Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships, Part 49

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar
Number of Pages: 654

USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 49

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of the public. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 542, Gibson City, Illinois. Both Mr. and Mrs. Newhart are respected members of the Christian Churchi, and are worthy of the esteem and confidence in which they are held by a large circle of acquaint- ances.

EORGE MARCUS MILLER is the manager for J. P. Dickey & Co., and also for the Iowa Railroad Land and Town Lot "Company, Aurelia. He was born March 12, 1843, in the beautiful valley of the Shenandoah, at the village of Edenburglı, Virginia, and is the oldest of his father's family of six children by his third wife. His fatlier was Richard Miller, who was born in Frederick Connty, Virginia, of Scotch-Eng- lish ancestry. He was a merchant the most of his life, and like hundreds of others lost largely in the late war. He had married three times, his last wife, the mother of our subject, being Artemisia Grandstaff. Her original family name was Hepner; during colonial times one of them was captured by Indians and was held in captivity by the old chief, Grandstaff, and when released he chose that name as his own. George Grandstaff, the grandfather of Mr. Miller, was a Major in the War of 1812. Mr. Miller received a limited education, and grew up devoting his time to dnties in his father's store. When war's first harshi call to arms was echoing up the valley, he enlisted in Company C, Tenth Virginia Infantry, under Colonel Gibbons, April 17, 1861. He received a scalp wound at the battle of McDowell, May 8. 1862, after which he was transferred to Captain Grand- staff's company, in the famons General Ros- ser Brigade. He was twice captured, the first time at Brandy Station, Jnne 9, 1863;

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he was confined at the Old Capitol prison at Washington; in six weeks was paroled, and in one month was exchanged. He was again captured April 5, 1865, and was held for a time at the Maryland penitentiary, and was afterward transferred to Fort McHenry; he was in solitary confinement nine days, and was discharged June 13, 1865, after taking the oath of allegiance. During his first cap- tivity he and his guard became much attached to each other; having received many favors at the hands of his guard, he promised on part- ing to aid him if opportunity ever offered. One day while standing on the street of his native town a squad of soldiers who were prisoners passed, footsore and weary. Mr. Miller discovered among them his foriner prison guard, and was then and there able to render him a return of the kindness he had shown him in his captivity. After peace was declared, his fortunes at the lowest ebb, he began working at the painter's trade, and followed that vocation until 1881, when he came to Iowa. He opened the yard for the J. P. Dickey Lumber Company, and soon be- came the representative of the Iowa Railroad Land and Town Lot Company. He is now serving his third term as mayor of Aurelia, and was at one time the village recorder. Mr. Miller was married June 16, 1869, at Eden- burgh, to Miss Fannie C. Vincent, a native of Clarke County, Virginia, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza Vincent. They have had seven children born to them, four living at present: Edith M., William V., Lizzie and Martha. Mrs. Miller and the two older chil- dren are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Miller is a member of the Congregational Church. He belongs to the Masonic Order, to the Legion of Honor, and to the Modern Woodmen. In 1888 he erected a commodious residence at a cost of about $3,000, and has one of the most delightful

homes in the village. The eldest danghter has always made her home with her grand- mother in Virginia.

ROBERT MILES is one of the successful farmers of Liberty Township. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, No- vember 28, 1845, and is a son of Robert and Ann (Watts) Miles, natives of England. The father was born in 1811, and died in 1882; the mother is still living. Robert was reared and educated in hisnative land. Desirous of seeing the Western Continent, in his twentieth year he bade farewell to his home and friends, and sailed for America. He landed in the city of New York, and went directly to Linn County, Iowa. For seven years he followed the occu- pation of a farmer in that county; he then came to Cherokee County and rented a farm in Sheridan Township. By industrions and economical habits he was enabled to save inoney enough to buy forty acres of land in 1872; however, he did not remove to this place until 1874. Three years later he made another purchase of eighty acres of land, making in all 120 acres; it is well improved, having good buildings and two acres of fine grove. Mr. Miles was united in marriage in January, 1871, to Miss Louisa Barger, a daughter of John and Mary A. (Rohrer) Bar- ger, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Miles was born April 18, 1847, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and lived there until she was seven years old; then her parents re- moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she was educated and grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Miles are the parents of seven children: Anna M., Abbie Dell, Willie L., Robbie R. and Rosa May (twins), Edith L. and Bessie B. Mr. Miles is a Republican. He has held the office of road supervisor two terms; was

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

township trustee from 1882 until 1888, and has been school director, serving with that integrity and uprightness that have won for him the confidence of the entire community. He and his wife are honored members of the Presbyterian Church.

