USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 67
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school-house of the period, which was fitted up with slab seats. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson removed to Appanoose County, Iowa, in 1851, where they lived until death. The father was born in 1797, and died in 1877. He was formerly a Democrat but later in life east his vote and influence with the Re- publiean party. Bothi he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. She died at the age of eighty-four years.
When their son, Charles S., was twenty- one years old he left his native State, eame to Iowa, and settled in Appanoose County, where he was engaged in farming for three years. In 1853 he came to Pottawattamie County, as already stated at the beginning of this article, and first settled in Conneil Bluffs. There he teamed and farmed for a time, after which, in 1855, he moved to Wheel's Grove, where he spent one season. In 1856 he located on his present farm, being one of the first settlers in the neighborhood. There were a few families about Big Grove; but north, east and south of him stretched the wild prairie. It was ten miles to the first house east on Walnut Creek. The situation was enough to discourage a man not possessed with pluek and courage, but Mr. Robinson had in his make-up both of these elements combined with energy and perseverance; and the inconveniences of the new country only served as a stimulus to help develop the wild land that lie before him, and built for him- self and family a home. His first winter was passed in a shanty covered with sod, but be- fore the frosts of another winter eame they were anugly living in a new log house, where he and his good wife dispensed hospitality with a liberal hand to all those who sought shelter in their humble home. Stranger and friend were entertained in true pioneer style. On this farm of 248 aeres Mr. Robinson has lived for thirty-four years. The log house,
however. has given place to a substantial and modern frame one, which is surrounded with shade trees and an orehard of two or three aeres. The farm has other good buildings, is well fenced, and is devoted to general farm - ing and stock-raising.
Mr. Robinson was married, November 25, 1849, to Miss Mary D. Rogers, a lady pos- sessed of all the virtues and accomplishments that make a pioneer successful. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, a daughter of Clement and Rachel (White) Rogers, both natives of Delaware. When Mrs. Robinson was a girl her parents moved to Indiana, where they spent the residue of their lives. They were members of the Methodist Church, and were honored and respected citi- zens. Of their family of three children, two sons are deceased, Mrs. Robinson being the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have had ten children, as follows: William, a res- ident of Wisconsin; Frank is married, has one ehild, and lives in Belknap Township, Pottawattamie County; Anna has been a sue- cessful teacher in California for seven years; Susan, wife of John Means, of Rice County, Kansas; Charles Freeland, Ira Joel, Sydney Grant- all at home; S. Jessie, a popular teacher; and Fred Elmer, at home. Their second ehild died at the age of nine months. All of them were born in Pottawattamie County, exeept William, who was born in Wapello County, Iowa. Mr. Robinson has given his children the advantages of a good education, and fitted them for honorable posi- tions in life. The daughters have all been teachers.
Politieally Mr. Robinson is a Republican. He has served in all the township offices. Two terms he was Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, of Oak- land, No. 442. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Oakland.
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Mr. Robinson is sixty-two years old, yet he bears lis age lightly. Hle is a man well in- formed on all general topics, and is broad and progressive in his views. He is frank and cordial in his manner, and is honorable in all his business dealings.
