USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 20
USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 20
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Thus made free to choose for himself William decided to emigrate West. In 1853, accordingly, he came to Iowa. His elder sister, Hannah, wife of E. 11. Williams, was then living at Garnavillo, Clayton County, and there he went first. In that way he selected Northeast lowa as his
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GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
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future home. After teaching one winter at. Hardin, he was for three years employed as a sort of foreman on the Grand Meadow farmi of his brother-in-law, Judge Williams.
In 1857 he bought a one-third interest in the Clermont Mills, and located at Cler- mont, Fayette County. He soon was able to buy the other two-thirds, and within a year found himself sole owner. He oper- ated this mill until 1874, when he sold to S. M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war he offered to enlist, but was rejected on ac- count of the loss of his right eye. Being informed he might possibly be admitted as a commissioned officer he raisel a company and received a commission as First Lieu- tenant, but was again rejected for the same disability.
After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee de- voted himself to farming, and started a private bank at Clermont. 1Is also, Cx- perimentally, started a large nursery, but this resulted only in confirming the belief that Northern Iowa has too rigorous a cli- mate for fruit-raising.
Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political career until 1867. Ile was reared as a Whig, and became a Republican on the or- ganization of that party. While interested in politics he generally refused local offices, serving only as treasurer of the School Board prior to 1867. In the autumn of that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected to represent his county in the State Senate. To this high position he was re- elected from time to time, so that he served as Senator continuously for eighteen years before being promoted to the highest office in the State. He was so popular at home that he was generally re-nominated by ac- clamation, and for some years the Demo. crats did not even make nominations. During the whole eighteen years Senator Larrabee was a member of the principal committee, that on Ways and Means, of which he was generally chairmon, and was
"also a member of other committees. In the pursuit of the duties thus devolving upon him he was indefatigable: It is said that he never missed a committee meeting. Not alone in this, but in private and public business of all kinds his uniform habit is that of close application to work. Many of the important measures passed by the Legislature owe their existence or present form to him.
He was a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in ISSI, but entered the contest too late, as Governor Sherman's following had been successfully organized. In ISS5 it was generally conceded before the meet- ing of the convention that he would be nominated, which he was, and his election followed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated January 14, 1886, and so far has made an excellent Governor. His position in regard to the liquor question, that on which political fortunes are made and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should rule. He was personally in favor of high license, but having been elected Governor, and sworn to uphold the Constitution and execute the laws, he proposes to do so.
A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate declares him to be "a man of the broadest comprehension and information. an extraordinarily clear reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions, and of Spartan firmness in his matured judg- ment," and says that " he brings the prac- tical facts and philosophy of human nature, the science and history of law, to aid in his decisions, and adheres with the earnestness of Jefferson and Sumner to the fundamental principles of the people's rights in govern- ment and law."
Governor Larrabee was married Sep. tember 12, 1861, at Clermont, to Anna Mi. Appelman, daughter of Captain G. A. Appelman. Governor Larrabee has seven children- - Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, William, Frederic and Helen.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
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HOMAS ROSS, one of the oldest residents of Mt. Ayr, is a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born July 4, 1816, a son of Thomas and Susannah (Holland) Ross, his father a native of Delaware, and his mother of Maryland. They were married in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and subsequently moved to Ohio, and when our subject was seven years old to Richland County, now Ashland, Ohio, where the mother died. In ISAS the father moved to Iowa, and lived in Mahasku County several years, moving thence. to Ringgold County, where he died in IS62. Thomas Ross remained in Ashland County until nineteen years of age. He attended the district school in the winter. working on the farm in the summer, until eighteen years old, when he began teaching. He afterward attended school at Norwalk, Ohio, and then went to Huron, where he clerked in a store, and in 1833 come West as far as Jacksonville. Ilinois, where he was employed on the engineer corps the following summer. He then thought in Sangamon County, and in August. 1844, came to lowa, and lived in Mahaska County eight years. In 1852 he went to Wapello County, and in 1959 removed to Ris_cold County, locating in Mt. Ayr. He en- gaged in the day- goods business tatil rot, of whom are get Mying. The Sehr di ! 220
when he closed out his stock of goods, and assumed the duties of clerk of the courts, and ar-officio member of the Board of Supervisors. He held that office until 1870, when he again embarked in the dry- goods business until 1877. He has held various local offices, among others being treasurer of his township, assessor and justice of the peace, holding the latter office at the present time. He was married in Sangamon County, Illinois, in IS39, to Martha H. McMillan, a native of Scout County, Kentucky. They have had seven children, two sons and five daughters, Mr. Ross is a member of the Odd Fellows order. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church.
