USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 37
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
also, " An Outline of the Law of Real Prop- erty," and other fragmentary works. These, though valuable to himself and to his pupils at the time they were issued and used, were not designed for the active jurist, or the practicing lawyer. At the bar Mr. Ross ranks high as an equity and real-estate law- yer. To him causes of this character have all the charm of romance.
In his domestic relations he is fortunate and happy. In 1855 he was married to Miss Zoe M. Brown, in Lebanon, Ohio. Five chil- dren, all living, to-wit: Charles, Hester, Edith, Anna, and Dillon, are the fruit of this union. Mrs. Ross is now in mature woman- hood, and very active in promoting Christian and charitable enterprises.
-
OHN W. BURCKHALTER, one of the prominent farmers of Lincoln Town- ship, is of an old American family of German descent. Abraham Burckhalter, his grandfather, came from South Carolina to Ohio about 1811, and then removed to Union County, Indiana, then to Boone County, same State, in 1831. When he first came to Ohio his wife rode a horse and he walked. Ile was the father of nine children, viz .: Cason, Jeremiah, James S., Joseph, Thomas, Fannie, Rebecca, Sarah, and a daughter whose name is unknown, who married and reared a family. Abraham Burckhalter lived to the age of seventy years, and died in Boone County, Indiana. He was a prominent farmer of that county, and was able to give each of his children eighty acres of land. James S., the son of the above and the father of our subject, was born in 1818, on a farm in Union County, Indiana, and was married in Boone County to Lealı Belles, daughter of William and Mary (Hoff) Belles. The father
353
OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
was born in New Jersey, and is said to have royal blood in his veins. He was married in that State at an early day, and then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, when that city was a small village, and where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He afterward settled in Boone County, Indiana. He was the father of ten children, all of whom lived to years of maturity, namely: Isaac, Elisha, Eliza, Cath- erine, Jacob, Peter, Ann, Leah and two others. Mr. William Belles died in Boone Connty, at the age of sixty-two years, and his wife, nee Mary Hoff, lived to the great age of 104 years, dying in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. James Burck- halter were born eight children: Daniel A., John W., Thomas W., Abijah C., Eliza J., Cynthia A., Mary F. and Laura A. Mr. Burekhalter remained in Boone County until the year 1854, when he came to Marion County, Iowa, and settled on a fine farm of 300 aeres. At the age of forty-four years he enlisted in the war, serving one year, but died on the steamboat on his way home, and was buried at St. Louis. His son Daniel was also in the war, and served three years in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, and was in the battle of Salina, Arkansas; was taken prisoner by the Confederates, but soon made his escape.
John W. Burekhalter, our subject, was born September 23, 1845, and at the age of nine years he came with his father to Marion County, Iowa, where he has grown to man- hood. In 1873 he came to Lincoln Town- ship, where he remained one year, and next removed to Cass County, where he also re- sided one year, returning to Marion, where he resided four years. In 1879 he returned to Lincoln Township and settled on his present farm, then consisting of eighty aeres of wild land, but to which he has sinee added until he now owns 240 acres of im- !
proved land. Politically he is a Republican. Ile was married in Marion County, Iowa, February 25, 1872, by Rev. C. M. Bingham, pastor of the Congregational Church of Otley, Marion County, Iowa, to Sabinah Roberts, daughter of Simon S. and Nancy (Donnell) Roberts. Simon S. Roberts was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1808; taken when ten years of age by his parents to Ohio; at twenty-one learned the trade of carpenter and millwright; moved to Indiana, thence to Missouri, where he was building water mills for ten years. Then he returned to Ohio and was married, to Miss Elizabeth Conrad, in 1844, and they were the parents of three children: James P., George and Charles. They removed to Fowa in 1846. Ile was again married, to Nancy M. Donnell, daughter of John C. and Naney (MeRoberts) Donnell, September 22, 1850, and they had the following children: Orin, Sabinah, Eva, Ethel, Millie, Mary E., Sarah, Elsie, Edwin and Maggie. To Mr. and Mrs. Burekhalter have been born seven children, all of whom are still living, namely: Thomas W., born February 11, 1875; Simon R., Au- gust 28, 1876; James H., January 22, 1879; Mary E., November 1, 1882; Bertha E., April 27, 1885; George C., May 28, 1888; and an infant, Eva Irene, born September 22, 1890.
Naney M. Donnell was born in Seneca County, Ohio, February 12, 1828, came with her parents to Marion County, Iowa, in 1848, and married Mr. Roberts, as above men- tioned.