ANIEL A. BURCKHALTER, one of the older soldier farmers of Pottawatta- mic County, was born in Boone Coun- ty, Indiana, September 22, 1840. His great. grandfather, Adam Burckhalter, was of Ger- man descent. His son, Abraham, the grand- father of our subject, was born in South Caro- lina, and at an early day moved to Ohio on pack horses, and again moved to Union County, Indiana, where he lived several years. He next went to Boone County, where he died, on his farm, at the age of eighty years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, an honorable and upright citizen, and a man re- spected by all. His wife survived until 1888, dying at the advanced age of 104 years and two days. Ile was the father of ten children, viz .: Carson, Fannie, Margaret, Rebecca, Jerry, Sarah, Joseph, Thomas, James S., and one who died young. James S., a son of the above and the father of our subject, was born in Union County, Indiana, March 22, 1818, and was reared to farm lite. lIe was married to Lealı Belles, daughter of John W. and Mary (Huff) Belles. The father was a native of New Jersey, and moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, whicre he worked at his trade of carpenter. He was the son of Adam Belles, who was a native of Germany. John Belles moved to Boone County, Indiana, in 1863, and built a mill on Prairie Creek, but died two years afterward, at the age of sixty-three. lle was an industrions and honorable man, and was the father of ten
children: Annie, Elisha, Isaac, Leah, Will- iam, Jacob and Peter. To Mr. and Mrs. James S. Burckhalter were born eight chil- dren: Eliza J., Daniel A., Cynthia A., John M., Thomas W., Abigail C. and Lanra A. After marriage his father lived on a farm in Boone County for seventeen years, and then moved to Marion County, Iowa, in 1854, where he lived until 1862, and where he was one of the early settlers. Hc enlisted in Company II, Fortieth Iowa Regiment Vol- unteer Infantry, but was taken sick and died one year afterward, from chronic diarrhea. He died on the steamboat at St. Louis. He was a good, substantial farmer. and although over forty-five years of age his patriotism would not allow him to remain at home, and he left his family and a comfortable home to lose his life for his country. His brother, Carson Burckhalter, was also in the same regiment, and was sixty years of age when he enlisted, and like his brother was a well-to- do farmer, but could not remain idle when his country needed him. James Burckhalter and his wife were devout members of the Christian Church. Politically he was a Re- publican, and socially a Master Mason. He was a man of high character, true and stead- fast, a kind father and loving husband, and a patriot who did not hesitate to risk his life for his country, which is all that any one can do.
Daniel A. Burckhalter, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, Colonel Bussey, at the early age of twenty-one years. He was in several skir- mishes, served in Missonri and Arkansas, and was in the siege of Vicksburg. The service in Missouri was principally against General Price and the bushwhackers, which was very dangerous, as the troops were very often fired upon from the bush. He was in a hard fight at Saline River, after which he was sent
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
to Pine Bluff with the ambulance corps, and was captured by the Confederates under Cap tain Webb, but escaped within one hour. He served three years, and was honorably dis- charged at Keokuk, Iowa, and returned home.
In 1879 he moved to Pottawattamie Conn- ty and settled on his present farm, which now consists of 160 acres of fine land. He also has 160 acres of land in Dakota, and 120 acres in Cass County, lowa. Ile is a hard working and a straightforward citizen, and stands high among the people. He is a member of the G. A. R., Abbott Post, No. 201, of which he has been Chaplain. IIe is a member of the Christian Church, and has held the office of deacon.
Mr. Burckhalter was married in 1865, to Edna Bell, daughter of Simpson and Mary (Foote) Bell. The father was born in Ver- mont, and moved from Ashtabula County, Ohio, to Marion County, Iowa, where he be- came a prominent farmer. He is now living in Montgomery, Iowa. He was the father of four children. Mr. and Mrs. Burckhalter had five children, uamely: Charles, Sherman, who moved to Monroe Cemetery, Iowa, and died at the Black Hills, Custer County, Dakota, at the age of nineteen; Mary M., Cora L., Lucy A. and Carrie J. The mother died in Jasper County, Iowa, and Mr. Burckhalter was again married Jannary 25, 1891, to Lucie Dennis, of Essex, Page County, this State.
V. PLANK, a successful farmer of Pottawattamie County, was born in Lewis County, New York, November 28, 1823, a son of Henry Plank, a native of Mohawk Valley, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a son of Josiah Plank, a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject's mother
was Margaret C. (Vaningen) Plank, a native of New York, and the daughter of Joseph Vaningen, a native of Holland. The parents lived in New York until their death. The father was a farmer all his life, and in his religious relations was a member of the Pres- byterian Church.
M. V. Plank was reared on a farm in Lewis County until his eighteenth year, when he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter and joiner's trade and as a stair-builder for three years. In 1857 he came to Lyons, Clinton County, lowa, where he was engaged at his trade two years. He then moved to Iola, Allen County, Kansas, but on account of the famine that year and also of the breaking out of the war, he went to Whiteside County, Illinois, near Morrison; in 1866 he returned to Clinton County, Iowa; in 1867 he removed to Delaware County, and in 1872 he went to Sioux City, where he made his home until 1875. That city was then a small village, and in 1872 he was elected a Master Me- chanie at Fort Buford, which position he filled with credit. In 1875 he came to his present farm of eighty acres in Belknap Township. At that time his nearest neigh- bor north was about seven miles distant, and south four miles, and the whole country was wild prairie; now it is a nice farming coun- try. Besides his farming, Mr. Plank is also engaged in raising horses, of which he has some very high grades.
