USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 43
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Henry Clay Jolyer
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BIOGR. PHA
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esfant church. Mr. Folger was married Michael Havis. Mr. & fler has servit September 20, 1852, to Mis. Emily Con for a time as township trusted and was indice of the pae in Murray for two years, holding the latter ofive in Ma lion Town Liptor aing years. He is a member of the Message fraternity. In religious
daughterof De William so Wanie . Worth Coffin. They have five children-Lara C .. Orange B .. Wyman W., N t-on C.an ! Mary M: all are morris and have heaps of their own. Laura is the wife of A.l. "fair he is a Presbyterian. Good. Orang married Mary Thomas Wyman married Empsa Kei. Nosot married Almeda Piers ev and Mary is the- wife of Theo far . Nicholson. Woman was; educated for the ministry, but his Health failing he was obliged to abandon his chosen profession.
WESLEY STIFFLER. postmaster.it Murray, is a native of Tuscarawas Coumy. Ohio, bom October 29. 1833, his father, David Stifler, being a native of the State of Pennsylvania. His early life was passed on the home farm, his education being obtained in the common schools of his native county. At the age of eighteen years he learned the cabinet- maker's trade, which he followed fifteen years. He went to Rice County. Minne sota, in 1855, returning to Ohio in the fall of 1857. He came to Clarke County, lowa, in 1868, when he located in Madison Town- ship and engaged in farming and carpenter- ing. He came to Murray in March, 1883, where he followed the carpenter's trade till January, 1886, when he assumed the duties of his present office, where he is giving entire satisfaction, and by his strict attention to business and accommodating manners he has won the respect of all who come in contact with him. Mr. Stiffler has been twice married, taking for his first wife Rachel Neel, a daughter of John Neel. She died in the spring of 1868, leav- ing three children - John W., William B, and Boyd. Mr. Stiffler was again married
FIDWAARD E. WILLIAMSON, 11. 5 dent of Hraville, is a native of Caroline County, Maryland, born March 18 :3>>. When he was ab ay seven years of age in 1829, his father, Elijah Willarison, removed with his family 1 Pavette Counts. Indiana. Our subject was reared to manhood in Indiano, and in January, 1811, was married to Miss Mary Shields. Nie deldren were born to Mr. and Mr -. Whbamsen, of whom eight s'il Asurvive -Sarah J., Elijah, Elizabeth, Lithic C, Join S .. Miry F .. Choles E. and Ro- seita. Mrs. Williamson died, and, April 6, 1876, Mr. Williamson married his present wife, Mar, E. Rice, by whom he has had five claldren, three of whom are living- Robert W., Thomas A. and Will- iam IT. Mr. Williamson came to Iowa in 1856, and since the fall of 1858, has been a resident of Clarke County. He is one of the oldest settlers now living in Clarke County, wih whose interests he has been identified for almost thirty years, and is one of the respected citizens of Hopeville, where he now makes his home.
FREDERICK MILLER, one of the early settlers of Jackson Township. -1 was born in Canton Aargau, Switzer- land, in September. 1836. He came to the United States with his parent ., John and Barbara Miller, in 1857, landing at New in 1870, to Sarah J. Hayes, a daughter of | York City in July of that year. His pa-
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
rents settled in Seneca County. Ohne where they now reside with their three daughters -- Catherine. Rosa am Fanny. They have one son. Xavier, in Richland County, Ohio. Frederick Mil. ler came to Jowa in 1856, and lived in Burlington until he settled in Jacks m Township. In 1855 he bought 16o acres of land on section 34, which he at once commenced toimprove. Being a horticult- urist he has made tree planting a specialty. He has planted almost every tree that can grow in southern lowa. For many years his place has been a favorite resort for lovers of the beautiful. Mr. Miller has suffered from ill health for the past few years, and his chief regret is bis inability to properly care for lis trees and shrub- bery. While in Burlington he was em- ISto he started a nursery at his own home, selling over $4,000 worth of trees. He is strictly honest, but has suffered from the dishonesty of others. He is unmarried, and in politics is a Republican.
has been energetic. wall by good woopage. ment has been successful. and now has. hne farm of ico acres, on section 5. Frc. mont Township. He has no aspirations for official honors, and although clcted constable of his towpilip declined to serve. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. New Virginia Lodge, No. Mr. Tro. bough married Miss Mary Keiser. danghter of Martin and Sarah Keiser. They have had four children, one son and three daughters -- Thomas, Harriet, Ida and Ora.