The grandparents of Nancy M. Donnell, on her mother's side, were MeRoberts. Iler grandfather, of Scotch descent, was a Revo- Intionary soldier, was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and saw the British stack their arms. Mrs. Me Roberts, nee Nancy Hyland, was born in Virginia in 1757.
354
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Grandfather John Donnell married Mary Boyd, died in Pennsylvania, and his widow moved to Ohio with her son, John C., when he was twelve years of age. Born in the Keystone State in 1801, he was married An- gust 4, 1825, to Nancy McRoberts, and they had eight children. In 1848 they moved to Iowa, where they resided until their death, his taking place December 14, 1887, and hers February 24, 1888.
LBERT STONE, a farmer of section 29, Carson Township, has been a resi- dent of this county since October, 1883. He was born in . Mahoning County, Ohio, October 7, 1843, a son of Orman Stone, a native of Connecticut, and a farmer all his life. Albert's mother, whose maiden name was Polly Minard, was a native of Connecti- cut. The parents moved first to New York State, and finally to Mahoning County, Ohio, being among the first settlers there, and re- mained there until their death, bringing up fonr sons and four daughters.
Albert. the youngest of the family, of course was reared upon a farm. During the war, under the first call for 300,000 men, August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. The first battle in which his regi- meut engaged was at Franklin, Tennessee, and afterward in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dandridge, and was with General Sherman in his Georgia campaign, participating in the battles of Resaca, Kene- saw Mountain, Peach-Tree Creek, New Hope Church, Buzzard's Roost, Chickopee River, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, pursuit of Hood from Nashville, Spring Hill and
Franklin again, besides many skirmishes. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865.
In 1872, in Hancock County, Ohio, he married Miss Leticia Eckert, who was born and reared in that county, the daughter of natives of Ohio. Mr. Stone then moved to Putnam County, Ohio, where he lived eleven years. In 1883 he came to Pottawattamie County and purchased his present farm of the Furgeson Brothers (G. M. and J. L.) The first improvements on this farm were made by Charles German. It contains 110 acres, and is good land, in a good condition. Mr. Stone is a radical Republican. The children are: Sullivan, John W., William E .. Emma L., Edna B. and Mabel M.
- ENRY GITTENS, a farmer of Boomer Township, was born in Shropshire, England, November 27, 1821, a son of Watkin and Hannah (Edwards) Gittens, par- ents, also natives of the same shire. Watkin Gittens was born in March, 1800, brought np on a farm, and at the age of twenty years married the affluent Lady Jane Edwards, and engaged in the mercantile trade at West Bromwich, five miles from Birmingham. IIe accumulated a little fortune. His wife died in January, 1839, leaving one child, the sub- ject of this sketch. He afterward married again.
Henry left home at the age of thirteen years, was employed on a farm, and was also wood-ranger for Earl of Dartmonth, Sand- well Hall. During this period, May 1, 1849, he married Miss Jane, daughter of William and Ann Walton, natives of England. In the Walton family were seven children: Jane, John, Ann, Catharine, James, William and Sarah. Mrs. Gittens was born January 29, 1820, and on reaching womanhood be-
355
OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
came housekeeper for a man named Lee, a cabinet-maker, and while there, at the age of twenty-eight years, she was married.
A few years afterward, February 15, 1853, Mr. Gittens emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans. Five weeks later he eame on to Council Bluffs, landing here with only 50 cents in purse, and with a sick wife and child! Owing $3, he first paid this debt by selling a sack of flour which he had brought from St. Louis. The first two years he fol- lowed agriculture on a farm in Paine's Hol- low, and then took up 120 acres of land on section 34, which constitute a part of his present place, at the Government price of $1.25 per acre. On the money he borrowed to pay for the place he had to pay 40 to 60 per cent. He built a large log house, 16 x 18 feet, and made the usual improvements. He also began raising sheep, but dogs and wolves consumed the profits. At present he has a total of 320 acres of land, 200 in cultiva- tion. Being industrious and economical he has established a comfortable home, although he has suffered many hardships of pioneer- ing. In 1875 he erected a brick house, thirty-eight feet square and two stories high.
The greater part of the last four years he has spent in taking care of his invalid wife, who died in March, 1889. They were the parents of six children, namely: Sarah A., born in England, September 7, 1851, and is now the wife of Andrew C. Peterson, in Boomer Township; Catharine, born April 23, 1853, died in December following; llenry William, born September 20, 1855, now a resident of this county; Kate Walton, born February 4, 1857, and is now the wife of Lawrence H. Hanson, in this county; Richard A, born July 8, 1858, and also a resident of this county; and James Watkin, born September 19, 1860, and a resident also of Pottawattamie County.
