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 62
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
Mr. Strickland was married in Lee County, Iowa, December 22, 1859, to Rebecca L. McNeal, a daughter of Thomas McNeal, a well-known early settler of Douglas Town- ship. Seven children have been born of this union: Mary Alice, wife of Isaac Durrim, Joseph A., Leona Belle, wife of William Barnes, James W., Paulina E., Henry A. and Pearl.
In questions of a political nature Mr. Strickland agrees with the Democrats and votes the ticket of that party. He has served as Justice of the Peace for four years and has discharged the duties of that office acceptably to the people. He is a worthy member of the Christian Church, and is highly respect- ed by all with whom he has any dealings.
G. DAVIE, a successful agricultor- ist of Douglas Township, has been a resident of Page County since his early youth, and has witnessed in the course of these years the wonderful develop-
566
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
ment and growth of this section of country. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, De- cember 15, 1846, and is a son of Alexander Davie, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was born in 1808, and was left an orphan at the age of seven years. In 1837 he came to America and was married in Ash- land County, Ohio, to Miss Mary Palmer, a native of England. They emigrated from Ohio to Page County, Iowa, in 1855: they reared three children: W. G., the subject of this notice, Adaline, deceased, wife of Will- iam Giese, and Mary E., wife of Taylor King. The father died July 6, 1885; he was a Scotchinan of the typical class, firm in liis convictions of right and wrong, and a zealous and active member of church. His widow resides in Douglas Township.
W. G. grew to manhood on his father's farm, and received his education in the com- inon schools. In 1875 he settled on his pres- ent place, which is one of the best farms in the county; it consists of 207 acres and is rich soil in an advanced state of cultivation. There is a good, substantial residence, a roomy barn, stock scales, and many other modern conveniences. Mr. Davie devotes his time exclusively to farming and stock- raising, and has been uniformly successful in these industries.
He was united in marriage September 29, 1874, to Miss E. C. Cramer, a daughter of Major Joseph Cramer, one of Page County's prominent pioneers. Mrs. Davie has born in Owen County, Indiana and was an infant when her parents removed to Page County. Mr. and Mrs. Davie have had born to their five children: William L., Wilma E., Albert F., George C., and Bessie, deceased.
Mr. Davie affiliates with the Republican party, and has served as assessor for two years, and as a member of the school board, with much credit to himself and the satisfaction of
liis constituents. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which lie has been prominently identified for many years. He is a man still in the prime of life and lias many years of usefulness before he shall have consumed the " three-score years and ten " allotted to man.
-
JOHNSTON McINTOSH has been a resident of Page County since 1869, and is one of the successful agriculturists of Douglas Township. He was born in Colnın- biana County, Ohio, February 12, 1843, and is one of a family of eleven children, ten sons and one daughter. His father, James Mc- Intosh, was a native of Scotland, and his inother, Jenette (McIntosh) McIntosh, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. The family removed from Ohio to Winneshiek County, Iowa, in 1855, and were amoug the early settlers there. James McIntosh died July 23, 1874, and his wife, August 27, 1887.
Johnston McIntosh was reared in the county in which he was born until twelve years of age, and early became accustomed to the hard labor of farm life. In 1869 he came to Page County from Winneshiek County, but did not settle on his present farm until 1875. The place had been improved by D. W. Shaw and consisted of 160 acres. Mr. McIntosh has made many valuable improve- ments, and has brought the land to a state of cultivation seldom equaled; the house is deliglittully situated in the midst of ever- green trees and shrubs, and near by are a fine grove and orchard of excellent varieties of bearing trees; a comparatively novel luxury is the fish-pond, which is one of the best in Page County. The buildings for stock and grain are of a neat, substantial style, and all
Jephtha Grove
567
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
the surroundings indicate enterprise and energy to be leading traits of the owner.
Mr. McIntosh was united in marriage January 14, 1875, to Miss Anna McIntosh, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a daughter of D. G. and Jenette McIntosh. Her father was a native of Scotland and her inother was born in Ohio. Our subject and his wife are the parents of three children: James M., Harry A. and Daniel, deceased.
Mr. McIntosh affiliates with the Republi- can party, and is a meniber of Nodaway Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M. He is a man of strong convictions of right and wrong, and of integrity of character, having the re- spect of all who know him.
