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 47

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 47
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 47

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

possessions until at the time of Mr. Roundy's death they owned 300 acres, all of which is highly improved. They have done their share in promoting the interests and welfare of the county. Through their many deeds of kind- ness and hospitality they have become en- deared to a large circle of friends. Mr. Roundy was noted for his honorable and square dealing. He had few equals as a neighbor, and as a husband and father he was kind, faithful and trne. He held positions of honor and trust among the people, and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends. His place is one that can not easily be filled. Mr. and Mrs. Roundy were the parents of ten children-Mary, wife of James Laing; Anna (deceased); Martha, wife of J.M. Frank- lin; Artimicia, at home; Frances, wife of J. C. Hardman; Sophia, at home; William U., residing in Grove Township; Forest Rose and Lillie A., at home; Alına (deceased). The family are members of the reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sophia and Marthy have been successfully engaged in the profession of teaching.

LFRED JACKSON, an old settler of Grove Township, was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, July 9, 1841. He is the son of Lewis and Margaret (Cran- dall) Jackson, natives of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and pioneers of Iowa. Lewis Jackson is still living in Monona County, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Ilis worthy wife has been deceased a number of years. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, three of whom are still living-Sarah Willson, of Monona County; Mary J. Tacy, residing in Dunlap, and Alfred, the subject of this sketch. When Alfred Jackson was about seven years old his parents came to

Shelby County, Iowa, and settled in Gal- land's Grove, Grove Township. His father was one of the pioneer settlers, and made Shelby County his home for thirty-five years. Hle improved three farms in the township, and was very prominently identified with the early political history of the county. He was a member of the Democratic party. He was a great hunter, and was very familiar with the surrounding country. He was an elder in the church of the Latter-Day Saints. Alfred Jackson is the oldest settler now living in Grove Township. He was reared there and received his education in the old log school-houses of pioneer days. He was married to Miss Martha M. Holcomb, daugh- ter of O. E. and Sallie Holcomb, who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, June 20, 1849. They are the parents of nine chil- dren-Nettie A., engaged in teaching; Wil- lard L., Almond F., Andrew L., Frederick F. and Dora M., all at home. Corda, Lewis and Clandie W. are deceased. The first in- vestment he inade was in forty acres in sec- tion 25, Grove Township. He has added to his farm nntil he now has 120 acres which he has placed under good cultivation. Polit- ically Mr. Jackson is non-partisan, casting his vote for the man best fitted in his esti- mation to fill the office. The family are members of the Latter-Day Saints church. Mr. Jackson enlisted in the service of his country, in Company F, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, November 5, 1864, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

IERCE HAWLEY was born in Ver- 4 mont, near Lake Champlain, November 14, 1789, and is the son of Gideon and Levina (Darrah) Hawley, natives of Connecti-

473

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

cut and Nova Scotia respectively. Pierce and also in the Black Hawk war. Mrs.

resided in his native State until his twenty- farmer, which he followed through life. He Hawley was reared to the occupation of a

seventh year, when he came as far west as

White County, Illinois. There he met Miss

Saralı Schrader, and was married to her July

4, 1822. She was the daughter of Jacob and

County, Tennessee, June 3, 1800, and lived sylvania. Sarah Hawley was born in Knox native of Germany, and the mother of Penn- Mary (Wolf) Schrader, the father being a

Illinois, and lived there four years. Thence They then removed to Sangamon County, reside in White County for a short time. Mr. Hawley were married they continued to settled in Lawrence County. After she and end of that time they removed to Illinois and Indiana and resided there four years; at the teen years old. Her parents then came to in the State of her birthi until she was four-

ship, Shelby County, where Mrs. Hawley 1858. The family returned to Grove Town- tory, where Mr. Hawley died August 16, seven years were spent in the Indian Terri- their home there until 1853. The following 1845, when they went to Texas and made in Lee County. There they remained until the year 1839 they came to Iowa and settled chance of improving their fortunes. About making a change whenever there seemed a tinned their residence upon the frontier, nois, and resided there one year. They con- they removed to Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi-

makes her home with her son, Gideon Haw-

ley. Pierce Hawley and wife were the

parents of ten children-Mary (deceased),

George, John, Aaron (deceased), William,

bers of the Latter-Day Saints church. Mr. Gideon. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley were mem- Henry (deceased), Levina (deceased) and Priscilla, widow of John Young; Isaac,

