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 57
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ATHANIEL W. WILSON, a much-re- spected citizen of Tilden Township, is a native of the Hoosier State, born July 12, 1835, in Hamilton County. He is the youngest of thirteen children of Samuel and Ruth (Thornburgh) Wilson, natives of North Carolina, and grew to manhood in the
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connty in which he was born. When he had attained his majority lie began farming for himself in Hamilton County, and remained there until 1864. In the year 1859, Sep- tember 7, Nathan W. Wilson was united in marriage to Anna Clayton, daughter of Evan and Mary (Mills) Clayton, natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. Mrs. Wil- son was born in Hamilton County, Indiana, January 9, 1842. Eleven children have been born of this union: Asenatlı C., wife of James Andrews, was born May 3, 1860; Milton L. was born February 26, 1862, and died May 20, 1862; Andrew F., born Je- cember 25, 1863; Alvin E., born May 13, 1866; Mary A., born April 2, 1868, died February 6, 1885; Sarah A., born Sep- tember 10, 1869; Albert C., born January 17, 1873; Emma, born September 30, 1874; Martha E., born May 8, 1876; Ida M., born Angust 7, 1878; and Bertha A., born April 19, 1880. In 1864 Mr. Wilson removed his family to Leavenworth, Kansas, and remained there until 1876, when he came to Iowa, and located in Marshall County; after three years had gone by he went to Grundy County, Iowa, and made his home there until 1884, when he came to Cherokee County. He owns a farm of 320 acres in Tilden Township which he had purchased in 1882; it was a raw tract of unimproved land, and through Mr. Wilson's efforts it has been brought un- der cultivation. The first residence he erected was blown away in a cyclone June 14, 1865, and he rebuilt upon the same foundation, ex- cepting the kitchen, which he enlarged. Ile has also erected the best buildings for stock and grain, and has planted six acres of grove. In a few short years he has done much to im- prove the township, and is well worthy of the esteem and honor in which he is held by a wide circle of acquaintances. Mr. Wilson devotes his time and attention to farming,
stock-raising and shipping, and takes a pride in the propagation of the better grades of live-stock. Politically lie affiliates with tlie Republican party, and is the present trustee of Tilden Township. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends. He has been ably assisted in all his labors by his wife, a woman of ability, and their efforts have been amply rewarded, in the peace and plenty that they now enjoy.
E. SIMONS, an enterprising and progressive fariner of Tilden Town- ship, was born in Iowa County, Wisconsin, August 4, 1851, and is the son of William and Julia (Sieley) Simons. He is the oldest of a family of twelve children, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He obtained liis education in the district schools, which afforded rather meager advantages il those early days. After he had attained his majority he spent one year in the pineries of Wisconsin, and then returned to his old neighborhood and rented a farm, on which he lived for two years. In 1876 he came to Iowa and located in Cherokee County. He rented a farın in Sheridan Township for one year. and then removed to Tilden Township, where he bought 160 acres of raw prairie land. The same spring he erected a small residence and began life in earnest. His nearest neighbor was two miles away, and they were few even at that distance, there being only eighteen families in the township at that time. He was in the county two years before he had any grain for market, on account of the grasshoppers, and one with less pluck and energy would have been dis- couraged with this unfortunate beginning. Nothing daunted, however, he persevered, and in 1880 he was enabled to make an addi-
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tional purchase of eighty acres of land in Tilden Township. He has made many valua- ble improvements; in 1886 he erected a fine two-story residence, and in 1887 a commodi- ous barn, admirably adapted to all require- ments of a stock and grain farm. When one considers that Mr. Simons started with noth- ing bnt a determination to succeed, and then views all that he has accomplished, he is im- pelled to offer his hearty congratulations and best wishes. March 19, 1874, occurred the marriage of W. E. Simons and Miss Anna Chenhill, a daughter of Stephen and Jane (Truran) Chenhill. She was born in Wis- consin, June 20, 1854. They are the parents of six children: Engene, Myra, Melville, Ross, Mirrell and Carrie. Mr. Simons is a firm believer in the principles of the Green- back party, but now casts his vote with the Democratic party. He was elected assessor of Tilden Township in November, 1888, and has served as trustee for nine years. During 1881 he filled the office of secretary of the School Board very acceptably.
