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 86
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union: Sarah E., Mary, Jane, Jonathan B., Emily and E. G.
In 1839 the Judge removed with his family to Missouri and located in Nodaway County, where he resided two years. In 1841 he went to the Tarkio country and thence came to Page County; here he has been one of the pioneers to lay the founda- tion of the present success and development of the county. IIe was an early county judge, and an early merchant; he removed . to Montgomery County, and returned and was the first settler in Lincoln Township, and was among the pioneers of Valley Town- ship. He met with a severe loss by the burning of his residence and his store build- ing and office at Clarinda in January, 1858. At one time he removed to Kansas, where he was honored with numerous offices; thence he went to Colorado, where he still resides. , He is a man of sound judgment and excellent ability.
UST. WENSTRAND is another of the many natives of Sweden wlio adopted a different name from his father's on com- ing to this country. His father's name was Peter Munson, and he was a farmer by oc- cupation, living in Smolen, Sweden. He married Mary Peterson, and to them were born six children: Nels M., Daniel J., Ann, Gust., Carl P. and Andrew E. The father died in Sweden, at the age of forty-eight years. He and his wife were worthy mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. He was very successful in his farming operations, owning two large tracts of land, and leaving a hand- some estate to his children.
His son, Gust. Wenstrand, was born in Smolen, Sweden, November 8, 1829, and ob-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
tained his education in the common schools of his native land. He was reared to the oc- cupation of a farmer. Arriving at man's estate he was united in marriage to Auna Christianson, a daughter of Swan Hendrick- son, and they had five children born to them : Christian E., S. P. Alfred, Mary E., Charles A. and Tillie H. Mr. Wenstrand owns a large farm in Sweden, consisting of 1,000 acres; it was rough, stony land, heavily tim- bered, so that it was a herculean task to con- vert it into farming land. As a recognition of his great labor, the King of Sweden pre- sented him with a silver medal, the ceremony of presentation being conducted at the church of his nativity. On one face of the metal is a fine portrait of the King, with this inscrip- tion: " Carl XV, Sweriges Norr. Goth och Yend Konung." On the reverse side is this inscription: " Af Kong Patriotiska Sall- skapet at Swen Gustaf Peterson Hultása för beromlig Odlingsflit." The medal is finely executed and is of solid silver, some- what larger than our silver dollar. It is in- deed a treasure and will be handed down as a precious heirloom as long as there is ja de- scendant of Gust. Wenstrand. In 1868 Mrs. Wenstrand died, and two years later Mr. Wenstrand emigrated with his family to America, having disposed of his property. He settled in Fremont Township, Page Coun- ty, on his present farm, which consists of 145 acres of choice land, that he considers of more real value to him than all his extensive lands in Sweden.
On August 28, 1871, Mr. Wenstrand was married to Mary E. Anderson, daughter of Andrew Person. Her mother's maiden name was Christine Johnson, and bothı parents lived and died in Sweden.
Mr. and Mrs. Wenstrand are the parents of two children: Anna C. and Hilma E., both attending school. Onr worthy subject has
assisted very liberally in the building and support of the Swedish Lutheran Church. He was also a founder and pillar of the Lutheran Church before the building of the Mission Church, as he wished it to be free for the preaching of the Gospel by all evan- gelists. He is a man of broad and liberal views, laboring for the good of the commu- nity in which he lives. He is recognized as a sincere, consistent Christian, and is thor- oughly respected by all who know him.
OHN MASCH, one of the reliable farm- ers of Page County, is an American by adoption, having been born in Holstein, Germany, in 1850. His father, John H. Masch, was also a native of Germany, and a prosper- ous contractor; he began life as a cabinet . maker in the city of Kiel, Germany, then a place of 12,000 inhabitants, butnow contain- ing 100,000 people; he was a conscientious, industrious worker, and finally became a con. tractor, acquiring a fortune in the business. He was the father of four children: Henry, Caroline, Mary and John. Henry settled on a farm in the State of Illinois; the two daughters married and remained in Germany; Mary is since deceased.
