USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 30
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 30
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S. PATTERSON, engaged in farming and stock raising on section 26, Platte Township, was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 12, 1836, a son of Isaac and Allen (Jones) Patterson, who were both born in the State of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools of his native State, remaining there until 1849, when he came to Iowa in company with his brother. Two years later he returned to Ohio, and in 1852 went to California, remaining there till 1837. lle returned to Iowa in that year, and after residing a short time in Muscatine County, came to Union County, when he settled on the farm where he still makes his home, his farm containing 120 acres of well-cultivated land. Mr. Patterson has : of the war at Columbus, Ohio, at Camp Chase. been twice married, his first wife, Sarah Cole, , He was married in 1972, in Omaha, Ne- dying about eleven months after her marriage. For his second wife he married Lucy Ann Henneler, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of J. B. and Jane Hemneler. To this union have been born six children- Edward B., born November 10, 1805; Will- iam 11., Angust 10, 1568; Nettie .J., Febru- ary 12, 1871; Venona, July 13, 1573; Mary, July 13, 1877, and Anna, March 21, 1880. In politics Mr. Patterson affiliates with the
IDWIN K. CLARK, dealer in paints, varnishes, wall paper, brushes, etc., at . No. 236 Pine Street, Creston, was born in 1845. Ilis parents were Justin S. and Mary J. (Miller) Clark, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio, of Scotch and Irish ancestry; father is still living, the mother is deceased. Of their eight children. the subject of this sketch is next to the youngest. He was four years old when the family moved to Kentucky, and after a residence there of about seven years they removed to Athens, Ohio, where Edwin K., our subject, remained until 1802. IIe then enlisted in Company C, Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry and served two years, being in the battle of Stone River and with Sherman, almost constantly under fire; also in the battle at Atlanta. He re-enlisted in Company K, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served two years longer. In August, in front of Atlanta, he was taken prisoner, and confined in Andersonville Prison and Miller five months. When he was liberated he was within twenty miles of Jacksonville; was mustered out at the close
braska, to Mary E., daughter of Benjamin and Keziah E. (Potts) Trumbull. She was a niece of Hon. Lyman Trumbull, of Chicago. Her father, a native of Connecticut, was of English descent, and her mother was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. She was born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1554. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had six children, five of whom are living. Their names are -- Lula M., Eldie M., Benjamin, Daisy and Freddie, liv-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ing, and the deceased was Sadie. Mr. Clark is a member of Lodge No. 207, 1. O. O. F., at. Creston, of Post No. 61, G. A. R., and of the V. A. S. He had five brothers, all in the late war, two of whom were killed, one in Kentucky and the other at Chickamanga. Mr. Clark has a house and lot at 511 Pine Street. He came to this county in the fall of 1873, locating then in his present business. He and his wife are members of the Congre- gational church.
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nearest milling place was Indianola, Iowa. He is at present engaged in farming and rais- ing stock, in which he is meeting with success. Ile now owns 265 acres of well-improved land in Grant Township, where he has a com- fortable and commodious residence and good farm baiklings, and is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life. He is one of the respected citizens of Grant Township, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. During his residence here he has held various township offices, inelud- ing trustee and treasurer, and has served as school director for several years. Ile is a comrade of John A. Rolen Post, No. 61, G. A. R., of Creston. Both he and his wife are carnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ROBERTS, one of the pioneers of Union County, and a successful agri- culturist of Platte Township, was born in West Virginia, November 16, 1824, a son of John and Nicy Roberts, who were natives of Maryland. Our subject was reared to the avocation of a farmer