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 36
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 36
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HOMAS D. DUNCAN, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 17, Grand River Township, Wayne County, was born in Whitley County, Ken- tucky, November 4, 1836, a son of Joseph Duncan, who was also a native of Whitley County, born September 15, 1798, and a grandson of John Duncan, who was born February 25, 1765. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the district schools of that early day afforded. He came with his parents to Wayne Coun- ty, Iowa, in 1844, they locating in Grand River Township. where the father died about 1855. The country around here was
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in a wild state when the family settled here, being principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals. Their nearest milling place was at Princeton, a distance of twenty- four miles, at which place the family also did their trading. Thomas D. Duncan was married July 3, 1863, to Smira A. Moore, a daughter of Robert Moore, of Mercer County, Missouri. Four of the five chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are liv- ing-Hazard P., Florence M., Alex and Bertha J. One daughter, Scnoma E., died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Duncan has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm con- taining 165 acres, where he resides. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church South.
ACOB S. MORRETT, section 21, Union Township, postoffice New York, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, May 1, 1847, a son of Jacob and Eliz- abeth (Kennedy) Morrett. In 1853 his par- ents moved to Wayne County, Iowa, where they have since lived, and where he re- mained with them until his enlistment in the war of the Rebellion in December, 1863. He was assigned to Company I, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and participated in numer- ous skirmishes and battles. He was at the battles at Selma, Alabama, and Columbia, Georgia, his service being in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Geor- gia. He was with Grierson, Wilson, and Winslow on their noted raids. The reg- iment was mustered out at Atlanta, Geor- gia, at the close of the war and he returned home. He hired a team and leased 200 acres of land, which is now his farm. For three years he worked with a hired team. He began life in debt, and managed to get along without owning farm machinery for several years. It was hard work, but he
persevered, and after getting the farm fenced and under good cultivation bought it, in 1882, for $22.50 an acre. He lived in a log house until 1885, when he built a good frame house and now his frame buildings and necessary adjuncts to a farm are notice- ably good. He was married in 1868 to Mary L. Allman,.of Union Township. They have seven children-Mary M., Ida J., Irena E., Willis, Jacob, Harry E. and Alva L. Two children are deceased-George D. and Ada D. In politics Mr. Morrett is a Republican, of late affiliating with the Greenback party.
BRAHAM SAGER, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Wayne Coun- ty, Iowa. He was born in Union County, Ohio, in 1812, a son of Virginian parents, who settled near Unionville, Ohio, in an early day, the father dying there, aged over 100 years. Abraham was reared in his native county, and was there married to Emeline Smith. In the fall of 1853 he removed to Linn County, Iowa, where he lived a year, and thence removed to Wayne County, locating in South Fork Township, on section 36. The country was wild and uncultivated, and no preparation had been made for the reception of the family. While a log house was being built they used the wagon-boxes as sleeping rooms. By winter they had a house and were able to keep comfortable during the cold weather. Centerville and Corydon were their trading-points, the former being their postoffice, and their nearest mill was forty miles distant. Here Mr. Sager made a home and here his family grew to man and womanhood. His children were six in number, five born in Ohio and one in Wayne County-Solomon S. is a resident of South Fork Township; Polly is the wife of T.W. Finch, of Beaver Crossing, Nebraska;
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
C. A. and Michal E., of South Fork Town- ship; Michal E. is the wife of William Haines; Maria E. is the wife of Levi Baker, of Ringgold County, Iowa, and Ma- rion B. lives on the homestead. Mr. Sager was a man of wide influence, his opinion being often sought when advice was needed. He was an upright and honorable citizen, and was esteemed by all who knew him, for his unselfish and liberal support of all measures of public benefit. In politics he was a Democrat, but was liberal enough to wish everybody to choose for themselves, not wishing to influence any in their opinions. He died October 16, 1884, at Promise City, where he and his wife had lived a few months.
