Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 33

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 33

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).

September 29, 1870, is the date of Mr. Keller's marriage with Miss Emma R. De- bolt, a native of Licking County, Ohio. She is the daughter of William and Barbara (Moore) Debolt, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Virginia. To them were born six daughters and four sons. Mrs. Debolt died in Ohio, and Mr. Debolt is still living in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have six children, viz .: Maud, Benjamin, Ina, Viola, Clyde and Oliver. Mr. Keller, his wife and eldest daughter are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican and has served the publie as a member of the School Board. He is a man of the strictest integrity, and is frank and open in his man- ner. He is considered socially, morally and financially one of the best citizens of Grove Township.

G. GARNER, of section 33, Macedonia Township, was born in Carroll County, Illinois, near Cherry Grove, March 16, 1859, the son of J. F. and Mary (Curry) Gar. ner; the former was born in Jackson County, Illinois, and was the son of Frank Garner, one of the first settlers of Cherry Grove, Illi- nois; the latter was born in Missouri, but was reared in Grant County, Wisconsin, near White Oak Springs. They reared ten chil- dren, of whom F. G. was the fourth child of six sons and six daughters. Our subjeet re- sided for twenty two years in the same house, engaged at farm work, receiving his educa- tion in the public schools and at Georgetown, Illinois. He came here in 1882, and pur-

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chased his present farm of 160 acres of his unele, I. G. Garner, who had partly improved the land. It is located two and one-fourth miles west of Macedonia.

He was married, March 19, 1889, to Miss Nettie A. Wright, who was born in Grant County, Wisconsin, the daughter of David J. and Nettie M. (Park) Wright, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ches- ter, Randolph County, Illinois. The mother was one year old when her father died, and she was a graduate of the Mt. Morris schools. Mrs. Garner was seven years of age when her parents removed to Chicago, Illinois, where they resided four years, and then removed to Dubuque. The father died there in April, 1890, and the mother still resides at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Garner have one son, Charles W., who was born May 7, 1890. Politically Mr. Garner is a Democrat. Mrs. Garner is a member of the Baptist Church, having been connected with the Second Baptist Church at Dubuque.

AMES ROBINSON, on section 30 Macedonia Township, is a native of Yorkshire, England, born April 3, 1848, the son of James and Martha (Rainbow) Robinson. He was a boy of four years when his parents first came to America and settled in Wayne County, New York, where they resided four years, and then moved to John- son County, Iowa, in 1856, where they set- tled and resided eight years, and then moved to Iowa County. The father died May 12, 1886, and the mother died June 20, 1886. They raised nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom James was the sixth child. In 1875 our subject visited the Paci- fic coast at Oregon, Washington and Califor- nia, and remained until 1876, when he

returned home. Ile bought 120 acres of wild land in this county, and in 1877 moved on the same. He is one of the pioneer threshers of the county, and was one of the first to use a steam thresher, and is a prae- tical and experienced engineer.

Mr. Robinson was married in Jefferson County, Iowa, February 1, 1882, to Emma Summers, who was born and reared in Iowa, and was the danghter of William Summers. They have four children: Grace Ethel, James Walter, Benjamin Roy and Inez Beryl. Politically Mr. Robinson is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., lodge No. 421, and of the Ruby Lodge, No. 415, F. & A. M., at Macedonia.

W. SNYDER, business manager of the Conneil Bluff's Nonpareil, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylva- nia, in 1841, and in 1859 emigrated to Dixon, Illinois. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. the first three-years, regiment sworn into service for the war. He had a continu- ous service of five years lacking only twenty- six days. In the first attack on Vicksburg, lasting three days, which was ended by the charge at Chickasaw Bayou, he was wounded and taken prisoner, and was dropped from the rolls of his regiment for four months as " killed in action." He was made Brevet Major for meritorious service in the field.

Returning from the war in March, 1866, he came to Iowa and located in Cedar Falls, where lie engaged in journalism, becoming editor of the Cedar Falls Gazette, and retain- ing that position for thirteen years. He was also Postmaster for over eight years, resign- ing the office in 1883. Ile then moved to Red Oak, where he was publisher of the Ex.

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press for seven years; and finally, in Deeem- ber, 1889, he purchased au interest in the Council Bluffs Nonpareil and became its manager. This paper was established thirty- six years ago. It is the only morning paper in the city, and has the associated morning and evening franchise, It is one of the lead- ing dailies of lowa, is widely read, and is known as a progressive, enterprising paper. It is edited by Carl Snyder.

