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 49
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Politically our esteemed subject is a Demo-
crat. He has hield the responsible position of supervisor for six years, and he has also served as school director, and has been di- rector of the Clarinda National Bank six years. He is a member of the German Lu- thieran Church, of which he is one of the present trustees. He makes liberal contri- butions to the church of his choice, and has given liis children a good education both in the German and English languages.
ZEKIEL PIPER, one of the representa- tive men of Douglas Township, came to Page County in 1868, and since that time lias made his home there. He was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1845, and is a son of Daniel and Anna (Bair) Piper, natives of Pennsylvania. Wlien he was ten years old the family removed to Henry County, Illinois, and he remained with them until 1865, when he went to Knox County, Illinois. He remained there three years, and at the end of that time the family all removed to Page County, Iowa, where the parents passed the remainder of their days. The father died February 13, 1874, and the mother died in Washington County, Kansas, September, 1888, while on a visit to a daughter.
Mr. Piper was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and for four years he lived in Val- ley Township, where lie was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He then returned to the old homestead, where lie now lives. The farm contains eighty acres of rich land, in a good state of cultivation. There is a com- fortable dwelling, substantial barns for stock and grain, and many modern conveniences for farming. A grove of beautiful trees adds much to the attractiveness of the spot, and an orchard of 120 trees is one of the luxuries
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
not enjoyed in every comparatively new country.
Mr. Piper lias been twice married: first, December 25, 1873, he was united to Miss Martha Welch, a daughter of George and Sarah Welch. She died in September, 1883. Two years later, September 3, 1885, he was married to Miss Ida Munckey, a daughter of Jasper and Emina (McQueen) Munckey. The parents were born in the State of New York and removed to McDonougli County, Illinois, at an early day, and in 1867 they came to Page County, Iowa.
By this second marriage two children were born: Elsie Elvira and Herbert A.
In this country of free government every inan las some choice of political parties, and our subject has cast his vote with the Repub- licans. He is in the prime of life, and is highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.
L. VAN SANDT, physician and sur- geon, Clarinda, is among the few pioneer practitioners of Page County yet living. He came to the county in 1858, and during all these long years lias ever sought to better the condition of society, by aiding and fostering the public institutions, which to-day bless the " Kingdom of Page." The Doctor is one of those rare exceptions who become potent factors in other lines than their own calling. While he has been a con- stant practitioner at Clarinda for a third of a century, he has also been the prime mover in inany laudable enterprises. He lias been fore- most in the efforts to obtain railroads and public buildings; in sustaining the Page County Agricultural Society and the South- Western Iowa Medical Association.
To learn something of his early years, his 35
education, and family connection, it may be stated, by way of beginning, tliat he is a native of Ohio, born May 7. 1825. His father was John Van Sandt, who was a native of Fleming County, Kentucky. The Van Sandts origi- nally came from Holland, emigrating to Berks County, Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather removed to Botetourt County, Virginia, at an early day. In the Revolutionary war he was disabled from field duty on account of his great weight, but raised a regiment and received a Colonel's commission. His son Elijalı removed to Fleming County, Kentucky, where the father of our subject was born and reared and married to Miss Nancy Northcutt, the daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Nortli- cutt, a prominent Methodist clergyman of Kentucky. He took an active part in the great religious revival that swept the country at the commencement of this century. He was a native of North Carolina, of English descent.
After his marriage, John Van Sandt re- moved to Brown County, Ohio, and in 1828 to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he took an active part in the " Under-ground Railroad." He became an anti-slavery advocate as early as 1835, and continued a zealous worker until overtaken by deatlı in 1847. His wife died in 1837. This Jolin Van Sandt is the origi- nal of one of the characters in Mrs. Stowe's " Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Our subject, the Doctor, was reared on liis father's farm, and attended the subscription schools common at that date; he completed his education at Woodford and Farmers' Col- leges. In 1847 he began the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. I. J. Avery, of Read- ing, Ohio. He remained with him one year and then attended lectures in 1848, 1849, and in 1850 he graduated at the Cincinnati Medical Institute (Eclectic). In 1850 he began his actual practice in Troy, Ohio,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
where he remained about ten years. He then came to Iowa and engaged in the practice of his profession at Clarinda, then a mere ham- let. At one time he was in the drug business, and lie also did some experimental farming. It was the worthy Doctor and his wife who were instrumental in connection with some others in planting the first shade trees on the public grounds of Clarinda, which have come to be the admiration of both strangers and citizens.
