USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 21
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Ohio. August 23, 1864, he was married to Mary Gilmore, of Holmes County, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Young) Gilmore. They have seven children living -- James Alfred, Mary Emily, Ellen Eliza- beth, Martha L., Jane, Ira E. and Fanny E. A son named Wesley E. is deceased. After leaving Wayne County, Ohio, Mr. Denly settled in Knox County, Illinois, remaining two and a half years. He then came to Clarke County, Iowa, and made his home in Ward Township for seven years, and in the spring of 1883 bought the farm where he has since resided. His farm is one of the best located in Knox Township. and contains 140 acres of improved land under the best of cultivation. He has a comfort- able residence surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, out buildings for the ac- commodation of his stock, and a fine orchard on his farm. This fine property has been acquired by years of industrious toil and persevering energy, Mr. Denly being a poor man when he commenced life for him- self, and is numbered among the self-made men of Clarke County, where he is much respected for his fair and honorable deal- ings. In politics he was formerly a Re- publican, but now affiliates with the Green- back party.
HOMAS W. DAY, farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 27, Madison Township, Clarke County, was born in Clay County, Indiana, October 23, 1841, his father being a native of Wayne County, Kentucky. Our subject was reared to agri- cultural pursuits which he has made the principal vocation of his life, and in his youth received a common school education. In 1854 the father came with his family to Iowa, locating in Des Moines County, and in 1855 removed to Clarke County, when he settled with his family in what is now
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Jackson Township. The surrounding coun- try was then in a wild state, and was prin- cipally inhabited with Indians and wild animals. During the late war our subject enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and served faithfully for three years. He participated in the battles of Springfield, Missouri, Saline River and Poison Springs, Arkansas, and Prairie De Hand, beside others of minor importance. Mr. Day was united in marriage October 4, 1871, to Margaret Little, a daughter of Hugh Little, a resident of Madison Town- ship, Clarke County. Six children have been born to this union, of whom two are deceased. Those living are- Bryan, Mary J., Roy and Rubie. Mr. Day came to his present farm in 1871, where he has since resided with the exception of three years spent in Rice County, Kansas. He has met with fair success in his farming pursuits, and now owns sixty acres where he resides, in Madison Township, besides a farm of 160 acres in Rice County, Kansas. Mr. Day is an active and enterprising citizen, and is at present serving as township trustee and constable. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
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of twelve children-C. Frederick, M. Anne, Margaret, Katharine, John and Ilen- ry (twins), Charles, Elizabeth, Louis. Will- iam, Mary and Matilda, all living at home. Mr. Burgus followed agricultural pursuits in Des Moines County till the fall of 1868, when he came to Clarke County, and set- tled on the farm where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He had but $25 when he landed in America, but owing to his industry, persevering en- ergy and good management he has met with good success, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 237 acres where he resides. He has served his township as trustee, besides filling other minor offices. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.
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ATRICK FOX resides on section 12, Jackson Township, and owns one of the best farms in the eastern portion of the county. It consists of 280 acres. When he first occupied it, in 1883, no furrow had been turned nor tree planted. Now the broad fields gladden the heart of their owner. March 11, 1875, Mr. Fox first made his home in this county. He settled on section 1, Jackson Township, contracting for 140 acres. Poor crops caused him to fail in his payments. Surrendering his land with his stock in 1883, he occupied his present home. He brought to this county about $2,000, all of which was lost in that first investment. Mr. Fox was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, December 11, 1837. His parents, Frank and Catharine Fox, never left their native land. To better his fortunes, he embarked for the United States in 1861, landing at New York City. He first settled in Albany, that State, where he lived five years. June 19, 1864, he wedded Roscommon, Ireland. March 4, 1866, they
HARLES BURGUS, a successful farmer and stock-raiser, living on sec- tion 22, Madison Township, was born in the province of Pomer, Germany, Octo- ber 2, 1831, his father, Frederick Burgus. being a native of the same province. Our subject remained in his native country till 1860, coming to America in the fall of that year. He spent the first year of his residence in America in Walworth County, Wiscon- sin, moving to Des Moines County, Iowa, in January, 1862. He was married Novem- ber 3, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Ries, a ; Miss Ann Mecham, a native of County daughter of Christian Ries, of Burlington, Des Moines County. They have a family ' moved to Galesburg, Illinois, where Mr.
