USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 44
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ard B. In 1881 Mr. Carder removed to | stock-raising, in the latter business making Murray, and in 1883 settled on the farm where he has since made his home. He has held several of the township offices since becoming a resident of Clarke County, be- ing justice of the peace twelve years, and serving as township clerk, assessor and county supervisor, each several years.
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AMES STEPHENSON. one of the carly settlers of Clarke Coanty, and a successful agriculturist of Washington Township, was born in Kentucky, on the Ohi River, April 20, 1820, a son of John and Margaret (Lewis) Stephenson, who were born, reared and married in the State of Pennsylvania. James Stephenson was seventeen years old when he left his native Site, where he received the most of his cducati m. He was married in 1841. and immediately after his marriage started for lowa, locating first at Keosaugna, Van Baren County, removing later to Monroe County, and in the fall of 18;1 setiled in Clarke County in Knox Township, where he remained two years. Mr. Stephenson then bought his present farm on section 33, Washington Township, on which he settled
and began making I pomeneas in h pi mex home, when he experience : m.m of the nardships an I privation . incident t a life in a new con itry. ilis wie du February 4, 1820, leaving seven chic. .. Margaret A .. wife of E Slitchell; Jo'nk ; Sarah J .: Masy, wife of Wilson Loomis; James, Jr .: Melissa E. and Dora. Mr. Stephenson is one of the self-made men of means, he having come to lowa with but $1.75 in cash. But by his persevering energy and strict economy, combined with good business management, he has pros- pered even beyond his expectations, meet- ing with success both in his farming and a specialty of short-horn cattle. Heatonc time had 1,och acres in Clarke County, part of which he Ins given to his children. He still owns Goo acres of choice land, and the small frame house in which he spent the first years of his residence in Clarke Coul- ty has given place to his present comnio- dious and confortable dwelling. Mr. Stephenson is a Democrat of the Jefferson school of politics. Mr. Stephenson's parents settled in Kentucky after their marriage. They subsequently removed to Rush Coun- ty, Indiana, remaining there till the fall of 1843, when they removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, From Van Buren County they went to Monroe County, lowa and in the fall of 1852 came with their family to Clarke County, entering a tract of sixteen acres from the Goverment on section 33. Washington Township, which the lather improved and fenced, midaing that hi , home till his death in 1365, the mother surviving her husband till 1871. They had a family of seven children- William, deceased; James, our subject; Winthrop; Mary A. married William Buchannan, died in 1872; John ; Lewis, living in Kansas, and Andrew. John Stephenson was one of the sturdy pioneers of Ciarke County, possessing great
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force of character and determination, which , September2, 1792, and his mother Febru- he showed mall his undertakings. He was ary 15, 1702. His grandfathers, David a good neighbor and an enterprising citizen, always taking an active interest in all enter- prises which he deemed for the good of his township. While living in Monroe County he served as trustee and justice of the peace. Gates and John Mills, were both soldiers in the war of the Revolution. His lather died in Lawrence County, Ohio, November 6. 1862, and his mother February 3, 1864. Of a family of twelve children, seven grew to maturity and three are now living. Ste- phen lives in Winfield, Kansas, and Samuel near Leon. lowa. John M. lived in his native State until 1853, when he came to lowa, and has here witnessed the marvel- ous changes since that date. He was married October 4, 1838. to Louisa M. Jeffers, a native of Athens County, Ohio, born December 14, 1820, daughter of George and Abigail (Miller) Jeffers. The father died in 1833. and the mother Febru- ary 27, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Gates have one daughter -- Eliza J., wife of Joseph N. Bay, of Wayne County, Jowa. They have an adopted son -- Ezra Fleming, now of Colo- rado. In politics Mr. Gates is a Greca- backer. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
TET. OSES R. LAMSON, deceased, was ; a highly-esteemed citizen of Osce- oh. He was born in Genesce County, New York, August 27, 1824, a son of Adua and Keturah Lamson. He came West with his parents, they locating first in Wisconsin, and from there he came to lowa, living first in Lee County, and then came in the spring of 1852 to Clarke County. He was married in 1852 to Nancy Harrison, a native of Virginia, daughter of William and Matilda Harrison, who came to Iowa when she was a little girl. To them was born one daughter -- Florence A., the first born in Osceola. Soon after locating in Clarke County, Mr. Lamson was elected clerk of the courts, a position he filled with great efficiency six years. He then engaged in the grocery business several years, and subsequently in the drug business, which he continued successfully until his death, May 1, 1874. He was a prominent member of the Masonic frater- nity, lodge and chapter.
