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 68
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A. SANBORN, farmer and stock-raiser of Afton Township, has been promi- nently identified with the interests of Cherokee County since the fall of 1869. He was born in Dorchester, Grafton County, New Hampshire, November 21, 1832, and is the third son of Josiah and Lucinda (Holt) Sanborn, natives of New Hampshire, of Puri- tan stock. J. A. was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. His father died when he was six years old, leav- ing three sons to the care of his bereaved mother. As she had but limited means, J. A. found a home with his grandfather and an uncle until he was twenty-one years old; he then went to Boston and worked in a grocery store for three years. The following three years he spent on the old homestead in New Hampshire. He was married Novem- ber 4, 1856, to Miss Susan Blake, a native of New Hampshire, and the oldest daughter of Charles D. and Jerusha (Flanders) Blake. After their marriage they removed to La- conia, New Hampshire, and there Mr. San- born found work in the woolen mills until the breaking out of the late Civil War. Leaving his wife and child he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, going into camp the following day. He soon went to Washington, District of Columbia, and thence to Arlington Heights, where he was detailed to load freight and army supplies.
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While engaged in this work an accident oc- curred which came near costing Mr. Sanborn his life. A heavy box slipped from the top of a load and struck him in the side, break- ing three ribs. This was just before the battle of Harper's Ferry, and for more than a quarter of a century he has suffered from the effects of tlie accident. He was removed to Corwin Hospital, and after a tiine was hon- orably discharged, after which he returned to his home. He obtained employment in the Belknap Carpet Woolen Mills in Laconia, New Hampshire, and remained there for six years. At the end of that time his wound became so troublesome that he was compelled to give np work for six months. He returned to his old employers at Aslıland, New Hamp- shire, and took charge of two rooms in the mills. He afterward purchased an interest in a stock of general merchandise, the firm name being Weeks & Sanborn; this partner- ship continued one year, when he sold his stock and came West to settle. Some time previous he had inade a visit to Wisconsin, but decided to locate in Iowa. For a short time he lived in Tama County, and then came to Cherokee County, and entered eighty acres of Government land. By means of a prairie schooner he brought his family from Tama County to Cherokee County. On the journey they met with a serious accident; in making a descent near the present town of Cherokee the pole strap broke, causing the team to run away. One valuable horse was killed and the wagon and provisions were de- stroyed. They first moved into a sinall log cabin belonging to Albert Phipps. Mr. San- born built a house, and began the task of improving his farm; he broke out a large area with ox-teams. Their farm contains 200 acres in a high state of cultivation, and is considered one of the best in the township. Mr. Sanborn is a member of the Masonic
order, and of the General Custer Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He and his wife have two children: Jennie H., wife of Murray F. Moly- neux, and Frank D. Mr. Sanborn affiliates with the Republican party.
OBERT MENEFEE, of Afton Township, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, August 28, 1822, and is the third of a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls. All of the family, excepting three, are living in Virginia. His parents were Thomas Kenley and Emily (Finnel) Menefee, natives of Virginia. Kenley Menefee, the grandfather of Robert, was in the War of the Revolution, and Thomas, his father, was a soldier in the War of 1812; his father died in West Virginia in 1848. Robert was reared in his native State and learned the trade of stone-cutting, which he followed seven years in West Virginia and Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until past the age of twenty-five, when he removed to Preston County, West Virginia, and engaged in farming. which he continued for sixteen years. In the year 1861 he en- listed in Preston County, West Virginia, in Mulligan's Brigade, in the Sixth Virginia Infantry. He took part in seven regular bat- tles: Webscot, Phillipi, Houstonville, Bev- erly, Green Briar Mountain, Staunton, and Manassas Gap. He was honorably discharged at Grafton. He and one brotlier, James, fonglit in the Northern Army, and the other brothers were in the Confederate Armny. His own kin at one time offered a reward of $10,000 for his life, and by the advice of Mulligan he removed to Ohio, and lived there for seven years. IIe then removed to Madi- son County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1877 he came to Cherokee County and bought eighty acres of land, since which time he has
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
been engaged in raising stock and grain; he is a successful breeder of Norman horses. He has added to his first purchase of land, and now owns 120 acres of land. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He was married in Monongalia County, West Virginia, September 17, 1846, to Miss Eliza- beth Paulson, who was born in West Vir- ginia, February 14, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Menefee are the parents of five children: John W., Joseph Aretas (died in infancy), Benjamin Clark, Lydia Irene, wife of C. S. Wilson, and Franklin L. Mr. and Mrs. Menefee have been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty- five years.
