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 59
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a, Q, Clark
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
commodious structure and is well stocked with every description of farm machinery. Mr. Clark also owns a blacksmith shop. His extensive acquaintance in the south part of the county is of such a nature that he has secured a large trade from the best class of citizens of that region. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have fonr children: Ida, wife of Joseph Ma- honey; Isaac, general manager of the store at Quimby; John, manager of the farm, and Emma L. Mr. Clark is a stanch adherent to the principles of the Democratic party; he was the first postmaster of Quimby, ap- pointed in 1888. He has held varions posi- tions of trust and responsibility, and has ever held the confidence reposed in him. Mr. Clark's farm is one of the best equipped in the county, having most admirable buildings and numerous improvements. The residence is a commodious structure, and he has two fine barns with about 200 feet of sheds. There is a windmill, supplying water from ten living springs, which adapt the farmn admira- bly to the raising of live-stock. Mr. Clark is a man who is interested not alone in per- sonal gain, but in the growth and advance- ment of the surrounding country, and he has put forth many efforts on behalf of his fel- low-townsmen. He is in every way worthy of the respect and honor in which he is held.
AMES K. SMITH, proprietor of the Quimby meat market, has been a resi- dent of Cherokee County since 1873. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, De- cember 2, 1844, and is a son of Aaron and Eliza (Newhouse) Smith, natives of the State of Pennsylvania, the father being of Scotch- Irish, and the mother of German ancestry. James K. was eight years old when his parents emigrated to the West and settled
twenty miles northeast of Davenport, Iowa, in Clinton County. There he grew to man- hood, and at the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, Com- pany L, Captain Ruttan. He served on the frontier fighting Indians in Dakota, Nebraska and the Yellowstone region. Before enter- ing the regular service Mr. Smith had been engaged as Government teamster near Nash- ville, Tennessee. He was honorably dis- charged abont April, 1865, and returned to Clinton County, remaining there until 1869, when he went to Lincoln, Nebraska; he af- terward went to Nuckolls County, Nebraska, and he and a man named Ochsenbeim en- tered the first homesteads in the connty at the land office at Beatrice, Nebraska. He remained on the place two days when the Indians became so troublesome that he aban- doned the undertaking and returned to Clin- ton County. There he staid until 1872, when he went to Minnesota, working in the pine forests, and afterward in an elevator at Glencoe. As before stated, Mr. Smith came to Cherokee County in 1873; he bought 160 acres of wild land, broke it, built a house and barn and planted a grove. He sold this place in 1878, and bought another farm of 160 acres in the same township, when the nearest house on the south was eighteen miles dis- tant. Mr. Smith became a land-holder in Linn County, Iowa, where he owned a good farm near Spencer Grove; this he improved, and afterward sold. He also owned some land near Glencoe, Minnesota, which he sold after coming to Cherokee County. He also sold the second farm he owned in this county and now owns beside his residence in Quimby forty acres of land in Silver Township. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Smith went to Quimby and opened tlie first meat market in that town; he is doing a lively. profitable business, and sends a wagon into the country
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
besides attending to the business in town; this enterprise is a great convenience to peo- ple residing at a distance from the market. Mr. Smith received in his youth a good, common-school education. His politics are Republican. He is a member of the General Cnster Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He was mar. ried October 24, 1874, at Cherokee, to Miss Sarah Ragel, danghter of John Ragel, Esq., of German ancestry and nativity. Mr. and Mrs. Smithi are the parents of six children: Myrtle, Leeman, Nellie Francis, O. K., Ar- willea, and a babe not named.
