USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 25
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OHN L. WILSON, a prominent citizen and a prosporous farmer of Lincoln Township, residing on seetion 4, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Septem- ber 12, 1841, a son of Thomas V. Wil- son, who was a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In 1849, the par- ents removed with their family to Spring- field, Illinois, where the father built the first steam flour-mill in the place, he being a miller by trade. The father was Captain of Company L, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, during the late war, and was killed by bushwhackers while in Missouri. Jobn L. Wilson, the sub- ject of this sketch, learned the miller's trade from his father, and followed it for several years. He was also a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company A, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, and with his regiment took part in the battles of Belmont, Fort Douel- son, Vicksburg, Pittsburgh Landing, Corinth, Inka, and Black River Bridge. After his
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ond Colored Cavalry, when he was engaged most of the time on the frontier, fighting the Indians. While in the service he was wounded five times, one ball passing through his body. He now draws a pension. July 16, 1868, he was married to Margaret A. Cartwright, who is a distant relative of the renowned Peter Cartwright. Of the twelve children born to this union, ten still survive -Mary E., Laura N., Thomas V., Sarah F., Harriet J., Martha B., Alice Catharine, Zenida L., Grover C., and Edith M. Mr. Wilson came to Union Connty, Iowa, with his family in 1876, and has since followed farming and stock-raising on the farm where he now lives. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, his home farm con- taining 200 acres of choice land, well im- proved. He held the office of justice of the peace in Champaign County, Illinois, for six years and a half, and has held the same office since coming to Union County, and now serving as township trustee. He has been president of the School Board for several years, and is also at this time president of the Union County Farmers' Alliance.
: V. BARR, dealer in groceries, pro- visions, flour, feed, etc., No. 309 Mont- gomery Street. Creston, lowa, is' a native of Greene County, Ohio, born in 1839, a son of John W. and Phoebe (Snodgrass) Barr, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Virginia. Our subject was reared on a farm in Allen County, Ohio, where his parents moved in his childhood. Ile re- ! mained at home until manhood, assi ting his father on the farm until after the breaking ont of the war of the Rebellion. In 1864 he en- listed, and was assigned as a reeruit to Com- pany G, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served four months. After his return home he again engaged in farming, and followed that vocation until 1851, when he
came to Iowa, and located in Creston, and embarked in his present business, and has built up a good trade. Mr. Barr was married in Allen County, Ohio, in 1869, to Eliza A. Shultz, a native of Greene County, Ohio, born in 1842. To them have been born four children -- Gordie, Charles D., Eddie and Ada B. In polities Mr. Barr is a Republican. Ile and his wife are members of the Christian church.
FRANK HUDSON, farmer and stock- raiser, section 16, Sand Creek Township, is a native of Ohio, born July 5, 1842, his parents, Daniel and Mary (Mayhew) Hudson, being natives of the same State. Our subject was reared and edneated in the common schools of his native Stite and Illi- nois, his parents having moved to Stark Connty, Illinois, in 1853. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Illinois Infantry, and wrote himself private for conntry and liberty's sake, and went out from home to suffer and die, if need be, in cump or field. that the nation might live. ITis regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee, and the history of that organization, of which the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth bore an honorable part, under such commanders as Grant, Sherman, McPherson and Logan, needs no further comment. After the close of the war he re- turned to his father's home in Illinois, where The remained until 1868, when he came to Iowa. and located in Union County, where he was married to Miss Irene Oliver, danghter of W. S. and Minerva Oliver, natives of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have been born five children-Mary M., born September 17, 1870; Homer E., born January 12. 1873, died May 27, 1875; Maggie B., born November 20. 1873; Clark O., born January 2, 1877, and llerbert G., born December 25, 1879, died
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
December 8, 1SS5. Since coming to Uniou has been connected with the enterprise from the beginning. His wife was formerly Miss Isabel Sweet, a native of Muscatine County, and Webster G., both of whom were born in Creston. County Mr. Hudson has been successful in his farming operations, and is numbered among the best farmers in his township, . Iowa. They have two children-Earl Casper where he has 440 Heres of valuable land. Ile has been a member of the Board of County Supervisors for three years, and has held other offices of honor in his township, and is - one of the active and public-spirited citizens. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Greenbacker. He is a member of no church, but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
