USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 29
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 29
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and Colonel Swan was elected Major. June 4, 1862, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel. In the summer of 1863 he tendered his resigna- tion on account of ill-health, and about the same time he was commissioned Colonel of the regiment. . But his resignation went into effect and he did not serve under his commission as Colonel. He participated with his regiment in most of the important events of the West and South that attended the war for the Union, in those sections. After the war he was engaged in farming, railroading and hotel-keeping, the latter being his pres- ent occupation. Colonel Swan was married in Pennsylvania, in 1851, to Dorcas Ayers. They have four children-William, Ella May, wife of John Becker; Dora Belle and Flor- ence. Colonel Swan was left an orphan at an early age, his mother dying when he was a small child, and when he was thirteen years old lits father died. He was thus compelled to make his own way in life at an age when he most needed the parental care and advice. He was a gallant soldier, and his health was much impaired by his service in the army. Whatever duties in life he has been called upon to perform have been done faithfully and well.
ANIEL EVANS, deceased, was a native of Wales, born April 18, 1815, a son of Thomas Evans, who was also a native of the same country. When he was seventeen years old his father brought his family to America, and settled in Licking County, Ohio. In 1840 our subject. Daniel Evans, located in Knox County, Illinois, where he remained over ten years. He was married March 22, 1847, to Miss Sarah J. Richardson, a daughter of Larkin Richardson, who died when she was very young. Mrs. Evans was born in Hart County, Kentucky, and when but four years old was brought by her widowed mother to Knox County, Illinois, where she
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
was reared. . Mr. and Mrs. Evans have had seven children born to them, of whom only three are now living-Nancy L., Permelia An and Albert R. Naney married Edgar Hayden, and has two children -- Clara B. and Nellie M. They live on the old homestead with Mrs. Evans. Anu Amelia, as the second daughter is called, is the wife of George S. Hayden, of Adair County, Iowa, and has one son -- Harry E. Mr. Evans left Knox County for Henry County, Illinois, about 1851, where he remained till 1875. In the spring of that year he went to Adair County, Iowa, and in the following fall came to Union County, where he engaged in farming. He was reared a farmer, and always followed that avocation, and died on his farm on section 2, Lincoln Township, April 8, 1885. He was a consistent Christian, a member of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, and gave liberally of his means to the support of the Gospel and to benevolent insti- tutions. He was a kind husband and an affec- tionate father. Strictly honorable in all his dealings, he gained the confidence of all who knew him, and his death caused universal re- gret throughout the township where he had made his home since coming to Union County.
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R. COTTON, of the firm of Seurr & Cotton, proprietors of the First Nation-
selected stock-and his sales per year amount 10 $60,000 or $70,000. He keeps five em- ployes, running two delivery wagons, and a branch store at Spaulding, managed by F. D. Williams. He also owns a quarter-section of land in Kansas. Mr. Cotton had but little means with which to commenee in business, and his success therefore is a signal testimo- nial to his financial capacities. He is classed as a solid and influential citizen of Creston, and is socially a gentleman. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Working Mechanics.
