USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 43
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Politically he is non partisan. In society he is a member of lodge No. 146, A. O. U. W. He was married December 25, 1872, in Council Bluffs, lowa, to Miss Lucinda Smith, who was born in Jamestown, Ohio, in 1840, and they have two children, Mamnie and James B.
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OHN II. SIVERS, a prominent citizen of Belknap Township, was the first white boy born in Mills County, Iowa, July 19, 1849, his parents being John and Mary Ann (Leader) Sivers, both natives of Lin- colnshire, England. The parents arrived in Mills County, July 4, 1849, where the father operated a mill at Glenwood, the first mill in Mills County: his death occurred March 31, 1880. His widow still resides on the old home farm in Mills County, near Glenwood, at the age of sixty-seven years. They were
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the parents of twelve children, six of whom grew to maturity, and the three eldest were born in England.
John II., the fourth in the above family, remained on the farm in his native county- attending the common schools there -- until 1881, when he came to this county, settling on 120 acres of wild prairie land, on section 7, Belknap Township, which he has since improved and made his home. For his res- idence he has a good cottage, 26 x 32 feet, on a natural building site, a fine barn, cattle- sheds, feed-lots, a corn building 29 x 48 feet, with a capacity of 5,000 bushels and with a space underneath for farming implements of all kinds, etc. On the 160 acre farm, a short distance east of the home place, is a one-and a-half-story house, 16 x 28 feet, with an L 16 x 18 feet and also a story and a half in height; and on the premises are also a barn, grain cribs and all the appurtenances required for the convenient management of the place, which is now conducted by James Pratt. Mr. Sivers devotes his attention mainly to stock-raising, and in this business he is very successful.
He was married in Mills County, Novein- ber 11, 1869, to Sarah C. Meadows, who was born in Saline County, Missouri, August 22, 1852, the daughter of Isaac and Rhoda (Granger) Meadows, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Tennessee. Her parents reared twelve children, and they set- tled in Mills County in 1853, being among the first families to locate in that county. In 1883 they removed to Florida, settling near Anthony, Marion County. Isaac Meadows' death occurred December 30, 1890. Mrs. Sivers was reared and educated in Mills County. She is a woman of intelligence and a worthy companion and help to her hns- band. Mr. and Mrs. Sivers have six children, viz .: Archibald C., born October 20, 1870;
Ida May, May 19, 1872; Warren L., Decem- ber 30, 1875; Roy E., born December 7,1877; Guilla A., January 18, 1884; and John I., October 28, 1887.
Politically Mr. Sivers is a Republican, and has served in most of the township offices. Both he and his wife and three of the chil- dren are members of the Presbyterian Church at Sharon, which society is under the aus- pices of the Carson Presbyterian Church. Mr. Sivers is Superintendent of the Sunday- school, and his daughter, Ida May, is a teach - er in the same. Mr. Sivers is in the prime of life, giving his children a good education. and is highly estcemed by the community in which he resides.
RS. E. WARE, a successful farmer of Walnut Township, has prosper- ously managed her farin since the death of her husband, and has also superin- tended the education of her children, who are receiving the best of instruction. She believes, as did her husband, that the best fortune parents can bestow upon their chil- dren is a good education. Daniel Ware, her husband, was born in Devonshire, England, the son of William and Johanna (Goss) Ware. They were the parents of three chil- dren: William, Daniel and John. The father spent his life in England, but all of his sons came to America. Daniel came to this conn- try in 1851, in company with his brother John, first settling in the State of New York, where he was engaged in farm work, being then twenty-three years of age, Ile remained there six years, and in 1867 bought land in Cedar County, Iowa, where he was one of the pioneers. He was married in 1871, to Miss Emma Guier, daughter of John and Ellen (Austin) Guier, both natives of Pennsylvania,
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the former of German deseent and the latter of English. They also both died in that State. They were the parents of four children who lived to maturity : Clara, Emma, Ellen and Hannah. To Mr. and Mrs. Ware were born five children: Nellie M., Nettie E., Charles A., Franklin D. and Mary E.
