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 50
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Sabbath-School Association, and still, at the age of fifty-seven, is a worker in the Sabbath- school.
E. HUNTSINGER is one of the pro- gressive and enterprising citizens of Silver Township. IIe was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1840. His parents were Charles and Mary (Epler) Huntsinger, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. He was seven years old when his parents removed to Sulli- van Connty, Pennsylvania, where they lived for ten years. He then went to Lycoming County, in the same State. The early life of our subject was spent in the lumber districts, and at work in saw-mills. When there was a call for men to go to the defense of this country, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company K, and served three years. He took an active part in the battle of Chancel- lorsville, and at Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the thigli by a piece of shell, which confined him to the hospital for four weeks. He was in the campaign of 1864, in the battle of the Wilderness, and was again wounded at North Anna by a gun-shot in the left foot. This compelled him to re- main in the hospital for six months. He was diselarged as Corporal, July 8, 1865. Mr. Huntsinger was nnited in marriage in Sulli- van County, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1865, to Miss Rachel R. Payne, who was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Slie is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Sherman) Payne, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1867 Mr. Huntsinger came to Cherokee County, and took out a homestead in Pilot Townslip. He went with an ox team to Sionx City to file his claim. The first house on the way
was a tavern kept by one Mr. McDermott. There Mr. Huntsinger took dinner, and on asking for his bill he was told that the regu- lar price for a meal was 50 cents, but as he was a neighbor he wonld be charged only 25 cents. In 1876 he sold his first farm and bought a portion of his present place. He now owns 240 acres of superior land. His residence was erected in 1887, at a cost of $1,200. It is built in modern style, and is one of the best in the neighborhood. A fine grove of eleven acres adds very materially to the value of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt- singer are the parents of seven children: Cladius E., Asa Russell, Martlia Ellen, Etta, Eva, Anna and Mary. Mr. Huntsinger is a strong adherent to the principles of the Re- publican party. He has served his township as trustee for twelve years, has been a mem- ber of the School Board, and is the present assessor. He is a charter member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R., and is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 490, at Holstein, Iowa. He is a man of great integrity of character, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the town- ship.
P. LITTLE, one of the pioneers of Cherokee County, located in Pilot Township in June, 1868, and re- sided there until his death. which oceurred August 17, 1885. He was born in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1812, and is the son of Daniel and Nelly (Conover) Little, natives of New Jersey. He was married in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, at the age of twenty-three years, to Miss Rebecca Rodgers, a danghter of John Rodgers. They lived in Sullivan County three years and then re- moved to Bradford County, and in 1868 they
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
determined to brave the hardships of pioneer life, and make a home in the Western country. They settled in Pilot Township, and there passed the remainder of their days. They reared seven children, six of whom are living: Albert C., of Lycoming County, Pennsylva- nia; Sarah R. (deceased), wife of William Molyneux ; Ezra S., of Sullivan County, Penn- sylvania; Hattie M., of Sullivan Connty; Emina E., wife of Eldorns H. Whitehouse, of Cherokee; William, of Pilot Township, and J. R., of Silver Township. Mrs. W. P. Lit- tle died December 4, 1879. W. P. Little was a Republican in politics, and the conti- dence reposed in him by the people is attested by the fact that he served as justice of the peace for many years. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, as was also his wife; he was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episco- pal Church. J. R. Little, a well-known and progressive farmer of Silver Township, was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1856, and is a son of W. P. Little, whose biography is given above. He was twelve years of age when his parents came to this county, and was reared on the old homestead in Pilot Township. He was trained to agri- cultural pursuits; his education was obtained in the common schools. In 1875 he par- chased 160 acres of wild land, and set about the task of breaking it ont and placing it under cultivation. He has made many valu- able improvements in the way of erecting buildings, has planted a grove and an orchard, and has one of the most comfortable homes in the neighborhood. He was married No- vember 25, 1880, to Miss Laura Warburton, daughter of J. A. Warburton, one of the prominent early settlers of Pilot Township. Mr. and Mrs. Little are the parents of two chil- dren: Carl R. and Ray D. Mr. Little is one of the leading Republicans of his township,
is the present trustee, and is a member of the School Board. He is a man of intelligence, and stand's high socially and financially in the county.
