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 51
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OAH WILSON FURGASON, one of the early pioneers, has been identified with the history of Cherokee Conuty since 1867. His birthplace is Marietta, Ohio, the oldest town in that State, and the date is August 12, 1846. His parents, James and Elvira (Morse) Furgason, were natives of Maryland and Ohio respectively. The father was a tanner by trade. Noah W. received nu- nsually good educational advantages. When the call for men to go to the defense of this nation and her institutions was made, he was not a laggard iu responding. He enlisted May 28, 1862, in Company A, Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after serving
four months was honorably discharged. Dur- ing his first service to the country he partic- ipated in the engagement at Harper's Ferry, and was there taken prisoner by Stonewall Jackson's men. He re-enlisted October 6, 1863, in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until October 18, 1865; he was with General Sherman on his immortal march to Atlanta; was with General Thomas at Naslı- ville, Tennessee, and also at Franklin, Ten- nessee. His regiment was then ordered to Texas, and he was stationed for a time near Port Lavaca, and after peace was declared he returned to his home in Ohio, where he re- sided until he came to Cherokee County in 1867. He camne by rail to Denison, and thence overland to Cherokee. The first sea- son he engaged in breaking prairie; the win- ter of 1867-'68 was spent in teaching school in the northeast corner of Cherokee Town- ship, this being one of the first schools tanght outside the town of Cherokee. In 1869 Mr. Furgason purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar Township, on which he has since re- sided; he also owns eighty acres in Spring Township. He was married December 19, 1869, to Miss Fauny M. Cannon, of Afton Township, a successful teacher. She is a daughter of E. D. and Emily (Oviatt) Can- 11011. Three children have been born of this union: Walter M., Lewis O., Letha Edna. Politically Mr. Furgason casts his suffrage with the Republican party.
OBERT H. PEAVEY was born in Lib- erty, Waldo County, Maine, July 5, 1846, and is the son of Captain Thomas and Abbie (Runnels) Peavey, also natives of the State of Maine. His father, Captain Thomas Peavey, served in the late war with
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distinction and honor; he was a brave soldier and a gallant officer. Our subjeet is one of a family of four children: Lloyd, Allard, and a daughter who died in infancy. Robert is the eldest, and grew to manhood in his na- tive State, in the city of Bangor. He spent his time in assisting his father in the gun shop, his father being a gun-smith by trade, and in attending the public schools. When he had attained his majority the family came West, and settled in Dubuque County, Iowa. There Robert H. spent four years, and there he met and married Miss Catharine Briggs, a danghter of Otis and Esther Briggs. Mrs. Peavey's mother's maiden name was Sinith, and she was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, October 12, 1849. They were married De- cember 31, 1868, and have a family of four children: Carrie was born November 2, 1869, and died November 20, 1876; Allard H. was born August 18, 1873; Arminta E., was born October 15, 1877; and George O. was born February 2, 1887. In March, 1871, Mr. Peavey removed with his family to Cherokee County, and located on a farm of eighty acres in Tilden Township, and there established a home. He has a good frame residence and a barn for stock and grain; he has added much to the beauty of his place by planting an acre and a half in grove, and has set out a small orchard. The family had to undergo all the hardships incident to pioncer life, but they faced them unflinchingly, and are now enjoying the fruits of their labors. Mr. Peavey has been one of the main factors in building up and developing that part of the county, and well deserves the respect and es- teem in which he is held. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and has represented his township officially as clerk, and as road supervisor; he has been promi- nently connected with the public schools of the township, having been school treasurer, 86
and secretary of the School Board. He has always taken an active interest in any meas- ures tending to advance the general welfare, and has never failed in lending a generous support to such efforts. Mrs. Peavey and Allard H. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ILLIAM BRUCE, proprietor of Ma- ple Grove Farm, one of the leading citizens of Pilot Township, was born in Huntingdonshire, England, December 30, 1854, and is a son of George and Catherine (Bruce) Bull. In his infancy his parents emigrated to America, settling in Clinton County, lowa. There they lived twelve years, and then removed to Jones County, Iowa, remaining there until 1871, when they came to Cherokee County. William was educated in the common schools, and received the training of a farmer's son. Having confi- dence in his ability to manage a farm of his own, he made a purchase of land in Marcus Township, Cherokee County, which he placed under cultivation and improved in other ways. In 1884 he sold this place and bought 160 acres of Henry Davis, which he has made his home; later he made an additional purchase of 160 acres, and has placed the whole 320 acres in an advanced state of cultivation. Maple Grove is considered one of the best farms in the county; the residence, built in modern style, was erected in 1888 at a cost of $1,000; it is surrounded by shade and or- namental trees and is a most attractive liome. There are substantial buildings for the care and protection of live-stock, four acres of fine maple trees and an orchard, the two latter be- ing most desirable improvements. Mr. Bruce was married March 27, 1884, to Miss Jennie C. Hartley, daughter of G. W. Hartley, of
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Marcus Township; her mother was Mary Hankerson; she was born in Iowa and was reared and educated near Cedar Rapids, lowa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce: Rodger W., Ray W. and Har- vey A. Mr. Bruce's political opinions find expression in the principles of the Republi- can party. He and his wife are honored mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the most worthy residents of the township.
