USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 76
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
Mary (McIntyre) Thompson. Their children were: Lneinda, Samuel, Elizabeth, Edward, Mary, Jane, James, Eleanor, Matilda, Andrew, Alvina, Lonisa, Martha and Kate. William Thompson. father of James, was born in Ireland in 1762; came to America in 1774 and settled near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After her husband's death, Matilda Thompson was lett with comparatively little means to edu- cate and bring up her children. Through the dishonesty of a partner her husband lost nearly all the acenmulations of years; but with a brave heart and a mother's devotion and love she undertook the battles of life alone. After remaining at Vinton about four years, she moved to Oskaloosa, where resided her brother, Samuel Thompson, County Judge, to educate her children, and nine years afterward she came to Council Blnffs.
AVID WILDING, M. D., Crescent City, was born in Preston, Lancashire, Eng- land, November 24, 1804, a son of Henry and Jane (Bamber) Wilding, also na- tives of the Albion Isle, who had eleven children, and remained in the land of their nativity to the end of their days.
Dr. Wilding, the ninth in the above fam- ily, was reared in mercantile business, which was that of his father, bnt engaged also in other pursuits to some extent. At the age of twenty-three years he entered business for himself. He became a member of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints in 1833, and is still loyal to the ereed, being an Elder ever sinee the year 1837. In 1841 he emigated to America, landing at New Orleans, and eame direct to Nauvoo, joining the colony estab- lished there by the celebrated Joseph Smith, and he assisted in erecting the temple at
that place, beginning with the foundation and building one corner as high as the stone work; and he also aided in building the Nauvoo House from its foundation. When the Mormons left Nauvoo in 1847 he came with them as far as Pottawattamie County, landing opposite Florence, Nebraska, and soon afterward located where he has ever since resided excepting the one year he was in Utah. The first engagement he made here was that of elerk in a store in Council Bluffs, where he remained until late in 1853. He owned a farm in Boomer Township, where he broke and cultivated fifty aeres. He afterward sold this and purchased a see- tion in Hazel Dell Township, made many valuable improvements upon it and held it for a number of years. In 1870 he disposed of this also,
He commeneed the practice of midwifery when a young man, and has won for him- self a wide reputation for skill, conducting successfully some remarkable cases where other physicians had failed; and he has never used an instrument. At the age of twenty- four years his baek was broken in two places by a bale of cotton falling from a eart-load, and his back was injured in another płace about twenty years ago by a horse falling with him. He has also suffered other serious accidents. He is an active worker in the eanse of Christianity and morality. Two of his sons served in the late war, in Company A, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. James continued in the army until the war ended, but Herbert was discharged on account of ill health. The father and sons are all solid Republicans. The Doctor was Postmaster for ten years, giving satisfaction to the community.
He was married in 1828 to Alice, daugh- ter of George and Elizabeth Adkinson, born April 8, 1810, and died Angust 9, 1876,
·
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leaving eleven children, of whom the follow- ing is a record: George, born November 9, 1829; Elizabeth A., May 28, 1832; James, July 3, 1835; Heber, April 30, 1838; David, July 16, 1840; Joe. April 12, 1843; Jen- nett, September 8, 1845; Henry and Aliee, twins, July 1, 1848; Thomas, March 18, 1851, and Sarah, July 14, 1853.
EPH THOMAS, a prominent farmer of Washington Township, was born in Champaign County, Illinois, July 10, 1855, the son of David I. Thomas, a native of Hardin County, Ohio, and a son of John Thomas, a native of Germany, who served in the war with Mexico, and was a Greybeard in his regiment. The mother of our subject was Nancy J. (Dunn) Thomas, a native of Hardin County, Kentucky, and the daughter of Zeph Dunn, who was born in the same State, and a son of Thomas Dunn. The wife of Zephi Dunn was Sarah Ann (Brownfield) Dunn, a danghter of John Brownfield, who lived to a very old age, dying in 1866. The Thomas family moved to Henry County, Iowa, where the parents lived until their death, the father dying in 1873, at the age of fifty-one years. He was an expert machin- ist, gunsmith and blacksmithi by trade; was a Demoerat politically, and religionsly was a believer in the Dunkards' Church. They were the parents of five children, of whom two now live in Nebraska, one in Iowa, one in Indiana and one in Oregon.
