USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 27
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same year. He immediately began the practice of his profession, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Tallman in the last few years has been engaged as counsel in a number of very important cases in his county and his uniform success at the bar has given him a reputation as a lawyer, and he is looked upon as one of the rising young lawyers of Southern Iowa, and has now a large and lucrative practice, possessing the confidence of the citizens of his county.
AMES E. GREEN, a native of Harri- son County, West Virginia, a son of Job and Eliza (Stout) Green, was born December 28, 1840. Ile was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the com- mon schools. When seven years of age he went to live with his Grandfather Green, remaining with him until twenty years of age, when his grandfather becoming dis- abled they returned to his father's home, and at the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion he was engaged in superintend- ing an oil well which he was forced to leave by the rebels. He was then employed by the Government as teamster three years. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company L. Third West Virginia Cavalry, and served over two years. He participated in several skirmishes but no important battles, being mostly engaged on guard duty. He was discharged July 10, 1865, and after the close of the war engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Romine's Mills with Robert Davis. under the firm name of Green & Davis. A year later he bought the interest of Davis, and continued the business alone until the fall of 1867, when he sold out and engaged in buying and shipping stock until his re- moval to Iowa in 1868. Ile carried on his father's farm five years and then bought forty acres, to which he has since added 140 acres, and now has one of the best farms
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in the county. . His land was wholly unim- proved, but he has brought it under a fine state of cultivation and erected good and substantial buildings. He was married September 4, 1873, to Miss Mary C. Stickle, daughter of Nicholas E. Stickle. They have one daughter-Iris L. In politics Mr. Green is a Republican.
ONATHAN SMITH WILLIAMS, one of the oldest pioneers of Clarke County, residing on section 28, Green Bay Township, was born in Greene County, Indiana, May 16, 1827, a son of Oren and Mary (Bartness) Williams, the father a native of Saratoga Springs, New York, and the mother born in Kentucky. They were the parents of five children-Sarah Ann, J. S., George B., Nancy G. and Elizabeth Ann. Jonathan S., our subject, was the second child of the family. He remained in his native county till seven years of age, when the family removed to Edgar Coun- ty, Illinois. After living in Edgar County three years, they returned to Greene County, our subject being reared to man- hood in Greene and Martin counties, Indi- ana. He was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the. common schools of his neighborhood. August 30, 1849, he was married to Louvisa Overton, of Greene County, Indiana, a daughter of William and Nancy (Clark) Overton, her father be- ing a native of Tennessee, and one of the first settlers of Clarke County, lowa. To this union were born ten children-Gillham Bartness. Mary Evalina, Nancy Ellen, Emily Isabel, Orville Gustavus, Almira, Oren Monroc, Viola Louvisa, Jonathan Norville and Nora Amy. Emily, Orville and Almira are deceased. In September, 1849, Mr. Williams started with his family by team for Iowa, and spent his first win- ter in this State in Monroe County. April
27, 1850, he pre-empted aclaim of 320acres where he now resides, and in December of the same year his family located on the farm which is situated one and a half miles north of Weldon. He has improved his land and brought it under fine cultivation. The log house in which he first settled has been replaced by his present substantial frame residence, and his barns and out- buildings are noticeably good. Hisorchard, which covers five acres, is one of the best in Clarke County. In politics Mr. Williams affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served as justice of the peace, township assessor and has been a member of the school board. He is a member of Osce- ola Lodge, No. 77, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of the Christian church, of which he is an elder. During his long residence of thirty-six years Mr. Williams has always taken an active interest in every movement calculated to promote the public welfare, and is numbered among the best citizens of the county.
