USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 31
USA > Iowa > Audubon County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 31
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
father was left an orphan when a boy, and the family came to America in 1829; he followed coal-mining for a time in Pottsville, Penn- sylvania, but later moved to Portage County, Ohio, where he cleared up a farm out of the big woods, which at that time was little less than a wilderness. He married Miss Jane Davis, daughter of John Davis, who emigrated from Wales to this country, settling in the great forest lands of Ohio at an early day. Our subject's parents spent the remainder of their days on the farm improved by Mr. Da- vis. The father died in December, 1884, and the mother survived him until April, 1888. W. J. Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born October 3, 1836, in Portage County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, spending his youth in aiding his father on the farm and attending the district school; when far enough advanced he entered Iliram College, of which the late President James A. Garfield was then president. In 1860 he started out for himself to seek what the world might have in store for him, but little comprehending what was to be overcome and passed through in hewing out for himself a home and a fortune sufficient to keep him in advanced age. Just before coming west he finished teaching a school for which he was entitled to $106, but he was unable to draw more than half this amount; so he started with the §53 and one suit of elothes. He first took a trip through Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, with the intention of following teaching, but owing to the laxity of the school-laws in this section he decided to push on west. While in Ken- tucky he visited the farm of the distinguished statesman, Cassius M. Clay. After spending some time in that vicinity, he came to Iowa, via the Ohio & Missouri River line of boats, as at that date there was no line of railroads built farther west than Iowa City, Iowa. Upon getting off the boat at Council Bluff's
he had but 84.50 in his possession. He en- tertained the idea that the hotel was but a short distance from the boat landing, and so he started out for a few minutes' walk, which proved a five-mile tramp; and worse than the walk was the hotel, which he had pictured as one with all the first-class appointments of those in the eastern cities; its name was the City Hotel, and he supposed it would be first- class; he was anything but agreeably sur- prised to find a double log house with few accommodations for the pleasure and comfort of a weary traveler, who had been for many days tossed about on a river boat. However, he ate liis dinner and set ont on foot, going seven miles to a farin-house where he re- mained over night, receiving the kindest at- tention at the hands of the good pioneer farmer and his wife, who in the morning refused to accept any pay from him, for which he was very grateful. From there he pro- ceeded to Eight-Mile Grove, which was a dis- tance of twenty miles, without a solitary house in view, giving naught but wild prairie landscape, upon which his eyes could have a perpetual feast. The first house to which he came was vacant, and the next one seemed to be occupied, but he found no one at home. He was hungry, however, and after searching about the premises, discovered a Dutch oven containing a short-cake, which made him the best meal he had ever eaten. After having partaken of this heartily, with perfect satis- faction to the inner man, he walked on to a house where he remained that night. The next day he arrived at the county seat of Harrison County, in hopes of finding a school to teachi, but was seemingly doomed to disap- pointment; so he retracel his steps to the house at which he had stopped the previous night, and the following day came to Shelby County. Here he succeeded in obtaining a school, as first stated in this sketch. Mr.
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Davis was married in 1863 to Miss Sarah Long, a daughter of James M. Long, one of the founders of Harlan, of whom inention will be made elsewhere in this volume. By this marriage union five daughters were born, two of whom still survive-Marguerite G. and Josephine. In April, 1880, Mr. Davis was greatly bereaved by the sudden death of his wife and three daughters, all of whom were taken from him within five days. They were stricken down by diphtheria and scarlet fever. The first to be taken from the family circle was their bright-eyed little daughter Mary, aged seven years. The next to follow was Susie B., who was just entering the threshold of young womanhood, aged four- teen years. Grim death, not yet content, called the baby and pet of the household, Inez, aged five years. In the midst of all this sadness and gloom the wife and mother was also stricken down and died; and had it not been for the true kindness and practical sympathy of Judge Chathburn and his good wife, iu all probability the remaining mem- bers of Mr. Davis's family would also have been called from earth. These truly good people took Maggie and Jossie to their own home and cared for them until this terrible destroyer had subsided in the community. In the death of Mrs. Davis, who was a mnem- ber of the Baptist church, the community met with a sad loss, as well as in the death of the three children, who were indeed fair flowers in life's garden. By nearly thirty years' residence in Shelby County, Mr. Davis has, by his manly, upright course, justly merited and won the confidence and esteem of the entire population with whom he has lived and mningled. He has always taken an active part in politics, being an ardent Re- publican. In 1888 he was chosen one of the delegates to the Chicago Convention, which placed in nomination General Harrison for
President. Ile is one of the radical, uncom- promising men who always find the place of leader. IIe belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, being a charter member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321, and having passed through all the chairs of such lodge. He also belongs to Olivet Chapter, Lodge No. 107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 40. Besides his Masonic connection, he is a wor- thy member of the Odd Fellows' order at Harlan, having passed through all of its de- grees. Nothing better can possibly be said, as a matter of final record of a man's life, than that he always had the confidence of his fellow-men, which is unquestionably true of W. J. Davis.
