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 80
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 80
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Nebraska; he died there October 19, 1888, in his seventy-ninth year. He had three chil- dren by his first marriage and eight by the last. William J. Walker passed his boyhood and school days in Clinton County. IIe re- ceived the educational advantages of the dis- trict school, which were somewhat meager. Ile remained with his parents until his nine- teenth year, when he was married to Matilda II. Mitchell, of Clinton County, Iowa. Mrs. Walker was born in Adrian, Michigan, and is the daughter of Charles M. and Elizabeth (Row) Mitchell; she came to Iowa with her parents when a child of eight years. After his marriage Mr. Walker settled on a farm in Clinton County, and resided there until 1877, when he removed to Audubon County, and located on his present farm in Hamlin Town- ship. The place contains eighty acres of excellent land, and he has made inany valna- ble improvements. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker-Oscar E., in business in Omaha; Edward W., a farmer; Perry HI. and Wilber L., both at home. Mr. Walker spent two years in Dakota, and im- proved a homestead there, but on account of the severe winters returned to Iowa.
OBERT SIZER was born in Lincoln- shire, England, Jannary 13, 1840, and is a son of George and Jane (Randalls) Sizer, who remained in the old country, the father being a small farmer. When ten years old Robert Sizer emigrated to the United States with his uncle, John Barker. They proceeded by water to Davenport, Iowa, stop- ping there one year; from Davenport Robert went to Comanche, Iowa, remaining there about twelve months; at the expiration of this time he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and was there employed on a farm, working by
the month for four years. He then left the State of Iowa and went to Camden, Illinois, and worked in a brick-yard one summer. Mercer County, Illinois, was his next place of abode, and he remained there until 1861, at which time he returned to Jackson County, Iowa. In August, 1861, Mr. Sizer joined the M. S. Lancers, three months' men, who were engaged in State service. After this com- pany disbanded he returned to Jackson County. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth lowa Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to Muscatine, Iowa. On the organi- zation of the regiment he was sent to Helena, Arkansas, at which place he sconted and skirmished until 1862; he then entered Gen- eral Grant's campaign and took part in all the engagements; among them are Fort Gib- son, Champion IIills, the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted forty-two days, many skirmishes and small engagements. After the fall of Vicksburg he was assigned to the chief de- partment under General Banks, and later he was transferred to the department under General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, taking part in all the engagements of that campaign. After some further service he was ordered to Davenport, Iowa, and was honor- ally discharged and received his pay. Re- turning to Jackson County, Iowa, Mr. Sizer engaged in farming, which he followed suc- cessfully until the spring of 1881, when he removed to Audubon County, Iowa, and pur- chased his present farm in Hamilton Town- ship; the farm contains 310 acres, which at that time had no improvements in the way of buildings. The land is now under a high state of cultivation, and there is a substantial residence attraetively surrounded by evergreen trees. Mr. Sizer was united in marriage Janu- ary 4, 1865, to Anna, the youngest danghter of John and Sarah Davis, of Jackson County, Iowa. Mrs. Sizer was born in Canada. Five
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children have been born of this nnion-Thad- dens, Sarah E., Clara, James, and one child that died in infancy. Mr. Sizer is a member of Allison Post, No. 31, G. A. R. He began his career penniless and among strangers, but by energy and industry he has accumulated a goodly competence for his declining years.
