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 95
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Mr. and Mrs. Steeve are the parents of nine children living: Elizabeth, wife of H. H. Sundermann; Jolın, William, Frederick, Louis, Henry, George, Mary and Martin. They have lost two sons and two daughters
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by death: Joseph and Edward, and Eleanor and Louisa.
Politically Mr. Steeve is a Republican and has been honored by local offices. He is a member of the school board and lias served as road supervisor. He has contributed gen- erously to religious and educational institu- tions and has given his children a good education in both the English and German languages. He is yet in the prime of life, frank, cordial in manner, and withal a first- class citizen.
ENRY WAGONER, a true representa- tive of the best type of German farmers of Page County, resides in section 16, Nodaway Township, where he owns 480 acres of land, all well improved. He was born in Hanover, Germany, Angnst 14, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Dorothea (Busing) Wag- oner. Ile grew to manhood and received liis education in the land of his nativity. At the age of fourteen years lie went to work at the baker's trade, and when nineteen years old he came to America, believing that the New World would be a better field for a successful career. It was iu 1859 that he bade farewell to home and friends and native land, and sailed away across the sea. On arriving in America he went to Cook County, Illinois, and afterward worked for a time on a farmi near Madison. In the fall of 1860 he went to Mason County, Illinois.
When the dark cloud of the Rebellion swept over this land, our true and loyal sub- ject went out in defense of his adopted conn- try's flag. entering Company H, Third Illinois Cavalry, August 3, 1861. He served four years and two months, participating in the battles of Pea Ridge and Nashville, and the siege of Vicksburg, and many engagements
of lesser note. He displayed a patriotism worthy a native-born citizen. Before he was mustered out he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant of his company. When peace was declared he went back to Mason County, Illi- nois, and remained there two years; he also spent some time in Cook County, engaged in farming.
Mr. Wagoner was married March 15, 1868, to Rebecca Grime, a native of Germany. They removed to Page County, Iowa, in 1871, and Mr. Wagoner bought 200 acres of land, a portion of his present farm. His residence is among the best in the county, and was erected in 1884, at a cost of $2,000; it is surrounded by beantiful shade trees and is very attractively situated. Mr. Wagoner carries on a general farming business, paying special attention to stock-raising and feeding. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is an active member of the church of his choice, the German Lutheran; he has served as treasurer of the Nodaway Township church for six years, and for three years has been president of the society. No man has contributed more to the church or to educa- tional enterprises than he. He is industrions and nses his money as it was intended that man should, for the comfort of his family and the advancement of the community. He is a thorongly nationalized citizen and a loyal believer in American ideas.
Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner are the parents of nine children: John, Henry, Anna, Gusta, Harmon, Martin, Lovina, Lena and Charley.
L. HARRINGTON, who has been a resident of the "goodly county of Page" since 1864, has been assigned the following place in the biographical his- tory of the county with which he has been
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
closely identified over a quarter of a century, long enough to note a complete and pleasing transformation in almost every portion of the county. He was born in the city of Boston, Massachusetts: hence may be termed a Yan- kee subject; le was born in 1836, and is the son of Josiah and Silva (Smitlı) Harrington. His father was a carpenter by trade and he was trained to the same avocation. He was reared and educated in Lawrence County, Massachu- setts, and after mastering his trade he spent several years in northern New Hampshire. At the age of twenty years he came to Chicago, and from that city went to Berlin, Wiscon- sin; after a year's residence there he came to Iowa, stopping in Linn County and other portions of the State for two years. He then went to Missouri and resided in Jackson and Johnson counties until 1864, when he came to Page County as before stated. Until 1868 he made his home with B. F. Runnels. He began farming on wild land, and for many years he was a long distance from markets; he was among thie pioneers of that part of the county and worked against all the odds of pioneer life; but he persevered and was re- warded with success. He now owns 240 acres of land, all in one body and under excellent cultivation. He lias a good residence, a barn, an orchard, and a beautiful grove, with all else that goes to make up a pleasant country home. Mr. Harrington has made a specialty of breeding swine, and is probably the most successful as well as the largest grower in the county. He has built an extensive building especially planned for the care and protection of live-stock. At one end of this structure flows a living spring of water, while at the other end is a good well of pure water; there are steam vats for cooking feed, the superi- ority of whichi plan is well demonstrated in the appearance of Mr. Harrington's stock. He frequently markets 400 head in a season,
and in 1883 and 1884 it ran over that num. ber.
