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 63

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 63
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 63

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J. JOHNSON, M. D., was one of the first settlers of Shelby County, Iowa, and lived there until his death, which occurred May 1, 1872. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1798, and was a son of John Johnson. Ile was reared and edneated in his native State, and studied medicine under Dr. Mowry, a prominent and well-known phy-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

sician of those times, residing at Wheeling, Virginia. Some time later Dr. Johnson re- moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, locating at Bloomfield. He was married in Scioto County, Ohio, October 3, 1837, to Miss Mary Thompson, a daughter of James and Susanna (Malone) Thompson. After their marriage they lived in Pickaway County, at Williamsport, where the Doctor engaged in the practice of his profession for nine years. In 1848 they started to Iowa with two horses, a wagon, and some household goods; they were on the way seven weeks, camping out at night, excepting five nights when it rained. They settled in Louisa County, and remained there until 1852, when they came to Shelby County, being among the very first settlers. They arrived at Cuppy's Grove October 15, 1852. They built a rude log cabin which at the end of one year was burned to the ground, with the most of its contents. A few neigh- bors came to the assistance of the Doctor, and another cabin was erected in one day. At one time when her husband was ill, Mrs. Johnson took lier rifle, she was a good shot, and killed a deer. Game, potatoes, and corn-meal were the only articles of food, and hospitality was dispensed with a liberal hand at the log cabin of Dr. and Mrs. Johnson. W. J. Johnson was one of the first physicians in the county, and many early settlers are indebted to him for both life and health. He improved a good farm of 160 acres, which is now owned by his widow. The place is well improved, having a good residence, and barn, and being under a high state of enltivation. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of seven chil- dren-John, who was killed in his twenty- third year; Bradford, who served in the late war; Sarah Rodgers, Mary W., Witherton, James E., and Lucinda Morris. The widow of Dr. Johnson was married September 22, 1888, to Isaac F. Allen. No woman in 40

Shelby County has seen more of pioneer life than Mrs. Allen. She is a pleasant talker, and loves to tell of those early days.

HOMAS COOK, deceased, late of Cass Township, Shelby County, Iowa, was a well-known and highly respected citizen. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1830, and is a son of Jesse and Anna (White) Cook. Jesse Cook was born February 15, 1800, and Anna Cook was born October 15, 1800. Anthony Cook came 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 coal, which was discovered by John Cook when he was digging for a rab- bit. Thomas Cook was married in Pennsyl- vania in November, 1851, to Miss Mary Alloway, who was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1829. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (An- derson) Alloway. They reared two children -Maggie Hopton, of Portsmouth, and John A. Cook. Thomas Cook improved eighty aeres of land, upon which he lived until his deatlı. In politics he was inclined to the principles of the Republican party. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 579, of Broad Top, Pennsylvania, and joined the lodge at Shelby in 1876. He was a chief patriot of the order. He represented his lodge at Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, at the session of the State grand lodge; he also rep- resented the grand lodge at the centennial in Philadelphia in 1876. He represented the Shelby Lodge at Des Moines and Cedar Rap-

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

ids, lowa. Thomas Cook departed this life November 21, 1887; his wife died May 15, 1886. She was a member of the Church of God. John A. Cook, an active citizen of Cass Township, was born at Broad Top, Penn- sylvania, July 24, 1857. He was reared in his birthplace, and received a good education at the Fulton Institute. IIe assisted his father in the coal business for some time, and came west when the family came to Shelby County. Ile spent one season in Wyoming Territory, near Fort Laramie, at which time he was in the employ of G. H. and J. F. Collins. At one time he was in the employ of W. F. Cleveland, in Shelby. Ile was married February 14, 1882, to Miss Nettie Horton, a daughter of David and Susan (Wishart) Horton. She was born in Pennsylvania, May 1, 1561, and spent a part of her girlhood in the place of her birth. On coming to Iowa her parents settled in Lneas County. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of 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. Ile is a member of Rink's cornet band, and at the age of thirteen years was the leader of the Broad Top band. In politics he is Republican. He is a man well informed upon general topies, of a ge- nial disposition, and worthy the regard in which he is held.

