USA > Iowa > Monroe County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 1
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL
HISTORY
OF
APPANOOSE AND MONROE
COUNTIES, IOWA.
Compiled under the Editorial Supervision of S. THOMPSON LEWIS.
ILLUSTRATED.
NEW YORK CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1903
4 5.
300564
TLDEN F. ADATI R 1903
INDEX.
Abegglen, John, 621. Adams, Hugh Q., 573. Ankrom, Eli., 138.
Bailey, A. J. G., 154. Bain, Alexander, 239. Baird, Asa, 149. Baird. Asa S .. 96. Baker, Henry H., 431. Ball, Joseph D .. 147. Barkley, James R., 203.
Barrows, James C., 323.
Bartram, Robert T., 171.
Bashaw, Joseph W., 413. Bell, Samuel N., 581. Bernard, William, 252. Billings, Levi, 108. Bland, Joseph, 438. Boardman, John S., 362. Boggs, Clendennen, 242.
Bridal, John G., 315. Brockus, Thomas S., 184.
Brothers, William, 572. Brower, Chancellor J., 434.
Calhoun, James A., 576. Calhoun, W. F., 378. Callen, W. A., 604. Carhartt, John E., 278. Carlton, Lawson B., 122.
Casady, Andrew J., 288. Castner, Bertrand P., 183. Castner, James M., 346. Cate, H. C., 77.
Chamberlain, John, 344. Chidester, Emery, 566. Chidester, H. M., 99. Chidester, Samuel F., 103. Chisman, Luther, 544. Clark, John R., 578.
Clark, O. S., 593.
Claver, James W., 255.
Clawson, Charles, 590. Cleveland, J. D., 600. Condra, Jacob, 591. Coulson, R. S., 367. Cox, Daniel M., 28.
Cramer, George P., 284.
Crawshaw, Adam, 614. Creech, James M., 50. Crist, John G., 444. Cummins, Rufus E., 547.
Daniels, Warren T., 26.
Daniels, William, 187. Darby, William B., 34. Davis, Ralplı M., 531. Davis, William P., 412. Dean, George W., 135. DeRoss, Conrad, 105. Dinning, David, 474.
Dinning, Robert W., 498.
Doggett, J. R., 370. Donegan, Wesley, 194. Doner, John, 328. Downing, William L., 186. Drake, Francis M., 11. Drury, James, 83.
6
INDEX,
Edwards. Matison S., 325. Edwards, William, 333. Egbert, A. J., 22. Elder, Samuel. 2.46.
Elledge. Edward K., 214. Elliott, George C., 395.
Ellis, William M., 470. Eschbach, H. C., 167. Everett, Fred D., 172.
Fee. Thomas M., 40. Forrest, C. M., 229.
Forsyth, Robert C., 471. Foster, Thomas, 248. Fowler. Immer. 503.
Gault, Edward J., 398. Gault, Henry, 407. Gilbert, J. W., 162. Ghek, Daniel, 373. Goss, Joseph. 62. Gray, William H., 216. Greenly. Emanuel B., 60.
Hagan, James, 453. Hakes, Carrie A., 478. Halden, J. W., 166. llammond, Henry J., 510. Harbold, Lincoln, 244. Hardenbrook, William K., 313.
Haynes. E. C., 409. llazlewood. George C., 558. llibbs, James, 360. Hickenlooper, Harrison, 158. Hickenlooper. Thomas, 181. Hickman, Solomon G., 32. Hilton, Albert. 290. Hinote. John A., 208. Hixson, Samuel, 462. Hoagland, James S., 509. Hoffman, Sanford. 130. Holbrook, Solomon, 429. Holsteine, James A., 92. Hoover. Charles G., 169. Hough, Thomas W., 30.
Huston, William, 151. Hynes, P. H., 338.
Jackson, Calvin R., 454. James, C. S., 212. James, Stephen, 212. Jennings, Edward T., 445. Johnson, Robert K., 72. Jones, Jerry, 145.
