USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 16
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 16
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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
V. HOAKISON, farmer and stock- raiser, resides on section 1, Spaulding Township, where he owns 160 acres of good and well cultivated land. He was born in Sweden, in 1842, the son of Jonas and Carrie IIoakison, who emigrated from Sweden to America in 1849, settling in DesMoines County, lowa. Jonas Hoakison died Decem- ber 5, 1865, and his wife, Carrie Iloakison, April 6, 1871. The subject of this sketch lived for awhile in Jefferson County, Iowa, and in 1870 he located where he now resides. Ile has always been a farmer, and has been successful in his vocation. Commencing in life without a dollar, by the steady habits
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characteristic of his nationality, he has ac- quired a nice property. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He enlisted in the late war in 1861, Company O, Fourth lowa Volunteer Cavalry, and served three years, participating in the battle and siege of Vicks- burg, Jackson, Mississippi, Guntown, etc., where he was severely wounded. IIe is a patriot and a highly respected citizen. He was married in 1878, in Jefferson County, Iowa, to Miss Jemima, daughter of Elias and Catharine Rubey, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Iloaki- son are the parents of three children, named Nellie, Lillie and Alice.
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OBERT M. MCKNIGHT, an active farmer and stock-raiser, living on sec- tion 26, Lincoln Township, was born July 25, 1844, in Washington County, In- diana, a son of William MeKnight, who was a native of Kentucky, and an early settler of Indiana. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm in his native State, receiving in his youth the benefit of the district schools, where he obtained a common-school education. During the late war he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company B, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years. He participated in twenty hard-fought battles, ineluding Richmond, Kentucky, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, and was through the Vicksburg campaign, and on the Red River expedition. He was wounded at the battle of Arkansas Post, and to this day carries three small shot in his body which he re- ceived there. Ile was taken prisoner at Alexandria and was kept at Tyler, Texas, thirteen months, leaving that place in an al- most naked and starved condition. Mr. MeKnight came to Union County in 1866, when he settled in Lincoln Township, and in IS69 settled on his present farin, where he ; Sand Creek Township. In connection with
has 130 acres of choice land, and in connec- tion with his general farming he is devoting considerable attention to raising graded stock. Mi. MeKnight was united in marriage November 7, 1868. to Miss Rachel Dillow, a daughter of Frederick Dillow, who is de- ceased. To this union have been born five children, of whom three are living-Isadora, Inistelle, and Myrta M. Flora and Hugh are deceased. Mr. MeKnight has served his township as assessor for three years, and has also served as school dircetor and road super- visor for several years.
&S: IDWARD P. WRIGHT, residing on sec- tion 16, Sand Creek Township, is a native of Illinois, born in Fulton County January 24, 1834. When eight years old he moved with his parents to Stark County, Illinois, and there he was reared and educated in the common school. He was married in Toulon, Stark County, February 25, 1856, and to Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born eight children, six of whom are yet living -- Freeman P., born in November, 1856; Elva Maria, born in September, 1858; Samuel II., born in October, 1860; Julia ML., born on New- Year's Day, 1863; William A., born in May, 1868; Charles O., born on Christmas, 1869; Edward E., born in January, 1872, and Alva M., born in October, 1877. Mr. Wright was a soldier in the late war, being a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twelfth Ili- nois Infantry. Ile took part in twenty battles and was in ninety- seven skirmishes, receiving a slight wound at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. Ile is now a member of Henry Keating Post, No. 211, G. A. R., of Afton. Mr. Wright made his home in Stark and Henry counties, Illinois, nutil 1885, when he removed with his family to his present farm in Union County, lowa, where he has 320 acres of tillable land on scetions 16 and 21 of
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his general farming he has devoted consider- | the first land sales in lowa, after which he able attention to stock raising, and has on his farm a large mmuber of fine cattle and horses. Mr. Wright is already classed among the best farmers of Union County. He has always been a hard-working citizen, and his success in life is due to his industrions habits and good business management. In his political sentiment he is an ardent Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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SAAC BURD, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser on section 22, Jones Town- ship, is a son of Jacob and Sarah ( Lera) Burd, natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. It was in that State that Mr. Burd grew to manhood on a farm, learning the noble vocation which he has since so successfully followed. Ile com- menced in life a poor man; but by his energy and good management, assisted by his esti- mable wife, he has acquired a large property, now being the owner of 490 acres of land, in a state of high cultivation, and furnished with good residence and farm buildings. He was married in Pennsylvania to Margaret Reis- dorff, and they are now the parents of eight children, namely, James, Ellen, Jacob, John, Malinda, Carrie, Fannie and Lettie. In his political views Mr. Bard is a Democrat, and he has held all the offices of his township. Postoffice. Thayer.
