USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 42
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FREDERICK NIESTT, asuccessfuland SFy enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 16, Madison Town- ship, Clarke County, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born March 4. 1833; his father. Peter Niestt, being a native of the same place, where he lived till liis death. Fred- criel: Niestt was reared and educated in the schools of his native country, remaining there till 1850. Ile then immigrated to America and for eighteen months lived in Perry County. Pennsylvania. He removed thence to Trumbull County, Ohio, and in 1853 he made his home in Burlington, Des Moines County, lowa. Mr. Niestt was united in marriage in June, 1951, to Miss Catharine Nidig, a daughter of John Nidig,
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who is now deceased. Nine children have been bora to this union, of whom five are yet living -- John O., Ellen M., Tillie, Aus- tin and Lillie May. Mr. Niestt left Bur- lington in I870, when he located in Madison County, and in 1871 came to Clarke County, settling on the farm in Madison Township, where he has since been engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. He has always been a hard-working, industrious citizen, and by his own untiring efforts has acquired his present fine property, having now 200 acres of choice land. He has served acceptably as road supervisor for three years.
EWTON J. JOLLY, an active and enterprising farmer of Ward Town- ship, residing on section 29, is a native of Lawrence County, Indiana, born near the town of Bedford, September 12, 18.45. His parents, Edward and Fanny (Jones) Jolly, were natives of Pennsylvania and Mis- sissippi respectively. They were among the carly settlers of Indiana, living there till their death. Both died of spotted fever. m 1863. They reared fourteen children to maturity, eleven sons and three daughters. Eight of the sons served in the late war, four of whom returned home at the end of the war. Two died of wounds and two of disease contracted in the army. Newton J., our subject, enlisted in April, 1862, in Company 1I., Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, in which he served till 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability. He re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Seven- teenth Indiana Infantry to serve six months. He again enlisted in the United States Veteran Volunteers, being on garrison duty one year after the war closel. He took part in the following battles : Blue Springs, Knoxville, Jackson, Mississippi, battle of Nashville, battle of the Wilderness. He
received an honorable discharge in March, 1866, when he returned to his home in Indiana. Mr. Jolly was united in marriage in November. 1866, to Mary E. Busick, of Lawrence County. Indiana. a daughter of Kindred Busick, and to them have been born four children-Maggie E., a school teacher : Susie L., William W. and Alva E. Mr. Jolly left his native State in the spring of 1869, coming with his family to Clarke County, Iowa. He then settled on a farm in Washington Township, five miles west of Osceola, where he was actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1885. He then sold his farm and removed to Os- ccola, but during the fall of the same year, settled on his present farm on section 29, Ward Township, where he has eighty acres of well-improved land under high cultiva- tion, a neat and substantial residence, and comfortablefarm buildings. In connection with his general farming Mr. Jolly devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, in which he is meeting with success, and has at present on his farm about thirty head of cattle. Mr. Jolly is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic.
J. BECKETT, assistant agent of the C., B. & Q. Railroad, was born in 32 Osceola Township, Clarke County, April 9, 1864. He is the eldest son of Rob- ert and Mary E. (Delong) Beckett. His carly life was passed upon a farm. When he was about seven years of age his parents removed to Osceola, where he entered a private school. Here he continued until seventeen years of age, and then entered the dry-goods store of Johnson & Ream, remaining there two years. Then John- son sold out to Reath, and he went to Ord, Nebraska, with Ream, where he remained five months. Then he sold out to another
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party and Beckett returned to Osceola, after which he assumed his present posi- tiou. Mr. Beckett belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the band.
