USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 39
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
ed sheriff of Clarke County in the fall of ISS3, and the duties of his office requiring all his time, he sold his farm to George H1. Cowles. He served as sheriff two years, his second term expiring January 1. 1886. Mr. Rankin is a Democrat of the old Thomas Jefferson type, but is a strong Abo- litionist. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. and his father in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are members of the Presbyterian church. Their only child died at the age of four months.
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EV. GEORGE W. SMITHI was born in Mercer County, Ohio, February 19, 1839. His father, Peter Smith, was born and reared in the State of Virginia, removing with his family to Ohio when about thirty years of age, where his wife died, in Mercer County. His second wite, formerly Susan Reeter, was the mother of the subject of this sketch. She was born in Ohio and died in Kosciusko Courty, Indiana, when George W. was about nine years of age, where the family located in 1S.47. His father died in 1852, leaving George dependent upon his own resources when only thirteen years of age. Two years later he went to Adair County, Missouri, where he grew to manhood, working his way by engaging in farm ATALBERT HODGES, son of William A: and Abigail (Howard) Hodges, was born in Wyoming County, New York, October 3. 1821. His parents had a family of eight children-Simon, John, Sally, Julia, William, Charles, Albert and Mary Jane. Albert Hodges spent his youth on the home farm, in his native county. rc- ceiving his education in the common schools. He was married January 1, 1855, to Harriet A. Hopkins, who was born in Otsego County, New York, September 8, 1830, but reared in Erie County, New labor. His early educational advantages were limited, being confined to the public schools. But a desire for knowledge made him studious. He is, in every some of the word, a self-made man. At nineteen years of age he experienced religion, and since that time has been an active worker in the vineyard of the Lord, in Adair County, Missouri. December 1, 1859, he married Miss Mary D. Asher, of Adair County, daughter of P. P. and U. A. Asher. Mrs. Smith was born in the same county December 18, 18.12. Her father died in ; York. She was a daughter of Elisha and
Missouri in ISso. Her mother survives and lives with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith moved to Oskaloosa. lowa, in 1862, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1865 he removed to Chariton. where he worked at his trade until 1868, when he located at Ottawa, Mercer County. He moved to Woodburn in 18;6, and in November, 1880, to his present home, on section 3, Franklin Township. Ile has a good, comfortable home, with 100 acres of good land. In isto Mr. Sinith was ordained in the Baptist minis- try. He has had charge of the Highland Church, in Wayne County, the past four years. He was in charge of the Otter Creek Church, in Lucas County, fourteen years. IIc is a conscientious, Christian worker, and has advanced the cause of re- ligion in this county. In politics he is a Republican and a Prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had five children, three living. Their names arc-Martha Anu, wife of A. W. Ryan, of Humiston, Iowa ; Nancy Z., wife of Fletcher Bevard, Frank- lin Township; John B., living with his parents; Elizabeth, died in Jackson Town- ship, Lucas County, aged five years ; Luracy, died at Ottawa, aged one year.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Elizabeth Ann Hopkins. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges are the parents of four childr. n -: Betsy Ann, Charles IL., Nettie .A. and Ro. st. A. Ma. Hodges resided in Wyoming Coranty until June, ISS1, when he came to Clarke County. lowa, locating in Green Bay Township. In January, 1862. he set. the l on his present farm, on section 33, Green Bay Township, he and his brother having entered the land in I854. His farm is located one mile northwest of Weldon, an i contains 120acres of highly-cultivated lind. Ilis house is comfortable and com- molious, and his out-buildings are notice- ably good. He has on his land a good orchard and an abundance of small fruits. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which he is meeting with success. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
wie died January ;. 1867, and April 7, 1870, he married Catherine E. Morgan, native of Indiana. Mr. Jenkins family consists of eight children, five by his first marriage and three by the last -- Dora T., Etta G., Arlington, Addie L., William. Maggie A .. Anna E. and James B. Dora T., Etta G. and Anna E. are deceased.
