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 83

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 83
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 83

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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counties. Mr. Nash had formed a partner- ship with Byron S. Phelps, which continued until 1882, when Mr. O. K. Holmes was taken into the firm, this partnership continuing for two years. In 1886 Mr. Green was taken into the firm. The business is conducted in the following way: Mr. Phelps makes all loans, Mr. Nash attends to the collections, real-estate and insurance, and Mr. Green manages the law business of the firm. Mr. Nash was united in marriage with Miss Ger- trude Russell, September 1, 1881; she is a daughter of George S. Russell, a prominent merchant of Andubon, and a native of Stoughton, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are the parents of two daughters-Beatrice and Gretchen. Mr. Nash is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Godfrey Commandery, No. 44; Andubon Lodge, No. 163, K. of P., and of the I. O. R. M. He is also a member of the school board.

ILLIAM McLERAN, proprietor of McLeran's stock ranch, one mile west of Audubon, is one of Audubon County's thorough-going, successful citizens, of whom no reasonable man ever has aught to complain. The best and truest index to any man's character and life is the general opinion entertained of him by his nearest neighbors, and those with whom he dealt from day to day. Mr. McLeran's success as a stock-grower and farmer comes largely from the fact that he has always been thorough- going and painstaking, and never afraid to do hard work himself. In a volume of this character, which is to be handed down from generation to generation, it is indeed fitting that some record be here made of one who has gained a competency for himself and family wholly by virtue of his own industry | an excellent education, graduating from the

and unremitting zeal. His has been a life to which one may refer any young man as a good one to pattern after, with all assurance of abundant success. It requires more real, true manhood, and gennine worth for one to begin life unaided by friends and wealthy relatives than it does to have ready capital to commence on; however, the strongest characters of American history have been forged and wronght by boys who have been obliged to carve their own way to final suc- cess. Mr. MeLeran, who has been a citizen of Andubon County since 1879, is a native of the old Green Mountain State, Vermont. Ile was born October 24, 1824, in the town of Barnett, Orleans County; his parents were William and Eliza (Gleason) McLeran; his Grandfather MeLeran was also named Will- iam; he served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived to an advanced age. William, Jr., died when eighty-one years old. The mother of our subject was of English descent, born in Massachusetts, and died at Rochester, New York; her remains now rest at Barnett, Vermont. Mr. MeLeran passed his youth and received his education at Barnett, Ver- mont, living at home on the farm until he was about twenty years of age, at which time he engaged in railroad business in New England and Pennsylvania, both as a con- structor and an operator; he ran the second locomotive ever built in the United States. It was of a crude and curious design, and has for years been on public exhibition in the city of Philadelphia; it was among the curiosities at the Centennial Exposition of 1876, where Mr. McLeran last saw it. In 1851 he was married to Miss Betsey Blanch- ard, the third daughter of Simon and Betsey (Spencer) Blanchard. She was born Decemn- ber 9, 1829, at Peacham, Vermont, where she grew to womanhood. There she obtained

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county academy, operated on the endowment plan; it was accounted one of the best edu- eational institutions of New England at that time. After leaving sehool she at once began teaching, and followed it for several years, becoming a very popular and successful teacher. Three years after his marriage Mr. McLeran emigrated with his wife to Illinois; at first he rented land near Rock River for a year, after which he bought eighty acres in Burean County, of that State; here he re- Inained for nearly a quarter of a century, twenty-four years, during which period he was successful as a farmer and stock grower, his attention being especially directed to swine- growing. Mr. and Mrs. MeLeran are the parents of nine children, eight of whom still live-Abbie, wife of E. D. Van Court; Si- mon B .; Ilelen M., wife of F. II. Chidister, of Anrora, Nebraska; Fannie C., now at- tending school away from home; Walter Palmer, at home; George Ralph, at Com- mercial College at Omaha, Nebraska; Hler- bert Morris, at home attending school; and Charles Stnart, at home. The deceased, named Bessie Blanchard, died in infancy. Upon selling out in Bureau County, Illinois, in March, 1870, Mr. McLeran removed to Andubon County, purchasing at first a quar- ter section of land of the Rock Island Rail- road Company. lle now has a fine farm of beautifully rolling prairie land, located on sections 19 and 30, township 80, range 35, west, and in the civil township of Leroy, which is one mile west from Andubon, the county seat. The first season he was in the county he had 400 acres broken, besides at- tending to the erection of a fine frame resi. dence that would do honor as a city house. Hle is at present as comfortably situated as any farmer in his county, and is steadily in- creasing his possessions by thrifty farming and stock-growing. He now has hundreds of

