USA > Iowa > Story County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa > Part 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
spend the balance of her days in Story County surrounded by her children and many warm friends. Joseph Tichenor (deceased) was a native of Delaware, born in 1814, and always cultivated the soil. He was an honorable, up- right man, and was respected by all acquainted with him. He was a Republican in politics. He started life a poor boy, but by industry and economy had accumulated considerable property at the time of his demise, which oc- curred on June 15, 1877, from cancer of the stomach.
John W. Torry, farmer and stock-raiser, Collins, Iowa. Story County is quite fortunate in having among her foreign-born element men whose industry, strict attention to business, economy and perseverance, have produced such substantial results in the different affairs with which they have connected themselves. Mr. Torry belongs to this class, for, originally from England, his location in this country dates from 1868. He was born in Lincolnshire on the 10th of April, 1844, and is the son of William and Jane ( Baker) Torry, both natives of England. The father died in 1846, and the mother in 1857. John W. Torry was the third of four children, and is the only survivor. He was obliged to start ont to fight life's battles for himsef when thirteen years of age, and as a consequence obtained but very little schooling. He emigrated to the States in 1868, locating in Kane County, Ill., and began working on a farm by the year. This he continued for five years, and was married on the 5th of December, 1872, to Miss Mary Fothergill, a native of Illinois, born in Kane County, Ill., and the daugh- ter of John Fothergill, a native of England. Mr. Torry then rented a farm and engaged in tilling the soil up to 1885, when he moved to Iowa and bought 160 acres of land, where he now lives, and which had some slight improve-
443
STORY COUNTY.
ments. He has greatly improved the place in the short time he has been on it, has a good story-and-a-half residence, a large new barn just completed, one of the best, in fact, in the county, and also has good sheds, out-buildings, etc. The farm is all fenced and cross-fenced, a portion of it is tilled, and it is one of the best in the township. He devotes some attention to cattle and the dairy business, and is wide- awake and enterprising. He is a Republican in politics, and held several local offices in Illi- mois. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Torry is class- leader and one of the trustees of the same. He served three years as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and is a man universally respected. He has mostly educated himself by individual effort since coming to the States. To his marriage were born four children: Hat- tie (a young lady), Thomas A., Roy Irving and Ethel May.
John Twedt, a prominent farmer and stock- man of Story County, was born near the city of Bergen, Norway, March 10, 1844, and is a son of John J. Twedt and Carrie Helvig Twedt, both natives of Norway. They emigrated to America in 1866, locating in Story County, Iowa, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch passed his youth in the land of his forefathers, receiving an excellent education in the Norwegian language, and coming to Uncle Sam's broad domain with his father. After settling in America he continued his education, and thus possesses a very superior amount of knowledge. He married in Story County on December 17, 1869, the fair maiden of his choice being Miss Anna Erickson, a native of Norway, and sister of Mike Erickson, whose history appears in this book. Soon after mar- riage Mr. Twedt devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, buying his present valua- ble farm in October, 1874, and, adding to the
original purchase from time to time, now owns a vast amount of property. He is a member of the Republican party, and has held several public offices. His family consists of eight children, viz .: Joseph, Jacob, Ellen, Carrie, Hannah, Lizzie, Albert and Clara. The family belong to the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Twedt is an industrious and enterprising citizen, an ornament to the neighborhood in which he re- sides.
George A. Underwood, attorney, Ames, Iowa. What is usually termed genius has little to do with the success of men in general. Keen perception, sound judgment, tact and a deter- mined will, supported by persevering and con- tinuous effort, are essential elements to success in any calling, and their possession is sure to accomplish the aims hoped for in the days of one's youth. The jurisprudence of a common- wealth is the most necessary factor toward its growth and permanence, for without a thorough knowledge and administration of the law, no form of popular government could long exist. George A. Underwood, by virtue of his ability as a jurist and his victories at the bar, is emi- nently worthy of a place in this record of suc- cessful men, and the history of his life is an important and honorable part of that of his State and country. He was born in Kane County, Ill., on March 25, 1852, and is a son of Almon and Lucetta (Smith) Underwood. The former was born in Massachusetts, March 2, 1821, and died at Kaneville, III., in 1889, and the latter was born in Pennsylvania. March 4, 1829, and died at Kaneville, Ill., April 3, 1872. The paternal grandfather, Walter Un- derwood, was born in Massachusetts, and died in New York, at about fifty years of age. The Underwood family came from England to the United States at an early day, and settled in Massachusetts. By occupation the father was a farmer. George A. Underwood, the eldest of
444
HISTORY OF IOWA.
