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 76

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 76


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EV. DAVID MCKEE is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was born in Ireland, April 10, 1821, and his parents emi- grated to the United States in 1825, settling in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; in 1839 they removed to Mercer County of the same State. After completing the course in the Mercer Academy, Mr. McKee entered the junior class in Jefferson College and was graduated in 1847 in a class of sixty-two. From the biographical history of the class written by Rev. A. G. Wallace, D. D., in 1887, the following is taken; "Our class was much indebted for its good character to a few older and graver members. Among the promi- nent leaders of right doing and good influ- ence was David Mckee. Good, thoughtful, studious, upright, kind, true-hearted and pious, he commanded the respect of all. No


memory of foolish things lingers around his name. No blush need mantle his cheek as he recalls his college days. He is the son of David and Jane (Smith) McKee. His grade in class is indicated on the commencement program,-Salutatory, Greek, David Mc- Kee. His right was not disputed. He was professor in Westminster College for three years; stndied theology in the seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Al- legheny, Pennsylvania, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Pittsburg, April 9, 1851; was ordained by the Philadelphia Presbytery, July 5, 1854, as pastor of the Fourth Re- formed Presbyterian congregation. After a few years there he removed to the West, and since 1861 has been pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian church of Clarinda, Iowa. In his ministry he has won for himself a high standing in the community and throngliout the church. He lias been an able pastor and faithful defender of the doctrines of the cross, and a cordial, firm supporter of all the great moral movements of our day. The Synod of 1885 honored hin by making him its moder- ator. He has been a liberal writer for the press, and has published a sermon on Min- isterial Fidelity and Reward.


" September 3, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Gregg, daughter of David Gregg, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Around their table have been gathered three sons and five daughters."


The names of the children are, David G., Mary M., Jane E., James M., Martha, Eda E., John A. and Anna K. James M. and Martha died in infancy; David G. manages the farm; Mary M. is the wife of William Black ; Jane E. married James W. Turner; Eda and Anna are at home; John A. is the junior partner of the firm of Hamilton & McKee at Coin.


Rev. David McKee has ever taken all


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active interest in the welfare of Page County; he has contributed liberally to secure railroad improvements, and in 1875 he raised the money with which to make the needed im- provements about the Page County fair é grounds.


If Christianity has one argument of greater strength and logic than another it is in point- ing to the long and consistent, wondrously good and true life of him of whom we now write; and the influence for good which this noble, Christian character, both in the pulpit and outside, has exerted will be felt and prolonged years after he has gone to enjoy the blessing of an eternal inheritance. Though strong-minded, his nature seems like that of a child, and in kindness he reflects the charac- ter of his Master in whose vineyard he has so long labored.


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LEXANDER MCKEOWN was born December 12, 1830, and is the sixth child of a family of eleven children of Alexander and Rose (Glasgow) Mckeown. The parents were natives of county Antrim; Ireland, where they were reared and inarried. In 1823 they bade farewell to their native land, and sailed away to America; the first year they spent in Belmont County, Ohio, theuce removing to Harrison County, Ohio; there they entered land from the Government and made their home the remainder of their days. The father died in 1853, and the mother survived until 1886. Mr. Mckeown was a farmer by occupation and bronght up his sons to the same employment. He was a man, quiet and unassuming, and strove to inculcate the principles of riglit and truth in the hearts of his children. The family are named as follows: Henry, John, James, de-


ceased; Adam, deceased; Mary J., wife of Samuel Andress; Alexander, Arthur G., Levi- na, wife of Robert Logan; Rose A., deceased, was wife of William Forsyth, also deceased; Glasgow, deceased, and William.


Alexander, Jr., received a common-school education, and previous to his marriage he taught two terms of school. In December, 1853, he came to eastern Iowa, and remained there almost one year. He then returned to his old home, and November 16, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss H. J. Alex- ander, who died December 4, 1862. By this union three children were born: John A. and James U., both residents of Harlan Township, and Mary R., deceased. Mr. Mc- Keown was again married November 29, 1864, to Miss Jane Clarke, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, May 19, 1830. One child has been born of this marriage, Henry E., residing at home.


