Biographical history of Page 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 of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships, Part 102

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Iowa > Page County > Biographical history of Page 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 of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships > Part 102

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At the age of thirty years he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Beaver, a dauglı- ter of Joseph Beaver of Hardin County, Ohio. To them were boru four children: John, de- ceased; Lonis, deceased; David and Eliza- beth. The mother died, and Mr. Krabill married for his second wife Phoebe Cross, daughter of Peter and Susan (White) Cross of Logan County, Ohio. The Whites were from the State of New York, and the Cross family came from Pennsylvania. One child was born of this latter marriage: Mary, wife of Henry Sly, and they are the parents of three children.

After his marriage Mr. Krabill settled on a small farm in Hardin County, Ohio, where he remained eight years; in 1853 he came to Page County, Iowa, and located on his present farın; it consists of 250 acres in an advanced state of cultivation, and has many valuable improvements in the way of good substantial buildings. At the beginning of the civil war Mr. Krabill enlisted in Compauy C, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and was in the service fifteen months. He was in several engagements, and on a night ride he was thrown from his horse against a rail fence and was seriously injured; he has since been dis- abled on account of this accident and is en- titled to a pension. He was honorably dis- charged at Marshall, Missouri, and since that time he has resided in Page County. He

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a man of high purpose, and by industry and economy he has built up a fine home for his family. When he first came to this section of country he was obliged to go to St. Joe, Missouri, for all the necessities of life, and endured many privations. When a young man he contributed to the support of liis parents, although his wages was small enough; he learned to mnow with an old-fashioned scythe, and became quite proficient; he was also an expert in the use of an axe. The old pioneers were men who well understood the use of tools. Mr. Krabill is a man now past his " three-score years and ten," and bids fair to live many years. William White, grandfather of Mrs. Krabill, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his daughter, mother of Mrs. Krabill, holds a deed to six- teen acres of land in the State of Illinois, in acknowledgment of his services. At the age of fifteen years Mr. White was in the service of the Government, and sailed from New York to Havre de Grace until he was forty years old; after the war of the Revolution he settled in Logan County, Ohio.

LIZABETH J. HILES, one of the most practical and energetic women in Page County, is the widow of Peter Hiles, a native of Perry County, Ohio. His father, Henry Hiles, was born in the old Keystone State, and was afterward a farmer in Perry County, Ohio. He married Alice Ketchman, and to them were born twelve children. Henry Hiles removed to Nodaway County, Missouri, before the Rebellion, and he died at Braddyville, Iowa, in July, 1885, over one hundred years of age. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Churchi. His widow

still lives in Braddyville, with one of her daugliters.

Peter Hiles, son of Henry Hiles, and hus- band of the subject of this notice, was born in Perry County, Ohio, and was trained to the occupation of a farmer. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Peterson, a daugh- ter of Michael and Frances (Tipton) Peterson. Of this union eight children were born, all of whom lived to maturity: Eliza F., Mary E., Martha J., William T., Henry A., John M., Ida A. and Charles E. After his marriage Mr. Hiles lived on a farm in Hocking County, Ohio, for five years; he then removed to Ful- ton County, Illinois, and resided there one year, at the end of which time he came to Washington County, Iowa, and purchased a farm, on which he lived twelve years; he gave special attention to the business of buying farms, and improving them for sale. We next find him settled on a farm in Nodaway County, Missouri, where lie mnade his home for fourteen years; he then came to Page County and lived three years near Morseman, and removed thence to Kansas, where he passed the remainder of his days. When he was taken ill in Kansas, he was on a claim which he had taken up; his wife went to him at once, and not only nursed him through six long weary months of pain and suffering, but continued the cultivation of the land and earned the means of their support. Mr. Hiles had ever been a man of industrious habits and labored earnestly to make a home for his family. He was a consistent member of the Free Methodist Church, and was honored by all who knew him. Mrs. Hiles is a woman of excellent business qualifications; she has managed her property with good results and has brought up her family to habits of indus- try and thrift. She has been very self-sacri- ficing, and has been brave and courageous in mceting and overcoming her troubles.

