USA > Iowa > Monroe County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 5
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 5
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When but a lad John H. May came with his parents to Cincinnati, where he was reared and educated, and in his youth he worked upon his father's farm. In carly manhood he engaged in teaching school and
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later purchased the old homestead from the other heirs and laid it out in town lots, making several additions to Cincinnati. To a considerable extent he has engaged in the real estate business, and his property invest- ments and sales have brought to him a desirable profit. In 1893 he pur- chased the Review, which he has since published. It is a well edited journal, neat and attractive in appearance, and has secured a good circu- lation. He also conducts a job printing business in connection with the publication of the paper and has a well equipped newspaper plant.
In 1894 Mr. May was united in marriage to Miss Anna Fox, a daughter of John and Sarah (Boyles) Fox. Mrs. May was born in Cincinnati and by her marriage she has become the mother of three chil- dren: Elbridge Fox, Jennie Pauline and Erma Josephine. The par- ents hold membership in the Christian church, and Mr. May is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen camp. In his political views he is a Re- publican and publishes his paper in the interest of that party. Well known in the community in which almost his entire life has been passed, he has become a popular as well as widely known citizen, and his ef- forts in behalf of his town have proved of value to the community.
NATHAN ROBERTS.
Nathan Roberts was one of the first settlers of Iowa, belonging to that band of brave pioneers who faced the hardships, trials and dan- gers incident to life in a wild region in order to lay the foundation for the present development and progress of the state. His name should certainly be recorded upon the pages of Monroe county's history and it is with pleasure, therefore, that we present the history of his life to our readers. He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, November
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7, 1816, a son of Nathan and Jane (Griffin) Roberts. The father fol- lowed farming throughout his entire life and never left Pennsylvania, dying there on the 25th of October, 1858; his wife has also long since passed away.
Nathan Roberts spent the first twenty-three years of his life in the Keystone state, and then, attracted by the possibilities and business opportunities afforded by the then far west, he came to Iowa in 1839, first settling in Van Buren county. This was many years before the admission of the state into the Union, in fact, with the exception of - a few settlers who had located along the river, the entire country was wild and unimproved, the great prairies stretching for miles, covered with the native grasses and unoccupied save by the red men. After he had completed his education in the schools of Pennsylvania he had worked at farming, and after reaching this state he again resumed ag- ricultural pursuits, which he carried on up to the time of his death.
Mr. Roberts brought his bride to his pioneer home. He was mar- ried in 1838, near Columbus, Ohio, to Miss Sally Ann Runnels, a daugh- ter of Snow and Mary Runnels. Her father, who was born August 8, 1796, passed away in 1840, at the comparatively early age of forty-four years, but the mother reached an advanced age, her birth occurring on the 15th of December, 1799, and her death on the 27th of May, 1872. The children in the Runnels family were as follows : Huram and Nancy, both deceased; Mrs. Roberts, of this sketch; Stephen Perry, who has also passed away: Lemuel, deceased; Roderick, who is living in Marysville, łowa; and Solan, deceased. One brother, Charles Run- nels, resides upon a farm adjoining that upon which Mrs. Roberts makes her home. He settled in Monroe county in 1843 and was married five years later in 1848, in this state, to Miss Diana Harter, but his wife is
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now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, namely: Tryon, Allen, Charles, deceased; Helen, Mary J., Lemuel, William, deceased; Lovilia C., Sarah A., and Harriet L.
It is with her daughter, Mrs. James Hinds, that Mrs. Roberts now makes her home. Mrs. Hinds had the following children: Allen Theodore, Richard Nathan, deceased; James E., who has also passed away, and Lulah May.