EV. J. A. MORRIS was born in Harri- son County, West Virginia, July 1, 1833. His parents, Joseph and Nancy (Davison) Morris, were reared in Virginia. His father was a Baptist minister ; was in the ministry fifty years. He died in Har- rison County at his old home in 1863, aged eighty-one years. He had a brother, Hon. Thomas Morris, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who at one time was a member of the United States Senate. His mother died at the old home in 1868, aged nearly eighty years. Rev. J. A. Morris was the young- est of thirteen children. Three brothers and one sister arc living-Calvert L., of Medora, Warren County, this State ; Will- iam N., a resident of Gilmer County, West Virginia ; Allen J., of Lewis County, West Virginia ; Mrs. Harriet Cozad, now living
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in Corydon, lowa. Mr. Morris was reared on a farm. A portion of his time was spent in a mill and in carpenter work. Hisedu- cational advantages were good for that period, and he early qualified himself for teaching. Being a natural student, much of his education was acquired outside of the school room. In 1855 he was converted to the cause of Christ, and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He was soon after made a class-leader; was licensed exhorter on the 12th of March, 1859; was ordained deacon in 1863, and was ordained elder in 1870. He was appointed chap- lain of the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Virginia Militia during the war. March 15, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia J. Read, daughter of Francis and Arah Read. She, also, was the young- est of thirteen children, and was born in Barbour County, West Virginia, August 17, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Morris lived in West Virginia until they came to Lib- erty Township in 1864. In that year he purchased his homestead. He owns 350 acres on sections 7, S and 20; forty acres of timber being on section 20. The res- idence portion was purchased of Rev. A. W. H. Millard, now deceased. The resi- dence of Mr. and Mrs. Morris is one of the best in Clarke County. It was built partly by himself with a view to comfort and con- venience. They have had nine children- Louella is a literary and music teacher, now engaged in Fairview, Warren County ; Michael C., now attending Simpson Col- lege, at Indianola ; Waitman T., now teach- ing in Liberty village'; Emeline V., Boyd T., Arah May, Rose Altha, and Martha V. Anna, the cighth child, an infant, died in 1872. While at all times holding himself ready to work in the Master's vineyard, Mr. Morris is not regularly engaged in ministerial labor. His services are always to be relied upon in the upbuilding of the cause, or in any other good work. He al-
ways endeavors to deal justly and fairly with all men, and if he makes mistakes they are of the head and not of the heart. As a writer he is forcible ; as a speaker he always commandsattention. In early days Mr. Morris was a Whig, but is now a Re- publican. - -
OHN SHERER, deceased, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in ISO1. In 1805 his parents removed to Holmes County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and was there married to Miss Sarah Sills. In the spring of 1849 he emigrated with his family to what was then the Far West, locating in Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa, where he remained till the spring of 1863, being the pioneer hotel keeper of that place. In April, 1863. he started with his family across the plains for California, ar- riving in Santa Cruz about the end of September, where he resided till he met with his death, January 2, 1864. The fol lowing notice in regard to the death of our subject was written for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. " Editor Sentinel :- A terrible ac- cident occurred in our town on the end inst. John Sherer, a resident of this town was thrown from his wagon and instantly killed. He was descending the hill in front of the Fountain House, when his team, four mules, became frightened and ran. It is supposed that he attempted to put his foot upon the brake, missing which he was thrown from his wagon upon his head, the wagon immediately passing over him. Every assistance possible was rendered him, but without avail. He was dead. * * " He arrived in Santa Cruz the last of September, 1863, where he has since resided, securing the respect and estecm of all who knew him. Wherever he has lived long enough to become known and appreciated, he has won the confidence of the community and the love of a large
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circle of friends. In Ohio, for sixteen years, and in lowa for several years he held the office of justice of the peace. For the last twenty-eight years he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he for several years, both in Ohio and Iowa, held the re- sponsible position of class-leader, for which he was eminently fitted. For the last ten years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. In all the relations of life, whether as magistrate, citizen, neighbor, friend, husband or father, he was a living illustration of the beauty, simplicity, excel- lence and practical utility of the principles of the religion he professed. !
' None knew him but to love him, None named him but to praise.'
