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 56
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 56
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II. ERICKSON is a successful farmer of Lincoln Township, who has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1873. He was born in Norway, December 26, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Olivia (Anderson) Erickson. The family, consisting of the parents and six children, emigrated to America and settled in Mahaska County, Iowa; one of the sons had come to this country before the family came. Our subjeet lived in Mahaska County, near New Sharon, until 1873, when he came to Shelby County and bought forty acres of land in Lincoln Township, which he began to im-
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prove. The following spring his parents moved on the place, and have sinee resided here; the land has been improved from year to year, and additions have been made until the farm now contains 140 acres of as good soil as Shelby County affords. The residence is a good story and a half frame building, surrounded with shade trees, and there are barns and cribs, with all the conveniences for carrying on agricultural industries. Mr. Eriekson was married November 9, 1886, to Miss Matilda Olson, a native of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1884. They are the parents of two children-Osear Herbert and an infant son. Mr. Erickson affiliates with the Republican party, and has served two years as township clerk, with credit to himself and the best interests of the public. He was the choice of his party for township clerk in the fall of 1888, but was defeated by one vote. He is a member of the Lutheran chureli, as were his parents before him. He is a young inan yet in the prime of life; is honorable in business, and one of Lincoln Township's leading citizens.
OSEPH GARDNER is one of the early settlers of Lincoln Township. He is a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, born July 10, 1838, and is a son of Peter and Barbara (Miller) Gardner, who were born and reared and died in Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania. John Gardner, the father of Peter Gardner, fought in the war of 1812, and entered land near Cincinnati, Ohio. Peter Gardner and wife had four children -- John, Joseph, Mary and Elizabeth. Joseph Gard- ner, the subject of this sketeh, lived in his native county until he was seventeen years old; he was reared on a farm, and attended school in a log school-house with slab seats.
At the age of fifteen years he went to learn the eigar-maker's trade, and in two years eame west for his health. He settled in Linn County, Iowa, at Mount Vernon, where he remained eight years. At the end of that time he went to Jones County, Iowa. Mr. Gardner was married December 22, 1869, to Miss Sarah Jane Short, a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Peter and Rebecca (Lohr) Short. They re- sided in Jones County until the spring of 1874, when they came to Shelby County. Mr. Gardner first bought 120 acres of land of Al Bacon, who had made some improve- ments; he also bought eighty aeres of the railroad company, and he has added to this first purchase until he now owns 200 aeres in a body. The farm is well improved; there is a good house, a grove, an orchard, a barn, build- ings for stock, and eribs for grain. The school- house of distriet number four is on a corner of Mr. Gardner's farm. He devotes himself to general agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are the parents of eight children -Elizabeth Emerine Stittle, Peter Henry, Mary Millie Lary, Susan Ellen Roland, Ida Adelaide, William Franklin, Hattie May, and Judd Hiatt. . Mr. Gardner is a member of the Republican party. He is also a member of the Evangelical church, and has been for thirty years. His wife was reared in the Lutheran faith. He gives a liberal support to all edneational and religions enterprises in the county, and has the confidence and respeet of all who know him.
W. MULDOON, a native of Allen County, Indiana, was born in the city of Fort Wayne, March 7, 1856. He is a son of Bryan and Anna (Killan) Mul- doon, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
America about the year 1838. Ile is one of a family of four children, and his early life was spent in Fort Wayne and on a farmn. When he was fourteen years of age he was apprenticed for three years to a harness- maker, S. H. Shafe, in Fort Wayne. Ilaving served his apprenticeship he went to Walker. ton, Indiana, where he followed his trade over a year. He then purchased a farm in La Porte County, Indiana, and lived on it one year, at the end of that time trading it for property in Walkerton; he also bought a wagon and blacksmith shop which he worked in for a year and a half, and then returned to his old trade of harness-making. He con- tinned in this for two years, and then went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained two years, engaged in the harness and trans- fer business. After leaving Minneapolis Mr. Muldoon took an extensive trip through Da- kota, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. In 1887 he came to Shelby County, Iowa, where he has sinee resided. In the spring of 1888 he opened a harness shop, and has established a good trade, as his general disposition has made him many friends. In January, 1889, he took a part- ner in his business, and the firm now stands Muldoon & Anderson. They are energetic business men, and are destined to make their mark in the commercial circles of Shelby County. Politically Mr. Muldoon is an active Democrat.