John Masch, the subject of this notice, bade farewell to his native land in 1868, and sailed away to America, filled with a desire to make a home in the " land of the free and the home of the brave." He located on a farm in Henry County, Illinois, where he re- sided until 1874, in which year he came to Iowa, and settled on his present farm in Page County, which is well improved in every particular. In 1873 he was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Wilkie, a daughter of Will- iam and Ann Eliza (Edgar) Wilkie. William Wilkie was born in county Londonderry,
Loveland Public Library,
JOHN L. KESLING. ( Deceased.)
Sny In I Kashing
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Ireland, in 1821, of Scotch-Irish parents. He came to America when a young man and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in Pennsylvania a number of years; he removed to Illinois, and thence to Page County, Iowa, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was in comfortable circumstances and gave his children a good education. The family con- sisted of Mary E., Nettie, Sadie, Harry, Anna and Clara.
Mr. and Mrs. Maschi are the parents of four children: Anna M., Mary E., Maude and Osmund L. The mother is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Masch is an intelligent, practical business inan of means, and is now engaged in buying and selling farms and loaning money on real-es- tate security. He and his family are an honor to the community in which they reside.
RS. MARCIA C. KESLING, one of the early teachers of Page County, next claims our attention. She is a graduate of the classical departinent of Ober- lin College, Ohio, and a woman of rare cult ure and unusual attainments. John L. Kes- ling, her husband, was a son of John Kesling, a native of Maryland, of German descent; the father was formerly a slave owner, but he freed his slaves and removed to southern Olio. He had three children: Lizzie, Mary and John L. He died in Preble County, Ohio, at the age of seventy years ; he was a consistent member of the German Reformed Churchi. John L. Kesling was born in Ohio, February 16, 1824, and obtained his education in the commnon schools. He was a natural mechanic, and engaged in the manufacture of plows and carriages at West Alexandria and Farmers- ville. In 1863 lie was united in marriage to Miss Marcia C. West, a daughter of Carlos 52
and Betsey Fletcher West. Mr. West was descended from an English family, who origi- nally settled in Connecticut, and removed thence to Berkshire County, Massachusetts, finally coming to the Western Reserve, Ohio. Joshua West, the grandfather of Mrs. Kes- ling, lived in Berkshire County, Massachu- setts, but he was a native of Connecticut. He married Mary Newell, of Massachusetts, and nine children were born to them: the names of those whom Mrs. Kesling remem- bers are Washington, Carlos, Newell, Amasa, Jesse, Oliver, Mary and Jane. Carlos West was born in Massachusetts, and was reared to tlie life of a farmer; he also learned the black- smith's trade and was married in Massachu- setts, and then removed to Silver Creek, Chautauqua Counts, New York. He and his wife had born to them five children: John M., Mary J., Betsey F., Marcia C., and one child who died in infancy. In 1867 the father moved with his family to Tabor, Fre- mont County, Iowa, and was occupied witlı loaning money. He died in 1884, at the age of eiglity-one years. He was a prosperous business man, and was highly respected for the integrity of his character.
Jolın L. Kesling lived in Ohio for eiglit years after his marriage, and in 1871 he came to Page County and bought land in Fremont Township. He died in 1877, at the age of fifty-three years. He was a member of the German Reformned Church. Politically he was allied with the Democratic party. He liad been a member of the Ohio militia, and had served as Mayor of Farmersville, Ohio, for a number of years. He belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders, and had taken all the degrees of the latter fraternity. He was a man of a frank and generous nature and of wide sympathies, with a great love for his fellow-men.
Marcia C. Kesling was born on Silver
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Creek, Chautauqua County, New York, Sep- tember 19, 1838. After receiving a common- school education she entered Oberlin College, and was graduated from the classical depart- ment in 1861. When she was a student at Oberlin she taught in the district schools during the winter terms, until she entered the junior year of her course, after which she was continuously employed as teacher in the preparatory department of the college until her graduation. The years before her mar- riage she held a professor's chair in Antioch College. After coming to Iowa she taught at Red Oak and Coburg, and, since the death of her husband, in the High School at Union City, Michigan, and at Greenwood, Nebraska.
Beginning at the age of fifteen years she has devoted the greater number of years of her life to the most noble of professions. Her influence for good has been wide-spread and far-reaching, and the vast numbers of chil- dren, who have come under her kind instruc- tion would constitute a small army. She is now in comfortable circumstances, owning over 300 acres of land and a fine property in Tabor, Iowa. Mrs. Kesling has two sons; Frank B. is principal of the High School at Cherokee, Iowa, and Ernest N. is managing the farın in Fremont Township.
