USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 37
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purest love have never for one moment been withheld from me." From this union they have been blessed with two sons- Frederick William and Hamilton L .. Jr. Mr. Karr is an energetic, industrious man, who believes that every man should have full compensation for his labor, but depre- cates the idea of having something for noth- ing. He is kind and courteous to his friends, and frank and plain with his enemies. He is a radical Republican in politics, and strictly temperate both in theory and prac- tice. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and at this time active and in good standing in the lodge, chapter and com- mandery at Osceola. In his religious views he is a Universalist.
ILLIAM MANLY, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, of Liberty -J Township, where he resided on sec- tion 25, was born in Jefferson County, Ten- nessee, December 24, 1823, a son of Benja- min and Catherine (Smith) Manly, who were also natives of the same State, living there till their death. Of their nine chil- dren our subject was the eighth child. Ile was reared on a farm in his native county, remaining there till 1849, when, in October MONRAD MOWREY, merchant and postmaster, Liberty, lowa is a native of Coshocton, Ohio, born February of that year, he came to lowa, first loca- ting in Warren County. He was married in Lucas County, Iowa, March 5, 1853, to . 15, 1829. a son of John and Mary E. Mow- Sarah Roberts, a native of Warner County, rey, natives of Pennsylvania, who soon af- Tennessee, barn November 17, 1832, after their marriage moved to Coshocton daughter of Thomas and Mary Roberts, : County, Ohio. He was reared in his na- her father serving in the war of 1812, and tive county, and was there married, Feb- ruary 2, 1853, to Nancy A. Hickman. In 1856 he came to lowa, amd located on sec- tion 4, Liberty Township, Clarke County, at that time a tract of wild prairie land. To his original 120 acres he has added, until he now owns 280 acres. In 1870 he embarked in the mercantile business in Liberty, where he now has a complete stock of goods and her grandfather, Reuben Roberts, being a soldier in the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Manly have been born eight chil- dren, of whom only four now survive- James A., farming in Otter Creek Town- ship, Lucas County ; Mrs. Samantha Hart, of the same township; Mrs. Martha Jane Marquis who, with her husband, makes her
home with her parents, and Wilson F .. liv. ing at home. Mary C. died aged nineteen years ; Thomas B. died at the same age : William D. died aged seventeen months. and one died in infancy unnamed. The year before his marriage Mr. Manly purchased land in Otter Creek Township, and there he made his home till March, 1875. own- ing in that township 200 acres of well-im- proved land. In 1875 he sold his farm in Otter Creek Township, when he moved to the place where he has since resided. Ow- ing to his persevering industry and excel- lent management, Mr. Manly has prospered in his agricultural pursuits, and now owns a very fine farm, containing about 600 acres, all well improved with the exception of about forty acres. He has devoted his at- tention almost exclusively to the raising of stock :. He began life in lowa without cap- ital, but his habits of industry and economy have been well rewarded, and he now has a comfortable home and a competency for his declining years. In his political views Mr. Manly was formerly an old-line Whig, later a Republican, but at present affiliates with the Democratic party.
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a good trade. He has one daughter. Mary Elizabeth, wife of F. M. Stacy, who lives on the old homestead. She has two chil- dren-Incz and Ira C. In politics Mr, Mowrey is a Democrat. He is a member of Lodge No. 301, F. & A. M.
favette Stevenson. an 1 Cora E. at home. Mr. Robinson has served some twelve years as treasurer of the School Board of his township, holding the same office in Troy Township about six years. He has served four years as secretary of the School Board, and for the past three years has been president of the board. He has also served as trustee, and in all these offices has served with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents. Mr. Robinson's grandfather, William Robinson, with four brothers, settled on the Muskingum River in Coshocton County, Ohio, they forming the first white settlement in that part of the county. William Robinson was cap- tured by the Indians, but the Indian chief, Logan, being friendly to the whites, set him free.
