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 60
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married in Linn County, Iowa, to Mrs. Eme- line Graves, a daughter of Darius Hull, Esq., deceased. Mrs. Carmen has one daughter by her former marriage, Emma. In politics Mr. Carmen supports the issues of the Republican party. He is a member of the General Cus- ter Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He is a man of a genial disposition, and has a wide circle of friends.
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W. HAYWARD, JR., proprietor of Hayward's Mill, is one of the leading and well-known citizens of Cherokee Township. He was born at Milford, Massa- chusetts, February 11, 1850, and is the son of S. W. Hayward, the financial agent of the Milford Colony. S. W. Hayward, Sr., is a resident of Milford, Massachusetts, and is a man of unusual executive ability, and con- siderable property. He has served as select- man, deputy sheriff, and as United States detective. Since 1856 he has owned real estate in Cherokee Connty. His wife was Ann Jenette Bullard, a lady of education and culture, who was born in Medway, Massa- chusetts. S. W., Jr., was reared and edu- cated in his native town, and in 1870 he came to the State of Iowa to look after his father's business interests. Since that time he has resided in Cherokee County, and has taken an active part in the development of the natural resources of the county. Mr. Hayward's first mill, built by Carpenter & Davis, was destroyed by a cyclone. The present mill was erected by S. W. Hayward, Sr., and is a good, substantial building. Mr. Hayward owns 300 acres of land, improved with a good house, barns and other buildings. Mill Creek flows through the farm rendering it very desirable as a stock farm, and enriching the naturally productive soil. S. W. Hay-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
ward, Sr., owns 200 acres of rich land in this vicinity. The subject of this sketch is a man in the prime of life, cordial in his disposi- tion, honorable in business, and one of the representative men of the township.
D. F. HOLLY is one of the leading and well-known early settlers of Cherokee County. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 7, 1834, and is a son of David A. and Eva (Hoke) Holly. In his infancy his parents decided to remove farther West and went to Lee County, Illinois, where they were among the earliest settlers. Mr. David A. Holly built the first log cabin in Lee County outside of the town of Dixon. He spent the remainded of his life in that county, and his wife, who is still living, resides in Cherokee. W. D. F. Holly was trained to agricultural pursuits and received a common-school education. In the spring of 1864 lie enlisted in the defense of liis nation's flag, entering the One Hun- dred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company C; he served six months, at the end of which time he was honorably dis- charged and returned to his home to engage in the more peaceful pursuit of agriculture. Mr. Holly was united in marriage March 7, 1867, in Lee County, Illinois, to Miss Ma- liala Lantz, a native of Richland County, Ohio. He remained where he was married for several years working at the carpenter's trade. In 1870 he came to the State of Iowa and bought a claim on which a sod shanty had been erected, and five acres of which had been broken out. There he has since dwelt, and devoted himself to the improvement and cultivation of the place. He has erected a fine residence of a modern plan, in the midst of a lawn dotted with evergreen and shade
trees; he lias built a barn, cribs and sheds, and has planted one of the most beautiful groves in the county. He employs his time in farming and stock-raising, and is success- ful in his work. Mr. and Mrs. Holly are the parents of eight children: Grace E., B. F., Dora M., William G., Edna, Charles F., Eva A. and Alice V. Mr. Holly has held most of the township offices, and has served with much credit to himself and with satisfaction to the public. He is in the prime of life, and has attained a solid standing in the county.
OSEPH MONTGOMERY .--- America is indebted to the beautiful Emerald Isle for many of her best citizens, among them our worthy subject, Joseph Montgom- ery, who was born in the Connty of Antrim, and is the son of Henry and Eliza Jane (Molynenx) Montgomery, natives of Scotland. Josephi was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools of his native land. At the age of twenty-one years he emigrated to America, desirons of making a home for him- self in the Western country. After landing he came to Iowa and settled in Butler County, where he resided nntil 1868, when he came to Cherokee County and bought eighty acres of wild land in Cedar Township. In 1877 he traded with James Henderson for his pres- ent farm, upon which he has made many ex- cellent improvements. He has erected a two-story house of a late, convenient style, and has beautified his place further by plant- ing two acres of grove. He also has a good barn, sheds and cribs, and all the accommoda- tions for raising and caring for live-stock. That prosperity has attended the steps of our subject can not be doubted. Mr. Montgom-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
ery was united in marriage March 26, 1873, to Miss Jennie Matthew, a native of Scotland and a danghter of Peter Matthew, Esq., an early settler of Cedar Township. Seven children have been born of this union: Will- iam George, Francis, Christina and Eugenia, twins, Edna Josephine, James Henry, and Peter, who died at the age of two years. The parents are consistent members of the Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Montgomery supports the issues of the Republican party. He is a man of fine physique, in the prime of life, of a genial disposition, and has won a host of friends, of whose confidence and respect he is in every way worthy.
