USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 32
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 32
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7 M. PETERS, teacher. farmer and stock- raiser, resides on section 12, of Spauld- ing Township. He was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania. in 1$53. His parents, Henry and Eliza Petere, natives of Switzer- land, now reside in Mercer County, Illinois, in which county he grew to manhood in the occupation of farming and teaching. Such
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men always have a broader view of life than the average of mankind, know how to "take things by their smooth handle," and enjoy more of the world than they otherwise would. As a teacher, Mr. Peters has been signally successful. As a citizen of this republic he enjoys also a freedom unknown to the parti- san, in that he votes for the " best man," re- gardless of party. His word is as good as his bond, and he is peculiarly wary in signing his name to any obligation. He has been a resident of Union County since 1880. IIc was married in Mercer County, Ilinois, June 23, 1880, to Miss Maggie, daughter of Rich- ard and Jane Cabeen, both natives of Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She was born in that county in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Peters are the parents of three children-Richard, Fiuis and Cabeen. Both the paternal grand- fathers of Mr. and Mrs. Peters were soldiers in the war of 1312. Postonice, Spaulding.
AMES FERMAN, general hardware mer- chant, is located on Adams street, Cres- ton. In 1881 he purchased a half-interest in the hardware business of Horace Clark, and July 3 of the same year he bought the remaining interest, and has since been sole proprietor. He carries a full line of goods and has established a good trade. Mr. Fer- man was born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1941, and when five years of age removed with his parents to Ohio. In 1851 the family removed to Henry County, Illi- nois, where his parents, James and Catherine Ferman, passed the remainder of their days. August 18, 1861, Mr. Ferman enlisted in Company C, Forty-second Illinois Infantry, serving three years and two months. Ile participated in many of the most important battles of the war, including Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. At the latter place he was severely wounded, and his service as a soldier was
ended. Ile received a gun-shot wound in the left leg below the knee which fractured the bone. The wound was a painful and danger- ous one, and rendered him permanently lame. Ile was confined in the hospital ten months, and seven months of the time was confined to his bed. For a long time the surgeons con- templated amputating the limb. Over fifty pieces of bone worked out of the wound while the process of healing was going on; and four years later a part of the ball made its appear- ance from the wonnd. The limb is three inches shorter than the other one. Prior to this misfortune Mr. Ferman received a sun- stroke while on a march in Mississippi, from which he has never recovered. After the war he returned to Illinois, where he had a farm, which he conducted for a time. In March, 1883, he went to Wayne County, Ne- braska, where he still owns property; but the condition of his wounded limb rendered him unable to attended to the duties of farming; and he also suffered from the effects of the sunstroke, especially in warm weather. IIe coneluded to change his occupation, and ac- cordingly, in 1884, came to Creston, and en- gaged in business. Mr. Ferman was married in Illinois, after his return from the war, to Miss Eliza N. Bradford. They have three children-two daughters and one son.
ALISHA S. WILCOX, deceased, was born in the State of New York, in 1812, im- migrated to Kewanee, Henry County. Illinois, resided there thirty years, and then came to Union County. Ile labored as a col- porteur for a number of years, beginning in 1847, and traveled till 1852, and while traveling became acquainted with Miss Anna E. Mills. He was married in Henry County, September 1, 1852, to Miss Mills, who was born in Dearborn County. Illinois, in 1825. They became the parents of seven children, five of whom are living.
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John married Cora Hateh, and has one child, Burton; Mary is the wife of Tom Wakefield. of Spaulding, and the remaining three- Minnie M., Harry and Hattie-still reside on the home farm. The latter consists of 160 acres of well-cultivated land on section 25 of Spaulding Township, aud it is leased, as the father diel March 9, 1886. The mother died March 16, 1884. The parents were members of the Baptist church. The family came to Union County in 1884, and they were, and are, held in high esteem by all who know them. Postoffice, Creston.
