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 77
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 77
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OHN J. HENSLEY, a prominent farmer and stock-dealer in Exira Township, was born in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, September 11, 1819. His father, Jacob Hens- ley, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died when John J. was a small boy. His mother 47
was a Miss Sarah Wilfong, of German ances- try, a daughter of John Wilfong, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war; she also died when John J. was a child, and he went to live with his unele, Christopher Wil- fong, with whom he remained until his death; he was then thrown upon his own resources, and began the struggle of life alone. During his residence with his uncle he had attended school in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer. In 1844 he was married to Miss Martha Popejay, of Fayette County, Ohio, and after his marriage he settled on a farm in Fayette County; this he carried on successfully for a number of years. In 1856 he removed to Franklin County, Iowa, and there began dealing in live-stock in a small way, his means being somewhat limited. After a few years he removed from Franklin County to Polk County, and settled on a farm south of Des Moines; here he engaged in raising and shipping stock extensively until 1869, when he moved to Jasper County and engaged in the same enterprise until 1871. Ile then sold out and moved to Audubon County, purchasing a farin one mile south of Exira, on the Nishnabotna River; this is one of the most desirable farms in this section, being of a very fertile soil and under high cultivation; there is a beautiful, natural grove north of the residence and barns, adding much to the attractiveness of the place, and afford- ing a most excellent shelter from the piercing winds of winter. The farm is one of the oldest in the neighborhood, and was improved by Jacob Andrews, and at the time of purchase by Mr. Hensley contained 200 acres. Since his residence on this farm Mr. Hensley has devoted the greater portion of his time to buying, selling and shipping live-stock, while his sons have managed the agricultural de- partment of farming. From long experience in the business Mr. Hensley has become
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
a most reliable judge of cattle; of late years he has also bought and sold hogs quite ex- tensively, shipping them to eastern markets. During their residence in Polk County Mrs. HIensley was called from this life, in the year 1869; she was a devoted wife and mother, and at her death left eight children-Leroy M., William I., Morgan, Martha A., wife of Daniel B. Ilayes (Mrs. Ilayes is now deceased) ; Fanny May (deceased), Frank M., John I. and Charles F. Mr. Hensley was married to his second wife in Polk County; she was Mrs. Maria Eckles, widow of Rev. William Eckles, and daughter of llenry Reichert, of Indiana, a resident of Polk County, Iowa. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hensley -- Martha A. and Agnes. Mr. Hensley has not only been prominent in business circles, but he has also taken a lively interest in the elevation of the morals of the community; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he has long been identi- fied, contributing largely of his time and means for its support; he has served as trus- tee and steward of the church. Politically he has long been identified with the Demo- cratie party.
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ON. WILLIAM WALKER has been identified with the interests of Andu- bon County since the year 1855. Ile was born in ITuron County, Ohio, March 2, 1834, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Sheridan) Walker. His father was a native of England, and emigrated to America when a young man. Ilis mother was a native of Ireland, and was brought to this country when a child. After his marriage Joseph Walker settled in Iluron County, remaining less than one year; he then removed to Ber- rien County, Michigan, and settled on a farmi,
there passing the remainder of his days. Ile died in 1867; his wife, who survives him, occupies the old homestead in Michigan; she is the mother of ten children, five sons and five daughters. William spent his youth on his father's farm, where his services were usually in demand, as he was the oldest son. He re- ceived the advantage of a distriet-school ed- neation, and at the age of twenty-one years he forsook the ancestral roof and went to make his fortune in the far west, as Iowa was then considered. Ile pre-empted 160 acres of land in Audubon County, and entered 200 acres at 81.25 per acre; this secured to him a home which he began to improve as his means would allow. In February, 1857, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Nancy J. Bowen, the oldest daughter of W. HI. and Elizabeth Bowen, who came to Audubon County in 1853. W. Il. Bowen is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife died in 1873. Mrs. Walker was among the pio- neer school teachers of the county. After his marriage Mr. Walker settled on his farm on the west side of Troublesome Creek; this being a most excellent piece of land, Mr. Walker prospered, and as his means increased he invested in another farm on the east side of Troublesome Creek; this land is skirted on the north by a heavy belt of timber which affords the best protection to the live-stock on this farm. Here Mr. Walker has erected a fine two-story frame residence, a large baru for horses, and numerons buildings for the protection of live-stock. Ilis landed estate at present numbers 1,500 acres, the greater portion of which is seeded down to grass. Large numbers of cattle are fattened annually on Mr. Walker's farm, and special attention is given to the breeding of the higher grades of live-stock. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of nine children-Jolin E., Charles W. (deceased), Frances A. (deceased), Laura
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W. Walker
In. J. walker.
