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 56
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Lewis, a native of Chenango County, New York. Our subject lived in Scranton, Penn- sylvania, until 1875, when he decided to emi- grate to the West. He first settled in Cedar Township, Cherokee County, Iowa, and in 1887 came on hiis present farm. This land had been improved by John Lovin, and con- tained 160 acres of as good land as can be found in the county. There is a good frame residence, and a barn well adapted to the care and protection of live-stock. The indications are that prosperity has attended the efforts of the proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have had born to them four children: Ed Warner, George Oliver, Harvey Norman and Myrtle Agnes. Mr. Weaver is a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party. He is a man of excellent business habits, and has the esteem and confidence of the residents of the community.
S. WARREN .- This solid and reliable farmer has long been prominently iden- tified with the interests of Cherokee Connty, his residence there beginning in 1868. He was born in Canada, October 1, 1834, and is a son of H. F. Warren, also a native of Canada, and of Scotch ancestry. His mother was Nancy Stoutenburg, of Ger- man descent. When N. S. was three years old his parents removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, where he lived until he was six- teen years old. He was early accustomed to the hardships of a pioneer farmer's life, and received only the meager advantages afforded by the common schools of that day. At the age of sixteen years he removed to Northern Indiana. In 1859 he was seized with the California fever, and made the trip there, go- ing via the Isthmus of Panama. He re- mained there four years engaged in the all-
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absorbing pursuit of mining. He returned to Newton, Indiana, where he resided one year, and then removed to Dubuque County, Iowa, where he was employed as a salesman of a road wagon until 1868; he then located in Cherokee County, taking a homestead of 160 acres in Cedar Township. He was one of the first settlers there, and continued to live there until 1883, when he sold his farm and bought his present place, which was partly improved by G. W. Alexander. Mr. Warren's farm now contains 340 acres of fine soil, and most excellent improvements in the way of buildings. He was married in 1856, in Indiana, to Elizabeth Board. By this union one son, William, was born; he now resides in Montana. After the death of his first wife he was married again in Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1865, to Miss Jennie Morrison, a native of Essex County, New York, and a daughter of Bradley Morrison, Esq. Nine children have been born of this marriage: Erminie, Charles, Nellie, Frazier, Hattie, Eddie, Harvey, Henry and Vere Ken- neth. Mr. Warren is a stanch supporter of the issues of the Democratic party. He has served as connty supervisor with much credit to himself and the best interests of his party. He is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M .; of Burning Bush Chap- ter, No. 90, R. A. M. He is a man yet in the prime of life, and is highly esteemed by his neighbors and friends.
LMER E. MARTIN, proprietor of the furniture and undertaking establish- ment of Marcus, Iowa, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, January 13, 1862, and is the son of Moses D. and Burella J. (Pad- dock) Martin. The father was born in Can- ada, and the mother was a native of Indiana.
When Elmer was an infant they removed to Lee County, Illinois, and there he passed his early life, attending the graded schools of Ashton. At the age of sixteen years he de- cided to try his fortunes away from home and among strangers. Accordingly he went to Chicago to make the start. When he ar- rived there he had seven cents cash capital, but what is sometimes better, plenty of grit. Before he had been there two hours he had secured a position in Rockford, Illinois. He was first engaged in a cracker factory, then in a drug store, then as clerk in a crockery store, where he remained several months. He then returned to the drug business, which he followed until he came to Iowa. In 1876 the family removed to Winnebago County, Illinois, and the parents still reside there. The year 1883 was spent in the Normal School at Dixon, Illinois, by our subject, and in the spring of 1882 he came to Iowa, locating in Marcus Township, Cherokee County. He was employed on the farm of his grandfather, Riley Paddock. Mr. Pad- dock was a large real-estate owner, and his death occurred in 1886. Mr. Martin was engaged by the month the first year. and the second year he rented the farm with one of his brothers. The next year his father joined him and remained two years, after which he farmed alone for three years. In March, 1888, Mr. Martin disposed of his farming interests and came to Marcus; there he pur- chased the furniture stock of I. C. Thomp- son, which was valued at $1,900. He has increased it to $3,000, and carries a full line of choice goods. He has exclusive control of the undertaking business and is well pre- pared to meet any demands in that direction. He is a live, energetic young man, and forms a profitable acquisition to the business cir- cles of Marens. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in
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the welfare of his party. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., occupying the chair of foreman, which is next to the highest posi- tion in the order; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Martin was married October 2. 1884, to Miss Cora N. Over, a daughter of Levi and Ann L. Over. Mrs. Martin was born in the State of Pennsyl- vania, November 24, 1861. They are the parents of two children: Dale and Gladys.