After their marriage they settled on a farm in Cedar County, where they remained twelve years, and in 1882 settled on a farmi near Walnut. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ware died February 15, 1888. He came to this coun- try with nothing, but by industry and con- stant effort he has accumulated a handsome property. He was entirely a self-made man, always honorable and upright in his prin- ciples and practice, and has left to his chil- dren a good name, a noble record, and a good home. He was an affectionate husband and father, and has been sadly missed from the home circle. Since his death his widow has managed the farm and business with the same systematic success began by her husband. Their children should emulate the example and principles in their lives. They are from good ancestry, and the entire family merit the respect of the community, and the chil- dren have good reason to honor their mother in her wise and affectionate care of providing for their future welfare.
OSEPH THOMPSON, a prominent farmer of Layton Township, was born January 21, 1824, in a log house in Pike County, Ohio, the son of Wheeler Thompson, a Virginian by birth, and of English descent. The father moved to Ohio in an early day, settling in Ross County, where he was mar- ried to Frances Ilibbs, and they were the parents of eleven children: Samuel, Mary,
Sarah, Rebecca, Delia, Nancy, Francis, Joseph, William, Wheeler and John. The father remained several years in Ross County, and then removed to Pike County, where he lived until his death, at the age of forty-seven years. He was struck by lightning, and died the next day. He was driving along the road with a flour wagon, when a bolt of lightning from an almost cloudless sky struck him senseless! He was a soldier in one of Indian wars, and was an industrious and honest man, and was much respected by his townsmen. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for six years in succession, and also held other township offices.
His son, Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of his native State. His father died when he was thirteen years old, and he was obliged to work hard on the farm and assist in the sup- port of the family. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when he moved to Iowa, settling on a farm in Lon- isa County, where he remained seven years. He went to Holt County Missouri, in 1857, where he purchased a farm and remained seventeen years. During the war Mr. Thompson was a stanch Union man, and re- mained true to the old flag. He was enrolled in the State militia, and was called out many times, but saw no fighting. In 1873, wish- ing to educate his children, he moved to Louisa County, Iowa, and bought a farm, re- maining until 1882, when he came to Potta- wattamie County, and bought the farm where he now lives. Mr. Thompson has enjoyed the respect of the people where he has lived, and in Ohio held several township offices, and in Holt County, Missouri, was Township Register during the close of the war.
In 1846 he was married to Miss Nancy Thorp, daughter of John and Mary (Givens) Thorp, the former a native of Virginia, and
David Harries
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
the latter of Irish descent. The father was a farmer all his life, and died at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had thirteen children, nine of whom lived to maturity: John, David, Thomas, James, Eliza, Elmira, Martha, Diana and Dorothy A. John T. married Delila E. Gar- rett, and they have five children: Effie, Olive, Alice, Jeremiah and John T .; he is a farmer of South Dakota. David R., a farmer in Cherokee County, married Hattie Hawkins, and they have two children: Stephen J. and Clarence. Almira married Daniel H. Hor- ton, a farmer of Kansas; Thomas, a farmer of Kansas, married Maggie Battie, and they have two children: Earl E. and Zelle; Martha married Charles Morgeson, a carpenter in Maens ; Eliza, Dorothy and James are at home.
AVID IIAINES, one of the well-known and estimable citizens of Pottawattamie County, dates his residence in Council Bluffs from 1850. Mr. Haines is a native of Frome, Somersetshire, England, where he was born in 1819. ITis father, John Haines, was desirous that his son should enter the uni- versity and had him educated with that object in view, but the son did not fully agree with the father as to his life-work, and so strongly opposed his father's views that he was finally apprenticed to the trade of tailor, and by serving his time of apprenticeship obtained a thorough knowledge of his trade. The sub- ject of this sketch was married in England, to Miss Ann Harwood. Her father was a foreman for Sir William Beckford, of Fonta- nelle Abbey, whose father was at one time Lord Mayor of England, and grandfather to the present Duke of Hamilton. Sir William Beckford was the builder of that noted place
in Wiltshire, England, called Fontanelle Abbey, the most splendid private residence the world ever saw. The building alone cost $5,000,000; the flower garden alone contained 575 acres ; the front door was thirty-three feet high and worked on wrought iron hinges, weighing 2,200 pounds, and the art gallery contained a perspective of 312 feet.
