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 34
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 34
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EORGE K. PATTERSON, of Harlan, is a native of Iowa, born in Marion County, December 10, 1860; he is a son of II. W. Patterson, a native of Ohio, born in Athens County in 1836; his father was Moses Patterson, who was among the pioneers of Ohio, and of Scotch and Irish ancestry. H. W. Patterson was reared on a farm in his na- tive country, receiving a common-school cdu- cation. He was married to Miss Eleanor Carder, a native of Connecticut, and a daugh- ter of Henry Carder, of Puritan ancestry. In 1857 they emigrated to Iowa and settled in Marion County; here Mr. Patterson followed farming until the breaking out of the late war. In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company A, serv- ing until the close of the war, when he re- turned to Marion County. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Chariton, Lucas County, where lie remained two years; from this place he went to Dallas County where he resided one year. In the spring of 1869 he came to Shelby County and purchased a farm in Har- lan Township, in Bowman's Grove; he im-
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proved this place and lived upon it until 1873, when he moved to Jackson Township, where he lived until he was elected sheriff, in the fall of 1881; he then moved to Harlan and served one year, when he was taken ill and died December 19, 1882. His wife still sur- vives and lives in Harlan. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are liv- ing-George K., Moses H., Chandler R., Caroline and Ota. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were members of the Baptist church. Mr. Patterson was a member of the Republican party. The boyhood of our subject, George K., was spent in the manner of most youths living on a farm. Hle was nine years old when he came to Shelby County, and re- mained at home until the death of his father. In the autumn of 1882 he began to learn the trade of a barber, serving an apprenticeship; le afterward worked as a journeyman, and in the spring of 1885 purchased the shop where he had learned his trade. Here he worked for a year and a half, and then sold out and worked as a journeyman for a short time; he then bought an interest in his present shop, and in 1887 he bought out his partner, and is doing a thriving business. He was married Sep- tember 7, 1884, to Miss Anna Clark, a native of Tipton, Iowa. They are the parents of two children-Edna May and George; both of these children died in December, 1887, the younger being taken the 7th, and the older the 19th; both died of diphtheritie eroup.
S. CROFT, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, was born May 28, 1846, the son of Geo. W. and Mary M. (Saner) Croft. When eight years old he came to Iowa with his parents, who located in Dubuque County, on a farm; subsequently they removed to Franklin County, Iowa, and in 1865 removed to
Page County, remaining something over two years; thence our subject made a trip to Wy- oming Territory, where he spent about two years and a half, after which he returned to Page County. September 18, 1876, he was married to Alice Steel, daughter of Eli and Mary Steel; she was born April 25, 1860. They are the parents of six children-Lloyd C., Bertlia E., Ida M., Lee J., Roy B., Nora E., all of whom are at home. Mr. Croft came to Shelby County in 1876, and located on an unimproved farm of 160 acres in sec- tion 24 in Douglas Township; this he has cultivated and improved until he has a bean- tiful home with a fine farm residence and barn for stock and grain. He has labored hard and diligently in preparing this home, and merits the approval of all. He holds the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, as is shown by their choosing him to officiate in the many township offices. He has held the office of township trustee, served on the school board, and is present assessor. He . takes an active interest in politics, and is a strong supporter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.
ENTIIUS BILLETER is an exception to most of the persons mentioned in this history, in this, that lie is an Iowan by birth, and not by adoption. Ile was born in Shelby County, November 9, 1858, and is a son of Penthns Billeter, whose biography ap- pears elsewhere in this volume. Penthus, Jr., was reared on the old homestead, and his youth was spentin assisting his father, and in attending school. He was married February 13, 1883, to Miss Emma White, a native of Whiteside County, Illinois, a daughter of Michael White, of Irish descent. After his marriage Mr. Billeter rented land from place
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to place until 1885, when he removed to the homestead, where he carried on farming, making a specialty of Poland hogs. The farm contains 211 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Billeter are the parents of one child-Stella. Politi- cally Mr. Billeter affiliates with the Demo- cratic party.