- EORGE WARD, a farmer of Amherst Township, has been prominently identi- fied with the history of Cherokee County since 1871. He was born in Gore, Toronto, Canada, November 13, 1838, and is the son of George and Ann (Wilson) Ward, natives of England. He is the third of a family of twelve children, and grew to manhood in his native land. He was married September 10, 1861, to Miss Sarah Barr, a daughter of David and Sarah Barr, and a native of Ire- land. After his marriage Mr. Ward re- mained in Canada until abont the year 1868, when he removed to Jackson County, Iowa. There he resided until he came to Cherokee County in 1871. He purchased a raw tract of eighty acres in Amherst Township, which he has improved and to which he has made additions as his means would permit, until he now owns 240 acres in one body. Through his efforts this has been bronght under good cultivation and is considered as fertile land as lies within the borders of Cherokee County. On first coming to the county Mr. Ward erected a small house which served as a resi- dence until 1881, when he built a large, fine house. of a modern plan, which makes a most omfortable and delightful home. He has also built barns and granaries, and has bean- tified his surroundings by planting a grove.
He has everything in the way of modern im- provements in farming implements, and car- ries on his business in a thorough, energetic style. That prosperity has attended his way is evident by taking a look at his possessions. He had much with which to contend during his early residence in the county, in the way of blizzards, grasshoppers, etc., but he faced all these discouragements bravely, and is now reaping his reward. Mr. Ward casts his political suffrage with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in its success. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. They have had four children born to them: Anna, wife of Benja- min Radcliffe; Maggie J., wife of Andrew Rae; Mary E. and David W., at home.
B ENJAMIN RADCLIFFE, attorney at law, Marcus, Iowa, is a native of Liver- pool, England. He was born April 15, 1852, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Noble) Radcliffe. They were the parents of eleven children, Benjamin, Jr., being the second. In 1856 they emigrated to America, believing that their children would have bet- ter opportunities to make homes for them- selves. They settled in Portage County, Wisconsin, on a farmn; this was a new occul- pation for Mr. Radcliffe, Sr., but there he lived and reared his family, training his sons to agricultural parsnits. Benjamin, Jr., at- tended the district schools in the neighbor- hood three months during the winter each year, until he reached his fourteenthi year; he afterward attended a graded school for a short time, and in 1869, in his eighteenth year, he began teaching school. He followed this profession during the winter months, and in the summer-time worked in a saw-mill and did rafting on the river. In 1879 Mr.
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Radcliffe began giving some attention to the study of law, but it was not until 1882 that he devoted his entire time to its study. He is now the only attorney at Marcus, and has built up a good practice. It was in the spring of 1878 that he came to Cherokee County, and in the spring of 1879 he was engaged to teach the Marcus public school. He continued to fill this position until 1882, excepting the summer term of 1880. when he was a student at Ames Agricultural Col- lege. After he abandoned teaching as a pro- fession he turned his attention to the practice of law. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1884, and served in that office until March, 1889, when he resigned. He is a stanch Republican, and does all that he can to promote the interests of his party. Mr. Radcliffe was united in marriage, December 14, 1881, to Miss Anna Ward, the oldest daughter of George and Sarah Ward, resi- dents of Amherst Township. She was born July 12, 1862. Three children have been born of this union: Lewis H., Clarence O. and Lawrence W. Mr. Radcliffe is an ener- getic young man, and is considered one of the rising attorneys of Western Iowa.