Every man in this country must have some political creed, and our intelligent subject has chosen the principles of the Republican party, believing they will serve the country's best interests.
Mr. Harrington is a man gifted with a sound body, and is of a keen observation, profiting by his experience. In manner he is frank and cordial, and ranks among thie leading farmers of Page County.
ENRY KNOST is a successful agricult- urist of Page County, and owns 250 acres of excellent land lying in Nodaway and Douglas Townships. He has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the county since 1870. He was born in Jackson County, Indiana, January 12, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Hovacote) Knost, natives of Germany. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and assisted in his father's store; he also worked on a ferry- boat for some time. In 1870 he came to Page County, Iowa, and for a period of two years he worked by the month, breaking prairie land a portion of the time.
Mr. Knost was united in marriage in July, 1873, to Mrs. Driftmier, widow of Henry Driftmier, a native of Germany, who was brought to America in his infancy. He was reared in Jackson County, Indiana, and in 1865 lie came to Page County, where he was an honored citizen. Mrs. Driftinier is a daughter of Garrett and Emily (Roelker) Monig. By her first marriage four children were born: Josepli, George, John and Ed- ward.
Our subject is extensively engaged in raising live-stock, making a specialty of swine.
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Everything about the place shows thrift and wise management; all the modern methods of farming are brought into nse and are found very profitable. In politics Mr. Knost is an independent thinker, voting for the man rather than the party. He has held several local offices, serving with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the public. For ten years and more he has been school treasurer. He is an acceptable member of the German Lutheran Church, of which he has been trus- tee as well as president of the board. Mrs. Knost is also a member of the same church. In all business affairs Mr. Knost is counted correct at all times, and possesses the happy faculty of making many warm friends. His farın is an index of what a man, who is in- dustrious and temperate in his habits, can do in Iowa soil.
ETH TERRY, a resident of section 7, Nodaway Township, has lived in Page County since 1869. To acquaint the reader with something of his earlier career it may be stated that he is a native of Ulster County, New York, born December 8, 1834. He is a son of Henry and Hannah (Mapes) Terry, natives of New York. The paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The parents both lived in New York all their days, surviving until the age of seventy-eight years. Seth is the third of a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. He grew to manhood on his father's farm in Orange County, New York, and received a fair education. As he grew up he was impressed that there were better chances for young men of limited means in the West, so in 1854 he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Floyd Connty, where he was counted a pioneer. He partly improved a
farm in that county, and also spent some time in working at the plasterers' trade; after several months he went to Buchanan County, Iowa, and in 1859, during the gold fever, lie went to California. He made the trip over- land, consuming six months in the journey. On reaching the coast he engaged in work at his trade, and when he returned he came via the ocean route. In the fall of 1862 he re- moved to Taylor County. Iowa, where he lived until 1869, when he came to Page County as before stated. In 1870 he moved to his farm, which he has brought to an ad- vanced state of cultivation; it was then wild land without improvements of any kind; lie has planted a fine orchard and a beautiful grove, and has erected good and substantial buildings. The farm covers a quarter section, and is one of the most desirable homesteads in the county. By nature it is well adapted to the raising of live-stock, to which industry Mr. Terry gives considerable attention.
Mr. Terry was married at Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa, in August, 1857, to Miss Laura Coan, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Buel and Miranda (Morgan) Coan, natives of Connectient and New York re- spectively. Mrs. Terry's parents removed from Vermont to New York, and in 1849 to Lake County, Illinois; in 1854 they came to Iowa and settled in Floyd County, and in 1866 they came to Page Connty, where they lived several years. The father died in Mar- shall Connty, Kansas, in 1882, and the mother died in Nebraska in 1889. Mrs. Almira L. of Tarkio Township, Page Coun- ty, is a sister to Mrs. Terry. Mr. Terry and wife have three children: Menzo Watt is married and lives in Marshall County, Kan- sas; he finished his education at the State University at Iowa City, Iowa, and was gradu- ated in the law department, and is now en- gaged in the practice of his profession; the
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
other children are Edgar M., and Nancy M., wife of Alfred Johnson.
