USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 15
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 15
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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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
dnty principally until January, 1864. He was then detailed to hospital duty in the same capacity as before at the hospital in Smyrna, Tennessee. In February, 1864, he was sent to the Brigade Hospital. at Chatta- nooga, Tennessee, remaining there till May 10, when he was sent on the Atlanta cam- paign with the hospital department, and was with Sherman to the sea. lle then went with Sherman to Columbus and Raleigh, where he left the hospital department and took charge of the sick and wounded en route to New York, serving in this capacity until his discharge. He left Knox County, Illinois, April 7, 1873. when he came to Union County, Iowa, by team, reaching here April 22. He settled on his present farm in October of the same year, where he owns forty acres of choice land, and within the last ten years has planted every tree, including both forest and fruit trees, on his place. Mr. Maxwell has served one term as county surveyor. Ile is a mem- ber of the Farmers' Alliance.
I. NANCE, physician and surgeon at Creston, was born in LaFayette, Stark County, Illinois, March 21, 1854. His father, Dr. IIiram Nance, was a native of Indiana. In 1860 the family removed from Stark County to Kewanee, Illinois, where the father continued the practice of his pro- fession until his decease, which ocenrred April 6, 1886. Ile was a prominent and well-known physician. Dr. II. I. Nance was educated at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. He read medicine with his father and graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1876. coming to Creston the same year. The par- ents of Dr. Nance had twelve children; three died in infancy, and seven sons and two daughters are still living. The oldest son, Albinus Nance, was Governor of Nebraska from 1878 to 18S2. The doctor is the only one of the family residing in Iowa. IIe has
a large practice and is a popular and success- ful physician. He is a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association and of the Society of Physicians and Surgeons, of Southwestern Iowa. He is independent, both in political and religions sentiments, though he generally votes the Republican National ticket. IIe married Miss Sarah C. Mann, daughter of Joseph Mann. of Montgomery County, Iowa, May 1, 1884, and they have one son -- Willis, born June 3, 1886.
AMES H. CRAWFORD was elected recorder of Union County in 18:0, and has been twice re-elected to that position now serving his second year of his third term. His continuance so long in this office is a sufficient indorsement by the people of his faithfulness and efficiency. IIe is a na- tive of the Empire State, born near Geneva, Ontario County, in 1837. Ilis parents, James A. and Clarissa (Malony) Crawford, also natives of New York, the former of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His paternal grand- father was a soldier in the war of the Revo- Intion, and his father in the war of 1812. Mr. Crawford lost his mother by death at the early age of twelve years. When seven- teen years of age he went to Danville, Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1856 he went to Champaign County. June 2, 1862, he culisted in Com- pany K, Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry, in the three-months service, but served four months. Ile was engaged with his regiment in guarling the prisoners confined in Chi- cago who were captured at Fort Henry. and Fort Donelson. From the time of the ex- piration of his term of service until coming to Union County he was engaged in various pursuits-teaching, carpentering and farm- ing. He came to Union County in 1872, locating at Creston, and for five years was employed in the car shops of the Chicago,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Ile was then engaged as contractor and builder un- til elected to his present position. Politically ' in the meantime pursuing the study of law. he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Owen Lovejoy for Congress. in IS58. Mrs. Crawford was formerly Miss Rachel W. Crawford, though not a relative. She was a native of Kentucky. Her parents were John and Mary (Sniter) Crawford. The mother is deceased and the father resides with his son-in-law at Afton. Mr. and Mrs. Craw- ford have had six children, viz : Angustus H., John A., Florence M., Nora A. and Bes- sie. Dora died in infancy. In the fall of 1844 Mr. Crawford's father removed from the State of New York to Danville, Illinois. where he died in 1855. He and his wife had twelve children, seven daughters and five sons. The daughters were all older than any of the sons. James was the youngest member of the family. Only three are now living-Mrs. Eliza Ward, resides in Peoria, Illinois; Joseph, whose residence is unknown, and James Hf., the subject of this sketch.
