USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 22
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AANS OEHLERT, one of the success- ful agriculturists of Jackson Town- ship, residing on section 3, was born in Germany, March 6, 1834. His parents, Hans and Margaretha Oehlert, now de- ceased, never left their native land. He was raised a practical farmer. December 21, 1860, he married Miss Magdalena Schmidt, who was born in Germany, Feb- ruary 1, 1841. Mr. Oehlert ow ned a home and was able to farm his own land ; but tales of free America with its grand oppor- tunities for men of energy had reached him, and the hope of bettering his condition (which hope has been fully realized) caused him to leave the fatherland and sail for the United States. He landed at Castle Gar- den in June, 1870, and came directly to lowa. For a while he worked at farm labor and on the railroad, but in the spring of
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IS71 settled on his present farm on sec- tion 3. He owns 160 acres of the best land to be found in the township, all under im- provement. Ile has two children. His son, Hans, married Mattie Benick and lives in Jackson Township. His daughter, Mag- gie, and her husband, James Woods, live with him. The family are worthy mem- bers of the Lutheran church. , Mrs. Ilal- ling of Jackson Township is a sister of Mrs. Oehlert. In politics Mr. Oehlert is a Demo- crat. He is a kind-hearted man, a good citizen, and is esteemed by all.
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OHN M. BALL, mayor of the city of Osceola, was born near Fairview, Guernsey County, Ohio, August 10. IS37. Ilis parents, John and Charity (Ridgway) Ball, were natives of Maryland, each going to Ohio when very young and remaining in that State many years. They were the parents of nine children, John M. being the sixth child. In 1854 the family removed to Mahaska County, this State, settling on a farm. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and remained at home until he reached maturity. At the outbreak of the civil war, in 1861, he en- listed in Company H, Eighth Regiment, Iowa Infantry, serving four years and nine months in the Army of the Tennessee and the Gulf. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and held six months at Macon, Georgia, then transferred to Libby prison, at which place he was paroled. Ile then went to Annapolis, thence to St. Louis, Missouri, and finally joined his regiment. He participated in the battles of Grand Gulf, Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the siege and capture of Vicks- burg, the siege of Mobile, and many others. He was mustered out in May, 1866. Mr. Ball volunteered as a private. He was pro moted to Second Sergeant, then First Ser-
geant, then Second and First Lieutenant, and was mustered out with the rank of Captain. He then returned to Mahaska County, and in the fall of 1866 came to Osceola, when he purchased the livery sta- ble owned by Murrey. He continued in this business two years, then became pro- prietor of an hotel known for many years as the Osceola House. Here he continued twelve years. Retiring from the hotel he next commenced dealing in agricultural implements, and took the contract of tiling the Des Moines, Osceola & Southern Rail- road, from Leon to Des Moines. He then formed a partnership with P. S. Fowler in the real-estate and insurance business, which he still continues. He served ten years as member of the city council of Osceola, and was elected mayor of the city of Osceola in March, 1886. In 1868 Mr. Ball was married to Miss Jennie Burrows, of this city. They have four children-C. Minor, Carrie L., Bessie F. and Gary L. Mr. Ball is a member of the 1. O. O. F., Lodge No. 95.
EMUEL MCKINNEY. an enterprising farmer, living on section 15, Liberty Township, was born in Chariton, Lucas County, lowa, in October, 1851. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Py- nor) McKinney, were both natives of Indi- ana. They were married in Champaign County, Illinois, and soon after their mar- riage moved to Iowa, where the father died in 1854, leaving a widow and four children -Mrs. Matilda Coombs, of Cherokee County ; Elias, now of Liberty Township ; Lemuel, our subject, and Riley, of Liberty Township. His widow subsequently mar- ried again, taking for her second husband George Beal, and is now living in Liberty Township. Lemuel MeKinney was left fatherless before reaching the age of three
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
years. After his mother married again he was taken to the home of his uncle, Riley Pynor, then a resident of Champaign County, Illinois, with whom he remained till he came to Iowa in 1864. Mr. Pynor now lives in Washington Territory. After coming to Iowa with his uncle, our subject lived with his sister, Mrs. Coombs, remain- ing with her till fifteen years of age, when he came to Clarke County and settled in Liberty Township, where he has a good farm containing 130acres of well-improved land. Mr. Mckinney was married to Miss Mary E. Jackson, a daughter of Andrew Jackson, of Liberty Township. They have a family of seven children-Ralph, Riley R., Wesley R., Lemuel L., Elias F., Mary A. and an infant. In his political views Mr. Mckinney is a Democrat. He has held the office of justice of the peace for two terms, and in 1885 was elected township clerk, which position he still holds, and is serving with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents.
