Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 82

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 82

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of his residence in that place to his death. After the death of his first wife he married Amanda Chipman, who died in Utah. By his first marriage he had ten children, six of whom are now living: Agnes Toprith, of Crescent City ; James, a blacksmith by trade, but at present is a commercial traveler; Ellen, for a time in business at Salt Lake City; John, our subject; Robert, a farmer of Nor- walk Township; William, Deputy Sheriff of this county, and residing at Crescent City; Enphemia, the wife of Robert Adams, a grain-dealer at Underwood. Thomas, Kath- erine and Margaret are deceased, the latter when thirteen years of age, while preparing to start to Utah; she is buried in Fair View Cemetery.

Mr. Currie, our subject, spent his school days in Edinburg, Scotland, and when quite a young boy commenced to learn the black- smith's trade. After his arrival in Salt Lake, he and a brother worked in the Pacific shops, on Temple block, Salt Lake City. Soon after his arrival he worked for Brigham Young on the Bee and Lyon house, and afterward turned his attention to farming and stock-raising on the American fork. In 1866 he returned to Iowa, and with his father engaged in farm- ing, first in Crescent Township, and afterward where he now lives. Ile owns a splendid farm of 200 acres. Mr. Currie, although not aspiring to public position, has held almost all the offices of Norwalk Township, and while in Utah was Constable two years.

In 1860 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Filchber who was born in England, in 1839, and died at Crescent City, April 13, 1881. She was the mother of eleven children, nine of whom are now living: Margaret Pratt, the wife of Sylvester Pratt, a farmer of Cres- cent Township; John B., a rancher in Califor- nia; Eliza, wife of Thomas Walton, deceased, who was killed in a railroad accident, and she

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resides in Underwood; Ann, the wife of Harry E. Fisher, a merchant of Underwood; Aggie, at home; Frank R. and Lorena May. The deceased are: Joseph A., at nine years and four months; Cora Jane, an infant. August 20, 1887, Mr. Currie married Miss Jennie Thompson, who was born at Cler- inont, Ohio, near Williamsburg, January 29, 1843, the daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Wood) Thompson, natives of Virginia and Ohio. The father died in Ohio, when sixty- two years of age in 1875, and his wife two years later, when sixty-five years of age. Mr. Thompson was a prominent citizen in his community, holding responsible positions of trust. Politically he was a Democrat .. Mrs. Currie was highly educated in Ohio at the State Normal School and at Terre Hante, In- diana, and taught school for a number of years. Mr. Currie is a Democrat in his political principles.

EORGE H. OSBORN, who owns and enltivates 160 acres of land in section 3, Garner Township, first came to this county in April, 1865. Ile was born in Frederick County, Virginia, near Winchester, in the Shenandoah Valley, noted during the last war, the date of his birth being February 24, 1818. His father was George Osborn, a miller by trade and of English ancestry; and his mother, whose maiden name was Amelia Gordon, was a Virginian by birth and of old Virginian ancestry. Mr. Osborn was brought up a farmer in his native connty. March 26, 1846, he married Miss Eliza Grant, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Fulton) Grant. The Grant family were from Penn- sylvania before the war of 1812. After his marriage Mr. Osborn removed to Frederick County, and in the spring of 1860, he

came West and located near St. Joseph, Missouri, and lived there five years. engaged in farming. During the war the community was a disagreeable one; and in the spring of 1865 Mr. Osborn bonght his present farm, on which at the time there were an old log cabin and a few other improvements. Now the place is a splendid home, up with the times. Mr. Osborn is a Democrat in his political principles, a highly honored and worthy citizen. His children are: Ella, wife of William King, living in Hazel Dell Town- ship; John L., who also resides in Hazel Dell Township; Alcinda, now Mrs. William Trip- plet, residing in Buffalo County, Nebraska; and George C., a resident of Hazel Dell Township.