ARRETT LEWIS GROESBECK, late of New Hope Township, was born at . Schaghticoke Point, New York, Febrn- ary 1, 1795, his father, Lewis Groesbeck, being born in llolland. G. L. Groesbeck was a millwright by trade, which he followed for many years in Ohio. Hle also helped to in- vent the McConnell Water Wheel. He came to Lee County, Iowa, in 1836, and attended
returned to the State of Ohio, and in 1838 settled in Lee County, Iowa, remaining there till he removed to Union County in the spring of 1854. He was married April 4, 1821, to Miss Merey Bosworth, who was born March 13, 1802, in Oneidla County, New York, daughter of Dan Bosworth, who went to Ohio to look at land as early as 1812. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Groesbeck, and, of this number, seven are living-Adelia, Henry, Maria, William, Amelia, Dan V. and Cordelia A. Mr. Groesbeck died January 11, 1876, his death causing universal regret throughout the township where he had made his home for so many years. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church over forty-six years, and was a well-known and highly respected citizen. Ilis widow is still living, aged over eighty-four years, and is making her home with her son, William Groesbeek, of New Hope Township. She is, like her husband, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
DWARD SCHIFFERLE, M. D., Cres. ton, Iowa, was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, August 29, 1857. His parents, Herman and Margaret Schifferle, are natives of Switzerland. Ilis father is engaged in the boot and shoe trade at Somonauk, DeKalb, County. Dr. Schifferle received his prelim- inary education in his native town, gradn- ating at the high school at Somonauk. Ju 1878 he entered the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, where he pursued the study of medicine one year. The institution was destroyed by fire, and he entered St. Francis College, at Milwaukee, where he pursned a classical course one year, then engaged in teaching in his native town one year. lle graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1884, after taking a three years' course of lectures. Dr. Schifferle is a thorough stut-
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dent and has a natural liking for the med- ieal profession-elements that are essential to the successful physician. Although he has gradnated from one of the best medical colleges in this country, his intention is, at no distant day, to enter the celebrated Heidel- berg University, Germany, to more fully per- feet himself in his profession. He has already established a good practice, and is a member of the United States Board of Pen- sion Examiners.
S. POWER, a prominent farmer of Jones Township, residing on section 15, where he is the owner of 700 aeres of land in a high state of cultivation, was born in Brack- en Connty, Kentucky, in 1813, the son of Joseph and Nancy (Ballenger) Power. The parents, who were natives of old Virginia, moved to Kentneky in a very early day; the father followed boating on the river. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the farm in his native State ; but at the age of sixteen years he began to work at gunsmith- ing. At the age of twenty-one he moved to Milton, Wayne County, Indiana, continuing at his trade three years longer ; thence he moved to Morgan County, Illinois, and thence to Burlington, Iowa, carrying on the first gunshop in that city for abont three years. Selling out, he removed to Wayne County, Iowa. in 1843, and one year later he came to Union County. Mr. Power has been twice married -- the first time in Whitehall, Greene County, Illinois, in 1838, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Mary Frank, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. By this marriage there were five children, four of whom are living. The names of all are: Naney A., deceased, Samuel K., Mary, James and Robert. Nancy A. married John Van Buskirk, and had three children-Francis M., Jeremiah and George; Samnel K. married Sophia Bishop, and had three children-
William J., Felix R. and Ralph C .; Mary married William Benediet, and their children were fon :- Charles, Harvey, Judson and Myrtle; and James married Christena C. Janson, and their two children are Estella P. and an infant not named. Mrs. Power died November 5, 1865, and the following year Mr. Power married, in Afton, Iowa, Mrs. Mary M. Bishop. daughter of James and Rachel Mes- senger. She was born in Morrow County, Ohio, October 28, 1834. By this marriage there is one child, Leona M., who married J. B. La Favre, and has one child, George C. Mr. Power has held the office of justice of the peace four years, township treasurer and minor offices in his township. He is truly a self-made man, commeneing in the world with no means but his hands and brain, and a will to use them. He has accordingly ac- quired a large estate, and has contributed liberally to all the enterprises that have been inaugurated in his vicinity. His grandfather was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and his father was in the war of 1812. The former was shot through the body, and through the wound, from one side of his body to the other, a silk handkerchief was drawn seven times, and yet. he recovered! At another time his horse jumped a ditch with him thirty feet wide! Mr. Power, the subject of the foregoing sketch, is a clear-headed business man, and socially he is an affable gentleman. Politically he is a Democrat.
