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 70
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for two years they decided to separate, and each took a half section. Mr. Mummert has made excellent improvements, and his farm- ing operations are quite extensive. He keeps about 100 head of cattle, and an equal num- ber of hogs. He handles the improved grades of stock, though he has no fancy breeds. In addition to managing the land of Mr. Scripp, Mr. Mummert has secured a fine farm of his own. It contains 440 acres, lying in Spring Township and Buena Vista County. He also looks after Mr. Scripp's interests in Woodbury County, makes all collections, attends to the rental of lands, and makes loans on security in his neiglibor- hood. No man in Cherokee County stands higher in the estimation of his friends than Mr. Mummert. He has filled acceptably the office of justice of the peace in his township, and in 1887 was chosen by a handsome ma- jority as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, and his action as such member has increased liis large circle of friends. His political principles are Democratic, though he has hosts of friends in the opposite party. Mr. Mummert was united in marriage, Feb- ruary 4, 1880, to Miss Caroline Mary Allie McFarlane, a daughter of Jolin and Lucy (Ward) McFarlane. She was born in Peel County, Canada, March 11, 1860. They are the parents of four bright children: Eliza- beth, Minnie, Blanche and William Henry.
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ATHAN JOHNSON was born on the Atlantic Ocean, May 22, 1825, and is a son of Zebnia and Anna (Wilson) Jolin- son, both of New England birth. His father is descended directly from the English roy- alty, Timothy Johnson, his father, being a near relative of the King of England a cen- tury ago; his mother is of German ancestry,
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being a descendant of the early Dutch set- tlers of the Mohawk Valley; she was a daugh- terof Benjamin Wilson, an officer in the Revo- lutionary War, as was also Timothy Johnson. Nathan Johnson passed his childhood in Can. ada until he was nine years old; he then en- tered one of his father's vessels, his father being an extensive merchant, and owner of both lake and ocean vessels. He filled every position on board a merchantman, from cabin boy to second mate, and became thoroughly familiar with every detail of ocean naviga- tion. It was to him an excellent school, and he became highly versed in astronomy and the mathematics essential to a ship's manage- ment. Growing tired of a sailor's life, Mr. Johnson left the sea when he attained his ma- jority, and embarked in business at Corning, New York, where for ten years he did an ex- tensive traffic as a tanner and currier. Meet- ing with some financial reverses he decided to engage in agriculture, and came to Illinois, where he remained a few years. Then for twenty years he was a resident of Lenawee County, Michigan, from which place he re- moved to Buena Vista County, Iowa. In 1884 he came to Cherokee County and set- tled on his farm, which consists of a half sec- tion of excellent land, which he devoted to the growing of better grades of live-stock; he has recently turned his attention to the breeding of Polled Angus cattle, and Clydes- dale horses. Mr. Johnson was married in 1860, in Steuben County, New York, to Miss Sarah Ann Bond, a native of the Ein- pire State. They have an interesting family of four children: Lazette C., the wife of George Morgan; Veronica Cora, wife of De Forest Morgan; Carrie Belle and Warren W. Mr. Johnson's strong personality impresses itself upon those who meet him. His mind is well stored with facts, and having a nat- ural, easy flow of language, he becomes an
entertaining speaker, and his utterances com- mand attention. He is independent in poli- tics, and in religion is liberal in his views, occupying an advanced position on all ques- tions.
AMES JOHNSON .- Cherokee County may well feel flattered to be chosen as the home of one whose travels cover al- most the entire face of the earth. From Col- orado on the west to the islands of New Zea- land on the east, one has indeed a wide range from which to select a habitation. James Johnson was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, September 10, 1842, and is the son of Robert and Isabelle (Ray) Johnson. He is next the youngest of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. At an early age he was en- gaged in that most trying labor, coal mining, which he continued until he was twenty years of age. Then began his wanderings. He emigrated from his native land to the islands of New Zealand, and for four years was en- gaged in gold mining. At the end of that time he returned to Scotland, where he spent six months. He then came to America, and after landing did not stop until he had reached Colorado; he did not find his expectations realized, and in a few months went back again to Scotland. Eleven months later we find him again in America, locating in Boone County, lowa; there he lived one year, and then came to Cherokee County, taking a homestead in Cedar Township, where he made his home until 1884. Hle then purchased 120 acres of land on which he now lives; this was wild and unimproved, but he has reclaimed it from the state of nature in which the red man left it, and has reaped the abundant harvests which the earth is ready to yield to her in- dustrious children. His improvements are
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of the best kind, and he has every conven- ience for raising live-stock; for the latter in- dustry the farm is adinirably adapted by a fine brook flowing through the land, furnish- ing an abundant supply of water. Mr. John- son was married June 15, 1870, to Miss Agnes Smith, a native of Lanarkshire, Scot- land, and a daughter of Alexander and Je- nette (Murdock) Smith. They are the par- ents of four children: Robert, J., born May 13, 1871; Alexander Stuart, born January 25. 1873; Della, born December 12. 1874, and Agnes J., born November 3, 1877. In politics Mr. Johnson affiliates with no party, but is independent. Mrs. Johnson is a mein- ber of the Presbyterian Church of Cherokee.