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FERDINAND A. BURGUS, a suc- 's cessful agriculturist, residing on sec- tion 27, Madison Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, March 9, 1836, a son ployed in a nursery and greenhouse. In ' of Frederick Burgus, who came with his family to America and settled in Des Moines County, Iowa, in :$61. Ferdinand A. Burgus was remed to manhood in his native country, remaining there till 1861. He lived in Des Moines County, lowa, till 1869, and was there married in October, 1867, to Miss Rebecca Reis, who was born in Des Moines County, Noven- ber 1.4, 1847, a daughter of Christian ard Margaret (Luth) Reis, natives of Prussia, Germany, the father born February 21. 1813, and the mother born in 1812. Chris- tian Reis came with his family to America in 1833, and after living in Pennsylvania, Virginiaand Ohio for several years, he came in 1844o to Des Moines County, Iowa, when that county was principally inhabited by in- dians and wild animals. There he lived in a primitive log cabin with slab floor and clap- board roof, where his furniture was of the rudest description. Thirteen childrenwere born to Dir. and Mrs. Reis, of whom cleven grew to maturity, eight still living-Mary. Margaret, Christian, Henry, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Frederick and John. Those who
FREORGE A. TROBOUGH is a na- tive of Tennessee, born December . 21, 1848, a son of George and Martha (Easterly) Trobough. His father was also a native of Tennessee, born in April, 1818, and was there reared and married. In 1854 he came to lowa with his family, con- sisting of his wife and four children, and bought to acres of land in Clarke County, where he died January 15, 1863. The mother stills lives on the homestead. Their family consisted of seven children- Philip, deceased, Joel, George A., John, Frank, Henry and Nancy. George . Trobongh was reared on his father's farm, and was early inured to hard work, his educational advantages being limited to the common schools of the carly day. Ile , died after reaching maturity are -- Cathe-
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rine, Louise and John, who died while serving in the Union army, in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Reis are now making their home with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Bur- gus are the parents of two daughters-Kate and Hannah. Mr. Burgus bought and re- moved to his farm in Madison Township in October, 1874, which contains 215 acres of valuable land, and has since been en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.
AHILION W. NEAL, a resident of sec- tion 20, of Jackson Township, came to Clarke County in 1857 with his par- ents, James B. and Anna (Adamson) Neal. He was then but fifteen years of age, hav- ing been born October 10, 1841. in Graut County, Indiana, next to the eldest in a family of nine children, all of whom were with their parents on their emigration to this county. The names of the others are -Mahlon W .. now a resident of Osborn County ; Sarah, died March 29, 1869, aged twenty-four years ; John A., died January 29, 1860, aged fifteen years; Mary N., wife of Jeremiah Brisbin, of Franklin County. Nebraska; Elvira C., died June 29, 1868. aged eighteen years; Joseph A., died July 7, 1877, aged twenty-six years; Margaret Jane, wife of H. JJ Lowery, died March 19. 1879, aged twenty-five years; Eri R., a resident of Jewell County, Kansas. Mr. Neal's parents made a home on section 36. Jackson Township, and improved eighty acres of land. Here they passed the re- mainder of their lives. The mother belonged to the Seventh-day Adventists, and died
engaged ot Parker's Cross-Roads, in Ten- nessee, December, 1862 ; was under the lamented General MePherson at Atlanta : followed Sherman in his march to the sea, and was in the lines of the review of Sher- man's Grand Army at the National Capitol. He was honorably discharged at Washing- ton in June. 1865. June 9, 1867, Mr. Neal was married to Miss Mary A. Lewis, daugh- ter of John Lewis, the first settler of Jackson Township. She was born in Monroe County, Iowa, February 27, 1851, and was six weeks old when her parents moved to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Neal settled on section co April 16, 1869. Their home- stead consists of 160 acres of land, a !! improved. They have had six children. Their first born died in infancy. Thc others are -- Lizzie I., Rose A., J. Lowis, Agnes G. and Mary M. Mr .and Mrs. Neal are Seventh-day Adventists. Mr. Neal has been identified with the Greenback party.