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Fox rented land, and remained upon it un- til his removal to this county. The names of their children are-Frank, Thomas, Kate (who died at the age of eighteen months), Ella, Maurice (who died at the age of six- teen months), Annic, Marie, Maggie, Lizzie, and John (who died in infancy). Mr. Fox came to this county a poor man, but his energy and' frugality have been well re- warded. The family are members of the Catholic church. Politically, Mr. Fox is a Democrat,
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LVAH M. HADLEY was born in Morgan County, Indiana, January 15, 1851. He came with his parents to this State in 1855, making their home in Warren County. In 1856 they settled in Franklin Township on the southwest quarter of section 29. His father pur- chased a farm, which had been slightly improved. Later, the family. returned to Morgan County, where the parents now live. The father was born in that county in 1828, and the mother was born in Ran- dolph County in 1830. To them were born eight children-our subject, Alvah M., and one daughter, Mrs. Elmira H. Farmer, re- siding at the home of her parents, are the only ones now living. Sylvia Ellen died at the age of sixteen years; Julia Eva died aged thirteen years; Louisa died aged eight years ; Emma died in this county, aged two years; Lmarinda died at about two years of age ; Effie, twin sister of Eva, died at the age of one month. Mr. Hadley's father re- tained the ownership of his Clarke County 1 farm until 1881, when he sold to Alvah M. October 3, 1872, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Susannah M. Cook, daughter of Milton and Martha Cook, who was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, December 10, 1854. She died September 14, ISSO, leaving four children-Loren R.,
Loles V., Luna C. and Luther M. March II, 1882, Mr. Hadley married Miss Ella Macy, daughter of Ira C. and Achsah Macy, who was born in Randolph County, Indiana, October 30, 1855. Soon after marriage they came to the old homestead of Mr. Hadley's father in the township where they now reside. They have two children-Lindley E. and Lmarinda. In politics Mr. Hadley, like all those bearing the name, is a Republican. His parents are members of the Society of Friends, under whose teachings the religious views of their son Alvah were formed. He is a practical farmer, a worthy citizen and a good neighbor.
ILLIAM O. PARRISH, M. D., one of the leading physicians and sur- geons of Hopeville, is a native of Jackson County, Michigan, born March 8, 1839, a son of Orrin H. Parrish, who was born in Ohio, and is now deceased. His father being a farmer, our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, passing his youth on his father's farm. He received good educational advantages, and for a time attended Central University at Pella, Marion County, Iowa, his parents having settled in that county in 1857. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Com- pany B, Third Iowa Infantry, and serving over four years. He took part in the en- gagements at Blue Mills, Pittsburg Land- ing. Shiloh, Hatchie River, sieges of Vicks- burg and Atlanta, with Sherman to the sea; thence to Richmond, and from there went to Washington where he participated in the grand review. Our subject attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he graduated February 25, 1868, and the same year located in Galesburg, Iowa, where he began his life's work.
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November 22, 1871, he was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Emma A. Butin, a daughter of Madison Moore. Five children have been born to them, of whom four still sur- vive-Earl O., Guy D., Jennie M. and William L. The doctor followed his pro- fession in Galesburg till 1877, when he came to Hopeville, where he has since re- sided, and since coming here has become well and favorably known as a skillful practitioner, and has succeeded in establish- ing a large and lucrative practice. Doctor Parrish is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Christian church.
