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 88

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 88

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).

Our subject is a member of the Odd Fel- lows and also of the Modern Woodmen. He is a firm believer in Democratic politics and cast his first vote for Seymour for Governor of the State of New York.

B ENJAMIN TODD, attorney at law, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, December 25, 1830, and is the son of Charles W. and Marcillar W. (DeBonehone) Todd. The Todd family is of Scotch origin, while the maternal grandfather was a native Frenchman. The mother of Benjamin Todd was born at Frederick, Maryland, where she grew to womanhood and was married. When young Todd was twelve years of age they re- removed to Kentucky, remaining there one year; they then decided to locate in Illinois, and removed to that State and settled fifty miles north of Peoria. The father is now a resident of Colfax Springs, Iowa, and is aged eighty. two years. The family consisted of

eight children, two of whom survive. James F. Todd, M. D., is county physician of Cook County, Illinois, and fills this responsible position with much credit to himself.

When Benjamin Todd was fourteen years old he went to Peoria, Illinois, and entered a dry-goods store as clerk; he remained in mer- cantile life upwards of twenty years. A por- tion of this time lie had charge of the collec- tion department, and as the firm did an extensive business they were often involved in litigation; in this connection Mr. Todd became familiar with commercial law and, resolved to make it his profession. After reading Blackstone and other learned writers on the subject, he entered the law office of W. W. ()'Brien, with whom he remained until he was admitted to the bar in March, 1870. He began his practice with Mr. O'Brien, and, meeting with flattering success, he was ap- pointed Deputy State's Attorney, a position he filled for four years. After this he resumed a general practice, giving particular attention to commercial law.

In 1881 he decided to abandon the active practice of his profession and take up less exhaustive pursuits. His tastes and boyhood training led him naturally to select the indus- try of agriculture, and coming to Iowa he purchased a farm in Mills County, which he cultivated two years. At the end of this time he has yielded to the earnest solicitations of friends to resume the practice of law. He opened an office in Shenandoah and is doing an active general practice. He stands high with his colaborers at the bar and is consid- ered an able counsellor and reliable adviser.

Politically Mr. Todd is an uncompromising Democrat.

Benjamin Todd was united in marriage May 3, 1855, to Miss Frances T. Jones of Pe- oria, Illinois. Their family consisted of eight children: Robert, the first-born, died at the

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

age of three years; Eleanor is the wife of W. J. Crandall; Charles W. is a civil engineer; Frank P. and James F. are in the employ of the Toledo, Peoria & Wabash Railway at Peoria, Illinois; Mary M. is the wife of D. W. Cahill; John W. and Josephine F. are at home.

DWIN G. WOODROW, D. D. S., is one of Shenandoah's enterprising and successful young men, and one who has met with more than an ordinary degree of success. He was born in Glenwood, Mills County, Iowa, September 30, 1864, and is a son of Ebenezer R. S. and Mary A. (Fisk) Woodrow. His father is widely and favorably known in Mills County, where he settled in 1846; he has been prominently identified with the real estate and loan and abstract busi- ness; he was born in Ohio and his wife was a native of Virginia.

At the age of seventeen years Dr. Wood- row entered the office of F. M. Shriver, D. D. S., at Glenwood, and remained there tliree years, becoming thoroughly familiar with all tlie details of practical dentistry. He had received a good education in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of twenty years he became a student at the Iowa State University, at Iowa City; there he pur- sued the study of dentistry diligently for two years, and March 2, 1886, he was grad- uated from that institution with honor. He at once came to Shenandoah where he suc- ceeded Dr. R. Nance.

In this profession he has doubless found his life work; he is careful and pains-taking, and only uses the most excellent material in his work; he gives special attention to the latest and best improved methods of execu- tion and is exceedingly skillful in crown and

bridge work. He is entlinsiastic and earnest in his profession and is possessed of the spirit that knows no failure. He has a liandsomely furnished suite of rooms in Shenandoah and is well supplied with all the best instruments required in dental surgery.

The Doctor is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and he belongs to the broth- erhood of the Knights of Pythias. He is courteous and affable in manner and wins the respect and esteem of those with whom he comes in contact.

