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 57

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 57
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 57

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S. IRWIN, son of E. W. and Mary A. Irwin, was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1848. Ile was the second child and only boy in a fam- ily of nine children. Ilis early childhood was spent in an nneventful manner. Residing more than a mile from the nearest school-house, under the then imperfect free-school system of Pennsylvania, his means of acquiring a liberal education, or even laying the founda- tion of the same, were necessarily limited. The school term then consisted of a period of three months. When the war of the Rebellion broke ont, being the son of poor parents, young Irwin was obliged to bid adieu to his school life and assume the management of a contract to furnish sand for the western di- vision of the Central Railroad and the city of Pittsburg. His life was spont in this work until the spring of 1865, when he removed with his father's family to Iowa. Just as the glad news of Lee's surrender was received he turned his back upon the home of his childhood. On reaching lowa he settled with his father's family in Washington County. Ilis desire for an advanced education had not grown less, but the wolf was to be kept from the door, and the struggle for existence was to be made; being the only help his father had in the support of a large family, attending school was impossible. Mr. Irwin then formned the very excellent habit of investing a few dollars, as they could be spared, in books, and employ- ing all his spare time in study. During the winter of 1867 he taught school, and the fol- lowing summer assisted his father in the farm work. In the autumn of the same year he attended the lowa City Commercial College;

mastered the Bryant & Stratton system of bookkeeping in eight weeks, and returned in time to help harvest the corn crop and teach a winter's term of school. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Irwin removed to Shelby County, Iowa, and purchased land in section 30, Jef- ferson Township, a part of which is occupied by the town of Irwin. Ile improved this farm and continued teaching during the win- ters. At that time the improvements in the northeastern part of Shelby County consisted of three small dwellings. Avoca, thirty miles distant, was the nearest market for grain and live-stock. Harlan at that time was a ham- let of less than a dozen houses, contained one store carrying a general stock of merchandise, and one drug store. In February, 1875, D. S. Irwin was married to Ilila, danghter of Garland Edwards. He then built a house on his farm in section 30, and resided there until 1879. In 1879 Mr. Irwin purchased a law library and began reading law ; he was admitted to the bar at the March term of the Circuit Court in 1880. At the time of the comple- tion of the lowa & Southwestern Railroad, Mr. Irwin sold a portion of his farin for the town site of Irwin. Soon after he sold all but a small part, on which he built a residence, and engaged in the practice of law in Irwin with more than ordinary success. D. S. Irwin is an uncompromising advocate of Prohibitory legislation against the liquor traffic, and the large vote in Jefferson Township in favor of this amendment is due to the influence of Mr. Irwin. In 1883 death claimed his wife, and at the early age of thirty-two years she was laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery, leaving her husband and four small children-Leroy, Willie, Oliver and Jennie. Mr. Irwin was wedded to Mary Stovall, of Metcalfe County, Kentucky. She was born August 1, 1859. One son, Lee, has been born to them. Mr. Irwin continued the practice of law until 1886,

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when he traded his residence for a farm in Greeley Township, and abandoned law for the more congenial pursuit of farining. He has 240 acres of fine land, commodions barns, and is engaged in stock-raising. As early as 1871 he became prominent in the politics of the county, and the excellent financial stand- ing of Jefferson Township is due in a great. measure to D. S. Irwin.

E. AVERILL, a native of Canada West, was born September 13, 1841, and is the son of Thomas and Anna (Flewnelling) Averill. At the age of eight years his parents removed to Macomb Connty, Michigan, where he spent his early life. he was trained to agrienltnral pursuits, and was educated in the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he began to learn the car- penter's trade, which avocation he followed for six years. His life has been somewhat varied since he abandoned his trade. In 1863 he came to Davenport, Iowa, and en- gaged in the carpenter's trade; he then re- moved to De Witt, Clinton County, where he followed the same trade for a time; here he also engaged in the insurance business. From this point he removed to Lincoln, Illi- nois, where he managed a hotel, the Sherman Honse, for one year. He then sold this and returned to Iowa, settling at Wheatland, Clinton County; here he resided two years, engaged in the frnit-tree business. After his stay in Wheatland he went to Marshall County, and farmed four years. IIe then re- moved to Newton, Jasper County, where he embarked in the general merchandise trade; this he continued three years, and the next six years was employed in farming. In the spring of 1882 he came to Shelby County, and settled on a farın of 200 acres in Greeley

