USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa > Part 2
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Hearst. D. Swails, John Van Tyle, T. Goeldner and Hon. Fred E. White. The interment took place at the little cemetery of Webster, where twelve years ago was buried Sylvia (Mallory ) Morgan, wife of the deceased. Every one felt to be true the words of Rev. Smith in his sermon : ' strong man has fallen'."
Gilbert S. Morgan was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 17, 1841, and was the fourth child and third son in his father's family. He was about thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Keokuk county, and on the home farm in Adams town- ship he grew to manhood, acquiring a good practical education in the schools of the neighborhood and also gaining an excellent knowledge of farm work in its various departments. He remained with his parents and continued to assist in the operation of his father's land until twenty- nine years of age.
On the 14th of November, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morgan and Miss Sarah A. Ervin, who was born in West Virginia, De- cember 15, 1848. Her parents, Elias and Maria (Messenger ) Ervin, were also natives of that state, the father's birth having occurred in Pres- ton county. In 1865 Mr. Ervine brought his family to Iowa and after spending about a year in Iowa county came to Keokuk county and took up his abode in English River township. To him and his wife were born fourteen children, twelve of whom reached mature years and seven of the number are still living. In this family Mrs. Morgan is the sev- enth in order of birth and was about sixteen years of age when she came to Keokuk county. She received a good common school education. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, namely : Stella, wife of William Heaton of English River township: Alden, who mar- ried Leonia Hall and resides in Adams township: Rollin E., who mar-
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ried Mayme Lechty and lives in Iowa City; and Virgil G., who is at home and assists his father in the operation of the farm.
After his marriage Mr. Morgan located on the old homestead where he now lives, and devoted his entire attention to general farming and stock raising until 1872, when he went to California and spent one year on the Pacific coast engaged in fruit farming. At the end of that time he returned to this county and has since followed general farming and stock raising uninterruptedly, owning a well improved and valuable place of three hundred and twenty acres, which was once the property of his father
Politically Mr. Morgan has been a life-long Republican, and has taken quite an active interest in local politics, serving two terms as asses- sor, and justice of the peace for several years. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Through the long years of his residence in this county he has become widely known, and his many excellent traits of character have gained him the high regard of his many friends.
JAMES BROOKS AYERS ROBERTSON.
For over a third of a century James Brooks Ayers Robertson has been among the progressive and energetic citizens of Keokuk county, and at present is living practically retired at his pleasant home in Kes- wick. For three years he served his country during the war of the Re- hellion, participating in some of the most arduous campaigns of that ter- rible conflict, and in years of peace, no less than in those of war, he has bravely performed his duty, and is justly entitled to a place in the nation's roll of honor.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Mr. Robertson was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of September, 1836, and is a son of Jolin Robertson, a native of Philadelphia. His paternal grandfather, Jolin Robertson, Sr., was a native of England and was a sea captain, who was lost at sea when his son John was but eight years old. The latter was then bound out and was reared in a Quaker family about sixty miles from Philadelphia. There he was united in marriage to Miss Maria Frieze, a native of Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, and they began their domestic life in Down- ington, that county, Mr. Robertson being engaged at that time in team- ing between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Later he removed to Wrights- ville, York county, Pennsylvania, and for two years was engaged in boating on the canal. His next home was at Safe Harbor, Lancaster county, the same state, where he was employed in the iron works for seven years, and in April, 1855, he came to Iowa, landing at Daven- port on the 17th of that month. He first located in Muscatine county, but in the fall of 1855 removed to Cedar county, where he entered land and engaged in farming until 1863. Selling his property there he then came to Keokuk county and settled where our subject now lives. Here he died at the age of seventy years. honored and respected by all who knew him. Politically he was a life-long Democrat, and religiously was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. taking an active part in its work for many years. His estimable wife (lied at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy, while the others reached man and womanhood and four are still living. Three of the sons were num- bered among the boys in blue during the Civil war, these being John S., George .\. and our subject. John enlisted in the Thirteenth Missouri Infantry in 1861, and was captured at Lexington, Missouri, afterward
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paroled and came home and later re-enlistd in the Eight Iowa Cavalry; he was captured at Macon, Georgia, and held a prisoner at Anderson- ville for about six months. George A. belonged to the same company and regiment as our subject and served about three years.