ILLIAM GIFFORD, dealer in agri. cultural implements, wagons, bug- gies and road-carts, is the pioneer of this business in Larrabee; he opened his stock in October, 1888, and carries a full line of the best standard machinery and farming implements. His extensive acquaintance with the farmers of this section of country, and being himself a practical farmer, he has many advantages over ordinary dealers. His sales for the season of 1889 amounted to 85,000. He also deals extensively in hard and soft coal, and is doing a profitable busi- ness. There is yet another important enter- prise for which the village of Larrabee is indebted to Mr. Gifford, and that is Gifford's Hotel. The house is well arranged for the convenience and comfort of guests, and is a welcome retreat to the weary traveler. Will- iam Gifford was born in Her Majesty's Do- minion of Canada, in 1851, and is a son of Harvey and Lydia (Yager) Gifford. When he was eighteen monthis old his parents re- moved to Ogle County, Illinois, where he was
reared and educated. In 1876 they removed to Iowa, and settled in Spring Township, Cherokee County. William continued to re- side with his parents until 1881, when he purchased a tract of land three miles west of Larrabee. He now owns eighty acres of land which is well improved. He was married February 23, 1880, to Miss Nancy H. Dan- iels, a daughter of Sylvester Daniels, who now resides in Liberty Township. Mr. Gif- ford has good business qualifications, is a number one salesman, and is considered one of the enterprising men of the township.
NDREW JOHNSON, farmer and stock- raiser, Cedar Township, is a well-known early settler, having settled in Cherokee County in 1871. Ile was born in Onondaga County, New York, March 23, 1834, and is a son of Andrew Johnson, a native of Herki- ner County, New York. His mother was Mary Griffin, also a native of the State of New York. Andrew grew to manhood sur- rounded by agricultural industries, and ob- tained his education in the common schools of that day. At the age of twenty-one years he went to learn the cabinet-maker's and painter's trades, which avocations he followed several years. Mr. Johnson was united in the holy bonds of wedlock in Onondaga County, New York, February 19, 1858, to Miss Jane Snyder. She was born in Schoharie County, New York, and is a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Funk) Snyder, also natives of Schoharie County. In 1867 Mr. John- son was seized with a Western fever and came to Iowa, locating in Boone County, where he lived four years. He then settled on his pres- ent land, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has been successful in his undertakings, and has done
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his share in assisting the development and growth of the township. Mr. and Mrs. John- son have had born to them two sons: Martin A., born February 19, 1870, and Eugene, born December 24, 1871. Mr. Johnson is not bound by any political ties, but casts his vote independently, preferring to be his own judge of the character of the office-holders of the country. He is a man nearly fifty-five years of age, bears his years lightly, is cor- dial in disposition, and has the confidence and respect of a wide circle of acquaintances.