A. LEWIS is the editor and proprietor of the Marcus News, one of the neatest and newsiest sheets issued in North- western Iowa outside of a county seat. He has one of the best equipped offices in the county, of which he has had control for the past six years. J. A. Parks was the founder of the News, and after it was established he disposed of it to B. Radcliffe, but after a short time F. A. Lewis purchased it, sold out and re- purchased the paper and has since conducted it. Mr. Lewis made his initial step in journal- ism in the office of the Dodgeville (Wisconsin)
Chronicle, where he served an apprenticeship of three years. In 1886 he founded the Dar- lington Register, at. Darlington, Wisconsin. He came to Marcus from Idaho in 1884, al- most penniless; by close application to his profession, and through his ability as a jour- nalist, he has made rapid strides, and is comfortably situated. Mr. Lewis was born at Montfort, Wisconsin, in 1859. He was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Watt, of Marcus, July 22, 1887. One child was born to them-a boy, and by name Clande W. Lewis.
M. BARR, dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, Marcus, Iowa, was born in Dundee, Canada, June 29, 1847. He is the son of David and Sarah (Mulholland) Barr, natives of Londonderry, Ireland, although of Scotch descent. The parents emigrated to Canada in 1845, where the father died at the age of eighty-one years; the mother still survives, and makes her home in Perth County, Canada. G. M. was one of a family of eight children, and was reared to farm life. Not content with the quiet sur- roundings in which he was born, in 1869 he and two brothers took a trip to California; there he engaged in operating a shingle mill, acting as foreman for four years, at the end of which time he returned to Canada. In 1871, through George Ward, he had purchased 120 acres of land in Amherst Township, Cherokee County, and in the spring of 1874 he settled on this land, which he has since made his home until coming to Marcus. The land was wild and uncultivated, but he set abont the task of clearing it, and making many improve- ments. On coming to Marcus Mr. Barr em- barked in the clothing business, and carries a full line of gents' furnishing goods, boots,
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shoes, etc. His stock is worth $5,000, and his sales are about $10,000 annually. Aside from this he also does auctioneering, travers- ing a wide section of country; being one of the best auctioneers in Western Iowa his services are in good demand. Mr. Barr is a man that takes an active interest in the up- building of Christianity, and is one of the main supporters of the Methodist Episcopal
the trustees, and is also steward of the church ; his wife cordially seconds all his efforts in this direction, being a member of the same society. Politically he is a stanch Republi- can, and is a strong advocate of Prohibition. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 233, and of the Modern Woodmen of Marcus, being a charter member of both organizations. Mr. Barr was married September 20, 1876, to Miss Maggie R. Ward, a daughter of George and Aun Ward, natives of England. Mrs. Barr was born in Canada, April 5, 1857. Five children have been born of this union: Robert D., born July 15, 1877; Sadie A., born December 1, 1878; Anna Maud, born September 20, 1881; Pearl W., born June 4, 18-, and Leslie G., born September 3, 18-, (deceased).
B. NELSON was born in Sweden, January 23, 1840, and is the son of S. and Christina Nelson. He is the third of a family of nine children, and remained in his native country until he was fourteen years of age. He then determined to see the New World, and to seek the fortune it might hold in store for him. Accordingly he bade fare- well to his friends and home, and embarked for America. After landing he continued his jonrney westward and located in Moline, Illinois, where he remained one winter. In
the spring of 1855 he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and there he made his home for five years, engaging as a clerk in a grocery store. Desirous of seeing yet more of this country, in 1859 he took a trip to Pike's Peak and did not return for two years. He then caine back to Moline, Illinois, and in a short time removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin. When the great Rebellion broke out, Mr. Church at Marcus. He is at present one of Nelson was not slow to go to the defense of lis adopted nation; lie enlisted in the First Wisconsin Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He fought in several bat- tles, the mnost noted being Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. He enlisted as a private, but was discharged with the title of Corporal. After the declaration of peace he settled at Hinsdale, Illinois, and resided there six years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1877 Mr. Nelson removed to the State of Iowa, and settled in Cherokee County; he purchased eighty acres of land in Amherst Township; this was a wild, uncultivated tract, and atter he had partially improved it he disposed of it and came to Marcus. Since that time he has been engaged in handling agricultural imple- ments, buggies and carriages. He keeps a full line of this stock of goods and is doing a thriving business. He has also opened a livery barn, which is one of the finest in the county. He is a live, enterprising man, and has probably done as much as any man to develop the resources and advance the inter- ests of the county. When he came to this country he was destitute of funds, but through diligence and perseverance he has amassed a competence, which he devotes to the comfort and happiness of his family. Mr. Nelson was united in marriage December 6, 1862, to Miss Josephine Peterson, who was born in Sweden, October 6, 1840. They have a family of six children living and three de- ceased: Matilda (deceased), Alfred, Aton,
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Amanda, Ella (deceased), Lewis, Ella, Charles, and Josephine (deceased). The parents are wor- thy members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Nelson is a stanch Republican, and has been called to fill some of the township offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the A. O. U. W.