ESLEY GREGG, one of the oldest residents of Clarke County, was born in Peoria County, I llinois, the date of his birth being April 1, 1843. His father, Thomas Gregg, brought his family to lowa in 1844, living in Lee County till the fall of 1851, when he removed his fam- ily to Clarke County, and settled in Doyle Township among the Indians and wild an- imals, and in his youth our subject often visited the Indian camps. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, his edu- cation being limited to the pioneer sub- scription schools held in log cabins with puncheon floors, clapboard roofs, slab seats, huge fireplaces, and stick-and-mud chim- neys. During the late war he enlisted in the defense of the Union, in Company D, Thirty-ninth lowa Infantry, serving only
eight months. He was disabled while in the service, on account of which he was dis- charged, and now draws a pension. He was married September 28, 1869, to Ada O. Brown, a daughter of Chester Brown who is deceased. They have four children living-Anna O., Frances E., Thomas K. and Cyrus S. Four of their children are deceased. Mr. Gregg followed farming till the fall of 1884, when he came to Hope- ville, where he has since made his home. Mr. Gregg has served as justice of the peace about five years, beside holding other offices of trust and responsibility. He was elected assessor but declined to serve. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife and daughter, Anna O., are members of the United Brethren church.
OBERT C. GRIGG, physician and surgeon and druggist, residing in Murray, was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, May 14, 1838, a son of Joseph W. Grigg, of Warren County, Illi- nois, who was a native of Virginia. Robert C. spent his youth on a farm, receiving a good education in Hedding Seminary (now college), in Abingdon, Illinois. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Madison Reece, of Abingdon, and later attended Rush Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, from which institution he graduated Feb- ruary 1, 1871. The same year he came to Murray, Clarke County, and immediately began the practice of medicine, he having previously practiced for a time with his preceptor in Abingdon, Illinois. Doctor Grigg was united in marriage January 9, 1872, to Miss Maria Dolph, and they are the parents of two children-Rubie Olive and Milton Fowler. The doctor still fol- lows his profession, and has built up a good practice. lle engaged in the drug business
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in 1879, building his two-story brick busi- ness house which is 22 x 72 feet, in ISSI. He carries a full line of drugs, medicines, paints and oils, books and stationery, cut- lery, wall paper anil fancy goods, and is carrying on a good basiness. During the late war the doctor enlisted in Company H, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, for three years, and participated in the battles of Garretsburg, Fort Donelson, and other en- gagements. He was wounded at Fort Donelson, which crippled him for life. Doctor Grigg is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
R. MARION T. MARTIN, a phy- sician of Woodburn, Clarke County, is a native of Hancock County, Illi- nois, born July 10, 1840; a son of Dr. John and Philanda (Couch) Martin, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter born in Meigs County, Ohio. Both par- ents are yet living, residents of James- port, Davis County, Missouri, where the father is still engaged in the practice of medicine. When five years of age our subject was taken by his parents to Sulli- van County, Missouri, where he lived till 1864, receiving his primary education in the schools of that region. At the age of eighteen years he began the study of med- icine in his father's office where he re- mained some time. August 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company A., Twenty-third Mis- souri Infantry, the first engagement in which his regiment participated being the battle of Shiloh, where they were taken prisoners. The Doctor was first taken to Montgomery, Alabama, remaining there six weeks, when he was placed under pa- role and taken to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and from there to Macon, Georgia, where
he remained till October 9, 1862. He was then sent North by way of Richinond, and exchanged. While at Macon .the Doctor and three others escaped from their prison and took to the woods, but were finally recaptured at the end of nine days, and for punishment they were staked to the ground two hours at a time. After his exchange the Doctor was taken to Wash- ington, where he was in Emory Hospital ten days, then taken to Camp Parole, Alexan- dria, where he was discharged on account of disability, December 7, 1862, and arrived home December 21, 1862. He again studied medicine with his father in Sullivan Coun- ty, Missouri, and afterward assisted him in his practice, remaining in that locality till December 28, 1864. He then went to Last Chance, Lucas County, Iowa, before that place was organized, remaining there till January 19, 1875, when he came to Woodburn, Clarke County, and has since been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, building up a large and lucrative