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 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

him home to New York. He remained there until " war's shrill alarm" was sounded, and Fort Sumter's guns screamed for help. His blood was fired, and he answered the first call for troops, enlisting at Buffalo, New York, in the Twenty-first New York Volunteer In- fantry ; he was the first man from Tonawanda to enter the service. The command was at- tached to General McDowell's army, and at the first battle of Bull Run was held in re- serve. He participated in the fight at Fal- mouth, Rappahannock Station, Cedar Mount- ain and Sulphur Springs. He was on that memorable retreat when Pope's army was under almost continual fire for eighteen days. At the second Bull Run he was wounded in the arm, both bones being broken; he also received a more troublesome wound in the stomach, a spent ball striking his belt plate, a belt that he had taken the day before from a rebel Sergeant; this knocked him sense- less, and he was afterward captured by a Texas company and held a prisoner from August 30 until September 9. His arm was amputated by an Ohio surgeon, and after being paroled he was sent to the Fairfax Seminary Hospital, where he remained until the middle of October, when he was claimed by friends and taken home. He was dis. charged October 10, 1862. The history of his regiment shows that he was promoted for bravery on the field of Second Bull Run, and after his discharge a Sergeant's commission was sent to him. When he was able to work he was made collector of "canal tolls," and Assistant United States Assessor. He was also engaged in mercantile business at Tona- wanda, where he remained until the fall of 1867. Having a mind of a philosophical and mechanical turn, in the year 1867 he began the manufacture of a barometer and ther- mometer, and other similar instruments; his success was marked and he located in St.

Louis, and thence traveled extensively over the United States. Growing tired of this life he returned to New York, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1884, when he came to Iowa, and secured a tract of land near the one on which he now lives. Mr. Shell was first married at Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1872, to Miss Anna Smith. She died in 1875, and he was united to his present wife June 22, 1884. One child was named Hattie Amelia, four years old. Mrs. Keziah Shell was the widow of George Kent, an early settler of Cherokee County. She and her husband came from Tonawanda, New York, in 1869, and passed throngh mnany trials in the new country. The husband died in 1881, and the inother was called upon to part from her son, Charles Sylvester Kent, under the most painful circumstances. He was out hunting with a neighbor's boy when he dug and ate what he supposed was artichoke, but what was in reality the poisonous wild parsnip; he reached home, but no relief could be given him, and he died in his mother's arms April 2, 1866, aged fourteen years and six months.

S ALATHIEL T. WILLIAMS, one of the most sturdy and highly respected men of Diamond Township, is the subject of this inemoir. Retiring and unassuming in disposition, he stands a splendid example of "middle life " in the cosmopolitan popula- tion of the most excellent county and State. He is a native of the Keystone State, born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Jann- ary 15, 1823. His boyhood was mainly passed in his native county among the hills and dales of that rugged country. Having an observing and analytical mind his atten- tion was drawn to matters of education

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through many struggles and privations he was enabled to attend school until he was ad- vanced far enough himself to teach the "young idea; " for fifteen years his chief occupa- tion was that of the country school-master, being employed in his native State, Ohio, and Illinois. In connection with the duties of a pedagogue he conducted farming operations, and after becoming farther advanced in years he gave up teaching, and devoted himself more fully to agricultural pursuits. Salathiel is the youngest of a family of eleven children, of whom only four remain "to tread life's weary round." The only brother now living is the Rev. William Newton Williams, a re- tired Methodist minister, residing in Dayton, Ohio. The oldest of the family now living is Mrs. Lydia Riggs, who was born with the nineteenth century. The youngest sister, Sarah A. Clark, is now a widow residing in Indianola, Iowa. Having a daughter living in Ida County, lowa, Mr. and Mrs. Williams decided to remove to this part of the country, and accordingly, in 1881, they came to Chero- kee County, and secured the southwest quar- ter of section 27, Diamond Township. This has since been their home and a pleasant one it is. They are surrounded by the little things that make life enjoyable, and having the confidence and esteem of all who know them, they can smoothly float down the " stream of time " unmolested by the petty trials that beset the paths of younger men and women. Mr. and Mrs. Williams joined hands " for weal or woe " May 7, 1851, and have passed nearly forty years of inutual con- fidence and happiness. Mrs. Williams's maiden name was Barbara Dunlevy, and she was born in Washington Connty, Pennsylva- nia, June 14, 1831. Her parents were An- diew and Sarah (Jackman) Dunlevy. Mr. Williams and wife have four children; they were called upon to part with three, two

