USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 25
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Mr. and Mrs. Fouser have been born six children -Mabel C., John E., Sarah Bell. Ernest S., Fred and Lizzie May. Mr. Fou- ser followed farming in Plainfield Town- ship. Will County, until he came to Ring- gold County, lowa, and made his present residence on section 28, Union Township. his home. He came with his brother John C., who is his nearest neighbor west, in 1875, when each bought a tract of land, and the following years settled here with their families. Mr. Fouser has brought his land from a tract of raw prairie to a well-culti- vated farm containing 165 acres. His farm is one of the best in his part of Ringgold County and his residence and farm build- ings are noticeably good. He has planted | a large number of shade and fruit trees, and the entire surroundings show the care and thrift of the owner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fouser are members of the Evangelical church at Wirt. In his political views Mr. Fouser affiliates with the Republican party.
- CHIARLES W. R.APP, a farmer of Jef- ferson Township, living on section 11. was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. October 8. 1838. Ilis ¡ father, Enos Rapp, was a native of Baden. Germany, and came to the United States in 1832, settling in the State of Pennsyl- vania. He removed to Madison County with his family in iczo, and in that county our subject was reared on a 6. in, and edu- cated in the common schools, Charles W Rapp entered the employ of the Pan Handle Railroad Company, where he be- gan to learn telegraph construction. Ile hele various porition during the eight years he remained with that company. L. ing yard master when he had their complex. He located in Oakwood, los , in 1957. re- maining there till he enlisted in the line wir in Compoos 11, Third Jova Infantry.
WILLIAM D. FOUSER, son of Ja- cob and Sarah Fouser, was born in Summit County, Ohio, April 11, 1845, where he spent his childhood. Ju his tenth year he was taken by his parents to Will County, Illinois, who lived in that county till their death. William D. was reared to agricultural pursuits ap. I has al- ways followed that avocation. He gres to manhood in Will County and was there married Jime 8, 1200, to Miss Ma & M. Fu- gle, who was born in Naperville. Iligais, a daughter of John and Isabell Fogle. In He participated in a number of engage
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HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
ments, and after serving his country about a year he was discharged. in 1862, on ac. count of disability, and now draws a pen- sion of $o a month. After his discharge he returned to Ohio, and was there married April 19, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Robin- son, a daughter of the late A. P. Robin- son. Of the five children born to this union four are living-Almeda, Edgar, Flora and Arthur. Mrs. Rapp died Sep- tember 2, 188o. Mr. Rapp went to Seward County, Nebraska, in 1874, and in 1876 came to Ringgold County, lowa, when he settled on the farm where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has met with success in his farming pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm containing 200 acres. Ile is a mem- ber of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows ! orders, having been a member of Coving- ton Lodge, No. 168, A. F. & A. M., and Piqua Lodge, No. S, I. O. O. F., both in Ohio.
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he was wounded in the left arm, thus dis- abling him from active duty for five months. In the campaign against Atlanta May 9, 1864, he was wounded in the right leg at the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, a severe and dangerous wound which laid him up for one year. He rejoined his regiment ai Nashville, just before it was mustered out, and for his services to his country he now receives a pension. In 1867 he went to Colorado, remaining there, with the exception of one year spent far- ther West, till the fall of 1872, when he re- turned to Illinois, and four months later, in February, 1873. he came to Decatur Coun- ty, where his brothers, Frederick, James, Thomas, Albert and Eugene were living. lle was married in Decatur County No- vember 22, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Hollen, who was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, November 22, 1856, a daughter of J. N. Hollen, who died in Favette Township, Decatur County, in February, 1880. Her mother, Mrs. Nancy A. Hollen, still re- sides on her homestead in that township. Mr. and Mrs. Teale have four children -- Fannie A., born June 2, 1878; Maggie E .. born November 15, 1879; George W .. born September 17, 1881, and Albert J., born November 16, 1883. Mrs. Teale is a mem-
