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 63
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Thomas Ross was born at Westville, Frank- lin County New York, July 16, 1853, and is
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
a son of James and Sarah (Dickey) Ross, na- tives of the Empire State. The Ross family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. James Ross, Jr., died when Thomas was but but thirteen years old, so our subject was early thrown upon his own responsibilities. He had become famil- iar with the use of tools, his father having been a blacksmith, and he resolved to become a mechanic. Accordingly, when he was nine- teen years old he left home, going to Spring- field, Massachusetts. He first found employ- ment with the Dwight Cotton Corporation at Chicopee, but after a few months secured a position with the Davis Level and Tool Company at Springfield, where he served an apprenticeship of three years, becoming a skilled workman on all small tools. He then worked two years in Smith & Wesson's gun factory at Springfield, and then for J. Stevens & Co. at Chicopee Falls.
He was afterward employed by the Ames Manufacturing Company to rearrange and improve the mechanism of the Eldridge sew- ing-machine. He then entered the factory of the Florence Sewing Machine Company, and was with Barney & Berry on special die work. He remained with this last named firm until he came to Iowa. In 1875 he went to the Black Hills, where he spent one and a half years in mining and prospecting, but with limited success. The financial success attending his business enterprise in Shenan- doah is highly gratifying.
In 1875 Mr. Ross's mother with her family emigrated to Iowa and settled in Fremont County, where they are now residing; the family consists of John, Samnel, Rachel, Charles, Henry and Addie; Fred died in child- hood.
Thomas Ross and Cora E. Martin were joined in matrimony at Chicopee, Massachu- setts, April 2, 1876. Mrs. Ross was born in Vermont, January 11, 1857. Six children
have been born by this union: Homer W., Arthur H., Berthia M., Mabel, Harry and Junia A.
J. CADWELL, one of the represent- ative stock-growers of Colfax Town- . ship, came to Page County from Henry County, Illinois, in March, 1874, making the. journey by rail as far as Osceola, and from that point by team. He has been closely identified with the general interests of the county ever since the date of his settlement.
Mr. Cadwell was born July 24, 1839, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and he is a son of George and Sally M. (Porter) Cadwell, natives of Connecticut and New York re- spectively. The father died in 1879 at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother survived until. 1885, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. Justus Cadwell, the paternal grandfather of E. J., was supposed to be of German origin.
George Cadwell and wife reared a family of twelve children, of whont E. J. was the sixth child; there were seven sons and five daughters. In 1841 the family removed to Knox County, Illinois, where E. J. grew to manhood. He was reared to farm life and attended the common schools, which at that day did not afford the advantages now given boys desirous of receiving an education.
As the dark war cloud of the Rebellion became heavier and more threatening, Mr. Cadwell, fired with young patriotism, entered the ranks of the Union army, enlisting Au- gust 1, 1862, in Company K, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Among other engagements in which he participated were those of Fort Donelson and Waverly, Ten- nessee. He served his country faithfully, never shirking a known duty, and was inus-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
tered out June 25, 1865, at Nashville, Ten- nessee.
September 27, 1866, Mr. Cadwell was nnited in marriage to Miss Alına M. Field. She was born in Cornwall, Vermont, March 2, 1843, and is a daughter of Norman and Happalonia (Chadderdon) Field, natives of the "Green Mountain" State, and of most excellent ancestry. Mrs. Cadwell's grand father Field was a Revolutionary soldier, as was also his oldest son. The Fields were of Welsh extraction. James Chadderdon, Mrs. Cadwell's maternal grandsire, was of German origin, while his wife, Lydia, was of English descent. It may be stated in this connection that Norman Field was an own cousin to Cyrus W. Field of world-wide fame. Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary note, was a cousin of Mrs. Cadwell's grandfather.
In 1853 Mrs. Cadwell's parents removed to Illinois. When she was but fonrteen years of age she began teaching school, her first term being held in a log school-house in 1857. She was very successful in her profession so early begun, and continned to teach for many terms. Her father died in Wisconsin in 1887, aged eighty-six years; the mother survives at the age of eighty-three years, and makes her home with her daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell are the parents of four daughters: May M., Carrie L., Edna H. and Nettie E. The two older are teachers, and are well fitted for such a calling. The parents themselves, having traveled the rugged paths of life, determined to give their children every possible advantage, and are now happy in the thought that these opportunities have been improved.