Dr. Van Sandt was married November 7, 1850, to Miss Eliza Heald, a native of Ohio, the daughter of Zimerah Heald, who was born in the state of Maine. Two children were born of this union: Florence May died in 1856, aged two years; Stanley is now a resi- dent of Clarinda.
During his public career the Doctor has filled many positions; he was elected a inem- ber of the Iowa Legislature, serving in the House during the Tenth Assembly; he was pension examiner for eighteen years, and was also a member of the medical board for the same period of time; he was commissioned by Governor Stone as Surgeon of the State Mi- litia; he is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society, and of the National Society of Eclectic Physicians; he has served as President of the Iowa Eclectic Society and was Professor of Gynecology in tlie Iowa Eclectic College.
Both the Doctor and Mrs. Van Sandt are acceptable members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a radical Republican and has been an efficient worker in his party.
Nearly every branch of trade and vocation pursued in Page County has felt the touch and power of Dr. Van Sandt's diversified knowledge and zealous work. Some, nay, most men live to themselves, but in looking over the list of prominent and truly repre- sentative people of Page County, one finds
none who have accomplished more than Dr. Van Sandt and his estimable companion.
Possessed of a high degree of intelligence and refinement it is but natural that Mrs. Van Sandt should have become a leader in social circles, while her husband per force of his natural and acquired ability impresses the masses as being a person of unusual mental strength. One result of Dr. Van Sandt's many years of residence here has been to fix in the minds of observing and thinking people the fact that men's lives are not alone valut- able by reason of the property they may acquire, but that public spirit and sonl-life are what true men and women most admire and appreciate. While our esteemned subject has accumulated a competence, he has expend- ed large sums for the public good. There are people in every part of the county. whoin he has treated without money, and his visits have been made in summer's heat and winter's blast.
Upon all inoral and political questions lie has been a fearless advocate of the side that impressed him as the right one, and his in- fluence will be felt long after he shall have passed away.
In conclusion it may be said that Dr. N. L. Van Sandt's life and character in Page County have been of that high type that men everywhere respect. The deeds of his event- ful life will be his monument, and public opinion will inscri be the words, Good Citizen, Noble Manhood, Faithful Friend.
AMES POLLOCK, one of the intelligent and successful agriculturists of Douglas Township, has been a resident of Page County since 1869. He was born in Nova Scotia, February 1, 1835, and is a son of James Pollock, also a native of Nova Scotia,
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
whose parents were natives 'of Ireland. The Inother's maiden name was Ann Simpson, and she was of Scotch descent. Her father was an officer in the British army, and re- ceived from the British government lands in Nova Scotia.
James Pollock, Sr., was a farmer by occu- pation, and until James, Jr., was seventeen years old he was trained in the same avoca- tion. He was twelve years old when tlie family removed to Canada, and at the age of eighteen years he went to serve an appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade, and later engaged in the wagon and carriage-maker's trade.
In 1859 the family removed to Mercer County, Illinois. There were thirteen chil- dren, all of whom lived to be men and women. The mother died in 1868, and the father in 1871.
Mr. Pollock was united in marriage, March 3, 1864, to Miss Jane Brownlee, a native of Ohio. She was born in Guernsey County, June 2, 1837, and is the daughter of Ebene- zer and Ann (Mitchell) Brownlee, natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch lineage. The father died in 1845, and in 1858 the widow and children removed to Mercer Connty, Illinois, where the mother died in 1863. Mrs. Pollock was well edu- cated, and was a snecessful teacher previous to her marriage.
