USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 25
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ENRY D. WOODWARD, of the firm of C. T. Haskins & Co., dealers in lumber and hardware, Murray, was born in Allegany (now Wyoming County), New York, the date of his birth being May 26, 1844, a son of Horace Woodward, who was a native of Vermont. Our subject was 'reared and educated in the schools of his native county, and at the age of twenty- two years he learned the carpenter's trade. He came to lowa in 1859, locating in Black Hawk County. He enlisted in the late war in Company A, Fourteenth Iowa In- fantry, in which he served two years and eight months, during which time he was mostly on detached duty. Ile re-enlisted as a veteran in Company K, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and took part in most of the en- gagements with the Indians. Mr. Wood- ward was married in December, 1872, 10 Miss Barbara O. Shreves, a daughter of John Shreves, of Greenfield, Adair County, lowa, and to this union have been born three children-Loren S., Belle O., and Jolin A. Mr. Woodward lett Black Hawk County | year in the Murray schools. She is a grad-
in 1871, removing to Adair County, where he remained till 1873. He then came to Murray, Clarke County, where he has since resided with the exception of two years, which he spent in Adair County, and dur- ing his residence here has been engaged in the lumber, hardware and furniture busi- ness. He has been elected to several local offices, and is at present a member of the town council, and of the school board. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public.
ENRY H. RYAN, living on sec- tion 9, Doyle Township, five miles KFT south of Murray, was born in Camp- bell County, Tennessee, June 4, 1829, his father, John Ryan, being a native of the same county. In 1834 the father cmigrated with his family to New Albany, Indiana, where he died in 1835. The same year the family removed to Owen County, Indiana. Our subject was reared to agricultural pur- suits, receiving such educational advan- tages as the rude log cabin subscription schools of his day afforded, and later at- tended the schools of Stilesville, in Hen- dricks County, Indiana. After leaving school he taught four or five terms. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, which he followed for fifteen years. He located in Lynn County, Iowa, in 1855, and during his ten years' residence in that county, worked at the carpenter and join- er's trade and helped to build Cornell Col- lege at Mount Vernon. He was married January 2, 1859, to Mary C. Eastlack, her father, John Eastlack, who is now deceased, having been one of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he left valuable property to his heirs. They have eight children-Alice E., Adella J., John H., Joel W., Ella F., Charles E., George W. and Harris H. Alice is teaching in her second
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uate from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and is an excellent teacher in music which she follows during her vacations. Adella married Edward Pierce, of Doyle Township, and has one child, Hubert G. John H. is also a resident of Doyle Town- ship. He married Sarah E. Gaumer, and has one child-Boyd E. Mr. Ryan came with his family (wife and three small chil- dren) to Clarke County, Iowa, in the fall of 1865 when he settled in Franklin Town- ship. He removed to Green Bay Town- ship in 1874, and in the fall of 1882, came to Doyle Township, since which he has resided on his present farm. His farm con- tains about 200 acres, is well improved and stocked. In financial matters he has always kept clear of embarrassing debts, and at the present time to the best of his knowl- edge, owes no man a dollar, and hasa com- peteney of least $8,ooo, having begun for himself as an orphan with but a few shill- ings. In politics Mr. Ryan is a staunch Re- publican, he having helped to form the party in this State. He has served Frank- lin and Green Bay townships as assessor and clerk for several years, beside holding other offices of trust. Mr. Ryan joined the Baptist church when eighteen years old, to which he belonged for many years, but at present belongs to no particular de- nomination, being rather liberal in his relig- ious views. Mr. Ryan is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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HOMAS P. JOHNSON, an enter- prising farmer and stock-raiser of Madison Township, is a native of Tennessee, the date of his birth being May 9, 1825. His father, Robert H. Johnson, was a native of the same State, and an early settler of Illinois, he having brought his family to McLean County in 1828, set- tling in the woods among Indians and
wild animals. Our subject was reared on a farm in McLean County, Illinois, and has made farming his life work. He was umted in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Rhodes, a daughter of Aaron Rhodes, the date of their marriage being November 7, 1847. Nine children were born to this union, of whom six are now living-Mrs. Nancy B. Dutton, Mrs. Nora E. Pollock, Francis M., Jeremiah R., Stephen A. D. and William S. One son, Robert H., died in his twenty- seventh year. Jeremiah R. is an enterpris- ing citizen of Madison Township, where he is actively engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Mr. Johnson came to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1854, where he has since made his home, the Indians being numerous when he first settled in the county. He is one of the pioneers who have lived to witness the many wonderful changes that have been made in the county in the past thirty years. Mr. Johnson served as a soldier in the Mexican war.