'SHILIP II. MCCARTNEY, an enter- prising and successful agriculturist of Washington Township, was born in the town of Martinsburg. in Butler County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being April 11, 1838. When about twelve years of age he accompanied his parents, William and Elizabeth (Haines) McCartney, to Adams County, Ohio, where the family resided till the father died, his death being the result of a wound received at the battle of Shiloh while serving with the Seventieth Ohio Infantry. After the death of her husband the mother went to Peoria County, Illinois, where she still makes her home. Philip H., our subject, passed most of his youth in Adams County, Ohio. In the fall of 1856 he went to Peoria County. Ilinois, locating on a farm in 1857. Ile was married in i858. to Sarah A. Pation, of Peoria County. a daughter of Joseph B. Patton, a resident of the same county. He continued farming in Peoria County till August. 1862, when he enlisted in the service of his country, a member of Company C, Seventy-seventh linois Infantry. He served two years and four months, and during this time partici-
THWILLIAM JENKINS, a pioneer of Washington Township, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Decem- ber 28, 1831, the fifth of a family of seven children of Thomas and Ann (Davis) Jen- kins, natives of Wales, the father born November 26, 1792, and the mother, June ' 19, 1802. They were married in their na- tive country, December 1, 1820, and April 26, 1821, left Liverpool for America, land- ing in New York June 18. They locate:1 in Delaware County, Ohio, and there our subject grew to manhoo I. The father died February 18. 1871, and the mother is still living in Olio. March 27. 1859, William Jenkins was married to Hester A. Web- pated in the battles of Mission Ridge. ster, a sister of D. Webster, of Osceola. Helena, siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post. He had come to lowa in the spring of the Red River Campaign, and was with 1853, a single man, and after his marriage . Sherman on his grand much to the sea. settled on a tract of land he had entered Hle was mastered out of the service at Jef. ferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, in February, 1864. He then returned to hi. farm in Peoria County, Iillinois, where he from the Government, on section 22. Wash- in riou Township. Ile now has 245 acres and has good building improvements. Ilis
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HISTORY OF CHARTE COUNTY.
remained till March, 18;6. He was be- , which he served till June 30, 1863. Mr reaved by the death of his wife in 18;4, Painter is a thorough, practical miller, and has been connected with the milling busi- wholeft three children-William P., Walter A. and Luella G. For his present wife he , ness since 1861. He came to Clarke County, married Isabelle Nicholson, a native of lowa, in 1868, and for about ten months worked for Raymond & Kelley, proprietors of the City Mills, at Osccola. He then went to Union County, lowa, becoming a partner in the AAfton Mills, being associated with the Grant Brothers, under the firm name of Grant, Painter & Grant. About five years later he disposed of his interest in the Afton Mills and returned to Osceola. Clarke County, forming a partnership with D. R. Raymond, which continued until June, 1881, when he sold his interest to his partner, and in October of the same year built his present mills, which are the prin- cipal flouring mills in the county. It is run by the roller process and turn out about forty barrels in twenty-four hours. England, but at the time of her marriage living in Peoria County. To this union have been born four children-Maud E., Winfield G. B., Harry J. and Zelda L. Mrs. McCartney is a daughter of Thomas Nicholson, a native of England. Mr. Mc- 1 Cartney came with his family to Clarke County, lowa, in March, 1876, when he settled on his present farm on section 12, Washington Township, where he haseighty acres of choice land. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of 246 acres, most of which is well improved and under fine cultivation. Besides his home farm in Washington Township, he has 161 acres in Fremont Township, on section 7, and five acres of timber land. The first three years of his res- idence in Clarke County, besides running his farm, he was largely engaged in buying and shipping stock. Of late years he has turned his attention to the raising of stock, and is making a specialty of high-grade cattle and Poland-China hogs. In the year ISS5 he raised 160 hogs. Mr. McCartney has served as a member of the School Board.
