USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 34
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 34
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ILLIAM D. McDONALD, of Cres. ton, has been a resident of Union County since the spring of 1869, first locating at Afton. He was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1837, where he grew to manhood. Ilis father, John MeDonald, was a native of Tennessee. When he was four years old his parents removed to Madison County, where he spent the rest of his life, dying December 25, 1853. In 1554 he came to Union County, and entered abont 2,800 , acres of land, which remained unimproved until the laying out of Creston, in 1569. This land includel the east part of the city plat. The greater part of the land is still in posses- sion of the family. W. D. MeDonald was the first to come to the county after the land was entered by his father. Ile came to . \t- ton in 1869, and has since that time been en- gaged in the real-estate business, and dealing in stock. He bought and shipped stock at Afton for about ten years. He came to Cres-
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
ton in 1SS1. Ile still owns over a 1,000 acres of land in Union County, most of which is improved, and he has about, 200 head of eat- tle. His general business is that of a land and stock-broker. The next member of the family that came to Union County was Albert S., who came in 1574. He located at Creston, and laid out McDonald's addition to the city. Ile died at Creston in 1882, leaving a wife and daughter who still reside here. James McDonald eame to Union County in 1SS+, and lives in Spaulding Township. A sister, Mrs. Saralı A. Biekers, came soon after Will- iam eame. She is the wife of Nathan C. Biekers of Creston. William D. MeDonald was married in Ohio to Lura Iluekill, a na- tive also of Madison County. They have no children, but have reared several from child- hood. Mr. MeDonald is of Scotch ancestry, his paternal grandfather having come from Scotland when a child. The family settled in Tennessee. John McDonald and wife had eleven children-six sons and five daughters. Three sons and four daughters are living. Politically Mr. MeDonald is a Republican.
ALFRED KENT, farmer and stock-raiser ou section 23, Pleasant Township, was born in Lagrange County, Indiana, in 1843, son of Kencel and Sarah Ann (Chase) Kent, natives respectively of Connecticut and Indiana, who settled in this county in 1834; the former died in 1979, aged seventy-five. Mr. Kent, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the late war in 1862, Company HI, Twenty- ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served natil August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Davenport. Ile was married in this county, in 1865, to Miss Mima Jane, daughter of George and Rachel Vandyne. Her moth- er's maiden name was Reasoner. The chil- dren in thisfunily are-Oscar E., Merrill C., Addie I., Maria L. and Mary Emma. Mr. Kent has held some of the minor school and
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township offices where he resides; is a ment- her of Hopeville Lodge, No. 306, I. O. O. F., and Republican in his political views, and highly esteemed as a gentleman and citizen in his community. When he commenced in life for himself he had only a team of horses and but limited means to commenee house- keeping; with savings from an army life and by hard work and help from his father's estate of 200 acres, he has aceumulated 600 acres of land, and well stocked. Postoffice, Hope- ville, Clarke County, Iowa.
P. BUTTS, of the firm of Butts & Fos- ter, druggists, corner of Union and Maple streets. Creston, was born in 1844, in Dutchess County, New York, his parents being Willard and Elizabeth (Potter) Rotts, the former a native of the same State and the latter of Connecticut. When nine years of age, however, our subject was brought to Bureau County, Illinois, where he lived until 1870, when he came to Creston, operat- ing in the grocery business seven months; next he was for a time a traveling agent for the McCormick Reaper Company; then worked for a railroad company two years, restaurant and bakery four years, the hard- ware business several years, and finally, in April 1886, he entered his present position. lle also owns several honses and lots in Cres- ton, and a quarter-section of well-improved land in Ringgold County, Iowa. In 1872 he was assessor of his town and township, in 1873 city assessor, in 1885 city treasurer. Ile is a Republican in his political sentiment. As a eitizen he is loyal and upright, and has the fullest esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens; is social, genial and not above noticing merit in its most unpretending forms. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served eleven months and twenty days, being mustered ont at Camp
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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Butler, Illinois. He was married in 1968, in Bureau County, Illinois, to Elsie Waterman, who was born in Kendall, in 1849. Their seven children are Lena. William, lda, Ben- jamin. Harry, and Frank and Jessie (twins).
