USA > Iowa > Adams County > Biographical history of Montgomery and Adams counties, Iowa : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state, engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 46
USA > Iowa > Montgomery County > Biographical history of Montgomery and Adams counties, Iowa : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state, engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 46
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
In April, 1871, in this county, Mr. White married Miss Agnes, a daughter of George Bowers, of Nodaway township. Of their eight children four died in infancy. The living are: Hattie, Etta, Felbert and Ora.
D. BYCROFT, a successful farmer and favorably known citizen of section 36, Nodaway township, bought land there of the railroad in 1873, and two years after- ward broke it, and since 1876 he has resided there.
He was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 1, 1833, a son of Jolin and Eliza (Ward) Bycroft, natives also of that shire, His father was a laboring man all his life, and reared to years of maturity four sons and two daughters, three of whom emigrated to the United States and three remained in England. Mr. Bycroft, our subject, sailed from Liver- pool in 1866 to New York, and went to Hen- derson county, Illinois, where he had a brother living, and was employed there two years in ditching, well-digging and in hedg- ing. The brothers bought a team and farm- ing outfit, and worked rented farmns till 1876. when our subject came to Adams county. For his present farm he paid $16 an acre for a portion, and $14 au acre for the rest. He first built a small frame house, which is now used for a kitchen. His present residence he built in 1890. It is a fine modern house, 16 x 20 feet in ground area, with 14-foot posts, and well arranged, in Southern style, and nicely situated on a natural building site a few rods from the road, and surrounded with a beautiful grove of trees,-maple, cot- tonwood, Lombardy poplar, box-elder and ehn. There is also an orchard of small fruit, barn and other outbuildings and farm con- veniences. He owns 180 acres of land, con-
stituting one of the best farms in the neigh- borhood.
At the age of twenty-four years, in Lincolnshire, England, he married Jane Proc- tor, a danghter of Richard and Eliza Proctor, and they have four sons and two daughters, namely: Eliza, John, William, Anna, Eddy and George.
In his political sympathies Mr. Bycroft is with the "Greenback" party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
VERETT B. WILMARTH, a highly respected farmer of section 30, Quincy township, since 1865, was born in Ken- nebec county, Maine, March 16, 1831, the son of J. P. Wilmarth, a native of Massachu- setts. The latter married Nancy Noyes, also a native of the Bay State. He was a cotton manufacturer, moved to Massachusetts when his son, our subject, was six years of age, and afterward to Utica, New York.
The subject of this sketch finished his schooling at Whitestown Seminary, then taught school, and in 1856, moved to Henry county, Illinois, where he lived until 1865; then he came to Adams county, settling in Colony township, where he improved a farm. He was principal of the Quincy schools one year, when that town was the county seat and the metropolis of southwestern lowa for about fifty miles around. In 1868 he settled as a pioneer on the place where he now re- sides. Altogether he owns 260 acres of im- proved land. His home farm is well fur- nished with the arrangements and equipments necessary for convenience and comfort.
He was married in 1853, at Utica, Oneida county, New York, to Miss Lizzie, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Roberts) Arm- strong. Mr. Armstrong was Scotch, and his
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MONTGOMERY AND ADAMS COUNTIES.
wife a native of Devonshire, England. Mr. Wilmarth has three sons, viz .: Warren L., of Quincy township; Myron, a popular and suc- cessful teacher, residing at home; and Will- ard, who is married and resides on section 31, Quincy township. Two children died: Maria, at the age of eigliteen months; and Myron F., at two years and four months.
Politically Mr. Wilmarth is a Republican, and he has faithfully and satisfactorily served as Assessor of his township for seven terms. Both himself and Mrs. Wilmartlı are mem- bers of the North Class, Corning Circuit, Methodist Episcopal Church.
HILIP GADD, a farmer of section 4, Quincy township (postoffice Corning), is a favorably known citizen, having been here since August, 1871. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1838, a son of James Gadd and re- motely of English ancestry. James was a son of Jasper Gadd, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Philip's mother's name before marriage was Hannab Fount, and she too was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. James Gadd brought up seven children. He was all his life a Democrat, and in religion an attendant at the Protestant Episcopal Church. In 1863 Philip went to Adams county, Ohio. June 25, 1863, he enlisted in the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and served two years, being honorably dis- charged in August, 1865. His regiment was stationed most of the time at Johnson's Island. After the war he went to McLean county, Illinois, settling at Funk's Grove, nine miles south of Bloomington, and on one of Funk's farms. Remaining there until 1871, he came to this county. Here he purchased eighty acres of wild land, 32
which constitutes his present fine farm. His house is 14 x 24 feet in ground area, and one story and a half high, with an L 16 x 32 feet and one story. The lawn is beautiful, dotted over as it is with pines, cedars and shrubs, and there is an orchard of small fruits. The barn and other outbuildings are substantial and well arranged. In his political views Mr. Gadd is a Republican, and in religion a member of the Christian Churchi at Prescott. He also belongs to Campbell Post, No. 170, G. A. R., in which he has held the office of Quartermaster.
