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 37

Author: W.S. Dunbar and Co.. pbl
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, W.S. Dunbar & co.
Number of Pages: 852

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 37
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 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

MAR PACHA WYLAND, Clerk of the courts of Shelby County, Iowa, was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, Au- gust 20, 1855. He is the son of Isaac P. and Julia Wyland, and is one of a family of tive sons and oue daughter. Although a Hoosier by birth he knows very little of the

State of his nativity, his parents having emi- grated to this State while he was still an infant. In 1856 they settled on a farm in Shelby County, and Omar Pacha and his other brothers were reared to the hard work incident to frontier life. While still quite young he conceived the idea that a good ed- ucation would make life's journey much easier and more satisfactory, so he took advan- tage of every opportunity to gain knowledge. After attending the district school for several winters he entered the Baptist College at Des Moines, and was a student there in 1871, 1872 and 1873. Upon leaving college he taught school in Polk and Shelby counties for several years. Feeling that with the education he had acquired he was better able to take up the duties of life, and perform them successfully, he went back to the farm. Believing that he was better fitted to make a good, sensible farmer than he had been before, he put in cultivation a farm in section 27, Harlan Township; but in 1877, at their re- quest, he left the farm to accept a position in the land and abstract office of C. J. & D. M. Wyland. He soon developed a marked abil- ity in this line of work, and by close applica- tion mastered the intricacies of the business. He was soon placed in charge of the land and abstract business, and still holds that position. In 1875 Mr. Wyland was married to Miss Rachel J. Wallace, a native of Adams County, Illinois, and a daughter of Mr. James A. Wallace. Mr. Wyland was elected treasurer of the independent school district of Harlan in 1879, and has held that office ever since. He has been an active member of the City Council since 1886. In 1888 he was unan- imously nominated to the office of clerk of the courts, and was elected by a large major- ity over a very strong opponent-being the first Democrat ever elected to fill that office in Shelby County. He is an earnest and

372

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

zealous member of the Masonic fraternity; is secretary of Parian Lodge and of Olivet Chap- ter, and is recorder of Mt. Zion Commandery ; he is also a member of the order of the East- ern Star. Mr. Wyland is an honest and conscientions Democrat, strongin his convic- tions, yet never foreing his opinions upon others. Ile is to be envied in the possession of a very even temper; there is a quiet vein of humor running through his nature that enables him easily to look upon the bright side of life. Always ready with a pleasant word for every one, it is not surprising that he has so many warm personal friends, and that he is so popular with all classes of citizens. IIad we more natures like Omar Pacha Wyland's, life's burdens would seem the lighter to bear.

M. BOWLIN, of the firm of Bowlin & Paup, brokers, Ilarlan, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Somerset County, January 27, 1855. Ile is a son of Joseph and Barbara (Ayers) Bowlin. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and of Puritan descent, and the latter was also a native of Pennsylvania, but of German ancestry. The subject of this sketch was sent to school in Summerfield, Pennsylvania, until he was fourteen years old, when the family removed to lowa, and settled in Ot- tumwa, Wapello County. When he was six- teen years old he engaged in the grocery business, which he followed until 1876. In March, 1877, he, in company with his brother, eame to Ilarlan and engaged in general mer- cantile trade, which they followed success- fully until 1881 when he sold to his brother. Ile then engaged in the hardware business, in which he continued until 1886, when he sold out. January 1, 1887, he engaged in

his present business. Mr. Bowlin was mar- ried December 14, 1879, to Miss Reppa L. Brazie, a native of New York, and a dangh- ter of Peter Brazie. Mrs. Bowlin is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Bowlin is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107; Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Bowlin was appointed mayor of Harlan, and in March, 1889, he was re-elected to fill this office.

