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 82
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Mr. Ehlers was united in marriage, in April, 1874, to Miss Ottilie Kitzman, a na- tive of Prussia, Germany, and a daughter of August and Rosa (Otto) Kitzman. Immedi- ately after his marriage Mr. Ehlers removed to Davenport, Iowa, and embarked in the lumber trade. Four months later be secured employment as steamboat clerk on a vessel plying between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Burlington, Iowa; he was soon promoted to the position of captain, which he held for seven years.
In December, 1881, he came to Page County and settled on his farm, which con- sists of 240 acres; the land is under good cultivation and the improvements are first-
class in every respect. Mr. Ehlers devoted a greater portion of his time to the feeding of live-stock, and has been very successful. He also owns several thousand acres of valu- able pine land in Arkansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers are the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy; those living are Otto and Rudolph. Our esteemed subject is a stanch Democrat. He was reared to the Lutheran faith. He has traveled extensively both in the United States and Europe, and is a well informed man.
A. NORDHOLM, a respected citizen of Colfax Township, is an American by adoption, having been born among the pine-clad hills of Sweden, December 26, 1849, a son of G. A. and Mary (Jonason) Nordliolm, natives of Sweden. His father died during his infancy, but his mother still lives and resides in her native land. Until fourteen years of age our subject attended the public schools of his country; he passed the remainder of his youth at farin work. At the age of twenty years he bade fare- well to the scenes of his childhood, his rela- tives and friends, and sailed away to America in search of his fortune, which exists in the mind of every hopeful youth. He embarked at Guttemberg, and came to Henry County, Illinois, where he had an uncle residing. At the end of a few months he removed to Stark County, Illinois, and lived there until 1877.
Mr. Nordholm was married February 27, 1877, to Miss Betty Jonason, who was also a native of Sweden. A short time after his marriage he came to Page County, Iowa, and located on section 18, Colfax Township; he lived here four years and de- voted his energies to the improvement of his land, which he sold and purchased his present
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
farm. He erected his residence in 1887; it is a two-story and a half house, built in a modern style of architecture, and situated in the midst of a charming lawn, dotted here and there with shade and evergreen trees. The farm consists of 140 acres of rich, fertile land, lying in the Tarkio creek valley, and the evidences of thrift and wise management are seen on every hand.
Mr. and Mrs. Nordholm are the parents of one child, John Albert, born June 29, 1879.
Politically Mr. Nordholm is a Republican of a pronounced type.
ETER A. GRIFFEY, an honored resi- dent of Tarkio Township, is one of the old pioneers of Page County. He was born in North Carolina, September 12, 1825, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Glandon) Griffey, who removed when he was a child of three years to Campbell County, Tennessee. There he passed his childhood and youth, and at the age of nineteen years he located in Platte Connty, Missouri, where he resided until he came to Page County, in 1852.
Mr. Griffey was united in marriage, No- vember 1, 1846, to Miss Duly Ann Loy, a native of Anderson County, Tennessee, and a daughter of William and Duly (Hill) Loy. When he first came to Page County it was wild, raw prairie with few settlers; there was no Clarinda in that day, and Mr. Griffey kept the stage station for several years. Some- times the little inn was taxed to its utmost capacity, as there would be thirty guests to be cared for over the night; but what was lacking in comforts was made up in genuine hospitality. Mr. Griffey bought his present farm in that early day, and still owns 2973 acres of as rich land as lies within the borders of Page County; it is well watered by Tarkio
Creek, and is thus especially adapted to stock- raising.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffey have had born to them ten children, only five of whom are liv- ing at the present time: Lorenzo, Charles, Hulin, James, May. There are two grand- children in the family, the mother of whom was a daughter of Mr. Griffey, Mary C. Holmes; the children's names are Arba and Albert.
Our subject is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and is a stanch advocate of its principles. He is a man of strong convic- tions, and of that sturdy type of manhood which has made the West what we behold it to-day.
