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 61

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 61

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. Boggs was married February 1, 1857, to Miss Saralı J. Graham, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Mathias and Anna (Lay- man) Graham. The father lives in Wads- worth, Nevada, and the mother died in that town, October 29, 1884. Mrs. Boggs is one of a family of eight children, six of whom still survive. She is the mother of four children: James M., agent for the H. & S. Railway Company at Clearfield, Iowa; Will- iam C., an engineer by occupation, residing in Colorado; Charles O., an express agent at Creston, Iowa; and Benjamin F., who re- sides at home. The parents are members of the Baptist church at Clarinda, Mrs. Boggs having been an active member since 1859.

He also belongs to Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W. Politically hc affiliates with the Republican party.

F. ABBOTT .- Some men are born to positions of trust and responsibility and go through life a comfort and help to all with whom they come in contact. Snch a character was L. F. Abbott, deceased. With the reader's permission we will go back to the place of his birth and trace his path- way, step by step, up to that time that death claimed him for his own. He was born in the " Hoosier " State, in Kosciusko County, February 5, 1840, and is descended from a hardy line of German ancestors. The mother died January 1, 1859, and that same year the family emigrated from Indiana to Iowa andlo- cated in Page County; the first winter they were obliged to live in the wagons which had afforded them transportation across the track- less prairie. They had to undergo many hardships and all the privations of pioneer life, and our subject had a weary struggle for several years, as the burden of the support of the family fell upon his young shoulders.

Anxious to secure all that the world held in store for him, whether of gold or experi- ience, he pushed on still farther west, and spent some time in Helena, Montana; this was in 1865, and he remained in those wild regions nntil 1869, engaged in chopping; he then returned to Clarinda and mnade that his permanent home until his death.

Mr. Abbott united in marriage, January 26, 1869, to Miss Maggie Morledge, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John and Ma- ria (Branhan) Morledge. Her father was a prominent man in Page County in earlier days. He was an attorney and followed his profession for many years. He was elected

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Judge of the Circuit Court of Page County in 1871. His death occurred April 20, 1882. He was a man greatly beloved for his many excellent traits of character, and was mourned by a wide circle of friends. His widow still survives and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Abbott.

Mr. and Mrs. Abbott had born to them three children: Francinkey, Allie and Lewis. The people of Clarinda attested their confi- dence in Mr. Abbott's ability by calling him to sit in their city council for many years. He was a man admired and respected by all for his many superior qualities of head and heart, and his death, which occurred Febru- rnary 20, 1888, was a loss to the community and a great bereavement to his family and and friends. He was a man of good business ability and had accumulated a competence.

AVID S. LAKE, proprietor of the Shenandoalı Nurseries, is one of Page County's most successful citizens, and one who has built up a business that for ex- tent of territory covered, is not approached by any other enterprise in the county. One can grasp an idea of the business, when it is learned that over 400 acres are devoted ex- clnsively to growing its stock, and that 100 acres are planted in stock annually. The running of this vast business requires the constant labors of from thirty to sixty men and the investment of large sums of money. Each year over 2,000,000 of apple grafts are planted and sales of not less than 800,000 apple-trees are made.

Less than twenty years ago Mr. Lake came to Shenandoah with not more than $400 in his pocket. His first effort was to plant ten acres of rented land, and this proving success- ful he increased his business as his finances

would permit, and always endeavored to make every order however small perfectly satisfac- tory. The business grew so rapidly that he was obliged to abandon the retail trade and devote his time and energies to the wholesale trade. His customers are largely proprietors of other nurseries, whom he supplies with a much better stock than they can produce. Mr. Lake appears to be the right man in the right place; he has stood right by his convic- tions, when weaker men would have suc- cumbed and surrendered, but having every- thing to gain he held to the ropes, when the seas were washing others away, and he has now become so firmly rooted that no ordinary storm causes a tremor.

