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 67

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar
Number of Pages: 654

USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 67

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inersleys are natives of New York. Joseph Templeman's family consisted of Hannah, wife of John Payne Belott; James Henry, William O., Robert, who died at the age of thirty-seven years; Henrietta, wife of Nelson Shore, and Joseph. Joseph Templeman, Sr., died at the age of thirty-nine years, and his widow still survives at the age of seventy years. James Henry was reared on a farm in Carroll County, Illinois, from his seventhi until his twentieth year. After his father's death, which occurred when he was thirteen years old, much care and responsibility de- volved upon him. When twenty years of age he engaged in work by the month until his marriage, which was November 2, 1861, to Miss Mary Leonard. After his marriage he rented land for five years, when he man- aged to secure land of his own, which he continued to farm until his coming to Iowa in 1877. In 1874 he had made a purchase of 160 acres of land, which he began to im- prove in 1878. The first house erected upon the place is now used as a granary. He has since added to his first purchase 160 acres, making his farm just one-half section of as good land as there is in the Northwest. He lias been inore of a grain-grower than a stock- man, and usually has from seventy-five to 100 acres of small grain. In this line of agri- culture lie lias liad more than ordinary snc- cess. Much of Mr. Templeman's prosperity in life, as with most men, is due to the wise counsel and faithful assistance of liis devoted wife. Mrs. Templeman is a woman of re- finement and good judgment, and her life has been devoted to the interests of her fam- ily. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Templeman are: Carrie, born January 19, 1865, wife of P. D. Wine; Lelia, born Feb- ruary 1, 1871; Ollie, born December 6, 1878, and Robert, born September 11, 1884. Lelia is one of the successful teachers of the county

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and is innch interested in her profession. She is organist in the United Brethren Church, and is an active Sabbath-school worker. Mr. Templeman is a man of faith, and is devoted to the study of the Scriptnre, which is his rule and guide. His religious belief is in accordance with that sect of worshipers known as "Life Believer Adventists." He is not a member of any church organization, but is. a trne and faithful follower of the truth as he understands it. Like others of the same be- lief, he is shaping every transaction to be prepared when Christ shall come, which will be at no distant day. He is a close student of the Bible, and is ever ready to prove his faith.

AMES NICHOLAS RICE was born in Crawford County, Indiana, April 25, 1836, and is a son of Nicholas and Caro- line (Samuels) Rice. The father was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana, and removed to Knox County, Illinois, in 1839. In 1851 they removed to Hardin County, Iowa, where the father died in 1859. His widow survived him thirty years, her death occurring in Cherokee County, January 3, 1889, in her eighty-fourth year. Their family consisted of nine children, all of whom are living (July, 1889): Jacob K., Henry Harrison, William C., Marilda, wife of W. B. Fail; Catherine, wife of Job Leeds; Emina, wife of David Johns; Clementia P., wife of Charles Marks; Noble John and James N. James was fifteen years of age when the fain- ily removed to Hardin County, and there he grew to manhood, actively engaged in all kinds of farm work. He was inarried in that county, January 4, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Williams, who was born in Shelby Conuty, the parents of eleven children: Wilburn R.,

Indiana, July 24, 1842. Her parents were John and Saralı (Porter) Williams, both of whom died in Hardin County, where they had settled in 1852. They had removed from Mahaska County, having settled there two years previously. After his marriage James N. was engaged in running a saw-mill near Steamboat Rock, Hardin County, for seven years, and was then in agricultural pursuits for a number of years. In 1868 he decided to locate in the beantiful county of Cherokee. He had made several trips to this section of the State on elk-catching expedi- tions. In 1865 there were numerous herds of elk in this part of the country, and having contracted with a New York firm for a cer- tain number of young animals, he and two brothers came in the spring for several years. They camped out and devoted several weeks to the exciting sport. The young elk could be raised as easily with cows as if they were calves. In the spring of 1866 they captured and shipped thirty-four head of these young animals. In the fall of the year they would return and have a hunt, there being a demand for all the game they could capture, and they found this very profitable sport. Mr. Rice settled in the county in the fall of 1868, having secured land which he began to culti- vate. He has ever since lived upon this tract, improving it and adding to it until he now owns 200 acres, besides a nice body of timber land in Cherokee County, near the town of Cherokee. In 1874 he purchased of Harvey Wamnsley, one of the earliest pioneers of the township, his original homestead which he had entered about 1867. Mr. Rice has a beautiful home; lying higher than the sur- rounding country, it commands a magnificent view. He does a general farming business, and usually feeds from two to three car-loads of cattle annually. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are