RANCIS MARION OWENS, of section 1, Garner Township, is another promi- nent citizen who deserves mention in this work, as he has been a resident of this county ever since 1850. He was born in Monroe County, Missouri, October 18, 1832, the son of Elijah Owens, a Virginian, now deceased. His mother's name before mar- riage was Mary Holman, and she was a na- tive of Kentneky, and died when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age. He was a small boy when his father removed to Shelbyville, Shelby County, Missouri, where they resided until he was thirteen years of age. They then removed to Putnam County, where they lived until he was eighteen years of age. He was brought up on a farm, and reared principally by strangers. It was in October, 1850, when he came to this county and engaged chiefly in herding- cattle until about 1854. He then married and settled in Monona County, Iowa, near Ashton Grove, north of where Onawa now is. Remaining

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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.

there until about 1860, he returned to this county and engaged in jobbing and trading in live-stock at Council Bluffs. In 1874 he located upon his present farm of 160 acres, being then a Mormon claim and one of the first settlers. Mr. Owens has built a fine cottage and embellished the premises, making a fine home. Living streams from pure springs run through the farm. Thins, dairy- ing is a continued specialty. Mr. Owens is a zealous and intelligent Republican Prohibi- tionist, a man of easy manners and address and honorable in all his dealings, spending much time and money in the cause of tem- perance.

Mr. Owens was married June 25, 1854, to Miss Samantha Jane Douglass, a woman of intelligence and education, who was born in Scotland County, Missouri, and came to Pot- tawattamie County in 1851 with her parents, John McFarland Douglass and Hannah, nee Barnes, a native of Missouri. Mr. Douglass was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and had lived in Pottawattamie County, but two or three weeks when he was drowned in a ent- off near Manawa Lake, May 24, 1851, leav- ing a widow and one child. Mr. and Mrs. Owens have two children, viz .: Len Douglass, who was born in Monona County Iowa, and is engaged in extensive manufacturing in San Francisco, California; and Frank M., who is a resident of the homestead.

ILLIAM HI. KUHN, of Garner Township, has been a resident here since April 18, 1857, and is well and favorably known. He was born at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Frederick County, Maryland, October 20, 1832, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Ovelman) Kuhn, the former a native of Maryland, whose father

came from Germany, and the latter also a native of Maryland. In their family were six sons and one daughter. The father died in 1854 at the age of fifty-four years, and the mother died in 1873 at the advanced age of seventy-one years, and was buried at Me- chanicstown, Maryland.

William H. was reared in his native county and learned the trade of wheelwright. In 1853 he came to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he learned the carpenter's trade. Coming East in 1854 he continued at his trade until 1857, when he returned West, this time coming by way of steamboat from Wheeling down the Ohio River, and then up the Mis- sissippi and Missouri to Council Bluffs, being a month and three days on the way. Here he followed his trade, in company with J. P. Williams, an old citizen, during the summer and winter. He then engaged in building a large mill for William Garner on Mosquito Creek. When this was completed, Septem- ber 20, 1858, he started for Pike's Peak and was one of the first to cross the plains to that point, arriving after a forty days' journey. There he engaged in mining, in company with Mr. Gregory, who first discovered valu- able minerals at Black Hawk and Central City, Colorado. He remained in the Terri- tories, mining, etc., nntil the spring of 1859, when he returned to Council Bluffs, working at his old trade of millwright until the spring of 1864. He then again crossed the plains with an ox team to Virginia City, in Mon- tana, starting on the 20th of May and arriving there October 1, by way of Yellowstone and Big Horn. The next year he returned to Council Bluffs, and built a large woolen mill for William Garner on Mosquito Creek. In 1866, when this work was finished, he took charge of the mill for three years, operating it an l manufacturing woolen gools. In the fall of 1868 he built his present residence on

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his farm, which consists of 440 acres, one of the best improved farms in the township. The residence, a two story frame, cost $2,000. There is also on the premises an orchard of twenty acres, with a great variety of fruit. This farm is seven miles northeast of Council Bluffs and Mr. Kuhn has eighty acres be sides in Hazel Dell Township.

In his political sympathies he is a Demo- crat. He has been Township Assessor for five years, Township Trustee and a member of the School Board. He was married No- vember 13, 1860, to Julia H. Garner, daugh- ter of William Garner, a prominent citizen of the township. She was born in Adams County, Illinois, but received her education in this county. In their family are the fol- lowing children: Cyrus Frank; Sarah G., a successful teacher; Brick Pomeroy, attending school at the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor; and William H., Jr., at home. Margaret E., a daughter, died in her fonr- teenth year year.