J. SOYSTER was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1833, where he received a common-school education and learned the cabinet-maker's trade. At an early date he emigrated to Clayton, Clayton County, Iowa, where lie engaged in the cabinet-inaking business, and while there was married to Miss Cornelia Enslow, of Kane, Greene County, Illinois. From Clayton he went to Elkport, Iowa, and there engaged in the mercantile business, and was one of the leading mer- chants of the place. About three years ago Mr. Soyster began turning his attention west- ward, and made several trips out as far as Cherokee County. Thinking it a pretty rich country he opened up another store at Quimby and is now at the head of two mercantile houses, one at Elkport and the other at Quimby, Iowa. In politics Mr. Soyster is a Democrat. He was postmaster at Elkport during President Buchanan's administra- tion, and also during President Cleveland's administration. He has filled many local offices of trust and responsibility, and has the confidence of the entire community. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Elkport Lodge, No. 104, and also of the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. and Mrs. Soyster are the parents of five children: Clara, Charles, Libbie (deceased), George and Mary. They have given all their children good educational advantages. Clara, Charles and George were educated at Epworth Seminary, Dubuque County, Iowa. Clara was married in 1884 to Professor H. L. Tol- bert, but in a little over two years after their marriage Mr. Tolbert died of quick consump- tion. Since that time Mrs. Tolbert has inade her home with her parents, and has spent part of her time teaching school, but is now book-keeper in the Bank of Quimby. Charles, second eldest child and junior member of the firm of S. J. Soyster & Son, was for two years in the railway mail service on the Cal- mar & Chamberlain and the Chicago, Mc- Gregor & St. Paul Railroad postoffices. In 1887 he resigned this position, was married to Miss Sophronia Hammond, of Hanover, Illinois, and came to Quimby, since which time he has been of the firm of S. J. Soyster & Son. He is an able business man and has gained the respect and confidence of all who know him. Since his residence in Quimby he lias been honored with the office of notary public. Is cashier of the Bank of Quimby, secretary of the Local Board of Retail Mer- chants' Association. treasurer of the Local Board of American Building and Loan Asso- ciation, and agent for the Hartford and Capi- tal Insurance companies. He has always taken a leading part in every enterprise tend- ing to advance the interests of the community. Is president and treasurer of the Quimby Cornet Band, and has been honored with many positions of trust since his residence in Cherokee County. George, the fourth oldest child, is married and still living at Elkport, Iowa. Mary, the fifth and youngest child, is attending school at the Upper Iowa Univer- sity, at Fayette, Iowa. The firm of S. J. Soyster & Son has done much to make
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Qnimby one of the best business points on the line of the Sioux Falls & Onawa branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. The first year their sales amounted to $25,000, and they have a constantly increasing business. They run three wagons into the country, buying butter, eggs and country produce. Within three months' time they shipped 22,000 pounds of butter, and the first six months of the year 1889 they shipped 22,000 dozen eggs. They carry a stock of about $10.000, and although they have been in business but a little more than two years at this place, they have gained the confidence of the entire community.
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OSEPH McCOUN, the subject of this biographical sketch, was born March 27, 1828, and is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Townsend) McCoun. His father was a native of Kentucky, of Scotch ancestry, and his mother was born in Tennessee, of German origin. Joseph is the second son of a family of seven children, and grew to man- hood in Indiana, receiving his education in the common schools. Of one school in par- ticular he preserves a vivid recollec ion; it was a subscription school in his native State, taught by one of those Yankee school-teach- ers, who in early days were famed as wielders of the birch. This school was attended by many boys who have since become famous in the history of Indiana. At the age of eight years our subject was bound out by his father and he remained with the man to whom he was bound for eight years. On the day after the election of James K. Polk, feeling the impulse of the spirit of freedom, he ran away, and expressed his determination not to return to his master, and he had his own way. Mr. McCoun was married December 29, 1850, to
Miss Mary Lane, of Howard County, Indi- ana. After his marriage he learned the trade of wagon-making at Eagle Village, Indiana, and afterward followed that trade in that town. In 1854 he removed to Iowa, and set- tled on the Iowa River, at Steamboat Rock, building the first house in that town. While there he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in 1858 he went to Davis County, Icwa. He bought a farm of eighty acres near Drakes- ville, which he lived upon and improved until the breaking out of the war. He then went to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and worked on a farm, and dug wells. Ile remained there until 1868, when he came to Cherokee County, and entered forty acres of land; he afterward homesteaded 160 acres. This land he improved, building a house and barn, and setting out a grove. He was prosperous in his efforts, and has added to his land until he now owns 360 acres of as good land as lies in Willow Township. Mr. McCoun's residence, a commodious, two-story structure, is situated near the thriving village of Washta, which has sprung into existence as if by magic. Since his residence in Cherokee County he has worked some at the carpenter's trade, having erected about thirty buildings. He has not only seen the county grow from its infancy, but has aided directly in its develop- ment. He has raised on an average 14,400 bushels of grain, 100 head of cattle, and 150 head of hogs, annually. He has lost much money of late years from the prevalence of the fatal hog cholera. Mr. and Mrs. McCoun are the parents of fifteen children, thirteen of whom lived to maturity: Charity, wife of John Good; James, who married Cornelia Wright, died in 1874; John married Cornelia (Wright) McCoun, widow of his brother James; Edward married Hannah Jane Wick- ham; Stockton, Hannah (deceased), Antha Alice, wife of W. A. Mahaty ; Isaac (deceased) ;
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
William married Ida Collins; Joseph, Thomas Sherman, Aaron, and Margaret, who died in 1874. The parents have given their chil- dren a good practical education. Stockton McCoun, through his own efforts, has gained a very liberal education. Mr. McConn and his wife are worthy members of the Baptist Church. Mr. McConn is a member of the Republican party, and has been ever since the election of Franklin Pierce to the presi- dency.
