — Charles  R.,  born  March  11,  1854; 
Cora  A.,  April  12,  1855;  Edwin  W.,  born 
October  6,  1856,  died  October  18,  1857; 
Etta  A.,  August  12,  1858;  Edwin  W.,  Janu- 
ary 12,  1861;  Dennison  O.,  April  15,  1862, 
and  Martha  A.,  born  January  18,  1865,  died 
October  17,  1865.  Mrs.  Toune  died  June 
28,  1865,  aged  thirty-six  years  and  two 
months.  Dr.  Toune  was  again  married  July 
27,  1874,  to  Anjaline  Herrald,  a  native  of 
West  Virginia,  born  June  11,  1847,  her 
father,  Noah  Herrald,  being  a  native  of 
Virginia.  To  this  union  have  been  born  two 
cliildren — Jay  King,  born  March  12,  1880, 
and  Clara  M.,  born  June  27,  1884.  In  poli- 
tics the  doctor  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party. 


.-^:- 


f  RANK  TURECHEK  resides  on  section 
I    14,   Pleasant   Valley   Township,    where 


^^  he  settled  in  the  spring  of  1881.  He 
bought  his  place  in  1880  of  the  Henry  Zer- 
bee  heirs,  it  being  at  that  time  wholly  unim- 
proved. His  laud  is  in  the  exact  center  of 
the  township,  forty  acres  being  in  each  quar- 
ter, thus  making  IGO  acres.  His  residence 
and  farm  buildings  are  good,  and  he  has  an 
orchard  of  half  an  acre,  and  a  good  grove  of 
forest  trees.  Mr.  Turechek  is  a  native  of 
Bohemia,  born  in  1851,  a  son  of  Mathew  and 
Barbara  Turechek.    In  1864  his  parents  with 


their  six  children  came  to  the  United  States, 
and  lived  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  until  the  spring 
of  1865,  when  they  moved  to  Newport,  Ken- 
tacky,  and  thence  in  1866  to  Johnson  County, 
Iowa,  where  they  still  live.  One  child  was 
born  to  them  in  America,  and  their  whole 
family  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters  are 
living,  our  subject  being  the  eldest.  He  was 
married  in  Johnson  County,  Iowa,  in  1875, 
to  Mary  Prochaska,  who  was  born  in  that 
county  in  1858,  of  Bohemian  parentage. 
Her  father  is  deceased  and  her  mother  now 
lives  in  Carroll  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Turechek  have  three  children — Mary,  Joseph 
and  Edward.  In  politics  Mr.  Turechek  is  a 
Democrat. 


-^-'V"^*^^*"- 


rilOMAS  L.  PARKER,  farmer,  section 
■J2,  Union  Township,  settled  upon  his 
present  farm  in  February,  1883.  It  is 
a  part  of  a  tract  of  land  that  his  father,  Asa 
L.  Parker,  located  in  1874.  He  was  born  in 
Holmes  County,  Ohio,  in  1843,  and  in  1852 
came  to  Cedar  County,  this  State.  He  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  educated  in 
the  public  school.  During  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  he  was  in  the  State  service  six 
months.  He  came  to  Carroll  County  in  the 
fall  of  1870,  but  settled  just  over  the  county 
line,  in  Audubon  County,  where  he  lived 
seven  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Ring- 
gold County,  where  he  lived  four  years,  and 
in  1881  returned  to  Carroll  County.  He 
was  married  in  Cedar  County  to  Miss  Rosan- 
na  Ililan,  daughter  of  David  Hilan,  who  came 
from  Ohio  to  Cedar  County  in  1847,  and 
lived  but  a  short  time  after  the  family 
reached  Iowa.  He  left  two  children — Mrs. 
Parker,  aged  eleven  months,  and  James,  aged 
three  and  a  half  years.  The  mother  again 
married  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  and 


583 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


by    this    marriage  had 


two  children.  She 
died  in  1860.  James,  the  brother  of  Mrs. 
Parker,  is  also  deceased,  so  that  she  is  the 
only  living  member  of  her  father's  family. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker  have  seven  children — 
Albertie,  Alice,  Maude,  Elmer,  Eichard, 
Beulah  and  Asa  L. 


» St  tS « 


C.  QUINT,  farmer,  resides  on  section 
32,  Grant  Township,  and  is  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Carroll  County.  He  was 
born  in  Somerset  County,  Maine,  July  7, 
1839.  His  parents,  John  C.  and  Abigail 
(Bickford)  Quint,  were  natives  of  Maine,  and 
had  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  lived  to 
be  grown.  S.  C.  was  the  youngest  of  seven 
boys.  He  was  reared  to  farm  work,  and 
obtained  his  education  in  his  native  State. 
"When  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  to  Michigan,  locating  in  Berrien 
County,  where  they  were  among  the  first 
settlers.  During  the  great  Rebellion,  Mr. 
Quint  enlisted,  October  21, 1861,  in  Company 
K,  Twelfth  Michigan  Infantry.  He  was  in 
the  battle  of  Shiloh,  under  General  Prentiss, 
his  regiment  being  among  the  first  in  that 
engagement.  He  was  also  at  the  battle  of 
Corinth,  and  several  other  important  engage- 
ments, lie  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  was  honorably  discharged  February  25, 
1865,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Miciiigan. 
April  12,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
A.  Broccus,  a  native  of  Michigan,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Abraham  and  Abbey  (Smith)  Broccus, 
formerly  of  Pennsylvania,  and  pioneers  of 
Berrien  County.  They  wei-e  the  parents  of 
ten  children,  Mrs.  Quint  being  the  third 
child.  IMr.  Quint  resided  in  Michigan  until 
April,  1867,  when  he  removed  to  Calhoun 
County,  this  State,  where  he  lived  three 
years,  and  improved  a  farm    near  Lake  City. 


In  1869  he  sold,  and  came  to  this  county, 
where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Pleasant  Valley  Township.  In  1881  he  sold, 
and  purchased  his  present  farm,  where  he 
owns  280  acres  of  good  land.  His  buildings 
are  all  large  and  commodious  and  in  modern 
style.  His  farm  is  well  watered  by  Swan 
Lake,  and  by  good  wells  and  a  wind-mill. 
He  carries  on  the  dairy  business  quite  exten- 
sively, and  the  butter  made  at  Swan  Lake 
farm  is  second  to  none  in  the  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Quint  are  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren— Laura  L.  Byerly,  Ora  M.,  Adelbert  A., 
Henry  B.,  Melvin  Eugene,  and  Goldie  M. 
Mr.  Quint  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a 
member  of  Jeff.  C.  Davis  Post,  No.  44, 
G.  A.  R.,  at  Carroll,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 


^AVID  HILAN,  deceased,  came  to  Iowa 
in  July,  1847,  accompanied  by  John 
Parr.  They  came  from  Ohio,  and 
located  in  Cedar  County,  in  a  thinly  settled 
portion  of  it.  Deer  and  other  wild  game 
was  abundant,  and  they  were  occasionally 
cheered  (?)  by  the  scream  of  the  panther. 
They  once  received  a  call  from  one  of  these 
dreaded  creatures.  The  panther  came  inside 
the  enclosure  and  made  a  meal  off  a  slaugh- 
tered porker  which  was  left  hanging  outside. 
Butthey  were  not  discouraged  by  such  troubles, 
being  possessed  of  the  courage  that  charac- 
terized the  early  pioneer.  Being  regardless 
of  personal  danger,  and  possessing  kind 
hearts  and  willing  hands,  they  were  well  cal- 
culated to  endure  the  toils  and  privations  of 
pioneer  life.  These  men  were  like  brothers, 
and  always  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand 
when  required.  So  when  David  Hilan  was 
called  to  the  assistance  of  a  neighbor,  whose 
liome  and    property    were     threatened    with 


'»■»■■■»■'■■■■-■'-■' ■■"-■■■-■-■-■-■-■■-■'-■■■■■■■■-■'-■-■-■'-■■-■^"'^■'^■b 


destruction  by  a  prairie  fire,  that  terrible 
scourge  of  early  days,  he  quickly  responded, 
and  as  the  result  proved,  lost  his  life  in  the 
effort  to  save  his  neighbor's  property.  After 
strnggling  manfully  against  the  fire  demon, 
he  fell,  completely  exhausted  and  overcome 
by  the  terrible  heat.  The  home  was  saved, 
but  a  precious  life  was  lost.  In  one  week 
the  husband  and  father  was  taken  from  the 
young  wife  and  two  small  children,  leaving 
tliem  to  battle  with  the  trials  and  hardships 
of  pioneer  life  alone.  Then  it  was  that  John 
Parr,  iiis  brother-in-law,  proved  his  sterling 
worth  and  afiection,  by  taking  the  desolate 
ones  to  his  own  home,  and  caring  for,  and 
rearing  as  his  own,  the  children  of  his  dead 
friend  and  brother,  until  they  could  care  for 
themselves,  although  he  had  a  large  family 
of  his  own.  But  John  Parr's  heart  and 
home  were  always  open  to  the  needy  and 
afflicted,  and  no  one  was  ever  turned  away. 
In  later  years,  during  the  trying  time  of 
"  mob  law,"  when  the  vigilantes  terrorized 
the  eastern  part  of  Iowa,  he  stood  bravely  in 
defense  of  law  and  order.  Although  many  of 
his  friends  and  neighbors  were  enlisted  with 
the  vigilantes,  he  was  a  Republican  and  pat- 
riot, as  well  as  loyal  to  civil  rule.  During 
the  great  Rebellion  he  gave  two  of  his  sons, 
who  sacrificed  their  lives  in  the  service,  one 
dying  in  a  dreary  Southern  hospital,  and  the 
other  coming  home  to  die,  after  receiving  an 
honorable  discharge.  John  Parr  lived  in 
Carroll  County  two  or  three  years,  and  a 
short  time  before  his  death  removed  to  Ne- 
braska, with  his  son,  where  they  had  pre- 
viously lived  a  few  years.  There  the  faithful 
wife  and  companion  of  his  toils  was  buried, 
and  there  his  feet  turned  in  his  old  age  to 
rest  beside  her.  He  died  in  May,  1884, 
leaving  four  children,  two  sons  living  in 
Nebraska,  and  two  daughters,  who  are  resi- 
dents of  Carroll  County — Mi-s.   O.  C.  Trip- 


lett,  of  Coon  Rapids,  and  Mrs.  D.  Anderson, 
of  Union  Township.  To  such  men  as  Mr. 
Hilan  and  Mr.  Parr  Iowa  owes  much  of  her 
greatness,  and  to  such  she  owes  a  grateful 
remembrance. 


►>^ 


A.  CHARLES,  attorney  at  Arcadia, 
Ip^  has  been  identified  with  the  interests 
^«  of  Carroll  County  since  1878.  He 
was  born  in  Noble  County,  Indiana,  August 
17,  1849,  son  of  A.  F.  and  Eliza  Charles.  He 
was  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  three  years, 
and  was  reared  at  Beaver  Dam,  Dodge 
County,  Wisconsin,  until  1864,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa  and  located  at  Iowa  City, 
graduating  at  the  State  University  in  1876. 
He  then  located  at  Bellevne,  Jackson  County, 
this  State,  where  he  practiced  his  profession 
until  1878,  when  he  removed  to  Arcadia  and 
became  a  partner  of  J.  C.  Engleman,  now  of 
Carroll,  in  the  practice  of  law.  Here  he  has 
since  resided,  and  has  built  np  a  good  prac- 
tice. He  was  married  December  24,  1878, 
to  Miss  Mary  E.  Wilson,  of  Iowa  City,  a  lady 
of  superior  accomplishments  and  authoress 
of  some  note,  her  nom  de  plume  being  Ethel 
Ashleigh.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  have  one 
child — Clare  L.  Politically  Mr.  Charles  is 
a  Republican. 


iR.  J.  J.  DESHLER,  physician  and  sur- 
geon, of  Ulidden,  Iowa,  is  a  native  of 
Aaronsburg,  Pennsylvania,  born  July 
27,  1857,  at  Turbotsville,  the  only  son  of 
Dr.  E.  J.  and  Maria  (Jordan)  Deshler.  He 
grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State,  receiv- 
ing his  education  at  Pennhall,  Pennsylvania. 
He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  his 
father,  and    graduated    from    the  College  of 


■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■dBBfgB! 


.ii_»,»_»_B_ti_B_a_»_»_u»»»M_»,a_»»»»»»j 


584 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, ]\rarcli  3,  ISSO.  September  21,  1881, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  E.  Hemphill,  of 
Eelleville,  Pennsylvania,  and  to  this  union 
has  been  born  one  child,  W.  E.  J.  Dr. 
Deshler  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession  with  his  father,  with  whom 
he  was  associated  some  three  years  at  Aarons- 
bnrg,  Pennsylvania.  October  25,  1883,  he 
came  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  and  located  at 
Glidden,  and  being  unusually  skilled  in  the 
knowledge  of  his  profession  he  has  succeeded 
in  establishing  a  large  practice.  He  gives 
special  attention  to  the  diseases  of  females 
and  general  surgery,  and  holds  consultation 
either  in  English  or  German.  He  is  Exam- 
ining Sur<>;eon  for  the  United  States  Pension 
Department;  Fidelity  Insurance  Company, 
of  Philadelphia;  Southwestern  Insurance 
Company,  of  Marshalltown ;  United  States 
Accident  Association,  of  New  York  City, 
and  Knights  of  Pythias  Insurance  Associa- 
tion, of  Iowa.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  belonging  to  Lodge 
No.  27,  of  Glidden. 

'•^"^♦SuS'l"-^ 


Jf^ENJAMIN  I.  SALINGER,  attorney  at 
V  law,  and  one  of  the  leading  and  influ- 


ential citizens  of  Manning,  was  born  in 
the  province  of  Posen,  Germany,  May  14, 
1860,  a  son  of  Louis  and  Rosalie  Salinger. 
The  family  crossed  the  ocean  in  1871,  land- 
ing at  New  York  August  30,  and  from  there 
came  directly  to  Iowa,  locating  at  Waverly. 
The  parents  are  now  making  their  home  in 
Butler  County,  Iowa.  Benjamin  I.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  received  liberal  educational 
advantages  in  his  youth.  He  commenced 
his  law  studies  in  the  office  of  Gray,  Doherty 
&  Gibson,  at  Waverly,  and  subsequently  en- 


tered the  law  office  of  Chase  &  Covill,  at 
Webster  Cit}',  Iowa.  During  his  law  studies 
at  Webster  City,  in  order  to  meet  expendi- 
tures, he  engaged  in  teaching  school,  and 
after  leaving  the  office  of  Chase  &  Covill  was 
engaged  one  year  in  the  public  schools  of 
Fort  Dodge.  Before  reaching  an  age  allow- 
ing him  to  be  admitted  to  the  bar  he  opened 
an  office  at  Spencer,  the  county  seat  of  Clay 
County,  which  he  closed  a  few  months  later. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  this  district 
before  Judge  Loofbourow,  at  Audobon,  in 
1881.  Mr.  Salinger  was  united  in  marriage 
in  Cherokee  County  June  5,  1880,  to  Miss 
Lucy  M.  Boylan,  who  was  born  at  Beaver 
Dam,  Wisconsin,  December  29,  1865,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children — 
Daisy  R.,  Benjamin  I.,  Jr.,  and  Louis  H. 
(twins).  Mr.  Salinger  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Manning,  and  was  the  first  prin- 
cipal of  the  public  schools  of  this  place,  and 
has  ever  since  been  one  of  the  active  and 
public-spirited  citizens.  He  is  now  associated 
with  L.  P.  Brigham  in  the  insurance  business, 
and  they  are  also  largely  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business,  buying  and  selling  land  in 
Carroll,  Audubon,  Shelby  and  Crawford 
counties,  and  in  these  same  counties  they  are 
general  agents  of  the  Council  Bluffs  Insur- 
ance Company,  and  are  also  representing 
eight  leading  Eastern  mercantile  companies. 
The  loans  placed  through  their  office  aggre- 
gate close  upon  $100,000  per  annum.  Mr. 
Salinger  owns  and  occupies  one  of  the  finest 
residences  in  Manning.  He  has  been  the 
architect  of  his  own  fortunes.  With  an 
energy  rarely  found  among  young  men,  he 
prosecuted  his  studies  and  fitted  himself  for 
an  active  business  life  almost  unaided  by 
money  or  influence.  In  all  business  he  has 
been  found  true  to  the  trusts  of  his  patrons, 
and  has  gained  their  confidence  and  esteem 
by  his  fair  and  honorable  dealings.     He  has 


SH5£iSQaa 


isssfsasiSt 


BIOQRAPHWAL    SKETCHES. 


585 


never  lost  his  interest  in  the  public  schools, 
and  is  now  a  member  of  the  school  board.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 


fOHN  W.  KAY,  one  of  the  prominent 
and  influential  citizens  of  Carroll  County, 
and  dealer  in  general  merchandise  at 
Dedham,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  Bedford  County  March  10,  1826.  His 
parents,  George  E.  and  Elizabeth,  were  the 
parents  of  fourteen  children,  our  subject 
being  the  third  child.  He  grew  to  manhood 
on  a  farm,  being  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a 
•  fanner.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he 
began  buying  and  selling  stock,  and  was  thus 
engaged  for  two  years.  He  then  immigrated 
to  Bremer  County,  Iowa,  where  he  lived  four 
years,  and  was  there  engaged  in  operating  a 
saw-mill  and  selling  goods.  He  then  sold 
out  his  business  and  returned  to  his  old 
home  in  Pennsylvania,  and  a  short  time  later 
returned  to  Iowa  and  engaged  in  selling 
goods  in  Bremer  County.  Pebruai-y  16, 
1859,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  J.  McDuel,  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Sarah  McDuel,  of  Washington  City,  D.  C, 
his  wife  having  been  born  there  Maj^  15, 
1833.  They  are  tlie  parents  of  four  children 
— Anna  E.,  wife  of  Sidney  Corbin,  of  Clali- 
fornia;  Mary  M.,  wife  of  C.  L.  Wattles,  of 
Nebraska;  Edward  L.,  assisting  his  father  in 
the  store,  and  George  H.,  still  attending 
school.  In  1870  Mr.  Kay  came  with  his 
family  to  Carroll  County,  and  engaged  in 
the  dry  goods  business  at  Carrollton,  where 
he  resided  fourteen  and  a  half  years.  From 
Carrollton  he  removed  to  Coon  Rapids,  where 
he  carried  on  his  mercantile  business  two 
and  a  half  years.  In  1884  he  settled  at 
Dedham,  where  he  has  since  carried  on  his 
dry  goods    business,  and   by  fair  and   honest 


dealing  and  strict  attention  to  the  wants  of 
his  customers  he  has  gained  their  j-espectand 
confidence  and  built  up  a  large  trade.  Besides 
his  business  he  owns  a  good  farm  in  Guthrie 
County  containing  160  acres.  Mr.  Kay  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  at  Dedham. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


fRANCIS  M.  LEIBFRIED,  the  efficient 
County  auditor  of  Carroll  County-,  is 
"o^  serving  his  second  term  in  that  capacity, 
his  first  election  having  occurred  in  the  fall 
of  1883,  and  his  second  in  1885.  At  his 
first  election  F.  A.  Charles  was  his  opponent, 
and  the  second  time  R.  L.  Wolfe  was  the 
opposing  candidate.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  it  may  be  remembered,  as  an 
evidence  of  the  esteem  and  confidence  with 
which  lie  is  regarded,  that  he  is  the  first 
Democratic  auditor  elected  in  the  county. 
At  the  first  election  he  ran  ahead  of  his 
ticket  125  votes,  and  the  second  time  his 
majority  was  425.  Mi'.  Leibfried  has  been  a 
resident  of  Carroll  County  since  1879,  at 
which  time  he  became  deputy  county  treasurer 
under  William  Arts,  serving  two  terms.  He 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Cumberland,  Alle- 
ghany County,  Maryland,  in  1847.  When  a 
child  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Grant 
County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  reared  to 
manhood.  His  father,  George  Leibfried,  was 
a  native  of  Germany,  and  after  removing  to 
Wisconsin,  remained  there  until  his  death. 
The  mother  still  survives.  They  had  six 
children,  five  sons  and  one  daughter.  Our 
subject  is  the  only  child  residing  in  Iowa. 
He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  at 
the  Wisconsin  State  Normal  School  at  Platte- 
ville,  and  also  at  the  German-English  Nor- 
mal School  at  Galena,  Illinois.  In  1878  he 
entered  the  celebrated  institution   known  as 


'■■^»'"*~™"* 


580 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


Eastman's  National  Business  College,  at 
Puuglikeepsio,  New  York,  where  he  re- 
mained until  he  graduated.  He  began  teach- 
ing in  1870,  and  tauglit  three  years  in 
Wisconsin,  and  about  four  years  in  Jo 
Daviess  County,  Illinois.  In  1873  he  was 
afflicted  by  the  loss  of  his  wife.  Tiiis  afflic- 
tion, together  with  his  poor  health,  induced 
him  to  discontinue  teaching,  and  he  de- 
termined to  take  a-  trip  West.  He  accord- 
ingly visited  California  and  Oregon,  then 
returned  to  Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  remain- 
ing about  one  year,  thence  to  Carroll  County. 
He  married  his  wife  in  1871,  her  maiden 
name  being  Catharine  Hargrafen.  October 
12,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Christina 
Hargrafen,  a  sister  of  his  former  wife,  and  a 
native  of  Illinois.  By  this  second  marriage 
tliere  are  three  children,  one  son  and  two 
daughters.  IVIr.  Leibfried  is  a  well-educated 
man  and  a  wortliy  county  officer. 


-i^^ 


SW.  KEAUSE,  deputy  treasurer  of  Car- 
roll County,  has  served  in  that  capacity 
*"  since  July  4,  1884.  He  has  been  a 
resident  of  Carroll  County  since  March, 
1870,  at  which  time  he  settled  in  Kniest 
Township.  Mr.  Ki'ause  was  born  in  Austria 
in  1847,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1867. 
His  father,  Anton  Krause,  is  still  a  resident 
of  Austria.  He  received  a  liberal  education 
in  his  native  country,  and  was  engaged  in 
teaching  for  some  time  previous  to  coming 
to  America.  He  came  under  a  contract  for 
teaching  a  private  school  at  Detroit,  Michi- 
gan, and  after  remaining  there  one  year, 
came  to  Iowa  and  engaged  in  teaching  in 
Winneshiek  County.  In  another  year  he 
came  to  this  county,  locating  at  Mount  Car- 
mel,  where  he  went  into  the  grocery  trade. 
He    was    also  postmaster  of    that    place   for 


seven  j'^ears.  He  was  married  in  Winne- 
shiek County,  to  Elizabeth  Schulte,  born  in 
Dubuque  County,  this  State.  They  have 
had  ten  children,  six  of  whom  died  in  child- 
hood. Their  surviving  children  are — Aima, 
now  engaged  in  teaching;  Elizabeth,  William 
and  Walter;  the  latter  was  born  in  1887. 
Politically  Mr.  Krause  is  a  Democrat,  and 
religiously  a  Catholic.  His  parents  had  but 
two  children — Anton,  a  younger  son,  is  at 
the  old  home  in  Austria. 


-^^--J-l- 


fOIlN  F.  CHEVALIER,  farmer,  section 
21,  Union  Townsliip,  owns  eight}'  acres 
of  land,  which  he  has  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation.  He  erected  his  present  residence 
in  1883.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Carroll 
County  since  1867.  The  first  farm  he  im- 
proved was  on  section  29,  Union  Township, 
upon  which  he  settled  in  the  spring  of  1876. 
He  sold  that  farm  previous  to  locating  where 
he  now  lives.  Mr.  Chevalier  was  born  in 
Meigs  County,  Ohio,  in  1831,  where  he  lived 
until  nineteen  years  of  age.  His  father, 
Peter  Chevalier,  was  an  early  settler  uf 
Meigs  Count}-,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death.  He  was  a  native  of  AVest  Virginia. 
The  mother  was  Elizabeth  (Sheets)  Chevalier. 
The  father  was  twice  married,  and  had  four 
children  by  his  first  marriage,  and  eight  by 
the  second,  John  F.  being  a  child  of  the 
second  marriage.  In  1850  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia and  engaged  in  mining.  He  remained 
in  that  State  five  years,  then  returned  to 
Ohio,  and  soon  after  came  to  Iowa,  locating 
in  Mahaska  County,  where  he  lived  nine 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Guthrie  County, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  a  resident  of 
Carroll  County.  He  was  married  in  Ohio  in 
1855  to  Elizabeth  Hetzer,  daughter  of  George 
and    Matilda   (Reed)  Hetzer,   the    former   a 


.■^■■■■■,w«i»»iB»aiia»g„Mar-M«M»»_fii^s 


j^.r-»-^    I 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


587 


native  of  Maryland,  and  tlie  latter  of  New 
York.  Her  parents  had  nine  children. 
One  son  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Winches- 
ter, Virginia.  Mr.  Chevalier  had  three 
brothers  who  served  during  the  war,  one  of 
whom,  Thomas,  was  killed  at  Ravenhood, 
West  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chevalier 
have  had  twelve  children,  and  all  are  living 
except  the  two  youngest — Gyrinthia,  Alinira, 
Philena,  Philora,  Elizabeth  M.,  Arizona,  John 
Franklin,  Vernile,  Homer  and  Martha  Belle. 
Politically  Mr.  Chevalier  is  a  Democrat. 


*|»^«f 


•I*— 


I 


fOHN  KOTAS,  who  is  numbered  among 
the  enterprising  and  successful  farmers 
of  Grant  Township,  where  he  resides  on 
section  25,  is  a  native  of  Austria,  born  in 
November,  1849.  a  son  of  Joseph  and  So- 
phronia  Kotas.  When  he  was  twelve  yeai-s 
of  age  his  parents  immigrated,  with  their 
family  of  six  children,  to  America,  and  located 
in  Johnson  County,  Iowa,  eight  miles  west 
of  Iowa  City,  and  there  our  subject  was 
reared  to  manhood.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage April  5, 1875,  to  Miss  Emma  Dozeall, 
a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Iowa,  and  one 
of  the  nine  children  born  to  Winslow  and 
Anna  Dozeall.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kotas  have 
been  born  six  children — Anna,  Jerry,  Delpha, 
Clara,  Ernest  and  Birdie.  In  1875  Mr. 
Kotas  purchased  his  present  farm  in  Grant 
Township  from  the  Iowa  Railroad  Land 
Company,  and  the  following  year  settled  in 
Carroll  County.  His  land  was  in  a  wild 
state  when  he  bought  it,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  improved  farms  in  his  neighborhood. 
He  resided  on  his  farm  until  1881,  when,  on 
account  of  poor  health,  he  took  a  trip  to  Col- 
orado, remaining  there  about  six  months. 
He  then  returned  to  Carroll  County, 
and    with    his  family    removed    to    Johnson 


County,  and  thence  to  Vining,  Tama  County, 
where  he  built  a  hotel  and  store,  and  there 
carried  on  the  hotel,  and  engaged  in  the  gen- 
eral mercantile  business  some  three  years, 
when  he  i-emoved  to  Tama  City,  where  he 
acted  as  foreman  of  a  force  of  from  seventy- 
five  to  one  hundred  railroad  men.  In  1884 
he  returned  to  Carroll  County,  locating  at 
his  old  home,  and  that  year  erected  a  fine 
substantial  residence  at  a  cost  of  $1,200. 
His  farm  contains  178  acres  of  as  good  land 
as  can  be  found  in  Grant  Township,  and  is 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Quiet, 
unassuming,  industrious  and  strictly  honora- 
ble in  all  his  dealings,  he  has  gained  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire  com- 
munity. 

ioi-.rtg-.ii2l  iJ.^i,o-«<.. 

R.  HOWARD,  farmer,  section  12, 
Richland  Township,  was  born  in  Ox- 
ford County,  Maine,  February  25, 1844, 
son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Olive  (Bean)  Howard, 
natives  of  the  same  State.  They  reared  a 
tamily  of  twelve  children,  eight  sons  and 
four  daughters,  J.  R.  being  the  eighth  child. 
When  he  was  ten  years  old  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Massachusetts,  where  they  lived 
two  years,  then  went  to  Illinois  and  located 
in  La  Salle  County,  near  Ottawa.  His  early 
life  was  spent  at  farm  work  and  in  attending 
the  common  schools.  March  4,  1874,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emily 
Sexton,  of  La  Salle  County,  who  was  born  in 
Norfolk,  England,  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Mary  Sexton,  who  were  the  parents  of  ten 
children.  When  Emily  was  about  three 
years  old  the  family  came  to  America  and 
located  in  La  Salle  County,  where  she  was 
reared  and  educated.  Mr.  Howard  resided 
in  La  Salle  Count}'  until  1875,  when  he  re- 
moved to  this  county  and  located   upon  his 


■-■-■■■■■■■-■■■-■-■-■-■-■■■■j;.-^"^^;^;^^;^^^;;^^^'^^^^^^^ 


588 


HISTORY    OF    CASROLL    COUNTY. 


present  farm,  having  purchased  160  acres 
the  previous  year.  It  was  known  as  "  spec- 
ulator's land."  He  lias  improved  his  farm 
until  it  equals  any  farm  in  the  township.  He 
owns  200  acres,  and  it  is  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation.  He  has  a  nice  cottage,  situated 
on  a  fine  lawn  and  surrounded  with  shade 
trees.  He  has  good  farm  buildings  for 
stock  and  grain,  and  a  thrifty  orchard.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Howard  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren— Eihe  D.,  Charles  K.,  Olive  Mabel  and 
Benjamin  F.  Politically,  Mr.  Howard  is  a 
Greenbacker,  and  a  strong  believer  in  the 
principles  of  that  party.  He  has  served  as 
road  supervisor,  township  trustee  and  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.  He  takes  an  active 
interest  in  all  enterprises  that  advance  the 
welfare  of  his  community. 


-l^+^s^- 


ip^  S.  WINE,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of 
1  Western  Iowa,  was  born  in  Hardin 
'l*  County,  Ohio,  February  4, 1837.  His 
father,  William  Wine,  was  born  in  Wheeling, 
Virginia,  and  reared  in  Ohio.  He  married 
Rachel  Statts,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
they  reared  afamily  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
our  subject  is  the  third.  When  he  was  three 
years  old  his  parents  removed  to  Grant 
County,  Indiana,  where  they  lived  four  years, 
then  removed  to  Lagrange  County,  same 
State,  remaining  there  until  our  subject  was 
sixteen  years  old.  He  was  reared  a  farmer, 
and  obtained  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  father's  district.  At  the  age  of 
si.xteen  he  made  a  visit  to  the  Western  coun- 
try. He  first  stopped  at  Des  Moines,  then 
but  a  small  village,  where  he  engaged  in 
chopping  wood  and  clearing  the  ground 
where  the  State  capitol  now  stands.  Lots 
could  then  be  purchased  for  from  $10  to  $25. 
Here   Mr.  Wine  lived  until    1857;  he  then 


removed  to  Sac  County,  where  his  father  had 
settled  in  July,  1855,  when  there  were  but 
eleven  families  in  the  county.  He  lived  in 
Sac  County  about  three  years.  He  was 
married  December  17,  1857,  to  Miss  N.  S. 
Montgomery,  a  native  of  Putnam  County, 
Indiana.  This  was  tlie  first  marriage  on 
record  in  Sac  County.  In  1858  Mr.  Wine 
removed  to  Linn  County,  Missouri,  where  he 
lived  three  years,  then  returned  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Madison  County.  August  11, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twenty- 
third  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills, 
Black  River  bridge,  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
Fort  Esperanza,Te.\as,  Spanish  Fort,  Alabama, 
and  in  all  the  battles  of  the  regiment.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  July  26,  1865,  at 
Harrisburg,  Texas,  and  returned  to  his  home 
in  Madison  County.  In  the  spring  of  1866 
he  came  to  Carroll  County  and  located  upon 
his  present  farm  in  Union  Township.  He 
owns  154  acres  of  land,  which  at  the  time  he 
bought  it  was  in  its  wild  state.  He  has 
improved  it  until  the  Wine  farm  is  known  as 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township.  He 
has  a  good  residence,  built  in  1878,  at  a  cost 
of  $1,000,  a  good  barn  and  orchard.  Mrs. 
Wine  died  July  22,  1877,  having  had  five 
children,  three  were  living  and  two  were 
dead — Lucretia  J.,  Isabella  E.,  Ida  May, 
Willard  W.  and  James  F.  Mr.  Wine  was 
married  to  his  present  wife,  formerly  Mary 
P.  Mulloy,  September  23,  1879.  She  was 
born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  a  daughter  of 
Francis  and  Mary  Ann  (White)  Mulloy.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen  years  she  married  Coote 
C.  Mulloy,  and  came  to  Carroll  County  in 
1858.  Air.  Mulloy  died  March  31,  1871. 
In  1860  he  removed  to  Vermillion,  Clay 
County,  Dakota,  and  two  years  later  went 
back  to  Ireland,  where  they  lived  four  years, 
then  rettirned  and  came   to  Carroll  County. 


,J 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mulloy  had  five  children — 
Francis,  Mary,  Frances  Margaret,  Coote  and 
Caroline.  Politically  Mr.  Wine  is  a  Eepuh- 
liean.  He  is  a  man  that  is  highly  respected 
in  his  coniinnnity. 


|EOEGE  AY.  PAINE,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Carroll,  and  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Carroll  County  bar, 
located  here  in  1872.  His  paternal  ancestors 
were  among  the  early  Puritans  of  New  Eng- 
land. He  was  born  in  the  town  of  North 
East,  Dutchess  County,  New  York,  where 
his  great-grandfather,  Joshua  Paine,  settled 
in  1749.  The  latter  was  a  grandson  of  Thomas 
Paine,  Jr.,  who,  in  1621,  when  but  ten  years 
of  age,  landed  at  Plymouth,  Massachusetts, 
from  England,  his  father  having  joined  the 
Plymouth  colony  only  a  few  months  after 
the  landing  of  the  pilgrims  from  the  May- 
flower at  Plymouth  Rock.  Thomas  Paine, 
Jr.,  in  1680,  purchased  laud  of  the  Indians 
in  the  town  of  Truro,  Massachusetts,  upon 
which  some  of  his  descendants  yet  live.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  Barnabas  Paine,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  one  who 
volunteered  to  defend  New  York  when  that 
city  was  threatened  by  the  British.  His 
grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  Queen  Anne's 
war.      His    mother    was    formerly    Harriet 


i  Powers.  Her  grandfather,  Yost  Powers, 
I  immigrated  from  Germany  in  1758,  and  set- 
j  tied  in  Dutchess  County,  New  York.  Mr. 
J  Paine  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and 
educated  at  Armenia  Seminary.  He  began 
the  study  of  law  in  1845,  when  but  sixteen 
years  of  age,  at  Salisbury,  Connecticut,  with 
John  H.  Hubbard,  Esq.  In  1848  he  went  to 
Newburg,  New  York,  and  continued  his 
studies  with  the  late  Judge  John  J.  Monell. 
In  January,  1849,  he  entered  the  law  school 

42 


at  Cherry  Valley,  New  York,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  at  Albany  May  7  of  that 
year,  the  day  before  his  twenty-iirst  birthday. 
July  1,  1849,  he  opened  a  law  office  in 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and  continued  the 
practice  of  law  in  Dutchess  County  until 
1860.  He  then  went  to  New  York  City, 
where  he  had  a  successful  practice  for  a 
number  of  years.  Failing  health  compelled 
him  to  come  West,  where  he  soon  established 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  and  he  recov- 
ered his  health  to  a  great  extent.  Mr.  Paine 
is  noted  for  his  superior  legal  attainments, 
and  as  a  citizen  is  esteemed  for  his  many 
excellencies  of  character.  Politically  he  was 
formerly  a  Whig,  casting  his  first  presidential 
vote  for  General  AYinfield  Scott.  He  has 
aftiliated  with  the  Republican  party  since  its 
organization.  He  and  his  wife  are  Congre- 
gationalists,  and  were  for  some  time  members 
of  Beecher's  church  in  Brooklyn.  They 
have  one  son — Theodore,  born  in  Dutchess 
County  in  1852,  now  residing  in  Carroll. 


.SA  ELLIOTT,  dealer  in  fancy  and 
Slt^t  clomestic  groceries,  Carroll  City,  Iowa,  is 
^^Js^  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Darke  County 
in  1845,  a  son  of  George  and  Hettie  (Dunham) 
Elliott.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  remaining 
at  home  until  1863,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
defense  of  his  country  and  was  assigned  to 
Company  D,  Eighty-eighth  Ohio  Infantry. 
He  served  faithfully  about  twenty  months, 
and  was  mustered  out  in  1865,  at  the  close  of 
the  war.  After  his  return  home  he  remained 
on  the  farm  several  years,  and  then  in  1868 
came  to  Marengo,  Iowa  County,  Iowa,  and 
then  to  Carroll  City  in  1885  and  embarked 
in  his  present  business  on  the  south  side  of 
Fifth  street.  He  keeps  a  complete  assortment 
of  everything  in  his  line.     He  is  a  popular 


r 


oyo 


inSTUUY    OF    CAliUOLL    VUUNTi'. 


tradesman,  and  has  by  his  accommodating 
ways  and  fair  prices  built  up  a  successful 
business.  Mr.  Elliott  was  married  in  Iowa 
in  1870  to  Victoria  Hollopeter,  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  in  1852.  They  have  had  seven 
children,  but  three  of  whom  are  living — 
Clara  Adell,  Bessie  R.  and  Nella  May. 
Cary  E.,  Artie,  George  D.  and  an  infant 
daughter  are  deceased.  Mr.  Elliott  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


'i*^ 


rvlAPTAIN  OLIVEE  HOETON,  Eich- 
;ft  land  Township,  section  20,  is  one  of  tlie 
pioneers  of  the  township.  He  was  born 
in  Bedford  County,  Pennsylvania,  October 
12,  1829,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  B. 
(Hamilton)  Horton.  He  was  the  oldest  of 
si,\  children,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm,  re- 
ceiving his  education  in  his  native  county. 
Upon  reaching  his  majority  he  was  united  in 
marriage,  December  30,  1850,  with  Miss 
Louisa  Grove,  also  of  Bedford  County. 
During  the  great  Eebellion  Mr.  Horton  was 
among  those  who  went  forth  in  defense  of 
the  old  flag.  He  enlisted  August  2,  1862, 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-eighth  Penn- 
sylvania Infantry,  a  member  of  Company  D. 
He  served  nearly  three  years.  December  1, 
1862,  he  was  promoted  to  Orderly  Sergeant, 
and  January  21,  1863,  to  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  to  First  Lieutenant  October  21,  1864. 
For  gallant  conduct  on  the  field  he  was  pro- 
moted to  Captain  February  14,  1865.  He 
participated  in  the  Wilderness  campaign, 
was  with  General  Sheridan's  command  during 
his  Shenandoah  campaign,  and  was  in  the 
engagement  before  Petersburg.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  July  2,  1865,  and  re- 
turned to  his  home  in  Bedford  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  October,  1865,  he  came  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Jackson  County,  where  he  lived 


until  1869,  then  came  to  Carroll  County  and 
settled  in  Union  Township  a  short  time.  He 
then  came  to  Eichlaud  Township,  locating  on 
section  31,  where  he  lived  about  six  years. 
In  1874  he  bouglit  his  present  farm,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  It  was  then  wild  land, 
but  he  has  improved  it  until  it  is  one  of  the 
best  farms  in  the  township.  He  has  160 
acres  of  land,  a  good  residence  and  comfort- 
able farm  buildings.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horton 
have  nine  children — Joseph  G.,  Andrew  J., 
William  H.,  James  A.,  Eobert  A.,  Mary  J., 
lola  W.,  Annie  L.  and  George  E.  Two  chil- 
dren, Elizabeth  and  Lucinda,  are  deceased. 
Politically  the  Captain  is  a  Democrat.  He 
has  served  as  member  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors several  years,  and  as  member  of  the 
school  board.  He  is  at  present  serving  as 
justice  of  the  peace. 


S.  McKENNA,  M.  D.,  engaged  in  the 
ijtf  practice  of  his  profession  at  Manning, 
'^'  ®  is  a  native  of  Chittenden  County, 
Vermont,  born  near  Burlington,  September 
25,  1845.  His  parents,  Frank  and  Mary 
McKenna,  were  natives  of  Ireland,  and  of 
Scotch  ancestry.  Both  are  now  deceased, 
the  mother  dying  at  Keene,  New  Hampshire, 
and  the  father  in  Vermont.  The  doctor  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  State.  On 
reaching  manhood,  like  many  of  the  ambi- 
tious youth  of  that  State,  he  came  West  to 
seek  his  fortune.  In  the  fall  of  1868  he  be- 
gan the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of 
Dr.  Thomas  Gilooly,  at  Eeedsburg,  AViscon- 
sin,  where  he  remained  long  enough  to  com- 
plete his  study,  preparatory  to  entering  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Keo- 
kuk, Iowa.  He  has  been  identified  with 
Manning  since  the  commencement  of  that 
city,   coming   here  among   tlie  first  settlers. 


[1$ 


BI06RAPHI0AL    /SKETCHES. 


591 


1^ 

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ti 


Til 

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,1 


where  he  has  devoted  himself  entirely  to  his 
professional  work,  for  which  he  lias  great 
love  and  peculiar  adaptaliility.  In  the  few 
years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  he  has  had  a  large  experience  in 
several  States.  Naturally  somewhat  of  a 
rover,  he  has  lived  in  various  ])laees,  and  has 
practiced  in  several  of  the  Western  States,  but 
most  of  the  time  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa. 
His  first  office  in  this  State  was  at  Perry,  and 
later  he  opened  an  office  at  Council  Blufl's. 
Since  coming  to  Manning  he  has  established 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  and  by 
his  genial  and  accommodating  manners  has 
gained  many  warm  friends.  His  only  child, 
Nellie,  was  born  March  23,  1872. 


fOHN  II.  BOHNENKAMP,  postmaster 
at  Breda,  also  a  dealer  in  grain  and 
live-stock,  came  to  Carroll  County  in 
1873.  He  first  located  in  Kniest  Township, 
with  his  brother,  W.  J.  Bohnenkamp,  where 
he  resided  two  years.  He  was  married  in 
1875  to  Miss  Caroline  Brunino;,  dauefhter  of 
C.  Bruning,  of  Breda.  After  marriaae  he 
located  one  mile  south  of  Breda  where  he  was 
engaged  in  farming  three  years,  then  re- 
moved to  Carroll  City,  and  assisted  his 
brother  in  the  farm  implement  business,  and 
became  a  partner  in  the  buying  and  shipping 
of  live-stock.  In  1881  he  returned  to  Breda, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business,  in 
company  with  Henry  Bruning.  Three  years 
later  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner  and 
became  his  assistant  until  1887.  At  that 
time  he  and  H.  W.  Lammerding  formed  a 
partnership  in  the  live-stock  trade.  March 
20,  1886,  he  was  appointed  to  his  present 
position,  and  took  ciiarge  of  the  office  the  fol- 
lowing April.  The  receipts  of  the  office  are 
$400  per  annum.     Politically  he  is  a  Demo- 


crat, and  has  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
for  one  year,  and  was  appointed  notary  pub- 
lic in  1886.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bohnenkamp  have 
five  sons — Clemer  August,  William  Thomas, 
Herman  John,  Bernard  Ilubard  and  Fi-ank 
Joseph. 


«"•  O.  HAVENS,  farmer,  section  19,  Glid- 

fden  Township,  came  to  Glidden  in 
"TV.  ®  1871,  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
the  town.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Westport,  Essex  County,  New  York,  in  1830. 
In  1855  he  went  to  M'^aukegan,  Illinois.  In 
1862  he  enlisted  in  C'ompany  G,  Ninety-sixth 
Illinois  Infantry,  serving  three  years.  His 
regiment  was  a  part  of  Granger's  Reserved 
Corps.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  several  other  impor- 
tant engagements.  At  Buzzard's  Roost, 
Georgia,  in  1864,  he  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  left  shoulder.  Wiien  he  was  suffi- 
ciently recovered  he  was  placed  on  court 
martial  duty,  where  he  remained  live  months, 
or  until  the  war  closed.  He  entered  the 
service  as  a  private,  and  was  mustered  out  as 
First  Lieutenant.  While  the  general  health 
of  Mr.  Havens  is  fair,  his  wounded  shoulder 
and  arm  give  him  much  trouble.  He  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  Illinois  until  1871,  at 
which  time  he  came  to  Carroll  County.  Mr. 
Havens  was  married  in  Illinois  to  Miss 
Marian  C.  Evans,  who  was  born  in  Ticon- 
deroga.  New  York,  in  1838,  going  to  Illinois 
with  her  parents  when  about  fifteen  years  old. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Havens  have  four  children — 
two  daughters,  Charlotte  M.,  teacher  in  pub- 
lic school,  and  Minnie,  in  District  No.  3, 
Glidden,  and  two  sons,  George,  a  tinsmith, 
and  Edward,  a  young  farmer.  The  parents 
of.  Mr.  Havens  were  Asahel  and  Charlotte 
(Stoddard)  Havens,  who  lived  in  the  State  of 


r 


592 


UIHTORY    OF    VAlUiOLL    COUNTY. 


New  York  nntil  their  decease.  He  has  been 
a  Republican  since  the  organization  of  that 
party.  He  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
General  Scott  in  1852.  He  was  adjutant  of 
the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Glidden  from  its 
organization  until  1887,  when  he  was  made 
commander. 

-^-i^'Siil^.^^ 


JRVIN  N.  COOLEY,  proprietor  of  restau- 
rant and  boarding-house  at  Dedham,  is  a 
native  of  Vermont,  born  in  Pittsford, 
Rutland  County,  October  26,  1852,  a  son  of 
George  and  Eunice  (Jenkins)  Cooley,  his 
father  being  a  native  of  Vermont  and  his 
mother  of  New  York.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  onr  subject  being  the 
second  child.  He  was  rea'red  on  the  home 
farm  with  his  parents  till  seventeen  years  of 
age,  and  December  31,  1869,  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  R.  Davis,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Adaline  Davis.  Her  father 
was  frozen  to  death  in  the  pioneer  days  of 
Iowa  while  hauling  provisions  to  the  settlers 
in  Cherokee  County,  who  were  snowed  in  at 
the  time.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooley  have  been 
born  six  children — Ida  M.,  born  December 
22,  1871;  Jesse  E.,  born  November  29, 1873; 
Mary  F.,  born  October  15,  1877;  Hattie  E., 
born  August  28,  1880,  died  May  20,  1881; 
Lilian  F.,  born  April  26,  1882,  died  April 
20,  1883;  Bertha  B.,  born  November  18, 
1886.  Mr.  Cooley  farmed  the  old  homestead 
in  Carroll  County  for  two  years  after  his 
marriage,  when  he  purchased  his  present 
farm,  which  he  has  since  improved,  living  on 
it  till  1880.  He  then  removed  to  Audubon 
and  formed  a  partnership  with  his  father  in 
the  coal  and  grain  business,  remaining  there 
two  years.  He  then  settled  in  Dedham, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  and  by 
his  strict  attention  to  the  wants  of  his  cus- 


tomers, and  genial  and  obliging  manners  he 
has  succeeded  well  in  his  present  business. 
He  still  owns  his  farm  in  Newton  Tovvnship. 
and  two  good  houses,  his  farm  being  on  sec- 
tion 16,  and  containing  sixty  acres  of  choice 
land,  a  part  of  the  old  homestead  entered  by 
his  parents.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooley  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Politically  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
order,  belonging  to  Dedham  Lodge,  No.  296. 


^^^^^i-.^-^ 

^rOHN  W.  ENGLISH,  section  24,  Car- 
"^'  roll  Township,  is  a  native  of  Canada, 
^^  born  in  the  city  of  Ottawa  Januai'y  7, 
1824.  He  was  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of 
five  years,  and  was  obliged  to  depend  upon 
himself.  When  but  ten  years  old  he  went  to 
Palmyra,  New  York,  and  learned  the  trade 
of  a  saddler,  at  which  he  worked  until  he 
came  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa.  In  1848  he 
came  West  and  located  at  Racine,  Wisconsin, 
and  while  livino-  there  started  what  is  now 
Secor's  trunk  factory.  When  the  civil  war 
broke  out  he  took  the  contract  of  manufact- 
uring knapsacks,  haversacks  and  cavalry 
saddles  for  the  Government.  In  the  year 
1862  he  removed  his  factory  to  Randolph 
street,  Chicago.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he 
moved  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Ripon, 
Wisconsin,  and  in  the  year  1866  engaged  in 
brick-making  in  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  with 
George  Ginty  (editor  of  the  Green  Bay  Ga- 
sette),  as  partner.  In  1872  he  moved  to 
Carroll  County,  Iowa,  where  he  now  resides. 
Mr.  English  was  married  at  Niagara,  Canada, 
to  Miss  Jane  H.  Fry.  They  have  eight  chil- 
dren— H.  J.,  a  farmer  and  land  agent  at  Clear 
Lake,  Pocahontas  County,  Iowa;  F.  E.,  of 
Council  Bluffs,  engaged  in  selling  machinery; 
W.  H.,  a  farmer,  of  Clear  Lake,  Iowa;    W. 


■■■"a— ■"! 


BWGRAPHl GAL    SKETCH Kfi. 


,-,0:J 


IL 


G.,  principal  of  the  school  at  Breda;  Sarah, 
wife  of  J.  W.  Hobbs,  of  Jasper  Township; 
Ernest  A.,  photographer;  E.  D.,  a  tanner  in 
Carroll  Township,  and  Nellie  at  home.  Mr. 
English  in  politics  is  a  Kepublican. 


^«^^,^ 


^ENRY  D.  RADELEFF,  an  active  and 
li)l  enterprising  citizen  of  Manning,  was 
born  in  the  province  of  Holstein,  Ger- 
many, June  8,  1847,  a  son  of  Charles  and 
Charlotte  Radeleff,  his  father  being  of  Eng- 
lish, and  his  mother  of  German  origin.  In 
the  spring  of  1853  the  family  immigrated  to 
the  United  States,  landing  at  New  York 
City.  They  came  directly  to  Scott  County, 
Iowa,  where  shortly  after  their  arrival  the 
parents  suffered  the  loss  of  their  eight  year 
old  son  Charles,  the  eldest  of  the  children, 
by  accidental  drowning  in  the  Mississippi 
River.  The  two  years  following  the  family 
lived  at  Davenport,  where  the  father  worked 
at  the  millwright  and  carpenter's  trades. 
They  then  removed  to  Clinton  County,  Iowa, 
were  the  father  selected  Government  land 
one  mile  north  of  where  the  town  of  Grand 
Mound  is  now  situated,  and  commenced  to 
improve  what  is  now  a  very  fine  property, 
and  is  still  living  on  this  farm  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  fruits  of  his  years  of  toil.  He 
was  bereaved  by  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1871. 
Henry  D.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the 
eldest  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter  now 
living.  He  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  went 
to  Lyons  and  Davenport,  and  there  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade.  lu  the  spring  of 
1869  he  went  to  Colorado,  spending  the 
summer  at  Breckenridge,  near  tlie  present 
site  of  Leadville,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  he  started  on  a  prospecting  tour  through 
New  Me.\ico  and  Arizona.     In  the  summer 


of  1871  he  visited  California,  and  from  there 
returned  to  Iowa.     During  1872  his  father 
left  him  in  charge  of  his  farm  whilehe  visited 
Europe.     July  4,  1873,  our  subject  bought 
160  acres  of  land  on  section  14,  Iowa  Town- 
ship, Crawford    County,  located    about    two 
miles  west  of  where  Manning  is  now  situated. 
The  same  season  he  again  visited  the  Terri- 
tories, spending  eighteen  months  in  Colorado, 
Utah   and   Wyoming,  working   at   his   trade 
and  at  other   employment.      In   1875  he   re- 
turned to  Crawford  County,  Iowa.     January 
29,  1876,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Dora  Georgius,  who  was  born  in  the  province 
of  Holstein    Februarj'   23,  1851,  a  daughter 
of  Christian    Georgius,  of  Iowa   Township. 
They  are  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren— Charles  T.,  Rosa  C,  George  E.,  Fran- 
cis  IL,  William   C.  and   Charlotte   C.     Mr. 
Radeleff  built  a  good  substantial  residence 
on  his  farm  in  Crawford  County,  and  planted 
a  grove  of  twenty  acres,  and  put  his  property 
under  excellent  improvement,  and  it  is  now 
probably  the  best  improved   quarter  section 
of  land  in  Crawford  County.     He  still  owns 
his  Crawford  County  property,  besides  which 
he  owns  a  farm  of  160  acres  on  section  13  of 
the  same  township,  which  he  purchased  and 
improved   in   1881.     Wishing  to    live  more 
retired,  and  to  give  his  children  better  edu- 
cational   advantages,   he,  in    the    spring    of 
1885,  bought   lots    2   and    3,  in   block   3,  of 
Gardner's    addition    to    Manning,  and  there 
erected    a   valuable   residence,  which   he  has 
since  occupied,  and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  a  well-spent  life.     Mr.  Radeleff  began  life 
without  capital,  and  his  present  fine  property 
has  been   the  result  of  his  persevering  in- 
dustry and  good  business  management.     He 
is  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  honorable  in  all 
his  dealings,  and  is  a  much  respected  citizen. 
Mr.  Radeleff  believes  in  a  life  of  good  works, 
and  rejects  all  creeds  and  dogmas.     He  be- 


^SS^ 


594 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


lieves  he  knows  liow  to  live,  and  to  understand 
and  practice  the  duty  of  man  to  his  fellow 
Tnan  should  be  man's  chief  study.  To  borrow 
words,  that  "  The  proper  study  of  mankind  is 
man."  In  the  full  belief  that  to  live  right  is 
to  die  right,  Mr.  Kadeletf  leaves  to  otliers  the 
apprehensions  and  fears  of  the  future. 


fETER  B.  STOUFFER,  dealer  m  dru^s, 
books  and  stationery,  Manning,  Iowa, 
—■j^  located  in  Manning  in  March,  1884, 
buying  the  stock  of  Dr.  A.  H.  Hull.  He 
carries  a  complete  stock  of  goods  in  his  line 
and  has  succeeded  in  building  up  a  good 
trade.  He  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1830,  and  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Miller,  of  Sharpsburg,  Mary- 
land, in  1850.  He  moved  to  Carroll  County, 
Illinois,  in  1854,  and  since  tliat  time  has  been 
connected  with  the  drug  business  in  Illinois 
and  Iowa. 


■  /V.I.  ■■  |7.  .1.1. 


T.  ANDERSON,  proprietor  of  the  Pio- 
neer Harness  Store  in  Carroll  County, 
®  established  his  business  in  October, 
1877,  which  he  has  since  continued.  '  He 
keeps  a  full  stock  of  everything  found  in  a 
first-class  harness  shop,  and  has  a  large  trade, 
employing  three  or  four  hands.  Mr.  Ander- 
son was  born  in  Denmark  June  4,  1851,  son 
of  II.  and  Catherine  Anderson.  When  he 
was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  left  his  native 
country  and  came  to  America,  his  first  loca- 
tion being  in  Story  County,  Iowa.  He  com- 
menced to  work  at  his  trade  in  1874  at 
Webster  City,  where  he  worked  until  the  fall 
of  1877,  when  he  came  to  Carroll,  where  he 
has  since  reside li.  In  December,  1878,  he 
was    united    in    marriage    with    Miss    Mary 


Anderson,  also  a  native  of  Denmark,  and  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Anderson,  of 
Story  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  are 
the  parents  of  four  children — Minnie  C, 
Carrie  L.,  John  T.  and  Lewis  H.  Mr.  Ander- 
son is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Signet 
Lodge,  264.  By  fair  and  honest  dealing  he 
has  secured  the  confidence  of  all  who  know 
him. 


^»-^ 


fOHN  H.  BYERLY,  one  of  the  active 
and  enterprising  farmers  of  Jasper  Town- 
ship, residing  on  section  32,  where  he  has 
eighty  acres  of  choice  landj  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  the  cjate  of  his  birth  being 
October  24,  1839.  His  parents,  Henry  and 
Christiana  (Starr)  Byerly,  were  also  natives  of 
the  State  of  Peimsylvania.  and  were  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Illinois,  removing  to  that 
State  in  1839  when  our  siibject  was  an  infant. 
John  II.  Byerl}',  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
grew  to  manhood  in  Illinois,  being  reared  to 
the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he  has  made 
his  life-work.  He  lived  at  home  till  attaining 
the  age  of  eighteen  3'ears,  when  he  began 
working  out  by  the  month  in  Ogle  County, 
Illinois.  In  1878  he  immigrated  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Ringgold  County,  where  he 
remained  until  1874.  In  that  year  he  came 
to  Carroll  County  and  for  one  year  lived  on 
rented  land  on  Brushy  Fork.  He  then  came 
north  of  Cllidden  and  lived  on  rented  land  for 
four  years,  when  he  bought  the  farm  where  he 
has  since  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, which  he  has  brought  under  a  tine 
state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Byerly  has  been 
twice  married,  taking  for  his  first  wife  Miss 
Catherine  Raybuck,  whom  he  married  in 
1865.  To  this  union  was  born  one  daughter — 
Ida.  Mrs.  Byerly  died  April  19,  1882,  and 
October  22,  1884,  Mr.  Byerly  was  married  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


59.") 


Miss  Fracier,  a  native  of  Carroll  County, 
Iowa,  born  October  22,  1865,  a  daughter  of 
Kiifiis  and  Mary  (Bnttric)  Fracier,  natives  of 
Indiana.  Politically  Mr.  Byerly  affiliates 
with  the  Democrats.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.     Postoffice  Glidden,  Iowa. 


►^++^^-^ 


fA.  HOOD,  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
of  Richland  Township,  is  a  farmer  and 
®  resides  on  section  29.  He  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  June  22, 1842,  son  of  A.  W. 
and  Nancy  C.  (Tuttle)  Hood.  In  1852  the 
family  removed  to  Indiana,  locating  in  Rush 
County,  were  our  subject  was  reared.  His 
youth  was  passed  in  assisting  at  farm  woi'k 
and  in  attending  the  common  schools.  Dur- 
ing the  great  Rebellion,  he  enlisted  August 
24,  1861,  in  Company  D,  Fifty-first  Indiana 
Infantry.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Shiloh,  Perryville,  and  Stone  River.  In 
April,  1863,  Colonel  Straight  organized  a 
battalion  out  of  a  portion  of  the  Fifty-first 
Indiana,  Eightieth  Illinois,  Third  Ohio  and 
Seventj'-third  Indiana,  for  a  raid  down  the 
Cumberland  and  up  the  Tennessee  into  the 
enemy's  country.  They  were  taken  prisoners 
at  Rome,  Georgia,  thence  to  Libby,  thence  to 
Belle  Island,  where  they  remained  about  four 
months,  and  were  then  exchanged  and  granted 
thirty  days  furlough.  After  his  return  he 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
and  was  with  General  Slierman  as  far  as 
Jonesborough,  where  he  joined  General 
Thomas'  command,  and  was  in  the  engage- 
ment at  Franklin  and  Nashville,  Tennessee. 
He  was  honorably  discharged  December  16, 

1864,  and  returned   to    Indiana.     July   27, 

1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Amanda  M. 
Sears,  of  Rush  County,  and  daughter  of 
Alexander   and   Mary  (Goble)  Sears,  and  in 


1870  settled  in  Carroll  County  and  Ijought 
his  present  farm,  which  was  then  in  the  wild 
state.  He  now  owns  240  acres  of  well  im- 
proved land,  a  fine  residence  and  good  farm 
buildings.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hood  have  had 
eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — 
Gurney  T.,  Nettie  M.  and  Guy  "W.;  the 
deceased  are — Carrie,  Charles,  Stella,  AYalter 
and  a  babe  unnamed.  Mr.  Hood  is  a  member 
of  Glidden  Post,  No.  291,  G.  A.  R.,  also  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  clinrch.  He  has 
served  creditably  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board. 


?|(^j  H.  GATES,  one  of  the  pioneer  physi- 
H|  cians  of  Carroll  County,  is  a  native  of 
g/(|®  Vermont,  born  at  Castleton,  in  Rut- 
land County,  November  27,  1827,  a  son  of 
Elisha  and  Betsey  (Kingsley)  Gates.  His 
father  was  a  cousin  of  General  Gates,  of 
Revolutionary  fame.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  had  a  family  of  eleven  children,  he 
being  the  fifth  child.  His  early  life  was 
spent  in  his  native  county,  where  he  received 
a  fair  common-school  education.  On  arriving 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  went  to 
Genesee  Station,  Allegany  County,  New 
York,  having  learned  telegraphy  under  Pro- 
fessor Morse.  He  was  the  forty-sixth  tele- 
graph operator  in  the  United  States.  He 
followed  telegraphy  many  years,  and  held 
many  important  positions,  and  for  some  time 
was  division  operator.  Dr.  Gates  has  been 
twice  married.  He  was  first  united  in 
marriage  December  25,  1849,  to  Miss  Sarah 
J.  Gray,  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Henry  Gray,  of 
Bennington  County,  Vermont,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  two  children — Harley  and 
Jennie.  Mrs.  Gates  died  in  1853,  and  in 
May,  1857,  the  doctor  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  Conway,  of  Jackson   County,  Iowa. 


[^•■"■™ai"»"w"wi' 


jai^gii»a"g»g"ii»r«»SMii«ni»rjrigw« 


596 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


This  union  has  been  blessed  with  six  children 
—Albert  C,  Alice  V.,  Frank  V.,  Charles, 
Fred  and  Ray.  Dr.  Gates  came  to  Iowa 
in  1855,  when  he  located  at  Wheatland,  in 
Clinton  County.  June  1,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  E,  Thirty-first  Iowa  Infantry, 
and  shortly  afterward  was  appointed  Hospital 
Steward,  and  later  was  commissioned  Assist- 
ant Surgeon.  In  December,  1863,  he  was 
promoted  to  Surgeon,  which  position  he  filled 
till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  June  28,  1865, 
he  received  an  honorable  discharge.  In  1869 
he  came  to  Glidden,  Carroll  County,  when 
the  surrounding  country  was  mostly  in  a  state 
of  nature,  Glidden  at  that  time  having  but 
five  houses.  In  those  pioneer  days  he  fre- 
quently rode  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  to 
visit  patients,  he  going  to  attend  the  sick  in 
Guthrie,  Greene  and  Calhoun  counties,  as 
well  as  in  Carroll  County.  He  is  a  man  of 
strict  integrity  and  honorable  in  all  his  deal- 
ings, and  during  his  residence  in  the  county 
has  gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all 
who  know  him. 


K*-!-*-. 