April 19, 1890, Mr. Gittens married Miss Martha Dahl, a daughter of Nels and Mar- garet (Nelson) Dahl, natives of Denmark, in whose family were the following named children: Lonisa Maria, the wife of Gasper Clemenson, and residing in Denmark, a captain of a line of vessels; Emma Nicholina, wife of Shumaker Jacobson, in Denmark; Martha Christina was the next; James An- drew, in Council Bluffs; Bartel C. and Nel- sena, both deceased; Olinda, a milliner of California, who died in Nevada Township while on her way to visit her sister, Mrs. Gittens; Caroline, wife of C. Nelson, and residing in Chicago. Mrs. Gittens was born March 28, 1842, and was reared at home, where her mother kept a millinery store. She thus acquired a taste for trimming hats, which business she has followed to some ex- tent since coming here with her parents in 1874, when she located first at Ogden, Utalı Territory, April 6. A year afterward they sold out their nice home there and came 10 Boomer Township, locating upon a farm. By the first marriage there has been one child born, which died young. Mrs. Gittens is a woman of great ability and has helped materially to win a fortune. She has two good pieces of property in Council Bluff's, where she made her home previous to the last marriage.
Mr. Gittens is a stanch Democrat, voting, however, for the best man in local elections, and taking an active interest in publie affairs. He has occasionally been sent as a delegete to county and State conventions. He has been Justice of the Peace for Boomer Town- ship for twenty-eight successive years, and Notary Public, and has held various other township offices. He was one of the men who organized Bootner Township in 1859. Was one of the appraisers of the right of way for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
356
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
road through the county. Ile retains in his possession an interesting diary, which he kept for twenty years.
ILLIAM MCKEOWN, farmer, was born in Upper Canada, March 7, 1828, the son of William and Jane (Lucas) MeKeown, natives of Ireland but of Scotch ancestry. The senior Mckeown was a millwright by trade and went to Ireland to work, where he was eventually killed. His son, the father of the subject of this sketch, was left in the world at an early age as an orphan. In 1815 he came to America, land- ing in Quebec, Canada. He was married to Jane Lucas, danghter of Andrew and Eliza- beth (Edwards) Lueas, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1818, landing also at Quebec. Mr. Andrew Lucas was also a farmer, and in his family were thirteen chil- dren, viz .: Jane, the mother of the subject of this sketch; John, who resided in Upper Canada; James, Mary and five others are de- ceased; George resides in Upper Canada; Ann is the wife of James Edwards in Mich- igan; Andrew is in Canada; and Elizabeth is the wife of George Fnller, also in that Do- minion. Jane was born in 1800, brought up as a farmer's daughter and was married at the age of twenty years. They settled on a homestead, where they remained eight years, and where Mr. MeKeown died, in October, 1827, leaving his wife and four children, namely: Thomas, deceased; Jane, the wife of Robert Gardner, and residing in Utah; Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Brice and living in Canada; and William, the subject of this notice.
The latter, born after his father's deatlı, has never known parental care and protection, and when he was one year old his mother
married James Kilfoyle, a native of Ireland who came to America in 1824 and was a farmer. After that marriage they moved to Canada West, and in 1848 came to Pottawat- tamie County, where his wife died, April 18, 1853. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, thus: Francis, deceased; Andrew, re- siding in Utah Territory; Mary Ann (1), who died in infancy; Mary Ann (2), who married James Day and has since died; Caroline, who married George Snyder and has since died; Martha, deceased; Rachel, the wife of John Winegar and residing in Utalı; Wesley, residing in Orleans; and James, also a resident of Utah. After Mrs. Kilfoyle's death, Mr. Kilfoyle married again, in Utah, and remained in that Territory until his death in 1871 or 1872.