ILTON ROGERS, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 5, Doyle Township, was born in Mo- nongahela County, West Virginia, Septen- ber 8, 1822, his father, Archibald Rogers, being a native of the same county. The father being a farmer by occupation, our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, his education being limited to the log cabin subscription schools of his day. Mr. Rog- ers was married in February, 1845, to Han- nah Britt, a daughter of Samuel Britt, and of the eight children born to this union seven are living-John J., Mrs. Mary M. Chambers, Sarah E., Mrs. Elizabeth Cox, James A., Mrs. Emina E. Springston, and Daniel W. In 1854 Mr. Rogers removed with his family to Henry County, Ilinois, remaining there till 1865, when he came to Clarke County, lowa, and has since made
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his home in Doyle Township, where he owns 235 acres of choice land. Mrs. Rog- ers died in August, 1872, and in March, 1874, Mr. Rogers was again united in mar- riage to Mrs. Mary A. Perce, a daughter of Cyrus Mitts, by whom he has three children-Dora M., Herbert M. and Ar- thur L. Mrs. Rogers is the owner of forty acres of good land. She has two sons by her former husband, whose names are: Lewis E. and George B. Perce. Mr. Rog- ers has served one year as justice of the peace. He has practiced law before the courts of justice for several years. In his religious views Mr. Rogers is a Baptist.
ILLIAM LIKES, one of the early settlers of Clarke County, is a na- tive of Ohio, born in Guernsey County, December 24, 1827. He is the fifth of a family of eight children of Philip and Providence (Lewis) Likes, the father a native of Washington County, Pennsylva- nia, and the mother born in the State of Maryland. They were married in Ohio, and when our subject was an infant they settled in Belmont County, of that State. They came to Clarke County, lowa, in the spring of 1853, locating on a farm three miles from Osceola, on which they resided some four years, when they removed to Osceola. They subsequently settled on a farm on White Breast Creek, remaining 1 there till their death, the father dying in the year 1864, and the mother some time B DEITRICK, one of the prominent citizens of Fremont Township, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born September 10, 1832, a son of Jacob and Jane (Hutson) Deitrick. His mother died when he was but two years old, his father surviving until 1885. He remained with his father until his majority, and then learned the millwright's trade, at which he before. The father was a blacksmith, but did not follow his trade after leaving Ohio. William Likes, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Belmont County, Ohio, receiving his education in the schools of Sewellsville. At the age of fifteen years he entered the blacksmith shop of his father, where he began learning his trade, which he followed during his resi- ! worked five years. In 1858 he came to
dence in Ohio. He was married in April, 1853, to Sarah C. Ruley, of Belmont County, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Hester Ruley, who came to Clarke County, lowa, in 1854, both dying in Osceola, the father dying in 1885, aged eighty-seven years, the mother dying some eighteen years before. Mr. and Mrs. Likes have had eight children born to them-llester, deceased ; Forest Rose, wife of Jasper II. Likes; Lilian, died in infancy; Della L., wife of Lee HI. Estes ; Nannie E., Violet, William K. and Percy C., all at home. Mr. Likes came to Osccola about six months after his parents, and in April, 1854, opened a blacksmith shop on the northeast corner of the square, and six months later re- moved to his shop on Main street, where he has since followed his trade, being the oldest blacksmith in the county. He has followed blacksmithing for a period of thirty-two years, and is a thorough and re- liable man, and during his residence here he has not only established a good business, but has gained the confidence and respect of all who have business relations with him. In connection with blacksmithing he is also engaged in wagon-making and re- pairing. Mr. Likes settled in Osceola when the now thriving and prosperous lit- tle town contained but ten houses, and has witnessed the many changes which have taken place in the past thirty years.
