USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 22
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B. GIBSON, farmer, resides on section 14, Jones Township, where he owns 160 aeres of land, was born January 16, 1810, in Bureau County, Illinois. His parents were Sanderson and Catherine (Cns- ter) Gibson, the latter being a cousin to Gen- cral George A. Custer, of the United States Army. They immigrated to Boone County, Iowa, where, in 1876, Mr. Gibson died, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in 1881. The subject of this biographical notice was brought up on a farm in Bureau County, Illinois, moved to Boone Connty, Iowa, in 1876, and to Thayer, Iowa, in 1869, and has most of the time since followed his original calling. Ile served as postmaster at Thayer five years, under President Grant's administration. Shortly after that place was laid out, Mr. Gibson, in company with S. B. and A. Downing and L. A. Willard, purchased it, and he alone planted nearly all the trees now growing in and around Thayer, raising them from the seed. IIe was married in Boonesboro, Boone County, Iowa, in 1870, to Miss Marietta, daughter of G. W. and Eliza Carlile) Hoover, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Van Buren County, lowa, in 1846, removed to Des Moines in 1853, and to Boonesboro in 1858, where she taught school seven years. They are the parents of four children, sons, three of whom are living -- Win, Lewis and George R. Before closing it should be noticed that two brothers of Mr. Gibson were starved to death in Anderson- ville prison during the war, and that his father, who was a slaveholder in Virginia, liberated all his slaves on account of conscien- tions scruples.
W. KENDALL, of Creston, settled in Douglas Township in 1869. Ile pur- chased the west half of section !, upon which no improvements had been made. Upon this farm be located with his family, made many improvements and occupied it until 1876, when he rented it and moved to Creston. In the fall of 1879 he disposed of his land to O. J. Silverthorne. When he first settled in Douglas Township what is now Spaulding Township was a part of it. He was a member of the School Board of that township four years. Mr. Kendall engaged the first teacher that taught in the town plat of Cres- ton, The teacher was a Miss White, and the
school was tanght in the summer of 1870. In 1881 Mr. Kendall erceted his fine residence on the corner of South Pine and Fremont streets. In 1872 he engaged with the Potter Plow Company of Monmouth, Illinois, with which he has since been connected. In 1876 he invented a very important device as an attachment to the New Departure Cultiva- tor, manufactured by the company that he represents, and which he had then been en- gaged in selling four years. This is known as the tongueless cultivator. The improve- ment made by Mr. Kendall was a device for transporting and supporting the tongueless cultivator by rear supporting bars and sus- pending arms. This invention is regarded as one of great importance, and has been a source of much profit to the inventor. Mr. Kendall was born in the town of Athens, Somerset County, Maine, April 19, 1828. When four- teen years of age his parents removed to Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His fa- ther, T. I'. Kendall, was a merchant by oceu- pation, and died at his home in Middlesex County, in 1857, aged fifty-eight years. Ilis mother, India A. (Abbott) Kendall, died at the home of her son, John T., at Skowhegan, Maine, in 1883, aged eighty-three years. Both parents were natives of Audover, Massa- chusetts. In his early life Mr. Kendall was employed in his father's store, and later en- gaged in farming. In September, 1851, he went to California by the Nicarangna route, and returned in May, 1855. Ile was married in the autumn of that year. in Buda, Barean County, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Webb, also a native of Somerset County, Maine. In 1857 Mr. Kendall removed to Olmstead County, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming, and in 1864 removed to Bureau County, Illinois, where he lived five years in charge of a stoek farm of 1,200 acres, known as the Maple Grove Stock Farm. At the expiration of this time he removed to Union County. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall have two sons and one daughter - Frank, born in
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Bureau County, September 4, 1956, is a loco- motive engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad, with his home at Creston; John C., born May 2, 1861, at Rochester, Minnesota, is also a locomotive engineer; Laura E., was born July 7, 1873, in Douglas Township. Mrs. Kendall was born in what is now Skowhegan, Maine, May 18, 1831. Her parents, Joseph B. and Martha (Weston) Webb, were natives of the same county. The family removed to Bureau County, Illinois, in 1851, where the parents lived until their deccase.
