USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 19
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 19
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
financial and friendly, in the advancement of the town, and hence, has many times put aside private interests to help with his inde- fatigable energy any publie enterprise that de- manded aid. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Patt, with a large throng of their warm friends, celebrated the twentieth anniversary of their marriage at their spacious mansion in this city.
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B ENJAMIN HUBBELL, a member of the Board of Supervisors of Union County, has been aresident of Union County since 1871. He was appointed to his present posi- tion January 1, 1886, to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of C. G. Shull, who re- moved from the district, and in the fall of 1886 was elected for another term. Mr. Hub- bell is a native of Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana, born in 1844. He was reared in his native town to the occupation of a farmer. His parents, Elisha and Amelia Ann (Cor- nell) Hubbell, were natives of Ohio. They settled in Elkhart County about 1833, where the father died in 1877. The mother is still living. In 1877 our subject sold out in Indi- ana and came West to look for a location. IJe decided to settle in Union County, and pur- chased 120 acres of land in Grant Township, upon which he immediately settled. This land was wholly unimproved. He made his pur- chase in March, and by the 4th of July following had the land all broken. Ilis first crop was a splendid crop of rye. The next year he planted sixty acres to corn, and the average production was sixty bushels to the acre; and eight acres, which he measured, gave seventy-five bushels to the aere. These figures are given to show what can be done in Union County by a thorough farmer. Mr. Hubbell's land is on section 14. He added to his original purchase until he at one time owned 600 acres of excellent land. He is largely engaged in the stock business, and is
classed among the most successful stock deal- ers of Union County. He still owns 400 acres, having sold 200 acres in 1885. In the spring of 1882 he leased his land and removed to Afton, where he is engaged in buying and shipping stock. He is also one of the principal auctioneers of the county, and his services in this direction are in general demand. Mr. IIubbell's parents had eight children who grew to maturity, five sons and three daugh- ters. Two sons and one daughter are deceased. Elisha M. served in the Twenty-first Indiana Battery, in the war of the Rebellion, and was wounded in the breast at Chickamauga, where he fought under General Thomas. He lived several years afterward, but died from the effect of that wound. Benjamin is the only son of his father's family who has settled in Iowa. He has been twice married. His first wife was Jennie Guffin, who died in Indiana in June, 1875. His present wife was Sally l'aimer. By the first marriage was one daughter -Beatrice. By the second marriage are two children-Mand and Chester. Mr. Hubbell is a Republican, as were all of his father's family.
EORGE D. BENTON, one of the self- made men of Union County, and an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln Township, where he lives on section 20, was born in Ohio, July 22, 1830, a son of Edward II. and Rebecca (Sealy ) Benton, who were natives of Vermont, the former dying at the age of forty-seven years, the latter liv- ing at the age of ninety years. George D. Benton was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining on the home farm with his parents till eighteen years of age. He went to Cali- fornia in 1849, remaining there three years, when he located in Indiana, and after a resi- dence of four years in that State he removed to Illinois, where he improved a farm, on which he lived for seven years. February 25,
17.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
1837, he was married to Miss Nancy Jane Ilan- cock, who was born February 7, 1841, a daugh- ter of John and Leona (Mayfield) Hancock, who were natives of Spencer County, Indiana. About the year 1863 Mr. Benton settled in Marshall County, Illinois, remaining there eleven years, since which he has been a resi- dent of Lincoln Township, Union County. Hle bought raw prairie land on coming to Union County, which is now one of the finest farms in Lincoln Township, and is still owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch, the farm containing 160 acres of well cultivated land. He has a very fine orchard, which covers twenty aeres, and three acres of vineyard. Mr. Benton began life a poor man, but has succeeded in accumulating a good property by his industrious habits and persevering energy. Mrs. Benton died March 3, 18$5, leaving a family of five children -- Martha J., who was born March 11, 1859, mar- ried E. D. Salisbury, June 10, 1875; Margaret A., born March 21, 1862; Edward D., born June 4, 1864; Emma E., born April 7, 1866, and George A., born Angust 4, 1872. Mr. Ben- ton and two of his daughters are members of the Christian church. His wife was also a member of the same church.