EWIS GINGERY, of Cedar IIill stock farm, is one of the intelligent and enter- prising citizens of Shelby County. He was born in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, November 1, 1847. His father, Daniel Gin- gery, was a native of Germany, where he was reared, educated and married to Miss Amelia Helena Wilhelmina Stuart. Soon after their marriage they came to America, and stopped for a short time in Baltimore, Maryland, and then went to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. From Bethlehem they removed to Massillon, Ohio. Daniel Gingery enlisted in the Mex- ican war, and died while in the service of his adopted country ; he was buried in Mexico. There were ten sons, six of whom lived to maturity. Lewis was the youngest, and he was thirteen years old when his mother came to Cass County, Iowa, where he grew to man- hood. Mr. Gingery was married December 19, 1869, to Miss Cylinda Howard, a native of Rock Island County, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Mary C. Howard. In 1877 Mr. Gingery removed from Cass County to
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
Shelby County, and settled on the land where he now lives. The land was then wild prairie, and the next six years were devoted to its eulti- vation. In 1883 Mr. Gingery rented his farm and removed to Harlan, where, in company with John Lorge, he engaged in the agricult- ural implement business. This he continued for two years, and then returned to his farm. At the end of one year he came back to HIar- lan, and engaged in the nursery business until the fall of 1888, when he sold his inter- est in the business and went back to his farm. Cedar Hill Stock Farm contains 200 acres, and is two miles cast of Harlan. There is a comfortable residence, pleasantly sit- nated, a good barn, a grove and an orchard. The proprietor makes a specialty of short- horn cattle and Chester White swine. Mr. and Mrs. Gingery are the parents of three children-John C., George Engene and Mary B. Claudia. Politically, Mr. Gingery is a Dem- oerat, and has served as township assessor. He and his wife are members of the Congre- gational church, and he is treasurer of the Sabbatlı-school. IIe is yet in the prime of life, is honorable in business, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
LETCHER DUNIIAM, of Harlan Town- ship, has been a resident of Shelby County since 1881. Ile was born in Steuben County, New York, October 17, 1842, and is a son of Abraham and Susan (Dolph) Dunham. The father's ancestors were sent from England in an early day as missionaries to preach the gospel. The father served in the war of 1812. The mother was of English extraction, and was a relative of General Wolf, who died in the battle of Que- bec. Both parents were active and zealons workers of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and died at Geneva, Kane County, Illinois, in 1860, respected and regretted by all who knew them. Our subject was eight years old when his parents moved to Kane County, Illinois, where he was reared and edneated. During the rebellion he went to the defense of the old flag, enlisting, September 7, 1861, at Chicago, in the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, Colonel Jenison's regiment, General James Lane's brigade. The regiment took an active part on the western border until after the battle of Shiloh, and then they were ordered southeast, and took an active part in fighting General Forest's troops. They were also in the first attack on Vieksburg under Gen- eral Grant. Mr. Dunham served his conn- try in a gallant manner, and was honorably discharged in September, 1864, at St. Louis, Missouri. He returned to Kane County, Illinois, where he remained for a short time, and then went to Guthrie County, Iowa. He was married January 23, 1866, to Miss Laura J. Porter, a native of Brown County, Ohio, and a daughter of John J. Porter, who was one of the prominent pioneers of Guth- rie County, Iowa. The mother was Miss Eliza Snell, a daughter of Daniel Snell, who was a small boy during the revolutionary war, and was confined in a fort in South Carolina during that time. Mr. Dunhamn lived in Guthrie County until 1857, when he removed to Big Grove, l'ottawattamie Conn- ty, Iowa, an I engaged in the stock business. In 1875 he went to Wyoming, where he engaged in mining and live-stock dealing. Ile continued this for several years. In 1880 he sold his interests in Wyoming, and re- turned to Big Grove, lowa, where he remained one year, and then came to Shelby County. Here he bought the Thomas Cald- well farm, excellent land, and well adapted to stock-raising. The farm contains 297 acres. There is a good residence, well furnished, a
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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES.
