USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 33
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OHN T. SWITZER, an active and successful young farmer of Washing- ton Township, was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, September 22, 1854, the third son of Samuel and Margaret (Lowery) Switzer, his father being a native of Penn- sylvania, and an early settler of Ohio. They were the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, ten of the chil- dren reaching maturity. The father em- igrated to lowa with his family in the fall of 1851, locating in Des Moines County, coming to Clarke County in 1865 when he settled on section 3. Ward Township. Heic he had a fine farm of 120 acres, and was cu- gaged in general farming till his death, which occurred in February, 1886. Ilis wife died about 1881. He was an active
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and influential citizen, and held the office of trustee of Ward Township for several years. John T. Switzer, the subject of this sketch, was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents to Clarke County, and here he received his education in the common schools. He was married in 1879 to Miss Ella Holmes, the eldest daughter of Archibald Holmes, of Madison County, lowa. He has one son-Franklin A. Ile removed to his present farm in ISS5, where he has 120 acres of choice land well im- proved and under high cultivation.
EDIDIAH KNOTTS, farmer and raiser and dealer in stock, residing on section 11, Troy Township, Clarke County, lowa, was born in Taylor County, West Virginia, November 12, 1841. Ilis father, Absalom Knotts, was a native of the same county, then known as Mononga- hela County, and was a merchant, and con- tractor on public works. In 1853 he came to lowa, locating in Warren County, where he laid out the town of New Vir- ginia, and improved a large farm. He re- turned to Virginia and came with the family to Warren County in the fall of 1857. In the spring of 1861 he removed with them to Osceola, and engaged in the mercantile business. He lived some time at Council Bluffs, Iowa, but subsequently settled in Lucas, Lucas County, Iowa. where he died several years later, his death occurring February 27, 1885. He was an active business man, a public-spirited citi- zen, and made many friends wherever he resided. He was twice married, his first wife being Matilda Sayre, by whom he had ten children, eight reaching maturity. of whom six still survive-Joseph, of Council Bluffs : Mrs. Polly . McGee, of Indianola, Iowa; Jedidiah, our subject : Elijah W., of Lucas, Iowa ; Mrs. Susannah Daily, of
Lucas, and James B, of Indianola. For his second wife Mr. Knotts married Mrs. Maria Marsh. Jedidiah Knotts, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to ag ricultural pursuits, and in his youth re- ceived the benefit of the common schools. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company II, Forty-sixth lowa Infantry, and was on guard duty most of the time while in the service. September 7, 1865. he was united in marriage to Mary J. Hud- gel, a native of Auglaize County, Ohio, and daughter of Thomas Hudgel, who is now deceased. They have seven children- Matilda E., William L., Lillie M., Edwin P., Charles S., Ernest W. and Lena L. He settled on his farm in Troy Township, which he still owns, and which contains 460 acres of choice land under good culti- vation. He left his farm in 1872, and was a resident of Murray until March, 1883, when he moved again to the farm, where he has since lived. On coming to Murray he began dealing in grain and stock, which he followed for five years, and is at pres- ent engaged in buying and shipping stock. Mr. Knotts is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a comrade of the Grand Army post at Murray.
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HOMAS J. ANDERSON resides on section 29, Jackson Township. Hc came to Clarke County, April 23. 1856, and at once commenced improving his present farm, which consists of 120 acres, all under a good state of cultivation, with comfortable buildings. He was born in Marshall County, Virginia, February 26, 1832. His father, Robert Anderson, died in 1834. llis widowed mother, with her two children-Thomas and Benjamin F., with her own mother, Mrs. McCane, in 1839 came to Binlington, lowa, then a small village. Thomas J. lived eight miles
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south of Wapello, Louisa County, near Burlington, sixteen years. November 5, 1854, he married Miss Hester Ann Brown, born in Indiana, and the following spring came to Clarke County. In March, 1866, Mrs. Anderson died, at the early age of thirty years, leaving four children, two having died before her. Their names are -- Mary.A., now wife of Samuel Adamson; Ben- jamin, deceased; Sarah E., deceased; Jane, who lives with her father; John L., now in Nebraska; Dora, who has been engaged in teaching school during the past five years. In 1866 Mr. Anderson married Mrs. Samantha Johnson, widow of Charles John- son, who died in the United States service during the war for the Union. By this marriage Mr. Anderson has six children- Thomas J., Jr., Belle, William II., Laura, James R. and Bessic. Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son are members of the Seventh Day Ad- ventist church. In politics Mr. Anderson is an ardent Republican. Mr. Anderson's worldy possessions were not extensive when he came to Clarke County, but he now has a good home and is fairly pros- perous. His brother, Benjamin F., lives near him. Their mother died in 1879, at the house of Benjamin, aged sixty-six years.