I-J»-«J-I 


ir^TILLIAM  F.  ERF,  one  of  the  leading 
-   \/\l     business  men  of  Arcadia,  is  a  mem- 

i^^^j  ber  of  the  mercantile  firm  of  Erp 
Brothers.  This  firm  was  established  in  the 
early  history  of  the  town,  and  the  three  broth- 
ers, being  energetic  and  enterprising  business 
men,  have  succeeded  well  in  business,  having 
by  their  accommodating  manners  and  strict 
attention  to  the  wants  of  their  customers 
established  a  good  trade.  In  September, 
1883,  a  frame  store  building,  built  in  1880 
by  I.  N.  Voris  and  bought  by  Erp  Brothers 
in  1883,  was  destroyed  by  fire.  They  then 
erected  the  substantial  brick  store,  25  x  80 
feet,  which  they  still  occupy.  The  firm  is 
composed  of  William    F.,  D.  Erp,  Jr.,  and 


Claus  Erp,  sons  of  Detlef  Erp,  who  immi- 
grated with  his  family  from  Germany  to 
America  in  1873.  The  family  spent  two 
years  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  William  F. 
obtained  a  good  practical  business  education 
while  acting  as  clerk  in  a  business  house  in 
that  city.  After  leaving  Chicago  the  father 
settled  with  his  family  on  section  7,  Arcadia 
Township,  where  he  improved  a  farm.  He 
subsequently  removed  to  the  village  of  Ar- 
cadia, where  he  still  lives.  In  connection 
with  their  general  mercantile  pursuits  the 
firm  of  Erp  Brothers  do  an  extensiye  busi- 
ness in  grain  and  lumber,  and  are  classed 
among  the  active  and  public-spirited  citizens 
of  Arcadia. 


Ij^OBERT  R.  WILLIAMS,  M.  D.,  one  of 
^?  the  leading  physicians  of  Manning,  who 
has  been  a  member  of  the  medical  staff 
of  Carroll  County  since  October,  1878,  was 
born  at  Dodgeville,  Wisconsin,  the  date  of 
his  birth  being  March  11,  1849.  His  par- 
ents, R.  R.  and  Elizabeth  (Jones)  Williams, 
were  natives  of  Wales,  where  they  spent 
their  youth.  They  were  married  after  com- 
ing to  America,  in  Wisconsin,  the  mother 
being  now  deceased.  Of  the  twelve  children 
born  to  them  our  subject  is  the  eldest.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Dodgeville,  his  education  being  re- 
ceived in  the  district  schools,  and  later  in 
the  academies  of  Southern  Wisconsin,  gradu- 
ating from  the  Wisconsin  State  University, 
in  the  class  of  1874.  He  completed  his 
medical  studies  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois,  graduating  from  that  institution 
in  the  class  of  1876.  After  two  years  of  prac- 
tice among  his  friends  and  neighbors  at 
Dodgeville  the  doctor  came  to  Carroll  Coun- 
ty, where  he  has,  by  diligent  attention  to  hie 


IP 

I 


■■■M"'pi«»a"w"M»M"«"»"«"»''«"M"ia"M'gB 


.■»»i,»»«»mi_M»M»M»W«W«WMMM»l««i5»gl 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


597 


profession,  and  conscientious  performauce  of 
duty  to  his  patients,  built  up  a  large  and 
quite  lucrative  practice.  The  doctor  has 
been  twice  married.  He  was  first  united  in 
marriage  at  Blue  Mounds,  Wisconsin,  June 
6,  1882,  to  Miss  Anna  Martin,  a  classmate 
and  a  graduate  of  the  same  class  (1874),  at 
the  State  University  at  Madison,  Wisconsin. 
Slie  died  May  8,  1883,  and  August  12, 1885, 
Dr.  Williams  was  married  to  Miss  Emma 
Branson,  who  had  taught  school  in  the  south- 
western part  of  Carroll  County  for  the  greater 
part  of  the  previous  ten  years,  and  was  a 
teacher  in  the  Manning  High  School  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage.  The  doctor  owns  and 
occupies  a  very  fine  residence  at  Manning.  He 
has  always  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  town,  and  every  movement 
calculated  to  aid  in  building  up  the  place  or 
developing  its  business  has  his  encourage- 
ment and  assistance. 


->tf- 


l^EV.  JOHN'  FENDRICH,  pastor  of  the 
'\^  Church  of  Saints  Peter  and  Paul,  Car- 
^^  roll,  Iowa,  was  born  in  Holland,  No- 
vember 30,  1826,  and  was  educated  in 
Holland  and  Germany.  He  studied  at  the 
universities  of  Bonn  and  Munster,  taking 
degrees  in  philosophy  and  theology.  In 
1858,  having  completed  his  preparations  for 
priestly  work,  he  came  to  America  and  the 
State  of  Iowa.  He  first  had  charge  of  two 
missions  in  Washington  County,  and  was 
next  for  five  years  at  Dubu(|ue,  during  which 
time  he  built  a  church  at  Charles'  Mound. 
He  was  then  for  five  years  at  Burlington, 
where  he  built  a  .§16,000  academy  for  ladies. 
From  Burlington  he  came  to  Carroll  County, 
and  built  a  chui'ch  at  Mount  Carmel.  In 
1879  he  visited  Europe,  and  on  his  return 
was    assigned     to    Arcadia,    Wells    County. 


Though  now  residing  at  Carroll,  he  has 
charge  still  of  the  Arcadia  church.  The 
reverend  father  has  been  for  twenty-eight 
years  in  the  service  of  the  church,  and  his 
success  in  the  diflferent  fields  of  work  has 
been  but  meagrely  outlined  above.  Though 
now  over  si.xty  years  of  age,  he  is  in  excel- 
lent health  and  vigor. 


fOSEPII  ANNEAR,  one  of  the  success- 
fnl  farmers  of  Pleasant  Valley  Town- 
ship, residing  on  section  16,  is  a  native 
of  Yorkshire,  England,  born  October  16, 
1845,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Jennifred  (Blake) 
Annear.  The  family  came  to  America  in 
the  year  1848,  and  located  in  Iowa  County, 
Wisconsin,  whei-e  the  father  died  the  same 
year.  The  mother  and  her  children  lived 
some  six  years  in  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin, 
when  they  removed  to  Richland  County, 
Wisconsin.  The  parents  had  born  to  them 
three  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  eldest  son  and  second  child. 
He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Richland 
County,  his  youth  being  spent  in  working  on 
the  tarm  and  attending  the  schools  of  his 
neighborhood,  where  he  received  a  fair  com- 
mon-school education.  He  has  been  identi- 
fied with  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  since  1865, 
in  which  year  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land,  a  part  of  his  present  farm,  although 
he  did  not  settle  here  until  the  spring  of 
1870.  He  was  united  in  marriage  Septem- 
ber 7,  1871,  to  Miss  Jane  Bedford,  this  being 
the  first  marriage  in  the  township,  the  entire 
neighborhood  being  invited  to  participate  in 
the  wedding  festivities.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Rev.  Charles  Bedford,  of  Pleasant  Valley 
Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Annear  were  the 
first  to  unite  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church    in    Pleasant   Valley   Township.     To 


»>"mv^-#-^ 


598 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


them  have  been  born  five  children,  their 
names  being  as  follows:  Oletha  Etta,  Charles 
Arthur,  James  Albert,  John  Blake  and  Lillie 
May.  Mr.  Annear  has  added  to  his  original 
purchase  and  improved  his  land  until  he  now 
owns  320  acres  of  Carroll  County's  best  soil. 
His  home  farm  now  contains  200  acres  of 
well-cultivated  land.  His  fine  two-story  resi- 
dence, which  was  erected  in  1883,  is  pleas- 
antly situated,  and  his  barns  and  out-buildings 
are  noticeably  good.  He  has  a  native  grove 
of  five  acres,  and  a  good  orchard  covering  two 
acres.  His  remaining  120  acres  is  located  in 
Grant  Township,  one  and  a  half  miles  south- 
east of  Carroll,  this  farm  being  also  well 
improved.  In  connection  with  his  general 
farming  he  devotes  some  attention  to  raising 
and  feeding  stock.  In  his  political  ideas  Mr. 
Annear  affiliates  with    the   Republican  party. 


I AMUEL  AYILSON,  residing  on  section 
36,  Union  Township,  came  to  this  part 
of  the  State  in  1854.  He  first  settled 
just  across  the  line  in  Guthrie  County,  Orange 
Township.  Carroll  County  was  then  attached 
to  Guthrie  County  for  judicial  purposes. 
The  first  election  in  this  vicinity  was  held  at 
Copeland  Grove,  Carroll  County.  There 
were  not  more  than  a  half  dozen  votes  cast  at 
that  election.  Mr.  Wilson  returned  to  Illi- 
nois with  his  family  the  following  spring, 
but  soon  after  came  back  and  raised  a  crop 
on  his  place.  Not  being  fully  decided  that 
Carroll  County  was  the  best  place  to  settle, 
he  resolved  to  go  to  Nebraska.  He  made 
the  change,  and  located  among  the  Indians, 
with  whom  he  had  spent  much  of  his  early 
life.  This  did  not  quite  satisfy  him,  and  he 
returned  to  the  homestead,  but  soon  after 
went  to  Tuttle's  Grove,  where  he  made  some 
improvements.      In  ISfil  or  18G2  he  came  to 


Coon  Rapids,  and  he  and  Crockett  Ribble 
built  a  saw-mill.  Two  or  three  years  later 
they  built  the  grist-mill,  and  Mr.  Wilson  sold 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Ribble,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  farming.  He  was  born  in  Mount 
Morris,  Livingston  County,  New  York,  in 
1819.  His  father,  William  Wilson,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  when 
a  young  man  with  two  brothers,  settling  in 
the  State  of  New  York.  When  Samuel  was 
a  child  his  parents  removed  to  Ohio,  settling 
in  Sandusky  County,  where  they  lived  until 
their  decease.  The  father  died  when  Samuel 
was  nine  years  of  age,  and  he  was  bound  out 
to  learn  the  ti-ade  of  a  blacksraitli.  The 
wife  of  the  man  to  whom  he  was  bound 
treated  him  so  badly,  and  was  so  abusive  to 
him,  that  he  did  not  stay  to  complete  his 
trade,  but  escaped  to  the  woods  and  joined  a 
tribe  of  Indians,  with  whom  he  remained  the 
most  of  the  time  until  he  reached  manhood. 
He  adopted  their  habits  to  some  e.xtcnt,  and 
went  with  them  from  place  to  place.  He 
was  in  Chicago  in  1832,  or  rather,  where 
Chicasco  now  is,  there  beino'  nothins:  but  a 
fort  there  at  that  time.  He  was  married  in 
Will  County,  Illinois,  to  Miss  Emily  A. 
Huyck,  born  in  Saratoga  County,  New  York. 
Her  parents  were  Abraham  and  Asenath 
Huyck,  tiie  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  latter  of  Connecticut.  They  removed 
to  Michigan  when  Mrs.  Wilson  was  about 
three  years  old,  and  six  years  later  the  family 
moved  to  Will  County,  Illinois,  where  the 
parents  passed  the  remainder  of  their  days. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  have  had  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living — Alonzo  N.,  Sarah 
E.,  George  A.,  R.  L.,  Lillie,  Daniel  and  Net- 
tie. Spending  so  much  time  with  the  Indians, 
Mr.  AVilson's  education  was  extremely  limited. 
His  book  knowledge  was  all  obtained  later  in 
life,  which  was  sutticient  to  enable  him  to 
become  well   informed  on   the  topics  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


599 


M 


day.  Previous  to  the  war  he  was  an  Aboli- 
tionist, but  later  became  a  Kepublican,  being 
an  uncompromising  Union  man  during  the 
war.  He  had  no  affinity  for  any  person  that 
sympathized  with  the  Rebellion  to  any  extent 
whatever.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  the  early  pioneer  element  of 
Carroll  County. 

— «|*>.J^-- 


^AUL  MOEROW  MACLEAN  is  a  son 
^S  °^  Matthew  and  Nancy  (Logan)  Mac- 
~^  lean,  who  are  now  residing  on  a  farm 
near  Columbus  City,  Louisa  County,  this 
State.  He  was  born  December  10,  1862,  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  received  a 
good  education,  including  one  year's  study 
at  Oberlin  College  in  Ohio.  He  then  entered 
the  profession  of  journalism,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  three  years  at  Columbus  Junction, 
Iowa,  and  for  the  last  three  years  at  Carroll. 
He  bought  the  Carroll  Herald  of  E.  R. 
Hastings,  January  1,  1884,  and  at  the  same 
time  leased  him  a  half  interest.  In  June, 
1886,  Mr.  Hastings  retired,  and  Mr.  Maclean 
sold  a  half  interest  in  the  paper  and  plant  to 
J.  B.  Ilungerfoi'd,  who  is  still  associated  with 
him  in  its  management.  Mr.  Maclean  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  politically  a  Re- 
publican. 


fH.  LOUTHAN,  Coon  Rapids,  Iowa, 
proprietor  of  the  Pioneer  Harness  Em- 
®  porium,  is  a  native  of  Wythe  County, 
Virginia,  born  April  22, 1823,  a  son  of  James 
and  Margaret  (Clibbs)  Louthan.  He  was  the 
lifth  of  a  family  of  seven  children.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  his  native  State,  remaining 
thei'e    until   1845,  when   he   moved    to  Clai- 


bourne  County,  Tennessee,  where-  he  Avas 
married  in  1846  to  Miss  Mary  Hatfield.  He 
lived  in  East  Tennessee  until  1850,  when, 
with  his  wife  and  two  small  children,  he 
moved  to  Iowa  and  settled  in  the  southwest- 
ern part  of  Clarke  County,  near  the  present 
site  of  Hopeville,  where  he  was  living  during 
what  was  called  by  the  pioneers  of  Clarke 
and  Ringgold  counties  the  Indian  war.  The 
country  at  that  time  was  in  a  state  of  nature, 
only  160  acres  of  land  having  been  en- 
tered in  the  county.  In  the  fall  of  1851 
Hopeville  was  laid  out  and  a  postoffice  estab- 
lished, with  David  Newton  as  postmaster.  In 
1863  Mr.  Louthan  moved  to  Hopeville  and 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  boots,  shoes 
and  harness,  being  the  pioneer  in  that  in- 
dustry in  the  place.  After  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  he  went  with  the 
militia,  under  Colonel  Edwards,  to  Allen ville, 
Missouri,  and  a  few  days  later  was  commis- 
sioned recruiting  officer.  He  then  returned 
to  Iowa.  He  enlisted  sixteen  recruits  and 
took  them  to  Mount  Ayr,  where  he  found 
Captain  Douglas  with  a  company  of  eighty- 
six  men,  but  no  commission  to  leave  the 
State.  This  company  was  turned  over  to 
Mr.  Louthan,  and  with  the  102  men  he 
marched  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  and  report- 
ed to  Colonel  Edwards.  He  then  returned 
to  Iowa,  but  being  devoted  to  the  cause  of 
the  Union  his  services  were  in  demand,  and 
he  was  employed  as  a  spy.  Under  the  in- 
structions of  Hon.  H.  M.  Hoxie,  United 
States  Marshal,  he  went  to  work  on  the 
borders  of  Iowa  and  Missouri.  He  joined 
the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  and  soon 
became  one  of  their  leaders,  and  obtained 
valuable  information,  and  at  one  time  was 
captured  and  sent  in  irons  to  Des  Moines, 
where  he  was  confined  a  short  time.  At  the 
time  of  the  great  excitement  about  home- 
stead land  in   Audubon  County,  in    1871,  he 


600 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


removed  to  that  county  and  lived  at  Exira 
about  a  year,  and  in  1S72  moved  to  Carroll 
County,  and  lived  in  the  southeastern  part 
until  1876,  when  he  moved  to  Scranton, 
Greene  County,  where  he  he  manufactured 
harness  until  1881,  when  he  removed  to 
Coon  Rapids,  where  he  has  since  lived.  In 
politics  Mr.  Louthan  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  serving  his  third  term  as  mayor  of  Coon 
Rapids,  and  has  held  the  office  ot  treasurer 
two  terras.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
and  Knights  of  Pythias  orders. 

^"3"!  •!■••" 


J|f«lTLLIAM  F.  STEIGEEWALT,  conn- 
•;  \/\T,  ty  surveyor  and  an  active  and  enter- 
l""^!*?]  prising  citizen  of  Carroll  County, 
engaged  in  farming  on  section  31  of  Grant 
Township,  was  born  in  Schuylkill  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1843.  He  was  reared  to 
the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  and  in  his  youth 
received  good  educational  advantages.  He 
was  engaged  in  teaching  school  the  greater 
part  of  the  time  from  18(33  until  1866,  when 
he  went  to  Philadelphia  and  completed  a 
C(iurse  in  what  was  then  known  as  the 
Quaker  City  Business  College,  and  here  he 
laid  the  foundation  of  a  business  life  and 
obtained  a  knowledge  of  the  principles  of 
penmanship,  which  resulted  in  his  becoming 
an  excellent  scribe.  He  completed  his  com- 
mercial course  in  June,  1866,  when  he  as- 
sisted his  father  on  the  home  farm  till  the 
following  September.  He  then  entered  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Normal  School  at  Mans- 
field, Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  three 
years,  taking  a  regular  normal  course,  and 
partly  scientific  course,  ami  at  the  same  time 
was  also  instructed  in  penmanship  and  book- 
keeping. He  graduated  in  1868,  remaining 
there  one  year  after  his  graduation.     During 


his  last  year  spent  at  the  normal  school  he 
paid  special  attention  to  the  theory  of  sur- 
veying. He  then  resumed  teaching,  and  for 
a  time  was  principal  of  the  school  at  Donald- 
son, in  the  coal  regions.  After  leaving  his 
school  at  Donaldson  he  entered  the  Agricult- 
ural College  in  Center  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  paid  special  attention  to  practical 
surveying,  intending  to  adopt  surveying  as  a 
business.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  came  "West, 
and  since  October  of  that  year  has  been  a 
resident  of  Carroll  County,  and  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  educational 
interests  of  the  county  longer  perhaps  than 
any  other  man.  The  winter  following  his 
arrival  in  Carroll  County  he  taught  school  at 
Carroll,  closing  his  school  about  the  middle 
of  February,  when  he  was  prevailed  upon  to 
open  a  select  school,  which  he  conducted 
about  four  weeks,  when  he  discontinued  it, 
the  enterprise  proving  a  failure.  He  then 
rented  fifty  acres  of  land  near  Arcadia,  in- 
tending to  locate  here,  and  the  next  day  he 
rode  to  Coon  Rapids  and  bought  a  team  and 
wagon,  returning  to  his  farm  with  a  load  of 
seed  wheat.  He  rented  this  farm  with  others 
and  together  they  put  up  stables,  and  here 
kept  bachelors'  hall.  There  had  been  no 
permanent  settlement  made  in  Arcadia  Town- 
ship at  that  time.  He  raised  a  tine  crop  the 
first  season.  In  the  spring  of  1871,  soon 
after  seeding  his  land,  he  purchased  a  half  of 
section  23, Washington  Township,  paying  for 
the  same  $5  per  acre,  and  at  once  located  on 
this  land,  which  he  began  to  improve.  Not 
being  accustomed  to  breaking  prairie,  he  had 
a  hard  time  of  it  at  first,  but  after  a  few 
weeks  he  got  along  better,  and  that  season 
broke  ninety-five  acres.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year  he  went  back  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
taught  the  following  winter,  returning  to 
Carroll  County  in  the  spring.  He  then 
erected  a  house  on  his  land,  which  was  occn- 


^^,^,.^.^« 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


601 


pied  by  liis  cousin  and  family  for  a  short 
time.  The  place  was  then  occupied  by  a 
man  named  Jason  Keys,  \vho  came  from  In- 
diana, with  whom  our  subject  made  his  liome. 
In  the  fall  of  1873  he  was  elected  county 
superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Carroll 
County,  and  served  in  that  capacity  two 
years,  and  at  the  same  time  assisted  in  im- 
proving his  farm.  After  his  term  as  super- 
intendent had  expired  he  taught  the  following 
winter  at  Arcadia,  when  he  returned  to  his 
farm.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he  made  a  trip  to 
Kansas,  where  he  bought  property  in  the 
town  of  Larned,  and  also  took  up  a  timber 
claim.  In  June,  1876,  he  went  to  the  Cen- 
tenial  at  Philadelphia,  as  correspondent  for 
the  Carroll  Herald,  remaining  there  two 
months.  His  farm  had  been  rented  up  to 
this  time,  but  he  had  assisted  in  making  im- 
provements, building  several  houses  on  the 
place.  In  December,  1876,  liis  sister  came 
West  with  her  husband,  S.  B.  Alspacli,  and 
settled  on  his  farm.  In  January,  1878,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Colclo, 
her  father,  J.  H.  Colclo,  being  one  of  Carroll 
County's  pioneers.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  this  union — Mabel,  their  eldest  child, 
died  aged  si.\  years;  Garfield  was  born  four 
days  after  the  election  of  General  Garfield  to 
the  Presidency,  and  was  called  in  honor  of 
him;  Blanche  and  Samuel.  In  August,  1877, 
the  father  of  our  subject  died  at  his  home  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  following  September 
he  went  East  to  care  for  his  mother  and  look 
after  his  father's  estate.  After  his  marriage 
be  resided  for  a  time  in  the  Carroll  House, 
but  since  the  fall  of  1878  he  has  made  his 
home  on  section  31  of  Grant  Township, 
and  now  devotes  most  of  his  time  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  although,  as  before  stated, 
he  holds  the  oftice  of  county  surveyor.  Be- 
sides his  home  farm  Mr.  Steigerwalt  still 
owns  his  farm  in  Washington  Township.    He 


takes  an  active  interest  in  all  enterprises  for 
the  good  of  his  township  or  county,  and  is 
much  respected  by  a  large  circle  of  friends 
throughout  the  county. 


fOHN  L.  McQUAID.  dealer  in  dry  goods 
and  notions,  groceries,  etc.,  is  the  pioneer 
merchant  of  Manning,  having  established 
his  present  where  he  is  now  located  Septem- 
ber 6,  1881.  He  is  a  native  of  Knox  County, 
Indiana,  born  September  11,  1842,  a  son  of 
Joel  II.  and  Mary  A.  (Cassiday)  McQuaid, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Kentucky. 
The  father  died  in  Livingston  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  December,  1881,  aged  seventy-seven 
years.  The  mother  is  still  living  in  that 
county  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two 
years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  passed  his 
youth  principally  in  Marshall  County,  Illi- 
nois, to  which  county  his  parents  had  removed. 
He  enlisted  in  defense  of  the  Union  July  20, 

1862,  and  was  assigned  to  Company  K,  One 
Hundred  and  Seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  serv- 
ing faithfully  three  years  to  a  day.  He  was 
in  the  siege  at  Knoxville,  which  culminated 
in  the  retreat  of  General  Longstreet  and  the 
rebel  aruiy  upon  the  approach  of  General 
Sherman  with  his  relief  army    in  December, 

1863,  and  was  in  the  Twenty-third  Corps 
under  General  Schotield.  He  joined  the 
army  under  General  Sherman,  and  partici- 
pated in  most  of  the  battles  leading  up  to  the 
capture  of  Atlanta,  and  was  almost  daily 
under  fire  for  three  months.  With  the 
Twenty-third  Corps,  he  participated  in  the 
racing  and  fighting  campaign  against  General 
Hood,  and  in  the  terrific  battle  of  Franklin, 
November  30,  1864,  and  later  at  the  battle 
of  Nashville,  where  Plood's  army  was  de- 
sjtroyed.  He  was  transferred  to  AVilmington, 
North  Carolina.     He  served  till  the  close  of 


603 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


the  war,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  Jnly  20,  1865. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  Marshall  County, 
Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  1871.  He 
then  came  to  Carroll  County,  buying  property 
in  Arcadia,  where  he  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising. He  was  married  at  that  place 
July  2,  1873,  to  Miss  Margaret  J.  Gonndrey, 
a  native  of  the  State  of  Xew  York.  They  are 
the  parents  of  three  children  —  Elsie  V., 
Charles  A.  and  Edith  M.  Mr.  McQuaid 
followed  mercantile  pursuits  at  Arcadia  until 
he  came  to  Manning  and  established  his 
present  business,  in  which  he  has  met  with 
good  success.  Beside  his  business  block  Mr. 
McQuaid  owns  his  fine  substantial  residence 
and  several  lots  in  Manning,  and  business 
property,  which  he  rents,  in  Manilla,  Crawford 
County.  In  politics  he  affiliates  with  the 
llepnblican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  quarter- 
master of  McPherson  Post,  No.  33,  at  Man- 
ning. Mr.  McQuaid  is  an  officer  and  stock- 
holder in  the  Manning  Cemeterj'  Association, 
and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Union  Fair 
and  Driving  Park  Association,  of  which  he  is 
still  a  stockholder. 


'^•-►r'-^I^'-x— 


A.  WIELAND,  farmer,  section  11, 
Carroll  Township,  was  born  in  Colum- 
biana County,  Ohio,  June  19,  1855, 
son  of  G.  A.  and  Bridget  Ann  AVieland.  He 
was  the  sixth  of  twelve  children.  His  early 
life  was  passed  on  a  farm,  and  his  education 
was  obtained  in  his  native  State.  When  he 
was  eleven  years  of  age  his  parents  removed 
to  Washington  County.  April  10,  1883,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah 
Reiter,  a  native  of  Grant  County,  Wisconsin, 
and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Ann 
Reiter.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wieland  are  the  par- 


ents of  three  children — Fannie,  George  S.  and 
Emma.  Mr.  Wieland  came  to  Carroll  County 
in  1873,  and  in  1875  bought  his  farm,  and 
commenced  to  improve  it  the  following  year. 
He  owns  160  acres  of  e.\cellent  land,  which 
is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  well 
improved.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and 
a  strong  adherent  of  the  principles  of  that 
party. 


fOHN  PARKER  resides  on  section  22, 
Union  Township.  His  farm  comprises 
127  acres  of  land,  which  he  purchased  in 
1875,  and  settled  upon  it  the  following  year. 
No  improvements  had  been  made,  but  it  is 
now  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  erected 
his  buildings  at  a  cost  of  about  $800.  Mr. 
Parker  has  been  a  resident  of  Carroll  County 
since  1874,  and  of  Iowa  since  1852.  He 
was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  in  1836, 
son  of  Asa  L.  Parker.  His  parents  had 
thirteen  children,  of  whom  he  was  the  sixth 
child.  Most  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in 
farming.  In  June,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the 
Twenty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  served  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war.  His  regiment  served 
in  the  First  Division  of  the  Fifteenth  Army 
Corps.  He  was  engaged  in  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg  and  Arkansas  Post.  When  Gen- 
eral Grant  entered  on  the  Vicksburg  cam- 
paign, and  decided  to  attack  the  enemy  from 
below,  Mr.  Parker  was  one  of  the  many  who 
volunteered  to  run  the  blockade.  He  went 
aboard  of  one  of  the  gunboats,  and  did  not 
accompany  his  regiment  around  by  land.  He 
rejoined  it  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  last 
charge  on  the  enemy's  works,  then,  with  his 
regiment,  he  accompanied  General  Grant  to 
Chattanooga.  He  took  pai't,  under  General 
Hooker,  in  the  battles  of  Lookout  Mountain 
and  Missionary   Ridge.     lie  took  part  in  the 


'■''■■■"^■"-■■■■■-■■■■■-■-■-■-■^■-■-■-■-■■■"-■^"-■-■-■-■■.■-■■.■■■-■^■Jl 


BIOORAPUICAL    SKETCHES. 


603 


Atlanta  campaign  and  Sherman'^  march  to 
the  sea,  and  participated  in  the  grand  review 
at  Washington.  lie  was  married  in  Cedar 
County,  Iowa,  September  19,  1867,  to  Mary 
Ann  Earlean,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
Ann  Barlean.  She  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1842,  and  in  1854  came  with  her  parents  to 
Iowa,  who  settled  in  Cedar  County,  where  the 
father  still  lives.  The  mother  is  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker  have  three  children — 
Lillian,  Cora  Ellen  and  Arthur.  Politically 
Mr.  Parker  is  a  Republican,  having  cast  his 
first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln, 
in  1864.  He  is  a  member  of  Perry  Wright 
Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Coon  Rapids. 


■ov-Kiy  *2»  *w  *  t'li^^w 


W^ 


:ILLIAM  JAMES  MORROW  is  a 
of  William  and  Mary  Ann  Mor- 
l^^Sji^  row.  They  lived  on  a  farm  in  Guern- 
sey County,  Ohio,  from  1848  to  1866,  and 
then  came  to  Linn  County,  Iowa,  where  Mr. 
Morrow  died  in  1873,  and  Mrs.  Morrow  in 
1877.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  chib 
dren,  five  of  whom  are  now  living.  The 
subject  of  this  biographical  notice  was  born 
in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  May  1, 1854,  and 
on  account  of  his  father  being  an  invalid  for 
six  years  before  his  death,  William  ■was  not 
able  to  attend  school  after  his  fourteenth 
year.  He  had  almost  sole  charge  of  the  farm 
for  eight  years.  He  then  cultivated  a  farm 
in  Cass  County  for  three  years,  after  which 
he  removed  to  Audubon  to  engage  in  the 
agricultural  implement  business.  In  the 
spring  of  1880  he  went  to  Bayard,  where  he 
was  similarly  engaged  for  one  year.  Selling 
out  at  that  place,  he  followed  the  same  busi- 
ness at  Manning  until  May  20,  1886,  since 
when  he  has  given  his  time  to  the  conduct  of 
the  News.  Mr.  Morrow  was  married  Jan- 
uary  10,  1879,  to    Miss    Loraine    Green,  of 


Atlantic.  They  have  four  children — Ralph 
Dale,  Grover  Glen,  Flora  Fay  and  Fitz  Ward. 
Mr.  Morrow  is  a  Mason.  He  has  been  secre- 
tary of  the  Manning  Union  Fair  and  Driving 
Park  Association  since  its  organization  in 
August,  1882,  is  foreman  of  the  hose  team  of 
Manning,  has  served  as  councilman  of  the 
town,  was  appointed  mayor  in  the  autumn  of 
1886  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  W.  F. 
Carpenter,  and  in  the  same  autumn  was 
chosen  justice  of  the  peace,  which  otfice  he 
now  fills. 


'3nS« 


Wa^  a.  STEARNS,  physician  and  surgeon, 
Intw  engaged  in  practicing  at  Coon  Rapids, 
■^^®  is  a  native  of  the  State  of  Maine,  born 
July  5,  1846,  a  son  of  L.  E.  and  Hannah 
(Walker)  Stearns.  When  he  was  four  j'ears 
of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Rockford, 
Illinois,  and  thei'e  he  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated. During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  he 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  Forty-fifth  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  participated  in  several  noted 
battles  of  the  war.  He  was  taken  prisoner 
at  Big  Shanty,  and  confined  in  the  rebel 
prisons  at  Andersonville,  Milan  and  Florence. 
He  was  finally  paroled  and  ordered  to  Ben- 
ton Barracks,  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged  in  July,  1865,  after  which  he 
returned  to  Rockford,  Illinois.  He  attended 
lectures  at  Bennett  Eclectic  Medical  College, 
at  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  the  class  of  1877  and  1878, 
receiving  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He  was 
united  in  marriage,  in  1874,  to  Miss  Linda 
Faulkner,  of  Rockford,  Illinois,  and  to  this 
union  have  been  born  two  children — Lee  and 
Genevieve.  Dr.  Stearns  practiced  medicine 
in  Tama  County  many  years  where  he  was  num- 
bered among  the  leading  physicians,  and  there 
built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He 
makes  a  specialty  of  asthma  and  catarrh,  and 


604 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


in  the  treatment  of  these  diseases  he  has 
been  remarkably  successful.  In  November, 
1886,  he  came  with  his  family  to  Carroll 
County,  locating  at  Coon  Kapids,  where  he 
bids  fair  to  rank  among  the  leading  physi- 
cians of  the  place,  and  by  his  genial  disposi- 
tion has  already  won  many  friends  in  his  new 
home.  The  doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Legion 
of  Honor. 


►^wj^ 


jOBERT  HAYNER,  farmer,  section  10, 
Union  Township,  located  on  his  farm 
in  1881,  where  he  owns  eighty  acres  of 
land.  He  purchased  his  farm  of  Cyrenius 
E.  Morris.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Car- 
roll County  since  July  12,  1886.  At  that 
time  he  was  engaged  in  the  interests  of  the 
Northwestern  Railroad  near  Carroll,  which 
was  at  that  time  being  constructed.  He 
kept  a  boarding-house,  and  boarded  the  men 
who  were  grading  the  road.  In  September 
of  that  year  he  went  over  on  the  "North 
Coon,"  in  Calhoun  County,  and  purchased  a 
piece  of  land,  which  he  improved  and  lived 
upon  eighteen  months.  He  then  returned 
to  Carroll  and  erected  the  iiotel  that  was 
called  the  Raynor  House,  but  now  known  as 
the  Hoffman  House.  lie  conducted  this 
house  three  years,  then  sold  to  Hoffman  and 
bought  a  farm  of  269  acres  in  Newton  Town- 
ship. Two  years  later  he  exchanged  this 
farm  for  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  Cop- 
pack,  where  he  lived  until  he  bought  his 
present  farm.  Mr.  Ilayner  was  born  in 
Otsego  County,  New  York,  in  1825,  his 
native  town  being  Maryland.  When  he  was 
fourteen  years  old  his  parents  removed  to 
Tioga  County,  where  the  father  lived  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1844, 
the  day  James  K.  Polk  was  elected  President 
of  the  United  States.     The  parents,  Robert 


and  Elizabeth  Hayuer,  had  nine  children,  one 
dying  in  infancy.  Robert  is  the  only  one  of 
his  father's  family  that  came  West.  He  left 
home  in  1847  and  went  to  Crawford  County, 
Pennsylvania,  thence  to  Pittsburg,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  milling  for  a  time.  Farming 
has  usually  been  his  occupation,  but  he  has 
followed  carpentering  to  some  extent.  In 
December,  1852,  he  went  to  Darien,  Wal- 
worth County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  worked 
at  farming,  thence  to  Adams  County  tor  two 
years,  thence  to  Olrastead  County,  Minnesota, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming,  thence  to 
Goodhue  County,  where  he  purchased  a  farm. 
One  year  later  he  returned  to  Olmstead 
County,  and  in  June,  1866,  came  to   Iowa. 

He  was  married   in  Pennsylvania  to 

Sweet,  a  native  of  Delaware  County,  New 
York.  They  have  had  nine  children,  four 
sons  and  live  daughters,  all  of  whom  are 
living.  Three  daughters  are  in  Dakota,  and 
one  son  is  in  Nebraska.  The  other  children 
are  residents  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Ilayner  cast  his 
first  Presidential  vote  for  James  K.  Polk  in 
1844.  He  was  a  Democrat  until  the  Repub- 
lican party  was  formed,  and  was  identified 
with  that  party  until  the  war,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  independent.  In  1876  he 
voted  for  Tilden.  He  has  been  an  Odd  Fel- 
low for  twenty  years. 


"^<-^ 


]^^[  H.  REEVER,  farmer,  section  25,  Pleas- 
'Irfll  ant  Township,  has  been  a  resident  of 
^^®  Carroll  County  since  1873.  He  was 
born  August  10,  1842,  in  Adams  County, 
Pennsylvania,  son  of  Jacob  and  Maria  (Hock- 
tiller)  Reever.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and 
lived  in  Pennsylvania  until  1868.  During 
the  war  he  served  fur  a  time  in  Company  B, 
Twenty-first  Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  The 
famous  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  fought  on  a 


,IB„inai'»^ 


X 


i'Hf  HEW  York] 
POBLfC  LIBRARY 


*V""-   "-^"O^  AND 
TILDE  N   FOUNDATIONS. 


■/  ^..'i'-i- 


;,-,-  / 


^^r'-' 


r 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


m~i 


portion  of  the  Keever  farm.  In  1806  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lizzie  Storick, 
also  a  native  of  Adams  County,  and  daughter 
of  Adam  and  Eve  Storick.  In  1868  Mr. 
Eeever  removed  to  Iowa,  first  settling  in 
Gutlirie  County,  where  he  lived  five  years, 
then  came  to  Carroll  County.  He  purchased 
a  partly  improved  farm,  which  he  sold,  and 
then  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  resides. 
He  owns  400  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be 
found  in  Carroll  County.  He  has  a  good 
story  and  a  half  residence,  surrounded  with 
shade  and  ornamental  trees,  and  comfortable 
farm  buildings  for  stock  and  grain.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Keever  are  the  parents  of  four  children 
— William,  Henry,  Charles  and  Pearl.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  Reever  is  a  Eepublican,  and  ho  is 
a  worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  and  superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath-school.  He  considers  his  word  as 
good  as  his  bond,  and  is  an  honest,  upright 
citizen. 

-^'-^^^^i^-^ 


jEV.  PHILIP  JOSEPH  O'CONNOR 
\eS  was  born  in  Ohio,  June  2,  1854,  and 
^^  is  a  son  of  Philip  O'Connor  (deceased), 
who  was  by  occupation  a  contractor.  He  at- 
tended both  parochial  and  public  schools  at 
Ottumwa,  Iowa,  when  a  boy;  at  the 
age  of  fourteen,  the  Salesianum  at  Mil- 
waukee, and  at  sixteen  entered  the  Sem- 
inary of  Our  Lady  of  Angels,  at  Niag- 
ara Falls.  He  was  ordained  in  1878, 
and  during  that  year  was  sent  successively  to 
Dubuque,  Clinton  and  Monticello.  At  the 
latter  place  he  had  charge  of  a  parish  for  six 
years,  or  nearly  so,  and  in  February,  1884, 
he  came  to  Carroll,  and  has  since  had  charge 
of  the  parish  of  St.  Joseph's  Catholic  church, 
which  under  hi.s  care  has  grown  in  numbers 
and  influence.     lie  is  an  able  speaker  and  a 

43 


hard  worker,  and  the  prosperity  of  his  church 
is  a  just  reward  for  his  arduous  labors. 


jOBERT  STEVENS,  retired  farmer,  Car- 
[<^^  roll  Township,  is  one  of  the  best-known 
citizens  of  Carroll  County.  He  is  a 
native  of  Cambridgeshire,  England,  born 
June  14,  1832.  His  parents  were  Josiah 
and  Mary  (Cornell)  Stevens,  and  they  had 
nine  children,  of  whom  Robert  was  the  sec- 
ond chil5.  His  early  life  was  passed  in  as- 
sisting at  farm  labor.  August  29,  1854,  he 
was  united  in  nuirriage  with  Miss  Sophia 
Perry,  also  a  native  of  Cambridgeshire,  born 
June  6,  1833.  Her  parents,  John  and  Lucy 
(Linton)  Perry,  had  eight  children,  Mrs. 
Stevens  being  the  seventh.  Soon  after  their 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens  came  to 
America.  They  first  located  in  Bureau  Coun- 
ty, Illinois,  where  Mr.  Stevens  bought  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  23,  Walnut 
Townsliip.  He  improved  this  farm  and  lived 
upon  it  until  1868,  then  sold  it  and  came  to 
Carroll  County.  His  first  home  in  this  coun- 
ty was  on  section  15,  Pleasant  Valley  Town- 
ship, where  he  bouglit  160  acres  of  wild  land, 
for  whicii  he  paid  $5  per  acre.  vVfter  im- 
proving the  farm  and  living  upon  it  until 
February,  1883,  he  settled  in  his  present 
home,  near  Carroll.  Mr.  Stevens  owns  492 
acres  of  excellent  land,  which  is  well  im- 
proved; 240  acres  of  his  land  are  on  sections 
11  and  14,  Pleasant  Valley  Township;  160 
acres  on  section  16,  Richland  Township,  and 
eighty  acres  on  section  2,  Union  Township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children — John  Perry,  Mary  Elizabeth  Mof- 
fatt,  Emily  Jane  Bender,  James  William, 
Margaret  Rebecca  Simpson,  Lucy  Helen  and 
Alice  Mabel.     In  politics  Mr.  Stevens  is  a 


i;i)s 


HISTORY    OF    GABROLL    COUNTY. 


Republican,  and  has  served  in  most  of  the 
township  offices  with  credit  to  himself  and 
satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stevens  are  wortliy  and  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church. 


PRCMAN  B.  McCLUE,  an  enterprising 
'^  farmer  and  stock- raiser  of  Jasper  Town- 
ship, residing  on  section  17,  was  born 
in  Steuben  County,  Indiana,  Ma}^  20,  1840, 
a  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Smith)  McClue, 
natives  of  New  York  State.  They  were 
among  the  pioneers  of  Northeastern  Indiana, 
and  are  yet  living  in  Steuben  County,  aged 
about  eighty  years,  and  are  now  the  only 
survivors  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  township 
where  they  have  made  their  iiome  for  so 
many  years.  There  they  experienced  all  the 
privations  of  pioneer  life,  but  have  lived  to 
see  the  country  change  from  a  wild  state  into 
well-cultivated  farms  and  thriving  villages. 
Indians  were  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
Steuben  County  when  they  first  settled  there. 
Truman  B.  McClue,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
grew  to  manhood  in  Indiana,  his  youth  being 
spent  in  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  of 
the  farm  and  attending  the  district  school, 
where  he  received  but  a  limited  education, 
Init  being  of  a  studious  disposition  he  has 
by  close  observation  and  study  at  home 
acquired  a  good  practical  education.  He  re- 
mained on  his  father's  farm  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  when  he  began  working  for 
himself.  He  left  his  native  State  in  1868, 
coming  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  buying  the 
farm  where  he  has  since  resided  October  8  of 
the  same  year,  which  he  has  converted  from  the 
raw  prairie  into  a  well-cultivated  farm,  all  well 
improved.  This  was  the  first  piece  of  land 
recorded  in  Carroll  County,  entered  by  Thomas 
Ford  May  7, 1855.  Mr.  McClue  is  a  thorough, 


practical  farmer,  as  the  surroundings  of  his 
farm  plainly  indicate,  and  has  met  with  ex- 
cellent success  in  his  farming  operations. 
His  farm  contains  160  acres  of  valuable  land. 
He  is  classed  among  the  prominent  stock  men 
of  his  township,  and  is  at  present  making  a 
specialty  of  short-horn  cattle.  He  has  a  fine 
maple  grove  of  six  acres,  which  he  raised 
from  the  seed,  one  tree,  sixteen  years  old, 
measuring  sixteen  finches  in  diameter.  Mr. 
McClue  was  united  in  marriage  January  1, 
1871,  to  Miss  Amanda  Covert,  her  father, 
John  V.  Covert,  being  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  her  mother  of  Virginia.  They  are  the 
parents  of  two  children — Charles  E.,  born 
July  5,  1874,  and  Byron  B.,  born  November 
25,  1876.  Politically  Mr.  McClue  is  a  staunch 
Republican.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in 
the  affiiirs  of  his  township,  and  has  rilled  the 
offices  of  township  clerk,  townshi]-)  trustee 
and  secretary  of  the  school  board.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Clue is  a  member  of  the  Presbj'terian  church. 


ip^\  M.  FRISBEE,  proprietor  of  the  Coon 
|jT|!\  Rapids  livery,  feed  and  sale  barn,  is  a 
^(|®  native  of  New  York  State,  the  date 
of  his  birth  being  March  17,  1846.  When 
he  was  six  years  of  age  his  parents,  Charles 
A.  and  Hannah  (Yeoman)  Frisbee,  removed  to 
Winnebago  County,  Illinois,  and  subsequently 
lived  in  Ogle  and  Carroll  counties,  Illinois,  our 
subject  being  reared  to  manhood  in  that  State, 
whei-e  he  was  brought  up  to  the  avocation  of 
a  farmer.  For  his  wife  he  married  Miss 
Martha  E.  Downs,  March  3,  1870,  and  to 
this  union  have  been  born  three  children — 
Hannaii  B.,  Harvey  Wilber  and  Gabriel  Au- 
gusta. Since  coming  to  Coon  Rapids  Mr. 
Frisbee  has  built  up  a  first-class  trade,  his 
livery  being  one  of  the  best  in  Carroll 
County.     His  barn   is  26  x  80  feet  in  size, 


BIOGIiAPUIOAL    SKETCHES. 


(J0!» 


Avith  sheds  attached  12  x  40  feet,  and  has  ac- 
eomiuodations  for  as  many  as  fifty  horses. 
His  barn  is  kept  in  excellent  condition,  and 
strict  attention  is  paid  to  all  the  details  of 
the  business.  He  has  now  from  fifteen  to 
twenty  good  driving  and  saddle  horses,  and 
his  carriages  are  in  good  condition,  and  by 
his  genial  and  accommodating  manners  to 
his  many  customers,  and  reasonable  prices, 
he  has  met  with  excellent  success  in  his  busi- 
ness. In  connection  with  his  livery  Mr. 
Frisbee  runs  the  Glidden  and  Coon  Rapids 
Hack  and  Mail  Line,  which  makes  a  trip 
daily  from  Coon  Kapids  to  Glidden  and  re- 
turn. He  is  an  enterprising  and  public- 
spirited  citizen,  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  advancement    of  liis   town  or  county. 


|^[  AMUEL  D.  HENRY  was  born  in  Shelby 
"^)  County,  Indiana,  in  October,  1854.  His 
mother,  Mary  Henry,  is  dead.  His 
father,  John  D.  Henry,  lives  at  Coon  Rapids, 
and  is  by  occupation  a  carpenter.  He  i-e- 
mained  with  his  parents  until  sixteen  years 
old,  and  then  learned  the  miller's  trade  in 
Kansas.  This  business  he  followed  for  eleven 
years,  and  since  then  has  been  engaged  in 
journalism.  He  came  to  Coon  Rapids  in 
1883,  and  has  since  given  his  time  and  ener- 
gies to  the  Enterprise.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  October  3,  1876,  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Stimpson.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  Republican,  and 
a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 


SENRY  GROTE  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
1 1-^))'  ^°''"  ■'^"gust  18,  1855,  a  son  of  Freder- 
~!iM  ick  Grote.  When  he  was  about  two  and 
a  half  years  old  his  parents  came  to  America 
and   located  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  where 


the  father  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
brick,  and  in  his  youth  our  subject  worked 
at  the  same  business,  learning  all  the  details  of 
the  trade.  He  was  reared  in  Council  Bluffs, 
living  there  until  1880,  when  he  came  to 
Carroll  County,  and  located  at  Maple  River 
Junction,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  whole- 
sale liquor  business.  In  addition  to  his  busi- 
ness property  Mr.  Grote  owns  a  tine  farm  of 
120  acres  adjoining  the  village.  He  is  one 
of  the  successful  business  men  of  the  village, 
and  an  influential,  public-spirited  citizen. 
Mr.  Grote  was  married  in  Council  Bluffs  to 
Miss  Lena  Geise.  In  politics  Mr.  Grote  is  a 
Democrat, 


ILEMENS  BRUNING  is  one  of  the 
idlg.  leading  business  men  of  Breda,  Carroll 
County,  with  whose  interests  he  has 
been  identified  since  the  spring  of  1879,  the 
town  of  Breda  being  at  that  date  but  a  small 
hamlet.  On  settling  here  in  1879  he  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  still  con- 
tinues under  the  firm  name  of  Bruning  & 
Son,  and  from  the  first  has  been  one  of  the 
prominent  citizens.  In  the  fall  of  1879  he 
bought  the  lumber  interests  of  Mr.  Simpson, 
and  is  still  engaged  in  dealing  in  lumber, 
and  to  this  business  he  added  the  sale  of 
agricultural  implements,  and  being  a  man  of 
good  business  qualifications,  combined  with 
persevering  industry,  he  has  been  successful 
in  his  various  enterprises.  Mr.  Bruning  is  a 
native  of  Germany,  born  in  the  year  1830, 
and  was  reared  in  that  country  till  attain- 
ing the  age  of  eighteen  years.  He  then,  in 
1848,  immigrated  with  his  father's  family  to 
America,  they  locating  in  Grant  County,  Wis- 
consin. Clemens  Bruning  subsequently  left 
Grant  County  for  Illinois,  and  for  some  time 
was  engaged  in  mining  in  the  vicinity  of 
Giilena.     He  lived  in  Wisconsin  and  Illinois 


(111) 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


until  coming  to  Carroll  County  in  1879,  as 
before  stated.  The  father,  J.  H.  Bruning, 
continued  to  reside  in  Grant  County  until 
his  death.  In  politics  Clemens  Bruning,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  is  a  Democrat.  In 
his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Koman  Catholic. 
He  was  marrried  in  Grant  County,  Wiscon- 
sin, to  ISIiss  Mary  A.  Arts,  a  sister  of  Will- 
iam Arts,  of  Carroll.  Thirteen  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bruning,  of 
whom  eleven  are  still  living,  seven  sons  and 
four  daughters. 

"*-'-*|*>'^'f*'-*~ — 

fj.  SCIIELLE,  dealer  in  furniture  and 
sewing-machines,  Breda,  Iowa, was  born 
^  *  in  Germany,  and  came  to  America  when 
a  boy.  His  father  died  in  Germany,  and  his 
mother  afterward  married  Henry  Janse.  The 
family  settled  in  Delaware  County,  Iowa,  and 
afterward  moved  to  Dubuque  County,  where 
the  parents  now  live.  Mr.  Schelle  passed  his 
youth  in  Delaware  and  Dubuque  counties, 
and  in  1873  came  to  Carroll  County  and 
bought  a  farm  of  160  acres  in  Wheatland 
Township,  which  he  still  owns.  He  also 
owns  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres  adjoining  his 
first  ])ui-chase,  which  is  under  good  cultiva- 
tion. In  the  fall  of  1881  Mr.  Schelle  be- 
came established  in  the  furniture  business  in 
Breda,  and  subsequently  took  an  agency  for 
the  Iowa  Marble  Works,  and  also  for  several 
first-class  sewing-machines.  His  was  the  first 
and  is  the  only  furniture  store  at  Breda,  and 
he  has  built  up  a  good  trade.  Mr.  Schelle 
was  married  in  Dubuque  County  to  Mary 
Berning,  who  died  in  Breda.  They  had  four 
diuighters,  two  of  whom  are  living.  His 
present  wife  was  Victoria  Luilwig.  They 
have  one  daughter.  In  politics  Mr.  Schelle 
is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  his  township 
as  justice  of  the   peace  and  treasurer.     He 


and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church,  which  he  is  serving  as  treasurer. 

— «--£->«-l«- — 


ANIEL  CHRISTMUS,  farmer  and  stock- 
Wlj  raiser,  living  on  section  12,  Eden  Town- 
ship, Cai'roll  County,  is  a  native  of 
Wales,  born  in  October,  1826,  his  parents, 
Chris  and  Margaret  Christnuis,  being  natives 
of  the  same  country.  He  was  reared  to  the 
avocation  of  a  farmer,  which  he  has  made  his 
life-work,  and  remained  in  Wales  till  attain- 
ing the  age  of  thirty  years,  when  he  immi- 
grated to  America,  first  settling  in  Rock 
Island  County,  Illinois,  where  he  resided 
seven  years.  Maj'  20,  1871,  he  came  to  Car- 
roll County,  Iowa,  making  the  entire  trip  by 
team,  settling  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  On  coming  to  the  county  he  bought 
100  acres  of  raw  prairie  land,  which  he  has 
since  improved  and  brought  under  fine  culti- 
vation, making  it  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
his  neighborhood.  He  has  since  added  to 
his  original  purchase  till  his  farm  now  con- 
tains 180  acres,  100  acres  in  Eden  and  eighty 
acres  adjoining  in  Newton  Township.  Tliere 
were  few  families  in  Eden  Township  when 
Mr.  Christmus  first  settled  there,  and  here  he 
experienced  many  of  the  privations  incident 
to  the  life  of  a  settler  in  a  new  countrj^, 
going  to  Carroll  to  do  his  trading,  his  mill- 
ing being  done  at  Coon  Kapids  or  Jefferson. 
He  has  on  his  farm  a  fine  grove  of  trees 
which  he  has  raised  from  the  seed.  Mr. 
Christmus  has  been  twice  married.  He  was 
married  in  AVales  to  a  lady  named  Richards, 
by  whom  he  had  three  daughters — Maggie, 
who  is  married,  Sarah  and  Emily.  He  was 
married  a  second  time  in  1882  to  Miss  Jennie 
Moro-an,  a  dau<i;hter  of  Roland  Morgan.  Her 
parents  were  natives  of  Wales,  and  both 
died  in  Illinois.     While  living  in  his  native 


country  Mr.  Christraus  belonged  to  the  Odd 
Fellows  order.  lie  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  In  politics  he  has  al- 
ways affiliated  with  the  Kepublican  party. 


'  2"! ' 


jmEORGE  FEEGUSON,  hardware  mer- 
\\W?  chant  at  Glidden,  is  one  of  the  old 
^'L  settlers  of  this  town,  dating  his  resi- 
dence from  1870.  He  is  a  native  of  Scotland, 
born  in  Glasgow  in  1834.  His  father,  Ben- 
jamin Ferguson,  came  to  America  in  1848,  his 
family  following  one  year  later  and  settling 
in  Venango  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
1855  removed  to  Bureau  County,  Illinois. 
The  father  was  a  potter,  and  our  subject,  in 
his  youth,  learned  the  same  trade.  In  1860 
he  went  to  llock  Island  County,  Illinois,  and 
Avorked  at  his  trade  there  during  the  summer 
of  1860  and  part  of  1861.  In  August,  1861, 
he  enlisted  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  in  Com- 
pany A,  Ninth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was 
Second  Sergeant  of  his  company.  His  regi- 
ment was  mustered  into  service  at  Chicago, 
Illinois,  September  16,  1861,  and  soon  after 
went  to  St.  Louis.  Fi"om  there  they  went  to 
Pilot  Knob,  thence  to  Jacksonjiort,  Arkansas, 
and  during  this  time  participated  in  several 
skirmishes.  From  Jacksonport  he  went  to 
Helena,  arriving  at  the  latter  place  June  14, 
1862,  where  his  regiment  was  detailed  as 
escort  to  General  Benton.  He  was  in  a  skir- 
mish almost  every  week  while  at  Helena. 
In  November,  1862,  he  went,  under  General 
C.  C.  AVashburn,  into  Mississippi,  and  was 
on  General  Gorman's  expedition  up  White 
Kiver  in  January,  1863.  In  August  of  that 
year  he  was  sent  on  scout  duty  to  Grenada, 
Mississippi.  He  went  to  Germantown,  Ten- 
nessee, April  13,  and  May  15  was  in  a 
skirmish  to  Cochran's  Cross  Roads,  Missis- 
sippi,   and   was  also  in  several    battles   and 


skirmishes  until  September,  1864,  when  he 
received  his  discharge  by  reason  of  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  service.  After 
leaving  the  army  he  returned  to  Bureau 
County,  Illinois,  where  he  was  married  in 
March,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Monrose,  a 
native  of  Illinois.  They  are  the  parents  of 
two  children — A.  H.,who  is  employed  on  the 
engineer  corps  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & 
St.  Paul  Railroad  Company,  and  Hattie  I. 
In  the  spring  of  1868  Mr.  Ferguson  left 
Illinois  for  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  was 
the  first  settler  of  Greenbrier  Township, 
where  he  lived  on  a  farm  till  he  came  to 
Carroll  County  in  1870.  He  then  bought 
out  the  hardware  and  implement  business  of 
M.  L.  Peters,  at  Glidden,  -which  he  conducted 
alone  until  1876.  He  then  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  George  Chambers,  which  continued 
several  years,  when  Mr.  Ferguson  disposed  of 
his  interest  to  his  partner  and  went  to  Colo- 
rado for  the  benefit  of  his  health.  In  the 
spring  of  1882  he  returned  to  Iowa  and 
engaged  in  business  at  Coon  Rapids.  In  the 
fall  of  1883  he  bought  out  the  hardware 
stock  of  Potter  &  Armitage,  of  Glidden,  and 
has  since  carried  on  that  business  with  good 
success.  Politically  Mr.  Ferguson  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  comrade 
of  the  Grand  Army  Post  at  Glidden,  of  which 
he  is   commander. 

M.  LYONS,  banker  at  Glidden,  was 
born  in  Chenango  County,  New  York, 
in  the  year  1843.  When  a  boy  he  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Chautauqua  County, 
New  York,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood. 
In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  late  war,  and  was 
assigned  to  Company  K,  Ninth  New  York 
Cavalry,  and  served  a  period  of  four  years,  or 
until  the  close  of  the  war.     He  was  with  his 


613 


HISTORY    OF    UAJlIiOLL    COUNTY. 


regiment  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  taking 
part  in  the  Peninsular  campaign  under 
General  McClellan.  During  tlie  latter  part 
of  the  war  he  served  under  General  Sheridan 
in  the  Shenandoah  campaign,  and  partici- 
]iated  in  all  the  important  battles  under  that 
eminent  commander.  He  received  a  wound 
in  tiie  right  leg  in  a  skirmish  in  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley,  the  same  shot  which  wounded 
him  killing  his  horse.  His  hearing  was  also 
affected  while  in  the  army,  for  which  he  now 
receives  apension.  After  the  war  he  returned 
to  Chautauqua  County,  New  York,  and  two 
years  later  he  came  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa, 
and  engaged  in  farming,  he  having  purchased 
land  in  Richland  ToM-nship,  and  also  in  Cal- 
houn County,  Iowa.  Later  he  engaged  in 
clerking  for  the  firm  of  Bruner  &  Browning, 
of  Glidden.  In  1875  he  was  appointed  post- 
master of  Glidden,  which  office  he  held  until 
the  administration  of  President  Cleveland. 
Before  retiring  from  his  position  of  post- 
master he  had  engaged  in  banking,  which  he 
still  continues,  and  is  making  a  success  of  his 
business.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising.  Mr.  Lyons  was 
united  in  marriage  in  Chautauqua  County, 
New  York,  in  1878,  to  Miss  Annie  E.  Jenny. 
Politically  Mr.  Lyons  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party. 


i-jMj 


fOHN  P.  HESS,  cashier  of  the  Carroll 
County  Bank,  was  for  four  years  the 
efficient  recorder  of  Carroll  County,  his 
first  election  occurring  in  the  fall  of  1882, 
and  his  second  in  1884,  the  last  term  expir- 
ing December  31,  1886.  He  was  elected  on 
the  Democratic  ticket,  with  which  political 
party  he  affiliates.  Soon  after  this  he  as- 
sumed the  duties  of  his  present  position.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  1878. 


He  was  formerly  a  teacher  in  the  township 
of  Kniest,  and  still  earlier  taught  in  lilack 
Hawk  County.  Mr.  Hess  is  a  native  of  Lux- 
emburg, Germany,  born  in  1857.  Two  years 
later  his  father,  John  Lless,  immigrated  to 
America  with  his  family,  settling  in  Jackson 
Count}^,  this  State.  The  father  now  resides 
in  Carroll.  John  P.  was  reared  in  Jackson 
County,  receiving  a  good  education,  having 
been  two  years  a  student  at  Piohono  Insti- 
tute, and  the  same  length  of  time  at  Cornell 
College.  He  was  married  in  Carroll  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Ililhnan,  a  native  of  Passaic,  New 
Jersey.  They  have  three  children — John  J., 
Theresa  A.  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Hess  was  a 
very  popular  officer,  as  is  evidenced  by  his 
large  majorities.  His  first  opponent  was  J. 
M.  Paul,  and  his  second,  Charles   L.  Bailey. 


-♦-^-S^F'I^'-" 

lp\  W.  AMOS,  farmer,  Pleasant  Valley 
IH)  Township,  was  born  in  Monroe  County, 
^(|  ®  New  York,  August  2, 1854,  son  of  W. 
H.  and  Eliza  (Valine)  Amos.  When  he  was 
about  six  months  old  his  parents  removed  to 
Michigan,  where  his  mother  died  one  year 
later.  His  father  then  took  his  son  and 
went  to  England,  his  native  country,  remain- 
ing about  live  years,  then  returned  to  New 
York,  and  lived  in  Monroe  County  two  years, 
thence  to  Livingston  County,  Illinois,  where 
our  subject  was  reared.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  March  18, 1877,  with  Marj'  Frances 
Crittenden,  a  lady  of  superior  intellectual 
attainments,  and  daughter  of  Dr.  Edward 
AVells.  In  February,  1880,  Mr.  Amos  located 
upon  his  present  farm,  which  was  then  in  its  ^ 
wild  state.  Only  a  few  acres  had  been  i 
broken.  His  farm  contains  240  acres  and  is  } 
in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  - 
good  comfortable  residence  and  convenifent  I 
farm  buildings.     There  is  a  tine  orchard  and         ) 


EMSaUUasaS 


»»M»»mM»M»-»  —  MMM»MMMl»M»»giM^I-MMMM5» 


™»™M»»"«»11™»B».i»JB»1»il«lJig»lMMMf  »»«f  MM^MImM— MMM  — MmMiMmMiI 


BIOORAPUWAL    SKETCHES. 


Gi:i 


small  fruits  in  abundance.  Politically  Mr. 
Amos  is  a  Kepuhlican.  Himself  and  wife 
are  worthy  and  consistent  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  liberal  sup- 
porters of  the  same.  They  have  two  adopted 
children — Clarence  and  Jennie. 