¡RASTUS ROBINSON, one of the early settlers of Clarke County, and an enterprising citizen of Ward Township, was born near Coshocton, in Coshocton County, Ohio, September 22. 1814. His parents, Benjamin and Maria (Kimberly) Robinson, were natives of Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Vir- ginia and Jefferson County, Ohio, respect- ively, and were married in the latter county. When our subject was ten years old his father died, his death taking place in Coshocton County, Ohio, and after his JOHN II. JAMISON, a prominent citi- zen of Osceola, and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Clarke County, is a native of Washington County, Indiana, born near Salem, September 8, 18.16. Ilc is the eldest son of Robert and Christina (Kyte) Jamison, his father being a native of Kentucky and his mother of In- diana. In 1848 his parents moved to the State of Iowa, and lived two years in Mou- roe County. In the spring of 1850 they moved to Clarke County, where they still live. John H. was reared in Clarke County, attending in his youth the schools at Garden Grove. Decatur County. When of the Rebellion and was assigned to the Sixth lowa Infantry, serving cighteen months. He participated in the battle at Dallas, Georgia, where he was wounded. Ile was mustered out in July, 1865, and re- turned to Clarke County, lowa. He at- tended school at Garden Grove three years, and then went to Ann Arbor, Mich- igan, and took a commercial course. After death the mother removed with her family to Indiana, locating near Indianapolis, in Marion County, and subsequently settled in Iowa. Erastus Robinson, our subject, has been a resident of Clarke County since 1855, coming here from Mahaska County, Iowa. After coming to this county he first settled near the town of Murray, where he followed farming for ten years. He then removed to his present farm lo- cated on section 2, Ward Township, where he has met with much success in his agricultural pursuits, accumulating property till he had 400 acres, of which he has given part to his children. He still re- i seventeen years old he enlisted in the war tains 150 acres for the homestead where he has a comfortable residence, and com- modious and substantial barn and other out buildings. lle has reared a family of eight chillen, three sons an I five daugh- ters -- George Henry, Benjamin G., Mar- garet J., wife of M. L. Evans of Murray, : Clarke County; Oscar Duvall; Emina, wife of J. L. Stevenson; Mattie M., wife of La-
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leaving school he began teaching, his first of eighty acres of well-cultivated land on section 6, Osceola Township, where he re- sides. In connection with his general farming he is quite extensively engaged in buying horses for the Dakota market, he be- school being in his home district, and the following spring was appointed superin- tendent of the Clarke County school, and served until the next autumn. He again taught in his own district during the win- . ing associated in this enterprise with A. H. ter, and then gave his attention to agricult- Neff, a practical farmer and good business man, who is now stationed at Huron, Dakota, to which point the horses are shipped for sale. During the last year this firm have shipped over 100 head of horses to that place. Both men are strictly hon- ure until the fall of 1872, when he was nominated and elected clerk of the District and Circuit Courts of Clarke County, as- suming the duties of his office in January, 1873. This position he held by re election eight years. From 1881 till 1884 he was , orable in all their dealings, and have cashier of the Clarke County bank, and the , gained the confidence and respect of all
next year engaged in the boot and shoe business. In June, 1885, he was appointed agent of the American Express Company at Osceola, a position he still holds. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was married in De- cember, 1877, to Miss Laura - Davis of Washington, Iowa, daughter of J. D. Day- is, now of Des Moines. They have one daughter-JIclen E.
OSEPH H. FARLEY, an active and enterprising farmer, and dealer in stock of Osceola Township, was born in Monroe County, lowa, November 29, IS46, the eldest son of William T. and Ann J. Farley. He has lived in Clarke County, Iowa, since five years of age, his parents , to Jefferson, where he was engaged in having settled in Osceola Township in the ; spring of 1851. Here our subject grow to manhood on a farm, receiving his element- . of Fairfield, as contractor. He built for a ary education in the district schools. com- man named Bickford the first mill erected at that point. He continued his occupa- tion in that county until 1861, when he came to Clarke County, making his home on section 14, near the village of Ottawa. There were 120 acres. He also owned other tracts of land in the vicinity. In pleting his studies at the Osceola high school. He was married May 22, 1870, to Loretta J. Neff, the only daughter of John Neff, who was among the carly settlers of Clarke County. Mr. and Mrs. Farley have four children-Bert IT., Alonzo V., John C. and Herman O. Mr. Farley has a farm | 1872 Mr. Johnson met with a great affliction
who come in contact with them.