Kendall, N. E .. 521.
Kenworthy, David W., 66.
Kenworthy, D. C., 541.
Killion, Thomas W .. 568. King, S. M., 517.
Kingsberry, Robert, 448.
Kingsbury, Armilda J., 446.
Kinser, W. D., 75.
Kirchman, Herman L., 387.
Kirchman, William, 387.
Knapp. Melvin, 512.
Knapp, W. A., 164.
Knowels, John, 354.
Lathan, W. J., 119. Law, (). H., 392. Lawton, Obadiah, 436.
Leseney, James V., 506. Lewis, Clarence W., 456.
Long. Jacob G., 125. Luse, Jackson, 132.
Marine, Joseph, 598.
Marshall. "Charles M .. 534. Martin, David J., 176. Mason, Allen A., 516. Mason, C. V., 156.
May, John H., 67. MeCloud, George W., 464. McCloud, Nathaniel, 349. McCormick, George C., 594. McDonald, John C., 418. McDonald, Thomas B., 342. MeDonald, Wilber S., 425.
7
INDEX.
McDonald, William B., 494. McElhaney. Joseph C., 358. McFall, John N., 321. McFarland, John, 390. McKeehan, George W., 502. McKim, John D., 58. Mercer, William, 267. Miller, Amos F., 253. Miller. B. G., 47. Miller, Henry, 24. Mitchell, Albert, 500. Mitchell, Hance, 499. Moss. John A., 142. Moss, John W., 227.
Newell, Samuel A., 282. Noble, Edgar M., 522. Noble, Ira, 257.
Oehler, Paul C .. 90.
Parker. Livingston G., 582. Parks, James F .. 397. Patton, Thomas S., 280. Payne, Frank S .. 389. Peatman, William M., 144.
Pence, Francis S., 204. Peppers, Lemont A., 561. Phillips, H. H., 224. Phillips, John C., 540. Porter, Claude R .. 366.
Porter, George D., 365.
Potts, Asbury W., 44. Powers, Henry P., 201.
Price, John R., 519. Printz, Edward T., 274. Probasco, Emery M., 411. Pugh, David, 459. Pulliam, George T., 538. Pulliam, Thomas, 619.
Ralston, John, 615. Reich, The Family, 199.
Richardson. A. J., 483. Richardson, Fares, 112. Richmond, Leviticus T., 523. Richmond, Samuel. 536. Roberts, Nathan, 69. Robertson, Joseph H., 524.
Robeson, J. C., 520. Robinson, George W., 86.
Sawyers, C. E .. 605.
Sawyers, John L., 415.
Sayres, Arlington M., 493.
Sayres, Oscar H., 492. Sayres. William, 489.
Scott, Albert R., 484.
Scott, David H., 310. Seddon, James A .. 466.
Sellers. Moses Y., 336.
Shahan, John W., 562.
Sholly, Jacob, 237.
Sinclair. Archibald. 127.
Smith, William, 94. Snodgrass. Jesse, 270. Snow, Herman, 550. Spencer, R. A., 602.
Spencer, Wellington, 511.
Stark, David T., 298.
Stauber, Charles, 307.
Steel, David. 588. Stephens, William, 53.
Stevens, James H., 479.
Stevenson, Blair, 383.
Stevenson, Charles H., 606.
Stevenson, William 11., 426.
Stickney, William C., 174.
Stone, James L .. 451. Stone, John J .. 487.
Streepy, George W .. 526.
Sturdivant, John M., 424.
Sturdivant, John M., 440. Sutcliffe, John S., 612.
Sutton, Jonas. 384.
Swan, Jesse A., 461.
Swarts, C. V., 193. Swarts, William F., 191.
INDEX.
Taylor, Lewis L., 220. Taylor. William J .. 190. Taylor, W. Parker. 320. Trimble. Isaac N., 556. Tucker, A. E., 80. Tuttle, Robert W., 295. Tyrrel, Sidney F., 117.