ANIEL W. HENDRICKS is a snecess- ful farmer of Viola Township, Audn- bon County, who was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, December 5, 1834. IIis father, William W. Hendricks, a native of North Carolina, removed with his parents to Kentucky when nine years of age. Ile was there married to Miss Susanna Sears, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Samuel Sears, of German descent. The grandfather of Dan- iel W. Hendricks was William Hendricks, of Hollandish and German extraction. He was an early settler of New Jersey, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Four of his broth- ers also fought in the Revolution. Daniel W. Hendricks is the seventh of a family of nine children, all of whom lived to maturity HARLES A. W. COLEE, a native of Shelby County, Indiana, was born March 6, 1854, and is a son of Julius and Mary (Oliphant) Colee, natives of Indi- ana and North Carolina respectively. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and obtained his edneation in the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he went to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed four years. Ile thien engaged with A. II. Hollen- beck, of Indianapolis, Indiana, as traveling salesman. Ile continued in this business six months, and then went to Champaign County, Illinois, and worked on a farm for two years; thence he went to Rock Island County, Illi- nois, and remained there for three years. -- Malinda C., Granville S., Melvina F., died in 1888; Sarah C., died in 1887; John T., William W., Daniel W., Samnel M. and Mar- tin V. All were married and raised families, with the exception of John T. The subject of this notice was nine years old when the family started to Marion County, Iowa. The father died in Lee County in 1843, while en route to Marion County. The winter was passed in Jefferson County, and in the spring the journey was continued to Marion County. The family settled near Pella, and there Dan- iel remained three and a half years. IIe then removed to Polk County with his parents and settled eight miles east of Des Moines, remaining there six years. He then went to | There he was married August 30, 1876, to
Decatur County, Iowa, with his parents, and there made his home for seven years. At the end of that time he went to Jasper County and settled near Prairie City, on a farm, where he lived fourteen years. He sold out in the spring of 1880 and came to Audubon County, locating on his present farm, on section 13 Viola Township. There are 280 aeres in the place, forty of which had been homesteaded and improved by Albert Hocket. Mr. Hen- drieks was united in marriage, in 1861, to Martha, oldest daughter of Henderson and Eliza (Hart) Taylor. Mrs. Hendricks was born in Kentucky, and removed with her parents to Decatur County, Iowa, when a child of twelve years. Five children have been born of this marriage - William H., Granville E., Eliza E., wife of C. A. Yaager; Charles B. and Susanna. Mr. Hendricks has served as township trustee, and is also trustee of the Viola Cemetery. Hle and his wife are members of the German Baptist church. In polities he is a staunch Democrat.
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Miss Sarah Hays, a daughter of F. and Mary (Robins) Hays, who was born in Rock Island County, Illinois, July 16, 1852. They are the parents of five children-Julius F., Mary Ina, Ida Fay, Orin Chatman and Charles A. After their marriage they settled on a tract of eighty acres of raw prairie in section 1, Greeley Township. Mr. Colee has added to his first purchase and now owns 120 acres of as fine land as lies within the borders of Audubon County. He has erected a beautiful frame residence in place of the small house first built upon the farm. He has also crected all the necessary buildings for stock and grain. The entire farm is seeded down to grass, and Mr. Colce devotes his time to stoek-raising and shipping. He also gives some attention to auctioneering, in which he is very success- ful. He is energetic and enterprising, and has risen to his present position of finan- cial independence through his own efforts. Mr. Colec affiliates with the Republican party, taking an active part in the political issues of the county. He has been urged to accept various township offices, but is not an aspi- rant in that direction. He and his wife are worthy inembers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always lend a helping hand in any work that will advance the cause of Chris- tianity.
AWRENCE A. BEERS, physician and surgeon, Gray, Iowa, is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Fredericktown, Knox County, November 12, 1856. Ile is a son of Ashier and Ella (Coleman) Beers. His grandparents were among the early settlers of Knox County, and often had to resort to the fort for protection. They still reside in Knox County, and have had born to them two children-Clio, the wife of Jacob Clow,
a resident of Marshall County, Iowa, and Lawrence A. Beers, M. D. Our subject spent his youth in his native county, obtain- ing his early education in the common school. He took up the study of medicine with Dr. S. B. Potter, of Fredericktown, Ohio; he took a course of lectures at the Columbus Medical College under Professor Hamilton, and later a course in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Beers then came west, and began the practice of his profession in Mitchellville, Iowa, remaining there four years. IIe was then obliged to abandon his practice for a time on account of failing health. In 1886 he located in Gray, lowa, and there resumed his practice, in which he has been very suc- cessful. Dr. Beers was united in marriage in 1881 to Miss Eva J. Talmage, of Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa; she is the daughter of Jonathan Talmage, Esq. Three children have been born of this union-Edna, Charles and Clio. The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Manning, Iowa.