FTOIIN MCCAFFERY, one of the promi- nent citizens of Creston, was a native of County Cavan, Ireland, and came to America with his parents while yet an infant. The family settled in Albany, New York. When he was eight years old they removed to Chicago, where a greater part of his life has been passed. Ile learned the printer's trade in the office of The Young America, a tri-weekly newspaper that was afterward merged into the Chicago Times. Ile continued on the Times as foreman in the press department for a period of fourteen years. This included the history of that noted paper to the time that Wilbur F. Storey became its proprietor, and also the first nine months of that eminent journalist's connection with the paper. A strike on the part of the typographical force then occurred which resulted in Mr. Mc- Caffery's severing his councetion with the Times. He then engaged with the Inter- Ocean as foreman of the press department, and filled that position two years. Hle next embarked in the grocery trade in Chicago, and was burned out in the great fire of 1871. He, ,with thousands of others, sustained a severe loss in that conflagration. Ilis property was insured for $25,000. but he realized nothing
B F. HEINLY, of the firm of Holcomb, Heinly & Brother, wholesale grocers, @ at Creston, was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in 1851. In 1855 his father, Joseph Heinly, removed with his fam- ily to Muscatine County, lowa, where B. F. was reared, principally, on a farm. He was engaged in a store two years previous to com- ing to Creston. He has been in this city since 1874. Ilis first business venture was in the retail grocery trade in the firm name of Mackemer & Heinly. This partnership continued about six years. In the meantime a younger brother, T. A. Heinly, had became a member of the firm, and is still connected with it in the firm of Holcomb, Heinly & Brother, and also of the firm of Heinly Broth- ers, who have a fine retail grocery store. The grocery house of Holcomb, Heinly & Brother was established in 1881 by Wallace, Heinly & Brother. This was the first wholesale , from bis insurance policies. He immediately honse in Creston, and the expectation of its . rebuilt and resumed business until 1877, founders has been fully realized. It is in . when failing health con, pelled him to change competition with Burlington, St. Joseph. ; locality. Having large land interests in Union Ottumwa and Chicago. They employ two County, he resolved to make Creston his home and devote bis attention to the improve- ment of his land, and in obtaining the rest which his long and close application to busi- ness demanded. Politically Mr. MeCaffery is salesmen, one of whom is on the road and the other attends to the city trade. To Mr. B. F. Heinly is due in a great measure the suc- cess to which the house has attained. He pos. seeses excellent business qualifications and a Democrat. He was prominently connected
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
with Chicago politics for many years. IIe served as alderman four years during his ! business career, and after his retirement from business he served another year. In 1874 he ! was elected member of the county board of commissioners, serving three years. From the time he came to Creston until 1885 he was chief of the fire department in this city, and to his management is due much of the reputa- tion that this department has attained. Mr. McCaffery was married in Chicago to Miss Alice Dixon, who died in Creston in 1883. His present wife was Maria Brownrig. Ile had five children, two sons and three daugh- ters, by his first marriage. He owns 550 acres of land in Spaulding Township. IIe has a beautiful home in Creston, indicative of taste and comfort. His library of standard books shows his taste for reading, and his desire that his family shall not lack the opportunity for obtaining knowledge Resides the pasparty mentioned he owns other lands and city property.
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HARLES H. GRINNELL, one of the pioneers of Union County, engaged as sexton, Graceland Cemetery, section 18, llighland Township, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, November 14, 1837, a son of William and Frances (Sals- bury) Grinnell, who were natives of the same place, the father being now deceased. The mother still makes her home in Providence. Our subject was taken by his parents to New York State, where he lived on a farm with them till fourteen years of age, and during this time Jearned the tailor's trade. He came to Jowa City, Iowa, in 1551, where he clerked in a feed store for five years. In 1856 he be- gan driving a stage for the Great Western Stage Company, between Iowa City and the : Missouri River, and also drove stages on other rontes for the same company, being in their employ till 1860. He returned to !