Mr. Mckeown, whose name heads this sketch, left home at the age of twelve years with the consent of his mother and worked as a laborer, his earnings going to her sup- port. In 1847 he came to Pottawattamie County and settled on 280 acres of wild and rough prairie land in Bloomer Township, the following May. He married Eliza Jane llall, May 9, 1848, who was the daughter of Joseph and Johanna (Chillis) Hall, natives of New York State and the parents of eleven children, viz .: Joshna, Mary, Alfred, de- ceased; Joseph, residing in Missouri; Mark, in Utalı; five died in infancy. Mrs. Eliza Mckeown was born in Indiana July 10, 1826, and came to Iowa in 1846 and the next year to this county. She was married in 1848, at the age of twenty-two years. Mr. MeKeown began to improve his land by erecting a log cabin 14 x 14, building the usual barns, fences, etc .. and breaking the land with oxen which he had himself rcared; and here he experienced many of the hardships of pio- neer life in a wild country. When he reaped his first little harvest his parents eame and
357
OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
he gave up his home and farm onee more. After a number of changes from place to place, he, in 1853, bought forty aeres of his present place, and spent a year with his wife's father in Missouri. Since then he has added to that first purchase until he now has 280 aeres on sections 31 and 32; he has sold forty aeres. He has made many valuable im- provements, in the way of barn, sheds, etc., and erected a fine frame house 16 x 36 feet, two-stories high, with cellar 16 x 36. Orna- mental trees and an orchard add value to the premises. He has a good farm, of which 240 acres are in enltivation, and the remain der in hay, pastore and timber. He has been a hard-working and industrions man, and now in his old days he has a comfortable home to enjoy.
Ile takes an active interest in Democracy ; has been the Trustee, Road Supervisor and on the Board of Edneation, and is zealously interested in the promotion of the welfare of his community.
He is a member of the Church of Latter- Day Saints, as was also his wife, and is highly respected by his fellow-citizens. Mrs. MeKeown died February 4, 1870, leaving eleven children, born and named as follows: William Alfred, born March 26, 1850, re- sides in Pottawattamie County; Thomas Al- len, born in Indiana, Jannary 9, 1852, now living in Nebraska; Joseph Hall, born in Missouri, June 7, 1854, and now residing in Pottawattamie County; Mary Elizabeth, wife of William Brotherton, was born June 12, 1856, and resides in Harrison County, Iowa; Our subjeet's father died when he was but thirteen years of age, and as he was the eldest son he was obliged to take care of his mother and the younger children, and he therefore received but a limited education. In 1863 he went to Colorado, where he was engaged in freighiting until 1865, when he returned Robert Henry, born May 2, 1858, now lives in Nebraska; a girl was next born, Noven- ber 12, 1859, died in infancy; Martha Jane, wife of Peter Aeton, was born February 20, 1861, and resides in Pottawattamie County; Johanna, born July 30, 1863, is now living in Nebraska; Eliza Ellen, born June 3, 1865, | to Missonri and remained until 1875. In
died March 16, 1880; David Albert, born February 16, 1867, resides in Utah; George Wesley, born Jannary 13, 1870, also resides in Utah.
After the death of his wife, February 11, 1873, Mr. MeKeown married Jennet Kirk- wood, the daughter of Robert and Mary (Muir) Kirkwood, whose history will be found on another page. By the last marriage there are nine children, as follows: Arthur Lee, born May 22, 1874; Agnes Belle, An- gust 27, 1875; John Robert, April 7, 1877; Grace May, August 22, 1879: Susan Janet, March 9, 1880; Violet, December 11, 1884; Margaret, November 7, 1885: Alice Annye, July 30, 1887, and Emma Melissa, March 10, 1889. All these children are still at home ; two are members of the Church of the Latter- Day Saints.
OGAN MCREYNOLDS, one of the in- telligent and successful farmers of Pot- tawattamie County, was born in Saline County, Missouri, November 28, 1842, the son of John M. McReynolds, who was a son of Joseph McReynolds, and a native of Ten- nessee. He was married in Saline County, Missouri, to Lucinda Meadows, a native of Virginia, and they were the parents of seven children, five now living. The mother is still living in Missouri, at the age of seventy-five years. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
$58
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
that year he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he bought 100 acres of wild prairie land, but which he has since im- proved until he has now a fine, large farm. On this place he has a good cottage 14 x 24 and 16 x 16 feet, which is surrounded by shade and ornamental trees and a fine grove of four aeres. Mr. MeReynolds is engaged in general farming and stoek-raising.
He was married Angust 28, 1876, to Miss Lydia Schaull, who was born near Charles- ton, Jefferson County, Virginia, and is the daughter of John B. and Rebecca (Bell) Shaull, who were also natives of Virginia. The parents came to Missouri and resided for a time in Fayette County, and then moved to Vernon County, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds have an adopted daughter named Katie. Mr. MeReynolds is a Democrat politieally, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Oakland. Onr subjeet is yet in the prime of life, is frank and honest in his manner, and is respected and esteemed by all who know him.