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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES.
. A., wife of J. D. Barhan: Ulysses S., Inla May, Oliver M., Eva and J. Grant. Mr. Walker has been politically identified with his county as a member of the Legislature, serving in the twenty-second session; he was elected on the Republican ticket in 1887. He has also served his township as clerk, trustee, and treasurer of the school district. Ile is a member of Exodus Lodge, No. 344, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Walker east his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. His grandfather, William Walker, was a soldier in the British army, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. Mr. Walker began life with small means, but his industry and good management have served him well, and to-day he is the owner of a handsome estate.
OSEPII P. THORNISCH is a member of the firm of Thorniseh & Isham, livery and coal dealers, Audubon, Iowa. In the livery business Mr. Thorniseh succeeds Mr. I. N. Simpson, of whom he bought the business in May, 1880, which he continued at the old stand. He formed a partnership with Mr. Charles Isham, who with himself constitutes the present firm. Mr. Thorniseh was born in Wyoming County, New York, August 2, 1844. He lived in his native county until he was sixteen years old, when he went to Genesee County, New York, working on a farm, breaking horses, and fit- ting them for market. He afterward drifted west and stopped in Audubon County, Iowa, in 1871, and spent his first winter on Davis Creek. In the following spring he took up a homestead near the present town site of All- dubon, but through some technicality the Rock Island Railroad Company gained pos- session of it, and Mr. Thorniseh lost about $4,000. Abandoning the homestead he dis-
posed of his cattle ranch, and purchased the livery stock, as before stated. The firm of Thorniseh & Isham is well known from the fact that both parties have been residents of the county for several years. They keep a good stoek of buggies, including a fine haek and hearses, and attend to calls in the country promptly, as well as in the city. Their stock of horses is quite complete, and they have fine driving teams. In connection with their livery and coal business they have given special attention to the breeding of IIenry Clay and Messenger horses; they also breed Clydesdale horses, and have invested a con- siderable sum in this business. Mr. Thorn- isch was married in 1867 to Miss Elizabeth Gabel, of Wyoming County, New York, a daughter of Jacob Gabel, of the same county. There she was born and reared to woman- hood. To Mr. and Mrs. Thornisch have been born three children-Eli A., Francis M., and Irma C. Mr. Thornisch has served one term as township trustee. Ile is a member of Oretas Lodge, No. 396, I. O. O. F. Mr. Thorniseh's parents were John J. and Catha- rine (Meyers) Thorniseh, natives of Germany. The father emigrated to America before he was married.
OHN A. HICKS, an active farmer and stock-raiser of Exira Township, was born . in Canada West, February 11, 1843. He was reared on a farm, but when he had reached his nineteenth year he was bound to learn the blacksmith's trade, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He is the son of James and Margaret (Connon) Hieks, the mother only surviving. After he had finished his trade he worked as a journeyman for seven years in the State of Wisconsin, having come to the United States in his twenty-
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
second year. In June, 1871, he came to Audubon County, stopping at Exira. There he had a shop for eight or nine years, doing work for the country for miles around. He continued this occupation industriously and with profit to himself. At the expiration of nine years he bought a farm of 200 acres, west of Exira. He has placed most of this under cultivation, and has a fine young grove of thirty acres. He has erected a good, substantial, two-story frame house, which is nearly surrounded by a natural grove, and other buildings necessary for the protection of live-stock. In 1874 Mr. Hicks was mar- ried to Mary B., the only daughter of Samnel and Gertrude Smith. Mrs. Ilicks was born in Ross County, Ohio, January 6, 1854, and when she was three years of age her parents removed to Audubon County, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Ilicks have been born five children -Jaines A., Samuel A., Ethel G., Clarence and John. Mr. Hicks began the struggle of life without a dollar, but by pluck, hard work and economy he has laid something by for a rainy day. Ilis political sympathies are with the Republican party. His brothers and sis- ters all reside in Canada.