HOMAS ELWOOD JOHNSON has been a resident of lowa since 1847. He was born in North Carolina, June 6, 1814. His parents, David and Nancy Johnson, were natives of North Carolina : the father raised cotton, and the mother was reared on a farm. After attaining his majority, Mr. Johnson came North, and made his home in Morgan County, Indi- ana, where he worked at carpentering : he also purchased and improved a farm in that. county. In 1837 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Lydia Davis, a native of Ohio. In 1847 they came to Iowa, residing in Keokuk County two years, then removing farming. He owned a farm south of Fair- feld. He also engaged in the building up
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in the death of his wife. She passed away at the age of fifty-five years. They had nine children, six of whom are living. The names are --- Isaac, who enlisted in Company 1, Fifteenth Iowa, and died at the home of his parents in 1862: David, a resident of Red Oak, Ohio: Mary, wife of David Moats, of Kansas; William, living in Jack- son Township ; Mrs. Sally Ann Breafty, of Woodburn ; Daniel, of Jackson Township ; Lydia E., deceased, and Sylvester, living in Jackson Township. For his second wife Mr. Johnson married Mrs. Sarah (Duke) Hall, widow of Nelson Hall, in 1875. Since 1876 Mr. Johnson has lived a retired life. He owns a comfortable home, and is enjoying the fruits of his labor. In carly life he was a Whig, and an ardent sup- porter of Henry Clay. He is now a radical Prohibitionist. He was reared a Quaker, both parents being of that faith. He has always lived an honorable and upright life, and will be long remembered by a large circle of friends.
reaching the home of his brother-in-law, John McDonough, in Jackson Township, Clarke County, April 26. The first few years was a hard struggle, but by perse- vering he was finally successful, and is now one of the prosperous citizens of the county. Mr. Shockling was married Au- gust 4, 1855, to Mrs. Sarah (McDonough) Laughran, widow of John Laughran, who lost his life in the heroic attempt to save a friend from drowning in the Allegheny River, in the spring of 1851. He left two daughters-Elizabeth, now Mrs. Trainer, of Decatur County, Iowa, and Mrs. Susan Spencer, of Osceola. Mr. and Mrs. Shock- ling have had three children, but two arc living-Anna and Maria. Their eldest, Maria, died aged three years.
OBERT S. FINDLAY, clerk of the courts of Clarke County, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Franklin County, near Chambersburg, March 29, 1832, the only son of John and Sarah (Smith) Findlay, natives also of the Key- stone State.but of Scotch descent. Robert S. passed his boyhood and youth in his native county, attending the common schools and later Marshall College, at Mercersburg. After leaving school he was employed as clerk in a mercantile house three years and then engaged in business on his own account. During the war of the Rebellion he was a staunch Union man, and enlisted in defense of the old flag, and was assigned to Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- sixth Pennsylvania Infantry. He served nine months, participating in the battles at Fredericksburg. Antietam and Chancellors- ville. In 1868 he came to lowa and setfied
EBASTIAN SHOCKLING, an early settler of Jackson Township, was born in France, June 16, 1821, and when six years of age accompanied his parents, Mathias and Anna Maria Shock- ling, to America. They located in Pitts- burg. Pennsylvania, where the father was employed in the glass factory. In 1832 his parents moved to Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, and in 1837 to Noble County, Ohio. where they lived to an advanced age, both dying on Easter Sunday, 1882. Sebastian Shockling was apprenticed to the glass- blower's trade when quite young, and worked at it until July, 1856, when, on ac- count of a strike, he was thrown out of in Woodburn, Clarke Conaty, where he employment, and then determined to come ; lived until 1880 engaged in the mercantile West and try his fortunes at farming Ile business. In the fall of isyo he was elected left Pittsburg for Iowa, April 2, 1957, clerk of the courts, and removed to Osce-
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ola, assuming the duties of his office in ; January, isSi. He was re-elected in isse, and again in 1884. serving now his third 1 term. Ile is an efficient and reliable officer, serving his county with perfect satisfac- tion to his constituents. Mr. Findlay was married in 18;6, to Miss Emma J. Lash, of Mt. Pleasant, lowa. They have a family of five children, two sons and three daugh- ters. Mr. Findlay is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, serv- his post as commander. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
TATILLIAM ADAMS, an old settler of Clarke County, lowa, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1819, a son of John and Mary (Donley) Adams, of Irish ancestry. He was reared in his native State and Vir- ginia, remaining with his parents until manhood. Ile then went to Illinois, and was married in that State to Nancy J. Mill- igan, also a native of Pennsylvania. In 1855 he came to lowa and settled on the farm where he now lives, in Clarke County. which contains 120 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had twelve chil- dren, ten of whom are living. They are members of the Presbyterian church.