He was married in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, November 19, 1860, to Miss Marthia Thomas, a native of that county, and a daugh- ter of Joseph and Anna Thomas, natives also of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Evangelical Church at Mount Etna. Mr. and Mrs. Gadd have seven children, namely : Lizzie, wife of T. E. L. Bishop, of Minneap- olis, Kansas; Joshua, of Marysville, same State; Joel, of Warren county, Illinois; Wil- lie, of Kansas; Naomi, of Brooks, Iowa; and Gracie and Jesse, at home. Jonas Orvey died at the age of eighteen montlis.
RED WALTER, deceased, late an hon- ored resident of Nodaway township, was born in Berne, Switzerland, Octo- ber 17, 1835, a son of Jacob Walter, who was a son of Jacob Walter, Sr. The name of his mother before marriage was Susanna Tymon. His ancestors were all natives of Switzerland
At the age of eighteen years Mr. Walter came to America, settling in Monroe county, Ohio. In 1868 he came to Adams county and rented land for six years, and then pur- chased the place which he occupied the re- mainder of his days, dying in 1886, a be- liever in the Reformed Protestant Church
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
and in politics a Democrat. The homestead is a fine, well equipped farm, containing 135 acres of rich land, well adapted for stock and grain raising. Mrs. Walter has nine children, namely: Mary Louisa, now the wife of Ezra O. Tapert of Nodaway township; Amelia, now Mrs. Joseph Shields of Brooks, Iowa; Matilda, who lives at Denver, Colorado; Mary Ann, at home; Susanna, now the wife of Alfred Moser of Nodaway township; and Franklin, Effie, Rodalie and Charlie,-all at home. One child, John Frederick, died in February, 1887, at the age of twenty-three years. Mrs. Walter and six of the children are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.
HARLES PICKETT, a leading citizen of Jasper township, was born in Onon- daga county, New York, June 16, 1838, the son of Hiram Pickett, who was born in the samne county, of Irish ancestry. In an early day two brothers came from Ireland, one settling in Virginia, from whom the Confederate General Pickett descended, and the other in New York. Mr. Pickett's mother, whose name before marriage was Harriet Pulsifer, was of a Scotch family.
Charles was eight years old when his parents removed to Wisconsin, settling in La Fayette county. Many years afterward they moved to Green county, that State, where they shortly afterward died, the father at the age of sixty-six years: he was a farmer all his life. The mother died also at the same age. They reared five sons and one daughter, of whom Charles was the fourth in order of birth. He was bronglit up a farmer, as a farmer's son. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out in
June, 1866, being honorably discharged when he was Second Sergeant of his company.
After the war he returned to Wisconsin and engaged in trade at Riverside, La Fay- ette county, and continued there seven years. Then in 1873 he came to Iowa, locating in Cass county, but made Corning his trading point. In the spring of 1880 he settled on his present farm in Jasper township. It contains 200 acres of good land, and is a fine place. He has a good frame house, 18 x 28 feet in dimensions and one and three-fourths stories high, with an L 16 x 22 and one story lrighi. The premises are attractive. Ten acres are in orchard. The barn is 18 x 32 feet, with sixteen-foot posts. The other out- buildings are well arranged. A modern windmill supplies water for the live-stock. He has just completed a stock barn, 40 x 60 feet, and eighteen feet high.
February 14, 1859, is the date of his first marriage, when he wedded Miss Charlotte Pickett, and they had three children, as fol- lows: S. C., a dealer in musical instruments at Corning; A. W., a dealer in agricultural implements at the same place; and Charlotte, the wife of Ed. Miller, of Jasper township. Mrs. Charlotte Pickett died January 3, 1870, and April 28, 1873, Mr. Pickett married Miss Elizabeth Jane Jackson, of Riverside, Wisconsin, and by this marriage there are Hiram D., Bambena Amytis, Enos Roscoe, Harriet Lucretia, Ella May, Mary Esther and Charles J.