W. FLICKINGER is one of the ac- tive, intelligent and successful men of Washington Township. He came to Page County in March, 1877, and lias since that time been prominently identified with her agricultural interests. He was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1855, and is a son of Daniel and Julia A. (Saylor) Flickinger, natives of the State of Pennsyl- vania, and of German and English extraction respectively. D. W. was reared on a farın in his native county and early became accus- tomed to hard labor. In 1877 he determined to seek a liome in the great West, wliere he believed the opportunities for young men were much better than in the East. Accord- ingly he started out, and when he came to Page County, Iowa, he stopped and secured work of J. A. Pattison, in Morton Township; lie remained there two seasons and then came to Washington Township, and settled on eighty acres of wild land which he had pur- chased the year he came to the county. He boarded in the family of H. H. Whitney until he was married February 17, 1881, to Miss Ella, daughter of H. H. Whitney, one of the prominent citizens of the county.

Mr. Flickinger located on his present farın

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

some years later; this place was improved by J. S. Wolf, and was bought at $60 per acre; it lies three-quarters of a mile from Northboro, and is a very attractive home with its modern, roomy buildings, its shade and evergreen trees, and numerous conveniencies and com- forts. There is an observatory on the barn, from which a splendid view of the surround- ing country can be had. Neatness, thrift and prosperity are the prevailing characteristics of the Flickinger homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Flickinger are the parents of one daughter, Jennie, born October 18, 1882. They are members of the Christian Church, and active workers iu the cause of their Mas- ter. Politically our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He is a man of good habits and strong purposes, and thorougly reliable in every respect, well meriting the esteem in which he is held by the members of the community in which he resides.

OHN W. DOUGHERTY, a native of Page County, Iowa, was born July 27, 1855. He is the sixth child of Gideon and Elizabeth (Mahan) Dougherty, and was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the common schools. Until he had ob- tained his majority he remained at home, attending to such duties as usually devolve upon a farmer's son. September 17, 1873, Mr. Dougherty was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Thompson, a danghter of James and Ruth (Roach) Thompson; she is also a native of Page County, Iowa, born August 27, 1856. After his marriage Mr. Dougherty took charge of his father's farın, situated in Mason Township, Taylor County, Iowa, and remained there for five years. At the end of that time he removed to Atchison County, Missouri, where he spent the following five

years. He then returned to Page County and settled on his present farm of 200 acres; he has a piece of finely improved land, and being a man of thrift and energy he has made a decided success in his agricultural pursuits, occupying a position among the leading farmers of East River Township.

In politics Mr. Dougherty affiliates with the Democratic party. He was chosen by the people of his township in 1889 to act as trustee, and he has also held the office of Constable. He has always taken an active interest in promoting the welfare of the com- munity in which he lives, and has faithfully discharged any duties he has assumed. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty are the parents of three children: Carrie, Minnie and Elmer. Mrs. Dougherty is a member of the Christian Church.

HRISTEY LINEBAUGH was born in the State of Tennessee, where he spent his early life on a farm. He was mar- ried to Peggy Simpson, and from this union two children were born: John, who died in Colorado, and Harvey, the subject of this sketch. . The mother died when Harvey was quite young, and the father was again married. In December, 1853, he removed with his family to Page County, Iowa, and after a sojourn of two years passed to the other life.

Harvey Linebaugh was born in Fountain County, Indiana, August 5, 1835, where he lived during childhood and youth. The country was very new and there were few schools, so that his educational advantages were limited. He was early in life thrown upon his own resources, and was compelled to pick np a bit of information here and there as opportunity offered.

Since coming to Iowa Mr. Linebaugh has

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

lived a greater portion of the time in Page County. In 1860 he purchased a tract of 120 acres in East River Township; this transaction was a partnership affair, and he soon after disposed of his interest. He then bought eighty acres on which he lived for two years, after which he spent two years on a rented farm in Taylor County. On his re- turn to Page County he invested in the land on which he now lives; there were then eighty acres in the tract, but he has since added forty acres to his original purchase. He has excellent improvements and has la- bored to secure a comfortable home. His business interests are confined to farming and stock-raising, in which he has been successful. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and in his own township has held the offices of school director and road supervisor.

