Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 52

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484

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Richard May is a native of the "Hoosier State," his birth having occurred in Henry County, August 19, 1845. He was the second in a family of two children, the elder member of the family being James, who is married and engaged in farming in the West. Their father was a Kentuckian, who died when his younger son was two years of age, leaving his wife to care for and rear them to honorable manhood. She did so, and is still living to enjoy the soci- ety of her children, being now with her son in Southern Kansas, and aged seventy years. Mr. May received a somewhat meager education in the common schools of his native State and Iowa, but he has always been a strong sup- porter of educational institutions, and in fact contributes liberally to all worthy enterprises. He removed from his native State to Polk County, Iowa, in 1858, and after remaining there two years moved to Story County, where he has ever since made his home, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a fine farm of 175 acres, which is well

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improved, and on it are a handsome and commo- dious barn and a beautiful farm residence. He commenced life for himself at the age of fif- teen years without a dollar, and by his own in- dustry, enterprise and frugality has become one of the leading agriculturists of this region, and has a competency which places him far be- yond the reach of want. He was married to Miss Emma Kelley, a native of Indiana, born March 20, 1848, but her early education was received in the State of Iowa, whither she had moved with her parents at an early day. To them a family of nine children have been born: Nellie (who is fitting herself for a school teacher), Ada (wife of H. M. Bennington, a farmer of Story County), Nora May (still liv- ing and devoting her leisure time to music), Eddie (who died in infancy), Ina and Ola (who also died in infancy), Willie (aged ten years), Sylvia (aged six years), and Mildred (who died in infancy ). On the 1st of August, 1862, Mr. May enlisted at Des Moines in the three years' volunteer service, becoming a mem- ber of Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Volun- teer Infantry, in the Fourteenth Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps, and was assigned to the Western Division, under command of Gen. U. S. Grant. Mr. May was in two gen- eral engagements-Magnolia Hill, near Vicks- burg, Miss., May 1, 1863, and on the 17th of May, 1863, at Black River Bridge. While his regiment was making a charge, he received a musket ball in his right arm, and on the 18th of May, amputation was found to be necessary, and the arm was taken off a little below the shoulder joint. After remaining in the hos- pital three months, he was honorably dis- charged at St. Louis, Mo., and returned home. He now receives a good pension from " Uncle Sam." He has always voted the Republican ticket, and is now filling the office of township trustee, a position he has held two terms, and

has also been a school director for three years. He is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 234, at Cambridge, and he also belongs to the Farm- ers' Alliance, and thinks that organization an excellent one for the promotion of the interests of the farmers, providing they will cling to- gether. He has always been a public-spirited citizen, and he and wife support all worthy en- terprises.

Samuel J. Michaelson. A history of the prom- inent men of Story County would in no meas- ure be complete without mention of the subject of this sketch, Samuel J. Michaelson, a most popular and influential merchant of Roland, Iowa, and a member of the firm of Johnson & Michaelson. Born in Story County, April 10, 1863, he here grew to manhood and received a thorough education at both the common and high schools, later graduating at the Keokuk Business College after completing a course there most satisfactory to himself and his in- structors. For five terms he experienced the pleasure of "teaching young ideas to shoot," for a time teaching in the schools where he was educated. From this he turned his atten- tion to trading in stock, and being a young man of unexceptional business capacity, suc- ceeded equally well at each occupation, and April 19, 1890, he led to the hymenial altar Miss Sarah Boyd, the charming daughter of K. P. Boyd. Mr. Michaelson and wife belong to the Lutheran Church, and here, as elsewhere, are conspicuous for the fulfillment of the obli- gations placed upon them. In 1854 John Michaelson, father of Samuel, came to America from the shore of his beloved Norway, and settling in Kendall County, Ill., married Miss Betsy Simmons, who was also a native of Nor- way. They settled in Story County in 1857, being the worthy parents of an equally worthy son.