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Michael Peterson, father of Mrs. Hiles, was a native of Germany, and came with his father, Adam Peterson, to America when a small boy. He was reared on a farın in Franklin County, Ohio, and married Frances Tipton, a daughter of Thomas Tipton, of English ancestry. They were the parents of five children. Mr. Tipton died when Mrs. Hiles was but eight years old; the mother is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years; she was married again, to John C. Taylor, of Keokuk County, lowa.

Mary E. Hiles, deceased, married David Watkins; Eliza T. is the wife of Absalom Burch; Martha J. is the wife of Cyrus IIos- terer; William T. married Nannie Nichols; John married Indiana Cole; Henry A. mar- ried Laura Cole; Ida R. is the wife of Lonis Carver.

NTON E. SEABLOM, farmer near Essex, was born in Sweden, September 29, 1859, on the old home farm called " Gnottnehult " in Ostergotland. His father, John P. Seablom, was also born on this farın, which has been in the family for generations; it consists of a fine tract of land, on which there are inany lakes well-stocked with fish. Mr. Seablom married Evelyn Israelson, and the most of their children were born on this farm; they are named as follows: Charles J., Charlotte H., Peter A., Annie U., Aaron S., Anton E., David J., Sadie M. and Alice M. In 1866 the father emigrated to America with his family and settled in Fairfield, Jeffer- son County, Iowa, where he lived seven years; at the end of that period he came to Page County and settled in Tarkio Township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Seablom are worthy members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Seablom has served as

deacon. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

Anton E. Seablom was but six years of age when his parents emigrated to America. He attended the common schools of this country, and remained at home, assisting his father in the cultivation of his farm and the support of the family, until he had attained his majority. At the age of twenty-three years he went to work for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Red Oak, and soon be- came fireman of a locomotive, which position he held for one year. In 1883 he determined to return to agricultural pursuits, and pur- chased 120 acres in Pierce Township, Page County, which he improved and sold, and in 1887 he bought his present farm, which con- sists of 160 acres.

Mr. Seablom was united in marriage, Sep- tember 28, 1887, to Miss Josephine A. Lind- burg, daughter of John and Charlotte (Wallin) Lindburg. Mr. Lindnrg is a fariner in Douglas Township, Page County, and emi- grated from Sweden to America in 1866; he settled first in Illinois, and then came to Page County in 1871. His family consists of five children: Elizabeth, Josephine, Mary, Alexander and Oscar. He is a prosperous farmer, owning 320 acres of choice land well improved.

Mr. and Mrs. Anton E. Seablom have had born to them one child, Herbert J. The parents are both members of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Our subject is a man of excellent character and good habits. He is blessed with a robust constitution, and in this land of liberty and equality, he has an oppor- tunity of realizing a reward for his labors and of meeting with appreciation of his abilities.

It is a matter of comment among intelligent American citizens that the young men of Scandinavia who come to this country have

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

almost without exception succeeded, not only in making a home, but in acquiring property, and that very rapidly. This is accounted for in the fact that the youth of Scandinavia re- ceive early training in habits of industry and economy, and are taught to honor labor and despise the false pride and lack of principle which seek to accumulate wealth without effort.

AMES B. NEWMAN, an intelligent agriculturist of Washington Township, resides on section 14, where he owns a fine farm of 240 acres. He is a native of the " Buckeye " State, born in Madison County, July 14, 1822. He is a son of Isaac Newman, and a grandson of George Newman, a native of Virginia of Englishi descent; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a pio- neer settler in Ohio, where he located in 1833. Isaac Newinan was reared in Ohio and there married Margaret Slaughter, a native of Maryland and a daughter of George and Pris- cilla (White) Slaughter, descendants of Ger- man and Irish ancestors. Eight children were born of this union, of whom James B. is the fourth. The parents removed to Illi- mois in 1852 and settled in Knox County, where they passed the remainder of t eir days.

James B. was reared to the occupation of a farmer; he received his education in the common schools of Mechanicsville, Ohio, and for a time was engaged in teaching. He was united in marriage, November 26, 1856, in Knox County, Illinois, to Miss Abbie H. Hoag, a daughter of James and Levina (Lee) Hoag. Mrs. Newman was born, reared, and educated in Otsego County, New York, and also resided in Duchess County, New York. Her parents came to Knox County, Illinois,

in 1846. Mr. Newman was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Knox County, Illinois, until 1874, when he removed to Page County, Iowa. One year later he purchased his pres- ent farm, which was wild and unimproved; he lias since devoted his energies to its devel- opment, and has established a mnost delight- ful home; there are 240 acres of land, and the improvements are all first-class; there are eight acres of grove and a fine orchard with an abundance of small fruits. The surround- ings are all indicative of the prosperity and wise management of the owner.