Vanpelt. J. N., 530. Vermilion. C. W .. 57. Vermilion, William F .. 56.
Waile -. James W .. 37.
WVailes, Josiah S., 486. Wakefield. Elizabeth, 449. Wallace, Thomas, 340. Watson, Alexander C., 261. Watson. Jamies K., 273. Wells. Francis M., 437. White, James A., 18.
Wilcox. William, 617. Wilkinson, Hugh E., 376.
Wilson, James, 403.
Wilson, James M., 405. Wilson, John G., 302. Wolfinger, James. 468. Wright. Henry H., 393-
¥
N
FRANCIS M. DRAKE.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
OF
APPANOOSE AND MONROE COUNTIES, IOWA.
FRANCIS MARION DRAKE.
It is a great truth that some must follow and some command. But the pages of history must ever be filled with the achievements and char- acter of those who command, who are able to direct the power of the hosts and bring victory to the cause of progress. And it is here fitting, in a work purporting to give an account of the lives of those who have aided in making the state of Iowa one of the banner states of the Union, to give a prominent place to the life and career of ex-Governor Drake. No fulsome tributes of praise will be here attempted, and none are needed; his deeds speak for themselves. As a business man, as a soldier, as a statesman, as the highest executive officer of his state, as the founder of a great university, and, above all, as the exponent of true, noble Christian manhood, he deserves to take rank among the leaders of men and makers of history.
Going back to the early forefathers of the subject of this biog- raphy, we find that the great-grandfather was James Drake, a native of the colony of Virginia, who afterwards settled in Swift Creek, Nash
2
12
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
county, North Carolina, where he accumulated a large amount of prop- erty, and died in the year 1790. He was the father of Benjamin, who married Celia Thayer and became the parent of John Adams Drake. John Adams Drake was born on the homestead which his grandfather had established in North Carolina, on October 21, 1802. He was one of eight children, of English ancestry, and early manifested his heri- tage of noble ancestral qualities. After receiving a fair education in the primitive school of the time and growing up to manhood under the care of his excellent parents, he married, on June 12, 1826, Harriet Jane O'Neal, a native of Franklin county, that state, and the daughter of sturdy Irish parents; fourteen children were born of this union. In 1829 they left the Old North state and moved to Wilson county, Tennessee, and in October, 1830, became pioneer settlers of Rushville, Illinois. In this latter place he engaged in mercantile pursuits and prospered. In 1837 the family moved to Fort Madison, which was then in the territory of Wisconsin, as the territory of Iowa had not yet been organized. Here he resided nine years, and during nearly all the time held the office of justice of the peace and county probate judge. In March, 1846, he took up his residence in Davis county, Iowa, where he founded the town of Drakeville, and later engaged in agricultural pursuits; he also established a bank in Drakeville, which he conducted for several years. He was then induced by his son, the subject of this sketch, to move to Centerville and become the president of the Appa- noose County State Bank, which the latter had organized there, and for the last few years of his life he held this position. His long and useful life came to an end in 1880, and five years later his wife passed away. Their wedded life covered a period of nearly fifty-four years and was one of happiness and fruitfulness. They were earnest and consistent
13
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
members of the Christian church. He was a pioneer in the history of that church body and was a personal friend of Alexander Campbell.