Mr. Haines was married before the age of eighteen years. In 1846 he emigrated to America with his family, and for four years worked at his trade in the city of New York. In 1850 he came to Council Bluffs, purchased a lot and erected a house and opened a clothing store. Angust 7, 1852, he was de- prived of his wife by death, she having fallen a vietim to cholera, which terrible disease swept over the country in that year. She left her husband and two sons. The eldest entered the army in the war of the Rebellion as a member of the Iowa Infantry, com- manded by General Dodge. Later he was transferred to the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and was killed in Missouri after having served about two years. Mr. Haines' youngest son was born in Council Bluffs in 1851, and is now a successful farmer at Boomer Town- ship, Pottawattamie County.
Mr. Haines followed merchant-tailoring until 1859, when he went to Denver, Col- orado, where he remained one year engaged in mining. In company with Messrs. Blake & Williams, he laid out what was then the principal part of the city of Denver, com- prising the south part of that city at the present time. When Mr. Haines came to Pottawattamie County he entered a large amount of land. He suffered with others in the panie of 1857, but has always dealt largely in real-estate, and still owns much landed property, including a fine farm in Boomer Township. Mr. Haines has for many years attended to the real-estate busi-
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ness of Mrs. Mynster, and his excellent busi- ness ability and careful management has been of great value to that estimable lady in the conduet of her business. Mr. Haines is a finely educated, worthy and intelligent gentle- man and highly respected by all who have the pleasure of his aequaintauce.
W. MILLER, of seetion 24, Washing- ton Township, eame to this eounty in the fall of 1885 and bought his pres- ent farm of Dr. J. J. Thompson, who had improved the land. Mr. Miller came from Rock Island County, Illinois, where he had lived many years. He was born in Alle- gheny County, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1842, a son of Joseph B., who was born in the same county, near Freeport, and was a son of John Miller, a native of Ireland, and an Orangeman. Ile was one of the two earliest settlers in that part of Allegheny County. The mother of our subjeet was Jane (MeCall) Miller, who was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John MeCall. Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Miller removed to Rock Island County, Illinois, where they resided until their death, the mother dying at the age of seventy-four years, and the father at the age of seventy-six years. Ile was a farmer most of his life, and also served as Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff of his county for seventeen years. Politieally he was a Whig, and was one of the twelve men who first voted the Republican ticket in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In religion he was a United Presbyterian. Mr. and Mrs. Miller reared eight children, seven sons and one daughter; three of the sons served in the late war. Joseph W. Miller was reared in Allegheny County until nine years of age, when his parents removed to Rock Island
County, Illinois. During the great Rebellion he enlisted in the army, February 12, 1864, in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, Company G, joining his regiment at Duvall's Bluff's, Arkansae. He served until the elose of the war and was honorably discharged at Pine Bluff, Arkan- sas, July 12, 1865. He returned to Roek Island County, Illinois, where he was en- gaged in farm work until 1885, with the exception of one spent in Madison County, Nebraska. He took up a homestead there in 1873, but the grasshoppers being so de- structive, and his situation being forty miles from the railroad, caused him to return to Illinois. Since 1885 he has been a resident of Washington Township. He owns 160 aeres of improved land.
Mr. Miller was married in Rock Island County, Illinois, September 2, 1867, to Miss Martha Pearsall, who was born in that county, a daughter of William C. and Jane (Elling- ham) Pearsall, the former a native of Steuben County, New York, and the latter of Eng- land, who came to America when a child. Mrs. Miller's parents now reside in Rock Island County, Illinois, near Port Byron. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six children, viz .: Joseph W., Jane Elizabeth, Martha Isabella, William C., Emma Lucy, Luella. Politically Mr. Miller is a Republican, and is a member of the G. A. R., Robert Provard Post, No. 414, of Carson, Iowa. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Sharon Presbyterian Church.
ALOHILL E. STONE, a retired attorney. The subject of this sketeh has been prominent in the building of Couneil Bluffs since 1853, and is probably the oldest living resident of Iowa. He is a native of Botetourt County, Virginia, born January
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
21, 1814. He is the fourth son and seventh child of twelve children of Moses H. and Nancy (Whitten) Stone, who were natives of Bedford County, Virginia. The father was a son of Macajah Stone, a native of Bedford County, Virginia, and of English descent. The mother was a daughter of William Whit- ten, also a native of Bedford County, Vir- ginia, and of Welsh ancestry.
