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 78
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 78
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comforts when he died, April 26, 1887, by the horrible effects of a cancer, admired and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Lnse, who survives him, occupies the homestead and manages the farm with the assistance of her youngest son, David N. Luse. The place consists of 160 acres. Joseph Luse and wife were the parents of ten children-Charles (deceased), John W., Ilattie, Stephen and Jesse F. (twins), Ezra (deecased), David, Susan (deceased), Alice and Annie. Jesse F. Luse passed his youth in Missouri and Osage County, Kansas, with plenty of Indians for companions, where he had the advantage of a common-school education. He removed with his parents to Audubon County, and remained with them until his majority. During this time he followed breaking up prairie and farming. In 1884 he was married to Miss Ida W. Rice. Mr. and Mrs. Luse have one daughter-Nellie I. Mrs. Luseis thedaughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Downing) Rice. On quitting his farm Mr. Luse bought the stock of goods belonging to H. B. Shelby, which consisted of a general stock. IIe has built up a large trade, and is well and favorably known as proprietor of the Farmers' Store, and dehorner. Mr. Lnse has invented a machine for dehorning cattle, with which he has re- moved the horns of hundreds of eattle. The machine is simple in construction and swift in action, and promises to be the means of making him a fortune. This practice of de-
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natives of the State of Vermont, who, after their marriage, removed to Stark County, Illinois, where they were early settlers. Cap- tain Stuart was an active man and stock- raiser, and accumulated property rapidly, Having some surplus capital, he came to Au- dubon County, Iowa, and bought large tracts of land which he improved and stocked to their fullest extent. He had established his large ranch in Melville Township before the town of Audubon was platted. Ilis present stock ranch consists of six sections of land, the greater part of which is under fine enlti- vation. It all lies in one body and is well fenced, so that stoek can be handled to good advantage. A part of the land is set apart for the cultivation of corn, which Mr. Stuart raises extensively. He also buys large quan- tities of the neighboring farmers. Large numbers of cattle and hogs are fed on the Stuart ranch, and for the past few years special attention has been given to the breed- ing of Percheron and Clydesdale horses. Two hundred tons of hay are annually eut on the place. The ranch is conducted under the immediate direction of W. G. Stuart. Although he resides in Andubon, he visits the place almost daily; he also has telephone connection between his office in town and the ranch. At present there are 1,100 head of cattle on the farm, some of which are thor- oughbred, and others of which are high grades mixed. Their annual sales are from 600 to 1,000 head. The farms are well pro- vided with sheds for the protection of the stock, and they are all well supplied with water. In 1878, after the starting of the town of Audubon, Charles Stuart established a lumber yard and built a large grain eleva- tor, where he deals in lumber and grain quite extensively. On the completion of the Rock Island & Pacific Railway to Audubon, Mr. Stuart erected his office, which is of a very
attractive design and finish. The entire building is of St. Louis pressed brick, and the interior is furnished with every modern convenience. William G. Start also has charge of the grain and lumber business, Charles Stnart being still a resident of Illi- nois. The firm employs from thirty-five to forty men during the year. Mr. Stuart was married in 1882 to Miss Annis Randolphi, of Tama County, Iowa, where she was born and reared. She is a daughter of John Ran- dolph, a resident of Audubon County. Mr. and Mrs. Stuart are the parents of two ehil- dren-Lois and Charles. Mr. Start has served one term as a member of the town conneil, and in National and State elections he votes the Republican ticket.
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OBERT NATHAN CARPER, of Leroy Township, Andnbon County, Iowa, was born in Berkeley County, near Martins- burgh, West Virginia, Angust 26, 1847. IIe is a son of Samuel and Margaret (IIite) Carper, who emigrated from Virginia to Iowa in 1856. They settled at Mount Pleasant, Henry County, where Robert N. passed his youth. At the age of eighteen he went to Warren County, Iowa; here he broke out two new farms for Andrew Pudepbaugh. He remained there nine years, and during this time was married to Miss Lanra Turney, of Henry County, Iowa, December 8, 1868; she is a daughter of Daniel and Lilah (Wilcox) Tur- ney. After their marriage they settled on a farm near Lacona, where they resided until the fall of 1877. They then came to Andubon, and Mr. Carper bought a farm of 120 acres, which he improved and sold; he then bought 160 acres, which he improved and disposed of; he then purchased his present farm of eighty acres, which is all well improved. He
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has erceted a substantial residence. Ile has made a specialty since coming to this farin of buying horses and fitting them for market. He also gives special attention to breeding Clydesdale horses, and all of his live-stock are of high grades. Mr. and Mrs. Carper are the parents of eight children-Fannie, Maggie, Frank, James A., Burel, Alvin B., Robert Ingersol and Emma. Mr. Carper has served as school director, but in political matters is somewhat conservative; he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Carper commenced life without any capital excepting that with which nature had endowed him; he has em- ployed this to the best advantage, and has accumulated a comfortable fortune.