ALENTINE BAUER, of Viola Town- ship, was born on a farm in Germany, February 14, 1840, and is a son of Mi- chael and Mary (Matias) Baner, who died in their native country. Valentine started to school at the age of six years, and continned to attend until he was fourteen years old. He then went to work on his father's farm, and remained there until he was twenty-two years old. Wishing to see the new world and try what fortune it might yield to him, he sailed from the harbor at Bremen for the United States, the voyage lasting eight weeks. He arrived in the city of New York and remained there two months, visiting two sisters who were living in that city. On leaving New York he went to Madison County, Illinois,
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
and went to work on a farm for 60 cents per day; at the end of two years he came to Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, and worked on a farm by the month until 1871, when he rented a farm and worked it six years on his own account. In the spring of 1879 he removed to Audubon County, having bought eighty acres of land there the previous fall at the rate of $9 per acre. He built a house and set out a grove, and a year later he purchased an additional eighty aeres; he sowed most of it in wheat, upon which he realized very handsomely. He has since bought eighty acres more, making 240 acres, most of which is under cultivation and well fenced. He devotes some attention to live-stock, breeding common stock. Mr. Baner was married in October, 1873, to Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of Levi and Anna (Whit- ney) Shadduck, natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. She was born and reared in Clinton County, Iowa, her parents having come to the Territory of Iowa in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Baner are the parents of two children-Frank and Mary. By a former marriage to John Ilill, Mrs. Bauer had five children-Addie, Arthur, George, Gertrude and Grant. Mr. Baner has served as town- ship trustee and as assessor, also as a school director. He is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M., at Coon Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the church at Viola Centre; Mrs. Baner teaches in the Sabbath-school, and Mr. Baner is treasurer of the same.
ON. JACOB A. OVERHOLTZER .- Among the farmers of Viola Township who have contributed to its wealth and influence, we mention Jacob A. Overholtzer. Hle is the fifth child of JJacob and Catherine (Anglemire) Overholtzer, and was born in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near Lan- caster City, February 13, 1841. Jacob Over- holtzer, the father of our subjeet, was a Penu- sylvania farmer of prominence, and his father Jacob Overholtzer, was from Germany. Jacob Overholtzer, the father of Jacob A., removed with his family from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Ogle County, Illi- nois, in which place he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1866; his wife died March 20, 1875. Jacob A. received a good common-school education. Ile re- inained with his parents until his twentieth year, when there was a call for men to defend the flag of this nation. He enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Company B, and was assigned to the western army, serving three years and four months. He took part in the following skirmishes and engagements: Second battle of Corinth, siege of Corinth, battle of Inka, Island No. 10, Fort Maeleid, Coffeeville, battle of West Point, Missis- sippi, Colliersville and Bolliver, and took part in the Greason raid, which started from La- Grange, Tennessee, and ended at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, known as the first raid of the western army. In the last he was wounded in the foot and disabled for three months. He was sent to Memphis, Ten- nessee, spending six months there, and was innstered ont of the service at Springfield, Illinois, in November, 1864. He then re- turned to Ogle County, Illinois, and engaged in the more peaceful pursuit of farming. In June, 1879, Mr. Overholtzer removed his family to Andubou County, Iowa, locating upon his present farm in Viola Township. lle first purchased 160 acres, on which he built a comfortable residence and other neces- sary buildings. He has added to the farm at different times until his estate covers 680 acres. The home farm is watered by the Nishnabotna River, and all the land is in a
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high state of cultivation. Mr. Overholtzer devotes special attention to the raising and feeding of live-stock, shipping from one to five car-loads annually. September 6, 1868, he was married to Clarissa F. Ferrin, of Car- roll County, Illinois, the third daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Pieston) Ferrin. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Overholtzer-Alice L., formerly a student at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, now a teacher in Stuart schools; Osear L., a student at Drake University, Des Moines; Katie M., Merritt P., Ralph F. and Lavisa. In 1883 Mr. Overholtzer was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, and in 1885 he was re-elected, both times on the Republican ticket. He acquitted himself with credit, taking an active part in advocat- ing and passing some important bills, among which was the bill appropriating money and locating the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, lowa. In the last session he assisted in the introduction and passage of bills providing for the election of the railroad commission- ers by the people, and the public distribution of seliool-books in the several counties. Mr. Overholtzer is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a mem- ber of Allison Post, No. 34, G. A. R. In the fall of 1888 he was elected president of the Audubon County Agricultural Society. IIe is a public-spirited man, ready and will- ing to assist in any enterprise that will be of advantage to the community.