Our subject resided in Mercer County, Illinois, until 1866, when he removed to Benton County, lowa, where he remained three years. At the end of this time he came to Page Connty, and first purchased a tract of eighty acres of wild land which he brought to a good state of cultivation. As his nieans increased he made forthier invest- ments in real estate, until his farm now covers 320 acres. There are two good resi- dences on this land, and he has planted three
acres in a fine assortment of fruit trees and a good grove. The farm buildings are of a most substantial character, and the place is surrounded by 1,100 rods of well-kept osage orange fence. . The farm is well stocked with higli-graded cattle, horses and hogs, and an air of thrift and prosperity pervades the whole surroundings.
Mr. Pollock is a zealous and active mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church, being one of the organizers of the society and a present elder. He lias also served as Sabbath- school superintendent and teacher. Politi- cally he is a Republican Prohibitionist.
OHN G. MCMULLEN, an enterprising farmer of Douglas Township, has been a resident of Page County since his early childhood, having emigrated with his grand- fatlier in 1854. He was born in Darke County, Ohio, August 27, 1847, and is the son of Stephen and Phoebe (Loy) McMullen. When he was two years old his father died, and a few weeks later the mother followed her husband, leaving five little children. The helpless little creatures found a good home with their grandfather, Jacob Loy, who reared them to maturity.
When John G. was seven years old his grandfather brought him to Clarinda, Page County, Iowa, and they soon settled near that town. He spent his first school days in a log school-house that was built at Clarinda, and naturally liis advantages were not of the most brilliant character; however, they were made the most of, and a foundation was laid for a successful business life. At the age of nineteen years lie started ont for himself, en- gaging to work on a farm by the month. His grandfather had been a fariner before him, and he had been trained in this occupation.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
He improved a farm on section 8, Douglas Township, which he sold two years later; he then improved another tract of land on sec- tion 7, which he also disposed of, and in 1884 he embarked in the mercantile business in Clarinda. He followed this for two years, and in 1886 he located on his present farm. It is a well-improved piece of land, consist- ing of 160 acres in an advanced state of cultivation. The farm is watered by running streams, thns essentially adapting it to stock- raising.
Mr. McMullen was united in marriage, June 3, 1869, to Miss M. J. Lytle, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Secrest) Lytle. They are the parents of three daughters: Lulu, Mabel and Florence. They are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and strive to elevate the moral sentiment of the community in which they live. Mr. Mc- Mullen is one of the trustees of the church, and was at one time appointed Sabbath-school superintendent, a position he is well fitted to fill.
HARLES WHIPP .- In sketching the career of the first settlers of any country it is often very noticeable that success crowns one man's efforts while another's seem to be one train of disappointment and failure. The question is not unfrequently asked, "Why are these lives so unequal?" In a general way it may be answered by re- marking that men are not constituted alike; they are not trained in boyliood alike, and the circumstances which surround them are seldom the same.
The man whose name heads this sketch has been a marked success, and is to-day one of the happy, prosperous agriculturists of Colfax Township. To learn of his boyhood
days and earlier manhood the reader is asked to allow his thoughts to rest on thal magnifi- cent farming section in England known as Yorkshire, where Mr. Whipp was born, July 29, 1834. His father and mother were both natives of Yorkshire, and were good old English farmers of the sturdy type, and reared their family, consisting of three sons and six daughters, in the ways of prudence and industry. The father's name was George Whipp, and the inother's maiden name was Anna Whitley, daughter of G. C. Whitley. The former died in his native country in 1870, and the latter in 1864.
Charles is the only inember of the family who came to America. He sailed from Liverpool in the spring of 1856, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after a voyage of seventeen days. The steamer was delayed on account of a wreck caused by floating ice off the coast of Newfoundland.
Mr. Whipp was married in Yorkshire, England, May 24, 1854, to Miss Grace Hol- las, a daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Lever) Hollas. The mother's brother was one of the inanufacturers of the wire used in the first Atlantic cable. Our subject left his wife and one child in his native land and crossed the ocean, hoping to better his circumstances. He had no capital on which to depend but his hands. He worked on a farm in New Jersey for one year, and then went to Knox County, Illinois, where he followed farming by the month until June, 1861, which brought him to the opening of the great civil war. He was not then an American citizen, but lie had determined to make this country his home; he was fired with the same feelings of patriotism and love for the flag of our Union that filled the hearts of native Ameri- cans. He became a member of Company D, Seventh Illinois Cavalry in June, 1861, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
He enlisted as a private, and from principle rather than spoils. He was mustered out after four years and a half of hard, active service, as Sergeant of liis company. He took part in many battles and skirmishes, including Corinth, luka, and Island No. 10. He was in the noted "Grierson Raid," which was sent ont to cut off communications, de- stroy railroads and seize supplies. In the autumn of 1862 he was taken a prisoner of war, and held at Vicksburg from October 6 until Janury 1, 1863,-three months. He was mustered out of the service in the fall of 1865, at Springfield, Illinois, having proved himself a soldier true and brave. No little credit attaches to those of foreign birthi wlio served during that long and bloody contest from '61 to '65.