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lowa, having previously entered 120 acres of land in Washington Township, Clarke County, which he afterward sold and bought the farm where he now lives, at that time with no improvements save a worthless log cabin in which they could not keep dry when the rain came, and upon these occasions huddled together under a large umbrella. His land he has brought under a good state of cultivation, and his building improvements are among the best in the township. He is purely a self-made man, gathering his property together little by little, by industry and frugality. He has served his township in various offi- cial relations and is an efficient and relia- ble officer. In politics he is a Greenbacker. He was married in 1860 to Miss Sophia Hunt, daughter of Garrard and Elizabeth Hunt. They have no children.
ILI A. ATKINS, one of the substantial business men of Osceola, was born in Deavertown, Morgan County, Ohio, April 17, 1823, a son of Elijah and Mary (Younkin) Atkins, natives of Delaware and Virginia, respectively, the father born April 17, 1797. He followed merchandis- ing and hotel keeping through life. The parents were among the early settlers of Ohio, in which State they made their home till death. They had a family of six chil- dren of whom their son, Eli A., and three daughters are yet living. Eli _1. began learn- ing the marble-cutter's trade at the age of eighteen years, which he followed about four years. He then engaged in the mer- cantile business at Cumberland, Ohio, re- maining there till 1852, when he came to Iowa, locating in Henry County for one year. Mr. Atkins came to Osceola, Clarke County, in July, 1867, and opened a mar- ble-cutter's shop, which he carried on about a year, when he sold out his business and engaged in the grocery business in which he
was very successful, continuing in the same business about ten years, in connection with which he dealt in grain for some time. Disposing of his stock of groceries he turned his attention to dealing in horses, which he shipped to Nebraska and other Western States, for six years. He has of late years been engaged in dealing in grain, buying and shipping between Denver, Col- orado, and Eastern markets, oats being the principal product handled. Mr. Atkins has been twice married. For his first wife he married Anna Bemis in 1845, who died in 1850, leaving three children-Charles O., now engaged in the abstract business, at Lincoln, Nebraska; Emery B., a grain merchant, of Denver, Colorado, and Mary E., wife of A. Burbaker, a lumber dealer, of York, Nebraska. Mr. Atkins was again married in 1852 to Maria J. Agnew, a native of Ohio, and to this union have been born three children-Laura E., mar- ried David E. Sayer, banker of York, Ne- braska; Frank K., dealer in real estate and loan agent at York, Nebraska, and Cora D. married W. J. Wildman, banker, of York, Nebraska. Mr. Atkins and his fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, of which he is a trustee.
: F. RICKER is a native of the State of Maine, a son of Tobias and Sally (Hannaford) Ricker. When but a boy he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until the year 1866. In 1855 he came West and lived in Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois, eleven years. From there he moved to Neponset, Bureau County, where he bought a farm and car- ried it on in connection with working at his trade seven years. In 1873 he came to lowa and bought the farm where he now lives, on section 6, Fremont Township, Clarke County. This farm contains 160 acres of choice land, all under cultivation,
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with pleasant and comfortable building im- provements. He was married in February, 1850. to Miss Olive B. Trull, daughter of Dr. Phineas and Nancy (Janness) Trull. To them have been born two children- Charles Bruce and Annie E. Charles mar- ried Josephine Hortense Storm, and Annie is the wife of Marion Redmon. Mr. and Mrs. Ricker are members of the Baptist church at Osceola.
LEXANDER LAYTON, an enter- prising agriculturist of Madison Township, residing on section 24, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, his father, William Layton, being a native of the same State. The father being a farmer by occupation, our subject passed his youth in assisting with the work of the farm, receiving such education as the com- mon schools of those times afforded. At the age of twenty years he began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he made his principal vocation until 1878. Mr. Layton was married in 1850, to Margaret Gravatt, who died in January, 1856, leaving two children-Laura, now Mrs. Boden, and William A. For his second wife Mr. Lay- ton married Ursula Cook, of Canton, Illi- nois, in April, 1858, and to this union was born one daughter, now Mrs. Lillie Olm- sted. Mr. Layton went to Fulton County, Illinois, in 1854, locating five miles cast of Canton, where he followed blacksmithing for five years, after which he carried on a large repair shop in Canton for mne years. He then came to Clarke County, settling on his present farm in Madison Township, where he carried on a blacksmith shop in connection with his farming until I878, since which he has devoted his entire at- tention to farming and stock-raising, in which he has met with success, having now 320 acres of choice land. Although Mr.