EIL CARMICIIEL, deceased, was one of the well-known and respected citi- zens of Shelby County. He was born in Scotland, at Linsmore, October 26, 1840, and was the son of Dugal and Sarah (Kieth) Carmichiel. At the age of seven years he came to America with his parents, who set- tled in New York. When he was sixteen years old they removed to Canada, in which country he was reared a farmer. His educa- tion was obtained in the public schools. Six months before the close of the late war he enlisted for three years in the Twenty-first Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and was with General Sherman on his marchi from Atlanta to the sea. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war. After the close of the war he came west and en- gaged in railroad contracting for some time. Mr. Carmichel was united in marriage, in Canada, November 15, 1870, to Miss Esther MeCallum, a native of the county of Kent, Ontario, and a daughter of Hugh and Sarah (Newcomb) McCallum. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and the mother was a native of Nova Scotia. The year of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carmichel came to Iowa and settled in Monroe Township. There they resided fourteen years. Mr. Carmichel

373

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

was engaged in general farming, bnt gave especial attention to raising and feeding cat- tle, in which he was very successful. Before his death he had acquired a valuable estate. Mrs. Carmichel now owns 260 acres of fine farm land, and property in Harlan. Mr. Carmichel was a member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M. He was an active business man, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. Car- michel has four children living -Douglas, Sarah Anu, Barbara and Neil. Lilly died since lier father passed away. Mr. Carmichel's death occurred November 2, 1885. Mrs. Carmichel now resides in Harlan, and is giving her children the advantages afforded by the public schools.

P. SORENSON, proprietor of the Har- lan brick-yards, was born in Denmark, May 16, 1831. He is the son of Soren Peterson. He attended school until he was fourteen years old, and then worked on a farm and in the brick-yards for some time. When about twenty years of age he married Miss Christena Johnson, and in 1869 they came to America and settled at Cuppy's Grove, Shelby County, Iowa. Mr. Sorenson worked on a farm until 1880, and then came to Har- lan and engaged in brick-making, establish- ing the first yard in the county; his yard is one of the largest in the county, having a ca- pacity of 1,000,000 bricks. Mr. Sorenson makes 500,000 brick annually, and employs from nine to sixteen men during the busy season. He has two patent kilns, and drying sheds for 44,000 bricks. There are three and a half acres in the yard, and the clay is well adapted to the work. Mr. Sorenson has had many years' experience in this trade, and has established a good business in Harlan. He 28

and his wife are the parents of ten children- James G., Mary, Severine, Christina, Alsa, Carrie, Christ, Otto, Nickoly and Julia. The last two named were born in Shelby County, and the others in Denmark. Christ, Carrie and Otto are dead. In December, 1881, Mr. Sorenson, wife and two children, Nickoly and Carrie, made a trip to Denmark, returning the following May. Mr. Sorenson has been influential in bringing many of his country- men to Shelby County. He was the first emigrant landed at Avoca, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and was the second man from Denmark to land in Har- lan, Mr. Andrew Peterson being the first. In two years, by his advice, several came over, and they have been followed almost every year by others, until probably more than 100 emi- grants have found homes in Shelby County through Mr. Sorenson's influence. Ile lias given much assistance to these people, and many are indebted to him both for his kind- ness and aid.

W. BYERS, attorney at law, Harlan, was born in Richland County, Wis- consin, December 25, 1856. He is the son of Andrew C. and Mary (Holwell) Byers, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. The parents removed from Wisconsin to Hancock County, Iowa, when H. W. was a lad of fourteen years. There he obtained the education afforded by the public schools. In 1886 he began the reading of law with Macy & Gammon, and in 1888 he was ad- mitted to the bar at Des Moines, Iowa. He is well read in law for a man of his age, and has been very successful in his practice. His office is the same occupied by Judge Macy and Mr. Gammon, on the north side of the public square, Harlan. Mr. Byers

374

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

has already won his share of practice, and we bespeak for him a prosperous future. He was married in May, 1882, to Miss Mary J., daughter of James and Mary (Wyland) Winegar. They have had born to them two children-James C. and Frank. Mr. Byers's political convictions find expression in the Republican party, which he zealously supports.

J. PATTEE is the proprietor of one of the most popular restaurants in Har- lan. lle keeps the best grades of goods, is thoroughly experienced, and under- stands the art of managing an establishment of this character successfully. He was born in Germany, July 4, 1855, and is the son of Rudolph and Enstinia (Goulkie) Pattee. When he was seven years old his parents emigrated to America, and settled in Potta- wattamie County, Iowa. There our subject grew to manhood, being trained to the occu- pation of a farmer, and receiving a common- school education. In 1877 Mr. Pattee was married to Miss Emma Holdman, who died in 1879. He was married again in 1883 to Miss Ella Lytton, of Harlan. They have had born to them three children-Emarilda, Joseph M. and Jessie Alice. Mr. Pattee votes the Republican ticket. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., No. 267. He is yet in the prime of life, is of a genial disposi- tion, honorable in business, and is among the representative business men of Harlan.