W. MAYHEW. retired farmer, resid- ing on section 10, Sand Creek Town- ship, is a native of New England, born May 22, 1803. At the age of nine years he was taken by his parents to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, where they remained one year, removing thence to Washington County, Ohio. G. W. Mayhew remained at the home of his parents till twenty years of age, when he went to Illinois.
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where he followed the avocation of a farmer till 1838. Ile came to Iowa in that year and settled on the farm in Union County where he has since made his home, where he has forty acres of well improved land under a high state of cultivation. Hle has followed farming till of late years, when he retired from active life, and is now taking that rest which is the reward of his years of toil and industry. He has two sons living -- Morris, the eldest, now living in Montgomery County, Iowa, and Sheldon, who farms the old home- stead, on section 10, Sand Creek Township. The latter was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving three years in the defense of his country. Ile is a member of the Grand Army Post at Afton, and is in politics a staunch Greenbacker. He was married to Miss Rosa Dickinson, and they are the parents of six children-Jessie, Hattie, Dud- ley, Bessie, Mamie, and Grant and Grace (twins).
AMES D. TURNER is a native of North Carolina, born in Guilford County, April 8, 1825, a son of Abraham Turner, who was also a native of the same State. The parents of our subject removed to Mor- gan County, Indiana, in the year 1835, and there he was reared to manhood, on a farm, his education being obtained in the log-cabin subscription school of that carly day. He was united in marriage December 4, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth A. Woodward, she being a daugh- ter of William Woodward, who is a resident of Indiana. To this union were born fifteen children, thirteen of them still living. The names of those yet living are-John S., Will- iam A., Wesley D., Jesse E., Mary J., Ira M., Edgar S., Lyman C., Albert F., Ora W., Nancy E., Charles M., and Carl P. Mr. Turner came to Union County, Iowa, with his family in September, 1860, and has since made his home on section 10, of Dodge
Township, where he has a good farm, and is meeting with fair success in his agricultural pursuits. He has always been an industri- ous, hard-working man, and has by his quiet and unassuming manners gained the respect of all who know him. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
AVID COFFEEN, a prominent farmer of Spanlding Township, resides on sec- tion 35, where he owns 160 acres of choice land under a high state of cultivation. Ile was born in Jefferson County, New York, in 1834, a son of David and Mahala (Hovey) Coffeen, natives also of the Empire State. Hle remained in his native state until- manhood, and subsequently moved to Wisconsin, where he was living at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In 1863 he enlisted in re- sponse of his country's call, and was assigned to Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, Sixth Army Corps, and was afterward trans- ferred to Company B, same regiment. He served eighteen months, and was honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, in 1865. Ile participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, the Wilderness, Appomattox, Spottsylvania Conrt- House, Petersburg, Winchester, Har- per's Ferry, and many others of less note. After his discharge he returned home and lived in Wisconsin until 1869, when he moved to Iowa, and settled in Adair and Union coun- ties where he has since lived. IIe is in every sense a self-made man; starting in life poor, he has by hard work and economy accumu- lated a good property and now has a compe- tency for his old age. In polities Mr. Coffeen is a Greenbacker. He was married Septem- ber 30, 1855, to Julia A. Byer, a native of Jefferson County, New York, born in 1837. a daughter of Solomon and Sarah Byer. Iler father died November 29, 1880, aged eighty- four years, and her mother is still living,
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making her home with Mrs. Coffeen. To MEr. and Mrs. Colleen have been born five chil- dren; but three are living-Frank, Jason and Emma.
