Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 61

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 61

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).

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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.

dren, six of whom came to America, and four still survive, namely: H. II., our subject; William HI., a resident of Mills County; J. HI., a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mar- garet C., wife of Charles Wymiller, also of Omaha. Henry II. was reared on a farm in his native country until he was seventeen years of age, atter which he engaged as a seaman on a sailing vessel in the employ of German merchant ships for seven years, and three years in American ships on the coast of China. After this he went to California, where he engaged in mining for a period of three years. He then returned to his home in Germany, spending about one year, and in 1853 returned to America. He came to Iowa and spent one year in Davenport and St. Mary's, and in 1854 came to Pottawat- tamnie County, locating on his present home- stead, which he purchased of a Mormon. His farm consists of 240 acres, on sections 34 and 35, Lewis Township. Here he com- menced life in the then new country, where Indians were frequently seen and the wild game plentiful.

Mr. Spetman was married October 15, 1854, to Catherine HI. Beck, daughter of A. H. and E. H. (Kickbush) Beck, natives of Germany. She was born June 27, 1830, in Holstein, and in 1854 emigrated to America with her parents, and the same year was married to Mr. Spetman. About six months afterward they came to Pottawattamie County, where they commenced housekeeping in a small log house erected by the Mormons for a church, but with the expectation of some- thing better in the future. They gradually ascended the ladder of wealth until they have reached the topmost ronnd, with 960 acres of fine farm land, and the following property in Council Bluffs: four dwelling-houses and lots, three brick store buildings and lots and two vacant lots, all located in the business

portion of the city. Their anticipated home has been realized in a nice frame residence, unpretentious but roomy, with a number of buildings for stock and grain. Mr. Spetman is a public-spirited man, and has enjoyed seeing his county come to the front in every respect, and has assisted the Democratic party to the extent of his ability and vote. Ile has represented his township as Trustee for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Spetman's life is brightened and made happy by cight children: Fred W., a resident of Council Bluffs; William C., also of this city; Mary, the wife of D. IIolz; Henry and Lizzie, of Council Bluffs; Wilhelmina, wife of Frank Fox; Carl L., at home, and John, deceased. The family are worthy and consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and are highly respected citizens.

ILLIAM O. YOUNG has been a resident of Pottawattamie County since 1876. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, near Tiffin city, September 16, 1848. His father, Alfred Young, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, Sarah (Montieth) Young, was born in Ohio, of Scotch ancestry. William O. was but a small boy when his parents came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Iowa County, near Marengo. The parents still reside in Iowa County, on a farm where they have lived since 1861. They are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and in his political views the father is a Republican.

William O. was reared at farm work and Was educated in the public schools of Iowa. In 1876, as already stated, he came to Potta- wattamie County, and in 1878 he bought his present farm, eighty acres of which had been broken. On this place he has made many

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improvements, and now has one among the best farms in the neighborhood. He has a large frame residence, which was erected at a cost of $1,400. It is well situated and is surrounded by shrubs and shade and orna- mental trees. Near by is a fine orchard of about three acres. Mr. Young's barn is 34 x 36 feet, with 16-foot posts. He has yards feed lots, a wind-mill, and other farm conveniences. Ile devotes his time to gen- eral farming and stock-raising, and every- thing about the premises shows the pros- perity which has attended his labors.

Mr. Young was married at the age of twenty-six years, in Iowa County, to Miss Alice Tibble:, a native of New York State. She was reared there and in Wisconsin. The three children born to them are Bertie, Orley and Elsie. Politically Mr. Young is a Re- publican.

ENJAMIN F. BIXBY descends from an old American family who have been famous as soldiers and pioneers from old colonial times. Deacon Solomon Bixby, grandfather of our subject, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was the father of eight children, viz .: Amasa, Rufus, Amos, Sumner, Jotham, Jonathan, Simon, Deborah and Nancy. The father emigrated to the State of Maine, and settled at Norridge- wock, on the Kennebec River, during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He lived to the age of sixty-six years, and was a prominent member of the Congregational Church, in which he was a deacon for many years. Ile was one of the founders of the church in Norridgewock, and was a prosper- ous farmer, owning one of the finest farms in the State. Rufus Bixby, a son of the above and the father of our subject, was born