Hawley was a soldier in the war of 1812,

to Texas, and resided there until he was dian Territory, and lived there seven years, eleven years old. They then went to the In- he was three years old his parents removed Lee County, Iowa, April 21, 1842. When Sarah (Schrader) Hawley. He was born in family of ten children of Pierce Hawley and ties. Gideon Hawley is the youngest of a retains full possession of her mental facul- eiglity-nine years, has excellent health and Hawley, although at the advanced age of

at the end of which time they returned to

Iowa and settled in Grove Township, Shelby

County. Gidcon Hawley was reared to the

life of a farmer and stockman, and received

a very limited education in the common schools. Ile has supplemented these narrow opportunities by the cultivation of a naturally he began life for himself, taking his widowed of information. At the age of sixteen years observing mind, and has secured a good fund

owns 240 acres, which he has improved to a ward made additional purchases until he now land in section 7, Union Township; he after- 1876 Mr. Hawley bought eighty acres of joining forty acres, which he improved. In eighty acres in section 13, and later an ad- moved to this place. He afterward purchased a house and made other improvements, and forty-five acres in the same section and built his home for six years. He then purchased section 11, Grove Township, which he made one year; he then bought twenty acres on Shelby County, in 1861, he rented land for mother under his care. After coming to

high degree. In 1879 he removed to this

farm, having disposed of his property in

followed the business of buying and shipping leading stock men in Shelby County, having Grove Township. Mr. Hawley is one of the

for ten years. He is a staunch Democrat, taking an active interest in the welfare of his

474

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

party and the spreading of its principles. In 1882 he erected a livery barn on Main street, Defiance, which was destroyed by fire in June of the same year; he also erected a livery barn on Second street, Defiance, the same year. He owned a livery barn in Persia, Iowa, which he sold in 1889. From 1864 to 1870 Mr. Hawley followed teaming and breaking prairie in connection with his farming. In 1862 he enlisted in the State Militia of Iowa, serving four months. IIe was then discharged to go south, but was taken sick in March of 1863, and was dis- abled from further service. March 28, 1864, he was married to Miss C. Mary Holcomb, daughter of O. E. and Sallie Holcomb, who was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, De- eember 15, 1842. They are the parents of six children- Lovina (deceased), Nellie J., engaged in school work; Priscilla Adelle, Willard A., Carl H. and Chloe C. The fam- ily are members of the Latter-Day Saints church.

HOMAS COOK, deccascd, late of Cass Township, Shelby County, Iowa, was a well-known and highly respected citi-

zen. Ile was born in Huntingdon County, l'ennsylvania, May 20, 1830, and is a son of Jesse and Ann (White) Cook. Jesse Cook was born February 15, 1800, and Ann Cook was born October 15, 1800. Anthony Cook eame from England with William Penn; his son, John Cook, was the father of Jesse Cook, who was the father of Thomas Cook, the sub- ject of this sketch. The Cooks were the first to discover coal in that part of Pennsylvania, and all were prominent in the coal mining of that region. The mines were known as the Cook vein of eoal, which was discovered by John Cook when he was digging for a rabbit.

Thomas Cook was married in Pennsylvania in November, 1851, to Miss Mary Alloway, who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylva- nia, November 3, 1829. She was the daugh- ter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Anderson) Alloway. They reared two children-Mag- gie Horton, of Portsmouth, and John A. Cook. Thomas Cook improved eighty acres of land, upon which he lived until death. In politics he was inclined to the principles of the Re- publican party. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 579, of Broad Top, Penn. sylvania, and joined the lodge at Shelby, in 1876. He was a chief patriarch of the order; he represented his lodge at Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, at the session of the State grand lodge; he also visited the sovereign grand lodge at the Centennial iu Philadel- phia in 1876. He represented the Shelby Lodge at Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thomas Cook departed this life November 21, 1887; his wife died May 15, 1886; she was a memberof the Church of God. John A. Cook, an active citizen of Cass Township, was born at Broad Top, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1857. Ile was reared in his birthplace, and received a good education at the Fulton Institute. He assisted his father in the coal business for some time, and came west when the family came to Shelby County. He spent oue season in Wyoming Territory, near Fort Laramie, at which time he was in the employ of G. H. and J. S. Collins. At one time hewas in the employ of W. F. Cleveland, in Shelby. He was married February 14, 1882, at Wells' Tannery, Pennsylvania, to Miss Nettie Hor- ton, a daughter of David and Susan (Wishart) Horton; she was born in Pennsylvania, May 1, 1861, and spent a part of her girlhood in the place of her birth. On coming to Iowa her parents settled in Lucas County, remain- ing four years and then returned to Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of