W. HIGBEE, attorney, located in Creston, August 19, 1876. He formed a partnership with J. B. Harsh, Esq., which continued until the fall of 1883, when M., Harsh retired from the law business. Mr. Higbec practiced alone about two years and then the present firm of Higbee & Ilanna was formed. Mr. Higbee was born in Alle- gheny County. Pennsylvania, in 1845. In 1853, his father, Obediah Iligbee, emigrated with his family to Johnson County, Iowa, and located on a farm near Iowa City, where he still lives. His place bears the name of Iliekory Grove. In 1860 Mr. Higbce en- tered the State University, the same year the university was opened, and he was a member of the first class that was organized. He re- mained three years as a student, and in the fall of 1864 he began the study of law in the law department of the Michigan State Uni- versity, at Ann Arbor. He remained six monthis, then entered the law office of Rush
0 al Grocery, 125 Pine Street, Creston, was born in Circleville, Ohio, June 2, 1839, being the son of E. M. and Elizabeth (Risser) Cotton, natives of Pennsylvania and Germany respectively. He was three months old when his parents moved to Kentucky, and after seven years' residence there they removed to : Clark, at Jowa City, where he remained as a Dallas County, lowa, and in 1883 to Union , student u.til the spring of 1867, then engaged County. Mr. Cotton, who has generally been
in business at Chicago. lle was in active a clerk, cither in a store or a bank, entered ' business in that city until 1575. He sustained the grocery here in 18$1, having come to i a severe loss in the fire of 1871. Dearborn Creston in 18:2. Ili stock, valued at about $8,000 to $9,000, comprises fancy and staple groceries, queensware, glassware, etc .-- a well
Theater, that was burned at that time, was built by Mr. Bigbee. Since coming to Cres- ton le Iris been one of the leading men of
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D.W. Higher
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the city, and has done much toward advancing its interests. The Chicago fire had taken from him the accumulation of former years, and here, in this new town of Creston he be- gan anew, and his success has been commen- surate with his energy and perseverance. Ile has dealt considerably in real estate, and his investments in that direction have been profit- able. There are two additions to Creston known as Higbee and Baker's addition, and Higbee and Baker's second addition. Mr. Higbee has erected sixteen houses in the city and sold them. De was married in Johnson County in 1875, to Miss Emma A. Evans, daughter of W. C. Evans, formerly of John- son County and now a resident of Creston. Mr. and Mrs. Higbee have no children, but have an adopted daughter-Leila. Politic- ally Mr. Higbee is a Democrat.
S. LAFARRE, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 16, of Jones Town-
0 ship, where he owns 600 acres of land, in an advanced state of cultivation. He was born in Washington County, Indiana, in 1820, the son of Jacob B. and Lydia (Snyder) Lafarre, natives of Kentucky, and of French descent. Mr. Lafarre passed his boyhood and youth upon a farm in Morgan County, Indiana, being reared to the agriculturist's ocenpation. He came to Union County in 1855, entered land, and settled liere the fol- lowing year. During this latter year, in War- ren, Union County, he married Sarah Leduma, who was born in Indiana in 1836, the daugh- ter of William and Achsa Ledema, and now Mr. and Mrs. Lafarre are the parents of six children, four of whom are living-Lydia, Catharine, Jacob B. and Jane, Jacob B. mar- ried Leone Power, and they have one child --- George by naine. Jane married Thomas Clark, and their three children are, Emma, George and Addie. Mr. Lafarre was port- master at Thayer eight years, a part of the
time under President Grant's administration. Ile made his start in the world with nothing but one horse as his total amount of property, and worked by the month at $25. Socially he is a member of the Masonie fraternity, and politically he affiliates with the National Greenback party. He is highly respected in his community. Postoffice, Thayer.
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IDWIN J. BUSH, vice-president of the First National Bank of Creston, is one of the carly settlers of the town, making his advent here in 1872. For several years he was engaged buying grain, first for George A. Blackwell, one of the early grain mer- chants of Creston. In 1873 Mr. Blackwell sold out to Messrs. Belden & Scott, with whom Mr. Bush continued until 1879, when he eu- paged as resistant cashier of the Creston Bank. In September, 1884, the above was incorporated as a State bank, and Mr. Bush was made its cashier. In July, 1886, this bank consolidated with the First National Bank, and Mr. Bush was made vice-president. Ile was born in Connecticut in 1852, son of William Bush. In 1872 he went to Chicago, and came to Creston in August of that year. He was married December 12, 1883, to Miss Kate Dowd.
ABRAM W. ENOCH, attorney and coun- schor at law, Afton, also the present city attorney, has been in practice at this place since March. 1875, and has been alone with the exception of one year when he was associated with S. W. MeElderry. He was born in the town of Rising Sun, Ohio County, Indiana, in March. 1855. When thirteen years of age he removed with his father, Benjamin Enoch, to Hancock County, Illinois, his mother having died previous to that time. The father is now a resident of Fairmont, Missouri. Mr. Enoch was edu-
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTT.
cated principally in the public schools; later he was a student at. Keokuk two years. In 1873 he commenced to study law, and began practice in 1877 at Springfield, Illinois. Sub- sequent to his admission to the bar he was engaged in teaching for a time before enter- ing into the practice of his profession. Ile is a lawyer of more than average attainments, of fine ability, and, though a young man, has a good practice, even though older and excellent lawyers have long occupied the field. He was married December 29, 1880, to Miss Emma M. Bagg, daughter of Ralph Bagg, of Afton. They have one child-Albert Blaine.