But the Supreme Ruler of the universe has called him from his labors on earth to mansions of rest. The righteous have hope in their death. It is well with our brother. Ile leaves a large circle of friends both here and in Iowa to mourn his loss ; a wife who has been the partner of his joys and sor- rows for over forty-one years, and several children and grandchildren. He was this day buried by the Santa Cruz Lodge, No. 38, F. and A. M., ol which he was a member. The Rev. Walter Frear preached an appropriate sermon from the words : 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,' after which the lodge passed the following resolutions: 'WHEREAS, It has pleased the Supreme Grand Master of the universe in His in- finite wisdom, to summon from the labors and cares of carth our 'venerable brother, John Sherer, therefore, Resolved, That in the death of brother Sherer, whose pure and simple honesty of life endeared him to all who knew him, this lodge has lost one of its most worthy members, the fraternity a just and upright brother, society an honest and industrious citizen, and his family a kind husband and father. Resolved,
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That we tender to the bereaved family of our deceased brother, our heartfelt sym- pathy in their heavy affliction, and our assurance of our fraternal regard for those who were dearest to him in life. Resolved, That we tender to the choir our thanks for their efficient assistance in the last sad rites of sepulture to our departed brother. Re- solved, That these resolutions be entered upon the minutes of this lodge, and that a copy thereof be furnished to the family of our deceased brother, and that they be published in the papers of the county.
'D. W. SCOVILLE, Secretary. 'Santa Cruz, January 4, 1864.'"
PITT, section 11, Knox Township, is a native of London, England, where he was born October 5, 1828, a son of William and Ann (Dean) Pitt. When he was about four years of age, his mother, then a widow, emigrated with her family to America, landing in New York City, where they made their home for a number of years. At the age of fourteen years our subject began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he served an apprentice- ship of four years. After serving his ap- prenticeship he went to Adams County, Illinois, where he lived for fourteen years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-five years he was married to Miss Harriet Dunton, and to this union were born six children, of whom three are deceased. The names of those who still survive are-Lemuel M., Lillian and Fred- crick Eugene. In 1860 Mr. Pitt went with his family to Califorma, where he made his home for eighteen years, being exten- sively engaged in wheat raising. In 1878 he located in Clarke County, Iowa, and has since resided on his present farm in Knox Township, where he has 120acres of choice land under fine cultivation, a large and sub-
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stantial residence surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, a good orchard, and com- modious out-buildings for his stock. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Waite) Dean, natives of Somersetshire, England, her mother be- ing a member of the prominent Waite family of London.
ONATHAN BEV ARD, deceased, was born in Frederick County, Mary- land, in 1So3. When he was seven years of age, his father, William Bevard, moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, where Jonathan was reared, devoting his time prin- cipally to farm labor. In that county he married Miss Charity Marsh, in 1833. She . was born in Guernsey County. About fif- teen years after their marriage they re- moved to Grant County, Indiana. To them were born eleven children-Rachel Ann, now the wife of S. T. Brown, of Franklin Township; James Martin, who died in Franklin Township, leaving a wife and four children; Jesse, who died in the United States service during the late war and was buried at Indianapolis ; Mrs. Phebe Jane Crawford, residing in Fur- ness County, Nebraska; Charles Wes- ley, of Lucas County, Iowa; Mary Ann, who died in infancy; Enoch Calvin, also died young; Mrs. Matilda Cherryholmes, residing in Lucas County, Iowa; Isaac R., living in Franklin Township; Mrs. Amanda Foulk, now residing in Kansas ; John F., of Franklin Township. Mr. Bevard came to Franklin Township in 1864 and pur- chased the pioneer homestead of Abner Beagle, on section 26, consisting of 160 acres of improved prairie land and forty acres of timber. August 2, 1877, Mrs. Bevard died, aged sixty-three years. Her husband survived her but a few years. He passed away July 21, 1881, aged seventy-
eight years. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and had lived lives of great usefulness. Isaac R. Bevard, son of the preceding, was born in Grant County, Indiana, April 30, 1853. He came to Clarke County with his parents in 1864, and made his home with them during their life. He and his brother John F. now own and occupy the old homestead on section 26. January 9, 1876, Mr. I. R. Bevard married Miss Ruth Cherryholmes, daughter of John and Mary Cherryholmes. She was born in Lucas County, this State, Oc- tober 15, 1857. They have three children -William C., Oscar L. and John W. Mr. Bevard is a member of the United Breth- ren church, and in politics, a Democrat. It is worthy of mention that his father brought a mare colt from Indiana in 1864, which now, at twenty-two years of age, is still a serviceable mare, with a young colt by her side. She is more highly prized than any other animal in possession of the family.