ZOB RUSH, one of the early saatleri Ringgold County, and an caterprising citizen of Mr. Avr, was born in Knox County, Ohio, October 2. 1834. 8 son of Job and Ante . Rincha- Ross. th : father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of New Jersey. They came to the State of Ohio wil their parents, qui nghe there magi landia them we can ful children. two social : kodachristian
HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
at the age of seventy years, the another, the office of justice of the peace three dying at the age of forty. Benjamin Rush, years, was assessor one form, and for many yea's served as trustee and clerk of Mou roe Township. the great-grandfather of our sabpdf, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Job Rush, the subject of this sketch, remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, and received his education in the common schools of his FROHN S. GLENDENNING, an enter- 3. ( prising farmer living on section 22. & Rice Township, was born in Rush County, Indiana, April 9, 1845. His par- ents, James and Elizabeth Glendenning, were natives of Ohio and Tennessee re- neighborhood. In 1857 he came to Ring- gold County. Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land in what is now Monroe Town- ship. He erected good buildings on his land and engaged in raising hogs and cattle until he removed to Mt. Avr. He I spectively. They were the parents of nine was married in August, 1860, to Miss Louisa J. McClain, a native of Coshocton Coanty, Ohio, but at the time of her mar-
children -- Mrs. Nancy J. Garrison, died in 1862, taught the first school in Middle Fork Township; William. H., died in the army riage living in Ringgold County. They : in 1862; Thomas Henry, living in Middle have thirce daughters-Hattie A., wife of William Reasoner; Martha J., wife of Thomas Sloan, and Eunice H., at home. Mr. Rush was a soldier in the late war, en- listing in 1864, in Company G. Fourth lowa Infantry, as a veteran recruit, and was im- mediately sent to the front. He partici- pated with his regiment in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and others, and was engaged in skirmishing in and about Atlanta. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea, thence to Washington City, where he witnessed the surrender of General Johnston's army, and took part in the grand review. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in July, 1865, bring mastered out at Davenport, lowa, when he returned to his farm in Monroe Township. He remove l with his family to Mt. Ayr January 1, 1896, and became associated with W. H. Rogers in the furniture . business, Mr. Rogers Having carried on the business for the three years previous. This firm does a general business in furniture and undertaking, under the style of Rogers & Ruch. Mr. Right since coming to Ringgold County, has been i member of The Band of Supervisor . Beld Fork Township: Jeremiah J., died in the army ; James W., living in Middle Fork Township : Sarah Bennett, living in Cali- fornia ; John S., the subject of this sketch : Richard B., died in 1862, and David A., living in Middle Fork Township. Our subject was but a few weeks old when his parents removed with their family to Calloway County, Missouri, and foar years later removed to Audrain County, of the same State. They subsequently located in Gentry County, Missouri, and from ther: came to Ringgold County, lowa. in 1859. being among the first settlers of Middle Fork Township. The father enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Co apany G. Fourth. lowa Infantry, and died in the sex vice of his country in 1963, at the age of forty seven years. The mother survive! till 1532, dying in Middle Fork Township, at the age of seventy-eight years. John S. Glendenning, our subject, has been identi- fied with Ringgold County since i 50. and alway. takes an active interest in all cu- termines for the advancement of i's inter ests. He has been twice married. His first marriage occurred April 22. 15. with Miss Marietta E. Miller, a daughter
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James A. Miller, of Clinton Township, which is his present home. He owns #22 a res of good land, well a lapted to stock- raising. It is divided into ten fields. He usually keeps 100 head of cattle. 150 hogs and several horses. He has a good one- and-a-half-story residence, built in the shape Ringgold County. Ms. Glendening died October 16, 1873, aged twenty-two years. Her only child, James A .. died soon after- ward, aged twenty-nine days. November 6, 1873, Mr. Glendenning married for his second wife Miss Mary C. Shaffer. daugh- , of an L, and well furnished. He has an ter of Jeremiah Shaffer, of Middle Fork orchard of 2oo trees. Mr. and Mis. Mer- ritt have one son-Ira Archibald. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has served as township trustee and member of the School Board. Though but a young man he has gained a good financial position among the leading busi- ness men of the county. Postoffice, Keller- Township, and to this union have been born six children -- Wesley H., Marietta F., Martha V., Luella, Flora M. and Grace. Mr. Glendenning has made farming the principal vocation of his life, in which he has met with success, and besides his home farm, which contains 120 acres of choice land, he owns a tract of timber land in ' ton, Ringgold County, lowa.