LPHONZO GARDNER, farmer, sec- tion 2, son of Asa F. and Amy Gard- ner, was born in Rush County, Indi- ana, January 22, 1852. He was three years of age when his parents came to Rush County, making their home in Osceola Township. The death of his father oc- curred under particularly painful circum- stances. August 11, 1883, as he was returning to his home from Garden Grove, . his team became frightened, and he was : thrown from his carriage and his neck broken. He lived only a few moments. In October, 1881, Mr. Gardner married Miss
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Frances Vanlaningham, daughter of Lu- ther Vanlaningham, of Johnson County, Nebraska. She was born in Mason County, Illinois, September 29, 1860. She lived under the parental roof until her marriage. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner occupied their present home, which consists of eighty acres of land. They have one child -Olda C., born October 26, 1884. Mr. Gardner was reared under Quaker teach ings, and in politics is a Republican.
FTOIIN M. WALLACE, a successful and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 36, Green Bay Township, was born January 8, 1833, in Ross County, Ohio. His parents, John and Jane (McCune) Wallace, had a family of six children-Sarah, Caroline, Mary, Elizabeth, John and Ellen. John M. was two years old when his parents removed with their family to Jasper County, Indi- ana, where the father died some six years later. After the father's death the mother and her children settled in Cumberland, Pennsylvania. John M. Wallace was reared to maturity on a farm, receiving his educa- tion at the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he went to Clarke County, Ohio, remaining there three years, when he went to Knox County, Illinois. In Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry. He was at Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Clarksville, and in the campaign from Nashville to Florence, Alabama. He was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, June 26, 1865, and mustered out of the service at Chicago, Illinois, when he returned to Knox County, Illinois. He remained there till the fall of 1868, when he came to Clarke County, lowa, locating in Green Bay Township, on the farm where he still re- sides. Ile has brought his land from a
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wild state into a well-improved farm, has erected a substantial residence, which is comfortably furnished throughout, and has good barns and out-buildings for the ac- commodation of his stock. His farm now contains 225 acres of choice land. under the best of cultivation, and he is numbered among the representative men of his town- ship, where he has made his home for so many years. Mr. Wallace was married October 19, 1865, to Mrs. Priscilla (West- fall; Hall, of Knox County, Illinois, and to this union have been born five children -- Frank C., John E., Jenny M., Harvey E. and Frederick E. (twins). Mrs. Wallace his two children by her first marriage -- George W. and Ella S. In politics Mr. Wallace is a Republican. He has served efficiently as township trustee for two or three terms.
ANDREW JACKSON, one of the early settlers of Liberty Township. was born in Morgan County, Ohio, July 20, 1815. His parents, George and Nancy (James) Jackson, were pioneers of that county. His father was a native of New York, and mother of New Jersey. His paternal grandfather, George A. Jackson, was a Revolutionary soldier and died in the service. His father, when fourteen years of age, was bound to service at the black- smith's trade at Marietta, Ohio, a trade that he followed during his active life. Hc died at Marietta many years ago; his wife's death preceded his. Andrew Jackson was the second child, and only son, of his par- ents. lle worked on a farm from the time he was of sufficient age until he was twen- ty-one years old, giving his wages in sup- poit of his father's family. In August, 153;, he married Elizabeth Freeman, daughter of Jonathan Freeman, of Mus- singum County, Ohio, where she was born. 26
After marriage Mr. Jackson followed farming in Morgan County until 1845, then emigrated to McLean County, Illinois, where he remained until 1856. In Septein- ber, of that year, he came to Clarke County and has since resided in Liberty Township. When he came here his family consisted of himself, wife and four children. The first two or three years he lived at the old vil- lage of Liberty. He had visited the county in 1854, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 9. In 1859 he settled on his land and commenced improvements. May 23, 1880, his wife passed away at the age of sixty years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church. They reared seven children -- John Wesley resides in Nevada, served in the late war in Com- pany D, Thirty-ninth lowa Volunteers ; Melvina, wife of James Spencer, of Lucas County; Joseph Freeman, a resident of Furnas County, Nebraska; Anna, wife of George Earlywinc, Liberty Township; Mary, wife of Lemuel Mckinney; Thomas resides on the old homestead; Jane, widoir of James Wilkinson, resides in Liberty Township. Mr. Jackson resides on his farm of 120 acres. He is a member of the Methodist church, and politically an ardent Democrat.