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UDGE JAMES HOLLIDAY, of West Exira, one of the early settlers of the county, was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, April 16, 1821. lle is a son of William Holliday, a native of Virginia; the Hollidays were among the first settlers of West Virginia, their ancestors leaving New England, and settling in that State. The grandfather of James Holliday was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and endured all the extreme hardships of that hostile period, having no shoes to wear often during the cold seasons, and living for days and weeks together on roast potatoes. Ilis courage and faithfulness were rewarded by this govern- ment, as he was receiving a pension at the time of his death. William Holliday's wife, the mother of James Ilolliday, was Mary Campbell, a native of Connectient; she was the daughter of Richard Campbell, of the old straight-jacket Presbyterian stock. When she was a child her parents removed to Vir- ginia. She was the mother of four children, three boys and one girl. William Ilolliday's | south of Exira; here he remained ten years,
first wife was a Miss Harvey, and three daughters were born by this marriage, all of whom lived to maturity. Judge James Ilol- liday, the subject of this notice, was the old- est child of the second marriage. IIis brother, Richard C., was a prominent attorney of Moundsville, West Virginia, and his other brother, William, was a merchant residing in the State of Illinois. James Holliday was reared in Ohio County, West Virginia, until he was twelve years of age; his father then removed to Marshall County, West Virginia, settling on a farm near Moundsville. Here James attended school, and afterward tanght for two terms; he also engaged in teaching after he came to the State of Iowa. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster under Lincoln's administration, at Moundsville, West Vir- ginia; he held this office until the close of the war, when he resigned and entered into other business; he had bought some coal land in Belmont County, Ohio, which he afterward opened, and sold at a considerable profit. In the month of July, 1866, he re- moved to Henry County, Iowa, settling on a farm nine miles northeast of Monnt Pleasant; here he remained two years, and then sold the place, removing to Polk County, and set- tling on Mud Creek, ten miles east of Des Moines; here his wife died; her maiden name was Mary Jane Whittingham, and she was married in 1841, and left at her death five children-George W., James (deceased), Amanda, wife of John A. Jones; Mary E., the wife of George Smith; Estelle, wife of Charles Smith. Mr. Holliday married his present wife, Sarah Andrews, in 18 -; she was born in Oxford County, Maine, and is a daughter of Isaac and Sally (Kimball) Andrews. In 1868 he moved to Guthrie County, and after a residence of four years, he moved to Audu- bon County, and settled on a farm two miles
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and at the end of this time he was elected justice of the peace, filling this office six years. He was then appointed coroner, and served two years. He owns a large two-story residence in West Exira, and ninety aeres of land, which he rents. In political matters Mr. Holliday votes the Republican ticket; but often when running for office, he receives as many Democratic votes as Republican votes. Mrs. Holliday's first husband was Samuel Ayer; her parents are both deceased. Mr. Holliday owns eight lots in Douglas, Wyoming Territory, which is valuable prop. erty, as Douglas is the county seat of Con- verse County.
