USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 26
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 26
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CHARLES R. COOPER, farmer and stock. raiser, resides on section 26, Jones Town- , ship, where he owns eighty acres of land, in good condition. He was born in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1837, and is a son of Andrew and Lydia (Robison) Cooper, natives respect- ively of Pennsylvania and Connectient. Ile was but eight years old when his mother died, and in 1853 he came West with his father and step-mother, settling in Pleasant Township. In 1857 he went to Oregon, and at a place called "Devil's Gap" he came into company with General Custer, with whom he remained four months, fighting the Indiane. Thenec he went to Missouri and thenee to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and finally crossed the Isthmus of Tehnantepee into Central America. Returning by way of New Or- Icans and St. Louis, he stopped in Ray County, Missouri, where, by the ruthless hand of rebels, he lost about $2,000 worth of property. In 1862 he enlisted in Company II, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and served three years, engaging in the battle at Helena, Arkansas, and Vicksburg and Little Rock and Camden, in the same State, and also in
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the Red River Expedition. After wintering at Little Rock he went to Atgeres, and par- ticipated in the siege of Mobile and many other battles of less note. Mr. Cooper was married at Afton, Iowa, November 2, 1866, to Miss ida F., daughter of William Sewers. She was born in Prussia, in 1843, Mr. Cooper was for eight months in the employ of Mr. Hull, a Government surveyor on the fifth and sixth parallel. He has traveled a great deal, and is a well-informed gentleman.
II. BROOKS, farmer, stock-raiser and dealer, resides on section 3, Douglas Township, where he has 150 acres of good land, highly cultivated. He was born in Windham County, Vermont, in 1835, his parents being George and Salina (Houghton) Brooks, natives aiso of the Green Mountain State, of English ancestry. They immigrated to Peoria, Illinois, where the subject of our notice' lived until 1857; then, until 1875, he was a resident of Henry County, same State, and finally he settled in Union County, where he still resides. The place was then partially improved, and, although he had nothing to commence for himself with, he has succeeded in establishing the foundation of a permanent and comfortable home. His house he erected in ISSO, at a eost of $1,000, and his barns and ontbuildings cost $1,000; an acre and a half he has in orchard. IIe sells : about fifty head of cattle and hogs annually. Ile rears the English carriage horse, or the Cleveland Bay. He is classed among the solid and influential citizens of Union County. In politics he is a Republican, and both him- self and wife are members of the Congrega- tional church. He has been supervisor for several years, and school director. Ile was married in Henry County, Illinois, in 1859, to Mies Marion V., daughter of Abraham and Betsy (Seudder) Bush, the former a native of Holland and the latter of New York. Mrs.
Brooks was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1839. The five children by this matrimonial union are-Charles E., Willis M., Lewis E., Estella and John II. Postoffice, Creston.
HIOMAS II. LEECHI, farmer and stock- raiser, section 35, Highland Township, residing on section 35, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, May 1, 1847, a son of James and Nancy (MeKnight) Leech, natives of the same county. They came with their family to Iowa in 1855, and settled in Lucas County. They made the entire journey by wagon, being a month on the road, and made their home in Union Township, that connty, where they still live, the father aged seventy-thrce and the mother seventy-two years. Thomas II. Leech, our subject, was abont eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Iowa. He was reared on the home farm, and educated in the common schools of Lneas County, remaining in that county till 1876. He was married Angust JS. 1870, to Mrs. Mary J. Leeeh, who was bom in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Janu- ary 15, 1840, a daughter of David Cooper. The parents of Mrs. Leech were both natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and also her grandparents, Sylvanus and Mary (Bryant) Cooper, who were of Holland descent. Mrs. Loech is the oldest in a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom are living. Her parents are also living . in Scotland County, Missouri. By her first husband Mrs. Lecch had two children -- Ida M. and Eugene E. Ida married George Vin- cent, of Grant Township, and has two chil- dren-Eurl A. and an infant daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Lecch have been born six chil- dren, of whom five are living-John F., Don C., Jessie F., Loy C. and Berttie C. JEr. Leech came with his family to Union County in February, 1876, locating on his present
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
farm, which at that time was raw prairie land entirely unimproved. He now owns 240 acres of well-cultivated land with good buildings, fine groves, and an abundance of fruit trees, all of which has been done within the last ten years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leech are members of the Congregational church.