fine cattle, hogs and horses upon his farm. Ilis premises are well adapted to stock-grow- ing and feeding, as he has established a fine system of water-works, by which a wind- mill becomes the power in pumping water to a large tank in the stock-yards and barn. Ile grinds and mashes all the large corn crop hie produces, after which it is judiciously fed to stock. He inakes a special point of de- horning all his horned stock, and has become especially successful in the feeding of young stock. Everything about the place displays the art, so often lost sight of by farmers, that of order. In political views Mr. Me- Leran is what might be termed conservative; however, in State and National politics he always votes the Democratie tieket. Ile has never aspired to public office, but always tells those who seek to press him into such positions, which he might ably fill, that his office is in his enttle yards. As one views his large possessions, and sees low successfully all parts are carried on, and then pauses to think of the fact, that when he landed in Illi- nois in 1834 all his earthly possessions were found in his most estimable wife and two children, and §123, it goes without saying that all has come from patient toil and frugal management.

OIIN NASHI, D. D., President of the University of Des Moines, an educator of much experience and wide reputation, is a native of Sherburne, Chenango County, New York. He was born July 11, 1816. When he was five years old his father died, and he was brought up by an aunt on a farm in Otsego County. At the age of twenty he entered the preparatory department of Madi- son University, and graduated from that in- stitution in 1842, and from the theological

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seminary at the same place, in 1844. llis first pastorate was at Watertown, New York, where he spent six years. January 3, 1851, he came to Des Moines, Iowa, where he has since made his home. Ile immediately gathered the Baptists together, organized a church, and was its pastor for eighteen years; he also taught a large portion of this time. Abont the year 1835 he started a seleet school, which grew into what was long known as the Forest Home Seminary. Des Moines being centrally located in the State, and some indneements being held out to the Baptists, it was resolved to establish an institution there for the higher order of education, and the University of Des Moines is the result of that movement; it was organized in April, 1865. Dr. Nash became its finaneial agent, and labored in this capacity, with some inter- ruption, for four years, when his health broke down. This was not, however, until some time after the brick building on the hill in Des Moines had been completed, and the in_ stitution was in operation. During the period that Dr. Nash was regaining his health he was superintendent of the schools of Polk County, his term expiring January 1, 1874. Prior to this date, in the antumin of 1872, he became aeting president of the University, and had been at its head three years, when Hon. Frederick Mott became president. After filling the position a little over a year he resigned, and Dr. Nash was again placed in the presidential chair in May, 1877. Since his residenee in Des Moines Dr. Nash has accomplished a great religions work, having organized two Baptist churches on the east side of the river, and being largely instrumental in the formation of nearly thirty other churches in central Iowa. Every good cause receives his hearty and powerful support. Dr. Nash has been twice married-first in July, 1846, to Miss Jennie

C. Calhoun, of Wellsford, Monroe County, New York; she died February 3, 1851, with- out children. His second marriage was March 15, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Hepburn, a native of New York, residing at the time of marriage at Angusta, Lee County, Iowa. They have four children-John A., Jennie C., Nettie and Mattie.

EAD P. STRAHIL, an agriculturist of Viola Township, was born in Bel- mont County, Ohio, August 29, 1844, and is the youngest of seven children of Thomas and Sarah (Mead) Strahl. The par- ents were born and reared in Ohio, and the mother died there when Mead P. was one year old; his father removed to Illinois, and thenee to Nebraska, where he died in 1878. Sarah Mead was a daughter of Joseph Mead, a native of Pennsylvania, of Quaker faith; he was an early settler of Belmont County, Ohio. Mead P. Strahl passed his youth in his native county, receiving his edneation in the pioneer log school-house. In the spring of 1866 he went to Ogle County, Illinois, and engaged in farming, making his home there until 1883, when he removed to Andu- bon County. Ile purchased 160 acres of choice land, which is now well improved; there is a good substantial residence, barns and eribs, and the situation and neighborhood cannot be surpassed. Mr. Strahl devotes his time to general farming and stoek-raising. He was married in 1870 to Miss Alice J. Donaldson, of Ogle County, Illinois, a daugh- ter of James and Kate Donaldson; she was born and reared in Ogle County. Ten chil- dren have been born of this marriage-Eva J., Ida F., James C., Ella G., Frank, Fred T., William S., Myrtle A., Verna K. and Pearl. Mr. Strahl is director of school dis-