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AMES MONTGOMERY is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Cedar Township, where he has resided since 1871. He was born in the North of Ireland, County of Antrim, in September, 1834, and is the son of Henry and Eliza Jane (Molyneux) Montgomery, natives of Scotland, who were reared in the Presbyterian faith. James grew to manhood amid the scenes of his birth, receiving his education in the common schools. He was a farmer by occu- pation but at the age of twenty-eight years he sold his land, bade adien to his native land and sailed away to America, and after landing, settled in the County of Ottawa, Canada. Mr. Montgomery was married Sep- tember 26, 1865, to Miss Jane Knox, a daugh- ter of David and Jennette (Allen) Knox. Mrs. Montgomery was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, near the banks of the River Clyde. When five years of age her parents emigrated to America and settled in Canada, where she grew to womanhood. After their marriage they removed to the State of New York, re- mained there one year, and then came to
Iowa, settling in Butler County. Mr. Mont- gomery bought land there, upon which he lived until he came to Cherokee County and purchased wild land, only ten acres of which were broken. He has since improved the place until it is one of the best in the town- ship; he has built a fine, two-story residence of a modern style, situated in the midst of beantiful forest trees; also a commodious barn, cribs and sheds, all attesting the suc- cess with which our subject has met since coming to this country. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery: Jennette, Henry, William, Maggie, Eliza, Auna, Ida, and Alexander, who died in in- fancy. The parents have given their chil- dren the one thing of which no man can deprive them, an education. The two dangh- ters, Jennette and Maggie, are successful teachers. Mr. Montgomery votes the Repub- lican ticket, and has served as a member of the School Board. He and his wife are wor- thy members of the Presbyterian Church of Larrabee.
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B. RICKARD is a substantial and re- liable member of the farming commu- nity of Cedar Township. He is a na- tive of Oswego County, New York, born in 1852, and is a son of H. and Christina (Sny- der) Rickard, natives of Schoharie County, New York. When J. B. was a small boy his parents removed to Onondaga County, New York, where they resided twenty-six years. They were the parents of two children: Ir- vin, who lives in the State of New York, and J. B., the subject of this notice. J. B. was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. After leaving school, for five seasons he was engaged in boating on the canal, and after-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
ward sailed upon the lakes. In 1878 his family came to Cherokee County, and set- tled in Cedar Township. J. B. Rickard and his father purchased 200 acres of H. C. Kellogg, and they have since sold forty-five acres for the town site of Larrabee. The farm is un- der a good stateof cultivation, and has many excellent improvements. It is well watered by Gray Creek, making it one of the most de- sirable stock farms in the county. J. B. Rickard is still unmarried. His high integ- rity of character and honesty of purpose have won him many friends in the community.
AMUEL SCOTT, of Cedar Township, claims recognition as a pioneer, having settled in Cherokee County in 1869. He is a native of Vermont, born February 13, 1826. IIe is a son of William Scott, a native of Vermont, of English and Irish ancestry. His mother was Prudence Covey, a native of Con- necticut, of Scotch ancestry. William Scott was a son of Thomas Scott, who was a Revo- lutionary soldier. Thomas Scott married Nancy Willoughby, a sister of Calvin Will- onghby, a prominent Revolutionary officer. William served in the War of 1812. Samuel Scott, the subject of this notice, spent his boyhood days on a farm; at the age of fif- teen years he went to learn the cabinet- maker's trade, which business he followed many years. He was married in West Albany, Vermont, March 31, 1847, to Miss Sarah M. Hazen, who was born in Grand Isle County. Vermont, and who is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Fadder) Hazen. Her father was of Scotch origin, and her mother was a daughter of James Fadder, a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1855 Mr. Scott removed to Hamilton County, Canada, and worked in a car factory for several months, when he came
to Iowa, and settled at Marshalltown; there he worked at his trade for some time, and then engaged in the general merchandise business. In 1863 he removed to Boone County, Iowa, and remained there six years, working at his trade. He then came to Cherokee County, and purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar Township. As his means increased he made further investments in land, until he now owns 200 acres, splendidly improved; he has a fine residence, a commo- dious barn, and numerons conveniences for carrying on farm industries. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of seven children: Syl- vester, Louisa, wife of J. M. Starr; Celia, wife of E. F. Coombs; Edna, wife of R. W. Luther; Emma, wife of W. G. Sylvester; Elmer F. and Lester. Mr. Scott affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are highly respected, and have reared their family in such a way as to be worthy of the esteem and regard of all.