OHN MILLER, who is in many respects the principal figure of Grand Meadow Township, is a man of wide acquaintance and has many friends wherever he is known. Few men in the county of Cherokee are held in higher estimation than he. John Miller was born in the Buckeye State. Muskingum County, April 3, 1840. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Shnfle) Miller, emigrated from Würtemberg, Germany, to this country about 1832; they had six children: Isabel (died at the age of thirty years), Malcolm, John, Jacob, George, and Kate, wife of Fred Schaller. The family settled in Clayton County, lowa, in 1856; the father was a shoemaker by trade, and made that his business nntil after he came to Iowa. He died in October, 1883, aged eighty-six years, having survived his wife only six months. John remained at home until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company E, Twenty- seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Thomas G. Drips, and served three years. His command was first sent to Min-
nesota to qnell the Sioux Indians, and he was in the actions at New Ulm and Mankato, and afterward had the satisfaction of witnessing the execution of thirty-eight Sioux Indians at Mankato, in December, 1862. After this matter was settled the regiment was sent to the South. Mr. Miller participated in the capture of Vicksburg and Little Rock; was with Sheridan on his raid through Mississippi; was with General Banks up the Red River, and in the action at Pleasant Hill and Shreve- port; after taking part in the Knoxville and Tupelo battles he was sent to follow Price through Missonri, going as far as Kansas City. After his return to St. Louis he was sent to Nashville to join General Thomas; soon after he reached New Orleans he was sent to Mobile, and assisted in its capture. He reached home August 9, 1865. At the taking of Little Rock his blood became over- heated, and every summer he has suffered from the effects. For a year and a half he was detailed as headquarters dispatch carrier for General A. J. Smith. After his return home he resumed farming, and remained in Clayton County for five years. Thence he removed to Fayette County, where he resided ten years. In the fall of 1880 he came to Cherokee Connty, and after renting land for two years he bonght his present farin of 240 acres. Mr. Miller was married December 29, 1865, to Miss Jane R. Spickelmier, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Veach) Spick- elinier. She was born in Hendricks County, Indiana. July 18, 1842. Seven children have been born of this marriage: Homer Clarence, Justns Asa, David Jacob, Hattie Ann, George B., Benjamin Mack and Freddie Schaller. HIomer is a student at Shenandoah Normal School, and Jnstus is a clerk in the bank at Washta. Mr. Miller affiliates with the Re- publican party; he has served as township assessor, and is now justice of the peace for
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Grand Meadow Township; he is also the present secretary of the School Board. He is a man of broad views, and lends a support- ing hand to every moral and intellectual work, being one of the ablest and most liberal men of the community.
AMES D. PARKINSON .- One of the careful, enterprising business inen of Grand Meadow Township is he whose name heads this review. Few farmers of Cherokee County have been more successful financially, have a wider acquaintance, or stand higher in the estimation of the people of their communities than does Mr. Parkin- son. His beautiful farm of 400 acres is as nicely located as any in the county, and is well improved; it shows careful attention in its arrangement, and is well adapted both to grain and live-stock. It is to such gentle- men as Mr. Parkinson that we must look to find the minds that have controlled the affairs, both business and political, that have placed Cherokee County in the front rank in lowa. James D. Parkinson was born in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, July 20, 1848, and is the eldest of a family of five, all of whom are now living: they are: Addie, Charles, Ma- linda C. and William. Addie and Williamn still reside at home in Wisconsin; Charles is a merchant in Denel County, Dakota, and Malinda is the wife of a second cousin whose name is also Parkinson. William Parkin- son is the father of the family, and the mother's maiden name was Nancy T. Padon; they are both natives of Madison County, Illinois. The Parkinsons were among the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, Daniel M., father of William, having settled there in 1827, while it was still a Territory; he was prominent in the Black Hawk War, being
Colonel of a regiment sent out by Governor Dodge, first Territorial Governor of Wiscon- sin. The parents of our subject are still living in Iowa County, Wisconsin, where they carry on a large farm. Mr. Parkinson remained at home until he was twenty-three years old; he attended the conimon schools, and worked on the farm. In March, 1878, he came to Cherokee County and purchased his present place; it contains 400 acres in one body, and is in an advanced state of cul- tivation. He devotes himself to raising grain and live-stock, feeding from one to two car- loads annually. He had very little capital in the beginning beside pluck and energy, but these have served him a good turn, and he is to-day in independent circumstances. Mr. Parkinson was married in Iowa County, Wisconsin, December 31, 1873, to Miss Mary Chenhall, who was born March 6, 1855. She is a daughter of Stephen and Jane (Trning) Chenhall, natives of Cornwall, England. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson: Azalia, Albert and Florence. Mr. Parkinson is a prominent Democrat, fre- quently representing his township in con- ventions, and serving as chairman of the dis- trict committee. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 473, at Correctionville. He has met with one very serious misfortune, and that is the loss of his right eye, the acci- dent occurring while he was feeding flax in a threshing machine. He has rented his farm and is going to the Pacific Coast, expecting to make his home there.