Jefferson Miller is a progressive hardware

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merchant, of Maxwell, Iowa, and by his supe- rior management and rare business ability and efficiency, he has done not a little to advance the reputation Story County enjoys as a com- mercial center. He was born in Huron Coun- ty, Ohio, October 27, 1832, being a son of Henry and Margaret (Ruch) Miller, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and died in Williams County, Ohio, September 23, 1863. The mother was also born in 1805, and died in Williams County, Ohio, on the 2d of September, 1863. Jefferson Miller was reared on a farm, obtained a common school education in his youth, and in 1862 opened a hardware store for himself at Bryan, Ohio, and there continued until 1873, after which he re- moved to Toledo, Ohio, and was in business there until the fall of 1880, when he settled in Des Moines, and in April, 1887, came to Maxwell and here now continues, his stock of goods being the largest in the town. His experience in this line of business dates back twenty-eight years, and he is acknowledged to be one of the enter- prising and successful business men of the town. He was married in 1859 to Miss Ann R. Coulter, who was born in Macoupin County, Ill., October 23, 1839, she being an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Maxwell. Mr. Miller is a stanchi Republican, and socially belongs to Herald Lodge No. 455, of the A. F. & A. M., of Maxwell.

William A. Miller, postmaster and dealer in stationery, Colo, Iowa. The following is a brief sketch of the career of Mr. Miller, a man whose present substantial position in life has been reached entirely through his own per- severance, and the facts connected with his business operations and their results only show what a person with courage and en- lightened views can accomplish. He first saw the light of day in Pennsylvania, and his boy-

hood and youth were spent in the place of his birth with no unusual occurrence until he had reached his nineteenth year. It was then that the late war broke out, and our subject, but a mere boy, went in defense of his country's flag, enlisting in Company C, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served until the following winter when, on account of disability, he was discharged from the service, immediate- ly after which he returned to his home in Pennsylvania, and followed different pursuits with varying success until 1864. At that time there was a great rush of settlers to the then new State of Illinois, and Mr. Miller followed the tide of immigration to Lee County, where he took up his residence. This proved a very fortunate move on the part of Mr. Miller, as it was here, the year of his arrival, that he formed a life partnership with Miss Maggie Lahman, an amiable young lady of that coun- ty, that has since proved so happy. Mrs. Mil- ler was a daughter of Christian Lahman, an early pioneer of Illinois, and a successful busi- ness man of Lee County. For three years af- ter their marriage the young couple made their home in Lee County, and then, in 1867, removed to Chicago, where Mr. Miller estab- lished a merchandise business. He later sold out, but on account of the fire which rendered it impossible for his debtors to pay him, he lost quite heavily. Mr. Miller returned to Lee County, and engaged in feeding and sell- ing stock, but this not proving as remunerative as he could wish, and thinking the West offered greater opportunities for a capable and ener- getic young man, he took Horace Greeley's advice, and in 1876 himself and family were comfortably situated on a farm in New Albany Township. He carried on farming and stock- raising until 1880, and then came to Colo, and established a general grain, stock and coal business, which he has ever since success-

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fully conducted (except stock), at this time owning the only elevator in the town. On April 15, 1889, he received the appointment of postmaster at Colo, the duties of which of- fice he is at present efficiently discharging. He is a stanch Republican in politics, at all times supporting the men and measures of that party, and has been honored by his con- stituents with several offices of trust and re- sponsibility since his residence here. He is one of the foremost citizens of Colo, and ever since coming to this town he has been identi- fied with its best interests. He and wife are both members of the German Baptist Church, and take an active interest in all church work. Their wedded life has been blessed with four children: Harry, Frank, Guy and Eda. Mr. Miller was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1842, and is a son of Gabriel and Harriet (Dively ) Miller. He belongs to J. B. Stead- man Post No. 238, G. A. R., at Colo.

J. A. Mills is the popular and efficient treas- urer of Story County, Iowa, a position he has filled by re-election ever since 1881, having held the office of deputy treasurer from 1876 up to that date. It is but saying the truth when the statement is made that no more capa- ble man for the position could be found than Mr. Mills, and during a period of fourteen years spent in the treasurer's office he has proven himself the soul of honor, is popular with all, kind and courteous in his intercourse with his fellow-men, and is faithful and con- scientions in the discharge of his duties. He was born in Livingston County, Ill., December 4, 1854, and in the fall of 1856 was brought by his parents to Cedar County, Iowa, but three years after was taken back to Illinois. In 1872 he came to Story County, Iowa, and here he has since made his home. On the 26th of October, 1881, his marriage to Miss Minnie Alderman was consummated. She was born in this county on