NTIIONY MCKEEVER, a native of La Grange County, Indiana, was born August 27, 1888 HIc is the son of Renben and Jane (Umphrics) Mckeever, natives of Virginia and Ohio. When An- thony was thirteen years of age he came with his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, locating on a farm, and as a farmer he was reared. His education, which was received in the common schools, was very limited, as his services were necded at home on the farm. Deprived as he was of the usual amount of schooling in his youthful days, and realizing the need of such improvement, he has applied himself untiringly in the endeavor to secure a practical education; in this he has been quite successful, and you will find him to-day equal, if not superior, to many who were more favored and had all the advantages of a thorough course in some of the best schools. September 9, 1861, he was married to Cassie Ann Green, a native of Illinois, who died August 26, 1880. This union resulted in the birth of nine children-William, Mary I., Charles R. (deceased), Frank, Cynthia (de- ceased), Maud, Thomas, Harvey (deceased) and Henry E. He married again November 14, 1881, Mary J. Miller, daughter of Lydia Ogdon; she was born in Wells County, Indi- ana, October 3,1857. In the spring of 1880 he came to Shelby County and purchased in section 1, Douglas Township, a farm of 320 acres of unimproved land. This he has placed
under good cultivation. He has one of the finest farm residences in the county; every- thing is neat and tasty, and bespeaks the thrift and energy of the owner. Mr. Mckeever takes great pride in his stock, of which he keeps a good supply. On his farm will be found a herd of the finest swine, of the Poland China stock, and in his stable can be found a rare specimen of a horse of the Norman breed. Ilis stock are all beauties, and show the care and attention they receive. October 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Volunteer Infantry, and for three years did valiant service in defense of his country. IIe participated in a number of battles, among which were the siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Jackson, Mississippi, Champion Hills, Black River, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, etc .; at the last-named battle he was wounded in the right eye, which has caused him much annoyance and suffering. He is a member of the G. A. R., Irwin Post.
ENRY HAMDORF was born in Hol- stein, Germany, July 1, 1848; he is the son of Hans C. and Mary E. Hamdorf. He was reared to farm life and received his education in the common schools of his coun- try ; he worked in the manufacturing of cheese and at the cooper's trade. When he was about twenty years of age he came to America, and stopped in Philadelphia for a short time, to look into business in this country, and see if the habits and customs of the American people would suit him well enough to remain here. His investigations proved satisfactory to him, so he engaged in farming for one year in Pennsylvania. He then came to Iowa and located near Davenport, where he farmed for abont eight years. He came to Shelby County in 1876, and lived in Fairview Township for
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four years; then he came to his present home in section 20, Douglas Township. He pur- chased 200 acres of wild prairie land, which never had any improvement previous to his coming to it; this he has placed under good cultivation and improved, until he has to-day one of the finest farms in the county. He has planted about two acres of grove. He has a good, comfortable house, and barns for stock and grain; he spends his time in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Iamdorfisinclined toward the principles of the Republican party. Ile was married February 28, 1872, to Mary Vogt, daughter of Max IIenry and Anna Vogt. She was born July 9, 1848, in Hol- stein, Germany, and came to America in 1870. They have nine children-Fritz, Ilenry, Amial, William, Lonie, Ella, Rosa, Laura and Gustav. Mr. and Mrs. Iamdorf were brought up in the Lutheran church, and their children are being reared in the Method- ist Episcopal faith. They had many hard- ships in their carly life in this country, but they labored hard to secure for themselves a home, which they have and are as well situated as any family in the county, and are among the most respected citizens.
