Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 27

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 828

USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 27

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).

Mr. Putnam engaged in farming near Dixon, remaining there until 1871. In that year he came to Center Township, Pottawat- tamie County, lowa, and was with his broth- er, L. R., who for five years made his home in this county. Our subject afterward bought his present farm of George Race. He owns eighty acres of rich land, well located and well adapted for stock and grain purposes.

At Amboy, Illinois, in 1872, Mr. Putnam wedded Miss Emlin Stephens, a lady of cult- ure and refinement, who, for thirteen years previous to her marriage, was a successful teacher in Illinois. She was born in England of English parents, John and Peggy (Daw)

Stephens, with whom she came to this coun- try at the age of four years. She was edu- cated at Mount Morris, Illinois. By this union three children were born: Arthur L., Katie J. and Emma. The latter died at the age of fifteen months. The great loss of Mr. Putnam's life was when his loving compan- ion was called away by death, March 14, 1879. She was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her loss was deeply felt by her husband, her little ones and her many friends.

Mr. Putnam is a Republican. He has served as Assessor of the township. He is a friend of education and religion, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Spring Creek, being trustee of the same.

OHN JACKSON RODENBOUGH, one of the well known pioneers of Potta- wattamie County, lowa, came here in 1866. A sketch of his life will be found of interest and is as follows:

His father was George S. Rodenbough, who married, in New Jersey, Miss Elizabeth Jack- son, and had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Mr. Rodenbough has always been a great admirer of Mr. Jackson, and when, June 10, 1832, the subject of this sketch was born he was given the name of that hero. lle was reared in his native State, receiving a common-school education, and learned the shoemaker's trade from his father. When he was twenty-one years of age the entire family removed to Warren County, Illinois. There the parents spent the rest of their lives, the mother dying at the age of seventy years and the father at eighty four.

Mr. Rodenbough served for a time in the State militia, but was not accepted by the

John l, Balduru

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United States into regimental service. IIe was married, September 4, 1859, to Mary Ann Axtell, a native of Warren County, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Robb) Axtell, natives of Pennsylvania. Four children were born to them, three of whom are living, viz .: Willbert E., who resides in Washington; George, of the same State; Flora, wife of Nathan Moore, Grove Town- ship, this county. Mrs. Rodenbough died January 29, 1873. Two years later, Decem- ber 25, 1874, Mr. Rodenbough married his present wife, Miss Euniee Dilly, a native of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William and Mary (Axtell) Dilly, also of Pennsylvania. She was two years of age when her parents located in Warren County, Illinois, where she was reared. Iler father was a strong Abolitionist, and was a delegate to Springfield, Illinois, at the time Abraham Lineoln was nominated for President. Mr. Dilly now resides at Sterling, Kansas. By his second marriage Mr. Rodenbough has three children: Mary Elizabeth, William Herbert and Nettie May.

Mr. Rodenbough came to Pottawattamie County in 1866, as already stated at the be- ginning of this article, and first settled at Silver Creek. He subsequently came to Grove Township, and was employed for a time on the R. R. I. Railroad. Previous to his coming West he had helped to build one of the first railroads in the United States, in New Jersey. After the death of his wife he returned to Illinois and remained a year, when he came back to this county. He is the owner of 140 acres of good land, which is well watered.

Politically our subject is a Republican. He voted for General Fremont and all the Republican candidates for President since that time. He and his wife and two of their children are members of the Methodist 23

Church. Mr. Rodenbough is firm in his envietions of right and wrong, plain in his speech and manner, and honest in all his business dealings.

OHN N. BALDWIN was born in Coun- eil Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, on the 9th day of July, 1857. His father was the Hon. Caleb Baldwin, whose biography is the first under head of Potta- wattamie County. His mother was Jane Baldwin, whose maiden name was Jane Barr.

Mr. Baldwin attended the public schools of Conneil Bluffs, and in 1873, when sixteen years of age, went to the State University at Iowa City. He was in the collegiate depart- ment of this institution three years. In the fall of 1875 he entered the Columbia Law School at Washington, District of Columbia, where he had gone to remain with his father, who at that time was a member of the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. Aftor remaining there one year he again returned to Iowa City and entered the law depart- ment there in the fall of 1876, and graduated therefrom with some distinction in June, 1877. He immediately began the practice of law at Council Bluffs, becoming the junior member of the firm of Rising, Wright & Baldwin, the senior members of the firm being A. J. Rising and the Ion. George F. Wright. Mr. Baldwin soon engaged actively in the praetiee and in a short time became one of the leading members of the bar of Potta- wattamie County, Iowa. In 1880 Mr. Rising left the firm and went to Colorado, and the firin of Wright & Baldwin was then organ- ized, and continued until 1889, when the two sons of Mr. Wright were taken into the firm.

