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 60
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 60
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AVID W. GREEN is a native of the State that has furnished so many sub- stantial citizens to Shelby County ; that is, Pennsylvania. IIe was born in Cumber- land County, August 7, 1844, and is a son of John and Elizabetlı (Allen) Green, also natives of Pennsylvania. David was four years old when his parents removed to Johnson County, Iowa, which is still their home. He passed his youth upon a farm, and obtained his education in the common schools of the day. During the late civil war he enlisted in the Forty-seventh lowa Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany G, and served four months in the west-
ern army, and was honorably discharged. Mr. Green was united in marriage September 13. 1868, to Miss Margaret Alloway, born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Ander- son) Green. After his marriage Mr. Green resided in Johnson County until 1881, when he came to Shelby County and bought his present farm; it was wild land, but he has placed it under enltivation and erected good buildings. Ile has a modern windmill, and inany conveniences for farming and stoek- raising. Mr. and Mrs. Green have had born to them four children-Lizzie May, wife of William Horton; William Henry, Iona Grace and John Irvin. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Church of God, he serving as one of the ruling elders. In polities he supports the principles of the Republican party.
HOMAS McCOID, now living on see- tion 17, Grove Township, is one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby County, hav- ing come here in March, 1851. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 9, 1822, and is the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Sarchet) MeCoid. The father was born in Scotland, May 12, 1793, and died October 21, 1870, at his home in Pottawattamie County. He erossed the ocean when quite young and first settled-in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg; he afterward removed to Olio, thence to Indiana, and thence to Pottawattamie County, lowa. Mrs. McCoid was born Angnst 8, 1802, on Guernsey Island, of French parentage; she died February 28, 1861, at the old home- stead in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. They were both members of the Methodist Epis- copal elirch. Thomas MeCoid, the sub- ject of this sketeh, left his father's home at the age of eighteen years to do for himself;
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for six years he worked by the month on a farm in Indiana. In 1850 he came to Kanes- ville, now Council Bluffs, and March 20, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Syntha Fonts, in Harrison County. After his marriage he settled at Galland's Grove, Shelby County, but as the survey had not then been made it was not known which county he had settled in. He first bought a squatter's claim and in a short time sold it. He entered 160 acres of government land, which he improved and made his home. Mr. and Mrs. McCoid had two children horn to them-Mary Ann, wife of T. E. Fowler, and Martha, who died in infancy. Mrs. Syntha McCoid died October 30, 1855, at the age of twenty-seven years. She was a native of Indiana, and a member of the Christian church. Mr. McCoid was again married October 4, 1858, in Shelby County, to Miss Lorinda J. McIntosh. By this union two children were born-James (deceased), and George W., a merchant of Panama, Iowa. Mrs. Lorinda McCoid passed from this life December 23, 1872, at the age of thirty-one years. Mr. McCoid's estate covers 456 acres of good land; he has been an extensive farmer and stock-raiser. He is inclined to the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
EORGE W. McCOID, dealer in general merchandise and agricultural imple- ments, Panama, Iowa, was born January 12, 1861. He is the son of Thomas and Lo- rinda (McIntosh) McCoid, who are the par- ents of two children-James (deceased), and the subject of this notice. George remained under the parental roof until he was twenty years of age. He attended school in Logan for five years before he was twenty years old,
after which he devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits for two years. He then entered Miller's Mercantile College, which he attended six months, being graduated from that institution in the spring of 1882. The school is now known as Pierce's Bnsi- ness College. While in Logan Mr. McCoid learned the miller's trade. After leaving school he returned to the farm for one sum- mer, and then purchased the interest of Mr. Wheeler in the firm of Wheeler & Kleeb, Panama. This business was established in 1882 by Wheeler & Kleeb. Mr. McCoid sold his interest to Williams & Company in 1884, and in 1885 he bought the entire busi- ness. He carries a stock of $12,500, and does a thriving business. Mr. McCoid was married to Miss Emma J. Purdon, May 19, 1885. She was born in Athens County, Ohio, July 8, 1861, and received a very liberal education. Mr. and Mrs. McCoid are the parents of two children-Lorinda, born Marchi 23, 1886, and Tressy G., born February 2, 1888. Mrs. Emma J. McCoid is a member of the Christian church, having joined at Nelsonville, Ohio, in 1876.