OIIN GREEN, M. D., of Council Bluffs, engaged in the practice of his profession in this city in February, 1877, and has been constantly in practice sinee that time. Dr. Green was born in Morrow County, Ohio, October 10, 1832. Ilis father was Isaac Green, who was born in New Jersey but went to Washington County, Pennsylvania, in early manhood. He married Lettie Miller and removed to Morrow County, Ohio, where they were pioneers and where they continued to live until death, the mother passing away in 1880 at the age of eighty-three years and the father several years later, at the age of eighty-six years. The family of Isaac Green and wife consisted of four sons and four daughters. Two of each are now deceased.

The oldest of the family is William, who is still a resident of Morrow County, Ohio. The deceased brothers were Joseph M. and the Rev. Daniel Green. The latter was a Pres- byterian clergyman, who died in 1875. At the time of his death he was a resident of Kansas. He was for eighteen years a mis- sionary in China. He left, at his deeease, a wife and three children. The subject of this notice was educated in the common schools of Ohio and was also for some time a student of the Presbyterian Academy at Martins- burg, Knox County, Ohio. He began the study of medicine in 1857, at Chesterville, in his native State, and took a course of lec- tures at the medieal department of Michigan State University at Ann Arbor in 1858-'59. In April, 1861, in response to the first call of President Lincoln for troops to aid in sup- pressing the Rebellion, Dr. Green entered the army as a private in Company B, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and on the reorganization of the company for three years' service, he was made First Lientenant of his company, and subsequently Adjutant of the regiment, in which position he served until promoted to a captaincy. Soon after, with the rank of Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General of Volunteers, he served under Gen- eral John S. Mason, and as aid of General Lander, and subsequently was on duty in the saine capacity with General McDowell. IIe was mustered out of the service in August, 1866, at Tucson, Arizona Territory, as Licu- tenant-Colonel by brevet. Dr. Green was a gallant and efficient soldier and served in many important campaigns of the war. IIe served with McClellan in West Virginia, early in the war, taking part in the battle of Roney. He was also at the first battle of Winchester, where General Shields defeated Stonewall Jackson, and also took part in the battle of Port Republic. His command was

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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.

then ordered to join the army of the Poto- mac, where they arrived soon after MeClel- lan's peninsular campaign closed. He took part in the second battle of Bull Run, where he had the honor of withdrawing the last picket line. Soon after this battle he was severely injured by being thrown from his horse at Georgetown, and was confined to the hospital for about six months. When able to rejoin his command, he was ordered to the Department of the Ohio, then in com- mand of General Rosecrans, but was assigned to duty at Camp Chase, Ohio, where he re- mained six months. He was then ordered to San Francisco, where he reported to Gen- eral McDowell, thence to Arizona, accom- panying General MeDowell as Adjutant- General of the District of Arizona. He was discharged at Chesterville, Ohio, at the date already given. Dr. Green resumed his med- ieal studies with Dr. John W. Russell, of Vernon, Ohio, and a prominent surgeon of that part of the State. He graduated at Charity Hospital Medical College, in 1866- '67. He practiced in Ohio until he came here.

Dr. Green was married to Miss Mary A. Greenlee in November, 1861. She was born in Fredericktown, Knox County, Ohio, a dangliter of Archibald Greenlee. Doctor Green and wife have three children: John A., Margaret L. and William M. Dr. Green stands high in the medical profession, and is a worthy and esteemed citizen. He was a gallant soldier in the war of the Rebellion.

REDERICK W. HOUGHTON, M. D., physician and druggist at Council Bluffs, is a native of Wisconsin, and was born at Sparta, in that State, September 9, 1861, and is a son of Albert R. Houghton. When

Dr. Houghton was but two years of age, his parents removed to St. Albans, Vermont, and when eight years old the family removed to Sacramento, California, and after a residence of one year on the Pacific Coast returned and located at Conneil Bluffs. Dr. Hough- ton was educated in the public schools of this city, graduating from the high school in the class of 1879. Deciding to pursue the medical profession, he entered the office of Dr. McCrae, of Council Bluffs, where he continued for a time, but in 1880 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York city, taking a three years' course, graduating in May, 1883. He still further qualified himself for the medical profession by a year's course at St. Joseph's Hospital, at Paterson, New Jersey, where he remained one year.

In 1887 Dr. Houghton . located at Council Bluffs and engaged in the practice of his profession and also opened a drug store, which he still conducts in connection with his medical practice. He was married in September, 1885, to Miss Geneva Van Beebe, of this city. They have one son-Albert B.

Dr. Houghton received a thorough medi- cal education; he is energetic and public spirited, and though still a young man, occu- pies a prominent place among the medical fraternity of Pottawattamie County.