November 6, 1860, Mr. Linebaugh was married to Miss Hannah Cunning, who was born in the State of Ohio, in August, 1834. They are the parents of six children: Edward, deceased; Amos, Sarah, wife of J. B. Foster; Jacob, deceased; Charles, deceased, and Clar- ence, deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Linebaugh are worthy mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ATHAN C. MARTIN is a member of an old English family that settled in Maryland at a period long before the Revolutionary war. The maternal grand- father was a Corell, a farmer by occupation and a man of considerable wealthı; he was a slave-owner. The paternal grandfather lived on a farın in Maryland near Mr. Corell. His son, Jacob Martin, was a weaver by trade. He married Elizabetli Corell, and to them were born mine children: Rudolphus, David, John, Elisha, Jacob, Samuel, Nathan C., 53

Esther and Elizabeth. Mr. Martin was a citizen of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, for many years, and in 1835 he removed to Ohio and settled in Canton, or rather near that place on a farm. There lie died in 1850. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an industrious, kind-hearted inan, de- lighting to assist any in need of help. His wife was an intelligent woman of good busi- ness qualifications.

Nathan C. Martin, who forms the subject of this brief biography, was born in Green. castle, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and in his youth he learned the wagon-maker's trade, and also that of a carpenter and joiner, the latter hav- ing been his occupation through the most of his life. In 1835 he removed to Stark County, Ohio, where he engaged in work at his trade. September 23, 1841, he was united in mar- riage to Margaret Kritzer, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Anderson) Kritzer. Mrs. Martin's father was a native of Germany, and a carpenter by trade. She was but eight years of age when the family emigrated to America and settled in Ohio. She was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, July 24, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of eight children: Justis W., Benjamin F., Nathan A. J., George W., John H., Elizabeth A., Margaretta and Lydia J.

Two years after his marriage Mr. Martin removed to Richland County, Ohio, and re- sided there until 1851; he then went to Knox County, Illinois, and at the end of one year he moved to Warren County, Illinois. In 1857 he came to Page County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Buchanan Township, on which he lived nine years; he then came to his present farm, which consists of 210 acres of fine land in an advanced state of cultiva- vation. Politically he has always been iden- tified with the Republican party; the people of his township have called him to represent

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

them as Supervisor and as Justice of the Peace for several years; lie has taken an active interest in educational affairs and has served as school director. He lias been a patriot, loyal citizen, and two of his sons served in the Union army, Justis W. and Benjamin F. He has been a hard-working, industrious, citizen, and enjoys the esteem of a wide cir- cle of acquaintance.

HARLES W. MORGAN, the fourth child of Joshua and Elizabeth Morgan, was born at Dixon, Illinois, March 21, 1845, and grew to manhood in his native county. He received his education in the com- mon schools, and at the age of eigliteen years enlisted in the service of his country, entering the Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, Company D. He served from February 3, 1864, until July 12, 1865, receiving his discharge at Louisville, Kentucky. He was with General Sherman on his famous inarch throngh Georgia, and participated in inany engagements, the principal ones being Ring- gold, Resaca, Buzzard Roost, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach-tree Creek and Atlanta. Prior to his enlistment he had been in the service as a hundred-day man, serving in 1863.

After the declaration of peace he returned to his home, and entered school at Princeton, where he continued for two terms. He then engaged in farming until 1871, when he came to lowa with his brother, S. D. Morgan; they settled in East River Township, Page County, on a tract of 280 acres of raw prairie land; there they farmed in partnership until 1874, when they made a division of their real estate, Charles W. taking the northwest quarter of section 34.

It is scarcely possible to realize the pri-

vations and hardships endured by the early settlers of the western frontier; but there were some sturdy souls who went to work with a will and determination of accomplish- ing something, and they have won their re- ward in finely improved farms and homes in which they have all the comforts of a modern civilization.

Mr. Morgan is one of the representative farmers, and has won an enviable position in the community. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Warren Post, No. 11, G. A. R.