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M. LANE is one of the early settlers of Cherokee County, settling there in 1869. He was born in Wayne County, Indiana, March 15, 1849, and is a son of J. A. Lane, Esq. When he was seven years old his parents removed to Clayton Connty, Iowa, and there he grew to manhood. He was reared to the occupation of farming, and obtained his education in the common schools. He did not leave the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred September 8, 1872, when he was nnited to Miss Sarah Dnbes, a danghter of Elias Dubes, a prominent citizen of the township. Mr. Lane took a homestead on section 4, Silver Township, on which he lived eight years. He then removed to his present farm, which contains eighty acres of as rich land as can be found in the county. There is a good honse, buildings for stock and grain, a grove and an orchard, and many indications of thrift and wise management. Mr. Lane devotes himself to farming and stock-raising, and his efforts have been re- warded with uniform success. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have had eight children: James Wilber, Elen, Cora Belle, Clara Olive, Harriett, Wil- lis Elias, Howard and Florence Elsie. Mr. Lane is an active member of the Baptist Church. Politically he affiliates with the
Republican party. He has served his town- ship as constable and as a member of the School Board. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to advance the best interests of the community in which he lives. J. A. Lane is one of the pioneers of Iowa, having settled in Clayton County in 1856. He was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1822, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Arment) Lane. Although reared to the life of a farmer, he worked at the shoemaking trade for many years. The pub- lic schools of that day had not advanced to their present high standing, and Mr. Lane received a limited education in the common schools of his native county. He was mar- ried March 14, 1849, at Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, to Miss Ann Jane Marks, a daughter of William and Ann Marks. . Mr. Lane re- moved from Clayton County to Cherokee Connty in 1869, and took a homestead of eighty acres of Government land. He was one of the first settlers in the neighborhood, and endured- many privations incident to pioneer life. He now owns 200 acres of land in Silver and Pilot townships, which is well improved with good buildings and a fine grove. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have had born to them six children: Henry M., John, Albert A., Martha Love, Libbie Love and A. W., residing at home. Mrs. Ann Lane died April 7, 1889. She was a worthy and be- loved member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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ENRY WEISE, proprietor of Weise's Mill on Silver Creek, has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1874. He is a native of Prussia, born May 9, 1827, and is a son of Gottlieb and Christina (Surgus) Weise. Henry attended
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school until his fourteenth year, after which he served an apprenticeship of two years at milling. He then worked for several years as a journeyman in different Prussian towns. A greater part of the year 1845 was spent in Russia. Mr. Weise was drafted into the Prussian Army in 1847, serving in the flying artillery. He participated in the Schleswig- Holstein War, and also took an active part in the Rebellion at Dresden, Saxony. He was drafted a second time in 1854 for service in the Crimean War, and had marched as far as the city of Shmiederg, when it was announced that peace had been proclaimed, and the regiment returned. He was honorably dis- charged March 15, 1855, when he engaged in milling until a third draft was to be made. Weary of warfare, and having no assurance of escaping the draft, he sailed from Ham- burg, July 4, 1855, on the vessel North America, and arrived in New York City August 15, 1855. Fifteen days later he reached Davenport, Iowa, where he resided nineteen years. Three years of that time he was engaged at the carpenter's trade, and ten years he was in the employ of one man in a mill. In 1874 he came to Cherokee County and bought the Stiles Mill on the Sioux River, section 28, Pilot Township, which he operated eight years. During this time the dam was destroyed three different times. In 1882 Mr. Weise made some investments in land, purchasing 200 acres in Silver Town- ship, on which his valuable mill property now stands. The race is 300 feet long, with a fall of eighteen feet. The wheel is a twenty-inch American turbine, of eighteen horse-power, which can be increased to forty- seven horse-power. Mr. Weise's experience, both in Europe and America, has been of great value, and he is to-day one of the most expert millers in the county. He owns 200 acres of land in Pilot Township, which is
well improved. His residence on his home farm is a fine two-story building, and he has a good barn and many other valuable im- provements. Mr. Weise was married No- vember 28, 1859, at De Witt, Clinton County, Iowa, to Mrs. Mary Golden, a native of Penn- sylvania. Four children have been born to them: Edward H., Estella, wife of Alonzo Payne; Nettie, wife of James Purcell, and Amanda, wife of Frank Sheldon. In politics Mr. Weise is independent, and is considered one of the solid men of Silver Township.