RANK OTTO RADEKA, a farmer of Spring Township, was born in the hamn- let of Arnswalde, Prussia, November 4. 1842. He is the third of a family of eight children of Ferdinand Radeke. Lonisa, the oldest of the family, died at the age of twenty-eight years; it is not known what be- came of Herman; Anna died at the age of two years; Henry, William, Arthur and Gustave reside in Benton County, Iowa. The father died in Benton Connty in 1888, aged eighty-one years: he had lived in Ben- ton County since 1864. The mother of our subject died when he was a lad of six years, and his father was married after coming to this country to Miss Wilhelmina Smith, a native of Germany, who survives her husband. In July, 1854, the family crossed the ocean, and settled in Johnson County, Iowa, where they resided four years, then removing to Tamna County. After living there six years they settled in Benton County, where they made a permanent home. The father was a harness-maker by trade. Frank O. remained at home until past eighteen years of age when he entered the Dutch Society of Amana. This is a peculiar community consisting of about 1,500 souls who had settled in this
county in 1856; all the property is held in common, but Frank did not attach himself to the society as a member; he worked by the month for them for two years, and then went to Illinois, where he was employed by one man, James S. Taggart, a prominent fariner of Stephenson Connty, for five years continu- ously. He then returned to Johnson County and worked for five years longer. By this time he had saved a little money, and felt able to take unto himself a wife, which he did April 13, 1871, by wedding Miss Helen Coleman, a danghter of Philo G. Coleman. The following year, 1872,he came to Cherokee County and purchased a small tract of land in Spring Township. He has met with suc- cess in his operations, and has increased his farm from fifty-four acres to 200 acres. Mr. Radeke has recently concluded that the South presents better opportunities for money- making, and accordingly has purchased land in Louisiana, expecting within the next year to make that country his home. He is a inan of quick intelligence and close observa- tion, and stands high in his township. His neighbors have made him township assessor three terms, and he has also served as road overseer and as clerk of the School Board. His political tendencies are Republican. He has experienced some of the rough side of life, having lost five crops since coming to the county: two by grasshoppers, two by hail, and one by drowning. Mr. and Mrs. Radeke are the parents of six children: Clar- ence, Ernest, Nettie, Floyd, Amy and Dora.
OHN S. MILLARD represents the farm- ing interests of a much respected gen- tleman who was formerly a citizen of Cherokee County, Mr. John C. Brougham. He is a man of large and favorable acquaint-
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ance in the county, and conducted an exten- sive business while residing here. Mr. Millard controls over 1,000 acres of farming land and pasture, including the well-known farm upon which Mr. Brougham made his home. John S. Millard was born near Har- risburgh, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1846, and is a son of John and Sarah (Strominger) Millard, also natives of Pennsylvania. His father died in 1875, but his mother is still living in York County, Pennsylvania, at the ripe old age of eighty years. John remained at home until he had attained liis majority. Although employed by different parties, he ever called the old place " home." Mr. Mil- lard was united in marriage July 7, 1871, in York County, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary E. Cocklin, a native of Shepherdstown, Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Peter and Lovina Cocklin. She was born August 25, 1854. After his marriage Mr. Millard worked at the forge as hammerman in the Penn Steel Works at Steelton, Pennsylvania. His father- in-law becoming interested in the Halbach Hotel, a noted summer resort a few miles from Harrisburgli, he worked for him in the hostelry one season, and then rented a farm and engaged in agriculture for three years. IIe then came West to De Witt County, Illi- nois, where he remained abont four years. In February, 1883, lie came to Iowa, and his first employer was Mr. Brougham, for whom he and his wife worked for nearly two years. Since that time he has rented Mr. Brougham's farm, and does an extensive business. He keeps 250 head of cattle, feeds about 100 logs, and breeds Norman and Morgan horses, having abont thirty liead. Mr. and Mrs. Millard have one child, Peter Carey, born June 30, 1876. Mr. Brougham, now a resi- dent of London, is kindly remembered by all who came in contact with him while he per- sonally had charge of his farm in this county.
He could not have been more fortunate in getting a man to care for his interests in his absence than he has been in securing the services of Mr. Millard, who stands in the higliest estimation of his neighbors and business associates. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
OHN WHITNEY has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since June, 1867. He was born in Onondaga County, New York, June 26, 1838. His father was Warren Whitney, a native of Vermont, of French descent, and his mother's name was Lorinda Austin; she was born in the State of New York, and was of Dutch descent. Young Whitney was only thirteen years of age when he went to Wisconsin and settled in Dane County; thence he removed to Outagamie County. In 1866 lie decided to go to Iowa and look up a location, and the year following he brought his family to their new home. He had entered eighty acres of Government land in Afton Township, on which he built a house and made inany other improvements. He sold his place and in- vested in land in Spring Township; as his means increased he made additions to his first purchase until he now owns 500 acres in Spring and Cedar townships, which is well improved and in an advanced state of culti- vation. He devotes his exclusive time and . attention to agricultural pursuits, and his success is evident to the casual observer, as there is an unmistakable air of thrift about the Whitney farm. Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Brott, a native of Outagamie County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Michael and Hannalı (Paris) Brott. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the par- ents of eight children: Mary, wife of Henry
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Coleman; Laura, wife of Ezra Ware; Hattie, wife of Peter Farley; John J., Hannah, Warren, Nellie and Walter. Since his resi- dence in the county Mr. Whitney has done his share in forwarding all enterprises having for their object the advancement of the coin- munity, and he is recognized as one of the reliable and leading farmers of the county.