Politically Mr. Terry is a stanch Democrat. He is a man who has thie esteem of his neigh- bors, and is counted one of Page County's most successful farmers.
OSEPH BEEZLY has been prominently identified with the interests of Page County since October, 1874. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, January 24, 1836. His father was John Beezly, a native of West Virginia, and his mother was Rachel (Miner) Beezly, who was born in Kentucky. The parents were married in Vermillion County, Illinois, where they were early pio- neers; thence they removed to Fulton County, Illinois. They reared a family of nine chil- dren, eight sons and one danghter. Joseph was the third child, and when he was nine years old his parents removed to Clark County, Missouri, where they remained three years; thence they went to Hancock County, Illinois, and lived there until 1874.
In 1862, during the civil war, Mr. Beezly became a member of Company B, One Hun- dred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served three years in that terrible conflict. He was engaged at Vicksburg and Arkansas Post, was with General Banks on the famous Red River expedition, and was in several hotly contested field fights besides seventeen skirmishes. August 11, 1865, he was discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He returned to Henderson County, Illinois, where he remained until he came to this county. He was accompanied by his parents, who bought the John Cochran farm. The father died in 1880, aged seventy-seven years, and the mother lived until 1881, aged seventy- two years. Mr. Beezly purchased his present
farm in 1880, and it is among the best im- proved places in Nodaway Township. Beau- tiful trees adorn the lawn while an excellent apple orchard furnishes an abundance of fruit for home nse. The well-planned barn, shed- ing and feed-lots, together with the ever- whirling wind-mill add to the scene of com- fort and prosperity. Politically our subject is a Republican of the Prohibition type. In his domestic relations he is a bachelor; his home is presided over by a sister, Sarah J., who thoroughly understands the art of house- keeping. Mr. Beezly is a man whose word is his bond, and it is accepted as such throughz out the county.
HARLES PFANDER is another one of Page County's pioneers who is justly entitled to more than a passing notice in this connection. It was on the 15th day of May, 1854, that he first beheld the wild and picturesque landscape of Page Connty. He had come a long way to find a home in the land of the free, for he was born in Wurt- emberg, Germany, January 25, 1829. His parents were also natives of Germany, the father being Charles and the mother Eve Catherine (Hothborger) Pfander. When our worthy subject was but three years old his parents and two children, Charles and Mary, set sail for America, settling near Lancaster. Pennsylvania; thence they removed to Miami County, Ohio. Charles was then seven years of age. The family, thinking to better their condition, made another move, this time to Montgomery County, Ohio; they located near the thriving city of Dayton, but they were not satisfied with their location, and so re- moved to Pierpont, Ohio, where they resided eleven years. The father was a wagonmaker by trade, which calling he followed a number
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
of years, until his family were older and able to work. He died in July, 1853, in Darke County, Ohio, and the mother died in 1844, in Montgomery Connty, Ohio. When eighteen years old Charles, Jr., began farming, March 19, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah Baker, a native of Preble County, Ohio. She was a daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Tilhnan) Baker, natives of Virginia. In the spring of 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Pfander came west by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to St. Joe, Missonri, and thence by teams to Page County. They settled on a portion of their present farm, Mr. Pfander building a log cabin, which was called very good at that time. He built his present residence in 1863, and in 1887 made some additions, so that he has one of the most comfortable dwellings in this part of the county; it is nestled in among a beautiful growth of ever- green and shade trees, and presents a very attractive appearance. There are many bear- ing fruit trees on the place, and the buildings for stock and grain are of a most substantial character. The farm consists of 184 acres, well watered by running streams, and under excellent cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. Pfander are the parents of eight children: Perry, deceased; Nancy Ann, wife of Mr. Knox; John W., Mary Ellen, wife of C. A. Thompson; Harry, George, Alice and Horace Clyde are at home.