AMES GALT, a partner of William Scott, of Creston, in the grain and live-stock business at Cromwell, was born in Ire- land in 1856. Ilis parents, Uriah and Jane Galt, were also natives of the "Green Isle." The father is still living, in -Burlington, Iowa; and the mother died, in 1865. Mr. Galt immi- grated to America with his father, settled in Adams County in 1878, and in 18:0 came to Union County engaging, in his present busi- ness, in which he handles about sixty car-loads annually, sometimes 100 mgplande. Hansons 160 acres of land in Adams County. Besides a fair, common-school education, he had no means with which to start in life, and is therefore, financially, a self-made man. In his political views he is a Republican. He was married in 1884, in Cromwell, to Miss Madge Long, daughter of D. P. and Lovina Long.
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ILLIAM II. HAMMANS, a prosper- ous and enterprising agriculturist of New Hope Township, living on see- tion 9, is a native of Iowa, born in Jefferson County, near Glasgow. January 2, 1851.a son of James Hammans, a native of Virginia, who has been a resident of Jefferson County for many years. Our subject was reared on the home farm in his native county, receiving good educational advantages, completing his educa- tion at Whittier College of Salem, Iowa. He came to Union County. Iowa, in the spring of 1875, where he has since made his home, and during his residence here he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Mr. Hammans was united in marriage Sep- tomber 7, 1850, to Miss Myrta M. Groesbeck, a daughter of William Groesbeck, a promi- nent citizen of New Hope Township. They are the parents of three children-Roy F., Clauson and Ralph. Mr. Hammans has always followed agricultural pursuits, and by his industry and good business qualities he has prospered beyond his expectations, and has now a fine property, his home farm in New Hope Township containing 320 acres of choice land, beside which he owns a farm of 240 acres in Pottawatomie County. Mr. Jammans in his religious views is a Baptist.
ILLIAM II. H. DEVOL, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 28, Spaulding Township, where he owns 190 seyes of well-improved land. He was born in Washington County, Ohio, in 1840, and is a son of Alpha and Avis Devol, both parents of French descent; ancestors immi- grated to America about four generations back. His immediate parents died in Ohio, their native State. They had four children, William HI. II., being the eldest. He has all his life been a successful farmer, although his opportunities for an early school education were limited by the meagerness of the sub- scription schools of pioneer times. IIe carne West in 1862, first settling in Rock Island County, Illinois, where he remained eight years. During his life he has been honored by his fellow citizens with the office of town- ship trustee, member of the School Board, school treasurer, etc. Mr. Devol started in life poor, dropping corn at 10 cents a day, then working for 25 cents a day, then SS a month, $11 a month, and so on. In the fall of 1867 he immigrated to Missouri, reaching Chariton County on the 6th of November, but not being suited with the country moved to McDonough, Illinois, the following spring and remained in Illinois until the 1211; of
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY,
August, 1570, when he started for Union County, lowa, where he has since remained. Ile broke prairie the first season for W. K. Syp, of Afton. The next three seasons le rented land, buying and breaking his own land in 1874, on which he moved in the year of 1875. Assisted by his faithful companion in life, he has accumulated all he owns; is a man of fair dealing and high esteem. lIc was married in Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois, January 20, 1863, to Miss Florenee A., daughter of Joseph and Edner (Penny) Loughery, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Devol are the parents of seven chil- dren-Elmer E., Frank II., Clara E., Joseph E. and three deceased-Eda, Charles and an un- named infant. Postoffice, Creston.
HI. BRUNING. son of William and Catherine Bruning, is a native of Ger- many, born November 10, 1832. ITe was reared to the vocation of a farmer, his father being a farmer by occupation. He re- mained in his native country till he was twenty-two years of age, and in March, 1855, sailed from Liverpool, England, for America, landing at New Orleans. Ile first located in St. Joseph, Missouri, but remained there only a short time, when he came to Union County, Iowa, and has since made his pres- ent farm his home. For his wife he married Miss Manna A. Richardson. February 26, 1.62, a Kenttekian by birth, born September 26, 1833, a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Richardson. her father born in Kentucky, and her mother a native of Virginia. They have two children by adoption-Jennie E. Ames, born September 6, 1868, and Thomas J. Ames, born September 17, 1871. Mr. Bruning came to Union County in its pioneer days, and has been one of its most active and public-spirited citizens, taking an interest in every enterprise calculated to prove of benefit to his township or county, and during his
residence here has won the respect of all who know him by his industrious habits and quiet. unassuming manners. He has met with suc- cess in his agricultural pursuits, being classed among the best farmers of Platte Township. where he has a fine farm of 180 neres on sec- tion 33, and is still actively engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party.