ANDREW A. WOODS, son of Samuel and Julia Ann Woods, was born in Highland County, Ohio, December 3, 1844. He was united in marriage Novem- ber 2, 1865, to Lucetta Jane Mossbarger, who was born December 12, 1842, in Indi- ana, a daughter of William and Mercy Mossbarger, who came from Montgomery County, Indiana, to Clarke County, locat- ing in Jackson Township, where her father died in May, 1868, aged fifty-six years. The mother is now living in Nebraska, making her home with her son Leonard and her daughter Olive. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have eight children-Lillie May, Rozella, Oscar A., Austin E., Samuel V., Julia A., Josephine and Charles. Samuel Woods, father of our subject, was born in Virginia, in 1814, and his mother was a native of Highland County, Ohio, born June 14, 1815. They were married in 1835, and had a family of five children, whose names are as follows-Joseph, living in Hillsboro, Ohio; Mrs. Angeline Stotler, of Boone County, Indiana; Mrs. Zelma Par- ish, deceased; Andrew A., our subject, and Perry, who is deceased. The father died in
Highland County, Ohio, September 13, 1849, and the mother subsequently married John Beal, who is now deceased. The fam- ily came to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1855, when they located in Liberty Township, but for many years past the home of Mr. Woods, and his mother, Mrs. Beal, has been on section 28, of Liberty Township. The parents of Mrs. Beal, Joseph and Susannah Creek, were both Virginians by birth. Mrs. Beal is a woman of remarka- ble energy, and was well fitted in her prime for pioneer life. During the war she showed the practicability and possibility of raising cotton in Iowa. The price of cot- ton being so high she was unable to buy, so obtained some cotton seed which she planted and cultivated, picked, wove and spun, and made into clothing, sheets, pil- low cases, etc., and can yet produce fabrics of many kinds of her own carding, spin- ning and weaving of the staple raised by herself on her farm in Clarke County.
JOHN KERR, son of Arthur and Han- nalı (Bellers) Kerr, is a native of Car- roll County, Ohio, born May 11, 1836. In 1853 he accompanied his parents to Clarke County, Iowa. His father took up a claim in Knox Township, but soon ex- changed it and entered 200 acres of land in Liberty Township, and eighty acres in Warren County. The father died October 19, 1882, and the mother now makes her home with her son John. Their family consisted of nine children-James, John, Margaret, Mathias, Isabel, Isaac, William, Ellen and Marion. In August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company D, Thirty- ninth Iowa Infantry, and served his coun- try three years, participating in numerous skirmishes, but no important battle. He was for some time wagon-master of the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps,
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Captain Benjamin being Quartermaster. . After the war he returned home, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of 525 acres of finely im- proved land, all under cultivation, his resi- dence being on section 27, Fremont Town- ship. He is one of the representative citizens of the county, and a self-made man, accumulating his property by his own ex- ertions. He hauled the first run of burrs that ever was brought to Clarke County, with a team of oxen, and assisted in building the first saw-mill in the county, located in Osceola. Mr. Kerr has taken an active interest in the local affairs of his township, and has served fourteen consecutive years as trustec. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Osceola Lodge, No. 32. In politics he is a Republican. He was mar- ried October 17, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Glenn, and to them were born eight chil- dren-Thomas A., Dora B., Cora D., Lon C., Marion P., Abe C., Anme H. and John H. Thomas married Miss Ida Rackley, and Dora is the wife of Lafayette Harlan. Mrs. Kerr died December 24, 1879.
EORGE ABERNATHY, retired farmer, living at Murray, was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 22, 1821, a son of John Abernathy, who was born near Warm Springs, Virginia, and a grandson of John Abernathy, who served in the Revolutionary war. The grand- father settled with his family in Ross County, Ohio, in IScs, when the principal inhabitants were Indians and wild animals. A few of the members of his family were captured by the Indians who covered them with splinters which were then set on fire, leaving great scars on their persons. In the spring of 1828 our subject's father re- moved with his family to Parke County, Indiana, where they endured all the hard-
ships incident to pioneer life, and here George wasreared among Indians, his home being a rude log cabin. He was married February 1, 1844, to Sarah Evans, a daugh- ter of Nathaniel Evans, a pioneer of Parke County, and of the two children born to this union one is living, a son, John, now living in Madison Township of Clarke County. In 1844 our subject, accompanied by his wife, his brother William and his family, immigrated with ox teams to Logan County, Illinois, where they settled on Salt Creek Prairie. After his wife's death in 1849 he returned with his two children to Parke County, Indiana, and early in the year 1850 he located in Wapello County, Iowa. He was again united in marriage February 28, 1850, taking for his second wife Elizabeth Griggs, a daughter of Eaton Griggs who, in early days, was a noted gun- smith in Agency City, Iowa. To this union have been born twelve children, ten still living-Mrs. Sarah E. Turner, William E., George P., Charles L, Henry L., Andrew J., Emma J., Maggie L., Viola A. and Luther M. He went to Agency City in May, 1853, thence to La Harpe, Hancock County, Illi- nois, in 1853. He returned to Wapello County, Iowa, 1858, and in 1860 removed to Sullivan County, Missouri. In the spring of 1861 he traded his farm in Missouri for one in Iowa, the farm being in Monroe County, to which he removed with his fam- ily in August, 1861. In 1861 he went to Washington Territory and engaged in mining there and in Oregon and Idaho with his three brothers. They had formed a company composed of eighty-four men on their way out there at Fort Kearney on the Platte River. Two of the brothers are still in Idaho, and the third is now living in Utah. Our subject returned to Iowa in the fall of 1863, and in 1865 settled in Mad- ison Township, Clarke County, where he remained till 1883, since which he has re- sided at Murray Springs. When our sub-
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ject was fourteen years old his father gave him a hand sickle, which is still in his pos- session, and when a young man he used a plow with a wooden mold board, in his agricultural pursuits. After coming to Clarke County, Iowa, he used a one-horse shovel plow, a two-horse sulky turning plow and two-horse corn planter and check rower, a two-horse sulky cultivator and combined reaper and mower, and a self rake.
