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 91

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 91

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).

G. C. Pearce was born at Virginia, Cass County, Illinois, February 29, 1848, and is a son of Jesse B. and Anna (Clark) Pearce. The father is still living, in McDonough County, Illinois, to which place they removed when G. C. was a child three years old. He attended

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

the district school and afterward took a short course at Abingdon in Hedding Academy ; he then took an irregular course at Knox Col- lege, Galesburg, Illinois, which he completed in 1871. In 1872 he engaged in the grocery business at Scottsburg, Illinois, and con- ducted this trade for two years, during which time he also acted as Postmaster, receiving his appointment under Grant's administra- tion. He disposed of his store, and was em- ployed in teaching for one year in Warren County, Illinois. Being very desirous of studying law he entered a large law office at Macomb, Illinois, as clerk, and soon after was appointed United States Commissioner in Bankruptcy for the Southern District of Illi- nois, a position he acceptably filled for two years and until the repeal of the bankrupt law. The duties pertaining to this office were such as to require his attention and presence throughout his district wherever an assignment should be inade, and were of an exacting and arduons nature. However, every detail was carefully and accurately at- tended to, and to the entire satisfaction of the Government. Upon the completion of his duties as commissioner he decided to engage in trade and located at Seward, Ne- braska, where for two years he was in a busi- ness similar to his present one. He then removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he was superintendent of a store for a mining com- pany, and he was also in the grocery business from 1881 until 1885. In that year he re- ceived his third appointment from the Gov- ernment and assumed his duties at Jackson, Mississippi. After the completion of the new postoffice building at Keokuk he decided to enter mercantile life again, and selected Shenandoah as presenting many advantages.

Mr. Pearce was married, October 5, 1876, to Miss Addie R. Ingals, a native of Pike County, Illinois, and a daughter of Tomp

kins and Esther Ingals. Two children have been born of this union: Norman and Ruby Fay.

ACOB HAMM, a leading agriculturist of Page County, was born in Davis County, Iowa, December 26, 1852, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Heidel- baugh) Hamm, whose history will be found elsewhere in this volume. He was the third child, and until his tenth year lived in Davis County. His parents then removed to Page County, where he has since resided. He is a farmer by occupation, and at the age of twenty-one years he began working for him- self, hiring out by the month for one year. In 1873 he bought a tract of ten acres in Bu- chanan Township, where he settled after his marriage to Miss Mary E. Beery, a daughter of J. L. and Anna (Friesner) Beery. Mrs. Hamm was born in Adams County, Indiana, November 26, 1850, and her marriage oc- curred January 1, 1874. Our subject and his wife settled on the ten-acre tract previ- ously mentioned, adjoining which Mrs. Hamm owned eighty acres. There they spent the first eleven years of their wedded life, en- gaged in the cultivation and improvement of their land. In 1876 a good frame residence was built, and as their means increased more land was bought, until they now own 246 acres of as fine farm land as lies in Page County. They also own four lots and a good frame residence in Shambaugh.

Mr. Hamm is one of the live, energetic young men of the county, and is rapidly rising to a position in the front ranks of the leading citizens. At one time he was engaged in mercantile pursuits with S. F. Beery in Shambaugh, but after six years he disposed of his interest, preferring agricultural life.

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

He is a member of the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Hamm are the parents of five children: Nellie V., born October 8, 1874; Anna E., born May 26, 1880; Elsie J., born Jannary 1, 1883, and two children who died in infancy. Mr. Hamm lost his first wife in November, 1885, and was again married No- vember 24, 1887, to Clara E. Markel, a daughter of Charles H. and Susan (Welden) Cook. She was born in Van Buren County, Michigan, June 2, 1863.

