USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 18
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 18
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SBEN LININGER, one of the prosper- ous agrienlturists of Platte Township. is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Mer- cer County, November 11, 1833. His parents, Daniel and Catherine (Klingensmith) Lin- inger, were natives of the same State, but subsequently came to Jowa, and in 185S settled in Ringgold County. The father was born in 1802. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm, and received his ednca- tion in the district sehools. March 19, 1863,
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he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel A. Woods, a daughter of Michael and Polly (Mc Vey) Woods-her father a native of Ten- nessee and her mother of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Lininger have been born three children, of whom two sons are living, named Archi- bald and William. Their only daughter, Catherine, is deceased. Mr. Lininger was among the early settlers of Union County, settling on his present farm, on section 32, Platte Township, in the year 1865. His land at that time was without improvement, being in its natural state. He has now 480 acres of land, which he has brought under cultiva- tion, and has on his farm a commodious residence and good farm buildings, and is classed among Union County's best farmers. In connection with his general farming he is devoting considerable attention to stock-rais- ing, making a specialty of Norman horses. Mr. Lininger in his political views is a Green- backer. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity, belonging to Lenox Lodge.
was married May 10, 1866, to Miss Martha Miller, a daughter of Israel and Catherine (Walton) Miller, who were of Dutch descent. Of eight children born to this union six are still living-Kate E., Mary E., Adda F., George F., Maggie M. and Joseph M. Since coming to Union County Mr. Blakely has always lived on his present farm in Grant Township, where he now has 240 acres of land under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Blakely are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has always been a Republican.
ILLIAM GROUNDS, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 22, Douglas Township, where he owns 240 aeres of highly cultivated land. Ile was born in Edwards County, Illinois, in 1834, the son of John and Elizabeth Grounds; father died in 1872, aged about seventy-three years; the mother was born in 1811, and is still liv- ing, in the same county, in Illinois. In 1861 Mr. Grounds enlisted in Company K, Fifty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and ten months, engaging in more than thirty battles, as Shiloh, Russell House, siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkan- sas Post, Snyder's Bluff, Champion Hills, assault on and siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, Mississippi, Tuscumbia, Alabama, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, At- lanta, Jonesboro, South Edisto River, Colum- bia, South Carolina; Bentonville, North Carolina, etc., etc., besides skirmishes in- numerable, traveling altogether 11, 567 miles, of which he marched on foot 3,340 miles, traveled by rail 2,875 miles, and sailed 5,850 miles total, 11,567. Was under fire 128 days, and received a flesh wound at the battle of Jonesboro. Mr. Grounds was brought up on the farm, and has all his life been a farmer. Beginning in life without means, working by the month for seven years,
H. BLAKELY, a successful farmer and stoek-raiser, living on section 2, Grant @ Township, was born in Logan County, Ohio, June 12, 1841, a son of Richard and Elizabeth Blakely, who were of Scotch and Irish ancestry. His father being a farmer by occupation, he was reared to the same pursuit, which he has made his life work. He remained in his native county till 1853, when his mother removed to Cedar County, Iowa, remaining there some time, when they came to Union County. J. II. Blakely served three years in the defense of his country during the late war, being a member of Company D, Eleventh Iowa Infantry. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg, beside others of minor importance, and at the expiration of his term of service received an honorable dis- charge, when he returned to his home. HIe , for $11 to $25 a month, his present prosper-
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ity shows him to have been an industrious and economical man. He has been a school dircetor in his district, and is now school treas- urer for his township. lle was married in Warren County, Illinois, in 1866, to Miss Lavina, daughter of John and Eliza Butler, natives of Kentucky. Her grandfather was the first sheriff of Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Grounds have had eight children-Mary M., Ira B., Lena E., John II., Gracie L., Will- iam S., Stella M. and Floy O., and an infant deceased. Postoffice, Creston.
OLIN BROWN. JR., a farmer on section 33, Spaulding Township, where he owns 120 aeres, was born in Scotland, in 1844. Ilis parents, Robert and Martha Brown, emigrated to America when he was eleven years of age. Ilis father died in 1879. Mr. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was married in Ohio to Margaret A. Yeats, a native of England, being born in that country in the year 1848. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born six children, namely: Robert, Richard, Walter, Thomas, Mary E. and Elta. Mr. Brown is a believer in the principles of the National Greenback party, is an esteemed member of his community, and an industri- ous husbandman. On his present place he has made all the improvements. Postoffice, Cromwell.