L. CASTOR, one of the early pioneers of Cherokee County, settled in Cedar Township, July 9, 1868. He was born in Jefferson County, New York, September 18, 1827, and is a son of Ira and Chloie (Loomis) Castor. He grew to mau's estate surrounded by the scenes and influences of his native county; he received his education in the commnon schools of that day. After leaving school he embarked in the lumber business, in which he was engaged for a num- ber of years. Mr. Castor was united in mar- riage September 10, 1854, to Miss Phœbe Jane Phillips, a native of Canada, and a daugliter of Abraham and Lydia (Barnum) Phillips. They resided in New York until 1865, when they removed to Dubuque County, Iowa, and settled at Dyersville, where they
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
remained two years. At the expiration of that time they went to Boone County, Iowa, living there until 1868, when they settled in Cherokee County. Mr. Castor and Mr. War- ren made the first wagon track in that por- tion of the county in which they afterward inade their home. Mr. Castor built a log house 16 x 24 feet, which was the second house in the township. In 1886 this primitive domi- cile was replaced with a neat frame residence. Mr. Castor has added much to the value as well as the beauty of his farm by planting a grove of twelve acres. The place contains 160 acres, and has been brought to an ad- vanced state of cultivation through the efforts and industry of the present owner. Politically our subject is a Democratic-Green- backer. He has served several terms as town- ship trustee, and has never betrayed the con- fidence reposed in him. He is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M. C. L. Castor is employed at present as over- seer in a large fruit-crate and lumber manu- factory at Kentwood, Louisiana, a plant which, when completed, will fill orders and ship lumber to all parts of the United States. He and his wife are the parents of one son, Adelbert, born January 28, 1859, in the State of New York. He was nine years old when they came to reside in Cherokee County, and there he grew to manhood, and received his education. He was married July 20, 1885, to Miss Ella Hurley, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Scott) Hurley. By this marriage one son has been born, Guy Edward.
OHN SPANTON, of Cedar Township, is one of the pioneer settlers of the State of Iowa, and has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1872.
He was born in Yorkshire, England, June 11, 1832, and is a son of John and Anna (Simp- kins) Spanton, natives of Yorkshire. Jolin, Jr., was the youngest of seven children, and was reared to the life of a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools. His parents died in Yorkshire. At the age of nineteen years he determined to see for him- self all the wonders of the New World, and to find the fortune it might hold for him. Accordingly he bade adieu to his native land, and sailed for America. He located near Racine, Wisconsin, and engaged in farm work. Later he went to La Porte County, Indiana, and in 1856 he came to Iowa, set- tling in Linn County, near Marion, where he lived until the breaking out of the great Re- bellion. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Company K, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. and served three years and nine months. IIe participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, the expedition up the Yazoo River, Jackson, Mis- sissippi, the siege of Vicksburg until the sur- render; he then returned to Jackson, Missis- sippi, and was in the battles at Chattanooga, Big Shanty, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and was with General Sherman from Atlanta to the sea; he marched through the Carolinas, and attended the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia. He has lost the sight of one eye from disease contracted while in the service. Mr. Span- ton was married in Linn County, Iowa, December 20, 1868, to Miss Nancy Ann Beck- ner, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ment- zer) Beckner. She was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and at five years of age was brought to the Territory of lowa, where her parents were early settlers. John and Eliza- betli Beckner were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Spanton's farm in Cedar Township consists of 120 acres which is well improved; he has a substantial dwelling, a good
Ger. Sellere
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
barn, and lias twelve acres of fine grove. His family consists of three children: Frank, born June 5, 1871; Harry, born March 24, 1874; and Belle, born October 6, 1876. Mr. Span- ton affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R. Frank and cordial in his dis- position, he has gained a host of friends in the county.