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Jacob W., Henry II., U. S. Grant, M. Rhoda, James K., Harvey E., Francis E., Charles C., Elva Amanda and Opal May. It is an inter- esting and intelligent family, and one of which any man might well be proud.

D. REED, a well-known farmer of Cherokee County, was born in White- side County, Illinois, March 25, 1838, and is a son of R. J. and E. M. (Addison) Reed. He was early innred to the laborious work on the farm, and received limited edu- cational advantages. At the age of seventeen years he removed with his parents to Wis- consin, and resided there until his twenty- third year; he then took up arms in the de- fense of his country, enlisting in the Fifth Missouri Cavalry, Company G. He served faithfully for four years and eight months, participating in the battles of Pea Ridge, Iuka, Ivy Farm, second battle of Corinth and at Brice's Cross Roads. He received an hon- orable discharge December 22, 1865, and re- turned to his home to resume the more peace- ful pursuits of agriculture. He remained there until 1871, when he came to Cherokee County, and bought eighty acres of land in Liberty Township. For ten years he devoted himself to cultivating the soil, and to making many improvements on this place. In 1881 he went to Meriden and worked at the car- penter's trade; at the end of four years he exchanged land with Mr. Davis, and returned to the country again. Mr. Reed was united in marriage July 4, 1867, to Miss Lucy M. Rice, daughter of Moorse and Clarissa (Phil- lips) Rice. She was born in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Angust 2, 1838, and when four years old was brought by her parents to New York; there she grew to womanhood, receiving her education in the Lancaster

schools. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been blessed with three children: Lora Elsie, who follows the profession of teaching; Mary E, and Guy L. Mrs. Reed was a very successful teacher before her marriage, and was engaged in that profession for thirteen years. Mr. Reed af- filiates with the Republican party; lie has served nine years as clerk of Liberty Town- ship, eleven years as district township secre- tary, as justice of the peace in Sheridan Township, and assessor of the incorporated town of Meriden, acquitting himself with much credit in these various positions. He is a member of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Reed and their danghter Lora are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In March, 1869, Mr. Reed met with a very severe acci- dent in the way of a broken leg; he was not discouraged by this seeming inisfortune but kept things moving on the farm as though the proprietor were in the best of health. Mr. Reed is ambitious and energetic and is now enjoying the reward of his efforts.

C. MITCHELL is an honored member of the farming community of Liberty Township. He is a native of the Buck- eye State, born in Adams County, July 30, 1844, and is the son of George and Nancy (Bromley) Mitchell. When H. C. was a lad of ten years his parents determined to go farther west, so they removed to Whiteside County, Illinois, and settled on a farm. There our subject grew to manhood, receiving the training usually bestowed on a farmer's son, and the advantages of a common-school edu- cation. At the age of twenty-one years he bade adieu to the family hearth-stone, and spent one year traveling through Texas, In- dian Territory, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois.

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After studying the different advantages of this broad section, he decided to locate in Clinton County, Iowa, and there he remained seven years engaged in running a saw-mill. He then left Clinton County and came to Cherokee County, purchasing a farm of eighty acres in Liberty Township, which he still makes his home. He has- a comfortable residence, substantial buildings for the care and protec- tion of live-stock, and two and a half acres of grove, which adds greatly to the beauty of the farm, and not a little to its valne. An air of thrift and prosperity pervades tlie Mitchell farm which speaks well for the management of the owner. Mr. Mitchell was married in 1876 to Miss Clara Stuart, a daughter of Jolin and Mary (Barber) Stuart. Mrs. Mitch- ell was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 18, 1856. By this nnion two children have been born: Edith May and Lafayette. Mr. Mitchell adheres to the principles of the Re- publican party, and has been called npon to fill the office of township assessor. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are interested in the movement calculated to advance tlie community in which they live.