M. WYLAND. - In these days one hears the cries of specialtics and special training; and eries against dissipating one's forces, and seattering one's energies in many directions; and that concentration is necessary to secure success. This may be true, for times have changed; but to prove that in times past a multitude of experiences have been the foundation of a successful life, one needs only to study early history of some of Shelby County's first and best mnen. If we go back to the Hoosier State, which has fur- nished some very excellent material to sup-
ply new countries, we will find five miles south of Goshen, Elkhart County, at Wyland's Mills, the birthplace of David Madison Wy- land, who first saw the light of this world Angust 21, 1846. If we had wandered np and down and through the race and river for the next fourteen years, we would have had a constant companion in this youth, David, whose time was spent in wading, and swin- ining, and fishing, and a happy boyhood it must have been; for what is there in a child's paradise except water, and plenty of it? Up to the time David was twelve years old his greatest achievement was spearing a fish, as long as his own body, and perhaps a third as heavy. In the spring of 1860, with his three sisters, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Goodyear and Mrs. Jarvis, their husbands, and his two brothers, Jasper and Thomas J., he went overland to Coffee County, Kansas, where their father had previously bought some wild land and an im- proved farm. That year the crop was a fail- ure, and Mr. Goodyear and wife, Jasper W. and D. M. came to Shelby County, Iowa, from which place Jasper and D. M. went back to Indiana before winter. A few years after the other members of the family abandoned Kan- sas on account of the continued failure of crops, and joined those who had gone to Iowa. In the spring of 1861, the father having dis- posed of his property in Indiana, his family with several neighbors moved overland to Shelby County, Iowa, with the intention of making it their future home. For two years D. M. lived on the old home farm, section 36, township 80, range 38, now occupied and owned by Jefferson Wyland. During his residence on the farm D. M. developed a constitutional distaste for the occupation. In the winter of 1863 he learned that a school- teacher was wanted at Simoda. Simoda was then as much of a town as Harlan, but is now a part of Harmon Banghn's farm, a mile
Длинаство
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east of Ilarlan. One stormy day he saddled Joe, an Indian pony brought from Kansas by his brother Jeff, and started for William McGinness's, near Simoda, who was the sub- director, and who promised him the school, providing that he should first get a certificate. The journey was then continued to the resi- dence of Felix Grundy Clarke, then county superintendent, living on a farm near the present site of Kirkman. Mr. Clarke was found butchering hogs for his winter supply of meat; upon making his crrand known, Mr. Wyland was told that there was no time just then for the ceremony of an examination, but if he would tarry through the noon hour his purpose might then be accomplished. While at dinner Mr. Clarke asked him a few questions; he then told him to write out a certificate. Mr. Wyland found a form in a book, and filled out the certificate stating his qualifications to teach all the branches named in the printed form, some of which he confesses to-day never to have studied. The superintendent signed the paper, and Mr. Wyland returned to Mr. McGinness and engaged to teach six months for $25 per month. This was the first money he had ever earned for himself, and he saved more out of his wages than ever afterward, even when working for a higher salary, showing upon how little one could live comfortably at that time. After he had taught about four months, the county treasurer resigned and his brother William was appointed to fill the vacancy. As he was living on the farm, he could not afford to leave it for the small salary paid the county treasurer; with the consent of the school- officers, D. M. turned his school over to one of his lady pupils, who was older, and more experienced than himself, and took charge of the treasurer's office, in the old court-house, on the corner where the city hotel now stands. The labor was light, and the responsibility
not great, as the amount of tax was small; but he carried the whole of the money col- lected on his person during the day, and at night slept on a bunk under the office conn- ter, with the money in a small iron box under his head. At that time there was no hotel, and, in fact, beside the court-honse and a small brick school-house, there was only one building in Long's Addition, now the popu- lous part of Harlan. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Wyland went to Iowa City to attend the State University; not having money enough to carry him through the full course, the fac- ulty selected such studies as they thought would be of most practical use to him; hc remained there several years, some time in school, and part of the time working on a farm, and for awhile in a hat store. A part of one summer he spent in Council Bluffs, and assessed the city for the city assessor, a former Shelby County man, who was ill at that time. In 1868, while at Iowa City, he received semi- official notice from the board of supervisors, that if he would return to Harlan he would be appointed clerk of the district court, and ex-officio clerk of the board of supervisors- county anditor. Mr. Wyland considered that this was a sad acknowledgement of the scar- city of official timber, when the board had to send to the other border of the State, and then only secure the services of an inexperi- enced youth. He returned and found the office occupied by a preacher-school-teacher, who had been appointed to fill the vacancy with the understanding that he would resign on the arrival of Mr. Wyland. Terms of court were then few and far between, and little business was transacted when court convened. The preacher-teacher having little to do, with better pay than either teaching or preaching secured, declined to resign for a time. The court was finally called for the trial of a murder case, for which five promi-