T. GOLDEN is a successful inember of the farming community of Sil- ver Township. He was born in Delaware Connty, Ohio, June 22, 1856, and is a son of Benjamin and Catherine Groves (Golden) Weise. The father of Mr. Golden died when he was two years old. His mother came to lowa, and was married to Henry Weise, Esq., a prominent citizen of Silver Township. For several years Mr. Golden made his home with his uncle, J. H. Groves, Esq., a well-known resident of the county. In 1869 he went to Cedar County, Nebraska, and the country being new and game plenti- ful, he engaged in hunting and trapping, in which he was very successful. At the end of two years of this wild and adventurous life he obtained a Government position in one of the large wood yards of the Upper Missouri River, near Fort Hale. Ile had Government contracts for supplying wood to Government steamboats. After continuing in this business for two years, he went to the Black Hills on a prospecting trip. He re- turned to his former occupation on the Upper Missouri River, and remained there until 1882, when he came to Silver Township and engaged in farming. He owns 240 acres of rich land, well watered by Silver Creek.
There is a comfortable dwelling, and a large barn especially arranged with a view of feed- ing swine, Mr. Golden feeding from 300 to 600 annually. In 1883 ocenrred the marriage of W. T. Golden and Miss Sophia Hahn, a native of Clayton County, Iowa. By this union two children have been born: Charles and Katie. Mr. Golden casts his suffrage with the Independent party, preferring the man to any declaration of party principles. He has led an unusually eventful life, having spent innch time in wild portions of the West, uninhabited by any one bnt the savage red man. He is of a frank disposition, and his agreeable manners, with integrity of character, have won for him many friends.
O. LE BARRON, the genial host of the Central House, Washta, Cherokee County, Iowa, was born in Cattarangus County, New York, January 10, 1840, and is a son of Joseph and Charlotte (Dunn) Le Barron, natives of the States of New York and Vermont respectively. He lived in his native State until thirteen years of age, when his mother took her family and removed to Illinois, the father having died when J. O. was five years of age. In 1866 they removed from Illinois to Iowa, and settled in Page County, where they made their home for six- teen years. In 1882 Mr. Le Barron came to Ida Connty, and in 1889 he came to Washta, and built the Central House, which he has since conducted. He also owns a dray line which he runs in connection with the hotel business. In the beginning of the Civil War he offered his services to the nation, enlist- ing Angust 13, 1861, in Company G, One IInndredth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the declaration of peace. He participated in many battles, among the most
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
noted being Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Stone River, Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Pigeon Roost, Rocky Knob, Walnut Grove and Peach Tree Creek; he was also in a num- ber of skirmishes. In political thought and action he is Republican. Mr. Le Barron was united in marriage October 20, 1866, to Hulda R. Davis, who was born in Massachusetts, August 27, 1835. They are the parents of two children, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Le Barron had one child by a former mar- riage; his name is Benjamin F. Davis, and he resides in Ida County, Iowa. Mr. Le Bar- ron is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the worthy residents of the county.