Oneida County, New York, in the fall of 1860, and the following year enlisted at Clin- ton, that county. in Company E, One Inu- dred and First New York Infantry, in which he served eighteen months, when he was dis- charged on account of chronic dysentery. He re-enlisted in December, 1863, in Company M, Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery, and was again discharged, May 19, 1865, having received six gun-shot wounds. He participated in a number of engagements, including the battles of Chickahominy Swamp, Seven Pines, was on the seven days' retreat from Fair Oaks to Harrison's Landing, second battle of Bull Run, battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court-House and Cold Harbor. Three times he with others was left on picket duty while the main army moved to the rear of the enemy, and each time they were sur- rounded by the enemy, through whose ranks they had to cat then way. At the battle of the Wilderness Mr. Grinnell received a wound in each arm, also slightly wounded in the right temple. IIc was shot in the left side at the battle of Cold Ilarbor, and still carries the ball in his body. In front of Petersburg his left shoulder was badly torn by an explosive ball, making three holes, and at the same place he was shot through the right hand, the ball passing between the first and second knuckles, permanently disabling his hand. After the war he went to Lewis- burg, Pennsylvania, where he attended the high school for two years. September 7, 1867, he was married to Miss Emma J. Miller, a daughter of William Miller, de- ceased. Of the eight children born to them, six are living-Gennetta, Charles A., Mary, Theoda, Jennie May and Lillie Bell. The two oldest are dead. Nora sleeps in Lewis- burg Cemetery; William Henry sleeps in Audubon County, Iowa, awaiting the coming of Christ to gather us all together; Nora died when three days old, and William died at the age of four and a half years. Mr. Grinnell returned to Iowa, and located in Audubon
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County. In 1874 he removed to Taylor County, and in 1877 came to Union County, where he has since made his home. Mr. Grinnell has been sexton of the Creston cemetery most of the time since coming to this county. Both he and his wife, in their religious faith, are Baptists.
YMAN WATERMAN, Sr., of Creston, came to Union County, August 6, 1869, and on the ninth day of the same month bonght a farm of 200 aeres on seetion 26, of Douglas Township, 100 acres of which was broken and a honse built thereon, and other slight improvements made. There were but few houses in the vicinity at the time when he moved his family to the county, the nearest one east being four miles distant. Cromwell was the temporary terminus of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, which was rapidly building to the Missouri River. The name of Creston had not been heard of at that time. Some years later Mr. Waterman purchased 200 acres adjoining, in the same section, which he afterward occupied as a home, upon selling the former homestead at $40 per aere. He moved to Creston several years ago, where he has since resided, surrounded by his family, consisting of wife and three married sons and two married daughters, all of whom have comfortable homes. Mr. Waterman was born April 20, 1817, in Eatou Township, Madison County, New York, in which State he resided until nineteen years of age, when he removed with his parents to Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania. Here on May 2, 1839, he married Mary Elizabeth Wake- field, and three years later started by way of canal to Pittsburg, and by steamboats on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers for Peru, Illinois, where he landed among strangers with a wife, two children, and 75 cents in cash September 20, 1542. After eleven years of working by the day and by the job, Mr.
Waterman found himself possessed of a small farm, which he added to until he owned one of the best locations in the vicinity. The farm lay on both sides of the line, dividing LaSalle and Kendall counties. In 1865 he sold his interest and removed to Buda, Bureau County, Illinois, where he resided four years, when he came to Iowa. While residing in Pennsylvania Mr. Waterman was employed on the Portage Railroad, across the Allegheny Mountains, the first road in Pennsylvania. While in Illinois he served thirteen years as township and Government assessor and col- leetor in the same locality, where he formerly worked at a salary of $10 per month. He raised a large family of children, nine of whom reached maturity, and five are still living, all well-to-do residents of Creston. Mr. Waterman has been a member of the Methodist church all his life, and has ever been an advocate for law and order. In poli- tics he has always voted the Republican ticket since the party was organized. A his- tory of Mr. Waterman's life is a record of ad- verse circumstances overcome by persistent energy and hard work, and, viewed as a whole, is a success most gratifying to himself and the faithful helpmeet, who has shared his joys and sorrows.
FAMES ARMSTRONG, au active and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Grant Township, living on section 14, is 5 . a native of Indiana, born in Union Connty October 11, 1835, a son of Robert and Ellen (Logan) Armstrong, who were natives of Vir- ginia, both now deceased. James Armstrong received but limited educational advantages in his youth. His parents moved to Warren County, Illinois, when he was quite small, and when he was but seven years old his father died. His mother being in poor cireum- stances he was early in life inured to hard work, and started out on his own account en.