dying in infancy, and Albert L., in his twenty-first year, just as he was entering the threshold of manhood. Those surviving are: Charles C., Sarah M., Ed C. and Homer. Sarah is now Mrs. Smith; Ed C. is in busi- ness in Sioux City, and Homer is at home. Charlie C., who is the present township clerk, was born March 1, 1852, and now lives on the home farm although he has secured a farm in Diamond Township. His wife, to whom he was wedded February 16, 1882, was Miss Anna McCance, who was born in Stark County, Illinois, February 19, 1859. They have four children: Bernice, Elmer, George and Dollie. Mrs. Williams is a lady of culture and refinement, and certainly pos- sesses in abundance the qualities of mind and heart that make womanhood lovable and attractive.

S. SIMMONS, proprietor of Simmons's livery and veterinary barn, Quimby,

9 Iowa, has the distinction of being the first actual settler in Silver Township, Chero- kee County. He was born in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Jane (Sones) Simmons, na- tives of New York and Pennsylvania respect- ively. Being reared to the occupation of a farmer he followed that pursnit until the breaking out of the late Civil War, when he enlisted in Angust, 1862, in the One Hun- dred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company K. He was in the bat- tles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; in the latter he was wounded by a minie- ball, left on the field for dead, was taken prisoner, and paroled. He was confined for some time to the hospital at Sulphur Springs, Virginia, and afterward went home on a fur- lough. Having rejoined his regiment he

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participated in the battles of Manassas Junc- tion, Catlett's Station, the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, in the last of which he was wounded once in the left foot, and in the calf of the right leg; he was confined for some weeks to the hospitals in Philadelphia and Pittsburg. He again rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburgh, and was in the battle of Hatch's Run in which he was wounded twice, by a ball in the right foot, and a piece of shell in the right thigh. He was again confined to tlie hospital for several weeks, and afterward joined his regiment before Richmond; he was present at the time of Lee's surrender, and participated in the Grand Review at Wash- ington, District of Columbia. Mr. Simmons returned to Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, having served his country valiantly and faith- fully. He was married December 28, 1865, to Miss Mary S. Sperry, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Pennington) Sperry. In 1868 our subject came to Silver Township, and re- sided there from that time until 1887; he im- proved his farin until it stands second to none in the township; his buildings are snb- stantial and convenient structures, and a fine grove adds very much to the beauty of the place. In the autumn of 1887 Mr. Simmons settled in Quimby and embarked in the hotel business; he is doing a profitable business and riclily deserves the liberal patronage which he is receiving. Mr. Simmons built the first livery barn in Quimby; it is well ar- ranged, and generously supplied with good teams, buggies and carriages. He makes a specialty of veterinary work, in which he is very skillful, having had many years of ex- perience in that line of work. His residence is one of the best in the town, and was erected at a cost of $1,500. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Simmons; Harry Pax- ton, Millie Luverne, wife of W. H. Scott; Donzella R., wife of Philip Risling; C. Mer-

cur, Cora Dell, Nellie F. and Mary Belle. Politically Mr. Simmons is a Republican; lie has served his township as trustee, assessor, and is the present justice of the peace. He is a member of General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R., and of Cherokee Lodge, No. 188, I. O. O. F. He is a man of a frank and jovial disposition, ever ready to serve his fel- low-men, and has the confidence and respect of the entire community.

E. BAILEY, farmer and stock-raiser, is one of the men who have seen Cherokee County grow almost from its infancy, having been a resident +here since June 2, 1869. He was born September 19, 1843, at East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, and is the son of E. B. and Lydia Ann (Wells) Bailey. The father is living at the present time in Cherokee County, but the mother died when Mr. Bailey was six days old. He was left to the care of a foster-mothier, his father afterward marrying his mother's sister, Miss Mary Jane Wells. Mr. Bailey lived in Connecticut until he was sixteen years of age, attending the public schools of East Hampton, where his father resided, working at the carpenter's trade. May 1, 1859, he arrived with his father in Clayton County, Iowa, where the family set- tled near McGregor, on a farin of forty acres. With the thrift and economy characteristic of New England people the elder Mr. Bai- ley went to work, and in a few years had added to his tract of land until he had 200 acres of good land. There the son, E. E., labored until he was twenty-one years of age; after he became of age he rented his father's land, paying one-third of the crop for rent. He afterward bought eighty acres, borrowing the purchase money of his father. After

