USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 28
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AMES H. READ, grocer, Osceola, established his business at this point in 1867. Soon after he formed a partner- ship with J. C. Harrison under the firm name, of Read & Harrison. This partner- ship continued until IS78 when he sold out and went to Kansas, returning in the fall of ISSO, and January 1, ISSI, opened up his present business. He is well established and carries a complete stock of groceries. : He is well known to the public, and defies competition. Mr. Read was born in Beards- town, Illinois, August 2, 1839. His father, Haywood Read, was a native of Maine, and his mother, Ann (Black) Read, was a native of Kentucky. They settled in Beardstown where his father carried on the mercantile trade, and also operated a flouring mill. His business was carried on very extensively. At one time he was clected Mayor of Beardstown. He died in California in 1851, and his wife died in Henry County, lowa, in 1852. James re- mained at home until eleven years of age, then lived with a farmer until he was fif- teen, then went to Wisconsin pincries, working in mills and as a raftsman, and in
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the fall of 1859 went to Texas and served one year as a cow-boy. In the fall of isco he re- turned to Illinois, and enlisted as a private in Company K, Forty-sixth Regiment, Illi- nois Infantry, and served until May, 1863, when he was promoted to First Lieutenant, Third United States Heavy Artillery, and was mustered out with the rank of Cap- tain, April 30, 1866, having served four and a half years. . September 16, 1866, Mr. Read was married to Miss Hannah MI. Waller, of Henderson County, lowa. They removed to Osceola April 1, 1867. He has served one year as alderman in Osceola. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, the Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Republic, and Good Templars.
NDREW J. RONK, farmer and stock- raiser, section 11, Madison Township, was born in Greenbrier County, Vir- ginia, August 24, 1842. His father, George W. Ronk, was a native of the same State, born in Roanoke County, but is now de- ceased. He being a farmer, our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiv- ing such education as the rude log-cabin subscription schools of his neighborhood afforded. In 1861 he went to Canton, Ful- ton County, Illinois, where he remained about eight years, working at coopering, wagon-making and carpentering. He was a member of the State militia during the John Brown raid in 1861, and was sent into the Confederate army, but after serving four months he deserted, and joined the Union troops in Illinois, enlisting in the Sixty-seventh Infantry, Company F, and was appointed Orderly Sergeant. March 10, 1864, he was married to Rachel Briley, and to them have been born eight children -- George W., Edith M., Daisy G., John A., Cecil II., Ora B., Olive U. and Amy P. Mr. Ronk came to Clarke County, Iowa, in
the fall of 1870, and has since made his home on section 11, Madison Township, where he has 183 acres of fine land. In politics he is a Democrat, taking an active interest in that political party, and June 30, 1886, he attended the State Nominating Convention held at Des Moines. Mr. Ronk never seeks official honors, but has served his township several terms as trustee, with credit to himself and his constituents. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
LON GRAVES, of the firm of Graves Brothers, photographers, successors to M. Sheridan, was born in Wayne County, Iowa, June 7, 1862. His father, J. N. Graves, is a native of Kentucky, and removed to Iowa in 1856, settling on a farm in Ward Township. He is now. county assessor. His mother, Eliza (House) Graves, is a native of Ohio. Elon passed his youth on a farm, and was educated at Montezuma, Poweshiek County, this State. For several years he was engineer for a flouring mill at Montezuma. He then came to Osceola and went into partnership with his brother in the photography business. They are located in the rear of Harding Block, and guarantee as good work as can be found in the city. Mr. Graves mar- ried the only daughter of B. F. Chapman, Florence Graves, in September, 1884. They have two children-Clarence and Walter.
CHARLES HOWE, dealer in , dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc., was born in Enfield, Massachusetts, October 8. 1817. His father, Sylvanus llowe, was of theold Plymouth stock, trac- ing his ancestry back to Old England. His mother, Sukey (Joslyn) Howe, was a na- tive of Massachusetts, her father was
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known as Esquire Joslyn, and was a man of great business ability and represented New Braintree thirteen consecutive terms in the Legislature. His parents had six children-Charles, Sumner, George W. Ehza J., Joseph J. and Martha W .; four now survive. Charles passed his boyhood in Enfield, and was educated in the city schools. In 1840 he was married to Miss Elsie Cutter, of Enfeld. In 1858 he re- moved to Minnesota, stopping at Clear Lake, Sherburne County, where he fol- lowed farming. March 8, 1864, he came to Osceola. His health being feeble, he did but little business until IS78, when he embarked in the mercantile trade, com- mencing in a small way. He now carries a large stock of goods. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have had three children-George F., now at Jacksonville, Florida ; Henry W. and Chisie are deceased.