012
ne
UDGE GEORGE P. WILSON. the first and present Judge of the Superior Court
) ?? of Creston, came to Union County, Oeto- ber 16, 1868, locating at Afton. where he en- gaged in the practice of his profession. In 1872 he came to Creston, where he has since resided. Judge Wilson is a native of Nor- folk County, Massachusetts, born September 3, 1841. His father, Enoch Wilson, died AVID A. PORTER, attorney, has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Creston since 1879. For one year he was the law partner of Judge George P. Wil- son, and since that time has been alone in his practice. Mr. Porter was born in Warren County, Illinois, in 1854. He was edneated at Momouth College, and in 1877, imme- diately after completing his college course, when his son was seventeen years of age. At the early age of sixteen he commenced life for himself and his success has been due en- tirely to his own efforts. In 1860 he went to New York City, where his elder brother was engaged in dentistry. There he remained three years, working for his brother during the day and attending Cooper Institute in the evening. In 1863 he entered the Eastman ; came to Winterset, Madison County, and Cu- Commercial College, at Poughkeepsie, New ) tered the law office of Ruby & Wilkins as a
York, where he graduated, and then contin- nel in the college as teacher of mathematics,
He then entered the law office of his brother, C. C. Wilson. of Kewanee, Illinois, where he proseentel his studies for some time. He was admitted to the bar in Illinois in 1865, and in 1566 he was admitted to the Iowa bar at Burlington, Judge Francis Springer pre- siding. Judge Wilson has had considerable experience as a journalist. In the summer of 1868 he was the proprietor and editor of the Henry County Dial, Illinois, and at Afton, in 1870, he was interested in the pub- lication of the Afton News. After coming to Creston he established the Creston Dem- ocr ot, which he published for several years. He was elected Judge of the Superior Court in the spring of 1876. Politically, Judge Wilson affiliates with the Republican party. He was married in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1863, to Miss Mary Potter, a niece of Bishop Potter, of New York. His wife died in 1865 at Kewanee, Illinois. In 1866 he married Miss Elizabeth Doyle, of Woodhull, Illinois, and they have three children- Fred, born in 1869; John L., born in 1871, and George E., born in 1879. Judge Wilson is an active, earnest Mason, and at the present time is deputy grand master of the State of Iowa, and is generally loved and respected by his fraternity and by his associates.
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
student. Ile was a lmittel to the bar at Afton i in September, 1979, Judge Gregory presiding. He then returned to Winterset, and was for a time employed on a salary in the law office where he had been a student. Mrs. Porter was formerly Miss Mary Murphy, daughter of John Murphy, of Creston. Politically, he is a Republican.
ILLIAM C. McDONALD. proprietor of the Cromwell Mills, at Cromwell, is one of the self-made men of Union County, having commenced life entirely with- out means, and. by diligence and persevering energy, become one of the prosperous citi- zens of Cromwell. Ile was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1857, a son of Dr. John G. MeDonald, a native of Ohio. His father has practiced medicine over fifty years, and is now living in Albia, Monroe County, Iowa. Our subject received but limited educational advantages, beginning life for himself at the early age of nine years. He came with his parents to Jowa in 1865, they locating in Albia, where he lived till 1883. He learned the miller's trade with Edwards Brothers, remaining in their em- ploy for nine years, and has followed milling since seventeen years of age. He was united in marriage May 17, 1881, to Emma E. Mc- Fadden, a daughter of the late James Me- Fadden. They are the parents of two children-George W. and Floy May. Both Mr. and Mrs. MeDonald are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order. The Cromwell Mills, which are now owned and operated by Mr. MeDonald, were erected in 1873, by a Mr. Rankin, who soon after sold it to J. C. Williams & Co., the elevator department being added by them in 1878. Mr. McDonald (purchased the mill from this firm, and has since operated it successfully. The mill building is 30x40 feet
in size and has two and a halt' stories above the basement and an addition 26x40 feet, twenty- seven feet high. The mill is supplied with the Galesburg, Illinois, boiler, and has five run of burrs, including one Reprople set patented by Sinker, Davis & Co., of Indianapolis, this burr being used for grinding middlings. The engine is forty-horse power, and the mill turns out both custom and merchant work. The mill has a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour daily, which is of the best quality, be- ing as white and clear as any roller process, and of better grade.