AVID DEEN, a farmer of Monroe Township, has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1875. Ile was born in MeLean County, Illinois, August 14, 1836, and is the son of Benjamin and Sophrona (Fordiee) Dean, natives of the State of Ohio. He was brought up in Mc- Lean County, being trained to the ocenpation

of a farmer, and attending the common schools. When he was sixteen years old the family re- moved to Johnson County, Iowa. There he grew to manhood, and February 26, 1857, le was married to Miss Hannah M. Pitt, a native of Burlington, lowa, and a daughter of Samuel and IIannah M. (Kensell) Pitt, natives of Pennsylvania. In the late Rebellion Mr. Deen enlisted in the Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, but was soon discharged on account of disability. On coming to Shelby County in 1875 he located on 160 acres of wild land, which he has placed under good enltivation. Ile has erected good buildings on the place, and has planted a grove and an orchard of three aeres. Mr. and Mrs. Deen are the parents of six children-William, re- siding in Jackson Township; Ben F., at home: Samuel P., living on section 12, Monroe Township; Emary S., Fred C. and Verna E .. at home. Mr. Deen is a Republican and a mem- ber of the United Workinen. He is strictly honorable in business, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

RONSTAND LEINEN. a fariner of Cass Township, has been identified with the history of Shelby County since 1875. lle was born in Germany, September 25, 1847, and is a son of Matthias and Anna Mary (Buch) Leinen. He was a lad of eight years when his parents left their native soil to try their fortunes in the new world, After their arrival in America they came to Iowa, and settled in Keokuk County; there Con- stand grew to manhood, passing his youth in much the same fashion as other farmers' sons. He acquired a good education in the public schools of Keokuk County. Novem- ber 3, 1870, he was married in Keokuk County, Iowa, to Miss Gertrude Korth, daugh-

Phillip Armentrout

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ter of Jacob Korth, Sr., of Portsmouth. She was born in Germany, April 5, 1852, and when she was three months old her parents removed to Dane County, Wisconsin, and when ten years old removed to Keokuk County, Iowa; there she grew to womanhood and received her education. When Mr. Leinen came to the county of Shelby he in- vested in eighty acres of wild land; he was very successful in his business, and to day owns 280 acres of well-improved land. He has a substantial dwelling house, a commodi- ous barn with a brick basement, and cribs for grain. Ile has planted a grove and an orchard, and made his place one of the best in the county. Ile raises large quantities of grain, and fattens a number of cattle and hogs annually. Mr. and Mrs. Leinen are the parents of six children-Matthias, Constance, Jacob, Josephine, Mary and Gertrude. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Leinen is one of the staunch Democrats of Cass Township. He is a man of intelligence, is well informed upon general topies, and one of the solid men of the county.

HILLIP ARMENTROUT, of Jackson Township, is one of the prominent and successful farmers ot Shelby County. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 28, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hammond) Armentrout, natives of Rockingham County, Virginia. Phillip was a babe twelve months old when his parents removed to Koseinsko County, Indiana, where they lived five years. In 1853 the family came to Cedar County, Iowa, being among the first settlers. There Phillip grew to man- hood, receiving the training of a frontier farmer's son, and the education afforded by the common schools. In 1872 he came to

Shelby County, and located at Correction Grove, in Clay Township, with his brother George, who had come to the county in the fall of 1871. In 1877 Mr. Armentrout set . tled on his present farm, being one of the first settlers in that part of the county. His land was wild and unimproved, but years of labor have developed it into one of the best in Jackson Township; it contains 280 aeres, and is well watered by strong, pure springs. There is a comfortable dwelling, situated in the midst of a beautiful grove of seven aeres of maples, a fine orehard, a good barn, and all the modern conveniences for farming and stock-raising. Mr. Armentrout keeps large numbers of cattle, horses and swine of the best breeds. In the year 1876, December 28, the subject of this sketch was united in mar- riage to Miss Alice Ross, of Shelby County, a daughter of H. W. Ross, of Leroy Town- ship, Audubon County. By this union five sons have been born-Alonzo E., William Otho, Eldoris, Ralph Ellis, and Robert. Mr. Armentrout is a strong adherent to the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. He has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is one of the sub- stantial and reliable men of the county.