EPHTHAH GROVE is one of the promi- nent old settlers and pioneers of Page County. His great-grandfather, Richard Grove, emigrated to this country from Ire- land and settled in Virginia; he remained but a short time and then returned to his native land. John Grove, son of Richard Grove, came to America with his father, and re- mained here; he was married in Virginia. Benjamin Grove, son of John Grove, and father of Jephthah Grove, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia. He married Holly Jar- nagin, daughter of John and Mary Jarnagin, and to them were born eleven children: Samp- son, Abijalı, Jephthalı, Orpha, Naomi, Su- sannah, Vincent, John, Noah, Elsie and Hannah. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, and soon after his marriage he removed to Highland County, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers, packing his effects through from Virginia on horseback. He cleared up a farm, on which he lived thirty years, and then removed to Defiance County, Ohio, where he died in 1831, at the age of sixty- 41
three years. He was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and was a good, substantial citizen.
Jephthah Grove, son of Benjamin Grove, and the subject of this notice, was born on his father's farm in Highland County, Ohio. He received a common-school education, and when he was twenty years of age he removed with his father to Defiance County, Ohio. In 1834 lie was married to Miss Sarah Sto- rey, daughter of Thomas and Leah Storey. To them have been born six children, who grew to maturity: Francis M., William O., Joseph S., Louisa, Mary J. and Ellen. After his marriage Mr. Grove settled on a farm in Defiance County, where lie remained twenty- five years. In 1854 he emigrated to Iowa, and settled on his present farm of fine, rich land, consisting of 240 acres. His son Joseph served in the war of the Rebellion, in the Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was in the sieges of Vicksburg and Memphis, besides several noted battles. He died after two years' service from disease contracted by exposure.
Politically Mr. Grove affiliates with the Republican party. He has always been an industrious, upright man, and has done his share in the upbuilding of the county. The land on which he settled in 1854 was raw prairie, but by his own diligent labor he has converted it into a fertile, well-improved farm, The pioneers are truly the men who made this country, and deserve the honor that is paid them by all thinking people.
NDREW LINDBURG .- Of all the foreign countries contributing to the population of the New World, Sweden should not be numbered among the least. From the race inhabiting that country we
568
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
have received a thrifty, industrious class of citizens, of whom Andrew Lindburg is a true representative. He was born among the pines of Sweden, April 20, 1837, and is a son of Nels and Eliza (Isaacson) Lindburg, who were also natives of Sweden. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and then went to work on a farm.
With all his affection for friends, and home, and native land, he considered that America held more in store for him, and in 1862 he sailed away to new scenes and new fields of labor. He landed in New York and pro- ceeded at once to Henry County, Illinois, and for two years was engaged in farm labor.
His adopted country being in distress and need of brave soldiers, he enlisted in 1864 in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, one of the most gallant regiments of Illinois, and one that made a very brilliant record during the war. He was in several noted battles, and did faithful service until October 31, 1865, when lie was honorably discharged at Selma, Ala- bama. While in the service of the Govern- inent he contracted a chronic disease, from which he has never recovered fully, and for which he receives a pension.
Mr. Lindburg was united in marriage No. vember 6, 1866, to Sophia Charlson, a native of Sweden, who came to Illinois when she was twenty-two years of age. After his mar- riage he removed to Moline, Illinois, and re- mained there three years. He then came to Page County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of wild land, where he has since resided, and has made into one of the best farms in the township. He has erected a fine house of a modern style of architecture, and this is sur- rounded with shade trees, making it a very attractive spot. He has planted an orchard and a grove, and the barns for stock and grain are ample, neat, and substantial.
Mr. and Mrs. Lindburg are the parents of
nine children: Nels Albert, Charles Edward, John William, Matilda Louisa, Lena Eliza- beth, David Theodore, Otto Enoch, Oscar Emannuel, Esther Sophia, and Gustav A., de- ceased. The father affiliates with the Re- publican party. He was reared in the Lu- theran faith, and is a man of upright habits and dealings.