Mr. and Mrs. Newman are the parents of five children: Gertrude, a successful teacher; Margaret, wife of J. A. Mawhinney; Joye, wife of S. W. Dewey; James S., and Jessie, who died at the age of fonr years. The par- ents are worthy members of the Baptist Church of Northboro, and are active in all religious and moral reforms of the day. Politi- cally Mr. Newman is identified with the Re- publican party ; he has represented the people of his township as assessor and as a member of the school board, discharging his duties with much judgment and to the satisfaction of all interested in the welfare of the com- munity.

EORGE E. MORRILL is the pioneer live-stock and grain-dealer of North- boro, Iowa. The elevator, which has a capacity of 15,000 bushels, was built by G. J. Cole. The present firm of Howard & Morrill do an annual business of 100,000 bushels, and the past year they shipped sev- enty-five car-loads of stock. Mr. Morrill shipped the first car-load of lumber into Northboro, and shipped the first car-load of wheat from that point. He is an excellent judge of both grain and stock and has wou

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

an enviable place in the business circles of Page County. He is descended from good, old, New England stock, the earliest ances- tors having settled in Massachusetts about 1620. He was born in Dexter, Penobscot County, Maine, December 23, 1840, and is a son of Levi and Dorcas (Mason) Morrill. He passed his youth in his native State and at the age of sixteen years removed with his parents to Marshall County, Illinois, where lie grew to manhood. During the Rebellion he reponded to the call for help in the de- fense of this Nation, and enlisted August 27, 1862, in Company C, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The most noted battles in which he participated were Perryville and Chickamauga; he was with General Sher- man on liis immortal march to the sea, and returned through the Carolinas and on to Richmond, and thence to Washington, being present at the grand review. He was lion- orably discharged June 6, 1865, as Corporal. He returned to Marshall County, Illinois, where he remained five years. At the end of this time he removed to Page County, Iowa, and settled in Washington Township on wild land. By diligence and industry he succeeded in placing it under good cultivation, and has converted it into one of the best farms in the township; it consists of 160 acres and is situated on section 32.

Mr. Morrill was united in marriage in Mar- shall County, Illinois, in the fall of 1865, to Isabelle Thompson, and of this union tliree children have been born: Clara, Edwin S. and Shirley D. Mrs. Morrill was a popular teacher in the public schools before her marriage. In politics Mr. Morrill adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He has been town- ship trustee, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the school board, discharging his duties with much good judgment. He is a member of Gettysburg Post, No. 241, G. A. R., at

Northboro; he is a charter member of this post and is its present commander. He lias always taken an active interest in religion and education, and lias assisted in every public enterprise liaving for its object the advance- ment of the community. He is a member of the Baptist Church and is also a deacon of the same. He is a man of upright con- duct and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

ILLIAM J. SPUNAUGLE, a well- known citizen of Tarkio Township, came to Page County in October, 1867: hence he is counted among the pio- neers and is entitled to representation in this volume. He was born in Highland County, West Virginia, January 10, 1839. His par- ents, Willian and Jemimah (Waybright) Spunaugle, were also natives of Highland County, and reared a family of nine children. In 1856 they removed to Illinois. William J. remained under the parental roof until Lin- cohi's call for 300,000 men, when he became a member of Company C, which was after- ward a part of a Missouri Regiment. He was first under fire at New Madrid and was also in the engagement at Island No. 10. He helped cut an eighteen-mile canal, and acted as a guard along the line of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, and also assisted in repairing and building railroad lines. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and was honorably discharged Angust 18, 1864, after which he returned to Prairie City, Illinois. He resided tliere until 1867, when he came to Page County and purchased eighty acres of land; there were thirty acres broken and a sinall, log liouse stood on the place. He has added from time to tinie to his land until he now owns 200 acres of as fine land as lies in

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Page County. In 1883 he erected a good residence at a cost of $1,200; it stands upon a natural building site in the midst of shade and ornamental trees. In 1888 a well planned barn was erected and all the sur- roundings indicate economy and wise man- agement. Special attention is given to raising and feeding live-stock, in which Mr. Spun- augle has been very successful.