ILLIAM J. WHEELER, of seetion 7, Carson Township, was born in Deeatnr County, Indiana, May 3, 1837, the son of Josephus Wheeler, a native of Kentucky, and the son of Thomas Wheeler, a native of Virginia. The Wheel- ers were early settlers in Kentucky, and Jo- seplius was reared in Nicholas County. He was sixteen years of age when he came to Decatur County, Indiana, with his parents, when that place was then a wilderness. Our subject's mother was Rebecca (Loek) Wheeler, a native of Kentucky. They had twelve chil- dren, of whom five sons and three daughters
grew up to maturity. The family next moved to Howard County, Indiana, in 1866, and there resided until their death. The father died at the advanced age of seventy-four years, and the mother at seventy-one or seventy-two. The father was a farmer all his life, and in his political principles he was first a Whig and afterward a Republicau.
W. J. Wheeler was reared on an Indiana farm, and in his youth he was engaged in chopping, grubbing and elearing the land. He taught school three terms, teaching the first term in his own distriet. At the time of the great Rebellion lie left the farm, at Lincoln's call for 300,000 more men, for the army, and enlisted in the Seventh In- diana Regiment, which was among the first that went out as a reernit, August 28, 1861, and returned with the regiment to the Army of the Potomac. He was in the battles of Bull Run, Cedar Mountain and several other slight skirmishies. He was honorably dis- charged in December, 1862, and returned to Decatur County, Indiana.
He was married March 11, 1864, in Carl- isle, the county-seat of Nicholas County, Kentucky, to Miss H. T. Clayton, a native of that county, and a daughter of William M. Clayton, Sr., who was a soldier and was wounded in the war of 1812; she was a sis- ter of Hon. B. F. Clayton of Macedonia. After his marriage Mr. Wheeler resided in Decatur County until 1869, when he moved to southwestern Missouri, Jasper County, near Carthage, where he lived five years, en- gaged in farming and general work. He then returned to Indiana and resided in Howard County three years. He then re- moved to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, first settling near Macedonia, where he resided three years. Ile then purchased his present farm of seventy aeres, which was then wild land, and has sinee added to it until he now has
-
Pttfind
359
OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
140 acres, or one-fourth of section 7. Ile is engaged in general farmning and stock-raising.
Politically Mr. Wheeler is a Republican, his first vote being cast for Fremont. He is a member of Robert Provard Post of Carson. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have been identified with the Christian Church for many years.
II. WIND is the proprietor and man- ager of the sash and door factory and planing-mill at the corner of Broad and Thirteenth streets, which he erected last spring (1890). It is 48 x 60 feet in ground area and two-stories high. Previous to his erection of this mill Mr. Wind operated a similar factory at 255 Vine Street, four years, and prior to that he was engaged in contract- ing and building, etc., which he has followed in connection with the business already men- tioned for the past sixteen years in this city. He first came to Council Bluffs about 1867, first becoming employed as foreman by one of the leading contractors for about seven years. He has erected many of the principal buildings of the city. Was contractor for the Masonic Temple, the Chautauqua Taber- nacle, the Sapp building. Marcus block and many other business blocks and residences. He came here from Nebraska City, where he had been residing about a year. He has also resided at Chicago, St. Louis and other points, engaged at his trade. He is part owner of the Council Bluff's Handle Factory and vice- president of the company.
He was born December 10, 1844, in Den- mark, was educated for the teachers' profes- sion, of which his father was a member, but after his eighteenth year he preferred a mechanical trade, which he began to learn, and in the spring of 1865 he came to Ainer- ica, and since 1867 he has been a resident of 28
Council Bluffs, figuring conspicuously in the history of the city. Being a zealous Repub- lican, he has taken an active part in political affairs. In March, 1890, he was elected Alderman of the second ward. He is Mas- ter of Excelsior Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M., and is Past High Priest of the Star Chapter, No. 47, and member of Ivanhoe Command- ery, No. 17, K. T. He is also a member of Hazel Camp, Modern Woodmen. He is one of the directors of the State Savings Bank, and President of the Masonic Temple As- sociation. Owning two farmns in Hardin Township, of 120 and 160 acres, he has also been engaged in agrienltural pursuits. One of these he has himself improved from its original wild condition. He also owns con- siderable real estate in the city, -about twelve houses in different parts, eight of which are dwelling-houses on Washington avenue, and he has dealt some in real estate. His resi- dence is at 738 Washington avenue, corner of Curtice street. It is difficult to estimate the number of buildings he has erected. Ile put up thirty-seven last year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.