ENJAMIN MI. ROBINS, physician and surgeon, residing in Osceola Township, on section 15. is a native of the State of New York, born in Jefferson County November 28, 1831, a son of lantes and Eliza ( Mesick, Robins. He was rearol on the home farm, his father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. His primary cdu- cation was obtained in the common schools FROUN M. GATES, one of Clar !.. Coun- , of his neighborhood, and later he attended I ty's pioneers, settled with his family the academy at Mexico, Oswego County. New York. He studied medicine under Drs. Chapin and Fenton, of Pulaski, Oswego County. and subsequently took a full course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, of on section 28, Franklin Township, in October, 1853, on a tract of 100 acres of Government land he had entered the Jul. previous. Mr. Gates was born in Morgan County, Ohio, September 6, 1817 a son of Cincinnati, graduating from that institution Stephen and Jane ( Milley Gates, pioneers , in the class of 1854. He then began the of Morgan County. His father was born , practice of his chosen profession in Batavi ..
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Jefferson County, Jowa, where he remained . born six children. In 1852 Mr. Emary re- till the spring of 1869, and during his resi- moved with his family to America, first heating in Mercer County, where he re- sided till 1868. He then came to Clarke County, lowa, and purchased 160 aeres in the northern part of Knox Township, where he made his bome till his death. He was a man of excellent education, and a good business man. and wasmuch esteemed by all who knew him. His widow is a lady of education and refinement, and is counted the best inusician in Clarke County. dence there he built up an extensive prac- tice. The doctor was united in marriage in 1855 to Miss Marena J. Cornell, of War- ren County, Ohio, and to this men were born nine children --- six sons and thiec daughters --- E. V .. O. L., O. P., S. R., E. W., Emma S., Mrs. G. W. Harris, and Mrs. Estella R. Williams (both residents of In- diana) and Almeda, at home. Dr. Robins came to Clarke County in 1869, and set- tled on his present farm, which is located two and a half miles cast of Osceola. At --- that time his land was an open prairie, and although the opening up of a new farm was a new experience to the doctor, he has succeeded in bringing his forty-four aeres under a high state of cultivation, and at the same time carried on the practice of medicine-sometimes going a distance of twenty-five miles to visit a patient during the first few years of his residence in the county. IIc has of late years devoted con- siderable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of thorough-bred short-horn cat- tle, and now hasa well-stocked farm, having at present 150 head of cattle. The doctor is a member of the Odd Fellows order, an organization in which he takes much in- terest.
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J. EMARY, SR., deceased, was a na- tive of Sussexshire, England, where he was born October 8, 1818, the second in a family of six children of Theunas R. and Susan (Russell) Emary. He received good educational advantages at Lewes. in his native shire, and after leaving school he engaged in civil engineering for several years, and for some time was engaged in banking. Mr. Emary was united in mar- riage September 15, 1845, to Miss Martha Forta, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Nowers) Forta, and to this union were
STAMES A. WADE, one of the enterpris- ing and successful farmers and stock- raisers of Green Bay Township, resid- ing on section 8, was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, February 8, 1844, a son of Isaac and Ellinor (Barnhill) Wade, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. They reared a family of ninc children -- W. S., Sarah Elizabeth, James A., Mary Alice, Eliza Jane, John Henry, Martha Ann, Charles Harvey and Nellie Myrtle. When our subject was two years old his parents came to lowa, locating in Des Moines County, where the family lived for ten years, coming in 1856 to Clarke County, and settling in Green Bay Town- ship. James A. was reared to manhood on a farm in Clarke County, receiving his education in the common schools of this and Des Moines counties. In October. 1853, he enlisted in the Ninth Jowa Cavalry, Company H., and was engaged with his regiment in fighting guerrillas and bush- whackers in Missouri and Arkansas, and had many hard-fought skirmishes and battles with those noted rebels. He re- ceived an honorable discharge at Daven- port, lowa, when he returned to his home in Clarke County, Mr. Wade was marrie ! March G, 1870, to Miss Eliza Jane Harbi., a daughter of John and Providenee (Gard.