February 1, 1877, Mr. Morgan was mar- ried to Miss Sarah J. Snodgrass, a daughter of Robert and Nancy Snodgrass, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Morgan was born in Page County, Iowa, December 14, 1854. Five children have been born of this union: Gracie was born March 6, 1878, and died June 5, 1880; Florence was born January 31, 1880; Sidney was born October 6, 1881; Blanclı was born February 12, 1885, and Lawrence was born January 31, 1889.

NDREW P. SEABLOM, one of the re- liable Swedish farmers of Page County, has largely assisted in this development and growth. He was born in Ostergotland, Sweden, September 9, 1851. When he was but fifteen years of age his father, John Seablom, emigrated to America (see sketch of Anton E. Seablom). The family came to Jefferson County, Iowa, and Andrew assisted on his father's farm until he had reached his majority, when he removed to Page County. The father also came to Page County, and bought a farm in Tarkio Township. Andrew purchased eiglity acres of wild land in Tarkio Township, which he partly improved, adding as his means permitted eighty acres more.

HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Angust :2, 1877, he was united in mar- riage to Ella C. Anderson, daugliter of An. drew J. and Louisa C. (Johnson) Anderson. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden in 1825, and lived there until he was about twenty- three years of age; he then came to America, and was one of the first to cross the plains in the great gold excitement of 1849. He joined a caravan which was attacked and rob- bed by the Indians; they also suffered incredi- ble hardships before they reached any help, being days without water. They experienced the terrible delusion of seeing lakes just ahead of them, being undeceived when the spot was reached. Finally they came upon a small spring, where they lay down and lap ped tlie water like dogs; their tongnes were parched and swollen and protuded from their moutlis. Wlien they reached California Mr. Anderson met with some success in his search for gold. He returned by the Isthmus of Panama to Iowa. In 1852 lie was married, in Fairfield, Iowa, and went to Chariton, Lu- cas Connty, Iowa, where he entered land among thie first settlers. When the gold fever of Pike's Peak broke out lie again crossed the plains, returning at the end of three years to his wife and four children whom he had left behind; he lived on his farm until his death, which occured when he was but forty-six years of age. He left a widow and six children: Albert H., Mary I., Ella C., Laura, deceased, Andrew J., and Sarah A., deceased. Mr. Anderson was an honorable, respected citizen, and also a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife survived until sixty-four years of age.

Mr. Seablom after his marriage brought his young wife to his homestead, where they botlı worked with great patience and courage to establish for themselves a home. They converted their land from the wild state in which nature and the red man had left it

into a fertile farm. After six years' residence there they removed to their present farm of 160 acres; it was but. little improved, but they have treated it with the same skill and industry that they did their former place, and now have a comfortable liome. They have but two children living: Aaron C. and Elsie E. Charles S. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Seablom are members of the Free Methodist Church of which Mr. Seablom has been a trustee for three years. He was for- merly a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has served as trustee three years. In politics he has until recently voted with the Republican party, but is now a radical Prohibitionist. He is a man of broad public spirit and a love for his fellow-men, receiv- ing the confidence of the entire community.

LAF P. PETERSON, one of the prom- inent Swedish agriculturists of Page County, has been identified with its history since 1875. He was born July 26, 1840, in Blekinga, Sweden, and is a son of Peter Peterson, a farmer by occupation and an honored member of the Lutheran Church. He died in Sweden at the age of fifty-one years; liis wife died when Olaf was two and a half years of age. He was a man of good habits and irreproachable character. The family consisted of seven children: Swan, John, Kjersta, Neils, Hannah, Olaf P. and Benjamin; they inherited 1,000 crowns from their father's estate. Olaf was twenty-four years of age when he landed in Quebec, Can- ada; he proceeded at once to Chicago, and continued his journey to Knoxville, Illinois, where his brother, Swan, was living. This was in 1864; he began working on a farm, but in the fall of the some year he went to Tennessee and took a Government position,

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

which he held for nine months, returning at the end of that period to Knoxville; he then engaged in teaming, which he followed eight months.

