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 45
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 45
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ANIEL D. HUMESTON, dealer in grain, stock and coal, Humeston, Wayne County, Iowa, was born July 12, 1841, in Trumbull County, Ohio, a son of Alva and Mary (Northrup) Humeston, the father being formerly a merchant of Fowler, in that county. Daniel D. re- ceived part of his education in his native county, living there till 1854. His father then removed his family to Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, where Daniel attended the school presided over by James A. Garfield, afterward President of the United States. After finishing his studies our subject en- gaged in the mercantile business, buying out his father in 1864, his father then com- ing to Wayne County, Iowa. He con- tinucd this business in Hiram till 1871, when he removed to Warren County, Ohio, where he followed mercantile pursuits about five years. In 1866 he was married to Miss Florence Hazen, of Hiram, Ohio.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Of the six children born to this union four are living-Susie, Shirley, Burt and Dwight. Nellie and Harry are deceased. From Warren County Mr. Humeston came with his family to Iowa, locating for a short time in Lucas County. In 1879 he came to Humeston, Wayne County, and began dealing in grain and stock. He transacts the business established by his father in the fall of 1872, the firm of A. Humeston & Sons being the first to purchase grain in this part of the county. Mr. Humeston is ranked among the enterprising men of Humeston, and as a citizen is highly re- spected. He has no political aspirations, although he has held several minor local offices.
ENDALL ROGERS, residing on section 16, Howard Township, Wayne County, was born in Col- umbiana County, Ohio, October 17, 1825, the eleventh of a family of twelve children of Thomas and Hope (Russell) Rogers, the parents being natives of New Jersey. Our subject was reared to man- hood in his native county, his youth being passed in assisting on the farm, receiving but a limited education in the subscription schools. In 1859 he became a resident of Wayne County, Iowa, when he settled on land in Howard Township, which he still owns. He is a successful agriculturist, and is the owner of one of the best farms to be found in Howard Township, which con- tains 120 acres of land, under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Rogers was married November 15, 1849, to Maria Jane Huston, of Columbiana County, Ohio, a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Thatcher) Huston. Of the ten children born to this union six arc living-Kossuth, Florence B., Ezra L., John T., Eugene and Lawrence. Mrs. Rogers died February 27, 1882, and Mr. Rogers was again united in marriage, tak-
ing for his second wife, Orilla J. Drake, a daughter of A. W. and Mary A. (Morris) Drake, September 10, 1885. Since coming to Howard Township Mr. Rogers has held the office of justice of the peace, and has served as township assessor two terms.
LIJAH H. ARMSTRONG, druggist, Seymour, Iowa, is a native of Illi- nois, born in Warren County in 1841. His father; John Armstrong, was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, and spent his life in that vicinity. He died in 18SI aged seventy years. He was three times married, and had a family of fifteen chil- dren. The mother of our subject was Emeline Van De Veer, a native of Sanga- mon County. She died when Elijah was but seven years of age. He remained in Illinois till past thirty years of age, and in 1874 he and his brother, George W., came to Iowa and located at Seymour, but the latter subsequently removed to Centerville, where he is also engaged in the drug trade. Mr. Armstrong established his present business in 1875, and now has a good trade, keeping a general assortment of drugs, oils, paints and groceries. He was married in Illinois, to Delilah C. Thompson, a native of Highland County, Ohio. They have four sons-Ernest L., born April 19, 1864 ; John W. and George W., born August 2, 1868, and Elijah Chester, born December 12, 1875.
HOMAS M. PERKINS, senior mem- ber of the firm of Perkins & Son, has been engaged in his present grocery business since March, 1877. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1836, a son of William and Henrietta Perkins. He is numbered among the pioneers of Wayne County, lowa, having come here
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in 1855 when but nineteen years of age. He made his home with John Dowel till his marriage, both having come to this county together, Mr. Dowel settling in South Fork Township. Mr. Perkins was married in the fall of 1857 to Miss Alice Ackley. They have two children living -Rose and William B. Their eldest son, Frank, died March 7, 1882, at the age of twenty-three years. He was a promising young man, and his death was a deep affliction to his parents. After coming to Wayne County Mr. Perkins followed farm- ing in South Fork Township till he re- moved to Seymour, Walnut Township, in 1877. The father of our subject came to Wayne County, Iowa, in 1857, his mother having previously died in Ohio. There were five children in the family of Will- iam Perkins, of whom our subject is the only one living in Iowa.