on the old homestead at Norridgewock in 1796, and received a common-school educa- tion. He was married to Betty Weston, daughter of Deacon Benjamin Weston, who was born at Skowhegan, Maine, and was a son of a Revolutionary soldier. He was one of Arnold's brave soldiers who invaded the then impenetrable and unexplored forests of Northern Maine in the late fall and early winter. Mr. Weston received his death from exposure. He reached home and died two weeks after his return. Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Bixby were the parents of fourteen children, three of whom died young: Solomon, Will- iam, Benjamin F., Augustus, Mary, Caroline, Elizabeth, Eunice and Sarah. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a deacon in the Congregational Church. He lived to the age of eighty-five years.

Benjamin F. Bixby, the subject of this sketch, was born on his grandfather's farm at Norridgewock, Maine, June 17, 1828, and received a good academical edneation at the old academies of Bloomfield, Anson and Thompson. He began life as a school-teacher at Madison, Maine, and on the Penobscot Bay. In March, 1852, he sailed from Boston around Cape Horn to California. While his vessel was stopping at Chili for a supply of water during an insurrection there, they found Captain Brown, of the bark Florida, held a prisoner by the Chilian authorities, accused of aiding the insurgents; and at night the captain of Mr. Bixby's vessel res- ened Brown and immediately put to sea, ex- pecting to be followed by a man-of war. The former carried two large guns, besides small arms and cutlasses, and was ready for defense. The next day, however, Captain Brown was placed aboard his own vessel, and went on his way rejoicing.

On arrival in California Mr. Bixby mined for gold at Volcano, Placerville and Cedar-

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ville. He followed this business quite sue- cessfully four years, and then went into the dairy business in Jackson, California, which he contined two years. Hle then returned to Maine to visit his relatives, and in 1858 came to Winterset, Iowa. He obeyed the call of his country, and enlisted in Company E, Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served at Helena, Arkansas. He was taken sick with malarial fever, and came near death. He was in the hospital at Helena, in the old residence of General Hindman, a noted Confederate General. After serving out his time, Mr. Bixby returned home to Winterset, and was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, September 28, 1864. IIe was shattered by the malaria and for two years was disabled. He then went into the employ of the Rock Island Railroad in the depot at De Soto, Iowa, for five years. In 1874 ho came to Walnut in the employ of the same railroad company, as station agent, in which capacity he served fourteen years; he was also agent for the United States Com- pany. Mr. Bixby's long service with the Rock Island Company is the best indication of his character and of his faithful and honest services. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster under Harrison, and is now filling that office to the satisfaction of the Govern- ment and the people of Walnut. He is well fitted for this position by his long business training, his pleasant and courteous disposi- tion, and his accommodating way of dealing with the people. He is a member of John A. Dix Post, G. A. R., No. 408, Walnut, of which he has been Adjutant many years. In · his political principles he is a Republican.

Mr. Bixby was married in Winterset, Iowa, in September, 1859, to Miss Mary A. Ilornback, danghter of Abraham and Eliza- beth (McConnell) Hornback. The father was a native of Ohio, and of German descent, and

was a resident of La Fayette, Indiana, for many years. He settled in Madison County, Iowa, in 1852, and died in 1884, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was the father of six children: James, George, John, Eliza- beth, Nancy and Mary A. To Mr. and Mrs. Bixby have been born five children: Franklin (deceased at five years of age), William, Loyd, Maud and Bessie. William W. Bixby, the next eldest brother of our subject, made the first survey ever made to the Pacific Coast, about 1854-'55, which was made for a rail- road from St. Paul to Puget Sound. Lyman, the youngerbrother, was a soldier in a Maine regiment, and was captured at the battle of Cold Harbor. He was a Lieutenant, and was in charge of the company when captured. HIe was six months in Andersonville and Libby prisous, and escaped from the former, and after nine days in the swamp was re- captured by means of blood-hounds. He was finally exchanged. He saw service be- fore Richmond, being for two weeks under fire at one time.

M ARTHA MARTIN is one of the self-reliant women of Valley Town- ship, who, after the death of her hns- band, Robert Martin, has successfully carried on the farm and reared her family. Robert Martin was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and was the son of James Martin, who was born at that place, and was a farmer by oceu- pation. Ile married Susan Taylor, and they were the parents of four children: Daniel, James, Robert and Jane. The father lived to the age of eighty-seven years, dying in his native place. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. His son Daniel married and was the father of five children, and also died in County An-

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trim. The remainder of the children came to America.

