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 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Guild was united in marriage March 11, 1884, to Miss Ida McAlpine, a daughter of Stephen and Saralı (East) McAlpine, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Guild was born in Hawleyville, June 5, 1869. One child lias been born of this union, Clyde, an interesting child one year of age on the twenty-eightlı day of May, 1890.

After resigning his clerkship Mr. Guild teamed in Omaha and Missouri for one year, after which he opened a grocery and hard- ware store in Hawleyville, in which business he is successfully engaged at the present time. He was appointed Postmaster at Hawleyville, December 29, 1888; he is a member of the Republican party, and the administration being Democratic is evidence of his popularity in the community. He owns a two-story building, carrying on his business on the first floor and using the second floor as a dwelling. He is still a young man in the prime of life, with a promising future before him, and ow- ing to his genial manners and upright deal- ing he enjoys the confidence of the entire community.

ARY E. SPAULDING, a resident of Nebraska Township, Page County, was born August 28, 1842, in Shelby County, Indiana, and is a daughter of Will- iam and Esther (Copeland) Jackson, natives of Olio and Indiana respectively. She was reared and educated in her native State, and at the age of seventeen years she moved with

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

her parents to Page County, Iowa, arriving at their new liome October 22, 1860, and March 10, 1861, she was married to Alfred Madden, also a former resident of Indiana. Mr. Madden was born near Columbus, Indi- ana, December 10, 1837. After their mar- riage they settled on a farm in Taylor County, and there resided until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in several skir- mishes, but no hard battles. He was taken sick with camp fever soon after his regiment was sent south and he was taken to the hos- pital in Helena, Arkansas, lingering there for three long months, when death came to his relief July 26, 1863. He left many warın friends among his comrades, who mourned his death with his widow. Politi- cally lie affiliated with the Democratic party.

Upon the death of her husband Mrs. Mad- den took her young son, W. E., and returned to the home of her parents; there she lived ull- til October 26, 1866, when she was married to E. J. Spaulding, a native of Tompkins Coun- ty, New York, born February 10, 1836. He attended the common schools until his twen- tieth year, when he went to Illinois, wliere he remained two years; he then went to Page County, lowa, and bonght forty acres of land adjoining Hawleyville, to which he soon ad- ded forty acres more; he made this his home for four years, but after his marriage to Mrs. Madden, he sold this place and bought another near by, in the same county, contain- ing 205 acres, and also 215 acres in Taylor County; later on he purchased 160 acres in Dallas Township, also forty acres in Mont- gomery County, adjoining Villisca, the county seat, and a two-story frame store in Hawley- ville, stocking it with general merchandise. By his second marriage two children were born; Charles H. and Mary E. Politically Mr. Spaulding adhered to the Republican

party; he was Postmaster at Hawleyville for four years, and served as school director and Treasurer, and also as Supervisor, in connec- tion with managing his large store in Haw- leyville.

September 19, 1887, the family were greatly bereaved by the death of Mr. Spaulding, He was a kind and indulgent husband and father and was a wise and careful business man, highly esteemed by all who knew him. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Spaulding has managed the farm with the assistance of her two younger children, and has been very suc- cessful; she is a woman of rare good jndg- ment, and has proven herself capable of dis- charging all the duties that have been placed to lier lot. She lives a quiet, contented life with her children, and enjoys the respect of all who know her.

IRAM V. HATFIELD, one of the successful farmers in Nebraska Town- ship, was born on a farm in Henry County, Iowa, April 19, 1859, and is the son of John M. and Martha (Jay) Hatfield natives of Indiana. In the spring of 1864 the family met with a great misfortune in the death of the mother; they were then residing in Tay- lor County, Iowa, whithier they had removed from Henry County, Iowa. After his moth- er's death Hiram was taken into the family of J. H. Liggett, with whom he made his home for eighteen years, and with whom he moved to Page County in the spring of 1866. During liis yonth he was given an opportu- nity of attending the common schools, and in the vacations he assisted in the farm work. In the winter of 1879 he began teaching school, following the profession for some time, and being very successful.