ACOB ARMENTROUT, the father of Philip Armentrout, was born June 18, 1800, in Rockingham County, Virginia. His father died when he was four years of age, but his mother and brothers assisted him to gain a fair education. In the month of Ang- ust, 1820, he moved with his brother to Richland County, Ohio, and after a short so- journ there to Knox County, Ohio, where he served a three years' apprenticeship to a ·eabi- i net-maker; he then returned to Richland

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

County, and worked at his trade for some time, and returned to Virginia. After a short time he went back to Ohio, and worked at his trade, but not feeling satisfied he again returned to the State of his nativity, and there on April 17, 1825, he was married to Mary Hammen, of Rockingham County. In the fall of 1826 they emigrated to Ohio aud settled in Newville, where he plied his trade, held the office of justice of the peace for nine years, and that of postmaster for six years. After a residence of sixteen years in Newville, he purchased a farm two miles west of the place, on which he lived seven years, when he sold ont and went to Kosei- usko County, Indiana; there he bought a farin which he enltivated five years, when he emigrated to Iowa in 1853 and bonght a farm on which he passed the remainder ot his days. He held the office of justice of the peace in Cedar County for eight years. Jacob Armentrout's father, being the eldest of the family, under the old colonial laws in- herited the entire estate of his father, but he divided equally with his brothers and sisters. Ile left a wife, five sons and seven dangliters to mourn his loss. Hle was highly esteemed by all who knew him, being gentlemanly, courteons, and obliging to a fanlt.

Alloway was married in Johnson Connty, April 13, 1862, to Miss Caroline Doner, a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Daniel and Carrie (Gay- men) Doner, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Alloway lived in Johnson County until 1873, when he came to Cass County, Iowa, and made that his residence two years. At the expiration of that time he bought his present farm of 100 acres, which was wild prairie land. He has sinee devoted himself to the improvement and cultivation of this place, and the results have been very gratifying. He has a com- fortable residence, surrounded by a fine grove, an orchard of three aeres, a barn, and eribs for grain. He is engaged in general farmning and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Alloway have two children-Mary Lizzie, wife of Fred Gill, residing near Portsmouth, and George W. Mr. Alloway votes the Republican ticket. Ile is a member of the I. O. O. F., Canopy Lodge, of Shelby. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Church of God. They are highly esteemed, and are among the most respected citizens of Cass Township.

M ATTIHAS LEINEN is one of the leading German citizens of Cass Township. He has been identified with the interests of Shelby County since 1876, and has done his share toward its de- velopment. He was born in Germany, No- vember 3, 1849, and is a son of Matthias Leinen, a resident of Cass Township. Mat- thias, Jr., was a child of six years when his parents emigrated to America, and settled in Keokuk County, Iowa. There he grew to manhood, and received a fair education in the public schools. November 25, 1874, he was

W. ALLOWAY is a well-known, en- terprising and successful agriculturist of Cass Township. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 23, 1835, and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Anderson) Alloway, natives of Pennsylvania. Ile was reared in his native State, dividing his time between farm work and attending school. In 1855 the family removed to Johnson County, Iowa, and the parents remained there until death. G. W. , married to Miss Anna Hammes, a native of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Germany, who came to America and settled in Iowa at the age of eighteen years. She is a daughter of Michael Hammes, who died in Keokuk County, Iowa. Three of her broth- ers live in Cass Township-John, Frank and Mike Hammes. As before stated, our sub- ject came to Cass Township in 1876, and set- tled on eighty acres of land. He has been prosperons and now owns 200 aeres of well- improved land; 120 acres lie in section 23, and eighty acres in section 22. Ile has a fine dwelling house, a good barn, a grove and an orchard, and is well equipped for carrying ou farming. His farm is situated two miles east of Portsmouth, and is one of the best in the neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Leinen are the parents of six children - Mary, Anna, Michael, Maggie, Peter and Susan. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church, and are among the worthy citizens of the township. Politically Mr. Leinen affiliates with the Democratic party.