which he has followed through hte with the exception of three years while in the service of his country. He en- OSEPH M. THOMPSON, an enterpris- ing farmer of Lincoln Township, residing on section 26, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1830, his father, Benjamin Thompson, being a native of the same county. When he was a child his father took his family to Hancock County, Illinois, and when about ten or twelve years of age he came with his parents to Van Buren County, Iowa, and in that county he received the rudiments of an education by attending the log-cabin schools of that early day. In his teens he went to Wapello County, Iowa, and a few years later went to Monroe County, lowa, where he worked four years in the mill of E. P. Connover, and for two years worked in a steam flouring-mill at Albia, that county. In August, 1855, he came to Union County, Iowa, and settled where he now lives when there were no settlements within twelve miles north and twenty-five miles west. But three houses had been built in Afton, and where the thriving city of Creston now stands, listed in Company H, Twenty-ninth Iowa In- fantry, and participated in a number of hard- fought battles. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, May 19, 1865, when he returned to his home. For his wife he mar- ried Miss Adelia Baker, who was born in Virginia, Angust 1, 1829, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Baker. To this union have been born ten children-Nina Bella, deceased; Amanda N., wife of J. W. Jones; B. A., wife of J. Hartman; Mary E., wife of J. Elliott; Hannah V .. wife of D. A. Riggs: J. S. married Mead Wiley; Flora M., wife of L. Burnur; William, at home; Charles JI. and Nellie. Mr. Roberts can attribute his success in life mainly to his own exertions, he having come West with but very limited means. He experienced many of the hardships and pri- vations ineident to pioncer life. coming here when the country was in a wild state, and when Indians and wild animals were unmer- ous. His first house in Union County was a rude log-cabin with poncheon floor, and his , was a wilderness roamed over by wild ani-
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
mals and Indians. Our subject in those carly days had to go from twenty-five to fifty miles to mill, and his trading was done at Winter- set and Osceola. Ile is now the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres of well-cultivated land on section 26, where he is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life. Mr. Thompson was first married January 19, 1853, in Mon- roe County, to Miss Margaret Jones, daugh- ter of Stephen Jones. Of the three children born to this union only one is living-Edgar A. Mrs. Thompson died in August, 1859, and October 30, 1860, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Mary E. Demeree, a daugh- ter of Samnel Demeree, of Nebraska. Ten of the fifteen children born to this union still sur- vive-Ezra C., Earl, Ella, Phoebe, Kate, Mary L., Guy, Ida, Lina B. and Emma E. Mr. Thomp- son is one of the active men of Union County, and has served efficiently in several official trusts, such as county supervisor, township trastos and school director.
HURLBURT, proprietor of the second- hand store at No. 115 Pine Street, Creston, was born March 18, 1883, in the city of Philadelphia. His parents were Wesley and Fanny (Gibson) Hurlburt, natives respectively of New York and Ireland. She was only six weeks old when she was brought to America by her parents. Mr. Hurlburt's boyhood and youth were passed at the coop- er's trade and boating on the Erie Canal, but when ouly fifteen years of age he crossed the plains to California, was there five months and returned to New York by water. Next, spending two years in Brown County, Ohio, learning the cooper's trade, he located in Schuyler County, Illinois, and lived there twenty-five years ; then worked in the oil region two years; returned to Illinois ; went to Pike's Peak in 185S, remaining only two months ; then stopped in Madison County, Illinois, a while, then Adams County, same
State, and finally, in 1876, he came to Union County. His father was murdered in 1837, in Philadelphia, in the terrible riot which took place there between the Catholics and Protestants. His mother died about 1875, with yellow fever, in a lazaretto in Phila- delphia. Mr. Hurlburt had three brothers, all of whom were in the late war, one of whom died while in the service. He has brought up four children-John F., Sarah E., N. W. and E. M. Foster. brothers and sisters, all of whom esteem Mr. Hurlbart as if he were their natural fatt.er.