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B ENJAMIN WRAY, an enterprising farmer of Highland Township, living on section 29, was born in Lincolnshire, England, January 30, 1822, a son of Benja- min Wray. who is now deceased. He was brought up on a farm, and received his edu- cation in the common schools of his native place. He was married in England, January 30, 1845, to Miss Caroline Vincent, daughter of the late John Vincent, and of the seven children born to this union only three are now living-Benjamin, Joseph and Sarah, who married Elmer Lenard of Creston, and has two children, named Annie and Maude. A daughter, Annie, died after reaching matur- ity. She was the wife of Lan Ickis. Mr. Wray left his native country with his family in 1851, landing at New York entirely without means. IIe borrowed $20 from a friend and started for Ohio. While on Lake Erie one of his children died. He spent the first winter near Paynesville, Ohio, and worked hard by the day to support himself and family, and by the strictest ceonomy managed to save a little of his hard-earned wages. In the spring of 1552 he removed to St. Joseph County, Indiana, and in 1857 came to Union County, when he settled on the farm where he has since resided. The country was in a state of nature when Mr. Wray first settled
here, and here he experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life. llis nearest mill was at Winterset, and his trading was done at Ottumwa. ITis land was uncultivated, but twenty acres had been broken, and a lence had been built around forty aeres. Ilis land is now well improved, and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commo- dious. Mr. Wray may well be classed among the self-made men of Union County. Land- ing in America penniless, he has by industry, economy and good management gained a com- peteney for his declining years, being now the owner of 1,000 acres of land. In con- nection with his general farming he is en- gaged in raising stock, paying some attention to graded stock, in which he is meeting with success.
RAYMOND C. DELMEGE, a successful and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of New Hope Township, was born in the north of Ireland, June 11, 1843. Soon after the birth of our subject, his parents, Chris- topher and Rebecca (Holmes) Delmege, im- migrated to America, and first settled in Bris- tol, Illinois. whenee they removed to Kewanee, Illinois. They came to Union County, Iowa, in 1869, and are still living in Creston, the father being now seventy-four years of age, and the mother aged seventy-six years. Ray- mond C. Delmege grew to manhood in Illi- nois, where he received a common-school education. Ile enlisted in the war in Com- pany HI, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and was in the service almost three years. He was in a number of engagements including the battles of Nashville and Duck River, and was nnder fire around Nashville about sixty days. HIc came to this county in August, 1865, and spent three years in Union Township, and at the same time owned a farm in New Hope Town- ship. In 1565 he settled on section 16, New Hope Township, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of
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380 acres of choice land. lle was married September 28, 1869, to Miss Mary M. White, and they have a family of four children - Frank, William, Sherman and Alfretta. Mr. Delmege makes a specialty of thorough-bred short-horns, and he and his brother, Richard H., own eighteen head of cattle, all registered. Mr. Delmege has served as justice of the peace for eight years, and was township trus- tee one term. He is at present serving as county supervisor with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Ile is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, belonging to the Masonic lodge at Murray, and the Odd Fellows lodge at Afton. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
EORGE W. EMERSON, real-estate dealer at Afton; was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 8, 1838. Ilis father, Jasper P. Emerson, resides at Afton. He was born in the town of Ware, in New Hampshire, November 1, 1809, and moved to Ohio with his parents in 1815, who settled on land in Licking County before the land was sur- veyed, and remained there until death. He laid ont a town on his land called Concord, which still bears that name. The village cemetery was also on his land. Jasper P. Emerson removed to Union County from Ohio, and settled on 200 acres of the western part of section 12, Highland Township, which he improved and lived upon for many years. This farm now constitutes the principal part of the County Poor Farm of Union County. Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Emerson had six children. Five grew to maturity, and for are still liv- ing. The oldest daughter, Sarah L., died in Ohio, at the age of fourteen years. The oldest son, Stephen L., came West in 1855, and set- tled on the eastern part of section 12, Iligh- land Township. He now lives on section 29.
Mrs. Nancy Barber, wife of W. W. Barber, resides on section 12, Highland Township. She was formerly the wife of James II. Deuel, who was a soldier in the late war, being a member of Company II, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and died in hospital at Keokuk in 1863. Lucretia A. was the wife of W. M. Wickham, of section 1, Highland Township. She is now deceased. George W., our sub- jeet, came to Union County with his father in 1857. In early life he was engaged in farm- ing. He owned a farm in Lincoln Township, and sold it in 1875, and moved to Creston,. where he engaged in the real-estate business, and from which place he was elected county recorder, in 1876, and served four years. Since that time he has been engaged in his present business, and resides at Afton. He was married in Afton to Miss Mary F. Gal- braith, daughter of Samuel and Phebe Gal- Lraith, then of Union Township, but now of Dodge Township. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have five children -Nelson E., Luna E., Miriam E., Lena Band and Dora L. Miriam E., the third child had the misfortune to be- come a deaf mute at the age of three years, from the effects of spinal meningitis. Polit- ically Mr. Emerson is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln, in 1860.