He was married October 18, 1846, in Lewis County, New York, to Miss HI. A. Witherbee, who was born in Otsego County, New York, and was reared and educated at Watertown, Jefferson County. She was a successful and popular teacher before her marriage, and while in Kansas held the po- sition of Principal in a high school. She was the daughter of David and Eliza (St. Clair) Witherbec, the former a native of
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Manchester, Vermont, and the latter of West- minster, same State, and a danghter of General Arthur St. Clair, of Revolutionary fame. The mother was a member of the Universalist Church, and the father of the Episcopal. They lived in New York until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Plank have six children : Zelia Eliza, wife of David Vanalstine, of Belknap Township; W. J., a carpenter and contractor, of Cora Valley, Oregon; Hattie, wife of George L. Boals, of Dako- ta County, Nebraska; Ida Belle and Ada N., twins, the former the wife of J. A. Fletcher, of Forrestville, Colorado, and the latter the wife of Marion Barton, of Valley Township, Pottawattamie County; Iona L., wife of B. S. Leader, of Belknap Township. They lost a babe, William L., when seventeen months old, in New York. Politically Mr. Plank is a Republican, and religiously an Adventist. Mrs. Plank is an ordained minister of the Adventist Church, and has preached at Sioux City, Yankton and Omaha. She is a faith- ful and zealous worker in this county for her Master, and has performed the marriage ceremony of all her children but one. The children are all well married and have left their parental home, and Mr. and Mrs. Plank now feel very lonely, but they are reconciled to their lot.
ATHAN SMITH COLLINS, section 35, Waveland Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is one of the well-known and successful citizens of the community. He has resided here since 1869. Mr. Collins was born in Washington County, Vermont, October 25, 1858, son of Alfred and Cordelia (Smith) Collins, the former a native of Clar- endon, Vermont, and the latter of Addison, same State. His paternal grandfather was
Nathan Collins, and his maternal grandpar ents were Amos and Barbara Smith. Alfred Collins lived in his native State until 1869, when he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, being one of the early settlers in this neighborhood. Here he passed the remainder of his life. He was twice married. By his first wife he had six children, five of whom are living, viz .: Mary A. Wall, of Pilot Grove, Montgomery County, Iowa; Stukely Alden, of Omalıa, Nebraska; Edith Cordelia De Voss, of Arkansas; Gertrude E. Simpson, of Denver, Colorado, and Nathan Smith Collins. The last named was only two months old when his mother died. His father afterward wedded Harriet A. Wiek- ware, and by her had two children, only one of whom is living. Mrs. Collins and her daughter, Eliza Bessie, reside at Elliot, Mont- gomery County, Iowa. Mr. Collins died October 28, 1878, He was a farmer all his life, and his political relations were with the Republican party. For four or five years he served as Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the Advent Church.
The subject of our sketch was the youngest son of his father's family, and was eleven years old when his parents eame to this county. Here he grew to manhood and was edueated in the district schools. After finish- ing his education he engaged in teaching for a short time. At the death of his father, al- though only twenty years of age, Mr. Collins assumed the management of the home place, where he has since resided. The farm con- sists of 122 acres of rich bottom land, all under cultivation. Among the improvements on this farm are a frame house, which is snr- rounded by shade and ornamental trees, a good barn, cribs, wind-inill, stock-yards, feed- lots, orchard and grove.
Mr. Collins was married, February 28, 1883, in Montgomery County, Iowa, to Enima
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
Hulbert, who was born and reared in Iowa. Her parents, Orlando and Charlotte (Bliss) Hulbert, both natives of Vermont, are now . residents of Wayne County, Nebraska. Her father is a Republican and a farmer. Her mother is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Collins have three children: Mary Emma, Valma Belle and Frank Huber. Like his father, Mr. Collins is a Republican. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church. He is numbered, socially, financially and politically, among the repre- sentative citizens of Waveland Township.