OHN H. UMHOEFER, the subject of this biographical sketch, has been closely connected with the business interests of Cherokee since 1874. He is proprietor of one of the most successful stores in the city, carrying a full line of groceries, crockery, boots and shoes. His trade is extensive both in the city and the country tributary to Cherokee. Mr. Umhoefer is a native of Wis- consin, born at White Water in April, 1861. His father, Theodore Umhoefer, a native of Germany, came to Anterica when but eighteen years of age. He married Anna Muellen- burgh, and settled in Wisconsin. From that State the family removed to Winneshiek County, Iowa, and thence to Cherokee Connty. The parents still reside on the farm in Sheri- dan Township. John H. is the oldest son and third child of a family of five. He at- tended the common school, and then entered the State University at Iowa City, where he took a thorough conrse in the Commercial Department, graduating in 1881. Upon leaving school he went to Jordan, Minnesota, entering the employ of Frank Nicolin as book- keeper, with whom he remained one year, when he went to Wayne, Nebraska. There he embarked in general merchandising, which business he operated only three months when he sold out and returned to Cherokee. This was in November, 1883, and he then put in a $4,000 stock of groceries, near what is now the Boston Restaurant, on West Main street. He removed to his present quarters in the

Vandercook Block in March, 1886. He oc- enpies a room 24 x 100 feet, and a large basement; he carries a very large and well- selected stock of choice staple and fancy groceries, queen's-ware, boots and shoes; he employs the most obliging salesmen, and has made for himself a large and paying business. Mr. Umhoefer was married in January, 1884, to Miss Katie Holtey, of Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Theodore Holtey. They have had one child born to them, Theodore Eugene. Mr. Umhoefer is a very correct and prudent business man, and hence has been frequently called upon to fill various local offices of responsibility and trust. He was elected city recorder in 1886, and is still holding that office. He is secretary of the Retail Merchants' Association of Cherokee County, and one of the stockholders and di- rectors of the Cherokee Building and Loan Association. In religions belief he is a Ro- man Catholic, and is one of the trustees of the church, having held that position for six years. Politically he is a Democrat, and is secretary of the Democratic Central Com- mittee of his county. He is among the few young men who have commenced life withont capital, and by virtue of strict business prin- ciples and industry have become the possessors of a fine business before middle life. And Mr. Umhoefer can honestly boast of having earned every dollar himself.

OHN C. WILSON, the leading pho- tographer of Cherokee Connty, Iowa, es- tablished himself in business there in the spring of 1872, and may therefore justly claim to be one of the pioneer business men of the county as well as of the town of Cher- okee. His work speaks more forcibly than the pen, for specimens of his artistic skill

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may be found in nearly every home in Cher- okee and adjoining counties. Concerning his earlier career, it may be said that he is a na- tive of Canada, born in the quaint old city of Osgood, July 18, 1848. His fatlier, Andrew Wilson, a native of Scotland. was a farmer by occupation. His mother, Eliza (Foster) Wilson, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and died in 1862. John C. is the fourth of a family of nine children, four of whom sur- vive. His school days were spent in Ottawa, Canada, where he remained until 1862. At the age of fourteen years he went to Ogdens- burg, New York, where he remained until 1870, and in that year he came to Cherokee, Iowa. While a resident of Ogdensburg he began the study of his art under the tutor- ship of James M. Dow; he there acquired a fair knowledge of the business in its various departments, and at the end of five years he formed a partnership with his employer, the firm name being Dow & Wilson, which ex- isted until the fall of 1869. Upon coming to Cherokee, Iowa, Mr. Wilson became a mem- ber of the grocery firm of Gourley & Wilson, the first grocery dealers in the place; they continned the business about a year, when the firm sold out, and Mr. Wilson entered the employ of F. W. Huxford as clerk in a general store, where he remained a year. In May, 1872, he opened the doors of his art gallery, and ten years later we find him erect- ing one of the best brick business blocks in the place; it is a two-story structure, 24 x 80 feet; the first floor is occupied by a grocery owned by Harper Brothers, and a portion of the second floor is rented for an office, Mr. Wilson using the rest of the floor as a photo- graph gallery. He does excellent work in plain photographs and life-size portraits in India. ink, oil or water colors. Mr. Wilson was united in marriage in 1875 to Miss Car- rie L. Bates, a native of Winnebago County,