OHN C. FOREMAN, a progressive farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson Township, Wayne County, residing on section 6, was born August 9, 1845, in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, a son of Peter and Mary (Midlanı) Foreman, his father and grandfather being natives of Pennsylvania, and his great-grandfather be- ing a native of Germany. His maternal grandfather, John Midlam was also a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Our subject was reared on a farm, and ed- ucated in the common schools of Monroe County, Iowa, where his parents had set- tled in the fall of 1845. He enlisted in the late war when but seventeen years of age, at that time weighing only ninety pounds. He was a member of Company A, Thirty- sixth Iowa Infantry, and participated with his regiment in the battles of Little Mis- souri River, Prairie de Hand, Camden and Marks' Mill. At the last mentioned battle he was taken prisoner, and confined for ten months, most of this time at Tyler, Texas. He has always given his attention to agri- culture, in which he has been very successful.
He located on his present farm in 1879, where he has 200 acres under fine cultivation. He is a successful stock-raiser, and is mak- ing a specialty of graded short-horn cattle. February 25, 1880, Mr. Foreman was mar- ried to Miss Martha A. Porter, a daughter of William Porter, a resident of Iowa County, Iowa. They are the parents of three children-Ida M., Estella J. and Mil- ton C.
nee
FILLIAM L. WHITE, the present County Treasurer of Wayne County, is a native of Iowa, being born in Jefferson County in the year 1848. He was elected county treasurer in the fall of 1885, assuming the duties of that office January 4, 1886, successor to H. West. He was reared and educated in the schools of his native county, and in November, 1872, became a resident of Wayne County, Iowa, when he settled on a farm in Union Town- ship, moving to Corydon on his election to his present office. Mr. White has been twice married. His present wife was Miss C. S. Jackson. He has had five children, but four of whom are living-Clark, Alice, Jesse and Charlie. One son died in infancy. In his political views Mr. White affiliates with the Democratic party.
DAMSON SHRIVER, section 9, Grand River Township, is a son of Abram Shriver, a native of Virginia, who settled in Wayne County, Iowa, in April, 1857, and died here May 30, 1884. Adamson was born on the old homestead in Grand River Township, December 28, 1857, and was there reared, and in his youth assisted his father on the farm, thus learn- ing lessons of industry that have been of lasting benefit since commencing life for himself. He received a fair education, at-
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tending the common-schools of his town- ship when his services were not required on the farm. He has a good farm of 189 acres where he lives, his land being all under cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings among the best in the town- ship. Mr. Shriver was married October 6, 1880, to Mary E. Rynor, a daughter of James S. Rynor, of Warren County, Illi- nois. They have had two children-Carl R. and one that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Shriver are members of the Christian church at Clio.
S. HARLAN, merchant at Cory- don, has been one of the business men of this place for a quarter of a century, having established his business here in January, 1861. Mr. Harlan was born in Union County, Indiana, in 1839. When twelve years of age he went with his father, Aaron Harlan, to Wapello Coun- ty, Iowa, where the latter lived till his death. Since his fifteenth year Mr. Harlan has been engaged in mercantile pursuits, beginning at that age as a clerk in a store in Ottumwa. He came to Corydon, Wayne County, when about twenty-two years of age, and for about three years took charge of the store of Howe & Richards, when, Mr. Howe dying, the firm name was changed to Richards & Harlan. In 1869 Mr. Harlan sold his interests to his partner, after which he was associated with H. Bracewell for two years, Mr. Harlan con- ducting the business alone since that time. Mr. Harlan has remarkable business quali- fications, and this combined with his close attention to his business has made him a successful merchant, and gained for him an excellent trade. Socially he is a man of genial manners, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Harlan was mar- ried shortly before he came to Corydon, to Miss Maria Graves, a native of Van Buren
County, Iowa. They have two sons-Will C. and Ed. E. (twins), born November 1, 1866, both of whom are now at Spring- field, Missouri. Mr. Harlan is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he and his wife having been members of this church since 1865.