The subject of this sketeh married Miss Fannie Knott at Waterloo, and they have one sou, namned Carl.

R. C. B. JUDD, of Council Bluffs, is perhaps best known abroad by the great success to which he has attained in the manufacture of voltaie and galvanie belts, which from their intrinsie value and remark- able eurative properties have attained a wide reputation. Dr. Judd is known at home, both for the faet above mentioned and as a successful business man and enterprising citizen. He was born at London, New Hampshire. He has made his own way in life from early boyhood. He lost his mother when a young lad, and left the parental roof when bnt nine years of age. He was pos- sessed of a somewhat roving disposition, and at the age of fourteen years we find him on the Pacific coast, struggling to secure a liveli- hood and also to obtain some knowledge of books, as he even then had an ambition to qualify himself for the medical profession. He succeeded by unceasing effort, and in 1875' graduated at the Pacific Medical College. Soon after entering upon the practice of lis profession his health failed, and he therefore resolved to give up his practice and resume travel. Going to old Mexico, he was so un- fortunate as to lose what capital he had

accumulated, and also suffered from an attack of yellow fever. It was there he conceived the idea of manufacturing eleetrie belts, for which he has since become so noted. He is quite an inventor, having originated thirteen different devices. He came to Conneil Bluffs in 1882, and immediately began the manu- facture of eleetrie goods. It is safe to say that his eleetrie belts are second to none manufactured. Their use is not confined to our own country, but he also sends many to Europe. He makes four kinds of belts, as well as trusses, etc. Dr. Judd has also an office in Chicago, the location being at 70 Madison Street. He employs about 200 agents to introduce and sell his goods, all of which is manufactured at his work-rooms in Council Bluffs. Dr. Judd is also one of the leading real-estate dealers of this city. The firm in that branch of business being Jndd, Wells & Co., of which Dr. Judd is president; and he is also president of the Real-estate Ex- change, and is engaged in many other enter- prises. Not less than 200 honses were erected by this firm in 1889. The success to which Dr. Judd has attained is due to his inherent energy and enterprise.

Dr. Judd was married in Council Bluffs, to Miss Anna Bryant, of this city.

LBERT NORDYKE is one of the well- known citizens of Grove Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He was born near Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana, June 27, 1850, son of John Nordyke, a native of Ohio. His grandfather, Daniel Nordyke, was born in Tennessee, and was of German extraction. Mr. Nordyke's mother, nee Anna Moon, was born and reared in Ohio, the daughter of Jesse Moon, a native of Tennessee. When Albert was five years

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of age his parents removed to Clinton County, Ohio, and when he was sixteen years old they went to Lewis County. Missouri. From that place they removed to Macon County, Missouri; thence to Caldwell County, same State; and thence to Marshall County, Iowa. The father was a farmer all his life, and died in Marshall County. His widow, a well preserved lady for her years, makes her home with her son, Albert.

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and obtained his education in the public schools. In the spring of 1879 he came from Marshall County to his present location. In 1883 hie purchased from Rev. Samuel Smith the farm on which he now lives. It consists of seventy-seven and a halt acres of rich prairie soil. Fifteen acres are in timber. A school-house is located on the southeast corner of the farm, which is four miles and a half east of Carson. Mr. Nordyke is here engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and also makes a specialty of the manufacture of sorghum, having suc- cessfully operated a mill for fourteen seasons. His factory is well arranged with all the modern conveniences -brick fire-vault and modern pans for boiling and skimming. He is able to manufacture as good syrup as can be made in western lowa, and his output is from 1,100 to 2,000 gallons per annum. He finds local sale at good prices for all he can make.

Mr. Nordyke was married in Caldwell County, Missouri, December 29, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Moorman, a native of Green County, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Moorman. Six children have blessed this union, namely: Myrtle, Carrie, Dalton L., Alma, Ada, and babe, Ralphı A. Mrs. Nordyke is a member of the Christian Church. Politically Mr. Nordyke affiliates with the Republican party. Ile is a man in

the prime of life, and is regarded by all who know him as an honorable and npright citizen.

