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 85
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 85
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were passed in West Liberty, where he re- ceived his education. On leaving school he accepted a clerkship for a short time; he then entered the employ of the railroad com- pany, beginning at the bottom round of the ladder. He rose to the position of passenger conductor, when he met with an accident that caused the loss of two fingers of his left hand. Ile then took up the study of telegraphy, and became an operator and station agent in the employ of the C., R. I. & P. R. R. Co., for a period of ten years. In 1876 he came to Brayton and opened the station, and contin- ued there until 1886. In 1887 he embarked in the mercantile trade, purchasing the stock of W. Bartlett & Son, and associating him- self with (). F. Ide, Esq. Mr. Reynolds is a thorough business man, and in connection with his mercantile interests he carries on farming and stock-raising to a considerable extent. Mr. Reynolds was united in mar- riage in 1881 to Miss Lillie Bartlett, the only daughter of Washington Bartlett, Esq., whose biography appears on another page of this volume. This union has been blessed with one child-Beatrice. Although young she is quite accomplished in music. Owing to failing health Mr. Reynolds has traveled considerably during the past two years. Hc is one of the active members of Audubon Lodge, No. 217, I. O. O. F.
ASHINGTON BARTLETT, a prominent citizen of the south part of Audubon County, died at 4 A. M., May 21, 18-, at his homestead, near Bray- ton, Iowa. His death occurred after a brief illness of only four days, in the beautiful home which his own hands had reared, at- tended by his faithful wife, and surrounded by his children and grandchildren, a fitting
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end for a useful and honorable eitizen and man. The funeral services were held at the residence on the 22d and were of a most solemn and impressive nature. Seats had been provided on the beautiful lawn ad- joining the parlor where the dead pioneer lay encased in a rich casket, surrounded by a bank of fragrant flowers, the tribute of friends from far and near. Wreaths, crosses, and anchors, emblems of immortality, faith and hope, spoke the thoughts of tender hearts and loving friends of the deceased. A large number of leading families of this val- ley were present. There were few dry eyes among them when, after the Rev. E. S. Hill had spoken feelingly of his acquaintance of twenty odd years with the deceased, he asked the choir to sing that dear old hymn, " Nearer, My God to Thee," and explained that grandpa had often asked his little five-year old grand- child, Beatrice Reynolds, to sing it for him when weary with toil or care. After the sermon the people took a last look at their dead friend, and six prominent citizens and pioneers, Oliver Smith, Mark Heath, Edson Herrick, Christopher Smith, J. C. Cannon, Sr., and C. H. Vail bore the deceased to the funeral cortege, and thence, followed by a long line of carriages, to the Oakfield Ceme- tery, where they laid him to rest with tender and reverent hands.
Green be the turf above thee, friend of our better days,
None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but to praise.
Washington Bartlett came of illustrious blood. The Bartletts trace their lineage back to Thomas Bartlett, of Mayflower fame, and his own mother, Sabrina (Hill) Bartlett, was a niece of Thomas Jefferson, the celebrated statesman, of Virginia, in which State the subject of this sketch was born September 19, 1820. At the early age of eleven years
Thomas Bartlett emigrated to Warren County, Indiana; there the boy grew to manhood through all the privations and hardships of pioneer days. There, too, he married Miss Margaret Brier. One child, David Milton Bartlett, a well-to-do citizen of that county and State, is still living. About the year 1852 Wash, as he was familiarly called, went to the gold fields of California, via New Or- leans and the Isthmus, returning eighteen months later. He came to the then new State of Iowa in 1855, and in 1856 located on the estate where he lived so many years, respected and liked by those who knew him best. Here he married Martha E. Cuppy. Three chil- dren are the fruit of this union-E. G. Bart- lett, Esq., Lillie Bartlett-Reynolds, wife of J. M. Reynolds, the Brayton merchant, and H. M. Bartlett, agent of the C., R. I. & P. R. R., at Brayton. All are married, and living near the old home. Of the character of the dead it need only be said that he held offices of trust and honor among his fellow-men all his life. As justice of the peace, secretary of the school board, and as a member of the board of supervisors, he discharged his duty faithfully and well. With maliee toward none and charity for all he lived a useful and honorable life. The world will be poorer for his going, yet richer in memories of kindly deeds and honest worth. The elements were so mixed in him that nature mnight stand up and say-this is a man.