On Christmas day, 1880, an event of

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

mnuch importance to Mr. Hatfield occurred: Mr. Liggett presented him with a tract of eighty acres of improved land, as evidence of his affection for him. It was indeed a mu- nificent gift, and one fully appreciated by the recipient. Mr. Hatfield devoted his time to the cultivation of his land and to his profes- sion until the sminmer of 1884, when he aban- doned teaching. June 22, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda W. Hunt- er, a daughter of G. C. and Eliza (Donglass) Hunter; she was born in Campbell County, Tennessee, Jannary 18, 1864, and died Jan- uary 11, 1890. Four children have been born of this union: Elmo L., Gny H., Roy Doug- lass and Nellie L.

Mr. Hatfield is a stanch Republican, and has served his township as Assessor, and is one of the present justices of the peace. He is a member of the K. P., Newmarket Lodge, No. 126, in which he takes an active interest. He has spent much of his time in the im- provement of liis farm, and has put it in first- class condition. He has a neat, comfortable home, and has every prospect of a successful and happy life. He is of an unassuming and gentlemanly nature, and has many warm friends in the community.

AVID MORGAN was born October 2, 1836, in Dubois County, Indiana, and is a son of S G. and Elizabeth (Bal- lard) Morgan, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee respectively. Until he was sixteen years old his time was divided between the subscription school and farm work. The first journey he made on leaving home was to Kentucky; he obtained work on a farm near Hawleyville and remained there seven months. In the fall of 1854, the spirit of unrest being within him still, he pushed on to the western

part of Iowa, and the following spring he en- tered a wagon shop in Hawleyville as appren- tice; for two years he followed this line of work, and then went to work at the carpen- ter's trade, which he continued until the breaking out of the war. He was not long in responding to the call for men, enlisting in Company K, Twenty-fifth Missouri V ol- nnteer Infantry, December 1, 1861; the most noted battle in which he took part was Pitts- burgh Landing; he was with General Sher- inan on his immortal marchi to the sea, and was present at the battleof Jonesborough, but was not called into active service, being on the re- serve force. He was on Sherinan's pontoon bridge force, and on one occasion assisted in putting in six pontoon boats sixteen feet long and fonr feet wide nnder continnous fire of the rebels; none of the force suffered any in- jury, which was a very remarkable escape. February 4, 1864, his regiment was consoli- dated with the Engineer Regiment of the West, at Nashville, Tennessee, after which it was called the First Missouri Engineers. Mr. Morgan was appointed Sergeant of his com- pany in Juue, 1863, which position he re- tained until he was discharged. On the marchi from Atlanta to Savannah, he had charge of a pioneer squad of twenty-seven citizens, at- tached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. He was honorably discharged December 20, 1864, and at once returned to his home by way of New York. Although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight he was never wound- ed or taken prisoner.

Mr. Morgan resumed his business of wagon-ınaking, in which he is still engaged. He was married, December 30, 1858, to Miss Susan Goodman Winters, a native of Hardin County, Kentucky. Five children have been born of this union: Matilda (deceased), John B., who resides in Washington Territory; Lettie J., Mary and Tillie Maud, residing at

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

home. Mary is a teacher by profession, and has been successfully engaged in this work for some time.

The people of Nebraska Township have shown the confidence which they repose in Mr. Morgan by calling him to fill offices of trust and responsibility; for twelve consec- utive years he has served as trustee, and he has also been clerk and school director a nuin- ber of terms. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time has supported the Republican ticket. He is a member of Warren Post. No. 11, G. A. R.

In all the duties and responsibilities of life Mr. Morgan lias been found faithful and true, and he well deserves the esteein and respect in which he is held by the citizens of Page County.

D. LAUGHLIN was born in Pike County, Ohio, October 13, 1847, and is the son of William H. and Selina (Brill) Laughlin, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The paternal ancestors were born in Ireland and Scotland, while the maternal ancestors were Hollanders. There were ten children in the family, of whom J. D. is the third. The father died in May. 1888, aged sixty-nine years; the mother still lives in Pike County, Ohio.