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

much hard work and many discouragements he sold his farm in Clayton County, and with $500 in money and two yoke of oxen started to found a home in Northwestern Iowa, then a wild, uncultivated country. He took a homestead of 160 acres in Willow Township, Cherokee County, and entered forty acres at the same time. His homestead papers are dated at Sioux City, June 4, 1869. He af- terward bought 160 acres in Tilden Township which he traded for 160 acres in Rock Town- ship. This he has recently sold. At the present time he has 332 acres of as fine land as can be found in the borders of Cherokee County. Mr. Bailey was married June 7, 1866, to Miss Harriet Ann Stinar, a danghter of Joseph Lewis and Esther Hetty (Wagner) Stinar. Mrs. Bailey was born in Ohio. Her Grandfather Wagner was the first settler in Wagner Township, Clayton County, the town- ship being named for him. Her father was born in Columbus, Ohio, of French and English origin. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of four children: Lewis Bowen, Arthur Clifton, Ross Winfield and Ernest Earl; besides these children the parents have adopted one child-Hetty Janet Stinar Bailey. Lewis Bowen Bailey was mar- ried February 25, 1887, to Miss Snsan Cath- erine Jenkins, a native of Illinois. One child, Robert Ingersoll Bailey, has been born of this union. At the time of Mr. Bailey's set- tlement in Willow Township not a honse was to be seen in the neighborhood. He relates that at the time of his first coming to his homestead he had some difficulty in finding its location. He traveled in what he sup- posed was the right direction until nightfall when he went into camp, resolving to con- tinne the search the next morning. He af- terward discovered that he had camped on his own land, and his camping ground that

night became the site of his first home. He has bronght his land to a high state of culti- vation, and has built a commodious and com- fortable house, barns, sheds and granaries. The farm is well watered by a stream of liv- ing water. Here Mr. Bailey has made his home since coming to the county, except the years from 1876 to 1883, when he resided in Silver Township, on account of better school facilities. In the early days of his residence in the county Willow Township comprised Grand Meadow, Willow, Silver and Diamond townships. His memory goes back to the days when there were but ten settlers in Sil- ver Township, and two in Grand Meadow. Mr. Bailey has held the office of school direc- tor and assessor of the township. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.

OLMES F. HOFFMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 25, Willow Town- ship, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1881. IIe was born in Tomp- kins County, New York, October 31, 1848, and is the son of Benjamin F. and Susan M. (Snow) Hoffman. His father is of English and Dutch descent, but his ancestors for many generations have lived in America. He is the only child in his father's family, and grew to manhood on the farm his father owned in Tompkins County. He received his educa- tion in the common schools and Ithaca Academy. It was not until January, 1878, that he determined to try his fortunes in the great West; at that time he came to Iowa and settled in Hale Township, Jones County. He lived there but a short time when he re- moved to Cedar County and rented a farın near Clarence. There he remained until the fall of 1879, when he went to Ida County and settled near the present town of Galva. In

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the spring of 1881 he came to Cherokee County, and purchased eighty acres of land in Willow Township, on which he now re- sides. Mr. Hoffman has been successful in his agricultural ventures, and from time to time has added to his land until he now owns 120 acres which have been bronght to an ad- mirable state of cultivation. He has built a neat and comfortable home, and barns and sheds for the care and protection of live-stock and grain. Everything about the Hoffinan farm betokens the careful husbandry and thrift of the owner. Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage September 29, 1870, to Miss Ella P. Lyman, of Berkshire, Tioga County, New York, a daughter of David B. and Caroline (Douglas) Lyman. Her father was born in Berkshire, New York. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoffinan: Edna C. (who died in 1879. in her sixth year), Car- rie L. and Sne M. Mr. Hoffinan is a char- ter member of Alpine Lodge, No. 471, A. F. & A. M., Holstein, Iowa. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.