OHN C. FOX, of Walnut Township, one of the pioneers of Wayne Coun- ty, Iowa, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, November 20, 1834. His parents, Abraham and Actious (Winfrey) Fox, were natives of East Tennessee, and for several generations of Tennessean an- cestry, although originally of English de- scent. Soon after their marriage they moved to Lawrence County, Indiana, and there their twelve children were born. Nine of their children lived till maturity. Abraham Fox was a well-to-do, intelligent farmer, whose educational advantages were limited, but realizing the .importance of mental culture he determined that his chil- dren should have the benefit of the best schools. Accordingly, when his eldest son, Calvin R. Fox, reached sufficient age he resolved to educate him for a physician, and sent him to Greencastle, Putnam Coun- ty, where he remained as a student three
years. When the Mexican war broke out he enlisted and served a year, participating in the battle at Buena Vista. On his return from the war he went to Louisville, Ken- tucky, and attended medical lectures, re- ceiving the degree of M. D. He located in his native town, but after practicing about three years was attacked with a pulmonary trouble, caused by exposure while attend- ing to his professional duties. He took a trip to Texas for the benefit of his health, but it was of no avail, and he died in the Lone Star State and was buried on the banks of the Brazos River. The second son, Wiley J. Fox, went to California in the great immigration to the land of gold in 1849, and is now in Idaho. He and the subject of this sketch are the only surviv- ing members of their father's family. John C. Fox was offered by his father the oppor- tunity of getting a liberal and professional education. But a professional life had no charms for him, and instead of pursuing the course suggested by his father, he re- solved, though but a boy, to take to him- self a young wife, and accordingly, March 9, 1854, he was married to Mary Browning, a daughter of William Browning. They were ambitious to make for themselves a home, and in September following their marriage started westward, accompanied by his brother-in-law, J. M. Ramsey, and wife, and several other families. Their ob- jective point was Madison County, Iowa. On reaching the house of Henry Thomas, in Appanoose County, Mr. Fox and Mr. Ramsey left their wives and on horse-back started out on a tour of exploration. The first day out they took dinner at the tavern of Joel Phillips, in Corydon. They ex- plored Madison County and selected their land, but on going to Des Moines found that the land they wished had already been entered. Before they could arrange for another entry a courier, who had followed them for the purpose, informed them that
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Mrs. Ramsey was seriously ill. They im- mediately retraced their steps to the house of Mr. Thomas, when, to their dismay, they found that Mrs. Ramsey was already dead and buried. Mr. Fox determined to winter in this vicinity, and accordingly pre-empted 160 acres of land and got out the logs for a house during the winter. The following season he rented a farm, and in the fall built his log house, into which he moved his family. In this house he lived -from 1855 until 1870, having increased his farm 400 acres. When the survey of the Rock Island Railroad was made in 1870, he determined to increase his real estate and bought 640 acres, making a total of 1,040 acres. Forty acres of this last purchase is included in the village plat of Seymour. With this village and its interests Mr. Fox has been prominently identified, no one having done more to advance its growth and make it the thriving town it now is than he. The investment he made in real- estate proved a successful one. He has sold 480 acres, including the homestead, and since 1870 has lived a half a mile west of the village, where he has a beautiful home. He has led an active business life, having since 1871 given considerable atten- tion to dealing in stock. To show the ex- tent of the business conducted by the firm of which he is a member, it may be stated that during four months of the year 1876 they paid out $277,000 for stock. This in- dustry is one of the most important of Southern Iowa, and Seymour is one of the best shipping points in Wayne County. Mr. Fox can attribute his success in life mainly to his own exertions, as he started in the West- ern country with but little money, but with a strong, determined will to make the best of his surroundings. Promptness in meet- ing all obligations has been one of his mot- toes through life, and by adhering strictly to this he has won the confidence of all with whom he has had any business deal-