Through forty-seven years Nathan Roberts carried on agricult- ural pursuits in Iowa. He came to Monroe county in 1846 and from that time until his death was numbered among the leading citizens of this portion of the state, taking an active and helpful part in every- thing pertaining to general progress and improvement. He was deeply interested in what was accomplished in the county as it emerged from its primitive conditions to take its place among the leading counties of the commonwealth. He sat upon the first jury ever convened in Albia and for a number of years served as constable of his township and also as township trustee, discharging his duties in a straightforward, capable manner. He gave his political support to the Democracy. It was in March, 1876, that Mr. Roberts was called to his final rest and through- out this portion of the state his death was deeply regretted. The county certainly owes a debt of gratitude to him and to other pioneers who came here and bore the hardships of frontier life in order to open up this region to civilization. Mrs. Roberts, a most estimable lady, still survives her husband and is living with her daughter, Mrs. Hinds. She can relate many interesting incidents concerning the pioneer days, and her memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
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ROBERT K. JOHNSON.
Robert K. Johnson is well known as a representative of the farm- ing interests of Appanoose county. Iowa, and is numbered among the early settlers, for through a half a century he has lived in this portion of this state. He was born in Mason county, Virginia, January 20, 1834, a son of James and Margaret (Van Meter) Johnson. The father was born in the Keystone state and was a son of John Johnson, a na- tive of Ireland. Upon the old home farm in the state of his nativity James Jolmson was reared, and later married Margaret Van Meter, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, as did that of her father, John Van Meter, who belonged to an old Pennsylvania Dutch family. In 1852 the parents of our subject bade adieu to their old home in the east and started westward with the hope that they might benefit their finan- cial condition in one of the newer states beyond the Mississippi. They journeyed until they reached Monroe county, Iowa, where they estab- lished their home, becoming pioneer settlers and aiding in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and development of the county. In religious faith they were connected with the United Brethren church. The mother died at the age of sixty-three years, while the father reached the age of seventy-two years. To them were born eight children, of whom six still survive, one having died in infancy. These are Rachel, John, Robert K., Jane. Seth, Eli. William and James E. Eli served throughout the Civil war as a soldier in the Union army and was held a prisoner for a time. He died in Independence, Oregon, September 2, 1902.
Robert K. Johnson obtained a common school education and spent his early life at farm work when not engaged with the duties of the
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schoolroom. At the age of eighteen he came to Monroe county, Iowa, where he began farming, and here in 1866 he won a companion and helpmeet for life's journey, being united in marriage to Miss Lemira Tarr, an estimable lady, who was born in Vinton county, Ohio, where she pursued her education and spent her girlhood days. Her father, Samuel Tarr, was born in Virginia, and died in Augusta, Hancock county, Illinois, at the age of seventy years, while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Hollingshead, was born in Vinton county, Ohio, where her father located among the first settlers. She, too, died in Augusta, Illinois, when seventy-six years of age. Her sterling worth was widely acknowledged and she was a devoted member of the Christian church. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children, five of whom are living, namely: Pinckney, deceased; Mandana, John, Mrs. Johnson, George and Mary.
Throughout his business career Mr. Johnson has carried on agri- cultural pursuits and is today the owner of two excellent farms, compris- ing six hundred and twenty acres of the rich soil of Iowa. His home place is substantially improved with a good residence, a large barn and fine orchard. The plowed fields give promise of golden harvests, and pasture and meadow lands furnish feed for the stock both in the winter and summer months. The home has been blessed with the presence of three children, but he and his wife were called upon to mourn the loss of their daughter Gussie, who died December 24, 1901, at the age of twenty-nine years. She was greatly beloved for her good qualities of heart and mind, and her loss is deeply felt by her many friends as well as by her family. They have two sons, George and Samuel, both of whom are living upon the old homesteads in Chariton township, Ap-
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panoose county, and Monroe township, Monroe county, devoting their energies to farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Johnson has been very successful in his business and as the years have passed has added annually to his income until he is now the possessor of a handsome competence. At the present time he is living retired at the fine home in Moravia, and his rest is well merited and fully enjoyed. In politics he is an earnest Republican, and belongs to Sumner Post No. 398, G. A. R., of Moravia, to which he is entitled to membership because of the active aid which he rendered to the govern- ment in the hour of peril. During the progress of the war of the Re- bellion he joined the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, becoming one of the boys in blue of Company F. under Captain E. Cummins and Colonel J. Dorr. He enlisted June 24, 1863, serving until the close of the war. The regiment did much gallant service in the field with the western army, forming a part of the rough-rider command. A division of the western army was attached to General Sherman's command, and Mr. Johnson participated in a number of skirmishes and battles. He was taken prisoner on the 30th of June, 1864, when the army was in the vi- cinity of Atlanta, Georgia, and for three months was incarcerated in Andersonville, for one month at Charleston and for some time at Flor- ence, South Carolina. During this time he had charge of several teams and forty men engaged in drawing water to the prison. He was pa- roled at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and returned home on a furlough. He received an honorable discharge on the 5th of June, 1865, and re- turned to Iowa. Today he is as true and loyal to his duties of citizen- ship as he was when he followed the old flag upon southern battle fields.