Mr. Cadwell is a Republican in political thonght and action, and has held numerous local offices. He belongs to Page Post, G. A. R. at Coin, and is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity at Blanchard, and of the
Rising Star Lodge, No. 180, Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell are acceptable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Coin. In all the varions capacities in which our esteemed subject has served the people of Page County, he has been faithful. He came to Colfax Township at a time when all was new and wild, and when fuel was scarce and had to be carried great distances. There were no railroads, and produce had to be taken to markets many miles away and sold very cheaply. The years 1875 and 1876 brought the grasshopper plagne and the se- vere wind-storm, both of which swept away all the growing crops.
Enduring hardships like good soldiers both Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell kept at work, and to- day are in good circumstances, surrounded by all the comforts of life, the parents of four daughters, who are an honor to their father and mother and the county in which they reside.
To the original purchase of forty acres Mr. Cadwell has added at different times as his means would permit, until he now has 223 acres. He makes a specialty of breeding fine horses, in which he is very successful.
R. JAMES G. WILLIAMS is one of the oldest and most extensive practi- tioners in Page County. Robert Will- iams, his father, was a native of Maryland, . and is of Welsh origin. He was a very wealthy man, owning an extensive distillery and holding a number of slaves. He married Margaret McAlister and to them were born nine children : Mary A., Harriet, Eliza, Louisa, John B., William H., James G., Joseph H. and Margaret. Mr. Williams removed to Pick- away County, Ohio, abont the year 1823, and
.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
resided there until 1839, when he emigrated to Illinois; there he spent the remainder of his days in Fulton County, dying at the age of seventy-four years. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was class-leader for many years.
Dr. James G. Williams was born in Pick- away County, Ohio, in 1830, and received a cominon-school education. He was entirely dependent upon his own resources, as his father had met with reverses in business, and had lost his property. In his early yonth a taste for medicine was developed, and he began his study under Dr. W. HI. Efnor, formerly of New York, but then located at Richmond, Keokuk County, Iowa. Dr. Will- iams had come to lowa in 1849 at the age of nineteen years, and after completing his medical studies he began the practice of liis chosen profession at Richland in 1859; there he remained until 1865, when he removed to Kirkville, Wapello County, Iowa, where he had a large and very successful practice; at that time an epidemic, spotted fever, was rag- ing, which he met with good success; his fees for two months were $1,500. In 1870 he came to Page County and located in Braddy- ville, after spending a few months in Clarinda. He enjoys the reputation of being a very skillful and careful physician, which his large and increasing practice fully justifies, and as a man and a citizen he is above reproach.
The Doctor was united in marriage in Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1850, to Eliza- beth J. Hardin, a daughter of Rev. Henry and Catherine (Ludwick) Hardin. Of this union seven children have been born, four of whom are now living: Mary A., Catherine D., Henry J., and Harvey B. Dr. Williams has given his children a good education at Amity College, and lias trained them to liabits of thrift and industry. He is in com- fortable circumstances, owning 102 acres of
land near Braddyville, which is excellently improved; there are substantial buildings, one of the finest orchards in the county, contain- ing 700 trees of best varieties, and a vineyard n full bearing condition.
Our worthy subject is still in the prime of life and possesses the confidence of the public to a highly satisfactory degree. His first wife died in 1869, and in 1870 he was mar- ried to Francis M. Comstock, daughter of Dr. A. B. Comstock, one of the oldest phy- sicians in lowa and one of the wealthiest farmers in Wapello County, owning 600 acres of land. Mrs. Williams's mother was Sarah A. Sullivan, one of the first white children born in Iowa. Dr. A. B. Comstock once represented Wapello County in the Legis- lature some years ago, and is one of the best posted men in political matters in the State of Iowa.