the 12th of June, 1860, a daughter of T. E. and Hannah (Reynolds) Alderman, and is now acting as her husband's deputy, a position she has filled for the past four years. They are at present residing in the house in which she was born, and are among the highly esteemed resi- dents of the town of Nevada. Mr. Mills has always been a firm Republican in his political views, is a Mason, belonging to Nevada Lodge No. 99, 3 X 3 Chapter No. 92, Ex-Calibar Com- mandery No. 13 at Boone. He also belongs to the K. of P., Sampson Lodge No. 77. Mr. Mills is the fourth of ten children born to his father's second marriage, the names of his parents being J. C. and Eliza (Adams) Mills, natives of the " Buckeye State," the former born May 29, 1822, and the latter born Febru- ary 27, 1823, both being residents at the pres- ent time of Lamar, Mo. The paternal grand- father was Daniel Mills, a native of Virginia, who died in Livingston County, Ill., at about the age of eighty-seven years, he being one of the early settlers of that State.

Rothens Hayward Mitchell is one of the old settlers of Story County, Iowa, having come here in the month of April, 1856. He was born in Lyme, Grafton County, N. H., January 4, 1823, being a son of Horatio G. and Mary (Ames) Mitchell, who were born in Bridge- water, Mass., and Groton, N. H., December 17, 1787, and October 6, 1794, respectively. Their marriage took place December 11, 1817, in Lyme, N. H., the former having moved there with his father about 1791. He made that State his home until 1836, when he removed with his family to Parishville, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he died on the 3d of April, 1867, his wife dying the 10th of May following. Horatio G. Mitchell was the third son of Rothens Mitchell, who was born in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1755, and was married there, in 1783, to Miss Hepzibah Hayward,

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removing about 1791 to New Hampshire, where he died October 28, 1816, his wife dying June 9, 1848. On the 19th of April, 1775, he enlisted in the Continental army, rose to the rank of lieutenant, and served until the 27th of May, 1781. He, Rotheus, was the eighth son of Seth Mitchell, who was born in Ply- mouth County, Mass., in 1715, and in 1738 was married to Ann Latham, a descendant of Robert Latham, who married Susannah, a daughter of John and Mary (Chilton) Wins- low. Seth died in 1802, having been the fifth son of Thomas Mitchell, whose marriage to Elizabeth Kingman took place January 1, 1696. She was born in 1673, and was a de- scendant of Henry Kingman, who came from Wales in 1632. Thomas died in 1727. Thomas Mitchell was the second son of Jacob Mitchell, whose marriage to Susanna Pope took place November 7, 1666. They first settled in Ply- mouth, Mass., but afterward removed to Dart- mouth, where they were both killed by Indians in July, 1675, at the commencement of King Philip's War. Their three children had been sent to the garrison the previous evening, and were taken to Bridgewater and brought up by an uncle. Jacob Mitchell's father, Experience Mitchell, came from Holland with the Pilgrim Fathers in the third ship, the " Anu," in 1623, and settled in Plymouth. In 1631 he moved with Miles Standish to Duxbury, aud later in life to Bridgewater. He had a share in the first division of lots in Plymouth in 1623, he and George. Morton receiving together eight acres. He also had a share in the di- vision of live stock in 1627. He was one of the proprietors of Bridgewater, also one of the company who purchased the right of the origi- nal proprietors of Dartmouth, Mass. He mar- ried Jane, a daughter of Francis Cook, and by her became the father of four sons and four daughters. One daughter married James Shaw,

two married Haywards, and one married John Washburn, lineal ancestor of the noted Wash- burn family of the present day. Mr. Mitchell died in 1689. His descendants are numerous in Maine and Massachusetts, and are to be found in all parts of the United States. Roth- eus Hayward Mitchell, besides receiving the advantages of the common schools, was a stn- dent for some time in St. Lawrence Academy at Pottsdam, N. Y., and in his youth learned the millwright's trade, a calling he followed for a number of years during the summer months, his winters being devoted to the occu- pation of teaching. The year 1856 witnessed his advent in Story County, Iowa, and the same spring he was appointed deputy county sur- veyor, and at the next election was elected county surveyor, a position he held by re-elec- tion for four terms. In 1865 he was elected judge of the county, and he has filled the position of county surveyor from 1874 to the present time. He has been a member of the Republican party since its organization, and is one of its most enthusiastic supporters. His career throughout life has been one of un- swerving honesty, illustrated with acts of lib- erality, and all measures of morality, education, temperance, and others of like nature, find in him a strong and liberal advocate. He was first married, May 27, 1854, to Miss Berintha R. Mott, who was born in Keene, Essex County, N. Y., in 1827, a daughter of Rev. Ebenezer and Berintha (Knapp) Mott. Mrs. Mitchell died on the 19th of October, 1864, at Nevada, Iowa, and two years later he took for his second wife Hannah C. Bixby, who was born in Ogle Coun- ty, Ill., April 15, 1848, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Daniels) Bixby. Two children were born to them: Mary Berintha (born July 11, 1867, died March 29, 1875), and Clara Maria (born January 24, 1870, died October 15, 1870).