OEL II. BASHAM, an active farmer and stock-raiser of Exira Township, was born in the State of Kentucky, Breckenridge County, March 24, 1838. IIe is a son of Frank and Theresa (Hardin) Basham; the father was born in Virginia, and was the son of Obediah Basham, who removed from Vir- ginia to Kentucky when Frank Basham was a child. Joel II. was the sixth in a family of ten children; he spent his youth in his native county, attending school and assisting his father; at the age of twenty years he went to Gentry County, Missouri; from this point he went to the mines of Central City, and remained there until 1863, when he came to Iowa, and settled on a farm. Ile spent two years freighting across the State from Grinnell to Council Bluffs. Mr. Basham was married in 1866 to Miss Sarah M. HIal- lock, of Andubon County, a daughter of Isaac P. and Abigail IIallock. After his marriage Mr. Basham resided in Oakfield for a time, and then removed to a farm west of the vil- lage, which he rented for three years. He then bought a farm in Cass County, Iowa, on
which he lived for one year, and then sold, returning to Oakfield. He afterward pur- chased a farm in Grecley Township, and made his residence there until he sold the place, when he bought his present farm in the spring of 1881. Mr. Basham owns twenty acres of timber besides the land which he has under cultivation; the farm was nnimproved in the way of buildings, so all the work in this direction has been done by the present owner of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Basham are the parents of four chil- dren-Frank H., Lester W., Gertrude H. and Robert Burns; two children died in infaney. Mr. Basham has served as road supervisor for the past four years; in National and State elections he votes the Democratie ticket, but in local politics he votes for the best titted in his estimation to fill the office.
EORGE M. DUBOIS, deceased, was one of Audubon County's most enter- prising citizens. He was born in the State of Indiana in 1850. When a small child his parents emigrated to Jones County, Iowa, where they settled, and where he grew to manhood. He received a common-school education and was reared a farmer, becoming well skilled in his occupation. In 1878 he came to Audubon County and secured a farm in the southeastern corner of Leroy Town- ship, which he broke and improved in inany ways. The place was well fenced, there was a comfortable residence, a large frame barn, and other buildings for stock. He planted a grove, which added very much to the attract- ive appearance of the place. At the time of his death the farm contained 357 acres. Mr. Dubois was an excellent judge of live-stock, and was very successful in their care. Ile was a man of quiet force and great energy, work-
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
ing late and early in all kinds of weather. Ile was married in his twenty-ninth year to Miss Ella Bowdish, of Audubon County, Iowa, a native of the State of Indiana, and a daugh- ter of Ira and Sallie E. Bowdish. She came to Iowa with her parents in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dubois are the parents of three children-Anna Pearl, Dolly D. and Mabel. Mr. Dubois died December 19, 1885, of con- sumption. After the death of her husband Mrs. Dubois took charge of her farm, and conducted it with much ability until her mar- riage to Mr. James M. Pratten in 1886. Mr. Pratten is a native of England, but came to America when in his youth. He has worked in various kinds of business, but is a prac- tical farmer, and is an excellent judge of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Pratten are the parents of one daughter-Alice M. P'ratten.
OHIN M. GRIGGS, attorney at law, Au- dubon, Iowa, was born in Indiana, Ma- rion County, near Indianapolis. Ile is the fourth son of a family of eleven children of Hiram Lee and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Griggs. His father was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1803, and his mother, Elizabethi Ilawkins, in Bath County, Kentucky. Ilis father is still living and resides at Monrovia, Morgan County, Indiana. The father is a Methodist Episcopal minister, and has de- voted many years to that service. John M. was reared in central Indiana. His father being a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, their residence was frequently changed, ac- cording to the custom of that church. began studying law while attending the Zions- ville Academy, and later attended Wabash College. On the 19th of April, 1861, he en- listed in the service of our country (first call) at Indianapolis, Indiana. At the time of his
first enlistment he was studying law with Colonel C. C. Nave. Being discharged from first enlistment he resumed his studies with Colonel Nave. On July 6, 1861, he again enlisted for three years' service, in response to the call for 300,000, at Centreton, Indiana, becoming a member of the Twenty-first Indi- ana Volunteers, Company K. This regiment was one of the first to leave the State under the three years' call. After about eighteen inonthis' service the regiment was changed from infantry to artillery, and was thereafter known as First Indiana Heavy Artillery. In July, 1861, he was sent to Baltimore, thence on an expedition into Accomack and North- ampton counties, Virginia, thence to Fortress Monroe, thence to Newport News, Virginia. On the 4th of March, 1862, he boarded the Constitution for Ship Island, left James' Bay on March 6th, witnessed the bombardment of Fort Jackson and St. Philips. His regiment was the first at the landing at New Orleans. Upon his discharge, dated July 31, 1864, we find the following indorsement: "John M. Griggs, character good. Participated in the following engagements: Baton Rouge, Louisi- ana. Angust 5, 1862; Donaldsonville, Lonisi- ana, September 24, 1862; Bayon Des Almands, September 9, 1862; A. J. Cotton, January 14, 1863; Camp Bisland, April 12, 13 and 14, 1863; Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, to July 8, 1863, inclusive; Cane River Crossing, April 23, 1864; Marksville Plains, May 16, 1864; Yellow Bayon, May 18, 1864; Mans- field, April 8, 1864; Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864. CLAYTON Cox, Captain Company K." In August, 1864, he returned to his home in Indiana by way of the Mississippi River on board the steamer Empress, which, while en route for Cairo, was fired at by the enemy at Gaines' Tow Ilead. On his return to his home in Indiana he resumed his studies of law, and during intervals taught school in Marion and