B. WELLS, dealer in wood and coal, at Osceola, was born August 14, 1838, ? in Belmont County, Ohio. His father, Isaac Wells, was a carpenter by trade, and J. B. learned the same trade, which he followed for several years. His mother was Provy (Byers) Wells, a native of Mary- land. In 1853 the family started for Iowa, coming by way of Alexandria, Missouri. While at this place the father died. The family then came to Clarke County and settled on Otter Creek, in Osceola Town- ship. Here the family separated. The
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mother had died one year previous to their I corner of the square. He is doing a thriv- leaving Ohio. and J. B. was thus early ing business. In 1865 Mi. Wells married Miss Harriet S., daughter of John Chick, of Oskaloosa. They have two children, -- Nellie F., wife of Charles II. Currier, cashier of the Osceola Bank, and Grace, who lives at home. Mr. Wells has served as township clerk, fom, and as trustee two years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, the Good Templars, the Grand Army of the Republic, and V. A. S. thrown upon his own resources. His first work was to carry mortar for the plaster- ing. of the old court-house, which is still standing, but abandoned. He rented a farm one year, and after putting in a corn crop, sold that and moved to Osceola, where he engaged in carrying the mail from Osceola to Afton. In the fall of 1856 he went to Nebraska, remained three years and returned to Osceola. Later he again went to Nebraska, thence to Denver, Col- orado, returning to Nebraska, and, finally, came to Mahaska County, Iowa. In 1861 FINOCH J. EVANS, of Osceola, is one of the principal breeders of fine horses in Clarke County. IIc is among the carly settlers of the county, coming here in 1856, young in years, and with but small capital, he engaged in his present business, beginning on a small scale. Secing the growing demand for good horses, he concluded to invest part of his means in fine horses. He has two farms well seeded to grass, which afford the best of pasture for his stock. His fine stock barn is large and convenient, and is well arranged, the stalls being large, light and airy, and there are large yards for the stock to exercise in. Ile has at present four of. the finest horses in the county, all being well bred. The head of the stud is Scottish Clyde, an imported Clydesdale stallion, a handsome dark bay horse of great size and quality, good back, capital flat legs, heavy bone, and a good mover. His second horse, Roderick, is a beautiful bright bay star, white feet, heavy bone, fine feather; short legs, very superior action, a remarkably fine temper, is heavy most successful horse. Duard. the third head and fine neck, is very strongly built. muscular quarters, good bone, very sound feet, fine style and a good mover. The he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third Regiment lowa Infantry, as a private sol- dier. He was promoted to First Orderly Sergeant, then to First Lieutenant, and in 1864, to Captain of his company, in which rank he served until the close of the war. Ile was mustered out July 17, 1865, at New Orleans. He took part in the battle at Jenkins' Ferry, April 30, 1864, Ilelena, Arkansas, July 4, 1863, and many small en- gagements. At Jenkins' Ferry he received a gun-shot wound through the right thigh, for which he receives a pension. After being honorably discharged, Mr. Wells went to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and re- mained there until the fall of 1866, engag- ing in auctioncering, and subsequently ran a meat market and grocery, then removed to Osceola and worked at his trade one year ; then followed teaming for about three years, after which he again turned his at- tention to his trade. Later he took a trip to Old Mexico (in the interest of the Knott's Mexican Silver Mining Company); then returned to Osceola and engaged in the stock and grain business, shipping to , set, and has already proved himself to be a Chicago and Peoria. This he continued until 1881. when he commenced dealing in : horse, is a good bay color, has a sensible wood and coal. Ile discontinued the cat- tle and grain trade. Hle is located on Main street, one half block from the southeast
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fourth horse, Souvenir, sired by Enchanter, has not only size, form and substance, but is a son of the best son of Administrator, and out of one of the best brood mares of the Royal George family. He is a bright bay star, has white hind ankles, with great bone and muscle. The farms are well stocked with fine brood mares and colts, which are also excellently bred.