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LBERT HARTMAN, farmer and stock- raiser, section 3, Spaulding Township, -1 is a native of Johnson County, Iowa, born in 1844, a son of Carr and Elizabeth (Kepler) Hartman, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, of German descent. Their parents came to Iowa and settled in Johnson County in 1842, and there the mother died when our subject was a child, and the father in 1SS3, aged sixty-nine years. They had two chil- dren-IIarriet, wife of Henry Close, of Iowa City, and Albert. Our subjeet was reared on a farm in his native county, and in his youth learned practical lessons that have been of benefit to him in all the transactions of his life. He moved to Union County in 1874, and settled on the farm where he now lives, which at that time was a fract of uncultivated land. Ile has improved his land, and now has one of the most pleasant farms in the township. In 1851 Mr. Hartman enlisted in the defense of his country, and was assigned to Company E, Tenth Jowa Infantry, and served four years. Ile participated in the battles of Champion Hills, Corinth, Chat- tanooga and many others of less note. At the battle of Champion Hills he was wounded and was unable to perform active duty six months, and now receives a small pension. HIe was married in Johnson County, in
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 003
1867, to Sophia E., daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Oberholster, natives of Ohio, of German descent. To them have been born three children-Archie E., Susan E. and Etlie M. Mr. Hartman has served his town- ship as assessor. clerk, school director and supervisor, and in all the trusts imposed on him has proved himself a reliable and efficient officer. IIe and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ROLONEL JOILN O'KEEFFE, of the firm of John O'Keeffe & Company, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, engaged in business at Creston in 1876, with HI. Newman, in the clothing and merchant tailor business. This partnership continned abont three months, when the present firm was established. The business hence of John O'Keeffe & Company is located on Adams street, and is by far the most complete estab- lishment of the kind to be found in Union County. Colonel O'Keeffe is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in the city of Kilkenny, Ireland, March 8, 1850. Ilis par- ents, James and Ellen O'Keeffe, are still living in Ireland, and are the parents of five chil- dren, our subject being the only one residing in America. He is not, however, the first one that came. His father came when he was a young man, and married Ellen Doran, an American lady of Irish ancestry. They were married at Steubenville, Ohio, and their two eldest sons were born in that State. About five years subsequent to their marriage the father returned to his native country with his family. The maternal grandmother of Mr. O'Keeffe was born in Ireland. Her maiden name was O'Connell. She was well educated, and a teacher in her native land, when the penal laws of Ireland punished with death those who were detected in teaching the people the simplest rudiments of the language. She afterward came to America where, as previ-
ously stated, the mother of Colonel O'Keeffe was born. The parents of our subject were well-edneated, refined people, and gave their children opportunities for a liberal education. The two sons that were born in America are lawyers by profession, one of whom is located at Dublin and the other at Carlow. When the war of the Rebellion in America was at its height, Colonel O'Keeffe was a student at St. Patrick's College, Carlow. He was then only a youth, but had become possessed of a strong desire to come to this country, and resolved to make an effort to accomplish his wishes. He accordingly left the college, unknown to his parents or the faculty, and, going to Liver- pool, with the money furnished for his college expenses, purchased a ticket for New York, where he landed in November. In that city he found friends of his father, who rendered him what assistance he needed. In the spring of 1801 he engaged as correspondent for the Irish-American. He joined the famons Sixty- ninth Regiment, and continned with them for a time, when he was taken sick, and sent to the hospital at Hagerstown, Maryland. IIe remained there two months, and in the mean- time Lee had surrendered and the war had closed. He returned to New York City, and soon after engaged to learn the merchant tailoring business with Messrs. Calvert & Robinson on Broadway. In 1868 he enlisted for service in the United States Army, under- went a competitive examination, and was made Second Lientenant in the Second United States Cavalry. He remained in the army until 1872, and then resigned. His field of operations was in Montana, Wyoming and Dakota. He was engaged in several battles with the Indians, and at the battle with the Sioux at Powder River in 1869, received three wounds. Ile also received a gunshot wound at the battle of the Sweet Water in 1870. At the close of his military service he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged in the mer- chant tailoring business, and remained there until he removed to Creston. Colonel O'Keeffe
HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
served on the staff of Governor Gear, with the rank of Lientenant-Colonel, four years, or during the entire administration of that Gov- ernor. May 26, 1856, he was appointed special aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Larrabee. He has served five years on the city School Board, and two years of that time was its president. He was married in Omaha to Miss Ellen Murphy, a native of that city. They have two children- Clara and Frank R.