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R. ALESTER BENSON was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, No- vember 13, 1824. His parents, Syl- vester and Electa (Elethorp) Benson, were born, reared and married in Vermont, go- ing to Pennsylvania immediately after mar- riage. They made the trip in winter by sleigh, traveling 300 miles. They had nine children, Alester being the eldest, and the only one now living. In 1834 the family moved to Hocking County, Ohio, where Alester was reared to manhood. March 16, 1848, he married Miss Jane Chamberlin, a native of Ross County, Ohio. In 1854 they moved to Logan County, Illinois, where the Doctor followed farming and practicing medicine for eight years. In the autumn of 1860 he moved to Wapello County, lowa, where he followed his pro- fession several years. In 1869 he came to Franklin Township, where he has since lived. He owns a fine stock farm of 177 acres, besides having divided 160 acres with his children. Since coming to this county the Doctor has given the greater portion of his time to farming ; but has responded to professional calls from personal friends. He has made a specialty of treating cancers. in which he has been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have had four children- William, resides in Warren County ; Mrs. Permelia Jane Oliver lives near her father ;
Orlando, also resides with his parents. Al- ester, Jr., died at the age of six months. March 12, 1880, Mrs. Benson died at the age of forty-eight. In September, 1880, in Warren County, he married Miss Pris- cilla Kerney, a native of Ohio. Her par- ents, now deceased, settled in Warren County in 1851. The parents of Dr. Benson came to Ottumwa, Wapello Coun- ty, in 1855, and later came to the home of the Doctor, where the father died June 26, 1874, aged seventy-two years, and the mother August 26, 1884, aged eighty-six years and four months. Dr. Benson is a prominent member of the Baptist church, in politics a Democrat, and in local elec- tions casts his vote for the best man. Dr. Benson's grandfather, John Benson, was one of the "Green Mountain boys," who, with the old hero, Ethan Allen, did such heroic work in the Revolutionary war.
P. GIBSON, residing on section 18, Jackson Township, Clarke County, lowa, is a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, born December 18, 1823, a son of Joseph and Rachel (Phillips) Gibson, the father a native of Ireland, coming with his parents to America when an infant, and the mother born near Philadelphia, a native of the State of New Jersey. Our subject was reared at his birth-place, remaining there till reaching his majority. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade in his native county, and worked at his trade some time. He then engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, following this pursuit through the States of Pennsylvania. Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio and Ken- tucky. He came to Iowa in 1854, locating in Clarke County, and entered a half sec- tion of land about eight miles north of his present place, which he afterward sold, and after a few changes, subsequently bought
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his present farm, where he has followed agricultural pursuits for the past twenty- three years. He spent two years at Osceola although at the same time he carried on his farm. March 16, 1854, he was married to Edith HI. Millard, a daughter of John and Sallie (Ilall) Millard, both natives of Rhode Island, the father born September 14, 1787, and the mother June 11, 1796. They immi- grated to Ohio in 1816, when Marietta was but a fort, coming the entire distance from Rhode Island by wagon, and stopping at various forts on the way, the Indian troubles making that necessary. The Millard family resided in Washington County, Ohio, till 1854, when they came to Iowa with Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, they living in Clarke County till their death, the father dying May 15, 1858, and the mother surviving till April 7, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have three chil- dren living -- Sallie Millard, married Charles F. Proudfoot, and lives in Liberty Town- ship; Daniel Millard and Edith Eleanora. A son died in infancy.