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C. M. Morse has been identified with the lumber interests of Maxwell, Iowa, since the 1st of Jannary, 1889, and is now the junior member of the firm of French & Morse. He was born in Huntsburg, Ohio, October 24, 1844, being the fifth of six children born to Amos and Martha ( Brackett ) Morse, who were born in New York and New Hampshire, and died in 1848 ( at Bloomington, Wis. ) and 1869, respectively, the latter being sixty-seven years of age. The early life of C. M. Morse was spent on a farm, and his education was obtained in the common schools near his home and in the Bloomington ( Wis. ) high school. On the 10th of September, 1864, he left home and friends to espouse the Union cause, and en- listed in Company H, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and in this capacity served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out of service on the 26th of June, 1865, and returned to his home in Bloomington. After following the hardware business there until 1883 he came to Maxwell, and was here engaged in the same calling until Jannary 1, 1889, since which time he has devoted his attention to the lumber trade, in which he has become very thor- oughly experienced in all its details. He has already become a popular man here, and is proving himself a worthy citizen. He has always been an earnest Republican in his polit- ical views, and on the 14th of June, 1890, was nominated by the Republicans of Story County for clerk of the district court, being the choice of three candidates for that position. Socially, he belongs to Herald Lodge No. 455 of the A. F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R., being a member of Ewing Post No. 305 of the latter organiza- tion. His marriage, which occurred on the 12th of September, 1869, was to Miss Lena Woodhouse, who was born in Wisconsin on the 6th of January, 1850, and to them have been

born a family of six children-Maude, Atha, Mary and Martha (twins), Edna and Lena.

John William Neasham, jeweler, dealer in wall paper, books and stationery in Nevada, Iowa, is a native of Easby, Yorkshire, Eng- land, and was born on April 8, 1868, his par- ents, Joseph and Margaret ( Hansell ) Neasham, being also born there, the former's death oc- enrring in 1874 at the age of about twenty-eight years. His widow came with her family to America in 1881, and since then has resided in Nevada, Story County, Iowa. Mr. Neasham is the eldest of five children, and was educated in the country of his nativity, and then came with his mother to Iowa. The same year of his ar- rival here he began learning the jeweler's trade of his uncle, William Hansell, and re- mained in the latter's store until July, 1888, when he purchased the jewelry establishment belonging to S. R. King and E. A. Dayton, and in 1889 added books, stationery and wall paper to his stock of jewelry, and being wide- awake, enterprising and obliging he has built up a paying trade. He has one of the finest and most complete stocks of jewelry and silver- ware in the place, and sells his goods at very reasonable rates. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and he and wife, whose maiden name was Wilda Cessna, and whom he married Novem- ber 6, 1889, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Neasham was born in Nevada May 3, 1870.

Hon. Oley Nelson, an old settler of Story County, needs no introduction to the readers of the present volume. That the following brief sketch of his eventful and honorable life is afforded a place just here, will be a matter of much interest to the many who have come to know him so intimately, and felt the helpful influence of his wide and generous acquaint- ance. Like a number of America's representa- tive men of to-day, he comes of foreign parent-

