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 71
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James Starrett, the father of Mrs. Jones, was a cabinet-maker in Logansville, Ohio. He married Jane Bogart, and to them were , born eight children: William H., Joshua, Jo- sephine, Zachariah, James, Francis J. and Maria. The father lived in Logan County, and followed his trade many years. He was an honorable, upright man, and was in com- fortable circumstances. Joshua Starret, his son, was a soldier in the Rebellion, enlisting in the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in several battles, and was taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville; later he was tranferred to a prison in Georgia, where he died. And thus perished another of America's brave sons!
JOHN T. WALKER, one of the leading agricultnrists of Page County, was born in Essex County, New Jersey, and is of Scotch descent. He is an adopted son of William G. Walker, a carpenter by trade and 45
a native of Essex County, New Jersey. His father's name was Francis Naville, a native of Paris, France, who caine to America at the age of twenty-two years and married Jane Gilland, a daughter of John and Sarah (Jones) Gilland. John Gilland was a cooper by trade and served as a soldier in the war of the Revo- lution. He was captured by the Mohawk Indians and held five years. He was a man of considerable property and owned the land where Trinity Church now stands, sixteen acres; during the great fire in New York city the papers were destroyed, and some of the heirs sold their interest to the Trinity Church corporation thirty years ago. Mr. Walker's mother settled in Quincy, Illinois, and refused to sell her claim, which is undoubtedly good. In 1852 Mrs. Naville married William G. Walker, a separation having taken place be- tween her and Mr. Naville.
In 1833 John T. Walker came west with his mother and step-father, and lived in Peoria, Illinois, two years. May 10, 1836, he started to Iowa, crossed the Mississippi River at Fort Madison, and settled in Lee County, Iowa, two and a half miles from West Point. Black Hawk, the celebrated Indian chief, was en- camped with a band of Indians a quarter of a mile distant on the same creek; but they were not hostile and gave no trouble. The education of young Walker was limited to that acquired before he left New Jersey, as in the rough, frontier life, there were few oppor- tunities for study. He grew up accustomed to the hardships and privations of pioneer life, and belongs to that sturdy type of men to whom we are so deeply indebted for the comforts and luxuries of to-day.
Mr. Walker was united in marriage March 23, 1845, to Lydia A. Jeffers, a danghter of Benjamin Jeffers. Her mother's maiden name was Catharine Hartman, and the Hart- mans were from Germany. John Hartman
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
came to America before the Revolution and settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania. He served all through that terrible struggle for liberty, and suffered many bitter privations. Benjamin Jeffers was in the war of 1812; he was a son of Dennis Jeffers, of Scotch-Irish descent; he married Elizabeth Trimble, and they had ten children, all of whom lived to maturity except one. Their names are: Susan, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Christena, Drusilla, William, John, Dennis, Samuel, Benjamin, Catherine, Lydia A. and Abrahamn. In 1839 Mr. Jeffers removed to Iowa and settled on a farm of raw prairie. His wife died in 1843, and he married for his second wife Lydia Stutman; three children were born of this union: Clara J., Rachel and Daniel, making seventeen children of whom Benjamin Jeffers was the father.
John T. Walker and his wife Lydia have had born to them three children: William R., John T. and George H. After his mar- riage he lived in the town of West Point, where he carried on the business of teaming until 1850; lie then crossed the plains to Cal- ifornia and engaged in mining for one year, at the end of which time he returned to Iowa; in 1853 he went to Mahaska County, Iowa, and followed agricultural pursuits for three years; he then settled in Nodaway County, Missonri, and entered a farm, on which he resided for ten years.
In 1862, March 20, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company C, Fourth Cavalry, Missouri Vol. nnteers, and served twenty-seven months; lie participated in some hard-fought battles, and in a fight with the bushwhackers his horse fell under him; it sprang up suddenly before he could free his right foot from the stirrup, and dragged liim 200 yards into the enemy's ranks, suddenly wheeled and ran back at full speed; the stirrup came off and Mr. Walker fell to the ground senseless, and did
not regain consciousness until the following day. He was very badly injured, and was taken to Neosho, where he remained four months and then returned to the service. He was honorably discharged at Sedalia, Mis- souri, in 1864. In 1865 he bought his present farm, on which he located in 1866. He lias been prosperous in his agricultural enterprises and now owns 208 acres of land. He has earned his money by energetic effort, and is a thoroughly self-made man. Politically he adheres to the principles of the Republican party.