ITCHELL REED is one of the few remaining old settlers of Buchanan Township; his father, Samuel Reed, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a pioneer in Harrison County, Ohio, where he owned a farm. He married Mary Shannon, daughter of Isaac Shannon, of Jefferson County, Ohio, and to them were born six children: Samuel, Jane, Isaac, Mitchell, John and Thomas. Mr. Reed died in Harrison County, Ohio, when his son Mitchell was a mere lad, so that he
has no distinct recollection of his father. The mother afterward inarried Andrew Clark, who also died in Ohio, and she then removed to Clarinda, Iowa, and resides with her son Samuel.
Mitchell Reed was born February 27, 1827, on his father's farm in Harrison Coun- ty, Ohio, and received a limited education in the primitive log school-house of that day. At the early age of nineteen years he mar- ried Miss Sarah Foster, a daughter of George and Jerusha (Workman) Foster. They are the parents of eight children: Samuel F., Sarah J., William D., Emmett P., George W., Frank E., Mary E. and Thomas M. Mr. Reed worked at the wagon-makers' trade in Cadiz, Ohio, and also at Union Vale, Ohio. The tide of emigration being westward, in the year 1855 he decided to remove with his family to Iowa; he settled in Wapello Count- ty, Iowa, and remained there three years; at the end of this period he came to Page County and settled in Amity Township, where he lived another three years, and then located on his present homestead of 180 acres; it is excellent farming land and is pleasantly sit- uated one-half mile from Braddyville.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Reed was one of the trustees at the time the church was built, and he has also fulfilled the office of steward. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and is a strong supporter of its principles.
Mr. Reed's oldest son, Samuel F., married Catharine Nichols; Sarah J. is the wife of Hugh C. Armstrong; William D. married Lydia J. Martin; Emmett P. married Ida Morrow; Frank E. married Clara Sanders: Mary E. is the wife of Robert Johnston; George W. married Flora Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have twenty-three grandchil- dren and one great-grandchild, the grand-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
child of Samuel F. Reed, and the child of his danghter Eva R., who married George Gru- ver.
The descendants of this old pioneer of Page Connty are distinguished as a large and flour- ishing race of people. Mr. Reed is a man who has always lived an honorable, upright life, and has brought up his family in the paths of rectitude and virtue. He has the entire confidence and respect of his commun- ity and his whole family are held in high re- gard.
AVID SIGLER, one of the prosperous early settlers of Page County, was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and is a son of Jacob Sigler, also a Pennsylvanian by birth. His grandfather, Jolin Sigler, was a Revolutionary soldier and served through the entire war. He was a farmer by occupation, and after the war he and his brothers removed from New Jersey to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in agriculture. He lived to be ninety years of age and was a large landholder at the time of his deatlı.
Jacob Sigler married Maria Stonewood, a daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Gardner) Stonewood. Eight children who lived to ina- turity were born to this union: Sarah, Lewis, David, Hannalı, Johanna, Joel, Thomas and Valentine. In 1837 Mr. Sigler moved to Putnam County, Ohio, and settled in the heavy timber section, where he cleared a fine farm of 280 acres. He was a worthy mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and lived an upright, honorable life. He died at the age of forty-eight years.
David Sigler, the subject of this sketch, was but a lad, fourteen years of age, when he went with his father to the forests of Putnam
County, Ohio. He assisted in building a log cabin and in clearing the farm. When his father died the care of the family fell to him and his brother Lewis. Lewis was married at the age of twenty-five years, and he remained at home and took care of his mother and the younger children. In 1865 he removed to Page County, bringing his mother with him, and settled on liis present farm of 160 acres. His brother Valentine was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and was taken prisoner; he died before his release, at Montgomery, Ala- bama. The mother died a few years after . coming to Iowa. Mr. Sigler is still unmar- ried and resides on his farm; he has added to his first purchase until he now has 212 acres. He is well known for his industry and integrity and stands high in the com- munity. He has always been self-denying, and took the kindest care of his motlier until her death. He is still a hale, hearty man, and bids fair to live to a good old age.
