USA > Iowa > Story County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa > Part 59
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George Templeton is a native of England, born in Yorkshire, in the town of Knares- borough, on October .8, 1827. The parents were also natives of that country, where they were reared, and where they received very lim- ited educational advantages. Both are de- ceased, the mother dying when about fifty years of age. They were the parents of four children, who were named as follows: Marga- ret (married Charles Thackary, a stone-mason by trade, and was residing in Philadelphia at the time of her death), an infant (who was
accidentally scalded to death), Mary (who was accidentally killed in a linen factory at Stav- ley, England, when about twelve or fifteen years of age, by having her clothing caught, and being drawn into the machinery before the eyes of her horrified mother ), and George ( who is the youngest of this family). The latter received a fair education in the National school of Knaresborough, and this, together with the unlimited amount of good practical common sense, with which his head is well stored, has rendered him a man of superior ability and judgment. He spent a number of years of his early life in a linen factory, and when about fourteen years of age he began for himself as an agriculturist, which he followed for about a year, and then entered a coach-maker's employ, by whom he was finally chosen as a servant. He remained with his employer for about a year, and then began working for a doctor, accom- panying him as his servant to the famous watering resort, Harrogate, so well known in England. He continued with the doctor for about six years, and when eighteen years of age he made the acquaintance of an invalid gentleman, entering his employ as his valet de chambre, and remaining with him one year. After this he went to the town of Cottingham, near Hull, England, and was in the employ of a widow for about one year. He then resided with a doctor in the city of Edinburgh, Scot- land, but afterward learned the trade of letter presser in Edinburgh. As work became scarce he took the advice of a gentleman, and in 1852 came to America. He sailed from Glasgow on April 6 of that year, and after a pleasant voyage of twenty-eight days reached New York City. After remaining there for two years Mr. Templeton shipped as steward on board a coasting vessel belonging to the west- ern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and was on the ocean until the breaking out of the late Rebel-
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lion, his last voyage being to Charleston, S. C., in March, 1861, on board a merchantman from the city of Boston. He was present at the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and heard the first gun fired at that place. He saw Maj. Anderson and his garrison land at the dock where the vessel on which Mr. Templeton stood was anchored. The latter returned to New York City, went from there to Boston, Mass., and then shipped aboard a passenger steamer bound for Baltimore, Md. The vessel was afterward sold to the Government as a trans- port. Mr. Templeton returned to Boston, and soon after shipped as captain's steward on board the "Young River," a gunboat. This vessel entered the blockade at Wilmington, N. C., thence to Fortress Monroe for supplies, and here part of the crew was transferred to the ill-fated "Cumberland," a few days before she was sunk by the rebel ram, " Merrimac." The gunboat with which Mr. Templeton remained was under close blockade in York River, and was afterward transferred to the Rappahan- nock, where she could arrest all smugglers. From there she was sent to Fortress Monroe, where there were taken on board about 2,000 shells for transportation to Pilot Town, La. From there she went on close blockade in Apa- lachicola Bay, Florida, remained there for twelve months, and then went to Key West, thence to Philadelphia, where Mr. Templeton was paid off and honorably discharged, after having served his country for the agreed length of time. Mr. Templeton emigrated to Story County, Iowa, during the fall of 1862, engaged in farming, and there remained for about six months, when he left for Chicago, Ill. There, on July 4, 1863, he shipped as steward on a lake sailing vessel, and was thus employed for about sixteen years, or until 1879. During all these years Mr. Templeton experienced many hardships and dangers, and one event in par-
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ticular has left its trace indelibly stamped on his memory. It was in the north end of Lake Michi- gan when his vessel and another ran into each other. The great shock damaged both vessels so badly that they sank, and the crew were only saved by taking to the boats. As it was, two of his comrades were drowned. Mr. Tem- pleton came back to Story County, Iowa, in 1879, purchased ninety acres of prairie land with no improvements, and since then, by his energy and perseverance, has made many and vast improvements. He has a neat little cot- tage, where he resides by himself, and his out- buildings are comfortable and commodious. As will be seen, Mr. Templeton has had a very eventful life, and has been a great traveler. He is a close student, and has improved his leisure hours by reading the choicest of stand- ard literature. He has a fine library of se- lected books and periodicals of the present day, and he is a gentleman whose attainments are far above the average. He prefers a single life, and is comfortable and happy in his neat little home. During the years 1858 and 1859 he took a sea voyage in a merchantman vessel to Central America, and the shores of old Mex- ico, and the pleasing reminiscences of the cus- toms and manners of the inhabitants would fill a volume of interesting reading. For some years past Mr. Templeton has identified him- self with the Republican party, but has never asserted himself as an ultra partisan. He was naturalized on May 14, 1855, never having been a permanent resident of any place pre- vious to this time. His first vote was cast for Gen. Harrison. By honest work and industry Mr. Templeton has accumulated a comfortable competency, and can pass his declining years in ease. He has seen many changes and wit- nessed many wonderful sights in his checkered career of sixty-two years, and nothing can be said to his discredit, but much to his honor and
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uprightness. He distinctly remembers the time that Queen Victoria ascended the throne of England, and how the National school chil- dren, of whom he was then a member, were presented with medals and a feast in honor of the occasion. He also remembers many other interesting events that took place in his youth- ful days. After he had resided in the United States until 1857 he revisited the scenes of his childhood, and remained there for three months. He expects to make another visit to his native country before long. Mr. Temple- ton has resided in Story County for eleven years, and intends to pass the balance of his days here, where he has the unbounded respect of his friends and neighbors.