Illinois, and a daughter of A. B. and Sophia Bates, natives of New England. Mr. and Mrs Wilson have been blessed by the birth of four children, three of whom are living: Bessie May, Sophia C. (deceased), Clinton B., and Yolande Olivette. Politically every in- telligent man in this free country has some choice of party, and Mr. Wilson's is with the Republicans, with whom he is an active worker. He has been a member of the Cher- okee Town Council for two terms, and is ever alive to the business interests of the place. He belongs to Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M .; to Burning Bush Chap- ter, No. 90, R. A. M., and to Crusade Coni- mandery, No. 39, K. T. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cherokee, Iowa. Mr. Wilson has succeeded well in the different enterprises he has undertaken, and much credit is due him, for he began with nothing but a will and a determination to win. He now owns considerable town property and a good farm in Silver Township, consisting of eighty acres.

AMES ARCHER, one of the leading business men of Cherokee, Iowa, is a pioneer of the town, having established the first lumber yard at New Cherokee in the autumn of 1870. He is a man of varied and wide business experiences, and has been an important factor in the upbuilding of his town and county, where he is one of the most highly respected citizens. A man engaged in legitimate business for a long term of years is entitled to a notice in the local history of his county, and especially is this true of one like James Archer, whose business career covers a longer unbroken period than that of any other man now a resident of Cherokee. His first shipment of lumber to the place

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consisted of sixteen car-loads, and he brought with him $1,400 with which to pay the freight. So great was the demand for luin- ber that within a few days he had collected $2,000 for lumber sold. There being no banks or express office here at that time he handed the money over to J. P. Farley, then superintend- ent of the Construction Railway Company, who took it to Dubuque where he deposited it for Mr. Archer. From the 18th of July, 1870, to January 1, 1871, he sold a million feet of lumber, having in lis eniploy four men who were kept constantly at work. In the fall of 1870 he began buying grain, using a small warehouse in which to store the sur- plus wheat, oats and corn, which in the fol- lowing spring he sold to new-comers for seed- ing purposes. So great was the demand for corn that Mr. Archer imported several car- loads. In the fall of 1871 he shipped ten cars of home-grown wheat to Chicago, the first shipped from Cherokee County. Freights were at that time very high, the cost of one car-load of shingles being $102; the freight to-day would not exceed $55. In 1872 he erected the first grain elevator here in Cliero- kee; it was 24 x 36 feet, having a capacity of 10,000 bushels. In 1881 he built a second elevator, used solely for flax-seed, which he handles in large quantities. Mr. Archer is a native of Scotland, born in the city of Dun- dee, June 16, 1829. He emigrated to Amer- ica with his parents, William K. and Ann (Penn) Archer, in 1842. They settled near Rockford, Illinois, on Government lands, the father paying Government price for 200 acres. James received a good common- school education in his native land, but at- tended school in Illinois only three montlis. He remained at home until October, 1861, when he was married to Miss A- Stephens, a daughter of William H. Stephens. After their marriage they lived in Illinois until the

winter of 1863, whey they removed to Fay- ette County, Iowa, locating on a farm which lie worked for two years. Then they re- moved to Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, where Mr. Archer was engaged in the grain and lumber business for two years. He then carne to Cherokee as before stated, in 1870. Here his life has been one of activity and business success. Politically he is a Repub- lican, and has always been willing to work for the good of his chosen party. He has not unfrequently been honored by local offices. He served on the City School Board for ten years, and was a member of the Board of County Supervisors one term. He has also been a representative in judicial and Con- gressional conventions. Mr. and Mrs. Archer are the parents of three sons: George H., who is living on a farm four miles west of Cherokee, Guy S. and Elmer S.

HARLES NICHOLSON is a member of the firm of Knox & Nicholson (suc- cessors to H. D. Walwrath), dealers in dry-goods, carpets, and curtain goods, at Cherokee, Iowa. Like many of the promis- ing young business men of the West, he clains Sweden as his fatherland, where he was born in the month of February, 1855. His father was N. Nicholson, who served in the responsible capacity of judge for nine years. Mr. Nicholson came to America in 1870, stopping first in Michigan where lie at- tended the public graded school; he had been a regular student of the common schools in his native country until he was fifteen years of age. In 1873 he came to Iowa, locating in Franklin County, where he was employed as a clerk for two years. He then came to Cherokee County and entered the store of Mr. Walrath, with whom he remained five