Our subject remained in the county in which he was born until he was sixteen years of age; he received more than the ordinary school privileges, spending two years in the Holbrook Normal College. Lebanon, Ohio. When he was just past sixteen years old he enlisted in Company G, Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged at Frederick City, Maryland, July, 1865. He was wounded slightly at the battle of Steven-

son Station, which disabled him from active service for two months; lie was again wounded in the valley of the Shenandoah. He partici- pated in twenty-two engagements and seven- teen actnal battles. In February, 1865, he was sent to the hospital on account of ill- healtlı, and remained there until his discharge in July of that year. After the declaration of peace he returned to his home in Pike County, Ohio, where he lived until 1869. He then removed to Champaign Connty, Illi- nois, and for three years made it his liome; lie then removed to Lebanon, Ohio, and again entered school, pursuing his studies until the fall of 1873. He then engaged in teaching in Pike County until 1874, when he returned to Champaign County, Illinois, remaining there but a short time before he removed to Vermilion County, Illinois. He located in Danville. where he was foreman of the car- works, under the inaster car-builder of the C., D. & V. Railway. He had served an ap- prenticeship at the carpenter's trade in Pike County, Ohio. He was foreman in the car- shops at Danville until the fall of 1876, when he came to Page County, Iowa.

In 1875 Mr. Laughlin had purchased a farnı of 160 acres on section 31, Morton Township, and in the fall of 1876 he erected a residence and began other improvements. He planted two and a half acres as a grove of red cedar, mulberry and willow, and two acres in fruit trees. He has made an addi- tional purchase of eighty acres, lying east of lıis farın, and devotes the whole to farming and stock-raising. He deals principally in graded stock.

Mr. Laughlin athiliates with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in tlie issues of the country. He has represented Page County for six years as County Super- visor; he was a member during the erection of the present court-honse, and has served his

Seth J. Clark

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY

constituents faithfully and has their entire confidence. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Shenandoalı Lodge, No. 261.

Mr. Laughlin was nnited in marriage No- vember 22, 1874, to Martha J. Houser, a daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Dill- inan) Houser, who were of German descent. She was born in Clerniont County, Ohio, March 8, 1853. Five children have been born of this union: Clio M., Byron B., Osossie M., Effie G. and David R.

ETH J. CLARK .- This solid and re- liable farmer has long been prominently identified with the interests of Page County, his residence there beginning in 1859. He was born in Barre, Worcester County, Massachusetts, September 27, 1840, a son of Erastus and Betsey (Petty) Clark, both New Englanders by birth. They reared a family of seven children: Elizabeth, Hor- ace, Mary, George, Seth, William, and Susan. In 1845 they were caught in the tide of western emigration and removed to Illinois; for two years they resided in Du Page-Connty, and at the expiration of that period they went to De Kalb County, where they remained until 1859. In that year they came to Page County, Iowa, where the father and mother passed the remainder of their days, the former dying at the age of eighty years, and the latter at the age of seventy-three.

Seth J. was engaged in freighting across the plains from St. Joseph to Leavenworth, Kansas, and also to Denver, in thie employ of the United States Government, carrying sup- plies to western posts. His freight bills at one time amounted to $20,000, when he had in his employ 350 men putting up hay for Government use in Colorado and Kansas. This occupation afforded him a varied experi- 37

ence, quickening his faculties of observation and enabling him to read accurately the characters of mnen.

During the years 1866 and 1868, tlie sub- ject, while engaged freighting across the then known great American desert, had numerous conflicts with the tribes of Indians then roam- ing through that country. There is no doubt that the cool head and mind of Mr. Clark not only saved his own scalp but that of a number of persons and families who were traversing these great plains. On the 8th of September, 1866, he was attacked by about seventy-five Indians near Fort Phil. Kearney, on Pine Creek, in Montana. While protected by only three rocks, between which he stood in open fire for nearly an hour, the fire was rapidly returned by Mr. Clark, and after the death of a redskin and the wonnding of others, he stole away from them to camp, a distance of about one and a half miles, not receiving a scratch. In many other instances he displayed great bravery, mnade successful repulses and attacks upon and with the Indians, but never received a wound from their bloody hands.

In the autumn of 1869 he returned to Page County and embarked in the stock busi- ness; he made a specialty of raising horses for driving purposes, and also bought and sold horses. He has 7662 acres of land, which has come to be one of the mnost desira- ble farms in southwestern Iowa; it consists of prairie and timber land and is well im- proved in every respect.