SAAC W. REED, of the firm of Reed Brothers, extensive farmers and dealers in live-stock, has been a resident of Andubon County since 1883. He is the second of a family of eleven children, eight of whom sur- vive. The father, John Reed, is a native of
Pennsylvania, and was born in 1812. The mother, Mary (Brewer) Reed, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and after her marriage to John Reed they came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and settled near Montezuma, where they remained until 1883, when they came to Audubon County. They now reside in Leroy Township. Isaac W. Reed was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1857, and at the age of twelve years came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, with his parents. He received the ad- vantages of a district school education, and was thoroughly drilled in the details and management of a farm. He remained with his parents until his majority, when he formed a partnership with his brother, John J. Reed, under the firm name of Reed Brothers. They began farming by renting the farmn of C. H. Cross for six years. In the spring of 1889 they rented and moved to the farm of John C. Bonwell, which covers 720 aeres. They have the farm well stocked, and employ three men, and run five teams during the busy sea- 8011. In the season of 1888 they raised 10,- 000 bushels of corn. They fatten from fifty to 100 head of cattle annually. The Reed Brothers are very successful farmers, devoting their whole time to the business. The grand- father of Isaac W. Reed was Isaac Reed, who removed from beyond the Alleghany Mount- ains and settled in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, at an early day. He was de- scended from an old English family, three or four generations of whom were born in America. Isaac Reed married Miss Jannett Johnson, and reared a family of twelve chil- dren. The mother of Isaac W. Reed, Mary (Brewer) Reed, is a daughter of Henry Brewer, of German descent, and Mary (Ran- dolph) Brewer, who reared a large family. Mary (Brewer) Reed was born March 22, 1819, and is the mother of twelve children,
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
eight of whom are living-James Z., John J. and Isaac W. (twins), William, Herman E., A. C., Mary E., Harriet M., and four who died in childhood. Isaac Reed, the grand- father of Isaac W., was a spy during the Indian troubles in the early settlement of Pennsylvania.
HARLES HOFFMAN, an active and successful farmer of Viola Township, was born in Holstein, Germany, De- cember 3, 1844. Ile is the son of Charles and Celie Iloffinan, who emigrated to the United States when our subject was four years old. They landed at the city of New Orleans, and came up the river to Davenport, Iowa, where they settled. The father was a fisherman by ocenpation. He died in the year 1880, and the mother died in the year 1878. In his childhood Charles spent little time in school, as he was needed to assist his father. In later years he went to work on a farm for a man named Bennett, on condition that he was to go to school a portion of the time. This contract resulted in three years' work and one week's schooling, a deprivation to which there is none other equal. Charles returned to Davenport and remained there a year, being unable to work. In August, 1862, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the Union army, in Company G, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, thenee to Arkansas, and thence to Vicksburg, where he took part in the siege. In 1863 his regiment was sent to Port Hudson, and there did duty as gnards and in attending the siek for three months. Ile was then ordered to New Orleans, thence to Mustang Island. After six months he was sent to Texas, being stationed at Browns- , ville. His next order was to go to Mobile
Bay, and after some skirmishing there he was mustered out, receiving his discharge at Clin- ton, Iowa, in July, 1865. IIe then returned to Davenport and there worked two years in a lime-kiln. In the spring of 1871 he came to Audubon County and settled on his present farm, which was then raw prairie. He first bought eighty acres, and now owns 200 acres, well improved. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mary J. Baker, a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Owen) Baker, of Davenport, Iowa. By this marriage seven children have been born-Charles O., William H., Christopher A., Robert L., James, Roy V. and Lillie May. By industry and good management Mr. Hoffman has acquired a valuable prop- erty, and his honorable dealing has won the confidence and respect of all who know him.