AMUEL W. NEVILLE .- Probably 110 one family lias contributed so much to the development of Diamond Township as the Neville family. The head of the family is Wilson Neville, now living in Au- relia. He was born in Holmes Connty, Ohio, August 5, 1816, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Buckmaster) Neville; his father was born in Maryland about 1795, and his pa- ternal ancestors were of French stock; his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. They settled in Ohio in 1812, and Josephi was drafted into the army, but as he still claimed Pennsylvania for his home he was not com-

pelled to go. They had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are still living. Wil- son was reared on the farm in Ohio, and was united in marriage April 11, 1844, in Holmes County, to Miss Rebecca Wilson, who was born in Holmes County, September 18, 1820, her parents being Samuel and Dorcas (Mil- ler) Wilson. In 1853 lie settled in Buchanan County, Iowa, and there he remained until 1876, when he came to Cherokee County and settled in Diamond Township. He and his wife now live in Aurelia, are pleasantly situ- ated, and are taking life's declining years quietly and peacefully. Mr. Neville cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, and lras not missed voting at a Presidential elec- tion since that time. His family consisted of eight children: Joseph, Samuel W., Dor- cas, wife of Marion Lumley; Andrew; Mag- gie, the wife of Daniel Hench, died at the age of twenty-seven years; Clinton and Eliza- betli. Sammuel W. Neville, whose name heads this brief biography, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, December 5, 1846. He worked at home until he was twenty-two years old, receiving a fair education in the comnion schools of Ohio and lowa. He was united in marriage April 11, 1870, in Buchanan County, Iowa, to Miss Lydia A. Harrison. He then engaged in farming until the death of his companion, who passed away after little more than a year's wedded happiness, Novem- ber 14, 1871. After this he worked for an uncle until the spring of 1873, wlien he came to Cherokee County, where his brother and sister had settled the year previons. He pnr chased some land and began farming, and since that time has made his home in Dia- mond Township. His farm now consists of 320 acres of choice land, which he has im- proved in good style; his farming arrange- ments are of the best and most convenient kind, and well adapted to the liandling of

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

live-stock. Mr. Neville is widely known as the proprietor of a threshing machine, having been successfully engaged in that business for a number of years. After remaining sin- gle npward of ten years he was again mar- ried March 3, 1883, to Miss Katie Elliott, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, August 11, 1847. The first wife left one son, David Elmer, now eighteen years of age, and one child has blessed this present union, Allen Leslie, six years of age. Mr. Neville enjoys the confidence of his neiglibors to the fullest extent, and they have elected him trustee of the township three times consecu- tively. Politically he is a Republican, but he has friends among all parties. He is a man of culture and ability, and would command respect and achieve success in whatever field of action his lot might be cast. Ile and his wife are liberal supporters of the Diamond Center Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is one of the leading members. He is ever ready to assist in any worthy enterprise, and it is to such men that the prosperity of Cherokee County is due.

- HOMAS T. CRIPPEN, one of the lead- ing farmers of Pitcher Township, was born in Carroll County, Illinois, Au- gust 25, 1852. His father, Rufus Crippen, was a native of the State of New York, and settled in Illinois in the year 1850. His death occurred in Carroll County, Illinois, at tlie age of fifty-six years, his wife, Persus (Powers) Crippen, having died twenty years before. The family consisted of Thomas T., William, Albert, Stephen, Annie, wife of Calvin Seward, and one that died in infancy. Thomas T. was reared on the farm in Carroll County, Illinois, and remained there until he became of age. He had received a fair edu-

cation in the public schools; naturally having a quick perception and a retentive memory, he easily became proficient in the ordinary branches. His father had seen the possibili- ties of Cherokee County, and when it first began to be settled he had secured 240 acres of land. He gave Thomas eighty acres when he had reached his majority, and it was for the purpose of cultivating this tract of land that he first came to Iowa. His efforts have met with excellent success, and he has added to the legacy of his father until he now owns 240 acres. This he lias highly improved, and has admirable buildings with suitable conven- iences for handling live-stock. Mr. Crippen remained a bachelor for some years after com - ing to the county, but was finally inarried to Miss Martha Conklin, a daughter of Luther and Harriet (Spees) Conklin. Her father had lived in Cherokee County for years, and her mother now resides with her; her father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crippen have had born to them four children: Rufus, Earl, Raymond and Ewing. Mr. Crippen has met with more than average success, and this may be attributed to the fact that he is a man of more than ordinary ability, energy and perseverance. He is identified with the Republican party, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him.