ILLIAM  ARTS,  general  merchant  of 
r;  I  /  w  ( 'arroll,  where  he  is  classed  among 
=i^^  the  active  and  enterprising  citizens, 
is  a  native  of  Illinois,  born  at  Galena  Octo- 
ber 2,  1840,  a  son  of  A.  and  Adaline  Arts. 
He  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer, 
his  youth  being  spent  in  assisting  on  the 
home  farm  and  in  attending  the  common 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  In  1859  he 
started  for  California  with  an  ox  team,  and 
was  live  months  and  a  half  before  reaching 
his  destination.  He  spent  two  years  in  Cali- 
fornia, engaged  in  mining.  In  1861  he  went 
to  Washington  Territory,  where  he  resided 
one  year.  In  1862  he  removed  to  Idaho, 
where  he  spent  some  time  in  prospecting, 
and  in  1864  returned  to  Galena,  Illinois.  In 
February,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Christena  Manaman.  They  are  the  parents 
of  eight  children — Emma,  William  A.,  Fran- 
cis II.,  Anna,  Joseph,  Louisa,  Augusta  and 
Mary.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Arts  re- 
turned to  the  far  West,  returning  to  Galena 
in  the  spring  of  1868.  In  1870  he  came  to 
Carroll  County  and  iirst  located  in  Breda, 
in  Wheatland  Township,  where  he  improved 
the  iirst  farm  in  the  township,  containing 
640  acres,  which  is  still  in  his  possession. 
In  1882  he  came  to  Carroll,  where  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  business.  In  January, 
1884,  he  became  associated  with  C.  A.  Man- 
aman in  their  present  mercantile  business. 
They  keep  a  large  stock  of  well-selected 
goods,  and  have  established  a  good  trade,  and 


by  fair  and  honorable  dealing  and  strict  at- 
tention to  their  customers,  they  have  gained 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  entire 
community.  Politically  Mr.  Arts  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat. Since  coming  to  Carroll  County  he 
has  served  as  county  treasurer,  filling  that 
office  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  best 
interest  of  the  county.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  German  Catholic  church  and  one  of  its 
most  liberal  supporters. 


jp\ii,iMiY  KLOKE,  an  enterprising  and 
\m\  pi'ogressive  farmer  of  Pleasant  Valley 
^(l  Township,  residing  on  section  9,  is  a 
native  of  Germany,  born  in  1842.  AVhen  he 
was  a  boy  his  father  died,  and  his  mother 
was  subsequently  married  to  Joseph  Peter- 
meyer.  In  1870  he  came  with  his  stepfather 
to  America,  who  settled  with  his  family  in 
Pleasant  Valley  Township,  Carroll  County, 
where  he  lived  till  his  death.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  still  survives.  Two  brothers  and 
one  sister  of  our  subject  live  in  Carroll 
Count}',  the  latter  married  to  John  Tiggis,  of 
Pleasant  Valley  Township.  Henry  Kloke 
lived  with  his  mother  and  stepfather  until  he 
bought  his  present  farm,  on  which  he  settled 
in<i875.  His  farm  now  contains  280  acres 
of  choice  land,  which  he  has  brought  under 
fine  cultivation,  and  he  has  become  recognized 
as  one  of  the  successful  agriculturists  of  his 
township.  Mr.  Kloke  was  united  in  marriage, 
in  Pleasant  Valley  Township,  to  Miss  Mary 
Ilhode,  who  was  born  in  Galena,  Illinois,  in 
January,  1858,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  and 
Sophia  (Kepler)  Rhode,  natives  of  Germany. 
They  came  to  America  when  young,  and 
located  with  their  parents  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  Illinois.  They  were  married  at  Ga- 
lena, Illinois,  and  from  there  came  to  Carroll 
County,  and  settled  in  Kniest  Township,  re- 


sm^m^m^msaB^i»-iimsmum~^mmm^m.m^m^<m^vi^u^mmti-,Mmssvi!mxm 


6U 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


moving  thence  to  Audubon  about  1878.  They 
were  tlie  parents  of  fourteen  children,  four 
sons  and  ten  daughters,  and  of  tliese  ten  chil- 
dren are  yet  living.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kloke 
have  been  born  four  daughters,  whose  names 
are — Sophia,  Marj,  Lizzie  and  Annie.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kloke  are  members  of  the  Ko- 
man  Catholic  church,  and  respected  members 
of  society. 


iRTN  JEIIOME,  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising  in  Eden  Township, 
resides  on  section  16,  where  he  owns 
eighty  acres  of  Carroll  County's  best  land; 
was  born  in  Lake,  Illinois,  December  3,  1838. 
He  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer  in 
his  native  State,  remaining  there  till  seven- 
teen years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  Missouri 
and  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Seventh  Mis- 
souri Black  Hawk  Cavalry,  and  participated 
in  the  engagements  at  Springfield,  Lone  Jack 
and  many  others  of  minor  importance,  and 
was  wounded  at  Lone  Jack.  He  served  under 
the  first  enlistment  eighteen  months,  when 
lie  was  discharged  and  went  to  Carroll  County, 
Iowa.  June  3,  1863,  he  re-enlisted  in  Com- 
panj'  E,  Third  Iowa  Infantry,  and  served 
nntil  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged at  Goldsboro,  South  Carolina.  He 
then  returned  to  his  home  in  Carroll  County 
and  began  improving  his  farm,  which  he  has 
now  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  in  the  fall  of  1860 
to  Miss  Jane  Hampton,  a  daughter  of 
Isaiah  and  Ann  Hampton,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Adair  County,  Missouri,  respect- 
ively, and  subsequently  became  residents 
of  Carroll  County,  Iowa.  Four  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jerome,  of 
whom  only  one  is  living,  a  son,  Thomas,  who 
was  born  in  Carroll  County.     Of  their  chil- 


dren who  are  deceased,  John  died  in  Mis- 
souri, and  Minerva  and  Louis  died  in  Cai-roll 
County,  Iowa.  In  his  political  views  Mr. 
Jerome  afliliates  with  the  Greenback  party. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Coon  Rapids,  Iowa. 


mmmiLLlAM  lynch,  proprietor  of  the 
\    \ji  Lynch  Plouse  at  Carroll,  has  been  a 

l^=s.S^i  resident  of  that  town  since  July, 
1869.  At  that  time  he  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  on  Adams  street,  between  Fifth  and 
Sixth  streets.  He  continued  in  that  business 
about  one  year,  then  sold  out  to  Mr.  Yates, 
and  took  charge  of  the  drug  store  of  Hunter 
&  McCullum,  and  later,  had  the  management 
of  the  store  of  their  successors,  Lundy  & 
Gray.  About  1872  he  and  J.  W.  Ilatton 
bought  out  the  last-named  firm,  and  it  became 
Lynch  &  Hatton.  A  year  later  he  sold  his 
interest,  and  engaged  in  business  alone.  In 
1874  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  courts,  and 
filled  that  position  ten  years.  In  July,  1885, 
he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  as  proprie- 
tor of  the  Lynch  House.  Mr.  Lynch  was 
born  in  Scotland  in  1841,  and  came  to 
America  with  his  parents  when  a  child.  The 
family  resided  in  New  York  City  for  a  time, 
then  removed  to  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania; 
thence  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  1851.  Mr.  Lynch 
was  thoroughly  educated  in  the  drug  business, 
having  served  three  years  as  drug  clerk  in 
Keokuk,  and  then  entered  a  drug  store  as 
prescription  clerk  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  re- 
ceiving $75  a  mouth  for  his  services.  At 
this  time  he  was  only  fifteen  years  of  age. 
During  the  late  war  he  enlisted  July  21, 1862, 
in  Company  I,  Thirty-first  Missouri  Infantry. 
His  experience  in  preparing  medicine  ren- 
dered him  valuable  in  hospital  duty,  and  he 
was  not  permitted   to   remain    long  in    the 


■■■■■■.■■.■■■-■-■^■■■■■^■-■■^■■-■-■««»^»=»a"g*«*'-*'-'*»'«s»»»S"S* 


BIOOBAPHWAL    SKETCHES. 


615 


w 


^ 


w 

s 


ranks.  Soon  after  his  enlistment  he  was 
made  hospital  steward.  He  accompanied  his 
regiment  until  after  the  capture  of  Vicksburg, 
in  July,  1863,  and  during  the  remainder  of 
that  summer  was  steward  of  general  hospital, 
No.  1,  at  that  place.  In  the  fall  of  that  year 
he  was  recalled  to  his  regiment,  and  remained 
with  it  through  the  Atlanta  campaign,  Sher- 
man's march  to  the  sea;  thence  to  Washing- 
ton. After  the  war  closed  Mr.  Lynch  went 
to  Carthage,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  the 
drug  husiness.  At  that  place  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  to  fill  an  unexpired  term. 
From  Carthage  he  came  to  Carroll,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  was  married  in  Fort 
Wayne,  Indiana,  to  Miss  Sarah  McGinnis. 
They  have  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  all 
born  in  Carroll  except  the  second  son,  Charles. 
Politically  Mr.  Lynch  is  a  Democrat.  His 
long  continuance  in  ofiice  is  evidence  of  the 
ability  with  which  he  discharged  his  duties, 
and  the  confidence  and  esteem  with  which  he 
is  regarded  by  his  fellow  citizens.  He  is  a 
popular  and  successful  landlord,  and  the 
Lynch  House  is  a  favorite  resort  for  the 
traveling  public. 


►4*-^ 


^ON.  MICHAEL  MILLEE,  editor  and 
proprietor  of  the  Carroll  Sentinel,  is  a 
native  of  Luxemburg,  Germany,  where 
he  was  born  in  1846.  He  came  to  America 
in  1857,  settling  in  Dubuque  County,  and 
three  years  later  engaged  in  clerking.  For 
fifteen  years  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
traveling  salesman.  He  settled  in  Carroll  in 
1880,  and  for  two  years  was  a  druggist.  In 
1883  he  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly, 
in  which  he  served  during  1884  and  1885. 
In  1883,  also,  he  purchased  the  Sentinel,  as 
above  stated.  He  was  in  July,  1885,  ap- 
pointed Deputy  Internal  Revenue  Collector 


for  the  Third  District  of  Iowa.  He  is  politi- 
cally a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 
He  is  married  and  has  one  son — Harry  M. 


-»i|«sn;< 


mUMAN  P.  BPJGHAM,  notary  public, 
'wfi  and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Salinger  & 
^^  Brigham,  loan  and   insurance  agents  of 
Manning,  was  born  in  Bradford  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  date  of  his  birth  being  Decem- 
ber  8,   1848.     He    is  a  son  of  George  and 
Emma    Brigham,    his  father  being  deceased 
and  his  mother  still  living  at  the  old  home  in 
Pennsylvania.     The    subject   of  this    sketch 
left  his  native  State  in  1861,  and  during  the 
war  of  the  Eebellion  resided  in  Ohio.     May 
2,   1864,   he  enlisted   in    Company  D,  One 
Hundred   and    Thirty-sixth     Ohio    Infantry, 
with  which    he  served    eight  months.     He 
subsequently  served  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Sixty-fourth  Ohio   Infantry,   and  was  in   the 
lines  around  Petersburgh  during  the  closing 
scenes  of  the  war.     He   is  now  a  comrade  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  is  ad- 
jutant ^of  the   McPherson   Post  at  Manning. 
Mr.   Brigham   was  married  at  Indianapolis, 
Indiana,  July  20,  1877,  to  Miss  Celia  McAll- 
ister, and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren— Helen,    Jessamy    and    George.     Mr. 
Brigham  lived  for  a  time  at  Areola,  in  Doug- 
lass County,   Illinois,  and  from  there  came  to 
Carroll  County,  Iowa,   and   since    1882   has 
been  a  resident  of  Manning.     He  became  as- 
sociated with  his  present  partner,  Mr.  Salin- 
ger, in  1883,  and  perhaps  no  firm  engaged  in 
the  loan  and   insurance   business  in  Carroll 
County  have  a  business  equaling  in  extent 
thatof  this  popular, reliable  agency.   Dr.  Brig- 
ham, as  he  is  familiarly  called  by  his  friends, 
is  a  liberally  educated  man,  a  graduate  of  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Normal,  Illinois,  and 


616 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


for  six  years  followed  the  teacher's  profession. 
He  studied  medicine  and  (rradiiated  in  the 
medical  profession  from  Hahnemann  Medi- 
cal College,  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  for  five 
years  practiced  medicine  in  Indiana  and  Iowa. 
Genial  and  courteous,  and  a  man  of  strict  in- 
tegrity and  honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  he 
has  gained  a  host  of  friends  during  his  resi- 
dence in  Carroll  County. 


►^♦-»j^ 


^ROCKETT  KIBBLE,  one  of  the  old  pio- 
neers of  Carroll  County  and  the  present 
storekeeper  and  postmaster  at  Carroll- 
ton,  is  a  son  of  Philip  and  Susan  Eibble,  who 
were  natives  of  the  State  of  Virginia.  They 
were  the  parents  of  six  children,  our  subject 
beincr  the  second  child,  and  was  born  in 
Montgomery  County,  Virginia,  the  date  of 
his  birth  being  December  19,  1827.  He  was 
reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer,  liis  youth 
being  passed  in  assisting  on  the  home  farm 
and  in  attending  the  district  schools.  His 
father  died  when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age, 
and  he  wms  obliged  from  an  early  age  to  help 
maintain  the  family.  He  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Delaware  County,  Indiana,  in  an 
early  day,  remaining  there  until  1852,  when 
he  went  to  California,  via  the  Panama  route, 
landing  at  San  Francisco  in  January,  1852. 
Two  years  later  he  returned  to  Indiana,  re- 
maining at  home  until  1856,  when  he  immi- 
grated to  Carroll  County,  Iowa.  He  then 
bought  120  acres  in  Jasper  Township,  on 
North  Coon  Eapids,  where  he  lived  until 
1860,  when  he  came  to  Newton  Township, 
and  began  working  in  Walters'  mill  at  Coon 
Kapids.  February  2,  1870,  lie  was  married 
to  Miss  Emma  Cretsinger,  a  native  of  Lick- 
ing County,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  Cretsinger,  natives  of  Virginia. 
To  this  union  have  been  born  six  children — 


Ella  M.,  Oscar  (deceased), Thomas  M.,  Fred  A., 
Guy  and  Maggie.  In  1877  Mr.  Eibble  went  to 
the  Black  Hills,  Colorado,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  mining  two  years,  when  he  returned 
to  Carrollton,  and  has  since  built  up  a  good 
trade.  In  February,  1886,  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Carrollton,  which  position  he 
has  since  filled  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
his  constituents.  Politically  he  affiliates  with 
the  Democratic  party.  In  1862  he  was 
elected  on  the  People's  ticket  for  county 
treasurer,  which  office  he  filled  for  two  terms. 
Mr.  Eibble  has  endured  many  of  the  priva- 
tions and  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life, 
sometimes  going  for  six  weeks  without  tast- 
ing wheat  bread,  grinding  corn  in  a  coft'ee- 
raill,  etc.,  but  by  hard  work  and  persevering 
energy  he  has  succeeded  in  life,  and  is  now 
living  in  comfortable  circumstances,  and  en- 
joys the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  entire 
community.  He  was  the  first  Mason  to 
locate  in  Carroll  County,  and  now  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  lodge  at  Coon  Eapids. 


►^Mf- 


S.  WHITMAN,  proprietor  of  the  City 
Livery  and  Sale  Stable,  established  his 
^®  business  in  Carroll  in  1874.  He  keeps 
in  stock  good  driving  horses,  first-class  vehi- 
cles of  all  description,  and  good  saddle 
horses.  Horses  are  also  bought  and  sold. 
Mr.  Whitman  is  a  native  of  Columbia  Coun- 
ty, New  York,  born  September  28, 1822,  son 
of  Levi  and  Mary  (Doty)  Whitman.  He  re- 
sided in  his  native  State  until  sixteen  years 
of  age.  September  15, 1850,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Phcjebe  Woodward,  in  Warren  Coun- 
ty, New  York,  and  in  1859  he  removed  to 
Dallas  County,  this  State,  %vhere  he  lived 
about  one  year.  He  then  resided  four  years 
at  Des  Moines,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
blacksmithing,  thence  to  Dallas  County  again. 


\\\ 


JIF^:^- 


»M»mWn—»WM»»a 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


617 


where  he  followed  fanning  Tintil  1874.  At 
that  time  he  came  to  Carroll  and  engaged  in 
the  livery  business,  where  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitman  are  the 
parents  of  four  children — Aima,  Charles, 
Frederick  and  Harry.  Mr.  Whitman  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  Lodge  No. 
264. 

^■4-"2«^'l^— — 


fP  H.  DICKEY,  a  member  of  the  mercan- 
:  tile  hrm  of  Dickey  &  Coder,  of  Glid- 
®  den,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  Lawrence  County,  March  22,  1836,  a  son 
of  David  and  Agnes  (Love)  Dickey,  the 
father  being  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
County,  Pennsylvania.  In  1851  the  father 
removed  with  his  family  to  Bellevue,  Jack- 
son County,  Iowa.  In  1877  he  removed  to 
Glidden,  Carroll  County,  and  the  following 
year  settled  in  Crawford  County,  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home.  The  mother  is 
deceased,  her  death  taking  place  in  1877. 
They  were  the  parents  of  thi-ee  sons  and  six 
daughters,  the  three  youngest  children  being 
born  in  Iowa.  Seven  of  the  children  are  yet 
living  and  are  all  residents  of  Iowa.  Two  of 
the  sons,  Eobert  B.  and  Samuel  G.,  were 
soldiers  in  the  war  of  the  Pebellion,  being 
members  of  the  Thirty-first  Iowa  Kegiment. 
Robert  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  1864, 
and  Samuel  served  his  country  four  years. 
He  now  resides  at  Glidden.  J.  H.  Dickey, 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  came  with  his 
father's  family  to  Jackson  County,  Iowa,  and 
lived  at  Bellevue  eleven  years.  From  there 
he  went  to  Jones  County,  and  in  1868 
removed  to  Greene  County,  and  settled  in 
Kendrick  Township.  Mr.  Dickey  has  been  a 
resident  of  Glidden  since  April,  1877,  when 
he  became  associated  with  J.  P.  Arraitage  in 
the    inercantile   business  under  the   name  of 


Armitage  &  Dickey.  This  business  was 
established  by  Armitage  &  Biugraan,  Mr. 
Arraitage  subsequently  becoming  sole  pro- 
prietor, when  he  admitted  Mr.  Dickey  as  a 
partner.  November  19,  1878,  the  present 
firm  of  Dickey  &  Coder  succeeded  Armitage 
&  Dickey,  and  has  built  up  a  good  business, 
both  members  of  the  firm  being  men  of  fine 
business  ability.  Mr.  Dickey  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Coder,  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  Coder,  an  early  settler  of  Jackson 
County,  Iowa.  They  have  one  son,  James  L. 
During  the'Iatter  part  of  the  war  Mr.  Dickey 
was  engaged  as  clerk  on  board  of  a  steamer 
on  the  Southern  rivers,  which  was  frequently 
in  the  company  of  the  gunboat  fleets.  After 
the  war  Mr.  Dickey  served  one  term  as 
treasurer  of  Jones  County,  Iowa.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican,  casting  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  President  Lincoln  in  1860. 


■'Sn;< 


fj.  WIELAND,  wholesale  liquor  dealer, 
keeps  a  large  stock  of  fine  liquors  and 
®  beer.  He  established  his  business  at 
Carroll  in  1886.  The  genial  proprietor  was 
born  in  Columbiana  County,  Ohio,  January  24, 
1843,  son  of  George  A.  Wieland.  His  par- 
ents had  ten  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  J.  J.  was  the  second  child. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  town  of 
Dungannon,  and  resided  in  Ohio  until  1867. 
In  1872  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade 
at  Richmond,Washington  County,  this  State, 
and  remained  there  three  years.  He  then 
bought  and  sold  horses  and  lightning  rods, 
a  business  in  which  he  is  still  eng-ajred  to 
some  extent,  having  two  or  three  salesmen 
on  the  road  most  of  the  time.  He  owns  a 
good  farm  of  160  acres  of  the  best  soil  that 
■can  be  found  in  Carroll  County,  and  it  is 
well   improved.     He  was  united  in  marriage 


618 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


October  7,  1S63,  with  Miss  Elizabeth  K. 
Andre,  who  was  reared  in  Columbiana  County, 
Ohio,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Anna  An- 
dre. They  have  five  children — Corliss,  Leon- 
ard, Birdie,  Ijessic  and  Willie.  Mr.  Wieland 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

— 4r^+«-l^— 


E.  HATFIELD,  one  of  the  leading 
j,W  merchants  of  Coon  Kapids,  and  an 
^;Ss^*  active  and  enterprising  citizen,  is  a 
native  of  Indiana,  born  in  Warsawj'  Kosciusko 
County,  December  5,  1841,  a  son  of  Eichard 
and  Catherine  (Eose)  Hatfield.  They  were 
the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  our  subject 
being  the  eldest  child.  He  was  reared  to 
manhood  in  his  native  county,  remaining 
there  till  the  fall  of  1861,  when  he  went  to 
White  County,  Indiana.  July  9, 1862,  he  en- 
listed in  defense  of  the  Union, and  was  assigned 
to  Company  K,  Fifth  Indiana  Cavalry,  partici- 
pating in  all  the  engagements  in  which  his 
regiment  took  part.  He  was  in  the  Georgia 
campaign  where  his  regiment  lost  450  men  at 
Macon,  who  were  either  taken  prisoner  or 
killed,  and  was  also  in  the  Morgan  campaign 
after  that  noted  rebel  raider,  Morgan.  Mr. 
Hatfield  served  as  Bugler  the  greater  part  of 
the  time  while  in  the  service.  He  received 
an  honorable  discharge  in  June,  1865.  He 
then  went  to  Jasper  County,  Iowa,  where  his 
parents  had  removed  during  the  war.  He 
followed  farming  from  1866  until  1871,  and 
in  September  of  the  latter  year  he  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  at  Vandalia,  Iowa. 
He  remained  at  Vandalia  until  1880,  where 
he  was  variously  engaged,  when  he  removed 
to  Audubon  CJounty,  Iowa,  locating  at  Viola 
Center,  where  lie  was  engaged  in  improving 
a  new  farm,  and  at  the  same  time  carried  on  a 
general  mercantile  business,  establishing  a 
good  trade.     In  September,  1882,  Mr.  Hat- 


field came  to  Coon  Eapids,  Carroll  County, 
where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  is  a 
man  of  good  business  ability  and  has  met 
with  excellent  success  in  his  mercantile  pur- 
suits. He  carries  a  large  stock  of  goods, 
worth  about  $12,000,  his  annual  sales 
amounting  to  some  §25,000.  Mr.  Hatfield 
was  united  in  marriage  March  14,  1875,  to 
Miss  May  M.  Yager,  a  daughter  of  Albert 
Yager,  of  Jasper  County,  Iowa.  Since  be- 
coming a  resident  of  Coon  Eapids  Mr.  Hat- 
field has  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
improvement  of  the  town,  and  has  given 
liberally  of  his  means  toward  any  enterprise 
for  its  advancement.  Beside  the  business 
house  in  which  he  is  located,  he  owns  two 
houses  and  four  lots  in  the  town,  and  a  well 
improved  farm  of  120  acres  in  Audubon 
County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Eepublic,  and  was  the  first  commander 
of  the  post  at  Coon   Eapids. 


D.  HINKLEY,  engaged  in  farming  on 
section  4,  Jasper  Township,  Carroll 
County,  was  born  in  the  State  of  In- 
diana, the  date  of  his  birth  being  April  13, 
1856.  His  parents,  Eufus  and  Jenette,  were 
natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Ohio  respec- 
tivel3^  They  immigrated  to  Iowa  about  the 
year  1869,  when  they  settled  in  Benton 
County.  Mr.  Ilinkley,  of  this  sketch,  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  has 
always  followed  the  avocation  of  a  farmer. 
He  remained  on  the  home  farm  with  his 
parents  till  becoming  of  age,  when  he  began 
to  do  for  himself.  He  left  Benton  County 
in  1872,  coming  to  Carroll  County,  Iowa, 
when  he  settled  on  section  9,  of  Jasper  Town- 
ship, and  subsequently  removed  to  his  pres- 
ent farm  on  section  4,  Jasper  Township.  Mr. 
Hinkley    was    united    in   marriage    to    Miss 


. — •  I  { 


!lr 


BTOGRAPHIGAL    SKETCHES. 


(ill) 


) 

( 
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£n3 


Mary  Stallman,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Kate  Stallman,  who  were  natives  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  and  in  1876  settled  in  Carroll 
County,  Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ilinkley 
have  been  born  four  children.  Politically 
Mr.  Hinkley  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party. 


fHEODORE  WAGNER  was  born  in 
Germany,  September  1,  1830,  a  son  of 
^'  Charles  and  Albertine  Wagner.  When 
he  was  twenty  years  old,  November  1,  1850, 
he  came  to  America  and  settled  in  New 
York,  where  he  lived  three  years,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa  and  lived  in  Dubuque  twenty- 
four  years,  where  he  was  one  of  the  leading 
merchants.  April  2,  1875,  he  moved  to  Car- 
roll County,  and  is  now  one  of  the  county's 
most  prosperous  citizens.  When  he  came  to 
America  he  was  in  limited  circumstances, 
but  now  has  a  good  property.  He  owns  a 
half  section  of  land,  and  four  houses  and  lots 
in  the  city.  During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
he  enlisted  in  the  service  of  liis  adopted 
country,  and  was  assigned  as  a  private  to 
Company  B,  Twenty-first  Iowa  Infantry,  and 
was  afterward  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant, 
and  served  as  a  faithful  soldier.  In  politics 
Mr.  AVaguer  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 
He  was  married  May  1,  1858,  to  Lena 
Fugenbuchler.  They  have  eight  children — 
Katie,  wife  of  Albert  Beebe;  Joseph,  Theo- 
dore, Rudolph,  Edward,  Lewis,  Frank  and 
Mary. 


fW.  STEVENS,  farmer.  Pleasant  Valley 
Township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Car- 
®  roll  County  since  1868.  He  was  born 
in  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  October  24, 1861, 
son  of  Robert  Stevens,  a  prominent  pioneer 


of  this  county,  whose  portrait  and  sketch  ap- 
pear elsewhere  in  this  volume.  He  was  seven 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Carroll 
County.  The  family  located  in  Pleasant  Val- 
ley Township,  where  our  subject  was  reared 
to  manhood.  His  youth  was  passed  in  assist- 
ing his  father  on  the  farm  and  in  attending 
the  common  school.  December  6,  1882,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lulu 
Truax,  who  was  born  in  Steubenville,  Ohio, 
and  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  (Cooper) 
Truax.  When  she  was  eight  years  of  age 
the  family  removed  to  La  Salle  County,  Illi- 
nois. The  parents  now  reside  in  Putnam 
County,  that  State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens 
are  the  parents  of  two  children — Leroy  Ches- 
ter and  Blanche  Beatrice.  In  politics  Mr. 
Stevens  is  a  Republican.  Thdugh  only  a 
young  man,  he  has  gained  a  good  position 
among  the  leading  men  of  the  township 
where  he  has  so  long  resided  and  is  so  well 
known. 


-;+-i-'-i 


RANCIS  F.  FLORENCOURT,  editor 
of  Der Demokrat,  is  a  native  of  Prussian 
Saxony,  in  Germany,  where  he  was  born 
September  1,  1844.  His  parents  were  Fran- 
cis and  Anna  (Nagel)  Florencourt.  The  for- 
mer was  during  his  life  variously  employed 
as  an  officer  of  the  Government,  and  in 
literary  work.  He  died  September  10,  1886, 
in  his  eighty-third  year.  His  wife  preceded 
him  from  this  world  June  28,  1878.  When 
twelve  years  old  Francis  was  sent  to  the 
Benedictine  Abbey  in  Metten,  Bavaria,  where 
he  studied  four  years.  He  then  studied 
navigation  at  Bremen,  with  the  purpose  of 
entering  the  merchant  marine,  and  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two  passed  his  examination  as 
mate.  He  served  one  year  in  the  Prussian 
navy,  and  then  as  second  and  first  mate  on 
several  merchant  vessels  until   1870.     When 


.W»BI„-K-SgJ»tiir^J»«lW|»B|M»_»»« 


HISTORY    OP    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


in  that  year  the  Franco-Prnssian  war  broke 
out,  he  was  in  the  harbor  of  Cardiff,  England. 
Returning  to  Germany,  he  remained  until  he 
found  that  liis  services  would  not  be  needed. 
In  December,  1870,  Mr.  Florencourt  immi- 
grated to  the  New  World,  and  shortly  sailed 
from  New  York  as  second  mate  on  the 
American  bark  Benefactor,  for  China.  This 
voyage  lasted  over  a  year.  In  1872  he  went 
to  Michigan,  where  he  met  his  brother 
Charles,  and  the  two  came  to  Carroll  County, 
where  tiie  subject  of  this  biography  has  since 
resided.  He  followed  farming  two  years, 
then  taught  school  for  three  years,  and  since 
has  devoted  his  time  to  Der  Demokrat,  in 
the  capacity  of  editor.  He  was  for  six 
months  part  owner  of  the  paper,  as  stated 
above.  He*  was  married  May  18,  1886,  to 
Miss  Mina  Von  Lueck,  of  Carroll.  Both  are 
members  of  the  Catholic  church. 


mONROE  ALLEN  HOYT,  a  promi- 
nent attorney,  and  member  of  the 
tirm  of  Beach  &  Hoyt,  Carroll  City, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Panora  in  1867, 
Judge  Maxwell  presiding.  He  opened  a  law 
office  in  Carroll,  and  soon  after  engaged  in 
the  hardware  and  farm  implement  business. 
In  1881  he  resumed  his  law  practice.  Mr. 
Hoyt  was  born  in  the  town  of  Maria,  Essex 
County,  New  York,  in  1842,  and  one  year 
later  his  father,  Samuel  Hoyt,  removed  to 
Maquoketa,  Jackson  County,  this  State,  being 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  county.  He 
erected  the  first  business  block  in  Maquoketa. 
In  1856  the  father  removed  to  Daviess  County, 
Missouri,  and  in  1862  returned  to  Jackson 
County  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Bellevue, 
where  he  lived  until  his  decease,  which  oc- 
eui'red  in  February,  1868.  He  was  a  native 
of  Vermont.     The  parents  had   twelve  chil- 


dren, six  sons  and  six  daughters.     Two  died 
in  infancy,  and  five  sons  and  five  daughters 
are  still   living.     All   are  residents   of  Iowa 
except  one   son,  Samuel   C,  who    resides    in 
New  Mexico.     Mr.  Hoyt's  early  educational 
advantages  were  quite  limited.    He  left  home 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  and  being  very 
desii'ous   of  obtaining   an   education   he  im- 
proved every  opportunity   that  came  in  his 
way,   thus   fitting   himself   for  the   teacher's 
profession.     He   taught    his    first    school   in 
Bates    County,  Missouri,  and    later,  taught 
the  school  at  Panora,  Guthrie  County,  Iowa. 
The  winter  of  1860-'61  he  spent  at  Granby 
Mines,  and  at  Timber  Hill  and  Black  Dos- 
town,  in  tlie  Osage  nation,  trading  with  the 
Indians.  He  then  returned  to  Daviess  County, 
Missouri,  and    entered    the    organization    of 
Home  Guards  under  Colonel   Craner,  which 
was  for  some  time  engaged  in  pursuit  of  the 
rebel  Colonel  Patton.     After  this  expedition 
he  came  back  to  Bellevue  and   entered   the 
law    office    of   Booth    &    Graham,   where  he 
remained  two  and  a  half  years,  then  went  to 
Stevenson,  Alabama,  as  clerk  in  the  Quarter- 
master's   department,  going  thence  to  East- 
port,  Mississippi,  in  the  same  capacity.     He 
returned    just   as    the   war   closed,  and   soon 
after  entered  the  law  office  of  Colonel  Byam 
at   Marion,    Iowa,   going   thence   to    Panora, 
where  he  liad  charge  of  the  recorder's  office, 
and  where  he  was  admitted  to  the   bar,  as 
before   stated.     Mr.    Hoyt   was    married    at 
Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  to  Miss  Susan  A.  Bowman, 
a  native    of  the    State   of  New    York,  and 
daughter  of  John   Bowman.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hoyt   have  two  children — Annie  Beryl  and 
Monroe  Allen.     The  oldest  child,  John   T., 
died   when    in  his  twelfth  year.     Mr.  Hoyt 
cast  liis  first  presidential  vote  for  Bell  and 
Everett,  and  was  identified  with  the   Repub- 
lican  Jiarty  until   1878,  since  which  time  he 
lias  been   a  Greenbackcr.     Mr.  Hoyt  comes 


>'. 


i 

'J 


BIOQRAPHIGAL    SKETCHES. 


631 


('. 


1^ 


I 


2  If 


r 


from  an  old  and  well-known  family  of  the 
Empire  State.  Dr.  Hiram  Iloyt,  of  Syra- 
cuse, and  Dr.  David  Hoyt,  of  Palmyra,  are 
brothers  of  his  father.  He  was  long  one  of 
the  prominent  business  men  of  Carroll. 
April  5,  1881,  by  order  of  the  town  couneil 
of  Carroll,  by  virtue  of  an  illegal  ordinance, 
his  building  and  stock  were  moved  into  the 
street,  but  after  an  extended  litigation  he  re- 
covered  his  goods  and  building,  and  a  judg- 
ment for  costs  against  the  town. 


H.  PLATNER,  justice  of  the  peace 
|ji  and  real  estate  agent  at  Glidden,  is 
n  ®  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  in  Cedar 
County,  March  5,  1840,  a  son  of  Christopher 
and  Mary  (Angle)  Plainer.  Of  the  thirteen 
children  born  to  his  parents  our  subject  was 
the  youngest.  He  was  reared  to  the  avoca- 
tion of  a  farmer,  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  county.  In 
September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Thirteenth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  was  soon  pro- 
moted to  Second  Sergeant.  June  5,  1862, 
he  was  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,  and  in 
November  following  was  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant.  He  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Shiloh,  Corinth,  luka,  Vicksburg,  Kene- 
saw  Mountain  and  Atlanta,  Georgia.  He  was 
wounded  at  Atlanta  in  the  right  lung  by  a 
minie  ball,  July  22,  1864,  and  November  23, 
1864,  received  an  honorable  discharge.  Af- 
ter the  war  he  returned  to  Cedar  County, 
Iowa,  where  he  was  married  August  8, 1867, 
to  Miss  Anna  Pierce,  of  Linn  County,  Iowa. 
They  are  the  parents  of  six  children — Austa, 
George,  Edward,  Lewis,  William  and  Justin. 
In  1871  Mr.  Platner  came  with  his  family  to 
Carroll  County,  and  located  at  Glidden,  where 
he  engaged  in  general  merchandising.  Later 
he   betjan   dealing    in   groceries,   and    subse- 


quently engaged  in  the  hardware  business, 
which  he  followed  until  he  began  dealing  in 
real  estate.  In  1884  he  was  elected  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  re-elected  in  1886,  and  is 
still  filling  that  office  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  his  constituents.  He  dispenses  jus- 
tice in  a  fair,  impartial  manner  to  all  who  are 
called  before  him,  and  by  his  honorable  deal- 
ing he  has  gained  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  all  who  know  him.  In  politics  lie  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  is  a  strong  adherent  of  the 
principles  of  that  party.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  being  a 
comrade  of  the  post  at  Glidden. 


J.  JOHNSON,  farmer  and 'stock-raiser 

w      of    Sheridan    Township,    residing    on 


3E  ®  section  18,  where  he  has  160  acres  of 
choice  land,  was  born  in  the  southern  part  of 
Sweden  December  20,  1850.  His  parents, 
John  and  Carrie  Johnson,  were  also  natives 
of  Sweden,  where  they  were  reared  and  mar- 
ried, and  to  them  were  born  seven  children, 
four  sons  and  three  daughters,  our  subject 
being  the  fourth  child.  He  was  reared  on 
his  father's  farm  in  his  native  country,  and 
received  a  fair  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
neighborhood.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years 
he  began  learning  the  stone  mason's  trade, 
at  which  he  served  an  apprenticeship  for  five 
years.  In  1870  he  sailed  from  Mai  mo  Har- 
bor to  America,  landing  at  Quebec.  He 
then  proceeded  to  Rockford,  Illinois,  remain- 
ing there  but  a  short  time,  when  he  went  to 
Missouri  and  began  working  on  the  railroad. 
He  subsequently  came  to  Iowa,  and  began 
working  on  a  farm  near  Des  Moines,  where 
he  found  employment  until  1875,  when  he 
rented  a  farm  near  that  city  and  followed 
farming  for  himself  until  1882.  He  was 
married    October   30,  1878,  to    Miss  Miiita 


622  HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


Ciirran,  who  was  born  in  Polk  County,  Iowa, 
December  31,  1854,  a  daughter  of  George 
and  Tabitha  Curran,  natives  of  Ohio,  who 
came  to  Iowa  in  its  pioneer  days  and  settled 
near  Des  Moines.  In  1882  Mr.  Johnson 
removed  to  the  farm  where  he  now  resides, 
where  he  has  since  been  successfullj-  engaged 
in  farming  and  raising  stock.  His  residence 
is  coraiuodious  and  convenient,  and  his  barns 
and  other  farm  buildings  are  noticeably  good, 
and  he  is  classed  among  the  well-to-do  farmers 
of  Sheridan  Township.  In  his  political  views 
Mr  Johnson  is  a  Republican. 

— ^,VL,jm:_3«-w — 

fOHN  C.  ENGLEMAN,  a  prominent 
member  of  the  GarroU  Gouiity  bar,  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  county  attorney 
in  the  fall  of  1886,  succeeding  Frank  M. 
Powers  as  county  attorney,  and  A.  B.  Thor- 
nell  as  district  attorney.  Mr.  Engleraan  has 
been  a  resident  of  Carroll  since  1881.  He 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1848,  and  came  to 
America  in  1855.  His  father  died  in  Ger- 
many, and  he  came  to  this  country  with  an 
uncle,  who  located  at  Bellevue,  Jackson 
County,  this  State.  He  was  educated  at  the 
public  schools  of  Harrison  County,  and  was 
for  some  time  a  student  at  the  academy  at 
Magnolia,  graduating  in  the  law  department 
of  the  Iowa  State  University  in  1875.  He 
commenced  his  law  practice  at  Bellevue,  and 
after  a  time  came  to  Carroll.  Since  coming 
here  he  has  been  alone  in  his  practice  except 
a  very  short  time  when  lie  was  associated 
with  F.  A.  Charses.  Mr.  Engleman  has  been 
twice  married.  His  hrst  wife  was  formerly 
Mary  Elizabeth  (Charles,  who  died  at  Lyons, 
Iowa,  in  May,  1882.  Mr.  Engleraan  prac- 
ticed law  at  Lyons  a  short  time,  and  was  also 
city  attorney  at  that  place.  His  present  wife 
was  Miss  Alice  C'olclo,  a  sister  of  C.  C.  Col- 


clo,  of  this  city.  There  were  two  children  by 
his  first  marriage — Inez  E.  and  Mary  Ethel, 
and  one  son,  John,  by  the  present  marriage. 
In  January,  1865,  Mr.  Engleman  enlisted,  at 
Dubu(jue,  in  the  regular  arm}-,  and  served 
three  years  and  four  months.  His  command 
operated  against  the  Indians,  being  stationed 
at  Fort  Buford,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yellow- 
stone River.  He  took  part  in  no  general  en- 
gagement, but  was  in  several  skirmishes  with 
the  savages.  Upon  one  occasion  he  had  a 
very  narrow  escape.  He  was  engaged  with  a 
number  of  other  soldiers  in  getting  a  load  of 
wood  for  use  in  the  fort,  when  they  were  sud- 
denly attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians.  One 
of  the  party  was  instantly  killed  and  another 
one  severely  wounded;  but  all  the  rest  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  the  fort.  Mr.  Engleman 
was  discharged  in  1869.  He  immediately 
re-enlisted,  and  was  made  a  member  of  the 
band  at  Fort  Stevenson.  He  had  been  there 
about  four  months  when  an  order  was  issued 
by  the  war  department  requiring  all  soldiers 
to  enlist  for  tive  years,  or  be  discharged.  Mr. 
Engleman  chose  the  latter,  and  returned 
home,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in  attend- 
ing school,  teaching,  and  farming,  until  he 
began  his  legal  studies. 


i^5[D"WIN"  ADAMS,  associate  editor  and 
"te'L  manager  of  the  Carroll  Sentinel,  has 
^^  been  engaged  in  newspaper  work  iu 
Carroll  since  1877,  and  is  therefore  the  senior, 
in  years  of  service,  in  the  county.  He  has 
been  engaged  in  newspaper  work  in  the  State 
almost  continuously  for  sixteen  years.  Mr. 
Adams  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  and  is 
thirty-four  years  of  age.  He  is  a  practical 
printer  and  pressman,  and  has  had  a  wide  ex- 
perience in  the  trade,  and  is  engaged  at  the 
case  or  other  mechanical  duties  daily.     He  is 


■■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■J 


iitj: 


BIOGRAPHICAL    iSKETCUES. 


623 


very  particular  in  regard  to  tlie  typograph- 
ical appearance  of  his  newspaper  and  all 
work  turned  out,  and  has  a  reputation  in  this 
part  of  the  State  for  maintaining  a  high 
standard  in  the  business  of  printing,  in  every 
department.  He  is  married,  and  has  a  family 
of  three  children. 


i>^m£-« 


EV.  THEODOKE  WEGMANN  is  the 
^t  present  pastor  of  the  Church  of  the 
1^  Holy  Angels,  at  Eoselle,  which  was 
built  in  1874,  and  in  1880  was  enlarged  and 
refitted.  It  is  a  frame  building  and  will 
seat,  including  the  gallery,  about  500  persons. 
A  parochial  school  is  sustained,  which  num- 
bers from  fifty  to  sixty  pupils.  The  congre- 
gation numbers  about  130  families. 

fAMES  B.  GRAHAM,  farmer,  resides  on 
section  4,  Pleasant  Valley  Township, 
where  he  settled  in  1874.  His  farm 
contains  440  acres,  and  he  also  owns  160 
acres  in  Carroll  Township.  AVhen  he  pur- 
chased his  land,  all  was  new  and  uncultivated. 
The  first  year  he  built  a  part  of  his  present 
residence,  which  he  has  since  enlarged.  His 
land  is  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and 
he  devotes  considerable  attention  to  the 
raisina;  of  stock.  His  fine  barn  was  built  in 
1886.  Mr.  Graham  was  born  in  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  in  November,  1834.  In  1846  his 
father  immigrated  to  America  with  his 
family,  and  located  in  New  York  City. 
About  1868  the  family  removed  to  Canada, 
where  the  father  lived  until  his  death.  He 
was  a  tanner  and  currier  by  trade.  The 
parents,  Robert  and  Jennie  Graham,  had 
nine  children,  six  sons  and  three  daughters. 
James    B.    was   the  youngest  of  the  family. 

44 


He  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  New  York 
City,  and  followed  that  trade  for  a  number  of 
years.  Later  he  went  to  Canada,  where  his 
family  had  already  preceded  him,  and  there 
married  Miss  Jane  Lloyd,  a  native  of  England. 
Like  most  early  settlers,  Mr.  Graham  came  to 
Iowa  for  the  purpose  of  getting  land  where 
it  could  be  bought  cheap.  He  has  been  very 
successful  in  his  undertaking,  and  is  one  of 
the  best  farmers  and  stock-growers  in  Carroll 
County.  He  is  at  present  a  member  of  the 
county  board  of  supervisors,  and  is  serving 
his  second  term  in  that  capacity.  Politically 
he  afliliates  with  the  Democratic  party.  In 
1877  Mr.  Graham  was  afflicted  by  the  loss  of 
his  wife  by  death.  He  has  nine  children,  six 
daughters  and  three  sons. 


R.  WHITNEY,  of  the  firm  of  J.  R. 
Whitney  &  Co.,  wholesale  dealers  in 
fancy  groceries,  fruit  and  tobaccos,  is 
one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Carroll. 
He  established  the  fruit  business  at  that 
place  September  23,  1881,  and  later,  added 
the  other  branches  of  the  business.  The 
firm  make  a  specialty  of  the  fruit  trade. 
In  1886  they  handled  7,000  barrels  of  Michi- 
gan and  Missouri  apples,  besides  much  small 
fruit.  They  also  handle  oranges  and  lemons 
by  the  car-load.  They  employ  two  traveling 
salesmen,  with  a  territory  of  about  100  towns, 
mostly  in  Northwestern  Iowa.  The  firm  has 
a  large  cigar  trade.  Their  location  is  on 
Main  street.  Mr.  Whitney  has  had  a  large 
experience  in  the  fruit  business.  He  is  a  son 
of  A.  R.  Whitney,  of  Franklin  Grove,  Illi- 
nois, who  is  probably  the  most  eminent  horti- 
culturist in  the  West.  His  son,  our  subject, 
had  acted  as  traveling  salesman  for  him  for  a 
long  time  previous  to  coming  to  Carroll.  Mr. 
Whitney's  partner,  A.  W.  Crawford,  came  to 


r~' 


JMj^ci-a-a' 


(i24 


HISTURy    OF    OAUmiJ,    COUNT y. 


Carroll  from  Illinois,  in  1883.  These  gen- 
tlemen are  brothers-in-law.  By  good  miui- 
ageinent  and  fair  and  honest  dealing  the  firm 
has  huilt  up  a  good  business. 


>3mS»-; 


?|IIARLES  S.  LAWRENCE  is  a  son  of 
Samuel  H.  and  Rachel  W.  Lawrence, 
the  former  being  a  contractor  by  occu- 
pation. He  died  in  1857.  Mrs.  Lawrence 
is  still  living,  at  Malone,  New  York,  the 
home  of  Vice-President  Wheeler.  Charles 
was  born  at  Malone  February  17,  1855,  and 
learned  the  printer's  trade  when  seventeen 
years  old.  In  1875  he  came  to  Atlantic, 
Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  (excepting  one 
year  when  he  ran  a  paper  at  Dexter,  Dallas 
County)  until  1882.  Early  in  that  year  he 
came  to  Manning  and  took  charge  of  the 
Monitor.  He  was  married  March  20,  1882, 
to  Emma  F.  Walker,  of  Atlantic.  They 
have  one  child,  Glades.  Mr.  Lawrence  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order. 


S.  SMITH,    the   leading  grain  and 
lumber  merchant   of  Glidden,  is 


^1  \/,K  lumber  merchant  ot  u-iiciaen,  is  a 
^4>?^®  native  of  Michigan,  born  in  Cass 
County,  in  1848,  a  son  of  Peter  Smith,  a 
banker  of  Lake  City,  Iowa.  In  the  fall  of 
1854  our  subject  was  brought  by  his  parents 
to  Calhoun  County,  Iowa,  and  there  he  grew 
to  manhood,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Arsena 
Shidler,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Shidler,  who 
has  been  a  resident  of  Calhoun  County  since 
1864.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  two  chil- 
dren, lora  and  Maud,  both  of  wliom  were 
born  in  Calhoun  County.  Mr.  Smith  was  en- 
gaged in  the  dry  goods  business  at  Lake  City, 
Calhoun  County,  before  coming  to  Carroll 
County.  In  August,  1874,  he  and  his  brother. 


C.  M.  Smith,  began  dealing  in  grain  and 
lumber  at  Glidden  under  the  firm  name  of 
Smith  Brothers.  In  the  summer  of  1883 
they  built  the  elevator,  and  the  same  season 
M.  S.  Smith  bought  his  brother's  interest  in 
the  business,  which  he  has  since  conducted 
alone.  The  elevator  has  a  capacity  of  about 
20,000  bushels,  and  is  the  only  steam  eleva- 
tor in  Glidden.  C.  M.  Smith  is  now  engaged 
in  the  banking  business  with  his  father  at 
Lake  City.  Our  subject  is  a  wide-awake 
business  man,  as  well  as  a  public-spirited  and 
enterprising  citizen,  and  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  any  undertaking  which  has  for  its 
object  the  advancement  of  the  town  or  county. 


««im  S.  THORN", farmer,  section  18,  Rich- 
WWM  land  Township,  was  born  in  Maine, 
^l#^®  near  Portland,  November  11, 1882, 
son  of  Job  Thorn.  He  was  reared  in  his 
native  State,  and  at  nineteen  years  of  age 
engaged  in  the  trade  of  stone  mason,  which 
he  followed  many  years.  In  1851  he  went 
to  California,  where  he  remained  three  years, 
working  at  his  trade  and  in  the  mines.  In 
1855  he  returned  to  Maine,  living  there  two 
years,  then  removed  to  Boone  County,  Illi- 
nois, and  in  1863  came  to  this  State,  locating 
in  Benton  County.  Here  he  improved  a  farm 
and  lived  upon  it  until  1876,  when  he  sold 
and  came  to  Carroll  County.  He  first  pur- 
chased a  portion  of  his  present  farm.  It  now 
contains  680  acres  of  as  good  land  as  can  be 
found  in  Carroll  County.  He  has  a  good 
story-and-a-half  residence,  built  in  1880,  a 
native  grove  of  trees,  good  buildings  for 
stock  and  grain,  and  all  farm  conveniences. 
His  son,  G.  W.  Thorn,  is  a  partner  in  the 
farm,  and  is  an  active  business  man.  They 
are  principally  engaged  in  stock-raising  and 
feeding.     Mr.  Thorn  was  married  in  1856  to 


■■■■■■■■■■^■-■-■-g»»lB»H^W-. 


^-■■■■■■■■■■■■-■■■■■»»'J»J»J»ni^«"»"-»a 


'    m  ' 


BJ  00  U  A  PIIIVA  L    UK  ETCHES. 


625 


Miss  Caroline  A.  Tliorn,  also  a  native  of 
Maine,  and  to  this  union  have  been  horn  four 
children — G.  W.,  Lawrence  B.,  Irsvin  M.  and 
Alva.  Politically  Mr.  Thorn  is  an  ardent 
Eepublican.  He  served  as  township  clerk 
seven  years. 


|[YETJS  RHOADES,  one  of  Carroll 
County's  pioneers,  residing  on  section 
12,  Newton  Township,  was  born  April 
12,  1834,  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  nine 
children  of  William  and  Anna  Khoades,  who 
were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  They  sub- 
sequently removed  to  the  State  of  Iowa, 
where  they  lived  till  their  death.  Cyrus 
Rhoades  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a 
farmer,  receiving  his  education  in  the  log 
cabin  subscription  schools  of  his  neighbor- 
hood. June  2,  1853,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Vance,  who  was 
born  in  Randolph  County,  Indiana,  June  26, 
1834,  the  eldest  of  six  children  of  David 
and  Sarah  (Smith)  Vance.  Twelve  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhoades,  as 
follows — Franklin  P.,  George  W.,  Naomi  L., 
America  J.,  Thomas  J.,  James  M.,  AVilliam 
(deceased),  Elmer  E.  (deceased),  Paulina, 
Jacob,  Eva  E.  and  Nellie  V.  (twins),  both 
now  deceased.  In  August,  1853,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rhoades  immigrated  to  Iowa  with  ox 
teams,  locating  in  Guthrie  County,  where  he 
pre-empted  eighty  acres  of  land,  buying  an- 
other eighty  acres  near  Panora,  which  he 
improved.  He  erected  a  log  house  on  his 
land,  on  which  he  lived  about  six  months, 
and  here  they  experienced  many  of  the  hard- 
ships and  privations  of  pioneer  life.  Their 
first  milling  and  trading  was  done  at  Panora. 
Indians  were  numerous  and  game  was  abund- 
ant. Mr.  Rhoades  carried  the  United  States 
mail    from    Panora   to    Carrollton    with    ox 


teams,  taking  nine  days  to  make  the  trip. 
He  sold  his  land  in  Guthrie  County  in  1854. 
when  he  came  to  Carroll  County,  settling  in 
Union  Township,  on  section  7,  before  the 
county  was  organized.  Three  years  later  he 
removed  to  section  12,  of  the  same  township, 
where  he  made  his  home  for  nine  years.  In 
1866  he  removed  to  his  farm  on  section  12, 
Newton  Township,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided, having  now  110  acres  of  valuable  land 
well  improved,  and  in  connection  with  his 
general  farming  he  is  also  engaged  in  stock- 
raising.  Mr.  Rhoades  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisting  March  18, 
1862,  in  Company  O,  Fourth  Iowa  Infantry, 
in  which  he  served  until  August  11,  1863. 
He  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
and  the  battle  of  Arkansas  Post,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Black  Hills,  Mississippi, 
where  he  received  his  final  discharge. 


fj.  GRAVES,  farmer,  section  9,  Pleas- 
ant Valley  Township,  postoffice  Car- 
•^ii  ®  roll,  was  born  in  Lafayette  County, 
Wisconsin,  August  12,  1848.  His  parents, 
Joseph  and  Mary  (Fleming)  Graves,  were  na- 
tives of  Lancashire,  England,  who  settled  in 
Lafayette  County  in  1848,  and  were  among 
the  pioneers  of  that  county.  They  liad  two 
children — Mary,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  Willey, 
and  our  subject.  When  the  latter  was  six 
years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Grant 
County,  Wisconsin,  where  his  youth  was 
passed  in  assisting  at  farm  work.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Wisconsin.  He  was  only  nine  years  of 
age  when  his  father  died,  and  his  mother 
died  in  1875.  He  came  to  CarrollCounty  in 
1870,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land, 
which  is  his  present  home.  He  has  since 
added  to  that  amount  until  he  now  owns  360 


■■■»■■■■■-■■«»  ai»-»;ng] 


U3G 


HIHTOHT    OF    OARHOLL    COUNTY. 


acres  of  excellent  land.  ITis  fine  residence 
was  built  Iti  1878.  It  is  modern  in  style, 
and  well  furnished.  His  commodious  barn, 
40  X  48  feet,  was  built  in  1882.  He  has  a 
grove  of  five  acres,  and  an  orchard  of  two 
acres.  The  Graves  farm  is  known  as  one  of 
the  best  farms  in  the  township.  Mr.  Graves 
was  married  December  6,  1871,  to  Miss  Lo- 
vina  liainsey,  of  Glen  Haven,  Grant  County, 
Wisconsin,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary 
(McDonnel)  Ramsey,  formerly  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. The  father  died  in  January,  1872.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Graves  are  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren— Eugene  R.,  Carrie  M.,  Ethel  Inez, 
Alvin  J.,  Sarah  and  Earl  G.  Mr.  Graves 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served 
several  years  as  member  of  the  school  board. 
He  has  been  financially  very  successful, 
having  started  in  life  without  any  means. 

— ---^^^^-i^— 


[YRENIUS  E.  MORRIS,  merchant  of 
Coon  Rapids, established  his  business  in 
1880,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Union 
Township  since  1870.  He  was  born  in  New 
York  City  in  1842,  and  cameWest  with  his  par- 
ents in  1854,  the  family  settling  near  Galena, 
Illinois,  where  the  parents  still  live.  The 
father,  Crowell  Morris,  is  of  Scotch  ancestry. 
During  the  late  war  Mr.  Morris  enlisted  in 
the  Independent  Battalion  of  Fremont  Rang- 
ers, at  Galena,  September  4, 1861,  and  joined 
Fremont  at  St.  Louis.  The  battalion  was 
commanded  by  Colonel  H.  A.  Galop,  and  the 
Captain  of  his  company  was  T.  M.  AVilcox, 
who  is  now  assistant  librarian  in  the  Govern- 
ment Library  at  Washington.  He  remained 
in  General  Fremont's  command  until  tiie  lat- 
ter M-as  superseded  on  account  of  the  course 
he  pursued  with  the  negroes.  His  battalion 
was  then  attached  to  the  Third  Missouri  Cav- 
alry.     His  full   term   of   service  in  the  army 


was  three  years  and  four  months,  operating 
in  the  trans-Mississippi  department.  He  par- 
ticipated in  several  engagements,  and  received 
a  sabre  wound  in  a  cavalry  charge,  during 
General  Banks'  Red  River  expedition.  After 
the  war  Mr.  Morris  was  engaged  in  the  in- 
surance  business,  also  in  farming  near  Galena. 
He  personally  knew  General  Grant  at  Galena 
before  the  war.  He  is  a  member  of  Jo 
Daviess  County  Monumental  Association, 
and  has  a  certificate  of  membership  signed 
by  General  Grant,  when  the  latter  was  presi- 
dent of  the  association.  He  was  commander 
of  the  Perry  Wright  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Coon 
Rapids,  for  three  years,  and  is  the  present 
adjutant.  The  parents  of  our  subject  have 
three  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  mother  is 
of  Holland  ancestry,  her  people  being  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Eastern  New  York.  Mr. 
Morris  has  been  twice  married.  His  first 
wife  was  Julia  F.  Winship,  of  Evansville, 
Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  and  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont. She  died  at  Coon  Rapids,  April  16, 
1884.  His  present  wife  was  Miss  Ettie  D. 
Dodge,  a  native  of  Burnham,  Maine.  Her 
grandmother  was  reared  in  the  family  of 
General  Warren,  who  was  killed  at  Bunker 
Hill.  Her  grandfather  was  General  Mark 
Trafton,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  Mr.  Mor- 
ris is  a  direct  descendant  of  Governor  Morris, 
one  of  the  early  Governors  of  New  Y  ork,  one 
of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. 


tJ.  STRUNK,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  July  10,  1856,  a  sou 
®  of  Frederick  and  Christina  (Barnefeld) 
Strunk,  both  natives  of  Germany.  His  par- 
ents were  farmers,  and  he  remained  at  home 
with  them  until  sixteen  years  of  ago,  when  he 
was  sent  to  the  Seminary  of  St.  Francis, 
where    he    remained    four    years.     He    then 


mi 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


G27 


attended  St.  Josepli  College,  at  Dubuque, 
Iowa,  a  year.  He  subsequently  attended  St. 
John's  College,  in  Minnesota,  two  years,  and 
then,  choosing  medicine  as  a  profession,  at- 
tended the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons at  Keokuk.  After  leaving  college  he 
commenced  his  practice,  first  locating  at  St. 
Paul,  Lee  County,  Iowa,  where  he  remained 
five  years.  In  1885  he  removed  to  Carroll 
County  and  lived  at  Brady  about  six  months, 
when  he  located  at  Carroll  City,  where  he 
now  has  a  good  practice.  He  is  a  young 
man  of  pleasing  address,  and  a  thorough 
student  of  his  profession,  and  bids  fair  to  take 
a  place  in  the  first  rank  among  the  physicians 
of  Carroll  County.  Dr.  Strunk  was  married 
in  May,  1880,  to  Mary  K.  Sandrick,  a  native 
of  Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  born  September  24, 
1856.  They  have  had  four  children — Chris- 
tina, Anna,  Frederick  (deceased)  and  Barbara. 
In  politics  Dr.  Strunk  is  a  Democrat. 


-rr^^j^- 


([ONRAD  MEIS,  dealer  in  grain  and 
iUS  furniture  at  Templeton,  where  he  is 
classed  among  the  prominent  and  influ- 
ential citizens,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born 
August  14,  1845,  his  parents,  Herman  and 
Elizabeth  Meis,  being  natives  of  the  same 
country.  He  immigrated  to  America  in 
1866,  first  settling  in  Dubuque  County, 
Iowa,  where  he  lived  about  four  years.  He 
then  went  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he  was 
enffaged  in  the  furniture  business  for  a  num- 
ber  of  years.  For  his  wife  he  married  Miss 
Mary  George,  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  lier 
parents  coming  from  Germany,  their  native 
country,  in  an  early  day.  Of  the  six  children 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meis  all  are  deceased 
but  one  son,  Barney,  who  was  born  Mai'ch  3, 
1885.  Mr.  Meis  came  to  Carroll  County, 
Iowa,  in  1874,  and  engaged  in  the  hardware 


business  at  Templeton,  and  subsequently 
engaged  in  his  present  business,  and  by  his 
fair  and  honorable  dealings  and  strict  atten- 
tion to  business  he  has  built  up  a  large  trade, 
and  gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the 
people.  In  politics  Mr.  Meis  has  been  a  life- 
long Democrat.  His  postoffice  is  Templeton, 
Iowa. 


►^Mf< 


i^ICHARD  RICKE,  merchant  at  Breda, 

jflM  ^®  ^^^^  ^^  ^^^^  prominent  business  men 
""^^  of  the  town,  and  has  been  identified 
with  its  interests  since  June,  1878.  He  first 
engaged  in  the  hardware  trade  with  H. 
Olerich,  Sr.,  which  partnership  existed  about 
six  years.  In  1883  he  embarked  in  his  pres- 
ent business.  During  the  year  1884  his 
sales  amounted  to  $27,847;  in  1885,  $29,831; 
in  1886,  $30,325.  Mr.  Ricke  is  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  May  12, 1843,  son  of  Bernard 
and  Adaline  (Menser)  Ricke.  He  came  to 
America  in  1861,  being  then  seventeen  years 
of  age.  He  first  settled  in  Kentucky,  where 
he  remained  a  short  time,  then  removed  to  Jo 
Daviess  County,  Illinois,  and  worked  on  a 
farm  one  year  for  $77.  The  next  year  he 
received  $90,  and  the  third  year  he  received 
$16  a  month.  In  1865  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land,  for  wliich  he  paid  $9.50  per 
acre.  Here  he  resided  for  three  years,  then 
sold  his  land  for  $31.50  per  acre,  and  came  to 
Carroll  Connty,  locating  in  Kniest  Township, 
where  he  bought  220  acres  of  land  on  section 
4.  He  improved  this  land,  and  resided  upon 
it  until  1878,  then  came  to  Breda.  He  has 
a  fine  residence,  tlie  main  part  being  16x26 
feet,  with  an  L  16x20  feet.  It  was  built  in 
1883,  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  His  store  building 
is  22x64  feet.  He  also  owns  lots  5  and  6 
in  block  7,  and  twelve  acres  adjoining  the 
town,  besides   his  old  fixi'm  in  Kniest  Town- 


SSim&M 


ship.  Mr.  Ricke  was  married  in  January, 
1865,  to  Miss  Mary  Flige,  of  Jo  Daviess 
County,  Illinois,  and  they  have  five  children — 
Theresa  Lena,  Henry,  John  Bernard,  Ellen 
Christina  and  Mary  Julia.  He  has  served  as 
township  assessor  two  years,  township  trustee 
four  years,  and  as  member  of  the  town  coun- 
cil two  years. 

»-^Mf«^-^ 

fOHN  E.  PUJNGERFOED,  a  son  of 
Maurice  Hungerford,  was  born  in  Mc- 
Kean  County,  Pennsylvania,  May  27, 
1854.  AVhen  eleven  years  old  he  came  with 
liis  parents  to  Iowa.  They  located  in  Wa- 
pello County,  near  Ottumwa,  where  his  father 
died  in  1869.  His  mother  is  now  living  in 
Kansas.  Mr.  Hungerford  graduated  at  the 
State  Agricultural  College  at  Ames  in  1877. 
He  taught  school  for  four  years  at  Morning 
Sun  and  Monteztima,  and  has  since  been  in 
newspaper  work.  In  June,  1886,  he  bought 
a  half  interest  of  P.  M.  Maclean  in  the  Car- 
roll Herald,  and  has  since,  with  Mr.  Maclean, 
conducted  that  paper  in  the  interests  of  the 
Republican  jiarty,  of  which  he  is  a  strong 
adherent. 

>^Mg.3..;.g.,^ 


fll.  GNAM,  dealer  in  general  hardware, 
tinware,  stoves,  shelf  goods  and  barbed 
®  wire,  established  his  business  in  Breda 
in  1884.  He  carries  about  $.3,000  worth  of 
stock,  with  annual  sales  of  $12,000.  He 
came  to  Carroll  County  in  1873,  and  settled 
in  Kniest  Township  with  his  father,  A.  L. 
Gnam,  who  established  one  of  the  first  brew- 
eries in  the  county,  at  Mount  Carmel.  Our 
subject  assisted  in  the  brewery  three  years  as 
its  manager.  In  1879  lie  settled  in  Breda, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  saloon  business 


two  years,  then  commenced  clerking  in  the 
store  of  C.  Pruning  &  Sons,  and  also  acted 
as  assistant  postmaster.  In  1883  he  engaged 
in  the  hotel  business  at  Breda,  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1884.  He  was  married  January 
23,  1883,  to  Miss  Mary  Bruning,  daughter  of 
C.  Bruning,  of  Breda,  and  to  this  union  have 
been  born  two  children — Mary  Anna  and  Her- 
man C.  Politically  Mr.  Gnam  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 


ANIEL  DAVIS,  one  of  the  prosperous 
M  citizens  of  Carroll  County,  residing  on 
^  section  22,  Newton  Township,  is  a 
native  of  South  Wales,  born  August  12, 1833, 
a  son  of  Isaac  and  Anna  Davis,  who  were 
also  natives  of  South  Wales.  They  were  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  seven  sons  and  one 
daughter,  our  subject  being  the  seventh  child. 
He  was  reared  to  the  avocation  of  a  farmer, 
remaining  on  the  home  farm  till  seventeen 
years  of  age,  when  he  began  working  by  the 
month  for  other  parties  until  attaining  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years.  He  then  began 
working  on  a  railroad  as  a  section  hand,  and 
two  years  later  was  made  agent  for  a  railroad 
company,  which  position  he  filled  two  years. 
May  10, 1871,  he  sailed  from  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, and  after  a  voyage  of  twelve  days 
landed  in  New  York.  Three  days  later  he 
started  for  Iowa  City,  Iowa;  thence  to  Des 
Moines,  and  fi'oin  the  latter  place  proceeded 
to  Carroll  County,  where  he  bought  land 
on  section  21  of  Newton  Township.  For 
his  wife  he  married  Margaret  Powell,  a 
daughter  of  II.  and  Elizabeth  Powell,  who 
were  natives  of  South  Wales.  Eight  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis, 
as  follows — Thomas,  Howell,  Daniel,  David, 
Margaret  (deceased),  Joseph,  John  and  Eliza- 
betii.      Mr.   Davis   is    one    of   the    self-made 


V?"*"'^"'!.Tf"J""V^^;''i°j^?.!!!i";^" 


BIOOBAPHIGAL    SKETGEES. 