EORGE CRANDALL, farmer and stock- raiser, section 26, Washington Township, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1852. He is a native of Illinois, born in Hancock County, September 9, 1843, and is the elder son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Lemons) Crandall. Benjamin Crandall was a native of Ontario County, New York, of English and German ancestry. His parents, John and Magdalene (Wood) Crandall, were both natives of the United States. When he was a child his parents emigrated to Ohio, and there he grew to manhood. They afterward followed the fron-
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tier, and went to Missouri first, and then to Hancock County, Illinois; thence they came to Iowa. After his marriage Benjamin Cran- dall settled in Shelby County, having entered a tract of government land, upon which he passed the remainder of his days. He and his wife had born to them seven children, five of whom lived to be grown, and three of whom survive-George, Daniel and John. Benjamin Crandall died March 27, 1872, and his wife, Rebecca Crandall, passed away Jan- uary 9, 1884. George Crandall was reared to farin life and obtained his education in the subscription and district schools of that day. Ile lived with his parents until he reached his majority, when he worked at varions occupations until he purchased his present farm in 1870. He improved the land and made additions to it until he now owns 430 acres in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Crandall was married December 12, 1874, to Miss Jenette Martin, a daughter of James and Alvira (Spencer) Martin, early settlers of Illinois, who were natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Crandall was born in Whiteside County, Illinois. By this marriage four children were born-Maud (deceased), Lulu, Ada (deccased), and Engene. Mr. Crandall is a member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M. Ile has served as town- ship clerk and trustee, and as a member of the school board. IIe casts his vote with the Democratic party.
LI E. IIOOVER began his residence in Shelby County in 1878. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1848, and is a son of David and Sarah (Alloway) Hoover, natives of Pennsylvania. He was a babe of eleven months when his parents pushed to the front-
ier and settled in Johnson County, Iowa. There he grew to manhood, being trained to the duties of a farmer's son, and receiving the limited advantages offered by the pioneer schools. December 7, 1871, he was married to Miss Mattie A. Green, a native of Cum- berland County, Pennsylvania. She was an infant when her parents, David and Rachel (Peffer) Green, removed to Johnson County, Iowa. The year of his marriage Mr. Hoover removed to Cass County, Iowa, and remained there six years; in 1878 he came to Shelby County and settled on 160 acres, which form a part of his present farm. He has made ad- ditions to his first purchase until he now owns 240 acres, in an advanced state of cul- tivation. Ile has a fine house, and has planted a grove and an orchard; his barn is one of the largest and most substantial in the town- ship. Ile devotes himself exclusively to farming and stock-raising, and has been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Iloover are the parents of five children-Irvin, Elbert, Clin- ton, Ross and Walter. Mr. Hoover is in- elined to the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Evangelical church, and of the Pioneer Class of the town- ship, being steward of the same. Ile is strictly honorable in business, and has the confidence of all with whom he has any dealings.
AMUEL DAGGET is an old resident of Shelby County, and one of the first set- thers in Washington Township, having gone there in 1874. Ile is a native of Indi- ana, born January 10, 1831. He is a son of John and Sallie (Chopen) Dagget, who were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Samuel was the oldest of this family and remained at home until his mar- riage to Mrs. Mary Black, which occurred in
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September, 1852. At the time he was living in Illinois, and remained there, engaged in farming until 1859, when he made a trip to Oregon; he staid there four years, mining and teaming. From Oregon he went to the Idaho mines, and lived there five years, mining and teaming. While they were liv- ing in Idaho City Mrs. Dagget died, Febru- ary 10, 1867. She left one child-Eliza, the wife of Thomas Grott. By her first mar- riage she had one daughter-Cynthia Ann, wife of Mr. Preston, of Galesburg, Illinois. June 16, 1868, Mr. Dagget left Idaho City for Illinois, with a fine span of horses, and ar- rived at his destination August 11, the same summer. September 20, 1870, Mr. Dagget was again married, to Mrs. Nancy Jane Kin- mer. By this union one child was born- Luella. Mrs. Kinmer had three daughters by her first husband-Cora, Mary and Susan, all of whom are married. In February, 1874, Mr. Dagget removed his family to Shelby County. He first bought 120 acres of wild land, and afterward added eighty more to his place. He carries on general farming and stock-raising. His political inclinations are toward the Republican party. Mrs. Dagget is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are highly respected citizens, always willing to contribute liberally to any worthy cause, and to do anything in their power to alleviate suffering and distress.