OSEPH FRIEND, dealer in clothing. gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, valises, trunks, etc., at 129 Pine Street, Creston, carries about $25,000 worth of stock, and his sales annually amount to about $40,000. He was born in Poland, in 1835, and is the son of Isaac and Blanche Friend, also natives of that country. He was eighteen years of age when he immigrated to America. Besides re- eciving a good education, he had in his youth considerable experience in various mercantile clerkships. All his present wealth he has ac- cumulated by his own honest industry. He came to Creston in 1878, engaging in his present business. Besides his prosperous business, he owns a fine dwelling house and lot. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and politically he is in sympathy with Republi- canism. He was married in 1867 in the city of New York, to Harriet Herostein, who was born in 1848. They have five children-Al- fred I., Frederica, Benny, Blanche and Charlotte.
entered the grocery business, renting his farm. He owns the property where he lives, his business property, and 600 acres of land in Southeast Missouri, near Cairo, Illinois. He once owned fifteen slaves, who were freed by the war. Ile has held the office of alder- man in the city of Creston two terms. He was married in Charleston, Missouri, March 5, 1845, to Martha T. Keesee, who was born in that State, and died in 1862. For his see- ond wife Mr. Allen married, in Missouri, January 28, 1864, Frances H. Lamb, who was born where a portion of the suburbs of Bur- lington now is, being the second white child born in Iowa, July 29, 1835. She died July 12, 1885, leaving one child, Samnel R., who was born in 1867. In June, 1886. he grad- uated at the Creston Iligh School; is now studying law with MeDill and Sullivans. He is a young man of much promise.
ILLIAM I. STEPHEN, farmer, stock- raiser and shipper, resides on section 26, Douglas Township, where he is the owner of 160 acres of good land, well cultivated; he also has 160 acres on section 28. lle was born in Kendall County, Illinois, February 5, 1844, a son of William and Mar- garet (Waterman) Stephen, the former of Scotch, and the latter of German ancestry; they are at present living in Grundy County, Illinois. William I. Stephen grew to the years of manhood on a farm in his native county, and has followed agriculture most of the time through life; was engaged one year in a meat-market in Creston, in com- pany with IL. F. Hamilton. Having at the start only a team of horses, he commenced as a renter; rented one farm for thirteen years, then purchased 720 acres in Adams County, of which he still owns 480 acres. He also manages the old Waterman farm. He feeds
R. ALLEN, dealer in groceries, candies, cigars and tobacco, 104 East Union Street, Creston, was born in Meade County, Kentucky, in 1820; his father, Will- iam Allen, was also a native of that State, and his mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Richardson, was from the State of New York; both were of English ancestry. Having been brought up in agricultural pursuits, he continued in the same until 1879, , about 100 cattle. Mr. Stephen was married in in which he succeeded well. In 1872 he ' his native county in 1-65, to Miss Hattie A ..
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
daughter of Lot and Hannah (Kirkland) Schofield, who were among the earliest settlers of that county, and are still living. Mr. Stephen's father, who came to Chicago as early as 1837, was also an early settler there. Mrs. Stephen was born in 1851. They have had eight children, six of whom are living, namely -- Addie C., Eddie, Harry, Charles, Mabel and Willis R. Mr. Stephen was towu- ship supervisor in Illinois four years, and he has held the office of school director, and is at present township trustee. Politically he is a Republican. Postoffice, Creston. He has again formed a partnership with Mr. Hamil- ton in the wholesale meat business in Creston and Omaha, and contemplates moving to the latter city early in 1887.
C. LUCAS, dealer in flour, feed, coal and agricultural implements, at 212 P. East Montgomery Street, Creston, keeps a well-selected stoek of goods and sells as low as any one in Western Iowa. The stand he ocenpies was located by Lucas & Ferguson. The stock comprises about $5,000 worth of goode, the sales amount annually to about $40,000, and freight, 87,000; has sold $16,000 worth of self-binders alone; keeps three hands employed constantly, and five a portion of the time. Mr. Lneas was born in Grant County, Kentucky, in 1843, his par- ents being Richard and Elizabeth (Reed) Lucas, natives also of Kentucky and of English de- seent. Ile grew up to the age of manhood on a Kentucky farin, near Williamstown. and in March, 1862, enlisted in Company E. Eighth Kentneky Volunteer Infantry, and in 1864 re- enlisted in the same regiment; but was afterward transferred to the Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Stone River. Chickamauga, Laurel Ilill and Lookout Mountain. He was married in Ken-
tucky in 1867, to Louesa E. Nix, who was born in 1847, in Grant County, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have eight children- James R., Ira B, Elfie, Anna E., Charles H., Jessie L., Nellie and Everett. Mr. Lucas has been a member of Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 302, A. F. & A. M., at Creston, since 1868, also of Post No. 61, G. A. R. He has held the offices of school director and township trustee.