With such a parental heritage and in such surroundings was the son Francis Marion reared. He was early taught the lessons of moral worth and integrity and industry and Christian duty which have char- acterized his whole life. Born in the village of Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, December 30, 1830, he received such education as could be obtained in the public schools of Fort Madison and Drakeville, ob- taining the greater portion at the former place. Caught by the "gold fever" of the early fifties, he organized a train to cross the plains to the new Eldorado. In the company were six wagons, each drawn by six oxen, and sixteen men and one boy. They crossed the Missouri river at Council Bluffs on May 1, 1852, and at Horseshoe Bend, near the Platte river, they were attacked by about three hundred Pawnee Indians. In the conflict young Drake singled out the chief of the band and killed him with a blow of his musket, which so demoralized the rest that they retreated, leaving nine of their number dead on the field. On reaching Sacramento, Mr. Drake engaged in the stock business, but the next year returned to the States by sea. In 1854 he set out across the plains with a drove of one hundred milch cows and arrived at his desti- nation with ninety-seven of them. On the return trip he took passage on the Yankee Blade, and the vessel was wrecked off Point Aquilla, Mexico, resulting in the loss of eight hundred lives. Securing a small boat, Mr. Drake made two trips to the shore with fellow passengers. On the last trip he was in some way thrown into the sea and was at first refused passage in the crowded boat, but, on being recognized as the one who had furnished the boat, he was taken on board, half dead from exhaustion and struggling with the waves. For several days
14
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
the survivors crouched on the barren shore, living on raw meat, but were finally rescued by the steamer Goliah and carried to San Francisco. From here he took passage on the Golden Gate, and another chapter of adventure was added to his eventful history. A fire broke out in the kitchen of the vessel, but by the prompt action of Mr. Drake was extinguished without permitting the alarm to be spread to the rest of the ship, thus averting what might have been a disastrous panic. Upon his return to Iowa he engaged in business with his father and brothers at Drakeville, and in 1859 removed to Unionville, Appanoose county, where he went into the mercantile business.
When the Civil war cloud broke and threatened all interests, Mr. Drake raised a company for the Second Iowa Infantry, but was too late. As the company had been furnished with arms, however, he con- tinued to drill it during the summer, and in the fall of 1861, when the Confederate General Patton drove a regiment of loyal Union troops out of Missouri and threatened lower Iowa, Captain Drake's company was made part of an independent regiment, of which John Edwards, then speaker of the House of Representatives of Iowa, was made colonel. After being made major, Mr. Drake started for Albany and drove General Patton across the Platte river near St. Joseph, Missouri, but was hindered from further pursuit by the burning of the bridge. Major Drake then reported to General Prentiss, who placed him in command of the garrison at St. Joseph, which consisted of half of his own regiment, some Kansas cavalry and a battalion of Ohio infantry. After the fall of Lexington Price's army advanced westward, but was met with such vigorous resistance from Major Drake, who had antici- pated an attack on St. Joseph and had gone forth to meet him, that he believed there was a large Union force in the neighborhood and
15
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
withdrew. Returning home, the Major was not in active service until August of 1862, when he was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, four companies of which regiment were raised in Appanoose county. He served in the Army of the Tennessee and later with the troops in Arkansas. At the battle of Elkin's Ford in April, 1864, he commanded a detachment of three companies of his own regiment, three of an Indiana regiment, four of the First Iowa Cavalry and two pieces of light artillery, and repulsed and inflicted fearful slaughter upon Marmaduke's division, three thousand strong. A few weeks later, with a brigade consisting of three regiments of twelve hundred men and two sections of a battery, he fought at Mark's Mills a force of six times that number, commanded by Fagan. From early morn till noon the conflict went on, and at last the Union forces were compelled to surrender. Lieutenant Colonel Drake was severely and, it was supposed, mortally wounded, and was left on the field by the enemy. As the enemy believed he would not recover, he was paroled, and six months later rejoined his regiment, although he was compelled to use crutches. Before leaving the service he was honored with the brevet commission of brigadier general.