Our subject was married January 12, 1864, to Miss Mary Gibson, a native of Indiana. By this union six children have been born: Alice J., wife of L. G. Griffey; Belle, Charles, Ada, wife of Roy Willburg; Eva and Ralph. The mother of these children died April 3, 1883. Mr. Spunaugle was married to his second wife, Anna M. Markle, May 7, 1885. She is a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Moore) McDonald, who came to this county in 1859.

Politically Mr. Spunaugle is an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He has represented the people of his town- ship in many local offices and has been an efficient officer. He is a man of frank and cordial manner, possessed of a goodly amount of intelligence, and has gained many friends since coming to Page County. It is not strange that a man of excellent liabits, a true and loyal citizen, a kind neighbor, should enjoy the esteem and respect of all with whom he mingles.

ON. E. P. STONE, the present Mayor of Clarinda, has been a resident of tlie place since 1880. He is a native of Ohio, born in Guernsey County, February 10, 1837, and a son of W. H. H. Stone, a native of the " Buckeye " State, whose an- cestors were early settlers in Virginia. The

mother died when our subject was an infant, and he found a home with his maternal grandparents, with whom he remained until he was fourteen years old. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and attended the com- mon-schools. In 1856 he went to southern Illinois, where he engaged in school teaching following that profession until the outbreak of the civil war when he entered the Union army, enlisting in Company D, Twenty-ninth Volunteer Infantry, of Illinois. He entered as a private bnt was at once elected Second Lieutenant. He participated in many hard- fought battles, including Donelson, Corinth, Shilolı, Vicksburg, Helena, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely; he was also engaged in several skirmishes, and was on the famons Texas expedition. At the battle of Shilolı, he was promoted to the position of Captain of his company and served in that capacity until the war closed. He was inustered ont September 16, 1865, at Houston, Texas, and at once returned to Illinois and engaged in the mercantile trade at New Haven. This he followed until 1873, when he again took up agricultural pursuits, and in the spring of 1880 lie came to Clarinda and lias since been engaged in business. In 1884 he was elected Justice of the Peace and still holds that office. In the autumn of 1888 he was elected Mayor of Clarinda and is the present incumbent.

Mr. Stone was married September 23 1866, to Miss Agnes I. Boydle, a native of Illinois. By this union six children have been born: Arthur died at the age of eight years; Emma died when one year of age; B -- died at the age of three years and eiglit monthis; Leon, Julian and Mabel are still living. Captain Stone and wife are ac- ceptable members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He is a member of the Grand Army Post and assisted in the organization

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

of the Sons of Veterans at Clarinda. He has served as senior and junior warden of the post and as commander of the camp of veterans. It should be stated in this con- nection that Mr. Stone's father removed to Illinois in 1840, and when the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in Company G, Seventh Illinois Cavalry; he died March, 1862, from disease contracted in the service of his country. His death occured at Mound City, Iowa.

Captain Stone is a man quiet and unassum- ing of manner, a true and loyal citizen, and one whom all respect for his manly virtues.

- OBERT THOMPSON, a scientific and prosperous farmer of Douglas Town- ship, on section 9, is one of the early and well-known settlers there, having been a resident there since 1865. He was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1823; and of the same State his father, also named Robert, was a native. His mother's name before marriage was Nancy Gravatt. She was a native of New Jersey. In 1855 Mr.

Thompson came to Jackson County, Iowa, lived there nine years, and then for a time in Jasper County, and finally lie came to Page County and purchased 160 acres of improved land from Hiram Ward, who had entered the same from the Government; and Mr. Thomp- son has further improved the place until it is now one of the best farins in the neighbor- hood. His residence, built in 1878, cost $1,200. The premises are ornamented with shade-trees and a beautiful grove.

Mr. Thompson was married in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, Marclı 28, 1848, to Miss Harriet Wallace, a native of that State, who has since died, November 16, 1881, a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a kind and loving mother. The children are four in number: Alice Rebecca, wife of B. T. McCormick, of Shenandoah; Marietta, a successful teacher; Frank, and James M., who is married and has the care and management of his father's farm. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in his political views, has served as Township Trustee, and is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is at present one of the trustees.

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Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar Number of Pages: 946

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946