Township, which he had purchased in the winter of 1879 and 1880. This was wild land, but has since been brought to such an advanced state of cultivation that it is one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Averill has made his own improvements in buildings, probably reaching $3,000 in value. He has a fine system of water-works, supplying water to live-stock and for domestic purposes. The farın is known as Pleasant Ridge Stoek Farm, and is situated one and a half miles from Defiance. Mr. Averill also operates a dairy in connection with his other farm work. IIe makes a specialty of high grades and fine breeds of cattle, and takes an active interest in the improvement of all kinds of live-stock. Ile is a supporter of the Republican party, and is at present serving as justice of the peace in his township. He has served on the board of education, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Averill was married October 14, 1865, to Miss Lucinda Porter, a daughter of Matthew H. and Sarah (Carl) Porter, who was born in Putnam County, Illinois, May 14, 1839. They are the parents of four chil- dren-Carrie B., wife of Robert Crisp; Thomas M., Ida M. and Edwin H .; the last three are residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Averill are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

OBERT JAMES, an enterprising farmer of Greeley Township, has been a citizen of Shelby County since 1880. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, February 8, 1858, and is a son of George and Sarah (Mont- gomery) James. His youth was passed in Davenport, and at the age of fourteen years he removed to Poweshick County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for eight years. As before stated, Mr. James came to Shelby

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

County in the year 1880, and settled on a farm of unimproved land in Douglas Township. There were eighty acres in this place, which he placed under good cultivation, and sold, going to Astor, Crawford County, Iowa, where he bought an interest in a stock of hardware with F. W. Blackburn; he continued in this business for two and a half years, and then traded his stock for a farm of eighty acres in Greeley Township. Ile also owns forty acres in section 3, Greeley Township, and eighty acres in Crawford County, all of which is under good cultivation, and all of which lies in one body. In 1885 Mr. JJames erected a fine frame residence on his farm in section 4, where he has one of the most attractive homes in the community. Ile devotes himself to farming, stock-raising and shipping, and is a live, energetic man, standing in the foremost ranks of Shelby County's well-to-do citizens. Politically Mr. James give a staunch support to the Republican party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the lowa Legion of Ilonor. September 3, 1885, he was married to Alice Saunders, daughter of Charles and Louisa Saunders, who was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, September 4, 1862. Mr. James has done much toward the improve- ment and advancement of the county, and well deserves the honor and esteem in which he is held in the community.

M. PRATT, an enterprising farmer of Shelby County, was born in Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York, Decem- ber 29, 1834. He is the son of Asa and Ema- line (Kidder) Pratt. The father was born in Vermont and the mother was a native of the State of New York. J. M. was but ten years of age when his parents removed to Lake County, Illinois, where he passed his youth.

He was trained to the occupation of a farmer, and at the age of eighteen years started ont for himself, with no capital but energy and ambition. He first went to the copper mines of Michigan, and there engaged in teaming. He remained in this place one year, and then went on the lakes as a sailor; he followed the water at broken intervals for several years. In the great Rebellion he enlisted in Com- pany I. Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully for three years and two months. He participated in the following noted battles: Vieksburg, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chattanooga, and went with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea. Ile served as Corporal from his entrance into the service, and was afterward promoted to the position of Sergeant. After the elose of the war he came to Jasper County, Iowa, and remained there a year and a half. In the fall of 1867 he came to Shelby County, and settled in what is known as Greeley Township; he purchased eighty acres of wild land and erected the first house in the town- ship, a log-cabin; here he resided three years, making many improvements. At the expira- tion of this time he removed to Atlantic, Iowa, where he spent one winter. He then returned to Shelby County, purchasing eighty acres of wild land in Douglas Township; this he improved, residing upon it four years, when he sold it and came to Greeley Town- ship, where he still resides; his first purchase was eighty acres, and he has added to it until he now owns a quarter section of as good farming land as lies in the borders of Shelby County. He has opened up three different farms in the county, and made many improve- ments, which have all been first-class. Mr. Pratt has held many positions of honor and trust, and has been identified with his town- ship officially, as assessor, and has served as secretary of the school board for twelve years.