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OBERT C. CARPENTER is a native of the State of Kentucky, born in Bath County, near Owensville, June 12, 1824. Levi Carpenter, his father, was a native of the same State, and a son of Michael Car- penter, of German ancestry, who was among the early settlers of Kentucky. Susan (Moore)
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Carpenter, mother of Robert C., was born and Dora. Mr. Carpenter has served as jus- tice of the peace over thirty years, and has held many other township offices, always ac- quitting himself honorably and with much credit. He has also served as county super- visor for four years. Politically he gives his nndivided support to the issues of the Demo- eratic party. He is a member of La Fayette Lodge, No. 52, A. F. & A. M. Ile is also notary public. in Kentucky, and is a daughter of Robert Moore, also a native of Kentucky. Levi Carpenter was for many years a resident of Kentucky, but removed from Bath County to Morgan County, Indiana, and resided there until he went to Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he died in 1870. His wife survived him until 1882. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom are living. Robert C. Carpenter passed the greater part of his youth in Morgan County, Indiana. He received such advantages as were afforded by the common schools of that day. He re- OHN C. BONWELL, retired farmer of Viola Township, now a resident of Au- dubon, Iowa, was born in Highland County, Ohio, near Hillsborough, November 16, 1842. IIc is a son of Nathaniel and Charity (Lowman) Bonwell. The father was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1792, but passed most of his youth in Ken- tucky, whither his parents removed when he was a child. He removed to Ohio and was there married, and settled in Highland County. There he carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1865. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania. Late in life she came to Andubon County, where her death occurred in 1881. She was in her seventy-second year. Arthur Bonwell, grand- father of our subject, was a native of Scot- land. He emigrated to America and took part in the war of 1812. Ile removed from Virginia to Kentucky in 1797, and at one time owned a number of slaves, whom he afterward set free. John C. Bonwell was reared in his native county, receiving a common-school education and acquiring a knowledge of all the details of practical farming. At the age of nineteen years he left the plow and volunteered in the defense of his country. He enlisted in the Sixtieth mained with his parents until his twenty-first year, when he began farming in Morgan County on his own account. In 1851 he bade farewell to the Hoosier State and emi- grated to Poweshiek County, Iowa, which was at that time considered the frontier. There he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868. Since that time he has been engaged in the law and general farm- ing, which he pursued until 1878, when he removed to Audubon County, Ile first set- tled in Viola Township, two miles west of the farm which he now owns. LIe remained there two years, and at the end of that time he moved to his present farm un section 15. He has eighty acres of as choice land as Au- dnbon County affords. The place is well im- proved and is one of the neatest little farms in that part of the county. In 1846 Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Thurman, a second cousin to Allen Thurman, of Ohio. Mrs. Carpenter was born in Highland County, Ohio, December 22, 1822, and removed with her parents to Mor- gan County, Indiana, when a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have had born to them nine children- Frank M., John C., Levi T., Mary, wife of Harlin Griffen; Rob- ert M., Malissa Ann, Sarah C., Anderson C. | Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. Ile participated in several battles and skir- mishes, the most noted being the second bat- tle of Bull Run. After this battle he was taken prisoner and held for three days, when he was paroled, sent to Annapolis, thence to Baltimore, and thenee to Chicago, where he was discharged in December, 1863. In Au- gust, 1864, Mr. Bonwell re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Ohio, and was sent to Camp Denison, near Cincinnati. He remained there two months, and from that time until June, 1865, he was guarding bridges and railroads in Tennessee and Ken- tucky. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and then returned to Highland County, Ohio. He then started a store in Lebanon, Ohio, which he managed three years. During this time he was married to Miss Mary E. Miller, the oldest daughter of Jacob and Eliza Miller. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Bonwell removed with his family to Marion County, Iowa, and during the first winter taught school at Wheeling. The fol- lowing summer he removed to the town of Monroe, and there he dealt in real estate and taught school. In 1874 he purchased an in- terest in the First National Bank of Monroe, and was book-keeper for that institution for some time. Disposing of his interest in the bank, he went to Exira, Audubon County, lowa, in 1875, when he engaged in the drug trade. Selling out this business, he bought 400 acres of land in Viola Township, which he has improved by ereeting a substantial residence and good buildings for stock and grain. Mr. Bonwell devotes his time to feeding and raising hogs and cattle, in which he has been very successful. He has added to his farm until it now contains 720 acres, in a high state of cultivation. In the spring of 1889 he removed his family to the town of Audubon, in order to give his children
better educational advantages. Mr. and Mrs. Bonwell have three daughters-Panline V., Gertrude C. and Leora May. Mr. Bonwell has served several terms as justice of the peace in Viola Township. In politics he is a staunch Republican, taking an active in- terest in the party, often serving as a dele- gate to county, judicial, congressional and State conventions. Mr. Bonwell is a mem- ber of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M., and of Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M. Hle is a member of Allison Post. G. A. R., and of the Red Men. IIe commenced life on a small capital, but by industry, good judg- ment and careful investments he has acenmu- lated a large estate.