U29 


men  of  Carroll  County.  Beginning  life  a 
poor  boy,  he  has  by  his  industrious  habits, 
persevering  energy  and  good  business  man- 
agement, accumulated  a  large  and  valuable 
property,  adding  to  his  original  purchase  in 
Carroll  County  till  he  now  owns  1,280  acres 
in  Newton  Township,  and  by  his  fair  and 
honorable  dealings  he  has  gained  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  In 
politics  lie  casts  his  suffrage  with  the  Repub- 
lican party. 


'ShS'I" 


MmM  L.  BECKER,  farmer,  section  8,  Grant 
'-':  \/\j.      Township,  is  among  the  enterpris- 

l"=S;S?H  ®  ing  and  successful  citizens  of  his 
township,  with  which  lie  has  been  identified 
since  1872.  He  is  a  native  of  Hanover, 
Germany,  born  February  1,  1836,  a  son  of 
John  and  Anna  (Boucker)  Becker.  His 
father  died  on  shipboard  in  1867  when. on  his 
way  to  America.  His  family  consisted  of 
four  children — W.  L.,  Arnold,  Theodore  and 
Ida.  Arnold  was  a  sailor,  and  was  captured 
by  the  Confederates  during  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  and  pressed  into  their  service,  and 
died  before  the  close  of  the  war.  W.  L. 
Becker  attended  school  in  his  native  land 
until  fourteen  years  of  age.  When  fifteen 
years  old  he  shipped  on  board  a  sailing  vessel, 
and  followed  a  seafaring  life  thirteen  years, 
and  two  years  sailed  on  the  lakes.  In  1872 
he  moved  from  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  to  Car- 
roll County,  Iowa,  and  located  in  Grant 
Township.  He  first  bought  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land  on  section  6,  whicli  he  improved 
and  lived  on  until  1877,  when  he  sold  it  and 
bought  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  which 
contains  120  acres  of  Carroll  County's  best 
land  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  His 
residence  is  a  good  one  and  a  half  story  frame, 


surrounded  with  shade  and  ornamental  trees, 
and  his  farm  buildings  are  comfortable  and 
convenient.  He  has  a  ^ood  native  grove  of 
forest  trees  covering  three  acres,  and  also  has 
a  filie  orchard  of  bearing  trees.  Mr.  Becker 
was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Gebhardine 
Ilesslingh,  a  native  of  Germany,  and  daughter 
of  George  and  Catherine  (Okken)  Ilesslingh. 
They  are  members  of  the  Evangelical  Asso- 
ciation. In  politics  Mr.  Becker  is  a  Demo- 
crat. He  has  always  taken  an  interest  in  the 
cause  of  education,  and  has  served  several 
terms  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  By 
his  honorable  dealing  and  genial  manners 
he  has  gained  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens,  and  is 
classed  among  the  first  men  of  his  township. 


Htf/  C.  REID,  mayor  of  Coon  Rapids,  and 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Reid  & 
Morgan,  came  to  this  place  in  Octo- 
ber, 1882,  and  in  December  of  the  same 
year  the  present  law  partnership  was  formed. 
These  gentlemen  transact  most  of  the  busi- 
ness  of  the  place  that  pertains  to  their  2)ro- 
fession.  They  are  also  engaged  in  loan,  real 
estate  and  insurance  business.  Mr.  Reid  was 
born  in  Indiana,  July  23,  1850.  His  father, 
P.  T.  Reid,  came  to  Iowa  when  his  son  was 
five  vears  of  age,  settling  in  Powesliiek 
County,  and  being  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
that  county.  The  father  died  in  Los  Angeles, 
California^  in  1884,  while  visiting  a  daughter 
living  in  that  city.  Our  subject  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  began  the  study  of  law  in 
1876  in  Poweshiek  County.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  December  18,  1879,  at 
Montezuma,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  ever  since.  He 
has  a  thorough  Englisli  education,  and  was 
for  five  years  engaged  in  teaching.     He  was 


;.in«i«W«»M»MW|gill7^Ww.W»MMM»M»Oil»Ml»1l~lW»  —  — ■■»■  — *«Ml^MWl'*fewl»S»Siai« 


married  to  Miss  Susan  Carpenter,  daughter 
of  A.  H.  Carpenter,  who  settled  in  Poweshiek 
County  in'  1846,  and  now  resides  in  Audubon 
County.  Mrs.  Reid  was  born  in  that  county. 
They  have  two  cliiidren.  Politically  Mr. 
Reid  is  a  Democrat.  L.  W.  Morgan,  of  this 
firm,  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1853,  and  came  to 
Iowa  with  his  parents  in  1855.  The  family 
settled  in  Poweshiek  County,  where  the  father 
still  lives.  Mr.  Morgan  began  the  study  of 
law  in  1877,  at  Tipton,  Cedar  County,  this 
State,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Sac 
City  in  June,  1883.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  M.  J.  AVilliams,  a  daughter 
of  John  Williams,  who  was  also  an  early  set- 
tler of  Poweshiek  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Morgan  have  three  children.  Politically  Mr. 
Morgan  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


"^r-S"S'„s'* 


tAMBERT  KNIEST,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Carroll  County,  was  born  in 
Doetiuchen,  Holland,  March  19,  1819. 
He  was  married  in  the  same  place  July  16, 
1843,  to  Miss  Adelaid  Wilheluiina  Dicker, 
who  died  two  years  subsequently,  leaving 
one  son — B.  J.  Kniest.  He  was  married 
again  in  1846  to  Miss  Mary  A.  H.  Geselschap, 
in  Doetinchen.  In  1847  Mi'.  Kniest  and 
family  immigrated  to  America,  living  in 
Buffalo  for  a  short  time,  removing  from  there 
to  Pittsburg,  and  from  there  to  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  boots  and  shoes.  During  the  cholera 
of  1849,  which  was  then  raging  there,  his 
second  wife  and  her  son  Henry  died  of  the 
terrible  scourge.  On  the  17th  of  May,  1850, 
at  St.  Mary's  Church,  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
Mr.  Kniest  was  married  for  the  third  time  to 
Miss  Mary  Adelaide  Kochs.  In  1852  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Dubuque,  Iowa, 
where  he  immediately  engaged   in   the  mer- 


» 

can  tile  business  in  partnership  with  Anton  i 
B.  Liussen.  After  several  years  of  successful  ) 
business  Mr.  Kniest  built  the  largest  hotel  ^ 
ever  erected  in  Dubuque  at  that  time,  at  a  \ 
cost  of  §40,000,  and  was  known  as  the  Mer-  j 
chants  Hotel,  but  was  destroyed  by  tire  about  ^ 
one  year  later.  In  1860  Mr.  Kniest  was  elected  ) 
assessor,  which  office  he  held  for  several  con-  j 
secutive  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  fire  f 
and  life  insurance  business  with  Abram  ) 
Williams,  now  a  resident  of  Chicago.  In  j 
1868  Mr.  Kniest  made  his  first  visit  AYest  as  I 
fur  as  Carroll  County,  to  look  up  the  country,  J 
and  finally  selected  a  township  of  land  of  j 
23,000  acres  in  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  town-  ^ 
ship  85,  range  85,  and  which  was  afterward  J 
named  Kniest  Township,  in  honor  of  its  j 
founder,  said  name  being  now  printed  on  all  I 
State  maps.  This  land  he  purchased  of  the  i 
Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company,  at  Cedar  j 
Rapids,  through  its  president,  the  Hon. 
John  I.  Blair,  for  a  term  of  five  years,  for  a 
nominal  sura,  on  condition  that  he  furnish 
fifty  actual  settlers  dui-ing  the  first  year.  It 
was  also  provided  that  all  lands  remaining 
unsold  after  that  period  were  to  revert  to  the 
Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company.  Mr.  Kniest 
then  began  to  advertise  the  lands  extensively, 
and  in  the  prescribed  time  furnished  the 
actual  fifty  settlers,  who  were  Germans,  Cath- 
olics and  Democrats.  Near  the  center  of  the 
township  a  village  was  begun  by  Mr.  Kniest 
and  named  Mt.  Carmel  in  honor  of  Our 
Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel,  on  whose  feast  day  he 
signed  his  contract  with  the  Iowa  Railroad 
Land  Company,  July  16,  1868.  Here  he 
erected  the  first  Roman  Catholic  church  in 
the  county,  which  also  served  as  a  tem- 
porary school.  Then  other  buildings  sprang 
up,  and  Mt.  Carmel  was  soon  known  near 
and  far.  During  the  years  1868-'69  Mr. 
Kniest  remained  most  of  the  the  time  at 
Mt.  Carmel,  doing  all  the  good  he  could  for 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


631 


t  r' 


^1 


I 


•' 


the  settlers,  besides  using  all  his  means  for 
their  comfort  and  welfare.  As  some  of  the 
new  settlers  had  barely  enough  means  to  make 
the  first  payment  on  their  land,  and  being  in  a 
new  country,  they  needed  assistance,  which 
was  always  cheerfully  given  by  Mr.  Kniest, 
there  being  then  over  eighty  families.  At 
the  request  of  Mr.  Kniest,  Bishop  Ilennessy, 
of  Dubuque,  on  July  17, 1869,  sent  the  Rev. 
F.  Heimbucher,  a  German  priest,  to  minister 
to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  settlers,  and 
for  whom  ;Mr.  Kniest  built  a  parsonage, 
which  he  furnished  comfortably.  This  be- 
ing a  Catholic  colony,  Mr.  Kniest  only  sold  to 
Catholics.  In  1871  he  removed  his  family 
from  Dubuque  to  Carroll,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  land  and  mercantile  business  until  the 
year  1877,  when,  his  health  declining,  he  re- 
tired from  all  business.  His  disease  being 
of  the  lungs,  he  rapidly  grew  worse,  and  on 
August  14,  at  midnight,  1879,  a  second  hem- 
orrhage caused  his  death,  almost  instantly, 
in  his  si.xtieth  year.  The  death  of  one  so 
well  known  and  loved  as  Mr.  Kniest  caused 
a  general  feeling  of  surprise  and  sorrow  in 
the  community,  and  his  funeral,  which  took 
place  August  16,  was  the  largest  ever  held 
in  Carroll  County.  People  that  had  known 
him  came  from  afar  to  pay  their  last  respects 
to  the  good  man,  and  in  deference  to  his 
memory  all  places  of  business  were  closed 
during  the  funeral.  Thus  ended  the  career 
of  a  man  who  had  passed  through  life  bravely, 
and  who,  in  the  greatest  adversity  as  well  as 
prosperity,  always  bore  a  cheerful  disposition. 
He  was  a  kind  husband,  an  indulgent  father, 
a  consistent  Christian  and  a  devout  Catholic, 
often  saying  to  his  children,  "  Worldly  goods 
were  not  of  so  great  an  importance  as  was 
the  laying  np  of  treasures  for  the  hereafter." 
"All  for  the  greater  honor  and  glory  of  God," 
was  his  frequent  expression,  and  surely  his 
whole  life  was  in  accordance  with  such  a  be- 


lief. Politically  he  was  a  sterling,  uncom- 
promising Democrat.  Mr.  Kniest  left  a 
wife  and  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living,  with  the  exception  of  one  daughter, 
Agnes,  who  died  of  consumption  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  years,  August  31,  1879.  The 
following  are  the  living  children  —  B.  J. 
Kniest,  born  in  Doetinchen,  Holland,  May  2, 
1844;  Hannah  A.,  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri, September  23,  1851;  Mary  A.,  born  in 
Dubuque,  Iowa,  March  3,  1855;  Regina, 
born  in  Dubuque  April  4,  1858;  John  B., 
born  in  Dubuque  June  24,  1861;  Philo- 
mena  A.,  born  in  Dubuque  February  5, 1862; 
Frank  V.,  born  in  Dubuque  July  21,  1866; 
Frances  E.,  born  in  Dubuque  September  3, 
1868;  Lambert,  born  in  Carroll  March  12, 
1872;  Josephine  L.,  born  in  Carroll  Febru- 
ary 25,  1874. 


►>+S-. 


J.  COPPOCK,  farmer,  section  9,  Union 
Township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Car- 
roll County  since  1874.  He  was  born 
in  Darke  County,  Ohio,  January  20,  1841, 
son  of  Joseph  and  Millie  (Hall)  Coppock, 
natives  of  Ohio.  His  early  life  was  passed 
on  a  farm,  and  his  education  was  obtained  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  State.  Sep- 
tember 15,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  L, 
Nineteenth  Ohio  Infantry,  and  was  in  Gen- 
eral Sherman's  march  to  the  sea.  During  a 
raid  into  the  enemy's  country  he  was  run  over 
by  a  horse  and  severely  injured,  from  the 
effects  of  which  he  has  never  fully  recovered. 
He  served  until  June  9,  1865,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged,  and  returned  to  his 
home  in  Ohio,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
In  1867  he  removed  to  Putnam  County,  Mis- 
souri, where  he  resided  until  1874,  when  he 
came  to  Iowa  and  settled  in  Guthrie  County. 
In  1879  he  bought  a  portion  of  his  present 


BISTORT    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


farm,  160  acres,  and  has  since  added  to  that 
amount  until  lie  now  has  380  acres  of  excel- 
lent land,  and  the  best  fenced  farm  in  the 
township,  having  seven  miles  of  fence.  He 
has  a  fine  residence,  barn,  and  feed  lots  for 
stock,  and  he  is  extensively  engaged  in  stock- 
raising  and  feeding.  He  keeps  about  140 
head  of  cattle,  sixteen  horses,  and  a  large 
number  of  swine.  When  about  twenty  years 
of  age  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Coat, 
of  Miami  County,  Ohio,  and  to  this  union 
have  been  born  ten  children — Harvey  J., 
Ananias  E.  and  Flora  Jane  were  born  in 
Ohio;  Mary,  Laura  and  Dessie  were  born  in 
Missouri;  and  Claude  Garfield  and  Maud  Ar- 
thur (twins),  Almeda  and  Lola  were  born  in 
Iowa.  In  politics  Mr.  Coppock  is  an  earnest 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  order  of 
United  Workmen,  and  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic. 


?OHN  COONEY,  a  well-known  pioneer 
of  Greene  County,  is  president  of  the 
Coon  Rapids  Bank.  He  settled  in  Ken- 
drick  Township,  Greene  County,  in  1856,  and 
removed  to  Carroll  County  in  1880.  In  the 
fall  of  1856  he  was  appointed  deputy  county 
surveyor  under  A.  J.  Curranco,  and  at  the 
election  held  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  he 
was  elected  surveyor,  a  position  he  held 
twelve  years.  When  Mr.  Cooney  went  to 
Jefferson  there  were  but  three  buildings 
there.  Mr.  B.  F.  Robinson  is  the  only  man 
now  living  in  Jefferson  who  was  there  when 
Mr.  Cooney  went  there.  The  latter  was  a 
successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Greene 
County  for  many  years.  In  1880  he  removed 
to  Glidden,  and  engaged  in  banking  under 
the  firm  name  of  Lyon  and  Cooney.  In  1882 
he  established  his  present  bank,  of  which  he 
is  president,  and  liis  son,  M.  M.  Cooney,  is 


cashier.  Besides  the  ordinary  banking  busi- 
ness, they  invest  in  first  mortgage  securities, 
and  make  farm  loans  and  collections.  The 
bank  building  is  a  fine  brick  structure, 
erected  in  1881:.  Mr.  Cooney  was  born  in 
Hardin  County,  Ohio,  in  1830,  where  he 
lived  until  1855.  His  father,  Asa  Cooney, 
was  born  in  Virginia,  and  settled  in  Ohio  at 
an  early  day,  where  he  lived  until  his  decease. 
The  parents  had  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
all  of  whom  are  living.  The  brothers  of 
Mr.  Cooney,  James,  Squire  and  William  H. 
H.,  are  residents  of  Hardin  County,  and  are 
ainonij  the  wealthiest  and  most  influential 
citizens  of  that  county.  Mr.  Cooney  was 
married  in  Ohio  to  Miss  Phebe  E.  Matthews, 
a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Matthews.  Their 
children  are — Merrill  M.,  in  the  bank  with 
his  father;  Lillian  A.  and  Lovina  G.  Three 
children  died  in  infancy.  Politically  Mr. 
Cooney  was  formerly  a  Whig,  voting  for 
General  Scott  for  President  in  1852.  Later 
he  became  an  Abolitionist.  In  1860  he  went 
to  Pike's  Peak,  where  he  remained  several 
years,  being  absent  a  greater  portion  of  the 
time  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  but  he 
was  heartily  in  sympathy  with  the  Union. 
He  is  now  a  Republican. 

f*)      ....      (si 


SI 

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li 


P^ENRY  J.  COOLEY,  one  of  Carroll 
County's  pioneers,  was  born  in  Rutland 
County,  Vermont,  February  13,  1851, 
he  being  the  eldest  of  eight  children  of 
George  and  Eunice  Cooley,  natives  of  Ver- 
mont and  New  York  respectively,  and  now 
residents  of  Audubon,  Iowa.  Henry  J. 
Cooley  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
his  youth  being  spent  in  assisting  his  father 
clear  their  frontier  farm  and  bring  it  under 
cultivation.  The  parents  left  Rutland  County, 
Vermont,  and    settled    with    their   family   in 

-^.,^^,^^^ J^ 


.■■■■■»g_««MM.a»a»«»M»M,»»M»ui»«jnyi;r«ii»«i»a*i«"«M»w<e"«"«"«»«w«"«w«»»«j»Mi»*i^^ 


'J 


t 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


633 


Guthrie  County,  Iowa,  in  1857,  where  the 
fatlier  entered  160  acres  of  land,  and  erected 
a  log  cabin  with  puncheon  floors.  They 
experienced  many  of  the  vicissitudes  of  pio- 
neer life.  They  used  ox  teams  in  breaking 
their  prairie,  and  their  principal  meat  was 
wild  game,  which  was  very  plentiful  in  those 
days.  Two  years  later  the  family  removed' 
from  Guthrie  to  Carroll  County,  settling  in 
Newton  Township,  where  the  father  bought 
land  for  $1.25  per  acre,  which  he  improved 
from  a  state  of  nature.  AVhile  living  on  this 
farm  their  trading  and  milling  was  done  at 
Des  Moines.  Henry  J.  Cooley,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  remained  at  home  with  his 
parents  till  attaining  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  when  he  was  married  to  Alvia  Monroe, 
a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Nancy  Monroe,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio 
and  pioneers  of  Carroll  County,  Iowa.  To 
this  union  were  born  four  children — Willard 
H.,  Fred  L.,  Carrie  M.  and  Effie  F.  After 
the  marriage  of  our  subject  his  father  gave 
him  a  horse,  and  after  buying  another  one  he 
rented  part  of  the  old  home  place,  where  he 
followed  farming  for  four  years.  He  then 
purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  19,  Sheridan 
Township,  which  he  traded  two  years  later 
for  forty  acres  of  land  on  the  same  section, 
on  which  he  resided  two  years.  He  then 
traded  his  land  on  section  19  for  forty  acres 
on  section  16,  where  he  resided  until  1882, 
when  he  went  to  Oregon.  He  remained 
there  but  a  short  time,  when  he  returned  t<i 
Carroll  County,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  dealing 
in  coal  and  grain  at  Audubon.  His  wife  being 
in  feeble  health  he  went  with  her  to  Cali- 
fornia in  October,  1885,  where  she  died 
October  31, 1885.  November  28  he  returned 
to  Iowa,  and  soon  after  was  again  bereaved 
by  the  death  of  his  daughter  Efiie.  In  the 
spring  of  1886  he  went  to  the  Black  Hills, 
Colorado,  returning    the    following  June  to 


Carroll  County,  when  lie  began  clerking  in  a 
mercantile  establishment  at  Dedham,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Cooley  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Po- 
litically he  is  a  Ivepublican. 


►>4H 


P^YLVESTER  PEESTON,  real  estate, 
^^^  loan  and  collection  agent,  also  an  at- 
torney. Coon  Rapids,  located  here  in 
the  fall  of  1878,  and  was  the  first  attorney  of 
the  place.  He  came  from  Harrison  County, 
where  he  had  been  practicing  law  two  years. 
He  first  became  a  resident  of  Carroll  County 
May  1,  1869.  Mr.  Preston  was  born  in 
Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  in  1850.  He  was 
reared  in  his  native  county,  and  educated  in 
the  public  schools  and  at  Sinsinawa  Mound 
College,  in  Grant  County.  In  the  spring  of 
1869  his  father,  Allen  Preston,  came  to  Iowa 
with  his  family  and  settled  in  Carroll.  The 
father  erected  the  Iowa  House  at  that  place, 
and  conducted  it  about  twelve  years.  He 
then  took  charge  of  another  hotel  there  until 
1885,  when  he  removed  to  Wayne  County, 
Nebraska.  He  was  born  in  Chenango  County, 
New  York.  Our  subject  began  studying  law 
at  Carroll  City,  with  Joseph  Kelley,  in  1874, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Dunlap,  Har- 
rison County,  in  1875,  where  he  opened  his 
first  office  in  Woodbine,  that  county.  He  re- 
mained there  two  years,  then  located  in  the 
town  of  Audubon,  Audubon  County,  coming 
to  Coon  Rapids  later,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained. He  now  devotes  the  most  of  his  at- 
tention to  real  estate  and  collections.  He  is 
also  a  notary  public.  Mr.  Preston  was  mar- 
ried in  Guthrie  County,  May  23,  1872,  to 
Miss  Delilah  Jane  Clearwater,  who  was  born 
in  Indiana,  and  died  at  Carroll,  May  1, 1876, 
leaving  one  daughter — Carrie,  who  died  at 
the    age    of    seven   years.      Politically    Mr. 


,7: 

1 


684 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


Preston  is  a  Democrat.  An  elder  brother, 
Lorenzo  Preston,  located  at  Grant  City,  Sac 
County,  in  1867,  and  soon  after  came  to  this 
county.  lie  is  now  with  his  father  in 
Nebraska. 


ALEXANDER  TUEL,  of  Union  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ohio, 
December  23,  1847,  son  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Knight)  Tuel,  who  were  the 
parents  of  fourteen  children.  In  1855  the 
Tuel  family  removed  to  Lee  County,  Iowa, 
where  our  subject  was  reared,  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  Arriving  at  the 
age  of  manhood  he  was  married  in  1872  to 
Martha  C.  Bagley.  who  died  in  1876.  Mr. 
Tuel  came  to  Carroll  County  in  1866,  first 
locating  on  section  16,  Union  Township, 
where  he  lived  three  years.  He  then  sold 
and  bought  a  portion  of  his  present  farm  of 
fifty-four  acres.  He  has  since  added  to  that 
amount  until  he  now  owns  294  acres  of  as 
good  land  as  can  be  found  in  the  township. 
He  married  his  present  wife  September  16, 
1877.  She  was  formerly  Miss  Almira  Chev- 
alier, of  this  county.  They  have  live  children 
— Leonard,  Geneva,  Oscar,  Anna  and  Ottie. 
Politically  Mr.  Tuel  is  a  Democrat.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  Masonic  Lodge  No  197. 
He  started  in  life  a  poor  man,  but  by  indus- 
try and  good  management  has  secured  a 
fine  property. 


^-«-^ 


^^ERMANN  HESSLINGH,  farmer,  sec- 
tion 6,  Grant  Township,  was  born  in 
Hanover,Germany,January  24,1837,  son 
of  George  and  Catherine  (Okken)  Hesslingh. 
He  resided  in  Germany  until  1864,  when,  in 
company  with   his   brotiicr  George,  he  came 


to  America,  locating  in  Ogle  County,  Illinois. 
He  was  married  September  16, 1871,  to  Miss 
Jessie  Johnson,  also  a  native  of  Hanover, 
and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Wendel  (Klink- 
enburg)  Johnson.  The  parents,  with  their 
eight  children,  came  to  America  in  1860,  set- 
tling in  Ogle  County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Hess- 
lingh came  to  Carroll  County  in  the  fall  of 
1871  and  bought  some  wild  land  of  the  Iowa 
Railroad  Land  Company,  which  is  his  present 
home.  He  first  bought  eighty  acres  on  sec- 
tion 8.  He  has  a  comfortable  house,  good 
farm  buildings  for  stock  and  grain,  a  fine 
grove  of  trees  and  a  good  orchard.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hesslingh  are  the  pai'ents  of  six  children 
— George  C.  W.,Wendaline,  Hermann,  Cath- 
erine, Johanna  and  John.  He  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  and  has  served  as  township  clerk 
and  township  trustee  several  terms  with  great 
credit.  Being  honest  and  just  in  business 
transactions,  he  has  gained  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  all. 


►>+H 


tEPHAS  PARKER,  of  Coon  Rapids,  is 
one  of  the  well-known  pioneers  of  Car- 
roll County,  having  settled  here  in  1868. 
He  first  located  on  section  17,  Union  Town- 
ship, where  he  improved  the  farm  and  lived 
one  year.  He  then  removed  to  Audubon 
County,  and  three  years  later  returned  to 
Carroll  County,  settling  on  section  16,  Union 
Township.  In  1875  he  purchased  the  flour- 
ing-mill  of  Coon  Rapids,  and  removed  to 
that  place.  He  owned  the  mill  about  ten 
years,  then  sold  to  George  W.  Foreman,  the 
present  proprietor.  Mr.  Parker  built  his  new 
and  beautiful  residence  in  1882.  He  was 
born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  in  1831,  and 
lived  in  the  Buckeye  State  until  1852,  when 
he  came  to  Cedar  County,  this  State.  In  the 
fall  of  that  same  year  his  father,  Asa  L.  Par- 


Si 
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i»a»aTBii«n«»-«»-»Sisaaiiiia-i-a-ai,Bi. 


■j^Wn-MWiiw-MTii^riin 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


635 


ker,  settled  in  the  same  county,  and  in  1874 
came  to  Carroll  County,  where  he  died  in 
1882.  Tlie  mother  died  two  years  previous. 
Mr.  Parker  has  usually  been  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  is  an  enterprising  citi- 
zen. He  married  Adeline  Hupp,  daughter 
of  John  Hupp,  who  settled  in  Cedar  County 
in  1853.  The  father  is  now  deceased  and  the 
mother  lives  with  Mrs.  Parker. 


<^n^ 


fOHN  BELL,  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Car- 
roll Conuty,  Iowa,  residing  on  section 
23,  Sheridan  Township,  is  a  native  of 
Down  County,  Ireland,  born  January  26, 
1838,  and  was  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  ten 
children  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Brown) 
Bell.  Tlie  father  being  a  blacksmith,  John 
was  reared  to  the  same  avocation.  He  re- 
mained in  his  native  country  till  1857,  when 
he  sailed  from  Liverpool,  England,  alone, 
landing  at  New  York  City,  and  a  short  time 
afterward  went  to  Warren  County,  New 
York,  where  he  followed  farming,  working 
by  the  month  for  two  years.  He  then  went 
to  Washington  County,  New  York,  where  he 
resided  about  nine  years,  when  he  immi- 
grated to  Cedar  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  by  the  month  for  one  year. 
He  was  married  in   New  York  State  March 


15,  1870,  to  Miss  Emma  Wood,  who  was 
born  in  Wasliington  County,  New  York,  May 
10,  1849,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Sarah 
(Hollinbeck)  Wood,  who  were  natives  of  the 
State  of  Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wood  had 
a  family  of  eight  children,  Mrs.  Bell  being 
the  sixth  child.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bell  have 
been  born  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are 
living — Lizzie,  Jennie  S.,  Albert,  Carrie  M., 
Minnie  A.,  Effie  C.  and  Mattie  E.  Mattie 
died  in  1878,  aged  thirteen  years,  and 
Stephen  A.  died  in  1884,  aged  one  year  and 
seven  montiis.  Mr.  Bell  left  Cedar  County 
in  1870,  when  he  came  to  Carroll  County  and 
settled  on  his  present  farm,  which  at  that 
time  was  raw  prairie  land.  He  now  has  one 
of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county,  located  as 
follows:  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  23, 
the  east  half  of  the  soutliwest  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 28,  the  south  half  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  22,  and  the  southeast 
quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section 
15,  Sheridan  Township.  He  is  success- 
fully engaged  in  farming  and  stock-rais- 
ing. He  has  on  his  farm  a  native  grove 
covering  two  acres,  and  one  acre  of  ground  for 
an  orchard.  His  residence  is  both  comforta- 
ble and  commodious,  and  his  farm  buildings 
are  in  good  condition,  making  his  farm  one 
of  the  most  desirable  in  his  neighborhood. 
In  politics  Mr.  Bell  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a 
strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  his  party. 


y^^T^^ 


.  ■.  ■-■-^';^;"'!;J^;*-"jf -■■;i*-l!l 


"■■■"■■^»g"»Ttf|«'M-iilJJWi£>i^M^Wa»SW-»«»W,M„C,».IB.-gn;na^-»-„^^ 


w 


INTRODUCTORY. 


^W^MT^TW^I 


C39 


^ 


^J>^INTRODUCTORY.^^  \ 


^-y^PB^y^yggBi^^s^v^^^ 


^j^(&,'f&Jt!iy»&'p*y(;j;j«(&^(i 


ita^'isKi'U.^'^^iasia'igitrtLij' 


SJ*^^ 


.VS^fHE    fact    that   Iowa    is 
situated   near  the  geo- 
graphical      center     of 
tlie  United   States,  be- 
tween   tlie    two    great 
rivers    of     the    conti- 
and  on    the  line  of  the 
trans-continental     rail- 
ways, presages  for  her  a  future 
in     the    development    of    her 
resources    whicli,    it   does    not 
^sp   require  the  prevision  of  a  pro- 
phet to  see,  will  at  no  distant 
,^'^fyf^^^     day   place    her  in  an  eminent 
Q^  ig\w^     position    among  the  States  of 
^  ^  our  Union,  which  nature,   as- 

sisted by  tlie  energy,  thrift  and  enterprise  of 
her  citizens,  has  so  abundantly  fitted  her  to 
occupy. 

When  we  call  to  mind  the  fact  that  the 
present  greatness  of  Iowa  is  all  the  growth 
of  little  more  than  forty  years,  we  may  well 
anticipate  the  grandeur  that  awaits  her  in 
the  near  future — now  that  she  is  provided 
M-ith  all  the  means  necessary  for  the  more 
rajiid  development  of  her  inexhaustible  re- 
sources. In  her  healthful  climate,  produc- 
tive   soil,  railroad   and   water  transportation 

45 


facilities,  and  her  intelligent,  enterprising 
people,  we  have  the  best  guaranty  that  her 
future  progress  will  be  unprecedented. 

The  pioneer  work  has  been  done  in  most 
piarts  of  the  State,  and  railroads,  public 
buildings,  churches,  school-houses,  etc.,  are 
provided,  so  that  the  citizens  of  Iowa  now 
enjoy  all  the  comforts,  conveniences  and 
advantages  obtained  in  the  older  States,  and 
Iowa  offers  to-day  proportionately  greater 
inducements  to  capital,  enterprise  and  labor. 
Incalculable  wealth  lies  hidden  in  the  inex- 
haustible coal  mines,  furnishing  motive-power, 
and  the  unused  water-pow-er  form  natural 
mill-sites,  in  almost  every  county  in  the 
State,  for  manufacturing  industries.  Iowa, 
for  agricultural  and  manufacturing  resources, 
has  no  superior  among  all  the  States,  while 
her  channels  of  trade  radiate  in  all  directions. 

jSText  to  the  fertility  of  its  soil,  its  excel- 
lent climate,  and  the  energy  of  its  industrial 
classes,  the  prosperity  of  the  State  is  due  to 
wise  legislation,  by  which  its  financial  credit 
has  been  maintained,  internal  improvements 
encouraged,  public  instruction  rapidly  ad- 
vanced, and  immigration  and  capital  attracted. 
Thirty-eight  years  have  elapsed  since  Iowa 
was   admitted  as    a  State,    and   during    that 


640 


HISTORT    OF    CAlUiULL    COUNTY. 


time  wonderful  changes  have  taken  place. 
Then  savage  beasts  and  savage  men  contended 
for  the  supremacy  in  this  fair  domain,  but 
Lotli  have  retreated  before  the  white  man, 
and  to-day  civilization  has  left  its  mark  in 
numberless  school-houses  and  churches,  and 
in  the  prosperity  and  happiness  which  every- 
where abounds.  Of  Iowa,  whose  name  is  a 
synonym  for  prosperity,  and  her  high  rank 
in  the  sisterhood  of  States,  in  respect  of  moral 
and  materuil  greatness,  it  is  unnecessary  to 
speak  at  lengtii.  Aside  from  tlie  experiences 
of  the  civil  war,  in  which  the  State  furnislied 
her  full  quota  of  men — and  no  braver  men 
were  sent  to  the  front — tlie  history  of  Iowa  is 
that  of  one  uninterrupted  march  of  progress 
in  the  jiatlis  of  peace,  and  she  has  risen  from 
the  condition  of  a  Territory  to  one  of  the 
principal  States  of  the  Eepublic,  in  popula- 
tion, wealth  aiul  moral  greatness.  AVith 
these  elements  of  empire  inherent  in  it,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  Iowa  is  making  strides 
which  must  soon  place  her  where  slie  will  be 
recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  in  mauu- 
faeturinf  and  otlier  industrial  pursuits,  as 
well  as  in  agriculture. 

In  order  of  admission  into  the  Union,  Iowa 
stands  twenty-ninth;  in  number  of  square 
miles  she  is  twenty-fourth;  in  population, 
tenth,  while  in  acres  of  tillable  land  her  place 
is  lirst.  She  is  the  third  State  in  the  amount 
of  corn  raised,  while  she  is  second  in  number 
of  hogs  raised,  third  in  cattle,  fifth  in  wheat, 
sixth  in  oats,  fifth  in  barley,  fifth  in  flax, 
seventh  in  hay,  third  in  milch  cows,  fifth  in 
number  of  hogs  packed,  fifth  in  value  of  farm 
implements,  sixth  in  value  of  farm  pi-oducts, 
fourth  in  extent  of  coal  area,  and  fifth  in  num- 
ber of  banks  and  newspapers.  In  religious, 
educational,  charitable  and  benevolent  institu- 
tions Iowa  stands  among  the  foremost.  In 
regard  to  healthfulness  her  rank  is  fourth, 
wliile    in    point  of  the    intelligence   of  her 


people  she  is  first,  having  a  less  percentage 
of  illiteracy  than  any  other  State.  Twenty- 
one  States  have  more  persons  in  prison,  and 
thirty-two  States  more  female  prisoners  than 
Iowa.  In  the  number  of  postoffices  she  is 
seventli,  and  in  the  amount  of  postal  receipts 
sixth,  being  one  of  the  eight  Northern  States 
which  contribute  two-thirds  of  the  entire 
national  revenue. 

BOtJNDAEIES  AND    DIVISIONS. 

This  empire  is  composed  of  ninety-nine 
subdivisions,  or  little  republics,  called  coun- 
ties, of  which  Carroll  is  one.  It  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Calhoun  and  Sac  counties, 
on  the  east  by  Greene,  on  the  south  by 
Guthrie  and  Audubon,  and  on  the  west  by 
Crawford.  It  contains  sixteen  congressional 
townships,  numbered  from  82  to  85  north,  in 
ranges  33  to  36  west  of  the  Fifth  Princii)al 
Meridian.  For  organic  purposes  the  county 
is  now  divided  into  sixteen  civil  townships, 
coincident  with  the  congressional  townships. 
These  will  be  mentioned  in  the  next  chapter. 
The  county  is  the  third  east  of  the  Missouri 
River,  and  in  the  fifth  tier  of  counties,  both 
from  the  northern  and  southern  boundary  of 
the  State. 

TOrOORAl'HY    AND    GEOLOGY. 

Carroll  is  empliatically  a  prairie  county, 
the  eastern  portion  being  composed  of  a 
gently  undulating  surface  sufficiently  rolling 
to  break  the  monotonous  sameness  of  the 
level  plain,  while  to  the  westward  of  the 
Middle  Raccoon  River  the  surface  is  more 
broken  and  uneven,  in  many  places  rising 
into  hills  of  considerable  prominence.  The 
great  watershed  dividing  the  waters  which 
fiow  into  the  Mississippi  from  those  which 
flow  into  the  Missouri  passes  through  this 
county,  and  at  the  highest  point  is  858  feet 
above  Lake  Michigan  and  800  feet  above  the 
Mississippi    River   at    Clinton.     From     this 


™[2 


INTRODUCTORY. 


G41 


summit  can  be  obtained  a  fine  view  of  tlic 
surrounding  country,  extending  in  every 
direction  as  far  as  the  eve  can  reacli.  On 
tiie  east  and  the  southeast  is  seen,  in  the  dis- 
tance, tlie  I'ieh,  fertile  valley  of  the  Ilaccoon 
Rivers,  on  the  south  the  unsurpassingly 
lovely  country  surrounding  the  Nishnabotany, 
and  on  the  west  the  magnificent  vale  through 
which  flows  the  Boyer.  All  of  wliieh  in  a 
clear  summer's  day  afford  scenery  at  once 
grand,  beautiful  and  picturesque. 

lieing  situated  upon  the  great  dividing 
ridge  or  watershed,  this  county  is  watered 
and  drained  mostly  by  small  streams  which 
flow  both  into  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri 
Kivers.  The  largest  stream  is  the  North 
Haccoon,  which  cuts  across  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  county,  while  the  next  two  in 
importance  are  the  Middle  Raccoon  and 
Bi'ushy  Fork,  which  take  their  rise  in  the 
watersiied  divide  in  the  northwest,  and  flow- 
ing Bearly  parallel  from  four  to  six  miles 
apart  in  a  southeast  direction,  make  their 
exit  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county. 
Storm  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Middle  Rac- 
coon, drains  a  large  tract  in  the  northern- 
central  as  does  the  Willow  Creek  in  the 
eastern  border.  The  North  Raccoon  is  deeply 
excavated  into  the  drift  deposit,  and  its 
valley  is  bordered  by  rather  steep  acclivities 
from  seventy  to  one  hundred  feet  in  height, 
while  the  Middle  Raccoon  is  bordered  on  the 
west  by  Ijigh  bhiff-capped  slopes,  and  on  the 
east  by  drift  hills,  which  gain  the  interior 
heights  by  more  gradual  ascents.  Brushy 
Fork  possesses  a  beautiful  valley  with  gentle 
acclivities  on  either  side,  as  does  the  East 
Nishnabotany  and  Boyer  Rivers  and  Whitted's 
Creek,  which  are  on  the  west  side  of  the 
watershed  divide.  The  upper  course  of  all 
of  these  streams  are  little  more  than  diminu- 
tive prairie  brocjks,  with  gravelly  beds  and 
clear,  rapid  currents,   many  of  those  having 


their   headwaters  in  the   great  divide  inter- 
locking,   as    it    were,  being  separated    by    a 
narrow    crest  as  sharply   defined  as  a  gable 
ridge.     Springs  issue  from  the  gravel  deposits 
along  these  water  courses,  furnishing   them 
with    an    abundant    supply  of   limpid,   pure 
water  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.     East  of  the 
Middle     Raccoon     River    wells    are    easily 
obtained,  while  in  the  uplands  west   of  that 
stream    those    seeking    water   must    go  to  a 
much  greater  depth,  though  the  certainty  of 
finding  a  never-failing  supply  is  just  as  good. 
In  a  shallow  depression  or  plain  below  Car- 
rollton,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Middle   Rac- 
coon, several  interesting  spring  mounds  occur, 
which   Jiave  excited  much  attention  and  are 
described   as  follows   by  Dr.  White,  in  the 
Iowa  State  Geology;     "Tlie  plain   is  thirty 
or  forty  feet  above  the   present   level  of  the 
river,  from  which  it   is  separated  by  a  well- 
defined   drift    ridge    which,    in    places,   rises 
into  considerable  knob-like  eminences  from 
one   hundred   to  one   hundred   and   fifty  feet 
above  the  stream.     The  plain,  however,  com- 
municates  with  the   valley   both   above   and 
below,  and  was  probably  once  the  channel  of 
the  river.     The  spring   mounds  are   situated 
along  an   irregular  line  more  or  less  in  the 
middle  of  the  depression;   they  are  from  four 
to  six  feet  in  height  and  as  many  yards  in 
diameter,  and  are  apparently  entirely  com- 
posed of  vegetable  matter,  forming   a   peaty 
deposit  which  is   largely  mixed  with  the  ex- 
uviifi    of    shells   and    other   animal    remains. 
The  crests  of  the  mounds  are  covered  with  a 
tall,  rank  flag  or  marsh  grass,  but  upon  the 
sides  tliere  are  usually  two  well-marked  bands 
of    short    herbage   and    moss   encircling  the 
mounds   and    separated   by  a  narrow  belt  of 
tall    grass.     The   deposit   of   the    vegetation 
upon  these   places  is  exceedingly  interesting, 
though    the    mounds    themselves,   doubtless, 
owe  their  origin  to  the  existence  of  pools  of 


r,4-i 


]l  I  STORY    OF    VAHKOhL    UOUNTY. 


wjiter,  indicating  more  or  less  accurately  the 
course  of  a  fornier  water  channel,  and  which, 
being  fed  from  higher  sources,  the  tendency 
is  what  we  observe — a  gradual  building  up 
of  a  peaty  formation.  The  surface  of  the 
plain  beyond  the  limits  of  the  mounds  is 
perfectly  level,  and  the  deposit  consists  of 
decayed  vegetable  matter  mixed  with  sand, 
forming  a  sandy  muck." 

Like  that  of  Guthrie  County,  which  lies 
on  the  great  divide  just  sontheast  of  Carroll, 
the  soil  of  this  county  presents  two  M'ell- 
marked  varieties:  that  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Middle  Kaccoon  being  of  the  drift  formation, 
is  a  gravelly  loam  of  great  strength  and  pro- 
ductiveness, while  to  west  of  that  stream  the 
uplands  are  deeply  enveloped  in  the  bluif 
formation,  which  has  imparted  to  the  soil  of 
this  portion  of  the  county  its  own  peculiar 
characteristics.  Small  groves  of  native  tim- 
Ijer  are  found  on  the  principal  streams;  and 
in  favorable  locations,  even  npon  the  uplands, 
forests  of  young  oak  are  springing  up.  Some 
two  or  three  small  patches  are  met  with  in 
the  valley  of  Brushy  Fork,  and  between  Coon 
Rapids  and  Carrollton;  on  the  Middle  Kac- 
coon more  extensive  tracts  arc  covered  with 
a  fine  growth  of  young  timber. 

No  beds  of  coal  liave  as  yet  been  dis- 
covered,   except   at    Coon    Rapids,    on    the 


southern  edge  of  the  county,  thongh  it  is  not 
deemed  improbable,  says  Dr.  White,  that  the 
coal-measure  formation  underlies  at  least  a 
portion  of  the  county.  The  only  specimens 
yet  found  have  been  discovered  in  digging 
wells  and  making  other  excavations,  and  are 
onl}'  small  fragments  associated  with  the 
loose  material  of  the  drift  deposit.  Peat  is 
known  to  exist  in  several  places  in  the 
county,  some  of  which  are  of  considerable 
extent,  and  should  they  be  found  to  be  free 
from  sand  and  gravel,  they  will  eventually 
become  of  some  value  as  a  resource  for  fuel, 
(rood  building  stone  is  not  found  within  the 
limits  of  Carroll  County,  the  cretaceous  sand- 
stone being  too  friable  to  answer  for  ordinary 
building  purposes,  except  some  of  the  harder 
layers,  which  are  employed  in  laying  up 
rough  under-pinnings,  in  walling  wells,  etc. 
Material  for  the  manufacture  of  brick  is 
found  in  abundance,  yet  care  is  necessary  in 
selecting  clay  in  the  western  portion  of  the 
county,  in  consequence  of  the  prevalence  of 
calcareous  matter  derived  from  the  disin- 
tegration of  the  bluff  deposits  on  the  surface 
of  the  lower  slopes.  The  lime  thus  mixed 
with  the  earth  is  converted  into  quicklime  in 
the  process  of  burning  brick,  and  on  exposure, 
to  moisture  the  lime  slakes  and  bursts  the 
brick. 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    IIISTOUT. 


Olo 


5^^I&^«^- 


I  "TT     fi      H      t.  i     a  1 «•■ 


>^tg>^rfSwS»ift'M**S'<S"l^^ 


^  Early  and  Civil  History. K^ 


n   1 1   ■■   ■■   ■■_■■   ■■   11   ■■_*;  »■ 


HE  Indian  title  to  this 
region  was  extinguished 
many  years  before  any 
white  man  selected  a  site 
in  what  is  now  Carroll 
County  to  be  his  per- 
home.  From  1837  to 
1851  the  county  was  theoretically 
a  part  of  Benton,  which  then  in- 
cluded all  the  territory  between 
its  northern  and  southern  lines, 
extending  to  the  Missouri  River. 
In  1851  Carroll  County  was 
established  and  attached  to  Polk, 
and  two  years  later  attached  to 
Shelby.  These  changes  possess  but  slight 
interest,  as  the  settlement  of  the  county  had 
not  commenced.  The  Indians  remained  be- 
cause there  was  no  white  man  to  object  to 
their  presence.  The  county  was  named  in 
honor  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  one 
of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence. 

The  first  settlement  in  the  county  was 
made  on  section  2,  township  84,  range  33 
(now  Glidden  Township),  in  1854.  The  same 
autumn  and  the  following   spring  a  number 


of  immigrants  fixed  their  homes  here.  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1855,  the  county  was  attached  to 
Guthrie. 

The  county  judge  of  Guthrie  County, 
James  Henderson,  on  the  16th  of  July,  1855, 
issued  the  following  order: 

"To  Solomon  Loomis,  of  Carroll  Town- 
ship, Carroll  County,  attached  to  Guthrie 
County, 

"Greeting:  It  is  hereby  ordered  that  an 
election  be  held  at  the  house  of  Henry  Cop- 
lin,  in  Carroll  Township,  in  said  county  and 
State,  on  the  first  Monday  in  August,  1855, 
for  the  organization  of  Carroll  County  and 
the  election  of  county  officers  of  said  Carroll 
County,  and  that  this  warrant  be  directed  to 
Solomon  Loomis,  of  said  township,  to  adver- 
tise the  legal  notice  of  county  officers  for  said 
Carroll  County,  viz:  county  judge,  treasurer 
and  recorder,  clerk  of  district  court,  prose- 
cuting attorney,  county  surveyor,  drainage 
commissioner,  sheriff"  and  coroner,  to  be 
elected  at  said  election,  and  that  he  proceed 
according  to  law." 

The  house  of  Henry  Copliu,  above  men- 
tioned, was  on  section  12,  township  84,  range 
34  (now  Grant  Township).    The  entire  popu- 


644 


UltiTOUr    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


latioii  of  the  count}'  was  at  this  time  less  than 
100.  mill  the  number  of  voters  about  thirty. 
The  first  county  officers  elected  were:  County 
Judge,  A.  J.  Cain;  Clerk  of  District  Court, 
Levi  Thompson;  Treasurer  and  Ilecorder, 
James  White.;  Surveyor,  Robert  Lloyd; 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  L.  McCurdy;  Sheriff, 
J.  Y.  Anderson. 

EARLY  ORDERS  OF  COUNTY  .lUDtiE. 

The  first  order  of  Judge  Cain  was  dated 
December  3,  1855,  and  reads  "  Jaines  White 
was  allowed  $4  for  hauling  the  laws  of  Iowa 
for  Carroll  County  from  Iowa  City  to  Carroll 
County."  On  the  same  date  James  Wliite 
was  allowed  $12.50  on  account  of  salary  as 
treasurer  and  recorder;  A.  J.  Cain,  §12.50 
for  salary  as  county  judge;  and  Levi  Thomp- 
son $16.00  for  services  as  clerk. 

On  the  18th  of  the  same  month  "  The 
County  of  Carroll  bought  of  S.  A.  Walker, 
Fort  Des  Moines,  four  plats,  as  follows:  No. 
82,  83,  84,  85  north,  of  range  33  west;  at 
§2.50  each." 

February  4,  1850,  Cain,  Thompson  and 
White  were  each  allowed  .$12.50  on  account 
of  salary. 

At  this  time  the  county  was  divided  into 
two  townsliips — Newton  and  Jasper.  Li  the 
spring  of  1856  justices  and  constables  were 
elected  in  these  townships.  In  Newton  the 
judges  of  election  were  Thomas  McCurdy, 
Robert  Morris  and  Benjamin  Teller;  clerks, 
Robert  Floyd  and  Cyrus  Babbitt.  In  Jasper 
the  judges  Were  Levi  Thompson,  Robert 
Dickson  and  Enos  Butrick;  clerk,  James  G. 
Anderson. 

SELECTION  OF  COUNTY  SEAT. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  district 
judge  April  7,  1856,  asking  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  commissioners  to  select  a  site  for  the 
county  seat.     This  was  signed  by  the  follow- 


ing twenty  persons,  nearly  all  the  legal  voters 
of  the  county  at  that  time:  Thomas  T.  Mor- 
ris, George  W.  Tellor,  Henry  Coplin,  Robert 
Dickson,  Levi  Thompson,  A.  J.  Cain,  Enos 
Butrick,  David  Butrick,  O.  J.  Niles,  S.  L. 
Loomis,  Benjamin  Tellor,  Thomas  McCurdy, 
Robert  Morris,  David  Vance,  Robert  Floyd, 
Conrad  Geiselhart,  Edward  Smith,  Cyrus  R. 
Babbitt,  Cyrus  Rhoades  and  Jacob  Davis. 

In  accordance  with  a  provision  of  a  statute 
approved  January  12,  1853,  Judge  E.  H. 
Sears,  of  the  Sixth  Judicial  District,  then  in- 
cluding Carroll  County,  apj)ointed  as  such 
commissioners  William  L.  Henderson,  Esq., 
of  Guthrie  County,  John  Purdy,  Esq.,  of 
Crawford  County,  and  Dr.  S.  M.  Ballard,  of 
Audubon  County.  They  were  directed  to 
perform  their  duty  within  two  months.  Dr. 
Ballard  failed  to  act,  but  the  two  others  were 
sworn  June  4,  and  on  the  6th  of  June  made 
the  following  formal  report: 

"  Whereas  we,  the  undersigned,  were  ap- 
pointed by  Hon.  E.'  H.  Sears,  District  Judge 
of  the  Sixth  Judicial  District  of  the  State  of 
Iowa,  on  the  14th  day  of  April,  1856,  Com- 
missioners to  locate  the  seat  of  justice  or 
county  seat  of  Carroll  County,  in  the  State  of 
Iowa,  we  therefore,  in  conformity  to  said  ap- 
pointment, after  being  duly  qualified  accord- 
ing to  law  and  after  mature  deliberation  and 
carefully  reviewing  and  examining  all  and 
every  proposed  site  within  the  bounds  of  tlie 
said  county  of  Carroll,  having  due  regard  for 
the  welfare  and  prospects  of  the  people  of  the 
said  county,  also  the  welfare,  prospects  and 
convenience  of  the  future  as  well  as  the  pres- 
ent population  of  the  said  county  of  Carroll 
do  hereby  by  the  power  invested  in  us 
locate  the  permanent  county  seat  of  the  said 
county  of  Carroll,  in  the  State  of  Iowa,  on 
the  north  fractional  half  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  1  in  township  82  north,  of 
range  34   west   of  the   fifth    ])rincipal    meri- 


nr 


)^- 


J  «J-<*^  «>~4I 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    IIISTORT. 


(ilj 


diaii,  and  on  the  south  half  of  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  36  in  township  83  north,  of 
range  34  west  of  the  fifth  principal  meridian, 
and  on  which  the  town  of  Carrollton  is  now  laid 
out,  and  also  such  additional  territory  as  may 
be  donated  on  either  side  of  the  premises 
aforesaid,  or  that  may  be  purchased  by  the 
proper  authorities  of  said  county  at  any  time, 
and  added  thereto  without  limit." 

ITEMS,  1856. 

The  census  of  Carroll  County  in  1856  was 
taken  by  the  assessors  of  the  two  townships, 
and  showed  the  total   population    to   be  251. 

The  first  case  of  pauperism  in  the  county 
occurred  in  the  summer  of  1856,  when  Dr. 
I.  P.  Miller,  the  pioneer  physician,  was 
allowed  $24  for  attending  one  John  Sals- 
bery,  and  Enos  Butrick  contracted  with  the 
county  court  to  care  for  him  at  $2  a  week  as 
long  as  he  was  sick.  Dr.  Miller  was  after- 
ward allowed  $50  additional. 

Robert  Floyd  was  allowed  $8.50  for  sur- 
veying the  blocks  in  the  town  of  Carrollton. 
S.  L.  Loomis  was  allowed  $1  for  dividing  the 
blocks  into  lots. 

August  5,  1856,  the  county  officers  had  a 
mutual  settlement,  and  it  was  found  that  the 
county  owed  A.  J.  Cain  $19.25;  James  An- 
derson, $5.00;  Levi  Thompson,  $12.50. 

Cyrus  R.  Babbitt  was  allowed  $34.00  for 
assessing  Newton  Township.  The  first  tax 
levj'  made  after  the  organization  of  the 
county  was  in  1856:  1^  mills  for  State  tax; 
6  mills  for  county  tax;  1  mill  for  school  tax; 
3  mills  for  road  tax;  poll  tax,  $2.00;  county 
poll  tax,  50  cents. 

The  first  law  prohibiting  the  running  at 
large  of  hogs  and  sheep  was  passed  in  1856 
by  a  vote  of  27  to  6. 

Among  the  immigrants  of  1856,  besides 
those  already  mentioned,  were  Lafayette  Mc- 
Curdy,  Amos  Basom,   Wesley   II.   Blizzard, 


Uriah  Gibson,  William  li.  Teitsort,  N.  H. 
Powers,  J.  H.  Watson,  William  Gilley,  Will- 
iam Ochampaugh  and  Simon  Ochampaugh. 
The  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  lots  in  Carroll- 
ton, belonging  to  the  county,  were  loaned  at 
interest  for  a  time.  Samuel  L.  Loomis  bor- 
rowed $262.50;  Thomas  McCnrdy,  $190; 
Robert  Morris,  $25. 

SUBSEQUENT  OEDEES. 

The  following  unique  item  bears  date  of 
June  8,  1857,  and  is  signed  by  L.  McCurdy, 
County  Judge: 

"  License  was  granted  this  day  by  the 
county  court  to  Samuel  L.  Loomis  to  peddle 
dry  goods,  fancy  notions  and  patent  medi- 
cines throughout  the  State  of  Iowa,  for  three 
months  from  this  date,  and  he  has  paid  twelve 
dollars  and  fifty  cents  for  the  use  of  the  State 
of  Iowa,  which  entitles  him  to  use  two  or 
three  animals  in  transporting  his  merchan- 
dise." 

James  Y.  Anderson  assessed  the  whole  of 
Carroll  County  in  1857,  and  received  there- 
for $125.  The  taxes  for  the  year  amounted 
to  $3,505.17. 

March  1, 1858,  James  Thorington,  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  was  appointed  as  agent,  with 
power  of  attorney  to  select  and  secure  to  tlie 
county  of  Carroll  all  swamp  lands  belonging 
to  said  county  by  act  of  Congress  passed 
September  28,  1850. 

April  6,  1858,  County  Judge  Morris  ap- 
pointed Robert  Hill  and  Noah  Titus  surveyors 
to  select  the  swamp  lands  in  Carroll  County. 
Hill  was  assigned  the  townships  in  ranges 
33  and  35,  and  Titus  those  in  ranges  34 
and  36. 

Robert  Hill  was  shortly  after  allowed  $5 
for  furnishing  plans  and  specifications  for  a 
court-house.  This  Hill,  who  has  now  been 
dead  for  a  number  of  years,  was  an  odd 
character,  and  it  is  related  of  him   that  his 


milliner  of  purveyiiii,'-  was  to  tie  a  liandker- 
chief  on  a  wagon  wlieel,  and  then  coniit  the 
revolutions  of  the  wlieel.  Of  the  swamp 
land  surveys  in  this  county,  not  any  outside 
of  range  33  were  ever  approved. 

The  last  ofKcial  act  of  Judge  T.  T.  Morris 
was  to  settle,  on  December  13,  1859,  with 
H.  L.  Youtz,  administrator  of  the  estate  of 
Nelson  V>.  Moore,  who  had  taken  the  contract 
for  building:  the  court-house  at  Carrollton. 
In  this  settlement  the  county  paid  8818,  and 
took  the  responsibility  of  finishing  the  build- 
ing, which  was  unpainted  and  unplastered. 

BOARD  OF  SUPEEVISOBS. 

Judge  Morris  was  succeeded  by  Judge 
William  Shriner  in  January,  1860.  At  the 
close  of  that  year  the  general  government  of 
county  affairs  was  taken  from  the  county 
judge,  who  was  left  in  charge  of  only  probate 
matters,  and  given  to  a  Board  of  Supervisors. 
The  Board  at  first  included  two  members, 
one  for  each  township.  It  was  in  1863 
increased  to  three,  when  Union  Township 
was  added  to  Jasper  and  Newton.  In  1867 
three  more  townships  were  added — Carroll, 
Glidden  and  Sheridan — and  then  the  Board 
had  six  members  from  1868  to  1870.  In 
1871  the  township  system  was  abolished, 
and  the  county  Board  reduced  to  three 
members.  This  was  increased  to  five  in  1873, 
and  has  since  remained  at  that  number.  The 
first  Board  met  and  organized  January  6, 
1861,  and  consisted  of  Crockett  Ribble  and 
Jacob  Cretsingcr.  The  first  act  of  this 
organized  body  of  two  was  to  pass  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

"  liesolued,  That  the  clerk  be  authorized  to 
issue  orders  upon  the  certificate  of  either 
member  of  the  Board  when  such  certificate 
is  given  for  any  ordinary  township  business 
or  matters  which  do  not  directly  interest  the 


county,  and  also  to  issue  orders  upon  certifi- 
cates for  scalps  of  animals  without  action  of 
the  Board." 

Their  second  act  was  to  authorize  the  clerk 
to  sell  at  auction  the  supplying  of  wood  for 
the  clerk's  office,  and  the  third  was  to  appoint 
Amos  Basom  and  Levi  Higgins  justices  of 
the  peace.  This  was  all  the  business  trans- 
acted at  the  January  term.  At  the  April 
session,  besides  the  allowance  of  bills,  orders 
were  passed  authorizing  the  clerk  to  buy  fuel, 
lights,  stationery,  etc.;  fixing  the  legal  day 
"  for  supervisors,  clerks  and  other  county 
officers  whose  pay  is  by  the  day  at  six  hours 
constant  and  diligent  labor";  appointing  Will- 
iam II.  Price  judge  of  probate  for  the  unex- 
pired term  of  Judge  Shriner;  allowing  the 
clerk  $2  a  day  for  actual  work,  and  appoint- 
ing Robert  Hill  agent  of  the  county  to  pro- 
cure the  swamp  lands  belonging  to  the  county 
from  the  Government,  and  fixing  his  compen- 
sation at  1  per  cent,  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
sale  of  said  lands. 

At  the  June  session  the  tax  levy  was  fixed 
as  follows:  For  State  purposes,  one  and  one- 
half  mills;  for  county  purposes,  four  mills; 
for  schools,  two  mills;  poll  tax,  fifty  cents; 
for  school-house  purposes  in  sub-district  No. 
2  in  Jasper  Township  school  district,  five 
mills;  same  in  sub-district  No.  1,  five  mills; 
for  contingent  expenses,  one  and  one-half 
mills;  for  incidental  expenses  in  sub-district 
No.  2,  Newton  Township,  one  mill.  This 
meeting  occurred  during  the  first  glow  of  en- 
thusiasm which  was  aroused  in  the  loyal 
North  by  the  call  of  President  Lincoln  for 
volunteer  soldiers  to  suppress  the  slave-hold- 
ers' rebellion,  and  although  the  population 
of  Carroll  County  was  only  about  250,  and 
recruiting  could  not  be  carried  on  on  a  very 
extensive  scale,  still  the  citizens  were  too 
patriotic  to  make  no  outward  show  of  loyalty. 
This  reflection  will  explain  the  following  en- 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    HISTORY. 


647 


try  on  the  records  of  the  Board,  though  it 
reads  oddly  enough  at  this  time: 

"A  petition  was  numerously  signed  pray- 
ing to  the  Supervisors  to  appropriate  the  sum 
of  $25.00,  or  as  much  as  would  be  needed,  to 
purcliase  a  flag,  drums  and  fife;  and  the 
same  was  granted  and  the  clerk  ordered  to 
issue  a  warrant  for  the  same." 

In  January,  1862,  Mr.  Kibble  retired  from 
the  board,  and  Levi  Higgins  took  his  place, 
the  other  member  being  Mr.  Cretsinger. 
Mr.  Kibble  was  appointed  swamp  land  agent 
in  the  place  of  Kobert  Hill.  In  April  fol- 
lowing the  board  decided  to  allow  each  fam- 
ily, a  member  of  which  had  gone  to  the 
war,  $25.  This  sum  was  at  once  paid  to 
Jacob  Davis,  Mrs.  S.  A.  Davis,  John  Monroe, 
Amos  Khoades  and  Cyrus  Khoades.  In  Oc- 
tober following  the  same  bounty  was  paid 
to  K.  Haney  and  James  F.  McLuen. 

In  February,  1863,  Crockett  Kibble  was 
given  the  contract  for  building  a  saw  and 
grist-mill  at  Nile's  Grove  (Coon  Rapids). 
This  was  the  first  mill  in  the  county,  and  it 
is  said  that  the  county  issued  some  $6,000 
of  warrants  on   its  account. 

It  was  in  this  year  that  the  county  sold  to 
the  American  Emigrant  Company  21,840 
acres  of  swamp  land  selected  by  Franklin  H. 
Whitney.  All  the  county  received  in  return 
was  $3,500  in  money,  and  the  promise  of  a 
certain  number  of  immigrants.  This  transac- 
tion has  not  been  regarded  as  at  all  creditable 
to  the  county,  in  the  light  of  subsequent  his- 
tory, and  it  is  small  consolation  to  know  that 
other  counties  suffered  in  the  same  way.  The 
titles  to  much  of  this  land  were  long  in  dis- 
pute, and  the  result  was  a  hindrance  to  the 
development  of  tlie  county's  resources. 

Union  Township  was  erected  December  8, 
1863,  in  the  following  resolution: 

"  Hesolved,  That  there  be  a  new  township 
set  off  from  the  east  end  of  Newton  Town- 


ship, bounded  and  described  as  follows: 
Commencing  at  the  northeast  corner  of  sec- 
tion one,  township  83,  range  thirty-three; 
thence  west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  sec- 
tion four,  same  township;  thence  south  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  section  sixteen,  town- 
ship eighty-two,  range  thirty-three;  thence 
west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  section  nine- 
teen, same  township;  thence  south  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  section  thirty-one;  thence 
east  to  the  Greene  County  line;  and  thence 
north  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  election  in  said  Union 
Township  shall  be  held  at  the  school-house  in 
sub-district  No.  4,  in  said  township,  at  the 
time  of  the  next  general  election,  November 
1,  1864." 

As  thus  delimited,  the  township  was  very 
different  in  shape  and  size  to  that  since  given 
it.  It  was  made  to  include  all  of  the  present 
township,  except  the  northwest  six  sections 
(5,  6,  7,  8,  17  and  18),  and  the  east  two- 
thirds  of  what  is  now  Highland.  Union  was 
the  first  township  created  by  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  and  made  the  three  townships  in 
the  county.  Newton  had  previously  included 
the  southern  half  of  Carroll  County,  and 
Jasper  the  northern  half. 