EORGE O. ICKIS, farmer and stock- raiser, section 33, Highland Township, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, May 10, 1841. Ilis father, John Iekis, was a native of Fredericksburg. Maryland, born in 1801. In 1852 the family came to Iowa, and for three years lived in Keokuk. In the fall of 1854 the father came to Union County, and located in Union Township, the family mov- ing to the county the following spring. At that time wild animals, such as deer, wolves, turkeys and wildcats were numerous, and Indians were the principal possessors of the Foil. The noted chief, John Green, was almost a daily visitor at their house, and is well re- membered by our subject. They were obliged to go to Indianola to mill, and to Keokuk for provisions. George O. remained at home until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he eulisted in the defense of the Union, and was assigned to Company II, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and served over three years. Ile participated in the battles at Helena, Little Rock, Terre Noire, Little Mis- souri, Prairie De Ann. Poison Springs, Jen- kins' Ferry, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, the capture of Mobile and many others of less importance. Since his return home he en- gaged in farming, and in the spring of 1871 located on the farm where he now lives, which
contains 200 acres of choice land, all well im- proved with a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. Mr. lekis has served his township as trustee and his county as deputy sheriff. He is a member of the Knights of Labor and the Grand Army of the Republic. Ile was married December 21, 1870, to Elceta L. Turner, a native of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, daughter of George Turner, a resident of Highland Township.
ILLIAM H. CHRISTIE, M. D., lo- cated at Creston, April 28, 1874. He is the oldest resident physician of the place except Dr. Wilson. He was born in Bergen County, New Jersey, in 1844. When he was quite young his father, Daniel Christie, removed to New York City, and when he was eleven years oldl the fimdily removed to Lee County, Illinois. In August, 1862, he en- listed in Company K, Seventy-fifth Illinois Infantry. At the battle of Perryville, Ken- tucky, October 8, 1862, he was severely wounded, receiving three gunshot wounds within the space of a few minutes. He received a severe wound in the right shoulder and right hand and a flesh wound in the left arm. He lay in the hospital at Perryville until able to travel, and was then taken home; thence to the Marine Hospital until his discharge, which occurred in May, 1863. IIe had con- templated studying for the medical profes- sion, but his wounds were so severe that it was two years before he was able to enter npon his course of study. In April, 1865, he entered the office of Dr. Chester Hart, of Ottawa, Illinois, as a student, where he re- mained two years, and in the meantime took his first course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. At the expiration of the two years he went to Tiskilwa, Burean County, Illinois, where he remained six years. Dur- ing the first year he completed his course at Rush Medical College, receiving from that
Mst Christie
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
institution the degree of M. D. Dr. Christie stands high in the medical profession of Southern Iowa, and is a popular and success- ful practitioner. He is a member of the State and American medical societies, and was a member of the Board of Pension Examiners from 1876 until July, 1885. He was married October 30, 1868, to Miss Sarah M. Whit- ford, a native of Illinois, and daughter of C. P. Whitford, formerly from Vermont. They have had three children-Charles, Ralph and Mabel. Charles was killed by the cars at Creston, in March, 1883, at the age of nine years. Politically, Dr. Christie is an active, earnest Republican. He cast his first Presi- dential vote for General Grant, in 1868. He was only eighteen years old when he entered the army, and at nineteen years of age was president of a union league. In 1884 he was a member of the National Republican Con- vention, at Chimon from the Eighth Dietrint. Ile enjoys the excitement of political contro- versy, and bas much influence in the councils of his party. Ile is enterprising and public spirited; is a prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity.
EORGE C. WEBSTER, of Creston, is one of the oldest employes of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He is connected with the locomo- tive department, and has been in the employ of this company since coming to Creston, in 1562, at which time the railroad reached the city, and has been connected with the locomo- tive department during all this time-a part of the time as locomotive engineer on the road, and a part of the time in charge of this department at the round house. Mr. Webster is a native of Scotland, and was born at Ren- frewshire, near Glasgow, February 28, 1820. Ile served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, and came to America in 1840. When he first came he was engaged for a time in the
novelty works of Stillman, Allen & Co., in New York City, then went to Rochester, same State, where he remained nine years. During the latter part of his stay in Rochester he was in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company. From that city he went to Detroit, Michigan, and from there to Cres- ton. Mr. Webster was married in his native country, to Miss Jennet Cumnock, born also in Renfrewshire, Scotland. They have six children-one son and five daughters. The son, George Webster, is prominently connected with the railroad company, being traveling engineer for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy.