four children, became familiar with the duties of the farm in early life, and had some of the advantages afforded by the common schools, subsequently attending the Kaneville (Ill.) high school, from which he graduated in 1873. He was then principal of the Algonquin, Ill., schools for one year, after which he went to Madison, Wis., and took a law course in Wis- consin University, graduating in the class of 1875. In January of the following year he came to Ames, and here he has since resided. On coming here he was at once admitted to the bar of Story County, the courts of Iowa and the United States courts. Since 1876 Mr. Un- derwood has been doing a good law business. He is one of the best trial lawyers in Central Iowa, and has been connected with some very important cases. He is the owner of a valua- ble farm of 240 acres, near the town of Ames, and this farm is well stocked with fine horses and cattle. In politics Mr. Underwood is a Republican, and soon after settling in Ames was mayor of the town for three terms. He has also been a member of the Ames school board for about twelve years, and he has ever taken an active part in the educational affairs of the town; also the affairs in general for the best interest and advancement of Ames. He is a popular man, and a leading lawyer and citizen of Story County and Iowa. He was married in August, 1875, to Miss Angusta E. Ames, a native of New York, and they have six children: Frank A., James Lucien, Ethel Lynn, Sadie A., George Carrell and Jean R. Mr. Underwood is a Mason, belonging to Arca- dia Lodge No. 249, at Ames, and 3 X 3 Chap- ter No. 99, at Nevada.
William W. Utterback, a pioneer and much- esteemed resident of Story County, owes his nativity to Woodford County, Ky., born July 27, 1814. He remained in his native State un- til 1828, when he moved with his parents to In-
diana. In 1852 he came to Story County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1853, settled where he now lives, in the eastern part of Nevada Township. On coming to the township, Mr. Utterback bought out a squatter by the name of John Cox, who had cleared about two acres, and Mr. Utterback now owns 150 acres of well- improved land, and has on his fine farm a never-failing mineral spring. He led to the altar, on the 27th of July, 1837, Miss Margaret Lakin, who died April 12, 1847, leaving three children: Elizabeth S., Mary E. and William F. Only Mary survives. On the 29th of Septem- ber, 1847, Mr. Utterback took for his second wife Miss Margaret McCartney, a native of Livingston County, N. Y., born in 1819, and to them were born five children: Joanna, Mar- tha, John W., Joseph A. and Calista. John is deceased. Mr. Utterback is a Republican, po- litically, and was a member of the board of township trustees at the time of the naming of Nevada Township, and he had the honor of giv- ing it that title. He has lived to see Nevada Township and Story County grow from a wild and unsettled state to their present condition of prosperity, and he has aided in all enter- prises for their advancement. He has many warm friends, and is one of the county's best citizens. His parents, Benjamin and Matilda (Hanks) Utterback, came to Indiana in 1828, and to Story County, Iowa, in 1852. The fath- er died in Boone County, Ind., at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother passed the closing scenes of her life in Mills County, Iowa, when seventy-five years of age.
Jesse E. Vanscoy, farmer and stock-raiser, Ames, Iowa. A life-long experience in the channels of agriculture, and an intimate ac- quaintance with every detail of the calling, have contributed to place Mr. Vanscoy among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He was born in Randolph County,
445
STORY COUNTY.
W. Va., in 1823, and is one of sixteen children, the result of the marriage of Aaron and Jane (Grimes) Vanscoy, both natives of the Old Dominion. Aaron Vanscoy was born in 1770, and was the son of Aaron Vanscoy, Sr. His brothers and sisters were named as follows: Sarahı (wife of Robert Darling, of Jackson County, Ohio), Timothy, Jonathan, and Eliza- beth (who became the wife of George Tidrich, of Highland County, Ohio). Our subject's ma- ternal grandparents, John and Jane (Tough) Grimes, were natives of Virginia, and his mother was one of five children born to this union: John, Henry, Solomon and Sarah. Jesse Vanscoy grew to manhood in his native State, moved to Ohio in 1846, and located in Jackson County, where he was married, in 1847, to Miss Mary Vanscoy, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah ( Lohry) Vanscoy, natives of that grand old State of Virginia. Of the eight children born to this union five are still living: Cynthia A. (now Mrs. John Corkin, of Washington Township), Levi, John ( was struck by light- ning in April, 1889, and left a wife and one child), Orilla L. (wife of B. Neth, of Dakota, died in 1888), James, Henry and Ellsworth. Mr. Vanscoy came to Story County in 1882, located where he now resides, and is the owner of 157 acres of excellent land. His buildings are all first-class, and his improvements are of the same order. He comes of Democratic parentage, and supports that party at all times. He extends a helping hand to all worthy enter- prises, and is especially liberal to churches and schools, giving the land on which the United Brethren Church, south of Ames, is erected. He was identified with the I. O. O. F. while a resident of Illinois.