Worth County, Missouri. His farm in Rice Township was among the first im- proved farms in the township, and was the pioncer farm of Abraham McCully, who died in the army. In politics Mr. Glen- denning casts ins suffrage with the Repub- lican party.
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MA; I]. MERRITT, farmer, section 28, Athens Township, has been a resi- dent of Ringgold County thirty- one years. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, July 23, 1851, son of William J. Mer- ritt, a prominent pioneer of this county, now deceased, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. When he was about four years of age his father came to Athens Township and settled amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. His early life was passed. in assisting on the farm and in obtaining what education he could in the common schools. He was married February 27. 1870, to Miss Ehzabeth D. Crouch, born in Davis County, lowa, and daughter of C. N. and Minerva Strickland Crouch. After his marriage he resided on the home fann until 1875, then removed to section 16. upon a farm of 24 > acres. In the spring of ISSo he traded the farm for wild land. parents of eight children Bath F. F ...
RANCIS E. PINGREE. farmer and stock-raiser and veterinary surgeon, residing on section 14, Jefferson Town- ship, was born in Kane County, Illinois, April 27, 1850, a son of Francis Pingrec, deceased, and of English descent. The father was a native of New Hampshire, and was a grad- ouate of Kimball Union Academy, in his native State. Our subject's ancestry can be traced back to 1640, he being a lineal descendant of Moses Pingrec, who came to America in that year. His ancestors took part in the war of the Revolution. The father of our subject was a whaler under Captain Swain for six years, and traveled three. quarters of the way around the world. ar ? was the first American citizen to fire a gur in Sitka. He carried on the mercantile business at Elgin, Ilinois, about eighteen months. In 1852 be settled with his family in Buchanan County, Iowa, where Franc. E., our subject, was reared on a farm, and received his education principally in the high school of Fayette, Iowa. He Was married March 24, jagg. t. Miss El am E. Harter, a daughter of Hepry faiter. C Buchanan County, Jowa. They are t.
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HISTORY OF RINGGOOD COUNTY.
cis 11., Jennie C., George R., William C., Daniel H., Albert E. and Walter B. Mr. Pingree located in Buena Vista County. lowa, in 1876, and in 1878 came to Ring. goll County and settled on his farm in Jefferson Township, where he has 120 acres of fine land. Mr. Pingree is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
W. CRITCHFIELD, of the firm of Critchfield & Fry, dealers in agri- 2 cultural implements, wagons, bug- gies, barb wire, etc., is a native of Ohio, born on a farm near Gambier, in Knox County, January 5, 1838, a son of Nelson and Nancy (Cassil) Critchfield, who were both born in the year 1816, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsyl- vanta. They were the parents of fodt sona an.l three daughters, our subject being the eldest son. He passed his boyhood on the home farm, receiving the rudiments of an education in the common schools, and later attended the Millwood Academy, where h- prosecuted his studies for two years He then entered the office of Dr. Bourne, medicine. He subsequently went to the. University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the purpose of attending a course of lectures: but, after being there cihten weeks, he was taken Ack, which oblig d Sim to return home. He. however re- ceived a certi lege from the medical in partement of that institution. Mr. Critch- hold was married in ING to ME; Markt shrosplin.T. Kaos Commay. Of , and to) the nation have been born four dulden. two sons and two daughters. A . i. in his neive county, and in the wall
Than Ko where he cammel in aring
and stock-raising. In is ;? he left his idite and settled in Mt. Ayr, where he kept the Carrie House. for one year. Ile then bought what is known as the Dunning property, and converted it into a hotel. which he carried on some two years, when he engaged in his present business. This business was established in 1678 by W. P. Wood, who was succeeded by the firm of Critchfield & Shrimplin in 1882. In 1884 Mr. Shrimplin sold his interest to G. P. Oliver, the business being conducted under the firm nam > of Critchifield & Oliver until 1885, when Mr. Critchfield purchased Mr. Oliver's interest, conducting the business alone till Jamary, 1886, when J. O. Fry became associated with him, thus forming the present firm of Critchfield & Fry. Mr. Critchfield served as justice of the prace while living in Union Township. He has w.s buca a ir . mber of the councilan lof the School Board in the town of Mt. Ayr. lowa, and served as township trustee, fill- ing these positions to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents.