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C. WATSON, section 8, Jackson Township, Clarke County, Iowa, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 22, 1840. His father, Hugh Watson, was born in Inverness, Scot- land, in 18og, and died in Dunlap, Michi- gan, in 1873. His mother, whose maiden name was Isabella Chisholm, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1814, and died in her native county in 1847. W. C. was the second of a family of four children. His only brother, Alexander, was born February 2, 1838, and died while in the service of his country, at Bowling Green, Kentucky, February 7, 1863. He was a member of Company K, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. His sister, Margaret, born in March, 1842, and Jennet, born in May, 1844, are living, the former in lowa, and the latter in Michigan. After the death of his mother, when eight years old, he went to live with an uncle, William Chisholm, and with him came to lowa in 1861. Au -!
gust 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company A. Thirty-sixth lowa Infantry, but was unable to serve his entire term of enlistment, as he was taken sick with typhus fever, which resulted in total deafness, and he was dis- charged at the general hospital at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. February 27, 1863. From 1863 till 1869, he was under the care of physicians, trying to regain his health and hearing. Although not successful in the latter he has never regretted the part he took in saving his country from her enemies, and the nation's flag from dis- honor. During these years following his return from the war, he made his home with his uncle, William Chisholm, in Mon- roe County, lowa. In December, 1869, he formed a partnership with Isaac Elder, of Eddyville, Wapello County, and engaged in farming, and feeding and herding cattle, Mr. Elder furnishing $25,000 worth of property, and Mr. Watson giving his ex- perience and time to the management of the work. In April, 1873, he moved to Clarke County, lowa, and bought ninety acres of land of Joseph Heasley, forty acres of which had been improved. To this he has added at different times until he now owns 220 acres, 200 acres being under cultivation, and twenty acres timber land. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, and claims to have as fine herds of high-grade, short-horn cattle, Berkshire hogs, and Clydesdale horses as can be found in the county. Although he has never been well since leaving the army, being totally deaf and suffering constantly with a pain in his head, he has been ambitious and has been successful beyond his most sanguine ex- pectations. Few men in his condition physically, would think themselves able to perform manual labor, but notwithstand- ing the difficulties which are constantly to be encountered he has persevered, and save the small pension given him by the Gov- ernment, has supported his family and ac-
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quired a good home. Mr. Watson was married December 22, 1872, to Martha E. Hamilton. daughter of Alexander and Free- love Hamilton, of Monroe County, lowa. They have five children-Hugh Alexander, William, Matikdla, Charles and Jennet; aged respectively fourteen, twelve, ten, eight and six years.
OBERT J. LEAVEL, resides on sec- tion 35 of Jackson Township. Ile was born in Knox County, Ohio, March S, 1840. His parents, Joseph and IIarriet C. (Beans) Leavel, were born and reared in Virginia, removing a few years later to Ohio, where his father was engaged in the milling business many years. He also owned a farm which was worked by renters. There were thirteen children only four of whom are now living. They settled in Monroe County, lowa, in 1852, where Joseph Leavel improved a farm, and also followed milling. In 1858 the family came to Clarke County and settled in Jackson Township, where they improved a farm. The mother died a month later. The father disposed of his property in 1860, and for a few years engaged in the saw-mill business in Lucas County. He then removed to Wayne County, where he now resides near Humiston, and follows bee-keeping. The names of the children are-Rebecca, wife of Will- iam Johnson; Margaret, wife of David Ulm : Joseph and Robert J., the subject of this sketch. Joseph was a babe at the time of his mother's death, and was afterward adopted by John Baldwin. September 12, 1861, Robert enlisted in Company 1, Eighth Iowa Volunteers. He was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, in the division of General Prentiss, and with that gallant commander was captured May 6, 1862, and was held prisoner two months and eight days, con-
fined most of the time in Tuscaloosa, Ala- bama. Having been paroled and exchanged in February, 1863, he rejoined his regi- ment. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and the following winter visited home on veteran furlough. At the time General Forrest raided Memphis, Mr. Leavel again became a prisoner, and thirty- eight days later was exchanged. He was engaged in the siege of Mobile, and his regiment, the gallant lowa Eighth, was the first to enter Spanish Fort. He was honorably discharged at Selma, Alabama, in April, 1866, and now receives a pension for disability contracted in the army. After returning to Monroe County, he went to Lucas County, and July 2, 1868, married Miss Martha Wells, daughter of Thomas and Mary Wells, who came from Virginia that same year; they now live in the vil- lage of Woodburn. Mrs. Leavel was born in Marion County, West Virginia, April 20, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Leavel lived two years in Jackson Township, Lucas County, then returned to Clarke County, where Mr. Leavel engaged in farming. In 1873 they removed to Hamilton County, Nebraska, where they remained two years, then re- turned to their old home in Jackson Town- ship. They moved to their present home in February, 1881, where they own forty acres of land. They have had one child, that died in infancy. Mr. Leavel is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Davenport Post, No. 385, at Woodburn. In politics he is a Republican.