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

years. At the end of that period he formed a co-partnership with A. B. Knox and pur- chased Mr. Walrath's interest in the business, after which the firm was, and still is, known as Knox & Nicholson. In 1888 these gen- tlemen built their present fine brick store building, which is 24 x 100 feet, two stories high, with a basement ; all of this place is oc- cupied with a very compl te, varied, and ex- tensive stock of general dry-goods, the main department and salesroom being situated on the first floor, and the second being devoted to carpets, cloaks, sewing machines, and cur- tains. In 1883 Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Batterson, a daugh- ter of N. B. Batterson, now deceased. Mrs. Nicholson was born in the State of Illinois, and removed to Iowa with her parents. Mr. Nicholson is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M., and of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R. A. M. He is a young man of most excellent business quali- fications, and has been quite successful in his mercantile career in Cherokee, the firm of which he is a member being the heaviest dealers in the whole county. It may further- more be added that onr subject has arrived at his present position of independence and prosperity through his own unaided efforts, and the credit dne the self-made man has been justly earned by him.

AMES C. HALL, Vice President of the Cherokee State Bank at Cherokee, Iowa, is among the enterprising business men of the place and commands a space in the history of the county. His native State is New York. He was born in Washington County, near the village of Argyle, January 21, 1852. He is the oldest son of Robert and Eliza (Flack) Hall, the father being a

New Yorker by birth, but of Irish extraction; the mother was also born in New York, in Washington County, and was a dangliter of James Flack, of Scoteh ancestry. The father removed to Ford County, Illinois, when James C. was six years of age and settled on a farm. The son assisted in the labors of the farm during the summer, and attended the common schools during the winter. Ile was given the opportunity to attend school after leaving the lower grades behind, and en- tered Wabash College, wherehe remained two years. In 1872 he came to Cherokee County, lowa, where his father had established him- self in the agricultural implement business. In January, 1873, he formed a partnership with his father which continued thirteen years. At the end of that period he sold his interest to his younger brother, W. J. IIall. He and his father were then engaged in the grain business until 1886, when he sold his interest to his father. Since that date Mr. Hall has been engaged in the real-estate busi- ness, both in the State of Iowa and in the South, dealing quite extensively in prairie and timber lands. In October, 1888, he helped to organize the Cherokee State Bank, at Cherokee, Iowa. He was elected to the office of vice president of that institution, which place he still holds; he is also one of the directors, and his time is wholly devoted to banking and real estate. Mr. Hall was united in marriage April 30, 1874, to Miss Lucy A. Willard, a native of Wisconsin. Five children have been born of this union, four sons and one daughter: Robert W., Clar- ence H., Irenus C., Harold J. and Hattie M. Harold J. died May 28, 1888. Mr. Hall has served as president of the School Board, and as a member of the Town Council. He is president of the Cherokee Building and Loan Association, being elected to that office in 1889; this association was organized June 1,

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1885, with an authorized capital of $300,000. Politically Mr. Hall is a Republican. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Chero- kee. He is a most exemplary man, of refined tastes and excellent qualifications. Since his residence here he lias been public spirited, and active in npbuilding his town and county.

HARLES BECKWITH is the proprie tor of the Cherokee flouring mills, which were built by J. B. Bliss, who operated them for about twelve years. Tlie site of this mill is on the west bank of the Little Sioux River, near the site of old Cher- okee; it includes nine acres of land and is one mile from postoffice and depot. It was formerly supplied with old-fashioned burr- stones. In 1882 Mr. Beckwith purchased the property, operating it as it was until 1887, when he put in a full roller system, the " pat- ent process " of flour making. Its daily ca- pacity is now fifty barrels, and the productis of an excellent quality, finding a ready mar- ket at home. Mr. Beckwith was born in the village of Burke, Vermont, February 28, 1835. His father, Daniel Beckwith, was born in New Hampshire, in 1779, of English extraction. He operated a mill for many years, and died at Burke in 1872. He was married to Lucinda Orcutt, a native of Ver- mont, and a daughter of Ephram Orcutt. She was born in 1803, and is still living at her old home in Burke. She was of Scotch descent, and was the mother of nine children, seven of whom are still living. Charles was the third child; lie attended the schools common in that day in his native town, and completed his education at Glover Academy. Upon quitting school he entered the store of his father and brother, remaining there for

six years. Drifting westward to Iowa, he stopped at New Hartford, where he engaged in the grain business, having for his partner Frank Root, the firm being styled Root & Beckwith. They continued in business seven years, and in the summer of 1871 Mr. Beck- with came to Cherokee and began to bny and ship grain, in which business he continued thirteen years, and at the end of that period purchased the Cherokee Mills. Politically he is a Republican. He has been successful in business, and besides his mill property owns a half section of choice, well-tilled land in the county, and a brick residence in the city.