yours truly

477

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

three children living-Jesse W., Ora M. and Harry Ernest. Clare Chester died at the age of six months. Mr. Cook has unusual ability as a musician; he is a member of the Rink's Cornet Band, and at the age of thirteen years was the leader of the Broad Top City Band. In politics he is a Republican. He is a man well informed upon general topics, of a genial disposition, and worthy of the regard in which he is held.

H. TINGLE, Recorder of Shelby County, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, October 20, 1862. Ile is son of W. J. Tingle, of whom special men- tion is made elsewhere in this volume. IIe was ten years old when his parents came to Iowa and settled in Grove Township, Shelby County. IIere he was reared on a farm and received his carly education at the district school. He afterward attended Bailey's Busi- ness College at Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in the fall of 1882. He resided with his par- ents until he was twenty-three years old, when he accepted the position of deputy recorder under B. B. Mastick, where he re- mained over three years. In the fall of 1886 he was elected to the office of recorder, and was re-elected in 1888, and is the present incumbent. Mr. Tingle was married Sep- tember 16, 1884, to Miss Carrie B. Barney, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of George M. and Julia (Washburn) Barney, of Waukesha. By this union two children were born-Holly B. died at one year of age; Wyatt B. still survives. Mr. Tingle is a member of the A. F. & A M., Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107. IIe lends his support to the Republican party. W. J. Tingle, farmer and stock-raiser, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County

sinee 1869. He is a native of Ohio, born in Guernsey County, May 17, 1824. He is a son of John and Sarah (Dennison) Tingle, who were natives of Virginia, and of German and Irish ancestry. They were among the pioneers of Ohio, entering government land, and settling in a dense wilderness, where our subject was reared. His education was ob- tained in subseription schools in primitive log school-houses, with slab benches and stick and mud chimneys. His father died when he was two years old, and his mother was left a widow, with three sons and two daughters. W. J. was the youngest child. When he was abont seventeen years old he was apprentieed to a eabinet-maker; he served about two years, and at the end of that time he returned to the farm and managed that for two years or more. In 1846 he was mar- ried to Miss Rachel E. Koaran, a native of Guernsey County, after which he resided on the old homestead. By his marriage two children were born; one still survives-Han- nah M., wife of Michael Eshman, of Omaha; Sarah J. (deceased) was the wife of George HI. Doughty. Mrs. Tingle died in February, 1852, and in April of the same year Mr. Tingle went to California, erossing the coun- try with ox-teams and taking four months for the journey. He went to Jacksonville and engaged in mining for a time, and then worked at carpentry. The following De- cember he went to Sacramento City. He arrived there without money, and found the city under water. He worked at anything he could find to do. In March he left there and went to Nevada and engaged in mining, carpentry and saw-milling for over a year. He returned to the east by way of the Isth- mus, and remained in Ohio until the fall of 1856. He was married to Miss Mary C. Wheelan, a native of Ohio. After his mar- riage he settled on his farm, and in connee-

478

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

tion with his agricultural pursuits he engaged in the manufacture of salt. Here he lived for eight years. In 1869 he sold ont and came to Shelby County, and purchased 320 acres of unimproved land-a part in Gal- land's Grove and a part in prairie. Ile improved this place and resided upon it for some years; he then traded it for a mill in Panama, which he managed for two years and then sold out. In the fall of 1888 he moved one mile and a half from Dunlap. They are the parents of seven children, six of whom still survive-William E., of Grove Town- ship; George W., studying for the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church; A. H., recorder; Charles E., Alfretta and Joseph S. One died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Tingle are members of the Methodist Episcopal elinrch. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Parian Lodge, No. 321. Politically he was formerly an old-line Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party he las cast his vote in its support. In 1862 he went to Washington Territory by water, leav- ing home in March and returning the fol- lowing October.