W. BREWER, now living on section 19, Tarkio Township, came to Page Coun- ty in June, 1869, and since that time has been closely identified with the interests of the county. He was born in Washington County, Indiana, October 9, 1840, and is a son of O. H. and Elvira (Westfall) Brewer, natives of North Carolina and Indiana re- spectively. In 1848 the Brewer family re- moved to Carroll County, Illinois, and were among the pioneers of the great prairie State. The mother died there, and the father re- moved to Page County, Iowa. A full bio- graphical sketch of him appears on another page of this work.
Mr. Brewer was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the common schools of Carroll County, Illinois. He was united in marriage October 24, 1867, to Miss Angeline L. Westfall, a daughter of Daniel and Letlia Westfall. The mother's ınaiden name was Stout and she was a native of the State of Kentucky. Mrs. Brewer was born in Clay County, Illinois, May 12, 1848, and
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
reared there. In 1869 onr subject came to Tarkio Township, Page County, and purchased eighty acres of land, to which he has made additions from time to time until he now owns 200 acres, all of which is well improved. In 1877 he erected a good residence on a natural building site, and two years previous- ly he built a commodious barn which affords ample protection to stock and grain. All the improvements are of a most substantial character. A good orchard has been planted which adds beauty as well as value to the farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer are the parents of two children: Austin O., born December 17, 1874, and Lulu Mabel, born October 20, 1886.
Politically Mr. Brewer is a Democrat. He has represented his township as a member of the school board and in other official positions. He is a man yet in the prime of life, is frank and cordial in manner, and has won a host of friends in the county.
J. SULLIVAN has been identified with the farming interests of Valley Town- ship, Page County, since 1866. He was born beyond the sea, on the beautiful " Emerald Isle," hence, is an American by adoption. He first saw the light of day November 3, 1842, and is a son of Patrick and Ellen Sullivan, natives of Ireland. The father died on his native soil, and when Pat- rick, Jr., was eleven years of age his mother bade farewell to the scenes of her youth and sailed away to America, settling, after her arrival, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Young Sullivan served his apprenticeship at the currier's trade at Farewell's shop on Pearl street, Boston; he worked two years as a journeyman, and in 1864 he removed to Illi- nois, locating at Canton, Fulton County; there he engaged in coal mining, in the employ of
Isaac Johnson, a prominent business man of Canton.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Sullivan came to Page County, Iowa, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he has improved; at the end of twelve years he sold this piece of land and bought his present farm; it consists of 184 acres, and is known far and near as one of the best improved farms in Valley Township; the soil is rich and fertile, and watered with two pure, never failing springs. The buildings are substantial and modern in style of architecture; the barn is large and conveniently arranged, and there are all the facilities for carrying on farming after the most approved methods.
Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage Jan- uary 12, 1870, to Miss Maria Shepard, a native of Pike County, Ohio, and a danghter of John Shepard, an early settler of Nodaway Township; four children have been born of this union, Ellen, Grace, John Riley, and Mary Urana, who is deceased. We add an obituary, published at the time of the young girl's death :
"Urana, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Sullivan, died January 28, 1890, of pneumo- nia, aged fifteen years, two months and four days.
" She was amiable in disposition, obedient and loving, and already had won the high esteem of her inany friends. But Death, who ' loves a shining mark,' came just as she was blooming into womanhood and marked her for the tomb.
" The funeral services were held at the Cagley Church, January 29, at 2 P. M., a large and very attentive congregation listening to the words of the minister, and taking a tear- ful farewell of the familiar form ' beautiful in in death.'
" The services were conducted by Rev. T. C. Smith, of this city, after which the open
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
grave received all that was mortal of the dear child, to have and to hold only till the resur- rection morn.
" Sister, thou wast mild and lovely, Gentle as the summer breeze, Pleasant as the air of evening, When it floats among the trees.
" Dearest sister, thou hast left us; Deeply here the loss we feel; But 'tis God that hath bereft us; He can all our sorrow heal.
"But again we hope to meet thee, When the days of life have fled, And in heavenly joy to greet thee, When the farewell tears are shed " T. C. S."
Mr. Sullivan affiliates with the Democratic party, and in his religious faith adheres to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Sullivan is a Methodist in her belief. They are worthy, industrious people, and merit the esteem in which they are held by the people of their community.