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EORGE W. MCGINNIS, section 3, Highland Township, was born in Fay- ette County, Pennsylvania, Jannary 8, 1922, a son of Robert MeCionis, a native of the same county, and grandson of Daniel McGinnis, a native of Ireland. Ife was reared and educated in his native county, spending his youth on his father's farm. In April, 1854, he came to Iowa, and located in Lee County, and in the spring of 1855 walked to Union County, a distance of over 200 miles, to pay his taxes, and walked back again the same spring. In April, 1858, he moved to Union County, and located on the land which is now his fine farm. At that time it was a tract of wild land with but one house in sight. The country was infested with In- dians and wild animals, who were frequent ; visitors, and partakers of his bounty. Mr. | McGinnis was an industrious, energetic man, | Il. BATTAN, agriculturist and stock- raiser, is a resident of section 9, Doug- 0 las Township. Postoffice, Creston. lle was born in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, in 1833. Ilis parents. Thomas and Catherine 1 (Harn) Battan, were also natives of that State. " In 1856, which he was twenty-three years of age, he immigrated to Tazewell County, Illinois, and soon got his land under cultivation, and gradually improved it until he now has one of the pleacantest homes in the county. llc has added to his possessions until he now owns, in addition to the homestead of 120 acres, 480 acres in Nebraska and 320 acres in Colorado. Ile was married in the spring of 1854, to Margaret V. Trimble, daughter of ' where he resided until 1870. In 1864 he en- David Trimble, of Fayette County, Pennsyl- | listed in the One Hundred and Forty-second
vania. To them have been born twelve chil- dren-Thomas J., Albert M., Robert L., George W., William B., Jasper M., Minor M .. David II., Joseph C., Annie J., Schna P. and Ida. Mr. MeGinnis is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
R HI. HANNA, of the law firm of Higbee & Hanna, came from Louisa County to Creston in 1SS2. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 3, 1840, and was reared in Harrison County. In 1861 he enlisted at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in the Eighth Pennsylvania Reserves. Ile was in the army about a year, during which time he participated in the battle of Dranesville, Vir- ginia. He was discharged, by special, order of Secretary Stanton, whom he met in Wash- ington, for disability. His bcalth was poor for several years after his discharge from the service. For a time he attended the law de- partment of the Michigan State University, but his failing health would not admit of a full course. In 1868 he came to Louisa County, and was engaged in the practice of law at Columbus Junction until he came to Creston. Mr. Ifanna was first married in Ohio, to Miss Sarah Cramflatt, after whose death he married Miss II. M. Segafoos, who died February 17, 1879. Politically Mr. Hanna is a Republican.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served till the ' April 25, 1884, in his seventy-eighth year. close of the war. He started out to brave the | Hle immigrated with his family to Henry sea of life single-handed and alone, but by . County. Iowa, in 1852, and to Union County his well-directed industry he has established for himself and family a comfortable home. llis well-improved farm comprises 160 acres. Ile has been township supervisor and school director, is a member of the Masonic order, and is considered a substantial citizen of Union County. He and his family belong to the Congregational church. He was mar- ried in 1860, in Tazewell County, Illinois, to Miss Tensy Tobee, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Tobee, who was born in Canada, April 11, 1841. Of their ten children, six are liv- ing-Richard H., Maurice, Catherine, Boyle, Allen J., overseer of round-house at Kansas City, and Samuel W. in 1864. lle had twelve children, seven sons and five danghters. Four of the children died in childhood; five are now living --- James L., a farmer of Union County; Joseph F., a resident of Afton; William K., our sub- ject : David N., a hardware merchant at Ať- ton, and Mrs, Martha Johnson, residing in Kansas. William K. is the youngest, and remained at home upon his father's farm un- til about twenty years of age. Ilis educa- tional advantages were very limited; his entire attendance at school would not exceed three months. When seventeen years of age he requested his father to grant him the means for acquiring a collegiate education, but the request was not complied with. The 1000 reason given for the refusal was that he could not be spared from the farm. At the age of nineteen years his father offered him means ILLIAM K. SYP, a prominent mer- chant of Afton, has been a resident of that city since the fall of 1857. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, March 30, 1833, son of John and Mary Ann Logan. 1 to educate himself with, but William refused it, giving as a reason that he was too old. He has ever since deeply regretted that he did not embrace that opportunity; in fact, he regards it as the greatest mistake of his life. His aspiration, in early life, was to be an at- torney, and especially did he desire to become an orator. Ile possesses many of the quali- ties requisite for a successful public speaker, but his ambition could not be realized, and at the age of twenty years decided to turn his attention to mcchanieal pursuits. He appren- ticed himself to a blacksmith at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for a term of three years. His compensation was to be S cents per day, board and washing. He remained with the blacksmith six months, when, finding the work too hard. and his health likely to be- come seriously impaired in consequence, he I decided to bring his apprenticeship to a close. His employer, John Campbell. accepted his resignation very reluctantly, allowing him the