In 1855 our subject removed to Washing- ton County, Iowa, where he remained three years, after which he came to Page County. He spent the first winter in a temporary res- idence, and during that time erected a frame dwelling on a tract of sixty acres in Harlan Township. In the summer of 1862 he went back to Ohio, and in the spring of 1864 he returned to his farm in Page County. He has added to his first purchase until at one time he had 320 acres; he sold forty acres, and lias deeded eiglity acres to each of two sons.


When he first came to the county the land was as it had been left by the red man, but time and energy have wronght great changes, and to-day the Mckeown farm is one of the best improved in Page County; there is a fine frame residence, and good buildings for stock and grain have been erected by the present owner. Having led a life of honesty and integrity, he numbers his friends by the


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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.


score, and has a standing second to none in the county.


Mr. and Mrs. McKeown have lived to see the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage, and were assisted in celebrating this event by almost 100 friends. They are active workers in the Reformned Presbyterian Church.


AMES CASKEY .- Page County is not behind other counties in the State of Iowa in its indebtedness to the beautiful " Emerald Isle," which has given up so many of her sons and danghters to the settlement of the New World. Prominent among this number is James Caskey, who was born in county Londonderry, Ireland, July 17, 1802. He is a son of John and Ann (Dun) Caskey, and during his youth assisted his father in his flax-mill, and worked at farming. He re- mained in his native land until 1828, when he set sail for America; after landing he re- mained in Philadelphia for a few months, and then went to Mobile, Alabama, afterward locating on a farm in Greene County, Ala- bama.


Mr. Caskey was married January 29 1829, to Catherine Mawhinney, a danghter of Alexander and Jane (Dunn) Mawhinney, natives of county Londonderry, Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1820. Catherine is the second child of a family of eight; she was born in county Londonderry, Ireland, October 29, 1806. After they were married they lived on the farm in Greene County, where they continued to reside until 1852, when they removed to Cook County, Illinois; when living in this county Mr. Caskey ship- ped the first corn to Chicago that was trans- ported on the Illinois Central Railroad. In October, 1856, the family landed in Page County, Iowa, where they have since made


their home. In making the journey they first went to St. Louis by rail, thence by boat to St. Joseph, Missouri, and the remainder of the way in wagons. Mr. Caskey entered his farın, which consisted of 160 acres, from the Government; it was wild land without any improvements; he erected a building 16 x 24 feet, and when finally they were honsed in this comfortable dwelling a happier or more contented family could not have been found in Page County. It was not a life of luxury or ease, which they led for many years to come, but one of industry and continued effort; the trials and privations of pioneer life were met unflinchingly, and every exer- tion was inade to add to the prosperity of the family and community. The growth and development of the county has been largely forwarded by Mr. Caskey.


In those days neighbors were few, but the social qualities were cultivated none the less. In the lack of a house of worship our esteemed subject opened his own dwelling, where the settlers for miles around met for religious service. The first communion was adminis- tered by the Rev. Joseph McCracken of the Reformned Presbyterian Church; he was the first regular pastor employed by the society. Mr. Caskey and his family have ever been active workers in the cause of their Master, and have thus contributed to the advancement of the community.


Ten children have been born to Mr. Caskey and wife: John died while in the service of his country, being a member of the Fitth Iowa Cavalry, Company C. He passed away at Paducah, Kentucky, his death being caused by disease contracted at Ft. Donelson; Jane, the widow of William Brown, deceased, and her two daughters are still living on their farm in Harlan Township; Alexander died in July, 1889; William died in Illinois; James M. is a farmer, residing in Harlan Township;


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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.


Mary Ann is at home; Sanıpson died while in the service at Florence, South Carolina, January 13, 1865, having served three years; he was a member of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and was a prisoner in the Confederate army at the time of his death; Robert G. resides on a farm in Harlan Township; Joseph F. lives on the old homestead, and Isaac B., who farms in Harlan Township.


Joseph F. and Mary Ann are living with their aged parents, caring for them as only a son and daughter can do; they cheerfully per form this filial duty, and have the esteem and respect of the whole neighborhood.


While residing in the South Mr. Caskey was opposed to slave-holding, and always advocated its abolition.