BORGE H. TEALE, an enterprising farmer of Riley Township, Ringgold County, residing on section 24, was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, February 19, 1846. When he was an in- fant his parents, Frederick and Diana C. , ber of the United Brethren church. Mr. Teale, removed to Cuyahoga County, Teale was a member of the same church Ohio, and in 1355 settled in Jo Daviess seven years, but at present is connected ' with the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Teale is a Republi- can. County, Illinois, and there our subject grew to manboo.l. He has cared for him- self from the age of fourteen years, thus. carly in life, karning les ous of industry and self-reliance which have been of iene- fit to him in later years. August o, 12, although but sixteen years of age, Mr. Teale volunteered in defense of the Na- tion's honor, enlisting in Company E. Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry. Mis regi- ment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and the Erst battle in which
M. MERRYMAN. farmer and ve- crinary surgem, residing on section -2 20, Grant Township, is a native of Illinois, born January 1. 1837. a son 0: William and Nevar. Merryman, why were natives of the State of Ohio. . 1. M. Merryman, our subject, was early in he participated was at Chickamauga where life inured to hard work. beginning to
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
work by the month on a sanwent the ate of seven years which he comumned for seven years, after which he was engaged in breaking prairie for seven years. He was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. West. a daughter of Isaac thiol Mary West. natives of Ohio, and to this union have been born five children- Hla, the eldest child, died aged sixteen years: George A., Finora J., Clara. B .. Elmer. Mr. Merryman was a soldier in the war of the Rebell- ion, enlisting in Company L. Eighth Mis- souri Infantry. Sharp-Shooters, in which he served three years. He took part in the battle of Fort Donelson. Bulls Run, At- lanta. Chattanooga. Knoxville, Lookout Mountain and several other engagements of less importance, and received an honor- able discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, March 1, 1864. He now belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, being a comrade of the post at Clearfield, lowa. Mr. Merryman came to lowa in 1870 when he located in Wayne County, remaining there till 1877, since which he has resided on his present farm in Grant Township. Ile has been prosperous in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of 320 acres of fine land. 160 acres being located on section 27. and the rest on section 29, where he resides. He is an industrious and enterprising citizen, and is much re- scared throughout the community where he makes his home.
CHARLES C. BOSWORTH was han i:
locating at West Point, Lee County, where the father engaged in the boot and show. trade, remaining till 1853. In that year the parents removed to Washington County, Iowa, where they still make their home, and December 4. 1885, they cele- brated their golden wedding. Charles C. Bosworth received his primary education in the district schools of Lee County, and later attended the academy at Denmark in the same county. He subsequently entered the college at Oberlin, Ohio, where he pur sucd his studies for eighteen months, and was a member of the freshman class when the war of the Rebellion commenced. He then left college to enter the service of his country, enlisting in Company C, Seventh Ohio Infantry. After being in the service about six months he was promoted to Reg- ular Hospital Steward in the regular army, which position he filled till Novem- ber, 1865, when he received an honorabike. discharge. He then returned to Ohio and engaged in the mercantile business at Cleveland. From Cleveland he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was engaged in manufacturing vinegar. In 18CS he locate ! in Washington County. lowa, remaining there one year, and in February, IST , I came to Ringgold County, settling in Th.g. ley Township.on the north hall of section !!. which he still owns, where he followed farming, and for several years ran a duiry and manufactured choce, remaini . on his form till 1882. How martin Sa- tember, 1871, to Miss Saran Presten. . daughter of Burger! Preston, and old tler of Ripago! I Commis. Thisstore children kia C. D. Claude and Chas En, all born on the farm in Tinsley Te. ship. Mr. Bosworth cemed hi tapmn. of which he is still the corner, and in the moved to the town of Tingly. why . bugun dealing in lumber and coal. . mi still engaged in the car trade. He ale
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in De- . comber, thu, the thir I son of Daniel L. ami Lydia Caso Bosworth, the father born in Onile County. New York. and the mother a native of Connecticut. Of six children born to them thave only are living at the present tim . In the spring of iste the langley came to load, owns a hal interest in, drug stake
HISTORY G. RAVNMOLN COUNTY.
building Ile hasserved his township for trustee, and has toon school tredst v . sixteen years. He was elected and ref- resented Ringgold County in the lowa State Legislature in the eighteenth and nineteenth sessions, in which he provedl himself worthy of the support of his con- stituents.