William J. Veneman, farmer and stock- raiser, Maxwell, Iowa. Mr. Veneman was born in Kosciusko County, Ind., on the 5th of June, 1844, and is the son of Lemuel Vene-
man, a native of Ohio, who went to Indiana when a young man. There he married Miss Matilda Cory, a native also of the Buckeye State, and they became the parents of two sons and five daughters, all of whom are liv- ing and heads of families. Mr. Lemuel Vene- man farmed in Indiana until 1849 and then moved to Iowa, settling in Polk County, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in November, 1868. His wife survives him and is married again. Will- iam J. Veneman grew to manhood in Polk County, and remained with his father until August 11, 1882, when he enlisted in the Union army, Company B, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until honora- bly discharged on the 5th of June, 1865. He was promoted from private to corporal, and participated in the battles of Cross Roads, Resaca, Atlanta and Altoona, and a number of smaller engagements. He was taken prisoner at Altoona and held about two months, when he was paroled and returned to his regiment. Af- ter this he was in two active engagements and was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. He participated in the Grand Review at Washington City, and after being discharged, returned to his home in Polk County. There he tilled the soil and attended school at Des Moines, also taking a course at Commercial College.' On the 30th of August, 1867, his nuptials to Miss Maggie Kirby, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., occurred, and he afterward engaged in teaching, following this for one term in Story County. The parents of Mrs. Veneman, Jacob and Harriet ( Ames) Kirby, resided in Indianapolis for some time, and then moved to Iowa in 1863, settling in Polk County. He now resides at Des Moines. After finishing his term as teacher, Mr. Vene- man began farming and has continued in that occupation ever since. He settled on his
446
HISTORY OF IOWA.
present farm in 1872, buying an improved place. but has made many other improve- ments. The home place consists of 280 acres, all good, tillable land, and with thirty acres of timber. He has good buildings of all kinds on his place. Aside from this he is the owner of 247 acres of other lands, all the result of hard work and good manage- ment. He is considered one of the substan- tial men of the county. In politics he is a Republican, and has held several local posi- tions, viz., assessor, for six years: trustee, for the same length of time; a member of the school board. and road supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Veneman have six children: Rowan ( now at college ), Lemnel J. (at home), Nel- son, Hattie, Alberta and Ward. Mr. and Mrs. Veneman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also four of their children, and Mr. Veneman is steward and trustee in the same.
David J. Vinje is a well-known lawyer of Nevada, Iowa, for he has been closely con- nected with the legal affairs of this section since the fall of 1876. He was born in Vos Bergens Stift, Norway, February 20, 1850, a son of John and Ingeborg ( Klove ) Vinje, who were born in that country in 1822 and 1824, respectively. The father was a worthy agri- culturist by occupation, and made his home in his native land until his death, which occurred in 1859. His widow still survives him, and is at present living in Marshall County, Iowa. The subject of this sketch was the second eld- est of five children, born to his mother's first marriage, and three of the family are now liv- ing. He first attended the public and private schools of Norway, and after coming to the United States, he settled near Decorah, Iowa. in 1865. where he became an attendant of the public schools. Later he removed to Marshall County, Iowa, where his mother and her family
had settled in the spring of 1869, and here he again began attending school. In 1875 he entered the law department of the Simpson Centenary College, and was graduated from that institution in June of the following year, being at the same time admitted to practice before the Iowa Supreme Court. In the fall of that year, as above stated, he came to Ne- vada, where by his own efforts he has built up an excellent and paying practice. He has climbed the ladder of success without the assistance of any one, for which he deserves much credit, for he came to this country totally unacquainted with the English language, con- sequently the disadvantages under which he labored were greater than that of the average. His marriage, which took place on October 11, 1876, was to Miss Helen Huseboe, her birth having occurred at Stavanger, Norway, May 25, 1855. They have five children: John M., Helen I., Lulu J., Bertha K. and Arthur T. Mr. Vinje is a Republican, and his first presi- dential vote was cast for James A. Garfield.