ILLIAM A. MYNSTER, of Council Bluffs, one of the leading members of the bar of Pottawattamie County, is the only son of Christopher O. and Maria Mynster, pioneers of this county, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this work. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 13, 1843, having been but a child when the family emigrated to America. He was edil-

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cated at Sinsinawa Mound College, Wiscon- sin, and at St. Louis University, Missouri, graduating from the latter institution in 1861, and from the Albany Law School, at Albany, New York, in 1865, and has been actively engaged in the practice of law in the city of Council Bluffs since that time. One year after beginning the practice of his profession he became associated with Mr. Hight, in the firm name of Mynster & Hight. This co. partnership continued for several years, when the firm of James, Aylesworth & Mynster was formed, and later that of Mynster, Mickle & Davis, and still later that of Mynster & Adams. His next association was in the firm name of Mynster, Lindt & Seabrook. He is still associated with Mr. Lindt, the firm being Mynster & Lindt.

Mr. Mynster was married to Miss E. A. Plater, daughter of Ira Plater, an early set- tler of Council Bluffs. Mr. Mynster was bereft of his wife by death in November, 1886. He has five children: William Rufus Choate, Marie, Ira C., Lester A. and Ifenry F. Mr. Mynster is one of the representative citizens of Council Bluffs and an enterpris- ing and progressive citizen. He has served as attorney of Pottawattamie County, and President of the City Conneil of this city. Politically Mr. Mynster affiliates with the Democratie party.

UDGE EGBERT E. AYLESWORTH is one of the earlier and well-known members of the bar of Conneil Bluffs. Judge Aylesworth is a native of the Empire State, having been born in the town of Mil- ford, Otsego County, New York, in 1838. His father, now deceased, was also born in the State of New York, as was his mother, Savina Adams. They were the parents of six chil-

dren, three sons and three daughters. The former in the order of their birth, are the subjects of this notice; Lorenne, of Council Bluffs, and Freting, who is still a resident of the State of New York, as are the sisters of the family.

Judge Aylesworth was reared in his native town and was educated at Hartwick Academy and at the Delaware . Literary Institute, at Franklin, in Delaware County, New York, and began the study of law in 1861, at Portlandville in his native county, with R. M. Townsend, Esq., a prominent lawyer of that place. He was admitted at Bingham- ton, New York, May 12, 1863, but continued in the office of his preceptor till he came West three years later. Politically Judge Aylesworth is a Democrat. In 1884 Judge Aylesworth was the Democratic candidate for Judge in the Fifteenth Judicial District, his opponent being C. F. Loofbourrow. The can- vass of the votes gave Judge Aylesworth a majority of two votes, but the election was contested and Loofbonrrow was declared elected by fourteen votes. Four years before that election he ran against the same gentle- man for the same office, when the latter was elected by but sixty-four votes, though the Republican general ticket received a majority of about 3,000. In 1873 Judge Aylesworth was appointed by the City Council to the office of City Attorney of Council Bluffs, to succeed Judge J. R. Reed, and was elected to that place in 1874 and re-elected in 1876, serving in that position for four years. In March, 1882, he was elected Judge of the Superior Court, a position that he filled in an able and satisfactory manner for the period of eight years. He has also been a member of the Council and of the School Board of the city. Judge Aylesworth is a lawyer of fine legal attainments, and is a progressive and popular citizen. He was married in the State of

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OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.

New York, to Miss Marcella Winsor, also a native of Otsego County. Their children are Paul Clark, Ellen Winsor, Egbert DeWitt and Seth Winsor.

AUL ACKELS is one of our substantial German-American citizens, and one of the early settlers and promoters of this town, who by industry and energy has made a place of honor for themselves, as well as assisted to promote the business enterprises of Avoca. He was born in the beautiful Province of Rhine, Germany, the son of Malt Aekels, who was a farmer of that prov- ince, and the father of four sons: Joseph, John, Paul and Malt. The father is in eom- fortable circumstances, and has reached the age of ninety years. He served three years in the regular Prussian army, and was also in the rebellion of 1848 as a soldier for the Government. He is a man of remarkable constitution, and of great strength of charac- ter, and this robust constitution his son, our subject, has inherited to a great degree. The strong and sturdy sires of the old country have given to their sons, the voyagers to a new world, that vitality and character which are making them leaders in the West.