DWIN DAY was born in Huron County, Ohio, December 16, 1832, and is a son of John and Amanda (Hannon) Day, natives of Vermont and New York respect- ively. The ancestry of the Day family is easily traced back through several generations to English origin. John Day served as Cap- tain under General Harrison in the last war with Great Britain, and did gallant service for his country. Edwin was but fifteen years old when his father died, and he was thrown upon his own responsibility entirely; from the time he was twelve years old he received but little assistance from his family; he at- tended the public schools when he could spare time from his work. He remained near his old home until he was twenty-nine years old, when he came as far west as Fulton County, Illinois; there he remained until 1861 en- gaged in agricultural pursuits; he was soon able to secure a farm of his own, and resided there until 1872. In that year he came to Iowa in company with his brother, Levi B. Day. Each purchased a fine tract of Page County's choicest soil, three miles from Shen- andoah, and our subject devoted his energies to making an excellent farm of 320 acres; he has brought it to a high state of cultiva- tion, and it is well improved with excellent

buildings; there is an extensive orchard set with the finest varieties of fruits, and all the surroundings are of the most attractive char- acter. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Day removed to Shenandoah, where he has a very pleasant home near the College. Excepting one sea- son, when he was buying and shipping stock, he has given his entire attention to the de- mands of his farm, feeding large numbers of cattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Day have a family of three daughters: Ona, Lydia and Edna. Ona is the wife of John B. Vickers; Lydia, is mar- ried to C. G. Heifner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heifner are graduates of the Western Normal College. Mr. Heifner is now a student in the law department of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor.

Mr. Day is a Republican politically, but thinks for himself and sometimes breaks from the party ranks. He is a man of decided views and forms warm personal attachments; as a conscientious business man he has no superior, and none are held in more exalted estimation by his associates.

REDERICK C. NELSON, a successful agriculturist of Harlan Township, was born in the State of Vermont, April 12, 1837, and is the son of John and Priscilla (Bovee) Nelson. His father was a native of Scotland, and came to America when he was abont nineteen years of age; he was reared to the avocation of farming, which he followed through life. Frederick C. was trained in his father's calling, and obtained a common- school education. When he was seven years old his parents removed to the State of New York, and there he grew to manhood. He remained under the shelter of the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred Jan-

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

uary 1, 1862, to Miss Alice Siinms, a native of New York, who was born about 1844, and died September 28, 1868. By this union two children were born: John W. and Will- iam R., residents of Harlan Township.

After his marriage Mr. Nelson settled on a farm in Cattaraugus County, New York, where he remained until after the death of his wife. In 1869 he caught the spirit of western emigration, and removed to Wash- ington County, Iowa, residing there one year; lie then came to Page County and pur- chased eighty acres of raw prairie in Harlan Township; the first year he erected a residence and afterward made many excellent improve- ments. In 1881 he removed to a farni of eighty acres on section 17, and he also brought this to an advanced state of cultivation; lie has a good frame residence, and barns for stock and grain. He gives his undivided at- tention to farming and stock-raising. He takes an active interest in all public move- ments, and has assisted materially in the growth of tlie county. Mr. Nelson is a stanch Republican, and has represented his district as a member of the school board. During the Rebellion he enlisted in an independent company, but was never in active service.

April 20, 1869, he was again united in marriage to Abbie Gardner, a native of Ver- mont. Seven children have been born to them: Frederick, Alice, Rosa, George, James, Cassie and Hugh. Mrs. Nelson was called to her eternal home April 9, 1884.

ONATHAN J. CHANDLER, one of the leading stockmen of Page County, was born in Henderson County, Illinois, November 4, 1848. His parents, Jesse and Rachel (Wright) Chandler, natives of Greene County, Pennsylvania, settled in Illinois

about 1838. The father is still living, in Abingdon, Illinois. Jesse Chandler is a son of Justus Chandler, who was of Scotch-Irish descent and a native of the old country. Jonathan J. is the tenth of a family of four- teen children, eleven of whom survive. Until he was twenty years old he lived on a farm in Illinois; he received his earlier education in the common schools, and afterward at- tended the educational institution at Abing- don, Hedding College; there, for two years, he was under the tuition of old Professor Wilson. In 1870 he came to Iowa and engaged in farming for two years. At the end of this time he returned to Abingdon, Illinois, and embarked in mercantile trade. The West still a had strong attraction for him which he was not able to resist, and he again, in 1877, went to Iowa, settling in Fremont County, three miles from the Page County line. There he improved a half section of land, and has one of the finest stock farms in that section. He still retains the place, and feeds from two to three hundred head of cattle annually; some years he sells even a greater number. He is also engaged in shipping stock in connection with John L. Carey, the firm being Carey & Chandler.

In December, 1888, Mr. Chandler came to liis present place, where he has 160 acres known as the De Clark farm, lying one half mile from the college. He has a splendid residence, erected at a cost of $2,500, and the barn and sheds are neatly and substantially built. He has a telephone connection with Shenandoah, which is a great convenience and satisfaction.

