USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 37
USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 37
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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
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HISTORY OF MAGGOLD COUNTY.
markets. His real estate now amounts to Ephraim II .. Mrs. Jur Cock and Mrs. Sugn Elvira Benedict. Epdedim II. Longacre : ft the home roof when nin teen years of age, and has since material prosperity year by year. He is a young man of good habits and fine business about 1,450 acres, his home farm cont .. i. ing 1,250 acres of finely-improved land. In his political views Mr. Walters is a Duna- crat. He is a member of Ivy Lodge. I. O. . boen acting for himself and adding to his O. F., at Grand River, Decatur County, lowa. Mrs. Walter's father died at the on a visit.
residence of our subject in 1880, while here " ability and is considered one of Riley Township's most substantial citizens. Hc owns 420 acres of valuable land, all but twenty acres being under cultivation. His homestead is one of the best in Ringgold County, and contains cighty acres of choice
TILLIAM LUCAS, one of the first settlers of U'nion Township, settled , land. Mr. Longacre was married April 3, (ger) on section 6, in August, 1855. He, 1876, to Miss A. S. Foster, who was born entered over 1,000 acres of land, giving to ; in 1856, a daughter of Andrew Foster. cach of his children 120 acres of prairie. They have six children-Merritt, Grace, Daniel W., Walter, Eveline and Ray. In politics Mr. Longacre affiliates with the Re- publican party. and twenty acres of timber land. He has been a hard-working man, and has assisted materially in the development of his town- ship. MIr. Lucas was born in Maryland, but when seven years of age was taken to Ohio, where he was reared. He married Margaret Carson, and to them were born eleven children, seven of whom came to Jowa with the parents, and one was born in Ringgold County. These are-Eliza- beth, Emeline, Sarah, Margaret (deceased). William L., Elreta, Oscar and Byron. Mr. Lucas died February 2, 1876, aged seventy- six years. Ilis widow survives him, and is still a resident of Ringgold County.
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H. BEESON. farmer, section 19. Clin- ton Township, was born in Mont- gomery County, Ohio, October 28, 1829. His parents were Jesse and Mary (Woodhouse ) Beeson, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. They reared three children-J. H., Mar- : garet and Lucinda. When J. H. was five years of age he had the misfortune to Use his father by death. During his early life he worked on a farm and attended. the common schools. He was married March 28. 1550, to Miss Eliza Ann Wertz, born in Darke County, Ohio, at. I scared in Miami County, daughter of John and Camarine mariage le remove! to Cas Cade. Intima, what are refined there was then remove ! to Tutto .. County w. h
EPHRAIM H. LONGACRE. section 1. Riley Township, was born in Mos- Groe County, Olio. Jak 11. 1951. 2 508 of Dank land Octavia Linacre. In 1. 4 his parents move lu losa ad Hocde Hon Bartmass. Westh. A short time as his section 3. Riks Township. Rincon County, on the for no : own dle y. Contr, and sette Ange Van Wort, y je
He camy bs bajo. ani sa on theroad
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
seven weeks, In 1800 he built a log cab sion, of Ring old County, lowa ; Sarah L., in on his land, 16 x 18 feet. la 1877 he built the house he now occupies. It is in modern style and well furnishol. He has a good barn, 24 × 32 feet, native groves, a good orchard, and is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, Mr. and Mrs. Beeson have six children -- William Perry, Sarah Emeline, Mary Adaline, Francis Marion, Joseph Asbury and Ora Alice. They have fifteen grandchildren. Mr. Beeson has served as township trustee and member of the School Board. Polit- ically he is a Republican. He started in life without means, but by industry, economy and good management he has acquired a good property. Postoffice, Mormontown.
FILLIAM A. CAMPBELL, one of 1 the enterprising farmers of Liberty Township, residing on section 22, is a native of Ireland, born near Colerain. March 16, 1830, a son of Alexander and Jane (Crow) Campbell, who were both na- tives of Scotland. Our subject remained in his native country till nineteen years of age, when he embarked on a sailing vessel at Liverpool, England, and after a stormy voyage of three weeks landed at New York. He proceeded at once to Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, where his parents re- sided, they having come to America some four years before. William .A. Campbell found employment in a chemical factory in that city, where he was engaged in the manufacture of acids for seven years. lle was married in 1850 to Miss Mary A. Sam- ple, a native of Ireknel, but at the time of her marriage living in Philadelphia. They are the parent , of eight children Ella Il .. wife of James Berville, 2 5% living in Texas : Hessie Ja married Robert N. Wil. son, now liv'na in Kansas : Alexander. miniagin Montha, pear Il larr; Fn's S., in Dakota ; Victorias, wife of A. B. Her-
a teacher, an i Joseph D. and Ollie, living at home. In August, 1856, Mr. Campteh removed with his family to Monroe Coun- ti, Indiana, where he bought a farm, and a steam flour and saw-mill, and there fol- lowed farming and milling until the fall of 1874, when he came to Ringgold County, lowa, locating on section 16, Liberty Township, where he remained till 1882. He then settled on his present farm of 160 acres, which he has converted from raw prairie land into a well cultivated farm. and has a neat and substantial residence, and good farm buildings. In connection with his general farming he is raising cattle and horses, the latter being of the Norman breed. Although Mr. Campbell has itet with heavy losses through life-he having had his fine residence and mill in Indiana destroyed by fire, by which he lost some $12,000, and at another time losing 83.000 by going security for a party-he has by his persevering energy and untiring indus- try accumulated a competency for his de- clining years, and by his strict and honor. able dealings has gained the confidence and good will of all who know him. M .. Campbel! has been elected to fill towpsin offices but has refused to qualify. Ile ami his family are members of the Uil Presbyterian church. of which he score ! as elder while living in Judica ...