Mrs. Walker was born in Preston County, West Virginia, in 1828, where she lived until ten years of age. Her parents then removed to Lee County, Iowa, where they passed the remainder of their days. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker are consistent members of the Free Methodist Church.
T. CLEMENT, dealer in furniture, Clarinda, has been a resident of Page County since March, 1869. He was born in Allegany County, New York, Au- gust 21, 1832, and is a son of Stillman and Mary (Taylor) Clement, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. The father was born in 1800, and the mother in 1807. The father of Stillman Clement was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was killed at Burling- ton, Vermont, before his discharge. His widow took her three children and removed to western New York when all that section belonged to the Allegheny Indians. She lo- cated in Allegany County and there Stillman grew to manhood and was married in 1828. In 1852 he removed to Wisconsin and tanght school for many years. His wife died in 1851, and he passed away in 1873.
Onr subject passed his early youth in the
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county of his birth and received his education in the common schools. He emigrated to Michigan, where he remained one year and then returned to New York. In 1852 he went to Kentucky and took a contract to get out ties for the Covington & Lexington Rail- road, which was then being built. He after terward purchased an interest in a boat on which he frieghted wood to Cincinnati.
Mr. Clement was married in Cincinnati, in 1854, to Miss Eliza Costello, a native of Dub- lin, Ireland. One year later he returned to the State of New York, residing there one year, at the end of which timne he came West and located in Grant County, Wisconsin. There he improved three farms, selling them as fast as they were placed under good culti- vation. In 1866 lie moved to Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, and embarked in the furniture business; this he continued three years and then came to Clarinda, where he has since conducted the same business. He purchased the stock of Daniel Clevenger, who was lo- cated on the sonthi side of the square. In 1882 he erected his large and substantial store room and mainfactory, 23 x 130 feet, and he carries a finely selected stock of goods, snchi as would give credit to a more preten- tious city than Clarinda.
Mr. and Mrs. Clement are the parents of five children: Stillman, born January 17, 1856, in New York; Mary E., born Decem- ber 7, 1857, in Wisconsin; Eliza J., born September 10, 1859, in Wisconsin; Alice E , born March 21, 1862, in Wisconsin, and Min- nie B., born April 1, 1871, in Clarinda, lowa. Stillman was drowned in tlie Nodaway River; Mary is the wife of A. B. Robertson, editor of the Page County Democrat; Jennie is deceased; she was the wife of Mr. Loy, the druggist; Alice is the wife of W. L. Lundy, and Minnie resides at home with her parents. Mr. Clements is an honored member of
Nodaway Lodge, No. 140, A. F. and A. M., of Clarinda Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., and of Pilgrimage Commandery, No. 20, K. T. He also belongs to tlie A. O. U. W., Union Lodge, No. 38. Politically he identified witlı the Republican party. He has served as a member of the city council and was a member of the school board when the south school- house was erected.
ILLIAM H. WAGGONER, who has been a resident of Page County since 1871, is a native of Oneida County, New York, born April 14, 1826. His par- ents, Henry and Aurelia (Matteson) Wag- goner, were natives of New York and Ver- mont respectively, and were descended from German ancestors on one side and English on the other.
William grew to manhood in his native State and early became inured to the hard labor of a farm. He remained under the parental roof until the family removed in 1850 to Warren County, Illinois. There lie purchased a farın and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility.
He was married March 22, 1852, to Miss Margery Strawbridge, a daughter of William and Mary Strawbridge, natives of Pennsyl- vania. Slie was born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1828. After their marriage they continued to live in Illi- nois for a number of years. In 1859 Mr. Waggoner decided to try his fortune in California, and accordingly set out for the " Golden State." He made the trip overland, consuming five montlis lacking six days. He was engaged in mining gold and prospecting, and while there owned four different claims. In 1867 he returned to Illinois, this time making the journey by water, which required
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one month. They remained in Illinois until 1871, when, as before stated, he came with his family to Page County. They located on a farm which had been bought the fall of 1870; there were eighty acres, lying in Mor- ton Township, and excepting ten acres had not been broken. It is no small task to undertake the cultivation of raw prairie land, and we can but admire the courage of those hardy pioneers who faced all the hardships and trials with so much bravery.