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other counties. In 1865 he went to Emporia, Kansas; remained there but a short time and returned to Indiana by way of Iowa. In 1867 he again returned to Iowa, locating in Audn- bon County, Iowa, where he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law, and lias been a resident of said county ever since. "J. M. Griggs commenced the practice of law at Exira in the year 1869, and has given the profession the closest individual attention. He moved to Audubon imme- diately after the county seat was moved to this city. He has never missed a term of court in the county during the whole time. Naturally a man of studious habits, he liter- ally lives with his profession, and we can truly say he is wedded to it. He has been singularly fortunate in his practice, gaining some splen- did cases. He is a bold, ardent advocate. Ilis success depends upon his profound learn- ing, his clear judgment, undaunted courage, loyalty to his clients, his veracity and perfect understanding of his case. Taken altogether, he stands second to no lawyer of the bar of Audubon County."-H. F. ANDREWS in Ad- vocate, January 1, 1881.
EORGE HARDENBROOK was born in Knox County, Ohio, December 4, 1842, and is the son of Ambrose and Hannah (Axtell) Hardenbrook. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother was of English descent, and both died when our subject was an infant. Ludwig Harden- brook, the grandfather of George Harden- brook, was one of the early settlers of Man- hattan Island; he was of Hollandish descent, and served in the war of the Revolution. At the close of this war he was paid in a land warrant, which he located in western Penn- sylvania; he lived upon this land for several
years, and then removed to Jefferson County, Ohio. He served in the war of 1812, and soon after moved to Knox County, Ohio, re- siding there until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-nine years. George Hardenbrook went to live with an aunt after the death of his parents, and later made his home with a sister. At the age of fifteen years he started out to support himself, hav- ing received a common-school education. Afterward he attended three terms of a graded school, at the same time working at the carpenter's trade. This avocation lie followed until the breaking ont of the late civil war, when he enlisted in the Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company G, being one of the first to respond to the call for men to go to the defense of the nation's flag. Ile was sent into West Virginia under General McClelland's command. While in the serv- ice lie was taken sick with the measles and thrown into the hospital. He was dismissed before he was cured, as the hospital was over- crowded, and suffered a great deal of expos- ure, from which he was a long time in recovering. He was ordered to Columbus, Ohio, and was there mustered out of the service. In January, 1864, he enlisted as a mechanic in the quartermaster's department in the Army of the Cumberland. After one month's service he was promoted to the fore- manship of this work. On his return to Monroe County, Ohio, he accepted the posi- tion of deputy sheriff, and held the place for three months, when he went to Omaha, Ne- braska, and thence to Jasper County, lowa, in which place he worked at the carpenter's trade for two seasons. Mr. Hardenbrook was married to Miss Rebecca J. Bundy, of Jasper County, who was a native of Highland County, Ohio, and a daughter of Caleb and Sophrona Bundy. After his marriage Mr. Hardenbrook embarked in the grocery busi-
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
ness at Prairie City, Jasper County, Iowa, remaining there two years. He then removed to Kansas, thenee to Nodaway County, Mis- souri, and thence to Mahaska County, Iowa, in which county, at Leighton, he opened a drug store. In a short time he removed this stock to Exira, Iowa, in September, 1872, being one of the first druggists in the place. In 1876 he was appointed postmaster under General Grant's administration, and held the position seven years, at the end of which time he resigned. Ile carries a full line of drugs and medicines and fancy goods. In 1880 he was elected a member of the school board, and continued in this position until 1888, when he resigned. He is a member of the O. P. Morton Post, No. 35, G. A. R., and of the A. O. U. W., of which he was first Master. Ile is a charter member of Ex- odus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M., of the chapter and commandery. Mr. and Mrs. llardenbrook are the parents of five children-Burton, Blanche, Lena, Edith and Ross. Caleb Bundy, father of Mrs. Ilarden- brook, was one of those men whose life is a sweet memory to his friends. Ile was born of Quaker parents, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and was of the Quaker faith until his marriage, at which time he abandoned the society on account of having married out- side its membership. He was one of the northern abolitionists who assisted the blacks in their flight to the north, and he lived to see that horrible institution wiped from this nation. After his marriage he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and was ordained as a minister. He preached in Illinois and Iowa, at the same time carrying on the blacksmith's trade. He took an active interest in the politics of the county, and was elected upon the Republican ticket to repre- sent the county in the XXIIIth Assembly, a position he filled with marked ability. In
1872 Mr. Bundy removed to Audubon County, Iowa, making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Hardenbrook at Exira, at which place he held the position of postmaster until his death, which occurred in March, 1876. Hle was a man who commanded the respect of all parties, and at his death was withont an enemy. He devoted his leisure hours to looking after the poor, and in performing inany acts of charity.