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ANDREW J. HESS, proprietor d'8 Ohio Hous : Wirt. Forall is a mais of Knox County, Olio, Forn Segue Ver 4. 1832. a son of Jo ach and M .- (Black . Hess, motivos of Pogo : Ivani.a. II was the tout: on twelve cebren, toc.
County, Jo! was there stated in Ki
HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
Ohio, living there until the summer of 1865, Union Township . Julia, John, Lima Agnes when he removed to Ringgold! County, and Birt, living at home. Four died in in- lowa, and settled on section 16, Union fancy, and one son, Fran: Sigle, died at the Township. In 1884 he left the farm and age of sixteen years. Mr. Liles resided in removed to Wirt, and has since given his : Hardin County, Ohio, one year after his attention to the hotel and livery business. ' marriage, and in the fall of 1855 located in He has been successful in his business trans- Davis County. lowa, where he followed actions, and although a poor man when he ' farming and coal mining for several years. came to lowa, now has a competency for his declining years. He has held several offices of trust in the township. He was appointed postmaster at Union Hill under Johnson's administration and held the posi- tion seyen years. He has served as justice of the peace eight years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. In January, 1865, he visited Ringgold County, when he purchased 160 acres of John Paine, who had built a small cabin on the farin and opened twenty acres, and the same spring brought his family to their new home, where they have since resided. Mr. Liles made his first money in Ohio, in cutting hoop poles, stave bolts, etc. When he reached Davis County, he had but $240 in cash and a team. There he bought a farm of 120 acres for $1,000, making his payments principally with the money he earned at coal-mining, and by his industri- ous habits and strict economy he has ac- quired from small beginnings a good prop- erty and is now the owner of a good home; and by his honorable and industrious life he has gained the confidence and respect of the entire community. Mr. Liles has never allowed unfavorable weather to in- terrupt the usual farm operations, believ- ing that seed time and harvest are prom- ised, and he has never failed to merit and receive fair returns for labor. In politics Mr. Liles is a Republican. In his religions faith he believes in the doctrine of the United Brethren denomination. Mrs. Likes is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
EORGE LILES, a prosperous and en- terprising farmer of Union Township, living on section 3, was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 21, 1828, a son of Lemuel and Hannah Liles, the father a na- tive of Tennessee, and the mother born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. They moved with their family to Ohio in an early day, where both died, the mother in 1852, and the father in 1875, in his ninety- seventh year. They were the parents of fourteen children-ten sons and four daugh- ters, of whom our subject was the ninth child. Thirteen of the children grew to maturity, and at present seven are yet liv- ing. George Liles was reared on a farm and carly in life inured to toil. He grew to manhood in Logan County, Ohio, and was there married July 13, 18544, to Miss Hannah Cooper, a native of Hardin Coun- ty, Ohio, born December 4, 1835, a daugh- ter of William and Sarah Cooper. To Mr. and Mrs. Likes have been born thirteen children, of whom eight are living-Joseph G., at home; Aramintia, wife of Samuel D mavon of Union Township: Lemuel, at home; Ruth. wife of William Dick. on of
ILLIAM 11. BARNES, one of the enterprising and influenti. bitters V of Riley Totalin, reading on section 10, was born in Marion County. Ohio, January 1. 1844. a son of Bandain and Country Brandy. Bis. they Her born and pearl in Deleware, and the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHNS.
