USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties > Part 30
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose counties, Iowa, containing a condensed history of the state of Iowa; portraits and biographies of the governors of the territory and state; engravings of prominent citizens in Wayne and Appanoose counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of Wayne and Appanoose counties > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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S AMUEL PORTER, deceased, was one of the old and respected pio- neers of Wayne County. He was a native of Chenango County, New York, born May 4, 1808. In 1815 he removed with his parents to Athens County, Ohio, where he lived till 1850. December 1, 1831, he was married to Lydia True, of Athens County, daughter of Josiah and Almira (Tuttle) True. Six children were born to this union-John T., Sarah Ann, Isaac R., William A., Charles M. and Dan- iel B. The sons, William A. and Charles M., were members of Company M, Third Iowa Cavalry, and both died in the service of their country. In 1850 Mr. Porter re- moved with his family to Fulton County, Illinois, remaining in that county till 1855. The family then came to Wayne County, Iowa, making the journey by team, locat- ing in Clinton Township, on the farm where Mrs. Porter still resides. Here Mr. Porter entered 120 acres of land from the Government, and built a house 18 x 24 feet, of hewed logs, which at that time was the
best house in the township. Game was in abundance, and wild animals were numer- ous, their cattle being frequently followed home by wolves. The nearest mill was fifty miles distant, and many were the hard- ships and privations endured by this pio- neer family. Mr. Porter died January 7, 1875, well respected by all who knew him.
M A. CLEVER, a leading farmer of Richman Township, Wayne County, has a well-improved farm of 240 acres on sections 33 and 34. His fine imposing residence is surrounded by beautiful grounds, and everything about his place betokens care and thrift. Mr. Clever was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1849, his parents, Martin and Elizabeth (De Groff) Clever, being natives of the same State. The father followed agricultural pursuits the greater part of his life, and is now living retired from his active labors at Albia, Iowa. The mother died of camp fever in September, 1863, she having taken the disease while nursing her husband, he hav ing gone down to view the battle-ground at Gettysburg, where he was taken sick with the fever. Bert, as the subject of this sketch is commonly called, was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the best schools in his native State. In the spring of 1869 the family immigrated to Monroe County, Iowa, and settled on land which the father had entered in 1854, and March 22, 1872, he was married to Miss J. A. Dunkin, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah A. Dunkin. After the death of her father her mother came with the family to Iowa, where she still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Clever are the parents of six children-Mabel, Joseph Martin, Lulu, Homer, Warren and Albert. Mr. Clever besides carrying on his farm is
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interested in the livery business at Humes- ton, buying out the stock of T. E. Lee March 12, 1886. He is also part owner of three noted stock stallions-Clyde, an im- ported Clydesdale horse ; Norman, a grade, Percheron, and a standard bred Hamble- tonian of rare strain. He is also interested in the improvement of cattle, and is part owner in some imported black Polled- An- gus stock. It is his intention to make a business of buying horses for home trade and for shipping purposes. He is one of the live business men of his township, where he is held in high esteem for his excellent business qualities, and strict integrity.
M ARSHALL H. RICHMAN, the pioneer of the township which bears his name, was born in Green- brier County, West Virginia, September 11, 1820, and is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Caperton) Richman. The former was shot by a bushwhacker during the late war, he being a Unionist. Marshall remained on his father's farm until his marriage on the 9th of December, 1841, to Mary Ann Guinn. They remained in their native county until 1850, when they immigrated to the West, arriving in this State in the spring of that year, settling on the Des Moines River until that fall, when he moved to his present location in Wayne County, on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 5, Richman Township, the first settler therein, and has remained here ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Richman are the parents of fourteen children-Rachel, James Harvey, Samuel M., Oliver, Ephraim, William, an infant unnamed, Enos, John M., Abner E., Sarah E., Thomas Allen, Mary A. and Cynthia J. Mr. Richman has followed sur- veying for many years, and served as county surveyor from 1851 to 1856 ; as jus- tice of the peace for eighteen years, as
member of the Board of Supervisors several terms, as school director, and as postmaster at Selma until it was discontinued. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