P. RUGH, dealer in drugs and medi- cines, Creston, is located at 120 Maple street. In 187S he purchased an inter- est in a drug store with O. E. Silverthrone. At that time he was in the employ of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany, and the business was managed by his partner. In the winter of 1882-'3 he sold his interest to C. S. Morse, and soon after Mr. Morse purchased the interest of Mr. Silverthorne. In 1885 the old firm of Rugh & Silverthorne represented the business, and January 1, 1856, Mr. Rugh became sole pro- prictor. He was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, in 1836. When abont four- teen years of age his parents removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, and in 1854 the family removed to Illinois and located near Monmouth. Several years later they moved to Bushnell, MeDonough County. The father, John Rugh, now lives in Quincy, Illinois; the mother is deecased. Mr. Rugh left home when about eighteen years of age. Septem- ber 1, 1859, he began working for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany, and continued in their employ until October 16, 1882-a period of over twenty- three years. He was employed in the loco. motive department all this time. On the morning of April 4, 1875, the passenger train, of whose locomotive he was in charge, col- lided with another train near Tyrone, Iowa, known as the Tyrone collision. The con-
ductor of his train, John Miller, and the ex- press messenger were instantly killed, and the fireman of the other train, Charles Piekle, was also killed. Mr. Rugh saved his life by jumping from the engine at the moment of collision; but he was seriously injured as the train was in rapid motion at the time, and was unable to do duty for some time. He made several attempts during the following year, but was obliged to give it up. In May, 1876, he was appointed foreman of the loco- motive department at Council Bluffs, and in November, 1880, was appointed traveling en- gineer for the company. In the spring of 1SSO he was made foreman of the locomotive department at Chariton, where he continued until 1882. During the interval that he was out of the drug business at Creston, he was in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company as engineer between Marion and Ottumwa. Mr. Rugh was married in Missouri, May 10, 1857, to Miss Fannie An- drews, and they have one son -- Fred. They lost five children, and all died in infancy ex- cept one daughter, Alice, who died at the age of sixteen years.
HOWARD E. IDE, superintendent of the Union Draft Ilorse Association, Creston, Iowa, was born in Seekonk, Massachu- setts, September 8, 1857, a son of William T. and S. A. (Stone) Ide, natives of Massachu- setts, of English descent. Mr. Ide came to Iowa in 1872. He was married in 1881 to S. P. Andrews, born in 1860, at Marietta, Ohio. They have one son-William T., born in 1883. The Union Draft Horse Association, of which Mr. Ide is a member, was organized in 1883. For sometime he was secretary, but at present is its superintendent. The associa- tion owns several fine horses, the following being some of the most notable --- lloang Ho and Privateer, Norman stallions; the Judge and Mauxman, Clydesdale stallions; Marsh-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 605
man, English Shire stallion ; Mc Mahon, 2,460. 27, 1850. To Mr. and Mrs. Vanhorn were Percheron stallion: Lord Zetland, imported Cleveland Bay stallion; Sandy Racket, thor- onghbred stallion; Madam Dien, 1,758, Pride, 1,810, Faustine 1,652, Norman mares. Their horses are recorded in the proper records of each breed, and their responsibility is vouched for by all with whom they have had deal. Mr. Ide owns a fine farm of 240 acres in Grant Township on sections 17 and 20. He is a thorough-going business man, strictly honorable and upright, and is one of the prominent and esteemed young men of Creston.
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II. SPURR, photographer, located on the corner of Maple and Montgomery streets, at Creston, in November, ISS2. He has had many years' experience in pho- tography, and thoroughly understands Lis business, and avails himself of all improve- ments pertaining to this branch of industry. His rooms are pleasant and well adapted to his nse, and he has built up a good trade. His workmanship is unexcelled. Mr. Spurr was born in Chantanqua County, New York, in 1869. He removed with his father, J. S. Spurr, to Vinton, Iowa, where the latter still resides. Previons to locating in business for himself, Mr. Spurr was in the employ of a former photographer at Creston, Viola Cutt- ler.