When our subject was four years of age his parents moved to Kentucky, and settled in Adair County, where he was reared until he was sixteen, when he removed to Sanga- mon County, Illinois, where his parents died, the father dying June 16, 1831, and his mother August 10, 1831. Mr. Stone fol- lowed farming in Illinois until June 1, 1836, when he came to Fort Madison, Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile business for a short time, after which he studied law in Lce County, and was admitted to the bar in 1844. In the spring of 1837 he was drawn on the first grand jury in the Territory, but under the law of Michigan (to which Iowa then be- longed) laws requiring grand jurors to be freeholders; and as there was not one in the Territory, the jury was discharged as il- legal. In 1844 he began the practice of his profession in Keokuk, which he followed until 1853, when he came to Council Bluffs and followed his profession successfully until 1870, when his eyesight failed him and he was obliged to abandon his profession. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which he held three terms; follow- ing this he was twice elected to the office of Assessor of the city. In 1855 he was elected the first Mayor of Council Bluffs, and under his administration the city was organized. He served in this capacity for two years.
He was married December 6, 1848, at Keokuk, to Miss Ann McFadden, a native
of Terre Haute, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Eliza (Lee) McFadden. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Terre Haute. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of four children, two of whom survive. Frank died at the age of one year; Fred W. died in 1880, at the age of twenty-nine; Kate, born in Council Bluffs, is the wife of A. F. Meggs, of Portland, Oregon, and Charles E. Mrs. Stone is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Po- litically Mr. Stone is a Democrat.
M. SARR, one of the well-known, enterprising and successful citizens of O Garner Township, was born in Sulli- van County, New York, August 11, 1824. His father, a native of Germany, married Mary Hall, who was born in Sullivan County, the daughter of John HIall, a native of Con- necticnt. Mr. Sarr was reared upon a farmn. September 25, 1852, at Wawarsing, Ulster Connty, New York, he married Miss Lorinda Childs, a lady of intelligence and education, who had been a successful and popular teacher in the public schools. She was born in Sulli- van County, New York, a daughter of Oba- diah Childs, who was a native of Connecteint, and Charity, nee Thompson, also a native of Sullivan County. In 1856 Mr. Sarr removed to Illinois, but in a few months came on to Polk County, Iowa, where was then the western terminus of the railroad. The coun- try then was in its original wild state. Here Mr. Sarr began farming, and continued until 1869, when he came to Pottawattamie County, first settling in Hardin Township. There he lived until 1876, when he located upon his present place in Garner Township, then wild prairie. llere he has made improvements until he has made a complete farin and a
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
comfortable home. At that place lie has 160 acres, but altogether he owns 440 acres, all under cultivation and very valuable.
In his political views Mr. Sarr is a Repub- lican. He has served two terms as Township Trustee of Hardin Township, several terms as Justice of the Peace, etc., with eredit. In 1888 he was a delegate to the Republican State convention at Des Moines. He is a liberal supporter of education and religion, is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and Mrs. Sarr is a member of the Baptist Church.
They have two danghters: Viola, born in Sullivan County, New York, and now the wife of J. B. Mathews, of Washington Town- ship, this county; and Ellen, born in Polk County, Iowa, and now the wife of Fred S. Childs, of Garner Township. They lost two by death, namely: Mary Alice, the first of the children, born July 19, 1854, and died September 21, 1855; and John, the youngest child and only son, born March 28, 1866, and died December 7, 1866.