On his father's side he is of German origin. His great-grandfather Syp came to America in an carly day, probably about 1690, and settled in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Joseph Syp, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Hamilton County, Ohio, not far from 100 years ago. It is stated as a fact that his first wife was once offered fifty acres of the pres- ent site of Cincinnati for the paltry sum of 850. Joseph Syp was twice married and had fifteen children. Ile removed to Miami County about the year 1820, and died at the advanced age of 110 years. He was an active farmer until he was eighty-five years of age. John Syp, the father of om subject, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1507. He was . reared a farmer and followed that occupation i until he was sixty-five years of age. Ile then i munificent som of 5 cents a day for the engaged in merchandising, and died at Afton ! time he had worked, amounting to $7.50.
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
William K. Syp purchased Mr. Swain's inter- est in the business, and Truman Swain joined the firm. In another year Mr. Syp purchased his brother's interest, owing to the poor health of the latter. and the firm name which had been W. K. Syp & Company, now be- came Syp & Swain. the former having a two- thirds interest in the business. One year later this firm purchased a stock of goods in Farragut, Iowa, of which Swain took charge. After six months the stock was removed to Bedford, Iowa, and in another year the firm closed out the branch store. Two years after- ward W. K. Syp sold out to Swain Brothers, as his health began to fail, and took a trip to California, where he remained about three months. In January, 1883, he re-engaged in business with Swain Brothers under the firm name of Swain Brothers & Syp. Three years later this partnership was dissolved, and in a for months Mi. Syp resumed business in his own name. In 1877 Mr. Syp began to turn his attention to stock-raising. He owns 760 acres of land in Union Township, and 160 acres in Sand Creek Township. He is exten- sively engaged in the stock business. He has 150 head of cattle, a number of specimens of fine Holstein and short-horn cattle. He has seventy brood mares. He was married in Af- ton in April, 1858, to Miss Louisa Painter, who was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in May, 1828. Her parents wore John aud Anna (Martin) Painter, who spent all of their married life in Northumber- land County. Her mother died in 1849, and her father died four years later. They had cleven children, nine of whom grew to ma- turity. Two sisters are still living in Penn- sylvania, the three being the only surviving members of the family. Mrs. Syp came to Afton in October. 1857. with her brother, William Painter. The latter lived in Afton several years, and died at Red Oak, Iowa, January 1, 1886. Mrs. Syp is a woman of more than ordinary intelligence and to what-
The generosity of Mr. Campbell bee mes evi- dent when it is considered that Mr. Syp did more than half the labor performed in the shop during his stay. Mr. Svp then decided to learn the carpenter's trade. and engaged with a man named Strong for 50 cents a day, board and washing. No definite time for the apprenticeship was mentioned in the engage- ment. At the end of six months Mr. Syp demanded an increase of wages to $1.00 per day. His employer at first refused, but finally decided to give him the increase asked for. At the expiration of three months more his wages were raised to 81.50 per day. Then for another three months he received $2.00 per day. Mr. Syp and his brother. J. F. Syp, then decided to come to Afton, but stopped at Osceola and worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade. In the fall of 1855 they came to Afton to attend the second public sale of lots Mr. Syp purchased the let jet wat of the Presbyterian church. He returned to Mt. Pleasant, then in 1857 came back and set- tled permanently. For twelve years he was engaged as contractor and builder, and for several years he erected and completed from forty to forty-five buildings annually, his field of labor comprising a territory within a radius of twenty miles of Afton. He was very suc- cessful in his career as a builder. Six months previous to the expiration of the twelve years he decided that when a favorable opportunity offered he would change his business. In 1869 he engaged in the mercantile business at Afton under the fra name of Homerage, Wheeler & Company. Mr. Syp was the com- pany and the capitalist of the firm. After a period of fourteen months Mr. Syp purchased the interest of his partners, and one week later took Robert Truman as a partner, who is now the ---- of Afton. Six months later this partnership was dissolved by Mr. Truman's retiring from the business, and George Swain became a partner, buying a one-third interest. About one year later D. N. Syp became a member of the firm, and two years afterward | ever degree of succes- Mr. Syp has attained
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in life, no small share of credit is due to the good advice and excellent management of his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Syp have three children -Coral Belle, wife of James Traxtor, an at- torney at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Thoir two sons arc-Newton and Harry. They lost three daughters in childhood. Mr. Syp di- vides his time between his mercantile busi- ness and his stock farm, which lies adjacent to the town.