G. WYCOFF. veterinary physician and surgeon, and surveyor, Creston, @ has his office at Waltman's feed-yard, or on Montgomery Street, his residence being at the corner of Birch and Harsh streets. IIe was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, Sep- tember 9. 1833. Ilis parents, Daniel A. and Aun (Wilson) Wycoff, were also natives of the "Corneracker " State, and of German an- eestry. He was three years of age when his father moved to Decatur County, Indiana, where they resided until 1855, our subject being bronght up to the occupation of farm- ing. From 1855 to 1859 he was a resident of Clark County, Ilinois; then, until 1861, in Crawford County, same State. At that time he enlisted in the army for the service of his country, joining Company G, Sixty-third Illi- mois Infantry, and served to the close of the war, four years. He was in the battles of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Allatoona Pass, Bentonville. North Carolina, and many others of less note-twenty engagements altogether, coming through all without a scratch! Tl:c same year of the close of the war, namely. 1:65, Mr. Wycoff was married at Harrods. burg, Kentucky, to Lucy B. Thompson, who was bora near Danville. Boyle County, Ken- tucky. They have five children -- Thomas. Davil, William, Minnie, and Maud. Mr. Wycoff owns eighty acres of land in Lincoln Township, section 10. sixty acres of which is in a high state of cultivation. He first came
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNT).
to Union County in 1865, settling in New ; enlisted in the late war, mastering in Com- Hope Township. Has been practicing the veterinary art for about twenty years, incluid- ing the castration of horses, and has been a close student and diligent reader. In politics he is a Greenbacker.
ILLIAM MCCAFFERTY, one of the successful agriculturists of Platte Township, residing on seetion 9, is a native of Ohio, born September 7, 1846, his parents, Mathias and Mary (Bennett) Me- Cafferty, being natives of the same State and of Dutch and Irish ancestry. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits in the State of Iowa, coming to Henry County, Iowa, with his parents in 1849. He was married in Henry County, in 1868, to Vashti E. Joy, a daughter of James and Mary Joy, natives of Illinois. To them have been born three children-Clara, born in 1868, and Harry, born in 1881, both died in December, 1880; and Guy C., born in November, 1883. Mr. McCafferty came to Union County from Henry County in 1870, and since coming here has followed farming and stock-raising on his present farm, and has brought his 120 aeres under a good state of cultivation. In polities he was formerly a Democrat, but now affiliates with the Greenback party.
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pany A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and served two months. IJe was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1842, his parents being John and Sallie Mc- Donald, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Virginia; the date of the father's birth was December 29, 1823, and that of the mother October 11, 1805. Mr. McDonald attained the years of manhood in the vocation of agrienlture, upon his father's farm in his native county, and this ealling he has over since successfully followed. It was in the same county in the year 1863, that he entered the state of matrimony. his bride being Miss Lucy Withrow, danghter of Washington and Catherine (Truman) Withrow, natives re- spectively of Ohioand New York State; the latter at present reside in Madison County. Mrs. MeDonald was born in the same county in 1846. There are six children of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald-Estella, a teacher; John, Edith, Perry, Imogene and Mertelle.