ENRY LEEDS, a prosperous young farmer of Pilot Township, came to Cherokee County in 1876. He was born in Mercer County, Illinois, April 6, 1856, and is a son of Job Leeds, a resident of Pilot Township, who was born in Clermont County, Olio, April 19, 1829; he was a son of Phe- lix and Mary Ann (Doughty) Leeds, and when he was six years old his parents removed to Ripley County, Indiana, remaining there five years. They then went to Rock Island County, Illinois. Job Leeds was married at the age of twenty-three years to Mrs. Emeline Bax- ter, and by this union three children were born. A son, Willie, died when fifteen years of age, in Illinois; Mary McLoughlin, of Ot- tawa, Kansas; and Henry Leeds, the subject of this notice. The mother died when Henry was five years of age, so at an early age he was deprived of his best friend. Hle grew to manhood in his native county, and was trained to agricultural pursuits. He was twenty years of age when he came to Chero- kee Connty with his father; he bought wild land on which be now resides, and imdertook

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the task of claiming it from its natural State. One less courageous might well have been disheartened, as the first crop was destroyed by the grasshoppers. Nothing daunted, Mr. Leeds put out a larger crop the next season, and was permitted to reap the harvest him- self. He was married June 25, 1882, to Miss Mary Isabella Cronk, a danghter of E. W. and Sarah (Jenison) Cronk, natives of the State of New York, now residing in Kane Connty, Illinois. Mrs. Leeds was born in Whiteside County, Illinois, and was reared near Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Leeds spent one year in business in Rockford, Illinois, and then re- turned to his farm; he owns 160 acres, 110 acres being under cultivation; the balance is in pasture and meadow; there is a good cot- tage on the farmn, a barn and buildings for stock and grain, and a fine orchard of two acres. The place is well watered by springs forty-six rods from the dwelling; the water is forced through pipes to the house, and to the stables and feed lots. Mr. and Mrs. Leeds have one child, Ethel Sarah Josephine, who was born July 6, 1885. Politically Mr. Leeds is a Democrat. He is honorable and upright in business, and although a young man, he has gained an enviable position in . the com- munity.

F. THURBER, an intelligent farmer, and a leading citizen of Pilot Town- ship, is a native of Erie County, New York. His father, Rufns Thurber, was a native of Madison County, New York, and his mother, Chloe (Putnam) Thurber, was born in the State of Vermont. P. F. passed his youth in his native county, receiving his education in the public schools and at Spring- ville Academy and select schools, New York.

He also spent some time at Grandville College, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years he engaged in teaching school in winter. He worked or attended school in summer, and being of a roving disposition, he taught school in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New York and Iowa, in all eleven terms In 1850 he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and was nnited in marriage to Miss Rosetta Inez Foster. Mr. Thurber decided to try his fort- unes in Minnesota, and in 1854 removed to that State. He located the town of Saratoga, and was the first settler in that locality. He resided there until 1873, when he came to Cherokee Connty and located in Willow Township. He improved a farm of 120 acres, which he still holds. In 1882 he settled on his present farm of 200 acres, and has a comfortable home. Politically Mr. Thurber is a Republican, and he is a strong advocate of the principles of Prohibition. He has represented Willow Township officially as justice of the peace and as clerk; was also justice of the peace in Minnesota. Mr. Thurber is a Baptist in sentiment. He be- longs or adheres to no secret order; thinks they are dangerous, anti-Republican and anti-Christian. Ilis creed is, unite with no society that abridges the freedom of speech or the press, or that makes it a crime to tell the truth, or a virtue to lie and deceive. Mrs. Thurber, sister of Rev. J. O. Foster, of Chicago, was born in Indiana, and was reared and educated in Davenport and vicinity. She attended the Davenport High School, tanght by Miss Bergen. She taught school at the age of seventeen, and was distinguished for great skill in governing and controlling . schools and bad boys. Since her marriage she has served in every capacity in the Sab- bath-school, from the infant class to superin . tendent, and made it a success. She has also served as secretary of the Cherokee Connty

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Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar Number of Pages: 654

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar
Number of Pages: 654