V. DAVIS, farmer, section 20, Athens Township, was born in , is a member of Ellis C. Miller Post. No. 96. Clinton County, Ohio. July 19 1835. son of John and Sarah (Scott) Davis. who had a family of seven children -- John L., Vincent 11., Elihu, Frederick, John, Nelson, and Martin V .. the subject of this notice. When fifteen years of age he re- moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he resided until he reached maturity. His youth was spent in assisting on the farm, and in getting his education in the com- mon schools. He was married December 4. 1861, to Miss Sarah J. Arnistrong, born in Sandusky County, Ohio, December 3. 1843, daughter of William and Leah (Shoop) Armstrong, natives of Pennsylva- nia, who had a family of nine children --- Mary Ann. Henry E., Elizabeth, Susan, William, John, Frances, Sarah J., and George W. During the late war Mr. Davis enlisted, August 12, 1862, in Company C. Seventy-second Indiana Infantry. He was in the battle of Chickamauga, Atlanta can- paign with General Wilson's cavaby raid ; was on provost gua d'at Macon, Georg a. at the time Job Davis was captured. He was honorday distan ced at het mapolis. July 6. ho65, bal retornei boone. In ise, he removed to Jsou County, Iowa, where he resided amil repr. when he came to Athens Township, an I purch . bien Jeres of wild land, which is his pr your Home. He has since wol ledigo his or ginal por- chase until he has a firm of 42 sovs ina Karts Oly ; Andrew Ryan werd Je. en Townslige; Lillie, wife of Biza Rufst spor state of calisation the hut a good
Fory-andallede residence surrounded with shade and . neboghlal tre . . derchan ! o. one and a half acres, and a grove of about two acres. Everything about the farm shows the thrift of its owner. It is divided into ton fields besides feed lets. He is an- graged in stock-raising, feeding; and dealing in stock. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have five children -- Orville V., George N., John William, Charles E., and Daisy Snow flake. Politically J. Davis is a Republican. He G. A. R., Mount Avr. He was a bound boy, and consequently commenced life without any means except strong and willing hands. By industry. economy and good management he has acquired a good property, and is classed among the leading men of the county. Postoffice, Kellerton. Ringgold County, Iowa.
55, EV. WILLIAM BROWN, the pioneer minister of Eugene, Je ferson Town- - ship, was born in Monmouth, War- ren County, Illinois, the date of his birth being December 2, 1836. His father, Prof. John Brown, was a native of Scotland, coming to America at the age of sixteen years. He acquired a fine education by his own exertions and be carpe a successful teacher, following the teacher's profes ion till his death. Our subject was reared 1: bis native town, and i divad good educ. tional advantages. He ar Suated From Monmouth College in meg, and in 1 traduced nom the Theoptical ( Veze then at Monmoth, but site recovery th Xenia. Ohio. He was war.bod August .2. 1258, to Miss Sarah Rakst for daughter of Andrew Rat ton, 5ml of the six chihiba
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WPFRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Hanauctor on the St. Louis a San Fin- colored man giver twenty-one years of cien Ratherel Entren Ner. ha and age who did not know the alphabet. He had been a slave be me the war. Mr. Ste- Venson wis morris I to Sarah E. Dunlap, September 14, 1876. she being a daughter of John Danlap, of Mt. AAyr. Three chil- dron have been born to this union-Mar- garet R., John D. and Osie M. Mr. Stevenson has 36 acres of well-cultivated land where he resides and is engaged in farining and stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of breeding thorough-tred Chester white hogs. He was county supervisor for three years-1881, 1832 and 1883, and at the close of his term of office the follow- ing resolution was passed: Wichita: Carrie a prominent feather of Ringgold County, and Winnie 1 ]. Mr. Brown remove l with his tam been Mount Avr. Ringgold County, in pie, and built the United Presbyterian church at that place, of which he was pastor for six years, and while livin; there he starte La mission at Eugene, which grew rapi l's. and in 1875 he was called to take charge of the church at this place, where he has since made his home. He takes a great interest in missionary work. and has organized a society at Platte Valley, nine miles west of . Eugene, an l at present has charge of the churches in Tingley Township. besides his church in Eugene. He is widely known RESOLUTION. throughout his part of the county, and WHEREAS, The term of office of Thomas A. Stevenson as a member of the Board of Supervisors, of Ringgokl County, lowa has expired, therefore be it few men possess the confidence and re- spect of the public to'a greater extent than he. He gives liberally of both time and means to help the cause of his Master, and is always active in the promotion of every social and moral reform.
Resolved, That the county loses the ser- vices of a valuable and efficient officer of excellent business qualifications, and of un- doubted integrity.
On motion the resolution was adopted.
Ile has been postmaster at Rugere four years and is at present filing the office. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for the past two years, and has been secretary of the School Beard four years, and is still holding these positions. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are members of the United Presbyterian church.