MOS TEAKLE is the pioneer breeder and importer of Clydesdale horses in Andnbon County. The first pure- blooded Clydesdale horse brought to the county was imported directly from Scotland by Singmaster and Sons, noted stockmen and importers of Keokuk County, Iowa. This animal was purchased by Mr. Teakle in 1883, and much eredit is due him for the advance- ment that has been made in this industry. He now owns two fine horses: Leekie Lad, registered in the Stud Book of Great Britain, No. 1,725; in the American Registry, No. 835. Sir Matthew is registered in the Scotch book, No. 6,299; and in the American book, No. 3,548. Mr. Teakle's farm is in Douglas Township, and is fitted up for breeding pur- poses. Onr subject was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1850. His father, Thomas Teakle, was a native of Eng- land, who emigrated to America when a young man. He married Jane Gemmill, a
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
native of Scotland, and a daughter of Will- iam Gemmill. After his marriage Thomas Teakle settled in Pennsylvania, and there carried on farming for a long period of years. IIe sold his farm and removed with his family to Keokuk County, Iowa, in 1869, and resided there until his death, which oc- eurred in 1876; his wife passed away two years later, in 1878. Amos Teakle is the oldest of six children, four boys and two girls, all of whom are living. He was reared to farm life, and continued to follow this oeen- pation until his majority, when he engaged in feeding hogs and eattle; later he turned his attention to the breeding of horses. Mr. Teakle was married to Miss Maggie Booth, of Keokuk County, Iowa, a native of Seot- land, and a daughter of William Booth. They have had three children born to them -- Agnes, Thomas and Jane. Mr. Teakle is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Audubon Lodge, No. 163.
ACOB GARRATT, one of the agricult- urists of Viola Township, has been a resident of Andubon County since 1883. He was born in the Dominion of Canada, Province of Ontario, in August, 1850. His father, Edward Garratt, was a native of Eng- land, and his mother, Mary A. Stong, was born in Canada. Eight children were born to the parents, of whom Jacob is the sixth. He received a common-school education, and was trained to the duties of a farmer's son, his father removing to Ogle County, Illinois, and settling on a farm there. The father died in Cook County, Illinois, in 1866, and the inother died in 1854. Jacob Garratt spent most of his youth in Ogle County, Illinois, and later removed to Cook County, which he made his home until 1867. He then went
back to Ogle County, and was there married to Miss Susan E. Sanborn, of that county, a daughter of Ambrose Sanborn, Esq. In Oe- tober, 1883, Mr. Garratt removed to Audn- bon County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in section 9, Viola Township. The farm con- sists of 120 aeres, and is well improved, with a good residence, and buildings for stoek. While he is no political aspirant, our subjeet votes the Democratic tieket. Ile commenced life for himself with limited means, and to- day owns valnable property. Mrs. Garratt's mother was Elizabeth Good, Mrs. Garratt being her eldest daughter.
EORGE W. WOOD, a farmer of Lincoln Township, was born in Mercer County, Illinois, April 1, 1862. IIe is the young- est of six children of John and Caroline (Van Buskirk) Wood, who were early settlers of Piekaway County, Ohio, which was their na- tive State. They removed to Wisconsin, and thence to Mercer County, Illinois, in 1861; they made that their home until 1866, when they went to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Grinnell. At the end of one year they moved to Madison County, Iowa, and settled near Winterset; there they continned to reside until 1874, when they came to Audubon County, Iowa, and located on a farm in section 35; the land was new and nnimproved; the first purchase contained 240 aeres, a part of which was afterward sold. The father died in Poweshiek County, Iowa, and the mother was married to Joseph Sny- der. They lived on their present farm for several years and then rented the place and removed to Nebraska, where the mother died June 16, 1888. There were no children born of the second marriage; the children by the first husband were-Sarah (deceased), wife of
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
E. W. Jones; Grandval, died at the age of six years ; Emily (deceased); Laura, wife of Albert Adkinson; Willis G., and George W., the subject of this notice. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and in 1885 he went with his mother and step-father to Nebraska, devoting his time to hunting and trapping on the waters of the Ponea Creek; the game was otter, beaver and coon; during the season he shot prairie chiekens for the Omaha market, which he made quite profitable. In the fall of 1888 he returned to Lincoln Township, and settled on the farm of 120 acres which his mother had willed to him. Mr. Wood devotes his time to general farmning pursnits, and is one of the enterprising young agrienlt- urists of the township. His grandfather, on his mother's side, was John Van Buskirk, an early settler of Pickaway County, Ohio, of Ilollandish deseent.
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