S. MILLARD is the manager and a member of the Inmber firm of George Palmer & Co. The present company assumed control of this yard in November. 18SI, succeeding the National Lumber Com- pauy. located on the corner of Division and Montgomery streets. Mr. Millard is the only member of the firm who resides in Creston. Ile came from Shenandoah, Iowa, where he had been dealing in lumber two years. He was born in Lawrence, Ilenry County, IN :- nois, in 1857. Ilis parents removed to St. Joseph . County, where he lived until 1873, when he went to Nashua, Chickasaw County. Iowa; thenee to Milwaukee, and kept books for a wholesale Inmber firm, and remained until 1SS2. lle was married to Laura Lull, born in Jones County, daughter of C. II. Lull, of Anamosa, a merchant of that place. They have one son-John L., born in 1885.
B N. TORREY, M. D., settled in Creston in September. 1575. He was born in the State of New York, July 2, 1846. While a small boy, his parents removed to Pike County, Illinois. He obtained his early edneation in the public schools of Pittsfield, Illinois, and also attended college in Lincoln County. Missouri. He began the study of medicine under Dr. John Ilodgen, one of the most eminent physicians in the city of St. Louis, and graduated at the St. Louis
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BM Journey M. S
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Medical College in 1873. He was assistant physician in the St. Louis City Hospital for two years, coming to Creston from that insti- tntion. Hle has now been in practice ahont twelve years, and has built up a successful and lucrative practice, and has established an enviable reputation as a careful an I reliable physician and surgeon. Dr. Torrey is one of the surgeons of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad. Ile is a member of the State Medical Association; also of the Society of Physicians and Surgeons of Southern Iowa. In 1877 he married Miss Flora E. Reed, a native of Illinois. They have two sons-Harry N., born October 7, 1880, and Burt E., born May 14, 1884.
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FRAMES S. LYTLE, section 17, Douglas Township, owns forty acres of land, where he is occupied in agriculture. He was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1806, his parents being George and Elizabeth Lytle, natives also of the Keystone State. JIc resided in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, until 1850, when he immigrated to Ohio, and in 1855 he came to Union County, at what is known as " Lytle's Grove." He was married in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1840, to Catharine Flesh, who was born in Frank- lin County, Pennsylvania, in 1816. They have had twelve children, five are living, -- Annie ES. is the wife of John Davis, and has eight children-Edward C., Ada L., William R., Bertie D., Frank, Clyde, Ray and Mand; Caroline B., who married John Elliott, of Union County, and has three chil- dren-Leonard, Gladlys and Harry; Alice, wife of B. K. Berry, who has two children. Cora, wife of Thomas Hood, has two chil- dren-Herbert and George E .; and llattie, adopted. George, John, Ano E., Edith, Fran- cis, Mary and William are deceased. Mr. Lytle has been a member of the Board of : sylvania, in 1825. Mr. Ashley died in 1576.
Supervisors ten years, justice of the peace eight years, and held all the other offices of his township. Politically, he is a Democrat. He kept hotel at Lytle's Grove from 1855 on- ward for many years.
AMES WALTERS, farmer, section 11, Pleasant Township, postoffice Thayer, is a son of David and Mary (Dougherty) Walters, of Van Wert County, Ohio, where they both died, and where the father was a prominent farmer. James was born in Ross County, that State, August 4, 1817, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving but a limited education. le came to Union County in 1865, locating upon the farm where he now resides. Ile started in life with no means except a capital of energy and deter- mination and skill, and with this he has ac- cumulated a handsome amount of property, owning now 152 acres of land, good, and well furnished with buildings, improvements, etc. In whatever he has undertaken he has been earnest, and labored with unceasing energy, and in all public enterprises he has been ready to assist. He is a Republican in his political views, and both himself and wife are members of the Christian church. Ilis first marriage occurred in 1842, in Van Wert County, Ohio, to Amanda Harter, who was born in Miami County, that State, and died in 1843. By that marriage there was one child --- Mary M., the wife of James Hunt- singer. In 184S Mr. Walters married Mar- garet White, of Ohio, who died in 1570, and Mr. Walters, for a third wife, married, July 9, 1878, Mrs. Celestin R. Ashley, the daughter of Amos Ilimes, of Vermont. She was the widow of Franklin Ashley, by whom she had two children-one deceased and Mlil- ton T., who married Ella Osmond. They have three boys-Lyman B., Henry R. and Ernest O. Mrs. Walters was born in Peun-
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
Mr. Walters reared an adopted son, taking him when six months old. and Wesley Wal- ters is now a prominent farmer of Pleasant Township, Union County. He married Liz- zie L. Jackson, and has four children-Carrie G., James W., Jesse L. and Nellie I.