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nent citizens had been indieted, and to which was called a large part of the residents, as witnesses, jurors, or inter-spectators. The great crowd terrified the clerk, and he re- signed, and Mr. Wyland took possession. He held the place until the spring of 1869, when he received a letter from N. P. Dodge, banker and real-estate dealer at Council Bluff's, of- fering him a position as chief clerk in his office. He resigned his office and engaged with Mr. Dodge, with whom he remained two years, when he resigned and engaged in the real-estate business, first with E. A. Huber, and afterward with Colonel Addison Coch- ran. Business being dull during the sum- mer of 1872 lie was engaged by Mr. Dodge to go to Shelby County and make personal examination of a large list of lands of which he had control as agent for non-resident owners. Mr. Wyland secured Joe, the pony, who it seems was a veritable mascotte to him, carrying him to success in every business un- dertaking of importance. Joe had a playful habit of loping along, carrying one as easily and comfortably as though sitting in a rock- ing-chair, and then suddenly, without appar- ent cause, jumping six or eight feet to one side, while the rider went straight ahead, when he would stop and look at one, as though innoeently wondering why he was spread out on the ground. Mr. Wyland rode over the whole country, visiting every township, and nearly every section of land, making plats and copious field-notes of all the lands in which Mr. Dodge was interested, and many others besides. It occurred to him during his labor that Shelby County would soon be a good place to do a land-office business, and Harlan the place for headquarters. Finishing his work, and reporting to Mr. Dodge, he returned to Harlan, and in the autumn of 1872, with his brother C. J., then county treasurer, he purchased for the munificent
sum of $350 the real-estate business of M. H. Adams & Co. To show the difference be- tween the equipment of a land-office then and now, as seen by our people, he gives an inventory of the purchase: One six-quire book containing names and postoffice address of non-resident owners, and lists of their lands for which Adams & Co. were agents; one small pine table; two wooden stools; one wooden beneli, and one small coal stove with a big erack through the fire bowl, and a lot of letters piled in a heap under the table, con- venient for ready reference to their contents, which gave instructions in regard to the dis- position of all the lands which were expected to be sold. The purchase was contained in a lean-to, about 10 x 12 feet, attached to the building sonth of their present location; this building and the okl Harlan House were the only ones on the west side of the square. Mr. Wyland set to work at once to prepare a complete set of abstracts of title to all real estate in the county. Ile kept at it steadily the greater part of the first year, working sometimes for days and even weeks without being interrupted by a caller on business, or otherwise; but he got the officein good shape to take care of the business that did come after awhile. C. J. and D. M. Wyland did asteadily increasing business for several years; they secured their present business lot and moved to it a small frame building; they thus got a good-sized office, which was furnished with a fire-proof safe, and a so-called burg- lar-proof cash-box; this, however, was only a small iron box, set in the wood-work inside the safe, and probably could have been re- moved in two minutes by a professional, and carried away, but the people had confidence in it, and came with money and papers to deposit for safe keeping. The money when received was put in an envelope marked with the owner,s name, but no account was kept of
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it on the books, and when a person came to make a draw, his envelope would be handed to him and he would help himself. Having opened an account with the First National Bank of Chicago, for their own convenience in making remittances to parties for whom they had sold land, the United States reve- nue collector notified them that they were doing a banking business, and asked them to report the average amount of deposits, to en- able him to collect the tax imposed on bank- ers. They convinced him they were not guilty, but in 1876 they notified their special depositors, and others, that they would re- ceive deposits subject to check, buy and sell exchange, and do a general banking business. In this small way they started the business, now grown to respectable proportions, and known as the Harlan Bank. Mr. D. M. Wy- land is a member of the Mt. Zion Command- ery, No. 49, Knights Templar; Olivet Chap- ter, No. 107, R. A. M .; Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M .; Mt. Lebanon Chapter, No. 8, O. E. S .; Mt. Sinai Encampment, No. 106, I. O. O. F .; Harlan Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F., and Elkhart Temple, Cedar Rapids. Mr. Wyland was married September 8, 1875, to Miss Belle Keasey, at South Bend, Indi- ana. Mrs. Wyłand is a person of unusnal force of character, and uncommon attain- ments; she is greatly beloved by the poor of Harlan, and does a philanthropie work among them.