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age, though himself a native of Wisconsin, born August 10, 1845. His father was Nels Oleson Evensrude, of Numedahl, Norway. He married Miss Aase Crestensdatter, of Nume- dahl, Norway. Oley obtained his early edu- cation in log school-houses, supplemented first by an attendance at the common district schools, and later at a commercial college in Madison, Wis., where he graduated in mathematics and book-keeping. His father was warmly attached to his adopted country, and in the time of her peril and under Lincoln's second call for full service volunteers, he shouldered his musket, and in August, 1861, entered the United States army, becoming a member of the famous Eagle Regiment, Eighth Wisconsin Volun- teers. Among the battles in which he partici- pated were Belmont, Island No. 10, Iron Mountain, Fort Donelson and Corinthi, at the latter of which he received a furlough and started home. But, alas, for human hopes. Sickness overcame him, and he laid down his life for the cause he loved so well, his remains being interred at Keokuk, Iowa. Oley, strength- ened by a sense of the obligation resting upon him, became a member of Company D, Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, being mustered into service at Madison, in April, 1864, and as- signed to the Western Division. His army duties led him to Memphis, Holly Springs and Jackson, he participating in the last capture of the first named city. He was mustered ont at Madison in the fall of 1864. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Nelson entered with vigor upon life's field of action. Having had an inclination to seek a home in the oft-heard-of West, his mother and himself, in a prairie schooner, started from the old home in Dane County, Wis., and settled in Polk County, Iowa, just across the line from Story. To-day he stands at the head of the general mercantile interests of this section; he is also a heavy grain dealer.

Educational matters have always found in him a stanch supporter. Mr. Nelson's estimable wife was formerly Miss Lizzie Ersland, who was born near the ancient city of Bergen, Nor- way, July 7, 1850. She was educated, how- ever, in the common schools of Iowa, and the Lutheran parochial schools, and is a lady of intellectual worth aud culture. This happy union has been blessed by the presence of four sons and five daughters. The eldest is George E. (aged nineteen ), Elsie C., Carrie N. These three children are graduates of the Lutheran parochial schools. The remaining children are Anna G., Belle O., Kimte A. (now de- ceased), Amos K. (also deceased), Mattie (aged four years ), and Elmer Oley (the young- est in the family). Mr. Nelson in his polit- ical references has always been a Republi- can, active and decided in the arena of polit- ical life, though never an office-seeker. His first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln during his second term. He has responded on several occasions to the wishes of his fellow- citizens and served in official capacities of a local nature, and in 1885 was chosen by accla- mation to represent Story County in the State Legislature. The best comment upon the two years of his service from 1885 to 1887 is that at the expiration of his term he was made his own successor. He prosecuted with vigor and persistency the passage of numerous bills of im- mense value to the people, among them those referring to " Tile Drainage in General" and "Across Public High ways and the Rightof Rail- roads," also Partition Fences Between Individ- ual Land-owners," etc. The most important measure introduced was that lessening the cost of text books, and optional uniformity in the general use of text books throughout the State, which, in honor to him, was made a private bill, and defeated the two extremes, State publication and the committee plan, or the district purchase

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plan. This bill passed the House by an over- whelming majority, but was defeated in the Senate. All other bills advocated by him are, however, upon the statute books of the State. Mr. Nelson has been present at every State convention held in Iowa since his residence here. He and his wife are devout members and consistent workers in the United Lutheran Church, and were among the organizers of Bethlehem congregation, then belonging to the Conference Synod. They take great interest in the Sunday-school connected with the church, and are worthy contributors to all be- nevolent institutions. He has been a member of the board of trustees, has often filled the position of delegate to the yearly conference, and served in other capacities. To sum up all in a word, Mr. Nelson is a man who has risen to his present position of esteem through his own efforts, valuing the worth of honor and friendship because gained through honorable channels, and while respected and beloved for his many cardinal virtues, it is but the truth to say that these tokens have come to him be- cause they were justly deserved.

Ole Nernes is a Norwegian, and, like all his countrymen, is thrifty, industrious and enter- prising. His birth occurred on March 3, 1822, within about ten miles of the old city of Ber- gen, and although he received quite a limited education in his youth, he has always appreci- ated the advantages of a good education, and favors public schools and competent instruct- ors. At the age of twenty-six years he com- menced doing for himself, his capital being limited to a pair of willing hands and a good constitution, and while still a resident of his native land was married, July 8, 1849, to Miss Margaret Nernes. In Norway the farm on which he lived was called Nernes farm, and the people who resided thereon were called by that name. Mrs. Nernes belonged to one of these

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 52

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed Number of Pages: 484

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484