F. BROCK, watchmaker and jeweler, Harlan, has been a resident of Shelby Connty since 1879. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, March 18, 1854, and is the son of Leland and Amanda (Goddard)

Brock, natives of the State of Kentucky. He was left an orphan at the age of' six years, and spent most of his youth in Decatur County, Indiana, receiving a common-school education. As before stated, he came to Shelby County in 1879, and in 1882 he engaged in business with C. C. Olmstead for a time. Ile is now proprietor of one of the leading jewelry stores of Harlan, and is an honorable and experienced jeweler. Hecarries a full stock and a large assortment of goods in his line, and is receiving his share of patron- age. He has been established in his present business since 1885. Mr. Broek was mar- ried in 1881 to Miss Anna L. Peterson, of Ilarlan, a daughter of Andrew Peterson, whose biography will be found elsewhere in this history. Mr. and Mrs. Brock are the parents of two children-Franklin P. and Ivy G. Mr. Broek is member of the Knights of Pythias, No. 65; he is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

M RS. HARRIETT A. TRUMAN was born in Dover, England, and is the daughterof William and Susan (Laws) Ashman. Until she was thirteen years of age she resided in her native country, receiv- ing excellent instruction and training. She then became companion to Lady Pemberton Knight who had been a schoolmate and inti- mate friend of Mrs. Truman's mother, and who also proved a most loyal friend to her young companion. In the society of this gifted person Mrs. Truman visited all im- portant points of Europe and the West Indias, obtaining in this way an edneation superior to that of most people of her day. Mrs. Truman was married in 1865, in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to N. M. Dickinson, a man of unusual intelligence and education,

375

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

and a very successful business man; he was a native of Vermont, and during the late eivil war he served his country in the Sixtieth New York Regular Infantry, for three and a half years; he held the office of Lientenant and Adjutant, and was a faithful and efficient officer. After the close of the war he entered the United States postal service at Omaha, Nebraska. From Omaha he came to Ilarlan, in which place his death occurred March 4, 1875. Mr. Diekinson and wife were the parents of three children-Elena, died at the age of eleven and a halfyears; George W., died at the age of six and a half years, and Norris M. still survives. Mrs. Dickinson was married in November, 1877, to P. C. Truman, an attor- ney of Harlan. Mrs. Truman owns 240 acres of well-improved land and good residence property in Harlan. She is a woman of in- telligence, enlture and education, and is a worthy member of the Baptist church.

L. JARVIS is the owner of the Jarvis livery and sale stables of Harlan, Iowa. a This barn, located near the southwest corner of the square, was built by Downey & Company in 1887, and was sold to Mr. Jarvis June 12, 1888. Good driving teams and ear- riages can be found at Mr. Jarvis's, who has built up a profitable business. The subject of this sketch was born in Roekbridge County, Virginia, March 21, 1835. His father, James Jarvis, was descended from an old Virginia family, and his mother, Mary Hildreth, was a native of Massachusetts. In 1837 his parents removed to Elkhart County, Indiana, where the father died in 1851; the mother died in Cass Connty, Michigan, in 1849. L. L. was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and re- ceived the advantages of a common-school edu- cation. In 1853 he went to Kankakee County,

Illinois, remaining there one year; he then spent a year in Cass County, Michigan, and at the end of that time went to Piatt County, Illinois. In Angust, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H. While he was in the service he spent seven weeks in the hospital. He was honorably discharged May 9, 1863. In 1864 he went south in the government employ, and in 1865 he came to Shelby County, Iowa, which has since been his home. In 1866 Mr. Jarvis was married to Mary Billeter, and seven children have been born to them-Charles B., Leora, Owen, Frank, Fred- eriek, Ella and Jennie. Mr. Jarvis owns one of the best farms in thetownship; it contains 160 acres, and has a residence in Harlan cost- ing 81,800; he also owns eighty aeres in see tion 29, Harlan Township.