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W. D. KINSER.
W. D. Kinser, a farmer on section 2, Taylor township, Appanoose county, has resided in this section of the state for fifty-five years, and therefore the history of its development, progress and improvement is well known to him. He was born in Martin county, Indiana, No- vember 11, 1838, and his ancestry was one noted for industry and hon- esty. His father, William Kinser, was born in Virginia, and the grandfather, Michael Kinser, was a native of Virginia, and of German descent. Emigrating westward, however, he took up his abode in Lawrence county, Indiana. William Kinser was reared and married in the Old Dominion and with his wife, Catherine, who was born in Kentucky and belonged to an old Virginian family, he went to Illinois in 1846, making the journey by team and wagon. That was the year in which Iowa was admitted to the Union. Mr. Kinser settled in Knox county, Illinois, where he remained for one season, and in 1847 came to Monroe county, Iowa, taking up liis abode near the present town of Moravia. Here he secured government land and made his home by developing a wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He voted with the Democracy, being an advocate of the principles set forth by Jackson. His death occurred in Union county, Iowa, when he was eighty-four years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was loved by all for her kindness of heart. This worthy couple had nine children: Nancy, Tyler and Martha, all deceased; John, George, Malinda, William D., Michael, and Elisha.
William D. Kinser was but nine years of age when the family re- moved to Monroe county and upon the home farm he spent his youth,
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no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him during that period. In one of the primitive schools of the lo- cality he obtained his education. The little "temple of learning" was built of logs and had a puncheon floor, while an immense fireplace occu- pied one entire end of the room. In June, 1863. Mr. Kinser offered his services as a defender of the Union, enlisting in Company F, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, under Captain E. Cummins and Colonel J. B. Dorr. The regiment made a most gallant war record and was with the rough riders of the western army. For a time they were under General Mc- Cook's command and did much active service in the field. Mr. Kinser was captured at Newnan, Georgia, on the 30th of July, 1864, and was confined in the rebel prisons at Andersonville and Florence, South Carolina, and at Wilmington. From the last named place he succeeded in making his escape and after walking for three days reached the Union lines. He was then sent to Annapolis, Maryland, by way of St. Louis, Missouri, and was granted a furlough, and before his leave of absence expired the war was ended and he was honorably discharged at Davenport, May 31, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed gen- eral farming.
Mr. Kinser was married at the age of nineteen to Nancy J. Sumner, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Jamies and Orpha Sumner. Samuel Sumner, a brother of Mrs. Kinser, was killed in the Union army during the Civil war, and the Grand Army Post at Moravia was named in his honor. Mrs. Nancy J. Kinser passed away in 1862, and in 1876 Mr. Kinser was again married, his second union being with Mrs. J. M. Williams, who was then the widow of Larkin Williams. She had two children by her first marriage: Mrs. Idie Williams, of Taylor town- ship, Appanoose county ; and Rolla, deceased. Mrs. Kinser was born
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in Ohio, but was educated in Iowa. Her father, Joel Skinner, now de- ceased, became one of the early settlers of the state, locating here in 1854. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Chetworth, has also passed away. In their family were seven children, six of whom are yet living: Harper, who was a soldier of the Union army and is now living in Oregon; John; Thomas, of Appanoose county; Joseph, who resides in Utah; Mrs. Matilda Cook, and Mrs. Samantha Carleton, of Texas. The father was a farmer and a minister of the Baptist church and his life was one of irreproachable honesty and uprightness.