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MUELLER, Physician and Surgeon, Marcus, Iowa, was born in the Rhine Province, Germany, October 21, 1844. He is the son of Adam and Maggie (Dick) Mueller, and is the third of a family of eight children, being the only one residing in America. He was reared and educated in his native country; at the age of eleven years he entered college in his native town of Trier, where he remained four years; he then en- tered the college at Cologne, and took a four years' course, graduating in 1863. He then went to Leipsic and took a course in music, after which he went to Giessen, Hesse Darin- stadt, and began the study of the philosophy of medicine. In 1866 he entered the Uni- versity at Bonn; the same year the school was broken up by the war between Anstria and Prussia; he entered the service as assist- ant in the hospital from June until the au- tumn of 1867, and then returned to the University; he continued his studies until 1870, when the war between France and Pris- sia broke out; after having passed an exami- nation before a State Board he again entered the Government service as a physician; he continued to perform his duty faithfully until 1876, when he gained permission to emigrate to America. He bade farewell to his native land, sailed away, and landed in this country September 14, 1876. He made a short stay in Washington, District of Columbia, visit- ing his old friend, the Hon. Carl Schurz. He
then came to Dubuque, Iowa, and there en- gaged in the practice of his profession for two years. He removed at the expiration of that time to Des Moines, and practiced there two years. Previous to his locating in Des Moines he spent three months in Memphis, Tennessee, during the yellow-fever scourge. He did valiant service, assisting the faithful Sisters in their good work. After leaving Des Moines Dr. Mueller removed to Cedar County, Nebraska, an I after six months re- turned to Iowa and settled in Rock Valley. In one year he went to Alton, Iowa, and in a short time he came to Marcus, his present home. He has built up an extensive and profitable practice, and is one of the most favorably and widely known physicians in the county. He makes a specialty of women's and children's diseases, but prefers surgery to any other branch of his profession. Politi- cally Dr. Mneller is liberal in his views. He was married in March, 1881, to Miss Marga- ret Kindle, who was born in Coblentz, Ger- many, in 1850. They are the parents of two children, both deceased. They are worthy and faitlifnl members of the Roman Catholic Church, and are among the most liiglily re- spected citizens of the community.
H. CLOW, a representative farmer of Pilot Township, has been a resi-
0 dent of Cherokee County since 1872. He was born in Wayne County, New York, November 18, 1840, and is a son of John HI. Clow, of Pilot Township, who was born in Scotland in 1818. John II. Clow was a son of Robert Clow, and he emigrated from his native land in 1837 to try his fortunes in the New World; lie settled in the State of New York and was there married to Mary Blanch- ard, who was born in Oneida County, New
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York, in 1822. They lived in the State of New York until 1852, when they removed to Will County, Illinois; there the family con- tinued to reside until 1882 when they came to Cherokee County. The father settled on section 8, Pilot Township, and there im- proved a fine farm of 100 acres. He and his wife had born to them seven children. Laura, wife of Thomas Dewar, of section 7, Pilot Township; Benjamin, living on section 20, Pilot Township, and W. H. are the only chil- dren living. W. H. Clow, the subject of this notice, was brought up on a farm, and was trained to the dnties of tliat occupation; he received the advantages afforded by the com_ mon schools of his day. He was married in Will County, Illinois, March 22, 1866, to Miss Rosamond Derby, a native of De Kalb County, Illinois. Five children have been born of this union: Maryetta, wife of Mr. Welch, section 5, Pilot Township; Jerome II., Grace D., Gertrude and Frank K. Mr. Clow owns 140 acres of well-improved land in Pilot Township; he has a good residence, and other substantial farm buildings. In politics he is a stanch Republican. In 1885 he was elected assessor, serving two years; he was re-elected in 1889, and has acquitted himself with honor and credit. By honest and up- right dealing Mr. Clow has won the con- fidence and respect of a large circle of friends.