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K. LEE, an enterprising and reliable farmer of Silver Township, came from @ Blue Earthlı, Minnesota, to Cherokee County in 1879. He was born in Columbia County, Wisconsin, October 21, 1854, and is a son of Oliver and Libbie (Howard) Lee, natives of New York and Vermont respect- ively. The parents now reside in Dane County, Wisconsin. H. K. was reared in the county in which he was born; he passed his yonth in farm work, and attended the common schools. In 1872 he came to Iowa, and afterward went to Minnesota. The spirit of youth was still restless within him, and he made several changes, both in his location and occupation, before lie was satisfied. He spent some time in the pine woods of Minnesota. and in 1879 bought his present farm of 160 acres. The place had been improved by Thomas Harden, so that Mr. Lee had not the task of the pioneer. There is a good house, a barn, granary and cribs, and four acres of beautiful grove. Mr. Lee was united in mar- riage, in March, 1883, to Miss Annie Penn-
ington, a daughter of Jesse Pennington, deceased, who was a well-known resident of the township. Two children have been born of this union: Ruth and an infant son. Po- litically Mr. Lee is an Independent. He is a member of Finboy Lodge, No. 490, I. O. O. F. He is a man strictly honest in busi- ness, and is worthy of the confidence in which he is held. Jesse Pennington, deceased, late of Silver Township, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in July, 1827. He was a son of Jesse and Rebecca (Colley) Pennington, natives of the State of Pennsyl- vania, of Scotch ancestry. He was married in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1839, to Harriett Smith, a dangliter of William and Martha (Laird) Smith, and a native of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington removed to Cedar County, Iowa, in 1868, and resided there four years. They then came to Cherokee County and lived there until Mr. Pennington's death. They were the parents of six children: George Washington, who died in the army during the late Rebellion; Rnth McCracken, Will- iam S., Jonathan, Harriett A., wife of H. K. Lee, and Sarah R., wife of N. D. Gleason.
P. THOMPSON, one of the leading ag- rienlturists of Willow Township, is a native of the Buckeye State, born July 25, 1849. He is a son of Oliver and Ema- line (Penny) Thompson, who were also na- tives of Ohio. J. P. is one of a family of seven children, and was reared to the occupa- tion of a farmer; he obtained his education in the common schools of his native State, which probably had not at that day attained the standard for which they are to-day justly noted. When he was nineteen years old his parents removed to Iowa, and located in
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Marshall County; he remained under the parental shelter until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to work for himself. For two years he worked on a farm, and then went to Albion, where he run a dray for a year and a half. He then left Marshall County, and removed to Tama County, and after a resi- dence there of one year he returned to Mar- shall County. The following four years he remained there, and then came to Cherokee Connty, and purchased eighty acres of land in Willow Township, on which he is still liv- ing. Mr. Thompson was united in marriage October 10, 1875, to Miss Naomi Fargason, a danghter of George and Amanda (Shepard) Furgason. Mrs. Thompson was born Decem- ber 5, 1848, in Muscatine County, Iowa. Her father was a native of the State of Pennsyl- vania, and a blacksmith by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of one child, Effie E. They are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are numbered among the substantial resi- dents of Willow Township. Politically Mr. Thompson affiliates with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in its suc- cess.
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M. HAWN has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1870. He was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, Jannary 30, 1848, and is a son of R. C. Hawn, deceased, whose biography appears in this volume. When seven years of age his parents removed to Iowa and lived at different times in Scott, Muscatine, and Jones counties. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools. As before stated, he came to Cherokee Connty in 1870, when it was in its infancy; he located on his present farm, |
which was wild land. By industry and good management he has developed the resources of the place, and it is now one of the most desirable farms in the township. He has a fine frame residence, built in modern style, at a cost of $1,000; it is situated in the midst of a beautiful grove of five acres, and is a most attractive home. There are good build- ings for the protection of grain and live- stock, and all the surroundings show signs of prosperity. Mr. Hawn makes a specialty of high grades of horses and cattle, and has done much to advance this enterprise in the county. He was married December 26, 1874, to Miss Mary Will, a daughter of James Will, Sr., of this county. The result of this union has been two children, a son and daughter: Daisy Myrtle and Rob Clifton. Mr. Hawn is a strong supporter of the principles of the Pro- hibition party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been an active worker; he has served as trus- tee and as steward, and has been a liberal supporter of all efforts to advance Christianity.