Layton never seeks official honors, he has filled several local offices, and for one term acted as justice of the peace. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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OHN KYTE, one of the early pioneers of Clarke County, was born in Wash- ington County, Indiana, June 23, 1826. He was reared to farm life, never leaving home until he came to the Hawkeye State. In 1848, in company with Robert Jamison, the husband of his sister Christina, Mr. Kyte came first to Monroe County, and in the autumn of 1849 visited this county and staked out their claims. Deer and wolves were very plenty, and only three or four squatter families could be found in the limits of the county. May 1, 1850, Mr .. Kyte and Mr. Jamison moved to their homes in this county and commenced to improve their land. Mr. Kyte, being a single man, made his home with his brother- in-law, Mr. Jamison. Both were poor, and earned their first money by splitting rails for settlers who now commenced to come in. Sod crops raised in 1850 yielded forty bushels of corn to the acre, which was sold to emigrants for $1.00 to $1.50 per bushel. Thus they soon became quite comfortable. March 31, 1856, Mr. Kyte married Mary Jane Bogg, daughter of LeMasters Martin Boggs, of this county, and made his home on his claim made in 1849. Mrs. Kyte died in 1871, leaving eight children, six of whom are now living, viz .- Nancy C., wife of Hedding Blair, of Franklin Township; Jerry, who married Miss Alice Bum- gardner, also resides in Frankhn Town- ship; Charles and Francis M., residing in Oregon; John M. and Melissa M. are with their parents : Robert died at the age of six months; Thomas B. and Mary Jane (twins) died at the age of six weeks. Mr.
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Kyte's father died in Indiana in 1850. ITis mother is still living at the advanced age of ninety-three, being the oldest person liv- ing in the county. His brother, Francis M. Kyte, is auditor of this county; James Harvey, another brother, lives in Jasper County, Missouri ; William died at Joplin, Missouri; all had been residents of this county. Mr. Kyte has secured 670 acres of land in Franklin Township, all improved except such as he has reserved for the growth of timber. His first taxes were $6.75 ; they now range from $150 to $200. He is truly a public-spirited man, and is justly proud of his efforts in the develop- ment and advancement of both the county and State. He has served as township trustee. In politics he was a Whig, but is now a Republican.
AMES B. KELLEY, residing on sec- tion 36, Knox Township, one of the old pioneers of Clarke Connty, was born in Perry County, Kentucky, a son of John and Desdemona (Brown) Kelley, who were both natives of North Carolina. His parents moved to Kentucky when quite young, and were there married in Perry County, about 1815, and to them were born seven children-Daniel M., James B., F. H., Margaret, L. D., Martha and Melinda, our subject being the eldest child. When he was ten years old his parents immigrated to Montgomery County, Indiana, where he lived from 1829 till 1852. He was first married August 13, 1840, to Margaret S. Kelley, of Ladoga, Montgomery County, a daughter of James and Margaret Kelley. She died September 18, 1847, leaving three children-Alfred, Martha Jane and Mary Ann. Mr. Kelley was again united in marriage January 24, 1851, to Rachel How- ard, of Montgomery County, she being a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Howard.
Of the nine children born to this union seven are living-L. D., Eda A., Laura Belle, F. Jennette, James W., Thomas J. and Charles S. John F. and William H. are deceased. Mr. Kelley settled in Boone County, Indiana, in 1851, remaining there four years, and in the spring of 1855 came with his family to Iowa by team. He first. located in Marion County where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until the spring of 1859, when he came to Clarke County. His fine farm in Knox Township contains 264 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, and his substantial res- idence, which was erected in 1885, is one of the best in his neighborhood. Hisfarm buildings are well adapted for the accom- modation of his stock and grain. He is now devoting considerable attention to raising and feeding stock in which he is meeting with excellent success. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of education and religion, and is one of the respected citizens of Knox Township, and by his fair and honorable dealings has won the esteem of all who know him. He has served as justice of the peace six years: township assessor, two terms, and also as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1837, and has served as class- leader and steward of the same.