AMES SAUNDERS, one of the repre- sentative farmers of Nebraska Township, was born in Rockcastle County, Ken -. tucky, August 8, 1818, and is the son of Abednego and Amy (Cook) Saunders, natives of North Carolina. There were thirteen children in the family, named as follows: Aaron, Wyatt, John M., deceased; Abednego, deceased; Jane, deceased; James, Matilda, Caroline, Mary, Orinda, William, Elizabeth and Margaret.
When James was nine years old his pa- rents removed to Wayne County, Indiana, where they rented a farm for one year, and then removed to Delaware County, Indiana, locating on a farm. There the father died, May 7, 1835. James remained at home, as sisting with the farm work until he was
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
twenty-two years of age. He was married January 23, 1840, to Miss Phoebe Rector. a daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Garber) Rec- tor. She was born September 22, 1820, in Clarke County, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders are the parents of thirteen children: Sarah Jane died when two years old; James S. died when three years old; Aaron died in the army at the age of nineteen years; William, Nancy, wife of J. W. Cubbison; Daniel, Elizabeth, wife of John W. Wheat; Emmaline Mary, wife of Charles Cole; Eliza Jane, wife of Abel Crow; J. W., Dennis, J. M., and Clara M., wife of Milton Cooper.
After his marriage Mr. Saunders remained for a time in Delaware County, and then went to Ohio, locating on a rented farm in Miami County; there he resided for seven years, when he returned to Delaware County, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of wild land, which he improved and cultivated for six years. He disposed of this and bought a tract of eighty acres in the same county; for seven years he made this his home, and then sold out and moved to Jay County, Indiana; he bought eighty acres and soon added another eighty acres, making this his home for eight years. In 1869 he disposed of all his real estate and emigrated to Iowa. It was in October of this year that his mother died, having made her home with his family · for a number of years.
Upon reaching Iowa he located in Hawley- ville, Page County, where he remained a short time before renting a farm for the summer season; in the fall he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, which was slightly im. proved. He has made all the improvements necessary to a well ordered farm, has a com- fortable house, an orchard of an acre and a half, bearing fruit, and ten acres of timber.
Politically he is identified with the Repub-
lican party ; he is the present Justice of the Peace, filling the office to the general satis- faction of the public.
Mr. and Mrs. Saunders are members of the township Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they take a deep interest, and to which they contribute very liberally of their means.
OHN TIDBALL was born in Musking- um County, Ohio, October 22, 1837, and is descended from English ancestry. His father was a cabinet-maker, and died in 1841. His mother's maiden name was Jane Scott, and she was born in Washington Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. After the death of the father the mother removed with her family of small children to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where John grew to manhood. At the age of fourteen years he went to learn the blacksmith's trade; after serving his ap- prenticeship he conducted a shop of his own for one year. Being convinced that the openings to young men in the West were greater than those offered by any other locali- ty, he emigrated to Illinois in 1856, and set- tled at Rock Island. When the great civil conflict darkened this land, and industries were abadoned, he left the forge and enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and was mustered into the service at Springfield, Illinois. He re-enlisted August 7, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded in the battle of New Hope Church, May 27, 1864, and for eleven months he was confined to the hospital. As soon as he was able for duty he rejoined his regiment, but he was mustered out of the service June 6, 1865, at Washington, District of Columbia, soon after his recovery. He still carries in his body
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
the ball of lead received in battle; he receives from the Government a pension of $10 per mouth.
Mr. Tidball was married July 3, 1865, to Miss Sarah Jane Bailey, a native of Indiana. They are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living. They are worthy and acceptable members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Our subject is prominently identified with the Grand Army Post of Clarinda, having served as Quartermaster for four years. He is a member of Clarinda Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F., and of Union Lodge, No. 33, 4. 0 U. W. Politically he is a strong Republican voting that ticket first, last and all the time.
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E. POTTER, M. D., was born in the city of New York, December 27, 1855, and is the son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Irwin) Potter, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to America at the age of twenty-two years,and died May 4, 1887. His widow still survives and lives at Platteville, Taylor County, Iowa. The family consisted of five children, of whom our subject is the oldest. The father removed to Pekin, Illi- nois, in 1856, and resided there until the spring of 1869; he then came to Taylor County, Iowa, and purchased land near Platte- ville, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was engaged in farming and the general merchandise trade. He was a be- liever in the principles of the Republican party but never aspired to public office.