J. THOMPSON, engaged in farming and stock-raising on seetion 20 of P Spaulding Township, where he owns eighty acres of well-improved land, was born in Adams County, Ohio, December 23, 1847. His father, Daniel Thompson, who was a mill- wright for fifty years, was a native of Penn- sylvania; and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Baldridge, was born in Ohio; both were of Scotch-Irish extraction. The subject
of this biographical notice grew to years of maturity on the farm in Ohio. In 1863 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served four months. His present farm had no improvements when he settled upon it, but he has greatly enhanced its value by his industry. He is serving his third term as justice of the peace, and has held other local offices. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion a member of the United Brethren church at Creston. He was married in 1871, in Adams County, Ohio, to Mary Kenady, a native of that State, and they had one child- Wilbert R. by name. Mrs. Thompson died in 1872, and Mr. Thompson was again mar- ried in Warren County, Iowa, in 1874, to Caroline Lattie, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, in 1845. By this marriage there are two children - Dora B. and Ethel M.
ILTON BOURNE, farmer, section 7, Union Township, has been a resident of Union County since 1865. IIe first settled on section S, npon the farm now owned by J. II. Nicholson, and located upon his present farm in 1878. There were then no improvements on the place; all have been made by Mr. Bourne. He was born in the town of Savoy, Berkshire County, Massachu- setts, in March, 1525, son of Joseph Bourne, also a native of Massachusetts, who died in 1834. When he was about thirteen years of age, the family removed to Licking County, Ohio. There were then the mother and five children-three sons and two daughters. Mr. Bourne remained in Ohio until he reached his majority. IIe married Angeline Monser, daughter of Abram and Martha (Hancock) Monser, who were natives of Virginia, and removed to Ohio where his father died. Her mother came to Iowa and lived with her daughter until her decease. Mr. and Mrs. Monser were the parents of eight children-
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six of whom grew to maturity, and five are still living. Mrs. Bourne and D. C. Monser are all that live in this county. Emma R. lives in Missouri, and George and Sammel live in Ohio. Mr. Bourne emigrated to Iowa in October. 1857, and settled upon a farm in Marion County, which he improved and upon which he lived until 1865, when he came to Union County. He is the only member of his father's family who has settled in this county, except a sister, Mrs. Rosella Peck. Mr. and Mrs. Bourne have two children -- William Sylvester and Mary L. Martha C., who married Eugene Roberts, is deceased. Politically Mr. Bourne has been a Republican since the organization of that party. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist church.
AUL RICHARDS, a prominent agricult- urist of Grant Township, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 26, is a son of Silas and Ellen Richards, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respec tively, both now deceased. Saul Richards was born January 1, 1823, and reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has followed through life. He was married at the age of twenty-four years to Miss Elma Jane Harris, who was born July 20, 1525. a daughter of William and Julia Harris, her father being a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother born in Virginia, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have five children living -- Sarah S., born March 23, 1548; Tracy W., born November 10, 1849; Mary E., born May 9. 1853; Silas P., born April 7, 1555; and Homer S., born July 9, 1561. Mr. Richards has devoted his attention to general farming and stock raising, and by his industry and good management he has become the owner of his present farm which contains eighty acres of good land. He commeneed life en. tirely without means and is now classed
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among the well-to-do citizens of Grant Town- ship, and during his residence here has filled acceptably most of the township oflices. In politics Mr. Richards casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church; Sarah and Mary Ella being members of the same denomination.