HARLES S. PRICE, proprietor of the Pleasant Ridge stock-farın, Macedonia Township, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1850, a son of Martin and Melinda (Will- iams Price, Virginians. He was three years of age when his parents settled in Fulton County, Illinois, and was seven years of age when his mother died. A short time after- ward he had to begin to support himself, and was engaged in farm work until grown. In 1870 he came to Pottawattamie County and continued in his calling, working by the month and saving up money, until in 1877 he was able to buy some land. At that time all around him was wild prairie; but he has labored upon his place until he has made of it a fine farm, with good residence, ete. The place comprises 120 acres, and is very rich. Mr. Price is a pioneer in the introduction of Percheron horses in that part of the con- ty, and he has spent much time and money to obtain the best specimens to be found. One of the best horses in Western Iowa is his Metayer, foaled in 1884 and imported in 1886 by P. Hopley & Co., of Lewis, Iowa; recorded number 6,026; weight 1,800 pounds. He took the first preminm as a three-year-
old at the Nebraska State Fair at Omaha in 1888, in competition with many others. Another is Saba, number 12,913, foaled March, 1887, in France, and imported by Hopley & Co. Gray Nellie is a Percheron inare which drew first premium at Omaha at four different fairs On exhibiting his horses at Malvern, Mr. Price took six first premiums, one second and one diploma. His herds of thoroughbred and high-grade horses are sec- ond to none in the county.
Mr. Price is a Republican in his politics, and is liberal both in spirit and in practically aiding in the advancement of the interests of his community.
lle was married in 1875, to Miss Marion, a daughter of James Perks, an old settler of Macedonia Township, and their children are: Arthur Leon, James Martin, Edith May and Roy.
ENNETII MCKENZIE, an intelligent and well-to-do farmer of Waveland Township, came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, in 1874. It is eminently fitting that an outline of his life should be given in this work; in faet, its omission would make the history incomplete.
Like many of Iowa's snecessful men, Mr. MeKenzie is a native of Scotland. He was born in December, 1836, son of Roderick and Ann (McLeod) MeKenzie, both natives of that country in which they passed their lives. At the age of thirty-three Mr. MeKenzie married May Kenedy, also a native of Scot- land, born of Seoteh parents, Donald and Ann (MeLennan) Kenedy. In 1869 he and his wife bade farewell to native land and sailed from Glasgow to New York. They continued their way westward and settled in Lapeer County, Michigan, where Mr. MeKen-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
zie was employed at whatever he could do that was most profitable. For a time he did railroad work and was afterward engaged in lumber woods. In 1874 he came to Potta- wattamie County and bought 160 acres of wild prairie land in Waveland Township, paying for it good old Scotch money that he had earned by the sweat of his brow. Here he has since lived, worked and prospered, and in many ways has been aided by his worthy help-mate. He is now the owner of 440 acres of rich, well-improved land, one of the best farms in the township. He has a fine home, built in 1884, at a cost of $1,000, and is beautifully situated on a natural building site. Mr. Mckenzie is engaged in stock- raising and general agricultural pursuits. He has a grove and orchard, all necessary farm buildings and fences, all the result of the thrifty Scotchman's well directed efforts.
Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have four chil- dren: Anna, Christena, Donald and Rodena M. In his political views Mr. Mckenzie is Republican. He was reared a Presby- terian. Financially he is regarded as one of the solid men of the township. He is honest and upright in all things, and his word is as good as his bond. IIis postoffice is Griswold, Cass County, Iowa.
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H. BOLTON, section 30, Grove Town- ship, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is one of the representative citizens of his community. He was born in Giles County, Virginia, March 7, 1832. His father, George Bolton, was a native of the same county, and was a son of Henry Bolton. The latter was born in Germany, and when a youth was kidnapped and brought to Amer- ica. This occurred before the Revolutionary war. After his arrival here he made his
escape, joined the colonial forces and fought under General Washington in the struggle for independence. After the war he settled in Virginia, where he married and lived until his death occurred. George Bolton married Margaret Duncan, also a native of Virginia, and to them were born seven children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Elizabeth Southern, who resides in Oregon; Eliza J. Rice, also in Oregon; C. H., the subject of this sketch; Nancy M. Smith, of Delaware County, Iowa; and Christena Wilkinson, of Mills County, same State. When Mr. C. H. Bolton was ten years of age his father and family removed from Virginia to Cedar County, Iowa, making the journey in an old- fashioned Virginia wagon. Iowa was then a Territory, and Mr. Bolton's family were among the early settlers of Cedar County. He was a farmer all his life, a Jackson Dem- ocrat, a Protestant Methodist, and a man of integrity and moral worth. His death oc- curred in Cedar County a few years after he settled in this State. His wife, an carnest Christian, and a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, lived to about the age of eighty years, and died at the home of her son in Grove Township, this county.
