USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 41
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 41
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conquering the wilderness, making it habit- able for the white race and was a loyal sol- dier in the war of 1812. The histories of Ohio have much to say concerning General Kenton's capture by the Indians, his daring exploit in escaping by running the gauntlet and of his numerous other deeds of bravery. He had the faculty of making friends with the Indians and on one occasion defended them against an attack of the white people of Urbana, Ohio, in which town he was then living. By his foresight in this matter he saved the white settlers from massacre by the red men, for the revengeful spirit of the Indians would have led to a massacre in the natural course of events if the white men had been allowed to carry out their designs against the red race. General Kenton died in 1836, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Some of the oldest residents of Ur- bana still remember him as one of the brav- est soldiers of the times. The Kentons lived in Kentucky throughout the stirring scenes connected with the establishment of the first settlements of the white race there, and em- igrated from Kentucky to Ohio in the year ISor. In this state they encountered sim- ilar experiences, and the work which they did in carrying civilization forward into the wilds of the west cannot be estimated, but humanity certainly owes them a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.
The Bayles family was also prominent as pioneer settlers. David Bayles, the ma. ternal great-grandfather of our subject, was born in England and died in Ohio. in 1836, at the age of seventy-five years. His people settled originally in Virginia. William Bayles, a cousin of Mrs. Mickelwait. was killed at the battle of Buena Vista in the Mexican war. Two of her brothers were
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soldiers in the Civil war, loyally defending their country at the time when the Union was threatened by the rebellion of the south. One of these is Mason Bayles, now a resi- dent of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and the other is Jesse W. Bayles, who makes his home in California. Mrs. Mickelwait is still living at the old homestead in Mills county, at the age of seventy-three years, and is a very in- teresting woman, conversing entertainingly upon many events connected with pioneer life in the states where she has resided. She had three children : Wilbur W., of this re- view ; Mrs. Lizzie M. Coates, of Mills county, and James M., living in El Paso, Texas.
Mr. Mickelwait, whose name introduces this record, has spent his entire life on the old family homestead and early became fa- miliar with the labors of the farm in its vari- ous departments. He is practical and pro- gressive in his farming methods and is a wide-awake, enterprising business man, con- ducting one of the largest and finest farms in the entire state. Every thing about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, bear- ing testimony of his careful supervision. The fields are highly cultivated and he makes a specialty of the raising of highbred cattle and hogs. He is also extensively engaged in dairying, and in both branches of his busi- ness is meeting with success, owing to his well directed efforts, sound business judg- and honorable dealing. At Omaha at the the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898, he received a diploma and bronze medal for scoring over ninety-five points in butter- making. He is also the vice-president of the State Bank at Tabor, Iowa, and a di- ! rector in the State Bank at Macedonia.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Mickelwait and presides with graceful hos-
pitality over their pleasant home, was in her maidenhood Miss May Pitzer. £
She was born in Nebraska, in 1867. They have four children : Nellie B., Mabel C., Claude B. and Edna. The parents hold membership in the Hillsdale Methodist church, contributing lib- erally to its support, and take an active part in its work. Mr. Mickelwait is a Prohibi- tionist in politics and is now serving as a school director, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. His co-opera- tion is heartily given to every movement calculated to prove a benefit along material, social, intellectual and moral lines, and he is justly numbered among the most valued and respected citizens of the community.
1
WINFIELD S. GREENWOOD.
Throughout his life Winfield S. Green- wood has resided in Fremont county and represents one of the pioneer families. Peo- ple of the twentieth century can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which at- tended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured. the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to 11s. To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and conven- iences of city or town, the struggle for exist- ence was a stern and hard one, and these men and women must have possessed in- domitable energies and sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical cour- age, when they thus voluntarily selected such a life and successfully fought its battles un- der such circumstances as prevailed in the northwest.