Robert Martin, a son of the above, and the husband of our subject, was born about 1832, on his father's farm, who had been born, reared and died there. At the age of seven- teen, wishing to better his fortune, he came to America, landing at Philadelphia. He learned the trade of ingrain-carpet weaver, at which he worked until about 1860. In 1856 he went to Illinois, and June 3 was married to Martha MeBride, of Fulton, Illi- nois, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth MeBride. The ' father, a Scotch-Irishinan, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and after marriage moved to County Derry, about three miles from where James Martin lived. In 1842 he came to America, settling at Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade of weaver, which he had learned in Scot- land. He died in Philadelphia about three years after his arrival. Mr. and Mrs. Me- Bride were the parents of five children: Isabel, Mary J., William, Ellen and Martha. The mother also died in Philadelphia, pre- vious to her husband's death, and they were both members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the father was an Elder and a de- vout Christian.

Martha was a little girl of about six years when her parents died, and she was brought up in Philadelphia by a married sister, Mary J. Thompson, wife of Daniel Thompson, who moved to Fulton County, Illinois, where she lived three years, until her marriage to Rob- ert Martin. They then returned to Phila- delphia, remaining until 1862, when they settled on a farm in Ontario, Canada, re- maining until 1871, and in that year they came to their present home. When they set- tled here it was wild land, and they first lived in tents, but by industry and economy this faithful pioneer couple converted their

farm into fine, fertile land, and to which they have added until Mrs. Martin now owns 160 acres in her own right, and her sons have 240 acres more, making in all 400 acres of splendid farm land. January 16, 1880, Mr. Martin died, since which time his widow has carried on the farm and brought up her family. She possesses good business ability and is an excellent manager. She is the mother of seven children, viz .: Mary J., de- ceased in infancy; Ella J., also deceased in infancy; William J., of Hancock, was mar- ried to Margaret J. Dool, and they have one child; Robert J. was married to Louisa E. Bair; Daniel T. married Mina Britton; An- nie E. married Albert Peterson, this county, and Emma M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the former assisted in organizing the Knox Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder until his death. In his political views he was a Republican, and he had an honest ambition to have his family in com- fortable circumstances, and to grow np good, moral and industrious men and women. with Christian principles. He was a kind father and loving husband, and his descendants may well revere his memory. Mrs. Martin has, in a measure, since his death filled his place, and has instilled in her children the same principles of truth and honesty.

TIS HARDENBERGII, one of the prominent farmers of Lincoln Town- ship, is from an old American family of Dutch descent. The remote ancestors of the family came with the Pilgrims to Plym- outh Rock, in 1620. There were three brotli- ers of that namne who landed at that time. The IIardenberghs were soldiers in the war of the Revolution, and were early pionee

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settlers of Ulster County, New York State. Nicholas Hardenbergh, the father of our sub jeet, was born on a farm in Ulster County, and was a man of education, and was a sur- veyor by oceupation; he did a great deal of business for the people, such as writing deeds, ete. Ife was married in that eounty, to Margaret Cronk, of Seoteh ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Hardenbergli were born twelve children: Cornelia A., Mary J., Thomas H., Susan, Abraham, John B., Garrett C., Ger- trude, Otis, Rachel, Nicholas, Eliza, all of whom grew to maturity, and of whom five are now living: Thomas, Garret C., Otis, Mary J. and Eliza. The father lived on a farm in Ulster County, New York, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a man of honorable eharaeter, respected by all who knew him, and a man of great intelligence and quiet disposition. He was an excellent, sensible and well informed gentleman.