David S. Lake was born in Merrimac County, New Hampshire, January 27, 1847, his parents being David and Julia B. (San- born) Lake. The Lake and Sanborn families were of the pioneer settlers of New Hamp- shire. Robert Lake, grandfather of our sub- ject, traces liis ancestry beyond the seas to English origin. The Sanborn family has produced many able men. One brother of Julia B. Sanborn attained eminence and fame as Prof. E. D. Sanborn, of Dartmouth Col- lege; Dyer H. Sanborn was another celebrated instructor in New Hampshire, and John R. Sanborn was an influential member of the Canadian Parliament.

David S. Lake is the third of a family of five children; he was reared on the old New England farm until he was sixteen years old, and then took a thorough course at Pittsfield Academy. Upon leaving that institution at the age of nineteen years lie resolved to seek his fortune in the West. He first went to Wisconsin, but soon passed into Illinois, where he engaged in teaching. After five years spent in this profession he decided that pedagogy was not his forte, and found employ- ment in a nursery at Prairie City, and from

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

that place came to Iowa in 1870. He was united in marriage to Miss Hannah O'Day January 17, 1872. She is a daughter of Daniel O'Day. Four children have been born of this union: Albert, Ralph, Clara and Leslie.

In connection with the Shenandoalı Nurs- eries we desire to recognize the worth of at least one other person to whom is due much of the systematic method which characterizes the business, Miss Fannie McKee, who is in charge of the office as book-keeper, stenog- rapher, and type-writist.

AVID E. SHOWEN, one of the prosper- ous farmers of Nebraska Township, was born in Johnson County, Indiana, No- vember 5, 1851, and is a son of Miles and Margaret Eliza (McAlpine) Showen, natives of the State of Tennessee. Until he was eighteen years he remained at home with his parents, attending to the duties usually devolv- ing upon a farmer's son, and spending the winter season in the common schools of that day. When he was three years old his par- ents had removed to Davis County, Iowa; there the father died, and he and his inother removed to Hawleyville, Iowa, where the inother was again married to Henry Farrens, of Clarinda.

After leaving home David went to Davis County, Iowa, and worked on a farm until he was twenty years old. He was married to Miss Kittie Moreledge, and they in company with his brother removed to a farm of 120 acres in Davis County, which the two sons had inherited; our subject resided there two years, and then disposed of his interest and removed to Kansas, living on a rented farm for one year; he then purchased 160 acres in Republic County, Kansas, on which he lived

one year; he next went into the hardware business, and was engaged in various pursuits until 1882, when he went to Washington Territory; there he worked in the timber for eight months, and then returned to Page County, Iowa, for two months; he again went to Washington Territory, and in the summer of 1883 he returned to Page County, and settled on his present farmn.

In February, 1881, his first wife died of consumption, leaving him two children, Elsie and Lottie, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively; they reside with their grand- inother in Clarinda. In 1886 Mr. Showen was again married to Miss Mary Metz, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Herman) Metz, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Our subject is a member of Clarinda Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He devotes his time entirely to agricultural pur- suits, and has made many improvements on his farm, which is now one of the best in the township.

E. PARSLOW, attorney at law, Cla . rinda, is a native of Ontario, Canada, born April 5, 1856. His father, Abra- ham Parslow, was a native of Ireland and em)- igrated to America when about twenty-one years of age, locating in Canada. He ınar- ried Hannah Mahon, also of Irish origin, and they had six children born to them, five of whom are living: two reside in Canada and three in Clarinda. The parents are both deceased, the father dying in Canada, and the mother in Clarinda, Iowa.

Mr. Parslow came to Clarinda in Septem- ber, 1875, and engaged as a grocery clerk. At the end of three years he entered the law department of the Iowa State University,

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

having read in the office of the Hon. T. E. Clark prior to that date. In June, 1879, he finished his course at the University and en- tered the office of T. E. Clark; at the end of three monthis he became a partner of Mr. Clark, the co-partnership lasting two years. In October, 1881, he opened an office of liis own and continued alone until 1884, when a new partnership was effected with Mr. Clark, which lasted until January, 1887; since that time he has been alone. He was city attor- ney for the years 1883-'84, and made an ac- ceptable officer. Politically he is a pro nounced Republican. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. fraternities.

Mr. Parslow was united in marriage Marclı 19, 1885, to Miss Mary L. Warren, a native of the State of Wisconsin. Her parents are botlı deceased.