M. COLLINS, clerk of ,the city of Creston and clerk of the Superior Court. also engaged in insurance, has been a resident of Union County since 1877. He came to Creston and engaged in his present business in 1883. His office is in the Superior Court-room. Mr. Collins was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1857, and was reared in the State of Connectient. His father, Morris Collins, was a native of Massachusetts, and removed to Connecticut in early life. When a young man he went to St. Lonis, and en- gaged in the mercantile business. Later, he sold out, and for many years was engaged in the manufacture of lead pipe and sheet lead, doing an extensive; business. The later years of his life were spent in Jacksonville, Illinois, but he conducted his business in St. Louis until his deccase, which occurred at Jackson ville, March 19, 1873. The Collins family came from old New England stock. There were three brothers of Morris Collins, all of whom were prominent business men. Two of them were (both dead now) residents of Hartford, Connecticut, and the third lives in New York City. The mother of our subject Martha (Blatchford) Collins, died in 1862. Ifis father married a second time, and his wife
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
resides in Jacksonville. The wife of A. M. Collins was formerly Miss Charlotte Young, daughter of J. R. Young, of Lincoln Town- ship. Mr. Collins' parents had four children --- two sons and two daughters. Mr. Collins is the only member of the family living in Iowa.
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ILMOS T. HOLLAND was born in Mo- nongalia County, West Virginia, August 11, 1848, a son of Eli Holland, of Henry County, Illinois. His father was a native of the State of West Virginia, who immigrated to Henry County in 1864, when he located on the farm where he has since made his home. Our subject was reared on a farm, his father being a farmer by occupation, and has made agricultural pursuits his life work. IIe re- ceived a good education by attending the common schools of his native county, and at Prairie Ilome Academy at Orion, Illinois. He was married March 8, 1877, to Miss Louisa Shively, a daughter of John P. Shive- ly, who died in Grant Township, Union County. Mr. and Mrs. Holland have four children-Mabel N., Bertha E., Jessie L. and Pearl L. Mr. Holland came with his family to Union County, Iowa, in the spring of JSS2, and settled on section 29, Grant Township, where he has a fine farm containing 240 acres. He is meeting with success in his farming and stock-raising, and is paying special attention to raising graded cattle and hogs.
QUIRE R. DAVIS, postmaster and editor of the Creston Commonwealth, has resided in Creston since 1876. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland July 24, 1855, and took possession of the office August 10, following. He was confirmed by the Senate May 5, 1886. Mr. Davis was born near Carthage, Ilancock County, Illinois, June 17, 1854. Ile was
educated in the public schools of Carthage, and at the age of fourteen began an appren- ticeship at the printer's trade, serving four years. He was engaged in the printing and publishing business many years. When first coming to Creston he published the Creston Democrat. In a year and a half he sold out, but repurchased it and conducted it for some time longer. He studied law in Illinois, was admitted to the bar at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1879, and practiced that profession in connection with his other business for four years, after coming to Creston. He was the Democratie-Greenback candidate for Congress for the Eighth District, in 1884, his opponent being IIon. W. P. Hepburn. He has served as justice of the peace several years. Mrs. Davis, was formerly Fannie Alice Sedberry, born in Maury County, Tennessee. They have two children -- Rupert F. and Marjorie C.
AMES HAY LEMON was born in Union County, Ohio, in 1823, where his father had gone to take up land granted to sol- diers of the Indian wars. The following spring his parents went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1828 to Philadelphia. In his boyhood our subject worked at the shoemaker's trade, and later was apprenticed to the trade of a carpenter and joiner. In 1840 he enlisted in the regular army, and served five years, par- ticipating in the war in Florida, a member of Zachary Taylor's Sixth United States Infant- ry. IJe was discharged as Sergeant-Major of his regiment. In 1849 he went to Califor- nia ola Cape Horn, and in 1832 returned to Philadelphia, and the same year was married to Adelaide M. Kater. In 1854, with his wife and two infant sons, he immigrated to Wisconsin, where he opened up three new farins, and while working at his trade built several dwellings and store blocks. In 1870 he moved to Union County, Iowa, and is now engaged in stock-raising on section 21, Platte
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Township. His family consists of ten chil- dren, seven of whom have been school-teach- ers; three are graduates of Drake University, Des Moines.