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of Gambier, Ohio, where he began reading , FRIEND COOK, one of Ringgold
r\ County's leading a_ riculturists, resid- a ing on section 15. Rice Township, is a native of Herkimer County, New York, born February 12, 18:5, a som of Friend and Emeline Cook. When he was six years old he was taken to his paren's to Mercer County. Pen sylvania, where his youth was spent. he remaining in that county until he enlist i in the More war. Bianca 3. Lig. . amember of om of the gallant regiments of Persiamit. He immel the Army of the Persone mehr G h.r.i Cr: nº. Marek _ . 180g. tat remi- tent mu & ted oppgens, and in May the
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three men. In June. Ist. he received an Con the ring . honorable discharge, when he returned towe. otto. ron as;3. Mendne cano to to his father's home, remaining there till Riegert ( white ant .000. the following spring, when he came to present them in Motor ToMap hip. ii. Ringgold County, lowa. In September, 1867, he returned to Pennsylvania for his Where My kop Ti has all it, and in bride. Miss Caroline Homer, a laughter of Josiah Homer of Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have seven children living, all at home -- Josiah. Burton, Edith, Friend. Clarence, Peace and Helen. Three chil- dren, named Alice, Jesse and Ciara are deccased. On first coming to Ringgold County, in 1865, Mr. Cook settled in Grant Township where he improved a farm of 440 acres, which he soll in 18;5. Two years later he located on his present farm in Rice Township which contains 500 acres, improved by Mr. Cook from a state of nature. Ilis residence and farm build- ings are among the best in the neighbor- hood, and have been built by him since locating here. His farm is admirably adapted to stock-raising, and he is devot- ing his attention to that enterprise, and has at present about 120 head of cattle besides other stock. He is an active and progress- ive citizen, and stands high in the town- ship where he makes his home. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to Mt. Ayr Lodge, No. 16g.
has a good tiene . an orchand of set bearing treesin wind ward and small Arms. Mr. Miller is making & specialty of bio ing and dating in value haft het. In his stables are to beseen several of these horses of Normas Clydesdass and Claw. land Bays. He has spent much time an money in obtaining his st ch. aul it w Wi compare favorabh with any in South Fr Iowa. ITis far a Moins Barcosfield. H was mirri ! Merch 13, 18:2. at Vates Cifs. Allmois, to Ardella Ames, and they haven't chffdren -- Loring D., j. b., jota k., Cho. W., Almica and Mattie. Mr. Miller 'S. member of the Odd Fellows ord ryan lis: member of the United Bretle a in Cthis church, and is a trustee of the stone. Poli- cally he is a Republican. Postobice, Bea- consfield.