ATTHEW S. RAY, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, is a son of Matthew and Jane (McCunn) Ray, natives of the north of Ireland. The father was born. October 15, 1805, and died Novem- ber 12, 1887; the mother was born Decem- ber 1, 1805, and died February 3, 1887. When Matthew Ray, Sen., came to America he was about six or seven years old; his pa- rents, John and Mary (Moore) Ray, had ten children born to them, all of whom lived to mature age. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, which he pursued through life. When he had attained his majority lie was married to Jane McCunn, who was born in Ireland, and came to America at the age of sixteen years. Her parents were John and Mary (Smith) McCunn. Mr. and Mrs. Ray were married in Pennsylvania and spent their days in Indiana County. They were earnest Christians, and were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of six children: Mary Ann, born about 1834,


wife of William Hammill; John M., born about 1835; Eliza C., born about 1837, wife of John Cochran; William J., born August 28, 1838, died February, 1882; Matthew S., onr subject, and Mark, born March 17, 1845, died in February, 1874; John M., William J. and Mark, all served in the late civil war.


Matthew S. was born August 15, 1840, and grew to manhood in his native county. He was brought up in the usnal manner of farmers' sons, and received his education in the common and select schools. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in the pro- fession of teaching, which he followed for six years.


When there was a call for men to defend the old flag Mr. Ray was not behind his countrymen in offering his services; he en- listed Angust 2, 1862, in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, Company I, serving nine inonthis. He re-enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served nntil the close of the war, He was honorably discharged at Harrisburgh, in September, 1865. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to the position of Sergeant, and then to that of Second Lientenant. He participated in many battles, the most noted being those of the Wilderness and Chancel- lorsville, took part in a number of skirmishes, and served as a guard to the railroad in West Virginia.


When the war was over Mr. Ray returned to his home in Pennsylvania and engaged in the lumber business for some time. In 1867 he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Nodaway Township, Page Connty, two and a half miles west of Clarinda. There he purchased an interest in a tract of 160 acres, which was partially improved; he resided on this land for eight years, making improvements. He then disposed of this property and returned


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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.


to his old home in Pennsylvania; he bought ninety acres of land and an interest in a hardware store in the town of Indiana; he divided liis time between these two interests, but finally sold the farm and gave his entire attention to the mercantile business. He continned there for ten years and then sold out and went back to Iowa in the spring of 1886. Ile then bought his present farm of 160 aeres in Harlan Township, which he has improved with good buildings.


Mr. Ray has some business interest in Cla- rinda, being one of the directors of the Cla- rinda National Bank.


In political thought and action he stands with the Democratic party.


Mr. Ray was united in marriage March 28, 1867, to Maggie C. Butterfield, a daughter of Clark and Elizabeth (Caldwell) Butterfield, natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died when Maggie was a child, and the father died March 6, 1878. Mr. and Butterfield were the parents of six children: Mary J., deceased, Alfred N., deceased, Maggie C., Re- becca, wife of N. N. Gallagher; Murry and Melissa, deceased. Maggie was born at Salts- baugh, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1844.


Mr. and Mrs. Ray are the parents of foar children: Myrtle, Nina J., Clark and Albert. The father and mother are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.


OHN G. JOHNSON, who has been a resident of Page County since April, 1873, is entitled to a biographical notice along with the other representative men of his county. He was born in Erie County, New York, August 20, 1843, and is the son of Benjamin B. and Mary (Green) Johnson; the father was a native of Adams County, Pennsylvania, and the mother was born on


Long Island, of New England ancestors. They reared a family of four sons, of whom John G. is the second. He was brought up on a farm and was trained to agricultural pursuits; his education was obtained in the common schools and the academy. In 1868 he removed to Kent County, Michigan, and remained there a few months engaged at work in a saw-mill. The following winter he taught in a public school, and in the spring of 1869 he returned to Erie County, New York.