Upon returning to Knox County, Illinois, Mr. Whipp engaged in farming until 1866, when he removed to Henry County, Illinois, and remained there until 1869. In that year he settled in Page County, Iowa. As his life and destiny were all too uncertain during the dark days of the Rebellion, he did not send to England for his family until the year 1866, when his wife and child came to greet him in the country of their adoption. At first he purchased eighty acres on the east half of section 12, Colfax Township, to which he has from time to time made additions until his present farm contains 200 acres of valuable land, finely improved. All was then new and wild in this section of 'Page County. The Ininber for his first house was hauled from Villisca, over thirty miles distant. But he is now comfortably situated; his build- ings are substantial, and an orchard provides an abundance of good fruit. His residence is one mile and a half from College Springs, where Amity College is situated, whichi drew him to this county as a place to educate his children. His farming has been of the best
kind, always feeding his crops out on his place to liis own stock, and meeting with universal success in his enterprises.
Mr. and Mrs. Whipp are the parents of seven intelligent children: Hannalı, wife of John S. Herron, a resident of Kansas; George H. and Hattie (twins); George is at liome, and Hattie is married to Thomas IIil !; Alice, Fred and Flora (twins), and May B. are all at home.
The parents are members of the Congrega- tional elinrch at College Springs. Politi- cally Mr. Whipp is a radical and firmn believer in the general principles of the Re- publican party. He has never sought office, but has held local positions of trust with sat- isfaction to all concerned. He belongs to Page Post, G. A. R., at Coin.
In whatever way Mr. Whipp may be viewed, he is a inan of sterling qualities. He is an excellent neighbor, a prudent farmer, and a loyal and true citizen, as his military and civil record attests. He believes in and supports public enterprises, schools and churches, holding that in these rests the safety of the nation. It is said that he is without an enemy in his county, where he has lived twenty-one years. The above facts have been carefully collected from among his friends and neighbors, who are competent to judge.
DWIN APLEY, a highly respected resi- dent of section 27, Colfax Township, came to Page County on a visitin De- cem ber, 1864, and, being favorably impressed with the value and productiveness of the soil in this section of Iowa, purchased eighty acres of his present farm from J. B. New- inan, paying $10 per acre for the same. His present farm contains 120 acres, the last
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IIISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
" forty " being purchased in 1883, at a cost three times as great as that of the first land.
Concerning Mr. Apley's early career it may be stated that he was born in Windham County, Connecticut, at Woodstock, July 5, 1846, and is a son of Elias and Betsey (Chand- ler) Apley, native of Connecticut. The father died in his native county in July, 1874, and the mother departed this life when our sub- ject was a mere lad. Both parents were of good Puritan ancestry. Edwin attended the common schools of his native county. It was in February, 1870, that he landed in Lee County, Illinois, where his father's broth- ers were then residing. There he engaged in farm labor by the month; in June of the same year he visited Washington County, Nebraska, but after looking that country over he decided that Page County, Iowa, was the best place in which to build for himself a home, and he at once began his farm improve- ments.
Mr. Apley was married November 26, 1885, to Miss Mary A. McDonell, the daughter of Daniel and Annie (Kane) McDonell. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsyl- vania, and came to Page County with her parents in April, 1870. Her father died May 12, 1883, and her mother is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Apley are the parents of two children: Nellie, born November 6, 1886, and Maggie, born September 15, 1888.