ELSON W. CRIPPEN, a successful farmer of Pitcher Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1872. He was born in Warren County, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1822, and is a son of Stephen and Lucy (Bauer) Crippen, natives of the State of New York. At the age of nineteen years he engaged in the lumber business in his native State on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers; he continned in this line.

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

cutting and sawing pine lumber until about 1852, when he removed to Michigan and again embarked in the lumber business in Branch and St. Joseph connties. While in Pennsylvania his experience was confined to soft lumber, but he afterward became famil- iar with all the details of hard-wood lumber- ing. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he left the saw-mill and took up the musket, en- listing in August, 1862, in the Fourth Michi- gan Cavalry, Company G. He soon joined the army at the front, and during the battle of Stone River he was detailed to drive a team: it was here that he received such severe injuries as to necessitate his removal to a hospital, and from December 31 to Sep- tember 4 the following year he was confined in the hospitals at Nasliville and New Al- bany. Not being able to resume his work he was discharged, and returned to Michigan, where he remained until the close of the war. Mr. Crippen then decided to seek a home in the West, and accordingly went to Illinois and settled in Stephenson County, where he remained six years. At the expiration of that time he came to Iowa and purchased raw land which he at once began to improve. He has a pleasant home with tasty surroundings, and eighty acres of land under cultivation. He is a popular man, and has been repeatedly asked to serve in the township offices, where he makes a careful and efficient hand. He has worked under such physical disability that a man with less nerve and determination would have been discouraged. About six years ago he suffered the loss of his right arın; while haaling a heavy load with a spirited team he was thrown from the wagon and was caught under the wheels, his arm being broken or crushed so as to necessitate amputation. Despite this serious drawback he attends to his farm work, and accom- plishes as much work as most men. Mr.

Crippen was married in Warren County, Pennsylvania, when twenty-six years of age, to Miss Betsey Long, a native of Warren County. Their family consists of Ernest D., Stephen G. and Delaven, all of whom are married and living near the old home. Mr. Crippen is a member of the G. A. R., and Uncle Sam recognized his services by allow- ing him a sinall pension. He is recognized as a stanch and trne inan, and his word is respected, his energy admired, and his kindly heart and manly traits beloved by all his neighbors and acquaintances.

HARLES J. NORDSTROM is one of the successful and reliable farmers of Diamond Township. He was born in Sweden, October 13, 1850, and is a son of Peter Johnson, called in the Swedish language Yndnsen. On coming to this country and finding Johnson such a common name they decided to adopt another, and selected that of Nordstrom. The mother's name was Grata Lesa Caulson. The father is now making his home with Charles, and the mother died in De Kalb County, Illinois, where the family settled on coming to Amer- ica in 1869, and where they resided seven years. Of a family of five children but two are now living: Charles J. and John C. The latter was born June 14, 1853. Coming to the United States in 1869 Charles was nine- teen years of age; the family being in de- pressed circumstances financially, it was necessary for him to work at whatever pre- sented itself; during the years spent in Illi- nois he was at work by the month or year, and was employed in digging wells. In 1876 the brothers came to Cherokee County and jointly purchased one-half of section 29, Dia- mond Township, and at once began making a

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

permanent home. They have ever since given every effort to the improvement of their farms, and their labors have been crowned with success, as each one owns a fine body of land lying within the fertile Maple Valley, the choicest land in the State of Iowa. Charles has 400 acres and John 440. They both deal extensively in stock, and keep the best grades of improved cattle and hogs. Charles J. was married in 1877 to Miss Mary Lindberg, and this union has been blessed with four children: Sophia V., Frank, An- drew and Edna Cecelia. Jolin C. was united in marriage July 29, 1882, to Miss Anna Larson, of Alta, Iowa. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nordstrom: Oscar Theodore and Dorothea.