ZEKIEL L. WILSON, a highly es- teemed farmer of Tilden Township, Cherokee County, was born in Ran- dolph County, North Carolina, October 13, 1825. When he was four years old his par- ents, Samuel and Ruth (Thornburgh) Wil- son, also natives of North Carolina, removed to Indiana, and settled near Richmond, Wayne County. They remained there five years, and then went to Hamilton County. Indiana, where our subject grew to manhood, He was reared to the life of a farmer, and enjoyed the advantages afforded by the old. style district school. He did not go out from the protecting shelter of the parental roof nutil he was twenty-six years old, but
continued to work on his father's farm; after he was twenty-one he shared the crops with his father. Mr. Wilson was married in his twenty-sixth year, April 4, 1853, to Naomi H. Stanley, daughter of Abel and Rachel (Rayl) Stanley. She was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, August 14, 1819, and was reared in Hendricks County, Indiana. They are the parents of fonr children; two died in infancy. Nathan was born December 20, 1856; he is the present justice of the peace in Tilden Township, and was married to Anna. Hisey, a native of Ohio. Sylvanns C. was born March 15, 1859, and is living at home, having lacked one year of finishing his course at college. After his marriage Mr. Wilson continued to live in Hamilton County nntil 1864, when he decided to go still farther west, and came to Iowa, settling in Marshall County. There he inade his home nntil 1883, when he came to Cherokee County and settled on his farm in Tilden Township. This place contains 240 acres, fifty of which had been broken, but aside from this there were no improvements. Mr. Wilson at once erected a small house, in which the family lived while the main por- tion of their present roomy dwelling was being built. He has also built a barn and sheds for the protection of live-stock, and granaries. His farm buildings are as fine as any in the county, and he has brought his land to an advanced state of cultivation. He has planted three acres of grove, which adds very inch to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. He occupies his time exclusively in farming and stock-raising, and takes an active interest in the propagation of the bet- ter grades of stock, his preference being for short-horn cattle. However, Mr. Wilson has not stood alone, but has had the assistance of a helpful, sympathetic wife in all his strug- gles. It would seem that our subject was
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born to be a pioneer. He assisted his father to clear a farm in Indiana, and afterward cleared one for himself in the same State; he then came to Iowa, and has opened up two farms since coming here, one of 116 acres in Marshall County, and his present place of abode. He afterward bought fifty acres that were improved. Politically he is an active worker in the Republican ranks. He has served as school director, and filled the office very acceptably. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and are among the most highly respected people in the county.
ORACE M. FERRIN, farmer and stock- raiser, of Tilden Township, was born in Carroll County, Illinois, March 27, 1848. He is the son of Josepli and Elizabeth (Preston) Ferrin, natives of Vermont and Massachusetts respectively. Horace M. is the fourth child of a family of fifteen. He devcted his earlier years to assisting his father on the farm and in acquiring an edu- cation. When he had attained his majority he rented land on his own responsibility, and also operated his father's farm until 1881, when he migrated to Iowa and settled on land which he had purchased in 1877. There were 160 acres of wild prairie, and he has since added eighty acres adjoining. He has devoted his whole time and attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, and to-day it is one of the best in the township. In 1882 Mr. Ferrin erected a neat and sub- stantial residence, and in 1888 lie built a fine commodious barn, affording ample ac- commodations for the care and protection of live-stock and storage for grain and hay. He has a complete system of water-works, fur- nishing an abundant supply for all purposes.
He has further added to the value of his farın by planting a grove of five acres. One less thrifty and energetic than our worthy subject would not in the few short years have brought around him so many comforts and conveniences. During lris residence in the county he has done much for the general welfare, and has won a wide circle of friends. Politically he is of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in the success of the same. In January, 1889, he was appointed to fill the vacancy on the County Board of Supervisors, and is the present township clerk, this being liis second term; he has been president of the School Board for six years, and has ever given satisfaction in the discharge of his duties. He is a member of Seba Lodge, No. 463, A. F. & A. M., and of tlie A. O. U. W. Mr. Ferrin was united in marriage November 23, 1873, to Miss Viola Cummings, a dangliter of Reuel and Helen (Bibbins) Cummings. She was born March 16, 1856, in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. They are the parents of four children: Reuel V., born February 20, 1875; Winnie A., born April 27, 1877; Josepli F., born February 3, 1879, and Amos G., born November 20, 1885.