EORGE SELLERS, farmer and stock- raiser, Willow Township, has been iden- tified with the history of Cherokee County since the fall of 1870. He was born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, June 24, 1822, and was reared near that place on a farm. His father, James S. Sellers, was born in the north of Scotland, and his mother, Jessie (Laird) Sellers, was born in the manufactur- ing town of Paisley, Scotland. In 1844 Mr. Sellers left his native land with 40 cents in his pocket, his sole capital. He went to the State of Massachusetts and worked on a farm for three monthis, and then went to Green Lake County, Wisconsin. There he was engaged in Inmbering and farming, bny- ing, improving and selling several different tracts of land. A portion of the time he re- sided in Wisconsin he was employed in run- ning a steam-mill. At that time there were only twelve settlers in Green Lake and Mar- qnette connties. In 1852 he removed from Green Lake County to Black River Falls; he lived there and in that vicinity for five years, engaged in farming and lumbering. The connty was not then sub-divided into sections. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and embarked in the lumber business and in farming, being the senior member of the firm of Sellers & Taylor. At that time the great lumber re-
gions of Minnesota and Wisconsin were just being opened, and Mr. Sellers is one of those pioneers whose boldness and pluck aided in developing those vast forests from which Inmber has been rafted the whole length of the Mississippi. At Chippewa Falls Mr. Sellers inade and lost innch money, and in 1866 he sold his mill and went to Winona, Minnesota, and again engaged in the lumber trade, being a member of the firm of Bal- con & Sellers, retail Inmber merchants. At Winona he lived until 1870, when he came to Cherokee County and settled in Willow Township, on the land which he still owns. He resided in the town of Cherokee for three months before making a permanent settle- ment. He bought 360 acres of land to which he lias since added until he owns abont 1,500 acres, all lying in Willow Township except 160 acres, which are in Silver Township. Mr. Sellers has erected a fine residence on this farm, and lie has a large barn and exten- sive sheds for the protection of live-stock; there are two windmills and one of the strongest flowing magnetic springs in the county. He keeps 300 head of cattle, twenty- five head of horses, and raises annnally 14,- 000 bushels of corn, 4,000 bushels of oats, and 1,000 bushels of barley; he formerly raised as much as 4,000 bushels of wheat. He employs seven nien to care for his numer- ous flocks, and to till his vast acres. He ships on an average of seven car-loads of cat- tle annually, principally Short-horns and Herefords. Besides the natural groves found on this farm are now seen many shade and ornamental trees planted by Mr. Sellers' own hand. Onr subject had but limited opportu- nities for acquiring an education while young but by his experience in the world of business he has gained a practical education, and a wide knowledge of men and affairs. He is a supporter of the principles of the Repub-
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lican party, and has been for many years. He is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sellers was married in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, October 31, 1849, to Miss Paulina Buzzell, a daughter of Elislia Allen and Madana (Greeneau) Buzzell. Four children have been born of this union: Clin- ton, Frederick, Warren and John. Clinton and Augusta (Veirth) Sellers are the parents of eiglit children: Frederick, Paulina, Jes- sie, Clara, Ira, Stella, Ray and George. Frederick and Hattie (Carpenter) Sellers are the parents of four children: Lewis C., George Kennith, Walter F. and Rollie. Mr. Sellers has held many offices of trust and re- sponsibility in his township, and has the respect and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.
OSIAH REES, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Amherst Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1874. He was born in Ontario, Canada, and is a son of - - and Rachel (Halford) Rees, natives of Wales, who came to Canada im- mnediately after their marriage. Our subject is one of a family of five children; he was reared to the dnties of farming, which he has made liis occupation through life. He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one years he came to Wisconsin, and settled in La Crosse County, where he spent three years. There he was married October 20, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Perry, daughter of John R. and Eleanor Perry, also natives of Wales; the mother's maiden name was Roberts. Mrs. Rees was born May 12, 1844. After her marriage she and her husband took a trip to Canada, and after their return settled in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, where they remained five years.