Jacob & Bosley

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.

IIe has done much to promote education in the county, and has assisted in the erection of every school-house in the township. Politi- cally he is a staunch, active Greenbacker, being one of the organizers of the party in the county; from the founding of the party lic has been a member of the central com- mittee. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. Pratt was married November 12, 1861, to Lydia L. Thompson, a daughter of Jasper and Ludia A. (Graham) Thompson; she was born in Canada, July 16, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are the parents of six children -Clarence, deceased at the age of thirteen years; William, Nellie, Cora, Florence, and Vera.

ACOB BOSLEY, retired farmer, is one of the best known of Lincoln Township's pioneers, having settled there in 1865. He was born in Fayette County, Pennsyl- vania, March 23, 1827, and is the son of Greenbury and Huldah (Morris) Bosley, na- tives of Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood in his native county, being reared to the life of a farmer, and receiving his education in the common schools. In 1848 he went to Putnam County, Illinois, being one of the pioneers there; thence he removed to La Salle County, Illinois, and remained there nntil 1865, when he came to Iowa and settled on section 16, Lincoln Township, Shelby County. Here he improved 320 acres of wild land, placing it under cultivation and erecting a residence and barn. He also planted a fine grove of trees. He was one of the very first settlers in this part of the county, and endured all the privations with which the pioneer alone is familiar. . He owns, in addition to his farm in section 16, eighty acres in sec- tion 10, and eighty acres in Cass Township,

making a total of 480 acres. Politically Mr. Bosley stands by the Republican party. He has done his share in the improvement of Shelby County, and is counted among the financially solid men of the county.

- ILLIAM KEAIRNES is a native of the Hawkeye State, having been born in Grove Township, Shelby County, on the old Kcairnes homestead, in Keairnes's Grove, March 15, 1854. He is a son of Wilson and Sarah Keairnes, whose biography will be found on another page of this work. Our subject was reared in the township in which he was born, and received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He remained under the pa- rental roof until he was twenty-two years of age; then he started for himself, renting a farm for two years. In 1877 he purchased a tract of forty acres of wild land in section 28, which he began to improve; he also rented land which he farmed in connection with his own land. He has since added 320 acres to this first purchase, so that his farm consists of 360 acres, all in Grove Township. It is all under cultivation except the last eighty acres which he bonght. He has a good frame residence, and barns for stock and grain. He has done much for the advancement of the community in which he lives, and although a young man, he has risen to a position in the county of which he may well be proud. He is a self-made man, having started with nothing but will and determination to suc- ceed. Mr. Keairnes is a staunch Republican, and has represented the township as trustee, and is now acting treasurer of the school board. He was married Angust 9, 1879, to Miss Margaret, danghter of Patrick and Hannorah Tierney. She was born in Clinton

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County, Iowa, February 14, 1860. They are the parents of four children-Nellie M., Clarence P., Bessie E. and Blanche HI. They are members of Saint Mary's Catholic Church.

IMON A. SIDENER, a pioneer farmer of Shelby County, Iowa, was born in Marion, Marion County, Ohio, February 16, 1825. He is the son of George and Mary (Baughman) Sidener, natives of Pennsylvania. He was the only child of this union, but had half-brothers and half-sisters, as the mother married after the death of his father. IIe obtained his education in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years he began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade; he worked at this only one year, however, and then engaged in various pursuits until he was twenty years of age, when he camne as far west as Indiana; there he remained two years, turning his hand to anything that would bring an honest dollar. Hle next went to St. Joe, Michigan, and re- sided there fourteen years, following farming most of the time. In 1857 he came to łowa, and settled on a farm of forty acres, princi- pally timber land, in section 28, Grove Town- ship; he purchased forty acres of prairie land in section 27, and has brought it all to a high state of cultivation. He has since made this his home, and has done much for the improve- ment and advancement of the county. Ile has made later purchases of land, until he now owns 103 acres; he has a nice frame dwelling-house, surrounded by an orchard of three acres, which he himself planted. Mr. Sidener was married September 5, 1850, to Miss Cynthia J., daughter of William and Nancy (Willson) Nickerson, natives of New York. Mrs. Sidener was born in the village of Anburn, Cayuga County, New York, Oe- tober 5, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Sidener were

compelled to meet many hardships, but they did it in true pioneer style, and to-day are en- joying the pleasures won by many years of economy and industry. At times in those early days they were compelled to make flour and meal by grinding grain in the coffee-mill, or by cooking corn and then grating it. Their nearest market place was Council Bluff's, fifty miles distant. Mr. Sidener has had an able assistant aud faithful companion in his loyal wife. He is a staunch Democrat, and has held several township offices.