LBERT J. CUSHMAN was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, August 21, 1847, and is the son of Charles and Laura (Rice) Cushman, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. The father died in Trumbull County in 1855 at the age of forty- one years; the mother still lives with her son, Albert J., at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of three chil- dren: Albert J., the subject of this notice; Lucy, deceased in infancy, and Mary, the wife of J. D. Perkins, residing in Nebraska. Al- bert J. grew to manhood in the county in
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which he was born, and obtained his educa- tion in the common schools and an academy. When he had reached man's estate and was starting out for himself, he determined to seek his fortune in new and untried fields. Accordingly, he removed to Iowa and settled in Cedar County, where he remained five years. September 2, 1872, he came to Chero- kee County, and purchased 120 acres of land in Amherst Township. The year before he had spent six weeks in the county, and was familiar with the lay of the land. He first erected a small house of three rooms, which he has since enlarged to one of the best farmn residences in the township. The land was raw prairie, and the task of reclaiming it from nature's wildness was no light one. In addition to the usual drawbacks and hard- ships there were grasshoppers for five years, a trial great enough to weaken the stoutest heart. Fuel was hauled a distance of sixteen miles, which when secured was the poorest kind, being cottonwood brush; however, they were glad to get even that. Facing one trial bravely gave courage for the next, and thus they persevered, and to-day they have their reward. The Cushman farm consists of 240 acres under good cultivation, with the best improvements. Mr. Cushman is a conspicu- ons figure in the politics of the township, affiliating with the Republican party. For seventeen years he has held the office of sec- retary of the School Board, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the school work. He has also held the office of trustee. In early days, with the hospitality characteristic of the pioneer, he would throw open his house for political caucuses, and made every effort to forward his party's inter- ests. Mr. Cushman was married February 14, 1883, to Miss Lizzie Arnold, a daughter of F. D. and Mary (Lehman) Arnold, now residents of Amherst Township. Mrs. Cush-
man was born in Defiance County, Ohio, September 30, 1862. Four children have been born of this union: Arthur G., Edith M., Laura B. and Charles F. Mrs. Cushman is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cushman is one of the originators of the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Marcus, and also assisted in the organization of the Western Cherokee Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, of Marcus, Iowa.
F. COBURN, an enterprising and suc- cessful farmer of Tilden Township, was born in Boone County, Illinois, May 12, 1856. He is a son of A. and Mary (Wright) Coburn, natives of Androscoggin County, Maine, and it was in this county, amid the scenes of the childhood of his father and mother, that he also grew to man- hood. At the age of eight years he was taken back to the State of Maine, and there he remained until his eighteenth year, being trained to the occupation of a farmer, and re- ceiving his education in the common schools. In 1874 he was seized with the Western fever, and made a trip to Iowa, where he spent four years working by the month on a farm. At the expiration of that period he came to Cherokee County and purchased 160 acres of land in Tilden Township. There he began life in a dng-out, all alone, which is evidence abundant of his pluck and grit; he had few neighbors, and the country being new he necessarily encountered many hard- ships. But he faced all of these drawbacks bravely, and is now reaping the reward of his industry. As his means would permit he made further investments in land, and to-day owns 200 acres in an advanced state of culti- vation, and improved with excellent build-