OHN J. HUTCHINSON, a farmer and stock-raiser of Dunglas Township, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, near the town of Harveysburg, October 3, 1836. HIe is a son of Benjamin and Franees (Rankin) Intehinson, the father being a native of Ireland, and the mother of Virginia. Ben- jamin Hutchinson emigrated from the Emerald Isle at the early age of sixteen years, his father being a sailor. He married and settled in Clinton County, Ohio, where he died in 1862. Ilis wife died in 1877; she was the mother of six children, of whom John J. was the fourth. He was reared to farm life in his native county, receiving the advantage of a common-school education. He was married to Eliza A. Mendenhall, the fourth child of Nathan and Mary (Beech) Mendenhall. Mrs. Hutchinson's grandfather was also a Nathan Mendenhall, who was a native of North Carolina. Her grandfather on her mother's side was Benjamin Becch, a native of Connecticut; the Beeches were of Scotch ancestry, and early settlers of Con-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
nectient. After his marriage, John J. Hutchinson settled on a farm in Clinton County, Ohio, and resided there until liis removal to Rando.ph County, Indiana; there he spent three years, and then emigrated to Guthrie County, Iowa. He afterward re- moved to Dallas County, Iowa, and remained there eight years. At the expiration of that time, in 1877, he came to Audubon County, and settled on his present farm. He has 120 acres of choice land, which he has brought to a high state of enltivation; he has a good residence, attractively sitnated upon an ele- vated plain, affording a fine view of the sur- rounding country. Mr. Hutchinson has carried on general farming, his live-stock being of especially good grades. Ile and his wife have no children. Politieally he is an ardent Republican, often aeting as a delegate to the county conventions. He took a part in the famous Morgan's raid in Ohio. Ile began life without means, but by industry and wise management he has accumulated a considerable property. Mr. Hutchinson en- joys the esteem of his neighbors, and is counted one of the reliable citizens of Doug- las Township.
NTIIONY N. DETWILER, of Lincoln Township, is assured of his success in life in being a descendant of German ancestors, on both his father's and mother's side. Ile was born in Mifflin County, Penn- sylvania, near the village of Allensville, Janu- ary 26, 1840. He is the second son of Christian and Caroline (Ham) Detwiler, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a gunsmith by trade, which he followed for many years. In 1854 he removed his family to Johnson County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Iowa City, where he lived the remainder
of his days. He died in his sixty-eighth year, and his wife is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Gibson, of Lincoln Township, Audubon County. An- thony N. Detwiler passed his youth in John- son County, Iowa, receiving his edneation in the common sehools. Ile taught one term, and in August, 1861, he entered the army for the defense of his nation's flag, enlist- ing in Company II, Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He was sent to Davenport, Iowa, thenee to St. Lonis, thence to Bird's Point, opposite Cairo, Illinois, and thence sonth to Island No. 10. Afterward he went to New Madrid, and thence across the country into Tennessee, where he joined the forees return- ing from Columbns. He was wounded in a battle with buekshot, and was disabled for a few days. He also took part in the battle of Juka, and was taken prisoner in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and was held for three months at Jackson, Mississippi, where he was handled pretty roughly by his eaptors. After his release he returned to his regiment, and soon after the news of General Lee's surrender he was ordered to Selina, Alabama, where he was mustered out and sent to Davenport, Iowa; there he received his final discharge and pay, having served his country faithfully for four years and two months. At the time of his discharge he ranked as Quartermaster-Sergeant. Returning to John- son County, Iowa, he became an honest tiller of the soil, renting lands until he was able to buy a farm of his own. As a farmer he was quite successful, and carried on the busi- ness extensively until 1886, when he sold his farm in Johnson County, and removed to Audubon County. After looking over the county he bought 160 aeres on seetion 35, which is beautifully situated and of a very superior soil. It is drained by the Nishna- botna River, is well fenced and most of the
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