Mr. Waggoner erected a small house the first year of his residence here and has since added to it; he has planted an orchard of three and a half acres, and a grove of three acres, which add not alone to the beauty of the place but also to its valne.
Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner are the parents of four children: Delia, the wife of L. B, How- ard; William B,, Arthur, and Inez, wife of Horace Ely. The children have been reared in paths of rectitnde and right and are a credit and comfort to their parents. The family have been leaders in all social move- ments, and are highly esteemed in the com- munity.
Politically Mr. Waggoner affiliates with the Republican party, and has represented his township as trustee, fulfilling the duties of the office with much ability.
APTAIN HENRY WIAR, one of the intelligent farmers who cultivates the rich soil of Washington Township, came to the county in April, 1868. He is a native of Peunsylvania, born June 1, 1836, and is a son of George Wiar, also a native of the " Keystone " State. The family easily trace their origin back to Holland, but their fore- fathers landed in America prior to the Revo- lutionary war. The great-great-grandfather
came with the British army, but joined the American soldiers in maintaining their inde- pendence. The mother of Henry Wiar was Barbara Eppersoll, a native of l'ennsylvania, of Gerinan extraction. She was the mother of three children, and died when our subject was but four years old. The family removed to central Ohio and later to Lucas County, where the father died, at the age of sixty-five years. In 1856 they came to Illinois and settled in Marshall County, where they were among the pioneers. Henry was reared to farm life and received a common school edu- cation. When there was a call for 300,000 more men to come to the defense of the old flag, he enlisted, August 16, 1861, in Com- pany G, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in many hotly contested battles, namely: New Madrid, Island No. 10, Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Jackson, Vicksburg, Satarsha, Mechanics- burg, Richmond, Society Hill, Fort Derausha, Henderson Hill, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Old River, Clonterville, Cane River, Four- teen-Mile Bridge, Morse Plantation, Bayou Buff, Marksville, Ward's Plantation, Yellow Bayou, Lake Shicat, Tupelo, Abbyville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. The Captain was honorably discharged February 7, 1866, having been promoted to the posi- tion of Captain. He returned to Stark Conn- ty, Illinois, and February 11, 1868, he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Wheeler, a native of Peoria County, Illinois. Her par- ents, Josepli and Lucy (Leigh) Wheeler, were natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively.
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Wiar came to Page County, Iowa, and settled on wild land; here he led a truly pioneer life, there being only fourteen voters in the township. He has been improving his farm from year to year; he has provided a neat dwelling, good barns, a thrifty orchard and an artificial grove.
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Mr. and Mrs. Wiar are the parents of six children: Charles Wheeler, Ellis Leigh, Royal B., Lewis Henry, Glenn E. and Lucy P.
Politically the Captain is a Republican of no uncertain type. He has held the various township offices with credit to himself and the best interests of the voters. He is a member of Gettysburg Post, No. 241, G. A. R., at Northboro, Iowa. He and his good wife are worthy members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Northboro. He is a popular citizen and has ever done his share in the upbuilding of the churches, schools and other public institutions. In his manner he is frank, candid, and genial. His army rec- ord is one of the finest, and one of which he and his posterity may well be proud.
B. HOWARD was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, August 28, 1847, and is the son of Arthur and Sarah (White) Howard, natives of New York and Ohio re- spectively. When he was eighteen months old the greatest misfortune of his life befell him in the death of his mother; but the next best fortune of life came to him when his grandparents took him to their home, where he was reared and educated. His grand- father was Josialı White, a resident of Ash- tabnla County, Ohio, and he remained with him until he had attained his seventeenth year; he then started out to seek his own liv- ing. For six months he worked on a farm, and then was employed in a saw-mill as en- gineer, following this occupation for three years. At the expiration of this time he went to Winnebago County, Illinois, and for four years rented a farm near the town of Rockford. In the meantime he had made a trip to Iowa, driving through with a team;
he traded his team for a tract of eighty acres in Morton Township, Page County, and hav- ing secured the land returned to Illinois. In the spring of 1874 he came back to Page County and located on his land, which was raw prairie with no improvements whatever. There were only a few improved farms in siglit, and when he had traded for the land there was nothing to be seen for miles around but a wild expanse of unbroken prairie; two houses stood between his farm and Shenan- doah, and two or three between the land and the present site of Coin.