Mr. Kinser gives his political support to the Republican party and labors earnestly for its growth and success. When twenty-one years of age he was elected a justice of the peace and served as county super- visor in Monroe county. He was also postmaster of Moravia under President Harrison for four years and in the discharge of his official duties has ever been found prompt and faithful. He belongs to Sum- ner Post No. 398, G. A. R., and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His business activity has always been in the line of agriculture, and he owns one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, two miles from the town of Moravia. Upon this he has a good house and all necessary ontbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and a glance at his place will indicate to the visitor that the owner is careful, systematic and progressive in his work.
H. C. CATE.
On a farm on section 22, Taylor township, Appanoose county, resides H. C. Cate, whose landed possessions comprise two hundred and
.
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twenty acres. For thirty-six years he has lived in the county and is a representative of one of its pioneer families. His birth occurred in Mercer county, Missouri, October 22, 1858, and his father, Samuel Cate, was born in Sevier county, Tennessee, while the grandfather, William Cate, became one of the early settlers of Iowa. He took up his abode in Appanoose county and later resided with a daughter in Mer- cer county, Missouri, where his last days were passed. Samuel Cate became a farmer and when he had reached years of maturity he chose Miss Lucinda Wicker for a companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was born in North Carolina, and they began their domestic life in Mercer county, Missouri, where they lived for some time. Mr. Cate devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, thus providing for his family. His wife died in Mercer county, Missouri, at the age of twenty- five years, leaving two children: James M., a resident of Centerville, Iowa; and H. C. Cate. The father was a second time married and re- sided upon a farm in Taylor, in York county, Nebraska. He died while on a trip to attend a funeral, aged sixty-four years. He deposited his ballot for the Democratic nominees and he was a worthy member of the Primitive Baptist church.
H. C. Cate spent the days of his childhood in Mercer county, Mis- souri, until eight years of age, when the family moved to Appanoose county, Iowa, and as his age and strength increased he gave more and more time and attention to farm work. In his youth he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse, sitting upon a slab bench, but later in a more modern school house. When twenty-two years of age Mr. Cate took up his abode upon his present farm. He sought as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Laura Hiatt, of Taylor township, who was born and reared here, her parents having been among the early
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settlers of the township. They took up their abode here in 1845 before the admission of Iowa into the Union. Her father, Lewis Hiatt, was born in Stokes county. North Carolina, and he married Rachel Swaim, whose birth occurred in the same locality. They journeyed westward to Iowa with a one-horse wagon, bringing with them their household goods and one child, O. A. Hiatt. After spending the winter in Henry county, they came the following spring to Appanoose county and settled upon what is now the old Hiatt homestead. Here the mother is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-one years, but the father passed away September 5, 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years. He had always carried on agricultural pursuits, and his life was so honorable and upright that he enjoyed the unqualified confidence of those with whom he came in contact. He voted with the Republican party. His widow, who has lived upon the old homestead farm for fifty eight years, became the mother of eight children, namely: O. A .; Lydia A .; Mrs. Sarah Andrews; Mrs. Emeline Williams, of Rocky Ford, Colorado; Preston S .: Laura, now the wife of our subject; Mary J., who died at the age of sixteen years, and Martha, who passed away at the age of seven years.
Mr. Cate now has a farm of two hundred and twenty acres; he has made a specialty of the raising of sheep for a number of years. He has known no other occupation than that of farming, nor has he de- sired to engage in other pursuits, because he has found this profitable, and through his untiring energy and well directed labor he has gained a comfortable competence. To him and his wife has been born a daughter, Lucinda Rachel, who is yet living. They lost one son, Sam- uel Zelvin, who died at the age of eight years, and three children who died in infancy. Mr. Cate belongs to the Primitive Baptist church and
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in politics is independent, taking little active part in political affairs and never seeking or desiring office. He is yet in the prime of life and already has achieved creditable success, which augurs well for his future.