J. RUNNELLS, one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby County, was born in New Hampshire about the year 1825, and at an early day came to Du Page County, Illinois, and for many years made it his home. Ilis life was spent in various pursuits; having learned both the baker's and carpenter's trades, he devoted much time and attention to these industries. lle also engaged in farming, and at different times he was interested in the mercantile trade. Ile was married in Illinois to Martha Ilawkins, daughter of Luke and Margaret Hawkins, who was born in Indiana. Mrs. Runnells's maiden name was Benjamin. They con- tinned to reside in Illinois until 1851, when Mr. Runnells came west alone and spent some time in and about Council Bluffs. He was employed as ferryman and also assisted in a bakery and store. He returned to Illinois and in 1854 removed his family, consisting of wife and three children, to Galland's Grove, purchasing a claim of Mr. Galland. Since that time he has made Grove Township his home, with the exception of a few years spent in Nebraska and Utah. Mr. Rounells tigured very prominently in the political his- tory of the county, being elected the first re-

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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHIES.

corder of the county, and having filled several minor offices in the township. IIc was also well versed in the practice of law and had been admitted to the bar Ile took charge of many cases that came up in the county. He was an important factor in the advance- inent of the educational and social interests of the county, and probably did as much as any man living toward the establishment of the schools in the community. He dealt very extensively in real-estate, always im- proving lands in his possession. He was a man highly esteemed for his integrity of character, and his death, which occurred in Conneil Bluffs, April 28, 1888, was deeply regretted by a host of friends. Ile left a widow and seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Runnells were the parents of ten children -- Sophrona; Cynthia, wife of Stnart Culver; Alice (deceased), George E., the subject of this notice; Martha (deceased), Henry S., Florence (deceased), Altha, wife of George Stevenson; Hattie, James, and Asha, wife of B. Zilla. George E. Runnells was born in Du Page County, Illinois, March 10, 1849, but was reared in Iowa, having come with his parents to the State when a child. He was educated in the district schools and was trained to the occupation of a farmer, which he follows in connection with stoek-raising. Ile owns a farm of eighty acres in seetion 27, on which he resides; also eighty aeres in section 22, forty acres in seetion 9, and five acres in section 15. He took his home place from the raw prairie, and has made numerons improvements in the way of erect- ing buildings and in the cultivation of the soil. Mr. Runnells is an energetic, enter- prising farmer, and enjoys the esteem of a wide eirele of acquaintances. He was mar- ried June 22, 1870, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Willson and Sarah (Parks) Keairnes. Mrs. Runnells was born in Shelby County, August

24, 1855. They are the parents of one ehild -Inez, born May 3, 1871. The family are among the most worthy and respected people of the county.

ANIEL FRY, a native of Franklin County, Indiana, was born September 21, 1830. Ile is the son of Lewis and Rebecca (Conn) F'ry, natives of Virginia. He was the oldest of a family of five children, and was reared in his native county, and made it his home until he had passed his fortieth year. He was educated in the common schools, and besides the training he received in agri- eultural pursuits he learned the carpenter's trade, and was thus doubly equipped for making his way in the world. Mr. Fry was married August 5, 1854, to Rachel Howell, who was born in Franklin County, Indiana, October 12, 1834. They have had four chil- dren born to them-George A., residing in Defiance; Mason A., residing with his parents; Lewis W., residing in Union Township, a veterinary surgeon, and Herman L., at home. In 1869 Mr. Fry came to Shelby County, Iowa, on a prospeeting tonr, and to look after some land in the county which he had purchased in 1868; this land was in several different traets and aggregated 600 aeres. In 1872 he re- moved his family to the county and located in section 14, Union Township, on a farın of 160 aeres; this land was wild, unbroken prairie, and there were but few families in this part of the county. Mr. Fry erected a small frame residence, and they began life in the new country. He has sinee made many valuable improvements in the way of ereeting a fine residence and barns for stoek and grain; the farm is in a high state of enltivation and is considered one of the best in the county; it now covers 400 aeres. Mr. Fry affiliates with