BRAHAM WARD, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Afton Township, has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since 1872. He is a native of Canada, and was born twelve miles west of Toronto, near Lake Ontario, February 11, 1834. He is the second child and oldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Jenkinson) Ward, who were natives of the County of Wicklow, Ireland; they came with their parents to Canada when children, and there they were reared, married and had eight children. Mr. Ward received a common-school education, and resided with his parents until his ma- jority. He was married October 20, 1859, to Miss Laura Van Horn, a native of Canada and a daughter of Frederick and Jerusha (Chapman) Van Horn, the father being a na- tive of Canada, and the mother of the State of Ohio. In 1866 Mr. Ward removed to Marshall County and purchased a farm of 200 acres of wild land, which he began the task of improving. The present advanced

standing of the State of Iowa is due to the indomitable courage of those hardy pioneers who so bravely made the way for those who have come afterward. Our subject resided in Marshall County until October, 1873, when he came to Cherokee County, as be- fore stated. He bought 240 acres of wild land, and again set about the work of clain- ing from Nature the heritage of man. He has improved this land until he has one of the best farmns in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are the parents of three children: Ida Elizabeth, Minerva Jernsha and Mabel Novenia. They are active and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Ward having held the office of steward in the Afton Township church since its organi- zation. He has served as school director, as township treasurer, and has filled other local offices of trust and responsibility with much credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of the public. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Ward is a self- made man, and by industry and his own ex- ertions he has accumulated a good property, which he uses to the best advantage in' sur- rounding his family with all the necessary comforts of life; he has donated liberally to the support of the church, and has given his children a good, practical education.

AMES C, FARR, a reliable farmer of Diamond Township, was born at Alder- man Plains, Canada, October 21, 1838. His parents were George W. and Martha (Blackburn) Farr, both of whom were born near London, England, where they were mar- ried. They came to this continent and set- tled in Canada in 1834, and in 1840 came to the United States and settled in Dodge County, Wisconsin. There they took out

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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.

Government land, and the father now resides on the place originally settled, near Beaver Dam, at the age of eighty years. The mother died in August, 1885, at the age of seventy- three years. They reared a family of eight children, of whom J. C. is the third. They are: Charlotte, wife of Joseph Clark; Henry, Ed- win, Daniel, Mary Ann, who was married and died at the age of twenty-four years; Mastha, wife of Albert Baker, and Ellen, who also died at the age of twenty-four years. J. C. remained at home until he was twenty-two years old, when he enlisted in Company K, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three months, but the most of that time he was kept at Carroll, Illinois. After returning home he enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Milwaukee in the fall of 1862. His service continued until the close of the war when he was discharged in Alabama, at Mobile, Sep- tember 4, 1865. He took part in the battles of Magnolia Church, Raymond, Champion Hill, Vicksburg and Jackson. He held the position of Sergeant under First Lieutenant Clark S. Gilbert. Mr. Farr was nnited in marriage May 7, 1866, to Miss Catherine A. Stone. She was born in Lewis County, New York, January 2, 1842, and is a danghter of Curtis and Alida (Van Norman) Stone. Af- ter their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Farr settled in Martin County, Minnesota, where they remained until 1880, when they removed to Iowa and settled in Diamond Township, Cherokee County. They now own a farm of 160 acres of finely located land, well im- proved. Their family consists of Alvin Cur- tis, Mary A., Charlotte Belle and Kittie Leone. Thomas Farr, the son of a brother, was adopted into the family at the age of nine years, and Mabel Burns, a little girl of five years, a daughter of John Burns, has made her home with the family of Mr. Farr

since she was two years old, and will continue to live under this generous and hospitable roof. Mr. Farr is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he supports the issues of the Republican party. The Government has rewarded his services during the late Civil War by paying him a pension of $8 per month.

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Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar Number of Pages: 654

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago : W.S. Dunbar
Number of Pages: 654