A. E. TUCKER.
A. E. Tucker is living on section 21, Taylor township, and is one of the representative agriculturists and leading citizens of Appanoose county, serving at the present time as a member of the board of super- visors. He was born in Henry county, Iowa, July 24, 1848, and is a son of John Tucker, who came to this county when Iowa was a territory. His birth occurred in Forsyth county, North Carolina, on the 31st of Aug- ust, 1815. His father, Francis Tucker, was born in Maryland and was of English descent. He married Millie Cruse, a native of North Carolina, in which state her entire life was passed. After her de- mise Francis Tucker came west to Iowa and died in Appanoose county, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. John Tucker was reared in the state of his nativity and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Sarah Swaim. In 1844 they started westward with one horse and a wagon, thus traveling across the country to Iowa, where they ar- rived in 1844, settling in Henry county. The state had not then been admitted to the Union and much of the territory was still in its primi- tive condition, the work of civilization and progress having scarcely been begun. In 1849 the Tucker family came to Douglas township, Appanoose county, and the father built a log house and made a home for his family, carrying on agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. He voted with the Republican party and both he and
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his wife were Methodists in religious faith. Mrs. Tucker passed away at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Andrew J., a resident of Douglas township, Appanoose county ; Alson E., whose name introduces this record; Mrs. Nancy J. Hiatt; Eli F .; Mrs. Rachel C. Hicks, deceased : Mary E., deceased; Lem- entine H., and Mrs. Cynthia E. Rose, deceased. One child, Susanna, died in Henry county, Iowa, at the age of eighteen months.
A. E. Tucker was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. He pursued his education in a log school house, which was seated with slab benches, while the other furniture was equally primitive. However, his knowledge has been supplemented by reading and ob- servation since leaving the schoolroom. His training at farm work was not meager, and in field and meadow he received practical experi- ence to prepare him for life's responsible duties. He remained upon the home farm with his father until twenty-seven years of age, when he was united in marriage to Miss Izora T. Andrews, who was born upon the farm where she is now living. Her father, Silas Milton Andrews, was one of the prominent early settlers of Appanoose county, but has now passed away. He was born in Giles county, Tennessee, in 1808, and was a son of James Andrews, whose birth occurred in North Caro- lina and who wedded Nancy McCorkle. Both James Andrews and his wife died in Tennessee, and it was in that state that Silas M. Andrews was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Woods, who was born in Giles county in 1812. She is now living with our subject at the advanced age of ninety years and is the oldest settler of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews came to the county in 1851, taking up their abode upon the farm which is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker. With characteristic energy the father began
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the development of the fields and continued his farm work up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-seven years of age. By trade he was a saddler and followed that pursuit in connection with farming in Tennessee. His political allegiance was given the Democracy and in religious faith he was a Protestant. In the family were seven children, of whom three are now living, namely: George, a resident of Juniata, Nebraska; Harvey M., of Livingston, Iowa; and Mrs. Izora T. Tucker. Four of the number have passed away, namely : James, Marilla, John M. and C. P. The last named was a soldier of the Civil war and enlisted in the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry and died in a rebel prison at Tyler, Texas.
To our subject and his wife have been born four children: Louisa S., the wife of Thomas Long, of Appanoose county ; John M., who wedded Chloe Z. Clancy, of Taylor township, and Cephas E., who resides at home and is one of the successful school teachers of the county. They also lost one son, Frank W., who died at the age of four years. Mr. Tucker gives his earnest support to the Republican party, for he believes that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He is a leader in Republican ranks in this locality, has served as township trustee and assessor and for three years has been a member of the board of supervisors. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian church and both are people deserving the high regard in which they are uniformly held. Mr. Tucker has always been true and loyal to the official duties entrusted to his care and at the same time he has carefully conducted his agricultural interests. He owns one hun- dred and sixty acres, constituting one of the fine farms of Taylor town- ship. Everything upon the place is in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times, and no modern improvement is lacking, the latest
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