Mr. Baldwin was married in December, 1878,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

to Miss Lilla G. Iloleomb, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have two children, a girl named Genevieve, and a boy named John N., Jr.

O. GAULT was born in Wooster (now Wieomico) County, Maryland, November 7, 1849. His father, Archibald Ganlt, and his grandfather, Obed Ganlt, were both natives of Maryland, and the latter was a soldier in the war of 1812. The wife of Archibald and the mother of T. O. was nee Eliza Littleton. She was a native of Maryland, as also was her father, Thomas Littleton. The subject of this sketch was seven years old when his mother died. Three years later his father moved to Ripley Coun- ty, Indiana, where he lived nutil 1862. In that year he moved back to Maryland, but returned to Ripley County in 1865. He is now a resident of Maryland.

T. O. Gault was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the publie schools of Maryland and Indiana. At the age of twenty-one he came to Iowa and located in Marshall County, where he was engaged in farm work the most of the time until 1878. In that year he eame to Pottawattamie County and bought 160 acres of wild prairie land in Center Township. This is now well improved, is fenced into two fields, and 150 acres are under cultivation. Mr. Gault devotes his attention to general farming and also to stock-raising. His residence was built in 1888, at a cost of $650, and is well fur- nished. It is located on a natural building site and commands an extended view of the surrounding country. He has about three acres in shade trees, orchard and small fruits.

Mr. Gault was married March 4, 1888, in Drury, Rock Island County, Illinois, to Miss Melissa Drury, a lady of education

and culture and a native of that place. She is a daughter of Eli Drury, an old settler and a prominent citizen of Rock Island County. He has been Postmaster for over thirty-five years at Drury, in the above county. Iler mother was Margaret Hub- bert before her marriage, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania; and her father, Eli Drury, was a native of Wayne County, Indi- ana. Both parents are now residents of Drury, Rock Island County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Gault have one daughter, Essie Alice.

Politically Mr. Gault is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., having been made such in Marshall County, Iowa, at Eden Lodge, No. 316, Gillman. He is a man well informed on all enrrent topics, and is regarded as a representative eitizen of his township.

H. GREGG, of Hazel Dell Township, is a native of Behnont County, Ohio, born December 19, 1831, the son of HI. H. and Amy (Hoge) Gregg. They were reared in Loudoun and Fauquier counties, Virginia, and were of Scotch and English origin. They were married in Virginia and came to Ohio in an early day, locating in Belmont County, where they resided until their death. The father was born February 4, 1803, and died June 30, 1861, and the mother was born October 7, 1807, and died January 7, 1874. The father was a farmer and merchant and also a bnyer and packer of tobacco; his father before him was also a merchant. They were the parents of ten children, of whom eight grew to maturity, namely: Mary E., wife of Noah J. Hateher, of Belmont County, Ohio; Joshna II., the subject of this sketeh; Samuel H., who died

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in Warren County, Iowa, February 14, 1890; Ilendley H., a resident of Belmont County, on the old homestead; Francis, a resident of Belmont County; Henrietta, also of Belmont County; William S. died February 5, 1890, in Benton County, Iowa; and Vietoria, the wife of Thomas Rogers, and resi ling in Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio; two chil- dren died in infancy. The father was reared in the Friends' or Quaker Church.

J. H. Gregg, the subject of this sketeh, was reared on a farm in Belmont County, and re- ceived his education in the publie schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age. October 22, 1856, he was married, in Grundy County, Illinois, to Amy G. Hoge, daughter of Wil- liam and Rachel (Boles) Iloge, natives of Virginia and of Scotch and German deseent. She was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, July 24, 1830, but when a child removed with her parents to Illinois, where she was reared. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gregg started for Pottawattamie County, Iowa, arriving November 18, 1856, at Coun- eil Bluffs. They immediately went to work to make improvements on his farm of 432 aeres, which he had purchased in January previous; 400 aeres are on section 33-the south-half -- and the south-half of the north- west quarter of section -, llazel Dell Town- ship and the northwest quarter of the north- east quarter of section 4, Garner Township. This was all uncultivated land when he pur- chased it, excepting about twenty-five or thirty acres which had been broken out. Here he went to work to make a home, and in the fall of 1857 he erected a small frame residence, 18 x 24 feet, and in 1878 they built an ad- dition, and they now have a neat and com- modious dwelling; the addition is 18 x 30 feet and fourteen feet front, he has also erected barns for stoek and grain, a stable for