C. ARMITAGE, engaged in agriculture and the raising of live stock, resides on section 27, Pleasant Township, where he owns a fine farm of 120 acres. He was born in Trambul! County, Ohio, in the year 1824, his parents, Abraham and Mary (Cald- well) Armitage, being natives of Pennsyl- vania and of English and German descent. IIe 1 grew to the years of manhood as a laborer on the paternal farm in Allen County, Ohio, and has since followed the calling in which he was trained. Ile first came to this State in 1552, settling in Wapello County; the year afterward he accompanied his brother-in-law to this county, being the first settlers in
Pleasant Township. His father died in Ohio in 1873. Mr. Armitage, our subject, was married in this county, in 1853, to America Lamb. This was the second marriage in the county. She was born in 1835, in Floyd County, Indiana. They have had nine children, six of whom are living-Albert, Perry, Min- nie (wife of Lewis Mccutcheon). Wesley, Ira and Daniel. Mrs. McCuteheon has one child, named Roy R. Mr. Armitage has been school director several terms; is a member of the New-Light church, and an honored citizen. Postoffice, Ilopewell, Clarke County.
OHN HENKLE, residing on section 16, Sand Creek Township, is one of the active and enterprising farmers of Union County. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits on the home farm in Lee County, Iowa, his father's family being the second that set- tled in Van Buren Township, that county. Ile was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company A, First Iowa Cavalry, and after being in the service three years was honorably discharged, at Austin, Texas. After he left the army he returned to Lee County, remain- ing there a short time, when he removed to his present home. He was married in 1867 to Mary M. Simons, and they are the parents of four daughters-Laura A., born December 22, 1868; Martha L., born October 24, 1872; Opha R., born September 22, 1878, and Eva J., born September 8, 1880. Mr. Henkle is one of the leading agriculturists of Union County, and has one of the finest farms in Sand Creek Township, containing 240 acres of well-improved land. Mr Henkle takes an active interest in the cause of education, and has various school offices in this county. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. HIenkle is a member of the Baptist church. Iler par- ents were both born in Pennsylvania, and are yet living, their home being in Aftou, Union County. The parents of our subject,
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Amos and Martha (MeGreer) Henkle, were natives of Virginia and Indiana respectively. The father was born June 15, 1817, and in 1829 went with his father to Illinois. In 1836 they removed to Lee County, Iowa, the father settling with his family in Lee County as before stated.
OBERT J. BIGGS has been a resident of Union County since May, 1866. IIc was born in Clark County, Indiana, in 1825. His father, Abner Biggs, was a native of Kentucky, and settled in Indiana at an early day. IIe lived for many years in Clark County, where he died in the fall of 1872. Mr. Biggs was reared to the occupation of a farmer. August 11, 1862. he enlisted in Company D, Forty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war. Ile was honorably discharged July 15, 1865. lle was engaged with his regiment in the following battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkan- sas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Siege of Vicksburg, and Bayon Rapids. After the last named battle he was transferred to the Army of the Gulf. During the last six months of the war he was located at Lexington, Kentucky, engaged in guarding the railroad. Mr. Biggs was a true and faithful soldier. HIis constitution was badly shattered by exposure and other hard- ships endured in the army. Especially in warm weather he suffers from the effects of a sunstroke received in 1863. At the elo-e of the war he returned to Indiana and the fol- lowing April removed with his family to Union County. In 1868 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Jones and Pleasant Town- ships. He also has twenty acres of timber in Sand Creek Township. In November, 1884, he removed to Afton, leasing his farm. Mr. Biggs was married in 1860 to Nancy E. Enlow, born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1834, and removed to Indiana with
her parents, Henry and Susan Enlow, when three years of age. Her father was born in 1799 and died in 1880. Her mother was born in 1800 and died February 25, 1874. They had eight children, four of whom are living-Richard M., Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, and Mrs. Martha Jones, a twin sister of Mrs. Biggs. Mr. Biggs' mother, Emily Biggs, was born in 1802, and is still living in Indiana. His parents had fifteen children, eleven of whom are living, five sons and six dangh- ters. There were two pairs of twins in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs have four children -- Elmer Ellsworth, Ernest L., Enola and Robert Irving. Mrs. Biggs is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Biggs is now and has always been a Repub- lican.