At  this  same  session  of  the  Board,  the 
bounty  to  enlisted  and  drafted  men  was  raised 
to  $100.  In  June,  1864,  the  bounties  were 
equalized  by  paying  $75  additional  to  those 
who  had  received  $25. 

The  salaries  of  the  county  officers  in  those 
days  were  not  large.  During  the  first  few 
years  the  county  judge,  clerk  of  the  district 
court  and  treasurer  and  recorder  received 
$50  annually  each,  paid  in  quarterly  install- 
ments. Subsequently  the  treasurer  and 
recorder  was  given  $20  a  month,  and  in  1864 
the  clerk  and  the  treasurer  and  recorder 
were  allowed  $30  a  month. 

In  January,  1865,  the  Board  held  a  special 


648 


UISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


meeting  and  decided  to  issue  $4,800  in  bonds 
to  raise  money  to  pay  volunteers  under  the 
last  call  of  the  Government.  Recruiting 
ceased  soon  after,  however,  owing  to  the 
close  of  the  war. 

In  September,  1866,  Union  Township  was 
enlarged  and  made  to  include  all  of  town- 
ships 82  and  83,  range  33  (the  present  town- 
ships of  Highland  and  Union).  Orrin  Jer- 
ome, John  Hupp,  Sr.,  and  Elijah  S.  Wine 
were  appointed  judges  of  the  next  election. 

An  interesting  bit  of  history  for  future 
reading  was  made  at  the  December  meeting 
of  the  Board,  1866,  in  the  shape  of  a  back 
salary  grab.  A  petition  was  presented  to  the 
Board  signed  by  Crockett  Ribble,  Amos 
Rhoades,  Alva  Chambers,  J.  B.  Hampton,  G. 
W.  Hunter,  Isaac  Ferguson  and  others,  in  the 
following  words: 

"  The  petition  of  the  undersigned  citizens 
of  Carroll  County  would  respectfully  repre- 
sent tliat  whereas  the  within  named  county 
officers  have  not  nor  do  not  receive  a  suffi- 
cient compensation  for  their  labor,  and 
wliereas  the  law  gives  authority  to  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  of  any  county  to  increase  the 
salary  of  county  officers  by  appropriation  to 
make  good  any  deficiency,  now  therefore  we 
would  respectfully  solicit  the  Honorable 
Board  to  appropriate  to  the  following  officers 
the  sums  set  opposite  their  respective  names: 
AVilliam  H.  Price,  County  Judge,  $150  for 
1866;  La  Fayette  JMcCurdy,  County  Treas- 
urer, $75  per  month  from  January  1,  1866; 
William  Gilley,  Clerk  of  the  District  Court, 
$25  per  month  additional,  to  commence  the 
1st  of  January,  1863,  and  to  so  continue;  Dr. 
Thomas  Elwood,  Recorder,   §100  for  1866." 

The  petition  was  granted  and  the  clerk 
authorized  to  issue  warrants  for  the  amounts 
mentioned. 

In  January  following,  $500  was  appropri- 
ated for   William  (Tillev  "as   a  mark  of  re- 


spect for  impartial  and  gentlemanlj'  conduct," 
and  $1,000  for  Crockett  Ribble,  who  had  been 
out  of  office  more  than  a  year,  but  had  served 
four  years  as  treasurer.  Two  supervisors 
also  were  presented  with  $150  each,  and  a 
third  with  $75.  Lafayette  McCurdy,  ex- 
treasurer,  was  also  allowed  $500  to  "equal- 
ize his  pay  with  the  other  officers." 

AVithout  discussing  the  sufficiency  of  the 
previous  salaries,  it  may  be  said  by  way  of 
comment  that  increasing  a  salary  for  time 
that  has  gone  by,  the  services  being  per- 
formed and  the  compensation  already  re- 
ceived, has  never  been  regarded  with  favor  by 
conscientious  citizens.  When  a  similar  act 
was  passed  by  Congress,  a  few  years  later,  for 
the  benefit  of  Government  officers,  the  latter 
were  forced  by  7noral  pressure  to  refund 
the  bonuses  thus  received  from  the  treasury, 
and  were,  besides,  many  of  them  ruined  poli- 
tically. The  famous  salary-grab  of  Congress 
was  proportionally  on  a  smaller  scale  than 
that  carried  out  in  Carroll  County.  It  is  safe 
to  say  that  no  such  a  scheme  could  be  engi- 
neered to  success  in  any  locality  where  news- 
papers are  printed  and  published.  It  was  two 
years  after  that  before  the  first  paper  was 
started  in  Carroll  County. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  time  was  nearly 
expired  for  which  the  salaries  were  thus  in- 
creased, and  in  one  case  the  increase  ex- 
tended back  four  years.  It  is  a  matter  of 
common  knowledge  that  the  affairs  of  Carroll 
County  were  for  several  years  administered 
carelessly  and  extravagantly,  if  not  corruptly, 
and  it  was  this  policy  that  burdened  the 
county  with  a  debt  that  at  one  time  exceeded 
$160,000.  Much  of  this  was  .compromised, 
so  barefaced  were  the  frauds,  but  still  the 
county  treasury  has  unnecessarily  suffered, 
to  a  large  extent.  The  older  citizens,  who 
are  familiar  with  the  facts,  speak  of  these 
things   with    sorrow.      It  is  to  the  credit  of 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    HISTORY. 


C49 


the  county  and  its  voting  population  that 
the  commnnity  has  been  redeenied  from 
such  rule,  the  debt  paid,  and  affairs  are  now 
conducted  with  commendable  economy. 

It  ma^'  not  be  generally  known  that  Carroll 
County  anticipated  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment in  passing  a  timber-culture  law. 
The  Board  did  enact  such  an  one  in  June, 
1867,  by  the  terms  of  which  the  county  ad- 
vanced $25  per  acre  (in  county  warrants 
worth  about  40  cents  on  the  dollar)  to  set- 
tlers who  would  plant  and  cultivate  four  to 
live  acres  of  timl>er  in  each  forty  acres  of 
prairie,  or  not  less  than  fifteen  acres  of  tim- 
ber on  each  160  acres  of  prairie.  The  act 
was  made  to  extend  over  three  years,  and  the 
county  was  to  be  secured  by  mortgage,  to  be 
released  in  five  years,  if  all  the  conditions 
had  been  complied  with.  Such  lands  were 
also  to  be  free  from  taxation.  This  liberal 
enactment  was  not  taken  advantage  of  to  any 
great  extent. 

The  fourth  township  created  in  the  county 
was  named  Carroll,  and  dates  from  June, 
1867.  It  was  then  bounded  as  follows:  Be- 
ginning at  the  Crawford  County  line,  at  the 
southwest  corner  of  section  18,  township  83, 
range  36;  thence  east  to  the  southeast  corner 
of  section  16,  township  83,  range  34;  thence 
due  north  to  the  northeast  corner  of  section 
4,  same  township;  thence  due  east  to  the 
township  line,  between  ranges  33  and  34; 
thence  north  to  the  northeast  corner  of  sec- 
tion 1,  township  84,  range  34;  thence  west 
to  the  northwest  corner  of  section  6,  town- 
ship 84,  range  36;  thence  south  on  the  county 
line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  These  lines 
included  the'  present  townships  of  Arcadia, 
Carroll  and  Grant,  the  north  half  of  Wash- 
ington and  Roselle,  and  the  northwest  quar- 
ter of  Pleasant  Valley.  A.  J.  Delany,  Robert 
Hill  and  John  J.  McCollnm  were  appointed 
judges  of  the  first  election.     The  petition  to 


organize  this  township  was  signed  by  forty- 
eight  persons,  and  as  they  included  almost 
every  legal  voter,  tlieir  names  are  here  given 
as  a  nearly  comjilete  list  of  the  early  settlers 
of  the  territory  mentioned,  nearly  one-third 
of  the  county: 

Thomas  Willey,  J.  B.  Hampton,  W.  P. 
Hayes,  Patrick  Hogan,  R.  H.  Wilson,  Will- 
iam Connell,  David  Cain,  James  T.  Beatty, 
John  Hill,  Aaron  Peterson,  M.  Boman,  John 
Bruel,  T.  Clausen,  Patrick  Brade,  Patrick 
O'Brien,  J.  E.  Cox,  J.  AVillson,  R.  O.  Robin- 
son, Louis  R.  Eby,  William  McCabe,  W.  H. 
Wrenn,  Michael  Conley,  Michael  Ward, 
Arthur  Delany,  William  Bannister,  Hugh 
Beatty,  Henry  Baily,  Pat.  Fleming,  William 
W.  Teitsort,  George  Clark,  P.  C.  Waldren, 
John  J.  McCollum,  O.  L.  Kidder,  AVilliam 
Connors,  George  A.  Wilson,  C.  H.  Teitsort, 
John  O'Brien,  Christopher  Lenon,  Augustus 
Lutz,  William  H.  Ingraham,  Jacob  Arriens, 
Freia  Breuel,  A.  H.  Arriens,  Thomas  Cole- 
man, William  Connors  and  J.  Sherman. 

The  first  liquor  permit  in  the  county  was 
granted  in  1867,  at  Cai-rollton,  to  Dr.  Thomas 
Elwood.  He  was  given  a  permit  to  "  buy 
and  sell  intoxicating  liquors  for  the  term  of 
one  year,  for  mechanical,  medicinal,  culinary 
and  sacramental  purposes,  in  quantities  less 
tlian  five  gallons — also  malt  liquors  as  a 
beverage." 

Three  new  townships  were  created  August 
5,  1867,  the  year  that  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western Railroad  came  thi'oiigh  the  county 
and  brought  a  considerable  increase  in  popu- 
lation. These  were  each  just  one  congress- 
ional township  in  size,  and  this  plan  has 
been  since  followed,  so  that  there  are  now 
just  as  many  civil  as  congressional  townships 
— sixteen.  The  townships  erected  in  1867, 
with  the  names  of  the  petitioners  for  organi- 
.zation,  were  as  follows: 

Glidden,    township    84,    range    33:    Enos 


Butrick,  B.  Salisbury,  Samuel  Duckett,  E. 
Caldwell,  John  T.  Williams,  Uriah  Gibson, 
L.  B.  Maulsby,  Kobert  Dickson,  W.  A.  Stros- 
nider,  William  Dunpliy,  Isaac  Spracrne,  Pat- 
rick Gorrey,  C.  W.  Butrick,  Samuel  Spurgeon, 
A.  H.  Gibson,  Thomas  Hirons,  G.  Gibson,  S. 
W.  Lanck.  A.  Stevens,  A.  Salisbury,  William 
Short,  M.  L.  Peters,  John  Hancock,  A.  B. 
Wattles,  Augustus  Jones,  Edwin  Stone,  D. 
K.  Butrick  and  Abraham  Spurgeon. 

Sheridan,  township  85,  range  34:  Samuel 
Kelley,  J.  W.  Athey,  S.  Johnson,  Milton 
Bonner,  James  W.  Beebe,  Mark  Brooks, 
George    F.  Browning,   Cyreno  C.   Duel,  P. 

Koby, Barton,  H.  Prickett, Bonner 

and Stone. 

Jasper,  township  85,  range  33:  Kufus  Fra- 
zier,  J.  W.  Morlan,  D.  J.  Pitkins,  Elijah 
Prickett,  William  Laporte,  Daniel  Cooper, 
H.  Hastings,  Levi  Higgins,  J.  William 
Hobbs,  William  Ocharapaugh,  S.  Bush,  H. 
liibble,  G.  AV.  Higgins,  Simeon  Ochampaugh 
and  J.  H.  Ochampaugh. 

REMOVAL  OF  COUNTY  SEAT. 

A  petition  signed  by  si.xty-seven  promi- 
nent citizens  of  the  county  was  presented  to 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  August,  1867, 
calling  for  a  vote  on  the  removal  of  the 
county  seat  from  Carrollton  to  the  new  town 
of  Carroll,  which  had  been  laid  out  on  the 
Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railroad,  just  com- 
pleted east  and  west  through  the  county. 
The  petition  represented: 

"That  the  present  county  seat  of  Carroll 
County  is  not  convenient  to  the  majority  of 
[the  citizens  of]  said  county.  That  it  is  not 
centrally  located,  Ijut  on  the  contrary  is  situ- 
ated in  a  remote  part  of  the  county,  thereby 
causing  great  inconvenience  to  the  majority 
of  the  citizens  in  the  transaction  of  necessary 
business.  And  your  petitioners  further  repre- 
sent that  they  desire  to  have  the  county  seat 


re-located  at  Carroll  City,  for  the  following 
reasons,  to  wit: 

^'■First,  That  Carroll  City  is  situated  with- 
in one  mile  and  a  half  of  the  geographical 
center  of  the  said  county,  and  it  is  a  situation 
on  the  Northwestern  Railroad,  aflbrdiiig  an 
easy  access  to  the  citizens  of  a  large  portion 
of  said  county. 

"  Second,  That  a  majority  of  the  qualified 
voters  reside  at  and  near  the  said  Carroll 
City,  and  that  said  Carroll  City  is  rapidly 
increasing  in  permanent  population. 

"  Third,  That  the  construction  company 
have  promised  to  furnish  the  grounds  neces- 
sary for  the  erection  of  county  buildings,  and 
requisite  for  the  transaction  of  county  busi- 
ness, if  the  county  seat  shall  be  changed  to 
Carroll  City,  thereby  securing  to  the  county 
commodious  grounds  in  the  most  central 
portion  of  the  county  free  of  expense. 

'■'■Fourth^Th.aX.  your  petitioners  believe  that 
affording  in-coniers  the  easiest  facility  in 
transacting  county  business  at  a  place  cen- 
trally located,  and  situated  on  the  railroad, 
will  tend  to  increase  the  price  of  property 
within  the  county,  and  invite  settlers  to  it. 

"  Fifth,  That  eventuall}'  the  increasing  de- 
mands of  business  and  the  influx  of  popula- 
tion will  necessitate  the  removal  of  the 
county  seat  to  a  more  central  portion  of  the 
county;  and  we  believe  that  it  is  wise 
to  make  the  change  now,  in  view  of  the 
growth  of  the  said  county  in  wealth  and  pop- 
ulation, and  fix  permanently  upon  a  place. 
Central  location  and  railroad  facilities  will 
remove  all  objections  in  the  transaction  of 
county  business,  both  to  the  old  and  new 
settlers,  especially  that  the  county  has  had  a 
generous  offer  of  the  necessary  grounds  free 
of  expense. 

"  Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  that  your 
honorable  Board  order  a  vote  to  be  taken  be- 
tween Siiid  Carroll  City  and  Carrollton,  the 


EAMLT    AND    CIVIL    HISTORY. 


051 


present  conn  ty  seat,  at  the  next  general  election, 
to  take  place  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  Octo- 
ber next,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the 
removal  of  said  county  seat  to  said  Carroll 
City,  and  your  petitioners  will  ever  pray." 

The  petition  was  granted,  and  at  the  elec- 
tion eighty-eight  votes  were  cast  for  the  re- 
moval, to  thirty  for  retaining  it  at  Carrollton. 
It  was  not  expected  that  the  citizens  of  the 
latter  phice  would  submit  to  it  without  a 
protest,  and  this  came  to  the  Board  in  tlie 
form  of  a  petition  signed  by  seven  citizens  of 
Carrollton  (Thomas  Elwood,  J.  G.  W.  Char- 
michael,  H.  J.  P.  Miller,  William  Fuel,  G. 
W.  Hunter,  J.  B.  Hampton  and  G.  H. 
Shutz),  and  dated  April  27,  1868,  reading  as 
follows: 

"We,  the  undersigned  petitioners,  would 
respectfully  represent  in  our  humble  opinion 
to  your  Honorable  Body, 

"  First,  That  the  petition  to  re-locate  the 
county  seat  of  this  county  was  not  according 
to  law. 

"  Second,  The  legal  voters  of  this  county 
did  not  have  legal  notice  from  the  proper 
county  officers  that  there  was  to  be  a  vote 
taken  to  remove  the  county  seat. 

'■'■Third,  The  name  of  the  town  where  ■■• 
petitioners  for  removal  of  the  cou'.>-y  seat 
asked  to  have  the  county  seat  re-located  was 
Carroll  City  and  some,  if  not  all,  of  the 
tickets  handed  to  the  legal  voters  of  this 
county  had  printed  or  written  on  them  Car- 
roll City  for  the  re-location  of  the  county  seat, 
and  we  find  that  according  to  our  county 
records  we  have  not  got  any  such  town  in 
our  county  as  Carroll  City. 

"  These,  gentlemen,  are  only  a  Dart  of  the 
wrongs  perpetrated  on  us  by  the  "mtimely  re- 
moval of  this  county  seat.  We,  your  peti- 
tioners, would  beg  of  you  to  consider  well 
before  acting.  Do  not  bow  to  a  railroad  in- 
terest.     We    know    they    are    mighty,    but 


Carroll    County    and    we    Carroll   (Jountiens 
[sic]  are  more  mighty  than  they." 

The  supervisors  refused  to  consider  the 
wounded  feelings  of  the  Carrollton  property 
owners,  and  the  county  records,  furniture, 
etc.,  were  ordered  to  be  removed  to  Carroll 
City  at  10  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  April 
28,  1868.  Thenceforward  Carrollton  declined 
until  now  it  is  little  more  than  a  reminis- 
cence. At  Carroll  the  records  were  deposited 
and  ottices  opened  in  a  house  leased  to  the 
county  by  William  Gilley,  at  $50  per  month. 
John  Monroe  and  John  J.  McCoUum  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  assist  the  clerk  in 
the  removal. 

NEW    TOWNSHIPS. 

In  January,  1870,  sections  1,  2,  11,  12, 13, 
11,  15,  3  and  10,  township  83,  range  34, 
were  taken  from  Newton  and  annexed  to 
Carroll  Township. 

In  June  following  the  northern  of  the  two 
townships  hitherto  included  in  Union,  was 
set  off  and  named  Richland.  The  petitioners 
were  Stephen  D.  Cnlbertson,  Oliver  Horton, 
William  L.  Cnlbertson,  Aaron  Livingston, 
Curtis  Durlan,  John  A.  Wood,  Charles  H. 
Lee,  George  Conner,  Perry  Knight,  D.  G. 
Stevens,  L.  C.  Coryell,  P.  D.  Coryell  and  J. 
T.  Stevens. 

At  the  same  session  township  85,  range  35, 
and  township  85  and  range  36,  were  set  off 
from  Sheridan  and  organized  as  Kniest 
Township,  Mount  Carmel  being  designated 
as  the  voting  place. 

In  September,  1870,  townships  83,  range 
35,  and  83,  range  36,  were  set  off  from  Car- 
roll and  Newton  and  organized  as  Roselle 
Township.  The  petitioners  were:  Barlow 
Kelsey,  Ben.  A.  Clarke,  Sam.  Todd,  Joseph 
James,  Sr.,  C.  Hussey,  Joseph  Buckhart,  J. 
A.  Coppedge,  L.  R.  Coppedge  and  L.  Todd. 

Arcadia  was  set  off  in  1871,  the  petitioners 


■■"M«'M"'n'»a"'»— M»»wsw: 


053 


HISTORY    OF    CAllIiOlL    COUNTY. 


being  Joseph  H.  Vieno,  C.  Jolinson,  K.  H. 
Winter,  Thomas  F.  Douglass,  James  Hanna, 
Francis  Hanna,  Isaac  N.  Voris,  L.  J.  Liunson, 
C.  U.  Palmer,  J.  II.  Hubbard,  D.  J.  McDon- 
gall,  J.  W.  Bishop  and  W.  E.  Kennedy. 
Arcadia  is  township  84,  range  36,  and  was 
previously  a  part  of  (,'arroll  Township. 

Leech  Township,  afterward  changed  to 
Eden,  was  set  off  from  Newton  in  1871,  and 
then  included  what  is  now  Warren  in  addi- 
tion to  the  present  township  of  Eden,  town- 
ship 82,  range  35,  and  township  82,  range 
36.  The  petitioners  were:  E.  P.  Marsh,  A. 
G.  Leech,  George  R.  Bennett,  Tliomas  C. 
Wolfe,  C.  Eunnons,  E.  J.  Emmons,  J.  W. 
Hart,  15.  L.  Hart,  Orrin  Jerome,  Henry 
Bosworth,  A.  Miskimins,  George  W.  Lewis, 
David  Zebrung,  Herliert  A.  Bennett,  G.  S. 
Hart,  {).  1).  Hart,  Stephen  D.  Smith,  H.  T. 
Altiiy,  S.  P.  Hart,  Z.  E.  Atteberry  and  J.  L. 
Atteberry. 

Wheatland,  township  85,  range  36,  was  set 
off  from  Kniest  in  May,  1872.  It  occupies 
the  northwestern  corner  of  Carroll  County. 
The  petitioners  were:  William  Arts,  C.  Bru- 
ning,  Charles  E.  Florencourt,  F.  F.  Floren- 
court,  H.  ]\r.  Kreins,  Frank  Hoogestraat, 
Rudolph  Parmenborg,  Frank  Wegmann,  Ber- 
nard Wegmann,  Henry  Emenback,  Jolin 
Stork  and  Fred  Reirnond. 

Grant,  township  84,  range  34,  except  sec- 
tions 18,  19  and  30,  was  set  off  from  Carroll 
in  May,  1872.  Tiie  petitioners  were:  Isaac 
Mohler,  S.  M.  Moore,  N.  D.  Tluirmiui,  Daniel 
Harrison,  Jesse  Marity,  John  Tabon,  AYilliain 
Harrison,  Henry  Conboy,  John  Mehrongs, 
Herman  Hes.slingh,  AVilliam  Becker,  John 
Daiker,  Jeidel  Glocheisen,  Mens  H.  Memjen 
and  Van  Tuttle. 

Washington,  township  83,  range  36,  was 
set  off  from  Roselle  in  September,  1872. 
Tiie  petitioners  were:  Ira  M.  Lewis,  L.  G. 
Hojikins,  M.  L.  Hopkins,  W.  H.    Ferrin,  S. 


Priest,  S.  T.  Boynton,  W.  F.  Steigerwalt, 
William  I.  Hilles  and  E.  Hilles. 

Pleasant  Valley,  township  83,  range  34, 
was  set  off  in  1873,  but  no  petition  is  on 
file. 

Warren,  the  youngest  of  the  sixteen  town- 
ships, was  set  off  from  Eden  in  1875.  It  is 
township  82,  range  36. 

FIRST  COURT. 

The  first  district  court  was  held  November 
23,  1858,  by  Hon.  M.  F.  Moore,  district 
judge.  The  first  grand  jury  were:  Cornelius 
Higgins,  Benjamin  Teller,  Matthew  Borders, 
Lafayette  McCurdy,  Crockett  Ribble,  Robert 
Morris,  William  Short,  Robert  Dickinson, 
Elijah  Puckett,  Cyrus  Rhoades,  James  Colclo, 
David  Scott,  David  Frazier,  Samuel  Lyon 
and  Araos  Bason.  James  Colclo  was  appointed 
foreman.  First  case  on  ilocket  was  Nehe- 
miah  Powers  and  John  Watson  r.s.  Cornelius 
Higgins.  Noah  Titus  was  the  first  j^erson 
licensed  to  practice  law  in  the  county. 

EARLY  RECORDS. 

The  first  marriage  license  was  jjrauted 
September  16,  1855,  to  Joseph  Ford  and 
Sarah  Ochempaugh.  They  were  married 
September  23,  1856,  by  A.  J.  Cain,  county 
judge.  First  estate  administered  upon  was 
AVesley  H.  Blizzard  May  3,  1858.  First 
administrator  appointed  was  James  H.  Colclo. 
The  first  deed  was  made  by  Thomas  Ford  to 
Nancy  Ford,  for  the  east  half  of  section  17, 
township  85,  range  33,  September  3,  1855, 
and  acknowledged  by  A.  J.  Cain,  county 
judge. 

INDIANS. 

Many  Indians  lingered  in  this  region,  or 
visited  it  annually,  for  some  years  after  settle- 
ment began.  There  was  some  complaint  of 
thieving,  but  as  the  Indians  had  learned  the 
power  of  the  whites  in  war,  they  were  ])riident, 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    HISTORY. 


G53 


and  very  few  settlers  had  any  trouble  with 
them. 

The  (lid  Indian  trail  known  as  the  War 
Path,  or  the  dividing  line  between  the  Sioux 
and  Pottawattamie  Indian's  hunting  grounds, 
runs  through  townships  82,  83,  84  and  85, 
range  36,  in  this  county.  It  is  plainly  visi- 
ble, and  is  as  straight  as  an  arrow.  It  was  a 
death  penalty  for  an  Indian  of  one  tribe  to 
cross  the  path  and  be  found  hunting  on  the 
lands  of  the  other. 

An  early  settler  relates  that  an  old  Indian 
chief  told  him  there  was  once  a  terrible 
Indian  battle  fought  near  Crescent  Lake, 
about  one  mile  south  of  Carroll  Center, 
between  Sioux  and  Pottawattamie  Indians. 
There  had  been  a  feud  for  a  long  time  exist- 
ing between  the  two  tribes  in  regard  to  the 
infringement  of  the  law  in  relation  to  the 
hunting  grounds  by  disloyal  Indians.  The 
Sioux  determined  to  exterminate  the  Potta- 
■wattamies.  A  large  party  of  the  latter  were 
encamped  near  Crescent  Lake,  in  the  grove 
of  timber.  One  morning  a  powerful  party 
of  tlie  Sioux  attacked  them,  and  a  terrible 
and  bloody  battle  ensued,  resulting  in  the 
death  of  all  the  Sioux  warriors,  and  all  but 
three  of  the  Pottawattamies.  The  remains 
of  the  dead  warriors  were  left  to  be  eaten  by 
the  wolves,  or  rot,  and  their  bones  to  bleach 
on  the  prairie,  until  the  annual  prairie  fires 
consumed  them. 

GAME,   ETC. 

"When  the  first  settlers  came,  deer,  elk  and 
antelope  were  not  plentiful,  the  Indians  hav- 
inor  hunted  them  down  and  thinned  their 
numbers.  Still,  venison  could  be  iiad  with- 
out much  trouble,  and  deer  became  annually 
more  plentiful  for  several  years.  Antelopes 
were  occasionally  seen,  but  soon  disappeared. 

Wild  turkeys  and  prairie  cliickens  were 
abundant,  and    it    was    not    diflicult  to    bag 


several  of  either  kind  ot  birds  in  a  couple  of 
hours;  but  the  pioneer  hunters  preferred  to 
hunt  for  deer,  and  when  in  search  for  this 
frame  would  not  condescend  to  shoot  at  a 
turkey.  As  a  pioneer  quaintly  expresses  it, 
'•  When  they  went  deer-hunting  they  didn't 
go  turkey-hunting." 

Bears  and  panthers  were  almost  unknown. 
Wildcats  were  numerous  in  the  timber,  but 
were  not  to  be  feared,  except  in  a  close 
encounter.  The  most  troublesome  and  alto- 
gether vicious  enemies  of  the  pioneers  were 
the  wolves.  These  pests  would  not  only 
liowl  around  the  lonely  cabin  all  night,  but 
were  always  ravenous  and  ready  to  pounce 
upon  any  unguarded  calf,  pig,  sheep  or 
chicken  that  they  could  get  at,  and  the 
settlers  were  obliged  to  build  pens  against 
their  cabins  in  which  to  keep  their  small 
stock.  Chickens  were  frequently  taken  into 
tlie  house  in  order  to  preserve  tliem  from  the 
attacks  of  wolves,  polecats  and  weasels. 

Prairie  i-attlesnakes  were  very  numerous 
for  many  years  after  the  county  was  settled. 
Gophers  were  very  troublesome  to  farmers, 
too.  The  couTity  established  bounties  on 
wolf  scalps,  gophers  and  other  enemies  of 
civilized  living. 

CLAIMS    AND    FIRST  IMPROVEMENTS. 

Future  generations  will  inquire,  not  only 
how  this  country  appeared  before  the  hand  of 
civilized  man  had  marred  its  virgin  beauty, 
but  how  the  first  comers  managed  to  live,  to 
protect  themselves  from  the  elements,  and  to 
procure  the  means  of  subsistence;  how  they 
met  the  varied  requirements  of  civilization 
to  whii;h  they  had  been  accustomed,  and 
with  what  resignation  they  dispensed  with 
such  as  could  not  be  had. 

If  correctly  told,  it  would  be  a  tale  of 
intense  interest;  but  it  would  require  a 
master-hand    to   draw   a  picture   that  would 


^-^ 


654 


BISTORT    OP    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


show  the  scene  in  all  its  details — personal 
experience  alone  could  only  unfold  the  tale. 
When  a  new  coiner  arrived  he  iirst  selected 
a  location  where  he  could  make  his  future 
home,  and  the  question  naturally  arises,  of 
whom  did  he  get  permission  to  occupy  it? 
The  answer  might  be  given  in  the  language 
usually  used  when  defining  political  or  civil 
rights — every  one  was  free  to  do  as  he  pleased 
so  he  did  not  interfere  with  his  neighbor. 
When  the  Government  had  extinguished  the 
Indian  title  the  land  was  subject  to  settle- 
ment either  before  or  after  survey.  The 
settler  had  no  paper  title,  but  simply  the 
rigiit  of  possession,  which  he  got  by  moving 
on  to  and  occupying  it;  this  gave  him  the 
right  to  hold  it  against  all  others  till  some 
one  came  with  a  better  title,  which  better 
title  could  only  be  got  by  purchasing  the  fee 
of  the  Government  when  surveyed  and 
brought  into  market.  The  right  of  posses- 
sion thusobtained  constituted  what  was  called 
a  claim.  These  were  regarded  as  valid  titles 
by  the  settlers,  and  were  often  sold,  in  some 
instances  for  large  amounts.  Pre-emption 
laws  were  passed  at  different  times  by  Con- 
gress, giving  to  claimants  who  had  made 
certain  specified  improvements  the  exclusive 
right  to  purchase  the  premises  at  the  mini- 
mum price  of  SI. 25  per  acre,  provided  they 
would  prove  their  pre-emption. 

When  the  settler  had  selected  his  location 
or  made  his  claim,  his  first  attention  was 
directed  to  procuring  a  shelter  for  himself 
and  family.  If  in  the  vicinity  of  others 
already  provided,  he  was  readily  welcomed  to 
share  their  scanty  accommodations,  two,  and 
frequently  three  families,  together  occupying 
a  cabin  with  one  room,  perhaps  12  x  14, 
more  or  less.  But  if  far  removed  from 
neighbors,  he  had  to  occupy  his  covered 
wagon  in  wliicii  he  came,  sleeping  in  or 
under  it,  arid  cooking  and  eating  in  the  open 


air,  or  some  other  rude  contrivance,  frequently 
a  tent  made  of  blankets,  till  a  shelter  could  be 
provided.  This  was  usually  a  log  cabin,  for 
the  raising  of  whicii  help  was  needed.  When 
help  was  not  available,  his  cabin  must  be 
built  of  such  logs  or  poles  as,  with  the  aid  of 
his  family,  could  be  handled.  In  raising  a 
log  cabin  considerable  skill  is  required. 
What  were  termed  corner  hands — one  at  each 
corner,  or  where  hands  were  scarce,  one  for 
two  corners — should  have  some  experience. 
The  bottom  log  must  be  saddled  or  cut  to  a 
sloping  edge  or  angle  to  receive  the  cross  log, 
which  must  be  notched  to  fit  the  saddle.  A 
failure,  requiring  the  log  to  be  removed  to  be 
refitted,  was  sure  to  bring  some  pleasant 
raillery  on  the  culprit.  If  well  done  a  door 
or  window  can  be  cut,  and  the  parts  of  the 
logs  will  remain  firm  in  their  place,  but  if 
not  a  perfect  fit,  when  a  space  is  cut  for  the 
door,  the  accumulated  weight  from  above 
will  bring  the  logs  to  a  tit  at  the  corner,  and 
throw  the  ends  at  the  cutting  wide  from 
their  place.  When  the  walls  were  completed, 
or  about  ten  feet  high,  the  gables  were  carried 
up  by  laying  on  logs,  each  shortened  in  suc- 
cession to  give  the  proper  slope  for  the  roof, 
and  held  by  straight  logs,  or  large  poles, 
placed  about  three  feet  from,  and  parallel 
with,  the  plate,  rising  upward  to  receive  the 
shingles,  resting  on  and  holding  the  short 
logs  at  the  gables,  and  terminating  with  a 
ridge  pole  at  the  center  of  the  building  and 
top  of  the  roof.  On  these  were  placed  long 
shingles  or  clapboards  four  feet  long,  laid 
double  so  the  top  course  broke  joints  with 
the  first,  on  which  was  laid  another  log  or 
pole  held  by  a  pin  at  each  end;  this  pole  held 
the  shingles  in  place  without  nailing,  and 
each  succeeding  course  was  laid  and  fastened 
in  the  same  way.  The  floor  was  made  of 
split  logs  hewn  on  the  split  side,  and  spotted 
on  to  the  sleepers  on  the  round  side  so  as   to 


»H,»Mi'»'ll»»j»««".n«'»i»  M"M": 


EARLY    AND    VIVII.    HISTORY. 


655 


make  a   tolerable   floor;    these   were   called 
puncheons. 

The  chimney  was  built  outside  of  the 
buildino'  at  one  end  and  a  hole  cut  through 
the  logs  for  a  fireplace.  It  was  made  of  tim- 
ber, lined  with  stone  or  clay  for  four  or  Ave 
feet,  and  then  with  a  crib  of  sticks  plastered 
inside  with  cla^-  mortar.  The  spaces  between 
the  logs  Were  tilled  with  pieces  of  split  tim- 
ber, called  chinking,  and  plastered  inside  and 
out  with  clay  mortar,  making  a  warm  and 
quite  comfortable  house;  but  snow  and  rain, 
when  falling  with  a  high  wind,  would  get  in- 
side through  the  clapboard  roof — and  where 
leisure  and  means  justiiied,  a  roof  of  boards 
and  short  shingles  was  substituted. 

A  one-post  bedstead  was  made  as  follows: 
Bore  a  hole  in  a  log  four  feet  from  the 
corner  of  the  room,  and  insert  a  rail  six  feet 
long;  then  bore  a  hole  in  the  log  on  the  other 
side  of  the  room  six  feet  from  the  same 
corner,  and  insert  a  piece  of  rail  four  feet 
long;  then  insert  the  opposite  ends  of  these 
rails  where  they  meet  in  a  post,  which  com- 
pletes the  frame;  then  lay  slats  crosswise 
from  the  side  on  to  the  log  opposite,  or  on 
to  a  rail  pinned  on  the  log  at  the  proper 
height,  and  the  one-post  bedstead  is  complete, 
on  which  the  weary  pioneer  slept  as  sweetly 
as  on  the  most  costly  one.  These  rough 
buildings  were  quite  comfortable,  and,  as 
most  of  the  old  settlers  will  testify,  wit- 
nessed much  of  real  enjoyment.  Some  of  our 
greatest  men  were  born  and  reared  in  such 
a  dwelling.  A  shelter  provided,  the  next 
thing  was  to  prepare  to  raise  whereon  to  sub- 
sist. 

The  ])rairie  region  oifered  advantages  for 
an  occupant  far  superior  to  a  timbered  coun- 
try; in  the  latter  an  immense  amount  of 
labor  had  to  be  done  to  remove  the  timber, 
and  for  years  after  the  stumps  prevented  free 
cultivation;   while  on  the  prairie  the  sod  only 

46 


had  to  be  turned,   and   the  crop  put  in.     At 
an  early   day    the    sod   was  turned  by  an   ox 
team  of  six  to  ten  yoke,  witii  a  plow  tliat  cut 
a  furrow  from  two  to  three  feet  wide.     The 
plow  beam,  which   was  from  eight  to  twelve 
feet  long,   was  framed    into  an  axle,  on  each 
end  of  which  was  a  wheel  sawed  from  an  oak 
log;  this  held    the   plow   upright.     It  was  a 
heavy,    unwieldy-looking  apparatus,  but  did 
good  work,  and  the  broad  black  furrow,  as  it 
rolled  from  the  plow,  was  a  sight  worth  see- 
ing.    The  nice  adjustment  and  tilling  of  the 
coulter  and  broad  share  required  a  pi-acticed 
hand,   as    a  slight    deviation    in    the    tip  of 
the  share,  or   even   filing   the  coulter,  would 
throw   the  plow  on    a   twist   and    require    a 
strong  man  to  hold  it  in  place,  but  if  nicely 
done   the  plow  would    run    a  long  distance 
without  support. 

This  is  the  primitive  plow,  but  Yankee  in- 
genuity soon  found  that  a  smaller  plow  and 
less  team  did  cheaper  and  better  work.  It 
was  found  that  the  best  time  to  break  the  sod 
was  when  the  grass  was  rapidly  growing,  as 
it  would  then  decaj'  quickly,  and  the  soil 
soon  be  mellow  and  kind;  but  if  broken  too 
early  or  too  late  in  the  season  it  would  re- 
quire two  or  three  years  to  become  as  mellow 
as  it  would  be  in  three  months  when  broken 
at  the  right  time.  Very  shallow  plowing  re- 
quired less  team,  and  would  mellow  much 
sooner  than  deep  breaking. 

The  first  crop  was  mostly  corn,  planted  by 
cutting  a  gash  with  an  ax  into  tlie  inverted 
sod,  dropping  the  corn  and  closing  it  by  an- 
other blow  along  side  the  first.  Or  it  was 
dropped  in  every  third  furrow  and  the  fur- 
row turned  on;  if  the  corn  was  so  placed  as 
to  find  the  space  between  the  furrows  it 
would  find  daylight,  if  not  it  was  doubtful. 
Corn  so  planted  would,  as  cultivation  was  { 
impossible,  produce  a  partial  crop,  sometimes  I 
a  full  one.     Prairie  sod  turned  in  June  would       t 


r-^,*-»,^^.^x  »  V 


.■-■-■^■^^-■-■.■-■■-■^"-■■■■■''-■■. 


1)50 


IHSTOKY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


be  ill  coudition  to  sow  with  wheat  in  Septem- 
ber, or  to  put  in  with  corn  or  f>:its  the  spring 
following.  Vines  of  all  kind.*  grew  well  on 
thefresh-tnrned  sod,  melons  especially,  though 
the  wolves  usually  took  their  full  share  of 
these. 

After  the  iirst  crop  the  soil  was  kind, 
and  produced  any  crop  suited  to  the  climate. 
Jjut  when  his  crops  were  growing  the  settler 
was  not  relieved  from  toil.  His  chickens 
must  have  shelter;  closed  at  night  to  protect 
them  from  the  owls  and  wolves;  his  pigs  re- 
quired ecpial  protection;  and  although  his 
cows  and  oxen  roamed  on  the  wide  prairie  in 
a  profusion  of  the  richest  pasture,  still  a 
yard  must  he  made  for  his  cows  at  night 
and  his  calves  by  day.  The  cows  were 
turned  in  with  the  calves  for  a  short  time  at 
night,  and  then  the  calves  turned  on  the 
prairie  to  feed  during  the  night;  in  the  morn- 
ing the  calves  were  turned  in  and  the  cows  were 
turned  out  for  their  day's  pasture;  this  was 
necessary  to  induce  the  cows  to  come  up  at 
night,  tor  if  the  calves  were  weaned  the 
cows  would  fail  to  come.  And  the  stock  all 
needed  some  protection  from  the  fierce  win- 
try blast,  though  sometimes  they  got  but 
little.  Add  to  this  the  fencing  of  the  farm, 
the  out-buildings,  hunting  the  oxen  and  cows 
on  the  limitless  prairies  through  the  heavy 
dews  of  late  evening  and  early  morning,  go- 
ing long  distances  to  market  and  to  mill,  aid- 
ing a  new-comer  to  build  his  cabin,  fighting 
the  prairie  fires  which  swept  over  the  coun- 
try yearly,  and  with  his  family  encountering 
that  pest  of  a  new  country,  the  fever  and 
ague,  and  other  malarious  diseases,  and  the 
toil  and  endurance  of  a  settler  in  a  new 
country  may  be  partially,  but  not  fully  ap- 
preciated. 

A  visitor  from  the  Eastern  States  has 
often  taunted  the  toiling  pioneers  with  such 
remarks  as  these:  "  Why  do  you  stack  out  . 


your  hay  and  grain?"  "AVhy  don't  you  have 
barns,  comfortable  houses,  stables  for  your 
cattle  and  other  conveniences  as  we  have?" 
He  should  have  been  answered,  "  You  are 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  the  labor  of  genera- 
tions of  your  ancestors,  while  we  have  to  cre- 
ate all  we  have.  We  have  made  necessarily 
rude  and  cheap  shelters  for  ourselves  and  ani- 
mals, have  fenced  our  farms,  dug  our  wells, 
have  to  make  our  roads,  bridge  our  streams, 
build  our  school-houses,  churches,  court- 
houses and  jails,  and  when  one  improvement 
is  complete,  another  want  stares  us  in  the 
face."  All  this  taxed  the  energies  of  the  new 
pettier  to  the  extent  of  human  endurance,  and 
many  fell  by  the  way,  unable  to  meet  the 
demands  upon  their  energies. 

The  only  wonder  is  that  so  much  has 
been  accomplished;  that  so  many  comforts, 
conveniences  and  luxuries  have  crowned  the 
efl'orts  of  our  people;  that  we  have  reached 
a  point  for  which  a  centnrj'  of  efl^brt  might 
well  have  been  allowed.  Political  and  finan- 
cial theorists  have  tauntingly  told  the  farm- 
ers of  Iowa  that  they  knew  nothing  of 
finance,  except  what  wiser  heads  have  told 
them;  that  they  have  made  nothing  by  fann- 
ing, and  would  be  poor  except  for  the  ad- 
vance in   price  of  their  farms. 

These  Solons  should  be  told  that  it  is  the 
toil  of  those  farmers  that  has  made  their 
farms  increase  in  price;  their  toil  has  clothed 
them  with  valuable  improvements,  planted 
orchards  and  fruit  gardens,  made  roads  and 
bridges,  converted  a  wilderness  into  a  land  of 
beauty,  and  made  it  the  happy  abode  of  in- 
telligent men.  All  this  had  to  be  done  to 
make  these  farms  advance  in  price,  and  those 
who  have  done  this,  and  raised  and  educated 
their  families,  have  done  well;  and  if  the 
advance  in  the  price  of  their  farms  has  given 
them  a  competence,  it  is  what  they  antici- 
pated, and  nothing  but  the  most  persevering 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    HISTORY. 


657 


industry  and  frugality  woidd  have  accom- 
plished it. 

In  addition  to  the  laboi-  and  multitude  of 
cares  that  beset  the  new  comer,  he  had  it  all 
to  accomplish  under  disadvantages,  and  to 
encounter  dangers  that  of  themselves  were 
sufficient  to  discourage  men  not  of  stern  re- 
solve. Traveling  unworked  roads,  and  cross- 
ing streams  without  bridges,  was  often  a 
perilous  adventure. 

Crossing  the  wide  prairie  at  night,  with 
not  even  the  wind  or  stars  for  guides,  was  a 
very  uncertain  adventure,  and  often  the  way- 
farer traveled  till  exhausted,  and  encamped 
till  the  morning  light  should  guide  him  on 
his  way.  In  warm  weatlier,  although  an  un- 
pleasant exposure,  this  was  not  a  dangerous 
one;  and  although  the  sensation  of  being 
lost  is  more  irksome,  and  the  loneh'  silence 
in  the  middle  of  a  prairie,  broken  only  by  the 
howl  of  the  wolves,  is  more  unpleasant  than 
one  inexperienced  would  imagine,  and  the 
gnawing  of  a  stomach  innocent  of  supper 
adds  much  to  the  discomfort,  it  all  passes 
with  the  night,  and  a  brighter  view  and  hap- 
pier feelings  dawn  with  the  breaking  morn. 
But  crossing  the  trackless  prairie  when 
covered  with  a  dreary  expanse  of  snow,  with 
the  fierce,  unbroken  wintry  blasts  sweeping 
over  its  glistening  surface,  penetrating  to  the 
very  marrow,  was  sometimes  a  fearful  and 
dangerous  experience.  No  condition  could 
inspire  a  more  perfect  idea  of  lonely  desola- 
tion, of  entire  discomfort,  of  helplessness, 
and  of  dismal  forebodings,  than  to  find  one's 
self  lost  on  the  snow-covered  prairie,  with  no 
object  in  sight  in  any  direction  but  the  cold, 
un(iulating  snow  wreaths,  and  a  dark  and 
tempestuous  winter  night  fast  closing  around 
his  chilled  and  exhausted  frame.  His  saga- 
cious horse,  by  spasmodic  efforts  and  contin- 
uous neighing,  shows  that,  with  his  master, 
he  appreciates  the  danger  and  shares  his  fear- 


ful anticipations.  With  what  longing  the  lost 
one  reflects  on  the  cozy  fireside  of  his  warm 
cabin,  surrounded  by  his  loved  ones,  which 
he  fears  he  may  never  see ;  and  when  the  dark 
shadow  of  night  has  closed  around  and  shut 
in  the  landscape,  and  chance  alone  can  bring 
relief,  a  joyous  neigh  and  powerful  spring 
from  his  noble  horse  calls  his  eye  in  the 
direction  he  has  taken ;  he  sees  over  the  bleak 
expanse  a  faint  light  in  the  distance,  toward 
which  his  horse  is  bounding  with  accelerated 
speed,  equally  with  his  master  cheered  and 
exhilarated  by  the  beacon  light  which  the 
hand  of  affection  has  placed  at  the  window 
to  lead  the  lost  one  to  his  home.  JS^earl}' 
everj'  early  settler  can  remember  such  an  ex- 
perience, while  some  never  reached  the  home 
they  sought,  but,  chilled  to  a  painless  slum- 
ber, they  found  the  sleep  that  knows  no 
waking. 

Crossing  the  uncultivated  prairie  in  a 
cloudy  night,  or  in  a  snowy  or  foggy  day, 
was  very  liable  to  have  an  uncertain  come- 
out.  In  a  clear  night  the  stars  were  a  very 
reliable  guide,  and  like  the  Eastern  magi  on 
the  plains  of  Syria,  the  settlers  came  to  have 
a  close  acquaintance  with  the  constellations. 
A  steady  wind  was  a  very  reliable  guide;  the 
traveler  would  get  his  bearing,  then  notice 
how  the  wind  struck  his  nose,  right  or  left 
ear,  etc.,  and  then  keep  that  same  sensation, 
regardless  of  any  other  guide,  and  he  would 
generally  come  out  right.  But  if  the  wind 
changed,  of  course  he  went  with  it.  With- 
out these  guides,  it  was  a  mere  accident  if  a 
person  succeeded  in  a  still  atmosphere,  in  a 
cloudy  night,  or  snowy  or  foggy  day,  in  cross- 
ing a  prairie  of  any  extent.  There  is  always 
a  tendency  to  go  in  a  circle;  the  world  moves 
in  a  circle:  planets  and  suus,  comets  and  me- 
teors all  move  in  circles.  Blindfold  a  person, 
pl^ce  him  in  a  large  hall,  let  him  be  a  novice, 
uncautioned,  and   in  a  majority  of  cases   he 


(i.)!S 


msTOUy    OF    CAUUOLL    UUUNTY. 


will  so  several  times  around  the  hall  before 
he  hits  the  side.  The  writer,  with  an  ox 
team,  in  a  dark  evening  started  to  go  about 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  to  strike  a  point  of 
timber,  but  failing  to  do  so,  kept  traveling 
till  late  in  the  evening,  when  accidentally 
the  timber  was  found,  and  followed  to  the 
desired  point.  The  next  morning  developed 
the  fact  that  the  ox  team  had  traveled  three 
times  around  about  a  quarter  section,  follow- 
ing very  nearly  the  same  track  each  time. 

I'EAIRIE  FIRES. 

The  yearly  burning  of  the  heavy  annual 
f  growth  of  grass  on  the  prairie,  which  had 
'  occurred  from  time  immemorial,  either  from 
natural  causes  or  from  being  set  by  human 
hands,  was  continued  after  the  white  settlers 
came  in,  and  was  a  source  of  much  annoyance, 
apprehension,  and  frequently  of  severe  loss. 
From  the  time  the  grass  would  burn,  which 
was  soon  after  the  first  frost,  usually  about 
the  first  of  October,  till  the  surrounding 
prairie  was  all  burnt  over,  or  if  not  all  burnt, 
till  the  green  grass  in  the  spring  had  grown 
sufficiently  to  prevent  the  rapid  progress  of 
the  fire,  the  early  settlers  were  continually  on 
the  watch,  and  as  they  usually  expressed  the 
idea,  "  slept  with  one  eye  open."  When  the 
ground  was  covered  with  snow,  or  during 
rainy  weather,  the  apprehension  was  quieted, 
and  both  eyes  could  be  safely  closed. 

A  statute  law  forbade  setting  the  jirairie  on 
lire,  and  one  doing  so  was  subject  to  a 
penalty,  and  liable  in  an  action  of  trespass  for 
the  damage  accruing.  But  convictions  were 
seldom  effected,  as  the  proof  was  difticult, 
though  the  fire  was  often  set. 

Fires  set  on  the  leeward  side  of  an  improve- 
ment, while  very  dangerous  to  the  improve- 
ments to  the  leeward,  were  not  so  to  the 
windward,  as  fire  progressing  against  the 
wind  is  easily  extinguislied. 


Imao-ine  the  feelings  of  the  man  who, 
alone  in  a  strange  land,  has  made  a  comforta- 
ble home  for  his  family;  has  raised  and 
stored  his  corn,  wheat  and  oats,  and  fodder 
for  stock,  and  has  liis  premises  surrounded 
by  a  sea  of  standing  grass,  dry  as  tinder, 
stretching  away  for  miles  in  every  direction, 
over  wdiich  the  wild  prairie  wind  howls  a 
dismal  requiem,  and  knowing  that  a  spark  or 
match  applied  in  all  that  distance  will  send  a 
sea  of  fire  wherever  the  wind  may  waft  it; 
and  conscious  of  the  fact  that  there  are  men 
who  would  embrace  the  first  opportunity  to 
send  the  fire  from  outside  their  own  fields, 
regardless  as  to  whom  it  might  consume, 
only  so  it  protected  their  own. 

Various  means  were  resorted  to  for  protec- 
tion; a  common  one  was  to  plow  with  a 
prairie  plow  several  furrows  around  a  strip 
several  rods  wide,  outside  the  improvements, 
and  then  burn  out  the  strip;  or  wait  till  the 
prairie  was  on  fire  and  then  set  fire  outside, 
reserving  the  strip  for  a  late  burn,  that  is,  till 
the  following  summer,  and  in  July  burn  both 
old  ffrass  and  new.  The  grass  would  start 
immediately,  and  the  cattle  would  feed  it 
close  in  preference  to  the  older  grass,  so  that 
the  fire  would  not  pass  over  in  the  following 
autumn.  This  process  repeated  would  soon, 
or  in  a  few  years,  run  out  the  prairie  grass, 
and  in  time  it  would  become  stocked  with 
blue  grass,  which  will  never  burn  to  any 
extent.  But  all  this  took  time  and  labor, 
and  the  crowd  of  business  on  the  hands  of  a 
new  settler,  of  whicli  a  novice  has  no  concep- 
tion, would  prevent  him  doing  what  would 
now  seem  a  small  matter;  and  all  such  effort 
was  often  futile;  a  prairie  fire  driven  by  a 
high  wind  would  often  leap  all  sucli  barriers 
and  seem  to  put  human  effort  at  defiance.  A 
prairie  fire  when  first  started  goes  straight 
forward  with  a  velocity  proportioned  to  the 
force  of  the   wind,  widening  as  it  goes,  buj; 


EARLY    AND    CIVIL    HISTollY. 


(JoO 


the  center  keeping  ahead ;  it  spreads  sideways, 
but  Ijurniiig  laterally,  it  burns  comparatively 
slow,  and  if  the  wind  is  moderate  and  steady, 
is  not  difficult  to  manage,  but  if  the  wind 
veers  a  point  or  two,  first  one  way  and  then 
the  otlier,  it  sends  the  side  fire  beyond  con- 
trol. The  head  fire  in  dry  grass  and  a  high 
wind  is  fearful,  and  pretty  sure  to  have  its 
own  way  unless  there  is  some  defensible 
point  from  wliich  to  meet  it.  A  contest 
with  such  a  fire  requires  an  engineering  skill 
and  tact  which  can  be  learned  only  by  experi- 
ence, and  a  neighborhood  of  settlers  called 
out  by  such  an  exigency  at  once  put  them- 
selves under  the  direction  of  the  oldest  and 
most  experienced  of  the  number,  and  go  to 
work  with  the  alacrity  and  energy  of  men 
defending  their  homes  and  property  from 
destruction. 

The  usual  way  of  meeting  an  advancing 
fire  is  to  begin  the  defense  where  the  liead  of 
the  fire  will  strike,  which  is  known  by  the 
smoke  and  ashes  brought  by  the  wind  long 
in  advance  of  the  fire.  A  road,  cattle  path 
or  furrow  is  of  great  value  at  such  a  place; 
if  there  is  none  such,  a  strip  of  the  grass  can 
be  wet,  if  water  can  be  procured,  which  is 
generally  scarce  at  the  time  of  the  annual 
tires.  On  the  outside,  or  side  next  the  com- 
ing fire,  of  such  road  or  path,  the  grass  is  set 
on  fire,  and  it  burns  slowly  against  the  wind 
till  it  meets  the  coming  confiagration,  wliich 
stops,  of  course,  for  want  of  fuel,  provided 
there  has  been  sufficient  time  to  burn  a  strip 
tliat  will  not  be  leaped  by  the  head  fire  as  it 
comes  in.  This  is  called  back-firing;  great 
care  is  necessary  to  prevent  the  fire  getting 
over  the  furrow,  path,  or  whatever  is  used  as 
a  base  of  operations.  If  it  gets  over  and 
once  under  way,  there  is  no  remedy  but  to 
fall  back  to  a  more  defensible  position,  if 
such  a  one  exists.  If  the  head  of  the  fire  is 
successfully    checked,   then     the    forces    are 


divided,  half  going  to  the  right,  and  half  to 
the  left,  and  the  back-firing  continued, 
to  meet  the  side  fires  as  they  come  up;  this 
must  be  continued  till  the  fire  is  checked 
along  the  entire  front  of  the  premises  endan- 
gered, and  the  sides  secured. 

Various  implements  were  used  to  put  out 
a  side  or  back  fire,  or  even  the  head  of  a  fire 
in  a  moderate  wind.  A  fence  board,  about 
four  to  six  feet  long,  with  one  end  shaved 
down  for  a  handle,  is  very  effective,  if  struck 
fiat  upon  the  narrow  strip  of  fire.  A  bundle 
of  hazel-brush  does  very  well,  and  a  spade  or 
shovel  is  often  used.  The  women  often  lent 
their  aid,  in  cases  of  danger;  their  weapon 
was  usually  the  kitchen  mop,  which,  when 
thoroughly  wet,  was  very  effective,  especially 
in  extinguishing  a  fence  on  fire.  When  the 
fire  overcame  all  opposition,  and  seemed 
bound  to  sweep  over  the  settlement,  a  fear 
of  pei'sonal  loss  would  paralyze,  for  the  mo- 
ment, every  faculty,  and  as  soon  as  that  fact 
seemed  imminent,  united  effort  ceased,  and 
each  one  hastened  to  defend  his  own  as  best 
he  could.  It  is  due  to  historical  truth  to 
say  that  the  actual  losses  were  much  less 
than  might  have  been  expected,  though  fre- 
quently quite  severe.  The  physical  efforts 
made  in  extinguishing  a  dangerous  fire,  and 
in  protecting  one's  home  from  the  devouring 
element,  was  very  often  severe,  and  even 
dangerous,  and  the  author  has  known  of 
more  than  one  instance  where  it  resulted 
fatally. 

The  premises  about  the  residences  and 
yards  being  tramped  by  the  family  and  do- 
mestic animals,  after  a  year  or  two  became 
toleralily  safe  from  fire,  but  the  fences,  corn 
and  stubble  fields  were  frequently  burnt 
over.  When  the  pi'airie  was  all  fenced  and 
under  cultivation,  so  that  prairie  fires  were 
among  the  things  of  the  past,  the  denizens  of 
the   prairie  were  happily   released  from   the 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


constant  fear  and  apprehension  which  for 
j-ears  had  rested  like  a  nightmare  on  their 
quiet  and  liappiness,  disturbing  their  sleep 
by  niijlit,  and  causing  anxiety  by  day,  espe- 
cially when  called  from  home,  knowing  that 
on  their  return  they  might  look  on  a  black- 
ened scene  of  desolation,  instead  of  the  pleas- 
ant home  they  left.  And  when  retui-ning 
after  a  day's  absence,  the  sight  of  a  fire  in 
tlie  direction  of  home,  although  it  might 
prove  to  be  several  miles  beyond,  would  try 
the  mettle  of  the  team,  by  putting  them  to 
a  speed  proportioned  to  the  anxiety  of  the 
driver.  And  here  it  may  be  well  to  throw 
a  little  cold  water  over  the  thrilling  and  fear- 
ful stories,  got  up  to  adorn  a  tale,  of  hair- 
breadth escapes  of  travelers  and  settlers  from 
prairie  tires;  such  stories  are  not  told  by 
the  old  settlers  who  know  whereof  they  speak. 
It  is  true  a  family  might  encamp  in  the 
middle  of  a  dense  growth  of  dry  grass,  and 
let  a  fire  sweep  over  their  camp,  to  their 
serious  injury.  But  with  ordinary  intelli- 
gence and  caution,  a  traveler  on  the  prairie 
need  have  no  fear  of  a  fatal  catastrophe,  or 
even  of  an}'  serious  danger.  If  the  head  of 
a  fire  is  approaching,  it  is  usually  an  easy 
matter  to  get  to  one  side  of  it,  and  when  it 
has  passed,  pass  over  the  side  fire  on  to  the 
burnt  prairie,  which  can  easily  be  done  by 
getting  on  to  a  spot  of  drj',  rolling  prairie, 
where  the  j^rass  is  seldom  more  than  eisht 
to  twelve  inches  high.     Or,  if  the  head  tire 


is  too  wide,  and  its  speed  too  great  to  allow 
eettins  around  it,  then  at  once  set  a  tire  to 
leeward,  and  when  it  has  burnt  a  short  dis- 
tance, put  out  the  fire  on  the  windward  side 
of  the  place  of  setting,  and  pass   on   to  the 
burnt    prairie    and    follow    the    fire    till    far 
enough  from   the  dry  grass  to  be  out  of  dan- 
ger.    There  are  places  on   low,  moist  prairie 
bottoms,    or    sloughs,   where    tlie    grass  and 
weeds  were  much  heavier  than  on  dryer  land, 
and  their  burning  was  terrific  and  dangerous; 
but  these  places  could  be  avoided,  as  an  ap- 
proaching tire  could  be  seen  a  long  distance, 
giving  time  to  prepare  for   its  coming.     Tlie 
early  settlers  will  ever  have  a  vivid  recollec- 
tion of  the  grand  illuminations  nightly  ex- 
hibited in  dry  weather,  from  early  fall  to  late 
spring,   by   numberless   prairie   tires.      The 
wiiole  horizon   would  be  lighted  up  around 
its  entire  circuit.     A  heavy  fire,  six  or  seven 
miles  away,  would  aft'ord  sufiicient  light  on  a 
dark  night  to  enable  one  to  read   fine  print. 
When  a  tire  had  passed  through  the  prairie, 
leaving  the  long  lines  of  side  tires,  like  two 
armies  facing  each  other,  the  sight  at  night 
was  grand;  and   if  one's  premises    were  se- 
curely protected,  he  could  enjoy  such  a  tire 
exhibition  hugely,  free  of  cost;  but   if  his 
property  was  exposed,  his  enjoyment  of  the 
scene  was  like  a  very  nervous  person's  ap- 
preciation of  the  grand  and  majestic  roll   of 
thunder — the  sublimity  of  the  scene  lost  in 
the  apprehension  of  danger. 


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POLITICAL    jiND    OFFICIAL. 


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^'i#'^T  was  during  the  ad- 
ministration of  Presi- 
the 
first  settlers  moved 
into  what  is  now  Car- 
roll County,  and  or- 
it,    with     twenty-eight 


votes.  The  Democratic  party 
was  in  control  at  Washington, 
and  it  owned  this  county,  too, 
what  there  was  of  it,  for  eight 
or  nine  years.  Party  lines  were 
drawn  tolerably  close  from  the 
beffinnina:.  The  Democratic  ma^ 
jority,  tliough  small,  was  reliable, 
and  all  the  county  officers  were 
Democrats.  In  1864  the  Republicans  carried 
the  election,  and  then  for  twelve  or  thirteen 
years  the  Republicans  had  things  their  own 
way.  The  election  returns  are  preserved  from 
1866  down.  In  that  year  the  total  vote  cast 
was  127,  and  the  Republican  majority  45. 
The  only  Democrat  who  carried  the  county 
that  3'ear  was  AVilliam  II.  Price,  for  clerk. 
In  1867  a  full  State  and  local  ticket  was  in 
the  field,  and  159  votes  were  drawn  out.  The 
Republican  majority  for  Governor  was  67, 
and  most  of  the  county  officers  ran  ahead. 
In   1868  the  Presidential  candidates  were 


General  U.  S.  Gratit  and  New  York's  veteran 
Governor,  Horatio  Seymour.  More  than  250 
votes  were  polled  in  Carroll  County,  of  which 
the  Republicans  were  74  more  numerous 
than  the  Democratic.  Both  the  total  vote 
and  the  Republican  majority  increased  in 
1869,  owing  to  immigration.  The  Democrats 
did  not  nominate  a  full  ticket.  In  1870  the 
total  vote  was  471;  Republican  majority,  81. 
Most  of  the  majorities  on  the  county  ticket 
fell  below  that  figure.  In  1871  the  Repub- 
licans gained,  polling  328  for  Governor  Car- 
penter, to  196  for  Joseph  C.  Knapp.  The 
Democrats  elected  William  H.  Price  county 
treasurer  by  17  votes,  but  the  other  Repub- 
lican candidates  were  successful  by  from  40 
to  263  votes. 

The  year  1872  brought  M-ith  it  another 
Presidential  campaign.  Grant  was  renomi- 
nated by  the  Republican  party,  while  a  body 
calling  themselves  Liberal  Republicans  placed 
in  the  field  the  veteran  journalist  and  philan- 
thropist, Horace  Greeley.  The  Democracy 
made  no  nomination,  but  endorsed  Greeley. 
Many  were  dissatisfied,  and  of  tiiese  some 
remained  at  home,  while  others  voted  for 
Charles  O'Conor.  The  vote  in  Carroll  County 
was:  Grant,  410;  Greeley,  116;  O'Conor, 
66;    Grant's   plurality,   294.     This  was   the 


.■^■^■mMmI 


6«2 


U I  STORY    OF    CAIiliOLL    COUNTY. 


most  successful  year  the  Kepublicans  Lave 
had  in  Carroll  County,  their  relative  strength 
having  steadily  diminished,  with  few  varia- 
tions, ever  since.  The  majority  for  clerk  was 
133;  for  recorder,  174.  In  1873  the  Repub- 
lican majority  for  Governor  was  111;  for 
county  officers  much  less,  running  as  low 
as  21  for  auditor.  The  Anti-Monopoly  or 
"Granger"  element  was  now  for  two  or  three 
years  felt  in  politics,  and  then  the  Greenback 
party  came  on  the  tield,  both  these  diversions 
operating  t(j  the  advantage  of  the  Democrats. 
In  1874  the  Eepublican  majority  for  Secre- 
tary of  State  was  but  73;  for  county  officers 
it  was  more.  In  1875  Governor  Kirkwood's 
majority  was  only  36  in  this  county.  The 
Republican  county  ticket  went  through  by 
good  majorities. 