his cows, which is eighty feet long, and a good hay shed ninety-four feet long. Mr. Gregg has eight aeres of orchard on his home place, and three acres on his farm in James Township, where he has 2364 aeres, which he has improved. Ile entered from the Gov- ernment 560 acres and now possesses almost 1,400 aeres, all under good enltivation. He has done much toward building up and im- proving Pottawattamie County, and is de- serving of all the honor and esteem which is accorded him by his many friends. Ile is a self-made man, having made the most of what he now possesses through his own efforts. In his political views he is a stanch Republican, having wheeled into line from the old Whig party. He has been Treasurer of the School Board for a number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Gregg are the parents of ten children, viz .: Ida A., deceased; Amanda V., residing at home; Mary E., deceased; Georgia A., wife of William T. Harris, of IIazel Dell Township; Amy E., wife of J. D. Harris, of Norwalk Township; Anna, deceased; William A., deceased; Clara A., at home; Aleinda M., deceased; Ilenrietta A., also at home.

OHIN RODWELL was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, January 21, 1846, the son of John and Mary (Goodge) Rodwell, both natives of England. He was a babe when his parents emigrated to this country and settled in Bureau County, Illi- nois, near Arlington. There they spent the residue of their lives, the father dying in 1850 and the mother in 1882. Mrs. Rodwell was a worthy member of the Methodist Epis- eopal Church. They reared a family of three children: Mary, John and Thomas. They were reared on a farm, the father having been a farmer all his life, and early in child-

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hood were tanght that industry and honesty were necessary to a useful and successful life.

John received his education in the public schools. When the great war of the Rebel- lion came on he went forth in the defense of his country, enlisting in February, 1864, in Company B, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Altoona, Bentonville, and others of le-s importance. After receiving an honor- able discharge at Louisville, Kentucky, he returned to his home in Bureau County, Illinois, where he remained until 1876.

In February of that year he came to Potta- wattamie County and located on section 22, Center Township. He purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, which he improved, and as he prospered he added to his landed estate. In 1880 he bought forty aeres in section 21, and four years later, 160 acres in section 15, both having been broken at the time of purchase, and the latter teneed. In 1888 lie bought 120 acres in section 8, which had been improved and on which was a house and other buildings. On this property his brother Thomas resides. Mr. Rodwell is the owner of 400 acres of land. On his home farm, which is well improved and under a splendid state of cultivation, he has a fine residence built in modern style at a cost of $2,000. This home, beautifully located and surrounded by ornamental trees and shrubs, forms one of the attractive features of the neighborhood. Mr. Rodwell has a nice grove and orchard, suitable barn and ont-buildings and wind-mill; in fact, everything about the place attests the thrift and enterprise of the proprietor. From sixty to seventy-five head of cattle and a large number of hogs and horses are usually kept on the farm.

December 29, 1869, Mr. Rodwell married Miss Caroline Frizzell, a native of Burean County, Illinois, and one of the ten children

of Michael and Charlotte (Dean) Frizzell. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and died in Firth, Laneaster County, Nebraska, at the age of eighty-three; the mother, a native of Connecticut, died in Bureau County, Illinois, in June, 1880, at the age of sixty- seven. J. O. Frizzell is a brother of Mrs. Rodwell and A. L. Frizzell is her half- brother. Mr. and Mrs. Rodwell have five children: Michael Eugene, Wilbert, Mary, Luella and Tracy Melvin.

Politically our subject is a strong and radi- cal Republican. He has served with credit as Township Trustee, as a member of the School Board, and is at present Township Clerk. Ile is also the present treasurer of the School Board. Mr. Rodwell is a charter member of the William Laton Post, No. 358, G. A. R., Oakland, and has served as Chaplain of the Post and Officer of the Day. He is a member of the Spring Creek Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and is one of its liberal supporters. His family are members of the Center Union Sabbath school.

Mr. Rodwell is a gentleman in the prime of life. In a financial way he has met with eminent success, and his prosperity may all be attributed to his enterprise, integrity and well directed efforts. Ile is regarded by all who know him as a worthy and npright citizen.