ILLIAM CADY, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on seetion 30, of Dodge Township, is a native of the State of New York, born near Amster- dam, May 3, 1827. his father, Daniel Cady, who is now deceased, having been a native of that State. Oursubject, when a young man worked at sav-milling, but has made farming the principal vocation of his life. He was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Craw- ford, who was born in Madison County, New York, their marriage taking place July 5, 1991. Mr. Cady went to California is the year 1877, remaining in that State nntil 1879, when he came to Union County, Iowa, where he has since made his home, locating on his present farm, on section 30, Dodge Township, in the spring of 1885, where he has seventy-six acres of well-cultivated land. Quiet, unassuming, industrious and honora- ble in all his dealing Mr. Cady has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has business or social intercourse.
NEWMAN, dealer in clothing, hats, caps, furnishing and merchant-tailor- ing goods, located on the corner of Adams and Maple streets in 1574, where he carries a large and well-selected assortment of goods in his line, the stock amounting to $2,000, and sales to about $15.000 an- unally. He has nine employee. Mr. New- man was born in Germany, in 1843, his parents being F. and Rachel Newman, also natives of the "Fatherland." Immigrating to this country in 1860, he has resided in Min-
nesota and Nebraska, most of the time in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Ile came to Union County in 1871 from Council Bluffs. IFe started out in lite for himself with but little. but he has prospered, and withal has been liberal. He has held the offices of school director, treasurer five years, member of the School Board, and in Plattsmouth was alder- man, in 1871-'2, and member of the School Board. In his voting he is an independent Democrat ; is a member of the orders of Odd Fellows and Free Masons, being in the latter the recorder of Commandery Lodge, No. 324. He was married in Council Bluff's, Iowa, in 1876, to Sadie Danlaum, who was born in Amsterdam, New York, in 1856. They have two boys -- Milton B. and Joseph L.
R. WOLFE. one of the pioneer settlers of Grant Township, and an active farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 25, is a native of Ashland County. Ohio, born January 13, 1836, his parents, D. and E. Wolfe, being natives of the State of Maryland. IIe was reared to a farm life, re- maining on the home farm till attaining the age of twenty-one years. JIe then began life on his own account, coming to Iowa, and lo- cating in Washington County, in 1857. He subsequently returned to Ohio and was mar- ried to Miss Rebecca Nickol, a native of Penn- sylvania, born August 1, 1818, a daughter of John and Jennie (Thompson) Niekol, who Were natives of the same State. To this union have been born seven children- William M., Jessie M., Charles F., Lillie M., Lavina L .. deceased, Bertie A. and John A. Mr. Wolfe came to Union County, Iowa, after his mar- riage, and has met with success during his residence here. Ilis home farm now contains 2:0 acres of choice land, all well improved and under cultivation. Mr. Wolfe is one of the active and public-spirited citizens of Grant Township, and is always interested in every
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
enterprise which tends toward the advance- ment of his township or county. In politics he is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wolfe is devoting considerable attention to stock-raising, and is making a specialty of short-horn eattle and Clyde-dale horses. IIe owns a half interest in a fine Clydesdale horse, Mr. Bilderback being associated with him.
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M. REIMER, dealer in dry-goods, cloaks and millinery, 224 North Pine street, Creston, Iowa, keeps a large and well-selected stock of goods, his aim being at all times to please the public and their varied tastes. He carries a stock valued at $15,000, his annual sales averaging 830,- 000. He keeps four employes, who are al- ways ready to wait on customers, and his genial, accommodating manners and reason- able prices make his place a popular one with all who are in need of anything in his line. Mr. Reimer is a native of New York, a son of F. W. and Maria Reimer. His father was a prominent New York importer for thirty- six years, a member of the firm of Reimer & Mecke. He was reared in his native city, coming to Iowa in 1880, when he located in Creston. He was married in 1885 to Ilermia E. Spencer, a native of Ohio, born in 1861. In polities Mr. Reimer is independent, vot- ing for men, not party.