Paul Ackels, our subject, was born April 20, 1844, and, as all Prussians are obliged by law to learn a trade, he chose that of tailor, which he completed in a very thorough man- ner in France, that country which for so many years was the emporium of fashion for the world. Mr. Ackels remained in the old country until the age of twenty-nine years, when, in 1873, he came to America, landing in New York city in the early part of May. His brother Malt was a farmer in this eounty, and he naturally came direct to Avoca, and after spending a few months working at his

trade in Council Bluffs he came to this city and established himself in business as a mer- chant tailor. In 1876 he went into the clothing business, and has ever since been the leading clothier in the city.

He married Miss Augusta Fincks in 1876. In his political opinion he is a stanch Re- publican, and socially a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Catholic Church. He is a man of liberal ideas, and has by industry and economy accumulated handsome property, owning real estate in this town and also in Nebraska. He is well known for his integrity of character, and his honor as a merchant is established. Coming from a foreign country and unable to speak our language, he deserves great credit for the manly way in which he has overcome every difficulty and won suecess by his own un- aided and laborious efforts.

BRAM HARRIS, a prominent farmer of Knox Township, descended from a prom- inent American family. His grand- father, Barnett Harris, was born on a farm in Connecticut, and was of English deseent. He was the fatlier of six sons: Barnett, Far- rington, Gilbert, Daniel, William and Joseph. The father lived to the age of sixty years, dying on his farm in Dutchess County, New York, where he was one of the early settlers. His son, Barnett, the father of our subject, was born in Dutchess County, and was mar- ried at the age of nineteen to Miss Sarah Vanolinda, of Holland-Dutch parentage, but who had lived in New York State a number of years. They were the parents of eight children: Sabin, Abram, Hiram, deceased at the age of twelve years; Aaron, who died when forty-five years of age; Jane, deceased at five years; Anna E., died at the age of

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twenty-five; Fannie and Mary J., de- ceased when eight years old. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Harris enlisted in the war of 1812, and served three months. He died at the age of seventy years in Saratoga County. He took great pride in his family, and brought them up under the old New England regime-to be honest and npright men and women. He was well- known for his integrity of character, and was industrious and frugal in his habits.

His son, Abram, the subject of this sketch, was born in Saratoga County, New York, April 15, 1823. His first experience at working out was when but nine years of age, for a six-months job, for which he received $12 and his board. Ile learned farming in the old-fashioned way, using the old-time sickle, scythe and hoe. He then became a dealer in cattle and meat, driving the cattle to the Albany markets. In 1855 he moved to Ottawa, Illinois, and engaged in the butcher business, remaining there abont thirteen years. Next, in 1868, he went into the dairy business in Colorado, remaining but one year, when he went to Omaha, where he stopped three months, and while there he purchased 240 acres of land in Pottawatamie County. He soon sold this and bought a one-half section, which he improved and also built a home. He sold this land in 1888, and bought his present farm of 274 acres, which is now under a good state of culti- vation. Besides this fine farm Mr. Harris also owns business property in Avoca. He is a large stock-raiser, having at present over 200 head of cattle and twenty-eight horses. In his political opinions, he is a "Greenbacker," and belongs to the Union- Labor party. He was one of the old-time Republicans, and took an active interest in forming that party. He has always been an original thinker and independent in his

opinions, and believes strongly in the orig- inal purpose of our Government,-" a govern- ment of the people, by the people, and for the people,"-and never hesitates to express his views. He served the city of Avoca as Mayor two years, and also filled the office of Justice of the Peace two years. He was nominated as candidate for State Senator on the Greenback ticket, and received the heaviest vote on the State ticket. He is a self-made man, having begun the struggle of life for himself at ten years of age, and by honest industry he has made his property. He is a well preserved man of sixty-seven years.

Mr. Harris was married in Dutchess County, New York, to Johanna Ferris, of Irish parentage, and to them have been born five children: George W., who died at the age of eighteen; Eliza, Mary, Belle and Julia, deceased at nineteen years of age. The mother died, and the father was married to Mary Harder, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Heppner) Harder, and to them have been born seven children: Maud, Charles, Lin- coln, Thomas (deceased in infancy), Robert, Bennie and Jackson. Mrs. Harris has tive brothers and sisters living, namely: Christian, Sophia, Mary, Charles and William. Their father was born in Germany.

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Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 82

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