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OHN HOGAN .- Cherokee County is indebted to the Emerald Isle for one of her most progressive and enterprising farmers, John Hogan, Esq. He was born in the County of Limerick, December 21, 1835, and is a son of James and Alice Walsh. He was eighteen years of age when he bade adien to his native land, and sought the fortune the New World might hold for him. On first coming to this conntry he was engaged in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, and in 1857 he removed to Marquette County, Michigan, where he was one of the pioneer miners and explorers; he discovered several of the lead- ing mines in that region, and for several years had charge of some of the most exten - sive of them. In 1871 Mr. Hogan came to Cherokee, abandoning mining and engaging in the pursuit of farming; he bought 320 acres of wild land, and one year later his family settled on the place. They were among the first settlers in that neighborhood, and have witnessed the development of that section from the wild state in which they found it to its present one of cultivation. Mr. Hogan was married in Detroit, Michi- gan, October 18, 1859, to Miss Mary A. Scully, a native of the County of Limerick, Ireland, and a danghter of John and Hannah (Murnane) Scully; she was sixteen years of age when she came to Michigan with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have had born to thein eight children: James, a successful and popular teacher, finished his education at the Shenandoah Western Normal College; he is the present township clerk, serving upon
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
his second term; he is one of the representa- tive young men of Sheridan Township; John and Frank are residents of Marquette, Mich- igan. Alice, who was educated at Valparaiso, Indiana, is a teacher; Anna is also a teacher; Mary; Agnes, a teacher, and Kate. Mrs. Hogan died Angust 3, 1886. She was a de- vont member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Hogan affiliates with the Republican party. He has a good standing in the county, and many friends by whom he is greatly respected.
OHN ZIMMER, a leading farmer of Sheridan Township, was born December 12, 1828, in Rhine Province, Germany. lle is a son of John Zimmer, a native of tlie same place. John Zimmer, Sr., was born in 1800, and emigrated with his family to America in 1847; he landed in New York City, and went directly from that city to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin. He bought a farın near that city, on which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1870. John Zimmer, Jr., was reared in his native land to the occupation of a farmer, receiving a lim- ited education in the public schools. He was nineteen years of age when the family came to America; he remained under the paternal roof until his twenty-fourth year, when he went to Calumet County, Wisconsin, and settled on a farm; there he resided until a call for additional troops was made in October, 1864; he then entered the Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company B. He participated in the engagements at Hatchet's Run, Gravel's Run, and Richmond, Virginia. He was present at Lee's surren- der, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. In 1855 Mr. Zimmer was nnited in marriage with Miss Agues Urlings, a dangh-
ter of John E. Urlings, also a native of Rhine Province. Mrs. Zimmer was born April 5, 1836, and came to America with her parents at the age of twelve years; her family also settled near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer have had born to them ten chil- dren, all of whom are living: John H., Peter, Jacob, Joseph, Henry, Mary, wife of Frank Kulin; Lizzie, wife of William Banum; Cath- erine, wife of Jacob Baum; Agnes, wife of Thomas Kimball, and Maggie, at home. Mr. Zimmer came to Cherokee County in 1873, and bought 160 acres of land ou which he is now living; he lias a good barn and dwelling, and his farin is well supplied with the best improvements in farm machinery. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church, and are among the worthy and respected citizens of the county.