Zeph was taught his father's trade in early life, but never followed it, and for fourteen years was engaged in lumbering on Skunk River. In 1881 he bought his present farm of eighty acres in Pottawattamie County, on which he has made many improvements, and now owns one of the best farms in the eoun-
ty. Besides his general farming he is also engaged in stock-raising.
He was married in Henry County, Iowa, in April, 1878, to Miss Brovice C. Huddleston, who was born in 1861, in Henry County, the danghter of Greenbury and Sarah (Merri- field) HInddleston, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Dayton, Ohio, and died July 24, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of four ehildren: Sylvia E., Edward D., Allie and Bessie O. Politieally Mr. Thomas is independent.
C. KILLION, a prominent farmer near Oakland, was born in Menard County, Illinois, December 3, 1855, the son of Isaiah and Doreas (Montgomery) Killion, the former a native of Kentneky, and the latter of Gibson County, Indiana. The parents were married in Menard County, and reared a fa- mily of six ehilren. The father died in that county in 1876; he had been a farmer all his life; was a Republican politically; and religi- ously was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother came to Washington Township, Pottawattamie County, in 1879, where she still lives with her son, Marion.
Our subject was reared in Menard County, and in 1878 eame to Pottawattamie County. In 1880 he settled on his present farm, which consists of sixty-three acres of rich land, and on which he has ereeted a comfortable eut- tage, and has also made other improvements.
Mr. Killion was married in this county Mareh 8, 1883, to Miss Eliza Rhodes, a na- tive of New York State, and the daughter of Fred and Hannah (Briggs) Rhodes, natives of Germany. The father is now a retired fariner near Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Killion have had four children, only one of whom survives, Elmer C., born October 14, 1890. In poli-
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
tics Mr. Killion is a Republican, and Mrs. Killion is a member of the Evangelical Church.
J. MARTIN was born in Logan County, Illinois, May 5, 1859. His parents, Ira and Eliza (Wood) Mar- tin, both natives of Pennsylvania, were mar- ried in Ohio and subsequently removed to Illinois, settling in Logan County. His mother died when he was twenty-two years of age, and his father died in 1885, at the age of seventy-two years. . He was a farmer all his life, a Democrat, and a member of the Christian Church. This worthy couple were the parents of five children, namely: Ira, of Silver Creek Township; John, Macedonia; Harriet Jane, Carson; William J., whose name heads this sketch; and Montgomery, a soldier in the late war, died from disease con- tracted while in the service.
William J. was reared on a farm in his native county, and received his education in the public schools of that place. In 1879 he left Logan County and came to Iowa, settling in Pottawattamie County. He purchased eighty acres of land in Silver Creek Town- ship, where he now resides, and to this, in 1885, he added eighty acres more, now hav- ing 160 acres of rich and productive soil. It is well improved, and is adapted for stock and grain. He has a frame house 16 x 24 feet, one and a half stories high, with a one story addition, 12 x 14 feet. It is surrounded by a fine grove and orchard, and makes an attractive home. He has stables and cribs for the accommodation of stock and farm products, and his land is divided into four fields.
Mr. Martin was married in Council Bluffs in 1881, to Miss Eveline Cook, a successful
teacher. Her father, Howley Cook, was born in Otsego, New York, February 11, 1811, and died in Fillmore County, Minnesota, September 30, 1887. For several years lie was a teacher, but later in life gave his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Martin's mother was nee Mary Seward. She was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, Decem- ber 1, 1821, and departed this life January 28, 1863. She was a Christian woman and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have two children: Lela Frances and Ira Elmer.
Politically Mr. Martin is a Democrat. Ile is a man in the prime of life, frank and cor- dial in his manner to all, and honorable in every respect. Mrs. Martin is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
AMUEL T. McFALL is one of the prominent and esteemcd citizens of Silver Creek Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He was born in Iroquois County, Illinois, February 14, 1836. His father, Samnel MeFall, a Kentuckian by birth, was a descendant of an old Kentucky family who traced their ancestry back to Scotland. His mother, Elizabeth (Barbee) McFall, was born in Ross County, Ohio, daughter of William and Mary Barbee. Onr subject's parents were married in Bartholo- mew County, Indiana, from whence they afterward moved to Iroquois County, Iili- nois. In 1840 they came to Iowa and were among the early settlers of Jefferson County. In 1847 they removed to Mahaska County, same State. The mother died in 1878. She was born November 11, 1804. The father was born October 10, 1803, and died in 1885. This worthy conple were the parents of ten children, fonr sons and six daughters, of
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
whom Samnel T. was the fifth born. The father came of true pioneer stock. He was a Democrat before the war, but at that time cast his vote and influence for Lincoln. He was an active and zealons Methodist and a class-leader.