grove, an orchard, and all the conveniences for farming on a large scale. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham are the parents of three children ---- Lee H., Van E., and Orah Wyoming. Laura S. died at the age of sixteen months. Mr. Dunham is a strong supporter of Republican principles, and is a member of the G. A. R., Harlan Post, No. 197. He is a member of the Masonic order, Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107; Mount Zion Command- ery, No. 49. Mr. Dunham is in the prime of life, and has seen inneh of this country. He is honorable in business, and has the respect and confidence of a wide acquaintance.
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AMES NEWBY is a well-known pioneer settler of Harlan Township, having come to the county in 1868. He was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, six miles from Elizabeth City, in 1824. He is a son of John L. and Melissa (Perry) Newby, both of whom were born in North Carolina. James Newby was left an orphan at the age of ten years, when he went to live with a half-brother, with whom he remained five years. He was trained to agricultural pursuits, but his lit- erary education was entirely neglected, and he was obliged to work very hard in his youth- ful days. He was married, April 22, 1847, to Miss Julia Stallins, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Ward) Stallins, natives of North Carolina, where Mrs. Newby was also reared. She was born February 28, 1822, in Per- quimans County, North Carolina. Our sub- ject remained in his native State until 1860, when he removed to Henry County, Indiana, where he lived four years. He then went back to North Carolina for a short time, and afterward removed to Virginia, where he re- sided four years. His next place of abode was in Carroll County, Indiana, where he
lived until 1867, when he came to Mills County, Iowa. In the spring of 1868 lie moved to Pottawattamie County, and in the spring of 1869 to this county. In 1871 he came to his present farm, which was then wild land; he has since improved the place until the Newby farm is one of the best in the neighborhood. Ile has a two-story honse, built in good style, and surrounded with shade trees; he has twenty-five acres of fine timber, and an orchard; everything is conveniently arranged for farming in good style. Mr. and Mrs. Newby are the parents of nine chil- dren-John L., Joseph W., Quinten, Ellsberry, William G., Elvira Jane, Alexander and Laura B. James died at the age of eighteen years; he was the sixth child. Mr. and Mrs. Newby are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family are among the respeeted and honored citizens of the township. Politically, Mr. Newby is a Republican.
ANIEL DALEY, conductor of the Har- lan branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, has been a resident of Shelby County since 1878. He was born in West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, January 3, 1840. He is a son of Michael and Mary (Morrison) Daley, natives of Cork, Ireland, who emigrated to America immediately after their marriage. They settled in Berkshire County, Massachu- setts, and in 1871 removed to Iowa, and set- tled in Atlantic. When Mr. Daley was seven years old his parents moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where his father carried on farm- ing; here he grew up and received his edn- cation in the common schools. He remained with his parents until his majority, when he entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Isl-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
and & Pacific Railroad, first working on the section at $1.15 per day. He occupied this position only a short time, and then went on the line as brakeman; while coupling cars his hand was injured, so that he was disabled for six months. He then took the position of baggage-master at Atlantic, which he held for two years, and again took the position of brakeman. He was afterward promoted to the position of yard-master, which he held for five years. When the Ilarlan branch was constructed Mr. Daley was given the train, and is the only conductor this branch has ever had. Mr. Daley was united in ınar- riage, August 8, 1878, to Miss Jennie Grant, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Robert Grant, now a resident of Adair County. By this union three children have been born- Gracie, John and Roberta. In 1878 Mr. Daley removed to Harlan, where he has as comfortable and pretty a home as one need wish. Mr. and Mrs. Daley are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is a mem- ber of the R. W. Condnetors, Des Moines Lodge; the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 65, Ilarlan; the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49. Mr. Daley's political sympathies are with the Democratic party. No man in Shelby County is more highly esteemed, or has a more enviable rep- utation, than Daniel Daley, of IIarlan.
