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 81

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 81

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).

In 1866, April 2, Mr. Bloom was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Klotz, a na- tive of Mercer County, Illinois, and a daughter of Jacob and Josephine (Versell) Klotz. Eleven children have been born of this union : Charles F., Frank J., George P., Delia S., Ed. J., Lewis H., Minnie Maud, Bert B., Carrie L., Lester C. and Effic Fern. Mrs. Bloom was reared to the faith of the Evan- gelical Church, while her husband was brought up in the Lutheran Church. Politi- cally our subject is identified with the Demo-

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY

cratic party. He is an honored member of the G. A. R., Burnside Post, No. 56, at Shenandoah.

HOMAS GILLESPIE, one of the lead- ing farmers of Tarkio Township, las been a resident of Page County for the past twenty years. He was born in the north of Ireland, in connty Monaghan, in 1830, and is a son of Isaac and Jane (Boyd) Gillespie. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and, desiring to give them better opportunities than were afforded in their native land, they emigrated to the Uni- ted States, in 1849. They sailed first to Liverpool, England, and thence to New Orleans, Louisiana, and up the Mississippi River to Savanna, Illinois. The father died at the age of seventy years, and the mother passed away at the age of sixty-five years.

Thomas Gillespie was reared to the life of a farmer, and in his youth passed through all the experiences common to the lot of a farmer boy. He was married in Carroll County, Illinois, December 6, 1855, to Miss Maria Donaldson. She was born in Orange County, New York, December 7, 1834, and is a daugh- ter of John and Nancy (Beaty) Donaldson, natives of county Monaghan, Ireland. In 1836 her family removed to the State of In- diana, and in 1844 to Carroll County, Illi- nois, where they were among the earliest set- tlers. The father lived to be sixty years of age, and the mother survived until eighty- seven years old.

Mr. Gillespie lived in Illinois engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1870, when he came to Page County and bought eighty acres of wild land; he was one of the first settlers in the neighborhood, and had to undergo many of the trials and hardships of pioneer

life. As his means increased he invested in land until lie now has 160 acres in an ad- vanced state of cultivation; the place is well adapted to raising live-stock, being watered by living streams. He has built a comfort- able house and necessary buildings for stock and grain; a grove and orchard add to the value and beauty of the place, and all the surroundings indicate thrift and prosperity.

Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are the parents of ten children: Jane, wife of Charles Turner; Jolin, attorney at Law, now Clerk of the County Court, at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Samuel, Anna, Sadie, Charles, Mary, Ella, Grace aud Robert. The parents were reared in the Presbyterian faith, and have ever striven to elevate the morals of the comnu- nity.

Mr. Gillespie is identified with the Repnb- lican party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles.

ILLIAM A. MCFERRIN is one of the leading citizens of Buchanan Township, and is of English and Irish descent. His grandfather, Samuel A. McFerrin, came from England and settled in Knox County, Tennessee, at an early day. He was married there and brought up a large family of children. He was a fariner and school-teacher, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a promi- nent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he served as steward. His son, James H. McFerrin, was born in Knox County, Tennessee. He married Saralı Clapp, the danghter of George Clapp, and seven children were born of this union: Elizabeth, Samuel, Nancy, William A., Henry, Parley E. and Adeline. In 1847 the family removed to Du Bois County, Indiana, and settled on a

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

farın, where the father spent the remainder of his days. In politics he was a Republican. He and his wife mere both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a very pions man and served as class-leader for more than thirty years.

William A. McFerrin, son of James H. McFerrin, was born in Tennessee in 1835, and removed to Indiana with his father at the age of thirteen years. He became a farmer, and in 1855 was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. Inman, daughter of Abed- nego White and Malıala A. (Reeder) Inman. To them were born nine children: Caroline M., William R., Alfred T., Willis T., Enoch E., Polly A., Morton N., Argyle, and Benja- min. Mrs. McFerrin's father was of Irish descent; his grandparents emigrated from Ireland and settled in Alabama, where Abed- nego was born; he finally settled in Du Bois County, Indiana, and twenty years before his death he located in Morton County, Indiana. His wife was a native of Virginia.