For three years Mr. Howard labored early and late, cultivating the land and making improvements in the way of buildings; he then purchased an adjoining tract of forty acres, which was partially improved. A year later he disposed of the farm and purchased eighty acres on section 30, Morton Township, which had a smail house and other improve- ments. Since that time he has made this his home, bringing the place to an advanced state of cultivation. In 1885 he added eighty acres to the first purchase, and now has one of the best farms in the township.
When Mr. Howard started out in life he had nothing but pluck and energy to carry him through, and it is needless to add that this capital has served him well. He has made a success financially and socially and occupies an enviable position in the com- munity. Politically he is a stanch Demo- crat, taking an active interest in party issues; he is now serving his second term as town- ship trustee, filling the office with mnuch ability.
He was married November 1, 1877, to Miss Delia Waggoner, a daughter of William and Margery (Strawbridge) Waggoner, whose biography will be found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Howard was born in Warren County, Illinois, January 6, 1853. Three
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children have been born of this nnion: Bertha, Arthur and Stella.
NDREW JACKSON WELTY was born in Adams County, Illinois, February 17, 1834, his parents being Samuel and Matilda (Johnson) Welty, natives of Ken- tucky and Ohio respectively. Richard John- son, grandfather of Andrew J., came at an early day from Ohio to Morgan County, Illi- nois, where he was an influential citizen. His paternal grandfather emigrated from Ger- inany and settled in the State of Kentucky. When he was two years old the family re- moved to Warren County, Illinois, and he remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years old, when he began to farm in the same county. He remained there until 1865, when he went to Prairie City and formed a partnership with A. Burr in the humber and hardware business; this firm continned to transact business for four years. In the fall of 1855 Mr. Welty's parents had come to Iowa and located in Fremont County; in 1869 he came to Iowa and invested in land near Lo- cust Grove, Fremont County, and for one year lived in Sidney, improving his farm in the meantime. In the fall of 1870 he bought one half section one mile from Shenandoah, which he at once began to improve. He lived on this place for three years and then removed to Shenandoah, where lie had built a home.
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Mr. Welty opened a Inmber-yard in part- nership with Mr. Barlow, which existed three years; during this time he divided his atten- tion between the farm and the lumber busi- ness. He now owns 240 acres in one tract and 400 acres of excellent farm land adjoin- ing Bingham; he hires two men to each farm and keeps from 150 to 200 head of cattle, selling from 100 to 150 annually.
His residence is a very comfortable one, being roomy and well arranged.
Mr. Welty was united in marriage Febru- ary 16, 1854, to Miss Ann F. Watkins, who was born in Warren County, Kentucky. She is a danghter of Murdock and Elizabeth (Al- mond) Watkins, natives of Virginia; her father died when she was seven years old, but her mother is still living, making her home with her.
Mr. and Mrs. Welty's family consists of the following: Ella was born February 6, 1855, and died March 31, 1879, unmarried; Christopher B., born September 7, 1857; Mary, born March 19, 1860, wife of George L. Smith; Melvin died at the age of two years ; Emma was born July 22, 1864; she is a grad- uate of the musical department of the Western Normal College. Christopher B. completed a course at Bryant's Business College at St. Joseph, Missouri, in the twenty-first year of his age, married the next year Miss Lydia Carey, and is now living on his farni a mile east of Shenandoah. Mary is a graduate of Indianola (Iowa) College and also of the Western Normal College at Shenandoah.
Mrs. Welty is a member of the Congrega- tional Church. Mr. Welty is not a church member but is a believer in an eternal future. He lives an upright life, is a careful business man and his word is considered as good as his bond.
ILAS W. STOTLER, deceased, was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 21, 1831, and was a son of Matthias and Nancy Stotler. He was reared in his native State, being trained to the occupation of a farmer. In those early days the opportuni- ties offered for an education were meager indeed, compared with the present day, but
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he availed himself of every chance of self- improvement.
When Mr. Stotler had attained his majority he made a trip overland to California, where he engaged in gold-mining for six years. In the fall of 1858 he returned to Ohio, and at the end of one year he went to Pike's Peak, remaining there one suinner. He again re- turned to the home of his youth and engaged in farming in Defiance County.
September 25, 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Stotler to Miss Matilda Koons, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Koons. Mrs. Stotler was born in Defiance County, Ohio, September 14, 1841; her parents were natives of the State of Pennsylvania.