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ner) Harbin, her father being a prominent pioneer and wealthy citizen of Clarke County. Mr. and Mrs. Wade have four children -- Levina Eleanor, Nellie Myitle. Archibald Fred and Alfred Leslie. Mr. Wade is engaged in stock raising, feeding and dealing in stock, in which pursuit he has met with good success. His farm con- tains 340 acres of choice land under fine cultivation, with good. two-story residence, a fine orchard and commodious out-build- ings and large barn.
REENE C. ADKINS, son of the late Wyatt Adkins, was born in Pulaski County. Kentucky, September 1, 1837. He was reared on the homestead farm in his native county, and there attended the log-cabin subscription schools, with puncheon floor, split-log seats, greased paper for windows, and clapboard roof. In 1856 he came with his parents to Doyle Township, Clarke County, which has since been his home. In May, 1861, he enlisted -CHARLES DONNER, a prosperous and enterprising farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 5, Troy Township, is a son of John Donner, a na- tive of Prussia, Germany, John Donner immigrated to America in the year 1851, and the first two years of his residence in this country were spent near Jacksonville, Illinois. He came to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1853, and settled on section 7, Troy Township, where he followed farming and working citizen, and by his industry and land in Clarke County, the result of years of toil, he having commenced life entirely 1 without moins. He was married before , leaving his native country to Mary Dun- chen, by whom he had nine children, of in Company B, Sixth lowa Infantry, and was taken prisoner at the siege of Corinth. He was discharged on account of disability in November, 1862. In August, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company H, lowa Cavalry. and was in the service till February, 1866. He commanded a company of twenty- seven men at Gun Springs, Arkansas, four- teen of whom were killed or wounded. The | rest were taken prisoners with the cacep- i tion of Mr. Adkins, who managed to escape . stock-raising till his death. He was a hard- that time. Ile was taken prisoner in May, and confined in a negro jail at Jackson, | strict economy he accumulated Gro acres of Mississippi. The prisoners were taken to Pearl River to bathe, and while returning from the river our subject picked up a railroad spike which he concealed under his clothes. With this spike they managed to pry off a board, then tunneled through . whom only four are now living- John 211 .. brick wall twenty inches in thickness, and . Charles, our subject, Anna and Lizzie. Thc
after climbing twony-seven feet down a tarred rope#six of them escaped. but three were afterward caught by blood- hounds. Mr. Adkinsand two other prisoners reached the river, and while an old rebel was praying, our subject stole bis skiff, with which they managed to reach the mouth of Black River, where they were picked up by a Union vessel. Mr. Adkins was united in marriage August 27, 1863, to Catharine Shields, a daughter of John Shieldls, who is now deceased. They have five children --- Elmer, Wilhain, Laura, Cora and Lizzic. Mr. Adkins is one of the prosperous farmers of Doyle Township, and is also a success- ful stock-raiser. He has a well-cultivated farm on section 4, Doyle Township, where he resides, which contains 340 acres. Mr. Adkins is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a member of the Christian church for the past twenty- nine years.
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
father died November 27, 18;3. and the Ninth lowa Cavalry. It was during the mother still lives on the old homestead in summer of 1864. in the State of Arkansas. Truy Township. Charles Donner, whose nume heads this sketch, was born in Troy Township, Clarke County, November 14, 18 50, and received a common-school educa- tion in the schools of the county. He was feared toagricultural pursuits, which he has always followed, and is classed among the most successful young farmers of Clarke County, where he owns Soo acres of choice land. He makes a specialty of raising cat- tle, in which he is eminently successful.