Dr. H. M. Templeton, physician and sur- geon, Ames, Iowa. It is the prerogative of the physician to relieve or alleviate the ail- ments to which suffering humanity is prone, and as such he deserves the most grateful con- sideration of all. A prominent physician and surgeon, who by his own ability has attained distinction in his profession, is Dr. H. M. Tem- pleton. This gentleman, who is also one of the pioneers of Story County, was born in Fay- ette County, Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1848, and was the son of William and Jane (McEl- roy) Templeton, the father a native of Wash- ington County, Penn., born in 1809, and the mother born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1817. William Templeton emigrated with his parents to Ohio when quite a boy, and there grew to manhood. His parents both died in the Buck- eye State. In 1855 he came to Illinois, and one year later to Story County, Iowa, locating in Palestine, near Ames. He entered land in Washington Township, was one of the first settlers, and always made farming his voca- tion. He endured many hardships, but was a persevering man, and made life a success. His death occurred in 1885. The mother is yet
living and resides on the homestead, the south- west quarter of Section 26. Dr. H. M. Tem- pleton was the second of seven children, and was but eight years of age when he came to this State with his parents. He was early taught the duties of farm life, received his education in the common schools, and when twenty-four years of age he began the study of medicine, graduating at Louisville (Ky.) Medical College in 1877. He then commenced practicing at Ames, where he has since re- mained, and as a clever and scientific practi- tioner he is known all over the county. He is a member of the Story County Medical Society, of which he is secretary, is also a member of Central District Medical Association and the Iowa State Medical Society. He was married in 1880 to Miss Edna Granger, of Marion, Linn County, Iowa, and the fruits of this union were four children, three now living: Earl G., Mary A., and Henry M. Dr. and Mrs. Templeton are members of the Congregational Church.
M. A. Tendeland is a citizen and one of the principal business men of the thriving little town of Story City, Iowa. He is a Norwegian by birth, having been born near the site of Staranger, in February, 1842, being next to the youngest of five children, whose names are as follows: Carrie (who died at the age of fifty- five years), Christian (who died at the age of twenty-three), Christina (who is a resident of Norway), then comes the subject of this sketch, and the youngest of the family is Gunhild. The father of these children is still living, being about eighty-five years of age, but the mother passed from life in 1864. M. A. Tendeland received his early education in the select schools of Norway, acquiring a sufficient knowledge of the " world of books " to fit him' for the practical duties of life, and at the early age of sixteen years he started out for himself
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in search of Dame Fortune, his sole capital being a plentiful supply of energy and suffi- cient amount of intelligence and perseverance to properly direct his energy. He began his career as a sailor on the northeast Atlantic Ocean and the White Sea, and during a career of nine years on the " briny deep" he met with many interesting adventures. He later took up the calling of an agriculturist, and in 1864 determined to pursue this vocation in the new world, and accordingly came to America, his first location being in Kendall County, Ill. During the fall of that year he came to Story County, where he remained until the spring of 1865, and then returned to Illinois, afterward spending some time in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and others, the time thus occupied covering about eight years. At the end of this time he settled in Marshalltown, Iowa, being for six years engaged in the produce business, and while there he was married, on July 4, 1873, to Miss Grette Jacobson, a na- tive of Norway, who was brought to the United States when eight years old. He soon after removed to Nevada, Iowa, and here also sold produce on commission for one year, after which he came to Story City, and about one year later engaged in the general produce business for himself, and without very much capital, but by strict business principles, energy and enter- prise has established a business which is known, not only throughout Story. but the surround- ing counties. When he began business in Story City the appearances were most excellent for good, practical and energetic farmers, and the prospect has grown brighter and brighter each succeeding year. Mr. Tendeland ships his produce to eastern markets, the principal ones being New York, Boston and Chicago, and his name has become well known in business cir- cles throughout this section. The business which he controlled in 1889 footed up to