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

the Republican party, and has held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years; he has also served on the school board, and was the first postmaster in Union Township; he named the postoffice Defiance, from which the town of Defiance took its name. Mr. and Mrs. Fry are worthy and consistent members of the United Brethren church, and have been the leading spirits in the establishing of the society at Defiance. Mr. Fry has been an important factor in the promotion of all enter- prises having for their object the advancement of the community. His influence for good has been largely felt, and he holds a warm place in the hearts of the people. On coming to the county Mr. and Mrs. Fry were com- pelled to undergo many hardships; they trav- eled a distance of eighteen miles to mill, and about the same distance to a market place.

ANIEL BENJAMIN, a leading farmer of Grove Township, was born in Indi- ana, October 9, 1832. Ile is a son of Robert Y. and Nancy (Groves) Benjamin. In his infancy his parents removed from Indiana to Du Page County, Illinois, and there he was reared and passed his early life; he was trained to agricultural industries, and ob- tained liis education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-six years he came to Iowa and settled in Grove Township, Shelby County. Mr. Benjamin was united in mar- riage May 25, 1862, to Miss Nancy J. Lyons, who was born June 5, 1843. They are the parents of five children-John II., who married Mary E. Cook; Robert L., who married Minnie Goodale; Nathan B., who died April 9, 1868; Bertha L., who died May 26, 1879, and Jesse P., who was born May 20, 1882. In 1863 Mr. Benjamin purchased a tract of 200 acres in sections 29 and 31, Grove Township; here he

has erected a beautiful frame residence, and buildings for stock and grain; he has made many valuable improvements and has placed the land, which was unimproved when he bought it, under fine cultivation. He has been a beneficial factor in the upbuilding of this part of the county, and occupies a very prominent position in the agricultural interests of the community. He enjoys the esteein and re- gard of a wide circle of friends and is among the foremost citizens of the county. Politi- eally Mr. Benjamin is a Republican, and has held the offices of township trustee and road supervisor. Mrs. Benjamin is a worthy member of the Seventh Day Adventist churchı.

OSEPH F. BEH, the subject of this sketch, is one of the leading merchants of Harlan. IIe has been interested in the welfare of Shelby County sinee 1882, when his residence here began. Ile is a na- tive of Iowa, born in Scott County, January 11, 1859; he is a son of F. X. and Caroline (Heckel) Beh, natives of Baden, Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1852; they first settled in Detroit, Michigan, where Mr. Beh followed the trade of stone-cutting, which he had learned in the old country. They resided in Michigan three years, and in 1855 came to Scott County, Iowa, and settled in Buffalo, where Mr. Beh opened a stone- quarry and lime-kiln; he followed this oc- eupation for about twelve years, and then moved on a farm in the same county, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Beli are the parents of nine children, eight of whom still survive. Joseph F. Beh is the second son and third child; from the time he was twelve years old until he was twenty-one he lived on a farm; his education was obtained in the

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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES.

common schools and in St. Francis' College, Quiney, Ill. In 1882 he came to Harlan and bought a half interest in his present store; the firm name was then Haak & Beh; this partnership continued for two years, when Mr. Beh purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. He carries the largest stock of goods in Harlan and occupies two rooms. Mr. Beh was mar- ried October 10. 1882, to Miss Louisa D. Dietz, a native of Seott County, and a danghter of Hon. Philip and Dora (Reison) Dietz, who came from Germany in 1853; they located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where they lived for two years, and in 1855 they came to Wal- eott, Scott County, Iowa, where they still reside. Mr. Dietz is a member of the firm of Stockdale & Dietz, who are extensively engaged in grain and stock dealing. Mr. Dietz represented Seott County in the twenty- first and twenty-second general assemblies. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Beh are the parents of two children- Dora F. and Philip C. Mr. Beh is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

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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