W. ECKERSON, of Creston, is the division master mechanic of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at this place. IIe has charge of the locomo- tive and car department of the road from Chariton to Council Bluffs and branches. He has held this position since June, 1876, and has been in the employ of the company since April, 1870. Ile was first employed in the shops at Burlington, and in February, 1872, went to Council Bluffs, where he was fore- man of the shops. Mr. Eckerson was born | in Orleans County, New York, in the year
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1843. He began railroading at a very early age, being seven years in the employ of the New York Central at Rochester, from which place he came to Burlington. Mr. Eckerson's father, John Eckerson, was one of the early settlers of Orleans County, where he lived until his decease. Mr. Eckerson learned the trade of a machinist while in the employ of the New York Central at Rochester. Ilis long continuance in his present responsible position is sufficient evidence of the ability with which he discharges the duties devolving upon him. He was married at Medina, New York, to Miss Aunie G. Bateman. They have two children -- Fred and Annie Louisa.
TIS D. MOORIIEAD, section 22, Lin- euln Township, is a native of Clermont County. Ohio. the date of his birth being October 29, 1843. His parents, William and Margaret (Arthur) Moorhead, were both natives of Brown County, Ohio, and are now living in Clermont County, where they have made their home for many years. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Patrick Moorhead, was a native of Scotland, but immi- grated to America many years ago, when he settled in Westmoreland County, Pennsylva- nia. James Arthur, the maternal grandfather of our subject is still living in Brown County, Ohio, aged nearly ninety years. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for his services in that war draws a pension. The father of our subject was a mechanie, and followed wood-turning for many years. Otis D. Moor- head was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and has made that his life work. He served as a soldier in the late war almost three years, and was wounded and taken prisoner at Sabine Cross-Roads. He was kept a prisoner at Mansfield, Louisiana, from April 8 until July 11, 1864. and later in the same month received his discharge. He participated in a number of engagements, including the battle
of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, siege of Vieks- burg, Chickasaw Bayon and Red River cam- paign. In the fall of 1867 he settled in Wapello County, Iowa, where he was married December 26, 1870, to Lney E. Howell, a daughter of Lemuel Howell, of Wapello Connty. They are the parents of three chil- dren-Ada, Lila and Alice. In 1875 Mr. Moorhead removed from Wapello to Adams County, Iowa, and in 1879 came to Union County, and in 1880 settled on his present farm. His farm contains eighty acres of land, most of which is seeded to grass, and he is principally engaged in stock-raising. He has served as president of the School Board and has held other local offices, and is at present acting as township trustee. Ile is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. In politics he affiliates with the Greenback party.
TKINSON IIUPP, postoffice, Afton, is one of the enterprising agriculturists of Lincoln Township, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 25, where he has a fine farm of 120 acres under good cultiva- tion. Mr. Hupp was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being September 1, 1844. Ilis parents, Isaac and Mary A. (Atkinson) Hupp, were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, the father being of German and the mother of Scotch ancestry. Atkinson Hupp was reared a farmer, and has followed that vocation the greater part of his life. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company F, Sixty- third West Virginia Cavalry, where he served six months, and was then transferred to Com- pany HI, First West Virginia Battery. Among the battles in which he participated may be mentioned, Petersburg, Mansfield and New Creek Station, being captured by the enemy at the latter place, and imprisoned most of the time in the Richmond prison. He came West in 1865, and lived in different parts of
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Iowa, till he finally settled in Lincoln Town- ship, Union County. He was united in mar- riage in 1870 to Miss Mary M. Cupp, a dangh- ter of William and Snsan Cupp, who were natives of Virginia, Mrs. Hupp having been born in that State in 1853. They are the par- ents of eight children-Cyrinda, Edward, Rose Ann, Hester V., Charles, Alice, Robert L. and Cyrus W. Mr. Hupp commenced life for himself without capital. IIe began by working as a farm hand at which he continued until he had accumulated 8500. He then purchased a team, and followed farming on rented land for two years, and by the end of the time mentioned he had saved $900, with which he bought a farm. Thus by persever- ing energy, industry and strict economy he has gained by his own efforts his present fine property in Lincoln Township, and has gained the respect of all who know him. In politics Mr. IIupp affiliates with the Republican party.