AMES M. BLACK, an honored resident of College Springs, Iowa, is deserving of mention in this work on account of his military record, if for no other reason. He comes from au old family of Scotch-Irish ex- traction, who settled in the State of Pennsyl- vania at a time long preceding the Revolu- tionary war; there were members of the family in that war and also in the war of 1812. James Black, the grandfather of James M. Black, was born in the city of Philadelphia, and was a weaver by trade. He married Nancy Clarke, and of this union were born nine children: Jane, Margaret, Sarah, Re- becca, Elizabeth, William, Clarke, Hamilton and Samuel. Mr. Black emigrated to Mays- ville, Kentucky, in 1805, making the journey in a keel-boat from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He lived in Maysville and followed his occupa- tion fourteen years, and at the end of that
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
time he removed to Floyd County, Indiana, where he settled on a farın; in 1832 he went to Pennsylvania to make a visit and while there died, aged eighty-four years. Clarke H. Black, his son and the father of James M., was also born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; when he was two years of age his parents re- moved to Kentucky, where he grew to man- hood. He married Annie Starr, a daughter of Jeremiah and Zerusha (Barnhardt) Starr. The Starrs were of German descent, and had settled in Pennsylvania at an early day; the Barnhardts were also Pennsylvanians of Ger- man origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Black were born two children, James M. and Enos. The father was a ship-carpenter by trade, and was engaged in this occupation until 1861, when there was a call for men to go to the defense of this country. He responded, becoming a member of a Kentucky regiment; he was in the commissary department, and was taken prisoner, but was soon exchanged and served all through that terrible conflict. After the close of the war he made his home with his sous, Enos and James; he died at the age of sixty-nine years. He was a man of industri- ous, frugal habits, and a true and loyal citizen.
James M. Black, son of Clarke H. and Annie (Starr) Black, was born in Lonis- ville, Kentucky, in 1835; he received his education in the common schools, and in early life learned the business of a gardener. In 1856 he came to Illinois and settled in Warren County. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Nancy J. Nelson, a daughter of James M. and Martha (Hodges) Nelson; of this union three children have been born: Charles Francis, George H. and Anna M. James M. Nelson was of English origin, and removed from East Tennessee to Knox Coun- ty, Illinois, where he passed the remainder of his days.
One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served to the close of the war; he participated in the following engagements: Perryville, Kentucky; Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, Pickett's Mills, Dallas, Rocky Face, Mill Creek Gap, Tanner's Ferry, Cassville, Big Shanty, Lost Mountain, Culp's Farm, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta. At one time he was under fire ninety-two days without cessation. He was also in a great many skirmishes and did a considerable amount of scout service, being detailed with Colonel Truesdale's company of scouts. During all his service he received but two slight wounds. He was with Sherman on his immortal " March to the Sea," and was present at the Grand Review at Washing- ton city. He was a valiant, faithful soldier, and was honorably discharged after the declar- ation of peace. He is a member of Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R., Clarinda. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
Mr. Black removed to Page County in 1869, and since that time has been identified with all public enterprises having for their object the advancement of the community. He takes an active interest in education and has served as school director several terms. By his up- right habits and fair dealing he has won an enviable reputation. He has given his chil- dren a liberal education, Annie and George being students at Amity College at the pres- ent time. Charles Francis has also attended college, but is now managing the farmn.
OHN M. FINE belongs to a family who emigrated to America from Germany and settled in North Carolina before the war of the Revolution; there were inembers of the
In 1862 Mr. Black enlisted in Company B, | family who were soldiers in that war,and they
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
fought valiantly in behalf of their adopted country. The grandfather of Mr. Fine was one of the pioneers of North Carolina and emigrated to Fountain County, Indiana, at an early day, being one of the first settlers. His son Peter, the father of John M., was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, and came with his father to Indiana when quite a young man. He married Miss Eliza A. Hy- barger, of Fountain County, Indiana, a dangh- ter of Jonathan Hy barger, who was of Ger- manextraction. Mr. and Mrs. Fine were the parents of nine children: Amanda C., Jolın M., Aaron C., Washington L., Eplıraim J., Martha C., Harriet A. and America A. The father became a prosperous farmer and for many years lived in Indiana. In 1857 he removed to Taylor County, Iowa, and bought a steam saw-mill, which he man- aged for several years; he then returned to the occupation to which he had been trained in his youth, farming. He purchased 200. acres of excellent land in Polk Township, where he passed the remainder of his days. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and took a de- cided stand on religious and moral questions. Mr. Fine was an exhorter and local preacher in his church, and was an earnest laborer in the cause of his Master. Politically lie was identified with the Democratic party.