TANFORD A. BREWSTER, editor and proprietor of the daily and weekly Advertiser, of Creston, and manufact- urer of blank books, is a son of George W. and Sarah Maria (Eells) Brewster, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, respect- ively. Mr. Brewster died in Illinois, and Mrs. Brewster, who yet survives, resides at Creston. Stanford A. was born April 27, 1853, at Wellington, Ohio, and was but eleven years old when his father died. He received very few educational advantages, and was early faced with the necessity of gaining his own livelihood. Taking advantage of the first opening, at thirteen years of age, he entered the office of the Lorain County News, at Oberlin, Ohio. He had previously learned something of the printer's trade in his father's printing office, so that he now received wages from the start, though amounting to only 82.00 per week. After six months in this office he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, desirous of bettering his condition, and for three months was newsboy on a short railroad line extending from Minneapolis to St. Paul. This employment suited him but three months. For about an equal time he was employed in a furniture factory, and for nine months more he filled the position of bell-boy in the Nicho- lot House. He returned to Oberlin to re- enter school, but very soon found himself back at his trade, which he followed at Ober- lin nearly a year, this time. He came to Chi- cago and was apprenticed to a job printer, but when the great fire came he left for the country. Working for some time in different places, he returned to Chicago, perfected himself it a knowledge of job printing, and came to Creston in January. 1576, possessed of but
75 cents. Ile was for one year employed as foreman in the Gazette office, and then leased the Democrat office, in partnership with W. M. Patton. Three months later he bought Patton's interest in the lease-hold, and then formed a partnership with Ed. C. Rus- sell, proprietor of the establishment. The firm of Russell & Brewster existed but one year, when Mr. Brewster purchased a plant in Omaha, mostly on credit, brought it to Cres- ton and started a job office. In due time he established the Advertiser. First a free ad- vertising sheet, it is now a profitable and im- portant daily and weekly local newspaper. A blank book manufactory was added later, and now Mr. Brewster owns an extensive, busy printing establishment in Liberty Block, and also a nice home on Maple street. He is every whit a self-made man, and the results he has achieved with no capital but his own pluck and perseverance are worthy of the highest praise. Mr. Brewster was mar- ried September 1, 1878, at Creston, to Clara A. Hoffman. Of two children, the first died in infancy, and Nellie May is now six years old. Mr. Brewster is a member of the Au- cient Order of United Workmen.
NDREW J. BIVENS has been a resi- dent of Creston since October 18, 1874. He has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business since 1875. Hewas born in Washington, Daviess County, In- diana, in 1837, where he resided until twenty- two years of age, and where he was reared to the occupation of a farmer. His father, Israel Bivens, was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and married Mary Hendrick, removing to Indiana, where he passed the remainder of his days. His wife is still living. In 1859 Mr. Bivens married Miss Susan MeBride, and soon after removed to Warren County, Ilinois, where he engaged in farming. Fail- ing health compelled him to change location
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and occupation, and he accordingly came to Iowa and engaged in his present business. His health was soon restored. Mr. and Mrs. Bivens have ten children-five sons and five daughters. They lost their oldest son in Illinois. Politically Mr. Bivens is a Demo- crat. His parents had ten children, eight daughters and two sons. A sister, Mrs. America MeBride, resides in Creston. No other members of the family reside in Iowa. The parents of Mrs. Bivens were John and Elizabeth McBride. They removed from In- diana to Illinois with Mr. and Mrs. Bivens, with whom they lived until their deeease. Mrs. Bivens was the only daughter. There were three sons, one of whom, Samuel, resides in Creston.
ACOB GEIER, engaged in agriculture and the raising of domestic animals on section 18, Douglas Township, was born in the State of New York, October 20, 1846, the son of John M. and Elizabeth (Winkle) Geier, natives of Bavaria; mother died in 1853, and father resides in Minnesota. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has thus far in life pursued the vocation of agriculture. In 1865 he enlisted in Company K, First Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, and was mus- tered out at Nashville, Tennessee, July 29, 1865. In 1870, in Benton County. Iowa, lie married Miss Cordelia, dangliter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Ilart) Betts, of Pennsylvania: parents are now living in Black Hawk County, Iowa. She was born in Pennsylvania, in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Geier have three children -George E., Minnie M. and Edna E. Mr. Geier has eighty acres of land, in a fine state of cultivation. His comfortable home he has carned by the honest toil of his own hands. He has considerable property besides his farm. He is a kind neighbor and friend, and a respected citizen. Religiously, his views are liberal, and not hedged about by the doc-
trines of any particular creed. He maintains that religion consists in the religion of Inan- ity, and that we cannot add to the happiness of an infinite God, but can to the happiness of man. Politically, he is a Greenbacker, and has been always ready to advance every public enterprise which in his judgment is calenlated to benefit mankind. Postoffice, Cromwell.