YRUS A. STANCHIFIELD, of Creston, is conductor of the fast mail train on the East Iowa Division of the railroad between Burlington and Creston. IFe has been connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad since 1871. Ile was freight conductor one year, and then transfer- red to a passenger train. Prior to his engage- ment with this company he was for six year son the Hannibal & St. Joseph Road. Mr. Stauch- field was born at Anburn, Maine, in the year 1844. October 23, 1851, he enlisted in Com- pmy F, Fifteenth Maine Infantry, for three years. Ile was with his regiment in Louisiana and Texas during the first two and a half years of the war; serving with Butler at New Orleans, and took part in General Banks' Red River campaign. Ilis regiment was a part of the Nineteenth Army Corps, and during the summer and fall of 1864 was with General Sheridan in the Shenandoah campaign, taking part in all the memorable battle s ofthat re-
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markable campaign. After serving three years and three months he returned to Maine, and in 1865 went to Missouri, and engaged in railroading. Mr. Stanchfield's father, John Stanchfield, is still living. Our subject was married in 1867 to Miss Louisa Reynolds, a native of Monroe, Michigan. Their children are-Lucy, Marion, Lnella and Clara. They have a pleasant home at Creston, with snr- roundings that indicate taste and refinement.
R. FULLER, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Creston, Iowa, is a native of the State of New York, born in 1840, a son of Azel J. and Mary C. (Ross) Fuller, and has been a resi- dent of lowa since 1845. Ile was left an orphan when but a child, with no means of support except his own earnings, and being early thrown on his own resources learned lessons of independence that have been of benefit to him in all the varied experiences of his life. He made Clayton County his home from 1815 till 1866, and from that county en- listed, September 1, 1861, in the defense of his country in the war of the Rebellion, and was assigned to Company L, Sixth Iowa Cavalry. He enlisted as a private but was promoted for his gallantry, and when mus- tered out, in 1865, was First Lientenant of his company, having refused the Captaincy of three other companies. After his return home he engaged in business, a pursuit in which he was very successful, as he is a good salesman, nature having peculiarly endowed him in that direction. In 1876 he embarked in business in Creston. ILis residence in Creston is one of the finest in town. It is lo- cated in the west end. Mr. Fuller is purely a self-made man, his wonderful snecess, financially, being the result of industry, good management and economical habits. He was married in West Liberty, Muscatine County. lowa n 1967, to Mary E. Sharpneck, dangh-
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ter of Samuel and Ura (Hise) Sharpneck, na- tives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Fuller was born in Salem, Ohio, in 1838. She is a cultured, refined lady. and has always been to her lins- band a true helpmeet, assisting him in many ways, known only to woman, to attain the degree of prosperity he has now reached, and making his home a haven where he may find, when the busy cares of the day are over, that rest and comfort which the weary nan craves, and which, like a spring of water in the desert, refreshes and gives new vigor for the cares to follow. They have two children- Maude and Roy. Mr. Fuller is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic. In religious views both himself and wife are Free Thinkers, and politically he is independent. Although allied to no creed or seet, he is a man of quick, keen perceptions, and his naturally strong mind and moral tendencies make him a man of irreproachable character. He is publie-spirited and liberal and is always ready to contribute of his means to assist any worthy object or individual in need of help. In his home he is an affectionate, considerate linsband and a kind, indulgent father.
ain, and with Sherman on his march to the sea, and returned home without receiving the slightest wound. Hle came to lowa in 1873, remaining till the following year in Warren County, coming to I'nion County in 1874, and in 1884 settled on the farm which is still his home, where he has eighty acres of well-im- proved land. Mr. Sweet was united in mar- riage January 27, 1559, to Miss Amanda J. Moody, a daughter of George Moody, who is deceased. They have a family of three chil- dren --- Orrin M., Clara A. and George C. Mr. Sweet is a member of the Evangelical church.