W. BEEDE, living on section 29, Troy Township, was born in , Camden, Indiana, the date of his birth being January S, 1853. His father, Eli Beede, was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and was an early settler of Clarke County, lowa, but is at present liv-
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ing in Ringgold County, lowa. He fol- lowed the cabinet-maker's trade for a number of years, but is now engaged in agricultural pursuits. W. W., our subject, remained in his native town till six years of age, and in the spring of 1859 came with his parents to Osceola, Clarke County, lowa, where he lived about eighteen months before he went with them to the farm. He received a good education, at- tending the High School at Osceola, and at the college at Oskaloosa, Iowa. le began teaching school at the age of sixteen years, and followed that profession most of the time till he reached the age of thirty years, since which he has devoted his entire attention to farming and stock-rais- ing, making a specialty of graded stock. Ile removed to his present farm in 1876, where he lived alone for three years. He then married Carrie A. Lambertson, a daughter of R. N. Lambertson, of Troy Township, the date of his marriage being December 4, 1879. This union has been blessed with two children-Nellie and Claude.
ILTON J. COCHRAN, who makes his home on section 20, Troy Town- ship, is a native of Ohio, born in Allen County, September 28, 1828. His father, Benjamin F. Cochran, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, now deceased. He was a pioneer of Allen County, Ohio, his family being the fifth to settle in that county. He was a millwright by trade, and built the old Indian Mill at Wapa- koneta, Ohio. Milton J. Cochran, our sub- ject, was reared and educated in the common schools of his native county, re- maining there till 1856. Ile was united in marriage April 3, 1851, to Miss Christena Ellsworth, and of the six children born to this union five are still living -- Isaac V. Bascom E., Santford W., Pascal E. and
Mary C. A son, John W., died at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Cochran went to Knox County, Illinois, in 1856, remaining there till 18;6, when he settled in Troy Township, in Clarke County, Iowa, where he has since made his home. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the service of his country in Company I, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, and during his term of service did much skirmishing. In politics Mr. Cochran casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ENRY F. GROSS, deceased, was one of the prominent citizens of Osceola, having filled many positions of trust, and gained the confidence of all who knew him. He was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1840, and was the oldest living child. His parents, August and Sarah (Messer) Gross, were also na- tives of Pennsylvania. His father was a millwright by trade, and died when Henry was but six years of age. At the age of eleven years Henry was bound out to work in a woolen mill, and remained until seven- teen years of age, when he went to Ohio and worked in a mill two years, then went to Medina County and commenced manu- facturing for himself. In 1863 he removed to Osceola, and soon after established the first woolen mill in the county. His place of business is now occupied by John W. Kelley for a lumber yard. February 11, 1852, Mr. Gross married Miss Almyra Moore, a native of Medina County, Ohio. Their two children are Annettie E. and lomer C. Mr. Gross was a worthy mem- ber of the Protestant Methodist church, having been a member since 1864. His wife, who survives him, is a member of the same church. His wife and children occu- j py the homestead, which is very pleasant
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and comfortable. He was an active, enter- prising business man. He was at one time associated with Patrick Smith in the wool- en mill for six years. He then purchased his partner's interest and carried it on alone until his death, which occurred in April, 1879.