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BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Greenwood is numbered among the representatives of the agricultural interests of Fremont county, takes an active interest in public affairs and ranks among the lead- ing and influential citizens of this portion of the state. Ilis fellow townsmen have indi- cated their confidence and trust reposed in him by electing him county commissioner, and to those who are familiar with his up- right life it is needless to say that his duties have been performed in a capable and effi- cient manner. He was born in this county October 29, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Eliza (Brubaker ) Greenwood, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were married. Afterward they removed to Missouri, locating in Da- viess county, that state, in 1843. While a resident there the father engaged in freight- ing across the plains to Fort Kearney, and about 1846 he brought his family to Fre- mont county, being one of the first settlers in this portion of the state. He entered a claim from the government, and as soon as the land was placed on the market he im- proved a farm near the town of Thurman, and also did some freighting after coming to Iowa, but ultimately put aside all busi- ness cares in order that he might devote his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. As a citizen he was recognized as one who ex- erted a strong influence for good in public affairs. For a number of years he filled the office of county judge when much of the business of the county devolved upon that official. He was a school-teacher and also examined other teachers. In politics he was a Whig, supporting the party until its disso- lution when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He gave earnest con- sideration to every question which came up
for settlement, keeping well informed on the issues of the day. Broad-minded and ener getic, he was well fitted for leadership and left the impress of his individuality on the development and improvement of the coun- ty. When he first came to lowa Indians were still numerous in this portion of the state, game was very plentiful and wild beasts roamed over the country. The pio- neers had to go long distances to mill and sometimes had to substitute potatoes and hominy for bread. Marketing was done on the Missouri river and hogs were taken to St. Joseph and Council Bluffs for sale, but emigrants consumed much of the products that were raised in this locality. The early settlers experienced all of the hardships and trials of frontier life, but uncomplainingly bore them all in order to secure a good home. Mr. Greenwood was particularly helpful to the new comers, giving them information concerning land values and favorable loca- tions. Ilis home was often opened as a place of entertainment for those who vis- ited the neighborhood and the honscholl was ever celebrated for its gracious hospital- ity. Mr. Greenwood commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow citizen- in an unusual degree and was very widely known thoughout the western portion of the state. Both he and his wife were consisteat mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and their Christian principles permeated their lives and prompted their kindly treatment of their fellow men. Mr. Greenwood remained upon the old homestead until his death, which oc- curred in 1885, but his wife survived him until 1894. When he passed away he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land and for many years he had been enabled to surround his family with
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many comforts, which he secured through his honest and indefatigable labor.
The children born unto this worthy couple were as follows : John, who was ac- cidentally shot; Clarinda, who became Mrs. George B. Leggett ; William, who died while serving his country in the Civil war as a member of the First Nebraska Regiment ; Joseph, who was a member of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and after his discharge, on account of disability, returned to his home, and soon after died; W. S., of this review ; Walter, a merchant who died in Kansas City, leaving a wife and one son; and Thomas, who died, leaving one daughter, his wife having preceded him to the invisible world.
Winfield S. Greenwood was born and reared in Fremont county and thus far has always lived within its borders. He re- mained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and at the age of twenty-three years he was married and be- gan farming on his own account. He has since resided on one or two other farms and in 1882 removed to his present place of resi- dence. At that time it had a log house upon it. but he has since erected a commodious two-story frame residence and made other substantial improvements, planted an or- chard, set out a grove of ornamental and forest trees and now has a beautiful place of four hundred and twenty acres lying in the valley of the Nishnabotna river. It is a most desirable property, the fields being un- der a high state of cultivation. while in the pastures are seen fine grades of stock. At an early day he fed cattle on quite an ex- tensive scale, but has since abandoned that part of his work.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs.
Greenwood was in her maidenhood Miss Flora J. Holloway, a representative of an honored pioneer family of Iowa. She was born February 14. 1850, in Holt county, Missouri, a daughter of William J. and Elizabeth (Allison) Holloway, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Vir- ginia. They became pioneers of Fremont county, Iowa, where the father entered and improved a large tract of land, becoming an extensive farmer and stock-feeder, being a leader in that line in an early day. He was widely recognized as a most prominent busi- ness man of the county and when engaged in shipping stock to Chicago he was killed by the cars near Ottumwa, Iowa, about 1881. His ability as a financier and his capable management brought to him a high degree of success, while in trade circles he sustained an unassailable reputation by rea- son of his well-known honesty. He never wavered in his support of the Republican party and its principles, yet never sought office. After the death of his first wife he again married. The children by the first union were: Mrs. Greenwood ; John M., Jo- seph W. and Humphrey N., who followed farming: Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts; and Thomas S. and Elmer, who are also well- known agriculturists. For his second wife Mr. Holloway married Mrs. Hoop, a widow. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy, while the other is Charles, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood have had five children : William, who died at the age of twenty-six years ; Raymond E. ; May, the wife of F. Woodard; and Clara and Bessie, who are at home.
In his political views Mr. Greenwood has always been a supporter of the Republican party and takes an active interest in the
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growth and success of his party, yet has been modest in his demands for official honors. Unsolicited he received the nomination for county commissioner, and to that office is again elected for the second time, while .t this writing he is serving as chairman of the board. He lives in a strong Democratic county and his election is all the more flat- tering as it indicates unmistakably his abil- ity and the confidence and regard accorded him by his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM HALL.