R. ALLEN, a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, born April 27, 1844, is the son of Andrew and Lovina (Roberts) Allen. His early life was spent on a farm, and his education was begun in the common schools. When he was seventeen years of age he began teaching school, and
was engaged in this profession for twenty- two terms, or something over five years. When he was four years old his parents came to Iowa and settled in Mahaska County, and afterward removed to Monroe County, where they resided eight years. Mr. Allen entered Oskaloosa College when he was twenty-four years of age, and spent a part of the three following years in taking a general course. In 1883 he came to Shelby County and pur- chased forty aeres of land in Jefferson Town- ship, where he remained one year. Ile then came to Irwin, and bought a stoek of general merchandise of the Townsend Brothers; at the end of two years he sold out to T. N. llarford, and purchased the stock of P. F. Cole; after one year he sold to Mr. Stein- housen, and then bought the stock of E. J. Trowbridge, with the building, a spacious room, in which he carries a finely assorted line of goods. In the four years in which he has engaged in this business he has built up an excellent trade, his annual sales reaching $15,000. Ile is an energetic, pushing man, and is one of Shelby Connty's leading bnsi- ness men. Aside from his mercantile inter- ests he handles coal and lumber, and has his farm under his personal supervision. He is a stanneh Republiean. Mr. Allen was united in marriage December 25, 1870, to Miss Al- cinda Long, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary A. (Bell) Long, and native of Mahaska County, born in April, 1852. The result of this union is six children-Minnie, Orlando, Clarence, Totty, Mary and Ernest. Mrs. Allen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Allen is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and of the I. O. O. F., and of the Legion of Honor. In the late civil war he enlisted, February 16, 1863, in the Thirtieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company D, serv- ing until the elose of the Rebellion. He was taken prisoner in the first battle in which he
J. J. Kyan
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
participated, at Mark's Mills, Arkansas, and was held in Camp Ford, Texas, for ten months, where he suffered the hardships endured in the southern prisons.
HOMAS JEFFERSON RYAN, a na tive of Rochester, New York, was born February 15, 1851, and is the son of Jeffery and Sarah (Clark) Ryan, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America before marriage. They first settled in Canada, then in New York, and subsequently removed to Ogle County, Illinois, which is their present residence. They are the parents of six children. Thomas Jefferson, the second child, was reared to farm life and received his education in the public schools of Illinois. At the age of six- teen years he entered the employ of J. II. Newcomer, Ogle County, Illinois, owner of a large stock farm; here he spent five or six years, and became thoroughly initiated in the live-stock business. In 1870 Mr. Ryan took a trip to California, and remained there two years; lic was engaged as clerk and book- keeper on a fruit ranch belonging to his Uncle Mortimer Ryan, at Sonoma, Sonoma County. After his sojourn in California he returned to Illinois, remaining there but a short time. He then came to Iowa, settling near Brooklyn, in Poweshiek County, where he resided until 1882, when he came to Shelby County. Hle settled on a farm of 120 acres in section 34, Greeley Township, which he had purchased three years previously; he has since added forty acres to his first pur- chase. This was all unimproved land, but has undergone quite a change in the past few years. In 1884 Mr. Ryan erected a fine frame residence to take the place of a smaller one that has since been converted into a granary; he has large and convenient build-
ings for stock and grain, and a system of water-works supplying water for domestic purposes and live-stock. These various im- provements have cost upward of $3,200, and the farm is considered one of the most de- sirable in the county. Mr. Ryan also owns a farm of eighty acres in section 10, Greeley Township, which he rents. The first men- tioned farm is devoted largely to the breeding of thoroughbred registered short-horn cattle, of which he has a herd of the Phyllis, Prin- cess, Young Mary, and Rose of Sharon fam- ilies. In December, 1885, Mr. Ryan took charge of the Landerbach stock farm which occupies the whole of section 16, Greeley Township, and removed to this place; how- ever, he still has his own farm under his im- mediate supervision. J. II. Cummings, of Tacoma, Washington Territory, now owns the Lauderbach farm, but Mr. Ryan has the management of the place. Upon this farm a specialty is made of breeding Holstein- Friesian cattle, there now being twenty-six head selected from Philadelphia breeders and importers. First-class horses are also kept for breeding, the IIambletonian, Percheron and Norman being represented by the best animals. While still a minor young Ryan turned a large part of his earnings toward assisting his father complete the payments on what is still his home, and although he was entitled to his own earnings, he chose to render such assistance to his parents. His life furnishes a fair example of what success can be achieved through industry and per- severance. Politically he is an active worker in the Democratic ranks, and has been offi- cially indentified with his township as clerk, assessor and secretary of the school board. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Ellsworth Lodge, of Irwin, No. 493, and of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Ryan was married October 28, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Grant, daughter
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY. .