OBERT E. HUTCHINSON, retired farmer, Lineville, Iowa, was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, April 16, 1817, a son of Carter Hutchinson, a native of Spottsylvania County, Virginia, and grandson of Robert Hutchinson, who was born in Scotland, near Belfast, and was brought by his parents to America when an infant. He was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, serving under General Wash- ington, and participated in the battle at Bunker Hill and was present at the sur- render of Cornwallis. In April, 1824, our subject's parents crossed the Ohio River, ten miles below Cincinnati, Ohio, and set- tled in Morgan Township, Butler County, Ohio. They made their home in the woods, their neighbors being Indians and wild animals. Here Robert E. was reared, receiving his education in the pioneer log- cabin school-house. In January, 1843, he moved to Franklin County, Indiana, and in May, 1852, with a wife and five children, to Henry County, Illinois, and thence, in the fall of 1855, to Wapello County, Iowa, where he lived during the winter, and in the spring .of 1856 located in Decatur County. He lived there until 1882, and in the fall of the latter year moved to Clio, Wayne County. For six months Mr. Hutchinson was a member of the Board of Supervisors of Decatur County, and was justice of the peace six years. He was married February 27, 1840,to Rebecca Charl- ton, and to them were born ten children, six of whom are living-Mrs. Mary E. Marick, Mrs. Hannah M. Stephens, Jesse L., Mrs. Sarah J. Dye Robert C. and George W. The deceased are-Milton C., Mrs. Rebecca
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Somerville, William S. and Mrs. Phœbe M. Bay. Milton C. fell in the charge on Fort Blakely, while fighting in the defense of his country. Mrs. Rebecca Hutchinson died April 19, 1886. She was a member of the Protestant Methodist church, a con- sistent Christian, and endeared herself to all who knew her by her kindness and be- nevolent and many womanly virtues.
M. PRAY, one of the prosperous and influential citizens of Wayne County, is a native of Indiana, born at Charlestown, Clark County, Sep- tember 11, 1831, a son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (McNeal) Pray, the father a na- tive of New Jersey, of German ancestry, and the mother of Irish descent. His parents had a family of seven children, as follows-Jane, Catherine, Samuel, John, Stephen, W. M. and Matthew. When our subject was three years old his parents went to Darke County, Ohio, and six years later removed to Washington County, In- diana. W. M. was reared to farming pur- suits, and educated in the common schools of his neighborhood. He was married October 6, 1853, to Letitia Bennett, who was born and reared in Scott County, In- diana, a daughter of Samuel and Patience Bennett. They have nine children living whose names are as follows-John H., George W., W. A., Francis, Emmerson G., Lewis D., Cora E., Ida L., and Sadie 1. Mr. Pray located in Wapello County, Iowa, April 20, 1854, near Agency City, where he made his home for nine years. He came with his family to Wayne County in 1863, and first settled in Union Town- ship on section 24, on land which he still owns, living there till 1869, since which he has resided on his present farm on section 19, Wright Township, where he has a fine farm under excellent cultivation, with
good residence, barn and outbuildings. Mr. Pray began life without means, but by hard work and good business management he has become one of the wealthiest men of Wayne County, being the owner of 1,225 acres of choice land located in this county, 265 acres being in Union Township, eighty acres in South Fork Township, and the re- mainder in Wright Township. He is one of the most successful farmers and stock- raisers in Wright Township, and has at present 100 head of cattle, several of them being thoroughbreds, besides having a large humber of horses and hogs. He is one of the respected citizens of Wright Township, having during his residence here won the confidence and esteem of his neighbors by his fair and honorable deal- ings.
UGH C. MCGHEE, residing on sec- tion 8, Clay Township, was born in Monroe County, West Virginia, May 16, 1844, his father, Hugh C. McGhee, who is now deceased, having been a native of the same county. When an infant of but six months he was taken by his parents to Bartholomew County, Indiana, and to Wa- pello County, Iowa, in the fall of 1847, in which county he was reared on a farm, and educated in the common-schools. In April, 1868, he came to Clay Township, Wayne County, Iowa, settling on his pres- ent farm, which at that time was but slightly improved. Hehas been quite suc- cessful in his farming operations, and in connection with his farm he devotes some time to stock-raising. He is now the owner of 130 acres of land where he re- sides, all of which has been acquired by industry and economy. He was married February 16, 1869, to Virginia F. Gwinn, daughter of James M. Gwinn, of Clay Township. They have had six children- Seth (deceased), Alice, Hugh, Maude, James
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
and Roy. Mr. McGhec is a natural genius with the use of tools. He built his own house, and part of the furniture, and, in fact, can make almost everything out of wood. He is active in promoting the interests of his township, and takes an interest in educa- tional matters, having served four years as school director. He has also held the office of township trustec for two years. Mr. McGhee is of Irish and English descent. His grandfather, John McGhee, came from Ireland in an early day, and John Abbott, his maternal grandfather, immigrated to America from England, settling in the New England States.