practice. Doctor Martin was married January 19, 1860, to Miss Hannah J. Stout, a native of Washington County, Indiana, and a daughter of Benjamin H. and Sallie (Ruberson) Stout. Eight children have been born to this union-Elmina R., Har- riet E., Russia F., Cortez Prentiss, Stephen L., Lilly (deceased), Della E., Charlie B. In 1873 while a resident of Last Chance, the Doctor was appointed postmaster of that village, and at the same time engaged in the mercantile business, which he fol- lowed for three years when he failed in business, owing to the panic, and lost the savings of his life. Since coming here he has taken an active interest in the advancement of this place, and was one of the commissioners through whose influ- ence the town was incorporated. He has been a member of the city council since its incorporation and was president of the coal-mining company of Woodburn dur-
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ing the year ISS3. He is also holding the office of mayor at the present time. He is a member of Unity Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M., of Woodburn, of which he is senior warden, and is also surgeon of Davenport Post, No. 385, G. A. R., of the same place. He and his wife and two of their children, a son and daughter, are members of the Christian church.
OHN CHANEY, judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Judicial District, comprising Clarke, Decatur, Union, Ringgold, Adams, Taylor, Montgomery and Page counties, is a native of Monroe County, Indiana, born near Bloomington, July 4, 1832. His father, Frank Chancy, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, Rachel (Elborn) Chaney, of Indiana. His father died in 1876, and his mother is now a resident of Vernon County, Mis- souri. The family consisted of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, of whom our subject is the eldest. Six are now living. John Chaney lived in his na- tive State until nineteen years of age, and in IS51 came to lowa and lived in Lucas County until 1867, when he moved to Clarke County. After coming to Iowa he attended the Albion school a short time, and then cn- tered the lowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, where he pursued his studies two and a half years. After leaving school he taught several terms and in the mean- time began the study of law with Colonel Dungan, and in 1866 was admitted to the bar. In 1862 he enlisted in the defense of the Union, and was assigned to Company K. Thirty-fourth lowa Infantry, and com- missioned its Second Lieutenant. He was afterward promoted to First Lieutenant and later to Captain of Company E, com- manding the company nine months, when it was consolidated with Company A, and
he was made Adjutant of the battalion. A division of the officers was afterward made, and Mr. Chaney was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company A, Thirty-fourth Infantry, and served as such until the close of the war, being discharged August 15, 1865. Ile participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle at Arkansas Post, and assisted in the capture of several of the strongholds of the Confederacy. After his return from the war he lived in Lucas County nearly two years, and in June, 1867, located in Osceola, where he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession until the fall of 1884, when he was elected to his present position. Mr. Chaney is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and is a comrade in the Osceola Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He was married in July, 1861, to Miss Sarah C. Fuel, daughter of John Fuel, of Lucas County, lowa. They have four children- Mary L., wife of L. D. Burnett, of Omaha, Nebraska ; Frank, John and C. L. Mr. and Mrs. Chaney are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
- EORGE H. COWLES, one of the oldest bankers in Clarke County, and a respected and influential citizen of Osceola, is a native of the State of Iowa, born in Van Buren County, February 20, 1848. He is the only son of Chester W. and Martha W. (Howe) Cowles, his father a native of Amherst, and his mother of Enfield, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1838 his father came to Iowa and located in Bentonport, Van Buren County. where he still lives, aged seventy-eight years, his wife being sixty-two years old. George II. Cowles was reared and educated in his native county. After leaving school he was employed in the store of H. F. Grici & Bro., four years. In 1869 he removed
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to Osceola and began business for himself, and soon after became associated with A. H. Burrows in a private banking business. Four years later Mr. Cowles purchased his partner's interest and continued the busi- ness alone thirteen years. February 8, ISS6, he was one of the organizers of the Osceola Bank, of which he is a director, and was chosen its vice-president. In ad- dition to his banking interests he owns and superintends a farm of 1,240 acres in Jack- son Township, Lucas County. lle has 125 head of horses, having a number of high-grade imported Normans. Mr. Cowles was married in 1871 to Miss Alice Spalding, of Osceola. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity.