$200,000, and as his interests are constantly in- creasing, he contemplates a change of residence, but has not yet decided where he will locate. He and his wife are much esteemed and re- spected, and will prove an addition to any com- munity in which they may choose to make their home for the future. Their children are as follows: Mabel (aged sixteen years), Julius Oscar Oliver (aged thirteen years), and Lillie (aged eleven). Mr. Tendeland has affiliated with the Republican party since making his home in the United States, and he (as well as his wife) is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Thomas Thatcher has been engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising the greater portion of his life, and to say that he thoroughly understands the details of both these enterprises would be but stating the facts very mildly indeed. His birth occurred in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1823, and he was one of a family of six chil- dren born to the marriage of Thomas Thatcher and Susannah Stratton, who were Virginians. There other children are David and Theodo- cia (living), and Joseph, Jesse and Ruth (de- ceased). Thomas Thatcher grew to maturity in Ohio, and in 1844 was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Elizabeth Simons, a daughter of Jesse Simons, of Richmond, Wayne County, Ind., to whom a family of seven children were born: Lucinda (wife of Fred- erick Buzzard, of Spokane Falls, Wash.), Jesse W., Charles N., Viola (deceased), Eldora (who became the wife of O. S. Wildman, of Hardin County, and died, leaving two children: Earl and Webb), William, and Ella (de- ceased). Mr. Thatcher has always supported Republican principles, and in his religious views is a Quaker, being a member of a church of that denomination located ou Honey Creek, in Hardin County. He has a farm of 160 acres of splendidly improved land, furnished with ex- cellent buildings of all kinds, and it is excel-
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lently adapted to the raising of all kinds of grain, fruit and vegetables. He settled on this land in 1869, it being then wild, and he has brought it to its present admirable state of cul- tivation by industry, intelligence and persever- ance. In those days C. P. Page was the only man living between his home and Nevada, and wolves were very abundant and destroyed much property. He used to, occasionally, see deer and other wild animals. Mr. Thatcher has done his full share in bringing the county to its present state of improvement, and has aided, by voice and purse, all enterprises of a worthy nature.
James Thompson, farmer and stock-raiser, Iowa Centre, Iowa. The father of Mr. Thomp- son, Isaac Thompson, was a native of Pennsyl- vania and of Irish descent. The latter moved with his parents to Ohio when three years of age, and was reared in Perry County, where he resided until his death in 1880, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife died in 1840, and he afterward married again. He carried on a distillery for a number of years. His marriage was blessed by the birth of four sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to mature years. He made one trip to Iowa when an old man, to visit his son living there. James Thompson, the second in order of birth of the above-mentioned children, grew to manhood in Perry County, Ohio, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. He came west in 1855, locating in Story County, Iowa, and was first on a stationary engine for three years. After this he traded for the place where he resides, then nearly all wild prairie land, and now has a good native timber tract of ten acres. He has ninety-five acres of land, all in a good state of cultivation, and has good, substantial buildings on the same. He commenced with little or no means, and has made what he has by industry and frugality.
After settling here, he was for four years with- out a team. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist, and acts with that party. Mr. Thompson served as township trustee for a number of years, and held other local positions. He was married in Grandville, Licking County, Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1857, to Miss Harriet Haynes, a native of Licking County, and the daughter of John Haynes. This union resulted in the birth of one son-Dr. Frank Thompson, a physician at Iowa Centre. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Thompson is a Master Mason, having joined that organization in 1887.