PRITCHARD is one of the promi- nent agriculturists and stockmen of Monroe Township, Shelby County. He was born in the north of Ireland, October 14, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Mary B. Pritchard. He was a lad of eighteen years when his parents sailed from the Emerald Isle for the new world. They located in
Henry County, Illinois, and there our subject grew to manhood, receiving the training of a farmer's son, and obtaining his education in the common schools. Mr. Pritchard was mar- ried when twenty-three years old to Miss Mary A. Brown. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard came to Shelby Connty, and since that time have made it their home. They were among the early settlers in the neigh- borhood. Mr. Pritchard bought 120 acres, and has since added to it until he now has one of the finest farms in the township. His dwelling is a very substantial house built in the shape of a double L, in modern style. lle has a large barn and numerous other buildings for stock and grain. Ile makes a specialty of Hereford cattle and has the only herd of thoroughbreds in Shelby County. IIc also has large numbers of other high grades of live-stock. Mr. Pritchard is in partner- ship with Mr. J. Brindley in the raising of draft-horses. Mr. Pritchard affiliates with the Republican party, and although not an aspirant to office he has served as treas- urer of the township and on the school board for several years. He is a member of tlie A. O. U. W., of Walnut. His upright, busi- ness habits and other excellent qualities have won for him a standing among the first citi- zens of Monroe Township.
F. BAIRD, a prominent citizen of Cass Township, has been a resident of the county since 1880. He is a native of Iowa, born in Davis County, September 15, 1853. He is a son of James and Mary (Carlton) Baird. In 1864 the father went to California and was there murdered for money, thus leaving the mother with a family of young children to support. J. F. was reared in Davis County until his thirteenth year.
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At the tender age of ten years he went out to work to assist his mother in supporting the family, and although a child he was able to render her much valuable assistance. lle obtained his education by attending school in the winter months and reading and studying at home. In 1873 he went to Logan County, Illinois, and remained there seven years. Ile was married January 24, 1878, to Miss Mary Malinda Ann Copeland, a danghter of Abner Copeland. In 1880 they returned to Shelby County and bought 160 acres of wild land one-half mile north of Portsmouth. Mr. Baird has erected a comfortable cottage, has planted a grove and orchard, and made numer- ons improvements. Ile devotes his time exclusively to farming and stock-raising, and all his surroundings indicate thrift and pros- perity. Mr. and Mrs. Baird have had born to them four children -- Lena Maud, Clara Ethel, Cora Jane, and John Abner. Cora Jane died August 21, 1885. Mr. Baird is a staunch and leading Democrat of the town- ship. He has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board with credit to himself. He is an open, plain-spoken man, and has won the regard of his neighbors and acquaintances.
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M. LAWRENCE is a well-known and useful citizen of Cass Township, and has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1879. He was born in Tennessee, October 28, 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy (McMurray) Lawrence. Hle was an infant when his parents removed from Tennessee to Georgia, where he grew to manhood, and received a common-school education. During the late civil war hie served in the Thirty-ninth Georgia Volunteer Infantry for three years under General Bragg
and General Pemberton. He was at Vicks- burg most of the time during the siege of that city. After the close of the war he removed with his parents to Sangamon County, Illi- nois. March 1, 1876, he was married to Miss Anna Banerley, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Meyers) Banerley. Mrs. Lawrence was born in Illinois, and at the age of - years her parents went to Sangamon County, where she was reared and educated. In 1879 they came to Iowa, and bought land in Shelby County. Mr. Lawrence now owns 200 acres of well-improved land; he has a good dwelling just one mile from the town of Portsmoutht. Ile has some good stock on his farm, and some especially fine horses. In his political opinions he agrees with the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are the parents of four children-Thomas Ed, Samnel M., David F. and Olive Agnes.
II. GRAVES, a retired citizen of Pan- ama, has been a resident of Shelby County, lowa, since 1882. Ile was born in Onondaga County, New York, April 13, 1818, and is the son of Waters and Ilan- nah (Chapel) Graves. The father was a native of Massachusetts, and the mother was born in Connectient. They had eight children born to them-Salinda (deceased), Waters (de- ceased), Z. H., John W., Sheldon, Theoron, Mur, Welsie Ann, the wife of Z. II. Bartlett. By a previous marriage Mr. Graves had nine children-Fannie, Elihu, Rasius, Polly, Olive, Esther, Abigail, Almyron and Wells. Z. II. Graves, the subject of this notice, was married to Ellen Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gressman) Fish, April 29, 1865. Mrs. Graves is a native of the State of New York; she was born in Onondaga County, October 5, 1833. The result of this marriage
Rev Site
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has been three children-Waters B., boru April 29, 1867, and died April 9, 1880; Lizzie I., the wife of Nicholas F. Burks, born July 19, 1870; and Theoron B., born February 7, 1875. Mrs. Graves had one child by her first hus- band, Elmer E. Rosser, a resident of Dunlap, born May 18, 1861. Mr. Graves had one child by his first marriage; his name was Seth, now deceased. Mr. Graves has served as a justiee of the peace one term. Politically he is inelined to the principles of the Republican party. IIe is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity.