Otis Hardenbergh was born October 3, 1828, and learned farming and carpentering in early life. Ile followed the former oecn- pation in Ulster County, until twenty-eight years of age, when he came to Iowa and set- tled in Lewis, Cass County, as a carpenter, where he remained six years. In 1866 he went to Colorado, settling in Arapahoe County, seven miles from Denver, where he worked on a ranch and also at his trade for fffteen years. In 1881 he returned to Iowa and settled in Lincoln Township, Pottawat- tamie County. Mr. Hardenbergh has the respect of the people, and has served as Town- ship Trustee, and was also Township Clerk in Cass County. In religions principles he is a Reformned Episcopal, but both he and his wife attend the Congregational Church at Lewis. In politics he is a staneh Jacksonian Democrat, and socially is a Master Mason, being a member of the lodge No. 117, at Lewis, Iowa. He has accumulated his prop

erty by his own unaided efforts, and stands high as an honorable and industrious man. He is a practical farmer, and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to his town- ship and county. He is a man of good judg- ment, a clear thinker, and expresses his thoughts in a vigorous manner. Ile has al- ways lived a life of probity, has been self- sacrificing, and endeavored in all ways to lead a correct and moral life.

Mr. Hardenbergh was married in January, 1860, to Margaret Hopley, daughter of Thomas and Franeis (Arrowsmith) Hopley. The father came to Iowa from England in 1856, and became a prominent farmer in Lewis, Cass County. He lived to the age of sixty-eight years, and was the father of eleven children, ten of whom lived and came to America: John, William, Thomas, James, Peter, Joseph, Margaret, Hannah, Anna and Fannie. The father was shipwrecked and lost nearly all his property, and part of his family were sent back to England, but finally came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Ilarden- bergh were the parents of three children: George II., Sophia (who died in infancy) and Jessie. George was born October 25, 1860, and Jessie was born August 11, 1864, and was married to Henry Conn, of Beatrice, Ne- braska, and they have two children: Otis and Harrold. Mr. Conn is connected with the Union Pacific Railroad. In February, 1882, Mrs. Hardenbergh died, and in 1889 Mr. Hardenbergh married Eliza Wilson, daughter of Knight and Margaret ( Rathborn) Wilson. The father was born in Churnley, Cheshire County, England, and was a prominent farmer, within five miles of the old city of Chester, famous for its splendid cathedral. He died at the age of fifty five years, from the effects of an accident. His father, Sam- uel Wilson, was a Scotehman by birth, who settled in England in 1800. Mr. Wilson's

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wife was of an old English family, who lived on the home farm eight miles from Chester, for 200 years. Hle lived to the age of sixty- fonr years, and died in England. By his last marriage Mr. Hardenbergh has one daughter-May W.

Thomas II., the eldest brother of our sub- ject, served through the Seminole or Florida war, and was shot through the hand; he now receives a pension.

- LBERT E. FULLER is one of the well- known citizens of Center Township, Pottawattamie County. He was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, April 7, 1860, the son of Ezra Fuller, deceased.

Ezra Fuller came to Iowa in April, 1861, soon after the firing on Fort Sumter. He was born near Bloomfield, New York, in 1803, the son of Jerrod and Cynthia (Wait) Fuller. During the war of 1812 his father was employed in hanling provisions from Blooomfield to Buffalo, New York. When a youth Ezra removed with his parents from his native State to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He married Rachel Hliekby, a native of New York. By her he had six children, as follows: Corydon, who resides in Florida; Jerrod, who was a soldier of the Fifth Iowa Infantry, and who died in Missouri of a fever contraeted in the war; Moses, a resident of Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Calestea died in Pottawatta- mie County, in 1865; James, who was in the same regiment with his brother Jerrod, also died of disease contracted in the war, his death occurring in Syraense, Missouri, and Sophronia, a resident of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1842 Mr. Fuller wedded Arloa Turner. She was born in Washington County. New York, in 1825, the daughter of

James M. and Charity (Mora) Turner, both natives of New York State. Mrs. Turner died two years and a half after the birth of Arloa. Mr. Turner died at the home of his danghter, Mrs. Fuller, in Center Township. By his second marriage Mr. Fuller had five children, viz .: Marion, who lives in Ohio; Sarah Wynans, who resides near Avoca, this county ; Vienna, wife of John Rollins, Center Township; Hannah, wife of Alexander Hair, also of Center Township; and Albert E., whose name heads this sketeli. Mr. Fuller made his home in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, until 1861, when he came to Iowa and settled in Cedar County. In 1864 he located in Center Township, Pottawattamie County, on the farm where Albert E. now resides. It was then wild prairie land, and Mr. Fuller broke the soil the first season he was there. The Indians were so troublesome on the western frontier at that time that the Fuller family returned to Cedar County to spend the winter, returning the next spring to the same farm. Mr. Fuller had traded Ohio land for 800 aeres in this vieinity, which he divided among his children. He was a man well posted on politieal matters, and cast his vote with the Republican party. He was upright and honorable in all his business dealings; was retiring in his disposition, and had a great love for home. The golden rule was the one he followed all through life.