Politically Mr. Pfander is a stanch sup- porter of Republican doctrines, but he has never aspired to public office; he has been elected to numerous local positions of trust, having served as township trustee for twenty years; he has assessed the township seven different years, giving entire satisfaction to the taxpayers. He belongs to the Univers alist Church, of which he was one of the char- ter members. He is thoroughly alive to all religious and educational causes, and believes
more united effort to elevate the morals of the community should be made. He is frank and candid in his manner, aiming to do right by all with whom he deals; his word is his bond, and is so accepted by all. During his thirty-five years residence in Page County he has borne the good will of all.
- H. MULLER, the subject of this bio- graphical notice, is a resident of sec- tion 16, Nodaway Township. He is well known throughout Page County as one of the band of pioneers who emigrated to Iowa in 1856, when all was yet new and wild. In connection with his early career it may be stated that he is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born August 17, 1835. He is a son of Peter David and Maria (Goode) Muller; the father was a native of that pic- turesque portion of Europe known as Switzer- land, and the mother was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The parents were united in marriage in Stark County, Ohio, and thence removed to Wayne County, Ohio.
F. H., the son, of whom we write, grew to manhood in Wayne County, assisting his father on the farm, and attending the com- mon schools. In 1856, having become of age, he camne to Iowa, and settled in Page County, pre-empting land near Page Center; later on he traded that land for wild land in section 12; this tract contained 170 acres, which he at once began to improve for a per- manent home. Bnt finally he sold the land and returned to Ohio. However, the " Bnek- eye " State had lost all its charm for him since he had seen the fertile and cheap lands of Iowa. After a two-weeks sojourn he re- turned to Page County and settled in Harlan Township on 230 acres of land, a portion of which had already been improved. There he
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
resided twelve years, and then sold the place and purchased his present farm; it was then wild land, but he at once began improvements, and has brought the place to an advanced degree of cultivation. In 1875 he built a roomy and comfortable residence, which stands on a natural building site, and is now surrounded by shade and ornamental trees; there is a good barn, and all the necessary buildings for stock and grain- have been erected; an excellent orchard affords a hand- some income, there being 125 bearing trees. The farin consists of 150 acres and extends to the town plot of Clarinda; it is subdivided into fields suitable for stock purposes, which branch of farming he makes quite a specialty.
Regarding his family, it may be said Mr. Muller was married, September 25, 1859, in Page County, to Elizabeth Chestnut, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Edmond and Sarah (Parker) Chestnut. Mrs. Muller passed her girlhood in Missouri and Iowa. Seven children have been born of this union. Lewis M., Lottie, wife of - -- Pfander, deceased; Laura Ellen, wife of Kinsman Rowling; Dora M., Charles Clay, Arınour Leander, and Ross Everett.
Mr. Miller is a stanchi believer in Demo- cratic principles, but has never aspired to public office. Thoughi a man fifty-four years of age, he is leading an active life, and has the prospect of many useful years in the fu- ture, liaving always been a man temperate in his habits. In his manner he is candid and frank, and has the confidence of all who know him.
RANKLIN BEARCE, an enterprising and highly esteemed citizen, owns 260 acres of well improved land in Nodaway Township, where he has resided since 1882.
He purchased his farm of Mr. Beezley, al- though most of the improvements had been made by John Cochran, an early settler. Mr. Bearce is a native of the State of Illinois, born in Fulton County, April 24, 1834. He is a son of Eli H. Bearce, a native of Con- nectient; his mother was Sarah (Austin) Bearce, who was a native of the State of New York; it was in that State that she was mar- ried to lier husband. Soon after their inar- riage they removed to Illinois, where they were pioneers; this was in 1823, and in 1825 they located in Fulton County, where they spent the remainder of their days. They reared a family of seven children: Franklin is the sixth of a family of three sons and four daughters. He grew to manhood in Fulton County, where he obtained good education in the common schools. He was married, Feb- rnary 8, 1855, in Fulton County, to Miss Lydia Cornell, a native of Athens, Ohio. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Westfall) Cornell, Virginians by birth, who were mar- ried in Ohio; when Lydia was three years old her mother died, and her father removed to Fulton County, Illinois, in 1847, where he lived the remainder of his days.