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ICKINSON WEBSTER, one of the carly settlers of Clarke County, Iowa, and a prominent farmer and nursery. . man, was born in the State of Delaware. near New Castle, May 14 1827. His father, Dickinson Webster, was also a native of Delaware, born in 1792, and his mother. whose maiden name was Mary Daley, was born in Maryland in 1799. In 1829 Dickin-
son Webster, Sr., moved with his family to Perry County. Ohio, living there until the fall of 1849, when he emigrated to lowa, and in the spring of 1851 located in the southern part of Clarke County, in what is now Franklin Township. When the county was organized in i851 he was elected one of its counmissioners, and served two terms. He was a sturdy, energetic mau, and was one of the most prominent citizens during the carly days of the county, assisting ma- terially in its development. He died De- cember 28, 1860. llis widow is still living, a resident of Osceola, and although ad- vanced in years is in the enjoyment of good health. Their family consisted of fourteen children, twelve of whom lived to man and womanhood, and those who are now living are scattered, business and inclination in- ducing them to settle in various States of our Union. Dickinson Webster, our sub- ject, was one of the eldest of the family. He was but two years of age when his parents settled in Ohio, and in that State he grew to manhood. The country at the time of their settlement there was heavily timbered, and when a more lad his services were required in assisting to clear it, be- ginning by piling up the brush after the choppers. Iliseducational advantages were necessarily limited, and would not, all told, exceed one year's attendance at school. He remained with his parents until manhood and accompanied them to lowa. In April, 1852, he was elected school-fund commis- sioner of Clarke County, at that time a very important position, and served two terms, or nearly four years. In June, 1854, he moved to Osceola, where he has since lived. Hle has engaged extensively in farming, owning at one time go0 acres of land. In 1869 he added the nursery busi- ness to his other pursuits, and has made of this industry a decided success, having hoy the principal nursery in the county Mr. Webster was married in 1852 to Miss L. J.
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Perry. They have had four children-T. B., Maggie M. (deceased), Edward A. and Hattie C. Mr. and Mrs. Webster are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. in : which he has held important official relat- tions. He is a member of Lodge No. 77. A. F. & A. M.