AVID SCOTT, a successful farmer of Afton Township, has been a resident of Cherokee County for nineteen years. He was born near Dunville, Ontario, April 7, 1834, and lived in the land of his nativity
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until he was twenty two years of age, follow- ing boating as a business. In 1856 he re- moved to Winneshiek County, lowa, and settled near Frankville; for six years he engaged in farming, and then came to Chero- kee Connty and entered eighty-six acres of land, on which his residence now stands. He was prosperous in his business, and from time to time added to his first purchase of land until he now owns 256 acres of as fine land as lies in Cherokee County. He has built a good dwelling, commodious barns and sheds, and has planted a fine grove of trees. During his residence in Cherokee County Mr. Scott devoted himself to raising grain and live- stock, and his efforts have met with uniform snecess. David Scott is the son of Samuel and Ann (Tate) Scott. of Irish birth. He was married January 28, 1865, to Mary Ack- erson, a native of the State of New York, and a daughter of Cornelius and Eliza (Furd- man) Ackerson, of Dutch origin. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living: John Henry, George Albert, James Jefferson, Winfield, Anna Eliza, Emma Ida, Eugene and Clara. Since his residence in Cherokee County Mr. Scott has held several local offices of trust and re- sponsibility, to the entire satisfaction of the public. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He lias given his chil- dren a good common-school education, and is a liberal supporter of all efforts to advance the standing of the community.
EV. D. R. STANFORD is one of the prominent pioneers of Cedar Township. He came to the county in 1869, and located on a homestead of Government land of 160 acres, which he has since improved and inade his home. He was born in Berk- 48
shire, Massachusetts, May 12, 1819, and is a son of Ebenezer and Mary (Hawks) Stanford. They were the parents of five daughters and seven sons, of whom our subject was the oldest. Mr. Stanford was united in marriage, May 9, 1843, to Miss Martha Peck, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Obed and Lydia (Allen) Peck. In 1868 he removed to Dane County, Wisconsin, and in 1869 to Chero- kee County, Iowa, as before stated. Eight chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanford: Leroy, Margaret (died aged sixteen), Susan, James H., Moses A., Mary Amna, Abbie and Corrinna. Mr. Stanford has been an or- dained minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Church for the past forty years, and has done faithful work in his Master's cause. His neighbors and friends have displayed tlie con- fidence which they have in him by calling him to fill most of the township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with un- failing energy and integrity. His children have received a good education, and most of them have been successful teachers, and a credit to their parents' training and teaching.