Mr. McFall was four years old when his father caine to Iowa. He was reared on frontier farms in Jefferson and Mahaska counties, and was educated in log school- honses. During the great Rebellion he en- tered the service of his country, in 1862, en- listing in Company H, Thirty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was in many of the hotly contested battles of the war. Among the engagements in which he took part we mention Memphis, Helena, Little Rock, Prairie du Chien, Camden, Dnval's Bluff, Fort Pemberton, below Vicksburg and Mark's Mills. At the latter place he was wounded by a minie ball in the left shoulder and lung and was taken prisoner for twenty- five days. Then he was paroled and confined at Little Rock Hospital and also at Keokuk Hospital. · May 12, 1865, he was honorably discharged, and now receives a pension of sixteen dollars per month. He has since suffered much from the effect of the wound. During the season of 1872 he was confined to the house a greater part of the time.
Until 1880 Mr. McFall was engaged in farming in Mahaska County. In that year he came to Pottawattamie County and pur- chased 160 acres of wild prairie land which he has since improved and now has under cultivation. He erected a comfortable trame honse and stables, put up a modern wind- mill, made other improvements, and is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
Mr. McFall was married in Mahaska County, Iowa, March 18, 1866, to Miss Isa- belle Skidmore, a lady of much intelligence, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio.
Her father, James M. Skidmore, was also a native of Franklin County. Her grand- father, George Skidmore, was a native of Kentucky, a soldier in the war of 1812, and a captain in the Mexican war. Her mother, Eunice (Hendricks) Skidmore, was born in Ohio, daughter of James and Elizabeth Hen- dricks. Mrs. McFall's parents located in Mabaska County, Iowa, when she was eight- een years old. They now live in Sheridan County, Kansas. They had nine children, two sons and seven daughters, Mrs. McFall being the secon I born. Our subject and his wife have three children: Normon R., Cora L. and James B. They lost one child by death, Carlie, at the ago of two and a half years.
Mr. McFall is a Republican. He is a member of Macedonia Post, G. A. R., and is associated with the Masonic fraternity, Mace- donia Lodge. He was made a Mason in Tol- eration Lodge, Mahaska County, in 1375. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Lone Star Church. Mr. McFall has served as Justice of the Peace. He is one of the liberal supporters of educational and religious movements, and is regarded by all who know him as an hon- orable and upright man.
P. WICKHAM, of the firm of Wick- ham Bros , contractors and builders,
. of Council Bluffs, have their office at the corner of Broad and Main streets. The firm was organized in 1867, and they have since done an extensive business, having erected many of the business blocks in this city. Among those they have erected arc the Pottawattamie court-house, the Bennett block, Eisman's block, Deen & Wells build- ing, Keystone building, First & Broadway,
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
and Burnham & Lulley's banks. J. J. Brown's building, Dodge building, the new Grand Hotel and Dahaney's Opera Block, which is one of the largest buildings in the city. Mr. Wickham has also built two fine residences for himself, the first being now owned by P. C. Duval, corner of Willow avenue and Bluff street, and his present residence on the cor- ner of Seventh street and Seventh avenue.
He was born in October, 1845, in Antrim County, Ireland, the son of Patrick and Celia (Pryor) Wickham. He was reared in his native country until twelve years of age, when he came to America with his parents. He went first to New Orleans, and then to St. Louis, where he remained a short time. He next came to Council Bluffs, where his parents died, and as soon as he reached his majority he engagee at brick and stone ma- sonry, which he has since followed.
Mr. Wickham was married in this city, in 1875, to Jennie Fenlan, a native of Winne bago County, Illinois, boru in 1852. They have a family of six children: Angeline, Celia, George, Genevieve, Paul and Agnes. They are both members of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Wickham is a stanch Democrat, and is one of the charter members of the Building and Loan Associa- tion of Council Bluffs.