Politically our subject is an uncompromis- ing Republican, but has never sought public office: He at one time served as road super- visor upon the earnest solictation of the people. He is a man of industry and public spirit. When the Blanchard Creamery stock was offered for sale he took a number of shares to help along that enterprise. When he first came to Colfax Township all was new and wild, and it took long years of toil and privation to develop his present farm. He had a fine,
bearing orchard, and excellent facilities for raising and feeding stock. The farm is three miles east of Blanchard in one of the choicest locations in the county, and is a pleasant home, much enjoyed by him and his family. They are numbered among Page County's happy and prosperous people.
AMUEL HERRON, one of the pio- neers of Colfax township residing on section 11, came to this connty in the spring of 1869, from Columbiana County, Ohio; he made the journey by rail to Ham- burg, Fremont County, then the nearest sta- tion. He bought the partially improved farm of W. W. Russell, containing 200 acres of choice land. The family lived in the small, inconvient house, which was al- ready on the premises, from March until January, 1870, when their new house was completed; it was erected at a cost of $2,000. and is 30 x 30 feet with an addition; there is a cellar 22 x 30 feet, walled with stone, wliclı was brought from Snow Hill quarry above Coin. The lumber for the building was freighted from Hamburg, thirty miles dis- tant, and the lime was procured at Bedford, Taylor County. The price of material was high and generous wages were paid for labor. The residence as it now stands is one of the best in the township; it is located on a natural building site and is completely sur- rounded by stately Norway spruce trees, a third of a century old; they were planted by pioneer Russell in 1857, when they were less than two feet high, but now tower thirty feet in height; they are a beautiful collec- tion of trees and are said to be the finest of the kind in Page County. Good barns, shed- ding and stock buildings have been pro- vided. At one time the farm contained 280
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
acres, but now has 160 acres. General farm- ing and stock-feeding are carried on by Mr. Herrou and liis son.
Something of the early career of our sub- ject will be of interest to most of Page Coun- ty's citizens. He is a native of the "Emerald Isle," born in county Down, July 3, 1821. His parents emigrated to America when he was less than two years old, and settled in tlie State of New York. At the end of eight years they removed to Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, and thence to Ohio, where the father died in 1854, aged seventy years. The mother died in Page County in the spring of 1886, aged ninety years. Samuel is the only child of the family who lived to inaturity. He was united in marriage Jannary 7, 1851, to Miss Susan Graham of Columbiana connty, Ohio, a danghter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Graham) Graham. She was born in Ireland, and when she was four years old her parents emigrated to America and settled in Colnm- biana County, Ohio. Her father died in 1878, aged eighty-three years, and the mother passed away in 1881, aged seventy-seven years.
Mr. and Mrs. Herron are the parents of eight children, three of whom are living: thie first born, Eliza Jane, died at the age of two years; Anna Maggie died when twenty months old; a pair of twins died in infancy, and Willie W., a bright, promising boy of fonrteen summers, died in 1874; the living children are John, Nathan J. and Joseph K.
Mr. Herron's education was received in the common schools of New York and Ohio, and in a " select school " which he attended two years, after which he engaged in teaching for several years. For five years he was engaged in the general merchandise trade in Carroll Connty, and in Columbiana County eight years; lie was there when the noted raider, Morgan, was captured during the civil war.
Politically Mr. Herron has been a firm supporter of the Republican party since its organization. He and his family are con- sistent members of the United Presbyterian Church at College Springs. He lias long been looked upon as an honored member of Page County society.
AMES M. GIBSON, a resident of section 30, has been identified with the interests common to a Page County citizen since 1865. Having been an early settler and one of the representative men of Colfax Town- ship, he naturally finds place in the history of his county. He is a native of Pntnam County, Indiana, born February 8, 1848, and is a son of James X. and Emily (Moss) Gib- son, natives of the State of Kentucky. They emigrated in 1834 to Indiana and improved a farm in the midst of a dense forest in I'nt- nam Connty. In 1853 the family removed to Appanoose County, Iowa, and again took np pioneer life. In 1865 they moved to Harlan Township, Page County, locating on section 22 In 1872 they went to Colfax Township and settled on section 19. The father died March 21, 1874, aged sixty-three years. The mother is still living, and makes her home in Blanchard.
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