OHN GREEN JONES, a prominent farmer of Rockford Township, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, March 28, 1834. Ilis parents, Hardin and Asenath (Dewecse) Jones, were natives of Kentucky, whose ancestry remotely were Duteh, Irish and Welsh. Hardin Jones was born in Kentucky, September 17, 1810, and removed to Indiana, where his father died in 1853, leaving a wife and fourteen children. The children were: Malinda, married Hugh Adams, and afterward died; Hardin was the second; Lucinda, married Hugh Adams, and afterward died; Ewing G., deceased; Sarah, who married Luke Sales, and died in Illinois; Rebecca, now the widow of Thomas Sales, and residing in Appanoose County, Iowa; William M. and Jonathan, both deceased ; Leanna, who married Luke Sailes, and is now deceased; Allen, who lives in Mills County, this State; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Skelton, and both are now dead; America, now the widow of Josiah Skelton, and 1c- siding in Pottawattamie County; James S., a resident of Rockford Township; and Har- riet, who died in infancy.

Mr. Ilardin Jones in 1832 married Asenath Deweese, a native of Kentucky, who was born Jannary 1, 1810, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Deweese, who were the parents of a large fa'nily, and moved to Indiana, where they both died. Mrs. Jones was the youngest of their children. After marriage he purchased a farm of 160 acres, heavy timber land, and improved it until the fall of 1855, which he sold and moved to lowa, when he settled in Rockford Township, this

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

county, upon 230 acres of prairie and timber land, which he purchased of G. Beebe, which had a cabin on it and twenty-five acres broken, and then proceeded to improve it. He after- ward erected a frame house, 28 x 32, and one and a half stories high, built substantial out- honses, etc., and followed both grain and stock farming until his death. His first wife, already mentioned, died in 1859, and he then married Mary Skelton, in October, that year, and she died March 9, 1881; and he next married, in October, same year, Bru- netta Moss, who survived her marriage only about eighteen months. In February, 1883, he married Eliza Mullennix, and she died July 10, 1886; but he survived her death but a short time, dying March 20, 1887. Ile was Judge of Pottawattamie County, and took an active part in the political affairs of the community. Was Justice of the Peace twenty-one years, Deputy Sheriff for several terms, and held other official relations. He was a member of the regular Primitive Bap- tist Church, and the clerk for forty years.

In his family were the following children: Malinda Jane, born May 26, 1833, and since died; John G., the subject of this sketch; Martha E., born January 11, 1836, married A. L. Jones (since deceased), and now resides in Harrison County, this State; Amanda A E., born April 29, 1837, married John A. Recl, and they reside in Harrison County; Mary J., born November 16, 1838, married Joseph Moss, and they live in Rockford Township, this county; Ruth A., born Feb- ruary 6, 1841, married John A. Mace, and died, leaving five children; and Silas H., born July 26, 1847, and died in infancy.

John G. Jones, with whose name the sketch opens, is the second child in the above family, and the oldest living;" was married at the age of twenty years, December 7, 1854, to Mary Ann Mace, the daughter of Nicholas

and Cynthia (Luster) Mace, natives of Ten- nessee. Nicholas Mace was born in Tennes- see, January 25, 1808, of English, Welsh, Irish and German extraction, and at the age of twenty-four married a lady who was born in Tennessee in 1811, and whose parents died when she was very young, when the daughter was brought up by an acquaint- ance. She was married at the age of twenty- one years. After that Mr. and Mrs. Mace moved to Indiana and resided until 1856, and then came to Rockford Township, this county, settling upon a quarter section of wild prairie. Here she died, April 18, 1863, leaving five children, as follows: Mary Ann, John A., who resides in Oklahoma; Millie Jane, wite of Benjamin Spencer, in Boomer Township; David A., a resident of Harrison County; Elias M., now deccased. Mary Ann was born in Tennessee, November 12, 1833, and was married at the age of twenty-one years. Mr. Jones. after his marriage, was deeded by his father ninety acres of land on sections 14 and 15, partially improved; and he set out vigorously to work in completing improvements. He first erected a log honse, 18 x 20 feet, farm buildings, built fences, etc., and followed grain and stock farming. He also set out an orchard of large and small fruits, planted shade and ornamental trees, and beautified the premises generally. He prospered and in 1872 he erected a fine two- story frame honse, 28 x 28 feet, including a veranda in front. He has added to his first purchase until he now has 700 acres of fine land, of which 400 are nnder cultivation and the remainder is in timber, meadow and pasture. Ile has been a hard-working and energetic farmer.