ETAMES A. CLARK, of Woodburn vil- lage, is a dealer in groceries, meats, fish, and operates a restaurant. Hc commenced business in this place in 1875, and has continued it ever since. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, August 14. 1844, and is a son of T. W. and Mary (Clark, Clark, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. When James was a small boy the family removed to Grant County, Indiana, and afterward to Wabash County, Indiana, where they re- sided until 1856, when they came to lowa father engaged in farming. In 1859 they removed to Harrison County, Missouri, and made that then home until the break- ing out of the civil war. Here the mother ing in Clarke County, where they have since resided. James enlisted in February. 1863, in Compamy K, Thirty-ninth Regi-
FRAMES C. PAINTER, proprietor of the flour-mills at Osceola, is a native of England, born in Berks County. Hc came to America when quite young, lo- ; and settled in Linn County, where the cating in the State of Illinois. He began , learning the miller's trade in Fulton County, Illinois, finishing his trade al Peoria. Hle enlisted in the Union Army in 1862 in Company F, Fifty-seventh Hli- , died and the family returned to lowa, locat- nois Infantry to serve three months. At. the expiration of his term of service he re- enlisted in the Ninth Iowa Cavahy, in |
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ment, lowa Infantry, commanded by Col- "crops by grasshoppers, and becoming dis. onel Cummings, and participated with them in the sanguinary battles of Parker's Cross-Roads, Snake Creek Gape, Sugar Creck, Resaca and Allatoona Pass. At the latter place Mr. Clark was wounded and taken prisoner by the Confederates under General Hood. He was taken to Selma, Alabama, and from there transferred to Cahaba, thence to Montgomery, and af- terward to Macon, and finally to Ander- ' sonville prison pen. In that horrible pit of desolation the wounded soldier ie- mained from December 25, until the mid- dle of April following, without medical attendance or any of the care that common humanity should dictate. He was then taken out and sent South, but returned and taken to Florida, and finally released. The guards were withdrawn and the pris- oners told to take care of themselves. That same evening Mr. Clark reached our lines at Jacksonville, where he remained a week or two, then obtained a passport on a steamer and went to Annapolis, Mary- land, thence to St. Louis, and from there 1865, at the latter place. He was suffering severely from his wounds, which had been so long neglected that they were in a worse condition than ever before. For many months he carried his hand in a sling. He came home and tried to heal his wound and to regain his health. January 3. 1869. Mr. Clark and Miss Eliza Wiant were united in marriage, She was a resident of Clarke County and a daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Woolman) Wiant, natives of
' couraged generally he returned to Clarke County, where he farmed one year, then opened up his present business, having sold his homestead. He has continued here ever since and has built up a good trade. Mr. anl Mrs. Clark have four children-Cora M., Margery V., Hattie W. and Luena. Mr. Clark is a member of Davenport Post, No. 385, G. A. R., hav- ing filled some of the offices; is a member " of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been president of the School Board.
T:ATTHEW SCHAFF, residing in Madison Township, Clarke County, on section 5, was born August 1 13, 1826, in France, his father, Francis Schaff, being a native of the same country. Our subject remained in his native country till reaching his majority, when, in the year 1847, he imimigrated to the United States. Ile first located in Steuben County, New York, where he followed agri- to Davenport and was discharged July 3, , cultural pursuits, and worked at the tailor's trade. Ile was married in 1850, to Miss Mary Hargerter, by whom he had five children, of whom four still survive -- Mathew, Joseph, Barbara and Hannah. Mrs. Schaff died in 1874, and in 1877 Mr. Schaff was again united in marriage, tak- ing for his second wife Miss Margaret Recse, and to this union have been born two children. -. Jolm and Catherine. Mr. Schaff came to Clarke County, lowa, with his family in 1871, and settled in Madisce Pennsylvania, who came from Indiana to , Township, where he has since made his Jowa at an early day, settling at Chariton, , home. He is one of the self-made ineu of Lucas County, and later came to Clarke Clarke County, he having commenced life County. Upon his return home Mr Clark "for himself entirely without means. Hle has always been a hard-working citizens. went to farming; but after his marriage he removed to York County, Nebraska, and ' and by his industry, frugality, and good took up a homestead claim. He remained . management he has acquired his present there three years, and having lost two fine farin of 210 acres, where he is actively
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
engaged in farming and stock-raising. Since making his home in Clarke County Mr. Schaff has held the office of road super- visor, and has served as school director for several years. In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic.