The son of poor but industrious Christian parents, C. H. Bolton was reared on a farm and in early youth taught those lessons of diligence and good morals which have been important factors in his after life, and have helped him on to success. He first attended school in Virginia, and after moving West his studies were continned in the primitive log school-house which the pioneers had erected. To these rudiments of an education thus obtained Mr. Bolton has added a practi- cal experience which can only be gained by personal contact with business and the world. When he was twenty-one years of age he wedded Miss Louisa Bolton, a distant rela
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
tive of his, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of William and Sarah Bolton. Our subject lived in Cedar County until 1873, when he came to his present location, coming via the C. R. R. I. Railroad to Walnut, and from there to Grove Township in wagons. He bought 120 acres of land. Two years later he bought the eighty aeres where he now lives, and which is near his first pur- chase. The latter property has been im- proved by Sam HI. Hopkins, who sold it to Mr. Bolton. The 120 acres corners on the sontheast of it, making in all a fine farm of 200 acres. He has a comfortable honse, a good barn and all necessary improvements and buildings for the care of stock, etc.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, two of whom are deceased. The liv- ing are Lewis, who resides in Oregon; George and Mary, at home; and Cora, wife of Jesse Pedit, of Waveland Township. Martin Sher- man died at the age of eleven years, and Oliva at the age of three years. Mrs. Bolton died September 16, 1886, and her loss was deeply felt by her husband, her children and her many friends. She was greatly beloved by all who knew her, and as a Christian woman her life is worthy of emulation. She was a member of the Protestant Metli- odist Church, as is also her husband. In politics Mr. Bolton is a Republican.
AMES LIVINGSTON, one of the sub- stantial farmers of Valley Township, is descended from an old American family of Seoteh descent. His great-grandfather came from Scotland and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and afterward moved to Mercer County, same State. William Liv- ingston, his son and the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was
married to Margaret Mathews. They were the parents of seven children: Mary, Mar- garet, James, David, Hugh, Marshall and William. The father was a farmer near Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and lived to the age of eighty-six years; he was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church. Hugh Livingston, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, and was a cabinet-maker by trade, which business he followed in his native State until 1853. He was married, in Mercer County, to Elizabeth Smith, danghter of Richard and Phoebe (Woodhouse) Smith. The father was born in Stonebridge, England, and was the father of ten children. To Mr. and Mrs. Living- ston were also born ten children, viz .: Mary, Phoebe, Margaret, Elizabeth, Zilpah, James, Milton, Charles. Dewitt C. and Wm. W. The father followed his trade in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, until 1850, when he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, and remained three years. In 1853 he moved to Scott County, Iowa, where he was among the early pioneers. He remained there about three years, and in 1856 returned to Roek Island, Illinois, and bought a farm, remaining three years. He sold this place, and in 1876 came to Potta- wattamie County, settling in James Town- ship, where he died in 1885. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church.
James Livingston, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mercer County, Penn- sylvania, May 27, 1839, and was reared to the life of a farmer. August 13, 1862, at the age of twenty-three, lie enlisted in Com- pany C, Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and was in the battles of Coffeeville, Mississippi, Salinsburg, Colliersville, Tupelo, in the de- struction of the railroad at Oxford, Missis- sippi, on the Grierson raid through Missis- sippi, and at the battle of Nashville, Ten-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
nessee. He first served eighteen months, and then re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, and served as a veteran for twenty months, making altogether thirty-eight months, and was neither wounded nor in the hospital. IIe was mustered out at Daven- port, Iowa, October 4, 1865, and was honor- ably discharged at Selma, Alabama.
After the war Mr. Livingston settled on a farm in Rock Island County, Illinois, where he lived one year, when he came to Scott County, Iowa, where he lived until March, 1868. In that year he came to Pottawatta- mie County and settled on his present farm of eighty aeres of wild land. He has since converted this into a fine, fertile farm, to which he has added until he now owns 133 aeres. He has taken an active interest in the cause of edneation, and was instrumen- tal in the building of the first school-house in this part of the township, and was also School Director. He has filled this office many times since, and is now a member of the U. S. Grant Post, No. 123, Avoca, Iowa. Mr. Livingston stands deservedly high in his county as an honorable and upright citi- zen, and as a man of sterling worth.
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