T. L. MYER, hardware merchant, Osceola, is one of the men who @ has contributed largety to the business interests of Osceola, as well as its financial standing. He was born in Brad- ford County, Pennsylvania, in August, 1834. His parents were William and Le- mira (Satterlee) Myer. When he was eight years of age his father died, and he was thrown upon his own resources at a very carly age. He received a fair education at the district schools. After his father's death his mother removed to Illinois, where William grew to manhood. Being possessed of valuable experience, and the West opening up newer fields with wider scope, he determined upon change of lo- cation. In 1867 he came to Osceola, where he at once embarked in the hardware busi- ness on his own account. Osccola at this time was small,and the country around was sparsely settled. His stock of goods was small, but well selected. As the county became more thickly settled, his acquaint- ance became correspondingly more cx- tended, he was necessarily obliged to in- crease his stock to meet the demand. His trade has steadily increased, and he is now conducting one of the largest hardware stores in Clarke County. His business house is a good, substantial brick, 21 x 100 feet, two stories in height, and situated on the cast side of the public square. Besides his large stock of hardware, he handles | farm implements, thus affording the best of opportunities for supplying his custom-
crs with whatever they need. In 18- Mr. Myer married Mrs. Lambert, of Winter- sct, this State. They have two children -- Ruby, who is in the store with his father, and Lennia, at home. He is a Mason in high standing, being a member of the chapter and the commandery. Politically he is a staunch Republican, and was a sup- porter of Mr. Blaine in 1884. He is an uncompromising temperance man, and al- ways to be found on the side of law and order. And while our country is large and the home of the free, he believes there is room for only one flag-the stars and stripes.
15 OBERT N. LAMBERTSON, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 33, Troy Township, was born Novem- ber 30, 1830, in Dearborn County, Indiana, a son of John Lambertson, who is now de- ceased. His father was a native of Dela- ware County, Maryland, and an carly settler of Dearborn County, Indiana, locat- ing there on a heavily-timbered tract of land, and there endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Robert N. Lambertson was reared on the home farm, and in his youth attended the log-cabin subscription schools with their puncheon floors, slab seats and clapboard roof, in which he received the rudiments of an education. In April, 1852, he went to Sangamon Coun- ty, Illinois, making the journey from his native county by wagon, he having never even seen a railroad till that year. Four months later he went to Peoria, of the same State, and the following January he removed to Stark County, Illinois. He was married March 11, 1857, to Maria E. Stanley, a daughter of John Stanley. They have had nine children born to them -- Frank E., Carrie A., William N., Nellie M., James C., Charles, Roy and Fannie E. While living in Illinois Mr. Lambertson
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worked by the year for Jacob Emery for a period of seven years, and for seven years was engaged in farming on his own account. HIe left Stark County in September, 1867, since which he has made his home in Clarke County, Iowa. On leaving his native State he had but $10.75, and was obliged to drive a team to defray the expenses of his passage to Illinois and his board. He has now 440 acres of choice land, which he has accumu- lated by his own industry and persevering energy, and to-day he is classed among the prosperous citizens of Troy Township. Mrs. Lambertson is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
ISAAC G. SMITII, farmer, section 15, Liberty Township, was born in Cont- land County, New York, December 31, 1823. His parents, Isaac and Catharine (Girard) Smith,- were born on Long Is- land. His father died in IS26, and his mother in May, 1883, aged seventy-seven years. There were but two children, Isaac
being the eldest. Polly M. is wife of D. J. Hurd, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Mr. Smith was married in Cortland County, March 2, 1845, to Miss Sarah A. Gardner, born December 1, 1823. Her father, Will- iam Gardner, died in Cortland County April S, 1882, and her mother died in the same county September 1, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived in Cortland County until 1855. In that county their two sons were born. In the autumn they immigrated to Stark County, Illinois, and soon after went to Knox County, where their daughter was born. In the fall of 1864 they removed to Louisiana.County, Michigan, where he cleared a farm in the woods and lived upon it until the spring of 1873, when they canie to their present home. Chester B., their eldest son, lives near his parents in Liberty Township. Edgar is at the Mount Pleasant
Asylum. Katie is the wife of G. E. Pultz. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Smith was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican.