Mr. Chandler was united in marriage De- cember 22, 1870, at Abingdon, Illinois, to Miss Mary I. Scott. She was born in Mc- Donough County, Illinois, Jannary 12, 1850, and is a daughter of Walton K. and Sarah Jane (Stickles) Scott, the father being a native

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

of Kentucky, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Chandler was also educated at Hedding College, and taught for a time. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, two of whom died in infancy; those surviving are, Arthur Scott, Elbert Ross, Fannie Le3 and Nellie Bly.

Politically Mr. Chandler is identified with the Republican party, and he is also connected with the order of Modern Woodmen.

OHN K. BAYNES, the genial and ac- commodating proprietor of Bingham's only mercan tile establishment, was born at Williamstown, Camden County, New Jer- sey, twenty miles from Philadelphia, August 31, 1851. John Baynes, his father, was a native of England; his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Anderson, and her first mar- riage was to Mr. Keeshaw. When sixteen years of age he became a blacksmith's ap- prentice, and after working at the trade for one year he accompanied his family to Peun- sylvania, abandoning any further pursuit of his trade. In 1872 they removed to Hancock County, Illinois, settling near La Harpe; John K. remained there for three years, and in 1875 came to Iowa, first settling near Tarkio, Page County. Three years afterward he secured his present farm on section 31, Tarkio Township, and was industrionsly pur- suing his farming operations nntil he decided to embark in mercantile life. He purchased the stock of Oliver H. Frink when that gen- tleman was elected County Treasurer in 1889. Although not having previons experience as a merchant, Mr. Baynes naturally falls into the ways of the trade and is looked upon as a successful, shrewd merchant. He carries a full assortment of such goods as are de- inanded by his trade, and already has added

materially to the extensive trade of his prede- cessor. He has recently received the appoint- ment as Postmaster, and will doubtless make an efficient and attentive official.

Mr. Baynes was married May 31, 1880, to Miss Florence Whiting, a daughter of Edwin and Angusta (McConoughey) Whiting, and a native of Manti, Fremont County, lowa. Three children have been born of this union: Harry Edmond died when nearly two years of age; Harvey Edwin is five years of age, and Nellie Una is three years old.

Mr. Baynes is a stanch Republican of lib- eral views.

E. MOORE, agent of the Wabaslı Rail- road Compauy at Coin, Iowa, claims

O our attention as the suject of this brief notice. He was born in West Virginia, Jan- nary 21, 1866, and is the son of M. C. and Susan A. (Livermore) Moore, natives of Vir- ginia. The family removed to Iowa and lo- cated in Cedar County during the childhood of our subject: there and in Davis County he passed his youth, receiving a common-school education. Having some aspirations in a journalistic line he entered the office of the Bloomfield .(Iowa) Republican, where he spent two years as an apprentice at the print- er's trade.

In the meantime he had mastered the art of telegraphy and after leaving the office of the Republican he was employed at Malvern, Iowa, as operator; there he remained about eighteen months and was then called to Chillicothe, Missouri, remaining there two months.

April 9, 1885, he came to Coin and took en- tire charge of the railway company's business, since which time he has faithfully discharged all the duties pertaining to the office. He is

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

a young man of ability, which fact is recog- nized by his employers.

Mr. Moore is identified with Republican politics, in which he takes a great interest. He is a member of the Coin Lodge, No. 455, I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs of the order; he is also a member of the en- campment at Blanchard, Iowa, and of the O. R. T., Thurston Division, No. 2.

- RCHIBALD E. BROWNLEE .- For twenty years this reliable and successful farmer has been a resident of Page County, Iowa, and during this period he has made a record that entitles him to a place in the history of the representative men of the county. He is a native of Ohio, born in Marion County, September 7, 1837, and the son of James and Ruth (Sargent) Brownlee, natives of the old " Keystoue " State. He is one of a family of eight children, and received the training usually bestowed by a farmer upon his sons. Until he was twenty-one years of age he was under his father's rule, but he then started out in life for himself.