As to political issues he is a stanch Demo- crat, taking a zealons interest in national affairs; of course in local matters he votes for the candidates whom he judges personally

P.b. Derac

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to be the best fitted. He has been Road Supervisor, Township Trustee, a member of the Board of Education, etc. Hle and his wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church of Loveland.

Mr. Jones' children are ten in number, born and named as follows: Nelson, born February 17, 1856, married Martha A. Mat- tox, and Theodore, September 1, 1859, mar- ried Mary A. West, both residing in this connty; Parks D., May 20, 1861, still at home; Elias A., May 8, 1863, married Sarah J. Case; and John G., September 19, 1865, married Martha A. Deal, both in this county ; the next two died in infancy; Emery and Anna (twins), born August 20, 1870,-Emery died November 8 following, and Anna Feb- ruary 27, 1871; and Clarissa Jane, born June 25, 1873.

AVID DEVOL was born in Chatham, New York, November 27, 1805, son of Joshua and Martha (Gifford) Devol, of French extraction, and natives of Massachu- setts. David was the youngest of a family of five children, and is the only one now liv- ing. His father died when he was a small ehild, and at the age of eleven he began to learn the trade of carding wool and dyeing and dressing cloth, at which he worked until after he was married. October 20, 1830, in Canaan, New York, he wedded Delia Toby, who was born in that State, Jannary 12, 1812. They located in Chatham, and a year later he engaged in the general mercantile business, which he continued nine years in that town and in West Stockbridge, Massa- chusetts. After that he came West and set- tled at Nauvoo, Illinois, where he made his home five years. In 1846 he continued his way westward, spent the first winter on the 26

Des Moines River, and in 1847 came to Council Bluffs, where he has since continued to reside. The first two years of his resi- dence here he was variously employed, then clerked three years, after which, until 1861, his occupation was diversified. In that year his son, P. C., opened a stove and tinware store, and he has been associated with him since that time.

Mr. Devol has officiated in varions capaci- ties: as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Dep- nty District Clerk, etc. He was elected Jus- tice of the Peace in 1852. He affiliates with the Republican party.

To him and his wife ten children were born, five of whom grew to maturity. Their names are as follows: George, deceased; Harriet wife of William N. Green, of Coun- cil Bluffe, diel in 1889; P. C., a sketch of whom appears below; Emily, Martha, David, Charles, all deceased; Delia, wife of W. R. Vaughan of Omaha, Nebraska; and William, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Devol have reached an advanced age, but are well preserved con- sidering their many years of pioneer life and the hardships through which they have passed.

P. C. DEVOL, one of the oldest business men of Council Bluffs, is a native of New York State, born Jannary 10, 1836, son of of David and Delia (Toby) Devol. He was five or six years old when the family removed to Illinois. Three or four years later, after a short stay in eastern Iowa, they crossed the State with ox teams and located at Kanes- ville, or what is now Council Bluffs, which has since been the home of our subject. He was edneated in the public schools, and has since acquired much valuable information in the school of experience. Until eighteen his time was varionsły employed. At that time he began to learn the tinner's trade, which he followed until 1861, when, in company

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

with Milton Rodgers, he opened a stove and tin store at the stand he now occupies. They continued in business together for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Devol pur- chased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until 1883. Then he formed a partnership with W. S. Wright. They opened a jobbing house, which they conducted two years, after which they entered into a stock company under the firm name of Rector, Wilhelmie & Co., at Omaha, Ne- braska, transferring their jobbing department from Council Bluffs to Omaha, and leaving the tin and store store in this city. Mr. Devol is president of the company ard Mr. Wright is the secretary. They carry a large stock of hardware, tinware and stamped ware, to the value of some $125,000, and employ a large force of men in the house and on the road, while the business of Mr. Devol, 504 Broadway and 10 Main street. Council Bluffs, has grown from a small establishment of $1,300 or $1,400 to its present magnificent size, some $20,000. He carries a full line of hardware, tinware, stoves, etc. He has a shop connected with his store, employs eight or nine men all the time, and does an annual business of about $75,000.

Mr. Devol is a self-made man, having started at the very bottom. Shortly after coming to Council Bluffs he was ambitious to earn and save something, so he went about it in this way: He secured a space of some six feet in width between two buildings and kept a small stand, selling pies, cider, etc., to the emigrants who were on their way West. His life for a time was varied, and he saw some of the rough side of pioneer experiences.