TEPHIEN L. EMERSON, one of the Cold and honored pioneers of Union Township, now living on section 29, Lincoln Township, was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 20. 1830, a son of Jasper P. and Eliza (McCamey) Emerson, who were natives of Wier, New Hampshire, and Virginia respectively, and are now making their home in Union County, Iowa. Our sub- ject was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made the principal vocation of his life. He received a good education, attending the academy and college at Granville, Ohio, and also spent some time at Oberlin College, and after completing his education he taught a few terms in his native State. In March, 1853, he eame to Union County, Iowa, and settled on section 12, Ilighland Township, where he entered 160 acres. He returned to Ohio the same year. He was united in mar- riage October 17, 1852, to Miss Mary L. Peek, a daughter of Solomon Peck, who had a fam- ily of eighteen children. Mrs. Emerson was was left an orphan when but a child. In 1856 Mr. Emerson returned to Highland Township, this county, with his wife and two children, having spent the previous winter in Monroe County, Iowa. They resided in Highland Township until 1869, when they came to farm, where they . till re-ide. After coming to this county Mr. Emerson taught school for six terms, mostly during winter months. He was also a preacher in the Christian church, in the early days of the county, but was obliged to return to farming in order to make a living for his family. His nearest mills in those days were on Middle River in Madison County, and on South Coon River, which took four days' time. IIe was first obliged to go
to Missouri to get his corn to grind. Deer and other wild animals were in abundance, and often has our subject canght wild turkey in a steel trap. The Indians at that time were the principal inhabitants of the new country, and Mr. Emerson kept one Indian all one win- ter, and sent him to school. Ilis Christian name was John, and Mr. Emerson gave him the surname of White. John would try to wash the dark color off his hands, and then slap them and say "Ugh, Injin yet." He is now chief of the Pottawattamie tribe. Mr. Emerson planted the first sugar cane in the county, and ground the sap out of it with a rolling-pin. The first Hungarian seeds and the first loenst trees in the county were also planted by him. He was one of the organizers of Lincoln Township, and gave it the name it still bears in honor of Abraham Lincoln. In polities he was formerly a Republican, but now affiliates with the Greenback party. He has served his township as justice of the peace and assessor, and during the war was commis- sioned Deputy Provost-Marshal for Union County, and also came within one vote of be- ing elected to the office of county elork. Ile was president of the School Board a few years, and for the past thirteen years has served as school treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson are the parents of seven children-Ralph W., Willis G., Jennie L., Mary C., Lincoln J., Lydia P. and Stephen S. Ralph has devoted considerable time to literary pursuits, having written for several journals and newspapers. Hle was married to Lillian MeNant, and has three children-Daisy, Nelly and Jessie. Willis G. is a graduate of the Gem City Busi- ness College of Quiney, Illinois, in which institution he afterward taught. He also taught penmanship and bookkeeping in Cres- ton, lowa, for two years. Ile is also a man of literary merit, and is the anthor of a book entitled "Winning Winds" which is a very interesting and popular work. Willis G. mar- ried Clyde Parker, who is a innsie-teacher and landscape-painter, and they are the par-
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
ents of two children-Willie Z. and Fred. Jennie married Theodore Eckert, of Creston, Iowa, and has two children -- Harry E. and Mary S. Mary C. married George E. Smith, of Cromwell, Union County, and now resides with his family in Colorado, having accepted the position of second teller of the bank at Loveland. They have two children-Winnie and Mamie. Lincoln lives in Washington Territory; Lydia is a successful teacher. She and Stephen S. are living with their parents. Jennie and Mary were prominent teachers before they were married; Mary teaching six terms in one school.
F. SULLIVAN, attorney at law, Afton, Iowa, was born in Nova Scotia, of P Irish parentage. When he was two years old his parents moved to the State of New York, and when he was fifteen, in 1852, to Johnson County, lowa. He began the study of law in 1858, at Iowa City, with Templin & Fairall and was admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1863 he located in Afton, and since 1872 has been associated in practice with J. W. McDill. Mr. Sullivan married Miss Elizabeth Gutheridge, daughter of D. J. Gutheridge an early settler of Union County. They have five children-James, John, Frank, Eugene and Annie. In politics Mr. Sullivan affiliates with the Democratic party.