THOMAS A. STEVENSON, one of the successful agriculturists of Jeffer- son Township, living on section 13. an lan active and enterprising citizen, was bom 'a Franklin County, Ohio, March 27, 1851. 3 em d' John Stevenson. a native of Guernsey County. Ohio. The father bring . his family to Ringgold County, leser at 3 is still a resident of Jefferson Thorsten. Thomas s .l., the subject of this sketel., was reared to agricultorel pur- .L. WITT CLINTON KINSELL, of the matter Business nach of MR. Avr, is a motive of Hagetti Maryland, Bear Ativen. men. His par- cata. Enoch B. col Bem & billing Kip Sel, were ado ptive of Maryland. il Father both in The city of Brajones. . m sais receiving a fair common-school clu- c. son. He began His career as a teacher não winter of 1 32 70, in Buone. Ring- gol . Com's. fat boy shanty. part of which ww and ivea granny, this being the fire sch fought at Farene. In the school Bin Ichinter - Hours, one of who was the mother in Hope that They all
HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
their native State when our subject was quite young, and settled at Mat soold, Rich- land County, Ohio, where the lather fol- lowed mercantile pursuits for several vears, removing thence to Knox County, Ohio, where they made their home till death. The father died while on a visit to his son, our subject, who was then living in Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. The mother survived her husband several years, dying in Ohio. De Witt C. Kinsell passed his youth in Richland and Knox counties, Ohio, receiving his education principally in the subscription schoo! at Mansfield, at- tending school for a short time in Knos County, also. At the age of sixteen he be- gau learning the tinner's trade. On reach- ing the age of twenty-two years he en- gaged in the hardware business on his own account, in Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio, which he continued until 1854. IIe then removed to Marion County, lowa, lo- cating in the village of Red Rock on the Des Moines River, where he ran a hard- ware store for several years, when he sold ont his business and built a saw-mill near the town of Galesburg, Iowa, which he operated for several years, and in June, IS6o, came to Ringgold County, Jowa. On his arrival in Mt. Avr he engaged in the hardware business, this being the pioneer hardware store in this place. Some two years later, 1862, he formed a partnership with J. W. and 3. Z. Huggins and engaged in the dry-goods business. The same fall Mr. A. Z. Huggins retired from the firm, when A. G. Huggins became a partner, the firm doing business under the cure of Huggins, kansell & Co. until about the year 1872, when Mr. Kinsell sold out his interest and retired from the fire. In 18;3 M1. Kinsell formed a partnership with J. T. Marill, and organized what was known as the Ringgoll County Bank, and to gether carried on a general banking It's ness until they sold their bank to Walter
Dunning. Mr. Kinsel! then opened a dry. goods house on the west side of the public square. where he has since carried on the mercantile business, and by his fair and honest dealings and strict attention to his many customers he has built up a large trade. He is the owner of a good farm of eighty acres near Mt. Ayr which is all seeded to grass, his farm being well stocked. Mr. Kinsell was united in mar- riage in the year 1848, to Miss Sarah Slack, of Morrow County, Ohio, and to this union have been born nine children -- three sons and six daughters. Mr. Kinsell held the office of postmaster for five years dur- ing Lincoln's and Johnson's administrations. Ile has served as a member of the council for one year.
FRAPTAIN JAMES S. WILLIAMS, one of the enterprising farmers of { Tingley Township, is a motive of Pennsylvania, born in Center County, July 6, 1835, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Smith) Williams, natives of Pennsylvania, his father of Welsh and his mother of Irish descent. In his early childhood his par- ents moved to Venango County, Pennsyl- vania, where he lived until manhood. His grandfather, seven uncles and his father were millwrights, and in his youth he learned the same trade. In 1857 he went to Southern Arkansas, and was thereat the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. Retuning North he entered the Union arily and was assigned to Company G. Sixty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, and served three years. At the battle of Chan- color ville he was shot through the body. the ball entering the right side an's jou sin! og de la, pasi dow the ribs. This dis. abled hita nearly a year. After his return to his repitan Lo erved as Hira Listen-
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BIOGRAPHIE AL SKETCHES.
m was shot in the head, receiving a scalp sound, and was captured by the rebels. : at after a week's confinement escaped and made his way to the Union lines. At the charge in front of Petersburg he was shot through the thigh and was in the hos- pital until his discharge, in August, 1804. and in the meantime was promoted to the tank of Captain. After his discharge he returned to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he was married the same year to Miss Larie A. Hart. In 1866 he moved to Dix- on. Illinois, where he engaged in farming on a small scale, with hired help four years. In the spring of 1873 he moved to Ring- gold County, lowa, and located on section 28, Tingley Township, where he now owns ! eighty acres of choice land. Mr. Williams is one of the prominent citizens of the township, and has served as clerk six years. lle and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have a family of seven children -- three sons and four daughters.
cated on the farm where he has since made his home. He has on his land a fine orchard filled with many varieties of fruit trees, a well-cultivated farm. and good farm build- ings. Mr. Canney was married April 1. 1860, to Mary Cabert. They have had five children -- Rose, Tansie. Daniel, Thomas and William. Rose and Thomas are deceased. In politics Mr. Canney casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. Mr. Canney has met with excellent suc- cess in his agricultural pursuits, and by his persevering energy andgood business management has accumulated a large property, amounting to 750 acres, all of which he has gained by fairand honor- able dealings, and what is ofgreater value. he has won the respect and confidence of all who know him.