FTANDERSON LYONS was born in : Franklin County, Indiana, February == 20, 1833, a son of Aaron Lyons, de- ceased, who was a native of North Caro. lina. Our subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the subscription schools of Des Moines, lowa, his parents having moved to that county in 1839. He was married October 6, 1853, to Sarah A. Franks, a daughter of Alex. Franks. Eight of the eleven children born to them are living-Jonathan F., Matilda E., Emma. Laura, Amanda, William, Rosa and Charles. In 1855 our subject and family, with his father and his family, came to Clarke having entered his Find the January before. both in Des Moines and Clarke counties. Mr. Lyons ate his first meal in Clarke
October 22, 186g, aged fifty years. The County, lowa, in April, 1855, our subject father was a member of the Christian church, and died April 4, 1871, aged fifty- | The Indian- were their nearest neighbors, five years. August 15, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company D, Thirty- ninth lowa Volunteer Infantry ; was first , County in a plank shanty, which was then
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
the best tavern in Osceola. He was obliged moved to the southern part of the county to go to Eddyville to mill, a distance of where he operated a saw mill for five you.s. eighty miles: and to get a load of corn," In ISSI In settled on his present farm in Osceola Township, where he has since been extensively engaged in farming. de. voting considerable attention to raising stock. Quiet, unassuming, industrious and strictly honorable in all his dealings, he has gained the confidence of all with whom he has business or social intercourse. he had to go forty or fifty miles. Burling- 1 ton was their nearest trading point, that city having large trees growing in what are now the principal business streets. Mr. Lyons, on coming to the county, used his wagon-box as a shelter for his family till he had erected a shanty, which has since given place to a more commodious and convenient residence. Mr. Lyons learned surveying when a boy, and since 1860 has followed that vocation, having held the office of county surveyor for ten or twelve years, and at the same time carried on his farm. Ile is the owner of 200 acres of well-cultivated land located on section 13. Madison Township, where he resides. Mr. Lyons is a member of the Protestant Meth- odist church. During the latter part of the war of the Rebellion he was a United States recruiting officer.
OBERT M. ADAMS, a successful and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Osceola Township, was born in Warren County, Illinois, July 26, 18.46, the eldest son of William and Nancy J. (Milligan) Adams, who were both natives of the State of Penn- sylvania. The mother died when our subject was about six years old, and in the spring of 1856 the father came with his family to Clarke County, lowa. lo. cating in Osceola Township, where he has since made his home. Robert M. was about ten years of age when he was brought to Clarke County, and here he was reared to manhood on his father's faria, and educated in the district schools. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company 1, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and sent to Arkansas. Ile was in the Seventh Arny Corps, under command of General Stecke, for eighteen months, most of the time doing guard duty. Ile was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, in July, 1865. when he returned to hi father's farm in Clarke County. In 186; he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Haner, and to this union have been born five children - Nancy Mary E. After his marriage Mr. Adams settled on his present tarm on section 13. Osceola Township, where he has eighty acres of improved land under good culti
AMES D. COMBS, an active and on- terprising farmer of Osceola Town ship, was born near Marietta, Wash- ington County, Ohio, October 19, 1845 ; the youngest son of James and Mary (Bailey) Combs, who were natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the State of Virginia respectively. James D. passed his youth on the home farm in his native county, and received his education in the cotemon schools of his neighborho J. At the age of eighteen years he went to Vir- ginia, where he was married in 1865, to Miss Caroline Smith, of Wood County, that State. They have a family of five chil- ! J., Irena C., Bertha E., William P. and dren, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Combs left Vhginia two years after his marriage, and in January, 1868, settled on a form in Claske County, Iowa, located near Woodburn. He subsequently re- ' vation, a fine residence and good farm
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Luiklings. He has met with good succes" in his agricultural pursuits, especially in the raising of stock. Ile was formerly en- gaged in raisin ; hogs and cattle, but of late years has devoted his attention more es- pecially to the raising of cattle and horses, in which pursuit he is having good success. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, attending service at Davis' school-house. Mr. Adams has served his township as constable with credit to himself and his constituents.
his trade increased he enlarged his storj. until he became one of the principal mer. chants of Clark County. Mr. Hall has been twice married, first to Miss --------. of Ohio, by whom he had one sou, Charles B., who is in the store with his father. Ile married his present wife in August, 1885. She was Mrs. Clara Cramer, a very estima- ble lady, In ISSi-'83 M. Hall represented Clarke County in the Legislature. In issi he was elected State trustee of the institu- tion for the feeble-minded, at Glenwood, and in 1886 re-elected for the term of six years. He is a Mason of high standing, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Scot fish Rites. Politically he is a staunch Re- publican.