ADWARD L. HART, attorney at law, residing at Allerton, was born in Lapeer County, Michigan, in the year 1850, his parents, Ansel L. and Clem- mie Hart, being natives of New York. In the spring of 1856 the father came with his family to Wayne County, Iowa, and lo- cated on a new farm on section 27, Wash- ington Township. He improved his land, living on it till his death, which occurred in March, 1877. He was twice married, and by his first wife he had a family of seven children who grew to maturity, six of whom yet survive-Mary J., wife of Lewis Kallogg; Lydia, widow of E. B. Lynde ; Edward L. and Edwin A. (twins), the latter living in Minnesota, and the former our subject; Adelaide, living in Mills County, Iowa, and Lincoln, in Dakota. William Henry dicd at the homestead in this county at the age of twenty-three years. Three children were born to the second marriage. Edward L. Hart, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Wayne County, coming here with his parents when about six years of age. In 1875 he began the study of law at Allerton with J. B. Evans, and was ad- mitted to the bar at Corydon in 1877, since
which time he has been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, and is meeting with fair success. For his wife he married Miss Ida M. Matson, a daugh- ter of Thomas A. Matson, a resident of Lucas County, Iowa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hart-Edward L., Jesse B. and David R.
OHN DARRAUGH, one of the suc- cessful farmers of Union Township, residing on section 23, was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, October 23, 1834, his parents, James and Evaline (Col- lins) Darraugh, being natives of the same State. They had a family of six children. In 1853 they removed to Indiana, locating in Putnam County, where the mother died in May, 1878, and the father in April, 1880. John Darraugh was reared and educated in the schools of his native county, where he remained till 1853. He then accompa- nied his parents to Indiana, and in 1863 came with H. T. Peck to Wayne County, Iowa. They leased land from James Peck, a brother of H. T. Peck, who had come to this county in 1847 and entered a large tract of land near Peoria. He was one of the most active and industrious pioneers of Peoria, where he carried on the mercan- tile business for many years, and also dealt quite extensively in live stock. He went to California, in 1868, and thence to Oregon, where he died in 1881. After coming to Wayne County Mr. Darraugh carried on the mercantile business at Corydon for one year, when he went to Bethlehem and engaged in the same pursuit, living there for nine years. Hc then moved to the farm on section 23, where he has since made his home, his farm containing 160 acres of improved land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Darraugh was united in marriage in 1855 to Miss Susan Peck, who was born in Putnam County, Indiana,
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in December, 1833, a daughter of Isaac Peck, a native of Kentucky, and Nancy (Moore) Peck, who was born, reared and married in the same State. Mr. and Mrs. Darraugh have two children-Martha, born in Putnam County, Indiana, and Eva, born in Peoria, Iowa. Mrs. Darraugh's par- ents were among the early settlers of In- diana, living there till their death, the mother dying in 1862 and the father in 1 864.
N. DAVISON, farmer and stock- raiser, section 33, Union Township, was born in Loraine County, Ohio, April 2, 1843, his parents, Chauncey W. and Eliza (Wheeler) Davison, being natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. His father was a son of James Davison, who was a native of Connecticut. C. W. Davi- son was a farmer, carpenter and joiner by occupation, remaining in Ohio till August, 1852, when he removed to Stark County, Illinois. J. N. Davison spent his boyhood in his native county, where he lived till coming to Illinois with his parents. He was married at the age of nineteen to Mary C. Richards, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, but reared in Stark County, Illinois. Mrs. Davison is a daughter of Nathaniel and Dorcas (Stark) Richards, the father being a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Davison are the parents of nine chil- dren-Albert L., Oliver G., William C., Minnie Lenora, Lucy E., Carrie D., Ethel M., Merritt J. and Hattie May. Mr. Davi- son enlisted in the late war, August 15, 1862, a member of Company F, One Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, and served six months in Kentucky, when he was discharged for disability. He then returned to his home in Stark County, where he remained until 1869, engaged in farming and dealing in stock. In 1869 he
came to Iowa by teams, accompanied by his wife and three sons, and his wife's parents. He came to this county with $500 in cash and located on rented land in Union Township, and the second year bought eighty acres, on which he lived two years, when he sold it. He then bought forty acres, which is now owned by C. B. Stark, to which he subsequently added eighty acres, living on this land for several years. He met with poor success during the first few years of his residence. First, the failure of the crops and high rent caused hard times, and the second year the drouth caused him to become discouraged, but by the help and advice of his wife he surmounted all difficulties, and is now classed among the well-to-do citizens of Union Township. He has always followed farming pursuits, and has been a life-long dealer in live-stock. He has been a feeder of cattle since 1872. In 1873 his wife fed three steers while he was away from home buying and shipping stock. During the past ten years he has fed on an average thirty- five to forty head, and during 1885 fed seventy-five head of cattle. In 1885 hc raised over 5,000 bushels of corn, and bought 5,000 bushels. Mr. Davison gives to his wife and mother-in-law the credit of his success. Mr. Davison is a comrade of Messenger Post, G. A. R., of New York, of which he is at present commander ; in poli- tics an uncompromising Greenbacker.