Mr. Parslow is a rising young attorney, and is certain to make his mark in his pro- fession.

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OHANN G. SCHNEIDER, merchant tailor, Shenandoalı, is one of the leading business men of the town. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 18, 1850, and is a son of Christian and Anna Barbara (Kænig) Schneider. His father being a farmer by occupation he early became accustomed to tlie severe labor of agricultural life. At the age of fourteen years he went to learn the tailor's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years, and becoming thoroughly trained in every detail of the business.

Upon reaching his eighteenth year, know- ing that if lie remained in his native land he would be called upon for military service, he decided to cross the ocean and seek a home in America, the asylum of the oppressed of every land. He had a brother living in Mad-

ison, Indiana, and lie located there, working two years as a journeyman tailor. He then came farther west to Rock Island, Illinois, and afterward to Wapello, Iowa, where he remained until 1872, working as a journey- man; lie was then made manager of the busi- ness and conducted it successfully for three years. At the end of that period be became proprietor and continued there until 1879, when he removed to Shenandoah, considering that it offered better inducements. Mr. Schneider owns the building in which is his store. He gives employment to seven lands. Paying strict attention to duty, and striving to please, he has built up a paying business. Satisfaction is guaranteed on every garment, and he gives the cutting and fitting his per- sonal attention. He keeps np with the styles, and his prices are very reasonable. He keeps constantly on hand a fine selection of foreign and domestic goods, and the most fastidious can not fail to be suited.

Mr. Schneider was united in marriage at Rock Island, Illinois, September 17, 1872, to Miss Augusta Bannsfield. Four children have been born of this union: Edward C., Anna, Clara and Frederick.

He has a pleasant home a few blocks from the business center, where he and his family enjoy many of the comforts and blessings of this lite.

AMES C. BLACK, a native of Butler County, Pennsylvania, was born Novem- ber 2, 1831, and is the son of Matthew and Eliza (Currey) Black. The grandfather Black was a native of Ireland, bnt Matthew Black was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and died in Butler County, Pennsylva- nia, in 1850. Eliza Currey was born in Ire- land about the year 1801, and died in Butler

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

County in 1833. Mr. Black was rearcd to the life of a farmer, in which he continued through life. He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church, which was then known as the Associate Reformed Church. He was twice marrried, and of the first union three children were born: John A., deceased; James C., our subject, and Matthew I., deceased. There were six children of the second mar- riage: Uriah J., deceased; Jarvis T., deceased; Abigail, wife of William Maxwell; Robert W., Silas T., deccased, and Joshua T.

James C. was reared in Butler County, Pennsylvania, receiving his education in the common schools. He remained at home until 1852, when lie came as far west as Hancock County, Illinois; there he engaged in farm work by the month, in which he continued for seven years. In the meantime he pur- chased forty acres of land, for which he paid $600.

Mr. Black was united in marriage April 27, 1858, to Miss Martha J. Graham, a daughter of William and Rachel (Glasgow) Graham, natives of Ireland and the State of Ohio respectively. The mother died in Ohio in 1848, and the father died in Illinois in 1867. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. There were fourteen children in the Graham family: William M., deceased; Nancy A., deceased; Rhoda G., wife of James Montgomery; Calvin C., Hugh J., Martha J., Louisa R., deceased; Hadassah N., deceased; Robert R., deceased; Amanda S., deceased; Joseph C., M. G., John C., de- ceased, and Mary S., wife of William Nelson. Mrs. Black was born in Adams County, Ohio, April 3, 1831.

After his marriage Mr. Black settled on his little farm in Hancock County, Illinois, and there he remained until April, 1867. He improved the place with good buildings and had it under good cultivation, but lie was de-

sirous of obtaining more land, so he went to Iowa and purchased 120 acres in Page County ; about twenty acres of this land had been broken ont, and there was a log cabin in which they lived for eighteen months. In 1880 they converted the old home into a kitchen and erected a nice frame addition one and a half stories high; there are many other valuable improvements on the farm, among which is an orchard of two acres. He has added to his first purchase 120 acres, the whole farm having been placed under cultiva- tion through his own efforts. When he camc to Iowa he had very little to invest in land, but by hard and continued labor he has accu- mulated a comfortable competence. He has not stood alone in these efforts, but has been ably seconded by his faithful wife, who has ever lent a helping hand. They are consistent inembers of the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Black has served as a deacon for ten years.