R.  13.  Hayes  (Republican),  Samuel  J.  Til- 
den  (Democrat)  and  Peter  Cooper  (Green- 
back) were  the  Presidential  candidates  in 
1876.  The  Greenback  party  was  never 
nearly  so  strong  in  this  county  as  in  most 
others  in  Iowa,  and  in  1876  it  had  not  even 
a  footing  here.  Hayes'  majority  over  Tilden 
was  but  28,  in  a  total  vote  of  1,570.  On  the 
remainder  of  the  ticket  the  Republican  ma- 
jority was  considerably  larger.  In  1877,  for 
the  first  time,  the  Greenback  ]iarty  took  the 
field  in  Carroll  County,  nominating  a  full 
ticket.  The  head  of  their  ticket  received  141 
votes.  The  Democratic  plurality  for  Gov- 
ernor in  this  county  was  111.  The  honors 
were  evenly  divided  in  local  afif'airs.  In  1878 
the  Democratic  majority  on  State  ticket 
averaged  150,  but  the  Republicans  were 
somewhat  ahead  on  the  county  officers.  The 
result  in  187iJ  was  about  the  same. 

In  the  year  1880  James  A.  Garfield,  Win- 
field  S.  Hancock  and  James  P>.  Weaver  were 
the  standard-bearers  of  the  three  parties. 
The  vote  in  this  county  was:  Garfield,  1,189; 
Hancock,    1,169;    Weaver,    104;    Garfield's 


plurality,  20.  The  whole  Republican  ticket 
in  this  county  was  successful.  The  following 
year  Governor  Sherman  received  a  plurality 
of  43  in  Carroll  County,  but  the  Democratic 
county  ticket  came  out  ahead.  In  1882  the 
Democrats  carried  the  county  by  283  plural- 
ity. Tlie  Republicans  elected  their  clerk. 
The  next  year  showed  a  further  gain  of  200 
or  more  votes  for  the  Democracy,  and  the 
Democratic  county  ticket  received  heavy 
majorities. 

At  the  general  election  of  1884,  which  is 
yet  fresh  in  the  memories  of  all,  Grover 
Cleveland  and  James  G.  Blaine  represented 
the  two  leading  parties.  In  Carroll  County 
Cleveland  received  the  handsome  majority  ot 
574,  and  the  county  ticket  of  the  Democrats 
was  even  more  successful.  In  1885  the 
Democrats  polled  408,  the  most  votes  for 
Governor,  but  lost  the  county  offices,  except 
auditor  and  treasurer,  and  on  the  latter  of 
these  there  was  no  contest.  At  the  recent 
election  of  1886  the  Democratic  majority  for 
Secretary  of  State  was  635. 

The  Prohibition  vote  has  been  an  insig- 
nificant element  in  Carroll  County  politics. 
Elections  have  been  as  a  rule  orderly,  and 
accompanied  by  little  excitement. 

The  Democratic  townships  are  Sheridan, 
Kniest,  Wheatland,  Arcadia,  Carroll,  Grant, 
Pleasant  Valley,  Roselle,  Washington  and 
Eden.  The  Republicans  can  count  on  Jasper, 
Glidden,  Richland,  Warren,  Newton  and 
Union. 


OFFICIAL  REfUSTER. 


Below  are  given  the  names  of  the  incum- 
bents of  the  several  county  offices  with  years 
of  service. 


COUNTY  JUDGES. 


A.  J.  Cain,  1855-'56;  L.  McCurdy,  1857; 
Thomas  T.  Morris,  1857-'59;  William  Shri- 


■■-■-■-■■■■-■-■-■■■-■-■i 


■-"-■'-■■■■■■■'g' 


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POLITICAL    AND    OFFICIAL. 


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ner,    1860;    William    H.    Price,    1861-'67; 
Thomas  Elwood,  1868-'69.     Office  abolished. 

CLEBKS  OF  COURTS. 

Levi  Thompson,  1855-'56;  Eobert  Ilaney, 
1856;  Amos  Basom,  1857-'58;  Noah  Titus, 
1858;  John  Monroe,  1859-'60;  T.  B.  Al- 
drich,  lS61-'62;  William  Gilley,  1863-'66; 
William  II.  Price,  1867-'68;  John  K.  Deal, 
1869-'72;  E.  M.  Betzer,  1873-'74;  William 
Lynch,  1875-'84;  James   N.   Powers,   1885. 

TEEASUREES  AND  RECORDERS. 

James  White,  1855-'56;  Amos  Basom, 
1857;  H.  L.  Youtz,  1857-'59;  L.  McCurdy, 
1860-'61;  Crockett  Kibble,  1862-'64.  Of- 
fices separated  at  end  of  1864. 

TREASUEERS. 

Crockett  Eibble,  1865;  L.  McCurdy,  1866- 
'67;  William  Gilley,  1868-'70;  Orlando  H. 
Manning,  1870;  William  H.  Price,  1870-'73; 
W.  L.  Culbertsou,  1874-'75;  P.  M.  Guthrie, 
1876-'79;  William  Arts,  1880-'81;  W.  R. 
Ruggles,  1882-'85;  Peter  Berger,  1885. 

RECORDERS. 

H.  L.  Youtz,  1865;  J.  B.  Hampton,  1865- 
66;  Thomas  Elwood,  1867-'68;  A.  Young, 
1869-'70;  H.  E.  Paissell,  1871-76;  J.  L. 
Messersmith,  1877-'82;  John  P.  Hess,  1883- 
'86;  J.  H.  Bruning,  1887. 

AUDITORS. 

William  H.  Price,  1870-'71;  W.  L.  Cul- 
bertson,  1872-'73;  W.  O.  Sturgeon,  1874-'75; 
E.  M.  Betzer,  1876-'77;  H.  E.  Russell,  1878- 
'83;  F.  M.  Leibfried,  1884. 

SHERIFFS. 

J.  Y.  Anderson,  1855-'57;  Parker  T. 
Puntenney,  1858-'59;  William  Gilley,  1860- 
'61;  George  Hunter,  1862-'63;  S.A.Davis, 
1864-'67;   James  H.   Colclo,  .1868-'69;  A. 


L.  Kidder,  1870;  George  W.  Hunter,  1870; 
P.  H.  Hankins,  1870-'71;  II.  C.  Stevens, 
1872-'75;  Louis  Bechler,  1876-'80;  John 
Silbaugh,  1881;  R.  J.  Hamilton,  1882-'85; 
Sam.  Todd,  1886. 

PROSECUTING    ATTt>ENEY. 

L.  McCurdy,  1855-'57.     Office  abolished. 

COUNTY    ATTORNEY. 

J.  C.  Engelman,  1887. 

COUNTY     SUPERINTENDENTS. 

William  H.  Price,  1858-'61;  L.  McCurdy, 
1862-'63;  T.  B.  Aldrich,  1864;  William  H. 
Price,  1865;  Charles  T.  Mulloy,  l866-'67; 
John  K.  Deal,  1868-'69;  M.  W.  Beach, 
1870-'71;  I.  A.  Beers,  1872-'73;  W.  F. 
Steigerwalt,  1874-'77;  H.  W.  Bean,  1878- 
'79;  G.  W.  Wattles,  1880-'81;  C.  C.  Colclo, 
1882-'85;  H.  J.  Gable,  1886. 

SURVEYORS. 

Robert  Floyd,  1855-'57;  Robert  Hill, 
1858-'67;  J.  F.  H.  Sugg,  1868-'69;  William 
H.  H.  Bowers,  1870-'71;  William  S.  Win- 
nett,  1872-"i?-,  L.  C.  Bailey,  1874-'75;  L. 
McCurdy,  1876-'77;  A.  Bruch,  1877-'79; 
L.  C.  Bailey,  1880-'81;  George  R.  Bennett, 
1882;  A.  Bruch,  1882-'85;  W.  F.  Steiger- 
walt, 1886. 

CORONERS. 

Amos  W.  Basom,  1864'-65;  A.  P.  Will- 
son,  1868-'69;  D.Wayne,  1870-'77;  Peter 
Smith,  1878-'79;  N.  D.  Thnrman,  1880-'81; 
J.  B.  Feenstra,  1882-'83;  L.  S.  Stoll,  1884- 
'85;  R.  R.  Williams,  1886. 

BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS. 

1861. —  Crockett  Ribble  (chairman)  and 
Jacob  Cretsinger. 

1862. — Levi  Higgins  (chairman)  and  Jacob 
Cretsinger. 

1863. — Jacob  Cretsinger  (chairman),  Levi 


664 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


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«  I 

li 


Higgins  and  "William  Short.  Mr.  Higgins 
resigned,  and  Enos  Bntrick  was  appointed 
to  fill  his  place.  William  Carter  succeeded 
Mr.  Butrick  at  the  September  session. 

1864. — Jacob  Cretsinger  (chairman),  Enos 
Butrick  and  George  Monroe.  Jacob  Cret- 
sineer  resigned  during  the  year,  and  J.  M. 
Cretsinger  was  appointed  to  till  the  vacancy. 

1865. — John  J.  McCoUum  (chairman), 
Enos  Bntrick  and  George  Ribble. 

1866.  —  John  J.  McCollum  (chairman), 
George  liibble  and  G.  H.  Shutes. 

1867. — -John  Monroe  (chairman),  G.  H. 
Shutes  and  E.  B.  Smith. 

1868.  —  John  Monroe  (chairman),  E.  B. 
Smith,  C.  Lester,  John  J.  McCollum,  Thomas 
Ilirons  and  George  F.  Browning.  E.  B. 
Smith  resigned,  atid  his  place  was  taken  in 
June  by  Crockett  Kibble. 

1869. — John  Monroe  (chairman),  John  J. 
McCollum,  C.  Lester,  Thomas  Hirons,  George 
F.  Browning  and  J.  M.  GWljert.  Browning's 
place  was  taken  during  the  year  by  Isaac 
Gee. 

1870. — John  Monroe  (chairman),  J.  M. 
Gilbert,  R.  F.  Wood,  Robert  Dickson,  Levi 
Higgins  and  Lambert  Kniest.  John  Mon- 
roe resigned  in  June,  and  was  succeeded  as 
member  by  D.  C.  Hoagland,  as  chairman  by 
Lambert  Kniest. 

1871.— O.  J.  Soper  (chairman),  William  S. 
Winnett  and  Isaac  Harris. 

1872. — William  S.  Winnett  (chairman), 
Isaac  Harris  and  W.  H.  Drew. 

1873. — O.  J.  Soper  (chairman),  Isaac  Har- 
ris, W.  H.  Drew,  Oliver  llorton  and  Daniel 
Cooper. 

1874. —  O.  J.  Soper  (chairman),  W.  H. 
Drew,  Oliver  llorton,  Daniel  Cooper  and  J. 
A.  Coppedge.  George  P.  Wcatherill  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Coppedge,  and  was  afterward 
elected  chairman,  vice  O.  J.  Soper. 

1875. — George  P.  AVeatherill   (chairman), 


O.  J.  Soper,  Oliver  Horton,  D.  J.  McDougall 
and  R.  L.  Wolfe. 

1876.  —  D.  J.  McDougall  (chairman), 
George  P.  Weatherili,  R.  L.  AVolfe,  Daniel 
Cooper  and  Peter  Berger. 

1877. — R.  L.  Wolfe  (chairman),  Daniel 
Cooper,  Peter  Berger,  W.  L.  Culbertson  and 
D.  J.  McDougall. 

1878. — Oliver  Horton  (chairman),  Daniel 
Cooper,  W.  L.  Culbertson,  Peter  Berger  and 
P.  J.  Koenig. 

1879.— W.  L.  Culbertson  (chairman),  W. 
R.  Ruggles,  Peter  Berger,  P.  J.  Koenig  and 
Oliver  Horton. 

1880. — P.  J.  Koenig  (chairman),  Oliver 
Horton,  Peter  Berger,  W.  R.  Ruggles  and 
W.  A.  Overmire. 

1881. — W.  R.  Ruggles  (chairman),  Peter 
Berger,  W.  A.  Overmire,  James  Thompson 
and  George  E.  Russell. 

1882.  —  James  Thompson  (chairman), 
George  E.  Russell,  W.  A.  Overmire,  Thomas 
Rich  and  J.  Rittenmeier. 

1883.  —  W.  A.  Overmire  (chairman), 
Thomas  Rich,  J.  Rittenmeier,  James  E. 
Thompson  and  George  E.  Russell. 

1884. — Thomas  Rich  (chairman),  J.  Rit- 
tenmeier, W.  A.  Overmire,  C.  H.  Westbrook 
and  J.  B.  Graham. 

1885. — W.  A.  Overmire  (chairman),  C. 
II.  Westbrook,  J.  B.  Graham,  J.  Rittenmeier 
and  Thomas  Rich. 

1886.— C.  H.  Westbrook  (chairman),  J.  B. 
Graham,  J.  Rittenmeier,  S.  Bowman  and  V. 
Roush. 

BEPRKSENTATIVES. 

N.  G.  Wyatt,  1856-'57;  Cornelius  Beal, 
1858-'59;  J.  W.  Denison,  1860-'61;  George 
S.  Walton,  1862-'63;  Addison  Oliver,  1864- 
'65;  Azor  R.  Mills,  1866-'67:  Stephen  Till- 
son,  1868-'69;  J.  D.  Miracle.  1870-'71; 
Fletcher    A.    Blake,    1872-'73;     James    N. 


♦J! 


..■.■■■■^■^■^■^■^.■■"^■■■■■■■■■.■■■■■■■■■■■■■WMaa 


POLITICAL    AND    OFFICIAL. 


6G5 


Miller,  1874-'75;  Orlando  H.  Manning, 
1876-'79;  S.  T.  Hutchinson,  1880-'81;  L.  F. 
Danforth,  1882-'83;  Michael  Miller,  1884- 
'85;  W.  L.  Culbertson,  1886. 

SENATORS. 

James  D.  Test,  1856-'57;  W.  II.  M.  Pusey, 
1858-'59;  John  F.  Buncombe,  1860-'63; 
George  "W.  Bassett,  1864-'65;  Addison 
Oliver,  1866-'69;  Theodore  Hawley,  1870- 
'71;  John  J.  Hussell,  1872-'75;  Samuel  D. 
Nichols,  1876-'77;  John  J.  Eussell,  1878-'85; 
John  K.  Deal,  1886. 

CON&EESSMEN. 

James  Thorlngton,  185o-'57;  Timothy 
Davis,  1857-'59;  William  Vandever,  1859- 
'63;  Asahel  W.  Hubbard,  1863-69;  Charles 
Pomeroy,  1869-'71;  Jackson  Orr,  1871-'75; 
Addison  Oliver,  1875-'79;  C.  C.  Carpenter, 
1879-'88;  A.  J.  Holmes,  1883. 

DISTRICTS. 

Congressional. — Previous  to  1863  Iowa 
had  but  two  members  in  Congress.  Two 
districts  were  formed  by  drawing  an  imagin- 
ary line  east  and  west  across  the  State. 
Carroll  County  was  in  the  northern,  or 
second,  of  these  districts.  From  1863  to 
1873  there  were  six  districts,  Carroll  being 
in  the  Sixth.  From  1873  to  1883  there 
were  nine,  and  this  county  was  in  the  Ninth. 
There  are  now  eleven,  and  Carroll  County  is 
one  of  fourteen  counties  composing  the  Tenth 
— Crawford,  Carroll,  Greene,  Boone,  Calhoun, 
Webster,  Hamilton,  Pocahontas,  Humboldt, 
Palo  Alto,  Kossuth,  Hancock,  Emmett  and 
Winnebago. 

Judicial. — The  Sixth  District  was  created 
in  February,  1851,  and  then  included  thirty 
counties.  February  9,  1853,  the  Seventh 
District  was  formed  by  taking  nineteen 
counties,  including  Carroll,  from   the  Sixth. 


March  13, 1857,  Buncorae  (now  Lyon),  Buena 
Yista,  Carroll,  Cherokee,  Clay,  Crawford, 
Dickinson,  Ida,  Monona,  O'Brien,  Osceola, 
Plymouth,  Sac,  Sioux  and  Woodbury  counties 
were  made  the  Twelfth  District.  The  Con- 
stitution of  1857  went  into  effect  January  1, 
1858,  and  under  this  Adair,  Audubon,  Car- 
roll, Dallas,  Greene,  Guthrie,  Madison,  War- 
ren and  Polk  counties  formed  the  Fifth 
District.  April  18,  1872,  the  Thirteenth 
District  was  formed  of  the  counties  of 
Audubon,  Cass,  Carroll,  Crawford,  Fremont, 
Greene,  Mills,  Pottawattamie  and  Shelby. 
The  judges  of  the  districts  including  Carroll 
County  have  been:  Samuel  H.  Riddle, 
1853-'57;  Marshall  F.  Moore,  1857;  John  H. 
Gray,1858-'65;  Charles  C.  Nourse,  1865-'66; 
Hugh  W.  Maxwell,  1866-'72;  J.  E.  Reed, 
1873-'83;  C.  F.  Loofborough,  1883-'86. 
Under  the  new  law  which  goes  into  effect 
January  1,  1887,  J.  P.  Conner  and  J.  H. 
Macomber  will  be  judges  in  this  district, 
which  is  the  Sixteenth,  and  includes  six 
counties — Ida,  Sac,  Calhoun,  Crawford,  Car- 
roll and  Greene. 

Senatorial. — Previous  to  1860  Carroll  and 
twenty-two  other  counties  formed  the  Twelfth 
District.  For  the  next  six  years  it  was  one 
of  twenty-four  counties  in  the  Forty-iitth, 
then  for  two  years  there  were  fifteen  counties 
which  together  were  entitled  to  one  Senator. 
In  the  session  of  1868-'69  twelve  counties 
formed  the  Forty-sixth  District.  Then  Web- 
ster, Greene,  Carroll,  Calhoun,  Sac,  Hum- 
boldt, Pocahontas,  Buena  Vista,  Palo  Alto, 
Clay,  Emmett  and  Dickinson  counties  were 
made  the  Forty-seventh  District.  In  1872- 
'73  the  Forty-ninth  District  included  only 
the  counties  of  Dallas,  Guthrie,  Audubon, 
Carroll  and  Greene.  For  the  next  four  years 
Shelby  and  Crawford  counties  took  the  place 
of  Dallas,  and  then  from  1878  to  1883  Web- 
ster, Greene,  Calhoun  and   Carroll  counties 


A^-^j-^.r^Ljm 


666 


HI  STOUT    OF    CABROLL    COUNTY. 


formed  the  Forty-eighth  District.  Beginning 
with  January  1,  1884,  Webster  was  omitted 
from  tlie  district,  and  at  present  Sac  has 
taken  the  place  of  Calhoun,  so  that  the  dis- 
trict now  comprises  Greene,  Sac  and  Carroll 
counties. 

Representative. — In  1856-'57  there  were 
in  the  Sixteenth  Kepreseutative  District 
twenty-two  counties,  Carroll  being  one.  In 
1858-'59  the  same  district  was  composed  of 
only  Boone,  Greene,  Carroll  and  Audubon 
counties.  At  the  next  General  Assembly 
Carroll  was  joined  with  Crawford,  Monona 
and  Greene,  as  the  Forty-fifth  District;  in 
1862-'63  with  Sac,  Calhoun  and  Greene,  as 
the  Sixtieth;  in  1864-'65  with  Crawford, 
Monona  and  Sac,  as  the  Sixty-second.  In  the 
next  period  of  two  years  Carroll  County  was 
put  iu  the  Sixty-fourth  District  with  Cal- 
houn, Greene  and  Audubon  counties.  Mo- 
nona, Crawford  and  Carroll  formed  the 
Sixty-third  District  in  1868-'69,  and  in 
1870-'71  the  Sixty-ninth  Distinct  was  com- 
posed of  the  same  counties,  with  the  addition 
of  Ida.  In  1872-'73  Carroll,  Sac,  Buena 
Vista  and  Cherokee  were  joined  together  as 
the  Sixty-eighth.  In  1874-'77  Greene,  Car- 
roll, Calhoun  and  Sac  counties  were  known 
as  the  Forty-second  District,  and  in  1878- 
'83  the  same  counties,  except  Sac,  were  num- 


bered the  Seventy-third  District.  Since  1883 
the  county  has  had  sufficient  population  to 
be  entitled  to  a  Representative  by  itself 

NAMES    OF    THE    TOWNSHIPS. 

The  occasion  of  the  choice  of  Jasper  and 
Newton  as  the  names  of  the  first  two  town- 
ships is  not  known.  They  were  so  named  by 
Judge  Cain,  the  first  county  judge.  Carroll 
was  named  for  the  county.  Union  was  or- 
ganized in  1863,  during  the  great  civil  war, 
and  expressed  in  its  name  the  loyal  sentiment 
of  the  citizens.  Glidden  was  named  for  the 
town,  and  the  latter  was  named  by  the  rail- 
road company.  Sheridan  was  named  in  honor 
of  General  Philip  H.  Sheridan,  who  many 
years  ago  was  accustomed  to  visit  these  prai- 
ries, with  some  chosen  companions,  and  hunt 
prairie  chickens.  Grant  was  named  for  Gen- 
eral and  President  Grant;  Washington,  of 
course,  for  the  first  President,  and  Warren 
for  General  Joseph  AYarren,  of  flevolutionary 
times.  Wheatland,  Richland,  Pleasant  Val- 
ley and  Eden  are  names  of  obvious  signifi- 
cance. Roselle  is  a  German  name.  Arcadia 
was  a  province  or  State  in  ancient  Greece, 
and  is  frequently  used  in  the  sense  of  a  free 
and  wooded  country.  Kniest  is  so  called  in 
honor  of  Lambert  Kniest,  who  was  a  super- 
visor when  the  township  was  formed. 


I 


!■ 


f|! 


'-"-■-■■■■'-"-''-■-■-■-■'-■-'■-■'-■-■-■■•■-■-■-■-■-■-■■.'^^^w-Mani.-ai 


THE    CIVIL     WAH. 


(i(J7 


-rr  11    ■■    »■    w*  -rm 


!  The  Civil  War.  f 

v» ^ ^ 


r)ii>il<(lii]i><l>'l>'isn3 


!g;sf  HE  people  of  the  North- 
ern   States    have    just 
reason  to  be  proud  of 
the      glorious      record 
they  made  during  the 
dark  and  bloody  days 
when  crimson-handed  rebellion 
threatened  the  lifeof  the  nation. 
When  war  was  forced  upon  the 
country    by     rebels    in     arms 
against    the    Government,  the 
K£>   people  were  quietly  pursuing 
'    ■    the  even  tenor  of  their  ways, 
^Jf^^$\^     doing    whatever    their    hands 
^  ®V2'     found  to  do — working  the  mines, 
^  ^  making   farms    or   cultivating 

those  already  made,  erecting  homes,  building 
shops,  founding  cities  and  towns,  building 
mills  and  factories — in  short,  the  country 
was  alive  with  industry  and  hopes  for  the 
future.  The  people  were  j  ust  recovering  from 
the  depression  and  losses  incident  to  the 
financial  panic  of  1857.  The  future  looked 
bright  and  promising,  and  the  industrious 
and  patriotic  sons  and  daughters  of  the  free 
States  were  buoyant  with  hope,  looking  for- 
ward to  the  perfecting  of  new  plans  for  the 
ensurement   of  comfort   and   competence  in 


their  declining  years;  they  little  heeded  the 
mutterings  and  threatenings  of  treason's 
children,  in  the  slave  States  of  the  South. 
True  sons  and  descendants  of  the  heroes  of 
the  "times  that  tried  men's  souls" — the 
struggle  for  American  independence — they 
never  dreamed  that  there  was  even  one  so 
base  as  to  dare  attempt  the  destruction  of  the 
Union  of  their  fathers — a  Government  bap- 
tized with  the  best  blood  the  world  ever 
knew.  While  immediately  surrounded  with 
peace  and  tranquility,  they  paid  but  little 
attention  to  the  rumored  plots  and  plans  of 
those  who  lived  and  grew  rich  from  the  sweat 
and  toil,  blood  and  flesh  of  others — aye,  even 
trafficked  in  the  offspring  of  their  own  loins. 
Nevertheless,  the  war  came,  with  all  its 
attendant  horrors. 

April  12,  1861,  Fort  Sumter,  at  Charles- 
ton, South  Carolina,  Major  Anderson,  U.  S. 
A.,  Commandant,  was  fired  upon  by  rebels 
in  arms.  Although  basest  treason,  this  first 
act  in  the  bloody  reality  that  followed  was 
looked  upon  as  a  mere  bravado  of  a  few  iiot- 
heads — the  act  of  a  few  fire-eaters  whose  sec- 
tional bias  and  freedom  and  hatred  was 
crazed  by  the  excessive  indulgence  in  intoxi- 
cating   potations.     When,   a    day    later,    the 


GU8 


HISTORY    OF    CAIUtOLL    COUNTY. 


news  was  borne  along  the  telegraph  wires 
that  Major  Anderson  had  been  forced  to 
surrender  to  what  had  first  been  regarded  as 
a  drunken  mob,  tlie  patriotic  people  of  the 
Xortli  were  startled  from  their  dreams  of 
tlie  future,  from  undertakings  half  completed, 
and  made  to  realize  that  behind  that  mob 
there  was  a  dark,  deep  and  well-organized 
}(urpose  to  destroy  the  Government,  rend  the 
Union  in  twain,  and  out  of  its  ruins  erect  a 
slave  oligarchy,  wherein  no  one  would  dare 
question  their  right  to  hold  in  bondage  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  men  whose  skins  were 
Idack,  or  who,  perchance,  through  practices 
of  lustful  natures,  were  half  or  quarter  re- 
moved from  the  color  that  God,  for  his  own 
purposes,  had  given  them.  But  they  "  reck- 
oned without  their  host."  Tlieir  dreams  of 
the  future,  their  plans  for  the  establishment 
of  an  independent  confederacy,  were  doomed 
from  their  inception  to  sad  and  bitter  disap- 
pointment. 

Immediately  upon  the  surrender  of  Fort 
Sumter,  Abraham  Lincoln,  America's  martyr 
President,  who,  but  a  few  short  weeks  before, 
had  taken  the  oath  of  otiice  as  the  nation's 
Chief  Executive,  issued  a  proclamation  call- 
ing for  75,000  volunteers  for  three  months. 
The  last  word  had  scarcely  been  taken  from 
the  electric  wires  before  the  call  was  tilled. 
Men  and  money  were  counted  out  by  luin- 
dreds  and  thousands.  The  people  who  loved 
their  wliole  Government  could  not  give 
enough.  Patriotism  thrilled  and  vibrated 
and  pulsated  through  every  heart.  The  farm, 
the  worksliop,  the  office,  the  pulpit,  the  bar, 
the  bencli,  the  college,  tlie  sciiool-iiouse,  every 
calling  offered  its  best  men,  their  lives,  and 
fortune,  in  defense  of  the  Government's 
honor  and  unity.  Party  lines  were  for  the 
time  ignored.  Bitter  words,  spoken  in  mo- 
ments of  political  beat,  were  forgotten  and 
forgiven,  and,  joining    hands    in    a  common 


cause,  they  repeated  the  oath  of  America's 
soldier-statesman:  "By  the  great  Eternal, 
the  Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved!  " 

Seventy-five  thousand  men  were  not  enough 
to  subdue  the  rebellion.  Nor  were  ten  times 
that  number.  The  war  went  on,  and  call 
followed  call,  until  it  began  to  look  as  if 
there  would  not  be  men  enough  in  all  the 
free  States  to  crush  out  and  subdue  the  mon- 
strous war  traitors  had  inaugurated.  But  to 
every  call  for  either  men  or  money,  there  was 
a  willing  and  ready  response.  And  it  is  a 
boast  of  the  people  that,  had  the  supply  of 
men  fallen  short,  there  were  women  brave 
enough,  daring  enough,  patriotic  enough,  to 
have  offered  themselves  as  sacrifices  on 
their  country's  altar.  Such  M-ere  the  im- 
pulses, motives  and  actions  of  the  patriotic 
men  of  the  North,  among  whom  the  sons  of 
Carroll  County  made  a  conspicuous  and  praise- 
worthy record.  Of  the  otiTerings  made  by 
these  people  during  the  great  and  final 
struffffle  between  fi-eedom  and  slavery  it  is 

JDS  ./ 

the  puupose  now  to  write. 

April  14,  A.  D.  1861,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
President  of  the  United  States,  issued  tlie 
following: 

PROCLAMATION. 

"  Whereas,  T!ie  laws  of  the  United  States 
have  been  and  now  are  violently  opposed  in 
several  States,  by  combinations  too  powerful 
to  be  suppressed  in  the  ordinary  way;  I 
therefore  call  for  the  militia  of  the  several 
States  of  the  Union,  to  the  aggregate  numlier 
of  75,000,  to  suppress  said  combinations  and 
execute  the  laws.  I  appeal  to  all  loyal  citi- 
zens to  facilitate  and  aid  in  tliis  efi'nrt  to 
maintain  the  laws  and  the  integrity  of  the  per- 
petuity of  the  popular  Government,  and 
redress  wrongs  long  enough  endured.  The 
first  service  assigned  to  the  forces,  probably, 
will    be    to    repossess    the    forts,  places  and 


THE    CIVIL     WAH. 


G69 


property  which  have  been  seized  from  the 
Union.  Let  tlie  utmost  care  be  taken,  con- 
sistent with  the  object,  to  avoid  devastation, 
destruction,  interference  with  the  property 
of  peaceful  citizens  in  any  part  of  the  country ; 
and  I  hereby  command  persons  composing 
the  aforesaid  combination  to  disperse  within 
twenty  days  from  date. 

"  I  hereby  convene  botli  Houses  of  Con- 
gress for  the  4th  day  of  July  next,  to  deter- 
mine upon  measures  for  public  safety  which 
the  interest  of  the  subject  demands. 

"  Abraham  Lincoln, 
'■'■President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Wm.  H.  Seward, 

'^Secretary  of  State." 

The  gauntlet  thrown  dowii  by  the  traitors 
of  the  South  was  accepted — not,  however,  in 
tlie  spirit  with  which  insolence  meets  inso- 
lence, liut  with  a  firm,  determined  spirit  of 
patriotism  and  love  of  eountiw.  The  duty  of 
the  President  was  plain,  under  the  Constitu- 
tion and  the  laws,  and  above  and  beyond  all, 
the  people,  from  whom  political  power  is 
derived,  demanded  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion,  and  stood  ready  to  sustain  the 
authority  of  their  representatives  and  execu- 
tive officers. 

Cari-oll  County  had  at  this  time  about  250 
inhabitants.  ^Nearly  all  the  men  were  strug- 
gling farmers,  illy  able  to  leave  their  young 
families  to  make  their  own  living  in  this 
new  prairie  region,  remote  from  the  centers 
of  comfort  and  wealth  and  charit}-  and  society. 
Entirely  unused  to  the  stern  duties  of  mili- 
tary service,  it  would  have  been  small  wonder 
if  Carroll  County  liad  failed  to  contribute  its 
quota  of  volunteers.  The  enthusiastic  loyalty 
of  the  North  was,  however,  nowhere  more 
plainly  visible  than  here,  and  the  scattered 
settlers  i-esponded  to  their  duty  nobly.  The 
Board  of  Supervisors,  consisting  of  but  two, 


Crockett  Eibble  and  Jacob  Cretsinger,  met  in 
June,  1861,  and  passed  the  following  order: 

"  A  petition  was  numerously  signed  pray- 
ing to  the  supervisors  to  appropriate  the  sum 
of  S25,  or  as  much  as  would  be  necessary,  to 
purchase  a  flag,  drums  and  fife;  and  the  same 
was  granted  and  the  clerk  ordered  to  issue  a 
warrant  for  the  same." 

In  April,  1862,  the  Board  decided  to  allow 
each  family  a  member  of  wliich  had  gone  to 
the  war,  $25.  This  sum  was  then  paid  to 
Jacob  Davis,  Mrs.  S.  A.  Daris,  John  Monroe, 
Amos  Rhoades  and  Cyrus  Rhoades.  In  Octo- 
ber following  the  same  bounty  was  paid  to 
R.  Haney  and  James  F.  McLuen,  and  in 
March,  1863,  Alva  Chambers  drew  a  like 
amount.  In  December,  1863,  the  bounty  to 
enlisted  and  drafted  men  was  fixed  at  $100. 
P.  T.  Punteney  was  paid  $100  under  this 
provision  in  February,  1864.  During  the 
year  Orrin  Jerome,  William  Carter  and  L. 
Short  became  entitled  to  the  bounty  and 
received  warrants  for  the  amount. 

In  June,  1864,  the  Board  equalized  the 
bounties  by  paying  an  additional  $75  to  those 
who  had  received  but  $25,  under  the  first 
offer.  This  amount  was  paid  to  Alva  Cham- 
bers, R.  Haney,  C.  Babbitt,  A.  Mohen,  C. 
Wright,  George  Short,  S.  Frazier,  E.  Carney, 
William  Combs,  James  F.  McLuen,  W.  W. 
Davis,  Alpheus  Stevens  and  John  Monroe. 

In  January,  1865,  the  Board  resolved  to 
issue  $4,800  in  bonds  to  raise  money  to  pay 
volunteers  under  the  last  call  of  the  Govern- 
ment. At  the  same  time  Mrs.  Carter,  Mrs. 
Isaac  Iliggins,  Mrs.  Orrin  Jerome,  Mrs.  P.  T. 
Punteney  and  Mrs.  Robert  Haney  were 
allowed  $50  out  of  the  relief  fund.  The 
bonds  were  issued,  but  as  the  war  ended  soon 
after  and  recruiting  ceased,  most  of  the 
money  was  given  as  relief  to  the  families  of 
volunteers. 

A  complete  list  of  the  county's  contribution 


(I-O 


niSTORY    OF    CARROLL    GOUNTT. 


of  volunteers  cannot  be  obtained,  as  not  all 
are  credited  to  this  county  in  the  official 
reports.  The  first  volunteers  went  to  Guthrie 
County  and  joined  a  company  from  that 
county,  and  but  a  few  of  these  were  ever 
credited  to  Carroll.  Subsequent  enlistments 
were  made  at  Jefferson,  Greeue  County. 
Among  the  latter  were  Edmund  Carney, 
Alva  Chambers,  William  M.  Coombs  and 
Coleman  P.  Wright.  These  enlisted  Septem- 
ber 7,  1861,  in  Company  H,  Tenth  Iowa 
Volunteer  Infantry.  Carney  was  wounded 
sligiitly  in  the  leg  at  Champion  Hills,  Mis- 
sissippi, May  16,  1868,  and  transferred  to 
the  Invalid  Corps  February  15,  following. 
Coombs  was  wounded  severely  in  the  arm  and 
head,  at  the  same  time  and  place. 

William  Carter  and  Orrin  Jerome  enlisted 
in  December,  1863,  in  the  Thirty-ninth 
Infantry,  Company  E,  but  were  on  the  30th 


of  the  same  montli  transferred  to  the  Seventh 
Cavalry.  In  this  regiment  was  also  Parker 
T.  Punteney,  one  of  the  first  sheriffs  of  the 
county.  Carter  was  killed  at  Allatoona, 
Georgia,  October  5,  186-4.  It  is  said  that 
altogether  there  were  twenty-eight  volunteers 
from  Carroll  County.  The  draft  was  put  in 
force  in  this  county  on  one  occasion,  in  the 
fall  of  1864,  and  three  men  drawn,  among 
whom  was  T.  B.  Aldrich,  then  county  super- 
intendent of  schools.  This  would  make  a 
total  of  thirty-one.  If  this  is  true,  then  more 
than  10  per  cent,  of  the  total  population, 
and  about  half  of  the  voters  of  the  county, 
entered  the  service  of  the  United  States. 
The  great  bulk  of  the  present  population  of 
Carroll  County  has  settled  here  since  the  war, 
and  includes  a  large  number,  certainly  over  a 
hundred,  who  enlisted  from  other  counties  or 
States. 


^■-■-■-■■■■iW»»«»-»»W-M«l»«»-»-W-»-"-»-"-"»"-"B.«»"««»-WS» 


TilK    PRESS. 


071 


M^^.^-;S^^ 


0^"- 


^l^r-^— pjq- 


~=T^~5j^' 


'ITH    advancing  civiliza- 
tion, the   professions 
afford  an  ever  broad- 
ening   field    for    the 
islitest    minds    to 
enter,    in    quest    not 
only  of  living,  but  also  of 
"With  the  exception  of  the 
schools,  there  is   no   agency 
so  educational  as  the  local  press. 

Journalism  itself  has  passed 
through  several  stages  of  develop- 
ment, and  has  but  recently  found  its 
true  position.  A  paper  of  the  style 
of  those  published  thirty  years  ago 
would  have  but  few  admirers.  Local  news 
was  then  not  thought  worthy  of  printing,  and 
the  country  papers  were  filled  with  learned 
disquisitions  on  national  politics  and  foreign 
wars.  Now  these  things  are  wisely  left  to 
the  more  widely  circulated  city  papers,  whi(4i 
by  fast  mail  trains  are  distributed  throughout 
the  West  within  twenty-four  hours  of  publica- 
tion. Carroll  County  takes  several  thousand 
papers  each  week  from  Chicago,  Des  Moines, 

47 


Omaha  and  othei-  cities,  and  also  supports 
seven  local  pajjers.  These  are  all  edited  with 
more   than    average  ability,   and    all   have  a 


good  circulation. 


CARROLL    HERALD. 

O.  H.  Manning  began  printing  at  Jefferson 
a  paper  called  the  Carroll  Enterprise,  in 
1868.  Some  of  the  citizens  of  Carroll  clubbed 
together,  bought  a  press,  and  employed  J.  F. 
H.  Sugg  to  publish  the  Western  Herald, 
which  rendered  useless  the  further  existence 
of  the  Enterprise.  In  a  year  or  two  the  out- 
fit of  the  Herald  was  sold  to  O.  H.  Manning. 
E.  K.  Hastings  became  editor  and  publisher 
September  28,  1870,  and  March  29,  1871, 
the  name  was  changed  by  dropping  "  West- 
ern." In  1874  O.  R.  Gray  became  a  partner 
in  the  enterprise,  the  two  purchasing  the 
office  from  Mr.  Manning.  The  firm  of  Hast- 
ings &  Gray  continued  until  April  4,  1877, 
when  Mr.  Hastings  bought  his  partner's  in- 
terest and  became  sole  proprietor.  At  the 
beginning  of  1882  Mr.  Hastings  leased  a 
half  interest  to  E.  A.  Adams,  and    the   paper 


073 


II I  STORY    (IF    CAllHOLL    COUNTY. 


was  published  under  the  firm  name  of  Hast- 
ings &  Adams  until  August  15,  1883.  On 
the  Ist  of  January  following  Paul  M.  Mac- 
lean purchased  the  entire  concern,  at  the 
same  time  leasing  a  half  interest  back  to  Mr. 
Hastings.  The  firm  of  Hastings  &  Maclean 
continued  two  and  a  half  years.  The  first 
named  retired  at  the  end  of  June,  1886,  and 
died  in  tlie  autumn  following.  John  B. 
Huneerford  bought  a  half  interest  of  Mr. 
Maclean  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Hastings'  retire- 
ment. Under  the  management  of  Maclean 
&  Hungerford  the  Herald  is  increasing  in 
popularity  and  influence.  It  has  always  been 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Republican 
party.  It  is  in  size  a  seven-column  quarto. 
Previous  to  1876  it  was  a  folio,  or  four-page 
paper.  It  is  issued  on  Wednesdays,  at  $2  a 
year,  and  lias  a  circulation  of  1,300. 

c:arr()ll  sentinel. 

The  Seiduiel  was  established  at  Glidden 
in  the  spring  of  1877,  by  Ed.  Tabor,  of  Lake 
City,  now  city  editor  of  the  Sionx  City  Jour- 
nal. He  was  succeeded  in  the  ownership  of 
the  Sentinel  by  Kussell  &  Wattles,  and  they 
by  I.  S.  liussell.  The  latter  moved  the  office 
to  Carroll  in  1880,  and  published  it  herewith 
not  strict  regularity  for  about  a  year.  Then 
H.  C.  Ford  brought  some  material  from  West 
Side,  bought  out  Mr.  Russell,  and  began  to 
build  up  a  prosperous  paper.  In  April, 
1884,  the  establishment  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Hon.  Michael  Miller,  its  present  editor 
and  proprietor.  The  paper  was  originally  a 
six-column  folio,  independent  in  politics,  but 
is  now  a  seven-column  quarto,  and  since  Mr. 
Miller  took  charge  ^it  has  been  Democratic. 
In  the  middle  of  July,  1886,  the  office  was 
moved  into  its  present  location,  in  a  brick 
building  owned  by  Mr.  Miller.  It  is  22  x  100 
feet,  the  front  twenty  feet  being  cut  ofi;"  for 
the  postoffice,  which  has  been  recently  moved 


in.  The  remainder  is  in  one  large  room,  ex- 
ceedingly convenient  for  newspaper  work. 
Steam  power,  the  only  one  used  by  a  paper 
in  the  county,  was  introduced  in  the  autumn 
of  1886. 

CAKROLL    DEMOCRAT. 

The  Carroll  Democrat  was  established  in 
1874,  in  the  interests  of  the  Democratic 
party,  by  II.  L.  McMann,  A.  L.  Bowman,  J. 
C.  Kelly  and  one  other.  Mr.  McMann  was 
editor.  They  published  a  very  good  paper 
for  perhaps  a  year,  but  the  owners  could  not 
agree  on  some  very  important  matters,  and 
the  office  was  closed.  The  material  was  sold 
at  sheriff's  sale,  and  passed  into  the  hands  of 
the  Herald  and  Der  Demokrat.  The  latter, 
although  having  a  similar  name,  had  no  con- 
nection with  the  English  Democrat. 

CARROLL    DEMOKRAT. 

This  is  a  German  weekly,  with  politics  in- 
dicated by  its  name.  Its  first  number  ap- 
peared May  22,  1874.  Its  size  was  tiien  a 
six-column  folio.  Two  years  later  it  was 
made  a  quarto,  its  present  size.  The  first 
proprietors  were  Bowman  &  Burkhardt.  F. 
F.  Florencourt  bought  Mr.  Bowman's  in- 
terest in  June,  1874,  and  the  firm  was  then 
for  six  months  Burkhardt  &  Florencourt. 
Then  the  paper  passed  into  the  hands  of  a 
new  firm,  Burkhardt  &  Schirk.  H.  W.  Hage- 
mann  purchased  Schirk's  interest  in  1876, 
and  two  years  later  that  of  Mr.  Burkhai-dt, 
becoming  sole  proprietor.  In  March,  1879, 
the  paper  and  material  passed  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Demokrat  Printing  Association, 
by  which  the  Demokrat  has  been  since  regu- 
larly published.  The  present  officers  of  the 
association  are:  P.M.Guthrie,  President  and 
Treasurer,  and  B.  J.  Ivniest.  Secretary  and 
Manager.  F.  F.  Florencourt  is  editor.  The 
Deviokrat  is  exclusively  a  German  pa])er, 
but   in   1880  three  columns  were  printed   in 


I; 


i 

il 


THE    PRESS. 


English,  an  experiment  which  was  discon- 
tinued after  one  year.  It  is  pnblislied  on 
Fridays,  at  $2  a  year,  and  is  read  by  nearly 
all  of  the  large  German  population  of  Carroll 
Count_y. 


CAEEOLL    NEWS. 


This  was  the  name  of  a  live-column  folio 
Democratic  paper,  published  for  about  six 
months  in  1880  and  1881  by  B.  J.  Kniest. 


MANNING    MONITOE. 


The  first  paper  at  Manning,  the  Monitor, 
was  established  by  S.  L.  Wilson,  November 
16,  1881,  and  by  him  published  for  over  two 
years.  Seth  Smith  bought  it  in  March,  1884, 
and  two  montlis  later  sold  to  C.  S.  Lawrence. 
It  is  an  eight-column  folio.  Republican  in 
politics,  and  is  published  at  §1  a  year. 


MANNING    NEWS. 


The  News  was  first  brought  before  the 
waiting  world  in  January,  1882,  by  The. 
Palmer,  of  Irving.  May  20,  1886,  the  paper 
and  material  were  bought  by  W.  J.  Morrow, 
who  is  now  editor  and  proprietor.  It  is  a 
seven-column  folio.  Democratic  in  politics, 
and    is  issued  on  Thursdays,  at  $1  a  year. 


About  400  papers  are  mailed  at  home,  and 
the  total  circulation  in  Carroll,  Crawford, 
Shelby  and  Audubon  counties  is  850. 

GLIDDEN    PAPERS. 

As  stated  before,  the  Carroll  Sentinel  was 
established  at  Glidden.  About  a  year  before 
the  Sentinel  was  removed,  J.  C.  Holmes 
started  the  Newsboy,  a  six-column  folio, 
neutral  as  to  politics.  This  ran  perhaps  two 
years.  In  November,  1885,  G.  W.  Baer 
began  the  publication  of  the  Success,  which 
belied  its  name,  for  it  was  forced  to  suspend 
July  9,  1886.  It  was  a  six-column  quarto. 
Republican  in  politics,  and  published  at  the 
rate  of  $1.50  per  year.  Glidden  is  now  with- 
out a  local  paper. 

COON    RAPIDS    ENTERPRISE. 

The  Ente7'prise  was  founded  in  January, 
1882,  by  Ed.  Stowell,  who  sold  to  Henry 
Brothers,  May  25, 1883.  In  February,  1885, 
S.  D.  Henry  became  sole  proprietor.  The 
Enterprise  is  appropriately  named,  and  has 
a  large  list  of  satisfied  subscribers.  It  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  is  published  on 
Fridaj^s,  at  -$1.50  a  year.  It  is  in  size  a  six- 
column  quarto. 


^■-■-■-•■■-■-■-■J' 


jxrum-m^m'i'riim-^ 


(174 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


*^>^i*^-" 


-^  PROFESSIONAL.  ^ 


-"^^-^"^-"'-^^^ 


THE    BAR. 


iii 


)Air  TITUS  was  the  pio- 
neer lawyer  of  the  coun- 
ty', living  at   Carrollton 
in  an  early  day.     There 
">    was    then    not   enono-h 
',,Xv<i^  legal  business  to  take 
the  entire  time  of  even 
one  man,  and  it  cannot  be  said 
that  there  was  ever  much  of  a 
"bar"    at    Carrollton,    though 
several  practiced   law  or  were 
entitled  to  practice. 

The  oldest  resident  attorney 
of  Carroll  is  James  E.  Griflith, 
dating  from  its  lirst  year,  1868. 
lando  II.  Manning,  who  studied 
law  with  Messrs.  Ilnssell  &  Head,  at  Jeffer- 
son, came  to  Carroll  in  the  same  year,  and 
practiced  continuously  until  successful  poli- 
tics absorbed  his  time.  He  served  two  terms 
in  the  lower  branch  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  in  1881  was  elected  Lieutenant  Governor. 
He  was  very  prominent  in  all  county  affairs 
when  a  resident  here,  and  will  fill  an    impor- 


tant place  in  the  history  of  Carroll  Connty 
when  the  same  shall  be  written  by  future 
historians.  In  1883  he  removed  to  Council 
Bluffs,  and  at  the  present  time  he  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Topeka,  Kansas.  William  II.  H. 
Tibbils  was  here  a  couple  of  years,  and  in 
1873  went  West.  E.  M.  Betzer  located  here 
in  1870,  and  has  practiced  law  when  not  em- 
ployed in  some  one  of  the  county  offices. 
H.  W.  Macomber  has  been  here  for  many 
years,  and  his  son,  F.  L.  Macomber,  is  also 
now  a  practicing  attorney.  F.  M.  Cole  was 
one  of  the  early  attorneys.  He  retired  from 
business  in  1873,  owing  to  sickness,  and  died 
soon  after.  George  W.  Paine  came  in  1872, 
from  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  has  been 
prominent  in  legal  and  business  matters 
since.  He  has  been  an  attorney  since  1849. 
He  does  a  large  loan  business.  James  N. 
and  F.  M.  Powers  located  here  in  1880,  and 
were  in  partnership  until  the  former  was 
elected  county  clerk.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
the  State  University,  class  of  1879.  J.  W. 
Scott  came  here  about  ten   years  ago,  and  for 


'»'*l»*»'i'™'*M™l»™'»" 


■"'■■'-■-■-■-■-■'-■-'■-■-■-■-■-■-■■■-■■-■--»ii»-"-ilM-lll»«-«-»=»i 


PROFESSIONAL. 


(i7o 


the  past  two  years  has  given  up  legal  practice 
and  devoted  himself  to  farming.  Joseph  ]\[. 
Drees  studied  law  with  O.  H.  Manning,  and 
has  now  been  in  practice  about  six  years.  A 
lawyer  named  Cochran  was  for  a  time  a  mem- 
ber of  the  county  bar.  George  W.  Bowen 
located  here  in  1878,  and  is  yet  in  practice. 
George  Ti.  Cloud  has  been  here  since  1882. 
M.  W.  Beach  came  here  from  Glidden  in 
1883.  J.  C.  Engelman  was  first  here  in 
1878.  He  has  moved  around  considerably; 
located  at  Manning  in  1884,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  1886,  having  been  elected  county 
attorney,  removed  to  Carroll.  Charles  Lee 
Murray  came  here  in  1879  from  Marion,  and 
after  a  stay  of  a  year  and  a  lialf,  emigrated  to 
Montana.  Ed.  Conlin  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1885.  Thomas  F.  Barbee,  H.  S.  Fisher 
and  John  Brown  have  been  in  practice 
several  years. 

The  present  resident  practitioners  of  Car- 
roll are  James  E.  Griffith,  E.  M.  Betzer, 
George  W.  Paine,  H.  W.  Macomber,  F.  L. 
Macomber,  M.  W.  Beach,  James  N.  Powers, 
F.  M.  Powers,  Thomas  F.  Barbee,  H.  S. 
Fisher,  John  Brown,  George  W.  Bowen, 
George  R.  Cloud,  Ed.  Conlin,  J.  C.  Engel- 
man and  Josepli  M.  Drees. 

The  first  law  firm  at  Manning  was  that  of 
Doty,  Hughes  &  Salinger,  in  the  autumn  of 
1881.  It  continued  but  a  few  months.  C. 
W.  Doty  remained  at  Manning  for  two  years, 
and  is  now  in  Nebraska.  W.  H.  Hughes 
was  from  Cherokee  Count}-  here,  remained 
about  a  twelve-month,  and  is  now  in  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Dakota.  B.  I.  Salinger  is  the  only 
one  of  the  firm  who  is  still  in  the  practice  at 
Manning.  George  W.  Makepeace  came  in 
the  autumn  of  1881,  and  was  here  two  years. 
Emory  S.  Blazer,  from  Audubon  County,  was 
also  among  the  tirst  coiners.  He  remained 
three  years,  and  then  removed  to  Nebraska, 
where  he  has  since  died.     Albert  T.  Bennett 


came  at  the  same  tiine  as  the  above,  and  is 
still  in  practice,  although  most  of  his  time  is 
given  to  the  Bank  of  Manning,  of  which  he 
is  owner.  C.  M.  Failing  came  from  Anita 
in    1882,   but   returned  a  year  later. 

S.  Preston  was  the  first  attorney  at  Coon 
Rapids,  and  is  still  in  practice  at  that  point. 
T.  C.  Reid  located  here  in  1882,  from  Sears- 
borough,  Poweshiek  County,  and  is  the 
present  mayor  of  the  town.  S.  J.  L.  Sheaffer 
came  also  in  1882,  from  Guthrie  Center,  and 
in  the  autumn  of  the  second  year  thereafter 
changed  his  field  of  operations  to  Kansas.  L. 
AV.  Morgan  was  in  mercantile  employment 
at  this  place  before  December,  1882,  when 
he  formed  a  piartnership  with  T.  C.  Reid, 
under  the  name  of  Reid  &  Morgan.  A.  A. 
Spahr  came  in  1883,  was  a  partner  of 
Sheaffer,  and  in  1885  removed  to  Casey, 
Guthrie  County.  E.  H.  Hurd  is  the  latest 
addition  to  the  list  of  attorneys  at  Coon 
Rapids,  having  arrived  in  the  autumn  of 
1886. 

M.  W.  Beach  was  the  first  attorney  at 
Glidden.  He  read  law  while  holding  the 
office  of  county  superintendent,  and  after 
being  admitted  to  practice  followed  the  legal 
profession  here  several  years,  when  he  removed 
to  Carroll.  C.  I.  Hinman,  who  was  his 
partner  at  Glidden  for  a  time,  is  now  engaged 
in  banking  and  real  estate  dealing  at  Esther- 
ville,  Emraett  County. 

J.  C.  Engelman,  the  present  county  attor- 
ney, was  the  lirst  member  of  the  legal  pro- 
fession at  Arcadia.  F.  A.  ("harles  is  the 
present  attorney  of  the  place. 

MEDICAL    PROFESSION. 

The  first  settlers  of  Carroll  County 
depended  for  medical  assistance  upon  Dr. 
James  Miller,  who  was  the  pioneer  physician 
of  Greene  County,  and  lived  in  the  country, 
north  of  the  pi-esent  site    of  Scranton.     In 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


1865  Dr.  Thomas  Elwood,  now  of  Glidden, 
located  at  C'arrollton,  and  to  him  belongs  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  resident  practitioner 
in  Carroll  Conntj'. 

The  tirst  physician  to  locate  at  Carroll  was 
J.  ^V.  PloUenbeck,  who  remained  about  a 
year  and  a  half.  A  Dr.  Davidson  was  here 
about  the  same  time,  and  Dr.  Fajans  was  also 
one  of  the  fii'st.  Dr.  llildebrand,  from  Phila- 
delphia, was  here  six  years,  and  in  1877 
removed  to  Southern  Iowa.  He  died  at 
Sacramento,  California,  in  1885.  J.  M.Patty 
(homcfiopathic)  was  here  very  early,  and  died 
at  Carroll  in  1884.  He  was  from  Grant,  Sac 
County,  as  was  H.  Smith,  who  also  died  here 
about  1884.  Di-.  Ricke  was  an  early  physi- 
cian. A.  L.  Wright  came  in  the  spring  of 
1874,  and  is  the  oldest  practitioner  now  at 
Carroll.  A.  Naulteus,  from  Ohio,  remained 
here  about  two  years,  and  is  now  at  Hastings, 
Nebraska.  J.  W.  (Tustine  came  in  1876, 
from  Panora,  Guthrie  County,  and  died  here 
in  the  autumn  of  1885.  The  previous  two 
years  had  been  passed  in  Florida.  G.  W. 
Bovvers  came  from  Guthrie  Center  in  1878, 
practiced  four  or  iive  years,  and  died  at  this 
place.  Dr.  Strong  (homceopathic)  came  in 
1878;  lel't  two  years  later  for  the  northern 
part  of  the  State.  F.  J.  Kriebs  came  in 
1886,  and  is  now  in  Eastern  Iowa,  having 
left  Carroll  in  the  autumn  of  1886.  Dr. 
Schafer  came  in  1880,  and  left  two  years 
later.  L.  Q.  Spaulding  (homceopathic) 
came  in  1883,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1886 
moved  to  Battle  Creek,  this  State.  William 
Lane  came  in  1881,  from  Montour,  this  State; 
remained  about  two  years,  and  is  now  at 
Miller,  Dakota.  Dr.  Fo.x  came  about  the 
same  time,  was  for  a  year  or  two  in  partner- 
ship with  Dr.  Gustine,  then  went  to  Patter- 
sonville,  this  State,  and  is  now  in  New  York 
State.  The  practicing  physicians  of  Carroll 
now  are    Drs.   Wriglit,   Emeis.  Gocklcy  and 


Strunk.     The    last    three    are   comparatively 
recent  arrivals. 

Dr.  R.  P.  Williams,  who  lived  on  a  farm 
six  miles  east  of  Manning,  was  the  first 
physician  to  practice  generally  in  that  vicin- 
ity, lie  removed  to  town  in  the  autumn  of 
1881,  and  is  still  in  practice  at  that  place. 
Dr.  McKinney  was  also  one  of  the  first, 
having  boarded  with  Julius  Gardner  before 
the  town  was  laid  out.  He  has  practiced  at 
Maiming  ever  since,  except  one  year  at  Aster, 
Crawford  County.  G.  M.  Barber  came  the 
same  autumn  (1881),  from  Wahiut,  Potta- 
wattamie County,  and  started  a  drug  store  in 
partnership  with  James  Turner.  He  is  still 
in  practice,  and  is  now  sole  owner  of  the 
store.  L.  P.  Brigham  came  in  1883,  and 
j^racticed  one  year.  He  has  since  devoted 
himself  to  the  insurance  and  loan  business. 
Dr.  Stein  came  in  1884,  from  St.  Louis,  and 
is  yet  here,  in  practice. 

E.  V.  Blatchley  fixed  his  residence  at  Coon 
Rapids  in  1877  or  '78,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1886  removed  to  Buffalo  Gap,  Dakota.  His 
son,  E.  M.  Blatchley,  came  a  year  or  two 
later,  and  in  June,  1885,  moved  to  Grundy 
County,  Nebraska.  J.  Garst  was  here  from 
1882  to  1885,  and  is  now  at  Northfield, 
Minnesota.  T.  C.  McMillan  was  here  from 
1882  to  1886,  and  is  now  at  Fullerton, 
Nebraska.  C.  Runyon  was  his  partner  for 
one  year,  and  when  he  left  was  headed  for 
Washington,  Iowa.  J.  K.  Root  came  in  the 
autumn  of  1884,  and  is  still  a  resident  prac- 
titioner. J.  II.  Martin  came  in  xVngust, 
1886,  and  after  two  months  removed  to 
Omaha,  Nebraska.  Dr.  Stearns  came  in  the 
autumn  of  1886,  and  Dr.  E.  A.  Hunt  a  year 
])rcvious.     Both  are  still  at  Coon  Rapids. 

Dr.  II.  II.  Gates  has  been  located  at  Glid- 
den for  eighteen  years.  Dr.  White,  a  homoeo- 
path, was  here  in  the  early  times  of  the 
village,     and     remained     three    years.       Dr. 


I* 


^5 


'■■MM'«"«»«"«W«»i."»W-Wna»M»M_»_M_«„M,M_M„H_M»W,»_»„»«»_W«gMM»»«««,«al 


>• 


r^' 


PROFESSIONAL. 


G77 


Thomas  Elwood,  who  located  at  CarroUton 
in  1865  and  was  the  first  i-esident  physician 
of  the  coiiuty,  fixed  his  home  at  Glidden,  in 
1872,  and  is  yet  here.  Drs.  Culver  and  St. 
John  were  early  physicians,  but  did  not  re- 
main long.  Dr.  S.  C.  Dunkle  has  been  here 
twelve  years.  Dr.  O.  II.  Hood  came  to  this 
point  in  1884,  and  in  1886  removed  to 
Nebraska.  Dr.  L.  K.  Sales  is  also  a  resident 
physician  of  Glidden. 


The  first  physician  at  Arcadia  was  Dr. 
Plall,  who  remained  two  years  and  is  now  in 
Sac  County.  Dr.  Fischer  was  at  Arcadia  a 
short  time.  Dr.  J.  B.  H.  Feenstra  located 
here  in  1877,  and  has  practiced  continuously 
since.  Dr.  C.  A.  Beitenraan  has  been  a  resi- 
dent nearly  three  years.  Dr.  Baird  was  here 
in  1883-'84,  and  is  now  in  Kansas.  Dr.  L. 
S.  StoU  has  been  here  thirteen  years,  as  phy- 
sician and  insurance  agent. 


-mtmmm^'awammm 


■■■■-''—'"■■■»■■■■■■'— '—■"■"■"■'■■^■"■■'■"■'—^^' 


J78 


■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■-■■■-■«»S^S! 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


EDUCATIONAL. 


^ 


ULES    SIMON,    the   great 
Frenchman,    said:     "That 
people  whieli  has   the  best 
schools  is  the  best  people; 
if  it  is  not  so  to-day,  it  will 
be    so    to-morrow."      The 
chicl'  glory  of  Iowa    is   that, 
while  she  is  tenth  in  popula- 
tion,  she    is    fifth    in    wliole 
number  ot  public  schools  and 
whole     number     of    school- 
houses,  and  first  in  the  pro- 
portion   of  persons  over  ten 
years  of  age  who  are  able  to 
read,  and  also  first  in  propor- 
tion  of  white    male   population  between   the 
ages  of  fifteen  and  twenty  years  who  are  able 
to  write. 

The  first  school  in  the  county  of  Carroll 
was  taught  at  Carrollton,  in  the  spring  of 
1856,  by  Jane  L.  Hill,  but  outside  of  that 
village  there  were  few  schools  taught  before 
the  era  of  progress  which  ininiediately  suc- 
ceeded the  building  of  the  Northwestern  Rail- 


road. Of  the  early  schools,  the  less  said  the 
better,  unless  we  consider  the  disadvantages 
of  the  country  and  the  poverty  of  the  peo- 
ple. The  citizens  improved  their  schools  as 
rapidly  as  their  own  means  would  permit, 
and  the  last  two  decades  have  witnessed  a 
steady  and  perceptible  gain  in  methods  and 
conditions. 

The  present  efficiency  of  the  free-school 
system  is  due  in  no  small  degree  to  the  in- 
fluence of  the  teachers'  institutes  and  associa- 
tions now  held  annually.  Of  course  the 
discussion  and  exercises  of  these  educational 
gatherings  were  at  first  general  in  their 
character;  but  county  normals  or  teachers'  in- 
stitutes now  have  a  specific  purpose — the 
better  fitting  of  teachers  for  the  school-room. 

Nothing  helps  more  than  a  good  institute 
to  give  teachers  a  proper  appreciation  of  the 
responsibilities  which  rest  upon  them;  noth- 
ing does  more  to  give  them  an  enthusiasm 
for  their  work,  a  love  for  it,  and  an  earnest 
desire  to  find  out  and  use  diligently  the  very 
best      methods     for     instructing     children^ 


i\ 


.■„»_«i_«_H,WlM»W_»»n»»»M_l 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


679 


Indeed,  as  a  rule,  those  teachers  who  attend  in- 
stitutes are  the  ones  who  become  most  faith- 
ful, diligent  and  efficient  in  the  scliool-rooni. 
Mingling  with  those  engaged  in  the  same 
calling,  they  receive  their  sympathies,  and 
the  benefit  of  their  experience.  They  learn, 
perhajis,  to  think  better  of  their  profession 
than  ever  before;  come  to  appreciate  fully 
the  nobleness  there  is  in  it;  and  when  they 
go  back  to  their  school-rootn  again  it  is  with 
a  determination  to  be  successful  in  the  truest 
sense,  however  much  labor  it  may  cost  them. 
An  institute  is  in  some  sense  a  short  term 
of  school,  in  which  a  few  points  in  the  com- 
mon branches,  such  as  are  not  usually  well 
understood  or  well  taught  by  teachers,  are 
seized  upon  and  presented  by  competent  in- 
structors. The  best  methods,  not  those  wliich 
are  simply  new,  but  methods  which  have 
been  proven  by  actual  trial  in  the  school- 
room, whether  new  or  old,  to  be  the  best,  are 
the  ones  aimed  to  be  insisted  upon  by  tliose 
who  conduct  exercises  in  the  institute.  Great- 
er accuracy  and  thoroughness  in  the  teaching 
of  the  common  branches  is  evidently  needed 
in  many  of  our  schools  now;  and  the  insti- 
tute is  an  important  means  for  the  attainment 
of  this  end.  It  is  well,  as  is  often  done,  to 
introduce  a  few  general  exercises,  such  as  the 
reading  of  essays  and  the  delivering  of  short 
orations,  so  that  general  intellectual  culture 
may  be  encouraged;  for  teachers  ought  not 
to  be  one-sided  men  and  women.  So  much 
importance  is  attached  to  teachers'  institutes 
by  our  best  educators  that  in  several  cities 
teachers  are  coinpelled  by  the  school  regula- 
tions to  attend  the  city  institute. 