In regard to national matters Mr. Pickett is a Republican. While in Cass connty he served on the Board of Supervisors three years, with credit and honor. Botlı himself and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Pickett was made a Mason at Riverside, Wisconsin, in 1869, and was one of the charter members of Mt. Etna Lodge, and served as its Master. He is also
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MONTGOMERY AND ADAMS COUNTIES.
a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic at Corning. He is a popular man, being a gentleman of refined principles.
OHN. B. HOWIE, a farmer of section 4, Grant township, Adams county (post- office Prescott) came to this country in the spring of 1877. Like many of Adams connty's intelligent and successful citizens, he is a native of Scotland, born in Ayrshire, March 3, 1834, a son of Jolın B. Howie, a farmer, who is a native of the same country, and nee Margaret Logan; they are still liv- ing-the father aged eighty-eight years and the mother ninety seven. Their ancestors were prominent as " Covenanters."
Of their family of four sons and four daughters, the subject of this sketch is the eldest. His early youth was spent at farm work, and later he learned the trade of ma- chinist at Glasgow. April 13, 1858, he married Miss Jane Hill, a native of the same shire and a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Kettle) Hill, both also natives of Scotland. Her father died in middle life, but the inother at the age of 100 years. In 1872 Mr. Howie, our present subject, emigrated to America, settling in Tioga county, Pennsyl- vania, where for eighteen months he engaged in coal-mining. Then he went to Five Lakes, Michigan, near Lapeer, where he was employed at millwrighting for six weeks. Next he moved to Clay county, Indiana, and was employed two years in engineering; then followed mining and prospecting in this State, and operated a coal mine, and finally, December 22, 1877, he settled in Grant township, Adains county, first on D. McAfee farın for three years, then on the Weaver farm, and finally at his present place. This he purchased when it was wild land, at $25
an acre. It is now in good cultivation and a fine farm. Indeed, lie cultivates more thor- oughly, and raises more grain per acre thian any other man in the township. In 1890 his corn ground yielded seventy-five busliels to the acre, and potatoes 300 bushels. His house is 16 x 36 feet, withi twelve foot stud- ding, the barn 18 x 50, also with twelve-foot posts; besides, he lias slieds, cribs, yards, feed-lots, etc. The farm comprises 147 acres, separated into fields.
Mr. Howie has five children, namely : Mary, at home; James, who is a brakeman for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Rail- road Company and resides at Creston, mar- ried and has three sons and one daughter; John, a machinist at Creston, married and has two daughters; Thomas, living also at Creston, and Margaret, the wife of William Manrose, in Grant township. Mr. and Mrs. Howie are also bringing up two adopted children, James and Sarah Finley. They lost one child by death, who was born in Clay county, Indiana, and died in her fourthi year. In politics Mr. Howie is Independent, and in religion a Presbyterian; is especially active in Sunday-school work.
ILLIAM B. SELEY .- This gentle- inan was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1833, son of Joseph and Levina (Loper) Seley. His father was born in Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna river, and was of Scotch ancestry, while his mother was of Englishi extraction and a na- tive of New Jersey. Both died and are buried in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. The father passed away at the age of seventy- five years. He was a farmer all his life; in politics a Democrat; and in religion, a Bap- tist. Their family was composed of eleven
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
children, of whom William B. was the seventh son.
Mr. Seley grew up on a farın in his native State, receiving an ordinary education in the common schools, which was afterward sup- plemented by study and reading at home. This reading he has continued all through life, has gained a general store of useful knowledge, and is well posted on the topics of the day. Mr. Seley remained in Pennsyl- vania, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1860, when he moved to Henry county, Illi- nois, spending four years there. At the end of that time he returned to Pennsylvania, and a year later came west again, this time to Union county, lowa, where he was one of the early settlers of the county and an im- portant factor in its growth and development. In 1877 he disposed of his interests there and came to Adams county. He camne to his present farm, 160 acres in section 12, Carl township, in 1883. From its wild state he has brought it up to a highi development. His cottage home is erected on a natural building site and near by are lis orchard and grove. Here he is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising, assisted by his sons.