A. PAGE .- Prominent among those
V/V who have, by their energy and pub- way some spirit, contributed so largely to the building up of the city of Creston stands the name Af Mr. Page, the subject of this sketch. 'He came here from Boone County in the fall of 1875, with a view of locating here should conditions be favorable. Decid- ing in the affirmative he returned to Boone, and the following spring established his pres- ent business here, which is the hide and rendering business. He commenced in a small way, but it has grown to be one of the most important enterprises of Creston. An additional branch of industry was added in 1-86, which consisted in the erection of a soap factory by the firm of Page, Derr & Co. This factory has a capacity of 40,000 pounds per week and employs from fifteen to twenty hands, Mr. Page has been identified with several other enterprises. He assisted in or- ganizing the Creston Savings Bank and was made its first president, a position he still holds. Ile is now sole proprietor of the Creston fair-grounds, which he purchased in 1881. The citizens of Creston are much in- debted to Mr. Page for improving and bean- tifying these grounds. A full account of his connections with them will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Page is a native of Susque-
3.9.4
W. a. Page
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
hanna County, Virginia, where he was born July 23, 1850. His father, Amasa A. Page, was a native of the same county, and his moth- er, Mary (Miller) Page, was a native of Massa- clinsetts. She died March 19, 1870. Three sons and one daughter were born to these par- ents. The father remarried, and had two children by the second marriage. Mr. Page left home in 1871, just as he had attained his majority, and began life for himself. In 1876 he settled permanently in Creston. Mrs. Page was formerly Miss Annie Robbins, daughter of C. E. Robbins, of Creston. They have two sons- Ralph and Bayard.
HELBY WILLIS, farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 21, Pleasant Township, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, February 29, 1852, his parents being Toliver M. and Sarah J. (Porter) Willis, natives also of that State. His mother died when he was Unt three years of age, and at the age of four he was taken to Marion County, Indiana, where he lived till he arrived at the age of twelve; from that time until he was seventeen he lived again in his native connty, next in Fountain County, Indiana, then Marion County, Iowa, then Jefferson, and finally, in 1861, he settled in Union County. Having but little property with which to start ont in the world, he has suc- cessfully applied his energies until he has made for himself a comfortable home. Feb- ruary 25, 1564, he enlisted in Company L, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served till the close of the war, participating in the battles of Schna, Alabama; Columbus, Georgia, and Eb- enczer Church, Alabama, etc. At home he has served as township trustee, road supervisor, school director, etc. He is a member of the Baptist church, and also of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Willis was married March 22, 1855, to Sarah J. Bradley, a native of Illinois. Their cight children are named
Mary E., John A., Etba S., Lucy 1., Sarah E., James S., Ima F., and Hattie M. Mary E. married George W. Wilson, November 14, 1881, and their two children are-Lyman E., born October 31, 1883, and Laura G., December 13, 1885; John A. married Mary E. Mewhirter, December 25, 1852, and their daughter, Addie C., was born June 5, 1885; Etha S. married Alfred V. Waln, February 11, 1886.
- EE GREEN GALBREATHI, section 18, Dodge Township, was born in Heury County, Kentucky, January 23, 1836, a son of Samuel and Phoebe (Blankinship) Gal- breath, the father born in Henry County, Kentucky, in 1SOS, and the mother a native of West Virginia, born in 1812. They were married August 20, 1829, removed to South- ern Indiana in 1836 with their family, remain- ing there till 1854, when they settled in Des Moines County, Iowa, and in 1857 came to Union County, and settled near Afton. They are still living in Union County, residing on the farm which is occupied by our subject. They had a family of ten children bom to them, of whom seven are living. Lee G. Gal- breath, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the home farm in Indiana, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1858 he came to Union County, Iowa, and made his home near Afton. He was married Jan- uary 5, 1860, to Miss Sarah Mcharry, a daugh- ter of the late Samuel Meharry, who was among the early settlers of Highland Town- ship, Union County. Mrs. Galbreath was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 20, 1844, coming with her parents to Washington County, Iowa, in 1855, thence to Monroe County, in 1556, and in the spring of 1858 to Union County, where she still lives. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Galbreath only four are living-Samuel L., Charles G., Howard E. and Ross. Mr. Gal- breath and wife went to the Rocky Mountains
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTT.
in April, 1860, returning in October the ' who married Lonisa Bishop, and has four same year to Union County. In 1862 he , children, namely-Roy W., Harry A., Charles settled on his farin of forty acres on section Il. and Ilorace. Sixth, Sarah C., who mar- ried Charles Cooper, they have one child named Ethel G. Seventh, James M., and eighth, Cora D. 4, living there foarteen years, In 1876 he settled on his firm on setion 18, which contains 255 acres of well enltivated land, where he has since followed farming and stock-raising. Mr. Galbreath has held the office of township clerk for fifteen years, was secretary of the School Board about twenty years, and has servel as township assessor, besides tilling other local offices.