In  testimony  of  the  present  satisfactory 
condition  of  school  matters  in  Carroll  County, 
the  following  figures  are  taken  from  the  last 
published  reports: 

Number  of  district  townships,  15;  inde- 
pendent districts,  15;   sub-districts,  135;  un- 


graded schools,  127;  rooms  in  graded  schools, 
24;  average  duration  in  months,  7;  male 
teachers  employed,  75;  average  monthly 
compensation,  $44.88;  female  teachers,  153; 
average  monthly  compensation,  $33.92; 
males  of  school  age,  2,687;  females,  2,705; 
enrolled  in  public  schools,  3,993;  total  aver- 
age attendance,  2,288;  average  tuition  per 
month,  per  pupil,  $2.30;  frame  school-houses, 
182;  brick  school-houses,  3;  value,  $100,555; 
value  of  apparatus,  $6,148. 

Paid  for  school-houses  and  sites,  $8,160.69; 
for  library  and  apparatus,  $108.85;  on  bonds 
and  interest,  $2,314.86;  for  other  purposes, 
from  school-house  fund,  $3,714.95;  for  rent 
and  i-epair  of  school-rooms,  $4,324.42;  for 
fuel,  $3,562.73;  secretaries  and  treasurers, 
$1,496.88;  for  records,  dictionaries  and  appa- 
ratus, $796.87;  for  insurance  and  janitors, 
$1,219.87;  for  supplies,  brooms,  chalk,  etc., 
$854.52;  for  other  purposes,  from  contin- 
gent fund,  $5,790.41;  for  teachers,  $37,- 
972.46;  for  other  purposes,  from  teachers' 
fund,  $26.43. 

AGRICULTURAL. 

The  Carroll  County  farmer,  having  no 
stones  or  stumps  to  I'emove,  finds  his  farm 
clear  and  already  prepared  for  cultivation,  so 
that  he  may  plow  his  land,  plant  his  crops, 
and  reap  such  a  harvest  the  first  year  as  will 
abundantly  reward  his  labor.  The  richness 
of  Iowa  soil  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  as 
many  as  twenty  successive  crops  have  been 
gathered  from  a  single  field,  without  the 
Tise  of  fertilizers.  In  the  variety  of  products 
this  region  is  unexcelled.  Corn  is  the  most 
reliable  crop,  is  more  extensively  cultivated 
than  any  other,  and  yields  from  fifty  to 
seventy-five  bushels  per  acre. 

The  business  of  stock-raising  has  assumed 
vast  proportions,  and  a  large  percentage  of 
the  agricultural   wealth    consists  of  all  kinds 


680 


UI8T0UY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


It 

■I 


of  farm  stock.  These  unsurpassed  prairie 
lands,  j-ielding  abnndaiitl}'  of  rich,  nutritious 
grasses  and  watered  with  numberless  streams 
and  rivers,  liave  tlie  conditions  of  climate,  food 
and  water  which  are  favorable  to  success,  and 
with  superior  transportation  facilities,  giving 
access  to  the  markets  of  the  world,  the  prose- 
cution of  this  industry  has  become  one  of 
the  most  profitable  sources  of  revenue.  Stock 
feeding  is  a  business  in  which  the  surplus 
grain  can  be  most  profitably  utilized,  a  fact 
wliich  has  been  fully  demonstrated  by  every 
one  who  has  given  his  attention  to  it.  There 
is  no  branch  of  agriculture  which  pays  so 
large  a  revenue  in  Iowa,  as  there  is  scarcely 
a  farmer  who  does  not  give  his  attention,  in 
a  greater  or  less  degree,  to  the  raising  of 
stock  for  market.  The  following  are  the 
census  (1885)  figures  as  to  the  chief  farm  and 
stock  interests: 

Average  size  of  farm,  141;  acres  of  im- 
proved land,  242,044;  acreage  in  cultivation, 
180,429;  acres  of  unimproved  land,  44,593; 
acres  in  pasture,  41,674;  rods  of  hedge  fence, 
67,058;  rods  of  barbed  wire  fence,  492,146; 
rods  of  other  fence,  87,925;  farms  managed 
by  owner,  1,504;  by  tenant  for  money  rent, 
144;  by  tenant  for  crop  rent,  B26. 

Acres  of  Indian  corn,  92,897;  bushels 
harvested,  3,231,439;  acres  of  spring  wheat, 
55,454;  bushels  harvested,  617,254;  acres  of 
oats,  23,409;  bushels  harvested,  795,797;  tons 
of  straw-,  16,334;  acres  of  rye,  1,487;  bushels 
harvested,  19,713;  tons  of  straw,  863;  acres 
of  barley,  8,508;  bushels  harvested,  225,794; 
acres  of  buckwheat,  83;  bushels  harvested, 
1,247. 

Acres  in  planted  timber,  2,403;  acres  in 
natural  timber,  1,916;  cords  of  wood  cut  in 
one  year,  746;  number  of  bearing  apple  trees, 
13,425;  bushels  gathered,  8,785;  bearing 
plum  trees,  2,966;  bushels  gathered,  790; 
bearing  cherry  trees,  1,546;  bushels  gathered, 


161;  other  bearing  fruit  trees,  1,309;  trees 
not  in  bearing,  51,357;  acres  of  vineyard,  5; 
pounds  of  grapes  gathered,  1,860;  vines  not 
in  vineyard,  10,023;  pounds  of  grapes 
gathered,  7,956;  stands  of  bees,  122;  pounds 
of  honey  gathered,  1,586. 

Acres  of  clover,  203;  tons  of  hay,  166; 
bushels  of  seed,  15;  acres  of  Hungarian,  208; 
tons  of  hay,  317;  bushels  of  seed,  53;  acres  of 
millet,  218;  tons  of  hay,  431;  bushels  of  seed, 
62;  acres  of  timothy,  5,924;  tons  of  hay, 
4,979;  bushels  of  seed,  1,530;  tons  of  hay 
from  wild  grass,  34,476;  acres  of  flax,  3,950; 
bushels  of  seed,  19,291. 

Gallons  of  milk  sold  or  sent  to  factory, 
7,629;  gallons  of  cream  sold  or  sent  to  factory, 
68,673;  pounds  of  butter  made,  not  at  factory, 
357,350;  pounds  of  cheese  made,  not  at  factory, 
4,390;  acres  of  potatoes,  1,261;  bushels 
raised,  69,458;  bushels  of  beets  raised,  603; 
turnips,  9,084;  peas  and  beans,  724;  acres  in 
sorghum,  292;  gallons  of  sorghum  sirup, 
5,184. 

Milch  cows,  8,671;  other  cattle,  17,394; 
slaughtered  and  sold  for  slaughter,  2,791; 
total  horses,  8,387;  sold  for  export,  101; 
mules  and  asses,  358;  sold  for  export,  8; 
Poland  China  hogs,  8,907;  Berkshire  hogs, 
2,703;  Chester  Whites,  285;  Duroc  Jerseys, 
123;  Essexes,  32;  other  improved  breeds,  89; 
total  hogs,  60,874;  slaughtered  or  sold  for 
slaughter,  38,738;  Merino  sheep,  315;  Cots- 
wold  sheep,  102;  Southdown  sheep,  5;  total 
sheep,  644;  slaughtered  or  sold  for  slaughter, 
55;  number  of  fleeces,  454;  pounds  of  wool, 
3,612;  common  chickens,  109,671;  improved 
breeds,  1,126;  other  domestic  fowl,  7,745; 
dozens  of  eggs,  306,589. 

Value  of  farm  products,  $1,142,434;  mar- 
ket-garden produce,  $1,020;  ])roducts  of 
forest,  $4,135;  orchard  products,  $3,914; 
products  of  vine,  $1,618;  small  fruit,  $2,030; 
products  of  hive,  $245;    products  of  dairy. 


i 

I 

i 

ii 

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\i 


f'j' 


.WiiWaW»W_»_»»1,»,M»»_M_MiIl 


15 1 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


681 


$76,263;  animals  slaughtered,  or  sold  for 
slaughter,  $433,547;  poultry  and  eggs, 
$28,958. 

RAILROADS. 

The  prosperity  and  development  of  a  State 
is  essentially  dependent  upon  its  means  of 
transportation,  and  to  our  railroads  is  due, 
more  than  to  any  other  single  agency,  the 
present  prosperity  of  Iowa.  The  attractions 
which  Iowa  presents  to  enterprise,  capital 
and  skilled  labor,  with  all  her  natural  elements 
of  productive  wealth,  have  been  developed  by 
the  greatest  river  navigation  and  the  best 
system  of  railroads  existing  in  any  State  in 
the  Union.  The  benefits  which  are  derived 
from  railroad  communication  are  untold,  and 
can  only  be  realized  when  we  remember  that 
civilization  and  improvement  of  all  kinds 
follow  the  iron  horse,  and,  as  if  by  magic, 
towns  and  villages  spring  up  in  its  wake. 
Tlie  building  of  railroads  assisted  greatly  in 
the  development  of  our  State  by  furnishing 
convenient  markets  for  the  farmer.  Iowa  is 
to-day  traversed  by  railroads  in  almost  every 
direction,  while  the  work  of  building  new 
lines  is  steadily  progressing,  and  this  wonder- 
ful advance  in  the  construction  of  railroads 
indicates  the  confidence  which  capitalists 
entertain  in  regai'd  to  the  future  of  our  State. 
Indeed  there  are  very  few  States  in  the 
Union,  if  any,  in  which  railroad  building  has 
been  pursued  with  such  energy  as  in  Iowa. 
The  great  national  highways  across  the  con- 
tinent pass  directly  through  the  State,  afford- 
ing our  people  access  to  the  principal  markets 
of  the  world.  From  these  roads  branches 
deflect  in  all  directions,  until  with  these,  and 
her  north  and  south  lines  and  their  branches, 
there  remains  not  a  county  in  the  entire 
State  whicii  has  not  one  or  more  railroads. 

In  the  spring  of  1855  the  first  locomotive 
and  cars  were  introduced  within  the  borders 


of  our  State  at  Davenport.  In  1856  Congress 
made  a  munificent  grant  of  lands  to  the  State, 
to  aid  in  the  building  of  railroads,  which  in 
turn  was  granted  by  the  State  to  various 
companies  for  the  construction  of  lines  in 
different  directions  throughout  Iowa.  For 
several  years  thereafter  progress  in  railroad 
building  was  slow,  owing  to  the  financial 
depression  in  1857-'58,  and  the  civil  war 
which  followed  so  soon  afterward,  and  it  was 
Tiot  until  after  the  close  of  the  war  that  the 
increased  demand  for  transportation  facilities 
necessitated  the  more  rapid  building  of  rail- 
roads. The  benefit  derived  from  these  com- 
mercial highways  is  two-fold.  Not  only  are 
the  people  of  the  State  aff'orded  an  easy 
communication  with  the  great  markets  of  the 
country,  but  when  it  is  understood  that  these 
great  corporations  are  subject  to  local  and 
State  taxation,  and  that  they  pay  into  the 
treasury  of  the  State  a  large  amount  annually, 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  burden  of  the  tax- 
payer is  lessened  thereby.  The  railroads  of 
the  State  are  subject  to  legislative  control,  so 
that  the  General  Assembly  has  the  power  to 
fix  the  maximum  rates  for  the  transportation 
of  passengers  and  freight  on  the  various  lines 
and  to  prevent  unjust  discriinination  between 
points  on  the  same  line.  The  interests  of  the 
people  are  guarded  by  a  board  of  railroad 
commissioners,  consisting  of  three  persons, 
appointed  hy  the  Governor  for  the  term  of 
three  years,  and  whose  duty  it  is  to  adjust 
those  differences  which  may  arise  between 
the  people  and  railroad  companies,  or  between 
one  company  and  another,  hearing  and  deter- 
mining complaints,  inquiringand  recommend- 
ing, and  up  to  this  time  its  recommendations 
have  been  heeded.  It  is  to  be  taken  for 
granted  that  the  public  appreciate  the  great 
convenience  of  the  railroads  as  well  as  the 
fact  that  they  have  been  indispensable  in  the 
development   of  our  State,    and   there  is  no 


682 


HISTORY    OP    OAJUiOLL    COUNTY. 


reason  for,  and  we  believe  there  is  no  real 
antagonism  of,  interests  between  our  people 
and  the  railroad  companies,  although  there 
liave  been  misapprehensions  on  both  sides, 
though  perhaps  no  more  than  arises  in  other 
business  relations  of  the  same  magnitude,  yet 
they  are  each  interested  in  the  prosperity  of 
the  other,  as  a  broad  and  comprehensive  view 
of  the  rights  of  each  reveals.  The  manage- 
ment of  the  railroads  of  Iowa  has  been  wise 
and  judicious,  and  in  their  endeavors  to  pro- 
mote the  prosperity  of  their  respective  com- 
panies the_y  have  been  important  factors  of 
tlie  development  of  our  wonderful  resources. 

Although  Carroll  County  has  now  two 
east  and  west  main  lines  of  railroad,  and 
north  and  south  branches,  it  was  1867  before 
the  first  rail  was  laid  in  the  county.  The 
county  was  then  twelve  years  old,  but  had 
scarcely  half  as  many  hundred  people  living 
in  its  boundaries.  The  great  impulse  given 
to  immigration,  which  has  continued  steadily 
until  tlie  county  has  now  over  16,000  inhab- 
itants, is  one  of  the  most  powerful  arguments 
that  t-an  be  adduced  to  prove  that  the  advent 
of  the  railroad  was  an  unmixed  blessing  for 
Carroll  County. 

Chicago  cfc  Northwestern.  —  More  than 
thirty  years  ago  it  was  designed  to  encourage 
the  building  of  four  trunk  lines  of  railroad 
across  the  State  of  Iowa.  One  of  these  was 
to  be  on  or  near  the  forty-second  parallel 
of  latitude,  and  woidd  hence  cross  Clarroll 
County  nearly  midway.  Congress  in  1856 
granted  to  the  State  of  Iowa,  in  trust  for  this 
purpose,  a  liberal  strip  of  the  public  lands. 
At  a  special  session  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, in  July,  1856,  the  land  grant  for  this 
line  was  transferred  to  the  Iowa  Central  Rail- 
road Company.  This  grant  was  declared 
forfeited  by  act  of  the  General  Assembly, 
March  17,  1^60,  and  nine  days  later  was 
assigned  to  the  Cedar    Rapids    ct    Missouri 


River  Railroad  Company.  This  grant  em- 
braced 88,120  acres  in  Carroll  County.  Owing 
to  the  paralyzing  influence  of  the  civil  war, 
several  years  more  elapsed  before  the  actual 
work  of  construction  began.  In  the  mean- 
time, by  act  of  Congress,  approved  July  2, 
1864,  another  grant  was  made  direct  to  the 
railroad  company.  This  took  29,240  acres 
more  in  Carroll  County,  making  117,360  acres 
given  in  this  county  to  secure  the  railroad. 

The  road  was  built  in  1866  and  1867,  pass- 
ing through  this  county  in  the  latter  year. 
Immediately  after  completion  the  road  was 
leased  for  ninety-nine  years  to  the  Chicago  & 
Northwestern  Railroad  Company,  which  has 
since  operated  it.  This  powerful  company 
has  3,584  miles  of  road,  including  1,022 
miles  in  Iowa.  The  main  line  in  Iowa  is 
354  miles  long,  with  667  miles  of  branches. 

The  townships  crossed  in  Carroll  County, 
with  mileage  in  each,  are:  Glidden,  6.150; 
Grant,  5.000;  (Jarroll,  7.635;  Arcadia,  6.625. 
The  stations,  with  distance  in  miles  from 
Chicago,  are:  Glidden,  388;  Carroll,  395; 
Maple  River  Junction,  399;  Arcadia,  405. 

The  Iowa  SouthtDestern  Railroad  was 
built  under  the  auspices  of  the  Chicago  & 
Northwestern  Company,  in  1880.  It  was 
intended  to  build  to  Harlan,  in  Shelby 
County,  but  on  account  of  the  rapacity  of 
some  land-owners  near  the  latter  place  the 
road  stopped  at  Kirkman,  seven  miles  this 
side  of  Harlan.  The  right  of  way  was  con- 
tributed by  adjacent  property  owners.  This 
branch  is  thirty-five  miles  long,  from  Carroll 
to  Kirkman.  Soon  after  this  line  was  built 
a  branch  was  built  from  Manning  in  this 
county  to  Audubon  in  Audubon  Count}'. 
George  Gray,  of  Audubon,  furnished  the 
right  of  way.  The  line  from  Manning  to 
Kirkman  is  now  operated  as  a  branch  from 
the  former  place,  while  trains  run  through 
from  Cari'oll  to  Audubon. 


t 

>  I 

.J 


iW-IU-B. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


G83 


The  townships  crossed,  with  mileage  in 
each,  are:  Carroll,  4.997;  Roselle,  3.722; 
Washington,  4.933;  W&rren,  11.786.  The 
stations  are,  with  distances  from  Carroll: 
Carroll;  Halbur,  9;  Manning,  8. 

Maple  River  Railroad. — This  leaves  the 
Northwestern  line  at  Maple  River  Junction, 
fonr  miles  west  of  Carroll,  runs  north  to 
Wall  Lake,  and  thence  west.  It  was  con- 
structed as  an  appendage  of  the  North- 
western, and  was  completed  to  Onawa, 
Monona  County,  on  the  Sioux  City  &  Pacific 
Railroad,  in  the  autumn  of  1886,  though 
begun  in  this  county  in  1877.  The  town- 
ships crossed,  and  mileage  in  each,  are:  Car- 
roll, 2.628;  Kniest,  3.215:  AVheatland,  3.457. 
There  is  but  one  station  in  this  county  be- 
sides Maple  River  Junction,  and  that  is 
Breda,  seven  miles  north  of  the  former  place. 

Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul. — This 
crosses  the  county  near  its  southei'n  edge, 
and  was  built  in  1881.  It  crosses  the  Iowa 
Southwestern  at  Manning,  which  is  now 
nearly  as  much  of  a  railroad  center  as  Car- 
roll. The  townships  crossed,  and  miles  in 
each,  are:  Union,  5.110;  Newton,  6.630; 
Eden,  6.390;  Warren,  6.820.  The  stations 
are:  Coon  Rapids,  Dedham,  Templeton  and 
Manning. 

All  the  villages  in  the  county  are  stations 
on  railroads,  except  Mount  Carmel  and  Car- 
rollton.  Indeed  they  have  been  started  after 
the  road  was  built,  in  each  case. 

PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 

The  court-house  at  Carrollton  was  begun  in 

1858,  by  Nelson  B.  Moore;  he  was  not  very 
speedy  with  his  work,  and  nearly  a  year 
later,  when  the  first  story  was  built,  but  not 
plastered  or  painted,  he  died.     In  December, 

1859,  the  county  paid  H.  L.  Yontz,  admin- 
istrator of  Moore's  estate,  $818,  and  took 
the  building  off  his    hands.     William    Ivers 


and  T.  T.  Morris  contracted  to  do  the  paint- 
ing and  plastering.  The  second  story  was 
built  in  1865,  by  I.  &  J.  Hampton,  who  were 
paid  about  .§1,500.  The  building  cost,  first 
and  last,  about  $3,000.  After  the  removal 
of  the  county  seat  the  old  court-house  was 
sold.  At  Carroll  the  offices  and  records  were 
first  in  a  building  belonging  to  William  Gil- 
ley.  In  1869  a  frame  building  was  put  upon 
the  square,  which  had  been  sold  to  the  county 
for  $1  by  the  railroad  company.  The  cost 
of  this  building  has  been  stated  at  $4,000. 
It  was  used  till  the  spring  of  1886,  and  in 
April  of  that  year  it  burned — not  totally, 
but  sufficient  to  prevent  its  being  used.  The 
offices  are  now  in  the  Joyce  building,  but 
the  county  has  accepted  plans  for  a  $40,000 
court-house  to  be  built  in  1887.  The  people 
have  voted  $50,000  for  a  court-house  and 
jail.  The  connty  has  had  no  jail  as  yet.  It 
has  for  sevei'al  years  owned  a  farm  of  160 
acres  for  its  paupers,  on  section  6,  Grant 
Township.  There  is  a  good  frame  building 
on  it,  sufficient  for  all  present  needs. 

STATISTICS  OF  POPULATION. 

The  first  settlers  nearly  all  came  to  the 
county  in  1855  and  1856.  The  census  of 
1856  showed  the  county  to  have  a  population 
of  251.  It  was  then  nearly  stationary'  for 
ten  years,  after  which  it  began  the  rapid  in- 
crease which  has  been  steadily  maintained 
ever  since.  The  population  of  the  county  at 
the  several  enumerations  has  been:  1856, 
251;  1859,  250;  1860,  281;  1863,  297; 
1865,  400;  1867,  688;  1869,  1,450;  1870, 
2,451;  1873,  3,601;  1875,  5,760;  1880, 
12,351;  1885,  16,329. 

The  German  population  of  the  county  is 
nearly  or  quite  10,000.  In  1868,  just  after 
the  laying  of  the  Cedar  Rapids  &  Missouri 
River  Railroad  (now  Northwestern)  through 
this    connty,  the   Iowa  Raili'oad   Land  Com- 


G84 


HISTORY    OF    UAHROLL    COUNTY. 


pany  contracted  with  Lambert  Kiiiest  for  the 
latter  to  settle  fifty  families  in  the  township 
which  now  bears  his  name  (85  north,  35 
west).  Mr.  Kniest  was  then  city  collector  of 
Dubuque.  Senator  Georije  W.  Jones  recom- 
mended Mr.  Kniest  to  the  land  company  as 
being  eminently  fitted  to  ])erform  this  diffi- 
cult work.  lie  went  speedily  to  work,  and 
came  out  to  this  county  with  twenty-six  fam- 
ilies. Others  came  subsequently,  and  in 
three  weeks  less  than  the  year  which  limited 
the  agreement  the  fifty  families  were  located. 
So  anxious  was  he  at  the  last  that  he  gave 


the  land  to  two  families.  Mr.  Kniest  acted 
as  agent  for  the  land  company  in  selling  all 
of  the  land  in  Kniest  Township.  Most  of 
the  immigrants  he  secured  were  from  Du- 
buque County,  this  State,  and  from  Grant 
County,  Wisconsin.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  the  German  settlement  of  the  county,  and 
in  due  time  Wheatland,  Arcadia,  Washing- 
ton, Koselle  and  other  townships  were  settled 
up,  largely  by  the  same  thrifty  people.  There 
are  a  number  of  Irish  in  the  county,  mostly 
from  I,a  Salle,  Stephenson,  Ogle  and  other 
counties  in  Illinois. 


■P-t"— "M'°'«a°»"'''«i*ii''i«"*M*M*M"M* 


CARROLL. 


„T»-ii:Tii^sr^a»."s.j,iti^ 


(isn 


^1 


^\RROLL,  the  county 
seat  of  Carroll  County, 
is  situated  within  a 
mile  and  a  halt'  of  the 
geographical  center, 
and  hei^ge  will  never 
have  a  comjtetitor  for 
§^^^^|p  the  seat  of  justice.  The  railroad 
"^*sL-;&'J  company  laid  out  the  town  in 
August,  1867,  at  lirst  calling  it 
"  Carroll  City,"  and  at  the  next 
election  the  people  voted  to  re- 
move the  county  seat  from  Car- 
rollton  to  this  place,  by  a  vote  of 
88  to  30.  The  records  were  re- 
moved in  May,  1868.  The  first  building  was 
erected  by  the  railroad  construction  company 
as  a  supply  house  for  the  men,  in  1867. 
When  the  field  of  active  work  was  removed 
farther  west  on  the  line,  and  the  building  be- 
came useless  to  the  company,  it  was  sold  to 
William  Gilley,  who  rented  it  to  the  county 
for  sixteen  months  at  $50  per  montli.  It 
was  here  that  the  county  offices  and  records 
were   kept    until   the  court-house   was  built. 


It  stood  on  lot  3,  block  22,  and  was 
finally  burned  in  the  great  fire  of  1879. 

The  second  building  was  the  railroad  sta- 
tion, and  is  a  part  of  the  building  which  is 
yet  in  use.  The  third  was  on  lot  11, 
block  3,  and  was  used  by  A.  L.  Kidder  as 
a  store  below  and  residence  above.  This 
building  also  was  burned  in  the  1879  fire. 
Kidder  was  the  "  first  white  settler;  "  that  is, 
the  first  to  take  up  his  residence  in  Carroll; 
and  the  only  one  in  1867.  The  next  spring 
came  George  W.  Wetherill,  who  is  still  a 
resident.  He  built  the  fourth  building,  and 
the  first  respectable  business  house,  on  lots 
1  and  2,  l)lock  21,  and  here  was  kept  a  hard- 
ware store  until  the  great  fire.  The  lots  are 
now  vacant.  Among  others  who  located  here 
the  same  season  were  Dr.  J.  M.  Patty  (the 
first  physician),  J.  H.  Colclo  and  family  (who 
kept  the  first  hotel),  J.  W.  Hatton  (who 
opened  the  first  drug  store  and  is  still  in  that 
business),  William  Gilley,  John  K.  Deal  and 
J.  E.  Griffith. 

The  last-named  gentleman  secured  signa- 
tures to  a  petition  and  forwarded  the  same  to 


G86 


HlSrOHr    OF    CAKllOLL     CUUNTT. 


Washington  for  a  postoffice.  ThiB  was  granted 
and  A.  L.  Kidder  was  the  lirst  to  hold  the 
office.  His  successors  have  been  S.  M.  Moore, 
John  W.  Kini,',  E.  11.  Hastings  and  ('.  C. 
Colclo. 

The  town  grew  quite  rapidly  in  1809,  and 
the  census  of  1870  credit  it  with  384  inhabi- 
tants. In  1873  there  were  563;  in  1875, 
812;  in  1880, 1,385;  in  1885, 1,885.  There 
are  now  over  2,000. 

INCOKPOKATION. 

Carroll  had  gained  sutticient  population  in 
the  autumn  of  18G9  to  warrant  its  incorpora- 
tion. This  step  was  accordingly  taken,  and 
the  council  held  its  tirst  meeting  November 
20  of  that  year.  The  officers  of  the  town  at 
that  time  were:  Mayor,  I.  N.  Griffith;  Re- 
corder, B.B.Terry;  Trustees, John  W.  King, 
D.  "Wayne,  L.  C.  Bailey,  F.  E.  Dennett  and 
William  N.  Boots;  Marshal,  Thomas  Basler; 
Treasurer,  J.  E.  Griffith;  Attorney,  O.  H. 
Manning.  The  officers  chosen  at  the  regular 
election  in  March,  1870,  and  each  year  there- 
after have  been: 

1870. — Mayor,  I.  N.  Griffith;  Recorder,  J. 
]>.  liumsey;    Councilmen,   E.   H.  Brooks,  L. 

C.  Bailey, Perrin,  F.  E.  Dennett  and  D. 

Wayne;  Treasurer,  J.  Fajans;  Marshal,  B. 
W.  Crabbs;  Street  Commissioner,  Thomas 
Basler. 

1871. — Mayor,  J.  F.  Tuttle;  liecorder, 
William  I.,ynch;  Councilmen,  L.  C.  Bailey, 
John  K.  Deal,  J.  W.  King,  I.  N.  Griffith 
and  George  P.  Wetherill;  Marshal,  B.  W. 
Crabbs;  Street  Commissioner,  A.  S.  Curtis; 
Treasurer,  J.  E.  Griffith;  Assessor,  F.  A. 
Warrick. 

1872. — Mayor,  J.  C.  Kelley;  Recorder, 
William  Lynch;  Councilmen,  E.  R.  Hast- 
ings, F.  E.  Dennett,  William  Gilley,  E.  H. 
Brooks   and   R.    B.    Sweet;   Marshal,   B.    W. 


and  Street  Commissioner,  Samuel  Todd. 

1879.— Mayor,  William  Gilley;  Recorder, 
A.  E.  Smith;  Councilmen,  James  Thompson, 


Crabbs;  Street  Commissioner,  A.  S.  Curtis; 
Treasurer,  D.  Wayne. 

1873.— Mayor,  John  F.  Tuttle;  Recorder, 
William  Lynch;  Councilmen,  John  W.  King, 
William  Gilley,  L.  A.  Lewis,  John  L.  Barger 
and  C.  L.  Bailey;  Marshal,  B.  W.  Crabbs; 
Street  Commissioner,  William  J.  Lundy; 
Treasurer,  William  O.  Sturgeon. 

1874. — Mayor,  D.  Wayne;  Recorder,  AVill- 
iam  Lynch;  Trustees,  William  H.  Price, 
William  Arts,  W.  L.  Culbertson,  William 
Gilley  and  H.  C.  Stevens;  Marshal,  A.  D. 
White;  Treasurer,  I.  A.  Callamore;  Street 
Commissioner,  William  J.  Lundy;  Assessor, 
Charles  H.  Dunham. 

1875. — Mayor,  E.  H.  Brooks;  Recorder,  A. 
E.  Smith;  Councilmen,  William  Arts, 
George  P.  AYeatherill,  I.  N.  Griffith,  J.  P. 
McAllister  and  J.  PL  Lowry;  Treasurer,  J. 
AV.  Hatton;  Street  Commissioner,  John  Sil- 
baugh;  Assessor,  John  W.  King. 

1876. — Mayor,  E.  H.  Brooks;  Recorder, 
A.  E.  Smith;  Councilmen,  J.  H.  Lowry,  W. 
A.  More,  R.  J.  Hamilton,  Joseph  Wieland 
and  W.  L.  Culbertson;  Marshal,  B.  W. 
Crabbs;  Treasurer,  J.  W.  Hatton;  Street 
Commissioner,  John  Silbaugh;  Assessor, 
John  W.  King. 

1877.— Mayor,  John  F.  Tuttle;  Recorder, 
A.  E.  Smith;  Councilmen,  R.  J.  Hamilton, 
William  Arts,  AV.  O.  Sturgeon,  J.  P.  McAll- 
ister and  M.  J.  Boimenkamp;  Assessor,  John 
W.  King;  Marshal,  J.  D.  Mathias;  Treas- 
urer, J.  AV".  Hatton;  Street  Commissioner, 
Samuel  Todd. 

1878. — Mayor,  A\'"illiam  Gilley;  Recorder, 
A.  E.  Smith;  Councilmen,  R.  J.  Hamilton, 
J.  P.  McAllister,  James  Thompson,  N.  Belter 
and  D.  A.  Cudworth;  Assessor,  John  AV. 
King;    Treasurer.    J.    W.   Hatton;    Marshal        J 


CAMROLL. 


N.  Beiter,  J.  P.  McAllister,  D.  A.  Cudworth, 
W.  J.  Bolmei)karap  and  W.  L.  Culbertson; 
Treasurer,  J.  "W.  Hattoii;  Marshal  and  Street 
Commissioner,  Saninel  Todd. 

1880. — Mayor,  William  Gillej;  Recorder, 
A.  E.  Smith;  Council  men  ,W.  J.  Eohnenkamp, 
W.  L.  Culbertson,  N.  Beiter,  J.  P.  McAllis- 
ter, James  Thompson  and  L.  Anderson  (re- 
signed and  D.  A.  Cudworth  appointed); 
Treasurer,  J.  AV.  Ilatton;  Marshal  and  Street 
Commissioner,  Samuel  Todd. 

1881. — Mayor,  J.  W.  Scott;  Recorder,  A. 
E.  Smith;  Councilmen,  N.  Beiter,  L.  S.  An- 
derson, J.  P.  McAllister,  James  Thompson, 
W.  L.  Culbertson  and  Charles  Hamilton; 
Treasurer,  J.  W.  Hatton;  Marshal  and  Street 
Commissioner,  Samuel  Todd. 

1882. — Mavor, Thomas  F.  Barbae;  Record- 
er,  F.  A.  Suydam;  Councilmen,  W.  L.  Cul- 
bertson, L.  T.  Anderson,  N.  Beiter,  Charles 
Hamilton,  James  Thompson  and  John  Nye; 
Treasurer,  J.  W.  Hatton;  Marshal,  Samuel 
Todd;  Street  Commissioner,  H.  W.  Hage- 
man. 

1883.— Mayor,  Thomas  F.  Barbee;  Re- 
corder, F.  A.  Suydam;  Councilmen,  Charles 
Hamilton,  N.  Beiter,  James  Thompson,  W. 
L.  Culbertson  and  A.  Park;  Treasurer,  O.  A. 
Kentner;  Marshal  and  Street  Commissioner, 
Samuel  Todd. 

1884.  —  Mayor,  Thomas  F.  Barbee;  Re- 
corder, F.  A.  Suydam;  Councilmen,  W.  L. 
Culbertson,  James  Thompson,  J.  L.  Wether- 
ill,  John  P.  Cooke,  A.  Park  and  George  W. 
Bowen;  Treasurer,  O.  A.  Kentner;  Marshal, 
John  P.  McAllister. 

1885.  —  Mayor,  Thomas  F.  Barbee;  Re- 
corder, F.  A.  Suydam;  Councilmen,  James 
Thompson,  A.  Park,  J.  L.  Wetherill,  W.  J. 
Patterson,  John  E.  Nestle  and  Ira  M.  Gilley; 
Assessor,  J.  H.  Marnette;  Marshal,  John  P. 
McAllister;  Treasurer.  O.  A.  Kentner. 

1886. — Mayor,  E.  M.   Parsons;  Recorder, 

48 


F.  A.  Suydam ;  Councilmen,  John  L.  Weth- 
ei'ill,  W.  J.  Patterson,  John  E.  Nestle,  Ira 
M.  Gilley,  A.  AV.  Crawford  and  Joseph  M. 
Drees;  Treasurer,  O.  A.  Kentner;  Assessor, 
,J.  ]H.  Marnette;  Marshal  and  Street  Com- 
missioner, Jolin  P.  McAllister. 

FIRES  AND  FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

All  tlie  buildino-s  erected  in  Carroll  for  the 

o 

first  ten  years  were  built  of  pine,  and  by  1879 
the  condition  of  the  business  portion  was 
such  as  to  invite  the  destruction  which  oc- 
curred September  25  of  that  year.  Henry 
Crow,  a  freight  engineer,  coming  into  town 
on  his  engine  early  in  the  morning,  saw  the 
beginning  of  the  fire  in  Henry  Schapnian's 
saloon.  If  the  building  had  not  been  locked, 
and  a  pailful  of  water  had  been  handy,  the 
lire  could  have  been  extinguished.  At  that 
moment  a  little  water  would  indeed  have  been 
worth  $5,000  a  quart.  Before  anything  could 
be  done,  however,  the  fire  had  gotten  bej-ond 
control.  During  the  day  the  devouring  ele- 
ment swept  away  all  the  Inisiness  buildings 
(blocks  16  and  21),  one  church  and  several 
residences — in  all,  about  thirty-five  buildings. 
The  total  loss  was  estimated  at  $200,000,  and 
there  was  from  $35,000  to  $40,000  insurance. 

Afterthisdisaster  the  town  authorities  estab- 
lished fire  limits;  that  is,  forbade  any  wooden 
buildings  on  the  two  blocks  used  for  business 
purposes.  This  explains  why  Fifth  street  is 
now  built  up  solidly'  with  fine  brick  houses. 
The  most  serious  fire  since  that  of  1879 
was  in  1884,  when  six  buildings  on  Main 
street,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth,  were  de- 
stroyed. 

The  year  after  the  great  fire  a  chemical 
engine  was  bought  by  the  town,  and  three 
years  later  a  hand  engine.  These  are  now 
seldom  used.  In  1884  $11,000  was  expend- 
ed in  providing  the  town  with  the  present 
protection   from  conflagration.      A  reservoir 


J 


IJ8S 


UISTURT    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


is  built  in  the  north  part  of  town,  on  high 
land.  It  is  fifty  feet  from  the  ground  to  the 
bottom  of  the  tank,  which  is  twenty  feet 
high,  thirty  feet  in  diameter,  and  will  hold 
3,300  barrels  of  water.  The  latter  is  supplied 
by  a  wind-mill.  Twelve  hydrants  are  dis- 
tributed through  the  town,  and  two  hose-carts 
carry  sufficient  hose  to  reach  almost  any 
building  from  some  hydrant.  The  apparatus 
is  kept  in  a  $600  building  at  the  corner  of 
Fifth  and  Court  streets,  erected  by  the  city 
in  1883.  J.  Thompson  is  chief  of  the  tire 
department,  which  is  composed  of  a  hook  and 
ladder  company,  with  sixteen  members,  Will- 
iam Louther,  foreman;  No.  1  Hose  Company, 
tw'euty  members,  R.  D.  Backus,  foreman;  and 
No.  2  Hose  Company,  eighteen  members, 
John  Lobel,  foreman. 

BANKS. 

The  oldest  bank  in  the  county  is  the  Bank 
of  Carroll,  which  was  opened  in  1868  by  O. 
H.  Manning.  He  sold  in  1876  to  W.  L. 
Culbertson,  and  in  1883  H.  W.  Macomber 
and  R.  E.  Coburn  were  admitted  as  partners. 
W.  L.  Culbertson  is  President;  H.  W.  Ma- 
comber, Vice-President,  and  R.  E.  Coburn, 
Cashier. 

The  Carroll  County  Bank  was  established 
in  1870  by  AV.  T.  Minchen.  Patterson 
Brothers  became  proprietors  in  1881.  A. 
W.  Patterson  is  President;  W.  J.  Patterson, 
Vice-President,  and  Henr}'  Haag,  Cashier. 

Griffith  it  Deal  were  in  the  banking  busi- 
ness for  several  years,  but  retired  from  the 
same. 

The  Farmers'  Bank  was  organized  in  Sep- 
tember, 1885,  with  820,000  capital.  O.  A. 
Kentner  (President)  and  G.  W.  "Wattles 
(Cashier)  became  sole  proprietors  in  1884. 

BUSINESS    DIEECTOKY. 

The  only  establishments  that  can  properly 
be  called    manufactories  are    the    sash,  door 


and  blind  concern  of  V.  Heinrich  and  the 
flouring  mill  of  E.  H.  Brooks.  The  latter  is 
a  tine  one  of  its  kind,  and  is  a  credit  to  Car- 
roll. The  business  firms  of  Carroll,  in 
December,  1886,  are  here  arranged  alphabet- 
ically for  ready  reference: 

C.  W.  Adams,  butter  and  eggs;  Anderson 
&  Co.,  drugs;  L.  T.  Anderson,  harness;  Arts 
&  Manneman,  general  store;  Becker  Broth- 
ers, barbers;  Nic.  Beiter,  meat  market; 
Boardman  Brothers,  poultry;  J.  A.  Bohner, 
photographer;  Breese  &  Schatman,  music 
hall;  E.  H.  Brooks,  flouring  mill;  Barney 
Brown,  saloon;    E.  R.  Burke,  Burke  House; 

C.  C.  Colclo,  postoffice;  Mrs.  H.  J.  Colclo, 
Carroll  House;  W.  L.  Culbertson  &  Co., 
Bank  of  Carroll;  Jacob  Datcwitz,  wagon 
shop;  J.  C.  Delaney,  National  House;  Demo- 
krat  Printing  Association;  B.  H.  Drees, 
saloon;  Dunsmore  &  Co.,  restaurant;  W.  E. 
Falken,  saloon;  Fred.  Franzwa,  saloon;  J.J. 
Fuerth,  wholesale  liquor;  Grace  &  Hamil- 
ton, meat  market;  Hugh  Gray,  marble  works; 
Green  Bay  Lumber  Co.,  lumber;  J.  W.  Hat- 
ton,  drugs;  V.  Heinrich,  sash,  doors  and 
blinds;  H.  C.  Hoeft,  clothing;  W.  L.  Hoff", 
photographer;  Hutchinson  &  Co.,  grocer; 
John  James,  blacksmith;  Mrs.  M.  Jenkins, 
Iowa  House;  D.  Joyce,  lumber;  Kentner  & 
Wattles,  Farmers'  Bank;  Ludwig  Brothers, 
general  store;  William  Lynch,  Lynch  House; 
Lyons  &  Elliott,  grocery;  Maclean  tt  Hun- 
gerford,  publishers  Herald;  Cyrus  Marks, 
general  store;  H.  J.  Marnette,  gunsmith; 
McLagen  &  Merchant,  grocery;  McPherrin 
Packing  Co.,  eggs;  C.  R.  Meldon,  millinery; 
S.  E.  Micam,  clothing;  Micka  &  Co.,  dry 
goods;  J.  W.  Miles,  marble  works;  M.  Miller, 
publisher  Sentinel;  J.  E.  Nestle,  restaurant 
and  bakery;   Charles  Neu,  wholesale  liquor; 

D.  P.  Nichols,  Singer  sewing-machines; 
George  Niggermeyer,  harness;  M.  L.  Nis- 
wonger,  dry  goods;  John   Nockles,  clothing; 


GARHOLL. 


(!89 


i 
I 

i 


Frank  O'Brien,  City  Hotel;  Mrs.  M.  Olson, 
laundry;  Andrew  Park,  livery;  D.  H.  Park, 
agricultural  implements;  E.  M.  Parsons, 
grain;  Patterson  Brothers,  Carroll  County 
Bank;  Paxton  Sisters,  dressmakers;  Peet  & 
Gillette,  hardware;  L.  A.  Pohlmann,  howling 
alley  and  billiard  hall;  William  Kichard, 
blacksmith;  A.  S.  Poberts,  jeweler;  George 
liusch,  general  store;  W.  H.  Scott,  saloon; 
F.  Shadel,  barber;  Moses  Simons,  clothing; 
I.  Smutney,  furniture;  Staak  &  Armbs,  meat 
market;  Stewart  &  Schroeder,  laundry; 
Sturgis  &  Co.,  drugs;  William  Teal,  res- 
taurant; Thompson  ct  Griffith,  grocery;  Miss 
Ellen  Todd,  milliner}';  William  Trowbridge, 
hardware;  Vorhes  &  Junod,  grain;  Sebastian 
Walz,  shoemaker;  Theo.  Wegner,  saloon; 
Wetherill  &  Guam,  hardware;  C.  S.  Whit- 
man, livery;  AVliitney  &  Co.,  wholesale  fruit; 
J.  J.  Wieland,  wholesale  liquor;  Wilcox  & 
Schroeder,  laundry;  Zembleman  et  Piper, 
grocery. 

SCHOOLS. 

Tiie  first  school  building  at  Carroll  was 
erected  in  1868.  It  was  40  x  40  feet  in  size, 
two  stories  in  height,  and  contained  four 
rooms.  It  was  used  until  1880,  and  then 
torn  down.  In  that  year  the  north  side 
building  was  constructed.  It  is  of  brick,  two 
stories  in  height,  and  contains  six  rooms. 
In  1883  the  south  side  building  was  erected. 
It  is  also  two  stories  in  height,  but  has  but 
two  rooms.  The  two  buildings  have  cost 
about  $15,000,  exclusive  of  lots.  The  north 
building  is  heated  by  steam;  the  south  one 
by  furnace.  The  debt  of  the  district  is 
$14,500;  annual  expenditures  about  $6,500. 
Nine  and  a  half  months  school  are  taught. 
The  course  of  study  now  in  use  was  adopted 
in  1884  through  the  influence  of  Professor 
H.  E.  Hammond.  Besjiniiing;  with  1873,  the 
principals  have  been:  A.  E.  Swisher,  1873- 
-'74;  Joseph  Bookwalter,  1874-'78;    J.  M. 


Paul,  1878-'82;  D.  K.  Bond,  18S2-'83;  L. 
Derby,  1883-'84;  H.  E.  Hammond,  1884-'87. 
For  the  year  1886-'87,  the  directors  are: 
N.  Beiter,  E.  M.  Betzer,  John  K.  Deal,  C. 
S.  Wliitman,  A.  E.  Smith  and  H.  E.  Eussell. 
Officers:  N.  Beiter,  President;  L.  A.  Pohl- 
mann, Secretary;  W.  L.  Culbertson,  Treasurer. 
Instructors:  High  scliool,  H.  E.  Hammond; 
higher  grammar,  Jennie  Colclo;  lower  gram- 
mar, Mrs.  C.  M.  Ford;  intermediate.  Flora 
Colclo;  second  primary,  Cora  Reynolds;  first 
primary,  Jennie  Niswonger;  south  interme- 
diate, Nettie  Morrisey;  south  primary,  Mabel 
Staak. 

CHURCHES. 

A  Congregational  Society  was  formed  in 
1871,  and  incorporated  in  1872.  During 
that  year  and  1873  a  church  was  built  at  a 
cost  of  $2,300.  A  $250  organ  had  been 
promised  to  the  first  society  that  should 
build,  and  was  thus  secured  by  the  Congre- 
gationalists.  Rev.  J.  W.  Pickett  was  the 
organizer  and  first  pastor.  Eevs.  Porter, 
Palmer  and  others  afterward  preached.  Ser- 
vices were  held  most  of  the  time  for  six  years, 
and  the  organization  then  disbanded  in  ilarclj, 
1878. 

Presbyterian  Church. — Rev.  George  R. 
Carrol]  organized  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
this  place  August  28,  1870,  with  five  mem- 
bers—L.  McCurdy  and  wife,  W.  H.  Tibbils 
and  wife,  and  Mrs.  Kelsey.  A  brick  church 
was  built  in  1875,  which  was  destroyed  by 
the  memorable  fire  of  1879.  The  present 
church  was  built  on  the  same  site  in  1880  at 
a  cost  of  $4,500.  It  is  30  x  55  feet  in  size, 
and  will  seat  350.  Among  the  early  pastors 
of  this  church  were  Revs.  J.  M.  Phillips,  W. 
W.  Thorp,  J.  S.  Denning  and  W.  A.  AVard. 
Rev.  T.  S.  Bailey  was  here  four  years,  re- 
signing to  accept  the  position  of  Synodical 
Missionary  of  the  State.  Rev.  E.  B.  Linn 
came   in    April,   1883,  and    is    the    present 


^1 
"it 

i 
I 

Mi 


ii'^ 


^ 


liUU 


IIISTOUY    OF    CMiUOI.L    COUNTY. 


pastor.  The  elders  of  the  churcli  are:  George 
Maze,  H.  C.  Baird,  A.  J.  Baird  and  J.  E. 
Griffith;  Trustees,  A.  W.  Patterson,  N.  F. 
Sturgis,  Fred  Hutchinson,  R.  D.  Backus  and 
D.  G.  Martin.  The  Sunday-school  has  about 
100  pupils,  in  charge  of  N.  F.  Backus. 

2fet/ioJist  Eplscojxd  Church. — The  Meth- 
odist church  was  built  in  1873  at  a  cost  of 
$3,500.  The  pastors,  with  years  of  service, 
liave  been:  Rev.  Vail,  1874-'75;  Rev.  J.  C. 
Echles,  1875-'78;  Rev.  Chambers,  1878--'79; 
Rev.  A.  J.  Smith,  1879-'80;  Rev.  Samuel 
Jones,  1880-'83;  Rev.  E.  M.  Holmes,  1883- 
'85;  Rev.  James  Lisle,  1885-'86;  Rev.  W. 
M.  Welch,  1886-'87.  The  membership  of 
the  church  is  not  far  from  fifty.  The  officers 
are:  Trustees,  11.  W.  Macomber,  J.  Thomp- 
son, William  Oldham,  J.  Offenbach  and  F. 
M.  Howard;  Stewards,  F.  R.  Peck,  William 
Oldham,  J.  Offenbach,  Mrs.  Flora  Hoff  and 
Mrs.  Ida  Chappell;  Recording  Steward,  F. 
M.  Howard.  The  Sunday-school  has  an 
average  attendance  of  sixty-five.  F.  M. 
Howard  is  superintendent. 

St.  Josejjh's  Catholic  Church. — Twehe 
years  ago  there  were  thirty  families  belonging 
to  the  ('atholic  church  in  Carroll  and  vicinity. 
Father  Pape  came  to  this  place  in  1874,  and 
built  a  frame  church,  21x36,  in  the  southwest 
part  of  town.  He  remained  four  years,  and 
in  1876  built  the  present  church.  It  is 
64x40  feet  in  size,  will  seat  300,  and  cost 
§5,000.  The  membership  rapidly  grew,  and 
at  one  time  there  were  300  fiimilies  in  attend- 
ance. The  church  was  overcrowded,  and  so 
in  1885  was  built  a  large  brick  church,  as 
described  below,  for  those  desiring  a  German 
parish.  The  Germans  comprised  by  far  the 
greater  number,  so  that,  nearly  all  of  them 
withdrawing,  the  number  of  families  now 
belonging  to  St.  Joseph's  is  but  about  fifty. 
Father  Urbany  was  in  charge  from  1878  to 
1884,  and   since  the  latter  date  Father   P.  J. 


O'Connor  has  resided  hei-e.  Under' his  min- 
istrations the  church  is  prosperous  and  har- 
monious. The  two-story  building  south  of 
the  church  has  a  parochial  school  in  the 
lower  story,  while  the  upper  story  forms  a 
hall,  which  has  various  uses.  In  it  are  held 
debates,  musical  gatherings  for  practice  of 
church  and  other  music,  and  social  meetings, 
while  the  Ladies'  Sodality  and  Men's  Sodality, 
each  with  some  fifty  members,  meet  here 
regularly.  The  school  has  had  during  the 
autumn  (1886)  fifty-six  pupils,  taught  by  the 
Franciscan  Sisters  of  the  Perpetual  Adora- 
tion. These  reside  in  a  convent  on  the 
adjoining  block  south.  Three'of  them  are 
attached  to  St.  Joseph's  parish — one  teaching 
the  parochial  school,  one  performing  the 
duties  of  organist  and  also  teaching  music, 
and  the  third  acting  as  sacristan.  The  con- 
vent  is  a  three-story  brick,  and  cost  §6,000. 
The  church,  with  the  school  to  the  south  and 
the  priests'  residence  on  the  north,  occupy 
half  a  block  and  are  worth  not  less  than 
$10,000.  The  parish  also  has  a  ten-aci-e 
cemetery  nearly  adjoining  the  city  ceme- 
tery. 

Church  of  Sts.  Peter  and  Paul. — As 
above  stated,  the  want  became  apparent  for 
an  exclusively  German  parish,  and  beginning 
in  September,  1885,  William  Arts  and  otiiers 
built  a  church  and  parsonage  of  brick,  on  a 
scale  very  creditable  to  the  members  of  the 
parish.  The  church  is  on  the  block  just 
south  of  that  occupied  by  the  convent,  and 
cost  $23,000.  It  is  125x56  feet,  and  has 
a  spire  125  feet  high.  Its  capacity  is  1,000, 
but  is  taxed  every  Sunday.  Services  have 
been  held  since  May  1,  1886,  when  Father 
Fendrich  came  to  reside  here.  The  church 
is  not  yet  dedicated,  because  not  yet  out  of 
debt,  but  the  financial  obligations  are  all  in 
favor  of  the  church's  own  members.  It  is 
proposed  to  build  in  1887  a  two-story   school 


CARROLL. 


691 


building,  at  a  cost  of  between  $4,000  and 
$5,000.  At  present  the  parocliial  school  is 
in  two  divisions,  one  meeting  in  the  sacristy, 
and  the  other  in  a  room  at  the  convent. 
Connected  with  the  church  are  ladies'  and 
men's  societies,  organized  for  benevolent  pur- 
poses, and  also  the  support  of  the  church. 

The  Bajdist  Church  was  organized  in 
1878,  with  nine  members.  Rev.  E.  B.  Porter 
was  the  tirst  pastor,  remaining  but  a  few 
months,  as  also  did  his  successor.  Rev.  Edwin 
Hatlield.  Rev.  J.  E.  Sanders  came  next,  and 
mied  the  pulpit  for  two  yeai-s.  Rev.  T.  S. 
Bo  veil  was  here  an  equal  length  of  time. 
Rev.  Brown -was  then  employed  for  a  short 
time.  Rev.  J.  S.  Norvell  was  here  for  six 
months  during  1880,  and  in  December  of  the 
same  year  Rev.  T.  N.  Hazen  began  his  labors 
at  Carroll.  The  membership  of  the  church 
is  now  forty-five.  Deacons,  Alexander  Dun- 
phy,  J.  J.  Nicliols  and  G.  N.  Doud;  Trustees, 
J.  J.  Nichols,  H.  S.  Fisher  and  Alexander 
Dunphy.  H.  S.  Fisher  is  clerk,  and  also 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  the 
attendance  at  which  is  about  fifty. 

TIi6  Evangelical  Association  was  organized 
in  1882,  with  about  twenty-five  members, 
the  same  number  as  at  present,  and  soon 
after  a  church  and  parsonage  were  built,  at 
an  expenditure  of  $2,000.  The  first  ])astor. 
Rev.  H.  Hiebenthal,  remained  three  years; 
the  second.  Rev.  Y.  A.  Eraser,  one  year.  Rev. 
William  Schmalle  is  the  present  minister. 
F.  Kasdorf  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school,  which  some  twenty -five  pupils  regu- 
larly attend. 

7'he  Oerman  Lutheran  Church  has  been 
organized  four  years,  but  has  as  yet  no  house 
of  worship.  The  society  now  uses  the  south 
side  school-house,  where  Rev.  C.  H.  Fred. 
Hermann,  of  Arcadia,  preaches  twice  a  month. 
Rev.  J.  11.  Meinecke  was  the  first  pastor. 
The  membership  of  the  church  is  about  fifty. 


Charles  Brown  and  August  Boehnie  are  the 
directors. 

The  Protestant  EjnscojKil  Church  of  Car- 
roll dates  only  from  1884,  though  a  Sunday- 
school  was  formed  as  early  as  1882.  There 
were  at  first  six  members,  and  the  number 
is  now  ten.  In  the  summer  of  1886  a  church 
was  completed,  at  the  corner  of  Ninth  and 
Adams  streets,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  The 
bishop  is  to  dedicate  the  edifice  on  the  9th  of 
January,  1887.  Rev.  Peter  Fox,  the  first 
rector  of  the  church,  began  his  duties  here 
in  September,  1886. 

SOCIETIES. 

Signet  Lodge,  No.  201^,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
was  organized  at  Carroll,  July  27,  1869,  and 
chartered  June  6,  1870.  It  has  now  eighty 
members,  and  meets  the  third  Wednesday  of 
each  month.  The  ofiicers  in  1886  are:  Frank 
M.  Howard,  Worshipful  Master;  James 
Thompson,  Senior  Warden;  Craton  C.  Col- 
clo.  Junior  Warden;  Louis  T.  Anderson, 
Treasurer;   Harry  H.  Nolin,  Secretary. 

Carroll  Lodge,  No.  '27 1^,  L  0.  0.  F.,  was 
organized  in  1868.  It  has  now  forty-five 
members,  and  meets  every  Tuesday  evening. 
Sanford  Hart  is  the  Noble  Grand;  Barney 
Brown,  Vice-Grand;  H.  E.  Hammond,  Sec- 
retary, and  R.  E.  Coburn,  Treasurer.  The 
Masons  and  Odd  Fellows  together  own  a 
$6,000  two-story  brick  building  on  the  north 
side  of  Fifth  street,  using  the  upper  story  as 
a  hall,  and  renting  out  the  lower  story  for  a 
dry  goods  and  grocery  store. 

Carroll  Lodge,  No.  198,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  was 
organized  in  July,  1879,  with  twenty-nine 
members.  It  has  now  a  memljership  of  but 
nine.  Its  regular  time  of  meeting  is  Friday 
night.  The  ofiicers  at  this  writing  are: 
James  Thompson,  Master  Workman;  C.  L. 
Bailey,  Recorder;  James  Thompson,  Finan- 
cier; John     Nockels,    Receiver;  N.    Bciter, 


092 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


Inside  Warden;  H.  S.  Fisher,  Outside  War- 
den. 

Collegium,  No.  76,  V.  A.  S.,  was  organ- 
ized in  1881,  with  fourteen  members,  which 
number  is  now  increased  to  twenty.  Its  regu- 
lar time  of  meeting  is  the  first  Monday  even- 
ing of  each  nioiitli.  J.  N.  Powers  is  Rector; 
II.  S.  Fisher,  Scribe;  George  R.  Cloud,  Vice- 
Rector;  H.  T.  Myers,  Treasurer  and  Medical 
Examiner. 

DirLnon  No.  1,  A.  0.  H.,  was  formed  at 
Carroll  March  17,  1886,  with  twenty  mem- 
bers, and  now  has  seven  more.  It  meets  the 
first  Sunday  of  each  month,  at  the  Catholic 
school-house.  James  O'lierron  is  County 
Delegate;  P.  M.  Guthrie,  President;  Charles 
Hamilton,  Vice-President;  Thomas  Rohan, 
Recording  Secretary;  John  Bowler,  Treas- 
urer;  Rev.  P.  J.  O'Connor,  Chaplain. 

Jeff.  C.  Davis  Post,  No.  Ji-Ji.,  G.  A.  E.,  was 
mustered  the  23d  day  of  June,  1881,  by  Com- 
rade A.  Cully,  Mustering  Officer  for  the  De- 
partment of  Iowa,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  Officers  at  the  time  of  muster: 
John  P.  Cooke,  Commander;  F.  M.  Mead, 
Senior  Vice-Commander;  L).  A.  Cudworth, 
Junior  Vice-Commander;  W.  L.  Culbertson, 
Qtuirtermaster;  J.  W.  Hattou,  Surgeon;  T. 
S.  i'ailey,  (chaplain;  J.  H.  Lowrey,  Officer  of 
the  I 'ay:  L.  Putzel,  Officer  of  the  Guard; 
William  Lynch,  Jr.,  Adjutant;  M.  D. 
Daily,  Quartermaster-Sergeant;  William  II. 
H.  Ranger,  Sergeant-Major.  Commanders 
elected  and  served  from  time  of  organization 
to  the  ]iresent  time  are  as  follows:  Com- 
rades D.  A.  Cudworth,  C.  L.  Bailey,  W.  L. 
Culbertson,  August  Staak  and  William 
Loutlier.  Officers  for  1887:  William  Louther, 
Commander;  Sam  Todd,  Senior  Vice-Com- 
mander; John  Supplee,  Junior  \'ice-Com- 
mander;  Hud.  Stewart,  Surgeon;  Ben. 
Woodward,  Chaplain;  E.  A.  Cudworth, 
Quartermaster;  John  Fiay,  Officer  of  the  Day; 


Peter  Young,  Officer  of  the  Guard.  There 
have  been  three  deaths  in  the  post  since  its 
organization,  calling  away  three  active  com- 
rades. Dr.  J.  M.  Patty,  J.  E.  Jones  and  A.  R. 
Beall.  The  post  meets  on  the  second  and 
fourth  Thursdays  of  each  month  from  tlie 
first  of  October  to  the  first  of  April  of  each 
year,  and  on  the  second  Thursday  of  each 
month  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

A.  R.  Beall  Camp,  No.  S3,  S.  of  V.,  was 
organized  May  22,  1886,  with  twenty-two 
members.  There  are  now  twenty-five,  and 
meetings  are  held  the  first  aTid  third  Fridays 
of  each  month.  The  present  officers  are:  H. 
H.  Noleu,  Colonel;  William  Schmidt,  First 
Lieutenant;  John  Schmidt,  Second  Lieuten- 
ant; P.  B.  Brown,  Chaplain;  Charles  Bassa- 
rear,  Orderly  Sergeant;  John  Messersmith, 
S.  G. ;  Frank  Sprague,  Corporal  of  the  Guard; 
William  Staak,  C.  G.;  Willis  Getty,  P.  G.; 
George  Lynch,  C.  B. 

Local  Assembly  No.  6,004.,  K.  of  L.,  was 
formed  April  19,  1886,  with  thirty-three 
members.  There  are  now  not  far  from  one 
hundred  members,  and  meetings  are  held 
every  Monday  evening.  The  officers  are:  II. 
Parker,  Master  Workman;  H.  Ranger,  W. 
F.;  B.  Hart,V.  S.;  Eli  Brown,  W.  I.;  Rich- 
ard Conway,  U.  K. ;  J.  R.  Roberts,  Record- 
ing Secretary;  C.  W.  Adams,  Financial 
Secretary;  S.  E.  Micam,  Treasurer. 

Company  E,  Fimt  Regiment,  was  organ- 
ized March  24,  1884,  and  George  R.  Cloud 
was  its  first  Captain.  The  present  officers  are: 
Captain,  George  R.  Cloud;  First  Lieutenant, 
Ira  M.  Gilley;  Second  Lieutenant,  R.  E.  Co- 
burn.  The  company  has  now  just  fifty  mem- 
bers. It  meets  every  week  for  drill,  and 
once  each  year  attends  an  encampment  of  the 
brigade. 

Other  Organizations. — Among  other  at- 
tractions the  Schutzcn-verein  shooting  club 
have   fifteen    acres  enclosed   and  a  fine  park 


■1; 


i  I 


'■■■■■■'■■■'-■-■-■-■'■-'■■■■'■'^'■-■■■■=M»M-»»Mi_WiW„M»W-H^WaMSafS.T»iraili»Mi,1_M»lll_Wl«,M 


CARROLL. 


69J 


started  in  the  southwest  part  of  town,  where 
regular  meetings  are  held  once  a  month. 
Another  feature  is  a  commodious  dancing 
hall  and  refreshment  room.  It  numbers  a 
membership  at  present  of  about  fifty. 

The  German  Verein,  a  literary,  dramatic 
and  singing  society,  having  a  choice  library 
and  departments  for  each  branch  of  amuse- 
ment or  instruction,  is  another  thing  worthy 


of  particular  mention.     It   is  increasing  in 
membership  rapidly. 

The  German  cornet  band,  with  silver  in- 
struments— one  of  the  finest  bands  in  the 
State — also  the  band  stand  in  the  public 
square,  erected  at  a  cost  to  the  citizens  here 
of  $275,  must  not  be  overlooked.  Connected 
with  the  churches  are  also  several  benevolent 
and  religious  societies. 


U'.I4 


niHTOHr    OF    VAIUiOLL    COUNTY. 


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TOWNS    AND    VILLAGES.  % 


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MANNING. 