FRESSE HADLEY, farmer, is a native of Clinton County, Ohio. He came to
2 Iowa at an early day, first settling in Warren County, where he resided one year, then came to Franklin Township, and pur- chased 200 acres of prairie land and forty acres of timber, on section 29, which he still owns. The parents of Mr. Hadley, Joshua and Rebecca (Powell) Hadley, were born and reared in North Carolina, but moved to Ohio in later life. They had six children, Jesse being the second child, When he was six years old, in 1826, the family moved to Hendricks County, In- diana. The father was born February S, 1795, and dicd October 14, 1841. The mother was born June 6, 1791, and died in Hendricks County, December 26, 1862. Their children were-Sarah, who died young ; Jesse, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Anna Hunt, now a resident of Hen- dricks County, Indiana; James, who died July 19, 1832 ; Isaac, died June 5, 1832, in Dallas County, lowa, and Alfred, died at the age of one year. Jesse Hadley at- tended the first school ever held in Hen- dricks County, it was taught by his uncle, Simon T. Hadley. In (SS3 Mr. Hadley visited that school of fifty-six years ago, and found while there that twenty-six out of the fifty-six of his old comrades whose haines were enrolled on the list of that first school were still living. Nearly allare pro- fessors of religion, and all but one have been prosperous. Mr. Hadley married Miss Rebecca Stanky, daughter of Sam- uel and Anna Stanley, who was born in North Carolina, October 20, 1823. They have had ten children-Alfred, died March
2, 1862, aged twenty-one years and six months ; Rozilla, died June 8, 1853, aged twenty-one years and six months : Naomi, is also deceased: Joshua is a resident of Jewell County, Kansas : Anna ML., resides in Dallas County, Iowa, has been a teacher in that county eight years; Samuel died in Kansas, March 3, 1877 : Sarah Jane is the wife of T. Cook, of Dallas County: Alistus, Isaac A. and Olive Ellen, are all residents of Dallas County. In 1877 Mr. Iladley rented his homestead, left his family in Dallas County, and went to Kansas, joined his family in 1878, and returned to his old homestead November 26, 1885. He is a member of the Society of Friends, and in politics a Republican.
AMES C. HARRISON, dealer in gro- ceries, boots and shoes, at Osceola, established his present business in 1367. It was first carried on under the firm name of Read & Harrison. In isz8 Mr. Harri- son purchased his partner's interest, and in ISSo added boots and shoes to his stock. Mr. Harrison was born in Clinton, Oneida County, New York, June 20, 1843. His parents, Francis and Catharine (Ward) Harrison, removed to MeHenry County, Ilinois, where his father died in 1880: his mother still lives in that county. James remained at hime until he had attained his eighteenth year, then enlisted as a private in Company F, Fifteenth Regiment, Ill- inois Infantry. He remained with this regiment until 1863, when he was promo- ted to Second Lieutenant of Third Regi- ment, United States Artillery. He took part in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Cor- inth, and in several skirmishes. He was honorably discharged in April, 1866, at Memphis, Tennessee, and then returned to Mclemy County. In July, ISG;, he came to Osceola. In ISto Mir. Harrison married
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Margaret C. Hess, of Osceola. They have two children -- Grace and James E. Mr. Harrison has served as alderman several terms. Ile belongs to the Odd Fellows order, and the Knights of Pythias.
K. MAXWELL, an enterprising cit- izen of Green Bay Township, resid- " ing on section 30, is a native of Ful- ton County, Illinois, born August 8, 1842, a son of . Absalom and Polly Ann (Cameron) Maxwell, the father a native of Virginia, and a pioncer of Fulton County, and the mother born in Florida. They were mar- ried in Sangamon County, Illinois, and to them were born nine children --- William, Martin, Thomas, Tabitha, David, Martha, Albert, Daniel K. and Emma. Daniel K. passed his carly life in assisting on the farm, receiving his education in the com- mon schools of his neighborhood. Angust 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifty- fifth Illinois Infantry, in answer to the call of Abraham Lincoln for more men. He participated in some of the most important battles of the war, among which may be mentioned Shiloh, Siege of Corinth. Champion Hills, Raymond, Siege of Vicks- burg, and Kenesaw Mountain. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was wounded in the right leg by a minic ball and confined in the hospital for some time, when he was granted a furlough for five months. He was in the hospital at Quincy, Illinois, for three months, when he was dis- charged, March 10, 1865, and returned to his home in Fulton County. He came to
were pioneers of Fulton County. To Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell were born five children -Ora M .. Angie G., Florence C., Herbert D. and Bertha G. In ISSi Mr. Maxwell removed to Weldon and purchased a hotel, which he conducted till the winter of isso. and from 1984 until January, 1886, he filled the position of postmaster at Weldon with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He returned to his farm in April, 1886, where he has since been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm now contains 200 acres of choice land which is well improved and under high cultivation, and is located three miles north- west of Weldon. In politics Mr. Max- well is a Republican. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Wel- don Lodge, No. 441.