EWIS JAMES McCULLA is one of the three original homesteaders still living in Spring Township. He settled upon the land which is now his home in the spring of 1870, and his farm now consists of 700 acres of fine land, lying principally in O'Brien County. Mr. McCulla was born in Montreal, Canada, September 20, 1843, and is the eldest of four children; the others are Ellen, Sarah, and the well-known editor of the Cherokee Times. When but a boy our sub- ject removed with his family to Buffalo, New York, and in 1857 he migrated to Iowa. and settled in Muscatine County. At the age of fifteen years he secured a position on a river steamboat, and for three years followed the river. He then decided to further fit himself for the battle of life by learning a trade, and accordingly entered a machine shop at Mus- catine, Iowa. working one year, in which he made satisfactory progress. It was at that time there was a call for men to go to the defense of this nation's flag, and Mr. Mc- Culla responded, enlisting in Company H, Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. At Lake Providence, Louisiana, he was transferred to the Sixty-first Missouri Light Artillery, with which he served until the battle of Atlanta, when he was sent on a foraging expedition, and was captured by guerrillas, and for six months was confined in prison. But one be- sides himself of the eight inen captured from 44
his county came out alive. He had partici- pated in many of the severest battles of the war, among them Shiloli, the siege of Cor- inth, Meadow Station and Vicksburg. He received his discharge at St. Louis, and re- turned to his old Iowa home. There he en- gaged in farming until 1869, when he went to what is now the flourishing village of Creston, Iowa, and there assisted in building the first house in that place. The following spring he came to Cherokee County and secured his home. He devotes his time and energies especially to live-stock, breeding and shipping. He feeds from two to four car- loads annually, and 150 head of hogs. Mr. McCulla was married in Cherokee County to Miss Mary Adel Coleman, a daughter of Philo G. and Rachel (Baldwin) Coleman. They have had six children born to them: Walter, Carrie, Ben B., Thomas, Mary and Asa. Philo G. Coleman removed from New York to Iowa, settling in Johnson County. In 1872 he came to Cherokee County, and since that time has made it his home. Po- litically Mr. McCulla is a Republican, and is one of the leading men of his party in Spring Township.
ILLIAM MILTON COOMBS. Few men are living in Cherokee County who are able to relate so vividly the experiences of suffering in their country's cause as the subject of this short biography can, and it is to such men that the nation is indebted for its existence to-day. W. M. Coombs was born in Putnam County, Indi- ana, November 26, 1841, and is a son of Joseph and Delilah (Wright) Coombs. He is the only son in a family of four children. His mother dying when he was five years old, he was without a mother's care until the
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marriage of his father to Miss Amanda Wright, a cousin of his first wife. Four children were born of this union. When William was twelve years old the family re- moved to Champaign Connty, Illinois, where they remained four years. They then came to Iowa, and settled six miles east of Jeffer- son, Greene County, and there the father and mothier still reside. William grew up to the life of a fariner, and remained under the parental roof until the " war alarm " sounded all over this land. He enlisted in Carroll County, Iowa, in June, 1861, in Company H, under Captain Orr, and was mustered into the service at Iowa City, September 28, 1861. Soon after he was sent to the front, and did gallant service until he was severely wounded. He participated in the first and second battles of Corinth, where so inany boys laid down their lives. He was also at Inka and Champion Hill, being wounded at the latter place May 16, 1863. He was in the hottest of the fight. and received wounds in both arms, one leg, and lost the sight of one eye. He was placed in a hospital where he was detained seven months, but was able to attend to gnard duty. He rejoined his regiment, but soon after received an eighty days' furlough and went home. During the latter part of his service he was company Commissary. He was detailed on special duty to assist the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, and at the time of the battle of Inka was acting as driver for that battery. His pen- sion of $17 per month seeins inadequate compensation for such service. Returning to Greene County, Iowa, he bought a farm and lived there until the spring of 1870, when he came to Cherokee County and en- tered a homestead, on which he now resides. He has added to liis land until he now owns 240 acres, which is well improved and adapted to general farming purposes. He
left the farm in 1884, and the three following years lived in Aurelia, returning to the farm in 1887. Mr. Coombs was married January 22, 1865, to Miss Matilda McKinney, dauglı- ter of William and Elizabeth Mckinney. Her mother is now the widow of Governor Beal, of Clark County, Iowa. Mrs. Coombs was born March 17, 1848, in the State of Iowa. They have a family of eight children living: Ida, wife of Hiram Johnson; Etta, Libbie, Zoma, Charles, Effie, Millie and Pearl. They have lost one daughter, Alice, who died at the age of twelve years. Miss Libbie Coombs is a successful teacher, and has been engaged in-her profession in Diamond and Spring townships. Mr. and Mrs. Coombs are members of the Congregational Church, and are held in high estimation by all who know them. Politically our subject is a Re- publican.