Isaac Walker is the second oldest settler in Nevada, having come to this place in Septem- ber, 1854. He was born near Hagerstown, Md., September 28, 1828, a son of John and Margaret ( Johns ) Walker, the former of whom was born on and was the owner of Hill Island, in the Susquehanna River, near the head of Chesapeake Bay, in 1779, and died in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1861. The mother was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1788, and also died in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1865. When the subject of this sketch was six years of age he was removed from Maryland to Penn- sylvania, thence to Ohio, in 1844, where he was reared to manhood. His youth was spent at hard labor on the farm, and his schooling was limited to a few terms, during the winter, in the old-fashioned subscription schools. In 1853 he removed to the State of Illinois, and
447
STORY COUNTY.
the following year he came to Story County, which has continued to be his home up to the present time. Soon after coming here he entered one-quarter section of land one mile south of Nevada, but sold the same in 1855 and bought his present farm, one mile east of the town, it comprising 165 acres. In addi- tion to doing ordinary farming, he has been an extensive raiser of fruit, and has an exception- ally fine vineyard. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, and after serving for nearly two years, he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He came home, and after fully recovering his health, which was near the close of the war, he enlisted in the Iowa State Troops, and was commissioned first lieu- tenant by Gov. Stone, to protect the inhab- itants from the depredations of the Sioux Indians. Although formerly a Republican in his political views, he is now a Greenbacker, and socially is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Nevada Lodge No. 99. October 11, 1863, he was married to Miss Julia Romane, who was born in Parke County, Ind., a daughter of Isaac Romane, a Kentuckian. Mr. Walker planted the first tree that was ever set out in Nevada, which was in the spring of 1855.
Mrs. Orris (Morgan) Ward is a resident of Franklin Township, Story County, Iowa, but was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 21, 1830, being the eldest of five children, whose names are as follows: Senaca ( who died at the age of forty years), John (who is mar- ried and is a farmer and stock-raiser of Fre- mont County, Iowa), Ruth ( who was the wife of Joseph Duncan, died at the age of forty years, leaving seven children), and Josiah (who is a farmer of Nebraska). All of Mrs. Ward's brothers were soldiers in the Union Army during the Rebellion. Her father was a native of Wales, but immigrated to the United
States when he was twelve years of age, and, although he followed the trade of a tanner, he also owned a farm, his first location being in Butler County, Ohio, later in Indiana, and finally in Iowa. He died at the age of seventy- four years, his wife's death occurring at about the age of forty years. Although she was born in Ohio, her parents, whose names were Whipple, were born in Vermont, and, being themselves intellectual and intelligent, were earnest advocates of the cause of education. Mrs. Ward obtained her education in the old subscription schools of Ohio, and on Septem- ber 10, 1848, was married in Parke County, Ind., to Hiram Ward, a native of Grayson County, Va., and by him became the mother of six children: Elizabeth (wife of James Reese, a brick and stone mason, of Boone City, Iowa, by whom she has two little daughters), Ruth (is the wife of Henry Shepherd, a bridge contractor and builder at Omaha, Neb. ), Ezra (is farming near Sioux City, Iowa, and is mar- ried to Miss Belle Briley, by whom he has two children), Morgan ( who resides with his mother on the old homestead), Senaca (who also lives with his mother), and Hiram (who is now in Empire City, Colo., engaged in silver mining). Mrs. Ward is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at West Boone, and is also an attendant at Ontario. She and her husband were deeply interested in the erection of the beautiful church at West Boone, and, besides contributing liberally to aid in its erection, they have always given of their means in the support of worthy enterprises. Mr. Ward was a man who possesed numerous worthy qualities, and, although he always in- sisted on having his rights, he had a whole- some respect for the rights of others, and in every instance endeavored to follow the teach- ings of the Golden Rule. He was a devoted husband and father, a benevolent citizen, and
448
HISTORY OF IOWA.