Mr. Robertson, of this review, was the second child and second son in his father's family, and was about eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He had already acquired a good common school education. While a resident of Cedar county he was married, January 19, 1860, to Miss Clarissa M. Wright, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa with her parents when a small child and was reared in Cedar county. By this union there were eleven chil- dren, and the family circle has never been broken by the hand of death, the youngest being now eighteen years of age. In order of birth they are as follows: John H., now a resident of Nebraska; Anna M., the wife of John Schiuble of Oklahoma ; George Allen, a merchant of Okla- homa ; Maggie, the wife of John Brandenburg of California ; James, B. .A., a prominent lawyer and now county attorney of Lincoln county, Oklahoma : Elizabeth .A., wife of Michael Gill of Altoona, Pennsylvania ; Meda, a teacher in the high school of Chandler, Oklahoma; Alice M., who is attending the Methodist Episcopal Training School in Chicago; Warren K., who is attending college in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Charles Howard, a printer of Chandler, Oklahoma ; and Ralph K., who is at home with his parents and is still in school.
After his marriage Mr. Robertson began farming upon rented land and later purchased a small tract which was covered with a heavy growth of timber, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he de- voted his energies until he entered the service of his country during the Civil war, enlisting in August, 1862, as a private in Company B, Twenty-
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fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; but he was afterward transferred to the First Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps and was promoted to fourth corporal, serving with that rank when discharged on the 29th of June. 1865, after three years service.
At the close of the war Mr. Robertson removed from Cedar county to Keokuk county and was first engaged in farming upon rented land in Adams township for three years. He then purchased eighty acres of land on the north side of Eagle river and was engaged in the im- provement and cultivation of that place for six years. In the meantime lie established a store at Aurora, Adams township, the first in this town- ship, and conducted the same for four years, during which time the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad was built, and having faith in the future development of Keswick he removed to that place in the spring of 1880 and erected the second store building there. He carried on general merchandising here with good success for twenty- two years and he still owns the store building, which he now rents, having retired from mercantile pursuits.
Mr. Robertson has taken quite an active and prominent part in pub- lic affairs, being elected county commissioner in 1886, and so acceptably did he fill that office that he was re-elected, serving in all six years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has also filled the offices of justice of the peace, school director and con- stable, and his official duties have always been the most promptly and faithfully discharged. By his ballot Mr. Robertson supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and in his social relations he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which lodges he has filled all the chairs. He has been active in promoting the interests of his adopted county along many lines and
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has materially aided in its upbuilding and development. . Is an honored pioneer and representative man of the community he is also worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
THOMAS A. MORGAN.
Thomas A. Morgan is a leading representative of the business inter- ests of Webster, Iowa, where he is engaged in general merchandising, and he also carries on general farming and stock raising in this county. Of excellent business ability and broad resources, he has attained a prominent place among the substantial citizens of his part of the county and is a recognized leader in public affairs. He has won success by hiis well directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved.
One of Keokuk county's native sons, Mr. Morgan was born in English River township, May 17. 1867. His father. Thomas Morgan, is a native of Kentucky, from which state he removed to Indiana with his parents during boyhood, and was there reared and married. In 1846 he came to lowa and settled in English River township, Keokuk county, where he took up a tract of government land and engaged in farming throughout his active business life. This worthy pioneer is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, honored and respected by all who know him. He is a stanchi supporter of the Republican party and has acceptably filled the offices of township trustee and assessor. Religiously he is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has taken quite an active part in its work. He was twice married and by the first union had eight children. For his second wife he wedded Miss Mary McBride, the mother of our subject. She was born and reared in Penn- 3
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sylvania and died in Iowa when about sixty-five years of age. She was the mother of four children, of whom Thomas A. is the youngest.
In the county of his nativity Thomas A. Morgan grew to manliood. receiving a good practical education in the common schools of English River township. With the exception of six months spent in California, his entire life has been passed in Keokuk county., He followed farming
until 1893. when he removed to Webster and embarked in general mer- chandising, opening a store at that place which he still conducts. He car- ries a well selected stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and by fair and honorable dealing has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing. Besides his store he owns other property in the town and has a valuable farm of four hundred and forty, acres, all in English River township with exception of eighty acres. With the assistance of hired help he operates this land and is meeting with marked success as a farmer and stock raiser.
In November, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Morgan and Miss Malissa Axmear, a native of Virginia and a daughter of John and Julia Axmear. the former of whom was born in Holland and the latter in Germany. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, as follows: Clarence, Ada, Blanch, Grace and Helen. By his ballot Mr. Morgan supports the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a worthy representative of that class of progressive busi- ness men who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives, and con- stitute the best portion of a community. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and is certainly deserving of honorable mention in the history of his native county.
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
SAMUEL CONNER.
Among the many well-to-do and able farmers of Lancaster township none have attained a more enviable reputation for integrity and general ability than Samuel Conner. The interests of township and county have been closely identified with his history from the early days. Com- ing as he did in the year 1844 to Keokuk county, when the pioneers were just beginning to settle here, it early devolved upon him to lend luis arm and his brain to the development of the lands and institutions of the new country.