W. CAKEG, one of the leading agricult- urists of Grant Township, residing on section 11, was born December 6, 1843, in the State of Vermont, his parents, Andrew and Phoebe Oakes, being natives of the same State. Mr. Oakes was reared on a farm in his native State, remaining there till 1865, when he accompanied his parents to Illi- nois. October 21, 1867, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Agnes Johnson, who was born August 8, 1841, a daughter of Andrew and Julia Johnson. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Oakes only one, Willis G., is liv- ing. A son, Leon A., and a daughter, Mary R., are deceased. Mr. Oakes lived in the State of Illinois six years, when he came to Union County, Iowa, being one of the pioneers of Grant Township. IIe then bought the farm where he still resides, which he has converted from a state of nature into a well-improved and highly-cultivated farm. His farm con- tains 160 acres, with comfortable residence and good farm buildings. He began life & poor man, but has always been an industrious and hard-working citizen, and by his perse- vering energy and good management has ac-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
quired his present fine property. Mr. Oakes has lately turned his attention to stock-raising, and also manufactures chcese. In polities he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.
M ARTIN MILLER, county auditor, Union County, is serving the first year of his second term in that capacity, his first election occurring in the fall of 1883, succeeding C. II. Fuller, who had served two years. He was born in Mercer County, Illinois, in 1842, and was reared a farmer. IIe married Senora Seiver, born in Indiana, and removed to Rock Island, Illinois, with her parents, when a child. Mr. Miller came to Uniou County in 1869, settling upon a farm in Lincoln Township. He purchased 160 acres of new land, which he improved and cultivated. He now owns 320 acres, and is engaged in stock-raising. Politically he has usually affiliated with the Democratic party. He was elected to his present position on the Greenback ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children-a son, born in 1863, has charge of the farm; a daughter, Nettie, was born in 1867.
DWARD S. HUNTINGTON, one of the successful agriculturists of Lincoln Township. Union County, is a native of Onondaga County, New York, born Jane 15. 1841, a son of Daniel JI. Huntington, de- ceased, who was a native of Litchfield, Con- nceticut. Edward S., the subject of this sketch received a good education in his youth, at the common schools and the Onondaga Academy. His father being a farmer he was reared to that avocation, which he has made his life work. He came to Union County, lowa. in the spring of 1809, when he settled in Highland Township, remaining there until
he settled on his present farm, on section 32, Lincoln Township, in the year 1876. He has by diligence and good management met with snecess as a farmer, and is now the owner of a fine property of 245 acres. In connection with his general farming he is engaged in stock-raising, and is devoting considerable attention to the raising of short-horn cattle. Mr. Huntington was married November 1, 1868, to Miss Belle Perow, a danghter of Joseph Perow who is now deceased. Of the nine children born to this union, eight are still living, their names being as follows- Walter R., Robert S .. Elmor E., Fred. D., Arthur L., Burt L., Ruth M. and Harry F. In his religious views Mr. Huntington is a member of the Evangelical church.
TAADLEY B. LARRABEE, superintend ent of the Creston city schools, was born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Angust 18, 1849. Beginning at the age of seventeen years he taught in the country schools of his native county, and of the ad- joining county of Broome, New York, together with one year in the graded school at Great Bend, Pennsylvania, until 1871, when he en- tered Hillsdale College, Michigan. During his college career he taught classes in mathe- maties several terms. Graduating June 17, 1875, he soon afterward returned to Pennsyl- vania, and was chosen principal of Pleasant Mount Academy. His administration of the affairs of this institution, which covered a period of three years, was attended with marked snecess, as was indicated by its widely- extended influence and rapidly increasing at- tendance. At the close of the academic year. in ISTS. he resigned. to accept the office of superintendent of the schools of Wayne County to which he had been elected May 7. of that year. While occupying the latter posi- tion he saw that it presented opportunities for usefulness that are seldom properly appre-
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