was ever ready to advance the interests of the county, and his efforts to gain a competency for his family met with good results. His death, which occurred on the 1st of February, 1890, was regretted by all, for his friends were numerous and his enemies few, and not only will he be missed in social circles, but his loss to his sorrowing widow and children can not be estimated. He is now sleeping his last sleep in the cemetery at Boone, where a tasteful monument has been erected to his memory by Mrs. Ward. They had immigrated to Iowa in 1853, when the country was in a primitive state of cultivation, Indians and wild animals being very numerous, but Mr. Ward laid out and perfected four different farms, all in the immediate locality of the present homestead. It consists of 180 acres of improved land, on which are a lovely farm residence, commodious farm buildings, orchard, etc., and fitted up with everything to make life easy and com- fortable. All that Mrs. Ward now possesses she can attribute to the hard and constant toil and economy of her husband, herself and her children. She expects to make Story her future abiding place, as her friends and ac- quaintances here are numerous.
John Warren was born in Johnson County, Ind., November 1, 1821, and is the second of five children born to John Warren and Elisa- beth Collins, who were born in Connecticut and Virginia, and died at the age of seventy-five years, and on February 19, 1847, respectively. Their children are Minerva ( who was married to George Bradshaw, a farmer, and died at the age of sixty-six years, leaving a family of six children), John came next in order of birth, Eliza and Retta (died in infancy ) Amanda M. ( married Robert Neil, a politician and agri- culturist, of Fairfield, Iowa), and L. C. War- ren (married Miss Nancy Tyson, and is a min- ister in the Christian Church in Colorado).
John Warren received his early education and training in his native county, in Indiana, and being naturally intelligent he has been enabled to conduct his business affairs very success- fully. He commenced to make his own way in the world at the age of twenty-two years, but as he began life with no means lie was com- compelled to work very hard at first to gain a foothold. At this stage of life he was married to Miss Ellen Groseclose, a native of Johnson County, Ind., their union taking place there on the 21st of December, 1843, and to them a family of six children have been born: Eliza- beth C. (wife of James H. Kirk, a farmer of Story County, by whom she has eight children ), Esther M. (wife of J. E. Jones, a merchant of Cambridge), Mary A. (who died in infancy ), Jefferson C. (who married Mary Huff and farms in Story County), John Wesley (who tills the soil in Story County, and is married to Lora White), and Jacob Eddy ( who is one of the tillers of the soil of this county, and is married to Miss Alice Wharton, by whom he has one son named Cecil, aged one year). Mr. Warren has always been a Republican, and for a period of about eight years he has served as school director and school treasurer in his dis- trict. He has always been a warm supporter of education, and in 1861 established the first school-house in Centre Grove, Union Township, purchasing the sash, doors, etc., in the city of Des Moines, on his own credit. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church at Cambridge, Iowa, and have always earnestly endeavored to follow the Golden Rule, From Johnson County, Ind., they came direct to Story County, Iowa, in 1853, and built the second cabin in Centre Grove, and at that time the present flourishing town of Nevada was not known, there being only one little cabin erected by Theodore Alder- man. The sale of town lots commenced the
449
STORY COUNTY.
next spring, March 12, 1854. Cambridge con- sisted of only a few houses, and the nearest market of any importance was Des Moines, which was also their nearest post-office. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have in their possession a fine farm of 160 acres, on which- they live. They are comfortably and independently fixed, and are perfectly contented here to spend the rest of their days, surrounded by their children and many friends, by whom they are honored for their generosity, benevolence and sterling worth and integrity. Mr. Warren's father was a native of Wythetown, Va., a farmer by call- ing, and died at the age of fifty-six years. Her mother was a North Carolinian, who died when seventy-nine years of age.
A. Wortman, merchant and postmaster, Kelley, Iowa. One of the most successful business men in the town of Kelley to-day is Mr. Wortman, who came to Story County, Iowa, in 1874, and located on a farm two miles north of Kelley. He was originally from Mercer County, Penn., where he was born in 1844, and is the son of Samuel and Susan (Basel) Wortman. The parents were also na- tives of Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Illinois in 1850, and the father died in Rockford of that State. The mother is still living at that place. Their family consisted of seven chil- dren, six of whom are living. A. Wortman was reared, principally, at Rockford, Ill., where he was educated in the public schools, and in 1864 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, and served faithfully and well until cessa- tion of hostilities. He then returned home, remained there until 1874, and then came to Story County, Iowa, as mentioned above. He tilled the soil successfully until about 1881, when he embarked in the creamery business at Kelley, and this he still carries on. During the summer season he turns out about
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.