W. SPENCER is one of Sheridan Township's intelligent and representa- tive men. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, January 30, 1818, and is a son of Asa G. and Huldah (Wells) Spencer. His father was a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation; he served in the War of 1812. The mother was a native of Massa- chusetts. In 1852 the parents removed to the State of New York, where the father died. In 1853 the mother removed to Illi- nois, and died there in 1861. N. W. Spencer was reared in the State of New York, and received a superior education for that time in the Cortland Academy, New York. After leaving school he engaged in the profession of teaching; this he continued for eight or nine terms, spending his summers in farnı work. When he had taught two terms in Illinois, he determined to abandon the pro- fession, and in order to carry out this desire
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
he bought a farm in De Kalb County, Illinois, on which he lived until 1882. In that year he removed to Cherokee County, Iowa, and purchased seventy acres of land in section 11, Sheridan Township, on which he is still living. Mr. Spencer was married in April, 1844, to Miss Betsey A. Harvey, a daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Southworth) Harvey, who was born in Chenango County, New York, De- cember 10, 1820. Her mother was a native of the State of New York, and her father was born in Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Spen- cer are the parents of six children: Elon G. and L. B , living in Woodbury County, Iowa; Zelia A., wife of Arthur Stewart, of Cherokee Township; W. F., of De Kalb County, Illi- nois; Emina, wife of Phillip Smith, of Am- herst Township, and Lavina, living with her parents in Meriden, Iowa. Politically Mr. Spencer is a Prohibitionist. In De Kalb County he held the office of township clerk, and was deputy county superintendent of public instruction. He and his wife are worthy members of the Adventist Christian Church; he has been a preacher for about thirty-five years, and has done faithful service for his Master. He is a inan firm in his con- victions of right and wrong, and has the confidence of the community in which he lives.
OHN GEORGE MONTAGNE, one of the thriving and extensive farmers of Tilden Township, is an American only by adoption, having been born in Oldenburg, Germany, December 1, 1839; he is the fifth of a family of eight children of John F. and Anna M. (Gerdels) Montagne. Two of the children died in their native land, and two in America. When Jolin G. was five years of age his parents bade farewell to the beloved
fatherland and emigrated to the New World. It is indeed an act of heroism to leave home and friends and native land, and take up the burden of life in a new and untried country ; but there are many brave hearts who have done this thing, and it is to them that Amer- ica is largely indebted for the rapid progress she has made in the development of her vast resources. The Montagne family continned their journey after landing in this country until they came to Texas, and there they set . tled near Houston, remaining there six years. In 1851 they returned to the old country, and there the mother died abont 1863; the same year the father came back to America, and the following year John G. came back bring- ing his brother and sister. During his boy- hood our subject attended the common schools, and at the age of twenty years he entered the Queen's service, and for two years he served the Crown. When he came to America he located in Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, where he spent nine years. In 1873 he came to Cherokee County, and settled on a farm of 160 acres in Tilden Township; this was scarcely deserving the name of farm, as it was wild, uncultivated land, and the task of improving it was not a light one. In 1873 he erected a good residence, and ten years later he built an addition, and now has a comfortable, roomy dwelling. His farm build- ings are of the best kind, and he has further added to the value of the place by planting five acres in grove. As his means increased Mr. Montagne invested in land, and now owns 667 acres; he furnishes ns with one of the many examples of men who have begun life without a farthing but who have perse- vered, and managed, and saved, until they have accumulated a comfortable fortune. Mr. Montagne was married September 1, 1870, to Lena Rohwedden, who was born in Holstein, Germany, September 21, 1848. They are
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: John F., Anna, George, Henry, Min- nie and Lena. They are members of tlie Lutheran Church.
OHN C. MONTAGNE was born in the State of Texas, eight miles from the city of Houston, November 14, 1847. He is the son of John F. and Margaretta (Gerlas) Montagne, who removed to the State of New York when John C. was a child five years of age. After a short time they returned to Oldenburg, Germany, from which place they originally came. There our subject passed his youth until his seventeenth year. There were eight children in the family: Two died in Texas, and the mother and two children died in Germany. The father and three remain- ing children returned to America in 1864, and settled in Lyons, Clinton County, where the father died the following year. John C. was trained in the duties of that most inde- pendent avocation, farming, and in the spring of 1872 he came to Cherokee County and purchased 160 acres of land in Tilden Town- ship, which civilization had not disturbed; there he began cultivating the soil and making improvements, and he has probably done as much as any other man in the township toward the advancement of the county's in- terests. He has added to his first purchase of land until he now holds a deed to 480 acres, all of which is under cultivation. He has erected a fine dwelling and numerous farm buildings; he has planted a grove of five acres, and altogether has one of the most desirable farms in the county. He has ac- quired all his possessions through his own efforts, excepting a small legacy bequeathed him by his father, and is a thoroughly self- made man. Mr. Montagne affiliates with no
political parties, preferring to cast liis vote for the men best suited in his opinion to fill the requirements of the office. His neigh- bors have shown their confidence in him by calling him to fill the office of trustee, road supervisor and school director, in which he has given entire satisfaction. Mr. Montagne was united in marriage January 30, 1873, to Miss Margaretta Bierman, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Plöger) Bierman. She was born in Quincy, Illinois, in January, 1853. Mr. Montagne is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.