J. HIORRELL, justice of the peace and editor of the workingmen's paper. at Creston, has his office in Patt's Block, on Adams street. He has been a resident of Iowa siuce 1870, save one year, which he spent in Montana in search of health ; he has resided in Creston since the autumn of 1881, and served as justice of the peace since Janu-
ary, 1885. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1850; came to Chariton, Lneas County, Iowa. in 1870, where he was engaged about three years in elerking, ete .; afterward he taught school for about fourteen years in Wapello, Clarke and Lucas counties. He is an ardent worker in the in- terests of the Knights of Labor, especially as editor of the workingmen's paper at Creston, and as a member of the State Executive Board of that society. The title of "D. S. O." was conferred upon him February 5, 1886. Mr. Ilorrell was married in 1873, at Russell, Lucas County, to Miss Jennie Strong, dangh- ter of T. 1 .. Strong, one of the pioneers of that county. She was born in the same county in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Horrell have two children-Maggie, who was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1876, and Henry, who was born in Wapello County, in 1880.
FOIIN SLONCE, deceased, formerly a resident of Pleasant Township, was born in Germany in 1819. His wife, Sophia Ort, was born also in Germany in 1826. Mr. Slonce was a farmer by occupation. For the first three years after coming to America hie resided in New York; he was next a resident of Burlington, Iowa, five years, and finally, in 1861, he moved to Union County, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a man of good judgment, quick discern- ment, and by industry and economy he met with good success, and died in possession of considerable property. He was a prominent member of the Evangelical church. Ile had seven children -- Annie. deceased; John, still at home; Carrie, Sopheanie, Nancy, Sarah and Mary. Annie, the first named, was the wife of E. C. Lyons, and left two children- Bertha and Nellie. Carrie married 1. Il. Balinger, and had one child-Iona. Sarah married Peter Magers, and has three children -- Perlena, Druzilla and Sophia. Mary, the
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
youngest child, is the wife of Milton Magers, and has one child-Maud. Mrs. Slunce is also a consistent member of the Evangelical church. She resides upon the old farm which she manages herself, assisted by her son John. Mrs. Slonce had at the death of her : husband eighty.two acres of land with the house on it left her. She has now in her own ; name 2263 acres of land, all in Pleasant Township, Union County, Iowa, on seetions 23, 10, 11 and 13. She also owns a house and lot in the town of Afton.
EORGE W. SMITH, farmer and stock- raiser, seetion 33, Jones Township. was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 29, 1832. Ilis father, George Stockham Smith, was born December 13, 1797, and was a son of Jesse Smith, who was born in 1772. His mother's maiden name was Susan Fry. He was the seventh of nine children, the others being as follows -- John F., born December 26, 1822; Elizabeth, born in 1824; Sarah, born in 1826; Katie and Bechie, twins, born in 1827; Marie, born in 1830; Mary A., born in 1834, and William, boru June 13, 1837. In 1837 the father sold out in Ohio, and moved to Illinois, then a new country. There were no schools in Illinois at that time, and our subject had no educational advantages until after the death of his father, which oe- eurred in 1847. When he was sixteen years old he went to Vermillion County, Indiana. where he remained until 1853, working on a farm in the summer, and attending school in the winter. He then spent one year with his mother in Illinois, and in 1854 started with his uncle, John S. Smith, for Oregon, but for some reason he located in Union Connty. Iowa, and here Mr. Smith met and became acquainted with Fatima Reed. In 1855, at the first term of court over held in Union County, which convened at Petersville, a little town, started on account of a saw and grist
mill located there, and which was presided over by Judge Bradford. he procured a license, and April 10 they were married by Rev. Swim, of Ottumwa. They started out together to face the hardships of a new country, but their hearts were light and free, and they were " prosperous. June 21, 1856, their son, John William, was born. In the spring of 1858 that dreaded disease, typhoid fever, attacked the wife and mother, and May + she died. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Smith lett his son with his wife's mother, and started for the land of gold. After living a miner's life three years he returned to Union County that he might be with his son. In 1564 he married Margaret Burkheimer, who is a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children-Laura, Clara M. Anna. Mr. Smith is a self-made man, and has by his own industry and good manage- ment become the owner of valuable property. Ilis farm contains 220 aeres of land in fine condition, stocked with Ilolstein cattle. Be- ing one of the first settlers in the county he has seen the gradnal progress of the trans- formation of the wilderness to a state of high enltivation. Mr. Smith has held nearly ali the school and township offices with satisfae- tion to the community. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order. Politically he is a Greenbacker. His son, John W., is short- hand reporter for the Ohio River Pool Com- pany at Chicago, Illinois.
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