AMES SAINT, section 35, Waveland Township, is numbered among the early settlers and successful citizens of this part of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Mr. Saint was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, ten miles from the mouth of the Little Miami River, October 27, 1830. His father, James Saint, Sr., was born in Massachusetts, a de- scendant of one of the Pilgrims who landed on Plymouth Rock. Mr. Saint had two
uncles who served in the war of 1812, one being killed and the other wounded. These were brothers of his father. James Saint, Sr., married Jane Allen, a native of Penn sylvania. Her father, William Allen, was a relative of William Allen, ex-Governor of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Saint five sons and five daughters were born, James being the sixth child. The father died in Ohio in 1861. He had been a farmer all his life, and was a Republican. The mother is now eighty-five years old, and resides at Lonis- ville, Kentucky.
Mr. Saint spent his yonth on a farm in Hamilton County, Ohio, chopping wood, clearing land and doing other farm work, and during the winter months got what edu- cation he could in the little log school-house. In 1858 he went to Pike's Peak in search of gold. From there he continued his way across the plains to California. After a sojourn of two years on the Pacific Coast he came back as far as Iowa, traveling on horse- back, and bringing with him a pack-horse. During the journey he camped out at night and did his own cooking.
In 1861 Mr. Saint bought land in Potta- wattamie County, Iowa, but soon the war broke out and he entered the service of his country. He enlisted in Company I, Twenty- third Iowa Infantry, one of the best regi- ments that ever went to the front. Mr. Saint participated in many important en- gagements, among which we note the follow- ing: the battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Mississippi, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, New Or- leans, the Red River expedition, and several others. He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Texas, after which he returned North.
At the close of the war Mr. Saint located at Lewis, Cass County, Iowa, where he
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
worked at the carpenter's trade for some time. In 1866 he married Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Long) Hamilton, also natives of Ohio. The year he was mar- ried Mr. Saint settled on a farın of 120 acres, where he now lives, being among the first settlers of the neighborhood. He is now the owner of 240 acres of well-improved land. He has a good frame house and large barn, 30 x 45 feet. He also has other farm build- ings, a wind-mill and good fences. Mr. Saint gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising. He and his wife are the parents of five children, viz .: George, Will- iam, who is now attending college at Shenan- doah, Iowa; Inez, James and Earl. Mr. Saint is much interested in educational mat- ters, and is giving his children the benefit of a good education, so that they will be fitted to occupy useful positions in life. He is a Republican, and has served as Township Clerk. Is a member of the Masonic frater- mity, having been made a Mason in Ohio. Mrs. Saint and the three oldest children are members of the Christian Church.
RANK R. LEVIN was made Chief of the City Fire Department in April, 1890, and has been a member of the order since its early history. He joined the Volunteer Fire Department in 1877, and was associated with it until 1884, when the city established the paid department. He was foreman of Rescue Engine Company, No. 3, for four years, and when the paid department was organized he was foreman of it until it was thoroughly established.
Mr. Levin was born in Sweden. July 16, 1854, son of John and Louisa Levin. His youth was spent in his native country, and
in 1868 he came to America with his parents and settled in Conncil Bluffs. His father is living and resides in this city. Before coming to the United States Mr. Levin spent one year learning the cigar trade, and after locat- ing here he was engaged in various pursuits for two years. Then he became associated with Filbert & Vaight. cigar manufacturers, with whom he remained two years. After being with Mr. Hubstine one year and with Mr. Daubaum for a time, he, in 1877, estab- lished a cigar mannfactory of his own. He also opened a retail store, and since then has done an extensive business, turning out as many as a quarter of a million cigars in one year. This establishment is located at No. 400 Broad street. In 1889 Mr. Levin also operated a barber shop in connection with his cigar trade. He employs an average of four men in his factory and puts up a first- class line of goods. His oldest brand, the " Figaro," has been in use for ten years. Politically he has affiliated with the Repub- lican party until recently, but is now an in- dependent. He is a member of the following orders: A. F.& A. M., No. 71, Council Binffs; A. A. S. R., Oriental of Iowa Valley, Conneil Bluffs, and R. A. No. 156. In the A. A. S. R. he officiates as one of the degree officers.
Mr. Levin was married August 3, 1830, to Miss Caroline Acton, a native of Denmark, born November 26, 1855. They have one child- Oscar. They hold to the faith of the Scandina- vian Baptist Church.