ILLIAM IL. HALL, a prominent dry-goo ls merchant of Osceola, is one of the oldest continuous busi- ness men of the ity : one who. by his per- sonal means and energy. has done much to GEORGE N. TILLOTSON, a promi- nent pioneer and retired fariner, was A born in Ontario County, New York, Jun- 9, 1811. His parents, Elijah and Nancy (Ilecock) Tillotson, were natives of Massa- chusetts. His father belonged to the old Plymouth stock, and traces his ancestors to Scotland. The Tillotsons were soldiers of the Revolution, and were all killed ex- cept two brothers, who had families, and and from these their progeny have spread from Maine to California. The mother was born in 1777, was married at the age of sixteen, and was the mother of thirteen children. Ten lived to maturity -five sous and five daughters ; only two are now liv- ing -- the subject of this sketch and one sister. Elijah Till it m, with his family. removed to Vigo County, In linas. and set. tled in a dense forest, where Indians were plenty. Here the father died in 1843. and the mother in 1856. In January, 1833, Mr. establish the financial character and com- mercial interests of his county seat. Mr. Hall was born near the thriving town of Henrietta, Washington County, Ohio, June 30, 1840. Ile is the oldest living of a lam- ily of twelve children. His father, Joseph B. Hall, was born in Montreal, Canada. His mother was a native of New Hamp- shire, and belonged to the old Plymouth stock. They emigrated to Ohio in an carly day, where the father died in 1885, in his seventy-fifth year. The mother resides upon the old homestead, and has celebrated her golden wedding. Mr. Hall passed his boyhood days up m his father's farm, receiv- ing his primary education in the common schools, and later attending a gradal chool one year. At the carly age of eighteen be began teaching school, and taught si . terms during the winters. In thof he entered the dry-goods store of Captain George Bene- diet, of Marietta, as clerk, where he re- . Tillotson married Miss Rhoda Pritchard. mained two years. In the spring of 1865, of Vermillion County, Indiana. She wasa he came to this city, and soon after em- native o' Olio, and removed with her par- barked in the mercantile business for him- ents to bebina when a small child. Mr. s.l1, opening a general stock of goods. A. and Mrs. Tillotson settled apon a farm. 1
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
where they remained until 185 ;; then they removed t > Clarke County and parchased a farm near Hopeville. Doyle Township. on section 35. The farm contains 233 acres: he also has another farm of zoo acres. They have had fifteen children, seven of whom are living ; they are all married and have families. Mr. Tillotson served as trustee of Doyle Township; was also on the Board of Supervisors. Both are members of the United Brethren church. He is a staunch Republican, and uncompromising in his temperance principles.
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vive -- John M., Emma, Charles P., Albert. Eva, William 11., Ella, Elijah and Mary E. Mr. Daniel bas ten grandchildren, his five eldest children being married. Mrs. Dan- iel died December 6, 1877, and Mr. Dan- iel was again married February 11, 18;9. to Mrs. Ann (Kellog g) Wetherell, daughter of Albert B. Kellogg, of Kewance, Illinois, and widow of Albert II. Wetherell. Mr. Daniel came to Clarke County when but little improvement had been made, and he has witnessed the many wonderful changes which have taken place since that time, being identified with the growth and advance- ment of the county during the past thirty years. His home farm is on section IS, Doyle Township, where he is devoting his attention to farming and stock-raising. He has been prosperous through life, owing to his industrious habits and excellent man- agement, and is now the owner of 1.055 acres of good land. He has held the office of county supervisor three terms, and has served his township as school director and trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, and respected citi- zens of Doyle Township.