of Henry and Ellen (Ilaggard) Grant, natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively. Mrs. Ryan was born in Poweshiek County, lowa, October 28, 1855. She was reared in the Presbyterian faith, and finished her edu- cation at Grinnell, Iowa. She taught school for nearly four years prior to her marriage, in Iowa and Poweshiek counties. She has stood faithfully by her husband in all his labors, assisting both in counsel and execution of plans. They are the parents of four ehil- ilren-Myrtle Ethel, Herbert Roy, Earl Grant and Sara Ellen.
T. IIENRY, a native of Peru, Miami County, Indiana, born May 16, 1857,
O is a son of Milton and Clara (Kings- bury) Henry, natives of New York. When he was eight years old his parents removed to Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa, where his boyhood was spent. Ile received his edn- cation in the graded public schools of Pern and Blairstown. When fifteen years of age he entered the employ of J. II. Henry, who was engaged in the grain business. Ile re- mained with him six months, and was then employed by J. H. Henry's successors, Ryan & Kelly, with whom he remained nine months. Ile then worked for a year with Grund Broth- ers in a hotel, and at the end of that time re- turned to his former employment in the grain business. In 1882 he secured a position on the railroad, which he held for eighteen months. Hle commeneed as ear checker at night, but applying himself faithfully to his duties, he was promoted until he gained the position of car accountant. In December, 1884, Mr. Henry eame to Irwin and took charge of the grain department of Martin D. Stevens & Company, commission merchants, Chicago. He has since assumed full control
of the business at this point, buying and shipping all kinds of grain, and through his management quite an extensive business has been built up, the annual shipments aggre- gating 300 ears. Mr. Henry is a live, ener- getie man, of a genial and courteous disposi- tion, and will gain many friends wherever he may be placed in life. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is at present conduetor. Politieally he is an active worker in the Re- publican party, and is secretary of the Re- publiean Club of Irwin. Mr. Henry was united in marriage, November 27, 1884, to Miss Lneia Anderson, daughter of David and Phobe Anderson, born in Blairstown, Iowa, in 1859. They are the parents of two eliil- dren-Carrie May, born Jannary 28, 1887, and Clara P'hæbe, born November 27, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Ilenry are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are among Shelby County's most respected and worthy citizens.
ETER FREDERICK COLD, a native of North Germany, born May 12, 1852, is a son of Ferdinand and Johannah Cold. When he was four years old his parents emigrated to America and settled in Clinton County, where he was reared and spent his early life. He attended the common schools of Alliance, and afterward the seminary of the same place. When he had reached his majority he entered Clinton College, which he attended for three years. Although reared to farm life, after his college course he engaged with Reiff & Berhns as clerk in the town of Bryant. Ile remained here but a short time before he was transferred to Pres- ton. Ile remained with this firm five years, when the stock was destroyed by fire. After closing up the business for the firm, he took
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a trip to Europe and spent five months visit- ing in France, Germany and Denmark. After his return to America he engaged immedi- ately with Comstock & Woods as elerk in a general stock of merchandise at Lost Nation, Iowa. He remained in the employ of this firm for a year and a half, when he returned to Preston and spent one winter. In the spring of 1881 he came to Shelby County and located at Irwin, which was then in its infancy. Here he opened a general stock of merchandise, and conducted the business until May, 1887; he then disposed of the stock to Paul & Allen, and engaged in stock-raising and shipping. Besides his large interests in live-stock, he deals extensively in real-estate, owning at present 380 aeres of land in Shelby County, besides town property, town lots and 280 acres of land in Nebraska. Mr. Cold is a live, energetic man, and stands to-day in the front ranks of Shelby County's prosper- ous citizens. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He was married April 22, 1883, to Miss Augusta Nieman, a daughter of II. A. and Dora Nie- man. Mrs. Cold was born December 22, 1866. They are the parents of two children -Otto HI. and Bertha E. D. Mr. and Mrs. Cold are members of the Lutheran church, and are among Shelby County's most re- spected citizens.