EORGE W. HELT, farmer and stock- raiser, Clay Township, residing on section 20, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1841; a son of David and Barbara (Brenner) Helt. His father was also a native of Washington County, but afterward moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania, where hedied when George W. was about seven years old. George W. Helt was reared on a farm in his native State and in Iowa, receiving a fair common-school education. He came to this county in the fall of 1856, and lived in Richman Township for several years. After the war he located in Clay Township, where he has since been successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, and now has a good farm of 135 acres. Mr. Helt was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, where he served three years, and during his term of service he was pro- moted to Third Sergeant. He participated in a number of hard-fought battles, among which may be mentioned Haines's Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Red River campaign, siege of Vicksburg, Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines and Fort Blakely. Mr. Helt was married December 30, 1868, to Mrs. Rachel Daniel, daughter of Benjamin and Eleanor Bate- man, and to this union have been born three children-Benjamin A., Nellie F. and Zil- lah. By her former marriage with John H. Daniel, Mrs. Helt had two children- Emma R. and Malinda J. Emma is married to Thomas J. Gwinn, of Clay Township, and
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has two children-Malinda E. and R. Eliza. Malinda J. married J. L. Blanchard, of Smith County, Kansas, and of the two chil- dren born to this union one is living-Miles A. Mr. Helt has served his township as Trustee and also as road supervisor. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
ILLIAM P. BURNET resides on section 8, Warren Township, his farm of eighty acres joining that of his brother, it being half of the quarter- section entered by his father, John Burnet. His parents were natives of Virginia, but came to Iowa from Fulton County, Illinois. William P. Burnet was born in Monroe County, Iowa, in 1853, where his father settled in 1850, but was reared in Davis County, whither the family removed when he was a child, and there his father still lives. He has made the improvements on his farm, it being a tract of wild land when given him by his father. In addition to farming Mr. Burnet makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, having some very fine animals of that breed. Mr. Bur- net's wife was Adella Ritchie, who was born in Ohio in 1853, a daughter of John K. Ritchie, now of Allerton, Iowa. They have three children-John R., Arthur A. and Eunice.
O. ALLEN, section 10, Howard Township, is one of the enterpris- ing and successful young agricult- urists of Wayne County. He was born in Greene County, Indiana, December 15, 1857, a son of O. G. and A. C. (Miller) Allen, who came to Iowa and located in Warren Township, Wayne County, in 1858, and still make that township their home, be- ing among its most honored and influential citizens. He was reared in Warren Town-
ship, receiving his education in the district schools and Allerton High School. In Au- gust, 1883, he settled in Howard Township, on the farm where he now lives, where he has 315 acres of choice land, the greater part under cultivation. He has a young orchard of 500 trees, and a hedge of ever- greens in front of his place, along the road- side. He has in addition to farming de- voted considerable attention to buying and shipping horses, a business in which he has been very successful. Mr. Allen was mar- ried September 28, 1882, to Miss Laura E. Banta, daughter of W. H. and Elvira P. Banta. They have two children-Ruby and Ira D. Mrs. Allen is a member of the Free Baptist church and Mr. Allen of the Presbyterian church.
W. BANNING, physician and sur- geon, of Genoa, Wayne County, is a native of McDonough County, Illinois, born January 4, 1853, a son of Ephraim and Louisa C. (Walker) Banning, his mother being a sister of Judge Walker, of Illinois. Our subject was the sixth in a family of nine children. His father was a native of Virginia. When C. W. was two years of age he removed with his family to Douglas County, Kansas, his son, Hubert A., being the first white child born in that county, and in his house in Douglas Coun- ty the first Kansas Free Soil Convention assembled. Ephraim Banning subsequent- ly removed with his family to Pettis Coun- ty, Missouri. C. W. Banning, whose name heads this sketch, received his education in the schools of Brookfield, Missouri, and in 1873 began his medical studies with Dr. Roberts of that city, taking a finishing course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa. He located in Genoa, in 1875, and began the practice of medicine, which he followed till 1879, when
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he removed to Cincinnati, Appanoose County, Iowa, and three years later located at St. John, Missouri. After nearly three year's residence at St. John he returned to Genoa where he has since followed his chosen profession with marked success and has built up a good practice, being well skilled in the knowledge of his profession. Dr. Banning was married April 18, 1878, to Nancy E. Miller, daughter of T. J. Mil- ler, a resident of Monroe Township, Wayne County. They have had three children- Bertha L .: Jennie M., who died November 22, 1884, and Thomas E. The Doctor is a member of the Odd Fellows order, be- longing to Lodge No. 352 of Seymour.