M T. KEENEY, of Shelby Township, is one of the early settlers, having come to the county in 1872. He was born in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1844. He is a son of J. N. and Permelia (Tupper) Keeney. The mother is a native of Pennsylvania; her mother came
from Connecticut on horseback to Pennsyl- vania when she was eleven years old. Mr. Keeney had three brothers, of whom he was the eldest. When he was two years old his parents moved to Susquehannah County, Pennsylvania, where the father remained until his death. The mother now lives in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. The subject of this sketch was reared a farmer, and re- ceived his education in the common schools. During the great rebellion he enlisted; he joined the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H, March 28, 1864, serving until the close of the war. The regiment was sta- tioned at Morris Island, South Carolina, in front of Charleston, where they were fre- quently under the fire of the enemy, and where many died of disease. In the spring of 1865 they were moved to North Carolina, and were on a forced march when Lee surrendered. Our subject was honorably discharged at Rolla, North Carolina, and returned to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. He was married to Miss Julia Reynolds, a native of Susquehanna County, and a daughter of Robert and Ma- tilda (Godwin) Reynolds. In 1868 they re- moved to Carroll County, Illinois, where they lived until they came to Shelby County, in 1872. The land was then wild prairie, but they have made many improvements. They have a snng house on a sunny slope, sur- rounded with a fine grove and orchard of eight acres; a good barn and other good buildings, all showing the energy and pros- perity of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Keeney have two children-Edgar N. and Hattie M. Mr. Keeney is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R., Dick Yates Post, No. 364. He has served as junior-vice, and is the present officer. He is a member of the Masonic order of Shelby, and a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church; he first joined the Baptist church when he was fifteen years
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old; his wife and son are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keeney is one of the representative men of the town- ship, and has done his share in the religions and educational labors; he is honorable in business and has the confidence of all who know him.
- S. GIBBS, dealer in general merchan- dise, is now the oldest merchant in Harlan. Ile was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, October 7, 1848, and is the oldest son of O. A. and Elizabeth (Watts) Gibbs. The father was a native of Vermont, born in Rutland County in 1814, of Puritan stock. Ile was reared in Vermont, and came to Michigan when that was first settled. IIe was married to Elizabeth Watts, who was a native of Norfolkshire, England. When he first came to Michigan, Mr. Gibbs was a sub- contractor of the Michigan Central Railroad. Ile afterward engaged in farming and lum- bering, which he followed until he came to Iowa. He engaged in farming in Harlan Township in 1869, and continned this pur- suit until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs were the parents of five children-G. S., O. O., Forest, William, and Hattie, wife of Mat- thew Thompson. They were active and con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gibbs was a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the board of supervisors in the years 1870 and 1871. His death occurred in September, 1887. Ilis widow still sur- vives. G. S. Gibbs was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools. Ile resided with his parents until they came to Shelby County in 1869. Ile entered the employ of J. W. and E. W. Davis, as clerk in a general dry-goods store. Ile served this firm until 1876, when he engaged
in business with Joseph Jackson, under the firin name of Jackson & Gibbs. This firm continued until July 1, 1879, when Mr. Gibbs purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone. Afterward he became associated with Mr. P. B. Hunt, the firm being Gibbs & Hunt. This firm ex- isted nntil 1887, since which time Mr. Gibbs has carried on the business in his own name. He carries a large stock of dry goods and general merchandise. He was married Janu- ary 21, 1875, to Miss Della Baughn, a dangh- ter of Charles Baughin, of Council Bluff's, Iowa. She is a native of Ohio, and came to this county when a child. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs- George S., Jr., Luln D. and John. Mr. Gibbs served as a member of the board of supervisors, and was the first city treasurer, serving in 1879 and 1880. In 1881 he was a member of the city council, and served until 1885. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge, No. 267, and Mt. Sinai Encampment, of which he is the seribe. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, and Mt. Zion Commandery, No. 49, of which he is junior warden. He is a mein- ber of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Gibbs is a member of the Congregational church of IIarlan.
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