ings. In coming years when the memory of the pioneer exists only in name, none will be remembered more gratefully or with more affection than John C. Fox. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have had a family of ten chil- dren. Before he was thirty-six years old he had nine children, the eldest of whom was married. Six of their ten children are living-Mattie E. is the wife of Hiram Gill- foy; Nannie J. is the wife of G. W. Smith, of Seymour ; William A. resides in Harper County, Kansas ; Clara, Otto and Gertrude are at home. Their eldest daughter, Mrs. Eliza Clark, died in 1884. Three children died in infancy. In politics Mr. Fox has until recently been an advocate of the prin- cipals of the Democratic party, but of late has given his suffrage in favor of the Green- back party. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ETER LUNSFORD ROBINSON, a son of one of the early settlers of Benton Township, was born in Put- nam County, Indiana, June 1, 1832. His father, Addison N. Robinson, was a native of Fauquier County, Virginia, of English ancestry, but was reared in Shelby County, Kentucky, where his parents moved when in his childhood. Peter L. was reared in his native county and was educated in the common schools. In May, 1853, he accom- panied his parents to Iowa. They lived in Davis County during the summer, and the following fall removed to Wayne County, his father entering from the Government the land which is now our subject's fine farm. His homestead contains 200 acres of valuable land, all under a fine state of cultivation, and his building improvements are among the best in the township. He has been one of Benton's most progressive and enterprising farmers, and bas assisted materially in advancing every project of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
public benefit. Mr. Robinson was married May 21, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of James Atkinson, a pioneer of Lee County, Iowa. They have had nine children-Wil- lctt, Ida M., Edwin, John S., Elizabeth, Lydia. Leslie, Nellie and an infant daugh- ter. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Although he takes a great interest in the public affairs of the township, he has no aspiration for official honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to the duties of his farm.
EMON S. CLOTHIER, one of the leading agriculturists of Richman Township, was born in Lewis County, West Virginia, March 12, 1841, a son of Samuel and Rachel (Crawford) Clothier. He was reared on his father's farm, remain- ing there till September, 1861, when he en- listed in Company A, Tenth West Virginia Infantry, remaining in the service till March 14, 1865. During this time his reg- iment spent much time in the mountain district of Virginia and the Shenandoah, as they could do so much better service among the guerrillas than strangers, and while there our subject did most excellent service. He participated with his regi- ment in the battles of Troop Mountain, Winchester, Monocacy Creek, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek and many skirmishes and minor engagements. He received his discharge and was mustered out at Ber- muda Hundreds, Virginia, and shortly afterward immigrated to Schuyler County, Illinois, where he remained a year. He then went to Hancock County, Illinois, and in February, 1870, he came to Wayne County, Iowa, locating on the southwest quarter of section 2, Richman Township, which land he still owns. In the fall of 1879 he removed to his present farm on section II, where he has a fine farm and a beautiful residence. October 13, 1868, he
was married to Mary A. Wells, daughter of Hardy and Elizabeth Wells. She was born in Indiana but reared in Hancock County, Illinois. They are the parents of five children-Viola E., born December 10, 1869; Edward F., born September 6, 1871; Josie E., born August 10, 1873; Albert, born August 26, 1875, and Myrtle, born July 28, 1877. Mr. Clothier came to this county in limited circumstances, but by his energy, enterprise and good business abil- ity he is fast becoming one of the wealthy men of Richman Township. He is a com- rade of Wayne Post, No. 137, G. A. R., of which he is senior vice-commander. He was a delegate to the State Encampment of the order held at Sioux City, in April, 1886.