CLARENCE LITTELL was born near New Providence, New Jersey, March 4, 1858, and is the son of John and Deborah H. Littell, natives of New Jersey and New York respectively, and of English ancestry. He passed his boyhood and youth in the place where he was born, and in 1877 he went to Muskegon, Michigan, and spent nearly two years upon a farm, and was after- ward in the employ of his uncle, S. C. Hall, as foreman of lumber-yard and time-keeper. S. C. Hall, Esq., was the proprietor of a large saw-mill in Muskegon. During the sum- mers of 1885-'86-'87 Mr. Littell was at Manis- tiqne, Michigan, looking after logs for his uncle. In the year 1888, until Decem

ber, he was in the employ of the Hall-Ducey Lumber Company, Minneapolis, devoting a part of his time to work in the retail office, and spending the remainder of his time in attending to the duties of shipper and time- keeper. He made a trip to Muskegon, Michi- gan, in December. 1888, and afterward looked up a location for the lumber business, in which he had determined to embark. He de- cided to settle in Quimby, Iowa, and in Feb- ruary, 1889, he bought out the firm of J. P. Dickey & Co., who owned the first Inm- ber-yard opened in the town. The firm now consists of S. H. and J. C. Littell, and they are doing a good, profitable business, dealing in lath, shingles, moldings, brick, posts, doors, windows, lime, cement, stucco, hair, lumber and coal. During the first six months of their establishment in business in Quimby, Littell Brothers had shipped eighteen car-loads of lumber, three of posts, one of brick and one of lime. They buy their lumber principally in Minneapolis and Dubuque. They have an excellent location near the station on the Dakota & Cherokee Railroad at Quimby, a neat office and excel- lent dry sheds for the storing of their supplies. Mr. J. C. Littell received his education in the common schools of New Jersey, and in the Muskegon High School. He is a member of the Westminster Church (Presbyterian), Minneapolis. The firm of Littell Brothers is composed of men of the right spirit to build up a new town, and Quimby may well congratulate herself. upon the acqui- sition of these gentlemen. J. C. Littell is a Republican, and at one time was deputy col- lector of customs at Port Sherman, Muske- gon, Michigan. Stafford H. Littell, brother of J. C. Littell, whose history is given above, was born near New Providence, New Jersey, July 24, 1854, and there grew to manhood, being reared to the life of a farmer. In the

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spring of 1877 he removed with his parents to Michigan, and settled on a farm twelve miles from Muskegon. There, in company with his father, he had the management of 1,700 acres of land belonging to his uncle, S. C. Hall. He remained there until the fall of 1888, when he went to Muskegon, and in the spring of 1889 he came to Quimby, and entered into partnership with his brother, J. C. Littell, in the lumber business, under the firm name of Littell Brothers, as given above. Mr. Littell was for a time assistant postmas- ter at Ellendor, New Jersey, and at different times held the offices of supervisor, justice of the peace, clerk and treasurer of the town- ship of Eggleston, Michigan. Mr. Littell affil- iates with the Republican party. Since com- ing to Quimby Littell Brothers have erected a fine residence, situated on very attractive grounds. Their grandfather was for inany years surveyor of Union County, New Jersey, and was also the publisher of Littell's Gene- alogies of the Early Settlers of Passaic Val- ley. The old house in which they were born was built by their grandfather, and was also the birthplace of their father. This dwell- ing was burned in 1869. The mother of these two brothers died March 20, 1888. Their father is still living at Muskegon, Michigan. Stafford H. Littell was married September 5, 1889, to Miss Jessie M. Hil- bourn, of Muskegon, Michigan.

ANIEL W. McNEAL, dealer in lumber and coal, Washta, Iowa, was born Feb- rnary 15, 1855, near Ottawa, Illinois, and is the son of William and Lucinda (Fur- row) McNeal. His father was born in Ver- mont, and came at an early day to the State of Illinois. His grandfather, John McNeal, lived and died in Vermont. His mother was