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ALVIN R. JOHNSON died at his residence in Washington, D. C., May 21, 1879, in the sixtieth year of his age. He was a native of Portage County, Ohio, in which State and Pennsylvania he spent his early life, coming to lowa about a quarter of a century ago. Hle employed himself for the first few years after com- ing to this State in teaching principally. being eminently successful as a teacher, hay- ing taught in Ottumwa, Osccola and Hopeville. In 1857 he began to take a prominent part in the affairs and history of Clarke County, having that year been elected to the office of county assessor. In 1858 he was elected clerk of the District Court, over M. R. Lamsou, a very popular and efficient officer, by a majority of three votes, which office he filled one term with much honor and acceptance. In 1x63 he was elected to the Legislature a represent- ative from Clarke County, and served in that cap trity for one terin, taking a promi- nent part in the leading and exciting polit- ical measures incident to the turbulent scenes of the great war of the Rebellion. He had during that year entered the mili- tary branch of the service of his country, going out as Captain of Company JI ..
that he contracted the disease which chung to him with remarkable tenacity all the weary days of his life, until finally, after fifteen years of almost incessant suffering he yiel led to the inexorable demands of the grim monster, death. Mr. Johnson was connected with the pension department at the time of his death, and had been for the last thirteen years of his life. He was a man of fine business capacity-fully com- petent for any position to which he was ever called. He was also a man of more than ordinary ability as a speaker, being thoroughly posted in all the leading moral, political, scientific and religious questions of the day. His mind was well disciplined, and with a ready flow of the most expressive language he was at once ready to discuss. intelligently, privately or publichy, any of the leading issues of the times in which he lived. Ile left to mourn his loss a wite and daughter in Washington, and five sons in lowa, and a daughter in Mary- land; also many warm friends in this com- munity and throughout the county.
80 HOMAS ARNETT, one of the early settlers of Clarke County, and an en- terprising citizen of Osceola Town- ship, was born near Sharpsburg, in Bath County. Kentucky, the date of his birth being April 16, 1813. His parents, Thomas and Martha (McFerren) Arnett, were both natives of the State of Virginia, and were among the first settlers of Kentucky, the father helping many a pioneer who came after him to his part of that State. They left Kentucky with their family in 1828, and settled in Montgomery County, Indi- ana, where they lived till their death. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Thomas, our subject, was the young-
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est child. Thomas Arnett passed his youth on the home farin, remaining with his par- ents till their death. He has been twice married. ITis first marriage took place in his twenty-filth year. with Sarah A. Smith. who, at her death several years later, left i two children- Mary, now the wife of Will- iam Ashley. and Jacob, living in Clarke County. For his present wife Mr. Arnett married Lucinda Mosgarger, a native of Ohio, but at the time of her marriage living in Montgomery County. Indiana. To this union has been born one daughter, named Nancy J. E. Mr. Arnett's son. Jacob, was a soldier in the late war, a member of Com. pany B. Eighteenth lowa Infantry, and has never recovered from the injuries he re- ceived while in the service. Mr. Arnett has made farming the principal avocation of his life, and since ISzo has followed agri- cultural pursuits on his present farm, in Osccola Township, where he has forty acres of well-cultivated land. Besides his home farm he owns forty-seven acres of choice land in Jackson Township. which is also under a high state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Arnett was formerly an old- line Whig, later a Republican, and at pres- ent affiliates with the Greenback party.
RANCIS CURTIS was born in Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, October 9. ISog. a son of Henry and Keziah ( Flit- craft) Curtis, natives of Baltimore, Mary- land, and Pennsylvania respectively. Too. father died when our subject was a chill, leaving the mother with four young chil- dren in limited circumstances. The father was an educated, cultured gentleman, his parents intending him to enter the minis. try, but he subsequently chose another calling. The family were as follows- Mary, Francis, Jemima and Wesley. The daughters are living in Philadelphia, and
Wesley is deceased. Francis being the eldest son, was soon obliged to assist his mother, and she obtained a place for him on a farm. When he was fourteen years old he left the farm, thinking the work was too hard, and went to work for James Gambrel, a tobocconist. with whom he served an apprenticeship of four years. He then was given his freedom. wages for overwork, and a letter of recommenda- tion certifying to his honesty and integrity, which he has always preserved. After working at his trade for some time his health became impaired, and after consuit- ing his wife they concluded to come West and get a farm. Accordingly. they moved to Illinois and located in Fulton County, where they endured all the privations and trials of pioncer life, and had just got a good home when the war of the Rebellion broke out. Two of his sons enlisted in the Union army, and, being left alone, he con- cluded to again emigrate West. and in 1862 he moved to Warren County, lowa, and three years later to Clarke County, and settled on section 33. Liberty Town- ship, where he has since lived, and now has a fine farm of 276 acres. He has al- ways been industrious, and his accumula- tions are the result of his own energy, never having received any material aid. not even from the Government, as he has bought and paid for all the land he owns. Hlis carly educational advantages were limited, and he has been obliged to battle with the world without the benefits of that knowledge to be obtained from books. nature and experience being his text-books. January 15. 