H. GOODELL, farmer, residing on section 16, Union Township, was born near Chesterfield, Macoupin County, Illinois, in 1843, son of Joshua E. and Lurinda W. (Morse) Goodell. His early life was passed on a farm and his education was obtained in the schools of his native county, where he was reared to manhood. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Company C, Thirty- second Illinois Infantry. His regiment was under General Grant at Donelson and Shiloh. Fifty men of the Thirty-second Regiment, protected by gunboats, fought against 2,000 rebels at the landing prior to the great battle at Shiloh, and during Sun- day and Monday of the historic battle, the regiment lost two-fifths of its men in killed, wounded and missing. The Colonel was wounded, the Lieutenant killed, and every officer who ranked above Second Lieuten- ant was wounded or killed. The regiment had a strong position and repelled five dis- tinct assaults before being driven from the field. Mr. Goodell remembers seeing Gen- eral Grant riding along their line on that
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
memorable Sunday morning. From Shiloh to the siege of Corinth Private Goodell was the regimental Color-Bearer. His regiment participated with Grant in his operations at Holly Springs, Oxford, Mississippi. He joined Grant at Vicksburg, June 12, 1862, and after its surrender he fought General Joe Johnston at Fort Jackson, Mississippi. He then made a seventy-five mile ride to Harrisonburg, Louisiana; was with Sher- man on his Meridian raid, which involved the destruction of rebel factories, railroads and cars. In the spring of 1864 he received a thirty-day furlough. He left Clifton, Kentucky, with a wagon train fifteen miles in length and 2,500 head of cattle for Gen- cral Sherman's army in Georgia. For some time his regiment was encamped on the top of Brush Mountain, and stormed five lines of rebel breast-works at Nicka- jack, encountering but small loss. They were afterward subjected to a terrific shelling, and although over 400 shells were thrown no one was killed. At the election of company officers on Brush Mountain, Georgia, Private Goodell was made Second Lieutenant of Company C. September, 1864, while in command of a foraging de- tail, he was captured by the rebels, with forty men of his regiment. All were un- married men, young and strong, and en- dured the hardships and privations of the Southern prisons well, everyone coming out alive. They were confined in a sixteen- acre stockade at Florence, South Carolina, and with 1,000 others received a half pint of corn and cob meal each daily, and on one occasion received nothing to eat for five days, and Christmas and New Year's were also spent as fast days. February, 1865, their camp was broken up, and prisoners placed on trains and sent to North Carolina, Sherman's close pursuit leading to their release on parole. When taken prisoner Mr. Goodell was a strong, robust man, weighing 168 pounds, and when paroled
weighed but ninety-nine pounds. He served gallantly and faithfully, and was never away from his regiment except during his imprisonment. After the war he bought his present farm of 160 acres, for which he paid $3.50 per acre. He came to Wayne County in 1867, and lived on a rented farm until he had broken and fenced his own land. He now has a pleasant home where he is surrounded with all the comforts of life, and his land is under thorough cultiva- tion. Mr. Goodell wasunited in marriage, October 22, 1868, to Miss Mary C. Moore, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, born December 1, 1842, a daughter of Burris Moore. They have two children-S. Alice and Joseph B. Politically Mr. Goodell is a Republican. He is a charter member of Messenger Post, G. A. R., of New York, Wayne County, of which he was first commander.
REEN P. DUNCAN, deceased, was a native of Whitley County, Kentucky, born February 27, 1829, and was a son of Harvey B. Duncan. He was reared a farmer and followed that avocation dur- ing his life, being a very successful agri- culturist. He came with his parents to Wayne County, Iowa, in 1841, and settled in Grand River Township, where he ex- perienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Wild animals roamed through the forests around them when the family first located here, and Indians were their principal neighbors. Princeton was their nearest milling and trading point, which place was twenty-four miles from their home. Our subject was married January 1, 1858, to Julia A. Gatliffe, a daugh- ter of Charles Gatliffe, an carly settler of Decatur County, lowa, now deceased. Twelve children were born to thisunion of whom ten still survive-Mary E., Harvard
K
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B., Sarah A., Dickson L., Sophia A., John P., Nebraska J., Thomas J., Iva L. and Oliver L. Mr. Duncan was a hard-working and industrious farmer, and at his death, which occurred March 30, 1882, he left 800 acres of good land which he had ac- quired by his own efforts.
W. WARREN, farmer and stock- raiser, section 24, Clinton Township, is a native of Orange County, Indi- ana, born August 14, 1828, a son of John H. and Louisa (Bethel) Warren, the former a na- tive of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. He is a relative of General Warren, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, and a grandson of Aaron W. Warren, whose father was also killed in the war of the Rev- olution. He is the eldest of a family of fourteen children. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Lawrence County, Indiana, and three years later to Washington County, the same State. He attended school but little as his services were early required at home, but his father in early life being a teacher, he studied during his leisure hours under his instruction. In the spring of 1856 he started for Iowa, going down the Ohio River by boat and thence across the country with teams to Wayne County. He first bought eighty acres of wild land and built a log cabin and began making a home in the new country. He has added to this first purchase until he now owns 500 acres, all well improved, with a good residence and farm buildings. His barn, which was built in 1877, is 36 x 56 feet in size, and is a mod- el of convenience and comfort. He makes a specialty of fine stock. He has one of the finest horses in the county-an imported English shire, Black Prince, recorded as No. 3,468, on page 12, volume 6, of the English Shire stud book. Mr. Warren
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was a poor man when he started in life for himself, and is now one of the wealthiest men of Clinton Township, having made his property by his own untiring industry and good management. He was married Feb- ruary 14, 1852, to Miss Cordelia Fouch, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Fouch, of Washington County, Indiana. Seven of the twelve children born to them are living -Elizabeth, John, George, Minerva, Rose Ann, Millard M. and Jerome. The deceased are-Rebecca, Angeline, David, Samantha and Charles M. Mr. and Mrs. Warren are members of the Free-Will Baptist church.