OBERT M. ADKINS, dealer in hard- ware, stoves and tinware, Hopeville, a son of Wyatt Adkins, deceased, was born in Monroe County, Indiana, the date of his birth being October 7, 1854. Our "subject was about two years old when he was brought by his parents to Clarke County, Iowa, they locating in Doyle Township. Here he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, liv- ing here since coming with his parents in 1856, with the exception of six months spent in Bloomington, Indiana. Mr. Adkins was married November 6, 1874, to Miss Mary J. Kinyoun, a daughter of James E. Kinyoun, of Hancock County, Illinois. Four of the seven children born to this union are deceased. The names of those still living are-Mamie L., Halley D. and
Opal E. Mr. Adkins followed agricult- ural pursuits until ISS1, when he engaged in the hardware business at Hopeville, which he has since carried on with success. He keeps a stock of everything pertaining to his business, and by his strict integrity and upright dealings he has won the con- fidence of the people, and has succeeded in building up a good trade. Although Mr. Adkins never seeks official honors, he was elected and filled the office of consta- ble for two years. He is a member of the Christian church.
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SAAC WIANT is a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, born June 29,. IS24, a son of Jacob and Magdalene (Diebert) Wiant. His father died in 1826, and his mother subsequently, with her six children, moved to Grant County, In- diana, where he was reared and married. After his marriage his new cares increased his desire for a home, and accordingly, to better his opportunities for procuring one, he left Indiana and came West, locating in Clarke County, Iowa. He entered a tract of Government land, which he has im- proved and now has a fine farm of 275 acres of well-improved land, all under cultiva -. tion, with grod buildings and a pleasant residence. He is an enterprising, pro- gressive citizen, and a good farmer. He is public-spirited, and in addition to attending to his personal affairs is active in promot- ing the interests of his town and county. He has served as township trustee twenty- one consecutive years, and as treasurer of the School Board nine years. In politics he is a Republican, but in local elections votes for men, not party. In religious faith he is allied to the United Brethren church, and is a liberal supporter toward its material needs. Mr. Wiant was married in Novem- ber, 1845, to Eliza Woolman, daughter of
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
Abraham and Rath Woolman. To them have been born seven children-Mary Eliza- beth, Eliza Jane, Martha Emily, Ruth D., John C. F., Lucy M. and William T. S.
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ILLIAM GREEN OTIS, one of the oldest pioneers of Knox Town- ship, was born in Washington County, Ohio, October 28, 1829, a son of James and Ellice (Bainter) Otis, the father a native of Vermont, who served in the war of 1812, and the mother born in Zanesville, Ohio. Her father was a wheelwright by trade, and was the first mechanic who set- tled in Zanesville. He was of German descent. James Otis was a son of Barna- bas Otis, a descendant of the Puritans who came to America in the Mayflower, he be- ing a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. James Otis were the parents of six children-Lydia M., James H., Will- iam G., Henry Clay, John B. and one who died in infancy. William G. was nine years of age when his parents removed to Marion County, where he was reared. His carly life was spent in helping with the farm work, and in attending the subscription schools of his neighborhood. In 1848 he came to Iowa, and in the spring of 1849 he started on a trip through the State. He then returned to Ohio, and in September, IS50, came again to Iowa with a two-horse team, when he entered land from the Government on section S, Knox Township, where he has since resided. During the late war he enlisted in the defense of his country, August 22, 1862, in Company K, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and partici- pated in several skirmishes and engage- ments. Prior to this he had joined the Iowa State Militia, and had marched through St. Joe, Missouri, where he was on guard duty for some time. He received an honorable discharge at Washington City
June 5, 1865, when he returned to his home in Knox Township, where he has since fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Otis was united in marriage February 25, 1872, to Miss E. M. Morgan, who was born and. reared in Morgan County, Indiana, a daughter of William and Mary (Taggard) Morgan. Six children have been born to this union-Mary Estella, Elinor Morgan, Martha Ellen and three who died in in- fancy. ,Mr. Otis was elected justice of the peace in 1884, and served justice in an im- partial manner to all who called before his jurisdiction, filling the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Greenback party. He is a comrade of Knox Post, G. A. R. He has a snug farm of fifty-six acres, his land being under fine cultivation. His residence and farm build- ings are comfortable and commodious, and he has one of the best spring houses in the county.
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