RTIIUR ALLISON, postoffice, Thayer, is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser on section 24 of Jones Township, where he owns 160 acres of well-cultivated land. He was born near Washington, in old Vir- ginia, in the year 1823, son of Benjamin and Mary (Bishop) Allison. The latter was born in Morgan County, Ohio, in which county, in the year 1848, Mr. Allison was married to Sarah Bolinger, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1825. Mr. Allison came to Union County in 1863, where he is now classed among the solid, influential citizens. He is very liberal and sympathetic, and of this ex- cellence of his nature some unappreciative men have taken undue advantage, causing him many losses. Mr. Allison has eight children, as follows: First, George W., who married Deborah Slutz, had two children- Dora and Nora M. Ilis wife died and he subsequently married Elizabeth Weeter, by whom he also had two children-Artie and Clyde. Second, Mary, now the wife of John Reed; their children are five in number, namely-Chester, Ettie 1., Sarah, Wallace and Maud. Third, Abram, who married ' County, on a tract of wild land, which he at Elizabeth Forgey, and has five children -- once went to work to improve and make a home. HIe now owns a fine farm of 640 ! acres, and also 300 aeres in Southern Mis- Zoja, Lillie, Wilber, Sarah E. and James. Fourth, Henry, who married Mary Moler, and their five children are-John, Ollie, | souri. He makes a specialty of stock-rais- Bertie, Dellia and Stella. Fifth, John A., ing, having a fine herd of short-horn cattle.
EORGE MILLER, section 25, Highland Township, was born in Addison County, Vermont , September 5, 1837, a son of Marshall Miller, a native of Williston, Ver- mont, who was a farmer and surveyor, and helped survey the Western Reserve, in Ohio. Our subject was reared on a farm and was given the advantages of the best schools of his neighborhood, attending the Williston Academy. He taught school two terms in Vermont, and in 1859 went to Texas County, Missouri, where he remained until 1861, when he was obliged to leave on ac- count of his Union sentiments. He returned to Vermont and enlisted soon after in the First Vermont Cavalry, Company L, and served three years. He participated in the battles at Hanover, Gettysburg, Boonsboro, Hagerstown, Fallen Waters, Culpeper Court House, Raccoon Ford, Brandy Station, Wil- derness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Appo- mattox and others of minor importance. He was a brave and gallant soldier, always at his post when duty called, and although he had many narrow cseapes, at one time having bis horse shot from under him, he was uninjured. After his discharge he returned to Vermont and engaged in farming for some time, and subsequently for five years was in the mer- cantile business in Williston. In the fall of 187S he came to lowa and located in Union
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
491
He was married Angust 25, 1869, to Hester Cik, a native of Williston, Vermont, daughter of Philo Clark. They have four children-William HI., George C .. Martha I. and Merwin B. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Presbyterian church at At- ton.