B. WARNER, Principal of the publie school of Harlan, is a native of the State of Pennsylvania. He was born April 12, 1855, and is the son of Samnel and Mary E. Warner. When he was ten years of age his parents removed from New York, in which State they had lived for several years, to Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri; there he attended school for some time, and in 1879 graduated from the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, and with the ex- eeption of the time spent in stndy he has sinee followed this high calling. For four years he had charge of the schools in Aller- ton, Wayne County, Iowa, and in 1885, after an experience of eleven years, he took charge of the Harlan schools. In the profession of teaching he has doubtless found the work for which he is endowed. He is an excellent disciplinarian, and as an instructor has few

376

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

equals. Harlan may well congratulate her- self upon having at the head of her publie schools sneh a man as Mr. Warner. He was married May 24, 1878, to Miss Alice Perry- man, of Princeton, Missouri. They have had born to them three children-Ray, Blanche and Carl. Politically Mr. Warner is a Pro- hibitionist, and believes in free trade and civil- service reform. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

TEPHIEN YODER has been a resident of Harlan Township since 1881. Ile was born in Centre County, Pennsylva- nia, January 14, 1821, and is a son of Yost Yoder, a native of Pennsylvania; his father was also a native of Pennsylvania, and they were of German ancestry. The mother of Stephen Yoder was Sarah Yoder, and although bearing the same name as her husband, was not related to him. Our subject lived in Centre County, Pennsylvania, until he was seven- teen years of age. Ile was reared a fariner, and received his education in the subscription schools, and by diligent reading at home. In 1838 the family moved to Juniata County, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1845, when he removed to Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Yoder was married January. 1846, to Miss Catharine Miller, a native of Ohio. By this union two children were born, one of whom, John O., is living; Jeremiah was drowned in Skunk River, Iowa, when he was fourteen years old. Catharine Yoder died July 12, 1850. Mr. Yoder was married again October 15, 1852, to Miss Margaret Shoemaker, a native of Wayne County, Ohio. By this union ten children were born-Rufus A., Stephen S., Samuel E., Mary Ann, Emma Jane, Joseph P., Sarah F., Maggie A., Hattie S. and W. Alonzo. Mrs. Margaret Yoder

died October 27, 1880. Mr. Yoder was again married February 11, 1883, to Mrs. Sarah Terwilliger, whose maiden name was Erb. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. Yoder resided in Wayne County, Ohio, until 1859, when he came to Washington County, Iowa, where he improved a farm and lived until 1881. As before stated, he then came to Shelby County and bought his present farm of Washington Wyland, which is known as Windy Knoll farm; the place contains 160 acres of land, and is one of the best in the township. Mr. Yoder has spent $1,400 in making improvements; he has built a good residence, a large barn, and has a windmill and a steam-cooker for food for stock. Po- litically he is independent, and is a strong temperance man. He is a member of the German Baptist church, and he and his son Rufus have charge of the church in this town- ship. Mr. Yoder's membership in the ehnreh began forty-one years ago. He has given his children a good education, and three dangli- ters and one son are snecessful teachers. All enterprises of a religions or educational ehar- acter have ever found a hearty support in Mr. Yoder.

EORGE W. CULLISON, attorney at law, llarlan, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County, Iowa, since 1880. Ile is a native of Iowa, born in Henry County, October 6, 1848. He is a son of Elisha and Matilda (MeCabe) Cullison. Elisha Cullison was a native of Kentucky, born in 1808, and was a son of Bennett Cul- lison, who was a native of Virginia. He was a son of Rush Cullison, who served in the colonial army during the Revolutionary war, and was present at the surrender of the Brit- ish troops at Yorktown. The father of our

G.W. Collison

379

BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHIES.

subject, Elisha Cullison, was reared to the vocation of farming, and when a young man came to Indiana, where he was married to Matilda MeCabe, who was of Irish deseent. She was only a child when her father died and she was brought to this country by her Grandfather Baxter, and was reared in Indi- ana. In 1842 Elisha Collison and his wife came to the Territory of Iowa and settled abont one and a half miles east of New Lon- don, Henry County. They squatted on a traet of wild land, and when it came into the inarket they entered it from the government. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1858, when he moved to Adair County, Missouri. Here he settled on a farm and also engaged in the mercantile business. At the breaking ont of the war he boldly declared himself in favor of the preservation of the union at any cost. The county was about evenly divided for and against the union, and great bitter- ness was engendered between the union men and " seeesh." Elisha Cullison employed his time during the first year of the war in enlisting men for the union armies and or- ganizing home guards. Hc, together with two others, Dr. J. W. Lee and Mr. T. J. Ly- ean, were so diligent in organizing nnion troops that the three became very offensive to the rebels who offered a reward of $1,000 each for the capture of them. They were never caught, but the rebel General Martin E. Green captured the little town (Paulville) and robbed the stores of Cullison and Lycan, and the office of Dr. Lee, and took all the horses, eattle, chickens, turkeys, hay and grain, and meat, flour and vegetables belonging to Cullison, and left his family with nothing to live upon. In 1863 he enlisted as a private in the Missouri State Militia, George H. Boone, Captain, but was soon discharged on account of his age. Ilis son, William Rush, served through the entire war in Company A,

Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and now lives in Kansas City, Missouri. The father died February 1, 1865, at the age of fifty-seven. His wife survived him until December, 1872, and died at the age of fifty-four. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom lived to maturity and five of whom still sur- vive, four sons and one daughter. George W., the subject of this sketeh, was reared on a farm and remained at home until the death of his father. Ile was little past twelve years old when Sumter was fired on, and during the greater part of the war was the oldest male member of the family left at home. During the war the public schools of the State were destroyed and he had no opportunity to attend school until the war was over. After the death of his father in 1865 he resolved to obtain an education, and on September 13, 1865, he entered college at Monroe, in Mon- roe County, Missouri. He remained there till the spring of 1867, and during that sum- mer he worked on a farm for $20 per month. In September of that year he entered the Normal University of Missouri, and in June, 1870, graduated from the same. He was considerably in debt at that time to friends who had advanced him money to complete his education. The next week after his gradu- ation he hired out to parties then engaged in building in Kirksville, and was in a short time carrying the hod while a man at the top was doing the work. He continued at this employment till in September of that year he seenred a country school. While he was teaching school and during his vacations he studied law under Jndge Andrew Ellison. In 1871 he came to Iowa and established an in- dependent school, known as the Troy Normal School. He was engaged in that school for four years, and during that time the school flourished as it never did before, having an attendance of from 100 to 200 students. In

380

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

1874 he was selected as principal of the Southern Iowa Normal and Scientific Insti- tute, and placed that institution on such a solid footing that it still is numbered among the prosperous schools of Iowa. He con- tinned his study of the law under Judge H. C. Traverse, of Bloomfield, and in 1876 was admitted by Judge J. C. Knapp to the prac- tice of the law. In 1871, while teaching at Troy, his wife, Mrs. Jennie S. (Gates) Culli- son attended his school. She is a native of Essex County, New York, and was born in 1849, and is a daughter of David Gates and Rusetta (Hongh) Gates. Her parents came to Jefferson County, Iowa, when she was a child. After Mr. Cullison was adınitted to the bar lie practiced his profession and taught school till 1880, when he formed a partner- ship with Mr. T. H. Smith, since which time le has devoted himself exclusively to the practice of law. Ile is recognized as one of the most thorough scholars in the west and stands among thie foremost in his profession. His opinion is recognized as very valuable among his associates at the bar. Ilis firm has the largest practice in the county and it extends to several counties in the district. Mr. Cullison is regarded as a very excellent public speaker. When he addresses the court it is done in that accurate and scholarly way that makes what he has to say both instruct- ive and entertaining. Ilis addresses to the public are. earnest, thoughtful productions, rich in illustration and pleasing in manner. IIe is a very active, energetic man, and has always been industrious. Ile manages his business with skill and caution and never permits it to fail. He has never held office except school director, and has never been a candidate but twice. In 1876 he was a can- didate for superintendent of public instruc- tion, and in 1886 was the nominee of his party for judge of the fifteenth judicial district of

Iowa. He was beaten by a small majority after running more than 1,000 votes ahead of his ticket. One of the most pleasing features of Mr. Cullison's life is his domestic relations. Ile has a pleasant home and family and en- joys it as but few do. He and Mrs. Cullison are parents of six children, five of whom are now living, four girls and one boy-Maggie Lenore, Ollie M., Elizabetlı B., Mabel Ella, and Shelby. On May 5, 1889, they lost one little son, Ben Eli, who died after an illness of four weeks of typhoid fever. Ile was a most interesting child, five years, three months and eighteen days old. Mr. Cullison is a member of the I. O. O. F., Harlan Lodge, No. 267. He is a past grand of the order. Politically he is an independent Democrat.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: W.S. Dunbar and Co.. pbl Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, W.S. Dunbar & co. Number of Pages: 852

Author: W.S. Dunbar and Co.. pbl
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, W.S. Dunbar & co.
Number of Pages: 852