SAAC NEWTON CHERRY is a native of Virginia, born in 1817. In 1821 his par-
... ents moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, and there he was reared. His father, Jacob Cherry, was a native of Richmond, Virginia, of English descent, and died in Muskingum County, in 1866, his wife's death preceding his several years. Their family consisted of four children-Isaac N., James (deceased), Mary Ann, wife of Joseph R. Morrison, of Licking County, Ohio, and William, of Mus- kingum County, Ohio. Isaac Newton Cherry was married in Ohio to Aleinda W. Morrison, also a native of Virginia, and six months after his marriage moved to Perry County and thenee to Morgan County. In 1862 he came to Jowa and located in Jones Township, Union County, buying a partially improved farm, which he improved and lived on until the spring of 1876, when he went to Afton. In his youth Mr. Cherry received good cdu- cational advantages and thinking he would like the life of a physician, read medicine under the direction of Dr. J. W. Watkins, of Muskingum County. Concluding, however, that the profession would not suit him he abandoned the study and turned his attention to agriculture, a calling which he has made successful. In politics Mr. Cherry was in early life a Whig, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party. He has served one term as judge of Union County. To him and his wife have been born seven children, six of whom are living-
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Mary E., wife of Dr. L. S. Groves; Jacob E., John W., Charlotte, wife of J. F. Bishop, Alcinda, wife of J. W. Johnson, of Red Oak, Iowa, and Cyrena, wife of J. N. Gadd, all, save Alcinda, living in Afton. Their son, S. B., died in August, 1852, aged forty-three years. He was a graduate of the Columnbus Medical College, Ohio, and was a successful physician.
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TANCIL MOFFITT resides on seetion 1, Union Township, where he settled in the spring of 1856. He was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, in March, 1824. His parents were Charles and Mary Moffitt, also natives of North Carolina. The father died in that State and the mother sub- sequently removed to Tennessee, where she passed the remainder of her days. They were the parents of twelve children-seven sons and five daughters. Two of the sons died in childhood. Staneil and his brother, Solomon C., of Union Township, are the only members of the family known to be living. Our subject was reared in his native State and married Deborah L. Barker, born in October, 1824. Her parents were Robert and Naomi Barker, who lived in North Caro- lina until their decease. They had four children that grew to maturity-one son and three daughters; one daughter died in infancy. Three of the children are supposed to be still living. September 18, 1854, Mr. Moffitt started north with his family with wagon and horse team. His family then consisted of wife and four children. Mrs. Moffitt had an nnele living in Union County, and through his influence they settled here. They were two months making the journey, passing nearly every night in their wagon. Only two or three nights, when the weather was severely cold, dil they sleep in a house. They arrived here November 18. Mr. Moffitt had but $10 left, and had the mis-
fortune to lose one of his horses the third day after his arrival. That fall he engaged to build a log-cabin for Mr. William Groes- beck, and in this eabin both families passed the winter. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Moffitt pre-empted eighty aeres in Dodge Township upon which he built a cabin, im- proved a few aeres, then sold ont. In March, 1856, he entered eighty acres of his present farm and settled upon it with his family. The same year he built a small frame house, which constitutes a part of his present resi- denee, and here he has lived thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt have endured all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. They are among the oldest settlers in Union County. They have a family of six children-five sons and one danghter. A son died in North Carolina, and two daughters have died in Union County, the eldest, Winsie Ann, in her twentieth year, and Mary E. died at the age of about two years. Charles T. lives in Tremont County, Iowa, and Nazariah lives in Union Township. Five children were born in Union County, four of whom are living-Henry W. resides in Jones Township; Marion F., at home, Edwin S. and Frances L. Mr. Moffitt and sons have about 520 acres of land. In early life Mr. Moffitt was a Whig and cast his first Presi- dential vote for General Taylor, in 1848. HIe affiliated with the Republican party till the salary grab trial and since then he has voted with the Greenback party.
A. NYE. general grocer, 125 Maple street, Creston, began business on Adains street, this city, April 9, 1577, as successor to James Butler. Fifteen months afterward he opened business on Pine street, where he continued until the fall of 1883; located where he now is in October, 1884. During this period he has been out of business about one year. He has also opened a
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farm in Nebraska, spending one summer there; and he now owns a fine farm near Kearney, and one near Creston; also one in Barton County and one in Ness County, Kansas. Mr. Nye was born in Muscatine County, Iowa, in March, 1846, and was reared in that county in the occupation of farming. Ilis father, Alfred Nye, settled in that connty in 1836, as a pio- neer, and died at Iowa City, Jannary 8, 1886, continuing, however, to the time of his death, to own the old homestead. He was a native of Montpelier, Vermont. His wife is still living at Iowa City. Their six sons and one daughter are all living, the subject of this sketch being the only one residing in Union County. The latter was married in 1869, in Muscatine County, to Miss Iona N. Pace, who was born and reared in the same county, of Vir ginian parents, who were among the earliest pioneers of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Nye are the parents of three children -- Carrie L., Bertha A. and Mabel, besides iwo de- ceased-Glenn Perkins and Mamie. In his views of national affairs Mr. Nye is Demo- cratic, but he votes for the best men at local elections. He is a member of the Creston City Council. On the 1st of April, 1853, he started a general store at Nevinville, Adams County, and at the close of the first year he admitted Mr. A. T. Joy as a partner, which relation still continnes. Mr. Nye is one of the enterprising business men of Creston, with whose interests he has been identified nearly ten years.