OHN C. WOOSTER, a native of Wit- tenberg, Germany, was born December 7, 1829, and is the son of Christian Woos- ter. He was reared on a farm in his native country, and was educated in the common schools. He served four years in the Ger- man army, but his pride revolted against the treatment he was subjected to, so he deter- mined to seek a home in a more eongenial 37
elime. Like many another, he turned to America, and landed in New York in 1854, penniless and unable to speak one word of English. He brought with him the deter- mination characteristic of the German peo- ple, and nothing daunted, started for Massa- elinsetts. After many days of weary travel through snow and rain, sometimes without food, he stopped near Springfield, Massachu- setts, where he secured employment with a man who promised him his clothes and $100 for one year's work. He received one $3 suit of clothes and $10 in money for his pay, and half the time had not enough to eat. He was discouraged with this adversity in a strange country, but struggled bravely on in hopes of better days. After filling his eon- tract with his first employer he went to Thompsonville, Hartford County, Conneeti- ent, where he took charge of a livery stable for abont two years. He was then employed in a knitting factory where he remained for ten years. His next move was to New York, where he worked on a farm for a short time; he then worked in a tannery, running the engine for eight months. At the end of this time he went to Carroll County, Illinois; here he was employed in a saw-mill for three years, and worked on a farm for four years. Mr. Wooster was married September 6, 1855, to Miss Barbara Smeltsley, a danghter of Fred Smeltsley, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, December 30, 1830. In 1875 Mr. Wooster removed his family to Shelby County, Iowa, and settled in Jefferson Town- ship, where he homesteaded 160 aeres of land which was then wild prairie. The family had to undergo many privations in those early days of the settlement of the county. At one time they were obliged to live on noth- ing but potatoes for six weeks; but they faced these hardships bravely and won in the battle. Mr. Wooster has a fine residence,
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
large and convenient barns for stock and grain. Hle now owns 280 acres of as fine land as Shelby County affords. He and his wife have eight children-Barbara, wife of William Finch; John (deceased); William, John C., Fred Christian, Eva, wife of Jasper Groat; Christina, and Charles (deceased). The family are worthy members of the United Brethren church, Mr. Wooster is a staunch Republican.
EORGE E. HECK is a native of Wabash County, Indiana, and was born Septem- ber 19, 1846. Ile is the son of John and Sarah Ann (Rockwell) Ileek, natives of Germany and Virginia respectively. He was reared in his native county, and educated in the common schools; these at that time did not afford unlimited advantages, but by close observation and diligent reading Mr. Heck acquired a fund of information of which many college-bred men might be proud. Mr. Heck was married May 2, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Richards, a daughter of George W. and Delilah (Ferran) Richards, who was born in Wabash County, Indiana, March 5, 1847. They are the parents of five children- William A., John E., Rose A., Albert, J. and Violet. After their marriage they resided in Wabash County for three years, and in the fall of 1869 they removed to Tama County, lowa, where Mr. Heck en- gaged in farming; there they resided until 1873, when they removed to Pottawattamie County; in the same autumn Mr. Heek came to Shelby County and bought eighty acres of land in Jefferson Township, which was nnim- proved. In the spring of 1874 he moved his family to their new home, where he had erected a log cabin, 14 x 14 feet; here they lived two years, and in the spring of 1877 re- moved to 160 acres of land south of his first
purchase; here he has since made his home, adding many improvements until he has one of the best improved farins in the township. He has planted two acres of grove, has a comfortable frame dwelling, and barns for stock and grain. He has done mneh toward the opening and improvement of the county, and well deserves the esteem and respect in which he is held. Ile devotes himself ex- elusively to agricultural pursuits, and is very successful. He has held many positions of trust, and has been secretary of the school board for fifteen years continuously. Ile takes an active interest in the educational features of the county, and heartily assists every enterprise of an educational character. Hle has served as township trustee for several terms. Politically he affiliates with the Demo- eratie party, but casts his suffrage inde- pendently. Ile is a member of the Shelby County Farmers' Alliance. In their pioneer days in this county Mr. and Mrs. Heck were compelled to undergo many hardships, but they faced them bravely and are now enjoy- ing the reward of their labors. The family are among the most worthy and respected people of the county.