W. KITE, farmer and stock-raiser, is a highly esteemed and well-known eiti. zen of Monroe Township, and has been identified with the history of Shelby County since 1872. He was born on the Shenandoah River in Page County, Virginia, February 17, 1831. He is a son of John and Mary (Eppard) Kite, also natives of Page County, Virginia, and of German ancestry. R. W. Kite was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received the limited educational advantages afforded by the common schools of his youth. Arriving at the age of man- hood he was united in marriage August 17, 1852, to Miss Caroline Kite, who was born and reared in Page County, Virginia, and is a danghter of Noah and Isabelle (Pirkey) Kite, also natives of Virginia. Three years after his marriage, in 1855, Mr. Kite was seized with a desire to try his fortunes on the frontier, as Iowa was then called. He emi- grated to the west, and settled in Cedar County, Iowa, near Tipton. There he resided until 1872, when he came to Shelby County and bought 120 aeres of land which had been broken the year previous. He has built a good story and a half honse, and buildings
for stock and grain. He has provided for future comfort and enjoyment in planting a grove, and an orehard of five aeres. By in- dustry and thrifty management Mr. Kite has made his farm one of the most desirable in the township. He also owns a good farin in Douglas Township, Audubon County. Mr. and Mrs. Kite have had born to them twelve children, ten of whom are living -- Lathaniel, Mary Jane, D. M., Benjamin F., Alice Re- beeea, George W., Harvey II., Ellen V., N. B. and I. Newton. Stephen D. died at the age of four years, and Oliver in his third year. In political thought and action Mr. Kite is Democratic. He has served as a member of the school board, and is interested in all measures tending to advance the edu- eational standing of the community. His family are numbered among the leading citi- zens of Monroe Township.
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OHN N. RALSTON has been a resident of Shelby County during the last five years. He was born in Illinois, August 26, 1852, and is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Peyton) Ralston, who removed to Iowa when our subjeet was two years of age, and settled in Dallas County; there the father died at the age of thirty years; the mother still resides in Dallas County, at the age of sixty- six years. They were the parents of five chil- dren-Samantha Ann, the wife of HI. Watkins; Caroline (deceased), Benjamin F., Jolm N., and Jennie, the wife of George Saky. John N. began to support himself at the age of fourteen years. April 7, 1871, he was mar- ried to Miss Libbie, daughter of William and Lueinda Thompson. She is a native of Penn- sylvania, and was born September 4, 1852. For three years after his marriage Mr. Ralston rented and farmed his mother's land in Dallas
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County. He then bought eighty acres of wild land in Madison County, Iowa, which he im- proved and made his home for seven years. At the end of that time he sold out and came to Shelby County, and rented until the fall of 1888, when he bought eighty acres of improved land in section 2, Washington Township. Mr. Ralston has been politically identified with his township as trustee, and is the present as- sessor; the township assesses $180,000. He is a member of the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have had born to them two ehildren-May, born September 15, 1872, and Anna, the wife of Patrick Buckley, born De- eember 15, 1874. Mr. Ralston is a teacher, and had the advantages of a good edneation. May is also a teacher; she was graduated from the classical course at St. Mary's Academy, Conneil Bluffs, in 1887.