In the fall of 1864 Mr. Black entered the United States service, enlisting in the Forty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E; he served one year, and then returned to his home in Illinois. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has represented his township officially as trustee for six years, as assessor for three years, and as a member of the school board.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Black: William M., Robert G., Ehner E, James P., who died January 14, 1868; Arnellas E., who died in January, 1875, and a danghter who died in infancy.

ARK BEDFORD, one of the lead- ing agriculturists of Washington Township, has been identified with the interests of Page County since 1875, when

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

he emigrated from Green County, Wisconsin. He is not an American except by adoption, but was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 20, 1838. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Gott) Bedford, were natives of the same shire. Mary Gott Bedford was a daughter of Eras- inus and Mary Gott. Thomas Bedford and wife reared a family of nine children, of whom Mark is the youngest son. His father was a farmer by occupation, and he was reared to the same calling, and in addition learned the butcher's trade. When he was thirty- two years of age he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Franks, a native of Lincolnshire, England, and a daughter of Samnel and (Phonix) Franks. Believing that the new world afforded better opportunities for gain- ing a livelihood and securing a home, Mr. Bedford sailed from Liverpool for the United States, landing after a voyage of twenty-one days. He at once went to Green County, Wisconsin, and settled near Monroe, where his wife died.

As before stated he came to Page County in 1875; he purchased eighty acres of land of " Vet" Jolinson, an early settler, and built one of the best barns in Washington Town- slip; it was painted red, and was known far and near as the "red barn." He lived on that farm until 1885, when he bought his present place. He now owns 240 acres of choice land in Washington Township, eighty acres in Locust Grove Township, Fremont County, Iowa, and some timber land in Mis- souri. He follows general farming and stock- raising and has been very successful in all his undertakings.

Mr. Bedford was married to his second wife February 20, 1878. She was Miss M. Shaffer, a native of Green County, Wisconsin, and a danghter of Henry and Sarah (Bassett) Shaffer, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs.

Bedford,-Mary Ann, usually known as " Dolly."

Politically our subject is a Republican of the independent order. He was reared a Methodist, while his wife is a Baptist in re- ligious faitlı.

SAAC CHEYNEY PRESTON has been prominently identified with the affairs of Page County since his residence here, which began in the fall of 1870. He occu- pies an influential position on the Board of County Supervisors, and is the proprietor of " Ridgeland " stock-farin, one of the best in the county.

In order to learn something of his earlier history and surroundings we will go back to Harford County, Maryland, where he was born November 9, 1841. His father, Ed- mond Preston, was a native of the saine county, and his grandfather, David Preston, was born in the old " Keystone " State; he was a member of the Society of Friends, and filled the important office of sitting at the head of the meeting. The Prestons were a prominent family among the Friends or Quakers. Edmond Preston married Phoebe H. Hoskins, a native of Harford County, Maryland, and a daughter of Nathaniel Hos- kins, who was born in Chester County, Penn- sylvania. He was also an active member of the Society of Friends, and sat at the head of the meeting. Edmond Preston and wife reared seven sons and one daughter, all of whom grew to maturity.

Isaac C. was brought up on the old home. stead and received the training usually be- stowed upon a farmer's son. He obtained a good education, and on arriving at man's es- tate he concluded to seek his fortune in the

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

West. Accordingly he emigrated to Wis- consin in 1863, and then came a time when all thoughts of personal prosperity were set aside and the welfare of the nation was the most vital consideration. In October, 1864, he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, Company G, and made an honorable record during the term of his service. In July. 1865, he was discharged at Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he had been confined in the hospital for some time. He then returned to his old home and engaged in business, and in October, 1870, he came to Page County, which was then new and wild. He has since that time placed 160 acres under cultivation, and some of as fine stock as there is in the county can be found at " Ridgeland; " there are thorough-bred short-horns, Poland-China hogs, and fine grades of horses, all showing the best care and judgment on the part of the owner.