&DAM KERNS, of Fremont Township, is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, born July 14, 1831, a son of James and Sarah (Fansler) Kerns. When he was fourteen years old his father was killed by a falling tree, and he was then thrown on his own resources and started out to fight the battle of life alone, with no one to coun- sel or guide. He left the old home bare- footed and with clothing barely sufficient to cover him, and first found employment with an old gentleman named James Blok- son. He remained with him three months, receiving $12 a month for his services. He then worked by the day at Mt. Gilead, at anything he could find to do, and for a time was employed in the saw mill of Peter Doty, who proved a warm friend to the orphan boy. When twenty-three years old he came to Osceola, Clarke County, lowa. He had saved about S5oo of his earnings, and this he gave for the proceeds of a half interest in a saw-mill, and at the end of a year had $2,200. Hle then bought a mill of Cooper & Clark, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and erected it in Fremont Township, but
soon after sold it to Bennett & Crawlord. and went to Missouri, and on the day of James Buchanan's election to the presi- dency, put up a mill for Williams & Co. He then went to Adair County, lowa, and thence to Burt County, Nebraska, but was unsuccessful in his ventures and returned to Osceola, and bought a mill in company with Nathan McGrew. This partnership continued about eight years, with good re- sults. His first purchase of land was 160 acres in Fremont Township. This is still his home, but he has increased his acreage by subsequent purchases to 380. His land is all under cultivation and his improve- ments are among the best in the township. Mr. Kerns is purely a self-made man, his accumulations being due to his persevering industry and strict business integrity. He was married in October, 1863, to Miss Mat- tie R. Johnston, daughter of F. W. and Electa (Barrs) Johnston, of Osceola. To them have been born seven children- Julia, Lilly, James, Walter, Kittie, Leona Viola, and Frederick. The latter is de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns are members of the Missionary Baptist church. In poli- tics he is a Republican.
TAMUEL REISHI is one of the old pioneers of Clarke County, having been identified with its interests for thirty years. He is a native of Union County, Pennsylvania, born February 24. 1826. His parents, Samuel and Rachel Reish, had a lamily of nine children. They removed to Miami County, Ohio, when our subject was seven years old, where they made their home for thirty years. Samuel Reish was reared on a farm in Mi- ami County, his education being received in the subscription schools of those pioncer days. February 5, 1851, he was married to Julia Ann Heaton, who was born in Miami
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County, Ohio, a daughter of William Iea- ton. They have six children living-Min- erva Ann, Martha Jane, William E., Rachel Alice, John E., Mary Lenora. A daughter, Ellen, is deceased. In 1856 Mr. Reish came to Clarke County, Iowa, by team, when he located in Troy Township, on eighty acres of land. After living on this land ten years he sold it and removed to Knox Township, buying 205 acres of land on section 14, which he has since finely im- proved. He has a good story-and-a-half residence, built in ISS3, a fine barn, 30 x 40 feet, with basement, and other farm build- ings. He is devoting his attention to gene- ral farming and dealing in stock, in which he is meeting with success. He has added to his original purchase till his farm now , contains 260 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation. He is much respected throughout the county, having by his fair and honorable dealings won the confidence and esteem of all who have known him during his long residence in Clarke County. He is a member of the Second Advent church of Osceola.
OHN BURGUS has been a resident of Clarke County, Iowa, since coming here in 1876, when he settled on the farm where he he has since made his home, his farm being located on section 27, Mad- ison Township, Mr. Burgus was born in Prussia, Germany, the date of his birthi be- ing June 24, 1847, a son of Frederick Bur- gus, who is now deceased. Ile grew to maturity in his native country, and in 1861 came with his father's family to the United States, they locating in Des Moines County, Iowa. Our subject remained in Des Moines County till 1876, when he removed to Clarke County, as before stated, where he has since devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, and now owns a farm of
Ito acres of choice land. Mr. Burgus was united in marriage March 15, 1877, to Miss Kate Knotts, a daughter of Benjamin Knotts, deceased. They have three chil- dren-Minnie I., Jessie Belle and Frederick E. Samuel Knotts, a brother of Mrs. Bur- gus also finds a home with them.