A short time after the close of the war Mr. Drake entered upon the practice of law at Centerville, Iowa, and continued it with very gratifying success ' for several years. With his progressive business insight, he realized the necessity for railroads to develop the resources of the country, and, organizing a company, he built what is now the Keokuk and Western from Keokuk, Iowa, via Alexandria, Missouri, to Centerville, in 1872, and in 1880 extended the line to Van Wert. He also built the Albia and Centerville road, several branches of the Iowa Central, and the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, familiarly known as the
16
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
"Three I" road. Of the latter he remained president until 1898, when he sold his interest and retired. Not only in his railroad enterprises but in everything he has undertaken Mr. Drake has met with unqualified success. He is president of the Centerville National Bank, the First National Bank and the Farmers' and Miners' Savings Bank of Albia. Iowa. He still retains the presidency of the Centerville and Albia Railroad, which, however, does not operate its road, but leases it to another company.
In public life Mr. Drake has a brilliant record, and he has con- ducted the affairs of state with the same fearlessness and integrity that have characterized his other actions. In 1893 he was persuaded to go before the Republican state convention as a candidate for nomination to the office of governor. He was not nominated, but two years later the convention tendered him the nomination, and in the fall of 1895 he was elected by a large majority. He entered upon the duties of that office in January, 1896, and discharged them in a manner consistent with his high character and independence. Soon after his entrance to the office a report was presented to the general assembly from a com- mission which had been appointed to revise the state laws. Upon due consideration, it appeared that the regular session of the legislature did not afford a favorable opportunity for the revision, and, upon his sug- gestion, which was approved by a majority of both houses, Governor Drake called a special session of the assembly to revise the state statutes. This he did in the face of considerable opposition, but he remained firm in his convictions. The superior code of laws adopted and put in operation gave general satisfaction to the people and fully justified his decisive action. Governor Drake also tried, unsuccessfully, to intro- duce the wise and businesslike practice of insuring the public property
17
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
of the state. Since then the heavy losses caused by fire in the public buildings have amply justified his policy. His was throughout a busi- ness administration, and it is now so appreciated by the people. In the summer of 1897 Mr. Drake sustained a severe injury from a fall, which threatened to open anew his old battle wounds, and this, together with a chronic ailment which had impaired his health for years, deter- mined him to lay down the duties of his high office and care for his failing strength. He accordingly declined to be his party's candidate for a second term, and retired from office in January, 1898. He first presented to the assembly, as was his duty, an able and exhaustive mes- sage, which was marked for its many statesmanlike recommendations as to the affairs of the state.
After retiring from the office of governor, Mr. Drake returned to his home in Centerville, and has since lived in the quiet and restful- ness of private life, surrounded by his loving family and by his hosts of devoted friends. His marriage had occurred in 1855 to Mary Jane Lord, and six children have been reared by them to manhood and womanhood: Frank Ellsworth, of Chicago; John Adams, of Chicago; Amelia, now Mrs. Theodore P. Shouts, of Chicago; Eva, who is Mrs. Henry Goss, of Centerville; Jennie, the wife of John L. Sawyers, of Centerville; and Mary, Mrs. George W. Sturdivant, of Centerville.
Of late years Mr. Drake has devoted much of his time and means to the promotion of the cause of education and the upbuilding of insti- tutions of learning. He is especially interested in the university at Des Moines which bears his name, of which he was the founder and its nost liberal supporter. He has also been very generous in his con- tributions to other schools and churches. He has done much to build up the Christian denomination, although he is liberal in his donations
18
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
to other faiths. Only recently he was most generous in his gifts for the erection of a beautiful edifice of his denomination in Centerville, and it was through his munificence that the Drake Free Public Library was built in Centerville, an imposing and modern structure, which is an ornament to the city.
Such is a very brief outline of the life of a soldier, statesman and public-spirited citizen, who does not need the annals of history to record his good works, for his deeds have found a permanent abiding place in the memories of those whom he has helped by his example, influence and efforts to higher and nobler living.
JAMES A. WHITE.