EORGE W. TURNER, an active and progressive farmer and stock-raiser, of Madison Township, residing on section 2, is a native of Missouri, born in Gentry County, May 17, 1851, his father, John L. Turner, a native of Kentucky, now deceased. Our subject received fair edu- cational advantages in his youth, attending the common schools of Clarke County, lowa, to which county he was brought by his parents in March. 1853, they settling in Madison Township when the surrounding country was in a wild state. Here they experienced many of the phases of pioncer life, and in those days their nearest milling point was Indianola. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to that vo- cation, which he has always followed, and his home farm now contains about ninety
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acres of choice land under fine cultivation, with comfortable residence and good farm buildings for the accommodation of his stock. Mr. Turner was married March 20, 1881, to Enima R. Johnson, her father Will- iam E. Johnson, being a resident of Clarke County, living in Madison Township. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have one son, named Karl. Mr. Turner has served his township one year as assessor. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
UGH M. MULLEN, an active and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Maryland, born in Fred- erick County, February 17, 1830, a son of James and Matilda (Mahony) Mullen, the former a native of Ireland and the latter born in Maryland, of Irish ancestry. The father died in Maryland in 1883. His widow still survives, and is living in Mary- land in her cightieth year. Hugh M. Mul- len, our subject. passed his youth on the home farm in his native county, receiving a common-school education. He went to Peoria County, Illinois, in June, 1852, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about twenty years. He was united in marriage October 24, 1852, to Mary E. Palmer, a native of Frederick County, Maryland, but at the time of her marriage was living in Peoria County, III- inois. They are the parents of one son and two daughters-John W., Kittie and Em- ma. Mr. Mullen left his home in Peoria County, in the spring of 1876, coming with his family to Clarke County, lowa, when he settled on land on section 1, Washing- ton Township. Ilis farm, which now contains 200 acres of choice land, he has brought from wild prairie to a well-cultivated tract of land, all under fence and well improved. He has a comfortable and commodious residence, with excellent farm buildings
for the accommodation of his stock, his entire surroundings showing the thrift and care of the owner. He is a thorough, practical farmer, and in all his undertakings he is uniformly successful. He is devoting con- siderable attention to the raising of high- grade stock, making a specialty of short- horn cattle and Clydesdale and Norman horses. Mr. Mullen is a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, being licensed to preach three years ago. Mrs. Mullen is a member of the same denomi- nation. Mr. Mullen has been a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
AMUEL R. BABB, livery keeper and proprietor of the Osceola omnibus and transfer line, was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1834. His parents, Solomon and Catharine Babb. were also natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Stephenson County, Illinois. when Samuel was five years of age, and settled on a farm, where they remained until the father's death, which occurred in 1844. Samuel remained upon the farm with his mother unti! he reached maturity, receiving such education as the common schools of that county afforded. In 1857 Mr. Babb married Miss Hannah Detzler, a native of Pennsylvania. He continued on the farm until 1866, when he went to Shannon, Carroll County, Illinois, and kept an hotel and livery. Herc he remained until June, 1871, then removed to Ackley, this State, and later came to Osceola and engaged in his present business. He keeps from eighteen to twenty-five horses, and his carriages and omnibuses are always found in excellent condition. Mr. and Mrs. Babb have had seven children-Clara J., Charles II., Effie A., George F., Addie S., Linnic M. and Alfred M. Charles H. died in Los Angelos, California, May 5, 1886,
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and was brought homeand buried in Osce- ola cemetery. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Mr. Babb is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Knights of Pythias. Ile buys and sells horses and ships to Eastern markets.
OHN F. BEVARD, son of Jonathan Bevard, was born in Grant County, Indiana, October 5, 1859. He was reared in Franklin Township, always re- siding upon the homestead of his parents, where he still remains. March 6, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Z. Smith, daughter of Rev. G. W. Smith, of Franklin Township, who was born in Chariton, Lucas County, lowa, April 16, 1865. They have had two children-Chris- tina, born April 24, 1885, who died in in- fancy ; Nellie M., born May 25, 1886. Mrs. Bevard is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Bevard politically is a Democrat.