EORGE MUNDY, an enterprising and esteemed citizen of Willow Township, was born in Lincolnshire, England, July 7, 1834, and is the son of George and Sarah (Shepard) Mundy. When seventeen years of age he went to serve an apprenticeship as a butcher, which trade he has followed the greater part of his life. Like many of Eng- land's sons, he was anxious to see America and try the life of a country not yet sunken into ruts and set notions of existence. Ac- cordingly he bade farewell to his home and friends, and sailed away to the New World. After landing he continued his journey to Iowa, and settled in Clinton County, at once resuming his foriner business. When the
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
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Rebellion broke out he did not shrink from the duty of every American citizen, but went bravely to the defense of the old flag. He enlisted in the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, Company A, under command of Captain Smith. After peace was declared he returned to Iowa, and engaged in farming a portion of the time, and was also occupied with butcher- ing. In 1882 he came to Cherokee County and bought a farm of 160 acres in Willow Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Mundy was united in marriage, in 1864, to Miss Mary E. Boothly, a daughter of Chris- topher and Mary (Garness) Bootlily. She was born in England, and when seven years old lier parents emigrated to America, locating in Jackson County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Mundy are the parents of four children: William W., Benjamin F., Christopher B. and Algeri G. Politically our subject is a Republican, and the people of his township have shown their appreciation of his ability by calling him to serve as road supervisor and also as school director.
EORGE D. SNYDER, an extensive farmer of Cherokee County, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1815, and is a son of George and Anna (Oeker) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania. The Snyder family were prominent in early days in Pennsylvania, Snyder County being named for them. The grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the War of the Revo- Intion. Mr. Snyder was reared to farmn life, but at the age of eighteen years he aban- doned this occupation, and learned the trades of painting and chair-making, which lie fol- lowed for some time. He was married March 27, 1839, to Miss Mary Linsey, a native of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and a 89
daughter of James and Rachel (Clusen) Lin- sey, also natives of Pennsylvania. Like many families in that section of the country the Snyders were anxious for a better chance to make a home for themselves, and convinced that that opportunity could be found in the West, they removed to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled in La Fayette County; there they lived until 1871, when they came to Cherokee County and bought 240 acres of land in Sheridan Township. Some time later they sold this, and in 1876 Mrs. Snyder purchased their present home of Jolin Harriman; there are 320 acres in this place, and later she bought eiglity acres known as the Gough farın. This is one of the best-improved farms in the county, having many conven- iences and luxuries not found in much older localities; there is a good residence, a beau- tiful grove of eleven acres, a most luxuriant vineyard, a great variety of small fruits, and a splendid orchard. The farm is convenient to the town of Cherokee, being only one and a half miles distant. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have eight children: Cyrus, a resident of Cherokee; Jemima, wife of P. Stone; Henry, living in Chicago; Amanda, wife of W. P. Robinson; Briton, at home; Cassie, deceased ; Charles, of Denver, Colorado, and Nettie, wife of W. T. Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are industrious, energetic people, and have done their duty to their children and the community in which they live. They are justly numbered among the leading people of Cherokee County.
J. CARMEN, a well-known citizen of Cherokee Township, was born Febru- ary 16, 1835, in Greene County, New York; lie is a son of Nathan and Mary (Geb- bard) Carmen. Nathan Carmen was born on
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Long Island, and is a son of Caleb Carmen, an Englishman who had three sons in the Revo- Intionary War; two never came back. One of his sons, John Carmen, fonght in the War of 1812. Nathan Carmen was the youngest of fourteen children. His wife was born in Providence, Rhode Island, of English and French ancestry. Both father and mother died in Greene County, New York. A. J. Carmen was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and obtained his education in the common schools of Greene and Dutchess counties. After leaving school he tanght for a time, and in 1863 came to Iowa and settled in Linn County. In the fall of 1864 he en- listed in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company C, and served his country faithfully until his honorable discharge. He was at Baltimore, Savannah, and in the rear of General Sherman's army at Morehead City. He was on garrison duty for a time at Savannah, Georgia, and then at Augusta. After the war he returned to Davenport, Iowa, where he received his pay ; thence he went to Linn County, Iowa, and then took a trip to New York. Ile came back again to Linn County, and lived there until 1872 when he went to O'Brien County, Iowa, and took a homestead of Governinent land of 160 acres; this was situated five miles west of Priinghar, and Mr. Carmen made it his home for four- teen years. He improved the land until it is considered one of the best farms in the county. In 1886 he sold the place and bought forty acres where he now lives, which is one of the neatest and most comfortable homes in the neighborhood. Mr. Carinen has erected a nice residence of a modern plan, and the lawn surrounding it is dotted with pines and shrubs, and is altogether an unusually at- tractive place. Mr. Carmen also owns 115 acres of improved land in Liberty Township, known as the Frank Green farın. He was
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