M. MILLER, fainer. section 23 Clinton Township, was Fort i Rodzice Count .. Vi ... February 2, 1821, son of Heat an ! ( .... JOHN MILLER, former and dealer in . arine Miler. I. whereare infart : thorough-bre I norges. section 2, Mon- roe Township, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, June 28, 1921. son of David and Elizabeth Miller. He resided in his native country until he was twenty years of ag , then came to America. He first located at Pitt-basg. wher . he serve ! an apprenticeshipat blacksmithing for about three years. He then removed to Fulton received his cduss tion in the conanon. schools of his county. He was that August 25. Tags, to Miss Mary Mek ... also of Rock mida County. tien ine. daughter of John :ic Kormy. Mrs. Mi .: died July 17. t. p. and Meret. 13. 1 5: Mr. Miller was muriel to, Mis M. J. Knight, a native of Amln . Chenas, VE ginia, born Jantar. I. DE. . . bietet : County, Illinois, where he for aved his, Matthies and all Right. I. trade ten years, then remove ? to Mason posted in Ra
HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
29, 1859, when with his wife and two chil- school. The sunsner after reaching his majority he worked fom months, at $12 a month, and the following September was married to Harriet Ballard, of Montgom- ery County, Indiana, but a native of Ohio. After his marriage he lived on a farm in Indiana until the fall of 1855. when he moved to Marion County, lowa, and thence to Ringgold County, in May. 1858, locating on the southwest corner of section 7, Ting- ley Township. His first house was a little frame building, 14x 16 feet in size. Ile first bought 170 acres. 160 being prairie and ten acres being timber. He then en- tered eighty acres from the Government, and the next winter bought another tract of 157 acres. He has improved his land. and now has one of the finest farms in the county. While living in his first house eleven families made their home, at differ- ent times, with him until they could locate their land and get a house built. His house was always open to the entertainment of strangers, and as settlers were few, he was always glad to receive those who came with the intention of settling. He also had dren, he started for Ringgoll County, and arrived here June 23. He first located on section 23, southeast quarter, where he re- sided antil ist, when he settled upon his prevent farm which was partially improved. The tarm consists of ito acres of choice land, located one mile south of Redding. He has a confortable house, out-buildings for stock, orchard of 200 trees and small fruit, and everything about betokens the thrifty farmer. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of eight children -- Fanny D., Elmira V., now Mrs. J. M. Crouch; Sophia H., Valeria, Bird H., Eliza, Ella and Etta. Two are deceased-Betty T., the oldest, died at theage of nine years, and Blanche died in infancy. Mr. Miller has served in most of the township offices- tomatlip dub, music, assessor and jus- tice of the peace. As a justice he is sec- ond to none in the county. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically was for- merly an old-line Whig but is now a Re- publican. He has given his children . frequent visits from the Indians, being near excellent educational advantages, and three . their trail from the Southwest to Iowa of his daughters are fitted for teachers. By his upright life and genial manners he has made many friends, and is considered one of Clinton Township's best citizens. Postofice. Reding.
City, where they made yearly trips to draw their money. The despised colored man always found him ready to give aid when he was a refugee fleeing from slavery and the South to Cany la and fredag ; at one time he had six secreted und . My-shocks through the day till he call got a favorable chance to send them en rejpicing. He was the first man to min have sheep into his township, and that at a there when the prairie wolves were troublesome, but b. vigilant watching he was erece, ul. Ile was the first postto ister smoluted in. this part of the county. and hall the past unid the mail from Eugene to Mt. im not through top sam T high water. 11 .
CHARLES K. GRIMES, one of the carly setter of Ringgold County. is . a native of I'ye in Conto. Indiana. ban in February, 1831, a son of Andrew and Phrases ilyen Grimes, intives of North Carol'im, what they were reared, and after their mariage move It > ladiana. tion twelve years. A part of W's time he Our subie tramin lat hen . mail man ho il. working on the best in the summer. and in the winter att coding the disert
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was the founder of Eugene, laying it off and platting it in 1857. He and Edgar Sheldon are the only ones of the first set- tlers now living in Tingley Township. When he commenced lite in Indiana he was a poor man. After clearing eighteen acres of heavily-timbered land he con- cluded to sell out and move to a country where the land was already cleared, and. accordingly, located in Iowa, By industry and energy he has acquired a good home for his old age, and by a life of kindly decds and honorable dealing has gained many friends. In politics he was first a Democrat, casting his first Presidential vote for President Pierce, but since then has been a staunch supporter of the Re- publican party. He is in religious faith a Lutheran. His family consists of nine children, five died in infancy and four are living-Josephine, wire of James Holt: Ida, wife of Andrew Brown ; lola and Wilbur at home.
braska City. Ilis larm contained 120 acres of prairie and forty acres of timber. The children were -- Daniel, Peter, Nancy, A. J .. Elizabeth, Jane, John, Ellen, Alice and Wilham Il. Jane died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Merritt died in 1879, and Mrs. Merritt, December 10, 1873.
ED BEAMER. farmer, section 6, Ben- ton Township, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, November 16, 1840, son of Phillip and Sarah (Morris) Beamer. He was the fifth of a family of twelve chil- dren. When fifteen years of age his par- ents removed to Appanoose County, lowa, where they resided several years. His early life was passed in working on a farm! and in attending the public schools. At the breaking out of the civil war he was one of the first to go forth in defense of his country's flag. July 17, 186r, he chi- listed in Company D. Sixth Jowa Infant-
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