B ENJAMIN F. HOWALD, one of the leading merchants of Audubon, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, near Shanes- ville, August. 30, 1850. Ile is the only son in a family of eight children, five of whom still survive. IIis father was a shoemaker by trade; later Henry Howald became a farmer and contractor in Ohio, and died at the age of eighty years. The mother was Miss Magdalene Triver, a native of Germany, who died when Benjamin was but eleven years old. Mr. Howald received a good com- mon-school education at the district school.
He left home at the age of fourteen years, and commenced clerking in a store at Orrville, Ohio, after which he went to Cleveland, where he continued clerking until he was twenty years of age; the firm with whom he was employed did a large business, and with them he acquired a thorough knowledge of business methods, laying the foundation of his future success. In 1870, in company with his father, he came to Chicago, Illinois, and thence made a trip through the south- western States, remaining about two years in Texas, where he engaged in stock-raising. HIe then came to Atlantic, Iowa, where he engaged in the drug business with his brother-in-law, Dr. A. S. Moncrief; he re- mained here some time, and from Atlantie he came to Audubon where he embarked in the dry goods business on a small scale; this was in November, 1978. He carries a general stock of merchandise, including clothing and gents' furnishing goods; both departments are under Mr. Ilowald's control. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Disbrow, of Atlantic, Iowa, a daughter of Perry Disbrow, now a resident of Lewis, Jowa. Mr. and Mrs. Howald have one son- George Il. Howald. Mr. Howald is a mem- ber of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M .; and of Godfrey Commandery, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. No. 163. Mr. Ilowald has in the course of erection a fine brick business block, 50 x 95 feet, two stories in height, with a basement. There are no partitions on the first floor, the ceiling being supported by iron columns, thus leaving the space in one commodions room. The second floor will be fitted up in suites of rooms and offices which will admit of very handsome furnishings, as the building will be finished in good style; it will be substantial throughout, and reflects much credit upon the thrifty young merchant of Audubon.
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He began his career in a modest way, and the proportions it has assumed is indexed by the large building which is to accommodate the growing trade. Andubon has many fine buildings, and Mr. Howald has given cause for inereased pride in this direction.
OIIN HI. FRAHM .- The Stuart House, Audubon, Iowa, was built by John II. Frahm in 1882. It is a two-story briek front, located on the corner of Broadway and Market streets, and is comfortably furnished and well kept. Mr. Frahm was born in North Germany, which was onee a portion of Denmark, April 16, 1854. He was educated in his native tongue, and also acquired a knowledge of the English language. At the age of sixteen years he left school and became a landscape gardener, in which science and art he grew to be an expert. His parents, John and Anna (Neve) Frahm, had born to them eight children, three of whom still sur- vive. The father and inother are both de- eeased. In 1875 Mr. Frahm emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York; thence he came to Iowa, engaging in various kinds of work in Davenport for some time. In October, 1878, he came to Andubon County, this being the time of the county- seat contest. The first business in which he embarked was that of keeping a restaurant, which was followed by a regular hotel busi- ness. In April, 1881, he opened a new hotel, which was called the Farmers' Home. This he managed a few years and then sold, after which he traveled through the western States and Territories, visiting California, Washington Territory and Oregon. He then made a visit to his old home in Germany, returning to the United States in the spring of 1884. Coming to Audubon County he
again opened a hotel, and has since carried on the business successfully. Mr. Frahm was married to Rosaphine II. C. Hansen, a native of Germany, residing at the time of her mar- riage in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Frahm have had two children-Anna M. C. and Maria T., who died in infancy. Mr. Frahm owns a good farm in Cass County, which contains 160 aeres, all well improved, and under good cultivation. Mr. Frahmn began his career without any capital, but has accumulated a comfortable living by industry and wise management.