Jolın M. Fine was born in Fountain Coun- ty, Indiana, May 13, 1842, and was reared to the life of a farmer; he received liis educa- tion in the cominon schools at that time, and when a youth of fifteen years lie came with his father to Taylor County, Iowa. Here he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Em- rick, a daughter of Samuel and Hannalı (Market) Einrick, who were originally from Ohio, but early settlers in Fountain County, Indiana; they also emigrated to Taylor County, Iowa, in 1858. To Mr. and Mrs.
Fine were born eight children: William T. S., Albert A., Mamie C., Peter D., Ada A., Rhoda B., Ira E., and Casper G. Mr. Fine settled on a farm in Polk Township, Taylor County, and lived there until 1886, when lie bought his present farm; it consists of 273 acres of fine farming land and is improved with good buildings. He and liis faithful wife have worked withi untiring effort, and by industry and frugality have accumulated a comfortable fortnne. They have bronght up their children to habits of thrift and economy, and to appreciate the self-deniai and labor they have performed in order to assist thein in starting out in life for themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Fine are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their oldest son, William T. S., married Miss Emna Las- ley, a daughter of Israel Lasley, of this coun- ty, and to them is born one child, Orpha F.
AMES D. MAXWELL is one of the most substantial and reliable farmers of this section of Iowa, and is descended from good old Irish stock. His grandfather was a native of Ireland and emigrated to America, first settling in the State of Ohio; thence he removed to Morgan County, Indiana. He was the father of six children: John, James, Robert, William, Harvey and Ellen. Williamn Maxwell, father of James D., was born in Morgan County, Indiana, and married Miss Lettie Manley, daughter of John R. Manley, of Monroe County, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell were born six children, who grew to maturity: Jackson, James, Jolin, Robert, George and Thomas. About the year 1854 Mr. Maxwell undertook to move to Monroe County, Iowa, where his wife's father lived; but he was taken ill on the way and died at Bloomington, Illinois, at the age of forty-six
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
years. Mrs. Maxwell continued the journey and joined her relatives in Iowa.
James D. Maxwell, son of William and Lettie (Manley) Maxwell, was born in 1844 and received but a limited education. He came with his mother to Iowa, and mar- ried Jane Townsend, daughter of Ellison and Catherine (Zimmer) Townsend. Six children were born of this union: Lettie, Ella, Eliza- beth, John, George and Gracie. After his marriage Mr. Maxwell settled in 1876 on his present farm. He has been a hard-working man and has accumulated considerable prop- erty; his farm consists of 120 acres, which is in an advanced state of cultivation and well improved. He has been called to represent his people as township trustee, and has dis- charged his duties with ability and to tlie satisfaction of the public. He stands high among his fellow citizens as an honorable, upright man. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, while his wife is a Baptist. Mrs. Maxwell was born in Missouri in 1853. Her grandfather, William Townsend, of Mor- gan County, Indiana, removed to Andrew County, Missouri, but returned to Indiana, where he owned a farm in Morgan County. Ellison Townsend moved to Andrew County, Missouri, settling on a farm, where he died at the age of fifty-four years. He was the father of eleven children: Elizabeth, Jolın, Rebecca, Delilah, William, Mary, Joseph F., Jesse, Jane A., Martha and Louis.
S. HART was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 28, 1827. His father, George Hart, settled in Ohio in 1802, coming from Lexington, Kentucky, althongh he was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was the son of James Hart, a Revolution- ary soldier, who was at the surrender of
Yorktown. He was of Irish extraction, his ancestors having come from County Antrim. George Hart and wife had a family of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. They removed to Adams County, Illinois, in 1834, and to Peoria County in 1846. The mothier, Martha (Sleasman) Hart, was born at Cape May, New Jersey, and was the daughter of Christopher Sleasman, of Dutch ancestry. She died in 1851, and the father died in 1884, aged eighty-five years. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that calling all his days. He was a member of the old Whig party, and in his religious faith he was a United Presbyterian.