William Hall, whose record as a brave and gallant soldier is equaled by his credita- ble career as a citizen and business man, has been a resident of Fremont county for the past thirty years. He is a native of Eng- land, having been born in Northamptonshire, on the 4th of July, 1839. His father, Luke Hall, was born March 16, 1818, in the same county, and when he had attained adult age he wedded Miss Mary Ann Barrett, who also was born in the same locality, representing a good family there. She died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving one son, William, whose name introduces this record. He was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his father on the voyage across the Atlantic to the new world. They took passage at Liverpool on a sailing vessel, and after a stormy voyage of six weeks arrived at New York, the year of the cholera epidemic. They then removed to the Mississippi valley, set- tling in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, where the father secured employment of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany, working on the road from Aurora to Mendota. Subsequently he went to Bristol, Illinois, and afterward came to Iowa, where
he was employed on the Burlington road, being in the service of the railroad company for twenty-five years. Through a considera- ble period he resided in Lancaster county, Nebraska, engaged in farming. In 1892 hie came to Fremont county to make his home with his son William, and with him resided until 1896, when he was called to his final rest. He was very industrious, energetic, resolute and honest. His political support was given the Republican party, in religious belief he was connected with the Church of England, and socially he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Having spent the first thirteen years of his life in the land of his birth William Hall then came to the new world with his father. He had attended school in England, and after reaching this country he began earning his own livelihood in the service of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany. During the Civil war he responded to President Lincoln's call for aid. enlisting on the 15th of November, 1861, under the command of Colonel H. T. Reid, who was wounded at Shiloh, and was then succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Dewey. Mr. Hall participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and the Meridian raid, and was honorably discharged Decem- ber 31, 1863, after which he veteranized and was under the command of General Sher- man. During his second term of enlistment he was in the battles of Resaca, New Hope Church and Burnt Hickory. He drove a government team from Atlanta to Savannah, and at length took passage on a vessel to Beaufort, South Carolina, thence he went to Pocotalico, Columbia, Raleigh, North Caro- lina, Richmond and thence to Washington, D. C., where he participated in the grand
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review. He was honorably discharged July 24, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and was paid off at Davenport, Iowa.
Mr. Hall then returned to Des Moines county, lowa, and was employed for three years as a farmer in that county, thence went to Henry county, Iowa, where he was em- ployed on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1870 he came to Farragut, in the employ of that road as section foreman, with which he was connected until 1887, when he removed to his present farm, com- prising eighty acres of good land. It has since been his home and gives evidence in its thrifty appearance of the care and supervis- ion which he bestows upon it. The fields are kept in good condition and everything about the place is attractive by reason of the orderly condition and excellent business methods which are followed.
On the 30thi of January, 1866, in Des Moines county, Iowa, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Theressa A. Denny, who has been to him a good wife and faithful companion on life's journey. She was born in Washington county, Indiana, September 7, 1844, and was reared in that state. Her father died in Indiana, but her mother de- parted this life in Henry county, Iowa. Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hall, namely : Fanny Ellen, now the wife of P. Greenlee, of Holt county, Missouri; Will- iam Luke, of Crete, Nebraska; Robert J., who is living in Kansas; George W., also a resident of Holt county, Missouri; Charles F., who died at the age of two years; and Rachel E., who completes the family. Mrs. Hall is a member of the Christian church and Mr Hall belongs to Ransom Post, No. 379, G. A. R., at Farragut, taking a very ac- tive part in its work and serving for some
time as the officer of the day. He is a pop- ular man by reason of his genial manner and pleasant address, combined with the utmost reliability.
DANIEL C. MUFFLEY.
Daniel C. Muffley, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Mills county, was born on the 3d of February, 1850, in De- ' kalb county, Missouri, his parents being George Muffley, who was a native of Penn- sylvania, and Mary Ann (nce Laymon), who was a native of Kentucky. The family is of German lineage and is noted for lon- gevity. The maternal grandmother died at the age of one hundred and six years in Buchanan county, Missouri. Mrs. Laymon, the maternal grandmother, and Mrs. Muf- fley, the paternal grandmother, both died on the same day. George Muffley, the father of our subject, removed from Buchanan coun- ty, Missouri, in 1849, and the following year took up his abode in Daviess county. He was a cooper and wagon-maker by trade, following those pursuits throughout the greater part of his life. He died in March, 1855, at the age of forty years, and his wife passed away in Mills county, in 1873, at the age of fifty years having made her home with her son Daniel, after her husband's death. They were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth. His brother, Joseph Mad- ison Muffley, was a soldier in the Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, was taken prisoner and died four days after his capture.
Mr. Muffley, whose name forms the caption of this article, started out in life for himself at an early age and has since been
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BIOGR. IPHIC.IL HISTORY.
dependent upon his own resources for a living. Ile came to Mills county in the fall of 1868 and for about four years was a resident of Center township. Hle then went to the l'acific coast, resided for about four years in Oregon and then again became a resident of Center township in 1879. On the 14th of March of the following year he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Wright, a daughter of Alexander Wright. a native of Ohio. Five children have been born unto them-George D., Joseph E .. Effie May, John and Frank.