L. OAKES, a leading and progress- ive farmer of Silver Township, was c born in Lycoming County, Penn- sylvania, June 10, 1840. He is a son of Thomas and Elevia (Sechler) Oakes, also na- tives of the State of Pennsylvania. In 1849 his parents removed to Ogle County, Illinois, being among the earliest settlers there. W. L. passed his youth on the farm, attending the district school during the winter season, and occupying himself with the duties that usually fall to the lot of a farmer's son during the remainder of the year. April 3, 1862, when there was a call for 200,000 men to rally to the defense of this nation, W. L. Oakes enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois Cav- alry, Company A. In the battle of Darts- ville he was severely injured by a horse fall- ing upon him and breaking his breast-bone; he was confined to the hospital two months. Ile afterward participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Occoqnan, Vir- ginia, Stoneman Raid, Chancellorsville, Som- erville, Gettysburg, and Boonsborough, Mary- land. He followed General Lee on his retreat to Somerville in October, 1863. His company was escort to General Slocum four months, and to Brigadier-General Buford six months.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
He was with General Banks on the Red River expedition, and afterward was confined to the hospital for some time. He was honorably discharged April 3, 1865, at Memphis, Ten- nessee, and then returned to Ogle County, Illinois. Mr. Oakes was married October 22, 1868, to Miss Emma Sechler, a daughter of William and Anna (Eyster) Sechler, resi- dents of Rock Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Oakes lived in Ogle County until 1879, when lie removed to Marshall County, Kansas; he re- sided there four years, and then removed to Fayette County, Iowa. In 1886 he came to Cherokee County, and bought 160 acres of land as fine as lies in the county; it is well watered by Silver Creek, and is one of the best stock farms in the township; 110 acres have been placed under cultivation, and the remainder is in pasture. Mr. and Mrs. Oakes are the parents of four children: Lillie May, Carrie B., Charles E. and Frank G. In po- litical thought and action Mr. Oakes is Deino- cratic. He is a member of the General Geddes Post, No. 423, G. A. R., at Holstein, Iowa. Heis a member of Alpine Lodge, No. 471, A. F. & A. M. He is a man doing his part to advance the standing of his conimu- nity, and has won the regard of his neighbors and acquaintances since living in Cherokee County.
W. LYMAN, an enterprising farmer of Pilot Township, is a native of Wal- worth County, Wisconsin; he was born July 4, 1848, and is a son of Luther and Catherine (Klice) Lyman. The father was a native of Genesee County. New York, and the mother was born in the State of Ohio. Our subject passed his youth on a farın, di- viding his time between the common school and agricultural pursuits. At the age of
eighteen years he entered the regular army, enlisting in the Seventeenth United States Infantry, Company F. He served three years, and was stationed near Galveston, Texas, to keep order in the reconstruction days that followed the war. He was honorably dis- charged, and returned to his home in Wis- consin. Mr. Lyman was married February 2, 1870, to Miss R. J. Gibbs, who was born, reared and educated in Walworth County, Wisconsin; she was a daughter of William II. and Lucinda Gibbs. After his marriage Mr. Lyman resided in Wisconsin until 1873, when he came to Cherokee County, having previously purchased land in Pilot Township; in 1882 he bonght eighty acres of land, mak- ing in all 240 acres; in 1885 he erected a dwelling at a cost of $1,600; this is built in modern style, and is attractively surrounded with shade trees; there is a good barn, a grove and an orchard of four acres. All the sur- roundings indicate thrift and wise manage- ment. Politically Mr. Lyman is a Democrat ; that he has the full confidence of the people of his township is shown by the number of years he has filled public offices ; he has served as assessor for eleven years, as a member of the School Board for four years, as trustee for two years, and as treasurer of the School Board. He isa man firin in his convictions of right and wrong, is plain of speech and manner, and has the respect of all who have any dealings with him. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyman: Bertus E., Cora M., Nina B., Edna A., Harry G. and Nola E.