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AMES H. STANFORD, a resident of Spring Township, represents a business still in its infancy in this section of country, and capable of great developments. He has the most extensive apiary within the limits of Cherokee County, and his success in this line proves future possibilities, and paves the way for much wider work in the same direction. His apiary consists at present of about fifty stands of bees; three years ago lie began with two stands. His bee product for the year 1889 exceeds 3,000 pounds of excellent honey, which finds a ready market at good prices. His success has been of such magnitnde that he expects to engage much
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
more extensively in the same line. He will start two other apiaries at other points in the county. considering that plan better than to keep too many colonies in the same com- munity. Mr. Stanford was born in Franklin County, Massachusetts, April 15, 1851. A sketch of his father will be found elsewhere in this work. He remained with his father until his twenty-fifth year, when he entered a homestead in Osceola County, Iowa, which he sold in 1879 and removed to Cherokee County. His present farm lies mainly in the fertile bottom of the Little Sioux, and he has control of about 700 acres of pasture land which is well fenced. Mr. Stanford has not seen fit to take unto himself a life com- panion, and consequently seeks enjoyment in travel. In order to escape the rigorous climate of this latitude he goes South during the winter, and remains there until the ap- pearance of spring. Politically he is a Green- backer, and is proud of the title. He is a man well read on topics of general interest and such subjects as relate to his business.
OHN F. SIEGEL was born in Würtem- berg, Germany, February 25, 1836, and is a son of Jacob F. and Barbara (Jakly) Siegel. This family is from the same stock as that of General Franz Siegel. When John F. was fifteen years old the family crossed the waters to the strange shores of America. The first five years they lived in the State of New York, and then pushed farther west, and settled in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, in 1856. There the father continued to re- side until his death, which occurred in 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. His widow still lives in Wisconsin, at the age of seventy- six years. There were fourteen children in the family, and with the exception of one
they grew to maturity, and twelve of them are now living. One sister, Sophronia, wife of Daniel Ferguson, resides in Cherokee, and Barbara, wife of Frank Jones, lives in Dallas County, Iowa; Alexander is in Washington Territory, and the rest, excepting George, who lives in Ohio, are in Wisconsin. When John F. had arrived at his majority he began. work by the month, but made his home for one year with his father. From this time nntil he was thirty-two years old he was en- gaged in the Inmber regions, first working by the month, and afterward contracting to get out logs. Making some money in this way he determined to buy a farm, and before 1879 he had improved two timbered farms, which he disposed of, when he came to Chero- kee County, which presented a more favora- ble outlook for agricultural purposes than the timber country of Wisconsin. He at first secured eighty acres, and now owns 240 acres of excellent land. His business has been lucrative, and he has made quite a successful farmer. His place is considered one of the neatest and best in the vicinity, and all his surroundings indicate thrift and the guidance of a master hand. Mr. Siegel's military career is something ont of the ordinary. He enlisted in the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, but was rejected, not being considered fit for military duty. A few months after he was drafted, and placed in Company A, Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His command was sent to Tennessee, where he did guard duty nntil 1865, when they were ordered to North Carolina. After being quartered at Raleigh some time, they were sent to Wash- ington, District of Columbia, and there he marched in the grand review. His discharge bears date of July, 1865. He participated in but one regular battle, that of Kingston. Mr. Siegel was married in May, 1862, to Miss Christina Dexter, who died in April,
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1870, leaving him two little boys, Albert and . Ransford. He was married a second time, September 8, 1870, to Miss Regina Fuller. They have four children: Alice, Stephen, Willie and Lydia.
A. MORRISON is an intelligent and enterprising citizen of Cedar Town- ship. He was born in Essex County, New York, in 1847, and is a son of Bradley and Betsey (Hilliard) Morrison, natives of Vermont. Young Morrison was reared in his native State, in Clinton County. At an early age he was intrusted with the responsibility of operating a stationary engine. At the age of twenty-four years, desiring to see the West, he started on a tour which did not stop until the Pacific Coast had been reached. He first went to Lake Superior, and embarked in the coal business, and in 1875 he removed to Wyoming Territory continuing the same oc- cupation for one year. He then went to Southern Utah, and thence traveled to Cali- fornia, where he was still engaged in the coal business. After leaving California he set- tled in Leadville, Colorado, where he devoted liis time to the coal trade. From Leadville he came to Cherokee County, where he was engaged in the agricultural implement busi- ness for one year. He then bought his farm, which consisted of 240 acres of well-im- proved land. The improvements were com- menced by Mr. Nettleton, but most of them have been carried out by Mr. Morrison. He has a substantial residence, erected at a cost of $1,600, a good barn, sheds, and feed lots, presenting a neat, thrifty appearance. Mr. Morrison was united in marriage in May, 1883, at Leadville, Colorado, to Miss Ruth Ann Evans, of Johnson County, Kansas, a daughter of Andrew F. Evans, a member of
the Society of Friends, who was one of the first settlers of Johnson County. Andrew F. Evans was born in North Carolina, and lived for many years in Hamilton County, Indiana. His wife was Abigail Willson, who was also a native of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are the parents of two children: Harry Wilmot and Betsey Elizabeth. Mr. Morrison is a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M ; of Burning Bush Chapter, No. 90, R. A. M .; and of Crusade Commandery, No. 39, K. T. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. By strict habits of honesty and industry he has gained an enviable standing in the community.