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ARLAND EDWARDS, a native of Bar- ron, now Metcalfe, County, Kentucky, born February 11, 1821, is a son of William and Julia (Furgeson) Edwards, na- tives of Virginia. He was reared on a farm in his native State, and received his edu- cation in the subscription schools of those days. This was necessarily limited, but what was lacking in opportunity has been made up by nature in endowing her subject with a keen - close observation. Mr. Edwards was married December 24, 1845, to Miss Lucinda l'iper, a daughter of John and Jane Piper, natives
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of Virginia and South Carolina respectively. Mrs. Edwards was born in Metealfe County, Kentucky, December 13, 1825. They re- mained in Metcalfe County five years after their marriage, and then reinoved to Marion County, Iowa, where they remained one year, and then to Jasper County, where they re- sided until 1872. They then came to Shelby County, settling on a homestead in Douglas Township, which was reclaimed by the rail- road. Mr. Edwards then purchased 300 acres of wild, unimproved land; here he planted four acres of grove, erected a comfortable residence, and barns for stoek and grain, and made all the improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm. He and his wife ex- perienced many hardships in their early life in the new country, but they faced them bravely, and to-day are reaping the reward. Mr. Edwards and wife are the parents of three children-Eliza, wife of William Wad- kins, of Highland Grove, Shelby County; William and John, both residing with their parents. In 1887 they moved from the old home farm to section 36, Greeley Township. Mr. Edwards and sons own about 600 aeres of Shelby County's best soil. He has held the office of township trustee, and affiliates with the Republican party. In the late civil war he enlisted in the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company E, and served fourteen months, and was discharged on account of disability.
BENEZER IRWIN is a native of Cam- bria County, Pennsylvania, and was born January 28, 1821. He is the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Deeker) Irwin, natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsyl vania. Until he was fifteen years old he lived on a farm in his native county; he then
worked on the Pennsylvania Canal through the summer seasons for six or seven years. After leaving the canal he was employed in the Cambria Iron Works where he remained for several years. He also worked in the rolling mills for three years, after which he came to Iowa in 1861, and settled in Washı- ington County, where he engaged in farming; he has since followed agrienltural pursuits. Mr. Irwin was married May 22, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Zech, a native of York County, Pennsylvania, who died in 1849; this union resulted in one child-Jolin S., who died in Washington County, Iowa, aged thirty-four years. Mr. Irwin was again married March 22, 1852, to Miss Priseilla Treat, daughter of Laban Treat; she was born in Cleveland, Ohio, February 28, 1827. The result of this union was nine children-Julia, wife of Winfield Pixley; Harry, Ruth, Edward, Emma, Chattie and Jennie, twins, Jennie being the . wife of Willson Wurtzbauglı; Cornelia, and John. Ruth, Julia, Chattie and Jennie have all been engaged in school work. In February, 1876, Mr. Irwin and family eame to Shelby County, Iowa, and settled in Jefferson Township on a farın of 160 acres of partially improved land. Here he has made his home, adding many valuable improvements in the way of ereeting buildings and planting a grove. All the surroundings bespeak the thrift and energy of the owner. Mr. Irwin has done mueh toward the opening up and improving of the sur- rounding country, and has served as justice of the peace and on the board of education. IIe is a Republican, and stands by his party. He and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal elureh, and were among the promoters and workers in the founding of the society at Irwin. Mrs. Irwin died March 18, 1883. When they first came to Iowa they suffered many privations, but faced all hardships with true pioneer spirit.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
Mr. Irwin is a member of the Farmers' Al- lianee, and in every way is a worthy citizen.
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