OSEPH W. DANIEL is one of the carly settlers of Clarke County, Iowa, having located in Doyle Township in the spring of 1856, where he has since made his home. Mr. Daniel is a son of John and Lucy (Hite) Daniel, the father born in Mercer County, Kentucky, February 22, ISO4, and the mother a native of Shelby County, Kentucky. They left their native State in 1829, removing to Putnam County, ! Indiana, the mother riding on horschack and carrying their few effects, while the father walked by her side, Putnam County being at that time principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals. They had a FLIJAH HART, an enterprising farmer of Osceola Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Muskingum County. December 10, 1833. His father, John Hart. was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio. The mother died when Elijah was quite small, and his father afterward moved to Morro' County, where he was reared Daniel was reared to agricultural pir aits, and educated. In 1853 he came to Iowa and lived in Muscatine County eighteen months. In the winter of 1856 he located in Clarke County, on what is known as the old Mormon Trace, in the southern part of the county, where he lived until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, family of ten children, of whom Joseph W., our subject, was the oldest, he being born in Putnam County, In liana, July 16, 1830. The parents came to Clarke County, Iowa, in the fall of 1856, where the father died in November, 1866, the mother survivh er her husband till September. 187 ;. Joseph W. and has made that his Wie's work. His cd- ucation was obtain ? in the log cabin school of his day, which were then taught by subscription. He was fust married December 20. 14, to Mary E. Witt, a daughter of Booker Wist, and to this puion were born ten children, nine of whom sur- when he enlisted in the defense of his
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country, and was assigned to Company F. nie Sinnhold, a daughter of Frederick Sixth lowa Infantry. He was with his Singhold. They have had cight chil- regiment at Shiloh, Corinth, Resaca, New dren born to them, six still living -- Ring- hardt married Emma Hindes, and lives in Dubuque : Charles, August, Frederick, Frank and Edward. Mr. Spellerberg left Dubuque in 1855 and settled on his present farm on section 11, Madison Township, Clarke County, where he has since devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising. He is one of the successful agriculturists of Madison Township, where he hasa valuable faim containing 168 acres of good land. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order. Hope Church, and with Sherman on his march to the sca, his last battle being at Griswoldsville. He served faithfully four vears and received an honorable discharge in July, 1865. After the war he came again to Iowa, and engaged in farming in Clarke County. He was married in February, 1866. to Miss S. E. Wade, and after his marriage located on the farm where he now lives, on section i, township 72, range 25, which contains 200 acres of valuable land, the most of which is now under culti- vation. lle has given considerable atten- tion to stock-raising, and has been success- ful in that industry, having a fine grade of horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Hart was elected justice of the peace in 18Si and served four years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, taking an ; interest in everything that pertains to his comrades in arms. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, which he has served as elder. They have two chil- dren-William and Edie E.
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FF\ENRY SPELLERBERG, was born in Hanover. Germany, the date of his birth being March 9, 1828, his father, Frederick, being born in the same country, where he lived till his death. Our subject was brought up in his native place, and for fifteen years was engaged in the mercantile business before iminigrating to America in August, 1855. Hespent the first two years of his residence in this country in Milwau- kec. Wisconsin, going from there to Detroit, Michigan, where he lived about a year. In the spring of 1857 he located at Dubuque. lowa, where he followed the butcher's trade till 1865. Mr. Spellerberg was united in marriage March 27, 1862, to Miss Min-
GEORGE CARDER, an old pioneer of Clarke County, lowa, residing on sec- tion g, Troy Township, was born in Pendleton County, South Carolina, the date of his birth being April 27. 1803. His father, Armsted Carder, was a native of Culpeper County, Virginia, born near Culpeper Court-House, and followed faim- ing and the hatter's trade through life. Our subject grew to manhood on his fath- er's farm, his education being limited to the rude, log-cabin subscription schools. In 1816 he removed with his parentsto Wayne County, they settling among Indians and wild animals, their first home being made of clapboards, the father having to go to Cincinnati to enter his land there. A few years later they removed to Parke County, Indiana, where our subject lived till 1856, with the exception of two years spent in southwestern Missouri. By was first mor- ried January 13, 1831, to Nancy A. Cor- nelson, a daughter of Marsh Corneli con, and of the twelve children born to this union eight are yet living - John. Elizabeth, William, George W., Phoebe J., D. Oliver, Franci. M. and Cynthia A. Mr. Cander came to Clarke County, Iowa, in the sum. merof 1856, bringing with rim thirty-two
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head of cattle. He fint posted in Mail. son Township, the country being at that time in a wild state. There were int twenty-six voters in Madison Township when he settled there. All the hardsh.p.s incident to life on the iron jer were en- dured by him, but he has lived to see the once wild country scattered over with thriving towns and well-cultivated farms. His wife died November 8, 1858, and he ' Clarke County, beginning life without was again united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Mendenhall, daughter of Joseph Men- ' denhall, January 23, 1850. By his second marriage he had six children, one of whom is deceased. Those living are-Clarissa C., Dosha M., Frank W., Charles L. and How-
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