OHN WRIGHT, section 20, Grand River Township, Wayne County, Iowa, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, August 19, 1834. His father, George Wright, was a native of Tennessee, and when a boy, in 1819, accompanied his parents to St. Clair County, Illinois, and in 1830 removed to Morgan County, where he was living at the time of the Black Hawk war, in which he was an active par- ticipant. In 1854 our subject came to Iowa and settled in Wayne County, building a house and entering land in Warren Town- ship, and in 1855 the father and the rest of the family followed him. In 1858 he bought land in Grand River Township, but has lived the greater part of the time in War- ren Township, where he owns a fine farm of 420 acres. His homestead in Grand River contains forty acres of valuable land, pleasantly located, and his residence and farm buildings are commodious, being among the best in the township. Mr. Wright was married February 24, 1858, to Rebecca J. Kemp, daughter of Wesley Kemp. To them were born twelve chil- dren, eight of whom are living-Annie E
George A., Helena A., Effie R., Clara E , Abigail, Edwin G. and Harold J. Mrs. Wright died December 24, 1882, and Oc- tober 6, 1885, Mr. Wright married Amanda M., daughter of William Totten, of Fair- bury, Illinois. Mr. Wright is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has held the office of justice of the peace and trustee of his township.
UFUS C. POSTON, a rising young attorney of Southern Iowa, and of Wayne County in particular, is a na- tive of this State, having been born near Chillicothe, Wapello County, February 21, 1855, a son of N. and Catherine E. (Gilli- land) Poston. He remained in Chillicothe till he reached the age of seven years, his father being a merchant at that place. They then removed to a farm in that vicinity. When he was twelve years of age his mother died, leaving him to fight the bat- tle of life without the aid and sympathy of her counsels and care. His father having failed in business, was unable to give the son the attention and assistance so much needed in his youth, and he was obliged to begin at that early age to take care of him- self, his education being mainly obtained by his own efforts and perseverance. He received his rudimentary education in a district school, and a private school at Chariton, and later attended the Ottumwa Normal School. In 1879 he matriculated at the law department of the State Univer- sity of Iowa, at Iowa City, from which in- stitution he graduated in 1882, having lost one term through sickness. In September, 1882, he came to Humeston, where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of law, and being a young man of much energy and intelligence he is bound to attain prominence in his chosen profes- sion. He has heretofore given but little
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
attention to politics although has yielded to the wishes of his friends and taken several local offices in the town and town- ship. He was united in marriage October 22, 1882, to Clara A. Williams, a native of Warren County, Iowa, and daughter of Uriah Williams. This union has been blessed with one child-Eugene E. Mr. Poston is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M., and Humeston Lodge, No. 61, K. of P.
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ETER P. LOHR, section 32, Benton ton Township, was born in Rocking- ham County, Virginia, October 13, 1817, a son of Peter Lohr. He remained in his native county till manhood, and in the spring of 1855 came to Iowa and lived in Jefferson County till the following fall, when he moved to Wayne County and set- tled on section 33, Benton Township, subse- quently removing to his present farm. He was married March 8, 1845, to Sarah Holder, daughter of David Holder. They have six children-Elizabeth, Michael, Daniel, Harriet A., John and Allen T.
C. BABBITT, section 2, Howard Township, is a native of Fulton County, Illinois, born April 1, 1846, a son of Hugh and Margaret (Jones) Babbitt, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Ohio. His early life was spent in his native county, remaining on the home farm with his parents until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In December, 1863, he enlisted in the de- fense of his country, and was assigned to Company L, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, Colo- nel Davis commanding. He participated in many severe engagements, being with General Banks at the battle at Alexandria, and in the Red River expedition. He served about two years and a half, and was
honorably discharged at Austin, Texas, May 29, 1866. . After being mustered out he returned to his home in Fulton County, where he followed agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1868, when he came to Iowa and located on the farm where he now lives, in Howard Township, Wayne County. This homestead contains 120 acres of the best land in the township, all well improved, with a good residence and com- fortable farm buildings. He is an enter- prising, industrious farmer, and his home shows the effects of good management and thrift. He takes an active interest in the local affairs of his township, and has served as trustee with efficiency. Mr. Babbitt is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, John Lewis Post, No. 99. He was married August 28, 1870, to Miss Re- becca Rockwell, daughter of Alva and Emelinc (Kellogg) Rockwell, natives of Ohio. They have a family of nine children -Salema, Ices, Pluma, Cecil, Ethel, Edith, Earl, Oren and Bertha.