C. WILLETT, one of Sheridan Town- ship's representative men, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1881. He was born in Wabash County, Indi- ana, July 27, 1849, and is the son of O. P. and Margaret (Nelson) Willett. In 1855 the parents removed to Stark Connty, Illinois, and in 1856 to Peoria County, in the same State, and located on a farm which they made their home for twenty years. In 1879 Mr. Willett removed to Toulon, Stark County, and embarked in the grocery and hardware business, in which he continued two years. At the end of that time he removed to Chero- kee County, Iowa, and purchased 160 acres of land to the improvement of which he has devoted much time. Mr. Willett has done much to advance the interest in high grades of stock by making a specialty of thorough- bred short-horn cattle and blooded Berkshire hogs, having had much success in this in- dustry. Mr. Willett was united in marriage February 14, 1876, to Miss Alice Davis, a daughter of Jerome B. and Hannah (Crowl) Davis, who was born near Oxford, Indiana, September 27, 1856. When she was seven
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
years of age her parents removed to Burean County, Illinois. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Willett: Albert Edwin, born April 6, 1880, and died January 12, 1881, and Austin Oliver, born July 21, 1882. Mr. Willett affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as justice of the peace in Sheridan Township. He and his wife are worthy members of the Christian Church. Ile is a man firm in his convictions of right and wrong, and is well worthy of the confi- dence reposed in him by his neighbors and friends.
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ENRY S. BRIGGS, a prominent farmer of Amherst Township, was born in Hillsdale Connty, Michigan, September 10, 1840. His parents were Otis and Esther (Smith) Briggs, natives of the State of Maine. The father removed to Iowa in 1844, locating in Dubugne County, where he entered a tract of 320 acres of land, which he improved and made luis liome for the remainder of his days; his death occurred in December, 1868. Otis Briggs, in company with Hezekiah Young and Zephaniah Kidder, laid out the town of Epworth, a part of which occupied a portion of Mr. Briggs's farm. He was one of the leading men of that section of country, both politically and socially, and was highly es- teemed by all who knew him. At the time of his death he was filling the office of inter- nal revenue assessor. Henry S. Briggs was the fourth of a family of six children, and was reared from his early childhood in Du- buque County. When the great Rebellion broke out in this country he was not reluc- tant to go to the defense of the nation. Ile enlisted October 1, 1861, in Company H, Twelfth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. He was taken prisoner near
Jackson, Mississippi, and was held seventy- four days; he participated in a number of battles, the most important being Fort Dont- elson, Pittsburg Landing, and the siege of Corinth. After the close of the war he re- turned to his home, where he remained until the death of his father. When the estate was settled he determined to go farther west, and in the spring of 1871 removed to Chero- kee County. Mr. Briggs located in Tilden Township on a farm of 240 acres of unim- proved land, and was one of the first settlers, there being only eight other families in the township. He resided on this farm until 1886, when he came to his present home in Amherst Township; this farm contains 240 acres, and was then unimproved, but he has built a fine two-story residence, situated on a natural elevation commanding a wide view of the surrounding conntry; he has ocenpied his time exclusively in farming and stock- raising, aud has all the modern conveniences for this purpose. Mr. Briggs is identified with the Republican party, and has filled nearly all of the township offices, being the present justice of the peace; he is a strong adherent to the principles of prohibition, and has taken an active interest in the welfare of the community. Being one of the early set- tlers in the county he was compelled to un- dergo many hardships and privations, but he has succeeded in the face of all opposition; he has improved two of the best farms in the county, and has lent his aid in building up the county in a general way. Mr. Briggs was united in marriage December 26, 1870, to Miss Agnes Gibson, a dangliter of David and Eliza Gibson. Her mother's maiden name was Herron. She was born in Ireland, January 29, 1850, and was brought to Amer- ica by her parents when a child two years of age; they settled in Michigan, and in 1861 removed to Dubuque County. Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Briggs have a family of three children: Otis H., Maud E. and Esther M.