M. SCOTT, grain dealer at Creston, is 'now the oldest grain-merchant, by many years, of the city, having settled here in the spring of 1871. George P. Rock- well was the first to buy grain here. com- meneing in the fall of 1869, and he was succeeded by Mr. Scott, in the spring of 1971. Ile has been constantly in the business since that time. Mr. Rockwell built the first eleva-
tor ; J. T. Evans built the second one in 1871. Mr. Scott purchased the elevator of Mr. Rockwell, which he enlarged and furnished with new machinery. Mr. Scott was an early pioneer of Creston. He was reared in Oneida County, New York. His parents, John and Cyrena Scott, were natives of Massachusetts. In 1850 he removed to Mercer County, Illi- nois, with his father, but the latter soon after removed to Henry County, where he re- mained until his decease. His mother died in the State of New York. Mr. Scott has been identified with the growth of our modern city from its infancy. In 1880 he was elected mayor, and served with credit. He has done a large grain business, at one time employing forty men to buy grain. He has grain houses in Creston, Cromwell, Brooks, Nodaway and Spaulding. He has been engaged in the grain business the greater part of his life. He was married in Illinois to Caroline Cossum, a native of England. They have one daughter -Cyrena. Mr. Scott's sympathies, politic- ally, are with the Democratic party, but he intends to vote for measures rather than men.
DAM PETRIE, a prominent stock-raiser and farmer of Douglas Township, and occupying section 31, is a son of John and Elizabeth Petrie, of Tennessee, and was born in 1828, in East Tennessee, where he grew to the age of manhood. During the spring of 1865 he came to Union County, set- tling on section 11, ciglity neres of which he improved. He then bought 160 peres on section 31, where he now resides. He began in life without capital, and by his own untir- ing efforts he has accumulated a fair compe- teney for his declining years. When he retires from the active duties of life he can enjoy that rest which he has so woll earned by a life of toil and industry. He was married in Keokuk County, Iowa, in 1556, to Catha- rine Golliher, who was born in Tennessee, in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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1836. By this marriage there have been seven children - Loduskey, William C., John 11., Bluford, Nannie. Ben and Clara. In his political views Mr. Petrie is Independ- ent. Postoffice, Kent.
ANIEL J. SPENCER, manufacturer of brick and tile at Afton, has been en- gaged in his present business twenty conscentive years. He was born in Lee County, Jowa, January 14, 1842, five years before the Territory became a State. His father, Andrew Spencer, was one of the pioneers of that county, entering land from the Government. He came to lowa from the Western Reserve of Ohio; was born in Connecticut, and taken by his parents to Ohio when three years old. lle is now a resident of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Daniel J. lived in Denmark, Lee County, un- til he grew to manhood. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He was in Sherman's expedition against Vicksburg, also with Grant when that stronghold was captured. He was engaged in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta campaign, his regiment being at- tached to the Fifteenth Corps. He was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, in con- sequence of which he came home on a fur- lough. After he was sufficiently recovered he rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina, marched to Washington and took part in the grand review, and at the close of the war returned to Lee County. In the spring of 1866 he was married to Julia A. Loomis, and soon after removed to Mt. Pleasant, where his father's family also re- moved. He was reared on a farm until fifteen years of age, then learned the trade of brick- laying which he has followed all his life. IIe erected the first brick residence in Afton, which was his own dwelling. Ile also erected all the brick buildings in Afton except the :
court-house. Je built the first brick house at Creston, also built several business houses in that city. He is still engaged in contracting and building in connection with brick and tile-making. He began the manufacture of tile in 1885, which has proved a great success. Mr. Spencer is one of the most active busi- ness men of Afton. Politically he was reared an Abolitionist, but has been identified with the Republican party since he became a voter. He cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln, in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have eight children - seven sons and one daughter.
FIDWIN S. KETCHUM, real-estate dealer at Afton. has been a resident of Union County since 1869. IIe was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, in 1840, and lived in that county until he was fifteen years old. At this time his father went to Wisconsin and purchased a farm, intending to remove there with his family. Ile returned to Michi- gan, and while making arrangements for the removal he was kicked by a horse and killed. Ile left a wife and seven children, Edwin S., being the oldest child. After the father's death the family removed to Wisconsin, and settled upon the farm purchased by the father. The mother survived until 1886, and died at Madison, Wisconsin. In August, 1862, Mr. Ketchum enlisted in Company K, Thirty- third Wisconsin Infantry, and served until September 1, 1865, in active service during the entire period. He was in the engagement at Coldwater, Mississippi, siege of Vicks- burg, capture of Jackson, Mississippi, with Banks in his Red River expedition, and in the expedition that scattered the army of Generals Price and Marmaduke, in Missouri; was at the battle of Nashville, and at the capture of Mobile in the spring of 1865. At the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin, coming to Union County in 1860, as previously stated.
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