In Crawford county, Pennsylvania, at the age of twenty-three years, he wedded Miss Lucretia Finlay, who was born, reared and educated in the Keystone State. Her father, William Finlay, was born in Ireland and was only six months old when he arrived in Penn- sylvania, where he was reared. Her mother, Rebecca Finlay, nee Taylor, was a native of Crawford county, that State. Mr. and Mrs. Seley have had born to them sixteen children, eight sons and eiglit daughters, eleven of whom are now living, namely: Thomas B., of Creston, Iowa; Jennie, a successful teacher of Carl township, this county ; Willie E., of Adair county, Iowa; Ed. F., of Creston, engaged in business with his brother Thomas B .; Minnie,
wife of Joseph Fisher; Mary L., who is at- tending the Creston high school; and Josepli F., Samuel L., Della W., Gifford W. and Gracie Mabel, at home. Ed. F. is a graduate of the Creston high school and was the re- cipient of a gold medal.
Politically Mr Seley is a People's man, believing in the best measures and best laws for the greatest number of people. He and his wife and danghter Mary are members of the Congregational church.
ESSE MADISON, a successful and en- terprising farmer of Adams county, re- sides on 120 acres of land in section 18, Carl township. He came here in 1871, and has since made this place his home.
Mr. Madison was born in Henry county, Indiana, in 1840, son of John F. and Jane (Roberts) Madison. His father is a native of the South and is of Irish extraction; has been a farmer all liis life, is now seventy- eight years of age, retired from active life, and resides at Corning, Iowa. The mother was born and reared in Indiana, and died in Adams county, Iowa, at the age of fifty-two years. John F. Madison is the father of twelve children.
The subject of our sketch spent his youth on a farm in Indiana, and received his edu- cation in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he came to Iowa and spent one year in Polk county. He then went to Mad- ison county, lived there until 1871, and from that place came to liis present location. Here he settled on wild land, which he has since improved and developed into a fine farm, with grove, orchard, good buildings, fences, etc. The District No. 4 schoolhouse is located on the southeast corner of his farın.
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MONTGOMERY AND ADAMS COUNTIES.
Mr. Madison was married in Madison county, Iowa, to Miss Nancy Farris, a native of Missouri. Her father, Charles Farris, was a pioneer of Madison county. Follow- ing is the issue from this union: Charles Wesley, who is married and lives in Colony township, this county; Lucy, wife of W. West, resides in Carl township; John F., Alpheus Levi and Edith A., at home. ()ne child, Chrissie, died at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Madison and two of the children are members of the Evangelical Church of Mount Etna. He votes with the Republican party, and has served as a mem- ber of the School Board. A man in the prime of life, possessing a strong physique, frank and cordial in his intercourse with his fellow men, and honorable in all his dealings, Mr. Madison is regarded by all who know him as a most worthy citizen.
AMES S. McCALL, section 11, Carl ne township, is one of the pioneers of Adams county, he having located here in 1866. Occupying, as he does, a position among the early settlers, he is justly entitled to appropriate mention in the history of his county.
James S. McCall was born in Fulton county, Illinois, March 24, 1840. His father, James McCall, was born in Tennessee, May 20, 1811, son of James, Sr., who was a native of the Sonth and of Irishi extraction, and Mar- tha Shaw McCall, of Tennessee. The father of our subject was thirteen years old when he went to Park county, Indiana. He subse- quently went to Fulton county, Illinois, where, at the age of twenty-four, he was united in marriage with Mary D. Beadles, a native of Kentucky. He and his wife moved to Iowa in 1853. In 1857 they located in
Adair county, this State, and there, in 1879' the wife died, aged fifty-seven years. Thir- teen children were born to them, seven sons and six daughters. Of these ten are yet liv- ing: James S., Hattie I., W. R., Mary E., Joseph G., Elijah T., Lindsey F., Viah Iola, Walter A. and Eva L. John settled in Mis- souri and is supposed to have died in the army. Sarah and Martha are the names of the other deceased. W. R. was a member of the Twenty-ninth Iowa Regiment and served eighteen months. He now lives in Adair county. James McCall now lives with his son, James S. In his youth he received only a limited education, enough, however, to enable liim to teach school in those days. He served as Justice of the Peace for some time in Fulton county, Illinois, and for a number of years was au Elder in the Christian church. He has passed an active and useful life and is now numbered among the octogenarians.
The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm in his native county, and at the age of seventeen came to lowa. August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-ninth lowa Volunteer Infantry. He served with bravery all through the war and was honora- bly discharged at New Orleans, being mus- tered out at Davenport, lowa. He then returned to Adair county, and in the spring of 1866 came to Adams county and settled on his present farm, which was then wild land. At this writing he has a well culti- vated farm, with a story and a half cottage a grove and orchard and other substantial improvements. Mr. McCall's father is the pioneer sorghum maker in this vicinity, he having made the first sorghum here in 1858, and in this business the son has been engaged every season since. On one occasion James S. manufactured 1,500 gallons.