EDWARD F. RILEY, one of the enter- prising and influential citizens of Os- ceola, is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, born near Mount Gilead, September 17, 1839. His parents, Ezra and Louisa (Potter) Riley, were natives of Ohio and Connecticut respectively, the mother com- ing to Ohio when five years of age. Both are now living at Ashley, Ohio. They were the parents of five sons, our subject being their eldest child. Edward F. passed his youth in Delaware County, Ohio, re- ceiving his primary education in the com- mon schools of that county. He subse- quently attended the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware for a time, completing his education at the University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from which institution he graduated in 1862. He then began the practice of law at Mount Gilead, where he remained one year, and in 1864 came to Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa, and soon after opened a law office, where he has since followed the practice of his profession, and at the same time is dealing in real estate. In 1878 he embarked in the banking busi- ness, when he opened his private bank, of which he is president, and has since been carrying on a general banking business ; and by his honorable and upright dealings he has become well and favorably known throughout Clarke County. Mr. Riley was united in marriage September 16, 1868, to Miss Martha Smith, and this union has been blessed with two sons-Allen E. and Frank B. Mr. Riley is the owner of five
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farms, on which he is raising stock, making a specialty of cattle. He is one of the live business men of Clarke County, and is al- ways active in promoting any enterprise which he deems for the advancement'of the county, or the good of the community in which he makes his home.
ANIEL PERDUE, residing on sec- tion 27, Liberty Township, was born in Cabell County, West Virginia, An- gust 2, 1839, his parents, James and Sarah (Letts) Perdue, being born and reared in the State of Virginia. They were married in Cabell County, West Virginia, and to them were born ten children, our subject being the ninth child, their names being as follows-William Henry, a practicing physician in Neosho County, Kansas ; John WV., of Pettis County, Missouri ; Mrs. Mar- tha Welcher died in Rock Island, Illinois, leaving a large family ; Mrs. Anna C. Jor- dan died in Coffey County, Kansas, leaving a large family; James E. lives in Adair County, Iowa ; Mrs. Susan Evans of Hutch- inson, Kansas; Thomas -J. served three years in the Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, now lives in Seward County, Nebraska; Isaiah enlisted in the Ninth lowa Infantry and died at Little Rock, Arkansas, while in the service of his country ; Daniel, the subject of this sketch, and Christopher C., served three years in Company II, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, now lives in Liberty. In 1842 the parents removed with their family to Knox County, Illinois, and a year later settled in Mercer County, Illinois, where the father died August 6, 1848. The widow subsequently went with her family to Rock Island County, Illinois, where she died in 1853. In 1851 Daniel Perdue, our subject, went to live with his brother-in-law, Q. A. Jordan, of Rock Island County, with whom
lowa in 1855. In 1857 he returned to Rock Island County. April 4, 1861, he was mar- ried in Warren County, Illinois, to Evaline Sargent, she being a native of that county, born September 23, 1840, a daughter of John Sargent. They have a family of eight children-Frank, Henry C., Eva May, Jes- sie F., Dell S., Lee Roy, Mary Ann and Mildred, all living at home. Mr. Perdue enlisted from Warren County, August 9, 1862, in Company H, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry. He received a severe wound in his left side at the battle of Fort Donelson, February 4, 1863, by a musket shot passing through his body, from which he slowly recovered, being in hospital for weeks. Ile was honorably discharged April 10, 1863, when he returned to Warren County. In October, 1864, he came to Clarke County, Iowa, and has since made his home on sec- tion 27, Liberty Township, where he has a fine farm containing 227 acres which he has brought from a wild state to a well-im- proved and highly-cultivated tract of land. In politics Mr. Perdue affiliates with the Democratic party. He is commander of Davenport Post, No. 385, G. A. R., of Woodburn. He has been a constant suf- ferer from his wound received while in the army, and now receives a pension of $12 per month.
&BRAHAM CARSON, one of the pioneers of Jackson Township, resides on section 11. He took eighty acres of Government land in 1855, and immediately commenced improvements. After about ten years' residence he added another eighty acres, buying it second-hand. Mr. Carson was born in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, October 9, 1812. His father, Thomas Carson, was born in Maryland, and his mother, Anna Layton, was a native he remained six years, coming with him to ; of New England. Abraham was the third
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