Mr. Preston was united in marriage De- cember 7, 1871, in Springfield, Illinois, to Miss Jennie C. Logan, a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Bowling) Logan, natives of Kentucky and Illinois respectively. This union was blessed with one daughter-Nan- nie W., born Jnly 5, 1877.

In this free country, where men control themselves, every citizen must have some political creed whereby he may be governed; our subject is associated with the Republican party, by which he was elected in 1886 to the responsible position of County Supervisor; he was re-elected in 1889, by which act his popularity was confirmed. He served as Postmaster of Essex from January, 1883, to October, 1885, faithfully performing all the duties of the office. He is a member of Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R. In his re- ligions belief he conforms to the Society of Friends, the church of his ancestors. He is a inan whose word is as good as his bond, whose

every transaction is honorable and upright, and whom to know is to admire and respect.

EVI FULTON, deceased, was one of Donglas Township's representative men, esteemed and honored by all who knew him. He settled on section 26, in March, 1874, and lived there until the fell destroyer overtook him and cut short the usefulness for which he was well fitted. He was born in the State of Ohio, February 20, 1838, and is a son of Rev. David Fulton, a native of Fay- ette County, Pennsylvania, born in 1812. His mother's maiden name was Mary Knight. He grew to manhood in Fayette County, Pennsylvannia, the family having removed to Pennsylvania from Ohio. He passed his youth after the manner of most farmers' sons, attending the common schools during the winter season and working on the farm in the summer time. In his youth he also served an apprenticeship as a blacksmith.

In 1865 Mr. Fulton removed to Carroll County, Illinois, where he worked at his trade and did some farming. March 3, 1861, he had been married in Pennsylvania to Miss Sarah Jane King, and three children were born of this union: two died in childhood and one, David M., survives. Mrs. Sarah J. King died in Carroll County, Illinois, January 15, 1867. Mr. Fulton was again married Sep- tember 23, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Wingerd, a daughter of Jacob Wingerd. She was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1850.

Mr. Fulton removed with his family to Page County in 1874, and bought 160 acres of wild land, which he has improved in excel- lent manner. The farm is especially adapt- ed to the raising of live-stock, as it is well watered by a number of pure springs.

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

By his second marriage Mr. Fulton and wife had six children: Ann Marinda, wife of David Royer; Tina Catherine, Dora Alice, Mahlon R., Effie Pearl and Simon Relmer, · deceased. These children and the mother were bereft of the father and husband March 12, 1884, a blow not easy to bear. He was a kind and indulgent father, and an affection- ate husband, and was highly respected by all who knew him. In his death Douglas Town- ship lost one of her best citizens. He was an active member of the Evangelical Church, and for fifteen years served as class-leader.

Mrs. Fulton lives on the homestead, and her step-son David has charge of the farming interests. He was born in 1866, and is one of the energetic young fariners of the town- ship.

N. STRICKLAND is here given space that there may be some lasting record of one of Page County's truly repre- sentative pioneers. It is ever with feelings of deepest respect mingled with another feel- ing akin to reverence that we repeat the his- tories of these sturdy, rugged characters to whom we are indebted for so many of the blessings of life, and without whom there would have been no Iowa, no Page County.

The. worthy subject of this brief biography was born in Ashland County, Ohio, April 2, 1835, and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Harper) Strickland, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The parents were among the early settlers of Ashland County, Ohio, where they took up Government land. Their nearest neighbors were seven miles away, and they were in heavy timber district where clearing a farm means even more than it does in Iowa. There were six children in the family, of whom J. N. was the fifth. He was

educated in the primitive log school house of that early day, and remained with his parents until he was eighteen years of age; he then went to learn the harness-maker's trade, at which he worked for some time. In 1858 he came to Iowa and settled at Prim- rose, Lee County, working at his trade. In 1863 he came to Page County and settled on eighty acres of land in Donglas Township, which was entirely without improvements; there he has since passed his days, and has toiled and labored until he has one of the best farms in the township; he has a nice residence in a pleasant location, and as liis means would permit he has invested in land until he owns between 500 and 600 acres; this is all under cultivation and is improved with good buildings.

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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