In May, 1874, they came to Cherokee County and located on a farm of 160 acres in Am- herst Township; the land was raw prairie, and there were very few families in the township. On the west as far as the eye could reach there was no human habitation visible. We must ever be impressed with the bravery and courage of those pioneers who took the coun- try as nature left it and made it " blossom as the rose." They first erected a sinall frame residence, which has been enlarged into a commodious dwelling. There is a beautiful grove surrounding the house and other build- ings, which adds very materially to the at- tractiveness of the place. When he came to the county Mr. Rees had $100 in money, a team of horses and a wagon. The first few years he made a living by breaking prairie and threshing; he passed through the grass- hopper raid, losing his crops for three years. It will be seen that lie escaped none of the trials and privations incident to pioneer life, but his pluck and energy held out until he came off conqueror. Politically Mr. Rees has no party affiliations, casting his vote for the inan best fitted in his opinion to fill the office; his inclinations are, however, in the direction of the Democratic party. He has served on the School Board and as road supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Rees are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in carrying on the work of their Master. They are the parents of five children : Eleanor R., Robert Josiah, Perry R., Guy L. and Clarence E.
ANDREW J. WHISMAN was born in Monroe County, Indiana, September 28, 1838, and is a son of David and Cather- ine (Brown) Whisman, being one of a family of nineteen children. When he was sixteen
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
years of age his parents removed to Illinois, and lived for a number of years in McLean and Livingston counties. In 1867 Mr. Whis- man came to Cherokee County, and entered as a homestead 160 acres of land in Willow Township, which he has brought to an ad- vanced state of cultivation. He has added to this first purchase until he now owns over 300 acres of excellent farming land. When Mr. Whisman first came to the county the land was wild and uncultivated, and there were but three or four settlers in the vicinity of the flourishing village of Washta. The cultivated valley of the Little Sioux is de- scribed by him as a wilderness of grass, offering but small attractions as an abiding place. Sioux City, the metropolis of North- western Iowa, had at that time not a single railroad, and gave little promise of the pros- perity which has since attended her. Mr. Whisman met all the hardships and priva- tions of pioneer life with courage, and his efforts have been amply rewarded. After breaking out his farm he proceeded to erect buildings necessary to the comfort of his family and the care and protection of live- stock. In 1881 he embarked in the mercan- tile business as a partner in the firm of Earl Edmunds & Co., dealers in general merchan- dise. In 1887, when the Cherokee & Da- kota branch of the Illinois Central Railroad was built, and the town of Washta was started, this store was moved nearer to the railroad. The firin is now A. J. Whisinan, and it is well and favorably known in the business circles of Cherokee and Ida counties. Mr. Whisman carries a heavy stock of general merchandise, and buys all kinds of country produce. To him belongs the honor of naming the town of Washta. At one time an old In- dian came to his house, and seeing his gun, took it down and examined it carefully, and handed it back with the exclamation, " Wash-
ta!" meaning in the Sioux language "good." When a postoffice was established at this point, and Mr. Whisman was made post- master, he was asked to suggest a name for the place, and he could think of no better adjective to describe the beautiful valley in which he lives than the word "good," or in the Indian tongue, "Washta." And so the postoffice was named. Mr. Whisman's en- thusiasin on the subject of Cherokee County is expressed in these words: "During my residence liere I have never known a failure of crops in this neighborhood," which is in- deed a remarkable statement when we con- sider that he lias lived in the county for twenty-one years, and that other parts of the State have suffered severely fromn drought, grasshoppers or extreme wet. Mr. Whisinan is one of the inen who have aided very ma- terially in the growth and prosperity of the county. He was married to Miss Delinda Eineline Prindle, and they are the parents of three children: Mary Catherine, wife of Earl Edmunds; Hannah Elizabeth, wife of Frank E. Mattoon, and Miles D., who is in business with his father, and whose history is given below. Mr. and Mrs. Whisman are worthy and consistent members of the Congrega- tional Church. Mr. Whisman has held inany local offices since coming to the county, and has acquitted himself with honor and credit. He has been postmaster of Washta for six- teen years. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Miles D. Whisman was born near Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois, November 11, 1861, and is the son of A. J. and Delinda E. (Prindle) Whismnan. He lived in the county where he was born until 1867, when his parents removed to Cherokee County, Iowa, and settled near the present town of Washta. He received his education in the common schools of the county and the Cherokee High School; he also attended the
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