He was born on November 9, 1836, in Tippecanoe county, in the state of Indiana. His father, Daniel Conner, was born and reared in Ohio until he arrived at the age of nineteen, at which time hie settled in Indiana. In 1843 he again moved to Iowa and in the year 1844 settled in Lancaster township, there being at that time almost no settlers in that part of the state, so that it was necessary to reclaim the land and clear it for farming. The father of Daniel Conner was of Irish descent and spent the greater part of his life in old Virginia, dying in Iowa in advanced years. Samuel's mother died when he was a very young boy so that he remembers but little about her and her family, except that she was a woman of fine qualities and well connected.
He was one of four children, there being to daughters and one son besides himself. He came to Lancaster township at the early age of nine years, long before the schools had been developed as they now are. He, however, made the best use of all opportunities presented to him in the old log schoolhouse. He remained upon the farm at home assisting in its multitudinous duties until he arrived at the age of twenty-three years, when he married Mary E. Jordan, who also came to Keokuk county when a small child, being a native of the state of Illinois. After his
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marriage he at once located in the old farm house about two hundred yards from where he now lives and here he has remained throughout the years following, carrying on the varied and arduous business of an agriculturist, and giving all his time and enegies to the care of his farm and large family. Nine children in time were gathered at his hearthside, six daughters and three sons. These were Oliver, now dead ; Lottie, wife of John W. Scott. a prominent farmer of Lancaster town- ship: Rohena, wife of W. B. Morrow, also a prosperous farmer in the same township: Eva, now dead; Daniel F., who is doing a successful business in llayesville as a dealer in fine horses; Tima, wife of C. D. Parkhill of the same township; Iona, now dead; Effie, who is unmar- ried, and Isaac A. remain at home.
Mr. Conner has always been a successful and representative farmer, now owning two hundred and eighteen acres of finely cultivated land. which constitutes one of the best farms in all the adjacent country. In political beliefs he has been throughout his life an ardent Democrat and has rendered to Democracy many invaluable servics and has held vari- ous important offices in the county. The large family of children born to Mr. Conner, while adding to his responsibilities and labors, must prove a source of much gratification to him. Any parent might well be proud of a life-work exemplified in children of the character and attainments of these, and as the years go by upon the old homestead, the subject of this record, surrounded by the many evidences of this life-work and its successes, may well say "It is well."
AARON BUCHER.
There are some compensations to the man who in early life is de- prived of parental care and nurture. It is indeed hard for a child to
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
work out his own destiny, to choose a vocation in life and qualify himself for it, but in the end the rigorous experiences undergone serve but to strengthen and make self-reliant the developing man and leave an imprint which all time cannot eradicate in the character subjected to such influ- ences. Such a man, hewing his own way, unaided by the strong arm of a helping father or the tender love and sympathy of a mother. was Aaron Bucher.
He was born January 27, 1835, in Sandusky county, Ohio, the state which has furnished so many of the strong energetic sons who have helped to make the west what it now is. His father, Frederick Bucher, was a native of Pennsylvania and died when our subject was only twelve years of age. His mother. Susanna Wimer, also died when he was only seven years old. Thus he was deprived, while very young, of the example and support of both parents and from that time on was thrown solely upon his own resources. He made his home with George Wimmer from the death of his father until he was twenty-two years of age: on November 20, 1844, he located in Keokuk county, where during the long winter months he went to the old log schoolhouse, and by his diligence and earnest effort acquired a good education, which was of great assist- ance to him in his later years. As soon as he was large enough he went to work at farming and with his accustomed zeal and ability soon became familiar with all its varied duties and responsibilities. At the age of twenty-three years he had become fully qualified to assume the mainten- ance and responsibilities of a home, and November 1. 1857, was united in marriage to Martha J. Chastain, who also came to this county in the early days when it was still undeveloped; she was a native of Illinois and came to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1843, and to Keokuk county in thie spring of 1844. She proved to be a helpmeet not in name alone, but in
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the working out of the future of all the family. Three children were born to Mr. Bucher: Iowa Keaster; Janette, wife of Jacob Conner, a prosperous and well-known farmer of Lancaster township; and Fan- nie, wife of Charles Conner, likewise an able and well established farmer of, the same county.
He owns three hundred and forty acres of fine farm land and also some valuable properties in Hayesville. In 1874 Mr. Bucher located on the farm, where he now lives. This he cleared and improved, putting up the houses and barns now there, and constructing fences, tilling the soil and developing the farm in every way until it has become one of the most fertile and inviting in the country. He has carried on all branches and departments of farming most successfully, and has been noted for the fine character and abundance of the stock which he has raised and sold from the farm.