AMES L. MARTIN was born in Geneseo County, New York, June 18, 1828, the sixth child of Benjamin and Selina (Davis) Martin, the father being a native of Cayuga County, New York, and the mother of Connecticut. When he was ten years old he went with his father's fam- ily to Washtenaw County, Michigan, where he remained till seventeen years of age. He then went to Fulton County, Illinois, where he resided till the spring of 1857, going from there to Putnam County, Mis- souri, entering land from the Government in York Township, where he improved a farm of 160 acres. During the late war he enlisted in the Putnam County militia, and was on duty guarding Unionville, Missouri, for eight months. In August, 1864, he en- listed in Company C, Forty-second Mis- souri Infantry, as Second Lieutenant of the company, and was in active service with his regiment against the bushwackers in Missouri and the Southwest. He was hon- orably discharged in July, 1865, when he returned to his home. He now resides in Genoa where he was successfully engaged in the mercantile business for four years. He has a good home in Genoa, besides which he owns a valuable farm of 180 acres
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
adjoining Genoa, and other lands, making in all 500 acres. Mr. Martin was married April 30, 1850, to Corinna Gurensey, daughter of Willard and Ruth (Mower) Gurensey, of Fulton County, Illinois, for- merly of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have four children-Abbie R., Ger- trude M., Anna H. and Mabel C. Mr. Martin has served his county as supervisor for four years. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party. He is a staunch temperance advocate. He is a man of strong principles and is always faithful in performing what he considers his duty.
EORGE W. DICK, farmer and stock- raiser, residing in Jefferson Town- ship, Wayne County, on section 36, was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, the date of his birth being June 18, 1820. His father, John Dick, who is now de- ceased, was a native of Botetourt County, Virginia, and of German descent, his father, John Dick, being a native of that country. George W. Dick, our subject, was reared to the occupation of a farmer, his father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. His education was limited to the rude log-cabin subscription schools of his native county. He came to Wayne County, Iowa, in 1854, since which time he has made his home in Jefferson Township, where he has followed his chosen avocation with success. He came to this county a poor man, all the money he possessed at that time being 50 cents. After coming here he began splitting rails and engaged in various kinds of hard work till he had carned enough money to purchase land. By his untiring industry and strict frugality he has acquired a fine farm, being now the owner of 160 acres. Mr. Dick was united in marriage,September 15, 1853, to Emeline Wright, a daughter of Moses Wright, who
was a soldier in the war of 1812. They have had nine children, five of whom sur- vive-John R., George R., Valentine D., William E. and Charles. Mr. Dick is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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ENRY H. LUSHER, was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, in 1839. His father, Jonathan Lusher, was also a native of the Keystone State and was a resident of Venango County at the time of his death. Henry H. was reared a farmer and assisted his father in that voca- tion until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he exchanged his implements of agriculture for those of war and was mustered into Company L, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Army of the Poto- mac. He was in active service during the entire term of his enlistment and partici- pated in the Pennsylvania campaign, second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, General Grant's Richmond campaign, and was present when General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. After his discharge in 1865 he returned to Pennsylvania and again engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1872 he left his native State and immigrated to Iowa, locating on a farm in Washington Township, where he lived nearly ten years. In the fall of 1881 he was elected auditor of Wayne County, and in January, 1882, re- moved to Corydon to assume the duties of his office. January 1, 1884, he was ap- pointed postmaster at Corydon, a position he held until October, 1885, when on ac- count of the change in the political com- plexion of the administration he was suc- ceeded by the present incumbent, Mr. Whittaker. Mr. Lusher is an honorable and reliable citizen and has performed the trusts imposed on him by his fellow-citizens in an efficient and satisfactory manner. He is one of Wayne County's most respected
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