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D. VANDEBURG, of Jackson Town- ship, has been a resident of Shelby County since the year 1875. He was born in Greene County, New York, January 15, 1816, and is a son of Peter and Hannah (Shersey) Vandeburg, natives of the State of New York. J. D. grew to man's estate in Greene County, being reared to the occupation of a farmer, and obtaining his education in the common schools. He was married May 2, 1840, to Marilla Crosby, of Greene County, New York. By this union six children were born-Eder, Van Buren, Lucinda, Sarah, IIan- nah and Elizabeth. Mrs. Vandeburg died in 1851, and Mr. Vandeburg was married to Sarah P. Crosby, September 4, 1852. She is a native of Greene County, New York, and is a daughter of B. L. and Huldah (Hull) Crosby, natives of the State of New York. Mr. Vandeburg lived in Greene County until 1861, when he removed to La Salle County,
Illinois. He remained there four years, and at the expiration of that time he went to Rock Island County, Illinois, where he re- sided until 1875. He then came to Shelby County, Iowa, and purchased 160 acres of wild land. He was the first settler in the neighborhood, there being no house to the east of his place in Shelby County, and the nearest house being five miles away. Ile has expended much time and labor upon the place, and to-day the Vandeburg farm is eon- sidered one of the best in the township. There is a good residence, attraetively sur- rounded by a fine grove of maples, an orchard, a large barn, and other good farm buildings. There is an air of neatness and thrift about the place that gives an index to the character of the owner. By his last marriage eleven children were born, eight of whom still sur. vive-IIuldah, Alida, Carrie, Grace (a popu- lar teacher, now attending college), Lulu, David, Adelbert and Elmer. James died in Arizona in December, 1888; Charlie died in his third year, and Crosby died in infancy. Mr. Vandeburg was for many years a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife is an Old-school Baptist. They are both intelligent people, hospitable and cordial, and have the esteem and respect of all who know them.
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W. STARR, a farmer of Clay Town- ship, has made his home in Shelby County sinee 1881. Ile was born in Clark County, Indiana, February 22, 1835, and is a son of Isaac and Naney (Griffin) Starr, natives of North Carolina. He was a babe when his parents settled in Johnson County, Indiana. Ilis father died when he was four years old, when his mother removed to Hamilton County, Indiana. She died when
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he was cleven years old, and he then went to live with a sister, Mary Stuart, wife of Green- berry Stuart. When our subject was fifteen years of age the family came to Iowa, five yoke of oxen drawing the wagon. G. W. drove young stock most of the way from In- diana. They crossed the Mississippi River at Burlington, Iowa, and settled in Wash- ington County, where Mr. Starr resided until 1852. He then spent one year in Indiana. Ile was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the primitive log school-house of that time. Mr. Starr was united in marriage, October 21, 1860, to Miss Maria Hyatt, who was born in High- land County, Ohio, July 8, 1841. She is a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Adamıs) Hyatt, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio re- spectively. Mrs. Hyatt was a second cousin to John Q. Adams. Mrs. Starr was three months old when her parents came to the Territory of Iowa, settling among the Indians in Washington County. The father died in 1877, and the mother still lives in Washing- ton County. Mrs. Starr attended the first school, held in a log school-house, and there met her future husband. After his marriage Mr. Starr lived in Decatur County, Iowa, for eighteen months, and then returned to Wash- ington County, where he resided until he came to Shelby County in 1881. He owns 160 acres of land, divided into fields of forty acres each. He has a comfortable residence, an orchard of two acres, a good barn, and cribs for grain. All the surroundings be- speak the thrift and prosperity of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Starr are the parents of nine children - William F., John V., Nancy E., Louis F., Rosa E., Martin V., Calvin V., Frank F. and Jennie B. Two of the chil- dren are married-William F., who resides in Audubon County, Iowa, and Nancy E., who is the wife of George Pontrous, also re- 39
siding in Audubon County. Mr. Starr is a Republican. Five of the children are mein- bers of the Adventist church. Louis F. is in Baltimore, Maryland, engaged in mission work. He was educated at Battle Creek, Michigan. Rosa E. is at Blair, Nebraska, attending school.
EORGE R. STEPHENSON is an early settler of both Audubon and Shelby counties, having come to the former in 1863, and to the latter in 1869. Ile was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1843, and is a son of James and Nancy (Smith) Stephenson, natives of Pennsylvania, the father being of Irish de- scent. When George was eleven years old his parents removed to Rock County, Wis- consin, and settled seven miles from Beloit, where they lived two years. The family then went to Story County, Iowa, and were among the early settlers there. In this county George grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the common schools. In 1863 he came to Andubon County, when there were only nineteen voters in the county, ten of whom were Republicans and nine of whom were Democrats. This was the year in which there was such a bitter contest over the elec- tion of county officers, an account of which will be found in the general history of Audu- bon County. During the civil war Mr. Stephenson lent his aid in the preservation of the nation; he enlisted in March, 1864, and took part in the battle of the Spanish Fort, in which he was wounded in the foot by a minie- ball, which he keeps as a relic of the war. He was confined in a hospital for some time, and on obtaining a furlough he returned to Davenport, Iowa; there he was held until the close of the war, when he was honorably dis-
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