ENRY W. CRAIG, deceased, was born in New Jersey in 1824. He was mar- ried in Iowa County, Wisconsin, in 1846, to Miss Esther Landford, a native of Knox County, Ohio, and a daughter of Ieaae L. and Sarah (Elwell) Landford. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother was born in Maryland. Mrs. Craig was a girl twelve years of age when the family removed to Edgar County, Illinois; the father died in Illinois, and then the mother and children removed to La Fayette County, Wisconsin. During the great civil war Henry W. Craig enlisted in 1862, in the Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company C. He died of disease contracted when he was capsized in the Gulf of Mexico, December 23, 1863, leaving a wife and children to mourn his loss. Mrs. Craig

lived in Grant County, Wisconsin, until 1874, when she removed to Shelby County, hoping to better her circumstances and give hier children greater opportunities for doing for themselves. She bought a farm of 160 acres, and with the assistance of her children she has placed it under good cultivation, and has made many other valuable improvements. There are five children in Mrs. Craig's family- Henry Ben., of Jefferson Township; Mary S., wife of William Loomis, of Grant County, Wisconsin ; Emma Jane, wife of George Ayers, of Shelby Township; A. W., John A., of Shelby County. Two children died-Lorinda Sabrina, aged seven years, and Sarah Ann, aged nine months. Mrs. Esther Craig is a consistent member of the Methodist Episco- pal church. A. W. Craig affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the United Workinen.

BNER COPELAND, a fariner of Cass Township, Shelby County, was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, July 24, 1830. He is a son of William and Sarah (Lueas) Copeland. The father was a native of North Carolina, and when a young man removed to Greene County, Ohio, where he met and married Sarah Lucas. In 1829 they removed to Sangamon County, Illinois, and lived there until death. Abner Copeland was reared on a farm in his native county, and received the usual training in agri- cultural pursuits bestowed upon a farmer's son. His edneation was obtained in the pio- neer schools of that time. In December, 1853, he was married to Malinda Burks, who was born in Logan County, Illinois. The re- sult of this union was one child -Mary Malinda Ann, the wife of J. F. Baird, a well-known citizen of Cass Township. Mrs.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.

Sarah Copeland died in 1854. Mr. Copeland was married to his second wife March 7, 1857. She was Mary (Lucas) Bnekles, a native of Logan County, Illinois. By this union six children were born, two of whom survive -- Angeline Jane and Elias A. Mr. Copeland came to Cass Township in 1870, and bought wild land, which he improved and made his home for five years; he then sold it and re- turned to Illinois, and remained there two years. In 1877 he came back to Cass Town- ship and purchased 160 acres of land. He now owns 314 acres, all well improved. Ile has a comfortable residence, good barns, an orchard, and all the conveniences for carrying on a farm. Mr. Copeland supports the Demo- eratie party. Ile has served his township as trustee and as a member of the school board. Ile is a member of the Christian church, and is one of the highly respected citizens of Cass Township.

J. CURTIS, a successful agriculturist of Monroe Township, has been a resi- dent of Shelby County since 1881. Ile was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, March 17, 1858, and is a son of Wellington and Eliza (Bows) Curtis. The father was born in the State of New York, and is one of the early settlers of Rock Island County. The mother was born in Ireland, and was brought to Rock Island County when a child. Welling- ton Curtis and wife had nine children, of whom R. J. was the third. Ile was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his edu- cation in the common schools of Rock Island County, Illinois. In 1881 Mr. Curtis eame to Shelby County and settled on eighty aeres of land in section 14, which he sold in 1885, when he bought his present farm of J. Il. Philips, who had broken it ont. Mr. Curtis

has put the other improvements on the place, and has made a very desirable farm. He has built a story and a half frame residence, barns, sheds and eribs; he has also planted a grove and an orehard. On October 8, 1844, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Smith, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lambert) Smith. The father was born in Ohio, and the mother in Indiana; both were brought to the State of Iowa in childhood. They are the parents of eight children, of whom Ida M. is the oldest. She was born in Dallas County, Iowa, July 25, 1862, and re- ceived a good education, partly in the Adel IHigh School. She is an accomplished mu- sieian, and has made a profession of teaching music sinee 1879. She has been a resident of Shelby County since 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are members of the Christian church of Ilarlan. In polities he inclines to the prin- eiples of the Republican party. They are in the prime of life, and have won an enviable position in the commanity in which they live.