born in Ohio, of German ancestry. Mr. Mc- Neal grew to manhood in his native State, and then came to Cherokee County. He studied law with his half-brother, James O'Donnell, and was the first lawyer admitted to the bar of Cherokee County. This event oc- curred February 13, 1877, Judge C. H. Lewis, now of Sioux City, presiding. The bar of Cherokee at that time consisted of E. C. Her- rick, H. C. Kellogg, J. D. F. Smith, Eugene Cowles, M. Wakefield, P. D. McAndrew, Charles Goldsbnry, E. K. Walbridge and James O'Donnell. The committee that ex- amined Mr. McNeal was made up of the entire bar. He practiced law for three years in Cherokee, and at the expiration of that period he removed to his farm in Willow Township and engaged in agricultural pur- snits, which he followed a number of years. Ile was postmaster of Wendell from 1881 to 1886, he and Charles Foster selecting the name of that office. In 1880 he was census enumerator for the townships of Rock, Til- den, Grand Meadow and Willow; at that time there were only eighty people in Grand Meadow Township. Mr. McNcal with his father owned 760 acres of land, which they improved and brought to a high state of cul- tivation; it is one of the best farms in that section of country, and is well watered by never-failing springs and the picturesque stream of the Little Sioux, offering fine facili- ties for stock-raising. At one time Mr. Mc- Neal was editor and manager of the Cherokee Times. In 1887 he went to Washta and built his residence, and engaged in the busi- ness he is now pursuing. Mr. McNeal was nnited in marriage September 3, 1878, to Miss Jennie Willard, a danghter of Lovell and J. D. (Hobart) Willard. He is a inem- ber of Speculative Lodge No. 307, A. F. & A. M., having been made a Mason in All- gust, 1879. He is also a member of the

your faith Fully HamEs Henderson

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

Governor's staff, with the rank of Lieutenant- Colonel, receiving this appointment from Governor Larrabee in the winter of 1888. In 1876-'77 he was deputy clerk of the courts of Cherokee County under Oscar Chase, Esq. The confidence of his neighbors is shown by his being selected to fill inany local offices in Willow Township, and also in the town of Cherokee. He is the present township clerk. Mr. McNeal received his education at Lom- bard College, Galesburg, Illinois. The mental discipline he received there together with his legal studies have well fitted him for the ex- tensive business which he has carried on since his residence in the county. Besides his many acquired talents Mr. McNeal is a gen- ial, whole-souled gentleman, who has the re- spect and confidence of the entire community in which he lives. His father died May 29, 1883, and his mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. McNeal are the parents of three chil- dren: Clara W., Florence L. and William L.

AMES HENDERSON, one of the early settlers of Cherokee County, has been a hard-working, enterprising citizen, who has made life a success, and has a place in the memory and hearts of his fellow-citizens in the same degree as his brother, Hon. D. B. Henderson, Congressinan from Iowa, who is highly esteemed by every loyal and liberty- loving citizen of the State which he so ably represents in the House of Representatives at Washington. James Henderson, who is fre- quently styled in political parlance "Honest Jimmy Henderson," on account of his strength of character and integrity, both in public and private dealing, is a native of Scotland, born in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, September 18, 1819. He is a son of Thomas and Barbara (Legg) Henderson, who emigrated to the

United States and located on a farm in Fay- ette County, Iowa, where they spent the re- mainder of their days. The husband died at the age of seventy-five years, and the wife at eighty-five years. Of their nine children James is the oldest; there were seven sons and two daughters, and the sons still survive. The Hon. D. B. Henderson, of Dnbuque, lowa, Member of Congress, is the youngest son. James passed his youthful days at a parish school in Scotland, beginning his studies when eight years old, and quitting the school-room at the age of sixteen years, when he commenced to learn the harness- maker's trade; he served an apprenticeship of five years under John Craig, with whom he formed a partnership which continued another five years. During that period Mr. Henderson was betrothed to Miss Joan Whyte, to whom he was afterward married. Mrs. Henderson was born in Peterhead, Scot- land, and is the daughter of a shipmaster. After his marriage, our esteemned subject continued at his trade until 1848, when he conceived of a bright future for himself and wife in free America, to which land his par- ents had emigrated five years previous. They sailed from Liverpool and were on the great ocean six long weeks. On their arrival at New York they took what was then an im- proved mnode of travel, the Erie Canal, and came via the Great Lakes to Chicago, where Mr. Henderson's brother George met them and helped load their effects on a wagon and hauled them 100 miles into the country. They located at Janesville, Wisconsin, where Mr. Henderson worked at his trade five years; he then removed to Clayton County, Iowa, where he entered eighty acres of land and purchased eighty acres more adjoining, on time at ten per cent. interest, which he bought from a man named Colonel Sanford, of Dubuque, Iowa, taking a bond for a deed.

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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