HE  Iowa  Southwestern 
TJailroad  was  laid  across 
Warren  Township  in  a 
southwesterly    direction 

^  in    1880.      AVhen    the 

'-'^  following  year  the  Chi- 
'^  cago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Hail- 
-  road  Company  Vniilt  its  line  to 
;S<  Omaha  through  the  southern 
r-  part  of  Carroll  County,  it  was 
perceived  that  the  intersection  of 
the  two  roads  was  a  favorable  site 
for  a  new  town.  The  land  that 
^^f  was  laid  out  as  a  town  was 
selected  by  O.  H.  Manning,  then 
of  Carroll,  agent  for  tlie  Western  Town  Lot 
Company,  which  was  composed  of  the  lead- 
ing officials  of  the  St.  Paul  Railroad  Com- 
pany. The  latter  named  the  place  in  honor 
of  Mr.  ]\ranning.  About  160  acres  on  the 
soutli  half  of  section  16,  Warren  Township, 
was  laid  out  into  lots,  the  first  of  which  was 
sold  July  28,  1881,  to  J.  L.  Weatherill,  of 
Carroll.  On  this  lot  was  erected  the  hard- 
ware store   still   conducted    by  Weatherill  A: 


Morsch,  the  latter  being  Mr.  Weatherill's 
son-in-law.  The  first  building,  however,  was 
built  in  the  soutli  part  of  town,  by  Whealen 
Brothers,  a  month  before  this,  and  used  as  a 
grocery.  This  was  afterward  moved  on  the 
lot  now  used  by  the  Bank  of  Manning,  and 
subsequently  burned.  J.  L.  McQnaid's  gro- 
cery was  the  next  store  built.  The  first  resi- 
dence was  built  by  John  Ferguson.  From 
this  on  so  many  were  building  at  once  that 
no  particular  order  can  be  assigned.  All 
came  at  once,  as  it  were,  and  by  the  end  of 
the  first  year  there  were  not  less  than  800 
people  in  the  town,  where  but  a  short  time 
before  was  a  wild  prairie.  Since  then  the 
town  has  grown  very  slowly,  but  has  held  its 
own  at  all  times  as  to  population,  while  the 
business  is  on  the  increase  as  the  surrounding 
country  is  developed.  The  State  census  of 
1885  credits  Manning  with  954  inhabitants. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The  postoftice  was  established  November 
1,  1881,  and  Seth  Smith  was  appointed  to 
conduct  it.     He  held  the  position  nearly  four 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


695 


years,  and  resigned,  to  take  effect  September 
30,  1885.  Emanuel  M.  Fnnk  was  com- 
missioned September  15,  and  took  charge  of 
the  office  October  1,  1885. 

INCOEPOEATION. 

Manning  was  incorporated  in  May,  1882, 
and  tlie  territory  included  is  all  of  section 
17,  one-fourth  of  section  18,  one-fourth  of 
section  20,  and  one-sixteenth  of  section  19. 
It  is  a  square,  one  and  one-fourtli  miles  on  a 
side,  and  includes  1,000  acres.  The  officers 
of  the  town  for  each  year  have  been : 

1882. — Mayor,  I.  AY.  Callaraore;  Recorder, 
George  C.  Hunt;  Counciinien,  J.  M.  Turner, 
JS'.  F.  Spear,  P.  A.  Emery,  M.  Hoffman,  J.  L. 
McQuaid  and  E.  F.  Tidd;  Assessor,  Byron  E. 
Whealen;  Marshal,  H.  Chapman;  Treasurer, 
O.  E.  Dutton. 

1883.— Mayor,  J.  W.  Martin;  Recorder, 
H.  M.  Morsch;  Councilmen,  George  C.  Hunt, 
V.  Roush,  U.  L.  Patton,  E.  M.  Funk,  Ely 
Sharp  and  William  Schoop;  Marshal,  J.  B. 
Barns;  Street  Commissioner,  J.  C.  Engel- 
man. 

1884.— Mayor,  J.  W.  Martin;  Recorder, 
"W.  K.  Lindsay;  Councilmen,  E.  M.  Funk, 
U.  L.  Patton,  V.  Roush,  Ely  Sharp,  William 
Schoop  and  W.  J.  Morrow;  Marshal,  Joseph 
Arp. 

1885. — Mayor,  W.  F.  Carpenter;  Recorder, 
W.  K.  Lindsay;  Councilmen,  AV".  C.  Hen- 
shaw,  C.  Grube,  E.  M.  Funk,  U.  L.  Patton, 
W.  J.  Morrow  and  William  Schoop;  Mar^ 
slial,  Frank  Blair. 

1886. — Mayor,  W.  F.  C^arpenter  (resigned 
in  autumn,  and  W.  J.  Morrow  appointed); 
Recorder,  T.  E.  Palmer  (left  town,  and 
George  Tank  appointed);  Councilmen,  Will- 
iam Schoop,  O.  E.  Dutton,  U.  L.  Patton,  W. 
C.  Henshaw,  J.  W.  Martin  and  C.  Grube 
(resigned,  and  H.  D.  Radeleff  appointed); 
Treasurer,  A.  T.  Bennett;    Street    Commis- 


sioner,   Wils.    McCarthy;     Marshal,    Frank 
Blair;  Assessor,  James  Matteson. 

FIKE    PEOTECTION. 

In  1884  a  tank  was  built,  sixteen  feet  high 
and  twenty-four  feet  in  diameter,  on  the  high- 
est land  in  town  and  elevated  thirty  feet 
above  ground.  This  is  kept  filled  with  water 
by  a  force-pump  and  wind-mill.  Five  hy- 
drants are  distributed  through  the  town,  four 
on  Main  street,  one  near  the  reservoir,  and 
600  feet  of  hose  is  on  a  cart  ready  to  attach 
to  any  one  of  the  hydrants.  The  cost  of  the 
whole  was  §6,000.  The  volunteer  fire  com- 
pany has  sixteen  members,  W.  F.  Carpenter 
being  chief.  At  the  fair  in  September,  1886, 
four  teams  competed  for  speed,  and  that  of 
Manning  was  victorious. 

TEOFESSIONAL    MEN. 

The  first  law  firm  here  M'as  that  of  Doty, 
Hughes  &  Salinger,  in  1881.  The  present 
attorneys  are  B.  I.  Salinger  and  A.  T.  Ben- 
nett. The  first  physicians  were  Dr.  R.  R. 
Williams  and  Dr.  McKinney,  both  of  whom 
are  here  now,  together  with  Drs.  G.  M.  Bar- 
ber and  Stein. 

BANKS. 

The  first  bank  established  here  was  the 
Farmers  and  Traders,  by  O.  B.  Dutton  &  Son, 
October  1, 1881.  The  senior  proprietor  after- 
ward sold  his  interest  to  D.  AV.  Sutherland, 
and  May  1,  1886,  the  concern  was  merged 
into  the  First  National  Bank,  the  only  na- 
tional bank  in  Carroll  County.  Capital, 
$50,000;  D.  W.  Sutherland,  President;  O. 
E.  Dutton,  Cashier.  The  building  owned 
and  occupied  by  this  bank  is  a  handsome  two- 
stoiy  brick. 

The  Bank  of  Manning  was  established  in 
April,  1884,  by  J.  B.  and  W.  C.  Henshaw, 
and  August  28,  1886,  was  purchased  by  Al- 
bert T.  Bennett. 


096 


BISTORT    OF    CABROLL    COUNTY. 


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MILL. 


The  Manning  Holler  Mills  was  built  in 
1882,  by  Kuhn  &  Koush,  the  present  jn-o- 
prietors.  It  is  42  x  46  feet  in  size,  three 
stories  in  height,  and  is  valued  at  $12,000. 
The  engine  is  fifty-horse  power,  and  is  in  a 
room  16  x  32  feet.  There  are  nine  sets  of 
rollers  and  two  of  burrs.  The  mill  does  the 
largest  exchange  trade  in  Northwestern  Iowa. 
It  is  conveniently  located  near  the  railroad 
track,  and  has  a  side  track  for  its  own  use. 

BUSINESS  DIBECTOEY. 

Arney  Ih-othcrs,  hardware;  G.  M.  Barber, 
drugs;  H.  Bell,  grain;  A.  T.  Bennett,  Bank 
of  Manning;  Benson  &  Chatman,  photogra- 
phers; B.  F.  Breaon,  hotel;  Carstens  &  Det- 
lefs,  general  store;  Coe  &  Son,  creamery; 
L.  M.  Conklin,  broom  factory;  Mrs.  Cosson, 
millinery;  Mrs.  Dean,  millinery;  George 
Detlefs,  grocery;  Dunning,  Ives  &  Co.,  gen- 
eral store;  W.  L.  Eckels,  meat  market; 
Emery  &  Shepherd,  livery  stable;  Hans 
"Fnun,  saloon;  L.  K  P'uller,  hotel;  E.  M. 
l-'unk,  postoffice;  Green  Bay  Lumber  Co., 
lumber;  U.  S.  Hetfelfinger,  jeweler;  Hoff- 
man &  Schoop,  furniture,  dry  goods  and 
groceries;  Iloft'man  &  Tank,  lumber  and 
coal;  John  T.  Jay,  clothing;  D.  Joyce,  lum- 
ber; Kuhn  &  Roush,  mill;  Lawrence  Bros., 
meat  market;  C.  S.  Lawrence,  publisher  of 
the  Monitor /  L.  L.  Lightfoot,  restaurant; 
P.  M.  Loes,  harness;  Martin  &  Smith,  hard- 
ware; George  McCarthy,  barber;  John  Mc- 
Quaid,  grocery;  A.  Mills,  livery  stable; 
Moershell  Uros.,  dry  goods  and  groceries; 
W.  J.  Morrow,  publisher  of  the  News;  Fred 
Noisaux,  blacksmith;  U.  L.  Patton,  elevator; 
Van  Patton,  elevator;  Ed.  Perry,  grocery; 
liohr  &  Siems,  boots  and  shoes;  Ross  & 
Murry,  barbers;  R.  L.  Ross,  hotel;  Salinger 
&;  Brigham,  insurance  and  loan  agents;  E. 
C.  Sharp,  jewelry,  boots  and  shoes;  Mrs.  Seth 


Smith,  millinery;  C.  Steffens,  hotel;  P.  B. 
Stoufter,  drugs;  Sutherland  &  Dutton,  First 
National  Bank;  Thede  &  Dammann,  grain; 
R.  F.  Tidd,  blacksmith;  Weatherill  & 
Morsch,  hardware;  Wood  &  Anderson,  gro- 
cery; Alexander  Young,  restaurant. 

SCHOOL. 

Manning's  school  building  is  a  frame  struc- 
ture in  the  northeast  part  of  town,  and  was 
built  in  1883  at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  It  is 
two  stories  in  height,  and  contains  six  rooms. 
Four  teachers  were  employed  at  first,  and 
now  six  are  found  necessary.  The  corps  for 
1886-'87  is  as  follows:  C.  W.  Durett,  prin- 
cipal; Sarah  Garrett,  assistant;  Mrs.  Alice 
Engelman,  grainmar;  Lola  Robinson,  inter- 
mediate; Gertrude  Chandler,  second  primary; 
Eva  Maxwell,  first  primary.  The  number  of 
persons  of  school  age  in  the  district  is  263; 
average  attendance  in  1885-'86,  216;  total 
enrollment,  259.  The  present  School  Boai'd 
includes  J.  S.  Ferguson  (President),  B.  I. 
Salinger,  U.  L.  Patton,  J.  B.  Henshaw,  James 
Matteson  and  D.  W.  Sutherland.  John  B. 
Ingledue  is  Secretary  of  the  Board,  and  O.  E. 
Dutton,  Treasurer. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — A  Meth- 
odist class  was  formed  in  a  school-house  in 
this  vicinity  as  early  as  1878  with  seventeen 
members.  Rev.  Charles  Martin  was  first 
assigned  to  the  charge.  Rev.  Lewis  came  in 
1880;  Rev.  John  Elliott  in  1881  and  1882, 
Rev.  W.  E.  Harvey  in  1888  and  1884,  and 
Rev.  I.  II.  Elliott  in  1885  and  1886.  In 
1884  the  society  built  its  church  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  Center  and  Second  streets.  It 
is  a  frame  structure,  costing  $2,400,  and  will 
seat  250.  There  is  a  tower,  but  as  yet  no 
bell.  The  membership  of  the  church  did  not 
increase  until  the  fall   of   1885,  when    Rev. 


.^_ )\ 


■■■■■■■■■■"■■■"■.■Ml-MMM-M-g-nM^-a-M^gMaB^WlW-W-M^M^H^M^WM-WSmiJimB^W-W-W-M. 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


()'J7 


Elliott  conducted  a  very  successful  revival 
and  admitted  about  100  to  membership. 
Another  i-evival  was  conducted  in  the  autumn 
of  1886  by  Mrs.  E.  G.  Libby.  The  member- 
ship is  now  between  150  and  160.  F.  C. 
Grossman  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school,  whicli  has  a  usual  attendance  of  100. 
The  stewards  of  the  church  are:  John  Parker 
and  John  Shoemaker;  Trustees,  John  Parker, 
F.  W.  Arney,  E.  C.  Sharp  and  John  B.  Ingle- 
duc. 

Presbyterian  Church. — The  first  services 
of  this  denomination  were  held  September 
23,  1881,  by  Rev.  T.  S.  Bailey,  of  Carroll,  in 
the  unfinished  room  of  the  Farmers'  and 
Traders'  Bank.  Six  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian faith  were  present.  May  27,  1882,  a 
petition  to  organize  was  presented  to  the 
Presbytery  signed  by  A.  W.  Sutherland,  G. 
M.  Barber,  Eobert  Macklin,  H.  Bell,  D.  W. 
Sutherland  and  Annie  Sutherland.  May  28, 
1882,  Rev.  A.  K.  l]aird  preached  and  organ- 
ized the  church  in  due  form  with  sixteen 
members.  S.  S.  Wilson,  A.  W.  Simpkins 
and  G.  M.  Barber  were  elected  ruling  elders, 
August  10,  1882,  a  building  committee,  con- 
sisting of  D.  W.  Sutherland,  Robert  Macklin, 
H.  Bell  and  M.  L.  Branson,  was  appointed  to 
have  charge  of  the  erection  of  a  house  of 
worship.  The  building  was  completed  in  the 
summer  of  1883  at  a  cost  of  §2,200,  and 
dedicated  August  23.  The  membership  is 
now  about  fifty.  The  pastors  have  been  as 
follows:  Rev.  E.  A.  Elfeld,  beginning  De- 
cember, 1881;  H.  H.  Cnllen,  April  1,  1882; 
C.  S.  McElhinney,  May,  1883;  C.  E.  Laugh- 
lin,  October,  1883;  A.  W.  Thompson,  April, 
1885.  G.  M.  Barber  is  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school,  which  has  an  attendance 
of  from  eighty  to  one  hundred.  The  elders 
of  tlie  church  are:  J.  L.  Stottler,  A.  W. 
Simpkins,  G.  M.  Barber  and  A.  Green ;  Trus- 
tees, S.  M.  Towne,  H.  Bell,  A.  W.  Simpkins 


and  J.  B.  Henshaw;  Secretary,  O.  H.  Patter- 
son. 

Catholic  Church. — The  first  mass  was  said 
in  1882  by  Father  John  Fendrich  (of  Arca- 
dia, now  Carroll),  in  1882.  Father  Shulte 
then  came  here  from  Templeton,  and  now 
Father  O'Connor,  of  Carroll,  holds  services 
the  first  Monday  of  each  month.  About 
thirty  families  belong  to  this  parish.  A 
church  has  just  been  completed  at  a  cost  of 
$1,000.  It  is  in  the  east  part  of  town,  24 
X  48  feet  in  size,  and  will  seat  200. 

Christia'/t  Church. — This  was  organized  in 
the  spring  of  1885  witli  twenty-seven  mem- 
bers, and  now  has  sixty-five.  Having  no 
house  of  worship,  services  are  held  at  the 
school-house.  Rev.  H.  E.  Higbee  was  in 
charge  the  first  year,  and  Rev.  O.  H.  Truman 
commenced  to  fill  the  pulpit  November  1, 
1886.  F.  W.  Arney  is  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school,  the  average  attendance  of 
which  is  fifty.  George  S.  JSickle  is  elder  of 
the  church,  and  P.  A.  Emery  and  F.  W. 
Arney,  deacons. 

German  Lutheran  Church. — The  German 
Lutheran  church  was  organized  in  1885, 
but  has  no  house  of  worship.  Rev.  William 
Mallon  holds  services  every  two  weeks. 

SOCIETIES. 

Manual  Lodge,  No.  J^50,  A.  F.  <&  A.  M., 
was  organized  June  29,  1883,  and  chartered 
June  4,  1884.  It  has  now  twenty-eight 
members.  Meetings  are  held  on  Monday 
evening,  on  or  before  each  full  moon,  over 
the  First  National  Bank.  The  oflicers  for 
1886  are:  H.  W.  Reed,  Worshipful  Master; 
AV.  J.  Morrow,  Senior  Warden;  V.  Roush, 
Junior  Warden;  O.  E.  Dutton,  Secretary; 
D.  W.  Sutherland,  Treasurer. 

Manning  Lodge,  No.  132,  I.  0.  O.  F., 
was  organized  in  May,  1883.  It  has  thirty- 
three    members,    and    meets    every   Tuesday 


«98 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


evening.  The  leading  officers  are:  W.  E. 
Guild,  Noble  Grand;  George  Tank,  Yice- 
Gi-aiid;  F.  Moershell,  Secretary;  John  Hoff- 
man, Treasurer. 

McPherson  Post,  No.  33,  G.  A.  R.,  was 
iruistered  March  17,  1881,  with  hfteen  mein- 
Ijers.  S.  E.  Whitcher  was  the  first  com- 
mander. Tlie  post  has  now  thirty  members, 
and  meets  tlie  first  and  fourth  Saturdays  of 
oacli  month.  The  present  officers  are:  J.  PI. 
Kuhn,  Commander;  F.  C.  Murkel,  Senior 
Vice-Commander;  A.  L.  Sanborn,  Junior 
A'ice-Commander;  L.  P.  Brigham,  Adjutant; 
F.  Beal,  Quartermaster. 

JIannuKj  Lodge,  No.  362,  A.  0.  U.  IF., 
was  organized  in  February,  1885,  with 
eighteen  members.  There  are  now  fifteen. 
Meetings  are  held  on  the  first  and  third  Sat- 
urdays of  each  month.  J.  L.  Stottler  is 
Master  Workman;  V.  Housh,  Financier; 
J.  S.  Ferguson,  Recorder,  and  L.  P.  Prig- 
ham,  Receiver. 

The  Manning  Union  Fair  and  Driving 
Park  Association  was  organized  in  1883, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000,  whicli  was 
taken  by  about  250  citizens  of  the  four  coun- 
ties comprising  a  square  area  of  which  Man- 
ning is  nearly  the  center — Shelby,  Audubon, 
Carroll  and  Crawford.  The  stock  is  about 
half  paid  up.  Tlie  association  bought  forty 
acres  adjoining  Manning  on  the  south,  at 
§60  an  acre,  and  have  improved  tiie  grounds 
with  suitable  buildings,  etc.  Four  annual 
fairs  have  been  held,  beginning  with  1883, 
and  in  addition  a  horse  fair  is  held  in  June 
each  year.  The  fairs  of  1885  and  1886  were 
successful  in  every  respect,  there  being  a 
surplus  after  meeting  all  demands.  The 
directors  are:  Samuel  Bingham,  E.  M.  Kel- 
ley  and  Henry  Grube,  of  Carroll  County; 
Peter  Miller  and  C.  E.  Arney,  of  Crawford 
County;  James  Bartley  and  William  John- 
son, of  Audubon  County,  and  E.  Shafenberg 


and  John  Noble,  of  Shelby  County.  The 
officers  are:  II.  L.  Patton,  President;  H.  D. 
Radeleff,  Vice-President;  W.  J.  Morrow, 
Secretary;  AV.  C.  Flenshaw,  Assistant  Secre- 
tary; J.  B.  Henshaw,  Treasurer;  S.  E. 
Whitcher,  Chief  Marshal;  H.  Foote,  Super- 
intendent of  Grounds. 

The  ^fanning  Public  Library  was  begun 
in  November,  1886,  with  fifty  volumes  as  a 
nucleus.  The  books  are  at  present  kept  in 
the  postoffice.  There  are  about  fifty  mem- 
bers of  the  association. 

The  Manning  German  Band  was  organ- 
ized in  1883,  and  has  ten  pieces.  Fred 
Blokker  is  leader. 

The  Manning  Cornet  Band  was  organ- 
ized in  188-4,  and  has  twelve  pieces.  H.  W. 
Reed  is  leader. 

COON   RAPIDS. 

O.  J.  Niles  entered  the  land  on  which 
Coon  Rapids  now  stands,  in  Union  Town- 
ship, in  1855.  Mr.  Niles  was  from  Western 
Michigan,  and  probably  of  Yankee  birth. 
He  was  a  peculiar  character  in  many  respects, 
and  was  considered  an  oracle  of  wisdom  by 
the  first  settlers.  He  was  elected  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  frequently  acted  as  agent 
for  the  settlers  in  purchasing  household  sup- 
plies at  Des  Moines.  He  lived  in  a  16  x  36 
log  house,  the  site  of  Mr.  Shute's  present 
residence.  It  is  related  that  a  man  named 
Tuttle,  of  Tuttle's  Grove,  felt  a  grievance 
over  a  horse  trade  he  had  made  with  Samuel 
Wilson,  and  stated  the  details  of  the  trans- 
action to  'Squire  Niles.  The  'squire  listened 
patiently,  and  at  the  close  advised  Mr.  Tuttle 
that  the  law  in  the  case  was  so  complicated 
that  he  couldn't  obtain  justice  !  Some  sus- 
picious persons,  always  inquiring  as  to  the 
relations  of  cause  to  efl'ect,  remarked  that 
Wilson  was  a  splendid  shot,  and  Niles  was 
very  fond  of  venison. 


.J 


^^^!^^!'I^Z^C^^TZ'T^.^Z^';^'Tt^^!^!^^!Tj^t^^J^^!^^'!t^^^'''*^^' 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


~ni 


A  mail  route  was  established  in  1858 
oetween  Panora  and  Sioux  City,  with  inter- 
mediate offices  at  Carrollton  and  Denison. 
In  1861  a  man  named  AVinfred  bought  five 
acres  on  the  river  for  a  mill-site,  and  started 
to  improve  tiie  same.  The  settlers  were  so 
enthusiastic  over  the  prospect  of  a  mill  in 
their  vicinity  that  they  held  their  Fourth  of 
July  celebration  that  year  on  the  proposed 
mill-site.  When  Father  Abraham  called  for 
300,000  loyal  volunteers,  Winfred's  men 
deserted  his  service  for  that  of  the  Govern- 
ment, and  work  was  suspended  on  the  mill. 
In  1863  Crockett  Ribble,  County  Treasurer, 
bought  the  site  and  commenced  to  improve 
it,  with  financial  assistance  from  the  county. 
A  Mr.  Frizzell  set  up  a  store  to  supply  the 
men  with  tobacco  and  other  "necessaries,"  and 
John  J.  McCollum  started  a  blacksmith  shop. 

A  petition  was  sent  to  Washington  for  a 
postotfice  to  be  called  Fairview,  with  Frizzell 
for  postmaster.  The  authorities  replied  that 
there  was  already  one  Fairview  in  the  State, 
and  requested  the  petitioners  to  select  another 
name.  "Niles'  Grove"  and  "  Ribbleton " 
were  discussed,  but  G  on  Rapids  was  the 
name  finally  agreed  upon,  in  accordance  with 
the  suggestion  of  Jacob  Cretsinger.  William 
Minnicli  bought  land  in  1865  and  laid  out  a 
town,  and  built  the  house  where  William 
Schnepps  now  lives,  to  rent  as  a  store.  The 
first  occupants  were  Shoemaker  &  Endicott; 
and  "  Frank"  used  to  furnish  music  and  act 
as  caller,  both,  at  tlie  frequent  dancing  parties ; 
and  "  The  Old  Gray  IIoss  "  was  the  favorite 
tune. 

On  one  of  Shoemaker's  trips  to  Des  Moines 
after  goods  he  surprised  the  natives  by  return- 
ing under  a  plug  hat,  which  disappeared  after 
the  next  Fourth  of  July  celebration  at  Car- 
rollton. Ribble  and  McCrea  were  the  next 
occupants,  and  William  Minnicli  built  the 
hotel,  since  called  "Fort  Sumter." 


The  old  town  of  Coon  Rapids  never  had  to 
exceed  fifteen  houses.  The  census  of  1880 
credits  the  place  with  fifty-four  inhabitants. 
When,  in  1881,  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  & 
St.  Paul  Railroad  was  laid  through  the  south- 
ern part  of  Carroll  County  and  passed  near 
Coon  Rapids,  a  new  town  was  laid  out  by  the 
AVestern  Town  Lot  Gompanj',  about  one-fourth 
of  a  mile  west  of  the  primitive  village,  and 
houses  went  as  if  l)y  nuigic.  So  many  were 
building  that  it  is  impossible  to  say  who  was 
first.  The  most  of  the  growth  occurred  in 
1882  and  '83.  The  census  of  1885  gives 
Coon  Rapids  729  inhabitants.  The  town  has 
excellent  prospects  for  further  growth,  and 
already  does  a  good  business  with  the  sur- 
rounding country. 

INCOKPOEATION. 

Coon  Rapids  was  incorporated  four  years 
ago,  the  election  to  decide  upon  the  step 
having  been  held  December  19,  1882. 
Officers  were  elected  in  January  following, 
and  J.  II.  Louthan  was  the  first  mayor.  The 
officers  for  1886-'87  are:  Mayor,  T.  C.  Reid; 
Recorder,  D.  M.  Grove;  Council  men,  A.  R. 
Hatfield,  C.  E.  Morris,  B.  H.  Shute,  H.  L. 
Miller,  Henry  AVallace  and  I.  L.  Dermond; 
Treasurer,  J.  H.  Louthan;  Assessor,  Theophi- 
lus  George;  Marshal,  James  Mulford;  Street 
Commissioner,  George  Miller. 

THE     CYCLONE. 

The  destructive  visitation  of  April  14, 1886, 
will  never  be  forgotten  by  the  present  inhabi- 
tants of  Coon  Rapids,  as  it  did  immense  dam- 
age to  the  town,  destroying  everything  in  its 
path.  The  day  was  warm  and  depressing,  but 
there  were  no  other  indications  of  a  storm  until 
four  p.  M.,  when  it  grew  dark  and  threatening. 
Half  an  hour  later  a  light  rain  and  a  little 
hail  fell.  A  few  minutes  more  and  the  clouds 
lowered,  grew  very  dark,  and  away  south  the 
coming  cyclone  could  be  seen.     As  it  grew 


700 


UlSTORT    OF    CAliliOLL    COUNTY. 


more  distinct,  and  was  seen  to  he  heading  for 
the  town,  the  people  ran  to  sncli  caves  as 
could  he  tbnud  I'or  protection.  A  train  of 
twenty  loaded  cars  was  first  attacked  by  the 
cyclone,  and  sixteen  cars  were  easily  toppled 
over  like  paper,  as  well  as  an  e(|iial  number 
of  empty  gravel  cars  on  a  side  track.  Passing 
north,  the  storm  jnst  missed  the  business 
portion  of  Coon  Eapids,  the  Enterprise  office 
being  the  only  business  building  injured, 
and  spent  its  fury  on  the  residence  portion  of 
the  town.  In  all,  thirtv-two  buildings  were 
wholly  or  partly  destroyed.  The  total  loss, 
not  iuchuling  that  of  the  railroad  company, 
which  was  large,  was  about  $50,000.  A  boy, 
Ilarry  Raygor,  was  so  injured  by  a  falling 
brick  that  lie  died  a  few  hours  later.  Five 
miles  south  of  town,  three  dwellings  and 
several  barns  were  destroyed.  Just  north  of 
Coon  I'apids  the  cyclone  lifted,  and  no 
further  damage  was  done  in  its  onward  path. 

PROFESSIONAL. 

The  first  attorney  to  locate  at  Coon  llapids 
was  S.  Preston.  Besides  him,  T.  C.  Reid,  L. 
W.  Morgan  and  E.  H.  Hurd  are  now  practic- 
ing here.  Dr.  E.  V.  Blatchley  was  the  first 
])hysician.  Those  now  residing  and  practic- 
ing here  are  Drs.  Root,  Stearns  and  Hunt. 


The  Coon  llapids  J^ank  was  opened  in 
.1  une,  1882,  by  Lyons  &  Cooney.  In  the  au- 
tumn of  1886  John  Cooney  became  sole  pro- 
])rietor  by  purchasing  Mr.  Lyons'  interest. 
The  City  Bank  was  established  in  the  autumn 
of  1882,  by  H.  L.  Miller  »fc  Co.,  the  present 
proprietors. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 

The  following  firms  are  in  business  at 
Coon  Rapids  in  December,  1886: 

J.  IL  Adams,  Merrill  Hotel;  W.  H.  Asher 


&  Co.,  general  store;  J.  Bates  &  Co.,  drugs; 
Beed  Brothers,  elevator;  E.  J.  Bradley,  lum- 
ber; A.  Brutsche,  general  store;  C.  L.  Cady, 
barber;  John  Cooney,  bank;  Cumpston  & 
Co.,  drugs;  L.  A.  Cushman,  barber;  Dale  & 
George,  elevator;  I.  L.  Dermond  &  Bro., 
grocery;  B.  F.  Erb,  drugs;  George  Foreman, 
mill;  H.  Frisbie,  livery;  E.  &  W.  Garst,  gen- 
eral store;  A.  M.  Graham,  meat  market;  A. 
R.  Hatfield,  general  store;  S.  D.  Henry,  pub- 
lisher of  the  Enterprise;  L.  Hoffman,  tailor; 
HoUiday  &  Harris,  insurance;  O.  D.  Hough- 
ton, butcher;  S.  E.  Iluse,  lumber;  M.  H. 
Ish,  grocery;  "W.  J.  Jackley,  billiard  hall; 
Jones  Bros.,  hardware;  F.  C  Jones,  post- 
office;  W.  Law,  blacksmith;  J.  H.  Louthan, 
harness  shop;  William  McNabb,  meat  mar- 
ket; H.  L.  Miller  &  Co.,  bank;  C.  E.  Morris, 
grocery;  Mrs.  J.  D.  Parrott,  millinery;  L. 
L.  Peck,  bakery  and  billiard  hall;  E.  A. 
Rogers,  photographer;  Scott  &  Son,  black- 
smiths; Steele  &  Johnson,  furniture;  A.  R. 
Taylor,  hardware;  O.  C.  Triplett,  restaurant; 
J.  E.  Tucker,  jeweler;  Henry  Wallace,  black- 
smith; J.  F.  Yetter,  harness;  G.  W.  Zollin- 
ger, confectionery. 

SCHOOL. 

The  first  graded  school  building  was  put 
up  in  1883.  It  was  a  two-story  frame,  con- 
taining four  rooms;  was  on  the  hill  north  of 
the  main  part  of  town,  and  cost  13,400. 
The  cyclone  of  April  14,  1886,  destroyed 
this,  and  the  same  year  the  present  build- 
ing was  erected.  It  was  completed  in  No- 
vember, at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  It  is  a  two-story 
frame,  painted  stone-color,  and  contains  five 
rooms.  Four  teachers  are  employed,  those 
for  1886-'87  being:  D.  M.  Grove,  principal; 
Anna  Hurd,  grammar;  Mary  Stough,  inter- 
mediate; Adda  Dermond,  primary.  The  en- 
rollment is  over  200;  average  attendance, 
180;  and  the  annual  expenditures  for  school 


If 


'IJ' 


s 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


701 


purposes  about  $2,000.  The  present  school 
board  includes  John  Cooney  (President),  John 
A.  Smith,  A.  C.  Taylor,  II.  L.  Miller  and  B. 
H.  Shute.  C.  E.  Morris  is  Secretary  of  the 
Board,  and  A.  L.   Stough,  Treasurer. 

CHUKCHES. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — Rev.  Mer- 
son  organized  the  church  in  1867,  with  a 
small  membership.  After  him  Rev.  Tliomas 
Hamilton  preached  here  at  intervals  until 
1869.  For  tiie  next  four  years  the  society 
here  was  inactive.  Rev.  Selby  came  in  1873, 
Rev.  Campbell  in  1874,  and  Revs.  F.  Todd 
and  Manasy  then  supplied  the  church  ir- 
regularly until  1878.  In  that  year  Rev. 
John  Elliott  took  charge;  in  1880,  Rev. 
Stewart;  1881,  Rev.  Morrow;  1882,  Rev. 
Milligati;  1883,  Revs.  Hall  and  Henderson; 
1884,  Rev.  W.  Stevenson;  1885,  Rev.  W.  F. 
Douglas;  1886,  Rev.  J.  Webb.  The  first 
class  was  formed  in  1873,  by  Rev.  Selby,  and 
Alexander  McCrea  was  appointed  leader  and 
steward.  N.  Harris  is  now  leader.  J.  M. 
George  and  John  Cooney  are  stewards. 
John  Cooney,  J.  M.  George,  A.  Cretsinger, 
N.  Harris,  A.  C.  Taylor,  O.  D.  Houghton  and 
Edward  Dale  are  trustees.  A.  C.  Taylor, 
Edward  Dale  and  M.  H.  Ish  are  the  building 
committee  for  the  church,  the  foundation  of 
which  was  commenced  October  28,  1886.  It 
will  be  34  X  55  feet  in  size.  The  present 
membership  of  the  church  is  fifty-five. 

The  First  Preshyterian  Church. — May  14, 
1883,  Rev.  T.  S.  Bailey,  Synodical  Missionary 
for  the  Synod  of  Iowa,  organized  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Coon  Rapids,  Iowa. 
It  consisted  of  sixteen  members,  as  follows: 
Dr.  J.  Garst,  Dr.  T.  C.  McMillan,  Mrs.  J. 
W.  Kay,  Miss  Mamie  Kay,  Mrs.  D.  R.  Gra- 
ham, Mrs.  B.  C.  Beed,  Mr.  John  Beed,  Mrs. 
John  Beed,  Miss  Emma  Beed,  Mr.  B.  H.  Shute, 
Mrs.  B.  H.  Shute,  Mrs.  Warren  Fell,  Mrs.  E. 


A.  Miller,  Miss  Mary  Stough,  Mr.  A.  L.  J 
Stough  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  Holmes.  Mr.  C.  A.  ^ 
McElhinny,  a  licentiate  of  Iowa  Presbytery,  } 
and  student  of  Allegheny  Theological  Semi-  \ 
nary,  preached  by  previous  appointment  on  \ 
the  lltli  of  May,  and  continued  their  supply  i 
during  the  summer,  when  Rev.  C.  E.  Laugh-  j 
lin  was  commissioned  by  the  Board  of  Home  ' 
Missions  to  supply  the  church  half  the  time  J 
from  September  23,  1883,  for  one  year.  j 
November  25,  the  new  church  building  being  • 
completed  at  a  cost  of  $2,500,  it  was  dedi-  \ 
cated  to  the  service  of  the  Lord.  Rev.  I.  N.  j 
Crittenden,  of  Hastings,  Michigan,  was  in-  \ 
vited  to  become  their  supply  June  1,  1884,  ( 
and  still  remains  with  them.  The  cliurch  | 
has  more  than  doubled  its  niemljership  dur-  i 
ing  the  past  two  years,  and  numbers  now  \ 
fifty-eight.  The  present  ofiicers  are:  A.  S.  \ 
Meigs,  William  Shealfer,  B.  H.  Shute  and  \ 
John  Beed.  Our  Union  Sabbath-school  has  5 
120  members,  with  Z.  W.  Steele  as  superin-  a 
tendent.  The  church  was  destroyed  by  a  \ 
terrible  cyclone  the  14th  of  April,  1886,  and 
another  new  one  will  soon  be  completed. 

The  Christian  Church  of  this  place  was 
organized  first  nearly  twenty  years  ago.  A 
preacher  lived  here,  and  held  services  every 
month.  In  1882  the  church  was  reorganized, 
with  fifteen  members,  by  Rev.  J.  W.  W. 
Waugh.  He  preached  semi-monthly.  Then 
there  was  an  interim  of  no  services,  during 
which  time  the  society  bought  the  old  district 
school  building,  and  fitted  it  up  at  a  cost  of 
$350.  Rev.  J.  A.  Linder  came  in  1884  and 
remained  sixteen  months.  The  cj'clone  de- 
stroyed the  little  church,  and  since  then  no 
regular  services  have  been  held,  but  a  new 
church  is  now  building  to  cost  $1,000.  The 
membership  is  about  seventy-rive.  The  El- 
ders are  John  A.  Smith  and  C.  T.  Cross; 
Deacons,  Z.  B.  Titus,  W.  H.  Smith  and 
Frank  Chevalier. 


HISTORY    OF    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


The  Catholic  Church. — Tlie  Catholics  liave 
a  frame  church  in  the  northwest  part  of  tlie 
town,  built  two  years  ago.  Father  Scluilte, 
of  Templeton,  holds  services  here  every 
month.  The  membership  is  largely  in  the 
country. 

SOCIETIES. 

Charity  Lodge,  No.  197,  A.  F.  tfc  A.  M., 
was  organized  at  Carrollton  August  22, 1866, 
and  chartered  June  5,  1867.  When  Goon 
IJapids  began  to  prosper,  the  lodge  was 
removed  to  that  point.  It  has  now  thirty- 
six  members,  and  meets  on  Saturday  on  or 
Ijefore  each  full  moon.  It  owns  a  hall  over 
Asher  &  Co.'s  store,  valued  at  $600,  in  part- 
nership with  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  it  also 
owns  a  hall  over  C.  E.  Morris'  store,  which 
is  rented  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the 
Grand  Army.  The  officers  for  1886  are: 
S.  E.  Huse,  Worshipful  Master;  T.  C.  Reid, 
Senior  Warden;  C.  Y.  B.  Smith,  Junior 
Warden;  [.  L.  Derraond,  Secretary;  J.  PI. 
Loutlian,  Treasurer. 

Coon  Rapids  Lodge,  No.  1^59, 1.  0.  0.  F., 
was  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1882,  and 
has  now  thirty  members.  It  meets  every 
Tuesday  evening  at  the  hall  above  mentioned 
as  being  owned  in  partnership  by  the  Masons 
and  Odd  Fellows.  At  this  writins  S.  E. 
lluse  is  Xoble  Grand;  William  McNabb, 
Vice-Grand;  L.  A.  Cushman,  Secretary,  and 
D.  F.  Erb,  Treasurer. 

Plantagenet  Lodge,  No.  108,  K.  P.,  was 
organized  in  1883.  It  has  twenty-eight 
members,  and  meets  every  Thursday  evening. 
The  present  officers  are:  D.  M.  Grove,  Chan- 
cellor Commander;  T.  Morgan,  Vice-Chan- 
cellor;  S.  D.  Henry,  Past  Chancellor;  A.  A. 
Morr,  Eeporter;  George  Cretsinger,  Prelate; 
J.  K.  Root,  Keeper  of  Records  and  Seals. 

Coon  Rapids  Lodge,  No.  350,  A.  0.  U.  W., 
was  organized  in  May,  1883,  with  twenty 
members.     There  are  now  twelve.     It  meets 


the  second  and  fourth  Monday  of  each  month 
at  Masonic  Hall.  The  officers  are:  A.  M. 
Graham,  Master  Workman;  W.  F.  Sanford, 
Recorder;  V.  M.  Johnson,  Financier;  J. 
Wright, Receiver;  Theophilus George,  Guide. 
Ferri/  Wright  Post,  No.  188,  G.  A.  R., 
was  mustered  June  6,  1882,  and  its  member- 
ship has  increased  from  thirty  to  forty-live. 
It  meets  Saturday  evening  after  each  full 
moon.  Officers:  A.  C.  Taylor,  Commander; 
A.  O.  Yanakin,  Senior  Yice-Commander;  J. 
D.  Parrott,  Junior  Yiee-Commander;  J.  D. 
Henry,  Quartermaster;  C.  E.  Morris,  Adju- 
tant; G.  W.  Smith,  Chaplain;  T.  George, 
Officer  of  the  Day;  W.  F.  Paxton;  Officer 
of  the  Guard. 

GLIDDEN. 

In  1868,  a  year  or  two  after  the  railroad 
came  through  Carroll  County,  a  depot  was 
built  and  station  fixed  at  what  is  now  Glid- 
den.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  a  director  of 
the  railroad  company.  The  next  building 
was  A.  B.  Wattles'  store,  which  has  since 
been  torn  down.  Martin  L.  Peters  built  a 
hotel,  now  vacant.  William  Stiles,  S.  H. 
Glidden,  William  Harris,  W.  E.  Potter,  M. 
W.  Beach  and  L.  G.  Bangs  also  located  here 
in  1868,  and  of  these  Mr.  Potter  is  the  only 
resident  survivor.  Glidden  grew  slowly  for 
several  years.  In  1870  the  population  was 
177.  During  the  next  decade  the  number  of 
inhabitants  increased  to  584.  It  has  since 
remained  about  stationary,  the  State  census 
in  1885  giving  it  522  people.  During  the 
last  live  years  a  better  class  of  buildings 
have  been  put  up,  and  the  village  has  a  much 
more  substantial  appearance.  There  are  now 
eight  brick  buildings  in  the  business  part  of 
Glidden. 

INCORPORATION. 

The  village  of  Glidden  received  the  name 
of  an  incorporated  town  thirteen   years  ago, 


.■■■-■■■■-■-■■.■-'■-"-■-'■-°'-i"-3'-"^»J»ar'*'Si;*w?»^»^»ii'"-"-"-»s»jir^ 


»»»»t«-»-i- 


the  exact  date  being  October  2,  1873.  The 
lirst  officers  were:  Afayor,  J.  O.  Havens; 
Recorder,  AVilliam  II.  Stiles;  Trustees,  Sam. 
Campbell,  N.  1).  Tluirinan,  (xeori^e  Ferguson, 
D.  X.  Smith  and  P.  11.  Ilankins.  The  offi- 
cers in  1886  are:  Mayor,  S.  C.  Dunkle;  Re- 
corder, W.  E.  Potter;  Trustees,  Jesse  Mavitj', 
W.  H.  Platner,  I.  N.  Clink,  G.  W.  McNaught 
and  AVilliani  Waldron;  Marshal,  Ed.  Barber; 
Treasurer,  L.  M.  Lyons;  Street  Commis- 
sioner, AV.  II.  Platner;  Assessor,  M.  M. 
Vonstein. 

FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

A  hand-engine  and  800  feet  of  hose  were 
purchased  eight  years  ago,  for  protection 
against  lire.  The  apparatus  is  in  charge  of 
a  volunteer  company  of  sixteen  members, 
which  meets  monthly  in  a  building  just 
sou  til  of  the  bank,  bought  by  the  town  for 
the  use  of  the  tire  department.  Sam.  Schnepps 
is  foreman. 

The  most  serious  tiro  in  Glidden's  history 
occurred  on  Christmas  day,  1883,  when  nine 
buildings  were  destroyed.  The  conflagration 
began  in  a  drug  store. 

rOSTjrASTERS. 

The  postoffice  of  Clidden  was  established 
in  1868,  with  A.  B.  AVattles  as  postmaster. 
lie  has  been  succeeded  in  the  office  by  F.  M. 
Harding,  Dan.  Browning,  L.  M.  Lyons,  W.  E. 
Foster  and  Thomas  Rich. 

GLIDDEN    BANKS. 

George  Stafford  started  the  Glidden  Bank 
in  1877,  and  in  1882  sold  to  Lambertson  tt 
Gabriel.  Lambertson  died  in  January,  1884, 
and  now  S.  C.  Dunkle  is  President,  and  H. 
M.  Gabriel,  Cashier.  L.  M.  Lyons  also  con- 
ducts a  banking  business. 

BUSINESS    DIRECTORY. 

These  firms  are  doing  business  in  Glidden 
in  December,  1886: 

L.  H.  Banner,  boots  and  shoes;  Browning 

49 


ct  Browning,  general  store;  J.  C.  Carnell, 
restaurant;  Frank  Chandler,  saloon;  Dickey 
ife  Coder,  general  store;  Dunkle  ik  Gabriel, 
bank;  Gilbert  Eaton,  furniture;  (ieorge  Fer- 
guson, hardware;  Jacob  Ford,  blacksmith; 
W.  E.  Foster,  drugs;  Mrs.  J.  O.  Havens, 
millinery;  William  Kuebler,  restaurant;  R. 
A.  Lang,  grocery;  James  Lee,  liotel;  Linn  & 
Smith,  hardware;  L.  M.  Lyons,  bank;  Ben. 
Masker,  shoe  shop;  Geo.  W.  McNaught, 
grocery;  John  G.  Merrings,  general  store; 
A.  H.  Mertz,  meat  market;  R.  P.  Myers, 
Iiarness;  Homer  Nickels,  livery;  G.  W.  Par- 
sons, barber;  Potter  &  Wolcott,  agricultural 
implements;  Prill  Bros.,  general  store;  Henry 
Pruss,  grain  and  cattle;  W.  O.  Reed,  pho- 
tograph}'; Thomas  Rich,  postmaster;  Scluiltz 
&  Son,  meat  market;  J.  C  Scott  &  Co., 
drugs;  D.  N.  Smith,  lumber  and  coal;  M.  S. 
Smith,  lumber  and  grain;  H.  K.  Soper,  gen- 
eral store;  John  Vaughn,  saloon;  John 
Waldron,  watch-maker;  W.  F.  AValdron, 
blacksmith. 

SCHOOL. 

A  two-stoi"y  frame  building  was  erected  in 
1868,  on  tlie  highest  point  in  town,  for  school 
purposes.  It  contained  two  rooms,  cost 
$2,200,  and  was  used  until  1879,  when  the 
present  two-story  and  basement  building  was 
put  up,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000.  It  has  five  rooms. 
Four  teachers  are  employed,  M.  M.  Warner 
being  the  principal  for  the  current  year.  The 
enrollment  is  180;  average  attendance,  160. 
The  rooms  are  full,  and  the  annual  expendi- 
tures for  school  purposes  amount  to  $2,200. 
The  board  of  directors  comprises  W.  H. 
Platner  (president),  John  Harris,  G.  AV. 
McNaught,  J.  Mereness,  Thomas  Ferguson 
and  M.  Linn.  James  Campbell  is  secretary, 
and  S.  C.  Dunkle,  treasurer. 

CHTJBCHEB. 

Preahyterian   Church, — Services    of    this 


'i 


I* 


i 

i 


.■-»-"»"j-s«nfrg'ii»^«"-»-»°"»"-"-"-"»"-"-*-'»g"swir''a»«"«"M« 


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704 


HISTORY    Oh'    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


1^ 


iloiiumiiiation  were  tii-st  held  in  the  school- 
lioiise,  in  the  autuiim  of  USTO,  by  Rev.  W. 
Jl.  Smith.  Ainong  the  pastors  since  his  day 
arc  Revs.  Rhillips,  Shafer.  yanmiis,  McLowry, 
Jones  and  Reed.  No  services  have  been  held 
!-ince  the  spring  of  IN^ti.  The  honse  of 
worship  was  bnilt  dnring  ]\[r.  Pliillips'  pas- 
torate, in  1877,  at  an  expenditure  of  .i>l,700. 
In  1882  $;700  was  nsed  in  making  repairs 
and  additions.  The  membership  is  about 
fifty.  William  Xno.x,  M.  il.  Warner,  31.  W. 
Reach  and  .1.  E.  ^lereness  are  elders;  Robert 
McCreath,  .lohn  (xrace,  William  Prill,  II. 
Ciabriel  and  J.  L.  Mereness,  trustees.  J.  L. 
Mereness  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday- 
school,  which  has  an  average  attendance  of 
seventy-live. 

Jlet/io'Iint  Jij)iseojxil  Vhuivh. — The  first 
jiastor  of  this  society  was  Rev.  Elliott,  who 
first  came  in  1871.  Itev.  Vail  came  in  1873, 
Rev.  C.  ^\.  Smith  in  1874,  Kev.  C.  W.  Pos- 
ton  in  1876,  Rev.  J.  AV.  Echels  in  1878,  Rev. 
W.  M.  Welch  in  1881,  Rev.  Jean  in  1884 
and  Rev.  L.  AV.  Archer  in  18.S5.  In  1880, 
during  liev.  Ecliels'  pastorate  a  church  was 
Iniilt,  at  a  cost  of  !52,00U.  The  trustees  are 
J.  II.  Dickey.  L.  M.  l.yuns,  W.  F.  Waldron 
and  (t.  "\V.  Merritt;  Stewards,  L.  P.  JMyers, 
II.  I).  Dutcher  and  II.  P.  Vedder;  class- 
leader,  II.  P.  Vedder.  A.  J.  Ileaton  is 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  which 
has  seven ty-tive  pupils. 

SOCIKTIKS. 

Ilayyai  Lodge,  No.  36!),  A.  F.  d^  A.  J/., 
was  organized  December  22.  1875.  and  char- 
tered June  t),  187(i.  It  has  thirty-tlircc 
members,  and  meets  on  Saturday  on  or  before 
each  fidl  moon.  Robert  McCreath  is  Wor- 
shipful Master;  S.  C.  Dunkle,  Senior  Warden; 
AV.  E.  Foster,  Junior  Warden;  K.  .V.  Lano-, 
Secretary. 

Cojjestone  Chajjter,  No.    78,    /.'.  A.  J/., 


was  chartei'ed  June  3,  1885,  and  has  now 
forty-seven  members.  It  meets  on  Thursday 
on  or  before  each  full  moon.  D.  ]S'.  Smith  is 
High  Priest;  S.  AY.  Briggs,  Senior  AVarden; 
and  AY.  E.  Foster,  Seci"etary. 

Philo  Lodge,  No.  291,  L.  0.  O.  F.,  has 
thirty-live  members  and  meets  every  Tuesday 
evening.  Officers:  F\  Rust,  Noble  Grand; 
AY.  1).  A^alentine,  A^ice-Grand;  J.  Mavity, 
Secretary;  AA'^.  E.  F^oster,  Treasurer. 

Glldden  L^odge,  No.  27,  Lv.  P.,  was  char- 
tered Noveml>er  22,  1886,  with  twenty  mem- 
bers. There  are  now  thirty-two  members. 
Meetings  are  held  on  Monday  evenings.  J.  C. 
Scott  is  Past  Chancellor;  George  R.  Cloud, 
Chancellor  Commander;  Dr.  J.  J.  Deshler, 
A^ice-Chancellor;  Gilbert  Eaton,  Prelate;  M. 
M.  AVarner,  Master  of  Finance;  AV^illiam  Sex- 
ton, Master  of  Exchequer;  !N.  C.  Browning. 
Keeper  of  Records  and  Seals;  R.  C.  Kyle, 
Master  at  Arms;  Philip  Zimbeck,  Inside 
Guard;  Robert  Gabriel,  Outside  Guard;  J.  C. 
Scott,  Department  Deputy  Grand  Chancellor. 

N.  P.  Wright  Post,  No.  291,  G.  A.  Li., 
was  organized  ]\Iarcli  3,  1884,  with  twenty 
members.  This  number  has  been  since 
increased  to  thirty-tive.  J.  N.  Coulter  was 
comnumder  in  1884  and  1885;  George  Fergu- 
son in  1886.  The  officers  for  1887  are:  J.  O. 
Havens,  Coinmander;  J.  A.  Harris,  Senior 
A'^ice-Commander;  AY.  ¥.  AYaldron,  .Junior 
A'^ice-Commander;  Jesse  Mavity,  Quarter- 
master; AY.  D.  Sherman,  Surgeon;  G.  Eaton, 
(]!ha])lain;  J.  N.  Coulter,  Officer  of  the  Day; 
D.  N.  Smith,  Officer  of  the  Guard.  The  post 
meets  on  Friday  eveniny:  on  or  before  each 


lay 


full 


moon. 


AKCADIA. 


on  the  highest  land  on  the  entire  line  of  the 
Chicago  vt  Korthwestern  Railroad  in  the 
State  of   Iowa,  and   gave  it   the  appropriate 


Isaac  X.  A^oris  laid  out  a  village  in  1872        \ 


'■■■■!■■'■■■■■'' 


TOWNS    AND     VILLAGES. 


705 


name  of  "  Tip-Top."  li.  E.  Carpenter  bought 
the  first  lot  (lot  13,  hlock  13),  and  p\it  up  a 
Imiklincr  in  whieli  he  conducted  a  general 
store  for  two  years.  The  place  is  now  the 
site  of  a  saloon.  The  second  store  was 
erected  in  the  spring  of  1873,  by  Lainpnian 
Bros.  Before  there  was  any  thought  of  a 
villaire,  however,  there  were  in  this  neighbor- 
hood  the  dwellings  of  I.  N.  Voris,  L.  J. 
Lanipson,  S.  W.  Lampson,  William  I'ellvale 
and  John  Benson.  Philip  Ilense  and  llcnry 
Benke  came  in  1873,  and  were  partners  of 
Lampson  Bros.  In  the  fall  came  a  man 
named  Gilger,  and  started  a  grocery  in  the 
southwest  part  of  town,  in  Lampson's  build- 
ing. They  afterward  built  on  Main  street, 
-lames  Carroll  came  in  1871  and  bouglit  the 
dwelling  fornierly  occupied  by  Mr.  Voris, 
who  built  the  house  he  now  occupies.  Mr. 
Voris  suggested  the  name  of  Arcadia,  which 
was  ado]>tcd  in  place  of  "  Tip  Top."  Arcadia 
ac(piired  its  principal  growth  in  the  first  four 
years.  The  census  of  1880  gave  the  village 
426  inhabitants.     In    1885    the    population 

was     4:51:. 

INCOKl'OKATION. 

The  town  of  Arcadia  has  had  a  legal  or- 
ganization since  1881.  D.  J.  McDougall  was 
the  first  mayor.  The  jiresent  ofiicers  (1886- 
'87)  are:  Mayor,  II.  V.  Arfi";  Kecorder,  H. 
Pruter;  Trustees,  D.  II.  Moore,  T.  Koepke, 
P.  Appel,  D.  Erp,  Jr.,  F.  Ilagen  and  C.  II. 
Westbrook;  Marshal,  B.  II.  Bruening;  Street 
Commissioner,  William  liargfriedt;  Treas- 
urer, C.  II.  Westbrook;  Assessor,  Charles 
Lahan. 

I'OSTMASTERS. 

Isaac  N.  Voris  was  the  first  appointee  of 
Uncle  Sam's  inail  service  at  Arcadia,  which 
was  made  a  postotfice  in  1872.  He  has  been 
followed  successfully  by  H.  C.  Newton,  II. 
E.  Carpenter,  J.  M.  Locke,  John  K.  Benson, 


II.  E.  Carpenter  and  C.  II.  Westbrook,  who 
was  appointed  in  1885. 

BUSINESS  DIRECTOKY. 

Arcadia  business  firms  in  December,  1886, 
are : 

II.  Altmans,  Arcadia  Hotel;  Peter  Appel, 
wagon  shop;  E.  D.  Bohr,  barber  shop;  II.  H. 
Book,  hardware;  I).  Bornholdt,  agricultural 
implements;  II.  E.  Carpenter,  hardware;  L. 
R.  Curran,  Bank  of  Arcadia;  C.  A.  Daniels, 
grain;  Erp  Bros.,  general  store;  Claus  Erp, 
lumber:  J.  B.  H.  Feonstra,  drugs;  Mrs.  J. 
B.  II.  Feenstra,  millinery;  Iloch  &  Gabel, 
general  store;  D.  Joyce,  lumber;  C.  Jentsch, 
music  hall;  Peter  Klein,  harness;  Frank 
Koepke,  blacksmith;  Theo.  Lampman,  gen- 
eral store;  D.  J.  McDougall,  grain;  D.  H. 
Moore,  general  store;  A.  Oelkers,  saloon  and 
restaurant;  Peters  A:  Bornholdt,  millinery;  II. 
F.  Radden,  shoes;  Miss  Mary  Eeift",  millinery; 
William  Richards,  n^.eat  market;  Frank  J. 
Rogers,  station  agent;  M.  F.  Sclimalfeldt, 
blacksmith;  C.  II.  Westbrook,  postofiice  and 
drug  store. 

SCHOOL. 

A  school-house  was  built  in  1873,  22  .\  30 
feet,  containing  one  room.  In  1881  exten- 
sive additions  were  made,  so  that  there  are 
now  three  rooms.  As  many  teachers  are  em- 
ployed, those  for  188t)-'87  being  C.  S.  Tarbo.x 
principal;  Miss  E.  II.  Gabel,  intermediate; 
]V[iss  Annie  E.  Reed,  primary.  Tlie  directors 
for  this  year  are:  John  Walsh  (President), 
J.  B.  II.  Feenstra,  C.  A.  Beiterman,  J.  Kles- 
pies,  L.  R.  Curran  and  Frank  Hagen;  George 
Hock  is  Secretary,  and  D.  H.  Moore,  Treas- 
urer. The  enrollment  for  18S5-'86  was  137- 
average  attendance,  84i.  The  aggregate  ex- 
penditure for  school  purposes  are  $2,100. 

,      CHUKCHES. 

Catholic  Church. — The  church  used  liy  the 
Catholics  at  this  place  was  built  in  1874,  by 


^wigbii»i^iir,it».»»M»»,»_«,*jn»«»i»B«m«««M«W|f,UMji,«,«BWHJ 


706 


UISTORT    OP    CARROLL    COUNTY. 


liev.  P'ather  Pape,  then  of  Carroll.  It  is  in 
the  southwest  part  of  the  village  and  cost 
§53.200.  It  is  a  tVanie  structure,  and  will 
scat  t)50.  Father  Urbany  succeeded  Father 
Tape,  and  then  Father  Fcndrich  was  stationed 
at  Arcadia.  After  four  years  residence  here 
removed  to  Carroll,  in  18S6,  to  take  charge 
of  tiie  German  Catholic  church  in  that  city, 
lie  still  conducts  services  at  Arcadia  every 
two  weeks.  The  priests'  residence  is  worth 
s2,tj00,  and  -sHOO  has  been  expended  by 
Father  Fendricli  in  an  addition  to  the  church. 
Zioii's  German  Lutheran  Conyrei/atloti 
was  formed  in  lS7il,  and  worships  in  a  church 
that  cost  !?2,70l).  The  j)resent  pastor  is  Rev. 
C.  II.  Fred.  Hermann,  who  commenced  his 
labors  here  in  April,  1885.  There  are  about 
thirty  voting  members,  but  nearly  twice  as 
many  attend.  Tlie  pastor  conducts  a  paro- 
chial school,  which  is  attended  by  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  pupils.  It  is  proposed 
to  build  a  school-house  in  two  or  three  years. 

SOCIKTIES. 

Tip  To]}  Loihje,  No.  167.,  Iowa  Legion  of 
7/onor,\vsis  organized  in  F'ebruary,  1885, with 
twenty-seven  members.  There  are  now  twen- 
ty-four. ^Meetings  are  held  the  iirst  and 
tliird  Tiiursdays  of  each  month.  Henry  AV. 
Pruter  is  President;  John  Rollins,  A'ice- 
President;  AVilliam  F.  Erp,  Recording 
Secretary;  Dr.  C.  A.  Beiterman,  Financial 
Secretary;  C.    II.  Westbrook,  Treasurer. 

T/ie  Catholic  Mutual  Protective  Societi/ 
was  organized  in  June,  1886,  with  thirteen 
members.  Jacob  Klesbies  is  President; 
Frank  I  lagan.  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

CARROLLTON. 
The  village  of  Carrollton,  for  twelve  years 
the  seat  of  justice  of  Carroll  County,  was 
laid  out  by  Leas  A:  Harsh,  of  Des  Moines, 
who  had  entered  tiie  land.  The  particulars 
H8  to  the  choice  of  this   site  for   the   county 


seat  have  been  given  on  a  previous  page.  It 
is  located  on  the  north  half  of  the  northeast 
(juartcr  of  section  1,  township  82,  range  34, 
and  the  south  half  of  the  southeast  (piarterof 
section  30,  township  83,  range  34.  S.  I^. 
Loomis  built  a  small  house,  and  ojiened  the 
first  store  in  1856.  II.  L.  Youtz  afterward 
bought  it,  and  was  the  Iirst  ])Ostinaster.  In 
a  year  or  two  Lafayette  McCurdy  built  the 
second  store,  and  got  the  postoffice.  Tlie 
tirst  blacksmith  was  Richard  JMcClnnc;  the 
second,  John  Grove.  In  1859  the  lower 
story  of  the  court-house  was  built,  but  not 
painted  or  phistered.  The  place  grew  slowly, 
as  did  the  county,  until  the  building  of  the 
Northwestern  Railroad  in  1807,  and  the 
laying  out  of  Carroll.  October  8,  1807, 
eighty-eight  votes  were  cast  for  removing  the 
county  seat  to  the  new  town  im  tlie  railmad, 
and  thirty  against  removal.  The  records 
were  taken  to  Carroll  in  May,  1808,  and  Car- 
rollton, which  had  at  this  time  perhaps  tifteen 
houses,  steadily  declined  from  that  time. 
The  building  of  Coon  Rapids,  on  the  St. 
Paul  Railroad,  has  taken  away  its  last  hopes 
of  ever  being  a  place  of  importance.  Most 
of  the  houses  have  been  taken  into  the  sur- 
rounding country,  where  they  are  used  for 
stables  or  other  out-houses.  There  are  yet 
remaining  a  store,  postoffice,  blacksmith  shop 
and  a  residence  or  two.  Crockett  Ribble, 
one  of  the  pioneers  and  early  county  officers, 
is  postmaster.     lie  doubtless  thinks — 

"I  feel  like  one  who  treails  aloue  some  banquet 
hall  ileseiled ; 
Whose  lights  iire  lied,  whose  garlands  dead,  and 
all  but  me  departed." 

HKEHA. 

The  Iowa  Railroad  Land  Company  laid 
out  the  village  of  F5reda  in  1877,  mostly  in 
Wheatland  Township.  The  area  is  177  acres. 
William  Arts,  now  of  Carroll,  built  a  ware- 
house and  office,  and  put  in  a  small  stock  of 


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fOWlfS    AND     VILLAGES. 


707 


groceries,  which  were  sold  by  Arts  &  Mane- 
inann.  Clemens  Knobbe  built  a  house  for  a 
store,  but  it  was  used  as  a  saloon.  Fitch  & 
Wade  bought  the  business  of  Arts  &  Mane- 
mann.  Clemens  Bruning  opened  the  first 
general  store.  Breda  has  grown  steadily, 
though  slowly,  and  had  in  1885  278  inhabi- 
tants. There  are  now  three  general  stores, 
kept  by  Richard  Ricke,  Clemens  Bruning 
and  Kempker  &  Bruning;  two  hardware 
stores,  kept  by  Ricke  &  Scat  and  IT.  J.  Gnam ; 
one  drug  store,  kept  by  Jones  &  Albertson, 
and  a  Catholic  church,  built  in  1878. 


OTHER  VII,L.\GES. 

Templeton  and  Dedham  are  enterprising 
young  villages  that  have  sprung  up  on  the 
line  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
Railroad,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  coixnty. 
Halbur  is  a  station  on  the  Iowa  Southwestern 
Railroad,  between  Carroll  and  Manning. 
Charles  Walterscheit  has  a  general  store  and 
the  postoffice;  A.  Hoelker  has  a  general 
store,  and  John  Barks  a  hardware  store. 
Mount  Carmel  is  a  village  in  Kniest  Town- 
ship, having  a  Catholic  clnircli  and  a  good 
store. 


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