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AMES M. RODGERS, the subject of this sketch, was born in Owen County, Kentucky, August 15, 1832. He is the third of a family of six children of James B. and Elizabeth Rodgers. His father was a native of Tennessee, his mother of Ken- tucky. He was reared on a farm, and has continued that avocation to the present time. His first marriage was with Miss Florinda Gray, March 6, 1855. She was
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born in Woodford County, Kentucky, Au- gust 14, 1836, and died February 21, 1856, soon after the birth of their child, Oscar, who died at the home of his father June 26, 1874. In December. 1857, Mr. Rodgers was joined in marriage with Martha Nix, who was born in Tennessee May 8, 1838. At the age of three years she, with her parents. removed to Kentucky. Mr. Rodgers engaged in farming in Owen County, Kentucky, until 1867, when he re- moved to Callaway County, Missouri, where he continued his agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he removed to his present home, section 10, Jackson Township. His farm contains 240 acres, and is one of the best in the township, and the improvements and high state of cultivation speak for Mr. Rodgers as one of the leading, practical, successful farmers of the county. His thoroughness as a farmer was attained in youth under his father, who was conceded the model farmer in Owen County, Ken-
tucky. Our subject met with heavy financial losses in Kentucky during the war. His residence was destroyed by fire, and his kind and obliging disposi- tion caused him to sustain losses by im- position; many whom he considered friends, solicited and secured him as surety to paper which, in many instances, he had to pay. After locating in Missouri his mis- fortunes came in the form of sickness in his family, and while he made his business profit- able, his expenditures were great. All these misfortunes he met with manly forti- tude, paid every obligation of his own con- tracting as well as those for which he had endorsed, and reached Clarke County with $2,000. His misfortunes did not cease when he located in this county. Here the sad- dest of all calamities came to him, his wife becaine an invalid and continued such nearly eight years, and died December 17, 1882, leaving eight children-James W., re- siding in Portiand, Oregon; Lyman, of
Washington Territory ; Elizabeth, wife of James HIernden, Lucas County, Jowa ; Clay, Sarah, Hannibal, Luella and Irvin at home. Mr. Rodgers, under all his mis- fortunes, continued in the straight-forward course as in the past, and his persevering industry and upright life have been liberally rewarded both as to property and the general respect and esteem of the commu- nity in which he lives. He was made a member of the Masonic fraternity in his native county in Kentucky, and soon after settling in Clarke County he became affili- ated with Unity Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M., at Woodburn. Our subject attended his father one week prior to his death, which occurred in Owen County, Kentucky, Jan- uary 6, 1878, aged seventy-eight years. His mother died December 30, 1877, aged seven- ty-three years; they were members of the Methodist church. Our subject has acted with the Democratic party politically on general issues. He does not draw party lines in local affairs, however, but supports the man best fitted for the position. Mr. Rodgers, as was his wife, is, religiously, Methodist, adhering to the faith in which he was taught in youth.
F. BROWN, one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Knox " Township, living on section 35, is a native of Ontario, Canada, born near Brock- ville, August 17, 1834, the fourth child of Obediah and Hannah (Parish) Brown, who had a family of six children-M. M., Lor- etta, Louisa, B. F., Chloe and Ira L., all of whom yet survive. B. F. Brown, our sub- ject, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county. and at Otterbein College, at Westerville. Ohio. He lived at home with his parents till sixteen years of age, and in 1851 went Crawford County, Ohio, where he to
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worked at carpentering and also taught school for several terms. July 4, 1859, he was united in marriage to Almira Holt, who was born and reared in Crawford County, Ohio, a daughter of J. N. and Rachel Ann (Black) Holt. They have seven children - Della, Edith, Ralph N., Dwight MI., Lola, Uel and Homer L., all of whom have received good educational advantages, and three being fitted for teach- ers. Edith and Ralph N. are students of the college at Hillsdale, Michigan. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Brown removed with his family to Clarke County, lowa, locating on his present farm, which was then wild land. His farm now contains 160 acres of well-cultivated land and his improvements are among the best in his neighborhood. His house is comfortable and commodious, surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, a fine orchard, and good out buildings for his stock. Mr. Brown is a licensed minis- ter and an active member of the Free-Will Baptist church, and has done much toward the cause of religion, and also takes an act- ive interest in the advancement of the cause of education.
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