Mr. and Mrs. McFerrin are the parents of seven children: Alfred T. died at the age of twelve years; Willis died when only seven years old; James A., Alvin A., Marion R., and Elvin E. After Mr. McFerrin was married he settled on a farm in DnBois County, Indiana. In 1862 he obeyed the call of Abraham Lincoln for more troops and en- listed August 16, in Company D, Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He left his wife and three small children and went bravely fortli to assist in the defense of his country. He was in the battles of Perry- ville, Kentucky, Resaca, Peach-tree Creek, and in continuons battles and skirmishes from Chattanooga to Atlanta, a period of thirty days. He received no wounds, but had a bul- let hole in his blouse just above the hip. He was taken with typhoid fever the day that General McPherson was killed, and lay in

the hospital at Knoxville, Tennessee, for three months. After his recovery he was again in the field in time to take a part in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. He was mustered ont at Raleigh, North Carolina, receiving an honorable discharge as Sergeant, June 22, 1865. He then returned to his home and engaged in farming.

Both Mr. and Mrs. McFerrin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined in their younger days and remained faithful to their vows. Mr. McFerrin, like his father and grandfather before him, has served as a class-leader for many years. He and his wife have brought up their children in the same faith, endeavoring to instill into their minds the truths of Christianity and to lead them into paths of virtue and right.

In 1877 Mr. McFerrin removed with his family to Page County and settled in Bu- chanan Township, two and one-half miles northeast of Morseman. In 1882 he located on his present farm of 178 acres of fine land, which is well improved. He is a Republican and takes an active part in all important en- terprises of his community. He deservedly ranks high in the community not only as a worthy and honorable citizen, but as a brave soldier who gallantly served his country in her time of peril.

AMES L. BARRETT, physician and surgeon at Clarinda, Iowa, is perhaps the most widely and favorably known gentleman now living in Page County. He was the first physician to practice medicine in this section; he came in 1855 when the place contained but a few houses, and has made it his home ever since. He is one of those rare men who have knowledge, skill, liberal ideas, and withal a heart as tender and

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

full of genuine sympathy and Christian kind- ness as a man can possibly have.

He was born in Campbell County, Ken- tucky, January 18, 1818. He is the oldest son and third child of a family of eight chil- dren. His father, Jonathan B. Barrett, was a native of Maryland. His grandfather, Colonel Lemuel Barrett, came from Ireland previous to 1765, and participated in those great national conflicts known as the Revo. lutionary war and the French and Indian war. He was Colonel of a New Jersey regiment during the former war and after that was ended settled at Fairfax, Virginia.

When Jonathan B. Barrett was a child liis family removed to Kentucky and settled in Harrison County, where they were among thie early pioneers. His father spent the remain- der of his days in Kentucky, dying at the ex- treme old age of 100 years, The inother of our esteemned subject, Dr. Barrett, was Pendleton, a native of Virginia and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. When James L. was but six months of age his parents re- moved to Indiana, coming down the Ohio River in a keel-boat and finally settling in Jennings County, being the first white fain- ily to invade the forest wilds of that section. The father entered a half section of Govern- inent laud, which he improved and made into a beautiful frontier home. He was a man of prominence, and was elected the first judge of the judicial district. In 1824 the Barrett family reinoved to Madison, Indiana, and afterward the parents went to Indianapolis, where they passed the reinainder of their days. The mother died in August, 1843, at the age of fifty-two years; the father died ten years later, aged sixty-three years.

It will be noticed that the youth of Dr. Barrett was spent in a pioneer land amidst the scenes of a forest wilderness. His early education was obtained at Madison, Indiana,

and at and Hanover colleges. After leaving college he walked through the innd ninety iniles to work in a printing office as a type-setter. In 1838 he began the study of medicine under the tutorship of Richmond, Meiers & Richmond, with whom he remained four years; he taught school occasionally in order to raise funds to .prosecute his studies. He began his practice at Indianapolis, and afterward went to Fishersburg and then to Pendleton. He next located in the big woods, where Kokomo now stands; he built the first log honse at that point, and at the end of two years he removed twelve miles distant and took up a claim. He assisted in the laying out of Greentown, Indiana, and then went South and practiced in various places until 1851, when he came to Iowa and located at Burlington; from Burlington he inoved to Missouri. He returned to Indiana and again caine to lowa in 1855, locating at Clarinda, Page County. He was the first to engage in his profession at that point, and soon had a very large practice, extending throughout a wide range of territory in Page and adjoining counties. He was in constant practice until 1883, when began a long needed vacation. He has been a diligent student for over a third of a century, availing himself of every opportunity to advance himself in his special science of medicine, in art, and gen- eral literature. He lias attended lectures in Indianapolis, at Rush Medical College, and at the St. Louis Medical College; he was graduated from La Porte College in 1844. He was one of the organizers of the Sonth- western Iowa Medical Association and was its president, serving ten years. He was also the first president of the Page County Medi- cal Society, and was appointed surgeon for the Council Bluffs & Quincy Railroad at this point. For further particulars of Dr. Barrett's medical career the reader is re-