Nebraska. Omaha then had a few shanties, one hotel, the Douglas Hlonse, a small board- ing-house called Little Ireland, and lots of whisky. A three days' residence in Omaha satisfied Mr. Leytham and his wife, so they went to Florence, Nebraska, six miles north of Omaha, where they were among the first set- tlers. They built them a home, and remained there nine years. In 1865 they came to Shelby County, and Mr. Leytham bought sixty aeres of land, ten of which were broken; there was a log-cabin on the place, and there was no other between Cass Township and Ilarlan. Mr. Leytham now owns 220 acres of well- improved land, stocked with a large number of cattle and horses. Mr. and Mrs. Leytham are the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom are living-John, Thomas, Eleanor, Robert, Richard, Ann Jane, Sarah, Eunice and William; those deceased are-Eunice, the first child so called, Elizabeth, James, Maggie, Samuel and Charles. The parents are mem- bers and zealous supporters of the Latter-Day Saints church, Mr. Leytham being a teacher in the church. He and his wife were brought up in the Church of England, but changed their views after coming to America, and united with the church of the Latter-Day Saints. In polities Mr. Leytham is inelined to the principles of the Democratic party. He is a good conversationalist, genial in his disposition, and an honored and respected citizen of Cass Township.

ICHARD LEYTHIAM is one of the old- est pioneers of Cass Township, having come there in 1865. He was born in Lancashire, England, March 3, 1823, and is the son of John and Eleanor (Singleton) Ley- tham. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer. November 12, 1848, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth Taylor, a native of England, EORGE R. EVANS, a successful farmer of Cass Township, was born in Canada, October 4, 1857. He is a son of Thomas and Emily (Roberts) Evans. The father is a native of Wales, and the mother was born in and a daughter of James and Eunice (Oibin) Taylor. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Leytham sailed from Liverpool to America; they landed at Boston and proceeded to Canada, but re- mained there only a short time comparatively. | Vermont; they were married in Pennsylvania, In the spring of 1856 they removed to Omaha, and then went to Canada. George R. was

479

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

seven years of age when his parents removed to Jackson County, Iowa. There he grew to manhood, receiving the practical training of a farmer's son, and attending the common schools. The parents still live in Jackson County. Mr. Evans was married in January, 1880, to Miss Martha Blakely, a daughter of James K. and Anna (MeGanghy) Blakely. After his marriage Mr. Evans resided in Jackson County until 1881, when he came to this connty and bought his present farm of 160 aeres. The land was under enltivation, but since it was purchased by Mr. Evans it has undergone quite a change; there is a good dwelling house, a barn, sheds for the protce- tion of live-stoek, an orehard, and a grove, all bespeaking the thrift, energy and enter- prise of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of five children-Anna, James, Mand, Mary and Willis. Mr. Evans holds the political sentiments of the Republican party. IIe is in the prime of life, of a robust constitution, genial in his disposition, honor- able in business, and is numbered among the reliable men of Cass Township.

HARLES TESKE, physician and sur- geon, Portsmouth, Iowa, was born in Germany, January 17, 1849. Ile is a son of Charles and Louisa (Holtz) Teske. He attended the public schools of his native country until he was eighteen years of age, and in 1867 commeneed the study of medi- cine under Professor Budge, a popular and well-known German physician. He was grad- nated in medicine from the University of Greifswald in 1870. During the Franco- Prussian war he was Assistant Surgeon, and had much experience in the hospitals and on the battle-fields. After the close of the war Dr. Teske emigrated to America, and settled

in Johnson County, Kansas, residing there until 1874. He then came to Glenwood, Iowa, and remained there two years. In 1876 he went to Avoea, Iowa, and after a residence there of five years he removed to Mineola, Iowa. Ile lived there until 1884, when he came to Shelby County, Iowa, and settled in Portsmonth. The Doctor is a well- read man and very successful. Dr. Teske was married at Belton, Missouri, in 1873, to Miss Elizabethi Willent, of Aubrey, Kansas. She was born in Iowa, but was reared and educated in Kansas. The result of this mar- riage has been six children-Osear, Nora, Charles, Rudolph, Arthur and Lulu.