Albert E. Fuller is the youngest of the family, and was but four years of age when his parents came to this county. He was reared on the home farm, and received his education in the public schools. Arriving at the age of manhood, he was married, July 6, 1880, to Miss Martha Swain, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Ira and Fanny Swain, of Grinnell, Iowa. Two children have been born to them: Franees and Ida. Politically Mr. Fuller is a Republican. Like his worthy

Oscar F Lodge

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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.

father, he is fair and honest in all his busi- ness transactions, and is highly respected by his fellow-citizens.

E. AVERY, Street and Sidewalk Com- missioner of Council Bluffs, was elected to his present position in 1887. Previous to that time, during the years 1882-'83, he officiated in the same capacity, and in 1883-'84 he was Sidewalk Commissioner.

Mr. Avery was born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in Jannary, 1843, son of George L. and Mary L. (Harding) Avery. His father and mother were descendants of English ancestry and were natives of Con- nectient and Massachusetts respectively. Mr. Avery was reared on a farm in his native county and was educated in the public and commercial schools. At the age of twenty- one he began to do for himself, and in 1867 he came to Council Bluffs. In the fall of the sut ne year he went to Monona County, Iowa, where remained nntil 1869. Since his return to Council Bluffs he has principally been engaged in corporation work. He is a Democrat, and is one of the energetic men of this city.

SCAR F. LODGE, of Walnut, is the pioneer merchant of that thriving town, and a man who has been identified with the business interests there since its fonnda- tion. He was born December 31, 1827, in Greenville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His father, Samuel Lodge, a tanner but afterward a farmer, was of English deseent. Ilis grandfather, Benjamin Lodge, was a lieutenant in the war of the Revolution. 39

He also was born in Pennsylvania, and was a farmer in Westmoreland County. Samuel Lodge was an industrious and economical man and in comfortable circumstances. For many years he was an elder in the Presby- terian Church. At the age of about fifty he moved to Henry County, Illinois, where he bought a farm, and where he died at the age of about sixty years. He was a man of ex- cellent character and had descended from a long line of American pioneers and soldiers. Mr. Lodge married in Pennsylvania, Miss Jane McCord, daughter of George and Eliza- beth (Mossman) McCord. Both families were old settlers and pioneers in Pennsyl- vania, and of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Lodge were the parents of eleven children: Benjamin, Oscar F., Elizabeth, George, Mar- garet, Martha (died in infancy), Albert, Leander, Mary A., Samuel H. and one who died an infant.

Oscar F. Lodge, the subject of this sketch, learned when young the business of farming, and the greater part of his life has been de- voted to that most primeval calling. At the early age of twenty-three he came to the State of Iowa, and near Davenport carried on a farm, on which he lived nine years, in company with his brother, Benjamin, who was a man of family. In 1871 he came to Walnut, which at that time contained no store and but three or four houses, and here he established a mercantile business, in com- pany with his brother, Leander, the stock consisting of general merchandise. This business continued until 1880, and was suc- cessful, and in 1883 Mr. Lodge went into the hardware business with Alfred E. Kincaid, under the firm name of Lodge & Kincaid. This has also been a prosperons business. Mr. Lodge has naturally taken an active in- terest in assisting to build up the town. Ile has been School Director and Township

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Trustee. He has seen the town's steady growth from a small hamlet to its present prosperity.

In political opinion he is a stanch Re- publican. When the great civil war broke out he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served fifteen months, receiving an honorable discharge. He was in the great battle of Shiloh, but escaped without wounds.

In 1880 he married Jennie Elliot, daugh- ter of Benjamin Elliot, of MeDonough County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Lodge have had six children, namely: Arthur E., Walter B., Oscar L. and Harry G. (twins), Nellie H. and Edna. Mr. Lodge is a man of quiet tastes and a citizen well known and highly respected by all the people who know him. He is a self-made man, having by his own industry and economy accumulated his prop- erty. The family is American on both sides, coming from good stoek.

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Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 61

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