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triet No. 4, and is supervisor of road district No. 3. In June, 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and served nine months. He took part in the raid in Cumberland Gap and capture of General Frazier; thence he was ordered to Clinch River, and in March, 1864, he was mustered out of the service. Ile re-enlisted in the 100-days' regiment, and did duty in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia under General Sheridan. At the expiration of the 100 days he enlisted in the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteers as a recruit, serv- ing until the close of the war. Ile was ordered north in December, 1865, and was discharged the 28th of that month. He thien returned to his old home in Ohio, and en- gaged in the more peaceful as well as more profitable ocenpation of farming. Mr. Strahl is a member of the G. A. R. post at Dedham, Carroll County, Iowa. He began life with little capital but plnck, energy and a deter- inination to succeed, and these traits have brought their reward.

NSON E. ALLEN. of Viola Township, is the possessor of one among the best farms in the township. As an agri- culturist and raiser of hogs and cattle, Mr. AAllen occupies the front rank. He began his way in life without means, but by hard labor, economy, and good management he has acquired a good competence. IIe was born in Ticonderoga, New York, October 5, 1838, and is the fourth in a family of eight ehil- dren, five boys and three girls. The father, La Fayette Allen, was born in East Middle- bury, Vermont, in 1806. Ile was a farmer and merchant by occupation, and was a son of Ebenezer Allen, who was a distant relative of Ethan Allen. The mother of A. E. Allen

was Betsey Orkin, daughter of James and Nancy Orkin, who was born in New Hamp- shire in 1810. James Orkin was born in England, and was brought to America at the age of seven years; he was a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of La Fayette Allen, father of our subject, was a Van Reunselaer, of Hollandish descent. La Fayette Allen re- moved with his family and settled in Rut- land County, Vermont, where he passed the remainder of his days. At the death of his father A. E. Allen was but eleven years old; he was sent to the common school, and later attended a select school at Brandon, Vermont. Ile resided with his mother until he had attained his eighteenth year, when he drifted west to Jones County, Iowa. In 1862 Mr. Allen enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, going into camp; his company was assigned to the western army, where he did faithful service, and was dis- charged in 1803, after which he returned to Jones County, Iowa. Hle then engaged in farming, buying and shipping stock to the eastern markets on the large scale, and con- tinued in this business for a period of fifteen years, in which he was successful, although he commenced on a small capital. In 1882 Mr. Allen removed from Jones County, Iowa, to Andubon County, purchasing seven eighty- nere tracts of land; he afterward bought other tracts until he owned 880 acres, a part of which he sold, leaving one section, 640 aeres, This farm is most admirably situated, being on one of the branches of the Nishna- botna River and the most of the land is in a fine state of cultivation. The farm is well stocked with eattle and hogs for the protec- tion of which Mr. Allen has provided a number of sheds; the large water supply needed is furnished by a windmill, with several tanks, all being arranged with an eye to convenience. Mr. Allen has a large substantial residence,

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situated upon an elevated plain. commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. IIe has been twice married-first in 1864 to Mary Gilbert, who was born in 1844, and died in 1873, leaving three boys-Charles, a fariner; Frank, of the firm of Allen & Crane, editors of the Audubon County Advocate, and Horace, now living with his grandmother in Vermont. Mr. Allen's second wife was Catherine Knight, who died in Jones County, Iowa, in 1879, leaving one little daughter- Emma Kate. In political matters Mr. Allen is rather conservative, voting as a rule the Republican ticket. He and his two sons served in the late civil war. Ilis grandfather, Ebenezer Allen, served in the war of 1812.

He is extensively engaged in feeding stock, making large shipments annually. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of seven children -Mary J., wife of Charles Hoffman; Will- iam, at home; Anna, wife of C. L. Hotch- kiss; John T., married Minerva Hooton; Sarah J., wife of John Oliver; James K., married Ella Hooton; Nellie, wife of E. J. Smith. They have twenty-two grand-chil- dren. When Mr. Baker moved from Roek Island to Davenport he hal but 75 cents in money, a wife and three children; but his energy, industry and good management have brought their reward. He has accumulated a handsome competency for himself and wife in their declining years. They are both hale and hearty and active in mind and body, the hardships they endured in the infancy of the county seeming to give strength and vigor to both.