ciated-that the duties of a county superin- tendent should be far more extensive than simply the performance of office work and repeated examinations of teachers. Aceord- ingly, with characteristic energy and execu- tive ability, he thoroughly organized the educational forces of the county, inspired the teachers to greater zeal and effort, and caused his infnence to be felt in every one of the 220 schools under his care. His success in this office was so signal that he was accorded a unanimous re-election in 1881, and a second re-election in 1884 was assured when he de- clined to be a candidate, on account of his having determined to engage in educational work in the West. Enjoying the personal friendship, and receiving the hearty indorse- ment of Ilon. J. P. Wickersham, LL. D., for many years superintendent of public instruc- tion in Pennsylvania, together with that of other eminent educators of the Chute, pues- tions were not wanting from which to choose He was elected superintendent of schools at. three different points in the West at about the same time, viz .: Helena, Montana, IIum- boldt, Nebraska, and Creston, Iowa. Accept- ing the latter position, he entered upon his duties in September, 1884; he is therefore now in the third year of his administration of the school affairs of Creston, enjoying the full support of the people of this thriving city, whose greatest pride is her public schools. In these are employed thirty teachers, and 1,360 pupils are enrolled. To his successful experi- ence as a teacher and superintendent Professor Larrabee has added a no less successful career as a conductor and instructor of teachers' in stitut . The reputation achieved in this line of work in Pennsylvania, confirmed and emphasized by his later experience in the West, has seenred abundant calls for like work in the future. Energetic, enthusiastic, cap- able, with marked executive ability, and thoroughly conversant with the work of pub- lic instruction, a continuance is assured of the success he has already attained, as also a large
place in the ranks of educational leaders of Jowa. Professor Larrabee was married in Lenox, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to Miss Ella Rood, June 30, 1875. They have two children living-Wayne and Bennie. A daughter, Nettie May, died in infancy.
C. FRANCIS, a prominent agricultur- ist of Platte Township, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 31, is a son of Alfred P. and Mary Francis, his parents being natives of the State of New York. Ile was born in the same State, the date of his birth being May 12, 1833, and there grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting his father on the farm. He was married in the year 1860, to Miss Georgeina I. Davidson, who was born September 7, 1839, a daughter of George and Rachel (Brownlee) Davidson, who were both born in the State of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been born ten children-Mary C., born May 17, 1861; Franic M., born November 7, 1862; Laura R., born December S. 1864; Charles J., born December 31, 1866; Elizabeth B., born December 22, 1868; Anna E., May 19, 1871; James S., born September 27, 1874; Alfred R. and George C. (twins), born May 20, 1876, and Frank A., born November 13, 1878. Mr. Francis came to lowa in 1854, and entered land in Marshall County, on which he located in 1860, remain- ing there five years. He then removed to Boone County, where he spent six years, and from there came to Union County, where he has since made his home. He has been suc cessful in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of his present fine farm, which con- tains 200 acres of well-improved land, a com- modions house, large barn, and other good farm buildings, and is identified with the best farmers of Union County, and since coming here he has by his honorable and upright dealings gained the confidence and respect of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
all who know him. He has held various local offices of trust in the township, serving as township trustee and school director. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Re- publican party.
OMER K. BURKET, senior member of the firm of Burket Brothers, funeral dircetors and embalmers, and dealers in window shades, picture frames, moldings, ete., purchased the business of his cousin, and conducted it alone until September 1, 1886, when he was joined by his brother, T. N. Burket. He had also handled sewing machines, while his brother, in 1884, em- barked in the window furnishings, picture frames, etc. The brothers consolidated their different branches of business, and are pre- pared to furnish to the public anything in their fine of goods. They are located on the corner of Maple and Montgomery streets. The business was established by II. K. Burket, a cousin of the present proprietors. Our subject has been a resident of that city since 1879. He was born in Dixon, Illinois, in 1858. In 1873 he removed with his father's family to Tipton, Iowa, where he lived until he came to Creston. Ile was married in this city, to Miss Ella Gibson, a daughter of the Rev. Josiah Gibson. T. N. Burket was born at Dixon, Illinois, in 1863.