ATHANIEL BUTTERFIELD, an ag- riculturist of Pilot Township, has lived in Cherokee County since 1872. He is a native of the Hoosier State, born in War- ren County, October 16, 1832, and is a son of Judge Nathaniel Butterfield, who was born at Clyde, New York, and was one of the first settlers of Warren County. He was elected judge of his county, and served three terms;
he represented his district in the Legislature, exhibiting much ability in that line of work. In 1845 he removed to Iowa County, Wis- consin, where he took an active part in poli- tics; he served as chairman of the Board of Supervisors in that county for many years. The mother of Nathaniel Butterfield, Jr., was Betsey Campbell, a native of the State of New York; she died in Warren County, Indiana, and her husband died in Iowa County, Wis- consin. Nathaniel, Jr., was thirteen years old when his father moved to Iowa County, Wis- consin; he was reared to farm life, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. He was married in Iowa Connty, Wisconsin, at the age of twenty years, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Coon, a nativeof Ohio, although reared in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. She is a danghter of George and Elizabeth (North) Coon. Mr. Butterfield lived in Iowa County until 1868, when he removed to Madison County, Iowa; there he resided four years, and at the end of that period he settled in Afton Township, Cherokee County, three and a half miles north of Aurelia; he made his home there for nine years, and then removed to Pilot Township. For many years his prin- ciples in politics were represented by the Re- publican party, but in later years he became a member of the Greenback party. He is frank and jovial in disposition, strictly hon- orable in business, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield are the parents of eight children: Emily Jane, George, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Walt-r Scott, Olive, John and Irene.
OHN T. SONES, a farmer of Pilot Town- ship, has been a resident of Cherokee County since July 10, 1869. He was born in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, July
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15, 1845, and is a son of Isaac and Matilda (Younger) Sones, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and received a limited education in the public schools. During the late Rebellion Mr. Sones was found willing and anxious to go to the defense of the old flag; he enlisted in June, 1864, in the Nineteenthi Pennsylvania Cav- alry, Company L, and took part in the battle of Nashville, where he was wounded in the hip, on account of which he was confined to the hospital for two weeks. He was honor- ably discharged in June, 1865, when he re- turned to his native county. A year later he located in Lewisburgh, Pennsylvania, resid- ing there one year. In 1867 he removed to Lee County, Illinois, where he remained two yeare. At the expiration of that time he came to Cherokee County and took a home- stead of eiglity acres which he has since made his home. As is the habit of Cherokee County farmers, he has placed his land in an advanced state of cultivation, and has made other improvements. Mr. Sones was married in Lee County, Illinois, June 19, 1869, to Miss Ellen Gee, who was born in Ohio, and reared in Lee County, Illinois. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living: Lilly Rosetta, in her sixteenth year, and Bert, in his eleventh year; George died at the age of twelve years, and Alva at the age of seven years. In politics Mr. Sones stands with the Republicans. He is a mem- ber of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R.
ACOB LAUER is one of the well-known early settlers of the county, having set- tled in Pilot Township in 1867. He was born in Miami County, Ohio, ten miles northwest of Troy, May 14, 1839. His father,
Joseph Lauer, was a native of Germany; he was left an orphan at an early age, and was brought to Pennsylvania in his youth, and grew to manhood in that State; he was mar- ried to Catherine Smith, a native of Germany, who was also reared in Pennsylvania. She died in Sacramento, California. Joseph Lauer is still living in Oregon at the advanced age of ninety years. Jacob Lauer passed the first ten years of his life in his native county. The family then removed to Mitchell County, Iowa, where he lived until 1866. Not being thoroughly satisfied with his location he took a trip through Missouri, Kansas and Col- orado, and spent the winter of 1866 in Conn- cil Bluffs. In the spring of 1867 he took a homestead of eighty acres on which he now resides; he owns 216 acres upon which he has made many improvements; he has a com- fortable residence, a good barn, and a fine grove; he devotes himself to general farın- ing. Mr. Lauer was married January 28, 1863, to Miss Anna Maria Molyneux, a dangh- ter of Henry Molyneux, one of the early set- tlers of the county. By this union were born ten children: Ellis C., Anna E., Charles, Robert, Henry J., Jacob and Cora are living; Freddie, Dora and an infant are deceased. Mr. Lauer is a stanch adherent to the princi- ples of the Republican party. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the most respected residents of the county.
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