C. RARICK, one of the old and honored pioneers of Clarke County,
2 is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born April 12, 1833. a son of Philip and Sarah (Chenoweth) Rarick. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, a son of Philip R., Sr., and Susan (Hikeswell) Ra- rick, who were among the first pioneers of Darke County, Ohio, locating in that county about the year 1818. They were the parents of thirteen children. Ten chil- dren were born to Philip and Sarah Rarick of whom our subject is the oldest. Eight of the children still survive-A. C., Isaac, Jacob, Adam, Charles W., Ira' O., Susan and Caroline. David and Catherine are deceased. A. C. spent his youth in assist- ing on the farm, and in attending the dis- trict schools. In 1851 he went with his father's family to Jay County, Indiana, remaining there four years, completing his education in a college of that county. In the fall of 1855 he started for lowa, being about thirty days on the way. Ile first located in Knox Township, Clarke County, where he pre-empted a claim in the fall of 1856, proving 160 acres the fol- lowing fall, which he still owns. He was married September 7, 1859, to Mary Hunt, born in Virginia, but at the time of her marriage a resident- of Clarke County, lowa, a daughter of James and Sarah . Garretsom Hunt. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rarick only four are living-Mouroe. Allen, Alice and Eva. Those deceased are - Sarah, Sherman,
Lydia and Charlie. Mr. Rarick enlisted in the late war, in July. 186;, a member of Company T, Sixth lowa Infantry, and par- ticipated in the battles of Shiloh, Jackson, Mississippi, and siege of Vicksburg. Ile was wounded in the neck, being struck by a piece of shell. During the war he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, but re- signed this position August 2, 1863, and returned to his home in Clarke County. In 1864 he was appointed postmaster, hold- ing that office one year. Mr. Rarick has met with success in his farming and stock- raising, and is now the owner of 240 acres of well-improved land under a good state of cultivation. He was appointed deputy surveyor in 1858, and in 1859 was elected county surveyor, and held the same office till 1861, when he resigned that he might go to the defense of his country's flag. Ile isa member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, belonging to Leslie Post, No. 189. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rarick are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are numbered among the best citizens of Knox Township. In politics Mr. Rarick is a Greenbacker.
TFILLIAM S. RICHARDS, treas- urer of Clarke County, Iowa, is a native of Connecticut, born in Hartford County, near the city of Hart- ford, July 28, 1847. He is the third of four children, of Luther and Mary (Pinney) Richards, his father a native of Massachu- setts, born in 1805, and his mother of Con- necticut. born in 1814. ITis father died in 1880, and his mother is still living. Will- jam S. Richards remained with his parents until manhood, receiving a good education in the common schools. In 1868, on ac- count of failing health, he left his Eastern home and immigrated to the West, locating in Osceola, lowa, where he found employ-
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ment with S. & J. W. Richards, and clerked Ile finally reached Clarke County, and located on his present farm, entering eighty "acres of Government land, and buying part for them three years. He then went to At- ton and for thirteen months was employed by Richards & Creel. Returning to Osce- , of his land for $3.50 per acre. Here he ola, he was in the employ of Richards & Miles three years. In 1873 he formed a , prove his land, enduring all the hardships partnership with J. W. Richards and car- ried on a general store until 1876, when they sold out, and for a time he was em- ployed as traveling salesman for Hurst, Swiggett & Co., and later engaged in business on his own account until 1885, when he was elected treasurer of Clarke County, a responsible and arduous position but one he is eminently qualified to fill. Mr. Richards was married in 1873 to Miss Ellen L. Stuart, of New Hartford, Con- necticut. They have one daughter- Mary L.
built a log cabin, and commenced to im- and privations incident to the life of a pio- necr. He commenced life with but limited capital, but by indastry and good manage- ment he has gained his present fine prop- erty, llis log house has given way to a fine brick residence, and his present large and commodious barn bas taken the place of his old log stable, and the entire surround- ings of the place show the care and thrift of the owner. He is engaged in stock- raising and feeding and general farming, and has brought his land under fine culti- vation. He has a fine orchard on his land, and his home is surrounded by a large grove of maples. Mr. Keenan has served his township as trustee five or six years, and was justice of the peace a few terms, filling both offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. l Ie belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Jacinth Lodge, No. 443. of Weldon.