motta F a native of Vermont, but reared in ; ther of the town hip. aldi in whose holdon, New York State. The father died in Ma- at the suggestion of Mr. Barnes, the town- ship, when organized, was mined. Mi. Barnes has added to his original purchase. 160 acres, and has made it one of the best farms in his neighborhood, where he is still engaged in farming. Mr. Barnes was united in marriage, November 13. 1854. to Miss Maggie A. Sinco. born in Decatur County, lowa, November 2, 1854. a daughter of Henry and Jane Sinco, of whom her father is now deceased. Her mother now livesat Kellerton. They have one child -- Virgin, born October 16, 1885. In politics Mr. Barnes is identified with the Republican party. He has held the office of township clerk since the township was organized, with the exception of perhaps three years, and all the time has been secretary of the School Board. He has served three years as a member of the County Board of Su- pervisors, and has twice been elected as- sessOr. Hon County, Ohio, June 6,21842, aged fifty- four years. He left three children -Lydia, now living in Indianola, lowa, married George W. Longaker, who enlisted in the Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and died in the service of his country; Williar II., the subiect of this sketch, and Benjamin () .. who enlisted in Company C, Forty-eighth lowa Infantry, and died at Rock Island, Illinois. Our subject was reared in his na- tive county. His father dying when he was only eight years old, he was in early ! life thrown on his own resources, his youth being spent in toil. Receiving fair educa- tional advantages, he made the most of his opportunities, and became a well-informed man. In 1861 he came to Iowa, locating in Decatur County, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, remaining there till May 22, 1864, when he enlisted in Company C, Forty-eighth Iowa Infantry, and was with his regiment at Rock Island and Chicago, - TAT D. THRIFT, section 2, Gran! Township, was born in North Carolina, October 29, 1825, a son of David and Lydia Thrift. In 1845 he left his native State and went to Indiana, and from there came to lowa, and lived a year in Appanoose County. In 1952 he moved to Lucas Canty and warholat the blacksmith's trade three years. in Chariton. and in 1855 located on the farm where le now lives, in Ringgold County. Hisform contains too acres of valuable land. and his lilinois, guarding rebel prisoners. During the last year of the war Mr. Barnes was active in recruiting his company, and on its organization he was commissioned Scopo.d Lieutenant. He was honorably dis- charged, October 20, 1865, when he re- turi.cd to Decatur County. Iowa. Desiring to better educate himself, he entered Simp- son Centenary College, at Indianola, in 1x65. attending that institution four years. In IN's his mother and stepfather, Harvey Bonham, who had come West with him, movel to his farm in Riley Township, liv- jeg there some nine years. After leaving improvements are among the bet jule township. Mr. That was inpried in Iowa to Sarah Doll, Butine of Vicinialle .. cool! Le Mr. Barnes followed the teacher's pression, in which he was very success. 201 Mr. Barn - bought for actes of his present property the 10 55, although he did They have h. Este coment 1. J. it poate there t'il the year 1998. This jonge.ty is known by old settlers as the R. starm. I ving been at one time the litt ! in the way of the Row Ling. - que . is one of Rupert 11. Riley, the pioneer set assigned to Company G. Intern
HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
V
lowa Infantry, and served one year. He is a member of James Conway Post, No. 285. G. A. R. In politics he is a Repub- lican. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and is still living, and in the enjoy- ment of good health.
AMES BEARD was born in Brown County, Ohio, in Higginsport, on the banks of the Ohio River, December 20, 1844. the eldest son of Daniel and Cath- crine Beard, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father of our sub- ject moved with his parents from Pensyl- vania to Ohio in 1809, he being then six years of age, and in that State he grew to manhood and learned the cooper's trade. Ile was married to Catherine Richardson,. and to them were born seven children-two sons and five daughters. The family sub- sequently removed to Indiana, where the father died, in March, 1859. After his death, in 1865, the mother and her children came to Ringgold County, lowa. The mother is still living, and is now making her home in California. James Beard lived in his native county till about nine years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, where he was reared to manhood and educated in the common schools. He unlisted in the service of his country at the age of sixteen years, being a member of Company A, Forty-third I- cana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Island No. 1. New Madrid and Fort Pillow, and Iroti there went to Mem- plis. thence up White River, where he to , purt in Other engagements. He was wout. b L at the battle of He'na. receiv- in a theatre of the bote in his lap thigh. weak de ablet him for seven months. Ile animal his regiment the following Octo- Iv. al in March following was taken pri on rat Mak's Mills, when he was sent
to Tyler, Texas, where he was placed in the stockade, remain ; there till August 15, when he made his escape. He traveled northward through Texas and Arkansas, but was recaptured alter seventeen days' hard traveling, his principal food during this time being raw corn. He was taken back to Tyler, Texas, where he was kept prisoner until February, 1865, when he was exchanged. He then went to New Orleans, where he received a furlough for thirty days. He was mustered out with his regiment at Indianapolis, Indiana, in June, 1865, after serving four years. Ile then returned to Parke County, Indiana, where he remained until 1869. He was married in 1866 to Miss Aurelia J. Ogden, of Parke County, Indiana. He came to Ringgold County, lowa, in 1869, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Beard was elected sheriff of Ringgold County in the fall of 1883, and re-elected to the same office in the fall of ISS;, which po- sition he still holds to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Beard is a member of the Odd Fellows order, Ancient Order of United Workmen. and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are the parents of six children -- two sons and four daughters.
GEORGE R. STEPHENS, owner and editor of the Ring, el County Ra.r. was born in Paulding County, Ohio, December 21. 1853. Hle come with his parcat to lowa in 185%. . tolle in Linh County and moved from there a Way to Conanty. His father of 1 in 180,. havhs seen hand service at the Boat to . They Same" The cabinet of om sheten, Der. Fore, got an caply enhistoire with the son realities of life. He sheet about seven years working for Went to in his neighborhood at & die & comma
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