RS. ELIZABETH MACKLAND, of Boomer Township, was born in Cheshire, England, October 24, 1832, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Harrison) Bardsley, parents also natives of the Albion Isle. Her father was a weaver by trade. The family comprised eight children: Thomas, William, Mary, Martha, Joseph, Robert, Margaret and John, all of whom are

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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.

now deceased. Mr. Bardsley, being the fifth child, was born July 15, 1800, was brought up in the trade of his father, but as soon as convenient he learned the trade of boot and shoe making. His wife, born July 10, 1810, was the daughter of John and Martha IIar- rison, natives of England. Mr. Harrison was a mechanic and machinist, and his ehil- dren were: Samnel, Hannah, John, Mary, Elizabeth, William and Joseph, besides one deceased. Mrs. M. Bardsley, being the sec- ond ehild, was married in 1830, and remained a resident of the old home until she died, March 7, 1844, leaving three children,- Mary and Martha, both deceased, and Eliza- beth, the subject of this sketeli. After the death of the mother, the father remained in England until 1850, when he sailed from Liverpool for America, landing at New Or- leans, after a voyage of eleven weeks. He proceeded to St. Lonis, and to Kanesville (now Conneil Bluffs), and finally located in Keg Creek, where he was a resident until 1855; but in 1852 he married Mrs. Bettie Hand- bury, and in 1854 bought 200 acres of land in Neola Township, and began to make a home. After making many improvements he died, December 20, 1860, leaving his wife and three children: John is a merchant in Neola Township; Charles is still on the old home place, and a thrifty farmer; and Thomas is practicing law in Walnut. Mrs. Bardsley is still living, near her eldest dangh- ter, and she has aeemulated considerable property.

March 26, 1852, when twenty years of age, Elizabeth married John Maekland, the son of Thomas and Ann (Union) Maekland, natives of England: father a briek-maker by trade, and in his family were ten children: Maria, John, Eliza, Ellen, Henry, Elizabeth, Phoebe and three others. John Maekland was born in 1829, bronght up in his father's

trade, which he followed to some extent after his arrival in this country. Purchasing 160 aeres of land in Neola Township, he continued to make many valnable improvements as a foundation for a comfortable home; but in 1865 he moved into Boomer Township and bought a tract of land on seetion 34, which is now the old home place. Here he began anew, in a wild, unbroken prairie, with only a log cabin and a few acres of sod turned. In a few years he was enabled to put up a grod frame house. Ile planted shade trees, etc., and made a fine residenee. He died October 4, 1876, leaving a wife and eight children. The latter are: Anna, born in 1853, now the wife of John Laythem, and residing in Neola; Joseph, born in 1855, and now residing in Boomer; Emma, born in 1858. is now Mrs. John MeGill, of Council Bluffs; Thomas, born in 1860, and residing in Boomer; William Henry, born in 1862, still at home; Mary Ellen, born in 1865, is the wife of Henry Page, and living in Boom- er; Elizabeth, born in 1868, now at home; and Phoebe, born in 1870, is married to Jef- ferson Sigler, a resident of Boomer Township.

Mr. Mackland was a deeided Democrat, a man who took an interest in benevolent societies, and earned a good reputation by his integrity of character. He was, as Mrs. Mackland still is, a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, being zealous in the principles of that denomination.

ARON W. PEARCE is one of the well known citizens of Grove Township, having been a resident of Pottawatta- mie County sinee 1874.

Ile was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 22, 1840. ITis father, Dennis Pearee, also a native of Ohio, was a son of

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Aaron Pearce, who was of Irish extraction. In politics the Pearces have been Whigs and Republicans; in religion they have been as- sociated with the Christian Church. Dennis Pearce wedded Mary Polloek, a native of Richland County, Ohio, by whom he had nine children, four sons and five daughters. Three of the daughters are deceased. Mrs. George Bolton and the subject of this sketeh are the only ones living in Pottawattamie County. James HI., a twin brother of Aaron, resides in Adair County, Iowa. In 1852 or 1853 the family removed from Ohio to Cedar County, lowa, and were early settlers in that section of the country. They had been there only a year when the father died, leav- ing his widow and children to battle for life in a new country. The mother afterward married Mr. H. C. Paxson, who died in 1870