EAL W. ROWELL, of Afton, is one of 20 the most prominent lawyers of Southern -1. Iowa, and dates his settlement lere from July 14, 1858, which was antecedent to that of any other lawyer of Union County. Hle was born in Athens County, Ohio, June 19, 1836. In 1847 his father, William Rowell, removed with his family to Wapello County, this State, purchasing a claim, which he after- ward entered and improved. Later he re- moved to Decatur City, Decatur County, where he died in January, 1859. His wife died at Afton, at the home of her son, in March, 1870. In 1853 Mr. Rowell returned to Athens, and entered the Ohio University, where he graduated in 1856. Ile began the study of the legal profession at Centerville, lowa, in 1557, with Judge Amos Harris, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1955, and
AMESM. McDONALD, a prominent farm- er and stock-raiser of Spaulding Town- ship, occupies section 10, where he is the proprietor of 220 finely cultivated acres. Be- ! sides these he owns 320 acres elsewhere in Union County. He is an enterprising and infin- ential man, a social gentleman and a reliable- neiglibor and friend. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. In obedience to his country's call he , came to Afton immediately afterward. Ilis
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
entire professional life has been passed as a member of the bar of Union County. He has been associated at different times with most of the principal lawyers at Afton. llis first partnership was with Judge James G. Day, now of Des Moines, This relation existed two years, when Judge Day removed. In 1866 he became associated with Judge James W. MeDill. January 1, 1869, his partner became cirenit judge, and the partnership terminated. He was then associated with D. D. Gregory until the latter was elected to the bench in 1870. Ile then remained alone until 1876, when J. M. Milligan, Esq., became his part- ner, which relation continned until 1884, and since that time he has been alone. Few men are better known throughout Sonthern Iowa than is Judge Rowell. His official career has extended over a great many years. He was elected judge of Union County in 1860, serv. ing two years. Ile was a member of the Twelfth and iirteenth general assemblies; has twice served as mayor of Afton, and was member of the School Board fifteen consecu- tive years. The professional and official career of Judge Rowell is one that the young man who is entering upon a business for life, professional or otherwise, would be wise to imitate. To a thorough knowledge of his pro- fession, and an excellent judgment of human nature, he adds a genial and kindly disposi- tion, with a firmness of purpose that guides him in the course he believes to beright. The universal esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens attest his influence for the best interests of the community. Politically he is a decided Republican. Reaching his majority about the time the Republican party was organized he at once became enrolled in its ranks, where he has ever since been found. He
Rowell was married to Miss Anna E. Ownby, daughter of James Il. and Allie (Ray) Ownby. The former is deceased and the latter lives with Judge Rowell. Mrs. Rowell was born in Franklin County, Virginia, and abont 1848 removed with her parents to Marion County, Iowa, and to Decatur County in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Rowell have four children -- James W., Helen, Bessie and Neal C. Their ages range from four to twenty-two years.
D. LAPORT, who is associated with his brother, J. C. Laport, in his farm- ing operations on section 1, of Grant Township, where they own 160 acres of well- cultivated land, is a native of Ohio, born November S, 1842, a son of Charles and Sarah (Wallace) Laport, who were both natives of the State of Ohio. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same occupa- tion, which he has always followed. He came to Iowa in 1856, an carly day, being among the pioneers of Union County, where he lo- cated in 1875, in which year he settled on the farm where he has since resided. He was married in 1863, to Miss Nancy Weddle, who was born December 11. 1843, a danghter of Daniel and Maria (Brown) Weddle, who were natives of Pennsylvania. To this union were born two daughters named-Margaret B. and Sarah M. The Laport brothers, on coming to Union County, located on their present farm which they bought second- hand, but which was entirely nnimproved. By hard work and good management they have brought their land under cultivation, and made a comfortable home, and are now classed among the enterprising and well- has never missed a regular clection, and was 1 to-do farmers of Grant Township. Both ever ready in exciting times of the past to de- ' brothers were soldiers in the war of the fend the principles of the party of his choice. He has from his youth preferred and practiced temperance, and has engrafted into his politi- cal creed the doctrine of prohibition. Judge Rebellion, C. D. enlisting in Company D, Eleventh lowa Infantry. He is now a mnem ber of Henry Keating Post, No. 211, G. A. R., of Afton. J. C. is also a member of the
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
same post. IIe served in Company C, Twen- ty-third Ohio Infantry. C. D. was wounded at the battle of Shiloh from which he was dis- charged, and came home. R. W., another brother, served in the Twenty-fourth lowa Infantry, and is now living in St. Joseph, Missouri.
II. FORSYTHI, baggage agent at Creston, was born in Logan County, @ Ohio, in 1852, a son of William and Mary (Magill) Forsyth, father a native of New York, of Scotch descent, and mother of Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. His father immigrated to California in 1852, and died there in 1854, and his mother moved with him to Ringgold County, Iowa, where he, at the age of nine years, was bound ont, and immediately placed at work at the ear- penter's trade, at which he continued until he arrived at the age of eighteen years. Then, until 1885, he labored in that capacity for the Burlington & Missouri Railroad, and was finally appointed to his present position, which he fills with perfect satisfaction. Indeed, he takes uniform pleasure in giving all necessary information to strangers, and in accommo- dating the patrons of his road in every way he can. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, is a Democrat in his polities, and a liberalist in religion. He has a brother in Fulton, Illinois, and a sister in Ringgold Coanty, Iowa.