LAYTON, one of the early settlers of Cherokee County, was born in St. Joe
0 County, Michigan, July 12, 1835, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Barks) Lay- ton, natives of Delaware and Ohio respect-
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ively. John Layton was a shoemaker by trade, and .was an early settler of Marion, Ohio, building the first house in the town. At an early age our subject started out in the world for himself. He first went to the Rocky Mountains, and spent some time where Denver now is; afterward he went to freight. ing on the plains; later he went to the Pacific Coast, and there drove freight teains for some time. During the late Civil War he enlisted in the Third California Infantry, Company D, and served until the close of the war. He saw much active service on the plains against hostile Indians. The regiment was on duty on the coast, in Nevada, and in Wyoming, with headquarters at Salt Lake City for two years. He was honorably discharged at Den- ver, Colorado, in 1865. For some time Mr. Layton was on the police force of Denver, and later he was in the Government employ. In 1868 he worked on the Union Pacific Rail- road, and in 1869 he came with a railroad outfit to Cherokee County, and plowed the first furrow for the railroad in this county. He was the first one to engage in draying in the town of Cherokee, and he followed this business for many years, in connection withi dealing in coal and ice. In 1886 Mr. Layton sold his interests to Jackson & Funk and purchased the John Chapin farm, which is one of the best in the township. It contains 160 acres, a substantial residence, built in modern style, stands upon an attractive site, and twelve acres of fine grove add not a lit- tle to the beauty and value of the farm. There are extensive barnsand sheds for stock, and large feed-lots watered by a system of pipes. Mr. Layton was the first man married in Cherokee, and the bride was Miss Melissa Lane, a native of Ohio. They were married in the fall of 1870, in a tent, and the first winter lived in a dug-out. Three children have been born to them: Justin A., John
Ed and May Melissa. Mr. Layton affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as marshal for five years, as street commis- sioner for thirteen years, and as a member of the council. He is a member of the lowa Legion of Honor, and is one of the charter members of Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He is a man of his word, and is highly re- spected wherever he is known.
J. BUNTING has been a resident of Pilot Township since 1869. He has the honor. of coming from the Buckeye State, born in Muskingum County, near Zanesville, January 28, 1839. He is a son of Robert and Naomi (Hickman) Bunt- ing, natives of the State of Virginia. They were married in Muskingum County, and when W. J. was fourteen years old they de- termined to try the fortunes of pioneer life, and so reinoved to Jones County, Iowa, in 1853; they lived there the remainder of their days. The subject of this notice was reared to the occupation of a fariner, and obtained his education by attending the winter terms of the district school. During the winter of 1869 he traveled through Kansas, and re- turned to Iowa, and took ont a homestead of eighty acres of Government land; he then set about the task of placing this under cultiva- tion, an undertaking that requires no small amount of courage; his efforts have been snc- cessful, and he now owns one of the most de- sirable farms in the neighborhood. There is a comfortable dwelling, pleasantly sitnated in the midst of shade trees, two acres of grove, a barn and other good buildings for stock and grain. Mr. Bunting also owns eighty acres of land three-quarters of a mile east of his home farın, in Pitcher Township, which is under good cultivation. He was married
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March 31, 1874, to Miss Maria Willson, a native of the State of New York, and a dangh- ter of P. A. and Lucinda (Flint) Willson. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bunting: Merton L., Ida N., Earl S. and Artlıur W. In politics Mr. Bunting casts his vote with the Independent party. He is a man in the prime of life, social in his dis- position, and the possessor of many warm friends in the county.