Mr. McCall was married in 1861 to Miss E. A. Brewer, a native of Indiana and a
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
daughter of Wilson and Parmelia (Mapes) Brewer. Her parents now reside in the State of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. McCall have seven children, namely: Charles W., Thomas A., Fred, James W., Hattie M., Effie May and Franklin II.
Mr. McCall cast his first vote for President Lincoln, and has ever since given his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the G. H. Waggner Post, No. 535, G. A. R., of Prescott; is also a member of the Far- mers' Alliance.
OHN RUDISIL, JR., was born in Marion county, Indiana, near Indianapolis, De- cember 19, 1845, son of Jolın Rudisil, Sr. The latter was born in Maryland, in 1812, while his father, George Rudisil, was participating in the war of 1812. The grand- father was of German extraction, and was elso a native of Maryland. John Rudisil, Sr., was reared in his native State, and in 1838 went to Indiana, where, in 1843, he married Miss Nancy Bellis, a native of Ken- tucky and daughter of John Bellis, who was born in the Old Dominion. In 1863 lie came with his family to Iowa and settled in Madison county, where he lived four years. At the end of that time he removed to Adams county. Here he improved a farm and has since lived, he and his wife being now residents of Carl. They have five chil- dren, namely: George, John, Jr., William, Charles and Anna.
The subject of our sketch grew up on a farm in Indiana and received his education in the public schools of that State. He was eighteen when he camne to Iowa. In 1866 he located in Adams county, and in 1877 settled on his present farm in section 2, Carl township. No improvements of any kind
liad then been inade here, and since that time he has developed a fine farm. It con- tains 120 acres, is well improved with good buildings, fences, grove, orchard, etc. His orchard contains a hundred bearing trees and small fruits of all kinds.
Mr. Rudisil was married in Carl township, this county, in March, 1869, to Rebecca J. Scott, daughter of D. C. Scott, a pioneer of this county, prominent mention of whom will be found elsewhere in this book. Mrs. Rudisil was rcared and educated in this county. Two children have been born to them: Ada Belle and Elbert E.
Mr. Rudisil is a Republican, and has served officially in Carl township. He is a member of the Congregational Church and a deacon in the same; is also active in Sabbath-school work, being assistant superintendent. He is a most worthy citizen, and one whose in- fluence is ever felt for good. Any movement, educational, religious or otherwise, that has for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community is sure to find in him an earnest support.
EORGE W. LEIGH, one of the enter- prising and successful young farmers of Carl township, came to Adams county in 1875.
Mr. Leigh was born in Oneida county, New York, December 31, 1860. His father, Charles Leigh, deceased, was born in Rens- selaer county, that State, son of John Leigh, who was of German extraction. The wife of Charles Leigh and the mother of George W. was before her marriage Miss Frances Hunt- ington. She was born, reared and educated in Rensselaer county, New York. The sub- ject of our sketch was four years old when his parents came to Cedar county, Iowa, and
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MONTGOMERY AND ADAMS COUNTIES.
located near Clarence. There the family lived until 1875, wlien the father came to Adamns county and purchased a farm of Jolin Cliatınan. On this farm, which is located in section 11, Carl township, George W. 110w lives. Here the father died, aged sixty years. He had been engaged in the lumber business most of his life, operating saw- mills, building and contracting, and was a successful business man. Politically he was a Republican. The mother died in Cedar county. They reared a family of three sons and one daughter, viz .: Adella, wife of Alfred Ballou, who resides in Carl township, this county; George W., whose name heads this biography; Perry, who died at the age of twenty-four years, and Engene, also a resi- dent of Carl township.
George W. Leigh spent his youth at farm work and received his education in Cedar county. As already stated, he now resides on the old homestead, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a man of intelligence, is well informed on the topics of the day, is frank and cordial witlı all, and adheres to the strictest integ- rity in his business dealings. Although a young man, he is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Carl township.
AVID C. SCOTT .- This gentleman, who has long been identified with the interests of Adams county, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, January 4, 1818. His father, John Scott, a native of Virginia, removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky at an early day. Of his five daughters and five sons, David C. was the ninth-born and the youngest son. The latter went from Kentucky to Putnam county, In- diana, in 1843, and from there in 1849, to
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