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D. McDONALD, one of the enterpris- ing farmers, stock-raisers and dealers Q of Union County, located on section 25, Douglas Township, was born in Madison County, Ohio, March 16, 1855, and is a son of James and Lncilla (Davidson) McDonald, natives of the same county, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native county, and has ever
since followed the vocation of his youth, in which he evinces unusual talent and marked success. He is the proprietor of a quarter- section of land in this connty, and a fifth interest in the Union County Draft-Horse Association at Creston, a full description of which is given elsewhere in this work. He was married in this county, March 30, 1882, to Lizzie Jamison, who was born in Ohio, July 4, 1861. They have one child, named Dow. Byers, born June 28, 1884. Although a young man, Mr. McDonald has shown good business qualifications, a fine social nature, for which he is highly esteemed by all who know him. Postoffice, Creston.
ICHARD H. DELMAGE, of Afton, was born in Ireland, November 20, 1839, and removed with his parents to Kendall County, Illinois, in the year 1843, where he was reared, receiving his education at the academy at Bristol. IIe served an apprentice- ship at the joiner's trade at Peoria, and has been engaged in contracting and building ever since. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting Jannary 1, 1862, in Com- pany H, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and served in General Steele's brigade, in the army under General Curtis. Ile first went to .St. Louis, thence to Pilot Knob, thence to Batesville, Arkansas; thence to Jacksonport, Arkansas, and thence to Helena. The last was one of the severest marches on record that occurred dur- ing the war; they were following the Confed- erates commanded by Major-Generals Hinch- man and Rusk. The enemy, destroying every- thing in their retreat, rendered the sufferings of the Union army following them almost no- endurable. The Ninth Illinois Cavalry was the first regiment to enter IIelena. Later the regiment operated in Mississippi, and then re- turned to Ilelena. In August, 1862, when returning to Helena, Mr. Delmage was sud- denly prostrated by suastroke, and was not
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again able to do a soldier's duty. He was sent to a hospital at St. Louis where he re- mained until his discharge, which occurred December 9, 1863. His health was very seri- onsly impaired for several years, nor has he ever fully recovered from the effects of that misfortune. From the time he entered the army until he was disabled he was always ready for duty, and performed it faithfully and well. Soon after his return his two younger brothers, Raymond C. and Charles G., enlisted in the same company, serving till the close of the war. Mr. Delmage came to Un- ion County in 1864, his brother, R. C., being then at Afton. In 1566 he erected the large frame school building at Afton. In 1864 he and his brother purchased 160 acres of land in New Hope Township, which they still own and have increased to about 800 acres. They are extensively engaged in stock-raising, har- ing as fine a stock farm as can be found in Union County. in 1866 Mr. Detmage's par- ents, Christopher and Rebecca (Holmes) Delmage, came West, and settled in Union Township. They now reside at Creston. In connection with his farming interests Mr. Delmage has been extensively engaged in contraeting and building. He has erected many of the fine residences, business blocks and public buildings in Afton and Creston. He employed from twenty-five to thirty hands for many years. His parents had four sons and three daughters. The four sons and two daughters are still living. The youngest daughter, Louie R., wife of Henry Murphy, of Cromwell, died June 27. 1886. She was a lady of refinement, edneation and culture and possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. She was a teacher in Union County fifteen years, and was deputy county superintendent of schools of this county, her brother, George J. Delmage, being superintendent. The other children are -- Mary, wife of Charles Bond, of Murray, Iowa; Richard II., our subjeet; Raymond C., who is associated with R. II. in business; Charles G., of Denver, Colorado;
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Mrs. Lillie E. Taylor, of Bradfield, Missouri, and George J., of Fremont, Nebraska. Mr. Delmage was married October 18, 1876, to Miss Jennie E. Hunt. of Henry, Marshall County, Illinois. Her parents were Richard and Ruth (Harram) Hunt; the former is de- ceased, and the latter resides in Henry, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Delmage have three children- Vera Z., Verne and Mand. Mr. Delmage is a member of the Henry Keating Post, G. A.R., at Afton, and is also a member of the Masonic and Old Fellows lodges at Afton. Mr. and Mrs. Delmnage have a pleasant home in Afton where comfort, contentment and hospitality abound.