ARTIN L. CAPPER, who is one of the many successful farmers and stock-growers of Melville Township, Audubon County, Iowa, is a native of West Virginia, born in Berkley County, September 26, 1842. He is the third son of Samnel and Margaret (Hite) Capper, natives of Penn- sylvania, of German ancestry. They were early settlers iu that part of Virginia, and followed the most honorable calling known to mankind, farming. In the early autumn of 1855 Samnel Capper removed to Iowa with his family and settled in Henry County, near the town of Trenton. There the parents again took np farming and passed the re- mainder of their days. The mother died in the fall of 1879, and the father in the winter of the same year. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom grew to mati- rity. Martin L. passed his youthful days in Henry County, Iowa, attending the common schools and doing the ordinary farm work usually falling to a farmer's son. Besides the work he did at home he hired to the neighbors, improving every opportunity offered him for earning an honest dollar. IIe was united in marriage October 22, 1868, to
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
Miss Jane Pratt, of Henry County, Iowa, the youngest daughter of Lewis and Ellen Pratt, natives of New York and New Jersey re- speetively. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Capper lived on a farm, and in the spring of 1877 they came to Andnbon County, settling on forty aeres of land in Leroy Township. In 1879 Mr. Capper traded for the eighty aeres on which he now lives, in section 6, Melville Township. Here he erected the necessary buildings, broke his land, and made many good improvements, including a five-aere grove, which he planted. Ile has been a successful farmer in all the different departments. Mr. and Mrs. Capper are the parents of seven children -- Flora, Auna, Ralph, Charles, John, Samnel and Alice Mary. In political belief Mr. Capper is independent, but in national matters he votes the Demoeratie ticket, always reserving the right of voting for the best man, irre- spective of party lines. Both Mr. and Mrs. Capper are acceptable members of the Method- ist Episcopal church, worshiping at present at Bethel church. Being fully absorbed in farm life and its duties, Mr. Capper never sought publie office, holding no such positions, except that of school director. As one views this worthy man's life-work he ean but feel that his way is the true way to live-independent, free and happy, surrounded as he is by all the ordinary comforts of life. possessing the knowledge that his duty has been well per- formed.
LLEN J. EDDY, a prominent stock- raiser of Leroy Township, was born in Lake County, Ohio, December 21, 1839. lle is the second son and youngest of four children of Benjamin and Lavina Eddy. natives of the State of Vermont and New
York respectively. Both parents died in Johnson County, Iowa. Mr. Eddy's paternal grandfather fought in the war of the Revolu- tion. Our subject received his earlier ednea- tion in Lake County, Ohio, where his parents had settled after their marriage. When he was twelve years of age the family removed to Johnson County, Iowa, going by way of the lakes to Chicago, thence through the country with teams to Johnson County, where Allen grew to manhood. Hle enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany F, when there was a call for men to defend their country's flag. He was assigned to the western department of the army and belonged to the Sixteenth Army Corps, then under command of General Grant. Mr. Eddy took part in the following battles: Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, where his regi- ment suffered great loss, about half the men being taken prisoners, and was then ordered back to Davenport, Iowa, where the regiment was re-organized. They were then ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, at which point they were stationed for some time. The regiment was then ordered up the Red River, General Smith commanding, and took part in the battle of Pleasant Hill, where 286 Union men were lost out of 600. After this battle the regiment was ordered to Missouri and followed General Price. Mr. Eddy's term of enlistment having expired he was sent to Davenport, where he received his pay and was honorably discharged November 9, 1864. Although taking part in nine regular battles, and his comrades being shot down by his side, he escaped without a scratch; but he had some holes shot through his clothing. Ile returned to JJohnson County, Iowa, and farmed for two years, and then removed to Harrison County, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for eight years. lle then returned to Johnson County on account of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
the grasshopper raid, from which he suffered a heavy loss. In 1880 he removed to Audu- bon County, Iowa, with his family, and pur- chased 160 acres of land, sixty of which were broken. Ile pnt the remainder under fine cultivation and made many improvements. He has a bank barn, which affords the best protection to live stock, corn eribs, and all buildings necessary to farining. Mr. Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Maria Elliott, of Johnson County, Iowa. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, and is the eldest dauglı- ter of George and Mary Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have had eleven children, seven of whom survive-Oren W., IIattie, wife of Baker; Emma J., IIenry J., Irvin, Aliee Mand and Bernie II. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Eddy has served as road supervisor, and he is a member of the G. A. R., Allison Post, No. 34.