T& EWIS J. WILLIAMSON .- Among the wealthy and influential farmers and stock-raisers of Jones Township is the gentleman whose name heads this sketeli, who resides on section 19, the owner of 530 acres of fine farming land, in a good state of culti- vation. His parents, Lewis and Catherine (Wise) Williamson, were natives of the Key- stone State, the former of Scotch, the latter of German descent. His ancestors have all been in America for six generations. Mr. Williamson's mother's great-grandfather, Mr. Wise, when a boy, came to America, and was sold for his passage. His parents were born and reared in East Pennsylvania, and soon after they were married emigrated to the then very new settlement of West Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, where the father died in 1832. Our subject grew to manhood in dif- ferent connties in Ohio, working at the blacksmith's trade two years when young. In 1852 he came West and settled in Van Buren County, Iowa, where he followed milling two years; in 1856 he removed to Union County, bringing a saw-mill with him, becoming one of the first settlers north of Afton; indeed, there were but very few settlers in the county at that time. After manufacturing lumber near Afton for about three years, he, in 1859, purchased liis present farm, on which there was but little improvement. and which, under his prudent management, has been brought to its present valnable condition. In 1862 he enlisted in Company II, Twenty-ninth Iowa Jufantry Volunteers, and served in the
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war three years, participating in the battles at Helena and Little Rock, Arkansas, Jenkins' Ferry, Mobile, Alabama, siege of Spanish Fort, etc., etc. Mr. Williamson is a Spirit- nalist in religious belief, liberal, allowing all others what he claims for himself-the right to do his own thinking. He is well informed on scientific subjects, is social, and therefore one whose companionship is desirable. Mr. Williamson's first marriage took place in Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1854, when Amelia B. Douglass became his wife; she was born in Ohio, in 1829. By that marriage there were six children, four of whom are living, namely-Eva L., the wife of Sylvester Carter, who have one child, Lewis; Albert J., Olive A. and Horace E. Their mother died in January, 1875, and Mr. Williamson was mar- ried, in 1878, to Mrs. Sarah E., widow of the Jate Henry Allen, and by this marriage there has been one child, Victor Leroy, now de- ceased. Mrs. Williamson is a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Merrill) Rondebush, and was born May 28, 1843. She was first married to John IIoldren, by whom she had two chil- dren-Anna E. and Ida. The latter is now the wife of William D. Moore, of Creston, and has two children-Alice and Merrill. She has also a daughter by her second marriage- Jennie Allen.
OHN BENNISON, merchant at Creston, was born in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, in 1857, a son of John Bennison. The latter was born in Manchester, England, in 1819, and came to this country in 1845 and located at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and there was mar- ried to Miss Lizzie Dimnick in 1848, and in 1850 removed to Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mercantile, lead and ore business until the fall of 1865. IJe then removed to Kewanee, Illinois, where he en- gaged in the mercantile trade with his brothers, in the firm name of Bennison Broth-
crs. As the sons grew to manhood and desired to engage in business, the father purchased his brothers' interest and took his sons as partners. After a time the father retired from the firm and left his sons in charge, who re- tained the name of Bennison Brothers. Their business is still continued at Kewanee, and they have also established a store at Omaha, Nebraska. The dry goods house of Bennison Brothers was established at Creston May 1, 1882. They first located at No. 113 Montgom- ery street. They are now on the corner of Maple and Montgomery streets, Nos. 126 and 205, respectively. This firm started business in a small way, but have enlarged their stock and increased their patronage until they now have the largest dry-goods house in Creston. Their salesroom is 30 x 100 feet, with an ell 30 x 50 feet. Their stock of goods is complete in every department. John Bennison has sole charge of the business at Creston. IIe was married in Illinois, in 1882, to Miss Bessie Whitmore, and they have one sou ---- Faye, who was born in 1883.
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