G. JAMES was born in Monroe County, New York, January 20, 1819. His parents were Samuel B. and Anna (Bailey) James, natives of Rensselaer County, New York. He is the youngest of four chil- dren; his eldest brother is the widely-known Amaziah B. James, who represented the Og- densburg District in Congress for two termins as successor to Hon. W. H. Wheeler, when that gentleman resigned to accept the nomina- tion to the Vice Presidency. He had early be- come an able attorney, and was elected a jus- tice of the Supreme Bench of New York abont 1852. He filled that position faithfully and honorably for nearly a quarter of a century. It was his son, Henry R .. James, a publisher of Ogdensburg, who nominated Mr. Wheeler Vice President at Cincinnati in a forcible and telling speech. Edward C. James, a prominent attorney of New York City, is the
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only living son of Judge James. After two terms in Congress Judge James chose to re- tire from public life, and the remainder of his days were passed pleasantly at Ogdens- burg in his elegant home, where he died July 6, 1885. His widow, who also comes from a remarkable family, still survives him. One sister, Mary L., was the wife of James G. Wilson, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she died tliree years since. The remaining sister, Ann, wife of R. J. Marvin, resides in Garden City, Minnesota. The family is of Welsh origin, and settled at an early date in Rhode Island, where Amos Jaines, S. G.'s grand- father was born. The subject of this notice, S. G. James, lost 'his motlier when he was three years of age. He was taken by his grandfather, Ainos James, to Rensselaer County, New York, where he remained until he was fourteen years old. He then went to Ogdensburg where his brother, Amaziah, was publishing a paper called the North Light, an anti-Masonic organ. Entering this office he learned the printer's trade, and remained there seven years, the last four years being foreman. His brother had sold out mean- time, and the paper became successively the Ogdensburg Times and Advertiser and the Ogdensburg Sentinel. He then returned to Rensselaer County, New York, and July 16, 1844, was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Lewis, a native of that county. Mr. James engaged in farming and lived mainly in St. Lawrence Connty until 1854, when he emi- grated to Wisconsin, settling in Fond du Lac County. He farined for eleven years, and then was in the grain trade at Brandon, and about eight years in the lumber business at the same place. In the summer of 1876 he discovered that there was land beyond, and chose Iowa for his future home. He bought his fertile farın and began his improvements upon it. His place adjoins the town limits
of Aurelia, and is situate upon a ridge of ground making it a most desirable tract of land. Mr. James and his excellent wife have reared a family of four children: Lewis M, the oldest, is an engineer, residing in New York City; Anna B., wife of Henry E. Dur- land; Fred S. and Charley E. Fred S. holds tlie responsible position of train dispatcher at Fort Dodge, on the Illinois Central Rail- road. He is the youngest train dispatcher in the country, and his friends may well be proud of his rapid rise in his profession. He was but twenty years of age when called to fill this position. S. C. James cast his first vote for William Heury Harrison, and has missed but one Presidential election since that time, always supporting the Republican party. He has twice passed all of the chairs of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. Respected by all who know him, he stands for what he is; plain in speech, earnest in convictions of right and wrong, be it said to his praise that there should be more like him.
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