OIIN HIGGINS was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1834. His father, George Iliggins, was a native of Kent, England. IIc came to America at the age of thirty years, and was married in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, to Phobe Allen, a native of New Jersey. Her grand- sire was one of the Revolutionary soldiers known as minute-men. George Higgins and wife had two children-John, the subject of this notice, and Mary, wife of John Arni- strong, residing in Crawford County, Penn- sylvania. The parents both died at the age of seventy years. John Higgins was reared to the life of a farmer. He was married De- eember 25, 1855, to Miss Lonisa Reynolds, a native of Venango County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Nancy Reynolds, who were cousins and lived in Pennsylvania until their death. In 1869 Mr. Higgins re- moved to Houston County, Minnesota, and remained there for six years. He then came to Cass Township, Shelby County, Iowa, and bonght 290 acres of wild land. He was among the first settlers, as there were only thirty

480

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

voters in the township. He has increased his farm to 410 aeres, all of which is well improved. All his surroundings indicate thrift and prosperity, and he is considered one of the successful farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have five children --- William, a snecessful teacher and farmer: George J., Charles F., Ephraim Ellsworth and Eliza Jane. Mr. Iliggins is a Republi- can and has been officially identified with his township as a member of the school board. Ile is a very strong man, physically, is well preserved, and is thoroughly honorable in all his business transactions.

M. WILLIAMS is a well-known, promi- nent citizen of Cass Township, of which he has been a resident since 1876. Ile was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Bell) Williams, also natives of Pennsylvania. George M. was a lad of twelve years when his parents removed to Knox County, Ohio; there he grew to manhood, passing much time in agricultural pursuits, and taking advantage of the limited opportunities afforded by the public schools. lle was married October 24, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Gant, a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Andrews) Gant, natives of Virginia, and mein- bers of old families of that State, of Holland- ish ancestry. Mrs. Williams was four years of age when her parents went to Knox County, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. After their marriage they continued to reside in Knox County until 1858, when they came to Johnson County, lowa, and settled near lowa City. They made this their home until 1876, when they came to Shelby County. When there was a call for men in the late

civil war, Mr. Williams enlisted in August, 1862, in the Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company E. Hle enlisted as a pri- vate, was promoted to Sergeant, and later was made Second Lieutenant. He took an active part in the expedition up White River, the siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Cham- pion IIills. He was honorably discharged in January, 1864. On coming to Shelby County, Mr. Williams bought 160 acres of wild land, and has made later purchases until he now owns 1,000 acres. The farm is one of the best cultivated and improved in Shelby County, having a fine residence, and barns, cribs and sheds; there is also a windmill, supplying water wherever desired. Mr. Will- iams makes a specialty of raising cattle, and is one of the most extensive breeders in Shelby County. He and his wife are the par- ents of six children-Emeline V., wife of Robert Kuhn; Flora J., wife of N. M. Pettit; Capitola, wife of A. G. Wolfbarger; John C., George F. and Thomas. Mr. Williams sup- ports the issues of the Republican party. Ile is a member of the G. A. R., Diek Yates Post, of Shelby, lowa. He is a man well informed upon general topies, honorable and upright in all his dealings, and held in high esteem and respect by all who know him.

K. PRATT, Assistant Cashier of the Ilarlan Bank, was born in Essex, Mid- o dlesex County, Connecticut, October 7, 1859, and is the son of E. W. and Cornelia M. (Doane) Pratt, natives of the State of Conneetient. At the age of sixteen he left the Hartford High-school, in which institu- tion he received a liberal education, and went to sea. After a year's service on the Black Ball line of ocean packets he returned to the Hartford High-school, and remained there

481

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

until his graduation. Possessed of the rest- less and adventurous spirit of youth, Mr. Pratt was desirous of tasting the experience of western life; so he made a trip to Ne- braska and remained for some time in West- ern, Saline County. From that point he eame to Harlan, and obtaining the position of assistant cashier in the bank of C. J. and D. M. Wyland, known as the Harlan Bank, he concluded to remain here. For the past ten years he has held this position, which is sufficient evidence of his ability and faithful- ness. Mr. Pratt was married in Jannary, 1887, to Miss Ella Noble, a daughter of Peter and Susan Noble, of Harlan. Mr. Pratt is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M .; Olivet Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M .; and Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49, K. T. He is also a member of I. O. O. F., No. 267, and of the Encampment. In politi- cal thought and action he is a Republican.

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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