HI. PATT was born in the State of Rhode Island, in 1840, son of James M. and Abigail (Haven) Patt, who are also natives of Rhode Island, but now reside in Bureau County, Illinois. His father was a mechanic in humble circumstances, but a man who was endowed with more than ordinary shrewdness and common sense. The boy passed his childhood until the age of ten at the family home, and before that age obtained all the education he was destined to receive from the few books about his father's humble home. Education at the schools in those days was a much more costly luxury than now, and only the children of rich parents were able to attend the few schools of the time. When he reached the age mentioned the imperative necessity of gaining his own livelihood threw young Patt out into the world, and at that tender age he began the struggle in the hard tasks of life. The ex- perience of necessity thus gained ever stood lim in good stead in his career, and was un- . doubtedly the foundation of his character. In his weary toil on farms he learned that it was earnest work that achieved the most, and be- came early imbued with the characteristics that marked his after life, and contributed so
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largely to his success. In a few years, at- tracted by the boundless possibilities of the West, Mr. Patt emigrated to the State of Illinois. He settled in Bureau County, a county that was largely made up in popula- tion of people from the Eastern States-a people noted for thrift, energy and intellectu- ality. Amid such surroundings Mr. Patt found a congenial sphere and resolved to re- main permanently. He did not shrink from , any class of work that came to hand. An old- time resident of that county once remarked that " Mr. Patt, rather than be idle, carried a hod two years, and he carried it with signal ability, and with satisfaction to his employer." A boy who was not afraid to work, even at such a humble calling, must surely have had sterling material in his composition. Those were the days when he was battling with the opposing elements of life, and builded wiser for the future, perhaps, than he knew. By frugality and industry the young man con- trived to accumulate a sinall capital, and opened a restaurant on a small scale. Aban- doning this soon after, he opened a grocery store, and in 185S went into the hardware line, with which he has since been identified, and in which he has been more than ordinarily snecessful. In June, 1863, Mr. Patt was married, at Tiskilwa, to Leah M. Kitterman, danghter of one of Bureau County's oldest and best-known citizens. From this happy union were born their son and daughter -- Frank and Florence. In 1873 Mr. Patt be- came inclined to try a residence in the charm- ing climate of the Pacific States, and selling out the extensive business he had built up in Illinois, went, with His family, to California. They remained in that State two years, and not finding it suitable for a permanent home, returned East. Just at that time the city of Creston was beginning the era of prosperity and progress that has thus far indelibly marked its growth. With quick foresight and natural business judgment he saw at a glance that this young city of the rolling prairie was
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" big with propheey." Here, he saw, would grow up a city of which he should be proud to claim citizenship. After arriving here the first act of Mr. Patt was to begin the erection of the well-known Patt's Block, the large three-story brick building at the corner of Adams and Eln streets. In 1875 there were no business houses on Adams street west of that corner, and but one or two old shells be- tween the corners of Maple and Adams, and Adams and Elm streets. He also erected several dwelling-houses and invested largely in real estate, showing his confidence in the future of the city. Since then he has carried on an extensive hardware and implement business in one of the store-rooms of his fine block. Mr. Patt has been prominently con- nected with almost every successful public enterprise of note inaugurated since his arriv- al in Creston, and has also held numerous responsible positions of trust and honor. In 1877 he was elected mayor of the city, and his administration was marked by his fidelity and good judgment in his discharge of the duties incumbent upon the office. Every public charity has found in him a liberal subscriber, and in more than one instance his large- heartedness has prompted him to help the needy and give substantial encouragement to young men struggling for a foothold in busi- ness. As a business man Mr. Patt enjoys the confidence of all who know him, and his name is known to almost every one who knows of Creston, so closely have both grown united. Hle has been the leader in several corporation enterprises that have been of much general benefit to the town. At present he is president of the Agricultural Society, and has given his best efforts toward making this important enterprise a permanent one. It was principally through his efforts and zeal that the Creston Opera House Company, of which he is president and the largest stock- holder, erected the fine opera house building, which is an ornament and a great credit to the city. Mr. Patt has a large interest, both
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