RA F. HENDRICKS, the county anditor, has been identified with the interests of Pottawattamie County since June, 1872. He is a native of Virginia, born in Russell County, November 5, 1860, a son of Aaron L. and Martha (Fuller) Hendricks, natives of Virginia and of early Virginia families. When our subject was twelve years old he came with his parents to Council Bluffs. where he received his education in the public schools. After leaving school he engaged in the elothing business, which he followed for ten years, after which he engaged in the real- estate business for one year. In 1887 he was elected to the office of County Anditor, and re-elected in 1889. He was married January 11, 1887, to Miss Ella Smith, a daughter of
Jaines and Mary A. Smith. She was a na- tive of New Jersey, and came to this county about 1880. Mrs. Hendricks has recently received an appointment as alternate World's Fair Commissioner for Iowa. Mr. Hendricks is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Fidelity Council, No. 156. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
SAAC E. DONER, of section 36, Hardin Township, is one of the enterprising, suc- cessful and well-known citizens of the township, who came to Pottawattamie County in 1875. He is a native of De Kalb County, Indiana, born July 20, 1854, the son of Henry Doner, a native of Pennsylvania, who was the son of Jacob Doner, also a native of Pennsylvania, but of German ancestry. Our subject's mother, nee Amanda Johnson, was born in Wayne County, Ohio; her parents were natives of Virginia. Isaac, the fifth in a family of nine children, was a lad of ten years when the family moved to Defiance County, Ohio, where they lived for three years. In 1867 they came to Jasper County, Iowa, and were early settlers in that portion of the State. Here Isaac grew to manhood and resided until 1874, when he removed to Mills County, Iowa, where he remained one year. In 1875 he purchased his present tarm of eighty acres, of then wild land, only eighteen acres being broken. He has since improved it, and it is now one of the best improved farms in the township; fifty acres are cultivated, and the remainder is in pas- ture and meadow.
Mr. Doner was married March 18. 1880, in Mills County, Iowa, to Miss Margaret Jane Kerney, a woman of intelligence, and a very successful teacher before her marriage. She is the daughter of Jacob B. Kerney, son
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
of William Kerney, also a native of Penn- sylvania, of Irish ancestry, and a relative of General Kerney of military fame. His mother's maiden name was Mary Bishop, of German parentage. Mrs. Doner's mother, nee Elizabeth Black, was a native of England, and the daughter of William and Cecelia (Lilly) Black, the former a native of Scotland, and the latter of Whitingham, Northumber- land County, England. Mrs. Doner was born January 13, 1850, at Mayville, De Kalb County, Missouri, and was six years of age when parents came to Mills County, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. Her mother died October 21, 1883, in this county, and the father resides in Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Doner have two children: Floyd Dwight, born January 13, 1882, and Harry Irving, born October 15, 1884. Politically Mr. Doner is a Republican, and has held the office of Constable for two years, serving with eredit to himself and the community, and has also served as Superintendent of the Sabbath-school for six years. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Doner is a steward of the church.
BOSEN, proprietor of the sash and door factory and planing-mill at the corner of North Main and Mynster streets, makes stair-work a specialty, but does all kinds of wood-work usually exeented at sueh establishments. The mill was erected in 1889 and opened in January following. Mr. Bosen commeneed taking contracts and building in 1881, and since then has had ex- tensive business. Ile built the Eisenman and Sehubert blocks, the Pierce Street school- house, the Third Street school-house and
framed a number of prominent buildings. He first came to Council Bluffs December 25, 1869, and has made his home here since that time except three years spent in Chicago and Nebraska.
He was born in Denmark, September, 1848, the son of Rasmus Christenson Bosen, and brought up to farm life, but spent three and a half years at the earpenter's trade in his native country and three years in Council Bluffs. After coming to this country he spent the first summer in Wisconsin, and in the fall came to Council Bluffs. In his polit ieal views he is a Republican, and takes an aetive part in political affairs. He is a meni- ber of Bluff City Lodge, No. 71, F. & A. M.
He was married in 1877, to Josephine H. Michelson, who was born in Council Bluffs September 3, 1859. They are both members of the Scandinavian Baptist Church, and re- side at 622 Mynster street. Their two ehil- dren are George C. and Roy E.
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T. WATERMAN, carriage manufaet- urer at 43 to 47 North Main street, established himself there in 1884, erecting a building 32 x 80 feet and three stories high. He manufactures all kinds of carriages, wagons, etc., and does repairing, employing a foree of ten men.
He was born in 1853, in Branch County, Michigan, the son of N. T. and C. A. (Knapp) Waterman, the father now deceased and the mother a resident of Grand Rapids, that State. They were natives respectively of Rhode Island and New York. Mr. Water- man, our subject, began to work in the smith- ing department of the carriage-maker's trade, at the age of sixteen years, at Coldwater, Michigan. He moved thence to Grand
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Rapids, thenee to Illinois, afterward to Mil- waukee, and in 1879 to Council Bluff's, where he has since made his home with the exception of one year in Omaha. He worked as a journeyman for about ten years, and he began for himself without capital, but now he has a factory valued at $10,000, carries $5,000 to $6,000 worth of stock, and his sales annually amount to abont $20,000.
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