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ings. Mr. Coburn has felt that duty shared by so many prairie farmers, and has planted four acres of beautiful grove. Although a young man he has already attained an un- questionable position in the county, both from a social and financial standpoint. Po- litically he is one of the most zealous work- ers in the Republican party. He devotes his time exclusively to farming and dealing in live-stock, being one of the extensive ship- pers in the township. Mr. Coburn was united in marriage November 9, 1879, to Miss Mary Coburn, a daughter of Albert and Eliz- abeth Coburn, born in the State of New York, June 13, 1856. Her mother's maiden name was Pettingill. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coburn: Arthur A., John W., Pearlie E. and Alvin G. Mrs. Coburn is an active worker and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ILLIAM P. SMITH has lived from his boyhood in Cherokee County. June 15, 1854, he was born in Onta- rio, Canada, a son of Matthias and Ruth (Christy) Smith. In his early childhood his parents removed to De Kalb County, Illinois, where they spent ten years, and then removed to Lake City, Iowa; there they remained only one sminer, and in October, 1869, they came to Cherokee County and located a claim on what is now known as Amherst Township, section 22. William P. spent his youth in assisting his father on the farmn and in ac- quiring the best education which the common schools of that day afforded. By close appli- cation and embracing every opportunity that offered, he. succeeded in gaining a practical education. Until twenty-one years of age he remained on the farm with his father, as- sisting as only the strength and hope of youth
can do; there were many drawbacks, such as blizzards, grasshoppers, and trials peculiar to a new and unsettled country. As many times as one hears the story of the pioneer life he must be impressed anew with admiration for the courage and determination of those who pushed ahead and on to vietory. After at- taining his majority Mr. Smith began work- ing by the month, and contributed from his earnings for the improvements on the home farm. In 1879 he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Amherst Township, and two years later he bought another piece containing forty acres. He has erected a good residence, and barns for the protection and care of live-stock, and has placed his land under good cultiva- tion; he is thrifty and prosperous, and is de- serving of much credit for the advancement he has made, often under adverse circum- stances. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 339. Mr. Smith was united in marriage April 21, 1886, to Miss Einma O. Spencer, a danghter of Norman W. and Betsey (Harvey) Spencer. Mrs. Smith was born in De Kalb Connty, Illinois, March 27, 1861. Mr. Smith is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Hle and his wife are most worthy people and are held in high esteem in the township.
ACOB MAYER, one of the successful and progressive agriculturists of Am- herst Township, was born in Würtem- berg, Germany, September 15, 1845, and is a son of Conrad and Katie Mayer. He was left an orphan at an early age, his father dy- ing when he was five years old, and his inother when he was only one year of age. He and one sister were the only children, and she still lives in their native country. Jacob
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made his home with an uncle until he was fourteen years old, working on the farmn and attending the common schools. From his fourteenth until his twenty-first year he worked by the month. He was then drafted into the war between Prussia and Austria in 1866, and was in the regular service for two years; he was held almost another year, when he could no longer endure the restraint, and ran away, coming to America. He landed about the middle of August, and settled in Seneca County, Ohio, where he had an uncle living; there he remained ouly a short time, when he went to Baltimore, and in the spring of 1870 he came as far west as St. Louis; he spent one year in that city engaged as a car- riage driver, and then removed to Illinois, where he worked by the mouth until he came to Cherokee County in 1876. For the first three years he made his home with Adam Dorr. In 1875, previous to his coming to the county, he had purchased a tract of eighty acres of land in Amherst Township; as soon as he came to the county he began to im- prove this land, which was raw prairie, and he now has one of the finest homes in the township. He has erected a fine two-story residence, and has added to his first purchase until he now owns 120 acres of land in one tract, and eighty-six acres in another in Til- den Township. He has had a hard struggle since coming to the county, meeting all the trials and privations incident to pioneer life with that courage for which the early settlers of this section are justly noted. Mr. Mayer's home is surrounded by three acres of beauti- ful grove, and he has substantial buildings for stock and grain. He is identified with the Republican party, and has represented his township officially as road supervisor. Mr. Mayer was married February 14, 1876, to Miss Amelia Stake, who was born in Prus- sia, December 13, 1851, and came to America
in 1874. They are the parents of four chil- dren : Minnie, Emma, Amelia and John. They are members of the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Mayer is steward and class- leader of the same.