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tirely without means. He began working for farmers in Warren County by the month, which he followed for nine years. Ile then, at the age of twenty-five years, enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Company B, Eighty- third Illinois Infantry, and after serving his term of enlistment, in 1865 received an honorable discharge, at Nashville, Tennessee, when he returned to Warren County, Illinois. In 1867 he was married to Mary L. Hopper, a daughter of John and Eliza Hopper, natives of Ohio. Of the six children born to this union five are living-Ida E., born Septem- ber 6, 1868; Ora E., born April 10, 1870; James E., born July 12, 1872; Lona B., born September 18, 1874, and John L., born No- vember 24, 1876. Their youngest child died March 15, 1880, aged about nine months. Since coming to Union County Mr. Arm- strong has been successful in his farining operations, and has made and improved a good home. He has 160 acres of well-culti- vated land, eighty on section 14, Grant Town- ship, where he resides, and eighty acres on section 15, of the same township, which he has gained by persevering industry and good management, and is now classed among the well-to-do farmers of his township. In poli- tics Mr. Arinstrong has always affiliated with the Republican party. Ile is a comrade of Henry Keating Post, No. 211, G. A. R., of Afton.
X. BEERKLE, proprictor of City Meat Market, 110 Montgomery Street, Cres- ton, keeps constantly on band a fine assortment of pork, mutton. beef, etc., and is always ready and willing to do all he can to accommodate his customers, He was born in Baden, Germany, December 3, 1848, and is a son of John and Katherine Beerkle, natives also of Germany. He came to Americ: in 1566, settling in Erie County, Pennsylvania;
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three years afterward he went to Chicago, Illinois, then to Galesburg, same Stite, three years, then to Rock Island, same State, where, in 1873, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Koch, who was born in Erie County. Pennsyl- vania, in 1854. They are the parents of two children-Katie E., who was born in 1876, and one deceased. Mr. Beerkle cime to Creston in 1874, since which time he has sue- cessfully followed his chosen .calling. He commenced in life a poor man, but by habits of economy and perseverance, joined with honest dealing and the assistance of a good wife, he has prospered, as he now is the owner of the meat-market, slaughter-house, two honses and lots, and two acres of ground and three lots in the western portion of Creston. He is a clear-headed business man, and one of the enterprising and influential citizens of the place. Politically he is a Democrat, and religiously he is a member of the Catholic church, while his wife belongs to the German Lutheran church.
ILLIAM M. ELLIOTT, deceased, was born March 2, 1823, a son of John S. and Mary (Aufal) Elliott, who were natives of Kentucky. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and followed farming till his death. He went to Indiana in an early day, and was married in that State to Miss Sara A. Jordon, who was born October 5, 1822, a daughter of Naney (Beaman) Jor- don, the marriage taking place February 8, 1846. To this union were born thirteen children-Mary A., born November 25, 1846. is the wife of John S. Mason; Nancy J., born September 7, 1848, wife of James Dixon; William J., born May 28. 1850; John N .. born Angust 1, 1552; Elizabeth A., born March 14, 1854; Henry M., born August 26, 1856; James S. and George II. (twins), born November 25, 1558; R. J .. born November 9, 1560; Florence B., born April 11, 1863;
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Walter S., born February 8, 1865; Alice J .. born December 12, 1866; Sarah C., born March 3, 1869. Mr. Elliott remained in In- diana about ten years, when he removed with his family to Jasper County, Iowa. From there he came to Union County, being among the pioneer settlers. He subsequently went to Missouri, where he lived till his death, which occurred March 7. 1879. After his death his widow returned to the old home- stead with her family, which she still owns and occupies. The home farm is located on section 28, Sand Creek Township, and con- tains 320 acres of choice land. Wherever he resided Mr. Elliott was universally respected, and while living in Union County he held several local offices of trust, including justice of the peace and township trustee, serving in all with honor to himself and to his constituents. Hle was a worthy Christian gentleman ; a member of the Baptist church. In his polit- ical views he was independent, voung for man, not party.