B. FREEMAN, an old pioneer of Clarke County. residing on section 14, Knox Township, was born in Morris County, New Jersey, October 14. ISIS, son of Stephen P. and Harriet Bun- nel, who were also natives of New Jersey, the latter a daughter of Israel Bunnel, of Scotch ancestry. They had a family of five children, who lived to maturity-Lewis B., Frances, Sarah, Hannah and J. Pierson. Lewis B., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest child of the family. He was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving bis education in the common schools. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade, serving an appren- ticeship of two and a half years at New- ark, New Jersey. In 1837 he went to Muskingum County, Ohio, and the follow- ing ten years he was engaged in carpenter- ing in different parts of Ohio and Kentucky. In 1847 he removed to Wisconsin, locating at Shullsburgh, in La Fayette County, and a year later removed to Quincy, Illinois, remaining there till 1855. working at his trade. In the spring of 1855 he canic to Knox Township, Clarke County, Jowa, and settle l on his present farm, which he had entered from the Government in rest, and since settling here has been engaged in i general farming and stock-raising. Ilis
was united in marriage November 4, 1847. at Dresden, Muskingum County. Ohio, to Miss Mary E. Garnes. Seven children have been born to this union-Frances, Charlie, Henry, Anna. Ella, Idiand War- ren. Politically Mr. Freeman is a strong advocate of the National Greenback policy. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and has served effi- ciently as a member of the School Board. lle has also served as township clerk, and as justice of the peace, and is numbered among the best citizens of Clarke County, where he has so long resided.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM M. DUNCAN, deceased. was a gallant and faithful soldier during the war of the Rebell- ion. He enlisted in the defense of his country July 26, 1862, and was unanimously elected Captain of Company C. He was a brave officer, and was loved and honored by all who knew him. He served his country three years, and at the expiration of his term of service received an honora- ble discharge. The subject of this sketch was a native of Kent County, Kentucky, born August 14, 1828, a son of James and Margaret Duncan. When six years of age he was taken by his parents to Monroe County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood. his youth being spent on a farm. Ilis education was received in the com- mon schools, and after leaving school he taught several terms in Indiana. Ile was united in marriage to Mary J. Morgan, of Morgan County, Indiana, April 10, 1851, and in 1855 he removed with his wife and farm contains 130 acres of as good land as | two children to lowa, locating in Warren County, where he was engaged in teaching
the county affords, all under a high state of cultivation. His fine two-story residence , school for eighteen months. In 1857 he is comfortable and commodious, and his , came to Clarke County, Iowa, where he fum buildings are well adapted to the ac- , followed the teacher's profession and commodation of his stock. Mr. Freeman worked at the carpenter's trade alter-
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NOGRAAL BICAL SKETCHES.
mately. He was an carnest and consistent Christian, being a member of the Mission. ary Baptist church till his death, which occurred May 3. 1879. He left a wife and two children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father. His widow still resides with her family in Knox Township.
HOMPSON V. HARRISON, a pio- neer of Liberty Township. is a native of Shelby County, Kentucky, born October 14. 1819. His father, Eli Harri- son, was a native of Nelson County, Kon- tucky, and a second cousin of President Harrison. lle was at one time in the em- ploy of General Harrison, and during the war of 1812 served under him. The mother of Thompson V. was Nancy Ashby. In 1829 his parents moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, and there he was reared. In August, 1856, he came with his family to Clarke County, lowa, and settled on section 23, Liberty Township. He was ac- companied by his parents and their two youngest sons, Francis M. and Ely. The father died in 1872, aged seventy-cight years, and the mother in 1883, aged cighty- nine years. Francis M. now owns and oc- cupies the homestead of his parents. Ely died soon after the war. Thompson V. Harrison bad but limited capital when he
and now has a comfortable home of 100 acres. Ile was married January 5. 1815. to Frances A. Stewart, who was bart in Kentucky, August 10, 1825. They have had cleven children; nine are living- - Jum's M., of Osceola : Mrs. Nancy Kerr and Ely, of Sac County. lowa : Mrs. Sarah Dix, of i Kansas : Mrs. Alice Park, of Buena Vista County; Mrs. Lucy Buker, of Warren . .
home : Mary A. and Jefferson are deceased. In politics Mr. Harrison is a radical Re- publican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Unity Lodge. No. 212, at Wood- burn. He has served several years as trustee of Liberty Township, and has been an efficient and able worker in school offices. Hle has in his possession an old English Bible which has descen led to him by heir- ship, and which is an object of the greatest interest, on account of its mutilated condi- tion, a brief history of which is as follows : In one of the attacks made by Indians on the carly settlements of Kentucky, a white woman was murdered by an Indian. HIc then, merely because of his love for de- stroying what did not belong to him, stuck his spear through seventy or more pages of this book, and to hold it in position in order to tear the pages out, placed his bare foot, covered with the blood of the woman he had killed, on the pages, and they still bear this imprint. This book is held sacred by the Harrison family, not alone because of its divine origin, but because of the value as a memorial of the early days when. barbarism ruled supreme in the now civil- ized State of Kentucky.