OHN H. SURBAUGH, deceased, was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, March 9, 1829, and died in Clay Township, Wayne County, Iowa, Feb- ruary 22, 1876. He was a son of Henry Surbaugh, a native of Virginia, of German descent. In 1854 he came to Iowa and settled on section 20, Clay Township, Wayne County, the present site of Lewis-
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
burg, but at that time sparsely settled. He became one of the prominent citizens of the township, and held several official posi- tions, among others that of school treasurer. He was postmaster at Lewisburg several years. He was married in Greenbriar County, September 18, 1850, to Elizabeth C., eldest daughter of Ephraim Guinn. Mr. Guinn came to lowa in 1850, and en- tered a tract of land upon a part of which Mr. Surbaugh settled. To Mr. and Mrs. Surbaugh were born eleven children, eight of whom are living-Jeannette, Mary A., Sally, Lucy, Andrew, Cynthia J., Hattie F. and John.
ABRIEL W. WOODMANSEE, one of the enterprising and substantial farmers of Jefferson Township, Wayne County, residing on section 35, was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, May 12, 1807, his father, Gabriel Wood- mansee, being a native of the same county, and of French descent. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed, and by his industry and energy has acquired a fine property, his home farm containing 230 acres of cul- tivated land, which is now being carried on by his son Manderville, he having re- tired from the active duties of life, and is now enjoying that rest which he has so well earned. Mr. Woodmansee received a small part of his education in the subscription schools of Ontario County, New York, and Jackson County, Indiana, his parents hav- ing located in the former State in 1814, re- moving to the latter county in 1819. He came to Wayne County, lowa, in 1864, and settled where he now lives, the country around here being sparsely settled at that time. He has been three times married. His first wife was Nancy Murphy, who dlied fifteen months after their marriage. He was then married to Margaret Stites, | ing lumber for the settlers, this being the
by whom he had four children -Thomas, of Allerton : Mrs. Annie Grismore, also a resident of Allerton, and two who are now deceased, one of whom, Mrs. Evaline Brace- well, left at her death five children. For his present wife Mr. Woodmansee married Mrs. Lucinda Rucker, and to this union have been born two children-Mrs. Adda Dick, and Manderville, who, as before stated, has charge of the home farm. Mr. Woodmansee has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years.
ROSWELL HIGLEY was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, May 6, 1826, a son of Hosea and Huldath (Heath) Higley. The father was born near Canton, Connecticut, a son of Ebal Higley, who served as a soldier in the war of 1812, where he was taken pris- oner by the British and starved to death. Our subject's mother was a daughter of Roswell Heath, and a granddaughter of Samuel Heath, who with four of his broth- ers served in the Revolutionary war. E. Roswell Higley was reared to manhood on a farm in his native county, where he was educated in the common and select schools. He came to Iowa in 1851, and after passing one summer in Decatur County he re- turned to Massachusetts, where he was married September 6, 1854, to Sarah L. Cone, a daughter of Ira Cone, who is now deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Higley of whom five are living -Lillie, Rosa H., Hattie E., May C. and Carrie Minnie. A son, Norman Orlow, died at the age of nine years. Mr. Higley came to Wayne County, Iowa, the year of his marriage, and settled where he now re- sides, on section 11, Jefferson Township. He built a mill on Caleb Creek, near some large springs, where he carried on a good business till 1860, grinding grain and saw-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD N FOUNDATIONS.
yours July Geo N Garton
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
only mill in the neighborhood. These springs, which are located on his land, pos - sess medicinal properties, and will no doubt in the near future be a health resort. Mr. Higley is one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Wayne County, and is the owner of 500 acres of valuable land. He has served as county supervisor for three years, besides holding other local offices of trust and responsibility. Both Mr. and Mrs. Higley are members of the Presbyterian church.