The Doctor began his education in the cominon schools of Pekin, Illinois, and finished his literary course at Bedford, Iowa. He began the study of medicine with Dr. V. R. King of Platteville, Iowa, in 1875, remain- ing under his tutorship nearly three years.
He attended lectures at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1878-'79 and 1880-'81, being graduated in 1881. He is also a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, and took a private course of instruction at Louisville, Kentucky, under Edward Miller, M. D. He began his prac- tice at Platteville, Iowa, in 1879, and came to Shainbaugh, Page County, in 1880. At the end of one year he removed to Clarinda. In April, 1889, he formed a partnership with Dr. Pittman, and for six months they operated what was known as the Clarinda Medical and Surgical Institute.
Dr. Potter was united in marriage August 27, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Large, a native of the State of Ohio, and a daughter of William Large. Her parents removed to Taylor County, Iowa, in 1858, where they were pio- neers, and where they still own a very large tract of land. Two of Mrs. Potter's brothers studied medicine under her husband, and are now practicing medicine, one being located at Shambaugh and the other at Braddyville, Iowa. The Doctor is a member of the Platte- ville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also be- longs to the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican of the independent type.
OHN A. ORTH, of the firm of Orth Bros. at Clarinda, lowa, was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1837, and is the son of Adam G. and Fannie S. (Secrist) Orth, natives of that section of coun- try. The maternal grandparents were early settlers there and were original members of the Moravian Church, but the ancestors on the Ortlı side were engaged in the Revolutionary war and were debarred from membership in that churchi and were disinherited froin a large estate. The parents of our subject were united in marriage in Lebanon Connty, Penn-
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
sylvania. In 1840 they removed to Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and resided there un- til their removal in 1866 to Mercer County, Illinois. The father was a tanner by trade and followed his occupation until he went to Illinois; he then engaged in farming the rest of his life; he died in 1885, but the mother still survives.
John A. served an apprenticeship as a blacksmitlı from 1856 to 1860, and then be- gan business for himself at Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He fol- lowed this trade until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. He was mustered into service at Harrisburg and was ordered to Washington and took part in the defeat of Lee at Antie- tam. He also participated in the battle at Fredericksburg, and was present at Chancel- lorsville, but was disabled and could not en- gage in the struggle. He was mustered out in 1863, in the month of May, having served valiantly and well. He was in the second Bull Run, and was under all the commanders of the Army of the Potomac except Grant and McDowell.
In 1882 Mr. Orth came to Iowa, remained here one year and then returned to Pennsyl- vania; in a few months he again came to Clarinda and settled permanently. He was married February 25, 1864, to Lizzie C. Al- leman, a native of Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Cramer) Alleman. The father died in 1871, and the mother still resides in Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Orth are the parents of eiglit children: two, Calvin and John, died in in- fancy; those living are, Jennie, Florence, Fannie, Mary, Grace and Guy. The father and mother were members of the Reformed Church of Mercersburg, but they have never united with a church in Clarinda.
Mr. Orth is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics he has never been anything but a plain, faithful Republican. His present business partnership was formed in April, 1884.
L. BATCHELOR, attorney at law, Clarinda, Iowa, became a resident of Page County in August, 1875, and has here practiced his profession ever since. He was born February 14, 1817, in Rutland County, Vermont, and while he has passed his seventy-third year, we doubt whether a better preserved man of his years can be found in the State. The activity and vigor of his movements remind one of youth rather than of old age. He attributes this excellent preservation to a good constitution, the ob- servance of all rules of temperance, and regu- larity of habits. A pint cup he says will hold every drop of liquor he ever drank. He never used tobacco. He eats to live, not lives to eat. He always retires at nine o'clock and rises with the sun. He has performed a vast amount of manual labor. His parents were limited in their means and soon put their son to learn a trade. When twenty years of age he bought the last year of his time, paying his father $100 for the same. He had at the close of the year earned enough more than his debt to enable him to attend school. The next four years he spent in teaching, studying, and working.
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