OBERT BAKER, farmer and stock- raiser of Viola Township, is a native of England, born in Carlton Serook, Au- - OWARD J. GREEN, deceased, was born in the State of New York, Rensse- laer County, May 4, 1828. His parents were Allen and Clarissa Green, natives of New York. The youth of Mr. Green was passed in his native county in attending the publie schools. At the age of sixteen years he went to Williamstown, Massachusetts, and there served an apprenticeship to a machinist for three years. After learning his trade he remained in the shops for some time. He then went to Chicopee, Massachusetts, and entered the employ of Ames & Company, continuing there three years. About this time Mr. Green was taken with the western fever, and came to Iowa, settling in Jackson County, on a farm which he cultivated three years. He then removed to Audubon County and took up his abode on his present farm. gust 3, 1817. Ile is the eldest son of Charles and Mary Baker. His father was a tamer and breaker of horses. Robert Baker was reared to the life of a farmer, but his educa- tion was entirely neglected, as he was never sent to school. He worked by the year until his marriage, which occurred May 20, 1844, to Eliza Ower, the youngest of eleven chil- dren ef Thomas and Mary (Clay) Ower. In 1851 Mr. Baker and his family emigrated from England to America, landing in the city of New York. From that city they went to Davenport, Iowa, making part of the journey by the lakes, and the rest by teams. They located and bought property in Davenport, and Mr. Baker cultivated a farm in Scott County. In 1870 the Baker family came to Audubon County, Iowa, and settled on see- tion 16, Melville Township, and the following year he removed to his present farm, which contains 280 aeres of fine land, well improved. | He built the first saw-mill on a branch of the 50

HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.

Botna Creek, and operated it for some time. He did all the sawing for the neighborhood, and having steam power he did a profitable business. After selling the mill he turned his attention to farming. The place he had bought on first coming to the county was raw prairie and contained eighty acres, but he has added to this until his farm now consists of 160 acres, twenty of which are in timber and the remainder under fine cultivation. Mr. Green passed from this life June 2, 1873. lle was an enterprising citizen, and was filled with that public spirit to which all commu- nities owe their advancement and growth. At the time of his death Mr. Green was a inember of the board of supervisors. His political interests lay very near the interests of the Republican party. By industry and energy Mr. Green had accumulated a large estate. Ile was married November 28, 1850. to Miss Cordelia M. Reed, a daughter of Nel- son and Theodocia (Holcomb) Reed. She was born in Granby, Connecticut, and was reared and educated in her native town. Seven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Green- Emma C., wife of John R. Thacker; Henry IL., Clara A., Dewey W. (deceased), Walter W., Edwin E. and Mary Grace. Mrs. Green's grandfather, Jacob Holcomb, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.

OIIN D. WAYCOFF, an active and successful farmer of Viola Township, was born in Greene County, Pennsyl- vania, near Waynesburgh, March 4, 1839. Ilis father, Jacob Wayeoff, was born in the Isle of Jersey, and when quite young his parents moved to the State of Maryland, where he grew to manhood. He then went to Greene County, Pennsylvania, and was there married to Miss Nancy Bowen. After

his marriage Jacob Waycoff settled perma- nently in Greene County, and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1859, in his seventy-first year. Ilis wife, Nancy, died in 1879. They were the parents of twelve children, four of whom are deceased. Jolm D. is the youngest son and the eleventh child. He grew to maturity in his native county, passing his youth in farm work and attending the common school. At the age of twenty Mr. Waycoff was married to Cath- erine Hunt, of Greene County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Philip and Hannah J. (Darnell) Hunt. After marriage they settled in Greene County for a time, and then removed to Ben- ton County, lowa, remaining there ten years. In 1853 Mr. Waycoff removed his family to Audubon County, Iowa, and located on his present farm on section 7. The place con- tains 147 acres, all well improved. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Waycoff, ten of whom are living -Morgan J., Mary E., the wife of George V. Hartman; John E., Lewis J., Frank C., William J., George Il., Oliver L., Samuel S. and Alonzo. Albert V. and Nettie May died in infancy. Mr. Waycoff has served as school director for nine years. He is a member of Florence Lodge, No. 404, f. O. O. F., and of the G. 1. R. During the Rebellion he enlisted in the Fifteenth l'ennsylvania Cavalry, Company F, and was assigned to the Army of the Cum- berland, General Rosecrans commanding. The first sound of battle was at Antietam, and then followed many skirmishes and bat- tles in which our subject did faithful service. After the battle of Mission Ridge he went through East Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina, and at the surrender of General Lee was at Lincoln- ton, North Carolina. He followed Jeff Davis in his flight, and after his capture he went to Nashville, Tennessee, and was honorably dis-