EORGE B. DREW, engaged in agricult- ure and stock-raising, is a resident on section 26, Douglas Townsip, at which place he is the proprietor of a quarter-section of improved land. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1852, the son of Harrison and Eliza (Lacy) Drew, natives of Ohio and Germany, respectively. who now reside in Ames County, Love. The cabinet of this sketch was but two years of age when he was brought by his parents to Mercer County, Illinois, where he remained until 1869. and in 1875 he settled in Union County. He was married in the latter year, in Poweshiek County, Iowa, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Jolm and Margaret (Manatt) Ives, natives of Jowa. They have no children. Mr. Drew for a time worked on a railroad, and when he began in life he had only a team of horses. He was next a contractor, and now a farmer and stock- raiser. Ilis stock is of fine grade, and he feeds all the grain he raisce. In his political views he is a Democrat. Postofice, Creston.
TILLIAM H. KEMPLIN, one of the enterprising and prosperous agricult- urists of Union Township, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 11, of Dodge Township, was born in Franklin County, Virginia, July 14, 1822, a son of William Kernplin, who was a native of the ' sune State. Our subject was reared a farmer
his father following that avocation till his death. His education was such as eonld be obtained in the rade log cabin schools of that carly day, which he attended when not en- graged with the duties of the farm. He lived in his native State till about eleven years of age when he went with his parents to Berrien County, Michigan, where he grew to man- hood. He came to Union County, Iowa, in 1854, being among the pioneer settlers of Dodge Township, where he has made his home since coming to Union County, and by his industry and good management has accu- mulated a good property, being now the owner of a fine farm containing 240 acres. Mr. Kemplin was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Comer, and to this union have been born seven children, of whom only four are living-Wilson P., Mrs. Maria Franklin, John and Evaline. Mr. Kemplin is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a respected citizen of Dodge Township.
TOIIN S. BLACK, cashier of the Jowa - State Savings Bank, Creston, is a native of Vermont, born in Washington County, May 23, 1849, a son of Ephraim and Alzina (Belknap) Black, natives respectively of Maine and Vermont, of Scotch descent. His father died in 1856, aged thirty-six years, and his mother is now living in Adair County, Iowa, and is sixty-four years of age. Left fatherlees at the carly age of seven years, he was, when quite young, obliged to rely on his own exer- tions. Ile was reared in Fontanelle, Iowa, living on a farm until fourteen years of age, and there was employed as deputy in the county auditor's office. He subsequently en- , gaged in the general mercantile business in Fontanelle. In 1870 ke located in Creston, and resumed the duties of his present posi- tion. llis prosperity is due to his industrious habits and good business ability, having no assistance when he started his business career,
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
but he has steadily worked his way up until he ! Republican party. During his residence in is now one of the substantial business meu of Grant Township he has filled acceptably Union County. Ile owas a pleasant home in | several township offices, serving as assessor Creston, and a fine farm of 200 aeres in Adair four years-which position he is holding at the present time-township clerk for three years, and has also served as school director. County, Iowa. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and in his religious views is liberal. He is a public- spirited, enterprising man, and one of the foremost to assist in building up the material and social welfare of his town. Hle was married in Afton in 1873, to Frances V. Burker, a native of Mendota, Illinois, born in 1854, a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Williams) Burker. They have four children -- Clarence A., Charles S., Irene E. and Dena A.
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