land is seeded down to grass. In 1886 Mr. Detwiler built a substantial residence, which is surrounded by a fine grove and very at- tractive in appearance. In 1870 he was married to Miss Nancy J. Shaffer, daughter of David and Agnes (Miller) Shaffer. She was born and reared in Indiana, and was living with her sister in Johnson County at the time of her marriage. The result of this union has been six children-Adda, Edna, Carrie, Dora, Mollie and Christian A. Mr. Detwiler is one of the active members of Allison Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a stauneli Republican, taking an active interest in the party and its successes. Ile is a man of genial disposition, of public spirit, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
AMUEL M. GARDNER, was born in Hancock County, Maine, June 8, 1861, and is the son of J. S. and Lydia F. (Appleton) Gardner, also natives of the State of Maine. He is the eleventh child of a family of sixteen, and remained in his native place until his nineteenth year. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the High School. On first coming to Iowa he located at Cedar Rapids, and engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he had learned from his father while he was yet at home. Ile remained in Cedar Rapids three years, and then engaged with Fairbanks, Moss & Company, in the construction of windmills and tanks. He remained with this firm, at work on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, for two years. In 1981, December 6, Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Pina L. Patterson, daughter of Robert II. and Laura L. (Nye) Patterson. Mrs. Gardner was born at Pine Mills, Muscatine County, lowa, Jan-
mary 10, 1859. Three children have been born ofthis marriage-Olive Elizabeth, Willis Miles and Alice Appleton. Immediately after their wedding Mr. and Mrs. Gardner came to Audubon County, and settled on a farın of 160 acres of partially improved land, which they made their home for two years. At the expiration of that time they returned to Muscatine County, and spent the summer there; then they came back to Audubon County, where they have since made their home. Mr. Gardner has added to his first purchase of land 240 acres, making 400 aeres in all, lying in sections 1, 2 and 3, Greeley Township. Ile has made many valnable improvements, and has made a decided success in the business, although he knew nothing about it when he settled on the farm. Politically he is a stanneh Republi- ean, taking an active interest in the welfare of the party. He has been twice elected del- egate to the State convention, and has acted as chairman of the Republican Township committee. Mr. Gardner and family are worthy people, and enjoy the respect of the citizens of the community in which they live.
RANK P. HUFFMAN has been identi- tied with the history of Audubon County sinee 1850. Ile was born in Clinton County, Ohio, near Wilmington, July 12, 1853, and is the youngest of eight children, four boys and four girls, all of whom are living. His father, William Inflman, was born in the State of Virginia, and is a son of Caleb Inffinan. The mother of Frank P. was Elizabeth (Lucas) Huffman, a native of Ohio. Her parents were Caleb and Mary E. (Priee) Lneas, who removed from Virginia to Ohio at an early day. William Huffman
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
was a blacksmith by trade, and in later years turned his attention to agriculture. He re- moved from his native State to Clinton County, Ohio, where he married and settled permanently ; his death took place in April, 1862. IIis wife also died on the old liome- stead in August, 1875. Frank P. Huffman passed his youth and school-days in his na- tive county. When he became of age he was married, in 1874, to Ella B. Lemar, a daughter of Charles and Adaline (Lemar) Lemar, of Clinton County, Ohio, and settled on the old homestead, which he farmed until 1880. He then removed his family to Au- dubon County, Iowa, locating upon his present farm; it consists of eighty aeres, which was wild prairie land, and unimproved. Mr. Huffman has spent much time and labor in developing this place, and has been well rewarded, as everything is in good shape. Four children have been born to Mr. Huff- man and wife-Minnie, Joseph M., Zelta V. and James Garfield. The mother passed from this life to her eternal . rest in October, 1884. Mr. IIuffman has represented his township as trustee, and is the present in- eumbent of the office. He takes an active interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, and often aets as delegate to judicial and county conventions.