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ferred to the "Medical Chapter " of this work.

In religious matters the Doctor subscribed to the Presbyterian faith many years ago, and to-day his magnanimous nature is broad enough to take in his brother man, wherever he may be found, trying in God's name to do right. Politically he is a Republican. With any citizen of Page County it will go without the saying that no man has more warm friends for virtue's sake than Dr. Barrett. Would the world had more such truly good men !

A. STRONG, who is located on sec- tion 24, Washington Township, owns 160 acres of land, and is a farmer in good standing. He was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1846, and is a son of B. M. Strong, a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of Irish an- cestors. The mother, Emily Whitlock Strong, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, of Scotch extraction. She was the mother of five children, three sons and two daughters. When our subject was five years of age the family removed to Stark County, Illinois, where the father passed the remainder of his days; the mother had died in Pennsylvania. E. A. Strong was reared to agricultural pur- suits and attended the common schools. He was united in marriage December 7, 1869, to Mary Jane Miller, at Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois. Mrs. Strong was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John Miller, whose biography appears on another page of this history.

Mr. Strong removed to Page County, Iowa, in 1870, and first settled on section 10, Washington Township, where he broke and improved fifty acres; five years later he re-

moved to his present farm, where he has made many valuable improvements; he owns eighty acres in this tract and eighty acres across the road in Colfax Township. His first dwelling was a small box-house, twelve by sixteen feet, but prosperons days have re- placed it with a larger house planned after a modern style of architecture and erected at a cost of $1,500; it is one of the best residences in the township. The buildings for the care and protection of the live-stock are of a sub- stantial character and all the surroundings present a neat and thrifty appearance.

Mr. and Mrs. Strong are the parents of six children: Lois Ann, Charles B., Mary Belle, Emma Jane, Edgar A. and Elmer Perl. Politically Mr. Strong affiliates with the Re- publican party. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Blanchard, and they have always taken an active interest in the advancement of religion and education.

P. GREENE, the genial Postmaster of Northboro, is one of the most popular of Washington Township's citizens. He was born in Rensselaer County, New York, February 6, 1829, and is a son of Ben- jamin Greene, a native of the same connty. His grandfather, Langford Greene, was a native of New England, and traced his ances- try back to John Greene, who settled in Rhode Island in the Roger Williams colony. Gen. Greene was a grandson of John Greene. Benjamin Greene married Rhoda Niles, a daughter of Eliphalet Niles, a New Englander by birth, and to them were born five children. They lived out their days in the State of New York; the father passed away at the age of forty-three years, and the mother lived to be forty-six years old. Young Greene spent his

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

early youth in the schools of his native county, and later attended the South Williamstown Academy in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. At the age of seventeen years he engaged in the profession of teaching, and two years later he was principal of the school in his native village, Berlin, New York. He was at one time employed as clerk in a mercantile establishment.

In 1850, January 31, Mr. Greene was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Emeline Jenette Dodge, a native of New Hampshire, and a daughter of John and Malinda (Bates) Dodge. One year later the young couple emigrated to Illinois and settled in Peoria County, where Mr. Greene engaged alternately in teaching in the winter months and farming during the summer season. After a resi- dence in the West of ten years, he returned to New York, but in 1863 he went back to Illinois and located this time in Marshall County, where he remained four years. In 1867 he opened a harness shop at Lawn Ridge, Illinois, which he conducted with suc- cess; he was also postmaster of the place for two years, In the fall of 1874 he disposed of his property and came to Iowa, purchas- ing 160 acres of wild land, which he has im- proved in good style. In 1881 he rented his farm and came to Northboro and embarked in the hardware trade. He has done a good business, and with his solid financial standing and superior business qualifications he is certain to make a success.