He has been a life-long Democrat, at all times espousing the inter- ests and being true to the principles of the Democratic party, to which he has rendered invaluable services as occasion gave opportunity. He was treasurer of his school district for some nine years, during which time he advocated and carried out many reforms and improvements in the schools. He is one of the oldest settlers of Lancaster township and has left the stamp of his influence and ability upon many of its institutions. He is now reaping the rewards of his early efforts and trials. He has reared his family in plenty, giving them all the advantages the country affords, and has lived to see his untilled and uncultivated farm "blossom as the rose." He has seen it constantly improving and his fortunes increasing, and it cannot but afford him great satisfaction to look back, amid the respect and admiration of all, through his long line of successes.
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GEORGE RICHARDSON.
Prominent in the affairs of Lancaster township and well known to all its citizens is the firm of Richardson Brothers in Hayesville. Of the firm George Richardson is the junior partner, but active in its manage- ment and in the assumption of its varied responsibilities and innumerable duties. His history has been for many years past intimately associated with that of his brother, Joel Richardson, whose life attainments have been elsewhere recounted herein.
He was born September 19, 1848, in Steady Run township near Tickridge, and is the seventh child and fifth son in his family. When a youth of fourteen he moved to Lancaster township, where he received his education in the district schools, and at nineteen became, like his brother, a teacher in Lancaster township. He taught and studied during the long winter months for about eight years and employed his summers in farming and capentering.
He was united in marriage on the 24th day of October, 1875, to Anna Lister, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, April 14, 1850, and was the daughter of Abram and Lucinda Randolph. Her mother was also born in the Hoosier state and her father was born in England, whence he came to America after having passed but four summers, and was reared in Indiana as a farmer, removing to Keokuk county in 1868. He located in Steady Run township and died in the year 1894. Lucinda Randolph is still living and is the mother of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom Anna Lister was second daughter and third child. She received a superior education in the common schools of the township.
Mr. George Richardson came to Hayesville in 1881 and opened up business as a general merchant, in which his efforts were crowned with
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more than ordinary success. In 1882 President Arthur recognized his fitness for the position and appointed him postmaster, and he has con- tinued in the same position under succeeding presidents until the present time. In 1885 he formed a partnership with his brother Joel, whom we have before referred to, and continued the business in the name of Richardson Brothers. He has been a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic principles and candidates, was township clerk for about two years, served as road supervisor, and in many other capacities has rendered efficient and highly acceptable services. The diversity of experience which has fallen to the lot of Mr. Richardson has been in itself an educa- tion, and coupled with the energy and ambition that have always charac- terized him, has given him a breadth of view and action that few possess.
SAMUEL PARKHILL.
The subject of this sketch has resided in Keokuk county for thirty- four years and is one of its old substantial farmers, who has now retired from active life. Hugh Parkhill, his father, a native of Scot- land, followed farming all his life and died there aged fifty-six years. llis wife was Sarah Fitzpatrick, a native of Ireland, and died there at the age of fifty-eight. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all reaching maturity except the youngest daughter.
Samuel Parkhill, the third child and third son, had his birth in northern Ireland, May 31, 1838; there he enjoyed the advantages of the schools until sixteen years of age. In 1853 he ventured alone on the voyage across the Atlantic and first settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, were for five years he engaged in the bakery business. In 1858, removing to Johnson county, Indiana, he conducted a farm until August, 1862, and
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then enlisted in Company K, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. serving until the end of the war. He was mustered out as sergeant in 1865. In this long period of service Mr. Parkhill took part in the fol- lowing engagements: Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge; he was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and took part in the review at Washington at the close of the war.
At the end of his service he returned to Johnson county, Indiana, and was there married on November 15. 1865. to Louisa Young, born in that county, December 15, 1840. Her parents were Joseph and Mary ( Moore) Young, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio, and they were early settlers of Johnson county. The father died at the age of seventy years and the mother in her sixty-fifth year, and they had nine children, who grew to maturity, of whom Mrs. Parkhill was the seventh child; her parents came to Iowa in 1853 but returned to Indiana in 1862.
Mr. and Mrs. Parkhill moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1865, where they remained until January, 1869, and then bought a farm of eighty acres in Lancaster township, Keokuk county; to this he after. ward successively added eighty, eighty and one hundred and twenty-six acres, making a finely cultivated estate of three hundred and eighty-six acres, of which he still owns one hundred and sixty-six acres. He carried on his successful farming operations until 1899, when he retired from active work to Sigourney.
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