77 T. KINSELL, one of Mt. Ayr's suc. cessful business men, and the lead- " ing hardware merchant of the place. was born in August, 1850, in Monroc County, Ohio. When he was ten years of FTTHOMAS CANNES, one of the , age his parents, D. C. and Sarah (Slack prominent and prosperous agricult- urists of Ringgold County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 33; Giant Township, is a native of Ireland, Kinsell, removed from Ohio to Ringgold County, where his father has since fol- lowed mercantile pursuits, being the oldest merchant in Mr. Avr. Z. T. Kinsell. our For November 16, 1826, a son of Michael . subject, grew to manhood in Mt. Avr. re- and Mary Canney, who were natives of the same country. Thomas Cannes was reared a farmer in Ireland till eighteen years of are, when he decided to try his fortune. in America. Accordingly, in April, 1914, be sailed froma Liverpool, Engkol and landed at New York City, the ist of May. 1Je In I went to l'eausylvania, where be worked on a farm : [ on . smamer, . in the followme lahe went to Olio, remaining in that Suite were wolf. He then sport ave Tears in the State of Mind and in 1533 Kan. 10 Ringgold County, Then be te. ceiving a good common-school education in the schools of that city. He entered his father's store when quite young, and carly in life becane well versed in the mere atile business. He began lemming the tillier's tred when Thyen years old. when he was employed by the ture of Pariel. & Weller. @ B. d.ord lowa. Vier age of seventeen gyes ha engaged in the hardware bush con his own account. and in 18; established his present besine sal thing puestoning to the badware Sent.
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HISTORY OF MINGGOLD COUNTY.
In connection with his hardware business Mr. Kingell carries on farming. bei gabe owner of a fine farm south of Mt. Air, where he is engaged in stock-raising. He was the first to introduce thorough bred Jersey cattle into Ringgold County, for which he deserves much credit. Hele his farm stocked with short-horn and Her- ford-grades of cattle, and his Jersey cattle are registered in the National Herl Pool. His farm contains 240 acres of choice land and possesses all the natural advantages of a fine grazing farm. For his wife Mr. Kinsell married Miss Elizabeth Wilson. daughter of P. W. Wilson, one of the old- est business men of Mt. Ayr. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsell are the parents of two sons, named Harry and Clive.
{TOWETT BASTON, an active and en- terprising citizen, and an early settler of Ringgold County, is a native of England, born in Yorkshire, September y. 1831, a son of Thomas and Mary Baston. both of whom died in England. Our sub. ject learned the trade of a cabinet-maker and wood turner in his youth, and from his father, who was a mechanical genius, he in- herited much of his talent in the same di- reetion. He left his native country for America in 1854, and for a few years fol- lowed his trade in several cities in Canada. fle was married at Cayuga, Ontario, it 1856, to Miss Sophia Oliver, and to them have been born eight children-Charles. Adelaide, Handlet, Victoria, Deborah. Jowett, All e and Louisa. In iss'h . care to lowa, and after remaining a short time in Burlington, Mount Pleasant and Fair. held he came in 159 to Ringgold ( naiv. when i settled in Benton Cowasap ari improved a farm on which he live Fior s.v cal years. In the early vous of Rigol! County, when money was aree le cogegolf
in the man active of furniture, taking al of his own and supplying the early settlers. He est dalshed his shop at the village of Marshalltown, where he set up a turning lathe, and travelel through the country with a wagon, disposing of his goods, tak- ing in exchange food or clothing as well as stock. In 1868 he moved to Mt. Ayr, and engaged quite extensively in the manufact- ure of furniture, and there built a business house and residence. He located on his present fri, on section 2, Rice Township, where he has a fine farm of 200 acres which he has improved from a state of nature. He has a fine, substantial rosi- dence in which all the carpenter and mason work was done by himself. Few men have done more toward buil ling up and improv- ing Ringgold County than Mr. Baston, where he is classed among the prosperous and respected citizens. During his resi- dence in Ringgol I County he has built ten houses and improved five farms, one of which, containing 120 acres and located in Poc Township. he still owns. He also owns near his home farm, a tract of eighty acres, and has some lots in the city of Mt. Ayr.
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