OBERT GRACEY, one of the leading young farmers of Cherokee County, re- sides in Amherst Township on his farm of 200 acres. He is a native of Jackson County, Iowa, born January 2, 1861, and is a sou of James C. and Ann (Bryan) Gracey, the father being a native of Ireland, and the mother of England. Robert is the elder of a family of two children; his brother James is also a resident of Cherokee County, while the parents still live in Jackson County. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his earlier education in the common schools. In 1879 he entered the Interna- tional Business College of Davenport, Iowa, and was graduated from that institution in April, 1881. He then returned to his father's farm, and remained there until the spring of 1883, when he canie to Cherokee County and purchased a farm of 160 acres of raw prairie in Amlierst Township; the same year lie erected a fine two-story residence, to which he has since made a small addition; he has also built good barns for stock and grain, and has placed his land under excellent cultiva- tion. Although a young man Mr. Gracey has attained an enviable position in the county, where he is recognized as one of the reliable, well-to-do citizens. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Republican party, and in the autumn of 1888 he was elected assessor of the township. . He devotes him- self to farming and stock-raising, and has gathered about him all the modern conven- iences for liis chosen avocation. January 16,
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1884, occurred the wedding of Robert Gracey and Alida Miles, daughter of H. A. and So- phia (Prussia) Miles, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Gracey was born in Jackson County, Iowa, September 29, 1861. They are the parents of two children: Miles Glenn was born Oc- tober 25, 1884, and Ethel was born May 3, 1886. Mrs. Gracey is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and the family are among the most respected citizens of Cherokee County.
B. LEHMAN has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1881, when he settled in Amherst Township. He was born in Defiance County, Ohio, March 30, 1843, and is the son of Jacob and Magdalene (Baer) Lehman, natives of Germany. He was the sixth of a family of eleven children, and was reared in his na- tive connty to farm life, obtaining his educa- tion in the common schools. Mr. Lehman was united in marriage February 3, 1867, to Miss Catharine Hornish, a daughter of John and Eve (Friece) Hornish, natives of Ohio and Germany respectively. Mrs. Lehman is one of a family of twelve children, and was born October 24, 1847, in Defiance County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman continned to reside in Defiance County after their marriage until 1871, when they removed to Benton County, Iowa, where they made their home until 1881, when they came to Cherokee County. They made a purchase of 160 acres of land in Amherst Township, and the first building erected on this place was a chicken house. Then Mr. Lehman built a small shanty, in which the family lived two weeks, while the barn was being built; when the barn was completed they moved into it, and remained there during the summer, while
their dwelling was being erected; this was a comfortable story and a half building, but has since been increased in size until it is one of the finest homes in the township. And now, where a few short years ago all was a raw, nncultivated prairie, one of the finest farmns in the county has been developed through the labors and efforts of Mr. Lehman; he has planted three acres of fine grove, and has added to his original purchase until he now owns 200 acres. He devotes his entire time and attention to farming, and is one of the leading agriculturists of Amherst Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman are the parents of nine children : David (deceased), Noah (de- ceased), Anna, Ella (deceased), Mary (deceased) John F., Jennie (deceased), Samuel H. (de- ceased), and Ray C. They are members of the Brethren Church of Marcus. Mr. Lehman was reared in the old German Baptist Church; he had been a deacon for five years, and was elected a minister, and served in that capacity for twelve years, when in 1887 he withdrew on account of the strict discipline in regard to dress. A number of others withdrew at the same time for the same reason, and formed a society known as the Marens Society of the Brethren Church. Mr. Lehman serves this body in the capacity of pastor.
OHN BARR, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Amherst Township, although an American by adoption, claims Ireland as his native land, where he was born in Connty Londonderry, in October, 1841. He is a son of David and Sarah (Mul- holland) Barr, who emigrated to this country when onr subject was four years old. They settled in Canada, where John was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education. In 1869 he and two brothers, who
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were not satisfied with what they had seen of the world, decided to take a trip to Cali- fornia, where they spent four years. It was while living in that State that Mr. Barr, through one George Ward, invested in land in Iowa; he bought 120 acres in Amherst Township, Cherokee County, and in 1874 he came here and settled and began making a home. As his means would perinit he has bonght more land, until he now owns 400 acres of as fine land as can be found in Cherokee County. Through his own ef- forts it has been brought to an advanced state of cultivation, and has been improved with a good residence, barns, cribs and granaries. The buildings are surrounded by a beautiful grove of four acres, which adds much to the attractiveness of the place. Mr. Barr has seen the rough side of life in Cherokee County, but is the more able to appreciate fully the present prosperons condition of the community, having witnessed its development from the wild state of nature in which white inen found it. He is a stanch Republican, and takes an active interest in political af- fairs. Mr. Barr was married Jannary 8, 1875, to Elizabeth Campbell, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who was born in 1853. Four chil- dren have been born of this union: David C., Peter C., Jessie B. and Elsie M. The family are meinbers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the leading settlers of Amherst Township.
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