ENRY GRUNDY was born in Lanca- shire, England, July 21, 1838. His father, Joseph Grundy, deceased, was one of the early settlers of Cedar Township. He was born, reared and married in England. Ilis wife was Margaret Cross, and they were the parents of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. They lived for many years on the same farm in Cedar Township where the widow still resides. Henry Grundy, the subject of this brief biography. was married in his native land, in May, 1862, to Miss Mary Ann Kniveton, a native of Lancashire, England, and a daughter of John and Mary (Mather) Kniveton. In 1871 Mr. Grundy became a resident of Cherokee County; he settled on wild land in Cedar Township, and has since been a valued member of that farm- ing community. He now owns 160 acres of land which he has brought to an advanced state of cultivation. He has a comfortable house, a good barn, and has further added to the beauty and value of his place by planting a grove of forest trees. Mr. Grundy devotes his time exclusively to farming and stock-
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raising, and has been attended with success, and all his efforts in this direction. Six chil- dren have been born to Mr. Grundy and wife: Mary Alice, the wife of Frederick Lowell, of Cedar Township; Ann, wife of Jabez Corry, resides in California; Dan, Julia, Edith and Ella. In politics Mr. Grundy gives his sup- port to the Republican party. He is a man well informed upon general topics, is genial in disposition, and is numbered among the leading farmers of Cedar Township.
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HOMAS JEFFERSON WHITE, one of the leading farmers of Grand Meadow Township, was born in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, October 1, 1843, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Hodges) White. Joseph White was born about the year 1812, and settled in Wisconsin in 1834 or 1835; his capital at that tinie consisted of an old gun, but at the end of seven years he owned a farm. He was married in 1838, and died February 6. 1875. His family consists of eight children: Andrew J., Thomas Jeffer- son, George W., Mary, Franklin P., James B., Martha, wife of Jesse E. Mills, and Stephen B. Our subject was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and for several years prior to his father's death had charge of the home farin, which consisted of 700 acres. He had built a grist-mill at Calamine, in which his brother Andrew had a half interest; he operated this mill for three years, and then traded his interest for 520 acres of land in Grand Meadow Township; his brother traded for land in Buena Vista County. This was in 1875, and in 1876 Mr. White came to Cherokee County and began the improve- inent of his land. He now owns all of sec. tion 11, and has it all under cultivation; he keeps two inen, and devotes his time largely
to stock-raising; he keeps 100 head of cattle, feeding a car-load annually; he also feeds froin 125 to 150 head of hogs of the best grades. Mr. White has placed the best im- provements on his farm, and has been suc- cessful in all his operations since coming to the county. Mr. White was married in La Fayette County, Wisconsin, to Miss Julia M. Olmstead, a danghter of Nathan and Magda- lene (Tenich) Olmstead. Mrs. White was born May 26, 1847, and died June 1, 1888, leaving four children: Nathan, Magdalene, Charles Thomas and Bessie, who was only eight days old; one child, Rosa, died at the age of four months. Mr. White's sister Mary, wife of John C. Cosgrove, has been his housekeeper for a number of years, as his wife was an invalid for a long time previons to her death. Mrs. Cosgrove has three children: John C., Mary Edith and Maggie.
OSEPH BIERMAN, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Tilden Township, has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since the year 1873. He did not emigrate from another State or country, but was born in the Hawkeye State, Clinton County, September 3, 1855, and is a son of Frank and Elizabeth Bierman, natives of Germany. Joseph is the second of a family of six children, and during his early life he attended school, and worked during the vacations in a factory. At the age of eighteen he began life for himself, going to Cherokee County, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He worked by the inonth for six years, and at the end of that time he purchased a tract of raw prairie in Tilden Township where he founded a home, and where he has since resided. He has improved the place with good buildings, and has planted
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