OSEPH RIDPATH, farmer and stoek- raiser, Audubon County, Iowa, was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, September 21, 1829. He is the son of James A. and Rebecca (Kelsey) Ridpath, who were the parents of five children. The father was a native of Virginia and a farmer by oceu- pation, and the mother was of German descent. The grandfather of our subjeet was a native of England, and was brought to this country at the age of eight years. Joseph is a cousin of the historian, John Clark Rid- patlı, a resident of Greencastle, Indiana. Ile passed his boyhood in Ross County, Ohio, whither his parents had moved when he was one year old. His father died here three years later, leaving him an orphan when a mere child. The mother and children, a few
years later, removed from Ross County, Ohio, to Putnam County, Indiana, where they bought a piece of land in the green woods, which they partly eleared out. During this time Joseph was bound ont to HIenry Pieket, with whom he remained until his eighteenth year. Mr. Picket proved to be a good father, and when Joseph left him, gave him a snit of clothes, a horse, saddle and bridle. In the meantime the mother and other members of the family had removed to Parke County, In- diana. Here the mother was again married and passed the remainder of her days. In 1849 Mr. Ridpath left Putnam County and came to Mahaska County, Iowa, where he bought forty aeres of land, paying $1.25 per aere. This he improved, and added to it eighty aeres more, on which he resided until the spring of 1880, when he removed to Au- dubon County, Iowa. Mr. Ridpath was mar- ried to Miss Betsey Jarrad, of Mahaska County, Iowa, by whom four children were born-Henrietta, wife of G. II. Petty ; Thomas M., Otis (deceased) and Albert. The mother died in Mahaska County. Mr. Ridpath was married to his present wife in May, 1866. Mrs. Ridpath's maiden name was Rebecca J. Petty, and she is a daughter of James B. Petty, a native of Ohio. On the breaking out of the late civil war Mr. Ridpath enlisted in Company E, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was immediately sent to Lit- tle Rock, Arkansas, under General Steele. He was then sent to Camden, Arkansas, and on the defeat of General Banks he was ordered into the Seventh Army Corps. Ile was fol- lowed and overtaken at the Saline River, and had a sharp engagement with General Price's forces, in which a good many men were killed and wounded and taken prisoners. He was then ordered back to Little Rock, thenec to Mobile, Alabama, where the siege continued eight days. Ile was then ordered to the
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
month of the Rio Grande River, and then to New Orleans, where he was transferred to Company E, Thirty- fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Angust 15, 1865, he was mustered ont of the service at Houston, Texas. Ile then returned to Mahaska County, Iowa, where he engaged in the more peaceful pur- smits of agriculture, having served his coun- try faithfully and honorably. He is a member of the G. A. R., Allison Post, No. 34, of which he is Quartermaster-Sergeant. Mr. Ridpath's farm consists of eighty acres of well-improved land.
ESSE F. LUSE, merchant, Ross, Iowa. Mr. Luse was born in Johnson County, lowa, near Big Bend, July 31, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Higbee) Luse. Joseph Luse was born in Butler County, Penn- sylvania, October 19, 1830, and is a son of Stephen and Hannah (Liken) Luse; the Liken family were of Swedish and Welsh ancestry, and the Luse family were of German and French descent. Joseph Luse drifted west when a young man, and stopped in Johnson County, Iowa, where he married and settled on a farm, where he resided until 1834, with the exception of a trip to Pike's Peak in the time of the gold fever, when he removed to Missouri, where they spent three years. They then went to Kansas, where they lived five years, and were driven away by the grass- horning cattle is now generally approved.
hopper raid and drouth; they returned to Johnson County, and from there to Audubon County in 1847, where they were again at- tacked by the grasshoppers. They stood their ILLIAM G. STUART, junior mem- ber of the firm of Charles Stuart & Son, dealers in lumber, grain and stoek, Audubon, Iowa, was born in Stark County, Illinois, October, 1856. He is the own ground this time, and since then have prospered. Mr. Luse improved his farm, which is situated on the Chicago & North- western Railroad, near Ross. He had built a fine house, and was surrounded with many , son of Charles and Lois G. (Gray) Stuart,
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