3 C. JOHNSON. justice of the peace; Osceola, was born near Spencer, 0. Owen County, Indiana, March ;, 1827. llis father. Daniel Johnson, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Frances Johnson, of North Carolina ; her parents moved to Indiana when she was a young girl and settled in Owen County, where they opened up a farm and remained upon it until their death. A. C. Johnson was educated at the Spencer Seminary, audl followed teaching several years, and after- ward was connected with his brother, F. W. Johnson, in business some two years. In 1857 he came to O-ccola and taught our term of school in town and one in the country. In 1861 he was appointed post- Clarke County, Iowa, in February, 1868, : master, and held the office until 1865. and settled on his present farin in Green Soon afterward he received the appoint- ment of deputy sheriff under O. S. Harri- son, and served three years. In 1873 he was elected recorder of Clarke County, and held the office four years. le then em- barked in the real-estate and loan business. Bay Township, which was at that time en- titely unimproved. He was married March 31, 1871, to Sarah Ellen Tanner, of : Farmington, Fulton County, a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Berry) Tanner, who
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which he has continued up to the present tine. Mr. Johnson was first married to Miss Rebecca Barrows, of Indiana, who died leaving two children-Medora J. and Charles E. How deceased. In 1854 he married Emily Brenton. of Owen County. Five of their nine children are living- Edwin S. Barker, a resident of Armour, Dakota; Homer W., also a resident of Dakota: Anna B .. bookkeeper for her brothers in Dakota; Frank IL., connected with a lumber yard, and Cornelia MI., at school. Mr. and Mrs Johnson are mem- bers of the Protestant Methodist church. Ile has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school; also as class-leader. Mr. Johnson represents the Connecticut Life Insurance Company.
ADWARD LAWRENCE, physician and surgeon, Osceola, was born in the city of Alton, Illinois, March 3, 1836. Ilis parents, John and Keziah Lawrence, were natives of New Jersey. They re- moved to Randolph County, Illinois, when Edward was a small boy, making a per- manent home. Here the mother died in 1878, and the father then removed to Osce- TADWARD JENKS, an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist, resid- ing on the west half of section 16, Ward Township, was born in Monroe County, lowa, the date of his birth being September 6, 18.19. When he was eighteen months old he was brought by his parents. Jeremiah and Mandana Jenks, to Clarke County, they being among the first settlers of the county. Edward Jenks grew to manhood on a farm in Clarke County, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. He received a good education in : the common schools of his neighborhoo !. and Jater attended the State University at I Iowa City about one year. Mr. Jenks was ola and made his home with Edward, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. Edward received his primary edu- cation in the common schools, where he gained a sufficient knowledge to enable him to teach. He followed teiching four years, and during the time studie I medi- cine under Dr. Joseph MeDonald, of St. Lonis, a professor in the Missouri Medical College, of which Dr. Lawrence is a grad- uate -- of 1859 'Go. His first practice was in Wayne County, Missouri. Upon the break- ing out of the civil war, the doctor left the State and went over into llinois. He en- listed in the Eleventh Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, as Assistant Surgeon. ! united in marriage in 1885, to Miss Amelia
He served eighteen months, and was mus- tered ont at New Orleans in July. 1865. Ile then came to Scott County, Iowa, locating in Davenport. where he pursued the practice of his profession until 1876, when he re- moved to Osceola. At one time the doc- tor was associated with Dr. Laws. now dc- ceased. The partnership continued about eighteen months and was dissolved by mu- tual consent. Since then Dr. Lawrence has conducted his business alone. He is acknowledged to be the leading surgeon of the county. In is58 he was married to Miss Winifred Dollarhide, a native of Mus- catine County. Her father was one of the pioncers who came to Iowa from Warren County, Indiana, in 1832. They are the parents of five children -- Emma R., Edward J., Harry K., William F. and Ada E. The doctor is a thorough student and is re- garded as a fine chemist; has all the appli- ances for making chemical tests, and for chemical analysis. He is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Sons of Temper- ance. While residing in Davcaport he was a member of the School Board.
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
A. Tindall, of Wapclo County, lowa, she being a daughter of Robert Il. Tindall. Mr. Jenks is classed among the active men of Ward Township, where as a citizen and neighbor he is much respected. He has been quite successful in his farming opera- tions, and now owns a valuable farm of 120 acres, where he resides, and in connection with his general farming he is of late turn- ing his attention to raising cattle of a high grade.