March 23, 1869, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Laura Lester, a native of Erie County, New York, and a daughter of G. K. Lester, also a native of the Empire State. Before her marriage Mrs. Johnson was successfully engaged in teaching. After his marriage Mr. Johnson returned to Kent County, Michigan, and resided there four years; during this time he was engaged in the manufacture of shingles. In 1873 he removed to Page County and settled in Wash- ington Township, on section 3. After two years he removed to the southern part of the township, near Union Grove, where he farined two years; he then settled on section 18, Colfax Township, and after five years hie lo- cated on his present farm on section 16. In 1883 he erected a good, two-story residence, which has a beautiful location and is sur- rounded by all the modern improvements. The barns, cattle sheds, and feed lots bespeak the thrift and good taste of the owner. Mr. Johnson has made a specialty of stock-raising and feeding, and has been very successful. His farm contains 205 acres and is under excellent cultivation.


Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of four children: Charles D., George W., Ben- jamin B. and Garra K.


Politically Mr. Johnson affiliates with the Republican party, and the people have shown


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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.


the confidence which they repose in him by calling him to fill many of the township offi- ces, including that of trustee, assessor, treas- urer, and member of the school board. He took the census of the township in 1885. He is a man of refinement, intelligence, and su- perior business qualifications. In his manner he is plain and out-spoken, and is universally respected in the township.


W. BOWMAN, a resident of section 7, Colfax Township, has lived in Page County since 1874, and will form the subject of this notice. He was born in Ruth- erford County, Tennessee, May 12, 1821, and is the son of John Bowman, a native of Wash- ington County, Maryland. The paternal grandfather, John Bowman, Sr., was of Ger- man extraction. John Bowman, Jr., married Catherine Swindler, a native of the State of Maryland. They reared a family of six chil- dren, of whom G. W. is the youngest. When lie was six years of age they removed to Mad- ison County, Tennessee, where they resided un- til 1838, and then they went to Greene Connty, Illinois, where they were pioneer settlers. Later they moved to Mason County, Illinois. The mother died at the age of sixty three years, and the father lived to be seventy-nine years old. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party.


Young Bowman was trained to agricultural pursuits, and received his education in Ten- nessee. He was married in January, 1849, to Miss Magdalen Parker, a native of Ohio. Her parents, Thomas and Catherine (Louder- man) Parker, were natives of Virginia. Mr. Bowman resided in Mason County, Illinois, -until 1863, when he removed to McDonough County, Illinois. In 1874 he came to Iowa purchased and 160 acres in Page County, the


land partially improved, and he has since built a good residence located on a fine build- ing site, one and a half miles southwest of Coin.


Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are the parents of five children: Eliza Jane, wife of Charles Baker; Albert, the only son, married Mary Boyd; Rosa D., wife of T. Polsley; one child died in infancy, and Mary Catherine, wife of George McElvain, died in the spring of 1884, leaving one son, Selby C.


Politically onr subject affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a zealous supporter of its principles. Although a man sixty-nine years old he bears his age lightly, having always been temperate in his habits. He has performed a vast amount of hard labor, has lost one good fortune which he had accumulated, and by energy has regained a competency. Mrs. Bowman has been a member of the Bap- tist Church since she was seventeen years old.


HOMAS BOYLE is one of the repre- sentative and intelligent members of the farming community of Colfax Township, where he made a settlement in 1867. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, April 7, 1844, and is a son of Hugh and Jane (Clark) Boyle, natives of the beau- tiful " Emerald Isle." When he was but two years old his parents emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania. Thomas was reared to farm life and obtained his education in the common schools. In 1867 the family removed to Page County, Iowa, and settled on wild prairie land, which they at once began to improve. Hugh Boyle and wife had born to them six children: Thomas, Anna, wife of Adam Lowden; Jane, wife of J. L. Brown, at one time recorder of Page County; Rachel, wife of J. Whittaker;


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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.


William J. and Elizabeth. The father died in August, 1868, aged fifty-seven years; the mother survived until October, 1889, when she passed away at the age of seventy-four years. They were both devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church.


Thomas Boyle, the subject of this notice, owus one of the best farms in Colfax Town- ship; it consists of 205 acres, and is in an advanced state of cultivation. The improve- ments are of the best kind; there is two neat, comfortable farm-houses situated in the midst of a magnificent artificial grove, and the barns and sheds are convenient and commodious; one hay-barn and cattle-shed is 60 x 144 feet, and is well planned for the purpose. Mr. Boyle keeps from 100 to 130 head of cattle, and is raising, feeding, and bnying the year round; lie keeps a high grade of animals and feeds from 7,000 to 8,000 busliels of corn an- nually.


Politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party, in favor of which he has cast his suffrage since the privilege of franchise was bestowed upon him. He was reared in the old-school Presbyterian Church, which he supports liberally. He is a man now in the prime and vigor of life, with a reputation above reproach. In going over the town- ship the writer has been impressed with the value which every one places upon the char- acter and worth of Mr. Boyle as a correct business man and as a citizen.


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OHN HENSLEIGH, one of the early prairie settlers of Colfax Township, is well known as one of the most success- ful of the many painstaking farmers of his township. He came to the county in 1868 and bought land on which he settled in 1869. He was born in Devonshire, England, June 5,


1828, and is the son of Thomas Hensleigh of the same shire. His mother's maiden name was Ann Walters and she was a native of Cornwall, England. In 1833 the family sailed from Liverpool for the United States, and located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The father was a book-keeper and surveyor by occupation. The parents reared a family of thirteen children, and they remained in Pennsylvania until the day of their death. The mother died in Lonisa County, Iowa. John was reared to farm labor and obtained his education in the public schools of West- moreland County, Pennsylvania. Arriving at the age of manhood he was united iu mnar- riage, March, 1856, to Miss Nancy Tydick, who was born and reared in the " Keystone " State. She was the daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Alexander) Tydick, natives of Penn- sylvania. By this union thirteen children were boru: George E., John Harvey, Frank V., Elmore Watson, Nancy Ann, wife of William Jeffry ; Sarah C. B., Alexander W., 'Freder- ick Dales, Lawrence Mortimer and Arthur Gilbert; the deceased are William M. and Mary E.


Mrs. Nancy Tydick Hensleigh, the inother of the above named children, died in June, 1879. She was a worthy member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hensleigh was married to his present wife February 22, 1883; she was Mrs. Margaret Scott, the widow of John Scott; her maiden name was McEl- henny and she is the mother of six children by her first marriage: Anna Elder, Thomas Henry, Rebecca Isabelle, James Armour, and Samuel M., deceased.


Mr. Hensleigh has an excellent stock farm provided with all the modern conveniences. He has a good residence attractively situated, a large, well planned barn and a set of scales. Ilis land is well adapted to the raising of live-stock by natural and artificial supplies of


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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.


water. The farm contains 310 acres of land in an advanced state of cultivation.


Onr worthy subject has usually voted the Republican ticket, but at present he favors the Prohibition party. He is a believer in Christianity and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Blanchard, of which he has been an elder and which he helped to organize. He has given his children superior school privileges, and two of them, Frank and Sarah, are teachers. Although sixty-two years of age he is full of vigor and strength. He is one of Page County's best and most progressive citizens.


OSEPH SHAW-It is to the beautiful " Emerald Isle " that we are indebted as a nation for some of the most sturdy, ro- bust and reliable farmers of the West. The subject of this notice owns a valuable farm of 440 acres of Page County's richest soil and may well be termed a pioneer as he has re- sided here since 1858. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and is the son of David Shaw and one of a family of eight sons and one dangliter. He was reared to farm labor and received a limited education.


At the age of twenty-five years he sailed for America, landing in Philadelphia after a voyage of sixty days. From that city lie went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he re- inained two months; he then removed to Canada, where he made his home for two years, and at the end of that time he inade a trip to Ohio and settled near Akron, residing there nine years. In 1858, as before stated, he came to Page County, Iowa.


Mr. Shaw was married in Lincoln Townr- ship in 1860, to Mrs. Aikin, a daughter of William Loy, one of the pioneers of the county. By this union two children were


born: Sarah C., wife of Milton Reed; and David Nelson. The mother died in August, 1865. Mr. Shaw was married a second time May 17, 1866, to Mrs. Drewery, a daughter of William D. and Mary S. (Mitchell) Dona- key. She was first married in New Liberty, Illinois, to S. O. Drewery. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have two children: George T. and Alma C.




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