Aaron W. Pearce received his education in Richland County, Ohio, and in Cedar Coun- ty, Iowa. During the late war, in answer to Lincoln's call for " 300,000 more," he en- listed, in September, 1861, in Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry. He enlisted under Colonel Abraham Hare, of Muscatine, who was some time afterward succeeded by Colonel William Hall, of Davenport. Mr. Pearce was a brave soldier, and with his regiment took an active part in many of the prominent engagements of the war. Ile was returned home on a veteran furlough, and after it expired he joined his regiment on the Tennessee River. IIe was afterward with Sherman before Atlanta. July 22, 1864, hc was made a prisoner and taken to Anderson- ville, marehing a portion of the way and fin- ishing the journey by rail, arriving at the prison early in August. A portion of the time Mr. l'earce was at Andersonville there were 30,000 prisoners there in a field of only thirty acres. About one hundred dead sol-

diers were carried out of the stockade daily. Much has been said and written of the hor- rors of that prison, but the half has never been told, nor can it be realized by any save those who passed through the terrible ordeal of prison life. About the mid- dle of September Mr. Pearce was moved from Andersonville to Charleston, South Carolina, remaining there a short time. He was taken to Florence, South Carolina, where he was held until February, when the near approach of Sherman's army made an- other move necessary, and, being placed on the cars, was started toward Wilmington. North Carolina, and on to Goldsboro, where with other prisoners he was paroled and re- turned toward Wilmington, passing into the Union lines near that place February 26, 1865. Leaving Wilmington by steamer for Annapolis, Maryland, they went to Baltimore, where he shed his prison rags and put on the blue again. Ile soon left for St. Louis, but was unable to travel, and was placed in the hospital at Grafton, West Virginia, remain- ing there one month. Then he again re- turned home on a furlough, and rejoined his regiment the last day of the general review al Washington.

After the war he came back to Cedar County, where he resided for some time. In the spring of 1872 he removed to Polk Coun- ty, Nebraska, and took up a soldier's elaim of 160 acres. After remaining there sixteen months he came to this county and located in Grove Township. At that time he settled on section 33, near where he now lives. He afterward traded with Thomas Conner for his present farın. It is in section 28 and con- tains 108 acres, forty of which are in timber. It is well adapted for stock and grain pur- poses, and is well supplied with all necessary farm buildings. A good residence situated on a natural building site, surrounded by

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shade and ornamental trees. makes a comfort- able and attractive home.

September 11, 1866, Mr. Pearce married Agnes Bolton, a native of Cedar County, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Southern) Bolton, natives of Virginia. Iler grandfather, Henry Bolton, was a native of Virginia and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Pearce was reared and educated in Cedar County. They have seven chil- dren, namely : Merrill Edson, Myrtie C., Es- tella Kate, Dessie Irene, Ethel Grace, Laura Jane and Mary Ida. Miss Estella is a snc- cessful teacher in the schools of Pottawatta- mie County. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce lost one child by death, Eva L., at the age of three years.

In politics our subject is a Republican. For the last ten years he has served as Town- ship Clerk. He has also served as a member of the School Board. He and his wife and three of their daughters are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Pearce is a man of integrity, and is highly respected by all who know him.

INFIELD SCOTT MAYNE, one of the well-known lawyers of Council Bluffs, has been a member of the bar of Pottawattamie County, since 1875. Mr. Mayne is a native of Clark County, Ohio, where he was born October 15, 1833. His grandfather, Adam Mayne, was a pio. neer of Clark County where he settled in 1819. He was a native of Maryland, and represented an old family of that State. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was a wholesale grocer at Georgetown when that war broke out, and his property was burned by the British troops. As stated he settled in Clark County, Ohio, in 1819, where he

continued to live until his death. The father of the subject of this sketeh was Emmanuel Mayne, born at Georgetown, Maryland, in 1805, having been about fourteen years of age when his father removed with his family to Ohio. He married Miss McGruder, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She was born in Lou- doun County, Maryland. Her father, Ninian MeGruder, was a native of the north of Ire- land, coming to the United States when a young man and settling in Loudoun County. He married Grace Townsend, born in Eng- land, who died when her daughter, the mother of our subject, was but eleven years old. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Mayne lived to an advanced age, dying in Loudoun County. Emmanuel Mayne obtained a good education in early life, and was for a time engaged in teaching. He settled down to the business of merchandising, which he followed for a number of years. He emi- grated with his family to Iowa in 1848, but two years after it became a State, remaining in Ottumwa until the following spring. IIe settled down on a tract of land in Van Buren County. Here, as a pioneer, he did much toward opening up and developing that new country. He was a prominent and well-known citizen. In 1851 he was elected County Judge, and remained in that capacity six years, doing all the county business as was customary at that time. When the war of the Rebellion came on, though then fifty- seven years of age, he resolved to enter the service in defense of the old flag. He ac- cordingly entered the army as Captain, in the Third Iowa Cavalry, and was killed in a battle with the Rebels at Kirksville, Missouri, August 6, 1862. His wife survived her hus- band until 1870, when she died at the home of her son, the subject of this sketch, who was then residing at Keosauqua, Van Buren County. Emmanuel Mayne and wife were

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Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 27

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 828

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 828