ILLIAM McLEAN was born in Mary- land, near the city of Baltimore, August 13, 1822, and is the son of William and Jane (Osborn) McLean, natives of Scotland. They had a family of three children, of whom William was the oldest, Until he was fourteen years old he lived on a farm, but at that time he went to Baltimore and for a time engaged as clerk in a feed store; he afterward went to learn the paint- er's trade, which he followed until 1863. He was but eleven years old when lie was left to depend upon his own efforts for sub- sistence, and finally occupied the highest position in I. O. O. F. in the State of Mary- land.
Mr. McLean was united in marriage, No- vember 1, 1858, to Miss Eliza J. Lusk, daughter of Jolm and Margaret (Keavins)
Lusk, natives of York County, Pennsylvania. Eliza was the fourth of a family of seven children, and was born in Baltimore, Febrn- ary 15, 1831. After his marriage onr sub- ject remained in Baltimore until 1863, when he removed to Page County, Iowa. He set- tled on a farm of eighty acres of partially improved land in Harlan Township, and made it liis home until 1889. When he first came to the county he gave liis entire atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, but in 1875 he engaged in the mercantile business in Slam- baugh, opening a general store. He formed a partnership with T. J. Bracken, which ex- isted four years, and after that he assumed entire control of the business. In 1882 he disposed of the stock and returned to his farm, where he passed the remainder of his days. His death occured August 29, 1889.
In his death the family lost a kind and in- dulgent husband and father, and the county one of its most honored citizens. He was hield in high esteem politically, socially, and religiously. He was a stauch Republican, and represented the county as a member of the board of county supervisors for six or seven years; served in most of the township offices and discharged his duties faithfully and well. When the great Rebellion broke out a company of artillery was organized and he was chosen Captain, but as his own family of young children were dependent upon him, as well as his brother's children, he felt it his duty to resign his position and remain behind to protect and care for the helpless. He al- ways took an interest in the church, and was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church, having served as an elder ten years previous to his death. He was a lover of law and order, and vigorously supported all measures to keep a good reputation for the community in which he lived. His financial success in life was due to his own unaided
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
efforts, and he accumulated a handsome competence.
Mr. and Mrs. McLean had born to them two children: Maggie died in childhood, and . William L., who was born October 11, 1861. There were four children by Mr. McLean's first marriage, all deceased.
William L. is a native of Baltimore, Mary- land, and was brought to Iowa by his parents in his infancy. He has been reared in Page County, receiving his education in the public schools. In 1876 he entered his father's store as a clerk, and served in that capacity until 1882, when his father turned over the stock to him and C. T. Cox. The business was conducted under the firm name of Mc- Lean & Cox until 1886 ,when the stock was closed out. Mr. McLean was then employed in the postal service at Bedford, Taylor Con- ty, Iowa, for a period of two years. On ac- count of ill health he was obliged to abandon his work, and since that time has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was as- sistant Postmaster at Shambangh forjten years, during which time his father held the office. He is also a stanchi Republican, and is one of the young men of whom the county may well be proud.
Mr. McLean was married July 28, 1880, to Miss Emma J. Fitzgerald, a daughter of Edward and Adaline H. (Harris) Fitzgerald, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Mc- Lean was born in Illinois, Jannary 12, 1862. They are the parents of one child, Nellie I., who was born June 30, 1889.
OLOMON F. BEERY, the oldest repre- sentative of the Beery family in Page County, is a son of Joseph and Anna F. Beery, natives of Ohio. The parents were reared in Ohio and moved to Adams County,
Indiana, about the year 1843, where they resided until 1862. He then came to Page County and located on a farm in East River Township, where he passed the rest of his life; his death occurred in the year 1887. Both he and his wife were worthy members of the United Brethren Church. She died in the summer of 1860. There was a family of ten children by the first marriage of the father and five by the second. Solomon is the third child and was born in Adams County, Indiana; there he lived until his fifteenth year, when the family removed to Page County, Iowa. His edncational advantages were very limited, but being a close observer he has obtained a fund of information that enables him to attend to any business that may devolve upon him.
Until nineteen years of age he made his home with his father, but two years previous to that time he began farming on his own ac- connt; his father had deeded him eighty acres of land on sections 33 and 29, East River Township, when he was but sixteen years old. This he improved and erected upon it a resi- dence; he sold twenty acres and bought another eighty acres, and was engaged in farming until 1880.