Frank D. Thompson is an attorney at law and the present postmaster of Nevada, Iowa. He was born in Erie County, Ohio, December 13, 1835, and is a son of Jason K. and Eliza Ann (Frisbee) Thompson, who were born in the " Green Mountain State" and died in Erie County, Ohio, aged about seventy-eight and sixty-seven years, respectively. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father was a farmer by occupation. Frank D. Thompson is the third of five children, two now living, and in his youth was initiated into the mysteries of farm life by his father, and attended the country schools near his home. He afterward entered the high school of Ber- lin Heights, and later spent some time at Oberlin College, Ohio. Leaving this insti- tution, he taught a number of terms in the country, and later at Milan, Ohio, where, for four terms, he was principal of the graded schools. In 1858 he took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Huron County, Ohio, in 1860. On the 30th of September, of that year, he came to Nevada, and until Febru- ary, 1864, he was associated in the practice of law with George A. Kellogg. He then enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infan-
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try, and from the latter part of March, 1864, until August, 1865, he was chief clerk at Gen. A. J. Smith's headquarters of the Sixteenth Army Corps. On August 14, 1865, he was hon- orably discharged at Montgomery, Ala., but before returning to Iowa he spent about two months at his old home in Ohio. In the spring of 1866 he became associated in his practice with Capt. McCall, a connection which lasted sixteen years, but he has since been alone. He has always been an ardent Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Lin- coln. He was elected county superintendent of schools of Story County at one time, but resigned the position before his term had ex- pired. He continued the practice of law un- til May 28, 1889, when he was appointed postmaster at Nevada by President Harrison, and he has since devoted his attention to dis- charging the duties of that office. On the 1st of September, 1889, he removed the office from the Patton building to the Dillon & Morris Block, where it now is. Mr. Thomp- son is careful, accurate snd obliging, and it is saying a great deal when the statement is made that he is one of the best postmasters the town has ever had. He filled the office of mayor of the town in 1884-85, and the four following years was a member of the town council. As an official he has always shown good judgment, and as a lawyer, is considered one of the best in Central Iowa. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. In Novem- ber, 1862, he was married to Miss Abby N. Price, a native of Iowa, by whom he has the following children: Kate (who assists him in the post-office), Frank L., Sylvia L. (who is also her father's assistant), Clayton and Cora (twins) and Olive.
John Thompson, farmer and stock-raiser, Collins, Iowa. Mr. Thompson was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on November 14, 1840,
and his father, William Thompson, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. The elder Thompson was reared and married in his native State, and moved to Ohio in about 1930. He settled in Wayne County and afterward in Hancock County. Mr. Thompson was a wheelwright by trade, and worked at this in connection with farming for many years. In 1851 he made the trip overland to California, spent twenty- six years in that State, and then returned to his family in Iowa, in 1978. He died in Jas- per County, in 1885, and his wife died in Wayne County, Ohio, in about 1886. They were the parents of five sons and four daugh- ters, all of whom grew to maturity. John Thompson was reared in Hancock and Medina Counties, remained with his mother until twenty-five years of age, and in February, 1862, he emigrated to Iowa. He located first in Jasper County, followed farming for several years, and in 1878 moved to Story County, where he has resided ever since. He is the owner of 200 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, has a two-story house and a good barn. His farm is situated two miles south of Collins, and is a very desirable property. Al- though starting in life a poor man Mr. Thomp- son has improved every opportunity, and is to- day one of the substantial men of the county. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held several local offices in the township. He is president of the school board. On January 1, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Angelo, a native of Illinois, but who was reared and educated in Iowa. She is the daughter of Samuel Angelo. The two chil- dren born to this marriage are Walter H., and Rhoda Ellen (a young lady of fifteen years ). Mr. Thompson is a Master Mason, and Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Christian Church.