Mr. and Mrs. Bearce came to Page County in 1882, as above stated. His farm, situated only three miles from Clarinda, is a very valu- able one; the improvements are of the best kind, and all the surroundings give evidence of a wise and careful owner. There is a fine, bearing orchard of three acres, besides much sınall fruit; evergreens and slirubs adorn and beautify the place, rendering the exterior as attractive as the interior. In addition to his home place Mr. Bearce owns forty acres on section 27, and eighty acres on section 28. In his political belief le adheres to the plat- form of the Republican party, but has never sought public office, liis private interests de- manding liis whole attention. He is now a
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
man fifty-five years old, of much experience, and whom to know is to admire. To meet him in his own comfortable home is to prize inore highly the life and independence of an Iowa farmer, whose lot is cast in Page County.
Mr. and Mrs. Bearce are the parents of seven children: Harvey, Emma F., Rosetta B., wife of Jasper Willison; Richard H., Leonidas, James F. and Leonard.
M. COOPER was born at Chittenden, Vermont, March 19, 1816, and is the son of Abel and Ada (Buffman) Cooper, natives of New York and Rhode Island re spectively. When he was two years of age his father died, but his mother cared for him until he was seven years of age; he then went to live at Williston, Vermont, with a family by the name of Winslow; for seven years he attended the common schools and assisted in doing chores about the house. When he was fourteen years old he returned to his mother who had in the meantime been married to Ainos Hickok. He lived at home for two years and then entered a carriage and wagon shop as apprentice; at the expiration of his term of three years he opened a shop for him- self at Hinesburgh, Vermont, which he con- ducted successfully for two years. He then went to Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois, and opened a shop, where he worked at his trade for seventeen years. He disposed of his business and removed to Ringgold County, Iowa, where lie purchased 400 acres of land; sixty acres of the land had been broken out, and there were a few buildings. For one year he lived on this place and then mnoved to Clarinda, Page County, Iowa, and opened a general store; this he operated four years and a half, after which he disposed of the
business and bought his present farm of 100 acres; this place has all the necessary iin- provements found on a well managed farm; there are three acres of orchard, bearing fifty varieties of apples, a good frame house and barns for stock and grain.
Mr. Cooper was married May 4, 1843, to Mary Lemaster, who was born in Scott County, Indiana, December 25, 1822. Seven children have been born of this union: Eva M. and Eddie M. are deceased; Frank L. resides in St. Joe, Missouri; Hugh L. lives in Nebraska; Milton lives in Page County, and Charles and Minnie M. reside at home. November 1, 1889, the family were much saddened and stricken by the death of Mrs. Cooper, after an illness of three weeks. She was sixty-seven years of age.
In politics Mr. Cooper is identified with the Democratic party. £ He has served as township assessor for two years and has been secretary of the school board for a number of terms. He has at all times manifested a great interest in the welfare of the com- inunity and has aided in every enterprise of a public character.
AMES KEENER is a native of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, born October 7, 1829, and a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Marsh) Keener. He is the oldest of a family of nine children, and until he was nineteen years of age he assisted his father in cultivat- ing the farm and attended the district schools during the winter season. His father died in 1885, and the mother passed away in 1852. It was in 1849 that James began serving an apprenticeship as a blacksmith, and after three years he commenced business at the forge for himself at Wett Lebanon, Pennsyl- vania, where he remained until he came to
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HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY.
Iowa. In June, 1863, he enlisted in the Union army and re-enlisted March 6, 1865, in Company I, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cav- alry. When discharged at Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, he was First Sergeant. Upon returning to his home he took up the more peaceful pursuit of a blacksmith and followed it until the spring of 1867, when he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Clarinda; there he opened a shop which he still continues to conduct.
Mr. Keener was married to Miss Racliel J. Morgan, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father died when she was but eight years old, and her mother was taken from her one year later. Mr. and Mrs. Keener are the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living: Lizzie, the wife of J. L. Strong; Nannie, John D., William Wilson, Abby, James, Ora and Elmer. The parents are acceptable members of the United Presbyterian Church of Clarinda.
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