JOHN GROELING is one of the most in- telligent and successful farmers of Dong- las Township, and has been a resident since 1867, with the exception of a few years spent in Nebraska. He was born in Ger- many, October 22, 1844, and is a son of Christian and Julia Ann (Schinidt) Groeling, also natives of the " Fatherland." When he was eight years old the family emigrated fromn Germany to America, and settled in Sheboy- gan County, Wisconsin, where they resided four years; at the end of that time they re- moved to Des Moines County, Iowa, and lo- cated near Burlington, where John spent the remainder of his youth. He was trained in the industry of agriculture, and received his education in the common schools.
When the dark war cloud hung threatening over this fair land, and there was a call for brave inen to come to her defense, Christian Groeling enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and while in the service he contracted a disease from which he died in Alabama, December 7, 1863. He left a wife and five children, two sons and three daughters: Jolin, the subject of this 110- tice; Herman, Mary, wife of William Otte; Frances, wife of George Bosse; Otilda, wife of Frank Sierp. The mother now receives a pension from the Government.
Jolin was the oldest of the children and upon him fell the burden of the support of
569
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
the younger children, and he did his duty faithfully and well. In 1867, as before stated, he came to Page County, and improved a farm of 200 acres. November 18, 1869, he was married to Miss Catherine Bosse, a native of Jackson County, Indiana, and a daughter of Harmon and Mary (Sitterding) Bosse, natives of Hanover, Germany. Her parents had set- tled in Jackson County, Indiana, in 1845, and the mother died there in 1860. The father and children came to Page County, and there the father died in 1868.
In 1881 John Groeling removed to Pawnee County, Nebraska, where his wife died, Au- gust 12, 1882; she was the mother of five children: Henry, Julia Anna, Rosa, Minnie and Albert. In 1883 the family came back to Page County, Iowa, and settled in Noda- way Township. Some time later Mr. Groel- ing bought his present farm of J. H. Cramer, which was under cultivation; he has added to this until he now owns 266 acres; he has a good house and barns with many modern conveniences, and a fine grove and orchard.
Mr. Groeling was married a second time, August 6, 1885, to Mrs. Eliza (Bosse) Knost, widow of Fred Knost. She was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and is a sister of her husband's first wife. Her husband died August 10, 1882.
Our subject is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and has represented the people of his township as assessor, trustee and as a member of the school board, reflecting much credit upon himself.
OHN McPHERRIN, one of the well- known and highly respected citizens of Clarinda, came to Page County in the fall of 1873 from Knox County, Illinois. He is a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnati, Oc-
tober 3, 1813, liis parents being George and Elizabeth (Alexander) McPherrin, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. This worthy couple reared a family of six sons and five daughters. Jolin is the second child and when but a small boy his parents removed to Champaign County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and obtained his education in the subscription schools. His early training in - cluded habits of energy and industry which have followed him through life as a blessing. It was in 1835 the family removed to Knox County, Illinois, where they were among thie first settlers and where the father and mother passed the remainder of their days.
John returned to Ohio and at the age of twenty-five years he was married to Miss Lu- cinda Curl. By this union three children were born: Isaac N., W. M., attorney, de- ceased and Elizabeth, wife of George Harris. Mrs. McPherrin died in the spring of 1851, in Knox County, Illinois. December 30, 1852, Mr. McPherrin was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah E. Swarts, whose inaiden name was Cliesney; her husband was Rev. Samuel D. Swarts, by whom she had three children: Thomas Edward, Abraham D. and Emma C., wife of Frank White. Mr. and Mrs. McPherrin have had born of their last marriage two children: Samuel Chesney, an attorney of Kansas City, and Sarah A., wife of F. O. Frazier of Los Angeles, California.
In 1873 Mr. McPherrin removed to Page County as before stated, and since that time he has been extensively engaged in improv- ing wild land; he placed 640 acres in one body in Tarkio Township under cultivation, and although he has sold several tracts he still owns a goodly number of acres, while he resides in Clarinda. Politically he is a Republican. He lias been a devoted member of the Methodist Epscopal Church for fifty years, and has served as class-leader and as
570
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
a member of the official board for many years. During all this time he has ilved an upright conscientious Ilfe, and has ever contributed liberally of his means for the support of the church. His wife and children are also ac- ceptable members of the same church. His Christian influence for fifty years has been cast on the side of right and purity as taught in the Gospel, and the world is the better for his example.