born nine children -- Jane, born March 7. 1533; Martin, boin January 20, 1838; Nancy, born February 25, IS39; Sidney, February 14, 1842; William, born July 28, 1844; Bar- bara, born May 4, 1846; Mary, born May 10, 1848; James, born February 25. 1850; Jolm, born May 11, 1851. Mr. Vanhorn com- menced life a poor boy, being possessed of no capital but a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed. Ile made his first start in life in hanling rails and splitting cord wood, and by persevering industry and strict economy he has gained a competeney for his declining years, being possessed of a good farm of sixty acres under fair cultivation, and a comfortable home. Quiet, unassuming, in- dustrious and strictly honorable in all his dealings, he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
OHIN M. HAYS, attorney and counselor at law, and notary public, located at Creston in December, 1SS0. He was born in Fayette County, Indiana, July 1, 1853. In March, 1865, his father, John Hays, removed to Preble County, Ohio. He gradu- ated at Geneva College, Pennsylvania, in the class of '78. This elass was composed of ten members, and Mr. Hays is the only one that chose the law as a profession. He taught school at intervals during his college course, VANHORN, an active and enterprising agrienlturist of Platte Township, engaged 12 in farming and stock-raising on section 12, is a nafive of the State of Ohio, the date of his birth being January 7, 1814. a son of William and Sidney Vanhorn, who were na- tives of New Jersey. Mr. Vanhorn was united in marriage to Miss Sara Neal, a daughter of Martin and Nancy Neal, his i wife being born Jannary 6, 1813. She is and tanght considerably afterward. He was engaged in teaching in Fayette County. Indiana, at the same time reading law with Messrs. Little & Little at Connersville, the county scat of Fayette County. In the spring of 1850 he was admitted to the bar at Con- nersville, and June 23, that same year, he came to lowa, and to Creston in October. Jis parents still reside in Preble County, Ohio. They have four sons and three dangh- - now deccased, her death taking place March , ters. They are well known as a family of
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
influence and culture; have had good educa- tional advantages. An older brother, William A., came to Iowa in 1879, locating on a farm in Louisa County. In 1853 he disposed of his farm and returned to Ohio. A younger brother, James Il., graduated at Monmouth College, Illinois, in 1871, and follows the teacher's profession. Ile was superintendent of the high school at Connersville for some time. In IS$5 he was called to the principal- ship of the Afton high school. After a suc- cessful year at that place he accepted the superintendeney of schools at Winfield, Kan- sas. The other members of the family are residents of Ohio.
OSEPII HATHAWAY, farmer and stock-raiser, section 19, Douglas Town- shin. postoffice. Cromwell. is a son of William M. and Elmira J. (Sellers) Hathaway, and was born in Cass County, Indiana, in 1838. His father is still living, but his mother died in 1848. He was brought up to the years of manhood upon his father's farm. July 3, 1861, at the age of twenty-three years, he en- listed in Company A, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service of his country four years, six months and twenty- four days. In the battle of Pine Grove, December 8, 1862, he was wounded in the left side, from which the ball was never ex- tracted. ITe also engaged in the battles of Vicksburg. Syerling Plantation, Louisiana, Fort Spanish and other smaller contests. Commencing in life withont means other than his physical and mental capacities. all he now possesses he owes only to himself. In his youth he obtained a good common-school edu- cation. He now has a good farm, well equipped with buildings and other improvements. Ile came to this county in 1871. lle is now serving as assessor of his township the third year. Before the war he was a Democrat, but since he has been a zealous Republican. Ile
and his wife are prominent members of the Christian church. They were married March 24, 1864, in Cass County, Indiana. She was Miss Ellen, daughter of Peter and Tenn (Fies- haur) Michael, and was born July 25, 1841, in Cass County, Indiana. They have had five children-Bradford, Minnie, Charlie, Lewis and Ilarry, the last mentioned being the only one living.
H. ROBB was one of the early pio- neers of Union County, coming here in the spring of 1856, when seven years of age, with his father's family, who settled two miles southwest of Afton on a farm. His father died in 1864, and William, being the oldest boy, took charge of the farm, which he and his brothers managed success- fully for several years. In 1868 he started out in life for himself, leaving the old home- stead in charge of his brothers. With $25 in his pocket he started West, determined to cross the plains, which were then only trar- ersed by wagon trains, under escort of Govern- ment troops. He walked to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and from there to Nebraska City. While waiting for a train to start overland, he was offered work on a farm near that place, and concluded to stay there that summer. The next fall he traversed the country west of Nebraska City, then only inhabited by set- tlers in dug-outs along the streams, in com- pany with a set of threshers. The threshing season closed only when the snow became too deep to move the heavy machinery, which was lett in the valley of the Little Blue, some twenty miles west of Lincoln. From here he walked back to Nebraska City, near which place he taught school that winter. The next spring he was offered a situation as teacher of one of the departments of Nebraska College, and while here he pursued his studies, keeping his place with the higher elastes, and, at the same time, instructing his classes in the
Yours Arily
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