The subject of our sketch was married in 1868, to Miss Catharine Swobe, who was born in New York State, daughter of Michael Swobe. They have had five chil-

dreu : Ilattie, Mary, Paul C., William Roy and Arthur. The last named is deceased. Politically Mr. Devol is a staunch Republi- can. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 49, Conneil Bluffs Lodge, having passed all the chairs. The family are associated with the Presbyterian Church. Previons to her marriage Mrs. Devol was engaged in teaclı- ing school in this county two or three years.

JOHN DOHANY was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, in 1826, the son of John and Margaret (English) Dohany, natives of Ireland, who came to America about 1820, locating first in Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to New Jersey, where the father died in 1833; the mother died in Pennsyl- vania in 1836.

Our subject came west to Indiana in 1837, where he made his home until he was seventeen. Then in 1842 he came west to St. Louis. In 1846 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, spending the time until 1851 in Du- buque and Jackson counties. In the spring of 1852 he went to southern and central Missouri. In 1856 he came to Council Bluffs, and he has done as much as any other man in the city toward building it up. IIe was one of the few who were instrumental in having the terminns of the Union Pacific Railroad in Council Bluffs, and in many ways has done much to his credit that will stand as a monnment of his true worth long after he is gone.

He has always been associated with the Democratic party.

He was married December 31, 1849, to Clara Noble, of Bellevue, Iowa, born in Illi- nois in 1828, of Puritan extraction, and died in Council Bluff's in 1885. They had five children: Ada, wife of Martin G. Griffin, of

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Portland, Oregon; Margaret, wife of W. II. Maurer, of Council Bluffs; Adella, at home; Julia, wife of William A. Keelind, of Coun- cil Bluffs; John, a resident of Portland, Ore- gon. They are members of the Catholic Church.

S. PLEAK, of section 32, Macedonia Township, was born in Decatur County,

O Indiana, October 14, 1857, and was the third son of Stuban Pleak, who was also born in Decatur County, and was reared and married there. Ilis grandparents were early settlers in that portion of Indiana, and were of German origin, and when they first came to America they spelled their name Blake. The wife of Stuban, and mother of D. S., was Elizabeth (Woolverton) Pleak, who was born in Decatur County, and was a daughter of John Woolverton, of Scotch ancestry. They reared six children. The parents lived until their death in Decatur County.

D. S. Pleak resided in Indiana until 1879 when he came to Pottawattamie County, and the same fall bought his farm of Ely Carter, which had been improved by his son, Elijah Carter. The farm consists of 160 acres, and contains a grove, orchard, buildings for stock and grain, feed lots, yards and stock scales. It is divided into cultivated fields of pasture and meadow. His horses are of a high grade, and among them are five Dilliard colts which give promise of being valuable horses. He owns a one-fourth interest in an imported Percheron-Norman horse.

Mr. Pleak was married August 29, 1889, to Miss Alice Olney, a daughter of J. J. and Mary (Morrison) Olney. She was educated at the Iowa Normal at Shenandoah, and was a successful and popular teacher prior to her marriage. She was born in this county in

1866. Politically Mr. Pleak is a Republi- can, and is at present Township Supervisor. lle is a member of Ruby Lodge, No. 415. F. & A. M., at Macedonia.

- W. JOHNSON, a farmer and worthy citizen of Hazel Dell Township, was @ born at Hillsboro, Washington County, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1832, the son of William and Mary (McFadden) Johnson, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania re- spectively. and of Puritan and Irish an- cestry. The father belonged to the old Johnson family of Indian war fame, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, in the Commis- sary department. He served through the entire war. At one time he was surrounded by the Indians, and was relieved by his kins- man, Colonel Richard M. Johnson, of his- torical fame.

During his younger days Mr. Johnson was engaged in freighting by wagon train from New York to Baltimore and other points, and after his service in the war of 1812 he was engaged in taking contracts for building and in the construction of pikes, including the national pike. About 1839 or 1840 the family removed to Ohio, spent one winter in Knox County, and then removed to Licking County, same State, where the parents finally died. Mr. Johnson, the sub- ject of this sketch, was the ninth of the ten children of the above family. At the age of fifteen years he began the trade of glove- making, and continued in the same for three years, meanwhile devoting a part of his time to the art of tanning, and these trades he followed until 1869, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In 1870 he came to Council Bluffs, arriving March 23. Renting land in Hazel Dell Township, he followed farming there for

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Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 33

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