Mr. Clark was united in the holy bonds of marriage, in Page County, in 1879, to Miss Martha Ella Carpenter. By this union four children have been born: Ira Walter, Wilbur Henry, Bertie Seth and Myrtie.

In this free land, where every man must have some political creed whereby his action may be governed, our subject has chosen the

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Republican party as best representing his ideas on the great issues of the day. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, is well informed on the topics of the day, and is in every way capable of performing his duty as a free, American-born citizen. He may justly be considered one of the leading men of Page County.

ILLIAM D. LEDINGHAM .- Prob- ably the history of no other event in the annals of America is more densely crowded with scenes of suffering, sad- ness, misery and woe than one in which the. subject of this notice bore no inconsiderable part. The march of the Mormon emigrants in the fall of 1856 from Iowa City to Salt Lake has no parallel in the exposure, disaster and death that weak women and young chil- dren were compelled to endure. The subject of this article experienced the depth of mis- ery that accompanied that expedition, and it is worthy of interest to enter somewhat into detail in giving a brief review of his life.

William D. Ledingham was born in Aber- deen, Scotland, September 13, 1826. His parents were Alexander and Mary (Moriss) Ledingham, both of whom were of Scotch ancestry. They came to America and located in Kansas City, where they passed the re- inainder of their days.

When William was fourteen years old the family settled in Lith, Scotland, and after spending two years there he went to Sunder- land, England, and bound himself as an ap prentice on board a ship, being determined to become a sailor. He was on the ocean six years, the first four in the capacity of an ap- prentice, and the remaining two as a common sailor before the mast. Tiring of the sea, he returned to Lithi, where his family were still

residing, and there served an apprenticeship of three years as a sail-maker, following the business afterwards for five years.

In his twenty-third year Mr. Ledingham was united in marriage to Miss Catherine McKey. Having accumulated some property and having extra inducements offered him, he shipped as sail-maker on a trading vessel going to Australia under a three years' con- tract. The port of Melbourne was made in 133 days, after severe weather. On this voy- age the vessel was saved from foundering through his efforts. Not being justly treated by the officers, he resolved to quit the ship, but to decide tossed "heads or tails;" "heads won," and he thereupon started for the gold mines eighty miles distant. These he reached after an exciting encounter with a band of cut-throats, and after many discouragements found employment as a tent-maker. Being an excellent workman, he was soon made over- seer by his employer, but after nine months he decided to return to Scotland. He made the voyage in a packet, and after nineteen months of separation joined his wife and children.

Mr. Ledingham had become a convert to the Mormon faith, missionaries from that church having been teaching in Scotland. On his return he found that an emigration society was forming, and that every man who was able was expected to pay his own ex- penses, and assist others if possible, to get to the "promised land," which was represented as "flowing with milk and honey," where money would not be needed. The picture was drawn in such vivid colorings that Mr. Ledingham and wife decided to come to the new El Dorado. In May, 1856, he and his wife and four children, in company with 560 others, left Liverpool, England, full of bright expectations and vivacity. The voyage was without special incident, and they landed at

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Castle Garden, New York. There the first disappointment met them when they were required to reduce the seventy pounds of baggage to fifty pounds. Iowa City was the terminns of the railroad at that time, and there a large camp was formed, preparatory to the continuance of the journey. It was at this place that they suffered the loss of their little daughter Mary. No arrangement had been made for teams and wagons, but the emigration society supplied common hand- carts, upon whichi baggage and provisions were to be transported. Five of these were allowed to each 100 persons. Tents which Mr. Ledingham made were furnished, and soon after the 4th of July the long march began. A month was required to reach Omaha, and there a rest of a few days was inade, and then they were soon beyond all signs of civilization, and the awfulness of the solitude and the dangers of the journey began to dawn upon them. Some trouble was ex- perienced from the Indians, but Mr. Leding- ham, who was made Captain of the Guard, prevented a surprise, and by using some strategy an attack was warded off. The suf- fering from actual hunger began at an early

stage of the march, provisions being entirely inadequate. They were pnt on short rations and soon were attacked by disease, whichi was soon after followed by deatlı, and for nearly two months the misery grew worse and laul- guage fails to describe the suffering and tor- · inent. This company was followed two weeks later by another, and of the 1,000 persons who composed the two companies at the start, 300 to 400 died.