On April 20, 1866, Mr. Peterson was married to Sarah C. Nelson, daughter of Charles and Hannah (Engmerson) Nelson, who had emigrated from Sweden to America with their family in 1852; the father died in 1854; and the mother married again, and still lives in Knoxville, Tennessee; lier second husband was Peter Holcombe, and he served in the civil war, dying from a disease con- tracted during that time.

Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of ten children: Charles H., John A., Hannalı M., George W., Lena D., Nellie E., Emma J., Anton L., Bertha E. and Grover A. After his marriage Mr. Peterson came to Iowa, and bought land in Webster County, on which he lived seven and a half years; he then returned to Knoxville, Illinois, but in two years came back to Iowa, settling this time in Page County on his present farm, which consists of 160 acres of land of excellent quality. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been very pros- perous since coming to this country, and have become so thoroughly identified with American ways and manners that their na- tive land is but a memory to them. They have educated their children in our public schools and other educational institutions until they too are entirely Americanized in all their ideas.

Mr. Peterson is a self-made man and an intelligent and trusted citizen; he has served his township in the capacity of school direc- tor, and has the entire confidence of all who know him. He and his wife are consistent members of the Mission Church, and have assisted liberally in its building and support. He served as trustee of the church in Web- ster County. He has brought up his children

according to the teaching of the Christian religion, by which he has always endeavored to live. He has been industrious and frugal, and lias secured a comfortable and pleasant home for his family. His daughter, Hannah M., married August Skalburg, and has one child, Harry A .; Charles H. married Theckla W. Falk, daughter of C. A. Falk, deceased.

While Mr. Peterson was in the employ of the Government in Tennessee he met with a most painful accident whichi nearly lost him his life, and from which he still suffers; lie was cleaning a large water-tank, which was entered by a large steam pipe; the engineer, not knowing he was there or else forgetting him, turned on the steam, and before he could get out the tank was filled with steam. He was finally rescued, but not until the doctor thought it impossible for him to recover. But in six weeks' time he was able to be out again, although he has never entirely recov- ered from the effects of the injury. He re- ceives no pension from the Government. The other hands who attempted to rescue him were badly scalded.

OHN W. SIMMONS, one of the sub- stantial farmers of Pierce Township, has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Page County sinee 1875. His grandfather, John Simmons, was of German descent, and an early settler on the James River, Virginia, He married Rosana Krautyer, and she became the mother of five children: Antony, Christopher, Joseph, Benjamin and Susan. Mr. Simmons served through the latter part of the Revolutionary war, and was also a soldier in the war of 1812. He lived to be nearly 100 years old. He was a farmer in good circumstances, and owned a large flouring mill. His son, Ben-

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

jamin K., the father of our subject, was born and reared on a farm in Virginia. He mar- ried Sarah Summerfield, daughter of an old Revolutionary soldier, John Summerfield. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons had born to them five children: John W., Simon K., Rosanna, Agnes and Leonard R. In 1851 Mr. Sim- mons came to Cass County, Illinois, and set- tled on a farm, where he passed the remain- der of his days. He was a hard-working, industrions man, enjoying the confidence of all who know him.

John W. Simmons, the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Summerfield) Simmons, was born July 3, 1830, in the State of Virginia. He was educated in the common schools and early learned the principles of husbandry. At the age of twenty-one years he came with his father's family to Illinois. March 10, 1852, he was united in marriage to Susanna Carper, and of this union have been born eight chil- dren: La Fayette, John M., Martha J., Mary E., Jacob L., Benjamin F., Alfred M., and William A. After his marriage Mr. Sim- mons lived on a rented farm for a while, and then purchased 160 acres, where he made his home until 1863; in that year he moved to Nebraska, and at the end of three years he went to Barton County, Missouri. After a few months he moved to Nemaha County, Nebraska, and in 1873 he came to Atchison Connty, Missouri. At the end of two years he removed to Page County, and settled on the land which he had previously purchased. He has converted this land into a most desir- able farm, and has made many valuable im- provements.

In political thought and action onr esteemed subject i sallied with the Democratic party. He is a typical western pioneer, standing six feet, four and a half inches, and tipping the beam at 200 pounds. He has done his part in opening up the frontier, and preparing

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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