HARLES R. WRIGHT, dealer in groceries and clothing, Lineville, Iowa, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, January 23, 1846, a son of George Wright, who accompanied his father, John, to Morgan County in 1830. He accom- panied his parents to Wayne County, Iowa, in 1855, and has since made this his home. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Company M, Third Iowa Cavalry, his brother William being Second Lieutenant of his company. He participated in many hard-fought battles, among others being Okolona, Egypt Station, Selma, Columbus, and others. In 1871 he located in Lineville, and until 1883 was engaged in the hard- ware business, but since then has been en- gaged in his present business. He was married December 25, 1867, to Miss Eliza- beth A. Sargent, daughter of Samuel Sar-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
gent. They have seven children-Emma, Lillie, Dolly, Carson, Kate, Charles R. and Burris E. Mr. Wright while living in Al- lerton served the city as mayor and as a member of the council. He was a member of the first city council of Allerton, and also of Lineville. He is serving his fifth year as justice of the peace. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic.
EWTON C. MICHAEL, of the mer- cantile firm of Conger & Michael, of Seymour, was born in Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, September 14, 1843. He came to Appanoose County, Iowa, with his parents, B. A. and Elizabeth Michael, in 1856. They lived in and near Centreville for several years. N. C. Mich- ael enlisted in the late war in Company F, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, at Centreville, March 4, 1862. His parents removed to Page County, Iowa, during the war, where they now reside. Mr. Michael participated in the battles of Iuka, Corinth, Jackson- ville, and Champion Hills, in Mississippi, and was in the siege and capture of Vicks- burg, and at the battle of Missionary Ridge. He was captured with his regiment, Octo- ber 13, 1864, at Tilton, Georgia, while guarding a railroad, and was imprisoned for a short time at different places in Geor- gia, but his most terrible experience was in the prison pen at Andersonville, where he entered on Christmas, 1864. He was paroled on April 26, 1865, having spent the last six months of the war as a prisoner. Mr. Michael's health was much broken down in the war, and from the effects of his hard- ships and exposure he has never recovered. He was mustered out of the United States service May 26, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to Centreville, where he shortly after engaged in the confectionery 35
and canned fruit business with J. A. Pen- nington, under the firm name of Penning- ton & Michael, at the old "Alhambra." Mr. Michael was united in marriage, Thursday evening, November 12, 1868, to Lydia A. Conger, youngest daughter of John and Elizabeth (Atkinson) Conger. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Michael removed to Genoa, Wayne County, Iowa, and engaged in the general mercantile business, under the firm name of Conger, Michael & Conger. The business was removed to Seymour in 1872, and Mr. John Conger having retired from the firm, it has since been conducted under the firm name of Conger & Michael. N. C. Michael and wife are the parents of three children-Lizzie Mae was born in Genoa, May 12, 1870; John C. was born in Sey- mour, December 17, 1875; Franz B. was born in Seymour, June 3, 1882. In politics Mr. Michael casts his suffrage with the Re- publican party. Both he and his wife, also their daughter, Lizzie, are members of the Christian church of Seymour.
AVID P. CLARK, one of the success- ful farmers and stock-raisers of Jeffer- son Township, Wayne County, resid- ing on section 8, is a native of Ripley Coun- ty, Indiana, where he was born November 17, 1844, his father, Richard Clark, being a native of England. Richard Clark immi- grated to America at the age of six years, and settled in Indiana, where he became quite famous as a hunter, which pursuit he followed, using only his trusty old rifle, with which he was an expert. At a shooting match in which he participated he struck the center of the target seventeen times in succession. In 1865 he removed with his family from Indiana to Crawford County, Illinois, where he made his home till his death, which occurred in 1885. David P. Clark, our subject, was united in
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
marriage November 21, 1867, taking for his wife Miss Susan R. A. Comly, a daughter of Bezzaleel W. Comly. Three of the seven children born to this union are de- ceased. Those living are-Mary E., Bez- zaleel C., Preston D. and Martha E. Mr. Clark has always followed agricultural pur- suits, and is now the owner of 280 acres of choice land where he resides, having set- tled on his present farm in 1872. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
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