AVID PORTER is one of the typical sons of the " Emerald Isle " to whom we as Americans are indebted for the settlement and development of many of our western lands. He was born in the County Armagh, Ireland, in October, 1811, and is a son of Robert and Esther (White) Porter. He served an apprenticeship at the cooper's trade, which he followed for several years. When he was twenty years of age the spirit of ad- venture would no longer be stilled, and he bade farewell to home and native land and sailed away to the New World; he embarked at Belfast and landed at Quebec, Canada, pro- ceeding at once to Mercer Connty, Pennsyl- vania, where he worked at his trade.
Mr. Porter was united in marriage in Mer- cer Connty, Pennsylvania, in 1835, to Miss Eliza Guy, also a native of county Armagh, Ireland, and daughter of George and Bessie (Hazelep) Guy; her paternal grandfather was Hugh Guy, and her mother's parents were James and Margaret (Bradshaw) Hazelep.
The tide of emigration was westward, and desirous of obtaining a home for himself, Mr. Porter removed in 1850, to Washington Connty, Iowa, where he resided for two years. He then came to Page County and settled on a tract of wild land in Harlan Township; there he improved a farm of 200 acres, plant-
ing a grove and an orchard; he lived there nntil 1866, when he came to Clarinda and again began working at his trade. He also built a livery and feed stable, which he man- aged for some time, but which is now rented.
Mr. and Mrs. Porter are the parents of elev- en children. eight of whom are deceased: Es- ther Elizabeth is the wife of D. Crawford; Mary J. was the wife of Patterson Hoag, and John R., who is a resident of Colorado. In his native land Mr. Porter belonged to the relig- ious sect known as Covenanters, and is a man of the highest integrity of character. Heand his wife have lived together fifty-five years, peaceful, industrious, and contented years, and enjoy tlie respect and confidence of all who know them.
OSEPH C. JOURNEY is descended from English ancestors. His grand- father emigrated from England to Amer- ica and settled in Virginia. John A. Jour- ney, the father of Josepli C., was a soldier in the war of 1812. When a young man he ınar- ried a Miss Green of Georgetown, Virginia. They had two sons, both of whom are still living, John and William. The mother died in Ohio, where the family were living in Perry County. Mr. Journey afterward mar- ried a Mrs. Brown, whose maiden name was Annie Hopkins, a daughter of Daniel Hop- kins of Ohio; seven children were born of this union: Judia A., James B., Robert R., Jo- seph C., Stephen W., Susan J. and Thomas J. In 1849 the father emigrated with his family to Jay County, Indiana, and settled on a farm, where he passed the remainder of his days; he died in 1853. He was a prosperous far- mer, owning at the time of his death 200 acres of land. He was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church.
571
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Joseph C., his son, was born on his father's farın in Perry County, Ohio, in 1833. Wlien quite a young man he learned the plasterer's trade, at which he worked for thirty-two years. He was married in 1854, at twenty-one years of age, to Miss Samorie T. Keyser, daughter of Jesse and Martha (Yost) Keyser. Mrs. Keyser was a daughter of Eli Yost of Mercer County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Journey have been born five children: Martha A., Benoni B., Viola, Pearlie C., Thomas and June F. Soon after his marriage Mr. Journey settled in Portland, Jay County, Indiana, where he followed his trade until 1861. He then removed to Sterling, Illinois, and August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-fiftlı Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private; he was appointed Corporal, and participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River and a number of skirmishes; he served nearly three years and was mustered out at Nash- ville and honorably discharged at Chicago, July 1, 1865. At one time when on picket duty he contracted a cold which settled in his hips and rendered him helpless; he was taken in an ambulance to the hospital at Franklin, Tennessee, but was soon removed to Nash. ville to Hospital No. 19, where he lay for four weeks; he tlien went on guard duty, liaving charge of the linen room. After this he was placed on guard at the barracks under Colonel Falk until he was inustered out. He then returned to his family in Mercer County, Ohio, broken in health, and engaged at his old trade as a plasterer. On November 1, 1866, lie was taken ill and was not able to do any work until September, 1867. In 1869 lie removed to Iowa and purchased a farm of forty acres in Amity Township, Page County. In 1879 he bought his present farın of 140 acres. His wife died in 1878 and his chil- dren are all married. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He receives from the
Government a pension for his services to his country, but not commensurate witli his dis- ability .. He is a man of liberal views, and althoughi a diligent student of the Bible he has his own opinion in regard to religious matters; lie has read the Old Testament through twelve times and the New Testament about twenty-five times, and for the past seven years lie has been a daily reader of its pages. He believes in the principles of the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member. Through all his life he has borne a brave and honorable part in its labors and responsibilities, and is held in highi esteem by all who know him.