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OHIN H. GOULD, an enterprising and well-known early settler of Pottawatta- mie County, Iowa, and an ex-soldier of the late war, located in Waveland Township in 1866, when all this part of the State was new and wild.
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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
Mr. Gould was born in Vermont, Jannary 15, 1811, son of Joseph and Susan (Haskin) Gould, natives of the Mohawk Valley, New York. Both the Haskins and Goulds were Duteh. Grandfather Haskins was a soldier in the war of 1812. Joseph Gould and wife reared a family of four daughters and three sons. The mother was a Methodist, and in that faith reared her children. The father was a farmer all his life, and in his political views was a Democrat. His death occurred in Vermont
John H., although reared on a farm, in early life showed himself to be a natural mechanic; conld lay stone or briek, plaster, handle the broad-ax, and, in faet, could turn his hand to anything he chose. His educa- tion was obtained in the common schools of Vermont. For a time he was in New York State working on the Erie Canal, employed by Mr. Comstock, a prominent canal owner. He was in New York city during the great cholera epidemie in 1833. In 1835 he re- moved to Burean County, Illinois, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that place. This was before the Black Hawk war. Mr. Gonld was married in Bureau County, Jann- ary 29, 1846, to Martha Prunk, who was born in Virginia, daughter of Daniel and Cather- ine Prunk. Mr. Prunk also settled in Bureau County before the Indian war. During the great Rebellion Mr. Gould served nine or ten months in the Ninety-third illinois Infantry, Company E, his regiment being stationed in Missouri and other parts of the Sonth. Hle was in several skirmishes bnt no battles.
Mr. Gould resided in Bureau County, Illi- nois, until 1866, when he came to Pottawat- tamie County, lowa, and bought land which was partly improved. and on which a log house had been built. He is now the owner of 214 acres of well improved land on seetion 11, Waveland Township. He has a comfort-
able house and other buildings on his farmn. Mr. Gould has five children: Mary Magdaline Johnson, a widow, who resides with her father. Before her marriage she was a suc- cessful teacher. George W., of Willow Lake, Sonth Dakota; Daniel W., a resident of Port- land, Oregon; Addison, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska; and Emma Catherine, wife of S. Solomon, Waveland Township, Pottawattamie County. They lost one child, Madison, who died at the age of eighteen months. The great loss of Mr. Gould's life was in the death of his beloved wife. Jannary 14, 1889. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother, and a trne Christian. Her church relations were with the Methodist. Mr. Gould is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been connected with it thirty-three years. His mother was a worthy member of the same for seventy-six years. Mr. Gould has served as Sabbath-school Superintendent, and is a zealous Christian worker. His polit- ieal views are in harmony with Democratic principles. He has ever been interested in edneational matters, and has served the publie as a member of the School Board. IIe is associated with the G. A. R., Worthington Post, No. 9, Griswold, Iowa. Although past eighty he is a well preserved man. As an honored and upright citizen he has the re- speet of all who know him.
LARKSON GODFREY .- Among the many successful citizens of Pottawatta- mie County, Iowa, we find the above- named gentleman, who by his own exertions has risen to a position of wealth and in- fluence. Mr. Godfrey was born ten miles west of La Fayette, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, July 17, 1836. Elijah Godfrey, his father, was born in Maryland, a son of Joseph
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BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY
Godfrey, who was of English ancestry. Elijah Godfrey was married in Ross County, Ohio, to Eleanor Davison, a native of that county, and a daughter of Frederick Davi- son. They subsequently moved to Tippeca- noe County, Indiana, making the trip on horseback and carrying some honsehold goods and two children on pack-horses. They were among the early pioneers of that part of Indiana. Of the two sons and seven daughters born to them, the subject of this sketch was the fifth child. When he was fourteen years old his mother died. The father afterward moved to Warren County, Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty- two years. His whole life was spent on a farmn. He was an honored and esteemed citizen, a member of the Republican party, and a believer in the Gospel.
Clarkson Godfrey spent his youth on a frontier farin in Tippecanoe County, where he learned to clear land and do all kinds of farm work, and where he was educated in the common schools of the period. At the age of nineteen he went to Warren County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1873. In that year he came to Waveland Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. During the war Mr. Godfrey entered the service of his country, enlisting in the spring of 1865 in the Forty-seventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He was in the battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to Illinois.
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