THESTER B. SMITH, son of Isaac G. and Sarah A. Smith, was born in Cortland County, New York, May 14, 1847. [For particulars of parent's family see sketch of Isaac G. Smith.] He lived with his parents until 1873, when he was married in Oceana County, Michigan, to Miss Harriet Miller, daughter of Joseph M. Miller. She was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, December 12, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Smith first settled in Michigan, and in 1874 came to Liberty Township and settled upon section 15. Since ISSI he has owned his home on section 16, where he has forty acres ; he also owns 100 acres on section 15. Their five children are-Mary Alice, born September 30, 1874; Annie Myrtle, born October 14, 1876; Minnie Maria, born January 15, 1878; Arthur Ed- win, born August 10,1883; Lew Celia, born November 10, 1885. All were born in Liberty, Clarke County, lowa. Mr. Smith is road supervisor and school director. In politics he is a Republican.
R. NATHANIEL McNICHOLS, an enterprising and progressive citizen of Knox Township, residing on sec- tion 1, was born in Belmont County, Ohio. March 8, ISIS, a son of William and Rachel (Smith) McNichols, the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother born in Lou- doun County, Virginia. They were the pioneers of Belmont County, Ohio. Our subject was the fifth child in a family of nine. His early life was passed on the home farin, his education being obtained in
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the common schools of his neighborhood, and at St. Clairsville, Belmont County. At the age of twenty years he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. William Schooly, of Somerton, Ohio. Com- pleting his medical studies in 1843, he re- moved to Pennsville, Morgan County, Ohio, and engaged in the practice of medi- cine, which he followed with good success till 1873. He then came to Clarke County, Iowa, and located on his present farm in Knox Township, which is one of the best in the township. His land is under the best of cultivation, and his residence is commo- dious and furnished in a comfortable man- ner. Dr. McNichols has been twice mar- ricd, taking for his first wife Miss Mary Nicholson, of Belmont County, Ohio, in October, 1839. Mrs. McNichols died in 1850, leaving two children-Adaline Eliza- beth and Franklin. Dr. McNichols was again married August 3, 1851, to Ketura Kirby, of Morgan County. Ohio. To this union have been born four children- Nathaniel W., T. E., M. G. and C. K. The doctor has always taken an active interest in politics. In 1856 he represented Morgan County, Ohio, at the State Convention held at Columbus the year the Republican party was organized. The doctor and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.
of 120 acres on section 36, Jackson Town- ship. In 1886 he also worked 160 acres of rented land on section 1, Franklin Town- ship. To the parents of Mr. Hill were born nine children, eight of whom arrived at maturity, Mordecai being the eldest. The others are-Mary, living in Mahaska County ; Sarah J., a resident of Marion County; Mrs. Elizabeth Vameer, also a resident of Marion County; Allius, de- ceased; Jonathan, a resident. of Jackson Township; Charles and Mattie (twins) ; the former lives in Marion County, and the latter is the wife of Arthur Metz. Mr. and Mrs. Mordecai Hill have had four children, three of whom are now living-Della Fern, Carl Esmer, and Mordecai Clyde. Violet, their third child died at the age of six months. Mr. Hill is an honorable member of Unity Lodge, No. 212, A. F. & A. M., Woodburn, being junior deacon of the lodge.
OHN W. HOOD is a native of North Carolina, and a son of John K. and Mahala (llood) Hood. In 1833 his parents moved to Indiana and located in Rush County, where his father bought a tract of wild land, which he improved and made his home until his death, which oc- curred in the year 1881. The mother died in ISSo. They had a family of nine chil- dren, six sons and three daughters-Louisa, John W., James, Alfred B., Lizzie C., Richard M., Martin K., Amanda and La- favette. When a young man, in 1852, our subject came to lowa on a prospecting tour, and being pleased with the outlook bought and entered claims in Clarke County to the amount of 280 acres, the land office being at Chariton. Ile then returned to Indiana and was married to Miss Martha Princ, daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Prine, both of whom are deceased, the latter liv-
M ORDECAI HILL was born in Put- nam County, West Virginia, June 26, 18.47. When he was nine years of age he came with his parents, Jonathan and Sarah Jane (Foglesong) Hill, to Van Buren County, lowa. In 1865 they moved to Mahaska County, where the mother died in 1865. August 30, 1877, Mordecai Hill married Miss Emma Mather, daughter of Edward Mather. She was born in Illi- nois. Mr. Hill became a resident of Put- nam County in ISSo. He owns a homestead ing to the advanced age of ninety-two
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