C. S. Hart, the subject of this sketch, ob- tained his education in the old-time, log school house, furnished with slab seats and floor. In 1854 he removed to Mercer County, Illinois, and resided there ten years. From 1864 to 1866 he spent in travel in the dif- ferent States, and finally settled in Hancock County, Illinois, from which section he re- moved to Page County in 1875.
Mr. Hart was united in marriage April 7, 1851, to Mary Warwick, who was born at Glendale, Ohio, and who was the daughter of James Warwick. By this union five children were born, only one of whom is still living, Henry Chapman, a resident of Kansas. Mrs. Hart died November 23, 1863, and was deeply mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Hart was married to his present wife December 24, 1868. She was Miss Elizabeth Kerr, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Alexanderand Isabella (Donnan) Kerr, natives of Scotland. When Mrs. Hart was a child her parents removed to Peoria County, Illi- nois, and tlience to Keokuk County, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood, and where the parents passed the remainder of their days. By this last union two children were born, Mary and Maggie.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
In 1875 Mr. Hart removed to Page County and settled in Harlan Township, where he resided eight years; at the end of that time he removed to College Springs, Amity Town- ship, where he remained two years. In 1886 he came to his present farm, which he pur- chased from Hon. E. B. Hoag. He erected a fine residence in 1886, at a cost of $2,000, and it is a most attractive home.
Politically our subject is a Prohibitionist, and is a strong advocate of the principles of liis party. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Coin, and has been an elder of the church His family are also members of the same denomination. He is a man of much intelligence and stands very high in his community. He upholds the principles of morality, religion and temper- ance, and has reared his family so that they are an ornament to society.
Melville Stone Leslie, a grandson, finds a home in the family of Mr. Hart. He is the son of. John R. and Catherine Hart Leslie. The mother is deceased.
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AVID MCAFEE, one of the reliable farmers of Amity Township, belongs to a family of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, David McAfee, was from the Highlands of Scotland, and when a young man he became a soldier in the British army, where he served twenty-one years. He came to this country and served in the English army in the war of 1812. After his dis- charge he settled on a farm in county An- trim, Ireland. He married Rosa Smitli, a native of county Londonderry, Ireland, and to them were born four children: Barbara, Rose, Peggie and John. The father lived on this same farm until his death. He was a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church.
John McAfee, his son, the father of our subject, was a native of the beautiful " Emer- ald Isle," and married Martha Beverland, a daughter of William Beverland. Of this union five children were born: Jane, Martha, Rosena, Elizabeth and David. Mr. McAfee was a Presbyterian, and lived and died on the saine farm on which his father had passed so many of his days. After her husband's deatlı Mrs. McAfee married William Mc- Intyre and emigrated to America with her family. Her son David was born in county Antrim, Ireland, October 21, 1826. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and at the age of twenty-two years he bade farewell to his native land and emigrated to America a few years after his mother landed. He settled in Philadelphia, and was there married to Mary J. Quigg in 1851. He afterward removed to Conshohocken, and worked at his trade nine years as a journeyman, and nine years for himself, employing men in custom-made work.
Mr. and Mrs. McAfee are the parents of seven children: John, David, Isaac, William, Martha, Elizabeth and Samuel M. In March, 1867, the family came to Page County, Iowa, desirous of securing a home for themselves; the parents also considered that there was a innch better opportunity for their children than in the East. At first Mr. McAfee bought only forty acres, but as his means in- creased he made further investments until he now has 160 acres of fine land in an advanced state of cultivation. He and his wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church. He has always been a friend to educational movements, and lias served as school director. He has given his children liberal advantages, and they have made much of their opportunities. Mr. McAfee is truly a self-made man. From a boy he has made his own way in the world. When he left his
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
native land he had nothing but the hope and courage of youth to rely upon in his venture in a New World, but with long and patient efforts he has mastered the situation. He has acquired a home and the means of main- taining his family, and he has always taken an honest pride in " owing no man anything." His son David married Emma McGinnis, and they have two children: Isaac married Luella Babbitt, and they have one child; John married Jennie Grafft.
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