LMORE J. HERSEY is a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Page Conn- ty. He was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, October 2, 1851. His father, Rev. Hiram Hersey, was a Methodist minister; he was born in Maine, September 9, 1812, and be- gan active life as a clerk in the city of Ban- gor. He removed to Illinois in 1837, where he tanght school for a number of years. From that place he went to Wisconsin and was engaged to teach the first school in Be- loit. In 1843 he was united in marriage to Nancy Fawcett. He was converted when a young man and in 1848 he united with the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he remained a mem- ber until his death. In 1874 he removed to Hastings, Nebraska, and preached more or less in the country around, sometimes with great success. He died at his home in Hast- ings, February 9, 1884. He was the father of but three children: Julia A., Elmore J. and Ella A. Julia married George Hague- wood. In 1870 Mr. Hersey bought a farın of 120 acres in Page County, Iowa, where
512
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
his son Elmore J. now resides. He was a man who had the respect and confidence of all who knew him, and was a faithful and earnest minister of the gospel. His preach- ing in the wilds of Wisconsin at an early day was with zeal and fidelity.
Elmore J. Hersey, the subject of this notice, received an academic education, and when his father came to Page County in 1870 he accompanied him; when his father went to Hastings, Nebraska, he remained on the land in Page County and placed it under good cultivation. He bought more land and after a few years he bought out his father and continued farming; he has been very prosperous and now owns 400 acres of fine land, well improved and stocked. June 15, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss El- len Grove, daughter of Jephthah Grove, an old, well-known resident of the county, a full notice of whom will be found on another page of this volume. In his political opin- ions Mr. Hersey adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the trustees of the church at Shambaugh. He has represented the people of his township as trustee and as clerk; he is a very active, energetic man and a thorough, practical farmer, enjoying the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives.
During the winter of 1870-'71 Mr. Her- sey taught the Nixon school in his township, and in 1871-'72, the Fruits school in East River Township, and then the Calhoon school. In 1883 he taught the Nixon school again, making five terms in this county. His sis- ter Ella was also a teacher by profession.
Nancy Fawcett, wife of the Rev. Hiram Hersey, and mother of Elmore J., was born near Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, July 18, 1817. She lived in the place of her
birth until she was eight years old. Her parents were Quakers and most of their rela- tives removed to Ohio on account of their anti-slavery sentiments, but Mr. Fawcett went to Tennessee, and was one of the early surveyors of that State. On the death of her father in 1831 her mother removed to Decatur, Illinois, and in 1832 married Jesse Walker, one of the pioneer Methodist preachers men- tioned in Peter Cartwright's work, when they moved about twelve miles from Chicago on the Des Plaines River, where they lived till after his death in 1835, when she returned to Decatur Illinois. He assisted in the build- ing of the first Methodist Church in Chicago. The Rev. Hiram Hersey was married to Nancy Fawcett in Decatur, Illinois, October 1, 1843.
HOMAS ROSS, dealer in guns, sport- ing goods and pocket cutlery, became identified with the interests of Shenan- doah in October, 1881, when he established his present business in the face of the advice of business men of the town who thought no support would be accorded an enterprise of this character; that they were wrong and his judgment was right has been abundantly proven by the result. The people of the com - munity now look upon this business as of great necessity and advantage as any other, and certainly none other has proven more profitable and more satisfactory to its pro- prietor, or has met with more favor from the public.
Mr. Ross is an experienced and expert work- man, and no work, however complicated or delicate, need be sent abroad for repairs with so skillful a hand at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.