HARLES K. INGHAM has been a resi- dent of Afton since 1865. He was born in Warren County, New Jersey, March $, 1842. IIis father, Samuel D. Ingham, emi- grated to Huntington County, Indiana, with his family in 1849, where Charles K. was reared. April 24, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Ninth Indiana Infantry. for three months, in response to President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men. Ile served his term of enlistment in West Virginia. Scptember 21, 1861, he re-enlisted in Company G, Thirty. fourth Indiana Infantry, and September 23, 1864, he veteranized and served until Angust, 1865, serving altogether four years and two months. IIis first service in the Thirty-fourth was in Kentucky under General Nelson, and he participated in the battle of Mill Springs, where the Confederate General, Zollicoffer, was killed. Immediately after this battle he was put on detached service and made a gun- ner in a battery, and took part in the second day's battle at Shiloh. After this battle one gun of the battery was disabled and he returned to his regiment at New Madrid, Missouri. He participated in the capture of Fort Pillow, and the Thirty-fourth was the first to enter Memphis in the capture of that city; their flag being the first to float over the Government buildings there. Soon after this event his regiment was sent up White River to meet General Curtis, and operated between ILLIAM GROESBECK, residing on section 19, New Hope Township. is one of the most enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of Union County. where he has made his home since the spring that river and Vicksburg until that campaign was inangurated. He participated in the eu- gagements at Port Gibson and Champion Ilills, where his regiment lost heavily. After the siege of Vicksburg he returned with his , of 1854. Ile is a native of Ohio, born in
regiment to Jackson, Mississippi, thence to the Department of the Gulf. At the time of Banks' Red River campaign he was home on a veteran furlough. After the regiment had veteranized it was sent to the Rio Grande in Texas. Here they fought the last battle of the war, known as the battle of White's Ranch, near where the battle of Palo Alto was fought during the Mexican war. Previous to his service in Texas, Mr. Ingham had enjoyed excellent health. and had been con- stantly in the field from the time of his enlist- ment. But his health failed during the Rio Grande campaign, and he was discharged for disability in August, 1865, his regiment serv. ing some time longer. Ile was a gallant soldier and made an honorable record. Hehas never regained his former health and vigor. In 1864 his father removed to Union County, Iowa, and upon leaving the army he came directly here. Hle first engaged in farming for three or four years; but his health being still precarious, he went into the farm imple- ment business at Afton, and later in the insur- ance business, having been special agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company for several years. In business matters Mr. Ingham is accurate and reliable, and as an official, both competent and popular. He was married in 1870 to Emma Ballard, a daughter of S. R. Ballard, who came to this county in 1856. Mrs. Ingham is a native of Ohio. born in 1844. They have two children-Lona and Stephen M. February 28, 1883, Mr. Ingham was appointed postmaster and served credit- ably; but he has recently been removed, for political reasons only.
492
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Portage County, July 2, 1829. a son of Gar- rett L. Groesbeek, who died in this township in 1876. Our subject has lived in the State of lowa since 1838, his parents coming here in that year, when they settled in Lee County. Hle received the rudiments of an education, attending in his boyhood the rude log-cabin schools, with their puncheon floors, slab seats and stick and clay chimney. He grew to man- hood on the home farm, and early in life learned habits of industry and perseverance, which have been of much benefit to him through life, and have helped him to become one of the largest landholders in his town- ship, and one of the most respected citizens as well. Ile has made his home in New Hope Township, on the farm where he still resides, since coming to Union County, and is now the owner of 1,000 acres of choice land. In connection with his farming and stock-raising he has of late years been engaged in the manufacture of cheese in which he is meeting with success, his cheese being of a fine qual- ity, and sold at reasonable price. Mr. Groes- beck was united in marriage in the spring of 1855 to Miss Susan C. Fenner, a danghter of Joseph Fenner, deceased, and to this nion have been born ten children, of whom four are deceased. The names of those yet living are :- Mercy, Adam F., Walter II., Ruth, Frederick L. and William. Mr. Groesbeck is a member of the Dankard church, in which he is an elder. Since coming to Union Connty he has several times been elected to the office of county supervisor. He has also served several years as justice of the peace, and in both offices he has served with credit to himself and to the satis- faction of his constituents.
AMES SYP, an enterprising agricultur- ist of Sand Creek Township, residing on seetion 10, is a native of Ohio, born in Miami County January 2, 1830, and there he was reared on his father's farm till twenty years old. He then came with his parents to
IIenry County, Iowa, and soon after com- menced life on his own account, beginning on about six acres of land given him by his father. Ile was married, April 6, 1854, to Miss Ross, danghter of John and Mary (Perda) Ross, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, the father being a farmer by occupation. Her parents subsequently went to California, where both died. This union has been blessed with five children. Laurena, born June 19, 1855, is the wife of P. Owens; Logan P. was born July 7, 1857; Mary E., was born September 13, 1859; Nettie A., born August 30, 1863, and Vilna R. was born October 8, 1868. Mr. Syp remained in Henry County seven years, and in 1857 came to Union County, and settled southeast of Afton, living there a short time, when he removed to his present farm, where he has since followed farming and stock-rais- ing. Ilis home farm contains 280 acres of choice land. In his religious views Mr. Syp believes in the doctrines of the Seventh-Day Adventists. In politics he affiliates with the Greenback party. The parents of our subject were both natives of Warren County, Ohio, the father born March 7, 1807, died April 31, 1884; the mother born March 27, 1812; died August 9, 1871.
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