Mr. Brownlee was united in marriage De- cember 6, 1860, to Miss Mary J. Dickson, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (McGrew) . Dickson. Her parents were natives of Penn- sylvania, but she was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 6, 1842, one of a family of seven children. After their marriage our subject and his wife continued to reside in Marion County, Ohio, for a period of eight years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. The tide of emigration was westward, and it was pretty strong, so much so that Mr. Brownlee and family removed to Iowa, and settled in Page County in 1869. He purchased a tract of wild land on section 26, Lincoln Township, and at once began making improvements.

It was a wild scene and uninviting to hearts less stout and brave; there were but three houses between this place and College Springs, a distance of six miles, and the lum- ber from which the first house was built was hauled thirty miles; wolves roamed the prairie at will, and made the nights hideous with their cries. After a few years Mr. Brownlee sold this place and rented the farm on which he now lives; at the end of this time he purchased the land, 160 acres on sec- tion 26, Lincoln Township; it had all been broken out except twenty-five acres, and it is now under excellent cultivation. In 1883 a substantial two-story house took the place of the smaller one which had first been their dwelling place, and it is now surrounded with a grove; and 100 fruit trees have been set ont, adding alike to the beauty and value of the place.

In this free land of ours every man must have his political creed; our subject has chosen the Republican principles. The people of his township have shown the confidence which they repose in him by calling on him to fill the office of trustee for the past ten years.

Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee are the parents of six children: James S., William H., Ruth E., Lizzie E., deceased; Samuel and Roy E. They are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, and have assisted in advancing the social, moral and religious fea- tures of the county.

A. GILLESPIE, physician and surgeon, Coin, lowa, is one of the energetic and successful professional men of Page County. He was born at Saint Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, and is the son of James and Clara (Anderson) Gillespie, na- tives of the " Buckeye " State. His child-

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

hood and early youth were spent on a farm and he received more than an ordinary lit- erary education; he attended the common schools, the Normal School at Hopedale and Franklin College at Athens, Ohio.

Being a young man of ambition and spirit he was desirous of making for himself a name and of gaining a position in the world above the common level. Believing that better opportunities existed in the West, at the age of twenty years he emigrated to Iowa, and located at Chiariton, Lucas County. In 1882 he entered the office of Dr. I. A. McEl- veen, with whom he studied until 1886, when he entered the Iowa Eclectic Medical College at Des Moines; he was graduated from this institution April 17, 1888, and in June of the same year he came to Coin. By his pro- ficiency in his profession and his universally kind and courteous manner he has acquired a large practice. He is making a special study of certain branches of surgery and we bespeak for him a successful and brilliant future.

Dr. Gillespie was united in marriage April 17, 1888, the same day of his graduation, to Miss Lizzie Huggins, a daughter of Philip and Rena (Snead) Huggins. She was born in St. Joe, Missouri. The Doctor and his wife are worthy members of the United Presbyte- rian Church. Politically our subject affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Coin Lodge, No. 455.

OHN A. McKEE, the junior member of the firm of Hamilton & McKee, dealers in general merchandise, Coin, is a native of Page County, Iowa, and is the son of David and Mary E. McKee of Harlau Township, Page County. He was born on the old home farm sonth of Clarinda, September 23, 1868,

and his early youth was spent in agricultural pursuits and in attending school. He pur- sued his studies one year beyond the Clarinda High School course and in his seventeenth year he entered the employ of Orth Brothers, dealers in groceries and queensware, with whom he remained two years.

At the end of this time he became con- nected with John A. Tolman & Co., Chicago, as traveling salesman; this firm handled groceries and his experience in the store at home had been a sort of apprenticeship that was of great value to him. After leaving the road he formed a partnership with A. A. Hopkins in the grocery business under the firm name of McKee & Hopkins. Their business relations continued until the fall of 1889, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. McKee engaged in business with his present partner, C. W. Hamilton. He is a live, energetic young man, and is fast making his way to the front ranks of Page County's leading business men. The stock carried by this firm will invoice $7,000, and contains a most complete assortment of everything in the general dry-goods line.

Mr. McKee is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and has the respect and confidence of all with whom he has any dealings.