Mr. Ledingham succeeded in getting the remaining members of his family to their destination, and settled at Provo City, fifty iniles south of Salt Lake City. There he re- mained until May, 1860, when he took his family in a wagon, with two yoke of oxen,

and joined a company of United States soldiers, with whom he returned to a more civilized country. Upon reaching St. Joseph, Missouri, he was undecided where to go, and allowed the oxen to choose their own road. It happened to lead to the northeast, and lie soon found himself in Iowa, and stopped for tlie winter on Grand River. The Mormons at Mormontown hearing of him invited him to remain with them, which he did until his wife died in 1861. He found homes for his children, and went to St. Lonis, where he was in the Government employ as tent-maker until 1865. He then came to Manti, where his children were, and soon decided to remain and engage in farming.

Ten years since he removed to Shenandoah and was in the grain business for some time. He is now conducting a grocery and restaur- ant, and the profits from this business and the proceeds from investments make him a comfortable living. As has been said, his wife, after passing through the terrible ordeal of that memorable migration, braving the suffering of a four years' existence in Utah, was separated from her family by death, Six children are still living: Alexander, William, Robert and John are in the West; Lucy Jen- nette is the wife of Edward Mitchell, and Catherine McKey married William Moffit,

While in St. Louis Mr. Ledingham was inarried to Mrs. Hannalı Solmer, but after eighteen years they were separated by divorce, His present congenial helpmate was the widow of N. Bennett, who was an extensive farmer and stock-dealer of Shenandoah. No chil- dren have been born since Mr. Ledingham's first marriage. He still believes in the prin- ciples of the original Mormon church, and is a staunch supporter and earnest advocate of the faith of the Reorganized Church of Latter- Day Saints. Having a natural endowment of Scotch grit and determination, he has never

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

faltered when his duty became clear; he probes to the depth of a subject, and with little assistance from schools has made him- self a thoroughly well read man, and can pre- sent his ideas in rugged, forcible Scotch, with frankness and precision, as many opponents who have attacked him have found to their entire satisfaction.

AVID H. SKINNER, Sheriff of Page County, Iowa, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1851, and is a son of Charles V. and Julia. A. (Toombs) Skinner, natives of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and descendants of Scotch-Irish ancestors. The parents emigrated to Page County in 1866, and located at College Springs, where they resided until the death of the father, which occurred September 8, 1886; the widow is a resident of Clarinda.

Mr. Skinner received liis education in the common schools of College Springs. He was inarried November 7, 1872, to Miss Jennie E. Davis, a native of the old "Keystone " State. He followed agricultural pursuits for some years, but in 1881 he disposed of his farm and removed to Blanchard, Page County, where he resided until 1882. Jan- uary 1, of that year, he was appointed deputy sheriff under M. C. Johnson, Esq., which position he held until January 1, 1886. His services were appreciated to the extent that he was elected Sheriff of Page County in November, 1885, re-elected November, 1887, and again re-elected November, 1889. He is now serving his third term as sheriff, of the county, and has made a record of which any official might well be proud.

Mr. and Mrs. Skinner are the parents of five children: Minnie Ella, Lillie Lorena,

Charles Edward, deceased; Harry Lee, and Mabel, deceased. The parents and the oldest daughter are consistent members of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Skinner is an active member of Cla- rinda Lodge, No. 139, K. of P. He is a strong advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party, and enjoys the fullest confi- dence of that party. At the last election he received the handsome majority of 1,183 votes, a tribute of no mean proportions, and one of which he is in every way worthy.

H. PARK has been a member of the business circles of Clarinda since the year 1874. He is a native of Iowa, born April 18, 1853, and is a son of Aaron and Margaret (McCullonghi) Park; the father is a native of Ohio, and the mother was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, and was a daugh- ter of William McCullough, a native of Ire- land, and a veteran in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject came to Iowa in 1843; the father is now a resident of Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa; the mother passed to her eternal rest in 1877.

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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