E WITT A. CLARK, engaged in rais- ing and dealing in stock, on section 3, Troy Township, was born in Lake County, Ohio, March 5, 1831. His father, Harry Clark, was a justice of the peace for many years, and was familiarly known as Squire Clark. Our subject received a good education, attending the common and high schools of Painesville and Kirt- land, in his native State. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and has fol- lowed agucultural pursuits through life, being now one of the prosperous and en- . terprising farmers of Clarke County, where he owns 640 acres of choice land. Mr. Clark was married October 16, 1862, 10 Miss Jennie Wilson, a daughter of Orson and Huldah ( Munson) Wilson, of whom the father is deceased. The mother is still living, being now eighty-four years of age.
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Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, of whom only one is living --- Willie M., aged fifteen years. Mr. Clark came to Clarke County, lowa, about 1872, when he invested in lands, and has lived here most of the time since that date. lle brought his family to the county in I877, settling with them in Troy Township, where he has since been engaged in rais- ing and dealing in fine stock. He isa mem- ber of the Congregational church, of Paines- ville, Ohio, and a highly-respected citizen of Troy Township.
B' ENJAMIN F. CHAPMAN, dealer in watches, clocks and jewelry, estab- lished his business at this point in 1856. Osceola at that time contained but few houses. He is one of the pioneer busi- ness men. He was born in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, March 26, 1831. His father, S. H. Chapman, was a native of Ohio, and a carpenter by trade. His mother, Lettie (Morgan) Chapman, was also a native of Ohio, and both lived in that State until their decease. Benjamin received his education at the public schools of his native city, and at the age of sixteen commenced to learn his trade. Having served the usual time he came to lowa, stopping first at Oskaloosa with a cousin who was a jeweler. He remained with him about eighteen months, one year of the time being under instruction. In June, IS56, he came to Osceola, walking from Oskaloosa and carrying his tools. He com- menced his business the next day, and soon found himself as firmly established as any business firm in Osceola. His store is lo- cated on the north side of the public square. In 1856 Mr. Chapman married Miss Brels- ford, of Oskaloosa. She was born in Mus- kingum County, Ohio, and removed to lowa with her parents when but a small child.
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They are the parents of three children, one living-Flora, wife of Elon Graves, of Os- ceola ; Louis F., died at Des Moines, aged twenty-six years ; Carrie is also deceased. Mr. Chapman was appointed deputy-post- master in 1856 ; was elected city treasurer three terms. He joined the Masonic fra- ternity in January. 1856 ; is also a member of the Odd Fellows order.
- HILIP MILLER, an enterprising and levensali successful farmer of Clarke County, lowa, residing on section 1, Knox Township, is a native of Germany, born June 4, 1824, a son of John and Catherine Miller. Mr. Miller was reared and edu- cated in the schools of Germany, remaining in his native country till twenty-eight years of age, his youth being spent in assisting on his father's farm. He was united in marriage in June, 1851, to Miss Catherine Rose by whom he has had nine children- John, Eva, Elizabeth, Catherine, Andrew, Philip, Adam, Annie and Norman. In: 1852 Mr. Miller immigrated to America. locating first in Rensselaer County, New : York, where he spent three years. He then removed to Galesburg, Illinois. Here he worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for a few years; then rented a farm in Mercer County, Illinois, and remained there two years, when he returned to Knox County again and farmed there until November, 1870, when he sold his farm, chartered a car, and with his farm implements and some of his stock, came to lowa, landing in Osceola on the morn- ing of December 1, 1870. He lived in Green Bay Township until the spring of 1882, when he sold his property in Green Bay Township and bought an excellent farm of 160 acres on section 1, Knox Township, and soon after mov- ing on this property he bought another
farm of eighty acres. He has a good. sub- stantial residence and two good barns to make himself comfortable in his old age. The D. M., O. & S. R. R. built their road over one corner of his farm in 1882, and in 1883 built a side-track near his house, where Mr. Miller has bought grain since. In April, 1886, he put in a store, which he is having conducted by his eldest son, who has been an invalid since 1883. The station is called Philipsburg, the postoffice which was established in June, 1886, is named Groveland. Being about five miles from Osceola, it is very convenient for a good many people in the vicinity to trade and get their mail there.
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