AVID E. SCOTTON is engaged in that most independent of all occupations, " agriculture. He is a native of the " Hoosier " State, born in Franklin County, December 9, 1839. His father, Emery Scot- ton, was a native of one of the Atlantic States, and he married Mary S. Slaughter, a native of Delaware, of English extraction. They were the parents of eiglit children, six of whom are living: T. W., who resides with David E .;

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

James, of Kokomo, Indiana; Esther Hart, of Brown County, Nebraska; Allen, of Hamnil- ton County, Indiana; Enochi, of Donglas County, Illinois, and David E., our subject, who was reared on a farm in Indiana. He, early in life, learned to chop wood, roll logs and split rails, " arts " in which " Hoosiers " became proficient. He received a limited education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-eight years he removed to Knox County, Illinois, where he resided until lie came to Page County, Iowa, in 1871.

To undertake the settlement of a new coun- try requires rare courage and great determi- nation, and the pioneers of Page County are deserving of nulimited praise, for they have certainly " bnilded well." It was in 1871 that Mr. Scotton came to the county and be- gan improving his present farm. He owns eighty acres of rich land, and has made many valuable improvements; he has erected a comfortable house, has planted a grove and an orchard, and has establislied a pleasant home for himself and family. He and his wife have been blessed with four children: Mary Sophia, Mark E., Eliza and Thomas Burton. The family all belong to the Metli- odist Episcopal Church and are zealous work- ers in the cause of Christianity.

Mr. Scotton was married in Knox County, Illinois, October 16, 1869, to Harriet Cook, who was born and reared in Knox County, a dangliter of Mark Cook, a native of Mary- land. Her mother's maiden name was Sophia Godfrey, and she was a native of Maryland, also.

ERRITT A. STEARNS, M. D., Essex, was born at Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, February 2, 1836, and is a son of Harrison and Amanda (Rus- sell) Stearns, natives of Massachusetts and

New York respectively. His early yonthi was passed at Jamestown, and when lie was fourteen years of age the family removed to McDononghi County, Illinois, and settled on a farm, where he remained three years.

He was attending school at Prairie City when war's shrill alarm was heard; lie an- swered the call, enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Vol- nnteer Infantry, at Bushnell, in 1862, under Captain McConnell. His first service was at Memphis, Tennessee, and after participating in a few skirmishes he was disabled by chronic disease, and being considered unfit for further duty was discharged and sent home after four montlis' service. He again entered school, and in 1863 began to teaclı the district school. He also taught at Bush- nell, Illinois, and for several years was engaged in this profession. In 1870 lie began the study of medicine with Dr. West- fall at Bushnell, and after pursuing a course of several years he opened practice at To- wanda, Kansas, in 1877. Soon after he entered the Homeopathic Medical College of St. Louis, where he graduated in the class of 1879. He at once located at Essex, and lias since given his attention strictly to the du- ties of a laborions profession. His success has been marked from the first, and no prac- titioner stands higher among the people of Page and Fremont counties. He has fre- quently had cases that after defying the efforts of more pretentious men have quickly yielded to his natural treatment.

Dr. Stearns was married at Bushnell, Illi- nois, to Miss Abigail Dorrence, a native of Michigan. Their family consists of six chil- dren: May, Lulu, Edwin, Kate, Daisy and Floyd. May is the wife of James Donnell of Omaha; Lulu is a teacher of considerable reputation in the county and has made a marked success in her profession.

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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.

Mrs. Stearns is connected with the Presby- terian Church, and the Doctor is a respected member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fra- ternities. He lias filled all the chairs of the latter order and stands high in the councils of the Encampment.

RS. L. C. HESTER is the daughter of Captain J. A. and Juliann (Penne- baker) Clark, and was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, where she grew to womanhood. She has been a resident of Page County since 1880, in which year she came West with her parents.

At the early age of thirteen years she be- gan teaching school and followed the profes- sion for a number of years. After she had taught four terms she was given a position in one of the Pennsylvania academies, which she filled acceptably until coming to Iowa. After coming to Page County she was en- gaged to teach the Page Centre school and was employed there four or five terms. When Coin began to develop into a village she was tendered a position in the schools there; she accepted the offer and had taught three terms when on account of failing health she was obliged to abandon the profession in which she liad been so successful. She then turned her attention to the study of pharmacy and was registered a pharmacist in 1887; she de- votes her whole attention to the drug bnsi- ness, owning the only drug store in Coin. She established tlie business in Jannary, 1888, and carries a stock of $2,500, and her annual sales will aggregate $7,000. A fine assort- ment of drugsand other articles usually found in a well regulated drug store can be had at Mrs. Hester's.

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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