- ETER RINNER, farmer and stock- raiser, section 23, Madison Township, was born in Germany, near the river Rhine, November 14, 1831. His father, Peter Rinner, came with his family to America in 1836, and settled at Lockport, Ohio, where he died nine weeks after his arrival. Our subject, on the death of his father, was taken by David Stiffler, of Beaver Dam, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, by whom he was reared to agricultural pursuits. He entered the United States army during the Mexican war when in his sixteenth year, under Scott, and was at the battles of St. Augustine, wounded at Chere- busco, Mellina, Del Ray, Chapultepec, and at the taking of Mexico. He re- entered the United States service in 1850, and spent two and a half years in teaching recruits. lle then entered the cavalry of the Second United States dragoons in 1855, remaining in the service till February, 1864, when he was discharged as Second
two ounces of flour for each man for their daily allowance, and for a while they lived on nettles cooked as greens. He served his country as a soldier fifteen years and eight months. Mr. Rinner came to lowa in 1864, locating at Des Moines, where he remained till 1871. He then canie to Clarke County, where he has since fol- lowed farming and stock-raising on his present farm, where he has 126 acres of well-improved land. He began life a poor boy, but his habits of industry and ccon- omy have been crowned with success, he having acquired his present fine property by his own efforts. Mr. Rinner was mar- ried January 14, 1874, to Diantha Gray, a daughter of William Gray, of Rush County, Kansas. They have had six chil- dren, four still living-Franklin P., Mar- garet E., George L. and Katherine D. Mr. Rinner still has in his possession his old sword, which was given him by General Pleasanton.
FROHN A. JONES, one of the old and re- spected pioncers of lowa, was born in Ilagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, the date of his birth being June II, 1816. His parents, William and Cathe- rine (Appleton) Jones, we're natives of Dela- ware and Pennsylvania respectively, the mother born and reared in the city of Phila- delphia. They moved from Maryland with Lieutenant. During the late civil war he . their family to the State of Ohio, in 1824, re- participated in the battles of First Bull ; maining there till 1845, when the mother Run, after which battle he carried the first died. After her death the father made his white flag to the rebel army, Williams- home with a younger brother, dying in his port, battle of the Wilderness, the seven . eighty-third year. John A. Jones, the sub- days fight on the peninsula, Antictam, ject of this sketch, passed his boyhood Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Culpeper, ! days on the home farm. At the age of and others of minor importance. Before , sixteen years he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed a number of years. Ile was married in Ohio, in 1841, the war of the Rebellion he was engaged in fighting with Indians in Utah, and while there part of the time his company had but , to Matilda Holmes, of Harrison County,
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that State. They came to the Territory of Iowa in the spring of 1844, settling in Van Buren County, where together they en- durel many of the hardships and priva- tions incident to pioncer life They left Van Buren County in the spring of 1855, removing to Clarke County, Missouri, and in April, 1856, came to Clarke County, Iowa. locating in Washington Township, where his wife died in 1862, leaving eight children, of whom five are now liv- ing. The children of his first marriage are -Susan C., married James Patterson in 1861; Priscilla, wife of Joseph Davis; John B., a skillful physician, who was killed at Caddo, Indian Territory; Catherine, de- ceased ; Benton ; Theodore W .; Matilda A., married Millard Ellis; William, and Isaac, who died aged one year. Their son, John B., served in the late war threc and a half years, enlisting in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, with which he participated in the battle of Shiloh. He was discharged on account of disability, but re-enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, taking part in all the battles and campaigns in which his regiment participated. For his present wife Mr. Jones married Nancy Nixon, February 26, 1863, she being a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, born in April. 1821. To this union has been born one daughter. Jennie. On coming to Clarke County, Mr. Jones entered a tract of land from the Government, containing 240 acres, located on section 10 Washing- ton Township, but now owns over 400 acres. He has since improved his land, bringing it under good cultivation, and is devoting his entire attention to farming and stock-raising. He is meeting with ex- cellent success in the latter enterprise, making a specialty of cattle and hogs. Mr. Jones being a carpenter, built a good, com- fortable residence, in which he has lived since coming to the county, making addi- tions from time to time till he has a large,
commodious and substantial dwelling. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but since the organization of the Republicans he has cast his suffrage with that party. For many years he was a Methodist in his religious views.