In 1880 Mr. Muffley removed to John- son county, Nebraska, but the same year re- turned to Center township, and on the 11th of March, 1882, became a resident of Raules township. After two years he removed to Pottawattamie county. Iowa. Three years subsequently and for the fourth time he re- turned to Center township, where he con- tinned to reside for fourteen years, when he stock, and in cultivating his fields, both Platteville township, where he has resided since the Ist of March. 1900. He owns two hundred and eighteen acres of land and is extensively engaged in buying and selling stock, and is cultivating his fields, both branches of his business proving to him a profitable source of income. He is a most energetic farmer, diligence and enterprise being numbered among his most marked characteristics. He votes with the Repub- lican party, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs.
BENJAMIN F. DUNAGAN.
.A prominent citizen and successful farmer of Mills county. Iowa, is Benjamin F. Dunagan, the subject of this sketch. He
was born in Missouri, in September, 1850, a son of John and Margaret E. (Gallaher ) Dunagan, the former of whom was a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and died in Mis- souri when our subject was a child of nine months. John Dunagan was a son of Nich- olas Dunagan, a gallant soldier in the war of 1812, being noted in his locality as a dar- ing antagonist, being a very strong man and exceedingly brave. Our subject has few relatives living, an aunt. Mrs. E. Witt. a res- ident of Mills county, and one brother, Will- iam A. Dunagan, who is a farmer in this county. Four sisters died in Missouri, and one, Mrs. T. M. Britt, the wife of a very prominent farmer, died in this county in 1895. The mother of our subject was born and married in Tennessee, but is now de- ceased, dying in Mills county. She was a daughter of William Gallaher, a miller by occupation and a well known resident of Tennessee.
Mr. Dunagan, of our sketch, came to Mills county with his grandfather in 1852; hence he is one of the very oldest residents. He was educated in this county and has been a witness to its wonderful development. He is pleasantly located upon a fine farm three miles from the town of Hillsdale and en- gages most successfully in general farming. His land shows much cultivation and all of his surroundings are in keeping.
Our subject married Sarah A. Martin, a daughter of Benjamin C. Martin, who still resides in this county. The family of Mr. Dunagan consists of Lemuel F .. a farmer residing in the neighborhood, Mar- tha. Clara, Millard C. and Clarence E. The family is one of the most highly regarded in the Methodist church of Hillsdale, where they are consistent members. In politics Mr.
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Dunagan is a Republican and has held the office of trustee of Center township for six years, efficiently performing the duties of the office. Socially he is connected with the I. O. O. F. organization and is a man of such superiority of character that his friends are many.
HON. CHARLES W. BLACK.
Hon. Charles W. Black resides at Mal- vern, Iowa surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought him. His has been1 a busy, active and useful career, and his close attention to agricultural pursuits has brought to him a handsome competence, his pleasant home with its attractive surroundings being a visible evidence of what he has accom- plished. His father, William Black, was a native of Scotland, born in Strathaven, March 9, 1817, and in the spring of 1838 came to the United States. He took pas- sage on an old sailing vessel at Glasgow and was forty-eight days upon the water. That summer was spent in and around Rochester, New York, and in the fall he went to Ohio, where he was residing at the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1900. In 1871, however, he came to Malvern, where for fifteen years he was engaged in the hard- ware business. He married Miss Martha Reed, who was born near Zanesville, Ohio, March 9, 1821, and died in Malvern, Iowa, at the age of sixty-four years. Her father shouldered his musket as a representative of the Protestant side of the Irish Rebellion, when only sixteen years of age.
Mr. Black of this review, was born near Brownsville, Ohio, September 27, 1843, and was reared to agricultural pursuits like the average farmer boy. When the country
became involved in civil war he resolved to enlist as a soldier for the Union, and at the age of seventeen responded to the first call for three-months volunteers, but was not mustered into service. On the Ist of August, 1861, he re-enlisted for three years' service as a member of Company G, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment had more names on its roll than any other Ohio regiment that went forth to defend the Union. He veteranized on the 17th of De- cember, 1863, at Vicksburg, again enlisting for three years. He was in the service al- together for about four years, being mus- tered out after the close of the war at Louis- ville, Kentucky, on the 20th of July, 1865. He entered the army from patriotic motives and was always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. He participated in all of the engagements in which his company took part, but fortunately was never injured, nor did he lose a day from illness or other cause.
Returning to his home after the war, Mr. Black felt the need of a better education than he had previously acquired, and for two winters attended college, while devoting the summer months to work on the farm. In the spring of 1867 he removed to Tonica, Illinois, where he engaged in farming on rented land for a short time, and later bought a small place. He continued his residence there until the spring of 1872, when he came to Mills county, Iowa, and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, two and a half miles north of Malvern, which he converted into a fine stock farm by adding to the orig- inal purchase. He continues actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, although now resid- ing in Malvern.
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