Among the well and favorably known men of Iowa is J. A. White, tourist, lecturer and successful financier, of Centerville. Mr. White comes of an honorable and respected ancestry. His paternal grand- father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, in which he distinguished himself as a brave and gallant fighter for the cause of independence. He was residing in Indiana when he was called away by the summons of death, being ninety-two years of age. The parents of our subject were John and Jane ( Pearman) White, who were born in Kentucky, but were taken at an early age by their parents to Indiana, who settled in Vermilion county, in the valley of the Wabash. For twelve years after their marriage they resided in that state, but in 1849 removed to Iowa and settled near Centerville. Ilere the father continued in agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he had passed the sixtieth milestone of life's journey. The mother still lives, being in her eighty-third year, and resides in Moulton. Early in life they
JAMES A. WHITE.
.
21
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
both joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in that faith they lived and reared their eleven children, six of whom are now deceased.
James A. White was born in a primitive log house on a farm in the vicinity of Centerville, on December 30, 1849. The fact that it was the year of the discovery of gold in California is the little superstition Mr. White allows himself to believe to account for his success in finance. He was reared on the farm and there learned the lessons of industry, perseverance and integrity that have marked his career. His education was obtained in the common schools, but he later in life attended the Oskaloosa (Iowa) Commercial College, graduating in 1879. In 1870 he married Miss Elzina Wood, a native of Iowa and a lady of accomplishment and culture. Immediately after his marriage he settled on a farm and for nine years was engaged in this pursuit with gratifying success. But his business qualifications prompted him to turn from the farm to the more active career of business. Disposing of his personal property, he first removed to Corydon, Iowa, where he engaged in banking and real estate for eight years, and in 1887 came to Centerville in order to get into a large trade center. Here he has met with unqualified success. He is the owner of considerable and valuable real estate in the city and in Appanoose and Wayne counties and in the state of Kansas. He has constructed several excellent busi- ness blocks in the city, which stand as a monument to his thrift and ability. As a financier he stands second to none, and his reputation has extended far beyond the borders of his county, and he is rated as one of the ablest business men in the community. In the study of his busi- ness career it is evident that his success has been the result of doing one thing at a time and persevering in this until it was accomplished. He is fair and just in his dealings, and, though exacting, he is reasonable
3
22
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
in his practices, being liberal in his compensation of labor. Mr. White is possessed of a studious and analytical mind; he has traveled exten- sively in the United States, Canada, British Columbia, Cuba and Old Mexico, and he has delivered several interesting and well received lectures relative to his travels. He now has in contemplation a trip through Europe.
In the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church Mr. White was reared, and his religious practices indicate that with the lapse of time he grows stronger in the faith, and, while he has accomplished much in life, he is not unmindful that to a Higher Being belongs the credit for his achievements. In matters political he has always been a stanch Republican. In 1896 he was a prominent candidate for the nomination to the high office of governor of the state, and has since been frequently mentioned as an available candidate for that place. It is generally recognized that, were he elected to the executive chair, he would admin- ister the affairs of state along progressive business lines and with the same skill that he has manifested in his own affairs. Fraternally Mr. White is prominent in the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias orders; in the latter he has held various offices in both the local and grand lodges. Ile is respected and esteemed as a citizen of pro- gressiveness and enterprise in matters of city, county and state, and he numbers many in his list of friends.
A. J. EGBERT.
Monroe county, Iowa, has many estimable citizens within her borders, and among those who deserve some particular mention in the history of that county is A. J. Egbert, an old settler and prominent
23
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY.
farmer of Jackson township. His father, Uriah Egbert, was born in the State of New Jersey, and his mother, Susan (Williams) Egbert, was a native of Pennsylvania. The parents of Uriah brought him to Pennsylvania when he was a child, and in that state he grew up and was married. He and his wife moved to Ohio and remained there the rest of their lives. They became the parents of thirteen children : Mary, Jeremiah, John, Sarah, Thomas, Eliza, Nancy, Jacob, Jesse, A. J., Susan, Percilla and Urialı. This large family and its descend- ants are now living in different parts of the Union, filling many posi- tions in the various walks of life.
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