At that time he determined to abandon agricultural pursuits and embark in the gen- eral merchandise business. Accordingly, he formed a partnership with Jacob Hamm, and they opened a general stock of merchandise in Shambaugh; the firm remained the same until 1888, when Mr. Beery bought his part- ner's interest and assumed full control. Hc carries a stock valued at from $1,600 to $2,- 000, and his annual sales will average $6,000. Politically he affiliates with no party, but casts his vote for the man he considers best qualified to fill the position. He has served as Justice of the Peace for two years.
Mr. Beery was united in marriage May 24, 1866, to Miss Mary Fruits, a daughter of
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HISTORY . OF PAGE COUNTY.
Sebastian aud Matilda Fruits. She was born in East River Township, Page County, Iowa, November 20, 1847. Eight children have been born of this union : Lorenzo F., Josepli L., deceased; David M., Evalina, deceased; Earle, deceased; Anna M., Mary E., and Esta F.
Mr. and Mrs. Beery are worthy members of the Church of God, and are among the most respected residents of the county.
BENEDICT, dealer in musical instru- ments, pianos and organs, is one of the well-known and popular merchants of Page County. He is also proprietor of the Northboro livery barn. He was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, in 1855, and is a son of Thomas Benedict, an ex-soldier in the civil war, and at present a resident of Shenandoalı. The mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Johnson. When our subject was yet a child, his father emigrated to the West with his family, believing there he would find better opportunities to rear his children and give them a start in life. He first settled in Atchison County, Missouri, near the Page County line.
Mr. Benedict passed his youth in Atchison and Page counties, attending the public schools and working on the farmn; he also attended the Norinal schools, and by study- ing dilligently at home fitted himself for teaching. At the age of nineteen he entered the profession, and for a time was principal of the Blanchard school. He taught, in all, seventeen terms, and was very successful in this noble calling.
In 1878 Mr. Benedict was united in mar- riage with Miss Laura A. Winrott, a daughter of James Winrott, an ex-soldier of Northboro. Four sons have been born of this union:
Worley W., Otho C., Ivin G. and Ermal H. Worley W. is a performer on the piano or organ, of unusual ability for a ten-year old lad.
Mr. Benedict is a member of State Line Lodge, No. 429, I. O. O. F., at Blanchard. He belongs also to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Northboro, and is an active worker in the Sabbath-school, having filled the office of superintendent a number of years. He is a man of superior business qualifications and is widely known throughout Page County; he has sold more musical instruments than any other one dealer within the limits of the county of Page. He is yet in the prime of life, and has many years of active usefulness before him.
ENTZER BROTHERS .- This, in some respects the leading firm of Shenandoah, is composed of T. J., P. H. and John Mentzer, who were born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1836, September 3, 1843, and February 10, 1851, respectively. Their parents were John and Nancy (Foreman) Mentzer, natives of the " Keystone " State. In 1854 the family came to Iowa and settled in Marion, Linn County, where the father died in 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow still survives hin at Marion.
The Mentzers liave been identified with the interests of Shenandoah since April 25, 1871, when Pat, as he is familiarly called, opened a grocery store. After two years, Benjamin F. Mentzer, of Marion, became interested, his brother John representing him. In 1875 T. J. became a partner and the firm has since continued in its present form. Since the business was first started in 1871 there has been no interruption, and by careful methods
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
and tenacity of purpose it has prospered until every wholesale grocer selling goods in the State seeks the trade of this reliable firm. There have been times as there have been in every man's life, and in the existence of every firm, when the outlook was not fair, but the Mentzer brothers acknowledge no defeat and keep steadily on; they have had the satisfac- tion of finding smooth sailing and a safe harbor.