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RANKLIN D. ARNOLD, a reliable member of the farming community of Amherst Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1881. He was born in Defiance, then known as Williams County, Ohio, May 14, 1837, and is the soul of John and Nancy (Galbreath) Arnold, na- tives of the State of Pennsylvania, and old settlers of Northwestern Iowa. The father is deceased, and the inotlier resides with her son, F. D., our subject. He spent most of his youth in his native county, and made the inost of the opportunities offered him in the common schools of that day. When he had attained his twentieth year he began teaching. and followed that profession in connection with his farming for several years. He re- mained content in the State in which he was born until his twenty-seventh year when he inigrated to Iowa; lie stopped in Keoknk County, and taught school there for eight months. He then removed to Benton County and purchased a farm on which he spent ten years; he again took up teaching, which he pursued along with his other business deal- ings. In 1874 he went to Shelby County, and resided there for three years, farming and teaching; in 1877 he took a trip to Kan- sas with the intention of staying there, but after a two months' sojourn he returned to Iowa, settling in Benton County. In the spring of 1881 he came to Cherokee County and settled upon a tract of 160 acres which he had purchased the year before. His family came May 24, and moved into a rudely im- provised shelter; by July 15 Mr. Arnold had 100 acres of land broken, forty acres in flax, and forty acres fenced, the first pasture
fenced in the township, and his present resi- dence well under way. He did the carpenter work himself, and by October 1 moved into the new home. He now has a fine, large barn, which takes the place of one swept away in a tornado June 14, 1885. All his surroundings are snug and comfortable, and thrift and energy are the password on the Ar- nold farm. He has added eighty acres to the first tract he bought, but altogether farins 320 acres, renting eighty acres belonging to his mother. Besides the raising of grain Mr. Arnold takes an active interest in the propa- gation of better grades of live-stock, and has done much toward advancing this industry in the county. He has planted a three and three-quarter acre grove, and has a fine, thrifty orchard of three acres, set in 1883, and which is beginning to bear. It scarcely need be said that the latter is a luxury which will be greatly appreciated. Since coming to the county Mr. Arnold has abandoned his school .work, and has devoted himself exclu- sively to agricultural pursuits. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and has represented his township as clerk for four years, and as a member of the School Board for a number of years. He has been a zeal- ous worker in the cause of education, and has made many successful efforts to aronse an in- terest in others, and to elevate the standard. He has been associated with most of the pub- lic affairs of this portion of the county. He was the first treasurer of the Marcus Ship- ping Association, and also the first treasurer of the Marcus and Amherst Cemetery Asso- ciation. Mr. Arnold was united in marriage November 1, 1860, to Miss Mary Lehman, a daughter of Jacob and Lena (Baer) Lehman. She was born in Defiance County, Ohio, April 11, 1840. Twelve children have been born of this marriage: John (deceased), Mary (deceased), Nancy E., wife of A. J. Cush-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
man; Jacob B., Benjamin F., the two latter being students at Iowa College; Callie L., James Q., Renben H., David M., George O., William E., and an infant daughter (deceased). Jacob H., Benjamin F. and Callie L. have all been engaged in school work, and with marked success. The family have been asso- ciated with the German Baptist Church, but in later years Mrs. Arnold and her daughter Callie have nnited with the church known as the Brethren Church, of Marcus. Mr. Ar- nold has been an active worker in the church and Sabbath-school, filling the office of dea- con in the church, and that of Sunday-school superintendent for eleven consecutive years. Mr. Arnold's farm to-day presents a very different appearance from that of a few years ago; when he first came to the county wolves were unmerons, and prairie chickens were so thick that in mowing hay the horses wonld often trample them to death. Bnt with the coming of civilization, and the disappearance, of the red man, the wild game has also fled, but between the two conditions, who would hesitate to make a choice?
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