ATHANIEL PORTERFIELD, a prominent representative of the pio- leer settlers of Clarke County resides on section 26, Liberty Township, and has been actively identified with all the ma- terial interests of Clarke County since he established his residence in Iowa, in May, 1856. IIc was born in Belmont County, Ohio, February 24, 1S28. His father, Jomm Porterfield, was of Scotch extraction, but born in Ireland, and with two brothers older, came to the United States when fourteen years of age. His mother, Mar- garet Robb, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They were mar- ried in Pennsylvania, and soon after made their home in Belmont County, being carly settleis there. They reared a largefamily; cight sons and seven daughters lived to maturity. The parents died at the old home in Ohio at an advanced age, the father in his ninety-third year and the mother in her eighty-sixth year. They were known as the oldest couple in Bel- mont County. Their descendants living at the time of their death numbered about 140, all of whom partake largely of the strong, vigorous physical and mental quali- ties of their ancestors. Nathaniel Porter- field, in the spring of 1854, visite l Cluk : County, and bought of the Government the larger part of the homestead he now owus and occupies, the original entry be-
ing 120 acres. In 1856, when he came to stay. he added forty acres near to his homestead. He also owns eighty acres on section 23, cighty acres on section 2, and 20 acres on section 1. He was married to Elizabeth Burson, November 10, 1359 Her parents, Benjamin and Macage (Thomas) Burson, were early settlers in Warren County. Mrs. 'Porterfickl was born in Iroquois County, Illinois, October 26, 1836, To them three children have been born - Jane, now the wife of Clarence Hamilton, of Jackson Town- ship; Clement Harvey and Margaret Emma. The latter died in September, 18Si, in ber eighteenth year. Mr. and Mrs. Porterfield are members of the Presby- terian church, of about twenty years' stand- ing. In politics Mr. Porterfield in the carly days, was a Democrat. but became a Republican when the party was organized. He is now a member of the Greenback and Labor Reform parties. He has held the of- fice of magistrate for the past thirteen years.
J. EMARY, farmer and stock-raiser, living on section 5, Knox Township, Ho is one of the enterprising and pro- gressive young men of Clarke County. Hc was born in London, England, December 23, 1850, and in 1852 his parents, F. J. and Martha (Forta) Emary, immigrated to America with their family. He was reared to maturity in Mercer County, Ilinois, his youth being passed in helping with the work of the farm. He obtained his educa- tion at the district schools and at home, his father being a well-educated man. In 1868 the family removed to Clarke County, Iowa, and settled in Knox Township, where our subjeer lived till 1971. He then re- turned to Illinois and spent five years in . Mercer and Henry counties, after which he returned to Clarke County. He bought
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the farm where he now resides in ISSo, removing to the same in ISS2. He has eighty acres of choice land under high cultivation, a comfortable residence and good out-buildings for his stock, and is classed among the best citizens of his township. Mr. Emary was married De- cember 16, 1882, to Miss Esther Jones, of Clarke County, lowa, a daughter of Reu- ben and Susan Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Emary are the parents of two children -Frank and Edna M.
ENJAMIN COPPOCK, one of the leading and influential citizens of Woodburn, and of Clarke County, is one of the pioneers of this sub-division of lowa. He is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born March 18, 1831, and is the son of Aaron and Amy (Cobb) Cop- pock, booth natives of Virginia. The family resided in Chio until 1842, the father owning 1,000 acres of land there, but engaging in the disastrous speculation of buying $10,000 worth of butter and shipping the same to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Little Rock, Arkan- sas, lost every cent of the venture through the fault and dishonesty of others. lle sold out his property, and paying his in- debteduess, with some $1, 800, in 1842, came to Iowa, and, locating in the town of Salem, Henry County, opened a store, but after about three years failed at that. In 1849 the gold fever broke out and Benjamin and his father joined a party who went across the plains to the new-found Eldorado of the West, on the golden shores of Califor- nia. They landed at Hangtown, now Placerville, during the summer of 1849, and opened a small store, but three months later sokl out ani removed to Sacramento, where the elder Mr. Coppock purchased a lot and started a small store in a tent. In company with another party he purchased a schooner, and loaded it with gooris at 1