R. DAVID GISII was a native of Bote- tourt County, Virginia, and a son of John and Adaline Gish. When about sixteen years of age he went to Greene County, Ohio. His life in Virginia was spent on a farm and in attending the common schools. He was married to Miss Frances Ilopping, of Greene County, Ohio. In 1858 he came to |
lowa and settled at Greencastle, Jasper County; here he engaged in farming and steam-milling in company with his brother Elijalı. He pursued this avocation about one year, and then commenced the study of medi- eine nnder Dr. Love in Greencastle, and graduated from the Keokuk Medical College in 1863. He commenced the practice of medicine with his preceptor, Dr. Love, in Greencastle, where he continued for one year. He then entered into partnership with Dr. Sheldon, in Story County, and came from this place to Shelby County in 1868, where he continued the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred August 13, 1879. Ile purchased vast tracts of Shelby County land, which was placed under a good state of cultivation by his own direction. Dr. Gish had an extensive practice, and was one of the pioneer doctors of the county. He was one of the most prosperous citizens, and at the time of his death was worth a consid- erable fortune. Ile distributed a good por- tion of his wealth among his children. Dr. and Mrs. Gish were the parents of six chil- dren-Charles; Laura, wife of A. Barton; Harvey, Calvin and Jolin; one child is not liv- ing. The Doctor was a man that had the respect and esteem of all who knew him, and his acquaintance was an extensive one.
C. O. Gish, the son of David and Frances (Hopping) Gish, was born in Greene County, Ohio, September 25, 1853. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Jasper County, Iowa, and remained there about ten years. They then made two other moves, but finally located in Harlan Township. When C. O. Gish had attained his nineteenth year he commenced farming, and has since followed this pursuit. In 1875 he purchased his first piece of ground, it being an eighty- acre tract of wild prairie in section 35, Doug- las Township; he bought it from the railroad
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
company at a cost of $7 per acre; he placed it under good cultivation, and made many excellent improvements. To this first pur- chase he added other tracts, until he now owns 560 acres of Shelby County land; through his own efforts and personal super- vision, this land has been improved, has been taken from the raw prairie and made into one of the best farms in Shelby County; there are a good house, a barn, a grove and all the improvements that go to make a fine mod- ern farm. Mr. Gish devotes himself to farm- ing and stock-raising quite extensively. He has disposed of some of his lands, but now controls 440 acres. He is an active, ener- getie business man, and is deserving of much credit. Although but a young man, he is one of the foremost in agricultural pursuits in Shelby County. He is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and has been ofli- cially identified with the township. He is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Gish was married November 16, 1876, to Miss Minerva A., daughter of Dwight and Catha- rine (Bowman) Terrill; she was a native of Shelby County. She died in 1882, after a wedded life of six years. Three children re- sulted from this union-Pearlie M., Lester D. and Ray. Mr. Gish was again married June 4, 1883, to Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Rebecca East; she was born September 13, 1861, in Indiana. Three children resulted from this uuion-Maud, Fern and Joseph.