Mr. and Mrs. Greene are the parents of six children: Ida L., Darby, Frank L., Charles G., who is a partner of his father; Henrietta, wife of A. Sollars; Jessie R. and Alfred W.

Mr. Greene was appointed Postmaster in 1881, and has made an efficient, faithful offi- cer. He has served as township clerk three years, and Justice of the Peace two years, and has been Notary Public for eight years. He

and his wife and children are members of the Baptist Church, and are active workers in the cause of their Master. He has been Sabbath- school superintendent for eleven years, and has given liberally of his ineans in the sup- port of the church. Politically he is a Re- publican of the Prohibition type. He is a man honored and esteemed by all who know him.

EWIS BUCHANAN is descended from an old Virginia family of English origin. His grandfather, John Buchanan, was a farmer in Virginia, and was one of the twelve men who came down the Ohio river with their families in canoes and inade the first settlement in Switzerland County, Indi- ana, at a very early day. There he owned 400 acres of land one mile from the Ohio river, on which he lived until liis death, which occurred in 1850. He had four children by his first wife and six by a second marriage. He was a prominent citizen in that part of the country, and was well known to all the early settlers.

Wilson Buchanan, son of John Buchanan, and father of our subject, was born in Vir- ginia, and came with his father when a boy to Indiana. He married Zella Forester, a daughter of one of the "twelve first families," and to them were born six children: Williamn, Lewis, Lucinda, Sarah J., George W. and Jolin. A few years after his marriage Mr. Buchanan removed to the " Indian Purchase" in Decatur County, Indiana, where he resided until his death at the early age of forty years. His widow survived him ten years, remain- ing on the homestead. He was a man of energy and industry, and of very high principles, thoroughly respected by his fellowmen.

Lewis Buchanan, his son, was born in

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Switzerland County, Indiana, November 2, 1820. He received his education in the sub- scription schools of that day, his mother pay- ing his tuition by spinning flax. He resided with his mother until she passed to her eternal rest, and then he went to Lambsburg, on the Ohio river, where he learned to run a stationary engine; he continued in this busi- ness many years and was very proficient.

In 1849 Mr. Buchanan was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Margaret Pope, and to them were born seven children : Lanra, wife of James W. Lockman; John W., who married Miss Ettie Sanders; Theodore, Roseyeltha, wife of Alfred Mixon; Roslin, George W. and Alonzo. In 1857 Mr. Buchanan moved to Daviess County, In- diana. Under the firm name of George W. Buchanan & Bros., he, with two of his broth- ers, built a saw and grist mill, and the firm existed thirteen years. In 1872 he removed to Sumner County, Kansas, and took up Gov- ernment land, but at the end of two years he became dissatisfied and came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Taylor County; there he lived five years, and in 1881 he came to Page County and settled in Buchanan Township. He is now engaged in general farming, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of acquaint- ances. He looks with pride upon the line of ancestors from which he is descended, as they were of the sturdy pioneer type to whom this country is indebted for the hitherto unpar- alleled progress made in the settlement and development of a new country.

RS. AXA E. EADS is a true repre- sentative of the self-reliant type of woman we find everywhere at the present day in the various walks of life; and she furnishies us one of the many examples

of what woman's ability can accomplish when put to the test.

Her husband, Thomas Alexander Eads, deceased, was born in Orange County, Indi- ana, in 1833. He was reared a farmer, and at the age of sixteen years he came with his mother to Iowa, and settled in Monroe Coun- ty. There he met and married Miss Axa E. Bailey in 1849; she was a young girl not quite seventeen years of age. Of this union were born six children: Emneline, Samantha, deceased, Ruth, William E., deceased, Armil- da E. and Mary. Mr. Eads pre-empted forty acres of land, and the young couple settled down to housekeeping. During the gold excitement in 1853 he crossed the plains to California where he was engaged in mining two and a half years. At the end of this time he returned with $1,500 in gold. He bought a farm of 180 acres on which he lived one year. He went to southern Kansas, but not being pleased with the country returned to Monroe County, Iowa, and began farming, which he continued nntil he enlisted in Com- pany F, Thirth-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infan- try, as a private; he served three years and was not once taken prisoner; at one time all his company was taken, but he was then act- ing as teamster and so escaped; while he was thus occupied he was injured in loading logs, but recovered sufficiently to drive a six-mule team until he was mustered ont of the ser- vice. This injury caused his death at the age, of forty-nine years, in 1883. After his return home he sold his property and re- inoved to Page County, Iowa, in 1865; he settled on the farm, which his widow now oc- cupies, and there he lived until his death. He was a worthy member of the United Bretliren Church and died in the full belief of Christi- anity. He was an honorable citizen, a kind father and a loving husband, and his descend- ants may well revere his memory.