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charged in June, 1865. He then returned to Greene County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Waycoff are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, worshiping at Earhart's school house. Mrs. Wayeoff' was born in West Virginia, Sep- tember 1, 1839.

EORGE W. C. GILLESPIE, an active and enterprising farmer of Viola Town- ship, was born in Alabama, near Mobile, February 22, 1851, and is a son of George W. C. and Virtue (Turner) Gillespie. The mother was born in Lincolnshire, England, and the father was a native of Tennessee. lIe followed flat-boating on the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers until he was twenty- six years of age. Quitting the river, he run a plantation, engaging in cattle-raising. Ile lost heavily in this business, and in 1848 he eame to Burlington, Iowa, and purchased a saw-mill, which he continued to operate for three years. In 1853 Mr. Gillespie removed to Marion County, Iowa, and located at Knox- ville, where he engaged in contraeting and building for six years. In 1863 he removed to Grinnell, Iowa, and resides there at the present. Ilis children live in Iowa, except- ing three. George W. C. Gillespie, Jr., passed his youth in Knoxville and Grinnell. Ile attended school until he was thirteen years old, when he took charge of the farm, his father being from home most of the time. At the age of twenty-one years he was mar- ried to Catherine Ellis, of Grinnell, Iowa, a daughter of Solon and Phoebe Ellis. In 1874 he removed to Audubon County and settled on his present farm, when his nearest neighbor was two miles distant. He broke the first furrow on his farm, which is new under good cultivation, and has made many

valuable improvements. The farm contains 160 aeres, which is well steeked with high- grade animals. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are the parents of seven children-Ross E., Ger- trude M., Mary E., Nellie B., James G., Jessie L. and Celia V. Mr. Gillespie has represented his township as trustee and as road supervisor. In polities he votes the Re- publiean tieket. Ile is a member of the A. O. U. W. IIe is also a member of the Metli- odist Episcopal church at Coon Rapids, of which he has been steward for eight years. The Gillespie family are of Scoteli descent, the first emigrants coming to America about the time of the Revolutionary war.

HEODORE F. MYERS, attorney a law, Andubon, Iowa, is a native of the Hawkeye State, and was born in Powe- shiek County, February 9, 1859. He is the fourth child in a family of seven children, all of whom are living. He is the son of John A. and Mary E. Myers, natives of Ger- many. The father was a merchant during . the active years of his life, and is now retired and living at Montezuma, Iowa. John A. Myers and wife emigrated to America and were among the first actual settlers in Powe- shiek County, Iowa. Theodore F., the sub- jeet of this notice, was reared in the town of Montezuma, and received his education in the common schools of this place. At the age of nineteen he began teaching. Ile after- ward went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he ac- eepted a position as assistant book-keeper in the firm of Comstock's Stove Works. He served in this capacity until the spring of 1880, when he came to Audubon and accepted a position as elerk in the hardware store of Martin & Keller. He remained here until the fall of 1881, when he entered the law

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office of Joseph L. Stotts. In six months " he was made a member of the firm, and at the end of a year the firm was changed to Andrews, Stotts & Myers. This firm con- tinued to transact business until 1886, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Myers continued the law practice alone. He was admitted to the bar in 1883. In October, 1881, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. Haines, of Washington, lowa, a danghter of Gilbert Haines, of the State of New York, who was one of the early settlers in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have one daughter - Ilelen Gray. Mr. Myers owns several good farms in Audubon County, and some Kansas lands. Ile is a member of Aretas Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Ile is an active politician, and votes with the Republican party. Ile has often served as delegate to conventions, and as chairman of township committees.

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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