San Francisco, they having gone there for that purpose. On their way back they en- countered a gale and were wrecked, losing everything except their lives and the clothes they had on, only pants and shirts. Seeing a whaleboat floating by they se- cured it, and sold it to the first passing steamboat for their passage to Sacramento as they had not a dollar in their pockets. On arrival at the latter city, Aaron Cop- pock was so disheartened that he would not stay there, but leaving Benjamin in charge of his place started back to Hang- town, fifty-five miles distant, afoot, and then went to mining. Three months later Benja- min closed out the business and joined his father and engaged in the same, digging. When the Gold Lake excitement broke out in June, 1850, the younger Mr. Cop- pock started for that camp with fifty-five pounds of provisions on his back, but when part way there met the returning prospec- tors and stopped to prospect, and on the Yuba River struck a rich find, paying two ounces to the man per day, although they had to carry the dirt some distance to wash it. llis father started to join him, but missing his road, wandered around a while. and spent the winter in Donnersville, near the head waters of the Yuba River, where he died about the ist of May, 1851, and was buried on Big Rich Bar. Benjamin in the meantime was looking for him, and at last. at Shasta, heard the mournful tidings of his father's death, and at once proceeded to Doonersville, and commenced mining operations. Here he was joined by his brother. Lindsay. in 18:2, and after having spent three years there and at Pine Grove returned to lowa. In March, 1854, Ben- jamin and Lindsay Coppock came to Clarke County where they entered land, the former 200 acres at what was afterward Ottawa, the latter 160 acres adjoining. They commenced breaking land in the fol- lowing month, and raised, that summer, a
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
large crop of corn from the sol. Their ; Rush County, where his wife died Decem. nearest neighbours were four miles away, Aber 25. 1849. Their family consisted of and between them and Osceola, then but a little hamlet. there was but one house.
THEODORE BARNARD, one of the representative young farmers of Fre- mont Township, is a native of Shelby County, In Bana, a son of Isaac and Elvira (Swain) Barnard, He accompanied his par- ents to lowa in 1867, his father buying 400 acres of land in Clarke County of which he made a fine farm, where he lived until his death, which occurred in ISSo. The mother is still living on the homestead, her son Thomas having charge of the farm, Our subject was reared a farmer, and has, since attaining manhood, given his atten- tion to agriculture. He now owns forty acres of choice land, his share of his father's estate, which is well improved and is one of the pleasantest homes in the township. He is enterprising and industrious, and his farm shows the effect of having a thrifty and careful owner. Mr. Barnard was mar- ried in 18SI to Miss Mary Wells, daughter of John 1. Wells. They have three chil- dren - Nina M., Roland S. and Myrtle Elaine. In politics Mr. Barnard is a Re- publican. He has served his county two . years as recorder, and his township one term as trustee, and several years as as- sessor.
six chillren-Thomas S .. Henry C., Lu- rena. Adaline and Rufus (twins), and Maria. Mr. Folger was again married, taking as his second wife Mrs. Rebecca (Smith) Ingold. They had two sons -- John C. and Homer. Henry C. Folger was reared ou a farm in the wilds of carly Indiana, and obtained a thorough knowl- edge of pioneer life, his early years being spent in assisting his father clear and im- prove a heavily-timbered farm. When twenty-one years old he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed several years in Rush County. In 1853 he went to Vermillion County, Indiana, the former home of his wife, where he lived eleven years. In 1857 he came into possession of some land from his father-in-law's estate, and also bought the interest of one of the heirs. While in Vermillion County he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. In 1864 he moved to Clarke County, Iowa, having previously bought 120 acres of land in the county. After coming here he bought eighty acres, which is the site of his present home. At that time it was partially improved, and by his own exertions he has brought the land under good cultivation and erected substantial and convenient buildings, and now has one of the pleasantest homes in Liberty Township. He is one of the in- Quential and prosperous citizens of Liberty Township, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He takes especial interest in educational matters, and his children ic- crive the advantages of the best school. thus fitting them for practical, useful citi- zens. In politics he is a Republican, but in local elections favors the man he considers and is a conscientious and just adminis. trator. He and his wife are active and prominent members of the Methodist Prot-
ENRY CLAY FOLGER is a native of Steites Count., North Carolina, a son of Jethno S. and Mary (Barnard) Folger, and a grandson of Latham and Ma- tilda (Worth Folger. an I .Ist and Hukla (Macy) Barnard. Jethro S. Folger left | best adapted to the phu e. He has held the North Carolina in resp, and moved to ! other of justice of the peace eight years. Union County, Indime. He shortly after entered Find in Rush. Henry and Madison counties. In February. 1237, he moved to
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