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BILDERBACK, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser, living on section 36, @ Grant Township, is a native of Ohio, born April 5, 1830. His parents, Charles and Mary (Cooper) Bilderback, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. They subse- quently came to Iowa, and lived in Dallas County. Both are now deceased. Our subject was reared to the occupation of a fariner, which he has always followed. He grew to mar.hood in Ohio, then started West, and after spending a short time in Colorado he came to Union County, lowa, settling on his present farin in 1869. He was married June 9, 1966, to Miss Elizabeth Huneson, a daughter of Lewis and Martha IInneson, who were natives of Ohio. Two sons have been born to this union -- Perry Ellsworth, born April 21, 1867, and Walter G., born September Is, 1869, died March 13, 1883. Mr. Bilderback has ; three children-Charles, George and Gracie;
inet with excellent success in his agricultural pursuits, and now has 360 acres of well- improved land where he resides. His land is under cultivation, his house is comfortable and convenient, and his barns and other farm buildings are in good condition, and every thing about the place betokens care and thrift. Mr. Bilderback has served as township trustee and school director, beside filling other positions of trust in his township. IIe is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
LFRED GRIM, farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, Donglas Township, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1821, his father being Thomas and his grandfather Christopher Grim, and his mother's maiden name Rachel MeCullough; they were natives of Pennsylvania and of German ancestry. Ilis maternal grandfather was Martin Grim, and his maternal grandmother, Mary Morgan, was a relative of the Morgan who was massa- ered by the Indians in Pennsylvania in early day. Mr. Grim, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the years of manhood in agri- cultural pursuits, which he has since gener- ally followed; has also been a carpenter and brick-maker. He came to Union County in 18ยง3, and is now a prosperous citizen. He had but little to start in life with. He taught school five years: is a member of the Chris- tian church. Mr. Grim was married in 1849, in Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Zebulon and Catharine (Shrontz) Ferrel, of English and German parentage. They have had ten children, nine of whom are living, as follows-Lyman P. S., who married Ellen Shonman, of Douglas Township, and has five children - Frank, Arthur Perry, Jolm F., Eina and Thomas; Caroline, deccascd; Catherine, wife of Joseph Coffman, and has
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
James F., who married Mary Pickrell; Belle, wife of John Tharp, and has three children- Katie, Annis and Mary, living in Pennsylva- nia; Rachel, wife of David Belves, of Chi- cago; Mary M., wife of William Mellary, and has one child-Mercella, and Emma J. and Ida M. John F. has been trustee of Eureka College, Illinois. Postoffice, Creston, box 577.
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EORGE HARTMAN, retired farmer, resides on section 35, Douglas Town- ship, where he owns eighty acres of land. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1832, to Juda Crites, a native of that State, and they have had thirteen children, six of whom are living - John C., Caroline A., Eliza A., Leah, Reuben, Rebecca, Eliza- beth, South and Forrotta Grange and these infants are deceased. In 1873 Renben mar- ried Frances Ilill, who was born in Clermont County, Ohio, and they have had four chil- dren-Francis S., Judith, Barzilla B. and Ella M. He manages the farm of his father. The subject of the above short sketch came to this county in 1869; is a gentleman well re- spected by his neighbors. Postoffice, Creston.
ETER BOLLIG, deceased, was a native of Prussia, Germany, where he was reared, coming to the United States when a young man. He located in La Fay- ette, Indiana, where he learned the black- smith's trade, at which he worked many years. He became proficient in the English language, attending a night school, and studying hard to master the language of his adopted country. In 1564 he came to Iowa, and opened a shop in Des Moines, and in 1868 moved to Madison County, where he lived six years on a farm, moving to Creston in 1874. In 1878 he located on the farm on
section 18, llighland Township, where he built a brewery, which stopped business when the prohibition law was enforced, which was a great disadvantage to his family, who still reside on the same place. Ile was a hard-working, energetic man, and by econo- my and good management accumulated a good property. Mr. Bollig was married November 25, 1859, to Barbara Lehnert, daughter of Nicholas Lehnert. To them were born six children, but four of whom are liv- ing-Josephine, Maggie, Ida and Albert. One daughter, Mary, died aged sixteen years. Mr. Bollig died January 10, 1880, leaving his family and a large circle of friends to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father and an enterprising citizen.
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