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Mrs. Eads' father, William Bailey, removed from North Carolina to Indiana and located on a farm. He married Susan Trullinor, and six children were born to them: Levi, Delilah, Priscilla, Axa, Ruth and Jarrett. They re- moved from Indiana to Illinois and thence to southern Missouri, and finally to Monroe Connty, Iowa. Mr. Bailey was a member of the " Campbellite " Church. He was a pros- perous farmer and was much respected in the community where he lived ..

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Eads has carried on the business of the farm, ex- hibiting superior business qualifications. She is a woman of excellent judgment and has been very successful in all her undertakings. She felt very keenly the loss of her husband, but she has assumed the added responsibility to her children with bravery and good cheer.

C. DAMEWOOD has been a resident of Page County since his early boy. hood. He was born in Knox County, Tennessee, March 13, 1847. His father, Isaac Damewood was a prominent early settler of Page County, and one of the pioneer sheriff's. He married Elizabeth McFerrin, and they are now residents of Harlan Township. When onr subject was six months old his parents removed to Dubois County, Indiana, where they remained until 1857; thience they re- moved to Taylor County, Iowa, and two years later to Page County, Iowa. They settled in Nebraska Township, near Hawleyville, and there young Damewood grew to manhood. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer and received liis education in the primitive, pioneer schools. In 1869 he went to Fre- miont County, Iowa, where he remained three years, coming back at the end of that time to Page County. For six years he was engaged 50

in farining in Grant Township, and in 1878 he came to Washington Township, and set- tled on eighty acres of prairie land that had been partly improved; some land had been broken and there was a rude shanty. Mr. Damewood has been true to his mission and has succeeded in establishing a desirable home. He lias replaced the pioneer dwelling with a neat, modern structure, has planted a grove and an orchard, and has all the neces- sary buildings for the care of live-stock.

Mr. Damewood was united in marriage in Taylor County, Iowa, in August, 1867, to Miss Elcanora Harris, who lias in every way proved a worthy helpinate. She is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and a danghter of James and Martha Harris, also natives of Ohio. She was eight years old when her parents removed to Des Moines County, Iowa, and seven years later they went to Taylor County, Iowa. Six children have been born of this union: Eva, Edwin G., Isaac B. and three who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Damewood is identified with the Republican party, and he is a strong and radical one. He has served as trustee of his township with great credit to himself and to the best inter- ests of the public. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Coin, Iowa, and has been steward of the same; his wife and children are also members of the same society. He has ever taken an active inter- est in the welfare of his community and has assisted in the promotion of education and religion.

EHLERS was born beyond the sea, in Holstein, Germany, October 25, 1838, and is a son of H. Ehlers. His mother's maiden name was Margaret Westpliall and slie belonged to a prominent Gerinan family.

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Our subject received the superior education which Germany bestows upon all her chil- dren. After finishing the public school course he attended college three years. He then engaged in farining and a few years later in buying and shipping live-stock to the London markets, and transacted a large and profitable business; but a failure in the stock inarket about the close of the civil war in America brought him some reverses. He set out for London and secured a situation as salesman with a leading stock firm; the foggy climate in London, however, was not agree- able to lim and he embarked for America, landing in the city of New York; he went to Richmond, Virginia, and was engaged in any occupation with which he could earn an honorable living; he spent some time in the cities of Norfolk, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee; near the last named place he took charge of a cotton plantation; while there he suffered from a long and severe illness and came North to re- cover his health, locating at Eau Claire, Wis- consin, and engaged in the lumber business: he afterward obtained a situation with a prominent lumber firm, Ingram & Kenedy.

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Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar Number of Pages: 946

Author: Lewis and Dunbar, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis & Dunbar
Number of Pages: 946