ISAAC L. STATZELL, attorney at law, Exira, Iowa, was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, near Danville, February 16, 1861. Isaac Statzell, his father, was a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Abigail J. (Griggs) Statzell, was born in Virginia, and was the daughter of ITiram and Elizabeth Griggs. Isaac L., the subject of this biography, is the fourth child in a family of seven, two boys and five girls, all of whom are living. He passed his boy- hood on his father's farm, and received his primary education in the district school. Later he attended a select school, and finally entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana. After leaving school lie en- gaged in teaching, but about the year IS$2 he became connected with a newspaper called the Audubon County Defender, published at Exira, Iowa. During his connection with this paper he read law, and at the expiration of two years he entered the law office of .I. M. & R. W. Griggs. After his admission to the bar, Mr. Statzell commenced practice alone in Exira, and since that time he has de- voted his whole time to his profession. He practices in all the State and county courts. Mr. Statzell is a member of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M., of which he is senior warden. lle also has a membership in the
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A. O. U. W. and the Knights of Pythias. Ile is an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, attending conventions as a delegate and otherwise serving his party dili- gently and faithfully.
ARIUS E. SIIAUGUR is a member of the firm of D. E. Shangur & Company, dealers in agricultural implements, Ex- ira, Iowa. IIis father, Francis J. Shaugur, now deceased, was born in the State of Penn- sylvania, but passed most of his early life in Michigan. Ile died November 17, 1888. He removed from Michigan to Rock Island, Illinois, and was there employed by the Chi- cago & Rock Island Railroad Company. He commenced at the bottom and climbed, step by step, until he reached the position of con- ductor, which he held for seventeen years. Mr. Shaugur was married to Miss Anna Ilun- stead, of Three Rivers, Michigan. She was born in Pennsylvania, and when she was a child her parents removed to Michigan. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Shaugur moved to Au- dubon County, lowa, stopping at Louisville and working at the carpenter's trade until his removal to Exira in 1878. He then engaged in the furniture business, and followed it four years. His next enterprise was opening a meat market, at the same time embarking in the agricultural implement business. In 1882 Mr. Shaugur established his present business in company with Washington Stuart, under the firm name of F. J. Shaugur & Company, which continued until the death of F. J. Shaugur. The firm name then became D. E. Shaugur & Company. Francis J. Shaugur was a Royal Arch Mason, and often repre- sented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the I. O. O. F. He had served on the
school board, and as treasurer of Exira. IIc was an active business man, and exhibited much public spirit in encouraging all enter- prises tending to build up the interests of the community. Mr. Shaugur was a delegate to the National Convention at St. Louis in 1888, which nominated Grover Cleveland for Presi- dent of the United States. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaugur-I. E., Ada L., wife of Arthur Bartlett; D. E. and Frank E. Darius E. is the third child, and was a mere lad when his parents removed to Iowa. Ile received his education in the com- mon schools, and when quite young began clerking in his father's store. Later on he worked eight months in the recorder's office under Otto Witthauer, and afterward formed a partnership in his father's business, as be- fore stated.
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