Lorenzo D. Thompson, of Iowa Centre, Iowa,
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a respected and esteemed resident of Story County, was born in Illinois, Ogle County, on the 18th of October, 1850, and is the son of James and Catherine ( Mellinger ) Thomp- son, natives, respectively, of New York and Ohio. The father went to Ohio with his parents when a child, married there and shortly afterward moved to Illinois, locating on a farm in Ogle County. He still resides on the same, and his wife is also living. He is hale and hearty and about seventy years of age. Lorenzo D. Thompson grew to manhood on the Ogle County farm, remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, and in 1875 came west to Iowa, locating in Story County on a farm near Nevada. He moved to Iowa Centre in the fall of 1882, and has not been engaged in business since that time, except handling some stock at this place. Mr. Thompson was married in Ogle County, Ill., on the 31st of March, 1875, to Miss Sarah Richardson, daughter of William Richardson, of Ogle County, and a native of Ogle County, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have four children: Katie, Luleen, Flora and Edna. One child-Clair --- was killed in the tornado of June, 1882. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics, was elected justice of the peace of Indian Creek Township in 1886, re-elected in 1888, and is now serving his second term. He is a dele- gate to the next Story County Convention. He has been reasonably successful since his resi- lence in this county, and is considered one of ts substantial citizens. He owns a good farm 1 Nevada Township and good residence prop- ty in Iowa Centre. He is a Master Mason, cially.
James Thurston, farmer and stock-breeder, Nevada, Iowa. Nearly ever since his identi- fication with Story County as one of her citi- zens, Mr. Thurston has been interested in the
raising and breeding of horses, and by reason of his long and intimate acquaintance with this branch of industry, he has become well known. Born in Delaware County, Ohio, on the 13th of September, 1827, he was the son of Isaac and Phoebe (Inman) Thurston, the father a native of Rhode Island. The mother died in Ohio in 1841, and the father died in Kane County, Ill., at the age of sixty-nine years. James Thurston, the youngest of nine children, three of whom are living, came to Kane County, Ill., in 1844, and made his home in that State until 1880. As he had early been taught the duties of the farm, he fol- lowed this occupation in Illinois, until coming to Story County, Iowa, in the last mentioned date. He settled on 140 acres on Section 13, Nevada Township, and has for many years been engaged in stock-breeding. He is now the keeper of two thoroughbred Percheron horses, owned by a Farmers' Stock Improvement Com- pany, of New Albany-Sebastapol, four years old, and weighing 1,850 pounds; and Muscat, also four years old, and weighing 1,700 pounds. These thoroughbred horses, valued at $2,000 each, were purchased in Europe by W. L. El- wood, of De Kalb, Ill., in March, 1889, and were imported thence direct to this country. These are two of the finest horses in the connty. Mr. Thurston was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah Perry, a native of De Kalb County, Ill., and three interesting children have been born to this union: Laura J., Esther A., and Anna V. Mr. Thurston is a Republican in his political views, and Mrs. Thurston is a member of the United Brethren Church.
Mrs. Martha Tichenor, consort of Joseph Tichenor (deceased), is a resident of Section 28, Nevada Township, Story County, Iowa. She was born in Indiana, on March 10, 1830, and was the second in a family of eight chil- dren, all deceased but four, born to the union
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of William and Jane (Neal) Mccullough, both natives of South Carolina. The mother died at the age of forty-two and the father at eighty years of age. The children living are: Isa- bella (resides in Keokuk, Iowa, and is the widow of Marion Beatty ), Adaline ( resides in Peoria, Ill., and is the wife of Thomas Leve, who is baggage-master of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad ), and William (re- siding in Republic County, Kas.). The latter married Miss Anna Mullen. Mrs. Tichenor secured a limited education in the old subscrip- tion schools in Indiana, and was married to Joseph Tichenor on April 3, 1855, in Scott County, Ind. Shortly afterward they emi- grated to Iowa, and there engaged in cultivat- ing the soil. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of seven children-five sons and two daughters: Eldert ( married Miss Nettie Wise- man, and is engaged in farming in Story County ), Belle (resides in Story County, and is the wife of William Hogue, a farmer), Eva died at the age of fourteen years), Carleton and Joseph (twins), (both deceased, the for- mer at the age of twenty-seven years and the latter when young; Carleton married Miss Mary Whittaker and left a little boy), Ed- ward (is a farmer and resides on the home place), and Oliver (resides on the home place ). Mrs. Tichenor is a worthy member of the Evangelical Society, as was also her hus- band, and is a liberal supporter of all be- nevolent and religious institutions. The so- ciety numbers about thirty members, and is prospering finely. Mrs. Tichenor came to Story County in 1855, and has witnessed the marvelous growth of the same since that time. She is the owner of 160 acres of good prairie land, and also has 20 acres in timber. She lost her husband on June 15, 1877, and his remains are interred in the Mullen Cemetery, near the home. Mrs. Tichenor expects to
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