ARY MICHENER HAVENS .- In the history of Shelby County no name is more deserving of mention than that of Mrs. Havens. She will long be re- membered by the older residents, and there are many living at the present time who were first cradled in her loving, motherly arms,
and many more who, under Providence, owe their lives to her skillful medical treatment. Mrs. Havens was born November 28, 1815, in Licking County, Ohio. Had she been a man, or had she made her advent into the world a quarter-century later, when the pro- fessions had been opened to women, she would have undoubtedly made a name, either as a minister of the gospel or as a physician, for she came of a family of ministers on one side, and of doctors on the other. Possessed of a fine mind and liberal education, she was far in advance of the times, being a firm be- liever in total abstinence, prohibition and woman's suffrage. Without the means of mental culture now open to the majority, she improved the opportunity within her reach, and became well versed in general literature, and quite well read in medicine and theology. Of a genial disposition and a good conversa- tionalist, she made many friends, while her poetic vein, which enabled her to write verses upon every occasion, from a lover's quarrel to an elegy on the death of a favorite horse, made her exceedingly popular, especially with young people. At the age of sixteen she united with the Presbyterian church, and as long as she lived was a consistent Christian, and an earnest worker in the vineyard of the Lord. For eight years she followed the pro- fession of school-teaching, and was eminently successful, controlling unruly pupils and main- taining order in what were known as unman- ageable schools. In 1839 the subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Mary Mills, was married to Daniel Michener, of Morrow County, Ohio, who was a perfect specimen of noble manhood. He survived only seven short years after his marriage. After the death of her husband, Mary Michener suf- fered a long illness, from which she recovered with her hearing much impaired. She then took her two children, Mattie and Angie
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HISTORY OF SHIELBY COUNTY.
Gertrude, and went to live with her brother at Columbia City, Indiana. In course of time she married Lorenzo Havens, a wid- ower with two little girls. In the spring of 1861 they came to Harlan, where they lived several years. It soon became known that Mrs. Havens was not only a skillful ac- concher, bnt was remarkably sneeessful in her treatment of all kinds of diseases. At that time there was but one physician in Shelby County, and he was not in practice; therefore it is not strange that Mrs. Ilavens should have many calls to visit the sick. She was never very strong, but summer's heat nor winter's cold, beating rain nor howling blizzard, ever hindered her from answering the eall of suffering humanity until there were other physicians to take her place. Owning no conveyance of her own, she was compelled to ride in any kind of vehicle and after any wild and spirited animal that a messenger might bring for her. Although she spent much of her time and strength in this work, it was more a labor of love than anything else, for her charges were not in proportion to the service rendered, but ae- cording to the ability to pay. In 1872 Mrs. Havens was mysteriously poisoned, strych- nine having been put into her quinine bottle, from which she took a dose. Dr. Bayer, of Harlan, was called immediately, and her life was saved. As soon as she was able she was taken to the home of her son-in-law, L. L. Winters, in Clay Township. Here she passed her remaining days with her children, living five years after this attempt npon her life. The five years of suffering were borne with patienee, and a cheerful looking forward to her release. Knowing it to be only a matter of time, she prepared her burial clothes with her own hands, speaking frequently of her departure as if she were going on a pleasant journey. In October, 1877, in the sixty-
third year of her age, at the home of Mrs. Winters, in Marne, Cass County, her sum- mons eame, and she passed to the sleep that knows no waking. Her remains lie buried in the Marne cemetery, but the good she has done will live forever.
ESLEY SCUTT .- Among the promi- nent citizens of Shelby County there are none more worthy of notice in this history than Wesley Scutt. Ile has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1879. He is a native of Columbia County, New York, born January 25, 1843, and a son of Peter and Eliza (Race) Sentt, natives of New York, and of Hollandish ancestry. The family were among the first settlers of eastern New York, and were de- seended from the Hollanders who settled on the Livingston patent. The father of our subject was a carpenter by trade, but Wes- ley's youth was spent on a farm, where he worked at 86 per month. Hle resided with his parents until he was nineteen years old, when he came to Iowa, and located in Me- ehaniesville, Cedar County, where he re- mained eight years. From that place he moved to Avoca. He was married in No- vember, 1878, to Miss Sophia Sherman, whose father came to Iowa with his wife when Iowa was a territory. Mrs. Seutt was born in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa. Soon after her birth her parents moved to Wisconsin and purchased land where Mil- wankee now stands. Here Mrs. Sherman died, and Mr. Sherman with two little dangh- ters returned to his former home in New York, where he soon after died. Mrs. Seutt was reared in Wyoming County, New York, and after she was grown to womanhood she went to Bloomington, Illinois, where she
yours Loudly Hm Nyland
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