UMPHREY G. NICHOLS, a prominent pioneer of Lincoln Township, was born in New York State, Essex County, Jan- uary 30, 1832. He is a son of Aaron and Eleanor (Cole) Nichols, both New England- ers by birth. Ilumphrey G. was a babe when his parents went to Orleans County, Vermont, where he grew to manhood and received his edneation. Mr. Nichols was united in mar- riage October 20, 1854, to Miss Caroline Hanson, a native of New Hampshire, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Enniee (Fnrnel) Hanson, also natives of New Hampshire. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Nichols emigrated to Iowa, settling in Chickasaw County, where they lived one winter. They then went to Floyd County, where they bought land, and lived for three

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

years; their next residence was in Winnebago County, Iowa, where they remained one year. They then went to Decatur County, Iowa, and from this place to Polk County, where Mr. Nichols worked at farmning and in a saw-mill. They then came to Shelby County, Iowa, Mr. Nichols driving a yoke of steers and a yoke of cows, and Mrs. Nichols driving the other cattle and sheep behind the wagon. They were the first to settle in Lincoln Township, there being only two or three houses built at that time, the fall of 1865. Mr. Nichols has a well-improved farm of 160 acres, a comfort- able honse, a barn, a grove and an orchard, all showing the thrift and prosperity of the owner. He and his wife are the parents of three children-Annette, wife of Isaac Par- sons, of Andubon County; Julia, wife of Stephen Parsons, of Audubon County; and Leaphey, wife of Uriah Parsons, of Audubon County; they lost one child by death. Our subject casts his political suffrage with the Republican party. IIe bears his years lightly, is plain of speech and manner, and is num- bered with the reliable men of the county.

J. CALDWELL, one of the best known of Jackson Township's intelligent and active farmers, has been a resident of Shelby County since 1865. He was born in Hancock County, Indiana, July 23, 1837, and is a son of Elijah and Nancy (Wilson) Cald- well, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky respectively. The father was brought to Kentucky when a babe by his parents. After his marriage Mr. Caldwell and his wife set. tled in Hancock County, Indiana, where T. J. was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and educated in the common schools. At the early age of seventeen years he was seized with the desire to see the west, and in 1854 he came alone to Iowa and settled in Jasper

County, where he remained until 1859; he then removed to Polk County, Iowa, and made that his home for one year. In 1861 he de- termined to see the western coast of this country, and started with a team and wagon, his wife and three children, to California; he was four months on the road. His wife died in Eldorado County, California, leaving three young children. Mr. Caldwell engaged in freighting for some time, and then returned to Iowa. In 1864 he was married to his present wife, who was Miss Lucinda Carmine, of Mahaska County. In 1865, as before stated, he came to Shelby County and settled three miles northeast of Harlan; there he built a log-cabin, in which hospitality was never lacking. He bought and improved a farın of 300 acres, which he sold in 1883, and removed to Jackson Township; there he pur- chased a farm of 356 acres, which he has placed under good cultivation. He has a fine residence, built in modern style, and well furnished; it is pleasantly situated in the midst of shade and ornamental trees, and is a very attractive home. He has buildings for the protection and care of live-stock, and all the modern conveniences for stock-raising. By his first marriage Mr. Caldwell had three children-Elijalı, William II. and Sarah Ida. By his second marriage three children were born-Charles, John and Edward. Mr. Cald- well is the pioneer stock-shipper of Shelby County, having shipped the first stock from Avoca, and also from Harlan. He is one of the best judges of live-stock in the county. The first Baptist church of the county was organized in Mr. Caldwell's log cabin, Mrs. Cald well being one of the active members. She is a member of the Baptist church at Bow- man's Grove. Mr. Caldwell is in the prime of life, has traveled extensively, is genial in bis manners, and has many friends among the citizens of Jackson Township.

HISTORY

AUDUBON

COUNTY

BAKEN-CO

HISTORY OF

AUDUBON COUNTY, IOWA.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

HEY have moved away out into west- ern Iowa," is a phrase which does not now carry with it the meaning it did, when so commonly spoken, a quarter of a cent- ury ago, when the hopeful and adventurous pioneer had left his older home in some one of the thickly settled eastern States, and taken a " claim " in western Iowa, which was then but little less than a desolate prairie- land and wilderness. At that date no net- work of railways, providing a royal highway over which the iron-hearted, steaming monster could speed his rapid way by day and by night, year in and year out, had been pro- jected. The prairie sod was then unturned; the rivers and creeks were then unbridged, and almost impassable roads were the rule everywhere. Ox and mule trains, en route for Pike's Peak and California, had for a few years passed through this section and specu- lated, while camped along some one of its many beautiful little creeks, upon the future of this charming domain, which the pioneers have chosen to call Audubon County. But vague, very vagne, indeed, was their compre- hension of the richness of the soil and the wealth they were leaving behind when they

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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