ILLIAM G. BLACK, section 20, Lin- coln Township, is a native of Illinois born in LaSalle County, July 14. 1858, a son of Alonzo S. Black, a prominent old settler of that county, removing there from his native State, Pennsylvania, in an carly day. Onr subject was given good educational advantages, attending school at Aurora, Illi- nois, and Valparaiso, Indiana. He came to Jowa in the fall of 1883, and located on the farm where he now lives, which contains 260
aeres of choice land, all well improved. In the fall of 1884 he went to Creston and dealt in stock until the following July, when he returned to his farm, which he has since con- dueted, and at the same time deals quite extensively in stock. He is one of the enter- prising young men of the county, and is fast gaining many friends among the business men as well as in social circles. He was married January 13, 1881, to Ida M. Banker. daughter of Seley Banker, of Sand Creek Township. They have had two children-Clarinda Pearl, who died August 31, 1885, in her second year, and Minnie Juanita, born September 5, 1886. Mr. Black is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
GILLIAM M. LEECH, farmer and stork-raiser, section 36, Highland est Township, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, December 17, 1838 ; a son of James and Nancy A. Leech, now of Lucas County, Iowa, natives of Virginia, the father born in Rockbridge, and the mother in Bote- tourt County. His father was a son of John Leech, who was also a native of Virginia, and his mother was a daughter of William Mc- Knight, who was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and a soldier in the war of 1812. His parents were among the early settlers of Lucas County, Iowa, locating on wild land. Their first house was a small log cabin, in which the family lived nntil better accommodations could be prepared, and the land made ready for culti- vation. Our subject was reared a farmer, and has made that vocation the work of his life. Ile has been successful, and now owns a good farm of 240 acres. Ife went from Lucas County to Allen County, Kansas, in the fall of 1867, and in 1874 came to Union County, and located on the farm on which he now lives, which at that time was a tract of. barren prairie land. He pays especial atten- tion to the raising of horses and cattle, and
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
has made a decided success of that industry. Mr. Leech was married February 20, 1866. to Rachel A. Courtney, daughter of George and Elecy J. Courtney, who came from Virginia to Iowa, in 1831, and settled in Lucas County. To Mr. and Mrs. Leech have been born six children-Preston M., died aged six years ; Arthur A., Julia A., George C., Elmer E. and Roy, died in infancy. Mr. Leech has been trustee of his township eight years, and at present is serving as school director. Ile and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional church.
W. MORROW, of the firm of Mor- row Brothers, stock-dealers of Union Township, is a son of William Mor- row who came to Union County with his family in 1864, purchasing 280 acres of the farm now ocenpied by the brothers. There were then about sixty acres improved. In 1871 the parents removed to Alton. William Morrow was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1807, and grew to manhood in his native county. He removed to Guernsey County, Ohio, with his family, thenee to Illinois, coming from Lawrence County, that State, to Union County. The children of William Morrow and wife are --- Robert F., of San Francisco, California, a member of the Board of Trade of that eity and a director of the Bank of California, was for- merly interested in the mines, and his wealth is estimated at several millions ; Mrs. Martha J. Bragg, of Union County : Mrs. Mary E. Lorimer, of Great Bend, Kan-as; Mr., Dorcas W. Hawking, of Richland County, Illinois; ; Miss Elizabeth Gregg, who was born in Mrs. Esther Laughlin, who removed to Kansas
Windham December 18. 1827. Her parents after marriage, and has since died; William . were Samuel and Janette (Diekey) Gregg, B., who was a soldier in the war of the Re- bellion, as a member of the One Hundred and . Irish descent. Her father died when she was Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, and was lost at the battle of the Wilderness, and James C., who is associated with his brother W. W., in
business. He resides in Kansas where the brothers have large farming and stock in- terests. W. W. has charge of the business interests of the firm in Union County. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1842, and married Miss Mary E. Roberts, daughter of C. G. Roberts, of Union Township.
SAAC K. WHITE, one of the early set- tlers of Union County, was born in Cale- donia County, Vermont, Angust 10, 1825. His father, John White, was a native of Massachusetts, and his paternal grandfather was born in New Hampshire, and of Scoteli- Irish ancestry. His maternal ancestry was of Dutch origin. William White, the grand- father, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. John White married Sarah Kendall, and im- mediately immigrated to Vermont They first settled in Washington County, and later went to Caledonia County. When Isaac K. was two . years old his parents returned to Washington County, where they passed the remainder of their days. John White was twice married, Isaac being a child of the second marriage. Ilis first wife was Lney Blanchard. There were fifteen children by both marriages, four- teen of whom grew to maturity. The family consisted of eight sons and seven daughters. Four sons and four daughters are living. Only two of the family settled in Iowa; Stephen, who was the youngest child of the first mar- riage and our subject. Stephen came in 1855 and purchased a farm in Jones Township, where he lived until his death. Isaac K. was married in Manchester, New Hampshire, to
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