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time he married Ida Anderson, who was born in Sweden, in 1850. They have three chil- dren-Oscar W., Ruth E. and Pearlie L. Mr. Pearson is a popular man, elear-headed and well calculated for business. Ile owns the property where he is doing business, a house and lot in Creston. besides 1,280 acres of land in Nebraska. Ile has a remarkable relic in his possession, being a pipe of wou- derful construction, said to have belonged to Charles XII. of Sweden. Ile has refused $1,500 for it. The firm of Pearson & Co. keep a good stock of merchandise in their line, have ten to fifteen hands constantly em- ployed in the manufacture of cigars. They are polite and always ready to accommodate their customers.
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C. DEYMER, member of the implement firm of R. S. Beymer & Son, is one @ of the well-known pioneers of Union County having settled in Afton in 1858. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1835, where he grew to manhood. IIis father, Arthur St. Clair Beymer, was a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born in 1802, and was married to Miss Ruth Skinner at New Haven, Ohio, in 182S. Miss Skinner was born at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1810. They removed to Seneca County in 1834, and' in 1870 came to Afton, where Mr. Beymer died two years later. His wife is still living at Afton. They had ten children, all of whom grew to maturity, and all eame to Afton except the two eldest daughters, who still live in Ohio. R. S. Bey- mer was reared to the occupation of a farmer. Ile was married in 1857 to Lucy Jane Drown, daughter of Solomon and Fannie Drown. She was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and when a child moved with her parents to Ohio. 1 Mr. Drown was born in 1789, and in 1820 was married to Miss Fannie Dennis, who was his , second wife. Mr. Drown had seven children by
ARL PEARSON, of the firm of Carl Pearson & Co., cigar and tobacco mer- chante, 111 Adams street, Creston, was born in Sweden, in 1218, and immigrated to America in 1968, landing at New York. After making a trip through the South, in- eluding Texas and Mexico, looking for a loca- tion, he settled in Mt. Pleasant, lowa, and remained there eleven years, during which : his first wife and ten children by his second
R.S. Beymer
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
none of whom became residents of Union County except Mrs. Beymer. Mr. Drown died in Seneca County, Ohio, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. Mrs. Drown died in 1880, at Clyde, Ohio, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Beymer have four children -- Ella, Lotta, Arthur S. and Albert R. The eldest daughter was married in 1878 to A. P. Cramer, editor and publisher of the Walmit News. They had one child-Reuben F. Mrs. Cramer became a widow in 1SS6. Lotta was married to W. J. Phillips, D.D.S., in 1885. They live at Afton. Politically Mr. Beymer is a Republican, and has been identified with that party ever since he attained his majority. He has served several terms as city council- man, and as a member of the School Board. Ile has been engaged in his present business in Afton for the past seventeen years, and in the fall of 1886 took his eldest son as a panther in the business. He has built up a good trade, and for years has been the princi- pal dealer in the town.
ARTIN REISII resides on section 7, Union Township, where he setted in 1861. He has been a resident of Union County since 1857. Mr. Reish was born in Buffalo Valley, Union County, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1823. When he was ten years old his father, Samuel Reish, removed with his family to Miami County. Ohio, where he grow to manhood, and where his parents ie- sided until their decease. In 1852 he went to Fayette County, Indiana, where he married Sarah Billingsley, daughter of Charles Bil- lingsley, a native of Pennsylvania. Hic was killed by the kiek of a horse when his daugh- ter Sarah was a child. She was born in Mi- ami County, Ohio, in 1829. When Mr. Reish first came to this county he lived in Jones Township, until he settled upon his present farm. Ile owns 160 acres of land in the i center of section 4, forty acres being on each
quarter-section. But few persons are living in Union County that were here when Mr. Reish came. Mr. and Mrs. Reish have five sons-Benjamin Franklin, Charles, William, John and Jacob. They lost a daughter, Nancy Margaret, who died at the age of ten years, and a son died in infancy. In politics Mr. Reish is a Democrat.
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