The firm now carries a full line of gro- ceries, crockery, queensware, woodenware and glassware, the stock occupying both floors and the basement of their fine brick block, erected in 1880, at a cost (f $7,500. The members of the firm have ever been active in all the interests tending to their adopted home. They are now doing an annual busi- ness of $50,000, and in somne years have ex- ceeded this amount. They are the present proprietors of the Shenandoah Canning Fac- tory, an institution that has been of much benefit to the town. The plant cost thiem about $15,000, and consists of two brick buildings, two preparaticn rooms, and an engine room. The capacity is about 1,000,- 000 cans per season. So far corn and tonia- toes are the only vegetables nsed, but it is intended to use other staple farm products when the trade demands. The benefit to the town and surrounding country is incalcula- ble, as corn and tomatoes are grown for the factory use bring much higher rates. The canning season requires 125 hands, and thus thousands of dollars are paid out for labor to those who would otherwise go elsewhere for support.
The educational institutions and churches of Shenandoah have found in this firm strong friends and faithful supporters. T. J. Ment- zer was married to Miss Aliss Owens, and P. H. was married to Miss Odessa S. Oweus, a sister of Mrs. T. J. Mentzer.
John was married to Miss Einma J. Myers, a native of Pennsylvania. All have comfort- able homes, convenient to business, and are surrounded by pleasant families.
John Mentzer gives his personal attention to the accounts of the firm. He served twelve years as city recorder, and is at present the president of the school board, having been a member of the board for eight years.
P. H. Mentzer was a member of Company F, Twentieth Iowa Infantry, enlisting August 9, 1862, and was honorably dis- charged at Mobile, Alabama, July 8, 1865; was present at the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 4, 1863; was at the siege and capture of Fort Morgan, Ala- bama, August 23, 1864, and at the siege and assault on Blakeley, Alabama, April 9, 1865.
IRAM A. LYON is descended from an old family of English extraction who where early settlers in Rhode Island. His grandfather, Jabez Lyon, was a mere lad when the Revolutionary war began; he was at one time in the service of General Marion, caring for his horse, which was a very spirited steed and exceedingly intelligent; at one time he leaped a high wall with the boy on his back; and again when he was being rid- den for exercise he suddenly stopped and re- fused to go further, when it was discovered that two British officers had appeared in the distance; the horse immediately became un- inanageable, and wheeling went galloping back to camp, leaping fences in his way; there has been no further information in re- gard to the war record of Jabez Lyon, but it is probable that he became a soldier and fought through the war. It is known that he settled in Jefferson County, New York, on a farm where he lived until death; he was
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
a genial, old-time gentleman. Three children were born to him and his estimable wife: Alanson, Laws and Horace.
Alanson Lyon, the father of Hiram A., was born in Connecticut, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He married Olive Sloan, and seven children were born of this union: Varnum, Russel, Henry, Richard, Hiram A., Rebecca, and Sophia. The father also settled in Jefferson County, New York, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was a practical farmer and a man of ex- cellent habits, industrions, frugal, and of good business qualifications.
Hiram A. Lyon, son of Alanson Lyon, and the subject of this notice, was born in the State of New York in the year 1819. Like his father he was trained in all the details of agriculture; he received an academical edu- cation and was engaged in teaching in New York. In 1843 he went to Brockville, Canada, and for four years lie followed the profession of a teacher; he taught thirteen terms in Marshall County, Indiana, and made a record in his career as a teacher of which he may well be proud. No vocation commands a wider influence than that of a teacher and the large number of youth educated by Mr. Lyon forms a roll of honor unequalled by any other effort of his nseful and busy life.
On September 16, 1845, he was nnited in marriage at Morristown, New Jersey, to Re- becca L. Seeley, of Brockville, Canada. Five children were born of this union: Cassius M., Charles E., Hiram W., Oren S. and Adlina A. The mother died March 9, 1856, in Marshall County, Indiana, and Mr. Lyon afterward married Susanna Ingle, a daughter of Mathias and Catherine (Burns) Ingle. They had two children born to them: Mary E., and Dora B., who died at the age of five years.
Mr. Lyon purchased a farm in Marshall Connty, Indiana, where he lived many years,
and then removed to Page County, Iowa, and located on his present farın, which is nicely situated and well improved. In Indiana he held the office of township trustee and asses- sor. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters and has served as school director several terms. He has also filled the office of Justice of the Peace, dis- charging his duties with marked ability and to the satisfaction of the public. He is a man of decided character, of deep integrity, and has always lived a temperate and moral life; he has brought up his children to respect the same principles and to live according to them, thus wiuning the highest esteem of all who know him.
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