RANCIS M. SHERER, one of the pioneers of Clarke County, and an en- terprising citizen of Ward Township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 5. 1836, where he was reared till the fall of IS49. His father, John Sherer, then re- moved with his family to lowa, spending the first winter at Pella, and in the follow- ing March came to Clarke County, locating four miles south of Osceola, where he en- tered 160 acres of land. In the fall of 1850 he went with his family to Osceola, where he built a double log house, in which he kept an hotel, this being the only hotel in the place at that time. He ran the hotel till 1856, when he sold out and established an hotel in the north part of the town, which he kept for two years. He then removed to a farm two miles from Osceola, where he followed farming till 1861, when, dis- posing of his farm, he returned to Osceola. In 1863 he went to California, where he met his death. Francis M., whose name heads this sketch, received a rudimentary education in the old court-house, which is still standing on the north side of the square, remaining with his parents till ar- riving at maturity. During the war he enlistel for three years in Company H, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and in 1863 he was promoted to hospital steward, serving in that capacity till his term of enlistment had expired. He received an honorable dis- charge, being mustered out in April, 1865. He then returned to Chirke County, and for the two years following he was em- ployed in clerking for E. Rankin. In ISos
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he engaged in the furniture business, and in 1867 became engaged in the insurance business, acting as agent for several relia- ble Eastern companies until 1822. He then removed to section 23, Ward Township, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits, devoting sonic attention to stock- raising. His farm, which contains 140 acres, is under a high state of cultivation, and the surroundings of the place show the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. Mr. Sherer has been twice married, his first marriage taking place in 1870, to Barbara Switzer, who died leaving four small children --- Theodore M., born Oct- ober 21, 1871 : Belle .A., born April 19, 1873 ; Henry F., born June 20, 1875, and John S., born November 25, 1876. Mr. Sherer was again married in 1878, to Mrs. Emma P. (Neikirke) Johnson, who was born in Sen- eca County, Ohio, in IS41. This union has been blessed with three children- Mabel L., born August 11, 18So; David A .. born May 14, 1883, and George N., born August 23, 1885. Mr. Sherer is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
OHN LEWIS, the first settler of Jack- son Township, resides on section 30. Ile came to Clarke County with his wife and three children in April, 1851, be- ing one of the pioneer settlers of the County. He visited the county in 1850. and in the autumn of that year entered the southwest quarter of section 5, Franklin Township, and the south half of the south- west quarter of section 30, and the south- west quarter of southeast quarter of section 30, the northwest quarter of northeast quarter of section 31, Jackson Township. Ile planted corn the next spring. Jir. i Lewis was born in Lawrence County, Indi- ana, February 19, 1823. His father, Will- iam Lewis, was born in Kentucky, and his
mother, Mary (Morton) Lewis, was a native of North Carolina. They were mar- ried in Kentucky, and for several years afterward made their home in Indiana. In 1833 they moved to Morgan County, Indi- ana. Both lived to an advanced age. They rcared eight children, john being the sixth child. Ile was raised a farmer, and that has been the occupation of his life. In March, 1844, he was married to Miss Sophie Moran, who was born in Ohio, and died in 1845, at the age of twenty-three years. For his second wife Mr. Lewis married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Collier, born in Monroe County, Indiana, November 15, 1826. In 1849 Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, with their two children came to Monroe County, Iowa. They made a claim which he partially improved, then sold out and came to Clarke County. Ile soon after began to have neighbors. When Mr. Lewiscame to lowa he had about 8500. lle now owns 745 acres in Jackson Town- ship, and also owns other land, making in all 1,025 acres, the legitimate result of a life of industry and frugality. They have ten children-Taylor, of Barton County, Kansas; Scott, of Smith County, Kansas ; Mary Ann, wife of C. W. Neal, of Jackson Township; Parthena, wife of R. J. Gray, of Jackson Township; Richard MI., of Osceola Township ; Sarah J., wife of F. P. Hood, Osceola City ; Pleasant D., living near his parents on part of the homestead ; Jolin M., resides with his parents; John W., the seventh child died in infancy ; William S., the youngest died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been members of the Christian church many years. They, with others, shared all the trials and priva- tions of pioncer life. They have witnessed the marvelous growth and development of Clarke County, and have shared in all the changes that have occurred from its birth. Mr. Lewis is a Democrat. Richard M. Lewis was born May 18, 1856. He married
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