1 W WILLIAM S. LOW E, section 27, Jack. son Township. has been identified with Clarke County since the au- came to Iowa, but he has been success ful, " tuin of 1865, and has lived on his present farm since the spring of 1961. The first Four years of his residence he worked the place as a renter, and then bought it of the heirs of James Clark. His first purchase was eighty acres of prairie land and twenty acres of timber. To this he has added un- til he now owns 165 acres in his homestead. and sixty-four acres of section 4, Frank- lin Township. Mr. Lowe was born in
County : Mrs. Elizabeth G tener, of Chey- ! Preble County, Ohio, January 21, 1531, 3 cune, Nebraska; Ida G. and Minnie S. at I son of Land G. and Miri. af Sanders Lowe,
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
his father a native of Georgia, and his mother of North Carolina. When our subject was four years of age his parents moved to Henry County, Indiana. and there he grew to manhood, and was there married February 22, 1853, to Maria Wright. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom died in infancy. The living are-Isaac C., Thomas Grant and Alonzo H. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are mom- bers of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Woodburn Lodge, No. 212. F. & .A. M.
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EWIS F. BLACK, residing on section 29. Liberty Township, was born Octo- ber 20, 1837, in Vermillion County, Illinois, his parents, Samuel and Nancy Black, being pioneers of that county, com- ing from Bourbon County, Kentucky, -: where they were born and reared, in the fall of IS32. The father died in September, WBICHAEL MEANY has been a resi- dent of Clarke County twenty-eight Beste years, and resides on section 6, Jack- son Township. His fine farm consists of 200 acres. Ile commenced on the naked prai- rie in 1868. Mr. Meany was born Septein- ber 29, 1827, in County Kerry, Ireland. His parents were James and Bridget (Dungan) Meany. He was the third in a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. lle came to America in his eighteenth year, hoping to better his pros- pects in life. He landed in New York City July 6, 1845. Hle went to Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, where he lived until 1858, working in the iron works of that city. September 16, 1852, he wedded Miss Johanna Hart- nett, who was born in the same county. In 1858 he sought the prairies of lowa, and settled in Liberty Township, on section 23. He improved eighty acres and lived on the same until he moved to his present resi- 1869, and the mother is still living at her home, aged eighty years. They had a family of ten children, Lewis F. being the sixth child and fourth son. He was reared to a farm life, receiving fair educational advantages, of which he made the best pos- sible use, fitting himself for a teacher. Hc has followed the teacher's profession for twenty-six terms, commencing in Illinois at the age of twenty-two years. Ile has taught several terms in Liberty Township, and during the winter of 1835- '6 he taught in Victory, district No. S, of said township. June 13, 1861, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Frances .1. Kendall, who was born December 2, 1841, in Vermillion County, Indiana, a daughter of John andI Isabella Kendall. Her father settled in Indiana in 1837, where he died in 1854, and her mother makes her home with our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Black have been born ten children -Samuel W. | dence. They have had seven children,
and John S., residents of Liberty Town- ship: Jacob M. and Ida .A., at home; Charles F .. died, aged six mouths; Bertha May, Albertus, Nancy 1., George C., Mary Ann, all living at home. In ISSo Mr. Black set- tled with his family on section 29. Liberty Township, where he has since made his home, his homestead containing 120 acres of choice land under gool cultivation. Mr. Black is an enterprising and influential citizen of Liberty Township, and is at present holding the office of magistrate, to which he was elected in 1884. In National politics Mr. Black generally votes the Democratic ticket, but in local elections he votes for the man whom he considers best fitted for office. Mr. Black has two sisters in lowa-Mrs. Marilda Hutt, living in Warren County, and Mrs. Lucinda Swank in Creston, Union County.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKLICHES.
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four of whom are deceased. Then names are -- Mary, who died in infancy; Bridget. Michael. James, Anna; Maggie, died at the age of niucteen years, March 9, 1882, and John. The family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Meany has devoted himself to the education of his children. Michael was educated at St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kansas, for the priest- hood. He has received the orders of dea- con, and will soon be ordained priest in the Roman Catholic church. James studied civil engineering at Omaha: he is in Wyo- ming Territory, engaged as contractor in building railroads. Anna has been a teacher seven years, and is now (1886) studying telegraphy. John assists on the farm. Mr. Meany landed in America with less than one dime in his pocket, but his energy, perseverance and good habits have been rewarded. He is a prosperous man, and respected by all.
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