S. BAYLESS, druggist, physician and surgeon at Cromwell, was born in 2. Belmont County, Ohio, in 1844. His father, Elihu Bayless, is also a native of Ohio, and is now living in Richelieu County, Wie- consin. IIe has represented his county in the Legislature several terms; is also a Meth- odist preacher of considerable note. Before the war he was an able defender of the abol- ition of American slavery, and at one time on that account, there was a reward offered for his life. He is now sixty-seven years of age. His wife, Emily Wadsworth, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in 1856, at the age of thirty-seven years. Dr. Bayless was twelve years old when he moved with the family to Wisconsin. where he remained pany D. Eleventh Wisconsin Veteran Infant- that great struggle. Soon afterward, in 1866, he married Miss Rachel, daughter of Arthur 'and Elizabeth Cook, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Maryland. children-Emily F. and Winnie E. Dr. Bayless caine to Union County in 1878, set- tling on a farm, and in 1576 he entered the drug store in Cromwell, where he carries a well-selected stock of drugs, paints, oils and
YLVESTER SWEET, engaged in gen- eral farming on section 15, of New IIope Township, is a native of Allegany County, New York, born August 30, 1837, a | until the war. In 1864 he enlisted in Com- son of the late Sylvester Sweet, who was also
a native of New York, born in Genesee Fry Volunteers, and served to the close of
County. In 1542 the parents removed with their family to Henry County, Illinois, and in that county our subject grew to manhood, being reared on a farm, and edneated in the common schools. He was a soldier in the late | In the doctor's family there are now two war. enlisting in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ilinois Infantry, and dur- ing his three years' service participated in the battles around Atlanta, Jackson, Tennessee, Champion Hill, Meridian, Kenesaw Mount- 43
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sundries. He owns the property, besides a half-interest in the Cromwell llall building. Ile commeneed reading medicine in Isi7, attended the State University of Iowa, and has now been practicing his profession four years, making a specialty of sore eyes, in which he has been signally successful. The doctor is a member of the orders of Free Masons, Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic.
AY D. SPAULDING has the honor of being the first settler of Spaulding Town- ship, and for that reason this division of
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the county received his name. He was born near Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, 1 December 27, 1841. Ilis father, Dwelly Spauld- ing, was born in Connectiont, and when a young man he removed to Eastern New York, where he married Cynthia Woolworth, also a native of Connectient ; they died in Onondaga County, New York, where they had resided for many years. They had eight children -- five sons and three daughters, of whom the subject of this notice was the youngest. Four sons and one danghter are living. Mr. Spaulding was reared in his native county to the occupation of farming. For a time after becoming of age he was engaged in mercantile business at Syracuse. bnt determined to enter agricultural pursuits. Land being high in the old States of the East, he resolved to go West; and accordingly, in the spring of 1866. he started westward for Missouri. Passing through this county on his journey, he was pleased with the appearance of the prairies in this part of the county, now Spaulding Town- ship, and decided to locate here. The nearest railroad station to this place at that time was Des Moines. On his way West, while at. Michigan City, Indiana, he was joined by Mr. Elmer J. Emmons, an acquaintance from bor- hood, and they came on together. Crossing
the Mississippi River at Davenport, they came thence on foot, along an irregular route, as their object was to see the country, and de- termine the most desirable place to locate, reaching this vicinity about the middle of June. No settlement had been made here in this part of the county. Struck by the beauty of this section, they resolved to locate here. Mr. Spaulding's first purchase of land was the northwest quarter of section 11, and also a wood lot, which comprised the northeast quarter of section 5, in Lincoln Township. Ilere he made the first improvements in Spaulding Township. At various times after- ward he bought other lands in the township. Several years later he sold the prairie he first purchased to Mr. E. J. Emmons, who still owns it. He now resides on the southwest quarter of section 1, while his farm comprises the south half of section 1, the north half of enction 12 and the southeast of section 11. He also owns in other parts of the township 400 acres, besides 240 acres in Lincoln Town- ship, having altogether 1,420 acres, the most of which cost him but $5 per acre, and none more than $10 an acre. ITis first experience was in grain-raising, and he gradually passed into stock-raising, having for a number of years past made a specialty of hoge. lle deals also extensively in grain and hay. In all the above enterprises he has been emi- nently successful. Mr. Spaulding was mar- ried to Mattie Paliner, a native of Onondaga County, New York, and they have one son, named Elmer, who was born in June, 1850.
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