EORGE W. GARTON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 9, Clay Town- ship, was born in Putnam County, Virginia, November 4, 1844, a son of Allen D. Garton. His father came to this coun- try with his family in the fall of 1851, locat- ing then in Washington Township. In the spring of 1853 he removed to Clay Town- ship, and after a residence here of several years he returned to his present home in Washington Township. Our subject was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has followed the greater part of his life. In his youth he attended the rude log-cabin school of that early day, making the most of his limited advantages, and after com- pleting his education he followed school- teaching about four years, since which he has been engaged in farming and stock- raising, in which he has been successful, and is now the owner of 400 acres of choice land. Mr. Garton was married January 20, 1870,-to Mary S. Shipley, daughter of Richard Shipley, of Jefferson Township. Seven children have been born to them of whom four are living-William P., Gilbert H., Samuel F. and Edward. Mr. Garton takes an active interest in educational mat- ters, and has held offices in connection with the schools of his township for many years. He has served Clay Township as
justice of the peace for the past three or four years, and still holds that position. He has also served a few years as town- ship clerk. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since twenty-one years of age, having joined in January, 1866, and has held all the offices of that order. He is at present worshipful master of Clay Lodge, No. 193, A. F. & A. M.
M ERRITT YOUNG, one of the prominent and well-known citizens of Wayne County, Iowa, was born in Schenectady County, New York, July 20, 1822, his native town being Rotterdam. When he was four years old his father, Dr. Israel Young, removed his family to Sara- toga County. He received a good educa- tion in his youth, and subsequently took a course of study in the academy in the city of Albany, after which he was engaged for a number of years in the mercantile busi- ness in Saratoga Springs. In 1841 he was appointed by Governor Seward paymaster in the militia of the State of New York, and served in that capacity four or five years, being attached to the Fifty-ninth Regiment of the Fifty-first Brigade of the Fifteenth Division of the New York State Militia. He resided in Saratoga and Al- bany till 1855, when he came to Iowa, and for a short time was engaged in business in Pierceville and Van Buren County. In the fall of 1855 he came to Wayne County and located in Howard Township, and from 1858 till the breaking out of the war he was engaged in teaching school. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, as principal musician, and was mustered out of the service at Corinth, Mississippi, March 23, 1863. Dur- ing the summer of 1863 he was engaged in the recruiting service, and in February, 1864, re-enlisted in Company E, Third lowa Cavalry, serving till August, 1865. He was
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present during the first part of the siege of Island No. 10, but the severest engagement in which he participated was the battle of Shiloh, being present on both days of that memorable struggle. He was at the siege of Corinth, and at the battles of Iuka and Corinth. During the latter part of his ser- vice he was stationed at Little Rock, Ar- kansas, and was on detached service, and also did guard duty at Memphis, Tennessee, for some time. After the war, Major Young, as he is familiarly calle l, resumed teaching, and also carried on a book-store. In the fall of 1867 he went to Washington, D. C., remaining there one year. He came to Allerton in the year 1876, and for three years was janitor of the public school, and in 1882 became established as notary pub- lic and pension agent, and in the fall of the latter year he was commissioned by the Governor attorney for pension claimants. His card indicates his business as recorder, notary public, general insurance, land, loan and collection agent, but he has become better known perhaps during the past few years by the great success which has at- tended his efforts in behalf of the soldiers of the late war. In 1886, on recommenda- tion of United States Judge Love, of Iowa, he was authorized by the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury to practice as claim attorney for all the different departments under his jurisdiction at Washington, D. C. This latter authority was to prosecute claims for pay, bounty, commutation of rations for prisoners of war, in fact all claims of every nature incurred during the war. Although Mr. Young had been prosecuting such claims for years Secretary Manning re- quired a higher grade of ability and more experience than had his predecessors. Ma- jor Young has been twice married, his first marriage being contracted with Miss Mary Lyon, a native of New York State. His present wife, whose maiden name was Miss Rebecca B. Campbell, is a native of Ohio.
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