Y HOMAS KEENAN, one of the old and respected pioneers of Green Bay Township, residing on section 21, is a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was born June 11, 1820. His parents, John and Hannah (Newbank) Keenan, had a family of eight children-Thomas, Stad- well, Sarah Ann, William, John, Rachel, Debby Jane and Melinda. Thomas Keenan passed his youth in working on a farm, and was also employed in a hotel for a time. May 8, 1845, he was GEORGE HARLAN is a native of Darke County, Ohio, born April 1.4, 1822. a son of Nathan B. and Sally .An- derson) Harlan. llis parents were natives of Kentucky, moving to Ohio in 1818. The father bought a tract of wild land, which marrid in Guernsey County, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Stickley, by whom he has had twelve children-John. Samuel, Rachel, Elizabeth, Milton, Frances, Sarah, Andrew, Joseph, Mary, Flora and Theo, In the fall of 1854. Mr. Keenan removed . he improved and made his home until 1652. with his family to Ilinois, residing in Mer- ; The mother died when her eldest son, our cer County till February 6, 1855. He then : subject, was eighteen years old. The fan- started for Clarke County, Iowa, by team, . ily consisted of eight children -- George, Nathan A., deceased ; David; Joshua; Eliz- abeth, deceased ; Jane, deceased ; Annic. and one daughter who died in infancy. la 1842 the father married Miss Isabelle Polly,
and while crossing the Chariton River, one of his horses broke through the ice, and it was with great difficulty that the team and heavily-loaded wagon got out of the river ..
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and to them were born seven children- peace ten years, being repeatedly elected in opposition to his wishes, thus indicating his standing with the voters of the township. In politics he isa staunch Republican. Mr. Harlan was married September 8, 184!, to Miss Julia Harlan, and to them have been born five children-Valentine, Jacob, Eliza- beth, Nathan and Jerome. Elizabeth and Nathan are deceased. Enos, Hiram, Whitson, Rufus, Howard, an infant died unnamed, and Mirian. The second wife is also deceased. In 1852 the father left Ohio and came to Towa, living two years in Henry County, then moved to Van Buren County, where he still lives at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He has experienced all phases of pioneer life. having been one of the first settlers in two States. He helped to clear the forests of Ohio, and to improve the prairies of Iowa. George Harlan is a son of sturdy ADWARD M. LAWS was born at Barnesville, Ohio, February 21, 1831, af and died at Osceola, February 24. 1879. Ilis parents were highly respected, and humble, devoted Christians. He was the youngest of a large family of children. He grew up to manhood and received his education at his native place. In his early manhood he chose the medical profession as his business for life, and entered the office of Dr. J. A. Smith, his brother-in-law, and began his preparatory course. In the year IS51 he came to the State of Iowa with Dr. Smith and family, and settled in Farming- ton, Van Buren County, where he continued his studies until he entered the medical school at Keokuk. He spent the first year in the practice of his profession in northern Missouri. In the spring of 1853 he settled in Osccola, soon after the County of Clarke was organized and Osceola laid out and established as the county scat, where he entered at once into active practice, and 1 was, perhaps, the first physician that locat- ed in the place. Dr. Laws was married to Miss Mary D. Nelson, May 23, 1855, at Brookville, in the State of Indiana, which union proved to be a very happy one ; and all along the years of their sojourn together, the most tender sympathy and affectionate regard existed between them. The doctor was endowed with a brilliant intellect, with a kind, genial nature, with all the social parents, and was reared among the wilds of his native State. The house in which he was born was but a rail pen, and his cradle was a sugar-trough. As he grew older he assisted his father in clearing the forests and thus increased the patch of sunshine around their home. He remained with his parents until his marriage, and then began life for himself on forty acres of land which he had bought. On this he lived several years and then immigrated to Jowa, and rented a farin in Lee County, where he lived two years. Then moved to Van Buren County, and two years later to Clarke County. Ile bought 160 acres on section 27, Fremont Township, and built a hay shed in which he lived six weeks, in the meantime crecting a rude log cabin. He was obliged to go a distance of ninety miles to mill, with a team of oxen, requiring twelve days to make the journey. The country abounded in game. Deer and tur- keys were numerous, as were also wolves and other wild animals, and many have fallen a victim to the accurate aim of Mr. Harlan's rifle. He has improved his land and now has a fine farm of 170 acres with a comfortable residence and farm buildings, ; and is considered one of the substantial and enterprising farmers of the township. Per- fectly honorable and upright, he is hell in high esteem among his fellow-townsmen. He has held the office of justice of the , characteristics which are requisite to make
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