After his marriage Mr. Stotler resided in Defiance County until the spring of 1863, when he removed to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and settled near La Fayette. In December, 1863, he enlisted as a reeruit: first, in the Seventy- second Mounted Infan- try Indiana Volunteers and served untilJune, 1865; secondly, in the Forty-fourtlı In- diana Volunteer Intantry and served until September 14, 1865. He was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, and im- mediately returned to bis home in Indiana. He at once removed with his family to Wayne Connty, Iowa, in which place he owned a farm; there lie resided two years, and in tlie spring of 1868 came to Page County, locating on a farm of 140 acres, which is the present home of his family. No improvements had been made at that time, but the place has since undergone a complete transformation, ' and is now one of the finest farms in Page County; forty acres have been added to the original purchase, and ten acres of timber in Taylor County.
Mr. Stotler was quiet and unassuming in his manners, temperate in all things, and a lover of law and order. He had a large cir-
ele of friends that he had won by his honesty and integrity.
In all his undertakings he was ably assisted by his worthy wife, who survives him.
Mr. Stotler died February 3, 1881. He and his wife had born to thein eight children, six of whom are still living: Florence, wife of I. B. Cavender, residing at Imnogene, Iowa; Willis F., Frank M., Charles, deceased; Edwin, Harry, Cora, and one who died in infancy.
The farm on which the Stotler family reside is known as the old Shannon farm, and is one of the best improved in the county.
Willis F. Stotler has been attending Shenandoah College, preparatory to entering one of the professions. He was only fourteen years of age when his father died, and the responsibility of the farin fell largely to him. The other members of the family liave given him much help, and he has been very snc- cessful.
The Stutler family are stanchi Repub- licans.
OBERT C. HOWSER was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in February 1849, and is a son of Jonathan and Margaret Jane (Dillman) Ilowser. The pa- ternal grandfather was Christopher Howser, a native of Maryland, and his father came from Germany; the mother's father was Con- rad Dillman, of German ancestry. Jonathan Howser was married in Clermont Connty, Ohio, and in 1860 he removed to Champaign County, Illinois. He had five children, of whom Robert C. is the third. He was twelve years of age when his parents removed to Illinois, and there he grew to manhood; he was trained to the oceupation of a farmer
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and attended the common schools and was a student at a college at Merom, Indiana.
In September, 1874, he came to Page County and settled on section 13, Washing- ton Township, where he purchased 240 acres of wild land; lie has placed this under excel- lent cultivation, and has since added 160 acres to it, making it a farm of 400 acres; he has made many valuable improvements. In 1887 he bought the eighity acres on which he now lives, and where he lias made a most desirable home, where he is surrounded with many of the comforts and luxuries of life; he has a neat farm residence, a fine orchard and a beautiful grove. He rents the land on sections 13 and 24, and gives his personal attention to his home farm, making a specialty of stock-raising and feeding.
Mr. Howser was united in marriage April 2, 1879, to Miss Priscilla E. Hahn, born in Knox County, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Abby (Dean) Hahn. Mr. and Mrs. Ilowser are the parents of three children: Orr C., born February 19, 1880; Roy E., born July 9, 1881, and an infant danghter, Olive Jessie, born Marclı 2, 1890.
Politically Mr. Howser is an independent, but he has usually voted the Republican ticket. He has been a member of the school board, and in his religious belief he is a Methodist, and is a local minister of that denomination. Both he and his estimable wife are devout members of that church and are ardent co-workers in their Master's vine- yard.
OSEPH M. DARBY is a representative man of Washington Township, where he has resided since May, 1870. He was born in Peoria County, Illinois, November 7, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Lucy
(Sprague) Darby; the father was a son of John Darby, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and came from the Carolinas, and his father was Samuel Darby, who fought in the Revolutionary war under General Anthony Wayne. Lucy Sprague Darby was a native of Delaware County, New York, and the daugh- ter of Reuben and Mary (Reed) Sprague, also natives of Delaware County, New York. Jacob Darby married his wife in Peoria Coun- ty, Illinois, August 20, 1841, and they had four children born to them, three of whoni died in infancy. The father died October 14, 1856, and his widow afterward married O. P. Artman, of Hallock Township, Peoria Conn- ty, Illinois.
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