1831. Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Elizabeth Haines, who was born in Wilmington, Delaware, December 13. 1813. a daughter of Joseph Haines. She was a schoolmate of the present Secretary of State, Bayard, their families being neigh- bors and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had six children-James F., Mary Y.,
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HISTORY OF CHARGE COMPL
Thomas Benton, Thomas Jefferson, Jemima absent on account of wounds received at and Henry Oscar. James F. was born in Philadelphia November 21, 1834, and March 2. 1865, married Ellen Almond. Mary V. is the widow of Marion Moore, Thomas Benton married Harriet Hodges, who died, and he afterward married Dora Lucas, who is also dead, and he is now hiv- ing of his father's farm. Jemima died aged four years, and Henry Oscar aged six Years. His sons, Benton and Jefferson, were soldiers in the war for the Union. The former was taken prisoner, and from the effects of hardships and exposures his health became impaired, and has never been restored. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are members of the Seventh-day Adventist church. In politics he has been a life-long Danncrat. Hisgreat-grandlather, George William Forester, settled in Maryland prior to the war of the Revolution, and when the army was stationed at Valley Forge be acted as commissary. His grand- father, Francis Curtis, was a judge in Maryland, and at one time attorney-general of the State.
J. HAMILTON is a native of De Witt County. Illinois, born July 539 1, 1843, a son of Absalom and Ollie (Hutchins) Hamilton. When he was six years of age his parents diel leaving him a penniless boy, but he found a friend in Captain S. P. Glenn, who took him home and cared for him until he was of l enough to depend upon his own exertions. He re- mained with Captain Glenn until s. venteen years old, accompanying him, m 1853, to Iowa. In 1861 he enlisted in defense of his ! country, and was assigned to Company B Sixth lowa Idantry. He participated in many hard fought battles, his regiment be- ing engaged in twenty seven, an I marched 4,000 miles, but a part of the time he was
Shiloh. Ile was wounded twice, in the arm and leg, an ! was absent from his com- pany several weeks. He was at the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, Lookout Mountain and the siege of Vicksburg. He started en the Atlanta campaign, but was wounded at the battle of Reseca. He was in the fight at Macou, Georgia, the siege of Savannah and at the surrender near Goldsboro. IIe then marched to Washington and was in line at the grand review of Grant's and Sherman's armies He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and discharged at Davenport, lowa, July 20, 1865, having served over four years. While at home on furlough, after his wounds at Shiloh, a band of rebels collected at the residence of Mr. Goble for the purpose of killing the wounded soldiers then at home, but being suspected Captain Glenn took out his com- pany of home guards and captured the cutire number. They fired upon the guards but the troop closed in upon them and took their arms. Two of the number were killed and the rest were taken to Osceola, but on taking the oath of allegiance were released the next day. After the war closed Mr. Ilanalton returned to lowa and rented land of Captain Glenn, about two years. Hc then bought a farin of 2co acres which he improved, and then exchanged it for 250 acres of his present farm, to which he las since added 120 acres on sections 34 and 35. Hle is the owner of one of the best farms in the county, which he has acquired by in- dustry, frugalty and good management. Ile is one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the township, having gained the confdence of all who know him, by his strict business integrity and straightfor- ward dealing. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He is now Captain of Com- pany A, Fith Lamury, Iowa National Guard. . He was mariel November 25. isto, to Miss Viny K. Winters, daughter
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of John and Emma Winters, of Ilumy County, Iowa. They have had nine chil- dren-John A. (deceased), Willie T., Jesse S., Susan L., Robert Glenn. Clarence Blaine, and three who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are members of the Christian church, and are among its earnest and liberal supporters.
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wound, but although disabled for manual labor he has devoted his care and attention to his farm. He is also largely engaged in fish culture, and has demonstrated the fact that this enterprise can be made a suc- cess in Clarke County. He has studied the habits and requirements of carp very close- ly, and his methods of protection, which are of his own invention, are very com- mendable. Mr. Anderson was married in 1860 to Miss Margaret C. Gregg. They have two children-Ernest F. and Evia May. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
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