D. NELSON has been a member of the farming community of Cherokee Town- ship since 1878. He was born at Flor- ida, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Janu- ary 23, 1836, and is a son of David and Mary E. (Kemp) Nelson, natives of Massachusetts. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he remained upon a farm until the breaking out of the late Civil War, when he enlisted in August, 1862, while on a visit to Iowa, in the Twentieth lowa Volunteer Infantry, Company H, and served to the close of the war. He partici- pated in the battles of Prairie Grove, Vicks- burg, Fort Morgan, Mobile, Alabama, Blakely and other ininor engagements. He was hon- orably discharged at the close of the war, and returned to Linu County, Iowa, where he lived for four years. Mr. Nelson was married in Linn County, July 4, 1866, to Miss Hattie Gibson, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Gibson, Esq. Re- turning to his native State, Mr. Nelson re- sided there eight years, engaged in farming, and in other work at Hoosac Tunnel. When he came back to Iowa he bonglit eighty acres of land, and as his means increased he added to his farm until he now owns 237 acres; 100 acres are under cultivation, and the remain- der is in pastnre and meadow land. His house is a comfortable story and a half
structure, and his barn and other farm build- ings are well suited to the purpose of stock and grain raising. One of the best springs in the county is on the Nelson farm, and fur- nishes an abundance of water for all purposes. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson: Lindley L., Frank O., Delbert O., Kendall J., Wilber R., Eddie E., Ernest L., Minnie and Myrtle, twin daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics lie is Republican. He is honest and upright in all his dealings, and has the good will of a large circle of acquaintances.
P. HISCOX, a farmer of Cherokee Township, has been identified with the 0 interests of Cherokee County since
1873. He was born in Connecticut, May 10, 1845, and is the son of Lucien and Pearl (Perrin) Hiscox. In 1856 the Hiscox family came to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi River on ice at Dubuque; thence by team they went to Floyd Connty, Iowa, and settled near Charles City. There our subject resided until the breaking out of the late war. Ile was reared to the life of a fariner, and ob- tained his education in the common schools. In December, 1861, he enlisted in the Twelfth United States Infantry, Company C, and served three years. He saw some hard fight- ing, participating in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Gaines's Mill, Malvern Hill. Fair Oaks, and the second battle of Bull Run. He contracted a disease which confined him to the Mcclellan Hospital some time. He was honorably discharged in 1865, and returned to Floyd County, Iowa; thence he removed to Butler County, Iowa, where he was nnited in marriage to Miss Julia Converse, a teacher of considerable ability. She is a daughter
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of Judge Alonzo Converse, senator from Butler County, Iowa, one of the pioneers of that county. Her mother was Polly Need- liam. Judge Converse now lives at Ada, Dakota. Mr. Hiscox owns 220 acres of land which he has improved with good buildings, and all the necessities for carrying on farm- ing. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Bertha, Cora, Arthur and Leora. The father and mother are worthy and re- spected members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hiscox affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He is a man honest and upright in all his dealings, and is well worthy of the confidence and esteem in which he is held in the community in which he lives.
ALEB BUNN .- This enterprising and successful agriculturist, like many of Iowa's substantial citizens, was not born on American soil, but in England. The time of his birth was November 20, 1845, and his parents are James and Mary Ann Bunn. Caleb was fonr years old when the family emigrated to this country and settled in the State of Ohio, in Cuyahoga County ; there they remained six years, and then came to Dn- bnque, Iowa. James Bunn was an expert mechanic, and was the first to invent the ap- paratus now nsed for changing mails on fast trains, but by frand was deprived of the ad- vantage which he should have received from this useful invention. This apparatus was entered at Stationary Hall, England, Novem- ber 20, 1848, but the British Government re- fused to patent it. His son, our subject, lias the original draft of the apparatus in liis pos- session at the present time. Ile also has the contract between his father and the English Government for placing apparatns on the first
line on which it was used in England. Dur- ing the late war Caleb Bunn enlisted in De- cember, 1863, in the First Iowa Cavalry, Company L, and served two years and three months when he was honorably discharged. He returned to his home, and Jannary 16, 1868, he was married in Dubuqne County, Iowa, to Miss Josephine De Long, a daughter of John and Matilda (Kibby) De Long. Mrs. Bun's father was a prominent early settler of Dubnque County; both parents died when she was a child, and she was brought np by David Lovelace, Esq., who was her uncle. In 1871 Mr. Bunn came to Ida County, Iowa, and resided there until 1878, when he located in his present home. He owns 160 acres of land highly cultivated and improved; he de- votes himself to agricultural pursuits excln-
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