ILLIAM JOHNSTON, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln Township, was born in Morrow County, near Mount Gilead, Ohio, August 13, 1848. He is the third son of John and Mary Louisa (Loy) Johnston, also natives of Ohio. The father was descended from an Irish family, and the mother from a German family. In 1861 John Johnston removed with his family to Louisa County, and settled 51
on a farm; he had formerly been a carpenter, but from the time he came to Iowa until his death, which occurred in 1874, he followed farming. His wife died the previous year, 1873, in her fifty-eighth year. William Johnston passed his youth in Louisa County, Iowa, attending the common schools; later he pursued his studies at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. After leaving school he entered the employ of Cole Brothers, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and engaged in selling pumps for six years; on account of failing health he was compelled to retire from the business. In the spring of 1876 he came to Audubon County, Iowa, and located on a farm in section 20, Lineoln Township, the first place opened up on the west side of the township. The land was wild, and there were only thirteen voters in the township; in 1888 248 votes were east in Lincoln Town- ship. Mr. Johnston broke out eighty aeres of land, and ereeted a house for a dwelling; it was a truly pioneer life, which is rapidly becoming a circumstance impossible, as there will soon be no new land to settle. Mr. Johnston has added from time to time until his farm now contains 240 acres, most of which he has brought to a high state of eul- tivation. At the time of his eoming to the county there was no church building in Lin- coln Township, and no organized religious societies; at the present time there are five organizations, and two church buildings. Of the thirteen voters before mentioned, six were Democrats and seven Republicans. Mr. Johnston has been very successful in raising hogs; lie feeds about 100 head annu- ally, principally of the Poland-China breed. In 1868 he was married to Miss Emma Hardesty, a daughter of Meredith Hardesty; she was born in Ohio, but removed to Iowa with her parents when she was a child. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
Johnston-Blanche, James Owen, Maud L., Frank, Burt, Mamie, Arthur, Fred, and Ray, who died in infancy. Mr. Johnston has been the choice of the people for almost every office in the township, and is the present as- sessor. Ile is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the I. O. R. M. Politically he is a staunch Democrat. He has done much toward the development of the county, from every point of view. At the time he came to the county there was not a grove in Lincoln Township; one of the first things he did was to plant a grove, which has grown to the proportions adequate for holding Fourth of July pienies and other out-door festivities.
ILLIAM J. NEWELL, an active and successful farmer of Lincoln Town- ship, was born in Canada, near the city of Hamilton, May 13, 1863. He is the oldest son of six children of William P. and Sophia (Davidson) Newell. The father was born in Ireland in 1831, and the mother is a native of Canada, in which country she lived at the time of her marriage. They con- tinued to reside in that country, William P'. carrying on the shoemaker's trade for many years; he afterward engaged in farming, and in 1881 the family removed to the United States, and settled in Andubon County, łowa, on a farm of 120 acres. William P'. Newell was an enterprising and prosperous farmer up to the time of his death, which occurred February 12, 1889. His wife died April 23, 1889. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living-Louisa J., wife of John Shinners; Carrie A .. wife of L. M. Estes; William J., Edward S., Alice M. and Charles II. George, May, and one child unnamed died in infancy. William J. New- ell, the subject of this notice, passed his sen made a visit to his native land, remain-
youth in the country of his birth, where he received his education in the common schools. He removed with his parents to Iowa, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, when he began farming and stock-raising on his own account. Ilc was married in 1885 to Miss Jessie E. Somers, the third daughter of William L. and Isabelle Somers, of Vermont. One child, a son, has been born of this marriage; his name is George. Mr. Newell moved to his present farm in 1885; it contains eighty acres of good land, which has been placed under cultivation and improved Ly Mr. New- ell. He has been very successful in raising and feeding stock, for the past three years shipping one car- load of cattle annually be- sides raising a large mumber of hogs. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
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